Limiting Liabilities: Book Two - The Martinique Files

by Colette Alaine

  “There’s no lawsuit against a private company then,” Ken states the obvious.

  “I know that puts you at risk for claims of improper clean-up and whatever else these people come up with for money but you’re the best, man, and we can always defend you.” Billy wants a defendant as badly as Ken does but he has to be real about what is in front of him.

  “Oh, I know, Billy. I sure hope no one comes after us but you never know these days. Everyone wants to sue.” Ken has been in the game long enough to know what to expect. He hopes it does not happen but that is why he engages her boss early on.

  “I promise if anything turns up at all you will be the first person we call. Even if it’s just speculation I will let you know what’s going on.” Ken trusts Billy completely and Billy will do nothing to risk that trust or their relationship.

  “Anything at all is better than nothing. Do you two want to watch the monitors in the underwater lab? The scientists are there now,” Ken offers.

  “I’d love to see them at work.” Tawny really wants to witness these brilliant experts doing what they do best. The whole concept of the underwater lab fascinates her.

  “So it must be ‘Science Week’.” Billy reminds him of the name Ken’s kids have dubbed the week when all of the members of the underwater group descend into the lab.

  Ken laughs. “It sure is. I’ve been coming to Florida every time they go down. I can see the same thing in Houston but for some reason I feel closer to them here. Sounds silly, I know, but I do it all the same. Besides, Judy practically throws me out of the house during Science Week so I might as well come to Florida. She did come down here with me this time. She’s checking out some plant convention.”

  “That’s nice that she’s with you,” Tawny says aloud.

  “Yeah, it is but she’s not interested in any of this stuff. By the way, we did install some new state-of-art technology in this lab. Houston doesn’t have it yet and I’m not sure if we’ll bring it there or not.”

  Ken informs them of the new additions as well as a peek into his home life as they follow him into a very large room with monitors everywhere. Each one shows the scientists hard at work examining sea life in its natural habitat. The view from the monitors is incredibly awesome. What those scientists must be seeing so close up is beyond comprehension.

  The scientists have their own probes that are situated within a two mile radius of the underwater lab. They are able to watch sea life activity and monitor the effects of toxic dumping and depletion of the marine life. They have begun to see reproduction of some schools of fish but so much more is still needed to replenish what was lost. They also are viewing the condition of the newly born fish to see if the toxins are resulting in any abnormalities. It is fascinating to watch on the monitors and Tawny could sit here all day.

  But Billy has other ideas. Watching fish swim entertains him for about five minutes. He endures it for twenty but Tawny can tell he is about to burst from boredom. Ken comes to his rescue by leading him into an office with piles of files.

  “Here’s what we’ve got on the HenKov case. I assume Tawny is going to be stuck going through it.” Ken winks at her.

  “Well, she’s the best.” No way will Billy be wading through it.

  “Tawny, I think we’ve done a good job of organizing everything we’ve received on the HenKov company and those involved. I figure you can sort through it and give Billy an overview of what he’s gonna need for the government’s case.” Now Tawny knows her mission.

  “I’ll get started right away. This could be a long memo.” She sits down and begins opening files.

  “Think about the discovery documents. You might as well start working on interrogatories and request for the production of documents while you’re digging through it all.” Billy is giving her full rein over the case, not just the usual research she does.

  “Great. I’ll do it.”

  “This is pretty much your project for the week. Make copies of what we’ll need and we can ship those to Chicago. If you have to stay longer than the week we’ll arrange it.” Billy is ready to give her control.

  “I’ll start right now. As soon as I know what’s here I’ll be able to let you know how long I’m going to need to be in Florida.”

  “You can’t start now because Ken and Judy have invited us to dinner.” Billy really should have told her. It’s not that she minds but she prefers to know her agenda beforehand.

  “That’ll be wonderful. I can’t wait to meet Judy.” Tawny does not make any waves with Billy. She simply closes the file and stands back up.

  “You just stay close to Billy. She knows we spent time on that island together and it won’t matter that you saved my life. She’s not the jealous kind but Tawny, I’m gonna get lots of grief about it once she sees you,” Ken admits that he is a bit uncomfortable having her meet his wife. Spending three nights on an island with a gorgeous twenty-six year old is not what a fifty-five year old man wants to tell the mother of his eight children.

  “I’ll hang all over him,” Tawny teases.

  “I’ve been bending over backwards not to break any employment laws and now you tell her to fall all over me. I can’t win. No matter what I do I’m gonna get in trouble,” Billy complains.

  “I’m sure it’s gonna be so hard for you,” Ken chides his attorney.

  “Just keep this professional, Tawny.” Billy looks at her.

  “You’re telling me this?”

  “Let’s just go. I was looking forward to a leisurely dinner. Now I’m concerned about messing up,” Billy continues to moan.

  “Don’t worry, Billy. I’m sure I’m going to find Judy much more interesting than I find you.” Tawny bursts his ego yet again. He only shakes his head.

  The next day Tawny tackles the piles of files and finds them in excellent order. With the organization already done for her, she can concentrate on her memo and the discovery documents. What a treat to be working with such professionals. Rarely does an attorney get to handle such an enormous case with such a thorough group.

  Buried in documents for three days straight, Tawny is at the land-based lab at eight o’clock every morning and does not leave until ten o’clock at night. Consumed with providing perfect work she is excited to show Billy. At five o’clock on Thursday night he shows up and informs her that she needs a break and they are going out to dinner. No more hotel food and no more ordering in pizza and Chinese for her.

  Protesting that she is close to being finished, he cannot be swayed. She has most of tomorrow to finish and then they will catch an early evening flight. They will not get home until late Friday night but the work will be done and she can polish it in Chicago next week. Already shipping eight boxes of copies to the office she has enough to do for the next several weeks on the case.

  “I’m not staying out late.” She finally gives into his demands.

  “You’re not coming back here.” He reads her mind.

  “Then can we leave at eight? That’ll give me three more hours. I’ll be more comfortable that I’ve got everything done.”

  “We’ll leave at seven. Did you bring something more casual to wear? We’ll stop at the hotel so you can change.”

  “Yeah. I’ve got jeans and a summer dress that isn’t fancy but will work for an expensive dinner or a casual one.”

  “Wear the dress.” Billy decides quickly. He wants a steak dinner and since Ken is not joining them they can go wherever they want. Wherever he wants. “And stop fretting. You sent most of it to Chicago already. If you don’t get it all done by the time we leave tomorrow we’ll just ask them to copy what’s left and mail it.”

  “If I’m right I think I’ve got three hours more and then I’ll feel like I’ve done everything I can here.”

  “You’ll have much more than three hours tomorrow to get it all done. Relax. We’ll have a good meal and a few drinks and a good night sleep.” Billy attempts to get her in a party mood.

  “I’ll meet you in the lobby at
seven. Go do whatever you do when you’re not around me.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Billy continues to lean against the door and does not move.

  “Sorry. You’re just messing up my plan. I’m trying to do my work and appease my boss.” Tawny expresses the contradiction and Billy just laughs, then leaves her doorway.

  Billy’s choice in restaurants is excellent. Nestled away from the main drag this beautiful rounded glass steakhouse gives them an excellent view of the water. Billy maneuvers a window table and asks if he can order for her.

  “Sure. I just don’t want anything spicy,” Tawny agrees to let him choose her meal.

  “I doubt they have anything spicy but I’ll keep it in mind.” The waiter arrives and Billy orders wine and a small selection of appetizers. He dismisses the waiter and tells him they will order dinner a bit later.

  “We’re going to be here all night.” Tawny is hoping to get to bed early so that she can arise at the break of dawn and finish her work.

  “I want to savor the entire meal. If they get the entire order, our meal will be here before we finish the appetizers and I don’t want to eat like that tonight. Don’t worry I have some entertaining information to keep the conversation going.”

  “Do tell.”

  “Barbie found an attorney to sue the firm, saying that I created a hostile work environment.” Billy gives her the dirt on himself.

  “In three minutes?” Tawny does not put much merit in the case. “Who would take such a case?”

  “A desperate attorney but he’s already backed out of the case. Apparently, she’s made up a whole story that isn’t remotely true. When HR told him that his client was in the room with about twenty-five others who could tell the truth, he confronted her and she admitted she added a little more to the story.”

  “She’s not doing herself any favors.” Tawny cannot understand why the fired associate would want to go after Billy and still work in Chicago or in environmental law for that matter.

  “None at all. I filed a disciplinary action against her.” Tawny sits silently. Billy means business when it comes to his reputation. “If I’d done something wrong I would’ve taken my licks but I won’t sit back and let some young associate lie about me. Afterwards, she came to my house screaming like a mad woman. I called the police and got a restraining order.” Billy sits back in his chair.

  “Wow! That’s amazing. I can’t believe you didn’t say anything sooner. When did all this happen?” Tawny is shocked by his news.

  “Last week. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to come to Florida. Anyway, she’s apparently come to her senses and has called the firm to apologize and wants to talk to me.” Billy sips his wine.

  “Are you going to talk to her?”

  “No. I’m going to pursue the disciplinary case though. She’s made a mess for herself. Normally, I wouldn’t want to hurt someone’s career like this but I can’t let her get by with it. She’ll just do the same thing to someone else. There’s not much room for princesses with or without a bad attitude in the law.”

  “You don’t think I’m a princess do you?” Tawny asks.

  “No, you’re not. I expected you to be when I first heard about you when they told me you’d be clerking for me,” Billy admits.

  “I always wondered how I got to clerk for you in your department without interviewing with you or with anyone in our department. Not even Rebecca.” Tawny is finally going to find out how she, a female associate, got the job in Billy Solomon’s department.

  “I was told that I had to have a female associate because my reputation for disliking female attorneys had become legendary. I resisted and said I wasn’t going to interview. I was told it would be done for me and that Rebecca would interview. I didn’t want that either because I didn’t trust who she’d bring on. There was a big argument and basically, I lost. I had cases to work and I told them that whoever they hired was working for Rebecca.”

  “You do make things hard for yourself sometimes, Billy.”

  “I know.” He swirls the red wine in his glass. “When I heard about you I was convinced they hired you to spite me. I know you had the credentials but I was sure there were other, uglier or just plain girls that would’ve met the criteria. But they brought you in. I was furious at the time but it’s all worked out.”

  “I should be the one filing suit,” Tawny teases.

  “Well you certainly have more standing than Barbie.”

  “Yeah, but filing a sexual harassment suit is like sounding a death knell on your career,” Tawny admits.

  “You weren’t thinking of filing, were you?” He seems concerned about how far she would take his inappropriate behavior last year.

  “No, but you did make it rough on me while I clerked and the first part of my rookie year,” she reminds him.

  “You handled it with true professionalism. I learned a lot from you. I’m happy you’re with this firm and in my department. I hope you never leave.”

  “Be careful what you wish for.” Tawny smiles as she speaks.

  “You make my life much more interesting than it’s ever been. I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Ah, here are our appetizers.”

  CHAPTER 15

  T hey met at college. Jake Bird, the studious one, finds himself rooming with the colorful Drew Bergman. It takes five minutes for Jake to say ‘hi’. He is not sure if Drew breathed at all during his introduction. Drew bursts into the room and starts rattling off in the middle of a conversation. Jake looks around to see who he is speaking to and sees no one. Drew is two minutes into what he is saying before Jake realizes he is talking to him. Having no idea what the guy said Jake just stares at him. When Drew finally takes a breath, Jake takes the opportunity to introduce himself.

  “I’m Jake,” he says quietly and sticks out his hand and nothing else.

  Drew initially is taken aback. Then he shakes Jake’s hand. They never look back. Drew talks a lot and is the entertainer while Jake speaks little but says volumes. When Jake opens his mouth Drew shuts his. He has that much respect for him.

  Their plan is to excel in undergrad and then attend law school. But a funny thing happened along the way. While Drew was dating his umpteenth girlfriend during his sophomore year he thinks she is the one for all time. Forcing Jake to go with him to the local jewelry store, the two of them spend hours learning about different stones.

  Drew does not find a ring that day, which turns out to be a blessing since the girl breaks up with him that very night but the experience the two men shared examining and discussing stones would not leave them. They found themselves more and more interested in the business. Together they started to take geology courses to learn more about jewels.

  Abandoning their law school plans, the two guys graduate with honors. Borrowing money from their parents they open a small boutique in a strip mall. Not having any experience it is a rough beginning. They are in the red for two years, almost giving away inventory at times.

  Then Julie Carlyle walks into the store.

  Julie Carlyle’s father is oil magnet Styles Carlyle, billionaire and single father. Julie’s mother died from cancer when she turned seven and Styles could not resist giving his daughter everything she wanted. Despite truly being spoiled rotten, she is one of the stars of the city. Helping needy children is one of her three passions and she puts her money where her heart is. Chairing two Chicago charities she is actively involved in feeding, clothing and sheltering the city’s abandoned little ones.

  Her second passion at the time she entered the struggling boutique is jewelry. The sparkle of the stones contradicts the dim plight of those she helps. Spending almost an hour gazing at her choices she chooses a small, relatively cheap piece. Drew does more flirting than selling but does not get the girl. Jake does. And Jake becomes her third passion. In time, he becomes her only passion.

  Jake remembers little about the day. It took him five seconds to fall in love but convincing himself Drew was going to win this one, he stays ba
ck. Julie listens as Drew extolls the many highlights of the pieces she is examining. When she chooses the simple ring he is disappointed but hopes he made enough of an impression on her to come back again.

  Five minutes after she leaves the store she returns. Both of the men’s heads turn toward her after a short colloquy of their disappointment in not selling Julie Carlyle anything more than they did. What is wrong? Why are they failing?

  “So your first problem is your display,” she announces as she pounces through the front door. “It’s too crowded. When I look into it I don’t see anything because there’s too much to take in. Your second problem is that neither of you is a proper salesperson,” she continues to tell them off in her bossy but yet appealing manner and immediately catches the men’s attention.

  “And you, Drew, rely more on flirting to sell while you, you just stand there like you’re more amused at his antics than selling jewelry.” She points at Jake, then struts behind the counter, drops her purse and asks Jake for the case keys. Retrieving them from Drew, he obediently hands them to her and she opens every case and pulls out every piece of jewelry. Five hours later it is all rearranged so that each and every piece is celebrated.

  That was Monday. Arriving at ten o’clock every morning and leaving at five every evening that week she shows them how to sell. Friday at three-thirty she hosts a cocktail party in the store, footing the entire bill and inviting all her friends and Daddy’s business contacts. Jake and Drew never see a red line in their accounting ledger again.

  They also hire a young college girl to work the weekends. Both men think it is a terrible idea but Julie insists. She sees something in this fireball and it is more than just raw personality. The sparkling gems are more than just pretty rocks to Jaclyn Carter. They represent fulfilled dreams and that is what sells.