Ch 16 Justice and Guilty Pleasures

  A New Client

  Barry Cartwright sat in his office, reviewing case files when Daphne Langley poked her head in.

  “Your new client is here,” she said with a smirk. “And let me tell you, this one’s gonna be… interesting.”

  Barry raised an eyebrow. “Define interesting.”

  Daphne gestured towards the door, and a well-dressed man stepped inside. He was in his late forties, with slicked-back dark hair, a sharp jawline, and an air of confidence that immediately told Barry this guy was used to running things.

  “Mr. Cartwright,” the man said, extending a hand. “Vincent ‘Vince’ Morelli. Owner of Guilty Pleasures.”

  Barry shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Morelli. Please, have a seat.”

  Morelli sat down, adjusting the cuffs of his expensive suit.

  “I’ll cut right to the chase,” he said. “My business is under attack.”

  Barry leaned forward. “From who?”

  Morelli sighed. “Anti-super groups, mostly. They like to cause trouble. They’ll harass my dancers, vandalize the club, break windows, and sometimes even get physical.”

  Barry frowned. “And your dancers?”

  “They’re supers with the hybrid form ability,” Morelli explained. “They can shift between human and animal-like forms. Some have feline traits, some avian, some reptilian. It’s a unique show. Legal, of course. But these anti-super jackasses see my club as an easy target.”

  Barry scribbled some notes. “Have the police helped?”

  Morelli snorted. “Bare minimum. They come after the fact, take statements, but nothing changes.”

  Daphne crossed her arms. “So, you want Barry to file lawsuits?”

  Morelli nodded. “I want these terrorists held accountable. I want restraining orders, damages paid, and legal pressure to make them back off.”

  Barry nodded. “We can do that.”

  Morelli hesitated before speaking again. “There’s… another issue.”

  Barry looked up. “Go on.”

  Morelli’s expression darkened. “A super-powered gang lord is demanding protection money. He runs most of the crime in my district. Calls himself Grudge.”

  Daphne raised an eyebrow. “Creative.”

  Morelli wasn’t amused. “This guy is bad news. Super strength, bulletproof, and he’s got a crew that follows him like a damn cult.”

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  Barry leaned back. “Not exactly a legal issue.”

  Morelli sighed. “No. But it’s a problem, and if it continues, I’ll be out of business.”

  Barry considered his options. “I have contacts in the Superpower Task Force. I’ll reach out. See if they can handle Grudge.”

  Morelli smirked. “Appreciate it.”

  Barry extended his hand. “We’ll take care of the legal side. As for Grudge… I’ll see what I can do.”

  They shook hands.

  And just like that, Barry had a new case—one that was about to get very messy.

  Reaching Out

  Barry sat in his office, tapping his fingers against his desk. He picked up his phone and dialed a familiar number.

  After a few rings, Detective Isaac Ford answered.

  “Cartwright,” Ford said. “What’s up?”

  Barry got straight to the point. “I’ve got a gang lord problem.”

  Ford sighed. “You gonna elaborate?”

  Barry explained Morelli’s situation—the assaults, the vandalism, and the extortion by Grudge.

  When he finished, Ford let out a low whistle. “Grudge, huh? Yeah, we’ve been trying to nail that son of a bitch for months.”

  Barry frowned. “No luck?”

  “He’s slippery,” Ford admitted. “His gang does most of the dirty work, and no one talks. But if he’s muscling in on businesses like Guilty Pleasures, that means he’s getting bolder.”

  Barry leaned forward. “Can the Task Force take him down?”

  Ford was silent for a moment. Then, “We’ll look into it. But Barry… you need to be careful. If Grudge finds out you’re helping Morelli, you’ll be on his shit list.”

  Barry exhaled. “Wouldn’t be the first time someone wanted me dead.”

  Ford chuckled. “Fair enough. I’ll keep you updated.”

  Barry hung up and sat back.

  He knew this case was going to be trouble.

  But Barry Cartwright never backed down from a fight.

  The First Strike

  That night, Barry and Daphne went to Guilty Pleasures to meet Morelli and see the situation firsthand.

  The club was packed, the atmosphere electric. The dancers were impressive—one woman had sleek panther-like features, another had iridescent wings. It was clear why Morelli’s club was popular.

  But it was also clear why it was a target.

  Barry and Daphne sat in a VIP booth, watching the crowd.

  “Place has a good vibe,” Daphne noted.

  Barry nodded. “Which makes it a perfect place for some asshole to cause trouble.”

  As if on cue, trouble walked through the door.

  A group of men—big, mean, and radiating bad intentions—entered the club. They didn’t belong. They weren’t customers.

  Daphne’s telepathic ability flared up. She paled. “Barry… these guys are here for a reason.”

  Barry’s metal fingers clenched into fists.

  Then, one of the men—a brute with a scar over his eye—stepped onto the stage and shoved one of the dancers to the floor.

  The music stopped.

  The club froze.

  Barry was already on his feet.

  Before the thug could say anything, Barry grabbed him by the collar and hurled him into a table.

  Chaos erupted.

  The thugs rushed Barry, but he was ready.

  His skin shifted—turning from polished steel to reinforced titanium.

  A punch landed on his jaw. It didn’t even budge him.

  Barry responded by sending the guy flying.

  Daphne ducked, dodging one of the attackers, her eyes glowing as she sent a telepathic shockwave, causing two of them to stumble back.

  Morelli’s bouncers jumped in, fists swinging, and soon the club was a battleground.

  Barry grabbed one of the last standing thugs by the shirt. “Who sent you?”

  The man spat blood and sneered. “You already know.”

  Barry’s grip tightened. “Tell Grudge I’m coming for him.”

  Then, he threw the man out the door.

  The fight was over.

  The message was sent.

  Preparing for War

  As the dust settled, Morelli walked over, looking both pissed and impressed.

  “Well,” he said. “That’s one way to handle things.”

  Barry flexed his fingers. “They were gonna start something anyway. I just finished it first.”

  Daphne rolled her eyes. “Subtle as ever.”

  Morelli sighed. “Grudge isn’t gonna like this.”

  Barry smirked. “Good.”

  Because Barry wasn’t just fighting a legal battle anymore.

  He was making a statement.

  And soon, Grudge was going to find out exactly what happens when you mess with Barry Cartwright.