A/N: Thanks for continuing to read, review, and follow! I really appreciate it. I want to warn you upfront that this storyline could have some triggers because it does deal with a sensitive topic. Remember what work the Miranda Center does before proceeding. Please read the Author's Notes at the end of the chapter. This chapter picks up where the last one left off. Hope you enjoy this update!
/
The next day started out pretty much the same as the previous one for Marissa. She met with the other partners and explained what had happened to Tessa. They were angry at what the younger woman had endured and wanted to do whatever they could do to help her. Marissa laid out her plans and listened as the other lawyers offered some suggestions to make the case stronger. The redhead was never one to let her ego get in the way of doing what was best for one of her clients. Overall however, the other partners agreed with her approach, and they only had a few suggestions to offer.
Once that meeting was wrapped up, Marissa had Ellie call the redhead's team together for a quick meeting. She wanted to let them know what was going on and give them the heads up that she might be needing their assistance on this case as well as possibly needing them to cover her current cases.
/
"Does anyone know what this is about?" Brian asked as he settled in the chair next to Claudia. The team had gathered in a conference room near Marissa's office.
Claudia shook her head. "I have no idea."
"That makes two of us." Sofia said as she joined them.
"Make that three." Lisa added as she sat next to Brandon and handed him an extra-large coffee she had picked up from the kiosk in the building's lobby. There was no way she couldn't see the bags under his eyes. Lisa was still working on getting her friend to open up about what was going on with him. Slowly but surely however, she was making progress.
Brandon smiled gratefully as he took the coffee. "Thanks. You can add me to that list too. Ellie, you always seem to know what's going on since you're the gatekeeper. Do you have any clue?"
Ellie smiled and shook her head. "Not really. She just started working on a 'Jane Doe' case in conjunction with the Miranda Center. It may have something to do with that, and before any of you ask, that's really all I know."
"Hmmm, interesting. She wouldn't normally need a meeting with us to discuss a case from the Center." Claudia observed.
Sofia nodded. "You're right. There has to be something else going on."
"Well whatever it is, we're about to find out. Here she comes." Lisa informed the group when she saw Marissa headed their way.
Marissa smiled at her team as she entered the conference room. She took her place at the head of the table and addressed the group. "Good morning! I want to apologize for the last minute meeting, but I have a new case and wanted to bring all of you up to speed on it as soon as possible since I may be needing your help." Marissa knew she had their attention when, to a person, they leaned forward in their seats. "I know I don't have to remind you that everything said in this room is confidential and covered by privilege." To a person, the group nodded in acknowledgement.
"One of Miranda's friends came to her for help regarding her older sister. The sister's name is Tessa Mendes, but she will be referred to as Jane Doe in all legal documents until instructed otherwise. Tessa is a student-athlete at Llanview University. She is attending LU on a gymnastics scholarship, and she had a shot at making the U.S. Olympic Team for the Rio games. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury before the trials took her out of contention. Tessa was instructed by a LU team coach to see Dr. Jerry Landry for analysis and treatment of her injury. Landry is an osteopathic physician, and he is considered to be an expert in the field. Not only does he oversee the treatment for all of the athletes at Llanview University, but he also lends his expertise to USA Gymnastics and is in the process of opening several treatment centers which will be connected to other high profile gymnastic centers throughout Pennsylvania and possibly in Ohio." Marissa calmly recited the information she had been able to glean from several of the cursory internet searches she had conducted. She knew Mitch would provide her with a report later which would be more in depth, but what she had gathered would work for the moment. As she talked, Marissa saw each of the team members perform a quick google search of the doctor, so she was prepared for what she heard next.
"From what I can tell at first glance, the guy seems like he has an impeccable resume and reputation." Brandon noted.
"I noticed how you said 'at first glance'." Lisa said knowingly. They all knew that things were not always what they seemed to be. If Marissa was stating his credentials upfront, Lisa knew there was a reason for it, and she knew the other shoe was most likely about to drop. "There's more, isn't there?"
Marissa nodded. "Yes, there is. Over the course of several months, Landry groomed and eventually sexually assaulted Tessa during those rehab sessions under the guise of it being a treatment. During these treatments, he instructed her not to tell anyone."
The reactions to Marissa's words as they sunk in were visceral. Cellphones and tablets that had just been used to do searches of the doctor were dropped onto the conference room table. Some paled and looked as though they might become physically ill. Tears formed in the eyes of others as they tried to make sense of what they had been told. The rest of the team became visibly angry. Chief among that contingent was Claudia who had a young daughter, and who, unknown to the others, had recently become enamored of all things gymnastic. Claudia and her husband were considering enrolling their daughter in a gymnastics class and had just started their researching of gyms.
"Are any of these centers associated with him located in Pine Valley?" Claudia's jaw was clenched tightly as she asked that question.
"Not that I've been able to find so far. Mitch is already investigating Landry so I'm sure we'll find that out soon enough." Marissa let the unasked question of 'why' hang in the air.
Claudia did her best to calm herself down before she spoke again. "Rob and I were thinking of signing Andi up for a gymnastics class."
The others didn't say a word. They simply nodded, fully understanding her reaction.
Marissa understood as well and looked directly at the other woman. "I can have Mitch vet classes here in Pine Valley for you."
"I …"
"It's no trouble. We want to make sure Andi is safe."
"Thank you." Claudia said gratefully.
"You're welcome."
"If Tessa has hired you, does that mean she's thinking of a civil suit?" Sofia asked.
"It's possible. I'm not going to rule that out. This case is new and developing quickly. Bianca and I just talked with her yesterday. Yes, Tessa is going to get help from the Miranda Center. What I can tell you is that Tessa wants justice, something she hasn't gotten from the university. She reported what happened to her coach and the A.D., and since that time, she has not heard anything from them on this."
"So, she came to you." Brian stated.
"Yes. I have reached out to Nora Buchanan who is the Llanview District Attorney. I've also reached out to Vikki Buchanan who is the publisher of the Banner. I'm sure you all know the paper's reputation. I'll be meeting with both women later today. I'm also going to bring Mike Jensen into the loop. Even though he is the Pine Valley D.A. and doesn't have jurisdiction into this case, it won't hurt to let him know. As I've said, Mitch is already working on this and has told me that he'll have a preliminary report for me tomorrow."
"Do you think there are more victims?" Brandon asked.
"Unfortunately, I would say it is a distinct possibility. Tessa said she had heard whispers after she was assaulted."
Claudia asked the most important questions, the ones they were all thinking. "How is Tessa? How is her family?"
Marissa paused. "Tessa is an amazing young woman. The strength she has shown in coming forward and speaking up is simply incredible. She is struggling though, and that is where the Miranda Center will come into play. The counselors there will help her and her family begin the healing process. I know her family quite well. They are loving and very close. They have also been very supportive. Tessa told them about seeking legal advice as well as help from the Center, and they are behind her all the way. In fact, they have agreed to go into counseling as well."
The group collectively sighed in relief. They knew all too well that something like this could easily tear a family apart. The fact that they agreed to counseling for themselves was a positive step. Questions continued for the next thirty minutes. Marissa informed the team that the further along the case got, the more likely it was that she might need to shift some of her cases to them. To a person, they all agreed to step up. Once the meeting finally broke up, they went to begin their days. On her way out of the conference room, Lisa was stopped by Marissa.
"Lisa, would you hang back a minute?"
"Sure. What's up, boss?"
"I've given this some thought, and I'd like you to work with me on this case."
"Really? You would?"
"Yes. There are two reasons. I'm going to need help with this case, and you're good. I know you can handle this, and that I can depend on you. The other reason is that you're closer in age to Tessa than the others. You might be better able to relate to Tessa in a way that the others or even I could."
"Whatever you need, Marissa, you can count on me." Lisa knew this was a big responsibility, and there was no way that she would let Marissa down.
"Thank you. Remember, Tessa's well-being is our highest priority."
Lisa nodded. "I understand."
"Good. I would like you to be there when I meet with Vikki and Nora later. Please clear your calendar."
"I'll get on that as soon as I get back to my office."
"Good. I'll see you in a bit."
Lisa stopped at the doorway. "Marissa, thank you for having faith in me. I won't let you down."
"Well, you've more than earned it, and I know you won't." Marissa said as she followed Lisa out of the conference room.
/
Marissa was reviewing more of the research she had conducted herself when there was a knock on her door.
"Come in."
Ellie opened the door and quickly closed it behind her. "Marissa there is a young woman here asking to see you. She says her name is Tessa Mendes."
"Tessa is here?"
"Yes, and she is pretty distraught."
"Send her in and please hold all of my calls."
Ellie nodded and left. A moment later, Tessa rushed into the office.
"Marissa, I'm sorry to interrupt. I just didn't know what to do or where to go."
"It's okay, Tessa. What happened?" Marissa asked as she guided the younger woman to the small sofa in her office. It was evident Tessa had been crying.
"I got a call from school."
/
Across town, Bianca had called Jan and Aya into a meeting to inform them of what was happening. Jo would be joining them shortly. Bianca had spoken with her after dinner the previous evening, and the doctor agreed to meet and discuss the case the next morning. Jo would also be meeting with Tessa for the first time.
Aya shook her head when Bianca had finished. "That poor girl. I can't even imagine."
"To come forward like she is, just shows how remarkably strong she is. How is the family doing?" Jan asked.
"I haven't spoken with them directly, but Tessa called last night to let me know that they've agreed to counseling, so that is a very big and positive step."
"It definitely is, and it's going to help all of them heal." Aya added.
The three women turned when they heard a knock on the office door.
Jo popped her head inside the office. "Morning. I'm sorry I'm late."
Bianca smiled and waved the doctor inside. "Morning, Jo. You're fine. I was just going over what I talked with you about last night with Jan and Aya."
"Hey, Jo. Could I get you some coffee?" Aya offered.
"I would love you forever if you did that for me. Thank you so much."
Aya laughed. "My pleasure. Don't worry. I won't tell Greg."
"Thanks. Although, he might understand if the coffee's good enough." Jo quipped.
"Oh yeah, I totally get it. If I didn't know it before, that comment right there tells me exactly why you and Marissa are best friends. Same sense of humor." Jan chuckled.
"Now, you can feel my pain when the two of them are together." Bianca smirked.
"Hey! We're not that bad." Jo feigned offense. She knew Bianca was teasing.
"If you say so."
Jo rolled her eyes before she took the cup of coffee Aya offered. The doctor sighed happily as she took a sip. "Thank you. Okay. Let's get to why I'm here. Where is Tessa? I thought she was going to be here."
Bianca checked the time and noted that Tessa was indeed late. "You're right. She was supposed to be here. Let me text her. I hope everything is alright." Bianca was worried about the younger woman and hoped that she was okay.
/
Marissa noticed how Tessa flinched when the younger woman's cellphone received notification of an incoming text.
"Is it okay if I look to see who it is? It might not be them."
Tessa thought for a moment and then nodded. "Okay."
Marissa picked up the cellphone from the coffee table in her office. It had sounded a couple of times since Tessa had been there, and the younger woman removed it from her purse and placed it on the table. It had finally stopped until that moment. Marissa first looked at the cellphone and then at Tessa.
"It's Bianca."
"Oh no! I was supposed to meet with her and Dr. Shelton at the Center this morning."
"Don't worry. It's alright. How about I call her, and let her know where you are? She and Jo can join us over here. How does that sound?"
Tessa nodded. She was much calmer now. "That sounds good."
Marissa smiled and pulled out her own cellphone.
/
Bianca was just about to set her cellphone down when it rang. "Hi, Rissa. What's up?"
Jan, Aya, and Jo all looked at Bianca. For some reason, they sensed that something was going on.
"Hey. Tessa is here at my office with me. Something came up, and she needed to see me. Unfortunately, she forgot about her appointment with you and Jo in her rush to get over here."
"I guess you saw the text I just sent her and that's why you're calling."
"You would be correct."
"How is Tessa? You said something came up."
"It did. She's doing better now. Is Jo there with you?"
Her wife's answer did not go unnoticed by Bianca, but she didn't press her further. Something told her she would find out more soon enough. "Yes, she is."
"Do you think the two of you could come over here and meet with us?"
"Of course. We'll be there as soon as we can. Is everything alright?"
Marissa paused. "We've hit a small bump, but nothing that I don't think we can't handle, especially with Nora's input. Neither one of us will turn away from a good fight."
"Oh, don't I know it. Jo and I will see you soon."
"See you then."
Bianca disconnected the call and turned to Jo. "There's been a change in plans. Jo and I are going over to Marissa's office to meet with her and Tessa, if that's okay with you."
"Sure. Why?" Jo asked as she started to gather her things.
"I'm not really sure. Rissa said that something came up, and Tessa needed to see her right away. I don't have any details other than that. Although, Rissa did say they hit a small bump, but she thought that could handle it. It sounded like something she's going to bring up with Nora later today. Are you okay going over together? I'll drive."
Jo nodded. "Works for me. You can catch me up a little more about this on the way over."
Bianca grabbed her coat and purse before she turned to Jan and Aya. "I need you to hold down the fort while we go meet with them. I'm not sure how long we'll be."
"Don't worry. We'll take care of things here." Jan assured her boss.
Aya nodded. "Let us know if you need anything."
"Will do." Bianca said as she and Jo headed towards the door.
/
A/N: I want to thank all of you for your encouragement. It means more to me than you know, and I will continue to do my best telling this story. Huskermania, I did read about the interim president of Michigan State and what he did and said, and I can't even begin to tell you how much it pisses me off. The fact that he is still in power is beyond the pale. Back to this story, Vikki and Nora will be popping up in the next chapter. See you soon!