Jim quickly moved toward me. He was wild eyed. I quickly assessed him as a threat. He moved closer to me, I stood up. He rushed me, stopped, and swung with his right. I blocked it with my left forearm, and I delivered a right cross to his jaw. He was stunned and retreated, then he rushed me wildly, head forward trying to ram into my chest. I grabbed his head and brought my left knee up to his lower chin hard. He dropped down, knocked out cold.
‘Jerry… or Julie, please call building security and 911.’
To say the least, the room was somewhere between stunned, speechless, impressed, scared, and amazed.
I knew my next questions could have waited, but I was thinking of Jamie awaiting me.
‘Larry and Alfred, do you have anything to say? With Julie here and Belinda as a witness, if you choose to resign, they can take your verbal resignation. I am not asking you to resign, however, I am sure Jenny will evaluate this situation in light of a potential dismissal. Of course, if you choose to verbally resign, you will be asked to leave today.’
Both Alfred and Larry resigned. No surprise. Being fired from a respectable firm would be a huge red flag for the budding careers. Jim was Robert’s age, so he was in the twilight of his career. The firm could not share why they were terminated, but people talk.
‘Jenny, I will leave it up to you on how they should gather their personal effects and exit the building.’
‘Jerry, thank you for your help in this unusual situation. Let’s talk sometime over the next few days. I would like your ideas on how to fill the open partner positions we have and an assessment of the remaining partners in this office.’
‘Does anyone have any questions for me? No? Jenny, please keep me apprised of Jim’s condition. I am concerned about him. Please take charge.’
I left the room. Too bad, I didn’t have a recorder to hear this discussion. I am sure Jenny would fill me in if there was anything I needed to know.
I have to update Robert on why three of his good old boys were now out to pasture and one of them in the hospital with a probable broken jaw. I wasn’t proud of that but given what I went through in college, I would not be assaulted again. No way, not ever again. Not me.
I will not be open to reversing field on anyone of the three although Robert might plead to do so. I will listen. However, assault by Jim will be a tough sell to me. I did have an interesting interview this afternoon though for potentially one of the replacements.
***
When I left the room, Jenny did take control.
‘Everybody calm down. Take your seats around the table. Jim is breathing just fine even though he is still out. His jaw looks out of line. Mary, who is our healthcare malpractice partner. Mary was an ER nurse in a previous life, is monitoring Jim. EMS should be here shortly. Security took Alfred and Larry to their offices to pack all their personal belongings, turn in their access cards and escort them to their cars. ‘
‘Does anyone wish to speak about just what happened?’
‘She is a fricking Amazon! Is she Wonder Woman managing a law firm? Oh my God, I hope that statement doesn’t get me fired.’ George shouted and then was speechless.