“Yes.”
“Great! I’ll call your mother when I get back to the office to see what we can arrange.”
Pausing for a moment, he said, “I didn’t realize you were unhappy at McKenzie Clark.”
“This isn’t about being unhappy per se. But I’m definitely bored out of my mind.”
“You don’t have to work at all.”
“That’s not me and you know it. I want to work, but I also want to make a difference-do something that has a real and positive impact on people’s lives. Being a corporate lawyer just isn’t it.”
“And when we get pregnant? Do you think you’ll want to work or stay home?”
“I don’t how I’ll feel if it happens.”
“It’ll happen…even if we have to do IVF or surrogacy. Hell, we can even adopt.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We’ll see what the doctor says and go from there.” Looking up at the clock she said, “Shoot! I need to go. I’ve got a meeting at eight. Are you home at the regular time tonight?”
“I should be, but I’ll let you know if anything changes.”
Gathering her coat, she kissed him and left. She felt energized during her drive to work thinking about starting the foundation. After a few meetings and other matters for the firm, she was anxious to get back to the notes on how best to structure the foundation. She simply hoped Michael’s family would get involved. Getting them on board was crucial for the level of impact she wanted. After a nice chat with Carolyn Josey, she was delighted her in-laws were free to join them for dinner later in the week.
It had been almost two months since they spent time with Michael’s parents. Rather than having to rush home after work to prepare a meal, Carolyn and Ben agreed to meet them at a lovely restaurant in Georgetown. Janine had grown far more comfortable with them and actually looked forward to their evening together. Having arrived within minutes of each other, they were quickly seated.
“Thanks so much for coming out, Mom and Dad...especially on such short notice.” Michael seemed far more relaxed than he’d been over the past few days.
“Our pleasure Honey,” Carolyn said. “We’re looking forward to hearing what you all have in mind.”
They ordered wine and jumped right into their conversation. Janine detailed how she thought the foundation could be structured with everything from governance, staff growth and asset management to potential funding priorities. When she finished, she handed them a summary document.
“It’s a draft proposal, but it lays out key elements that I think will appeal to you both. Of course, we can arrange a more formal discussion and I’ll amend the document based on your input.”
“This is quite impressive, Janine,” Ben said. “I’d like a little more time with it before committing.”
“I completely understand.”
“And we’ll need to review it with our attorneys,” Carolyn added.
“Absolutely,” Janine felt frustrated because she couldn’t read them at all
“But in principle, what do you think?” Michael asked.
“Like I said, it’s impressive. I’ve been thinking about what to do with the windfall. This is an option—a very strong option,” his father replied.
“The truth is, we’ve been in discussions with your father’s alma mater about establishing an endowment in his name at the medical school. I’m already committed to a scholarship fund for battered women.”
“There’s no reason why both of those can’t happen in conjunction with this,” Michael offered.
“It’s all about timing son,” Ben added.
“I’m sure we can make it work. Your generosity could certainly be a part of an inaugural activity for the foundation even if its still being structured.” Janine was concerned they weren’t as enthused about her proposal as hoped.
“When do you want an answer, Janine?”
She wanted their answer right away, but she couldn’t say that. “There really is no rush. I want you all to be comfortable with your decisions.”
“We appreciate that. Michael, have you talked to your brother and sister about this?” Carolyn said.
“I gave them a heads up and Janine sent the summary for their review earlier today. I told them we’d touch base later to get their thoughts.”
“I’d be curious to hear what they have to say. Rick has been heavily investing in real estate. Joyce seems to be the one with her eye on their philanthropy. I have no idea what Mya is doing.”
Janine loved Rick’s wife. She and Joyce had a lot in common—they both had been skewered early on by Mrs. Josey for not being “appropriate matches” for her sons. However, Joyce’s situation was initially far worse because she and Rick eloped after she became pregnant when they were in med school. But over the twenty-plus years, she’d mastered how best to deal with Carolyn and freely shared advice with Janine.
“Mya gives heavily to the arts. That’s all I know,” Michael said.
Michael and Mya were close, but she was even more low-key than he was when it came to her wealth. To say she and her husband Malcolm lived modestly was an understatement. From all appearances, they lived off Malcolm’s salary and she ran a dance studio in Denver. Unlike Rick and Joyce’s kids Mya’s children attended public schools much to their grandparent’s chagrin. Janine questioned if Malcolm actually knew Mya’s net worth.
With a hint of derision, Carolyn said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s given it all away by now.”
Rather than comment, Janine simply smiled as the waiter delivered their meals. “Ah, perfect timing!”
They continued to chat over dinner about recent trips, family updates and the latest news and politics. Janine tried her best to remain upbeat, but it was tough. She couldn’t help being a little disappointed. Michael squeezed her hand offering as much support as he could. When it was all over, they hugged good night and went their separate ways.
“Well, that was a bust,” Janine said as they got into the car.
“I thought it was a nice evening.”
“It was. I was hoping they’d say yes.”
“Baby, it’s a business proposition. My parents are conservative with their money. That’s just who they are and it’s worked for them.”
“So you think it went well?”
“I’m saying believe what they told you. It’s a strong option for them. I think that’s as good as it gets right now. They’ll dig into your proposal and they’ll have questions, so be ready.”
“What if they say no?”
“Then we start it ourselves. I’m sure they’ll want to be a part of it even if they opt out now.”
“I’ll start filing the paperwork with the IRS.”
“Make it happen. We can sit down with my financial advisor to work on how the funds should be managed. Okay?”
“We’re actually going to do this?”
“Yeah, we are.”
She leaned in kissing his cheek and resting her head on his shoulder as he drove. We’re actually doing this!
CHAPTER 28
Stopping by the office before heading over to the courthouse, Michael put the unopened envelope from Lacy in his messenger bag. He’d deal with whatever it was later. He slipped into the courtroom to hear first hand what Dana Murphy had to say on the stand given her plea deal. Spectra wasn’t due to testify until the next day, but Dana had stolen the media spotlight as the key witness. The media storm around the case had pundits making all kinds of assertions both for and against Macintosh.
As expected most of it was centered on his sexual proclivities as one so-called expert after another talked about what BDSM was and what kind of people participated in it. But it had gotten to the point where Michael stopped watching broadcasts because the court of public opinion rarely reflected what happened when applying the rule of law.
By most accounts, the prosecution’s case was weak leaving little doubt this was a political ploy designed to destroy Macintosh’s career. Even if he was acquitted o
n all charges, he was still ruined. The public was fickle in its desire to have “real people” representing them, yet wanting its political and social leaders to be above reproach. Nothing could destroy a career faster than sexual scandal or illicit behavior. Regardless of what happened in that courtroom, the once hopeful presidential prospect was done.
By the time Dana took the stand, Michael was more than anxious about her testimony. Dressed in a tailored suit and high heels, she looked professional and very chic. As the prosecution began questioning, she exuded confidence and sexuality. With each answer she gave, her focus shifted between the prosecutor, the judge and the jurors. She was playing her role very well. She was credible as hell and the smug expression on the prosecutor’s face when she finished was evidence of that. A weak cross-examination by the defense could seal a conviction.
As Macintosh’s lawyer stepped forward, Michael was certain the first question would call into question why Dana took the plea deal. That’s what he’d do, but she didn’t. She went in a completely different direction.
“Ms. Murphy, you were hired by Mistress Spectra to instruct the Macintoshes in BDSM sexual play, is that correct?”
“That’s right.”
“So explain to the court again, how and when that turned into prostitution, because I’m sure the jury’s just as confused as I am.”
“After a few months, Spectra said I should go further with them.”
“You assumed that mean prostitution?”
“I knew what she meant.”
“I see. So how much did you charge them for sex?”
“Five hundred dollars.”
“That’s interesting. You were already earning at least five hundred to a thousand dollars for your instructional sessions. The financial records presented by the prosecution show that. So why wasn’t it more expensive to have sex with you?”
“I um…that’s just the fee we agreed to.”
“We who?”
“Spectra and I.”
“Really?”
“Yes. She kept it off the books. No taxes that way.”
“Do you know of any other prostitutes that work for Spectra?”
“No.”
“You’re the only one?”
“I don’t know.”
“There are eight people who offer instruction to Spectra’s clients and yet you’re the only one who claims to have been involved in a prostitution scheme?”
“I guess so.”
“Wow, you must be good. Or you’re lying. Which is it?”
“I’m not lying!”
“All right. Other than the sex, how involved were you with the Macintoshes?”
“I don’t understand.”
“Was your relationship with them purely business? Or did you develop an emotional attachment with one or both of them?”
“They were long-term clients. I liked them.”
“And every single time you were with them, they paid you?”
“Yes…I think so.”
“You think so? So you didn’t throw in a few ‘freebies’?”
“Maybe, I don’t remember exactly.”
“Mrs. Macintosh filed for divorce, but had the petition withdrawn. Did you know that?”
“Yes.”
“And how could you possibly know something so personal?”
“I knew.”
“You knew because they weren’t your clients. They were your lovers…at least one of them was. Is that right?”
“It was business. I told you that.”
“Mrs. Macintosh claimed in those divorce filings her husband was having an affair. You were having sex with him without her, right?”
“Do I need to answer that, your Honor?”
“Yes, Miss Murphy.”
“Once or twice, I think…if she wasn’t available.”
“That’s not true. You thought you could have him, didn’t you? But he chose her. He stayed with his wife. So cliché, really. The mistress always thinks she can win in the end. So you testify today to burn him. Isn’t that right?”
“That’s not how it was.”
“Isn’t it? And you’re under oath so be very careful, Miss Treet.”
The defense chipped away at Dana’s testimony creating as much reasonable doubt as possible. Things began to turn when she referenced the chamber video. When it was first shown, there were audible gasps in the courtroom even with pixilation to hide other participants’ faces and genitalia. Macintosh’s attorney concentrated her queries on what happened after Spectra took the money.
The after care suggested far more emotional engagement than just a Dom checking on her Subs. There was hugging, kissing and wiping of joyful tears. The exuberance and intimacy between them exceeded even the most nurturing exchanges Michael witnessed. If he hadn’t been so angry by the mere existence of the recording, he would have actually watched it to the end. He had to admit that Lacy was right. He allowed his relationship with Spectra to cloud his legal judgment.
By the time the attorney began questioning why she took the plea, there was a serious rupture in Dana’s credibility. Whether or not prostitution had actually taken place was now in serious doubt. Leaving the courtroom, Michael called Jack updating him on the proceedings.
Finally opening the envelope, he read the letter then tucked it inside again. He didn’t need this headache, but ignoring it further wasn’t an option. He called Lacy inviting her to join him for a drink to discuss it, but she declined citing other plans. He went to a bar not far from the courthouse. A few drinks settled his mind and proved just the distraction he needed before heading home.
Throughout dinner, Janine filled him in on her progress with foundation planning. Despite his best efforts, he wasn’t paying much attention. Finally she stopped talking and stared at him.
“What?”
“What’s got you so distracted?” she asked.
“I sat in on the Macintosh trial today.”
“Did you end up telling Jack about the video?”
“Yeah and after a lot of back and forth, we turned it over to the prosecution last week for them to sort out. They used it today.”
“Did it corroborate Murphy’s testimony?”
“Some of it. But the jury was hard to read after the defense got through with her.”
“This trial has taken up a lot of your time and emotional energy.”
“Maybe.”
“There’s no maybe about it. I can’t imagine how this has impacted other clients.”
“Our workflow’s solid and we’re still bringing in new clients everyday.”
“So what happens with Spectra?”
“That remains to be seen. She takes the stand tomorrow.”
“What are you expecting to happen?”
“I have no idea. I’ll be glad when it’s finally over and we can all move on.”
“What does that mean to you…and Spectra?”
“She goes back to doing what she does.”
“And you?”
“Business as usual…as much as that’s possible now.”
“What else happened?”
“Lacy tendered her resignation. It was waiting for me when I got in this morning.”
“Why in the world did she do that?”
“She claims I never told her the extent of my relationship with Spectra and the club.”
“Why didn’t you tell her?”
“Are you seriously asking me that? I told her what she needed to know.”
“Right. Did you accept her resignation?”
“I don’t have much choice, do I? It’s her call.”
“Do you want her to leave?”
“Of course not.”
“Then tell her that. Come to some agreement. Lacy’s more than your business manager. She’s invested as much in the success of the firm as you. Hell, her name should be on the door with yours.”
“I really don’t want to talk about this right now. I want to enjoy a quiet evening with you.”
“Baby, please!”
He got up from the table abruptly going to the den. She could have pressed, but there was no point. Michael could be extremely stubborn especially when he was desperately trying to compartmentalize. But his disappointment was evident. Lacy took the leap with him when he started the firm. He could run it without her, but he didn’t want to. He needed her and somehow he had to fix this.
Janine couldn’t help but wonder how much longer he was going to allow his relationship with Spectra to wreak havoc in his life. Why he ever took her on as a client was beyond comprehension. There was no question she’d been more than a sore spot in their marriage. Now she was impacting the successful operation of his firm.
No matter how stridently he defended his relationship with her, it made no sense that he was willing to risk so much for this woman. Janine was certain Spectra cared about Michael, but when push came to shove, she’d never put him ahead of other interests. She’d already demonstrated that.
CHAPTER 29
Michael arrived at the courthouse ahead of Jack and Josephine. Finding a quiet corner to review his emails, he was pleased to see one from Mya. Addressed to him and Janine, it was in regards to the proposal to start the family foundation. Although he didn’t have much time, he placed a quick call to her.
“Hey Sis!”
“Hey! How’re you doing?”
“I’m good. Can’t talk long but I just read your email and wanted to touch base. This is great!”
“I’m going to call Janine later about it too. But yeah, we’re in.”
“What are you thinking?”
“We don’t have as much as you and Rick, but we’re in for twenty-five. We’re keeping the rest for retirement and for an inheritance for the kids.”
“We can do a lot together with this money.”
“I’m looking forward to it! I really loved the part about workshops and training for our kids on the business of philanthropy. Great concept. Janine’s the best!”
Michael looked up and saw Jack and Josephine coming towards him. “Mya, I’ve gotta go. I’m heading into court in a few, so we’ll catch up later?”
“Sounds good. Bye!”
Their Now and Forever (Book III) (The Allen Trilogy 3) Page 20
