"Nice going Hamilton," Jefferson begrudgingly said. "That financial plan is a work of genius. I couldn't undo it if I tried. And I tried."

"Thanks, Thomas," Alexander replied, grinning at Mr. Washington, who has made Jefferson congratulate him. "Yours was good too, I guess."

Jefferson glared at him. "I'll get you back for that."

"I'd like to see you try."

-two weeks later-

"Jefferson. Madison. Burr. What is the meaning of this?" Alex asked, standing in front of them in the empty classroom where they had agreed to meet.

"We have the check stubs from separate accounts," Jefferson said.

"Almost $500 paid in different amounts." Madison added.

"To James Reynolds, about three months ago." Burr said, skeptically.

"Is that all you have, are you done?"

"You are uniquely situated by virtue of your position," Madison said.

"Though 'virtue' is not a word I'd apply to this situation." Jefferson.

"An immigrant embezzling our school funds." Burr.

"I can almost see the headlines, your career is done." Madison and Jefferson. "Ya best go run back where ya come from."

"Ha!" Alexander exclaimed. "You don't even know what you're asking me to confess. You have nothing, I don't have to tell you anything at all. Unless... if I can prove that I never broke the law, do you promise not to tell another soul what you saw?"

"No one else was in the room where it happened," Burr said, referring to a previous debate.

"Is that a yes?"

Jefferson, Madison, and Burr exchanged glances. "Umm... yes."

Alex pulled out his phone, pulling up the text from Reynolds. He surrendered the device to Burr, who read the message aloud. "'Dear sir, I hope this message finds you in good health and a prosperous enough situation to put wealth into the pockets of people like me, down on their luck. I know it was my girl you decided to-"

"What?!" Jefferson exclaimed, sliding across the desk to him. 

"I cheated on Eliza with her. It... didn't go as far as Reynolds thought it did, though. But Maria had me in the corner, that's when Reynolds extorted me, for a stupid fee. I may have morally wounded my prospects, but my papers are orderly.

"As you can see, I kept a record of every check in my checking history. Check it against you list and see consistency." He slammed his money management notebook on the table after opening it to the right page. "I never spent a cent that wasn't mine. You sent the dogs after my scent, that's FINE.

"Yes, I have reason for shame, but I have not committed treason and sullied my good name. As you can see, I did nothing to provoke legal action. Are my answers to your satisfaction?"

"My god," Jefferson said.

"Gentlemen, Let's go," Madison said.

"Wait, how do I know you won't use this against the next time we go toe to toe?" Alexander asked.

"Alexander, rumors only grow," Burr stated. "And we both know what we know." The trio walked out the door.

That night, as his mind filled with thoughts, Alexander made a decision. He got out of bed, careful not to wake up John, and opened his computer. The school newspaper (which he edited) was going to have a surprising new story. "Just like in the Caribbean, I'll write my way out," He muttered. "Overwhelm them with honesty. This is the eye of the hurricane, this is the only way I can protect my legacy." He deeply inhaled. And typed three words that would change his life, as well as the lives of two unsuspecting others, possibly forever.

"The Reynolds Pamphlet."