Having Faith Read Free Page B

Leindecker."
    "How did he know? It's been barely two hours since the woman walked out of here, and we don't even have a formal agreement."
    "She seems to think you do. The minute she left you, she called her husband to gloat."
    Faith squirmed a little inside. "Gloat--was that his term or yours?"
    "Does it matter?"
    "Yes. Because it's wrong. Laura Leindecker was angry and hurt. Even if she was the type--which I don't think she is--I doubt she was up for gloating."
    "You underestimate the woman," Sawyer said like a man. "Have you ever met her?"
    "No, but her husband knows her well. It sounds like gloating is among the mildest of her faults."
    "Sawyer, that man cheated on her," Faith argued, immediately taking the side of her client, which was the rule of thumb in discussions between lawyers.
    "She's been a loyal wife for twenty-four years and" -- "She has a martyr complex. She's prim and proper and not very flexible when it comes to her husband's business demands. Don't let her con you into believing that she's an angel. Faith. No man turns his back on an angel."
    Faith's jaw dropped.
    "I don't believe this. Are you saying that he was justified in philandering?"
    "No. All I'm saying is that there are two sides to every story."
    "Precisely. That's why we'll take this case before a judge and, if need be, a jury."
    "Or settle out of court."
    "Or not handle it at all." Her voice mellowed.
    "Look what just happened. We have to be careful, Sawyer. When we're together we talk.
    It would be all too easy to discuss things we shouldn't. " She chewed on her cheek for a minute, then rose from the sofa and walked to the far side of the room.
    "This isn't the way I imagined it. I always wanted to work on the same side as you. I thought maybe we'd represent codefendants in some kind of civil suit." Turning, she started back toward him.
    "I don't want to fight you."
    He arched a brow.
    "You can always tell Mrs. Lein- decker that you won't represent her."
    "But she has a right to representation."
    "Let someone else do it."
    She stopped talking.
    "You'd like that, wouldn't you? And your client would like it. He's scared. That was why he called you so quickly.
    He's scared, because he knows I fight hard. " She rather liked that thought. She didn't like the next, though.
    "Is that why you stopped in here. Sawyer? Did you come to try to talk me off this case?"
    "Absolutely not," Sawyer said, coming to his feet. "I want to work with you, even if we are on opposite sides of the case. I've heard you're good. I want to see how good. But if working against me will inhibit you" -- "Why should it?"
    "Because we're friends."
    "Will our friendship inhibit you'?" "Of course not," he said crossly.
    "A client is a client. Every one deserves the best I can give."
    "Should I be different? More partial? More emotional? Should I be making any less of a commitment to my clients than you make to yours?"
    "Take it easy. Faith. You're making something out of nothing."
    "No," she said, but more thoughtfully.
    "I know you, Sawyer. Remember the hours we used to spend talking? Remember the times we discussed sexual stereotypes? Remember the times you confessed that you believed women were too emotional for certain types of jobs?"
    "I was talking about the presidency of the country, and I still feel that way."
    "And I still think you're wrong."
    "Fine. Good. I respect that."
    She came closer.
    "I also think your opinions go beyond the presidency.
    You think women are too emotional, period. "
    "Not true. Just too emotional for certain jobs."
    "Like the presidency."
    "I've already said that."
    "Or Chairman of the Board of General Motors?"
    "What woman is interested in cars? Chairman of the Board of General Foods, now there's a possibility...."
    "Sawyer, that's awful!" she cried. She was standing directly before him, hands on hips, chin set.
    "Talk about stereotypes. You don't have to be interested in cars to be involved with General Motors. You have to be interested in big