Variations on Humanity by Paul Eslinger

Author:Paul Eslinger [Eslinger, Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-03-07T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22 – Long-Term Lawyer

Brian had a cheerful look on his face when he exited from his car. “Good morning,” he said.

“Good morning.” Rhona and Laura spoke in unison.

“Thank you for coming,” Laura said as she took a step closer to Brian.

Rhona watched the other two. The lawyer was about four inches shorter than Laura and he weighed twenty pounds less than her. His black hair held a few strands of grey. His close-shaven face didn’t have a dark tint, so Rhona guessed his whickers must mostly be grey or white. He looked old next to Laura.

“As we have talked before,” Laura continued, “I would like to engage your services long-term. If you are willing, I would like you to set up a law office here in Jetmore.”

Brian looked around and then swept his arm out in an expansive gesture. “Here?”

“That’s right. I own the entire block and the last two houses will be empty in a few days.”

A chuckle interfered with Brian’s words for a few moments. “How big of law office are you thinking?”

“Just you and a clerk or two for now,” Laura said smoothly. “But, there should be room to expand if necessary in the future.”

“An entire block will hold a lot of lawyers. You must have a lot of long-term plans.”

Rhona watched a smile move over Laura’s face while she responded. “I have a few plans already in action. Actually, I hope in time that your profession would no longer be needed.”

The lawyer’s mouth twitched, but he didn’t laugh. “That’s a long way off.”

“Yes, but I have the time.” Laura smiled, “You would too if you took me up on my previous offer.”

Although she played a supporting role, Rhona felt entirely comfortable helping Laura make this pitch. She said, “I took her up on the same offer.”

Brian turned to look at Rhona and she knew a formidable intellect lived behind his black eyes. “Why?”

“It was easy to decide. Actually, my fiancé decided for me. Someone flying an armed quadcopter shot me. I might have died and I probably wouldn’t have walked without their medical help.”

“You look younger than in your earlier pictures.”

Rhona patted her face with her fingertips. “One of the side benefits is renewed collagen balance.”

“Hmm. I’ll think about it.”

“That’s what I said, too. Then I woke up in a hospital bed. That was a few weeks ago. Keene and I ran six miles together before breakfast.”

Brian turned and looked at Laura. “You didn’t tell me this.”

“Patient privacy,” Laura said.

“Really?” A hint of a smile in the corners of Brian’s mouth indicated he didn’t totally buy her argument.

“We have a suggestion for an assistant to help you,” Rhona added. “Helen Pratt. Laura intervened in her treatment when she was in a coma from a car wreck that killed her husband.”

Brian swung around to look at Rhona. “I heard about the wreck and you told me about the fake nurse. Are you trying to scare me?”

“It’s the bony finger of reality in human society,” Rhona replied smoothly.

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