Ch 18 Shadows and Fire

  An Unexpected Client

  Barry Cartwright had dealt with his fair share of unconventional clients since opening his law firm, but something about Gideon Graves immediately put him on edge.

  The man was tall, broad-shouldered, and impeccably dressed in a tailored charcoal-gray suit. His shaved head and sharp, dark eyes made him look more like a CEO of a major corporation than someone seeking legal counsel.

  “Mr. Cartwright,” Gideon said smoothly as he entered the office, offering a firm handshake.

  Barry shook it, keeping his expression neutral. “Mr. Graves. What can I do for you?”

  Gideon settled into the chair across from Barry’s desk, lacing his fingers together. “I’m looking for a lawyer to help handle some business contracts.”

  Barry leaned back slightly. “You seem like a man who already has a legal team.”

  Graves gave a small, knowing smile. “I do. But I want someone fresh, someone who understands the new landscape of this city.”

  That was vague. Too vague.

  Daphne Langley, Barry’s telepathic assistant, sat just outside the office, subtly reaching out with her ability. But her brows furrowed slightly.

  “I can’t read him,” her voice echoed in Barry’s mind. “It’s like there’s a wall around his thoughts.”

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  Barry kept his expression even. That wasn’t unheard of—some supers had natural resistances to telepathy. But it made him even more cautious.

  “Business contracts, huh?” Barry asked, feigning nonchalance. “What industry are we talking about?”

  Graves shrugged lightly. “A little of everything. Nightclubs. Warehouses. Security.”

  Barry nodded slowly. “And why me?”

  Gideon’s eyes flickered with something unreadable. “You’re rising in reputation. You’ve represented supers in legal matters, and you aren’t afraid to push back against… difficult opposition. I think you’d be an asset.”

  That was carefully worded.

  Barry folded his hands. “I’d need to review your business records before I can take you on as a client.”

  Graves pulled a thick folder from his coat and slid it across the desk. “Everything you need is in there.”

  Barry accepted it, but he wasn’t fooled. The real records wouldn’t be in here.

  “I’ll take a look and let you know,” Barry said.

  Graves stood, buttoning his jacket. “Take your time. But don’t take too long. I’m a busy man.”

  As soon as he left, Daphne entered the office, arms crossed.

  “You felt that, right?” she asked.

  Barry nodded. “Oh yeah.”

  Tyler Bishop, their speedster paralegal, zipped into the room, eyes wide. “That guy gave me bad vibes. What’s his deal?”

  Barry tapped the folder on his desk. “That’s what we’re going to find out.”

  Back at the Penthouse

  High above the city, in a penthouse with a perfect skyline view, Gideon Graves poured himself a glass of dark whiskey.

  The air in the room shimmered as a figure stepped out of the shadows—a tall man with glowing orange eyes and faint embers drifting off his fingertips.

  “How did it go?” the fire-wielding super asked, his voice a low rumble.

  Graves swirled his drink, watching the liquid move. “He’s smarter than I expected. Didn’t commit to anything. Asked all the right questions.”

  The fire super exhaled sharply, heat distorting the air around him. “You think he suspects?”

  Graves chuckled. “Oh, he’s definitely suspicious. But that’s expected.”

  The other man frowned. “Why even bother with him? He’s a wild card. Could be a problem.”

  Graves took a slow sip of whiskey. “Because I want to know how he thinks. I want to see if he’s for sale… or if he’s a problem.”

  The fire super leaned against the wall, watching him carefully. “And if he’s a problem?”

  Graves set his glass down with a quiet clink.

  “Then I’ll handle him.”