She leaned forward to regard Gary with the utmost seriousness. "To remove any shadow of doubt, I think we need something more tangible and human - an objective third-party eyewitness from that specific timeframe, unconnected to this fiasco, who can verify Blake's presence and absolve him conclusively." Rose paused for emphasis before continuing.
"I think we need Ana herself, or whomever was running the market that night."
Gary considered this for a prolonged moment, tapping one finger against his pursed lips contemplatively. Just when Rose began to wonder if she had misspoke, the pragmatic defense attorney gave a slow, decisive nod.
"I think you're absolutely right, Rose," he said, the faintest traces of a smile playing across his features. "In a case as muddied and convoluted as this one, we need that unimpeachable human verification to eliminate any remaining traces of ambiguity around Blake's whereabouts." Gary closed the file folders with a firm rap on the desk blotter.
"Let's go after this bodega witness directly as our next top priority."
Relief blossomed within Rose's chest, grateful to be actively pursuing a new lead that could prove pivotal. "Wonderful, I'll make arrangements to revisit Ana's Marketplace right away and—"
"Not you, Rose," Gary interrupted, holding up a reinforcing hand. "Much as I appreciate your direct involvement in collaborating on Blake's defense, this is a delicate matter. We need to insulate any potential civilian witnesses from the specter of collusion or coercion."
The lawyer fixed her with a placating look. "For optics and any accusations of impropriety, it's critical that my firm's investigators handle the bodega inquiries completely independently. I don't want even a hint of conflict that the prosecution could capitalize on."
Rose's shoulders slumped fractionally, held in check only by Gary's reasonable counsel. As maddening as it was to be sidelined from such a vital mission, she begrudgingly assented with a terse nod.
"You're right, of course," she acknowledged through a tight jaw. "The prosecution is already spinning fictions about my 'illicit entanglement' with Blake to discredit anything I do on his behalf. We can't risk undermining the integrity of this potential bodega witness by having me directly involved."
Gary offered her a respectful look of understanding. "I don't make that call lightly, Rose. Your passion and dedication to Blake's defense has been invaluable. But we can't allow the prosecution any avenues for impugning the incontrovertible proof we're seeking to obtain here."
With that oblique parting remark hanging in the air, Rose made her departure, leaving Gary to parse the potential implications behind her loaded words. Outside his office, Rose felt the weight of her self-imposed shackles already chafing against her resolve.
If definitive proof of Blake's innocence existed within the walls of Ana's bodega, she would remain duty-bound to resist personally extracting it for now.
But Rose knew her restraint could only extend so far before overriding instincts propelled her into action - by whatever means were ultimately required.
For in her heart, she recognized that Blake's freedom took precedence above all other considerations. And Rose was prepared to confront any obstacles in her path, no matter how hazardous or unorthodox her methods became.
The path forward had been charted, with all its inherent risks and pitfalls. Now they would see whether traveling it discreetly bore the just fruit they sought.
But if this avenue faltered or proved fruitless, Rose inwardly vowed to forge a new trail through any barriers, no matter how daunting or destructive the wake.
Blake's vindication could no longer be held in limbo. One way or another, the truth would finally be excavated from the wreckage.
No Shelly hands they warned and she had obliged.
But Shelly's weren't exactly known for listenin keenly either.
Sooner or later, Blake would be free somehow. No matter whose reputations or lives were buried beneath its rubble.
Again, no matter whose reputation or lives was buried.