“No thanks. I’ve been in the car for almost two hours. There was an accident on 611.”
“Okay, so what’s up?”
“The case isn’t going to settle,” Bennie answered, matter-of-factly. “I can’t go into detail because the situation is ethically challenged, at best. Suffice it to say that I gave it the old college try, but it isn’t happening.”
“Are you sure?” Mary tried to absorb the information. She had hoped for the best and convinced herself it was actually going to happen, because she wanted it to happen, so much.
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“Is there any chance of settlement down the line?”
“Not in the near future.”
“Oh no.” Mary considered the implications. That must’ve meant Todd Eddington denied making the statements. The case was a credibility contest, and the company was going to stonewall.
“I really did try, Mary,” Bennie said, her tone softening, and the sunlight coming through Mary’s window shone on her face and caught the blue of her eyes, making them look crystal-clear.
“I’m sure you did.” Mary forced a smile, despite her disappointment. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
“I was glad to do it. I know how much this case meant to you. It was the right thing to do, to try, but it didn’t work.”
“Was my settlement demand too high?” Mary was kicking herself. “I tried to keep it reasonable but we’d settle this for less. Simon just needs the money for Rachel.”
“It wasn’t the number. More than that I can’t tell you. What I learned today is privileged between OpenSpace and me, and I shouldn’t say any more.”
“They’re going to lose at trial, you know.” Mary felt an ember of anger, hot in her chest. “They’re in the wrong. The notes are such good corroboration, and the case is incredibly sympathetic. Simon has them dead to rights.”
“There are two sides to every story, as they told me this morning, and they’re going to tell theirs. As for you and me, we shouldn’t talk about the merits anymore.”
“But settling it is the right result.”
“Agree, it’s a case that should settle.”
“It makes the most sense for everyone involved.” Mary couldn’t let go of her frustration. Her chest felt squeezed, like she had on the smallest sports bra of all time. “I know there are two sides and they’re not horrible people. I’m sure the bossdidn’t know what he did was illegal. Every company tries to cut costs, and he probably felt duty-bound to do it.”
Bennie opened her mouth to say something, then clamped her lips shut. “Understood.”
“Did you pitch settling, can I ask?”
“Of course. I did pitch it, and they declined.”
“Did you show them the complaint?”
“No, I didn’t need to, and I didn’t think it was wise to. I didn’t want to open up a can of worms when they saw my firm name on the last page.”
“I get it. Arg!” Mary groaned. “This is sowrong. This is just the wrong result.”
“Mary, trust me, the thing that should happen doesn’t always happen. Life isn’t fair. Litigation is less so. You should know that by now.” Bennie’s tone turned worldly-wise. “The right result isn’t always the result.”
“I understand.” Mary felt heartsick. Her hand went to the gold locket around her neck, which Simon had given her. It killed her that she wasn’t able to settle this case. It could have eased his mind. It could have helped Rachel.
“I hope that your friend finds himself a great lawyer, and you should feel comfortable helping him do that. I even have some recommendations if you need one. And of course I wish his daughter a speedy recovery.”
Mary didn’t get it. “Thank you, but I’m still going to represent Simon.”
Bennie blinked. “You are?”
“Yes, absolutely,” Mary said, though her mouth went dry. “I thought you understood that.”
