Not Playing by the rules

Chapter 9

“Mr. Tharper, although I understand that this is a very unusual case, which are my specialty, I would like to go through a few more details. So was your daughter informed about this marriage of convenience that was arranged by you and your friend? I am sure she was, in that case I would like to have a conversation with her so that she can testify on your behalf in court,” said Leon saying the only thing which came to his mind which could stall the case even for some time.

“Well Mr. Casterfall that is truly going to be a problem. Because since this incident happened two weeks ago, my daughter has left home and she has left a letter saying that she wants to live her life on her own terms and conditions and to leave her alone,” said Mr. Tharper in a somber voice.

Leon and Mr. Ford both looked at each other and Mr. Ford asked,” Did you alert the police so that they could search her? A missing person’s report?”

“Of course we did but the department officers told that since Stacia was an adult and she left the home on her own accord they could not do anything about it. I pulled some strings and asked the transport department and the airports to check if she had left California but she has not. She is in town hiding and I can’t find her. Her mother is so distressed that she has almost given up eating,” said Mr. Tharper.

“Mr. Tharper, I am so sorry for your loss but we need to find Stacia if we have to win this case. Mrs. Tharper can be our witness in the meanwhile, won’t she?” asked Leon hopefully.

“I don’t think so Mr. Casterfall, my wife blames me and my business ambition for this entire situation and said that if I had not done this our baby girl would still have been at home. She is not going to testify on my behalf,” said Mr. Tharper.

And just like that all the hopes that Leon was trying to build the case to win dashed to ground and he could not only feel the devastation but also that his partnership dreams were going to be put on hold for a while. He had worked his ass off for so many years despite the multiple offers from other companies only so that he could have a name for himself in the legal world without his family connections and this utter bastard was going to ruin his chances of that unless he took drastic measures as soon as possible.

“Tell me truthfully Mr. Casterfall can this be done?” asked Mr. Tharper looking in his eyes.

“I would like to talk to your wife Mrs. Tharper before I can go ahead and give you any concrete answer Mr. Tharper. It is not like that I want to say this but at this point of time it would wrong to give you false hopes or mislead you. I like to maintain hundred percent honesty with my clients, I hope you understand that,” said Leon looking at Tharper expectantly.

“I think I might be able to help you on that count Mr. Casterfall. My wife might hate me for doing this to our daughter and not being able to make amends with anyone but if there is one thing in the world that she agrees on with me is Stacia is our first concern and that is the reason she accompanied me here and is waiting in your conference room,” said Mr. Tharper with a sly grin.

“Then I must say Mr. Tharper, that you are a man of great intellect and enterprise to be able to pull off something like this. So what are we exactly waiting for? Please bring her here so that I can have some conversation alone with her,” said Leon as the three of them stood up.

Leon stayed back at his place while the two older men left the cabin and a few minutes later he saw three of them walking towards him with a purpose. The sight of the woman made Leon feel like he was going to throw up just at that moment. This was like he was fifteen years back and he was standing in the room, sorry make that kneeling in the room licking the boots of his mistress in exchange for law assignments and the most prestigious cases in the state.

It was very difficult for him to maintain composure when his past had come back to haunt him in this way. Mrs. Tharper whom he knew to be Jean Anne Merson was standing at his door and knocking asking permission if he could come inside. He nodded slightly keeping his composure and smiled his panty-melting smile as the woman opposite to him had taught him many years ago.

“I cannot say how thrilled I am to find that a man like you is taking real interest in the welfare of my child,” said the woman taking a seat as Leon gestured towards it. He put up his finger as if asking for a moment and buzzed Fred. But no one received his call, he sighed and looked back at Mrs. Tharper and said,”I am surprised to see you here as well Ms. Merson. I did not know that you got married and reared the child of another man. Never knew you had maternal instincts at all.”

The woman looked as if she would choke and Leon smiled inwardly.

“What are you talking about Mr. Casterfall and how do you even know my maiden name? I have been married for twenty-three years and Stacia is my only daughter, why would I not be worried about her?” asked Mrs. Tharper with a look of surprise and anxiety on her face. Leon immediately knew something was wrong. Either this woman was too good an actress or he was being mistaken in some way.

“Mrs. Tharper I would like to apologise for my impudence, really.. But I want to ask you something, if I may, this may sound a bit nonsense to you but may I know your maiden name?” asked Leon leaning forward.

The woman replied,”My name is Jocelyn Alyssya Merson. I changed it to Tharper after I got married. Is there any problem Mr. Casterfall?”

“There is no problem apart from the fact that I had a professor named Jean Anne Merson who looked exactly like you. She was my mentor for the better part of my college years but I never knew her to be married so imagine my surprise seeing you here with the same last name but different person altogether,” replied Leon trying to normalize the already jeopardized situation.

“Dear Jesus, you know Jeanie?” asked Jocelyn with tears in her eyes and a bright smile on her face.

“Wow!!! Never heard her saying about any sister or cousin before!!” said Leon, hoping that it was back to normal.

“Please tell me everything about her. I haven’t spoken to her in so many years. She….oh dear…” said Mrs. Tharper completely forgetting her real reason for being there.

“I think we should have this conversation later on but for now just go outside and ask your husband to come inside. And do not worry, you daughter will be back to you safe and sound. I shall contact you soon enough, for we both have something to talk about,” said Leon as he smiled and her and Mrs. Tharper blushed furiously and left the cabin nodding slightly.

Mr. Ford on the other hand was sitting with his forehead on the palm of his hand outside the cabin. He also knew that this was going to be a sore loss but he just wanted to see that how was Leon going to handle this one and looked at him expectantly. Both men entered back the cabin and took their seats.

“I would do everything that I can Mr. Tharper. However I would like to suggest a different course of action altogether. It might work and you would not have to go through this all legal procedures and litigations, if you would like to hear that?” asked Leon trying to make right the same mistake which he himself had performed eleven years ago.

Mr. Ford looked at him with a curious expression and Mr. Tharper said,” This is the first time I have heard any lawyer say that they care. I am all ears, please go ahead.”

Leon flashed his winning smile and said,” The course of action that I would suggest is a little off the books. So I would need a few details, some time and of course your permission to go on in my endeavor.”

“Well you have my permission, but may I ask that why this secrecy? You could have discussed it with me, isn’t so?” asked Mr. Tharper.

“In that case I shall share you one of my insights Mr. Tharper. Cases like this which are emotionally distressing and conflicting at the same time need time, passion and secrecy, specially those for women like Stacia who are really sensitive about what people think about them. And I have seen in ninety percent of the cases I have dealt with in my career of a decade is that mothers are far more truthful while giving information about their daughters because there love and care is more deep-rooted than anything else in the world,” said Leon looking deep in the eyes of Mr. Tharper.

“Well I could not have asked for anything more Mr. Casterfall. You are truly your father’s son but I must say that you are better man,” said Mr. Tharper rising from his seat and extending his hand towards Leon to strike a deal. Leon accepted his hand readily and shook it.

“I must say Mr. Tharper that I could not have expected a better compliment. It was a pleasure to meet you,” said Leon, this time with a genuine smile on his face.

Mr. Ford and Mr. Tharper shook hands and Mr. Ford escorted him out of the cabin. Leon buzzed Fred, his assistant and asked him to bring his breakfast.

“Fred, I need to find a girl who is hiding in town from her parents in order to avoid a marriage of convenience. What should be the best course of action?” asked Leon taking the bag which had his breakfast.

“Talk to the friends or any brother or sister or cousin who are there in town. That is the first place she will seek refuge and also if she is studying somewhere you can check out there if she is pretty serious about her studies,” said Fred looking at his wrist-watch.

“Oh!! New watch? Girlfriend gave or what?” said Leon as he took a bite of his bagel which was still warm.

“No Boss. This was my Dad’s, my mom gave it to me after his funeral. He wanted me to have it so he could always be close to me. I could not let myself wear it until today morning,” said Fred looking lovingly at the silver metal watch he was wearing.

“I did not mean to hurt you in anyway Fred, if I did so then I am sorry. Here have my cupcake,” said Leon giving him the rose-velvet cupcake as a peace offering.

“I already had one of the blue ones Boss and it tasted amazing. You should try your one. And in the mean while I shall gather all I can about Stacia Tharper who has gone missing two weeks back willingly,” said Fred and winked at Leon.

Leon smiled and shook his head and opened his laptop as he took a bite of the cupcake and at that immediate moment his feelings were he had died and gone to heaven and was having manna there.

“By heavens!! How can a cupcake be this good?” he muttered to himself as he took one more bite as the myriad flavours of rose and cream melted in his mouth and he also found a few more hints of chocolate chips in it. While he was enjoying the taste of the delicious cupcake his boss Ramsey Ford entered his cabin.

“That was quite a good thing you did back there. Wanna explain why?”