for the firm under the chief defense lawyer, Kevin Moore. There were several in the firm ahead of him who had the right connections, who had the right relatives, who knew the “Good Old Boys.” But Dan had vowed he would be at the top someday.
This was his thought today while he carefully selected just the right suit, just the right tie, just the right accessories. Today was very important. Jim Tobin, the senior partner, had called a staff meeting to discuss the future course of the firm, and Dan wanted to be sure that the course of his career was going right to the very top. Nothing, nothing at all, even as minor as his appearance, must ever be overlooked.
He glanced quickly at his wife, Jenene, still sleeping peacefully. He wondered how he had been so lucky to have found and married such a beautiful woman. She was ten years younger than Dan was, and she kept him alive, alive, alive all the time!
What an asset she’ll make when I get to the Capitol, he thought.
Dan finished dressing and, with a quick kiss to Jenene, headed out for Flaherty’s House, where he could breakfast with a mixture of the best of the city’s barristers. On occasion the governor would make an appearance, and it was not at all unusual for the US senators and congressmen to be there.
Someday, thought Dan, it will be Dan Thorndal that they come to see.
As he entered the room, he saw Tom Harding waving to him. Tom was another criminal defense lawyer in the firm. He had been with the firm longer than Dan had, and Dan knew Tom had an edge for any promotion that might be in the offing. But, thought Dan, I am better—much better—at defending these stupid bastards who commit any and every crime in the book—even deliberate murder—and believe we not only can but should get them off scot-free. And by damn, I am just the guy that can do it.
He joined Tom at the table, and as he sat, he looked up into the most piercing green eyes he had ever seen. God, what a jolt those eyes gave him!
“Dan, I would like you to meet our about-to-be newest partner, Cheri Fleming,” said Tom.
“I am very happy to meet you,” Dan replied as she offered her hand, and Dan deliberately held her hand for a moment longer than necessary, locking into those incredible green eyes.
“Cheri is Tobin’s niece,” Tom went on, “here from Reno, where she has been setting some kind of an acquittal record for the last several years, and Jim thought it about time we snatched her before some other firm did.”
Yeah, thought Dan, that kind of nepotism could cost me my next promotion, even if she has the damnest green eyes I have ever seen. But he oozed his charm upon her while mentally tucking away the thought that she could be very useful to him on his way up the ladder.
“Did you hear the latest?” asked Tom. “Governor Jenesen has decided not to run for reelection this fall and is going to throw his hat in the ring for US senator. I really didn’t think he would try to run against Senator Patrick, and really don’t think he stands a chance in hell of winning, but I guess you never know until you try, right?”
“Guess that will give me a chance to run for governor then,” said Dan, with a deliberate wink to Cheri.
Cheri laughed, and Dan thought, Just you wait and see, my green-eyed Cheri.
They quickly finished off their breakfast and headed for the staff meeting, Dan deep in thought as to the true purpose of this meeting. He had heard some rumors about a change of structural command between the senior and junior partners and had also heard some rumor about Kevin leaving the firm. But surely, he thought, that must only be rumor, as Kevin should be now making it as a junior partner.
As they walked into the conference room, all eyes turned to Cheri.
She is a gorgeous creature, thought Dan. I just hope she is half as good as Tom said. She’ll need to be in this group of sharks.
He pulled a chair for her, and he and Tom sat on either side of her, both obviously being pleased at sitting with the most beautiful woman at the meeting. Dan looked around him, nodding a quick hello to the others. He didn’t see Kevin and couldn’t help wondering where he was. Kevin was not a person to be late at a staff meeting.
Jim Tobin took his place at the head of the table, and various cases were briefed. A surge of unrest was present at the conference, everyone waiting for the hammer to rise and fall, waiting for the big changes that were about to happen. With an unusual pull at his tie, Jim announced that Kevin had left the firm for personal reasons, and therefore, after much discussion, the partners had selected Tom Harding as the chief defense attorney. As congratulations were being given to Tom across the table, Dan inwardly seethed. This should have been his promotion. He had worked hard for the firm, had spent many, many extra hours of his personal time ensuring that an acquittal was had. In the four and some half years with the firm, he had lost only one case—Tom had lost several. It just wasn’t fair!
Ever mindful of keeping up appearances, however, Dan, too, offered his congratulations to Tom. He watched as Cheri congratulated Tom, and Dan was surprised to feel that certain stir in himself that he hadn’t really felt for anyone but his wife since they married five years ago, especially now at a time when he was really upset.
Jim continued with other announcements, one of which was that the firm planned to expand its practice in the gaming industry field. He advised that the firm had been contacted by attorneys for J. R. Appleby to represent him and the new Dare Devil Hotel slated to begin construction in the next few weeks, to get the gaming license, liquor license, and all other required permits. He further noted that several other hotels had been in contact seeking representation, that the prospects were good for a lot of additional income to the firm, and that a selection of someone to head that department would be made in the near future.
“Last, but certainly not least,” Jim went on to say, “I would like to introduce my niece, Cheri Fleming, whom we have successfully wrenched from our rivals up North. She is not only young and beautiful, but has a track record of 98 percent acquittals. At a meeting of the partners, it was overwhelmingly decided to make her a junior partner. I am sure she is going to be a real asset to our firm.”
Polite applause was given to Cheri, but an undertone of resentment was felt in the room, as obviously several of the other attorneys felt that they were in line as a junior partner instead of an outsider (and a niece of the senior partner) being brought in.
The meeting was concluded, and without a backward glance to anyone, Dan hurried out of the conference room and back to his office. He needed time by himself to absorb this, to cool his anger, and to decide just what he must do.
I will not just sit here and stagnate, he thought, I must move up, and I will move up, one way or the other, whatever it takes.
Dan walked into his office, nodded briefly to his secretary, Tara.
“I need a few minutes to myself this morning, Tara. Hold all my calls.”
“Yes, sir,” she answered, “but you might want to know a Dan Thorndal called.”
“Dan Thorndal? What’s going on here, some kind of nut using my name? Did he say what he wanted?”
“He wouldn’t tell me anything except that was his real name, and he was in real trouble, and he had plenty of money to hire the best criminal lawyer in the state,” she answered.
“Okay, give me five minutes and then get him on the phone for me,” he said. “Anyone with a name of Dan Thorndal deserves a break, especially today.”
Tara placed the call, and as Dan picked up the phone to answer, he had a sudden feeling of unexplained anxiety.
“Mr. Thorndal,” the caller said, “I must first tell you that due to the nature of my call, I was unable to give my real name, and so used your name in the hope that would get me through to you quickly. I am in real trouble and need to see you now. I have plenty of money for whatever your fees may be, but this must all be done very, very discretely. I would rather that even your secretary would not see me when we meet.”
Dan could feel the hair on the nape of his neck