Bernie glowered out the window of his office. Just when he thought things were beginning to run his way, another stick gets jammed into the spokes of his wheel. The caller said that Reg had received two hundred grand and was planning on taking off with his wife. Bernie demanded proof, and the caller outlined his situation and how he had learned of the ruse.

The fifty Reg had brought to him was nothing more than a red herring... another stall. Never trust an accountant. Jorge arrived at the office while he was struggling to control his temper and as he counted to ten - reaching only four - he turned and gave his orders to Jorge who grinned with a frighteningly evil pleasure.

●○●○●○●○●

Ellington accepted her wrap and indicated a seat by the patio doors. "A lot of things have happened since we last met - the situation has changed."

"Our situation?"

"Perhaps. I've been on the telephone with Lawrence. The trust is going to litigation. He knows the money isn't there."

"Not there!" Nicole sat up.

"Reg Devers embezzled most of it and the rest... well, the rest was needed to keep the company afloat." the statement was finished with a chuckle. "If it wasn't so horribly tragic the whole bizarre affair might almost be laughable. There is no money, Nicole, so all our- your- efforts have been for an artificial cause."

"I didn't consider it that when we started, Ellington."

"No, but the recording you have of Lawrence is now redundant as far as the law goes. It doesn't matter what he was trying to do, the crime is in the plundering of the trust."

"But if Devers stole the money what are you worried about?"

"He didn't take it all, as I said, and now the police will be involved and everything will come out."

"What happens to Cynthia and Jarmon now?"

"Strangely, it seems, my son-in-law has wound up in hospital with numerous injuries and his ramblings, according to my secretary, whom I sent down to check on him, reveal a most fantastic situation. Reg Devers owed a lot of money to some gangster bookie and was trying to blackmail Jarmon over his affairs, contravening the trust. That failed so he tried it with the woman in the affair... the other woman." Ellington smiled at Nicole. "That failed as well."

"What happened to Jarmon?"

"Aah, apparently the bookie decided to go to Reg's source directly, and administered a severe beating before he too gave up. I'm not sure where that stands just now. Jarmon took to the bottle, more than usual, and wound up falling and adding to his numerous injuries. Hence the hospital."

Ellington stuffed his hands in his pockets and strolled to the glass doors and leaned heavily. "Lawrence industriously mined all these nuggets and assembled them into what is essentially the truth, and is going public. If he can accuse me successfully, I could be ousted by the board and he would take complete control."

"But there's still Devers." Nicole insisted.

"With some clever footwork it might just be possible to make him liable for the entire amount that's missing."

"Would you do that, Ellington, make somebody else take all the blame?"

"In this case, Nicky, I would. All the people in this mess are cheats and thieves, present company included, and in this war all is fair." He shrugged an apology on her behalf.

"Since the trust has turned out to be a bust, does that mean the end of us then?"

He moved to his chair beside Nicole's. "I still have considerable personal assets, not all liquid but nevertheless..."

The room was silent except for the faint whistling sound of breathing coming from Ellington's nose. He looked at her carefully, his face filled with emotion. The leather chair squeaked as he sat back, folding his hands over his stomach. How fortunate a man he was, in spite of the financial dilemma, to have a woman as lovely and loyal as Nicole.

She had captured his attention the moment he met her through his granddaughter. Cynthia's visit to the wild side was simply another of her whims, a short-term trial experience. Nicole, while much more mature about the relationship, didn't protest his interference, finding instead that she was more interested in him than his granddaughter.

Nicole relaxed back in her seat and crossed her legs. "The very things that drew me to you in the first place." Her teasing smile filled his heart. Ellington held her eyes with his, desperately looking for some hint of deception and finding none.

"What did you really hope to gain by this?"

"Originally or since our plan?"

"I believe what you've already told me about - originally."

"Since our plan then. More money from your trust and a firm relationship with you."

"And today, after you've heard the news?"

Nicole waited a beat then turned up her smile. "The firm relationship would be more than plenty." The smile grew to a knowing look.

"I don't deserve you, Nicky." They both stood and he took her in his arms, savouring the warmth of her embrace. "Listen, I think it would be wise if you perhaps laid low until this litigation business was over; I don't want any of the players dragging you in as a witness. We need to be very careful now about our relationship. You can stay here in the guest suite. Nobody expects me to have company, and when things are under control we can decide on some place else... together."

She made a face and stepped back. "How long do you think it could be?"

"Hard to say but count on the fact that it will be as short a period as I can manage. I promise, Nicky. I'll arrange for funds at a bank so you won't do without."

"I'm not worried. I do have money of my own." They embraced again and she left to make arrangements.