Too Close to Home by Susan Lewis

Author:Susan Lewis [Lewis, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2015-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

“Thanks very much for seeing us at such short notice,” Hanna was saying to the lawyer as he showed them into his office. “We realize how busy you are, so we do appreciate you squeezing us in.”

“It’s no problem, really,” he insisted, directing her and Jenna to a plush cream leather sofa while he took one of the matching armchairs opposite. “Bena explained, when she rang, that it was urgent.”

“She also told you what it was about?” Hanna prompted.

As the lawyer nodded he glanced at Jenna. His name was Richard Pryce, she kept reminding herself, senior partner of Denwell Pryce and Associates. He was younger than she’d expected, mid-forties maybe, certainly not the grandfatherly figure her imagination had for some reason conjured. In fact, he was quite a good-looking man in an understated, rather elegant sort of way, with thick, graying hair and astute blue eyes. His smile, though naturally polite, seemed genuine and relaxed, his demeanor that of a man both confident and in control. Though she sensed he was someone to be trusted, she felt loath to trust anyone at the moment, least of all herself.

“Will you have some coffee?” he offered, gesturing toward the pot on the table. “Or we can manage tea if you prefer.”

Jenna cleared her throat. “Coffee’s fine, thank you,” she replied. She was suddenly embarrassed about being here. Though she’d done nothing wrong herself, she still felt responsible, foolish, and afraid that this man was never going to believe that she truly hadn’t known what was going on in the company she part-owned. If he accepted this fact, he’d presumably consider her very stupid indeed, or at best naive.

After pouring three coffees Richard Pryce sat back in his chair and crossed one long leg over the other. “I’ve received your emails and attachments,” he told them, “so I’ve had a quick look through, but it would be helpful to hear what you’re thinking.”

Immediately taking the lead, Hanna began explaining the initial premise of the company, how it had been agreed that Jack would run the business side of things—marketing, publicity, sales, et cetera—while Jenna concentrated solely on the creative content, as well as running a home, organizing four children, and attempting to write a book of her own.

As she listened, Jenna watched Richard Pryce taking everything in, his face inscrutable. She couldn’t stop wondering what Jack would do if he knew she was here. As far as she was aware he still had no idea that she’d found out about the payments he’d extracted from the writers; he certainly hadn’t broached the subject during the disastrous occasions he’d visited over the weekend. She couldn’t think about those ugly scenes now, as it would do no good, especially when she was dangerously close to the edge already.

Obviously, with the children around and so much else to sort out, it hadn’t been the right time to discuss business, but maybe she should have called him this morning and given him the chance to explain before coming here to seek legal advice.

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