Free The Refrain (The Bridge Series) by Ashley Pullo

“Catch me up . . . I know he wants to sell his share of a pharmaceutical company – so what’s the problem?”
    “Lots of problems. He’s been cooking the books for close to three years. There’s enough to get him on tax fraud, but there’s a whole lot more. Because he fucked with the finances, the price of a share in the company is much higher than what it’s worth. Of course, now he wants to sell it and red flags are popping up everywhere – like the FBI.”
    “Shit. Tax and security laws are not my area – why was I assigned to him?”
    “Because you’re a legal god and everyone wants you,” she teases. “In my paralegal opinion, which means absolutely nothing, you have to make him pay his taxes. That at least puts him in a better position. And if he’s a real prick about it, get off the case and turn him in.”
    “Is there a court date?”
    “Lemme see. Yes, a New York Supreme Court hearing in two weeks. He’s currently being sued by the pharmaceuticals company for withholding financial information. Fantastic, he’s counter-suing for forty percent of the company’s holdings backdated to December 2002. Lots of tongue-sticking-out and name-calling I’m sure, but at the end of the day, you can’t represent someone that screwed the government.”
    “What does he want exactly, besides avoiding federal prison? Is it money?”
    “How would I know? I’m just the . . . what was it that you called me during your first week?”
    “A secretary with a degree and a nice rack. And yet you still slept with me,” I tease.
    Fiona laughs loudly as I skim the file to find his last address listed in Connecticut. I remember this guy . . . kinda obnoxious, but he was having a tough year. He wanted me to represent him in a transactional case – I don’t remember the full story, but it seemed like a routine request at the time. But shit, a simple transaction behind closed doors just became my worst nightmare.
    “Fiona, schedule a meeting with him as soon as possible.”
    “Are you telling Shaw?”
    “Not yet. I’m hoping I can talk some sense into him before further investigations.” I remove my glasses and lean back in my chair. Fiona glances at my chest discreetly, and then places the documents back into the file.
    “I’ll let your new secretary know when I make the appointment.” She stands quickly and straightens her skirt. Fiona hurries to the door and I stand to stop her.
    “Wait,” I demand. She pauses by the door, smiling slightly as her eyes roam around my chest. “Fiona, some relationships can be fun. Look at us.” I’m being honest – sex with Fiona was fun.
    “You know where to find me, Adam.”

    C HAPTER N INE
    Adam Ford
9/1/03
Re: Walnut Grove
    N EW Y ORK C ITY has a colorful list of misnomers – like Gay St., Borough Park and Brooklyn Egg Creams. Chloe’s place of employment is no different but honestly, the name bugs the living hell out of me. The Bridge is a pub-style bar miles from an actual bridge and resides directly across the street from The Holland Tunnel. Most people probably only care about what’s on tap, but because I’m a purveyor of truth, I have to ask.
    “What’s with the name?” I ask Chloe as she pops off the lid to a bottle of Stella.
    “The Bridge? Who the fuck knows . . . let’s ask Dennis.” She places the beer and a glass in front of me and then serves three bottles to a waitress with purple braids.
    This bar is like most Manhattan bars, cramped, overpriced and oddly shaped – but the atmosphere is eclectic without being pretentious. And because of the strange layout, there is enough space for a small, elevated stage directly in the middle of the main room.
    “Hey Dennis, get over here.” Chloe whistles.
    Dennis is a small-framed white guy in his forties with a bald head and beady little eyes. He’s the type I wouldn’t fuck with in a dark alley, but the way Chloe interacts with him, it’s obvious he’s a big softie.
    “Dennis, this is my