"Mrs. Hinkley, a Mr. Onyx is waiting for you," said the maitre'd at the restaurant. "Right this way."
"Thank you," said Pam as she headed over to the table. Onyx stood up and shook her hand. "Mrs. Hinkley, a pleasure to meet you. Let's have a seat and discuss what's been going on."
Pam sat down and after glancing over the menu, decided to start. "Well, as you know Alexandrite was killed in prison, and while they have the killer in solitary confinement, we don't know why he did it."
Onyx nodded his head. "I think I know. From what I heard, there were rumors that he was going to tell people who the lead man was in the plague attempt. This other man was probably given an offer to off Alexandrite before he confessed in exchange for his freedom."
"We thought about that, and the judge has ordered that he has no bail or bond now," said Pam. "But it still doesn't answer why Alexandrite was going to confess to begin with. People had been trying to get him to say something to give them a lead with no luck, so why then?"
"He was rumored to be a bit shifty to begin with. Seemed to keep a lot of secrets, if nothing else to get more pay. Did that once on a different scheme he was a part of...Anyway, I'm not too surprised he was offed," he said simply.
Pam was a bit surprised about Onyx's apparent blasé attitude about a man being killed, but continued. "So, do you think we can get any information out of this other guy."
"Probably some. The guy I talked to said he knew some of the men in the ring, but not the leader. You might talk with the FBI about it."
The waiter came by and took Pam and Onyx's orders. Onyx decided to change the subject. "Mrs. Hinkley, I was going to ask you...only because I read in the papers about that car accident, how's your husband?"
"Pam, please. He's fine, just sore from his injuries," she said. "Doctors said he should be 100 percent in a few weeks. Good thing he had his seatbelt on or he could've been killed. Why the interest?"
"No reason, just wanted to make some idle chat while we waited for our meals. Now, tell me a little bit about why you became a lawyer," he said, smiling.
"Well, a few years ago..."
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Bill and Ralph arrived at the restaurant and sat at the table Ralph reserved. As they picked up menus, Ralph grimaced in pain again. Bill didn't miss the expression. "Ralph, you feel all right? Been taking your medicine?"
"Yeah, fine Bill, just a little stiff," said Ralph. "I've been easing off the big painkillers as much as I can so I don't get addicted. Haven't taken one today."
"Good plan, but it gives me the heebie-jeebies every time you give that expression, especially after what happened."
Ralph nodded in sympathy, realizing he must have been in bad shape at the scene of the wreck. "So, has the agency got Alexandrite's killer to talk?"
"No not yet, but should be soon. I heard that Pam's law firm was going to get her into the interrogation room. I wish I could make him talk, especially after everything. I mean, you should've had the suit on..."
"Tell me about it," said the younger man, glancing around the restaurant, "Each time I yawn, I realize that I should have kept it on all day, but I didn't. Anyway, the wreck shouldn't have happened in the first place, and I hope they get the ringleader so I can...put your menu up to your face."
Bill complied to Ralph's request, but wondered what Ralph was thinking. "You sure you didn't take any pain meds Ralph? I mean, this menu bit only works in the world of Maxwell Smart, not Bill Maxwell."
"Shhhh...I see Pam and she's talking to the informant. I don't want her to think I'm..." said Ralph sneaking a peek above the menu. The color drained from his face as he took a closer look at the man Pam was talking to. He barely felt someone put a hand on his good shoulder and shake it a bit roughly. After a couple of moments, Ralph broke out of his trance and looked into Bill's worried eyes. "You with me kid? I thought you were going to go out on me."
"Yeah, I'm here," he said, recovering. "Bill, you see that person talking with Pam?"
"Come on Ralph, don't tell me you're jealous..." He was surprised that Ralph didn't respond. "It's not that is it? Ralph, something's bugging you, what is it?"
"Bill, that's the guy I saw in my dream. That's Derreck."