Off the Beaten Path (15 page)

One of the tests Thomas Edison had for someone he was thinking about hiring was to take them to dinner and if the person put salt on his food before he tasted it Edison believed that they were prone to prejudge. They would not be hired. My father believed that his test about the outside of a diner was more accurate than Edison’s salt test.

The second thing he watched was how the person treated their waitress. He believed that this test was more telling than the location test. If during the meal the person treated the waitress like a waitress my father was not interested in doing business with them. He did not want to be associated with people that didn’t understand the value of a person no matter what their position in life. The funny thing was that in all the years he performed this ritual no one ever caught on to what his true intention was, when the person flunked both tests he would thank the person for their time and graciously explain to them that at the present time they could not do business together, he always left the door open.”

Jack found himself thinking back to people that he had done business with over the years. He wished he had discovered this little observation that Kristin’s father used years ago. He thought about some of the people that he wished he hadn’t gone in to business with
and almost down to the person he remembered an incident where those people had treated someone waiting on them rudely or disrespectful.

“You miss him a lot don’t you?” Jack asked as he could see the mist form in her eyes.

“More than you can imagine.” She volunteered.

They spent the rest of the day trying to cram as much sightseeing as was humanly possible into one day. They went to a clam bake on Drake Island, and toured the Rock and Roll museum. They went down to fisherman’s wharf and to the top of the space needle. They acted like real tourist.

Monday morning Kristin was reviewing the photos taken Saturday night at the Hospital Fund raiser and Jack was looking over her shoulder when they both noticed a well-dressed man carrying a briefcase come through the front door of the Palmer Agency. Kristin said out loud, “This can’t be good.”

Jack stood up straight and watched as Melissa called up to Kristin’s office and informed her that a Mr. Howard Sands was here to see her.

As Kristin hung up the phone Jack asked, “You know this guy?”

“Yes, he is one of the associate lawyers that work for my ex-husband.”

The man stepped into Kristin’s office and said curtly. “Good morning Miss Palmer.”

“Hello Howard, how have you been?” She asked.

The errand boy did not respond to her open familiarity as he set his briefcase on Kristin’s desk opened it up and set a large yellow envelope on the desk in front of her. Without even opening the envelope she asked

“Howard, what is Clarence up to now?”

“Clarence…..I mean Mr. Palmer has filed suit in King County court against you and the Palmer Agency

“For what may I ask?”

“It’s all spelled out in the legal documents contained in the envelope I have provided to you.”

She could see by the look on his face that he was embarrassed about having to hand over the envelope and the message he was delivering.
Kristin also knew that all of this could have been handled by certified mail. This was Clarence’s way of trying to remind her of how important he thought that he was.

“Howard, we have known each other a long time, what is this all about?”

“I believe it concerns a very public incident that occurred this last Saturday night at a fund raiser for the University of Washington Foundation.”

“Howard, what does Clarence want?”

“Mr. Palmer has petitioned is asking the courts for twenty million in punitive damages for personal and professional damages as a result of the attack on him last Saturday night.

The suit states that as a result of the incident Mr. Palmer has suffered public humiliation and professional disgrace; diminished standing in the community, mental anguish, emotional distress, extensive dental work, some reconstructive surgery, as well as pain and suffering.”

“I don't know if Clarence’s pride is worth twenty million?” Kristin mused.

She noticed that Howard almost erupted into laughter before he caught himself.

Jack spoke for the first time since Howard had entered her office,

“Mr. Sands, what can I do?”

Howard turned his full attention to Jack and offered an explanation that shocked both Jack and Kristin.

“Mr. Evans, since the police could not or rather would not press criminal charges in this case Mr. Palmer's civil lawsuit has relegated you to merely a body guard acting on Miss Palmer's behalf.

He closed his briefcase thanked them for their time and turned to go. When he reached the door he heard Kristin's gentle voice say from behind him.

“Howard, it was good to see you again.”

The man that had once been one of her closest allies when she was married to Clarence stopped at the door with his fingers touching the polished chrome handle. He seemed to be frozen in thought. After several long moments he turned back toward the two of them. His entire demeanor had changed from a strictly business posture to a relaxed casual attitude. The expression on his face was now friendly and open; he looked like a completely different man that had been facing them two minutes ago. When he spoke his voice had a tone of informal good will and sympathy.

“It was good to see you again Kristin, good luck and take care of yourself , he looked at Jack with genuine respect and offered with what Jack thought was a slight bow of his head, “Mr. Evans it was a pleasure to meet you.”

As Howard Sands crossed the lobby and exited the building Kristin turned to Jack and said with a quavering sigh,

“It looks like you are going to get a chance to prove your theory about right versus the Law.”

Jack gave her a confident smile that did not have a shred of doubt in it. Kristin held his gaze as she grabbed the phone and buzzed Vicky.

“Vicky would you please get Robert Anderson on the phone, “Clarence is being a Jackass, again.”

After Kristin hung up the phone she went back to examining the photos form Saturday night like nothing had happened. Jack walked around the desk and sat down across from her. He was studying her very closely, he could not tell if she was upset, annoyed, or just distracted. Jack started to apologize for causing the trouble,

Kristin interrupted, “Jack, I would be lying if I said that I totally agreed with what you did, but it happened and now we are going to deal with it.”

“Would it do any good for me to go over to Clarence’s office and apologize to him in person?” Jack asked.

“I don’t think so Jack.” She paused and continued,

“You may find this hard to believe but this, she lifted up the envelope, has nothing to do with you, Clarence has been looking for a fight for a long time and now he is going to get one. And I think I am finally ready to take a few swings at him myself, legally speaking.”

Just then the phone rang and Kristin pushed the speaker button without even hesitating, she knew that it would be her incensed attorney on the other end of the line,

“Don’t bother explaining Kris I got a copy of the court documents this morning via messenger. What the hell does that cheap ambulance chaser hope to get out of this pile of legal lunacy?”

Kristin laughed, “Bobby, don’t you think cheap ambulance chaser is a little strong?”

“Your right, Clarence always gets there before the ambulance.” He added.

Kristin laughed and told Bobby that they could come to his office that afternoon to discuss what they were going to do and how they were going to proceed.

When Jack and Kristin entered Robert Andersen’s office, Bobby almost came over his desk trying to get to shake the hand of the man that had punched out the famous Clarence Palmer.

“Mr. Evans, it is a real pleasure to meet you.” Bobby said will sincere enthusiasm.

After the introductions and greetings they all sat down and Kristin asked,

“What are we looking at Bobby?”

“Well, the good news is that he is suing you in civil court because even though that there was a police report filed, the district attorney isn’t pursuing the case in criminal court because he could not find one person that would swear under oath to what they saw.”

Kristin asked, “What about his latest girlfriend?”

“She claims she was in the ladies room.” The lawyer responded with a devious smile.

Jack asked, “Mr. Anderson, do you think it would do any good to request a meeting with Mr. Palmer so I can apologize to him in person?”

“NO,” Was what Jack heard from both Bobby and Kristin.

“Mr. Evans…”Began the Attorney

“Please call me Jack.”

“Alright, Jack there are as many types of lawyers as there are types of law to be practiced, but there is one very unusual type of lawyer that we all try to avoid being and I’m afraid that Clarence Palmer is that type.”

Jack asked, “What type is that?”

“Clarence Palmer practices Law not as a profession but as a blood sport, he enjoys the carnage associated with destroying an opponent in a court of law. He loves trying to dig up dirt on innocent people and shocking jury boxes filled with regular people just trying to do their civic duty. If manipulation and deceit were Olympic events, Clarence Palmer would be a gold medalist.

Kristin asked, “What do we do first, Bobby?”

“Unfortunately we wait, Clarence is a master of frivolous lawsuits, it’s his bread and butter and he knows just how far he can bend the law in his favor.”

The three of them sat and discussed the case for another twenty minutes before Bobby cleared his throat and said in a reticent tone,

“Kristin, I would be derelict in my duties as your attorney if I didn’t suggest that you and Mr. Evans have as little contact as possible in case this thing makes it to trial.”

Kristin did not hesitate, “Bobby isn’t that what Clarence wants?”

They could see the lines next to Bobby’s eyes crease into a smile before it reached his lips as he continued, “I just want to warn you that if this does go to trial it will become a very public and very nasty fight.”

“I understand fully, Thank you Bobby.” She responded without any hesitation.

“Very well, I will be in touch, Jack would you let my secretary know where I can reach you?” Bobby said as he stood up and extended his hand to Jack, he came around the desk to give Kristin a hug to let her know that he was totally and completely on her side.

As they walked out of the Lawyers office Jack started to apologize again for causing her so much trouble, she cut him off in mid-sentence as she stepped right in front of him so they were face to face with only inches between them. Kristin looked straight up into his eyes and said defiantly,

“You’re not going to let that bastard win, are you?”

Jack could tell be the look on her face that this was more than a simple case of defending him against a vindictive ex-husband, this was about closing an open wound that was still bleeding. 

Jack leaned down a little closer and said without any reservation, “May the best man win.”

Tuesday morning the three of them, Kristin, Jack and Sam pulled up in front of the Palmer Agency in Kristin’s car. Jack threw their gear in the back of the truck and opened the door for Sam to jump in. After he closed the door he leaned against the Drivers side of the old truck. Kristin heisted herself up on the hood of her car and waited for the inevitable goodbye.

Jack looked across at her sitting on the hood and said,

“Hell of a weekend, you really know how to show a fella a good time.”

“You know how us city girls are.” they both laughed and a distant smile crept across Jack's face,

“You know, that is exactly where you were sitting the first time I saw you?”

“I know, I’m trying to make it as difficult as I can for you to leave.”

“You’re succeeding.” He admitted.

Jack nodded his head toward the building and said,

“You know we have an audience?”

“I know, I guess we better give them a good show.” She added with a devious smirk.

Every pair of eyes in the building were watching them, the models and the photographers had opened the louvers’ on the second floor and were staring down, the staff and clients were watching from every available window they could find and trying not to be seen. There wasn’t a single bit of work getting done at that moment inside the Palmer Agency. They stared at each other for another minute before Kristin said,

“I guess its show time.” She was the one that made the first move as she jumped off the hood of the car closed the distance between them in a heartbeat and pinned Jack against the door of his truck. She planted a kiss on him that had every prying eye in the building smiling, even the grizzled pair of body guards were grinning from ear to ear. When they finally parted Kristin knew that it would be a long while before they would see each other again and the thing that would bring them back together would not be pleasant. She also knew that it would either make them stronger or destroy them forever. Jack could see moisture forming in the corners of her eyes and he could tell that it was more than tears of sadness, it was uncertainty.

Jack eased the old pickup onto I-5 he was thinking about everything that Kristin and Bobby had said about not going to see Clarence in person. He weighed all the reasons in his mind why he should not go see Clarence face to face. Jack could tell from his brief encounter with Kristin’s ex-husband that he still wanted to own Kristin. He understood better than anyone why people acted the way they did against someone they still loved, he recognized that sometimes a person that still cared for someone committed egregious acts against them. Jack thought that if there was still a part of Clarence that cared anything at all for Kristin, he could be convinced not to proceed with the ridiculous lawsuit he had filed. Jack had always had the ability to communicate with anyone he met from a CEO to a college professor to the old men that played checkers at Ruby’s on Saturday afternoon. He didn’t consider it a gift he just understood that most people wanted more than anything in life to be heard. And if you listened long enough to someone you would eventually hear what they really wanted. Jack had to take the chance and try and find out what Clarence really wanted as he turned off I-5 in the direction of Clarence’s office.