BRIAN

I asked Justin to take Gus back to his mother’s house while Brad and I visited Ronny boy. I wanted to believe that an attorney I was paying was there for me, guess that was the wrong decision to make. We didn’t wait but five minutes when Brad told me to let him be the one asking to see Ron.

“Brad, good to see you.” Ron holds out his hand to Brad.

“You might not think so when you know why I’m here.” He tells Ron, ignoring Ron’s hand.

“Brian, did we have an appointment?” He looks past Brad to me.

“Brian is here with me.” Brad tells Ron.

“Well let's go to my office, and you can tell me why you're here.” Ron tells us.

We get in his office and Brad barely waits for Ron to sit before talking.

“Ron, I need you to explain how you could represent Brian when it’s conflict of interest?” He asked Ron.

“I don’t see why you think that.” He questions Brad.

“You and Melanie Markus were partners in this firm and you helped her push the adoption through without informing my client of his rights.” He tells him.

“Look, Mel told me that Brian was fine with us pushing it through.” He tells Brad.

“Were you her attorney or Brian’s at the time?” Brad asks.

“I guess I would have been Mel’s.” He tells Brad.

“Then if you were acting as her attorney, why didn’t you inform Brian that you couldn’t represent him in a custody case involving the same child. While you're at it, what did you and Mel promise Russo to get him to put the paperwork through without following proper guidelines, such as having Brian appear in court to sign his rights away in front of a judge?” He asks Ron.

“Russo just wanted us to do a case pro bono for him. We helped his son keep custody from the ex, it’s done all the time. Mel told me that she had Brian sign but that he didn’t plan on appearing. I really don’t appreciate you questioning my ethics.” Ron tells Brad.

“Not questioning your ethics Ron, just wondering where they went. I hope you're telling me the truth about Judge Russo, because I’ll be looking into whether you defended his son pro bono. I have a hard time believing that Russo wouldn’t have just hired an attorney for his son, instead of asking a small firm like yours to help. Then again I’m finding out all kinds of strange law practices since Brian hired me. In case you haven’t figured it out yet, Brian wants to terminate his business with this firm.” Brad tells him.

“Brian, I really was trying to help you.” Ron tells me.

“I thought you were too, but I should have asked a lot more questions than I did.” I tell him.

“Before we go, I just want to warn you, I have already asked for the case to be reviewed.” Brad warns Ron.

“I only helped push through the adoption.” Ron tells Brad.

“Without allowing Brian to restate that he was willingly giving up his rights with an attorney present who would have made sure Brian was present through the whole process.” He tells Ron.

“Brian, they could come at you for child support if you pursue this, they have Gus, and have been the primary parents.” He warns me.

“I guess all the money I have been paying would then be considered child support Ron.” I tell him.

“Don’t worry, Brian’s accountant kept careful track of all the support he provided Lindsay to take care of Gus.” Brad tells Ron.

We left with Brad calling to get an investigator to look into Ron. 

“Why did I go with the guy?” I ask myself.

“You aren’t a lawyer, you went with someone you knew. Most people do Brian. You had no way of knowing the guy was a sleaze.” Brad tells me.

“So unless the girls show up, Gus stays with me?” I ask him.

“I’m going to make sure he stays with you either way, Brian, I’m great at my job.” He tells me.

“Now I just need to figure out where Justin and I stand.” I tell him.

“From what I see, you two look like you still love each other, it’s enough if you can forgive Justin for what he did. Truthfully, if you wanted, you could get custody of Jacob, not that I would help you do that.” He tells me.

“I don’t want custody without Justin.” I tell him.

“Then give him a reason to stay.” Brad tells me.

“You married?” I ask him.

“No, but if Tucker hadn’t snatched up Jen, I would have.” He tells me.

“What is it with young studs and Jen?” I joke.

“Guess it must be in the genes, because I might not be gay, but I get why you want Justin.” He tells me.

“Keep your eyes off his ass, I swear it could make a man gay.” I tell him.

MEL

I waited to see if Justin called, we needed to get Gus home without Michael finding out. When the phone rang at three I was ready to scream at Justin for making us wait all day. Instead it was Ron.

“Ron, why are you calling?” I ask him.

“Because you owe me an explanation.” He tells me.

“About what?” I ask him.

“About the fact that Brian is now having the adoption reopened and we are going to get our asses handed to us by Brad Tanner.” He tells me.

“What does Brad have to do with this?” I ask him.

“Brian hired Brad to represent him, and fired me. Brad asked why we didn’t have Brian appear for the hearing that never happened, and what we owed Russo. I told him I represented Russo’s son, which I did. You never told me what you did, so I said you were with me. Mel if everything wasn’t on the up and up, we are going to be facing the review board.” He tells me.

“Don’t worry Brad, I didn’t do anything illegal for Russo.” I tell him.

“Brian didn’t want to be bothered with the adoption, so I took care of it. He told Lindsay and I he understood what he was doing.” I tell him.

“You’d better be telling me the truth Mel, my license could be at stake here.” He tells me.

“It’s fine Ron.” I assure him. 

“Tell Lindsay that taking money from Brian for support was a stupid thing to do.” He tells me.

“I’ll do that, goodbye and don’t worry about it.” I tell him staring at Lindsay.

“Why were you talking about Judge Russo?” Lindsay asks me.

“Why have you been taking money from Brian is an even better question.” I ask her.

“What are you talking about?” She asks me.

“The fact that Ron found out you were taking money from Brian. It would be considered support Lindsay.” I tell her. I can feel my anger bubbling to the surface.

“It was for Gus.” She tells me.

“Lindsay, you promised not to take anything from him.” I tell her.

“I wanted a nest egg in case you ran off with the chick you were screwing, you know, like the last time you left me scraping by.” She tells me.

“I was working Lindsay, just because we were in my office together doesn’t mean I’m screwing anyone.” I tell her.

“Really, because I was talking about the hotel you went to with her. Where do you think I was all those nights JR and Gus stayed with a babysitter.” She sneers at me.

“YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN WITH OUR KIDS, NOT CHECKING UP ON ME.” I yell at her.

“I WANTED TO HAVE SOMETHING TO TAKE YOUR ASS TO COURT WITH WHEN I LEFT YOU, SO I HOPE YOU DON’T PLAN ON FIGHTING ME. I’LL PUT THE FUCKING PICTURES UP ON BILLBOARDS AROUND YOUR OFFICE. I’M SURE PATRICK WILL LOVE TO SEE PICTURES OF YOU FUCKING THE INTERN.” Lindsay yells at me 

“Lindsay we need to talk about that, it was just stress relief.” I tell her, hoping I could calm her down.

“I honestly couldn’t care less. I do care that you think you can belittle me and I have to take it.” She tells me.

“Lindsay, I’m sorry. I just hate all the fighting we do.” I tell her.

“Then tell me why Ron seems so worried and why Judge Russo was mentioned, and don’t lie to me.” She tells me.

“I wanted the adoption for Gus to be done, Ron and I had Russo help us circumvent the system. It’s done all the time.” She tells me.

“Really, then why did you look worried when he mentioned favors?” She asks me.

“I didn’t do anything illegal if that’s what you're hinting at.” I tell her.

“What did you do?” She asks me again.

“Fuck. When Justin’s case came up, Russo told me to tell Chris Hobbs attorney any dirt I had on Brian. Like I said it wasn’t illegal.” I lie to her.

“The judge presiding over the case telling you to help the defense isn’t illegal? Mel, I’m blonde not stupid.” She tells me.

“They could have pulled me in and asked me anyway.” I tell her.

“Why would they? They wouldn’t know you knew Justin or Brian unless you told someone.” She tells me.

“Lindsay if this gets out I could lose everything, including the children.” I tell her.

“You're going to lose everything anyway, we can’t produce Gus.” Lindsay tells me.

“He’s with Brian and Justin, we need to go there before Michael comes here.” I tell her.

Lindsay was at least willing to go to Pittsburgh, so we packed up the car and drove off before Michael showed up. Guess he slept in.