by Nick James
The paralegal area was empty and Bobby made his way to one of the cubicles in a far corner and dialed the number on the card. After three rings he was dumped into the message center.
“You’ve reached Stan Drake with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, at the tone please leave your message I’ll get back to you just as soon as I can.”
“We should talk,” Bobby said then hung up.
He pretended to work for the better part of an hour while he waited for his call to be returned. When that didn’t happen he locked his office door then checked Noah Denton’s office on his way out. The door was locked. The acquisition attorneys were still meeting behind a closed door as he left.
Based on the room number he received at the information desk Noah Denton was on the same wing at Regions hospital as the last time, just in a different room. They apparently hadn’t felt the need to place him in the psych ward.
Bobby found him alone in a private room, hooked up to half a dozen monitors and just staring out the window. He watched him for a long moment before he announced his presence by knocking on the open door. “Mr. Denton.”
Denton slowly turned and stared.
“How are you doing sir?”
Denton continued to stare for a long moment then shook his head slightly. “How in the bloody hell do you think I’m doing? My God, you can’t begin to understand …” and then his voice just trailed off and he returned to staring out the window.
“Is there anything you need? Anything I could get you?”
“You could get me some answers. Tell me what in the hell is going on. I can’t remember a damn thing. One moment I’m working on a response to the State Attorney General no less and the next thing I know I’m back in this god forsaken place.”
“You’ve no memory of what happened?”
“Not a damn thing. I can’t contact anyone, they’ve removed the damn phone, said it was for my own good. Apparently they have me on some sort of medication that’s supposed to calm me down. My God, that’s just what I need, another one of their damned drugs.”
“Has anyone from the firm been in to see you?”
“No, no one has been here. At least that I can recall, I feel as though I’m literally losing my damned mind.”
“I don’t know what to tell you, shocking doesn’t begin to cover it.”
“What in the hell happened?”
You made a complete and utter asshole of yourself in front of at least a dozen witnesses. “I’m not sure, sir. It seems you were missing something from a file. You suggested one of the paralegals might have taken the item. Apparently you touched her, inappropriately, I’m afraid, umm more than once.”
“What?”
“I didn’t see that, sir I only heard about it. Of course you know how people are prone to exaggeration.”
“I touched her, inappropriately? Who was it?”
“A paralegal named Elizabeth, she …”
“Elizabeth? Elizabeth Saunders? The little blonde that handles acquisitions? What in the hell would make me think she had anything to do with one of my missing files?”
“That seems to be one of a number of questions. I did hear you raising your voice, actually I’m afraid a number of people heard you, sir. There was quite a crowd gathered and well, you were shouting. Rather out of control, I’m afraid.”
“God,” he said and shook his head in disgust.
“I believe you made some rather explicit sexual comments. I know she had been reduced to tears by the time you staggered back to your office.”
“Why in the hell didn’t someone intervene? Where was Sawyer and Allan?”
“Both out of the office I’m afraid. Mr. Sawyer was out of town, Chicago I believe and I think Mr. Allan was in court.”
“God, and Hinz?”
“He was there, but well, his skills weren’t perhaps the best. I think everyone was too frightened to react. I was with you in your office attempting to calm you down.”
“This whole episode was about a damn file?”
“Apparently, at least that’s what you said, sir.” I might as well kick you while you’re down. “As a matter of fact sir, you threatened me, too. Told me I was fired, threatened to charge me with a variety of crimes. I have to say you were rather aggressive. I attempted to reason with you for the better part of two hours. I think it’s safe to say you weren’t yourself.”
“Jesus Christ. Custer, I wholeheartedly apologize. I’ve no idea what is going on, I can’t seem to remember a damned thing.”
“No apology necessary, sir. But I think it might be a good idea to get some serious testing done, determine what the problem is so you can begin to address it. You don’t mind me saying there’s probably going to be a good degree of fallout at the firm. If Miss Saunders decides to press charges I’m afraid it’s going to be a slam dunk. Some of the members were suggesting a settlement in the seven figure range.”
“What?”
“Heavy seven figures.”
Denton reached over and pressed a button, calling the nurse’s station while Bobby continued to pile it on.
“I’m afraid, unfortunately news of this latest incident is going to be a matter of public record. Come Monday morning just about everyone in town is going to know about it. I know you’re not thrilled to receive advice from me, but in my opinion I think the best thing you can do at this point is remain here, in Regions, get some tests scheduled so that it looks like you’re attempting to deal with whatever the problem is at the earliest possible time.”
“You think I should remain here?” There was a pleading sort of tone to Denton’s voice.
“I do, sir, I’m afraid it would be for the best. I’m thinking a harassment lawsuit, a possible assault charge, maybe even a sexual assault charge is almost an absolute certainty.”
Denton closed his eyes and shook his head. He seemed to be trying to make the entire episode just disappear. At that moment a nurse entered the room, “What can I get you?”
“I would like to meet with my doctor and schedule some tests so we can find out what in the hell is wrong with me.”
“He’ll be doing his rounds a little later this afternoon. I’ll leave him a note, Mr. Denton.”
Thank you,” he said, then returned to staring out the window.
“I wish I had better news, sir, but I think it best that we deal with this aggressively, for your sake and that of the firm’s.”
“Can’t someone talk to this woman, reason with her, maybe if I were able to reach out to her I…”
“I think that would only add fuel to the fire, Mr. Denton. I strongly advise against it.”
Denton went back to staring out the window, occasionally he shook his head in disgust before he simply waved Bobby away with a few flicks of his hand.
“I hope your day improves, sir,” Bobby said trying to sound downcast, then he turned and walked out of the room wearing a big smile.
Chapter Eighteen
Once home, he phoned Cori Denton. She answered on the second ring, sounding anxious.
“Yes, Denton residence.”
“Hi, Mrs. Denton, this is Bobby Custer, we met a…”
“Yes, of course I know who you are, Mr. Custer I remember meeting you. Where is he?”
“Have you spoken to anyone from the firm?”
“No one has had the decency to return my phone calls, you’re the first person I‘ve been able to talk to. What is going on? Where in God’s name is Noah? I didn’t realize until I got up this morning that he never came home.”
“I’m afraid there was another incident on Friday.”
“Incident?”
“Yes, ma’am, an aggressive confrontation between your husband and one of our paralegals. Unfortunately, there were a number of witnesses, he was shouting, apparently he assaulted her, touched her inappropriately.” He paused for a moment and let that last statement just hang out there.
“He was staggering and slurring his words. It took me the better part of two
hours to calm him down in his office. I had to physically block the doorway a few times. Once he finally seemed to regain control I was able to call the paramedics. He’s back in Regions. Actually, I’ve just come from there. They’ve got him on something that seems to keep him quiet, calms him down. He was certainly less volatile. I suggested to the nurses that they have his doctor schedule tests to find out what exactly is happening, but I’m not sure they’re going to do that. I obviously don’t have any authority and he could certainly override anything I suggest.”
“And he’s at Regions, again?”
“Yes ma’am,” Bobby replied thinking her husband didn’t come home last night and she apparently didn’t feel the inclination to really do anything.
“Wonderful, now I’ll be the laughing stock at the luncheon for past board members. It wasn’t that long ago one of his dreadful clients set Noah’s car on fire right out in the driveway. Good lord, it’s as if all the awful things he’s done over the years in the name of the law are coming back home to roost. I must say I have just about had it.”
“Is there anything I can do for you, Mrs. Denton?”
“Please, call me Cori and no, you’ve been very helpful, which is more than I can say for any of his so-called partners.”
“Frankly, there’s the rumor of a potential lawsuit, obviously things are still in the early stages, but I think the natural inclination is to distance themselves as much as possible from the incident and well, probably shift into the protection mode.”
“Anything’s possible with that cast of characters.”
“Are you going to go down to Regions?” he asked.
“Well I suppose I’ll have to, if for no other reason than to look like I care. I was looking forward to a leisurely evening, I suppose now that’s off the table.”
“What about your daughter?”
“Addi? Probably best not to bother her. She’s been sequestered for the past forty-eight hours creating another monstrosity labeled as art that no one will want to look at. She and her father have been at odds ever since she was a child. Of course come to think of it, she’s been that way with just about everyone for her entire life. Well, thank you for your update, Mr. … I’m sorry Bobby. I’ll deal with this.”
“If it’s not too much of an imposition I’ll check in with you Monday and give you an update from the firm’s perspective.”
“Thank you, I would appreciate that,” she said and hung up.
He dialed the next number and waited. Just before he thought he would have to leave a message a voice answered.
“Yes.”
“Mr. Montcreff, this is Bobby Custer.” A painfully long pause followed and Bobby finally blinked first. “I apologize for not calling yesterday, but something has come up at the office regarding Mr. Denton.” Bobby went on to explain the situation. He didn’t mention the ecstasy tablet he’d put in Denton’s water bottle. He embellished the interchange between Denton and Elizabeth Saunders, making sure Montcreff knew Denton swore at her, called her names, threatened her, grabbed her breasts and attempted to run his hand up her dress in front of a number of witnesses.
Montcreff never interrupted him during the entire explanation. When Bobby finished Montcreff remained silent.
“Mr. Montcreff?”
“If I didn’t know better I would say it almost sounds like Noah Denton was drugged. But I’m sure that wasn’t the case,” he said. “What do you think?”
Bobby felt his heart pounding in his throat. “I suppose that’s entirely possible, I know he keeps a week’s worth of his medications in a couple of trays in his desk. He has one tray for the morning and another one for the afternoon. I think there are a number of pills he’s on, prescriptions, maybe he took them incorrectly or maybe something has changed and he’s having a reaction to one of the medications.”
“Maybe,” Montcreff said.
“I checked on him at the hospital and suggested he should have his doctor do a series of tests to determine once and for all what’s going on. You know Mr. Denton, he just wants to get back to work. Frankly, I’m afraid there’s liable to be some fallout from this latest episode and maybe even a lawsuit. Certainly the potential for one is there.”
“Certainly.”
“I’ll check in with you tomorrow, although at this point I don’t plan to go down to the office. I will pop my head in on Mr. Denton just to see how he’s doing.” Another long pause until Bobby broke the silence. “Okay, I guess I’ll talk…”
But Montcreff had already hung up.
Chapter Nineteen
Bobby toyed with calling Angie on Sunday, then decided it would be better if she had another day to stew in her own guilt and fury. He was pretty sure she knew she’d had sex, based on the various positions he’d had her in he was surprised she could even walk. She probably suspected she might have been drugged, but in the end she would still chalk it up to her drinking too much. He was prepared to get the cold shoulder from her for a couple of days.
He stopped at Denton’s hospital room that afternoon and was met by a sullen response. He had apparently just missed Denton’s wife, Cori. Who wouldn’t be in a bad mood after being read the riot act by her?
His visit was no more than four or five minutes, Bobby asking questions, Denton responding with one-word answers while he continued to stare out the window. He seemed to be calm, maybe too calm, and Bobby guessed they had him medicated.
Finally Denton had said, “While I appreciate the concern, I’d like to just have some time to myself, thank you.”
On his way home from the hospital Bobby got the return call from Stan Drake, the FBI agent.
Glad you could finally fit me in twenty-four hours later. “Agent Drake, thank you for returning my call.”
“What have you got for me?”
“I’m not exactly sure. Noah Denton had another episode.”
“Episode?”
Bobby went on to relate the tale, embellishing Denton’s name calling, sexual assault, and threats. He played up his role of spending over two hours working to calm Denton down when in reality the poor bastard had been out cold, sitting comatose in his office chair.
“What in the hell is going on?”
“No one seems to know. He’s in the hospital, Regions, hopefully they’ll be doing some tests to try and figure out what’s happening. Ideally, it would be a reaction to one of the medications he takes, that would probably be the best thing, easiest to adjust. Worst scenario, I don’t know, he’s going nuts, it’s almost like he’s having a breakdown.”
“A breakdown, Denton? Not on your life.”
“Well something’s going on. Maybe I didn’t make myself clear, this was beyond some sort of temper tantrum or just being tired and crabby. It’s almost as though he’s cracking under pressure, but no one seems to be aware of anything that might cause this. The partners haven’t given any indication and his wife didn’t seem to know about anything.”
“What about the woman?”
Bobby made a mental note that the agent had sidestepped the pressure issue. “She’s a paralegal, apparently pretty upset, which is understandable. I’m picking up some rumors of a lawsuit. Just rumors at this stage, but you’ve got a room full of ambulance chasers, about a dozen witnesses and a very strong case. She could go for seven figures and probably get it. It could possibly result in a diminished capacity for Mr. Denton or even a forced retirement. I just don’t know.”
“Shit, damn it we can’t let that happen.”
“With all due respect, Agent Drake, I don’t know how you can stop it. Like I said, there were at least a dozen witnesses. Four of them confronted one of the senior partners immediately after the incident, and they weren’t screwing around. Said something like Denton was going to have to go. I’d guess by now news of this is all over the legal community.” I know I’ve been doing my best to spread the word.
“Not good, not good at all. Let me ask you something, Custer. You feel versed enough to pick up Denton�
��s load?”
“You mean his case load, his clients?”
“Yeah.”
“First of all it doesn’t work like that. Even if I was up to speed, and I’m not, that’s a decision that’s up to his individual clients, each and every one of them makes their own decision. Secondly, if you’ll recall I’ve been disbarred and as you and the other agent with you so eloquently put it when you first made me the offer, I will never, ever practice law again.”
“This second episode with Denton puts us on an entirely new playing field.”
Yes, yes, yes! “That may be, and no offense intended, but the fact is I don’t think you have that sort of influence. Even if it had come from J. Edgar himself the American Bar Association and the Minnesota State Supreme Court doesn’t operate like that. In fact I’d say they pride themselves in being just the opposite.”
“That’s why you’re where you are, you don’t seem to have the power of positive thought.”
“I’m just telling you the facts Agent Drake, and they aren’t very positive.”
“Let me see what we can do.”
Do it, do it! “Well, I’ll do my best on this end, I appreciate your faith in me, I’m gradually getting up to speed with Mr. Denton’s main client.”
“It’s got nothing to do with faith, we’re just stuck with you. You seem to be the best of a number of bad alternatives.”
“I’ll keep you posted, sir.”
Chapter Twenty
You could feel the stress in the air on Monday morning. Elizabeth Saunders wasn’t in, although there were a dozen pink roses in a vase on her desk. Murmurs and whispers floated up and down the hall. Even Marci seemed out of sorts. She flashed a quick smile at Bobby as he stepped off the elevator then anxiously waved a couple of notes at him while she explained to whoever was on the line that Elizabeth would not be available for quite possibly the next week.
