Mal rubbed his eyes and sucked in a big breath of air. He couldn't believe what he was reading. The files scattered over the desk were all marked Wayland. He closed the one he'd just finished looking at and leaned back in his chair. This was bizarre. Mal wondered if the party's concerned knew the truth.

He looked at his watch. 12.15. Felix had been good enough to stay back so he, Mal, could finish what he had started. Mal grinned. Probably so he didn't have to bother him again. He collected his photocopies, put everything into their correct folders and pushed his chair back.

Felix was asleep on the couch in his office. Mal put the files on the desk and gave him a shake. "Felix. Hey. Wake up."

"Ah... shit! Felix shot to sitting position. "Fuck, Mal! Are you still here?"

"Well, I can't get out unless you let me."

Felix nodded, stretched, yawned and stood up. "What time is it?"

"Twelve-thirty."

"You find what you were looking for?"

"Yeah... more than I bargained for." Mal jerked his thumb. "I've put the files on your desk." He sighed. "Thanks for doing this. I think you just saved a man's life."

"It's always about saving someone with you, Mal." Felix laughed and stood up. "Come on and I'll let you out."

They shook hands at the bottom of the stairs. "Thanks. I mean it. A bottle of rum doesn't seem to be thanks enough. If there's anything I can do for you please let me know."

"Don't fucking bother me again in the next year. How's that sound?" Felix laughed and gripped Mal's shoulder.

"I can't promise you that, mate." Mal grinned and cocked his head. "Sorry."

"Nah... it's alright. Maybe one day you can sit down and tell me all about it."

"Yeah... one day."

The weather had set in. Mal tucked his paperwork under his coat and ducked to his car. He climbed in and looked at the time. Twenty to one. He wondered if Harry would be awake. Mal looked at the file and nodded. He inserted his key in the ignition. "Too fucking bad if he's not." He started the engine and turned the car around.

"Mal. This is unbelievable." Harry ran his hands down his face. "I prosecuted this case." He sighed and sat down heavily in his chair. The world had a funny way of connecting dots. He wondered if there really was a 'big man' in a chair upstairs writing everyone's life scripts. "Do you think the police know about any of this?"

Mal shook his head. "I don't think so."

Harry gathered the pile of papers. "I'm going to take copies of all this, Mal. Stupid incompetent Detective Day is going to get a piece of me tomorrow. How could he have missed all of this?"

Mal yawned and nodded. "Take your time."

"You want a bed for the night?" Harry looked at his watch. "It's three-twenty. I've got plenty of spare beds so take your pick." He grinned. "With all this to copy it'll be sun up before I finish."

Mal chuckled and pushed himself up off the couch. "Any room?"

"Except the one at the end of the hall but take your pick of the others." Harry waved the bundle of papers in his hands. "Thanks for this, mate. I knew I could count on you."

I wonder what interesting information Mal has found.

Photo - Gettyimages.