Page 217 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 2

I glance at Brent, Morgenstern’s wealth manager . . .formerfinancial advisor, wondering how this guy’s going to defend himself. He’s got like three years under his belt, a newlywed, and doesn’t have the same bank account I’m sitting with. I see the fear in his eyes. I have enough of my own problems, but this guy deserves a chance to explain what happened. I start by asking, “Just so I’m clear, and my attorneys understand, the Monday you returned from your honeymoon was the same day that Morgenstern got ahold of you. Is that correct?”

He shifts, looking anxiously down at Andrew. “The company will cover it, right?”

“Cover what?” Andrew asks, sitting straighter on alert.

“I put in the order as he requested. He told me that Jackson recommended the buy, so we needed to take the loss.”

“Why would I recommend a stock that I wouldn’t be willing to invest in?”

Brent shrugs, trying to act casual, but the beads of sweat forming at his hairline tell a different story. “That’s what he told me.”

“I emailed you the Saturday before you returned to work that Morgenstern had called me in a panic. He wanted to sell the stock because it was plummeting. I didn’t give you an order or make a recommendation. I stated in writing what he had communicated to me, and if you weren’t going to be back to handle it, I asked who was covering your clients.”Weasel.“I have the email thread. You replied that you would be back. Did you handle your client’s business?”

He may think we’re fucking stupid, but he inches closer to the door when he thinks people aren’t paying attention.I am.I’m watching him. He says, “A lot was going on.”

Nick’s sigh is audible all the way down the sixteen-seat table. He then asks, “Are you telling us that you did or didn’t do what your client asked? So we’re clear? Because over the weekend,you said everything was done according to regulation. Is that still the case?”

“Yes,” he says before the question is fully out of Nick’s mouth. “I did everything right and by the book.”

The white noise of the team of attorneys murmuring to each other rises, but then I say, “What about the first question Nick asked?”

“I answered his questions.”

I press harder because I’m caught up in this mess. “You didn’t answer if you did as your client asked.”

He pops his neck and shoots a glare. “It’s all in the summary report, Jackson. Look for yourself. I sold the stocks when he authorized me to do so.”

“On Monday?”

He looks at Andrew. “Why’s he even here? He’s not a CWM employee.”

Andrew’s expression hardens. “As an employee, you should know the role he’s played in CWM’s success in this market. As a refresher, he helped navigate the changeover after the buyout from Manhattan Financial Group. He brought in not new clients but helped retain the current clientele that his family’s company had built. He was a broker and an advisor after working his way up from the mailroom starting in high school. So we give him an office to show respect and our gratitude. He’s a member of this team, even if we don’t cut him a paycheck anymore.”

“That was a damn beautiful speech, Andrew. Thank you. The respect is mutual when it comes to you.” I stand because although I appreciate the accolades and Andrew having my back, I think I need to consult with my lawyers privately. “As for Brent . . . I think another interview will be needed. Try to have a good day, gentlemen.”

As soon as I shut my door, it opens before I can sit down behind my desk. Nick comes in and stands by the window.Crossing his arms over his chest, my brother-in-law looks at me and says, “Look, Jackson, the company can take the financial hit to settle. It won’t be pretty, but the press putting our reputation in jeopardy by letting this story circulate can do more damage to the future business if not contained. We’re having to weigh our options. But as family, I’m worried how much this will take to fight regarding your case.”

“Thanks for the pep talk, Nick.” Turning my attention to my monitor, I say, “You can see yourself out.”

“Nah.” He lowers his arms and sits across from me. “We’re not going to pull that bullshit, not between us. When I married your sister, I married into her family. I take family very seriously. When someone comes after one of us, they come after all of us. The company can’t protect you, but Andrew and I will to the best of our ability. If you want to fight, we fight. If you want to settle to make this lawsuit go away, we’ll respect that decision as well. But you have to tell us what it’s going to be.”

“Manhattan Financial recorded all the calls. I know times change and permissions need to be in place, but the system is still the same. You need to have that investigated to see if the system is still running in the background by chance. It will be an immediate end to this.”

“It won’t be admissible in court because we have no right to record a conversation without permission prior to the call beginning.” Standing again, he crosses the office. “I haven’t told Natalie about the lawsuit, but I think you should. This isn’t something you need to go through alone.”

“And what is my sister going to do about it? She can’t make it go away. She can’t make me feel better that some fuckhead is suing me for something I had no part of. Don’t you get it, Nick? You’ve seen the files, the emails, the summaries, and the interviews. It’s his word against mine, but either way, I lose.” Istand, grabbing my jacket and putting it on. “I’m sorry if I don’t have an answer for you in the time you have allotted.”

“Fuck that, Jackson. It’s not my timeline. I’m trying to be?—”

“Don’t. Don’t be anything but a friend or my brother-in-law. What I need right now is time to process this and to get my attorney’s advice before I can tell you how I’m feeling.” I tuck my keys in my pocket and grab my phone. “Because I’m feeling pretty fucked up over this. I’m going home. I’m going to . . . I don’t know what I’m going to do. All I ask is that my sister stays blind to this situation until I know what I want to do. I don’t want to worry about her or my parents, and I will if they start worrying about me.”

“Understood.”

I pass him but then stop and turn back. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Lock up when you leave.”

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