Part 37:
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The guys sat in the back of the restaurant, thankful it was still early
afternoon and a lot of their fans wouldn't be around, and if they were
they were the type who wouldn't run over and interrupt them. Or so they
hoped.

"So this is what I think we should do, one or two of us go back to Lou."
Kevin said, putting his coffee mug down. "That way it looks a bit more
believable."

"I don't know...after yesterday and the way Brian acted..." Howie started.

AJ glanced at the paper on the empty table across from them and his eyes
widened in disbelief. Not saying a word he got up from his chair and went
over to pick it up, "Oh god."

"What??" D asked, seeing his friend's face pale

He picked up the paper and returned to their table, setting it down in the
middle for all to see. The headline read "Former Backstreeter Brian
Littrell Arrested For Attacking Former Manager"


"Does that mean what I think it does?" Shan asked after the three of them
had read the two transcripts.

"That Lou's doing something illegal?? Oh I think so." Ty said reaching for
the phone.

"Who you calling?" 

"I'm going to call D."

"You can't!! We have to have everything proven before we show it to them."
Lis stated. "If they try to use it and its false, Lou would get them for
slander if they used it publicly."

"Your right." Ty said sinking down in the desk chair. "What do we do?"

"Looks like we have to talk to some people." Shan answered. "See what they
have to say about this."


Lou looked up as David was led into his office. "Well Mr. Summers, what a
surprise to see you here." he greeted as he stood up. He knew of David
being a detective but didn't really know why he was interested in seeing
him.

"Mr. Pearlman, thanks for seeing me." he said as he took a seat.

"Well my secretary said it sounded rather important."

"I believe it is. You see I'm working on this case, for some people
although I'm not at liberty to disclose who and it seems that one of your
business partners is particularly close to the case. I just wondered if I
could ask you some questions?"

"Course."

"Okay what do you know about Paul Hardy?"

"Paul Hardy??"

David nodded, watching Lou's face pale a little. "Yeah."

"Well what is this case of yours about?"

"Just some personal things."

"Oh well Paul is just a silent partner here. He owns shares in the company
but doesn't have a lot of say how its run, how we manage the groups or
promote them. I think he's involved in Howie Dorough's company but don't
quote me on that...Personally don't know much about the man, he's single as
far as I know."

"Well thanks that just might be helpful."

"Sorry I couldn't be of more help."

"No that's fine. Thanks for your time." He stood up and shook his hand.


Brian picked up the paper, "This is bullshit. I was never arrested!!"

"Well who do you think tipped the paper off to the story?" AJ asked
sarcastically. "Soon as Kev and Nick walked out Lou was probably hitting
speed dial. Shit shit shit!!" he reached into his pocket and pulled out a
pack of smokes. 

"I thought you were quitting." Kevin stated.

"Well I just started up again." AJ muttered, lighting one up.


David passed through the lobby, stopping as he saw Paul Hardy walk by him.
He turned and watched him head in the direction of the elevator that led
to Lou's office. "Well well well, what do we have here?" he asked as he
turned around and followed him.


Jenn listened to the tape of Alec's conversation with Will and shook her
head in amazement. "Its a good thing you turned that recorder on."

Alec looked up from her packing, "I almost didn't. He looked so much like
Kevin I thought I shouldn't bother to turn it on, but when he turned and
looked at me, I realized those eyes weren't my husband's and I clicked it
on. Luckily Will's a talker."

"True. What are we going to do when we see Taylor again?"

"I'm going to ask her again if she's sure Keith is Kevin's. And if she
says yes I'm going to play the tape and tell her that's more than enough
for Kevin and the courts to force her to a paternity test if she's going
to keep this lie up."

"Go Alec!"

Alec laughed and bowed, "Thank you. Then I have to go back and apologize
to kevin. I kind of went off on the poor man."

"You didn't know, I mean Lou set them up as well as he could of been
hiding this."