Alexandria of Africa Read Free

looking at my father.
    I knew that would make him happy.
    “Although obviously not enough pull to have Mr. Kruger make the return appearance,” the judge went on.
    That my father wouldn’t like. I would have liked to turn around to see his expression. Hardly anybody ever spoke to him like that … really, nobody but my mother, and that was only before the divorce.
    “Mr. Kruger was unfortunately unable to attend as he is presently in Hong Kong negotiating some sensitive arrangements on behalf of Ms. Hyatt’s father.”
    “So, Mr. Hyatt wanted to make sure his business dealings were taken care of, rather than …”
    He let the sentence trail off but I knew what he meant—instead of me. I hadn’t thought of that.
    “Could I ask, Mr. Collins, how long you have been a partner in the firm?”
    Mr. Collins laughed. “I’m not a partner, Your Honour. I’m one of the firm’s most junior lawyers.”
    “Shocking!” Judge Roberts said, although his tone and expression were far from shocked. He actually sounded kind of amused. Maybe that could work in my favour—a judge in a good mood could only mean good things.
    “And did the rest of the senior partners and all the junior partners and associates also accompany Mr. Kruger on his trip?”
    “Um … no, sir.”
    “Did you wonder how the
honour
of representing Ms. Hyatt fell to you?” the judge asked.
    “No, sir. I was asked by one of my superiors.”
    “Which must be almost everybody in the firm, with the possible exception of the mailroom staff and the guy who makes coffee. Mr. Collins, are you familiar with the term ‘sacrificial goat,’ or perhaps the admonition, ‘Don’t shoot the messenger’?”
    “Um, both, Your Honour. The latter arises from a fear that the person who delivers bad news might somehow be held responsible for the content of the message and punished accordingly. He, in essence, becomes the sacrificial goat. But I don’t see how this applies to my being—”
    “You might see the connection soon enough. Sit down.”
    Mr. Collins took the seat beside me. I had no idea what any of this meant but I got the feeling that Judge Roberts wasn’t any more impressed with Mr. Collins than I was.
    The judge was acting a little strangely, though. He certainly wasn’t the way I remembered him from the firsttime I was in court. And there was a peculiar look in his eyes. They looked almost … glazed.
    “Perhaps before I continue I should apologize for my tardiness. I personally detest being kept waiting and consider it the height of unprofessional behaviour to keep others waiting.”
    “That’s okay,” I said, and smiled at the judge.
    “That is so gracious of you, Ms. Hyatt. I was particularly worried about keeping
you
waiting.”
    “Me?”
    “Yes, I was afraid you might have to leave … as you did, apparently, when the pre-sentence report was being prepared.”
    I swallowed hard. This was not a good sign.
    “As well, I recall at your last appearance that you looked somewhat distracted, dare I say even … bored?”
    “Not bored,” I said. “Although I guess things could have moved a tad more quickly.”
    “Again, my apologies. I’ll try my best to keep things moving, and I’ll certainly make sure you aren’t bored this time.”
    There was a tone in his voice and glint in his eyes that sort of scared me.
    “I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t keeping you from something more important, something like a hair appointment.”
    That woman had obviously said something about that in her report.
    “By the way, your hair does look
fantastic!
My compliments to your stylist.”
    “Thank you.” I’d worked on it for over an hour that morning. If I couldn’t wear the clothes I wanted, at least my hair could be right, and it was nice of him to notice.
    “Mr. Collins, perhaps you could have Ms. Hyatt pass on to you the name of her stylist.”
    “I’m afraid he really doesn’t take new referrals,” I said. “He’s pretty