"Come in," Jane said through the closed door to her office moments after Kate knocked. It was July 9, 2002, only three days before Kate would learn whether she would become a partner at her law firm. Until a few minutes ago, she was sure she had it in the bag. She'd won her first two jury trials and had successfully resolved her first client's case, to that point that she'd started to bring in teachers as new clients. Most importantly, she'd opened a new line of business with an insurance company, something the senior partners loved. Kate had always been an extremely hard worker, a skilled legal writer, and a dedicated member of the firm. She'd known for months that she was a lock to make partner.
Until now. She'd received a message from Jane's assistant saying she needed to drop everything and come to Jane's office to discuss the recent matter she'd handled for Becky Tapper, Kate's first client. Given Jane's earlier questions about why the witnesses against Becky had recanted, and how exactly Kate had gotten a student to give her inside information, Kate knew Jane was suspicious of her.
Kate smiled at the thought as she entered Jane's office. Being with Henry and James and two strangers at the same time continued to excite her. As did getting to thank Becky by banging her husband and then having a threesome with her and Samantha. Knowing that it put her over the top on her yearslong quest to become a partner just made it all the better. But her smile quickly faded as she closed the door behind her, knowing in her gut that something wasn't right.
"Hi, Ms. Rogers," Kate said. "Your assistant said you needed to see me right away. Is there something I can help you with?"
Jane gestured for her to sit across from her large desk. Jane was one of the firm's senior partners and, although they made decisions as a group, the real power in the office. She brought in more business than the others and, as a result, got to make most of the decisions. "As you know I conducted a review of your handling of Ms. Tapper's matter," Jane said. "Admittedly, I had a few concerns about why two witnesses would suddenly change their stories and why this student Henry was so eager to help you and give inside information to an attorney who, as it turns out, got herself banned from the school premises."
"That was just because the principal got tired of me," Kate said. "He didn't like how aggressively I represented Ms. Tapper. I didn't do anything wrong."
"I understand," Jane said. "I spoke with him, and we'll get to that in a minute. But I also spoke with Mr. Nevil, James, and Henry. Everything checked out, so you're good there. That brings me to the last thing we need to discuss. I talked to the principal, Flanagan, and while I agree he's a bit out there, he's convinced you did something inappropriate to get all three of these witnesses to back Ms. Tapper."
"Did he say why he thinks that? Or what he thinks I did?" Kate asked, her unease growing.
"Flanagan claims he reviewed the surveillance video from the school and found two concerning videos. One supposedly shows you in the school with the student James, including going into the newspaper office and a classroom."
"That's from when I met with him to go over his allegations against Ms. Tapper," Kate said, hoping the video didn't show the inside of either room. "I wanted to see if he really could have seen what he said he witnessed. It was after I had been banned from the building, but I thought it was worth it. Is that a problem?"
"No, of course not," Jane said. "As long as the video doesn't show anything improper. Of course, if it does, it would be hard to see how you'll get promoted on Friday."
"I completely understand," Kate said. "I'm just annoyed that my abilities are being questioned, like I'm only a good lawyer because I'm attractive."
"Trust me, I get it," Jane said. "Ask any of the older men around here how I got to be a partner. They'll tell you there are two reasons." She pointed to her enormous breasts which, Kate had to admit, were great assets for Jane. "They all think I slept my way to the top. I don't want anyone thinking that about you, which is why I'm doing this review. Inevitably one of these guys is going to make a comment, and I want to be able to shove it right up his ass."
"I appreciate that," Kate said. "And it's terrible they think that about you. You're such a great attorney. Although if I'm being completely honest, you're quite attractive too. Nothing wrong with being both, right?"
"Thank you," Jane said. "Oh, I almost forgot. Flanagan said he also has a video of you in the parking lot of the school with Henry. He didn't say more than that. I'm going to the school on Friday to watch both videos and put this to bed."
Kate forced a smile and fought the urge to panic. Damn it, she thought. Why did I have to suck Henry's dick in the back seat of my car? What would the cameras show? How am I going to explain pulling him into the back seat--especially if it shows my head bobbing up and down? "Well, again, I appreciate it, Ms. Rogers," Kate said. "Let me know if there's anything you need from me, and I look forward to this all being over soon."
"Friday at 9 a.m.," Jane said. "Everything will be resolved then, one way or the other. I know which way you'd prefer." The way she said it concerned Kate, like Jane knew more than she was letting on. Has she seen the video already? Am I going to get fired? How does she know? These thoughts and more raced through Kate's head as she returned to her office.
This can't be happening, she thought as she sat down at her desk. A few weeks ago, she'd tried to tell Jason, her best friend at the firm, how she really felt about him, only to have it blow up in her face when she'd learned that he was at a hotel with Sam and Matt. Since then, Jason had avoided her like the plague, turning and walking away as soon as he saw her. They only guy she truly cared about was apparently sleeping with Sam, Kate's sometime lover and the girlfriend of Kate's former lover Matt.
And now this. Jane would see the video and have no choice but to fire Kate, blowing a witness being something that wasn't yet accepted. Then it would all come out--sleeping with the other witness James, banging Henry repeatedly, getting Sam to sleep with Mr. Nevil. It's all over because I got careless and did it one time in the parking lot without thinking about the damn cameras, Kate thought. God, if only that video could disappear. Well, in for a dime, in for a dollar, she thought as she grabbed her purse and hurried down the hall.
Seeing Jason ahead of her, she called out to him, but he pretended he didn't hear and bolted. God, he's so ridiculous, she said to herself, but I don't have time for this today. She told her assistant she was taking the afternoon off and drove straight to Trinity High School. Arriving about 20 minutes later, she headed inside, finding the place nearly deserted given that it was July. Stopping in the restroom, she saw she looked good--tight navy skirt, powder blue button-down top, and navy blazer. Well, here goes nothing, she thought as she headed for the principal's office.
There was no one inside, but the door was open. Henry's job had ended a few weeks earlier and it looked like everyone else who worked in the office was gone too. Creeping past the receptionist's desk and down the hallway to Flanagan's office, she was pleased to see his light on. "Dr. Flanagan?" she said from the doorway. "Can I speak with you a minute?"
"Ms. Harris," he said with evident surprise as he looked up from his desk. "I don't think that's a good idea. How'd you get back here anyway?"
"No one was up front," Kate said. "Please, just a moment of your time."
"I take it you heard about the video," Flanagan said. "How dare you? You made me look like a fool in front of those lawyers."
"I'm sorry about that," Kate said. "I take it you told them Ms. Tapper slept with Matt and that you had testimony to back it up?"
"Yes, and I did. At least until you came along," Flanagan said. "I looked like a complete idiot when James and Bob Nevil changed their stories. All that time and money wasted. And worst of all, I have to keep Becky Tapper on the faculty. I know it's all true. She slept with a student and got away with it."
