Cookie's Case by Andy Siegel Page A

common cents.”
    She’s listening, I can tell, to see if I get her little joke. I chuckle appreciatively.
    â€œThat was a smart move, Ethel. But why not make another good move now? Let me take a look at Robert’s file.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œI’m concerned with your grandson’s best interests here, I assure you. He sounds to me like he’s in real pain. He’s probably got a neuroma or reflex sympathetic dystrophy in that ankle.”
    â€œHmmph. That’s exactly what he got. Just the problem is, I don’t want to be scammed by no lawyer.”
    â€œHow about if I work for free?”
    â€œFor free?”
    â€œYes, for free.”
    â€œWhy would you go and do that? For a stranger who’s trying his best to make sure you pay your bills.”
    â€œA few reasons.”
    â€œI’m listening. Go ahead. Let’s see how convincing you are, Wyler.”
    â€œOkay. First, it gives me the opportunity to put some positive energy out there, and I’m one of those people who believes you get back what you put out in some way, shape, or form. They call it karma.”
    â€œUh-huh,” she responds skeptically. “I can tell you pretty for certain, chances be slim you getting anything back from Robert. You still want to work for free?”
    â€œI sure do.”
    â€œGo on then. Why else?”
    â€œBecause just a little while ago, I met a nice girl with a lawyer whom I felt was going to short her, the way Robert’s lawyer tried to short you guys. But she isn’t as smart as you, Ethel. Even her doctor boyfriend isn’t as smart as you, because they were going to take the money. I was able to prevent that from happening. It gave me a sense of doing justice, and that’s the reason I became a lawyer. But I have to say, I’m not sure if I felt good because I stopped a wrong from happening or because she’s extremely beautiful and I got the hots for her.”
    â€œThat’s honest,” Ethel tells me. “Go on now, boy. I’m suspecting you’re saving your best argument for last.”
    What great instincts she has. That’s exactly the case.
    â€œAnd because you don’t trust lawyers and don’t want Robert shortchanged, I can’t do you any wrong if I don’t take a fee.”
    â€œ X marks the spot, X marks the spot with a dot, dot, dot. Now you reasoning soundly.”
    â€œYes, Ethel, that’s the right conclusion. It’s a winning formula. And it’s one that means Robert gets all the money to put toward his financial independence. You want that for him, don’t you?” I’d been saving that one.
    â€œThat’s what I’m staying alive for. To see that he can get on all by his own. For free, though? You’ll do the lawyering for free?”
    â€œThe only thing I’ll ask of you out of this whole thing is that, if I do a good job for Robert, in the future you’ll refer your friends and family to me, should any of them meet with an unfortunate accident or get bad medical care. How does that sound?”
    â€œSounds like we have us a deal.” Then she changes tone. “But Robert still got to do his collections on you, no matter what happens.”
    â€œLet him collect away. But I’m going to defend myself against it.”
    â€œWe’ll see how that one ends up, then, won’t we now?”
    â€œI guess we will, Ethel. Have you had any conversation with the attorney on the other side since taking over Robert’s case?”
    â€œJust one. He ain’t bona fide, either, if you ask me. Calls himself Rich. What kind of lawyer calls himself Rich?”
    â€œI agree. Rich is a stupid-ass name for a personal injury lawyer. But what did you say to him?”
    â€œThat my Robert deserves more money. That’s about it. I had to tongue-lash the man to get it through his thick skull. Oh yeah, I told him Robert didn’t cause no accident,