“No.” Vincent expected violence. In fact, he’d demand it. “There’s an old tradition that we tend to overlook.”
Chez rubbed his chin, interested.
“Let Dog Tag and Crash fight it out. Saline leaves with the winner.”
They shared another glance before Chez responded. “No weapons?”
“Fists.”
Vincent hoped his adversary would take his suggestion seriously. Why start a war over something as personal as someone’s old lady? Let Dog Tag pay for his misdeed by fighting for what he’d coveted. And if Crash really wanted her back, he’d shed blood for what he loved.
“I can’t remember the last time someone challenged one of my Brothers to an old-fashioned grudge match. Within the family, sure, but a rival club member?”
“The situation deserves special accommodation. Don’t you agree?”
“I think we’ll never get to the truth. Crash swears Saline’s mother physically abused her. That those scars are proof of the fucked-up childhood she had. He also claims Saline is bipolar and that her psychotherapist explained why she often mistakes the past for the present. Something about unconscious redirection of her feelings.”
“Transference?” Vincent asked.
“That’s it.”
Vincent held back his sarcastic laugh. “With two kids of my own, I’m familiar with it. Children who experience trauma often repress their memories as they get older. But I don’t think that theory applies in this case.”
Chez crossed his arms over his chest. “Crash is on my shit list, but he’s still a patched member. All this psychoanalysis bullshit doesn’t mean anything to me. There’s always two sides to a story. And we’re going to believe who we want to.”
Vincent licked his lips, his patience dwindling. “So I guess we’ve reached an impasse.”
“Maybe.”
Vincent used the heel of his boot to scratch a symbolic line in the sand. “Meet me halfway—let Dog Tag and Crash battle it out. Justice will be served either way. We can’t afford a war.”
“No weapons. No interference from your members if Crash gains the upper hand?”
“You have my word.”
The bastard gave a slow nod of agreement. “Done.”
Chapter 22
Tina absolutely hated dinner meetings with new clients. Stuck at a downtown restaurant with an executive and doctor from one of the local hospitals seeking counsel on a malpractice case, she scribbled notes on her legal tablet. After several minutes of intense listening, she set her pen down and reached for her glass of chardonnay. Another attorney from James and Bronte sat across the table, engaging the doctor in a personal conversation.
“Did you catch that last part, Ms. Bethel?” the executive asked.
“I know the county judge awarded the complainant $475,000, but I’m sure the state district judge will lower the award amount so it complies with the state law limit of $250,000 per claim.”
The woman leaned closer. “Dr. Gideon misdiagnosed her with stage four breast cancer two years ago. She underwent months of painful chemotherapy and had a mastectomy. With three grown children and a husband, I’m pretty sure we can count on a civil suit. That means millions of dollars are at stake. We’ve been accused of insurance fraud twice this year, too. I can’t tell you how detrimental this has been to the hospital’s reputation—the negative media response has been devastating. Our quarterly profits are down twenty percent already.”
Tina gritted her teeth. She didn’t specialize in medical cases, and had agreed to the meeting only as a favor for a coworker who was out with the flu. Her duties were limited to taking detailed notes and assuring the clients that her firm could win the appeal. Never mind her personal feelings; the poor patient they were discussing had suffered egregiously. Second opinions were obviously worth their weight in gold.
“Jacqueline Lambert should be back in the office early next week. I plan on discussing your situation with her tonight over the phone. James and Bronte has a perfect record in medical malpractice cases.”
“I’m fully aware.” The woman sipped on her gin and tonic. “That’s why I chose you.”
“I’m pleased to hear that,” Tina replied. Part of her job requirements included attracting new clients. But this didn’t really count; she couldn’t credit herself with recommending her firm. Word of mouth between clients is what gained the most business in the legal system. “I’ve prepared a statistical analysis and similar case history so you can review our record.” She reached inside her unzipped briefcase sitting on the floor at her feet and produced a file. “This should address any questions you have.”