“I would’ve been surprised if she didn’t show behavioral changes.”

“I know. It’s just ... my time left with her is limited. I want to be able to make the most of it.”

From the way her lips tightened up and her eyes began blinking rapidly, even Shad could detect the swell of emotion triggered inside Monica. He quickly diverted her attention to the papers she needed to sign, and they had a quick discussion about the next tier of strategy. Vic returned with Charissa just as they were finishing up, sparing Shad the necessity of having to come up with small talk.

“Here’s your mom back, Charissa.” Shad smiled at the pensive girl. “Think you’ll share a piece of candy with her?”

“Maybe one.” Charissa actually smiled a little, but she still stood slightly behind Vic.

As Shad watched them leave he felt his gut stir again. What was his limited intuition trying to tell him? What important detail might he be missing?

Chapter Eight

Right is right, even if everyone is against it; and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it.

--William Penn

Wednesday Shad drove the pickup to the train station in Jefferson City. All he’d told Dulsie was he’d be getting home an hour or so later than usual that day. Hopefully the train wouldn’t run very late.

During his wait at the depot and while riding to St. Louis, Shad used the laptop to review and update files on his other clients in an effort to distract himself from the upcoming meeting with Wally. But as the train drew closer to his destination, Shad’s thoughts turned more to the matter at hand. He remembered the first time he had to participate in a moot court while in law school. Shad’s nerves got wound up so tightly he had to duck into the bathroom just as the session was getting started because his impulse to throw up was too strong. He was glad his breakfast today had been no more than a bagel slice with cream cheese and a glass of vegetable juice cocktail.

It was after lunchtime when Shad got off at the final station, but between his anxiety and the fact he had long ago become hardened to missing meals, Shad wasn’t interested in food. He called a taxi, and it took him to the anchor store and home office of Wally’s industry.

It was a modern metal and brick building that composed part of the lineup of businesses bordering the busy parking lot. There were no trees to offer any respite from the heat that seemed magnified by radiating from the sidewalk and pavement and automobiles. In his charcoal suit and mint green shirt, Shad doubted that little less than a blasting air conditioner would offer him any relief anyway.

He drew in that well-practiced deep breath to steady his nerves, and entered the front door of the techno-store.

Business seemed to be pretty good for a Wednesday afternoon. There were maybe around a dozen customers lingering at various games and merchandise shelves, about half of them adult and the majority male. The shine and the glitz permeating the interior gave him the impression of old sci-fi movies where everything was new and squeaky clean. Shad approached the front counter and informed a young woman with a ponytail that he was there on an appointment to see Walden Palmer. She relayed his message to an older woman with short hair at the other end of the counter. The second woman picked up a telephone receiver tucked underneath and out of sight, spoke briefly into it, and told Shad Mr. Palmer would be there directly. After a wait of only a couple of minutes, a man whom Shad recognized more from over twenty years ago than from the recent photograph walked over to him.

“Good afternoon. I’m Walden.” Wally nodded politely and offered his hand, a formal smile barely curving his lips. He was wearing khaki slacks and a light blue button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled to the elbows. Shad remembered how the man would prefer to wear jersey shorts and tee shirts in the summer time. Obviously Wally was going for a little more professional look these days.

“A good day to you.” Shad nodded with the same level of formality and shook Wally’s hand. Now that there was no turning back, his nerves started to settle down. “I’m Shad Delaney, as I suppose they warned you.”

“Glad to meet you.” Wally glanced around the store. “I confess I’m quite curious about what brings you halfway across the state to see me today.”

“We can take care of your questions all in due time.”

“Did you want to take a look around the facilities before we go back to the office?”

“Not necessary.” Shad shook his head. “I’d prefer we just get down to business.”

“I’ve no complaint about that.” Wally jerked his head toward the direction he’d come. “Office is this way.”

As Shad accompanied the man toward the back of the business he glanced around at the patrons. None of the boys were as young as Wally preferred, which didn’t surprise Shad since this was a weekday and most families would have parents at work. At the end of the hallway they entered an office, a small room with a laminated wood desk and metal filing cabinets, where Wally offered him some coffee. Shad wasn’t a coffee drinker, but he did accept a paper cup of water from a dispenser in the corner only to keep his mouth from being so dry.

Shad seated himself in the one upholstered metal chair sitting across from the desk. A flat screen computer monitor, several piles of paper, and a wood picture frame he could only see the back of took residence on its surface. Wally sat in the swivel chair on the other side of the desk.

“So what is this little business venture you wanted to talk to me about?” Wally leaned forward and clasped his hands together on the desktop.

Shad set the paper cup on the front edge of the desk. He could feel his own heart hammering away inside his chest, and although Shad didn’t feel shaky he was a little concerned he might look that way if he didn’t keep his hands clasped together between his knees. “I’m sure it must be a little unsettling to meet with an attorney under rather vague pretenses.”

Wally shrugged. “Are you representing a client?”

“I’m representing myself. But I suppose there would be reason why you might anticipate someday having to face someone associated with the justice system. Do you ever have nightmares about it?”

A subtle frown creased Wally’s brow. “I’m afraid I don’t follow where you’re trying to lead me, Mr. Delaney.”

“As I mentioned before, I saw the article about your business in last week’s paper.” Shad didn’t want to reveal his identity abruptly. He wanted to see how soon and in what manner Wally would acknowledge what he was talking about. “I’ll admit I was a little surprised you agreed to have your picture put in there. Did you presume that nobody would recognize you, or that if they did, it wouldn’t motivate them to have you investigated?”

Wally’s frown deepened as he raised his clasped hands to his chin and propped his elbows on the desk. “What’s this about an investigation? About what?”

“I know you have a very good idea what I’m talking about.” Shad found himself balancing between trepidation and gratification. “You might as well speak freely. You’re not under formal testimony. We just need to clear the air.”

Wally looked puzzled. “I think you could clear it best by telling me why you’re here.”

“Go ahead, Wally. You know what I’m referring to.”

Upon hearing his nickname, Wally furrowed his brow again. “I don’t know what game it is you’re trying to play with me, but I can assure you I don’t have time for games.”

Shad leaned forward slightly. “It doesn’t surprise me you’ve forgotten who I am.”

Wally’s expression became perplexed. “Have we met before?”

“Think back over twenty years ago. It was in a seedy little apartment in the downtown area. Remember the woman you lived with?”