Page 58 of Rio

“I need you back by the weekend,” he growls.

I refuse to be bullied.“If you saw the damage, you would realize we can’t walk away from this.It would reflect badly on us.”

“You can ignore it, Raquel.Youwillignore it.You’re on my payroll and, last I checked, we bill clients, not tree frogs.”

He doesn’t understand the gravity of the situation.“But—”

He cuts me off.“This little eco-crusade was never supposed to be take up much of your time.It was more a PR gamble for us.I let you go because someone recommended you, and because you’re into all this environmental, activist crap.”

“It’s not crap.It’simportant.”

I hear his outbreath and imagine his face turning red with fury.I’m so glad I’m not in the Miami office right now.

“You’re smart and talented, and I have invested too much time in you to have you throw it away on mudslides and mangroves.”

“I took an oath.If I see something wrong, I act.I’d have to be blind not to see the damage.“

“Be blind.Think of your future.Someone like you: beautiful, smart, clever.We need you here.I need you here.If you play your cards right, you could be a partner here, someday, not a whistleblower.”

I recoil at his words.The shift in his tone, that subtle innuendo, the polished charm slapped over something that grimy, makes me uncomfortable and I’m reminded of why I want to leave.

“Then maybe I don’t belong here.”

“Don’t you dare make this personal.”His tone cuts like a blade.“This is business.You’re needed on the Santos case—”

“I thought you had Mila working on that?”

“She doesn’t have your expertise.You wrap this up and get back to Miami.Now.You’re not being fired,yet, and it’s in your interest to wise up.”

Was that a subtle threat?He could fire or demote me.I could be blacklisted in certain corporate legal circles.I risk facing accusations of acting outside my brief.Pierce could make sure I never make partner.Going against him, and against the firm will make my life difficult, but only until I find another job.I’m going to file, anyway, because it’s the right thing to do.

I didn’t become a lawyer to bill hours for people like Pierce while the world burns down.

“Legally, I’m bound to follow my client’s instructions.”

He says nothing, because it’s the truth but I can feel his fury over the airwaves.I take my chance.

“Listen to me, Pierce ...”There’s a wobble” in my voice.“Just listen.We held a community meeting earlier, and they’re desperate.There’s real damage here and this could be a strong case.I’ve seen the coastline myself.The reef’s already showing signs of destruction.”I pause, then go for it.“Did you know Knight Enterprises is behind this?They’re hiding—”

“Knight Enterprises?”

“Yes.They’re hiding behind a subsidiary.Delport Realty is a front used to distance Knight Enterprises from direct liability.”

“Jesus.Fucking.Hell, Raquel.Do you have any idea who you’re going up against?”

“I’m aware.”

“This firm isnotgoing to war with the Knights over some sea turtles and reef damage.”

“It’s much more than that.Also, why not?”

“Because we don’t pick fights we can’t win.The Knights aredangerous.You don’t just serve them papers and expect it to end happily ever after.”

“This isn’t optional, Pierce.I’m here now—”

“I told you to just do a fucking legal review,” he hisses.

“And that’s what I thought but EcoGuardians changed their mind and now they want to file.I have no choice but to act.I’m serving the injunction tomorrow.”