The Court Read Free Page A

will act quickly on this matter because of the importance of the rational suicide issue and the publicity the case has received.” He smiled. “Perhaps the words are a bit inappropriate for you, Sister, but as I tell many of my other clients, just try and hang in there.”
    Her eyes narrowed. “I do not need your sympathy or your encouragement. I appreciate your intention, however. Good day, Mr. Wright. I’ll have one of the sisters escort you out.”
    â€œI know the way.”
    â€œAs you wish.”
    She was gone as quickly as she had come. Once again he was alone in the eerie silence. Quickly he strode down the hallway, opened the door, and escaped into the world outside. He needed a drink and he knew he had to make a telephone call.
    Wright stopped at a bar and had the drink first. Then he moved to the bar’s phone booth.
    Sister Murphy was incorrect. Michael Wright’s time was not donated. He was on retainer and well paid. The check came from the Egress Society of America, Incorporated, but it was signed by Herbert Mennen.
    It took several long distance calls to trace Mennen but he finally located him at a health club.
    â€œYou got me out of the fucking steam room,” Mennen said. “I’m freezing my butt off, so make it fast.”
    Wright quickly recounted his conversation with Sister Murphy.
    â€œHey, if that menopausal old broad is going stir crazy, get her reassigned. Shit, sue the lady general or whatever they call her. Raise a little hell. Make the Pope look like a shit. I got too much invested. I don’t want this thing dropped.”
    â€œSister Murphy won’t sue the Mother General. There’s nothing I can do legally. So far, everything is all right, but I wanted you to know she’s getting shaky.”
    â€œShaky? Hey, that old bitch killed over a hundred and thirty-five people. Shaky! Shit, if that didn’t bother her, nothin’ ever will. Maybe she wants something, you think? Maybe money?”
    â€œNo. She’s straight enough. I don’t even think she suspects what’s on the line here.”
    â€œWha’d’ya mean, suspects? You talk like I was planning something illegal. That’s the whole point of this fucking lawsuit. I want everything legal. That’s the only way it’ll work.”
    â€œI know.”
    â€œAnd I want to get in on the ground floor. Hell, there’s big money to be made, but you have to do it fast before the market gets flooded. I got everything ready. I got options on the places. I even got the people lined up to work ’em. Shit, I’ll have a nationwide network operating before the ink is even dry on the decision. That is, if you win.”
    â€œAnd if we lose?”
    â€œLook, I’m not in the business of losing. But if we did I suppose my accountants could find a way to write off most of it, but I wouldn’t be making anything on the deal. That I don’t like. You sure about this guy, what’s his name, Howell?”
    â€œNothing is sure. That’s just the prediction. I think it’s probably correct.”
    â€œI damn well hope so. There’s millions to be made in this thing. Christ, I think I may be able to get the health insurance companies to pay. Wouldn’t that be something?”
    â€œThey’ll never pay for people to commit suicide.”
    â€œHey, why not? If a doctor provides the prescription and it’s all done in the hospital setting—one of my hospice places—and it’s legal, why the hell shouldn’t they pay? Hey, Wright, I’d like to go on talking, but my fucking skin is turning blue. See if you can’t do something to keep that old broad happy. We can’t be stopped now, now that we’re so close to pay dirt. Remember, this is going to be a nationwide deal.”
    Wright hung up and returned to the bar.
    The money was good, very good, but contact with Herbert Mennen depressed him. The