Page 5 of Inadmissible

Tristan

T oday was one of the days that made my law firm grim.

Any time I was scheduled to do a strategic stroll for Montgomery, Pierce, Walker, and Gough (Go), people knew their jobs were on the line.

As the strategist of the firm, my priority was planning, litigation strategy, negotiations, and risks and crisis management.

When I did SWOT (SWAT) walks, I checked the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for growth, and threats to success for all employees, not just the attorneys.

I had one of my favorite paralegals, Brooke , and private investigators, Gino, to create files for everyone that would help me speed through the individual interviews.

Brooke and my executive assistant, Rodrick, trailed behind me as I walked down my floor of the firm.

Each partner had their own floor, and there was also the first floor where the reception area was along with a café.

The sixth floor had conference rooms, and the seventh floor had two large rooms devoted to play and rest equipped with showers, beds, and recliners.

The other room had games, card tables, and pool tables for those who felt recharged by recreation.

I was proud of what me and my guys had created.

MPWG wasn’t just the largest BIPOC law firm in the South, but it was also the most profitable law firm in Rose Valley Hills.

And to think four Black, young hoodlums from the hood were responsible for this greatness was always a reason to thank God.

We had our personality and priority differences, but at our core, me, Kaos, Zander, and Carson had the same mission—defending and helping those in need.

As Brooke handed me the last of the manilla folders, I asked Rodrick, “Is this the last of the interviews for the day?”

“Yes, sir. And we only have five. Three people aren’t here today.”

That made me stop in my tracks and turn to face him. “Three people called out on SWOT Day?”

He fought to pull his smile in as he nodded. “Yes, sir. I called to confirm they knew what today was, but they all are conveniently sick.”

“Is that right? Brooke, can you?—”

“Already on it, Mr. Pierce. Their files are on your desk, including their performance reviews from last quarter. Only one was on probation.”

That’s why I loved Brooke. She was just as good of an investigator as the ones we employed, but she was an even better researcher. And her mind was like a true memory bank. I could ask her about something or someone from three years ago and her smart ass would remember.

“Thank you, Brooke. You can go ahead and return to your duties for the day. And if you only had this to do, you’re free to leave.

” I turned my attention to Rodrick and told him, “Fire whoever was on probation and missed today. Give the rest warnings and let them know they need to come to my office the morning they return. After that, you’re free for the day as well. ”

“Yes, sir. On it.”

After they walked away, I made my way to Cynthia’s office. She was one of the first lawyers we hired, and I never had a negative thing to say about her. I didn’t even bother to sit as she smiled at me while wrapping up a call.

“Hey, Mr. Pierce. How’s it been this morning?”

“Hey, Cynthia. Well and rapid like I like. You know you’re good.

You’ve been getting amazing reviews from clients this quarter, and you have a 91 percent win rate.

The only thing I’d give you as an opportunity challenge is to look into gaining at least three new clients this year. Can you handle that?”

“Yes, sir. I love a good challenge. No threats we need to discuss?”

“None at all. Keep up the great work.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you!”

I tipped my head in her direction and gave her a small smile before leaving her office to finish the last of the interviews for the day before meeting with the rest of my partners to let them know I would only be firing one person this time around.

The whispered conversation in the hallway gained my attention as I headed to my office.

I didn’t usually concern myself with office gossip, especially since I was a partner, but curiosity had me going to see what was up.

Brooke hardly ever participated in office gossip, so if it was something that gained her attention, it had to be good.

“What’s going on?” I asked, looking at the five people who were deep in their hushed conversation.

“Oh, um . . .” Quartney looked like a deer in headlights, which let me know she was the source of the information—she just didn’t want to share it.

Brooke rolled her eyes and smacked her lips. She was never one to beat around the bush, so it didn’t surprise me that she was the first one to speak up.

“So there’s a guy downstairs looking for legal representation, but they don’t know who to set him up to have a consultation with. Quartney was suggesting Kaos, but I don’t think any of you will accept his case. Quite frankly, I don’t think he has a case.”

“Brief me,” I demanded.

“Long story short, the guy is a creep. He’s been cheating on his fiancée, and she called the wedding off. When her brother found out that he’d cheated on her, he assaulted him. The woman he was cheating with is pregnant, and the fight happened at her house.

“She called the police and the brother was arrested. However, the creep went to the police station and told the captain he didn’t want to press charges.

The brother was released without being booked.

Now my logic is the creep did that hoping the fiancée would take him back.

I don’t think he thinks that’s an option because he is trying to put an attorney on retainer in case he has to file the charges on her brother for the assault. ”

It took me a second to respond as I processed her words. “So you’re saying he didn’t file charges, but he wants to get an attorney in case he has to?” She nodded. “He’s going to try and get her back, and if she doesn’t agree, he’s going to punish her by sending her brother to prison?”

“That’s the vibe he’s giving,” Quartney replied. “He wants to meet with someone and get some pictures taken for proof.”

My head shook. “Nah, we don’t really handle that kind of shit.”

“I know, that’s what I was telling her,” Rodrick said.

“Pardon my language, but the man is fucked up, Pierce. He has a big ass knot on the side of his forehead, a black eye, and it looks like a gash under his lip. It’s definitely his ego.

I agree with your perception that he might be trying to prepare for a revenge case on the off chance she doesn’t take him back. ”

“I know one of y’all took a picture. Let me see.”

Quartney snickered as she lifted her phone. “I definitely did.”

My eyes widened as I took in the man’s appearance. His ex-fiancée’s brother definitely got the best of him.

“Damn. Yeah, I see why he’s mad. I’m not getting in the middle of his romantic quarrel though.

You can ask Carson if he’ll consider taking it, but I know Kaos won’t, and Zander won’t either.

Assault is a winnable case with proof, but if I had a sister who was cheated on and lied to, I probably would’ve wanted to beat his ass too. ”

We talked for a little while longer before I dismissed them. I was curious about if Carson would take on the case, but I honestly didn’t think he or anyone else at the firm would. Ol’ boy would have to just take that L and leave that woman alone.