"Matt... what's wrong?"
Foggy asked with concern as he saw Matt walking towards him, looking grim.
"Nothing... I've figured things out. Let's go get Karen out of the police station first."
Matt composed himself, then led Foggy to find her.
...
"My client is not under any suspicion, so why can't she leave?"
Matt pressed coldly, expressionless, towards the two officers in front of him.
"The case is still unclear, so Karen needs to stay and assist with the investigation," the white officer responded in an official tone, giving Matt no leeway.
"I'll have Karen stay in touch. She'll come immediately if needed," Matt tried to negotiate.
"No, she needs to stay here."
The white officer's expression and tone were unwavering.
"You have no reason to detain her!"
Matt shot back firmly.
"Yes, but here's the thing—this is the police station, and I'm in charge here! You don't get to boss people around!" the white officer snapped, pointing at the ground.
"So, you're really going to make Karen stay until the legal hold expires before letting her go?"
Matt fearlessly continued to challenge him.
"That's my right!" the white officer glared. "Do you have a problem with that?"
"No, I don't. But I can't guarantee my charming and lovely client won't go on some talk show to talk about her experience of being unjustly detained."
Matt raised his head, threatening in an emotionless tone.
"F*** you!" The white officer stood up angrily, and the black officer beside him tugged at him.
Pointing at Matt, he raged, "Don't think I won't smash your face in just because you're blind! Watch yourself!"
With that, he stormed off in a huff.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Foggy asked the remaining black officer, clearly displeased.
"Foggy, just shut your mouth!" the black officer, also irritated, stood up. "He's not usually like this. I'll go check what's going on."
The two left behind exchanged puzzled glances.
"Seems your bribe wasn't as effective as you thought," Matt quipped at Foggy.
Foggy spread his hands helplessly, "Who knew what's wrong with that guy? I'm definitely filing a complaint!"
Matt turned his face in the direction the officer left, remaining silent.
Maybe there was something wrong with him...
...
"Brown, what's going on with you today?"
The black officer asked, puzzled, as he walked up to the white officer.
Brown was smoking, and when the black officer approached, he avoided eye contact. "Something happened at home. I'm just not in a good mood," he muttered.
"Alright." The black officer lit a cigarette as well and casually said, "Then let's keep Karen here a bit longer."
"Yeah, this case feels odd to me too." The black officer looked over at Brown.
"What do you think about that man in black?"
Brown frowned, took a deep drag on his cigarette, and replied, "I don't know, maybe she made it up."
"Made it up? So she murdered someone she had no connection to and dressed him up like a hitman?"
The black officer pondered.
"I don't know, LeBron. Maybe, but we don't have any evidence. We can't do anything."
LeBron crossed his arms, leaned against the wall, hesitated for a moment, and then moved closer to Brown, his face serious.
"Have you ever heard a rumor?"
Brown glanced at LeBron uncomfortably and shook his head.
"People say there's a demon in Hell's Kitchen who dresses in black at night, fighting crime and saving good people," LeBron said with amusement.
"Maybe it's just a rumor. That guy's never been seen," Brown disagreed.
"No, some in the police department have actually received cases related to him..."
"Alright." Brown finished his cigarette, dropped the butt, and intended to end the conversation. "Maybe he's real, but so what?"
"This is Hell's Kitchen. He can only be a nightmare to some, but he'll never be an angel saving anyone!"
Brown's tone grew intense, his voice carrying far.
"Okay, Brown, calm down." LeBron soothed Brown, but there was a hint of doubt in his expression.
Why did Brown react so strongly?
...
Hours later.
"Karen, are you alright?"
Matt asked as the two officers escorted Karen out.
"Not really..." Karen looked drained, her energy sapped by the oppressive atmosphere of the station.
"Okay, let's get out of here."
Matt stepped forward, and Karen followed him toward the exit.
Halfway through, Matt turned around.
"Justice will come—if not in the station or the courts, then elsewhere."
His cryptic words left the two officers visibly displeased.
And beneath Brown's displeasure lay a trace of fear.
Minutes later, the three were outside.
"Karen, what's your plan now?"
Matt asked pointedly.
Out of the station, Karen regained a bit of her composure. She smoothed her hair and looked at Matt for a moment.
"Find a place to sleep. I'll decide after I've rested."
Foggy chimed in, "Do you have a place to stay?"
"I do. Matt, what's your phone number?"
Matt gave his number to Karen so she could remember it.
"I'll contact you later. I'm off."
With that, Karen disappeared into the night.
"Do you guys have a little secret I don't know about?" Foggy asked Matt suspiciously.
"No, I don't."
Matt grinned, as if to say: Yes, I do.
Foggy looked hurt at the answer.
"I knew it! You can never be low-key, can you? Hanging around you, I never stand a chance!"
He complained bitterly.
"Come on, Foggy, we can't have personal feelings with clients. It's our professional ethic!" Matt countered.
"Oh, please! Matt, you're the last person who should say that!"
Foggy retorted.
"I'm heading back. See you tomorrow."
As he turned to leave, Foggy asked, "Aren't you going?"
Matt nodded, "I've got something to take care of."
"Going after Karen, huh?" Foggy guessed, "Aren't you being a bit too eager?"
"No, no, I swear, it's something else."
Matt dropped the playful tone and became serious.
Foggy stayed quiet for a moment before softly saying, "Alright. You always have something else going on."
Looking serious, he added, "Matt, don't push yourself too hard. Take care of yourself."
"I will."
Foggy walked off, and Matt watched him go with concern.
Had he finally figured something out?