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Ben Kincaid leaned back in his recliner, suddenly realizing that, for once in his checkered life—he felt contented. And why not? He’d earned it.
That was what the Oklahoma Bar Association said in the letter informing him that he was about to get a special lifetime achievement award, something he never expected. Sure, he’d defended a lot of clients against false accusations. But that didn’t always make you popular in a red state like Oklahoma. He’d also been arrested a few times, accused of numerous crimes, and trashed on social media. He constantly clashed with law enforcement (even though his best friend was now Chief of Police). And some people have long memories, especially for anything negative. He’d built the Last Chance Lawyer network, but he always kept that on a low profile. A national law firm for clients too controversial or too poor for other lawyers sounded wonderful to some and dangerously radical to others.
No, there was only one explanation for this award. He was getting old. Someone probably thought he looked fragile and worried that if they didn’t give him an award soon they might lose the option...
He had agreed to appear and accept the award. Which meant he had to think of something to say.
“Just say thank you and sit down. Really, that’s the safest course.”
He swung his chair around and saw Christina, his wife, former law partner, and mother of their two daughters. Her eyebrows bounced. “Don't get me wrong. You did learn how to speak to a jury. Eventually. But a speech before a packed audience of peers? Just asking for trouble.”
“I was thinking I might reflect on the evolution of the law during the decades I’ve been practicing. Perhaps contrast that with parallel evolutions in other fields, technology and literature and—”
She patted him on the shoulder. “Just say thank you and sit down.”
She appeared to be wearing a hip-hugging black dress with fringe at the sleeves and the bottom. And looked darn good in it, too.
She followed his eyes. “Too eccentric?”
“Not if you’re going to a Halloween party as Morticia Addams.”
“Tres amusing.” She scowled, then glanced at the items on his desk. “Did you look at those links I sent you? The houses?”
Ben sighed. “Do we really have to move? Again?”
“That’s what we agreed. A long time ago. When we came back to Tulsa.”
“I know. But moving is so...exhausting.”
“We don’t need all this space. A big house is just a money pit. The girls are both in college. It’s time to downsize.”
“I know, I know. But my piano is perfect where it is. And heavy.”
“We’ll get movers.”
“Movers are expensive.”
“We can afford it.”
“We’re not rich, Christina.”
“We’re comfortable.”
“If we’re comfortable, we can pay for whatever expenses arise in our current money pit.”
“Ben, you agreed to this. Why are you arguing?”
“I don’t know. To stay in practice?” He swiveled around and stared at the wall. “I don’t like spending my father’s money. I mean, for a nonprofit, sure. But for myself, no.”
Christina knelt beside him, brushing her long strawberry blonde hair behind her shoulders. As far as Ben was concerned, the traces of gray made her more appealing. “Heads up, hubby. It’s not your father’s money anymore. It’s yours. And it came to you through your mother, who loved you dearly. Sock some of it away for the girls, sure. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun. And it certainly doesn’t mean we can’t move to a smaller house.”
He clasped her hand. “This is why I let you make the important decisions. You have a much better grasp of the big picture.”
Her lips trembled a bit. “You old romantic. I’m gonna get teary-eyed.”
“Please don’t.”
“And while you’re in a sappy mood, let me also say that it’s time we traveled more.”
“We already went to France.”
“And it was wonderful, wasn’t it?”
“Certainly interesting. Would be better if they put ice in the soft drinks.”
“You could’ve ordered espresso.”
“Coffee? Ick.”
“Okay, chocolate milk. If you insist on eating like a seven-year-old.”
“Look, you wanted to go to France and we did. Mission accomplished.”
A sly smile crossed her face. “They speak French in Monaco, too. Also Belgium, Madagascar, Chad—”
“Monaco?”
“Casinos. Art museums. Four-star restaurants. The most beautiful beaches in the world.”
“I never know what to do at beaches. I can’t just lie around doing nothing.”
“Bring some Trollope. You’ll have skin lesions before you finish.”
“Which raises another point. My dermatologist says I shouldn’t go out in the sun.”
“Wear a hat.”
“Or just stay home, where I can read in comfort.”
“Ben, in some ways you haven’t changed since I first met you at Raven Tucker & Tubb thirty-plus years ago.”
“Is that a problem?”
She ran her fingers through the thinning hair on the side of his head. “No. That’s why I love you.” She rose. “I’m going to the store. Big sale at Dillard’s. And we need cat food.”
“Home in time for dinner?”
“We have leftovers. But in the meantime.” She ran to the kitchen and returned carrying a plate. “I made you a snack to tide you over.”
“Grilled cheese?”
“Your doctor told you to lay off dairy after that last batch of kidney stones.”
“He said reduce, not eliminate.” He glanced at the plate. “What is it?”
“A very healthy, tasty spinach salad.”
He sighed. “Yum.”
“Be back soon.” She waggled her fingers and headed for the garage.
He’d reached a point where he could actually digest a salad, but he was never going to like it, at least not without Ranch dressing, which according to Christina completely defeated the point of eating a salad. He appreciated the fact that she was watching his health. He just wished there was a way to do it other than by eliminating everything that makes food taste good...
He walked to his home office, a Marquis Captain’s desk wedged into the side of their bedroom. Christina was a bundle of energy, but he felt older every day. And now the Bar was giving him a metaphorical gold watch, putting him out to pasture...
And he didn’t blame them. He felt tired.
Captain Dunsel? Grandpa Useless?
He wasn’t sure how much time passed before he heard urgent pounding on the front door, accompanied with shouting he could not understand.
His pal Mike Morelli had told him to prepare for emergency situations like this. Call 911. Get a dog. Get a gun. None of which he ever did.
“Who is it?”
More pounding.
Well, faint heart never won fair maiden...
He walked to the front door and peered through the glass.
Dan? Daniel Pike? Florida attorney and current Chief Administrator for the LCL network? What was he doing in Tulsa?
He opened the door. “Dan? What—”
“Come with me if you want to live.”
Ben squinted. “Have you been waiting your whole life to say that?”
“I don’t have time to explain. We need to go.”
“Stop being so mysterious. I’m not going anywhere.”
“You will. You must. Is Christina home?”
“No, she left to—”
“Good. Thought that was her. We can call her and tell her not to come home.”
“What are you babbling about? How did you get here?”
“I flew.”
“You could’ve called first.”
“I didn’t think that would be wise. Someone wants to kill me and quite possibly you too.”
“Would you slow down already? Why don’t you want Christina to come home?”
His voice erupted. “Because I don’t want her to end up like Maria!”
Ben still didn’t understand, except he grasped that Dan was seriously upset and trying to help him.
“I’ll explain in the car, Ben. We need to leave.”
“You just got here.”
“No. I’ve been parked down the street for an hour. You’re being watched.”
“What?”
“The black van obviously watching your home just left. Possibly to follow Christina. So we need to get out while we can without being spotted. Tell Christina to call your daughters and go somewhere safe. You have police friends, right?”
“One very good one.”
“Get Christina some protection. Or hire security.” Dan checked his watch. “Are you coming voluntarily?”
“Absolutely not. You’ll have to go without me.”
“Can’t. We’re making an important stop and you can get me inside. Plus, you’re the boss of the network and—”
“I thought you were the boss of the network.”
“No. I’m the worker bee. You’re the founder and CFO and everyone knows it.” He looked as if he were about to rip out his hair. “Look, I can explain all this in more detail later. Will you just get in the car?”
“I will not.”
“Have it your way.” Dan reached into his backpack and withdrew what looked like a black hood. He draped it over Ben’s head, then pulled a drawstring to tighten it around his neck.
Ben tried to yank off the hood, but Dan knocked his hands away. He shouted, but the hood muffled the sound. “What are you doing, you insane maniac?”
Dan grabbed his left wrist and pulled it behind his back.
“Oww!”
He snapped handcuffs around Ben’s wrists.
“Are you completely delusional?”
“Not completely. But I don’t have any more time to waste.” He grabbed Ben and steered him toward the door.
“This is kidnapping!”
“Only in a...technical way.”
“Could I at least pack a bag?”
“No. We’ll buy anything you need.”
“Have you forgotten I’m your employer?”
“I guess you can consider this my resignation.”
“I do not accept your resignation!”
“Then we’re both taking a leave of absence.” He shoved Ben outside and slammed the door behind them.