Page 56 of Legal Attraction

“As you should.” The skinny pale woman fanned her face. “I feel a little bit like we’re meeting someone famous.” She laughed. “I’m Fannie Mae and this is Nigel. We’re the in-house attorneys at Monroe Company. And although we specialize in yachts, you will see our portfolio in a minute. The company has prided itself in a great diversification recently.”

“Excellent.”

They turned into the next slip. “Here we are. Angelique.”

“Oh, she is beautiful.” Coral climbed up the stairs resting on the dock toward the third level of an immense yacht. “Do you ever take her out?”

“We do. In fact, you’re both invited tonight to a dinner party where we will take her all the way to the bridge and back. It would be helpful if you can come. All our subsidiaries and companies will be there.”

Coral nodded. “Thank you. We’d love to come.”

“I think you may know a couple of them or you will. Turns out we share the same attorney even before some of the mergers will happen.”

They had all reached the top deck by now.

Coral stepped on Rand’s foot. Mergers? Was Monroe going to become the next Muskanza? How much would they share together? Mutual terrorist goals? She needed to put those thoughts way at the back of her mind if she was going to function naturally in such a casual friendly conversation.

A table was spread with white linens, drinks, and a tray of shrimp and crackers.

Their meeting was pleasant. If Coral didn’t suspect them of violent crimes, she would have been in heaven with this new client. Yacht manufacturers, meetings on yachts, talking about yachts. It was a dream client. But as things like this most often did, it felt a bit too good to be true. With any luck, all this new networking would also be productive because Muskanza would also be present at the party that evening and they could learn more.

Fannie Mae leaned back in the luxuriously comfortable couch across from Coral with a glass of champagne in hand. “Tell me Coral, what is it like participating in a regatta?” She leaned forward. “With princes!” Her laugh turned into a slightly girlish giggle which Coral found oddly discordant with her lawyer persona, but she was always a bit disturbed by the overly obnoxious focus on the princes by the press and just about everyone else in the world when no one spent too much time with the princesses. It just breathed sexism in every way to Coral. But she didn’t seek attention so she’d also not done too much to change the current perceptions.

“Well, mostly, like I said, it’s fun to beat them. They tend to think rather highly of themselves.” Coral laughed. “But really, most of them are highly noble. They value country. They see the importance of public service, and they are often very caring.” She smiled. “But all of them rather like brothers or cousins I’m afraid.”

Fannie Mae sighed. “We’re considering entering next year.”

“Oh, you must. I need another woman out there winning. And you’ll have to meet them all to see for yourself.”

Fannie Mae might have started salivating. Coral couldn’t tell, but there was a good chance true salivating was happening.

“And we can get you tickets into all VIP events of course. If you end up coming, please let’s coordinate.”

“Oh, we will. We may even beg you to help train our team.”

“Participating in the regatta would definitely be good marketing for Monroe Company if you’re considering a larger Mediterranean presence.” She toyed with her cup for a minute and then cleared her throat. “I do hope all of the upheaval has calmed down by the time we are able to hold another regatta.”

Rand shot a glance in her direction and then studied Fannie Mae and Nigel.

Nigel responded. “Upheaval? Oh dear. What kind of upheaval?”

“Oh, like the attack on The Palisades? There have been a few events lately that have had targeted disruptions. I know it was discussed among the royals about whether or not it would be safe to continue a regatta.”

“Oh dear no.” Fannie Mae fanned herself. “I hadn’t heard. We unfortunately are at the whim and pleasure of our American press which is sadly lacking in international news.”

Nigel shifted uncomfortably. “I did hear there was some talk of risk over there. We will need to carefully monitor the situation before we decide to enter.”

Fannie Mae frowned. “Surely it will all die down before summer.”

No one answered because no one knew if a terrorist would stop terrorizing by summer.

“If we hold the Regatta it will be because we feel like the risks are minimal.” Coral nodded. “I’m sorry to bring upsetting news. I guess I assumed you were already aware.”

Nigel didn’t say anything but Fannie Mae shook her head enough that her hair swung back and forth at her neck line.

They finished a lovely luncheon and even talked about specific details in coming work that Coral would see on her desk next week. All in all, she was happy with how things went and could see no reason to distrust the new client.

As she and Rand were heading back to the car, he said the same. “I just can’t see any of these suspects having the gumption or the evil intent to actually pull off a mass threat against a large group of people, in situations where people died. I mean, does Fannie Mae look like a killer to you?”

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