Murder on the Down Low by Pamela Samuels Young Read Free Book Online Page A

then slowed to a forced stroll the minute she stepped inside.
    Haley and O’Reilly were sitting in the north corner of the lobby.
Thank God.
The meeting hadn’t started yet.
    “Good morning.” Vernetta concentrated on replenishing her air supply.
    Haley checked her watch, then smiled up at her. “You certainly cut it close.” Haley had striking looks—high cheekbones and those pouty, model lips that a lot of women paid for. Men routinely salivated when Haley entered a room.
    “It’s hard to predict the traffic on the 405.” Vernetta took a seat next to O’Reilly and opposite Haley.
    “You’ve got that right. That’s why I always add at least thirty minutes to any trip that involves the 405.”
    Vernetta fought the twinge of annoyance that seemed to surface whenever she was in Haley’s presence for more than five seconds. A sexual harassment case that they had jointly litigated had not been a pleasant experience. After Haley’s backstabbing ways had been exposed, she apologized and extended an olive branch of friendship. Vernetta’s instincts told her not to trust the girl and her gut had been right. Within weeks of Haley’s sympathetic overture, she was up to her old treacherous tricks again.
    “You guys ready to wow ’em?” O’Reilly stretched his arm along the back of the couch. He looked as cool and confident as he always did. “This wage and hour lawsuit could be an important case for the firm. It’ll involve more than twenty-five Vista facilities across the country.”
    In other words, they could bill the heck out of the client.
    An African-American woman in a dark suit greeted them and handed out visitor’s badges. Vernetta pegged the woman to be in her mid-thirties. “I’m Sheryl Milton, Director of Human Resources.”
    She led the way to a conference room where the Assistant General Counsel for the Labor and Employment Group and two staff attorneys were waiting. The AGC began by briefly describing a lawsuit they expected to be served with any day.
    When he was done, O’Reilly handed out a summary of cases O’Reilly & Finney had successfully litigated for Vista Electronics in the past, then described his extensive experience with wage and hour lawsuits. “And here with me,” he said, pinning his gaze solely on Haley, “are two of our firm’s brightest associates, Haley Prescott and Vernetta Henderson.”
    “I’d like to hear your strategy for litigating the case,” one of the staff attorneys said. The question was directed at Vernetta, but Haley snatched the ball and ran with it.
    “Being able to coordinate a large amount of information is crucial in a wage and hour matter,” Haley began. “As the junior associate and the cheapest attorney in the room, most of that grunt work will fall into my lap.” Haley smiled and everybody chuckled. Except Vernetta. Haley was using her feminine appeal to the hilt. Her clothes were professional, but acceptably sexy. A pink silk blouse accented her charcoal grey suit. A long pendant fell right at the crest of her cleavage.
    “It’s crucial to get in as soon as possible to conduct interviews with the employees to tie them down on the number of overtime hours they claimed to have worked.” She leaned forward, planting her forearms on the table. The move revealed just a glimpse of a lacy pink bra. “If the plaintiffs’ attorney gets to them first, they’re going to exaggerate their hours. So the first thing we would do is interview everyone in the proposed class as soon as possible.”
    “Sounds good,” the Assistant General Counsel said.
    “There’s a new case out of the Ninth Circuit that should be a big help in fighting class certification.” Haley went on to explain an incredibly complicated decision. Vernetta hated to admit it, but even she was impressed.
    The Assistant General Counsel smiled at Haley like he wanted to screw her. So far Vernetta had yet to say a word. That wasn’t good. She needed to get her foot in the door.
    Just