Chapter 11 Chapter Eleven

Robert Crowther, real estate agent at Bright and Crowther, opened the door with a gesture of braggadocio and announced: "This is the balcony. You can look down on Coit Tower from here." He watched the young couple step out and over to the railing.The view from there was marvelous: the city of San Francisco lay before them in a vast panorama.Robert Crowther was amused to see the couple exchange glances and secret smiles.They are trying to hide their excitement.It's always the same pattern: Those potential buyers believe that if they show too much enthusiasm, prices will go up. For a duplex penthouse like this, Crother said cynically, the price was high enough.His concern is whether the couple can afford it.The man was a lawyer, and young lawyers don't make that much money.

They were a striking couple who clearly loved each other very much.David Singer was in his early thirties, fair-haired, intelligent-looking, with a lovely boyish air about him.His wife, Sandra, is lovely and welcoming. Robert Crowther, noticing a little distending in her belly, said, "The second guest room would be perfect for a nursery. There's a playground a block from here, and two schools close by." He looked again. Till they exchanged that secret smile. The second floor of this duplex penthouse has a master bedroom with a bathroom and guest bedroom.On the first floor there is a spacious living room, a dining room, a library, a kitchen, a second guest room and two bathrooms.City views are available from almost every room.

Robert watched them both as they walked through the apartment again.They stood in a corner talking quietly. "I love it," Sandra was saying to Davy, "and it'll be good for the baby too. But, honey, can we afford it? Six hundred thousand dollars!" "Plus maintenance," David added. "The bad news is we can't afford it today. The good news is we can afford it on Thursday. The genie is coming out of the bottle and our lives are going to change." "I know," she said happily, "this is really wonderful!" "Should we get started?"

Sandra took a deep breath. "Let's buy it." David grinned, waved a hand, and said, "Welcome home, Mrs. Singer." They walked arm in arm to where Robert Crowther was waiting. "We want it," David told him. "Congratulations. This is one of the most exclusive residential areas in San Francisco. You will be very happy here." "I believe we will." "You're lucky. I have to tell you that we have a few other people who are very interested in it as well." "How much deposit do you want?" "Just pay $10,000 now. I'll have the deed ready. When you sign, we'll take another $60,000. Your bank can write a monthly payment schedule for a twenty or thirty year mortgage surface."

David glanced at Sandra. "Row." "I will prepare the deed." "Can we take a look around again?" Sandra asked eagerly. Crother smiled kindly. "Look at it as long as you like, Mrs. Singer. It's yours." "It all seems like a fantastic dream, David. I can't believe it's real." "It's real." David held her in his arms, "I'm going to make all your dreams come true." "You will, dear." They had been living in a cramped two-bedroom apartment in the Marina area, but with the baby on the way, the house would feel overcrowded.So far, they can't afford a duplex penthouse atop Noble Hill, but Thursday is Qualifying Day for the international law firm, Kim Kaider, Turner, Ross & Ripley, where David works. .From a potential twenty-five candidates, six will be selected into the elite ranks of the corporate partnership.It was agreed that David would be one of the inductees.With offices in San Francisco, New York, London, Paris and Tokyo, Kimcald-Turner-Ross & Ripley International LLP is one of the most prestigious law firms in the world and as such it is often the home of all The preferred destination for graduates of the best law schools.

Companies have a stick-and-carrot policy with their young guys.Senior partners beat them around mercilessly, regardless of their time or their illness, and gave these young lawyers drudgery they themselves did not want to accept.Working around the clock twenty-four hours a day, this is a heavy pressure, this is the wooden stick.Those who survive do so because of a carrot.This carrot is the hope of becoming a partner in the company.Being a partner means a bigger salary, a slice of the huge corporate profit pie, a spacious office with a view, a private bathroom, assignments overseas and all sorts of other things privilege.

David has spent six years as a corporate lawyer at Kimcald, Turner, Ross & Ripley International Law Firm, and it has been a mixed six years.The hours were scary and the pressure was overwhelming, but David was determined not to quit halfway for partner status, so he stuck with it and did a great job.Now the day is finally here. After David and Sandra left the real estate agent, they went shopping.They bought bassinets, high chairs, pushchairs, playpens and baby clothes.They have already decided to name the baby Jeffrey. "Let's buy him some toys," said David. "Too early to buy that." Sandra laughed.

After shopping, they wandered around the city, walking along the waterfront at Girardelli Square, past the cannery to Fisherman's Wharf.They had lunch at "Nightclub America." It's Saturday, and it's San Francisco for those with their monogrammed leather briefcases, power ties, dark suits and discreetly monogrammed shirts A perfect day, a day of power lunches and luxury duplex penthouses.A lawyer's day. ※※※ David and Sandra met three years ago at a small dinner party.David was at the dinner with the daughter of one of his firm's clients.Sandra is a staff assistant to a lawyer working for a rival firm.During dinner, Sandra and David argue over a ruling in a political case in Washington.Others at the table watched as the argument between the two heated up.In the middle of the argument, David and Sandra suddenly realized that neither of them cared about the court's decision.They're just showing off for each other, throwing themselves into this mating dance of language.

The next day, David called Sandra. "I want to continue talking about that ruling," David said. "I think it's important." "I think so too." Sandra agreed. "Let's talk about it at dinner tonight, shall we?" Sandra hesitated.She had already made an appointment for dinner that night. "Okay," she said, "tonight." They've been together since that night.A year after they met, they got married. Joseph King, the firm's senior partner, gave David the weekend off. ※※※ David's salary at the international law firm of Kincaid, Turner, Ross and Ripley was $45,000 a year.Sandra has not quit her job as a paralegal.However, now that the baby is coming, their expenses will increase.

"After a few months, I had to quit my job," Sandra said. "I didn't want a nanny to raise our baby, honey. I wanted to be here with him." Ultrasound scans had revealed the baby was a boy . "We'll handle it," David assured her.Partnership will change their lives. David has started putting in more time.He wanted to make sure he wasn't overlooked on Qualification Day. ※※※ On Thursday morning, David watched the TV news while getting dressed. A news presenter is saying breathlessly: "We have a breaking news...Ashley Paterson, daughter of prominent San Francisco doctor Steven Paterson, as police and federal investigator A serial killer suspect whom the Bureau has been searching for has been apprehended."

David froze in front of the TV. “…Last night, Santa Clara County Sheriff Dowling announced that Ashley Paterson had been arrested in connection with a string of homicides, including a bloody castration. Sheriff Dowling told reporters: ‘There is no doubt , we have the real culprit. The evidence is overwhelming.'” Dr. Steven Paterson.David's thoughts turned back and forth, and the past was vivid in his mind... ※※※ When he was twenty-one, he had just started law school.He came home from get out of class one day to find his mother lying unconscious on the bedroom floor.He called 911, and an ambulance took his mother to San Francisco Memorial Hospital.David waited outside the emergency room until a doctor came to speak to him. "Will she...will she be okay?" The doctor hesitated. "We had one of our cardiologists examine her. She had a ruptured band in her mitral valve." "What does that mean?" David asked. "I'm afraid there's nothing we can do about her. She's too weak for a transplant, and micro-heart surgery is so new that it's too risky." Suddenly David felt like he was going to pass out. "She...how long can she live?" "I'd say it's only a few days, maybe a week. I'm sorry, kid." David stood there, panicked. "Is there no one who can help her?" "I'm afraid not. The only person who might help is Steven Paterson, but he's a very..." "Who is Stie Paterson?" "Dr. Paterson pioneered mini-diffuse heart surgery. But between his schedule and his research, there was no chance..." David is gone. ※※※ He called Dr. Paterson's office from a pay phone in the hospital corridor. "I'd like to make an appointment with Dr. Paterson. It's for my mother, who..." "I'm sorry but we are no longer accepting any new appointments. The earliest we can do this is six months from now." "She won't live six months!" David cried. "I'm sorry. I can introduce you to..." David hung up the phone with a snap. The next morning, David came to Dr. Paterson's office.The waiting room was crowded.David walked up to the receptionist. "I'd like to make an appointment to see Dr. Paterson. My mother is very ill, and..." She looked up at him and said, "You called yesterday, didn't you?" "yes." "I told you then. We don't have any open appointments, and we're not making any appointments right now." "I'll just wait," David said stubbornly. "You can't wait here. The doctor is..." David took a seat.He watched as the people in the waiting room were called into the inner office one by one, until finally he was the only one left. At six o'clock the receptionist said, "There's no point in waiting any longer. Dr. Paterson has gone home." ※※※ That night, David went to visit his mother in the intensive care unit. "You're only here for a minute," a nurse warned him. "She's very weak." David came into the room, his eyes filled with tears.His mother was hooked up to a respirator with tubes inserted into her nostrils.She looked whiter than the sheets on her hospital bed.Her eyes were closed. David moved closer to her and said, "It's me, Mom. I won't let anything happen to you. You'll be fine." Tears rolled down his cheeks. "Did you hear that? We're going to fight this thing. As long as we're together, neither of us can beat the two of us. I'm going to get you the best doctor in the world, don't you lose heart. I'll be back tomorrow .” He leaned down and kissed her gently on the cheek. Will she survive till tomorrow? ※※※ The next afternoon, David came to the basement parking lot of the building where Dr. Paterson's office was located.A parking lot attendant parks a vehicle. He walked up to David. "Can I help you?" "I'm waiting for my wife," said David. "She's seeing Dr. Paterson." The administrator smiled. "He's an amazing guy." "He was just telling us about the luxury car he owns." David paused, trying to remember, "Is it a Cadillac?" The administrator shook his head. "No." He pointed to a Rolls-Royce parked around the corner. "It's a Rolls-Royce parked there." David said, "Yeah. I think he said he also owns a Cadillac." "It doesn't surprise me," said the administrator.He hurried away to park an incoming car. David walked casually towards the Rolls-Royce.When he was sure no one was looking, he opened the door, climbed into the back seat, and lay down on the floor of the car.He lay there curled up and uncomfortable, wishing Dr. Paterson would come out soon. At 6:15, David felt a slight jolt as the front door was opened and someone got into the driver's seat.He heard the engine start and the car started to move. "Good night, Dr. Paterson." "Good night, Marco." The car pulled away from the parking lot and David felt it turn a corner.He waited two minutes, then took a deep breath and sat up. Dr. Paterson saw him in the rearview mirror."If this is a robbery, I don't have cash on me," he said calmly. "Turn onto a side street and pull over to the curb." Dr. Paterson nodded.David watched carefully as the doctor turned the car into a side street and pulled it to a sidewalk. "I'll give you all the cash I've got on me," Dr. Paterson said. "You can drive the car away. There's no need for violence. If..." David was already in the front seat. "It's not a robbery. I don't want a car." Dr. Paterson was looking at him angrily. "Then what exactly do you want?" "My name is Singh. My mother is dying. I want you to save her." A look of relief flashed across Dr. Paterson's face, which was replaced by anger. "Make an appointment to find me..." "No time for damn appointments," David yelled. "She's going to die, and I don't want that to happen." Fighting to control himself, he said, "Please. The other doctors told me you're our only hope." Dr. Paterson was still watching him alertly. "What's her problem?" "She had... a ruptured zone in her mitral valve. Those doctors were afraid to operate. They said you were the only one who could save her life." Dr. Paterson shook his head. "My schedule..." "I don't care about your fucking schedule! This is my mother. You have to save her! She's the only one I have..." There was a long silence.David sat there with his eyes closed.He heard Dr. Paterson's voice. "I make no promises, but I will go and see her. Where is she?" David turned to look at him. "She's in the intensive care unit at San Francisco Memorial Hospital." "Meet me there at eight o'clock tomorrow morning." David was speechless, "I don't know how to..." "Remember, I make no promises. And I don't appreciate being scared to death, young man. Next time, try calling." David sat there, motionless. Dr. Paterson looked at him. "What's up?" "still have a question." "Really?" "I... I don't have money. I'm a law student and I worked my way to law school." Dr. Paterson was staring at him. Davy said emotionally, "I swear, I'll find a way to repay you. If it takes me my whole life, I'll make sure you get it too. I understand your fees are expensive, and I..." "I don't think you can, kid." "I have no one else to turn to, Dr. Paterson. I... I'm begging you." There was another silence. "How many years have you been in law school?" "Less than a year. I'm just getting started." "But you expect to be able to pay for everything?" "I swear." "Get out!" ※※※ When David got home, he was sure he was going to be arrested by the police, charged with kidnapping, threats of bodily harm, God only knew what.But nothing happened.The only question left in his mind was whether Dr. Paterson would show up at the hospital. ※※※ When David walked into the intensive care unit the next morning, Dr. Paterson was already there, examining David's mother. David watched, his heart beating violently and his throat dry. Dr. Paterson turned to one of the group of doctors who were standing there. "Take her to the operating room, Al. Immediately!" "What's going to happen to her?" David said hoarsely as they began to gently lower David's mother onto the gurney. "We'll see." ※※※ Six hours later, David was in the waiting room when Dr. Paterson walked up to him. David jumped to his feet. "How?" He was afraid to finish asking this question. "She'll be all right. Your mother was a strong lady." David stood there, filled with an uncontrollable sense of relief.He prayed silently: Thank you, God. Dr. Paterson was watching him. "I don't even know your name." "David, sir." "Well, Mr. David, do you know why I decided to do this?" "No……" "Two reasons. Your mother's situation is a challenge for me. I like challenges. The second reason is you." "I... I don't understand." "You did the kind of thing I might have done myself when I was younger. You showed imagination. Now..." His tone changed. "You said you'd pay me back." David's heart sank. "Yes, sir. Someday..." "What about now?" David stammered, "Now?" "I'm going to make a deal with you. Do you know how to drive?" "Yes, sir……" "Okay. I'm tired of driving around in that big car. You drive me to work every morning and pick me up at six or seven every evening. One year. At the end of the year, I'll consider my diagnosis Paid off..." That's the deal.David drove Dr. Paterson to the office and home every day, and in exchange, Dr. Paterson saved David's mother's life. During that year, David learned to respect Dr. Paterson.Aside from the doctor's occasional tantrum, he was the most unselfish person David had ever known.He is active in charity work and dedicates his spare time to a number of free clinics.During the drive to and from the office or the hospital, he and David had long conversations. "What law are you studying, David?" "criminal law." "Why? So you can help those bloody villains get away with it?" "No, sir. There are many innocent people under the law who need help. I want to help them." When the year was over, Dr. Paterson shook David's hand and said, "We're even." ※※※ David hadn't seen Steven Paterson in years, but he kept seeing his name in the papers. "Dr. Steven Paterson runs a free clinic for AIDS-infected babies..." "Dr Steven Paterson arrived in Kenya today to inaugurate the Paterson Medical Center..." "Work begins today on the Paterson Charity Shelter..." He seems to be everywhere, giving his time and his money to those who need him. "David. Are you okay?" Sandra's voice woke David up from his contemplation. He turns away from the TV. "They just arrested Steven Paterson's daughter for those serial murders." Sandra said: "That's really bad. I'm so sorry, darling." "He gave my mother seven extra years of wonderful life. It's just not fair that anything like that happened to a man like him. He was the most amazing gentleman I've ever known, Sandra. It's not what he deserves How did he have such a monster daughter?" He glanced at his watch, "Damn it! I'm going to be late." "You haven't had breakfast yet." "I'm too annoyed, I don't want to eat." He glanced at the TV, "This...and today's partner qualification day..." "You'll get it. There's no question about that." "There's always going to be a problem with that, dear. Every year, someone seems to be on the safe side and ends up being the loser." She hugged him and said, "They will be lucky to have you." He bowed his head and kissed her. "Thanks, honey. I don't know what I could do without you." "You never disappoint. You'll call me as soon as you hear, won't you, David?" "Of course I will. We're going to go out and celebrate." The words echoed in his head.Years ago, he had said the same to others: "We're going to go out and celebrate." But he killed her. ※※※ The offices of the international law firm Kimcald-Turner-Ross & Ripley occupy three floors of the Transamerica Pyramid building in downtown San Francisco.People who knew David Singer greeted him with smiles as he walked through the doors.It seemed to him that there was even a different meaning in their "good morning".They knew they were greeting a future partner in the firm. On the way to his small office, David passed the newly renovated office that was to belong to the newly chosen partner, and he couldn't help looking inside for a moment.It was a large, handsome office with a private washroom, a desk and chairs, and faced a picture window with a sweeping view of the bay.He stood there for a while, trying to absorb it. When David walked into his office, Holly, his secretary, said, "Good morning, Mr. Singer." There was a lilt in her voice. "Good morning, Holly." "I have a message for you." "yes?" "Mr. Jin Kaide will meet you in his office at five o'clock." She smiled brightly. So it's actually happening. "great!" She approached David and said, "I think I should also tell you that I had coffee this morning with Dorothy, Mr. King's secretary, and she said you were at the top of the list." David grinned. "Thanks, Holly." "Would you like some coffee?" "OK." "It's hot and thick, and it's coming right away." David walked over to his desk.Desks are piled high with briefings, contracts and files. Today is the day.finally. "Mr. Kim will meet you in his office at five o'clock...you are at the top of the list." He wanted so badly to call Sandra to tell her the news, but something seemed to stop him from doing so.I'm going to wait until it does happen, he thought. ※※※ David spent the next two hours working on the material on his desk.At eleven o'clock, Holly came in. "There's a Dr. Paterson here to see you. He doesn't have any appointments..." He looked up in surprise. "Dr. Paterson here?" "yes." David stood up. "Please come in." Steven Paterson came in, and David tried to hide his feelings.The doctor looked old and tired. "Hello, David." "Dr. Paterson, please, sit down." David watched him slowly settle into a chair. "I watched the news this morning. I... I can't tell you how sorry I am." Dr. Paterson nodded wearily. "Yes. It was a huge blow." He looked up. "I need your help." "Of course," said David eagerly, "anything I can do. Anything." "I want you to represent Ashley." It took David a moment to really understand what this meant. "I...I can't do this. I'm not a criminal defense attorney." Dr. Paterson looked him in the eye and said, "Ashley is not a criminal." "I...you don't understand, Dr. Paterson. I'm a corporate lawyer. I can recommend an eminent..." "I've had several calls from top criminal defense attorneys. They all want to represent her." He leaned forward in his chair. "But they're not interested in my daughter, David. It's a high-profile case, and it's publicity they're looking for. They don't care about her. I do. She's the only family I have." "I asked you to save my mother's life. She was the only one I had," said David. "I really wanted to help you, but..." "When you graduated from law school, you first worked for a criminal law firm." David's heart started beating faster. "That's right, but..." "You've been a criminal defense attorney for several years." David nodded. "Yes, but I... I dropped it. It was a long time ago, and..." "It wasn't that long, David. You told me how much you loved it. Why did you give it up and go into corporate law?" David sat there, silent for a long time. "It doesn't matter." Dr. Paterson took out a handwritten letter and handed it to David.David knew what was written on it without reading it. Dai Dui stared at the letter, turning a blind eye. "David, would you like to talk to Ashley?" David nodded. "Yes, of course I'll talk to her, but I..." Dr. Paterson stood up. "Thank you." David watched him walk out the door. ※※※ "Why did you give up and change to corporate law?" Because I made a mistake and an innocent woman I loved so much died.I swore that I would never take anyone's life into my own hands again.forever. I cannot defend Ashley Paterson. David pressed the button on the intercom. "Holly, can you ask Mr. Kim if he can see me now?" "Yes, sir." ※※※ Twenty minutes later, David walked into the exquisite offices opened by Joseph King.Jin Kai is in his sixties, physically, psychologically and emotionally, he is a person with a single gray tone. "Look at you," said David, when he came in the door, "you're a young man who can't wait, aren't you? Our meeting isn't until five o'clock." David approached the desk. "I know. I'm here to talk about something else, Joseph." A few years ago, Davy had called him Joe by mistake, and the old man had lost his temper. "Stop calling me Joe." "Sit down, David." David sat down. "Cigars? These are Cuban." "no thanks." "Do you have any idea?" "Dr. Steven Paterson just came to see me." Jin Kaide said: "He was on the news this morning. What a fucking shame. What did he want from you?" "He asked me to defend his daughter." Jin Kai looked at David in surprise. "You're not a criminal defense attorney." "I told him that." "That's fine." Jin Kaide thought for a moment, "You know, I want Dr. Lapaterson to come over as our client. He is very influential. He can bring a lot of business to our company. He has a relationship with several companies. Medical establishments are connected, they..." "One more thing." Jin Kaide looked at David inquiringly. "Oh?" "I promised him that I would go and talk to his daughter." "I see. Well, I guess there's no harm in that. Talk to her, and we'll get a good defense attorney to represent her." "That's my plan, too." "Okay. We'll establish some contact with him. You just go." He smiled slightly. "I'll see you at five o'clock." "Okay. Thank you, Joseph." When David walked back to his office, he was puzzled: Why on earth did Dr. Paterson insist that I represent his daughter?