Read Trial Run for Free Online Page B

in.
    Which was why Shane halted before him and spoke with the crisp clarity of a woman who had surgically removed all nerves. “My name is Shane Schearer.”
    He set down his spritzer and said, “Shane, as in the cowboy hero?”
    â€œMy mother was from Deadwood. She loved Westerns more than just about anything.”
    â€œWell, Shane, if that’s a line, I’ll buy a ticket to the whole show.”He offered a long-fingered hand and a full-wattage smile. “Murray Feinne. My buddy here is Kevin Hanley.”
    Even dressed in sports togs, the guy she faced was too polished for Santa Barbara. “Mr. Feinne, I’m here to discuss a business proposition.”
    Murray Feinne’s opponent was still struggling to regain his breath. Kevin Hanley coughed and wiped his face with a drenched towel and said, “Good. You do that, Ms. Schearer. Keep him from billing me for this hour. He’s already gotten his pint of blood on the court.”
    â€œYou let me win, Kevin. As usual.” Murray’s gaze was dark, his features saturnine. He was not even breathing hard. “I’m sorry, Ms. . . .”
    â€œSchearer.”
    â€œI don’t generally interview new clients outside my office.”
    â€œThis won’t keep.” Shane launched straight into her spiel. The words were clear enough. Before she rose from the table she’d been uncertain whether she could recall anything Trent had told her. But standing there, facing this tall, handsome lawyer and his sweating overweight opponent, she found herself basically reciting all that Trent had said. She might as well have read the stuff off a script.
    What she didn’t expect was the sweating guy’s response. Kevin Hanley went from near-collapse to full alert. All in the time it took her to rewind on Trent’s pitch.
    Murray noticed his opponent’s change as well. He asked, “You know about this?”
    â€œNot the application to gaming. But interactive algorithms, sure. It’s the new hot thing.” He pointed to where Trent sat watching them. “Is that your partner?”
    She started to object to the term, then went with, “Yes.”
    Murray asked, “Why doesn’t he join us?”
    â€œHe’s . . . shy.”
    Murray snorted. But Kevin nodded, as though the description fit his expectations. “Why don’t I go over and have a word.”
    â€œWait.” She reached into her purse and came out with Trent’s sheet of paper. “This is his work.”
    Murray said, “I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Ms. Schearer.”
    Kevin said, “Give it a break, Murray. What connection do I have with gamers? That is, other than having lost my two nephews to World of Warcraft.” Kevin snagged the sheet of paper. “I’ll have a look at his work and see what the guy has to say for himself. Maybe save you some time.”
    Murray watched him move away. Shane asked, “Hanley is a scientist?”
    â€œSomething like that.” He shifted his gaze back to her. “I am still not comfortable having such a conversation with a person I don’t know under these circumstances, Ms. Schearer.”
    She caught the note of disdain. That in and of itself would probably have been enough. But the waitress behind the counter chose that moment to glance at her. And smirk.
    Shane gave them both a flinty smile and replied, “You’re going to like this even less, Murray. My partner and I? We don’t have a cent. You do this, you’re going to have to wait for payday with the rest of us.”
    The barrier slipped over Murray Feinne’s gaze. She had seen other people in business who had that sort of polished power of denial. Usually they were much older, top-level execs in to give a guest lecture or pick up some honorary prize. They’d get hit on by some eager young student, and the veil would slip down. They would hand out