Booktree.ng_Forgotten-Witness

“Nothing quite so exotic,” he chuckled. “I was a solicitor in
England. Had my own firm and dealt with international
clients. I made a tidy little sum and invested well. But the law
ceased to interest me at a certain point.”
“What point was that?” Josie sat back and leaned against the
wall.
“The point where my wife threw me out and my
government decided to tax me at seventy percent. You’re not
much better in the U.S. Government always has its hand out,
doesn’t it? Still, there are shelters. I’ve covered my arse. I can
afford to be a bit eccentric. Even got my bar ticket here so I
don’t have to deal with any shysters.”
He offered his glass in a toast and Josie met him in the
middle with her glass of water.
“Here’s to success,” Josie said.
“In all things that matter,” Stephen answered.
Josie smiled. Her butt hurt. She needed to stretch her legs.
She was disappointed and tired but the evening was not
wasted. Archer and Hannah would like this man as much as
she did if they could meet him. But liking had its limits. She
was about to call it a night when Stephen listed slightly, raised
his drink, and gave a nod in the general direction of the front
door.
“Your mum’s extra daughter has arrived.”
***
Bernard Reynolds knocked on the cottage door. Johnson
opened it and skipped the pleasantries.
“On the phone now.”
Reynolds walked in and shut the door behind him. It had
been hours since Josie Bates and Stephen Kyle disrupted what
had been a pleasant day, but Reynolds still resented their