“What do you mean?” Keely looks puzzled.
“Carter is in jail right now because he tried to screw you out of your inheritance,” I explain. “It would have been years before I'd be given lead on a case on my own. But everyone’s so panicked, they put me on the first flight out. This could be my big break,” I add, feeling a surge of excitement. “If I prove I can handle this solo, who knows what else they’ll send my way? I could make partner before I’m thirty.”
“I’m sure you will. You deserve it,” Keely says loyally.
“I just hope I’m prepared.” I pause, feeling a flash of insecurity. “The opposition’s lawyers moved up the schedule. We were expecting them to keep delaying, but suddenly, they want to meet to discuss settlement.”
“What do you think they want?” Keely asks.
“Probably just scare tactics. I bet they heard about Carter, and think they can intimidate me.”
“Then they haven’t met you yet!”
“Amen to that,” I grin, toasting her. “To LA girls taking over the city!”
The morning speeds by, and soon Keely has to get to the office. I insist on picking up the check.
“It’s the least I can do,” I insist, passing the server my credit card before Keely can object.
“Then let me take you for drinks tonight,” Keely offers. “Vaughn is out of town, and it will give us some time to really catch up. We can have a girls’ night out.”
“Perfect,” I grin. “Call me later?”
“Will do.”
Keely heads out, but I have a few minutes to spare, so I order a coffee and linger at the table. I should be going over my case notes one last time, but I can’t resist opening my purse to take out the gift I found at the apartment last night.
The box is about the size of a hardcover book. It’s wrapped in deep purple silk, tied with a gold silk ribbon.
I feel a shiver of excitement.
There’s an envelope tucked inside the ribbon. I slide the card out. Heavy cream paper with swirling calligraphy.
At first, I thought it was a little welcome gift from Keely. Then I opened it, and realized there was no way my best friend sent me this.
I open the card and read the words again.
Welcome to your wildest fantasy.
Are you ready to play?
My heart beats a little faster. I glance around, checking that nobody’s watching me. The people in the restaurant couldn’t care less about my secret invitation, but I still feel an illicit thrill.
I check both sides of the card, but there are no clues about the mysterious sender, so I turn my attention to the gift, nestling inside the paper-thin tissue.
It’s a key. But not like any key I’ve seen before. Old-fashioned, gold, with a delicate chain threaded through the intricate swirls. Inlaid in the gold are hundreds of tiny stones that sparkle in the sunlight.
It can’t be….
I surreptitiously drag the edge against the base of my glass. It leaves a scratch.
No way. These are real diamonds!
My heart races as I carefully place the key back in the box and slide it back into my purse. I can’t believe it. I don’t even want to think how much it’s worth, but it’s got to be more than any jewelry I’ve ever owned.
Who would send me an extravagant gift like that? And what does the invitation mean?
My phone sounds with a beep: the alarm I set earlier to make sure I stay on time. I quickly lay down some bills to cover the coffee and tip, then head back out onto the street. The noise and bustle hits me in a rush, and my excitement over the gift turns into a new surge of anticipation.
New York City, baby!
I can’t help but grin as I join the mass of people walking fast down the crowded sidewalk. Skyscrapers loom over me, and yellow cabs race past. There’s a buzz of energy in the September air that fills me with excitement.
You’re a long way from Chino…
My designer heels tap on the sidewalk as I stride ahead. If only those stuck-up girls from high school could see me now. I spent years busting my ass to get here: juggling two jobs to pay my way through college and law school, and pulling all-nighters to keep up my grades. I worked like a dog, but it’s all worthwhile now. Lead counsel on my first big case, and who knows what might happen if I prove myself and get that win.
I hail a passing cab. Justine Jenkins has arrived, and I’m ready for battle.
CHAPTER TWO
I arrive with time to spare and take a moment to get my bearings. My opponents on the case have their office in a classy brownstone on a quiet tree-lined street that just screams ‘money.’ I climb the steps and reach for the buzzer, but there is none: just a discreet brass plaque on the door. Venture LLP.
The whole building belongs to them? OK then.
I push the door open and step into the lobby. It’s a bright, sun-drenched area with bare wooden floors and bold abstract art on the walls. Striking, modern. There’s a hush of concentration, and everywhere I look, I see designer furniture and important-looking people in designer suits. Part of my job is reading the opposition, and everything about this place says they have deep pockets, and aren’t afraid to show off.
My nerves bubble up, but I push them down. Nobody here knows this is my first time flying solo, I remind myself. For all they know, I’m a hot-shot attorney who eats the other side for breakfast.
I walk boldly up to the receptionist, who’s lounging behind a solid marble desk, looking like an art exhibit with impeccable cheekbones.
“Hi,” I say with a smile. “Justine Jenkins, here for the VideoMine meeting.”
Without a word, she rises to her feet and walks down the hallway away from me. I pause, thrown, then realize she’s waiting by the elevators for me to follow.
I quickly catch up. “I love your shoes,” I say, as she stabs the elevator button. The door closes. Silence.
Is it me, or is it cold in here?
She leads me down another hallway, to a plush seating area. My client, Adam Granger, is waiting, bouncing his knee with nerves.
A look of pure relief flashes across his face. He leaps up. “You’re here!”
“Hey,” I greet him with a warm smile. “You look good. I think it’s the first time I’ve seen you out of those hoodies and jeans,” I tease, trying to put him at ease. He’s still wearing his trademark geeky T-shirt, but he’s scrubbed up for the meeting since I saw him last in LA. Now he’s clean-shaven with his blonde hair buzzed close to his head, and a hip pair of square-rimmed glasses. Much closer to how he probably looked as an undergrad at Stanford.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’ll be handling the case, not Carter the Jackass,” he says.
My former boss didn’t exactly make many friends.
“I know you must be nervous, but I know this case inside out,” I reassure him.
“There’s something else. This showed up at my hotel this morning,” he says, pulling out an envelope from his satchel. “What does it mean?”
I scan the papers. A cease and desist letter and summons for a lawsuit, demanding Adam drop his case.
“They're just trying to intimidate you. Don't worry. These are normal scare tactics,” I explain.
“But they say I could be liable for a nuisance lawsuit,” Adam looks terrified. “I can’t afford to pay that kind of money.”
“They know it, that’s why they filed. Look, this is a big case with a lot riding on it, so we shouldn’t be surprised if they play dirty.”
‘A lot’ is an understatement. Adam invented a computer application called VideoMine. I’m not really into technology, but basically it’s a new YouTube that could revolutionize the internet – and make its inventors overnight billionaires. Adam developed it with his college roommate, Kellan. Which is where it gets messy. Six months ago, they had a huge fight about the future of the company. Kellan walked out with his laptop and the backup drives with the half-finished code, and went straight to the nearest venture capital firm to get funding for what he claims is his idea.