Free Murder on the Down Low by Pamela Samuels Young Page B

her desk and started making a to-do list. The key to handling a wage and hour lawsuit was getting organized at the beginning. She began drafting a detailed litigation strategy.
    The time flew. Fifteen minutes before three, Vernetta made her way to O’Reilly’s office. She wanted to get there before Haley so she could have a little bonding time with the boss. When she reached the doorway she found the two of them sitting at his side table, already fully engaged.
    O’Reilly waved her inside. “Come on in. Vista Electronics is anxious to get going with this case. A messenger dropped off these payroll records this morning. We’ve been taking a look at some of them.”
    Haley gave Vernetta a look that told her in very clear terms that she was prepared to do battle. If Vernetta had any doubts about Haley and O’Reilly’s relationship, she didn’t anymore. It was clear that Haley was now holding down the top spot on O’Reilly’s list of favorite associates. If Vernetta wanted her title back, she would have to fight for it.
    She pulled out a chair and sat down, hoping her concern didn’t show. Opening a folder, Vernetta took out several sheets of yellow legal paper with her handwritten notes. “I started preparing a case plan.”
    “Great,” Haley said. “So did I.” She handed both of them a three-page, typed document. “We can just combine our ideas. I guess you didn’t have time to type up anything.”
    Vernetta smiled. “No, I had time.” She pulled copies of a six-page document from another folder Haley hadn’t seen.
    It pleased her to see Haley’s red cheeks turn even rosier. “Let’s go over your document first,” Vernetta said.
    An hour later, after they had shared their respective ideas, it was clear who had the superior legal knowledge. Haley’s document was not nearly as comprehensive as Vernetta’s. Haley had never handled a wage and hour case before. Vernetta had. O’Reilly gave both of them several follow-up tasks and appeared to conclude the meeting. But Vernetta wasn’t leaving before Haley and Haley apparently had the same idea.
    After O’Reilly mentioned an upcoming conference call, they finally left together.
    “I forgot to mention to O’Reilly that we could probably use a first-year associate on the case,” Haley said.
    Why? So you’ll have somebody to boss around?
“It’s a little early to make that decision. The three of us and a team of paralegals should be able to handle everything for the time being.”
    “Okay. Sorry you weren’t able to join us for lunch.”
    Something in her gut told her to keep moving, but she ignored the warning. She stopped and faced her colleague. “I’m surprised that I missed you. I was in my office all morning. When did you drop by?”
    “Oh . . .Well, I asked my secretary to go look for you. Maybe you were in the ladies’ room.”
    “I didn’t leave my office until I ran into the two of you.” Vernetta stared in a way that she hoped communicated that she knew Haley had intended to exclude her.
    “I don’t know how she could’ve missed you. Sorry about the mix-up.”
    Since their offices were on opposite ends of the floor, Vernetta turned to leave.
    “This should be a fun case to work on,” Haley called out after her.
    Vernetta did not bother to look back. “Sure should be.”

Chapter 18
     
    W hy didn’t I get a call last night?”
    J.C. had not wanted her words to sound so angry, but there was no way to take them back now. Detective Jessup was talking to a USC campus security officer outside the Trojan Arms apartment complex. He continued his conversation, ignoring her.
    J.C. stood there, arms folded, waiting for him to finish. It was important to keep her temper in check. Her partner got off on getting her riled up.
    The Trojan Arms student apartments were located directly across from USC. The scene was complete chaos. Cops, crime scene techs and campus security fought over turf while more than a hundred looky-loos milled about