Life Support by Robert Whitlow

Author:Robert Whitlow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2011-06-30T04:00:00+00:00

25

What authority and show of truth can cunning sin cover itself withal.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, ACT 4, SCENE 1

Alexia had twelve messages on her answering machine. Number ten was from Rena Richardson.

“This is Rena. I’m sorry you lost your job. I had no idea Baxter’s father would get you into trouble at your law firm, and I want to help by hiring you to represent me. There are several things I need to tell you, but I don’t want to leave a message on your answering machine. Please call as soon as possible.”

The callback number was the same one Rena left at the office. Alexia wrote it down and put two question marks at the end. It might be better if Rena hired a large law firm in Charleston or Greenville to champion her cause. Wrestling with the multiple tentacles of the young woman’s legal problems without the logistical support of a fully staffed office could overextend Alexia’s resources. She listened to the final two messages. Neither call required an immediate response. She put the phone on the kitchen counter and weighed her options in the Richardson case.

If Alexia became involved, Ralph Leggitt and Ken Pinchot would be her adversaries; however, all three lawyers would have a conflict of interest because they previously served as attorneys for both sides of the warring Richardson family. For Alexia to litigate against her old firm would precipitate a crisis. She could demand that Leggitt & Freeman withdraw from representing Ezra because the firm had access to confidential information about Rena. Of course, the same problem existed with Alexia representing Rena in claims against Ezra. Alexia didn’t know very much about the Richardson family’s business affairs, but Ezra couldn’t be sure what Alexia knew, and any reassurances by Ralph Leggitt to the contrary would be patently self-serving. This scenario would force both Leggitt & Freeman and Alexia to withdraw as counsel for either side—the exact step Alexia recommended in the meeting when she was fired.

Only a written waiver of the conflict of interest dilemma from both Ezra and Rena would allow all three lawyers to stay in the case. If one side balked on a waiver, it would sting Leggitt & Freeman a lot more to withdraw from representing Ezra than it would Alexia to give up Rena. At the moment, the thought of causing Ralph Leggitt a high level of consternation was not unpleasant.

Alexia picked up the phone and dialed Rena’s number. She answered on the third ring.

“Thanks for calling back,” Rena said, sounding relieved. “I’d almost given up on you.”

“I’ve been busy,” Alexia said shortly. “How is Baxter?”

Rena told her about the conversation with Dr. Berman and the difference of opinion expressed by Dr. Draughton. “I know Baxter didn’t want to live hooked up to a bunch of machines,” she concluded. “Do you think I could make them take him off life support?”

Alexia listened without comment until Rena finished. “It would be a battle of experts. If the doctors don’t agree, it would be up to a judge to decide.

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