Page 108 of Passionate Defense

Chapter 24

IN COURT, PROMPTLYat nine a.m. the next morning, Lanie rose from her chair at the plaintiff’s table, surrounded by all eight of her clients. Although with practiced stoicism, she didn’t allow it to show, but inside she was a nervous wreck. She wouldn’t put it past Wanker and Weiner to renege on their deal at the last minute. That would mean a lengthy trial. The national news had picked up the story. Sex, lies, and intimidation made for high ratings and once again, she’d be front and center of a shitstorm of salacious headlines with reporters dogging her and her clients’ every step. This time, it had been her law firm and her choice, however. And she was prepared for it, but a settlement would be better for all concerned. Except the defendants, of course.

Mr. Jackson stood as well when the judge addressed them. “Have the parties come to an agreement?”

“They have, your honor,” he replied, despite his two clients’ grim expressions.

“Approach the bench, Mr. Jackson.”

Once she had read the terms, Vicky looked over the top of her reading glasses at Lanie. “And your clients have accepted, Ms. Fischer?”

“Yes, your honor.”

She nodded. “The clerk will enter the signed settlement into the record. As we have no further business, case dismissed.” The gavel fell, the crack of wood on wood resonating through the courtroom. The judge left the bench, moving so fast her black robe fluttered behind her, and disappeared from sight.

Conversation exploded around her. Excited chatter and an onslaught of questions from the audience intermingled with the defendants’ refrain of “no comment” as they stormed out. For Lanie, time seemed suspended.

While legally a settlement meant there were no winners or losers, her clients, Art Wolfe and Roger Williams knew the truth. Because of the NDA, the news couldn’t report a dollar amount, but the fact the firm had settled to avoid a trial would lead the public to assume they had something to hide. The significance extended beyond the eight women involved and their families. Unless the partners were too stupid to change their ways, $80 million gave the current and future employees at WW&S a shot at a safer and more respectful work environment.

Cases like this were what made it all worth it.

She turned at a hand on her shoulder. Ethan had made his way through the crowd to her.

“Congratulations, Ms. Fischer,” he said, beaming at her like a proud parent.

This was athrow herself in his armsmoment, but she kept it professional and returned his broad smile.“Thank you, Professor Fischer. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Yes, you could have,” he said confidently. “This place is going to be a madhouse for a while. Do you want me to bring the car around back?”

“Please. I’ll try to be quick.”

“Take your time. Celebrate a little with your clients.” When Marcy, client #1, approached from the side and enveloped her in an excited bear hug, he disappeared into the crowd.

Fifteen minutes later, with the number of people outside the courtroom surpassing those inside, and her clients with their own entourages of family and friends running the media gauntlet, Lanie escaped by the same door the judge had. She would release a prepared written statement to the paper and news, but she’d done enough interviews with demanding reporters, cameras flashing, and microphones shoved in her face to last a lifetime.

As she made her way through the maze of hallways to the empty corridor leading to the rear door, she got an odd feeling. Unsure if it was relief or the letdown of having prepared for a trial then not having one, she hastened her steps. When she turned the last corner, she saw Ethan through the window, standing in a beam of sunshine, leaning his perfect butt against the side of his beamer. She smiled, the unease slipping away. He had that effect on her. With him around, all seemed right with the world and her troubles, which were dwindling more by the day, seemed to fade into the ether.

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