at the head of the line and face to face with Bill Baxter, the 62 year old founder of the Baxter and Baxter law firm, who was retiring and entering the realm of politics to run for governor. He stood in front of Elton, tall rail thin, with a sinewy build, and a toothy ready-made campaign trail smile. But for the gray hairs that bracketed his face, he could easily pass for a man in his mid to late thirties.
"Elton," Bill said as he extended his hand. "So how's Albuquerque's next super attorney?"
"I don't know Bill. Next time I see him I'll ask."
Both men laughed.
"Now come on. With Liz as your mentor you'll make senior partner in no time, and will be running this joint."
"I have a long way to go before I can even think about filling your shoes, Bill."
"It's not my shoes that I'm worried about you filling," Bill said with a wink. You and Liz have put in some long hours together of late."
What a creep, intimating something like that between me and his wife.
“The long hours is time well spent,” Elton said.
"Ah yes, the investigation of missing funds from the casino. So how’s that audit going? Any leads?"
"The more I dig the dirtier the dirt gets. It's the same old story you know. Money begets greed, and greed begets corruption.
And those in positions of power are the most corrupt. I’ll put the pieces together soon enough.”
"You can be more specific than that Elton," Bill said as his smile faded away.
"I'm not there yet Bill. The details are hazy, but the mighty will fall, soon enough.”
"Careful son. Some things are like sacred burial grounds, and are better left alone,” -- Bill leaned forward. His face was expressionless, then he narrowed his eyelids as if he was squinting, and furrowed his brow -- “out of respect.”
Elton wanted to walk away as he felt the people in line were becoming agitated from all of the time that he was taking up with the man of the hour. But just as he stepped back, Liz Baxter surfaced seemingly out of nowhere, and stood alongside Bill. She wrapped her arms around his upper right arm, tilted her head and offered a wonderful smile.
"So what are you two discussing so intently?" she said.
"Seems your junior mint here has been digging around in old Tribal affairs, and now espies corruption in every dark corner."
Liz's jaws tightened briefly and her nostrils flared as she turned her attention towards Elton, and just as quickly her facial features softened.
"Need I remind you how sensitive this matter is Elton? Now is not the time or place to be discussing it."
"I'm sorry Liz, I didn't..."
"Don't be so hard on him dear," Bill said. “But Liz is right, Elton. There will come a proper time, and place for us to finish our discussion.”
Bill flashed his toothy grin, and looked past Elton at the people in line to greet him.
"Come Bill, there are some other people that you must see before they leave," Liz said.
"Take care Elton," Bill said before walking down the line of well wishers, and shaking their hands with Liz at his side.
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