“Just Like a bunch of damn dirt farmers out in Nebraska. And that is why we aren't going to hear any more nonsense about appeals. All I'd do is throw a bunch more money down a rathole for these vultures to get fat on." He leaned forward, his eyes Lit with the gleam of battle.

“So, Ms. Wainwright.

“Let's make a deal."

Four hours later, Rachel walked into her boss' office.

"So, Rachel," Ben Chihiro said, looking at her over his wire-framed glasses. "Do we have a deal? Or do we start pulling files together for the appeal?"

Rachel tossed a manilla folder on his desk and slumped into a chair.

“We got a deal."

“So give me the thumbnail version."

She rubbed her aching eyes. Her brain felt like it had been pounded flat by a brick. Hardin was a relentless negotiator, but she had fought him to a draw.

“Antioch pays the material damages immediately and in full. Confirmation of deposit into an escrow account no later than thirty days from today.

“Same goes for the firm's percentage for both the material and the punitive damages. Forty-three million and change by the end of June.

“As for the plaintiffs and the punitive damages...that old man is shrewd, Ben. And it allowed me to address one of the fears I had. You know what happens to people when they get a whole pile of money all at once. Lottery winners and the like." Ben nodded agreement.

“They Lose control. Buy up houses and cars and get suckered into scams. Before you know it they're broke again.

“We're going to an annuity-based payoff. Antioch's going to pay five million a year into that escrow account for the next twenty years. That will get paid out yearly to our claimants."

“What about-"

“It's solid, Ben,” Rachel said tiredly.

“If a claimant dies, it goes to his or her heirs. If Antioch gets sold, this agreement goes with them.

If they file for bankruptcy, we have first claim on assets. Lombardo and Wyatt gave it the OK from the client side. I'm sending it down to

Derek Norquist in Contracts to look it over, but I think we're in good shape.

“So now I want to talk about my future at the firm."