Dan Scott marched into the small conference room with a purpose. His presence was always commanding, his stature large, his face a perfect balance of charm and intimidation. He had called the meeting with urgency and just as expected, the three associates had shown up with curiosity and punctuality. He was a powerful man, one used to getting what he wanted and intended it to be no different than any other time.

"Mr. Scott," Gary Marshall nodded at him.

Gary Marshall, attorney at law, had been employed by the Scott family for years. He was more than a lawyer, also seen as a trusted advisor. Long apart of the coveted inner circle, it would only be fitting that he be involved.

"Gary," Dan shook his head. "Always a pleasure to see you."

"Usually under more pleasant circumstances. You sounded concerned over the telephone. You also said this meeting was urgent, mandatory. Please fill us in on the basis of your apprehension."

Dan cleared his throat, straightened his tie and took a seat at the head of the table.

"First, let me thank the three of you for attending on such short notice. I do apologize but as noted, this is quite imperative."

"Yes sir."

"Forgive me for sounding like a broken record but I must first mention trust. Honesty, loyalty. We have been doing this together for a lot of years. Need I go on?" he asked as the three shook their heads. "Very well. What is to be talked about today, will not leave this conference room."

The second party looked right at Dan. Perhaps he was the only one in the room with more clout. The apple certainly hadn't fallen very far from the tree.

"Get on with it, son," Royal Scott commanded. "What's this about?"

Dan took a deep breath.

"Rather, you should say who, Dad. We need to discuss someone very near and dear to all four of our hearts, someone we love and care for very much. Nathan."

Royal made a face.

"What's the boy gone and done now?"

"He hasn't done anything. I'm more afraid of what is being done to him."

"Do clarify, sir," Gary looked on with renewed interest.

He had been dealing with the family for a number of years. He had been at the top of the Scott's payroll, his main duty covering up many of Nathan's debacles.

"We have a problem. In fact, we have a huge problem. I have a thorn in my side. There is a weasel in the henhouse, so to speak."

Gary smirked.

"You haven't used that dialogue, Mr. Scott since Nathan met Asher Fields."

Dan looked annoyed but the senior Scott appeared rather amused.

"And we all know how that one turned out. Now get to the heart of the matter, son. As we've seen from past experiences, sometimes these issues have a way of taking care of themselves."

Dan frowned.

"This is far more serious than some trashy, low life, stripper. We have bigger concerns and the one standing front and center goes by the name of Haley Webb."

"Haley Webb?" Gary rifled through his briefcase. "That's the name of Nathan's new traveling nurse, correct?"

"Unfortunately. I take it you have not had the pleasure, and I use that term in its most sarcastic form, of meeting her?"

"No sir."

"I have," Royal leaned back. "What seems to be the problem with the little phillie?"

"Annoying, incompetent and generally in my way are a good starting point. Normally that would be enough to have fired her ass a long time ago but apparently, the family has simply fallen in love with this girl. I've tried and tried but it looks like she'll be harder to get rid of than a bad case of herpes."

"Have you actually tried replacing her, sir?"

"Of course. I found an excellent registered nurse with impeccable credentials, and not too bad on the eyes either. She lasted all of five seconds. It was quite the embarrassing scene. Nathan refused to have any part of it."

"What's this Webb girl's story?" Royal lit a cigar.

"That's what I'm trying to figure out. On paper, she's as clean as a whistle. Her background screening was flawless, her credentials checked out. But there is something with her. Something isn't right. I sense an ulterior motive somewhere and I am quite suspicious. She's a little too eager for my taste."

"Go on."

"She knows way too much about this family already, thanks to my dope head, pill popping wife. And she is way too curious for her own good. I even caught her trying to pump Deb for information once when she was whacked out on drugs."

Gary raised an eyebrow. When was Deb Scott not whacked out on drugs?

"Did Mrs. Scott say anything too damning?"

"Damning enough. She mentioned Daunte Johnson."

The four exchanged worried glances.

"How would the Webb girl even know anything about Johnson?"

"She doesn't and I intend to keep it that way. But she was certainly interested to find more out."

"I'll talk to Nathan," Gary spoke. "He isn't stupid, besides, I've been in that kid's corner way too many times. I've never let him or this family down. Once he sees the potential danger…the risks aren't worth it. Neither are the consequences."

"Exactly," Dan agreed. "But apparently my younger son is thinking with the head in his pants, opposed to the one attached on top of his shoulders. It appears Miss Webb is using her womanly charms to get inside Nate's brain."

Gary sighed.

"Is he sleeping with her?"

"I don't think so but I can't be sure. It's only a matter of time."

Royal blew out a ring of smoke.

"Son, I think you're overreacting. You know how Nathan is. If the boy even beds this gal, the fling would be over before it would start. He'd move on to the next thing leaving Miss Haley heartbroken. She'll resign and move on and we don't have to lift a finger. Besides, take a good look at her. She's cute but she's not Nathan's type. She's too…too quirky and homely. It would never last."

"I agree," Gary nodded. "I understand your concerns, Mr. Scott but perhaps trying to halt a sexual relationship isn't in our best interest. Your father called it right on the money."

Dan rubbed his palms together. They didn't understand.

"She has this…this hold on him. For God's sake the other night in New York she convinced him to blow off the important meeting you set up, Dad, and they disappeared in some elevator off giggling and cavorting like two teenagers. That isn't like Nathan. I'm afraid he may develop real feelings for her. Once that happens…God, we shudder to even think about it."

"How do you propose handling the situation?" Royal inquired of his son.

"Get rid of her."

"How?" Gary asked. "You already said Nathan is taken with her. He'll never fire her."

"I have come to realize that, which is precisely why we must get to the bottom of this. Exactly who is Haley Webb? Sweet, funny, cute little Florida based nurse just doing her job and trying to fit in? That's certainly what my son thinks. I, however, happen to disagree. I have the feeling not everything is as perfect as Little Miss Perfect wants us to think. She is not who she says she is."

"Who do you think she is, sir?"

"I'm not sure. Money could be a very possible motive. Who knows? She could be an, associate, of some sort, of one of the many businessmen Nathan and I have encountered over the years."

"Like a spy?"

"I wouldn't rule out anything."

"I don't know, sir…"

"Let's not jump the gun, son," Royal regained control. "Let's take this one step at a time. No sense in creating a mess if we don't need to. Personally, I say step back, watch Nathan mess it all up and let the puppy love self destruct. But if you are that concerned, I will respect your wishes."

"Thank you."

"What we will do is go beyond the basic background check. We will hire the finest private investigators to find out every piece of information out there on Haley Webb. If there is any dirt, we will get it."

"And?"

Royal laughed.

"And we will make her regret the day she laid eyes on this family."

"And if there is nothing?" Gary posed.

"Our jobs are made that much easier. My grandson will love her and leave her so fast, it'll make her head swim. What am I always telling you all? Work smarter, not harder."

"Perfect," Dan breathed, satisfied. "That's exactly what we'll do. I will immediately launch an extensive investigation of Haley Webb."

"No," the fourth person spoke up for the first time. "Allow me. Please."

Dan, Royal and Gary exchanged glances before quick thought.

"If you are up to it although I must say, you did disappoint me by not taking my prior grievances seriously."

"Well now I do. And I'm going to prove it to you. I'll take care of this thing with Haley."

Royal gave an appreciative glance.

"Atta girl."

Dan sat back, pleased as well.

"I trust that you will handle this to the greatest of your ability."

"Have I ever let you down before?"

He looked right at her.

"No, Peyton. No, you haven't."