Page 80 of Maddy's Justice

“Paloma?” Naomi asked into the phone.

She stood up and walked to the same place Maddy had been. They talked for almost five minutes. She came back and handed Maddy her phone. Naomi sat down and while Maddy thanked Paloma, Naomi took a deep breath.

“I’d heard about Troy, at least the rumors. Like a damn fool I ignored them. I wanted to get on mass torts. I’d been working my ass off for four years. I got great reviews and decided I deserved the big bucks I could make on mass torts.

“So, I applied, went to Troy and interviewed. I found out the rumors were true. At first, he was nice, even charming. We dated like normal people. He took me on his plane to Miami. To answer your next question, yes, I slept with him. I told myself it was because I was really attracted to him and him to me. I knew better. I knew it was the price I paid to get on mass torts. I was trying to convince myself I wasn’t doing it for the money. I wasn’t a whore.

“After a month or so, he started to cool off toward me. Suddenly, he was too busy or out of town, all the usual excuses. Then, an hour before I heard back from my doctor, he gave me the news. I wasn’t going to get a place on mass torts.”

“Did you tell him?” Maddy asked knowing what the doctor had told her.

“I sure did. I told him I was pregnant and asked him how could that be? He had told me he had a vasectomy and was sterile. That’s why he wouldn’t use a condom.

“He laughed and said it wasn’t his and told me to get an abortion.”

“What did you do?” Sherry quietly asked.

“I went to his boss, Cliff Spenser. Cliff was nice and kind. Sympathetic and understanding right up until I threatened to sue.”

“And?” Maddy asked.

“I very calmly told him I would do that only as a last resort. I told him I could get DNA from the fetus. I’d go to the media and scream racism, sexism, harassment, the whole nine yards.

“They offered me four hundred thousand, we ended up settling for one point two million and they threw in a new Mercedes.”

“And the baby?” Sherry asked.

“I had an abortion,” Naomi quietly said, and two tears trickled down her cheeks.

“At first, I thought it was an easy decision. I didn’t want to have his baby. So, I went in and got it over with. I’ve regretted it ever since. It wasn’t his baby, it was mine.”

The three of them went silent for a minute. Sherry put an arm around Naomi’s shoulders and held her. Naomi finally gathered herself and continued.

“A month or so after I…after the abortion, I quit. I hated the place. Cliff helped me get a job with a smaller firm. That helped, but I’m still an emotional train wreck.”

“You need to get some therapy, some counseling,” Sherry said. “I know someone. She’s good. Do you want me to talk to her?”

“Yeah,” she quietly replied. “I’ve been thinking about it lately anyway. I’m ready.”

“I have to ask,” Maddy said. “Have you been contacted by the plaintiff’s lawyer, Lori Quinn?”

Naomi hesitated for a moment before saying, “I was called by an investigator who said she was working for her. I have a meeting scheduled with her for tomorrow. I am going to talk to her and tell her what I’ve told you.”

“You’re going to break the NDA?” Sherry asked.

“Yes, and if they want to fight me for the money, bring it on.”

“It’s okay. Do what you think you have to do,” Maddy softly said.

On the walk back to the parking ramp, Maddy said, “Well, that’s two for two. You take Amber Klassen and I’ll take Wendy Olson. Track her for a couple of days then we’ll go at them together.”

“You think Paloma will be questioned by the other side?” Sherry asked.

“It’s a pretty safe bet,” Maddy answered her.

TWENTY-SEVEN

The morning after Maddy and Sherry Bowen met with Naomi Beyers, Maddy came into the office with Marc. While Maddy gabbed with the office staff, Marc sat down with Connie in her office leaving her door open.

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