Lawyer for the Cat by Lee Robinson Page A

during the dog case, with regular and sometimes contradictory broadcasts, such as: (3) I kept his name because I never fell out of love with him (false), and (4) I recently had sex with him at my condo, with my mother in the next room (false—it wasn’t Joe, it was the vet).
    And then there’s: (5) I visit him in his chambers on a regular basis and we “do it” behind closed doors. False, of course. Though we’ve met in his office many times since our divorce, it’s almost always with the door open. Yes, things did get messy during the dog case, but now that the case is over and Joe’s back with Susan, I’m especially careful not to do or say anything he might misinterpret.
    Which is why, when he motions for me to come in and close the door, I’m on guard.
    â€œThanks for coming,” he says.
    â€œI have a deposition at ten thirty.”
    â€œThis won’t take long. Relax—I’m not going to jump across the desk and grab you. This has nothing to do with you and me.”
    â€œGood!”
    â€œYou don’t have to sound so relieved,” he says. We’re like two people fencing—lots of guarded dancing around each other, and then, when I least expect it, a lunge. “I had a strange call this morning,” he continues. “from a guy I used to do some hunting with. Randall Mackay.”
    â€œHe mentioned he knew you.”
    â€œI haven’t seen him in years—which is why it’s odd that he just calls me out of the blue, asks how I’m doing, lots of chitchat, then he finally gets around to the point, which is you.”
    â€œHe’s involved in one of my cases.”
    â€œThe cat case.”
    â€œRight. But what was he calling you for?”
    â€œFishing.”
    â€œFor what?”
    â€œFeeling his way around, said he wanted my take on how you operate. I told him you’re straightforward, honest. Tough but fair. I told him I hold you in the highest regard despite our divorce.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œIt happens to be true,” Joe says. “But just after I said that, he says, ‘Well, if you feel that way about her, you might want to tell her she’d be wise not to make this case any more difficult than it has to be.’”
    â€œDon’t worry, I’ve got it under control.”
    â€œYou need to be careful around this guy, Sally.”
    â€œHe’s just angry because the cat’s got his inheritance.”
    â€œHe has a bad reputation. His first wife divorced him on physical cruelty. The second one disappeared.”
    â€œWhat do you mean, ‘disappeared’?”
    â€œThe story was, he was teaching her how to shoot, they were doing target practice, she got hurt. Luckily the bullet just grazed her. She told everybody it was her fault, but a couple weeks later she left town and hasn’t been heard from since.”
    â€œYou think he shot her on purpose?”
    â€œWord was, they’d both been drinking. She was some floozy who ran a roadhouse out on Edisto and he—at least he used to be—is a big boozer. Imagines himself quite the lady-killer.”
    â€œWell, I’m not going to fall for him, if that’s what you’re getting at.”
    â€œOkay, joke around if you want to. Just be careful.”
    â€œWarning accepted. Everything going okay with you?” This is a dangerous question.
    He shrugs. “Livin’ the dream: nice house, nice wife, kids in expensive prep schools, Yacht Club. And a great job, of course!” Some people might miss the hint of sarcasm in his voice, but I don’t.
    â€œYou’re frustrated in Family Court.”
    â€œYou could say that.”
    â€œYou still want a Circuit Court judgeship?”
    â€œI’m thinking about it.”
    â€œIf you want it, you’ll get it. Your family can help you with the politicking.”
    â€œIt’s not as easy as it used to be.” He’s