Page 54 of Trials of a One Night Stand
“Your client.”
My hands spring up in front of me. “We can’t discuss the case.”
“This isn’t about the case. It’s about Sugar Valley Drugs.”
“Nate—”
“Please hear me out.”
His tone is so earnest that I’m curious what he feels so compelled to say. “If I say yes, you have to agree to stop if I say so.”
Gratitude shines in his eyes. “I accept those terms.”
He’d be a lousy attorney. Every emotion shows in his eyes or on his face. “Go on.”
“The lawsuit against Zentello isn’t their first.”
“I know Sugar Valley Drugs is litigious. I’ll also admit they’re playing hard and fast to claw their way up in the industry.”
“It’s not just Sugar Valley Drugs. That’s just one of their shell companies they use for their lawsuits and how they claw their way up by stealing another company’s creation.”
Huh? That’s the first I’ve heard of this, which means he’s incorrect. “You’re mistaken. Someone’s trying to lead you down the wrong path. I work for one of the most respected firms in the Pacific Northwest. They wouldn’t work with a client who did that.”
“Are you one hundred percent sure?”
Am I? “Yes.”
“Here’s the thing, Jayne, you can’t be certain. You’re one attorney at a huge firm, but you don’t know everything that goes on there.”
True, but that doesn’t stop me from raising my chin. “I know the firm’s mission statement.”
He finally cracks a smile. “Good for you, but have you personally dove deep into your client where you feel comfortable representing them?”
“I’ve looked into Sugar Valley’s past, which is how I know about their other lawsuits and products.” And that makes me uncomfortable, but that’s part of the job.
“They aren’t a company I’d want to represent.”
“Then it’s good you’re not a lawyer.” I’m not sure what he’s trying to get at.
“Damn good.” He leans toward me. “I’m a scientist, but I’m also an ethical person. You’re important to me. Orchid and Zentello are too. I’d never do anything to risk you or them. Never.”
The conviction behind his words is strong, but I’ve heard witnesses on the stand lie after swearing on a Bible. Anything can be faked. “You might not have stolen the formula, but someone—”
“No, Jayne. I know they don’t have irrefutable proof. They can’t have it. And that piece of crap you’re calling evidence was stolen from us by someone else.”
“That’s untrue.” That’s all I can say. He’s put me in an impossible situation.
“I swear whatever they have is false. I don’t blame you because you’re only doing your job. You want a promotion. I understand that, but you should look a little deeper.”
“Into Sugar Valley Drugs?”
He nods. “And whatever evidence they’ve provided you. You might also want to investigate their other companies.”
“Such as?”
He grins wryly. “Do you want me to do your job for you, Counselor?”
“No. Of course not.” My face heats. Blushes are the one thing I haven’t learned to control. Thankfully, those are rare or, rather, were rare until Nate entered my life. But now that he’s thrown down the gauntlet, I want to get to work. “Anything else?”
