Chapter Text
Johnny took another hit of the cigarette, once again looking through the documents he was holding. In front of him sat an old lady, to whom he had to speak so loudly, he almost shouted, and a young girl, no older than 15; a grandmother and her granddaughter, facing troubles with inheriting the house after the girl’s father passed away. The property was said to be hers, as of a will her late father left, managed by her legal guardian, the older woman until she came of age. However the man’s second wife claimed the right to it, undermining the man’s sanity in his last months, and in case the court ruled in her favour, both women would face homelessness.
“Good news, Mrs. and Miss Scott, looking at the late Mr. Scott’s medical records, there are no notes about him being in any way unable to make conscious decisions. The doctors agree that he was well aware of his surroundings, state of health, and identity. It’s really a lost case for Mrs. Scott, if I were you I would not worry at all”
“Thank God” the old lady let out a breath she was holding for probably an hour or so. “And thank you, Mr. Joestar, you have no idea how difficult it is for a poor old woman like me. I just want what’s best for my beloved Dorothy. This poor little thing has gone through so much…” she held the hand of the girl, who was now looking out of the window.
Johnny, who never considered himself to any extent empathetic, actually felt bad for Dorothy. He could sympathise with her pain as he himself lost his mother when he was little, leaving the void that would probably never fully disappear. The girl was so lost - growing up, losing his father, fighting a legal battle against her stepmother. All that combined was too much to handle for someone who was merely a child. He noticed how she didn’t speak at all, lost in her own thoughts. He thought about Margaret, whom she in some way resembled. When they had met, they were around Dorothy’s age. He wondered what she was up to now. Her father called, informing that she disappeared somewhere, asking if he knew anything. Johnny just said he had no idea, told him about the strange conversation they had had, how she had broken off their engagement - of course mr. Campbell had not known of that.
He walked the two women to the door of his office, exchanging polite greetings, and finally was alone. He left out a deep sigh, before collapsing on his chair. Off the desk he picked up matches and a pack of cigarettes, lighting one up. Hardly had he inhaled the smoke when he heard a knock on the door.
“Come in” he straightened up as Earl entered the room.
“Hello, how are you feeling today?”
“Ah, for an old man like me, not that bad” the older Joestar sat on a chair in front of Johnny.
“I have a dinner with a client tonight and I wish you would come with me. We’ve been working together for decades, and as you know, I will be retiring soon so I want you to be well informed about all our clients before I leave the firm to you”
“Alright then, if that’s what you want, uncle, I’ll go with you”
“Great. We’ll be leaving at 5. And Johnny?”
“Yes?”
“It is a difficult case. Not in the way of being complicated, it’s more of a moral matter” “
Who is this man then? Some kind of a criminal?”
“Even criminals have the right to an attorney and fair judgment in court. We, the lawyers, are not to judge”
“I understand, I have represented criminals before, but something is telling me he’s no ordinary offender and you’re not saying all about it”
“You’ll see, Johnny, and you’ll learn. You’re still young and don’t understand each and every thing in the world” the old man got up with a grunt. “I have to go now, your aunt is waiting with the coffee”
“Sure” Johnny replied absentmindedly, putting out the cigarette which he had barely even touched. His thoughts were occupied, trying to understand Earl’s weird behavior. Did it have anything to do with the Zeppeli guy in the alleyway a few days ago? Why did that strange man, whom he saw killing another person with his two own eyes, knew and mentioned his uncle? Was it somehow connected to the client they were meeting later that day? So many questions, destined to be left unanswered, at least for now.
About quarter past five they reached a huge mansion, surrounded by a tall fence. Johnny stopped before the gate, when two men walked up to open it.
“Good afternoon, mr. Joestar” they greeted Earl and he nodded his head.
Johnny parked between too luxurious cars, each costing probably more than he has ever earned in his life, even considering the great profits he and his uncle had made so far. He exited the car and opened passenger door for Earl, who had been having various mobility problems lately. They walked to the door, greeted by the doorman. When they entered, a man around Earl’s age in a brown suit approached him and gave him a warm embrace.
“My dear friend, how happy I am to see you”
“So am I, Gregorio, meet my nephew, Jonathan. I intend to leave him my business”
“God did not bless you with a son, ah? Only daughter after daughter. He’s your brother’s son? yes? Gregorio Zeppeli, nice to meet you” he shook Johnny’s hand firmly. Zeppeli? Johnny froze for a moment. The same last name as the man in the alley…
“Nice to meet you too, mr. Zeppeli” he smiled politely, trying to hide his emotions, an art in which he was frankly amazing. He even managed to keep his facade when he saw him
“And this is my eldest son, Julius” Gregorio introduced the man who walked up to them. Johnny really had to put effort into keeping his expression neutral. The other man seemed to agree on pretending they had never seen each other before.
”Nice to meet both of you” he shook Earl’s hand first, and then Johnny’s. Julius’ handshake was as firm as his father’s but Johnny did not notice striking resemblance between the father and the son. His piercing green eyes filled Johnny with anxiety. There was just something wild and untameable about them. He brushed it off, trying to maintain his calm. He had just entered the Zeppeli menion mere minutes ago, and he already wanted to leave, and preferably never appear there again.