“I just hope this works out,” Brody sputtered after tipping the bartender. “I’ve talked to the instructor several times and rehearsed what she should say in front of Janelle.”

“I don’t know why you just won’t come clean with Janelle? Its better to cut your loses now, don’t ya think,” Karl questioned. “I mean I’ve been the lying and cheating husband and look where that got me.”

Just as he finished his sentence his cell phone began to buzz. He looked down at it and began to sigh. Picking up the phone, a fake plastered smile crept on his face and he began in a jovial tone, “Hi Wendy. Uh huh! Yes I’ll bring some hot wings home for Marla… and what would you like? Okay, I’ll see ya soon.” He hung up the phone and looked at Brody, “See what I mean.”

“Was that Marla screaming in the background,” James asked confused and fearful?

“Yep, she wanted to make sure I remember to bring all the dipping sauces she wanted for her hot wings because I forgot them the last time.”

“I’m so glad I’m not in your situation,” James laughed. He ordered a Coke from the bartender and turned around to face the guys again. “I think Karl has a very valid point. Janelle is going to find out eventually and you’re just making things harder on yourself by going along with all the charades.”

“This coming from a guy who’s drinking soda. Why aren’t you drinking away your sorrows with the rest of us?”

“Because I have no sorrows to drink away. Katie and I are doing great and I have to leave to pick up Sam and Dash in an hour. That’s what responsible people do,” James responded while sipping his Coke and winking.

Duncan exited the spacious hallway and briskly walked to the Firmwood bar, approaching his friends to explain his recent absence. Brody was shooting down a shot of some sort and James had his Coke in hand. They all greeted him and Karl handed him a beer.

“Hey fellas,” Duncan uttered lowly, looking a bit solemn.

James began, “What’s up? How was your visit at the police station with Zach?”

Brody cut in, “Is he certifiable?”

A diminutive smile appeared across Duncan’s face as he began his tales, hopefully answering and explaining all the questions the guys had about the “Zach Situation”.

“He’s not doing well. I got a chance to talk to him but he was more puzzling than ever. He wouldn’t give up a name and he kept on repeating ‘she’ll kill me’. When I asked who she is, he would freeze up and seal his mouth closed and just shake his head. He’s a mystery.”

“Damn, who knows what he’s been through,” Brody sighed.

Karl jumped in, “What if he’s playing you Duncan? I mean it is a possibility.”

Duncan shook his head in negation, “You had to see the look in his eyes. Granted he did shoot Terrence but there is something more to it and I intend to find out. He’s been blackmailed and I really want to know who this woman is that says she’s gonna kill him if he says anything.”

James looked up with concern and began, “Well if you feel that strongly that he’s being set up then I’m a believer too and I’m behind you a hundred percent. If you need anything, just let me know.”

Brody came from the other side of the bar directly behind Duncan and gave him a pat on the back. “Me too man. If you need any of my P.I.s just let me know.”

“Thanks guys,” Duncan replied while motioning the bartender to retrieve another beer. Just as Duncan capped off his first and reached for the next, Lisabeth walked into the bar, scanning the area with piercing, disquieted eyes. Duncan handed his beer to Brody and uttered, “I’ll see you all later.” The guys waved and said goodbye as Duncan removed himself from the group.

Lisabeth looked stunning as usual. She had on a black pea coat with thick baby blue stitching around the collar, lapels and cuffs and slim cut baby blue slacks. Assurance saturated her face when she saw Duncan advance her way. When he reached her, Duncan stretched out to embrace her but she was a little reluctant to reciprocate the hug. He pulled back and grabbed her hand, leading her to a seating area.

“What are you doing here Lisabeth?”

“I’m here to see you. I- I did a little snooping and I think you should know about this.”

Puzzled, Duncan studied her face and leaned in closer, “Snooping for what? Are you okay? Is someone bothering you?”

She laughed, “Not so much someone bothering me. More like my conscience. I just can’t let go of the fact that Victoria would accuse me of trying to take from Terrence. I loved Terrence.” She hesitated before continuing. “I know I told you I was tired and that I was not going to do anything but I can’t just sit here idly and let her do what she’s doing to Reveal… and to you. So I got a P.I. to get some dirt on Victoria and he found this.”

Lisabeth reached into her coat pocket and removed a large envelop and handed it to Duncan. He quickly claimed the contents of the envelope and began to read the report.

“Victoria, filed bankruptcy four months ago and Terrence had been cutting her checks from Reveal’s accounting department.”

Lisabeth shook her head, reached over and turned the page, “That was around the time he proposed to me. Read on.”

Duncan examined the report more thoroughly and read that an invoice to DSI Laboratories from two months ago was also paid with company funds.

“That’s where Cam took Zach and my DNA to be tested the second time.”

“I know,” Lisabeth said. “Cameron paid for the test herself. I asked her. So why was there another payment made by Reveal the same day she had your and Zach’s DNA tested?”

Duncan fell back into the big lounge chair and rubbed his temples. Could this situation get more confusing. His mind was running like a computer downloading a program. He was trying to make the pieces fit together. He was so caught up in thoughts that he didn’t hear Lisabeth talking. She reached out and touched his knee.

“Duncan?”

“Yeah, I’m sorry. This is just a lot to take in. You know I talked to Zach yesterday. He was still hysterical and more erratic than ever,” Duncan stopped to collect his thoughts before he was struck with an epiphany, “and he kept mentioning that some woman would kill him if he said anything.”

“You think Victoria has something to do with Zach shooting Terrence, don’t you?”

Duncan shrugged his shoulder, “I mean, I don’t know. It’s a possibility. Hell anything is possible these days, especially with all of this stuff you found about her filing for bankruptcy, Terrence paying her with Reveal funds and invoices from DNA labs.”

“Just keep your eyes open and be aware of what she’s doing around there okay? And the next time you go to see Zach at the police station, I want to be there. Maybe he’ll be more sympathetic to me and give us more information.”

“Maybe,” he continued. “Don’t you think its weird she left a paper trail. Wouldn’t she have gotten rid of most of the information that would link this back to her?”

“Well, I didn’t really fight when I gave her my part of Reveal. She probably doesn’t expect anyone to go looking for information to incriminate her or she just hasn’t had the chance to get rid of anything. Who really knows?”

Lisabeth looked at her watch and jumped out of her chair. She bent over, gave Duncan and peck on the cheek and quickly walked out of Firmwood.

-TRONTR-

Katie and her sister Danielle were escorted to a small table in the front of Serendipity3. Katie loved it there. She and Danielle usually met there once a month to catch up and share some sisterly time together. Just as they were about to order, Katie’s phone began to ring. It was James.

“Hey there.”

“Hey,” he giggled. “What are you up to?”

“I’m just hanging out with Danielle. We’re about to order the Peanut Butter Frozen Hot Chocolate.”

“Umm, sounds yummy. Well I didn’t want anything. I’m picking up the kids from Stacey’s and just wanted to hear your voice. Are you still coming by tomorrow?”

“And miss a day of movies with three of my favorite people, not a chance.”

“Alright, then I’ll see you tomorrow. Tell Danielle I said hello.”

“Will do. Love ya.”

“Love you too.”

Katie placed her phone back in her purse and looked up at her sister who had a look of intrigue.

“What Dani?”

“You are soooo in love with him. Its really sickening to watch.”

“Shut up. It’s not that bad, is it?”

“Um yeah it is. You haven’t been this sprung on a guy since your freshman year of college. Remember Jeffery Simms?”

“Oh my God! I haven’t heard that name in forever. I was a love sick puppy around him.”

“Yeah I know. This thing with James is like déjà vu.”

The girls continued to laugh and chat when a statuesque, pretty blonde approached their table. She stood there for a moment before the two acknowledged her presence. Katie turned around to see who it was. It was Alex.

“Fancy meeting you here Graham.”

“Same to you Alex,” Katie gritted through a very forged smile.

“So how is James? I heard that you two are finally together. It really was about time.”

“James is wonderful,” Katie said in her best boastful tone. “And how about you Alex? How have you been,” Katie asked, really unconcerned.

“Great,” she shot her eyes at Katie’s sister.

“Oh, that’s my sister Danielle. Danielle this is Alex, James’ ex-girlfriend.”

“Nice to meet you Danielle.”

Danielle could sense the tension in the air between the two and opted to not make a sound and to just nod. Alex’s eyes darted back to meet Katie’s. She rudely continued to talk and interrupt their meal.

“So, how did you react when James told you why he attacked Ted McManus?”

Mystified and a little pissed Katie asked, “What are you talking about?”

“I mean, to be regarded as a piece of corporateass must have really taken its toll on you. Especially with you being a woman who worked as hard as you did to get to the position you are currently in. That must have been tough.”

With her temper and blood pressure rising Katie asked again while keeping her composure, “What on Earth are you talking about Alex?”

“Oh,” Alex covered her mouth and continued, “I must have said too much. Apparently James hasn’t told you everything that happened. You should definitely ask him.”

Alex clutched her designer bag, motioned her head towards Danielle and said, “It was a pleasure meeting you,” and walked away from their table towards the main entrance of the restaurant.

Katie glared at her sister and then grabbed her purse. She was searching for her cell phone.

“What are you doing K?”

“I’m going to call James.”

Danielle grabbed the phone out of Katie’s hand and cleared the numbers she pushed into the phone. “No you’re not. You are going to cool down and process what was just said and then you’ll call him. Besides, we already ordered that frozen hot chocolate thing and I really want to eat it and I think it’ll help you think more clearly.”

Katie stared at her older sister with her mouth open, “Danielle, did you hear what she said. She called me corporate ass.”

“I heard her and you were totally right in calling her a bitch because what she just did was a bitch move. Calm down, plan your strategy of attack and help me drink this damn peanut butter frozen hot chocolate.”

Katie knew her sister was right but she couldn’t resist the urge to just get up and leave and she did.

“I’m sorry Dani, we’ll have to postpone. I’ll get my phone from you tomorrow. I have to talk to James tonight.”

“What about his kids, K?”

But Katie was out of the door and out of sight. Danielle looked at the waiter when he returned to the table.

“Can you please make that to go. I’m so sorry. My sister lost her mind and had to leave.”

“No problem,” the waiter replied with a smirk and left the bill on the table for Danielle.

“Great,” Danielle spoke to herself while looking at the bill. “I was really counting on her to pick up this check. I hope I have enough cash to get home.”

-TRONTR-

Karl had to kick the front door open with the tip of his new leather loafers due to the mountain of groceries and take out bags he was carrying. Marla nearly knocked him over grabbing the bag containing her hot wings from his arms.

“It took you long enough, little man,” Marla snapped as a bag fell from Karl’s grip.

“You’re welcome Marla. Where’s Wendy?”

“She should be in the living room.”

Karl scuttled himself to the kitchen to release the rest of the bags. He opened a large brown paper bag containing chow mien and beef broccoli, Wendy’s favorite. He placed it neatly on a plate and took it to her in the living room.

“Hi honey,” Karl began, “How are you feeling?”

“OK. I’ve only been sick ten times today.”

Karl responded, “Oh that’s less than yesterday, so its getting better.”

As Karl approached Wendy her face began to twitch a bit, “What is that smell Karl?”

“Its chow mien and beef broccoli, you’re favorite.”

“Um… you’re going to have to…”

Before she could get it out she spewed all over Karl and the food.

“Oh my God. Wendy, that was a new shirt and tie,” Karl exclaimed!

Barely breathing Wendy replied, “I’m sorry Karl. I was trying to warn you but…”

“Go to the bathroom, GO TO THE BATHROOM,” he yelled, as she looked like she was going to go again. Karl got up and ran to get towels to clean up the mess and then himself. Just as he was about to run upstairs to take a shower a shrill came from the kitchen.

“KARL,” Marla screeched from the top of her lungs.

“WHAT!”

“Don’t yell at me. What is your problem? Are you hard of hearing?”

“What are you talking about Marla?”

“I asked for blue cheese, ranch and honey mustard and the only thing that’s in that bag are three ranch dipping sauces. How could you have gotten that wrong? Are you hard of hearing?”

Karl spun around on his heels and headed towards the door while removing his soiled shirt.

“Where are you going Karl,” Marla asked.

He didn’t answer he just kept moving forward, got in his car and drove. He found himself in front of Duncan’s front door. He knocked loudly. A heavy-eyed Duncan answered.

“Karl,” he questioned?

“I really needed to get away from the two pregnant monsters. Can I please, please, please crash here for the night. I’ll sleep on the floor with no covers, just let me in.”

“Okay,” Duncan said. “Why do you smell so terrible?”

“Oh, yeah. I need a bath and then I’ll crash on your floor.”

“Whatever. Just let me go back to sleep.”