"Ok, when I look at this case, I don't see anything but a loss in court.
I don't think first of all that we have any substantial evidence to build a
quality defense. I think in our best interest and the best interest of our
client, we should talk to the plaintiffs lawyer and settle this out of court."
"Are you sure that there is no information that we can use to defend
him?"
"I'm positive," Gwen said looking into the brief, "when he was
arrested, his blood alcohol level was two times the legal limit. Also, he
started the brawl. There is nothing that we can use to defend him. The
prosecuting attorney would have a field day on us if we take this to
court."
"I agree with you," Mr. Cochran said as he picked up the file that he
had been previously reviewing.
"You do?" Gwen asked surprisingly.
"Gwen, you're a partner now. You don't have to ask my permission on
the cases that you handle. You are in charge, just as I am. You don't
need my approval. As long as you understand that the decisions that
you make affect the firm, make the decision."
"Thank you," Gwen said as she stood to her feet before heading back
to her office.
"I will try to remember that."
Gwen walked confidently, recruiting Natalie on the way. She
instructed her to contact Allen Anthony with Nike to see if his schedule
could accommodate a 4:00 pm meeting at Le Petite Four to discuss the
case. She also told her that she wouldn't be returning after lunch and to
contact her via cellular phone when the meeting had been confirmed.
Gwen gathered the materials that she would need for the evening, in the
event that she would work at home and loaded them into her briefcase as
Natalie wrote down the instructions.
Gwen finished up the last minute
details of the early morning and headed to her lunch date with Brandon.
As she drove, she wondered how Brandon would take her decision. She
wondered what would be the best approach, the direct approach or an
approach that would deliver a soft blow. Pulling up to Red Lobster,
Gwen decided that she would be honest not kind and go with the direct
approach.
When she entered the restaurant, she noticed Brandon sitting
at the bar watching ESPN with his back to the door. Brandon saw
Gwen's image in the liquor bottle filled mirror and turned to greet her
with a dozen roses and a small teddy bear. Caught off guard with the
gifts, Gwen hesitated before accepting them.
"Thank you," she said as Brandon kissed her softly on the lips.
"No need to thank me. You deserve them," Brandon said as he
motioned to the host that they were ready to be seated.
"Have you been waiting long?" Gwen asked in an attempt to remove
the uncomfortable feeling that she now felt due to the kindness of
Brandon and the hurt that she knew she was about to deliver to him.
"No not at all. I arrived a few minutes before you. I tried to get her
early since I know how punctual you are."
"I appreciate your consideration," Gwen said as they reached their
table.
"No problem," Brandon said as he removed the napkin from the table
to place across his lap.