Free The Spellmans Strike Again by Lisa Lutz Page B

wear their shirt whenever it’s appropriate. Obviously, it’s not mandatory when you’re in court, Maggie, but if you go for a jog that’s perfect. It gets the word out. In fact, if everyone could take up jogging, I really think that would help our cause.
ISABEL : My shirt looks different than the other shirts.
RAE : That’s because yours was the test shirt.
OLIVIA : Since we haven’t done this in a while, I made turkey tonight.
DAVID : [loud sigh]
OLIVIA : Do you have a problem, mister?
DAVID : No, it’s just that your turkey is usually extremely dry.
OLIVIA : Why don’t you taste the food before you start complaining about it?
ALBERT : I have an idea: Why don’t we go around the table and share something about our week with each other?
RAE : I’ll start.
ISABEL : We all know what you’ve been up to.
RAE : This week I helped Maggie research the wrongful conviction of Levi Schmidt. Maggie is in the process of filing an appeal. We could use some more help, however. I mean, a man’s life is on the line. Would anyone here like to help free Schmidt?
ISABEL : I’ll wear the shirt. What more do you want?
DAVID : I’ve been helping, Rae. I do a little free legal research on the side. I just don’t go around announcing it to everyone.
RAE : Why not?
ISABEL : Okay, my turn.
RAE : I wasn’t done.
MAGGIE : Rae, your help with Levi’s case has been invaluable. But we all have other work that we need to attend to as well.
RAE : How can anyone think about work when a man is rotting away in a prison cell for a crime he didn’t commit?
OLIVIA : Speaking of work, David, how is your job hunt coming along?
DAVID : I’m not actively looking for work, Mom. I’m still trying to figure out what areas of the law I want to pursue. I’m pretty sure I’d like to stay away from corporate.
OLIVIA : So what have you been doing with your time?
DAVID : This and that.
OLIVIA : Just give me a picture of your typical day. How about Wednesday, for example?
DAVID : I don’t know. I went for a jog. I picked up a new kerosene lamp for our next camping trip.
MAGGIE : Do you guys want to come?
RAE : Never again.
ISABEL : I’m busy.
ALBERT : I could be talked into it.
MAGGIE : Ouch. David, that hurt. 1
DAVID : [quietly to Maggie] We agreed not to invite anyone.
OLIVIA : So what were you doing Wednesday afternoon?
DAVID : I don’t know, Mom. I don’t keep a surveillance report on myself. I admit that I’m leading a life of leisure. However, after ten years of an eighty-hour workweek, I think I deserve a break.
OLIVIA : I’m sorry, David. My question came out wrong. I think you should take all the time in the world to figure out your career. I’m more interested in your hobbies.
DAVID : I don’t have that many hobbies.
ALBERT : Since you have so much free time, you must come to my yoga class with me.
ISABEL : I just lost my appetite.
     
    The evening came to its merciful end when a horn honked outside.
    Rae cleared her plate and said, “That’s my ride. Am I excused?”
    I could only assume it was Logan Engle behind the wheel, so I asked the obvious question: “Is he your boyfriend or your driver?”
    “Why can’t he be both?” Rae replied.
    Once Rae departed, I was the next guest to make a beeline for the door, in part because Maggie was too polite to leave my parents’ house with a sink full of dirty dishes. I thought I’d made a silent escape, but my mother caught up with me so we could have a private chat.
    She brushed a strand of hair off my face.
    “Are you getting enough sleep, sweetie?”
    “Enough,” I replied.
    “Are you happy?”
    “Enough,” I replied.
    Mom studied my face and then said, “You’re getting dark circles. You want me to buy you some eye cream?”
    “No. Is there anything else?”
    “I want to know who the big blonde is. Get on it.”
    “Good night, Mom.”

UNDERCOVER BUTLER #2
    The following week I dropped by the Winslow residence to check on Mr. Leonard. However, Christopher answered the door,