the defendant in libel matters.”
It was Hollis’ turn to speak. “Mr. Devi, Mark and I would like to prepare your answer to the Fields’ complaint.”
Devi turned to face Hollis.
“We would take on the research and work with your attorneys, of course,” she added. Hollis still couldn’t read Devi’s blank expression. She decided to wait for him to comment.
Mark , on the other hand, pushed his chair back and stood, determined to soldier on. “Look, I know that the lawsuit is basically moot. Transformation can file for dismissal since the offender is dead and the article was stopped, but—”
“But, we will work for free to clear her name,” Hollis broke in. “We need standing in the court. Transformation will just need to cover our court and filing fees so our firms won’t be out of pocket.”
Hollis regarded Devi’s silent demeanor with some impatience. He just sat there with what looked like a hint of a smile.
Devi looked from one to the other. Finally, he slapped the table with his palm
“We want your story.”
“What story?” Hollis was taken aback.
Devi got up and started to walk around the room, stopping next to Mark. “Yes, this could be a great story. A poor struggling lawyer turned writer is obsessed with a fantasy about a popular celebrity. She risks it all but fails. Her loyal friends take up the banner to salvage her reputation. Will they meet with the same disastrous end?” Devi took out his phone and started madly texting.
Mark spoke. “Mr. Devi, I don’t think it would be appropriate to ….”
Devi squinted. He obviously didn’t like anyone to interrupt his momentum. “You want our help, or not? Leave your card. I’ll get back to you.”
Hollis motioned to Mark to head for the door.
“We’ll look forward to hearing from you. Not about our story … about the complaint,” Hollis said, moving to the door.
Carl Devi waved goodbye and pushed the door shut.
As they waited for an elevator, Hollis shook her head. “What was that all about?”
“That was strange ,” Mark said.
“I just can’t imagine Cathy working for that guy. He’s so ….”
The elevator arrived.
Mark nodded. “If we get the job, we’ll make sure we have at least one serving of caffeine before any meetings.”
Hollis closed her office door and forwarded calls to the reception desk. She had passed on lunch with Mark and come straight back to the firm from their meeting with Devi. It had been five days since Cathy’s death, and the pit in the bottom of her stomach was still there. Time was slipping by, but she had promised Mark not to start digging until they heard back from Devi.
Her phone rang and she snatched up the receiver.
Mark’s excitement was tangible. “Hollis, I just heard from Transformation. They’ll allow us to work their claim.”
“That’s great, but will they cover our fees?”
“If we win they’ll give us a twenty-five percent bonus and reimburse our ‘reasonable’ expenses.” He paused . “They also want us to brief them on a regular basis. If we lose, there is nothing. They’re going to assign us a senior attorney, who’ll also report our progress and get back to Devi about our findings.”
“Okay, I get it. It’s not a problem to keep them in the loop. We aren’t doing it for the money anyway.”
“No, we’re doing it for Cathy,” Mark said somberly. “I’m done for the day. I’ll file the papers for a change of counsel with the court in the morning. Then I’ll see if we can get a sit-down with Fields’ attorney next week for a continuance.”
“Now, that will be a hard sell.” Hollis reached for the small file of papers. “I’ll start researching the corporation papers for Fields of Giving. It’s a long shot, but we need to check off the boxes.” She flipped through the sheets of paper in Cathy’s file. “I would have expected more factual articles, rather than just these puff pieces for someone as prominent as
It was Hollis’ turn to speak. “Mr. Devi, Mark and I would like to prepare your answer to the Fields’ complaint.”
Devi turned to face Hollis.
“We would take on the research and work with your attorneys, of course,” she added. Hollis still couldn’t read Devi’s blank expression. She decided to wait for him to comment.
Mark , on the other hand, pushed his chair back and stood, determined to soldier on. “Look, I know that the lawsuit is basically moot. Transformation can file for dismissal since the offender is dead and the article was stopped, but—”
“But, we will work for free to clear her name,” Hollis broke in. “We need standing in the court. Transformation will just need to cover our court and filing fees so our firms won’t be out of pocket.”
Hollis regarded Devi’s silent demeanor with some impatience. He just sat there with what looked like a hint of a smile.
Devi looked from one to the other. Finally, he slapped the table with his palm
“We want your story.”
“What story?” Hollis was taken aback.
Devi got up and started to walk around the room, stopping next to Mark. “Yes, this could be a great story. A poor struggling lawyer turned writer is obsessed with a fantasy about a popular celebrity. She risks it all but fails. Her loyal friends take up the banner to salvage her reputation. Will they meet with the same disastrous end?” Devi took out his phone and started madly texting.
Mark spoke. “Mr. Devi, I don’t think it would be appropriate to ….”
Devi squinted. He obviously didn’t like anyone to interrupt his momentum. “You want our help, or not? Leave your card. I’ll get back to you.”
Hollis motioned to Mark to head for the door.
“We’ll look forward to hearing from you. Not about our story … about the complaint,” Hollis said, moving to the door.
Carl Devi waved goodbye and pushed the door shut.
As they waited for an elevator, Hollis shook her head. “What was that all about?”
“That was strange ,” Mark said.
“I just can’t imagine Cathy working for that guy. He’s so ….”
The elevator arrived.
Mark nodded. “If we get the job, we’ll make sure we have at least one serving of caffeine before any meetings.”
Hollis closed her office door and forwarded calls to the reception desk. She had passed on lunch with Mark and come straight back to the firm from their meeting with Devi. It had been five days since Cathy’s death, and the pit in the bottom of her stomach was still there. Time was slipping by, but she had promised Mark not to start digging until they heard back from Devi.
Her phone rang and she snatched up the receiver.
Mark’s excitement was tangible. “Hollis, I just heard from Transformation. They’ll allow us to work their claim.”
“That’s great, but will they cover our fees?”
“If we win they’ll give us a twenty-five percent bonus and reimburse our ‘reasonable’ expenses.” He paused . “They also want us to brief them on a regular basis. If we lose, there is nothing. They’re going to assign us a senior attorney, who’ll also report our progress and get back to Devi about our findings.”
“Okay, I get it. It’s not a problem to keep them in the loop. We aren’t doing it for the money anyway.”
“No, we’re doing it for Cathy,” Mark said somberly. “I’m done for the day. I’ll file the papers for a change of counsel with the court in the morning. Then I’ll see if we can get a sit-down with Fields’ attorney next week for a continuance.”
“Now, that will be a hard sell.” Hollis reached for the small file of papers. “I’ll start researching the corporation papers for Fields of Giving. It’s a long shot, but we need to check off the boxes.” She flipped through the sheets of paper in Cathy’s file. “I would have expected more factual articles, rather than just these puff pieces for someone as prominent as
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