“I appreciate that,” David replied, “but I do hope to get back on my own feet again soon. I’ve been away from the world too long.”
“Any idea what you wanna do?” Jimmy asked.
“I’ve been thinking about that for years,” David laughed helplessly, “and now that the moment is here... I’ll be honest, son. I have no friggin’ idea.”
“Really?”
“Nope,” David chuckled. “Practicing medicine is probably out of the question.”
“Not unless you want it to be,” Cold calmly interjected. “It would be easy enough to have your physician’s license reinstated.”
“Easy, huh?” David shook his head, downing his beer with a wry smile. He chose his words carefully, clarifying, “Easy to bribe the medical board, you mean.”
“Easy to provide a donation,” Cold corrected, “and I can be very generous.”
“I appreciate that,” David said firmly, “but if I cannot do it on my own merits, then I would rather not do it at all.”
“As you wish.”
“I still want to do something to help people,” David went on. “I don’t have to be a doctor to do that. I actually have a mind to turn my attention to the prison system right here in Strassen Springs.”
“Wait, you’d actually want to go back there?” Jimmy frowned in concern.
“I would go back to help. The system is atrocious,” David replied with a sad shake of his head. “There are so many problems. Medical alone is a nightmare. There’s a reason so many prisoners like Mickey came to me instead of bothering with the infirmary.”
“I have some connections with the prison board,” Cold offered, “and I’ve been considering having the warden replaced with someone more sympathetic.”
Jimmy marveled at the way Cold talked about replacing someone with all the ease of changing a tire.
“I’m sure a prisoners’ advocate position could be created,” Cold continued. “If that’s something you would be interested in.”
“Now that is an opportunity I will take you up on!” David exclaimed. “Medical would be my first target. It’s terrible. Yes, they’re prisoners, but they deserve better than that place’s brand of medieval torture.”
“I agree completely,” Cold said. “Should our dear mayor win the election next month, he has promised to help fund several new projects for the city. A new infirmary at the prison could definitely be one of them.”
“You’ve got the mayor, don’t you?” David asked without hesitation.
Jimmy choked on nothing. He couldn’t believe his father was being so candid with Cold about his criminal dealings. Even more unbelievable was that Cold didn’t seem to mind.
“I have a good sense for politics,” Cold smirked, taking a small sip of wine. “That’s all.”
“Well, should the pieces fall into the right places, I would love to be involved,” David said, grimacing sharply. “I spent almost twenty years in that place, and trust me, it needs a lot of work.”
“Dad, if anybody can turn that place around, it’s gonna be you,” Jimmy said proudly.
“Could definitely use a lawyer’s help from time to time, too,” David said, winking at Jimmy.
“You’ll have it,” Jimmy beamed. “I’m going back to school as soon as I can.”
“And you’ll do great,” David said with a confident smile.
“You could return in the spring if you wish,” Cold offered. “I would expect that your hours at the club will be reduced so you can focus on your studies.”
“Club?” David questioned.
“Oh! Right!” Jimmy blushed as he explained, “So, I might have taken a job singing at one of Rod’s clubs. La Belle et la Bête.”
“That big swanky place downtown that used to be a theater?” David whistled. “That’s awesome, slugger! I remember how much you used to love singing with Mom.”
