Devil's Advocate, page 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The three-minute timer went off on Ash’s phone, pulling her head out of the email she’d been writing. She pressed send before pushing herself out of her chair and heading to the break room to pour her fourth cup of tea.
It was barely half past ten.
That she’d been forbidden from keeping an electric kettle in her office was ridiculous. She was the only one who used it. But the downside to working with a bunch of lawyers was that someone was always afraid of a lawsuit. Apparently small appliances were a fire hazard, though why they would be less of one in the kitchen than in an office was anyone’s guess.
As Ash approached the break room, a familiar figure darted out into the hallway. The moment they locked eyes, Caitlyn looked away, pressing herself against the wall as if trying to avoid even their shadows touching as she passed.
“Oh, hey. Good morning!” Ash tried to sound normal and failed. Miserably.
It’d been almost two weeks since that night. When it had happened. Ash doubted Caitlyn had spoken more than two words to her that weren’t strictly work related. The reason remained a puzzle.
Ash had replayed the night in her head over and over, trying to pinpoint the exact moment it’d gone oh-so wrong. Each time she came up blank. Dinner had been lovely. The kiss spectacular. Their run through the rain to Ash’s apartment had been romantic, and the sex that came after, superb.
Where the hell was the big issue?
They’d both agreed afterward, given the circumstances, it was better if they made it a one-time thing. A rational decision. So where was the source of friction that had led to the silent treatment?
Ash plopped a Lipton tea bag into her mug, grabbed the tea kettle, and started to pour. She squinted at the contents, which barely changed from clear to an anemic beige. Not a single tendril of steam rose from the mug. Pressing her palm to the side of the kettle, it came back colder than a witch’s tit.
Speaking of witches… Ash flipped around as if expecting to find Caitlyn cackling at her from the break room doorway. There was no doubt in Ash’s mind that woman was the culprit.
Clenching her teeth, Ash flipped the kettle on. This time she waited for the water to boil. She wasn’t about to take the chance Caitlyn would sneak back in when she wasn’t looking to exact more petty revenge for transgressions unknown.
“Morning,” Jenna called out as Ash returned to her desk, frowning the moment she caught sight of Ash’s grim expression. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Ash muttered.
“Not buying it.” Jenna circled a finger in the air as if tracing Ash’s face. “I haven’t seen you this uptight since the Maguire case. You look ready to spit.”
Ash clenched the mug handle so hard she feared it would snap off. “I think Caitlyn has it out for me.”
“Why would she?” Jenna sounded genuinely taken aback. “If you said one of the guys, I might agree with you. But Caitlyn? Everyone loves her. She’s the friendliest associate in the office. Besides, from what I’ve heard, she’s only here temporarily. I can’t see why she would go to the trouble of making enemies.”
“In that case, why did she turn my teakettle off before the water had a chance to boil?” Ash demanded.
Jenna burst into laughter. “Wow, that’s some seriously evil shit.”
“I know—” Belatedly, the paralegal’s sarcastic tone registered with Ash. “You don’t believe me, do you?”
Jenna shook her head slowly. “Let’s be real. It wouldn’t be the first time you forgot to hit the button to turn the thingamajig on.”
“I did, though,” Ash insisted. “I even set my phone alarm so I wouldn’t forget to go back to make the tea.”
“I never understood why you don’t wait there. It’s 180 seconds. What can you possibly get done in that amount of time?”
“I responded to an email.”
“Gold star!” Jenna put her thumb in the air. This time Ash caught onto the sarcasm immediately.
“Fine. What about my sandwich?” Ash crossed her arms, tilting her head expectantly.
“What about it?” The paralegal looked completely baffled.
“Everyone knows the blue container is mine. They wouldn’t dare touch it. Yet yesterday, my sandwich was gone, the empty container mocking me from the dish rack.”
“And you think Caitlyn ate your sandwich and then washed your container just to fuck with you?”
“Who else?” Ash’s pitch was much higher than she would’ve liked, undermining the seriousness of her accusation. Her cheeks tingled as Jenna gave her an incredulous look.
“You know that wouldn’t hold up in a court of law.” Jenna wagged a finger. “Can you provide me with some concrete evidence as to why the new girl would antagonize you in such a way?”
One reason popped into Ash’s head right away, but she couldn’t very well confess she’d had sex with a woman who, less than a month before, had shown up for her first day of work dressed like a hooker. She’d never live it down to her dying day. Besides, inter-office romances, if not completely forbidden, were heavily frowned upon.
“I just have a gut feeling she doesn’t like me,” Ash grumbled. “I can’t explain why.”
“I’m not saying this to be mean, but almost no one in the office likes you. You’ve never cared about that before.” Jenna lifted a brow. “What’s so special about Caitlyn?”
“Nothing at all.” The words came out in a rush. If Jenna had been a judge, Ash would’ve been found guilty on all counts.
“You’re being weirder than normal and that’s saying something.”
“I’m not weird!” Ash protested. Right at that moment, Caitlyn appeared in the doorway. What rotten timing. The devil’s sudden smirk made Ash want to scream.
“Am I interrupting something?” Though the evil twinkle in her eyes suggested otherwise, Caitlyn’s words were all sugar and spice.
Ash straightened in her chair, making a show of blowing on the contents of her mug before taking a sip. “Something I can do for you?”
The tea might have been hot, but Ash’s tone was ice.
Jenna shook her head disapprovingly as she scurried from Ash’s office.
“Bad news,” Caitlyn said.
“Just what my morning was missing.”
“Oh?” Caitlyn’s innocent act was top notch. “Has anything else gone wrong?”
“Not a thing.” No way would Ash give her the satisfaction of admitting otherwise. She might not have known what started this war, but that didn’t mean Ash intended to lose. “Hit me with it.”
“Zach just stopped by my desk with the news—”
“Zach, huh? He’s kissing up to you now?” Ash bristled. Whether he liked her or not, there’d been a time Zach had followed her like a stray puppy in his eagerness to get on her good side. His loyalty was as good as a barometer of who was ahead in the partner race, and the sudden shift in attention didn’t bode well for Ash’s prospects.
“He’s been very helpful,” Caitlyn argued.
“I’m sure.” Ash knotted her arms across her chest. “What’s this doom and gloom you came to spread?”
“The judge denied the motion to dismiss. All counts.” Caitlyn’s expression was grim, but for once, Ash couldn’t fault her for it.
“All seven counts are moving forward?” Ash’s stomach turned sour.
That was the worst possible news for their client, and also for her. The air seeped slowly out of Ash’s lungs as she processed the implications. She’d been counting down the hours to when they’d hear the lawsuit had been dismissed. It would have made it that much easier to avoid having to be around Caitlyn any more than necessary.
“This thing could drag on for months.” From the daggers shooting from Caitlyn’s eyes, it was clear she and Ash were on the same page. “Looks like we’re stuck working together.”
Ash’s brain spluttered and she was unable to stop herself from saying, “Fuck me.”
“No thanks. Once was plenty.” Caitlyn spun on one heel, leaving before Ash could reply.
Ash’s mouth hung open as she watched the woman sashay away. How could everyone else in the office have been taken in by her act? Caitlyn Brewster wasn’t remotely nice, or professional. The woman was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and Ash would prove it for all to see. Or die trying.
It was Ash’s first time attending the Head of the Charles Regatta, and as she approached the riverbank near the DeWolfe Boathouse at the start of the course, she wasn’t sure what to expect. Even though a cursory search online had revealed it was the largest event of its kind, with competitors from every age group and walk of life, she still half expected to be met with spectators wearing preppy clothing, pearl necklaces, and high heels—and probably sipping champagne too, with poodles by their sides—like a photo shoot for a Ralph Lauren catalogue.
Ash’s gaze swept the trees lining the riverside, resplendent in their fall colors. It was the third week of October and the leaves were aflame, their reflections turning the sparkling water of the Charles into a sea of oranges, yellows, and reds, a stained-glass window come to life. The temperature was cool but not cold, with a gentle breeze that reminded her why New England was the best place in the world this time of year.
Despite the natural beauty of her surroundings, Ash couldn’t shake a sense of foreboding. Ever since the night she’d slept with Caitlyn, nothing had gone right. The Moorehead motion was just the latest shoe to have dropped.
It was the reason she was at the regatta today.
Caitlyn had sworn the screaming fit they’d overheard during their visit to the campus was nothing out of the ordinary. Ash remained unconvinced. With the lawsuit moving forward, she wanted to immerse herself in the rowing world to get a better sense of the case. Were all coaches as abusive as Moorehead’s varsity boys rowing coach, or had he crossed a line?
Ash intended to find out. Going the extra mile to do so was how she operated, another trait that set her above her colleagues. No matter what she discovered, she would use the knowledge to build a better defense for the client.
Forewarned is forearmed, as the saying went.
The area surrounding the boathouse was crowded with a mix of spectators, rowers, and coaches. The athletes were dressed in close-fitting leggings and long-sleeve shirts topped with brightly colored tank tops featuring their team colors and insignia. It reminded Ash of what cyclists might wear. Those who were not competing were mostly dressed casually in jeans, sneakers, and windbreakers. Ash was pleasantly surprised by the lack of pretentiousness.
Strolling along the bank, snapping photos here and there as she went, Ash approached an area past the boathouse where teams were queuing for their turn to enter the water. There were coaches aplenty, all giving rousing pep talks or last-minute reminders about the course. But nothing she overheard came close to the abuse Coach Dryden had hurled at his team during practice.
Which was good for the competitors. Bad for Ash.
How weird was it Ash wasn’t sure which outcome she should be cheering for? It wasn’t like she wanted more children out there being bullied by adults. But if Dryden was an anomaly, it sure would make defending his actions a lot more difficult.
After she’d observed what she could along the riverbank, Ash headed to the BU Bridge for a better view of the competition. Its entire span was lined on both sides with people cheering the rowers on as they passed beneath the bridge on their way toward the finish line. Though not a fan of most sports, Ash quickly found herself immersed in the rhythmic motion of the oars on the water.
“What are you doing here?” A familiar voice broke through Ash’s trance.
Caitlyn.
“I came to watch the regatta.” A burst of adrenaline had caused Ash’s heart rate to skyrocket the moment she’d realized who was speaking, but Ash kept her tone even and her expression neutral.
“Why?” So far, Caitlyn had said nothing out of the ordinary, but her questions might as well have been happening beneath the bright spotlight of an interrogation room.
“I’m not sure what business it is of yours what I decide to do on my day off,” Ash said, “but given your recent vendetta against me, I’ll explain. I wanted to learn more about the sport in preparation for the lawsuit.”
A flash in Caitlyn’s blue eyes revealed a state of pique. “What vendetta?”
Ash’s jaw tensed. “Do me the courtesy of not thinking I’m a moron.”
“Just saying that puts a tick in the moron column, FYI.” As if to demonstrate, Caitlyn licked her fingertip, tracing a checkmark in the air.
“What’s wrong with you?” Ash snapped, angered by the sudden surge of warmth that flooded her core as she recalled the velvety softness of Caitlyn’s tongue. “I’m here to do my job, just like you.”
“I’m here to cheer on my sister, who’s competing on Moorehead’s junior varsity team,” Caitlyn corrected, her attitude seeming to imply her reason was superior to Ash’s, even though they were both hopeless workaholics. “It’s a weekend. You can do what you want.”
“You can stare daggers at me all day long. I’m not going to be intimidated by you,” Ash informed her. “Besides, I live here.”
“On the BU Bridge?” Caitlyn smirked. “I would’ve put my money on you living under it with the rest of the trolls.”
“I meant in this city.” Ash’s temper frothed, prodding her to continue this childish argument against her better judgment. “This is my territory. You’re just passing through.”
“I’ll have you know my family’s connection to Boston goes back generations.” Caitlyn’s face was growing red, her cheeks puffing.
“All the way back to the Mayflower, I’m sure.” Ash made a show of rolling her eyes. “Big fucking deal.”
Technically, they weren’t in the office, which meant Ash’s no swearing rule didn’t apply. It had been getting harder to keep herself in check lately, with more slip-ups than she’d like. It felt fucking fantastic to tell her obnoxious coworker exactly what she thought with no holds barred.
Caitlyn opened her mouth, about to let loose with a reply that seemed guaranteed to char the hair on Ash’s head, when she was interrupted by a young woman shouting her name. Both Ash and Caitlyn turned toward the sound. A teenage girl, tall and lanky, was sprinting through the crowd on the bridge. She wore rowing shorts and a blue and white Moorehead team shirt. Her cheeks were streaked with tears.
“Sadie!” Caitlyn put her arms out and the girl collapsed into them, shaking. “What’s wrong?”
“Is someone chasing you?” Ash tensed, scanning the crowd in case someone was in pursuit.
Sadie shook her head as she sobbed into her sister’s shoulder.
“Calm down, sweetie,” Caitlyn soothed. “Is it about the race?”
Ash choked back a laugh. If this was the girl’s response to losing, it was clear the drama gene ran in the family, even if the one for height had passed her sister by. But the girl shook her head again. She stood upright and took a few deep breaths, though a stiff wind would’ve knocked her flat.
“It’s Fergus Clark.” Sadie’s voice broke and her breaths became short gasps. “They’re saying he’s dead.”
“Dead?” Caitlyn’s eyes widened, her face going completely white.
“Who is Fergus Clark?” Even as Ash asked, the name tugged at her subconscious, a cold lump forming in her stomach.
“He’s on Moorehead’s varsity team,” Caitlyn said quickly before turning back to Sadie. “What happened? Did he get injured? Did he fall into the river?”
“No.” Sadie struggled to speak. “He never showed up.”
“Okay. How come they think he’s dead?” Caitlyn’s tone was measured, even as a tingling sense of dread zipped through Ash.
She knew where she’d heard that name. Fergus Clark had been on the receiving end of the coach’s rant the day they’d visited the school.
“He was in bed, at the dorm.” Sadie closed her eyes, swallowing hard. “They think… they said maybe there were pills… it could have been suicide.”
Caitlyn clamped a hand to her mouth. Ash’s brain spun in fifty different directions at once, the coach’s words blaring in her head. Sadie collapsed against her sister once more, racked with grief.
Caitlyn clasped her arms around Sadie’s form, a lost expression haunting her eyes. Ash’s heart clenched. The woman looked overwhelmed and so very small. Despite the bad blood between them, Ash’s protective nature kicked into overdrive. There was a kid involved, after all.
“Let’s get you two home.” Her mind raced to formulate a plan. Strategizing was Ash’s superpower. “Did you drive into the city today?”
Caitlyn nodded. “My car’s two blocks away, on the Cambridge side of the river.”
Ash motioned for them to follow her through the crowd. Caitlyn guided the weeping teen with an arm around her shoulder as people along the bridge turned to stare. Whispers drifted toward them as word of what had happened started to spread.
“Give me the keys.” Ash held out her hand when Caitlyn’s Jaguar came into view. “You can sit in the back with your sister while I drive you home.”
Caitlyn dug in her purse, pulling out a jangling keychain and holding it out without a single word of argument. “You okay driving a stick?”
The surge of panic in Ash’s gut must’ve showed on her face because Caitlyn pulled her hand back, taking the keys with it. “How about I drive and you sit in the back with Sadie? If you don’t mind, that is.”
“I don’t mind at all.” Ash reached for the back door as Caitlyn hit the unlock button, ushering Sadie into the car, meek as a tired puppy. The poor kid. She needed as many people by her side as possible—and like it or not, Caitlyn did too. This was no time for Ash to hold a grudge.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Caitlyn worried her bottom lip with her front teeth, not sure what to say or do as she maneuvered through gridlock traffic along Alewife Brook Parkway. Every few seconds she glanced into the rearview mirror to watch Ash, who was seated beside Sadie and making a valiant effort to keep the girl’s mind occupied with anything other than the day’s distressing news. Despite having given her colleague every reason to hate her after a petty revenge spree the past few weeks, the woman couldn’t have been any more patient and kinder with Caitlyn’s little sister. It was a relief, and made Caitlyn feel like absolute shit at the same time.
