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have here.”
    The bell above the doorway tinkled again, and we both glanced up. A rather short, elderly woman entered the small store.
    I glanced at my watch and cringed. I was going to be late for my first meeting with Donald Junior.
    “Wow. I’m running late. Will you take a check?”
    “Of course,” Annie told me.
    I reached into my bag and pulled out my checkbook and pen, scribbling madly.
    “So Friday at six?” she asked quietly.
    Suddenly nervous again, I almost tore the check as I ripped it from its pad. “Friday at six,” I told her.
    The woman who had just entered the store was clearing her throat.
    “Let me wrap the phone up for you,” Annie suggested as she glanced at the woman and smiled.
    “No, no,” I told her. “I need to run. Why don’t you just bring it with you on Friday?”
    She shrugged. “You trust me with it for that long?”
    “I guess I’ll have to.” I glanced at the woman who tapped her heel impatiently. “I’ll see you. Thanks for your help.”
    “Thank you. Enjoy your day.”
    I smiled a reply and waved as I walked back out into the sunlight.

CHAPTER FIVE
    Donald Gold Junior was creepy. I couldn’t think of a better word to describe him. He was dressed perfectly in a three-piece suit, the cuffs of his white shirt starched just as stiff as his father’s. I suppose he was attractive enough, handsome in fact. Wavy dark hair and a chiseled jaw. Teeth perfectly white and even.
    But he wouldn’t look at me. Except for the first moment when we shook hands, he wouldn’t let me see his eyes. They shifted nervously, just as his body seemed to bounce in his chair as I asked him questions.
    “There’s no chance of reconciliation?”
    “Hardly.” His voice was harsh.
    “What assets do you own jointly?”
    “The house.” He frowned. “I want the house,” he snapped. It was the third time he’d said those words. He began to fidget again as his impatience grew. “I thought my father already went over all of this with you.”
    I tried to remain calm. “He did show me a short list of assets. Are you aware of what’s on the list?”
    “Of course I am. I’m the one that wrote it.”
    I nodded, biting my tongue.
    “I want the house and all of the furnishings.”
    I nodded again, trying to control the frown that pulled at my lips.
    “I’m not sure whether or not your father explained to you that under Massachusetts law—”
    “I don’t care about the law. I have ammunition. If she fights me on the house, I’ll ruin her. It’s that simple.”
    My throat grew tight.
    For the first time since the beginning of our meeting, he met my eyes. “Did my father tell you what she did?”
    I chose my words carefully. “He mentioned that there was a woman involved.”
    “Involved? How about bare-ass-naked-in-our-bed involved,” he spat.
    I wanted to throttle him right there.
    “I really don’t need you to go into the details right now, Mr. Gold.”
    “I’ll spill everything if this divorce gets in front of a judge.” He placed both hands palm down on the table between us before lifting and pointing a finger at my face. “You make sure that her lawyer understands that, okay?”
    I held my breath and swallowed the anger that was beginning to choke me. “I think I have enough information for now, Mr. Gold. If I have any other questions I’ll be sure to give you a call.”
    He nodded, eyes shifting again. “I want this over with as soon as possible.”
    “I’ll do my best, Mr. Gold.” I stood up, dismissing him. Decorum suggested that I hold out my hand, but I refused. The thought of touching him made my skin crawl. “You’ll hear from me soon.”
    Eyes shifting, he nodded his head, apparently satisfied. I did something unprofessional and turned away, busying myself with a deposition and fingering through several files. I didn’t look up again until I knew he was gone. And when I did, I found myself nearly choking on my anger.
    The situation was impossible.

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