Threats

Vanessa

As I thought, Richard II would not go away quietly. The media covered his condition as him being attacked while out at a charity event. And of course media channels were present at the event therefore pictures of the attendees were readily available.

I hadn’t made it into the office soon enough as the phone rang rapidly. Photos of Richard II and Penelope were plastered everywhere. Every news media channel displayed her face as well as a moment when they posed for a picture before entering the event. People began calling once they found out Penelope was an employee of the Elegant Escorts. That just ignited another firestorm all by itself.

“Good thing you had Penelope sent to the house instead of the hospital, they would have been all over her,” Mr. Peabody said as he sat in front of my desk.

“I know, I thought this shit would blow over by now, especially since the Governor didn’t want anything to do with it. However, it seems as though I now understand why he decided to distance himself, ” I said looking over the files.

My phone rang from the front office.

“Yes?” I said as I pushed the speaker button.

“Ms. McBride, Lawyers of Mr. Richard Fitzgerald II are here within the office to see you,” I rolled my eyes.

“Let them have a seat, I’ll call you when I’m ready,” I said and disconnected. I pulled open the drawer and pulled out two Aleve pain pills. Mr. Peabody fetched me a glass of water to take the pills.

“It looks like we have to go to phase 2 Mr. Peabody,” I said as I downed the last pill, throwing my head back as I swallowed.

“Really?”

“Yes, it seems as though Mr. Fitzgerald is trying to play hardball,” I said as he tapped on his tablet. “His lawyers have arrived. I can only assumed that they are here to serve legal papers,”

“I agree. I will make sure everything is set up and wait for your call,” he said as stood and walked towards the door.

“Thank you. On your way out, can you send them in please?” He nodded as I prepared myself for Richard’s attack.

Mr. Peabody held the door open as 3 well dressed men walked into my office. All of them carried briefcases and one handed me an envelope. I hesitated to take it as I knew they were trying to serve me legally.

“Hello Ms. McBride, we meet again,” One of the lawyers said as he sat down in the open chairs in front of my desk.

“Hello Mr. Ruiz. And yes we meet again,”

“Consider yourself served,” he said as I took the envelope from him. “You are being named as a defendant along with your employee Penelope Matthews in the attempted murder of Richard A. Fitzgerald II,” he said looking at me with a smirk on my face. I looked at the others and they all had the same silly smirk.

This didn’t bother me at all and yet they were examining me to see if I would break a sweat. Not even - apparently they were not prepared for me. I remembered Mr. Ruiz from our previous meeting when dealing with Mr. Fitzgerald. After that incident, I took precautions to make sure that it does not happen again. Especially with Mr. Fitzgerald as he was a high priority client who had the backing of his money to do his talking for him.

“Interesting,” I said, examining the documents. “Gentleman, it seems as though you have your information to move forward,” I said, raising my eyes to them.

“Yes we are,” Another lawyer said. “If you are willing to settle out of court, we are prepared to negotiate, however, it needs to be reasonable,”

“I see. However, settling on behalf of my company is not acceptable as we are not at fault here. This was a simple case of self defense. Therefore, we will go to court if need be, yet I highly doubt it,”

“How can you say this? Your employee attacked Mr. Fitzgerald and put in the hospital. Are you aware of this? Or do you leave your lackey to handle tough situations for you?” he quipped. I shot him a cold stare which made sit up straight in the chair.

“What is your name?” I asked, pointing directly at him.

“Mr. Young,” he answered.

“That you are,” I said standing up behind my desk and straightening my outfit. “You see Mr. Young, I’ve been in this business a very long time. And being in this business for a very long time has allowed me to learn from my mistakes and in doing so I’ve become confident in my business and my employees,”

“Yes, but that doesn’t make you above the law,” he retorted. I looked at him. He interrupted me.

“Penelope Matthews accompanied Mr. Fitzgerald that evening and we were informed by him that she was his attacker,” Mr. Ruiz stated.

“And this is what he told you?” I frowned, looking at them individually.

“Yes. Where is your employee? We are prepared to have her arrested immediately for attempted murder,” The final lawyer chimed in.

“She is unavailable,” I answered. “Unfortunately you will not be speaking with her nor will she be turning herself in,”

“Then you will be held liable,” Mr. Young said. He made me smile. I chuckled at his attempt at intimidation.

“You think so?” I quipped.

“Your prostitute will go to serve time for this and you, Ms. McBride, and will lose your company. Do you know who you are dealing with?” he quipped. I looked at him and smiled.

I turned to Mr. Ruiz. “He’s really working for his money today, huh?” Mr. Ruiz kept a straight face and nodded.

“On the contrary Mr. Young, it isyouwho doesn’t know whoyouare dealing with. I don’t take kindly to idle threats. In fact, I don’t take kindly to being threatened -Period.”

Mr. Young huffed in his seat ready to speak.

“Excuse me,” I said, raising my finger to them. “Who is the lead prosecutor on this?” I asked.

“That would be me,” Mr. Ruiz answered by raising his hand.

“Ah, thank you,” I responded. I dialed out to Mr. Peabody.

“Mr. Peabody, could you please send that information to Mr. Ruiz, one of Mr. Fitzgerald’s lawyers please. Just the first portion,” I said, disconnecting the call.

Soon after disconnecting, Mr. Ruiz received a message from Mr. Peabody. It was a video recording of the night in question. It wasn’t the entire video, but just enough for them to get an understanding that this will never go to court. He will settle out.

“Mr. Ruiz, what you have received is a partial video of the evening in question. Please let me know what you see,” I said as he looked at his phone and began playing the video.

My blood ran cold as I heard Penelope scream in the video and then it went silent. I closed my eyes as my heart went out to Penelope having had to deal with that type of situation. I looked at Mr. Ruiz and he looked disgusted.

“One moment, Ms. McBride,” he said as he sent the video to the other lawyers. I sat down at my desk and waited for a response, especially from Mr. Young.

I watched as his mouth opened and he looked very uncomfortable watching the video. He looked at me and had nothing to say. Shortly after, I received a video chat - from Mr. Richard II himself, from his private, hospital room.

“Vanessa,” he said as he struggled to keep the phone steady. “Can you hear me?”

“Yes Richard, I hear you loud and clear. How can I help you?” I said looking at him on my laptop.

“Vanessa, can we discuss this?”

“Richard, I thought that was what you had intended on doing, however you sent your lawyers after me. Richard, you know how I don’t like lawyers,” I said looking at Mr. Ruiz and giving him a wink.

“About that,” he stammered. I don’t know why he felt the need to test my patience with him.

“I take it that you didn’t disclose the events that happened with them?” I asked looking at them still discussing the video.

“That bitch stabbed me!” Richard II yelled.

“And she had every right to, you attacked her!” I replied.

“I will not stand for this Vanessa. You need to do something about those savages you call employees,”

“Richard, now you know I’ve told you before, you are not to address my ladies that way,” I said. I could see he was getting upset as I was not backing down at his antics.

“I will sue you Vanessa,”

“It was a binding contract to which you breached, we’ve been through this before Richard. Now either you settle out of court and pay the amount for breach of contract, plus additional fees in the amount of $10 million plus have your membership revoked and I will let this go away quietly,”

“And if I don’t?” he asked. I looked at his lawyers who just shook their heads.

“If you don’t, the full, unedited version of that night will be sent to every news channel and social media platform. I suggest you discuss this with your lawyers,”

“You wouldn’t dare,” he said looking at me. I leaned into the screen to make sure he saw my face clearly.

“You should know by now Richard, I don’t play games. Especially when it comes to my business. You want to try and find out? You already know how this is going to end,”

“Give me the girl, Vanessa and I’ll go away quietly,” he huffed trying to bargain.

“That will never happen. I suggest speaking with your lawyers and get back with me. And do not try to intimidate me again Richard, I don’t like being threatened.” I stated.

“This isn’t the end of it Vanessa!” He yelled as I closed the laptop.

“I suggest you speak with your client and get him to realize the consequences of his actions. Otherwise, this video and the fact that he tested positive for methamphetamines will be released to the public,” I said, looking at Mr. Ruiz who understood everything I was saying.

“How did you know about the meth?” A surprised Mr. Young asked.

“As I said before Mr. Young, this is not my first rodeo. I’ve been in this business for a long time and it is best when you play this game, you hold all of the correct cards in order to win the game. Please let Mr. Fitzgerald know that he will also be banned from Elegant Industries as well,” I said smartly. Mr. Ruiz smiled in agreement.

“Thank you Ms. McBride for your time,” Mr. Ruiz said as he stood, with the others following suit. “We’ll be in touch.”

“I look forward to hearing from you soon.” Mr. Ruiz nodded, turned and left the office with the other two lawyers following directly behind him.

Mr. Peabody returned shortly after the lawyers left and sat down at the desk. I looked out the window at the skyline. I hoped Richard II was smart enough to take the deal.

“Do you think he’ll pay?” He asked walking up behind me. I loved his presence, he was always there to support me.

“He should, but with him on the drugs again, he’s not thinking rationally. I don’t want to get involved in it like this. I don’t want Penelope hurt because this asshole doesn’t want to admit he did wrong,” I folded my arms in front of me, still looking out the window at the view.

“I know. Hopefully someone will knock some sense into him,”

“I agree. In the meantime, I need to make sure we are ready to roll if needed. I’ll let Penelope know what may happen.” I said.

“Understood.”