Bad Mood Rising
Kyle dropped Travis off in front of Robert’s Solicitors and parked the car in front of Millie’s. He wasn’t about to leave Travis alone with Richie Roberts and so he hurried back up the sidewalk just as Travis had gone into Richie’s office.
Richie stood when Travis came in but didn’t offer his hand and neither did Travis. It was to say the least an awkward meeting but as Travis had not yet taken the case for child custody from him and a trial date had been set, there was nothing for it but to talk with him.
They stared at each other across the desk for a couple of minutes.
“You wanted to see me.” Travis said evenly.
“The ah…a date had been set for the custody trial in Los Angeles. I can’t help you there, I don’t practice in the states anymore.”
“So what are you saying, fuck you, find yourself a lawyer.?
“Pretty much. I can put you in touch with a firm in LA I’m familiar with.”
“I got people in Sydney that could do that.”
“Your case looks good except for the recent publicity.”
“I can thank you for that.”
“I didn’t send my wife cruising with you.”
“I didn’t send mine to Coffs with you either.
Richie pushed the folder across the desk, “Take this with you, I’ve got copies if you need anything.”
Travis stood up and picked up the folder, “If you ever screw around on Toni again I’m coming after you.”
“Don’t threaten me McGee.” Richie stood up too.
“It ain’t a threat it’s a fucking fact. You don’t deserve her.”
Their raised voices brought Kyle to the door, he opened it and took Travis’s arm, Travis shrugged him off, “Leave me alone.”
“You better get him out of here.” Richie said.
“Come on Travis, you don’t need this, come on man.” Kyle took his arm again and pulled him out of Richie’s office.
Miss Peeg sat wide eyed, her hand to her mouth as Kyle led Travis out of the office.
“Mr. Roberts?”
“It’s nothing Miss Peeg, he’s just let off a little steam.” Richie looked down at his clenched fists, he’d wanted to hit Travis so bad. He sat down in his chair ran his hand over his face.
“Would you like a cup of tea Mr. Roberts?” Miss Peeg at his door.
“Tea? Not unless you’ve got a shot of whiskey to go in it.”
Travis jerked himself away from Kyle again, “Don’t ever grab me like that again.”
“Hey man that’s what you pay me for, keep your ass out of trouble. Now how would that have looked in court, eh? You got to calm down Travis, look ahead past all this shit.”
Travis walked quickly down to Millie’s and into the Tavern. He was supposed to be meeting Jean for lunch, instead he ordered lunch for two to go and turned to Kyle, “You want anything.”
“What are you up to, what are you doing Travis?”
“I’m going to pick up Jean and going to the fucking beach, got a problem with that?”
“No, no problem, want me to come with you?”
“Fuck no.”
“You be careful Travis, I’ll hang around here for awhile and get Jimmy to come pick me up.” Travis was in a mood and he didn’t like to leave him.
Travis pulled up the street walked into Barrett’s and after being directed to the office he walked in told Jean to get her things.
“What’s wrong Travis?”
“Nothing, we’re going to the beach.”
“I can’t just leave, let me tell Kim…”
“Fuck Kim, are you coming?”
She looked at him a moment, “Yes.” Picked up her jacket and purse and followed him out to the car he had double parked in the street.
