Page 1 of Legends Luke

Chapter One

Melody Douglas waited for the paper to slide out of the printer before closing the document on her computer, automatically saving it to the secured network. She slipped the paper into the back of a manila folder, rising from her desk chair as she did. Straightening her skirt, she clutched the folder as she walked away from her cubicle down the hall to her boss’ office.

Her ponytail swished against her back as she moved, an occasional curl falling over her shoulder. Her simple taupe heels clicked against the tile floor until she reached Sandra Bleekley’s office, where her steps were muffled by the plush carpet. The office was empty, but since the door was open, she knew Sandra hadn’t gone far nor planned to be gone long. Placing the folder in the tray on Sandra’s desk, she turned only to draw up short to find her boss in front of her.

Melody’s smile was instant. “Oh, hi. I was leaving the research I finished for you on the Whitney case. Let me know if there’s more you need me to do or if you have any questions. I also saved everything on the network if you want to make notes.”

Melody noticed subtle nuances indicating Sandra was not in agood frame of mind. Her expensive suit, slick bun, and light makeup were perfectly in place, but a shadow dimmed her eyes. The corners of her mouth turned down slightly, and the vertical wrinkle between her brows was more pronounced. When Sandra spoke, her neutral tone gave nothing away.

“Thank you, Melody. I’ll look it over. I know it’s close to quitting time, but do you think you can stay a bit longer in case I have any questions?” Sandra stepped around her paralegal to sit at her desk.

Though her boss’ fatigue didn’t show on Sandra’s face, Melody saw it weighing on her body when she collapsed in her executive chair. Something was definitely off. Sandra never seemed to tire when she worked a big case. If anything, the extra preparation to meet an adversary in court pumped her with adrenaline. With the court date for the Whitney case looming close, Sandra should be laser-focused and energized, instead of exhausted and troubled.

Melody opened her mouth to ask if Sandra was all right, but she decided against it, simply answering her boss’ question. “Uh, sure. Not a problem.”

“Thank you. If you can give me an hour, I should be able to finish reviewing it.”

Sandra slipped on her blue-rimmed reading glasses and shuffled some papers on her desk. Knowing that was her cue to leave, Melody gave one last look at her boss’ face, second-guessing her decision not to express concern. She and Sandra weren’t exactly friends, but she admired the attorney, who seemed to have it all — a successfulcareer, a beautiful family, good health, and respect of her peers. She had come to think a lot of Sandra in the short time she’d known her, and Melody wasn’t wired to walk away from someone she cared about who might need help.

But she’d only been working at Ladner and Bleekley for eight months, and she was still learning the office dynamics. The last thing she wanted was to overstep by inquiring about something that wasn’t any of her business.

She took a step to exit the way she came but hesitated. With a sigh of resignation, she turned on the ball of her foot and marched back to her boss’ desk. Sandra stared at her in surprise.

“Was there something else?”

Melody nibbled the inside of her bottom lip. Then her words tumbled from her mouth before she could stop them.

“Are you all right? You seem…bothered.” At Sandra’s raised eyebrow, Melody talked faster. “I mean, I know I have no right to ask, but if there’s something I can do to ease your stress, I’m happy to help. Even if it’s just to listen while you talk through something, I’m here.”

“You overheard me, didn’t you?” She pursed her lips at Melody’s perplexed expression. “When I was on the phone just now? I knew I should have waited to take the call until I was back in the office with the door closed.”

Melody shook her head and realized she used more force than necessary when her curls slapped the side of her neck. “No. Honestly, Sandra, I didn’t know you were on the phone. I…well, I’m good atreading people. It helps with the job, as you know. And you…um, you have a tell.”

Sandra leaned back until her chair’s mechanism creaked. “A tell? Look, Melody, I appreciate you asking, but I learned a long time ago not to confuse roles at work. It only leads to drama, and I won’t tolerate being the subject of the office’s gossip mill, especially if my paralegal is the one starting it.”

Melody’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry. I promise you I’m not the gossiping type, but of course, you haven’t known me long enough to figure that out. Forget I said anything. It’s none of my business. I’ll be at my desk if you have questions about the Whitney case.”

This time when Melody turned, she fully intended to leave the office, mentally kicking herself for crossing a line. At her old law firm, she’d been very close to the associates and other paralegals, so she was used to sharing both work-related and personal issues with them. Though Ladner and Bleekley was a smaller firm, the atmosphere was much different. The few paralegals and associates at the firm stayed too busy with cases to socialize with each other, and as the new employee, she wasn’t readily accepted into the existing office cliques. It would come, she was sure, but even if it didn’t, she enjoyed her new job enough to be content with it as is. Hopefully, she hadn’t blown the opportunity.

“Melody, wait. Please close the door and sit down.”

Melody backtracked warily, studying her boss for signs of anger. She didn’t see any censor in Sandra’s eyes which matched therim of the glasses she now discarded. Melody settled in one of the chairs across from Sandra’s desk.

“I’m sorry,” Sandra began. “I shouldn’t have accused you of being a gossip. I haven’t seen any evidence of that since you’ve been here, and believe me, as small as we are, I would know if you were one to stir up rumors. We’ve had some in the past who spent more time causing trouble than working, so unfortunately, I’m a little jaded because of it.”

Melody nodded. “I get it. I left my first job because of how devastating rumors can be. You don’t have to worry about it with me.”

Sandra’s head tilted as she regarded her paralegal. “You’re not talking about the last job you left?”

Melody shook her head. “No. The one before that. I was fresh out of college and naïve. All I wanted was to learn and do a good job. My coworkers mistook my enthusiasm as a willingness to do anything and everything to advance my career. Before I knew it, everyone from the mailroom to the partners believed I had slept with my boss to get ahead. The worst part was he was married and was having an affair, just not with me. I left as soon as another job opportunity presented itself.”

“Hmm,” Sandra murmured. “I didn’t realize. They gave you an excellent recommendation when we checked your references with past employers.”

“I did good work, despite what they said about me behind my back, but I assure you, there was no basis for the rumors.”

Sandra’s lips curved in a faint smile. “Relax, Melody. I’m agood judge of people too, and you’ve more than shown you’re dedicated to your work. And I appreciate you asking about me. I’m not used to people doing that, so I admit, I’m a little suspicious when someone does. My apologies for questioning your motives. In this case, though, it’s not work weighing on my mind. It’s my daughter.”

Melody’s eyes fell on the framed photo perched on the edge of Sandra’s desk. It was the only personal item on her workspace. All her other photos, prints, or diplomas graced her walls. But this one, encased in a delicate silver frame, showed a younger Sandra with her sable hair falling to her shoulders and her mouth spread in a happy smile wide enough to crinkle the corner of her eyes. She had one arm around the man in the photo, a distinguished gentleman with short hair and a trimmed goatee, and the other arm around a young girl who rolled her blue eyes in a typical tween fashion. The girl’s rounded face showed the innocence of a child meshed with the burgeoning maturity of a teenager. Her features were a harmonious combination of traits from the two adults. The picture radiated joy, reminding Melody of her parents.

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