Fault Line Read Free

had interrupted. Yes, it's a yes.
    Alex permitted himself a small smile. The hard part was over. Now for the really hard part.
    There's just one thing, Alex said.
    Osborne raised his eyebrows, his expression doubtful.
    Hilzoy went through a nasty divorce last year. He doesn't have any money.
    Oh, for Christ's sake, Alex.
    No, listen. He can't afford our fees. But if we incorporate him, take a piece of the company-
    Do you know how hard it is to get the partnership committee to go for that kind of speculative crap?
    Sure, but they take your recommendations, don't they?
    This was a gambit Alex had learned in years of negotiating for clients. When the other side pleaded that it wasn't their decision, that they had to check with the board or the management committee or Aunt Bertha or whoever, you engaged their ego, and then their desire to be consistent.
    Osborne was too experienced to fall for it. Not always, no.
    Well, this time they should. This technology has promise. I've examined it personally, and you know I know better than most. I'll do all the work myself. Not instead of everything I'm already doing. In addition to it.
    Come on, Alex, you're already on track to bill over three thousand hours this year. You can't-
    Yes I can. You know I can. So what we re talking about is a percentage of something for the firm-something that could be big-in exchange for effectively no investment. The partnership committee won't listen to you when you propose that?
    Not if, when. Osborne didn't respond, and Alex hoped he hadn't pushed it too hard. Osborne was probably wondering, Why is he willing to sacrifice so much for something so speculative? Is this thing going to be bigger than he's letting on?
    Alex tried again. The committee listens to you, right?
    Osborne smiled a little, maybe in grudging admiration of how well Alex had played his hand. Sometimes, he said.
    Then you'll recommend it?
    Osborne rubbed his chin and looked at Alex as though he was concerned for nothing but Alex's welfare. If you really want me to. But you know, Alex, this is the first matter you've ever originated-First one you've ever let me originate, you mean-and if it doesn't pan out, you're not going to look good. It'll show bad judgment.
    Bad judgment. At Sullivan, Greenwald it was the ultimate, all-purpose opprobrium. Anything that went wrong, even if it wasn't the attorney's fault, could be attributed to bad judgment. Because if the attorney had good judgment, he would have seen it coming no matter what. The bad thing wouldn't have happened on his watch.
    Alex didn't respond, and Osborne went on. All I'm saying is, for a risk like this, you want a margin for error, a cushion to fall back on.
    Alex was disgusted with the way Osborne presented all this as though he were Alex's best friend. He knew he was supposed to say, You're right, David. You take the origination. Thanks for protecting me, man. You're the best.
    Instead he said, I thought you were my cushion.
    Osborne blinked. Well, I am.
    Alex shrugged as though that decided it. I couldn't ask for better protection than that.
    Osborne made a sound, half laugh, half grunt.
    Alex took a step toward the door. I'll fill out the new client form and a new matter form, run a conflicts check.
    This was it. If Osborne was going to try to overrule him, he'd have to say so now. If he didn't, every day that passed would create new facts on the ground that would be harder and harder for Osborne to get around.
    If we're not taking any fees, Osborne said, I still have to take this to the committee.
    I know. But I feel confident they'll listen to you. Alex looked at Osborne squarely. This is important to me, David.
    Unspoken, but clearly understood, was, So important that if you screw me, I'll be working at Weil, Gotshal next week, and you can find someone else to make you sound as smart with your clients as I do.
    A beat went by. Osborne said, I don't want you working on this by yourself.
    Alex hadn't been expecting that