The Professor (McMurtrie and Drake Legal Thrillers #1)(16)
“Jamo, do you know what happened to Drake? Didn’t he clerk for you guys one summer?”
Jameson’s eyes narrowed. “Actually, he clerked both summers for us, and we made him an offer after the second. Even threw in a nice signing bonus when he accepted. But we terminated his contract after the incident with you, and I’m pretty sure he didn’t get one from anywhere else.” He laughed. “We let the little shit keep his bonus, though, because his contract didn’t specify whether he had to return it. Ten thousand dollars. Not a bad start to a career as a solo practitioner, if that’s where he ended up.” Jameson paused, eying Tom. “Why the interest in Drake?”
Tom’s stomach tightened, and he looked down at the floor. A sense of guilt crept over him. He hadn’t realized how devastating the altercation had been to Rick. Jesus Christ, his whole career... I should’ve done something.
Tom shook his head, looking back at Jameson. “Just curious. Drake’s from Henshaw, and I have an old friend whose family was killed in a trucking accident in Henshaw. I’d like to refer her to someone with Henshaw ties.”
Jameson smiled. “Can’t say I know of any Henshaw attorneys, but that sounds like a case for Jerry. His firm takes them from Huntsville to Mobile now. No one could blame you for referring her to Jer.”
“I know, and maybe I’ll end up doing that,” Tom said, looking down. “But I’d really like a Henshaw connection, and I think Jerry would be the first one to recommend that approach. He may live in Montgomery, but he’s made his fortune in Greene County, where he was born and raised and where his momma still teaches Sunday School.”
Jameson nodded. “I can’t argue with that. In fact, I only know of one lawyer who’s beaten Jerry in Greene County.” Jameson smiled, and Tom smirked back at him.
“How do you fit that ego in the room, Jamo?”
“It gets harder and harder, Professor. But I can’t help it.” He sighed and drained the rest of his whiskey. “I just keep winning.” He set the cup down on Tom’s desk and extended his hand. “Good luck with finding her someone. I’ll pray that whoever it is doesn’t have to face me.”
Tom laughed and shook Jameson’s hand, holding it for a second. “Thanks for coming down, Jamo. It means a lot that you keep doing this.”
“No problem. Actually, now that I’m representing the University, I had to be here anyway for meetings today and tomorrow.”
“You must be joking,” Tom said, smirking. “You are the attorney for this fine institution?”
Jameson held out his arms in mock protest. “What did Coach Bryant always say about coming here to coach? Momma called.”
“Momma, my ass,” Tom said, shaking his head. “So this is a billable trip?”
Jameson shrugged. “A man’s got to make a living,” he said, winking at Tom and shaking Judge Hancock’s hand. “Judge, always a pleasure.” The Cock raised a toast with his plastic glass and Jameson walked out the door.
“So how are things really going?” Judge Hancock asked, once Jameson had shut the door behind him.
Tom squinted at him. “What do you mean?”
“What the hell is this?” the Judge asked, picking up the apology from the desk and shaking it.
Tom shrugged, wishing he’d put the damn thing in a drawer. “I don’t know. Apparently, the YouTube video you saw has raised some eyebrows.”
“This is bullshit,” Hancock said, reading through the apology. “Total bullshit.”
“I know. I wish that was all of it. I’m meeting tomorrow with the Board. They want me to make McMurtrie’s Evidence more user-friendly and the Dean said I can’t kick anybody else out of class, even if they’re not prepared.”
“Jesus, Tom. You think the Drake deal is really pushing all that?”
“I don’t know. Lambert’s been on my ass ever since he was hired. I think he wants new blood and he’s trying to use the Drake incident as leverage to force me out.” Tom sighed, rubbing his eyes. He was tired. Thinking about Ruth Ann’s case and the Board meeting had kept him up last night.
“So you gonna sign this crap?” Judge Hancock asked, throwing the apology down on the desk. He fixed himself another drink and took a seat in the chair across from Tom.
“I don’t know, Judge.”
“You wanna know what the Cock would do?”
Tom smiled. “OK, your honor, what would you do?”
“If it were me, I’d take that apology to the Board meeting tomorrow. I’d set it down real careful like on the table in front of them. Then, after I had their full and undivided attention, I’d unzip my pants and piss on the damn thing. When I was finished, I’d fold my dick back up and walk my ass outta there.”
Tom laughed. “So you have to fold yours too?”
The Judge took a long sip of whiskey. “The Cock is hung like Secretariat,” he said, letting out a belch and stretching his legs. “But seriously, Tom, I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. The unappreciative, ungrateful sons of bitches. You’ve given your life to this school.” He took another sip and grimaced. “And let me tell you something. It’s not like you had to come back here to teach.”