Free Another Notch in the Beltway by L. A. Long Page B

business.
    â€œTell me why you’re meeting Byron Maxwell’s aide and why you’re doing it here,” Connor Walker said.
    She took a deep breath. “Byron Maxwell is my son’s father. I was an intern for him during my final year of college, and we had an affair.”
    â€œI see,” Walker replied. “Is he making trouble now? I’m guessing whatever arrangements were made after your son was conceived have worked satisfactorily until this point.” He then asked, “Maxwell’s son has cancer and needs a bone marrow transplant. Is that what this is about?”
    Grateful that her attorney kept up with the news, she nodded her head and explained the deal they’d struck all those years ago. Then she described the scene Maxwell had caused at her house the week prior and Gerald Morris’s subsequent phone call.
    â€œIs Maxwell violent, Lenore?” her attorney asked with concern.
    â€œI remember he enjoyed yelling a lot but was never physically violent with anyone. Never even yelled at me, until I had the poor taste to get pregnant.” Remembering the day she had told him could still cause acid to churn to the surface.
    â€œI’m sorry, Lenore. I didn’t mean to upset you,” Connor said when he saw her pale face. “Do you want some water or something else to drink?”
    â€œNo, I’m fine. I hadn’t thought about how painful that time was for me in years.”
    â€œMan was a jackass, if you don’t mind me saying so.”
    â€œThose are much kinder words than I have for him.”
    They shared the expected chuckle.
    â€œWhat is it you want to accomplish here today?” Connor asked.
    â€œI’m certain Morris will want to talk about the bone marrow transplant Jack needs. He’ll try to convince me to get Nathan to be tested to see if he’s a match without disclosing who it’s for or why I want him to do it, but he’s not a child anymore, and I wouldn’t insult him.
    â€œThat being said, he’s asked about his father a number of times over the last few years, and if he’s going to do this, I think he has a right to know who his father is. I also want Nate to be able to meet with Maxwell if he chooses to do so. If he does, I want the meeting facilitated here on a weekend so Nate does not have to miss classes and, more importantly, so it’s less likely someone will see them meeting.”
    Her attorney listened intently, taking down the occasional note.
    â€œI could be wrong, and Nate might not want any part of any of this, his father, or his half brother, but I know my son fairly well, and if donating bone marrow will help save Jack’s life, I’m sure he’ll do it, half brother or not.”
    â€œYou’ve raised a great kid, Lenore, and you should be proud of that.”
    Nate had done an internship with one of Connor’s partners who specialized in patent law over the summer and had received a great deal of praise for his work.
    â€œI am very proud of him. He’s my best work.” She looked up, giving her attorney a genuine smile. “I want to spare him as much pain and grief as possible. If word that Maxwell has an illegitimate child gets out, it will be a media feeding frenzy, especially when the mother is none other than LaSandra Lacy.” She said that last bit with some dramatic flair to lessen the tension.
    â€œYou’re right. But I can’t imagine Maxwell would want it to become public knowledge.”
    â€œI wouldn’t think so either, but the more people who are involved, the more problematic it becomes.”
    Before Connor could say anything else, his admin buzzed to let him know that Gerald Morris had arrived.
    â€œIs it okay for him to come back?”
    â€œI wish I never had to see him again in my life, but, yeah, let him join us.”
    â€œI can deal with him alone if you want.”
    â€œI want, but I won’t. Not when Nate