FIVE

"This is one of the less pleasant aspects of my job," Subotski shook his head with regret as he reached once more for the Athame. "I genuinely like you. Unfortunately I really am left in a position where I have no choice."

"Just a second," Paige said hurriedly. "You said the affidavit had to be from a supernatural being."

"That's right."

"And the student loans are for demons?" Paige asked.

"Yes, I believe we've covered that all ready."

"But Cole is half human," said Paige.

"And half demon," Subotski pointed out. "Or at least he was when he signed the contract. So that makes him eligible for the loans."

"Well, wouldn't that mean that an affidavit could be accepted from someone who's, say, half human if they were also half supernatural?" Paige questioned.

"She's right," Phoebe said excitedly picking up on Paige's train of thought. "And Paige is half White Lighter. Wouldn't that be considered acceptable?"

"I don't know. To my knowledge such a situation has never occurred before. Let's find out. Half-breed," Subotski called out.

"Hey, who are you calling a half-breed?" Paige demanded.

"My apologies Miss. The rules are updated quite regularly but I'm afraid that the Politically Correctness Division is a bit slow in updating the terminology. Ah, here it is."

The pages of the book stopped flipping and Subotski began to read.

"'For regulatory purposes an individual of mixed breeding is considered of full blood status with regard to any and all applicable regulations and guidelines.' Well, it would seem that being half White Lighter does authorize you to submit an affidavit. You did say you personally witnessed the vanquishing?"

"Yes, I did," said Paige.

"I guess that just leaves the matter of your decision about whether use of their potion constitutes their involvement," Cole said, a glimmer of a plan coming to him as he watched Subotski.

"So it would seem," said Subotski. "A most difficult decision. Most difficult indeed."

Subotski seemed to be waiting for something but neither the girls nor Leo had any clue as to what. While they had been talking he had been turning the pages of the book absentmindedly. He now sat quietly; his fingers no longer drumming, they seemed to almost caress the current page. Cole's eyes drifted to the page and suddenly a brilliant smile bloomed on his face. The book was opened to a section entitled Dark Lighters.

"You know, Mytton, may I call you Mytton," Cole asked pleasantly, "I really admire the way you've handled this matter. You're very efficient and that's extremely rare."

"Why, thank you," Subotski beamed. "It's very kind of you to say so. It's so rare that one is appreciated in my line of work."

"I was wondering if a gratuity for such fine work would be out of line?" Cole asked.

"You want to bribe him?" Paige gasped.

"Certainly not," Subotski huffed indignantly.

"No, of course not, not a bribe," Cole's voice was saccharine while his eyes shot daggers at the girls to ensure their silence. "A gratuity. Bribes are not allowed. But it's perfectly acceptable to offer a gratuity to someone for an outstanding job."

"Well," said Subotski, "far be it from me to deprive you of the pleasure of expressing your gratitude if you'd like."

"Good, excellent even" Cole continued pleasantly. "Of course, the gratuity itself would be dependent upon just exactly what the outcome of this rather complicated situation is."

"That certainly seems - reasonable," Subotski agreed with equal pleasantness.

"Now I might be a bit too busy to pay the gratuity in person," Cole continued suavely, becoming more confident of his plan each moment. "But I'm sure I could arrange to have a friend drop it off for me."

"That's a bit unorthodox," Subotski said, a small trace of suspicion momentarily coloring his features, "but it should be acceptable I suppose."

"That's great, more than kind even," Cole reassured him. "My friend's name is Angelique, a lovely blond and a most charming lady in spite of being a Dark Lighter. Oh dear, her being a Dark Lighter isn't going to be a problem is it?"

"A Dark Lighter? A blond Dark Lighter? Really?" Subotski perked up eagerly before remembering their audience. "Um, er, no that won't be a problem, not a problem at all then."

"Good," Cole smiled again. " And I'm sure Angelique will be very grateful for the wonderful assistance you've provided me. Very grateful indeed."

"Really?" Subotski asked happily. "Very grateful?"

"Very," Cole reiterated. "We've been friends for a very long time."

"I see," said Subotski obviously struggling to maintain a businesslike demeanor. "Well, after considering all the evidence I would say the sister's role played no substantial active part in the vanquishing of Belthazor. After all, you can hardly be held accountable for someone else's actions, now can you? Even if those actions did involve the use of a potion you had created. Contingent on the filing of the affidavits regarding Belthazor's' vanquishing I'll file a ruling that the requirements regarding repayment of the loans has been met."

"Does that mean he doesn't have to repay them?" Phoebe asked.

"Yes, it does. The entire matter will be closed."

"That's excellent," said Cole. "When will Leo and Paige be able to file the affidavits?"

"Why not have your friend drop them off with the gratuity?" Subotski offered quickly. "To make things more simple, of course."

"Sounds good to me," said Cole. "I'll have them fill out the affidavits right away."

"I'm off on Tuesday," Subotski said handing Cole a card. "She can drop them off any time."

"I'll be sure to tell her that," Cole said with a wink at Subotski.

"Well, I suppose that concludes our business," Subotski placed the book and loan contract in his briefcase and closed it with a snap. "It's been a pleasure, Mr. Turner."

"Same here. I'll be sure to have Angelique deliver the gratuity on Tuesday."

"That will be fine, just fine."

The girls held their tongues until Subotski had left the club. Then Cole found himself the object of three disbelieving stares.

"I can't believe you bribed him," Piper exclaimed in amazement. "And what are you now? A pimp?"

"Cole Turner…" Phoebe began in outrage.

"Whoa, easy now, it's not like that," Cole explained reasonably. "It's not a bribe, it's a gratuity. And I honestly will provide him with a gratuity. Nothing elaborate but enough to be considered legitimate. As for being a pimp, I simply offered to have Angelique deliver the gratuity."

"It sure sounded like you pimped out a Dark Lighter to me," Paige said bluntly.

"Believe it or not," said Cole, "it's a very common practice to offer a 'gratuity' to an investigating officer. And just for the record I didn't offer Angelique to him. I simply said she'd be delivering the gratuity. I can't be held accountable for any inferences he might draw from that."

"You sure didn't discourage him from drawing any inferences either," Phoebe reminded him sharply. "And just how do you think Angelique is going to feel about his little inferences?"

Cole shrugged lightly and sent her an impish grin. "With Angelique, who knows? She has always had a bit of a soft spot for the bookish type. And trust me, she is more than capable of handling one little amorous Underworld Administrative Assistant if she isn't interested."

"At least they won't be vanquishing you," Phoebe sighed. "That seems a bit harsh over something as simple as student loans."

"Not if you knew what constituted demonic student loans," said Cole.

"So just what does constitute demonic student loans?" Piper asked.

"Trust me," said Cole, "you really don't want to know the answer to that."

The End

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