Page 40 of Fierce-Zander

“I have a client who permitted me to speak to you about this. She’s shy and nervous. She is coming to me for one thing, but in our sessions she said that the place she works is causing some of her issues. She feels or worries they are doing something wrong and is terrified she is going to get caught up in it or be the one left holding the bag. But since she is also a little paranoid in general, she doesn’t want to blow a good thing with her job if she’s wrong. She wondered if there was a way for you to look into her employers without anyone knowing. She also would like to not have her name used just in case, so I would be the go-between.”

This reminded him of the company he had to look into for the Fierces. He didn’t find anything illegal but there were some questionable and unethical practices with their employees and why there was so much turnover.

“Sure,” he said. “Give me what she has, what she is looking for. You’re going to be my client then. Are you okay with that?”

“I am,” she said. “If it will keep her name out of it, but I will contact an attorney to cover myself in the process. To make sure that not only do I have it recorded that she gave me the authority to do this, but that it’s in writing.”

“You record your sessions?” he asked.

“I do,” she said. “Everyone is aware of it. It’s because I like to be present in the moment and can’t take as exact notes as I’d like. When I do video sessions it’s easier to watch for expressions when topics come up. I can even go back and show them how their actions and movements changed when specific topics were discussed. My clients appreciate that.”

“I’m assuming you’ve got an attorney,” he said.

“Actually,” she said. “I had one. They are busier than I’d like and I can’t always get through. I’ve got an appointment to talk to Trent and see if this is something he can draw up for me.”

“I use Trent also, but it should be fine. We are working together and it’s really to cover you. As I said, you’re my client, not your client.”

“I’m the middleman,” she said. “Understood.”

“Let me ask you, do you think there is an issue?” he asked.

“I don’t know and don’t want to make that judgment. I’m only going by the information she is giving me. She is a paranoid type of person. I’m getting emotions and reactions but not facts. It’s not my wheelhouse.”

“And you don’t make decisions on emotions, but rather facts?” he asked.

“Not true,” she said. “A lot of my job, I’m only going on emotions. Words can always contradict themselves and I have to weed through it and decide what is more important. Their reaction to those words or the words themselves.”

“Yeah, not for me,” he said. “I’ve done it enough in law enforcement. They only want facts and it’s easier to do that way.”

“Even if in your gut you know there might be more to it?”

“Which is why I’m not in law enforcement anymore,” he said, nodding. “I can skirt things here, but it comes down to the client and what they want, not always what I can provide. Sometimes there is no answer for them and nothing but dead ends.”

Which drove him nuts, but he was paid to do the work and he’d do it until he felt like there was nothing else left and he’d tell them that too.

“I’ve had clients like that. There is no solution for them because the truth is they don’t want one. They just want to talk.”

“Do you keep them on?” he asked.

“I do if they admit that is what it’s about. It’s advice and conversation but not solutions if they aren’t willing to do thework to get to a solution. Why waste both of our time? I’ve got other clients that want or are willing to do the work and I’d rather spend it on them.”

“Bet you’ve ticked some people off saying that,” he said.

“I’ve managed to tick off clients in my career. Just like you have. It’s as I said, not everyone wants to hear the truth or put the work in to find it. Sometimes they want to be told they are right even if they are wrong.”

“The customer isn’t always right,” he said, finishing off the last bite of his cake.

“Absolutely not,” she said. She’d pushed half her dessert away and had been just drinking her coffee.

“And now back to us,” he said. “We got sidetracked and that is fine. It was a smooth transition and gave us a lot to talk about. But I’d like to talk about another date.”

She smiled. “I would too. I don’t happen to work over the weekends, but I’m sure you do.”

“I try not to unless I need to travel, which does happen. I do check emails and get texts but keep work to a minimum when I can. Having my father pick up a few things has helped already.”

“Then how about we try for date number three tomorrow,” she said. “We’ve got each other’s number. Since I’m not doing anything and you are or could be, you can text me tomorrow and let me know your thoughts.”

“I can do that,” he said. The bill was brought over and he paid for it when she went to pull her purse out. “Business expense.”

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