by James Ross
“He’s a real ball buster.” Crash looked down to the papers on his desk. “I don’t know the best way to say this.” His eyes lifted to meet Curt’s. “Even though you’re my client and we’ll have our lawyers on this thing, it might be best…” Crash stopped.
“What?”
“We’re only going to be able to do so much. My advice for you,” Crash paused again, “is to get your own lawyer too.”
CHAPTER 21
barrydebohn: u there?
kittypurrs4u appears to be offline and will receive your messages after signing in.
barrydebohn: hello?
kittypurrs4u appears to be offline and will receive your messages after signing in.
barrydebohn: where r u?
kittypurrs4u appears to be offline and will receive your messages after signing in.
barrydebohn: guess I’ll look for u some other time
kittypurrs4u: miss me honey?
barrydebohn: damn, why do u do that to me?
kittypurrs4u: was chatting
barrydebohn: new boyfriend?
kittypurrs4u: tee hee. w hard9nTX. u jealous?
barrydebohn: how many boyfriends do you have?
kittypurrs4u: u mad ur not the only one?
barrydebohn: not as long as u take care of me
kittypurrs4u: when r we going to do that
barrydebohn: soon I hope
kittypurrs4u: we’ll see. Stud has final say
barrydebohn: I don’t get this Stud thing
kittypurrs4u: Stud looks after me
barrydebohn: and lets u sleep w other guys
kittypurrs4u: uh-huh if I want
barrydebohn: have u met anyone lately?
kittypurrs4u: hmmm. Let me see
kittypurrs4u: there was this one that I had been talking to
barrydebohn: what happened
kittypurrs4u: he said he wanted to fly in for lunch
barrydebohn: did he
kittypurrs4u: yeah, it was one day last week
barrydebohn: what happened
kittypurrs4u: he had to come in on business
barrydebohn: did he have time for u
kittypurrs4u: that was his excuse
kittypurrs4u: I think he really wanted to see me
barrydebohn: u think? Of course he did
kittypurrs4u: but there’s so many of them I get messed up
barrydebohn: there’s so many flying in to see you?
kittypurrs4u: no I get so many hits in a day
kittypurrs4u: sometimes I get confused
kittypurrs4u: but this guy I remember cause we’ve been chatting
barrydebohn: that’s good that u have some recollection
barrydebohn: after all u were going to sleep w him
kittypurrs4u: I didn’t say that
kittypurrs4u: I don’t sleep w all of them
kittypurrs4u: I’m a nice girl
barrydebohn: I bet u r
kittypurrs4u: I am
kittypurrs4u: If Stud doesn’t like them
kittypurrs4u: or I don’t feel comfortable
kittypurrs4u: then we don’t do anything
barrydebohn: alright so what happened?
kittypurrs4u: u mean w this guy
barrydebohn: yeah
kittypurrs4u: he was older
kittypurrs4u: I like guys like that
kittypurrs4u: I feel like they will take care of me
barrydebohn: how
kittypurrs4u: I’m scared and get afraid of what might happen
barrydebohn: I’m older
kittypurrs4u: I know… that’s why I like u
barrydebohn: this guy? Did u sleep w him?
kittypurrs4u: what do u think I am?
kittypurrs4u: I have to get to know someone before I do that
barrydebohn: sorry thought u had been chatting w him
barrydebohn: how did it come down?
kittypurrs4u: Stud and I met him in the bar
barrydebohn: where
kittypurrs4u: in the hotel lobby
barrydebohn: ok… that is safe
kittypurrs4u: I felt that way
kittypurrs4u: he was a nice man
barrydebohn: a lot can be
kittypurrs4u: Oh I’ve met some real jerks
barrydebohn: guys can be that too
kittypurrs4u: but this man was nice
kittypurrs4u: and he smelled so good
kittypurrs4u: I love guys that smell good
barrydebohn: I thought u liked them w long curly hair
kittypurrs4u: tee hee. that too. did I tell u abt him?
barrydebohn: yes u did. so what abt this guy
kittypurrs4u: he put his hand on my thigh
kittypurrs4u: I was getting a little tipsy
kittypurrs4u: one glass of wine will do that
barrydebohn: what happened
kittypurrs4u: he was rubbing my leg up and down
kittypurrs4u: I started getting wet
barrydebohn: oh come on
kittypurrs4u: no I could feel it
kittypurrs4u: the higher he got the hotter I was
kittypurrs4u: so…
barrydebohn: did u go to his room
kittypurrs4u: tee hee
kittypurrs4u: first I looked at Stud
kittypurrs4u: he could tell
kittypurrs4u: so he nodded his head
kittypurrs4u: Mmmmm. The guy smelled soooo good
barrydebohn: you’re a bad girl
kittypurrs4u: tee hee. No I’m a good girl
barrydebohn: I can’t wait to find out how good
barrydebohn: so u went to his room
kittypurrs4u: yes
barrydebohn: then what happened?
kittypurrs4u: just a sec. BRB
barrydebohn: kitty don’t do this to me
barrydebohn: kitty
barrydebohn: kitty… is that ur real name anyway?
kittypurrs4u: tee hee what do u think
barrydebohn: jeez I thought u left
kittypurrs4u: Not yet, but I do now
kittypurrs4u: Stud needs me to do something
barrydebohn: I can wait
kittypurrs4u: no it will be a few hrs before I’m back online
barrydebohn: Aw I wanted to find out what happened next
kittypurrs4u: he kissed me in the elevator
kittypurrs4u: and put his arms around me
barrydebohn: alright
kittypurrs4u: and put his leg between mine and then
kittypurrs4u: Mmmmm. He smelled so good
kittypurrs4u: I’ll tell u later
barrydebohn: No!
kittypurrs4u: Stud’s yelling at me
kittypurrs4u: gotta go. BBL
barrydebohn: kitty!
kittypurrs4u has signed out
barrydebohn: kitty!
“Dammit!
CHAPTER 22
“Come on,” Fred said as the guys congregated in the rear of the clubhouse. He got a chance to settle into his favorite spot in the back booth. The springs in the interior of that seat were mashed down enough from his weight over the years to form fit around his physique—or lack thereof. “Let’s figure up these bets. Get those cards over here.”
There was a big crowd. It seemed like almost all of the guys played except Pork Chop. He brought his dad out for some fresh air.
“What have you been up to Uncle Woo?” Captain Jer started as soon as his lips finished off a sip of cold beer.
The old man’s brow furrowed. A serious tone spread over his face as he thought about what they had recently done. “Me and the boy…”
“You mean Pork Chop,” Captain Jer interrupted.
Uncle Woo shook his head insistently. “Andrew. That’s my boy.”
“Do you mind if we call him Pork Chop?” Captain Jer asked.
“Come on, Jerry. Lay off a little bit,” Julie whispered.
“My boy?” Uncle Woo said with a confused look. “I guess we c
an have those for supper.”
“Go ahead and tell us what you did with Andrew,” Captain Jer said amidst the snickers.
“The boy and I were up at four this morning,” Uncle Woo continued undeterred.
“Probably to get something to eat,” Captain Jer butted in.
“Cut it out, Jerry,” Julie shushed. “I see that you finally have someone to relate to.” She smacked him on the shoulder.
“No, we haven’t eaten yet today. We drove what seemed like almost to Arkansas. It had to be at least three hours.”
“Did you stop for gas?”
“Jerry!”
“After we stopped we hiked in the darkness for another half hour.”
“The sun had to be up by then.”
Julie glared at the retired pilot. “Let him finish.”
“Where did you go?”
“The deer stand,” Uncle Woo answered.
“It’s summertime. Deer season is in November,” Captain Jer said.
“Not this year,” Uncle Woo insisted. “We sat there and talked. He’s only five years old and I was a little worried that the hunting rifle would be a bit too much for him to handle.” Uncle Woo paused. Tension built between his eyes as he struggled to remember what happened next.
“Did you get any shots off?” Captain Jer asked.
“Oh yeah,” Uncle Woo said firmly. “My boy got himself a twelve point buck on his very first shot.”
“Where’s the rack?”
“It’s out in the car. We had to go a half of a mile to get it.”
“Your boy killed a deer from a half mile away?”
“Yeah, right at that. It was a heckuva good shot. He got so excited he fell out of the deer stand and landed on his head.”
“Is he okay?”
“He’s a tough kid. He’s gonna make it. He fell twenty feet. It wore my ass out though.”
“How’s that?”
“I had to climb out of the stand. Then I picked him up and dusted him off. I was proud of him. He wasn’t even crying.”
“No wonder.”
“What?”
“No wonder you’re tired.”
“Yeah. I threw him over my shoulder and carried him to the buck. Then I drug that sucker to the car with him over my shoulder.”
Captain Jer looked around the room at the guys. All were stifling chuckles. “With all of that you’ll be ready for a nap.”
“I reckon I’ll sleep good tonight.”
“Can I see the rack?”
“Sure. It’s out in the car. I cleaned the buck and mounted the rack while they was operating on him in the emergency room.”
“What was wrong with him?”
“He had a broken neck. But he’s really a tough kid. He got up and walked out of there when they was done.” Uncle Woo got up and headed for the door.
“Hey, Jules! Get Uncle Woo a drink on me,” Captain Jer yelled across the room. “After what he’s been through this morning he deserves one.” He turned to Pork Chop. “How are you feeling?”
“You look like a quick healer,” Trot added.
Pork Chop rolled his eyes. “We’ve been in here for thirty minutes and he’s had one cup of coffee.” He puffed out his lower lip and looked at the ground. “It’s sad to see. He’s Pops. I don’t know where it comes from.”
“Okay guys, here’s the deal,” Fred said. “J Dub has made a poster up with all of our names on it. We’re going to tack it up on the wall and one of us is going to post all the scores every time we play.”
“We’re all in the computer,” Elia protested.
“Yeah, but this way if someone doesn’t enter his score or puts the wrong score in J Dub will be able to check the accuracy.”
“That’s kind of an indirect way of saying that somebody has been cheating,” BT accused.
Fred grinned. “The group has grown. This will put checks and balances on our honor system.” He went to the counter and got the poster board from J Dub. “Any complaints? Let’s get them out in the open right now.”
“It’s kind of lousy not to trust the guys you’re playing golf with,” Paco said.
“That’s exactly my point. We want to keep our handicaps on the up and up. We don’t want guys getting strokes where they don’t deserve them.” Fred turned to Scottie P and winked.
“Hey, you better remember who you’re winking at,” Captain Jer yelled. “Scottie P is one of those switch hitters.”
“Don’t we all wish that we had his skills,” Fred said.
“No thank you,” Trot said.
“I meant his golf talent,” Fred corrected.
Scottie P smiled. Being Father Blair’s lover came with a few consequences. “Hey, the most important thing is to have accurate handicaps.” His handicap was a plus two. “All you guys get strokes from me.”
“That’s what scares me,” Trot quipped. “I’ll stay away from that one.”
“Check this out!” Curt yelled. He was helping out behind the bar and had gathered up the newspaper. He spread the racing form and the sports section over the counter. A few of the guys sauntered over.
“What?” Elia asked.
“Look.” Curt pointed to the racing form. “Pabby circled FloatingLilyPad in the fourth race at Hoof and Bridle Park.” He pushed it for all to see. “Right here in red.”
“So?” BT questioned.
“I’m looking at the results in the sports section and FloatingLilyPad won the race,” Curt admitted.
“Big deal. Maybe he saw the results or liked the name or something,” BT said.
“If he did pick the winner beforehand it could only be beginner’s luck,” Captain Jer said. “That poor kid has enough challenges in life just to get through the day.”
“Jerry!” Julie blurted. “You are so cold!”
“Yeah. I’ll stick to my own method of picking winners,” Pork Chop said.
“We know that is a proven strategy,” Fred said facetiously. “The last time you had a winner at the track was when Mt. Rushmore had three faces.”
“Who knows,” Curt conceded. “But maybe we ought to see what he does next and plan a trip to the track.”
CHAPTER 23
“Tanner.” Abbie cracked open the door to her boss’s office.
“Yes.”
“Willard Butts is here to see you.”
“Who is that?”
“He’s the guy from Springfield; the one that works for the ARDC. He’s here on that ethics complaint.”
“Does he have an appointment?”
“Yes. I looked it up. You agreed to see him today.”
“Aw crap. Can’t we blow him off?” Abbie picked at the cuticle around her middle finger. “I’m working on the Whitlock file. That’s coming up.”
“This guy is not going away. You might as well talk to him while he’s here. If you make him upset he’s liable to make your life more miserable.”
Tanner gave one of his frustrated ‘I-do-not-want-to-have-to-screw-with-this-asshole’ looks to his assistant. He gestured skyward with his hands. “I’m not prepared for the guy.”
“They’ve given us plenty of time to respond. It’s something you’re going to have to do.”
Reluctantly, Tanner agreed. “Give me a second to gather my thoughts then send him in.”
It’s hard to say if Willard Butts ever smiled a day in his life when he was on the job. However, on personal time he was known to flash a smile that would qualify him to be a teenage idol. Working for a governmental agency probably contributed to that mood. The ho-hum grind of an eight-to-five administrative position doesn’t exactly lend itself to many moments of bliss. About the only thing that is rewarding is the bi-weekly check that pays down monthly debt like a mortgage and car payment.
Welcome to life in America. The needs and wants of society obligate people to debt and contribute to committed misery. Willard fell into that trap and nothing would please him more than to take down some pompous lawyer.
Dressed in a sta
id-looking, wrinkled black suit and skinny black tie Willard resembled the nerd that couldn’t get a date to the prom. His physical stature wasn’t impressive either. At five foot seven and one hundred forty-five pounds he didn’t look like he could scare a bird off of a fence post.
Tanner wasted no time. He had more pressing things to deal with rather than a complaint from a disgruntled client. “Tanner Atkins.” His hand reached out aggressively and his grip was daunting. “How can I help you?” He motioned for Willard to take a seat in one of the plush leather chairs opposite his desk.
“I’m here representing the ARDC.”
“Are you an investigator?”
“No. As you well know we’ve received an ethics complaint against you and your law firm. We’re here to help you better understand your professional obligations.”
“Bullshit.”
“As a service to the public we have to investigate the complaint, decide if there are any improprieties and attempt to resolve the situation.”
“You gave me some investigative material that a disgruntled client produced for you. It is not enough information for me to determine if this law firm committed an ethics violation.”
“We did not receive that response from you in writing.”
“That is my fault. It was an oversight on my part.”
“Sort of like the unethical accusations that your ex-client is charging?”
“Look, I’m a busy man. Some deadlines escape me.”
“You mean you’re a sloppy lawyer? We’re here to get to the bottom of any lawyer’s misconduct.”
“Don’t you think that I know how the game is played?”
“Oh,” Willard said as he feigned surprise, “you’ve been in front of ARDC before?”
“I think you know the answer to that question.”
“And what do you think the outcome will be?”
“It’s pretty simple actually. You guys in Springfield are funded by the lawyers. It comes out of the fees that we pay to the bar. I’ll ask for more documentation from the client. In fact,” Tanner stopped abruptly. He hit the intercom button. “Abbie, can you come in here for a second?” Within seconds Tanner’s number-one backer appeared. “Can you please produce a letter for this gentleman and the ARDC that requests more information from the Morton estate? We need more documentation to determine if we were the cause of improper behavior.”
“Sure.” In a blink she was out the door.
“There. You’ll have the formal request before you leave here today.”
