Unnatural Acts (Stone Barrington 23)

With the knowledge of Mike Freeman’s offer bolstering his courage, Herbie walked into Karla’s office and dumped the stack of files on her desk. “Good morning, and there you are,” he said. “There’s a memo in each file listing the relevant precedents and case law. That makes you and me entirely up to date.” He walked over to a table in a corner where a coffee thermos sat and poured himself a cup, then sat down opposite her.

Karla stared at him, unblinking, a glare that any associate would have recognized in a flash as preceding heavy weather. “I don’t believe I invited you in for coffee,” she said acidly.

“That’s just one of the many mistakes you make with associates, Karla,” Herbie replied, “especially with me.”

“ What? ”

“I’ve spent two years shoring up your reputation in this firm, and I’m all done now. I’d like you to recommend me to Bill Eggers for senior associate.” This was a step toward partnership, and the appointments were handed out stingily. In fact, he thought, no one could remember Karla ever recommending anyone for senior associate.

“You must be out of your mind, Herbert,” she spat, “coming in here and making yourself at home and thinking I would promote you.”

“You can’t promote me, Karla, I know that, but if you sign this letter, it might help a bit with Eggers.” He removed a letter, neatly typed on the firm’s letterhead, and slid it across the desk.

Karla picked up the letter and read it.

“I don’t think the praise is overdone, do you? I tried to frame it in your own inimitable, grudging style.”

Karla was trembling with anger. “You little twerp,” she said through clenched teeth. “You get out of my office!”

“Just as soon as you sign the letter,” Herbie said. “Oh, and a phone call to Bill would be nice, too.”

“Why do you think I would ever do such a thing?” she demanded.

“Because if you don’t, I’m going to start making people around here aware of what a lousy lawyer you are.”

“ What? ”

“You’ve been kept afloat for years in this firm by smart associates who’ve done your work for you and kept their mouths shut about it, but I’m not going to keep my mouth shut. I’m in a very strong position in this firm. I have an excellent reputation here, and you don’t.” Herbie saw a flicker of something in her face that might have been fear. He pounced.

“You know that as well as I do, don’t you? You know you couldn’t count on the support of a single associate here and not more than one or two partners. You’ve lost two accounts in the past year, and you haven’t brought anything in. You’ve been on the edge at Woodman and Weld, and all you need is a nudge to tumble into the abyss of unemployment.”

“Then why would you want the support in the firm of someone as weak as you think I am?” She smirked, as if she had won the argument.

“Because you never praise anyone for anything, Karla, and the shock just might get Bill Eggers’s attention. That’s the only reason, believe me.” He stood up. “I’ll be going now, and I’d like to take the signed letter with me.” He held out a hand.

She tried the glare again, saw that it wasn’t working, and signed the letter. “Now you can go to hell,” she said.

Herbie put the letter into his pocket. “You first,” he said, then walked out. He was quivering with excitement and exultation. He had nailed Karla Martin, and he had it in writing. She could never retract that letter.

Herbie walked up another flight of stairs and down the wide hallway that housed the senior partners, then walked into Eggers’s secretary’s office. “Good morning, Jane,” he said, giving her his best smile. He had cultivated her carefully since the day he arrived at Woodman amp; Weld.

“Good morning, Herbert,” she said.

“Do you think he might have a moment?”

She picked up the phone and buzzed Eggers. “Herbert Fisher would like a moment.” She hung up. “He’ll see you.”

“Thanks, sweetheart.” Herbie walked into the big corner office. “Good morning, Bill,” he said.

“Herbert,” Eggers said. “I got your message about leaving early yesterday.”

“Yes, I had a lot of work to get done for Karla, and I didn’t want her interrupting me, as she is prone to do, so I took it home and finished it there.”

“I see.”

“It was the last work I’ll be doing for Karla,” Herbie said, matter-of-factly.

Eggers looked surprised. “Are you resigning from the firm, Herbert?”