CHAPTER 40: MONEY MATTERS vs. MANIC MONDAY Part 1

After leaving the hospital the previous day, the family as a whole had a chance to regroup. Staying at George’s mansion was largely responsible for creating an atmosphere where Brian, Justin, and Melanie could think clearly about all the sudden changes occurring within their lives, individually and collectively. For Melanie’s part, it was thinking of what would have happened if she had still been as attached to Lindsay as she had been in the past. As she sat at the breakfast nook, nursing her third cup of coffee at just a little shy of five in the morning, she reflected on so many past arguments with her former lover over money and Lindsay’s obsession with being able to live like Nancy and Lynette.

What was funny is that in getting to know Lynette while they were all gathered at the hospital, Melanie found she liked the woman a lot more than Lindsay, whom she’d been involved with for over ten years. It wasn’t about sexual attraction; but the personality. Lynette was the type of person Melanie thought she was committing to spending her life with when she aligned herself with Lindsay. She was opinionated, with a healthy dose of compassion and common sense, hilarious in the off-the-wall comments, and genuine in every emotion she displayed at any given time. Watching her take her turn with each of the unicorns really drove home the chameleon persona Lindsay took on when interacting with Gus for the first time. In retrospect, she could see the silent hopes and dreams Lindsay had when she looked at Gus. Sure, she was relieved that the pain of labor was over and felt rewarded for her efforts in coming through delivery with the little human who had been kicking Lindsay’s ass almost from the beginning of the pregnancy. But it was in the other unspoken body language Lindsay projected. The calculating gleam and thoughts Melanie could see clearly, even while Lindsay continued to project those Madonna vibes as everyone watched her cuddle Gus. The bright smile, which dimmed just that little bit when Justin entered the room behind Brian and Michael, and it wasn’t simply because Justin was a supposed trick, as they all thought at the time. There wasn’t a question just why the young man was there and for whom. But more importantly, even then there was something special and ethereal about the young man who would become such an integral part of hers and Brian’s life. 

As Melanie continued to pick apart the scene, her thoughts turned to Michael. There wasn’t a doubt in Mel’s mind that just as Lindsay thought her shining moment with Brian was ruined, so did Michael. He may have been against Brian fathering a child from the beginning, knowing that the balance of Brian’s priorities between him and Lindsay would shift that was in no way acceptable to Michael’s sensibilities. But somewhere along the way those thoughts changed into wanting to be Gus’ stepdaddy. The advent of Justin Taylor prevented Michael’s dream of sharing in the moment, especially when Brian asked what Justin thought of the name Gus would be crowned with. 

In the past, Brian would have turned to Michael and asked what he thought, but he didn’t. He asked Justin. In her mind even then, she could see that there was an ulterior motive behind Brian doing that, and contrary to her previous belief, it wasn’t solely to piss her off. It was to give Justin a very special way to remember the night they met. Yes, she could see it all so clearly now through her memories. The most significant thought registering with her now was that even then, Brian honored Justin in a way that he wouldn’t have anyone else, by letting him see behind the mask he donned for all the world to see. 

While she kept going through the events of the night, Melanie could see Brian more clearly than she ever had before. She remembered his face as he looked at the sleeping baby… The awe and wonder, the hopes and dreams, and the determination that their son would never want for anything. After that night, she’d watched Brian become a working little fiend. Sure, he’d always worked hard and played harder, but there were significant differences in how he did. And those main differences were brought on by two people: Gus and Justin Taylor.  

Her analysis of times gone by was interrupted by the unexpected appearance of one of the men she was thinking of. Justin looked like he was sleepwalking, even though she was sure his eyes were slightly open. She almost laughed aloud when he bumped into the refrigerator while making a beeline to the coffee maker on the other side. After pouring a cup, she watched as he fished around in the fully-stocked fridge for the creamer of his choice. Only after he’d taken the first sip of the hot brew was he fully cognizant of her presence.

“Morning, Mel,” he said, joining her in the breakfast nook in front of the big bay window at the back of the property. “What are you doing up this early?”

“I could ask you the same question,” she said, picking up her own cup.

“Had a little trouble sleeping.”

“Nightmares?” she asked, concerned. She knew from Brian that although they had lessened somewhat, Justin still had them frequently.

“Not exactly. One started, but I was able to wake myself before it got too bad. So that’s progress, I guess.”

“I would say so. But if it wasn’t that, then what’s on your mind?”

“Money.”

“Money?” she asked. Looking at him, she could tell there was more to it than that simple five-letter word bothering him. “You mean Lindsay.”

“Yeah,” he sighed. The simple response held a wealth of meaning for Melanie. “What are the odds that she’s going to demand Gus be given back to her, especially now that we all have had a major windfall? When it becomes public knowledge…”

Melanie nodded, understanding what the major concern was. In truth, she hadn’t gotten that far in her thought process concerning Lindsay yet. “The good thing is that Nathan has been made aware of the situation, as has Shavonne. The problem is that the original police report is missing from the database, so even with Child Services having the case, there is the possibility that she could regain custody of Gus, requiring the agency to have to literally prove her unfit. Her actions at the bank, although caught on camera, could be explained away, at least in Lindsay-speak. If that happens, Brian and I would be required to give her child support until the case is officially resolved.”

“That’s exactly what I thought.”

“But there is also the possibility that she won’t even think to try to regain Gus. She couldn’t spend all her time trying to sabotage you and Brian if she had to take care of him. Not only that, but she would have to spend time trying to find a trustworthy sitter. We all work, and even if we aren’t, as the custodial parent that’s her responsibility. No way is she going to want to put off her plans in order to actually be responsible. Plus Nancy is with her, and there’s no way she is going to help Lindsay by toting around Gus while Lindsay turns tricks in Vanguard and Gardner’s bed. They are pretty much cut from the same cloth in reference to their children.”

“Useful, until they aren’t?” Justin asked.

“Exactly,” Mel confirmed, disgusted. “I was sitting here thinking about Lindsay’s actions before you and Brian arrived at the hospital on the night Gus was born. It wasn’t so much how she was post-birth, but the secret plans I could see going on in her head. Then when we left her in the room with Brian for a few minutes, just before I came back in, I remember hearing him reassure her that if she needed anything that all she had to do was ask. What I can’t exactly figure out is what brought that conversation on right then. Did Brian initiate it, or was Lindsay subtly dropping hints as she so often did?”

“You think there was more to that kiss you walked in on?” Justin asked, and Melanie could tell he was combing through his own thoughts of that night.

“I’m absolutely sure there was on her part, while also sure now that there wasn’t anything beyond a friendly exchange on Brian’s. It’s amazing what you can see in hindsight. What about Michael? How was he while Brian was in the room alone with Lindsay?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Just trying to put certain pieces together, I guess,” she hedged.

“Michael was whiny as usual, not understanding that he wasn’t the center of attention. Although I didn’t understand his attitude at first, I remember hearing him talking to one of the women in the waiting room, saying that maybe now that Gus is finally born, things could get back to normal, where his best friend would remember where his priorities should be. At first, I thought he was referring to me, since he looked directly at me when he said it. I mean, considering he was already a miserable shit because Brian brought me to the hospital with them and then made Michael sit in the back seat all the way there…”

“Holy shit, he made Michael sit in the back seat?” Mel asked, surprised. This was a part of their history she never knew about.

“Yeah. I was going to hop in the back, but Brian put his hand on my thigh and told Michael to hop in. In fact, Michael had a hook up that night, but insisted on coming to the hospital with Brian instead.”

“Wait a minute. I thought Michael said Brian begged him to ditch his date to come see Gus.”

“Nope, that’s not what happened at all. I remember because when you called, we’d been in the middle of…” Justin cleared his throat, causing Melanie to snicker. 

“I get it. I killed the joy.” Both of them laughed at that before she said, “So what exactly did Brian say when he called Michael?”

“I assume Michael told Brian what he was up to, and Brian told him to stay there and fuck the shit out the guy, but Michael almost screeched that it was okay and to come get him. Emmett told me later on that Michael’s date had a fake ass and dick, but a very real case of crabs.”

Melanie sprayed her coffee then, laughing so hard she thought she wouldn’t have been able to breathe normally for awhile. When she finally sobered, she said, “If that was the case then I can’t fault him for wanting to get away from the guy fast.” 

“I can’t say I fault him either, but he acted like he was the one who was going through labor and delivery all the way to the hospital, moaning and complaining about everything from being relegated to the back seat of the jeep, to my continued presence at a time in their life which was reserved for them…”

“Wait! He actually specified that it was a time for him and Brian?”

“Yep. Which Brian pretended not to hear. Instead of responding to Michael’s innuendo, he came around to my side of the jeep, opened the door, and gave me a kiss that curled my toes, even while he undid my seatbelt. Michael was in full-on pout mode until we stepped off the elevator at the maternity ward.”

“And you were happy about it?”

“Happier than I’d ever been, but not for the reasons one might think,” Justin said, quietly. “That night was the first night I felt included in something unique and special just because I was Justin, and not the Taylor heir. There weren’t any expectations put on me beyond those I was willing to fulfill because I wanted to. Whenever I told Brian that what he did for me the first night meant so much more than just taking my V-card, he always brushed it off, but I think he gets it now, because of what he heard at the trials.”

“I know that I was shocked at the lengths they were willing to go to keep you contained,” Mel said, nodding and still uncomfortable knowing what they were willing to do to Justin simply because he wouldn’t march to the beat of their drum. 

“It’s why I can understand Lindsay in a way, since I grew up in that environment. The major difference though is that I wasn’t willing to compromise my life as I want to live it just for the sake of having someone’s approval.”

Mel shook her head. “Her actions aren’t just about having Nancy’s approval, Justin.”

“No?”

“At least, not all of them,” Mel confirmed. “It’s about power and control. I’ve been sitting here for the last few hours, thinking about my relationship with her.”

“A dangerous pastime.”

“I know.”

“But what have you come up with?”

“That even while she was intent on listening to Nancy’s advice, it was all in the name of being able to control her mother at the end of it all in the only way Nancy really understands.” 

“Money,” Justin said with surety.

“Yes, and now with the fact all of us are now well off, when the news hits, she’s going to regroup and try to hit us hard. Lindsay is like a viper, mesmerizing to look at but also almost impossible to predict when and where she’ll strike.”

“Well we already know that it’s Gus’ custody that’s going to hang in the balance. And although she endangered him by leaving him in the car unattended while she was at the bank, without that report, it’s just hearsay.”

Melanie nodded. “But the good thing is that Shavonne and Carl are looking into it. It’s one of the last things the Department would want, because Vonne will have no absolutely no problem involving the Mayor at this point. Considering how he lit into Stockwell when he didn’t allow the police to do their jobs when you were first attacked, I don’t doubt that Deekins is still fuming at even having to answer questions and speculations about it. Thankfully, his numbers haven’t taken a beating in the polls yet, but if the Department keeps up the bullshit, people are going to start losing faith in his ability to lead this city.”

“I may have problems with Deekins’ policy sometimes, but I can say he’s usually a fair man. Has Diane been made aware of all this yet?" Justin asked.

“Not yet, but I’m supposed to call her today,” George said as he stepped into the kitchen. “I would have thought everyone would still have been asleep, yet here you two are.”

Justin shrugged. “I just came down a bit ago, but Mel’s been up the longest.”

“Oh? What’s wrong, little girl?” George smiled kindly at Melanie, making her feel like the girl he called her.

“Just a bit worried about it all. I’m still reeling over the last few days, and now with the windfall…”

“Ah, I see. You’re worried because of Ms. Plans.”

“Yeah,” she answered. “Ted is still in the process of untangling my life from hers, and Aurora took care of blocking her access to Gus’ and my accounts. But there are the joint investments we made when we first started out that could be the problem.”

“How so?” Justin asked.

“Although the initial money came from me, Lindsay has contributed to them occasionally, even though I don’t know the exact amounts.”

“And they’re worth how much?” George asked Melanie.

“At last glance, they were worth just over thirty grand,” she answered.

“Melanie, when was the last time you looked into them?”

“Just before we separated the last time, when I was staying with my cousin, Rita. I cashed out one of them so I could pay our living expenses, even though I wasn’t in the household. Brian advised me after Lindsay and I were together for seven years to make sure that if she and I didn’t work out to make sure I had all my assets in order. When we- I- bought the house, he repeated it. That alone should have told me something, but I just blew him off, thinking he was being his usual self, full of sass and sarcasm. I mean, we all know how Brian can be when he’s in know-it-all mode. Yet I still took the recommendation, anyway. I guess it was because, and I hate to admit this aloud, he knew something about Lindsay’s greedy nature that I hadn’t really seen at that point.”

“And you said her spending was out of control, right? Even more than usual?”

Melanie nodded. “That’s an understatement. It always amazed me that she could constantly complain about the lack of time I spent at home when I was working all the hours God sent, just to be able to keep the roof over our heads. And all so she could be the stay-at-home mother she said she wanted to be during Gus’ formative years.”

“But that wasn’t really a major issue until you started working the cases for me and Brian, right? Justin asked.

“No, Baby. Then her complaints just got louder.” Melanie sighed. “It’s sad when you can see the situation so clearly in hindsight. It wasn’t so much that I was working, but that Lindsay couldn’t leave to go do what she wanted to do without toting Gus along.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning that she couldn’t sneak around with Ryder or within the agency with Brian’s child in tow. No way did this bid for control and attention of Brian just start. I would even go so far as to think it was Lindsay’s suggestion that prevented Brian from getting the job in New York,” Mel said.

“How so?” George asked, before working it out for himself. “That could mean a civil lawsuit against Martin Ryder, if it could be proven something he either said or did kept Brian from being interviewed fairly, and without any preconceived bias.”

“Not K&C?” Justin asked.

Mel shook her head. “Not really, since they could make the claim they obtained the information under their standard background check policy. But in thinking about Marcie’s testimony during the Defamation of Character trial against Craig, it’s a little more than possible that Ryder fixed it so that Brian would have to stay at Vanguard through the merger, only to be fired by Vance and clearing the way for Ryder to regain his company while ruining Brian’s professional reputation.”

“The idea has merit,” Justin agreed. “But what would have been Lindsay’s role in all of this?”

George chuckled. “Well, who better to plead on Brian’s behalf for him to keep his job than the mother of Brian’s son, who also happened to be the mistress of the moment for both men? Or in Lindsay’s mind, as Brian’s soon-to-be wife? Remember, Justin, Lindsay is all about performing favors in order to get what she wants. The problem with those types of exchanges is that they don’t come with a money back guarantee, or in this case an assurance that all parties involved will benefit beyond the physical aspect. Sadly for all of them, they discounted the three people they shouldn’t have.”

Justin and Melanie grinned in acknowledgment of what George said. The truth was that in all of Lindsay’s planning, she forgot- or more accurately- ignored- the wild card which appeared under a streetlight at the most inopportune time for both Michael and Lindsay. In discounting Justin’s presence, she left herself open to counter-maneuvers she never thought would catch up to her in the end, the first being in regards to custody. She counted on being able to keep fermenting contention between Mel and Brian in order to maintain her status quo. But with Justin having Brian’s ear within the privacy of the loft, there was no one to stop the potential for the young man to get Brian to see another option, one that didn’t include giving up his rights. 

Lindsay continued to count on having unchecked influence on the two most important people in her life, never realizing that while she had unfettered access to Melanie, Justin had the same with Brian. And he was the one who mattered the most in all of this, since it would be Brian’s ultimate decision whether Lindsay’s secret plans to be the Queen Bee would become her new reality. 

It was a costly mistake in which she was only beginning to feel the consequences. 

“So that leaves us with some major decisions to make,” Justin said. “The rules of the game just changed again in our favor.”

Melanie chuckled aloud. “And the best part of it all is that Lindsay has no idea just how much. You’re right. Justin, I think it’s time to wake the Master and let’s see what he has to say.”

Justin laughed. “Yeah, no doubt he’s been planning in his sleep again.”

“Again?”

“It’s something none of you ever realized about Brian. His mind rarely ever stops downloading and reloading information, even while he’s seemingly sitting still.”

“When does it rest?”

“Only when he’s otherwise engaged.” Justin smirked, with the most dreamy expression on his face, while the others laughed.

George pushed back from the table, grinning. “And on that note, I’ll leave you all to wake the other sleeping giant among us. In the meantime, I have a meeting to get ready for.”

“Judging by the look on your face, Uncle G, I’m guessing that you’re about to piss in someone’s cornflakes,” Justin said, still smirking.

George laughed. “Let’s hope they like the taste, Nephew.”

*********SOWK******

CAHILL COURT

Lindsay spent some time putting the finishing touches on one of the most hated ensembles in her wardrobe. Her original choice of her black silk blouse paired with the A-line skirt was roundly vetoed by her mother, who stated she didn’t know if she was going into Vanguard as a trusted employee or as an undertaker. When Lindsay jokingly suggested that it was perhaps a little of both, Nancy advised that if she went in there dressed like that, it would be her own funeral. Lindsay then decided to keep the skirt, which to her mind accentuated her figure, but paired it with a sleeveless white blouse. An idea that met with a little more approval from Nancy, who then thought that instead of offering her goods via the low-cut vee in the neck of the blouse, Lindsay should show modesty and borrow a cashmere cardigan from Nancy’s own wardrobe. Even as Lindsay tried to put the kibosh on the idea, Nancy said that although there was going to be speculation of Lindsay slutting around with Gardner to gain the position within the company, it would be better than proving it in her state of undress. 

Once again, Lindsay found herself cursing Justin Taylor, since without his involvement in her life, she would still have full influence with Brian and Melanie. They would have never rebelled against her if it wasn’t for him. She wouldn’t be subjected to the less than subtle reminders that she needed to put up with Nancy if she was going to take back what she deemed hers. As she continued to regard herself in the full-length mirror, Lindsay thought of how everything she planned since even before Gus’ conception had gone terribly. 

Brian was no longer fulfilling his duties to her as if he were her husband. Melanie wasn’t listening to her anymore. Michael was wherever the hell he was, not that she really cared. As far as she was concerned, he served his purpose, but it would still be nice to know where he was and what he was doing, since he knew too much and didn’t have a brain-to-mouth filter like normal people. Craig Taylor was in jail as far as she knew, so he wouldn’t be of any further use. Samuel Hobbs had troubles of his own with having to pay all that money out to Justin. No doubt his business was going to suffer behind Christopher’s actions. It was already in some trouble to begin with, but with the trial… Well, very few people wanted to be associated with an attempted murderer and the asshole that paid to cover it up. Stockwell was awaiting trial along with Judge Russo, so those avenues were also closed to her. The last thing she needed was to be considered an accomplice, even though she had been supplying information to them about Brian and a few other people of her acquaintance they had grudges against for quite some time. No one was available to return any of the favors she’d done for them in the past.

Except Vance.

She wished she’d known of her connection to Nathan Mathers long before, since she wouldn’t have had to fuck with Russo in order to try to stop the third-party adoption, not that it had worked. Melanie had taken it to another judge and got it approved before she’d even had a chance to lower Russo’s zipper. What were the odds that her half-brother would be able to overturn it? That was something she really needed to find out.

“Lindsay, are you ready yet?” Nancy asked. 

“Just about. Why?”

“I need you to drop me off at Virginia’s house before we head over to Nathan’s office this afternoon.” 

“Again, why?” Lindsay looked at her mother with narrowed eyes as she adjusted the tight bun Nancy insisted she wear. She decided that as soon as she was out of Nancy’s presence, she would take it down.

Giving her daughter a once over, Nancy hummed aloud in approval. “For once, you’re looking almost respectable and not like a downtrodden floozy. I’m glad I insisted you change what you were going to wear today. It wouldn’t do for you to incur gossip on your first day, before you even get the lay of the land. Working in Vanguard doesn’t mean you should advertise yourself.”

Lindsay wanted to scream, Nancy had to be the most overbearing woman ever birthed into creation. If she could she would have tossed the bitch back to Hilton instead of keeping the harridan with her. But if she was going to win this long game with Mel and Brian, Lindsay knew she needed to rein in her ever-growing temper. She reminded herself of what the end goal was in all of this; a way to have Brian back by her side where he belonged, and access to a hefty bank account, which would stick in her mother’s craw, since she’d lost her own. 

So, swallowing the retort dangling on her lips, she said, “You were about to tell me why you need to go to Virginia’s, Mother.”

“Oh, that’s right. Anyway, there’s been some new developments, but Virginia wouldn’t say what they were over the phone.”

“That’s understandable, I guess. You never know who’s listening in.”

Nancy nodded. “That’s very true, Lindsay, and something you should remember within the halls of Vanguard. By all accounts, Brian Kinney has amassed quite the following within the company, and whether they agree with his lifestyle or not, they respect him. You’d be a fool to think you can just waltz in there and think that because you slept with Gardner people will just open up to you.”

“I know that, Mother.”

“Good,” Nancy said. “Now don’t forget to call me when you find out your lunch schedule so we can get to Nathan’s office and have you back to resume your day at Vanguard. Remember Lindsay, don’t make waves yet.”

“I know,” Lindsay yelled, before she brought her voice back down to normal level. “You forget, Mother, that unlike yourself, I’ve held a job before. I know how to act within a professional office setting.”

“And you forget, Lindsay, that I’ve never needed to work. Something if you hadn’t rebelled in the first place, you wouldn’t have needed to do either. But that’s neither here nor there, right now. This is about employing WASP strategy on the unsuspecting. They may be ignorant of our ways, but they are not ignorant people. They couldn’t possibly be when working in a field as competitive as Advertising.”

Lindsay grabbed her keys, purse, and portfolio silently as she continued to replay the last part of Nancy’s comment in her mind. Regrettably, she knew Nancy was right. She couldn’t go within Vanguard thinking she was going to be trusted simply because Gardner personally hired her. In fact, that would probably have everyone looking at her with a jaundiced eye. So the first person she would need to get in good with would be the current Art Director, who would then give her access to the mainframe she would need to get into Brian’s system. That should be easy enough to handle for the first week. And then the real work would begin, to find the one or two people who could get hired over at Brian’s company, and dismantle it from the inside out.

She smiled to herself as she entered the ugly car, pretending to herself that it was Gardner’s luxury vehicle, even as she continued to plan her impending victory over her mother, Mel, and Brian, but most of all Justin Taylor, while dropping Nancy off at Virginia’s place. They were all going to be so sorry for doubting her; she’d make sure of it.

VANGUARD ADVERTISING

Constance, in the company of her attorney brother, entered the lobby of Vanguard Advertising, each anticipating the impromptu meeting they were about to have. And were greeted by none other than Shawna Hicks, who would soon take Marcie’s place as Gardner’s personal assistant. The statuesque beauty stood as tall as Anthony at almost six feet, wearing a black pantsuit to rival the red one Constance wore herself.

“I’m glad you called me yesterday, instead of this morning. I didn’t want to miss the fireworks,” she said, her honeyed tone much more pleasing to the ear than Lindsay Peterson’s would be. “Chile, he was so red after reading Marcie’s resignation letter that was waiting on his desk this morning. I think a boiled lobster has less color.”

“Perfect. And just how did Verdell take the news you would be working so closely with Gardner?” Constance asked, as they began to make their way towards the elevator.

Shawna grinned. “In all the years we’ve been married, I don’t think I’ve ever heard my husband laugh as loud or as long as he did last night. You know how he feels about Vance.”

“That he has more value as roadkill?” Anthony asked.

“Anthony,” Constance said, shaking her head. “And you as an attorney, too.”

“What about what I said was untrue?” he asked. 

“I can’t say what my thoughts are in the workplace, only that you’re being too kind,” Shawna responded in Connie’s place, causing them both to laugh. 

“And this is why I chose you to keep order within the building for now,” Constance said.

Crossing the lobby, they were stopped by the receptionist, who looked new to Constance. Each almost laughed aloud at the supercilious look on the young woman’s face, no doubt thinking she held some sort of power over all who entered the doors.

“Excuse me, but do you have an appointment?” the haughty young woman asked.

“Miss…” Constance started, only to be interrupted.

“It’s Mrs….”

“You wish it was,” Shawna mumbled, even as Anthony cleared his throat.

“Ah, forgive me, Mrs.?”

As the woman was about to answer, Shawna said, “Allow me to do the honors, Jeanie. This is Mr. Edmonds, and his sister, Mrs. Constance Baptiste Edmonds- VANCE. Connie and Tony, this is MISS Jeanie Johnson, Gardner’s in-office paramour who would love to become the next Mrs. Vance. There, I fixed that Freudian slip for you, Jeanie.”

“Wow. It seems there are a lot of trollops vying for a position in my husband’s bed. Although, I can’t imagine why.” Constance shrugged to cover the snicker that wanted to escape at the crestfallen look on the receptionist’s face.

“Must be the accent, because I doubt it’s the personality,” Anthony added, not even trying to cover the bit of sarcasm aimed at the now glowering young woman.

“It certainly isn’t the endowment or the bank account, since the latter is down to me,” Constance stated, wryly. “Anyway, we should move along before the next of Gardner’s fly-by-floozies breezes into the lobby.”

“They should probably start a FBF society. I suspect even hookers to the rich and powerful need a support group of some sort,” Shawna said, much to the amusement of Constance and Anthony.

“Yes. Well, at least they can keep each other company while their human dildos wank and entertain elsewhere. Anyway, his current receptacle is due here any minute, and I really want our business concluded by then.” 

Jeanie glowered before asking, “Again, do you have an appointment?”

Shawna gave up all pretense of politeness. “Again, FBF member 165, in case you missed the memo, they don’t need an appointment.”

“The rules state…”

“I know what the rules state, Jeanie,” Constance said sternly, but then smiled. “I know because I put them in place. I mean, as the majority owner of Vanguard Advertising, it was my right to do so. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have important business to attend to, while you get to deal with your fellow FBF flunky.”

Finally entering the elevator, Constance looked up to see Lindsay rushing into the lobby of the building, looking just a bit harried, even though dressed like a schoolmarm. Constance could see Nancy’s influence in everything Lindsay wore, from the cardigan to the lowest kitten heels, sold undoubtedly at the Big Q. It was obvious that Lindsay was engaging in a tiny bit of rebellion with having her hair down. That was always one of Nancy’s most imposing rules once Lindsay and Lynette hit age twenty-five. Thank goodness, her own parents weren’t as strict with societal norms and had moved with the times, unlike Virginia, Clara, and Nancy. As the doors began to close, Lindsay froze when she spotted the occupants of the elevator and Constance couldn't help the smirk that rose on her lips. Looking at her companions, she noticed the same expressions on their faces until they were officially alone within the enclosed space.

“Okay, darlings. Change of plans,” she said.

“What do you mean?” Anthony asked. “We already agreed to the wisest course of action short of not allowing Lindsay to be hired in the first place.”

“And that’s exactly what I want, Tony.”

“I’m not following,” Shawna said.

Constance shook her head. “This bitch keeps regrouping. Let’s see how she handles it when she can’t get the results she’s been tasked to get.”

“Connie…” Anthony warned, but she interrupted.

“No, Tony, think about it. Gardner may want her to destroy Brian’s reputation using Vanguard’s resources, but now with their new windfall, and Gus’ custody in the balance, this is a whole new game. And I know exactly how to play it.”

He looked at her as she regarded him steadily. “Okay, little sister, I’m going to give you your head in this.”

“Thanks, Darling. But trust me, whereas Lindsay believes her position within the company is assured, it most certainly isn’t. Apparently, Gardner is about as adept at reading the fine print of a contract as Lindsay Peterson is at parenting. So let’s see how she handles a real interview as opposed to a planning strategy among bedmates.”

“Then she can’t complain about not getting hired, if it comes to that. I mean, Gardner must have forgotten that you’re also a graphic artist.”

“It’s that selective memory he has about women and their places in his mind. All he seems to remember is my business degree, not the graphic arts business I had before I even married him. Today’s reminder is going to be very informative for everyone involved.”

 Yes, it was going to be an interesting day indeed!