Stopping outside of Flanders' and Mores' Attorneys at Law Brooke fiddled with the little thumb drive on her key ring. She was not entirely sure what she had done was legal which made her very nervous. She wished she had had time to stop by the pharmacy to pick up her Xanax that morning. Her anxiety was through the roof right now. Pacing in front of the building wavering on indecision only made her feel like people were staring at her. Which in turn made her chest tighten even more.
With a deep inhale she squares her shoulders and marches in and right up to the receptionist desk. A young, blonde, petit woman greets at her desk, "Hello welcome to Flanders' and Mores' Attorneys at Law do you have an appointment?"
Talking past the lump in her throat Brooke replies, "No I don't but I need to see Mr. Flanders it's important." Smiling the young woman asks, "What do you need to see him about?"
Looking about Brooke says, "I'd rather not say." When the receptionist looks as if she is about to say no again Brooke pleads with her, "Please can you just let Mr. Flanders know that Brooke Graves, Maxine Cline's PA, needs to speak to him. It's regarding his client's best interest."
The woman still lookes like she is considering saying no so without giving it another though Brooke races past the woman's desk. She could hear the woman's protest and then her calls for security, but Brooke does not care. She has to see Mr. Flanders. Quickly glances around at the name plates on the doors she finds Flanders' office. Not even bothering to knock Brooke barges through the door.
Inside the spacious office sits Mr. Flanders behind an ornately crafted metal desk and across from him in one of two black overstuffed chairs sits Eric. Both men look at her with puzzled expressions. Which only deepens as two security guards come busting in behind her. One grabs her arm while the other speaks directly to Mr. Flanders, "Sorry Mr. Flanders this woman was told she couldn't come back here." Glaring at the large brute who was gripping my arm with unnecessary force I speak up, "No one said I couldn't come back here." Pulling her gaze from the security guard to look beseechingly at Mr. Flanders she continues on, "Please Mr. Flanders it's very important that I see you. I know I should not have barged back here. However, your receptionist insisted I have an appointment and I'm certain what I have to show you is time sensitive."
"Who are you, young lady," Mr. Flanders asks more than slightly irritated at the spectacle that has unfolded in his office. Though before Brooke can respond Eric is standing and chiming in, "Mark this is Brooke Graves, Maxine's personal assistant." Glaring back at the security guard holding onto Brooke Eric growls, "I suggest you let her go Henson. Brooke isn't going to cause any trouble." Henson, releases Brooke's arm as Eric guides her over to the seat next to his.
Giving her a tender smile Eric asks, "Are you all right?" Blushing slightly at the tenderness in his voice Brooke responds, "Yes I'm fine. Thank you, Mr. Matthews."
"Now what's so urgent that has the calm, cool, and collected Ms. Graves barreling through the door like a woman on a mission," the humor in Eric's voice only depends the blush on Brooke's face.
Finding herself unable to speak Brooke coughs to clear her throat. Reaching inside her purse she watches Henson reach for the firearm at his belt. Glaring at him she continues to pull out the little flash drive to place it on Mr. Flanders desk. "On this flash drive is a copy of the security footage from Ms. Clines office. It's probably the only copy now. It's complete with audio and visual of Ms. Cline trying to sexually elicit Mr. Matthews in exchange for fixing his contract with the Braves." Mr. Flanders looks interested now while Eric sits next to her with an unreadable expression on his face.
"Exactly why are you bringing this to me Ms. Graves," Flanders asks with uncertainty and a slight touch of curiosity. Brooke sighs exclaiming, "Because it's the right thing to do. Ms. Cline asked me to copy the video feed onto a pink flash drive then proceed to delete it from the security footage. I knew she was up to something, so I copied it onto this flash drive instead and brought it right over here to you."
After being silent for so long Eric finally chimes in, "Maxine will surely fire you or doing this. You know, that right?" Brooke doesn't miss a beat saying, "No she won't. I typed up my resignation along with my reason for leaving. I left a copy of it along with the flash drive she gave me on top of my desk." Eric seems to puff up with pride at her statement which makes Brooke's heart stutter in response.
"Well Ms. Graves we certainly do appreciate you bringing this by," Mr. Flanders stands holding out his hand to Brooke who stands up too shake it. "Like I said it was the right thing to do."
"Still perhaps there is a way for us to compensate you for your time and no doubt the loss of a paycheck?"
"Oh no," Brooke waves her hands dramatically, "I wouldn't dream of it. My mother would roll over in her grave if she knew I'd accepted something in return for doing what's right. Besides," She says continues on a bit more nervously, "Mr. Matthews is a nice man and an excellent ball player. Maxine should have negotiated him into Eddie's spot when he retired last year. I'd rather back him then a snake in the grass like Maxine."
Flanders' eyebrows shoot up just a bit at the vehemence lacing her words. "You've surprised Ms. Graves. That doesn't happen all that often. Not many in your shoes would view the situation in the same kind of light as you do. For that should need anything please don't hesitate to reach out to my office. We owe you one."
Brooke leaves heading for her car parked along the sidewalk across the street. "Brooke! Brooke wait!" A large hand catches the door of Brooke's car as she opens it. Following the large mitt back to its owner she finds Eric standing there panting from chasing her out of the building. "Did you need something Mr. Matthews?" Eric looks at her with a most bemused expression, "No, uh well, I mean - yes." Tilting her head to the side Brooke giggles slightly, "Well which is Mr. Matthews, yes or no?"
Eric did not return her smile. His tan forehead crinkles up. His full lips are pulled tight and his eyes normally a crystal blue look dark as if a storm is brewing in them. Brooke had the sudden urge to stroke the red blonde stubble along his cheek in hopes to ease the tension and worry that is afflicting him. But she kept her right hand firmly on the door with her left hand clutching her purse. Such a thing just would not be appropriate she mentally chastised herself.
"What will you do now," Eric asks.
"Well seeing as I don't have to go back to work, I'll head back home."
"I mean what will you do for work?"
"Tomorrow maybe even tonight I'll start putting in job applications. It shouldn't take me to long to find something." Hopefully. She silently adds to herself.
"I see."
They both stand there wordlessly pondering their own thoughts for a moment. Brooke is the first to break the silence, "I should get going. I'm sure Mr. Flanders has plenty to go over with you." Eric just smiles and nods. "Well then goodbye Mr. Matthews."