Page 37 of Exposed

Nate didn’t interrupt her again, so she kept talking.

“When the jury is looking around for a reason why Todd fired the plaintiff, they have an easy answer. Todd wanted to save the company money. The medical expenses and transplant affect his bottom line and reflect poorly on him to management. I would settle this case. You’re in trouble.”

“No, you’re in trouble. Because you’re going to defend this case and your partner is conflicted out.”

“You expect me to sue my own partner?”

“Yes. Welcome to the NFL.”

“If you’re not going to settle, I’m not taking the case.” Bennie had prepared for this possibility, at least mentally. “Farm it out to one of the big firms like you would have before.”

“You’re turning down the work?” Nate straightened up, with a new frown. “Why, if your partner is conflicted out?”

“Because I don’t want any part of it, unless it’s to settle it. I’m not going to war with a personal friend of hers. She regards the plaintiff as a family member. She loves the kid. I just won’t do it.”

Nate burst into laughter, without mirth. “Well, look at you! Sisterhood is powerful! Why?”

“I thought about it. I knew it was a possibility that Todd would deny everything, and now that I’ve interviewed him, I feel stronger than ever. I’m not taking this case. Send it to somebody else.”

“I’m sending it to you.”

“I’m not accepting it.”

“Really.” Nate’s eyes flashed with anger. “Then I’m no longer your client. I’m not sending you any more work from Dumbarton or the other subs. Checkmate.”

“So be it.” Bennie didn’t blink.

“What do you mean? You want to lose me? Andallmy business?”

“If that’s the way you want it, that’s the way it has to be.” Bennie remained calm. In fact, she only got calmer in conflict, which was why she loved being a lawyer. When things went well, she didn’t know what to do with herself.

“You’re just saying that. You’re calling my bluff. You don’t think I’ll fire you because were friends.”

“No,becausewere friends, I think you’ll fire me. I know you and I know how you think. You like getting your own way. You’re used to it. But you can’t make me take a case I don’twant, and if you feel you have to fire me, I’m fine with it.” Bennie had made her peace, last night. His business was considerable, but it wasn’t everything.

“So you’re serious.”

“Totally.”

Nate blinked, stepping backwards. “Hold on. Rewind. You should think this over.”

“I already have.”

“Reconsider. Slow down this transaction. Go back and crunch the numbers. Take a look at your billings. See how much of them come from Dumbarton and the subs. And consider our relationship, which evidently I value more than you do.”

“I value our relationship too. But the fact is, I have a partner now, and her name is Mary DiNunzio. Not you or any other client. So take care, I have work to do back at the office.” Bennie turned away, holding her head high.

“Call me and let me know your decision,” Nate called after her, chuckling. “I’m giving you the second chance you won’t give me!”

“Good-bye,” Bennie called back, heading out the factory door.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Mary looked up from her laptop to see Bennie arriving at the threshold of her office, her topknot messy and her skin vaguely flushed, probably from the heat. Bags weighed down her shoulder, and her lips formed a flat, uncharacteristically grim line. Mary felt a clenching in the pit of her stomach, since she knew Bennie had been at OpenSpace.

“DiNunzio, I mean Mary. I have bad news.”

“Oh no.” Mary gestured to the chair opposite her desk, then realized Bennie had never visited her in her office, it usually was the other way around. Still. “You can sit down if you want to.”