Wolf in the Shadows - Marcia Muller [10]
Something in the way he stressed the word “now” put me on my guard. I waited.
Hank took off his glasses and began twirling them by one earpiece—a telltale sign of discomfort. “As you know, the use of paralegals eliminates time-consuming tasks for attorneys, provides more efficient service to our clients, and produces a higher profit margin.”
“Christ, Hank,” Larry said, “you sound as if you’re quoting from the California Paralegal’s Guide.”
Hank silenced him with a glare. I glanced at Pam; she was smiling at the rug now, her normally pale face pink with suppressed laughter. Hank glared at her too, even though she couldn’t see him, then put his glasses back on and regarded me apologetically. “Sorry if I sounded like I was talking down to you. I was trying to make the basis for our decision clear.”
“Why don’t you just tell me the decision, and if I need clarification, I’ll ask for it.”
He looked around, as if he hoped someone else would take over. No one volunteered. Finally he said, “We’ve decided to make investigative services and paralegal research one department, with you as its administrator.”
I frowned, unable to assimilate what I was hearing. Supervising a staff of investigators was one thing, but what did I know of paralegal work? “I’m flattered,” I said, “but the two don’t strike me as compatible. Besides, I’m not sure I know what most of our paralegals do.”
Gloria leaned forward, dark eyes intense, carmine-tipped fingers shaping her words. “A paralegal researches case law, Sharon. She or he interviews clients, writes memoranda and briefs, prepares exhibits for trial, drafts interrogatories, indexes documents for trial—handles anything, short of practicing law, that makes the attorney’s work simpler.”
“I understand the basic job description,” I said, “but it seems to me that, since the paralegals work closely with the attorneys they’re assigned to, they’d be better off reporting directly to them.”
“Currently they do, and they’ll continue to, but we need to ensure that the work flows smoothly. That’s where you and the new research department come in. As administrator, you’ll log in cases and keep tabs on every phase of the research, so none of the steps is neglected. Plus supervise your own investigators, of course.” Gloria’s bright lips—the exact shade as her fingernails—curved into a smile, as if she’d given me a particularly nice present and was anticipating enthusiastic thanks.
Now it was becoming clear why Hank was nervous about this discussion. Why Pam and Larry wouldn’t look at me. Why only the two partners who scarcely knew me thought I should be thrilled with this promotion. I said, “That sounds like a very time-consuming process. Given how frequently I have to be out of the office on my own investigations, I don’t think it’s feasible.”
Mike frowned, bushy black eyebrows meeting in a straight line. From his quick glance at Hank, I revised my earlier assessment of the situation; he and Gloria had also known I wouldn’t like their plan. “Sharon,” he said, “that’s why we’re giving you the go-ahead to hire more investigators. They’ll free up your time for administrative duties.”
Yes, now it was all very clear. “You want to confine me to a desk job,” I said flatly.
Mike drew back a bit, still frowning, lower teeth nibbling at his neatly clipped mustache. Then he went into his sincere mode: eyes wide and guileless, speech patterns turning folksy, tone warm and intimate. “Big step up for you. Big increase in pay. But hey, we forgot to mention the incentive plan!” He actually clapped his hand against his high forehead in an imitation of the guy who could have had a V-8.
I wasn’t falling for any sincerity act. Looking from Pam to Larry to Hank, I asked, “You all approved of this? Jack, too?”
Hank’s shoulders hunched defensively; I’d seldom seen him look so miserable. Pam’s fingers tightened on her blue-jeaned thighs. Larry practically stuck his head into the shopping bag full of walnuts.
Finally Gloria said, “One of the incentives we’ve talked about