Caught Read-Handed by Terrie Farley Moran

He got up and opened the kitchen drawers one after the other and came up with a lined pad with more than half the pages missing. “This’ll do.”
    He sat down at the table and in that half-print, half-script penmanship that was so hard for me to read when we first started working together, he began to write.
    In no time at all, he put his pen back in his pocket and held up the paper. As I well remembered, George was always most confident when he had a list. Nothing made him more satisfied than crossing off his accomplishments one by one.
    â€œOkay, I have to visit Alan, contact the Veterans Administration on his behalf and most importantly, find him a lawyer who can get him out of jail. Alan won’t do well if he is confined for very long.” George leaned back in his chair but in seconds his confidence began to slip. “How am I going to find a lawyer? A good one? Alan needs a savvy lawyer who knows the ropes around here.”
    â€œI may be able to help with that.” I pulled the wrinkled receipt from my pocket, and pushed it toward George.
    â€œStill saving your receipts like a good little accountant, I see.” George smiled at his own joke and then looked at what I had written. “How do you know this Goddard Swerling?”
    Of course I didn’t know him. I told George how Cady had highly recommended Swerling, and George seems satisfied. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed.
    George had to spend time negotiating with intermediaries but he was persistent and eventually Goddard Swerling got on the phone.
    The lawyer’s voice was so loud I could hear him from where I was sitting opposite George. I stood, planning to go in the living room to give George privacy, but he waved me back into my seat. Swerling played the mildly interested card while George pressured him to take interest in his brother’s case. Apparently a high fee would solve all problems. After they agreed on a number, George asked, “When can I see my brother?”
    Swerling told him that they could meet at the sheriff’s office in about an hour. “You and I will conclude our business and then I’ll make sure they let you visit your brother.”
    George hung up and gave me a tight smile. He seemed satisfied that he was making progress. He leaned across thetable. “Sassy, I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done, for all you are doing. Look at this place. Plenty of room for Alan to join us once he is out of jail.”
    I smiled and wished I were as confident as George that Alan would ever see the light of day.
    O’Mally and Regina came back with enough groceries to feed a hungry football team. O’Mally had her priorities in order. She put on a pot of water and set about making George a cup of tea while he filled them in on the current plan.
    Regina asked about the lawyer’s fee and even I blanched when George said the number out loud. “And he made it clear that is just for starters.”
    I decided to interrupt rather than listen to a family conversation about money. “I’d be happy to drive you to the sheriff’s office to see Alan. It’s on the mainland and might be tricky for you to find.”
    George nodded at the wisdom of my suggestion. “Thank you. We can leave as soon as I finish my tea.”
    I took the opportunity to call Bridgy and let her know I’d be gone longer than planned. She didn’t pick up, so I left a voice mail and a few minutes later we were all in the Heap-a-Jeep heading back toward the San Carlos Bridge.
    I was still throwing the gearshift into park when George opened his door and jumped out. He headed right for the front door of the sheriff’s office and then stopped and turned, realizing he had to wait for the rest of us.
    When we got to the door, gentleman that George is, he opened it and stepped aside so Regina, O’Mally and I could go in first. As soon as the door was opened the tiniest crack,