The Simeon Chamber Read Online Free PDF Page B

passed from the parchments spread on his desk to the woman seated across from it. He was hooked and he knew it. There was a considered pause, a show of sound professional judgment to remove the appearance of whimsy from his words.
    “Tell you what. If you’ll leave the
    papers with me for a few days I’ll make some inquiries and see what I can find out.” He paused for an instant. “But I can’t promise anything. I should be back to you within a week. Can we get together then?”
    “Thank you. You don’t know what a relief it is just to be able to talk to someone about this. Yes, i can meet with you next week.” She paused for a moment. “But there is one thing.”
    “Yes?”
    “I don’t want my stepfather to know that I’ve been to see you.”
    “Is there any reason why he should?”
    “No.” Her tone was abrupt and defensive.
    “Well, then, this is a confidential matter, between attorney and client. It will remain that way unless you choose to change it.” Bogardus smiled.
    “You have to understand. I just don’t want to hurt him.”
    “Fine.” His tone conveyed assent without agreement, and Jennifer Davies was left to shoulder responsibility for the decision alone.
    She took a pen from the marble stand on Sam’s desk and scratched an address and phone number on the back of one of his cards. “This is my work number and office address. If you have to contact me, please do so at this location, not the phone number in the file.”
    Sam shot her a quizzical glance.
    “I live with my stepfather. And I’m afraid if you call … well, I’d rather you didn’t. Now, about your fee?” Jennifer reached for her purse.
    “I normally charge eighty-five dollars an hour for my time and usually require a minimum retainer.” Sam paused. “But given the nature of your problem and the fact that it doesn’t appear to involve any real research or litigation, I’ll waive the fee for now. If there are any expenses I’ll send a bill.”
    “I couldn’t let you do that,” she protested.
    “Tell you what, if I turn up anything we can discuss fees later. If it’s a dead end you can buy me dinner. A deal?”
    “For the time being.” She moistened her lips with her tongue. Bogardus couldn’t be sure if it was a seductive signal or merely a nervous gesture. He hoped for the best.
    She took his lead and rose from her
    chair.
    “Thank you very much for your time and your interest. I know you will do what you can for me.” Jennifer extended her hand and Sam took it. There was something strangely sensuous, almost intoxicating about the woman.
    Jennifer Davies walked from the room, leaving only the lingering fragrance of her perfume in the air and the tattered parchments on Sam’s desk.
    He dropped back into his chair and returned his gaze to the strange pieces of paper and their unintelligible script.
    “Very nice.” His trance was broken by a sultry voice.
    He looked up at Pat’s thick brunette mane and curvaceous figure as she presented her back to him, leaning her hip against the frame of his half-open door to study the form of Jennifer Davies as she walked from the office.
    “A new case—domestic, criminal?”
    “More of a favor for a friend,” said Sam.
    “I see. And who is supplying the favor?” She looked at him from under dark arched eyebrows, a smirk on her lips.
    “I’m supplying the favor,” he said, “and my dear old mother has generously agreed to provide the friend.”
    “Generous indeed.” She winked. While their relationship had long since become platonic, Pat could still mimic the jealous lover with sufficient panache to make even Sam sometimes wonder if there wasn’t some lingering romantic remnant. Or was it just his own stirrings?
    “Is there some problem?”
    “Just looking out for my proprietary interests.” She flashed a smile, exposing uniform, pearly white teeth, the envy of any cover girl. “After all, I wouldn’t want one of us dipping the quill in the company ink