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Well, as comfortable as I can get, given the situation. It’s only been a couple of days since I found out that Sam’s lawyer is trouble. Though my brother’s charges were minimal and all evidence was circumstantial, his current attorney urged him to plead guilty. Then when it came time to go before a judge, the attorney bailed.
Sam has one chance to find someone better to represent him or he’s getting the maximum penalty.
I can’t let that happen.
My friend Sandra used to be a paralegal for this amazing attorney, or so she says. She quit a few months ago when she had her baby. Of course, I asked her who I should call to help Sam, and she immediately recommended James.
“He doesn’t come cheap,” she warned me.
“I don’t have any money,” was my response. It’s true. I work two jobs and I’m in college full-time. The idea of “spending money” is a joke to me. I have exactly $500 in my checking account and I plan to use all of it to help Sam, but I doubt it’s enough to get me a lawyer like Sam Peak.
“He doesn’t always work for cash,” Sandra said slowly. My eyes widened at the thought.
And now I’m here, waiting in a cold, sterile sitting room for a lawyer who may turn out to be as big of an asshole as the last one, hoping beyond hope that he’ll let me work out some sort of barter for his services.
I scheduled the appointment for 10am. It’s 10:15 now and there’s still no sign of him. I stand and start pacing the room, wondering if I should knock on the office door. My hand raises on its own and moves forward to knock, but I force it back down.
He’ll come get me when he’s ready.
Maybe James Peak is doing something important. Maybe he’s with another client or on a phone call. I don’t know. What I do know is that I should have brought a book or downloaded a movie on my phone before I came. Anything would be better than just sitting and watching the wallpaper.
I hear footsteps in the hall and I sit down quickly, brushing my skirt down, smoothing it. I hope I don’t look as desperate as I feel. Then again, maybe I hope I look exactly as desperate as I feel.
This is my last chance to save my little brother.
This is my last chance to have a normal life.
The man who walks through the doorway looks me up and down rather quickly before walking to the office door. I barely have time to admire his square jaw or his piercing blue eyes. He’s tall: I’d guess 6’2” or 6’3”, and even from across the room, I’m intimidated by his height. The suit he’s wearing fits him perfectly. I’d guess he had it custom tailored. I wonder briefly what it’s like to have that kind of money.
He pulls a key out of his pocket and unlocks the office door unceremoniously. Then he simply walks in.
“Coming?” he calls out.
So much for introductions.
I hurry to follow him. My heels clack noisily against the wood floor as I scurry into the office and close the door behind me. He’s already sitting at his desk, waiting.
I feel rushed and unprepared, suddenly wondering what the hell I’m doing here.
You can do this, I remind myself. You can do this for Sam.
“Mr. Peak,” I say. “I’m Laney Erickson. We spoke on the phone.”
“I know who you are, Miss Erickson,” James says flatly, not smiling, not giving me any indication that he’s happy to meet me. I shouldn’t expect much. I get it. I’m not exactly anyone special.
Suddenly, I
’m self-conscious about my appearance. I shouldn’t have worn this outfit today. I should have worn the pantsuit, the one that makes me look older. Maybe the problem is something else. Maybe it’s my hair. Not everyone likes the pink streaks that flow through my brunette curls.
I bite my bottom lip.
I don’t know what to say, what to do, where to go from here.
James Peak is Sam’s only hope and it’s not looking promising.
I stand in front of his desk for what feels like hours until he finally motions to me.
“Take a seat, Miss Erickson.”
