The Plinko Bounce by Martin Clark

Author:Martin Clark
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rare Bird Books
Published: 2023-06-14T19:20:27+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

October 12 was Columbus Day, and Peter Morley was scheduled to attend a pig-pickin’ fundraiser at noon, then he was filming a campaign commercial for regional TV, and he was speaking to a Rotary Club at six, so it was eight o’clock at night, overcast and blustery, when he met Andy at the Dunford County commonwealth’s attorney’s office. “You’d think the dimwit would be driving here to Martinsville with his hat in hand,” Kellie had remarked as Andy was loading an ecstatic Patches for the ninety-minute trip.

Several people were in the lobby when Andy and the dog arrived, all of them, it appeared, dedicated to Morley’s senate race, and they were cold-calling voters, folding glossy mailers, and typing up a storm on a bank of laptops. The staffers were friendly, especially with Patches, but there wasn’t a mask in sight, nothing but bare noses and mouths, and Andy hurried past them and located Morley, who was pacing his office and jabbering on his cellphone. He waved and beckoned Andy into the room. Andy only entered far enough to shut the door, and he instructed Patches to sit, tweaked his leash.

Morley kept Andy waiting there, ignored, until he finished the call. “Sorry, but that was Congressman Arnold—been trying to connect with him for a week.” He tossed the phone onto his desk. “Pull up a chair, and let’s see what we can do about this Bullins case. Beautiful dog, by the way. What’s his name?”

“Thanks, Pete, but my mask and Patches and I will just stay socially distanced over here.”

“Faith over fear,” Morley declared. “But I completely respect your decision to cover your face. That’s your right, same as I have my right to choose.”

“Whatever.” Andy didn’t conceal his irritation.

“Hey, listen, you were kind enough to drive from Martinsville to meet with me, and if it’ll make you more comfortable, I’m happy to wear a covering.” He opened a desk drawer, located a cloth mask with an American flag motif, removed its plastic wrapper, and put it on. “Brand new,” he said. “No problem.”

Andy and Patches didn’t budge. “Thanks for the accommodation.”

Morley plopped down behind his desk. He unbuttoned a cuff and rolled his shirt sleeve to his elbow. “So you’ll be aware, I’ve drafted a request to the Court of Appeals to allow a late filing. We’re optimistic they’ll grant it.” He rolled the other sleeve as well.

“I’m optimistic they won’t,” Andy calmly replied. “Let me tell you where we are and what we have. Ordinarily, I’d keep this quiet and land-mine you at trial. But, your knowing our facts isn’t going to change them or give you any tactical advantage, and I’m fairly certain Mr. Benson and his private counsel already have an idea what’s coming. Have you spoken with either of them lately?”

“Uh, no. I think Cole left a couple messages, but I wanted to meet with you so I’d have a clear picture before I talked to him. I did have my secretary email to let him know about this discussion.

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