Chapter 12: Another Lawyer

Connie was “manning” the reception desk at the company where Gail worked. At about 10:30, a woman walked in carrying a briefcase and dressed in an expensive business suit.

“May I help you?”

“Yes, I’m here for Constance Tinlette.”

The absolute last thing Connie expected to hear. Instantly, she was suspicious. Was Lucille trying to sue her? This woman sure looked like a lawyer.

Cautiously, “What is this about, please?”

“I have some legal papers for her.”

Thinking quickly, Connie replied, “I believe Ms. Tinlette would want you to speak with her lawyer. Can-, May I take your card?”

“Of course. And may I have the lawyer’s name and information?”

Connie made a show of looking into her desk drawers.

“Oh, here it is. It just says ‘Allen Dawes’ and the city, he’s probably downtown. I’ll make sure your card gets to her.”

Martina Lamar didn’t just fall off the turnip truck. She was looking for an 18-year-old, like this receptionist, and she recognized that she was being fed a story.

“No biggie. I’m just here to give her money, not sue her. It will all work out quickly. But I wonder what she’s worried about?”

“Yes?”

“I have Martina Lamar, with Brickley, Deitz, and Keen, on line two.”

“Allen Dawes, Ms. Lamar. What can I do for you?”

“Mr. Dawes, I’ve been given your name as representing Constance Tinlette. Can you verify that, please?”

“Yes, I represent Connie. What is this about, please?”

“Mr. Dawes, this is going to sound strange coming from someone in our line of work. I’m giving away money. I have a check for a significant sum, payable to Ms. Tinlette. She’s the sole beneficiary of a trust established about 17 years ago.”

“Are you serious? Strike that, of course, you’re serious. Wait, I know you. Martina Lamar from Brickley Deitz? You were part of the intervenor team in that Henderson litigation, weren’t you?”

“That’s me. And since I just looked you up and saw your head shot in Martindale-Hubbell, I remember you too. You see, I had to go to Martindale because I was given only your name. I went to K6N Logistics and asked for Tinlette. The receptionist tried to conceal her reaction and made out like she would be giving my card ‘to Ms. Tinlette.’ But that was Connie, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, got it in one. She’s being cautious because of some strife in her family that we don’t need to deal with. That is, she’s not married, there’s no issue of community property.

“May I suggest that we just go to Olivera’s this evening? I’ll bring Connie, you bring the check, and we can soak up her happy tears in their nice linen napkins. We’ll make her pay the check.”

“I guess she won’t mind if I order the lobster, Mr. Dawes.”

“Great, I’ll get a table for six o’clock. Connie won’t want to wait any later. Thank you, Ms. Lamar.”