68

Walter had expected them and his Tad let them in, walking them through the main house to the office where Walter waited with Curtis and Jack. None of Walter's awards on display or magazine covers at this house … Ianto had wanted it that way and Walter had agreed. Not the time to remind them that he was their asset, time to see if they knew it or not. This office of Ianto's was lined with pictures of the children and …yeah… a weird one of the Goat with Pru standing on his head like a weird crown between his horns. That was a ripper Ton had caught with his phone. Babs was circling the room silently. Walter watched them sit then said calmly "We are on speaker phone. Conference call with some of my people. So there is clarity and anything said is not misinterpreted later."

"Look… Walt. Let's start by saying the Studio is going to back you as best we can" one of the men said then stopped talking as Ianto leaned forward in a sharp movement.

"As best you can? Not 100%? We know this is a set up? We will deny this? No? Just … as best you can?" Ianto spoke calmly. Low and dangerously. Some in the room knew the warning, even if the one he was looking at didn't.

"We have to investigate this" the man bristled at Ianto's tone "The police have been brought in and rest assured Mister Harkness-Jones…"

"Doctor" Walter cut in "You all know my Tad is a fucking Doctor. A real one. Not just on the show … do not demean him in his own home."

"DOCTOR Harkness-Jones, we simply have to do things by the book. Cover all bases"

"Your arses you mean" Babs spat, her hand waving at him like she was giving a gypsy curse then she started pacing again.

"Look. This family has weathered storms before, this is just a squall. If you look back at past attempts to smear Walter you will see any and all were false." Ianto was still calm "Clearly you think this time is different or maybe it's just that he's not THAT important now you have such a diverse cast on the original show with the new lead so popular ...the spin-off is not as important? Hmmm? Piney not worth protecting as an asset now?"

"It's not like that" the man sighed then turned to address Walter "This is serious. The liability the studio has to weigh up here … Walt. Baby. You understand right? We have to look at the big picture here."

Walter leaned back in his chair as he glanced at his Tad and nodded. Yeah, he saw the big picture. One where Walter Harkness-Jones was no longer the big star … Dale was about to get ranks closed around him too. Fine. Pick a side.

Line drawn!

"I think that's enough for today" George's voice came over the speaker on the table "We are done gentlemen. Bruce?"

"Agreed" another voice chimed in, unmistakable. Just that one word making more than one person do a double take as the unmistakable growl of a Hollywood legend filled the room.

"Right. Piss off then" Babs waved her hands towards the door "Get out and do what you think you need to do while we actually get shit done!"

"Language young lady" Ianto sighed as he watched the men shakily exit the room.

"Right" Bruce said with a sigh "George. We need to talk and Walt … you need to take a knee. Let this roll a little … jumping on it now might not help you as much as letting them dig the hole a little deeper. You want to be vindicated. Righteous. Let them have mud on their faces."

"Shit more like" Babs snarled angrily "Brucie love. You can really get some others involved?"

"Already on it sweetie. Demi is talking with Ashton and some others. Don't worry … they have no idea what they are about to give away."

Ianto nodded as Walter glanced at his father. What was the old man up to now?

Give it away?