Most days I spent the ride to the office looking over briefs, making notes into my phone, or making a few brief calls. Not this morning. I spent it sitting with my hands gripping the edge of the leather seats.
My phone rang and I answered without looking at who it was.
"Evaline, it's Andrew." Fuck. I closed the privacy window between the driver and me.
"Yes, Andrew."
"What colors do you favor? I gathered from the look on you face that fuchsia was not a favorite."
"What are you doing?"
"Shopping for you. You are a very busy woman. I thought I could help."
"I'll do my own shopping."
"Evaline. Don't be like that." His voice carried the edge of command that he used on me last night. "If you don't like anything I buy, we'll send it back."
We'll send it back.
"Colors? Or should I just use my discretion?"
"Do you even have discretion?" My voice rose slightly. "Because a discreteβone of you- wouldn't be calling me in my car, where any one of a half dozen authorities could be listening."
Silence.
"My mistake, Evaline. I will note that for future reference."
"We'll talk when I get home," I said firmly.
"Of course." The line clicked off.
The phone rang again.
"What is it now!" I said.
"Evie? Are you okay?"
"Oh, Betty. Yes. No. I'm getting a massive headache."
"Oh, you didn't find a toy?"
"What? No, I did."
"Ooh!" she cooed. "What model did you get? Is he fun?"
"Betty, I'm sorry, I have some briefs I really need to look at before I hit the office. I'll call you later."
"Okay. But you promise I can try him out, right?"
Oh god. I'd forgotten my half-assed promise to my best friend.
"Gotta go." I ended that call, my heart racing in my chest. What would Andrew think about being passed around as my friends expected? And why the fuck did I care?
Because I didn't want to go to jail, that's why.
I speed-dialed one particular number, one I rarely used, but when I did, it was very necessary.
"I need information on a programmer by the name of Cicily, who worked at or with Androdyne. Yes. ASAP. Thanks."
I dialed my assistant. I could just imagine her feet flying off her desk at the sound of my voice.
"Caroline! I need all case law on non-standard programming in robots."
In the background, computer keys clacked. "Yes, Ms. Shipley. Is this a new client? Should I open a billing file?"
"Not yet. Just get the case law and put it on my desk."
"Oh." On my desk meant it was for my eyes only, and she got a hint of some serious shit going down. This was, of course, why I paid her twice the going rate for any executive assistant, and paid for her twice-a year-vacations, to keep her mouth shut.
"Right away, Ms. Shipley."
"I'll be there in five."
"Yes, Ms. Shipley."
"And I have Carruthers coming in for a nine o'clock."
She tsked. "Have you been looking at your schedule again? You shouldn't. You know it gives you headaches. Everything is set up in your office, even the coffee service."
"Thank you."
"And your husband called."
Fuck.
"Send him the usual check."
"He says he wants to talk to you."
Fuck me.
"Schedule him in any free space."
"He says he wants to go to dinner."
"Tell him I've got plans."
"Do you?"
Besides trying to figure out to do with an illegal robot? One that just thinking about, made me wet between my legs?
"No. And Mr. Shipley doesn't need to know that."
"Yes, Ms. Shipley. I'll see what I can do."
The driver rolled the car up to the entrance of my building. I took a deep breath, pulled on my brief case, and walked into the largest law firm in Washington, one that had my name on it.
#
"Evaline."
My mind had wandered back to that delicious shower last night.
"Sorry. What was the question?"
"Do you think the other side has a case? Can they win in court?"
"You know what, Liz? That's why you hired us. You shouldn't worry about anything. That's my job. And I'm not worried."
"But my cousin, she's at Harvard, says that..."
"With all due respect to your cousin, I graduated Harvard. Cumma Sum Laude. And you shouldn't discuss your case with anyone outside this office."
"Yes, of course, Evaline. It's just that this suit could wipe out my company."
"Product liability is the bane of the capitalist's existence, that and taxes. You let me worry about the lawsuit. You just go run your company." I stood when she did and escorted her out of my office.
Shit. My client was antsy, and with good reason. Her company was liable for the accident that caused a man to loose one of his legs. And now-a-days damage to any man ran an eight-digit lawsuit. It was a good thing he didn't lose his penis. That would be indefensible.
"Caroline," I said through my headset, "Have the pre-trial and discovery motions gone out on the Carruther's case?"
"Yes, Ms. Shipley. They should keep them swimming in paper work for at least three months, if not longer."
"Good," I said, taking off my fuchsia heels. Damn, they hurt.
"Oh, and your husband is here."
Just what I need. I put my heels on again. "Send him in."
Roger, that bastard, breezed in and gave me a peck on the cheek.
"Wow. Aren't you stunning today? Got a new stylist?"
I went back to my desk and sat at my chair. Roger, of course, went to my bar and poured a drink. Yeah, ten in the fucking morning.
"What is it this time, Roger? Over promised on some present to one of your conquests? That's why you have a budget, Roger. Live within it."
"Baby, don't be like that." He moved to the back of my chair and slipped his arms around my neck, kissing me behind my ears.
"You know I only ever want you."
"Cut the crap, Roger. What do you want?"
He rained kisses down the back of my neck. At one time, that would have made me incredibly hot.
"It's that time of the year again, darling."
Oh, double fuck.
"Let's just say we did."
"It doesn't work like that, darling, and you know it. The government demands proof, and you'll have to give it."
One of the stupidest laws on the books was the "Defense of Marriage Act." Not the weak one that was written decades ago, but the one put in place ten years ago after the plague. Women, looking to keep what they had against those that lost their husbands, demanded the law, one that made divorce illegal and true separations impossible.
Over the years, as the birthrate among married people plummeted, provisions were tightened so that once a year, childless married couples had to provide proof of conjugal relations to the government. Failure to do so could result in fines and or a prison term. Being a lawyer, I couldn't afford that kind of trouble. And Roger knew it too.
"I'll come by your condo tonight," he said.
"No! Not tonight!" I still had Andrew to deal with and I couldn't do that with Roger there.