Scandalous (6 page)

“I'll be right in.”

Justin waved and nodded acknowledgment to the bevy of staff members that made up his team as he wound his way through the maze of offices that led to his own. Once inside the soundproof room, he hung up his coat, rounded his desk, and punched in the extension for Sean's line.

“Good morning, Phillips here,” came the distinctly feminine voice.

Justin smiled broadly. “How can that man of yours ever get any work done if you're in his office doing who knows what when I'm not looking?”

Khendra's husky laughter filtered through the phone. “Who says we're here to work? We just come in to get a change of atmosphere,” she teased, enjoying the bantering that went on between them. “I presume you want to speak to my handsome, brilliant husband,” she added, giving her husband a quick wink.

“Well, only if you're not keeping him too preoccupied to talk to me, of course,” Justin joked.

“Let me just check and see if he wants to be distracted, by business, that is, this early in the morning.” Khendra chuckled. “Listen,” she said, switching gears, “I was just going over the reports on the Harrison murder case. I think we should take it, Justin. I know I can pull this off.”

“Great. Bring your notes. We'll discuss it at the meeting.”

“Here's Sean.”

“Hey, Justin. What's up?” Sean's voice came over the wire.

“I was hoping you, uh, had some free time this morning, before the meeting.”

Sean immediately caught the hitch of hesitation in Justin's voice. His thick eyebrows arched. Justin was never hesitant about anything.

“Sure. You want me to stop in now?”

“Yeah. Barb is bringing in coffee. Have you had breakfast?”

“We just finished. I just need to make two short calls and I'll be right down.”

“Thanks.”

“Justin?”

“Yeah, Sean.”

“Is everything all right? You don't sound like yourself.”

Justin thought for a moment and almost laughed out loud. He wasn't himself. “Everything's fine. Better than fine. That's what I want to talk with you about. See you in a few.”

Justin reached again for the phone. His smile was broad. This time he dialed an outside number to the local florist.

 

Shortly there was a light knock on Justin's office door.

“Come in.”

Sean strutted in, the picture of polish, power, and control. Sean was a connoisseur of fine clothing. His instincts and tenacity when it came to criminal law could be paralleled only by his wife, Khendra. But Sean knew when to relax and enjoy the good life he'd built for himself. He spent hours in the gym and on the racquetball court, which was where he and Justin had met nearly eight years before. They'd become fast friends, sharing a variety of similar interests. Justin had come to rely not only on Sean's legal judgment, but on his personal judgment as well.

“What's up, partner?” Sean asked, breezing in and taking a seat opposite Justin.

Justin stood up, slinging his hands into his pockets. He turned dark eyes on Sean. “I'm thinking about making some…changes.”

Sean's eyebrows rose in question. He remained silent and listened as Justin revealed a side of himself that Sean hadn't known existed.

 

The morning flew by with blinding speed. Before Vaughn had completed half of her tasks for the day, it was time to meet her father for lunch. She'd had Tess order two jumbo salad specials, knowing that they would be both filling and in keeping with her father's diet, which he readily ignored.

Her midday interview with Channel 6 had gone off smoothly; the statements she'd made to the reporter from the
Herald
would be in the next day's paper. She'd gone through half her mail, returned nearly a dozen phone calls, and remained sane through it all. To cap off a morning of success, she'd just received a huge bouquet of two dozen
red roses from Justin. The whole office was buzzing. And she knew that as soon as Crystal was finished with her meeting, she'd be beating down her door for some answers. She'd tried to call Justin to thank him for his thoughtful gift, but he was tied up in a staff meeting.

In the meantime, she had her father to deal with. She checked her watch. Ten to two. He'd be arriving in minutes. Vaughn straightened her desk and crossed the parquet floor to the small conference table that held their lunch. She looked over the array of salads, breads, and low-calorie dressings. Everything was in place.

The brief knock on the door signaled her father's arrival.

“A little noisy around here today, I see,” Elliott commented, hanging up his coat on the rack. He took out his pipe and slipped it between his teeth.

Vaughn crossed the room and gave her father a quick kiss. “I took the liberty of ordering lunch,” she said, crossing to the table. “I thought we could eat and talk.”

Elliott took a seat without comment. He looked across at his daughter and waited for her to be seated.

“Would you like some spring water, or tea?” she asked nervously, the ominous look of her father rattling her. He waved the offer away. She sat down like an errant schoolgirl waiting to be reprimanded. She became angry at herself. She influenced all sorts of men and women and changed government policy. So, why did her father still have the ability to rattle her nerves?

“I want to get straight to the point of this meeting,” Elliott began without preamble. “I just received a report today on your activities over the weekend.”

For an instant she was sure she couldn't have heard correctly. “You what?”

“You were seen at the docks on Saturday, with that
Montgomery fellow in a very compromising position to say the least.”

Vaughn felt the heat of embarrassment and anger burn her face. She shot up from her seat. “Are you saying that you had me followed?” she asked, her voice rising in indignation and disbelief.

Elliott cleared his throat and shot her a thunderous look. “Let's just say that your activities have been brought to my attention.”

Vaughn spun away, barely able to contain the fury and humiliation that welled inside her.

“Sit down!” Elliott ordered.

“I will not,” she tossed back, spinning around to confront him, her face a blanket of outrage. “How dare you? How dare you have me followed? What right do you have to interfere in my private life?”

“I have every right,” he countered. “Wasn't your experience with Paul enough to teach you a lesson? And Brian,” he added. The impact of his last comment had the desired effect, he noted, as he saw her resistance crumble.

The cold, on-target remark was like a splash of ice water. Vaughn felt her eyes sting with tears that threatened to overflow. Her throat tightened. She would not allow him to see her cry. Never again, she vowed. She remained standing, stiff and defiant, meeting her father's eyes head on.

“Vaughn,” he said, almost gently, “I have only your best interests at heart. I want to protect you. Now is not the time for you to get…involved.” He cleared his throat. “The last thing you need is for the tabloids to pick up on any relationships you may be having. They'll eat you alive. You'll have enough to contend with without the added burden of a relationship that couldn't possibly go
anywhere. For heaven's sake, child, you only just met the man. I gave you more credit than that.”

“Did you really?” she asked hollowly. “I didn't think you gave me much credit for anything, Daddy.”

“Don't be ridiculous. Of course I do. If I didn't believe in your abilities, do you think I'd have guided your career for so many years? I want the best for you, sweetheart. But I want you to realize your ambitions
before
you make any commitments. You need to be sure of who you're dealing with and ultimately of what they want from you. Everyone wants something, Vaughn; you know that as well as I do. It's the nature of our lives. A mistake now could be disastrous for your career.”

Is that all she would ever have? she wondered numbly. A career? What about love, a family, a man in her life who loved her for who she was? Was Justin the right man? Maybe her father was correct. Hadn't he always been right? Hadn't he always
made
everything right?

He reached across the table and patted her cold hands. “I know you'll realize the truth in what I'm telling you. Put an end to this,
before
it gets out of hand. I know you may not agree with me now. But if you think with your head and not with your heart, you'll see that I'm right.”

Vaughn's eyes trailed across the room to her desk and settled on the brilliant bouquet of flowers. Inhaling deeply, she nodded.

Elliott rose. “Then it's settled.” He rounded the table and briefly touched his lips to her cheek. “You won't regret this, sweetheart.”

Vaughn pressed her lips together to keep them from trembling. Elliott collected his coat. His goodbye went unanswered.

Mechanically, Vaughn rose, crossed the room, and
locked her office door. She turned and pressed her back against it. She squeezed her eyes shut and fought down the tremors that raced up and down her spine. What was she going to do? Her political career was already a daunting struggle, but now she would have to put her energies into fighting her father as well?

Slowly she recrossed the room and sank down onto the low couch that braced the far wall of the airy office. A part of her knew that her father was right. She
didn't
know Justin Montgomery. Her past experiences had demonstrated time and time again that the men in her life had proved disastrous, on many levels. Was Justin any different?

Her father was one of those men as well. For reasons she couldn't fathom, she at times found it almost impossible to get from under his spell. Her father had dictated every aspect of her life for so long, that she felt incapable of making an independent decision.

Vaughn sucked on her bottom lip. She'd always succumbed to her father's demands and expectations. She stood up and took a deep breath, her face resolute, her eyes glowing with rebellion. Until now. This time she would prove her father wrong. Justin would prove him wrong.

O
ver lunch in a small café on Pennsylvania Avenue, Sean and Khendra talked animatedly about the pending Harrison murder case. It was one of the most noteworthy cases to have arisen in decades. All of the players were very public people, and the prime suspect was one of the most prominent athletes in America.

“I'm sure that the family will be agreeable to retaining us,” Khendra stated, taking a sip of Perrier. “We have the manpower and the experience. And the D.A. has so much circumstantial evidence, it's almost funny.”

Sean nodded in agreement. “Unfortunately,” he said, “circumstantial evidence has convicted a lot of people.”

“True. But I don't think there's a jury in this country that will convict Harrison based on the evidence collected to date.”

Momentarily they lapsed into silence. The waiter appeared with their order.

“There's something else that I wanted to talk with you about, Khen,” Sean said, changing topics. He hesitated. “Well?”

“I had the strangest conversation today with Justin.”

Khendra looked at him curiously. She pushed a wayward strand of hair away from her face. “Justin, strange? What a contradiction in terms.” She slipped a forkful of pasta salad into her mouth.

“Believe me.” He paused briefly. “Justin is contemplating giving up his practice and devoting all his energies to advocacy and public speaking.”

Khendra's eyes widened, the fork that she held suspended between the plate and her mouth. “What? I don't believe it.”

Sean shook his head. “It's the same thing I said. But he was very adamant.”

“What is he going to do with the firm? I mean, what about the cases, the staff…?”

Sean held up his hand. “This is the clincher. He wants us to buy him out and take over.”

Khendra sat in open-mouthed astonishment. Her fork clinked against the china plate. She tried to absorb what she'd been told. How many years had she and Sean talked about starting their own practice? But they'd been too loyal to Justin to pull up stakes? And now he was handing them their dream on a silver platter. It was almost too good to be true.

Khendra straightened in her seat. “How long have we known Justin?”

“About eight years.”

“Right. And knowing Justin, he never does anything on the spur of the moment and without a real strong reason.” She took a deep breath. “There's more to this than he's telling.”

“I didn't want to say anything, but that's what I was thinking.”

“What do you think it is?” she asked.

“I wish I knew.”

Khendra smiled coyly, her eyebrow arched. “Don't you think it's up to us to find out?”

Sean saw the spark in her eyes and knew that those wheels were turning a mile a minute. “What are you thinking, Khen? I know that look.” He peered at her from beneath heavy black lashes.

“I say we need to do some investigating on our own. As much as I would love for us to have our own practice, I want to be sure it's for all the right reasons.”

“Agreed. What do you want to do?”

Khendra reached across the table and took her husband's hand in hers, running her fingertip languidly along his palm. Sean felt himself instantly harden at her touch. She leaned enticingly forward, giving him the barest glimpse of the swell of her breasts. Her normally husky voice lowered another octave. “Why don't we take a long lunch and discuss this further…at home?”

Sean grinned devilishly, his eyes darkening to a smoky sable. He leaned across the table to place a titillating kiss on Khendra's moist lips. “That's the best offer I've had all day.”

 

Justin finally had a free minute to return Vaughn's phone call. Just anticipating hearing her voice brought a warm smile to his lips. These past few weeks had changed him deeply. Vaughn was like some wild dream come true. He knew he'd have to take his time to convince her to cross those walls she'd erected. Instinctively he knew she'd been burned before, and she was right to be cautious. What
woman wouldn't be, given the circumstances of their meeting?

He smiled. Everything was going to work out; he could feel it. He reached across his desk and pulled the phone closer. He dialed her number. Waiting, he leaned back and put his feet up on the desk. He patted the breast pocket of his jacket. The tickets were in place. He'd had to twist a few arms and call in a few favors to get his hands on them. But he knew it would be worth it. The concert and then a late dinner tonight, he mused, listening to the ringing on the other end.

 

Vaughn stared at the phone. It was her private line. It was probably her father again, wanting to add more fuel to the fire. She sighed heavily.

Justin frowned. Maybe she'd stepped out, he concluded. He leaned over to return the receiver to the cradle when he heard Vaughn's voice. He snatched the phone back.

“Vaughn. Hello. It's Justin.”

Vaughn squeezed her eyes shut. Maybe it would have been better if it had been her father on the other end. She wasn't ready to talk with Justin. She was still too torn.

“Justin…hello. I really can't talk right now. I was on my way out to a press conference.” She swallowed and ordered her heart to slow down.
Oh, Justin.
She gripped the phone. Since her conversation with her father and her momentary flash of rebellion, she'd had some time to think things through. She'd come to a decision.

“No problem. I won't keep you. I wanted to entice you to a night of music and great food. I have two tickets to the Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts. There's a jazz concert there tonight with all of the favorites. The list is incredible. Then I thought we'd have a late dinner at the
Strawberry Café. How does that sound? I can't wait to see you again,” he ended on a husky note.

“It, it sounds wonderful, Justin. But I really can't…not tonight.” She straightened her shoulders and forced a tone of airiness into her voice. “You wouldn't believe the kind of day I've been having. I won't be any good to anyone, including myself, by the end of this day. I'd probably fall asleep.”

“What's wrong, Vaughn?” he asked bluntly. “And don't tell me it's the job. You've been doing this for years. It's second nature. What's the real reason you don't want to see me tonight? More second thoughts?”

He was too good at seeing through her, she thought miserably, even over the phone. “Justin, listen,” she began. “Believe me, I'd love to spend the evening with you.”
You don't know how much.
“But circumstances…won't permit it.”

Justin's jaw clenched so hard his head began to hurt. What was he going to have to do to get her to trust him, to let go? What had happened to her to make her so wary? He knew that he wanted Vaughn in his life, especially with the turn that it was about to take. But he wasn't sure he had the patience or the endurance to give what it was going to take to get through to her. Maybe it wasn't worth the effort.

Justin let out a long-held breath. “Fine,” he expelled. “If that's what you want. Call me…when you have some time. Goodbye, Vaughn.”

Vaughn heard the dial tone hum in her ear. She looked up to the ceiling, clutching the phone to her breasts. Her eyes stung. “It's best this way, Justin,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion.

Justin slammed his fist against his desk and sprang from his seat, spinning it in a circle in the process. Recklessly,
he raked his fingers through his close-cropped hair. Never had any woman made him so crazy! He spun away from the window, his face a mask of confused anger. Something had happened. Something or someone had gotten to her to make her do a 360 in less than twenty-four hours. He pressed his lips together. He was never one to just give up, not when it came to something he wanted. Vaughn was that something. She was the key, and he had no intention of letting her slip through his fingers. No matter what she said.

 

Simone had just returned to her dorm room after her last class for the day. It was nearly three o'clock. She wanted to place her call to Mr. Montgomery's office before it got too late. She tossed her knapsack onto her bed and snatched up the business card from her nightstand.

Quickly she said a silent prayer and then dialed.

“Montgomery, Phillips and Michaels,” answered the polished voice.

Simone took a deep breath. “Yes, good afternoon. My name is Simone Rivers. I'm a student at Spelman.”

“Yes?” Barbara inquired tersely. She had a desk full of work to complete before the end of the day and she wanted to get home at a reasonable hour.

“Mr. Montgomery had a speaking engagement here at the college several months ago,” she stated quickly, sensing the woman's impatience. “He said he'd be looking for interns this summer. I'd like to apply for an internship with the firm.”

Barbara frowned. “Why would you want to come all the way from Atlanta to D.C. for an internship?” she asked skeptically.

“I was very impressed with Mr. Montgomery's pre
sentation, and I have similar advocacy interests. I feel this internship would be an excellent opportunity.”

Barbara smiled indulgently. “I see. Well, Mr. Montgomery has to clear all internships. You'll have to mail in your qualifications and he'll be in touch with you.”

Simone's faced beamed with delight. “Yes!” she mouthed silently, shooting a fist through the air. “May I fax my information to you? That would be a lot quicker.”

Barbara's smile broadened. She liked the girl's tenacity. “That'd be fine. Take down this number.”

Simone quickly jotted it down and repeated it back. “I'll send it right over,” Simone said eagerly.

“Be sure to include a contact number. Either I or one of the paralegals will call you when we receive your information.”

“Thank you. Oh, I'm sorry, who am I speaking with?”

“Barbara Crenshaw.”

“Thank you for your time, Ms. Crenshaw. I look forward to hearing from you.”

“You're welcome,” Barbara said, returning the receiver to its cradle. She wondered what this young lady had to offer. Heaven knew they could use an extra hand around the office, especially if Khendra and Sean were going to be wrapped up in that Harrison mess. Most of the para-legals were still in school and only worked part-time. And the only one who showed any real promise was Chad Rushmore. The corner of her wide mouth lifted in a grin. Now, that was a young man who was going places, she thought. When the fax came in, she'd pass it on to him and let him give his impressions. There was no point in troubling Justin if there was no reason to show interest in Simone. She did seem quite determined, Barbara thought, returning her attention to her work. They'd just have to see.

 

Chad breezed into the office after picking up a set of transcripts just as the fax machine was spitting out the last page of Simone's internship package.

“Chad,” Barbara greeted, “I'm glad you're back. I have something I want you to look over before I pass it along to Mr. Montgomery.”

“Sure. What is it?” Chad stepped up to Barbara's desk, deposited his package, and took the curled pages. “A résumé?”

“Actually, it's an internship request. I got a call this afternoon from this young lady. She sounds promising. And her qualifications are outstanding.”

Chad nodded as he skimmed the pages. She was impressive. Top of her class, outstanding recommendations from her professors, previous experience in a law firm. “I say, forget the internship, let's hire her!” he grinned, flashing even white teeth. At twenty-two, Chad had really come into his own. Gone was the lanky, uncoordinated boy of his youth. In his place was a six-foot-two, smooth-as-silk young man who knew where he was going.

Barbara watched him as he ran over the details of Simone's application. He'd come far in the three years he'd been with the firm. She remembered the day he'd arrived as an intern: uncertain, introverted, and a lousy dresser, she remembered with wry amusement. Now, looking at Chad, she wished she was fifteen years younger. Any young lady lucky enough to land Chad Rushmore would be one happy woman. The man was gorgeous.

“You have my vote, Barb,” Chad said, looking up from the papers. He handed them back and leaned his thigh against her desk. “Are you going to pass it on to the big boss?”

“She certainly looks like she has potential. I'll add your recommendation to mine and see what he says.”

“Good. Listen, I have some briefs to review. I'll be buried in my office for the next couple of hours. Then I'm cutting out. Anything you need from me?”

“As a matter of fact, yes. I'd really appreciate it if you could call this young lady back and let her know we received her information. She may have some questions about the internship program that you could answer,
firsthand,”
she qualified with a knowing smile.

“No problem,” he grinned, remembering his own early days as an intern.

Barbara jotted down the number and handed it to Chad. “Thanks. I'll take care of it right away.” He waved and strutted off to his office.

Barbara jotted down some notes about Simone, added Chad's comments, and headed for Justin's office.

Barbara arrived at Justin's door just as he was preparing to leave. “Oh, Mr. Montgomery, I didn't realize you'd be leaving so early. I'll just leave this on your desk.”

“What is it?” Justin asked distractedly, slipping his arms into his coat.

“An application for an internship for the summer. The young woman seems extremely well qualified,” she added.

“Fine. Just leave it. I'll take a look at it tomorrow.”

Barbara noted the hard lines around Justin's mouth and the firm set of his jaw. “Is everything okay, Mr. Montgomery?”

Justin shot her a quick glance, grabbed his briefcase, and walked toward the door. “It will be,” he said, snatching open the door. “It will be,” he repeated under his breath.