The Professor by Robert Bailey

repeated what’s in her statement. The Honda turned in front of the rig.” Rick shrugged. “However, she added that the rig was about a hundred yards from the intersection when the Honda began its turn, so hopefully we can retain an accident reconstructionist who can give the opinion that your son-in-law couldn’t have seen the rig when he started to turn.”
    Ruth Ann cringed when Rick said “son-in-law” and felt an ache in her heart. Bob had been such a good man. Strong. Protective of his wife and child. Exactly the kind of man a mother would want her daughter to marry. Not the kind of man that would pull in front of an eighteen-wheeler.
    “OK, that makes sense,” Ruth Ann said. “You mentioned a second count?”
    Rick nodded. “Count two is for the company’s negligence in hiring, training, and supervising Newton.”
    Ruth Ann raised her eyebrows. “So you think the company was negligent?”
    Rick nodded. “I looked at Newton’s driving record this weekend. There’s a database online with that information. His record shows two speeding tickets within six months prior to the accident.”
    “Two speeding tickets?”
    Rick nodded. “Since Newton was speeding at the time of this accident, the prior tickets should’ve warned the company of a problem. I think we’ll probably need more than that to get to a jury, but the tickets give us a good-faith basis for bringing the claim.”
    “How will we get more?”
    “Well . . . based on the newspaper articles I read online, Harold Newton was hauling nine thousand gallons of Ultron gasoline at the time of the collision. Now, I doubt we have a claim against Ultron, but they might have information relevant to the case. Unfortunately, the Ultron plant in Tuscaloosa burned to the ground the night of the accident, so I’m worried that Ultron may not have any documents.”
    “Do you think there could be some connection between the fire and the accident?” Ruth Ann asked.
    Rick shrugged. “The fire marshal determined that the fire was accidental, so it appears to just be a bad coincidence. However, even if Ultron doesn’t have any documents, someone there had to load Newton’s truck on the day of the accident, and I’m going to make an all-out effort to find and talk with those employees.” Rick took a deep breath and sipped from a cup of coffee. “The articles also mentioned that the deceased truck driver, Harold Newton, had a widow.”
    Ruth Ann felt her stomach tighten. She remembered hearing about Newton’s widow. Several times in the days following the accident she had thought of calling Ms. Newton, but she never had. Too painful , she thought, biting her lip.
    “Why is that important?” Ruth Ann asked.
    “It may not be,” Rick said. “But if there was something going on with Willistone that was making Harold Newton have to speed, then his widow may know about it. She may blame Willistone for his death.” He held out his palms. “Anyway, I think it’s worth exploring.”
    Ruth Ann nodded. Then, pointing at the complaint, she looked at Rick. “When did you want to file this?”
    “As soon as you’re ready. We could file today if you wish.”
    Ruth Ann crossed her arms over her chest. This is really happening , she thought, gazing down at the draft complaint in front of her. She wished so badly that Tom was still here.
    Ruth Ann closed her eyes. Everything. These people took everything from me. They deserve to answer for it. She saw Jeannie, Bob, and Nicole as she remembered them and she fought back tears. This won’t bring them back . Are you sure you want to put yourself through this? Wouldn’t it be better to move on?
    “Ms. Wilcox, you don’t have to decide today,” Rick said. “I mean, if you’d like some more time to think about it . . .”
    Ruth Ann stood, her body trembling. I have to know why. She turned her back on Rick and walked to the door of the conference room. Then she turned around and looked Rick Drake directly in the