Page 150 of Dial L for Lawyer
"Thanks for the reminder." He rolls his eyes. "What are you suggesting exactly?"
"I'm suggesting," I say, setting my beer on the table, "that maybe it's time for the Kingsley brothers to stop making other people rich."
"Our own firm."
"Our own firm."
David leans back in his chair, considering. "It would be a massive risk. Leaving guaranteed income, established clients..."
I lean forward, elbows on the table. "What's the worst that could happen? We fail spectacularly and have to go work for someone else again?"
"That's exactly what could happen."
"So? We're both good lawyers, David. We'd land on our feet." I watch Serena help Michaela back onto the rope swing platform. "Besides, I've got some experience with spectacular failure lately. It's not as scary as you think."
"Your ethics hearing wasn't spectacular failure. It was a slap on the wrist."
"It was public humiliation that could have ended my career. And you know what I learned?" I turn back to him. "The things worth having are worth the risk of losing everything else."
David follows my gaze to where Serena's now teaching Michaela some elaborate diving technique that looks more dangerous than graceful.
"Kingsley and Kingsley," he muses. "Has a nice ring to it."
"Doesn't it?"
Before David can respond, Serena emerges from the water, hair slicked back and skin glistening in the afternoon sun. She looks like some kind of lake goddess, and I have to consciously remind myself not to stare like a teenager.
"Uncle Caleb!" Michaela shouts from the platform. "Come show Serena your cannon ball!"
"I don't think anyone needs to see that," I call back, but I'm already standing, pulling off my shirt.
"Oh, I definitely need to see that," Serena says, grinning up at me from the water. "I've heard rumors about your legendary cannon ball technique."
"Rumors?"
"Michaela's been telling me stories. Something about you nearly emptying the entire lake?"
I look at my niece, who's giggling behind her hands.
"Lies and slander," I say, tossing my shirt onto a nearby chair. "I think it's time to demonstrate what a real cannonball looks like."
I jog over to the platform, feeling the warm wood under my bare feet. Michaela is practically vibrating with excitement, and Serena treads water below, her dark eyes challenging me.
"Don't hurt yourself trying to impress me, Counselor," she calls up, pushing her wet hair back from her face. "I've seen your morning stretches. Not exactly Olympic material."
"Just for that," I tell her, "I'm aiming directly at you."
She squeals and swims backward, but not too far. Never too far these days.
I climb onto the platform, Michaela hopping beside me like an overexcited puppy. "Show her the super-mega-ultra cannonball!"
"Super-mega-ultra cannonball?" I repeat. "That sounds made up."
"It's totally real!" Michaela insists. "You taught it to me last summer!"
"I think you're confusing me with someone who knows what they're doing," I tell her, but I'm already backing up to get a running start.
"Don't chicken out now, Kingsley!" Serena calls from the water, her voice full of challenge and laughter.
