“how’s the coffee, gabby?’ taft asked the man in the blue jacket. The man had taken the blue jacket off, revealing himself to be very much in fighting trim.
“It’s very good, thank you. the donut is good too.”
“i am glad you like them. feeing a little more relaxed now?”
“yeah, a little.”
“well, in that case , while we are waiting for your lawyer, maybe we could get started and you could tell us a little bit about yourself ? just so we could fill out the preliminary information - your name, and such, and we could save a little time.” taft picked up the man’s cell phone again. “we don’t want to have to bother breaking into this, do we?”
“i really think i would rather wait for the lawyer - since we have waited this long already.”
“whatever.” taft did not show his annoyance.
corelli yawned. grundy fidgeted in his seat, and looked out the window.
“i have to go to the little boy’s room,“ “gabby” announced.
“that’s an old-fashioned expression,” taft said. “i don’t think i have ever heard anybody actually say it, maybe read it in a book somewhere.”
“i’m an old fashioned guy.”
“i guess. all right, but corelli will have to go with you. you understand.”
“yes, i understand.”
when corelli and gabby were out the door, grundy laughed out loud. “having second thoughts, lieutenant? how long are we going to wait for this lawyer? did you even really call for one?”
“yes, i really called for one. and they should be here by now. and no, i am not having second thoughts, i really think there is something strange about this fellow.”
“what, like saying ‘little boy’s room’ ?”
“that, and other things.”
“you know what i think, lieutenant?”
“no, grundy, what, based on your extensive knowledge and experience, do you think?”
“i think you should let the guy have bill johnson, if bill johnson will have him.”
“that’s a great idea. why do you think that?”
“i just have a feeling.”
“about what?”
“i think this is going to get weird, maybe get in the news, and you’ll wish you gave the guy every break.”
taft was surprised. he had been thinking sort of the same thing, but before he could think of something to reply to grundy, his phone beeped.
“that has got to be the lawyer. “ he stood up.
the door opened, and the officer outside allowed a young woman to enter.
“hello,”she said, “my name is anne greenleaf, and i believe you are expecting me. i am from legal assistance.”
“we are glad to see you, miss greenleaf,” taft told her. “have you handled cases like this before?”
“i advise interrogated citizens of their rights, if that is what you mean. it is what i do all day - and sometimes night. i have to say i have never dealt with the secret service before.”
“i understand.”
the lawyer looked at grundy, who had remained seated and was staring at her. “is this my client?”
“ha, ha. no, grundy here is a secret service man, just like myself. your client is taking a little break - accompanied, of course.”
“well, i hope he is not making a break for it. “
taft laughed politely.
“may i sit down?’”
“of course. would you like some coffee?”
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