Page 49 of The Attercop

Charlie’s stomach twisted into knots.

“Mr Frazer claims that when you were involved in photographing one of his tawdry encounters at his paramour’s, based on the angle of the photographs, you must have been taking the pictures across the back fence of the property near the gate.”

“True. They were taken from the back alley.”

Vanstone continued. “Furthermore, the plaintiff claims that you must have stepped onto the property and gone through the gate.”

“I may have…wait a minute.” Charlie closed his eyes. “I remember now. A dog came up behind me and started to growl. It looked pretty menacing so I popped through the gate and shut it. I was protecting myself. And I was only there for a moment before the dog’s owner called it back and I got back into the alley.”

“That being said,” Mr Vanstone continued, “you were still technically trespassing. More importantly, we come to the issue of the gate itself. Mr Frazer’s attorney claims that you didn’t latch the gate securely and, later that day, the daughter of MrFrazer’sfriendmade her way out into the laneway and wandered away.”

“What? I’m sure I relatched that gate.”

“Be that as it may, aside from the original charges, now you are being charged with gross negligence and jeopardising the well-being of the child.”

Charlie sat in silence. He was paralysed.

Mr Vanstone got up and opened the door. “Joan, would you please bring us a glass of Mr Hunt’s strongest Scotch? Better make it two.”

Mrs B appeared in the doorway with two glasses, both containing a healthy shot of amber liquid. Charlie and Vanstone each took a glass, then Charlie paused. “I have a client due in a bit and I can’t be meeting her with Scotch on my breath. Plus, it’s pretty early in the morning for Scotch.”

“Not a problem,” Vanstone said, taking Charlie’s glass, and pouring the contents into his own. He took a healthy swig, then turned his attention back to Charlie. “It’s not a done deal yet, my boy. I pride myself on being someone who’s poked many a hole in a lawsuit like this. Don’t lose hope.”

“So, what do we do next?” Charlie asked.

“The enemy always comes out all cock and bluster. Most of it falls away once I’ve sent a second volley over their midship. I have already set up a meeting with a neighbour who, from the sounds of it, hates the child’s father. She claims he’s forever leaving ‘that damned gate’ open and she’s always having to ‘round-up that hellion of a child’. That might be the ammunition we need. Furthermore, for these charges to stick, they would have to prove that, even if that gate was open, that it wasyouwho left it open.”

“That sounds…hopeful,” Charlie said.

“I will do everything that the law and the bible allow, not to let you down,” the lawyer said, then finished the Scotch in his glassand placed it on the desk. “Keep your chin up and don’t forget, you have insurance.”

“But if this goes wrong, will I still have my licence?”

“I should think so, but in the future be more careful of stepping where you shouldn’t.” He set down his glass, rose from the chair and directed his gaze to Mrs B. “Joan, as always, it has been a pleasure to see you. Until next time.” He looked at the dog, then quickly took Mrs B’s hand in his, gave it a kiss, then departed.

Charlie winked at Mrs B.

She blushed. “Don’t you have a meeting to prepare for?”

She quickly cleared away the glasses and left the room just as the downstairs door alarm chimed. Charlie followed Mrs B into the main reception room.

Jules rushed in. “I’m so sorry I’m late.”

Duck pulled his head out of the bowl he’d been lapping at and gave a hearty “Yawp”. He glanced at Jules then moved over beside Mrs B.

“Hey there! How are you, boy?” Jules asked, slapping her thighs.

Mrs B tapped her finger on a sign she had taped to the front of her desk. It read, ‘My name is Duck and I love pats.’

“You found out who he is?” Jules said “You’re Duck! Hello, Duck!”

The dog hung back.

Jules smiled. “I’m all right, boy.”

Charlie cleared his throat. “Don’t mind him. He’s just getting used to all the strangers in his new workplace. Now, why don’t you come into my office and we can talk about your security.” Charlie turned and walked back to his desk. Something about Jules irritated him. Perhaps now that he was twenty-six, younger people struck him as a bit silly.

Jules stepped into his office.