Monday morning found Shirley Schmidt in her office sipping a cup of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. She had been there since seven AM. Like many of the attorneys in her firm, she liked to get an early start on her day. Today was supposed to be an easy one as she was not scheduled to be in court or meet with any of her clients. Just a day to catch up on paperwork and perhaps, leave at a reasonable hour. At least that's what I was planning before Alan's call on Saturday. As usual, he had been his characteristically cryptic self. "Background check" he had said. I hope he never has the urge to run a "background check" on me! She was so deep in thought that when a shadow came across her desk, she jumped.

"That is not the reaction I was hoping for," Carl said as he leaned down to claim her mouth with his own. He broke off the kiss. "After last night I thought we'd be sleeping in; imagine my consternation when I awoke alone. We're not even married yet and already I've lost my touch?"

She stood up and embraced him. "Absolutely not. In fact, last night was so…satisfying that I slept the sleep of the totally satisfied and debauched and that is why I am so refreshed right now."

"Oh, is that so? Tell me, Carl, how did you manage to do that? And spare no details!"

They broke apart at the sound of Denny's voice at the doorway. "Don't you ever knock, Crane?" Carl snarled in mock anger and real frustration.

"Door's open."

Shirley walked around Carl to stand in front of her desk which allowed Denny a chance to appreciate the form – fitting, exquisitely tailored navy blue skirt suit she was wearing. The pastel pink man – tailored blouse she wore was open at the neck with a pink and navy scarf. "You look beautiful as always, Shirley. What's with the scarf? Does that have anything to do with last night?"

The platinum blonde rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Is there something you wanted, Denny?"

"Yes. I want to hire another attorney for Wills, Estates and Trusts. His name is Ben Tomlinson; he can start immediately. He's a good guy."

"I'm sure he is a perfectly lovely man, Denny; however, I don't approve the hire of anyone sight unseen. I need to meet this Ben."

"And then you'll approve his hire?"

"And then, I'll think about it. Can he be here this afternoon at four?"

"I'll see to it. I have some articles I'm late reading so I'll leave you two to whatever it was you were doing. See you later," Denny said as he turned and headed back to his office.

Carl walked over to the door and shut it. "'I have some articles to read' is Denny – speak for 'I have the latest issue of Jugs magazine and want to look at it.'"

Shirley laughed as she moved up behind him and circled her arms around him. "This is one of those times I wish we didn't have glass walls. I suggest you leave before we scandalize the neighbors and scare the horses."

He laughed and dropped a kiss upon her nose before leaving. "I'll see you later."

She watched him walk down the hallway to the conference room before she closed the door and walked back to her desk. She picked up her phone and pressed "3" on her speed dial. The call was answered on the third ring.

"Alan Shore."

"I'm meeting Denny and this Ben Tomlinson at four this afternoon."

"I understand. My investigator said he has information for me; I'm meeting him at one. If it's juicy, I'll be there for the meeting. I'll see you later."

"I hope so."

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Alan arrived at Toby's Shamrock Pub at a quarter to one and took a seat at the booth farthest from the entrance. He ordered a beer and an order of fries. Toby's made awesome burgers, he and Denny tried to get here often, but today he just wanted to take care of business and eating a burger didn't mix with that.

At exactly one, he saw his private investigator come through the door. He waved him back to his booth while signaling the bartender to bring a beer for his companion. The man sat down just as his beer arrived. He took a deep draw from it and sighing contentedly said, "Hello, Alan. Not only are you giving me a thousand dollar bonus on top of my fee for being expedient with getting this info, you're going to give me another thousand because of what I brought you."

Alan popped a fry into his mouth and said, "Is that so, Robert?" before reaching for the envelope the PI proffered. He extracted the report and began scanning. He flipped through a few pages and smiled. "Yes, I am. I am, indeed." He reached into his briefcase and pulled out a business sized envelope and his checkbook. "I'll write a check for the extra grand. Care to join me for lunch?" he asked as he quickly wrote out a check and handed it to the man along with the envelope.

Robert opened the envelope and flicked his fingers quickly through the hundred dollar bills. Confirming the amount, he looked up and smiled. "No, thanks," he answered as he tucked his check into the envelope and placed it into his inner jacket pocket, "I prefer we keep our relationship strictly business."

Alan held out his hand. "As do I. It gives me plausible deniability. Until next time."

Robert shook his hand, stood up, said "Goodbye," and left Alan to leisurely peruse his report in detail. The more he read, the more he despised Benjamin Tomlinson and couldn't wait to expose him. This is going to be a very informational meeting this afternoon. Indeed.

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Denny and Ben had been sitting in his office for the last twenty minutes chatting amiably after which they strolled to Shirley Schmidt's office. Both men were feeling confident, but for very different reasons. Denny was thinking Once Ben comes on board, Alan will see that he's wrong about him. He's going to be an asset to the firm. Ben was thinking As soon as I start working here, I'll be able to follow through with my plans.

They arrived at Shirley's door and this time Denny knocked on the doorframe before stepping inside. "Shirley, I'd like you to meet Benjamin Tomlinson. His father and I were…acquaintances many years ago."

Shirley extended her hand. "It's nice to meet you. How are you, Ben?"

"I'm fine, Ms Schmidt, it's a pleasure to meet you."

She motioned for them to be seated as she returned to her desk. "Please. Call me Shirley," she said.

A voice from the doorway said, "Actually, I think you should continue to call her Ms Schmidt. I hope I'm not late." Alan came in, shut the door and took a seat on Shirley's couch.

Ben seemed slightly surprised to see him, but recovered enough to say, "Hello, Alan; Denny didn't tell me you were going to be a part of the interview."

"Denny didn't know and before the interview begins, I have some information to share with you all."

Denny swiveled around in his chair and stared. "What is this about, Alan? Can't it wait?"

Alan smiled thinly at his friend. "No, it can't wait because the information I have concerns Mr. Tomlinson here plus you and Shirley." He reached into his briefcase and pulled out a sheaf of papers.

Ben's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about? What information?"

Alan ignored him and looked at Shirley. "Do you remember when we went to dinner while Denny and Carl were in Virginia?"* At her nod, he asked, "Did you ever meet your second husband's brother, the one you overheard him speaking to on the phone?"

"No, Ed lived out of state and since Dewitt and I eloped, there was no family from either side at the wedding."

Impatiently, Denny butted in, "What does that idiot Dewitt have to do with anything? That's ancient history!"

Alan placed his right ankle on top of his left knee and replied, "It should be ancient history, but old Ben there can tell you that it's not. Denny, did you know that your former love rival is Dewitt Peterson's half – brother?"

"What? How do you know that?" Denny was shocked. He looked at Ben. "Is that true?' he asked.

Before Ben could answer, Alan stated, "Yes, it's true. Same mother, different fathers. I paid my investigator very well to look into your past, Ben. Everything in this report is verified. Shirley Schmidt's ex – husband Dewitt Peterson is your uncle. His half – brother, Edgar Tomlinson, your father, was in a love triangle with Denny and your mother until she chose him over Denny. She left your father when she realized she had made a mistake; your father was not what she thought he was. He was an abusive jerk."

"That's not true! My Dad's and my uncle's lives were ruined by the two of you!" Ben hissed. He glared at Shirley. "My uncle just wanted to be a part of your law firm and you threw him out of your life and had him," he jerked his thumb at Denny, "do your dirty work for you. You took everything from him! He went to New Jersey to start over, but his firm never reached the height of fame or wealth of Crane Poole and Schmidt!" He turned his attention to Denny. "And you! You seduced my mother, made her believe you would marry her if she left my father and then you dumped her. You're despicable!"

"And that is why you haven't spoken to her for years," Alan said calmly as he looked over his report, "And yet you told Denny that you wanted to move back to Boston to be closer to her. Tell the truth now; why did you really want to work at Crane Poole and Schmidt? Besides the fact that your uncle's become a raging alcoholic whose firm is failing. Yes, Shirley and Denny; Ben was an attorney in his uncle's practice until he could no longer afford to employ him."

Ben looked down at the floor while three pairs of eyes bore down on him as he weighed his options. It makes no difference now, he thought. "My mother's will is in the Wills, Estates and Trusts Division here. She told me a long time ago that she had disinherited me because she was tired of me blaming her for not having my father in my life. I planned to pull her will, amend it to make me her sole heir and then forge her signature and present it as her revised will. She would never know her will was changed." He looked at Denny. "You broke up my parents; breaking up your friendship with Alan Shore was just an added bonus. Shirley, you broke my uncle's heart; I hadn't decided exactly what to do to get back at you, but I figured I had time to think of something that would embarrass you and the firm."

Denny's face had turned so red he looked like he was about to pop. "You bastard! Lying, conniving bastard!" he screamed as he launched himself at Ben who scrabbled out of the chair to take a defensive stance.

"Denny! No!" Alan leapt up and grabbed Denny before he could reach Ben. Shirley meanwhile grabbed her phone to call Security. The ensuing fracas brought Carl Sack and Paul Lewis racing to Shirley's office along with Clarence Bell, who when he saw Alan holding Denny back from a belligerent Ben, turned into Clevant. Grabbing the man, he shoved him back into a chair yelling, "Sit yo' ass down!" in Clevant's deep commanding voice which actually caused everyone in the room to freeze.

"Um, um, um," Clarence stuttered, "Do you need me to stay, Alan?" His knees almost buckled completely with relief when Alan said no. As he turned to leave, Clevant showed himself one more time. "Don't make mecome back in here!" he snarled, "Or I'll kick yo' ass six ways to Sunday!" He walked past the two Security guards Shirley had called.

Alan still had his arms around Denny as he stood between the older man and Ben. "Are you alright?" he asked as Denny was panting from the exertion of trying to get to Ben. "Denny, sit. Please. Let me take care of this." He looked at Shirley. "Please ask the guards to wait outside until you call them."

Shirley did as Alan asked and when the guards closed the door behind them, Alan hitched his hip up on the side of Shirley's desk, crossed his arms and stared at Ben who was still standing. "Paul, Carl, Shirley and Denny; you are my witnesses to what I'm about to say and Ben, I have a lot to say to you."

*ref, to my story "Shirley."