Into Thin Air Page 24

  I dial Christy’s number. “Hey there. Are you up for a quick lunch today? I need to talk to you about something.”

  “Sure. Should I stop by your office at twelve?”

  I hold the phone between my ear and shoulder as I type something. “Let’s meet outside across the street.”

  “Huh?”

  “I’ll tell you why when I see you.”

  “Never a dull moment, is there?”

  “Not lately, especially in this office.”

  An hour later, I walk out of the building, thankful that the media has finally found someone else to harass. I’m nothing special anymore. I wave to Christy.

  “So what’s up? I feel like I should be wearing a disguise.”

  I point to the left. “Let’s go for a walk in the park. I don’t want anyone to eavesdrop on our conversation.”

  “I can already tell this is about someone whose name starts with a S, and I don’t mean Sam.”

  I snicker. “How’d you guess?”

  “When is it not her lately? You aren’t the only one complaining. What’d she do to you now?”

  I look over my shoulder as we walk through the park entrance. “You know how Jenny Parton gave me her modeling portfolio?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “Listen to this.” I explain Stephanie’s accusation.

  “I know I say this all the time, but that woman is such a bitch. And she’s getting worse,” Christy says through gritted teeth.

  “I know! She has a personal vendetta against me. But I stayed calm the entire time. I’ve been documenting a lot of our conversations. I just hate that this is all connected to Jenny. Well, not everything. If it was anyone else, I don’t think I’d care as much, but I can’t seem to get rid of that woman. Even with Sam living here now, there’s still tension in the air. I hate it.”

  We stop talking when we see Dora walking toward us. She’s the queen of gossip in the office. “Hey, ladies. Great day for a walk.”

  “It sure is. We’ve been stuck behind our desks all morning. We needed to stretch our legs.” Christy jabbers on while wiggling her legs. I’m so glad she’s dating Gale. She’s such a goof outside the office.

  Gale confessed that he feels Christy’s the one. Of course, I exploded with happiness. We’ve hung out with them a couple of times. It’s also cool because Gale and Sam both work at SU, and Christy and I work together. Christy walks around with her head in the clouds these days. I probably do too. It’s fun to have another couple to hang out with, especially since they know our story.

  “Enjoy your walk. Stephanie asked me to get her a sandwich and a bottle of Listerine. I need to get this to her while it’s hot.”

  “Listerine?” Christy questions.

  “Yeah. Odd request, right? She goes through this stuff like water. Maybe she has severe chronic halitosis and doesn’t want to scare the clients away.” She covers her mouth to prevent herself from laughing.

  “Yeah, I don’t want to think about that.” I smile, though it disgusts me. “See you later, Dora.”

  When Dora’s far enough away, I ask, “Does Stephanie do anything on her own? No wonder she hasn’t been able to keep a personal assistant for more than a month at a time. Now Dora has to fill in.”

  “No. It’s like you said before—her dad went to law school with Mr. Brigstone.”

  “Yeah, but it’s borderline unethical. He works at the LA office, so he doesn’t see the shit she pulls. We need to complain to Human Resources.” I tug on her elbow lightly, so she faces me. “Listen. I need you to keep your eyes and ears open. If you hear anything, please tell me. I suspect she’s drinking at the office. I caught her guzzling Listerine at her desk one day and saw her drinking in her car in the parking garage. I have pictures to prove that. She also leaves the office pretty early more days than not. She gives everyone else her work. Maybe I’m overanalyzing things, but I don’t think so. I have to follow my gut.”

  I look around again to make sure no one is listening.

  Christy nods. “She’s giving you most of the work, not so much to the rest of us. You’re a kick-ass lawyer, so she knows your work will reflect well on her. Anyway, clients ask for you when they come, not her. Maybe that’s starting to piss her off.”

  “Whatever happens, I need to make sure my ass is covered.”

  “I have your back.”

  “I know you do. Also, don’t say anything to Dora. She seems to know everything that’s going on around here. The receptionists always do,” I joke. “But then again, maybe she’s the one I should cozy up to.”

  “She does seem to do whatever Stephanie says.”

  “Yeah, but Stephanie’s bound to slip.”

  Christy smirks and nods her head.

  ∞

  I drop my head in my hands. Why won’t my phone stop ringing this afternoon? It’s as if Stephanie left a black cloud over my office earlier to keep her accusation company. I wish I could walk right out of this building and never come back.

  “Stella Crimson,” I say as I smile at a picture of Sam and me on my phone. We took a selfie together when I found his apartment key on my key ring.

  “Stella, or should I call you Ellie? It’s Jenny Parton.” My five-second good mood vanishes as quickly as it came. Business mode is back on.

  “I prefer Stella Crimson.”

  “Oh, sorry. Samuel always calls you Ellie.”

  “How can I help you, Ms. Parton? If this is about your mom’s divorce, I would appreciate calls only from Carlotta.”

  “Stephanie is her lawyer; she just uses you to do her job,” Jenny sneers.

  I’d have to agree with her on that one.

  “Then contact Stephanie. I don’t have time for this.”

  I’m about to hang up on her, but she says, “Actually, I have a private matter to discuss with you. You may want to sit down, since you faint a lot.”

  I grab my blue stress ball and squeeze the shit out of it, pretending it’s Jenny’s head. I’ve got several of them stashed around my office these days. They help control my anger when I’m around Stephanie. One for my desk, one in my handbag, a couple at the apartment. I should buy a few for Sam’s place. Mental note.

  “I don’t discuss private matters in the office, and as far as I’m concerned, we have nothing to talk about.”

  She snickers. “See, that’s where you’re wrong. Stephanie says you misplaced my portfolio. What’d you do? Throw it out? Burn it? Is this revenge?”

  “That’s what Stephanie told you? Listen, Ms. Parton. Your modeling career is of no importance to me. My job is not to deliver your portfolio. The last person who had it was Stephanie. Follow up on this with her.”

  “I did, and she said for me to talk to you.” Of course she fucking did.

  Jenny plows on. “Is this revenge because of the connection I have with Samuel? Are you trying to ruin my career because I saw him the weekend before he moved to Seattle? I’m surprised you weren’t there to help him. I loved it because I got him all to myself for one last time. Did he tell you?”

  “Are you done? I see right through you. I deal with deplorable people like you every day. What Sam and I do is none of your business, and I’d appreciate you not calling me at my office and trying to interfere with my life.”

  “Oh, he didn’t tell you then. He’s known for his dishonesty. Look how he treated me while sleeping with you behind my back. He was a bit drunk and wanted one last quickie before he moved. I knew he’d come back, begging for one last time with me. When we were done, he offered me money to stay away from you and not tell anyone about us. But of course, I didn’t take it. I’m not that kind of woman.”

  “You could’ve fooled me. Is there anything else you would like to discuss?”

  “I’m going to sue you for purposely trying to ruin my career because of Samuel. Just wait and see.” Her voice is full of venom.

  “You have no idea who you’re dealing with, Ms. Parton, but you’ll soon find out. Most clients ask for me
because I always find the cracks. And I always win. I’ll beat you at your own game. Have a good day.” I slam my phone down hard. This is going way too far.

  ∞

  I swirl the sugar in my coffee in the office kitchen. I was up late last night, and with Jenny’s call an hour ago, I’m drained. Five coffees wouldn’t do the trick. My nerves are still rattled from her insinuations, and my anger is growing by the minute. Sam has tried to call, but I don’t want to call back with the kind of mood I’m in.

  “Hi, Stella.” Peter from Human Resources enters the room.

  I smile at him. “Hey, Peter. Need a coffee too?”

  “No. I’ve been looking for you. Can you please come to my office?”

  I push my eyebrows together. “Sure. What do you need?”

  “Let’s talk in my office. I’ll see you in a few.” He walks backward and then turns to leave the kitchen.

  I clasp my hands behind my neck and close my eyes. All I can say is, it’d better not be what I think it is. The sight of coffee makes me sick to my stomach now, so I pour it down the drain. My pulse pumps in my ears. I need to calm down, because I can’t go into Peter’s office on the defense.

  I take a minute to use the bathroom, then I find myself in front of Peter’s office door. I knock, and he immediately says to come in. Stephanie stands next to his desk, her arms crossed over her chest. He’s seated in his chair.

  “What’s this?” I say with a steady voice.

  Peter stands up and closes the door. “Please, sit down, Stella.” He looks at Stephanie. “You too, please.”

  Stephanie’s authority mask is firmly in place, but again, she doesn’t scare me. If anything, I want to laugh in her face. She sits down without acknowledging me.

  “Can you please tell me why I’m here? I have a deadline to meet.”

  Peter folds his hands and rests them on top of his desk. “There’s been a complaint from a client that you spitefully misplaced a modeling portfolio, due to your personal ties to Samuel Moore. Stephanie says she gave you specific instructions to send it to Tate Reilley at Image Inc. He hasn’t received it, nor have you contacted him about it.”

  Stay calm. “Who’s this client you’re referring to?”

  “Jenny Parton.”

  Internally I laugh, but my face doesn’t move. “Jenny Parton is not a client of this firm. Her mother is. Jenny has nothing to do with her mother’s divorce. When did she become a client?”

  “I’m sorry, Peter,” Stephanie interjects. “I meant to say Jenny is Carlotta Weis’s daughter. She’s not a client.”

  “Jenny Parton is threatening to sue this firm. She believes you are purposely sabotaging her modeling career because of her previous intimate relationship with Samuel Moore.”

  I pin a stare on Stephanie and then on Peter. “May I speak now?”

  Peter nods.

  I angle my chair so I’m able to see Stephanie better. “Stephanie, you lost that portfolio yourself. I gave it to you, and that’s the last I saw of it. How dare you let this fall on me? My track record here is perfect. You give me all your work; I complete it by working numerous hours overtime. My work wins many cases for you, and you take the credit for everything. Now you want to screw me? I just don’t understand how you can lie to me, Peter, and Jenny.”

  “I don’t need to lie. Your relationship with Samuel Moore has been a problem ever since the moment you came back from the hospital. You knew he was Jenny Parton’s boyfriend, but you went after him anyway. Then the paparazzi showed up and didn’t leave for days.”

  “Funny how excited you were about my connection with him and threatened me if I didn’t bring him in as a client.”

  She looks at Peter. “That’s not true.”

  “It’s amazing how you can lie through your teeth. I’ve documented every time you’ve threatened me. I’m sure it will come into use.”

  Stephanie sticks her nose in the air. “The least you could’ve done is waited until Carlotta Weis was no longer a client here. This is a clear conflict of interest. Jenny claims you’ve been very rude to her, and that you haven’t given me messages when she’s called.”

  “Whoa. Wait a minute here. I have sent you messages to call her back. And if you don’t remember, I just showed you one this morning. I have all the proof on my computer, so don’t even go there. Again, Jenny is not a client! Why should I even have to be in contact with her? The only reason is that you lost her portfolio, and you’re trying to make me take the blame for it. And so is she. Unbelievable.” I’m ready to blow through the roof. I can’t believe they’re screwing me like this.

  Peter raises his hand. “Stella, due to the unique situation and Ms. Parton’s threat of suing this firm, from this moment, you’re on leave without pay.”

  I jump from my chair. “What? You can’t be serious. I have done absolutely nothing wrong, and you have no proof otherwise. I’m one of the best lawyers in this firm. I have an outstanding record, and you’re going to take this woman’s word over mine?”

  “I’m sorry. We have to take this seriously. Your suspension will continue until we know the extent of this accusation and whether the lawsuit will go forward. If you can find the portfolio, this can be put behind us.”

  “You mean, if Stephanie can find the portfolio? She’s the guilty one.” I turn toward her. “You really have nothing to say, Stephanie? Maybe you lost the portfolio on one of the days you came into work drunk or had a Listerine party in your office.”

  “That’s inappropriate!” Stephanie jumps to her feet.

  “The only thing that’s inappropriate is that I’m getting blamed for your carelessness. You do absolutely nothing in this firm. You delegate all your work to other lawyers because you don’t have a clue. Don’t think I don’t notice how you manipulate others. That’s why you can’t even keep a secretary for more than a month. Remember, details are my specialty. I see and know everything. Just give me some time. You’re going to be the one begging to keep her job.”

  I lean over Peter’s desk. “Let me tell you both something right now. You’re messing with the wrong lawyer. I’ll get to the bottom of this while you all go on a witch hunt for this portfolio. You’ll regret accusing me of something so ridiculous. This firm is turning into a circus. You let me go, and it will lose its reputation very quickly. If anyone should be losing her job, it’s this one next to me. And if this affects my professional reputation, you can be sure I will be pressing charges against you.”

  “Please stay calm, Stella. You haven’t lost your job. This is only temporary until we get to the bottom of things. But I must tell you, you’re not allowed any contact with other personnel in this firm while you’re on leave.”

  “If you remember, I’m a lawyer. I don’t need to hear the proper procedures. I’m the only one following them. Are we done here?”

  “Yes. I’ll need to walk you out once you get your personal items.”

  I approach the door but turn around to say one last thing to Stephanie. “You’ll regret this day for the rest of your life. Have fun scrambling, because I won’t have to.” Her eyes bulge slightly but then go back to normal. She knows she’s screwed. Thank God I saved that document on my memory stick and have those photos.

  ∞

  I pace back and forth in Sam’s kitchen. He should be home in a few minutes. I don’t think I could be any more livid at this point. I had to turn my phone off because Gale and some coworkers were calling me nonstop.

  Sam unlocks the door and comes in smiling. “Hey. I got your message.” He drops a sport bag and his favorite soccer ball on the floor and tosses his keys on the counter. The ball rolls in my direction.

  Once he sees my lack of enthusiasm, his smile transforms into a frown. “What’s wrong, Ellie?”

  I want to kiss him and have him tell me everything will be okay, but I’ve been waiting on that for weeks now, and it’s still not okay. He starts to move toward me, but I put my arm up to keep him at a distance.

  “Ever
ything. I don’t know where to begin. Fucking Jenny called me at the office. I’m so sick and tired of dealing with her bullshit.”

  He plants his hands on his hips. “What the fuck does she want now?”

  “Did she show up at your apartment when you were packing up some of your things the Saturday before you moved?”

  “Yes, she did,” he says flatly.

  I turn away from him. Tears are already forming. I whip back around. “Damn it, Sam. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I didn’t want to upset you. I told her to get the hell out, but she still tried to weasel her way in. I told her to leave you and me alone and asked why she couldn’t understand that we were over. She had the audacity to demand money from me to stay away. It was either that or sex. Then she proceeded to undress.”

  I pull on my hair and scream. “She said you slept with her. Did you?”

  Eyes that are usually filled with warmth, swiftly turn into empty holes of blackness. “Did you really just ask me that? That was a fucking punch in the face. Now you aren’t the only one pissed off. I thought we trusted each other and agreed we weren’t going to let anything else come between us. Apparently, that’s no longer the case.” His voice is sharp.

  “What happened next?” I push, ignoring the last thing he said.

  “I threw her out and told her to never contact us again. Since you don’t seem to believe me, call Cass. She was there with JT. They were in another room and heard everything.”

  “Well, Jenny’s story is completely different.”

  “Of course it is. That’s how she works. What’s her story now?”

  “That you fucked her and tried to pay her off.”

  Without warning, he kicks the soccer ball with such force that the wall makes a cracking noise when it slams into it. He takes a few deep breaths.

  I brace myself on the counter because I’ve never seen him this angry.

  “Ellie, you know that didn’t happen. You know I love you, and I shouldn’t have to convince you. She’s only trying to get between us. At this point, I don’t even think it’s about us anymore. I think she just wants money.”