An Invincible Summer (Wyndham Beach #1)(57)

“It isn’t your . . . wait, what do you mean, you promised Art . . . ?”

“Toward the end, Art confided he’d been picking up strange vibes from Zach. He asked me if I’d noticed anything different at the office, and I told him truthfully I had not. Though, in retrospect, I probably wasn’t the one to ask. You know I’ve never been one to socialize in the office or pay attention to gossip. I’m always the last person to know what’s going on in anyone’s personal life.” He added sadly, “Obviously.”

“Still the first one in and the last one out?”

George nodded. “Pretty much. This craziness, this thing with the paralegal—I honestly didn’t know.” The poor man looked so distressed Maggie felt compelled to lean over and pat him on the arm to comfort him. “I just didn’t notice, Maggie. I am so sorry. I let you all down.”

“Don’t be silly.” She gave his arm one last pat, then stood. “It isn’t your fault. The blame belongs on Zach and Amber. There are more issues at stake right now and steps to be taken to mitigate each one. First: this whole mess with Grace being revealed as the person behind this blog. I asked Timothy if he could determine who, if anyone, accessed Grace’s computer files, and surprise, surprise, he did.”

“Please tell me Zach did not hack into her computer.”

“Amber did. She discovered Grace’s hobby as a blogger and contacted the woman who reports for Philly News and Views Online.”

“Confirmed?” If anything, George went another shade paler.

“Absolutely. Timothy found where she’d even sent some of Grace’s emails and files to her own computer.”

“Then she’s gone. Not only is that unethical, it’s a federal crime.” He got up and reached for his phone.

“I agree. But if you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to be the one to break the news.”

“And that’s your right. But I’m calling the local FBI office. I have a neighbor who works in cybercrimes. We can’t give her a pass for breaking the law.” He plopped down in the chair behind his desk, suddenly looking every one of his sixty-three years. Maggie sat by quietly while he made the call. When this latest scandal began to make the rounds, Flynn Law would take another hit. The thought was sobering.

“We can expect a visit from my neighbor soon. We’re going to let law enforcement deal with this.” He shook his head. “More bad news for the firm.”

“I was just thinking that exact thing. But it can’t be helped. And of course this news will only perpetuate the story about Grace and her blog and all the reasons why she set it up in the first place.” Maggie rubbed her forehead, where a killer headache was taking over. “But of course there’s no way in hell we’re going to let that little snit get away with what she’s done,” Maggie said with more force than she’d intended. She continued, her voice softer. “Grace’s name has already been dragged through the mud. It’s Amber’s turn. At least my daughter didn’t break any laws.”

“I’m so sorry, Maggie. How is Grace taking all this?”

“Not well. Actually, you’ll be hearing from her soon, but I might as well tell you, she’s going to be resigning. She feels her ability to practice law in Philly has been greatly compromised, and her professional reputation has been ruined.”

“This is wrong, Maggie. So wrong. Art wanted . . .”

“Art isn’t here anymore, and Grace isn’t coming back. Which means there’s no longer a Flynn at Flynn Law.” Maggie took a deep breath. “Which brings me to the second issue we need to discuss.” Deep breath number two followed. “I’m sorry, George, but I’m going to sell the firm. Not the name, but the clientele. I’m not certain how all that will work. The best thing for everyone would be if you bought the firm and simply changed the name.”

He was silent for a very long moment. “Maggie, you have to know this firm is worth a fortune. And I don’t know that Art would have wanted me to take over.”

“Art did, in fact, want you to take care of his clients. You know he—and you—have represented some VIPs. They trusted him, and they trust you. One of the last long conversations Art and I had was about going forward with the firm. He said if for any reason I wanted to dissolve the business, I was to talk to you first and give you first right of refusal.” George started to speak, but she held up a hand to stop him. “He told me to have the business appraised, then offer it to you at a discount.”

“That’s . . . very generous, Maggie. But—wow, this is the last thing I expected today. I don’t know what to say.”

“You can take some time to think it over. But I would like to resolve it. I will be calling Jacobs and Biddle to appraise the business. I’d like to hold on to the building, though.”

George nodded. “Whatever you want, Maggie.”

“I’m hoping you’ll come around to the idea. There’s no one I’d rather have take over for Art, and it was his wish.”

“I need time to think about it. But are you sure . . . ?”

Maggie could see his wheels beginning to turn. “Oh, I’m very sure. Art told me I’d know when the right time is, and if this isn’t it, I don’t know when. He trusted me to use my best judgment, and I believe I am. In the meantime, until the appraisal comes back, we’ll keep this between us, if you don’t mind.”