Sofa So Dead

By Carolyn Kenney

Fallon Striker wants more than anything is to make partner in the small law firm ran by Allison Crowley. Fallon's best chance to make partner is to help her boss successfully help Lennie Crowley merge his oil business with another oil company. Before the merger goes final, Lennie is found dead. Allison is the prime suspect.
Fallon must still complete the merger with little help from her boss.
Complications arise when Fallon finds herself involved with two very handsome men. One is an attorney named Drew and the other an ex porn star named Kirk.
Fallon must keep a level head in order to avoid becoming a murder victim and fulfill her goal of becoming partner.
The big question is will she become prey to the killer or partner in Crowley Legal Services?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carolyn Kenney
• Release date: May 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311689023

Carolyn Kenney

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Carolyn M. Kenney spent the early years of her life in Jersey, City, New Jersey. She returned to her roots in the early 1970 to attend college and be with her extended family.Carolyn landed a job with Fulton County Government's Information Technology department in 1980. She retired in 2006. Before retiring she began her studies in the design field of Residential Planning. She began her studies for Interior Design in the summer of 2006. After taking some time away to write the Karla Banninster novels, she plans to return soon.

Book preview

This book is a work of fiction. All of the names, characters, incidents, settings, brands, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Although some of the locations may have names that resemble those of real locations, they are purely coincidental. Any similarity to actual events or person, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademarked owner of various products referred in this work of fiction which have been used without request for permission.

This book is for sale to ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It is a work of fiction that contains substantial sexual explicit scenes and graphic language which may be considered offensive by some readers.

Dedications

This book is dedicated to my family and dear friends who supported me throughout the writing of this book. Each book I write will always be dedicated to my late mother, Lillie because she was the start of my love for reading and writing. She is in my heart with every word.

To all of the writers I know thank you for your encouragement.

Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge and thank all of the authors who write how to write books. Thank you for spreading the word to people like me who longed to become a writer from an early age.

Chapter 1

The January sun reflected on my dresser mirror. I'd overslept. I gave myself a mental slap not to stay out too long on Sundays. I needed more than an hour to get to work but only to retrieve my files. I hustled out of bed into my trusty blue suit with the pencil skirt. I shrugged into my grey wool coat. The sun shined but the wind was no joke. I wanted to blame my boss, Allison Crowley but it was my fault. I didn't feel comfortable leaving her in such a rotten mood. I spent Sunday entertaining Allie at her place. She was alone while her husband Lennie put down a crisis at his oil business in Houston. Lennie expected to spend more time with Allie since his home office moved to Atlanta just before Halloween. When he told Allison, she wasn't sure if it was a trick or a treat. Since the move, he'd left her alone three times on the weekends. Their romance seemed to be rekindled until this weekend. I saw a different Allie. My boss seemed agitated.

Allie was noticeably upset. An amazing cook, she burned the pie for her specialty coconut custard pie. It was my favorite, too. The rest of the dinner wasn’t very good. The green beans stuck to the boiler tasted awful. Allie was normally jovial on Sunday. She made jokes about how some criminals were not very smart. We met one Sunday out of the month but this was the second Sunday I visited her in less than thirty days. Saturday and Sunday were my golf days. In winter, I found indoor driving ranges to keep my skills alive instead of keeping my boss smiling.

I stayed with her consuming two cups of coffee until I felt safe to drive home. We washed the burnt taste of dinner with two glasses of Chablis. We talked about everything except Lennie. I tried to get to the bottom of her angst but no luck. By the time I drank enough coffee, I drove from Buckhead to my home in Jonesboro Georgia. No mean feat but the police were always searching for drunk drivers. It wasn't a good idea to stay out past midnight when you have to be in court before ten.

# # #

I ran in the office, collected the files for a preliminary divorce hearing instead of a casual morning. I collided with Allie as she entered the office. I saw the same look on her face as the one I left her the previous day. We waved and headed in opposite directions.

After I left court, I encountered Olivia Tremblay headed to the federal courthouse. She and I rarely talked face to face. We exchanged Christmas cards and met for the once a year luncheon. We need to get together, old friend, she yelled across the street. I have something important to ask you.

Call me in a few days. We can have lunch or dinner, I yelled back.

You still have the same number at Crowley Legal?

I shook my head to the affirmative. Yes.

Talk to you later.

Olivia Tremblay and I were never too close when it came to friendship. That position fell to my deceased friend Rose. Olivia was the party hardy classmate back in the days of law school. Real stylish and extroverted. She made the first move when it came to participating in role playing. She was usually the uncooperative witness. She made a great prosecution hostile witness.

Olivia looked great in her two-inch blue pumps. Her navy coat with its faux fur collar. She wore a blue bowler hat. She strode across the streets with precision I never mastered. We met at the Phipps Plaza Movie Theater before either of us enrolled in law school. Lost touch but met up in our first class in law school. Emory has one of the best law schools. There was always something about Olivia that peaked my curiosity. One day I hoped to figure it out but maybe I didn't want to know. The January air made both of us step lively.

The stars were aligned. It was classmate day. I ran into another law school chum, Christine Shaw. Olivia and I met her during our second year in law school. She'd transferred from the South Carolina School of Law to be near her dad while he was recovering from a stroke. We looked like a combination of the Three Musketeers. Christine was the shortest of our group. At 5'3 we always looked down to her in height but up to her when it came to studying. Olivia and I were the taller versions at 5'7 and 5'8 in our bare feet. At the time, I was involved with Tyrone and Christine was just divorced. Olivia never seemed to find time for marriage. She loved to tease and play with men. Never anything serious. She said serious stuff took the fun out of living. After graduation and bar exams, I went to Crowley Legal, Christine started with a pro-bono group and Olivia bounced from firm to firm. If she didn't make partner, she'd find another firm to land. Allie told me that she'd offer me a partnership next year. She made a few conditions but I knew I'd make partner. I brought in the clients with mergers and financial accounts but I always received a pat on the head with the words of next time there is a vacancy, was her words. There was always a vacancy since we were the only two attorneys in the office.

Give me a hug, girl, said Christine. It's been too long.

Where are you going, I asked her.

Headed to probate court. I've got an estate and will to process. Then I have to get to appeals court. What are you up to?

I'm headed back to the office. Are you still working for that pro-bono firm?

No. I'm with a different firm. We handle mostly financial legal matters. Taxes, estates, wills and business law. It's a large firm.

That's right. You loved business law. I remember now.

Give me your number and I'll call you so that we can get together. I saw you in the papers last year. I'm sorry all that shit came out.

I took out one of my cards and wrote my cell number on it.

I bet you'll never guess who I saw a little while ago.

No. Who?

Olivia Tremblay.

I see her all the time. We met around the time you went through all those issues with Ty and Rose. I knew you didn’t kill Rose. Are you still with Ty?

No. Once I got all of the dirt on him and Rose, I filed for divorce quick fast and in the speed of light.

Good. He never appreciated you and your talent. I know someone you’ll like if you aren’t dating anyone. Do you still design furniture?

Yes. I’m taking a break from dating for a while. At least for now no one is on my speed dial. You want me to design something for you?

No. At least not yet. I told Olivia that you still designed furniture. I bet she is going to call you to design a sofa for her.

I designed one for her before we graduated. What happened to it?

She told me you designed a sofa for her a few years ago but she didn't tell me what happened to it. I know she loved it.

We parted with the promise to call each other. Christine headed in the direction of the appellate courthouse. I was headed to the office and later to the superior court to set some independent woman free. Christine mentioned one of her co-workers saw my photo. She thought he crushed on me something terrible. That only scared me. All I needed was some obsessive man in my life. Maybe the guy was a closet stalker. I checked my watch. It was almost 11:00 am. Between nine and eleven, I'd taken care of a lot. I understood why I felt weak in the knees. Too early for lunch but I didn't care. Food here I come. Then on to the office for the needed files.

# # #

I told you that woman was crazy, said Phyliss our office manager and receptionist. You look like you went ten rounds with a tiger.

I did. Mrs. Barker was more than one person could handle. Even the bailiff left with a black eye.

What set her off this time? Was it something he said or did he bring that slut with him?

It was both, I said looking at the bruise on my forearm. I glanced at the mirror to see my once neat ponytail. It was standing straight out like an arrow. The black bruise stood out against my cocoa colored skin.

He brought his new girlfriend and their two children.

Their two children, she said looking at the folder I gave her. The pages inside were in a hodgepodge. Some were upside down others were torn. I’d returned to the office just in time to hand over the files. It was 2:30. Phyliss ran the office, greeted clients and typed up reports. I gave a sympathetic smile knowing full well that she needed help. I understood. We needed more lawyers. At least one more attorney to help with the increasing caseload was imperative. If we didn’t hire more staff, I was going on strike.

You owe me lunch. I bet you that it was not going to be an easy case. You said I was wrong.

I'll pay up next week. Right now, I need to get ready for our next clients. They should be in at 3:00 pm.

I'll put their files in the conference room. Do you want me to put a whip and chair in there for them? You know they are just as bad as Mrs. Barker.

No. But have the police on speed dial. If it gets too bad, I'll lock them in the room until the police get here.

I padded back to my office in stocking feet that bore holes in their toes. My feet were worn to the last toenail. The heel of my black pumps broke when I tackled Mrs. Barker to keep her from being put in jail for assault. I crawled to my desk and plopped down in my chair. I saw there were ten messages my in-box. They'd wait until I pulled myself together. It took all I mustered to get to our office in downtown Atlanta just a few blocks away. My reflection told me a lot - Pantyhose beyond repair and my skirt turned in the wrong direction. I located the spare clothes I kept in my closet. All of us kept an emergency suit for court and meetings.

Between court appearances, new mergers and divorces, our Monday took a toll on all of the office staff. Well what staff we were at Crowley Legal Services. Allison preferred to be called Allie changed our name to Crowley Legal Services after our primary clientele changed from family matters to corporate issues. Mergers were our newest host of clients. The publicity I’d attracted brought business in droves. Allie decided to include mergers to our portfolio of business as well as incorporations. Allie spent her day at the downtown Decatur courthouse while I spent it at the Superior Court in downtown Atlanta.

I checked the clock. I had fifteen minutes to get it together. I found my notes on the case. One more check of the messages. Allie said she wouldn't be in before we closed. I'd have to talk to her in the morning. We had to have some help and soon. I wished I'd stayed home. Five o'clock was a distant wish. The simple merger was just a shake hand, exchange of agreements and done. No need for heavy federal workings.

By the end of the day, I ached all over from head to toe. Allie spent most of her day in courtrooms with irate couples and happy adoptive couples. I longed for Tuesday.

Chapter 2

Tuesday morning was a mad house in our office. I skipped all of the small talk to confront the problem head on. The simple merger took more than a handshake. Both parties came in with different agendas. More money! Less staff!! Before we closed the door, three more potential clients came to check us out. A cloud over my head said, Help in big red letters. I shuffled more on my plate than I could do successfully. We needed help. There was no way around the problem. Allie tried to skirt the issue at least twice. She’d promised that I’d make partner but with only two lawyers, we were partners. Three women in an office wasn't a catastrophe. But when the work came in before we solved the problems, it was not healthy. Our weekends were spent recuperating from the previous week's activities. I had no social life. I longed for the days in the fresh air hitting golf ball. But if we didn’t hire more people, I saw no way of putting a marble in a hole. Dating wasn’t on my calendar. I still needed to lick my wounds from a break up and divorce all in the span of three weeks. But I wanted some time with my golf clubs. I designed furniture in order to afford the best clubs for an amateur. I felt it was time to meet Allie without budging until she made a commitment to hiring more staff.

Allie, I need to talk to you. It’s important, I said to her as she put her laptop and purse on her desk. I hated to ambush her so early in the morning, but it was too important to wait until we were knee deep in cases. The fourth Tuesday in January at 8:30 am was our best time to discuss the upcoming schedule. But I needed to get this off my chest. More people divorced after Thanksgiving and Christmas. The New Year brought an avalanche of adoptions, too. All of that holiday shine grew dim in the light of the reality of the New Year. But just as many foster parents wanted to become legal parents to those children.

Don't tell me you are quitting to go full time in the furniture design.

Not yet. But I may have to if we don't get some help. I mean we need another person at the front desk and or a real secretary. Phyliss is doing the best she can. It is not fair to her or our clients.

I know. Sweetie. I've been meaning to put out the feelers. I need to find someone like I did you. I'll check to see when the next bar exams results are out. I thought of hiring someone I know but I wasn't sure how you would take it.

Oh. Who? I said pondering what attorney I knew but didn't like. I didn't care for the attorney I dealt with when I divorced Ty. He thought he was going to get Tyrone a boat load of cash from me. In fact Ty paid me for the golf clubs he destroyed and a drawing table he sold.

Is it Tyrone’s attorney?

It is Zoe Phelps.

What? Who? Why her? Zoe Phelps. You can’t be serious. You must’ve lost your mind!

She is qualified. Nova ran a background check on her when we thought she killed Shawnette. We can do a more thorough check if that would ease your mind.

No.

Is that no to hiring her or no to the more in depth background check?

No to both. I didn't know she wanted to work with us. Is she available? I thought she was just Shawnette's assistant and legal beagle.

So you want to take a chance and wait on the bar exam grads?

Nope. But I don’t want to work with her. I don’t want to wait on the exams.

That's not fair. Her credentials as an attorney are impeccable. No shady deals. She wasn't able to tell all of what Shawnette was up to but she did once Shawnette died. She came clean about all of her dealings. She paid all the back taxes out of Shawnette's estate which she didn't have to do.

What makes you think she would work for us? What about the pay for sex? We tried to convict her for murder. She'd never do it.

Zoe didn't know those people paid to have sex. She felt it was a club with free willing participants. She said she didn’t know money changed hands. It was a group of well healed people.

You aren’t kidding me. They were willing but the fees of a thousand dollars should've told her something. That was a might steep fee for club dues.

I'll give you a copy of her background check. I'll get Nova to do one with all of the checks and balances included. If she pans out, we would save a lot of time. If not, we'll just have to interview a number of potential candidates. It may take a lot longer that just hiring her.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. Allie was committing a crime - blackmail. Zoe was a hermaphrodite. She liked to flaunt it. At first, she liked to rub my face in it that I didn’t know my best friend as well as I thought I did.

You can say yes or no. But give her a chance. Zoe has a great mind when it comes to the law. Once she pans out, we have an obligation to the legal profession to hire her.

Let me digest the thought for a while. We didn't hit it off when I met her the first time and it didn't get a whole lot better once I found out her connection to Rose's murder.

Yes. But she didn't kill Rose. Actually she loved Rose once she got to know her. So, what do you say?

Let me think about it for a day or two.

"That just means you have that much more work to do. The sooner we hire her the sooner your work load gets better,’ said Allie.

What about the work load for Phyliss? How soon can we hire help for her? Maybe a temp for a while.

As for the secretary, I was thinking of hiring Phyliss' aunt Beatrice or her other aunt, Doris. Both have worked in law offices. Beatrice filled in for Phyliss when she was on maternity leave. Doris typed a lot of casefiles for Phyliss. I like both of them. Neither made any mistakes nor minded staying late.

Let me think about Zoe. But one thing I know. We do need more staff. Our business is growing big time. Too much for just three people to handle.

I've got a date with Lennie. We can discuss this in more detail tomorrow. I've got to clean up a case, get my hair set and pick up my dress. We'll iron out all of this before the end of the week. Lennie and I don't get out much like we did earlier in our marriage.

Fine. We can table this issue until you come in tomorrow, I said watching her tap her keyboard.

# # #

Allie's decision to approach Zoe Phelps ticked me off. But the need for help, eased the sting. I didn't question Zoe's legal ability, just her way of going about it. A combination of shock and legal wrangling were her tactics. She used legalese to keep from telling what she knew about my best friend's activities with her boss. I wondered if she would do the same for less paying clients. Many of our clients made less than one hundred thousand dollars. Shawnette made millions on the backs of others. Zoe was reduced to making enough to pay her mortgage. She knew Rose's lover hated her new life with Shawnette. The murder was labeled a crime of passion. I called it a crime of anger. Zoe knew everything but refused to come clean until Shawnette was dead.

I escaped the clutches of my best friend’s lover by the skin of my butt. I won't go into details as to their relationship because that's in the past. Once I was cleared of Rose's murder, our law firm became a newly discovered entity. We went from adoption, wills and divorces to all sorts of legal handlers. I wondered what would happen if it got out that Zoe Phelps worked for the firm. The popularity brought in cash that we'd never seen. Allie took me in off the streets three years ago. Not off the actual streets. She saw me after I took the bar exam. Told me that if I passed the bar to see her at her office. She passed me her card and went on her way. I'd been a professional student. From design school to law school. If the cost of education wasn't so expensive, I'd be seated in a classroom every day. Allie taught me what the classroom neglected to cover. I felt protective. I didn't want anyone or anything to hurt her in any way.

So I passed the bar exam for Georgia. I lost her card in an old purse. I decided to flip a coin. Design furniture and back to school or dig through my stuff until I found her card. Voila, I found it after I tossed my place.

I thought you flunked the exam, she said when I called her. I kept your name on my desk waiting for your call."

I didn't want to tell my prospective employer I lost her card. There were a few loose ends I needed to sew up," I told her.

Can you start tomorrow? she asked.

Yes.

Be here at 8:00 am. Bring your score and be ready to tackle divorces, adoptions and a will or two, she said before she hung up.

Nova, one of the best private investigators in town, ran a background check on me long before I stepped into the office. Allie planned to hire me as soon as I called. Then last year, my best friend sued me. She claimed I stole her chair design. We worked on furniture designs before she chose to go into the jewelry design business. In discussions, I decided to settle with her claim. Not admitting guilt but so that we could move forward. With check in hand, I found her dead body in an armchair I designed. No, I didn't plan to kill her. Her lover felt the need in a heat of passionate anger, she committed the ultimate crime. Zoe knew many of the details. Danced all around the true killer which led me right into her web. The shock part was when I looked up the word for a person with both male and female genitalia.

I trusted Allie to hire the right person, Zoe or whomever. Keeping my opinion was hard to do.

# # #

After lunch, I told Allie, I don't want to rock our proverbial boat. I don't want to work with Zoe Phelps.

You need to either give me another name or just wait and see out things go.

I know other lawyers but most are with other firms. But I just don't feel right about working with her.

Is it personal or professional? If it is personal, I suggest you work through it or maybe if she come to work, you talk it out.

What if it is professional?

After we run a deeper background check, you can voice your objections, counselor! Until such time, let's keep this boat rowing down the river. We've acquired more clients in the last ten months than ever. I hate to admit that your misfortune has brought us good fortune.

Thanks a lot. I'll pass judgment after the background check and the interview. We'll see what happens after wards.

You complained about being short staffed and needed help in a hurry. I agree with you. So I am trying to remedy the problem. I've got some work to do for my husband and it will take all of my attention.

Fine. I will help in any way I can. What do you need me to do?

Keep the court date I set up for the Greeley divorce. Our client, Mr. George Greeley wants an uncontested divorce. The paperwork is over on the credenza. And one more thing, file the Atkins will in probate for me today.

No problem. Is that all?

I may need you to help me with Lennie's merger paperwork. I think the fool is moving too fast.

Just let me know. I'll be back after court.

I picked up the will and the divorce papers from the table. I noted the areas for signatures, checked the dates and courthouse room numbers. I headed to my office to collect my things. I hadn't heard Allie mention Lennie’s merger in three weeks. Before Lennie moved to Atlanta from Houston, Allie often talked about his work. After his stroke followed by a heart problem she talked about how he worked too hard. He wanted her to leave Georgia but she convinced him to leave Texas. When I started working for Allie, Lennie was a weekend husband. But that changed after his health failed. Allie decided on one weekend to surprise Lennie with a visit to Austin. Allie’s gesture turned out to surprise herself. She found him with someone else. I found her at the office early that Monday sitting at her desk at 8:00 am.

Lennie and a woman was in bed. They made so much noise, no one heard me enter the house. It was our home. I was disgusted, she said. He promised never to do that again. That was two months before his stroke. Now, he was settled in an office a few blocks from the Sandy Springs Marta station. His condo was a block north of Buckhead Crossing. I don't things were ever the same after he moved to Atlanta. They were more like stranger rather than husband and wife. I hoped that working together on the merger made a difference. I thought about their issues on my walk to the courthouse.

# # #

I've got a man for you, said Christine. He's a hunk, she said giving me a hug. We stood in the lobby of the courthouse. The sound of feet moving about almost drown out our conversation.

No. Not another blind date, I said. The last man she sent my way was too opinionated. Everything was analyzed beyond reason. Christine thought that after my divorce from Tyrone, I needed to get back into the dating scene. I wasn't ready and the man said he didn't believe I didn't kill my best friend. Even after he read the confession of her lover, he said she didn't do it alone.

Look. He's an attorney in our firm. He works on the accounting side of the law. He’s our forensic accountant.

No. No. I can't deal with another law man.

Just give him a look. I'll give you his name. He saw your picture in the papers.

That's great! I'm notorious. I don't have time for dates. My social life revolves around our office. I'm about to make partner, I said. There was no one else in the office besides Allie and myself. Who else was there to partner with Allie?

That's why you need to meet Drew. His name is Andrew but we call him Drew.

Drew. Is he that guy you told me about once before?

No. That was Darrel. He was fired and arrested for taking one of his clients' money. No Andrew. Everyone calls him Drew. He heads up our tax and auditing section. He may not be your type of person but he's nice. Soft spoken as long as he's not angry.

Send me a photo of him. Give me his number and you can give him my cell and office number. I restrict my home number until I get to know someone.

That's a start. It may take a little while before you two get together. He's working on some heavy stuff. But I bet he'll give you a call soon.

No problem. We are hiring three new people. By the time they learn the ropes, I'll have some free time.

In less than an hour the photo of Drew Marlow popped up in my email box. Drew's hair was a mixture of salt and pepper. I guess those numbers take a toll on his hair color. He wore a white shirt that shown a shadow of a white tee shirt. He seemed to be muscular. Christine said he was divorced. Worked out and liked golf. At least besides being an attorney we had that in common. All I could see was from his waist up so it was hard to tell much more. Christine wrote in the email that he is 6'3 which was good. My 5'7 height made it hard to wear heals on dates. He looked like he'd be a good change in scenery from my ex. Drew needed a tan Ty wore a permanent tan. I wanted to send her a reply but I didn't want to sound desperate. Looks good, I typed.

She replied, Okay to give him your cell now?

Yep, I sent.

Chapter 3

My tootsies were worn to the last toenail. The past two days made home just a place to sleep. Between courthouse visits, new mergers and divorces, our Monday took a toll on all of the office staff. Tuesday was no better than Monday. Wednesday promised to be even worse. I hoped I was wrong. All of the publicity brought business in droves. Allie decided to include mergers to our portfolio of business. This was another morning Allie spent at the downtown Decatur while I spent the morning at the office. I headed to the downtown courthouse in Atlanta after I snagged a sandwich. Most of my cases were in chambers with one in the open court. My client wanted a divorce and alimony. Her soon to be ex wanted alimony as well. The war was on concerning who got what and when. So after the case was postponed until all of the financial statements were read, I headed back to the office.

Allie, I've just about made up my mind about the secretary position. How about we hire both Beatrice and Doris?

Why both of them?

That would leave Phyliss to maintain the office and greet the clients. She's been typing our case files, filling and prep for meetings in the conference room. She needs a break. We have enough paying clients to support two additional people!

I'm not sure about two more people and then hire another attorney, Allie said looking at me with her glasses in her hand. She started to read the information Nova emailed her.

We need two especially if we do hire another attorney, I said sitting back in the chair. I immediately sat up when she made her next statement.

So do you think it will be good to hire Zoe?

I didn't say that. I said hire two secretaries. Don't get my words twisted. Don't play lawyer with me, I said shaking a pencil at her.

Zoe Phelps knows business law. She knows merger law.

How do you know? Where did you get that information?

She is qualified. Nova ran a deeper background check on her. I'll shoot you a copy. She is a legal whiz. All I want from her is her bar exam score.

Who said she wanted to practice law with a firm? I thought she wanted to work as a private counselor. I got the impression she was solely Shawnette's assistant and legal lap dog.

You're being unfair again. I took a chance on you. I stuck my neck out for you. Just because she chose a client with issues, doesn't mean she won't work out for us.

I ask you again, what makes you think she would work for us. We fingered her for her employer's murder. Only after we checked her out did we clear her.

Look I'll give her a call. You don't have to make up your mind right now. Besides, I can hire who I want without your approval. I just want you to get along with her if I hire her. I want her to send me the bar exam score.

I exhaled the air I'd held while Allie chattered on about why she wanted to hire Zoe. I realized I was alone in my opinion. I was wrong to not look at her as a fellow attorney. I also realized I was jealous. That green eyed monster attacked me hard when I found out about her and my best friend Rose. I wasn't sure I'd ever get over the hurt and disappointment. Zoe knew more about Rose than I did in over ten years.

Okay. Go ahead, call her. Let me see her background check. If you want me to sit in on the interview, I'll do that too, I conceded.

I was going to call her whether you agreed or not. We need help. You said so. I'll hire the best person. If she doesn't work out or want to come, I'll find someone else. But since the last time I talked to her, she was working for a non-profit organization for pennies.

Let me know how your call goes, I said leaving Allie's office.

# # #

So do you think you can contribute to this firm? Allie asked Zoe. We are a small bunch but our work load is increasing daily. I need another dependable soul in this office.

I think once I get the hang of the routine, I’m sure I can be a contributor, said Zoe sitting straight in the guest chair across from Allie. She wore her auburn hair pulled back in a severe bun. She wore a pair of colored contacts that shone gray. She wore a well-fitting black suit with A-line skirt. Her feet were covered in a pair of black pumps. She was the picture of the legal profession ready to plead