Tempting the Crown (The Crown 1)

She picked up her bag. “Thank you. I don’t know what to do first.”

“Maybe sleep,” I advised.

She nodded as she turned for the door. “I think I might.”

Addie walked in past her. “Is Jessie leaving?”

“I gave her an assignment.” I glanced at my laptop, ignoring Addie’s needling stare.

“Oh.”

I felt some sort of satisfaction having a secret from my officemate. I wasn’t a rule breaker, but today there was something renegade about my attitude.

We both looked up when we heard a rap-tap on the frosted glass of our front wall. It was Max Harrison.

“Professor Harrison.” Addie suddenly had a bright smile and warmth.

“I know you’re busy, but Emily I was wondering if you had a few minutes.”

I could feel the anger dripping off Addie. She shouldn’t be jealous. Neither of us knew what this was about.

“Of course. Would you like to sit?” I offered.

“How about we take a quick walk?”

I

covered my salad. “I can do that.” I grabbed my jacket and followed him outside.

We started on one of the sidewalks that looped around the building.

“I don’t usually interject in any of our resident’s cases, but I wanted to discuss a specific one with you.”

“Oh?” My eyebrows lifted.

He shoved his hands in his wool jacket. He had a plaid scarf tied in a hefty knot under his chin.

“I read the brief on the Foley case.”

I bit the inside of my cheek. “And you have a recommendation for me?”

“I’m wondering if you have referred Mrs. Foley to outside counsel.”

The wind kicked up. “No. She came to me specifically stating she didn’t trust any law firms in the city. Working with someone else isn’t an option for her.”

“Have you brought it up again? Suggested she go with a full legal team?”

I shook my head. “What is your concern? That I’m not able to handle the case?”

He tilted his head toward the tree limbs overhead. “Emily, this is the kind of case that’s going to receive national attention. Suing a sitting senator is not a run-of-the-mill suit.”

“I’m aware of the implications and the consequences,” I stated. The case had kept me awake at night. I knew all of the ramifications.

“I’m afraid it’s going to appear as though our university is trying to insinuate itself in a national matter.”

“Are you asking me to drop Mrs. Foley’s case?”

He stopped under one of the oaks. I wrapped my jacket closer to my chest.