Page 72 of Not Mine to Rescue

His partner stepped out to make that happen. He left the door cracked, so I could see the conversation from my vantage point. I don’t know if that was intentional or not. But once he returned and closed the door, I had the feeling it had been. Whatever they were going to say now would be an attempt to change my mind.

Or rattle me hard enough I’d be altered.

The research I’d done on the current rash of cases around the Destroyers MC, but not involving them directly scrolled through my thoughts. I had arguments constructed for each accusation.

Bill settled in his chair.

Stephen set his hands on the table, poised fingertip to fingertip. A move to show his hands were empty. A classic.

I set both of mine on the table as well, but refused to resort to a feint so obvious.

Bill started. “This battle between you and Jim has got to stop.”

“It’s not a battle.”

“No? Why does he feel the need to bring the baby to the office? In case you didn’t understand what he did, that was a sortie.”

“And it failed because it takes two to battle.”

Stephen leaned a bit to stage whisper to Bill, “See? I told you, nukes.”

“Fine. You lead.”

They’d rehearsed this. Damn it.

I refused to let my unease show.

Stephen picked up the conversation. “When you took a leave of absence I half expected you wouldn’t come back, but you did. And I felt it was too soon.”

“My therapist didn’t.”

He nodded. “You proved me wrong. Your therapist was right. You needed to immerse yourself in work and reality. Then Jim pulled that shit with Denise, and you two got divorced. But somehow through it all you remained solid. Frankly, I’m a bit awed. I don’t think I’d have that kind of dedication if my wife left me.”

I could feel the “but” coming.

He moved the pages in front of him to line them up. The word didn’t even need to be spoken. It was right there in black and white.

“It was the baby, wasn’t it? The final straw? You couldn’t deny things anymore, could you?”

Bill moved his pages to align that damn date better in his view.

“Yes. I believe that’s correct.”

Stephen shifted tactics. “The Destroyers aren’t our only client. We have other work. But this particular group of clients do, at times, test our patience. I would assume you can remain impartial for the rest of the members during those times, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Bill picked up where Stephen left off. “We will inform Walt of this change. You’ll be exempted from any cases where Mr. Blessing is involved. That includes any possible federal cases.” His eyes remained on me for too long.

“I’m aware of the rumors and the increased scrutiny on the account. I would assume you would not exclude me from team brainstorming?”

“That depends,” Bill stated.

I almost broke discipline and showed emotion. “On?”

They performed another seamless hand off. “On whether this affair continues, and how deep your boyfriend involves you with the club.” Stephen’s tone was casual, but a warning lurked under the surface.