Читать книгу The Empire State Cat’s Christmas Gift - Nic Tatano - Страница 11

The light tap on his office door jolted Spencer out of deep thought. He looked up to see Ariel holding some newspapers. “Hey, Ariel, what’s up?”

“You look like you’re solving the world’s problems.”

“Nah, just thinking about stuff.”

“Right. Stuff.” She walked in and took the chair in front of his desk. “Anything I can help with?”

He shook his head. “Nah. So what are you bringing me?”

“I’m going to need your help on a client I agreed to represent who is about to get sued.” She handed him the one of the papers.

He quickly read the article on the front page, saw the name of the person in question, and shook his head as he tossed the paper on his desk. “No way. Ariel, we don’t need a client like this.”

She put up her hands. “Whoa, hold on. I told you I had a case coming up with a horrible person and you didn’t care. I seem to remember you said we’re in business to make money.”

“I know, but…Peter Brent? The guy is evil. And I thought we agreed not to take any more clients so we could slow down.”

“I know, but I already told him I’d represent him after you didn’t have a problem. Besides, he’s a relative of mine so I’m kinda stuck.”

“You’re related to him?”

“Not something I want to shout from the rooftops, but he’s a cousin. I can’t say no.”

“Sure you can. You pick up the phone and say we’re too busy, which wouldn’t be a lie. Then recommend the appropriate sleaze bag who won’t mind getting in bed with him.”

“I would but this is the guy who put me through law school. I never would have been able to afford it without him. I’m sorry, Spence, but I really do owe him despite the fact that he’s turned into a creep.”

“How did you ever get hooked up with someone who has this kind of reputation?”

“Like I said, he’s a cousin and I see him every year at the family reunion. He’s loaded. And back then he didn’t have a reputation and simply wanted to help me out. He grew up with my mom and they’re good friends. Look, I can certainly keep your name out of it but I may need your help with research and prep on this before I go to court. You’ve had a couple of cases like this one and you know how to win them.”

“I’m not sure I’d wanna help him win anything. But that’s not the problem. The problem is we can’t keep our firm’s name out of it. And you know the public is going to side with the plaintiff. He’s the obvious bad guy here. Big corporate meanie screwing one of his employees out of a fortune. I’ll help you behind the scenes with the research and prep but I can’t be your second chair. Some of our clients would not be happy seeing me defending him.”

“They won’t be happy seeing me do it either.”

“Yeah, but you have the legitimate excuse that you’re related to the guy. Make one of his staff attorneys second chair.”

“Okay, I see your point. Anyway, can you get some stuff together for me this afternoon since he wants to meet with me soon?”

“Sure. I’ll dig out the old case files and write out some strategy for you.” He looked at the newspaper again. “Ariel, is there any chance you can settle this?”

“Don’t think so. My cousin is very stubborn even though a settlement would be pocket change to him. It’s like he’s got a vendetta against the woman. But I’ll try like hell.”

“Please do what you can. Tell him the negative publicity would be far costlier than any settlement. If he hasn’t realized that after reading the papers. Speaking of which, don’t give a damn thing to the media. Silent running and radio silence. The sooner we get this case off the calendar, the better.”

“I will do my best. Hey, if nothing else, we’ll make a fortune off him so we can take more pro bono stuff.”

“I guess that’s one way to look at it.”

“And speaking of things on the calendar, don’t forget you’ve got that charity auction tonight.”

“It’s on my to-do list though I’ll be a little late. You wanna go with me?”

“Nah, I’d spend too much money. But I won’t complain if you buy me something nice.”

“I thought that was your boyfriend’s job.”

“It is, but you have really good taste. I’ve never returned a single thing you’ve given me. I must say, you really know how to shop for a woman.”

He began to blush a bit. “Okay, I have a confession to make.”

“What?”

“I, uh, don’t actually pick out your gifts. I have, you know, help. From another woman. Don’t be mad.”

“I’m not. It’s the gift that counts, not the thought, right?”

“Very funny. But you know how much I think of you.”

“Just bustin’ your chops, partner. Well, whoever your help is, keep her. She’s doing a helluva job.”

*

The well-heeled charity auction crowd applauded as Tish held up Socks at the end of her speech. “So thanks to this little furball, I’m here tonight. Socks would like to thank you all for supporting such a wonderful charity. It will save a lot of animals and really help raise awareness about pet adoptions. Now I’ll turn things over to our auctioneer, and I hope those of you with deep pockets will empty them. I wanna see them turned inside out!”

The crowd laughed as she moved off the stage. She put Socks back in her carrier, then shook hands with all the volunteers from the charity as the auction commenced.

“Really nice of you to bring Socks,” said one woman, poking her finger through the grate to touch her.

“Hey, she’s a great spokes-cat. And she loves people. Can’t get enough attention.”

“Well, this should really help us raise a ton of money. That segment on the network Saturday morning really boosted our last-minute ticket sales. We’ve never had such a big turnout. And a lot of stores donated stuff for the auction after seeing the story.”

“Glad to hear it. Yeah, that story has gone viral.” She heard some big numbers being shouted out from the crowd as the auctioneer held up a beautiful statue. “And you’ve apparently got some expensive stuff to auction off.”

“A few businesses were really generous. Especially one jewelry store.”

Tish looked out at the crowd and saw some a group of men walk into the room and sit at the last table in the back as the auction was beginning.

What she saw made her stand up straight.

The white knight was among them.

Serendipity.

Her pulse quickened as she started to step off the stage to head in his direction. It would be great to pay him back while she was dressed in a new business outfit instead of exercise clothes.

Then a hand lightly grabbed her forearm. “Excuse me, Miss McKenna?”

She turned and found a young woman with a pad and a camera. “Yes?”

“Hi, I’m Jennie Stevens from The New York Post. Could you spare a little time? We’d love to do an interview about how your cat saved your life. I promise it won’t take long.”

Tish took a quick look out at the crowd just as she saw the white knight raise his hand and bid two hundred and fifty dollars to win a lunch at an exclusive restaurant. She turned back to the reporter. “Sure, be happy to talk to you.”

Just her luck, the interview and photos had taken longer than she’d expected because the reporter couldn’t get the camera to work. By the time she was done and returned to the stage the auction was over. She saw the crowd heading out the door.

The white knight was nowhere in sight.

Dammit!

She quickly headed over to the table where the volunteers were busy adding up the checks and cash. “How’d we do, guys?”

The woman counting the money looked up and smiled at her. “Fabulous. This is the most we’ve ever raised at an auction. We can’t thank you enough.”

“My pleasure. Hey, I thought I spotted someone I knew. He was the guy who bought the lunch at Harrison’s.”

“Yeah, got some serious money for that. Not too shabby for a lunch.”

She pointed to the checks thinking there might be one of his with a last name and phone number. How many people named Spencer could there be at this auction? She could call him and thank him for supporting the charity, then… well, who knows. “Can I see if that’s who I thought it was?”

“Oh, he paid in cash. And talk about nice…the winning bid was two-fifty, so he gives me three hundred dollar bills and tells me to keep the change.”

“Did he want a receipt for a tax write-off?”

“I offered and he said it wasn’t necessary. Sorry, there’s no paper trail on the guy. Does that sound like the person you know?”

“Yeah, actually it does.”

*

Spencer breathed in the cool autumn air as he headed toward the drink cart for his morning coffee. Benny spotted him and smiled. “Hey, Spence from the block, beautiful day. You should knock off early this afternoon.”

“With weather like this I’d like to switch jobs with you, Benny.”

Benny started to fix his coffee. “Seriously, you wanna sell soda?”

“If I could work outside today, I’d be happy to. I used to love helping my dad on days like these.”

“Your dad still around?”

“Yeah, but he’s retired. I got him a nice place in Florida. He couldn’t deal with the cold anymore. He cracked a bottle of champagne when he sold his snow blower in a yard sale.”

“That’s my goal as well. Love the Sunshine State. And it’s like the sixth borough of New York anyway.”

“Very true. I always visit in the winter.”

Benny stirred the sugar into the coffee and handed it to him, then pointed at his hand. “So, since we’re on the subject of family, is there no Mrs. Spence? I don’t see a ring.”

Spencer shook his head. “I’m single.”

“Never married?”

“Nope. Never even came close to finding Miss Right.”

“Kids?”

“I’ve never been married.”

“That doesn’t stop your generation.”

“True. I’m old-fashioned in that respect.”

“Well, nice lookin’ guy like you in an expensive suit must have women bangin’ down the door. I can understand why you wouldn’t wanna be attached when you can play the field.”

“If only, Benny. Haven’t had a decent girlfriend in years. I’ve, uh, been kinda married to my job. Which hasn’t helped.”

Benny sat on his stool and folded his arms. “Really? You don’t seem like that type. I’m surprised. There’s more to life than work, you know.”

“Yeah, I’m starting to realize that. As for women, well, the stars never aligned. It seems the women I’m attracted to aren’t interested in me, and vice versa.”

“So what’s your type? Blonde, brunette, or redhead?”

“Hair color doesn’t matter. I like professional women who are incredibly smart and have a lot of spunk. I really don’t like party girls.” He pointed at Benny’s hand which featured a nicked silver ring. “I see you’ve found Miss Right, and from the looks of that ring you found her a while ago.”

“Thirty years. Best thing that ever happened to me.”

Spencer leaned against a light pole as he sipped his coffee. “So what’s the secret of staying married so long in this day and age?”

“Respect. Never take your wife for granted. And don’t stop dating after you get married.”

Spencer’s eyes widened. “You have affairs, Benny?”

“Hell, no. I meant you still take your wife out on dates. We go out to dinner and a movie every Saturday night. I still open doors for her, bring her a rose now and then, little stuff that says I love you without the words. Just because you’re spending the rest of your life together doesn’t mean the courtship ends. Too many couples start out as lovers and end up as roommates. And a lot of couples from your generation end up divorced.”

“You’re a wise man, Benny.” His cell rang and he pulled it from his pocket. “Well, excuse me, gotta go. Enjoy the beautiful day.”

“You should take some time to do the same, Spence.”

*

Tish jogged across the street and noted her watch read seven-twenty-nine. If the white knight was always there between seven-thirty and eight, she wanted to be early.

Benny shrugged at her and put his palms up as she walked toward the cart. “You just missed him again.”

She shook her head. “You said he’s here between seven-thirty and eight.”

“He was early today, what can I say?”

“I’ll keep trying.”

“Well, Tish from the hotel, this is not to say your trip was totally in vain. I did manage to acquire some information about the gentleman that may interest you.”

Her eyes widened as she perked up. “Really? What’d you get?”

“You want orange juice?”

“Yeah. So what’d you get?”

He handed her a bottle. “Not married. Never been married. So no baggage to check.”

“Well, that’s half the battle. You get anything else?”

“Do I look like an amateur?”

“No. C’mon, c’mon, what else you got?

Benny shot her a sly grin. “No girlfriend.”

“And there’s the other half of a perfect answer.” She couldn’t hold back a smile. “I’m honestly very surprised.”

“I was too. He mentioned that the women he’s interested in never feel the same about him. And something about the stars not aligning for him yet.”

“So there’s hope for me.”

“Well, that depends.”

“On what?”

“If your stars and his stars are in the same constellation.”

“What, you’re into astrology?”

“No, I meant if you’re his type.”

She nodded. “So you actually found out what kind of women he finds attractive?”

“Young lady, you give Benny a chance to play matchmaker, he will not disappoint. I’m better than a Jewish mother, even though I’m an Irish father. By the end of the week I’ll have a complete dossier in your hands with all his likes and dislikes.”

“Yeah, yeah, so what’s he lookin’ for? C’mon, dish.”

“You’re such an impatient little thing.”

“I’m not exactly little.”

“Well, you’re a helluva lot better looking than that bag-o-bones supermodel who drops by every day and has Diet Coke and cigarettes for lunch.”

“Thank you, but we’re getting off track, Benny. So what’s his type?”

“I started by asking him if he liked blondes, brunettes or redheads and he said hair color didn’t matter. He’s a head man.”

Her eyes went wide. “Excuse me? If he’s looking for a girl to spend all her time on her knees—”

“I didn’t mean that! Geez, your mind is in the gutter!” He tapped his head. “I meant he wants a woman with a great head on her shoulders. A guy might be a leg man, a boob man…or in this case a head man. You get what I’m sayin’?”

“Never heard it put quite that way. You might want to retire that particular designation, especially when talking to a woman.”

“Yeah, I guess you could take it the wrong way. Anyway, what Spence from the block wants is a professional woman who is really smart and spunky.” Benny studied her face. “I don’t know you well enough to tell if you fit the bill, but you seem like you have a good head on your shoulders. Already know you have an attitude.”

“Very funny.”

“I meant that as a compliment.”

“Nice save, Mister. Anything else?”

“He got a call while we were talking and had to take off.”

“That seems to happen with him. Well, you still cleared up a lot, Benny. Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“So now that you know he’s unattached, does that change your strategy?”

“It just gives me hope. I still need to meet the guy.”

“I think you need a different approach.”

“How so?”

“He said he likes professional women. So when you show up here, don’t do it in a jogging outfit.”

She nodded. “Point taken.”

“What do you do for a living?”

“Lawyer.”

“So you must have nice clothes.”

“I do.”

“So, see you tomorrow, Tish from the hotel? All dolled up?”

“Not dolled up, but professional.”