"I'm not done," Alan says, not unkindly. "When you asked if working with Julian Humphrey was fair game, you mentioned she still had your work in her portfolio. That is strong evidence in your favor."
"I still don't understand why she keeps those," I say honestly.
"Maybe because you and I did the best damn jobs in that company?" Isabelle suggests.
"Which brings me to the most probable reason for this bogus lawsuit. I've seen this before. It happens far too often, given how rarely it brings results. A company loses employees, those employees then open their own business in the same industry, and of course use the same ecosystem of suppliers, distributors, etcetera. Old clients prefer to switch over. Revenue goes down. In all likelihood, Natasha’s lost considerable revenue since the two of you left, and she's hoping you'll be willing to settle so you don't go to court."
"Will we have to settle?" I ask, already panicking.
Alan smiles warmly. "Not if I have anything to say about it, and I happen to have a lot to say. I'll get on this right away, and everything should be closed by the end of the week."
"That's three days away," Isabelle remarks.
"I'm very good at my job," Alan replies simply.
"One more thing. Remember I told you about having to report to Family and Social Services regularly. The social worker in charge of our case overheard me talking to you—"
Alan holds up his hand. "Leave me his number and I’ll keep him up to date."
"Can you emphasize that this won't affect our business?"
"Absolutely."
I breathe with relief. Isabelle finally sits down on the chair next to me.
"How much do we owe you, Alan?" she asks.
"Nothing. And before you both get up in arms, no, Christopher isn't paying. I owe him for a personal favor. He said this is personal when he told me about you, so it's quid pro quo."
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Christopher
As I walk inside Victoria's house on a Saturday morning two weeks later, everyone is in a frenzy. Victoria is running up and down the stairs for no apparent reason. Sienna is rearranging the plates in the dishwasher for the third time in the span of five minutes. Lucas and Chloe are huddled in a corner, whispering to each other. Judging by the way they jump whenever their older sister passes by them, my guess is they're trying to keep their conversation from her. Since it's Victoria's birthday today, I suspect the little punks are up to something.
"Did you all accidentally drink coffee or something?" I ask a flustered Victoria as she slips into her boots, ready to leave the house. She's been on edge for the last two weeks, since the e-mail from her former employer. When she told me about it, I wanted to eviscerate Natasha Jenkins and her company. No one messes with Victoria and gets away with it. Alan talked me out of it, assuring me he would handle it, and he did. Within days, the issue was completely off the table, and Alan assured Victoria that her former employer wouldn’t bother her anymore. But she's still on edge, and I don't like it.
It's just the two of us in the foyer, the kids having slipped into the living room.
"No, just don’t want to be late," she offers with a weak smile. "You're really great for coming by today."
"No problem. I like hanging around with the kids." She's meeting a new client today, and I offered to keep the kids company. Usually Sienna can hold her own watching the kids for a few hours at a time, but it's easier if she's not alone. That’s where I'm stepping in. "By the way, I have a surprise for you tonight."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, it's your birthday. I have a surprise for you."
"Okay."
"So you'll allow it?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"Not really."
"Thought as much."
"Can you stand still for more than one second at a time so I can give you a proper happy birthday kiss?"