Chapter 120: BBQ - James

JAMES

Klempner sits up in bed, propped by pillows, reading some report. Stacks and sheaves and files of documents take up most of a side table, the small space remaining is just enough to accommodate a coffee cup.

Jotting some note into a margin, he doesn’t notice me at first, standing in the doorway.

I tap on the door. “Got a minute?”

He looks over the top of his report. “I have nothing but minutes right now.”

“It’s a lovely day outside, so we’re having lunch on the terrace. Sunshine aside, it’s a sort-of goodbye party for Marty. We thought you might like to join us out there and enjoy the sunshine?”

“Sounds good, but…” He waves a hand over his piles of papers… “…I’m working. There’s my files and…”

“Not a problem. We’ll ferry down whatever you need and set you up on a lounger with a side table. You can work out there all day if you like. If you want to use your laptop, the signal reaches the area quite comfortably.”

*****