Free Power of Attorney by N.M. Silber

are you going to do that when that’s what you think of me?”
    “I don’t even know you!  I’m sure you’re a very nice guy.” I was nodding like a crazed bobble head doll. How had he managed to get me this disconcerted?
    “I don’t want to have to deal with the same crap I got from your brother. He had no respect for me whatsoever.”
    “Adam has no respect for anyone. He probably mocked the other babies in the nursery the day he was born.” And now I was throwing my brother under the bus. What was wrong with me? “But from what I understand, though, you’re no fan of his either.”
    “Because he doesn’t respect me! And he didn’t respect how important the Moretti trial was. It wasn’t about my career. It was about justice.”
    “Well, I get it.  Mobsters are really bad guys.” Profound, Abby . “I can understand why you would want to put him away.”
    “I didn’t want to see Lily get hurt anymore than he did. I cared. I would have protected her.” Oh Great! I associated him with orgasm and he would now associate me with feeling emasculated.  This was going well. And why did the way he said, “I cared” bother me a little? Wasn’t that your freaking concern, Abby?
    “While my brother and I may be a lot alike, I am not Adam.” For one thing, Adam doesn’t want to see you naked. “ Look, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed anything,” I said consolingly.
    “I wouldn’t have asked her testify without offering her protection,” he said sounding calmer but still looking like his feathers were ruffled. “I happen to value people’s safety, which is why I don’t think you should get involved in this.”
    “Thank you for thinking of my safety, but I’m just going to be a helping you to handle Trog and making sure that someone is there as his advocate.  I promise not to do anything potentially dangerous on your watch.” I gave him my best “trust me” smile and we sat there for yet another full moment of silence.
    “I suppose that I can’t deny your client his right to counsel,” he said and then added, “but if we’re going to work together, there must be mutual respect.”
    “Of course,” I said quickly.
    “And there also must be no question that I am in charge.” Ah HUH. Alrighty then.
    “Fine, you’re in charge,” I agreed, fixing a smile on my lips, and silently vowing to myself that I would at least try to follow that dictum. “I’ll let Trog know that if he helps you to find Deon Flux, you will not file federal criminal charges against him for the DocuKeep thing.  That is the deal, right?”
    “Right,” he agreed, still sounding a little reluctant. I wondered vaguely if his reluctance was more about not wanting to deal with a potential pain in the ass than about said pita’s health and safety.  But I told myself that I was not going to judge or be a cynic or assume anything. Anymore.
    “Looks like we’re on the same side this time then.  Looking forward to working with you,” I said, hoping that my smile looked calm and professional even though underneath it I was turning cartwheels in my head like a cheerleader on crack. As I got up to leave, a thought crossed my mind. I just wanted to ask ...
    “What?” he asked, reading my expression.
    “I was just wondering why you didn’t just work with Dana.  She’s the computer expert.  Or even Lena, she has more criminal defense experience than I do.”
    “Please confer with your client, Ms. Roth,” he replied, not answering my question.  “My secretary will set up a meeting.” He paused a beat and then added, “At a time that’s convenient for you.” 
    That was obviously a dismissal, as he immediately picked up his phone again and spun around in his chair.  Something that I had seen flash for just a second in those beautiful eyes made me suspect that, whatever his reason was, it hadn’t been because he had considered me the weakest link.
    I smiled and felt that familiar flutter in my tummy as I