Chapter 4: Walkout

The firm's conference room had a view of the river and a table for twenty.

On Wednesday at nine, six partners sat on one side of it.

The managing partner sat in the middle with my bar complaint squared in front of him.

I stood at the head of the table with my file bag still on my shoulder.

I had not been offered a chair.

"Hannah," he said warmly, "this is a painful meeting."

"Is it?" I said.

"We have documents showing you took a retainer from the adverse party's husband on a matter in which you are personally interested."

"The documents say I took a retainer from my husband."

"Which is a conflict."

"It is," I said. "So is the petition with your signature on it."

The room went quiet.

I set Leland Thackeray's annulment petition on the polished wood.

I turned it so every partner could read the signature block.

"On Monday you sent me to pitch Thackeray Holdings," I said.

"You were already the chairman's attorney against its CEO."

"That is a conflict, and a bigger one than mine."

A younger partner on the end reached for his water glass and did not drink.

"You sent me to a meeting where you knew my husband would be," I went on.

"You wanted me to walk in blind in front of his staff."

"That's an accusation you can't prove."

"I don't have to prove it here."

I took out my phone and set it on the table with the recording light on.

"I only have to say it where it counts."

The managing partner's smile thinned.

"Hannah, be careful."

"I'm done being careful," I said. "You don't have to suspend me. I resign."

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