Page 57 of A Trial of the Heart
“Good afternoon.”
“Good afternoon.”
I expected Arthur to explain the nature of his visit, but when he didn’t speak and he barely looked my way, I knew he wouldn’t speak.
“Something I can help you with?”
Arthur chortled but still didn’t speak.
“Are you here for an update on the Carter case?”
“Something like that, except I’m updating you.”
“Okay…” I hesitated in confusion.
“Due to the nature of the case, there seems to be some type of conflict of interest, so because of that William and I will take the case.”
Had Rashad gone behind my back about us? Just as quickly as the thought came up, it left. “Care to elaborate?”
“Actually, I don’t.” He didn’t say anything further.
My arched brow hiked, my eyes narrowed in confusion, and my lips parted to speak. “So, you’re removing me from a case based on conflict of interest, but you can’t even give me an explanation on it?”
“Precisely.”
Arthur gave short, nonchalant replies, and it pissed me off. I wanted to curse him out, but he was still my boss.
“With all due respect, sir, his case is set to begin in less than a month, and you’re pulling me without a real reason why? I have to note that it’s unfair, and I won’t stand for it.”
With a blank expression, Arthur bellowed a taunting laugh that seemed to come from the pits of his round, oversized gut. The laugh seized immediately before he pressed his balled fist on top of my desk, leaning his body my way. The potency from the alcohol that he consumed daily damn near burned my nose hairs. I stared at him. The white residue that rested on the corners of his mouth made my stomach queasy, and I wanted to throw up.
“This is my office. My name is on that wall when you step off the elevator, not yours. This office is borrowed. All of it is mine.” He stood, extending his arms as he spun slowly. “So as long as you’re in my shit, you stand for whatever I tell you to stand for.”
I needed this job, but it would be a cold day in hell before I continued to be in such a toxic environment where I was treated like the help.
“You know what,Arthur? Thisisyour office, but you or your fucking racist ass son that can’t get off his mama’s titties ain’t shit without me here. I am the backbone ofyourcompany. So, you can have this case, that case, or any other case you want because I am done.” I exhaled, feeling relieved at what I’d done. “I’ll have someone pick up my things.” I grabbed up what I could.
“Not so fast.”
I could hear the amusement in his tone. I looked Arthur’s way but didn’t speak. “You’re under contract, so you and I both know if you walk out of that door before your contract is over, you can kiss your career goodbye.”
I scoffed. “You don’t even want me here, so why hold up a contract that you can easily let me out of?”
“I could…” His grin was sinister. “But I won’t.”
Arthur strolled closer to me, prompting my eyes to lift the closer he got as he was taller than me.
“Get your notes and everything related to the case over to William, and you take the rest of the day off. I’m sure today has been a little draining.” He lingered a bit with the smirk before he quickly spun going to the door. “Oh, one more thing.” He turned with his finger lifted and his other hand on the doorknob. “If you ever talk to me the way you just did, I can assure you that friendship I had with your father won’t mean shit. It’ll take every law enforcement agent in the Commonwealth of Virginia to find you.” He winked before turning and leaving.
My body relaxed, and I exhaled heavily. I was pissed, and my blood was boiling hot. I was stuck in this shit hole of a job, and now, I felt like I would always have to watch my back. There wasno solution to my problem as of yet, but I would fight tooth and nail until I had one.
The stormthat rolled through without a warning woke me up from the deep slumber I’d been in, and I couldn’t fall back to sleep. I had called LeeAnn, but my call went unanswered, and it was no use in calling my mother since I knew for sure she was sleep. My mind still raced from what had happened at the office earlier, and I just needed to forget even if for a moment. After pacing my floor more times than I could remember, I ended up in my car just driving. I had no destination in mind, the longer I drove, the closer I got to the one place I knew I shouldn’t be.
I jumped as the dark sky lit up from the lightning, and seconds later, the roaring thunder sounded as I sat outside of Rashad’s place. Driving here, I intended to just ride past, but somehow, my brain and heart weren’t on the same page, so now, I just sat outside his house. I wanted to go in, but at the same time, I didn’t. I was so conflicted.
“Ugh.” I sighed, finding myself grabbing the door handle to get out. I couldn’t control anything.
The walk from my car to Rashad’s front door seemed like I was taking the walk of shame.
