Karaoke Kids Part Twelve I suppose you have to be an expert in property law to work this out. And if I don�t understand some of it, Susanna won�t either. So I make a couple of calls, one to my lawyer, one to the firm he recommends. Then I make a third call. The messenger arrives a few minutes later. I hear him in Margaret�s office and she comes in a second later. �Leo, did you order a messenger?� �Yeah. Here.� I hand her the folder in an envelope, the law firm�s address written across it. The messenger knew anyway. The name is just for Margaret�s benefit. She would spend from now until eternity trying to get from me where the messenger was going if I hadn�t. And, right now, I�m not in the mood for Margaret�s inquisitiveness. ***************** I can�t work out who is standing outside the lawyer�s office when I arrive. Not John, that much is certain. �Ms Whitaker? Hi, I�m Eric Fenn. Your lawyer asked me to take over your case. I specialise in landlord and tenant disputes.� I have to ask. �And how does he know you?� �Leo McGarry recommended me.� He opens the door for me and we walk in. I�m fighting conflicting emotions. Part of me is pleased to have someone in an expensive suit who obviously knows what they�re doing. But part of me resents Leo�s, albeit well-intentioned, interference. But there isn�t time for anything more as the lawyer�s secretary shows us into his office. Fifteen minutes later, we emerge. I have no idea how, but we won. Well, I mean�I don�t know what I mean. I didn�t do anything except sign two documents. One which gave me an indefinite lease on the night-club premises and a second acknowledges Leo McGarry as my new landlord. The lawyer did at least explain that Leo�s offer was slightly higher than the developers�, and the landlord decided to take it. Exactly how much higher, he wouldn�t say. Still slightly shell-shocked, I allow Mr Fenn to buy me a coffee. I want a drink, but I settle for a coffee. I can�t stop my hand shaking, and, eventually, after I spill most of it, Eric Fenn says: �Just be grateful Mr McGarry�s on your side. I wouldn�t like to make an enemy of that man.� �I suppose I have to go to the White House and thank him.� �Is that a good idea?� His legal brain is working out the likely reaction if I turn up at the gate and demand to see the White House Chief of Staff. I smile. �Probably not.� �Call him.� 'I�ll do that. When I�m a little calmer.� �Can I drop you somewhere?� I don�t have to think too hard. �Back at the club please.�<br>We finish our coffees, and he walks me back to his car. It�s a slightly older version of Leo�s. I wonder how much he�s being paid to buy me coffee and chauffeur me around. Then I realise - I don�t care. The club is safe. ******************* As I walk through the door, I see Leo sitting in his usual spot at the bar. He�s poured two glasses of the non-alcoholic sparkling stuff I gave him the first time he came. Mickey comes across. �Congratulations. I�m off out for a while. I�ll be back for opening, okay?� I know what he�s doing, and I appreciate it. I smile, close to tears, and I hug him. �Thank you.� �You should be nice to your new landlord. Maybe he�ll drop the rent.� I laugh and Mickey walks out. �Thank you.� Leo hands me one of the glasses and we knock them gently together. �I always wanted to own a night-club.� �Would you like a guided tour of your new acquisition?�<br>�Sure. Later. I have to get back to work.� �Will your boss be angry that you left early?� Leo laughs. �I don�t think he�ll even have noticed I�ve gone.� Continued In Part Thirteen Home