The Devil's Advocate by Andrew Neiderman Read Free Book Online Page A

Associates, Attorneys." He entered and found himself in a plush reception area.
    The wide open space, the long tan leather couch, leather settee, and leather chairs announced success. Over the couch was an enormous brightly colored abstract painting that looked like an original Kandinsky. This was the way a successful law office should look, he thought.
    He closed the door behind him and stepped over the lush, velvety tan carpet, feeling as though he were walking over a layer of marshmallow. The sensation brought a smile to his face as he approached the receptionist, who sat behind a half-moon teak desk. She turned from her word processor to greet him, and he widened his smile instantly. Instead of being greeted by the homey, plain-faced Myra Brockport or the gray-haired, pale-skinned, and dull-eyed Mary Echert, who greeted clients back at Boyle, Carlton, and Sessler, Kevin was greeted by a scintillating dark brunette who could easily have been a contestant in a Miss America pageant.
    She had straight coal-black hair that lay softly over her shoulders, the ends nearly touching her shoulder blades. She looked Italian, like Sophia Loren with her straight Roman nose and high cheekbones. Her dark eyes were almost luminous.
    "Good afternoon," she said. "Mr. Taylor?"
    "Yes. Nice office."
    "Thank you. Mr. Scholefield's anxious to see you. I'll take you to him directly,"
    she said and stood up. "Would you like something to drink . . . tea, coffee, a Perrier?"
    "Perrier would be fine. Thank you." He started to follow her across the lobby toward the corridor at the rear.
    "Twist of lime?" she asked, turning back to him.
    "Yes, thank you."
    He was mesmerized by the movement of her body as she led him down the corridor, stopping at a small kitchen area. She was at least five feet ten and wore a black knit skirt and white blouse with long sleeves. The skirt clung so tightly to her hips and buttocks, he could see the wrinkle as her muscles extended. It took his breath away. He laughed to himself, thinking how disapproving Boyle, Carlton, and Sessler would be.
    She handed him a tumbler filled with the sparkling liquid on ice.
    "Thank you."
    The look in her eyes and the warmth in her smile sent a trickle of excitement down into his loins, making him blush.
    "Right this way."
    They passed one office, a conference room, and then another office before stopping at the door that had Paul Scholefield's nameplate. She knocked and opened it.
    "Mr. Taylor, Mr. Scholefield."
    "Thank you, Diane," Paul Scholefield said, coming around his desk to greet Kevin. She nodded and walked off, but Kevin was unable to pull his eyes from her for a moment. Scholefield waited with understanding. "Kevin, good to see you."
    "Wonderful offices." Paul Scholefield's office was twice the size of Sanford Boyle's. It had a high-tech decor, the furniture glossy black leather, the bookshelves and desk glossy white. To the left of his desk were two large windows that looked out over the city to the East River. "What a view."
    "Breathtaking, don't you think? All the offices have such views. Yours does, too."
    "Oh?"
    "Please, sit down. I've already told Mr. Milton you're here, and he wants to see you after we're through."
    Kevin settled back in the black leather chair in front of Scholefield's desk.
    "I'm glad you decided to give our offer serious consideration. We're literally inundated with new work," Paul Scholefield said, his eyes brightening. "So, did your present law firm offer you a partnership?"
    "Not quite. They offered me an opportunity to find something else more suited to my nature," Kevin replied.
    "What?" Paul held his smile.
    "Apparently, the Lois Wilson case and the manner in which I conducted it has proven to be an embarrassment to them. Legal devices, technique, all of it is all right as long as it's done discreetly. You know, like manipulating some grandmother so they can get a piece of her estate or finding loopholes in the tax laws to fatten the pockets of