From Tthe Seduction of Emy and Other Stories

Copyright 2023 A. R. Gregory

 

The Equalizer

I gave Ms. Williams a baffled glance. A walk-in, she said? Some woman claiming to be an inventor asking for me? McHenry, Lerner & Planck, the patent law firm I practiced at, serviced a raft of large corporations, each with teeming research and development departments generating steady streams of high-tech innovations. An up-and-coming associate like me hardly had the time or the inclination to chat with some Tom, Dick, or Harriet about a better mousetrap.

Normally my matronly assistant would have turned away such an unannounced interloper out of hand. But after my recent divorce, Ms. Williams, who had never been fond of my ex-wife, seemed intent on looking after my best interests. How many times had she told me I needed to get out more, meet new and interesting people? Ms. Williams added in a hushed voice, “Her name is Laura Clix. She says she’s an engineer with NASA, though she isn’t here on NASA business.” With a knowing smile Ms. Williams added, “You might want to see her, Mr. Sanders....”