Peeling Back the Top Layer 🇯🇲

18| Backdoor attorney

🗣🗣 @Natty20xo this update is especially for you. Enjoy!

"Budding attorney?" Courtney's wife, Annette, flashes Michael a puzzled look.

"Oh yes, I was accepted into law school recently," he proudly states. My eyes roll involuntarily at the pompous look that forms on his face. I scoff, taking a sip of wine from the glass in my hand and leaning closer to Chaunard, who eyes me curiously.

"Congrats. It took you long enough," Annette mutters under her breath. Something about her tone tells me that she isn't too fond of him either.

"Hello, Kelsie. It's good to see you again," he greets me with a hint of scorn in his voice.

"Hi Michael," I reply with equal contempt.

"You two know each other?" Chaunard asks.

"Oh yes, we do. The last time I saw him he was being worked hard by one of the lawyers at his firm. Right Michael?" My wry remark has the desired effect and he gives a stiff nod in response.

Not one to pass up a good opportunity, I ask, "Is he still up your ass with those late nights at the office?" I put on my most pleasant tone and blink innocently when I pose the question. Annette picks up on what I'm insinuating and snorts as she tries to stifle her laugh, hiding her mouth behind her hand.

Michael's jaw twitches from him gritting his teeth in anger. "He and I no longer work together," he mumbles, glaring daggers at me during our brief stare-off. I make no effort to withhold my triumphant grin.

"So mek wi go back to the discussion. How do you think we can solve the crime problem, especially murder?" Courtney cuts in before my insults go further.

"The government needs to bring back the death penalty for every murderer. Matter of fact, maybe if all criminals were put to death then we would have a better society. Jamaica is too lax on crime," Michael smirks, looking quite pleased with himself for coming up with that "revolutionary" idea.

"Ahhh," I mock. "Be careful with that one Michael. Remember murder is as much a crime as is pocketing money you find on the road or even buggery in Jamaica. Are you saying that homosexuals should be put to death?" I rebut, eyeing him smugly.

His expression changes instantly and his voice lowers a few notches when he says, "Let me correct myself. I'm only suggesting stiffer penalties for the more serious crimes and a review of the fines for lesser offenses."

The curtains come down on our tiff when the host announces upcoming activities being undertaken by the service club. This wraps up the  evening and we say our goodbyes and start going our separate ways.

"Good meeting you Kelsie," Courtney shakes my hand. "I hope we will be seeing more of you." He looks directly at Chaunard when he makes the last statement as if letting him know that its an expectation.

"Let's see about that," I smile.

"You have a lot of guts. Thanks for reigning in Michael earlier," Anette taps my shoulder and whispers in my ear. She chuckles mischievously as she winks at me and then walks out the door with her husband. That confirms it. She definitely does not like him.

Chaunard leaves me alone briefly to say goodbye to a few of the other guests. It gives me a chance to check the unread messages in the group chat.

Marsha: Dem still nuh set a date fi Professor Shitup funeral yet. Police still a do dem investigation but mi hear seh is a likkle girl weh go him church him trouble. Dem seh a di area don niece.

Gillian: Really though? Den him coulda really go inna church wid dat?

Marsha: Yuh no see him a drancro? Mi hear seh him was a deacon to enuh and him wife a seh him innocent an a people a try tear dung him name.