Winning Appeal(37)
“Fire up the Mystery Machine and pack the Scooby snacks,” Adam said with a grin, “the gang is back in action.”
“I’m not wearing the schoolboy outfit again,” Mark said, looking beaten. “I mean it. I won’t do it.”
“Not schoolboys, honey,” Jess consoled, “famous detectives.”
“I want to be Hercule Poirot,” Cam piped up.
“I think you enjoy this stuff,” Braden said, giving him a suspicious look and Cameron laughed tellingly, earning him a suspicious glance from Jess too.
Chapter Fourteen
Mark
Monday 8:20 AM
Adam and I talked while we waited for Judge Epstein to take the bench. In the PBD (pre-Beth days) I would have filled him in with lurid details about my weekend, but guys don’t talk about wives and girlfriends that way. Let’s face it nobody wants to be sitting around the dinner table, complementing the pot roast your buddy’s wife cooked up, and picturing her screaming his name. Adam was married to a very sexy woman, who I had imagined screaming my name a few times before they got together, but now she was Mrs. Roth, future mother of his children. So, the point is, we kept the conversation pretty general.
“I’m assuming that your one month experiment with celibacy is now ended,” he commented, shuffling through some files.
“Thank you lord,” I replied and he laughed.
“And I assume you figured it out?”
“Yeah, you were right. I didn’t have to think too hard. She was very motivating. In fact, I think I may have been worried deep down that after all the fantasies, reality wouldn’t stack up, but it was even better.”
“Yeah. It’s funny how that works sometimes. So now you’ll be able to get your head back in the game. I was starting to worry about you.”
“I was starting to worry about my clients.”
“Now you’ll be getting laid more than ever before. Maybe you’ll become the next Clarence Darrow.”
“Beth and I decided to focus on work during the week, and make the weekend playtime.”
“That won’t last. The first rough day you have in court you’ll be knocking on her door that night.”
“What do you mean? I used to make it through the week before no matter how rough it was.”
“Yeah, because after a rough day, who wants to go searching for companionship? But now, you have easy access. I’ll bet you a Benjamin that you don’t even make it through this week.”
“You’re on,” I shot back just as the bailiff came out from the judge’s chambers and called court to session. Judge Epstein, who made Judge Judy look like a sweet and docile young thing, stalked out onto the bench. I saw the Assistant District Attorney and the public defender approach the bench for a conference and the next thing I knew, Judge Epstein was bellowing at Adam and me to join them. Great.
“You two, The PD has to conflict out of some cases. Rather than continue them, I’m going to appoint you to represent the defendants.”
“Your Honor, we would have to continue too,” I replied. “We haven’t had any time to prepare.”
“You can handle the first one this afternoon and then I’ll spread them out through the week. That should be plenty of time to prepare. These guys are not exactly on the FBI’s Most Wanted List.” With that, the matter was decided. Her clerk handed Adam and I each five files. I had a bad feeling about this. I glanced over and saw Adam looking amused and one hundred bucks richer.
Wednesday 5:30 PM
We held a meeting to discuss the details of the mystery weekend and introduce Caitlin to everyone. My court week had already become stressful, but I wasn’t going to give in. It was a matter of principle. I was a grown man and I could control my urge to unwind with Beth beneath me for a few days at least.
“Okay everyone!” Gab said excitedly. “I got our instruction packets with our roles. Cam, I was able to get you Hercule Poirot.”
“Yes!” he said with a smile, earning him several dubious looks.
“Jess, you are going to be Jane Marple,” Gab went on.
“Great, honey. I’ll break out the support hose and join AARP.”
“Braden, you and I will be Nick and Nora Charles.” Braden started to say something but Gab cut him off, “And yes, I got permission for Bruno to be Asta.” Braden smiled. He loved that Chihuahua like a first-born son.
“Adam you will be Phillip Marlowe, and Lily will be V.I. Warshawski.”
“Hey, Lilith. We get to dress like normal human beings,” Adam said, and the two of them high-fived each other.
“Caitlin will be Nancy Drew,” Gab continued.