Death of a Rancher's Daughter by Susan P. Baker

Author:Susan P. Baker [Baker, Susan P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-12-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

A few weeks later, Sandra was on the phone with Mel's father when Erma crossed the hall and perched in one of the client chairs. She set a glass of water on Sandra's desk and popped a mint into her mouth.

“You listening? Sandra?” Jack asked.

“Yes, Jack, I'm sure Rufina's okay with that. Mel has been a great help to us, and Rufina has taken a liking to her.” She cradled the telephone in the crook of her neck while she stacked files that had been scattered on her desk.

“But what will she do while you're in trial?” His voice held a patronizing tone she'd grown to recognize, and abhor, when they'd been married.

She adopted the same tone. “Well, let's see. She'll run errands for us, not only going for coffee, but if we need something filed with the clerk whose office is across from the courtroom, she can take those documents there and come back with our file-stamped copies. She can do research on the Internet.” Sandra picked up a ballpoint and twirled it in her fingers.

“Does she want to be stuck doing stuff like that for a whole week?” He sounded incredulous.

“She told me she did. Didn't y'all have a conversation about it?” Sandra rolled her eyes.

“Well, yes, but I find it unbelievable a teenager would want to spend her spring break working like—”

“Because you offered to take her on a cruise? Honestly, Jack, I did ask her if she wouldn't rather go on a trip with you.”

“I know you did. I just don't understand it.” His voice held a tone of disbelief that reminded her of the way prosecutors sounded when cross-examining a defendant.

“What you don't understand, and frankly I don't either, is she's becoming a little advocate, a little lawyer.” She glanced at Erma who tapped her watch. “She's been around when I've bitched about being a lawyer. She's heard me talk of going into a different line of work. But she's adamant she's going to be a criminal defense lawyer like Erma and me when she grows up.”

He cleared his throat. “No offense, but I'll never understand.”

“Me, neither. Listen, I'm on a tight schedule. I need to head to Gillespie County after lunch. So thanks for agreeing to take the three of them to the airport on Sunday. I appreciate it.”

“No problem. And if you have to send Mel home for any reason, put her on a plane and call me, and I'll be at Hobby Airport to pick her up.”

“Take care, Jack.” Sandra disconnected. She knew he wasn't going on a cruise unless Mel would go, but why be argumentative about it?

“Was he being an asshole?” Erma sat on the edge of her chair like she was ready to spring into action.

“Not this time. We've been getting along so well lately, it's scary.” She started stuffing legal pads and pens and other office paraphernalia into an ancient, brown leather briefcase the size of a small suitcase. “He doesn't particularly like it that Mel wants to grow up to be an attorney like you and me.

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