Chapter 41 – At the Quotidian

Martin Jones was at his desk, surrounded by piles of papers. There was a pen in his hand, but it was mostly a toy he tapped against his cheek while he read over his work.

His ears dimly registered that someone was calling his name, but since it wasn’t his boss screaming at him, it didn’t seem worth acknowledging.

He was forced to look up when an insistent finger thumped down on his shoulder several times.

“Yes, yes. What?”

“Is that how you greet a friend?”

Martin Jones rose to his feet to get a better look at the man behind him. “Do I know you, sir?”

“Maybe I exaggerate. We aren’t precisely friends, but we have met at least once at Jester, and I’ve written to you about one or two of your articles.”

A card appeared in the man’s gloved hand. Jones took it.

“My name in writing might be more recognizable to you. It’s Professor Zane Pearson.”

Jones glanced from the card, to the man, to the two or three co-workers around him who were discreetly listening to the exchange from their desks.

“Yes. Of course. Forgive me, Professor. I would never have expected you to show up at a time like this.”

“Are you busy?”

“Well, actually, yes!”

“Good. Then I’m sure you’ll answer my question without wasting any time.”

Jones waved a hand. “Ohh, no. No. I’d rather not answer any questions from you.”

“That’s a mite bit hypocritical, wouldn’t you say? The reporter can’t stand his own medicine!”

Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author’s preferred platform and support their work!

“You have me, Professor. That’s it in a nutshell. The exit is that way.”

“But you haven’t answered my question.”

“That was…kind of the point.”

“Shall we call them liability emptors? Every city has them. I’m afraid I’m not familiar with them myself, so I was wondering if you could tell me where I might find them.”

Martin Jones rolled the phrase around in his head. “Liability emptor? Why would you want to know a thing like that?”

Pearson laughed through his nose. “Oh, now the reporter has questions! Mr. Jones, this is all public knowledge that any good citizen could find out with a little careful inquiry. The only reason I came to you is because I thought it might be faster.”

“But they can’t possibly have anything you want.”