Disclosure_ A Novel - Michael Crichton [107]
“We have,” Heller said.
“With what result?” Murphy said.
“We have failed to reach a settlement,” Heller said.
“Very well. Let’s resume.” She sat down and opened her notepad. “Is there further discussion relating to the morning session?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” Fernandez said. “I have some additional questions for Ms. Johnson.”
“Very well. Ms. Johnson?”
Meredith Johnson put on her glasses. “Actually, Your Honor, I would like to make a statement first.”
“All right.”
“I’ve been thinking about the morning session,” Johnson said, speaking slowly and deliberately, “and Mr. Sanders’s account of the events of Monday night. And I’ve begun to feel that there may be a genuine misunderstanding here.”
“I see.” Judge Murphy spoke absolutely without inflection. She stared at Meredith. “All right.”
“When Tom first suggested a meeting at the end of the day, and when he suggested that we have some wine, and talk over old times, I’m afraid I may have unconsciously responded to him in a way that he might not have intended.”
Judge Murphy didn’t move. Nobody was moving. The room was completely still.
“I believe it is correct to say that I took him at his word, and began to imagine a, uh, romantic interlude. And to be frank, I was not opposed to that possibility. Mr. Sanders and I had a very special relationship some years ago, and I remembered it as a very exciting relationship. So I believe it is fair to say that I was looking forward to our meeting, and that perhaps I presumed that it would lead to an encounter. Which I was, unconsciously, quite willing to have occur.”
Alongside Meredith, Heller and Blackburn sat completely stonefaced, showing no reaction at all. The two female attorneys showed no reaction. This had all been worked out in advance, Sanders realized. What was going on? Why was she changing her story?
Johnson cleared her throat, then continued in the same deliberate way. “I believe it is correct to say that I was a willing participant in all the events of the evening. And it may be that I was too forward, at one point, for Mr. Sanders’s taste. In the heat of the moment, I may have overstepped the bounds of propriety and my position in the company. I think that’s possible. After serious reflection, I find myself concluding that my own recollection of events and Mr. Sanders’s recollection of events are in much closer agreement than I had earlier recognized.”
There was a long silence. Judge Murphy said nothing. Meredith Johnson shifted in her chair, took her glasses off, then put them back on again.
“Ms. Johnson,” Murphy said finally, “do I understand you to say that you are now agreeing to Mr. Sanders’s version of the events on Monday night?”
“In many respects, yes. Perhaps in most respects.”
Sanders suddenly realized what had happened: they knew about the tape.
But how could they know? Sanders himself had learned of it only two hours ago. And Levin had been out of his office, having lunch with them. So Levin couldn’t have told them. How could they know?
“And, Ms. Johnson,” Murphy said, “are you also agreeing to the charge of harassment by Mr. Sanders?”
“Not at all, Your Honor. No.”
“Then I’m not sure I understand. You’ve changed your story. You say you now agree that Mr. Sanders’s version of the events is correct in most respects. But you do not agree that he has a claim against you?”
“No, Your Honor. As I said, I think it was all a misunderstanding.”
“A misunderstanding,” Murphy repeated, with an incredulous look on her face.
“Yes, Your Honor. And one in which Mr. Sanders played a very active role.”
“Ms. Johnson. According to Mr. Sanders, you initiated kissing over his protests; you pushed him down on the couch over his protests; you unzipped his trousers and removed his penis over his protests; and you removed your own clothing over his protests. Since Mr. Sanders is your employee, and dependent on you for employment, it is difficult for me to comprehend why this is not a clear-cut and indisputable case of sexual harassment on