"Jeff, this is the first and last time I warn you. Keep your hands off Spike, or I will never forgive you!"
Jeff seemed stunned, and I hung up the phone first.
I suddenly felt dizzy.
Overwhelming despair engulfed me, and I couldn't suppress the panic no matter what.
I knew what Jeff was capable of.
He could break down a criminal's psychological defense with his words.
He could use various inducements to make one fall into his trap.
But Spike was just an innocent teenager.
His foster parents were an honest and kind rural couple. All he wanted in life was to study well and earn money to pay for his mother's medical treatment.
I knew why he was falsely accused.
He took away Ava's opportunity to study abroad.
And Kay wanted to become Mrs. Burke.
Both Kay and Ava would be beneficiaries.
Yet Jeff was suddenly no longer that professional lawyer. He chose to take Kay's side because she was the one he loved.
The plane finally could take off.
I boarded the plane with a high fever, and all the way, I was in a daze, with a strong palpitation.
A bad feeling kept me frightened and uneasy.
I had a nightmare.
In the nightmare, Jeff was cunning and treacherous, with a sharp tongue, pushing Spike into a desperate situation, and in the end, Spike couldn't even speak incoherently.
Spike's face turned pale, and large beads of sweat rolled down. He was staggering.
Kay and Ava sat in the audience, feeling relieved and vindicated.
Jeff took advantage of his victory and continued to ruthlessly question Spike.
Spike was pushed to the point of emotional breakdown, and he confessed.
Jeff loosened his tie and looked at Kay in the seat.
Their affectionate eyes met.
The judge found Spike guilty of aggravated assault and sentenced him to life in prison.
"Jeff, thank you," Kay said with red eyes. "I'm so grateful to you."
"Mr. Burke, thank you. My mom and I want to invite you to a meal," Ava said.
Jeff smiled and agreed.
At the same time, Spike jumped down from the roof.
The scream got stuck in my throat, and I opened my eyes abruptly, drenched in cold sweat.
It was a dream.
Fortunately, it was just a dream.
I found a lawyer who was more famous than Jeff. His name was Alban Castro, and he had arrived in Seattle and had met Spike.
He said he was very confident about this case.
Maybe everything would work out for the best.
I kept comforting myself.
But the fear deep in my soul kept overwhelming me.