A/N: Italics represent Duncan's internal monologue.

December 19, 2005

3:52pm

Duncan Kane pulled his car into the parking lot of Kane Software, turned off the ignition, and hopped out of the car. As he walked toward the building entrance, he realized he was in a better mood than he had been in for a long time.

Why shouldn't I be though? It's almost like things are back to normal. I mean, not 'normal' in the sense of being the way they were before, before, well, just before. Still, things are sure better than they were after.

Duncan had come to the office directly after school that day to surprise his father, who had just been paroled only three days before.

I mean, sure, Lilly's still gone, but at least Aaron's in prison where he belongs, and Dad is out of prison. And sure, Veronica's still with Logan, but that probably won't last past the summer, and then...

As he breezed past security, Duncan felt a momentary pinch of guilt at wishing for the end of Logan and Veronica's romance, but he was not about to let that ruin his good mood.

Come on, it's not like I'm doing anything to break them up. But let's face it. She and I were both admitted early to Stanford, and I don't think Logan even applied there.

That was one of the other reasons for Duncan's jubilance: he had just received his acceptance letter. He had not told his parents yet, instead going so far as to have the letter sent to a post-office box he had secretly rented in order to make sure that he would find out first. As he stepped into the elevator, he smiled at the thought of his father's reaction to the news.

And let's face it, even if he did apply there, he's not likely to get in. I mean, I love the guy and everything, but he hasn't exactly been the most exemplary student.

Duncan got off the elevator at the top floor, and headed down the hall to his father's secretary's desk.

I'm sure he and Veronica will try to make the whole long-distance thing work, but she and I'll have four years together. It's practically inevitable that we'll get back together. I mean, that's how things were meant to be.

"Duncan, I can't believe it! I haven't seen you here in ages!"

"Hi Bethany," Duncan greeted his father's secretary with a smile. "I know it's been a while. How are you?"

"Oh, I'm so happy that your father is back. We've all missed him so much. You must be thrilled."

"You bet. That's why I'm here actually. I thought I'd come over to surprise my dad, welcome him back, you know."

"Oh, I'm sure he'll be so happy you came over."

"Great. Do you think you could buzz me into his office without letting him know first? I wouldn't want you to spoil the surprise."

"Oh, Duncan, I'm sorry. Your father's in a meeting. He said he wasn't to be interrupted or disturbed for anything."

"Really? Who's he meeting with?"

"I don't know. It's funny, because there was nothing on his calendar. He just told me not to schedule anything from 3:30 to 5:00." At this point, Bethany leaned forward conspiratorially, and loudly whispered "whoever she is, she must be important, because your father came out here himself to usher her into his office—and you know he never does that—and told me not to let anything disturb them."

Of course he never does that. "Duncan, always make sure that whenever you're in a meeting or a negotiation, make them come to you. You receive them." Wait, she?

"You don't happen to know who this woman was, do you?"

"No one I recognized, but the truth is I barely got a look at her, she went right in so fast. And I didn't catch her name. Some blonde lady. You're dad sure seemed eager to see her, though."

If Bethany noticed the grimace that flashed across Duncan's face, she gave no sign. In fact, there was no indication whatever that she realized the significance of what she had just said.

I can't believe this. Lianne. I guess it makes sense though. I mean, he's been away for a long time, of course he'd want to see his girlfriend. I can't believe he could be so reckless, though, to still be seeing her.

Duncan gave Bethany his most winning smile and put on his most open, trustworthy expression. "Bethany, I'm sure that when my father said not to let anyone disturb him, he hardly had me of all people in mind."

That's not a lie. In fact, I'm pretty sure he had Mom in mind. Doesn't he care at all about whom he hurts?

"Well, I don't know…."

"Come on. You know he'll be thrilled I came to see him." Duncan gave another smile, and held his hands up with his palms turned a little toward Bethany.

"Well, alright, but let me just buzz him first…."

"You wouldn't want to ruin my surprise, would you?"

"Oh, okay, I'll just buzz you in without telling him then. But if he asks," another conspiratorial whisper, "Carlotta let you in."

Duncan replied with a wink and a nod. Carlotta was his father's other receptionist. Why he need two was beyond his son's comprehension. Duncan walked through the double doors into his father's office suite.

Jake Kane did not have a simple one room office. Rather, upon passing through the double doors, Duncan found himself in his father's private conference room. A long conference table surrounded by chairs dominated the space; on one wall there was a large flat screen monitor that could also be used as a projector screen for the occasional low-tech presentation. One had to pass through another door on the far wall to reach Jake's actual office. It was toward his father's sanctum sanctorum that Duncan now slowly padded.

Fortunately, Duncan was wearing sneakers, and the carpeting in Jake's office was lushly thick and soft.

Only the best for my father. It kind of makes me wonder about his choice in mistresses though. I mean, really, an alcoholic who cheats on her husband and steals from her own daughter? That's pretty low-rent, Dad. Now your best buddy Aaron, he had great taste in girlfriends.

Despite the fact that the air conditioners kept the entire office building comfortably cool, Duncan found himself sweating as he crept toward the far side of the room.

What he heard when he pressed his ear to the door turned his face white.

To be continued….