A/N: I had the whole story written before I began posting, although I'm not so hot at breaking it in to chapters. However, based on the feedback I have received I have been working to make certain changes. The next few postings will be father between because I'm endeavoring to add more detail to certain sections. Don't worry. Eventually this will be a LoVe story.
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Chapter 10 Armistice
INTERIOR MANSION
Veronica was waiting in Jake Kane's study with Clarence Weidman when Nish and her lawyer were shown in by a maid. It was obvious that the coed was impressed with the trappings of extreme wealth. Even her lawyer wasn't doing a very good job disguising his awe.
Once they were settled, Jake strode in flanked by Rodger Hearst and another person, Veronica correctly assumed was the Castle's lawyer.
Nish's attorney practically wet himself in his haste to ingratiate himself to the powerful men. "Stewart Milkstein of Adams, Chesterson and Milkstein," the shyster stuck his hand out and shook theirs too enthusiastically with that fake double clutch favored by sleazy salespeople. "It's such an honor to meet you Mr. Kane. May I call you Jake?"
"No," the billionaire dismissed him with one word. "Veronica," he nodded to surprisingly not his least favorite guest. She returned the nod but didn't speak. Jake extended his hand to Nish, "Ms. Sweeney, I presume. Jake Kane. This is Rodger Hearst and I think you've met our lead counsel, Candice Roberts." It was a smart move, having a women represent them as the Castle battled allegations of sexual discrimination.
After everyone was settled on opposite couches with Jake safely ensconced behind his massive ornate desk, Ms. Roberts removed a large document from her briefcase and handed it to Mr. Milkstein. "This is the stipulation of settlement, confidentiality agreement and release we discussed."
Rodger Hearst interrupted them to mention the terms of the settlement that were not set forth in writing. "As we agreed, thirteen women including you and Ms. Mars will be initiated into the Castle in accordance with our sacred traditions. Mr. Fennel will be reinstated to last Spring's class to restore our number to our proper compliment. After this special all female class that will be initiated this fall, the Castle will return to its regular initiation routine of inducting thirteen new members every Spring with the best candidates from the entire student body being eligible for membership based on merit without regard to gender."
"No. We agreed that this Spring will be a double initiation – thirteen men and thirteen women – to help offset the years the Castle spent barring qualified women from reaping the privileges you previously only offered to men," Nish corrected the founder's son. She wasn't going to let them continue to railroad women.
Hearst and Jake sighed before Hearst agreed. "Fine. Let's get on with this."
Irked at being dismissed and ignored, Milkstein asserted himself, "Ms. Sweeney, I urge you to reconsider. Membership in an organization they deny even exists and a promise not to disclose the lawsuit or the terms of the settlement without receiving any financial compensation is not in your best interests."
Ms. Roberts countered that position. "Ms. Sweeney, I do not believe you are being given sound legal advice here. You know what the Castle represents, if it was indeed to exist. You also know that the Federal District Court granted our request for a TRO and a gag order both of which were upheld by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Your suit has no merit and little chance of success. Take the deal."
Milkstein defended himself, "TROs are easy to get. They would never have gotten a final restraining order and we are going to win this case."
"And then what will you have?" challenged Rodger Hearst, "A judgment against a group that doesn't exist. That will get you nowhere. Instead you know what you and your friends are getting here."
Nish was practically salivating at what was being offered to her. She was hoping to ride this all the way to the editor's desk of Newsweek. "Stewart, I know what I'm doing," the young woman hissed at her lawyer.
"Excellent," praised Rodger. "As we discussed the new initiates to be tapped at our sole discretion will become members of the Castle assuming that you sign the confidentiality agreements and pass the initiation."
Milkstein would not be quiet. "You know that's where they are going to get you. After all this, they will say that you didn't pass the initiation. You'll be left with nothing."
"We would never do that! We have integrity," insisted Hearst.
Staring straight at Jake, Veronica interjected, "Plus, a few other incentives."
Jake Kane unflinchingly met Veronica's heated gaze. She was a worthy, if annoying, adversary. If she had been a man, she would have undoubtedly been offered admission to the Castle last spring. Jake remembered that Lianne had been feisty at that same age but years of disappointment drowned in booze sapped all of her fortitude. Jake couldn't let that same fate destroy Veronica.
"The initiation rituals faced by these women will be the same ones endured by all members of the Castle since its inception. No more. No less." Jake closed the subject.
"My clients are looking forward to having a more diverse make-up," Attorney Roberts confirmed, hoping to deflate some of the building tension in the room.
Milkstein reviewed the papers he had been handed. "This is what you agreed to," he sighed in defeat.
Ms. Roberts was compelled to point out an oversight on Milkstein's part, confirming that he was as dumb as she suspected. "Actually there was an addition. Since your retainer agreement with Ms. Sweeney was contingent on a monetary recovery which there isn't one here, we added a $10,000.00 financial bonus to cover your fees and expenses, Mr. Milkstein, provided that you and the other members of your firm also sign individual confidentiality agreements guaranteeing that you will never discuss the existence of the Castle or this law suit."
Stewart Milkstein was elated. He would be getting paid after all. "Of course, of course. I'll sign right now. I'll have my partners sign when I get back to my office and I'll have the agreement messengered to you later today." He'd been dreaming of the notoriety he'd achieve when this case toppled all of those powerful people, especially that awfully Brandon Archer who was now the managing partner at a prestigious New York law firm and a Castle alumni. Milkstein had hated him since law school, but a fee was a fee. Let his naïve client trust these bastards to keep their word. He warned her. When she didn't get initiated she'd be back wishing that she had listened to him but he'd be laughing all the way to the bank.
Once the documents were executed everyone turned to leave. Stewart Milkstein was trying to give Rodger Hearst his business card, promising to beat the price any other lawyer offered to charge HearstMart for its legal work. What Milkstein failed to realize was that while HearstMart sold cut rate merchandise to the least common denominator of society, Rodger Heart would only hire the best, which was never the cheapest, to protect himself and his empire.
"Veronica, stay a minute, would you?" Jake Kane asked in that professional voice of his which concealed his cold, dark heart.
Once everyone left, Clarence Weidman closed the heavy double doors leaving Veronica alone with Jake and Candace Roberts, Esquire.
The attorney pulled other documents out of her expensive leather briefcase. "I'm sure you surmised that the more personal arrangements you had with Mr. Kane and the Castle cannot be reduced to writing."
"Yeah. I didn't know exactly how you word a contract to rig an election," Veronica sniped
"No one is rigging anything Ms. Mars and I will caution you not to defame my client, his company or his associates to me or anyone else," admonished Roberts.
Veronica did not look chastised.
In that masterful way lawyers could spin anything Attorney Roberts elaborated with perfect whitewash, "Mr. Kane simply agreed to put his considerable weight, plus the clout of a few others, behind a Petition to the County Commissioner to hold a recall election due to voter fraud."
"I don't need to know the details," Veronica dismissed the explanation. "Just make it happen."
Candace Roberts was impressed by this young woman. Even she wasn't this cocky at twenty years old and she had been a member of Skull and Bones. Veronica was a force to be reckoned with.
"I'm actually more interested to know how you are going to keep Logan safe from that Sorkin Neanderthal," Veronica demanded.
Jake tried to comfort and reassure her, "Let us take care of that."
"No offense," Veronica lied; she meant every offensive thing she was about to say, "But you don't exactly have a track record of keeping those close to you safe."
Her barb hit its mark. "If I had known Lily was in danger . . . or you for that matter . . . I would have protected you both from . . . .Aar . . him. I did keep Duncan safe. He wouldn't have made it out there without me."
Veronica almost believed him.
"He wouldn't have been out there, if you had supported his decision and let your trained attack dog over here off her gold leash to help him get custody in the first place instead of caving into your wife's vanity." Veronica had no use for Duncan's parents who cared more about appearances than people, including their own children and grandchildren.
Jake relented, never having gotten over the rift which divided his family concerning Duncan's disappearance and Celeste's objection to the assistance Jake tried to provide to his estranged son. "Let's just say several of our more highly placed law enforcement members came to an understanding with members of the Sorkin family. Nobody wants two stupid college boys to disrupt their elders' cash flows. Business is business after all."
Veronica shuddered to think what he meant by that. She wondered if anybody was truly honest any more. She reminded herself that just because she agreed to become part of some college society didn't mean that she was endorsing wholesale corruption or that she was as morally bankrupt as the man sitting across from her. It was a lie her soul readily accepted because her heart would pay any price to avoid losing Logan to an early grave like the one that ripped away her best friend so brutally.
Not wanting this to deteriorate further, the lawyer handed Veronica a set of documents and a pen. "Sign your confidentiality agreement and we can all be on our way."