22. Daniel

22

DANIEL

T he entire day had dragged on—a few days, actually. When Emily left a voicemail on my work phone that she was going to her parents’ house for the weekend, after days of almost zero interaction here at work and no time with her outside of work, I felt discouraged. I had hoped we would have time this weekend to sit and talk. After talking with Ginny about her, I felt more strongly that not only should a conversation be had, but soon. Now it would have to wait.

“And you think diversifying is the best way?” Chuck Hamlin sat across from me with his folder open in front of him. My last meeting of the day, and I wished it were over already.

“I’m not an investor. I’m a lawyer. But I do think having all your eggs in one basket isn’t a good idea. I think you should definitely diversify. I also strongly advise you to consider filing your S-Corp because sole proprietorship LLCs are risky. You are liable for every single cent of taxes you owe. If you get a S-Corp and your business goes under, you can dissolve the company and that’s that.” I’d told him this many times, but the man refused to open his small company up to what he called “micromanaging board members”.

“Yes, yes. Well, I’ll consider your advice there.” He slapped the folder shut and stood up, thrusting his hand out. “Thanks again for your advice, Dan. I’ll be in touch.” I shook his hand, and he turned and strutted toward the door.

I would never understand why people put me on retainer at three hundred dollars an hour if they were going to refuse my advice, but I’d take their money anyway. They paid me for my professional opinion and the ability to file their legal documents on their behalf. It did not reflect on my reputation if they ignored me.

I sat back down and rubbed my forehead. I had a headache and needed an aspirin. With only a half hour left in the day, I would stick it out and grab a cat nap when I got home, but I had a client dinner this evening too. I wanted a break. I wanted to see Emily. I was sick of running myself ragged on this exercise wheel I called a job. I toyed with the idea of planning a weekend away, just me and Emily, but with her taking a long weekend this weekend, I knew she wouldn’t be able to afford it, and there would be no pulling strings to get her extra vacation time. Michael wouldn’t allow that.

I sighed and tried to push Emily out of my mind. I couldn't afford distractions right now. I had a deadline to meet and the client dinner to attend. As I stared blankly at the computer screen, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out hoping it was from Emily, but it was only a reminder of my dental cleaning appointment on Monday morning.

I laid my head back and closed my eyes, the coolness of the vinyl chair on my back, the warmth of the sun on my face. For a moment, the pain throbbing at my temples subsided and I let the tension out of my shoulders. When the weekend was over, I would invite Emily to dinner. We would chat about all of my concerns, and I’d have a chance to tell her what I really wanted. If we couldn’t get away for the weekend, I’d ask her to come stay at my place for a few days or the week. At least we’d be together every night.

“Mr. Jacobs?” Olivia’s voice over my intercom startled me. I was expecting Jill, since she was filling in for Emily while she was gone. Then I remembered today was the day Jill had to leave early to get her kids from school for swimming lessons.

I pressed the button and said, “Yeah, Olivia…”

“Sir, you have a visitor.”

Normally, my ”visitors” were announced by name. I wasn’t aware of any meetings or commitments. Jill would have advised me of that earlier, so it must have been a social call. “Who is it?”

“Sir, I think you should see her.” Olivia’s tone was firm, and I got the hint that it was more than a social call.

“Send her in.” I stood and waited, tie tucked in my jacket properly. The door opened, and Olivia peeked in briefly before a woman I didn’t recognize entered.

“Thank you,” she said quietly to Olivia. Then she turned to me. “Mr. Daniel Jacobs?” she asked in a clipped tone.

“Yes, I am.” I remained behind my desk, my place of power. I learned a long time ago that the place of authority is relinquished when I move from behind my desk. As if I stepped down from my seat of power to deign myself in humility.

The woman looked familiar. Her cheekbones, her eyes, the way she pursed her lips. I couldn’t place where I’d seen her before, but she reminded me of someone. I had a feeling I was about to find out who. Perhaps some unhappy client.

“Mr. Jacobs, my name is Evelyn Harper.” She moved toward my desk, remaining standing as I was. She wore tight-fitting jeans, a red ruffled top, and red heels, and she carried a clutch-type purse.

“Ms. Harper, what can I do for you?” I gestured at the chair beside her, but she scowled at me.

“I’d rather stand, thank you.”

“Alright… How can I help?” Her demeanor was cold and closed. Most clients were open, vulnerable, wanting me to help them. But Evelyn was fierce, almost angry.

“Mr. Jacobs, I’m here to speak to you about my sister, Emily Kline.” Evelyn tucked her clutch under her arm and looked down her nose at me as shock smacked me across the face.

She looked familiar because she looked so much like her sister. I could see it now, the way her nose turned up at the end, the shape of her face. Their hair was a different color, but as soon as she pointed it out, I saw the resemblance. I wanted to smile, to greet her warmly, but I got the feeling she wasn’t here to be social. Her jaw was set, her shoulders squared.

“I should say it’s nice to meet you, but I get the feeling you don’t think it is.” I cleared my throat and adjusted my tie. “What is it that I can do for you, Ms. Harper?”

She stared at me through narrowed eyes, and I watched her body tense. “Mr. Jacobs, I am here to let you know that if you don’t back off, leave my sister alone, my family will file a lawsuit against you and this firm. Gross abuse of power, sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and whatever else you’ve done. You cannot throw your weight around and pressure a na?ve woman into doing your bidding.”

Her words came like a kick in the gut. I had to sit down. I was winded, unable to formulate words for the moment as I reeled in shock. Sexual harassment? I had asked Emily a number of times if she wanted me to stop. I’d invited her to dinner, built what I thought was trust and a relationship.

“Ms. Harper, I’m afraid you’re wrong. Emily and I are in l?—”

“Are you?” she snapped, interrupting. “Or have you just thrown your weight around and bullied her? You realize she’s not a city girl, right? That she doesn’t know the ways of the world the way a man twelve years older than her might.” Evelyn uncrossed her arms and grabbed her clutch in hand, then crossed her arms again. She was fidgeting, which meant she was either very emotionally worked up or nervous. I banked on the former. “You have no right to twist her emotions and get in her head. Shame on you.”

I licked my lips. My tongue clung to the roof of my mouth. My palms were sweaty. I felt my chest constricting. “Did Emily ask you to do this? Did she send you?” I didn’t know if I’d believe Emily sent this woman even if she told me she had.

“Mr. Jacobs, you’ve been warned. You leave her alone, or the suit will be filed. And we will hire Peterson, Baker, and Tomlin.”

The names rolled off her tongue, and I clenched my jaw. I rose as she started for the door, wishing I had some retort or way of defending myself, but I had nothing. There were no words. My head spun. I couldn’t believe what I heard. Why would Emily do this? I hadn’t pressured her once. I watched Evelyn storm out without trying to stop her and sank into my chair again. When I dialed Emily’s number, it went straight to voicemail. There was no point in leaving a message. I needed to speak to her in person about this, not over the phone.

My body felt heavy and frozen in place. Those were very strong accusations Evelyn cast at me, and all false. There was no way a court would side with the bogus claims, but it would drag my name through the mud, be hung up in litigation for months, scare potential clients, or current clients, away. This was all too much. I sank my head into my hands and rested my elbows on my knees.

Until I heard a knock at the door, and it squeaked open.

I looked up and saw Michael standing there. His expression told me he knew something. I shook my head and let my jaw drop. He moved toward my desk, jacket in one hand, draped over his shoulder.

“Emily’s sister?” he said as he sat down.

“Yeah…” I mumbled.

“What did she say?”

So apparently, he didn’t hear anything, but Olivia had told him who Evelyn was. I debated internally whether to tell him or not but decided he had to know. If this threat was real, there was no point hiding it.

“I haven’t spoken to Emily about it yet.”

“Spill it, Dan.” Michael tossed his jacket into the chair next to himself and scowled at me.

“Ms. Harper threatened a lawsuit against me and the firm if I don’t back off from Emily.” I swallowed hard, the constriction in my throat nearly choking me. “I don't know if this is Emily’s doing or her family’s. She said her parents were pretty controlling.”

“Goddammit, Dan. I told you this would happen. You never listen to me. I literally told you this exact scenario would play out, and look at you now.” His lecture continued for the next forty-five minutes, during which I tried calling Emily another dozen times, all with the same result. The calls went straight to voicemail. Either her phone was dead or she'd blocked me.