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Ito where it narrows abruptly frohway to two-lane country road I turned left onto a street flanked by office parks Another turn and I pulled into the lot The place was a three-minute drive from the Greenbelt Metro station and a stone’s throw frolass building Though a decade had passed, Walt still called it the “new” federal courthouse For him, the Maryland federal district court would always be the one up in Baltimore

I parked outside the building where Walt rented his slance on the “Darth Vader buildings” across the street—two lass—I headed inside

A quick elevator ride later, I strolled through reception, past the elassed-in conference roo His door was open, so I wandered in He gave estured to a leather chair while he continued his conversation I pointed toward the kitchen andWalt’s phone habits, there was no need to rush

During those fewexercises In Out In Out I visualized punching Ray in the face (or better yet, kicking hi, I told myself In Out In Out I kept it up until I nearly hyperventilated

I retrieved a ceramic beer stein from the cabinet and filled it up After a fewto you Bye!” The phone clicked into its cradle, and Walt groaned “Man, I needI haven’t spoken to Jake in a coon’s age” He wandered into the kitchen with his favorite itimi Non Carborundum imprinted on it—in one hand, a file in the other He set theon the counter and poured coffee to the rim

“No biggie,” I said Based on Walt’s track record, the wait had amounted to a millisecond “I see Laverne is off today”

“That girl! Always sick She’s lucky I keep her on” Walt’s eyes were gleahtly bulbous nose A smile stretched across his rubbery face “Laverne” was his nonexistent receptionist The reception desk was a prop, for the most part, except when Walt hired a te jokes about her taking too much leave or too many trips to the bathroom

“So,” he said “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”

“I was in the neighborhood on et a few minutes of your time I want to talk about Brad’s case”

“Really?” He glanced at his watch “Brad’ll be here in a fewlunch”

“Actually, I just wanted to talk to you” Trying to appear casual, I took a long sip of coffee and considered my next words carefully “You’re pretty fond of Brad, aren’t you?”

“Fond? He’s the closest thing I have to a son” He averted his eyes before adding, “At least, now”

I felt a flush of shao It had been so bitter, his own son had refused to speak to him since I’d never asked the details It was ancient history and none of my business

“Letto us?”