All for One and One for All

All for One and One for All

This story is the property of the co-authors and cannot be reproduced or distributed without specific consent of the authors. It is written for your enjoyment only. Any resemblance to real persons is purely coincidental.

Part One

By Chrissy and Peyton

Kayla Manning to some was a girl genius when it came to business. To others she was a typical teenager with a heart of gold who would give you the shirt off her back whether you needed it or not. What most didn't know was Kayla was anything but typical. When she was twelve, her parents were killed in a plane crash leaving her an orphan. Her father was a very successful businessman who operated many businesses around the world under an umbrella corporation that not only was Kayla the sole heir, but also listed as a corporate officer. Because of her age, the corporation was put in the hands of a receiver until she was twenty-one and able to take her place at the helm of the corporation. In the meantime she was to live in the home of a guardian appointed by the court who would see to her needs until she became of legal age. In the year following her parents' death the corporation profits were diminishing and soon decisions would have to be made before the company was losing money and facing bankruptcy.

Kayla was advised of this and demanded to see the financial records through her attorney who happened to be her father's attorney before he died. Upon inspection of the financial record she told the judge, through her attorney, the receivership had grossly mismanaged the business and either they let her assert some control now or it would be in bankruptcy within a year. The receivership argued that a thirteen-year-old girl had no idea how to manage a world-wide multimillion-dollar business versus the five highly educated attorneys the receivership was using to run the business. They and the court were handling this in her best interest and the court should not grant her request.

Kayla's attorney argued back sighting examples that he said Kayla, not him, had discovered in reviewing the records indicating total mismanagement and gross neglect allowing the business to suffer and dwindle in value. The court, he argued, had failed to protect her interest. Kayla then asked the judge if she could address the court directly.

"Your honor, I know all of you think of me as a thirteen old girl who doesn't know how to run a lemon-aide stand let alone a multimillion-dollar business. For your information the last lemon-aide stand I ran was when I was six and I made four hundred fifty-five dollars in a week before I got tired of it not being profitable enough. I have been at my father's side at his business from an early age. I may not know all the ins and outs of his business but there are some glaring issues of simple mismanagement if you will allow me to point them out to you. The attorneys assigned to manage my father's business have either neglected, ignored or were complicit in allowing these to happen that have not only hurt the profitability of the business but also the reputation which your honor should know is an important key to being successful," Kayla told the judge.

"Ms. Manning, first let me say in less than two minutes you not only disparaged the council assigned to this case but you have also let me know you do not approve of my handling of this case either. Normally in a case like this I would give you a lecture on manners and treating your elders with respect but you have also piqued my interest because of the way you express yourself that is not typical of a teenager let alone most adults, attorneys or judges. Before I make my decision I would like to hear why you feel these attorneys and this court have failed to protect your interest. Counselor, do you have any objections to your client speaking directly to this court?"

"No, your honor. Kayla is more than capable of speaking and handling matters concerning her father's business and in many ways is more familiar with the operations than I am your honor. I have known Kayla all of her life and her father knew when Kayla spoke about business he said we all should listen. I respect her father and believe this is one of those times we should listen first before responding."

"Good, then Ms. Manning, please tell me how this collective group of highly educated and experienced counselors have mismanaged your interest."

"Thank you. If you will look at the documents Mr. Sinclair gave to you. On page two of the report, it shows the Landmark Division's contract with its suppliers was set to expire on June thirtieth. The branch manager asked several times for the two lawyers assigned to Landmark for advice and assistance in renegotiating the contract. Neither, after being contacted several times, ever responded to the managers request and in fact have never stepped foot in the building at all. The contract expired and the suppliers raised their rates forcing Landmark to pay more. This resulted in them having to raise their prices to compensate for the increased cost of materials. This cost Landmark four contracts as their prices were no longer competitive with others thus they are now operating at a loss. What makes this matter worse is Landmark purchases over sixty percent of the supplier's products thus Landmark has the ability to pressure the suppliers to lower their prices or give their business to another supplier."

"On page four, you will note the Bridgewater Division requested several times for assistance in labor negotiations as the contract between management and labor was up for renewal. As in Landmark, neither lawyer responded or has set foot in the building to know what goes on in that business. The result of this neglect caused significant public outrage at Bridgewater for not negotiating in good faith and as a result the managers were forced to sign a new labor contract that in effect put Bridgewater operating at a deficit."

"On page six, you will see under the Titan Company, that bonuses were handed out totaling five hundred thousand dollars to a select few managers in that company. Never in the history of that company or any other operated by my father did we ever give out bonuses anywhere close to that amount. The lawyers should never have approved bonuses that amount to twenty-five percent of the profit that business was making."

"On page ten, the Johnson Group, a manager has been skimming profits hiding them in cost of materials. The attorney assigned this business is Ms. Jenkins. She is the only lawyer to visit a business, to get involved in the day to day operations. It really isn't her fault that this manager was skimming profits as I don't believe she would have known about it. It was a scheme I recognized because I was reviewing the contract with the supplier and noticed the discrepancy with their price and what we showed on our invoices. I then went back and reviewed bank records and found an account that had been created by this manager to hide the money. I believe if she had been trained in financial scams she might have picked up on it but I don't blame her for this error."

"Are you sure Ms. Manning you are only thirteen years old?" asked the Judge. "You seem to have a good understanding of business and finances."

"It just seems to come naturally to me. If you had asked me to dissect a frog or correct spelling or grammar in a sentence I'm sure your opinion of me would be I'm thirteen. Business and math for some reason my brain picks up on quicker. And for the record I have had six college level courses in finance and management that I took online. They weren't introductory level but advanced level courses that I audited since they wouldn't allow me to take them for grade because of my age. "

"What do you propose we do now, Ms. Manning?" the judge asked.

"Mr. Sinclair has already advised me he doubts you would allow me free hand to take over the business and he also doesn't think it is a good idea anyway. But I would like some control over how to go forward. What I would like is for you to dismiss all of the lawyers who have been handling my estate except Ms. Jenkins. I believe I can work with her and she will listen to me and act accordingly in my best interest."

"Ms. Jenkins," the judge turning to her asked, "Do you have any objections working closely with Ms. Manning and being the only counselor assigned to this corporation?"

"No, your honor. I would see it as a challenge to handle a case this size and I do not believe I will have any issues working with Ms. Manning."

"I'll grant your request Ms. Manning. We will meet back here in six months to see how this is working. Do not think because I am giving in to your request, I won't appoint more counselors to your case and exclude you from any decisions if I see this is too much for you to handle or your efforts are doing more harm than good. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir, I do," Kayla responded.

Six months later the receivership met again. Kayla in the short time of six months through Ms. Jenkins had renegotiated contracts and fired managers who were taking advantage of her father's absence replacing them with subordinates who showed promise. The losses had all but stopped and many of the different businesses were now operating at a profit again. The judge was very impressed as was Ms. Jenkins, who recommended that Kayla continue to have a say in the operation with the business as she was very impressed with how Kayla was handling things.

The judge agreed but little did he know Kayla was already thinking much farther down the road and this was all part of her plan. She knew she could operate the business as her dad had done but she really had no interest in being the head of a large corporation. What she did was the bare minimum to save the business from floundering knowing she could have done more.

Now was the time to execute the rest of her plan. Since she now had the court and the receivership thinking she was going in the right direction, she got them to agree to other stipulations before moving forward. First her guardian, Ella Reardon, was not being paid enough to be her guardian. Kayla asked that she be paid an additional one thousand per month for her care. Second she asked the court and got approval to sell any or all aspect of the operations she felt needed to be sold to save the balance of her inheritance. She specifically didn't use the terms corporation or business but chose inheritance because her plan was to sell off the entire business and she knew the court would not agree to that up front. In her request she stipulated that any net proceeds from any sale be placed in a trust fund that she could manage how it was invested. She would be paid an allowance from that fund of one percent of any profits the fund made from her investment.

The judge was either not thinking or his figures were off because he agreed with Kayla's request believing she would make no more than ten to twenty thousand per year at the most from any profits.

Over the next two years Kayla began to sell off divisions of the company. Had she tried to sell off the whole company all at once there were few potential buyers and their offers would be smaller knowing there was a limited market for her to sell. When she took over, the company had dropped from a value of three quarters of a billion dollars to just over one hundred million dollars. Through Kayla's directions and decisions she had improved the value and by the time she sold off the last division of the company Kayla had amassed a half a billion dollars in proceeds from the sale. With her investing she would receive an allowance well into the six-figure category until she was twenty-one and then full control over all of the proceeds after that. Kayla would never have to worry about money in her lifetime.

The judge knew he had been swindled and what made it worse was by a girl who was not sixteen yet. All he could do was live up to his agreement and wish her well cautioning her not to go crazy and worse get involved with the wrong crowd because she was rich. Kayla thanked him and told him she wouldn't as her parents taught her how to act and she intended to live her life honoring them and making them proud of her.

Kayla also thanked her attorney, Robert Sinclair, for all his support and help and told him she would still need his advice and expertise for years to come. Kayla had also become friends with the receivership attorney, Rose Marie Jenkins, who she worked with after she was able to get involved with the management of the business.

Rose Marie having just passed the bar exam the previous year before finding a position with a large law firm that dealt with influential clients, plus many government contracts, and of course was a large contributor to the receivership program with the local court systems. She was single but had been in a serious relationship with a man she thought would become her husband and father of the children she looked forward to having in the upcoming several years.

When she was assigned to be one of the receivers on a large multinational conglomerate she thought she had won the lottery because she hoped she would be able to show her abilities to her employer. As a new attorney it was a very cutthroat business to prove your worth to advance rapidly getting assigned the better cases and one day be made full partner of the firm. Especially this firm where she and another woman were the only females in an all male law firm and it was apparent from the start she had to do twice as much to prove herself. She also noticed she was assigned to work by herself where the other lawyers from her firm were assigned in pairs. It was as if they were trying to set her up for failure.

However, after the first six months it had a reverse effect as the judge assigned her to manage the entire conglomerate and relieve the other four attorneys. This didn't sit well with those four attorneys or with some of the partners of the firm as they had recommended the other four counselors thus Rose Marie had made all of them look bad. From that day forward she felt the climate at the law firm towards her change and she knew it was going to be tough to get them to respect her from this time forward.

Kayla and Rose Marie seemed to bond from the beginning. They spent many hours talking about the business with Rose Marie just listening and taking notes, then acting on what Kayla had told her. She respected Kayla but more importantly began to really like this young girl and could see a bright future ahead for her. Thus many of their conversations were not about work but were more social. They discussed likes, hobbies, goals, music, and Kayla being a young teenager relationships, makeup and clothes. It didn't take long and Rose Marie considered Kayla like a younger sister, Kayla being ten years younger than her. They began doing things together like shopping, going out to eat and sitting around talking. When Rose Marie got engaged and subsequently married, Kayla was one of Rose Marie's bridesmaid. Kayla was also the first person outside her husband and parents she told she was expecting.

Kayla was set for life. The frugal person she was she shopped at discount stores never buying anything that was not on sale and even shopping at garage sales for all her needs. To anyone on the street Kayla was just a normal girl from a low middle to upper low economical class home. She had what she needed with no frills. Only the judge, Ella her guardian, and her attorneys Rose Marie and Robert knew her true worth.

As time went on Kayla graduated from high school and was liked by all. She volunteered for many school events and fund raisers and was seen around town at other charitable events donating her time.

Kayla had a passion for wanting to help others who were less advantaged but never revealed she was wealthy, mostly donating her time and not money. Her net worth continued to grow and her own savings and allowance grew too.

Kayla loved to work with small children or those who were in need of help. She was able to get a job as an aide working in the pediatrics ward at the local hospital caring for kids under seventeen years old. She instantly became a hit in the department not only with the patients but also with the staff. One of her more generous traits was every Monday she would bring in stuffed animals for all the new patients. It did not matter if there was one or forty she brought in animals for everyone. The staff thought this young girl had a heart of gold and could not believe she was this caring for the patients.

Some did wonder how she could afford this expense and many times she would come to work finding money in her mail slot someone would leave to help her pay for the stuffed animals. Kayla took the money and used all of it to buy something special for those kids who she felt needed more than a stuffed animal.

Kayla using her business sense had worked a deal with several retail outlets to buy all their unwanted inventories of stuffed animals. She was able to get hundreds of them at pennies on the dollar but she then had to find a place to store them as there were too many to keep at Ella's home. The best way to store them she found was to buy a storage business and use one or two of the units to store all her animals and write off the units she used as a business expense.

It was cold outside and Kayla had the day off. She was on her way to the storage unit to get animals for Monday when she passed a young girl walking down the sidewalk in a light coat and old and tattered clothes. The young girl turned into a vacant lot and began to walk towards the back where a stand of trees stood and Kayla could see several tents and cardboard lean-tos. Kayla pulled her car over, getting out and walking back towards the lot. She walked to the back where the tents were and it was obvious this was a homeless temporary camp. She looked for the young girl not initially finding her. The other homeless looked at her but did not say anything or bother her as she did not look much better off than they were with the older clothes she wore. Not seeing the girl, she assumed she was in one of the tents. She was not about to go up to each tent until a man walked up to one tent and pulled open the flap to go inside. Kayla could see the girl huddled in the back of the tent with a blanket pulled over her to keep her warm. Kayla called out to the man asking if that was his daughter. The man just ignored Kayla and went in the tent.

Kayla walked up to the tent, "My name is Kayla. I saw you walk back here and I would like to talk to you. Can you come out and talk to me, please?"

After a pause and no answer Kayla tried again. "I know you are in there and probably afraid of me, a stranger wanting to talk to you, but I know we are about the same age and I would really like to talk to you."

Kayla could hear some movement in the tent and then a few minutes later the girl stuck her head out of the tent flap.

"Hi, my name is Kayla. What's yours?"

The girl did not answer her but looked around to see if there is anyone else around. Kayla noticed the girl's obvious apprehension. "It's just me here. I came alone. I saw you on the street and followed you back her because I thought you might need help or someone your age to talk with. I'm seventeen and would like to talk to you. Can you come out?"

The girl shook her head and stared at Kayla.

"Okay, it's alright. It's probably warmer in there than out here anyway." Are you okay? Do you need any help?"

"No, thank you. I'm fine. You should probably go now," the girl told Kayla.

"Okay, I just wanted to talk and see if you were okay. Is that your dad in there with you? Does he need anything?" Kayla asked.

"We don't need anything. We're fine," the girl said.

"Okay, well here. I want you to have this," Kayla said and took off her coat giving it to the girl.

The girl just looked at Kayla for a minute then stuck her hand out and took the coat. Kayla thought she noticed a slight smile on the girl but it quickly disappeared from her face.

"I'll come back tomorrow and check on you to make sure you are alright. It was nice talking to you," Kayla said and turned to walk back to her car. She was shivering by now and wondered how these people stayed warm in their tents.

Over the next week Kayla continued to come by and bring the girl and the man some food and more blankets. After a few weeks she finally was able to get the girl to talk.

"Is there anything else I can bring for you and your dad?"

"No thank you, you already have done so much and we really do appreciate all the things you have done for us," the girl said.

Kayla was all smiles. The girl finally said something to her and her voice was so sweet. 'I know I have told you before but I'm Kayla."

"I'm Beth," the girl said.

"Nice to meet you Beth," Kayla said happy now she seemed to be making headway with this girl.

"I'm seventeen. How old are you?" she pressed on to get as much information as she could about this girl

"Fourteen," Beth replied.

"Are you two headed somewhere or do you two need jobs. I might be able to help you find a job if you are interested."

"No we are fine, really. You have done enough and we thank you."

About this time the man Beth was with opened the tent and collapsed on the ground outside of the tent. Beth and Kayla rushed over to him and it appeared he was very sick.

"We need to get him to the hospital right away," Kayla said.

"I can't go, you have to take him," the girl frantically told Kayla.

Kayla was stunned but there was no time to argue with her. "Stay with him. Let me see if I can get my car up here so we can get him in it. See if any of the others will help me get him in the car."

Kayla ran back to the street to get her car and pulled it over the curb and into the lot probably tearing up her car and tires but she didn't care. Someone needed help and she was the only one here to help. She got up close to where the tents were and stopped, opening up the passenger door of her car. She saw two other men carrying Beth's dad up to the car. When they got him inside one of the men turned to Kayla and said, "Take good care of him. He is a war hero."

Kayla called for Beth who reluctantly came over to her. "Aren't you going with your dad to the hospital?"

"No, I can't and he's not my dad," Beth said now really stunning Kayla.

"I need to know his name. They will need that at the hospital," Kayla said.

Beth turned and ran to the tent and came back with a book. "Here, his name is inside," giving the book to Kayla.

Kayla got in her car and rushed to the hospital where she worked. She drove up to the emergency room and ran inside asking for help. A couple of aides came out with a wheelchair and helped get the man out of her car and inside. Kayla then moved her car and ran back in the hospital carrying the book.

The nurse attending to the man knew Kayla from working there. "Who is he and where did you find him?"

"I don't know who he is yet. His name is supposed to be in this book. He was living in a tent off of Sixth and Main in an empty lot. I was trying to befriend his daughter but she told me before I brought him here he is not her father so I am confused. All I know is he collapsed outside their tent and I got some other homeless people to help me get him in my car. They said to help him, he is a war hero."

Kayla started looking through the book trying to find what the man's name was and came across some papers and newspaper clippings. "It looks like his name is Brian Rousch. He apparently earned the silver star in Iraq saving several lives of other soldier while being shot twice."

The nurse came over and looked at the paper that Kayla had and also saw his discharge papers from the military. "He needs to be in a VA hospital but since there isn't one in over a hundred miles we'll take care of him."

After a several hour wait, the nurse came back out to Kayla who was sitting in the waiting room. "Honey I have some bad news for you," she told Kayla. You did the right thing for this man who apparently is a war hero. He has advanced cancer and his body is being consumed by it. The doctor says if he lives through the night he will be lucky. He is on pain medicine to alleviate the pain he must have been enduring and he can at least go peacefully in here instead of out in the cold. We are already trying to find any relatives to contact but we are waiting on the VA to get back to us with more information. I'm sorry, Kayla. But you did the right thing by getting him here."

Kayla called her guardian, Ella, to tell her where she was and she would be home late as she was going to stay with the soldier so he didn't pass away alone. Kayla then went into his room and placed her hand on his leaving it there until he no longer took a breath. Right before he died he looked at Kayla, squeezed her hand as if to say thank you.

She went home and slept out of exhaustion but also out of sorrow because she had never witnessed someone die before.

The next morning she got up and immediately drove over to the lot where this man and Beth lived. She got to the tent finding Beth inside huddled up crying. She told her that Brian had passed away and wouldn't be coming back. She said they should gather up all his belongings and take them to the hospital to give to any relatives who will come and claim his body.

Kayla asked her again if the man was her father or a relative of hers. Beth again told her no. She went on to say she met him a while back and he was her protector watching over her so no one would bother or molest her. He allowed her to sleep in his tent but never once did he ever touch her.

Kayla then offered Beth a proposition. She won't ask her anymore questions about her past if she will come home with her and take a warm bath, eat a hot meal and stay in her house for the night. Then tomorrow they can decide what she is going to do now that Brian is gone. Beth was scared but more scared to stay by herself so she relented and packed up her things to take. Kayla took Brian's things by the hospital before she and Beth went to Kayla's home.

Once they arrived at Kayla's home she introduced Beth to Ella then took her to her room where Beth could give all her clothes to Kayla so they could be washed. Kayla showed her to the bathroom so she could take a long hot bath.

"What do you know about her Kayla?" Ella asked.

"Not much. I don't even know her name yet. She says it's Beth but somehow I'm not convinced that's her real name. All I know is she is afraid to talk about herself so there is something in her past she is hiding. Most likely she is a runaway but from what I don't know," Kayla explained to Ella. "You don't mind me bringing her here do you, Ella?"

"No honey, I don't mind. I know how your heart works and you would be miserable if you left her outside any longer. But somehow we do need to find a way to get her to tell us her real name and situation. Somewhere there are probably parents that are very worried about her. Plus despite your big heart we do need to keep an eye on her until we know for sure we can completely trust her."

After the bath Kayla gave Beth some of her clothes to wear while hers were being washed. Kayla already knew she would need to buy more clothes. From what she saw Beth had limited amount of panties, bras and other clothes and what she had wouldn't hold together much longer.

Kayla took her into the kitchen where Ella had prepared some hot soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for both Kayla and Beth. They sat at the table and Beth wolfed down the sandwiches and soup getting seconds of each.

"When was the last time you ate?" Kayla asked.

"Day before yesterday when you brought us some food. Brian hasn't been able to work in a while and we ran out of money and food. He refused to let me work to make money," Beth said and tears ran down her eyes as she obviously had feelings for Brian.

"What kind of work would you have done? You are only fourteen and you have to give your name and social security number to employers to work?" Kayla asked her.

Beth paused and with her head down, "the kind where they don't ask questions and only need you for an hour or so."

"You don't mean prostitution do you?" Kayla asked now really concerned about what this girl was into.

Beth obviously embarrassed just nodded her head.

"Have you done that before?" Kayla inquired.

"No. I thought you weren't going to ask me any questions if I came here?" Beth argued back to Kayla.

"I did say that didn't I? However I am concerned about you. I won't press you for answers but at some point I may need to know otherwise I might not be able to help you." Kayla responded and began clearing the table of the dirty dishes.

Beth got up and came over to Kayla and helped her wash and dry the dishes. She then spoke up to Kayla, "I'm sorry. I know you are trying to help me. I just have this trust issue and living on the streets you don't trust anyone at any time. Brian taught me that and said he would protect me but I shouldn't trust him either. He told me I always needed to look out for myself first."

"I know Brian meant something to you and I'm sorry for him leaving you. I understand his telling you about trust on the street but I have already trusted you enough to bring you to my home and let you stay here so you can decide how much you can trust me," Kayla said. "And you can trust Ella too. She wouldn't do anything to harm you since you are with me."

"Thank you. You have been so kind to me. I do appreciate it."

Later that night they were getting ready for bed and Kayla was telling Beth she could sleep in her bed and she would go sleep on the sofa. Beth told her no and since it was a large bed they could both sleep in it together. She was used to sleeping around other people and would prefer not sleeping alone. They got in bed, the only light was a nightlight that was in the bathroom connected to the bedroom but gave off enough light to be able to see around the bedroom. They were laying there when Beth spoke up.

"Alexis Flowers," She told Kayla.

"What? Did you say Alexis Flowers?"

"Uh huh, Alexis Flowers, that's my real name."

"Why wouldn't you tell me before? Kayla asked now turning on her side facing Alexis.

"Because I'm a runaway. And I need to trust you not to turn me in. You see my father has been molesting me since I was eleven. He even made me do it with one of his friends while he watched. I ran away and have been hiding for two years hoping they will give up finding me and leave me alone."

"Why didn't you go to the police and report him? What about your mom? Did you tell her?" Kayla asked now full of questions and concerns.

"Because he is the sheriff of the county where we lived and no one would believe me and he told me so. Even my mom didn't believe me when I told her and she told me even if it was true to just hush up and not say anything because my father was such a powerful man."

"Holy shit, Alexis. I'm so sorry. Then you have been on the run for two years now?"

"Yes, and I can't work because if they know my name it will get back to my dad and he'll come get me.

"You never did resort to prostitution did you?"

"No, I already told you I hadn't. Brian wouldn't let me. He said someday I would be free and if I went that route I would end up dead and he didn't want that. He worked up until the last month then he was too sick to work and we ended up here trying to head south where it was warm. He wanted to see the beach one more time before he died. Even though you would bring us food to get by, Brian was still too sick to travel."

"Well I'm glad I showed up when I did. I can't imagine what it is like to have to prostitute yourself and what it is like not having food but you don't have to worry anymore. Your secret is safe with me and you will always have a warm bed and house to come home to now."

"Thank you. You are very kind and someday I will repay you for being so nice to me, " Alexis told Kayla softly.

It didn't take but a few more minutes and both girls were fast asleep.

The next day was a work day for Kayla and she told Alexis to just hang out at the house and get to know Ella and she would be home later that afternoon.

Before she came home Kayla made a call to Rose Marie.

"Hi, Rose Marie. How are you today and how's my favorite nephew Jake doing?"

"Hi sweetie, we are just fine. Jake is getting so big and it's only been five months. You need to come by and see him soon so he doesn't forget his favorite aunt."

"I will real soon but I need a huge favor from you and one that if you are violating any of your ethical rules tell me and I won't ask you or tell you anymore," Kayla explained.

"Uh oh, this sounds serious. Are you in some kind of trouble?" Rose Marie inquired now with her legal hat on.

"No I'm not in any trouble, yet, and I don't want to be either but this is not really about me. Long story short I befriended a girl in need only to find out she is a runaway. Her father has been molesting her since she was eleven and she ran away two years ago when she was twelve. Apparently he is a big wig sheriff somewhere and she is afraid of him. Even her mom told her to shut up and take it because she is afraid of him too."

"Okay this is rather serious because you possibly could be charged with harboring a runaway and if she is from out of state that could bring federal charges. Most likely if you had nothing to do with her running away and are just trying to help her they wouldn't charge you with anything. So what is it you want of me?"

"Is there any way you can find out about this sheriff and whether or not they are looking for their daughter without anyone knowing and without you violating any ethics you must follow as an attorney?"

"I can just do a regular search on the internet and see what I can find which is all public information and doesn't get anyone in trouble. If I have to go further I can always protect myself as her counsel that gives me leeway and privileges of not having to disclose much about her but it would give the other side an area to look since they would see where I reside."

"Can you see what you can find on the internet first then before you go deeper let's talk more and see what might happen. If this guy is as powerful as she says he is we might not want to go too deep and give him a location to search for her."

"I can do that for you Kayla. It will only take a day or two for me to find what I can then I will get back to you," Rose Marie told Kayla.

"Thank you. You are a sweetheart for helping me again. Give me a call when you have something. Give Jake a hug and kiss for me and tell him maybe this coming weekend I can come over and see him." Kayla responded.

That night after Kayla got home from work, she took Alexis shopping for some clothes. At first Alexis said no she couldn't allow Kayla to spend her hard-earned money on her but Kayla wouldn't take no for an answer.

"I tell you what. Let me buy some clothes for you now. You will need them to go to school and you will need them to get a job. Once you start making money you can pay me back a few dollars every week until you have paid me back."

"You keep insisting on helping me. I don't know why but thank you. I do need clothes. Most of what I have is worn out and some are too small since I have grown over the last two years," Alexis said.

Since Kayla didn't spend much on herself, she knew where to go to get clothes fairly cheap. Their first stop was a national chain discount store that had some really nice clothes and most of it was not too bad price wise. Plus they often had sales that made it more attractive. They found several tops, shorts and pants for Alexis. She even found a nice skirt that she thought would look good on Alexis. This was the first time Kayla really paid attention to Alexis looks. Her hair was in need of a trim and from years of not being cut. Also from not washing it often and no conditioner it was desperately in need of some care to get back in shape and healthy looking again. But her figure was what struck Kayla. Alexis needed some weight on her bones since her diet had not been very good over the last years but she had a terrific figure. She had a slim waist and no fat on her belly, plus her breast looked to be the perfectly round and tight for a young girl who was still developing. Once they had picked out three or four bras and sports bras for her they looked at panties. Kayla began to wonder how Alexis would look in some of the panties with images of her walking around the house in her panties racing through Kayla's mind.

Stop that Kayla said to herself. Why are you thinking like this? You are trying to help this girl, not seduce her. While Kayla knew she had an interest in girls she had never been with one to know for sure. Still, she couldn't stop thinking of Alexis walking around in sexy panties.

"Earth to Kayla? This is home base calling. Are you there?" Alexis looking at Kayla who seemed way out in space somewhere.

Kayla realizing she had been spacing out, felt herself turning all sorts of shades red, "Sorry, not sure where I was. My mind just went off in another direction," she said trying to get her composure back.

"I think I have spent way too much here and need to put half of this back. There is no way you can afford this and I'll never be able to pay you back either," Alexis told Kayla.

"Nope, put it all back in the cart. We're getting it all and then some. You still have shoes to look at then we can be done for today," Kayla told her.

After picking out a couple of tennis shoes and some sandals Kayla figured she had pushed her limit with Alexis on spending money and to avoid anymore discussions about finances they checked out. Alexis was stunned by how much they had spent and told Kayla to please take some it back as it was way too much and she could never afford to pay her back. Kayla just ignored Alexis and began to walk out of the store with a full cart of clothes and shoes for Alexis.

After they got home Kayla went in to help Alexis with her new clothes pulling tags and putting them away. She noticed how happy Alexis seemed holding each of her new clothes up to her before she folded them and put them away.

Two days later while at work Kayla received call from Rose Marie. She had to wait until her lunch time to call Rose Marie back.

"Hi Rose Marie, I'm sorry but I'm at work and couldn't answer my phone. What did you find?"

"Well I have some good news and bad news for you. I have run down where your friend is from and in case you didn't know her real name is Alexis Flowers."

"Yes, I knew that. I didn't say her name to you in case it would put you in a legal bind," Kayla told Rose Marie.

"Thank you for thinking of me but I haven't done any search that any of us couldn't do until I found what I needed to know. Okay, so her father's name was Sheriff Frank Flowers and her mother's name was Rita Flowers and they were from a town just outside of Tucson, Arizona."

"You keep saying were and was as in past tense. Is that intentional?" Kayla asked picking up on the way Rose Marie talked.

"Yes sweetie, it is and I sometimes forget how astute you are on details and would pick up on that. They are both deceased. It appears that your friend ran away about two months before her parents apparently killed each other."

"How can you kill each other?" If one is dead how can they kill the other? That makes no sense," Kayla questioned Rose Marie.

"Again you picked up on how I said something. I can't get anything past you can I?" Rose Marie said and laughed.

"Sure you can, but you know it's better if we don't hide anything from each other as both of us are too smart and will eventually find out," Kayla replied and laughed back.

"You are so right, sweetie and one of the reasons I love you so much. So anyway, apparently they must have been arguing and fighting as there were signs of a struggle and they both showed signs of being beaten on. Somehow they each fired a gun at the other at the same time each hitting and killing the other. There is an inquiry out for Alexis. Though she was reported missing before this happened she is wanted for questioning into her father's dealings. She is not in any trouble that I can see but if she did use her real name and social security number it would be flagged and she would be detained. Based on what I can see she is the only family member and much like you she would be left on her own and probably turned over to the state and put in a home until she is eighteen."

"Rose Marie, can I hire you to represent her in both the inquiry and the issues with the state? I don't want her to have to go to a home. I'd rather she lives with me if that could be arranged. I'm sure Ella would be okay with it too. Ella is like a mom to me and I enjoy her company, the talks we have and her guidance. I'm sure she would do the same with Alexis."

"For you honey, I will represent her and you don't have to hire me. You're like my family and I would do it for free. I will need to meet with her and the sooner the better so she doesn't get picked up somehow. And by the way, you didn't ask but I did ask a friend of mine who is law enforcement to run her name. There are no outstanding warrants for her anywhere so she is good in that regards. I just didn't want you getting involved in something she might not be telling you and you end up in trouble."

"Thank you, I appreciate you doing this for me. You are the best and I love you for all you've been to me. Let me break the news to her before we set an appointment. I may have some apologizing to do to her since I've done all this behind her back and she may be resistant to meet at first."

"I understand and I'm sure once she hears the outcome, she will forgive you and we can get all this other business out of the way and behind us. Just let me know when you are ready," Rose Marie told Kayla.

"Thanks again and this won't get you in any trouble for representing her at your work will it?" Kayla asked.

"Let me worry about that. It's been rough at work and home lately. You and I need to go out sometime soon and let's talk and I'll fill you in," Rose Marie said and Kayla could hear some concern in her voice.

Before she went home that night she called Ella to talk to her.

"Ella, do not say my name or let Alexis know it's me you are talking with, okay?"

"Okay, I understand and I do have company from time to time like today," Ella said making the conversation sound like it was a sales call.

"Is she with you right now?" Kayla asked.

"Oh, yes, like peanut butter and jelly," Ella stated making the conversation that Alexis could hear mean nothing.

"Ok, then just listen and I'll make this quick. Alexis' parents are dead. She ran away before they apparently killed each other. The police are looking for her but only to ask her about her father and because she is listed as a runaway. I have contacted Rose Marie and she will represent Alexis. What I need to ask you before I talk to Alexis is will you agree to be her guardian like you have been mine? I will be willing to pay you for taking care of her."

"I see. Well I don't really have to think about this. I'm not interested in the money as I am well taken care of now. As to your other offer that is something that I would very much like to do and would enjoy," Ella told her still using generic terms so as to not give away what she was really talking about.

"You are such a sweetheart Ella and I am so lucky to have you as a mom and I know Alexis will see in you what I do and love you as much as I do. I'll be home in about thirty minutes and I can talk to Alexis and put all of this in motion. Thank you so much Ella, I do love you."

A little later Kayla came in from work finding Alexis sitting at the kitchen table with Ella playing cards and laughing. "Sounds like you two are having fun," she said.

"Oh we are," Alexis said with a smile. "But Ella is a cheat. I haven't won a hand yet and there is no way she can win that many hands in a row without cheating," she continued and laughed.

"If you are playing rummy with her there is no way to win a hand. She's not cheating, she is that good. I don't think I won a hand for the first year I was here. I still don't win many. You need to play war or Uno where you have more of a chance if you want to beat her," Kayla said now laughing and giving Ella a hug and kissing her cheek as she stood next to Ella sitting in the chair.

"Alexis, I have something to talk to you about," Kayla said now more serious. Alexis sat there looking at Kayla who had sat down in the chair across from her. The expression on her face was showing the feeling this was not going to be good and she withdrew to that emotionless face she had at the tent when she first talked to Kayla.

"I know you might get mad at me but I took that chance. I wanted to help you and not have to see you living on the streets ever again," Kayla said.

"What did you do? Did you contact my parents? Are they coming to get me? How could you do this to me? I told you what they did to me and what would happen. I thought you were my friend! Brian was right. Trust no one!" Alexis said and began to cry.

Ella reached over and took Alexis' hands in hers and held them together trying to comfort her while Kayla continued to talk. "No Alexis, they are not coming to get you. They are both deceased," she said and let that sink in with Alexis.

After sobbing for a minute Alexis looked up and with a trembling voice said, "They're dead?"

"Yes, they are and have been since shortly after you ran away," Kayla told her.

"How? Why? What does that mean?" Alexis asked with her voice still quivering.

"How is not important at this time. What is important is that you are free. The police in your town are still looking for you because you are a runaway and plus they want to talk to you about your dad but you are free. The bigger issue is you are fourteen and an orphan. You are considered a ward of the state just like me," Kayla told her.

"You are an orphan? I didn't know that. I thought Ella was your grandmother."

"No, I am not related to her but she has come to love me and I love her as if I were her daughter or granddaughter. More importantly she has agreed to be your guardian too and if you agree you will learn to love her just as I do."

"How? What do we have to do and do I have to go back home to talk to the police?" Alexis asked.

"I already have someone working on that. She is a friend who helped me when I went through some of what you are going through and she will represent you in both the actions with the police and with having Ella be given guardianship over you. Would you like to live here with us?"

"I can't believe this is happening. So much has happened this week and I don't know what to say. If what you said is true does that mean I no longer have to run or hide my identity and I can go back to school and do things like normal kids do again?" Alexis asked.

Ella then spoke up, "Yes honey, you can go back to being a teenager again and living a normal happy life with us. We will take care of you and love you like one of our own."

Alexis started crying again but this time they were happy tears. She rose up out of her chair going over to Ella, giving her a hug that almost took the breath out of Ella thanking her for everything. She then went over to Kayla and hugged her too whispering in her ear thanking her and telling her she owed her so much.

A week later at work the director of the hospital called Kayla into his office.

"Good morning Kayla," he said. "I've asked you to come here to talk about what you did the other week with Mr. Roush. Do you remember him?"

"Yes sir, I remember."

"Good, first let me say what you did was a very brave and compassionate act for Mr. Roush and you should be proud of yourself for caring for people as you do. Unfortunately the VA has no record of Mr. Roush having any surviving relatives. Therefore they will allocate some funds to have him buried in town here in the Memorial Cemetery. There won't be a funeral because they do not allocate any funds for that. We have contacted the local chapter of the veteran's association and they said they would provide some attendance since he was a vet. The date for this is one week from today. Here is the number of the veteran's association if you are interested in contacting them to find out more about services. If you need time off to attend we will give you the time."

"Thank you sir," Kayla said and took the number before leaving his office. She immediately went back to her floor using her cell phone to contact the veteran's association. She discussed with them what the VA would pay for and what they would do asking about if she paid more could they have a better funeral for Mr. Roush. She made the arrangements and found out other than a nicer casket, the expense of a hearse, flowers, and a better tombstone the veterans association would provide attendees, a military salute, plus a local motorcycle club that honors fallen soldiers would attend on their bikes. Kayla agreed to pay for all the extra's for the funeral and made that arrangement directly with the funeral home. She went home that afternoon and told Alexis of Brian's funeral date and they would attend and be escorted by the motorcycles to the funeral home and cemetery and back home again.

The day of the funeral arrived and right on schedule Kayla, Alexis and Ella heard the motorcycles ride up to their home. Kayla and Alexis got in Kayla's car and were escorted by the motorcycles to the funeral home. There were four bikers in front of them and eight behind them as they drove down the road. When the hearse pulled out the police escorted it to the cemetery with the bikers and Kayla right behind the hearse. A member of the veteran's association officiated at the funeral with Kayla and Alexis seated in front by the casket. They sat there holding hands. As part to the ceremony Alexis was presented the flag that was draped over Brian's casket. The veterans association also presented her with Brian's medals that they found in his possession including the Silver Star and his book which was a diary of his time in Iraq. Alexis was very touched but she felt someone else should have the flag, medals and diary. She in turn presented the flag to the lead biker for them to mount at their meeting space in honor of Brian and she presented to the veterans association the diary and medals asking them to display them at their building to honor Brian.

Once they arrived back at Kayla's house a few of the bikers thanked Kayla and Alexis for how they treated Brian and the respect they showed for a buddy who had fallen on hard times. They told them both if they ever needed any help or assistance to give them a call as they owed them for caring for their brother in arms.

That night as they lay in bed Kayla could tell that Alexis was thinking of Brian.

"He's in a much better place now and he was sent there with love and respect from his army buddies and with the love you have for him," Kayla told Alexis as she rolled on her side facing Alexis who was lying on her back. Kayla could see tears running down Alexis' cheeks and she leaned over and wiped them with her fingers.

"I know but it still hurts that I couldn't do anything sooner to get him to Florida to see the beach again. He gave so much to protect me and I'm the reason he didn't get there," Alexis said and started really crying.

"Somehow I don't think getting to the beach was more important than protecting you. I think once I came around he knew you were in a better place and it was then he let go knowing he accomplished his last mission. I never told you but I was with him in the hospital when he died and he squeezed my hand and smiled at me which I think was his way of thanking me for taking care of you." Kayla then pulled Alexis over to her wrapping her arms around her and holding her tight. She kissed her head and forehead several times before Alexis looked up and smiled at Kayla.

Alexis rolled them over so her head was lying on Kayla's shoulder and she whispered, "Hold me tight, don't ever let me go." Soon after that both were sound asleep.

Over the next week Rose Marie began the process of making arrangements with the police in Arizona who agreed to fly to Alexis to interview her. They really were only interested in finding out if she knew anything about her father's dealings as a sheriff as it seemed he was part of a child sex trafficking ring which is what he may have been grooming Alexis for. Alexis with some prodding by Rose Marie did tell them how she was abused by her father and one of his friends. They talked to her some about that without asking too deep for details getting a description of the friend since Alexis didn't remember his name. Once they were satisfied she had nothing more to offer them they left telling Rose Marie other than the guardianship issue which was not their jurisdiction there was nothing else for them to need Alexis for and she was free to go as far as they were concerned.

The issue of guardianship took a bit longer as the state didn't move as quickly or efficiently as the police did but after obtaining the services of a good attorney in Arizona Rose Marie was able to petition the court to award Ella temporary guardianship of Alexis so they could get her in school.

Since Alexis hadn't been in school for three years she was enrolled in a special school that catered to children and adults trying to catch up on their education. She really was enjoying going to school and meeting the other students who varied in age.

To be continued..............

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