The Lawyer

by Olivia Saxton

  “You poor woman. Did they sedate you again? You seem so groggy.”

  “No, pain medication makes me sleepy. Not important now. Where Teddy?” she asked in broken English.

  “He will be here later. Teddy is working on an important case; he couldn’t leave at the moment. But, he sends his best, and he’ll be here to cheer you up soon.”

  Mrs. Hinkle squeezed her eyes shut. She let out a whimper that sounded like a wounded animal.

  Trish got nervous. “He’s coming. I promise.”

  “No, now. He needs to be here - now,” she whispered and opened her eyes. “You need him. David needs him. We all need him. He is the…only one that…can stop-” she stopped talking to wince in pain.

  “Stay calm and take your time,” Trish said and placed her hand over Mrs. Hinkle’s. It was obvious the woman was trying to tell her something. Something important. That idiot doctor. Why didn’t they listen to her? What if she was trying to tell them the medications she was allergic to?

  Mrs. Hinkle took a deep breath. “Listen, very carefully. I did not fall like they said. I- I was pushed…. down the stairs.”

  Trish’s mouth dropped open. “What? Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I…was dressed to leave...the house to go to a party at a friend’s house. I walked down the hall,” she said and stopped to take a breath. “I heard a nose in…the basement. Loud, never heard before. It was so loud, I thought that my furnace …broke down…it’s old you see.”

  “Go on,” Trish urged.

  She took another breath. “I opened the basement door. I thought I saw a …shadow. I called down…hello. Then, I…was pushed…really hard…from behind.” She cried. Fear and tears plagued her eyes. “Tumbled…so long…I thought…I would not stop. Landed on my back, I saw…her….she stood… top of the stairs. Closed my eyes….pretended I was,” Mrs. Hinkle sucked in a sob. “Dead.”

  “Oh God,” Trish said as she closed her eyes.

  “She spoke….said…let’s go. I stayed still. Heard someone…step over me…go up the stairs. Open eyes for a moment, saw large man…not fat…broad…maybe muscular.”

  “Do you know the woman who pushed you?”

  “Young…she-devil,” she sputtered out.

  Trish wrinkled her nose. “A young she-devil?”

  “Nooo…no,” Mrs. Hinkle said and took a deep breath. “Heather Young, the...she-devil.”

  Trish’s eyes grew wide like silver dollars. Her mouth went dry. “How do you know it was Heather? You never met her?”

  “Did...I did. Came in office…a few days ago. Said terrible things….about you and David…relationship. Slapped her.”

  Trish was taken aback. “David slapped her?”

  “Nooo…I slapped her.”

  Trish was astonished. Mrs. Hinkle was a sweet soul. Trish never heard of Mrs. Hinkle harming anyone. Heather must have really got under Mrs. Hinkle’s skin. “You did?”

  Mrs. Hinkle lightly grabbed Trish’s hand. “She got angry. Told David…to fire me. He refused. She realized…then…she really didn’t have a chance…with him. Threatened…David. Neither one…of us….took it seriously. Came…for me…revenge.”

  Trish placed her hand on her chest. Her heart pounded so hard that it felt like it was going to come out of her chest. “The nurse told me someone called an ambulance for you, but he wouldn’t give the dispatcher his name, and there was no one at your home when the ambulance showed up.”

  Mrs. Hinkle swallowed. “Must have been my….companion….for the evening. In his youth, he spent time…..in jail. I left the door unlocked….for him to come in. He must have seen me… called for help. Probably didn’t stick….around because the cops….might have…been called. He doesn’t…like them much.”

  Trish shook her head with understanding.

  “Nurse…can’t find David. Where?”

  Trish squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn’t lie to her. Mrs. Hinkle knew something was wrong since David didn’t come with her to the hospital.

  Mrs. Hinkle squeezed Trish’s hand.

  Trish slowly opened her eyes to look at a distraught Mrs. Hinkle.

  “David?”

  “I don’t know where he is. No one does. Teddy, Phillip, and Darlene have been searching for him all night.”

  Mrs. Hinkle groaned, and then she applied more pressure to Trish’s hand. “Find…Teddy, now.”

  Trish jumped up and grabbed the hospital phone. She dialed Teddy’s cell phone number. “Come on, come on,” Trish urged the ringtone.

  “Shaw,” he answered roughly.

  “Teddy, you need to get to the hospital, now. Room 406.”

  “Has Mrs. Hinkle taken a turn for the worst?”

  “Her accident wasn’t an accident. She was pushed down the stairs in her own house,” Trish blurted out.

  “What?” he exclaimed. “Who the hell would do that to her?”

  “Heather.”

  “Heather? I didn’t know Mrs. Hinkle knew her.”

  “Heather came into the office a few days ago. Sounds like Heather, David, and Mrs. Hinkle had it out. Mrs. Hinkle even slapped her.”

  “Hold on. I’m making a U-turn.”

  Trish waited.

  Teddy came back on the line. “David didn’t say a word to me about it.”

  “He didn’t say anything to me either. The way Mrs. Hinkle talked, they didn’t take her seriously.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She came after Mrs. Hinkle out of revenge, and she threatened David for rejecting her. After I get off the phone with you, I’m going to call the police. Mrs. Hinkle should give a statement. She needs to report this.”

  “No. Let me call them. I know a lieutenant on the force. We went to the academy together. I called him earlier about David, he’s been doing an unofficial search for me. At least we have a lead now.”

  Mrs. Hinkle started groaning Trish’s name.

  “Hold on, Teddy, I think Mrs. Hinkle is trying to tell me something. What is it, Mrs. Hinkle?”

  “No cops. She devil…found out I survived…she’ll come. Not safe here. Can’t…defend myself.”

  Trish shook her head. “Teddy. Mrs. Hinkle doesn’t want us to call the cops. She’s afraid that Heather will find out she survived the fall and try again. It sounds like she meant to kill Mrs. Hinkle. I’m inclined to agree with her. She’s totally defenseless.”

  “Tell her not to worry. I’ll get her protection, and tell her I’m on my way.”

  “I’ll be here when you arrive. Mrs. Hinkle shouldn’t be left alone now.”

  Chapter 38

  Teddy held and caressed Mrs. Hinkle’s hand as she gave a formal statement to the police officer. After she was done, Teddy kissed her hand. He bent his head over the older lady’s hand – resting his forehead on her hand. “She’ll pay for doing this to you, I promise.”

  The other cop was a lieutenant. He had long dark hair that was pulled back in a ponytail. He wore a long leather coat and black slacks. “Ms. Truman when was the last time you saw David Shaw?” the lieutenant asked.

  “New Year’s Eve. It was midnight.”

  “You mentioned something about going home after the New Year. Did anyone see you leave?”

  Teddy looked up at the lieutenant. “Harry.”

  “Thanks to Mrs. Hinkle’s statement the search is official now, Ted. Not saying Ms. Truman did anything to your brother, but I have to be thorough in the report.

  “It’s fine, Teddy. Yes, there was a doorman who helped me get a cab. Also, Phillip Dunn and Darlene Jacobs saw me walk out the door from the balcony of the ballroom.”

  “The ECTV Ball?”

  “Yes.”

  “Was anyone home when you got there?”

  “Mr. Jacobs was, but he was asleep. I say it was forty minutes until Darlene came home, and she did see me there. We talked for a few minutes, and I went to sleep.”

  “All right,” the lieutenant said.

  “Does she need a lawyer, Harry?” T
eddy asked sarcastically.

  Harry stared at Trish. “Nah. Even if I did suspect her in the case, how could I prove that a little thing like her abducted a big guy like David?”

  Mrs. Hinkle whimpered.

  “Jesus, Harry,” Teddy said. “Your mouth is still like a bull in a China shop.”

  Harry tipped his head to Mrs. Hinkle. “Beg your, pardon. I didn’t mean to upset you any more than you already are, ma’am. The department faxed a picture of Heather Young to hospital security. An officer is on his way to guard your door. An officer will be outside your door until she’s caught.”

  “Thank…you,” Mrs. Hinkle said.

  Harry tipped his head to Mrs. Hinkle again.

  “Now that I’m cleared and security has been set up, what are you doing to find David?” Trish asked.

  The lieutenant glanced at Mrs. Hinkle. “Let’s go in the hall.”

  After they filed out in the hallway, Harry addressed them. “What I’m about to say isn’t what you’re going to want to hear. So, brace yourselves. Even with an APB out on Heather, it’s going to be tough finding her or David. I wouldn’t be surprised if the big guy Hinkle mentioned was a pro. We went over the parking lot where David’s car was last seen with a fine tooth comb. Nothing unusual. It’s like he vanished without a trace.”

  Trish fought the urge to tear up. “It sounds like you’re giving up before you get started,” she choked out.

  “Not at all. I’m just saying it’s going to be tough, and it’s going to take time. I got a couple of the boys running a background check on Heather. Hopefully, something will come up that will give us a clue to where she might have taken David and more about the big guy.”

  Dr. Shaw and Mrs. Shaw approached them.

  “What are you two doing here?” Teddy asked.

  “Darlene called and told us what happened to Mrs. Hinkle. How is she?” Dr. Shaw asked. “Besides, we couldn’t keep sitting at the house. We were going crazy.”

  “Weak. She has a bad concussion, broken hip, sprang collarbone, and a fractured arm,” Trish said.

  “Poor thing,” Mrs. Shaw said.

  “She’s lucky that she’s alive. She could have broken her neck,” Dr. Shaw said.

  “I think that was the idea,” Harry said.

  Dr. Shaw and Mrs. Shaw looked at the lieutenant.

  “Mom, Dad, this is Lit. Harry McDonnell.”

  “And the officer looking at us?” Mrs. Shaw said and nodded her head to the cop next to Mrs. Hinkle’s room door.

  “That’s Officer McKay,” Harry answered.

  “Are you here about my son? Do you have any leads?” Mrs. Shaw asked with desperation.

  “Partly ma’am, you see we came here for Mrs. Hinkle. Apparently, she was pushed down the stairs. She didn’t fall like the ER thought she did. We came to take her statement.”

  “Dear heavens,” Mrs. Shaw said.

  “Did she know her assailant?” Dr. Shaw asked.

  “Harry, let me tell them,” Teddy said.

  “Sure, I got to get back to the department anyway.”

  “I’ll stop by later,” Teddy said.

  “All right,” Harry said and walked away.

  “What is going on, Teddy?” Mrs. Shaw said.

  “There’s no easy way to say this; Mrs. Hinkle was pushed down the stairs by Heather.”

  Dr. Shaw’s eyes bulged. Mrs. Shaw turned paler than she already was.

  “David’s Heather?” Dr. Shaw asked with disbelief.

  Teddy looked down at Trish.

  “Yes,” Trish said pressing her lips together.

  “I didn’t mean-,” Dr. Shaw started.

  “I know. We’re all in shock right now. Any of us can say anything at any given time considering the situation,” Trish said.

  “Why would Heather hurt Mrs. Hinkle?” Dr. Shaw asked.

  “Long story short, Heather snapped when she was in David’s office the other day. She and Mrs. Hinkle got into it, and David rejected Heather. She threatened David,” Teddy said.

  “Do you think Heather did something to David?” Mrs. Shaw asked.

  Teddy and Trish couldn’t answer her.

  “I thought she was done hurting my boy,” Dr. Shaw mumbled.

  “Oh God-” Mrs. Shaw started, and her head went backwards. Dr. Shaw grabbed her arms.

  “He’s okay, Elizabeth. He has to be,” Dr. Shaw said with a pained expression.

  Trish wondered if Dr. Shaw believed what he said because his face expressed fear, not optimism. “Yes, Heather might have pushed Mrs. Hinkle down the steps, but she wouldn’t harm David, I don’t think. She did love him at one time. Maybe she just took him somewhere private to talk. Get him to take her back.” Trish cringed as soon as she said it, but she would rather think that, than think Heather pushed him down a flight of stairs or worse.

  “Perhaps. It’s not far-fetched. Maybe Heather got him tied up in a roach motel- trying to talk sense into him or what she thinks is sense,” Teddy said.

  “I can call all the low budget motels,” Trish said.

  “Waste of time. Heather would have used an alias - if she has him at a motel,” Teddy said.

  “Okay, I’ll get a picture of Heather and David and go to these motels. A desk clerk might recognize them.”

  “Trish, honey, it’s a long shot, a possibility, yes, but a long shot,” Teddy said shaking his head.

  Trish couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Well, it was a long shot that David and I started dating. It was a long shot that we would ever spend Christmas together. It was a long shot that I would-” Tears started streaming down her face. She couldn’t stop them. She sniffed, then frowned. She covered her face with her hands - embarrassed by her lack of self-control. She cursed herself for falling apart in front of David’s parents. The last thing they needed was to be more upset by her emotional outburst.

  Teddy pulled her into his arms for a hug. He held her as she sobbed. “I was wondering when you were going to breakdown. I knew you weren’t made out of stone.”

  Someone pulled one hand away from her face. It was Mrs. Shaw, she was giving her a handkerchief. Then, Mrs. Shaw hugged her from behind. Dr. Shaw walked up and placed his hand on Teddy’s shoulder.

  Chapter 39

  David held out all night. Not only was his left eye swollen and closed, his lip was split, he had a bloody nose, and he believed he had a cracked rib. The man with brown hair and hazel eyes wanted David to write a note – a suicide note. It was clear what this man was going to do after David wrote the note, so David refused. He’d been tortured ever since.

  What David didn’t know was who and why. During the times he wasn’t threatened or hit, David thought about who was behind this. Past and present clients were happy with his services. He considered that it could be a jealous competitor. Even though most colleagues shook his hand after a case, it didn’t mean they were happy that they lost. At the same time, he couldn’t fathom a lawyer who would risk his career and going to prison over a professional grudge.

  The broad man came waltzing back into the room. “Still here I see.”

  “Well, it’s not like I can stand up and walk to the parking lot of - wherever this is,” David stated. His hands were tied behind his back around a pole, and his legs and ankles were tied together in front of him.

  The man knelt down to face him eye to eye. “It’s simple, you write what I want you to write and this will be painless or you won’t experience anymore pain. It will be quick. Capeesh?”

  David met his stare. “I’m not going to make this easy for you or whoever you’re working for. So forget it.”

  The man slowly got up. “You’ve got an iron will. I’ll give you that. No matter how unreasonable.” He walked away from David and to a satchel that sat on a folding table. He pulled a canteen from it and walked back to David. He knelt down again and took the lid off.

  “What’s that?” David asked.

  “Water,” he answered and offered it to David.

&n
bsp; David turned his head.

  “Now, you’re being prideful.”

  “How do I know it isn’t poisoned? It’s obvious you have instructions.”

  “Watch me.” The man took a big swig from the canteen and opened his mouth to show David that he swallowed the liquid.

  He offered the canteen again and this time David accepted. Life and hope went down his throat quenching the pain and worry.

  The man stood up again. “This is nothing personal you know. It’s the job. What I do.”

  “Before we go on with this, will you give me the courtesy of telling me who your employer is?”

  He heard a sliding door open and close from a distance. David heard the sound a couple of times last night.

  “Won’t have to. I think you two are about to meet.”

  David couldn’t believe his one opened eye when she stalked into the warehouse area. Her hair was in a ponytail that flowed down her back, and she wore blue jeans and a blue sweater. “Heather.”

  “Damnit, I told you not to hurt him. People aren’t going to think David committed suicide with a bloody face. There’s even blood on his shirt,” she shrieked.

  “I don’t know why you insisted on him writing a note. I could have shot him and made it look like a suicide in an ally in New York,” he said.

  “Don, I told you- it’s personal. People finding his body isn’t enough. I want his memory and reputation questioned and tarnished.”

  “Personal. That’s how people get caught you know. Complicating a simple killing. Look, I don’t know what you expected. A guy like him isn’t going to be persuaded or bullied into writing a suicide note. I would have told you that if you gave me enough time, but no, you had to have this taken care of immediately.”

  “If you thought it was such a dumb plan why did you accept the job?”

  “You offered double my usual rate. With that being said, where’s the other half?”

  “I told you when the job is done and unfortunately it is not.”

  Don came closer to her. He whispered something in her ear.

  “That’s probably for the best; especially now that David looks like he’s been in a brawl,” Heather said with a twisted mouth. She walked a few steps closer to David. “It’s also a good idea because that ole bat survived.”