Ross and Alan met at the Palm for lunch that afternoon.
Alan handed Ross some papers.
"Legally, I really should not be showing you these, but, just put these either hidden in your apartment or in your office safe where only you can get at them, and all should be fine" Alan said.
Ross studied the papers. While Ross was of course not an attorney, and did not understand everything that was written in the papers, Ross read that Tom had sued Alan Hell's firm for "Wrongful Termination" "Failure Of Just Cause", and, "Cause of Attempting To Control Clients Of Individual Attorney"
"The last charge Tom sued for is bullshit and will simply be crossed off the papers. The other ones are going to have to be drawn up, argued in court, and decided by a judge or mediator" Alan said.
"Is there any way to get out of this without a long drawn out case?" Ross said.
"Yeah, Tom's salary is three hundred K a year plus bonuses and profit sharing. It will cost the firm one mil to one and a half mil to pay him off and drop the whole thing. The firm does not want to ante that up unless they have to, I dont want to just ante it up, and I'm sure you dont want to either. Oh, there is a rumor that Tom might sue you just to be nasty, so be prepared" Alan said.
Ross smirked. "Let The Son Of A Bitch sue me. I could care less. I have had quite enough of him"
"Ross, as an attorney, and as your friend. Will you please get rid of the sentimental bullshit of Tim being your first client and your best friend, and just drop the bastard like a hot potato! John in your office does his work anyway. Your most important contacts now are the oil and gas, Fritz, Steve, and me. I will get you other clients for RossShell if you want me to. That will take about a month. You holding on to Tim is going to become more trouble than it is worth, especially if this suit gets nasty" Alan said, nicely but firmly.
Ross sighed "Let me think about it"
"Fine, while you are "Thinking about it. You might well get sued by Tom, Tim, and or Tom and Tim together on all kinds of grounds that will cost you a mint in legal fees. I know you love the oil and gas, Fritz , Steve, and working with me, but this is one time you are going to have to keep your head focused on New York , Tim, and RossShell. There could be real trouble coming, and I just want you to be ready" Alan said.
"I understand" Ross said.
Ross and Alan finished lunch. Ross did not want to go back to the office, because Ross had a ton of things on his mind. Ross decided to take an Uber home, undress, and sit.
Kayley was not home yet.
Ross started shaking, and dumped over a cup of iced tea, just as Kayley entered the apartment.
"Are you okay?" Kayley asked.
"I just came from lunch with Alan Hell. According to Mister Hell, I might end up getting sued by Tom from Philadelphia, Tim himself, both, or three lawsuits involving both men. It looks like a mess is coming Kayley" Ross said calmly but truthfully.
Kayley went over and rubbed Ross's back. "If that happens, it will be the end of you and Timothy, professionally and personally. How would that make you feel?" Kayley asked.
"Betrayed, sad, and angry, but it has not gotten to that point yet. There may be a way for Alan Hell and I to calm Timothy down and to keep Tom's suit against the law firm separate from Timothy, Alan, and I. You know that I'm usually a stickler for figuring things out, Kayley. I'm going to do my best to do so now" Ross said.
Ross and Kayley cuddled that night but did not make love.
The next day, Friday, Ross went to the office, but left at 3 pm.
When Ross got home, he suggested.
"Kale, you have vacation coming up. Let;s rest over the weekend, come to OKC with me for three days. We will do two or three shows , and you just join us at the fields, then when we are done there, let's go to LV. We have not been there for a while, and I really have to get the Fuck out of here" Ross said.
Kayley smiled. "Just fine."
Ross called Fritz. They arranged three shows. Monday, Tuesday, and early Wednesday, after which Kayley and Ross would fly to LV until Saturday night. Ross and Kayley then made plans at Ceasers.
After a quiet weekend, Ross and Kayley departed JFK early Monday morning for their combined work trip for Ross, and then much needed pleasure trip to LV for Ross and Kayley.
Back home, things were anything but well with the Alan Hell, Tim fiasco.
How would the oil and gas and leisure trip go?
That would all be seen.
Alan handed Ross some papers.
"Legally, I really should not be showing you these, but, just put these either hidden in your apartment or in your office safe where only you can get at them, and all should be fine" Alan said.
Ross studied the papers. While Ross was of course not an attorney, and did not understand everything that was written in the papers, Ross read that Tom had sued Alan Hell's firm for "Wrongful Termination" "Failure Of Just Cause", and, "Cause of Attempting To Control Clients Of Individual Attorney"
"The last charge Tom sued for is bullshit and will simply be crossed off the papers. The other ones are going to have to be drawn up, argued in court, and decided by a judge or mediator" Alan said.
"Is there any way to get out of this without a long drawn out case?" Ross said.
"Yeah, Tom's salary is three hundred K a year plus bonuses and profit sharing. It will cost the firm one mil to one and a half mil to pay him off and drop the whole thing. The firm does not want to ante that up unless they have to, I dont want to just ante it up, and I'm sure you dont want to either. Oh, there is a rumor that Tom might sue you just to be nasty, so be prepared" Alan said.
Ross smirked. "Let The Son Of A Bitch sue me. I could care less. I have had quite enough of him"
"Ross, as an attorney, and as your friend. Will you please get rid of the sentimental bullshit of Tim being your first client and your best friend, and just drop the bastard like a hot potato! John in your office does his work anyway. Your most important contacts now are the oil and gas, Fritz, Steve, and me. I will get you other clients for RossShell if you want me to. That will take about a month. You holding on to Tim is going to become more trouble than it is worth, especially if this suit gets nasty" Alan said, nicely but firmly.
Ross sighed "Let me think about it"
"Fine, while you are "Thinking about it. You might well get sued by Tom, Tim, and or Tom and Tim together on all kinds of grounds that will cost you a mint in legal fees. I know you love the oil and gas, Fritz , Steve, and working with me, but this is one time you are going to have to keep your head focused on New York , Tim, and RossShell. There could be real trouble coming, and I just want you to be ready" Alan said.
"I understand" Ross said.
Ross and Alan finished lunch. Ross did not want to go back to the office, because Ross had a ton of things on his mind. Ross decided to take an Uber home, undress, and sit.
Kayley was not home yet.
Ross started shaking, and dumped over a cup of iced tea, just as Kayley entered the apartment.
"Are you okay?" Kayley asked.
"I just came from lunch with Alan Hell. According to Mister Hell, I might end up getting sued by Tom from Philadelphia, Tim himself, both, or three lawsuits involving both men. It looks like a mess is coming Kayley" Ross said calmly but truthfully.
Kayley went over and rubbed Ross's back. "If that happens, it will be the end of you and Timothy, professionally and personally. How would that make you feel?" Kayley asked.
"Betrayed, sad, and angry, but it has not gotten to that point yet. There may be a way for Alan Hell and I to calm Timothy down and to keep Tom's suit against the law firm separate from Timothy, Alan, and I. You know that I'm usually a stickler for figuring things out, Kayley. I'm going to do my best to do so now" Ross said.
Ross and Kayley cuddled that night but did not make love.
The next day, Friday, Ross went to the office, but left at 3 pm.
When Ross got home, he suggested.
"Kale, you have vacation coming up. Let;s rest over the weekend, come to OKC with me for three days. We will do two or three shows , and you just join us at the fields, then when we are done there, let's go to LV. We have not been there for a while, and I really have to get the Fuck out of here" Ross said.
Kayley smiled. "Just fine."
Ross called Fritz. They arranged three shows. Monday, Tuesday, and early Wednesday, after which Kayley and Ross would fly to LV until Saturday night. Ross and Kayley then made plans at Ceasers.
After a quiet weekend, Ross and Kayley departed JFK early Monday morning for their combined work trip for Ross, and then much needed pleasure trip to LV for Ross and Kayley.
Back home, things were anything but well with the Alan Hell, Tim fiasco.
How would the oil and gas and leisure trip go?
That would all be seen.
