Limiting Liabilities: Book Two - The Martinique Files

by Colette Alaine

  “Better warn my roommate then. I think she’s been bitten a little too hard. He cheated on her and she said she never wanted to think of him as anything but her boss but she never stops talking about him and I know she plots to see him or meet him, talk to him, whatever just to be around him.” Jaclyn really is divulging way too much information but when her mouth starts running, sometimes she cannot stop it.

  Jake suddenly seems to realize he is getting more information than he needs and that Tawny’s love life is her own business. “Sounds like she’s in deep. That’s too bad. She’s only going to get hurt.”

  Jaclyn replaces the case keys in the small safe they keep inside the main store, without closing the door completely. “Again.”

  “Enough about those two. Is it too soon for you and Eric to have dinner with me and Julie?” Jake diverts the attention back to Jaclyn.

  “We should wait at least a month, maybe two. I don’t want to rush him. This is my first real relationship in a very long time and I think it’s best if we spend time with each other and not bring in others. We kind of did that with Tawny and his roommate, Jay. It messed us up so now we’re focusing on each other.” Jaclyn is nervous about bringing a party into their lives whenever they are together. Slow and easy wins the race they say.

  “The invitation is open whenever you’re ready.” Jake meanders toward the back of the store, where the books are kept. “In the meantime, sell your little heart out. I don’t mind buying more.”

  “Here comes a new customer now. Maybe I can persuade him to buy more than he’s planning.” Jaclyn divulges her plan.

  “Make him feel good about it,” Jake reminds her.

  Jaclyn nods vigorously. “Always. How could you not feel wonderful about buying jewels? It’s just impossible.”

  As the middle aged man enters the store, Jaclyn greets him and he is immediately captivated by her smile and her smooth demeanor. He is putty in her hands. Jake looks on approvingly, then picks up a pair of ruby earrings for Julie. It will be a nice surprise for the love of his life.

  CHAPTER 10

  G ood thing for Nick that Brandon Harper starts work at Bartoletti, Simon and Fraid the next day. Billy’s attention is focused on sorting through the new partner’s workload more than on chastising Nick for his inappropriate comments last night.

  Rebecca moved to the other side of the building into her new office late last week. It was open and it took her some time to crate her stuff and have maintenance haul it down the two hallways. Tawny is still waiting for Nick to be promoted and change offices. Once that occurs, Mark will move and then it is time for Tawny to pack up.

  At noon, Billy gathers the group to take Brandon to lunch. It is a strange group but Billy attempts to unify them all as the firm grows. Brandon and Rebecca know several attorneys in common and the conversation lasts between those two longer than any other. It is somewhat of a relief to the others since none of them know what to say.

  Tawny finds it strange to see Brandon in Rebecca’s office. As she passes by, she cannot help looking in. It was natural for her to do so when Rebecca was there. If her boss wanted her, she could just call out to Tawny as she strolled by. Brandon must think she is a bit odd.

  Around three o’clock, he catches her checking in and to cover up she saunters into his office. He appears a little apprehensive as though an associate should not be so self-assured. “Sorry I keep glancing into your office when I walk by. I always did it with Rebecca because if she wanted me, she usually stopped me. It’s a habit. I’ll try to break it as soon as possible so I don’t freak you out,” Tawny attempts to explain herself.

  “She didn’t call you?” His tone is quite cold.

  Tawny breathes in deeply. She is just beginning to see who Brandon Harper is. Already she is glad she did not take a job at his firm. Well, he did not interview her but he did get her resume. “Rebecca? No, not often. She didn’t want to interrupt me if I was engrossed in a project. If I was walking by, she knew I wasn’t researching or writing.”

  “But you’re only an associate,” he states bluntly.

  Bam! This guy is arrogant. No wonder he told Billy about the resume. He is going to have a tough time fitting in. “That doesn’t matter too much. We all contribute here,” she retorts a little too defiantly.

  “That’s the difference between a large, professional department and one that’s too small. The proper decorum starts to fade away.” Obviously this guy wants her out of his office.

  “I prefer a friendlier environment. I guess I’ll just pop in on Billy when I want to discuss a matter.” She may be pulling a punch of her own but it does not last.

  “Billy’s going to be handing down supervisory duties to other partners so he doesn’t have to deal with the minutia.” Dang this guy is cruel.

  “So I’ve heard.” She tries not to let him get to her. “I have work to do so I’ll leave you.” He returns to his work without saying a word of response.

  Returning to her office, Tawny is flabbergasted at what just transpired. Billy said she would be doing work for him. Maybe she turned down those other offers too soon. Thinking for a minute of hunting down the senior partner and relaying the conversation to him, she decides that is not appropriate. It would make her more like a high school tattletale rather than a professional attorney. She is not working for Brandon yet. Hopefully, this case with Ken will last long enough to get her paired with one of the other new attorneys coming on board.

  Pondering this new set up, Tawny does not hear Nick outside her door. Without gesturing him in, he enters, closes the door and sits in her reception chair. “He told me I made partner,” he confides in her.

  “I’m so happy for you, Nick! That’s wonderful. It’s about time.” She gets up to hug him then returns to her office chair.

  He looks at his hands. “First, he scolded me for slamming him last night.”

  “That was pretty bold of you.” Tawny now knows why he is sharing his information. He wants to know what, if anything, Billy said about it.

  Nick scratches his head. “I don’t know what happened to me. It just came out. I was a jerk last night. I’m sorry.” He cups his face in his hands and rubs down hard. He really looks a mess. She can tell he’s been having trouble sleeping, among other things.

  “You’ve been under lots of stress lately.” Tawny attempts to give him an excuse. “Maybe it all came out last night.”

  “I had to wait so long for this partnership. Billy said it would happen but I got nervous the longer it went without any word. I trust Billy but I didn’t understand why he couldn’t get it to go. He can do anything.” Nick’s lack of confidence is starting to come through.

  Tawny defends her boss. “I heard it was firm wide. Billy can’t usurp the entire law firm.”

  “That’s what he told me. Anyway, it’s done now and I can relax.” Shaking a bit, he rests his back on the chair, not looking comfortable at all. Poor Nick, he cannot even enjoy his success. “Everyone’s getting an email tomorrow morning.”

  “Don’t drink too much tonight,” Tawny teasingly warns.

  “I’m not drinking at all. Are we having dinner with Ken again?” He sounds as though he does not want to join them.

  “That’s what I’m planning,” Tawny informs the new partner. “He leaves in the morning. He’s been with engineers all day and didn’t want us around. I think he’ll be here at four o’clock.” Tawny gives him the scoop that Billy failed to provide.

  “I wanted this case badly. You deserve it because you were available last year when Mark and I couldn’t go. Ken loves you but I’ve put in so much time here that I feel like I deserve it too. I don’t mean to step on your toes but if I don’t make myself heard I’ll never get to work on the Ken Shelton cases. I live for those cases. I worked two smaller ones before you came and they were intoxicating.” Nick wants back into the big dance and does not plan to back down. At least he is letting her know.

  Tawny senses he wants to say more so sh
e chides him ever so subtly. “It shouldn’t change because I came along.”

  “Well it did. I can’t compete with your . . .” He stops short of saying what he really feels.

  “My what? My looks?” She completes his thought and tries to keep her voice under control. “Listen, it comes down to my work. Even if Ken was interested in me, which he definitely isn’t, it was what I did on that case that mattered. You don’t know the whole story and you never will but I was a valuable member of that group.” Tawny cannot believe she has to defend herself and her work to Nick of all people. He knows how hard she works and that she is smart. She knows her work and he seems to be wanting to put her in her place.

  “I know, I know. I’m not saying you weren’t and we all figure something happened that no one’s saying a word about. Probably to protect Billy but you have Billy’s ear.” Ah, this is what he hates the most. He has been Billy’s primary go-to guy and Billy only listens to him. Now he has to share his boss with Mark and with Tawny. With Tawny being a second year associate, it stings more than a little.

  “I didn’t before the case last year. He hated me. He treated me like dirt. You even said so yourself,” Tawny reminds him of her poor treatment. “I never asked to go to Houston with Billy last year. I went because I was his only alternative. I even remember telling you I hoped I was being fired rather than go with Billy. It just turned out differently than any of us thought.”

  “I’m sorry, I’m out of line, I know. I just want back on Ken’s cases is all.” Nick realizes he needs to back down. This conversation could get him into big trouble and after last night, more trouble is exactly what he does not need.

  Tawny is not going to back down just because Nick wants to work the big cases. Sometimes it is every lawyer to herself. She can be a little cut-throat too if necessary. “Billy is the one that makes those decisions. Well, Ken too, of course. But Billy will have most of the say. With all the new personnel in this department, hard telling who’s going to be working on what.”

  “Speaking of that, what do you think of Brandon?” Tawny can tell Nick wants to talk and here is her chance to open the gates a bit.

  “He made certain I understood that I am nothing more than a mere associate. He thinks I should keep quiet and do my work. I think he was appalled that I just dropped in and talked to him. I don’t know. Billy said I’d be working with him. Brandon made it clear I’d be working for him.” Tawny vents as much as she feels comfortable doing with the new partner.

  Nick exposes his real feelings. “I heard he’s a bear to work with. I don’t know why Billy hired him.”

  “Doesn’t he have a huge book of business?” Tawny knew nothing about his personality until now.

  “Yes, but still he’s older than Billy and definitely not a cowboy. Billy does as Billy wants. Brandon follows every rule and makes up one if there isn’t one strong enough to his liking. They’re so different. There’s got to be a reason Brandon left Monson and Swanson.” Nick’s suspicious nature is showing and she is sure he is wondering what Tawny knows, if anything.

  Tawny shrugs. She suddenly remembers that now she is going to get to move offices and will not be as close to Brandon as she is now. “Maybe he got pushed out.”

  “That’s not the type of person Billy would take on.” Nick knows him better than Tawny when it comes to business matters.

  “Except that he comes with enough business to keep all of us working, especially when you combine his work with Billy’s cases,” Tawny surmises.

  Nick stands up but the hunch of his shoulders reveals the stress he’s been under. He needs to let go of all the things he cannot control and only concentrate on his work. He would be in a better state than he is now. “True and this smaller firm that’s joining us has enough work to keep themselves moderately busy but not swamped. Brandon’s cases will add to their workload.”

  “Then that’s probably the reason.” She hesitates. “I wonder if Billy’s worried Brandon will go after his job and want to lead the department.” Tawny never thought about this before but it seems plausible if they both are bringing in huge cases and Brandon is the organized, controllable partner.

  “Brandon brings in lots of cases but Billy brings in lots of money. Brandon can’t come close to the revenue that Billy brings in. In fact, Brandon’s revenue will probably only equal one of Billy’s cases. That’s how valuable Billy is to this firm.” Nick shares what he knows.

  “Now you have to bring in a client or two,” Tawny reminds him of his own obligations now that he is a partner.

  Nick leans on the back top of Tawny’s reception chair and his face lightens up a bit. “I’ve been working on a few of them. All small matters but everything counts when you’re a partner.” Nick has new concerns to consider.

  “Haven’t you brought in any clients before now?” Tawny is a bit surprised. Senior associates are usually expected to bring in some business. Even Mark has brought in some minor work.

  “No. Neither have most of the new partners being invited. That’s one of the reasons they made us wait. They thought we should have brought in a few clients. I think there’ll be new rules for new partners. I hate it for Mark. He’s in the same spot that I was in. Well, almost. He did bring in an apartment asbestos problem and some endangered species thing.” Nick obviously knows exactly what Mark has done when it comes to bringing in clients.

  Tawny mentally pictures all the files lining her bookshelves and her desk neatly tucked in the bookcases of her new office. “It’s easy to rely on Billy.”

  Nick is not ready to leave. He needs to release a lot of pent up emotions. “I’ve heard that’s one of the reasons we’re growing with lateral hires with existing business they can bring to BSF. We can’t rely on one partner to bring in all the cases. Rebecca, Mark and I aren’t seen as big rainmakers.” He shrugs. “That opened the door to more bodies in here. They don’t know about you yet. You’re too young and no one expects you to bring in business yet. Keeping Ken Shelton happy is key and you’re his favorite now. Even Billy knows it.” Glimpses of the green monster appear on Nick’s face and in his tone.

  Tawny shakes her head. “That’s not true. Billy will always be Ken’s favorite.”

  “It is, Tawny. I don’t know what you did on the case last year but it made a huge impression on those two men.” Nick reveals what many of the attorneys at BSF are discussing.

  Tawny flashbacks to the island rescue when both men revealed their fears and contemplated suicide. Instead, she saved them with skills she learned growing up on the farm. But no one is the wiser as she and they, of course, have kept quiet about these details. “I did what needed to be done, that’s all.”

  “Whatever it was, it was enough to insure your security for a long time. They’ll have to inform Brandon. He’ll be dropping in on you and you won’t be able to get him out of your office,” he teases.

  She smiles coyly. “I’ll let him know I don’t appreciate partners intruding on my time.”

  As she finishes her sentence, her door suddenly swings open and Billy strides in. He assesses the situation and figures Nick told Tawny his news. “Ken’s back and is on his way over. I need both of you in my office in five minutes. We’re going to review the case and next steps.” Just as fast as he came in, he turns on his heel and leaves.

  Nick bolts out of Tawny’s office and she quickly closes her open accounts, locking her computer as she grabs her legal pad to take notes. Trying to use an iPad and a small notebook laptop, she reverts back to good old pen and paper to scribble what she hears. The laptop has proved to be too difficult. It is just easier and she can write fast.

  Arriving in Billy’s office after Nick, Tawny sits at Billy’s table next to the newest environmental partner. Billy is busy talking on the phone and shuffling papers at the same time. He is a master at dealing with multiple issues at one time; a true multi-tasker. No wonder he sees so much of himself in Tawny. With his expert timing, he hangs up about five seconds before Linda e
scorts Ken into his full office.

  Billy shakes his client’s hand. “Ken, glad you’re here. Sit down and let’s get caught up.” Billy motions for Ken to sit next to Tawny and he takes the empty chair next to Nick.

  “It’s been interesting, I’ll tell you.” Ken is obviously excited about what transpired. “We took a boat further out into the lake and found higher levels of hexavalent chromium than when the lake was previously tested. It wasn’t as high as we found it closer to the beach but it’s definitely moving outward. Again, I believe whoever is dumping the sludge has been doing it for at least two years before this one. Maybe more,” Ken explains.

  “So it is definitely an electroplating sludge?” Billy wants to confirm.

  Ken nods. “For sure.”

  “Well at least we can limit our culprits.” Billy leads the conversation.

  Ken shifts in his chair. “Probably even moreso than you think. We’ve narrowed it down to chrome plating, a subset of electroplating.”

  “That’s good news.” Billy looks around the table. “Hey, can you explain how the sludge is created?” He wants each one of them to clearly understand.

  “Sure. The chrome electroplating process uses a bath of chromic acid and sulfuric acid. After the acid bath has been used to plate a number of parts, sludge starts to accumulate. At some point, the acids have to be replaced, and the spent bath, which is no longer useful as a bath of acid, has to be disposed.” Ken engages quickly when he is talking about his work.

  “Then they dump it into Lake Michigan while no one is watching,” Nick adds his own thoughts.