offer to your clients before you reject it?”
“I intend to do that. But I’m certain they won’t take it.”
“So exactly what
are
they looking for?”
I never opened with my bottom line.
“They want three years’ salary. They want to be enrolled in the company’s Management Training Program, and if they successfully complete it, they want a guarantee that they’ll receive the next promotion to department manager at any store within a 20-mile radius of their homes. They also want Big Buy to implement diversity training for all employees and to commit—in writing—not to discriminate against women in the future.”
Girlie chuckled. “Your demands aren’t at all realistic. And Big Buy decides what programs it implements, not the employees who sue them.”
“Fine. We’ll put twelve in a box and let them decide what my clients deserve. Based on what I know about the company, I wouldn’t be surprised if a jury came back with a seven-figure award.”
“Your clients still have jobs,” Girlie said. “No jury’s going to give two store clerks seven figures.”
“They’re not store clerks,” I said, knowing she was just trying to rile me. “And just so you know, those documents Judi got her hands on could really be problematic for your client.”
Benjamin blinked nervously like he had something in his eyes.
Girlie’s smile faltered at the mention of the documents and I enjoyed seeing the brief crack in her normally arrogant demeanor.
“So you have the documents?” she asked casually.
I wish.
“You’ll find out when I respond to your discovery requests.”
Girlie slid two sheets of paper to my side of the desk. “Here’s a copy of the offers in writing. Tell your clients they have seven days to consider them. After that, they’re off the table.”
Girlie stood up.
As I escorted her out to the lobby, I fantasized about pushing her down the elevator shaft.
“Is Lamarr appealing the jury’s verdict?”
Her matter-of-fact tone didn’t fool me. Tonisha was probably itching to get her hands on that money. I bet she was driving Girlie crazy just like Lamarr was testing my last nerve.
“Definitely.”
An elevator car dinged and Girlie stepped inside.
“Don’t forget my deadline. Big Buy’s offer is only open for one week.”
I gave her a wide fake smile as the elevator doors began to close. “If you don’t hear from me, then you’ll know our answer.”
CHAPTER 21
D etectives Mankowski and Thomas parked at the bottom of a shallow hill at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale and watched as the small cluster of people gathered around Judi Irving’s gravesite meandered back to their cars.
They decided not to attend Judi’s funeral services, but figured they could easily observe their two prime suspects at the burial site without being obtrusive. Phillip and Robby stood on opposite sides of the crowd of mourners as Judi’s casket was lowered into the ground. Both men wore vacant expressions, no tears or other apparent signs of grief on their faces. Within minutes, most of the crowd had traipsed back to their cars and driven off.
Detective Thomas opened a folder and pulled out copies of two drivers’ license photographs. He scrutinized the pictures, then aimed his binoculars at two women who lingered near the open grave.
“I think I just spotted the two women who were part of Judi Irving’s lawsuit,” he said. “Olivia Jackson and Ida Lopez.”
The detectives waited until they began walking down the hill before exiting their sedan. They approached the women right before they reached a mid-size SUV.
“Excuse us for interrupting you at a time like this,” Thomas began. “We’re with the LAPD.”
He held out his badge. “I’m Detective Thomas and this is my partner, Detective Mankowski. We’d like to speak with you for a moment.”
Ida reached for the door handle of the SUV. Mankowski could tell from her red eyes that she’d had a good cry.
“About what?” Olivia
“I intend to do that. But I’m certain they won’t take it.”
“So exactly what
are
they looking for?”
I never opened with my bottom line.
“They want three years’ salary. They want to be enrolled in the company’s Management Training Program, and if they successfully complete it, they want a guarantee that they’ll receive the next promotion to department manager at any store within a 20-mile radius of their homes. They also want Big Buy to implement diversity training for all employees and to commit—in writing—not to discriminate against women in the future.”
Girlie chuckled. “Your demands aren’t at all realistic. And Big Buy decides what programs it implements, not the employees who sue them.”
“Fine. We’ll put twelve in a box and let them decide what my clients deserve. Based on what I know about the company, I wouldn’t be surprised if a jury came back with a seven-figure award.”
“Your clients still have jobs,” Girlie said. “No jury’s going to give two store clerks seven figures.”
“They’re not store clerks,” I said, knowing she was just trying to rile me. “And just so you know, those documents Judi got her hands on could really be problematic for your client.”
Benjamin blinked nervously like he had something in his eyes.
Girlie’s smile faltered at the mention of the documents and I enjoyed seeing the brief crack in her normally arrogant demeanor.
“So you have the documents?” she asked casually.
I wish.
“You’ll find out when I respond to your discovery requests.”
Girlie slid two sheets of paper to my side of the desk. “Here’s a copy of the offers in writing. Tell your clients they have seven days to consider them. After that, they’re off the table.”
Girlie stood up.
As I escorted her out to the lobby, I fantasized about pushing her down the elevator shaft.
“Is Lamarr appealing the jury’s verdict?”
Her matter-of-fact tone didn’t fool me. Tonisha was probably itching to get her hands on that money. I bet she was driving Girlie crazy just like Lamarr was testing my last nerve.
“Definitely.”
An elevator car dinged and Girlie stepped inside.
“Don’t forget my deadline. Big Buy’s offer is only open for one week.”
I gave her a wide fake smile as the elevator doors began to close. “If you don’t hear from me, then you’ll know our answer.”
CHAPTER 21
D etectives Mankowski and Thomas parked at the bottom of a shallow hill at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale and watched as the small cluster of people gathered around Judi Irving’s gravesite meandered back to their cars.
They decided not to attend Judi’s funeral services, but figured they could easily observe their two prime suspects at the burial site without being obtrusive. Phillip and Robby stood on opposite sides of the crowd of mourners as Judi’s casket was lowered into the ground. Both men wore vacant expressions, no tears or other apparent signs of grief on their faces. Within minutes, most of the crowd had traipsed back to their cars and driven off.
Detective Thomas opened a folder and pulled out copies of two drivers’ license photographs. He scrutinized the pictures, then aimed his binoculars at two women who lingered near the open grave.
“I think I just spotted the two women who were part of Judi Irving’s lawsuit,” he said. “Olivia Jackson and Ida Lopez.”
The detectives waited until they began walking down the hill before exiting their sedan. They approached the women right before they reached a mid-size SUV.
“Excuse us for interrupting you at a time like this,” Thomas began. “We’re with the LAPD.”
He held out his badge. “I’m Detective Thomas and this is my partner, Detective Mankowski. We’d like to speak with you for a moment.”
Ida reached for the door handle of the SUV. Mankowski could tell from her red eyes that she’d had a good cry.
“About what?” Olivia
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