A/N: This will be the last chapter posted until the New Year. Happy holidays to all! See you in 2021.


~ Chapter 36 ~

John drummed his fingers on the elevator walls as he rose to the top floor of one of Salem's oldest buildings. It had been painstakingly refurbished and restored to its former glory, and now housed professional offices of every description. A muted chime signalled that the lift had reached its destination.

The doors opened onto a gleaming reception desk, its cherry wood polished to a high sheen. The young woman seated behind it eyed John speculatively as he approached. Although she knew perfectly well who he was, discretion required that she feign ignorance.

"May I help you, sir?"

"Yes, you can. The name's John Black. I have an appointment with Jeff Lupin."

"Very well, Mr. Black. If you'll just take a seat in our waiting area, I'll let Mr. Lupin know you've arrived."

John had barely eased himself into one of the soft chairs when the receptionist called to him.

"Mr. Black? Mr. Lupin will see you now."

The guy scores points for not keeping me waiting.

Despite this initial good impression, John's stomach was in knots as he followed the receptionist to Lupin's office. Although he could see the merit in Kate's suggestion that he file for divorce in order to spur Marlena to remember him and their love, he was petrified that the scheme would backfire. If only he could have used Frankie for this. He would've been so much more comfortable dealing with an old friend. Unfortunately, these were the cards he'd been dealt, so he'd have to let this guy in on the secret. It would be the only way to ensure that nothing they put in place would be irrevocable.

Jeff Lupin's office was at the end of a long hallway, and John attempted to distract himself by staring at the works of art that adorned the walls. Most of it appeared expensive, but it wasn't his taste. Finally, his escort opened a door and ushered him in.

The first thing to catch John's eye were the bookshelves. They stretched from floor to ceiling, and were crammed with law tomes of various shapes and sizes.

Wow! If he's actually read all of those, he'll have an impressive body of knowledge.

Turning his gaze to the desk, John was surprised to note that the tall-backed chair and its occupant were facing away from him.

How rude.

Then the chair spun around, and John did a double take. Although the man who came into view sported the requisite dark suit, he looked unlike any lawyer John had ever seen. There was no tie under his jacket, merely a simple white t-shirt. Tiny gold hoops adorned both of his ears. As for his hair, it was enough to give any balding man a severe case of envy. Long and blond, he wore it pulled back into a low ponytail.

Jeff stood up and extended his hand. His grip was firm, which raised him another notch in John's esteem. There was nothing worse than a man with a limp handshake.

"Welcome to my office, Mr. Black. I'm Jeff Lupin."

"Nice to meet you."

"Please, sit down. Can I have my assistant get you some coffee?"

"Yeah, that'd be great. Thanks."

Jeff spoke briefly into the intercom on his desk, then eased his lanky frame down into his chair. He couldn't help but notice that John was still staring.

"In spite of my unorthodox appearance, Mr. Black, I'm a very competent attorney. Some would say I'm the best in town."

John had the grace to look embarrassed.

"Sorry. It's just…"

"I know. I don't look like a typical lawyer. I've found it can be quite an advantage in the courtroom. Keeps my opponents off balance."

John chuckled. Before the conversation could resume, there was a knock at the door, and a young woman with flaming red hair walked in to the office, carrying two steaming mugs of coffee on a tray. She set them down in front of the men, placed a small pitcher of cream, some sugar, two spoons and a few napkins on the desk, then quietly withdrew, her exit as unobtrusive as her entrance. After both men had flavoured their beverage to their liking, Jeff spoke again.

"Let's get down to business, shall we? I understand from the notes my assistant took that it's your intention to file for a divorce. Is that correct?"

"Well… sort of."

"What does that mean? Are you having second thoughts?"

Weighing his potential responses, John decided honesty would be the best policy.

"The truth is, I don't want to divorce my wife."

"Then why are you here?"

"I need her to think that I want to divorce her."

"I'm sorry, but you've lost me."

"Here's the deal. My wife has amnesia. She doesn't remember a thing about our life together, or the love we shared. In fact, she recently kicked me out of our home."

"Because she doesn't remember you?"

"Uh, no. Because I believe the therapist who's treating her is an incompetent quack, and I made the mistake of telling her that."

"So, she asked you to leave because you don't get along with her psychiatrist? That seems like a rather extreme reaction."

"It's all his doing."

"The doctor?"

"Yeah. He's poisoned her mind against me. She says she needs time alone with him so that they can make more progress in their sessions, but I'm not buying it."

"What do you think is really going on?"

"He's brainwashed her into getting rid of me. He has no intention of helping her regain her memories, and I was the one calling him on that."

"I see." Jeff paused to scribble a few notes on a yellow legal pad, before glancing up at John once more. "What do you hope to accomplish by filing for divorce?"

"I'm hoping that it shocks her into remembering us. That she'll be so stunned to get the papers that it'll snap her out of this fog she's in, and North will be the one kicked to the curb, where he belongs."

"North? He's the psychiatrist?"

"Yep. Claims he's an expert in the treatment of amnesia. You couldn't tell that from where I'm sitting."

"Since you clearly don't want the divorce to go through, what are you asking of me?"

"I want you to prepare the papers and make sure she gets a copy, but I don't want you to actually file them."

"Hmm… Don't you think she'll figure it out? All her lawyer will have to do is make a few phone calls, and he'll quickly discover that you're faking."

"You say you're the best. I'm sure you can find a way to circumvent that little problem."

Jeff leaned back in his chair, his face a mask of contemplation, as his mind replayed an earlier conversation.

A sultry voice had greeted him from the other end of the phone.

"Jeff? It's Kate. We need to talk."

"Hello, Kate. It's been a while. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"There's someone coming to see you."

"And you know this how?"

"I'm the one who recommended you. You're the only person I trust to make sure my plan doesn't fail."

"I'm flattered, I think. What does this guy want with me?"

"Did I say it was a man?"

"Kate! Remember who you're talking to."

"Okay, yes, it is a man. It's John."

"John Black? The guy you were engaged to?"

"The very same one. He's going to be asking you to file divorce papers for him."

"You mean he's finally come to his senses where you're concerned?"

"I wish! But I am trying to nudge him down the right path."

"So, if he's not asking for a divorce in order to be with you, why does he want it?"

"He doesn't, really. That's why I'm calling."

"This is confusing, darling, even for someone as clever as myself. Explain it to me."

"John's wife, Marlena, has amnesia. He wants her back, but she doesn't remember him, and is spending all her time with her therapist. Personally, I think something might be going on between them."

"I don't need the gossip, Kate. Just give me the facts."

"Alright, fine. I suggested to John that he might be able to shock Marlena into coming back to him by filing for divorce. He's agreed to do it, as long as you either don't file the papers, or you stall the proceedings for as long as possible."

"So, he'll be demanding that I take part in an elaborate ruse, then."

"Don't sound so scandalized, Jeff. It wouldn't be the first time."

"You're right. This sounds simple enough, actually. Why are we talking?"

"Can't you guess?"

"Of course, I can. Your heart's desire is for John to be available again. So, you want me to trick my client into thinking I'm doing his bidding when, in point of fact, I'd be expediting the divorce, not delaying it."

"You're good!"

"I know. What's in it for me?"

"Name your price…"

"Mr. Lupin?"

John's voice broke into Jeff's thoughts.

"I'm sorry. I was just considering how best to accommodate your request, and I believe I've come up with a solution."

"You have? That's great! So, you can make my wife think that I want a divorce without my actually having to go through with it?"

"It will be no trouble at all, Mr. Black. Your wife will have no clue as to your true intentions. I guarantee it."

"Terrific! Thanks so much, Mr. Lupin. I appreciate you taking my case."

"You're welcome, Mr. Black. I'll be in touch."

The men shook hands, and John made a hasty exit. Picking up his private line, Jeff punched in seven digits.

"Kate, it's Jeff. Good news. John agreed to let me represent him. I assure you, by this time next week, he'll be well on his way to being a free man."