“She’s saying I should come into her office today with a legal guardian or something. Says it’s not required, but I should anyway.”
“Let me get my things. Get her address and we can head out now.”
“Are you sure?”
She backtracked out of my room. “Positive, Clinton.”
I put the phone back to my ear. “You still there?”
“I’m ready to give my address whenever you are.”
I searched around for my notebook and pen before scribbling down the address she rattled off. I didn’t know what this was about, but it sounded urgent. And not good. I hung up the phone and turned around, finding Cecilia standing in the doorway with her purse slung over her shoulder and her hair piled high on top of her head. We made our way out of the house.
“Did she say what this was about at all?”
I shook my head, closing the front door behind me. “All she says was it was important. I don’t even know how she got my information.”
She nodded slowly. “All right. Well, let’s go figure out what this is all about. Then, we can get back to packing.”
“You think she might be able to help with this house thing? You know, prevent the sale from happening?’
She sighed. “It’s already happened. There’s nothing we can do about that. And honestly? I’m not sure I’d even want to stay here, given the chance. Would you?”
I shrugged. “Where else am I going to go?”
She nodded slowly. “We’ll figure that out. Together. Okay? I promise. But, right now, let’s focus on what’s in front of us. Which is the lawyer.”
* * *
“Mr. Clint, it’s nice to meet you.”
I shook the lawyer’s hand before reaching for Cecilia.
“This is my stepmother, Cecilia Clarke.”
Miss Nichols shook her hand. “Thank you for coming in on such short notice. Please, make yourselves comfortable.”
It was clear from the size of her office that she was a prominent lawyer. A successful one. The bookshelves were lined from floor to ceiling with all sorts of law textbooks and reference materials. Binders were open on her desk. There were filing cabinets tucked into every corner of the room. Miss Nichols walked with poise and grace, dressed to impress but not dominate.
She ushered for us to sit down in front of her desk.
“To answer your questions, I received your case file from a colleague of mine. A colleague that might have promised some pro bono work?”
I nodded slowly. “So, why are we in your office instead of his?”
She sighed. “My colleague’s schedule has become filled. But he didn’t want your specific situation falling through the cracks. He’d been keeping tabs on the police investigation, but once a major case fell into his lap, he wanted to make sure yours got passed on to someone he knew would take care of it.”
Cecilia cleared her throat. “Which he feels is you.”
Miss Nichols nodded. “Yes. And I have to admit, your case has caught my eye. It’s an easy open-and-shut case. The police charged them for the speeding and reckless driving. I’m curious as to why you haven’t pressed formal charges yet.”
The women looked at me and I sighed.
“Just—a lot has happened lately. A lot is going on that needs my attention.”
The lawyer nodded. “Something more important than putting bars around the boys that almost killed you.”
Cecilia butted in. “You said pro bono, right?”