Alex's Story

Chapter 3

10:00 AM

Alex's grand plans were brought to a quick halt by the time she emerged from the subway and strode through Curley Hernandez & Smith's austere stone facade. As she crossed the building's gleaming lobby toward the elevator bay with an uncharacteristic bounce in her step, Alex suddenly slowed. She could see that police had taped off the area where she'd discovered Jack late last night. News trucks lined the alley and normally deserted area was buzzing with activity. Not wanting any part of that, she ducked her head to avoid notice. It was only as the elevator doors slid quietly shut that she realized she had stepped into an elevator with her ex, Rich. Nightmare!

They both reached for their respective call buttons at the same time, and awkwardly brushed hands before retreating to opposite sides of the small enclosed space.

"Hello, Alex," Rich sneered. "Long time no see."

"Thank God." Alex murmured under her breath, trying to maintain her composure.

"How are things going in the tax group?" Rich didn't ask this out of solicitous kindness, but rather fierce interdepartmental competitiveness. As if, Alex thought to herself. Like I'm going to share any real info with him!

Alex straightened her shoulders and pushed her breasts out, knowing that the smug idiot was giving her the once over. Game face time! Rich worked on the top floor, in litigation.  Like the rest of the sharks up there, he prided himself on being sharp: clothes, haircut, words, lifestyle. He had had his office decorated by an interior designer who charged exorbitant fees. To Alex, everything about him screamed "WARNING" but she knew that appearances could be -- had been -- deceiving. His tall, blond-haired, blue-eyed, corn-fed wholesome appeal just made his razor-like verbal cuts he could make that much more painful. Rich liked to ostentatiously flash his cash and because his insanely cocky attitude contributed to his successes in the courtroom (and in his private life), it was only encouraged and fostered. Since they'd been together, he had become unbearable and Alex tried to keep their history under wraps as much as humanly possible. Their respective groups often collaborated on cases while also fiercely battling over the firm's limited resources. Usually considered the nerdy pencil-pushing department, the tax unit was often overlooked.

"Hello, Rich." Alex tried to modulate her voice and meet his gaze directly. "We're all doing very well." Quickly glancing at her watch as if she had somewhere important to be, she spared him another glance. "I'm sure you read in Mr. Curley's report that billing was above expectations last quarter," she said nonchalantly, though the additional haul represented a major feat in this economic atmosphere. "We actually made enough to go on a staff retreat next month," she said.

"Oh, really?" Rich asked, sounding surprised. She knew he was envious of her department's success and the attention it received. "Where to?"

"Napa." Alex said this casually, but made sure that she watched his eyes as this information registered. You had to watch the lines on his brow and corners of his eyes and mouth very closely to see past his Las Vegas poker face. There! His eyes narrowed the tiniest bit. Alex couldn't help the smug smile that appeared on her face. Just then the doors slid open and Alex glided out, pleased to have had the last word.

Until Rich called out from behind her in a sing-song voice, "How fitting! I do remember how much you like your wine!"

Alex tried her damndest not to stomp off or turn around and give him the finger as she so desperately wanted to. Instead, she smiled sweetly. "Yes, well we'll be staying at a vineyard with four-star accomodations and gourmet meals. I'm sure the wine will be absolutely incredible. I'll try to bring a bottle back for you, if I can remember." She dropped this coolly and walked away, silently fuming.

Of course he would bring that up. The bastard! The absolute last thing she needed at work right now was for Rich to start airing all of her youthful indiscretions. Not that she had that many, but she didn't want Mr. Curley thinking of her as anything but her mature, reliable, professional self. His comment did take her back, though. In April 2005, she and Rich were kids fresh out of law school and were just getting into their hot and heavy phase. She'd made a colossal error in judgment and of course he never, ever let her forget it.