Meeting My Mistress Chapter 28

I came up with an answer. Our firm isn't the biggest in the city. But it is one of the best. We have almost 100 people working for us. I trust very few of them exclusively.

My current case is one of the largest cases I've ever encountered. I need people I can trust. You've proven yourself countless times consistently. I have never done what I'm about to do.

I wouldn't be able to without another Senior partner's approval.

Carol, do you approve?

Yes, I approve!

Becky slides a large envelope across the table.

What's this she asks?

This is a promotion. Starting today, when we get back, you will move your things out of your desk and into the empty office on my floor at the far end of the hall. I

I don't understand! Judy said.

Judy, I am skipping you from associate to junior partner. Answering only to myself and Carol.

Congrats girl.

Thank you, Ms Stapleton. Thank you, Ms Elgin. But what about the 20-plus associates that put in for that job and the 100 resumes that you've received?

Oh, those? Yes, they all have one flaw, I don't trust them the way I trust you.

Open the envelope, Judy said, Carol.

Judy tears up as she opens it, and outfalls 2 Audi key fobs and a 2-page offer sheet.

Read it, Judy I said as I held her hand.

Judy reads through it then reads it again. A tear falls.

This, this is too much!

No, it isn't, Judy says Carol.

Becky and I have been practicing Law for over 15 years. We can count the people we trust in this profession on two hands and still have fingers left over.

What's the fob for?

Judy, a junior partner, cannot be seen driving that Jalopy you call a car. The Audi is a 3-year lease. If you want to keep it you'll buy out the lease. The firm will pay the Lease and insurance.

You pay for everything else. Also, I will need to see your student loans. The firm will pay them when you sign your contract for a 5-year commitment to start.

I don't deserve this surely another...

Let me stop you right there said Becky.

Judy, who's the first in the office every day?

I am.

Who plans, organizes, schedules, and helps with prep and research.

I do.

Exactly! Have you ever seen an associate or any partner, for that matter, beat you to work or stay as long as you do?

No.

That's why. I will expect the same commitment, only this time, instead of kiddy pool, you're playing the deep end.

The waitress brings our orders. Another round ladies?

No, just coffee,, please, and some water said Becky.

I hold Judy's hand firmly and she squeezes back.

Ms Stapleton I!!

Becky held her hand up. You're a partner now. Please, it's Becky and Carol.

Becky, Carol, Thank you for everything. I will not let you down.

Congrats, Judy. I am so happy for you, I said.

We chat and laugh and carry on as women do. Just as we finish Rick walks in.

Good afternoon, ladies, as he says with that light-up-the-room smile.

Rick!!

Hi, honey, you look radiant!

I am so happy you're here.

What's happening?

I was promoted!

Really!

Junior partner! She gets up and rushes to him.

He lifts her a bit and they kiss passionately. There goes the left leg, I smile. Becky and Carol just smile.

The waitress comes over. Will there be anything else?

Just the check, please? Becky says.

Bree you still have the card I gave you,

Yes.

Please take care of the check.

Yes Ma'am. Bree, take my car back to the firm; I need to brief Judy. We have a lot of work to do.

Judy, do you mind driving us back?

Sure! Said Judy.

Rick, we'll see you there! I'll follow you he said.

We pull into the firm, I notice 3 cars parked in various spots around the firm.

I call Keith on the prepay.

Keith? Yaa,

Its Bree. They have stepped up their surveillance! 3 cars that I can see. You have friends on standby? 2, I can get 3 more inside the hour. Get them but shadow only.

We can't blow this. You got it, Bree. Check the house and see if they breached it.

The house is good. The staff here is clean.

Anyone new?

No, and the Office shows no entries.

Good because I'm getting a funny feeling.

I'm on it, Bree.

Thanks, Keith.

Carol is talking with Terri at Judy's former desk.

Judy is in Becky's office with the door open. It's whispered to Terri that Judy is to be put on the divorce case.

Organizing and additional research for next Wednesday's Deposition.

I whispered to my wife about the call with Keith. She says nice work, keep me posted!

Yes, Ms Stapleton.

Judy says, Bree can you give me a hand?

Sure! We start cleaning out her desk. We make trip after trip. We are on our last trip when we see Rick walk out of the office. He doesn't look happy.

Judy and I are halfway down the hall.

Rick you alright? Judy asked.

I saw it, he said. I am more focused than ever Bree. This ends next Wednesday! He said.

I hope so too, I said.

I don't know Rick that well, but I know the face of a determined, protective Alpha like Rick. He disappears taking the stairs.

The last thing we move is Judy's chair with her book loaded on it. As we settle her in Terri walks in. I have something for you.

Terri, you shouldn't have.

I didn't. But I did set it up for you.

You have a new desktop and laptop, and by tomorrow,, I'll have a separate desktop printer/scanner for you. Your new cell phone will be ready tomorrow as well. Do not use this phone for any personal business, ever.

You'll find set up for firm business only.

Sounds great, Terri, thank you.

By the way, I love your blouse and hair today, it looks very pretty today

Thank you, Judy. Terri smiles and blushes.

As we walk down the Hall,

Terri asks Bree, do you think I'm ready?

My opinion is yes, and long overdue. What does your heart say Terribear?

It says I need to talk to Mom, Becky, and Lisa.

I think that's a good decision. She grabs my hand as we walk back to our desks. I notice Terri is walking with a sway in her hips. My thought was, like a duck to water.

As sit at my desk

Terri buzzes to Becky's office. May I have a minute, Ms Stapleton?

Thank you.

Bree, I'll be right back. 3 minutes later, Terri smiles, walking out.

Guess what Bree?

What

Lisa is meeting me at 3 pm. I'll see you tomorrow.

Okay, honey. Oh, I left you that paperwork you wanted.

Thanks, Terri. You better go, you do not want to be late. Terri grabs her backpack and departs.

Another thought crosses my mind. That's probably the last time I see that backpack again.

I field call after a call all afternoon alone.

I finally looked through the report Terri left.

Holy Shit! This can't be right. I look again at Rick's report and pictures to back up everything. I knocked on Becky's office door. Closing the door.

I hand Mistress a note It's worse than we thought. I show her and Carol. Their eyes go wide quietly. They nod to me and make copies, lots of them.

Express them to Jacob and then hand deliver them, as well as take Judy's jalopy. Yes Ma'am.

I Make copies on Ms Stapleton's private printer. As I enter the elevator Rick stops me.

Bree, come this way. I follow Rick down the stairs to the Garage.

Something wrong? I'm just being careful. I noticed a different pattern of activity lately.

Really? Who, How much?

I can't say. Becky asked me to follow you to Jacobs. I'll be behind you at a distance. Stay on the main roads all the way.

If you get in trouble, there's a police substation on Maple St and 5th. Ask for Detective Alan Hadley. Say nothing to anyone and I mean nothing, not even your name.

I take off in the civic. It really is a POS. Its only redeeming quality is its a-Si stick shift, and it still runs pretty well. I get to the light and find the Camry tailing me not very subtle either.

I'm first at the light left-hand lane. The Camry is tailgating me when I notice a large SUV trying to cut off the right lane. This isn't good, I look for Rick in my Mirrors but can't see a thing. I need that right lane for the substation.

I downshift and floor it. Then as the Suv overtakes, I jump in the left-hand turn lane, slam on the brakes, and watch them both zoom past. I just make the turn missing two innocent cars in the process. I check my mirrors. I see Rick in his old cop car, Charger, closing fast.

Ricks is behind me now. He is weaving between two lanes to block the two tail cars, while I enter the substation. A police car pulls out, and I see them speeding down the street as Rick pulls in behind me.

The police give chase to the two vehicles. I am panting with the rush of it all.

Rick says You okay?

Yes fine, what a rush!

We laugh.

It's a public record. Now we have to report it. I said.

Let's go. Rick said.

We Walk in. Rick knows the desk, Sergeant.

Bill, how are you?

Good how are you? Who's this young lady?

Bree, this is my old friend Bill. Is your son in? We need a word.

Sure, hang on. Detective Hadley, you're needed at the front desk. Okay. He'll be just a moment, have a seat.

Rick, good to see you.

You too Al. Who's this?

Bree meets Detective Hadley.

Nice to meet you, I extend a limp hand.

Pleasure, what can I do for you?

We just had an incident on the road. No accident but they were trying to intercept her.

Why?

I can't say, but here's my dashcam footage. He watches, rolls it back, and watches it again. Interesting. Where did you learn to drive like that young lady?

Detroit detective. There was a patrol car pursuing them when we came in. Car number 1152. You want to tell me about it. Yes, detective, but I'll have to clear it with my boss. Could you send a car to escort them to her office, said Detective Hadley

We can't, Rick said. Look, I can't go into it now, but we must get this information to its destination.

Okay, I'm game Let's go. Sergeant, will you page officers Perez and Johnson for me.

Sure. Thanks.

I ride with the detective, and Rick and the patrolmen follow. I see the Altima. We have a new tail I said.

We sure do, good eye. He calls on Bluetooth, and the next thing, another cop car shows up, pulling him over.

The rest of the way no tails. We get to Jacobs's office. I walk in, and I need Jacob Frost, please.

You expected Ms Stapleton.

I walk in alone, leaving my security escort outside. I hand Jacob the flash drive and paper reports. Holy Shit!

That's what I said.

Bree, this is bad! I know they almost ran me off the road for it. I have to make some calls. Take these keys It's my lake side cabin. Becky knows where it is. Take yourself and anyone connected to this and sit tight.

But our deposition?

It's the least of your problems. Ohh I'm gonna love nailing these assholes now. No one messes with my family. I will call Becky. Just to get to the firm safely.

No problem I have Rick and the police escort.

Who's the detective?

Hadley. Good. Go! My work list just got a lot longer, Bree. I'll see you soon.

Becky called me back while I was in Jacob's office. She says just a minute. Okay, meet us at Judy's apartment. My escort took us to Judy's place; the patrolman stayed outside.

Becky and Carol explain almost everything about the surveillance and briefly the divorce case without many details.

Alan said I always wondered why she wasn't booked.

Here's the deal said Alan. You have to lay low until the deposition. At the same time it starts we'll pick up everyone involved. Do you have more evidence?

I have gigabytes of it. We can show where, when, and what went there.

Where is their surveillance gear now? Alan asked.

Still hooked to our system, we didn't want to touch it. We Did Trace, said Terri.

Great said Alan. For security, I will be the only one who knows about any of this. Rick says what about internal affairs?

I will notify him on Wednesday morning. Any sooner we risk leaks.

Rick agreed. What time is the deposition? 11 am next Wednesday? What about doing it tomorrow? Their surveillance is blown. They know the police are involved now that they know.

They will comb every place you've been looking for all of you. Jacob gave us his safehouse keys.

I can't be out of the office for a week and a half. Becky said. I need to make a call.

Becky steps into the bedroom.

Okay I got the defense attorneys to agree to meet this Wednesday at 11 am

We need clothes said Carol.

Lose your tails and buy some before you get to the safe house and hunker down. Do not move until Wednesday. I will escort you to the firm. If even half of what's here is true, This will shake up the California government and its power structures.

We head out, stop at a Target, and load up on clothes, food, and some booze. Cash only, girls and boys, Rick said

Keith and Ian loaded Keith's Impala. Why not take my car said Ian?

Because my Impala is an old cop car. Second, it's silver, a very common color. This way can blend in better. Besides, do you want to trade paint on the road in an Audi?

Good point! Come on, brother, we got work to do. They lock up the house and property and head out.

We arrive at the cabin. It's not a cabin. It's more like a log-built Swiss chalet. Like the ones I built with Lincoln logs when I was a kid only far bigger and more grand than I could imagine.

Gated, walled, with a full security system. Beautifully rustic but modern. The local sheriff is a friend of Jacob's. We all settle in.

Rick asked, Bree, Carol, Terri, I understand you all have to conceal and carry permits?

Yes, we said.

Good, sign these, these weapons and ammo have been purchased by the firm in my name.

Employees of the firm can carry it legally. Pick your poison. I chose the Glock 40 and the extra-large magazine for a spare.

Terri chooses the same.

Carol chooses the Ppk small compact.

Here are some new unused burners. I will call or text every hour. If I don't hear back I'm calling the cavalry.

What about Keith and Ian they aren't coming.

Ms Becky has them assigned to another detail. There's a 2-way radio in the basement; if anything happens, call the sheriff's department.

Where You going? Judy asked.

To secure our client, Rick said.

Carol and Becky take charge of the rooms, sleeping in shifts.

Terri, Judy, and I stowed our supplies and clothes.

Terri brings out the Bottle of Marker's Mark. Care to join me for a drink?

We dropped the titles and Ms. For the time being. Judy is semi-aware of things and is open-minded. But there's no sense flashing it in front of her.

Becky says I'll have one.

Me too say Carol.

We keep the lights low and the curtains drawn.

Bree? Yes, please.

Judy? A double, please.

All I pour is doubles says Terri.

We all laugh. We all sit in the kitchen reviewing the case. We sip Bourbon.

Carol and Becky chat about different angles to anticipate.

Judy waits for an opening, and asks, Have you followed the money?

Carol, that's it! If we can prove where the money came from, that's conspiracy. A Divorce would be easier with the empirical evidence, plus the hospital medical records and the forensic evidence.

Your deposition could become a deep dive of facts. If the defendant says no, once charges are filed, the court would almost instantly grant 50% of assets due to criminal charges.

Especially in cases of hospitalization. She's right, Carol said to Becky.

Judy says the law was written to protect the spouse. Normally, a woman, but the law doesn't mention gender.