Divorce can be a nasty affair and handling the Collins divorce case slams Tom Baker into a meeting with his opposition, prominent attorney Dick McCoy, who unexpectedly announces they will be joined by Harry Crawford, also a high-profile attorney and Tom’s old high school friend. Things get hot and heavy as the case brings the three men face-to-face with the potential to expose more than just who cheated on who when exactly what happened is revealed. This is a case where Tom, Dick and Harry have to sort through a few things, to include their own feelings.
"Sorry I'm late."
Tom smiled and grasped the hand Dick McCoy offered. He had expected nothing less from the man--he only hoped he didn't expect him to bow at his feet or kiss his ass while they hashed out the Collins' money clashes. He wasn't very good at groveling and at thirty-two years old, he had no intentions of changing his ways--no matter how fucking famous his adversary was.
"Mary, bring in some coffee," Tom called to the receptionist in the outer office. "Come in, Mr. McCoy."
"Call me Dick."
Tom glanced at the man's back as he walked across the room and deposited his briefcase on the coffee table in the sitting area of the office. He swaggered as he walked, a clear indication that he thought he was superior in every aspect. His shoulders were wide and his suit expensive, along with alligator shoes that cost no less than a thousand dollars. He raised one eyebrow in speculation. He needed a sure fire plan for dealing with such a pompous opponent, but since he had been caught off-guard by the last minute meeting, he supposed he would have to rely on his attorney instincts to get him through the next two hours.
Dick McCoy flipped the locks on his briefcase and removed a manila folder. He tugged the knot in his tie loose and surveyed the couch before taking a seat, then turned his gaze on Tom as he crossed the room and sat down in the leather chair across from the couch. "Harry Crawford will be joining us. I hope you don't mind. He called me when he heard Marie Collins wanted this meeting."
Tom cocked an eyebrow. "What does Harry Crawford have to do with Jack and Marie Collins getting a divorce?" He hadn't heard about Harry Crawford being involved and was suddenly filled with curiosity, and wonder, about his old college roommate. For an instant he allowed his mind to recall the last time he encountered Harry and stifled a chuckle. All his meetings with Harry could be termed as encounters. The man was unpredictable to say the least. But the last time he saw Harry, he was waiting at the airport to board a flight to Panama City. They had grabbed a cup of coffee and reminisced about old times. He remembered his reaction to seeing him again. He had fought the desire to invite him into the bathroom for a quick fuck.
Mary bustled into the office and deposited a tray with coffee and cups on the coffee table, then quickly took leave.
"There seems to be a discrepancy in Mrs. Collins story of her husband's infidelity." Dick smiled slowly and shook his head. "I believe your client is claiming her husband was unfaithful with another woman." He stared at Tom as though waiting for him to deny the allegations.
Tom's thoughts were dragged back to the present and Dick McCoy's statement. He left his chair and strode toward his desk. Son-of-a-bitch! Could this case get any weirder? He picked up the folder lying on his ink blotter and returned to the chair across from Dick McCoy. "Marie Collins had her husband followed for six months, Dick. She has pictures to back up her allegations." He opened the folder and took out an envelope. "You know what they say--a picture is worth a thousand words."
"Sometimes the eye can be fooled."
"Not in this case." Tom slid the snapshots from the envelope onto the coffee table. "As you can see, Jack Collins is sticking it to some broad in a seedy motel on the west side of town."
Dick chuckled and picked up the photos. "That's not a broad, Tom. That's Harry Crawford."
A short laugh leapt from Tom's mouth. "Harry Crawford?" He aimed a disbelieving look at Dick McCoy. "I knew I never should have taken on this fucking case. It's been a headache since the day Marie Collins walked into this office."
Dick chuckled and nodded. "I agree. You need a score card to keep up with the pair."
A soft knock sounded on the door, pulling Tom's attention away from the conversation with Dick. The knock sounded again and he glanced at the intercom sitting on the corner of his desk. What the fuck? Has Mary forgotten how to use that thing? "What is it, Mary?" Agitation tinged his voice.
"Hello, Tom."
