...Continued

In the car on the way back "What did you look up Dan? I really have my doubts that you were doing homework."
"Oh you'll see."
"Dan, what are you up to?"
"Don't worry I know what I'm doing."
"I don't know about this. I want to know, what did you look up?"
"Well if you must know."
"I must"
"I found out the name of the family in NY the ones that say I'm their son."
Oscar hit the breaks almost sending Danny through the windshield.
"Hey what's that all about?" Danny screamed as he braced himself against the dash.
"You did what?"
"I wanted to know who they were."
"And how did you go about this?"
"Simple, I tapped into their system."
"Dan don't you know that's illegal?
"Only if you're over 18" Danny corrected.
"Ok so what did you find out?"
"Their name is Clarkson. They also got 10 million dollars in a settlement from the hospital. I intended to collect on some of that."
Oscar sat for a few minutes staring at his nephew. "What do you mean by that?"
"Simple. I don't want to take that blood test. I know it's going to hurt. I think I deserve a little something for my pain don't you?"
"Well how do you intend to go about it?"
"You will see. I need my own lawyer."
"I'll get one for you."
"No I have to do it myself. It is my case. I have enough money to get one."
"Where did you get enough money to hire a lawyer?"
"My saving's account. I made a little money doing some tutoring. I have quite a bit tucked away. I just need you to sign saying I can take that much money out."
"I'll do that."
"There is a bank over there. It is a branch of the bank I use."
They parked in front and went inside. They walked up to the teller.
"This young man needs some money from his savings." Oscar said.
Danny handed her the bankbook. "How much do you need?"
"15,000” Danny replied.
"That will leave you with only $5.00 left."
"I know, I need it for something."
She looked at Oscar. "Is that ok sir?"
"Yes it's fine." Oscar signed the form allowing Danny to remove that much money from his savings.
They left the bank. “Are you sure you don't want me to find a lawyer for you?"
“No I have to do it on my own. I don't want their lawyer saying you hired the lawyer to represent me.
"Ok I'll leave the rest up to you."
"Just leave me downtown I have one in mind already. In fact I made the appointment from Rudy's office."
"You know Dan. Your dad's firm in NY has an office in DC. They said they would handle it."
"That's for you. I need my own attorney."
"Well if that's what you want."
"Yes that's what I want."
"Well I'm not leaving you downtown by yourself. All I need is for that Social Worker to see you wandering around down here by yourself."
"Ok but I have to do this alone. I talked to my law professor last night after we talked. He told me what to do. And that it had to be me. Otherwise they will think you put me up to it."
"I understand that I will take you to the appointment and wait out here for you."
"That sounds like it will work." Danny got out of the car in front or the law office. Oscar watched as he walked to the door. A boy dressed in blue jeans tennis shoes and a red and blue coat was going into a law office to hire a lawyer for himself.
Oscar was himself dressed in his jeans and a sweatshirt. A break away from his landmark Brooks Brothers Suits. He was dressing down more and more. What did you expect he spent most of his day with the kids? He seemed to spend less and less time at OSI. He did most of his work from home.
Danny stepped into the law office. He went straight to the receptionist "I have an appointment with Mr. Lucas."
The receptionist looked at him for a moment. "Your name is?"
"Daniel Jenkins. I phoned this a little while ago. You said Mr. Lucas had had an appointment cancelled and he could fit me in.”
The receptionist looked at the appointment book. There was a Daniel Jenkins written down for a 4:00 appointment with Mr. Lucas.
"It will be just a few moments." Then she buzzed the intercom "Mr. Lucas, your 4:00 is here."
"I'll be right out." Phil Lucas said over the intercom.
The receptionist looked at Danny again. "He'll be right out."
"Thank you."
Phil Lucas stepped out of his office. He almost laughed when he saw Danny. "Ok what is this candid camera or what?"
"If you don't want to take my case seriously, I will find another firm." Danny said.
"Well come on back. I suppose I can hear you out."
They walked into Mr. Lucas' office together. "What does a young boy like you need a lawyer for?"
Danny proceeded to tell him the same story his uncle had told him the night before. "Then I did some research today. I found out that this couple that claims I am their son received a large settlement from the hospital in the amount of 10 million dollars. I intend to make three quarters of it mine."
"How do you want to go about doing that?"
“Well you see they insist that I take a blood test. I don't like needles they make me nervous and they hurt when they are poked into you. "
"I'm listening, go on."
"So here is going to be the deal. I take the blood test only after they sign an agreement stating that when the test results indicate I am not their son. I get 3 quarters of their settlement money."
"I like your way of thinking. I'll have the paper drawn up first thing tomorrow. But what if the tests show you are their son?"
"They won't. You see last year I had an emergency appendectomy. They did a direct transfusion between my dad and I. We have the same blood type AB negative. If I were their son, well let's just say I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you."
"I see. Like I said. I'll have the papers ready tomorrow.
"Good, what do I owe you for this visit? And can I stop by after school tomorrow to pick them up? They want to see me. I want them ready for our first meeting."
"That won't be a problem. The initial consultation is free, the paper work will cost you $500."
Danny handed him the bank draft check for that amount.
“I will get started on this right away. You young man have just hired yourself an attorney."
Danny thanked him and left the building.
"How did it go?" Oscar asked.
"It went great. I have a lawyer."
Oscar turned the car into traffic. "Can you tell me what you talked about?"
"I guess. You see…" He told Oscar everything he had talked to the lawyer about.
A smile appeared on Oscar's face. "You really are pretty clever aren't you?"
"I guess so."
"What do you say we pick up your brothers and go for pizza?"
"Can Steve come with us?"
"If he wants to. I'll call him as soon as we get back."
They were at house only for a moment. Just long enough to get the other two ready and to call Steve.
"I would love to go to pizza, Rudy and Jaime stopped by and we were going to grill steaks, can they come too?"
"Of course they can." Oscar said. Then he turned to the kids. "Let's go gang."

smdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdm
They met The Pizza Place Oscar walked up to the hostess. "Let see here we have."
"Seven" Joey shouted out.
"Yea that's right seven.” Oscar said shaking his head.
"Dan do you want to talk about what you did today?" Oscar said after they were all seated.
"Not really. You can tell them if you want." Danny was looking at Steve and Steve was looking away from Danny.
"Jaime, would you do me a favor? There are some video games over there. Would you take these three over there so they can play?" He handed her a bunch of quarters.
"Sure no problem." she agreed but seemed perplexed.
"Alright you two. We are going to resolve this and resolve it now. No! We are not ready yet. In fact let's get out of here for now." They stopped at the video games.
"Jaime. We are leaving for right now. I want you to take my car and take these three home." He handed her some money and the keys. "Just order them pizza. We'll grab something later."
"Oscar, what's wrong?" Jaime asked.
Oscar didn't answer he was heading out the door with Danny and Rudy.
Oscar Rudy Steve and Danny piled into Steve's car. "Let's go to your place Steve."
"I don't know what this is about, but ok." Steve muttered.
When they got to Steve's they all went inside.
"Ok just what is between you two?" Oscar questioned after they were all sitting in the living room.
"Oscar, he knows everything about me. Everything. Don't you understand. When he looks at me, I feel like I don't have any clothes on or he can see right through me."
"Do you feel that way about the rest of us? We all know too."
"Your not 12 years old either."
"Look Steve, I'm sorry that Danny found out, but it did work to your benefit didn't it? Your bionics don't freeze up anymore or if they do, you can get yourself out of the situation."
"Yea but..."
"But what?" Rudy interrupted. I would have never come up with that. I still want Danny to be a doctor instead of a lawyer."
"I just think it's uncalled for the way you treat Danny."
"I'm sorry Oscar. Maybe I should just stay away from him."
"I don't want you to do that. Can't you just accept the fact that he knows and let it go at that?
"I'll try. It won't be easy, but I'll try."
"I would really appreciate it."
"We'll drop Danny off so he can have pizza. Then we'll get Jaime and go out for steaks." Oscar said.
"Sounds good." Steve and Rudy said.

smdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdm
They dropped Danny off and picked Jaime up. The pizza deliveryman had just left so Danny didn't miss out at all.
Steve drove to The Steak House. When they were all seated Jaime started the conversation.
"What were you talking about in regards to Danny. What did he do today?"
"He went to see a lawyer. Oh that's right you don't know yet. I had a visit form Joe Thompson yesterday. He informed me there is a family in NY who claims Danny is their son. That some how when the Danny was born, he and this other family's son were switched.
"And you believe it?" Jaime practically shouted.
"Of course not and neither does Danny. That's why he hired an attorney, someone who will look out for his best interests. Joe's firm will represent me if it goes that far. We are hoping to keep it out of the courts. Danny says that he and his dad had AB negative blood."
"Uh oh." Rudy responded. "That's a pretty rare blood type. In fact it's so rare it can be dangerous for someone who has it."
"I wasn't aware of that." Oscar said.
"Yea, if a person with that type blood requires a transfusion and that type is not available."
"I never thought of that."
"Anyway continue with what you were saying." Jaime said. “I want to hear more."
"Well it so happens that Danny found out the family. Their name is Clarkson by the way. In fact that's why he wanted to use you computer today. Anyway they received a 10 million dollar settlement and Danny wants some if it."
"Think he'll make me a loan of about 6 million dollars?"
"What would you do with that kind of money?" Oscar asked laughing.
"Pay off a large debt." Steve was laughing too. As well as Rudy and Jaime.
"Aw, and I thought you liked working for me. Besides then you would be indebted to Danny."
"I never thought of it that way."
"When does the family want to meet him?" Jaime changed the subject again.
“I don't know. Their lawyer is going to call mine."
"I hope it all works out for Danny." Jaime said.
"I have no doubt about it. " Oscar said.
"I still wish he would become a doctor." Rudy added. “Maybe if he spends some time with me I can convince him to change his mind."
"I kind for doubt that Rudy. He pretty much has his mind set on being a lawyer."
"I don't know why anyone as smart as Danny would want to be a lawyer rather than a doctor.” Rudy went on. "Do you think he would work with me if I asked him to?"
"I don't know. The worst he can say is no."
"I'll ask him first thing in the morning."
"Let me know what he says."
"I think part of his problem " Oscar continued. "He is afraid of needles and can't stand the sight of blood. That's why he is so upset about this test."

smdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdm
The next morning everyone sat at breakfast. Oscar was reading the morning paper. He set it down for a second, and looked at the twins. "Do you two know why your teachers want to see me this morning?"
They looked at each other, then back to their uncle. "No uncle Oscar we don't"
"Well I'm going to find out at 11:30. So if there is anything you want to tell me."
They were interrupted when Mary entered the room. "Mr. Goldman, it's Dr. Wells."
Oscar got up. "He wants to speak to Danny."
"Oh yes that's right. Danny, Rudy wants to talk to you."
"Is he here?"
"Yes, he's him your uncle’s office."
Danny finished his glass of milk and headed for Oscar's in house office. "You wanted to see me Dr. Wells?"
"Yes Danny, come on in." Rudy sat in Oscar's chair behind the desk then continued, "Dan I know you want to be a lawyer, but would you give medicine a chance? Work with me in the lab for a week."
"I don't know sir."
"You can call me Rudy."
"No I can't."
"Ok I understand."
"Dr. Wells, I don't want to waste your time. I really have no desire to become a doctor."
"I'm willing to waste my time to try and get you to change your mind."
"Ok but only for a week."
"Great. Start today right after school."
"I have something to do. But I'll be there as soon as I finish."
"Fine I'll send a car for you. They will pick you up at school, take you where you need to go, then bring you to the lab."
Danny left the room to go get his schoolbooks. The twins had already left for school Oscar was waiting to talk to Rudy, then give Danny a ride to school.
"What did he say?" Oscar said walking into his office.
"He's going to give me a try."
"Well I guess you can't ask for more than that. Rudy, remember. He is only 12. He will probably change his mind a dozen times before he grows up. Today it's a lawyer and I think that has to do with the legal issues we are all facing."
"That might be true. He is going to start right after school tonight. I'll give him a ride home."
"Ok but Rudy, If he wants to come home early just have him call I'll send someone for him."
"Ok"

...Continued