Kenneth (Members From Money Season 2, #156)

Chapter 1

The Channel Six newscaster was blonde and sleek; her size four body poured into the power red suit.

Her eyes, light green and gleaming, stared right into the camera, red coated lips plumped by chemicals.

She pouted in what she assumed was sexy but not overtly so.

Checking her mike and making certain the camera man got her good side, she started her report.

"Breaking news."

She made certain she portrayed the right amount of sympathy in her tone and her expression.

"Former corporate lawyer Sylvan Copeland who was found guilty after a very short trial, was discovered stabbed to death in his cell a week ago.

Mr. Copeland had been found guilty on several charges, from tax evasion to siphoning money from his very wealthy clients, transferring the vast sums to an offshore account in the Cayman Islands.

The lawyer who had once lived lavishly, owning houses in several countries as well as properties right here in the US, was charged and sentenced to twenty years in a federal prison.

He had just started his sentence when he was found murdered in his cell.

On top of all that tragedy, his wife, Miriam Copeland allegedly swallowed a bottle of prescription drugs.

She was discovered by the housekeeper and rushed to St. John's Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Efforts to reach daughter Aria Copeland have proved fruitless.

This newscaster cannot imagine what that poor young woman must be going through, having to bury two parents. We will provide you with further..."

"You don't need to be listening to that Botox Betty." Amelia punched the off button on the remote and tossed it aside.

"Her name is Jerry with a 'J'." Aria turned to look at her friend. "And she has been calling me nonstop. I'm going to have to change my number."

"Already done." Amelia dug into her enormous tote and handed her a box. "Throwaway phone. Hopefully it will keep the hounds at bay."

"Thanks." She was numb, which was a good thing. Everything had happened so quickly that it left her head spinning. The woman standing in the almost empty living room was not only a realtor, but her best friend and had been a tower of strength during the past month.

"He hasn't called?"

Aria shook her head and went to draw the rich burgundy drapes. The lovely spring morning was lost on her. The lush green vegetation against the variety of flowers blooming was not soothing to her nerves.

"I did not expect him to."

"That spineless bastard."

"He explained in his usual patient manner that associating with me would do irreparable damage to his career." Her smile was mirthless. "And he's right."

"He's a damn coward." Amelia wanted to throw up her hands and scream.

It was not fair. Aria's world had come crashing down around her.

The fickle so-called friends in her former society had drifted away.

The funeral had been poorly attended as if they believed associating with the dead would leave a stain on their so-called good name. In one swoop, Aria had lost everything.

"I still think you should stay."

"And do what? No one is ever going to trust me to represent them again.

" That more than anything was tugging at her soul.

She was a damn good lawyer and had never piggybacked on her father's success.

She had studied hard and received a scholarship to the lofty and prestigious Harvard, her father's alma mater. And she had studied her ass off.

Sylvan Copeland had been a very hard man.

He had wanted a son and had been stuck with a daughter.

Aria had discovered a long time ago that nothing she accomplished would ever gain her father's approval.

She had stopped trying when she realized it was hopeless.

She had been offered a place in his successful law firm but had been treated like any other lawyer starting out for the first time.

She had been given grunt work, coffee runs, research, filing briefs for more than a year, before she was given a chance.

And even then, she had been expected to outperform all the lawyers in the firm, because she was a Copeland.

She had proven herself time and again, but she had never been made partner. All because of her father's bigoted view when it came to women.

Her mother had been content to stay in his shadow and never reached for anything more. She had lived her life for her husband and when he died, she took the easy way out.

"Oh, honey." She turned to look at her friend, grateful for the comfort. "I wish I could do more." Amelia looked around at the lofty living room with its elegant curves and huge fireplace. She already had a buyer for the property. A real estate mogul who was planning on making it his home.

Amelia hesitated for a moment, her eyes softening.

"You know, Aria, letting go doesn't mean forgetting.

Maybe this is your chance to find something for yourself, somewhere no one knows your name, no one whispers behind your back.

" She squeezed Aria's shoulder gently, the gesture filled with years of unspoken understanding.

"Whatever you decide, I'll be here. We'll get through this together. "

"Thanks." She straightened her shoulders. "All right, let's get this done."

*****

Much later when she was alone, she stood in the bedroom that had been hers and stared at the pale pink wallpaper.

And visualized how it had looked during her high school days.

The shelves had been stocked with various awards and ribbons.

She had been very competitive and had excelled at almost every sport.

Striding over to the window seat, she sat and looked over the pergola nestled in the middle of rose gardens that had been her mother's pride and joy.

There had been three Mexican men to tend to the grounds, under her mother's supervision of course.

Now the roses were blooming, but the grounds were empty and desolate.

The staff had been paid off and given letters of recommendation.

Linking her fingers, she continued to stare out at nothing, her thoughts chaotic.

The IRS had been ruthless in taking money owed to them.

The sale from the house and other properties would go to paying back the clients that had been exploited.

Even her apartment that had been purchased with her own money had been confiscated.

She was left with a few thousand in her bank account and considered fortunate not to be hauled into custody along with her dad and several of the partners at the law firm. Her lawyer had said as much to her.

"You won't be able to practice law for a year, but that's nothing compared to what you might be facing."

She had lost her parents, her home, her career and the man she had thought she would be spending the rest of her life with. Pressing her lips together, she blinked away tears and rose. The time for self-pity was at an end.

Her mind drifted back to those nights spent arguing cases in front of her bedroom mirror, determined to prove she was worthy, if not to her father, then at least to herself.

But now, the silence of the empty house echoed with memories, both bitter and sweet.

She realized she was standing at the edge of something unfamiliar.

Freedom or simply the unknown. A daunting prospect, but one she would have to face on her own terms.

*****

Aria stared around her apartment, turning a slow circle as she stood in the center of the living room.

The floor gleamed a rich oak, picking up the sunlight shining through the shades.

The electronic fireplace was large, and she recalled times sitting in the comfortable rocker and poring over briefs and finetuning contracts.

The walls were bare, the muted gold wallpaper showing faded patches where expensive art had been.

She had picked up paintings here and there from her travels.

And had been a patron of the arts at several galleries.

The décor here was far different from the one she had left at her parents' home.

She had preferred bold colors as shown in the sofas and Indian rugs on the floors.

She had packed up everything. And sold what she could. Where she was going, she would have no need for expensive items.

"Oh honey, your hair!"

She turned at the sound of her friend's voice. It had been a week since they had seen each other and during that seven days, she had accomplished a lot.

"What have you done?"

Lifting a defensive hand, she passed it over the short, cropped hair.

"Make changes."

"Your beautiful hair." Amelia stared at her dazedly. "What on earth were you thinking?"

"That I needed a change." She passed a hand at the back of her, finding it strange not to feel anything there. "What do you think of the color?"

Amelia shook her head and tried to get a grip on her emotions.

It pained her to see her friend like this.

Everything was changing. The townhouse she had taken such pride in decorating was no longer hers.

The sale of the place was final. The couple newlyweds with money to burn had turned in an offer almost immediately and had not blinked at the cost. They wanted to move in as soon as possible.

She had no intention of mentioning that they had been so fascinated by the history and the fact that it was owned by the daughter of 'that thieving lawyer', they had made up their minds instantly.

People have a way of wallowing in someone else's misery. She would also not mention that the couple had wanted to meet Aria.

"It suits the shape of your face." She responded reluctantly and realized it was the truth. Aria was always her worst critic when it came to her personal appearance. Amelia had to listen to her friend criticizing the boniness of her face and the deep indentation in her chin.