Wearing the Spider (A Suspense Novel) (Legal Thriller) (Thriller)

by Schaab, Susan

  “Did you see Alan after you overheard what he said?”

  Evie nodded slowly. “He showed up at my office afterward.”

  “It figures. He always tries to assign matters to you first.”

  “He didn’t say anything about assigning me anything. It was odd. We’re not on the best of terms. We had words yesterday. And then, he shows up in my office and starts telling me firm war stories like we’re old friends.”

  “And he didn’t mention anything about the Brazilian deal he had just discussed on the telephone? He didn’t describe it to you or ask you to be available for it?”

  Evie shook her head at a solemn slow tempo.

  “Okay. Okay. Maybe he is up to something. I think we should have him knocked around.”

  “Jenna, be serious.”

  “I am. I would confront him immediately.” Jenna placed both hands palm down on the desk and looked directly at Evie, her dark irises dancing with intensity. “No offense, but that’s what a man would do. Ask him what the hell he’s up to. Be blunt. Make direct reference to this Brazilian matter. You may be able to tell something from his reaction. If there’s no monkey business going on, he should have no trouble explaining this deal to you. If he is up to no good, no matter what he says, at least he’ll know you’re on to him.”

  “Yes, but he’ll also be in a position to cover his tracks more carefully and make it harder for me to investigate what he’s up to.”

  “True. The element of surprise is a useful weapon.”

  “I can’t believe after all the work I’ve done, I have to worry about being set up by a partner. You know, I actually made him look good in a conference call with a client yesterday. You know how nonchalant he can be with the details of a transaction. You’d think I could expect some professional courtesy for at least a few minutes afterward.”

  “Alan doesn’t think that way. He’s a man without conscience. A socially savvy psychopath, in the reality gala. He feels no appreciation or remorse and takes no prisoners no matter what the circumstances. You really expected him to be a decent human being after he tried to put the moves on you in Chicago?”

  “Well, yeah, that was despicable, but you know, aggressive arrogant men are like that. They always try.”

  “I never thought I would hear a boys-will-be-boys argument from you.”

  “Yeah, I know. I’m not excusing him, but those kind of moves you expect. You can usually see them coming and they’re easily deflected. If he’s setting me up for some kind of professional trap. That’s really different. Careers should be equally vulnerable. Gender shouldn’t be an advantage or disadvantage.”

  Jenna sat back down in a chair, shook her head and rolled her eyes. “You just don’t get it, my friend. You let the statute of limitations run on that one. You had a gender card to play and you failed to play it. Now you’re back against the glass ceiling, only it’s more like a one-way mirror.”

  Evie leaned forward and rested her head on the palms of her hands, her elbows braced against the surface of the desk. “You know, before we left Chicago, I actually told the jerk that I wouldn’t report him for grabbing me and kissing me, as long as he never let the lines of professionalism blur again.”

  “I still think you should’ve at least talked to Hanover about it. That’s the advice you would’ve given me. Even if the firm only gave it lip service, you would’ve put his dirty laundry out there where it needs to be. I mean, what if he’s doing it to some other less-prepared female in the office? You know how you felt about Julien’s brother and the moves he put on Mireille.”

  Evie rose from her seat, stretched her arms backward and grabbed at the strands of hair streaming down her neck. Then she covered her face with her hands. “I can’t even think about that right now.”

  “Sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

  Evie walked around to the front of her desk and began to straighten piles of opened mail. “I think the other partners know him for what he is. I didn’t want them thinking about me in that context—that I was some sort of overly-sensitive, complaining bimbo looking to cash out on a sexual harassment claim.”

  “Well, have you ever thought about how a man with that kind of profile reacts to rejection? Maybe he is setting you up. Maybe he’s got a plan to get back at you for failing to swoon after he tried his best swashbuckling maneuver on you.”

  “No way. Could he be that vindictive? Do you really think—”

  “No. I don’t. I think you’re imagining something sinister when it’s probably just him being an inconsiderate ass. I think he has assigned a new matter to you and has failed to alert you or give you any background. Or maybe he thinks he already has.”

  Evie sighed and sat down again in her chair.

  “But then … there’s something else.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “I found out Senator Arbeson may be facing a bribery investigation.”

  “Oh my God. Where did you hear that?”

  “It doesn’t matter. It just occurred to me that there might be some connection. You know, because Arbeson is married to a Latin woman and has all those Latin associations. By the way, I saw a photograph of him in New York Magazine last night with a woman who was not his wife.”

  “So, what’s your point?”

  “The spooky thing was that she looked like me.”

  “That’s icky.”

  “Yeah. Anyway, getting back to Alan. On that call, he was speaking partly in Spanish or Portuguese and he’s tight with the Senator. And this strange email—”

  “You’re really starting to sound paranoid.”

  “I knew I could count on you for support.”

  Jenna stood and popped a pinch of apple pastry into her mouth. “You’re going to drive yourself crazy with this. It may amount to nothing. Even if there’s something sinister going on, you can’t do anything about it until you have some proof.” Jenna swallowed and grabbed a second bite of pastry. “I know what you need. Come out with me to Biko’s. I’m meeting Melanie, Hannah, Lisa and Amanda at one fifteen for lunch and I think you could use some time with some female energy. We deserve a leisurely lunch to make up for the fact that we have no life in the evenings.”

  “I don’t think I’d be very good company.”

  “Bullshit. There’s always lots of interest among these girls to support fellow femme fatales on that ever-turbulent voyage to professional nirvana. You will enjoy yourself. It won’t do any good to sit in your office worrying about this. You need to relax and collect your thoughts.”

  “Okay. I’ll go. I’ll meet you in front at one.”

  Jenna waved her index finger at Evie in a friendly scolding exit.

  Evie returned her attention to her computer screen. Jenna was probably right. She was becoming paranoid. Despite Alan’s insolent tendencies, she really had no concrete evidence of any surreptitious, unscrupulous undertakings in connection with this client from Brazil. Suspicions. Even though there was some feeble basis for them, they were still just suspicions. Why am I always so suspicious?

  She picked up a client file and opened it to begin working, but her mind wandered back to that confrontation with Alan in his office. He had implied that her work was deficient. He reprimanded her for following directions he had given her, saying that she had “shown a serious lack of judgment.” Those were the kind of comments that could undermine a bid for partnership. And all partners with whom she had worked would be asked to opine on her performance. Maybe he’s laying further groundwork to sabotage my partnership chances. Maybe he’s trying to destroy my reputation. But why? Could it really be because I rejected his sexual advances? She brought up the firm’s general directory for the electronic document library. Alan had accused her of being defensive, but he was forcing her to think defensively.

  If Gerais Chevas was a client of the firm and files existed for any of its matters the firm was handling, those files would likely be stored in the electronic library. The stored version of a file
was considered the official version, even if multiple attorneys within the firm working with that client had copied the file onto his or her own laptop computer. If an attorney needed to alter the official version of the file, there was an electronic procedure he or she would follow to “check out” that file. It would then be announced to any subsequent person accessing the file that it had been copied off the system for editing. The system then prevented any access other than read-only for that file until the person who had checked it out had re-stored the file to the system in its updated form.

  The system had been purposefully set up so that everyone in the firm had at least read-only access to all files, but that at any given point in time only one person had editorial control over a particular file. Any deviation from that system might result in multiple versions receiving simultaneous edits. Then no one would be able to determine the version that contained all of the official mutually-agreed changes.

  No one would question an associate looking up files on a client even though that associate had not been assigned to work on that client’s matters. Associates were actually encouraged to seek contracts and documents existing in the system for examples of proper format and structure. It saved time to tap into the collective firm knowledge when drafting a particular type of document. To that end, the system automatically stored the names of the most recent five people who had accessed a particular file in what was called a Hit History so that the associate could ask questions of those persons who created or edited that file.

  So Evie knew that her name in the Hit History for any Gerais Chevas files should be considered inconsequential. She had no idea what dates to look for, but she could do a general search under the Gerais Chevas client number. Since all client files were stored in the library by client number, she had to first find Gerais Chevas’s client number. If there was one.

  She brought up the electronic firm-wide client list, which was arranged alphabetically. She scrolled down to the “Gs” and read down the list: Gabriel, Byrd & Baker client number 11950, Gafferty Corp. client number 12220, Gerais Chevas, client number 13606. Okay, this Gerais Chevas is an existing client of the firm.

  Then she entered 13606 in the field for client number and executed a search for all files stored under that client number. Four electronic document names popped up on the screen. She clicked on the first one which was entitled “Neon One.” A window appeared with the message: ACCESS DENIED. SECURED DOCUMENT. Okay … this is interesting … I don’t even have read-only access to this one. It’s only readable by some group of designated people.

  Denying any type of access to certain files was not uncommon in law firm protocol. Because the library of client files was generally available to all lawyers in the firm, measures often had to be taken to restrict access to highly confidential or sensitive files. Under conditions where a potential conflict could arise from a certain lawyer’s exposure to non-public information about a particular client, perhaps because of some other matter that lawyer was handling, he or she had to be screened from all files and discussions relating to that particular client. It was also common to restrict access to the files for a certain matter where the client was highly sensitive about the confidential nature of a particular transaction, and in such cases the deal was often given some sort of code name like “Project Neon,” so that the transaction could be referenced in conversation without revealing the identity of the parties. The deal documented by these files must then be highly confidential … or controversial.

  She knew that her user name had been checked by the electronic library software and she was being denied access because her name was not on the permitted access list. She was not among those who were assigned to this deal. At least not officially. Since Gerais Chevas was actually a client of the firm, it might be as Jenna said. Alan may have forgotten to assign her or may have the mistaken impression that he already did. If this was a case of Alan’s neglect or oversight, even though other questions would remain unanswered, the situation would certainly be less troubling than the conclusion that he was intentionally planning a trap for her.

  Fresh from the controversy over the Sangerson matter, there was new urgency in documenting all instructions and matters involving Alan. If she could print the page with the ACCESS DENIED message, it would shield her from any accusation by Alan that she was somehow responsible for some aspect of this deal. At least it would support my claim that I haven’t been assigned. She pressed print and quickly walked down the hall to the printer to retrieve the hard copy. When she picked it up off the printer tray, she noticed to her chagrin that only the message box printed. Nowhere on the page was identification for the file or client for which access was being denied. She suddenly felt the need to distance herself. She resolved to forget about the Gerais Chevas matter.

  She tore up the page and dropped it into the wastebasket beside the printer. As Evie arrived at her desk, her telephone began to ring. Helen was not around to answer it, so she picked it up herself.

  “Evelyn Sullivan.”

  “Hello Evelyn Sullivan. This is Joe Barton.”

  7

  Joe. Joe. Yessss, hello. Joe, how are you?” Gerais Chevas was now momentarily forgotten.

  “Terrific. You know, I was supposed to go to an auction tonight with this beautiful girl I just met, but her plans changed. Is it possible that she might be free for dinner?”

  Evie smiled audibly into the telephone. “Well, my instinct would be to say yes, but I promised to take a friend to dinner tonight to celebrate a courtroom victory.”

  “I knew I should’ve called you yesterday.” Joe’s tone turned surprisingly somber. “I’ve been involved in some intense corporate gamesmanship which dominated the day and spilled over into the evening.”

  “And did the best man win?”

  Evie could hear Joe sigh on the line, but she felt his mood lift. “We agreed on some key terms, but there are some crucial details yet to be worked out. That means that I will be in town through tomorrow at least. Please don’t tell me your weekend’s all booked, too.”

  “No. I thought I would be working this weekend, but I really don’t feel much like it. What does your schedule look like tomorrow?” Evie ignored the voice in her head that reminded her to proceed with caution.

  “Unfortunately, I can’t meet for breakfast and I won’t be able to make any plans for the evening until this meeting gets underway and I can see where we are. I know I’m sacrificing any chance at chivalry here, but may I call in the afternoon and suggest a meeting place and time for a spontaneous dinner?”

  “No problem, that’s fine. But we should probably make a reservation now even if we have to change it. Where’s your meeting taking place?”

  “An office building at Madison and 62nd. But, I can’t ask you to spend an evening with me until I’ve showered off the residue from battle. I’m staying at the Plaza. If you like Greek food, I’ll see if I can book a table at Molyvos on Seventh Avenue. You know it?”

  “I love that place, but I don’t think I’ve ever ordered off their dinner menu. I never seem to have an appetite after eating too many of those wonderful Greek appetizers.”

  “Well, have a light lunch and we’ll see what we can do to change that. How about we meet at the Oak Room at a time to be determined tomorrow?”

  “Great. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Evie hung up the telephone. Okay, I need the diversion.

  The computer screen still wore the ACCESS DENIED error message and the cursor blinked obediently as she picked up the telephone receiver again. I’ll just check one more thing …

  Technical support answered on the third ring. “Marcus?”

  “Yeah. Oh, hey Evie,” Marcus must have glanced at the caller identification window on his telephone.

  “Hey. Listen, Marcus, is there a way to bring up on the screen the list of attorneys who are on the access list for a particular group of secured files in the database?”

  “Well, yeah, but only us Tech Suppo
rt people can pull them up. The partners wanted it set up that way.”

  “Is it difficult to do?”

  “No. Takes two seconds. If you tell me the name of the client and matter, I can print out one for you.”

  “Would it be something you would have to keep a record of?”

  “Well, we’re supposed to keep track of all requests in the log, but—”

  “You know what? I have to take a call on the other line, but I’ll get back to you. Thanks a lot.”

  Something caused her to glance at the clock. Eight minutes after one o’clock! She almost forgot her lunch plans with Jenna! Evie logged off her computer, grabbed her jacket and sprinted down the hall to meet her.

  ~~

  “You remember Evie, don’t you?” Jenna was saying to Melanie as they sat down at the table she’d reserved.

  “Yes. I do. Evie, very good to see you again.”

  Three other women approached exchanging greetings and everyone sat and pulled their chairs up to the round table.

  “I’m so disgusted,” said Hannah as she opened her menu.

  “All men or a man in particular?” asked Jenna with a knowing smile. The other girls looked up from the descriptions of pumpkin penne and bell pepper risotto.

  “Okay, some time ago, I was at my dentist’s office. He had to delay my appointment for an hour because he had an emergency, which turned out to be a client of his who’d broken one of her bright-white veneers. She was close to hysterical because she was going on a date with Donald Trump that evening. This was while he was still single, of course.” Hannah rolled her eyes and continued, “So, anyway, this femme fatale was a supermodel and her money undoubtedly spoke much louder than mine, so she bumped me. Anyway, I told this story to a guy I just went out with and he said he wished he could demand such perfection. Can you believe this? Is this truly pathetic? Our mothers worried about getting their hair done before a date, we have to worry about our teeth being perfect?”