Dead Peasants Read Free Page A

a dining room large enough for a table for twelve. While Jack appreciated the kitchen, he was taken with the master suite across the center hall with French doors opening onto the back patio and a bathroom with a large flat screen TV and its own hot tub for two. They stepped through the French doors to the back yard where Jack admired the immaculate landscaping surrounding the pool and another hot tub.
    “I’ll need that six car garage, and the concrete pad beside it looks just about right for my RV. I’ve seen enough. Offer four and a half, to close in two weeks.”
    “Wait, wait, Jack,” Colby interrupted, deciding she wanted to be on a first name basis. “Don’t you want to see the upstairs?”
    “No need to.” Jack shook his head. “I saw the upstairs on the virtual tour. Assuming the house passes inspection, I want it.” Jack glanced at her left hand and noticed there was no wedding band. “Now, how about joining me for a cup of coffee at the Starbucks over on Camp Bowie.”
    Colby smiled and looked into his blue eyes. “I’d be delighted. Let me call and reschedule my next appointment.”

5
    Jack led the way in Lucille and stood ready to open Colby’s door when she parked beside him in front of Starbucks. “What’ll you have?”
    Colby shook her head. “No, this is my treat. After all, I’m trying to get your business.”
    “Don’t worry,” Jack said. “You’ve already got it, but I’ll have a black coffee. I don’t speak Starbucks and just always ask for something simple.”
    Jack stood beside Colby while she ordered his coffee and a grande skinny latte for herself. When they were seated by the window, Colby said, “I’ve sold a few big houses for cash, but not any lately. Mind if I ask what you do for a living?”
    “Not at all,” Jack replied as he took the lid off his coffee and gently blew across the top to cool it a degree or two. Then he smiled and continued, “I’m now officially retired. Before that I robbed banks. Just kidding. Until last week I was a plaintiff lawyer in Beaumont. Got my last big verdict and called it quits.
    Colby thought about what Jack said before she asked, “I think I understand what a plaintiff lawyer does. For good measure, can you explain?”
    “Sure,” Jack said as he tried to take a sip of his hot coffee. “I usually represent the little guy or his family if he’s killed, someone who has been severely injured or killed because of the negligence of a big company. He couldn’t afford to take on a Fortune 500 company if he paid by the hour; so, I take those cases on a contingent fee. If we win, we both have a big payday. If we lose, I eat all my time and expenses. Fortunately, I carefully select my cases,” he said. “And I usually get a big settlement or a bigger verdict if I have to try the case.”
    Colby absorbed all Jack said, already beginning to like the man across the table from her. “I think I follow what you’re saying. Why are you here in Fort Worth?”
    “I grew up in Fort Worth and wanted to move back. I still have a few classmates here and my son, J.D., is going to play football for TCU.”
    Understanding flashed through Colby’s eyes. “Oh, yeah. He’s a walk-on. The
Star Telegram
ran a feature on him. Came out of the Marines. Two tours in Iraq. Never played football in his life. Just showed up at Coach Patton’s door.”
    “That’s my son. Pleased to know you follow TCU football. Maybe I can talk you into joining me for a game or two this fall.”
    Colby paused before she replied, fishing for more information. “You must have a big family. That’s a giant house.”
    ‘Nope. Just me. J.D.’s mother and I divorced fifteen years ago.”
    Colby took a sip of her coffee. “Still, why such a big house? I’m not trying to knock myself out of a commission, but there are plenty of smaller houses with similar features.”
    “I’m buying it because I can afford it and I want people to know I succeeded. Look, I grew up on