"Q.E.D." Part 19
"It's only Lila Quartermaine," said the voice inside Sonny's cellphone, and he had to smile. He parted the curtains and watched asReginald pushed her chair up the front walkway to the Spencers'house. 'Only Lila Quartermaine' indeed, he thought. No one shouldever underestimate that woman.
He opened the door and helped Reginald lift the chair up the frontstairway.
"Mrs. Quartermaine," he said, "to what do we owe this pleasure?"
Lila smiled and patted his arm. "Oh, Mr. Corinthos, you're such acharmer. Fortunately, I'm immune to your ovations." She winked athim. "It doesn't mean that I tire of hearing them, though."
Sonny took her coat and she smoothed her skirt with her hands. "I'vecome to visit Laura," she said, "Is she here?"
"Yeah sure," he replied, "I'll run upstairs and get her."
After a few moments, Laura appeared, looking mildly surprised. Shegreeted Reginald and seated herself on the chair next to Lila.
"Lila," Laura said, reaching forward to hug her, "what brings youhere?"
Lila looked at Sonny. "Mr. Corinthos, do you mind if I speak to Lauraalone?"
"Sure. No problem." he replied.
Lila watched Sonny until he disappeared around the turn of staircase.She looked back at Laura and took her hand. "First of all, my dear,I'd like to say how sorry I am about your daughter. I'm sure she'sgoing to be all right."
"Thank you, Lila," Laura replied.
"Next," she continued, "I'd like to extend an invitation to you,Lucky and your mother to stay with us. I've opened up the entire eastwing for you. I think you would find it ... less confining."
Laura smiled and squeezed Lila's hand. "Oh Lila. That's very kind,and I don't want you take this the wrong way, but... I don't thinkyou know what we're up against. I think it would be best if we stayedhere with Sonny's men. I wouldn't want to involve you or your familyin any of this."
"On the contrary, my dear," Lila replied. "I'm already involved. Andbelieve me, I know what you're up against... and who."
Laura looked from Lila to Reginald, remembering the note he'd broughther yesterday. "But... how? I didn't think you knew Stefan."
"I'll admit, I've only met Stefan Cassadine twice, but I have knownthe Cassadine family for years.... long before you or Luke wereborn," she said.
"What?" The word escaped her in a rush of surprised air.
"Did you read the letter Reginald gave you?"
"Only the first paragraph. He was warning me to watch over mychildren." Her throat tightened at the memory. "Then... Lulu wasgone. How could he have done such a horrible thing?"
Lila reached over and cupped Laura's chin in her hand. "My dear. Youhave to listen to me. This is not Stefan's doing."
"I'm sorry Lila, but you just don't know what's happened here. Stefantold my mother some horrible story about a prince being held captiveand forced to exchange his kingdom to save his sister..."
The Faberge egg. The ring. The warning that came too late. Anabridged history of the Cassadines vs the Spencers tumbled out in aseries of disjointed sentences, leaving her listeners to reassemblethe stray words into a chain of coherent thought. The perverseimpulse to laugh bubbled up inside of her. How this must sound toLila and Reginald, she thought. But she kept talking, hating thesound of her voice, wishing the mad quiver of her lip would go away.This is insane! End it now!
"... anyway, Luke is certain that Stefan set the whole thing up toexact revenge for the deaths of his father and brother." There.Finished. Please understand me.
Lila understood perfectly, and was horrified. The present was feedingupon the past, like a snake consuming its own tail.
"This ring you found," she said, "Are you certain it belonged to yourson?"
"Well, Tony Jones was here, and he looked at it. He couldn't read theentire inscription, because it was written in Russian, but he didmake out the name 'Nikolas'."
Lila shook her head. "Oh Laura, that story your mother told you datesback to before I was born. That ring you found belonged to anotherNicholas who died over 80 years ago. I've never seen it myself, but Ican tell you what the rest of the inscription says.."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that you and Luke are mistaken. I'm saying that you needto finish reading Stefan's letter. I'm saying that I can offer youmore protection than Sonny and all of his men combined. Please acceptmy invitation."
Lila leaned forward and tapped her index finger against the armrestof her wheelchair. "Laura, I am an elderly woman confined to awheelchair. Because of this, people do not see my strength. But it isthere. It is an old power, made potent over time." She squeezedLaura's hand. "Believe me, I know Helena Cassadine far better thanyou or your husband do. She would not dare violate my home."
Laura looked at Lila's eyes and gasped. Such intensity. Why had shenot seen it before?
"Lila.. I didn't mean to imply ... I'm sorry," she stammered.
Lila smiled. "That's all right dear. Even Edward thinks I am feebleat times... much to his peril." She laughed. "Anyway, I think itwould be a fine arrangement. Lucky would have Emily to talk to, andLesley would have two resident physicians standing by if she neededthem. Naturally, her own physician, Dr. Jones, would be free to lookin on her anytime."
Laura smiled for what seemed like the first time in ages. "I'll getLucky and my mother ready."
Laura stood and started walking toward the stairs. She turned to faceLila again. "Luke... he is going after Stefan..."
"Is there any way you can get word to him?"
"No," she replied, checking her watch. "His flight would have landedover two hours ago. I have no idea how to contact him."
Lila nodded sadly. "Laura. What I've told you.... and the contents ofStefan's letter... I ask you to hold these things in confidence. Youmay tell Luke and Lucky, if you want to. But please, no one else.. Myfamily... Edward... they do not know."
So she is human after all, Laura thought. "I promise, Lila." shesaid. And a bond grew between the two women, wrapping them in softtendrils, warming them in its embrace.