“How did that happen?”  The lawyer couldn’t believe what he had just heard.

“It’s just one of those unavoidable things in life Eric, and you’ll soon learn that once something of great value is pried away from your defenseless hands.”  The vertically challenged millionaire feigned a helpless look.

“I think I’ve already learned that lesson.”  Eric shook his as Tina came to mind.

“Okay we’re not talking about you Eric.” William felt the shift in Eric’s attention span.

“Fine, you were saying.”  Eric looked at William and waited for him to continue.

“Yes, the negatives were stolen and I want to make sure that I’m covered, I know you do consultations for the insurance companies.”  William gave a big smile.

“Yes.” Eric said impatiently but didn’t quite voice obvious enough.

“I want you to conduct the investigation and make sure that I get paid.” William maintained eye contact with the lawyer to convey the message.

“You want me to lie on an insurance investigation report?”  If there was a moment where Eric regretted being a lawyer in the entertainment industry this was it.

“Not so much lie as just make sure that I get my money.”  William couldn’t believe his luck at the timing of the disappearance of the negatives and finding out that Eric’s connection to the insurance company through the studio.

“Great.” Eric shook his head in disbelief “this is just great.”

“Not as great as the photos I have of you and Kelly.”  William admired a portrait on the lawyer’s wall.

“Everyone in Tinsel Town knows we’re dating there are hundreds of pictures of the two of us.” Eric said nervously knowing what William’s next move would be.

“Before our divorce, in New York” William laughed turning back to Eric, “What was that hotel called?”  He pretended to have a hard time recalling.

“You’re bluffing.” Eric closed his eyes seeing his entire career dangling the toilet and baldy had his hand on the flushing handle.

“Think about it Eric, would I make such a proposition if I didn’t have an Ace up my sleeve?”  William’s face turned deadly and Eric nearly shit his pants.

The lawyer silently nodded his head and agreed to the terms William had cornered him into.