office early, in the hopes of beating Desiree at her own game. He was intent on having a conversation with her, a rational one, where they could come to some sort of agreement. If it was money she wanted, then fine. He would lower himself to be a victim of blackmail if it meant she would leave him and his family alone for good.
Dave started in confusion as he opened the doors of the firm. Schworst, Desiree and Stone were sitting in the main office, seemingly waiting for him.
“You,” Kyle Schworst began in a low, deadly snarl. He rose to his feet, his stance aggressive, “Now we know why you stole the tapes, you snake!”
“Kyle. Sit,” Stone commanded in his authoritative tone. The man might have been old as hell, but when he spoke, everyone listened.
With a growl of retribution, Schworst sunk back into his chair and leveled a glare at Dave.
“David,” Stone intoned, gesturing to the empty chair in front of him.
Dave dropped down into it. His body was numb, his heart racing. He chanced a glance at Desire—her eyes were red-rimmed. She was sniffling into Stone’s initialed handkerchief. Dave also noted several bruises on her arms and neck. His chest tightened with anxiety.
“What’s going on?” he hedged, centering his gaze on the older lawyer.
Stone stared at him intently before slowly answering, “We have a problem. Ms. DeLongo told us a very disturbing story. One that involved the two of you, here. At the office, on my property.”
Dave had the awful feeling he knew exactly where this was going, “Sir, with all due respect, this woman has been set on destroying my life. I’m not sure exactly what the reason is, other than the fact that I do not want to sleep with her.”
Schworst laughed.
Desiree let out a tiny sob, “How can you say that? How can you sit there and look me in the eyes after what you tried to do to me? “
“Because I know, and so do you, that I never touched you.”
“Then why is she covered in bruises, you fuck?” Schworst snarled, “Do you realize how much of a liability this is, you selfish prick? You couldn’t attempt to rape her somewhere else?”
“Enough,” Stone snapped, his patience gone. “Get out of my sight Schworst, you’re beginning to make me sick.”
The younger man complied, with one last sneer in Dave’s direction. “You’re done for, Davey.”
Dave watched him walk away, wishing he could sink his fist into Schworst’s face.
“Now David, Ms. DeLongo has agreed not to press charges.”
Desiree interjected violently, “Even after your wife threatened me! She’s just like you, stomp on the little people—trying to offer me a bribe to go away. I’m not doing this for myself. I’m doing it so everyone knows what you really are.”
“You’re insane,” Dave blurted out with a laugh, feeling his temper soar. “You are a pathological liar—a manipulative and cruel bitch!”
Dave flushed with fury at the injustice before him as he leapt to his feet. He stared down at his tormentor with absolute loathing.
“David—”
“Sir, I have been with this firm for almost 20 years...how can you take her word over mine?”
“David. Understand we can’t risk this type of behavior happening again. I’m going to have to ask you to leave. Take all of your personal belongs with you and get out.”
The gloating smile that Desiree threw him over Stone’s shoulder as he turned to comfort her, almost made Dave consider attacking her. He pushed down the irrational impulse, telling himself that he was lucky. He was only losing his job, not his freedom. Of course she wouldn’t press charges, because she had no proof—but apparently she’d done a number on Stone just fine.
By the time Dave finished packing up his desk, the rest of his coworkers arrived. Rather quickly, Desiree made a show of her distress throughout the office, slandering his good name. By the time he finished gathering his belongings, people were staring at him with open hostility. Talking about him as if they’d never known him. They couldn’t believe what a disgusting monster he’d been all along. Dave pushed down the urge to scream at them all. The few sympathetic looks he received meant nothing—even if some people thought he was innocent, they were terrified of being associated with this stigma, and getting fired themselves for even reaching out to him.
Dave was so angry by the time he got to his car he was shaking. He tried to take a few breaths to calm himself, but it was almost impossible. This accusation would be a black stain on him for the rest of his life—as long as he stayed here, in Repo Ridge. Growing up in this valley, Dave knew how small it actually was and how unforgiving its citizens could be. Without a trace of doubt in his mind, he was positive this news would spread far and wide, until it reached the ears of all those who once thought they knew him. He didn’t even want to consider what his mother’s reaction would be—the thought alone left him feeling faint and weak.