Life Support (33 page)

“What did that tell you?”

“That you were interested in who I am as a person.”

Alexia was intrigued. The minister's intuition was at least as good as her own, and none of her antennae indicated he was a predatory male. He made her feel special. His musical genius didn't demand to be the center of attention. He focused on her.

“Okay,” she said. “But only on one condition.”

“What?”

“I have the right to ask you anything I want, and you promise to tell the truth.”

“Like cross-examination?”

“No, you're not a hostile witness, but it's hard for me to trust anyone.”

“But you're going on with your life.”

Alexia smiled. “Yes. That's what I said.”

“Do you have time for a quick Chopin?” Ted asked.

Ten minutes later, Alexia left the church with a different subject on her mind than when she arrived. Ted Morgan wasn't particularly handsome. There were too many angles to his face, and his hair was more like a wire brush than a flowing lion's mane. But he had an innate goodness that couldn't be hidden any more than evil can be concealed. She'd experienced the devastation of betrayal from a man with textbook good looks. In the depths of her heart she knew that character mattered more than a handsome profile.

Alexia arrived home to the usual welcoming party of Misha and Boris. She wrote herself a reminder to call Ted Morgan and offer to bring something to dinner and then retrieved eight messages from her answering machine. Sitting at her kitchen table, she returned calls and talked with clients until after six o'clock. The women she spoke with were now, more than when she worked for Leggitt & Freeman, her clients.

The aftershocks of her termination were growing less frequent. Signing a contract for the house, receiving a substantial retainer fee, and opening bank accounts were steps down the new road of her future. The prospect of life without bosses or interoffice politics was becoming as appealing as an unclouded sunrise over the marsh. Soon, she'd be able to invite Gwen to join her.

The following morning, Alexia called Gwen at the office and told her about the house on King Street.

“That's great,” Gwen said. “Just a minute. I need to do something.”

Alexia listened to a few seconds of silence.

“Okay. I've put back all the stuff I had in my purse that I've stolen from Leggitt & Freeman. I'm ready to move on to my new job.”

Alexia laughed. “You'll have time to borrow a few more ink pens before I ask for your résumé.”

“I'm sitting on ready. You'll be a big success.”

“I've talked to most of my clients, and they want me to continue representation. I have a list of files to pick up from the office.”

“Uh, they're not here,” Gwen said slowly.

“What!”

“Ralph Leggitt sent his snippy paralegal and the maintenance man to box them up. The last time I saw the files they were on hand trucks going down the hall. I asked Vicky where they were taking them. She wouldn't tell me anything except that she was following Mr. Leggitt's instructions.”

“That's ridiculous! The ethical rules are clear. If the client wants me to continue representation, the case goes with me. The firm doesn't own them or me. All Leggitt & Freeman has a right to are the unpaid billings generated while I was still working there.”

“Don't argue with me. I'm on your side. I tried to find out what was going on.”

“Sorry. It's so pointless.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I was going to come by and pick up the files this morning, but I'd better get written authorization from each client. I'll have to make house calls all over Santee. Can you find out when Mr. Leggitt is going to be there in case I need to confront him later today?”

“Yes. I'll call you back later.”

Alexia was fuming when she hung up the phone. There was an easy way and a hard way to accomplish most things in the law, and Ralph Leggitt could insist on written notice from Alexia's clients before releasing their information. She would get it, but if he stepped one inch over the line and balked at turning over records, she would file so many complaints with the state bar association that his desk would be covered with grievance forms. Alexia turned on her computer and created a form for her clients to sign instructing Leggitt & Freeman to deliver their case files to Alexia. She added a final line for Ralph Leggitt to sign giving his consent to release the information. If he made her obtain written authorization, she would rub his nose in it as many times as possible.

Several hours later, Alexia was in her car leaving Eleanor Vox's house when Gwen called her cell phone.

“How is it going?” the secretary asked.

“I've met with five of the clients who have the most urgent cases. I spent half an hour with Eleanor Vox and feel better after nibbling the pastries she'd made. Where's Leggitt?”

“He came in a few minutes ago and will be leaving for the rest of the day after lunch. Do you want me to transfer the call to his office?”

Alexia hesitated. “No. If I tell him I'm coming, he may bolt out the door to frustrate me. I think it would be better to show up and demand the files.”

“I did some snooping since we talked this morning. The boxes are in a closet in Vicky's office.”

“How did you get in there without her knowing it?”

“I paged her from another extension, put a handkerchief over the phone receiver, and told her a Mary Kay representative was here to see her.”

Alexia smiled. “I'll be there in five minutes.”

Alexia's heart began beating faster as she turned into the familiar parking lot. She picked up the release forms and noticed that her hand was slightly damp. Instead of immediately opening the door of the car, she sat still and forced herself to breathe normally. There was no reason why she should be so uptight. She'd faced the worst Ralph Leggitt had to offer when he tried to intimidate her into compromising herself in the Richardson case, and he had no right to keep her from representing her clients. However, her rationalization didn't work and her jitters didn't leave.

The familiar hallway was unchanged. As she walked toward Gwen's desk, Ken Pinchot turned a corner and suddenly faced her. He was drinking a cup of coffee. When he saw her, he stopped so suddenly that the coffee spilled onto his tie and splattered the front of his immaculate shirt.

“Look what you made me do!” he blurted out.

The idiocy of Pinchot's juvenile attack did more to calm Alexia's nerves than fifteen minutes of confidence-building speeches.

“Sorry, Ken,” she said. “I didn't realize you would be in the hallway drinking a cup of coffee without looking where you were going or thinking about whom you might meet.”

Pinchot grunted. “I didn't know you'd be coming back. Your office is empty.”

Alexia held up the client release forms. “I'll be visiting on a regular basis until all my clients make a decision about future representation.”

“You'll need to talk to Ralph about your cases. The files aren't in Gwen's office anymore.”

“I know. I hope the stain comes out of your tie and shirt.”

Alexia continued to Gwen's work area. The secretary was shaking her head.

“Don't tell me. I heard,” Gwen said. “The Prince has been in a foul mood all week. The other partners are giving him grief about his accounts receivable. He's owed over $100,000, and some of the bills are over nine months old. I heard Mr. Leggitt tell him yesterday that you never let your receivables get out of hand.”

“Maybe in a year they'll nominate me for sainthood. Wish me luck. I'm off to force my way into Leggitt's office.”

“If it gets ugly, scream at the top of your lungs, and I'll call 911.”

Alexia walked down the hall and turned the corner to the waiting area for the senior partner's office. Leggitt's secretary looked up.

“Is Mr. Leggitt busy?” Alexia asked. “I need to talk to him about several clients.”

The woman picked up the phone and had a brief conversation. Alexia prepared her next line of argument if he refused to see her.

“Go in,” the secretary said.

“Oh, thanks.”

Alexia opened the door. Leggitt was standing at the end of the room where the conference table was located. He turned around. Alexia stepped forward with the sheets signed by her clients in her hand.

“I've come to pick up some files,” she said. “I have authorization forms—”

“Just see Vicky,” Leggitt interrupted. “I asked her to put your files into her office so there wouldn't be any confusion. We've hired a new lawyer who will be moving into your old office next week. He's bringing business with him, and we needed to clear out the filing space next to Leonard.”

“Okay. I have the request forms from five of my clients.”

“I don't need to see them,” he said nonchalantly. “Make copies of the authorizations for our records, but in the future a letter from you letting us know that you are assuming representation will be enough. Of course, we'll expect you to reimburse the firm for any expenses incurred while the files were here and pay business credit on billings prior to your leaving, but there's no need to obtain written authorization from the clients. We'll trust your accounting.”

Alexia's mouth dropped open. “Uh, thanks. How often do you want me to file a report?”

“How about once a quarter? You stay on top of your accounts receivable so it should be cleared up within six months.”

“Okay.”

Ralph Leggitt motioned toward the conference table. “Have a seat. I'd like to talk to you for a few minutes.”

Alexia pulled back a chair. “Thanks for the cooperation. After what happened the other day, I wasn't sure what kind of reception to expect.”

“I was upset with you, but the more I've thought about it, the more I believe it will work out for both the firm's good and yours as well. The new lawyer is going to be helping Bruce and me in the business transaction area, and we're getting totally out of the divorce business. If I get a call from a prospective client, I'll send them your way.”

“That's great,” Alexia said but raised her guard in anticipation of a salvo of manipulation.

“I heard you made an offer on a house on King Street.”

“Yesterday. News travels fast.”

Leggitt gave her a wry smile that wasn't exactly friendly. “It's my business to know what happens in Santee. I think it's a good location. It's close to the courthouse and in an area where there are going to be more and more professional offices. If you need a good word at the bank, let me know.”

“Thanks, but I've already made an application. Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?”

Leggitt rubbed his hand across the top of his head. “No. I'll get to the point and not waste your time. Are you going to represent Rena Richardson on the assault and battery charge filed after she slapped her father-in-law at the hospital?”

That's it, Alexia thought. She sat up straight in preparation for Leggitt's attempt to convince her to abandon Rena. Her former boss's friendly overtures of the previous few minutes were about to prove vaporous.

“Yes,” she said.

“Good,” Leggitt responded matter-of-factly. “I've recommended that Ezra drop the criminal complaint before it goes to hearing before a magistrate. He and Rena may not like one another, but it will be hard for them to cooperate at any level if there are criminal charges flying about.”

Alexia was stunned. “Is he going to take your advice?”

“He's authorized me to contact the police officer who processed the complaint and notify the magistrate that there is no need for a hearing. I'll try to call them this afternoon and confirm everything to you in writing. Where do you want me to send a letter?”

“Uh, care of Rachel Downey's office. I'll be there for several weeks before the renovation of the house is completed.”

“Very well. I'm sorry you won't be able to bill your new client very much on the case.”

“That's fine. I'll be busy.”

Alexia got up to leave.

“Please sit down. There is one other thing,” Mr. Leggitt said.

Alexia resumed her seat.

“I've also recommended that Ezra correct the problem that caused Rena to become upset. As I'm sure you know, he transferred money from Baxter and Rena's checking account and put it in a separate account for Baxter's benefit. He will put all the money back into the joint account within a couple of days. Rena should call the bank on Friday and make sure it's been properly credited.”

“Why did he change his mind?” Alexia asked suspiciously.

“Calmer heads prevailed. This has been a very stressful time for the whole Richardson family. They've all made mistakes.”

Alexia was having trouble believing that such a total change of heart had occurred. She tested the waters.

“Has Mr. Richardson used the power of attorney to make other transfers from Baxter's name? Rena doesn't know the details of the family businesses. She needs to be reassured that Baxter's estate will be intact if he dies and his ownership interests preserved in case he doesn't.”

Leggitt met Alexia's look and blinked a couple of times. “Ezra thought about safeguarding everything Baxter owns and asked me to prepare the documents to set up a trust but didn't go through with it.”

Alexia wanted to probe further but couldn't think of a way to do so without implying that Ralph Leggitt was lying to her.

“I see. If I have specific questions, will you be willing to provide additional information?”

“Within reason and the bounds of the law. Baxter is a minority shareholder and has the rights granted by the Corporations Act. If Rena assumes his ownership interest, she'll be on the same footing.”

“But what does that mean in terms of access to business records? The only way to know what Mr. Richardson is doing will be through disclosure.”