The security guy made a phone call and then gave them visitor badges that they were asked to keep visible.
“Jeez, it’s easier to get into the Pentagon,” Isla said while they waited for the elevator that would take them to the fourth floor.She wondered what it might be like to work in a place like this.The ophthalmology practice had been in a strip mall.
“Julian said there was an incident earlier this week, and they’ve tightened things up even more than they were.They have to be careful with security.They’ve had instances where someone who lost a case against them tried to hunt them down.”
“Really?”
“Oh yeah, it’s a concern.You help take someone’s kids or money from them, they’re furious and could be dangerous afterward.”
“I wouldn’t have thought it was dangerous to be a lawyer.”
“Family law is an emotional battlefield.They have to be super careful that scorned spouses and parents who lose custody don’t come looking for them.Julian told me once that they have an employee whose sole job is to make sure their addresses and personal info can’t be found online.”
“Wow.That’s crazy.”She hadn’t realized that family law could be dangerous, but considering the battlefields upon which their wars were fought, it made sense.
When they stepped into the elevator, Denny let Theo press the button for the fourth floor and then pulled him back right as he would’ve pressed all the other buttons, too.
“Buttons!”
“You can press more on the way back down,” Denny told him.
“Now!”
“Later.”
Theo squiggled against his uncle’s tight hold.
“Remember what Mommy said about behaving in the office building,” Isla reminded him.
“Business,” Theo said.
“That’s right.People are doingbusiness, and we have to be quiet.”
He put his finger to his lips and said, “Shhhh.”
“Very good.”
Denny smiled at his nephew.“He’s too cute.”
“And he knows it.”
Mila rested her head on Isla’s shoulder, seeming overwhelmed by the odd series of events that’d transpired over the past twelve hours.She’d been unusually quiet and withdrawn since she woke up for the second time with her mother and brother in bed with her.She’d asked for her toys, and Isla had promised to get them for her later.
The thought of confronting her destroyed home was so devastating that she couldn’t allow her mind to go there.She was taking this surreal day one step at a time, beginning with the movie-star-handsome lawyer Denny was bringing her to meet.
They were shown to an office where a sharply dressed woman greeted them with a warm smile.“Denny and Isla,” she said, “I’m Julian’s assistant, Mattie Jones.And who are these doll babies?”
Isla was immediately in love with the kind woman and in awe of her gorgeous black-and-white-checked suit coat that she’d paired with a red scarf, the kind of effortless style that Isla admired in other women, as she’d been born without that gene.“This is Theo and Mila, and they’ve promised to be very quiet in your office building.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet of you guys.”She offered them candy from the bowl on her desk, ensuring they’d be her best friends forever.“Have a seat.Julian is finishing up with another client and will be right with you.Can I offer coffee or another beverage while you wait?”
“I’d kill for another coffee,” Denny said.
“Me, too,” Isla said.
“How do you take them?”Mattie asked.
“Both just with cream,” Denny said.
