Page 54 of Home With You

"With money he swindled out of people like our client," Gerald says with disgust. "I'm so sick of these people stealing and swindling to get money, then expecting us to feel sorry for them. We're not letting this man get one cent from our client. If any of you here don't believe that's possible, I suggest you pack up your things and go." He stands up. "Any questions?"

We all sit in silence, our eyes on the table.

"Good." He walks to the door. "Lisa, meet me in my office after the meeting."

"Yes, of course." She nods at him as he leaves.

The meeting ends just before six and Lisa walks with me back to our desks. She's quiet the whole time, which worries me more than if she yelled at me. She's never quiet. So why now? Is she getting ready to fire me?

"Lisa," I say when we reach our desks. "I didn't mean to upset Gerald. I was just stating the facts from the research."

She pivots on her heels to face me, her eyes landing on mine. "Next time we'll prepare what will be said, and when, before each and every meeting."

"That's not necessary. I—"

"It's necessary if I say it is. I want you to go home tonight and find out all you can about that man. If we're going to win this case, we have to destroy that man's reputation. Show that he’s only doing this for money. I want you to dig up everything he's ever done, even parking violations. I want all of it and I want it by tomorrow morning."

"But there's nothing else to find. I've already done a complete search of the records."

"Then make something up," she snaps before storming off.

She wants me make up evidence against the guy? I can't do that. And I won't. I'll quit before I do that.

"Hey." Mark appears beside me. "A few of us are going out for beers at the place down the street. You in?"

"No." I check to make sure no one's around. "Hey, do you have a minute?"

"Yeah. Why? What's going on?"

I lower my voice. "Lisa just basically asked me to make up stuff about a plaintiff to make sure our client wins his case."

"Yeah? So?"

"You don't think that's wrong?

He shrugs. "I'm sure she didn't mean to make stuff up, but more like embellish it."

"And that's somehow better?" I shake my head. "Sorry, but the law school I went to didn't teach us to cheat and lie to win cases."

"Mine didn't either but everyone knows you have to play dirty sometimes to win a case. Both sides do it. You don't think the other guy's lawyer's trying to make our client look bad?"

"Yeah, but this guy, the plaintiff, he's not trying to get rich here. He's not even asking for much. He just wants his medical bills paid and to be compensated for the time he couldn't work."

"Just do what they want. If the bosses want to take this guy down, then do it. It's easier that way. And you're less likely to lose your job. So you going with us for drinks or not?"

"I can't. Lisa's making me work tonight."

"Sorry, man. That sucks. Maybe some other night. See ya." He walks off.

I grab my laptop and keys and hurry to the elevator. It's after six and most everyone's already left by now.

Back at my apartment, I quickly change clothes, then go back down to the street, heading to the coffee shop. I should be working but I can't right now. I need to see Raine. I need to find out why she ran off last night.

Passing a food truck, I get a whiff of whatever they're making and my stomach growls. I turn back and walk up to the truck to see the menu. It's all different kinds of macaroni and cheese. I order three different kinds and have the guy pack it up to go, along with three bottles of soda.

When I get to the alley, Raine isn't there but Gladys is, seated on her lawn chair, the blanket I gave her draped over her legs. It's a warm fall night but I'm guessing she gets cold easily because she's old.

"Hey, Gladys," I say, walking up to her.

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