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"I’m sorry," he said. "But things are happening very fast."

`Just so we are clear. I don’t like it, and if it happens again, you’ll be looking for new counsel." That coldness again, the sudden coldness. "Now. So you told Blackburn. What was his response?"

"He asked me if I would mediate."

"Absolutely not," Fernandez said.

"Why not?"

"Mediation is invariably to the benefit of the company."

"He said it would be non-binding."

"Even so. It amounts to free discovery on their part. There’s no reason to give it to them."

"And he said you could be present," he said.

"Of course I can be present, Mr. Sanders. That’s no concession. You must have an attorney present at all times or the mediation will be invalid."

"Here are the three names he gave me, as possible mediators." Sanders passed her the list.

She glanced at it briefly. "The usual suspects. One of them is better than the other two. But I still don’t-"

"He wants to do the mediation tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Fernandez stared at him, and sat back in her chair.

"Mr. Sanders, I’m all for a timely resolution, but this is ridiculous. We can’t be ready by tomorrow. And as I said, I don’t recommend that you agree to mediate under any circumstances. Is there something here I don’t know?"

"Yes," he said.

"Let’s have it."

He hesitated.

She said, "Any communication you make to me is privileged and confidential."

"All right. DigiCom is about to be acquired by a New York company called Conley-White."

"So the rumors are true."

"Yes," he said. "They intend to announce the merger at a press conference on Friday. And they intend to announce Meredith Johnson as the new vice president of the company, on Friday."

"I see," she said. "So that’s Phil’s urgency."

"Yes."

"And your complaint presents an immediate and serious problem for him."

He nodded. "Let’s say it comes at a very sensitive time."

She was silent for a moment, peering at him over her reading glasses. "Mr. Sanders, I misjudged you. I had the impression you were a timid man."

"They’re forcing me to do this."

"Are they." She gave him an appraising look. Then she pushed the intercom button. "Bob, let me see my calendar. I have to clear some things. And ask Herb and Alan to come in. Tell them to drop whatever they’re doing. This is more important." She pushed the papers aside. "Are all the mediators on this list available?"

"I assume so."

"I’m going to request Barbara Murphy. Judge Murphy. You won’t like her, but she’ll do a better job than the others. I’ll try and set it up for the afternoon if I can. We need the time. Otherwise, late morning. You realize the risk you’re taking? I assume you do. This is a very dangerous game you’ve decided to play." She pushed the intercom. "Bob? Cancel Roger Rosenberg. Cancel Ellen at six. Remind me to call my husband and tell him I won’t be home for dinner." She looked at Sanders. "Neither will you. Do you need to call home?"

"My wife and kids are leaving town tonight." She raised her eyebrows. "You told her everything?" "Yes." "You are serious." "Yes," he said. "I’m serious." "Good," she said. "You’re going to need to be. Let’s be frank, Mr. Sanders. What you have embarked upon is not strictly a legal procedure. In essence, you’re playing the pressure points." "That’s right." "Between now and Friday, you’re in a position to exert considerable pressure on your company. "That’s right." "And they on you, Mr. Sanders. They on you."

He found himself in a conference room, facing five people, all taking notes. Seated on either side of Fernandez were two young lawyers, a woman named Eileen and a man named Richard. Then there were two investigators, Alan and Herb: one tall and handsome; the other chubby, with a pockmarked face and a camera hanging around his neck.

Fernandez made Sanders go over his story again, in greater detail. She paused frequently to ask questions, noting down times, names, and specific details. The two lawyers never said anything, although Sanders had the strong impression that the young woman was unsympathetic to him. The two investigators were also silent, except at specific points. After Sanders mentioned Meredith’s assistant, Alan, the handsome one, said, "Her name again?"

"Betsy Ross. Like in the flag."

"She’s on the fifth floor?"

Chapter 13

"Yes."

"What time does she go home?"

"Last night, she left at six-fifteen."

"I may want to meet her casually. Can I go up to the fifth floor?" "No. All visitors are stopped at reception in the downstairs lobby." "What if I’m delivering a package? Would Betsy take delivery of a package?"

"No. Packages go to central receiving."

"Okay. What about flowers? Would they be delivered directly?"

"Yes, I guess so. You mean, like flowers for Meredith?"

"Yes," Alan said.

"I guess you could deliver those in person."

"Fine," Alan said, and made a note.

They stopped him a second time when he mentioned the cleaning woman he had seen on leaving Meredith’s office.

"DigiCom uses a cleaning service?"

"Yes. AMS-American Management Services. They’re over on-" "We know them. On Boyle. What time do the cleaning crews enter the building?"

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