The Missing Attorney by Mary Wickizer Burgess

Author:Mary Wickizer Burgess
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: crime, mystery, legal, thriller, lawyer
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Published: 2016-03-03T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER XI

“Good morning, Mr. Walton. It’s good to see you again. They’re all in Ms. Brevard’s office. Go right on in.”

“Thanks, June,” Charles smiled at the office manager. “Good to see you, too.”

He went through the double doors and down the hall until he reached the entry to Gail’s office.

He hesitated. Normally, he would walk right in, expecting a warm welcome from his friends. But this morning felt different, somehow. He heard a murmur of voices from within and knocked.

“Come in,” a voice he recognized as Connie’s responded.

He opened the door and entered. There was a brief uncomfortable moment as he stepped inside and paused, then the murmuring continued.

Gail was seated at her desk, carrying on what appeared to be an involved phone conversation. She waved at him, all the while nodding vigorously as she kept up her side of the conversation.

“Of course, Ralph. I understand what you’re saying. But you have nothing to be concerned about….” There was a crackle on the other end of the phone and Gail nodded again. “Yes, but that’s just it. I’d rather have someone available to assist us right now…and I assure you….” The phone crackled again.

“Look, Ralph. He’s just come in. Are you free later on today? What about lunch? I can’t join you, but I’m sure he will be available….” She glanced at Charles with a question on her face. He nodded, “Yes.”

“Yes, he’s available. What about 1 or so…Waterfords? I’ll call right now and make the reservation. I’ll give him the file, if that’s all right with you….” The phone erupted again. “All right. 1 at Waterfords. It’s on us….No, I insist. All right.”

She rang off and heaved a sigh of relief. “Sorry, Charles, but I’m going to have to throw you to the wolves…or should I say ‘wolf,’ in the person of Ralph Del Monaco. You’ve heard of him?” Charles nodded and moved to the chair on the other side of her desk, placing his worn leather briefcase on the floor beside him.

“Yeah. I remember the old man, at least. Nino? Yeah, I thought so. What’s the case about?”

“Not that complicated. Nino Del Monaco passed away last March. Nothing unexpected about that…he was 97, I think, and had been in poor health for the last few years. Problem is, every shirt-tail relative in the world has now surfaced to demand a piece of the pie.”

Charles grimaced. Nothing like greedy relatives to pick over the poor man’s remains.

“Anyway,” Gail continued. “Ralph, his oldest grandson, is the rightful heir to the Del Monaco estate and enterprises. Most of the other claims are spurious, if not outright outrageous. But we still have to go through all the motions.

“You know the drill. Ralph’s a bit gun-shy at this point, and was not happy when I suggested allowing you to handle some of these court appearances for me while we deal with Damon’s defense. He’s actually a pretty decent guy, though, and I’m sure he’ll come around once he meets you and feels more comfortable.

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