Page 11 of The Emma Special

Emma fumbled for the button to hopefully reply to the correct office. “I’m here, sir. Fresh coffee in the boardroom. Be right there.” She debated reminding him that her name was Emma, but thought better of it. Florence was going to bring her around to introduce her to all the attorneys this afternoon.

She could be Anna in exchange for a new knee. No worries.

Chapter 4

James Is Noticed

The fist slamming his desk was almost enough to pierce the mask of professionalism James wore like a knight’s armor. Mr. Ray, on the other hand, had lost all sense of propriety the moment James explained he didn’t have a strong legal claim to sue his neighbor.

James’s desk phone beeped, and he ignored it. After four days, Emma knew he didn’t take calls when meeting with clients. Whoever it was would need to leave a message. “I know you’re frustrated, but you have no proof. Even if you had it, he hasn’t done anything illegal.”

Mr. Ray stood in a yellowed T-shirt and worn overalls and leaned over the desk, adding height and full girth to intimidate. “You think you’re so high and mighty sittin’ behind your big desk in your fancy outfit, but you’re not worth two cents if you claim you can’t do nothing when honest folks need help.”

James leaned forward, propping his forearms on the big desk Mr. Ray seemed to despise. “I get it. If my fences were knocked down every other week and my cattle were roaming Primrose Valley, I’d be just as furious as you. But no judge is going to side in your favor without one piece of evidence.”

Mr. Ray opened his mouth, but James held up a hand.

“I know it’s likely his bull doing the damage, but probability doesn’t win cases. As things stand right now, I don’t want to take your money knowing you won’t get the outcome you want if this goes before the bench.”

The phone beeped a warning for the intercom before Emma’s confident voice came through. “Excuse me, Mr. Moore⁠—”

James jumped in, “I’m with a client.”

Mr. Ray bristled at the interruption and pointed at the phone as if to continue his rude behavior at Emma instead.

“Oh, I know,” Emma said, “and I’m dreadfully sorry to interrupt, but the mayor is waiting on line one. He says it’s quite urgent.”

For some reason this was enough to close Mr. Ray’s mouth, and he plopped into his chair. James had never been called by the mayor. And Emma’s emphasis on the mayor was too flattering. On the slim chance she wasn’t pulling his leg, he lifted his hands to Mr. Ray. “Sorry, I need to take this,” he said and picked up the phone. “This is James Moore.”

“Do you need an emergency exit?” Emma’s voice came through the earpiece in a low whisper.

He tried not to let his face transform into a smile. “Good day, Mr. Odom.”

“I can hear him yelling at you all the way down the hall. I don’t like it.”

“Ah, I see the problem, Mayor.” James nodded gravely, fully in character. Emma was truly something else. “This is a bigger issue than I can handle over the phone. Have your secretary get in touch with mine to schedule us a time to meet.”

“She can’t,” Emma said. “Your secretary is too busy eavesdropping on important legal matters.”

“Hmm, this is quite urgent, indeed. In that case you’d better come in person. The sooner the better.”

“Three minutes? Ninety seconds?” Emma asked.

“Whatever you think is best. I look forward to hearing your ideas on the situation.”

Emma chuckled. “Chin up. You’re the best. ’Kay, bye.”

“You too.”

James stifled a grin as he hung up and turned back to Mr. Ray. “Thank you for your patience.”

“I left the fields for this meeting an’ I expect to be treated with respect, or I’ll take my business elsewhere.”

“I understand completely. Your legal options remain the same as I stated earlier. Is there anything else I can help you with before you go?”

“That’s it? There’s nothing you can do? How’d you get to be in this stuffy office when you can’t even do something useful? Preying on the hard-up is what this is. Conning folks into giving away their cash so’s you can wear a suit and scribble a signature that ain’t worth its weight in salt.”

James stood and casually made his way around the desk. “I want to remind you that this consultation is free, and you didn’t sign a fee agreement. No one has conned you, Mr. Ray.”