up.”
“We’re surviving,” Tabby said. She was the only single person in the firm. All others had spouses with jobs. Though budgets were painfully tight, they were determined to survive.
“How about the Payton family?” Vicky asked.
“We’re fine,” Wes said. “I know you’re concerned, thank you, but we’re getting by just like you. I’ve said this a hundred times, but I’ll say it again. Mary Grace and I will pay you as soon as we possibly can. Things are about to improve.”
“We’re more concerned about you,” Mary Grace added.
No one was leaving. No one was threatening.
A deal had been struck long ago, though it was not in writing. If and when the Bowmore cases paid off, the money would be shared by the entire firm. Maybe not equally, but everyone present knew they would be rewarded.
“How about the bank?” Rusty asked. There were no secrets now. They knew Huffy had stopped by the day before, and they knew how much Second State Bank was owed.
“I stiff-armed the bank,” Wes said. “If they push a little more, then we’ll file Chapter 11 and screw ’em.”
“I vote to screw the bank,” Sherman said.
It seemed to be unanimous around the room that the bank should get screwed, though everyone knew the truth. The lawsuit would not have been possible withoutHuffy’s lobbying on their behalf and convincing Mr. Prickhead to raise the line of credit. They also knew that the Paytons would not rest until the bank was paid.
“We should clear twelve thousand from the
Raney
case,” Mary Grace said. “And another ten thousand from the dog bite.”
“Maybe fifteen,” Wes said.
“Then what? Where is the next settlement?” Mary Grace threw this on the table for all to consider.
“Geeter,” Sherman said. It was more of a suggestion.
Wes looked at Mary Grace. Both gave blank looks to Sherman. “Who’s Geeter?”
“Geeter happens to be a client. Slip and fall at the Kroger store. Came in about eight months ago.” There were some odd glances around the table. It was obvious that the two lawyers had forgotten one of their clients.
“I don’t recall that one,” Wes admitted.
“What’s the potential?” Mary Grace asked.
“Not much. Shaky liability. Maybe twenty thousand. I’ll review the file with you on Monday.”
“Good idea,” Mary Grace said and quickly moved on to something else. “I know the phones are ringing, and we are definitely broke, but we are not about to start taking a bunch of junk. No real estate or bankruptcies. No criminal cases unless they can pay the freight. No contested divorces—we’ll do the quickies for a thousand bucks, but everything must be agreed on. This is a personal injury firm, and if we get loaded downwith the small stuff, we won’t have time for the good cases. Any questions?”
“There’s a lot of weird stuff coming in by phone,” Tabby said. “And from all over the country.”
“Just stick to the basics,” Wes said. “We can’t handle cases in Florida or Seattle. We need quick settlements here at home, at least for the next twelve months.”
“How long will the appeals take?” Vicky asked.
“Eighteen to twenty-four months,” Mary Grace answered. “And there’s not much we can do to push things along. It’s a process, and that’s why it’s important to hunker down now and generate some fees elsewhere.”
“Which brings up another point,” Wes said. “The verdict changes the landscape dramatically. First, expectations are through the roof right now, and our other Bowmore clients will soon be pestering us. They want their day in court, their big verdict. We must be patient, but we can’t let these people drive us crazy. Second, the vultures are descending on Bowmore. Lawyers will be chasing one another looking for clients. It will be a free-for-all. Any contact from another attorney is to be reported immediately. Third, the verdict places even greater pressure on Krane. Their dirty tricks will get even dirtier.
“We’re surviving,” Tabby said. She was the only single person in the firm. All others had spouses with jobs. Though budgets were painfully tight, they were determined to survive.
“How about the Payton family?” Vicky asked.
“We’re fine,” Wes said. “I know you’re concerned, thank you, but we’re getting by just like you. I’ve said this a hundred times, but I’ll say it again. Mary Grace and I will pay you as soon as we possibly can. Things are about to improve.”
“We’re more concerned about you,” Mary Grace added.
No one was leaving. No one was threatening.
A deal had been struck long ago, though it was not in writing. If and when the Bowmore cases paid off, the money would be shared by the entire firm. Maybe not equally, but everyone present knew they would be rewarded.
“How about the bank?” Rusty asked. There were no secrets now. They knew Huffy had stopped by the day before, and they knew how much Second State Bank was owed.
“I stiff-armed the bank,” Wes said. “If they push a little more, then we’ll file Chapter 11 and screw ’em.”
“I vote to screw the bank,” Sherman said.
It seemed to be unanimous around the room that the bank should get screwed, though everyone knew the truth. The lawsuit would not have been possible withoutHuffy’s lobbying on their behalf and convincing Mr. Prickhead to raise the line of credit. They also knew that the Paytons would not rest until the bank was paid.
“We should clear twelve thousand from the
Raney
case,” Mary Grace said. “And another ten thousand from the dog bite.”
“Maybe fifteen,” Wes said.
“Then what? Where is the next settlement?” Mary Grace threw this on the table for all to consider.
“Geeter,” Sherman said. It was more of a suggestion.
Wes looked at Mary Grace. Both gave blank looks to Sherman. “Who’s Geeter?”
“Geeter happens to be a client. Slip and fall at the Kroger store. Came in about eight months ago.” There were some odd glances around the table. It was obvious that the two lawyers had forgotten one of their clients.
“I don’t recall that one,” Wes admitted.
“What’s the potential?” Mary Grace asked.
“Not much. Shaky liability. Maybe twenty thousand. I’ll review the file with you on Monday.”
“Good idea,” Mary Grace said and quickly moved on to something else. “I know the phones are ringing, and we are definitely broke, but we are not about to start taking a bunch of junk. No real estate or bankruptcies. No criminal cases unless they can pay the freight. No contested divorces—we’ll do the quickies for a thousand bucks, but everything must be agreed on. This is a personal injury firm, and if we get loaded downwith the small stuff, we won’t have time for the good cases. Any questions?”
“There’s a lot of weird stuff coming in by phone,” Tabby said. “And from all over the country.”
“Just stick to the basics,” Wes said. “We can’t handle cases in Florida or Seattle. We need quick settlements here at home, at least for the next twelve months.”
“How long will the appeals take?” Vicky asked.
“Eighteen to twenty-four months,” Mary Grace answered. “And there’s not much we can do to push things along. It’s a process, and that’s why it’s important to hunker down now and generate some fees elsewhere.”
“Which brings up another point,” Wes said. “The verdict changes the landscape dramatically. First, expectations are through the roof right now, and our other Bowmore clients will soon be pestering us. They want their day in court, their big verdict. We must be patient, but we can’t let these people drive us crazy. Second, the vultures are descending on Bowmore. Lawyers will be chasing one another looking for clients. It will be a free-for-all. Any contact from another attorney is to be reported immediately. Third, the verdict places even greater pressure on Krane. Their dirty tricks will get even dirtier.
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