Free Irreparable Harm by Melissa F. Miller

commitment?” Parker’s cheeks flushed as she realized maybe she should have cancelled her plans.
    Sasha scribbled a note to lay out her expectations more fully at the next day’s meeting.
    She looked up from her notepad and watched Parker’s blush deepen. Finally, she said, “So, do you want to tell me about your date or not?”
    Parker forced out a small laugh and twisted the ring on her right ring finger. It sported a stone that made the earrings look like chips in comparison. “It wasn’t really a date. I’ve hung out with this guy off and on since law school, and now he works for Mickey Collins. So, he had to get back to the office, too. It was just a couple quick drinks, Sasha.”
    This was going from bad to worse. Aside from the surprise that Parker was slumming with a mere plaintiff’s attorney—which Sasha chalked up to rich girl rebellion—she was skirting a very thin line ethically.
    “You do know that you cannot discuss the case with this guy, right? Tell me you didn’t discuss the case.”
    If they had to remove Parker from the team, Peterson would be livid.
    “Of course not!”  Parker had the good sense to sound scandalized. “We only talked about the newspaper reports, and, I guess the complaint, but that’s public record.”
    Sasha narrowed her eyes. Not believable. Lawyers were notorious for honoring client confidentiality in the breach. If strictly observed, the confidentiality rules would put a real crimp in the age-old sport of trading war stories. Most attorneys do discuss their cases with outsiders, they just never identify the client involved by name. That compromise position clearly wouldn’t work for Parker and her friend. Everyone at Mickey’s shop was working on the crash. Had to be.
    “So, I mentioned that I was surprised by their choice of class rep. Oh …” Parker trailed off and chewed on her bottom lip. “That’s okay, right? I mean, the complaint is public, and that article named that Caruso guy.”
    “Calvaruso.” Sasha corrected her and ignored the question.
    “Sorry, Calvaruso. My friend, Chase, said Collins called everyone into the office last night after the crash and offered a $5,000 bonus to whoever found him a class rep. Chase has a cousin who works for a corporate travel service, so he called her to see if she could find any reservations for the flight. She found Mr. Calvaruso’s reservation, booked through Patriotech by a Mr. Irwin, and told Chase that Calvaruso had flown from Pittsburgh to D.C., had a layover, and then was booked from D.C. to Dallas.”
    She paused.
    Sasha got the sense the younger woman was waiting for praise, so she said nothing.
    Parker went on, a bit deflated, “So, anyway, Chase found Collins right away and told him about Mr. Calvaruso. He said Collins was really excited until he mentioned Mr. Irwin’s name. Then, Collins immediately said no way, Calvaruso wouldn’t work. But he didn’t say why, and Chase said he got sort of angry when Chase tried to press him about it. A couple minutes later, another associate came up with the Grants, and Collins went with them.”
    Sasha stood and gathered up her office id badge, wallet, and cell phone. Parker’s story was interesting, but it was time to pick up her takeout. “Thanks for bringing this to me, Parker.”
    They walked down the hall together. Sasha stopped in front of Parker’s office.
    “If you want to stay on this trial team, work on your assignment. Act like a grownup making six figures, not a princess. No more happy hours. If you can’t do that, you go back to document review. Is that clear?”
    Parker flushed. Anger flashed in her eyes, followed by shame. She said, “Crystal.”
    “Good,” Sasha said and left to go get her dinner.
     
    * * * * * * * * * *
     
    Back in the office, Sasha checked in with the team. She noted Parker had joined them in the work room.
    Finally, she sat at her desk and wolfed down her sushi. She quieted her mind and drank a glass of water,