Private Agendas: A Victoria Rodessa Legal Thriller

by Katherine Smith Dedrick

  “Well, people will judge me. They’ll think I deserved to be fired and that this is just sour grapes. I’ll be known throughout the country as that girl who was fired from one of the largest international firms for accusing the founders of wrongdoing when they are known for diversity and helping women. I’ll lose all my clients and never be hired again, destroying my dream of being a lawyer. Do you want more?”

  “Is there more?” Kat asked with a smile.

  Victoria smiled back. “No, not really. I think that about covers it.”

  “Okay. Let’s look at those things. First, instead of losing clients the moment this goes public, you’re gaining some heavy hitters. Second, you don’t need to be hired by anyone again because you opened your own firm, which is doing very well. And in less than a year, you’ll be opening a second office in California—”

  Victoria put her hand on Kat’s arm to stop her. “Wait. How do you know about that?”

  “Jenny told me. Is that a problem?”

  “Of course not. I’m happy she told you. I would have told you, only it just happened, and we’ve both been so busy we haven’t had time to connect. I just wanted to be certain it wasn’t public knowledge.”

  “Well, it will be.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Have you spoken with Armond? Does he know about your new office plan?” Kat asked.

  “Of course. I called him as soon as I finished speaking with Jenny.”

  “And?” Kat pushed.

  “And he was ecstatic. Obviously, one of the reasons I even considered opening a West Coast office is because Renoir Productions committed to use my legal services on all its investment and transaction matters.”

  “Then, this is the perfect opportunity to turn questions about you and your former firm into small-town girl takes on global firm and wins-type publicity. Announce your new West Coast office tonight, and tell the world that your firm works for the movie industry. There are few shinier baubles that attract the attention and adoration of the masses than Hollywood. My bet is that by the time you’re through talking, the world will wonder why those idiots got rid of you and you’ll get a shit-ton of new business.”

  Victoria felt her stress begin to ease, and rather than feeling conflicted over what was about to happen, she felt, for the first time, like it was the absolute right path. “How much time do I have before it hits the Internet?”

  “A little less than an hour,” Kat answered. “Why?”

  “I need to get on the phone with Armond to see if Renoir Productions is okay with me making that announcement.” Victoria looked around the room to find Robert in what now looked like a sea of people. “Robert!” she called excitedly. Looking over, he motioned that he would be right there. “He’s rather sweet in a nerdy kind of way, don’t you think?” Kat said.

  “I’m sorry?” Victoria responded, not sure she’d heard her best friend correctly. But before she could pepper her with questions, Robert was by their side.

  “Kat, would you explain what we’ve discussed? I’m going to call Armond and see if they’re on board. If they are, my publicist and his will need to speak and draft talking points in enough time that I can practice them.”

  “Whatever you said to her seems to have done the trick. She seems absolutely ecstatic.”

  “Here’s our thought,” Kat answered as she explained their plan.

  “I love it! Small town girl takes on big firm and wins! Everyone likes a David versus Goliath story.” Robert smiled as he looked over at Victoria and saw her nod her head. “All right, it’s a go. Kat, stay by Victoria and keep her in this good frame of mind. I’ll connect the two publicists, and we’ll have a statement to her in less than ten minutes.”

  “I’ve got this. Go do your thing.”

  * * *

  At precisely 8:00 p.m., the top national news sources carried Victoria’s announcement as part of their online content, along with a link to her video. Each of the papers ran with different titles, everything from “Lawyer Hunts for Witnesses” to “International Firm at Center of Gender Storm.” Irrespective of the title, Robert and the publicist made sure her statement read the same:

  After many years as a lawyer at Acker, Smith & McGowen, I was fired because I asked to become the first female partner and for a pay increase. To hide the real reasons, the firm blamed me for something I did not do. They threatened to ruin my career if I did not sign a confidentiality agreement, forbidding me from discussing the facts. They endangered my career, livelihood, and self-esteem.

  I’m grateful to those who stood with me and helped me put one foot in front of the other in the first hours, days, and months. I now have my own firm and I’m thriving.

  About a year ago, I filed a lawsuit against the firm to change this culture. Today, I’m taking this unusual step to ask other women who left the firm to contact my lawyers because I believe what happened to me happened to others. I believe we can help each other. I know it’s time.

  Thank you, Victoria Rodessa

  The room erupted in applause as those who had worked on the case and announcement finished reading and watching her video.

  “Okay, everyone, okay,” Robert moved his arms in a downward motion as a signal to calm down. “Hopefully, our work is just beginning. Let’s monitor social media and the phones. Let’s see if we get any interest.”

  The room was silent as everyone waited. After five minutes, Kat looked at Robert out of the corner of her eye, signaling her concern that perhaps it wouldn’t get picked up the way they had hoped. But just as she was about to say something to Victoria to keep her spirits up, she heard one of Robert’s assistants shout to the room, “Our website just got a slew of registrations. Almost all of the comments indicate they have information.”

  Less than a minute later, another announced, “I’ve got two stations on the phone asking for an interview. They’d like to book her for their remaining late-night shows tonight. Are we good?” He turned and looked over at Victoria.

  Kat touched Victoria’s shoulder. “Well?” she asked. “Let’s kick some ass!” Victoria responded.

  “That we’ll do!” the publicist added, getting caught up in the excitement. “Okay, Victoria, just as we discussed, my team will hook you up to the equipment. You’ll be able to do the interviews from here. We’ll use the backdrop with your law firm’s name and logo. Makeup will play with you a bit to make sure you’re ready for television,” she said, her team moving in to work on Victoria’s face and hair.

  “Victoria, you have a phone call.” Kat walked over and handed her phone to her friend. “It’s Armond.”

  “What did you think?” Victoria asked excitedly as the glam squad relentlessly fussed with her face like it was a field in need of tending.

  “I think you’re fabulous and it’s an amazing move. My parents told me to tell you, and I quote, ‘The Renoirs are very proud of you and stand with you 100 percent,’” Armond relayed.

  “Give them my deep thanks. But do not use the c word or it will be bad juju. Let’s wait until after my television appearances and see how it’s received,” Victoria cautioned.

  “The c word? I’ve never used that word in my life. Are you daft?” Armond responded, offended.

  “No, no, no. Not that c word. Why in the world would you say that?” Victoria asked, exasperated.

  “Well, my pet. I have absolutely no idea. But, may I remind you you’re the one who suggested I was going to say it?”

  “I meant the word people say for good job, well done… you know. It begins with a c but isn’t the c word.”

  Armond began to hear a bit of hysteria in Victoria’s voice so he knew to respond calmly. “Okay, I get it. I won’t say it until you give me the all clear. Can I speak with Kat again?”

  “No, you can’t. And don’t use that Victoria is starting to lose it tone of voice with me. I’m not a child. I’ve got this.”

  “Okay, well, good because—�
� Armond pulled the phone away from his ear, looked at the blank screen, and started to laugh. The little pain in the ass had hung up on him.

  CHAPTER

  56

  SHE SIGHED AS she caught a glimpse of her face in the mirror. She was aging. Not getting old yet, she thought, but definitely aging. There were a few more crow’s feet around her eyes, and a couple of those horrid lines that run up from old peoples’ lips. She made a mental note to call her plastic surgeon in the morning. An aging madame was not a good look.

  Sitting at her ornate desk, she unlocked the top drawer and pulled out one of her most prized possessions. The well-used journal was leather-bound with small remnants of gold that formed the outline of an unidentified family crest, quite possibly from one of China’s long-perished royal families— at least that was the theory of the shopkeeper from whom she’d purchased it on one of her first trips to China. She recalled with a satisfied smile that, before the owner had sold it to her, he insisted it remain in its glass case to protect its value as a Chinese antiquity. Not one to follow directions, the first thing she’d done after completing the transaction was borrow the shopkeeper’s hammer and smash the glass.

  Ignoring his overly dramatic shrieks, she’d carefully plucked the journal from the glass shards and left. Once outside, she’d reverently opened the journal and had been pleased to see her gut was correct. The pages were blank, waiting for her.

  Madame turned on her desk light, flipped through the journal, and found the letter she’d jammed between its pages in a rare show of temper. She’d long ago learned that bad decisions were made in moments of anger or passion. It had been almost a month since she’d read the letter—enough time, she thought, for her to re-read it without feeling rejection and isolation. She unfolded the letter, read the first few paragraphs, and slammed it onto her desk disgusted. She was still emotionally attached to the outcome.

  Sitting in stillness to gain clarity, she knew it was time to move forward with the next phase of her life. She had always been attuned to the universe and its signs. Her changing appearance, coupled with her reaction to the letter, told her to proceed on the path she’d been considering for the past few months even though she recognized she might not be allowed entry into proper society. She shook her head to banish her negative thoughts. They never helped.

  She scanned the letter and drafted an email to her lawyer. There was no good reason she’d been rejected. Her portfolio was solid. There were fewer than fifty people in the world with more assets. She wanted in on that deal, and she was not about to let one letter stand in her way. Just as she finished sending the email, she received a news alert. Reading the headline, she rolled her eyes in disgust but forced herself to follow the link. After all, she thought, if I’m going to reenter society, I’ll need to get up to speed on current issues.

  After reading the story and watching the video a second time, she sat stunned at the power of the universe, letting all that had happened over the past hour sink in. She then picked up her pen, made a few quick notes in her journal, and knew exactly what she needed to do next.

  CHAPTER

  57

  “DID YOU MAKE the deal, boys?” Big Bill asked.

  “We did, exactly as we discussed,” Jeremy answered as he shut his office door.

  “So, I’m in the clear?”

  Jeremy picked up the phone and called his partner. They had a pact that neither would speak to Big Bill alone about anything—ever. They didn’t trust him. Shuffling papers on his desk, Jeremy said, “Let’s wait for Scott. I want him to be able to add details I might miss so you have the full picture.”

  “Fine. While we’re waiting, ask that fine piece of ass of a receptionist you have out there to bring me a glass of whisky neat. What’s her name?” Big Bill demanded as he walked around Jeremy’s office picking up different knickknacks, looking them over, and then setting them down.

  Jeremy knew it was futile to correct his client about how he referred to the receptionist, so he didn’t bother. “You can’t have anything to drink. Your deposition in the civil case is this afternoon, and it would be totally inappropriate for you to give sworn testimony under the influence.”

  “Who’s gonna tell ‘em? I’m not,” Big Bill belted out a laugh.

  Before Jeremy could respond, there was a light rap on his door and Scott entered the room. “Bill, good to see you again,” he said as they shook hands.

  “I’m sure it is. Every time you boys talk to me it costs me a fortune,” Big Bill said, making himself at home in one of the oversized chairs.

  “Okay, here’s where we are,” Jeremy began. “The feds want all the information and evidence you have about your insurance company’s slow pay of the claims. In exchange, they’ll grant you immunity. It’s a sweet deal, Bill.”

  “Come on, boys. I didn’t do anything in the first place. They would never have made anything stick and they know it,” Big Bill insisted.

  Jeremy and Scott resisted looking at each other, knowing their facial expressions would convey their disdain at the utter ridiculousness of their client’s unrestrained cockiness. Jeremy continued advising Big Bill as if he hadn’t said a word. “The lawyers taking the deposition will want the same information the feds understand you will provide, so it’s important that what you put on the record today is the same as what you tell the feds. I’d like to do one more run-through of your testimony to ensure you have it down pat. There is no room for error,” Jeremy finished.

  Big Bill lit one of his cigars. “Whatever you want to do as long as when I walk out of that deposition this afternoon that chapter of my life is closed and I can move on.”

  CHAPTER

  58

  “TO VICTORIA!” ROBERT nodded at his friend. “Congratulations! You’re the darling of the media and a new role model for women across the country. I’m proud to have you as a client, but I’m prouder to call you my friend. And to all of you,” he gestured, his arm sweeping across the room as he turned his attention to the assembled group of technicians, publicists, and marketing gurus, all of whom had worked on the announcement. “We couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you for your expertise, time, and attention to detail, all of which made this a huge success!” Polite clapping built to hooting and hollering, as Robert opened the first bottle of champagne. “Victoria, would you like to say a few words?” Robert asked as he walked around the room filling glasses.

  Victoria stood and smiled. She was bone-tired from the media blitz that had gone on for the past twenty-four hours, and she would much rather be at home, lying on her sofa. But she knew the effort their team had put into making their strategy a success and she would not have missed this celebration for the world. “I would. Thank you, Robert. First, I can’t thank you and Kat enough for your combined efforts to bring me to the table on your crazy idea in the first place. And to all of the people in this room who worked tirelessly to get me ready for prime time,”—there was a smattering of laughter—“and to those who coordinated all the moving parts so it went off without a hitch, I’m forever in your debt. This is a breakthrough moment and you were all instrumental in making it happen. I’m so proud and thankful I had the honor of working with each and every one of you! Cheers!” Victoria, Robert and Kat raised their glasses in salute to the assembled group. “But, perhaps even more important is that when all this is all said and done, Robert promised to treat us all to a fabulous celebratory dinner.” She laughed as she raised her glass in Robert’s direction as the room went wild.

  Robert played along and winced. “Yes, thank you, Victoria. I think that’s enough from you!” he said to laughter. “But in all seriousness, folks, I understand the response has been overwhelming. It would not have happened without the talent in this room. Thank you, again. Now please, enjoy the food and champagne. Let’s celebrate!”

  * * *

  Two hours later, Robert, Kat, and Victoria sat alone, alongside empty bottles and half-eaten plates of food,
reviewing the lists of contacts and comments they’d received. “These responses are amazing. Now what?” Kat asked.

  “My in-house team will handle initial contacts to determine which of these are legitimate. Once they’ve finished, they’ll give the vetted list to me. From there, Jenny and I…

  By the way, I thought this would be a perfect project for Jenny, if both of you are okay with that. She’d mentioned to me that she’s used to dealing with potential witnesses and knows what to look for and how to whittle a list down.”

  “That’s right up her alley. There’s no one I’d trust more. Our California office won’t be up and running for a while, so she has a bit of time. But not much,” Victoria said, pleased at the sound of a West Coast office.

  “Great. Then Jenny or I will contact those that appear to have critical information, and my associates will follow up with the others.”

  “I’m happy to help,” Kat said.

  “I was hoping you would say that.” Robert smiled at Kat.

  Victoria thought she saw an odd look pass between them but decided it was neither the time nor place to dig deeper. She was overtired, and she could have imagined it. “What do you want me to do?”

  “Nothing. I think you’re going to be hounded by the press for a few more days. And unless you feel otherwise, I’d like you to go silent for a bit as we sort through what we have,” Robert answered.

  “That works for me. I want to get back to my normal life.”

  “Oh, V,” Kat began, “I don’t think things will ever be the way they were before your little media event, but I think that’s a good thing. I assume you’ve noticed that on the first page of the list are two people who don’t have any information about your lawsuit. They just want to hire you. They said in their comments that they want to show their support by giving you work.”