Chapter 5

 

 

 

 

“You’re probably asking yourselves in what direction Fulmer & Archibald will develop, now that it’s being re-registered from a limited liability partnership to an alternative business structure.” Kathleen was addressing the board. ‟Let me go back a little bit.

“In the beginning, we started working with a number of wealthy private clients, mainly in the field of real estate. We expanded our spheres of activity, adding litigation,” Kathleen glanced at me, “insurance, personal injury, and commercial law. Now, however, with Dayton Barnes as our new equity partner, we are joining the firms that perform high-profit transactions. The last few years have been difficult for corporate business. Although work has been on the rise recently, the competition is fierce and the actual transactions completed are less than expected.

“However, as you know, it’s a natural law that when one thing decreases, another thing increases. In our case, this increase has come from private capital investment. The number of deals completed just this last year has multiplied by 75%, and their value by 45%. But let me stop here. I’d like to give the floor to our new partner.” Kathleen smiled and nodded at Dayton Barnes, a finance expert at Pro Finance Group, general partner at Valery AVG, and, as of today, officially an equity partner at Fulmer & Archibald.

 

Kathleen had surprised us all that Wednesday morning.

At the staff meeting, the first after the Easter holiday, she’d dropped a bombshell when she announced the new alternative business structure of our firm.

“The Big Bang is expanding,” whispered Rachel, who was sitting to my right.

The Big Bang was the name the press had given to the legalization of the new type of law companies. And indeed, as the media outlets had predicted, more and more firms were re-registering as such.

“I’m extremely happy to join Fulmer & Archibald’s team,” Barnes began, smoothing over his jacket. “I’ve always wanted to work at a law firm, but not as a solicitor. A few years ago, when the government decided to let individuals who weren’t solicitors own shares in or be managers of law firms, I became positive that my dream would come true very soon.” He put a hand in his pocket, resting his other hand on the back of Kathleen’s chair. Hugh was sitting to her right, totally absorbed in Barnes’ speech. “The past couple of years turned out to be quite beneficial for our private equity firm. We restructured two companies’ portfolios, then sold them. While our previous investment funds generated a profit of 37%, at most, with the present fund we’re expecting a profit of at least 50%. I’m convinced that the unified work of Fulmer & Archibald and Valery AVG will be beneficial and effective for both firms.” He looked at Kathleen, indicating by a slight wave of his hand that he’d finished.

Kathleen rose. “Peter and Fred, from now on you’ll keep in constant touch with Mr. Barnes and you’ll follow every move made by Valery AVG. If you need more corporate law solicitors, just let me know. I hope there’s no need for me to remind you that any successful transactions will have a positive effect on your bonuses.” She paused, opening her diary. This signaled the beginning of the quick overview of everyone’s current tasks.

“Peter, how far have you got with Herbal & Vista?”

“At the moment I’m completing the due diligence.”

“And we’ve agreed on a credit with Halifax,” Fred added.

“Good.” Kathleen nodded in approval. “Rachel, how is the preparation for the case against Dr. Maxwell Hamilton going?”

“We’ve got the account of an independent physician, which supports our client’s version.”

Kathleen nodded quickly without even looking at the folder.

“Alice, how about the purchase of Yester Castle?”

“I received a qualified acceptance7 of Somerset’s offer for £375,000. Somerset’s requirement is for the contract to come into effect no later than the eighteenth of April, so we’ll schedule it for that week.”

She took a note in her diary.

“Well, that’s all for this morning. I hope you got some good rest over the Easter holiday and have returned full of energy and enthusiasm,” Kathleen said with a smile. On her way out, she took me aside and said in a lowered voice, “Alice, could you come to my office for a moment?”

Every time I entered her office, my eyes were drawn to a framed photograph of Kathleen Fulmer and Helena Kennedy — her model for a lawyer. A Queen’s Counsel, member of the House of Lords and chair of JUSTICE — a human rights and law reform charity organization — she was indeed a modern-day Emmeline Pankhurst8.

“I need a favor. I wouldn’t take up your time now when you’re so busy with the purchase of Yester Castle if it wasn’t so urgent.” Kathleen took a folder from the inside drawer of her desk. “It’s about a case you handled about eight months ago, Hayes v. Nailer.”

“If I’m not mistaken, the court handed a victory to our client, Nailer.”

Kathleen nodded. “Look, Alice, I need an inquiry into Nailer’s income. And I need it by the close of business. Will you do it?”

I frowned. This could make me fall behind on my schedule for the Yester Castle purchase.

“Kathleen, I really want to help you, but I already have a predetermined plan and if —”

“I heard you’re looking for a flat,” she interrupted.

I gave her a look of surprise. “Actually, I already found one — a two-bedroom apartment in Holland Park. I haven’t paid for it yet, though — I have until the end of April to get the money together. I’m lucky I got it.”

“A clever move. And a great area,” Kathleen nodded, her eyebrows raised slightly in approval and surprise. “Isn’t it too posh, though?”

“Well, it’s surely less posh than Belgravia,” I mimicked, delicately assuming her tone.

She smiled. Belgravia was one of the world’s wealthiest districts; Kathleen lived there, almost on the border of Pimlico.

“Do you need an advance to buy the flat?”

“Yes, I do. In fact, that’s something I want to talk to you about. It’s almost three years since I made partner, but my salary hasn’t changed at all. I’m past due for a raise.”

Kathleen looked at me for a few moments, as if deep in thought.

“We’re expecting new gains from the upcoming corporate deals. It will take some time, however, before we get them and I’m afraid you can’t wait that long,” she sighed. “I can’t promise anything in particular, Alice, but I’ll see what I can do for you. I will appreciate it if you can also help me — that’ll ease things for me, you understand?” Her smile seemed sly and self-content.

I took the folder from her desk, thinking that I was going to have to work double-time to get it all done.

“Ask the trainee, Michelle, to help you. By the way, how is she doing?” she asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Very well,” I answered, then excused myself from her office.

In the bullpen, my colleagues were discussing, under their breath, the change in the firm’s registration and, of course, the new partner.

“What do you think about it all, Alice?” Rachel asked me.

“I don’t like this so-called ‘alternative business structure.’ No matter how much you criticize us Yanks, we would never legalize such a thing.”

 

***

 

“Not a bad flat at all,” Michelle said, taking a look around my present apartment in Battersea.

We had left work just after five and gone to my apartment to go over Yester Castle’s documentation together. The task Kathleen had given me had swallowed up almost my entire day. In order to meet the deadline for the Yester purchase, I would have to put in some extra hours. Michelle had agreed to help me in exchange for my paying for her drinks next time we went to Be At One.

“Yeah, but it’s only a one-bedroom,” I objected. The apartment I’d found in Holland Park had two bedrooms, and both the living room and balcony had an excellent view, overlooking the park. “And of course, I’m only renting,” I added.

“Well, you live alone, anyway; why would you need a bigger one? Look at me — my attic flat in Marylebone is a good deal smaller than yours.”

“I love open spaces,” I replied, taking a bottle of white wine and two beers out of the fridge. “What would you like?”

“Wine, please.”

I poured a glass for each of us. For a while there was silence, disturbed only by the sounds of us turning pages and sipping our wine. I had the estate plan in front of me. I spotted the name Goblin Ha’, and in the next moment I must’ve dozed off. I started, lifting my head off the table. Michelle’s chair was empty, and I looked around until I saw her standing by the window. She was staring down at the activity in the street. I stood up and was surprised by how loose my body felt.

“You’re awake?” she smiled warmly, coming toward me. I took a pack of instant coffee from the kitchenette. I couldn’t afford to sleep away the time I needed so much.

“If it looks like I’m starting to doze off again, please, wake me up immediately.”

“Alice, you looked so cute that I couldn’t…”

I chuckled.

“Somerset will be hardly as flattering as you if I miss the deadline.”

“Don’t get stressed out, just relax. You’re so tense. Come here! Turn around.”

“Why?”

“I’ll give you a massage, of course.”

I obeyed her uncertainly. Her hands were both strong and tender. I felt I was going to fall asleep again if we carried on this way.

“Thanks, Michelle,” I said after a few minutes, then turned back to the documents strewn all over the table.

“What’s the matter?” she asked me, smoothing a lock of my hair.

I took a sip of coffee. I needed it to refresh me and quickly.

“What do you mean?”

“I think you’re not here, but somewhere else.”

“The only place I want to be is New York.”

“Then do it. Go, Alice.” Her voice seemed to carry a strange echo. “Alice… Alice… Alice…”

 

I woke up suddenly.

“Alice, are you all right?” Michelle was looking at me anxiously. “If you’re tired, then let’s stop.”

“I don’t know what’s been going on with me lately.” I rubbed my head with my hands. “I used to be able to stay awake for days on end.”

“I guess you’re growing old,” she teased me.

“Thanks, that is so sweet of you,” I said sarcastically. We both burst out laughing.

“You and I make a good team, don’t you think?” she asked.

“Of course we make a good team. A perfect one, if you ask me.”

“You know, Alice,” Michelle said, with a strange note in her voice, “I like you.”

I was preparing to get back to the castle plans when I felt her hand on my thigh.

“What are you doing?” I asked, my voice sharp as a knife.

“As I said, I like you…”

“I’m flattered but I’m not…” I couldn’t finish. Michelle had already leaned over to me, and I could feel her breath on my face as I closed my eyes. She pressed her lips to mine.

Behind my eyes, I saw lips curved into a strange smile.

A flash.

A blade.

 

I woke up to my own continuous scream. I realized it all had been a dream.

“Calm down, Alice. It’s just a nightmare.” Michelle was holding my shoulders and trying to soothe me. When I saw her so close to me, I pulled away from her with a cry. She gave a nervous laugh as she jumped back slightly, also.

“What’s going on with you?”

I was so confused and startled I couldn’t give her a reasonable reply.

The rest of the evening was uneventful. We finished going through the documents by eleven, and Michelle left my apartment.

I met the sunrise having failed to fall asleep again.