Page 114 of Hades

“I see. It seems our investigation was flawed. We recognize the error of our ways. In light of this new information, we would like to formally apologize to Dr. Kingston and offer to allow her to come back on as a doctor.”

Atticus tsks his tongue. “Oh no, Stan. It’s not going to be that easy. Not only did you treat her unfairly, but you allowed a staff member to drag her name through the mud.”

The screen clicks to the news footage, the voice changer absent, proving it was Dr. Pembrooke all along.

“That’s not me. They doctored that. The voice was different. You little bitch.”

Mr. Bradford slams his hand on the table. “Enough.” He turns to Atticus. “What are the terms?”

“A statement from the hospital that the news is incorrect. I want the head of the board on the news by six p.m. telling the world that that was all a vicious attack by an employee who was unhappy that my client would not return his advances. Then I want you to donate to a charity that helps fight sexual harassment in the workplace.”

“Done,” he says.

“Oh no, we aren’t. You are going to pay Dr. Kingston backpay for the shifts she missed. She will get an additional two weeks of vacation for pain and suffering. Should she seek therapy for this trauma, you will pay for every single session until she feels she is healed. Even if she doesn’t work here anymore. I want a formal offer for her position with a pay increase along with written letters of apology from each one of them. Finally, I want Dr. Pembrooke and Jackie Grove escorted from the premises in handcuffs for the news to see. I want a confidential source to leak that he is the scorned employee. You will fix the damage done with a smile on your face.”

Mr. Bradford swallows hard.

“You can’t do that. I have friends. They won’t allow it,” Pembrooke protests.

“Shut the fuck up,” Mr. Bradford curses, losing his cool. “If we cannot agree?”

“We know who your friend is. He has quite a bit of control here in Vegas, but did you know that I have brunch with President Garrickson every other month? Now I know he would love to hear about my friend Evelyn here, who was sexually harassed then forced to kill a patient by someone who gave her the wrong medication on purpose. You know his stance on crimes against women, especially after his mother was sexually assaulted at work.”

Mr. Bradford nods. “I’ll make it happen. This needs to go away.”

“Great. Do you have anything to say, Evelyn?” Atticus asks me.

“Yes. You tried to tear me down all because I didn’t want to be with you. Well, newsflash, Pembrooke. No one wants to be with a sleazy old man who uses his position of power to make advances on his female employees. I hope you never practice medicine again. Oh, and I want Melanie’s ashes. She deserves to rest in peace.”

“You little cunt…”

“I swear to God, Greg, if you do not shut your goddamn mouth before you make this worse, I will take you out myself,” Mr. Bradford explodes.

The room is silent before Atticus begins to put his papers away.

“We will wait to hear from you.”

He gestures for me to leave first. I want to smirk at the way Betty and Benny look so shocked.

When I leave the room, I see Mav talking with a woman. He glances over at me once but doesn’t make any other indication that he knows who I am. It makes me feel all warm inside knowing he is there.

Then we step outside, and I see Rebel weed eating the sidewalk. He nods at Atticus as he steps back to let us by. Another little piece of my heart warms.

Once we are in Atticus’ car, I finally smile.

“You can talk. Trigger texted that the car is clear,” he tells me.

“You know the president?” I ask.

He laughs. “No, but he doesn’t know that. He can’t take the chance. If I knew the president, I would have already had him here solving this shit.”

I nod. “Makes sense. Still, that was amazing. You are incredible at what you do.”

Atticus smiles. “Thank you. That was enjoyable for me. It’s nice not to have to represent one of the guys for once. I always knew you would be the troublemaker.”

I laugh. “Hey. I don’t mean to be.”

We continue joking the entire way back to the clubhouse.