Written in 63 minutes.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Vista Point: Parking Lot

Jason was already wrestling with the catch on his seatbelt before Elizabeth’s door had slammed shut, and he almost fell out of his side, slipping on the soaked gravel lot. Why the hell had he pushed her—why hadn’t he just told her what happened and let the whole damn thing die—

By the time he’d got around the side of the SUV, a crack of lightning illuminated the parking lot and he caught sight of her on the steps to the observatory deck. What was her plan? Or maybe she was too upset to even think of one—

He found her at the guardrails, her back to him, her fingers gripping the top railing, long since chipped and flaked from disrepair and disuse, the rain pounding around them, her hood had fallen off and her hair was plastered against her skull and neck. She was just barely visible in the one light post that still worked.

“I’m sorry—” He lifted his voice to be heard over the sluicing drops, slapping into his skin, dripping beneath the collar of his coat, soaking his clothes beneath the open sides. “Elizabeth—”

“For what?” Elizabeth demanded, whirling around, the tips of her hair whipping along with her. “For what? Do you even know?”

“I—” He stepped towards her, wanting to cut the distance, wanting to just touch her, feeling sure if that if he could that, if he could just hold her, this would somehow go away or he would find the words to explain in the explicable—

“You’re sorry I’m upset, okay, fine. Fine. You’re sorry you dragged me out of the house—” Another slap of thunder interrupted her, and she closed her eyes, shook her head. “I don’t want to do this. We aren’t doing this—”

She started past him, and he caught her arm, holding on when she would have shaken him off, careful to keep his grip gentle but firm. Maybe there were no words. No magical phrases that would extricate him from a mess he’d created long ago —

Nothing other than the truth.

“You deserve better.”

She turned more to face him and then stunned him by swinging out with her other hand curled in a fist, arcing towards his face. He caught it, wrapping his hand around her wrist, bringing both her hands to his chest. “You deserve better—” he tried again.

“Stop! Stop! Stop making excuses! You’ve been using that line since I was eighteen goddamn years old and you were too damn afraid to let me make my own choices!” Elizabeth cried. She yanked back and he released his grip on her hands. “You didn’t want me enough, you never want me when there’s another option—”

“That’s not—” Jason scowled when she just shook her head and darted back towards the parking lot. He’d left the SUV running, and he wasn’t entirely sure she wouldn’t just take off without him.

He caught up with her halfway between the parking lot and the SUV but kept going until he overtook her and was able to get in front to stop her. “Why do you ask questions you don’t want the answer to?”

“Because I’m a goddamn idiot—” Elizabeth stopped, slid her hands over her rain slicked hair. “Fine. Fine, tell me about how I deserve better for the one thousandth time in our lives, and how that somehow explains why that means I end up raising our son alone and Sam gets to share your name, home, bed, money, everything and somehow its because I’m just too damn good for you—”

“She’s what I deserve.”

Elizabeth stared at him, another lightning crack flashing the bewilderment in her expression. “What?”

“You deserve better than me. I’ve always known that, but I can’t—” He stopped, then forced himself to continue. “But I can’t stop wanting that to be wrong. Can’t stop wanting you. Wanting that life we almost had, that we could have had if I’d been a better man. So I went out and found someone I thought I deserved. Someone who wasn’t any damn better than me. Sam was what I deserved.”

“That—” Elizabeth shook her head. “What are you saying? Because of Sam’s past, she somehow gets the life that I begged you for? What kind of bullshit answer is that? Why can’t you just tell me the damned truth? Okay, just tell me! Tell me you loved her more, I can take it—”

“I’m not going to lie to you,” Jason bit out. “Even if it’s what you want to hear. You wanted the truth, I’m giving it to you. I don’t deserve you.” He held out his hands. “I’ve killed people with my bare hands, damn it! I’ve taken lives, and you’ve spent your life saving them! You’ve been back in my life for six months and you’re on trial for murdering a fucking an FBI agent because of me—”

“Don’t—” She stabbed a finger at him. “Don’t you dare act like I don’t know exactly who you are. Do you know how stupid you make me feel when you act like this?”

“You’re not stupid—”

“You did this to me once before. You demanded to know why I loved you, why I wanted to be with you, and I am so sick of having to justify my choices, my feelings—” The words were ragged, dragged from somewhere deep, and even if he couldn’t see the tears on her cheeks, he could hear them. “You don’t think you’re good enough for me. And apparently, you wanted some as dirty as you think you are. Great. Glad we figured that out—” Elizabeth held out her hands. “You know what? This was a mistake. You’re right. I do deserve better than someone who thinks I don’t know my own mind, that I can’t possibly love him. I am done having this conversation. Done. You don’t think you deserve love, and there’s a part of you that doesn’t respect me for trying to giving it to you anyway—”

Stunned, Jason couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe, and she took that chance to whip open the passenger, but he recovered in time to catch the door before she could get it wide enough. “You think I don’t respect you?” he managed. “Is that—is that what you really think?”

“What do you expect me to think?” Elizabeth asked, turning to him, close enough now so that he could see the tears shimmering in her eyes. “You throw my love in my face every chance you get. Don’t you get that? Every time you tell me I deserve better, you tell me you don’t respect my ability to make my own choices. I know what you’ve done, Jason. I know who you are. You’re the only one who can’t seem to handle that fact. I’ve stood by you with gunshots, bomb threats, kidnappings—I have never flinched. Not first. That’s always been you.”

He released the door and put a hand at the nape of her neck tugging her forward, the pad of his thumb sweeping across her jawline. “I know that—”

“Do you?” she demanded. “Because it doesn’t feel like it from here. We’re fine one minute, and then you go see your ex-wife, and now all of a sudden, you don’t deserve me and she’s the filth you do deserve, and I just don’t understand how we always end up back here—”

He cut her off, dragging her against him roughly, covering his mouth with his, her lips cold beneath his, but as sweet and addictive as they’d been the first time he’d finally managed to taste them all those years ago, when he’d cursed himself for ever hesitating in the first place.

Thunder rolled, and lightning cracked again, and he finally released her, leaning his forehead against hers. “I do love you. I hate that you don’t believe me—”

“Love isn’t the problem, though, is it?” she sighed, then kissed him lightly, sliding her fingers through his short, damp hair. “You just don’t want to let me love you. All these years, and you still don’t trust that I can know every inch of who you are and love you anyway.”

“I want to—” Jason exhaled slowly, then stepped back, letting the door fall open more. “Get in. We’re going to drown out here, and I don’t want to scream at you just so you can hear me.”

She bit her lip, then nodded, and turned, jolting slightly when he boosted her slightly to help her up into the SUV faster.

When he was back in the driver’s side and had switched on the heater, he somehow had found the words he’d needed so desperately earlier. “Sam was already angry when I got there, already on the offensive. I guess she’d talked to Alexis, and she knew Danny was with us today.” He stared straight ahead. “She started in on the greatest hits — I’ve spent more time raising Carly’s kids, that the only way to hurt me is to use someone else since I don’t care about myself —” He looked at Elizabeth. “And before I know it, we’re talking about that summer.”

“Jason—”

“I think—I think I knew that you’d asked her to use that show to look for Jake.” Jason stopped,  took a breath. “When she mentioned it, I didn’t remember because it hadn’t seemed important. Or maybe I didn’t know. I don’t know. But I didn’t realize she’d refused.”

Elizabeth’s lips thinned, pressed into an unhappy line. “I don’t know if we need to re-litigate it—”

“You wanted to know why it was fine one minute, and now we’re back having this conversation,” Jason said, and Elizabeth sighed, nodded. “Because you knew she’d refused. You knew she’d come to your house and, I don’t know, did she try to make you think Jake was dead?”

“I—” Elizabeth’s breath was shaky when she spoke again. “I think so. At the time, I just thought she was drunk, and angry about us, about Jake, and I didn’t think about it again. Not even after you told me what she’d known. What she’d let happen. I guess now — going back — it gives it all another texture, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah. And you knew all of that. You knew that when she and I — you knew that. And you still—”

“You told me she had changed, and I believed you,” Elizabeth said slowly. “And up until these last few months, Jason, I had mostly believed it, too. Plus,” her lips curved in a humorless smile. “We both know I tried my hand at revenge—”

“Less than a day, you held that truth back about Danny. No one knows that but me,” Jason told her, and she closed her eyes. “You came clean. You told me yourself, even though you knew what might happen. Don’t think that doesn’t make a difference, Elizabeth. You and Sam — that’s not a comparison.”

“So she takes you on a journey of the greatest hits, and we’re arguing up at Vista Point—”

“Because the same reason you’re angry with me — it’s the same anger I have. The same disgust. The life I wanted with you — with the boys — I gave it to her, and I don’t have a good reason. I don’t have the words I need to make you understand, because I don’t understand it either.” He met her gaze. “I looked at her tonight, and I saw the woman I’d chose instead of you, and I hated myself. So maybe it’s hard to understand why you don’t hate me, too.”

Elizabeth bit her lip, looked down at her fingers, at nails that she’d bit down to the quick over the last few weeks, he realized.

“Once upon a time, you offered me the world, and I looked at you, and I told you I didn’t want it. I wanted to be with Lucky.” She looked at him, a ghost of a smile curving her lips. “And then I kissed you in my studio, and turned around and slept with Zander. I looked you in the face and told you my face wouldn’t change, and then I left anyway. I forgave and married Ric after he locked Carly in a panic room. I asked you, on the day you buried your father, to let Lucky raise your son. And then, on the days after you buried your sister, I asked you to let the secret continue.  I married Franco, the man who tormented you and Sam for years. I don’t know, Jason. Should you hate me for all those things, too? Or are you the only person who makes life-altering mistakes?”

+33

THIS WAS NOT WHERE THIS PART WAS SUPPOSED TO END OR WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN.

but i have to stop. i ran out of time. went over it in fact, so ugh. Written in 70 minutes see you tomorrow.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Kristina’s Apartment: Living Room

Kristina stepped back from the door, a bit warily. “Mom? Did I know you were coming over?” She glanced behind her at the remains of her dinner on the coffee table, some laundry strewn across an armchair, and just the general chaos.

“No. No. This was—this was an impulse—” Alexis strode past her daughter, dropping her briefcase on an armchair, then whirling to face Kristina, her hands raised. “I know you’ve been trying to be supportive of your sister—of Sam,” she added when Kristina made a face. “Is there a chance that your support has been more…” Alexis paused, her hands hands frozen in mid outstretch as she tried to articulate whatever was in her hand. “More vociferously agreeable than it should have been?”

Mystified, Kristina closed the door. “I’m lost. Vociferously—” She squinted. “Agreeable? As opposed to what? And what does that even mean?”

“I don’t know.” Alexis put her head in her hands. “I don’t know. I just know that Sam’s crossed a line, and I’m trying to go back in time to understand how this happened. Sam told me yesterday you’ve been supportive. What kind of support would you say you’ve offered?”

“This—what kind of question is that?” Kristina edged around her mother, and started to gather the laundry on the other chair, shoving it into a nearby basket. “I’ve been doing what you and Molly and Dante apparently can’t. Listening. Not telling her she’s an awful person—”

“Okay, see, that’s—” Alexis stabbed a finger at her. “That’s where I think there’s a disconnect here. Because we’ve all been listening to Sam. But only one of us is doing some kind of girl boss nonsense—”

“Mom.” Kristina rolled her eyes. “Stop trying to talk around it or, like, trying not to offend me. What do you think I encouraged Sam to do?”

“Well, I know for a fact you thought she should go to her appointment yesterday and defend herself. We could start there.”

“Why—why is that a bad thing? You know, I see where Molly gets it now.” Kristina lifted the basket, carried it her bedroom, and tossed it on the floor. Returning to the living room, she planted a hand on her hip. “Sam might not have handled everything with the Molly Lansing-Davis Seal of Approval, but she’s doing the best she can. Okay? And it doesn’t help that she’s got Elizabeth Webber prancing around like she’s some kind of Mother Theresa—or actually—you know what—she’s exactly like Mother Theresa. Pretending to be perfect and a bitch behind the scenes.”

Alexis opened her mouth, then closed it, her expression sour. “I don’t even know what to do with that statement, Kristina. Elizabeth isn’t—Okay, so did you maybe mention the conversation you and I had on Sunday? About Elizabeth’s bail?”

“We—” Kristina stopped, looked at her mother, her heart pounding just ever so slightly. “Conversation?”

“When I told you they were worried that the government was going to attack Elizabeth’s bail. Don’t play stupid with me, Kristina. We were standing right here discussing it. And you spent the day with Sam. The same day the feds learned about Danny and Rocco’s arrest. Did you tell your sister to mess with Elizabeth’s bail?”

“I—” Kristina couldn’t do anything other than stare in disbelief. “How—why do you think Sam did that? Wait, did something happen to Elizabeth’s bail?” Had it actually worked?

“No. Not yet. But it’s set for a hearing—” Alexis shook her head. “And no one else could have done it.”

“What do you mean? Everyone knew Danny was arrested for drinking. Both of them,” Kristina added. “That was—I mean, everyone knows it—”

“Not everyone knows about the arrest on Elizabeth’s property. No one that would use it against Elizabeth. Don’t defend your sister, Kristina—”

“I’m not—” Kristina stopped. They were blaming Sam. That was a lucky break, she thought, pressing a fist against her chest. She hadn’t realized how limited the knowledge was — but unfortunately her sister was the perfect suspect. Guilt churned in her abdomen. But if they suspected Sam — “They’re blaming Sam? You’re blaming her, too?”

“Well, who else would be stupid enough to do something like this without thinking about the harm it would do to Danny?” Alexis shook her head. “Diane’s trying every trick in the book to keep Danny and Rocco from having to testify, even in a closed hearing, but—”

“Whoa, whoa—” Kristina held up her hands. “What do you mean, testify? Why would they have to testify? Can’t Dante or Sam or Elizabeth—”

“Well, they can, and believe me, no one wants those boys dragged into this, but what’s the alternative? Letting Elizabeth rot in jail?” Alexis picked up her bag. “I’m not blaming you, Kristina, if you talked to her about the bail situation. I’m sure you just wanted to give her something to, God help us, look forward to. Something to cheer her up—”

“I didn’t tell her about the conversation. I didn’t even think about it—” Or she hadn’t longer than it had taken to send a quick spoofed email about the arrest. “What did she say when you asked her about it?”

“Denied it, of course. But what is she going to do? Admit that she willingly threw her son under the bus? God, this is going to destroy any chance we had of getting her case moved up. Why can’t just one of you think before you do something?” Alexis jerked the door open, looked at Kristina. “Do me a favor. Stop trying to help your sister. It’s just encouraging her—in fact—stay away from her.”

Oh, that wouldn’t be a problem, Kristina thought, locking the door behind her mother, then leaning against it. If everyone was blaming Sam, how long it would take Sam — or Dante — to remember that conversation over breakfast?

She needed a story. And fast.

Webber House: Kitchen

Jason stepped into the kitchen, frowning slightly when Elizabeth straightened up, the dishwasher clicking shut. “One of the boys should be doing that—”

“I don’t mind.” She dried her hands with a dish towel, smiling when he came behind the counter, kissed her lightly. “Danny still not up to talk?”

“No. I’m not sure what I’d say to him even if he did.” Jason stopped, looked towards the living room, frowning when Aiden’s head dropped below the edge of the sofa, but Jake on the armchair wasn’t even pretending not to be listening. “Can we—”

“If you want to talk about picking up dinner,” Elizabeth said, raising her brows meaningfully, “we may want to wait until we go to Diane’s office tomorrow. Even my bedroom has heating vents.”

“Heating vents—” Jason nodded, understanding. He rubbed his chest, considering waiting overnight to have this conversation. “We could—we could leave them alone, though. Right? Go out somewhere.”

“Really?” Elizabeth studied him for a moment, and maybe it was too much to ask after how long the day had been, considering it had included two long car drives and a hearing. But her curiosity won out. “We could do that. Have to be a covered vehicle,” she said with a sad sigh. “I can’t wait until it stops raining.”

“You and me both,” Jason muttered, following her towards the living. He could use a fast drive in the dark, whipping around the corners, letting everything go. Once he might have done it anyway, despite the steady pounding of the rain. The added danger of turns on slick back roads would have been all he’d needed.

But he’d never do that with Elizabeth on the bike, and now — he was all too aware that he was a father with a responsibility to come at night. He’d spent too many years throwing that away. He’d have to find another outlet for the adrenaline rush.

“Your dad and I are going for a drive,” Elizabeth said, picking up her purse and checking it for her house keys. “Jake—”

Jake grimaced, climbing to his feet. “You don’t have to go out to talk, you know. I’ll keep them away from the vents—”

“Yeah, but who’s going to keep you from listening?” Cameron wanted to know. He snagged the game controller from Aiden. “I’ll get the babies in bed, Mom. You and Jason are good.”

Elizabeth just rolled her eyes, shrugged into the coat Jason was sliding over her shoulders. “Don’t stay up late. You have an early flight,” she reminded Cameron, then turned to Jason. “Let’s go.”

Penthouse: Living Room

Sam paced the short space between the end of the sofa and the fireplace, rerunning the day through her mind — irritated with herself for losing her temper at every turn. Her mother, that was fair — stunned shock and indignation had clouded her ability to react with anything other than denials.

And Dante — well, that had been another level of shock — she closed her eyes, sank onto the sofa, remembering the way he’d looked at her. The doubt she hadn’t been able to raise until the very last moments when she’d been beyond caring. She’d thought he knew her — had thought that this time she’d found someone who knew all her dark places and loved her anyway. Who understood her.

By the time Jason had showed up, Sam had nearly decided to embrace the villain label everyone wanted to slap on her. Why not? Everyone had already made up their minds—

But Danny. Danny must believe it, too. How could he not with his father assuming it was true? And—she bit hard on her lip, remembering the way they’d ripped at each other — the scar tissue she’d ripped open. Her only consolation was knowing that Jason would never, ever tell Danny about Maureen Harper because he’d never be able to explain himself enough for Jake to forgive him for marrying Sam after it.

The lightning flashed out the terrace windows, and Sam jolted from the sound of the thunder clap directly after, like a bomb exploding just outside the building. She rubbed her mouth. She couldn’t let this accusation stand. She didn’t give a damn if Jason or Elizabeth believed Sam was innocent—but Danny—

Danny had to know the truth.

But who could have done it? Dante would never — and there was no one else who even had a motive—no one else who could have even known there was any Elizabeth side of the story to use against her—

Sam sighed, dragged her hands through her hair again, then got to her feet, turning towards the stairs. A hot shower and some sleep. That’s all she needed —

Then she stopped when another bolt of lightning flashed, illuminating the darkened first floor. The dining table between the terrace and the stairs.

You look like hell. Dante keep you all night?

Kristina.

Vista Point: Parking Lot

“Well, this was probably a terrible idea,” Elizabeth said, when lightning flashed, lighting up the SUV. She held her hands over the heater. “You know, you didn’t have to wait until we were all the way up here before you told me what happened. I don’t think the boys have hid any listening devices in the car.” She looked over at Jason’s profile, hoping to see even a hint of a smile.

But he was facing forward, his hands curled over the wheel.

“Jason?” She leaned up, flicked on the light for the inside of the car. “How bad was it? Did she at least have an excuse that wasn’t garbage?”

“I—” Jason flexed his fingers, then leaned back with a heavy sigh, rubbing his face. “I’m sorry. The whole drive up here, I’ve been thinking about what to say, and now that I have to say it—” He looked at her. “She didn’t admit it. And the conversation isn’t worth talking about.”

“Okay,” she drew out, bewildered. So why had they gone out in the storm, driving for fifteen minutes in silence? “I mean, it was always a long shot she’d admit it especially since it’s backfired—”

“Cameron was there. At the parking garage. He saw me leaving and followed.”

“I—” Elizabeth sat up. “What?”

“He didn’t follow me upstairs,” Jason added, and she relaxed only slightly. “But he was pissed. First because I guess he thought I was there behind your back and then mad at both of us when I told him you knew.” He paused, the beat of silence heavy. “It was stupid for me to go. Even more stupid for me to think it would accomplish anything. And Cameron was right to be angry.”

“I guess I thought you’d get her to admit it. I mean, she doesn’t usually hide when she does something like this—”

“I don’t think she thought past hurting you,” Jason told her, looking over at her again. “Danny didn’t factor in at all. I thought I needed to hear it from her, to confront her, to make sure she understood how much she hurt Danny, but I didn’t. It won’t fix it. Nothing can fix any of it.” He let his head fall against the seat, looked up the roof the car, then turned his head so that their eyes met. “But it was Cameron I wanted to tell you about. You can have a conversation with him if you want, but I didn’t brush him off. Or tell him it wasn’t his business. Because it was.”

“We’ve been telling them to live their lives — I’ve been pushing him back to California, begging him not to let this ruin his life—yeah, he gets to be angry we did something impulsive.” Elizabeth bit her lip, looked out the front, but there was nothing to be see beyond the rain sluicing little rivers in the glass. “I don’t know why I wanted you to go. What it would change.  Cameron’s right. It was stupid, and risky. Too risky.”

“Did you think—” Jason stopped, squinting slightly as if searching for the right word or what to say. “Did you think that she would talk herself out of it? That I would…find a way to forgive her? Because I did before?”

“No—” Elizabeth said, then stopped, really letting herself consider the question. “I don’t know. I don’t think—I don’t think I would play games like that.”

“It’s not a game, though, is it? I did forgive her for something that hurt you. Hurt our son. Cameron. And I did it after I told you that we couldn’t have a future together.”

Elizabeth pressed her lips together, her stomach rolling. She looked forward again, fisting her hands in her lap. “I don’t see why we have to drag this back up again. What good does it do? It happened the way it happened. Now we have Aiden and Danny, so there’s no point—”

“Elizabeth.”

Her name on his lips, just said in that tone, with a bit of exasperation, had her scowling at him, “What do you want me to say, Jason? Yes. It hurt me when you forgave her. When you married her. When you wanted to have children with her. The life you promised me, you gave it to her. Yes, it hurt. Does it make you feel better to drag that out of me? Is that what you wanted? Why you made me come all the way up here? Here, of all places—” she bit out. “Where you walked away from me over and over—screw this.” She shoved at the door, twisting the lever to open it, then dashed out into the rain.

+37

Written in 62 minutes.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Harborview Towers: Parking Garage

Still unsettled and somewhat raw from the encounter with Sam, Jason just shook his head. “Not now—”

Cameron stepped in front of him, preventing Jason from reaching the driver’s side door. “No. Now. Because I promised my mother I’d go back to school, and there won’t be later. What the hell are you doing here? What happened to not being stupid?”

“Your mother knows I’m here—”

“And that makes it okay?” Cameron demanded. “For the two of you to lecture me and my brothers about ignoring all of this, not doing any that screws things up? Fine. Have it your way. We’ll talk about it at home, and you can explain to Danny what the hell you were doing and why can’t—”

Jason caught Cameron’s arm as the angry younger man turned away, and tightened his grip when Cameron tried to shake him off. “Okay. Okay—okay, let’s just—” What the hell was he going to say? “I shouldn’t have come here, and Elizabeth probably shouldn’t have agreed. But it’s complicated—”

“It’s really not. Either her freedom is the most important thing for both of you or you’re more worried about settling personal shit. Which is it?” Cameron wanted to know. “Why did you have to confront your ex-wife?”

“I don’t—” No, it wouldn’t be good enough to brush Cameron off with platitudes or vague answers. “Let’s both just—” Jason released him. “I don’t know what I thought it would do. I guess maybe I thought I could just—look at her, and she’d admit it, and I’d know what to do next. Or at least we could have a conversation about it. I don’t know why I thought that would work. We haven’t been able to do that since I got back.”

Cameron just shook his head, looked away for a brief moment. When he focused on Jason again, his expression was grim. “I don’t know why I thought it would be different this time. You always do this. You come into my mother’s life, you make her think she’s important to you, you make me and Jake think we matter, and then you take off to whoever needs you next. You did it when I was kid—you think I don’t remember, but I do—and now, what, Danny’s mom is the next person who needs your help? It’s worse to do it this time, because now Jake believes you’re gonna stick—”

“I can’t change what I did before,” Jason interrupted. “I can’t go back and be a better man. A better father. All I can do is try to be better now—”

“And this is you being better? Screwing with Mom’s bail—”

“I’m not doing that—this won’t—Sam won’t be telling anyone about the conversation we just had, trust me,” Jason told Cameron.

“That’s not good enough. Why the hell would Sam be quiet about this when she threw Danny under the bus to get to Mom already?”

Jason grimaced. What was he supposed to do? Tell Cameron they’d discussed the time Sam had allowed Jake to be kidnapped? That she’d hired men to menace Cameron in the park when he’d been a toddler?

“You’re not an idiot, so when I tell you that there are things in my past — things in Sam’s past — that if people knew, if the wrong people knew — we’d both end up back in jail—you know what I’m talking about,” Jason said finally, and some of Cameron’s ire faded.

“When you were working for Sonny,” Cameron said. “Is that what you mean?”

“I’m not—” His throat tightened, and he wondered if he’d have to answer these questions with Jake and Danny one  day. Michael and Morgan, they’d grown up in the business. They’d always known who their father was — who Jason was. But Cameron and his brothers had been sheltered in a way — protected from the reality of what Jason had chosen to do with his life. “I’m not a good man. Not in the way that you, your mother, your brothers, Danny — that any of you deserve. I’ve always known that.”

Cameron shifted, dropping his expression to the ground. “Mom says—”

“Your mother, as we both know, forgives easily. Too easily,” Jason added. “I’ve done things that—that I wasn’t always ashamed of. I made choices when I was your age that I can’t change. I didn’t know what I was throwing away when I made them. People tried to explain it to me, but I thought they wanted to control me.” He rubbed his forehead, thinking of his parents, of his grandparents. “Maybe they did, but they were right. I threw away a future where I could be the kind of father my kids should have. I thought walking away, staying away — that it was the best way I could give them the life they deserved. Leaving your mother, leaving you and your brother — it was never easy. And I never wanted to do it. It’s why I kept coming around. Because I loved you all too much to stay away.”

Cameron hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. “Okay. Okay. I can get that. And I know you’re not working for Sonny anymore. I always knew—” He met Jason’s gaze. “I always kind of knew who you were, okay? What you did. So did Jake. We just ignored it. I guess like Mom. But what does that have to do with you coming here—”

“Sam lived that kind of life, too,” Jason told him. “Before she ever met me, she’d been on the wrong side of the law. It was—” How to explain that he’d considered Sam his equal because she’d lived a life that was as dirty and grimy as the one he’d chosen?  “There are things we know about each other,” he said finally. “That we’ve kept back because if one of us—if she used any of it — she knows I’d stop protecting. That’s why I had to do this. Why I thought I had to do this,” he corrected. “To remind her what I know. And to make sure she understood what this did to Danny.”

Cameron studied him for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. That feels—that feels true. I didn’t—I don’t know. I didn’t expect you to—I don’t know,” he repeated.

“You thought I’d brush you off with bullshit,” Jason said. “I might have or tried to make you understand it’s not—I can’t treat you like you’re a kid anymore. I get that. But I still remember—” The corner of his mouth curved up slightly. “I still remember the first time I met you, okay? When you were maybe six months old, so having you stand here in front of me, at the same height — it still throws me.” He paused. “I can’t promise not to do anything stupid like this again, Cameron. But I’ll try to be as honest as I can with you — and your mother.”

“That’s fair.” Cameron shoved his hands in the pockets of his jacket. “Did you—I mean, did she tell you why she did it?”

“We never got that far, but the truth is, Cameron, Sam hates me, and she hates your mother. I just didn’t know she hated both of us more than she loves Danny. That’s the only way any of this makes sense.”

TJ & Molly’s Apartment: Living Room

Molly stepped back to let Dante into the apartment, closing the door behind him. “Your expression makes me think something terrible happened,” she said with a nervous smile. She leaned against the door. “What’s wrong?”

“Is TJ around?” Dante asked, glancing around the apartment, leaning to look into the tiny kitchen.

“No—he’s at the hospital. Dante—”

“Did you hear about the hearing in Syracuse?”

“No, I—” Molly frowned, came away from the door and passed by Dante on her way to the dining table, layered with paperwork. “No, I thought we were both staying out of that. It’s killing me, but we recused ourselves—”

“Officially because of the incident with Danny and Rocco,” Dante said, and she sighed, lowering herself back into the dining chair. “But we both know it’s because Alexis and Kristina were on the list of suspects and couldn’t be eliminated.”

“Dante, we really shouldn’t—”

“I’m not telling you anything I know officially. Or anything that Chase doesn’t already know.” Dante dragged out the chair across from her, sat down. “This was on a personal level. Danny went to Elizabeth’s hearing with Jake and his brothers.”

“I guess that makes sense. He lives with them—”

“Reynolds made a move to revoke bail based on what happened the night Danny and Rocco were arrested. Because someone told him about the original 911 calls.”

Molly went still, her eyes widening. “Someone—”

“There was a second 911 call — reporting Elizabeth’s address — a neighbor who saw Aiden that night. The vape made it into the call.”

“I didn’t—I didn’t know there was a second 911 call—”

“I didn’t either. No one told us,” Dante said. “But once you go looking for the dispatch records, it’s right there. I got suspended — Anna thinks I used my authority to cover it up—” He grimaced. “I did—”

“You didn’t do anything unethical, Dante. The PCPD releases intoxicated teens to their parents all the time — even those who are high on drugs. It was a first offense — and Danny got into treatment, and I know you’re taking Rocco’s situation serious—” Molly shook her head. “But I don’t understand — why would someone report that?”

“Everyone suspected Sam — and so did I,” Dante admitted. He looked at his hands, laid them flat on the table. “Because of what happened at the Towers, when she threatened to have Elizabeth arrested for kidnapping. We also—I thought she wanted Elizabeth out of the picture.”

“Getting her bail revoked would do that, but it would also hurt Danny if it’s this way, and I don’t think Sam would do that. I know she hasn’t done herself any favors—” Molly paused. “But you brought up Mom and Kristina being suspects. Dante?”

“I think,” Dante said, forcing himself to continue, “that Kristina might have either given Sam the idea or did it herself. Because…she knew Danny and Rocco were at Elizabeth’s. Or supposed to be there. And I think we might have told her the whole story. I don’t remember doing it, but I can see us sitting at breakfast table, and it just coming out. I wouldn’t have thought twice about telling her—”

“Of course not. It involved Danny, and Kristina wouldn’t—” Molly rubbed her temple. “Dante. ”

“Kristina could have done it just to help Sam, but she might have also done it to complicate everything. Because if Elizabeth goes back in jail, she’s out of the picture. Sam goes back for custody, Jason’s fighting that —”

“Maybe they’re not concentrating on her case as much. Letting the trail keep getting cold.” Cold slithered down her spine. “Dante. We’re not really—I know we couldn’t eliminate her, but are we really saying that Kristina murdered Cates and framed Elizabeth?”

“I don’t know,” Dante said. He met his cousin’s worried eyes. “But I don’t think it’s as crazy as I did a few weeks ago. And I can’t—I think we have a duty as officers of the court — I think Diane should know Kristina’s a suspect.”

Pozzula’s Restaurant: Sonny’s Office

Spinelli knocked on the open office door. “You rang, Mr. Sir?”

The use of the old nickname usually brought the hint of a smile to Sonny’s lips, but not today, Spinelli noticed as the aging mobster got to his feet from behind the desk. “You came fast.”

“You said it was important. About the case. Other than the kids, I don’t really have any other priorities right now.” Spinelli set his bag on the chair. “What’s up?”

“Something I probably should have—” Sonny rubbed his chin. “Something I probably should have said a few weeks ago but I didn’t really think it was a possibility. Even now, I don’t know if you can do anything with it. But, uh—”

He turned, and removed the painting from the wall behind his desk, revealing a safe. He spun  the combination and opened it, stepping aside so Spinelli could see inside. “The gun that was used — Brick told me the make and model. I had one of those. Unregistered,” Sonny added, and Spinelli looked at him, alert. “I didn’t—I don’t know when it went missing, but it’s gone.”

“Oh.” His heart started to pound, but Spinelli’s face didn’t betray that. “Who has access?”

“I know the combo,” Sonny said. “Jason does — or did at one time. I don’t know if he still does.” He paused. “Carly knew it, but I doubt she remembers it. And Kristina — she needed money for something, and I gave it to her. But anyone in my organization could probably get in,” Sonny admitted. “It’s not an important safe — just some things in case I need to get out quickly, but most of the guys know it’s here.”

Spinelli looked at him, squinted. “So what do you think happened?”

“Maybe one of my guys took a gun they knew couldn’t be traced and did me a favor,” Sonny said. “And, well, not everyone knows me and Jason are square, you know? All they know he’s an informant. So maybe they were looking to make trouble for him. A little payback.” He shook his head. “Like I said, you can’t do much with this — I can’t prove the gun came from me or that I ever owned it. But I figure I can give you a list of suspects, right? I got the—” He picked up paper from his desk, held it out. “I got a list of the guys I know for sure came through the restaurant last three months or so. Maybe it can help.”

+40

Written in 58 minutes.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Webber House: Street

The tail lights of a familiar SUV pulled out of a parking spot, heading down Elm Street and away from the Webber House. If Cameron had been even thirty seconds later making the turn onto the block, he would have missed Jason leaving, and as it was — he only had maybe a split second to decide whether he’d snag the spot left empty right in front of the house or if he’d follow his mother’s boyfriend.

Because he’d been under the impression Jason had intended to stick close to Danny that night, Cameron wondered where he was going — and if Danny was with him.

Honestly, as his mother’s son, it wasn’t really a decision at all. He’d never be able to ignore that natural born curiosity and instinct for mischief. He pressed his foot on the gas pedal to speed back up.

Gatehouse: Kitchen

Michael leaned back against the counter, folding his arms. “So you’re back to thinking Sam didn’t tip off the feds?”

Dante dragged a hand through his hair, restlessly moving around the small space. “I don’t know what to think. No one else even makes sense.”

“Not even Dex? It wouldn’t be his first time switching sides,” Michael reminded him. “I hired him when I was still angry with Dad, and Dex was basically useless to me from the beginning. And then he betrayed Dad anyway to work with the cops—”

“Not much of a betrayal since Dex was useless to Dad, too,” Dante pointed out. He hesitated. “I’m not discounting the possibility that Dex said or did something. But going to Reynolds and not Anna doesn’t make sense. Anna’s been unhappy with me and Chase since we went along with Molly with this whole thing. You want to screw with me at work, you go straight to her. Why go after Elizabeth’s bail?”

“What about the connection to Cameron?” Michael wanted to know. “Wasn’t there some overlap before Joss and Dex got serious? Joss didn’t want to admit it, but I’m pretty sure she cheated—”

“I mean, maybe?” Dante said, but it was phrased as a skeptical question. “It seems like a long way around to screw with a guy who didn’t even really put up a fight. What’s the reason? All it would do is keep Cameron around. He’s been home more these last few weeks than the last year and a half. No, I get why Dex seems like a good suspect, but—” He stopped. “I don’t think it’s him. I can ask him to tie off the loop, but I can’t see it personally.”

“I just don’t like how it loops back to Sam. I don’t want it to be her,” Michael said. “It makes all of this worse. No one else knew Elizabeth and Aiden were involved that way? Retrace your steps. What was going on that night?”

Dante sat at the table, rubbed his chin. “Feels like a million years ago,” he murmured. “Sam and I were sitting in the living room, talking about Kristina and Molly. When that was our biggest problem.” He paused, looked at Michael. “Kristina came over that night. I was picking her up when I dropped the boys at Elizabeth’s.”

“You didn’t go in?”

“No. Just—” Dante shook his head. “Told them to tuck and roll, you know? I’d done it a thousand times — which they counted on. They never went inside, at least from what Aiden says, and I believe that. They knew we trusted them — well, I trusted Rocco to keep Danny in line. When Wiley gets to that age, let me tell you — ” He met his brother’s gaze. “If their lips are moving, they’re lying.”

“Noted,” Michael said dryly. “What about Kristina? What time did she go home?”

“She—” Dante went still, swallowed hard. “She didn’t. She slept over. She had a few beers. She was with us the next morning. We told her about the arrest.”

Michael straightened. “Kristina knew?”

“I mean—did we tell her about the Elizabeth of it all?” Dante stopped. “I don’t know. I can’t remember. It—it was a bad night. And it kept getting worse, you know? Sam walked out of the station, Rocco was a mess, Jason and Sam got into it—”

“Okay, if you didn’t tell her then, could Sam have told her later? Sam’s been angry at Elizabeth, hasn’t she?”

“Yeah.” Dante blew out a breath, got to his feet. “Yeah. I can see Sam talking about it. She was angry at herself for leaving, then Danny gets going on this therapy thing and Elizabeth finds him the doctor — you put that together with Elizabeth’s kid not caught drinking, and Danny on her property—if we didn’t tell her that next morning, I can see Sam confiding it later. I mean, it’s her sister.”

“But if Kristina’s the one that knows—is she really going to tip off the same lawyer that tried to put her in jail?” Michael asked. “I know she’s been messed up since losing the baby, but—”

“I don’t know. I don’t—” Dante shook his head. “I don’t know. Don’t—don’t say anything. To Jason, I mean.” When Michael looked skeptical, Dante held out a hand. “Jason will take it to Diane, and then it’s out there and we’re accusing Kristina of something pretty awful. I just—let me find out if Kristina knew for sure. There’s—there’s a lot going on there that I can’t tell you right now.”

“I’m not gonna keep it to myself forever,” Michael warned him. “If Kristina’s going around trying to screw with Elizabeth’s bail, Diane needs to know. Alexis needs to know so it can stop. I don’t care if Kristina thinks she was helping, this could have seriously backfired. Elizabeth could be in custody right now if there’d been a different judge. She deserves to know who’s sabotaging her. And Sam doesn’t deserve to carry the blame if she didn’t do this. Danny needs to know if his mother did this.”

“Give me—give me tomorrow,” Dante told him. “Let me look into a few things, okay?”

“I’ll give you a day, but Thursday, Dante, I’m telling Jason and Elizabeth what Kristina knew. Or could have known.”

Penthouse: Hallway

Jason banged on the door for a third time. “I’m not going anywhere until you open this door, Sam. I know you’re there.”

There was another pause, a shuffling of the shadows peeking from beneath the gap in the door between the floor and the floor. But nothing else.

“I can see you moving on the other side of the door, Sam. You either talk to me now or I’m talking to Diane about fighting even supervised visitation.”

He heard the click and tumble of locks, then the door was yanked open to reveal Sam, her eyes red and puffy, bloodshot. “Please. We both know Diane has that ready to go. She’s just been waiting for a chance to get me out of your life.”

“Maybe, but it needs my signature.”

“Oh, what a white knight you are,” Sam spat, “refusing to steal my son from me. Why not? You stole AJ’s son, didn’t you? You’d rather raise Carly’s kids than your own—”

“You hate me, that’s fine. But you keep going through everyone else to attack me—”

“How else can I make sure it actually hurts?” Sam retorted. “You don’t give a damn about yourself, you never have. I can’t hurt someone who barely has a pulse. It’s the only way to get your attention—”

“Is that why you did it? To get my attention? To get Danny’s? Are you really that desperate?”

Tears glittered in her dark eyes, her mouth pinched. “You never forgave me for Jake did you? For what I did in the park. You told me you did, you came back to me, and married me, and we planned a life together, so I thought you did. But you will always believe the worst about me because—”

“Because you stood by while an unstable woman took my son out of his stroller and walked away with him?” Jason demanded. “Because you hired guns to threaten Jake and Cameron—Jake’s not old enough to remember, but Cameron was a toddler. He damn well knew what was going on—”

“More worry about a kid who isn’t yours,” Sam said with a roll of her eyes. “Well, hey, since we’re listing my crimes, let me give you a few more reason to hate me.” Her fingers clutched the edge of the door. “Did Elizabeth tell you she and Lucky came to the studio and begged me to let them use the show to look for Jake?” Her smile was wide, contrasting with the hatred in her eyes. “And I told her no.”

Jason exhaled slowly. “You told her no.”

“Well, I couldn’t take the chance Maureen Harper might see that weeping whimp crying for her son to come back, could I?” Sam curled her free hand into a fist. “Elizabeth never told you about that, huh? Did she tell you about the visit I paid her? When I tried to make her think Jake was dead so she’d stop whining and stop looking?”

Jason took a step back, a slick, sick feeling rolling in his gut. “No, she never told me.”

“Well, then maybe I should have been grateful all these years, huh?” Sam wanted to know, the hateful smile still curving her lips. “She really could have put the nail in my coffin if she’d wanted to. Guess I’m lucky she’s still a pushover. Must be what you see in her, right? She’ll forgive the worst.”

He’d lost control of the conversation, and now he realized that he’d expected her to admit it, the way she always did when confronted with her deeds. With her tears, her apologies. They’d all been lies. Every inch of them. She’d never been frozen in fear or overwhelmed with resentment or hatred of him. She’d hated Elizabeth just as much as she’d hated him.

“What about Danny? What are you planning to tell him about what you did?” Jason asked, shoving his hands in his pockets. He wanted to shove a fist somewhere else, but he’d never hit a woman, and he didn’t need broken or bruised knuckles, not right now.

“I don’t know.” Sam leaned against the door frame. “What are you telling Jake about marrying the woman who let him be kidnapped?”

“You’re not going to do that,” Jason said, but then she smiled again, and he realized he really didn’t know what she might do in a mood like this. “Because telling Jake means telling Danny. And he already believes the worst about you.”

“Well, who’s fault is that? Why was he in court, Jason? He should have been in school, where he belongs. But you need him to paint a picture to keep that bitch out of jail, don’t you? Everyone’s so worried about Elizabeth—”

“I forgave you, Sam,” Jason interrupted, and she rolled her eyes. “I forgave you because I believed it was about me, and I blamed myself more than you. I forgave you because I thought I knew who you really were. But I didn’t forget. I won’t ever forget what you’re capable of doing to someone you think is taking something from you. But I didn’t want to believe you’d try to have Elizabeth’s bail revoked like this — because this doesn’t just hurt her, her kids, or me. It hurts Danny.”

Sam pressed her lips together, and some of her fury faded, her shoulders slumping ever so slightly. But she remained silent.

“Not because he’s Jake’s brother or that he cares about Elizabeth, which are both reasons to keep the peace,” Jason added, “which you used to know. But because it puts him on the hot seat. They didn’t just talk about the alcohol and being drunk, Sam, did you know that? Your stunt made sure everyone knew he was high. That Rocco was high, too.”

Sam snapped her gaze back to him, alert. “What?”

“What did you think would happen when you told them to look at the 911 calls? To look for the report? There’s going to be a bail hearing, and in order to prove Elizabeth and Aiden weren’t involved, Danny’s going to have to tell people what happened. Is that what you thought would happen? Did you even think about what Danny would have go through? Or was it another moment of weakness?” Jason demanded.

Sam’s mouth trembled, but then she stepped back. “Go to hell.” Then slammed the door.

Miller & Davis: Diane’s Office

Diane tapped a pen against the desk blotter. “Your, uh, source in the AUSA’s office has an interesting point,” she said. “The tip that put them onto the 911 calls isn’t that different from the one that sent them to Elizabeth in the first place, is it?”

“I still think it’s Sam,” Spinelli said slowly. He sat in one of the armchairs clustered around a smaller table. “There are things in her past — things Stone Cold never shared with you because you’d use them in his murder trial — that make it easy to believe it.”

Diane lifted her brows. “Oh, you had better believe we’re coming back to that, my friend. But Sam could have done this. With a little help from her sister. Alexis has told me that she’s worried — Kristina’s been very supportive of Sam — encouraging Sam to try to use therapy to twist the narrative against Elizabeth.”

“Oh, man.” Spinelli sat back. “So Kristina could have given her the idea?”

“Or Kristina did it herself. I can’t imagine Sam wouldn’t have confided in Kristina all the details about that night at the police station.” Diane sighed. “It just troubles me so much that every new piece of evidence we have points at Kristina being involved in some way, whether she’s the shooter or she’s helping cover up for someone. And if you get that data tomorrow that proves the trunk was opened with her in the area—” Diane paused. “I don’t relish the thought of telling Alexis what her daughter might have done. Killing Cates — that’s one thing. Attempting to get rid of the gun by framing Elizabeth or Jason — I worry now, Spinelli, if we’re correct, that Kristina sees Elizabeth as the enemy in her sister’s situation. What she’s capable of doing to cover her tracks and help Sam regain custody.”

“Dante’s been suspended because of all of this. Chase is planning to reach out to him, find out what he knows.” Spinelli leaned to the side, plucked out his vibrating phone. “And now I have a message from Mr. Sir,” he murmured.

“Sonny? What could he want?” Diane demanded.

Spinelli got to his feet, picked up his bag. “I don’t know. But I’m interested in finding out. I’ll call you when I know more.”

Harborview Towers: Parking Garage

Jason slowed his steps as he approached the row where he’d left his SUV — recognizing the figure leanging against the back window.

“Cameron.”

Elizabeth’s oldest son straightened, lifted a brow the way his mother often did. “We spent all day keeping Danny from calling her, and now I here I find you. I was under the impression confronting Sam would screw with my mother’s case. Did something change?”

+37

Written in 69 minutes.

Listen, I know Elizabeth’s kitchen doesn’t have a table, but it’s a stupid, ugly set  anyway and she has three boys. Of course she has a damned dining room table in her house. Go with me on this.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Penthouse: Hallway

When she turned the corner and saw Dante waiting outside the door to the penthouse he’d called home only a few days earlier, Sam stopped, and braced herself.

She’d seen the grim expression on his face, the set of his mouth. He’d heard the news, and he already had his mind made up. Just like Diane. Just like her mother.

“If you’re here to yell at me, I don’t want to hear it,” Sam said. She inserted her key in the lock, twisted, then pushed. She stalked inside, but Dante slapped a hand against the door before she could slam it shut. “I’m not going another round on this—”

“I’ve been suspended,” he said, and Sam blinked, her hand falling away from the door. She stepped backwards, and he used the space to come inside and close the door. “Anna got a call from Laura. I guess she was at court this morning, and wanted to know what the hell was going on. No one had told her anything about Aiden or Elizabeth being involved that night.”

Sam folded her arms. “So how does that get you suspended—”

“Anna thinks I put too much pressure on Dex to leave out the drugs and Aiden. That we deliberately left Elizabeth’s address off the report.”

Sam opened her mouth, then shook her head. “Never mind. It doesn’t even matter.” She tossed her keys aside, heard the clink on the desk. “I’m sorry you got suspended, but—”

“Did you even think about what would happen to me?” Dante wanted to know. “Did you even give a second thought to anyone but yourself?”

Her mother’s quick dismissal at the possibility of Sam’s innocence had cut deep, but this carved a deep gouge in what was left. Her mouth trembled, hot tears stinging her eyes. “So that’s it, huh? Accused, charged, found guilty, and now what? The sentence?” She turned away, pressed a fist against her mouth.

Behind her, Dante’s tone was a little gentler when he spoke next. “Look, I’m sure you didn’t mean for it to get this bad. You probably thought they’d scoop Elizabeth up, and you’d be back in custody court tomorrow. But this is just like you and Spinelli going after the FBI last spring. You don’t think, Sam. Not when Danny’s involved.”

“That might be true, but—”

“And you just tried to have Elizabeth arrested barely a week ago. You knew that it would put her bail at risk, and you didn’t care—”

“I didn’t think about that when I—” Sam whirled around, then scowled. “I didn’t think about that then, okay? But this is different. Okay? This is—” She pressed her lips together. “You know me, Dante. Do you really think I’d do this?”

“I don’t want to, Sam, but I’ve had a front row seat watching you act more and more reckless when it comes to Danny’s safety. You hacked into the FBI, you made Danny miserable, and then you tanked your chances at custody when you refused medical treatment and assaulted Elizabeth in front of him. An email to the feds? A chance to keep your name out of it and get Danny back? Yeah, I think you’d do this.” Dante lifted his brows. “Do you really think I’m crazy for that?”

“I—I know I haven’t been myself lately—” Sam put up her hands, palms out. “But I spent two weeks trying to get Elizabeth to put me on her case, didn’t I? I know she’s innocent—”

“Just like she was innocent of kidnapping, but you were gonna press those charges anyway. To get her away from Danny.”

“Stop bringing that up! That’s different—” Sam’s hands curled into fists, then fell to her side. “You don’t believe me. There’s nothing I can say to you that will change your mind. Nothing I said to my mother worked either.” She brushed at her cheek. “Fine. Fine. Have it your way.”

She stalked past him, pulled the door open. “You can go.”

For the first time, Dante hesitated. “Sam—”

“No. You don’t get to have your doubts now that you’ve come here like this. Just know, that when I find out who did do this, it won’t change the fact that when you could have shown just a little bit of goddamn faith in me, you chose not to. Get out.”

“If you didn’t do it, then who did?” Dante demanded. “There’s no one else who could have known about Elizabeth and Aiden—”

“Well, obviously someone did. And I’m going to make sure they spend their rest of their lives regretting it. We’re done here,” Sam said. “Get out.”

Chase’s Apartment: Living Room

The last person Spinelli had expected to see in Chase’s apartment was Assistant United States Attorney Gia Campbell. The woman looked at him with wide, surprised eyes, then looked at Chase.

“What’s going on?” she demanded. “Did you set me up?”

“No,” Chase said with a scowl. “You weren’t supposed to be here. I have every right to confer with the private investigator for the defense.”

“You can’t tell anyone that you saw me,” Gia said, panic threading through every word. “Please—”

“Well, that very much depends on how this conversation goes.” Spinelli stepped into the room, then close it behind him. “Are you friend or foe?”

“Foe? Who the hell talks like that—” Gia stopped, took a deep breath. “Neither. But I believe in the oath I took when I joined the office. I believe that the only enemy here is whoever killed John Cates. And up until a week ago, I was pretty sure Jason Morgan was involved, and Elizabeth was covering for him.” Her lips pinched. “Just like she always has. It’s not a crazy theory, you know.”

“Maybe if you don’t know either of them well, which you don’t obviously.”

“Oh, I know Elizabeth Webber very well,” Gia bit out. “But that’s not what matters here. The evidence does. It’s in my best interest for the local investigation to turn up a credible suspect so I can take it back to Noah and get him focused on a better suspect.”

“Seems a little unethical, don’t you think?”

“I’ve done everything by the book,” Gia said. “Or almost. The only thing I’ve told Chase that maybe I shouldn’t have is a preview of the evidence we found on the property. I don’t think it matters — the locals were always going to get that report, and so was Diane. I just made sure it happened fast.”

“But talking directly to the defense investigator is over the line,” Chase said to Spinelli. “So let’s cut to the chase. Fine, forget that you didn’t tell us what Reynolds was going to pull at the bailing hearing. How did you find out?”

“I don’t—” Gia frowned, looked at Spinelli, then at Chase. “I don’t know. It was an email tip. Noah didn’t think we had to, but I requested that it be traced. I don’t like how much of our case is built on tips, especially when the first one was faked.”

“That would be an interesting point, except the knowledge about the arrest and Elizabeth’s connection to it was known only to a limited few—”

Gia’s focus sharpened. “How limited?”

Spinelli looked at Chase. “Did you know?”

“I knew Danny and Rocco had been brought in drinking, and that Molly recused herself over it. Danny’s not really an important witness for us since we’ve eliminated his Dad, but he’s an ear witness, and Molly and Dante didn’t want to take any chances. So Molly knew,” Chase answered. “She might have told Robert. But no one told us they’d been arrested on Elizabeth’s property or that Aiden was there.”

“But if you’re looking for something on Danny, you might look into it. We got told about the 911 call — we didn’t know there was two until the logs came in, and it was the second one that put the Webbers in the mix.” Gia furrowed her brow. “But—”

“But it would have to be someone who knows Elizabeth was involved. Otherwise, why bother using it against her?” Spinelli shook his head. “And that knowledge was kept very close to the chest. Diane might have known, but I didn’t. No, we’re almost sure it was Danny’s biological mother trying to make trouble in the custody case. She and Elizabeth have a troubled history.”

“Oh.” Gia wrinkled her nose. “Well, that’s disappointing. Still — I’d like to nail it down for sure.” She picked up her bag. “It’s going to bother me until I know for sure it was domestic, you know? It’s just too much of a coincidence that another tip comes in that makes us look at Elizabeth again just when we were starting to see momentum shift away with the motion to dismiss bringing up all the weaknesses in the case.” She paused. “I’ll make sure Diane Miller gets a copy of the trace, but if I were you, I’d make a list of exactly who knew what and when they knew it.”

Webber House: Kitchen

Elizabeth laid down the take out menu, and picked up her phone, then sighed, realizing the app she used to order food hadn’t been reinstalled on this phone. Just another reminder that pieces of her life would never quite be put back together after all this was over.

She looked up as Jason came in, and bit her lip. “He’s still not letting you in?”

“No.” Jason’s answer was short, almost clipped. He pulled open the fridge, then popped the top on a bottle of Rolling Rock. “I don’t know what I’d say to him even if he opened the door.”

Elizabeth crossed to him, but stopped short, a little unsure of herself. “I’m sorry. I know we’re both trying to pretend this isn’t happening, but please don’t think I don’t understand just how difficult it is for you to be doing nothing.”

“Well, it’s what I’ve been doing for most of Jake and Danny’s life, so I should be used it,” Jason bit out, then crossed over to the table on the other side of the kitchen. He set the bottle down with a thud, then winced. “I’m not mad at you.”

“I know.” She tipped her head. “It’s like you told the boys — doing the right thing doesn’t make it easy. You’re not the only one who wants blood. It was easier, I think, to be optimistic or  push down how awful this is when we weren’t home. But standing in front of those boys — seeing how upset Danny is when he’s been working so hard these last few weeks—” She shook her head. “Doing nothing feels wrong.”

“I really thought—” Jason stopped, looked out to the living room, and she realized he was listening for the tell-tale signs that they weren’t alone. But there were no creaks on the steps, no sounds from the floors above. Jake had gone to his room to draw, Cam had gone out to get dinner with Trina, and Aiden was in his room doing homework.

“I really thought,” Jason repeated, “that summer when Jake was a baby—that it was the exception.” He met her eyes, swallowed hard. “That she was just so angry at both of us, at not being able to have kids, that she resented me so much for it, for you, for Jake, that it clouded everything that made her someone I cared about. I really believed that.”

“I know you did.” She came closer to him, and this time, he let her close, pulled her against him so that she could hear his heart beating. “You made the choice to forgive her, Jason. It doesn’t make you a bad person.”

“Well, it doesn’t make me an intelligent one, either.” Jason grimaced. “I know we’re right. I know that even talking to Sam could screw up your bail hearing—”

“But you still want to do it,” Elizabeth said softly. She lifted her brows. “To find out if we’re wrong? If maybe she didn’t do it?”

“No. I don’t know who else would have done it this way. No one outside the four of us and the kids knew about you and Aiden,” Jason reminded her. “Dex Heller wouldn’t have screwed with your bail. He’s an idiot, but he’s an honest one. If he didn’t feel right about covering that up, he’d have gone to Anna. This was vindictive and spiteful.” His smile was humorless. “I don’t know many people who fit that label.”

“Not who also hate me,” Elizabeth agreed with sigh. “God I hate it, but you’re right. It has her written all over it.” She picked up the menu. “I’m going to call in the order, but their delivery time is like an hour—” She looked at him. “Unless you want to pick it up.”

He frowned, looked at her, a bit confused. “What?”

“Mama Mangione’s. It’s a few blocks from Harborview.” She looked at him expectantly. “You could pick it up, couldn’t you?”

Jason waited a moment, wondered if she was really telling him without telling him that he should do exactly what he wanted and confront Sam. When the corner of her mouth twitched up, nearly into a smirk, he knew he’d read her correctly.

“Yeah. I can pick it up. Just give me the address.”

+40

Written in 64 minutes.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Davis & Miller: Office

Sam actually took a step back, her eyes widening. “What? What are you talking about?”

Alexis tossed her glasses on the desk, rose to her feet. “I just got off the phone with Diane. The government is filing to revoke Elizabeth’s bail, and somehow, they know that Danny and Rocco were arrested in front of her house — that her address and Aiden’s name were left off the reports.” She lifted her brows. “A fact that was known to almost no one—”

“The key word being almost,” Sam snapped, heat rushing to her cheeks. “I didn’t tell anyone, but I’m sure if someone knew where to look—”

“How did they know to look at all?” Alexis retorted. She took a deep breath, scrubbed her hands down her face. “I’m trying to look at it from your perspective, Sam. Having Elizabeth back in custody would change the situation. You were angry that her charges weren’t factoring in—”

“That is not the same thing as making sure she went back to jail! Mom, come on! This getting out doesn’t just affect her, it affects Danny and Rocco. We kept the weed off the record but if they got that much, they know everything—” Sam’s eyes glittered. “But that doesn’t matter, does it? I’m already judged guilty, aren’t I? You didn’t even hesitate to believe the worst. Well, Jason better make sure to keep my name out of it when Danny finds out—”

“He already knows.”

Sam closed her mouth, simply stared. “What? How? He’s in school.”

“He went to the hearing with Jason—don’t start,” Alexis said, holding up her hand. “Diane wanted the boys there—”

“Danny isn’t one of her boys, damn it!” Sam cut in. “He was supposed to back at school today! What the hell is Jason thinking, dragging him to federal court—”

“Is that really what you’re worried about?”

“Yes! He’s putting her first! Not what’s best for those kids! They should all be in school. Cameron’s supposed to graduate—”

“Don’t tell me you give a damn about Elizabeth’s children. Not with this stunt.” Alexis came around the desk. “Elizabeth being yanked back into federal custody would have been terrible for her boys. And no, Danny isn’t her son, but he lives in her home, and what happens to her affects him now, too.”

“This is exactly what I knew would happen—” Sam dragged a hand through her hair, turning away from her mother, her thoughts racing. “He’s always putting his sons last, always trying to save  someone—I’m so sick of him not giving a damn about what Danny needs—”

“Was that the plan? Assume Danny would be in school, and that you could keep him from knowing what you did? That everyone would be so upset about Elizabeth’s bail being revoked no one would have time to wonder how it happened?” Alexis pushed.

Sam’s throat tightened, and she looked back at her mother, realized that there was no room in Alexis’s expression for doubt. “I didn’t do this.”

“I don’t believe you. You would have done anything to get Elizabeth away from Danny. Congratulations. It’s backfired. Elizabeth is still home, and Danny is more upset than ever. Jason was going to send Danny to school today, by the way. Danny asked to go, and Jason agreed. Danny wanted to be there to support his brother. He needed to be there. You talk about Jason putting everyone in front of his sons — look in the mirror, Sam.”

“I didn’t do this,” Sam repeated. “I didn’t—”

“I don’t believe you,” Alexis repeated, but her tone had shifted to weariness, and she returned to her desk, gently lowering herself back into the seat. “I’ve tried to talk some sense into you. I’ve stood by you even when I knew you were making mistakes. I trusted that you loved Danny, that somewhere beneath that resentment and anger, you’d remember that.” She looked at Sam. “I’m done with that now. You’ll need to find another attorney to take over your custody case. I can no longer stand in a court of law and argue that Danny is better off with you.”

Sam curled her shaky hand in a fist, pressed it against her middle. “I didn’t do this,” she said for the third time. “I didn’t. I wouldn’t.” Hot tears spilled down her cheeks. If her own mother didn’t believe her —

No one else would either.

Chase’s Apartment: Living Room

Chase paced from the window to the door, then back again, muttering under his breath. “Not even a warning or hint—”

“I didn’t have a choice.” Gia dropped her bag on the coffee table. “I’m risking my career, do you get that? Having conversations with the local cops without Noah’s knowledge, giving you some ideas what will be in reports and test results — that’s one thing. But there was no way to warn you about this without making it damn clear that I’m your source—”

“Yeah, well—” Chase scowled down at his phone with three missed calls. “Now the commissioner is on us, demanding to know what I knew—”

“You didn’t do anything wrong. Neither did your partner. Not about this case. He immediately recused himself and so did Danny’s aunt, right?” Gia glanced at her phone, at her own messages. “I’m running out of time. I’m supposed to be meeting with the FBI—”

“All you had to do was tell us this was coming — Diane Miller could have covered in court—”

“I’m telling you that warning would have made this worse! Diane thought on her feet, and Elizabeth’s family had a credible, surprised reaction. Those boys —” Gia paused, closing her eyes. It was so strange to see her old foe as a mother. As someone more than the selfish girl who’d stood in the way of Gia’s dreams once. “Bail revocation isn’t something that’s done lightly. It was already going to be an uphill battle. A real reaction—”

“‘Those boys’ aren’t pawns on a chessboard you should be allowed to play this—”

“Everyone is a pawn in this game, including you and me—” Gia stopped, and they both turned to find that the door to Chase’s apartment was open.

Damien Spinelli stood in the space, his brows lifted. “Well, this is interesting.”

Webber House: Living Room

The time he and Elizabeth had taken in Syracuse, to just sit and take a minute, had helped cool the anger that had begun to simmer the moment he’d realized someone was actively working to screw with Elizabeth’s bail.

The anger that the most likely suspect was Sam.

By the time they’d arrived back at the house, Jason had managed to quell his temper, and he and Elizabeth could turn their attention to the next problem — keeping the boys under wraps.

“Look, I get that we have to be careful about this,” Jake said, pacing in front of the fireplace, “but it’s still bullshit that you’re telling us to keep quiet and just…” He trailed off, pressed his lips together.

“You want us to just go back to our normal lives,” Aiden finished. He’d stripped off his suit jacket and removed the tie when they’d returned home, his sleeves rolled up. “It’s stupid.”

“I know this is hard,” Elizabeth began, then she stopped, lifted her eyes to the ceiling as if her next words could be found there.

“Impossible,” Cameron said. “I’m supposed to get on the plane tomorrow morning while someone in this damn town is trying to get you put in jail?”

Elizabeth’s head snapped back down, and she fixed her eyes on Cameron. “We have a deal,” she said flatly. “You’re getting on that plane if I have to tie you up and ship you as cargo. You’re not pulling that on me again, Cameron, do you hear me?” And somehow, she’d found the words, surveying the boys in front of her, the angry man at her side.

“I know you’re all angry. I am, too, believe me. You can’t even begin to understand—” She paused, her voice threatening to crack. “But this isn’t a game. This isn’t a vendetta or some threat we can fight on our own. We have to do this by the book. Or it will never go away. I will never be free. And if you destroy your own lives to try to help me, it will just keep going. It will never end.”

Cameron dropped his gaze, looked away, but his jaw was tense. “I know I promised, Mom, but—”

“But nothing. You’re going back to California tomorrow.” She gentled her tone, taking in the miserable faces of the boys, Jason’s stone-faced expression. “We’re going back to our lives. The worst didn’t happen today. I thought they’d take me away and that I might never stand in this room again. That I wouldn’t be free tonight.” She rubbed her arms, remembering that terrible first night in custody, when she’d been stripped searched, fingerprinted, and thrown into a cell. “Someone didn’t want that, remember?”

“Not just someone,” Danny muttered, his eyes red, puffy, tears staining his cheeks.

“We don’t know who told them about that night, Danny,” Elizabeth reminded him, and he lifted his eyes to hers. “Whoever they are, they didn’t win, did they? That’s what matters. Someone keeps trying to screw with us, but it’s not working. The PCPD knows I didn’t kill anyone, and they’re looking for the real killer just like Diane and Spinelli. Whoever actually killed John Cates didn’t count on that. They thought they’d frame me or you,” she said, looking at Jason, “and that somehow, it would keep the world from looking for them. They’ve made a mistake.” She looked back at the boys. “Planting the gun in my trunk was only their first mistake. They’ve made others. They must have. It’s just a matter of time until those mistakes are discovered.”

“We don’t know who told the government about that night,” Jason repeated to his son. “If it was your mother, we’ll handle it. But it might not have been—”

“You don’t believe that, do you?” Jake wanted to know. “Tell the truth, Dad. That bitch—”

“What I believe isn’t the point,” Jason interrupted sharply, flashing Jake a warning glance. “What we can prove is something else. But whoever it is, we’ll find out. It could have been Sam,” he admitted, reluctantly.

“It had to be,” Danny said, getting to his feet. “It’s bad enough someone’s trying to frame Elizabeth for murder, okay? But no one knew about Aiden, okay? No one. Just you guys, Mom, Dante—”

“And the PCPD. Those 911 dispatch logs exist, Danny,” Elizabeth said gently. “Yes. This looks bad. And if she did this, it’s terrible. But it didn’t work. It didn’t work,” she repeated. “There’s going to be a hearing and a full investigation, okay? So it’s important that none of us do anything that makes the judge think we’re tampering with that.”

“I didn’t think about that,” Cameron said grimly. “If one of us confronts her, it would look like we’re messing with it.”

“Exactly. So, yes, what I’m asking is difficult. For all of us. But tomorrow, we go back to our lives. Cameron, Jason and I will take you to the airport tomorrow, and the three of you—” Elizabeth looked at the boys. “You’re going back to school.”

“But—” Jake said.

“That’s the last I want to hear about it,” Jason interrupted, and Jake fell silent. “I don’t like it anymore than the rest of you, but doing what makes us feel better and doing what’s smart aren’t the same thing. Not with this. Your mother’s freedom is all that matters.”

“Okay. Okay. I hate it, but okay.” Cameron straightened, looked at his brothers, Danny, Jason, and finally his mother. “Jason’s right. Confronting Sam ourselves would be stupid and screw with Mom’s case. We’re not stupid, are we?” he asked, looking back at his brothers.

“No, we’re not,” Aiden answered. Danny shook his head, and finally Jake did the same.

“Thank you.” Elizabeth reached for Cameron’s hand and he pulled her into a hug. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, Mom.”

PCPD: Commissioner’s Office

Anna slapped the report down on her desk. “Why the hell wasn’t I informed about this?’ she demanded.

Dante sighed, closed the office door behind him. “Informed about what?”

“You browbeat Dex Heller and his partner into falsifying police records to cover up for your son—”

“I—” Dante stared at her, dumbfounded. “I did what?”

“You heard me. I just got off the phone with Laura Collins.  She wants to know how the hell an Assistant United States Attorney knew to check our 911 dispatch logs, and she seemed surprised that I didn’t already know.”

“Assistant—” Dante stopped. “Someone told them about Danny and Rocco’s arrest? Why?”

“Because Elizabeth Webber was left out of the report—”

“She was never in the report. The boys were picked up in front of her  house, but she was never outside—”

“Her son was reported as being intoxicated—”

“Damn it, Anna. No he wasn’t! Aiden was clean and sober. Danny and Rocco showed up at—” He stopped. “Did you even read the reports? Listen to the calls? Or are you just looking to cover your ass?”

“My ass isn’t in question,” Anna said, coolly. “I warned you, I warned all of you that going against the FBI was going to  cost this department, and now we’re being accused of corruption—”

“Laura is hardly going to make this an issue—”

“Well, I am.” Anna met his gaze, lifted her chin. “Until the investigation is complete, until I am satisfied you didn’t misuse your authority, you’re suspended. Immediately.”

+38

Written in 84 minutes. I had just started the Liason scene when the timer hit, and I was like, screw it. Let me just do this scene right.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

General Hospital: Fletcher’s Office

Sam dragged her hands through her hair, turned to face the doctor. “Can we please just move on to you telling me what I have to do to fix this? To help Danny? I scared him. I won’t do that again—”

“Danny told me he was scared in that moment,” Fletcher interrupted, and she closed her mouth, pressing her lips together. “Not of you as a person. But of what you might do. There’s a difference.”

“Doesn’t feel that way on this side of things,” Sam muttered, but his response settled her enough that she returned to her seat. “Okay. So then what next?”

“What do you think he saw when that happened? Put yourself in Danny’s shoes. What was he going through?”

She opened her mouth to respond, but then stopped, took a moment, and closed her eyes. What had Danny felt? Had she even stopped that day to consider what he’d wanted? She had — but—

“He didn’t tell Elizabeth had driven him to the building,” Sam admitted. “He obviously knew that would upset me, and he didn’t want me to get on the elevator. And I took his phone—” She folded her arms, her fingers digging into her biceps. “I didn’t want him to warn her. Not because I wanted to hurt her. I didn’t. I just—I didn’t want her to have time to think of a story.”

“You wanted her to react in the moment,” Fletcher prompted. “Why? Why would it matter if she knew you were coming? Do you think she would have left?”

Sam’s lips twitched. “No. She doesn’t usually back down. I don’t know. I guess I thought if she didn’t have time to think, she might admit why she’s doing all of this. That she’d be honest that she’s just trying to get Danny on her side to look better to Jason.” She pursed her lips. “I suppose you don’t agree with that.”

“I don’t know the answer. I’m not sure it matters at the end of the day,” the doctor replied, and she wrinkled her nose. “Whatever Elizabeth’s motives are, ultimately — it’s Danny who matters, isn’t it? What he thinks. What he feels.”

“I know.”

“It’s interesting that your instinct was to confront Elizabeth without giving her warning. To think that the element of surprise would push her to honesty. Danny shares that approach — did you know that he believes making you angry is the only way you’ll be honest with him?”

“I—” Sam huffed, straightened. “That’s ridiculous. I’m always honest with him—”

“Maybe that’s true. But he doesn’t think that. Why?”

“I think he’s just playing with you,” Sam returned with a roll of her eyes. “He wants you to let him off the hook for always being a smart ass. He’s a teenager—”

“Are you telling me that some of your more recent confrontations with Danny haven’t been the result of Danny deliberately pushing you?”

She squinted at him, thrown slightly. “I mean, yes, but—” Sam bit her lip, let her hands drop in her lap. “So what I’ve been thinking is Danny having a bad attitude or just wanting to make me crazy — you’re telling me he thinks it’s the only way to have any kind of conversation?”

“The only way to have a productive conversation,” Fletcher responded. “It doesn’t have to be true, Sam, for Danny to believe it.”

Sam exhaled. There was something about that statement that slid inside her brain and took root. It doesn’t have to be true…

“How do I—” She licked her lips. “I keep asking you — how do I fix that? But I don’t know even know if that’s the right question. Because it’s a question about me. And that’s the problem, isn’t it? I keep centering myself when Danny’s the one that matters.”

Fletcher leaned back. “It’s natural for a parent to have that question. To — borrowing your words — center themselves because you, as Danny’s primary parent for most of his life, are at the center of his world. At his understanding of his place in that world. Fixing the situation isn’t just making it better for you, it would make it better for Danny. The problem is — it’s not on you to fix it. Not alone.”

Sam bit her lip, looked away. “Jason and I can’t seem to talk to each other without anger. I can’t stop seeing the way he left Danny. Even if I accept that he chose to be an informant for reasons that made sense —” She stopped. “He still made the choices that put himself in the position for the FBI to ask that of him. To demand it. He might have his reasons for always leaving Danny — and Jake, even if that’s none of my business — but it doesn’t change the fact that he does it. He’s barely been present in either of their lives, do you know that? He comes in and out, and I guess Elizabeth handles it by accepting it, and going with it. Maybe it works for her. Maybe it’s not settling in her eyes, but it is for me. And I don’t want it for Danny. I don’t. He deserves better than that. He deserves what I didn’t have. What I still can’t give him. Two parents who love him and support him.”

“I can’t comment on the history of the situation or on the choices Danny’s father has made. All I have in front of me is this situation,” Fletcher told her. “Right now, Danny does have two parents who love and support him. They just don’t love or support each other.”

“Well, that’s putting it bluntly.” Sam waited a moment, then nodded. “Okay. Danny thinks the only way to make me be honest is to poke at me until I explode. He believes I’m not honest with him. What—what do we do? What can I do to help him?”

“What do you want Danny to believe about you?”

Sam frowned. “Is that a trick question?”

“No. No tricks here, Sam.”

Sam considered the question. Thought about all her recent confrontations with Danny — and the conversation she’d had a few days ago with Jake.

“You love the idea of him. The miracle baby you always called him, right? The one you weren’t supposed to have, your chance to be a mother. Because that’s all that matters to you.”

“I want him to believe that I love him,” Sam said finally. “That he doesn’t have to do, or be anything, for that love to exist. And that no matter what he does, that love isn’t going anywhere. I made a lot of mistakes. I’ll probably make more,” she admitted. “I’m not perfect. But that I can promise to do better.”

“All right. I want you to remember this when you speak with him next,” Fletcher told her. “The way you respond to his anger has to reflect those words. When Danny say something painful, when he tries to hurt you, to take a deep breath, and remember why he’s doing it. And that all you can do is try to respond in a way that’s productive. If he believes that you can hear him without attacking or trying to be right, things will get better. It won’t happen overnight. But it will happen.”

Franklin Street: Federal Parking Lot

Jake and Cameron had fallen behind the younger boys, and found them waiting at the back door of the car they’d driven in, Danny with his phone in his, arguing hotly with Aiden.

Jake swiped the phone from Danny before either of boy realized they’d arrived, and scowled he saw Sam’s contact name at the top of the text screen. “You’re not talking to your mother, are you?”

“Give that back—” Danny grabbed for hit but Jake held it over Danny’s head. “It’s mine—”

“Diane told us not to do anything—”

“I can’t do whatever—” Danny grunted, grappling with Jake until they both fell against the call. “Give me the phone—”

“Knock it off, idiots—” Cameron stepped between them both, snagged Danny’s phone and slid it into his pockets. “Stop. This isn’t going to help anyone—” He sent Jake a glare before turning to focus on Danny. “Your mom might not have done anything—”

Danny’s eyes were glittering with angry tears, his cheeks red. “Don’t be stupid! Who else wants to hurt your mom? She already tried to have Elizabeth arrested!”

“That was in the heat of moment—stop—” Cameron planted a hand against Danny’s chest when the younger boy tried to make a grab for his phone. “Damn it, dumbass. You want to be just like her, huh? Doing something stupid because you’re too angry to see straight?”

“Shut up—”

“Your mom slugged mine because she was pissed at her and my mom was, like, within slugging distance. She didn’t think, right? She was angry and she just reacted. This isn’t that, okay?”

Some of the red faded from Danny’s face and he swallowed. “No, it’s worse.”

“Yeah. It is. If she did it.” Cameron stopped. “I think you’re probably right. I think Sam’s the only one with a motive who knew Mom was at the station that night. Or that Aiden was part of it. But maybe she wasn’t. Maybe whoever did this is the one who really killed that guy. We don’t know for sure. And until we do, you can’t go off crazy, doing whatever you want. That’s not what we do here.” He sent a dirty look at his younger brother, and Jake rolled his eyes. “It’s not. We’re not impulsive assholes in this family, are we?”

“No,” Jake muttered.

Cameron looked over at Aiden, miserably standing on the other side of Danny. “Are we?” he repeated.

“No,” Aiden said, kicking at loose rocks on the ground. “But if his mom did tell —”

“Then she’s a bitch who doesn’t give a shit about anyone but herself, and I’ll be the first person to let Danny loose on her.” Cameron let his hand fall away from Danny’s chest, letting the younger boy stand up on his feet. “But it’s not just you, Danny. Right? You’re Jake’s brother, which makes you one of us. And we look out for each other.”

Danny’s mouth trembled and he looked at Jake before focusing on Cameron. “I don’t want to do anything that makes this worse. More than I already did.”

“You didn’t do anything,” Jake said roughly. “You’re an idiot, but you and Aiden — you didn’t do anything to hurt my mom. Not on purpose, okay? That matters. But you contact your mom now, you tell her what we know before Diane or my mom or Dad can figure out things, maybe we mess things up for her. Is that what you want to do?”

“No. No. Your mom’s been nice to me. Even when I was an asshole.” Danny exhaled slowly, swallowed hard. “I’m sorry. I’m just—”

“Angry. Yeah, but didn’t Dad just tell us what we’re supposed to do when someone makes us angry?” Jake said. “When you slugged Rocco, it felt good in the moment, but then it made everything worse. What did Dad say?”

“You can’t control other people,” Danny said reluctantly. “Only how you react. And not reacting sometimes is the right choice. But it sucks.”

“Yeah, it does.” Cameron stepped back, allowing Danny some space. “I’m gonna hold on to your phone until we get home. Just in case. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

Davis & Miller: Alexis’s Office

Alexis removed her reading glasses, leaned back in her chair, and pressed a hand to her forehead, absorbing the call from her partner. “When did the report come in? Were you able to find out?”

“Reynolds said he’d send more information about the tip his office received, but all we know is that he got the information yesterday.” There was some rustling of paper, sounds of cars speeding by on Diane’s end. “Alexis—I don’t want to accuse her—”

“Yes, you do. Don’t play games with me, Diane. Someone made a call that nearly got Elizabeth’s bail revoked. Sam’s the obvious suspect.”

“It would give you leave to go back to family court — Jason’s home situation changing, the turmoil. If Sam played her cards right, she’d get more visitation, or even a revisit of the custody order—”

Alexis wanted to deny it, but of course Diane was right. If Elizabeth had been put back into federal custody for the foreseeable future, it materially changed the situation. Alexis would have had an excellent argument on her daughter’s behalf. “This is no small thing you’re suggesting she did. It’s not just Elizabeth she’d be hurting—”

“And hasn’t Sam demonstrated she’ll do whatever she thinks is necessary if it gets Danny back in her custody? On her side?”

Alexis sighed. “I hate that you’re right. All right. What do you want me to do? Talk to her? Keep it quiet? What’s the move?”

“Well, I don’t imagine it’ll stay quiet even if I asked you. Danny had a meltdown in court, and he might have already ignored our advice to let me and Spinelli handle it. Someone is going to confront her — whether it’s Danny or Jason. Or Dante since she’ll have thrown him under the bus and he’ll have certainly learned about it now. You have the best shot of getting her to admit it, don’t you think?”

Another point scored for Diane, Alexis thought after they’d ended their call, and she remained in her office, trying to consider her next actions. Should she call Sam? Talk to Danny? Diane was right — Alexis needed to be involved.

“Mom?” Sam knocked lightly on her mother’s office door frame. “Hey. I just got  done with the doctor, and I wanted—” She paused. “What’s wrong?”

Alexis sighed, looked at her daughter. “Well, I suppose there’s no way to do this other than to just ask. Did you tip off Noah Reynolds about Danny’s arrest at Elizabeth’s house to get her bail revoked?”

Clinton Square

Elizabeth leaned back against the bench, her eyes trained on the small reflecting pool. “I’m sorry, I just wasn’t ready to get back in the car. Not yet.”

“It’s okay.” Jason stretched an arm along the back of the bench, slightly angled towards her. She knew he was furious, that every muscle in his body was tense and poised to react, but his expression and tone were calm, even gentle. She wondered how he did that, how he was able to control himself so carefully.

“I suppose I should be grateful that the judge didn’t seem impressed by the idea of revoking bail,” Elizabeth said with a sigh. “I’d really made up my mind that they’d take me today. I don’t think I realized how much until it didn’t happen.” She looked at him. “What about you?”

“I….yeah, I guess I keep seeing it all being connected. That whatever the lawyers went, the court will do,” Jason admitted. “But unless there’s some kind of miracle, this is going to trial. And then it’s the hands of people.”

“And you’ve never liked people.”

“No.” There was a slight twitch of his lips, almost a hint of smile. He met her eyes, his expression sober again. “If Sam tipped them off—”

“You think she didn’t?” Elizabeth lifted her brows. “Who else could have?”

“I don’t know. She’s capable of it,” he added when Elizabeth remained silent. “I’m not saying she isn’t. And she’s done worse. To you, to the boys.”

“But?” Elizabeth prompted gently.

“I’m not defending her.”

“I didn’t say you were. I didn’t,” she insisted when he didn’t continue. “I know it’s not an easy thing to accuse her of. This isn’t like when Jake was a baby, or when she pulled that stunt in the park. Yes, she did terrible things that put my children in danger. But she did them nearly twenty years ago. And I know she did things in her past, before she came to Port Charles. I agree with you. She’s capable of it. And she certainly hates me — and you— right now enough to do it.”

“If she did this,” Jason said, “then it means all of those things she swore she regretted — all the mistakes she promised were behind us — that it was always a lie. That this was always who she was. Someone who didn’t just hurt you and your children, but her own. This hurts Danny. His own mother.”

Elizabeth reached for his hand, held it between both hers, and waited for him to look at her. “I have faith that Diane and Spinelli will find the evidence we need to convince the jury I didn’t do this. And I have faith that if we find out Danny’s mother did this to us, to him, that you and I, and everyone who loves Danny, that we will find a way to help him cope with it. To make peace with it.”

“I wish I had your faith in anything,” Jason admitted, but the arm he’d stretched along the back of the bench curled around her shoulders, tugging her towards him so he could kiss her forehead. “But when you say it, I almost believe it.”

+42

Written in 71 minutes. The ending was a little awkward, but it’s good enough for now 😛

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

James M. Hanley Federal Building: Hallway

He couldn’t breathe, his fingers clutching and twisting violently at the tie around his neck, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

“Let me get it—” His aunt’s hands brushed his own aside, and Danny stood there, his hands falling to hang limply while she loosened the knot his father had tied several hours earlier, but even with it gone, he still couldn’t catch his breath.

“They’re going to put her back in jail,” Danny told Carly, and he twisted back towards the court room, Carly grabbing at him to hold him in place. “It’s my fault, it’s all my fault, and Jake’s going to hate me, and Dad’s going to—”

“Just take a deep breath. Danny,” Carly said sharply and he jolted, looked at her, his eyes wide and slightly glazed over. “Whatever happens inside that room has nothing to do with me, do you understand? You didn’t do this. You’re just the weapon those bastards are using. Your dad knows that. Jake will know that.”

“How did they know? How did they know?” Danny repeated, his voice climbing. “Dante said no one would know!”

“I have a few thoughts,” Carly muttered, and he blinked at her, the bottom dropping out of his world because he knew who would have told. He knew who didn’t give a damn about Elizabeth or Jake.

“My mother did this, didn’t she?” Danny asked, and Carly opened her mouth, but her response was cut off when the doors opened behind them and they both turned to see  the hearing had ended. Michael was the first to join them, followed by Laura and Kevin.

“They’re not holding her,” Michael said immediately and Carly released an exhale of relief. “You good, Danny?”

“She’s going home?” Danny wanted to know. He looked past the others as Jake and his brothers filed out of the courtroom, with Jason, Diane, Spinelli, and finally Elizabeth. “They’re not arresting you again?”

“No, they’re not,” Jason told him, coming to his son’s side, drawing him away slightly from Carly. “Are you okay?”

“Mom did this,” Danny told him and Jason grimaced, shook his head slightly. “No one else could have. Or would have. Mom—”

“We’ll talk about all of this later,” Diane declared, with her brows raised. Danny clamped his mouth shut, realizing that the federal attorneys were making their way out.

Elizabeth edged away, careful to keep her eyes from even meeting Gia’s, but Carly couldn’t quite manage it.

“Is this what you wanted?” Carly called, and Gia turned, seemingly startled. “Terrorizing an innocent teenage boy?”

Reynolds furrowed his brow, looked between Gia and the irate blonde before answering, “From what I read, he’s not much better than his father.” He smirked. “Or his mother. Never had a chance, did you, Danny?”

Jason wound his arm around Danny’s chest, holding him in place.

“What kind of adult uses women and children as weapons?” Diane said, angling herself in front of the group. “The judge wasn’t impressed by your presentation. Your little house of cards built on lies.” She sniffed. “Easily constructed, easily torn away.”

“We’ll see about that.”

General Hospital: Fletcher’s Office

Sam restlessly tapped her fingers against her thighs. “Don’t you have questions or something? How does this work?”

Fletcher leaned back in his chair, a notebook in his lap, looking relaxed and completely unbothered.

She already hated him.

“I’m glad you decided to come in today,” he replied. “I know you were nervous about participating.”

She smiled thinly. “I’m sure you’ve heard all about me, right? Between Jason and Danny, you know everything.”

“Well—” Fletcher tipped his head. “I’ve heard their experience. That’s not the same thing as hearing from you.”

She hesitated, unsure what to do with that response. She folded her arms. “Okay. So what do you want to hear?”

“How have the last few weeks been for you?”

“That’s a stupid question,” Sam retorted, and snorted. “How do you think they’ve been? What am I supposed to say? Oh, it was great except for losing  custody of my kids, my boyfriend moving out, and the entire world deciding I’m the problem. But hey, the rain’s supposed to stop this week, so there’s something to look forward to.”

Fletcher set aside the notebook and sat forward. “I understand that you feel defensive. But I promise you — asking a question like that is just to see where you’re at — what do you say first, the tone, the words — it gives me a place to begin. It’s not to attack you or make light of what’s happened.”

Sam made a face. “I’m not defensive. Everything I just said is exactly what happened. The judge took away my kids, Dante can’t decide what he wants because he wants to make everyone happy, and the only person who’s on my side seems to be my sister who hasn’t exactly been the most mentally stable.” Her voice faltered slightly, and Sam looked away, blinking at tears. “I want to say the right thing so you’ll tell Danny he should stop being mad at me, and I don’t know what that is. And that’s—I don’t know how to fix this. I don’t know to make Danny see things the way I want him to.”

“What’s stopping him?”

Sam opened her mouth, then closed it abruptly, nearly biting down on her tongue to stop herself from answering it impulsively. “I don’t know,” she forced herself to say. “I know—I know it’s not Elizabeth. But you ask me that question, and that’s all I can say. I don’t think she’s doing it on purpose. But it doesn’t change the fact that Danny sees her as this perfect angel who can do no wrong, and I’m the wicked witch.” Tears clung to her lashes. “Just like his father, you know? I lost Jason the second she came into our lives, and now I’m losing Danny.”

James M. Hanley Federal Building: Hallway

When Reynolds and Gia had disappeared around the corner, Diane turned back to the unhappy crowd. “I know we all have a lot of thoughts and opinions and complaints,” she added. “But we can’t discuss them in the hallway.”

“I think we should stick with our original plan,” Elizabeth suggested, touching Cameron’s shoulder. “Cam, you drive your brothers and Danny back home — pick up something to eat? Jason and I will follow later.”

“But—” Danny began, but Jake cut in.

“We’re going. You’ve done enough,” he told his brother when Danny looked like he might protest. “Stop thinking about yourself for five damn minutes.”

“Jake,” Jason said, and Jake just shook his head.

“Whatever. Let’s just go.” Without another word, he started walking towards the elevators. Aiden followed him after a beat, and Danny looked at his father miserably.

“He hates me. This is my fault—”

“We’ll talk about it later,” Jason told Danny. “But it’s not your fault. Go home.”

“All right.” Danny looked at Elizabeth. “I’m sorry.”

“I know you are, honey.” She straightened the lapels of his suit jacket. “We’ll see you in a few hours.”

“You’ll call me if you need anything?” Laura said, embracing her former daughter-in-law.

“I promise. Thank you for coming. Both of you.” Elizabeth flashed a grateful smile at Kevin.

“Of course.”

“We’re heading home, too,” Michael said, looking at his mother meaningfully. “But if I can do anything—”

“You’ll be the first call,” Jason said. “Thank you. For sitting with Danny,” he told Carly.

“Well, if anyone knows how to stop a train wreck in progress, it’s one in recovery,” Carly quipped, hugging him lightly. “We’ll find a way to fix all of this, Jase. Don’t you worry.”

When everyone had departed, leaving Jason and Elizabeth alone with Diane and Spinelli, the lawyer’s cool exterior slipped slightly. “How the hell did they find out about that police report?” Diane demanded on a low hiss.

“Another tip,” Spinelli said, grimacing. “I’m gonna find out why Chase didn’t know anything about this. His source in the federal office should have been able to warn us—” He plucked his phone from his bag.

“If Sam did this,” Jason began, but then he just stopped, unsure how to even finish the statement. The gravity of the accusation — the thought that Sam had been furious enough to throw her own son under the bus with the hopes of removing Elizabeth from the picture—

He wanted to say it was impossible. That she would never do it—

“Did anyone else know?” Elizabeth asked softly. “Could Dex or his partner have done it?”

“Maybe. But it looks bad on the cops the way this came out. I gotta think they’d have covered themselves better,” Jason said.

“Which doesn’t leave us with much of a suspect list,” Diane said. She took a deep breath. “All right. Spinelli and I will deal with this. Neither of you can talk to Sam. Do you hear me?” she said to Jason and Elizabeth.

“Understood,” Jason said. “What do we do next?”

“We aren’t doing anything,” Diane replied. “The two of you are going home and while you’re driving, think of absolutely everyone that could have known about the visit to the station that night.”

General Hospital: Fletcher’s Office

“I understand there’s a long history between you, Jason, and Jake’s mother,” Fletcher said. “But it’s important that we stay focused on you and Danny.”

“I am—” Sam huffed. “You don’t understand. No one ever does—”

“I understand that you’re linking Danny’s rejection of you to a similar rejection you suffered from his father two decades ago,” Fletcher interrupted, and she felt her cheeks heat. Was that really what it sounded like? “Danny told me that for a long time, you and Elizabeth were able to stay civil, even friendly for the sake of Danny and his brother. Why do you think that’s changed?”

“I don’t—” Sam pressed her lips together, tried to consider the question honestly. “I don’t know. It was easier when they were younger. When Danny didn’t push back at me all the time. I—When I didn’t feel like every word I said to him was wrong. Every choice, every interaction — I could feel him moving away from me. And it just got worse when Jason came home. Because now Danny could spin a fantasy in his head about how it would be better if he lived with his dad. It just made me so mad because I’m the one who’s been there. I’ve been with Danny every second of his life, and Jason just hasn’t. I’m not wrong to resent Jason for that. And I hate Elizabeth for making Danny think it’s okay that his father just comes and goes and it’s all fine and happy. He watched Jake and Jason do that for Jake’s whole life, and Danny thinks that’s fine. Because Elizabeth let it happen. She wasn’t even angry at him, do you know that? She always settled for his crumbs, and she’s making it okay for Danny to do the same—” Sam pushed herself up out of her chair, paced over to the window. “Elizabeth raised her sons to expect less from their fathers, and now she’s teaching Danny the same lesson—”

“Is that why you were angry with her that day in the lobby? When you had your confrontation?”

Sam stopped, looked at him with confusion. “What?”

“Can you walk me through what was happening for you the day of the confrontation with Elizabeth?”

“You already know that story, okay? We don’t need to go over it. I’m sure you got everything you needed from Danny and Jason.” She looked back out over the city skyline, towards the lake in the horizon. “It’s not a happy memory, and I’d just as soon not revisit it.”

“It’s not happy for you or for Danny?”

Tears choked her throat. “He told you, why do you need to hear it from me?”

“Because you need to say it, don’t you?”

“I scared him. He’s terrified of me, is that what you want to hear?”

Franklin Street: Federal Parking Lot

 Cameron and Jake trailed behind Aiden and Danny as they approached the line of cars where they’d parked. “I know you’re pissed at him—”

“Pissed isn’t the right word,” Jake muttered, tugging at his tie. “Just when I think he’s not going to turn into his bitch mother—”

“Jake—”

“Mom’s sitting there, we’re all terrified for her life and freedom, and what does everyone have to do now? We have to take care of him,” Jake spat. “Because he got himself in trouble—” He stopped on the street, balling his fists in his pockets. “He got drunk and high, he dragged Aiden into trouble, and now Mom might go to jail because that bitch wants to pay Mom back for whatever bullshit went on a lifetime ago—and you want me to play nice?”

“Jake—” Cam let out a breath, looked back at the younger boys, neither of him seemed to realize they weren’t following anymore. “Yeah, I’m pissed that he lost it in front of the judge, too, and that maybe it could have made things worse. But it didn’t. Mom’s coming home—”

“For now. But they might have another hearing, and this time they might take her away again, and—” Jake looked towards the sky, took another deep breath, tried to find the calm. “And they don’t know who’s doing this, do they? Diane and Spinelli don’t know anymore than they did a goddamn month ago.”

“I don’t know.”

“At least with Mom at home, we could pretend it wasn’t happening, okay? But we’re back in court, and we’ll probably be here again in a week, and what if they take her this time? What if it doesn’t work? What if Diane doesn’t win, Cam? What if—”

“What if an asteroid hits the planet—” Cam put his hands on Jake’s shoulders. “It’s not easy being the older brother, you know. You and Aiden kept me on my toes—”

“Did not—”

“How many times did you get kidnapped and hit by cars?” Cam wanted to know, and Jake rolled his eyes. “Having a moron for a younger brother is something I know all about. You can’t just punch them when they’re being stupid.”

“No, sometimes you gotta slap them,” Jake muttered. He shook his head. “I don’t know how to do this.”

“That makes two of us,” Cam admitted. He slung an arm around Jake’s shoulder. “But we’ll figure it out.”

+37

Written in 56 minutes.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Webber House: Living Room

“You’re really not making me go to school?” Danny asked skeptically. He winced when Jason tightened the knot on his tie, and tugged on it when Jason stepped back. “Man, these suck.”

“There’s no point in using Mom’s kids as a sympathy point if we leave the worst one at home,” Jake said, and earned himself a whack on the arm from his mother and a dark look. “It was just a joke.”

“I don’t particularly like the idea of any of you there,” Elizabeth said with a sigh. She watched Cameron toss a coat to Aiden and rummage for an umbrella. “But Jake’s not entirely wrong.  The fact that I have three minor boys living in my home, even if Danny isn’t my son, is a point against revoking my bail. We’re not hiding you,” she told Danny.

“But maybe don’t tell your mom you’re missing your first day back because of it,” Aiden suggested, and Jason winced, watching Danny’s reaction. His son didn’t even seem to flinch at the insinuation, which didn’t really give him much to work with.

“The actual hearing won’t be that long, I don’t think.” Elizabeth took the coat Cameron offered her, hung it over her arm. “Diane is bringing the motion, so she’ll talk first. Then the U.S. Attorney, and then the judge will rule.”

“And then we’ll all come home,” Cameron said. He held out an umbrella to his mother. “Don’t let your hair get wet. You know what happens if it does.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes, then accepted it. “You boys better get going if you want to make sure you have seats.” She kissed Cameron’s cheek. “Drive carefully. I know it’s only drizzle—”

“Yeah, yeah, I got you. And we’ll wait for Michael and his mom in the parking garage before we go in. You’ll be right behind us?” Cameron asked.

“We’re leaving now,” Jason said, taking Elizabeth’s coat from her arm and holding it out so she could slid her arms through. “We’ll be right behind you on the road.”

“At least until Dad gets on the open high way. Speed limits are just a suggestion, he told me once,” Danny said, shrugging into his coat as he followed the other boys out the door.

Jason held the umbrella out, opening it when he and Elizabeth stepped outside. The rain had been coming down steadily since early that morning, a light drizzle that turned the whole sky a dreary gray. Matching the mood, no matter how much Elizabeth’s boys tried to keep the mood light.

The boys were driving the car Elizabeth had been using since her own had been seized in the arrest, the sedan waiting at the curb in front of the house. There was a brief argument between Jake and Aiden over the passenger seat, but Jake won the day on seniority and slid next to Cameron, with Danny and Aiden heading for the back.

Elizabeth stood by the passenger side of Jason’s SUV, Jason just behind her with the umbrella held over both of them. The four boys could have fit into their vehicle, but it would have been cramped — the only way to fit them comfortably would be to leave two of them at home. And how would Elizabeth even choose?

Would this be the last time she’d be in her home for months? The last time she’d see her boys outside a court room?

The sound of the door opening jolted Elizabeth, and she looked at Jason, took a deep breath. “I can’t help it. I’m worried about him driving in the rain.”

“We can call them, and you can follow them on your phone,” Jason told her, and she was grateful he didn’t tell her that they could just get on the road and keep the boys car in sight the whole way.

Once they were in the car, it would become real. It wasn’t a weekly trip for her check-in with pre-trial services — it was a hearing that Diane was almost guaranteed to lose. Elizabeth knew that they hadn’t been able to find enough to get the indictment dismissed. But would the government try to put her back in jail?

“Let’s go,” Elizabeth said, finally, and accepted Jason’s help to step up into the SUV and avoid tripping on her high heels. “I want to get this over with.”

Highway 481 South, Mile Marker 13

Diane flicked through some paperwork, squinting at the small print, then glanced over at Spinelli, his fingers wrapped tightly around the wheel, eyes on the road. Since they’d left Port Charles, the car had been relatively silent with only the rustling of papers and whooshing of the windshield wipers.

“It would have to rain today,” Diane muttered, flicking on the defrosters to clear the windshield. “What did Chase tell you when you passed the information about the phone?”

“The same thing you did,” the younger man said. “He can get the records, but it’ll be pretty limited right now, especially if she replaced her phone. We won’t be able to get anything off the cloud — but I wouldn’t expect it anyway.”

“No, not with the security Sonny would have put on the phone. Paranoid man,” Diane muttered with a huff. “But if we can get the location data and id of her phone, I can get information from cell towers in the area. We might be able to triangulate where her phone was located.”

“I know.”

“It won’t be a smoking gun,” Diane continued. “None of it really is,” she admitted. “It’s useless in front of a judge, but a jury would eat Kristina up as an alternative suspect. I’d never work for Sonny again,” she added, “but I think Alexis would understand.”

“I don’t want this to go to jury,” Spinelli said with a scowl. “I want to find Kristina on the footage planting the gun—”

“Spinelli—”

“Stone Cold asked me again if he could do anything, and I had to tell him no. Again. And that we didn’t have anything to tell him,” Spinelli added. Diane pressed her lips together, looked straight ahead. “He’d keep it quiet if we told him about Kristina—”

“I know that we’re convinced, Spinelli, but we might be wrong.”

“Diane.” If he could take his eyes off the road, Diane knew the pitying glance he’d give her.

“She’s the daughter of my best friend, Spinelli. And Jason’s been looking after her most of her life. When I think of what he and Sam went through to get her out of that damn cult. What Kristina’s put her parents through over the years—” Diane shook her head, dropping her eyes to the papers in her lap. “Six months ago, I wouldn’t have considered this, you know. But when I found out Kristina was planning to sue for custody of that baby, when I watched her at that funeral, making herself the center of attention—” she pursed her lips. “The little girl I knew couldn’t have done this. The callous woman I’ve seen lately could.”

Bobbie’s Diner: Dining Room

Sam shook out her umbrella, then tucked into the wrapper that would keep the rest of her bag dry. “I know you’re busy this morning, so thanks for meeting me.”

Alexis picked up her coffee. “I’m not due in court for an hour, and you have your appointment at noon, don’t you?”

“Yeah.” Sam gave her order to the waitress, waited for her to go. “I wanted to talk to you about it. About what to expect. And how to answer the questions.”

“I don’t know. I’ve never been to anything like this, but you don’t need a game plan, Sam.” Alexis lifted her brows. “You just go in, and you answer the questions.”

“But this guy—he’s heard from Danny, and by now, Jason. He probably knows all about the custody issues, and that—that day in the lobby.” Sam picked up a straw, stripped off the wrapper. “He already has an idea in his head of who I am, and I just want to make sure he gets the right one by the end of it.”

“Sam—”

“Kristina was over last night, and she was telling me that I need to stand up for myself, you know? That I need to talk to the doctor about how things really were—” Sam stopped, saw her mother grimace. “Is that for me or Kristina’s advice?”

“Both. Your sister—” Alexis set down the cup, sat back, and didn’t speak again for a moment, collecting her thoughts. “I understand that she’s been through a very difficult situation, and that we’re barely two months out from the loss of the baby—”

“Irene,” Sam said softly, and Alexis closed her eyes. “I know, Mom. I catch myself doing it, too. I don’t use either name. But are we really helping her? Or are we choosing sides this way?”

“I don’t want it to be like that—”

“But it is like that. Kristina’s been—she’s been great,” Sam said. “You know? Checking in on me, making sure I eat. Keeping me from just being lonely—but Molly told me she’s not around as much as she’d want to be because she’s avoiding Kristina. I hate that, Mom. I let it happen.”

“I have as well,” Alexis said. “I looked at it like it was a triage situation. Kristina was more fragile, and Molly’s always seemed so capable—so…sturdy. I think that’s still largely true, but that Kristina’s taken that fragility—that inability to handle the reality of…Irene’s existence, and her…” Alexis’s voice faltered. “Her absence,” she said finally. “And she’s become brittle.”

“She wants me to stand up for myself,” Sam repeated. “And tell the doctor all the ways Elizabeth has done me wrong for the last twenty years.” Her lips were curved in a faint smile. “I’ve got that list ready to go, you know.” She tapped her temple. “It’s never far away. It’d be really easy to do it.”

“My question to you would be,” Alexis said, “is why do you need to make Elizabeth the villain in your story? She’s not, sweetheart.”

Her mother’s kind tone had Sam dropping her eyes, tears rising. She cleared her throat. “Someone else has to be the bad guy, Mom. Come on, you know how this works. Because if she’s just another character in the story—” She tapped her chest. “That makes me the problem. And I don’t know how to fix that. I thought I had. I thought—” She looked away, her eyes a bit distant, then focused, looking back at her mother. “I don’t want Jason back. I don’t want the life we had together. We didn’t love each other the way we should have, you know? Not anymore. And not for a very long time. Danny — he’s a miracle and I will never regret that he was born — but he probably shouldn’t have been.” Sam’s final words were released on a shuddering sigh, and she sat back in her chair, folding her arms. “It was easier with Elizabeth when she and Jason were just friends. When Jake was Danny’s brother, and I could forget why that link existed. I wouldn’t have to remember the person I was, and all the terrible things I did to break that link. The horrible things I thought about that boy. He never deserved any of it.”

“No, he didn’t.” Alexis tipped her head to the side. “But that boy is Danny’s brother, and they love each other very much. You have to make peace with all of that Sam. You have to. And you have to make peace with the person you were then.” She leaned forward. “Or you will never have a relationship with your son again. Can you live with yourself if that’s how this ends?”

“I just know I can’t keep doing things the way I have. I almost—I was lying in Scout’s room last night, and I started to think Kristina was right, you know? That I deserved to have my side of it known. That if this doctor understood why Elizabeth was the problem—I started planning it in my head, what would I say, how would I phrase it—and I just—” Sam sighed. “I don’t know. I just don’t.”

“Don’t go into this appointment with a game plan, Sam. Or a prepared speech, a rehearsed diatribe. Just go in with this thought — Danny. He’s all that’s left of your relationship with Jason. And he’s all that matters now.”

Franklin Street: Federal Parking Lot

Elizabeth stepped down from the car, her heels scratching lightly across the concrete floor. She moved out of the way so that Jason could close the door and looped her purse over her shoulder. “Cameron said he and the boys are inside with Michael and Carly—” Her phone buzzed again. “Spinelli and Diane just got there, too,” she said, reading the text. She lifted her eyes to him. “That just leaves us, I guess.”

“I know.”

And yet still neither of them moved. She shivered lightly, listening to the drops of rain outside, and the way water dripped inside, echoing off the walls. “Parent teacher conferences are in two weeks. I usually go back and forth between Jake and Aiden. They’re both good students, so I don’t feel like I have to talk to everyone. I like to see Jake’s art teacher, and Aiden’s math teacher. Aiden doesn’t like math—”

“Hey,” Jason touched her arm. “You’ll be there to do that. Okay?”

“I know. I know,” she repeated. “But…I just wanted you to know. In case. You’ll be there for Danny, and he has that shop class with Jake. I wanted to talk to the teacher, to see how that’s going because it’s such a strange choice for him, but he took it to be with Danny—”

He cut off her rambling with a brush of his mouth against hers, and she sighed, sliding her hand up to his neck. “If you don’t come home today,” he said, his breath against her lips, “then I won’t stop fighting until you do.”

“Without switching places with me,” she said, a little wryly, feeling rewarded when he smiled faintly.

“Without switching places,” he admitted. He took her hand, brought it to his mouth and kissed the inside of her palm. “Let’s try something new, okay? We’re in this together. No matter what happens.”

“No bailing,” she said, and his smile widened. “I said that to you once, remember? A lifetime ago. We…we broke that promise,” she admitted. “But not this time.”

“Not this time.” He kissed her forehead, lingering. “And not ever again.”

+45