Chapter 10: The Merger, Part 2

Barry is only half-listening as Tammy speaks, telling the crowd what an unexpected honor it is to be named partner. She adds that she will continue to give 110% as the firm’s newest partner. Meanwhile, Barry’s mind once again drifts to the recent past and the series of events that unfolded in the shadows and behind closed doors.

Barry asks, “What do you mean, ‘he hit a fucking home run’?”

The excitement in Sara’s voice is palpable. “I asked if he could start by following Heather. I figured if she was trying to fuck her way to the top she may lead us to her sex-buddy instead of having to follow all of the partners separately.”

“That makes sense,” replies Barry, “and, I assume by ‘home run,’ you mean he identified her sex-buddy?”

“Oh, it’s better than that,” exclaims Sara, “she led him to her TWO buddies.”

Barry whistles in appreciation. Before he can say anything Sara continues.

“Her first tryst was with the managing partner at your wife’s firm – Randolph. He caught the whole encounter on video with sound, including his admission of trumping up a morality complaint against the lawyer that didn’t make partner because his wife wouldn’t play nice with Randolph.”

“Holy shit, that’s great!” gushes Barry. “And the second?”

Sara is quiet for a moment, and when she speaks, her voice has taken on a cold ominous tone.

“The second is my fucking douche-nozzle of a husband.”

There is a silence on the line as Barry digests the latest information.

“I guess I always knew he was fucking around, but to have it confirmed with hard evidence was still a bit of an eye-opener.”

“Sorry, Sara. Are you OK?”

The emotional coldness in Sara’s voice remained.

“I’m fine. I have a plan to bury that bitch-whore and hit my husband hard in the pocketbook. If you’re in, my plan will also give your wife her coveted partnership.”

Barry thought Sara was one of the most gorgeous women he had ever seen. Hearing her react and offer a plan, with such a cool and calculating head, to deal with the hand she had been dealt Barry thought he may actually be falling for her.

“I’m listening,” is all he said.

Sara takes the next twenty minutes and gives Barry the details she had already outlined with her brother.

“If you’re in, all I need to do is call Kevin and give him the green light. This will go down this afternoon or tonight before tomorrow’s final votes by the individual firms.”

“I’m in. Call your brother and pull the trigger.”

Kevin expected to receive the green light from his sister so as soon as he left her house he began making plans on how to execute her plan. When she called a few minutes before 10:00 with the thumbs-up he told her he had a good idea of how he would approach each person on his list.

“Do you think it would be possible for you to arrange a lunch outside of the office with Heather? Maybe make it sound like it is a final meeting or review between her and Sean?”

“Sure, that should be easy enough,” agrees Sara.

“And one last thing, think of a reason why you need to be out of your house between 8:00-9:00 tomorrow night.”

Sara doesn’t question her brother, but instead says, “I’ll make myself scarce.”

When they hang up Sara calls the firm and speaks with Sean’s secretary.

“Good morning, Wendy,” says Sara. “I have a small favor to ask you. Can you schedule a late lunch with Heather Gregory at 1:30 at McClintock’s? If the little bird I’m hearing is correct, I think Heather may want to do something for nice for Sean. Let her assume the lunch is with Sean just in case I’m wrong. Also, don’t tell Sean just in case I am correct.”

Wendy did not blanch at the request. Working for a managing partner meant she was used to processing any number of requests that may seem rather unusual on the surface.

“Got it, will have it scheduled within a few minutes.”

“Thanks, Wendy, you’re the best,” says Sara as she signs off.

Sara texts a confirmation message to her brother.

Sara: Confirmed. 1:30, McClintock’s.

Kevin gets to McClintock’s a few minutes after 1:00 and secures a table at the back of the restaurant. He slips the hostess a ten-spot and asks her to bring the blonde woman dressed in business clothes to his table when she arrives for a 1:30 lunch.

As he waits, Kevin orders a coffee and then pulls out his tablet and a folder containing the photos he printed. He sips his coffee and mentally reviews the various ways this could play out depending on Heather’s reaction. He sees Heather as soon as she enters the restaurant.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” says the hostess, “are you here for a 1:30 lunch?”

Heather nods yes.

“Please follow me, your party is already seated.”

Heather follows the hostess to the rear of the restaurant and stops mid-stride when the hostess indicates her table. Before she can say anything Kevin rises from his seat.

“Heather, so glad you could make it. Please, take a seat. Would you like something to drink?”

Heather takes a beat to look at Kevin. He looks vaguely familiar. She then says, “No thank you, I don’t need anything to drink.”

When she starts to slide into the booth Kevin takes his place across the table. He takes a moment to stare at her. She stares back unflinchingly. He decides his best approach will be a full-frontal assault with everything he’s got.

“Heather,” he begins, “I have recently come across some information that could be very detrimental to you both professionally and personally.”

As he speaks he opens the folder and extracts three still photos. One with her and Randolph, the next with her and Sean, and the final one with her and her husband.

“My guess is that the bar would be interested in knowing about your relationship with the managing partners of two firms that are set to merge later this week. And I’m sure your bedside conversation about one the partner’s wives meeting with an unexpected accident would be of interest, to both the bar and the police.”

Heather is staring daggers at Kevin.

“And I’m equally sure neither of the guys in these photos will have your back. They’ve both had your delights and if forced, I guarantee they’ll both cover their own asses and toss you out of the firm on a morality clause.”

The intensity of Heather’s stare deepened, but Kevin plowed on.

“And, not to mention the third photo. Here you are doing your matrimonial duties and boinking your husband. How do you think the jealous bastard would react if he knew his dick was the third one in you in less than four hours?”

“What the fuck do you want?” snarls Heather.

“Simple,” says Kevin. “Resign from your firm this afternoon. Even if you don’t, you won’t make partner. If you don’t resign you will be kicked out.”

Heather starts to protest, but Kevin holds up his hand and lowers his voice to a project a very ominous tone.

“Look, Heather, you’re fucked. You either resign and have the possibility of getting another job in a law firm, or these photos go to the bar, the police, and your firm. You’ll possibly be disbarred, most definitely dismissed, and possibly arrested on attempting to plot a murder. Then when your husband gets them he’ll beat the shit out of you, and who’s to guess what he’ll do to the two gents?”

Heather is seething. Kevin knows this is the moment of decision. She’ll either agree and play nicely, or this will go south and he’ll have to go nuclear and release the photos as he’s threatened. Kevin decides to push the knife a little deeper.

“Also, if you say anything other than ‘I quit’ to either Randolph or Sean these photos go public.”

“You’re a fucking bastard,” spats Heather. Her eyes then light up and she makes the connection. “Wait a minute. You’re Sara’s brother. The PI. We were going to hire you last year, but then the case was settled out of court.”

“Who I am is immaterial. The facts are, you resign within the next two hours and you keep your mouth shut or the shit hits the fan.”

Kevin stands and as he drops his tablet in his bag he says, “And, by the way, I’ve got full video and audio of your three encounters shown in the photos. Don’t think you can try and claim the photos are doctored fakes.”

He takes out his wallet at drops some cash on the table for his coffee.