Law and Disorder Read Online Free PDF Page A

jokes.”
    I said, “I hate goddam lawyer jokes. What about client jokes? Or accused jokes?”
    Alvin said, “We got them too.”
    I said, “We did?”
    “I showed them to you, but maybe I didn’t mention that they came in the mail. I don’t always bore you with every detail.”
    “Apparently not. So, now, Bunny, can you tell me what’s so important about these jokes?”
    “Well, they died.”
    “Who died?”
    “People,” Bunny snuffled. “And now Rollie.”
    “And the jokes are connected how?”
    “I don’t know. But they are.”
    Like many dealings with Bunny, this situation seemed baffling. I sighed and said gently, “Who do you think is sending these so-called jokes? Why would you have anything to do with lawyer jokes?”
    “I have no idea, Camilla. I mean, it’s not like I’m that easy to find. No one knows where I live.”
    I could feel the faint stirrings of a familiar headache. “Have you been hiding?”
    “Well, sure. That’s my point. I got plenty of reason to hide. I want to keep my family away from, um, former colleagues and all that. I told you I was going straight, now that Tonya and I have Destiny to think about. It’s not that easy, but mostly I’m a stay-at-home dad. But I got a part-time job in a framing shop and everything. I’m doing my best to keep out of trouble.”
    “That’s wonderful news, Bunny. I knew you had what it takes to go straight.”
    “It takes a family, I guess. Problem is I moved to Barrhaven, and now I’m getting the jokes in my new place.”
    “Change of address cards?” Alvin chimed in.
    “No way. I try never to have an address.”
    Alvin said, “You don’t have an address? Why not?”
    “Bad idea for a couple of reasons.”
    The cops would be one of those reasons. Bad companions probably another.
    Bunny said, “I use a mail drop. I don’t get that much mail anyway. Tonya picks it up. I’m not taking a chance.”
    “So the jokes are forwarded to your mail drop. But you know, Bunny, that really doesn’t seem too—”
    Bunny twisted in agitation. “No! That’s not it. They’re in my mailbox.”
    Alvin said, “Maybe everyone’s getting them. Because—”
    Another interruption from Bunny. “I asked all my neighbours, and no one else was getting unsigned jokes in the mail.”
    I tried to be the voice of sanity. “So, let’s see if I understand. You get these jokes and then someone dies?”
    “Yeah. It sounds really dumb.”
    “People die every day. I read the obits, but I don’t feel responsible for them,” I said sensibly.
    “But it’s like I’m the messenger.”
    I said, “You mean the Bunny of Death?”
    Bunny’s chiseled jaw dropped. “What?”
    “She’s just kidding,” Alvin said. “She enjoys incongruity.”
    “Yeah, you know,” I said, “Angel of Death. Bunny of Death.”
    Bunny jumped to his feet and started to pace. “That’s horrible, Camilla. Gives me shivers. And it’s not funny. The Bunny of Death? I have a hard enough time sleeping nights as it is.”
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I thought it was funny. I was making the point that you aren’t causing people to die. Hold that thought, Bunny. Alvin, get in there and pour the tea.”
    If Bunny noticed the “hold-the-thought” instruction, he didn’t follow it. “But I’m connected somehow. When one of these lawyer jokes comes, I’m going to hear about someone dying the next day.”
    Alvin said, “Lord thundering Jesus.”
    Bunny said, “It’s making me crazy.”
    Crazy for sure and also unbelievable. “Exactly how many jokes have you received, Bunny?”
    “Three. Rollie was the third.”
    Alvin ruined the moment. “Three?”
    Bunny nodded.
    I said, “And…?”
    “And then the day after each one, someone died.”
    “Well, like who, Bunny?”
    “Like Roxanne Terrio.”
    “Roxanne Terrio? I remember that. Didn’t she die in a bicycle accident in Gatineau Park last month? That’s what I read in the paper. Anyway, Roxanne