Read Online Murder on Nob Hill by Shirley Tallman - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Shirley Tallman
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licensed attorney in the State of California. And you are?”
The man raised shaggy brows. He was of modest height, yet there was an air of authority about him that made him appear taller. His clothes were well cut and, despite his portly girth, he wore them with panache. His face was full and as he removed his
top hat I could detect a good deal of silver in his brown hair. He regarded me speculatively, and for a moment I thought he might take Campbell's advice and ignore me altogether. Then, abruptly, he smiled and reached out a manicured hand to shake mine vigorously.
“Augustus Paulson,” he said in a voice so superb it was easy to imagine it captivating a courtroom. “It's an honor to make your acquaintance, Miss Woolson. I’ve heard of Mrs. Clara Foltz, of course, but I’ve never before had the privilege of meeting a lawyer of the fairer sex. I admire your courage. It can’t be easy penetrating such an established male bastion.”
“There's no need to waste sympathy on this woman,” Campbell broke in. “She has all the sensitivity of a charging rhino.”
“Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with your tact and refined social skills,” I commented dryly, then turned to the elder attorney. I found myself liking Augustus Paulson and decided Annjenett could do a good deal worse then have this man represent her. It remained to be seen, however, how long he would continue to be sympathetic to female attorneys once he realized how closely I intended to work with him on the case. “I’m sure Mrs. Hanaford will be grateful for your help, Mr. Paulson.”
“I gather you have already spoken to my—to our client.”
I nodded, then glanced around with distaste at the peeling walls, the filthy floor, the chill that permeated every inch of the drafty hallway. “City jail is no place for a woman, Mr. Paulson. After you’ve met with Mrs. Hanaford, we must discuss a strategy for her defense and speedy discharge.”
“You must discuss!” Campbell exploded. “Madam, will you kindly get it through your head that you’re not part of Mrs. Hanaford's defense? If you really have her best interests at heart, you’ll cease your confounded interference and allow your betters to get on with their business.”
“By ‘my betters,’ I presume you mean yourself, Mr. Campbell? You who have had such extensive trial experience.” My tone was scornful, having learned from my inquiries that the nearest the irritating man had come to a courtroom was as a research assistant.
“I meant Paulson, you obdurate woman,” he shot back, his Scottish r's rolling at me like waves in a tsunami.
“Campbell, please,” Paulson intervened, staring at the younger man until he clamped his mouth shut. “Miss Woolson, I apologize for my colleague's, er, exuberance. I’m afraid his concern over Mrs. Hanaford has caused him to forget his manners.”
“On the contrary, I doubt Mr. Campbell has any manners to forget. His boorishness, however, is of no importance. What matters is getting Mrs. Hanaford out of this place.”
“On that point, we are all agreed.” Mr. Paulson consulted his fob watch. “I believe you’ve hit upon an excellent plan, Miss Woolson. After Mr. Campbell and I have spoken with Mrs. Hanaford, the three of us should meet to discuss how best to proceed with the case. Unfortunately, I have to be in court this afternoon. Would it be possible for you to come to my office at six o’clock this evening?”
Campbell started to grumble, but Paulson threw him another look and he fell reluctantly silent.
“That would be fine,” I agreed, pointedly ignoring the Scot.
Mr. Paulson gave a polite nod, then turned and walked into the bowels of the jail. With a final glare, the irascible giant murmured something I couldn’t quite catch and hurried after him.
S amuel was waiting for me outside the jail. Beside him was George Lewis. George is of medium height, with a round, amiable face and light brown hair that
The man raised shaggy brows. He was of modest height, yet there was an air of authority about him that made him appear taller. His clothes were well cut and, despite his portly girth, he wore them with panache. His face was full and as he removed his
top hat I could detect a good deal of silver in his brown hair. He regarded me speculatively, and for a moment I thought he might take Campbell's advice and ignore me altogether. Then, abruptly, he smiled and reached out a manicured hand to shake mine vigorously.
“Augustus Paulson,” he said in a voice so superb it was easy to imagine it captivating a courtroom. “It's an honor to make your acquaintance, Miss Woolson. I’ve heard of Mrs. Clara Foltz, of course, but I’ve never before had the privilege of meeting a lawyer of the fairer sex. I admire your courage. It can’t be easy penetrating such an established male bastion.”
“There's no need to waste sympathy on this woman,” Campbell broke in. “She has all the sensitivity of a charging rhino.”
“Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with your tact and refined social skills,” I commented dryly, then turned to the elder attorney. I found myself liking Augustus Paulson and decided Annjenett could do a good deal worse then have this man represent her. It remained to be seen, however, how long he would continue to be sympathetic to female attorneys once he realized how closely I intended to work with him on the case. “I’m sure Mrs. Hanaford will be grateful for your help, Mr. Paulson.”
“I gather you have already spoken to my—to our client.”
I nodded, then glanced around with distaste at the peeling walls, the filthy floor, the chill that permeated every inch of the drafty hallway. “City jail is no place for a woman, Mr. Paulson. After you’ve met with Mrs. Hanaford, we must discuss a strategy for her defense and speedy discharge.”
“You must discuss!” Campbell exploded. “Madam, will you kindly get it through your head that you’re not part of Mrs. Hanaford's defense? If you really have her best interests at heart, you’ll cease your confounded interference and allow your betters to get on with their business.”
“By ‘my betters,’ I presume you mean yourself, Mr. Campbell? You who have had such extensive trial experience.” My tone was scornful, having learned from my inquiries that the nearest the irritating man had come to a courtroom was as a research assistant.
“I meant Paulson, you obdurate woman,” he shot back, his Scottish r's rolling at me like waves in a tsunami.
“Campbell, please,” Paulson intervened, staring at the younger man until he clamped his mouth shut. “Miss Woolson, I apologize for my colleague's, er, exuberance. I’m afraid his concern over Mrs. Hanaford has caused him to forget his manners.”
“On the contrary, I doubt Mr. Campbell has any manners to forget. His boorishness, however, is of no importance. What matters is getting Mrs. Hanaford out of this place.”
“On that point, we are all agreed.” Mr. Paulson consulted his fob watch. “I believe you’ve hit upon an excellent plan, Miss Woolson. After Mr. Campbell and I have spoken with Mrs. Hanaford, the three of us should meet to discuss how best to proceed with the case. Unfortunately, I have to be in court this afternoon. Would it be possible for you to come to my office at six o’clock this evening?”
Campbell started to grumble, but Paulson threw him another look and he fell reluctantly silent.
“That would be fine,” I agreed, pointedly ignoring the Scot.
Mr. Paulson gave a polite nod, then turned and walked into the bowels of the jail. With a final glare, the irascible giant murmured something I couldn’t quite catch and hurried after him.
S amuel was waiting for me outside the jail. Beside him was George Lewis. George is of medium height, with a round, amiable face and light brown hair that
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