by Nic Tatano
“People are entitled to change their mind—”
“Again, please answer the question. Do you know what a boycott is?”
“Of course.”
“And you don’t think all these cancellations are due to a boycott?”
“No.”
“Do you have a Twitter account, Mr. Brent?”
“Yes.”
“Are you familiar with the account that has your name preceded by a certain f-word and has more than a hundred thousand followers?”
*
Several hours later Ariel exhaled as she entered Spencer’s office and slumped into the chair opposite his desk. “I’m totally fried. Damn, that was brutal. Tish destroyed him.”
“I heard.”
Her eyes widened. “You weren’t supposed to listen in.”
He shrugged. “I couldn’t resist. And I was hoping to hear him cave. Interesting strategy that Tish had. She obviously doesn’t want this to go to court either.”
“Yeah, she was definitely going for the settlement making the guy admit that he’s taken a huge hit in the wallet and his company’s reputation has been seriously damaged. And he’s playing the role of anti-Christ for the holidays.”
“I’m sure. How was Brent’s body language?”
“Not good. The charm you’ve seen on TV wasn’t evident. I mean, the guy looked guilty and he really has no good response as to why sales of his product and the stock have both tanked. Everyone in the country knows why and the boycott is taking on a life of its own. I don’t know how he’ll sell his argument to a jury.”
“Did you tell him that?”
“Yep.”
“And what did he say?”
She shook her head. “He said he’ll do better in front of a jury and reminded me of the O.J. Simpson trial telling me that juries are stupid. And he added that he’d been sued several times, juries loved him and he’d won every time. Then said that people are so obsessed with the product, they won’t care if he comes off as greedy when the new version comes out for Christmas. The guy is one of those rare people who honestly doesn’t give a damn that people hate him. Spence, this case is a total loser and being associated with him is really going to hurt us.”
“I’m not sure a jury is going to love him this time.”
“No kidding.”
“You gotta get him to settle.”
“I keep trying. But don’t hold your breath.”
“Maybe ask a family member to take a shot. You said he’s close with your mom.”
“Not a bad idea. I’ll give her a call and maybe she can talk some sense into him.”
“Well, one thing you can do. If it does go to court, stay out of the media. Don’t give them a damn thing. You don’t want your name and face on TV. No quotes in the paper either. Let him take the shots since he loves the sound of his own voice anyway.”
“Agreed. And on your end, for God’s sake, don’t tell Tish you heard the whole deposition.”
“I won’t. We don’t discuss the case anyway. But I must tell you, when this is over, we have to hire her. She’s incredible.”
Ariel smiled. “Awww, someone wants to work with his sweetheart.”
Spencer blushed a bit. “Uh, no, she’s y’know, a terrific lawyer and we need another partner.”
Ariel nodded. “No argument here. The woman could kick my ass even if I had Mother Teresa as a client. But with Brent, it’s going to be a slaughter. I’ve got no shot.”
“Hopefully it won’t get to that point.”
“I’ll go light a candle. Meanwhile, that girlfriend of yours is going to need a shoulder rub tonight. She leaves everything on the field. I’ve never seen someone so intense. She defines the word passionate. In a business sense, I mean. As for her personal life, I don’t know how passionate—”
“Wipe that grin off your face.”
“Sorry, couldn’t resist. But I’m hungry for details and it figures that I end up with a partner who’s the one guy I know who doesn’t kiss and tell.”
“A true gentleman doesn’t.”
“You’re no fun, you damn Boy Scout.”
“Well, I’m picking her up for dinner, so if she’s as exhausted as you are, that gives me an idea.”
*
Tish looked in the mirror and proclaimed herself presentable for dinner with Spence, even though she had no desire to go out.
Emotionally drained from the deposition, she wanted to curl up and go straight to bed.
But she also needed a friendly face after the day fighting a battle. Ariel was a formidable opponent, and played fair, but Tish could tell the woman was in an uncomfortable position.
But then again, so was she.
With poor Spence in the middle.
She heard a tap on the hotel room door and checked the time. Exactly six o’clock. “Right on schedule, as usual.” But when she opened the door, she found herself looking at a tall brunette in her thirties carrying what looked like a large suitcase. “Oh, hello. I think you have the wrong room.”
“Tish McKenna?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Della Wade, Mr. Capshaw sent me over. I guess he didn’t tell you.”
“He sent you over…for what?”
She pointed at the suitcase. “A massage. I brought my portable table. Mr. Capshaw said he’d heard you had a very stressful day and that I might help you ease that tension before dinner.”
Tish relaxed and smiled. “He sent me a massage-gram?”
“I guess you can call it that. May I come in and set up?”
“Absolutely. I’m not turning this down. I could sure use it after the day I’ve had.”
“Excellent. I’ll get you nice and relaxed and Mr. Capshaw will be along in about an hour to escort you to dinner.”
*
An hour later Spencer tapped on the hotel room door and heard, “C’mon in.” He entered and found the massage therapist working on Tish’s shoulders. He couldn’t help but notice her toned bare back with that porcelain skin, which spiked his heart rate a bit.
“How’s the patient?”
Della turned to face him. “I think I got all the trigger points out. Poor girl was a Gordian knot. She really needed this.”
Tish said something he didn’t understand, so he knelt down on the floor and looked up at her peeking through the hole in the table. “I didn’t get that.”
She was smiling and her eyes were at half-mast as she slurred her words. “You are the world’s most intuitive man. Mind reader.”
“Did you start drinking without me, Tish?”
“Not me. Della’s hands are the equivalent of a case of wine. She’s amayyyy…zing.”
“Glad you enjoyed it,” said Della, as she finished. “All done. Now, Tish, I want you to drink lots of water tonight to wash out the toxins.”
“Ohhhh-kay,” said Tish, sounding half asleep and not getting up.
“Sweetie, I need my table back, I’ve got another client waiting. And Mr. Capshaw, if you’ll wait outside while she gets dressed.”
Ten minutes later the hotel room door opened and Tish smiled, then gave him a “come here” gesture with one finger. “I have something for you before we go to dinner.”
“Oh. Okay.” Spencer walked in, Tish took his shoulders and pinned him against the door, then planted a long, passionate kiss on him.
He stood there stunned as their lips parted. “I, uh, missed you too.”
“That was for the massage, you incredibly thoughtful man. And there’s more where that came from.”
“A thank you would have been sufficient, but I’m not complaining.” She still had him pressed against the door, her eyes locked on his like never before. He swallowed hard. “Did you, uh, still want to go to dinner?”
“Yep. I want to go to dinner with the most attractive man I know.”
“Yeah, I kinda picked up on that.” She didn’t move, still staring at him. “You, uh, need to let me go if you want to go out.”
“I�
�m not in a hurry, are you?”
“No.”
“So shut up and take it like a man.”
*
Tish felt a bit unsteady as Spence walked her back to the hotel. The massage, too much wine, the makeout session as an appetizer, and a romantic candlelight dinner with a man who she trusted more than any she’d ever met had her feeling incredibly relaxed. She leaned her head on his shoulder, breathing in his earthy cologne as they walked in step. He slipped his arm around her waist. “That was a wonderful dinner, Spence.”
“Glad you liked it. I was wondering if we were going to make it to the restaurant.”
“Oh, come on.”
“Well, when a gorgeous woman has you pinned to the door—”
“You weren’t pinned.” He gave her an incredulous look. “Okay, so I had you pinned. But I didn’t hear you complaining.”
“Again, gorgeous woman pins man to door. Man has no desire to leave. Dating 101.”
“Seriously, this has been a terrific evening. And the massage to start things off… How did you know I needed something like that?”
“I have my sources.”
“Well, your sources were correct. Today’s stress was off the charts. You might want to treat your source to a massage as well.” She started to stagger as they walked through the hotel lobby. “Between the massage and the wine…and being with you…I’ve never felt so relaxed.”
He steadied her as they headed into an elevator. “Luckily one of us isn’t over the relaxation limit.”
The elevator doors closed. Suddenly she felt her head spinning and saw spots. “Whoa.” She reached for him as she started to fall but he caught her and scooped her up into his arms.
“You okay, Tish? You’re pale as a ghost.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and lay her head on his chest. “I will be when I’m laying down. Sorry, I just got real dizzy.” She closed her eyes and savored the touch of his toned muscles. “I guess we found out what happens when I go over my limit with wine.”
“Well, let’s get you tucked in.” The elevator doors opened and he carried her down to her room. She pulled her key card from her pocket, reached out and opened the door. Spence brought her over to the bed and gently laid her on it, then sat on the edge. “You think you’re okay?”
“I am now.”
“You’re getting your color back.” He gently brushed her cheek.
She reached up and stroked his hair. “I didn’t realize you were so strong. I’m a hundred and forty pounds and you carried me like I weighed nothing.”
“Well, ya know, I’m not as strong as, say, oh, a shirtless fireman.”
She instantly blushed as her eyes grew wide. “Oh my God, you did see that in The Post.”
“I was saving it in my back pocket for the right blackmail moment.”
“Spence, nothing happened—”
“Oh, stop it, I’m just playing with you. I’m the one who got to take you home tonight. Besides, when a man dates a woman like you, other guys can’t help but take a shot.”
“You’re an incredibly sweet man, you know that?”
He shrugged. “I try. So, can I get you some water? Anything you want?”
Her eyebrows did a little jump as she licked her lips. “There is something I want…” She took off her glasses and placed them on the nightstand.
“Whoa.”
“I never get tired of that.”
“I never get tired of looking at those eyes.”
She took his hand, entwined her fingers with his as she gave him the most soulful look she could muster. “As I said, there’s something I want—”
He put one finger on her lips. “Tish, as much as I’d like to… I’d be taking advantage of you in your current condition. You do know that, don’t you?”
She nodded in resignation. “Yeah. Dammit, why do you have to be so sensible and decent when you know you could have your way with me?”
“One of us has to behave when the other one is drunk. Every couple needs a designated lover.”
“Very funny.”
“Besides, I would assume you want a guy who’s sensible and decent.”
“He can be indecent once in a while.”
“Don’t worry, I’m fully capable of that. But, like I said, it’s not that I wouldn’t want to, Tish.”
“Well, glad to hear you say that. I was worried that maybe the physical attraction wasn’t…enough for you.”
“I could have the court reporter read back the transcript when I called you the gorgeous woman who had me pinned to the door.”
“That’s right, you did say that. But were you under oath, or simply being a typical man trying to wear me down with compliments so you could get me in bed?”
He shrugged. “Well, you are in bed. So either way, it worked.”
“Smartass. Answer my question.”
“The compliment was sincere, as they all are. I would never perjure myself with you.”
“Good. You’d be in contempt of Tish. And there are severe penalties for that.” She stifled a yawn. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. That was rude. I’m not bored—”
“No, you’re exhausted, young lady. You were on the ropes from the day at work and the wine and massage have you down for the count.” He took off her shoes, placed them at the foot of the bed, and tucked her in. “I think it’s time for Sleeping Beauty to start counting sheep.”
She put out her lower lip in a playful pout. “I guess. But dammit, I don’t want this night to end. Can I at least get a goodnight kiss from Prince Charming?”
“Absolutely.” He leaned down and gave her a soft kiss. “That hold you for a while?”
“Not for long, but I’ll take it. Thank you again, Spence, for a wonderful evening. This was really special and you have no idea how much I needed it.”
“Glad I could be of service.”
“You’re not here to serve me. Considering the way you treat me it should be the other way around. And it will be once this trial is out of the way.”
“Tish, I enjoy spoiling you. Alas, I patrol the streets of New York as it is my sworn duty to pamper damsels who have had a rough day. Pleasant dreams, fair lady.”
“Good night.”
He got up, blew her a kiss, and left the room.
Tish turned out the lights. Moonlight spilled into the room, giving it an ethereal look. She looked at the New York skyline and smiled. “I’m already living a pleasant dream.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
TRIAL OF THE YEAR HAS INTERESTING SIDEBAR
By Janice Brewster
While the case between technology giant Peter Brent and the inventor of his signature product has already been tried in the court of public opinion, jury selection begins today. Unless you’ve been living under a rock (and that may be the only place to look for jurors who haven’t heard about this case) you know that Brent is about as popular in this city as a case of the flu.
What you might not know is the lawyer for plaintiff Cynthia Riggs is only able to represent her due to her cat. Because without her fur baby, she’d probably be dead.
If the name of attorney Tish McKenna sounds familiar, it’s because she is the woman who was saved from a house fire by her cat Socks, who woke her up when the smoke alarm didn’t go off, a story that got national attention. And that cat is from the famous litter of orphaned kittens adopted by network TV reporter Madison Shaw, a longtime friend and one of McKenna’s college roommates.
The attorney says her pet (full name: Socks Fifth Avenue, named since the black-and-white tuxedo cat has white socks and her office is on that street) helps keep things in perspective as she prepares for what is sure to be a very stressful trial. “No matter how wound up I get over this case, having her jump in my lap and purr instantly calms me down. This cat seems to have a sixth sense about when I’m having a rough day.”
Tish gathered up her notes and started to load her briefcase, trying in vain to keep her heart rate down. While she rarely
felt anxiety at the beginning of a trial, there was way too much riding on this.
Shelley headed into her office carrying a bunch of copies. “Here you go.” She studied Tish’s face. “Hey, you don’t look like yourself. You okay?”
“Yeah, just…nervous.”
“You’re never nervous when you go to trial. Where’s the soulless gunslinger look all your clients love?”
Tish shook her head. “This case is so critical…for so many reasons. I feel like the whole thing is a house of cards that could fall if I don’t win.”
“I know. Hey, do me a favor. Sit down for five minutes, take a deep breath and hold your cat. Take the advice from that article about Socks in today’s paper. She’ll calm you down.”
Tish nodded and smiled. “You’re right.” She plopped down in her leather swivel rocker, grabbed Socks from the corner of the desk and put the cat in her lap. She immediately got a lick and the loud purr she’d grown to love. “Y’know, we could get rich if we could somehow synthesize the purring of a cat into blood pressure medicine.”
“Yeah, no kidding. Sometimes she’s better than a bottle of wine.” Shelley sat on the couch on the side wall. “So how are things with you and Spence?”
Tish’s eyes took on a dreamy look. “I swear, Shelley, that man is about the nicest on the planet. I think he’s the one. I mean, we haven’t been going out that long and you know how careful I am about dating, but he seems to be everything I’m looking for.”
“Do you think you love him?”
“I’m heading in that direction.” Socks meowed and Tish realized she’d stopped petting the cat so she scratched her under the chin. “I already love you, kitty.” She looked at the clock. “Well, I’d better get going. Jury selection should be really interesting.”
*
Ariel picked up her briefcase just as Spencer arrived in the office. “Well, I’m off for a day in hell. I’d say wish me luck, but I know you have a rooting interest in this case, and it isn’t me. Actually, I have a rooting interest, and it isn’t me either.”
“I’m sorry you’re in the middle of my relationship with Tish.”
“This truly is a no-win situation. Speaking of your quietly beautiful girlfriend, have you two finally—”