“Doesn’t matter. It’s a power move. If they all show up, it’s a bonus. I guarantee you they will all be there the next time when word that you’ve hired an attorney gets around.”
Grace was smiling. “This feels good.”
Grace really wanted Dameon by her side, but Carson made it clear that this first meeting wasn’t the time or place.
The other thing she wanted but wasn’t going to get . . . was the ability to say anything to anyone.
They arrived together in Carson’s car. It was eleven thirty, the requested time to meet Richard, Vivian, and Mr. Simons.
“You ready?” Carson asked.
“More than I was yesterday.”
“Let me do the talking. This should be brief.”
Grace lifted her chin and led the way into the office. They walked into the lobby, and already she felt the stares.
Good gossip never takes long to spread.
They walked past the front lobby and into her corner of the city offices. Because there wasn’t a general secretary greeting people, Grace walked through the hall to see if anyone was around.
Evan saw her first. “Holy shit, Grace. What’s going on?”
She accepted Evan’s hug, but didn’t answer his question. “Where is Richard?”
“They’re in the conference room. Are you okay?” Evan looked over her shoulder.
“I’m fine. I can’t talk now.”
Grace walked around her friend, past her office, and into the conference room.
Like the day before, Richard and Vivian sat on one side of the table.
At first glance, Richard stayed in his seat.
When Carson walked in behind her, Richard and Vivian both stood.
“Hello, Grace,” Vivian said first.
Grace smiled and said nothing.
Carson moved forward and removed two business cards from his pocket. “I’m Carson Phillips, of Franklin, Phillips, and Bowers.”
“Oh.” Vivian looked at Grace and back to Carson.
It took everything in Grace to not gloat.
Vivian introduced herself, and so did Richard.
“Please have a seat,” Vivian said while taking hers.
“Are we waiting for Mr. Simons?” Carson asked.
“No, he had a prior commitment.”
“I see.” Carson turned to look at Grace, then back to the others.
“I’m confused as to why you’re here,” Vivian said.
Richard looked past Carson and straight to Grace. “You didn’t have to hire a lawyer, Hudson.”
Grace bit her tongue. The polite Grace this and Grace that from the day before was gone, and Hudson was back.
“My client has been put on leave, isn’t that right?” Carson asked.
“Yes, pending an investigation.”
“Was there paperwork that went along with this request, because it seems that was neglected.”
“Of course. Things were hectic yesterday,” Vivian said as she shifted through a folder that sat in front of her.
“You need to sign that,” Richard said to Grace.
Carson took the paperwork, glanced at it, and put it in his briefcase. “We’ll get this back to you.”
Richard opened his mouth, but Vivian placed a hand on his arm, stopping him. “Do you have the incident report we requested?” she asked.
Carson removed three copies and handed them over. He gave them very little time to read through it before scooting his chair back. “If you have any questions or requests from my client, you will need to go through me until this matter is settled.”
“Really, Hudson?” Richard started.
Grace kept a polite smile on her face.
“Thank you for your time,” Carson said before opening the conference room door.
Grace walked in front of him, her heart beating a little too fast.
Evan, Adrian, and Lionel all stood outside of the kitchenette doorway watching as she walked by.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Grace jumped into Dameon’s arms when she returned to her parents’ house. It had taken less than ten minutes to go to the office and make a stand for herself.
“I take it things went well,” Dameon said when he set Grace back down to her feet.
“It was awesome.”
Carson smiled. “Well, now that they know what they’re dealing with, things will get very professional and very quiet.”
Dameon shook Carson’s hand and patted his shoulder. “Thanks for jumping on this.”
“No problem. I’ll be in touch. Grace, remember, if anyone from the office calls or asks anything, they come through me. Even what seem like innocent questions from your friends may not be.”
Evan was the only one she truly thought cared enough to ask. But she didn’t want him getting caught in the crossfire of all this.
“Thank you.”
Carson got back into his car and pulled out of the driveway.
Her mom and dad, who had been standing outside, walked back in the house.
“Did they talk your ear off while we were gone?” Grace asked.