Excerpt from Power of Attorney: The Novel

“Okay, nobody panic!” Mindy said, sounding panicky. “I’ll handle this. You just go along with whatever I say.” She walked over to the door and swung it open with a smile. “Mindy Margolis, FOX News. What can I do for you, officer?”

“I’m Patrolman Douglas. We’ve received some reports of strange activity in your building. Can I come in for a moment to ask you some questions?”

“Of course,” Mindy said standing aside as the cop walked into the room. “But I can’t believe that there would be any strange activity in this building.”

“Right,” Douglas said eyes resting first on Trog’s bloody nostril plugs and then moving on to my plastic-encased head.

“We’re having a costume party,” Mindy explained.

“And what are you dressed as?” the cop asked looking at her.

“A reporter,” she said as if it were obvious.

“Right.” He removed a small notepad from his pocket. “A few of the neighbors reported some strangers in the building; maybe it was your … guests but they said they were visiting someone named Vivian.”

“That’s my middle name,” Mindy explained.

“Your name is Mindy Vivian Smith-Jones Margolis?” he asked.

“Yes. That’s right. It’s a family name.”

“And they’re here for a party?”

“Yes, it’s my birthday.”

“I thought you said it’s a costume party.”

“It is. It’s a costume birthday party.”

“Your neighbor, Mr. Fleischman in 3C says that he found them in his apartment.”

“They got the wrong address.”

“Hiding in his bedroom.”

“It’s a surprise costume birthday party.”

“You threw yourself a surprise party?”

“Yeah, well, I’ve never had one before.”

“Mr. Fleischman also said that someone kicked him.”

“Well, they thought he was a burglar.”

“He was dressed in his underwear at the time.”

“And a flasher.”

“Okay then,” Patrolman Douglas said resignedly. He had obviously decided that whatever was going on, he didn’t really want to know. “Can’t wait to write this one up,” he added under his breath as he turned and walked back out the door.