The Thunder Keeper by Margaret Coel Read Free Book Online

spent ten years mining molybdenum at Climax. Soaked up everything he could on geology and went looking for diamond deposits.There’s gold, silver, lead, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphate, and probably a thousand other minerals in the Rocky Mountains. But diamonds? Nobody’d heard much about diamonds until Nathan Baider got into the business. You ask me”—he leaned over the desk—“Nathan Baider still calls the shots. He’s not the kind to let go. The company’s his baby.”
    Vicky stood up and walked over to the large oil painting above the sofa: buffalo foraging in a snow-shrouded pasture. She turned back to the man at the desk. “If Baider Industries wants new counsel,” she said, “why didn’t the vice-president call you or one of the other senior partners? I’m the low person on the totem pole here.”
    Wes flashed her a tolerant smile. “Don’t underestimate yourself. No doubt they’ve heard about you heading up the appeal on the Navajo case. Lawyers talk, you know.” He gave her a conspiratorial smile.
    Vicky walked back to her chair, then to the painting again. She could always think better when she was moving, a gift from the old ones, she supposed. Crossing the plains, always moving through the vast spaces. They had to think while they were moving. She said, “I think Lewis wants to tell me something about the reservation.”
    â€œSit down, Vicky,” Wes said. “You’re making me nervous. Baider’s in the diamond business. They operate mines in southern Wyoming. You ever heard of diamond deposits on the res?”
    Vicky dropped into her chair. “No,” she said simply. Oil, gas, gold, uranium, timber, water—the reservation was rich in natural resources. She’d never heard of diamonds.
    â€œLet’s imagine the conversation over at Baider Industries,” Wes went on. “Roz decides it’s time for new counsel, somebody up to date on natural resource laws andregulations. Any suggestions? Vince Lewis—his job is to keep track of such matters—says, ‘Sharp female lawyer over at Howard and Fergus handling Navajo v. Lexcon . Arapaho. Natural interest in natural resources.’ ” He paused, grinning at her. “Roz says, ‘Go have a talk with that phenomenal lady.’ ”
    â€œAt the Ship’s Tavern?”
    â€œVicky, Vicky.” The lawyer was shaking his head. “You’ve forgotten the street is a small village. Town criers always looking for news. So Vince meets you on neutral territory. Anybody who recognizes the two of you won’t know what to think.” Wes shrugged. “He’s your classic movie-star type—tall, dark-haired, good-looking. Has a roving eye that his wife ignores. The two of you are having a friendly drink, that’s all. But if you’re spotted at the Baider building, or somebody sees Lewis here, Michaels, Starcroft and Loomis’ll have the news in ten minutes. I suspect Roz’d like to line up new counsel before he cuts any ties.”
    â€œI don’t know, Wes . . .”
    â€œTrust me on this.” The man pushed his chair back and got to his feet. “The meeting is a preliminary interview. Lewis’ll ask some discreet questions, gauge your response, and try to figure out if you’d like to represent Baider Industries. You’ve got a mighty big fish on the line, Vicky. Reel it in, and we’ll see that you’re amply compensated.”
    Vicky hesitated. The uneasy sense that had gripped her during the brief conversation with Vince Lewis was still there. “He said it was a matter of life and death,” she told the man standing on the other side of the desk.
    â€œHey, Nathan Baider built the company with that attitude. Everything’s a matter of life and death at Baider Industries.” He came around the desk, and Vicky got toher feet and followed him across