THE LAWYER AND THE SECRETARY
I skipped out of work early Wednesday and went to see the doctor. I explained the situation and said I needed a paternity test for my daughters. He got my DNA swab and gave me two kits and explained how to do it to the girls. They would test these samples, but he warned me that I may have to bring them in to be tested if the results were unclear. I agreed to get the samples back to his office quickly. He then gave me a thorough physical and took enough blood to fill an ocean. I told him to please check for all possible sexual diseases.
Next stop was to see Jack Parsons. His office was on the 18th floor overlooking Lake Michigan. The entire office was done in teak wood with a large sailboat painting behind his desk and that killer view to the right looking east. His secretary Margie, a young auburn-haired beauty with brown eyes hiding behind wire-rimmed glasses, had ushered me in. Jack also looked tan and fit. I guessed he must be early to mid-sixties in age. I pride myself on my physique, but I'd hate to go up against him even if he is that much older than me.
"Alex!" His handshake was strong. "Welcome! So glad to meet you! Please, have a seat!"
"Thank you."
"Margie," he said to the beauty behind me, "Why don't you get us - Alex, water, coffee, or, hell, it's late, how about a beer?"
I nodded. "You know, that sounds pretty good!" I just hoped it wouldn't knock me out after my earlier doctor visit.
"Great! Bring us two!"
"I'll get three," she smiled.
I couldn't help looking around at the office and the view. He noticed.
"I should have been a sailor," he mused. "All my life, the water has called my name. Luckily, I stumbled into a career that gave me a couple of pennies to indulge myself, but if I had my druthers, I'd be out there forever."
"I totally understand." I was just mesmerized.
Margie came back in and handed me a cold bottle of beer. She handed one to Jack and then set another down near him. "For later," he whispered to me.
"Holler if you need me," she started for the door but stopped and nodded to me. "Nice meeting you, Alex."
"You too," I smiled back at her.
"So," he sat back in his chair as he studied me intently. "Your little family Titanic has just hit the iceberg and you're sinking fast, aren't you?"
"You certainly are the sailor," I smiled and held up the beer bottle in salute before taking a swig. "But yes, I am sinking. I guess what's tough about the whole thing is that I'm the only one who knows the entirety of what is happening. Everyone else is blissfully unaware. Even Jennifer."
"Alright," he pulled his pen and a legal pad out in front of him. "I know we chatted the other day on the phone through Bob, but I need you to go over everything with me again. I want each and every detail."
So, I did. I gave him our life story all the way up to a week ago. He only interrupted a few times for clarification. Then in detail I described what happened when she called about the swapped computers, the evening when she called and we transferred the files, how abrupt she was with me, and then how I found the file of videos. I explained what Bob was having me do and what I had found thus far, including the 'drinks later' code. And that video #19 had shown up as I expected. I ended by telling him I had just visited the doctor and had the kits with me to test my kids.
"I need you to understand," he started, "As attorney to client, or as attorney to attorney, I cannot condone the actions that you have decided to undertake."
"Now wait a second," I sat forward in my seat. "You and Bob are the ones who suggested it. What do you mean, 'you can't condone it'?"
"Yes, we did," he nodded. "But as an attorney, I can't. And you know that. I'm just reminding you that you are going to be on your own if or when this blows up. I'll protect you as best I can, but if they get through me, you'll be on the receiving end."
"Yeah, I know. I just don't see another way."
"From a personal standpoint, I absolutely agree." He was nodding, too. "I'd do the same thing. But professionally, I can't agree. So, where do we stand at this point?"
"I have forwarded Bob everything I found in the emails. There are more names and companies than there are on the videos, so he is doing the research to match up everyone in the videos. He said it'll take some time."
"Sounds good. I'll reach out to him and have him give me updates also." He stood up and went to a file cabinet and pulled out a thick packet of paperwork. "In the meantime, I need you to fill this out."
"And this is?" I questioned as he handed it to me.
"Your life history in money terms." He was very direct. "I need everything, down to the girls' allowance."
"Yes, sir."
"I'll need it soon."
I nodded.
"Finally, my bill," he handed me another sheet. As with Bob, also very ugly. "Half now and the other half later. You can pay Margie."
I sighed.
"You'll get through this," he was smiling. "And I'm here to help."
I glanced out his window at the glistening blue water. "Just a little storm before clear sailing."
"Ha!" he laughed. "Maybe we should both run away to the sea!"
I laughed too, standing and extending my hand. "Thank you. I needed that."
"I know," he nodded.
Climbing into my car in the parking garage below Jack's building, I glanced at my watch. Both appointments were faster than I planned so I had some free time. I saw the laptop sitting there and took a deep breath. I need to watch her last video. I looked around the garage where I was parked. It was quiet and the space on either side was empty, so I didn't think I'd be disturbed. I set up the laptop and logged into her screen. I took a deep breath and then clicked on video #19.
There were two older guys wearing nothing but white briefs watching as the camera came on.
"What the hell took so long?" asked one.
"Just some computer and family issues. But it's all better now. Oh, champagne! Is this for me?"
I clicked pause. My blood was boiling! Computer and family issues? That's when she called me. That's why she wouldn't - no, couldn't - talk to me and let me tuck her in. Because these two bastards were in the next room waiting to fuck her!! And she was wearing nothing but a sheer negligee and black nylons. Where the hell had those come from? I clicked 'play' again and watched as she began to kiss each of the old bastards. My whole body began to shake. I started pounding on the steering wheel and cussing her out. "Damn you! Damn you, Jen! How could you!?!"
Just then a tap at my window beside me made me jump in my seat. It was Margie. "Are you OK?"
I rolled the window down to speak to her. I know I was beat red from embarrassment. "Uh, hi Margie. Yeah, you just surprised me."
She smiled then started walking around to the passenger side. "Open the door," she commanded.
I did and she jumped in beside me. "You look like you can use some company. Jack outlined your situation to me, and I think it's awful! Is that one of the videos? Oh, she's pretty!"
All this was said before I uttered a sound.
"Let's watch together," she smiled mischievously. She was holding the laptop.
"I guess so." I agreed.