Code Rojo by Ray Flynt

Author:Ray Flynt [Flynt, Ray]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-11-27T22:00:00+00:00

21

Conversation stopped as I entered the conference room, and all eyes turned in my direction, except for Councilman Parson who sat with his back to me. Besides, he knew I was coming. At the opposite end of a walnut burl table edged with a Greek key inlay, sat managing partner Isaac Bignell. I recognized him from a photo display in the HR office detailing key members of the firm, including non-partner heads of divisions, such as Isaac’s sister, Kate.

Four candles flickered merely adding to the ambiance, since the room-wide window behind Isaac provided enough light to conduct business.

One woman sat at the table. She kept her gaze on me after the others stopped—Rose Watkins, the only living founder. An oil portrait of her graced the wall above a sideboard in the conference room where juice, coffee, and muffins on silver trays had been arrayed for the participants. Oliver claimed Mrs. Watkins was eighty-five; she could pass for seventy. Her eyes narrowed as she watched me. I couldn’t imagine what Rose might be thinking.

Of the remaining people at the table, I could identify only Ron Needell and Marshall Barstow.

Carmen Castillo sat in an armchair against the wall to the right of the entry. When I moved to sit beside her, she pointed me toward a group of chairs on the opposite side of the entry door.

It didn’t take long to learn why she’d ostracized me.

Marshal Barstow frowned at the interruption my arrival caused. “As I was saying, this firm has a stellar reputation, but the turnover in Mr. Parson’s office has become a source of gossip. Last week, I attended a reception for one of my Harvard Law School colleagues at a firm across town. When introduced to strangers and identified as affiliated with this firm, the topic of precipitous firings in the councilman’s office came up. It’s an embarrassment.”

Ron Needell cleared his throat and dipped his head in my direction. “Speaking of Exhibit A.”

He speaks about me as if I’m responsible. Probably blaming me for Ellie’s change of heart about him too.

If Carmen had let me sit next to her, I’d be out of Ron’s direct sightline. Instead, he glared at me while making demands of Parson. “Can you explain why your office has had four clerical staff in the last six weeks?”

Parson sat a little straighter in his chair. “Isaac, with all due respect, I don’t think this is within the purview of a partners’ discussion.”

Isaac Bignell nodded. “Perhaps, Marshall, you, Howard, and I could speak briefly after the meeting.”

Parson shook his head. “That won’t be necessary. Inspect the terms of our partnership agreement. Each of us has autonomy in personnel decisions affecting individual offices.”

Mrs. Watkins tapped a spoon against her coffee cup. “Perhaps we should move along to the other items on our agenda.”

Her reaction irked Needell the most, as he clattered his fork against the muffin plate.

The matriarch’s words quelled any further dissension and Isaac shifted his focus. “I’d like to draw everyone’s attention to our operational budget under tab C of the meeting packet.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.