Part 15 (1/2)
”Dr. Steven Patterson opened a free clinic for babies with AIDS....”
”Dr. Steven Patterson arrived in Kenya today to open the Patterson Medical Center....”
”Work on the Patterson Charity Shelter began today...”
He seemed to be everywhere, donating his time and his money to those who needed him.
Sandra's voice shook David out of his reverie. ”David. Are you all right?”
He turned away from the television set. ”They've just arrested Steven Patterson's daughter for those serial killings.”
Sandra said, ”That's terrible! I'm so sorry, darling.”
”He gave Mother seven more years of a wonderful life. It's unfair that anything like that should happen to a man like him. He's the greatest gentleman I've ever known, Sandra. He doesn't deserve this. How could he have a monster like that for a daughter?” He looked at his watch. ”d.a.m.n! I'm going to be late.”
”You haven't had breakfast.”
”I'm too upset to eat.” He glanced toward the television set. ”This...and today's partners.h.i.+p day...”
”You're going to get it. There's no question about it.”
”There's always always a question about it, honey. Every year, someone who's supposed to be a shoo-in winds up in the loser's box.” a question about it, honey. Every year, someone who's supposed to be a shoo-in winds up in the loser's box.”
She hugged him and said, ”They'll be lucky to have you.”
He leaned over and kissed her. ”Thanks, baby. I don't know what I'd do without you.”
”You'll never have to. You'll call me as soon as you get the news, won't you, David?”
”Of course I will. We'll go out and celebrate.” And the words reverberated in his mind. Years ago, he had said to someone else, ”We'll go out and celebrate.” ”We'll go out and celebrate.”
And he had killed her.
The offices of Kincaid, Turner, Rose & Ripley occupied three floors in the TransAmerica Pyramid in downtown San Francisco. When David Singer walked through the doors, he was greeted with knowing smiles. It seemed to him that there was even a different quality in the ”good mornings.” They knew they were addressing a future partner in the firm.
On the way to his small office, David pa.s.sed the newly decorated office that would belong to one of the chosen partners, and he could not resist looking inside. It was a large, beautiful office with a private washroom, a desk and chairs facing a picture window with a magnificent view of the Bay. He stood there a moment, drinking it in.
When David walked into his office, his secretary, Holly, said, ”Good morning, Mr. Singer.” There was a lilt in her voice.
”Good morning, Holly.”
”I have a message for you.”
”Yes?”
”Mr. Kincaid would like to see you in his office at five o'clock.” She broke into a broad smile.
So it was really happening. ”Great!” ”Great!”
She moved closer to David and said, ”I think I should also tell you, I had coffee with Dorothy, Mr. Kincaid's secretary, this morning. She says you're at the top of the list.”
David grinned. ”Thanks, Holly.”
”Would you like some coffee?”
”Love it.”
”Hot and strong, coming up.”
David walked over to his desk. It was heaped with briefs and contracts and files.
Today was the day. Finally. ”Mr. Kincaid would like to see you in his office at five o'clock... You're at the top of the list.” ”Mr. Kincaid would like to see you in his office at five o'clock... You're at the top of the list.”
He was tempted to telephone Sandra with the news. Something held him back. I'll wait until it happens, I'll wait until it happens, he thought. he thought.
David spent the next two hours dealing with the material on his desk. At eleven o'clock, Holly came in. ”There's a Dr. Patterson here to see you. He has no app-”
He looked up in surprise. ”Dr. Patterson is here?” here?”
”Yes.”
David rose. ”Send him in.”
Steven Patterson came in, and David tried to conceal his reaction. The doctor looked old and tired.
”h.e.l.lo, David.”
”Dr. Patterson. Please, sit down.” David watched him slowly take a chair. ”I saw the news this morning. I-I can't tell you how very sorry I am.”
Dr. Patterson nodded wearily. ”Yes. It's been quite a blow.” He looked up. ”I need your help, David.”
”Of course,” David said eagerly. ”Anything I can do. Anything.” Anything.”
”I want you to represent Ashley.”
It took a moment for the words to sink in. ”I-I can't do that. I'm not a criminal defense lawyer.”
Dr. Patterson looked him in the eye and said, ”Ashley's not a criminal.”
”I-You don't understand, Dr. Patterson. I'm a corporate lawyer. I can recommend an excellent-”
”I've already had calls from half a dozen top criminal defense lawyers. They all want to represent her.” He leaned forward in his chair. ”But they're not interested in my daughter, David. This is a high-profile case, and they're looking for the limelight. They don't give a d.a.m.n about her. I do. She's all I have.”
”I want you to save my mother's life. She's all I have.” David said, ”I really want to help you, but-” David said, ”I really want to help you, but-”
”When you got out of law school, you went to work for a criminal law firm.”