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It’s not perfect, but hopefully he reads between the lines. I’m not going to put a wall between us. Not now. Not ever.
Reese
Day two apart…
I start my day reading Cat’s column and the message inside it for me: We tell our own story. In other words, her family doesn’t get to control us. She’s right. And the Maxwells will soon find that out.
I call Cat’s publisher as my first order of business. The agreement to release and promote this book after this conflict ends, is easy to resolve, especially when I agree to consult on a second book on Kelli Ward. Knowing they offered Cat a smaller fee for a second book, I negotiate Kelli’s book outside that contract and call Liz.
“You’re better at this than me,” she says. “I’ll call Cat.”
“Tell her to tell her family the book is on hold indefinitely. That’s important.”
“Understood.”
Next, I call Kent to my office and tell him everything. “How serious are you about this woman?”
I open my desk and set the Tiffany’s bag on the desk. “You? Married?” he gapes.
“Me. Married.”
“Okay then. I don’t know you anymore, but I’m going to help you help us.”
Hours later, Kent and I put our plan into action. I sit with Casey and Maria at the conference table. “I’m recording this for all of our protection,” I state. “Maria will read the legal disclosures.”
“Understood,” Casey states.
Maria proceeds and when she’s done, Kent begins. “When I filed the lawsuit on your behalf, I did not disclose the names of the parties I filed that lawsuit against to Reese.”
“In other words,” I say. “I had no idea that there was a conflict of interest between me and your case.”
Casey sits up straighter. “What conflict?”
“I was dating a woman who is the daughter, sister, and niece of three parties named.”
“Holy shit,” he says. “So you’re dropping me.”
“No,” I say. “I’m giving you the option to stay or go, but before you make that decision, I need to make you aware of all the facts. Cat Maxwell and I have stopped seeing each other until this is over. However, there was a press release yesterday that made a book deal public. I’m consulting on her true crime about the Ward case. Those interviews are complete and the release and press will be put off until after this conflict is resolved. The book is on hold. Additionally, Cat is estranged from her family anyway, and as far as I’m concerned, they treat Cat like shit. They deserve to be fucked to hell and back again.
“Then why stop seeing her?” Casey asks. “If you hate them, that’s in my best interest. I mean, if I was an excuse—”
“No. Cat is not going away. I need you to know that too. This break is to get us through this case. I’ve already gone after her family. They will come after me no matter what. I have to deal with them. What you need to know is that I’m the best at what I do.”
“I already know that, man,” Casey says. “I’m lucky as hell to have you as a friend on this case.”
“You can go elsewhere, but here’s the bottom line. If they screw up and don’t get you off, I’m recording you right now being told that this is your decision. The outcome of going elsewhere is your decision. I’m also telling you that I will work one hundred percent for you. I can’t promise you I will get you off, but nothing I’ve told you will be a factor, and to stay on this case, I need you to sign an agreement that you will not sue me or this firm over the outcome. The language will be lengthy and it will include full disclosure of everything I just told you.”
“Done,” he says. “I trust you. How can I not trust you? You left your woman for me.”
“I didn’t leave Cat. She left me because she’s that ethical.”
An hour later, he’s shaking my hand. “Don’t lose her over this.”
“I won’t,” I say and I mean it.
Cat
Since my family won’t take my calls, I march into the lobby of their offices, and I don’t bother to ask for entry. I walk right past the receptionist and down the hall.
