A former sex crimes prosecutor writes a fast-paced university thriller informed by his work investigating sexual misconduct.
Open Bar
By Dan Schorr. SparkPress. 332 pages. $17.99.
In Dan Schorr’s second novel, Open Bar, scandal erupts when a university HR director discovers that a beloved softball coach has been sexually abusing teenagers in the school’s summer softball camp. The story tracks what happens after the allegations come to light, from the coverup and community fallout to the investigation.
A sexual misconduct investigator and former sex crimes prosecutor, Schorr is probably better placed than anyone to write an authentic thriller about investigating sexual misconduct at a university. “The dialogue feels authentic, especially in tense institutional exchanges and moments of personal crisis,” says Kirkus, calling Open Bar a “timely and absorbing novel that asks what it costs to tell the truth.”
In the excerpt below, we meet Troy and Julia, a managing director and junior associate, as they approach their boss (Anderson) with an important lead to securing the MHU sexual conduct investigation for their firm — and we see how Julia has no intention of letting her origination credit for this lead go to anyone else.
Troy turned toward where Anderson’s assistant was usually parked across from the office, but the chair was empty. Before he could decide what to do next, Julia reached across him and knocked on the door. The conversation inside went silent, then there were footsteps, and Anderson opened the door.
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Troy said, “but I need to talk to you about the research in Spain.”
“Okay,” Anderson responded. “Come in.”
He and Julia entered the office and saw the desk adorned with photos of Anderson’s grandchildren and other relatives. Luke Holloway, a managing director three decades younger than Anderson, stood looking perturbed in a gray suit, his eyes staring intensely at Anderson from behind black-framed glasses, his blond hair a little askew. Anderson closed the door behind them.
On the wall across from the desk, a mounted, muted flat screen showed a national news network covering a press conference with a crowd of people standing behind a microphone on what looked like the lawn of a college campus. A dark-haired woman in her twenties spoke emphatically and tearfully, as the chyron below read Ali Tyrell and “Uncle Rob” Survivors Hold Press Conference.
Luke didn’t acknowledge Troy and Julia, but kept his eyes on Anderson. “We need to finish our conversation.”
“Give me a minute,” Anderson said. “This is urgent. For Caleb Lugo.” Then he turned to Troy. “What did we find?”
Troy shook his head. “Nothing adverse so far. She’s an actress. Does some modeling. Bit parts here and there on TV.”
He braced for Anderson’s response. His moods were like a pendulum, able to swing from kind and ingratiating to rude and insulting in a second, depending on the issue and sometimes seemingly dependent on nothing at all. Everyone in the room knew it, and the air sat thick as they all waited to see which Anderson they were going to hear from.
This research assignment wasn’t just a “check the box” task. It was far more than pre-transactional due diligence that the client needed to be able to cite for regulatory compliance, the kind of investigation that made the client happy when it uncovered nothing. In this case, failure to dig up helpful information would likely be viewed by Caleb, and therefore Anderson, as a cataclysmic failure.
This research assignment wasn’t just a “check the box” task. It was far more than pre-transactional due diligence that the client needed to be able to cite for regulatory compliance, the kind of investigation that made the client happy when it uncovered nothing.
But Anderson simply nodded quietly, appearing only slightly dis- appointed. “Okay, have our sub keep digging. We have enough on her to satisfy Caleb for the moment.”
Troy looked from Anderson to Julia and back to Anderson. “We do? What do we have?”
“Emma came up with some good intel,” he said cryptically.
Troy wanted more information, but Anderson’s impatient gaze made clear that this part of the conversation was over. “Okay, understood,” Troy said, though he didn’t understand at all. When had Emma been assigned to this project and why? Usually anyone conducting research at C&R knew who else was involved so they could be most efficient and not overlap their efforts. This was strange.
Troy looked again at Julia, and only then did Anderson seem to notice she was in the room.
“Can I help you?” he snapped.
Julia glanced at the television and then at Troy. She didn’t appear to be seeking Troy’s assurance or guidance but instead was silently communicating, Coming here was your idea, so if this blows up in my face I’m blaming you.
“I have a strong lead for getting C&R the Mountain Hill University investigation,” Julia announced.
Anderson looked surprised, then skeptical. For a few seconds he didn’t speak as he pursed his lips in contemplation. “Okay, let’s talk,” he said. “Luke, Troy, give us the room.”
Troy turned to the door, but Luke didn’t move. He then shook his head instead. “I’ll join you for this conversation, Anderson.”
“I’ll update you after.”
Then they were all silent, motionless, all four of them standing in place. On the muted television screen, the woman appeared to speak vociferously as people around her gestured and shouted. Troy had never seen Anderson’s authority challenged like this, and he anticipated a volcanic response. But Anderson just turned to Julia and commanded, “Tell me what the story is.”
Troy wasn’t sure if he should leave, but Anderson was no longer asking for that, and he sensed Julia would want his moral support. Maybe Anderson now preferred he stay, since he was a potential extra hand to quickly draft proposal materials and arrange logistics. Not a threat to seek origination credit as Luke surely would.
“I worked for the congressman who just became MHU president,” Julia explained, with a glance toward the television screen. “My family’s very close to him. The university’s issuing an RFP that’s due in five days, and I was told C&R has been invited to submit, that we might even have the inside track with the right team. The RFP is being run by some guy in their legal department, Drew Kosick. All communication is supposed to go through him, and any other contact with university personnel is prohibited, technically. But the new president’s chief of staff wants to set up a meeting with our team and the president.”
Anderson’s eyebrows shot up. “When?
“Tomorrow afternoon.”
Troy knew what Anderson was thinking. Multimillion-dollar assignment, just when MDs were being laid off left and right, just as the firm was desperately trying to show strong revenue for a sale to DePalma Capital Partners. Luke might be an asset here, as he had a lot of experience with RFPs, but if his enhancements provided the firm with a 20 percent greater chance of winning the project in return for a 50 percent share of the origination credit, basic mathematics told Anderson not to involve his fellow MD. Better to build a team on his own, keep it close to the vest, and involve junior associates for all the legwork.
But Luke was still in the room, certainly not leaving now, not when this huge steak was hanging in front of them to salivate over.
“So,” Julia continued, “obviously this isn’t about who gets the credit. It’s about the firm. We’re a team. It’s about helping the client. Through a terrible situation.”
God bless her, Troy thought. She’s just going to come out and fucking say it. She had a confidence and directness unlike any other associate.
Meanwhile, Anderson and Luke stared at her, waiting to hear what she would utter next. No need to offer a perfunctory “of course” in response to her prelude of platitudes. They were too far in their careers for that, too desperate to seize this opportunity.
“But I’d like to understand how origination credit would work,” Julia added, and then flashed an amicable smile, appearing to try and take the edge off any tension that might result from her remarks, but also letting them both know that, unlike other C&R associates, she wasn’t afraid of them. Especially not while she was holding this gorilla of a business opportunity.
Anderson didn’t delay, and uncharacteristically didn’t show any offense. “Julia, I’m glad you brought that up. Obviously, I’ll make sure you’re very much recognized for this opportunity. If this investigation comes in, that will be reflected in your year-end bonus, and I’m sure you’ll receive an appropriate salary increase.”
“Can you be more specific?” Julia pressed. “I’m concerned my contribution may be lost in the shuffle, because the project will obviously be so large and intense and all-consuming. I’ve seen stuff like that happen. Although I’m sure it’s never intentional.”
Anderson displayed compassion and support, although Troy doubted he felt either. “Any specific compensation has to go through Tara from HR and get sign-off from our regional business head, but I understand your point. If we get this assignment, I’ll start that process right away.”
Troy watched Julia nod and he wondered how she would respond. It was a vague, unenforceable promise, just like so many others that had never come to fruition. Yet Troy felt she had no choice but to agree and hope Anderson would actually follow through.
“I completely understand that you need approvals before promising me anything specific,” she said.
“Thank you, Julia.”
“So why don’t you let me know when you have those approvals, and then I’ll connect you with the university president for this multimillion-dollar engagement.”
Troy’s mouth dropped open, and he had to clutch his jaw to make sure it wasn’t actually hitting the floor. Luke’s body stiffened in surprise at Julia’s insubordination and then he displayed the subtlest of grins.
Anderson was having none of this, as he walked closer to Julia, glared, and pointed a finger in her face. “I’d like to know what fucked-up logic is telling you it’s a smart move to threaten me. Because I’m pretty sure that was the dumbest fucking thing you’ve ever said in your life!”
Troy sensed Anderson wanted to strangle her, and there was a nonzero chance he actually would try. “I’m sure she didn’t mean it that way,“ Troy said in hopes of defusing the situation.
“I’m not making a threat,” Julia explained. “I’m just saying I have a great opportunity for the firm, and I want to make sure I’m not ignored when the origination credit is assigned.”
“I told you I’d look into your compensation if we’re retained.”
“And I’m sorry, but I don’t feel comfortable connecting the firm with the MHU president unless there’s something more solid.”
“Comfortable? You don’t feel comfortable?!” Anderson paused and took a breath, but it did nothing to calm him. “I’ve gotten rid of many associates for far less than this shit you’re trying to pull. So listen to me carefully. You think I won’t terminate you because of this big lead you supposedly have. And for now, you’re correct. But if you don’t immediately do everything in your power to get us this investigation, I’ll fire you for cause today.”
Julia stood there in silence, not moving, looking back at Anderson and refusing to blink.
“She’ll help,” Troy asserted. “We’ll both get to work on it now.”
“Is that right?” Anderson asked Julia. “Because this lead is now the only thing keeping you employed. If it doesn’t work out, with or without your assistance, then you’re fucking gone.”
She remained quiet and stood up straighter, her body language showing she wanted to hold firm as Troy implored her with his own intense stare to capitulate. Finally, she did.
“I’ll help.”
“Smart decision,” Anderson replied. “Now give me five minutes to clear my schedule. Then let’s all meet in conference room B and figure out how we’re going to get this thing. I’ve already been speaking with Gillian Fenton from the Brooklyn DA about joining C&R. Her background would be perfect for our proposal.”
Seconds later Troy and Julia were walking toward the conference room. “That was a horrible idea to go to him,” she whispered accusingly.
“That was a horrible idea to say that to him.”
“They’re going to bill millions on this. I’m not going to let him take it all from me. I’m just not.”
“But how? What can you do?”
For now, Julia just shrugged as they passed the lactation room and kept moving down the hallway.
This article was excerpted from Open Bar with permission of the author.
About the author:
Dan Schorr is a sexual misconduct investigator at his firm, Dan Schorr, LLC, and an adjunct professor at Fordham Law School, where he teaches a course on sexual misconduct and domestic violence. Previously, he served as a New York sex crimes prosecutor, the Inspector General for the City of Yonkers, and an adjunct law professor with Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. He has been a regular television legal analyst for Good Morning America, CNN, Fox News Channel, and elsewhere. Schorr holds a BA and MA from the University of Pennsylvania, and a JD from Harvard Law School. He lives in White Plains, New York, with his wife and two children. He’s the author of two novels: Final Table and Open Bar.