Murder on the Down Low (30 page)

“Maybe, maybe not. He’s dead now.”

Margaret refused to look at her. “You’re a supervisor here. You know how disruptive something like this can be. We think you should take a leave of absence until this matter’s been cleared up. This explains everything.” She extended an envelope across the desk.

Special did not reach for it.

“Your medical benefits will remain in effect as long as you continue to pay the employee portion of the premium.”

Special glowered at the woman. “So is this a paid leave?”

“No, I’m sorry. We aren’t able to pay you under these circumstances. That wouldn’t be consistent with how we’ve treated other employees who’ve been in trouble with the law.”

“I’ve seen this company bend the rules for other employees.”

Margaret absently patted the pearls around her neck. “There’s nothing I can do. I’m sorry.” She was still holding out the envelope, waiting for Special to take it.

Special wanted to slap the envelope out of her hand and the smile off her face.

“You know what?” She rose from her chair, still ignoring the envelope. “You’re absolutely right. Considering everything I’ve been through lately, it’s probably not a good idea for me to be at work. I’m happy to take a leave of absence  . . . for stress. You’ll have the workers’ comp forms from my doctor by the end of the day.”

W
hat in the world did you do wrong?”

Sheila was standing in the doorway of Vernetta’s office with a worried look on her face. “I just got a call from O’Reilly. He wants to see you ASAP and he sounded really pissed off.”

It hadn’t even been twenty minutes since Vernetta had squared off with Haley. She must have run straight to O’Reilly to tattle. As far as Vernetta was concerned,
she
was holding all the trump cards. They were the ones screwing around. If the firm’s management committee found out about their affair, O’Reilly would be in a whole lot of hot water. He needed to be nice to her so she would continue to keep his little secret.

Vernetta boldly made her way to O’Reilly’s office.

“You wanted to see me?” The second she stepped across the threshold her bravado evaporated. Vernetta saw nothing but anger chiseled into O’Reilly’s face.

“Close the door,” he said stiffly.

Before she could even take a seat, he lit into her.

“As a senior associate in this firm, your position with respect to a junior associate is the same as a manager to a subordinate. And as a manager, you represent the firm and, therefore, your actions can create liability for the firm.”

Liability for the firm? What about your actions?
His words came at her at a rapid-fire pace. The only thing missing was the smoke rising from his nostrils.

“When you act inappropriately toward a subordinate you—”

“I wasn’t aware that I had acted inappropriately toward an associate,” Vernetta said, trying to sound calm, though anger swirled inside her.

“I’m talking about your inappropriate insinuation to Haley just a while ago.”

Vernetta thought about playing dumb, but figured it might make matters worse. But she wasn’t exactly sure how to play it. “Perhaps you should start by asking for my side of the story.”

O’Reilly twirled a gold pen between two fingers. “Okay, then why don’t
you
tell me what happened?”

Vernetta was at a complete loss for words. She had accused Haley of screwing O’Reilly and she could not come up with a story that would alter that reality.

“I guess your silence means I got it right.”

Vernetta just stared back at him.

“So, as I was saying,” he continued, “it’s highly inappropriate to accuse an associate of improper behavior with absolutely no evidence to support it. If you had such a concern, you should have come to me or someone else in the firm. I’m very disappointed in you.”

You have to be kidding.
Vernetta found it interesting that O’Reilly  conveniently left himself out of this conversation.

“Since you two have to work together, you’re going to have to develop a much better working relationship.”

Vernetta realized now that without a picture of the two of them naked in bed together, her suppositions were just that. She didn’t hold any trump cards. O’Reilly held them all. There was no way she could go up against somebody like him and win.

“I want you to walk down to Haley’s office and apologize to her,” he ordered. “And another thing, I just made some calls. I guess you didn’t hear me when I said you were not to be involved in any outside legal matters without the firm’s permission. You weren’t completely honest with me earlier. It’s my understanding that you were the one representing your friend when she was questioned by the police this morning. I also understand that you talked to the media after some hearing a few days ago.”

“I spoke to the media as a family friend, not as a lawyer.”

“It doesn’t make a difference. As long as you’re an attorney in this firm, anything you say or do could have consequences for the firm.” O’Reilly stopped and pointed his pen at her. “This is the last time I’m going to say this. You are not to do any outside legal work without my knowing about it. That includes talking to the media about your friend’s case.”

“My friend hasn’t been charged, but if that happens, I was thinking about requesting a leave of absence to assist in her defense.”

“Don’t bother.” His eyes bore angrily into hers. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for the firm to be associated with that kind of case.”

“What kind of case? This firm has taken on murder cases before.”

“Your friend’s case involves a very malicious hate crime. It wouldn’t be good for the firm’s image.”

As long as a client could fork over enough money, O’Reilly & Finney had never been worried about its image before. Vernetta was dizzy with rage.

O’Reilly turned to his computer screen. “Unless you have something else to say, you can leave.”

Vernetta stood up, intending to leave, but her feet felt rooted to the floor. “I don’t know where things between you and me went awry, but they obviously have. And in light of that fact, I don’t think it makes much sense for me to remain with the firm. Consider this my two-weeks’ notice.”

She saw a spark of relief on O’Reilly’s face. He was obviously thrilled that she was leaving before having a chance to expose his affair with Haley. Vernetta’s departure also let him off the hook since he probably didn’t plan to recommend her for partnership.

“The firm would obviously hate to lose you.” O’Reilly was barely able to hide his delight. “But if that’s your decision, I’ll have to accept it.”

Vernetta wanted to say something snippy, but chose to remain professional. “I’d like to request a severance package to help me with my transition,” she said. “Six months, including medical, should do it.”

She saw a hint of protest in his eyes, but it disappeared the minute he noticed the defiance in hers. Six months’ salary was a pittance to the firm, but it was more than sufficient hush money to give Vernetta time to contemplate her career plans.

O’Reilly leaned back in his chair and fiddled with his pen. “I don’t think that will be a problem.”

“Thanks, I really appreciate it,” Vernetta said, then calmly walked out.

N
ot long after leaving O’Reilly’s office, Vernetta was waiting inside the trailer at Jefferson’s worksite while one of his workers went to look for him. It was late afternoon and the place was in full swing.

Jefferson charged through the trailer door in a near panic. The first thing he did was take in his wife’s attire: jeans, cowboy boots, and a tank top. “What’s the matter? Why aren’t you at work? What happened?”

Vernetta laughed. “Calm down. Nothing’s wrong. I just decided to bring you an early dinner since I know you rarely take a lunch break.” She held up a heavy picnic basket with both hands. “Grilled catfish, mashed potatoes, macaroni salad, and cornbread. Plus, my hand-squeezed lemonade.”

He blinked.

“And it’s all homemade.” Of course, it was homemade by M & M’s Soul Food, but she figured he didn’t need to know that. “I almost forgot.” She dug deep inside the basket and pulled out a pint of ice cream. “I brought you an extra special treat. Your favorite, Ben & Jerry’s Coffee Heath Bar Crunch. You gotta eat it quick before it melts.”

Jefferson smiled, but he was too confused to otherwise react. “How come you’re not at work? What’s going on?”

“I made two very important decisions today.”

“Okay,” Jefferson said cautiously.

“First, I quit my job.”

Jefferson’s lips transformed into a goofy grin, then reverted. “Hold up. You’ve
already
quit your job or you’re
thinking
about quitting your job?”

“It’s a done deal.”

“You serious?”

“As a heart attack.”

He gave her a hug that lifted her off her feet. “So what happened? Are you okay about it?”

“Do I look okay?”

“Yeah, you do. As a matter of fact, you actually look pretty damn happy.”

“Not happy,” Vernetta said. “Ecstatic. If I’d known it would feel this good, I’d have left months ago. Anyway, until I figure out exactly what I’m going to do with my life, I plan to spend all of my time pampering my wonderful husband. That’s the second decision I made today.”

Vernetta began taking plastic containers from the picnic basket. “Pull up a chair so I can feed you.”

As they ate, Vernetta gave him an extended play-by-play of her run-in with Haley and her subsequent conversation with O’Reilly.

Jefferson took a big bite of cornbread. “I’m sure glad they pissed you off.”

“Me, too.”

They laughed and joked for the next thirty minutes. It felt great spending this unscheduled time with her husband. When they were done eating, Vernetta started packing up. “I guess I should let you get back to work.”

Jefferson approached from behind and threw his arms around her waist. “So, you bringing me dinner tomorrow?”

“I might,” Vernetta said, turning around to face him. “But I have to be careful not to spoil you. Just hurry up and get home.” She raised her eyebrows seductively. “I’ll be waiting at the door in my birthday suit.”

“Why I gotta wait?” He eased his hand underneath her tank top. “We can do it right here.”

Vernetta laughed and tried to squirm away. “What if one of your guys walks in?”

“Then he’ll probably end up learning something.” Jefferson cupped one of her breasts and nuzzled his lips down into her top which sent a shiver straight to her toes.

“Anyway, I’m the boss, remember? I can do whatever I want.”

“Boy, I am not having sex with you in here.”

“How you gonna come up in here talkin’ about being butt naked when I get home and expect me to get any work done? I’m so happy you’re leaving that firm, I want to celebrate. Here. Now.”

He lifted her top higher, exposing her bare breasts. “See, you ain’t even wearing a bra.” His lips gently tugged on her nipples, then grazed her breasts in slow, wide circles. “You intentionally came down here to mess with me.”

Vernetta laughed and pulled her top back down. “We can’t do it in here. Somebody might walk in on us.”

He grabbed her hand, then took several steps backward, pulling her along with him. He stopped when he was within arm’s reach of the trailer door. Never taking his eyes off of her, he reached back and turned the lock on the doorknob.

“Okay, now it’s safe. Now can I have some?” He started dotting her neck with kisses. “I’ve always had a fantasy about having sex at work.”

“Jefferson, you’ll be home in a couple of hours. I promise to make it worth your wait.”

“Nah, baby, I want you here. Now.” He ignored his wife’s protests, unsnapped the button of her jeans and slid his hand inside.

“I bet Haley was giving O’Reilly blow jobs in his office every night,” he mumbled. “Black women are way too uptight. That’s why all the freaky white girls are getting the brothers.”

Vernetta playfully socked him in the chest. “I can’t believe you said that!”

He laughed. “You know I’m telling the truth.” His fingers quickly found a welcoming place between her thighs, which quieted the fierce protests from her brain. When their eyes met, she saw his hunger for her.

All of a sudden, the locked door, her husband’s dare, and a desire she could no longer fight, caused all of her inhibitions to slip away. Vernetta pulled off her top, looped it around the back of Jefferson’s neck and pulled him even closer.

“C’mere,” she said, smiling big, “and let me show you how freaky a sister can get.”

I
hate to be the one to bring this up,” Special said, glancing around the table, “but this is one sad ass celebration.”

Vernetta, Special and, Nichelle were sitting at their regular booth at T.G.I. Friday’s. Special had called the impromptu gathering to celebrate Vernetta’s new career move, though she had no idea exactly what that move might be.

Within twenty-four hours of resigning, the reality of her situation finally hit her. Vernetta didn’t regret quitting, but leaving O’Reilly & Finney before making partner was admittedly a big disappointment.

“I guess I’m just not used to being unemployed,” Vernetta said.

“Girl, please,” Special chided her. “We ain’t having no pity party up in here. You don’t have nothing to be down in the dumps about. You walked away with six months’ pay. I’m the one who can’t pay my bills and who might be facing prison time. I’m glad you left that firm. They were working you like a slave. You’ll have another job just like that.” She snapped her fingers. “So pick your lips up off the table.”

It had been three days since Vernetta resigned. The firm decided that there was no need for her to work another two weeks. O’Reilly was probably afraid that she’d steal some client files or worse, run off to HR and report that he was screwing an associate. She had returned to work the next day, wrote a lengthy memo summarizing the status of her cases, packed up, and left.

A waitress set a big plate of nachos in the middle of the table. Everybody dug in except Nichelle. She was determined to stick to her new diet, even if it killed her. And it just might. She was nibbling on a small salad that barely had enough dressing to fill a thimble.