Book 1 - Active Trust

by Callie Alexandra

  Going backward through the fiche, she found nothing for hours. At a time when she was just about ready to give up the search, she came across a tiny blurb in the Gazette with the headline: “DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT MAIMS 1”.

  She read through the small article and found that it was exactly the thing of which she’d spent all of her time searching. She printed off the sheet and stuffed it into her bag. McBride was driving drunk after a night spent partying with prostitutes and slammed his silver Mercedes into the car that Rees was driving. After a head-on collision, McBride walked away, but paramedics were left using the Jaws of Life in order to pull Rees from the wreckage.

  Michelle was happy that her curiosity was sated, but had a hankering for more information from Chase Freeman. She didn’t want to wait and so she texted him, “Can we meet now?”

  Her phone alerted her to a text message immediately following the one she sent. It read, “Yes.”

  She made a beeline for her car and drove it over to Mugs and awaited his arrival. She saw Chase walk in and followed behind him closely.

  She sat down at the table just after he did and he handed her a black USB drive.

  “You are going to find this super fascinating.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Our buddy was at a gala event last night and left in a car that followed another car to a hotel. They drove around for twenty minutes before deciding to go to a hotel room in a nearby city.”

  “Fantastic work, but I have to ask, how did you find out all of this?”

  He whipped out his cell phone and showed her a selfie of himself in a black suit wearing a chauffer’s hat.

  “You mean to tell me that you drove one of them around?!?”

  Michelle was flabbergasted.

  “You could’ve blown your cover!”

  “There is no possible way I could’ve risked blowing my cover.”

  “And just how do you know that?”

  “Firstly, because rich people absolutely never pay attention to their drivers. They just don’t. Chauffeurs might as well be invisible to people of whom they work. Sad, but true. I could’ve had three piercings in my nose and purple hair and no one would’ve been the wiser.”

  “Okay, but what about these pictures. Don’t you think taking photos of the subject would’ve have given up your identity?”

  “You would be correct, but I didn’t take these pictures. I had my assistant at the hotel as soon as the subject and his lady friend emerged. She looked rather inconspicuous and took pictures using her cell phone. You’re going to love this.”

  “There’s more?”

  “Isn’t there always more?”

  “Go on, go on.”

  “Well, the subject was sloppy drunk and the lady with him, and I use that term loosely, was of the ‘night’ variety, if you catch my drift.”

  “She was a hooker?”

  “Ding, ding, ding!”

  “Wow, okay. We aren’t done yet, there is still more work to do on this.”

  “Yes, of course. The pregnancy.”

  “Yes, there’s that. We definitely need to find the pregnant woman and learn her story.”

  “Okay, we are on it.”

  Chase left without ordering anything and Michelle quickly followed him out. She went to her office and put the USB drive into her laptop. She saw photos of Mr. McBride and this unknown woman leaving the hotel together and he was even so bold as to kiss her in public. He was likely very certain that his wife was none the wiser and wanted to show his date that he wasn’t scared of any public displays of affection.

  ‘Is this his favorite hooker or something? Why kiss her in public?’ Michelle’s thoughts were running rampant. If these pictures got out, Governor McBride’s political career would certainly take a hit. Michelle didn’t care about that and wanted only to satisfy her client’s worries about his extracurricular activities.

  She thought to herself, ‘Maybe he has promised her something, like a car, apartment or just money? She knows something or is his regular hooker friend of choice. I’ve just got to find out.’

  More pressing matters were on the table, however. Mrs. McBride had to know if her husband had gotten another woman pregnant. Donna had given him three lovely, well mannered children, but could his fourth child be on the way? She seemed like she knew he’d been cheating, but a baby would be a game changer.

  In the eyes of the public, Mr. McBride was a well respected politician who always brought about positive change. Some have said he is the future of the country, but his wife just wanted the answers that he refused to give her.

  Michelle had become fascinated with the human aspect of the equation. She felt a burning need to help that poor woman. Donna McBride was always so happy in family pictures and on the campaign trail. Her husband had always garnered the affection of the public at large. He was a staunch Republican who created jobs for the communities of which he served and loved people. Unfortunately, he hid a dark secret behind his good deeds.

  Michelle’s Saturday poured on into Sunday and her weekend was spent researching and taking care of her cat Mittens. Mittens was indifferent to her musings on men, work and her ambition to make partner at Briggs & Trice. If that came to pass, she would be the youngest partner in the history of the firm, but she knew that hard work was the only thing that would get her there.

  Victoria, her competition, handled much larger cases, but was so cut throat that the partners would surely pass her over for someone more in tune with what people were really like. Michelle was a people person and in turn, a people pleaser. She loved working with those who needed her, while Victoria was propelled by her need for power and money.

  Victoria spent her weekend, hobnobbing with rich people who were friends of her parents. She was always networking and her Sunday was spent kicking a younger, tanned man out of her bed.

  “You can’t stay. I mean, you were good, but this ends now.”

  She threw his suit pants at him along with his shirt and told him to get dressed and to get out. Victoria wasn’t keen on having any long-term boyfriends and only opened herself up to a one night stand when she felt her needs weren’t being tended to.

  She was cut throat in every aspect of her life and always remained tight-lipped about work and family matters. She would stab her own mother in the back if it meant that she could get a promotion at work. A promotion was all she saw and that was the target of her work ambitions. She didn’t want love and only barely wanted sex when it was convenient for her.

  She was raised an only child and she learned from an early age to accept the limitations of men and their weaknesses. She witnessed her father cheating on her mother when she was a teenager. When she confronted her mother about it, she was told to keep her mouth shut.

  Victoria ushered the young man out of her apartment and sighed deeply as she told him, “Oh, just get out already.”

  “But, I don’t even know your name.”

  “It’s better this way; now make yourself scarce.”

  Victoria pushed him out of her door and locked it behind him. She wanted to relax in a steamy bath, read a book and enjoy her day off.

  She always said that she played as hard as she worked and didn’t want the hassle of a commitment with anyone. She picked up her favorite romance book and her silky white bathrobe and headed to the bathroom. She turned the handle to run some hot water and slid into its warmth.

  Immersing herself into the water, Victoria sat up a little and cracked open her steamy romance novel. She was getting to the good part and had to know more about the sexcapades that the lead character had gotten herself into. Much like her once a month visits to the top floor of the B&T building, Victoria allotted herself a certain amount of steamy baths per month. They were refreshing, for sure, but she was positive that doing it more than several times a month would cause her to lose her edge.

  On Monday, both ladies reconvened business at the office and were dedicated to their missions at hand. Victoria had conce
ntrated her efforts on finding the secrets of Fassett & Lews, while Michelle focused on the indiscretions of The Governor.

  Michelle walked down to Victoria’s office and interrupted Matt.

  “What’s your boss doing? Does she have a minute?”

  “Sure, just let me tell her you’re here.”

  He buzzed over the intercom and said, “Ms. Mayor is here to see you.”

  “Please show her in.”

  He arose from his chair and opened the door for Michelle to walk in. Before turning around to leave, he said, “Do you need anything, ladies?”

  After a resounding “no” from both Michelle and Victoria, Matthew left the room and closed the door behind himself.

  “What can I do for you, Michelle?”

  “You know those ritzy parties that your parents throw in order to do fundraising with The Governor?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “I need to get inside of one of the galas when Governor McBride is there. I will need access for three of us: one waiter and two attendees. Do you think your parents would mind?”

  “As long as there isn’t any drama going down at the party, I would think not. All I’d really need to get you inside is the name of the people you want placed on the list.”

  “Of course.”

  “The only thing I want to know is what was The Governor’s wife doing in your office last week?”

  “Between you and me, she thinks that The Governor is cheating on her with a woman in her twenties. It only gets worse from there because his wife thinks he got the other woman pregnant.”

  “Gross. So basically the old fella knocked up a chick half his age?”

  “Yes. Guess who would be set for life if that news didn’t get out?”

  “The baby’s mother, naturally. But – on the other hand, who would profit if the news did get out?”

  “The Democratic candidate in the reelection.”

  “Naturally.”

  “What are you working on these days?”

  “Mason Janus is trying to deflect from charges of insider trading, but there is something fishy going on there. One man just happened to die and I’m not sure if the details are suspect, but I’m digging around. Janus is suing Fassett & Lews over their conduct and we’re pushing a full media blitz to hang F&L out to dry.”

  “Ooh, sounds delicious and it’s just your speed.”

  “I am all over it.”

  “I appreciate your help with the gala thing and please let me know if there is anything I can do in return.”

  “Just show up with your friends, make sure everyone is appropriately dressed and no one acts out. My parents would kill me if they found out that I invited trouble to their ritzy soiree.”

  “We won’t be any trouble; we will all be merely observers at the event.”

  Michelle got up and exited the office and sent a text message to Chase.

  “We are good to go with the next fundraising gala. Just need names for the guest list.”

  Without hesitation, he responded back via text message, “Chuck Mills and Rebecca Porter.”

  Michelle was interrupted by Missy Erickson from the top floor when her assistant patched Missy through.

  “Yes, Ms. Erickson? What can I do for you?”

  “Mack Briggs is eager to see you in his office as soon as possible, Ms. Mayor. Are you available?”

  “Yes, of course I’m available. I will be up shortly. Thank you.”

  “Great. I will let him know to expect you soon.”

  Missy Erickson also called Matthew to alert Victoria that Nathan Trice requested her presence at once. Victoria was quick to rip herself away from the case that had her attention for weeks and quickly buzzed on upstairs to the top floor.

  Michelle was behind Victoria and noticed that she had pressed the “up” button on the elevator.

  “Hold the elevator, please.”

  A hand came between the closing door and awaited Michelle’s entry.

  “I’m not sure what this is, but I think I’m being made partner. That would explain why you’re here, too. They give me a promotion and they’ve got to tell you, as well. It only makes sense.”

  “Sure, Victoria, I am positive that’s what it’s all about.”

  Victoria sensed some sarcasm coming from her colleague, but knew she was on the right track to being made partner. She was rubbing elbows with all of the right people and she was bred for this life. She came from money and naturally would do well as a partner in the firm.

  Michelle wasn’t so convinced about Victoria’s idea of what was going on at the top floor, but somehow they were both involved.

  The elevator’s slight din brought Michelle back to reality and they both emerged from the lift.

  “Victoria Strauss to see Mr. Trice.”

  “Yes, Ms. Strauss, right this way.”

  Missy led Victoria to Mr. Trice’s door and opened it to allow her entrance. She closed the door behind herself and approached Michelle.

  “Ms. Mayor, Mr. Briggs is right this way.”

  She led Michelle to the opposite side of the giant room and to an office as big in size. She knocked first, entered and ushered Michelle on through.

  Michelle stood until Mr. Briggs broke the silence.

  “Ms. Mayor, how are you?”

  “I am doing great, Mr. Briggs and yourself?”

  “I am doing fantastic. Let me tell you. I have got the two finest lawyers working on two separate, but equally important cases. You are working with The Governor’s wife and Ms. Strauss is on the attack against Fassett & Lews. Things couldn’t be better.”

  “I’m glad you approve.”

  “Listen, Ms. Mayor. I know that you are on track to become a partner in our wonderful firm here, so I wanted to offer my mentorship in your endeavors.”

  Mr. Briggs took a sip of his beverage, placed it on a coaster on his desk and walked over to the window.

  “You see, there is one extra office up here in the penthouse and we want to give it to the person who has worked the hardest. Both you and Ms. Strauss are in that category and no one else.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Briggs, I appreciate the good words.”

  “Call me Mack. Listen. I see myself in you, Ms. Mayor, I do. I was once the associate who handled domestic cases and now look at me. I’ve got fine attorneys like you behind this great firm.”

  Michelle smiled a little and nodded.

  “Listen. If I had my way, you would already be up here in that empty office, ordering lattes from Missy out there and this firm would be Briggs, Trice and Mayor. But this is a partnership and we need all hands on deck before a decision is made. I need to see you losing a bit of that nicer touch. It’s great for the clients, but if you’re a partner, it encompasses a whole lot more. We need a pit viper up here and if you draw in new business, you will get a partnership.”

  “Yes, sir. I will toughen up around the edges. I have what it takes to make you proud, Mack.”

  She said his name like she had been trying it out for the first time in her life.

  “That’s right, Ms. Mayor. I’m going to mentor you and see that you become partner. Now, go and get us those hours.”

  He smiled, extended his hand and shook hers. She felt a renewed energy about where she stood in the grand scheme of things. She wanted that partnership so badly that she could taste it.

  In Mr. Trice’s office, however, a similar pep talk was going down. Mr. Trice was sweet and to the point.

  “Ms. Strauss, thank you for your time, I know it’s short, so I will get right down to the point.”

  Victoria nodded, knowing in her head what he was going to say. She took a deep breath.

  “I know you and Ms. Mayor are gunning for the partnership within Briggs & Trice. I have seen your track record with billable hours and I must say, it is quite impressive. Firstly, I must say, thank you. Secondly, while we aren’t yet to announce a partner, I wanted to let you know that I have decided to mentor you.”

&nbs
p; Somewhat let down, she said, “Thank you, Mr. Trice.”

  “You are very welcome, Ms. Mayor. Before I let you get back to the grind, I only have one suggestion. I’m going to request that you be a little softer in your approach with some of our clients. Some have said that you were abrasive and that didn’t allow for any client referrals. Despite that, your reviews have been stellar. We will reconvene soon to discuss this matter, but until then, keep up the good work.”

  She took it as a hit to her character that Nathan Trice would call her abrasive. She followed behind an obviously happy Michelle and wondered what that was all about.

  “You look like you’ve received some happy news.”

  “Mr. Briggs, I mean Mack, has offered to mentor me to make me partner at the firm.”

  “Interesting.”

  “What was your meeting about?”

  Victoria took a bit of a snide approach in her response.

  “I didn’t get the partnership if that’s what you mean, but I was called in because I’m abrasive.”

  “Abrasive, really? I wouldn’t say that.”

  “What would you say?”

  “I’m not sure, but abrasive hadn’t crossed my mind.”

  They arrived to their floor and dispersed. Michelle lit up at the thought of being mentored by the one and only Mack Briggs. Meanwhile, Michelle wasn’t the wiser that Mr. Trice had offered to mentor Victoria’s efforts.

  It had always been a competition, but this time, Michelle felt that she had the upper hand in the run for the partnership. Victoria had underplayed her meeting because she wanted to silently sneak in and snatch up the partnership without Michelle having put forth her best effort.

  She began to do an online search on how to be less abrasive in customer service matters. She downloaded several books to read on her laptop. It was time to up the ante on her game and she would schmooze with the best of them in order to accomplish her goal.

  On the other hand, Michelle planned on doing the opposite. She’d learned her sweetness from her mother, but she had to reach out to her cousin Sandra in her quest to become an ambitious monster to get what she wanted.

  “Hey Sandra, it’s your cousin, Michelle. Listen, I need your help with something.”

  “I’ve got a minute, what’s up?”