“I was told you had a rather detailed discussion with her about what you’d like to do to her.”
“Well, so the hell what? She’s an adult. All she has to do is say no. I’ve never forced myself on any woman, and I have no intention of starting now,” he spat, standing in anger. “You know what? I’ve had it. I want her fired!” he said as he began pacing.
Thinking she had to play this one carefully as his ego was involved, she nodded. “That’s what I thought you’d say. She left the firm an hour ago. She signed a release and—”
“I hope you had her sign a nondisclosure agreement as well.”
“Yes, of course. She was also escorted out of the building by the security team,” Dr. Natarajan finished. She decided not to tell Billy about the amount the firm had agreed to pay her to get her to sign the release. He’d see that soon enough. “Good work. I don’t want anyone in the firm who needs to be coddled. If she can’t withstand a bit of harmless attention, she certainly wouldn’t have been able to handle high-stakes negotiations. Good God, can you imagine the problems she would have caused if one of our clients gave her a few compliments?” Shaking his head as if agreeing with himself, he picked up his glasses to return to work. “It always works out for the best.”
“I’m glad you’re pleased,” the doctor responded, working to hide her disbelief at how utterly clueless he was at the impropriety of his conduct. Of course, she had no empathy for these simpering, spoiled American girls. While I began my childhood begging for food and money in the streets of Mumbai, they grew up with every opportunity and now whined about a few unwanted advances, she thought, recalling where she had come from.
“Is there something else?” Billy asked, surprised she hadn’t made any move to leave.
The doctor mentally shrugged back to the present and silently reminded herself to be grateful. “Actually, there is.”
“Well, what is it?”
“When you, Trever, and Adam hired me, it was to develop a cradle-to-grave system to ensure the three of you always kept control of the firm. That system had to keep highly motivated and talented people at the firm without becoming frustrated they weren’t becoming partners. I think the product I developed has been quite successful.”
“Without question. You know how highly we value you and your service to the firm.” Billy gave her a half-salute. “In fact, on your way out, talk to my assistant. The two of you can organize a celebratory dinner of sorts for the four of us. It’s certainly overdue.” Billy pushed the intercom, signaling Sherrie to come into his office.
Undaunted, the doctor continued, “You did not, however, hire me to run around behind you to pick up after your sexual indiscretions.”
When his assistant walked in, he kept his eyes glued to the doctor’s and snarled at Sherrie, “Get out!” Billy stood, poured himself some of the room temperature water he insisted be kept on his desk, and walked over to sit next to the doctor. Working to regain control of his temper, he used his best calming voice and asked, “What is it you want?”
“I want to be a shareholder in the firm. I’m as much a part of this firm as the three of you. I’ve been here from the beginning, and but for me handling your indiscretions, you would be hanging from the highest me-too tree in the land by now.”
Billy was not surprised by her request. He’d expected it years ago. He was, however, concerned about her implied threat.
“I had no idea you felt such motherly concern for the women of the firm.”
Understanding that Billy was chumming the waters of her past trying to get her to bite, she sat in silence. She’d long ago psychoanalyzed the three of them and knew how to push their respective buttons. It was almost comical that Billy thought he could out-do her expertise. Billy’s weakness was his constant need of adoration, particularly from women. When he didn’t get it, he’d react inappropriately by lashing out with rash comments or wild decisions.
“Fine, but—” he began, after about thirty seconds of silence.
“Fine,” she interrupted. “Ten percent should do the trick.”
Billy jumped up out of his chair and threw the glass across the room. Within seconds of it smashing against the wall, his office door flew open, and his assistant appeared again. “Are you okay? I thought—”
Billy screamed, “Don’t think. Get out!” Turning to the doctor with a beet-red face, he leaned over her, placing one hand on his desk and the other on the arm of her chair. “You must have lost your mind. That amount would disrupt the firm and the current order. I’ll give you 2 percent of the firm’s profit, but you can never be a shareholder of the firm. That’s out of the question.”
“That won’t work. I’ll start at 5 percent and work up to ten over the next five years. And, I’ll agree not to be a shareholder, as long as I receive the dollar equivalent to the percent we’ve agreed to. Take it or leave it.”
Billy knew he was in a hard spot. “Fine. But, there are conditions. You will never ask for more money or a larger share. If you do, your discharge will be immediate, and you’ll need to repay your profit share. You’ll also have to sign a nondisclosure and confidentiality agreement. I assume we have a deal.” Billy was not asking.
“We have a deal,” Dr. Natarajan said, leaning forward with an outstretched hand.
Ignoring her hand, Billy walked back around his desk, put his glasses on, turned back to his work, and without looking, ordered, “Now, get out of my office. Oh, and one more thing,” Billy said, pausing. Looking into her eyes, he continued, “Don’t ever lecture me about my conduct again. I promise, you won’t like the response.”
Annoyed with his attitude and that she would not be a shareholder, but satisfied that she would be incredibly rich, Dr. Natarajan turned to leave, without a care in the world for the women who would walk into this office and be helplessly molested at his hands.
CHAPTER
45
“VICTORIA!” ROBERT GREETED her with a hug. “How was the trip? How’d your argument go? Wow, I hate to say it, but you look like death warmed over.”
“Well, thank you, Robert. I feel much better now that you’ve confirmed I look the way I feel. What a charmer you are. Do you use that same honesty with all the women you date? I bet it really seals the deal in the bedroom,” Victoria quipped. As they waited to be seated, Victoria glanced at her reflection in the restaurant mirror. “Oh. My. God! I knew I didn’t look great this morning, but I certainly did not have these two giant bags under my eyes. They’re big enough to hold groceries!”
Robert enjoyed watching her turn her head from side to side in the mirror. “What, may I ask, are you doing?”
Without taking her eyes off the mirror, she retorted, “I am trying to see if I really look this bad or if it’s just a weird angle.”
“I’m not touching that one,” Robert said under his breath, leaving Victoria to wrestle with her insecurities while he used his family connections with the staff to get them seated in the sought-after fireplace room. “Come on. Move away from the mirror for your own safety,” he joked as he turned her to follow the host to their table.
“This is perfect,” Victoria sighed, feeling the warmth from the fire begin to seep into her bones. “Thank you.”
Robert looked at her with affection. “You’re more than welcome. But did I have a choice?”
“No, of course not. But I appreciate that you capitulated,” she said, giving his arm an affectionate pat. “I really am thankful to you and Kat for putting so much effort into my case. I hope you know Sophia and I consider you family. If there is ever anything you need, you have only to ask.”
“I know, and I feel the same. While I wasn’t sure what to think when you two first walked into my office, it was one of the best things that could have happened to me. Sophia’s connections alone have brought in a ton of new clients. She really is a wonder.”
Victoria smiled fondly. “I have no idea what I’d do without her. Cheers to Sophia,” Vi
ctoria said as she and Robert clinked water glasses. Picking up her menu, Victoria glanced longingly at its contents. “There’s something almost blasphemous about toasting with water. I’m done working for the day and intend to head home to sleep as soon as we’re finished, so I’m ordering wine to go along with the Kat-inspired giant steak I intend to eat.” Using every last ounce of her dwindling ability to concentrate, Victoria focused on Robert and asked, “What did you want to discuss?”
“I’m way ahead of you,” Robert said, nodding appreciatively at the waiter stepping up to their table to showcase the wine Robert had prearranged. Robert took a sip, nodded to the waiter, and watched while Victoria took a sip.
“Perfect,” Victoria sighed with appreciation.
“I’m glad you approve,” Robert said with some amusement, knowing Victoria’s wine palate was totally unrefined. He could have ordered the cheapest of wines and her response would have been the same. Taking a piece of paper out of his breast pocket, Robert unfolded it while he spoke. “We received the investigator’s report while you were gone.”
“And?”
“And it’s not as robust as I’d expect.”
Victoria put her wine down, figuring she should try a bit of restraint judging by how jet-lagged she felt, or she’d be sloshed at half a glass. At the very least, she wanted to make it through the steak she’d been craving since about her third day in Hong Kong. “What does that mean? Why not, and what did you expect?”
“Take a look.” Robert handed the report across the table. Watching Victoria open it, he explained. “Typically, I’d get a rundown on at least 90 percent of the subjects.”
“Wait. What?” Victoria shook her head. “I’m sorry. It’s been awhile since I’ve been involved in the details of my case. What was he looking for?”
“It’s amazing what a few trips on a private plane can do to a once-brilliant mind,” Robert said jokingly. “Witnesses, Victoria. We need them for your case. I want to get as many women as possible to testify about their experiences at the firm. I’m betting that if we talk with these women, we’ll find a significant number were asked to leave or were given offers they couldn’t refuse.”
“Right. So, why’s the list so short?”
“Exactly the point. This is an anomaly. I’ve never gotten this kind of response in the past.”
“I assume you spoke with the investigator?” Victoria asked, handing it back.
Nodding, Robert replied, “He said the assignment has been difficult because of the firm’s lack of information about the women.”
“Shouldn’t he be able to track their social security or social media or something to come up with information. I’m no expert, but it seems to me that investigators should, well, investigate. The lack of forwarding information should be the beginning of his job, not the end, shouldn’t it?” Victoria asked.
“I’ve used this guy for years, and he’s always been spot on. I didn’t grill him because I trust his methods and he promised to continue looking. We were supposed to have a follow-up call, but he’s been nonresponsive, which isn’t at all like him. However, Kat and I have an idea we want to run by you. If it works, we won’t need an investigator. I’d like to ask that you find your one ounce of patience and summon it forward while I explain.”
Victoria looked quizzically at Robert. “Shoot.”
“Here,” Robert handed a folded paper across the table.
Victoria unfolded the document, disappeared behind it for a minute, then folded it up and handed it back. “No,” she said as she picked up the menu again. “Now, I’m absolutely famished. Let’s at least get our appetizer orders in while we decide what we want for dinner, or whatever meal it is here. How does fried calamari sound? After that, I intend to continue with the Chicago heart-healthy plan of a ginormous steak, sautéed mushrooms, and a double baked potato with absolutely everything on it.”
“Victoria, at least let me give you our reasons.” Robert ignored her plea for food. “Stop rolling your eyes and sighing.
We’ve put our hearts and souls into thinking about this, so stop acting like a spoiled child and let me finish.”
“Well, when you frame it so nicely, how can I do anything other than listen?” Victoria responded, recognizing that she sounded like an ungrateful brat, but unable to stop herself.
“We want to run this as an online announcement with the three most popular news sources in the country. We expect doing so will draw national attention to the lawsuit and to Acker, Smith & McGowen and force them to the table to discuss settlement so the bad publicity will stop. Many of the companies they represent insist on diversity within their vendors, and that includes the lawyers they hire. They’ll get calls from some major clients demanding they fix the situation, or they’ll find another firm to handle their work. As you pointed out at our meeting a while ago, knocking them off their game is a good thing, and this will do that. Finally, it’s the best shot we’ve got to find witnesses.”
“Robert, I really appreciate the thought you and Kat put into this, and, more importantly, I recognize how out of the box even suggesting something like this is for you. But…” pausing for a moment, Victoria began to reconsider Robert’s idea. After all, she was the one who suggested they interject a third rail into this case rather than languish on the three-year trial track. “Okay. I’m thinking. Where are you planning to run this?”
Robert’s smile did a wicked dance as he handed her a list. “The largest news sources in New York, Chicago, and LA,” he spoke quietly as if he’d just revealed a national secret. “I see I’ve stunned you into silence. Never seen you at a loss for words before. I bet you wish you’d thought of it yourself,” he finished, beaming.
Sitting back in her chair, Victoria took a long sip of wine and sighed. Not only was she exhausted and jet-lagged, but she’d had a difficult time in court. She and her opposing counsel had been randomly chosen to play along with the judge’s personal game of Tag, You’re Screwed. The rules were simple. Out of nowhere, the judge would start to screw with his chosen prey. The goal then, for the unlucky lawyer, was to divert the judge’s attention to his or her opponent, or to someone else in the courtroom (hard to do but well worth it if you could swing it). Kind of like a game of tag, except it wasn’t fun and your reputation and livelihood might be negatively affected. There were a number of legendary tales about the game. One that had always scared Victoria was that the judge had arrested one of his chosen prey for contempt of court for shouting in the courtroom even though the judge had repeatedly told the lawyer to speak up. Nothing was off limits, or so the legend warned.
Luckily, Victoria had been just tired enough and in no mood to take shit from anyone that she’d had no problem throwing her opposing counsel under the bus, and the judge’s focus remained on him for the rest of their argument.
“What are you thinking?” Robert asked, concerned by her uncharacteristic silence.
“I’m thinking about how lucky I was in court.”
Robert began laughing. “Ah, it was your turn today. Tell me,” he said, looking forward to a good story as he grabbed doughy, warm bread from the basket, slathered it with butter, and handed it to her so she wouldn’t pass out.
Victoria recanted her experience and ended with, “Honestly, I’d heard about it but never seen it. One minute you’re arguing before a lucid, brilliant judge, and the next, you’re in a fight for your professional life.”
After a pause, Victoria said, “Robert, to be completely transparent, I’m not sure how I feel about my personal situation being thrust onto the national stage. I just want to get it done and make a change so others don’t have to go through what I did.”
“I understand, but think about it realistically. How are you going to make a change if no one knows about it? It’s kind of like the philosophical thought ‘if a tree falls in the forest and no one’s there, does it make a sound?’ If you make a change and no one knows about it, how does that help any
one? Almost always in these cases, the plaintiff receives a settlement offer that is conditional on her signing a confidentiality and nondisclosure agreement. Of course, the bad actor suffers no repercussion, and the improper conduct continues unchecked. In a sense, it’s almost as if the bad actor is emboldened since he’s gotten away with it and is free to continue on his merry way.”
Victoria sighed again, rubbing her eyes as her exhaustion began to amplify. “I understand your point and it’s a valid one. I need some time to think it over. I’m too tired to decide now.”
“Fair enough,” Robert answered. “Now, let’s get that steak before you pass out.”
CHAPTER
46
SHE SAT IN her car and waited, watching the dark grey clouds move in ominously from the west. Huge, billowing puffs of power marched across the sky, hungrily devouring the blue that had been there throughout the day.
Gretchen had lived in the same town her whole life and could always tell when a storm was coming well before the sky revealed the slightest hint. When she was a child, she used to look up at the sky, tilt her head back, and announce to her family on the bluest of blue, sunny days that a storm was coming. Everyone would laugh at how cute she was, predicting the weather. But by the fifth or sixth dead-on forecast, while they thought it odd, her family shrugged their collective mental shoulders and thereafter relied on her for all things weather.
A fist suddenly slammed against her driver’s side window. “Goddamn it!” she yelped and turned to glare at the perpetrator as the coffee she’d been holding dribbled down the front of her formerly crisp white blouse. James mouthed sorry as he walked around the front of her car. Gretchen unlocked the passenger-side door and growled, “Really? You can’t just walk up to my car like a normal human? You’ve got to pound your fist against the glass?”
Private Agendas: A Victoria Rodessa Legal Thriller Page 19
