Chapter five
I walked through the glass doors of the law firm that belonged to my family and were I had become chairman after my father's retirement. Some of the staff, who were distracted, stopped to look at me but quickly returned to their work when they saw my serious expression.
I only stopped walking when I reached the desk of my secretary, who stood up quickly and shook her head as she looked at me.
“Good morning, Mr. Lennox.”
“Violet, I need you to schedule a meeting with the president of Atlatics now, if possible in the morning. I have a proposal that I want to discuss with him before presenting it to the class action lawyers. Tell him it's very important that we get around the situation and prevent it from going to trial. None of us wants to attract even more negative media to the case.”
“Yes, sir...”
“If there is any news, please let me know immediately.”
“If...” She didn't even finish speaking before I opened the door and walked into my living room.
I wasn't expecting to find anyone there, but soon I saw a woman in an impeccable suit, as well as her dark hair. She placed her heels on the floor and stood up as soon as she saw me enter.
I turned to Violet with a scolding expression.
“You should have told me she was here.”
“I tried it.”
I nodded and motioned for my secretary to step aside before slamming the door.
“To what do I owe the honor of this visit, promoter?”
“You missed Sunday lunch.” He crossed his arms and gave me an even tighter look.
“I had to analyze a few cases.”
“Mom missed the girls.”
“They're fine.”
“Family is important to them, Thom even more so after losing their mother.”
“Do you think I'm not good for my daughters?”
“That's not what I'm saying; I know you do the best you can.”
“What do you want, Deborah? I don't suppose you left your office just to come here and question my absence at a family lunch- something you could very well have done over the phone.”
“This case... The people who got intoxicated.”
“I'm just doing my job, sister.”
“Those responsible must be punished...”
“We're going to propose a very good settlement for the victims; there's no need to worry about that. They will be well compensated for what happened.”
“It's more than just giving money to families...”
“We can't correct what has been done. That's why you went to the prosecutor's office, and I'm still defending millionaires. But think about it, Deby, if my clients go to jail, nothing will change in the lives of the victims, but money can guarantee comfort and much more.”
“All for the money.”
“You know.” I shrugged.
“When will I be able to take my nieces for a walk?” She changed the subject, realizing that I would be unyielding.
It wasn't her case. There was no reason to get involved, especially when each of us was defending a point of view.
“At the weekend, but you won't be filling their heads.”
“As if I would do that.” He shrugged, feigning innocence. “Are you going to visit our parents this weekend?”
“I don't know if I'll have time to go to the suburbs.”
“That's what those fancy, expensive cars you buy with the millions you earn here are for.”
“You could be working with me. It's not too late to leave the prosecutor's office and come here.”
“I belong there.”
“Okay.” It was my turn to shrug.
I heard a knock on the door just before my secretary came in.
“Sir, the client who asked to meet you is on his way; he says he'll be there in ten minutes.”
“Prepare the meeting room.”
She nodded and closed the door.
“Well...” My younger sister let out a deep sigh. “I think I'd better go before the security guards take me away.”
“You know that would never happen.”
“I have my doubts.” She leaned towards me and kissed my cheek. “See you later, Thom.”
“See you, Deby.”
“Send the twins a kiss for me.”
“No problem.”
My sister left my office, and I checked some information on my computer in a document folder before heading to the meeting room on the floor.
After crossing a long corridor, I spotted my client sitting behind an oval table. I entered the room, closing the glass door and he raised his head and looked at me.
“I won't be arrested, will I?”
“No, Mr. Werner, but you'll have to act exactly as I said. The contamination of the liquor stock was just an accident.”
“Yes, it was... Of course, it was!”
“So let's act accordingly, and I have a proposal so that the situation doesn't go to trial.” I straightened my jacket and pulled up a chair in front of the man, settling into it.