All he did was go through the motions, but at least the law kept his brain alert.
The dog sneezed from his bed. “I hope you’re not getting a cold,” Scott murmured.
Roscoe sneezed again and then went back to sleep. The German shepherd had more problems than Scott did, and that was saying something. “I do not appreciate Angus dumping you on me before he and Nari left for Europe.” They’d headed out of the country to attend a security conference, and Angus had needed a babysitter for the canine.
Roscoe snored loudly, his honey-brown eyes closed, his colorful muzzle buried in the blankets.
There was no doubt in Scott’s mind that Angus was worried about him and somehow thought the dog would be good company.
Scott’s phone buzzed and he pressed a button. “Terentson.”
“Hi, honey. I heard about yesterday. Julie called me.”
“Hi, Mom,” he said, wincing as he tried to fasten the top button. Had his neck gotten bigger? He’d been fanatical about working out after he had finished physical therapy. He knew that muscles wouldn’t stop another bullet if one ever came at him, but still, being stronger than the other guy could never hurt. “Yeah, it looks like we’re going to trial. I can’t really talk about the case with you, but you can get all the information you want from Julie.”
“I’m not worried about Julie,” his mom said. “I’m worried about you.”
He reached for his coffee and finished the mug.
“Are you drinking coffee again?” Her voice rose.
“No,” he lied and rolled his eyes. Though he’d reached his thirties, he still felt the need to lie to his mother.
“I can tell when you’re lying,” she muttered. “The doctor told you to lay off the coffee. You drink too much of it.”
Coffee constituted his one vice. “Okay, Mom,” he said instead. “I’m sorry I couldn’t settle the case for your friend.”
His mother snorted. “Like I said, she’s a big girl and can handle herself. Don’t let the tears fool you.” She stopped speaking for a moment. “Julie is a nice person, but she’s strong, Scotty. I’m concerned about you and not her.”
He walked into his closet with his phone to his ear, viewing his various ties. “I’m wearing a blue suit today. What color tie should I wear?”
“Pink,” she said instantly.
“All right.” He didn’t much care. He didn’t much care about most things these days.
As if she could read his mind, she kept digging. “How’s your mood?”
“I’m fine.” But was he? The pleasure he’d previously felt in practicing law eluded him. The strategy used to entertain him. Now he just felt slow, as if he needed to find another path. “I have to go. I picked the pink tie.”
“Don’t forget dinner next week.” She hung up before he could find an excuse to get out of dinner. Not that they weren’t close—he just didn’t want to face her questions because he didn’t have any answers.
His phone buzzed again and his temper started to crawl up from his gut. The office knew not to bother him until he walked in the front door, which was usually earlier than anybody else. He was also the last person out the door late at night. Twenty-hour workdays were normal for him—at least they’d become so after he’d been shot. “Terentson,” he snapped out. Apparently the time had come to get his butt to work whether he liked it or not.
“Scott Terentson? The lawyer?” The man on the other end had a gruff voice.
Scott stilled. “Who is this?”
“It’s Chief Lawrence Wyatt from Shalebrook County.”
“Never heard of it,” Scott said. “What do you need, Chief?” He’d gotten so bad, he didn’t even feel curiosity any longer. Even he knew that was a seriously bad sign.
The chief cleared his throat. “I found your business card in Millicent Frost’s jeans.”
The entire world locked into place with a metallic howl and then narrowed. Darkness edged Scott’s vision. “Millie? Is she okay?” His breath heated his throat, and his temples throbbed. She had to be unharmed. Was this a notification?
“Yeah. Well, not really. She needs a lawyer.”
Scott exhaled the breath he’d been holding. “She’s alive. Good. Is she hurt?” His ears heated.
