“Cal, you’re about to get punched in the mouth. You’d better start showing some respect,” Dad said. “The question you should also be asking is whether baiting either of us is worth our snatching the lawsuit we are willing to file out from under you.”
Cal blinked as he realized he’d gone too far. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“Sorry, I was letting my frustration show. I think you can understand that I have reason to be unhappy with your son. I do realize that he stepped up and made the best of the situation with my grandson, but in a perfect world, it should never have happened.”
“Yes, I agree, but we’re living in the real world where life isn’t perfect, and shit happens. You need to let it go,” Dad said.
“Just say the word, and I’ll punch him,” I said.
“David! You’re not helping,” Dad warned.
I wanted to remind Cal of our last physical confrontation. He got the first punch in but soon found that I could handle myself.
“I think we got off track,” Cal said.
“If it helps our case, then, by all means, go after the security team. They stood by while he tried to rape both Halle James and Brook Davis. Those guys were both in the car that hit us, and one of them, in fact, drove it into our van,” I said.
Cal seemed happy with that.
“Let’s talk strategy. I’ve arranged to meet with Zander’s legal team on Thursday. I would like to intimate that we might also go after the security people and the studio. Zander doesn’t want the studio involved in this. He has the same worries that Halle apparently has. If Zander gets a studio sued for something messy like this, he won’t get work. I’d bet he’ll have a hard time as it is anyway,” Cal said.
“From what I heard, he’s well-connected. He’ll get work,” I predicted.
“Could be,” Cal agreed. “I still don’t understand how he got the sweetheart deal for the criminal charges.”
“Would you seriously expect a wealthy client to get the same treatment as a regular Joe?” Dad asked.
“I would hope not,” Cal said with a smirk. “If that were the case, there would be no need for overpriced lawyers.”
That made me smile. Not that the justice system was fair; it wasn’t. It was that Cal admitted it and his role in the inequality.
“Let me go into the meeting with the threat that I’m willing to go after everyone. The two security guys already turned on Zander when they gave statements against him to the police. It might be best not to file against them to start with because we don’t want all three of them to be united in this,” Cal explained.
“We’re going to give you free rein on this, with one overriding goal and one condition. David wants Zander to feel it when he’s done,” Dad said. “Our goal is to make sure that Zander understands in his bones and his wallet that messing with David or his friends has consequences he really doesn’t want.
“The condition is that you are to communicate fully with Ms. Dixon regarding everything that’s going on. You’ll make any information or documents she wants available to her. From what she’s told me, I think she can go on the paperwork as your co-counsel, even though she’s from out of state.”
Cal didn’t look happy that Dad had just told him that Ms. Dixon was in charge.
“I know what needs to be done. I don’t need someone looking over my shoulder and questioning my every move,” Cal said.
That sealed it; this wasn’t going to work. I shook my head and sighed. Uncle John had been telling me to trust my instincts; I should have done that from the start.
Heck, I should have used the tools Uncle John had given me, primarily the Circles of Trust. Cal fell into the realm of people who would actively try to harm me. I’d wanted a shark to go after Zander, and there was no one I knew who was more sharklike than Cal. In my zeal, I’d let my hatred for Zander cloud my judgment.
“I want to thank you for your time. It’s clear this isn’t going to work, so we’ll find other representation,” I announced.
I didn’t let it show on my face, but it felt good to see Cal’s look when he realized I’d just fired him. I don’t know why, but I got the impression he didn’t think I had it in me to actually do it.
“You little …” Cal began.
“Stop right there,” Dad said sternly. “Even I was surprised when David agreed to you being his lawyer after the crap you pulled before Coby was born. He was a better man than I would have been about it when he gave you a shot.”
“You’re making a mistake,” Cal tried.
“No, I think I finally made the right decision,” I said, feeling defeated. “Look. I think it’s best that we just act like we can tolerate each other for Pam and Coby’s sake. Maybe in twenty years, we can look back and be able to have a beer and laugh about this, but right now … I can’t see us working together.”
Cal took a moment to think it over and then looked me in the eyes.
“You’re right. I don’t like you, not even a little. Honestly, I wish I could represent Zander in this matter,” he shot back.
I snorted out a laugh. If my dad hadn’t been there with me, I would have probably kicked his ass. Gawd! He was such a jerk.
