Corridor Man 6: Exit Strategy

by Nick James

  “Marsha,” Bobby said and wrapped both hands around hers. “My deepest condolences. Bennett was a wonderful man and so good to me.” He noticed there seemed to be no indication of sorrow on her face nor in her voice.

  “Thank you. I’m afraid I’ve forgotten your name,” she said as the slightest hint of bourbon seemed to waft through the air.

  “Custer, Bobby Custer. I worked for the firm under Noah Denton, although Bennett was a great source of support, ever a friend and never to busy to offer advice.”

  A light seemed to flash on behind her eyes. “Mmm-mmm, his advice…But you’re the only one who tried to help that day. Everyone else just ran away,” she said.

  “I only wish I could have done more. It all seems so, so…” he said and put on a sad face.

  “Thank you for trying,” she said then quickly withdrew her hands from Bobby’s and turned to the couple next in line. “Janice and Tom, thank you for taking the time….”

  He stepped away, looked around for Sawyer and Hinz, then stepped outside when he didn’t see either of them. They stood together, maybe twenty feet down the front sidewalk and off to the side on the front lawn. Allen was shaking his head while Sawyer had his cellphone up to his ear. Sawyer was on his cellphone. His eyes were bulging and his face was in the process of going from red to crimson. He stabbed the air with his index finger as if he were dressing down some insubordinate directly in front of him. Allen stood a few discrete feet away, pretending to marvel at the church architecture.

  “No, we didn’t authorize that. Damn it, find out who sent that email and I want them in my office in forty-five minutes. God help them,” Sawyer said then disconnected. “Who in the hell would think it’s funny to give everyone a day off when we’ve…?”

  He stopped talking as Allen suddenly said, “Custer, good of you to be here today.”

  “Gentlemen, if you’d be so kind as to follow me.”

  Chapter Forty

  Bobby led the way down the sidewalk to the car. “God bless Bennett Hinz, he sure was one of a kind. The world’s going to be just a little less bright,” he said, then carried on about the beautiful service as if he’d been in attendance from the very beginning. By the time they stepped onto the grass boulevard, Miguel was out of the driver’s seat and holding the rear passenger door open for them.

  Sawyer and Allen glanced at one another then stared at Miguel and the car for a long moment. They eyed one another then turned toward Bobby with surprised looks.

  “Now just what in the hell is this about, Custer?” Sawyer said, nodding toward Miguel.

  “Just thought it might be best for all involved if we could keep this conversation somewhat private. I think, under the circumstances, both of you would prefer that I not make an appearance at the firm. Okay. I understand things are probably still a bit chaotic and my presence certainly wouldn’t help, today of all days.”

  “I think whatever information you intend to impart can be done right here,” Sawyer said. He sort of adjusted his feet as if preparing to hold his ground and glanced nervously at Miguel standing next to the open car door.

  As if in response Bobby gave a sort of quick tilt of his head in Miguel’s direction.

  “Gentlemen, please,” Miguel said and flashed a smile that was meant to be anything but friendly.

  They looked at one another, then Allen hurried into the back seat and slid all the way across. Sawyer seemed to pause a moment, as if weighing his options.

  “Sir,” Miguel said.

  Sawyer seemed to think for a brief moment then quickly followed. Miguel closed the door behind them, flashed a wide-eyed grin at Bobby then held the front passenger door for him.

  Bobby slid into the seat, then pushed the lock button as soon as Miguel had closed the door. Miguel walked to the front of the vehicle and stood with his back to the car and his hands clasped in front of him.

  “Oh, man, I’ll tell you, so much to do, so little time,” Bobby said then turned and faced the two of them sitting in the back seat. Sawyer looked mad, was growing red faced and at the same time Allen seemed to be growing more pale by the second.

  Sawyer opened the conversation by jabbing his index finger at Bobby as he spoke. “Now you listen here, let me tell you something, Custer. If you think you can get some thug friend of yours to try and intimidate the two of us, you’ve got another thing coming. Now, I want that contact information for Morris Montcreff and I want it now. You are growing dangerously close to getting you ass sued off. If you fail to deliver…”

  “Excuse me, gentlemen, please. I’ve given you what information I have. If you can’t deal with Mr. Montcreff, I’m afraid that’s no longer my problem. You made that very clear when last we met.”

  “Now you just….”

  “That is I think I gave you the information. YI guess you’ll just have to forgive me, I seem to be having a problem remembering. My God, I can hardly remember giving you my letter of resignation, let alone Morris Montcreff’s phone number.”

  “How did you learn…that’s got noting to do with you.”

  “Please, there seems to be a more pressing issue here,” Bobby said and pulled out his cell phone. “I’ve been contacted recently by the family of Elizabeth Saunders. You might recall her, she was the woman killed in Paris while on firm business and.…”

  “Oh, for Christ sake. I’ve heard just about enough of this nonsense. I don’t intend to listen to any more,” Sawyer said and reached for the car door. He pulled the handle, but the door wouldn’t open. “What the hell? Custer damn it, open this door before I….”

  “Childproof locks,” Bobby said and grinned. “Now, if I were you, I’d just sit there quietly and listen for a moment because this is the only chance you’re going to get. I think you’ll find that what you’re about to hear will have some bearing on what you….”

  “Are you threatening…”

  “I’m really not going to tell you again,” Bobby said softly. “You had better shut up for your own damn good.”

  “You’re disbarred, you can’t even practice, you son of a bitch. If you think you can.…”

  Bobby pressed his cellphone and the recorded message began to play. “This is Charles Sawyer,” and then after a pause. “How may I help you?”

  “Oh hello, Mr. Sawyer, this is Emily Saunders. I’d like to record our conversation. Is that okay with you?”

  “Yes,” came the reply. As soon as they heard that Sawyer and Allen looked at one another wide-eyed.

  “What in the hell?”

  Bobby stopped the recording, gave a long sigh then calmly said, “If I were you, Mr. Sawyer, I think I’d just shut up and listen for once. I’m not going to tell you again.”

  “Open the door right now, do you hear me? Open the damn door,” Sawyer yelled then pulled at the door handle.

  “Charlie, will you please calm down. Just shut the hell up and listen for once, for Christ’s sake,” Allen shouted. Sawyer exhaled loudly, but didn't say anything as he glared red-faced at Bobby. “All right, go ahead,” Allen said, then shot a disgusted look at Sawyer.

  Bobby resumed the recording and they listened until it had finished playing, then all three of them sat in silence for a long moment. Allen closed his eyes and just shook his head. Sawyer remained crimson-faced with his eyes bulging.

  “It would seem to me you’ve a couple of problems here. First, you weren’t very nice to the lady. Now, that’s no crime, but it will set the tone to a judge and jury. You basically called Miss Saunders and her recently deceased sister a couple of sluts. That becomes particularly difficult under the definition of sexual harassment in the work place and the fact that you have on staff a number of individuals who will attest to the fact that Noah Denton did indeed grope and harass Elizabeth Saunders. And then, once they do that, you know you’ll be hit with a flood of similar lawsuits claiming sexual abuse. I’d say you’re fucked, except for one small point. You said you knew nothing of the lawsuit then in the same breath you went on t
o specify the five-million-dollar figure. Making you not just fucked, but really fucked. Nice work, Charlie. This looks like pretty much of a slam dunk for the opposition.”

  Sawyer sank back in his seat.

  Allen just shook his head and muttered, “Charlie, that God damned temper of yours. Both Bennett and I have warned you for years, but you just never, ever listened.”

  “Of course, you could just sign the settlement, but that would bring your rates so high the firm would probably go bankrupt over the next twenty-four months just paying for insurance.”

  The two of them sat there with stunned looks on their face.

  “Okay, it’s bad. Now here’s the good news. I think I can get you out of this.”

  Sawyer looked up, appeared almost hopeful for a moment before a cloud passed over his face. “You’re disbarred, Custer, you can’t do shit.”

  “I can get her to accept a substantially smaller payment.”

  “You have got to be…”

  “Shut up, Charlie, you’ve already done enough damage. How small?” Allen said.

  “Ten percent” Bobby said.

  “Four-point-five-million?” Sawyer screamed. “What the hell kind of break is that?” His face crimson again, the veins on his neck were standing out and looked ready to burst.

  “Charlie, I’m not going to tell you again. Will you just shut the hell up?” Allen shouted.

  “Yeah, Charlie. Maybe for once just shut up and listen. I can get her to accept five-hundred-thousand, cash,” Bobby added. They both looked stunned.

  “Five hundred thousand?” Allen said.

  “Cash.” Bobby smiled. “Here’s the deal, you can let her get the insurance payment and I guarantee you, between future payments and some other problems that are heading down the road, you’ll be out of business or maybe even disbarred yourself, within twenty-four months. On the other hand, the two of you find a way to get five hundred grand, cash, and you can stay in business. I look forward to hearing from you within the next forty-eight hours. If I don’t hear from you, the deal is off the table and the family will come after you for the five-million. Okay, thank you for your time. Enjoy the rest of your day.” He smiled, pushed the button releasing the locks, and a moment later Miguel opened the rear door.

  Sawyer sat there for a long moment, looked as if he was about to say something, then simply climbed out of the back seat. Allen slid across the seat without looking at Bobby and stepped onto the boulevard.

  Once he closed the door, Miguel hurried around to the driver’s side, got in behind the wheel, and quickly pulled away from the curb leaving the two of them arguing out on the boulevard in front of the church. Bobby turned to look out the back window as they pulled away. And for once, Allen was jabbing his index finger into Sawyer’s chest.

  Chapter Forty-One

  On the way back to the office, Bobby sent Emily another text message. “Hope you’re okay. Give me a call when you feel up to it.” Miguel dropped him off and he took the elevator up to the twelfth floor.

  As he stepped into the office, Erin grinned then seemed to be looking for something, “No Miguel?”

  “He’s got some things to do,” Bobby lied.

  “Thomas is already here getting settled in his office,” she said and indicated the hall with a quick tilt of her head.

  “Oh, great,” Bobby said and headed down the hall.

  Thomas had chosen one of the two offices furthest from the lobby and closest to Bobby’s office.

  “Thomas,” Bobby said entering the office wearing a smile and extending his hand. “Thank you so much and welcome aboard.”

  “Nice to be here,” Thomas grinned and shook Bobby’s hand.

  There were three boxes stacked one on top of the other resting on one of the client chairs. The top box was open and there were a number of framed items arranged in the box, a hammer and some nails sat on the desk.

  “I hope it’s okay if I hang some things on the wall.”

  “It’s your office, you can do what you want. If you need anything just let me or Erin know. She’s the point of contact on anything the least bit technical, I wouldn’t be able to understand your questions let alone be able to give you a correct answer.”

  A small, framed, black and white photo sat on the corner of the desk. Three little boys…the one who looked to be Thomas appeared to be the youngest, Bobby guessed maybe seven or eight years old. “You and your brothers?” Bobby asked and nodded toward the photo.

  “Yeah, a long time ago, different galaxy,” Thomas said and seemed to be transported back maybe a quarter of a century for a brief moment.

  “Listen, I’ll leave you to it. Welcome, wonderful to have you here. Take your time and if you need anything just let either Erin or me know.”

  Back in his office, he reviewed the phone call log on his phone, then called a number.

  “Brad Wengler,” the voice answered a moment later.

  “Hi, Brad. Bobby Custer here just wanted to call and check in to see how things are going.”

  “Hey, Bobby, funny you should call. I was just thinking about you. Things are going well. Actually, after our breakfast the other day, I made a few calls, talked to someone I know who ended up making an offer. That wasn’t my intent when I contacted him, but as we talked things just seemed to suddenly become apparent to both of us. Actually, I went into the office today only to learn they had closed for Bennett’s funeral so almost everyone was gone. It gave me an opportunity for some privacy and ultimately I was able to haul a lot of personal items out of there without all sorts of questions or speculation on what I was doing.”

  “Anything I can do to help?”

  “Thanks, but I’m really set. I have to say, once I made the decision it was like a giant weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I don’t have to tell you the place has been even crazier than usual. A couple of days back four of the acquisition guys apparently came in sometime in the middle of the night, cleaned out their offices, and left. Speculation is they’ll set up their own game. We’ve lost a number of para’s, easily a third of the staff with probably more to come. Sawyer’s running around ranting and raving like a chicken with it’s head cut off and there’s no need to put up with that bullshit. They’ll be lucky if they last six months. How ‘bout you?”

  “No worries. I’m looking at a few different options. I was just thinking, on your way out the door, once your new position is locked in, you might spread the good word to some close friends. I just hate to see anyone caught by surprise over there.”

  “Man, spoken like someone who got screwed by those idiots, and after all you tried to do for Bennett. Actually, I’ve already done a little of that. Did it twenty-four hours after I made my decision. Couple more weeks you’ll be able to shoot a cannon through the place and not hit anyone.”

  “Too bad,” Bobby said trying to sound sympathetic. “It could have been a great firm.”

  “Mmm-mmm, maybe once. But now, given the personalities, that seems more like mission impossible.”

  The way Brad sounded Bobby thought he might call Sawyer back and tell him he only had twenty-four hours instead of forty-eight.

  “Listen, I appreciate the call, but I better fly. I’m at home making calls in-between watching two little kids while my wife is at the store. Great talking with you, Bobby. Let’s stay in touch.”

  “Good talking to you, Brad. Best of luck, and wishing you all success,” he said and hung up.

  He called Emily, let the phone ring until it dumped him into her message center. “Hi, Emily. It’s Bobby, just checking to see that you’re okay. Call me when you have a moment.”

  Emily returned his call toward the end of the afternoon.

  “Hey, how are you doing?” Bobby answered sounding overly cheery once he saw her name come up on caller ID. He pictured her lying on the couch in the den. She would be wearing her blue terrycloth robe cinched tightly around her waist. Her hair would be limp and in need of a wash, she’d look pale, and would
n’t be wearing any makeup. No doubt she was probably sipping a 7-Up. If the lights were even on, they’d be turned down low and the coffee table would be littered with crumpled Kleenex.

  “Hi. I guess I’ll live,” she said softly.

  He added an eye mask to the image of her lying on the couch. One hand would be resting on her forehead in a failed attempt to protect her from the pain.

  “Umm-mmm, sorry, I guess I was kind of bitchy. I, I, well, there’s sort of a big black space where my memory of last night should be. I remember having dinner, well some of it, anyway. Oh, thanks for cleaning up the kitchen. I’m guessing I didn’t do it.”

  “How’s the head?”

  “Kind of like at first I was afraid I was gonna die and right now I’m afraid I won’t.”

  “Nothing twenty-four hours won’t help.”

  “Promise?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Did umm, did I really get sick? Your note sort of said…”

  “Yeah, I was helping you upstairs and you started arguing because you wanted another glass of wine and then you threw up on the stairs,” he lied. “I tried to put you in bed, but you went into the den instead. By the time I finished cleaning up the staircase, you were drinking vodka in the den and told me to get out, so I just went to bed.”

  “Yeah, I spilled vodka all over one of the cushions on the couch. God that looks ruined, I don’t know if I’ll ever get the stain out. Did we, ummm…”

  “Yeah, in a way. I mean you told me to get screwed, then showed me exactly what I was going to be missing just before you told me to leave you alone. Who is Bear by the way?”

  “Bear?”

  “Yeah. You said he was going to be a lot more fun than me. But I didn’t know if you were talking about an actual bear or that was someone’s nickname.”

  “What? I did? God, I’m so sorry, I can’t believe it. I’m really sorry, Bobby. I just really wanted some old fashioned nasty romance and….”