Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 52699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
This couldn’t be any worse.
RISK OF LOSS (N.)
THE RESPONSIBILITY A CARRIER, BORROWER OR USER OF PROPERTY OR GOODS ASSUMES OR AN INSURANCE COMPANY AGREES TO COVER IF THERE IS DAMAGE OR LOSS
ELIZABETH
Okay, I take that back.
If the file rooms at Hamilton & Associates were considered “the tombs,” this place was an unkempt cemetery. There were cases that were in various stages of limbo and neglect, clients who were languishing in jail due to evidence we didn’t have the resources to vet, and heartbreaking testimonies that wouldn’t see the light of day for years.
“The system isn’t fair, Elizabeth. It would fall apart if it was.”
I shook away Damien’s words and pulled out a more recent case, determined to help someone. Anyone.
When I was halfway through the probable cause warrant, my desk phone sounded.
“This is Elizabeth Tanner,” I answered. “How may I help you?”
“Why haven’t you returned my phone calls?”
Ugh, Damien. “You haven’t called me in weeks.”
“I haven’t heard from you in weeks.”
“That doesn’t change what I’m saying.”
“I have work to do, Damien.”
“Yes, with me,” he said. “If you meet me at Ambrosia’s I’ll forgive you for your reckless quitting.”
“You’ll forgive me?”
“I will,” he said. “It’ll be like it never happened.”
I hung up in his face and blocked his number from my work phone.
RELEASE (V.)
TO GIVE UP A RIGHT AS RELEASING ONE FROM HIS/HER OBLIGATION TO PERFORM UNDER A CONTRACT
DAMIEN
My offer of forgiveness expires this week.
We have six cases we need to get through by this afternoon.
Did you block my number?
“Is there a reason why Miss Tanner has stopped bringing that Cuban blend of coffee to the office?”
“Miss Tanner no longer works here…Stop looking at me like that.”
“Why’d you fire her?”
“I didn’t. She quit.” I sighed.
“I’ll let you borrow a few associates for your cases this month.”
“Thank you.”
“Did she quit on good terms?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did she leave anything behind?”
Jesus Christ. “She left an entire bag of that coffee you like in her bottom drawer.”
“All I wanted to know.” He left, shutting the door behind him.
Later that evening, I stood outside Elizabeth’s front door, waiting for her to come home.
She stepped off the elevator a little after nine o’clock, but her smile faded once she saw me.
“Excuse me, sir,” she said, motioning for me to step back. “I need to get inside my apartment.”
“I need to talk to you.”
“I don’t have anything to say.” She took out her key and slid it into the lock.
“I’ll talk then,” I said. “They don’t pay well at the public defender’s office and you won’t learn anything but how to lose.”
“That’s why you’re here?”
“I was also hoping you could tell me where you left the Fallon files,” I said. “You left so abruptly and unprofessionally that you didn’t take the time to organize your office.”
“Okay.” She pushed her door open, sliding inside and making it evident I wasn’t allowed inside. “Goodbye, Damien.”
“You’re not going to tell me where the Fallon files are?”
She shut the door and the sound of her locking the deadbolt echoed down the hallway.
I blinked, waiting for her to be dramatic and open the door for a much-needed reunion.
An hour passed, and the only thing I heard was her blasting theater music.
SEVERAL UNRESOLVED CASES (& BLOCKED CALLS) LATER
MENTAL SUFFERING (N.)
EMOTIONAL PAIN SYNONYMOUS WITH "MENTAL ANGUISH"
DAMIEN
Stole Money (Charging Him Double)
Are you no longer taking on my case?
Bribed a Mayor
I know you hate texts, but…I have heard from you this week.
Mafia Daughter
Are you still planning to help me get out of this?
Imuted a new set of text messages, making a mental note to have Michelle handle these people later.
Later, later, later…
That word had never been much of a staple in my vocabulary until recently, and it bothered me. Not as much as Elizabeth continuing to play games and ignore me, but it was still an unwelcome feeling.
As I walked into the firm, I spotted a delivery driver flirting with Jessica at the main desk.
“Excuse me,” I said, tapping his shoulder.
“Uh, yeah?” He turned around.
“Give me your cell phone.”
“Huh?”
“Pull it out of your pocket and give it to me.”
“Um, okay…” He handed it over, and I dialed Elizabeth’s desk phone.
“This is Elizabeth Tanner, how may I help you?”
“I’m looking to sue a former partner of mine for abandonment,” I said. “How do you recommend I do that?”
“Oh my god…” She sighed. “I’m blocking this number, too.”
“You’re being unreasonable, and I want you to know that—”
She ended the call before I could say anything else.
I returned the phone and headed upstairs to my office.
“Do you own a calendar, Damien?” Andrew ambushed me the moment I stepped off the elevator. “Better yet, do you know the days of the week?”
“Yes, I know the days of the week, Andrew.”
“So, if I were to say, I need something on Thursday, you would know that day comes after Wednesday and before Friday, correct?”