by Emery, Lynn
“You kept notes in the client database as usual on what you did, your recommendations. In your password-protected files, of course. I allowed you to handle the account. Because you’re damn good,” Nadine added, when Erikka’s right eyebrow went up.
“You met with Transome once or twice. Maybe more.” Erikka brushed nonexistent lint from her silk-and-linen-blend jacket. Then she glanced up at Nadine again.
Nadine’s nostrils flared out, but she kept smiling as she answered. “There aren’t any notes of such a meeting. I think you must be mistaken.”
There was no evidence of those late meetings. Nadine had told her they were impromptu, an important client wanting attention from a partner. Erikka had been annoyed, but accepted corporate reality.
“Like I said, that account was yours. Period.” Nadine stood and came around the desk. She sat on the edge of it. “The last thing I want is for you to have another, er, crisis.”
“How thoughtful. Thanks,” Erikka said. The effort not to slap the woman hurt.
“In fact, before the next court date, take a week or so off. We can handle your work. I’m sure Laurie—” Nadine waved a hand toward the door as though Laurie had entered.
“Is that right? Let’s ask her then.” Erikka nodded at the phone on Nadine’s desk. “Go ahead. Give her a call.”
Nadine blinked as though unsure for the first time. She put a hand out as though calling Erikka’s bluff. “If you really don’t mind.”
“Not at all. Teamwork built this firm.” Erikka cracked a phony smile at Nadine.
“Right. Right.” Nadine lifted the receiver and tapped the number pads. “Laurie, come in for a minute. Thanks, hon.”
“I must say I’m surprised.” Nadine hung up the phone.
“Are you?”
“You two have always been rivals.” Nadine cocked her head to one side, like a cat sniffing out something fishy.
Erikka would savor this moment before the first bomb dropped. Laurie didn’t have one loyal bone in her skinny-butt body. She’d started going on job interviews the first week the scandal broke. The other employees at least waited for the facts. Not good old Laurie. Erikka shrugged as she gazed back at Nadine.
“We’ve always respected each other,” Erikka said. The bold-faced lie flowed out easily.
“Ummm.” Nadine’s eyes narrowed for a second, and then she smiled again when Laurie came in.
“You wanted to see me?” Laurie glanced at Erikka, then back to Nadine.
“Yes. Erikka may need to take time off again. You know, with all the stress.” Nadine made it plain she was being sensitive.
“Right,” Laurie replied, and looked at Erikka again.
“You pitched in last time, did a fabulous job I might add. Some of our high-profile clients are still singing your praises.” Nadine’s feline smile implied they both knew she was superior to Erikka.
“Thank you, Nadine. Those assignments really added to my resume.” Laurie nodded.
“I agree. Anyway, Erikka is seriously considering an¬other vacation. Maybe you’ll go back to—” Nadine broke off and glanced at her.
“Loreauville,” Erikka supplied with a mild expression.
“I can never remember that name,” Nadine said apologetically.
“Not many people can,” Erikka replied, with a gracious and forgiving smile.
“So, I figure we can do some shuffling like before. I’m sure Erikka will want to leave soon. Why don’t we meet this afternoon with the others and—”
“I can’t, Nadine,” Laurie broke in quickly. She darted a nervous glance at Erikka. “We need to speak privately.”
“Look, hon, we’re all going through tough times. Erikka needs as much support as we can give. I’m sure you want to help her,” Nadine’s tone went from maternal to sharp.
“We really need to talk,” Laurie insisted. She met Nadine’s chilly down-the-nose stare without flinching.
“Fine. Excuse us, Erikka. I’ll call you in a few moments when we’re ready.” Nadine’s blue eyes flashed anger at Laurie.
“No problem. Take your time.” Erikka went out the door and closed it softly behind her. She stood waiting; arms folded, and leaned against the carved wood door.
Nadine’s secretary looked up. “Anything wrong?”
‘Take my advice. Go on your coffee break now. Nadine is about to be in a foul mood.” Erikka could barely hear the two women’s muffled voices. She didn’t need to, though.
“Gotcha.” The young woman made tracks down the hall.
Seconds later, Nadine’s distinctive angry screech made it through the thick wood. Erikka walked a few feet away. “Laurie, girl. I almost like you today.”
The door jerked open. “I’m sorry you feel that way, Nadine. I have nothing but admiration for the way you—” Laurie backed out of the office and away from the furious boss as she spoke.
“Oh, shove it up your ungrateful—” Nadine muttered epithets as she spun around and strode back into her office. The door slammed.
“Problem?” Erikka affected a guileless expression.
“Not for me. I accepted a job with Jefferson and Associates in Metairie. I start Monday,” Laurie said, with a poorly disguised smirk.
“I know. Good luck.” Erikka smiled. Two of her buddies from Jefferson had called Erikka to ask about Laurie. Erikka told Gayle and Suzanne that Laurie was ambitious and ruthless. The two women enjoyed extreme office politics. Laurie had no idea just how many sharks had scented her blood.
“Guess you’ll be staying put. Limited options. Too bad.” Laurie tried to look sympathetic and failed.
“Yeah, I’m gonna hang. Bill and Darryl asked me to.” Erikka continued to smile at her.
“Bill and Darryl.” Laurie pursed her lips as though trying not to laugh.
“Uh-huh.” Erikka headed down the hall.
“Sure they did. Anyway, I’ve got vacation days, so I might as well use them. Fact is I’m leaving early today. Wednesday to Sunday will be a nice long weekend. Before my new senior position starts, that is.” Laurie walked beside Erikka, happy to rub in her good fortune.
‘Too bad. You’re going to miss the fireworks. Goodbye and much success.” Erikka gave her a tolerant pat on the shoulder.
“What fireworks?” Laurie called after her.
Erikka headed for her meeting with the remaining partners. Nadine would have a much bigger reason to curse and scream by the end of this day.
***
Glasses clinked as the four women toasted each other, and then laughed. They sat in a booth at Zea’s on St. Charles Avenue. The tantalizing aroma of steaks and other delicious entrees wafted around them. Erikka had a virgin daiquiri. Terri sipped white wine and unconvincingly hissed that her doctor had said she could. Erikka rolled her eyes, but said no more. Hope slurped down her second margarita and waved for the waitress. Karin nursed her one and only glass of red wine.
Hope rested one arm along the back of the bench behind Terri. “Gotta hand it to my girl. Erikka, I taught you well.”
“You?” Karin let out a snort. “Please.”
“Yes, me. Tell ’em, Erikka. I told you to watch ya back around that witch. Go on.” Hope leaned forward.
“She did.” Erikka nodded.
“Thank you.” Hope relaxed against the deep red seat back.
“Nadine tried to put that knife deep in my back, ladies. Too bad she didn’t realize that sistas know all about being lied to.” Erikka laughed.
“Cheated on,” Karin added, with another snort.
“Screwed over,” Hope jumped in with glee. “Let’s face it. We have a genetic memory of fighting to survive when the odds are against us. Passed down from our strong, proud, and resourceful foremothers.”
‘Too true. Nadine never had a chance.” Karin giggled, and shared a high five with her.
“Didn’t even see it coming,” Erikka replied, and snapped her fingers in the air.
“Excuse me. As a representative of blue-eyed soul sist
ers everywhere—” Terri paused when the three women hooted at her comment. “Just let me say that we got a right to sing the blues, too.”
“Okay, girl. Tell your story.” Hope grinned at her.
“How about fighting to have a career against less qualified men.” Terri looked at them.
“I’m a witness.” Karin blurted out her amen.
‘Trying to live up to an unrealistic Barbie Doll body image. Girl, I puked my way through high school.”
“Yeah. Who the hell made up them stupid beauty rules anyway?” Hope said, with a scornful smack of her lips.
“Don’t even get me started on the head trip my society mother put on me. Eleanor Wainright Chatsworth lives on pills. My third stepfather just put her in that fancy drug rehab program, again.” Terri stared into her wineglass and gave a melodramatic shudder. “I hate pills.”
Erikka understood for the first time Terri’s aversion to medications. She put a hand on her friend’s arm. “Not the same thing with us, babe. You’re nothing like her,” she said gently.
Terri glanced up at her. “Thanks. Anyway, here’s to four good women shaking the blues off our shoes.”
“Here, here.” Erikka said. They toasted each other again. “I had the best damn lawyer in New Orleans. Y’all should have seen her in court. She had me worried for about a minute. Then she laid it on the line.”
“That’s wonderful, Terri. Erikka isn’t part of the lawsuit anymore, right?” Karin pushed down Hope’s hand when she waved for another drink.
“All of the work Erikka did for Layton was only as an employee of Lewis, Calder and Brinkhaus. She never acted independently without full knowledge of her boss. So only her firm is on the hook. And that case ain’t looking too good. When I present information about Alison Ray’s treatment history—”
“I’ve been thinking. Let’s not, Terri.” Erikka had lost her taste for savoring victory all of a sudden. “I’d feel lower than Nadine if we trashed the woman’s memory. It’s all her family has left.”
“I know how you feel, but we’re just presenting facts. I’m going to be very sensitive in the way I present the information,” Terri insisted.
“What if I convince Bill and Darryl to settle?” Erikka looked at her.
“Last I heard they refused to settle. I have to agree with the firm’s attorneys. They have a strong defense.” Terri laid out her arguments in a clear fashion.
“But you have to admit losing her pension pushed her over the edge.”
Like any good attorney Terri would not concede the point. “No, I do not. She had some serious problems. Alison Ray had years of serious problems pushing her over that edge.”
“I know, but still,” Erikka replied, with a pensive frown.
Erikka had spent long hours pushing around the facts like puzzle pieces. The picture came through clearly. No matter now she looked at it, her advice had helped corporate crooks. As a result, Alison Ray’s one frayed lifeline had been cut. Terri might be persuasive in the courtroom, but Erikka had come to her own verdict.
‘Tell you what; I’ll have the firm offer to settle by contributing to Children’s Hospital. They treated Alison’s kid and a lot more like her,” Erikka offered.
“Nice gesture. But her bum ex-husband wants the cash. I’ll help slam dunk his butt. Then you get the firm to give that contribution.” Terri gazed at her.
“Yeah, Erikka. Her ex-scrub doesn’t deserve a penny. Didn’t you say he was even behind in his child support? I’d like to whip his ass my damn self.” Hope waved a hand in the air.
“I have to agree, Erikka,” Karin put in. “Let Terri handle him.”
Erikka tapped a finger on the tabletop. “Okay. Now all I have to do is talk to the partners. They’ll see it my way. More scandal is the last thing they want.”
“Now you’re talking. Wait, what did I miss?” Karin wore a puzzled look.
“Seems Transome and Nadine were doing the love monkey dance,” Erikka said, dropping her voice as she leaned toward them. “Mrs. Transome hired a private detective. She gave the pictures this guy took to Calder and Brinkhaus. Transome even had another woman on the side as well, so he cheated on his wife and Nadine.”
“I’m too through. He’s got my ex-husband beat hands down. I never thought anybody could one-up Carlo on being sleazy.” Karin’s mouth formed a wide circle of shock.
The other women laughed hard. Erikka nodded. “Oh yes. But the best news is the feds caught up with him. He’s being extradited. Their financial crimes unit found his assets and froze them.”
“See? Sleeping with that FBI field supervisor finally paid off for me.” Terri grinned. She went back to sipping her glass of wine.
Erikka shook her head with a grin. ‘Terri, we really need to talk. Soon.”
“Yes, Mother. Until then, the party goes on,” Terri tossed back with a wink.
“I hope they nail him. So many of those executives are getting off,” Karin said.
“They will. His wife and Nadine are spilling all they know. Women, when will we learn?” Erikka said.
She also thought of her mother and aunt. Erikka wasn’t sure what she’d learned either. Calder and Brinkhaus had offered her a real plum, junior partner. Nadine was on her way out. In fact, Nadine had probably cleaned out her office over the weekend. Monday morning would begin a new era. Nadine’s name would be gone from the front door and letterhead soon.
“So you’re going to be the new female powerhouse. The queen is dead; long live the queen. You deserve it.” Terri lifted her glass to Erikka.
“Thanks, but I’m not going to dance on Nadine’s grave. I haven’t given them an answer yet on their offer.” Erikka sipped from her glass.
“What? Girl, you better jump on that job,” Hope said with force.
“They just want to buy my loyalty and silence. Nadine is cooperating with the feds. That means the nasty details won’t come out. Her affair with Transome, the firm’s negligence in supervising her actions, and more.”
“More?” Terri frowned. “As your lawyer, I don’t like the sound of that at all.”
“Don’t sweat, counselor. Nothing too bad. I’ve taken steps to correct a few operating procedures. We’re also going to cut loose a few clients. Looking over the records, I saw that the firm’s also been playing some numbers games. Calder and Brinkhaus won’t survive another scandal, and they know it.”
For over a week, Erikka had put in long hours revamping the firm’s policies and meeting with staff. Like Laurie, two other employees had resigned. She’d interviewed three potential new hires already. All her hard work had made her bosses comically grateful. They hung on her every word and deferred to Erikka in meetings. It was all she could do not to laugh in their faces. The other result was she hadn’t seen Gabriel in two weeks. Their conversations by phone had been brief. Erikka was either at the office or at home asleep.
“Erikka is back on top. Correction, she’s even higher. Go Erikka.” Hope grinned at her.
“That’s my girl we’re talkin’ ’bout,” Karin added, with a nod.
“I just want to say how much I care about y’all. Hope, you took me in. Put up with me invading your space.” Erikka kissed her fingertips and pressed them to Hope’s cheek.
“I was glad to have you, sweetie. Kept me straight for about a minute.” Hope smiled at her with affection. She dabbed at the comer of one eye.
“As for you,” Erikka said to Karin. “Thanks for making me remember values. Those long talks got me through.”
“Anything for my friends. You know that.” Karin gave her a quick, firm hug.
“And Terri, you saved my butt. I’m glad we met.”
Terri blushed. “Me, too. I’m gonna take my medication, so don’t worry about me. I promise.”
“We’re gonna be just fine. I’ve got a feeling,” Erikka said softly.
“Good. Look in your crystal ball and find me a handsome rich man then,” Hope wisecracked, still dabbing at her eyes. Terri and Karin ho
oted at her for being superficial.
The poignant moment gone, they went back to trading jokes and insults. The waitress finally arrived with their food, apologizing for the delay. Erikka felt a swell of happiness. They had the world on a string, for the moment, at least. Forget the blues.
“Hey, Erikka. Don’t forget the little people,” Hope said. She nudged Erikka in the side with her elbow.
“I’ll be very gracious.” Erikka dipped her head like a monarch acknowledging her subjects.
“Soon, life will be back to normal. Hard work, long hours, and even longer shopping trips.” Karin gave a contented sigh. “I’m glad.”
“Me, too,” Hope put in, with fervor. “You forgot the parties.”
“Our fair-weather and so-superficial friends can’t wait to see you. You know what’s even better than being in with them?” Karin wore a wicked grin as she exchanged a glance with Hope, who giggled.
“What?” Terri asked, before Erikka could speak.
“Rubbing their noses in Erikka’s rise to power,” Hope crowed gleefully. “They will be green enough to blend with the grass.”
“What about Vaughn? I can’t wait to see that chump’s face,” Karin said.
“I wanna come, too,” Terri pleaded.
“More the merrier. Let’s head over to Tip’s. Some of the gang will be there. Third World is playing. Vaughn and Charmaine are sure to be there.” Hope rubbed her hands together in anticipation.
“Love da reggae, mon.” Terri did a wiggle in her seat.
Their voices faded, as Erikka thought about life being back to normal. The last thing she wanted was to end up where she started. No more fast lane. As for the long hours, she had neglected a certain country boy far too long.
“Excuse me ladies, but my new ‘normal’ life is calling me. I’m going to eat my dinner and call it a night. I need rest. I have two twelve-hour workdays before the weekend.” Erikka dug into her buffalo wings salad.
“C’mon. The Erikka I knew could work all day, party half the night, and still blow a dude’s mind on Saturday,” Hope said. She exchanged a high five with Karin.
Erikka patted her lips in a ladylike gesture. “I’ll have to take a rain check on reggae and revenge, as sweet as that would be. I have to conserve my energy for a different kind of VIP.”