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Cade lay on the couch unable to move. His fatigue could have been from running away from his demons, not enough nutrition, or depression. He had lost fifteen pounds. Before his life derailed, he needed to lose five from late nights at the office and too many food deliveries. When he looked in the mirror as he brushed his teeth the night before, he looked gaunt.

Leigh slapped his butt. "Come on, get up."

"I'm tired."

"You need to eat. Remember the rich boy sounded optimistic. We need optimism."

Hathorne had called the night before. It was Tuesday morning which felt like a lifetime since he learned Meg's identity on Thursday evening. "I know, but I'm tired of waiting. Plus, I don't dare get my hopes up. A crushing blow might kill me if I'm not already at the lowest of lows."

Leigh sat on the edge of the sofa and rubbed his back. "Cade, I love you more than anyone in this world. Dad's a close second, but he left us."

"I might leave you too."

"Even if you know, you won't leave me. I won't give up on you, so you better not either. Come on, eat some eggs. They're filled with protein. You look like a good wind would blow you over."

"Fine. I'll get up, warden."

She hit him but ignored his poor joke. His humor had disappeared. Truthfully, he hated his own company.

Feeling guilty for his foul mood, he ate a whole plate of eggs just to make Leigh happy. Then he went back to the sofa. While Leigh went to work on her laptop. He dozed off to the sound of her tapping.

Once again, Leigh woke him. "Lunch time. I heated a can of soup. Drink some water too."

"Fine. I'll drink water, but I'm not hungry."

"Just eat it. You can't sleep all day."

"Why? It feels like groundhog day."

"Today feels different. Hathorne promised to call when he confirmed she was going to come forward."

"Can she really save me?"

"Hopefully. The DA has the power. He doesn't like to try a case he'll lose."

Cade took out a sketch pad and using a pencil, he drew Meg again from memory. Maybe if he thought of her, she would do the right thing. Deep in concentration, he focused on getting her lips right. The memory of their softness had faded which was just as well with his jumbled feelings about her. Had she and her boyfriend played him somehow? No, that was Vinnie and his dirty cops. He pressed down hard, and he broke the pencil.

Leigh looked up at him. "Are you okay?" He glared at her, and she asked, "What are you drawing?"

He held up the pad. "Her."

"That's good. You are really talented."

He shrugged. His frame of mind didn't accept compliments. It surprised him to see it was almost five. Somehow he made it through another day.

"Let's order in. I'm tired of cooking for you."

Shrugging, he looked down at his drawing and silently begged her to speak up. When Leigh's phone rang, he looked up as his heart picked up the pace.

Leigh looked green. "It's him." She looked at Cade. "She did? Hold on, can I put you on speaker?" She motioned to Cade.

Hathorne's voice came into the room. "She made an official statement today. The DA asked me to review the evidence with him. I pointed out the holes, your missing shirt, the lack of other footage. Meg's testimony corroborated your interrogation. She's a credible witness."

"What did he say?" Leigh's eyes lit up.

"He has serious concerns. For safety reasons, he is not ready to make a statement."

"Whose safety?" Leigh asked.

"Meg's. One of Pacheco's thugs threatened her."

Cade sat up. "What?"

"Some guy started showing up at the places she went. Then they left a threatening message on her work voicemail warning her not to testify."

"But she did. Is she safe?"

"That's why the DA is waiting. He wants to make sure the Attorney General says it's okay."

"But did he change his mind about the grand jury?"

"It's not official."

"Come on, rich boy. Cade is wasting away. Is this over?"

Eli sighed. "It will be, but not yet. You didn't hear it from me. Don't change your behavior. He's probably been watching you too."

"Will Cade be safe afterwards?"

"I don't know, but what would be the point of hurting him?"

Leigh frowned. "What's the point exactly? Can he leave the state?"

"Wait for the DA."

"Thanks Hathorne. Keep us informed."

"Will do." Eli hung up.

Leigh smiled at Cade. He shook his head. "I don't believe it."

"Believe it. I'm ordering Chinese and you're gonna eat it."

"Why'd you ask about leaving the state?"

"Because it would be good for you to go see dad. You'll feel safe there. If this taught me anything, I don't want you to move."

"I'd miss you too much. Is this really over for me?" Goose bumps popped out and he rubbed his arms.

"I think so. You have an alibi, no reasonable jury will convict you. Lawyers have egos. None of us want to lose."

"You too?"

"Damn right. I take great pride in beating guys like Hathorne. Obviously, I want what's best for my client, because everyone deserves a superior defense."

"Even if they're guilty?"

She frowned. "It's my job."

"You don't have a job. You quit because of me."

Leigh shrugged. "I'd do anything for you, but you promised to help me out."

"Will you open your own practice?"

"I might see if I can land the right job first. Will you smile? You have your life back. The food will be here. I expect you to eat."

Cade felt tears in his eyes, but the weight on his shoulders and heart felt lighter. He took a deep breath and filled his lungs for the first time since the knock on the door.

Leigh smiled as she looked at him. Cade copied her but it felt strange. "I think I forgot how."

"Maybe you need to practice. We should watch a comedy show. Remember when we used to watch stand up all the time?"

"We used to do a lot of things. I wish I could tell Joe."

"Just wait a day or two. Do you think you'll hear from her?"

Cade shook his head. "What would be the point? She's engaged. If I did, I would thank her."

"I'd ask her why the fuck she's with Hathorne."

Cade didn't respond, but he wished to hell he didn't know about that. "Maybe you should call Jason."

"I'll wait until it's signed, sealed, and delivered."

"Could they change their mind?"

"Technically, but they would need new evidence. I'm not ditching our proof. Relax, this is good."

The buzzer sounded making Cade jump. "I'll get the food and then I'll find a standup show on Netflix."

When Cade bit into a crab rangoon, his taste buds were on super charge after being muted while everything tasted like cardboard. As he sat in front of the TV, his muscles loosened up. After a constant state of tension, they hurt to relax like after a hard workout.

"I want to go for a run in the morning."

"Here or take a drive."

His chest tightened. "A drive but maybe I'll drive myself."

"Do you remember how?"

He chuckled. "I think I can manage it."

As he listened to the comic spin funny stories and circle back to previous punchlines, he smiled and laughed a few times. Leigh laughed unreserved and he watched her profile. The stress had wiped the glow off her skin and the shine out of her hair. Having been so self centered, he hadn't noticed. Someday he would make it up to her for giving up her life for him.

When Cade returned from his run, he didn't feel depleted. Having a nutritious breakfast helped. As soon as he walked in Leigh looked up with red eyes. His heart sank. "No!"

She gulped and wiped her eyes. Her smile looked unnatural. "It's over. Hathorne called. The DA made a statement. Daniel Maloney is no longer a suspect because of insufficient evidence. There will be an internal investigation into why they sent so much time pursuing the wrong lead. The crazy thing is he never mentioned your alibi."

"So Meg is safe?"

Leigh nodded. "You don't need the guilt if Pacheco did something to her."

Cade didn't want to think about guilt or sorrow. "I hope to hell Vinnie leaves me alone."

"Don't hang out in hotels and dark corners. This world is full of cameras, make them your friend. He learned his lesson not to pin anything on you."

"I'll be looking over my shoulder for a long time."

"That's why you should get out of town."

"I think I'll call Joe and give him the good news."

"Get the gang together. We should go out for a celebration."

"In public?"

Leigh laughed. "Yes, you need to live." She hugged him.

"I think I need therapy."

"Cade, if you do, you do, but relish the joy." Leigh had a therapist after her divorce.

"Joy." He smiled. "Joy." Then he grabbed his phone and called his best friend. After sharing the news he felt lighter, so he called Eden next. She cried, "Thank God, Cade. I've been so worried. Leigh is right, we need to go out and celebrate."

"No nightclubs. Just a nice dinner."

"You should invite your alibi."

"Not a good idea. She's moved on. Let's just celebrate."

When He hung up, he picked Leigh up and swung her around. "I'm free!"

They both laughed together.

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