A Parliament of Owls by Christine Goff

Author:Christine Goff
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HighLine Editions
Published: 2016-10-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

The law offices of Parker & Hall were located on the third floor of a ten-story high-rise off of Quebec, just south of I-70, across from a new upscale development in the old Stapleton area. The attorney’s names were stenciled in white on the glass door and a perky receptionist manned the front desk.

“May I help you?”

Angela handed her a card. “Special Agent Angela Dimato of U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Deputy Tanner from Adams County Sheriff’s department. We’re here to see Sam Parker.”

“Have a seat,” the receptionist said. “I’ll let him know you’re here.”

Angela sat opposite Tanner in a large, plush, oversized chair that made her feel trapped. The color scheme was pale gray. Plush sofas and chairs were strategically placed, while giant John Fielder photographs of Colorado adorned the walls. On the back wall were two large, gilt-framed paintings of two men. The man on the left appeared to be Parker, so the other man had to be Hall.

Parker stared back from the canvas through wide-set eyes that were over high cheek-bones and a long nose. She was struck by his resemblance to the photograph of Quanah Parker back on his bookcase, even though in the painting, his dark hair was cut short and he bore a smile.

“A little ostentatious for my tastes,” said a man behind her. “It was my partner’s idea.”

She turned to find Sam Parker looming over her. At just over six feet, he was an imposing man dressed impeccably in khaki’s, a blue oxford shirt opened at the collar, and a charcoal sports coat.

“It’s a good likeness,” Angela said.

“Thanks. Now, if you’ll follow me to my office. “

Angela and Tanner walked behind him to a large corner office that looked out over the city. Clearly it was meant to impress.

He waved them to two chairs. “Now, what can I do for you?”

“We understand that you represented Sheila Henderson in several lawsuits,” Angela said. “One against the city, the school district, and Ken Martinez, and one against the City and U.S. Army.”

“Both are a matter of public record.”

“I take it you know she died,” Tanner said.

Parker’s gaze sharpened, more hawkish. “Yes.”

Angela shifted in her seat. “Mr. Parker, we’re trying to find out if anyone might have wanted your client dead. Can you tell us a little more about the lawsuits?”

Parker picked up a pencil from his desk and twirled it in his fingers. “I’m sure you’ve read the filings.”

Angela could tell he was deliberately making this difficult. What Ian would have called playing it close to the vest. “Let’s start with the case Sheila brought against the U.S. Army and Commerce City.”

Parker balanced the pencil on the end of his index finger. “Sheila holds ownership of one hundred sixty acres of Rocky Mountain Arsenal land. Her family was never properly compensated and the documents of ownership were never turned over. The case is solid.”

“How did the government react to the suit?” Angela asked. She doubted they took it well.

“They think it’s frivolous.” Parker flipped

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