Dispute Resolution

Chapter Twenty-One

Quinn wriggled nervously in her seat and twisted the stem of her wineglass in her hand. She really hoped Alex turned up. He was usually punctual when it came to drinks and he certainly enjoyed a few. She'd managed to contact him after Gray had left her apartment this morning. She'd been quite surprised when he'd answered the phone straight away. She'd thought that he would've changed his number and she would have no chance in hell of getting through to him. If that didn't work, her backup plan had been to call Rory and ask him to pass on Alex's number, even though she would've preferred diving with sharks.

But he had answered the phone and was pleased to hear from her and was only too happy to meet up for a pub lunch and a few drinks. She breathed a sigh of relief when he walked through the glass doors. Alex saw her immediately, a broad, boyish grin splitting his features as he sauntered casually over to her.

"G'day gorgeous," he said with familiarity and placed a loud kiss on her cheek.

His smile was infectious and she couldn't help but return it. She really hoped Gray would go easy on Alex, whatever the outcome of today was, because underneath it all he was a nice guy, he'd just done the wrong thing. They chatted amiably for a bit, reminiscing about old times. She told him about Rory and how he'd broken up with her, leaving Alex to shake his head.

"I always thought he was punching above his weight when he landed a great girl like you," Alex told her sincerely. "He gave the rest of us hope that we could all find a supermodel type."

"I'm hardly a supermodel," Quinn scoffed.

"He didn't know what he had," Alex persisted. "I just can't believe he broke up with you. I thought the two of you would get married and settle down for sure."

"So did I," Quinn agreed.

"But then I see you in a women's magazine with that Holloway guy," Alex said and Quinn's eyes shot up nervously.

"Well actually, Alex, that's kind of the reason why I needed to meet you today. He needs your help."

"He needs my help?" Alex said.

"Yeah, that scandal that involved his father and brother, the one with the photograph you doctored, someone is trying to frame him for it," Quinn told him.

"Hey look, I don't want to get involved."

"But you wouldn't have to," she said sensing he was drawing away from her. "I just need to know what computer the original file was on."

"Don't you get it, it was on my laptop, sure it was the property of The Metro, but I was the one who carried out the work. I'll be the one to take the heat for this," Alex said.

"But what if Gray could find a way to get you immunity from prosecution if you agreed to help out with the investigation?"

"Can that even be done?"

"Of course it can. You were just following orders. You told me that when the story first broke. It's not you the investigators are interested in. It's the big guys, Martin and Dylan Holloway," she said. At least he seemed to relax a little at her words.

He suddenly leant in close to her and whispered. "There's other stuff too," he told her. "Stuff that could really get the Holloway's in a lot of trouble."

"Really?" Quinn squeaked.

She didn't know if Gray would want to go that far. He only wanted to clear his name, not send his father and brother to jail, although sadly, that is probably what would happen anyway, the case was too high profile, the misdemeanours too great.