Page 47 of Partner Pursuit
“That’s true,” Audrey said. “But we should be prepared for that argument in case the plaintiff raises it.” She looked at her notes. “Marcia, you were running some French news searches to see if there’s any talk of Pierre being in financial difficulties.Anything?”
“No,” Marcia said. “It seems to be the opposite. His company’s about to invest in some hugedeal.”
“Are you seriously spending time trying to find another motive for his suit?” Colette asked. Audrey flushed. Mohan looked at Marcia with raised eyebrows. Audrey could only imagine what Genevieve wasthinking.
“Yes,” Audrey said evenly. “If it is Pierre’s word against John’s, then it helps if we can find another motive, because that might impact Pierre’s credibility to our benefit. A jury might be less likely to believe him over John.” Winnie looked like she wanted to add something, but Audrey gave a tiny shake of her head, indicating not to getinvolved.
Colette raised her eyebrows. “You shouldn’t be using Marcia for that. She’s more valuable doinglegalwork, not following some hope that this is a soap opera drama.”
Audrey could feel her face heating up. “Marcia is the only one who reads French. It’s atwenty-yearfriendship. John made very clear in our meeting that he’s shocked by Pierre’s accusation.”
“If the friendship is so valuable, maybe John should repay the money himself. He’s pretty wealthyaswell.”
“That would set a strange precedent. John’s not the one who wanted to make the trade. He’s not the one at fault,” Audreysaid.
“Still, that shows how valuable the friendship is. Money trumps friendship. There is no other motive. It’s not like it’s all ‘pure friendship’ on John’s side either. He benefitted from being able to pull Pierre in as a significant client when he was starting out. That certainly helped propel his career.”
Audrey was silent. It was likely that money was the sole reason, but a different motive could change the whole paradigm of the case. Looking at the case solely through a “legal” lens was too limiting. And she felt sorry for Colette if she believed money trumped friendship. But arguing that point further with Colette didn’t seem productive, particularly not in front ofGenevieve.
“Is Marcia assigned to the defensive discovery team?” Colette asked. Audrey nodded reluctantly. Colette inclined her head and wrote more notes.
Audrey took a deep breath, discussed their third topic, and then said that each of the associates would take a deposition. Audrey and Colette shared tips on preparing for depositions and promised they’d practice with each person to make sure they were ready. Audrey wrapped up the meeting, and the junior associates left the room. She was left alone with Colette and Genevieve. Genevieve said goodbye and walked towardsthedoor.
Colette said to Audrey, “We shouldn’t waste Marcia’s time reading the French news, so I’m asking you to stop requesting that of her. I’m in charge of defensive discovery, she’s assigned to the defensive discovery team, and I need herfull-timeon defensive discovery.”
“Are you sure? I really think it could help with motive.”
Colette rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’mpositive.”
Audrey left the meeting deflated. Maybe she was not “serious enough” for pursuing thisnon-legalargument. She jumped when Genevieve popped up around the corner.
“I overheard your conversation with Colette,”shesaid.
“I’m sorry. It probably sounded unprofessional.”
Genevieve shrugged. “Politics can be brutalin-housetoo. I can speak French. And both Mr. and Mrs. Rothman raised that same question. They don’t understand any of this. Why would Pierre do this? John is checking with his contacts in the French financial community to see if there are any rumors about Pierre’s financialstraits.”
“I think it has to do with Pierre’s wife. Isn’t she the connection between the twocouples?”
“Yes. Really?Why?”
“You’re going to think I’m ridiculous. Do you have some time to come to my office?”
“Sure.”
The women walked down the hall. “I went to the library at the French Institute on Madison Avenue,” Audrey said. “I searched on Pierre through their digital French magazine collection, and it looks like he and his wife stopped attending events socially together in the past six months. Before that, they were always together. I’ll show you the articlesI copied.”
When they reached her office, Audrey pulled out her copies and showed them to Genevieve on her desk. Pierre and his wife were pictured together in photographs. “And then starting about six months ago, right before this trade, it’s just him.” She showed the pictures of Pierre alone at various French art galas. She said, “Oh, and I should mention that I didn’t bill you for this. I went there on my free time—because I was curious. It’s not legalresearch.”
“Wow. When you see all the pictures of them together, and then this absence, it is striking. Unless his wife Laila issicktoo.”
“Yes, I thought that too. That would be bad, both for Laila and the case. It would make Pierre more sympathetic—maybe he needs the money for some treatment for her. But we still don’t want to find that out as a surprise during the trial.”
“It seems unlikely that both wives could be sick at the same time. Mrs. Rothman will be interested in this. She may have some insight. Can I have a copy?” Genevieve asked.
“Of course. As you know, Colette thinks I’m completely crazy to be thinking about this. I’m glad if anyone is interested. I don’t know how to get any further, though. If Mrs. Rothman has any suggestions or thoughts, please letmeknow.”
“I will. It’s good you thought about why. It shows a willingness to think outsidethebox.”
