Flash Fiction: You’re Not Sorry – Part 44

This entry is part 44 of 44 in the Flash: You're Not Sorry

Written in 63 minutes.


Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Syracuse, NY: The York Restaurant

Gia pressed her lips to her brother’s cheek, then sat across from him with a broad smile on her face. “I’m so glad you decided to drive up for lunch! We don’t see each other enough.”

Marcus Taggert’s smile was faint but genuine. He’d missed his baby sister — but this wasn’t a social call. He waited until after they’d placed their lunch orders and exchanged basic pleasantries before diving into the reason for his visit.

“Mom called me last night. She said you’d picked up a new case.”

Gia made a face, reached for a piece of bread from the basket that had been placed between them. “I bet she did. Probably didn’t wait five seconds after hanging up with me.”

“You know how she feels about Port Charles—” Taggert shook his head when Gia rolled her eyes. “She’s not wrong. Nothing good has ever come from living in that city—”

“Good thing I’m not living there.” She popped a piece of the roll in her mouth.

“Gee.”

“Marcus.” Gia lifted her brows. “Did Mama send you or is it the case itself? I know you still have a soft spot for Elizabeth. Just like everyone else she’s tricked with her Snow White routine. I always told you she’d snatch Nikolas up if she had the chance, and what happened?”

“You mean what happened seven years after you and Nikolas ended your engagement amicably and you left for law school?” Taggert leaned back in his chair. “I know you’re a champion at grudges—”

“It’s—” Gia took a deep breath. “It’s not the grudge. Marcus, do you really think so little of me? You think I’m gonna take a loser case just because the suspect screwed my ex?”

“Yes.”

“Well, that’s rude.”

“Maybe, but it’s accurate. You’ve been stewing over that ever since you found out. You don’t really think Elizabeth Webber murdered an FBI agent.”

Gia folded her arms on the table, leaned forward. “I don’t know, Marcus. You tell me. Do you think Elizabeth would cover for Jason Morgan?”

Taggert exhaled slowly, looked away. “I should have known he’d be wrapped up in this,” he muttered. He scrubbed a hand down his face. “Is that the theory? Evidence points at her because he’s the shooter and hid it in her place?”

“Yeah.”

“Then you’re not nearly as smart as I thought you were. Or you didn’t pay attention back then. Because only one of us has actually seen either of them in the last two decades, and Gee, there’s no way in hell he’s involving her. You got your facts wrong. Morgan might be the shooter, but she’s not involved. Not a chance.”

“Like I said, you’re just another one of Snow White’s merry men, running to her rescue.  Only one of us has actually seen the evidence. She’s not innocent.”

Taggert reached for his water. “And when you’re wrong, I won’t even rub it in your face. Much.”

“We’ll see.” Gia waited as the waitress placed their orders in front of them, then left the table. “Now, talk to me about the new job in Buffalo. How is it going?”

PCPD: Conference Room

Dante stared at the new whiteboard he and Chase had been putting together that morning — with columns of suspects arranged across the surface and dozens of notes written in black marker. “You ever think Port Charles is turning into Alabama?”

“Because we’re related to every person that board by blood or marriage?” Chase wanted to know. He sat on the edge of the table. “Look, it’s not like Molly had a lot of choices, Dante. Everyone knows Anna isn’t in favor of this investigation. You and I are the only ones who aren’t afraid to piss her off.”

“Still.” Dante folded his arms. “We spent all morning putting this damn thing together. Let’s start eliminating people or figuring out the loose ends.”

“Okay, well, until the FBI gives us more info about Cates’ recent cases, we’re kind of out of luck on any enemies, so we had to start with people he pissed off in Port Charles. It starts with Jason—”

“Who’s eliminated because of his alibi.”

“Right. Then we’ve got Sonny — also eliminated by an alibi. But we know Cates wanted to get your dad pretty bad. He was willing to falsify evidence to get a case against Jason for leverage — which brings us to another trio of suspects. Ava Jerome, who he needed for the case against Kristina to go forward.”

“Says she was at the gallery, but the only camera footage we could get was the parking lot. Her car was there—”

“Security company is sending over fob access to the building — but that would only tell us if her key card was used. She could have given it to someone else. But I don’t know a lot of people who would cover for Ava.”

“Trina Robinson might. Without realizing it,” Dante added. “Did we talk to her? Or Joss Jacks? They’re together a lot.”

“No. I’ll put her on the list. Ava’s a good suspect, and I don’t think the FBI did much to eliminate her.”

“Especially since she’s got a record of murdering people who get in her way,” Dante murmured, thinking of his aunt. “But if the FBI had any evidence that Ava was planning to withdraw her statement, I gotta think they’d have gone after her. She’d be useful against Sonny, too.”

“Which is why I think they bumped her down. Her record makes her interesting, but for right now, she and Cates were allies. Still, she’s worth a re-interview.” Chase made another note.

Dante stared at the next two names. “Alexis Davis.”

“She’s also killed before. Luis Alcazar,” Chase said when Dante looked at him. “Long time ago. When Kristina was a baby. She, uh, claimed DID — after Jason and Brenda Barrett were convicted of the crime. She lost custody for a while, but regained it and kept her bar license.”

“Her alibi’s shaky. She was at home alone. She’d been with her daughters earlier that day, but they’d all left by then. Do we know why the FBI eliminated her?”

“I don’t know if they did. Without their records—” Chase jerked a shoulder. “No way to know for sure, but I figure they eliminated her because they only have motive. Remember, we got the impression they were pretty dead in the water because all they had was motive. Until that gun showed up.”

“Yeah. And, uh, Kristina.” Dante gestured, though the words were painful. “She said she was at her apartment. Did anyone verify that?”

“I don’t see any notes about it. We can talk to the apartment management. See if there’s lobby footage.” Chase paused, look at his partner. “Are we doing that to say we did it, or…?”

“Do I think Alexis or Kristina are guilty?” Dante exhaled slowly. “The brother in me says no way. Not with Elizabeth being on the hook for it. But you just told me that Alexis let Jason get convicted of a murder before this. What do we know about that case? How it went down?”

“Nothing really. You want me to pull it?”

“Maybe. I just—” Dante scrubbed his hands over his face. “I don’t know. I can’t see Kristina doing this. Not like this. If we’d found Cates beaten to death, maybe. Run over. Pushed out a window or something. It’s hard to see Kristina with a gun. But she’s got a temper. She wouldn’t frame Jason. She’s always loved him—”

“Because of his relationship to your dad or with Sam?” Chase wanted to know. “Didn’t you say there’s been friction with Jason and Sam—”

“Christ, Chase. Nothing serious enough that Krissy would want Jason tossed in jail for murder, and let’s remember — Jason’s not on the hook for this. Elizabeth is, and I just don’t see Kristina creating fake AI tips and hiding murder weapons.” Dante was quiet for a long moment. “But I’d feel better if we could eliminate Kristina entirely. Let’s get the apartment manager on the line. And pull that Alcazar file. I want to know if Alexis just sat by while Jason was convicted or if maybe she did something more than that.”

“Your dad would know—”

“We even hint to anyone that we’re tugging this line—” Dante was grim. “We’re dead in the water. Won’t even matter if Krissy is innocent. My dad will have her in a country without extradition before we can finish the question. Let’s eliminate them first. In fact—” He ripped down Kristina and Alexis’s photos, and crumpled them in the trash. Then he erased their profiles from the board. “Until we have a solid reason to put them back, this stays between us.”

“Yeah, I think Molly’s having enough trouble with her family. No point in telling her her mom and sister are prime suspects.”

“If anyone asks, Ava’s our target. Let’s get moving.”

PC High: Cafeteria

“But do you even wanna go to therapy?” Rocco scooped up a forkful of mac and cheese. “Like, what’s the point?”

Danny hunched his shoulders. “I don’t know. Do we have to keep talking about it?”

“Since this whole thing might mean me and Dad have to find another place to live, yeah. Come on, dude, what did we do that was so bad?” Rocco pointed at Aiden. “Don’t bring up being arrested.”

“Since you’re doing it for me, I won’t bother, and stop being such a dick. Danny’s gonna go to the doctor to get his dad off his back and get him out of trouble.” Aiden forced himself to sneer. “Don’t be jealous because you didn’t think of it and you’re stuck sweating your balls off at your grandma’s.”

“Yeah, yeah. You’re a real genius.” Rocco rolled his eyes. “I’m gonna go snag the math homework from Stevie. I’ll be back.”

When he’d gone, Danny cleared his throat. “Uh, thanks, I guess. I didn’t—I didn’t know what to say to him. I mean, I didn’t think of that angle.”

Aiden tipped his head. “That’s not why you’re doing it? I figured my mom brought it up and you jumped on it.”

“Oh.” Danny waited a beat. “I mean, your mom did bring it up.”

“But it’s not why you said yes?” When Danny didn’t immediately answer, Aiden shook his head. “Never mind. It’s not my business. Or Rocco’s. It’s between you, your parents, and I guess my mom and Dante. You do what you gotta do, and I’ll have your back.”

Miller & Davis: Diane’s Office

“Are you sure you don’t want to give this to someone else?” Jason asked. “I don’t want to do anything that takes your focus from Elizabeth’s case—”

“Right now, I’m just waiting for the government to reply to my motion to dismiss and for Spinelli to unearth something I can use. Plus, I can do this petition in my sleep. Now sit down, you’re making me crazy with your pacing.” Diane gestured for him. “Would it be unprofessional of me to mention that I’ve had a custody petition prepared for you since you came home and Sam started denying your right to see Danny?”

Jason just sighed. “No. Did you have to change much?”

“Just adding a section about denial of mental healthcare to a minor with substance issues that began under the custodial parent’s nose—”

“Diane, I’m not looking to blame anyone—”

“Well, I’m looking to win. Or did you want me to file this for giggles?” Diane peered at him over her reading glasses. “Now, you’ll just sign here and here — and I’ll have Sam served as soon as possible. I’ll even make a house call.”

“Don’t enjoy this so much. You used to like Sam—”

“I thought she’d grown up, so yes. But she’s running the same games she did the first time I met her. She had no problem using your name, your bank account, and every other privilege that came her way thanks to you — she wanted that child desperately, Jason, you remember that. Your child. And now that she has that permanent lock on your bank accounts—well, she just can’t be bothered to share him. Not only that, but she’s using petty grievances to deny Danny the help he needs—and wants.” Diane sniffed, shoved the petition towards him. “This isn’t going to court, Jason. Alexis will put the fear of God into her idiot daughter, and you’ll have permission by the morning. That’s a promise.”

Penthouse: Living Room

Sam stalked across the room, then whirled back to face her mother and Dante. “I’m not interested in making any compromises. If Jason wants to go to court, he can go to court—”

“I’ve tried everything,” Alexis told Dante with a sigh. “She won’t see reason.”

“I don’t know why you’re looking at me. I’m not having this argument again.” Dante leaned against the desk, folded his arms. “Sam knows where I stand on this—”

“That’s because he doesn’t know Elizabeth like I do.” Sam scowled. “She’s trying to steal my son from me. That’s how she does it. It’s how she crawled into Jason’s bed in the first place and created her precious Jake. She pretended to be on my side, to support me and Jason—”

“Got herself arrested to make sure Sam got a surgery she desperately needed,” Alexis told Dante. “She doesn’t like to remember that part—”

“She did it for Jason. Please. Mom. You know I’m not wrong. She’s got Jason back in her life, and she doesn’t want me anywhere near it, so she’s trying to cut me out.”

“I’m going to get Rocco from my mom’s. When I get back, can we be done with this? Either go to court, or not. I’m tired of this, Sam.”

“Oh, I’m sorry I’m inconveniencing you—” Sam began, but Dante jerked the door open.

“Danny got arrested for being drunk and high, Sam. And he’s been doing it for almost a year. That’s long enough to get addicted. Elizabeth and Jason want him to talk to a professional. And the best argument you got for why you’re saying no is your ex-husband’s girlfriend made the appointment. You’re being selfish, and you know it.”

Sam flinched when the door slammed behind her, and she looked at her mother with miserable eyes. “Mom.”

“You’re going to lose. A judge will grant Jason the right to make medical decisions, and that’s one more step towards full custody. He’ll drop the custody suit if you sign the paperwork.” Alexis tapped the paperwork on the desk. “Sign this, Sam, and this goes away.”

“Sign this and let Elizabeth have a permanent role in my son’s life, sure. That’s easy for you to say. But you know what? Fine. Fine. But I want Danny to know I was forced do this, so when it blows up in all your faces, Danny will know who had his back. I know what my son needs better than anyone else.”

“Then sign it, and sit back for your moment of glory, Sam.” Alexis held out the pen and Sam jerked it out of her hand, scrawling her name at the bottom. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. When this ends in disaster, I’ll be ready to say I told you so.”

Comments

  • Sam is an ass for not putting her son first. Well Gia needs a reality check for acting like a jealous person.

    According to Shelly Samuel on October 17, 2025
  • I love how smart Dante is being with eliminating Alexis and Kristina and not letting anyone in on his angle! I don’t really know whether I want him and Scam to end. While I like the thought of her suffering, she’ll just be a bigger pain in Liason’s ass. I hope Scam drops some hints of her conversation with her wacky sister in Dante’s direction so he can pick up on it. Someone needs to bring her down and sorry for Dante if it has to be him. Kudos to FF Diane. I loathe the way she and Spinelli are Scam supporters onscreen. Also, I love Aiden helping out Danny! My Liason family loving heart is excited for tomorrow’s update!

    According to Julie on October 17, 2025
  • I cannot wait for all of this to blow up in Sam and Kristina’s faces. The fallout will be glorious

    According to Beth on October 17, 2025
  • This is so good! And I wish you were writing the whole Who Shot Drew because this is what I wish we had on screen.

    According to S on October 17, 2025
  • Whew!! What a chapter!! Two women still jealous of Elizabeth and won’t admit it. Gia is so wrong about our girl. It’s going to be wonderful when they find out the truth. Dante doesn’t think Kristina is capable of murder but Chase knows about Alexis’ actions trying to hide and blame others when she killed Alcazar. At least, they’re going to check both of their alibis. Sam is ruining her relationships with her son and Dante but rather blame Elizabeth. I just hope that she helps Kristina so that she can be arrested and jailed. I’m thinking Rocco is a little stinker and needs to be watched. Will Dante have him see a therapist? This is so good!! I always liked Taggart even when he was a jerk. I can’t wait for more.

    According to arcoiris0502 on October 17, 2025
  • Thank goodness for Diane telling it like it is to Jason and Alexis and Dante to Sam. If Kristina opens her big mouth I want someone to duct tape it shut and Gia is a bitter pill. Great update.

    According to nanci on October 17, 2025