Written in 66 minutes.

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Penthouse: Scout’s Bedroom

The bed still laid unmade, the purple comforter scrunched in the middle of the bed, and Scout’s pajamas dumped on the floor, leading a trail to her dresser. Evidence of the reluctant fourth-grader’s  journey from sleeping child to student. Sam had sent her daughter off to school last Friday, knowing that Drew would pick her up for his week.

Scout should have been sleeping in this bed this morning. Sam should have been able to pick her up at school, and return her to the only home Scout could really remember. But no — it would days before Sam would see her daughter again.  If not longer.

Sam touched the side of the door frame, swallowed hard, and looked at another door down the hall — Danny’s room that had also laid untouched this last week — and just next to it, Rocco’s.

The penthouse was empty of all three kids today, the first morning Sam could remember waking up without the scramble for breakfast, arguing over the use of a bathroom—

On a shaky breath, Sam closed Scout’s door and headed downstairs where Dante sat in the dining room staring into a cup of coffee. He glanced up at her approach, but said nothing as she took the seat across from him.

“Laura said she’d call when she thought Rocco was ready to talk.” Dante’s mouth twisted with irritation. “If I ever tried to pull this with my mother back in the day, she’d have murdered me. Probably. I never wanted to find out.” He rubbed his mouth. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do, Sam.”

“If you’re looking to me for the answers, then we’re in more trouble than I thought.” She picked at her cuticle. “My mother told me that I could probably get this injunction lifted on Monday. Drew doesn’t have a lot to work with. And I can fight for Danny, but—” Her voice faltered slightly. “But is that the right thing to do? You called Laura instead of getting Rocco yourself. Was that right? I just don’t know. Does it look like we’re giving up?”

“I keep thinking — maybe Rocco was disappointed I didn’t come after him. Maybe he’s even angrier that I sent his grandmother. I just—” Dante shook his head, leaned back. “If I went after him and didn’t get him back this time — or maybe even got him home, I can’t watch him all the time, I can’t stop him from running again.” He met her worried gaze. “I don’t have the answers either, Sam. I guess we just take it one step at a time.”

“Not sure what choice I have. Danny’s too stubborn to drag him, and everything I seem to do makes me the bad guy. It’s just—” She swallowed hard. “It’s hard. Not having one of them here. I’ve—I haven’t been without them since I got out of jail. And I’m afraid I’ll never have them back.”

This might have been Dante’s cue to reassure her, but he had nothing to offer. The room fell into awkward, uncomfortable silence.

Webber House: Kitchen

“Hey.” Jake climbed onto the stool, folded his arms on the counter, watching his father scoop coffee into the machine. “Is Mom up yet? I didn’t hear her or anything.”

“Not yet.” Jason switched on the machine, then turned to face his son. “You okay?”

Jake didn’t answer right away. Instead, he picked at a paper towel that had been discarded earlier, picking at pieces. “It’s been a really weird couple of weeks,” he said finally. “It feels like five minutes ago we were leaving for the barbecue and I was still so angry at you—at everyone—” He looked at his father. “I’m trying to act like it’s all normal. You know. All of this.  You living here. Danny in Cam’s room. Mom—” His throat was tight. “She’s wearing ankle monitor. We’re all ignoring that because Danny’s giving us something to concentrate on, but I saw it last night, and I started thinking about it again.”

“I know it’s useless to tell you or your brothers not worry about it,” Jason told him. “Whether we  talk about it or not, it’s out there.”

“She was gone for five days. Longer if I think about how I didn’t see her after I went to school on Friday. I came home and she was gone. And that might happen again.” He looked at his dad. “She’s out on bail, but everything that went down with Danny, I guess I didn’t think about how easy it would be for them to take it away. They could if they found out Dante made the pot stuff go away, right?”

“I don’t know. Jake—”

“I’m sorry. You know, that I thought you were keeping secrets about what happened,” Jake said. He forced himself to meet Jason’s gaze. “I thought you and Sonny were lying, and that you were why Mom was in jail.”

“In a way I am,” Jason told his son, and Jake made a face. “The FBI don’t really think your mom did this.”

“Yeah. You said that. If you—” Jake furrowed his brow. “If you had,” he began painfully, “you…you’d have done something already. To make this go away for Mom. Wouldn’t you?”

“Jake.” His father didn’t speak again, and Jake looked up again, thinking he’d find Jason looking back at him with impatience or anger, or maybe even irritation. But there was none of that. Just worry. “I’m not going to let them put your mother in jail again.”

“That’s not really an answer,” Jake managed, and Jason sighed. “Dad.”

“I don’t know what the question is, Jake. I didn’t have anything to do with this. Not even a little bit. I’m out,” he said. “Completely. That conversation you overheard with Sonny? The last time I talked to him. And the first time in more than a month. I wish I knew something that would convince the FBI that the gun was planted, that someone is framing your mother. But I don’t. And short of confessing to something I didn’t do, I don’t know what I can do.”

“I—” Jake shook his head. “I don’t know. I guess I don’t even know what I’m asking. I just remember you were always, I dunno, involved. Running around, trying to solve things. You and Sam went after that Shiloh guy—”

“And how did that end up? Your brother got kidnapped and nearly had memories shoved into his brain, Sam went to jail and Danny lost his mother for six months.” Jason hesitated. “Yeah, there was a time that I’d be trying to find the killer myself. But it’s different, Jake. Your mother’s been charged. Even if I found something, it might be used in court.” He stepped closer to his side of the island, laid both palms flat and leaned in. “A long time ago, before Cameron was born, someone kidnapped your mother trying to get me to do something. They locked in an old crypt. In the dark. And instead of going about it the right way, I tried to handle it myself. And the man who’d taken her died. Without telling anyone where she was.”

Jake swallowed hard. “But you found her.”

“I did. But it took twice as long, and —” Jason paused. “She nearly died from a gas explosion. I told myself that day that I would never do anything that would put Elizabeth’s life risk again. I wasn’t always able to keep that promise, but I did my best. And right now, going after who ever did myself, puts her freedom at risk. It has be done by the right people, the right way. It’s our only chance to make this go away for good.”

“I guess.” Jake exhaled on a long breath. “I’m sorry. It’s just—Mom’s been running around for a week trying to fix Danny’s life, and I keep thinking that it shouldn’t be her problem to fix. Not when—not when all of this is going on.” He paused. “Danny’s my brother. This is should be my responsibility.”

“Danny isn’t a problem anyone needs to fix—”

“Right now, he’s talking about going back home because Scout’s with her dad and Danny thinks this is all his fault. But you and I both know that’s a dumb idea. First, he belongs with us. I want—I want us to stay together. And second, until Rocco’s got his shit together, Danny’s not gonna be able to stop trying to be like him. They’re idiots separately, and worse together.”

“I agree that it’s better if they’re separate right now, but if Danny wants to go home—”

“But he doesn’t. He likes it here, too. We’re—I mean, it’s sort of twisted with everything that’s going on, but we like how things are right now. Don’t you? All of us together. You and mom, and me and Danny and Aiden?”

Jason hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, I do.”

“He only wants to go home because of Scout. So I thought maybe I could talk to Drew. He’s my uncle, and we used to be really close, you know? Maybe I could talk to him. Tell him it’s not that bad.”

“I don’t know if talking to Drew will help,” Jason said slowly.

“But we gotta try, don’t we?” Jake leaned in. “You could talk to Grandma. She’s really good at guilting people. And I’ll talk to Drew. If it doesn’t work, fine. But at least we tried.”

“Okay,” Jason said finally. “Okay. We can try.”

Laura & Kevin’s Condo: Kitchen

Rocco twirled his spoon around the bowl of cereal, watching with half-interest as his little cousin Ace shoved pieces of scrambled eggs into his mouth. “Shouldn’t he be eating more or something? He’s like two right?”

“Eighteen months,” his grandmother said, sitting across from him with a cup of coffee in her hand. “And we let him make a mess at breakfast.”

Whatever. Kid had enough trouble, Rocco figured, with a lunatic for a mother and a criminal for a father. And a name like Ace. Never had a chance.

“So what’s the deal? Dad coming to get me or something?” he asked.

Laura traded a look with Kevin, her husband, then set her coffee down. “I suppose that’s up to you. If you go back to the penthouse, will you stay?”

“I dunno.” Rocco jerked his shoulder. “Are they gonna keep searching my room and treating me like an idiot? Is Danny still gonna be acting like this was all my fault? Everyone’s acting like I’m the bad guy.”

“I’m not acting like anything, Rocco,” Laura said gently. “And if we’re not being fair to you, all right, we can have a conversation. But your father doesn’t know what to do. He tried to talk to you—”

“No, he tried to blame because Sam’s stupid kids don’t want to live with her,” Rocco shot back. “Danny’s been talking for months about living with his dad, and she’s the one that walked out on him so she’s got no one to blame but her crazy ass—”

“I don’t like the way you’re speaking about her—”

“Are we having a conversation or not?” Rocco let the spoon hit the bowl. “Because no one seems to give a damn what I think. Or Danny. Or even Scout. We’re just little toys you pick up and play with when you’re bored or to pretend you’re a good father, and then throw away when you’re done. Dad hooked up with Sam because he knew he’d have to deal with me by himself and he didn’t want to. Well, I don’t need him. I don’t need Sam. I don’t need anyone.”

He shoved back from the table and left the room. A moment later, they heard a door slam upstairs.

“On the bright side,” Kevin said, lifting his mug, “he didn’t leave by the front door.”

“Kevin.” With exasperation, Laura picked up a napkin to clean up the milk that had splashed from Rocco’s abandoned cereal bowl. “What am I going to do with him?”

“Listen to him. He just told you the problem. Dante left for two years, leaving Lulu to take the brunt of a young kid on her own. And just when he returned, his mother went into a coma. And instead of hunkering down, guiding Rocco through that, trying to figure out what a new normal would look like, Dante put his own trauma first and built a new relationship. And then took Rocco out of the home he’d shared with his mother for his entire life.” Kevin sipped his coffee. “He doesn’t like Sam. He’s been bottling it up  and now it’s exploded out into the open. What do you want him to do? Pretend like none of that is happening?”

Laura sighed. “No. No. And I don’t want to watch him go down the same path Lucky did. So angry with his family that he shoves them away. My son was never the same after he left home. He never reached his full potential. And I’ve given up hoping he ever will. I tried to give Lucky space then, but it was wrong. I can’t make the same mistakes with Rocco.” She pressed her lips together. “I’ll call Dante. I think we need to have a conversation about what happens next.”

Webber House: Living Room

“Hey. Um, Dad and Jake left?” Danny asked, stepping off the landing to find Elizabeth sorting through paperwork on the sofa.

“Yeah, Jake thought maybe he can talk to Drew about this custody situation.” Elizabeth shifted slightly, patted the cushion. “I think we can all agree that if we can take the temperature down, it’ll get easier. I can’t imagine how your mother feels this morning without Scout in the house.”

Danny furrowed his brow. “You know she doesn’t like you.”

Elizabeth’s hands paused in the shifting of envelopes, then looked at Danny for a long moment before speaking. “Yes. I know that. I don’t like your mother either. If that helps.”

“Oh. I guess that’s not surprising. You just never—you never acted like that before.” He cleared his throat. “Is it because of Dad? Because…after Jake was born, he married Mom and…had me?”

She was quiet again, and Danny knew she was weighing her answer carefully — probably looking for a way to lie to him without really lying and he kind of appreciated the care she was putting into it. Because it mattered. His mom had never bothered.

“It’s none of my business, I’m sorry—”

“It’s not, but it’s been made your business,” Elizabeth said, cutting him off with a rueful smile. “Your mom and I tried so hard for so long not to let how we felt about each other get in the way. It might be hard to believe, but we really wanted you and Jake to be brothers. And I think there’s still some part of her that feels that way. It’s just hard sometimes for us to forget everything that’s happened between us. We weren’t always kind to each other — and there was a time I gave your mother as good as I got. She’s not the villain in my story, Danny. I don’t see her that way.”

“Oh. You…you didn’t really answer my question. Which is okay, like I said, it’s none of my business—”

“It is if you think that somehow I wish you weren’t here. That if things had been different for your dad and me, you wouldn’t exist. And that’s not true,” Elizabeth told him. She squeezed his hand. “I’m glad you’re here. You’re a great brother to Jake, and a good friend to Aiden. And your dad loves you.”

“It’s okay if you like…maybe sometimes thought it’d be easier if I didn’t exist,” Danny said, and she shook her head. “No, I—I used to think that about you. And Jake.” When Elizabeth lifted her brows. “When Mom moved out, and it was, like, obvious she and Dad weren’t gonna be together, it was hard for her and Dad to be in the same room. They argued a lot. Even before that. And Jake used to tell me he never saw you and Dad argue, and I guess it was like—” Danny hesitated. “I dunno, like somehow he meant it like you guys were better. That Dad liked you better. It’s stupid. But I felt it.”

“It’s human. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Your dad loves you and Jake more than anything. I hope you know that.”

“I  guess. I’m trying to believe that.” Danny rubbed his hands against his jean-clad thighs. “Um. The doctor, you know. The one you found. Um, I’m going back to him, you know.”

“Your dad told me.”

“And like…he asked me about you. And Dante. Like, the adults in my life. And he asked if maybe you would go to parent session. With Dad.” Danny dropped his eyes when Elizabeth looked at him. “I mean, I’m living here, I guess, so like, you should—you could know stuff.” When she hesitated, he hurried, “but you don’t have to. It’s not—you don’t have to—”

“I want to do whatever  you need me to do,” Elizabeth told him. “My only hesitation is…it might make things worse with your mother. If I’m going. And she’s not.”

“Oh. Yeah. I guess so. She just—she didn’t want me to go. So I didn’t ask her. I figure she doesn’t care.”

“I don’t think that’s true at all, Danny. She’s just scared to lose you.” Elizabeth went quiet again, the nodded. “Why don’t I take you to the penthouse? I’ll stay in the car,” she added, “and you can try to talk to her. Just the two of you. You can ask her to go and maybe if she hears it from you, it’ll be easier. You haven’t talked to her since that night in the police station.” She squeezed his  hand. “I think you’ll feel better if you see her, talk to her. What do you say?”

+36

Written in 60 minutes.

Friday, September 20, 2024

Penthouse: Living Room

Dante dragged one hand through his hair, pacing from the mantel to the door, then back again. “No, thanks. Let me know if you hear from him.” He clicked off the call, staring at his phone for a moment, willing his son to call him. To send a text. To do something.

Where had it gone wrong? he wondered.  Was Sam right? Had they rushed into living together, thinking Danny and Rocco being friends would be enough to glue their families together?

The phone vibrated, the screen lighting up with a notification that it was Jason on the other line. Dante grimaced, then answered the call. “Yeah?”

“Rocco called Danny.”

All the air rushed out of Dante at once, and he dropped onto the sofa, gripping the phone more tightly. “Is he with you guys?”

“No. But he told Danny where he was. Down on Pier 42, in a warehouse—” Jason’s voice faded a moment, and Dante could hear some muffled sounds on the other line before it came back. “It used to store food or something, Danny thinks. There are refrigeration units.”

“Yeah, I know the place. Thanks. Tell Danny thanks. I know—” Dante rubbed his mouth. “I know it’s not easy for him, but thanks.”

Davis House: Living Room

“I should get to say something,” Kristina told her mother. She fisted her hands on her hips. “I should get to tell the court how much that evil bastard did to me. How he took the worst time of my life and made it even worse. I should have been grieving my daughter, and instead he—” She scowled. “You’re making a face. Why are you making a face?”

Alexis, seated at the table, paperwork spread across the surface with her open laptop by her side, sighed and removed her reading glasses. “Oh, God. Where to start.” She rubbed her forehead. “First, I know it’s difficult to hear this, honey, but no one in that court cares about your personal feelings. They have no bearing on this situation.”

“But I was in emotional distress or whatever they call it on TV,” Kristina complained. “He arrested me the day I was released from the hospital. I had to be bonded out just to go to Adela’s funeral—there!” She stabbed a finger in Alexis’s direction. “There’s that face again!”

Alexis folded the reading glasses and set them back in their case. “Kristina, I’ve tried to be careful about this. But I’m worried you’ll have an outburst in court, and if you do, and you start talking about your daughter and calling her Adela—” Her mouth tightened.

Kristina’s eyes burned. “I thought you understood. Molly can live whatever fantasy she wants, but Adela was never hers. She was mine. You know that. She’s living her life like Adela never existed. She and TJ are back to work like it was a blip on their radar—” Her voice broke. “Like she was nothing at all—”

“Molly is handling this the best way she knows how.” Alexis got to her feet, crossed to her daughter. “But your insistence on denying her tie to that baby, on denying TJ’s tie—”

“She was never born, Mom. She never took a breath—maybe if she had—” Kristina turned away, pressed a hand to her mouth. “I’m the only one who ever got to be her parent. That should matter.”

She heard her mother mutter something and whirled around to face her. “What was that?”

“Nothing—oh thank, God,” Alexis said when they heard a car door slam. She hurried to the entrance just as Sam threw open the door. “Sam! What’s going on?”

“I need you to get my kids back. Both of them. We need to file in court now—tomorrow—” Sam slammed the door. “Tell Drew if it’s a matter of Rocco not  being in the house, fine. We’ll come stay with you until Dante and Rocco can find somewhere else to go.”

“Whoa, what happened?” Kristina demanded, crossing to them. “What’s going on with Scout?”

“Rocco’s still getting high,” Sam retorted. “We found a stash in his room, and he’s apparently found a way to keep this up at the Quartermaines when he’s supposed to be on punishment—Drew filed for emergency custody and won, the son of a bitch. He lied or he called in a favor, you know he did, Mom—”

“Okay, let’s take a deep breath. We’re on the docket for Monday—it’s the earliest I can do anything, honey,” she reminded Sam who just shook her head. “I know this is hard, but I can’t imagine a judge is going to let the custody order stand. Scout will be back home before you know it.” She hesitated. “Danny—he’s old enough to say where he wants to be—”

“Oh, and he’ll pick his father, won’t he?” Sam demanded. “Does it even matter that Jason barely has a temporary address or that the woman he’s living with is accused of murder?”

“Honestly? No. Elizabeth hasn’t been found guilty, and we’d have to demonstrate a danger to Danny. Do you think she presents a danger?” Alexis asked, her brows lifted. “Is that the road you’re asking me to go down? Because I’m not going to do it. It would be a lie.”

“Great. Great. So Drew and Jason can just waltz in after years of being deadbeats and take my kids like I didn’t do anything?” Sam raged. “I told you, I told you she’d turn him against me! And she’s doing that! She’s  been working on him for years! Rocco told me so!”

“Come on. Sit down, let’s take a deep breath. Kristina, go get your sister some water,” Alexis told her, and Kristina made a face but since she didn’t want to be kicked out altogether, she obeyed.

When she came back, Alexis had Sam sitting on the sofa. Kristina handed the glass to her sister and sat down, reaching for Sam’s hand.

“I always knew Jason settled for me,” Sam said bitterly. She gripped the glass, didn’t drink. “And Rocco said as much — if Lulu was awake, Dante and I wouldn’t be together right now—and he said Danny’s always preferred to be at his brother’s. She’s been poisoning him for years, Mom. I knew letting Jake and Danny be around each other would be a mistake.”

“I always got the impression that Elizabeth wouldn’t speak about you with the boys present. And that you’d agreed to do the same.” Alexis arched a brow. “Do you have reason to believe she’s attempting actual parental alienation?”

“Of course she is!” Kristina interjected. “Danny’s always loved Sam, but since Jason came home, all they do is fight. Jason or Elizabeth must be doing something for Danny to be acting out like this.”

“It’s just all falling apart so fast,” Sam managed. She set the glass on the table, pressed the heels of both hands against her forehead. “A week ago, Dante and I were united and now we’re both talking about how living together was a mistake, and Rocco’s taken off, Danny’s barely returning my calls, and that bitch  talked him into therapy, and you just know he thinks I’m the bad guy for not immediately agreeing — God, why can’t she just go away?” Sam launched herself to her feet and shot across the room to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

Alexis exhaled slowly, then lowered herself into the armchair across from the sofa, looking worn. “I don’t even know where to begin.”

“You can’t guarantee Danny will come back to live with Sam, can you?” Kristina asked.

“Not as long as he wants to live with his father. The best I’ll be able to do is visitation.” Alexis pressed two fingers against her temple. “Right now, Jason has a solid family to offer him, and Danny has another brother in the home. Danny’s old enough to have a say.”

“Well, what happens if Elizabeth loses her case, or whatever?” Kristina asked. “I know you and Diane don’t think that will happen, but doesn’t all of this concern Danny? Don’t we have to think about the worst?”

“I suppose. I mean, I think I understood the plan was for Jason to remain in the house with the boys, so on the surface, nothing really changes.” Alexis shook her head. “But a judge might be more willing to put custody back in Sam’s hands if Jason’s on his own. I just don’t think we can — or should  — rely on that since it’s so unlikely.”

“I guess.” Kristina looked towards the bathroom, her lips pursed. But what if there was a way to make sure Elizabeth got out of the picture? She’d never really planned for Elizabeth to take the fall — and still thought Jason was likely to confess to protect her. But maybe Kristina hadn’t done enough to push Jason.

And if Elizabeth was really in danger of losing her freedom, Jason would confess. And he wouldn’t be in a position to take Danny from Sam — and Danny would hate Elizabeth for being the reason he lost his father again.

Maybe she needed to make sure everyone’s attention stayed on Jason and Elizabeth — and get the heat off her. Not only would she be protecting herself — but she’d be taking care of Sam, the way her sister had always looked after her. No, it was clear — Kristina was going to have to do something.

But what?

Webber House: Living Room

“Rocco’s never going to talk to me again,” Danny muttered, flinging himself onto the sofa. He laid on his back, staring at the ceiling.

“And nothing of value was lost,” Jake muttered from the armchair, his sketch pad in his hand.

“Jake,” Elizabeth admonished, but his brother just shrugged.

“Just the facts.”

Elizabeth sat on the sofa, and Danny pulled his legs out of the way. “He’s gonna know I snitched—”

“He’ll get over it,” Jason cut in, without an ounce of sympathy in his tone or expression. “He ran away from his father. And he tried to drag you into more trouble. I don’t know why you want to talk to him at all.”

“See, he gets it,” Jake said, leaning forward. “Rocco’s a moron. I told you that even before I knew the two of you were getting high and smashed every weekend.” He flicked his attention over to Aiden, who had wisely remained out of the conversation, his eyes trained on his tablet. “And I don’t have to know he was the ringleader.”

“I could have been in charge,” Danny shot back. “I know how to get beer—” He closed his mouth, dropped his chin to his chest, avoiding his father’s glare. “Never mind.”

“Rocco might be angry with you right now. And maybe for a while,” Elizabeth said, and Danny looked at her. “But he’ll realize one day you were trying to help him. And if he doesn’t, well, then, honestly? Jake’s probably right. Nothing of value will be lost.”

Jake narrowed his eyes. “You’re agreeing with me? This is a trick.”

“You don’t understand—” Rocco began, but Elizabeth shook her head.

“I do understand. I had a partner in crime, too. Emily and I got into all kinds of trouble. Arrested. Committing crimes — and no, you get none of those details until you’re much older,” she added when Jake and Aiden both sat up, alerted. “But we did it together. Always. And we always tried to protect each other. Rocco’s not trying to protect you right now. He’s not thinking about anyone but himself, Danny. Maybe he’s too hurt and upset. But you can’t fix that for him. All you can do is think how’d you feel if something happened to Rocco because you stayed quiet. Would you be able to forgive yourself?” she asked.

“No, I guess not,” Danny muttered. He let out a long irritated sigh. “Fine.” He flung himself back to stare at the ceiling.

“Okay, but can I get just one crime story?” Jake wanted to know, and Elizabeth rolled her eyes.

Pier 42

The building had been abandoned for the better part of three years, the name Brown’s Rite Market peeling from the sight above the cargo door that faced the parking lot.

It had started to rain hard, sheets pouring into the gravel, dripping from the roof, rotted through in more than a few places. Rocco huddled by the cargo door, pulling the hood of his sweatshirt more tightly closed around his face. The next time he ran away, he’d have a go bag or something. His grandpa Spencer had always talked about them — a stash of clothing, some cash, and a new ID. He couldn’t swing the last one, but the first two?

He’d show them. He’d show them all that you couldn’t push Rocco Falconieri around and tell him what to do. Not his useless father who liked to walk around like he knew every damn thing, not Sam with her angry eyes and smart mouth—

There was a slap of thunder that jolted Rocco, and he stumbled when the night lit up with a crack of lightning. He fell backwards into water that had puddled in one of the potholes, soaking his sweatshirt, his jeans, and even his socks. “Damn it, damn it—” He grimaced, sitting up, swiping gravel from his palms.

Headlights broke through the night, and Rocco rolled over, ready to dart under the dock stairs — until he recognized the car. It pulled to a stop, and the driver’s side opened. The umbrella emerged first —

And then his grandmother stepped out, her face just barely visible in the fading light. She came towards him, then raised her voice to be heard over the rain. “You look like you could use a place to dry off.”

Rocco scowled, folded his arms so that she wouldn’t see he was shivering. “You can’t make me go home. I’ll kick and scream.”

“Oh, I have no doubt.” She came towards him again so that her face was clearer. “You know, your uncle Lucky used to sleep under these docks when he was your age,” she said, looking past him. “He decided he was done being under his dad’s thumb, too, and he never came home. Not all the way. I couldn’t dragged him back either.”

“So you get it.” Rocco lifted his chin, the water dripping. “I’m not going back.”

“Okay. But I’m not here to take you to your dad’s. Maybe you can come home with me and Kevin. It’s dry and warm,” Laura suggested. “And if you decide you don’t want to stay, well, you can go tomorrow. When the rain is gone.”

“This is a trick,” Rocco said, but his teeth chattered, and Laura smiled faintly.

“Maybe. Only one way to find out.”

+36

Written in 61 minutes.

Friday, September 20, 2024

PCPD: Conference Room

Chase jolted when Molly popped into the doorway of the conference room, and he hastily flipped the whiteboard, pushing the side that detailed the case against Kristina and Alexis to face the wall. “Uh, hey. I thought you were in court today.”

“I was—” Molly furrowed her brow, stepped fully into the room. “One of my cases plead out, so I had an opening my schedule. What did you just hide?”

“Nothing. Well, not nothing,” Chase corrected when her expression turned grim. “Just some dead ends that I was cleaning up.”

“Chase.” Molly closed the door behind her, folded her arms. “I thought we were on the same team. This investigation is complicated enough without any of us keeping secrets.”

“I know—”

“You and Dante being connected to all the primary witnesses—” Molly stopped, looked around. “Where is he?”

“He, uh, was working from home. Some things came up with Rocco, I guess. Related to what we talked about on Monday.” Chase paused. “I’m not keeping secrets, Molly. I’m just—I’m trying to protect the case.”

“Then show me what’s on the other side of that board. Now,” she added when Chase didn’t immediately act.

He sighed, then rolled it back. “I was writing out all my thoughts before taking it down completely,” he admitted. “I didn’t want you or Dante to know about this part of this investigation. And that’s from Robert.”

Molly didn’t answer, her dark eyes scanning the board — divided neatly between Kristina and Alexis. She exhaled slowly, looked at Chase. “You spoke to Robert.”

“Yes.”

“I—” She swallowed hard, looked back at the board. Saw ALIBI NOT VERIFIED written in large red capital letters underneath both names. “I was expecting them on the list, you know.  They would have to be eliminated all over again, just like we did with Jason and Elizabeth. And you did good work eliminating them. Jason’s alibi is tighter than it was, and I just can’t see any opportunity for Elizabeth to pull it off without Michael lying, without the boys being wrong about the time frame—if anything, we’ve really helped Diane nail that part of the case down if it goes to the trial.”

“I know.”

“And I saw the report about Ava. No way of getting around that. I mean, she could have hired someone,” Molly admitted, folding her arms. “But there’s nothing tying her to it. I guess I just assumed—I hoped—that my mother and Kristina would be eliminated the same way. That this was someone from Cates’ past — someone else he framed, another family he targeted.” She looked at Chase. “But that’s not the case is it?”

“It might be. It probably is,” Chase added. “We’ve requested all his cases, looking for any where he testified, but it’s not easy getting those from the FBI. They’re not really interested in anything that goes against their own narrative. Listen, Mols—”

“You should, um, keep this information in a safe place. Maybe at your old apartment. You said you still kept it, right?” Molly asked him, and Chase nodded. “There’s no telling who Sonny has on payroll around here.” She rubbed her mouth. “Robert wanted me and Dante kept out of this part of this investigation, and he’s right. Seal it off from us entirely. I don’t want to be tempted to look at any of it. Whatever happens after this — it has to be clean. An innocent woman’s freedom is at stake. I can’t—won’t—do anything to jeopardize that.”

Webber House: Living Room

“I’m gonna go do my homework,” Danny told his father as they came into the living room. “I just—I just wanna be alone for a while.” Without waiting for Jason’s response, the teenager darted for the stairs, and his footsteps thudded above them.

Jason rubbed his face, then looked into the kitchen where he found Elizabeth behind at the stove, stirring something in the pot. “Hey.”

“Hey.” She tipped her face up and he kissed her, tugging her against him with one arm. She stroked his neck, then leaned her forehead against his jaw when he released her. “How did it go?”

“He agreed to go back,” Jason said, stepping back to lean against the island. “But he didn’t really want to talk about anything.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know. I guess it’s something that he decided to go back on his own.” He met her concerned gaze. “How did it go with Diane? Did the feds file their reply?”

“Yeah, she said it wasn’t anything she didn’t expect. Except—” Elizabeth covered the pot with a lid, then turned to face him, folding her arms. “They added a second chair who filed the motion. Do you remember Gia Campbell?”

“Gia—” Jason’s brow creased, and he straightened slightly. “Taggert’s sister? The one that hated you?”

“That’s the one. She’s on the case. Working for Reynolds. Diane didn’t really know the background, but she’d dug up a few things — including the Deception competition which was really enough for her to have questions. I didn’t need to get into all the reasons Gia doesn’t like me or why I never liked her, especially since we met because she was blackmailing Emily about Ted Wilson.” Elizabeth shuddered. “I haven’t thought about her since she and Nikolas broke up and she left town to finish law school.”

“Now she turns up to prosecute you for murder?” Jason said. “Why would she do that? Diane can get her removed, can’t she?”

“Oh, for sure. All I’d have to do is to point out that I was originally the first choice to win the Face of Deception, and Gia only took the prize because I pulled out. Laura will obviously corroborate that, and Carly might do it for you.” Elizabeth made a face. “I don’t even know why Gia would bother trying to hurt me like this. After we stopped fighting for Deception, I didn’t even really bother with her. I couldn’t tell you the last time we talked before she moved.” She hesitated. “The only thing she has that would even be relevant is that time she told Lucky I was at Jake’s with you. But how is that even helpful? Why would anyone care that I had an affair twenty years ago?”

“An affair?” Jason lifted his brows. He folded his arms. “I think I would have remembered that.”

A smile played on Elizabeth’s lips. “Well, maybe not a physical one though you certainly gave me enough openings.” His own mouth curved slightly in response to that. “I guess that plays into the FBI’s real theory. If you and I have had this relationship going back all that time, I’m more likely to cover for you.”

“But that only works if both of us are charged,” Jason said, and she nodded. “So we’re back at the start. Gia doesn’t really have anything to offer them. Could she be trying to help you?” he asked. “Taggert was always in your corner. I think, if it’s possible, he hated me more after you and I…met,” he said.

Elizabeth bit her lip, considered that theory. “I know it sounds crazy, but what if it’s about Nikolas? She used to accuse him of being in love with me when he’d take my side. We didn’t—” Her cheeks heated and she dropped her eyes away, the pit in her stomach gnawing the memory of one of the worst decisions she’d ever made. And how it continued to come back to haunt her. “It’s not like that wasn’t common knowledge. Gia might have heard about it.”

“That was still fifteen years ago,” he reminded her gently. “Seems like a long time to hold a grudge.”

“You’d think that, but Carly still hates me for things that happened twenty-five years ago, and there’s a reason Carly and Gia always got along,” she pointed out, and he sighed, acknowledging that truth.

“What does Diane want to do?”

“Let it play out as long we can. We don’t have a duty to disclose the relationship — particularly when I can point out we haven’t spoken in twenty years. If not longer. Neither of us are models, and I never wanted it in the first place.” Elizabeth wrinkled her nose. “Diane was putting together a file and she pulled all the campaign prints for the one photoshoot I even finished. You remember? The one with the black dress?”

“Yeah. I remember.” Their eyes met, and he tipped his head. “I didn’t realize that ever went anywhere. I thought you’d quit before that.”

“They’d already sunk a lot of money into it, so I agreed.” Elizabeth went over to the large tote bag that doubled as her purse and removed the file. “Diane gave me copies so I could go over all of it, and think of anything Gia and I ever clashed over.” She drew out the photo, considered it for a long moment. “It seems like a lifetime ago, you know? Like it happened to someone else. I tried to enjoy it, and you know, sometimes—I almost could?” She laid the file on the island. “When it was just me and Lucky, and he was just taking photos, it was almost like the old days. I didn’t mind posing for him, and he used to talk about how maybe I could get into the artistic side, you know graphic design or something. But that day — in that studio—” She traced the lines on her face. “He didn’t even remember.”

Jason stepped up to her carefully touching her shoulder, not wanting to jolt her. Even after all this time, he knew that coming up behind her wasn’t something to be done lightly — and he never wanted to put her back in that moment. He’d done it once, years ago, when they’d been trying to find Manny Ruiz after he’d kidnapped Sam. And he’d never wanted to repeat it.

“You looked beautiful,” he told her. “You always do. You just…didn’t look like you.” The tension in his chest eased when she turned into his arms and he embraced her, stroking her back, looking at the printed copy behind her. He’d never forget that day she’d come to his room, in layers of makeup, her hair stiff from styling, and a backless dress and plunging neck line. And misery in every line of her face, in her beautiful eyes.

“I should have kissed you that day,” came her muffled words against his chest, and he smiled, kissing the top of her head. “I was such a stupid girl.”

“I wanted it to be your choice,” he told her. “But I should have kissed you. A thousand times. Because I know you needed it to be my choice, too.”

She tilted her face up, and he kissed her , lingering. “But here we are, all these years later.”

“And we’re not going to mess it up again,” he promised. And he wasn’t going to let anyone take her away from him again. No matter what he had to do.

Penthouse: Living Room

Dante slammed the door behind him, jolting Sam still standing at the terrace, her phone in hand. “They couldn’t stop him.”

“Wally said he went through the parking garage—I guess you tried to find him—” Sam came towards him, but he kept his back turned, picking up the landline on the desk. Her throat felt tight. “Do you want to call Chase or someone at the station?”

“No. I—I’m going to call Laura. And have her call Elizabeth. Rocco’s a moron, so he might try to go to Danny or Aiden. And Michael.” He jabbed at the buttons.

“We moved in together too fast, didn’t we?” Sam asked, and Dante looked at her.  “The kids. They weren’t ready. I thought—Danny and Rocco were friends. I didn’t think—”

“Don’t—don’t go down that road. Rocco’s pushing your buttons. And mine. He knows exactly how to twist the knife. Laura? Hey—” Dante turned back and Sam went to the door, snatching up her keys “Where are you going?”

“I need—I need to get out of here.”

“Sam—”

But she was already gone. Dante sighed, and turned back to the phone. “No, Laura, sorry. I was just—I’ve got a problem, and I need your help.”

Webber House: Danny/Cameron’s Room

It had been almost an hour since Danny had come home from his appointment with the doctor, and Jake figured that was more than enough time.

He crossed the hall, shoved open the door. “Hey. What happened—” He stopped, saw Danny with a phone in his hand. “They still let you have one of those?”

Danny looked up, blinked. “What?”

“The phone. I thought you were grounded from it.”

“Oh. No. I think Dad just wants to be able to track me.” Danny hesitated. “Rocco called me. Just now.”

Jake flopped on the bed. “They let him near a phone? No wonder neither of you dorks have learned—” he stopped, straightening when he saw Danny stare at his phone. “Danny, what’s going on? What did Rocco want?”

“He, um, said he had to leave the penthouse. Dante and my mom were on his case, and it was time. He—he wants me to meet him. Bring him some things to hide out for a few days. He figures it if he scares the shit out of them, they won’t be as mad.”

“And you said no because you’re not a goddamn moron,” Jake said. Danny flushed. “Of course you said yes. Moron.” He dragged a hand down his face. “We’re telling Dad.”

“You can’t—”

“I’m going to stand next to you while you do it—don’t shake your head, dickhead.” Jake yanked Danny to his feet, and Danny tried to shove out of Jake’s grasp. “Knock it off! You don’t remember what it’s like when a kid goes missing, but I do. I remember Mom when I came home. And when Cam got snagged with Trina a few years ago. You really think Dante and your mom deserve that?”

“Let me go—” Danny pushed and this time was able to get Jake to release him. “It’s not a  big deal. He’s just gonna go AWOL for the weekend—”

“Spencer died like seven months ago. You want my grandmother to worry like that? After what she’s been through? Don’t be an asshole. Rocco’s doing something stupid. Again. Why are you protecting him?”

Danny opened his mouth, his eyes burning with anger, but then he dropped his chin to  his chest and when he spoke again, his voice was trembling. “He was really mad that I told my dad about his stash at the Qs. But he called me for help, so if I snitch again, he’ll never talk to me again.”

“Good riddance. He’s just trying to get you in trouble, Danny. You said that you liked living here, right? You and me in the same house with Dad. What do you think happens if you keep screwing around? Rocco could get hurt. He’s dumb enough to trust the wrong person, and you know it. This is how you prove to Dad and my mom that you learned a lesson last week. Tell them, Danny. Don’t make me be the bad guy,” Jake said flatly. “Because I’m gonna tell him if you don’t.”

“So I don’t have a choice at all, do I?” Danny demanded.

“You get to decide how much information Dad gets right away or if Mom has to guilt it out of you,” Jake retorted. “Or if I have to kick your ass. So yeah, you got a choice. What’s it gonna  be?”

+35

Written in 57 minutes.

Friday, September 20, 2024

General Hospital: Doctor’s Suite

Jason shot to his feet as soon as the office door opened and Danny slunk out, his hands shoved in the pockets of his jeans, shoulders still hunched.

He met Danny at the receptionist’s desk where the nurse on duty asked if they were scheduling the next session.

Jason looked at his son, one brow lightly lifted. “Danny? Are we coming back?”

“Yeah. I guess.” Danny avoided Jason’s gaze, keeping his gaze trained on the carpet. “It didn’t suck, so I guess we can come back.”

Exhaling his first easy breath, Jason looked back at the nurse. “Okay. What’s available?”

Miller & Davis: Diane’s Office

Elizabeth sat forward, her nostrils flaring, her eyes narrowing. “I’m sorry, did you just say Gia Campbell filed the reply motion?”

Diane slid the file across the desk and Elizabeth snatched it up. “There’s no way this is the same Gia,” she said flatly.

“We confirmed that the same Gia who works in the State Attorney’s office is the former Deception model. I take it that your relationship didn’t end amicably?”

Elizabeth hesitated, laid the file down, then rubbed her forehead. “I don’t know. We were never friends. Most of the time, we were hostile. I mean, we only met because she was blackmailing Emily so we didn’t exactly get off to the right start. What the hell is she doing on my case?”

“That’s what Spinelli and I wondered. We could only find some basic facts — that the two of you had sparred over a modeling competition. But Gia blackmailed Emily?” Diane echoed. “Over what?”

“Oh. That’s—that’s not exactly relevant,” Elizabeth said, with a wince. “But Gia and I just never quite  figured out how to be easy with each other, and Nikolas kept her around. They were engaged for a while before they broke up. This is crazy, Diane. Why would the government want someone who knows me on the case—” she stopped. “They wouldn’t. It’s a conflict of interest. You’d just file a motion, wouldn’t you? You’d tell them about the Deception contest. Laura would testify that Gia loathed me. Nikolas and Lucky are still around. God, even Jason knew how much Gia hated me. Gia knows this. What’s going on?”

“You’ve jumped ahead to the most important question. Who’s playing the game?” Diane leaned back in her chair, crossed her legs. “But what I need to know from you is how do you want me to handle it? I can have the motion filed Monday to have her removed from the case. But—”

“Do we get in trouble if we don’t?” Elizabeth wanted to know. “I mean, are we waiving my right to complain about her appointment if we say nothing?”

“We could argue that this modeling competition was a lifetime ago and both of you have moved on to different careers. After all, we’re from Port Charles. Everyone knows everyone here, and there’s always conflicts of interests that have to be weighed.” Diane tipped her head. “Gia might have nefarious motives, but what damage could she really do?”

“Nothing, I guess. I’m not guilty, and I don’t know who really did this. Neither does Jason.” Elizabeth chewed on her bottom lip. “Do we let it happen? See how it plays out? I mean, all she could really give Reynolds is ancient history. What’s she going to tell him? That Lucky thought I was cheating on him with Jason? I was, just not physically. And so what, right?” She let out a quick breath. “Let’s play it out. I want to know what Gia’s up to after all these years.”

“That’s what I was going to recommend. We’ll be in court in a week or so anyway.” Diane flipped through her notes. “In other news, the reply didn’t have any surprises, so it’s really just going to depend on the judge and what we can dig up between now and then. Spinelli didn’t find anything interesting in your security footage, but we’re still waiting on subpoenas for your neighbors’ security footage, particularly across the street.”

“Okay. Um, we do know how long that might take?”

“A few weeks. This is the hardest part, Elizabeth,” Diane told her. “Everything happens behind the scenes, and you just have to sit back and wait. You and Jason have done that so far, and I’m going to keep asking for your patience. I know it feels like nothing is happening, but we’re making progress, I promise. Just…live your life. And leave this up to me and Spinelli.”

Penthouse: Living Room

Sam clenched her hands in lap, her palms slightly damp from sweat as she watched Rocco trudge down the stairs and nearly throw himself into the chair across from she and Dante at the dining table.

“You bellowed?” he wanted to know.

Dante leaned forward, his eyes dark. “Sit up. Now.”

Rocco rolled his eyes, but obediently straightened, laying his elbows on the desk. “You know, you’re taking Drew’s word for this. You didn’t even ask me—”

“It didn’t come from Drew,” Dante interrupted. “It came from Danny.”

Rocco’s face lost a little color, but he swallowed hard. “Bullshit.”

“He told Jason,” Sam said softly, and Rocco looked at her sharply. “Jason wanted to keep Danny’s confidence, so he and Michael were trying to set it up to catch you in the act. I don’t agree with it,” she added when Dante made another face. “But you need to understand that denial isn’t an option here.”

“Whatever. You’re all acting like I committed a federal crime, okay? Everyone does it. And if Aunt Liz weren’t accused of murder, no one would have even given a damn last week. You’d have picked up from the station, read us the riot act, and life would have been fine—”

“That’s your defense?” Dante demanded. “Are you kidding me?”

“Yeah, you’re all getting twisted up over something that’s not a big deal—”

“Did you notice that neither of my children are here?” Sam interrupted and Rocco swung his dark eyes back to hers. “Danny might be one thing, but Drew is suing me for custody. Because I have a teenager in my home doing drugs and drinking alcohol.”

“Two teenagers,” Dante added tightly, and Sam pursed her lips before continuing.

“Drew’s an asshole. Everyone knows that—” But Rocco swallowed again. “Did—did he win—”

“Emergency custody. He claims Scout is in danger in the house.” Sam’s voice trembled slightly, and she had to a deep breath. “The fact that you were using the Quartermaine estate to do this — that you were making both her homes unsafe—”

“Oh, Christ—”

Dante leaned down to snag the shoebox they’d found under Rocco’s bed and practically threw it on the table. Whatever color Rocco had left drained, his eyes focused on the center of the table. “You want to keep talking? Scout’s a kid. She could have found this.”

“Okay, so maybe I should have hid it better—”

Dante shoved away from the table, the chair flying backwards, and Rocco looked up, his eyes widened. “Shut up. Right now.”

“Rocco, you don’t seem to understand the trouble you’re in. The trouble you’ve caused—” Sam began.

“The trouble I caused?” Rocco demanded, the flush rising again. “You’re kidding right? Danny’s not here because of you. I’ll take the heat on Scout, obviously, okay? But like, let’s not pretend Danny was happy here.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Sam demanded, getting to her feet.

“Don’t play stupid,” Rocco retorted.

“Watch your tone—” Dante began.

“No, I’m done with this.” Rocco shoved himself to his feet. “You wanna jump down my throat about the weed — fine. Whatever. But it’s not all my fault. Danny hid his stash in the closet. Okay? We both were getting high. I didn’t have to twist his damn arm. He was miserable, and this made it better for a while.” He sneered a little. “Aiden, you know, wasn’t really into it. I guess even with being gay, he doesn’t have a lot to run away from.”

Sam went very still. “Excuse me?”

Dante, as if sensing the line of attack coming, lifted an arm. “Rocco, it’s time to go upstairs—”

“You need to drawn out for you, Sam? No problem. You make Danny miserable. You always did. You put too much pressure on him to be better than you, and he always liked being at Aunt Liz’s more than here. Even before his dad came home. He’s living there because she’s better. And you damn well know it.”

“Rocco, upstairs now,” Dante ordered.

“Truth hurts, doesn’t it?” Rocco said. “Don’t pretend you don’t see it, Dad. Sam’s second best. Everyone knows it. If my mom were awake, we wouldn’t even be here—”

Dante came around the table, and Rocco sprinted backwards to avoid his father snagging him by the arm. “No, you wanted the truth, Dad. You don’t get to complain how that it’s out. I hate living here. And I hate you for making me come here. This is all your fault. Both of you! You’re both sitting here like you got any right to tell me what to do! You’re not my mother,” he spat at Sam. “And you never will be.”

He turned and darted for the front door, and Dante charged after him. Sam stood alone in the room, tears staining her cheeks.

Second best.

Dante came back a minute later, his face flushed. “He took the stairs, I’m going after him in the elevator—”

Sam looked at him, blinking. “What?”

“The elevator. Call the lobby. Tell them to stop Rocco before he gets down there.”

“Right. Right.” Sam swiped at her cheeks, then picked up her phone. “I’m on it.”

Pozzulo’s: Dining Room

Kristina kissed her father’s cheek and set down the white Wyndham’s bag in front of him. “I saw this  while I was out today, and it made me think of you.” She slid into the booth across from him.

Sonny lifted the neatly packaged tie from the bag and smiled faintly. “It’s nice. I’ll wear it to my next court appearance.”

Kristina wrinkled her nose, poured herself a cup of water from the pitcher by the wall. “You won’t have to wait long. I’m due in next week for the dismissal.” She flicked her eyes to him. “Unless you’re going to something for Elizabeth first. I haven’t been following her case since she got out.”

“Not much to follow.” Sonny set the tie to the side of the table, then put the shopping bag on the floor. “You know as much as I do. Though I imagine Diane was as happy to learn about the voicemails Cates faked as your mother was.”

“I’m not sure how it helps Elizabeth, but it’s definitely good for me. It makes him look crazy, doesn’t it?” And made Kristina even more sure of what she’d done. If she hadn’t taken care of things, Cates would still be wreaking havoc on her family. “Does it help her?”

“I guess it depends on if they can prove Jason or Elizabeth knew Cates was trying to set him up.” Sonny winced. “I guess if Elizabeth knew, it might give her motive. But I don’t know how they’re getting past the alibi. Michael was with her.”

“Well, you know the truth doesn’t matter to the FBI. And as much as I hate Molly getting involved,” Kristina said, “I suppose it’s a good thing. Dante and Chase are good cops. They’ll get to the bottom of this.” She looked up to find her father watching her. “What?”

“Why don’t you want your sister involved?”

“Because she’s just using it to avoid her issues with me. She won’t even talk to me now, Dad. She’s acting like I’m evil because I loved my daughter. That I grieved for her. What did she expect? I carried her, you know.” Kristina’s throat tightened. “I’m the one who lived with that precious child all those months. Molly never met her.”

“I think there’s room for everyone to grieve for what was lost,” Sonny said carefully. “And your sister is handling this as best as she can. I’m glad she went up against the FBI. They’re not looking for the real killer.”

“I just hope Dante and Chase don’t make the same mistakes the FBI did. I mean, everyone’s acting like Cates’ life started here last year. Maybe it was someone else. Someone else he framed,” Kristina said. “If he tried to go after me and Jason, of course he’s done it before. But they’re just asking the same people the same questions. Mom said Chase talked to her.”

“Mmm, and Chase talked to me,” Sonny said. “They’re running the same leads, Kristina. Eliminating suspects again. Haven’t they talked to you?”

“Not yet. Mom probably stopped them before they got to me. I don’t care. I’ll talk to them, but it’s a waste of time. Whoever did this is long gone.”

+34