Legal Attraction: A Romantic Suspense Novel (Legally Suspenseful Romance)

Chapter 17

Rand stayed way too late, but Coral could only feel grateful, even when morning arrived too early and she had tired lines on her face as she headed to meet with Muskanza over lunch. She was missing another new attorney lunch. The others had looked at her strangely, especially Trey, but he was soon distracted by Mel and Jaden, and Coral didn’t worry about it. Goldstein and Smithson was situated in the older historic part of town. The houses and buildings had been around for a hundred years at least. As she drove through the newer, more densely populated parts of Richmond, the traffic grew more congested and she checked more than once to be sure that her security was still following.

She’d been nervous to leave, thoughts of terrorists around every building plagued her, and she didn’t fully admit even to herself that she wished Rand had stayed the night, wished he was going to the client lunch with her, and basically wished that she had a reason to ask him to be a constant part of her life.

He’d offered as much. The man must have a superhero complex or something. A lady in distress triggered all his saving instincts. She sighed. It was difficult to make sense of her feelings for Rand. Because they’d definitely started things off on that exact vibe. She was not used to being a lady in distress. But she was accustomed to having people around to keep her safe, and she was grateful to have the black sedan behind her that went wherever she went.

She parked at a Mediterranean restaurant downtown that Muskanza had suggested. The guys followed her in, but as if coming together for their own lunch. She left her name at the hostess table. “I’m actually here with Muskanza. Do you know if they have arrived?”

“Oh yes, come this way.” Coral was led through the main room of the restaurant, out a side door and into a quaint whole separate section. The walls and floors were padded with thick luxurious blues and velvety reds. The tables had thick wood chairs. The chandeliers hung low and the lighting was intimate.

“What a beautiful room.”

“Oh yes, this is our special reserve room. Muskanza is at that corner table there.” She pointed to two men and a woman seated at a round table. They were smiling and laughing. If Coral didn’t suspect them of international terrorism, she was be inclined to like them.

As soon as she approached, the woman stood. “Coral Anastas?” She held out her hands. “Come join us.” She leaned in and kissed her cheeks. “I’m Juliet Strong. This is Thomas Handy and Stefan Santori. We’re so happy to meet you.”

“Thank you. It’s good of you to take the time. I always feel better knowing the face behind the name when I work with someone.”

“Of course. And we feel the same. Besides, we’ve had enough meetings with Mr. Goldstein. It’s time we got to know a few of the associates.”

Coral nodded, logging that bit of information away. They apparently never met with the associates.

As soon as they got situated and ordered their drinks, Coral leaned forward. “Tell me more about yourselves. I find so little in the case files. The current file I’m working on involves your manufacturing plants. Textiles?”

“Yes, we are highly diversified. I’m glad they have you on the textile line. It’s the most exciting to be honest.”

Coral’s eyes widened. And then Juliette laughed. “Only we would think textiles exciting.”

“And our attorney. I would love our attorney to be as enamored with new combinations of fabrics as we are. We’ve got more than a few patents submitted. We can own the market in poly urethane blends.” Stefan waved his hands to emphasize something coming.

Coral couldn’t help but laugh and feel his energy. “Sounds like I need to get in on the intellectual side to this case.”

“Oh don’t worry about that. They’ve got it mostly finished; Ms. Taylor has it in great stead. We need you on the legal actions taken against us.”

“I just so far am not seeing why you’d be a target for any of these legal actions.”

He shrugged. “Maybe a few jealous would-be competitors? I don’t think like the typical petty law suit creator. I couldn’t begin to tell you what they have going on in their thoughts.”

“I’ll try to delve into that mind for you and see what we can figure out.”

Stefan mock shivered. “Not a friendly place to be.”

Coral’s laugh bubbled up spontaneously. “Hopefully I’ll come out unscathed. Either way, we will do our best for you.”

They talked for twenty more minutes about Richmond, sights to see, and about Muskanza company. Coral was completely put at ease. She liked them, both as a client and as potential friends. And even looked through pictures of their families on phones. If she were to create the picture of a wholesome company environment it would be in these three. It certainly didn’t jive with all the suspicion she’d originally had about the client. She decided to test their kindness. “You all are the most open easy-going people. Why all the secrecy surrounding your financials?”

Without even missing a beat, Juliette rolled her eyes and moaned. “That’s Edgar Hansen. The founder. He’s the most suspicious and superstitious person I’ve ever met.”

Coral smiled and waited for more. But Juliette just took a bit of food and they moved on.

As they were all finishing up and waiting on the bill, Thomas, who had said the least at their lunch cleared his throat. The others quieted and turned to him. He swirled his glass a minute and then shrugged. “I don’t know how to say this, and I’m taking a bit of a risk here, but I can tell you’re a good person. And you are so brand new. Can we talk about Goldstein and Smithson for a minute?”

“Of course. I’m sure you know them way better than I do.”

“Undoubtedly.” Thomas’ eyes were sincere, his warmth, genuine. “We’re not sure it’s a safe place.”

“You heard about our break in?

“Yes, and more than that, there have been unexplained threats, people being followed, honestly, we don’t travel with them anymore. We meet on location and leave separately.”

Coral frowned. “Do you think they are a target?”

“Yes, and I’m not sure it’s unfounded.” Thomas stood. “But that’s all we need to say about that right now. Just maybe keep your eyes open. And if you ever need anything, day or night, give us a call. Any of us three would keep a highly practiced closed mouth about whatever it is you need.”

Coral stood too, not totally understanding, but nodding. “Thank you. I’m sure I will need to be around longer in order to understand the situation fully.”

“Certainly. If you ever want more clarification as you get your footing, call me.” He handed her a card. “That’s a number I don’t give out to anyone. So please keep it quiet.”

“Oh, thank you. Yes, of course.”

“And our warning? It stays between us. Attorney client privilege?”

“Yes, all our conversations are that way. And I don’t know if it would be wise to repeat it either way. Weird behavior might go further into hiding. And I would not want to harm relationships. I think ours is one of the oldest client-attorney relationships our firm has.”

“I believe so. And I don’t think there’s any chance of that being disrupted.” Thomas pressed his lips together. The others went oddly sullen for a moment but then seemed to rally as they walked out a side entrance. “We have our own parking lot. Let us drive you to your car.”

“Oh, yes. That would be nice.” Coral was immediately panicked. Her detail would not know where she was, would be watching the inner door to track her.

“We’ve alerted your team and your car will be here shortly.”

Coral sucked in her breath. “Oh?”

“Certainly. Our teams need to stick together, don’t you agree?”

“Absolutely. If only for convenience’s sake.”

“I’m glad you have one. These are uncertain times.” Thomas patted her on the shoulder, somewhat awkwardly and Coral smiled. What had once been an easy, friendly lunch was now full of lingering unease and more than one question.

But her car pulled up first. Tony stepped out and nodded to her and the others. Then he hopped in the car behind.

“Well, that’s me.” Coral shook their hands and then climbed into her car. Their faces were friendly and open looking as she drove off. But she couldn’t get a good read on the meeting. Were they pleased with her? Did they trust her? She would have never guessed they’d be warning her about her own firm.

Her drive back through Richmond to the historic district was full of anxiety. Every car that passed, every light, every stop sign was a potential hazard. She just couldn’t shake the nerves that Muskanzas’ warning had caused to ricochet through her. Was she in danger at work? Besides an intruder? What about Rand? She’d trusted him. He was conveniently, too conveniently, present at the first attack and now worked at her same job? She didn’t know what to think or who to call. She dialed Tony.

“Yes, your highness.”

“What do you think about the situation at the restaurant?”

“We didn’t like it. Called it in. We were in a spot where we had no access to you during lunch.”

“Why’s that?”

“Their own security and the restaurant wouldn’t allow it. So we had to wait outside, watching the entrances.”

“And I was fine. And I could have called you.”

“True. Forgive me, ma’am but we also turned on your phone’s listening device.”

“Pardon me?”

“Your phone is equipped with a two-way communication device so we can hear and see what’s going on near it.”

She rubbed her forehead. “I’m not sure how I feel about that.”

“I know, ma’am.”

“What did you think about their warning?”

“Honestly? I don’t know. I’m inclined not to trust anyone besides our own guys.”

“Good plan. And Tony?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Don’t spy on me unless you ask first. Or I’m about to die.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

Nothing about her lunch had solved any worries. It had only created new ones. Then her phone rang, the non burner. She checked the number and answered right away. “Jalla! How are you?”

“Not good. The orphanage was just threatened. By a bomber.”

“Oh no. Did they find it?”

“No, and the place has been evacuated, but this is the second time since you left.”

“I’m so sorry Jalla.” Coral’s hands began to shake. “Stay safe. It’s not worth it. I’ll send over someone to help.”

“Thank you.”

“Hang in there.”

Coral texted Lucan with the address. “Please help them.”

He responded with a thumbs up.

She felt somewhat reassured.

By the time she arrived back at the firm, later than she would have liked, she was tight with stress. When she stepped in the door, the normally cheery Gladys held out a small slip of paper. “You’re wanted in there.” She pointed behind her, where the security team had their offices.

“Right now?”

She indicated the slip of paper. “Looks like it.”

The words. “Come see us as soon as you return.” Were scrawled in spider like handwriting.

Coral nodded. “Very good.” She approached the door which opened the minute she was close enough to enter. A man in a dark suit with a frown held it open. “Come in.”

“Thank you.” She tried to remember that she was in an American law firm, not the center of a suspense novel. But it was difficult to cling to a reality that was drifting farther and farther into the world she’d only seen as fictional.

She sat at a nondescript table in a very plain room and waited for at least ten minutes before anyone joined her.