Chapter 42

Tuesday was still warm, well above freezing, so the last of the snow and ice disappeared. There would be more I knew, but I was glad for what we had. It was still overcast and grey. We may never see the sun again I thought. Anyway, after my morning exercises, I did manage a run.

All it did was show how fast you can get out of shape. I did okay, but my stamina had taken a hit from the winter’s inactivity.

We had just finished breakfast when the phone rang. Dad answered it without his usual, City Morgue ... bit.”

He listened for a while and said, “We will stop by after lunch today.”

He turned around and said, “That was Douglas Hicks a lawyer for that kid on the Moped, Sam Butler. He asked that we stop by and give a statement on the events at the pond. They seem to think they have a lawsuit against the city.”

“How could they have a lawsuit? He was the stupid one who rode a Moped on ice like a madman,” Mum asked.

“They don’t have signs up saying it’s not safe to ride a motor vehicle on the ice.”

“Well, I never!”

“Anyway he asked that I accompany Rick to his office so he can make a statement. I told him that I would, but first I’m calling Eugene Burke.”

Dad called Mr. Burke and explained the situation. Then Dad listened and listened some more.

He said, “Can you accompany us then? Good, we will meet at your office at one o’clock and walk across the street to his.”

Dad told us the gist of his conversation, “This Hicks has a reputation as being an ambulance chaser. He hunts for problems like this and tries for a cash settlement without a trial.”

“Eugene warned me that he will try to get Rick to admit that he treated this Butler kid someway. Then he will claim malpractice of some sort hoping to get our homeowner’s insurance to settle with him.”

“Eugene has agreed to go with us and keep this from happening.”

Needless to say this set off a small uproar in the house. Mum was all for settling things out of hand. I’m not sure what this meant, but I got the impression that it included violence.

I tried reading to pass the morning but it was a drag. Finally, Dad and I left for our attorney’s office. When we got there Mr. Burke asked me to recount the events of the day. He had me repeat my conversation with Sergeant Woodruff.

He was really interested that I had told him that I didn’t do any treatment because I saw that I would only cause further injury.

“Once again, that is what you told the police and he took notes?”

“Yes Sir,” I replied.

“Then that is exactly what you will tell Hicks, the truth. He might try to talk you around to saying you treated Butler in some way. You said that you provided blankets because he was cold and your Boy Scout training led you to believe he might go into shock. He will then say that is a form of treatment. Is it a treatment?”

“No Sir, it is not treatment of the injury it is an attempt at preventing further injury.”

“Excellent, now you have told me these things. Have I tried to lead you to these answers in any way?”

“No, you just asked me to tell you what happened and then recommended I relate exactly that since it is the truth.”

Mr. Burke looked at Dad and said, “You have one smart kid here.”

We walked across the street. At Hicks’s office, we were forced to wait for half an hour. Mr. Burke winked after fifteen minutes. “I bet he doesn’t know I’m with you, he is trying to make you nervous.”

I didn’t say anything but it was working.

When we were escorted to Mr. Hick’s office he was surprised to see Mr. Burke with us.

He made the comment, “Oh, you have concerns about Rick’s actions since you have brought an attorney with you.”

“Still working on intimidation tactics, Doug?” responded our lawyer.

I don’t know what I expected his office to look like but it was as plain as could be. The desk was a battered metal one. There was one bookcase with a few law books on it. I compared that with Mr. Burke’s office which had a nice wooden desk, credenza, two barrister bookcases full of law books, nice carpeting, and drapes. This place was a dump by comparison.

The interview went exactly as Mr. Burke had predicted. He must have asked me ten different ways if I had touched or manipulated Sam Butler’s ankle in any way shape or form. I kept my answers the same as with the police and Mr. Burke.

His questions then turned to were there any city personnel present.

“No Sir, not to my knowledge.”

Was there any signage saying under what conditions it was not safe to be on the ice?