“Sounds perfect. See you soon.”
Back at my apartment, I immediately went to my fridge, where I had pinned Robert’s business card. I dialed his number as I paced around my living room.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Robert—it’s Savannah Mitchell, Ellie’s best friend.”
“Yes, of course. Hi, Savannah.”
“Listen—things have gotten worse.”
I explained to him everything that had happened in the past few days—finding out Melanie Daniels was from the same city as the Clarks; Max somehow knowing I’d consulted a lawyer, then trying to sweet-talk me out of it; and Ellie being ambushed by a scary stranger on her walk home.
“So, I wanted to check in with you, and see if you still think the certified letter is the best way to go—and if it is, how fast can we get that going?”
“Yeah …” Robert’s voice trailed off, then he went silent.
I frowned—something in his voice wasn’t right.
“Savannah, I’m so sorry all of this is happening. And I wish I could help … but unfortunately, I can’t.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“Well … I didn’t realize Madison’s mother is Nora Clark. My firm’s managing partner called me into his office yesterday. Nora Clark’s real estate firm has engaged our services. The law firm I work for is now representing her company.” He sighed. “My boss said I am to have nothing to do with any cases that involve either the Clark or Hunter families, as part of the agreement.”
“No …” I breathed, my voice breaking. My legs started to feel numb.
“I don’t know how she found out that I had been talking to you, but clearly you hit a nerve.” I could tell he felt terrible about it, but he had been put in an impossible situation—once again, thanks to Madison and her family.
Damn it!She had won—again.
“I’m going to ask around and see if I can get you a recommendation for another attorney. I want to help you, Savannah. I can see why this is such a nightmare. The Clark family, they’re powerful in this area. I’ll be back in touch, if I can. Otherwise, I’m sure there’s a decent legal aid society there in the city.”
I closed my eyes.Screwed again. Surprise, surprise.“Thanks, Robert. I appreciate it.”
I hung up and fell onto the couch. I hugged a pillow tightly to my chest and rocked back and forth. Then I pressed the pillow to my face and let out a loud, guttural scream.
Half an hour later, Ellie walked in, followed by the pizza delivery man. I set the pizza down on the kitchen table and crushed Ellie into a monster-sized hug.
“I’m so glad you’re okay.” I squeezed her tightly despite my belly doing its best to get in the way.
“Thanks, babe. Me too.”
As I grabbed some paper plates and carried the pizza into the living room, I told Ellie the latest unfortunate news—that Madison’s mother had thwarted any chances of Robert helping me.
“What? I can’t believe that! I’m so sorry!”
“I know. I just keep getting screwed, every which way I turn—and now you’re getting messed with too.” The two of us sat down and dug into the pizza. “He said he’s going to try and find another lawyer to put me in touch with, but I’m guessing anyone else’s advice wouldn’t be free. I may need to try a legal aid society.”
We were clearing our trash from the coffee table a short while later when Ellie accidentally caught her shoe on the corner of the living room rug. She stumbled backward and slammed against the wall, her head barely missing the corner of my fireplace. She hit the wall hard. Before I could even react, the vase of flowers sitting on the mantle tipped forward, hit the floor, and shattered.
“Oh my God—Ellie, are you okay?”
“Damn, that hurt!”
I held out my hand to help her up. Ellie clutched her lower back where she’d slammed into the wall, then cringed at thesight of all the broken pieces of clay strewn around us. “Crap, I’m so sorry about your vase!”
“Oh, who cares about that.” I waved it off. “I don’t even know why I kept it—it’s the one Madison gave me after I first met her.”
