Disclaimer as Norm…

LIGHTMAN LOSES IT

Reynolds was standing in front of the large white screen in Lightmans office.

His hands were firmly thrust in his pockets as he stood there riding the wave of fury that Cal Lightman had become.

Gillian alternated between perching on the edge of the couch and standing, ready to intercept every time it looked like Cal was about to hit Ben.

"This is fucking madness – do you hear me Reynolds – purebureaucratic, puerile, tiny minded, idiotic lunacy."

"I Agree"

"Wot kind of bloody morons do you work for? Did they ever get outta kindergarden - no – scratch that – kindergarden kids have more sense"

"I agree"

"Well if you think…!"

"Cal!, PLEASE!" Gillian tried to intervene in the short moment he stopped to take a breath. "It's not Bens fault – you have to stop yelling at him"

Cal seemed to calm down slightly, but then he was off again….

"So ok- it's not your fault – but you can go back and tell those pathetic idiots you work for, and tell them that I have fully accessed Foster, and I am one hundred per cent sure that she is longer under ANY kind of influence from that damned cult"

"Cal, man – I have already told them that, but they just aren't prepared to take the risk…they just wanna see how she gets on over a period of time - they'll calm down, but in the mean time they don't want Foster working on any government cases. They are just trying to be careful, try and see it from their point of view…"

"No I bloody won't – because their point of view is based on nuffin! I am the expert…isn't that why they employ me?"

"Sure…sure, but under the circumstances…they just feel that you might be a bit…well…bias – and that's why they want….well...they want an independent assessment done as well – one now, and one in 3 months time"

"A WHAT? - An independent assessment! – by who?"

Ben dropped his head and Gill could see he was now becoming extremely worried about what he had to say next.

This meant only one thing…..

"Jack, I think he wants to tell you they have chosen Jack to do it Cal"

Ben flashed Gill a look of thanks.

"RADAR! – You can't be serious Reynolds? ..you better tell me that Foster is wrong and quick before something in this office goes out the window!"

"I tried to tell them that it wasn't a good idea Lightman, but they say he is the next best to you…"

"Cal – I don't mind – honestly" Gill tried again to calm him down.

"NO – nah Reynolds, not gonna happen – NO WAY…Tell them to stuff their bloody contract and find someone else to sort out their screw ups and solve their cases"

"Cal – You can't do that! That contract – the retainer – we need that, it's a large part of our revenue…"

"Don't care! - we did ok without them before- and we can again!...I'd rather take on a whole load of 'cheating spouse' cases…In fact- that's exactly wot I will do coz at least they don't try and dictate to me what staff I can or cannot use on the cases"

Ben realised further attempts at reasoning at this time would be fruitless so he just shook his head, smiled at Gill, scowled at Lightman and left the office muttering that he would give him a few days to think about it.

Gill stood up and tried to look assertive.

"Did it occur to you at anytime to confer with me before making decisions like that? – I AM still an equity partner Cal"

"AND!...Don't tell me you would have agreed to that absurd idea any more than I did…I mean…Radar!...assess you! - that arse can't even work out wot street mime acts are all about let alone assess someone with your skill and training"

"Well thank you – I think- for the compliment on my abilities…and for your trust in me Cal. I really mean that..but have you stopped to think that if we lose the FBI contract we will lose Ben as well? And all the FBI facilities that we now enjoy"

Cal finally sat down. he scrubbed his face in is hands and then ran them through his hair leaving spiky bits sticking up.

"Actually – no – I didn't….But it doesn't change my decision! We can persuade Reynolds to come and work for us, an he can still cash in on some of his contacts when he needs to….."

Gill sat next to him and started fingering bits of his hair to try and straighten it out a bit.

"Ben's right – lets just think about it for a few days…maybe we can work out a compromise when we've all calmed down a bit"

Cal snorted – it was a definite snort of disbelief.

"Are stayin with me tonight luv?"

"Is Emily at her mothers?"

"Yeah for the next couple of days"

"Well then it will be my pleasure…and yours of course"

This finally managed a small grin from her frustrated partner.