Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 49530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
“Of course. I’ll alert them at the front desk.”
“Thank you.”
Selecting Talon’s number, she walked from the courtroom and leaned back against a wall.
“Trouble?”
She could hear him moving and knew he was preparing to come to her. “I’m okay. I hope you can meet me at my office at four. Slash and Vengeance have made an appointment to discuss hiring me.”
“Those assholes can find another lawyer.”
“You don’t get to make that decision.”
“Little girl…”
She interrupted him. “I know you’re concerned. I am, too. My office staff will be on alert and I’m inviting you to be there. This is my job.”
“I don’t like this.”
Elizabeth could feel the tension in his words. “I know.”
“I’ll be there at three.”
“You don’t need to come scare people in my office,” she said with a smile, understanding he’d backed away from his complete refusal for her to see them. “And don’t bring the Shadowridge Guardians. I don’t want everyone on edge and ready to explode.”
She could hear him thinking as the silence stretched between them.
Finally, he said, “I’ll be there alone, but everyone will be on alert.”
“And at least five miles away from my office.”
“You’re demanding a lot, Little girl. I don’t like it.”
“I know.”
“I’ll be there at three,” he stated firmly.
“I look forward to seeing you.”
Clicking off the call, Elizabeth smiled at her phone. That had gone better than she expected.
Talon’s three o’clock actually started at two fifteen, but Elizabeth didn’t do anything more than smile at him as she walked through the reception area to pick up the woman who was her two thirty appointment. Her staff was used to a wide variety of people visiting her. Most of the toughest characters were already in jail and she visited them there.
She continued with her day and even had a few minutes to work on paperwork before a message came through that her four o’clock appointment had arrived. After taking one last sip of coffee to bolster herself, Elizabeth headed for the lobby. Talon sat on one side of the arranged chairs while Slash and Vengeance occupied the other.
“Come in, gentlemen,” she invited with a wave toward her office.
As she sat behind her desk, Talon leaned against the wall near where the two chairs for her guests sat. “This is out of the norm for a meeting, but given the events leading up to the appointment, it seems appropriate. Slash, I understand this meeting is for you.”
“Vengeance dragged me here,” the Devil’s Jesters’ president growled.
“And you agree to have Vengeance and Talon here during our conversation?” Elizabeth asked pointedly.
“Yes,” he said through gritted teeth.
“Tell me what’s going on and I’ll let you know whether or not I think I can help you,” Elizabeth requested, dragging a pad in front of her and picking up a pen to make notes.
“My old lady died six months ago. Her parents are trying to take our kids.”
“Your old lady as in your girlfriend?” Elizabeth tried to unravel what he was saying.
“We weren’t married but had been together for eleven years. She got sick and refused to go to the doctor. By the time I got her there, the doctors said there was nothing left to do. She was gone fast,” Slash reported. His voice was mechanical as if he were forcing himself to keep any emotion at bay.
“I’m sorry. Did you live together?”
“Yes.”
“With the children?”
“Yes. I have a small home in Lexington.”
“Thank you. And her parents are now seeking custody of the children?”
“Yes. They state I am not a good influence on their lives and can’t provide a stable homelife.” Slash’s face took on a shade of red and Elizabeth knew he was trying to control his temper as he recited words he’d obviously memorized in anger.
“Do you have a criminal record?” she asked.
“None after eighteen.”
“Juvenile records usually remain sealed. No charges currently pending?” Elizabeth continued to gather background.
“No.”
“So, they’re alleging you’re not a good parent because you are a Devil’s Jester?”
“Yes.”
“And you plan to continue to be a Devil’s Jester?” Elizabeth verified.
“I won’t lose my children,” Slash said definitively.
“Tell me about her parents. What are their names? Are they retired? What did they do?”
“Alena Mitchell was a truck driver and Jack Hambly owns a trucking company.”
“They aren’t married?”
“No. They don’t believe in marriage. At least that’s what Jalena told me.”
“What was Jalena’s last name?”
“Mitchell. Jalena lived most of the time with her grandmother because her mom was on the road, driving loads cross country,” Slash shared.
“And Jack Hambly? How involved was her father in Jalena’s life?”
“I never heard her talk about him. I don’t think he was even around while Jalena was growing up.”
“What do you do?” Elizabeth asked.
Slash shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Vengeance elbowed him and nodded at Elizabeth in an awkwardly encouraging man exchange.
“I design and create playground equipment.”
Elizabeth heard Talon exhale in surprise and saw him lean closer. Understanding the surprised reaction, she deliberately didn’t look his way.