Charlie IV
Chapter 33
Jim and Johanna were having a quiet day doing paperwork for one of their clients. It wasn't difficult, just time consuming, and didn't require them to leave the office for any reason. Since Rick and Kate were home in their apartment they didn't even have Charlie.
Then in walked two gentlemen wearing suits. Jim and Johanna had seen suits like these before back in their old law office. They were tailored just for them and probably made with material from Italy, let alone the shoes. One of them had a briefcase.
Johanna greeted them. "Gentlemen, welcome. How can we help you?"
"I'm Sebastian Ehret, President of Black Pawn Publishing based in New York City. This is my lawyer, Michael Thompson."
Hearing that, Jim took out a small cassette recorder and pressed record.
"I see. So what can I help you gentlemen with?" Johanna inquired nicely as if she didn't already know.
Thompson opened his briefcase and took out a piece of paper. "This is a cease and desist order, requiring that you drop your lawsuit against Gina Cowell." He handed it to Johanna who took it and read it.
"Interesting…. This is signed by someone in New York City in the County of New York. As I'm sure your lawyer here is keenly aware the suit was filed in Jones County in the state of Mississippi. This piece of paper does not give you jurisdiction within this county or this state. This is not New York County.
"Just so you two understand, my husband and I previously worked for Litham and Wilkins, the single largest law firm not just in the United States, but the world. They employ around 2,800 lawyers in 29 different countries." Johanna saw his lawyer flinch a little. "Why my husband and I left that firm is our business and does not concern you.
"I specialize in personal contacts. My husband specializes in dealing with companies and CEOs of all sizes.
"So let me guess, Mr. Ehret. You're going to suggest that you have more money and can drag this out till we finally give in and allow Rick to sign that piece of shit contract.
"I will further guess that your lawyer is charging you $1,000 an hour. You probably hired him over a week ago. Getting to Laurel isn't easy. You have to fly to Houston first where there will be a layover. Then you both have to fly back out. You bought your tickets last minute and likely tried to travel First Class. Add hotel stays in the best hotel you can find and this little trip alone has cost you – and I'm guessing here – a 100 grand and we're only just getting started.
"Our daughter is married to Richard Rodgers so we aren't charging him a dime. This will go to trial here in Jones County. Meaning your lawyer will have to come here to fight it. He will need to fly home or find a hotel each time and charge you another 100 grand each day.
"Plus $100 per piece of paper used. Another $100 for each and every phone call. Yet another $100 for each pen he uses. Add to that he isn't doing this alone. He needs support people to do the little stuff.
"You see, we're well acquainted with how a large and powerful law firm works and what they charge. By the time this goes to a jury I'm guessing that you, meaning Black Pawn, will end up spending somewhere along the line of $5,000,000.
"In addition to that we will be sending you a subpoena requiring you to attend several days. Different days, forcing you to attend each and every day and not be in your office in New York City.
"Ask him." Johanna pointed at his lawyer in his expensive suit. "This goes to trial and it will be all over the press. Black Pawn through Gina Cowell is being sued in Jones County."
"What do you want?" Ehret asked her. It wasn't the money that concerned him much. It was the negative press. They might never get another writer to publish or even lose one or two, including Rodgers. They would survive but revenue would be down. He just didn't know by how much.
"That's easy. An honest contract. And not the one Gina Cowell has sent for Rick to sign and hand over his life to her and whatever whim she desired," Johanna stated.
Jim spoke up for the first time. "You haven't even read that contract, have you? No, you went straight to this guy who did what you asked of him and he'll charge you for his time, not really knowing why he's here."
Now Jim spoke to the lawyer since he knew a bloodsucker looking for money when he saw one. "Gina didn't use you, did she? I'll bet she used a different lawyer. Probably her personal lawyer, hoping that you wouldn't notice or really read the contract."
"Would you like to read it?" Johanna queried. "We have a copy. We have a copy of both contracts from her. You can use our conference table. You can even drink our free coffee. It's not bad coffee, either. We use bottled water and not tap water just to be sure."
[:] o-0-O-0-o [:]
Ehret and his lawyer were still there hours later, sitting at the conference table reading and talking softly.
"Two turkey subs, chips, and sodas. Free of charge." Jim dropped them off at the conference table and retreated to his desk to eat his sub while Johanna ate hers. And listened and watched as those two ate and drank their sodas.
They both had Nokia cell phones and were busy using them. Jim and Johanna each had one of their own now. Business was good so they could afford to add yet another phone bill to their list of bills.
They knew Rick and Kate were penny-pinching even if Rick was being offered millions. It was just it was future millions. They didn't yet have millions so they were watching just about every penny and Jim and Johanna didn't blame them.
[:] o-0-O-0-o [:]
It was four o'clock. Those two were still here and still drinking free coffee that Jim was presently making more of for them and these two. Then they were standing by their desks with all three copies.
"I didn't know. This isn't the contact that we typically offer. We absolutely do not use language like this. Yes, if someone breaks their contract we'll sue to get the advance back and then sue them for breaking the contract but that hasn't happened in a while. I don't know what Gina's doing but I am going to find out. I can promise you that," Ehret told them.
"You understand what's in those two contracts from Gina?" Jim looked at the lawyer.
"Yes, and I've never seen language like that before. Litham and Wilkins, very big and prestigious firm. I won't ask why you left, that's your business. Laurel is an interesting place to end up, though." He really was expecting a know-nothing small town lawyer who was fresh out of law school and had never sued anyone before.
"Actually we like it here. Perhaps you like what you're doing now. We like what we're doing now," Johanna told them.
"The lawsuit stands until we see a contract that we can allow Rick to sign that does not look like those two. Are we clear now?" Jim asked, looking at Sebastian Ehret, President of Black Pawn.
"We are," Ehret responded.
"It's probably too late for a flight out to Houston and then New York City for you two. May I suggest Wisteria Bed and Breakfast. It's at 706 North 5th avenue, here in Laurel. I think you two might like it. Get a real feel for Laurel." Johanna wrote the B and B's information down for them and handed it over.
Jim smiled. "Come back anytime, we'll both be here."
They watched them leave and Jim stood by the door and saw Ehret use his cell phone to call for a taxi and they were both soon gone.
"Well that was fun. Haven't had that much fun since LA." Jim smiled at his wife who just laughed.
"Just so long as what we finally get is a real contract. I say we give them a week to have it on our desk. If not we proceed as if they want to go to trial," Johanna said.
"Deal. Do we call and tell Rick and Katie?" Jim asked her. "They might not like it."
Jo declined. "Not till we have a real contract or not in one week. Then we call them and tell them we'll be going to trial in Jones County."
"Can you believe he actually thought we would fall for it coming from the Great City of New York and just roll over and give in?" Jim shook his head and went to his desk. He still had paperwork to work on. "Or maybe he simply did what that idiot president told him to do."
"Win or lose, he got his money," Johanna said and went back to her paperwork. He was 100 grand richer and Black Pawn was out 100 grand.
[:] o-0-O-0-o [:]
Rick was at work and Kate was home when the doorbell sounded, getting Charlie to charge the door. He loved everyone but Kate was his pack and he was going to protect her. However, he found out that it was just the FedEx guy who didn't pet him and mostly just ignored him and went back to his truck.
Kate took it to the sofa and looked it over. It was for Rick but it came from her parents so she opened it and saw a piece of paper on top.
Rick and Katie,
We have each read this contract from Black Pawn Publishing. For starters your editor and contact for all your books is now back in the LA office, at least for now.
This contract is offering you an advance of 1.2 million dollars. Our guess is the extra 200 grand is compensation for the first two contracts. We don't know what, if anything, happened to Gina Cowell.
Everything else is much like Rick's very first contract. Three books over a period of three years. One point two million advance for this book, 1.5 million for the next, and 2 million for the third one provided that each book meets certain sales requirements.
Of course if you fail to provide a book as required they'll sue you to obtain their advance back and sue you for breach of contract. Having said that this contract as written is safe for you to sign.
Call us if you have questions. Sign the contract and send it back to us overnight, signature required, and we will forward to Black Pawn. When we receive your signed contract we will withdraw the lawsuit against Gina Cowell.
We won, like there was any doubt. Since you're reading this, Katie, kiss him and enjoy your classes.
Your mother who loves you. Your father says Hi.
"YES!" Kate raised her arms high, took the ball out of Charlie's mouth, and threw it. "How about we go for a walk? Rick will be home soon."
[:] o-0-O-0-o [:]
"My final year of classes," Kate told Rick as she exited the bathroom naked and started getting dressed. "Have you sent your book yet? We got that 1.2 million just like they offered." Kate wanted to keep on top of him.
"All boxed up. I'm taking it to work today and sending it to Peter in LA like always."
"Kissed and Killed. I'm starting to detect a theme here," Kate teased.
"Murder mystery; it's what I write. The other three have sold well. Just be ready for me to have to fly to LA or somewhere to do those three book signings."
"Please remember I want to go if I don't have a class." Kate wrapped her arms around his neck. "I still love you and I don't think that will ever change."
"Good because I don't want to never stop loving you." Rick kissed her. "Bring your homework home and I will help you like always."
"Deal! Be a good boy, Charlie. You're three years old now. Getting older." Kate leaned down to kiss his head and kept getting ready for her first school day for her last year.
[:] o-0-O-0-o [:]
Kate was home weeks later and realized that neither Charlie or Rick were there. Even his truck wasn't outside. She headed for the kitchen to get a soda out of the fridge and found a note under a magnet on the door.
Hospital called and wanted to know if Charlie could come for a visit. Be back when we're done. Love you.
At least that told her where those two were. It also left her wondering what dinner was going to be. If she went out to get take-out what if Rick chose to get his own take-out for them? So she chose to do nothing but go upstairs, strip down, and take a shower. It was hot and humid outside still or yet again.
Kate was getting dressed when she heard nails on the floor and then somehow Charlie knew she was up in the bedroom. He was even still wearing his Therapy Dog vest. "Did you have a good time at the hospital? I'm glad you like hospitals. I hate hospitals." She petted him and hugged him.
"Hi, Babe." Kate wrapped her arms around him from behind. "Chinese! You found Chinese!" She loved him even more now. She was glad she hadn't gone out to get her own take-out.
"My book is gone for editing. It will likely come back looking like all the others."
"Two weeks to fix it and send it back. I'll try to stay out of your way," Kate promised. He needed to get that book back to them or get sued and give the money back and sue them for breach of contract. "So what's the next book? You only have a year."
"I've got a few notes and a working name but it may change."
"And?" She had no idea how he came up with these names or where he got his imagination.
"A Skull at Springtime."
"Interesting. You realize my mother's a big fan now," Kate told him if he didn't already know.
"Since she has me sign and personalize each one for her, I could guess." Rick gave her a quick kiss. "Any plans for Halloween? I know where we're going for Thanksgiving and Christmas. What I'd like to do is get my mother to come out to your parents' house for Christmas. I may need your help to talk her into it."
"DONE! Count me in." Kate was more than willing. "I'd really like to see your mother again."
[:] o-0-O-0-o [:]
Kate didn't know how she did it but Martha was going to stay for an entire week at her parents' house. That was the good news. The bad news was that she didn't have a week off from classes and Rick didn't have even as much as she had. UPS was busy leading up to the holidays. Rick's hours had actually been increased for weeks. It also meant he got paid more.
Rick knew Kate was parking for free in the parking lot and going into the airport to wait for Martha to arrive. It really was a small airport. There was just the one United counter and only small jets could land the airport. Rental car options were limited to just one company, AVIS, and they didn't have that many cars to choose from.
Passengers could get freshly made sandwiches and salads when the booth was open or else they could use the vending machines. Only one carousel for luggage, a single row of seating while people waited, and that was about it for this place.
People were standing waiting to leave while others were still seated. That was okay. Kate was too nervous, excited; you name it and she was it. She wasn't Rick's fiancée any longer. She was his wife. What if Martha had changed her tune about her?
Finally the plane landed. People got off and walked across the tarmac to the only door available and went inside. Kate spotted her first. It was hard to miss her, she was all bundled up for the cold, but it was that hair color that made her stand out.
"KATHERINE!" Martha's smile got wider. She had been expecting to see her son but seeing Katherine was a pleasant surprise.
Kate found herself being hugged tightly. "Richard isn't here?" Martha was afraid he had been trapped at work.
"Rick's at my parents' home waiting for us as is Charlie. I volunteered to come get you."
"I'm so glad you did. We can talk all the way to your parents' house." Martha was going to put the time to good use.
"Do you have a bag?" Did they need to wait at the carousel?
"One big one, it's heavy," Martha warned her. "I'm staying an entire week. I need lots of clothes."
"Mom and Dad do have a washer and dryer, you know." Laurel might be a small town but it wasn't a one horse town.
"I'm sure they do, but I still need lots of clothes. ...Richard tells me that your parents bought a broken down house and had it renovated." Martha had lived in a lot worse. She could survive anything, even a tent.
"They did, $300,000 in renovations. Wait, it was $300,000 total including purchase price and all the furniture. Save for bedroom items. That wasn't included. Wait till you see it. Mom loves the kitchen. It's HUGE!" Kate spread her arms wide.
"It's too cold for the front porch but it's the biggest one in town. It's huge too." Kate even had an example of what she wanted her house to look like when they finally got one.
[:] o-0-O-0-o [:]
It took Kate and Martha to get her bag into the bed of Rick's truck after putting the tailgate down. "What have you got in this thing? Gold bars?" Kate grunted as she took most of the weight onto her and off Martha.
True to her word Kate was bombarded with questions all the way home and she answered each and every one of them. She wanted Martha to like her. She was her husband's mother.
[:] o-0-O-0-o [:]
"This is it." Kate stopped in the little driveway right behind her parents' Explorer. "And here comes Charlie." Someone had clearly opened the door to let him out so he could charge at Kate to greet her.
"A collie." Martha thought he was handsome.
While Kate got greeted Charlie had spotted someone new that needed his undivided attention. He was soon being petted and watched as she bent down to his level. "Aren't you handsome. So you're Charlie. ...Richard!" Martha stood up to hug him.
"A little help, Babe." He had more muscles for Martha's suitcase than she did. Kate listened to him grunt as he lifted it up and then dragged it inside on its wheels.
Martha found she had an escort. Charlie intended to be glued to her. She was new and he loved people so she was going to get all of his attention.