Modus Operandi

Chapter Four: Ruby

Curiosity is the lust of the mind. -Thomas Hobbes.

Chapter Four: Ruby

“Athena?” The eyes grew wide, followed closely by a big smile. “Didn't expect to see you here.” Smooth.

“Reuben,” I nod. I am also struggling with the files and papers, which no one seems to notice.

I glance at Demetri who looks a bit deflated. “Oh, you already know each other?”

“Yeah we met downstairs in the lobby and took the lift together.” Lift. Ha. “I had no idea she would be the new assistant you hired.” He cocks his head to one side, like Demetri had done earlier. Wait. Lift? That’s a British thing. I look back at Reuben and then Demetri. I look at the dusty H on the ground. No wonder I felt as though I had met Demetri before.

“Wait, are you guys related?” I blurt, instantly regretting it, but the resemblance was too uncanny. Reuben winces. Demitri looks amused.

“Yes, Reuben is my son.” He grins smugly. The silence that follows is thick and awkward. I’m sensing some tension between the two parties in the room. Staring contest. My arms burn.

I let a paper slip from between my fingers. “Oh my god! I am so sorry! That looks important!”

Finally, Reuben springs forward. “Let me help you with that.” He takes the pile from my arms, his fingers briefly brushing mine. His eyes are glued to the floor. He brings the stack back to the rear office.

“Well, I guess you have a lot to work on,” Demetri shrugs. It’s really awkward now. “I’ll just go back to my office and finish up some things. If you need anything, I’ll call you on your cell.” He turns to leave.

“Uh, sure… I think.” Wait. He’ll call me? That’s not quite right. “Wait, what?” But his heel leaving the the room and the slam of the door was the last of Demetri for now. So I’m guessing there’s some pretty intense family drama. I have to admit, it seems pretty juicy, and I already have the job, so I have plenty of time to be nosy.

I pick up the paper I dropped. State of Georgia v Adams. Doesn’t ring a bell. I guess I’ll ask. I tip toe around the one chair and the H and peek into the office. Reuben is just standing there, leaning on a  large cherry wood desk with his eyes closed. “Reuben.”

The eyes jolt open, and he smiles. “Oh, I heard the door close, I thought you had left with him.”

“Uh, what are you up to?” I don’t know. What do you ask someone who you just saw falling asleep standing up? I lay the paper on the desk.

“Just moved in today, as you can see. Just trying to get all my stuff in.” He gestures to a large box in the corner that was sitting in front of a bookshelf wall.

“Well as your assistant, I guess I should help you, right? I walk over to the box and peer in.

Books. Lots and lots of law books. When I say lots, I mean that this is a huge box. Like half of a refrigerator box, and It is filled to the brim. “Is this all?”

He chuckles. “Unfortunately, no. The movers are bringing another load and my furniture later today. Its a lot, right?”

“Is it not mostly just for show?” I pick up a copy of Black's Legal Dictionary.

“Ha! I wish.” The eyes glitter and I smile crosses his face. Good, I think I like Smiling Reuben better than Grouchy Reuben. “When you need some kind of arcane Georgia law that says that someone can eat all the frogs they want in public or something dumb like that, you'll be happy you had a bajillion books to look through.” I laugh and he strides over and takes the heavy legal dictionary from my hands, and takes State of Georgia v Adamsas well.