19 The Clients
Dash
August 2023
Fire and brimstone were the only words that could sum up the sauna-like experience of living in Sea Springs in August. No matter how I tried, I couldn’t help the pit stains that appeared anytime I walked outside. I’d be more self-conscious if everyone around me weren’t dealing with the same thing.
Thank goodness for remote start on cars. I cranked up the A/C for a good three minutes before taking the fifteen-ish steps from the office to my parking space. When I jumped behind the wheel, a chill ran down my spine. I’d take frostbite over walking in the bowels of hell, every single time.
My mind was still tangled up about Livie. If she wanted friends, she deserved them. She was a sweet girl, pretty as could be, with a laugh that brightened the gloomiest of days. She was also real, tough as nails, choosing not to live in a fairy tale world of rainbows and unicorns, or as Ava enjoyed, dragons and shadows.
I didn’t think I could be prouder of Ava. How she came up with stomping on crayons for being mean to her sister might be the best moment of my life. We needed redirection for her frustrations, but I loved her standing up for Livie.
I was so lost in the thought it took a second ring for me to clue in to the incoming call. Stone’s name appeared on the screen. I tapped accept out of obligation only. “This is considered after hours—it better be good.”
“Dash, it’s Stone. Have a minute?” he said, like his name didn’t just cross the large screen in the Tahoe.
I liked the guy well enough, but wow, did he have the useless questions game on lock? After all, I did answer the phone, some things should be assumed by now. “Go ahead.”
“I’m sorry to bother you, but I have two potential clients who I believe you’d like to meet.”
“Have William—” I started, clicking through the faces I remembered seeing as I left the office.
“No, sir. They’ve driven from Oklahoma City and Dallas and will only meet with you. They didn’t call due to the subject matter. It’s worth the trip back. You’ll want to meet with these ladies.”
Dammit. Beau had taught me well. I had firm expectations regarding dedicated family time and leaving the office behind. Fresh minds brought the best ideas, and my children were only going to be little once. I glanced at the time, four forty-five. I ducked out a little early. Today was important—,Beau’s mom had taken the girls back-to-school clothes shopping at a mall in Houston. Tonight, they’d use our living room as a runway to show off their new purchases. Amelia had even agreed to record her telenovelas for later so that she could be present for the modeling show tonight.
“Can I meet with them first thing in the morning?” I asked.
“They have to drive home tonight. It took them longer to get here than expected,” Stone replied. “Now flip that SUV around and come back. I’ll call Beau and tell him you’ll be fashionably late. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this.”
The call disconnected. Another way to say it was that my well-paid assistant hung up on me. My jaw set and brows shot up in utter disbelief. I found the closest U-turn and whipped the ride around a bit aggressively.
My foot stepped on the gas. If I made it back to the office in five minutes, listened to the women state their case for five minutes, then gave Stone a forceful talking to, I’d be back on the road in twenty-five minutes. I planned a significant rant.
Beau’s name popped up on my screen, I pushed accept.
“What’s goin’ on?” Beau asked. It was hard to hear him with all the splashing and laughing in the water in the background. My anger amped up a notch at what I was missing out on. I wanted to be there playing in the swimming pool, sliding down the waterslide Beau had surprised me with for our anniversary. We saved a ton of money by having him install it, and Beau loved saving money more than he loved me.
“Stone asked me to turn around. There’s someone at the office I need to meet,” I explained.
“He said it could be a couple of hours before you’re home,” Beau said, unhappily. His tone took me back to years ago when I worked all the time, drawing my brows together. “The girls are excited to model their new clothes. If we need to put it off, tell me now.”
“Babe, I’m not sticking around for longer than a few minutes. I’ll put the women in a hotel tonight,” I said. “And Stone will be fired tonight, so I might have to make the reservations myself.”
Beau chuckled, which made the entire situation worse. We both knew Stone was the glue holding my business together. He was never allowed to leave. Contractually bound to stay by my side until the practice closed without asking for a raise. And he signed it, showing his level of dedication.
“I’ll call you when I’m on my way home,” I said, taking the turn into my reserved parking spot. Again.
“Everybody, say bye to Dad,” Beau called. A chorus of Daddies and Dashes rang in the background, which meant they were having a great time without me.
“Tell them bye for me,” I said, putting the gearshift in park. “Quick question—why are you home?”
“Charter canceled last minute. They paid in full, so we came home. Scott’s got West with him,” Beau said. “They’re at the public school’s FFA barn.”
Today had crawled by, and honestly, the last few weeks had been slow. Most people in the area were dealing with wrapping up the final tourism dollars of the season, or going on vacation themselves. This would last a week or two longer. Had I known they’d all been home, I could have joined in the good times earlier.
“No wild parties without me.”
“Too late. We’re waitin’ on you. The kids voted on veggie nuggets and steamed summer squash,” Beau added.
“Daddy, come home. It’s gonna be so good,” Mia shouted close to the phone.
Any good mood I had maintained instantly evaporated when I opened the front door to my office and the attached bells rang. I’d left the damned things there to give the office a personal, hometown law firm feel. Even if sixty percent of our business had come from other parts of the United States.
Stone sat at his desk, fingers typing on the keyboard, his head nodding me to the waiting area. Two women sat waiting. My office had remained in the same place as when we first started. We’d added Stone’s office space, a reception desk, and a conference room downstairs. Most of the actual legal work was done on the second floor. As we needed additional space, the lease next door had thankfully come up for rent. Private offices were added, and we included an elevator in the renovations. Even with a hybrid schedule, I was still going to need more room soon.
When I glanced at the women, they stared big-eyed at me. A quick read of the situation was fear and uncertainty. Also determination.
“This is Teresa Rodrigues and Lucia Valentina. Ladies, this is Mr. Richmond-Brooks,” Stone said. I nodded, as they continued to stare at me and remain seated. My gut reaction was that Stone brought me back for a pro bono case. I usually kept them private, and this could definitely wait until morning. Stone left his desk and led the way. I trailed behind the women. Teresa carried a large flexible file box. “It’ll be best to take them to the conference room.”
“Take a seat. Can I get you anything? Water, coffee, or soda?” Stone asked.
“Water would be great,” Teresa said, her voice held hints of professionalism. Huh. I didn’t see that when I first spotted them. My curiosity was begrudgingly piqued.
“Get us three bottles, Stone,” I said before the other spoke. “Shut the door behind you.”
“Yes, sir.” Another thing Stone did that I had no use for was continually calling me “sir,” and he refused to stop doing so. The term made me feel ancient. The insult needed to be stricken from all languages across the world.
“What brings you to the office today?” I took a seat opposite the duo as Teresa began digging into her treasure trove of files.
Stone quietly delivered the water and shut the door as he left.
“We saw your interview with the Huffington Post ,” Lucia said.
I nodded. Several new clients had come from our family interview.
“We’d lost hope,” Teresa added. “We’ve been to quite a few attorneys who had varying reasons why we didn’t have a case, but I don’t believe that’s true. It’s just a lot to deal with.”
She slid a document across the table, and I left it between us as I responded, “Give me the nuts and bolts. If I believe there’s a chance of pursuing, we’ll delve deeper into your files.” I tilted back in my chair, a normal position for me, and waited to hear the rundown on the case they thought they had.
“We made this folder for you,” Lucia said.
“We’d like to initiate a lawsuit against Jack Richmond, Richmond Holding, and several members of the Richmond executive team,” Teresa explained, maintaining eye contact while my brow raised in surprise. A silent sigh escaped. I felt sure my poker face was solid, but they’d caught me by surprise. Stone was spot-on for reaching out to me. Regardless of how this played out, I wanted to hear it. “I understand it’ll be a class action lawsuit.”
And the plot gets better.
“I don’t specialize in class action litigation, but I know legal experts who do. Class action suits can be tricky. Why not a lawsuit?”
“We’ve found seventeen women who’ve experienced the same situation,” Lucia clarified.
“And what was that experience?” I asked. As soon as I said the words, my gut gave a hard twist.
“The senior Richmond and two of his sons have sexually tormented, preyed upon, harassed, and in some cases, many cases, raped women in their employment. In every case, we’ve been fired within weeks after things went ‘ too far .’” Heedless of my request to keep the files for later, Teresa pulled photos—each showing different Latina women of varying ages, yet all with the same look.
My stomach did a full twisting layout this time.
Everything inside me said they were telling the truth.
What had my father done?
Questions rained down on me like confetti, but the biggest one was: If this was happening, how on earth had the rumors not leaked before now? As if reading my thoughts, she pulled out a signed non-disclosure agreement. “We were all required to sign this in order to receive severance. In every case, we were terminated for in-office misconduct.”
My brows knitted closer together as I reached for the NDA, which was attached to a corporate case file for termination.
“Most of us have children or family who depend on us. We feared repercussions. If we signed it, they gave us a five-thousand-dollar severance package, didn’t fight unemployment payouts, and gave a good reference while looking for another position,” Teresa explained.
She sat back, elbows on the armrests, hands clasped tighter. “As far as we know, I was the last victim. Your brother, Jonathon Richmond, who’s the chief operating officer had been making lude comments and occasionally put me in a position where he was touchy-feely with me. I knew it was wrong, but I needed the job and a good reference on my resume. I’m a managerial accountant who was promoted to the executive floor shortly after being hired. It was a real big deal for me.”
Teresa shook her head, as if trying to clear some rogue thought. “I’m rambling, and I’m sorry. I began keeping the video recording on my phone because of how creepy he was. One evening, I was required to stay to finish a project, so I had my phone recording. Two of your brothers sexually assaulted me, but I don’t remember it.” Her cheeks reddened as she glanced away. “The next day I called in sick, because I was. I’m not even sure how I got home the night before, so I went to the ER. Because of my symptoms, they tested and found Rohypnol in my system. That’s how those awful men got to me. I didn’t tell anyone. I was scared and didn’t know what to do. They fired me by the end of the day.”
All the unsaid fear and emotion wafting off her made my lips mash together, and I cut my gaze to Lucia who picked up the thread and continued with her own horror story.
“I was assigned to the executive floor and had the same experience. I don’t know everyone involved who attacked me. Your father brought me a vodka tonic, thanking me for working late. I woke up the next morning in his office, on his sofa, alone.” Tears filled her eyes as she continued to speak. “I was so embarrassed. I thought I was going to work for a kind, Christian family man. He’s a monster.” The ire and hurt in her voice gave credence to her story.
“And you’ve gone to the authorities?” I asked. It was unimaginable to believe the hospital system that cared for Teresa hadn’t called the local police department.
“Teresa did,” Lucia answered. “I was afraid of the NDA they made us sign. I can’t afford to pay back the severance and then some. They also didn’t fight unemployment payments even though I was technically fired.”
“I filed a report with the Dallas Police myself. The hospital didn’t call them. I also filed a complaint with the Texas Workforce Commission, and the EEOC, and nothing’s happened except I was notified by Richmond Holdings that I’d broken my NDA. They now say I owe them money.” Teresa unscrewed the cap on the bottle of water and took a quick drink before continuing. “I was twenty-three years old when it happened. I’m also first-generation American. The fear stemming from my parents being immigrants in the United States frightened me to stay quiet, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of being preyed upon. I have a colleague in human resources who connected me to Lucia.”
Lucia’s hand went to her chest, laying on her heart. These women were frightened, but brave. It was remarkable.
“I’m DACA. I never told anyone about what happened, not even my husband. I was ashamed of allowing myself to be in such a vulnerable position. I knew better than to even sip the drink he gave me.”
“How old are you?” I asked Lucia.
“I’m twenty-six. It happened to me two years ago.”
“And Teresa?” I asked.
“Last year, not even a year ago,” she answered.
My outward calm didn’t convey the inner chaos running laps around my head, but these women didn’t need to see that. They needed my professionalism and my help.
“And you’ve made me this file that substantiates everything?” I asked. My chair popped forward, gathering the photos in front of me. I sifted through them, glancing at each one closely.
“Yes, sir,” Lucia affirmed. “We’ve found seventeen women documented over the past ten years. We were told the women prior to ten years ago can’t be a part of the case. But we have a list of those names as well.”
“That’s criminal. This is civil. We can look back further,” I stated, distractedly. Every single woman looked the same. Long dark hair parted in the middle. Almond-shaped dark eyes. That was the obvious pattern I saw among them, which was a far cry from the blond-haired, blue-eyed clan I came from.
I let the silence in the room linger as I lost myself to the facts as stated. Seventeen women in ten years. My father and two brothers. I had never noticed any signs of this when I was a part of their lives. What involvement did my other siblings have? Did they know what was happening? Were they complicit? Damn, what kind of family did I come from?
My body tingled as I fully absorbed the egregious behavior.
“We fully expect you to tell us no,” Teresa said, drawing my eye to her. “But after watching your videos with your family on TikTok, I felt like you were worth the try. You feel different than them. All other doors have been shut in our faces. You’re our last hope.”
I covered my mouth, elbow resting on the table as I placed the photos in front of me. I didn’t know about TikTok, but Lucia had read me well.
“What do you hope to achieve with this suit?” I asked.
“I want to protect others from their pattern of abuse. We…” she gestured between herself and Lucia. “Would also like out of the NDAs so we can be honest, and for them to be stripped of their positions.”
“Richmond Holdings is a public entity, and the Richmond family own the majority shares,” Lucia said. Of course I understood the make-up of my father’s company. “They’re powerful, but they can’t continue to abuse women. I’d like a bigger payment than what they gave us. Maybe twenty-five thousand dollars or fifty thousand dollars more.”
“So do we have a case? Would you consider taking the case?” Teresa asked, I could almost feel her fingers crossing due to the hope in her tone.
I was left battling an existential crisis of what was real, and the best way to proceed forward.
“I’m open to reviewing what you’ve provided. These cases can be costly and the final results vary. A case like this can drag on for years. I know my father. He won’t roll over easily, if at all. These allegations are appalling. It sickens me to think that any of my family is involved in these claims…” My jaw tightened as I reached for the pad and paper Stone left for me. I barely glanced over at Teresa who wore a smile on her face.
“Why’re you smiling?” I asked.
“Because everyone else we spoke to barely listened to our claims, saying the damages weren’t sufficient enough to take on Richmond Holdings. Some wanted us to put up a retainer. At least you’re willing to look at the information we’ve put together.”
“No one seemed to believe us,” Lucia added.
“I believe you,” I said as I jotted down bullet-pointed notes for Stone to begin researching. “But the rest is complicated. I may not be your best representation,” I explained. “How do I get a hold of you two?”
Teresa pulled another piece of paper from the expandable folder. She slid it across the table toward me. It contained their complete contact information.
“Your assistant, I guess,” she said as she cocked her thumb over her shoulder in Stone’s direction, “made a copy of it already.”
Mechanically, I gathered everything together and stood. I rounded the table toward the door and took the files they’d brought. “I need your permission to discuss this with my husband and a select few others. I wouldn’t ordinarily mention anything a client tells me, but you brought this to me because it is my family. If I take this on in any way, it’s going to impact my husband.”
“Yes, of course,” Teresa said, Lucia nodding.
“ Are you staying the night in Sea Springs? Does Stone need to help you find accommodations?”
With all certainty, I’d be up most of the night reviewing their evidence and evaluating the emotional toll this would take on me and Beau. If I took the case, did it scream vindication? My father’s law department would use me and my life against these women, but could they sell it to the federal court system to sway a class action suit of this nature?
“I think we’ve lost him,” Lucia said, beyond the now open conference room door.
“That’s rare indeed,” Stone said. “I’ll show you out.”
Stone received another good job check mark, along with all the others he’d earned tonight.
When the front door rattled its closure, I stared at Stone who grinned like a Cheshire cat. I never discussed my birth family with anyone, but as my personal assistant and paralegal, he was privy to all of my phone calls, except with Beau. He listened to everything to help keep me on track.
“Get the smile off your face. I don’t know if we can handle this. Employment law isn’t my strong suit, and this’ll cost us a fortune.”
Stone kept grinning as he said, “But one way or another, in this climate, your father has to take a hit.” Stone gave a loud clap of the hands and pivoted to his desk. “I believe this should be a class action lawsuit. Brianne should be reassigned solely to this case. She has an employment law background and thinks outside of the box. Of course, I’ll handle the leg work. I might need to hire someone to help.” He snapped his fingers then pointed at me. “Go home now. I suggest you tell Beau the truth tonight before they become clients. He needs to understand. He’s a good guy. He’ll support us.”
Us? This was an entirely new side to Stone I’d never seen before. I let him keep talking until I made it to the front door. “They’re probably already our clients. I’ll handle Beau. He’ll worry and be hard to get along with. Be patient with him.” The giant decorative clock above Stone’s desk read almost five forty-five. The kids went to sleep at nine o’clock during the summer. As I left, my mind didn’t allow me to put work behind me this time. A first in many years.