Old Friends and Shopping Buddies

Richie Roberts & Frank Parker

by Atonia & Layne

Frank strolled from the little store on the corner toward Richie Roberts' office. If you wanted gossip on this town, that little man, Jessup, that owned the store was where you went. He wasn't one to listen to it, but it did give you an idea on where to start investigating for more solid information, he'd found.

Frank was looking forward to seeing Richie. The man was a top-notch lawyer--or solicitor, whatever you called them down here--and he'd helped Frank out more than once in the past. He'd known Richie was here but up until now, he'd been too busy getting his job watching Ben Wade's wife sorted out and finding a place to stay.

Right now, though, one of his men was watching Liana Wade as she shopped over at the Braddock's store and Dan Evans had come into town with her anyway. Frank felt like it was a good time to drop in on his old friend. Opening the door to Richie's office, he flashed his widest, most winning smile to the woman behind the desk. "I'm here to see Richie Roberts. If he's got time, that is."

The smile was infectious, Miss Peeg smiled back, “Good morning, may I tell him who is calling?”

Richie heard the voice and stepped out of his office, “No need to tell me anything, I’d know that voice anywhere,” he smiled and extended his hand for a hearty shake, “Man, I can’t get away from you, can I? Traveled half way around the world and damned if you didn’t show up. Come on in and sit down, Frank.”

Frank Parker's laugh filled the room, as he shook Richie's hand and slapped him on the back. "My man!" He greeted Richie enthusiastically.

Following Richie into his office, Frank answered. "Well, you know how I am, Richie. I'm a bad penny. I always turn up!"

He looked around the office curiously. "Looks like you're not doin' too bad for yourself here, Richie." Frank eyed the ornate chairs in front of Richie's desk.

"So, can I sit in one of these, or you gonna prosecute me if I do?" His grin at Richie was joking.

“Not unless you try to walk out of here with it,” Richie grinned. “So Frank, what brings you to the land of Oz?”

Frank sat down, casually unbuttoning his jacket as he did. "Clicked my heels three times an' said 'There's no place like home' and next thing I knew, here I was."

"Actually, I'm here for a job." He looked Richie directly in the eye, just as he always had. Richie was a man you could do that with, Frank thought to himself. Weren't too many like that any more.

"Don't know if you knew it or not, but I'm in the security business now."

“Security business, eh? Like in personal protection? Hmm... I know McGee’s got a bodyguard. I can’t think who else around here would need one, not that I’m askin’, you know.” Richie smiled. “Maybe I need one, you know, somebody put a contract out on me and tried to kill me right here in The Glen.”

"Yeah, I heard about that." Frank's look at him was concerned. "And listen, man, if you decide you need somebody, you just let me know. I've got men workin' for me and I can handle more than one job at a time." He grinned again. "I'll give you my solicitor's rates."

He said nothing about Ben Wade or his wife. It wasn't good business to reveal who your clients were without checking with them first, especially with a man like Wade. "Oh, I'm workin' for someone else I've known for a long time. Funny how both of you ended up here."

“Yeah well it’s a small world Frank, hard to get lost in it, if you know what I mean. Strangely enough, the guy that put out a contract on me was my old friend’s uncle. Luckily, my friend is still my friend or I’d be sleeping with the fishes now. I’m glad to be out of the, um, neighborhood. I’m glad to see you out of it too. Miss Peeg’s got coffee ready, want a cup?”

"Sure." Frank smiled. "Unless you got some top-notch brandy around her somewhere." He glanced around.

When they both had cups, he asked Richie a question that had been on his mind since he came to town. "Tell me, man- You know anything about a guy named Sid Harbor?"

“First thing that comes to mind is he’s a top notch asshole. He doesn’t associate with the locals, thinks himself above the masses. Miss Peeg, my right arm here, went to a party at his house one time and was treated so rudely she left. I have no idea who he thinks he is, I heard he’s from LA, lotsa weirdo’s there. He’s got some money, I know that; got a garage full of fancy cars, but where it comes from I don’t know.” Richie took a sip of his coffee, “Am I not supposed to ask why you’re interested in him?”

"Well, you're right enough about LA being full of weirdoes," Frank chuckled. "I was a cop there, remember? I know all about that!"

He fixed Richie with his hard brown eyes, serious now. "That's how I know Sid Harbor. I took him down in LA. Long time before I switched to the other side of the law."

"You're right, too, about him being a top-notch asshole. I'm not sure you or anyone else around here really knows how dangerous he can be, though."

Richie leaned across the desk, “I have a client who may come up against him in court, if you’ve got anything I can use Frank I’m all ears here. He’s been clean as far as I know since he arrived here shortly after I did. He moved in on a bloke’s girl and took her away from him now she’s pregnant and my client thinks it’s his, not Sid’s.” Richie knew he could trust what he said to go no further.

Frank Parker's look at Richie was long and serious. "I wish I could tell you something, Richie. I really do. And you know I would, if I could."

"Trust me, though, when I tell you that I can't hand out any information on Sid Harbor. He's a-- a real special case left over from my days as a cop. Just know that he's a dangerous man. Wish I could tell you more."

Not that Richie or anyone else would be likely to believe any of it anyway, Parker thought to himself. It had taken some pretty extraordinary convincing to make Parker believe everything there was to know about Sid.

Richie looked back at him for a moment, “ I understand Frank," and he did. Whatever Parker knew was something he couldn’t divulge, confidential. “I’ll take that dangerous to heart and step around him lightly but I’ll do what I have to for my client.”

"Oh, I know you'll do that Richie. You always do." Frank was remembering the days when Richie had prosecuted him, as well as the days when he'd defended him. Richie Roberts didn't slack off, no matter which side of the table he was on.

"So- How about you and I go into Coffs some night? Pick up a coupla- Sheilas? That's what they call women here, right?" Frank was grinning.

"I haven't had time to find myself any female companionship since I got here two weeks ago. And I know you, Richie. You're never without female companionship!"

Richie grinned, “We can do that Frank, I know a couple of places to shop.”

"I'll just bet you do. Got a nice selection, do they?"

“Sometimes you get lucky, you know. Hey I’m glad you’re here Frank,” Richie meant that, it was good to have someone around who knew him and knew a little of his past.

"Glad to be here, Richie. And it's good to see an old friend." Frank checked his watch. He was scheduled to replace one of his men shortly watching Liana Wade.

"Well, duty calls. I'm gonna have to go." He got up and clapped Richie on the shoulder.

"Let me know what night you're ready to do that, uh--shopping." Frank saw the puzzled look on Miss Peeg's face at that and winked at Richie.

“I’ll do that Frank, we’ll keep in touch.” He saw him out of the door and turned and looked at Miss Peeg, “What?”

“Shopping Mr. Roberts?” She looked a little skeptical.