Page 53 of The System

“He said to come right back,” the receptionist told her.

“Great. Thanks. It was good to see you.”

“You too,” the woman replied.

The firm had the three top floors of the building, and they were expanding to the one below it, too, now that the previous tenant had vacated. Junior partners had offices on the second floor from the top, so Kieran took in the new view on the walk to Diego’s office through the floor-to-ceiling windows that lined the outer wall. The last time she’d been here, he’d been on the floor below and had shared an office with another associate.

“Kieran?” he said when she arrived at his office.

“Hey. Got a second?”

“Barely. I have a new-client meeting in five minutes. What are you doing here?”

“I need to talk to you about Marin. You haven’t returned my calls or texts.”

“I know. I’ve been busy.” Diego closed his computer. “Things are a little crazy around here. What’s wrong?”

“I just got some information from a reporter that you should have found yourself.”

“Sorry. What?” He shook his head in confusion.

“Kenna Crawford, of all people, found some old record that’s supposed to be expunged.”

“The cigarette thing?” Diego asked.

“You knew about it?”

“Of course, I did. My investigator found it. Why do you think I’ve been pushing this deal on Marin?”

“You didn’t tell me.” Kieran crossed her arms over her chest.

“You’re not my client, Kieran. Marin is. What I discuss with her is privileged. And I don’t think Carina can get this admitted in, anyway. It was expunged and doesn’t go to pattern.”

“She burned someone with cigarettes…”

“Did you read it like I did?”

“No. I haven’t seen it.”

“It’s not as bad as it sounds,” he replied before adding, “Look, I’ve got to go now.”

“Diego, what’s going on? You’ve not been responding to me, and now, you’re pushing me off?”

“Isn’t that what you’ve wanted since we separated? Me to leave you alone?”

“If you want to leave me alone, fine, but Marin–”

“I am talking to Marin. I’m doing my job, Kieran. But she’s my client. I don’t need to report anything to you.”

“I get it, but–”

“But you should know that I get it, okay? I’m trying to get it, at least. It’s too hard.”

“What are you talking about?” Kieran asked.

“You don’t want me back, and I get it now, okay? I’m trying to leave you alone, but you just waltz into my office like we’re still married. I’ve heard you every time someone called you by my last name and you corrected them. I’m letting go, or whatever they call it, okay?”

“Oh,” Kieran let out and uncrossed her arms. “Okay. Um… Yeah. I think that’s good, Diego. I want you to move on and be happy.”

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