Love and Consequences
Chapter 9
War Council
A/N: A quick thank you to all of my loyal readers…you have motivated me to let the preverbal cat out of the bag. Before I do so, a couple of reminders are in order :
Please remember that London is 5-6 hours ahead of Hartford, therefore, Monday would come first in London, then in Hartford.
Also, italics indicate thoughts.
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(Monday, 5:00 pm- London)
Logan had only just managed to get the delivery sent before the close of business. And the 150 euros it had cost him was nothing, but managing to get the all important flower arrangement sent without anyone knowing who it was from proved to be quite a problem. Thankfully, his secretary had a soft spot for young love. Once he finally explained that the daisies were a surprise for his girlfriend in the hospital, she had volunteered to personally ensure that the utmost care was taken to guarantee complete anonymity.
Logan was beat. Every muscle in his body ached and his head felt as if it would explode at any minute. The sleepless nights had definitely taken a toll on him, but it was the emotional stress of his daily life that was crushing him. And Colin's little impromptu visit had only been the start of what turned into the weekend from hell. In a few hours, Rory would receive her daisies. She would know he was thinking about her. That thought would be the only comfort from what had just been the 8 most intense hours of his life.
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(FLASHBACK: 7:45am, Monday- London)
Logan beat everyone to the office on that particular Monday. He stood pacing in his office, anxiously awaiting the inevitable knock at his door. Finally he heard the courier speaking to his secretary. She opened the door after a cursory knock. She offered the package and motioned for his signature. He eagerly signed for the parcel. This was it. The results were in.
The large envelope laid there on his desk for a good half hour before he worked up the nerve to open it. That envelope held the key to his future. This test, those results were his last shred of hope. At last he decided that he had to get it over with. As he scanned through the percentages and detailed scientific findings and data, he wasn't sure if he was correctly comprehending all that he read…until he reached the last paragraph:
"Based on the above outlined results provided through genetic mapping, it has been determined that although the sample of DNA submitted DOES belong to a primary or secondary member of the Huntzberger lineage, Logan Elias Huntzberger has been positively excluded as the biological father of this child." Logan let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding.
He had to sit down. What did this mean? Then it dawned on him, I'm not Helena's father. He reveled in the joy and the relief that overcame him. Relief. Rejuvenation. A second chance at life and love. Yes, a true renaissance in the life of one Logan Huntzberger. He was so grateful that he wasn't the father that he hadn't even thought about who it could be. He simply took the first steps necessary to get back to Rory – he took the results to his father.
Knock. Knock. Logan waited restlessly for Mitchum to grant him entrance.
"Come in." Mitchum called.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you, so I had to come let you see it with your own eyes." Logan said as he handed the papers to his father.
"Is this what I think it is?"
"Just read it." Logan stood there watching his father's expressions change from concentration to what looked like relief to what he was sure was pure outrage. "What's wrong Dad? This is it. I am out. I, no, we can go home and forget this mess ever happened. Why aren't you happy about this?"
"Son, did you read this? I mean really read it. I am thrilled that the Scotland Yard findings were wrong. I am elated that you were right and we were all wrong. This is never what I wanted for you. You know that. But, what this also means is we have to find out just who the mysterious Huntzberger father is. Don't you get it? We were set up! Played! Lied to! That girl has known you weren't the father all along! They used us! And I won't have it! I won't stand for it! No one comes after me and my family and lives to tell about it!" Mitchum explained, his voice rising with every word.
"I hadn't even thought about that. You're right. That letter says that the child is a Huntzburger. I can't believe this. It just keeps on going and going…the punches just keep on coming. Will it ever end?"
"Logan, I know that you have been through a lot. I know that you are heart broken and distraught and stressed out beyond belief. I know that you want nothing more than to be home with Rory. But, son, we have to deal with this first. I promise, Logan, I will have you on a jet back to a certain blue-eyed beauty just as soon as feasible."
Logan stood there for a long moment and let an exasperated sigh out at last. "Alright. What now?" he asked, knowing that there was no way he was getting out of this and that the damage with Rory and his friends was already done. He might as well take care of this situation now because he had a feeling that in order to fix the situation at home, it would require complete dedication of his time and efforts. He was brought out of his thoughts as Mitchum spoke up.
"Now? Now we circle the wagons. Now we strategize. The war council is called to order. I am going to call an emergency meeting of all the legal advisors and our closest PR personnel. I want you on the phone to Dr. Wilder's office. He's been on staff with us here in the UK for years. He can be trusted. I will contact our top investigators as well. We need all hands on deck here, Logan, but only those we can trust. That means that no one else can know, especially the Langsfords. It is entirely possible that this was all an elaborate plot by the Langsfords for corporate or political advantage. Until we are sure, they can't know anything has changed. You have to keep up appearances and that means that you must continue to work and live here, with Helena and her mother -until we figure out what the next step is. Someone will pay for this, I assure you."
Mitchum was on a war path. He had seen it before at the office, in hostile take overs and such. He hadn't liked it then, and he liked it even less now.
"It's not like I really have a choice here, do I?"
"Unfortunately, no. This is the future and security of the Huntzberger family and fortune we are talking about, Logan. It can't be taken lightly. Meet me conference room 3 in an hour. We have a lot to get done. Move." Mitchum ended, effectively dismissing Logan.
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A little over an hour later Logan and Mitchum were holed up in conference room 3 with Dr. Wilder, Stewart Willington- his father's lead attorney, and a half dozen others, comprised of more lawyers, PR reps, and, of course, the private investigators.
Once everyone had been apprised of the circumstances that brought them all together, it was time to get down to the nitty gritty.
"Well, obviously our first priority is to find out who the enigmatic Hutzberger father is." Mr. Willington interjected.
"I guess that is my department," John Dower, their head investigator chimed in, "but I will need some where to start. Some firm dates and places…"
"The letter states that the father is not further than a secondary relation," Dr. Wilder comments, "which means that it could only be a brother or cousin."
One of the other investigators piped up, "But it's just you and Honor, right Logan? And as for cousins.."
Mr. Willington saw Mitchum's eyes go dark and he knew he needed to step in. "Why don't we all take a moment to break? We've been at this for hours and I am sure we could all use a minute to stretch and get a bite to eat." He looked at Mitchum, "We'll meet back here in say 45 minutes?"
"Yes, it is nearly dinner time. Let's meet back here in an hour." Mitchum agreed.
Logan was glad to get out of there. He glanced at his watch. It was already 4:00pm. Man the hours just seem to fly by when you're having fun, he thought to himself. If I hurry, maybe I can still get something over to the hospital for Rory. I can't be there just yet, but I want her to know that I want to be. I want to be there. I want to be with her. It will be my head if dad or the Langsfords find out, but I'll manage somehow. She and I have never needed words. Then something occurred to him…Daisies. I'll send daisies. Then, she'll know everything I want to say but can't.
(END FLASHBACK)
