Diminished Capacity Read online

  Hannah shook her head. “No, he’s an investigator. He does some work for some of the other attorneys here. Mostly personal injury stuff, I think. Maybe some criminal. I’m not sure.”

  Talon nodded. That was good information. If she needed an investigator maybe she could use her ‘name’ to get Curt to help her out for a discount. “Well, I really should get to my office,” Talon said. “I have a lot to do.”

  * * *

  Three hours later, Talon had arranged the stapler, tape dispenser, and two-hole punch on her desk, had selected the wallpaper pattern for her computer desktop, and was pretty sure where she was going to hang her diploma. Her phone hadn’t rung once.

  She leaned back in her chair and looked at the decorative clock atop her one bookshelf. 4:58. Quitting time. At least for Hannah. One of her office-mate attorneys was in a closed-door meeting with a client; another had left at 4:00. The other two had never even come into the office, as far as Talon could tell.

  “Night, everyone,” Talon heard Hannah shout out, the front door’s electronic bell letting everyone know of her departure. Hannah didn’t wait for any reply. Talon didn’t offer one. She wasn’t one to yell down the hall.

  A half-hour later, the client meeting was done and Talon was alone in the office. She picked up her phone and dialed another attorney. But he’d gone home for the night too.

  Hello. You’ve reached the desk of Samuel Sullivan. I’m sorry I missed your call. Please leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks. –Beep!

  “Hello, Mr. Sullivan. This is Talon Winter. I was calling to see if there was any update on my lawsuit against Gardelli, High and Steinmetz. Just checking in, I guess. Please give me a call when you get a chance. Thanks.”

  Talon hung up and sighed. She did some quick calculations in her head. Without any clients, she’d run through her savings and have to shut down her practice in about five months. Six, if she started skipping lunch.

  The front door chimed again and Talon heard Curt’s voice call out, “Hello? Is anyone still here?”

  Talon stood up and checked her appearance in the mirror she’d leaned against the wall by her office door.

  “I’m here,” she announced and walked toward the reception area. When she got there she was greeted not only by Curt, but also by a 40-something African-American man with a proud posture but worried eyes.

  “Talon,” Curt said. “I'm glad you're here.” He gestured to his companion. “This good man needs a lawyer.”

  END OF CHAPTER 1

  To read more, download Winter’s Law today!

  THE DAVID BRUNELLE LEGAL THRILLERS

  Presumption of Innocence

  Tribal Court

  By Reason of Insanity

  A Prosecutor for the Defense

  Substantial Risk

  Corpus Delicti

  Accomplice Liability

  A Lack of Motive

  Missing Witness

  Diminished Capacity

  Short Stories starring David Brunelle

  Case Theory

  Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

  Also by Stephen Penner

  Winter’s Law

  Winter’s Chance

  Scottish Rite

  Blood Rite

  Last Rite

  The Godling Club

  Mars Station Alpha

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Stephen Penner is an attorney, author, and artist from Seattle.

  In addition to the David Brunelle Legal Thriller Series, he also writes the Talon Winter Legal Thrillers, starring Tacoma criminal defense attorney Talon Winter, the Maggie Devereaux Paranormal Mysteries, recounting the exploits of an American graduate student in the magical Highlands of Scotland, and several stand-alone works.

  For more information, please visit www.stephenpenner.com.