Chapter Ten

Diane's been trying to focus on work all morning, but it's been proven very hard with the news about Lynn's scandal floating around. She got distracted too often reading articles online, the situation started to get out of hand. Other interns showed up saying Lynn behaved inappropriately with them and Lynn still hasn't made any official statement yet.

"Can I come in?" the man in charge of damage control steps inside her office and Diane really hopes he has some good news to share. She hasn't heard from him or Lynn since she sent the politician to Eli in the morning.

"Of course," Diane closes her laptop and waits until Eli takes a seat.

"Lynn's press conference will be at noon," he says and Diane checks the time, noting that there's only an hour left until then.

"How long do you think it will take until it winds down?"

"It's hard to tell," Eli avoids taking guesses and it's understandable considering the speed with which this scandal keeps growing.

"Did she tell you she wants to sue?"

"She did and she also said you advised her not to."

"All the evidence we have shows that she's guilty," Diane sighs and she expects Eli to agree with her assumption.

"Then you should keep looking, because she never slept with that bastard."

His choice of words surprises Diane just as much as his confidence.

"How can you be so sure?"

"She told me what happened at the hotel, she wasn't with him."

Diane hardly believes her ears. She had a hard time getting anything out of Lynn except for denial, she would never have expected Eli to succeed so soon. She'd like to ask what she told him, but she knows better than that, also the skeptical side of her comes forward right away.

"How do you know she is telling the truth?"

"I looked into it and it isn't something you just make up anyway. I understand why she's kept it from us so far."

Diane takes a few seconds to think about his words, he sounds serious and there's no reason she shouldn't trust him on this, even if he's being all secretive about it.

"I don't suppose you'll tell me."

"I can't, she asked me not to, because she isn't sure how you'd react."

Her eyes widen and she cannot deny that she'd love to know what it can be that Lynn hasn't dared to tell her. She cannot imagine it could be worse than being accused of sleeping with a stripper. She thought she was understanding enough towards Lynn, but maybe her skepticism showed more than she intended to.

"At least she told someone," she tries to get used to the idea, which puts everything into a completely different light and she cannot help feeling relieved.

"She suspected that you didn't believe in her innocence," he affirms her suspicion.

"I guess she was right, but I told her denying is not enough."

"I think she wasn't ready to reveal this to you, but maybe if she sees that you believe her she will tell you as well."

Of course she wishes Lynn would tell her, but Eli's confirmation is enough for her, at least for now. She can focus on finding evidence to defeat the accusations without the fear of bumping into more incriminating ones.

"That's fine, it's just good to know it's a lie, it will be easier to go on from here."

"You need to find the woman on the picture, because it isn't Lynn."

"I already told Kalinda to do exactly that."

"Good, we have to find a way to clear her name, even when we can't use the truth as leverage."

"Is it really that bad?"

"Let's just say she definitely cannot share it with the public now."

"I see," Diane nods and without dwelling on it much longer her thoughts move on to the next step they should focus on now, "Do you need me at the press conference today?"

"It would mean a lot to Lynn if you were there."

"All right, call me before you leave and I'll go with you."

"Thank you," Eli smiles at her and stands up, "She is one of the good ones. We will get over this scandal, we will sue if we have to, but we will clear her name and then we can focus on winning the elections."

"Sounds like a plan," Diane says returning his smile before he walks out of her office.

After a week of doubts it finally feels good to be optimistic again and to know there's a chance for them to come out as the winners in the end. It would put Lynn closer to achieve her goal and bring more fame to Stern, Lockhart Gardner at the same time.

o-o-o

Diane knocks on the door of Will's office a few minutes later and without saying a word she walks inside, right to his couch to take a seat.

"Hey," he greets her from his desk and they stare at each other silently for a while before Diane shifts her gaze to the ground, "I saw Eli leave your office, any news?" he asks and Diane slowly lifts her head to look at him before she answers.

"Lynn told him everything, he checked out her story and it looks like we were wrong, she's innocent after all."

"But that's great news, why don't you look happy?" he stands up and walks over to the coffee table to take a seat close to Diane.

"I am, but I also feel bad for not believing her. She didn't trust me with the truth because she sensed that I wasn't on her side," she's come over because she feels like talking about it with someone other than Eli and Will's always there to offer a listening ear.

"You had your doubts, she cannot blame you for it. We don't believe our clients just because they are attractive."

"I know," she cannot help a small chuckle escape her lips, "Her press conference is at noon, I'll go there with Eli."

"That's a good idea and maybe you can talk to Lynn and…I don't know, apologize?"

"Do you think it's necessary?"

Will's suggestion surprises her, apologizing is not something she does too often, not even when it comes to their friendship and it's not like she did anything wrong.

"Well, she is a top client, not to mention our potential future mayor, you should definitely try to regain her trust," he lists a bunch of very good reasons, it definitely feels like she's talking to a very mature Will today.

"I know. I'll try. Eli said she might tell me the truth sometime."

"I'm sure she will, you just have to show her you are on her side."

She smiles at Will, grateful for the encouragement. If it was any other client she wouldn't take this to heart, but she feels that it's different with Lynn.

"Thank you," she replies and starts to emerge from her seat.

"There's something I'd like to tell you," Will stops her and she sits back, sensing the slightly nervous tone in his voice.

"What is it?"

"I know you told me not to, but I still went on a date with Lynn's assistant."

"Why am I not surprised that you didn't listen to me?" she smiles at him not disapprovingly and she is wondering why he's telling her this. He usually doesn't talk about such things, especially not about a new relationship, so Jo is either different, or it's because she is connected to Lynn.

"In my defense, I wasn't the one asking her out," he paints a clearer picture, making her chuckle.

"So she asked you out?" Diane draws the conclusion, keeping the supportive tone. She may have told him not to ask Jo out, but she was merely teasing him, never meant him to take her seriously.

"Sort of. I'm only telling you this, because she is working for Lynn and they are also friends, so I'd rather you hear it from me first," his explanation makes sense and she appreciates his honesty very much.

"Does this mean there will be more dates?" she guesses the obvious answer with a smile.

"Definitely."

The happy expression on his face clearly shows that even though he has only known this girl for a few days, she already seems to have a significant effect on him.

"This Jo must be something."

"She is," he admits, shifting his gaze to the ground to hide his face.

"Treat her right," she touches his lower arm as a friendly gesture before she stands up.

"I will," Will nods and Diane walks out of his office in a much better mood, ready to take the next step just like he suggested.

And she can only hope Eli and Will are right and Lynn will react in a way both of them predicted, because she wants nothing more than to be trusted by her again, as a foundation of a fruitful work relationship.