Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2012 02:09:56 +0100 (BST) From: ukwriter12@yahoo.com Subject: Re: Moonside Manor Part 1 - Chapter 6 Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author's imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events or locales is purely coincidental and no slanderous intent is implied. This work is copyrighted and I ask that you do not copy, post or electronically download without my express permission. If you are too young to be here or it is illegal in your state then please leave; finally if you are looking for hot sex scenes then look again as you'll not find any here. Email me with your comments at ukwriter12@yahoo.com _______________________________________________________________________ CHARACTER LIST -------------- Jared Exley -- Uncle Leon Exley -- Guardian of 13 year old Jared Davy - Was Jared's partner, Diane's best friend Peter Barrington -- Steven's cousin and partner in the law firm CJ -- Jared's grandson / adopted son Christopher Matthews -- Jared's adopted son Mason -- Jared's grandson -- Myles and Ed's adopted son Myles -- Peter's 19 year old son, Ed -- Myles' lover Mikey -- CJ's twin Mary Gibson -- Matriarch of the family Steven Gibson -- Mary's husband Paul Gibson -- Mary's son and chief of police Jake Gibson-- Mary's youngest son and police officer Dr. Darren Cartwright -- Jake's partner and Jared's doctor. Judge James Haroldson -- Mary's brother Jennie -- Mary's sister Diane Gibson -- Mary's sister -Exley HR Director - Steven's ex-wife. Kathy -- Diane's partner Stacy --Diane and Steven's daughter. Tracy -- Peter's secretary Sheila Miranda Easby -- Jared's Aunt William Webster -- Jared's Grandfather John McNicolls -- Sheila's adopted son Mavis Pratt -- Stephen's wife Bryan Patterson -- Exley and Webster Chief Operating Officer Natalie Walters -- Exley and Webster `Business Operations and Controls Director' Carl Davidson -- Jared's security Sean Pearson -- Jared's security Mike Pearson -- Jared's security There are various other ancillary characters, such as the Pratt family that do not play a major part in the story and so are not listed above. _______________________________________________________________________ An effort has been made to only hint at the area that it is set in so it allows you to use your imagination... Chicago is mentioned, but then again so is Gary Indiana so we know the area it is based in. Other than that we simply know that it is based in a city and most cities have the basic things in common. _______________________________________________________________________ MOONSIDE MANOR Chapter 6 -- Who am I? Life quickly settled into a daily routine and even I thought it seemed somewhat normal. Peter and I at first were more than wonderful, but he started getting more and more distant and spending more and more time at the townhouse. Maybe something should have shouted to me, but I was determined to give us a go. Moonside Manor was absolutely beautiful and the colours and furniture were stunning. One thing we did discover was that we had a budding artist in our midst and we encouraged him to develop his skills as much as he could. The studio was been turned into his studio and we loved his work so much that we had many of them hanging on the wall. Chris was very shy about his ability, but we continued to encourage him. We found that if CJ was with him he seemed more inspired than when he paints alone. As he spent time with Chris, CJ found that he had an eye for photography. So we installed the state of the art computer and software on his desktop and installed it in the corner of the studio. At the same time gave him a complete set of top notch photography equipment. Some of the aspects that he managed to capture in his pictures were just amazing and often he was found in the strangest of places getting close up photos that were simply amazing. It was during one of these times, when he was showing me his pictures that I thought that my world was coming to an end. There on the pictures that he was showing me was his daddy Peter. It must have been when CJ was off school sick. It looked like CJ had been in our closet taking mundane pictures of what he called `Everyday' when Peter entered the bedroom. There were several pictures. I just cried. With Peter was another man. One that I knew from my staff at Exley, the man called Gavin... surprise, surprise. "Papa, why is daddy with uncle Gavin in your bed?" "Uncle Gavin?" "Yes, when you worked late the other week and stayed in town over night daddy had him over. When I woke up and came down for a drink he was at the door kissing daddy." "Sheila!" I shouted my aunt hoping she was around. It was not long before not only Sheila, but also Mary came into the studio. "Have either of you heard what's happening with Peter and Gavin from my staff?" It was obvious from the look on both of their faces that they had. "So it begins again and this time my own aunt is keeping secrets from me. When will I be able to trust people? How long? How long have you both known... No, change that how long has this been going on?" "Jared it is not like that. Peter told us that you had an open relationship and that was the reason you stayed in town." Sheila then added "Gavin's not the only one that I know about, and I think others will be able to add more names if you ask them." "When was someone going to tell me?" "We have already told you ..." Mary started to say. "Do you really think that little of me? Do you think that even if I was I would open my nine year old son up to this?" I threw the pictures on the table towards them. "Sheila you know that I would not do that! I have been with three people in my life and one of them was Peter and we have not had sex yet!" I thought for a while. "Do either of you know when he will be back tonight?" "Jared he's staying in town tonight and tomorrow because of a trial." Mary said. I grabbed my mobile and called his office to speak to him, Tracy said that he had not been in all day. When I asked when the trial was due to end she said that he had called in sick and was not sure he would even be in tomorrow. I asked to have an appointment with Steven that afternoon and hung up. I then call Exley International and asked to speak to Gavin Taylor my one time COO and then realised Mary must have known because she removed his position and demoted him. Stacy said that he had called in sick for the rest of the week. At that point I looked up at Mary and said, "You knew and you knew how I would feel because you removed Gavin from the COO position." "Jared none of us really knew and those that did were scared of hurting you. We could all tell you knew things were not right yourself." "Yes you're right and I suspected Gavin, but I never expected this" and I pointed to the pictures. "No one rubs their sickness in my sons face and calls it normal." I thought for a moment, "Mary call emergency board meetings for both Exley and the foundation TODAY, if need be invoke Contingency 201." and then I started phone calls that I hated having to make. Audits of payments from all bank accounts associated with me; personal, Exley and foundation discovered that Gavin had managed to embezzle $100,000. Payments were pending from the foundation and my personal accounts which had been stopped as I had to sign for the foundation on any large transfers and I can remember cancelling the one that was now in front of me. Personal accounts were managed by my investment brokers and when the request for payments came in he opened a fraud case with the police and was ready to act. I was shocked that he was the only one that seemed to have had my welfare at the top of his agenda. Just after midday I arrived for my appointment with Steven. After showing him the photos and what I had found out about all of my finances, Steven called his accounts office and was told how much Peter had fleeced them for as well. Steven was shocked when I told him who had taken the pictures and how. We immediately initiated the removal of Peter from everything to do with me, my family and foundation. We reworded all legal documentation and even executed a new will protecting my family against him. Steven was added as my contact in the event of an emergency and signatory in all things should I not be available. I did stipulate that there had to be three signatories for payments when not approved by me. Finally we attended the board meeting at the Foundation and had Peter removed from the Uncle Leon foundation board and Jennie was elected in his place, having worked for the CBS it seemed right. Once that was completed we attended the board meeting at Exley International and the same thing took place even though this time it was Gavin that we were removing. From the board room we called Paul and asked him to come to the townhouse with us as the board insisted that Gavin be arrested for fraud. Once that had been completed Steven and I left to meet with Myles and Ed. After showing them the photos, they were given the choice that no son would want. They could stick with Peter and lose Mason as I would fight for custody of my own grandson... and I would win, or they could come to the town house with me that evening. I hated doing that as Myles was devastated, but it was not me he turned on. He was ashamed of himself as he felt all was not right with his father, but had done nothing about it. Steven, Myles and Ed, Paul and backup, and even Judge Haroldson arrived with me at the townhouse later that evening. It is strange that all of us knew what he was doing and that was why I never committed and Myles became Myles Exley, but he'd hurt CJ and that could never happen. It was obvious that they were there as Gavin's company car was parked outside next to Peter's in the drive. It was a company car so I pulled out the spare keys and had Paul remove it and the same with Peter's as that belonged to Moonside Manor. As we entered the house there was no sign of life except some very animated sounds coming from the master bedroom upstairs. The door was open and we could see everything that was happening. There with his legs in the air was Peter, being fucked and a very hairy assed guy who was planted in his ass. "Dad how could you?" Myles stepped into the room while we stayed just outside. Peter looked up. "What the fuck are you doing here?" Gavin never missed a stroke. "Wondering why I ever respected you. Is this what you did when you were with mother as well? Screw everything on legs as long as he had a cock; or even what you did when Jared was dying on the operating table? Oh my god that's it isn't it?" "Watch your mouth boy. Gavin makes me happy and Jared doesn't need to know. He's not important." "Maybe Gavin I could understand, but what about Richard at the hospital, or Bret Jared's counsellor. Oh and don't forget Simon young CJ's teacher while he was sat outside the class waiting for his daddy." Peter just looked at Myles. I looked on shocked as this was all news to me. "Did you think CJ didn't know what you were doing? Or what the grunting you were making was. He came to me crying that night." Gavin just looked at Peter and said, "Bit of a whore aren't we?" Peter smiled, "Always have been, love. God only knows why I got saddled with that lame assed Jared. Oh yes, I remember ... the money we're taking from him" and they both laughed. "I am so ashamed of you. Why money? You have your own." "Doesn't last forever and I have expensive tastes in men." "Well I have seen Uncle Steven to make sure that legally I am cut off from you in every way and that my name is changed. I never want to see you again. You're no longer my father..." He paused, "Oh you mentioned money; I have had all of my accounts changed because illegal transfers were attempted on them, if you were not my father I would have you arrested as the banks were able to prove who asked for the transfers. Jared is three times the man you will ever be, I'll tell you one thing you will never be and that is a father. I'm sorry I ever knew you!" He sobbed. "Fine, now fuck off and shut the door on your way out as I am in the middle of a hell of a good fuck." "What do you think Jared? Should we go? What about you, Uncle Steven? What do you think?" As we walked in Peter's face went white as he saw exactly who was with me. "Paul..." I pointed at Gavin, "I want him arrested." "What for having sex with a man?" He just bellowed with laughter and at that point my ace card stepped forward, Gavin's wife. "No so that I can take you for every fucking penny that you have in the divorce. You will never see your children again. Oh, and your mother has cut you out of her will as well. Whoever you are you're welcome to him." She turned and walked out. Peter looked shocked "You're married?" "Sorry about that, but she so wanted to make sure we were correct when I contacted her. Oh and Gavin you are right. We can't arrest you for having a shag with a man, but I wouldn't call him a man. No the arrest I'm thinking of is for fraud and embezzlement of $100,000 from Exley international with ten other attempts that failed." Next thing I knew he had pulled out of Peter and threw himself across the room at me. Only thing he did not reckon on was Jake and he was soon on the floor. "You have ten minutes to get your things together and leave." "You can't do that I'm COO of Exley and can stay here as long as I want to. "Wrong I am the sole owner of Exley International which if you had half a brain you would know, and whilst I am not pressing charges because we have managed to get the funds back you are now officially unemployed and I guess homeless as well. Do not attempt to go to Exley or try to access their systems as all of your securities have been removed and you will be arrested if you try. Paul continued, "We've already seized your laptop and anything else that you had from the company. Jared may not be pressing charges, but Exley is insisting that they do." Paul cuffed him and walked out to the waiting cars as he was reading his rights to him. Steven told me not to worry about anything as it was an open and shut case and he would handle everything. He tried once more to get to me only for Paul to say, "Give it up son you are beaten fair and square." With that we turned back to Peter and saw that he was now wanking as the fuck had been interrupted and he was feeling rather frustrated. "You make me sick dad!" "Now, as for you Mr Peter Barrington you can move into his cell with him as far as I'm concerned. Judge, have we managed to legally cut him off and reverse everything that we had done in the past? He was never in my will or anything like that." "Yes Jared everything has been done." said the judge. Looking at Peter I continued, "I don't care if you live on the streets or whatever you do. I have had you removed from everything that is or has anything with me. You can collect your stuff tomorrow from the Manor when I am at work. I will make sure the kids are not there, but security will be present at all times when you are on the premises and will remove you from them. When you are finished they will sign off a checklist listing everything down to the last comb that you take with you. Do not try to get access to of any of the children as I will stop you at every turn and do not try to contact the Uncle Leon foundation as you are no longer part of it. All of my properties both Exley and Webster have been updated as to the situation and you will not be allowed access to any of them." Exley and Webster, I sort of liked the sound of that. Myles added, "Do not ever try to contact me as I want nothing to do with you. I am so ashamed and there is no way in hell that Mason is having any contact with someone who would do this to people that they supposedly love." "Are you proud of yourself you bastard. Why was what I was doing so bad haven't you heard of an open relationship?" Peter asked. "Oh I could put up with Simon and Bret and Richard and all of the others, I just kept on saying that you loved me and kept coming home to me. Then there was this and I will not risk losing the children. They have been through enough already. How could you? It was bad enough that you happily did it to me, but this!!!" I was almost shouting. His face just turned white as he looked at the pictures, "Who took these?" "I have a very devastated nine year old going on sixty since he saw these at home crying his eyes out because he was in the closet taking those pictures of his, when accidentally took these as well. For god sake man he has already lost one daddy and now his last words to me were, `I never want to see him again Papa'." Peter looked at the photos and was stunned at what he saw. "You can stay here tonight, but then security will be here in the morning to change all of the locks. Oh and if anything is missing off the `Exley asset inventory' you will be billed for it at the Law firm and Steven has agreed to cover it." Steven stepped up to the mark now as well, "As part of the inheritance from grandfather his will stated that if anyone brought shame on the name of the law firm then he was to be removed. You are no longer a partner as stipulated in the will and a base rate will be paid to you. You are no longer allowed on the premises unless I am there." Peter looked stunned, "Why are you doing this to me?" "Me? Because we were supposed to be together and because of what you've been doing we never have been. You were just using me, you have not been happy since I got home. We've slept in the same bed, but you've just turned your back on me every night. That was because I suppressed your cheating ways I suppose. "Well I can't live with an umbrella like that hanging over my head. I've seen the judge and everything has legally been reversed back to what it was. Myles has asked if I will adopt him and Ed and I have willing accepted because they are both over eighteen it is their choice." With that a sobbing Myles, clinging to Ed, and myself walked out of the house followed by everyone else and headed home to nurse our wounds. We were followed by Paul and Steven and the judge to make sure that everything had been thought of and everything annulled. I must admit Peter kept to the agreement and moved out the next day and it was some years before we saw him again. Even though Steven's firm kept the name he bought Peter out and Peter moved to a different state. We think he eventually settled in California with Gavin once Gavin was released ten years later. Myles followed through with everything with Steven and the Judge and he and Ed are now legally my kids. A new will has been drawn up so that everyone was included and everyone was protected. We also arranged to have all of the family names changed to Exley-Gibson as Steven and Mary were more of a family to us than any one had ever been. We got home only to find Bret in with CJ trying to talk though everything. I headed in there and asked to Bret to step out and have a word. When he stepped out it was Jake who knocked him on the floor with a right hook to this jaw. "What the hell was that for?" A very shocked Bret shouted. "We know about you and Peter." "What do you mean about me and Peter? Where is he by the way? I have only just got CJ settled telling him daddy would never do anything like that." Bret tried to save the situation. "We do not know where he is, nor do we care. We just found him in bed being fucked by Jared's old COO from Exley." Jake snapped. He looked shocked, "He wouldn't do that. He said that he loved me." He suddenly realised what he had said and slumped against the wall. "We were going to move in together." "Tell me son when did it start?" Jared asked. "He seduced me when he drove me home the other week. I am so sorry Jared." "That I can believe, but only because you've been caught. You were quite happy for it to continue, as he's driven you home every time you have been here and you did not think one jot about how it would affect others." "Bret we are going to report this and you will lose your licence. I'm sorry, but this type of thing cannot be allowed happen. Jared has his family around him, but it could have easily have been a very vulnerable individual that you affected, for instance CJ saw everything in these pictures." I passed him the photos. "CJ took those! Now get your things and leave. Before you do though leave any notes or recordings that you have made while you have been here in any of the interviews or discussions." Darren walked away in disgust. "You heard the doc now move." Jake stepped forward, "Before you leave I believe you were told you had to leave your notes and recordings for the doc. Have you got anything at home or on your laptop sir?" Bret shook his head and that was the last time we heard from him. Darren was able to find CJ and myself new people to talk with, the only difference was CJ refused to see anyone without Chris with him as he had lost a lot of his confidence. After Bret left I contacted Mary, who told me she had already contacted the school and insisted that CJ's teacher be removed and never be allowed to teach again as he was a danger to the children. Apparently they had locked the classroom with CJ sat outside while they were having sex inside. She also insisted they ask the board how something like that could happen. I asked her if she could get her, Diane and Stacy and meet with me at the Manor that evening. I also asked for all family members to be there as well. I suddenly wanted to do a tour of all of my businesses and also to visit and introduce myself to all of my grandfathers businesses. Since school was out the kids including Jon, Myles and Ed would be travelling with me. This was a tour that would change my life for good. That evening we managed to eat a wonderful meal cooked by our new housekeeper Cilla. She was actually very good and was the sister of Kathy, Diane's partner. Once we all had our fill every one moved to the family room and sat down as I said that we needed to talk. I also invited Cilla as she would need to know for the management of the estate and Jake as he would need to know to organise security. "By now you all know what Peter has put us all through. To be honest Myles and me at least need to get away from everything for a while. I've been thinking and we have not been to see any of the Webster businesses or ranches left to me by grandfather. So I need to hear what you all think about the kids and me taking off for at least a month. We'll make sure that we're back in time for school and for university for the big boys." "I think it'll be a wonderful experience for the children and will do you good" stated Steven. "Thank you Steven, I need to ask that Mary and Diane take the reins of the business during that time if possible and that you as my attorney be the official called upon for any legal matters that may arise. I would also like to ask you to sit on the board as the new attorney for Exley International." "I would be honoured Jared and do not worry I will get everything in place for you." "Jake we still need you and your guys, but there needs to be cover here so that everything is looked after." "I'll talk to the guys, but Mark and Bobby both have families so I do not see there being any problems with them leading the Exley home team. I'd suggest rather than taking a load of vehicles that we hire a `Tour bus' like those pop stars use because then we'll be all together and I have made sure that all my guys have experience driving RVs. We'll also take two of the BMWs so we have cars if we need them." "Excellent idea, can you sort out the RV for us. Now is there anything that we need to get sorted before we leave." We continued to talk this over for some time and had a travel agenda organised and what we thought we needed to achieve at each location. It was agreed that by the last week in July we would be on the road and that everyone who was going with us would be ready. Sheila said she needed a break after everything so she would be coming with us and Stacy it was decided would travel as my personal assistant for any meetings that would be needed as this was business after all... as well as pleasure. Both Chris and CJ were excited as it would give them chance to get some wonderful photos taken so that they would have a library that they could both work on where the painting and the photography was concerned. I told them that we would make sure that they had what they needed and that we would organise a gallery to show their work once we got home. Shelia had a thought, "Why don't you work together and do studies of the same thing from your own different perspectives? That way once in the gallery the audience will see the same thing from two sets of eyes, the painter and the photographer." "Wow guys I think that is a great idea" I said. With that they wandered off to talk about everything that they'd need. I went over to Mary to ask her if she could find a gallery willing to show their work, possibly toward Christmas time. She didn't know any, but was sure that she could find one. With that though Sheila said, "Wouldn't the `Exley Webster Gallery' sound fantastic?" We just looked at her "You know the way that they are going we're going to need one in the future so why don't we just go for our first joint venture and look into purchasing an empty studio in a prime location and let's open it so that we show only upcoming talent. We could call it I don't know, but I love the name Exley Webster Gallery, it sort of has a ring to it." I said. Mary looked at me and added, "Yes I love it, but keep it secret from the kids as it could ruin their holiday. I also see this being their project. Even though they are only nine and eleven years old this is going to be their baby. It will be their gallery and they will run it with a group of advisers to guide them, which I am sure Exley and Webster can provide." I know it was only a few weeks, but time could not go fast enough as far as I was concerned. I know that we had only been together a few months, but Peter had really grown on me and I could tell Myles was missing him. We also knew that we had to move forward and not look back as he would never change. I was now holding interviews with Diane and Mary for the position of Chief Operating Officer. Whilst we did not ban internal applications I didn't feel that we should move staff around. I was the President of the company and ultimately the Chief Executive Officer that everyone reported to. It was only after two days of solid interviews that we met with a Bryan Patterson. At first we didn't consider his application, but then called him in any way as there was just something about him. He came from a steady background where his parents had worked all of their lives to ensure he had the opportunity to gain his masters degree and the chance in life that they never had. He had worked his way though university and still achieved top marks in his year. Even though he was only twenty four it was worth having a look at him. I had figured that he would be geeky and nerdy, but hell he was stunning. As he walked into the interview room he carried an air of confidence that none of the others had. The interview went really well and after what seemed like hours of discussions I asked a question that I had never asked in the past, "If you were put into a situation where you had to work with a gay man what would be your reaction?" "Sir, I hate to say that I am now questioning my desire to work for Exley International if they can be so closed minded..." "Easy son, I asked as I am Jared Exley-Gibson and I need to know that I can trust whoever I hire as I'm gay and so are some of my sons, among other things." "Sorry for assuming, but my oldest brother was badly beaten when he was seventeen because he was gay." Tears escaped and slowly rolled down his face. "Nyle never survived and he died in my arms two days later... I will never let anyone speak badly of gay people and will go out of my way to protect them if I can. Your sons would be safe with me. My fiancée feels the same, as well." "What does she do son?" "Well Sir..." "Call me Jared." "Well Jared, she has a master's degree in accountancy; she is a chartered accountant and a member of ACA, `Association of chartered Accounts'. I believe that you're from the UK, so you will have heard of ACA. Her family moved over here so when she completed her studies and all of the requirements to become an ACA she moved to live with them. She's three years older than me and once she moved here took all of the tests and exams needed for the Chartered Accountant qualification to be accepted and to gain the American CPA qualifications. However, she is in the same situation as me with the job environment as it is, that's unemployed. We think though hers is partly because she is English." "We do have companies over in the UK and Europe because as you know the company was developed over there. Would she be willing to travel if required?" "Definitely there is no question about that." After retiring to the small office off the conference room and spending fifteen minutes to review our feelings about Bryan we went back to him. "Bryan even though you maybe young we would like to offer you the position of Chief Operating Officer in Exley International. Things have been rather strange around here lately and it will be a test in itself to settle in. I will be away for the next month or so, but Mary my personal assistant and Steven my attorney will be working with you during that time. It may become more than just Exley that you are COO for in the end." "Thank you so much sir. I just don't know what to say." Diane stepped in at this point and said, "Well yes would be a good reply for me since I am HR and the fact that you never asked about money really impressed me. We will talk that tomorrow and have contracts ready to sign. "Contracts?" "Yes. We would also like for you to bring you fiancée with you to see Steven and I tomorrow at 2 o'clock in the afternoon sharp, when you come into see Diane." Bryan could not believe what he was hearing and simply nodded his head. "Ok then. Mary will organise your start date and Diane will organise your girlfriends interview and both of your contracts should you choose to move forward with the offer. What's her name by the way?" "Natalie Walters." "OK Bryan for a little background that you can share with her so that she can come in with some ideas when we see her. We need to hire an internal auditor in the finance section working directly with Jared and under his direction so that will mean that the two of you will be working together as well as she will answer to you when Jared is unavailable. If successful she'll be leading a division that will not only audit Exley International, which includes Easby Retail over in Europe, but also Uncle Leon Foundation, `Webster Transport, Metal and Food' along with auditing the investments which independent financial advisors complete for Jared and other various activities and businesses that he owns. Do you think she'd be interested? It is quite an undertaking and very important as recent events have proven." I looked at Bryan, "Son, her first role will be to put a team together that you and I can trust. They will report to her for their daily tasks. She will need to come up with a plan of how they will put the needed financial controls in place, as controls seem to be the factor that are missing in general. It's an area that you'll need to review as well and may even want to create an overall Business Operations and Controls division led by Natalie and reporting directly to you. "If you do, then you have my full backing to get your team together with Natalie. Once we return the first board meeting will be dedicated to this whole new concept and will introduce the new Business Controls division. Once it has been introduced and accepted by the board, Natalie will join the board as the new `Business Operations and Controls Director' of Exley International and Webster, the first ever." As I said that it suddenly hit me as to how we could merge the two operations into one under the name of `Exley International and Webster'. Mary stepped in, "Jared has gone through some considerable shit recently and if this team had been in place most of it could have been avoided. You and Natalie will work together with the security team to ensure that shit does not happen again and that we have strong controls in place that meet all expectations financially and legally." "Thank you son ... I have to leave now to get back to the kids. I really look forward to working with you both. Apologise to Natalie on my behalf as I cannot be in the interview tomorrow as we leave on a tour of all of the businesses starting with `Webster Transport, Metal and Food' and shall not be back for a few weeks." It was to turn out that this was the best moves that I ever made and the three of us would work together for many years; their new department ensuring the continued success of all of our businesses. There was one glitch or fly in the ointment but as with everything new that was easily dealt with. _______________________________________________________________________ That's all for now folks ... A lot happens in chapter seven as we finally find out more about Webster and meet the mysterious Mr Silas ... We also find out about Headlands Horse and Cattle Company ... Chris has a dream come true and Davy speaks to Jared from the grave. If you enjoy reading the stories on nifty consider donating to the site to help with costs - http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html Email me with your comments at ukwriter12@yahoo.com because you keep us going and give us the determination to keep posting. For those of you that do contact me I will always try to reply. A little about myself ... I'm from the UK and would you believe born in Yorkshire. I have always loved writing and hope you enjoy...Let me know!!