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“I just called the office. Gretchen said there were at least twenty boxes delivered today,” Morris confirmed.
“How many for this case?” Samuel asked.
“Twenty,” Morris responded. “I know I need to help but you know I have that thing today I can’t miss.”
“Of course,” Xavier replied. “Go and take care of your family. Work isn’t going anywhere.”
Morris paused for a minute.
“Go!” Samuel said. “We’ve got this.”
Morris grabbed his briefcase and hurried out of the courtroom. No one gave a reason for his departure other than family business. I can respect that.
“I assume it will be the three of us going through these boxes tonight,” Samuel said.
“No, as fun as that sounds, First chair, and Second chair, I have an important matter I have to tend to. I’m sure there will be plenty left for me in the morning,” Xavier said as he gathered his briefcase and started for the door. “Ms. Patterson, El,” he tipped his head and left.
Please bring me a change of clothes. Something comfy and comfy shoes. To Valentine offices. On my way there from the courthouse. Gonna be a long nite.
I sent Liddy a text message. I gathered my things from the table.
It will be waiting for you. – Liddy
I looked up from my phone to see Samuel looking at me.
“Yes?” I asked as I shoved the last of my paperwork into my tote.
“We are going to the same place, so I figured we would ride together,” he responded.
I looked around to make sure I had everything. I grabbed my phone then walked out of the courtroom.
* * *
We arrived backto Valentine Law, and just as Morris had said, twenty full sized boxes were waiting for us when we arrived.
“Mr. Valentine, I had them set the boxes up in the spare office. Food is scheduled to be delivered in an hour. Ms. Patterson, Liddy left this bag for you and said to call her if you needed her to return,” Gretchen said.
“Thank you, Gretchen.”
“No problem. Mr. Valentine has a full restroom in his office where you can comfortably change,” she added.
I looked at Samuel for confirmation that it was okay to use his bathroom.
“By all means,” Samuel said while stepping back allowing me space to pass. “I will meet you in the other office when you are ready.”
I followed Gretchen to Samuel’s office. I’d never been to his office. I’d seen a little of it in passing, but I’d never gone in.
His office was stately with a massive mahogany wood desk, with ornate carvings across the front. His desk sat in front of a wall of floor to ceiling windows which gave a spectacular view of downtown Saint Louis and the Gateway Arch. We were up high enough that I could see across the Mississippi River to Illinois. There was a wall full of shelves. Some of the shelves contained books while others contained various sized hourglasses.
I took a step closer to examine the collection of hourglasses.
“Mr. Valentine has been collecting hour glasses since he was released from prison,” Gretchen explained.
“Really?”
“Yes, Mr. Flowers gave him the first one at his welcome home party. He would have to tell you the speech Louis gave him, but it was something about time being precious and whatnot. Anyway, he’s collected them ever since.”
Some of the hourglasses were big, and some were small. Some had colored sand in them while others had the traditional white sand. Some were automated where they turned on their own while others need to be manually rotated.
