“You donate to Saint Cleare Hospital periodically, don’t you?” interjected Kyle, looking at him with sorrow. He knew how hard it was to ask this of Michael, but Vannia was getting worse every day, and to think that all this started with symptoms that looked like the flu. It wasn’t. When the Latzovskis took Vannia to the hospital, with yellowish eyes and skin, they ran blood tests and had follow-up appointments for several days. In the end, the doctors told them she needed a liver transplant.
“Yes, I have for several years.” Michael rubbed his chin. “How long do compatibility tests take? We could bring together several...”
“No, Michael. Listen, the tests take approximately forty-eight hours, and there’s no time to lose. besides, in this case, the liver is no longer from a living donor, but from a recently...” Michael nodded. “In any case, at this point it’s urgent,” interjected Zayda, squeezing her husband’s hand. “She’s third on the waiting list. She needs to get to the top of the list soon. Though if one of the livers that come in for the first two on the list is compatible, she could be saved. The liver has eight lobes. They only need to transplant one into Vannia for her to survive.”
“Wow,” said Michael, stunned by the information. It showed how involved his friends were. “This is a delicate subject for me...”
Kyle and Zayda exchanged a look, both hopeful and ashamed.
“We decided to tell you about it a while ago, when you were talking about the health of your nephews, and that they were at the same hospital,” said Zayda. “Michael, maybe this is the most important question. Are you an anonymous donor or is your name on their rolls?”
“How would that influence my answer?”
“You could talk to the hospital’s CEO. Get access to...”
Rachel could not hear what else Zayda had said on the other side of the wall, because several children chose that precise instant to run by, laughing and yelling. But it no longer mattered because she had just found what she’d been looking for all these weeks. A way to get back at Michael. He used his privilege to influence a hospital’s donor list.
It was morally wrong. It was frowned upon to prioritize one life over another for money. She was sure someone in the media would love to hear about this, and even his firm, Salmann & Buckend, itself. If one of the partners was involved, it also affected the law firm’s reputation.
Rachel felt relieved. Michael was not affecting her emotions; it had only been a short lapse in judgment. Something normal, of course. She was human and the sexual tension, mixed with her emotion at finally knowing she would get justice for Piper, had been what she felt when she saw Michael with that boy in his arms. She had it all under control.
“Veronica?”
She turned. She had just stepped into the hallway from the bathroom. Rachel smiled at him without a hint of guilt for having eavesdropped on the conversation, which, of course, he'd never know.
Michael watched her with a kind look on his face, unlike the Bronsons, who looked worried. None of them suspected that she knew the reason.
“I was looking for you, Michael. Where were you hiding?” she asked with a smile, trying to keep a neutral expression.
He took her by the waist and encouraged her to walk forward.
“Talking with our hosts. It seems they have some issues to resolve, and you know,” he kissed her on the cheek, “lawyers work around the clock.”
The comment made the Bronsons laugh, and soon the tense climate between the couple dissipated.
“Of course, and you’re very dedicated,” retorted Rachel with a hint of irony in her voice, which went unnoticed as they mingled with all the children’s parents in the living room.
***
She ran furiously, trying to leave her discomfort on the treadmill. Sweat was pouring down her body, and little by little her anxiety seemed to fade. Techno music blared through her headphones. She was unaware of anything that happened around the gym. It was as if she was on an imaginary track, and she was the only person in the race.
She had been on the treadmill for thirty minutes at a constant pace, doing a mountain running program for professional runners. Something she wasn’t, of course. Every few minutes it became more exhausting to try to keep up the pace with the machine simulating a high mountain pass.
Despite getting up at four in the morning, dressing at light speed, and driving through the empty Chicago streets, the gym was almost full. Rachel assumed that they were all office workers with a busy day ahead.
Her case was different. The day she’d discovered that Michael was using his economic influence to benefit one sick person over another, she had an even worse personal revelation. She was in love with him. She did not know exactly when she had lost control of the situation.
After Michelle’s party, they went to a Japanese restaurant, had a fun chat about movies, and, of course, in typical Michael style, also discussed politics. When they got to her apartment, Rachel was exhausted. But she thought she could shake off the day’s demons, the confusion she felt, having sex with him.
She was surprised that Michael seemed to understand her and know her in a way that was overwhelming. When she started to kiss him, he returned her kisses, of course, but the moment she unbuttoned his shirt, Michael held her face in his hands.
“What’s wrong? Why do you feel the need to escape today, and to use lust as the perfect escape hatch?”
His questions had stunned her into silence. Then she said that she was not used to a relationship in which both parties were equally generous in every way. Without knowing how she started to tell him about her previous relationship. She never talked about the creep she called her ex-boyfriend, but this time she did. She told him about the way he belittled her needs to prioritize his, how he tried to feel superior in front of her friends by putting her down. And the worst of all, about when she found him in her room, stealing money, aware that it wasn’t the first time. Quite a catch.
“I’m sorry, Veronica... I’m sorry you had to go through something like that. But what does today have to do with what you’ve told me? Did something remind you of this idiot’s behavior?”
Her response had been to smile at him and tell him she was happy to have found him and realize that men, just like women, were not all bastards or imbeciles. What she said was completely true. On one hand, because life had given her the chance to get revenge, just like she’d always hoped, and on the other, because she’d never felt the way Michael made her feel.
Her answer had made Michael laugh out loud.
“Then, if that’s what’s going on, let me prove your theory for you, because the truth is, little lady, that I’m very happy that one night, a sexy Moulin Rouge dancer showed up at my brother’s.” And that was the last thing she heard that night before she lost herself in Michael’s arms.
She kept running.
She felt like she was pushing her legs to the brink. That was not her usual exercise pace. Michael would soon be out of her system. It was only a matter of time.
CHAPTER 12
Kyle and Michael hadn’t just shared their love of the law in university; they were also part of the football team at the University of Chicago, one of the most prestigious in the United States. They also enjoyed other sports, such as swimming; that was why they had both become members of a very exclusive club for lawyers, which was also very much a networking hotspot.
The small covered arena that held the temperate pool was almost empty when the two friends arrived at noon. It was lunchtime. Once Kyle beat Michael by a few yards in the water, they both climbed out, ready to eat something before going back to their offices. Small luxuries that could be enjoyed by those that had a consolidated career and a stellar reputation in their field, though without a doubt, the most important part of the significant amount of money their billable hours generated for their respective firms.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen. Are you ready to order?” asked the waiter, approaching the two friends. They both nodded and told him what
they wanted. “Everything will be ready in a moment. Excuse me.” The waiter left.
“I assume showing up today is no coincidence, Kyle?”
He shook his head.
“There’s a chance that Vannia will go into surgery very soon. She was moved up two slots on the waiting list. The first liver that came in was compatible with the first two patients. Her parents are sure that she’ll soon move up the list because her system is getting weaker. The doctors are hopeful, but with these matters, nobody knows what could happen. We’re only human... but at least she’s close to the top of the waiting list for liver transplants at her hospital.
Michael’s face lit up with a smile. He had been torturing himself for days over not being able to help the Bronsons. If he’d learned anything, it was that professional ethics were a desirable and invaluable commodity. He was a good friend of Saint Cleare Hospital’s CEO, but his connections could not cross the barrier set by the professional authorities that would be necessary to manipulate an organ transplant waiting list. And even if he could do it if he was honest, he found it both unfair and terrible, and he could not change his opinion about it. Perhaps one of the most important things he’d learned from his grandfather and his father was to keep his integrity at all costs.
“That’s fantastic news. Unfortunately, in Vannia’s case, for her to be saved... someone has to die in order to donate the organ she needs.” She rubbed his chin. “Life can be so complicated and decisions... Kyle, you have no idea what I’ve been through trying to think of a way to help Vannia, I’m glad that...”
Kyle raised his hand, the gesture asking him to stop. Michael stopped.
“The truth is, I wanted to take the chance to apologize to you today, in my name and Zayda’s.” Michael looked at him, waiting for him to continue. “We should have never put you in the position of deciding between your integrity and influencing someone else’s chance at life. It would make for a long debate if we were still in university,” he said with a wry smile, “but this is real life, and it was inappropriate. I’m sorry, Michael.”
Michael picked up his Pepsi glass and took a few sips.
“When you’re desperate or really care about something or someone, especially when it’s someone small and vulnerable like Michelle’s friend, I think no excuse is valid and the resources to get help countless. The day I heard my nephews were in the hospital, I tried to use all my contacts, no matter what, to make sure they were immediately seen by the best specialists. Of course, it wasn’t necessary because their medical team was flawless.” he leaned against the back of the chair. “If I had been in your place, I probably would have done the same. Even if afterward I realized I’d put you in a complicated position. It’s all right, Kyle. Tell Zayda not to worry.”
“Thanks, man.”
“Sure.”
The food was delicious. After all, the club had a Michelin star. How could it not, with the cost of its monthly fee? Little by little, the restaurant filled up. Elegant designer suits, expensive perfumes, and luxury cars in the parking lot left no question about the type of clients the members handled.
On their way out after paying the bill, they ran into one of Kyle’s old colleagues, back from when he was starting out. Her name was Sylvia Bancroft. She was specialized in divorces, and he joked about it with her often. They got along well, and in fact, Sylvia was one of his wife Zayda’s best friends.
“Hey, Sylvia, what a surprise! I thought you were living in Memphis.”
With brown eyes and dark blond hair, the lawyer did not go unnoticed by the male gaze. Her even temper and captivating voice were usually the first choices of many of her high-class friends when they needed to get a divorce at the height of their suffering. But not everything was about money; Sylvia also volunteered with battered women at a low-income shelter in Chicago.
“I was there for three months for personal matters, but I’m back. In fact, I’ve been trying to get used to Chicago’s crazy weather for the past two weeks.”
Kyle laughed.
“You remember Michael Whitmore?” he quipped, slapping his friend on the shoulder.
Sylvia narrowed her eyes, pretending not to remember him. She suddenly snapped her fingers.
“The best man at your wedding and a partner at Salmann & Buckend,” she replied, looking at the green-eyed lawyer. “Of course I remember him, the guy is the toast of the town.” She smiled at him, and Michael laughed. “How’s everything, Mike? It’s a shame we don’t run into each other more often. I think your firm needs a lawyer who will kick some behinds in the family law department... divorces, specifically.”
“Sylvia, as sharp as ever. I’m sure we’re losing a lot of money with your courtroom skills working for another company.”
“Ha! You’d better believe it, colleague. By the way, my father told me a little secret, so I’m glad we met. I was going to have my assistant call you, but it’s best to relay the message in person.”
Everybody knew that Sylvia was the daughter of billionaire banker Dwayne Bancroft II. A client of Michael’s firm.
“What secret is that?” asked Kyle, scratching his head.
“I believe it is a professional secret,” interjected Michael with a serious look.
Sylvia shrugged her shoulders.
“Remember that my mother also works at the bank, so if I tell you, Kyle, I would not be in violation of any agreement, because my father’s business has nothing to do with me. “She switched the focus of her attention with a skeptical smile. “Am I wrong, Michael?” she asked, looking pointedly at the expert in banking and finance law.
“Theoretically... no.”
Sylvia laughed melodically.
“Well, I’m not interested in legal debates when I just finished my lunch, so either you tell me or I’ll have to interrogate my friend,” said Kyle.
“If you put it that way... The merger between my family’s bank, Tangler Bank Chicago, and VSQ Bank will close today. We’ve bought them.” Kyle raised his eyebrows. “And the lawyer leading the merger is Michael. So my father organized a dinner at home the day after tomorrow to celebrate the operation.”
“Wow, Michael! Congratulations. I’m glad you have a large case like that on your resumé... The financial world can’t talk about anything else these days,” said Kyle. “I would not even have found out had it not been for Sylvia.”
“What luck,” said Michael, rolling his eyes.
Sylvia punched him gently on the shoulder.
“Anyway, boys, I’m glad to see you, but guess what? I have a client waiting for me today. And I need to eat something first. You know, to have enough energy to make her divorce as painless as possible.”
“For whom?” asked Michael jokingly.
“For the husband, of course... but not for his wallet, that’s for sure.” They all laughed. “Michael, my father would love it if you came. Please make room in your schedule in forty-eight hours. It doesn’t sound impossible, right?”
Michael smiled.
“If you promise not to torture me with that talk about the need to mount an additional defense of a case, I’ll agree.”
“I promise,” she said. Then she turned to Kyle. “Since I feel like gossiping with Zayda, and I’d like to talk to you when we’re not in a hurry like we are now, do you think you could come? That way you can show Michael how to get to my parent’s house.”
“I’d be delighted, Sylvia. And congratulations on the family business,” Kyle added.
“If it benefited my own finances even a little, I’d celebrate it with even more excitement,” said the beautiful, five-foot-five woman with her characteristic liveliness. “See you, boys.” After that, they said goodbye and parted.
Sylvia and Michael had flirted a bit. Nothing came of it, and they ended up as friends. It was inevitable for them to drift apart, and they tried not to run into each other, since they had some mutual friends, like Zayda and Kyle. After all, it was a bit uncomfortable to see each other after she’d tried to s
educe him, and he’d kindly rejected her, only for their roles to reverse later. After some time, things settled down, and their encounters became as enjoyable as they’d been in the past. In the end, it had all been nonsense between twenty-somethings.
Sometime later, when Michael needed a divorce, it was precisely Sylvia who made sure his ex-wife did not get his fortune. It was the first time she’d defended a male client in a divorce. She usually defended the woman’s side, but she made an exception for Michael.
And it was just before Sylvia got him the divorce decree that he’d met that beautiful girl. That breath of fresh air and innocence. Perhaps the only good thing he had done back then when everything seemed to be predisposed to cause him problems.
At the time, his personal contradictions, related to cases that did not admit gray areas, aggravated him. Not because he knew he was doing anything unethical or illegal, but because when he followed the rules his conscience screamed that the laws that applied to a case were possibly too severe. In matters of murders, rapes, and other types of violence, he believed the perpetrators should be punished severely. In matters of drug trafficking, it wasn’t that he wanted leniency, but he was aware that many of those people were the victims of extorsions and threats. It wasn’t the common denominator, but it was his personal point of view.
It was that perspective that made Piper Galloway’s case conflict him as it did. The girl was too young. Her answers were direct, intelligent, and sensible. When she was declared guilty and her sentence was dictated, the hopeful look on her face was replaced by sheer terror. A terror only evident to him since the girl was an expert at maintaining a calm demeanor. Her eyes could not lie.
He was tormented by Piper’s gaze.
He’d taken the case at the last minute when the media circus was in full swing. The family firm, W&W, could not manage the journalists’ every move. The children of important Chicago personalities were involved in the case, including Elias Fussel, the client W&W agreed to defend.
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