وکیل و مشتری

Chapter seven

Lawyer and Client

Reggie Love was fifty-two years old, and had been a lawyer for only five years. The first thing that Mark noticed about her was her hair it was gray, and very short - shorter than his. Her eyes were green and she wore round, black glasses. Her dress was black too. She put out her hand and Mark shook it.

‘Would you like something to drink’ she asked him.

‘No, ma’am.’

She crossed her legs. ‘Mark Sway, right? Please don’t call me ma’am. I’m old enough to be your grandmother, but you can call me Reggie, okay?’

‘Okay.’

How old are you Mark? Tell me a little about yourself.’

‘I’m eleven. I go to school at Willow Road.’

‘Why aren’t you in school this morning, Mark?’

‘It’s a long story.’

‘Clint said you have to meet the FBI at twelve today. Is this true?’

‘Yes,’ said Mark. ‘They want to ask me some questions at the hospital.’

‘The hospital?’ She took out a piece of paper and a pen.

‘It’s part of the long story. Can I ask you something, Reggie?’ It was strange calling this lady by a man’s, name.

‘Sure,’ she said with a smile.

‘If I tell you something, will you ever repeat it?’

‘Of course not.’

‘Never?’

‘Only if you tell me I can repeat it. Talking with a lawyer is like talking to your doctor. What we say is secret, and held in trust. Do you understand?’

‘What if I tell you something that no one but me knows?’

‘I can’t repeat it.’

‘Something the police really want to know?’

‘I can’t repeat it,’ she said again. ‘Any more questions?’

‘Yes. Where did you get the name Reggie?’

‘My name used to be Regina. I was married to a doctor. Then all sorts of bad things happened and my husband left me. I changed my name to Reggie and became a lawyer.’

‘My father left my mother.’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘Don’t be sorry. My brother and I were really happy about it. He drank a lot and hit us. He hit Mom too. Me and Ricky always hated him.’

‘Ricky’s your brother?’

‘Yes. He’s the one in hospital.’

‘What’s the matter with him?’

‘It’s part of the long story.’

‘Would you like to tell me this story?’

Mark was silent. He wasn’t ready to talk yet.

‘Are you afraid, Mark?’

‘A bit. One person is dead. One is in the hospital. The police and the FBI want to talk to me.’

‘Look, Mark,’ she said. ‘First you have to pay me something and then I’m your lawyer. I guess you don’t have much money, do you?’

Mark pulled a dollar from his pocket and handed it to her. ‘This is all I’ve got.’

She put the dollar on the desk and said, ‘Okay, now I’m the lawyer and you’re the client. Let’s hear the story.’

Mark took a long breath and looked at the floor. He told her about Ricky and the cigarettes and the car and the man. Reggie asked questions and wrote everything down. Mark told her everything except what Romey had said about the body.

An hour after they started Reggie took a break. Clint brought a newspaper and she read the story twice. Then she read her notes again. Mark walked around the office as she read. His lawyer looked very worried, and he nearly felt sorry for her. He really liked her. He sat down again.

‘What are you afraid of, Mark’ she said at last.

‘Lots of things. I’ve lied to the police and I think they know it. My little brother’s very sick because of me. I haven’t told the truth to his doctor either. I don’t know what to do, and that’s why I’m here. What should I do?’

Reggie said thoughtfully, ‘Have you told me everything?’

‘Almost.’

‘Have you lied to me?’

‘No.’

‘Do you know where the body is?’

‘I think so. I know what Jerome Clifford told me.’

‘Do you want to tell me where it is’ she asked slowly.

‘I’m not sure,’ said Mark. ‘I’m afraid to tell. I don’t want anyone to know that I know about the body. Romey told me his client kills people. He’s in the Mafia, and if he thinks I know this secret, he’ll want to kill me too. But the cops and the FBI want to talk to me. Do you think I should tell them?’

Reggie stood and walked slowly to the window. She wasn’t sure. Mark was safe now, but would he be safe if he told?

‘Let’s do this, Mark. Don’t tell me where the body is. Maybe later, but not now. And let’s meet with the FBI and listen to them. You don’t have to say a word. I’ll do the talking. And after that we’ll decide what to do next.’

‘Sounds good to me.’

‘Okay,’ said Reggie. ‘Please call your mother and tell her we’re coming.’ She checked her watch and put more paper in her bag. ‘I’m ready,’ she said. But she looked nervous.