Chapter 1

"Dr. Lewis, please come in."

The slender brunette gave Lauren a cheeky smile as the blonde entered the lavish conference room followed closely by her tall, snarky lawyer. She crossed the room and headed to the opposite end of the long table where she took a seat at the end chair and had to appreciate the comfortable leather chairs surrounding the obviously expensive conference table equipped with the latest state of the art technology. Without saying a word the tall blonde to her right opened her briefcase and pulled out a few files along with some legal documents and a pad of standard issue legal paper. Lauren sat back in the seat with a sigh knowing this wouldn't be an easy meeting and she was bracing herself for the worst possible outcome.

"Can I offer you ladies anything? Coffee? Water? Vodka?"

Tamsin rolled her eyes and looked at Evony with distaste. "Little early to be drinking isn't it Counselor?"

Evony laughed and waived her hand in the air nonchalantly. "Lighten up Tamsin, this is all in good fun right? If you weren't wound so tightly perhaps you'd see that."

Tamsin snorted. "And if you weren't so off your shit all the time you'd see it isn't."

The brunette scowled as she moved back over to the table and took a seat next to her client. If anyone should happen to stumble into the room they would probably be shaking in their boots from any one of the four women in the room.

Lauren Lewis was an accomplished surgeon who had her own private practices in California and New York where she serviced the top one percent of both cities and literally made miracles happen on a daily basis between her practice and her research. She was a few years away from curing cancer and she knew with a little more work she'd have her Nobel Peace Prize before she turned 40.

Tamsin Ingvar was an attorney who lived up to every word of the reputation that always preceded her. Fierce, aggressive and tough she was a handful when challenged and she had been friends with Lauren since their childhood days when they would play in the park together up through the time they attended Yale together, Lauren for Medical School and Tamsin for Law. For the most part she was more bark than bite but the tall blonde had been known to clean out an opposing client or twenty so whenever people did business with her they were on their toes at all times.

Evony Marquise was every bit as smart as she was cunning and in her line of work it paid her dividends time and time again. She had originally been working in Washington DC heading up the legal teams for several multi-national corporations when she'd been whisked away to Los Angeles to serve as the executive council for Dennis Enterprise. At first she'd laughed the offer off but when an envelope containing a seven digit figure was presented to her as retainer for one year of work she was intrigued. She was hired sight unseen and since arriving in California she'd made her presence known to the city at large. She was top of her class at Harvard and she knew the world was her oyster as she allowed herself to enjoy the lavish things in life all while maintaining her cutthroat attitude.

Bo Dennis was the fourth member of the group and her story was the most complicated of all. Seemingly coming out of nowhere she had no parents and no siblings, save for her best friend Kenzi who was really the reason she wasn't lying in a ditch somewhere like she probably should have. It wasn't until her twenty fifth birthday did she even learn she was related to a member of the Irish Mob and not just any member, but Fitzpatrick McCorrigan. The shitbag did nothing right in his life but he had managed to climb the ladder so to speak so when he was gunned down everyone was surprised to learn that all of his wealth was left to his granddaughter that no one knew anything about. Bo inherited billions of legal and illegal funds and soon she was on her way to a life of luxury, quite the change from the shitty bartending job she'd had as she tried to put herself through community college.

"Sorry…sorry I'm late. Traffic in this city sucks. Okay…hi…"

The four ladies turned to the whirlwind of energy that had just burst through the door with shocked and curious expressions. The young lady gave them a genuine smile as she walked into the room and took a seat at the head of the table between the two pairs. "Hi, I'm Kate and I'm the mediator."

Lauren looked at Tamsin who shrugged slightly and looked at Evony who was looking at Kate with a confused look. "I'm sorry, I thought I'd asked Judge Thompson for the best mediator on his staff."

Kate gave her an amused smile. "You did and yet here I am. Okay, so…where should we start?"

Tamsin began to open the folders to get her paperwork out but Evony hadn't even budged as she sat up and folded her arms in slight annoyance. "I'm sorry…Kate…but you have to understand this case is—"

Kate put her hand up and gave Evony a fake smile. "This case is important and high profile and one that I'm doing as a favor to Judge Thompson because my father lost a golfing bet with him decades ago. So, how about you let me pay off my debt and worry about mediating and you just worry about your client and reaching a favorable outcome okay?"

Tamsin smirked as she took in the young woman and was impressed with her panache. Hardly anyone would stand up to Evony once she was in full bitch mode so it was nice to see this Kate person operate with some balls. She knew things were going to be handled fairly so any fear she had about this being a set up by Evony were slowly dissipating. Kate sat back in the five thousand dollar leather chair and folded her hands in her lap as she looked at Tamsin and Evony in turn. "Now that we got the introductions out of the way where should we start?"

Tamsin noticed Kate didn't have any files with her and she was wondering how much the mediator knew about this case but any question she may have had was voiced by Evony in her attempt to continue the verbal sparring. "Do you even have the docket on this case? From the way you came bursting in here I'm starting to doubt you even had a chance to read through it before this morning."

Kate ignored her and turned to Tamsin with a smile. "Why don't you tell me what the deal is?"

Tamsin nodded as she glanced down at her notes more for show than anything else. She was beyond prepared for this so she didn't really need to refer to anything unless some abstract question was raised. "Nice to meet you by the way I'm Tamsin Ingvar. My client, Dr. Lewis, and her partner are terminating their legal relationship and we are here to settle assets."

Kate nodded and turned to Evony with a small smile. "And I already know who you are Counselor so why don't you tell me what Ms. Dennis's stance on this is?"

Evony rolled her eyes as she sat back comfortably. "My client would like to split fifty-fifty including all property and cash assets with the condition that any future scientific or medical accomplishment remain tied to Dennis Enterprise. The company has provided billions of dollars of valuable research money and just because the personal relationship has met its demise she feels the professional relationship should thrive and would be willing to continue her contributions towards future projects."

Kate nodded and looked at Lauren with confusion. "And you don't agree with this?"

Lauren looked at Tamsin who shook her head. "My client demands total separation from Dennis Enterprise once their union is terminated."

Evony laughed. "And should you sever all financial ties I have it in good authority that the Lewis Foundation that Dr. Lewis manages would crumble."

Tamsin snarled as she looked at Evony with disgust. "And my client would rather meet financial ruin than continue to be associated with Dennis Enterprises. In fact, she's prepared to forgo all monetary and physical assets due her if Bo will withdraw Dennis Enterprises as a donor from her research corporation."

Kate sat back and put her hands together as she looked at the group thoughtfully. "You know, this is probably only the third mediation I've done with legal representation on both sides. Forgive me for asking but the information I was provided indicated this was an amicable split?"

Lauren seethed quietly in her chair as she glared across the table at her soon to be ex-wife. Bo had the decency to keep her eyes trained to the table and Evony smirked as she looked at Tamsin with a taunting manner. "Well I'd be okay with Bo and Lauren continuing on with no representation however I'm not sure she could handle it could you Doctor?"

Lauren growled lowly but not soft enough for Kate not to hear. She glanced at the blonde Doctor curiously before looking at Tamsin and Evony with a nod. "Could you give me a moment alone with Dr. Lewis and Ms. Dennis?"

The two counselors looked at each other silently before both nodded imperceptibly and stood up slowly. Tamsin patted Lauren's shoulder lightly and leaned down to whisper into her ear. "You'll be fine Laur. Just remember, if it goes to shit just walk out okay? I'll be right outside."

Lauren nodded and gave her a weak smile as she watched Tamsin walk out the door followed closely by Evony. Kate had watched the interaction between the pair and wondered what the real deal was there. She could sense some serious tension in the room and her gut was telling her it was due to the lawyers being present.

"So…Bo, Lauren…who wants to go first?"

Neither woman looked at each other as they both sat there quietly ignoring the elephant in the room. While they may be fuming internally both women were composed enough to understand this was not the time to act like children. Kate looked back and forth to them quietly for a few seconds before sighing and leaning forward on the table slightly. "Okay, well how about I tell you what I know and you fill in the details okay? Okay…so you met ten years ago when you Lauren were doing your residency at UCLA Med and Bo was starting up her firm in Los Angeles. You've been married for eight years and you have multiple houses in California as well as New York where you both have offices as well. Three years ago Dennis Enterprise started contributing to the research fund that you are chair of and since then Dr. Lewis you've received almost two billion dollars in grant money is that all correct so far?"

Lauren bit her tongue as she nodded and Bo just sighed as she leaned back and glared at Kate who smiled and nodded. "By those looks I'm going to assume yes. Okay, so in the past year things have been rocky and Dr. Lewis you are alleging an affair between Ms. Dennis and Ms. Marquise is that correct? As such you are citing this as the reason for your divorce?"

Lauren growled as she kept her eyes trained on Kate. "I'm not alleging anything. She's been fucking that lawyer for almost a year and even after multiple chances to fix things she hasn't stopped so she can have her whore and whatever else she wants. All I want is a clean split from everything including her goddamn enterprise she's built."

Before Kate could respond Bo sat up. "Well it's that goddamn enterprise that's paid for almost three quarters of your research Doctor. You want to get rid of me I'd say you owe me a thing or two." The tone of voice was calm to the average passerby but Lauren heard the taunt in her words and it lit a fuse inside her. After ten years she knew everything about this woman so even the way Bo breathed or licked her lips slightly told Lauren all she needed to know.

Lauren scowled as she turned to glare at Bo and the second she did the brunette regretted her decision to lash out at her wife. "I owe you something Bo? Seriously? After you were going behind my back all those months with that overpriced slut? I don't owe you a fucking thing Bo Dennis and you know it. If it weren't for my foundation you know exactly where you and the precious enterprise would be. So pardon me if I don't want to continue giving you a place to hide your money so you can keep up the lifestyle that Evony demands."

Bo was going to open her mouth to respond when Kate stood up and put her hands up. "Oookay, ladies ladies. HEY! Stop talking. Both of you. Apparently this was a bad idea and the last time I trust my gut during this mediation. Now sit here quietly, I'm going to call the attorney's back and we can continue on like civilized adults okay?"

Both Bo and Lauren didn't say anything as they continued to glare at each other silently. Kate rolled her eyes slightly as she stood up and walked towards the conference room exit. She pulled her phone out of her pocket as she pushed the door open and waited impatiently.

"Kate Reed's office."

"Leo? It's Kate."

The young assistant leaned back on his desk as he flipped through the file in his hand and nodded even though she couldn't see him. "What can I do for you Kate? Coffee? Have your next appointment wait in the conference room? Ohh wait I can't do any of that since you AREN'T HERE."

Kate rolled her eyes. "Leo…"

He sighed and laughed. "It's fine you can make it up to me later. Seriously what's up?"

Kate sighed as she was pointed down the hall towards Evony's office. "I need a full bio on a Dr. Lauren Lewis and her wife Bo Dennis."

Leo looked confused and chuckled. "Imagine that. All this time in San Francisco and you have to leave to get your first gay case. Liberal LA crowd, so typical."

Kate rolled her eyes. "Leo, if you keep this up I'll make sure you never leave that office. Ever. Not even for doughnuts."

Leo looked alarmed and put a finger up as if Kate were standing in front of him. "Do not joke about doughnuts."

Kate laughed. "The bio's Leo. Call me back when you have them."

She hung up and knocked on Evony's door before opening it and walking into the large corner office. Tamsin was standing on one side of the room on the phone while Evony sat at her desk looking through some files. They both looked up and she sighed as she nodded with her head. "Care to come back and keep the bloodshed to a minimum?"

Evony smirked as she stood up and walked out of the office. "What's the matter counselor? Can't handle it?"

Tamsin didn't say anything as she followed with a smile and Kate did everything in her power to bite her tongue as followed them back to the conference room. Luckily it was still quiet in the room and she could tell neither party had moved while she was gone. Tamsin and Evony resumed their places next to their clients and Kate took her seat at the head of the table once again. "Okay, now that I've had quite the interesting talk with both parties I'd like to make a few suggestions. We have one week to close this mediation otherwise Judge Thompson will make his decision and I can't guarantee how he will chose to resolve this. So, in effort to get through this I'd like to propose we meet again tomorrow after everyone has had time to calm down. Agreed?"

Lauren nodded and Bo followed suit as Tamsin and Evony both nodded knowing this wasn't going to go any easier if they kept delaying the inevitable. Kate smiled and nodded. "Good. Say three o'clock again? Here? And in the meantime, I'd like to meet with Lauren and Bo separately to get their side of this…situation."

Evony nodded and pulled out her phone. "Fine, what time?"

Kate smiled. "I'd like to meet with them without counsel if that's okay with everyone?"

Evony looked up in protest but Bo just sighed. "Fine, whatever will make this go by faster."

Evony looked over at her with concern but didn't argue with her as she just nodded. "Fine, so long as Tamsin lets the good Doctor off her leash as well."

Tamsin rolled her eyes before looking over at Lauren with a neutral look. "You ok with that Lauren?"

Lauren nodded and Tamsin nodded as she sighed. "That's fine. What time would you like to meet with my client?"

Kate gritted her teeth slightly at the formality of the blonde counselor and pulled out her phone. "How about breakfast? 8:00am?"

Lauren nodded and Kate smiled. "Okay and Bo I'll meet with you for lunch?"

Bo nodded. "Fine, just email my assistant with the time and place and I'll be there."

Lauren snorted but didn't say anything and Bo glared at her menacingly. "Problem?"

Lauren shrugged as she looked at her calmly. "No problem. But Kate, if she's running late or doesn't show up at all I'd call Evony as I'm sure she knows where her client is at all times."

Bo licked her lips in annoyance as she huffed and glared at Lauren before standing up. "Like I said, I'll be there and I always keep my word." The last part was directed at Lauren and Bo didn't say another word as she turned and exited the room. Evony rolled her eyes at the dramatics and gathered up her papers loudly. "Well this has been fun Kate. Hope you enjoy your stay in Los Angeles."

Kate gave her a neutral smile as Evony exited the room leaving Tamsin and Lauren alone with the mediator. Lauren gave her a weak smile and shook her head as she stood up and grabbed her own designer bag. "Thank you for coming Kate, I'll meet you at your hotel for breakfast. Where are you staying?"

Kate smiled tiredly. "The Beverly Hills Hotel. Typical I know but my assistant booked it and he's obsessed with the trendy things in life."

Lauren smiled and nodded. "They do a great omelet. See you tomorrow Kate. Tamsin…"

The tall attorney stood up and nodded to Kate as she followed Lauren out of the room. Kate leaned back in the overprice chair and laughed to herself at the ridiculousness of this case. On one side it appeared the blonde was jaded and angry from being cheated on and on the other sat her wife, the adulteress with her mistress by her side as they hashed out one detail that would end their marriage. She wondered what the real story there was and she secretly couldn't wait to find out.

RING RING

"Leo? What did you find out?"

Leo cracked his knuckles as he leaned back in his chair and smiled. "I hope you're sitting down Kate. The two names you gave me, well for starters they are worth tens of billions of dollars collectively."

Kate rolled her eyes. "That's it? That's all you came up with?"

Leo laughed. "Hold on I said that's just for starters. So Bo Dennis, head of Dennis Enterprise controls about a quarter of all international trade in all major commodities worldwide. And her wife, or ex-wife Dr. Lewis? Yeah she's about one discovery away from a Nobel. You are playing mediator to the top one percent of the top one percent Kate. Tread lightly."

Kate nodded as she bit her lip. "Okay, I kind of figured these were heavy hitters. What else?"

Leo skimmed his notes. "Well it appears Ms. Dennis was an overnight billionaire. She seemingly appeared out of thin air one day and brought with her loads and loads of old money."

Kate looked thoughtful. "Okay, that might be something. What about the Doctor?"

Leo looked at his notes. "No, she's born and bred upper crust white class."

Kate laughed. "What did you just say?"

Leo sighed. "Her parents were doctors, their parents were doctors…she's damn near bred for it. If she was a racehorse she'd be known for her pedigree. Kate, this doctor is no joke. She's got connections all the way to Washington."

Kate nodded. "Okay thanks Leo. Anything else?"

Leo sighed. "One more thing…her lawyer, the blonde with legs for days? Be careful with her. She's tied to some Swedish crime family or something. Not a whole lot about her before she was in law school so that sets off my spider sense."

Kate nodded. "Okay I'll call you later once I find out more."

She hung up and tapped her phone on her chin thoughtfully. She could already tell there was way more to this story than meets the eye and now she was going to figure out what that something was. From just spending three minutes alone with the two she could see the wounds were still raw and that's why they were so snappy with each other. She hoped she could appeal to their emotional side and understand what was driving Lauren's resistance to keeping the Dennis Enterprise name with her research as well as why Bo was pushing it so hard. It wouldn't be easy but Kate Reed never came across a case she couldn't handle.