There were many things Hallie Lennox could be accused of. Subtlety was not one of them. Her dismissal from ME still stung even though she had found a nice niche as director at the Mason Foundation. She realized after the conclusion of her first fundraiser that while ME held a position of power and wealth in the community, it was the Foundation that was respected by people in high places like Washington D.C. Jamie and Jude may have thought they were taking her out of the game by moving her away to a safer less threatening position but what they had effectively done was place her closer to the lobbyists and politicians. They were far more useful in getting what she wanted than Stephen Roth or Luke Conlan.

And what did she want? She wanted ME, of course. Dane had no use for it and Jude would always be an outsider there. That left only Jamie and Gwen. She'd won over Ellen Mason after Uncle James had died. Whatever argument had occurred between Ellen and Gwen, Hallie had benefited. She courted her cousin Ellen as best she could, while Gwen and Jamie ignored her. Ellen Mason was more like family to Hallie than Jamie or Gwen would ever be regardless of how they tried to sweet talk her. She knew that Ellen felt the same and some day she would use that to her advantage.

She had a plan formulating slowly. She was going to take care of Jude first. One thing she had discovered while at the Foundation, was people in Washington liked to gossip and she'd heard an interesting piece about nice and reliable Jude. Did he think that having an affair with his boss' wife was the way to get ahead in politics? Jude's mistake was about to become her victory. She would expose his torrid affair to the press somehow and all the bad press would force Jamie to ask him to step down. And if Jamie refused, Jude's reputation would be tarnished just the same and that was enough to satisfy her for the time being.

As far as Jamie was concerned, she still had work to do. But for starters, she planned to make her presence known at the ME Employee Dinner. She had allies within the business still and she would play on them as only she could. Luke would have to remain in the dark about her plans though. There was no use risking his position within the company. He had a future there after all, not like Stephen Roth who had stabbed her in the back while professing to love her. She would never forgive him for hurting her. Luke, common though he might be, was honest and loyal, not to mention smart and sexy. His family wasn't the best but at least it was an old family and had a history. Stephen Roth couldn't say his family was anything but Appalachian hillbillies. She was right to leave him when she did. Her future was much brighter without him.


Scene 2:

Jude ushered Stephen Roth into his office and offered him a seat. "Make yourself comfortable," he said pouring himself a cup of coffee. Roth's request for a meeting had taken him by surprise and he hoped that his curiosity wasn't evident. "What can I do for you Stephen? Or is it Steve? I've heard both and never know which to call you."

"Stephen is fine, thanks," Roth replied shifting uncomfortably on the leather couch Jude had brought with him from his office in D.C.

"Okay, Stephen. Would you like some coffee?" Roth shook his head slightly. Jude shrugged and took a seat in the matching chair. "Do you want to make small talk for a while or do you want to tell me why you wanted to see me?" Jude asked amiably.

"I came here to offer you a warning," Stephen said after a moment's hesitation. Jude sipped his coffee but made no reply. "Hallie Lennox isn't going to sit still after what you and Jamie pulled."

"I'm aware Hallie isn't pleased with the situation as it happened, but I've heard she's made quite an impression on the folks at The Foundation," Jude replied . He wasn't sure whose side Stephen was on but he wasn't taking any chances. Stephen and Hallie had a history together and Jude knew it didn't have a happy ending, but he wasn't about to risk anything.

"That's exactly what you should be worried about. Hallie has a way with people. There are a lot of powerful people who donate to The Mason Foundation who could help Hallie any way she wanted."
Jude narrowed his eyes. Roth was implying that she would use her new connections to somehow ruin him or Jamie. Jamie certainly had nothing to hide. But he did have Cynthia Mitchell lurking in his background. D.C. was a small town when it came to gossip. It wouldn't be difficult for her to hear about it. but proving would take an admission from either Cynthia or himself and he was certain he would never tell. But Cynthia...she was a different matter.

"And how would that affect me?" He asked , keeping his tone even and cool.

"Don't play games with her, Fontaine. She's out for blood."

"And how do you know that?" Jude asked, cautiously.

"Because I know her. You don't spend three years of your life with a woman and not know her. If you do, you're a complete moron. Hallie is sharp and she's cold-blooded. She'll take what she wants and use whatever or whoever to get what it. If that means ditching a few people and making new friends than that's what she'll do. Take it from someone who's been there."

"Stephen, Jamie and I are aware that Hallie is headstrong and determined. We've known her all our lives and she's never liked me or Jamie. We moved her away from ME to keep the tension levels down, not because we think she's incompetent. I also know that she happens to want more of ME than what she has. I think we can counter whatever she throws at us," Jude replied with as much conviction as he could. Stephen stood and shrugged.

"Don't say I didn't warn you. And I wouldn't trust her lackey either."

"If you mean Luke Conlan, I don't think you need to worry about that." Jude stood and followed him to the door. "Thanks for the advice though Stephen. If you need anything, just let me know." Stephen nodded and left the office. Jude closed the door behind him and turned back to his desk. It was possible that Hallie could find out about Cynthia. he didn't really care about himself but he didn't want Cyn to have to go through the public scrutiny. He would have to do something about that.


Scene3:

Stephen shook his head as he left Fontaine's office. He was a fool, Stephen thought , if he thought Hallie would take being humiliated so easily. He knew Hallie all too well. She would pounce on the Mason cousins as soon as she was offered the chance. What Jude Fontaine, and perhaps Jamie Mason didn't know was how well connected she would be at the Foundation. There were powerful people involved with it and she could certainly through a wrench into their plans with the right information.

He had long ago given up the idea of a reconciliation with his former fiancé. He had caused irreparable damage with that stupid fling he'd had with her aunt's assistant, Maggie. It didn't mean anything to anyone, but she had found out and raked him over the coals for it. In the span of two weeks, she had dumped him and taken up with Luke Conlan, a man she had claimed previously was as dumb as a door nail. Apparently, though, he was able to give her what Stephen could not. Luke Conlan was her sidekick where Stephen could never be one.

He went to the elevator and pressed the down button. He had tried no one could blame him for that. The doors opened and he stepped inside. Just as the doors were about to close a hand stopped them and pushed the doors open. Stephen pressed the open button and watched as Luke Conlan stepped onto the elevator. He looked at Stephen and sighed before settling into the corner. God, Stephen hated that guy. He kept his eyes forward and tried to ignore him as they descended to the lobby of the building.

"So, who were you sucking up to Roth?" Conlan asked after a moment of silence. "Fontaine or Mason?"

"I wasn't sucking up. I had a meeting with Jude, if you must know. Could we go back to the uncomfortable silence? I prefer it to your annoying small talk," he bit back.

"Ouch. Still bitter I see. If it means anything to you, Roth, Hallie doesn't regret dumping your ass at all."

"Why should she? She's got the perfect lapdog." The doors swished open at the fifth floor and Stephen took the opportunity to step out. "Have a nice life as Hallie Lennox' toady." The doors closed on Conlan's annoyed face and Stephen laughed aloud. God, he hated that guy. But at least he got the last word in and it was a winner.
    

Scene 4:

Dane looked up from morning coffee as his sister practically floated out onto the terrace. It was actually a back porch but Hallie and Gwen both referred to it as a terrace. Dane was all for calling a spade a spade and this was a porch. He titled his head and looked at Hallie carefully. He recognized that look. She was planning something and he had a pretty good idea what.

"What evil plan are you hatching now?" He asked with a pleasant smile. Hallie turned her pretty blue eyes toward him and shrugged.

"Who says it's evil?"

"I do. Any plan that come out of your head is evil because Hallie, you are evil," he answered without missing a beat. She waved a hand at him as if to dismiss him.

"I am not. I just happen to be planning the downfall of Jamie and Jude. That's all. Nothing evil in that."

"Are you...listening to yourself? Because it sounds to me like that's an evil plan," he remarked .

"Oh really? Well, if I'm evil than you are too. I seem to remember you jumping on my 'evil' bandwagon about six months ago when Gwen asked you to run ME," she pointed out.

"I've changed my ways. It's the straight and narrow for me. Besides, you should be thinking about your engagement party and the wedding and not how you plan to take over the world starting with ME. I bet you'll be doing a party Scarlett O'Hara style."

"If you mean it will be grand and the talk of the season, then yes. If you mean it will be ostentatious and melodramatic...very funny! And as for taking over ME, I only want what's mine."

"Hold on a second," Dane said raising his hand, palm out. "Only 10% of ME belongs to you. Remember? 10% is mine, 10% is Gwen's, 10% is Jamie's and 10% is Ellen's. And if I'm not mistaken, the other 50% belongs to the stockholders. You've got your stock, be happy with it."

"I'd be happier if you gave me yours," she said batting her eyelashes.  

"Dream on sister. Those stocks are mine, you'll get 'em when I die. And don't get any ideas."

"Oh you're no fun. But don't worry, my plans don't include you this time around, Dane. So you can go back to messing around with all of your tramps. As a matter of fact, why aren't you out with one of them now?"

"Because, Hal, in case you didn't get the memo, Jamie's wife and other son arrive today. Gwen requested our presence for lunch so we can meet her and pretend we're all one big happy family."

"Jamie's wife? What's her name again? I can never seem to remember," Hallie asked.

"Her name is Michaela and if I were you Hallie, I'd straighten up that attitude," Gwen said approaching from the garden. Hallie and Dane exchanged glances. Today would definitely be an interesting day for the Masons.
 

On the next Episode of Secret Horizons...

Episode 17