Disclaimer: Don�t own characters, just muddle on through the plot� For lyrics to Send in the Clowns visit my Lyrics page. S e n d i n t h e C l o w n s P a r t F i v e �Why should we help that bastard?� Serena shouted throwing her bag across the room to the couch. �He doesn�t deserve it.� �I know, it�s Nora�s wish though.� �And we all know why that is.� �Serena please, I�m not the enemy and whatever Nora has being doing she is still your boss and a damn fine lady, don�t judge her on this one mistake.� �How do you know her Jack, you never talk about it.� Jack shrugged and ruffled his hair. �Old news me and her, nothing to tell. I was her mentor if you like while she was studying at University, we got on well, had fun while discussing the law. A rare treat.� He smiled at Serena warmly; he really had come to care for her, in a fatherly way of course. He noticed Nora coming down the hall and made his excuses to Serena so he could catch her alone. �Jack, how is it you�re the first to greet me every morning?� �Can�t keep away I suppose.� He smiled. �How are you this morning?� �You�ve asked me that every day this week.� A deep breath. �I�m fine.� �You looked tired.� �How would you feel if your name was being dragged through the mud?� �It has been � many times before.� �Any advice.� He chewed his bottom lip. �Don�t sleep with idiots.� �Bit late for that now.� �I did try�� �I know, I know.� She sat down at her desk. �So fill me in.� �I was going to ask you to do the same thing.� She looked at him questioningly. �I�m not sure what you want me to do.� �Prove his innocence.� �A bit difficult when I have doubts myself � and you too from what I remember of last week.� �I was tired and confused and shook up.� �So you�re telling me you didn�t mean it.� He leant forward on her desk. �The way you said it Nora, I think you believed it.� �I don�t have time for this Jack, just do the job.� �I can only try. But if he�s guilty�� He shrugged and then left her alone to think on his words. * * * Nora was late leaving her office, but as she waited for the elevator she found she wasn�t the last to leave. Serena emerged from Jack�s office and joined her by the elevator door. Nora looked over to her and tried to smile but Serena ignored her gesture. She tried another approach. �Evening Serena.� �Hi.� �Tell me Serena what exactly do you think about me?� Serena turned her head and looked at Nora for the first time. �You really want to know.� �Yes, I mean I may be your boss but I always thought that you and I got on well but now you hardly acknowledge me. I made a mistake, I got carried away by a young attractive man, I never did it to intentionally hurt you or anybody else.� Serena looked down at her feet. �I know you didn�t it�s not that what bothers me.� �Then what?� �I�ve always looked up to you, admired you. You�re successful and hard on issues but somehow still open and friendly � you don�t find that very often in people at your level.� Nora smiled at the compliment. �Thank you, I appreciate that.� �But I can�t believe that you would allow a criminal to get away free, surely your morals forbid you from doing that.� * * * Never a name mentioned and yet Serena left no doubt as to who she was talking about or what she meant. And as Nora lay on her sofa, sipping strong brandy and gazing steadily at the darkness she couldn�t help but beat herself up about the whole thing. Sure at the time it was exciting, flattering even, to have this gorgeous young man throwing himself at her. But even then, even when she was sharing her bed with him she knew he wasn�t a decent person. She knew from the moment she met him if she was honest. Sometimes you can just meet a person and instantly recognise qualities in them, either good or bad. It had been the same with Jack when she�d first met him, he may have come across as brash and bold and a bit of a womaniser, but deep down he cared, perhaps even loved her like he claimed to. She shook her head, now wasn�t the time to get tangled up with all those old memories. Far too much was happening - if only she hadn�t invited Tom to the conference, if only she hadn�t let herself be manipulated by his charms, if only she�d stayed true to her feelings and perhaps if she�d spent the night with Jack instead how would things be different� She fumbled around on the table until she found her mobile and rang Jack�s number. A sleepy voice on the end of the line murmured a hello. �I�m sorry it�s late Jack, but I needed to talk.� She heard him switch on a light and could picture him getting out of bed. �Go on.� �I want you off the case.� �To drop it?� She nodded then realised he couldn�t see. �He�s guilty Jack, I�m sure of it and the girl doesn�t deserve�� �Emma,� �What?� �Her name is Emma.� She closed her eyes as thousands of visual images flooded in. �I�m sorry, I didn�t imagine.� �That�s ok.� �I�ve been such a fool Jack, I�ve worked my entire life to have this job, this respect and prestige and I just throw it away on a whim�� She was pacing now, almost hysterical. �Nora, calm down, as far as I�m concerned only Serena and myself know what�s been going on.� �I don�t deserve you.� Jack laughed. �Are you drunk.� �A little perhaps,� She smiled. �I feel so terrible.� �Don�t � go to bed and settle yourself, and we�ll talk tomorrow.� �Thank you.� �Nora,� �Yes.� �I still respect you. Night.� The phone clicked and the line went dead and she collapsed onto the sofa exhausted. P l e a s e r e v i e w S t o r i e s |