Solomon And Lord Drop Anchor Part 25

"What! Why?"

"NAM is amicus curiae in a major case on punitive damages, and they're involved in another half dozen cases with cert pet.i.tions pending. Besides, I can't accept a gift from a lobbyist."

"You must be kidding. Do you think you'll be compromised by eating their goat cheese on endive?"

"No, but my attendance makes it appear they have access to the Court."

Holding her high-heeled black shoes in one hand, Connie waved her hairbrush at him with the other. "Don't do this, Sam! Don't do this to me. I'm going stir crazy in this d.a.m.n shoe box."

"I know it seems silly or quaint, or just plain stupid, but a Supreme Court Justice has to live like a monk." He thought of the chief, who wasn't right about many things, but on this one, he was. "Some justices won't even attend the President's State of the Union address because of separation of powers. Even those who go refuse to applaud."

"You're right, Sam. It is stupid. Now, are you getting dressed or not?"

He looked into her eyes, which were ablaze with hostility. All the disappointments and frustrations of a life that didn't turn out the way she planned seemed to be reflected in her glare, in her bearing, in the way she pointed the hairbrush at him as if it were a Sat.u.r.day night special manufactured by one of her brother-in-law's clients.

"I can't, Connie. I'm sorry, but I can't"

She threw the hairbrush at him. He slipped his head to the side like a boxer dodging a punch, and the brush clattered against the wall. She hastily pulled on her shoes, smoothed her dress over her flat stomach, and looked at him, her upper lip quivering with anger. "All right, Mr. Supreme Court Justice," she said, spitting out the words. "Be a monk. Be a bishop or a cardinal or the d.a.m.n pope for all I care."

She turned dramatically and left the room, looking like a leading lady playing her big scene in her s.h.i.+mmering black dress. She started down the narrow staircase, two flights to the ground, her stiletto heels clapping against the wooden stairs like rifle shots. "But I'll tell you this," she called out, "I'll be d.a.m.ned if I'm going to be a nun!"

This and other e-books by Paul Levine may be found at http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JAKELa.s.sITER.

About the Author.

The author of 14 novels, Paul Levine won the John D. MacDonald fiction award and was nominated for the Edgar, Macavity, International Thriller, and James Thurber prizes. A former trial lawyer, he also wrote more than 20 episodes of the CBS military drama "JAG" and co-created the Supreme Court drama "First Monday" starring James Garner and Joe Mantegna. He is the author of the "Jake La.s.siter" series, the "Solomon vs. Lord" series, and the thriller "Illegal." His next novel will be "La.s.siter," due from Bantam in Fall 2011. Visit his Web site at http://www.paul-levine.com.

Books By Paul Levine.

To Speak for the Dead.

Night Vision.

False Dawn Mortal Sin.

Slashback Fool Me Twice.

Flesh & Bones Reversal (formerly 9 Scorpions).

Solomon vs. Lord.

The Deep Blue Alibi Kill All the Lawyers Trial & Error.

Illegal.

La.s.siter (Fall 2011).

SOLOMON & LORD DROP ANCHOR.