Page 24 of Dead Sure
Ronan didn’t need Ten’s gifts to know that lawsuits for wrongful termination, discrimination, and sexual harassment would be forthcoming against the hospital and Elijah Logan.
“Hey, what’s got you looking so serious?” Ten asked from the kitchen door. His hair was damp and he was dressed in jeans and a tee. “Don’t tell me I’m about to be arrested again.”
“No, you’re not getting arrested again. Once was bad enough.” Ronan ushered Ten into a chair and turned on the electric kettle. “Fitz and Jude sent me the Autumn Miller file and what they let her get away with in that hospital is astounding. I know there are protocols for verbal and written warnings, but putting patient’s lives in danger should be an automatic termination, in my book.” Ronan had a lot more to say on the matter, but was interrupted by the doorbell.
“If that’s someone here to arrest me, tell them I’ve fled to France. They don’t have an extradition treaty with the United States!” Ten shouted after his husband.
“I hate to break it to you, Ten,” Reagan Pryce said, walking into the kitchen, “but that only applies to death penalty cases and you’re only facing ten years.”
“Only,” Ten muttered under his breath.
“Can I get you something, Reagan?” Ronan asked. “Bottle of water? Cup of tea?”
“Peppermint would be great if you have it.” Reagan turned to Tennyson. “How are you doing?”
“I’m okay. Ronan made me get checked out at the hospital. I’m fine, my nose isn’t broken and I don’t have a concussion.”
“We also had the nurse document Ten’s injuries. I’ll send you the photographs.” Ronan set a mug full of hot water and a peppermint teabag in front of Reagan. “Ten and I spoke with Doctor Elijah Logan and the Hughes family. It was their baby that Autumn Miller abandoned in distress last week. Fitz and Jude were supposed to send you her personnel file. Logan turned it over to them this morning.”
“Fitz sent it to me after lunch. I’ve read it over and added it to Tennyson’s case file. I also got a call from Elijah Logan. He let me know Autumn is preparing suit against him and he wants me to represent him. Since Miss Miller hasn’t filed the paperwork, I wonder how Elijah found out that she’s in his sights.”
“I told him,” Ten said. “I didn’t want the lawsuit to come out of the blue.”
“Well, from what I’ve seen from Miss Miller’s employee file and the personal cell phone data Elijah turned over, she’s got biggerthings to worry about than suing the man she planned to marry, which is why I’m here.”
Ten sighed. “Don’t tell me the Danvers Police Department has trumped up more things to charge me with? I think I jaywalked last week.”
Reagan laughed. “No, there are no more charges against you at present, but I would suggest you obey all traffic laws.” Taking a sip of tea, Reagan’s eyes stayed on Tennyson. “I got a strange call this afternoon. You’ll never guess who it was.”
“Who?” Ronan didn’t like the sound of this one bit. Cops didn’t like when strange things happened and he assumed neither did lawyers.
“Dorothy Planter, Autumn Miller’s attorney. They want to meet with us tomorrow morning to talk about a deal.”
“A deal?” Ronan asked. “Ten is up on criminal charges, the only one who can offer him a deal is Briggs, the district attorney.”
“According to the message, Autumn is willing to drop the criminal charges against Tennyson if certain conditions are met.”
“What certain conditions?” Ten asked, looking hopeful.
“We’ll find out tomorrow, if the two of you decide to take the meeting.” Reagan looked back and forth between Ten and Ronan.
“What’s Ten’s liability if we attend? Can they use anything he says against him?” Ronan asked.
“Yes, for the criminal trial and for the civil suit, should one be brought.”
“Civil suit?” Ten asked. “So, not only can this woman have me jailed on criminal charges, but she can sue me and take everything Ronan and I have spent years building?”
Reagan nodded. “All of that, but it gets worse. Autumn Miller can also sue West Side Magick, Carson, Cole, and Cope, since the four of you own the business jointly.”
Ten got up from the table and began to pace around the kitchen. “Obviously we have to take this meeting.”
“I don’t like that idea, Ten,” Ronan said as the doorbell rang.
“It’s Jude and Fitz. Let them in and I’ll explain my stance to all of you.” Ten set his empty tea cup in the sink.
Ronan did what Ten asked. There was no way in hell he wanted Tennyson anywhere near Autumn Miller, but had a feeling he was about to be outvoted in the matter. He opened the door and ushered Fitz and Jude inside.
“Hey, everyone,” Fitz said, as he and Jude walked into the kitchen. “Ronan mentioned something about Autumn wanting to have a meeting tomorrow.” He and Jude took seats at the table.
