Free The Alpha Choice by M.D. Hall Page A

college, he never figured it would be needed for his wife.
    Hugo liked George from the moment the valet started, a little over a year ago; a man immensely proud of both the women in his life, and who never complained. When Hugo met someone for the first time, someone with whom he would have regular dealings, he made sure he found out all he could about that person - his cases were invariably high profile, and some of his adversaries would use any means at their disposal to undermine his position.
    When George discovered, via a talkative supervisor, that questions had been asked about him, there were a few days when things were a little awkward, until Hugo raised the matter and the two of them talked, openly. Afterwards, a quiet respect existed between the two men.
    Hugo never ascribed to the view that the value of a man was measured by what he owned, or the position he held. George, he believed, was the better man. For his part, George looked up to Hugo, not because of his status, but because he took the time to talk, remembered everything he had been told, and showed that he cared. Who else, of all the people he looked after in this basement, would send flowers to his girls on their Birthdays, ostensibly from the firm? The most any of the other partners could manage was a cold politeness, while others were downright rude.  
    It would have been out of the question for Hugo to offer George a handout, instead, he asked to have his car fully valeted every Friday, so it would be pristine for the weekend – Hugo was not one of those lawyers who needed to work weekends. George was paid to perform this service by the maintenance company that looked after the building, but Hugo still tipped him $150 in recognition of a job performed, above and beyond his duty.  
    Both men knew what was happening, but after several attempts to refuse the money, George gave up and accepted with good grace. In fact, he actually spent more time and care than he would on his own car, if he could afford one.
    ‘Hi George, how are the girls?’
    ‘Hello, Mr Black,’ George smiled. ‘Melissa rang last night to tell me she’s had a paper published, about something called SUZY. I asked her: ‘Is she a famous scientist?’ She laughed, and said it’s an acronym. She told me what it meant, but I’ll be damned if I can remember,’ he smiled, more to himself than to Hugo, and shook his head. ‘I'm not a stupid man, more like a plain man, yes, I guess that’s more like it. But Melissa, she got her brains from her mother, no question. All I know is, my girl’s the smartest. Never heard of the magazine though, don't suppose I’d find it on my local newsstand,’ at that he winked.
    ‘To get a paper published at twenty-one is going some,’ Hugo replied, noting the ex marine had yet to say anything about his wife’s condition, he decided not to press him. There was a short, awkward pause, George always had something to say about his wife, his other girl .
    To save any embarrassment, Hugo smiled and headed towards the elevator. He had only taken a few steps, when he heard the sound of a dry throat being cleared. Turning around, he saw the solid ex-marine with moisture in his eyes.
    ‘My Jeanine is in hospital...’ his voice broke. Despite knowing she had her problems, this came as a surprise to Hugo, who said nothing.
    ‘I came in last night and she wasn’t in the kitchen, she’s always there when I get in, leaves the dinner so that we can finish making it together, we always do it that way, she looks forward to it...’ he stopped again.
    ‘Look George,’ said Hugo not wanting to see the man, his friend, in pain, ‘you don't need to say any more.’
    This was the impetus the valet needed, he ploughed on. ‘I found her on the bathroom floor, she had taken all her medication, she didn't know who I was.’
    ‘Where’s she now?’ asked Hugo, fearing the worst.
    ‘St. Patricia’s,’ was the reply.
    Hugo’s fears were realised. The district