Read Online When Men Betray by Webb Hubbell - Free Book Online Page B

even pause. “The second folder is a report on all outstanding client matters. I thought you and I could go over these first, and I can e-mail instructions to the appropriate associates. Unless you need us, Beth and I can meet with your friend Tucker about temporary office space while you’re with Woody. Let me know if you want us to meet you at Mrs. Cole’s house. So far, that’s all I have scheduled for today.”
    Maggie knew I wanted to go back to the security issue, so she continued to talk.
    â€œI contacted Gloria at the NACDL, and I’ve set up meetings for tomorrow afternoon with two attorneys she recommended. Both lawyers were more than accommodating and agreed to meet with you on a Sunday.”
    I bet they were—they just might be given the biggest case of their careers. But Maggie was on a roll, so I merely nodded and kept my comments to myself.
    â€œI brought you a sampling of the media from DC and around the country. I’ve engaged a clipping service for a week so you can keep up with how others are reacting.”
    Suites, security, and now a clipping service. I frowned, but Maggie was way ahead of me.
    â€œI ran the expense by Ron. He agreed that we need to be proactive with the press.”
    I gave up. If tightwad Ron had approved the clipping service, who was I to complain? Now, if only I could get a word in edgewise to talk about the other expenses.
    â€œWe can talk about finances once we know how long we are going to be here. But for now, let’s get to work. We have a lot to catch up on.” I swear, the woman can read my mind.
    Beth announced that she was on her way to the exercise room, and I remembered something I’d thought of earlier. I folded one hundred dollars into a hotel envelope along with a short note and asked Beth to give it to Brenda.
    â€œWhat’s this?”
    â€œSome of the messages I’ve received the last few days were pretty ugly. No one should have to put up with that kind of trash. Ask Brenda to make sure it gets in the right hands, okay?”
    â€œSo it’s ‘Brenda’ already,” Beth teased, but she was out the door before I could respond. She was quickly learning from Maggie.
    I ignored Maggie’s raised eyebrows and went to work. It felt good to reenter the world of antitrust law, if only for a short while.
    It seemed as if no time had passed when Beth returned. I remembered another phone call I had to make, and at the same time, Maggiehanded me an envelope from Ron marked “personal.” Inside was a handwritten note.
    Jack, what in the hell are you doing? You’re making a fool of yourself! The majority leader called Paul Anthony to complain. The Legal Times is calling about our radical step in taking on the defense of an assassin. Every day you’re in that godforsaken place we are losing business and respectability. Leave now and keep your mouth shut! Ron
.
    I looked up from the note and commented to Maggie, “I see things are a little tense.”
    Maggie gave me a knowing smile. “The lawyers most upset are the government-relations types.”
    Their fancy label always amused me. Why don’t they call themselves what they are—lobbyists.
    â€œThey were delighted when you enlisted them to organize a function for Senator Robinson. Now they’re avoiding calls from Hill staff, trying to pretend they don’t know you.”
    I made a mental note to call Paul Anthony, former congressman from Alabama and head of our government-relations section. I also thought about calling Ron, but thought better of it. Until I talked to Woody, I wouldn’t have much to say.
    I picked up the phone and made the call I’d been putting off.
    â€œThis is Jack Patterson. Mrs. Robinson’s assistant asked that I call to make an appointment.”
    There was a long silence, followed by an ice-cold voice. “We’ve been expecting your call. Be at the family home at nine