The Broken Road Read Online Free

about this,” I always feel like I have to speak to Paul the same way I speak to Lauren. Slowly, deliberately, and avoiding big words.
    Apparently Paul didn’t like that suggestion as he turned up his large nose and walked off in a huff. He always treats me like his personal secretary and is a sexist pigheaded jerk to boot. It is a golden rule that the front desk personnel should be treated with the utmost respect. We have the ultimate control in the office. We decide if we make regular or decaf coffee in the morning. Or if that new pain-in-the-ass client is settled in your office to your surprise or if you’ll just call them back later. If you piss us off enough, when we make your travel arrangements, we’ll put your butt in the economy section with a middle seat next to the bathroom. We are the foundation of any firm and have the power to make or break your day. I dialed Miranda’s internal number. It was only fair to give her a heads up that Mr. Stick-up-my-butt Paul was on his way to her office.
    “This is Miranda,” her African accent trilled. Miranda Reinhardt was from South Africa and I just adored her. She’s a beautiful, talented paralegal; we became fast friends when she joined the firm last year.
    “Hey Mir. Just a warning. Paul is on the war path. He’s on his way back to your office,” I hurriedly whispered, watching Paul as he stomped down the hall.
    “Lovely. Thanks for the warning.” She quickly hung up and I could hear him down the hall loudly demanding the file. I sighed and logged onto my computer. The morning went by quickly. When lunch time rolled around, I was starving. I took my meager lunch and walked into the break room, just in time to see Uncle Bob sneaking some chips out of the vending machine.
    “Ahem,” I said with a smile. “You know, if Aunt Karen knew that you’re eating chips, she’d be highly upset.”
    Bob laughed, his big belly jiggling like Santa Claus. “Your Aunt Karen won’t find out. This diet has me going crazy. Did you know she packed me a grapefruit and turkey sandwich today? That’s all! How am I supposed to survive on that?”
    I joined him at the table. “Aunt Karen doesn't want you to go through what Dad went through.”
    Uncle Bob grumbled. “Yeah, well. I'll die of starvation before that happens.”
    I laughed, handing him half my bagel. He gratefully took it.
    “So, how are your mom and Kyle doing?" He asked, smearing cream cheese on his bagel.  He closed his eyes in happiness after the first bite of carbohydrates.
    “They are doing well. Kyle loves his job. He’s transferred to the station in Edgewater. Mom is happy that he’ll be close to home and he’s happy that he can mooch off her for dinner.”
    Bob nodded. “It’s great to see Kyle come around. He was a bit of a hellion after your father died.”
    My younger brother was only eighteen when my father died. He took it extremely hard. Kyle rebelled and acted like he was invincible.  Mom pleaded and begged him to straighten himself out, but it took being arrested for vandalism and destruction of property for him to change his ways. Thanks to Uncle Bob, he was sentenced to community service and avoided time behind bars. Now Kyle is with the Anne Arundel County Police Department and doing a lot better.
    “Good, Bob, I’m glad to see you’re still here,” Paul called as he walked into the room.
    “Afternoon Paul. What can I help you with?” asked Bob wearily. Paul had an affinity for being obnoxious, a trait not lost on Bob.
    “Megan, I need to speak with Bob alone.” Paul insisted arrogantly. I rolled my eyes and kissed my uncle on the cheek. I left the room, but not before giving Paul an evil glare. If it’s so important, he should to take it to the office. Bits of the conversation wafted up the hall.
    “It’s a high profile case, Bob. We should talk about assisting the district attorney on this one. Think of all the potential clients,” Paul insisted.
    “This is a federal case,