She checked herself in the full-length mirror hanging on the inside of the closet door in her office. Sometimes when she was in the middle of a case, she spent the night here, so she kept toiletries and a couple of power suits handy. She’d chosen a burgundy skirt-and-jacket ensemble today, hair pulled back with tortoise-shell-patterned combs. Satisfied that she looked fresh and confident, she powdered her nose and headed to Mr. James’s office down the hallway.
The door was open but she knocked, peering inside. The meeting was scheduled, so she wasn’t surprised to find him seated at his desk.
“Ms. Bethel, please, come in.”
She closed the door behind her, then sat in the high-backed leather guest chair across from him. “Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”
“Of course.” He smiled, shuffling his papers aside. “I always accommodate our future stars.”
Tina held in her sarcastic laugh. He rarely made appearances, and when he did, it was usually to celebrate victories in high-profile cases. He was generous with bonuses and time off, so she couldn’t complain about that. But she wanted to get to the point before she lost her willpower.
“Mr. James…”
“Have you read the latest headlines? Three James and Bronte attorneys were featured in the American Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession, and Best Lawyers in America lists five of our own as Lawyers of the Year. Your name has come up several times, Valentina. Your peers have taken notice of your dedication and fair treatment of our clients.”
She mentally repeated his last words, fair treatment of our clients. At this point, she felt like Kline’s punching bag, not his attorney.
“Congratulations,” she said out of duty. Under normal circumstances she’d feel pride for being part of such a talented team. But not today. “I’m not here to discuss my future with the firm,” she said.
Mr. James arched an eyebrow. “I don’t like the sound of that. Have you received another offer? Let me guess: Douglas Burns is trying to recruit you again. Tell me what he offered this time, and I’ll match it.”
She smiled at his willingness to fight to keep her on staff. “Thank you, but no one has made an offer recently.”
“I’m relieved,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “I suppose I’d better listen instead of fishing for answers.”
Tina folded her hands on her lap, feeling anxious over what she was about to say. She pictured Kline Barnes at Tito’s and her damaged SUV, remembered every filthy word he said in his messages and the attack in the restroom. She took a deep breath. “Kline Barnes is a narcissistic bastard and a serial stalker. I can no longer represent him.”
Oh God. She’d let emotions get the better of her. Instead of laying out her reasons in a controlled, professional manner, she just blurted out her first thoughts.
Mr. James didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he opened up a drawer and produced a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. “A bit stereotypical, I think,” he commented as he poured. “But all attorneys should keep bottles of liquor close by.” He offered her a glass.
Tina accepted because she needed something to take the edge off her nerves. She drank greedily.
“My godson isn’t well liked, Valentina. I’m fully aware of the deficiencies of his character, his philandering ways, and utter disrespect for women.”
Shocked by his reply, Tina’s mouth opened, but no words came out.
Mr. James rolled the amber liquid in his glass around before he took a second sip. “We do things a bit differently in the South,” he continued. “Bad blood is still blood. Kline is my great-nephew and godson. I promised his mother years ago that I’d look after him.” He gazed at her. “A bad choice on my part.”
If her boss knew all this, why did he assign Kline’s case to her? Why not choose one of the more experienced, male attorneys? “I don’t understand, Mr. James.”
“Call me Alex,” he said.
“If he has a criminal history with women you’re familiar with, why did you give me his case?” Irritation and resentment started to build inside her. Alex had better have a plausible excuse.
“I didn’t say anything about a criminal history.”
“Surely you don’t believe the assault against his ex-fiancée is the first time he’s gotten violent with a woman.”
“That’s exactly what I think,” he said. “What makes you think otherwise?”
Bad blood is still blood. Alex had no intention of revealing what he knew about his nephew. She could see that now. “He’s been stalking me. Leaving lewd messages. Vandalized my vehicle. And physically assaulted me at the restaurant I had a business dinner at on Friday night.”