Harvey Specter slid the sharp edge of the letter opener neatly against the courier envelope. Usually Donna screened his mail but in her absence, he didn't trust the temp so now, he did it himself. And as the letter's contents exploded ink all over the front of his shirt and expensive suit, he was kind of glad he did!
He pushed back quickly from the desk, grabbing his pocket square to begin the futile attempt of cleaning up. It was at this precise moment that Mike Ross, his associate, chose to make an entrance. Before he could stop himself, Mike blurted out, "Harvey! What the hell?" He dropped the briefs on the nearby sofa and grabbed a handful of tissues to offer assistance.
"It's nothing, Mike," Harvey attempted, "a little accident with an ink pen."
Mike froze in his clean-up attempt to give Harvey a look, "An ink pen accident." The disbelief dripped from the statement. "That's the best you've got."
On a heavy sigh, he cautioned, "It's nothing, Mike. Leave it alone." And he swatted the younger man's hands out of the way.
"You got clean clothes here somewhere?" Mike changed the subject.
"Yeah," was short answer. Harvey cast a despondent look down his front and then back at Mike, "Guess I need them."
Mike nodded and watched as Harvey stomped out of the office, stopping at a closet behind Donna's vacant desk. Grabbing the change of clothes, he went to the men's room to clean up. As soon as the coast was clear, Mike made a bee-line to Jessica Pearson's office to fill her in, the suspect envelope secured in his hand.
The next morning Harvey was summoned to Jessica's office. Sauntering in, he gave her his best closer's smile. "You called?"
"Yes, Harvey," she began in that smooth tone of voice that belied her true inner feelings, "would you like to explain this?" And she held up the envelope, now secured in a clear evidence bag.
Harvey bristled, "I would not. And where did you…" He stopped in mid-sentence, answering the question himself, "Mike."
"Yes, Mike," Jessica stood fluidly, "and thank goodness he told me or else I wouldn't have known that this is the third envelope like this you've received here at the office."
Instantly wary, Harvey answered, "How'd do you know that?"
"Because of me," the man that entered Jessica's office could only be described as a behemoth. Although the suit was nicely tailored, it did nothing to disguise the shear brute strength emanating from the man. He continued, "I'm Rodney Morgan, a friend and former client of Jessica's."
Quirking an eyebrow at his boss and mentor, he asked the silent question.
"I asked Rodney to look into it," she answered.
"It's nothing," Harvey finally responded, "I worked as a prosecutor for the District Attorney. This is not the first time I've received a death threat."
Rodney smiled, "You're right, it's not. But it's the first time that it's ever been credible." But before Harvey could interject, Rodney continued. "And, it's the first time you ever received those threats at home, too."
Jessica turned her head sharply in Harvey's direction. At the same time, Harvey straightened even taller, knowing he had a full-scale battle on his hands. Seeing his body language, Jessica responded, "So, it's true."
"Yeah. But, how'd you know?"
Rodney smiled, "Jessica only hires the best, Mr. Specter. Would you expect any less?"
Harvey shook his head, no.
"That settles it, then. You're getting a bodyguard until this is resolved," Jessica's tone brokered no argument.
"I can take care of myself," Harvey argued anyway.
"I have no doubt that you can, Mr. Specter," Rodney countered, "when you see the threat coming. A bodyguard helps with what you can't see."
But before Harvey or Jessica could say anything else, Mike escorted another person into the office – a smartly dressed female who quickly crossed to Rodney's side.
"Here you go," Mike pointed out, a chipper but mischievous tone in his voice.
Harvey glared, "Stick around, Mike."
She spoke apologetically, "Sorry I'm late, Rodney."
Rodney grinned, "It's alright. It was short notice." The security expert turned back to the other two attorneys. "Allow me to introduce Jessica Pearson and Harvey Specter. This," he pointed back to the woman, "is Dailey Howard, Harvey's bodyguard."
"You're kidding, right?" The sarcasm so thick from Specter you could cut it with a knife.
"Actually, no, he's not," Dailey spoke directly to her charge.
"I'm not having a woman protect me," Harvey challenged back.
Rodney and Jessica both started to make their arguments, but Dailey stopped them both.
"Look, I understand completely," Dailey reasoned, "it's hard to believe that I could protect you better than you could protect yourself."
"Finally," Harvey looked to the skies, "a voice of reason."
"So, let me prove it to you."
Harvey's glare narrowed, "I'm listening."
"Your file says you're a man who likes the occasional game of chance; a betting man as it were." He nodded and Dailey continued, "So meet me in the gym downstairs in an hour. And, if I can't put your butt on the mat twice in fifteen minutes, Rodney will find you another bodyguard, more suitable for your needs and expectations."
"Me? On the mat, twice, in a fifteen minute period?" He sized up his opponent. She was probably close to Harvey's own age. The suit was tailored and expensive, not unlike Jessica's own tastes. And, it did nothing to disguise how physically fit she truly was. The brunette wore her hair short, almost boyish. But, it was the eyes that struck you. They were hazel or maybe, closer to aquamarine, but they were captivating. She had been watching him, waiting patiently for his answer. He grinned, "You're on."
"We'll need a disinterested third party to keep it honest," Jessica smiled. Looking at the young protégé of Harvey's, "and Mike should do nicely."
"Me?" The younger man finally spoke.
"Why not? You brought this to everyone's attention. You might as well continue to be involved," Harvey all but growled. He smiled at the woman bodyguard, "The gym in one hour, Ms. Howard. See you then." And he left the office with the same swagger he had when he entered.