The Sign of the Book by John Dunning Page B

said, “I want another lawyer.”
    She looked at Parley. “Why won’t you do what I want? It’s my life, isn’t it?”
    â€œDid Bobby abuse you in some way?”
    â€œNo!”
    â€œDid he abuse the kids?”
    â€œ No! Stop this! Stop it, I want another lawyer.”
    â€œWell, that’s certainly your right. But any lawyer worth a damn will ask these same questions. This stuff won’t just go away, Laura. And the truth has a way of getting out, no matter what you want.”
    â€œI’ve told you the truth.”
    â€œYeah, well, I don’t think so. You’re lying right now, I can see it in your face. And I can’t think of anybody you’d lie for except the kids.”
    She shook her head.
    â€œWas it Jerry?”
    The room turned suddenly hot. Her face was flushed.
    â€œWas it Jerry, Laura? Did Jerry shoot Bobby?”
    â€œYou must be mad. He’s a child. For God’s sake, he’s only eleven years old!”
    â€œHow old do you have to be to pick up a gun?”
    â€œI’m not listening to this. I want to see Erin.”
    â€œWell, I’ll do my best to get her here. Maybe she can talk sense to you.”
    He looked to me, I thought for support. I said, “He’s right, Mrs. Marshall. Erin would ask exactly the same questions.”
    â€œIf Jerry did this, you’ve got to tell me,” Parley said.
    â€œStop saying that!”
    â€œAs I was about to say, he’s a minor. That would make it an entirely different ball game with its own set of rules. With a kid that young, they look at treatment rather than punishment. If the circumstances—”
    â€œMr. McNamara,” she said icily, “I think I’m going to ask you to leave.”
    â€œI might as well leave, for all the good I’m doing you. If you come to your senses, you call me.”
    He pressed the buzzer and stood near the door. I pushed back my chair. But suddenly Mrs. Marshall reached over to me and said, “Can you stay?”
    â€œYou’d better ask your lawyer. Parley?”
    â€œWhat have we got to lose? Talk some sense to her. Get her to listen.”
    The sheriff arrived. Parley said, “Mr. Janeway will remain for a while and talk to Mrs. Marshall as Ms. D’Angelo’s representative. Attorney privilege still applies.”
    â€œSure, I guess so,” the sheriff said. “On that other matter, I’ve got a deal for you.”
    â€œNo deals. I want that citation dismissed. No fine, no points: I want it taken clear off his record.”
    â€œLet’s go downstairs and talk it over.”
    â€œTalk your damn heads off. I’m goin’ out and get us some more witnesses.”
    The door closed. I could hear them arguing their way down the hall. The room became quiet as Laura and I waited for the other to speak. She looked to be on the verge of tears again. I smiled at her, half in sadness, half in hope.
    â€œI looked at your books,” I said.
    â€œMore junk I’ll have to get rid of.”
    â€œDon’t do that. Not yet.”
    â€œAre you telling me they’re worth something?”
    â€œThey’re worth something.”
    â€œBobby always said they were. I never believed him, even though he spent enough money on them. I thought he was just justifying his habit.”
    â€œI could make you a rough appraisal if you want one.”
    She looked as if she wanted to laugh but couldn’t. “What good will money do me now?”
    â€œYou’ll have legal expenses to cover.”
    â€œOf course. Of course, what can I be thinking of?”
    â€œI think you could get some real money for those books.”
    Her eyes opened wide as the first realization came over her. “How much money? Are you saying I could pay my legal expenses with them?”
    â€œMaybe.”
    â€œWhat’s so special? They look like ordinary books to me.”
    â€œMay I ask where they