5. Knox #2
I check the clock on my wall; there’s about twenty minutes until they arrive.
I make a list of points to go over and then make a list of things I need to get done at home.
That list is never-ending, and I’m always adding to it, but I try to make it a point to get on top of it at least once a week.
It’s hard to find time to get anything done these days as a one-man band.
With Hazel staying the night with Rhett and Winnie tomorrow night, I’ll hopefully be able to get a head start.
I hear the door open, alerting me to Kirk Carter and his rep’s arrival. I stand and grab a few papers, tucking them under my arm, before walking to the entrance to my office.
“Mr. Carter. Mr. Shepherd,”
“Mr. Holloway. I hope you’re well,” Shepherd says, holding out his hand.
I shake it, then extend my hand to Kirk.
After the niceties, I direct them to the room across from my office so we can talk in a larger space.
I’ve found it helps to put someone at ease, feeling more like neutral territory than someone’s personal office.
“If you gentlemen will head through here, we can get started.” I hold my arm out across the hall.
“Sounds great, this shouldn’t take too long,” Kirk says. He’s right, but probably not in the way he thinks he is.
“Okay, Mr. Holloway. I’ll cut right to the chase.
It seems like this is a classic case of an elderly soul being taken advantage of,” Shepherd starts.
I did a little research on him last night as well, finding out he was drafted onto this case.
A favor for a friend of a friend of the firm he works for.
He isn’t even the lawyer listed on the original document.
I narrow my eyes on him. “I can see how it may seem that way to someone on the outside looking in,” I say conversationally. “But seeing as you're representing someone involved, I would assume you could glean the actual problem here,” I add pointedly.
“I’m not sure what you mean.” He says it with a tight smile, remaining cordial, but he’s annoyed with my subtle jab.
I take my glasses out of my shirt pocket and slip them on, pretending to look over the documents that I now know backward and forward. “Would you mind if I asked your client a couple of clarifying questions? I think that may help the situation.”
He looks puzzled but nods. “Of course.”
Turning my attention to the lying piece of shit, I put my most compassionate foot forward.
“First of all, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies over the passing of your aunt. Ms. June was a shining light in our community and will be missed,” I tell Kirk.
It’s a truth he will never know, but the truth nonetheless.
“Thank you, I appreciate that.” His faux solemn expression pisses me off.
“So the records I received from you stating your communication and interactions with Ms. June tell a little bit of a different story than the records I was able to obtain from her service provider. Maybe you sent the wrong documents?” I question. I can see his throat work and the fidgeting starts.
He sniffs, and his eyes look up and to the right. “That’s strange. Those should have been the correct records.” Lie.
“Well, I’ve verified that they couldn’t possibly be correct.
Did you perhaps communicate with your aunt in another way, or possibly from a different phone number?
” I ask him these questions, knowing that it isn’t true, but I don’t mind him and his lawyer coming to the same conclusion: they have no leg to stand on .
“Uh-yeah. Actually, I may have called from another number a couple of times, and I, uh. I have some letters,” he says, pulling at the collar of his dress shirt, swallowing.
“Excellent. Could you give me that number then? I’ll go ahead and check it against my records so there’s no false information presented.” I click my pen and look at him expectantly. He glances at Shepherd. He can’t help you, you little shit. He has nothing. Got you, fucker.
“You know, I may have to get back to you on that. I’ve had a couple of different phones, and I wouldn’t want to give you the wrong number again.” He’s lying through his teeth again—and not very well.
“Sure. That’s very considerate. In the meantime, I’ll take a look at those letters from Ms. June.
We were unable to locate any from you to her.
” I relay the information. Shepherd sighs.
He knows this isn’t going anywhere. “The small window of time for you to present any evidence that Ms. June’s will is inaccurate is closing, so I would be swift in getting all necessary information back to me. ”
“Thank you for your time, Mr. Holloway. I’m not sure when you’ll be hearing from us again, but I’ll try to set up a date to meet soon,” Shepherd tells me while pushing his chair back to stand.
I stand with him, and he extends his hand again before swiftly making his exit.
Kirk follows like a sad puppy. I doubt I’ll hear from them again at all.
Since my day has opened up, I decide to hit the grocery store before getting Hazel.
She’s most likely out in the field with my dad anyway, having the time of her life, singing to the cows, and I don’t want to rain on her parade.
I leave the office ready to check one thing off my list for the next couple of days, and maybe get my mind back on track and off my new tenant.