Ifâand I do mean if âshe held a poker in her hand, she must have had a very certain fear of the man.â Hesitating, she contemplated the next step. âLook, let me speak with Marie and see how she responds to the claim. Then Iâll get back to you. Okay?â
âFine. But make it fast. We can only hold him so long. If he gets a reduction in bail, heâll be on the street anyway.â
âI understand.â She grimaced. âLet me give her a call and then weâll know more. Talk with you later.â
Another pink slip sailed into the basket. Worrying ghost creases into her forehead, Justine jotted a note to herself. She was interrupted when the light on the console flickered. To her relief and pleasure it was the OâNeill who had called earlier, her half brother.
âTony!â she burst out enthusiastically, responding to the unique place this man held in her heart. âItâs been too long. How are you?â
âJust fine, Justine. Howâs the eager beaver doing?â
For the first time that afternoon a truly relaxed smile lit her face. âNot bad, for an establishment lawyer,â she poked fun at herself. âTell me about youâwhatâs happening?â
For several minutes she listened, leaning back in her chair with her stockinged feet propped against the edge of an out-drawn lower drawer as Tony outlined his latest endeavors. Chief social worker at the local settlement house, he had never a dull moment. But he thrived on itâas did she on her own workâs excitement. Along with a father, fair skin, and similarly amber hair, this was another of the things they shared.
âListen, JustineââTony grew more soberââI wanted to thank you for what you did for the Aliandro boy. Weâre all delighted, now that heâs been placed with foster parents.â
Gratified, she probed. âItâs working out well, then?â
âSo far, so good. Itâs a relief for him not to have to face a pair of battling, drunken parents every day and night.â
The case itself had been a rewarding one emotionally for Justine. âEvery child should have the right to counsel. Iâm glad I could have been of help.â
âYouâre terrific, you know! Any flak from the firm about cases like these?â
âNo, no. They know that I insist on handling a certain number of pro bono cases. Just because a ten-year-old boy cannot afford to pay a lawyer shouldnât mean that he is denied his rights. That child has a right to a healthy home environment!â
âWell, thanks to you, he has one now. Weâre all in your debt!â
With a blush that her caller could not see, Justine minimized her effort. âIt was my pleasure. Call me again soon?â
A mischievous guffaw met her ear. âAre you sure you
want that? I always seem to find more work for you â¦â
âThatâs what Iâm here for, Tony. Please, do call!â
âSure thing, Justine. So long!â
For long moments after hanging up the phone she contemplated the success of that particular case. Although ones such as this which Tony had referred her brought in no money, they were, in some ways, the most satisfyingâparticularly when the outcome was positive.
Once again the console lit. This time it was Dave Brody. âIâve just managed to get tickets for the theater, Justine. A week from Tuesday. Eight oâclock. Can you make it?â
Momentarily buoyed by her conversation with Tony, Justine accepted the invitation with alacrity. âSure thing! What will we see?â
âThe tickets are for Evita . Have you been?â
âNope. Sounds good. The reviews have been fantasticâand even though itâs been running for so long, I havenât been. What time should I be ready?â
âIf I pick you up at six thirty, we can grab something to eat beforehand. Something light.â He