Chapter 9

Thad slept in late the next day. He hadn’t realized how physically exhausting trying cases to verdicts could be. He wanted to do something to celebrate and gave some thought about what he could do. He phoned Emma and asked her out to dinner.

She told him the school was abuzz with the verdict that Thad had received. Not only was it the verdict but to get it with Scott Connelly being on the other side she laughingly said was worth a big gold star. Emma did say she was free for dinner.

At dinner that evening at Parenti’s all of the conversations during the meal centered on the trial and what had happened. They were sure the insurance company along with other insurance companies would now conduct some training on handling policy limit demand files. Emma said that training would be more than that since it should include how to respond to policy limit demand letters, comments on giving settlement authorizations, and reporting on negotiations.

Thad said it would become a standard practice for him to make a demand for the policy limits when he will forward the special damages to an insurance company or its attorney. No doubt the opposing attorney would know how to respond but with non-lawyers or new employees working for the insurance company, who knows what they would or wouldn’t do.

In bringing Emma back to her condo things took a turn for the better. In saying good night she gave him a very nice kiss before she left his car. He was hoping that in the future the dinner date would end with him being invited to come into her condo.

Around noon on Saturday, Thad was doing some food shopping at the store when he ran into Kelly Dodge. She surprised him because of the way she was dressed. She had on a light blue pullover and was wearing form-fitting jeans. The jeans were worn and faded and looked like they had been washed quite a few times. To him, she looked like a tomboy which wasn’t a bad look for her.

“You surprise me with this outfit you are wearing.”

“Thad you should know I only wear business suits and pants suits when I work. Outside of work, this is what I like to wear.”

“I like the look.”

“What is on the agenda for the high-powered attorney today?”

“Can’t decide if I will go to Ken’s or the club for dinner. What are you planning on doing?”

“I plan to go later to my parent’s house and use their boat to go on the lake and catch a trout which I will grill along with the potatoes and corn on the cob you see in the cart here.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“Do you want to go fishing?”

“I haven’t fished in I don’t know how long.”

“Well, you know where my parent’s house is by the lake. If you want to go with me you can buy a one-day fishing license at the service desk here or online. Think about doing that and if you want to go be at my parent’s house at four-thirty. I don’t go fishing till the waterskiing stops.”

Thad watched her walk away admiring her fine ass encased in those tight jeans.

He finished his food shopping while at the same time continuing to decide what he should do this evening. Fishing with Kelly, who was a very attractive lady was something different to do which got his vote. He went online and applied for a fishing license.

After parking his car he walked around Kelly’s parent’s house and could see Kelly on the pier putting items in the boat.

She gave him a wave and asked what was in the small cooler he was carrying?

“I remembered you can get thirsty fishing so I brought some refreshments.”

Kelly laughed at him and said it was time to go. He stepped into the boat and took a seat in one of the high back seats which was comfortable. After Kelly pulled the starter rope on the ten horsepower motor which was tiller controlled, she motored out to a spot that was about thirty-five yards short of a boathouse across the lake. She killed the motor and since there was neither wind nor waves with the skiers off the lake, there was no reason to drop the anchor.

She handed Thad a spinning rod that had some sort of a cheese-type bait on the hook and told Thad to cast it out and let it go to the bottom which he did. Putting the rod in a rod holder, he opened the cooler and offered her a margarita cocktail that was in a can that she accepted. He pulled the tab on a can of beer and sat back giving a good looked at the surroundings. The scent of the water and the picturesque scenery was very pleasant. That an attractive woman was sitting about six feet from him, made for a nice and relaxing time.

The time became better when he noticed the tip of his fishing rod moving which indicated something was nibbling on his bait. He took the rod, set the hook, and reeled up a nice size trout that Kelly netted. He re-baited and cast out. About twenty minutes later Kelly reeled up a trout about the same size as the one Thad caught. She told Thad that since they caught fish they should motor in and have dinner.

Kelly asked Thad to gut and clean the fish while she did the other food preparations. He raised an eyebrow at her request, but he did do what she asked.

As it turned out the baked potato, roasted corn, and grilled trout with a buttery lemon sauce made for a delicious meal. He complimented her on her cooking ability.

Kelly was an easy person to talk to which made for a pleasant time. He avoided the subject for her no longer being engaged and so did she. More conversation ensued when her parents from wherever they had been came back home and joined in the conversation. Thad enjoyed this time because it was definitely different from what he had been doing during the evenings. This was like he was spending time with family.

At the office the following week Thad received congratulations from all of the staff. When the draft in settlement of the judgment was received it was apportioned to pay Thad’s fee and expenses. Thad’s fee of one-third from these two law suits was a solid contribution to the law firm’s bottom line. There were even some funds left over which went to Rex Firman. This could be said to be a big win-win for all involved.

One day Ron came to Thad and said he needed to discuss a few things with him.

‘What’s up,” asked Thad.

“I want to show you our new stationery and he handed Thad a sheet of paper.

Thad looked at it, smiled, and shook hands with Ron. The reason he did that was that the heading on the stationary said “Stallings and Conway, Attorneys at Law.” Ron confirmed that Thad was now a full partner in this law practice.

Ron said, “Because of your now trial reputation and success I was contacted by James Piper from the law firm of Piper and Roberts. Jim told me that Jack Roberts had a severe stroke. It probably means he will be bed-confined for his remaining life. Jack was their trial attorney and now they don’t have anyone who can try the several cases that are coming due for trial. He wants to refer those files to us, mainly you, to try the cases. It’s up to you if you want to do it and I told him you would be in contact with him. Why not give him a call to set up an discuss it with him.”