Wood & Price Associates, one of the most successful law firms of Norwich, was a few blocks away from Malory Towers at a prime location of the city. It occupied the fifteenth, fourteenth and thirteenth floors of 7 Roxburgh Street, housing over five hundred experienced lawyers. Only the high and mighty among the city's corporations could afford to hire Wood & Price. The cream among them could enlist the celebrity lawyer, Elijah Wood.
The elevator opened into an elaborate reception area. Ashley and Guiscard walked out with a purpose in their footsteps.
Light blue veneer walls complementing the cobalt marble floors greeted the first-time guests. The landmark with WOOD AND PRICE embossed below an ornate logo was a beautiful feature wall.
On the right appeared to be a staff recreation and refreshment area incorporated with a large family-style dining table. One could see an active billiards table and a modest liquor bar through the transparent walls.
The office spaces looked both warm and sophisticated.
A petite receptionist behind the front desk greeted the visitors.
"Welcome to Wood & Price. I am Tabitha. How may I help you?"
"We have an appointment with Mr. Elijah Wood. I am Ashley Palmer, and this is Mr. Chevalier de Guiscard, my chief of security."
"One second." The receptionist checked her computer and smiled back at Ashley. "Miss Palmer, please go right straight down the corridor to the left," she directed with her arm. "Mr. Wood is expecting you."
Guiscard looked around sharply as they walked down a corridor lined with translucent fiber walls. It was a chic, voguish look, one that Tessa would have approved of. The floor architect kept the appearance Bohemian while not compromising on the sober ironmongery, making interiors look robust.
"Chevy, you seem tense," Ashley whispered, looking ahead. The Frenchman had been in a sour mood since they had entered the building. The security personnel on the ground floor had made him surrender all his weapons. They had to get an entire basket to collect all his hidden arms, which kept triggering the walk-in security scanner at the doorway.
"Your sudden change of plans threw off my backup team, which had been trailing us," Guiscard mouthed. "And now we are stuck in a building with no weapons. So, if I appear tense, it is justified. I can't do my job if you won't let me, ma'am."
"First of all, I am tired of asking you to call me Ashley. Second, this meeting is crucial in the bigger scheme of things."
"Okay, Ash-ley," he enunciated with sarcasm. "That sounded like another cryptic statement, and it made absolutely no sense to me. At the least, will you let me sit in on this meeting?"
"Of course. You're my closest confidante now," she replied, touching him affectionately on the shoulder.
The dead-end of the corridor was a door labeled- MANAGING PARTNER, ELIJAH WOOD. Guiscard knocked while Ashley fixed her hair. They heard a faint 'Come in!'
The duo entered Elijah's office, which looked less like an office space and more like a suite. It was a hexagon-shaped room with lounge seaters on four sides, bounding the entrance and the working area. The designer had met the acoustic and visible privacy requirements demanded by a law firm.
Ashley did not find Elijah Wood at his table. The hotshot lawyer stood behind a standing workstation, tapping several touch screen devices. He raised a finger at them, asking them to excuse him for a minute.
About five feet eleven, lean and straight as an arrow, Elijah Wood had medium hair with a taper-fade quiff style. A Romanesque nose and dimples were set under electric blue eyes and a strong jaw. He was in a classic inky blue double-breasted Armani suit. Ashley looked from him to Guiscard, who was in a dusky Burberry trench coat. She felt pleased with herself to be in the same room with the two most dashing and competent men she had ever met.
'Choose between Elijah and Chevy,' she imagined Tessa saying something like that.
The lawyer finished his work momentarily and beckoned them to a lounge seater. "Please."
Ashley was in a striped business-blouse and pants. She sat on a lounge chair at a right angle to Elijah, who leaned back and regarded her with his smoldering charm.
An attendant served them coffee and left.
Guiscard walked over to the street view window, peered outside, and then pulled the blinds closed.
Elijah looked inquiringly at Ashley, who smirked apologetically. "I'm afraid a lot has happened over the past week, Mr. Wood. Mostly terrible things."
"You can call me Elijah, please-"
"Elijah," she continued, trying to sound casual. "Certain people are trying to kill me."
The lawyer raised his eyebrows. "Your stepsister behind these attempts?"
"Not just her. It's complicated. There's-"
"Ahem-" Guiscard interrupted. "The less Mr. Wood knows, the better." He realized he had been rude and extended his hand to Elijah. “I’m Chevalier de Guiscard. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Mr. Wood."