2. Outside Counsel Saves the Day
CHAPTER 2
OUTSIDE COUNSEL SAVES THE DAY
A ddison retreated to her small office and closed the door to fume in privacy. Another day, another Kyle incident. This kid is going to be the death of me, but if he’s the most drama happening in my life right now, I guess I’ll take it .
Her phone buzzed with a text, and she welcomed the distraction.
Jake: Hey, I know this might not be a welcome text, but I have a favor to ask of you.
Why is he texting me? We haven’t spoken in years. Sure, they ended things as “friends,” but that didn’t really mean anything . Oh no. Did he see me avoid him on the corner the other night? Addison hesitated, unsure of how to respond. She stared at the screen, debating what to say.
Addison: Hi. What’s up?
She kept her response neutral. She didn’t mention seeing him and Laura in case that had anything to do with this unexpected message.
Jake: I have this case that I’m stuck on. The firm’s spinning their wheels, and a partner suggested I get outside counsel for an opinion. You know I think you’re the best, and there’s no one whose legal opinion I trust more. Any interest in helping?
Not what she expected, but definitely a relief. So, it's just about a case. Dodged a bullet there.
Addison: You know I can’t say no to that. My curiosity would kill me.
Jake: I figured. Can I drop by your office in a bit?
Addison froze. Was she ready to see Jake today? Why would she even care? It’s just business. She shook her head and quickly tapped her camera app, switching it to selfie mode. Flawless makeup accentuated her pale blue eyes and prominent cheekbones. A few strategic strands had come loose from her French twist. A little uptight, but this look will have to do.
Addison thrived on the excitement of a new case. One of the perks of the job was getting a front-row seat to the tangled messes her clients brought to the table. Sure, it was a little wrong to enjoy it this much—after all, these were real people with real problems. But the stories they brought were so wild and fascinating it was hard not to get caught up in them.
Sometimes, she thought the only job better suited for a nosy person like her would be a priest hearing confessions.
Addison: Come on over.
To distract herself, she focused on some paperwork she had put off for a few days. She couldn’t concentrate on anything case-related, so she figured billable hours were still billable, even if spent on mindless tasks.
A knock at her office door pulled her out of her thoughts. Despite waiting nervously for Jake’s arrival, it still caught her off guard. She looked up just as the door opened, and there he was, leaning casually on the doorframe.
“Don’t you have a minion to handle all that paperwork?” Jake asked.
“You know it takes longer to explain this to the minion than to just do it myself. Plus, the firm can bill at my rate, so it's a win-win.”
“And you do love to win,” he said, grinning as he made his way over to her guest chair.
As he settled in, a mix of surprise and relief coursed through her. Am I really gonna get away with how I acted in front of Laura and avoiding them? Maybe today was her lucky day. Determined to keep things professional, she pushed the thought aside. "All right, let’s get down to business." She reached out and took the file folders from Jake's hands.
They spent the next hour dissecting the case. Despite the initial awkwardness, Addison found herself enjoying the time with Jake. It was an intriguing case, after all. His client was accused of running a pyramid scheme under the guise of a "gifting circle" to help women. The defendant had even posed as a kindly grandmother, claiming she wanted to do good in the world with her remaining money and years. Participants were asked to make a small financial “gift” and then find eight new women to join.
“Isn’t it the worst when you hate your client before you meet them?” Jake asked, breaking the silence.
“Hey, we don’t love or hate any client, buddy. We’re neutral regarding moral and ethical judgment.”,” she replied, keeping her tone light.
“I think I slept through that lecture in law school.”
Addison laughed. “I was there, and I know for sure that you did.”
Jake rubbed his eyes in frustration. “I need your legal superpowers to make this guy seem sympathetic to a jury. The part where he portrayed himself as a little grandma is killing me. You know the jury will latch onto that.” He looked at Addison, hopeful.
She sat in quiet thought for a few moments. The false identity was rough, but maybe there was a way to soften it. What if the jury could see the reason he started the scheme?
“You need to find an angle that minimizes the especially awful parts of this: the false identity and the theft,” she said. “You can’t ignore them; the prosecution will hammer hard on those points. But what if you portrayed him as someone who started wanting to help others and himself? The initial participants wouldn't lose much, and they could even make some money. The real financial burden is on those who join later.”
Jake perked up. “I like your thinking. If we show he wasn’t some financial mastermind and had good intentions, the jury could understand how this could happen to anyone.”
“Exactly.”
“What about when the victims take the stand? I’m screwed if there’s anyone more sympathetic.” Jake said, looking at her expectantly.
“I can’t solve everything today!” Addison laughed, shaking her head.
“If anyone could, it would be you. Fine, I’ll start with this advice. Thank you so much.”
We make a good team, she thought. Not romantically, but in all other aspects. Two weeks slipped by in a haze of routine. Addison’s days were consumed by an endless parade of case files and conference calls. Most evenings, she'd leave the office with a mind so numb, she barely remembered the walk home.
Jake had reached out a couple more times, seeking her advice on the "Grandma Pyramid Scheme" case. She found herself looking forward to their exchanges, though she'd never admit it out loud. The case itself was intriguing—certainly more interesting than the mind-numbing paperwork that filled her hours.
Just as she was losing herself in another dry legal brief, her phone lit up with a familiar buzz.
Jake: What do you say we meet at the bar at the St. Regis?
Surprise, surprise. That’s his second home, along with every other lawyer on K Street.
Addison: Sure, what day/time?
Jake: Is today at 4:30 too soon?
I’d love to duck out early and avoid Kyle and his stupid late afternoon Monster energy drink- fueled ideas.
Addison: See you there.
It felt like forever before Addison could pack up and head over to meet Jake. It would be nice to go back to the St. Regis Bar. It was a hot spot for lawyers, thanks to its proximity to a ton of firms and its quiet setting—perfect for talking business or unwinding after a long day in court. She hadn't been there in ages. Addison tended to work too late to have time for fun.
When she arrived, Addison was pleased to see that her old favorite spot was open. Moments after sitting down, a cocktail server welcomed her and left a bowl of salty snack mix on the table. She picked at the mix absently.
Jake plopped into the seat beside her, causing Addison to jump. “Did I catch the great Addison Kennedy off guard? That must be a first.”
“Never,” she responded haughtily, lifting her chin. Then she broke into a smile.
“Once again, I’m asking for help from the smartest, sharkiest lawyer in the District. Hopefully you’ll take an overpriced hummus platter as compensation today.”
“Oh, Mr. Tanner, you do go on,” she said in an exaggerated, deep Southern accent.
“Anyway, I don’t want to take up your evening, so I’ll get right to it,” Jake said, pulling a file folder out of his bag.
They leaned over the file, heads almost touching, as they examined the case together.
“I should have guessed,” a female voice spat, causing them to jump.
“Laura!” Jake cried, springing back in his seat, looking horrified.
Addison’s eyes widened as she spotted Laura approaching their table. This wasn’t the composed woman she’d seen before; Laura looked like a mess—makeup-free, a little greasy, and disheveled.
Her expression was what concerned Addison the most; she looked enraged.