"So, what can I do you for?" He made a show of grabbing a legal pad and a pen.
No apologies for his earlier words, nothing. Just straight to business. It was a relief, actually. I didn't need to scold him; I needed to convince him to work for me.
"I'm here about a case. Stone and Porter would like you to serve as co-counsel." I opened my briefcase and pulled out an engagement letter.
"Why would they send a secretary to tell me this?" He dropped his pen and started digging in his desk drawers for something. "My phone works fine and Guy Porter knows where I'm at. I beat him like a drum a year ago in a wrongful death case. I have his settlement check framed out in the hallway. You may have seen it."
I'd stiffened at his statement that I was a secretary. He wasn't the first to make the assumption. Sadly, he wouldn't be the last.
"I tried to call several times this morning. There was no answer. This matter is time sensitive. I have a fee-splitting agreement already drafted up. It's attached to the engagement letter." I rose and would have placed the documents on his desk, but it was such a mess of papers that I preferred to hand them to him instead.
He studied my face, then narrowed his eyes before taking the proffered documents. After throwing them on top of the stack of pleadings and briefs cluttering his work space, he leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers behind his head. A stain, likely from beer, spread beneath his right pec and over his abs. I stared for a moment, but not at the stain-his chest was broad and lean, and I could make out the imprint of a six-pack beneath his shirt.
"I'll read that shit later. For now, tell me what your boss wants." He smirked as I glanced back up to his eyes. Had he noticed I'd been checking out his body?
"Well." I cleared my throat, my voice suddenly raspy. "We have a long-term client, Rhone Industries, that has run into an issue with a competitor. Mr. Rhone visited us yesterday and laid out several pieces of information concerning the theft of high-dollar trade secrets and what seems to be a concerted campaign of corporate espionage involving Greenwood Technologies. I can't really tell you more until we're on the same team. Suffice it to say, Stone and Porter is not in the business of doing plaintiff's work. We never sue. We only defend. We need someone who is a seasoned plaintiff's lawyer that knows how to get results." I arched my eyebrow as a cocky smile began to form on his face. "Somehow, and I'm not entirely sure how"-I glanced around the messy office-"your name was thrown into the mix. Mr. Porter would like you to spearhead the case. However, Mr. Rhone is our biggest client, so we want to be intimately involved every step of the way. Co-counsel."
He grinned. "So, Mr. Stick-Up-His-Ass Guy Porter needs help but he sends you begging? Why couldn't he come himself? I would have rolled out the red carpet for him. Hell, I may even have showered if I were feeling extra frisky."
"I'm sure Mr. Porter would have very much enjoyed visiting your quaint little office here." I wrinkled my nose in distaste as I studied the faded wallpaper and tasteless paintings. "But he's in Saint-Tropez at the moment."
I leaned back and crossed my legs at the knee. He followed the movement, his grin faltering for a moment as he took in the shape of my legs. So the rumors were true-in addition to him being a total dick, he was also a womanizer. The urge to stalk out of this shithole and never look back waged war with the need to live up to Mr. Porter's expectations. He'd given me a position of trust with this assignment, and I wasn't going to let him down.
"So, are you interested or should I move to the next candidate on my list? We are working against an evidence trail that is disappearing by the second, so I'll need your answer today. Now, in fact." I stood.
He didn't move, still affecting an air of nonchalance. "Who's your next candidate?"
"I'm afraid that's confidential." The next candidate's track record wasn't half as good as Granade's, but if I had to go with him, I would.
"Pendleton? It's Pendleton, isn't it? He's good, sure." He rose and came around his desk. Even in my heels, I was at eye level with his shoulders.
I gripped my briefcase by the handle and took a step toward the door. "As I said, Mr. Granade, that's confidential."
"You might want to do a little more research, though. Last I heard, his second mistress was pregnant and his wife was about to file for divorce." He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against his desk. "Scandal doesn't exactly jibe with the Stone and Porter image, does it? I think that's why they don't hire any female associates. Afraid their dicks will get the better of them."