“I’ve always thought that this firm found that public service to the community was invaluable, too. Are you saying you don’t want me to help this woman anymore?” It took effort, but she managed to keep her voice even and respectful.
“I’m not telling you anything, Kate. Just be aware that everything you do—and don’t do—will be considered at the quarterly meeting. And the most important thing you can do is make sure you get this McKenna matter nailed. No mistakes. No loose ends.”
For a moment, Kate remembered the missing video and an alarming thought occurred to her. Had Tim known about it and intentionally hidden evidence? He wanted to win this case, whatever the cost. She considered broaching it but realized that would be stupid. Until she actually knew what was on that video—possibly nothing—then she couldn’t make such an accusation.
But the thought remained.
Tim came to his feet and moved toward the door. “Tomorrow you have an opportunity to turn this around.” He paused and turned around and met her gaze. “Show me that I wasn’t wrong to bet on you, Kate. To trust you’re capable of handling this job and the other responsibilities that would be yours if you should make partner.”
She swallowed and nodded. “Of course, Tim. You can count on me.”
Chapter Sixteen
Dominic was in the kitchen painting when he heard the front door shut late Monday night. A moment later he sensed Kate standing in the doorway, but she didn’t say anything, possibly taking in today’s progress. He was working on the last coat of the soft buttery-yellow paint she’d chosen, a choice that reflected the brightness and warmth of the room—and the client.
“How long you going to stand there checking out my ass?” he asked finally.
But instead of shooting him the usual quick comeback, she stayed quiet another minute. “Just appreciating everything you’ve done. It looks great.”
“Since your cabinets could come in soon, I thought it would be a good idea to get this finished before I started reworking the floors upstairs.” He turned to look at her, noticing the tension in her forehead and shoulders, the tightness around her lips. “Hey. Everything okay?”
“It’s gone better.” She paused, as if considering whether or not to confide in him.
He smiled at her. “I’ll sign a waiver of confidentiality if you like. But either way, you know you can tell me anything in confidence.”
He climbed down from the stool and grabbed them both a beer and brought her to the other room and sat her down on the couch. After some more coercing, she finally spilled, telling him her concerns over the case and the recent discovery of missing evidence and conference call with the client. Finally she mentioned the possibility that her boss might be hiding evidence on the case that wou
ld show the truth on a major issue of contention.
“And the thing is,” Kate said, “I get the feeling there’s even more I don’t know. And I don’t like it.”
Dominic didn’t have much patience for companies that thought they were above the law. There were a lot of things he wanted to say, but he exercised restraint instead. “If your clients aren’t going to be forthcoming with you, then they’re the ones sabotaging their case. Not you. You may lose this one, but I’m sure there will be others.”
“There may be others, but this is the one that will decide my promotion to partner now. Something I’ve been working for since day one at Strauss,” she added and raised her chin almost stubbornly.
“I’m sorry, Kate. For what it’s worth, I think your cautiousness is appropriate under the circumstances, and if they can’t appreciate your concerns, then they’re the ones making the mistake. But you also have to ask yourself what’s going to happen if you find out Tim is holding onto this evidence. Can you work at a place that would try and bury the truth?”
A more appropriate question might be…would she want to? A question he wasn’t sure he wanted the answer to.
She bristled and straightened. “You don’t seem to understand everything that’s at stake here, Dominic. I’ve been working years to be at the place I am now, poised for this partnership, and in another five years, I’ll be ready to step into a senior partner position and, if I’ve played my cards right, a position as a state or maybe even a federal judge. Everything I ever wanted.” She brought her hands to her temples and rubbed them. “You make it sound like the answer is so easy, but as I see it, the answer is to keep the status quo and reach my dream or lose everything.”
He paused, not wanting to push her away, but needing to give her another perspective. “Is there no other path for you? Is this judgeship the only thing that you want? I’ve let this go before, but what’s so wrong with having other goals? Like a job that makes you actually happy? That doesn’t demand all your time and attention but lets you enjoy other interests, too. Interests like, maybe…” He paused, realizing he was putting out more than a mere suggestion with his next comment. “A husband you can share your life with? Who’ll be at your side to hold your hand as you make your way through life? Experience it alongside you.”
Her shoulders sank. “You just don’t understand. You’ve never had people tell you to your face every day since you were a kid that you weren’t good enough. That you don’t matter. All I’ve wanted is to show them all that I do matter. That my opinions are worth something. That I’m worth something.”
“But you already are.” Unable to stop himself, he sank to his knees next to her, taking her hands in his. “You matter to me and all the people who really care for you. You’re so passionate and loyal to the people and causes you care about. You’re not only smart and funny but beautiful and witty. Who the hell cares what the Michaels and the Ms. Vaughns of this world think? You have a lot to offer this world and you should do it, but on your terms.”
She smiled wryly and met his gaze, steady. “It’s easy for you to give advice, but how about taking a little of what you’re dishing out? How long are you going to hide out at your family construction company? How long are you going to settle for getting by instead of taking the steps you need to be happy? To fulfill your dreams? That’s what I’m doing and I have been doing for the past ten years, maybe longer. I’m not going to settle for less.”
Her words hit him like a bat to the back of the head. He wasn’t hiding, was he? Then the last part of what she said sank in.
She wouldn’t settle for less.
Was family, a husband to support and love you, a different career path short of a judgeship…was that settling for less? It ripped at his heart to think she felt like that. He looked again into her eyes to see the truth, but she would no longer meet his gaze, instead staring at the wall behind him.
She pulled her hands from his. “I’m sorry, Dominic. I’m kind of tired tonight. If you don’t mind, I think I’m going to take a bath and get some sleep. I have a long day ahead of me.”
He stood, knowing when he was dismissed. “Sure, Kate. I understand. But I’m here if you ever need someone to talk to.”