to be meeting a client for a quick co

a high-end bout

and J

ag, the kind that cost more than my car's down payment

aming, clingi

lars for a new suit for court. He' d sighed, talked about

ly replaced by defensiveness. Jessie saw me too, he

e a little too loud. "Shouldn't you be focusing on Je

her eyes wide a

you were going to help. I

papers from my bri

s ready, Mark. Fo

Pure, unadulterat

h!" He turned to me, beaming. "Let's go file them right now. I'l

s car, urging me along. Jess

t how relieved Jessie would be, how this

e insisted on taking

his is a big mom

didn't even glance at the names on the

he announced, puffing

rk stam

, grinning. "Done

d to flo

ssie's been wanting to try that new scuba diving spot off La Joll

s supposed freedom, a freedom he had ju

thick enough

I said. "Sou