The Bachelor Party. Ron Hummer

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СКАЧАТЬ we have been friends for over 15 years. We were in the same sorority. I don’t want to lose you as a friend.”

      “It’s okay,” Emily said. “Don’t worry, we’ll always be friends.”

      “Yes, calm down, Amanda,” Elaine said. “I have everything under control.”

      As the elevator doors shut, Amanda said “Oh my God.”

      Chapter 5

      It’s so cold in here. God dammit, it’s so cold in here.

      Of course, I shouldn’t be the one complaining. It’s a Monday night and I’m in Willie’s hanging out, glancing at the 40 inch TV where the Giants were playing the Vikings on Monday night football. The Giants were winning 21-3 - what else was new. Not that I’m not a big fan who goes crazy and yells and screams when someone scores a touchdown.

      Ever listen in on these conversations? It doesn’t matter to people who is winning the game anymore. Now all people care about is their fantasy players. Oh, I can’t believe my running back got 50 yards today. Did you see my wide receiver score three touchdowns.

      I took a sip of my Jack and Coke and watched as my friend, Scott Turner, a huge grin on his face - he was always like that when he was beating me in pool - lined up the eight ball in the corner pocket and took the shot. The white ball hit the eight ball softly and went in.

      “That’s game,” Scott said, his dark hair blowing from a ceiling fan above him.

      “Fine. Next round is on me.”

      “Just like the last two rounds.”

      “Shut up.”

      “I’m just kidding with you. I am kind of wondering if you’re going to be alone tonight.”

      “Not sure I understand that,” I said.

      “See the girl at 3:00. She’s been looking at you for a little while now.”

      I turned and saw that she was staring at me, her smile going wider. Her dark hair was long, falling over her shoulders, framing her dark eyes and oval shaped face. She wore a red top and blue jeans that hugged her thin body. Not the kind of woman that I would take home with me. In fact, if I met her in a bar, I’d probably walk away from her. She got off her stool, then walked towards me.

      “See what I mean,” Scott said.

      I flirted with enough women in a bar to know when I was going home with them later. This wasn’t one of those times. She walked towards me because she knew who I was.

      She reached me and smiled. “Hi, are you Jack Roscoe?”

      “If you came here to talk to me about a case, I have an office. Stop by in the morning.”

      Her smiled grew wider and she laughed. “Wow, I thought that during these times, you would be happy that someone would want to talk to you about a case.”

      “What do you do for a living?” I asked.

      She took a deep breath and she bit her lower lip. I could tell she was nervous by her silence.

      “Not answering the question means you understand. I clock out at 5:00 and it’s nearly 10:00 now. Last thing I want to do is talk about a case.”

      “I really need your help.”

      “I’m in my office on Tuesday morning.”

      She put her hands on her hips. “What makes you think I’ll come to your office tomorrow. I mean, you’re being very rude and obnoxious”

      “If your problem is important, I’m sure you’ll be in my office tomorrow. Good night.”

      “Wow, Amanda was right. You really are rude and obnoxious.”

      I chuckled. “Amanda Collins. Really. She recommended me?”

      “No. In fact, she didn’t want me to speak to you but after she told me about what you did for her brother, I thought that you could help me.”

      “I’m guessing that you’re a lawyer then because you didn’t answer my other question earlier.”

      “Yes. “ She pursed her lips together.

      “I’m a very busy man. I doubt I’ll have the time to help you.”

      “Yeah, right. You don’t want to help me because I’m a lawyer.”

      I heard Scott laugh at that one. “I guess Amanda told you that.”

      “She did. She said that you don’t like lawyers.”

      “No one likes lawyers,” I said.

      Scott laughed again.

      “My brother is in jail as we speak. He’s accused of murdering Tony Sage. Have you read about the case?”

      Of course I heard about this since it’s all over the news. Scumbag - that being Tony Sage for taking the life savings of people like other investment advisors did like Bernie Madoff. The lawyer - Michael Wells - was found in the strip club next to the body with a murder weapon - a knife - in his hand. Some people might consider him to be a hero. Not me since he’s a lawyer. I feel like I’m gonna throw up.

      “I know all about the case.”

      “Maybe what you don’t know” - she wiped a tear from her eye - was that my brother was beaten up in prison by three men a few days ago. They were hired by Frank Russo.”

      Frank Russo. Mobster. Ran a waste management business and had a couple of restaurants that he won in card games as well as strip clubs. Truth be told, I could care less about this.

      “Have you told the police?”

      Her mouth fell open, forming the letter o on her lips. “You’re kidding. Of course we did. They said we don’t have any proof and he said he would deny it anyway.”

      “I’m sure the police will do their best to help you.” I turned and walked away.

      “Maybe I should sue you for discrimination like Amanda did.”

      I smiled and turned around. “That would be tough especially since I did work for Amanda and I think you know that already.”

      “You’re unbelievable. You really won’t work for me because I’m a lawyer.”

      “Like I said, I’m busy.”

      “Fine. How about a game of pool? If I win, then you have to work for me.”

      I bobbed my head and Scott grinned. “What if I win?”

      “I’ll give you $100 if you win.”

      “I don’t want you money. You’ll just have to leave me alone. How does that sound?”

      “Fine.”

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