Friends with Benefits

Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Six

Things I own: my sanity (though, that's debatable at times), not enough time to write and incredible friends and family!!

Things I don't: Twilight, Edward and Bella (Damn. It.)

Oh, and lemon warning...a little role play, anyone? Which means a longer chappie!

Chapter 126

EPOV

"Mr. Cullen?" came the feminine voice of one of our private investigators we had on staff at the firm. I looked up, pushing my glasses up my nose. "I have some information on that guy you wanted me to look into, Paul LaHote."

"Come on in, Charlotte," I said, gesturing to the seat in front of my desk. "What have you found?" It had been a week since I was sick. I was still not feeling the best, but I had to get back to work. Thankfully, Marcus and the partners agreed that I needed to not be in court, focusing on research and building cases. Next week, though, I was back in action. I used my downtime at my desk to do some fishing on Paul.

"Well, he's an adjunct professor at two universities, University of Illinois in Chicago and a community college in the suburbs, Moraine Valley," she said. "Prior to that, he was a graduate student at UIUC, getting his doctorate in English Literature. He's currently working on his dissertation, which does not sound like it will be successful in academic circles."

"Do I want to know?" I snorted.

"He's comparing the works of Ernest Hemingway with J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series," she said, wrinkling her nose.

"This guy is a moron," I sighed. "What about his behavior at the schools?"

"He has a lot of office hours, but he's never in his actual office. I've followed him to various dorms on campus of UIUC and a few apartments in Palos Heights, Hickory Hills and Orland Park," Charlotte explained, pushing a flash drive across the desk. "A few photos of his comings and goings around the campuses."

"Have you spoken to anyone in his classes?" I asked.

"Not yet. But, I do know that he is on probation at Moraine Valley since he was a recent hire for this semester. His 'extracurricular' activities are not as abundant as they are on UIUC," Charlotte said.

"Excellent work, Charlotte," I smiled. "Try and get a student to talk to you about his class, possibly more?"

"I'm on it. I signed up for a seminar at UIUC on the hidden themes of Hamlet that Paul is conducting tomorrow evening. I may have some more information for you on Monday," Charlotte replied, getting up from her seat.

Thanking her, Charlotte left my office and I opened up the files on the flash drive she had given me. They were clear pictures ofPaul engaging in sexual behavior with very young girls out in the open. A few of them were of questionable age and a few more of them looked highly uncomfortable in his presence. Unfortunately, these pictures only told one part of the story. Not the whole thing. What he was doing was unethical but not illegal. I couldn't do anything until I had a client. Even better, someone willing to press charges against him so I could hand this over to State's Attorney.

I printed out the photos, placing them into the file I had begun for Paul. I would not be able to further my investigation until Ihad someone who would be willing to speak with me. I needed details and that could only come from one his victims.

The next day, as I was driving home, I received a text from Charlotte. She explained that she ran into a girl who was leaving Paul's class, very upset. She had a meeting with her after the seminar and I beamed excitedly. Charlotte was an excellent interrogator and would hopefully get me the information I need. OR, get me a meeting with this girl so I could talk to her. Parking the car, I practically skipped into the apartment. Things were starting to fall into line.