On The Ledge
Shirley/Alan/Jeffrey
…
It had been almost 36 hours since anyone at Crane, Poole & Schmidt had heard from Shirley, when she hadn't arrived at work on Thursday morning…everyone had become concerned. Denny, the one who was infatuated with the woman for over 30 years wasn't showing his own concern, more worried about not having a murder trial to attend. Paul, Denise and Brad had brought in the Police. Jeffery and Claire had agreed to go around to Lincoln's to check things out and were almost certain he was hiding something. Later on in the day Jeffery was in his office, pacing back and forth when Claire walked in and saw how worried her Friend was for the Senior Partner of the firm.
"Jeffery…."
"Any news?"
"Not yet."
"What is he's hurt her, she needs us Claire."
She walked further into the office and came to stand in front of him to stop him pacing again.
"Jeffery, I've never seen you like this before."
"Like what?"
"So much concern, especially for her."
"Shirley's not just anyone Claire, she means something to me."
"How so?"
"When we worked along side each other, before she moved back to Boston to work here…we were…together."
"Together, what you mean as in…."
"We slept together."
"Wow…seriously?"
"You don't have to sound so surprised Claire, Shirley's a very beautiful woman."
"Oh I didn't mean anything by it, it's just a shock that's all. I never thought of you as the type to be interested in the older woman."
"She was amazing, so talented, she's a top notch Lawyer, honest and my god I loved her."
"Loved her, you were in love with Shirley Schmidt?"
"You're doing it again…"
"Sorry, it's just….I can't believe it. What happened, why did you split?"
"We were having problems in our relationship when she got the call to come back here."
"Want to talk about it?"
"She always knew people talked about us, the age gap. She always said it never bothered her but I knew she was only saying that to please me. The truth was, in the beginning it had just been a bit of fun, I never imagined I'd actually fall in love with her…but I did, I wanted to marry that woman."
"So why didn't you."
"I asked her, she said no."
"I'm sorry Jeffery."
"So am I."
"Do you still love her?"
"I didn't think I still did but with this happening now…I do."
"Maybe if you were to tell her how you feel, she might come back to you."
"You think, I'm not so sure."
"Defeatist."
"I'm not being defeatist, it's just…"
"What?"
"I get the feeling Alan Shore has his eye on her."
"Alan, come on."
"I'm serious and why not, I was attracted to her…there's no reason why he shouldn't be."
"Okay, but do you really think Alan wants a long term thing with her. The man's a womaniser for god sake, he couldn't and wouldn't…commit to one woman."
"We haven't known him that long, we don't know what he's capable off. We've just heard the rumours about him, doesn't mean any of them are true."
"Jeffery, I don't claim to understand your attraction to Shirley but if you really do still have strong feelings for her then don't let Alan Shore stand in your way."
"Claire I…."
"I know you Jeffery Coho and you're not one to give up without a fight, if you want Shirley and you really do still love her like you say…then god dammit…you fight for her and quit defending Alan…you're creping me out"
…
Alan looked up from his paper to see Denise walk into his office, a smile gracing her lips.
"Good news I hope."
"Very good news, the Police are headed over to Lincoln's place this second to rescue Shirley."
"Are they absolutely sure she's in there?"
"Well Claire and Jeffery were there this morning checking the place out and they seem certain she's in there."
"I really hope he hasn't harmed her."
"Concern from Alan Shore, you surprise me."
"Believe it or not Denise, I'm not a complete monster…of course I care."
Denise could almost pick up on the small hint of feeling in his voice over Shirley but she wasn't certain of it.
"Alan…"
"Yes Denise."
"About Shirley?"
"What about her?"
"You have that look."
"What look?"
"The same look you had when you were with Tara."
"Oh…."
"I knew you liked to flirt with her but I never knew you actually felt something for her."
"It's funny, when I told Denny that I wanted to go to all the places he had gone and he told me that it was fine but just not Shirley…it made me want her all the more."
"Seriously….?"
"She's exquisite Denise, that picture that hangs in my bathroom, she was so beautiful when she was young and now in mature years, she is quite simply…sublime."
Denise stood listening to Alan as he spoke of Shirley and could hear the truthfulness in his voice and she could tell this wasn't a game.
"Alan….if you really like Shirley, you should tell her. Don't worry about Denny, he had his chance a long time ago. She's nobody's property."
"Thank you Denise."
"I'll let you know when she's back okay."
"I appreciate that."
He gave her a small smile as he watched her walk away back along the corridor to her office as Alan returned to his paper, happy in the knowledge that maybe, just maybe he had a chance with Shirley Schmidt.
…
Continue or not….I'll leave it up to you guys
