Someone Like You by Susan Mallery Read Free Book Online

tribute.”
    â€œI see.”
    While Jill didn’t want to get stuck with the aquatic menagerie, she couldn’t blame the widow for not wanting them in her home.
    â€œThanks, Tina. What time is Mr. Harrison coming?”
    â€œAbout eleven-thirty. I have to leave about noon to take Jimmy to the orthodontist.”
    Why was Jill not surprised? “Of course you do. Will you be back?”
    Tina’s shoulders slumped. “If it’s important to you.”
    Jill looked at the fish, the paneling, the net and the long-past-dead starfish. “I’m sure we’ll be fine without you.”
    Â 
    I T TOOK J ILL less than two hours to bring herself up-to-date on Mr. Dixon’s open cases. She contacted the clients, offered her services and was prepared to give referrals if they preferred.
    No one did. Every single one of them made an appointment to come see her, which would have beengratifying if anyone had showed the slightest interest in his or her legal issues. Mrs. Paulson summed it up perfectly.
    â€œThat old will,” the elderly lady had said with a laugh. “I don’t take it very seriously. I mean, I’ll be dead. What do I care? But sure, honey, if it makes you happy, I’ll keep my appointment.”
    Rather than tell the woman that very little about the situation made her happy, she put a check mark next to the time and date in the appointment book and told Mrs. Paulson she was looking forward to meeting her.
    â€œYour daddy was a fine man,” the older woman said. “A good judge. I’m sure you’ll do us all proud, just like he did.”
    â€œThank you,” Jill said before she hung up. As her father had talked her into being here, he wasn’t one of her top-ten favorites at the moment.
    With all the appointments confirmed, Jill pulled a disk out of her briefcase and slid it into her computer. With a few keystrokes she was able to pull up her résumé and began to update the information.
    Mr. Harrison arrived promptly at eleven-thirty. Tina didn’t bother knocking—she simply pushed open the door and showed him in.
    Jill stood to greet him. There hadn’t been any hint as to his problem in the appointment book, but she figured she could handle it.
    â€œI’m Jill Strathern,” she said, walking around the desk and holding out her hand. “How nice to meet you.”
    â€œLikewise,” the older man said.
    Mr. Harrison was one of those thin elderly men who seemed to shrink with age. His hair was white and thick, as were his eyebrows. Wrinkles pulled at his features, but his blue eyes were clear and sharp and his handshake firm.
    When he’d taken the leather chair in front of her desk and just to the right of the fishing net, Jill returned to her seat and smiled.
    â€œI didn’t find any notes in Mr. Dixon’s file on your case. Had you been in to see him before?”
    Mr. Harrison dismissed the other man with a flick of his wrist. “Dixon was an idiot. All he cared about was fishing.”
    â€œReally?” Jill murmured politely, as if she wasn’t aware of dozens of beady eyes watching her. “So what seems to be the problem?”
    â€œThose bastards stole some land from me. Their fence is about twenty or twenty-five feet on my side. I want it moved.”
    He spread out several large sheets of yellowed paper showing deeds and land tracts. Jill stood and leaned over the desk while Mr. Harrison traced the various property lines. She found her interest piqued.
    â€œWe’d need an official survey to determine the boundaries, but from what I can see here, you’re right. Your neighbors have put a fence on what is clearly your property.”
    â€œGood. Now they can take it down.”
    Jill grabbed a legal pad and sat. “What kind of fence is it?” she asked as she began to make notes.
    â€œStone. About six feet wide.”
    Her head snapped up as she stared at him.