At the Edge by David Dun

Author:David Dun [Dun, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Fiction
ISBN: 9780786013999
Google: 0IKWAAAACAAJ
Amazon: 0786013990
Publisher: Pinnacle
Published: 2002-04-01T04:00:00+00:00

17

Other than security people everywhere, the next day people returned to the courthouse as if nothing had happened. Maria had not called Dan.

She first saw him standing in the courtroom doorway, watching her argue another case. Once again there were plenty of people in the gallery. A San Francisco attorney for Metco was opposing her, and she was in her element, showing the judge a six-foot blowup of a clear-cut. Although she knew Dan would label her argument as full of grand generalizations, simplistic and biased, she also knew she was effective. And on these ancient trees, she was certain she was right.

Maria began gathering her things on the counsel table. When she turned around, she noticed him; for a brief second, before she caught herself, she flashed him her trademark smile.

In the main hallway, the crowd was thinning. Maria watched as Dan greeted Nate and an attractive red-haired woman.

She slowed to say hello.

''Pepacita had to tend to a sick cousin for a few hours,'' Dan said. "She left Nate with Lynette at the office, and he wanted to come see his dad."

''Actually, my son is sick and I have to go home,'' Lynette said. "I'm afraid if I take Nate, he'll get sick too. And then the boss will get sick."

"Vicious cycle," Dan said, smiling. "There is the old expression that is too common for the likes of you, Lynette, but I'll say it anyway: 'I don't know what I would have done without you.' " He glanced at Maria. "She's my organizer, some days my sanity, and when Pepacita's gone and Katie's at work, she's my second backup child-care person.''

"Don't forget nag. I'm his nag. When I get done with my husband, I start in on Dan."

"Maria Fischer, this is my assistant, Lynette Tisdale," Dan said. ''And this"—he smiled, tousling the boy's hair— "as you may already know . . . is your admirer."

"Well, I haven't seen you for a while," she told Nate. "You're getting more handsome every day." Nate grinned at her.

"Well, gotta go. See you later," Lynette said, nodding and moving off through the crowd.

"Hey, dude," Dan exclaimed to Nate.

"Hey, dude," the boy replied. "Are you done in court?"

"All done with the first one. I have one more quick one."

"Were you in court against Ms. Fischer again?"

"No, that was Monday."

"Who won?" He looked at them both.

Dan glanced at Maria. She did not try to hide her interest in his answer. "We both won."

"Were you mad?" Nate asked Maria.

"Nate apparently has some questions for you," Dan said. "I can tell."

She sat on a bench, getting to Nate's eye level. "I was mad. People cut down trees that I loved and I didn't have a chance to talk about it first."

"I like trees," he said. "But my dad likes to cut 'em so the mill people have jobs. He says growing new ones cleans the air."

"I think your dad's been teaching you."

"My dad's a pretty good guy, you know."

"Yes, Nate, I know he is."

"Could I get that on tape?" Dan said.

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