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“Bet your ass.” She made a Toaster Strudel for herself. “I’d say we should do it, but that time frame is for other things, for you. And no, I won’t, because I’m not leaving you alone in that time frame.”

After biting into the pastry, she pointed at Sonya. “I bet, seeing as she’s batshit, she loves it. It’s a big moment for her, and she gets to relive it every night.”

Cleo’s phone played Green Day’s “Basket Case.”

“She’s all that,” Cleo agreed.

As if to prove it, doors slammed upstairs.

“That one’s getting old,” Sonya called out, and made Cleo grin. Still, Sonya went to the door, called to Yoda. The cat led the way back in.

“I don’t really want them out there when she’s acting up. And I’ve got to get back to work anyway. I’m planning to put in some time this evening. I’m going to get the Ryder proposal up on the big screen.”

“You let me know when you’re ready to do that. I want to see it.”

“I was going to ask if you would. I could use the input. It’s just you and me tonight. Well, you and me, cat, dog, and our bevy of spirits.”

Chapter Ten

Late that afternoon, Trey sat in the conference room on the second floor of the old Victorian that housed Doyle Law Offices, with his apartment above on the third.

The family held this semiannual meeting at the offices, once the family home, to cloak it in a business setting rather than a free-for-all family dinner.

Ace, in his three-piece suit, his mane of white hair, sat at the table’s head. His wife, the quietly elegant Paula, faced him from the opposite end. Deuce sat on his right, with Corrine beside him, Trey on Ace’s left, with Trey’s sister, Anna, beside him, and her husband, Seth, across.

Sadie, Deuce’s admin, who ruled all—as she had for decades—swept in with a tray of cheese, crackers, and fruit.

“You eat some of that.” She pointed at Anna. “Growing another human takes energy. Energy needs fuel.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Anna patted her baby bump. “And I’m always hungry these days.”

“And you.” She gave Deuce a hard look. “You have a client due in an hour and…” She checked the watch on her wrist. “Ten minutes. No lollygagging.”

“I’ll be there.”

“If he gags his lollies, Sadie,” Ace assured her, “we’ll give him the boot.”

“See you do.”

When the door closed behind Sadie, Ace pointed at the tray. “Grab it if you’re going to, and let’s get down to it.”

The firm’s founder and family patriarch ran this show. He adjusted his black-framed bifocals and began.

“I’m going to start by putting up our new website. I know we’ve all seen it and agree it’s a major improvement. So, thanks to Trey for getting Sonya MacTavish on board. And to my lovely daughter-in-law for her excellent photography.”

“I had good subjects,” Corrine said, “especially Mookie.”

Under the table, the dog batted his tail at his name.

“Ace,” Paula warned as she caught him sneaking some cheese to the dog.

“He’s entitled. It says right on the website he’s our legal consultant. Which takes me to another section of our new and improved website. Interns. I’m going to propose, when Eddie’s passed the bar, we offer him a position as associate.”

They discussed the ins and outs, moved on to other business that required updated documents and signatures.

“I should say that Sonya recommended me for the photographs in an update of Stevenson, Kubrick, and Wayne’s website. You all know Pete Stevenson, and my lawyer assures me there’s no conflict of interest.”

“As long as she doesn’t make Pete look better than me.”