Page 31 of Logan
It’s from an unknown number.
“Hey, Payden, it’s Becca Mercer…” Becca is one of the whistleblowers in the safehouse. She’s been in hiding because of threats on her life, and those of her colleagues. I’ve no idea how she got my personal number, but I frown when I listen on. “Call me back when you get this. You’re the only person I trust. I… I have something you might be interested in… We’re moving locations again…”
This shit isn’t looking good, but I’ve no idea what the heck she’s talking about. I’m one of the lawyers assisting, but my colleague, Ryan, is heading the case.
“Ryan has been great,” she goes on. “But I-I don’t know, I get this awful feeling I’m being watched, even though that’s ridiculous.”
I’ve had many hours of phone calls with Becca over the last few months, and she’s been a tower of strength through all of this. Uprooting her life, putting herself and her family in danger because she knows bad stuff is going on, but she still did it. I respect that. These corporations are going down, one way or the other, and Cini Media is next if my firm has anything to do with it.
Speaking of being watched, for the last few months, I’ve had the same feeling.
I know I’m being paranoid, or maybe I’ve watched too many late-night TV crime shows. It’s starting to make me overly suspicious of every little thing. Like last week, I was sure someone was following me, so I dove into a nearby cafe to see if the person behind me followed and they didn’t. I swear, it’s the perils of the job.
I’m interrupted by Ryan calling me.
“Hey,” he says. “Are you far away?”
“Nope,” I reply. “Just around the block.”
“Cool. We have a meeting as soon as you get in, and tomorrow we’re going to reconvene with the DA.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Ryan has propositioned me a couple of times over the years, but I always declined. He’s not bad looking, but thinks he’s hotter than he is, and plus, suits don’t really do it for me. I also don’t mix work with pleasure, and the way Ryan goes through women? I’d just be another notch on his belt.
“I don’t suppose you’d pick up coffee and a snack from that little place around the corner?”
He also thinks I’m his office bitch, hence the real reason for his call which could have waited until I got in. It’s not like I’m ever late.
“Nope,” I say cheerfully. “I’m not your maid, and I already left.”
“Damn shame.”
“Bye, Ryan.”
“See you in five, hot shot.”
I roll my eyes. I’ve always hated the way he calls me that. Yes, it’s in jest, but it’s the way he says it. Like I’m a joke. I did go to college, and I’m more than qualified for this job, but in Ryan’s eyes, I’ll never be on par with his level. Hell, I’d not even be a level under him, let alone beside him. He comes from a long line of lawyer assholes so I guess it’s in his genes.
“Hey,” Molly says on the reception desk as I pass by. “Jones is in a foul mood.”
“When is he not?” I whisper back with a smirk. “And jerk face Ryan thinks he can send me running errands across town like he owns the place or something.”
“Jesus, did he hit you up for coffee, too?”
She nods, rolling her eyes. “Hasn’t he ever heard of delivery? It’s what makes this city tick, after all.”
“You can say no,” I remind her. “It isn’t your job to run around after him and get his coffee order. You’re needed here. I’ll have a word with him.”
Her cheeks pinken. I like Molly. She’s a sweetheart and though she’s only new, she’s already become a favorite along with Marcus—one of the family lawyers down the hall. I wanted to matchmake them, then I found out Marcus prefers the company of other men. I don’t know how I missed that one.
“No, it’s totally fine,” she says, waving me off. “I mean, I don’t want to cause any waves. I’ve only been here a month.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll make sure he knows to call DoorDash or something and explain you’re hired as a receptionist, plus you’re not supposed to leave the desk.”
There is a second receptionist, Deidre, but she doesn’t come in until eleven.
“Uh, okay, I guess you’re right. I do have this habit of just saying yes when I mean to say no. It’s no trouble to go get the coffee?—”
