“They refused the waiver. They don’t want any muddled interests between us and them, and we, of course, defer to their wishes.”
“But we can create in-office firewalls. Prevent the cases from leaking information within the firm. Firms do this kind of thing all the time.” Perdie’s heart was racing.
“Let me talk to the Fletcher Group.” Carter’s eyes darted to Perdie only for a moment. “I brought them on. They’ll consider what I say.”
Charles Joy shifted in his chair. “Carter, as always, I appreciate your willingness to show such admirable leadership qualities, but it wouldn’t be prudent for you or this firm to jeopardize our relationship with the Fletcher Group.”
“But the Fletcher Group is Carter’s client. If he’s willing to talk to them, why can’t we at least try?” Perdie’s foot was bouncing, her blood pressure rising.
Frank shrugged. “Sorry, kiddo. I told you that case was a bomb.”
“Don’t call me kiddo, you asshole. I’m thirty-nine years old.” The words came out before she could think straight.
Frank bristled. “Well, no need for name calling. How unbecoming of a professional female. I guess, Charles, some associates can’t handle the pressure. They’re too emotional, if you know what I mean.”
“Frank, I’m right here. I can hear you talking about me.”
“Watch your attitude, or you’ll buy yourself a one-way ticket to a bad end of the year review,” said Frank.
Now she was pissed. “You propositioned Carter and me for a three-way not two days ago. You’re too emotional. You’re unbecoming. You’re...you’re disgusting, you...you...fucking fossil.”
“Excuse me?” sputtered Frank.
Carter scoffed. “Frank, do you hear yourself? Even if you weren’t being entirely sexist, which you are, don’t you have even a shred of empathy? This was Perdie’s big case, the first case she brought in on her own, and you’ve pulled it out from under her and acted like a condescending ass.”
Perdie was grateful for the support but too furious to process. “And you won’t even listen to reason.”
Charles Joy’s voice was deadly calm. “Perdita, I’d advise you to calm down. This is not appropriate behavior.”
“Appropriate behavior? It’s not appropriate behavior to hire Carter as a partner after I smoked him in a deposition.”
Frank huffed. “First you’re insulting me, and now Carter. Carter, who’s done nothing but stand up for you? Did you know he came and talked to me about putting you up for partnership, did you know that? Said he believed in your talent. Really says a lot about your character, doesn’t it, that you’d stab him in the back. Maybe you should consider how your own behavior has prevented a promotion instead of blaming those around you.”
Perdie’s mouth gaped. She almost fell speechless.
“No, she’s right, Frank.” Everyone’s head turned to Carter. “Everything she’s saying is true. She handed me my ass in the depo, and look at our respective positions now. Does it even make sense that I would have to go to bat for her? Maybe we all need to examine our actions a little more closely. Think about how we’ve been culpable in creating an unfair environment. Make some changes around here. The firm would be stronger, not weaker, for it.”
“Do I look like a camp counselor to you, boy?” Charles said. “This is a law firm not a feelings firm.”
But then Frank and Charles exchanged a look, a knowing look. A possible sexual harassment lawsuit look. They might attempt to get rid of her first. Claim poor performance.
“You know what? Fine. I’m feeling magnanimous this morning. I’ll cut you a deal, Perdita,” Charles said. “You go back to your office, get back to work as usual, and we’ll all pretend like this little outburst never happened. Your bonus will remain intact provided you behave.”
Carter shook his head. “This isn’t right.”
Perdie dug her nails into her palms, the bite of pain an odd relief. Hypocrites. Inappropriate behavior. They were only in the positions they had today because everyone had always let them get away with all kinds of inappropriate behavior. These old men partying on yachts, snorting cocaine, bringing clients to strip clubs, and judging her. Why did they get to make all the decisions about everyone else anyway? Where was the justice in that?
Whatever sadness she couldn’t feel before manifested itself in rage. “No.” The word came out harsh. “I won’t go back to my office. And I won’t go back to business as usual. No.” She sprung to her feet. “I quit! Fuck you. Fuck all of you.”
“Good lord in Heaven! You’re proving my point!” Frank yelled.
“Oh hell,” Charles grumbled.
“Jesus Christ, Perdie.” That last voice, Carter’s.
But she’d already run out to the lobby of Charles’s office. Familiar footsteps chased after her. She halted, spun around, her eyes clenched. “Don’t follow me. Don’t talk to me. Don’t say we can work things out because we can’t. Don’t say you want to help because you shouldn’t. Delete my number. Pretend we never met. As far as you’re concerned, I’m a ghost.”
Carter’s voice was deadly calm. “So, you’re giving up. On us. On your job. I’m not fighting if you say there’s nothing to fight for. I won’t keep chasing you.”
For one stinging moment, Perdie’s desire to wrap herself around his body like a boa constrictor, cleaving him forever to her heart, almost won out over fleeing the scene of the crime. Almost. Instead, she wiped the threatening tear from her lower lid before it could drop. “No. You won’t. Goodbye, Carter.”
She pivoted on her heel and escaped to the elevator, and punched the buttons until the cheerful ding of its arrival. Carter didn’t follow. Fifty percent relieved. Fifty percent devastated. One hundred percent not looking back.
When she reached the third floor, she ran to her office, ripping through her drawers, throwing her belongings in her briefcase. No more tears. No more sadness. She was done.
She hurried down the hallway.
“Hey, Perdie, back from your trip?” Jennifer’s voice.
“Not now, Jennifer. I’m leaving.”
Jennifer called after her. “Leaving? But I have to talk to—”
Perdie’s back was already turned, her hand waved in the air as a dismissal. Her heart raced a mile a minute, walking briskly until she reached the parking lot. Then her phone began vibrating.
Lucille Knox.
Oh thank god, Lucille. Yes, she needed Lucille. Lucille would help. Lucille would have the right words. She brought the phone to her ear.
