The Switch

The taps of her high-heeled shoes echoed behind her through the metal hall. Her blond hair danced on her gray suited shoulders. As her pale face blended into its blond hairline, her gray eyes contrasted deeply as its only dark feature. She squeezed the two binders she held into her side as she pushed open the thick metal door.

            “Good morning, Ms. Tross,” a young man said from the front desk. He wore a blue and white striped collared shirt. “How many are we expecting today?”

            “We decided two is most efficient. Gives them time for personal reflection.”

“Anyone promising?”

            “They’re always promising,” Ms. Tross said. Her mouth remained in a line flatter than a calm sea.

The office was a sealed box with metal floors and walls. The reception area was decorated in abstract art pieces and mahogany furnishings. Ms. Tross continued behind the man’s desk and entered the first office.

Ms. Tross pulled the black curtains together on the far wall and dropped the two folders on the end of the long white table. She glanced up at the small metal box at the other end before turning back to her binders.

Ms. Tross was halfway through the second binder when the red bulb above the door began blinking, and she stepped out of the office. A woman sat in the waiting area with crossed legs and arms, her back stiff in her chair. She wore a black high-waist pencil skit with a white collared blouse. Her black hair was twisted into a bun behind her head.

“Nancy McCall?” Ms. Tross said. The woman sat up even straighter. “This way, if you please.”

Nancy pulled her small, black purse into her chest and followed Ms. Tross into the office.

“Criminal defense attorney for 19 years with Bass & Cordovan,” Ms. Tross said as they seated themselves. “Very impressive.”

“Thank you.”

“Divorced, ostracized son, no close family.” Ms. Tross read from her binder and looked up.

“Excuse me?” Nancy asked, her voice slightly softer.

“Just some fact checking while we get acquainted, here, Ms. McCall. Or do you prefer your maiden name of Henderson?”

“McCall is fine.”

“Tough times in business?” Ms. Tross continued.

“When every human in the world is a criminal, it’s not hard to find clients.”


*Part 2 coming next week.*