Passion(White Collared Part 4)(10)

With several hours to kill, she figured she may as well read through his caseload. That way, when he assigned her some of them, she’d already be familiar with the facts and where they were in the legal process.

As she studied them, she discovered Nick had taken most on contingency and at least a quarter of them pro bono. Why hadn’t he told her? It was rare for a high-profile attorney to take so many free cases. Usually, they went to the lowest-ranked lawyers in the firm and only for appearance’s sake. Nick hadn’t even publicized it.

Of course, based on the 30 percent he’d make on his successful contingency cases, he’d still earn plenty of money both for himself and the firm.

The last few days she’d wavered on whether she wanted to pursue a career at a large law firm or not, but seeing this side of Nick cemented her conviction that she’d made the right decision when she’d chosen her path all those years ago. Like him, she could have it all. She didn’t have to turn her back on the people who couldn’t afford to pay an attorney. She’d get the chance to help those who really needed her.

Taking a sip of her bottled water, she checked the clock and realized Nick would be back in the office soon. If she didn’t want to get Lisa in trouble, she’d better finish the filing. She hadn’t had the opportunity to go through all the cases, but at least she had gotten a better picture of what her life could be like in ten years if she stayed at Joseph and Long.

Not that it would be called that for much longer. She couldn’t imagine the remaining partners wanted the name Joseph associated with the firm after the scandal. It wouldn’t surprise her if they voted it to become Trenton and Long. Nick’s name would bring it the recognition they wanted, especially when there was talk of him going into politics.

She could see him someday as a member of the Senate or even as President of the United States. He had that suave, confident demeanor and all-American good looks like some of the more modern politicians. She couldn’t imagine herself as the wife of a politician. It wasn’t solely because of her background, but the fact was, it wasn’t a life she’d want for herself. She wanted to be free to speak her mind and not worry about the repercussions. Ironic since she’d been on her best behavior for the last eight years, keeping her mouth shut and hiding out from the ones who’d passed judgment on her.

Jaxon had taught her more than she’d realized in the short time they’d spent together. He’d freed her from the bonds she hadn’t known even existed, and without them, she’d rediscovered her voice. It was time for her to stand up for what she believed in and not cower behind the invented persona of Kate Martin. She didn’t have to go around announcing her past as Katerina Martini but neither was she afraid of it any longer. The tragedy and the years that followed were as much a part of her as her DNA. It made her who she was today. She just wished she knew who exactly that was.

One more case and she would have them all put away. She picked up a thin folder, figuring she’d read through it quickly. Oddly, there was no name on the file, and inside she found only the complaint and no other paperwork. Usually there would be at least some notes and an agreement for legal services. She flipped to the last page of the complaint and discovered it was never filed with the court. Maybe the client had decided not to proceed with the lawsuit.

Her gaze fell to the names of the defendants, and her stomach plummeted to the ground floor of the building. Reverend Pierce, the camp Angelus Tredecim, and the church where Pierce worked.

Hands shaking, she turned to the first page. There were three plaintiffs, all listed as Jane Doe. Carefully, she read through the fifty-page complaint, paying close attention to the facts of the victims. Each woman asserted that she’d been sexually assaulted by the reverend at age thirteen. The civil claims were for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment, and defamation.

She bit her lip as she tried to make sense of the lawsuit. The facts were the same for all three women, but no personal information about who they were was given. Since the statute of limitations required the victim to bring suit within two years of the violation, the girls would all have to be fifteen or younger, but there was no mention of age.

It was as if Nick were anticipating the victims but hadn’t yet discovered them.

She blew out the breath she’d been holding. Of course, that must be it. After he learned about what had happened to Alyssa at camp, he must have begun preparing the lawsuit, knowing a pedophile like Reverend Pierce would have abused a number of girls throughout the years. He must intend to investigate it once everything settled down. Maybe it was his way of dealing with Alyssa’s death. A way to honor her memory by bringing to justice the man who’d abused not only her body but her faith.