They who love most are least valued

Tuesday 23rd May 14:55

Cheryl and Steve stood side by side, their eyes scanning across the crowds now amassed on the Simmons' back lawn. Tables of food extended down one edge of the pristine green grass and smaller tables surrounded by chairs were scattered all around.

"I'm choking in this thing," Steve complained tugging at the black tie that hung neatly around his neck. He wore a smart black suit over a white shirt, and Cheryl was dressed in what could be described as the 'female' equivalent of his funeral attire.

"Here he comes" Cheryl whispered and as Steve followed her gaze his eyes fell on his father who was making his way towards them.

When he reached them he asked quietly "how did the burial go?"

"Very quietly" Steve responded "and so far Lexie and Corrine have kept the show up here too."

Mark turned and saw the two women in question, dressed head to toe in black and both clearly enjoying the sympathy being lavished on them by numerous guests. "Corrine called me" Mark explained "asked me to come and talk to Luis, it seems he's hidden himself away in his room."

"She told us she'd invited you over" Cheryl replied.

"Well, I'd better go and check on him, leave you to it down here" Mark smiled and entered the house.

"Think we're wasting our time?" Steve asked once his father had left.

Cheryl again scanned the guests assembled in the garden "all the players are here" she observed, "we just have to hope one of them makes a move."

Tuesday 23rd May 15:48

Fifty minutes later most of the guests had made their exits, but the nucleus of Max's family and friends remained. Steve returned from his wander around the garden and as he climbed the steps to the house Cheryl was heading his way. "Think you should see this" she told him quietly and led the way to the lounge. Standing just outside the doorway the two detectives waited and observed.

"I don't even know why you came here" Corrine blasted at Alex Simmons.

"I came to pay my respects to my brother, I have a right to do that don't I?" he yelled back.

"You've paid your respects now leave"

"I'm waiting for Lexie and Luis to come down, I want to make sure they are alright."

"If you cared so much for Lexie" Corrine spat "you'd have informed me and Max the moment she told you what that creep Green was up to. Instead I hear it second hand from the police."

Alex pointed at her "Matthew Green was your fault. You brought him here and you set the example for Lexie, you showed her that it's OK to sleep around. She confided in me and I wasn't going to break her trust."

"Son" Mark whispered, and Steve turned around, "have you seen Luis?" Steve shook his head and Cheryl did the same. Mark grimaced "he got upset and ran out on me, I've looked all over the house but I can't find him."

Alex Simmons came barging out past them "need a cigarette" he mumbled and yanked open the front door, slamming it with a thud as he trotted down the steps.

Steve glanced at Cheryl then turned to his father "I guess we can help you, but only for a few minutes, I want to keep my eye on this pair" he signalled to Michael Kent and Craig Emerson who were in deep discussion by the foot of the stairs.

After a short search Luis was still nowhere to be found. "I guess he'll show up when he's ready" Mark shrugged glumly. Kent and Emerson were no longer by the stairs, but before Steve could query their whereabouts his attention was drawn to the lounge by a sudden crash. All three hurried to find the source of the noise, entering to see a broken vase lying on the floor, and just in time to witness Corrine slap Lexie across the face,

"You little slut" Corrine yelled at her daughter.

Steve strode across and put himself between the two women "that's enough" he warned.

Lexie squealed, "Arrest her!"

"Don't be stupid" Corrine derided.

"Both of you please calm down" Steve sighed.

"He's right" a voice from the sofa chipped in and Steve turned to see both Michael Kent and Craig Emerson sitting there. Kent spoke again "today is supposed to be about Max, not about you two fighting over a zero like Matthew Green."

"Like you're here for Max" Craig Emerson sneered "and not to sweet talk Corrine into selling all of Max's shares to you."

"Grow up Craig" Kent shouted, "it was all very nice having this agreement that we'd always deal fairly and squarely together, but in case you hadn't noticed we aren't partners in a goddam lemonade stall here. SKE is a multi million-dollar corporation, Corrine has a right to sell to the highest bidder and that would be me."

Emerson shook his head "It was all agreed, the two remaining partners would get first refusal on half the shares."

"You know as well as I do that there's a loophole the size of the Grand Canyon in that agreement" Kent laughed. "Even if there wasn't" he continued "It would take you months to raise the capital for half of the shares even at the reduced price." He turned to Corrine "honey, ask the company lawyers, the agreement we made was drawn up by an imbecile, there is nothing on paper stopping you from selling to whoever you want at whatever price." He paused and smiled "I'm telling you now I'll give you a good deal."

Still standing in the doorway Cheryl and Mark both raised their eyebrows. There was a noise behind them and Alex Simmons brushed past them as he walked back into the room.

"Max would be sick if he could hear you talking about money like that" Emerson gushed "SKE was never meant to make us rich, it was supposed to be our dream, the three of us working together."

"Sure Craig" Kent laughed again "but it was SKE's money that bought you that house and that car and let you live the lifestyle you wanted. All that cash but still you blew it, I don't know how you did it buddy, you must be one lousy card player."

"Max never…."

"Don't talk to me about Max, alright Craig" Kent stood and began waving his arms. "You sit there and criticise me for what? For wanting to give Corrine and the kids the chance to detach themselves from SKE and make a fair profit in the process. You begged Max to stay so that you wouldn't have to sell out to me, so you'd have a chance to make some money back. You didn't care about Max, I'm a businessman Craig, but you are just a leech!"

"Are you two finished?" Alex Simmons asked. Steve turned and noticed for the first time that Lexie was holding tightly onto her uncle. Realising that the spotlight was again turning her way she began to sob,

"Give it a break Lexie," her mother scolded and Steve sensed another storm brewing.

"I will not give it a break," Lexie shouted back, slipping free of her uncles embrace. "You've spent all day shedding your crocodile tears, but I know you were checking out half the guys here, seeing who can fill dad's shoes, or should I say his bed?"

Corrine stepped forward towards her daughter but Steve reached out an arm to hold her back. "I loved your father" Corrine declared,

"You loved his money" Lexie hollered back,

"And so did you" Corrine retorted. "I loved Max but I loved being Mrs Max Simmons too, I admit it. And you loved being his daughter, being stopped when you were with him out on the street, the way your name opens doors for you. You loved everything he had to offer you."

A movement at the other end of the room caught Steve's eye. He abandoned his position as human barrier between Corrine and Lexie and made his way quietly towards the back wall. There tucked up in a corner with his chin resting on his knees sat Luis Simmons. As Steve got closer Luis' head shot up, he spotted Steve and made a dash for the door. Mark attempted to stop him as he rushed past but the young boy was too quick, and soon they heard a door upstairs slam.

The room fell silent. Lexie resumed her position engulfed in her uncle's arms and Craig Emerson and Michael Kent again sat motionless side by side on the sofa. Mark approached Corrine Simmons as Cheryl and Steve looked on. "I think you should go and talk to Luis" Mark told Corrine.

She shook her head "he needs time to himself, I told you he's a private sort of a boy."

Mark grimaced "I don't know, I really think he needs somebody to be with him now."

"I'll go" Alex offered,

"No" Corrine snapped "you treat him just like you did Max."

"What does that mean?"

"You always thought Max was some sort of fool, not masculine enough for you. Just because he didn't join you in your drinking binges and….you know. Not everybody responds to a slap on the back Alex."

Steve and Cheryl cast their eyes to the ceiling as a faint thump sounded from above.

"Corrine" Mark tried again "I really think you should go up and see him, even if it's just for a little while." This time she seemed to consider his suggestion more seriously.

"Mark, it's a dreadful thing to admit, but I wouldn't know what to say to him. He and Max were so close; whenever Luis had a problem it was Max he would go to not me. He is so like his father, sensitive and sweet." She smiled "Max used to joke that he and Luis were the last of the nice guys."

Mark looked towards the doorway and back at Corrine "I'll go up" he told her and she smiled in response. As Mark crossed the room Mrs Simmons turned her attention to Steve,

"Detective Sloan, I'd like you and your partner to leave now" she began curtly, then turning her attention to the rest of the remaining guests added, "actually, I'd like you all to leave now."

Michael Kent and Craig Emerson rose from the sofa and straightened their ties before making their way silently towards the door. Steve headed towards Cheryl but as he turned back towards the room he noticed Alex Simmons had not moved from his position by the window, where he still had his arms wrapped protectively around his niece. "Lexie" Corrine muttered without emotion "I think you should go to your room now, Uncle Alex will be leaving". Remarkably the young girl did not answer back but slipped free of her uncles arms and kissed his cheek before leaving the room with her head bowed. Steve and Cheryl followed her into the hallway and watched her ascend the stairs. Alyson was waiting by the front door to show them out.

In the car Cheryl asked "Did show time throw any light onto the subject?"

Steve shook his head and watched Alex Simmons walk down the steps and get into his car. "It explains why Emerson was so keen for Max to stay with SKE, he couldn't afford to buy half the shares if Max left and with a majority Kent would no doubt try and squeeze him out."

"But he's no better off now Max is dead" Cheryl observed.

Steve sighed "I'll tell you one thing, I feel really sorry for Max Simmons. If he was such a nice guy he really didn't deserve to be surrounded by such a selfish, soulless bunch."

Cheryl smiled "hey, as they say, what's a funeral without a fight?"

Steve laughed as they answered in unison "dead boring."