GH2017.22 The Ties that Bind

the apartment Nik sits at the computer table rubbing his eyes. He is
uncharacteristically in disarray with his collar unbuttoned and his sleeves rolled
up as he hums in frustration at the screen before him. Half an hour before he had
heard the shower running and the beginning noises of a household awakening.
Georgie enters the dining room.
Georgie : Are you still here?
Nik: I think I have found the files, but they are garbage. My uncle is the one that
can make these things sing.
Georgie: why didn't you wake me up? Move. ( Nik stands behind her as she sits at
the keyboard, looking back at him she smiles sweetly and says) I could really use
a cup of coffee...sweet and light ( Her hands remain by the keyboard unmoving
until Nik moves away to the kitchen then she quickly modems the files to the WSB
encryption department and clears the screen. She glances briefly at her watch and
wonders how long it will take. Nik returns with the coffee and sees Georgie
staring out the window.)
Nik: Here is the coffee.
Georgie: (absently) thanks. What time did Lu get in last night?
Nik : About 90 minutes after you did...I figure the others will not be up for a few
hours yet. Brooke has a portrait session this morning with my uncle and Lu will
have to be up before noon to cover for Lucky.
Georgie: Lucky?
Nik: He went to get Robin. He called Lu last night to say that he had arrived and
was heading in to the mountains. We should hear from them tonight by phone and
they should be back in PORT CHARLES very late tomorrow if all goes well.
Georgie : that is not much time. ( a phone rings) excuse me, I was sort of
expecting this call. (Nik turns his back to give the illusion of privacy as he listens
to Georgie's half of the conversation. In the window he can see her reflection--
the ramrod straight posture that does not match her voice) Hi Daddy. I was
wondering how long it would take you to call....everything is fine...no it has
nothing to do with that; it is something else I fell into... I have to be at the
hospital in a couple of hours... Maxie and Mom are fine; I talked to them
yesterday... Had Lunch with mom... He's okay, growling like a penned up bear.
(laughing) I'll make a few calls to get him an apartment so he can do physical
therapy here...alright...thanks for the help...I love you...(laughing again) no, I
wont be good but I'll be careful how is that?...bye Daddy. (Georgie slouches
against the counter as she hangs up the phone exhaling almost imperceivable)
Nik: You really should have taken up the stage; it was a brilliant performance. He
doesn't know does he?
Georgie: (looking at him and shaking her head) Okay Nik. what would you do if it
was Staci? (Nik does not move or answer but the tension level goes up in the room
and Georgie observes his hands closing into fists as his eyes grow flat and cold.)
Exactly. and that is exactly why I did not tell him. You can consider me sexist and
that is fine...I think there are certain things that women do better and one is
handle child molesters...Alexis and I are working to put Mr. Saunders in a place
where he will pray for death every moment and it will not come. And none of the
macho protective men in our families will have to go to jail to do it... It's a
win/win situation.
Nik: And if that doesn't work?
Georgie: oh but it will...( she hears the low tones of the computer as it receives a
transmission). Do you think that you and your uncle have the market cornered on
Machiavellian techniques? This will end with a whimper ( she sneers) not a bang.
Alexis wasn't twiddling her thumbs growing up in your family she knows how to
dot the I's and cross the t's , and so do I. ( moving to the computer she sees the
text version of Bruce's diary . It only goes back a few years but is quite detailed.
Georgie scans but doesn't read it; knowing that she will be ill if she does. she
prints out the Diary and when she is done seals it in an envelope not allowing Nik
to see it as she erases all traces of it from the computer. Going to the autodial on
the phone she searches Lu's numbers until she finds Alexis punches in the code.)
Hi Tom. This is Georgie... I'm doing okay... I really appreciate the offer but
talking about it makes me want to throw up.... No really it is not denial, believe
me after everything that is happened to Stone and Anna I can't forget...I am so
sorry I feel like part of this is my fault; I should have turned him in years ago.
Thanks. Is Alexis there? Gee if I had known she was up all night I would have
called earlier; Do you think it is something in the genes? (laughing) Sorry, I was
just sharing some ghoulish humor with your husband....How are things
going?...Anyway-- can you get a look at the search warrant before it goes to the
Judge?...You need to make sure that the outbuildings are listed in the warrant.
Keesha, I think, worked sex crimes for awhile in the DA's office so this should
all be covered but I remembered that Saunders was into woodworking. he used to
have boxes and things that he made himself; I guess he thought he was good with
his hands.... I know gallows humor but it is keeping me sane. Also they need to
list the contents of his computer or any papers. Nik is on his way over with an
excerpt from the diary that Saunders kept. Ask me no questions... but it does add
to our time problem...I used my father's work computer to decode the
information. which means a copy of it will be hitting his desk about now. I'm not
mentioned in the excerpt but he will start asking questions soon... The Diary is
for you and for stone not for Keesha; she can get her own damn copy...Okay I am
out of it now unless you can't pull this off and then let me know. ( Georgie hangs
up the phone.)
Nik: So you are confident that Alexis can handle this and it will end with a
whimper rather than a bang? ( Nik looks into Georgie's eyes and sees the same
flat determination as the night she had held a gun to his throat)
Georgie: I have no doubt ( with a half smile that had nothing to do with humor)
he'll go out whimpering. ( Shaking off her thoughts) I have to be at the hospital.
And Alexis is waiting for that envelope. If you stay much longer you will have to
make breakfast for Lu and Brooke. Can you cook? (not waiting for an answer)
Well then we had better leave. Shall I walk you out?
Nik: Georgie, I am going , going. I am right behind you. ( they move together to
the elevators where they enter but just before the doors close Georgie steps back
into the hallway.)
Georgie: I think I'll take the stairs...see ya later Nik. ( the doors close)

The Hardy Residence where Tom and Alexis are sitting down to breakfast. There
is too much food on the table.
Alexis: I hate it when he is not home.
Tom: Why do I think this is not about making too much food this morning?
Alexis: That is part of it. Tom, you know I adore you and our love has bound us
together for many years. ( taking his hand and kissing the back of it) Our home
has been like an oasis, still waters in comparison to what is outside those doors.
And now that insanity has invaded our home and made my son leave.
Tom: (pulling her into his lap) Let me be the judge of insanity, okay. ( kissing her
temple and pulling her close) Intellectually, I can't agree with what Stone did. I
know that you and Gina and the system are going to tie Mr Saunders up so tight he
will never harm another again. My gut understands what Stone did and even
( giving her a squeeze) appreciates it. No matter what happens Stone will not regret
protecting Anna any more than his father would have regretted protecting you.
Honey, things look chaotic now but you know that everything is going to be okay.
Stone will not go to jail. Anna will not be hurt anymore; and the bad guy is going
to go jail.
Alexis: He has to go to jail. If not someone I care about will go for killing him.
Tom: That is too much pressure to put on yourself. Like Georgie, you can only do
what you can do.
Alexis: I am worried about her too. Something in her voice, she might do
something rash and to top it off she says soon her father will know.
Tom: (groaning) That is all we need. You were right; it is insanity. ( the doorbell
rings) Woman since you are on top you get to get the door.
Alexis: It is probably Nik. Georgie said he would be stopping by. Maybe we can
get him to have some breakfast. I hate to throw all of this away.
Tom: ( calling after her) He'll probably want to eat back on the island...Mrs
Lansbury maybe blind as a bat but she still makes the best pastries...(muttering to
self) not that she would ever let me have one. ( Nik and Alexis return to the day
room) Nik, you want some coffee?
Nik: I am coffeed out but I'll have some juice.
Alexis: ( not looking up from her reading) Nik, you should eat something too. If I
know my son your cupboards will be bare by the time you get back to the island.
Sometimes I think the only reason I keep working is to keep him fed....damn and
double damn.
Nik: What is it? Georgie would not let me read it. Stubborn Woman. I really hope
that you know what you are doing, Alexis. I get the feeling that if this doesn't
work, Georgie is going to solve the problem permanently.
Alexis: I have the same feeling. ( checking her watch) Keesha should be in her
office by now. excuse me. (picking up the phone and dialing ) Keesha Garcia
please... This is Alexis Hardy calling... Keesha hello... I was wondering what
progress you had made regarding Mr Saunders?... You have the warrants prepared?
... Oh.. I received some information from a prior victim she indicated that
Saunders was into woodworking does the warrant include outbuildings?... Good-
good.... I feel like i have been playing catch up on this, according to Tom and
Gina these guys are actually very organized, methodical and keep trophies or
diaries maybe even use the computer to hook up with their sick friends? Okay- that
is all covered in the warrant....When are you planning on serving the warrant and
doing the search. Great. sooner the better... Have you made any decision
regarding Stone?... that is too bad; well keep me updated. I'll be taking to you
soon.
Tom: Well?
Alexis: She is not going to drop the charges on Stone until she sees what she has
with Saunders. Stone is penciled in for a grand jury next week. Saunders will
hopefully be arrested this afternoon.
Tom: Alexis, you and I both know that this will be settled long before next week.
It sounds as if you have done all you can do. Are you going to go to see Stone
this morning?
Alexis: ( making a decision) Yes, I am. The office can wait; I want to see my son.
Nik: (Looking at his watch) Well as soon as I finish this breakfast you insisted on
and we get back to the island; he will love to see you. The tutor will have just
started on European history!

Back at the apartment Lu and Brooke are awake and starting their day. Brooke is
pouring herself some juice and grabbing a section of the paper before sitting at the
table.

Brooke: You know, I am beginning to feel like a mushroom.
Lu: What?
Brooke: kept in the dark and fed bull...
Lu : AH yes I get it. Well looks like I get to shed some light; what do you want to
know?
Brooke: What is up with your brothers?
Lu: Damn Macho men! I bet that Jason has not called you has he?
Brooke: No. What is going on?
Lu: Okay here is the short version. (Lu explains what has happened and where
Lucky and Nik are she does not however tell of Georgie's involvement figuring
that would be best to come from Georgie.)
Brooke: That is awful. I know how we would have dealt with it back in the
neighborhood. (Brooke makes a chopping motion with her hand)