Chapter 42: All In The Family
Stefan hands Kevin a drink before he sits down, smiling graciously. "So, Kevin. What is so urgent that you wanted to meet right away? I could tell from the tone of your voice that it was pressing." Stefan takes a sip of his drink as he watches Kevin expectantly.
"I think you know why I'm here, Stefan," Kevin replies. "In fact, I remember sitting right here with you a couple weeks ago and hinting at this very issue." Kevin gets up from his chair and paces around impatiently. "I'm starting to think that I was foolish to disregard Lucy's warnings. I thought we agreed the only games we played were on a board."
Stefan raises an eyebrow at Kevin's censure. "I see. Clearly you are unhappy with me. You believe I've asked you to do something illegal?"
Kevin rolls his eyes impatiently. "No! For God's sake, stop evading the issue! It's about Cassidy. I want to know what the HELL is going on."
"You think I'm hiding information on Cassidy? " Stefan asks.
Before Stefan can continue, Kevin interrupts. "No, Stefan. In fact you left it there for me to find. And I know that you usually use information to gain advantage. Well, I'm on to that particular game, but I haven't a clue why it would be advantageous to you to have this information. Unless you plan to use it against me somehow?"
Stefan looks offended and then angry. "It is not my practice to harm my friends, Kevin! I consider you one of my closest. How could you accuse me of this?! And you haven't even told me what this supposed information is yet!"
"Fine, you want me to spell it out, I will. I'd hoped you would tell me yourself. I just looked in Cassidy's personnel file. Can you guess what I found?" Kevin prods.
"Just tell me," Stefan bites out angrily.
Kevin paces angrily as his voice rises. "Cassidy's mother's name is none other than Melanie Chamberlain Collins Corbin! How could you hire a sister I didn't know I had and hide the fact from me? Tell me why you weren't straight with me from the beginning! And tell me the information that ISN'T in the personnel file."
Stefan defends himself hotly. "Because it is not my secret to reveal! Did it ever occur to you that I had no motive other than to assist you and your sister? That perhaps I might do it out of kindness? Do you trust me so little?"
Kevin forces himself to sit down on the couch, taking deep breaths in and out to calm himself. "Explain. I'm listening."
"As you know, Cassidy came to town after Sonny Corinthos died. She applied for a job at Cassadine Inc and made it clear from the start that she was your sister." Stefan pauses to refill his drink and glance at Kevin's confused face. "She wished the opportunity to get to know you. I felt it was her place to tell you. The rest you know."
Kevin is lost in thought. "So Cassidy knows I'm her brother?"
"Yes, apparently she's always known. Fear for her own safety kept her from coming forward until recently." Stefan sits next to Kevin and puts his hand on Kevin's shoulder. "Please believe me when I tell you I only had your and Cassidy's best interests' at heart. I thought it would be easier if she told you herself. I hope this hasn't damaged our friendship?"
Kevin looks up at him shellshocked. "No... of course not. It just never occurred to me that she knew..." Kevin trails off. "I should have guessed..."
"You have a lot to think about." Stefan rises from the couch to contemplate the fire. "Consider yourself on paid leave for the next few days while you sort this out with Cassidy."
Kevin gets up from the couch numbly. "Thank you, Stefan. I'll let myself out. I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk to Cassidy about this, I want the opportunity to do it myself in my own time."
Stefan bows his head in acquiescence. "As you wish. "
Alexis sits with Tom in his office, holding a damp handkerchief in her left hand. Tom leans forward and takes her other hand comfortingly. "It's okay to cry, Alexis. It doesn't mean you're weak; just that you're human."
"Then why do I feel so weak?" Alexis shakes her head in disbelief. "I NEVER cry. I did when Sonny died, but even then I didn't for long. I should be past this by now."
"Not when you love as deeply as you do for Sonny," Tom replies gently. "Give yourself some time..."
Alexis' beeper goes off, sending her jumping off the chair in alarm. "Apparently not enough time! Damn! I'll just have to tell them to wait..." Alexis looks at the read out on the pager and frowns. "Can I use your phone?"
Tom motions to his desk. "Absolutely."
Alexis dials and waits for an answer, surprised to hear Nikolas' panicked voice on the other end. "Nikolas?! .. wait.. slow down. Run that by me again?"
Nikolas takes a breath and starts again. "My mother is being taken to the police station... Keesha came by to question her about Switzerland. She asked me to call you. She wants you to meet her there. I've got to call Uncle too... he needs to know what's going on..."
Alexis looks stunned. "What? Why am I picking up that he has something to do with this?.. Wait, never mind, there's no time to waste. I'm going to there right now. Have him call me on my cell phone and fill me in on the details." Alexis quickly rings off and hurries to gather her things.
"An emergency?" Tom asks quietly as he watches the vulnerable woman of just a few moments ago transform into the formidable lawyer most people see.
Alexis looks up at him apologetically as she dashes for the door, "Yes, I'm sorry. I'll call you later to reschedule.." And then she's gone.
"... I'll make sure nothing happens to her, Nikolas. She had nothing to do with it. I need to make some phone calls and find out how the Port Charles Police Department came across this information." While Stefan pauses to listen to Nikolas, he notices some black hair on the mantle. He frowns when he recognizes it. "Of course LesleyLu can come here tonight. I'm certain by the time she arrives, the matter will be under control. I will see you both later."
Stefan sits at his desk while he makes the other call. "Hello, Alexis."
"Hello, cousin. Tell me everything." Alexis is all business.
"I would rather not discuss this on the phone, but there's no time. I don't want Laura held at the station any longer than necessary. This has to do with a passport created for LesleyLu Spencer to get her to Switzerland."
Alexis closes her eyes in frustration. "Don't tell me you took her out of the country? You could be facing kidnapping on top of falsifying a passport! What were you thinking? And why didn't you tell me this before?! I could have prepared for this! "
Stefan puffs up in anger. "I will not be scolded by you! I did what needed to be done, Alexis. You've been otherwise occupied if you will remember. I will do what I can from here to make this go away."
Alexis interrupts before he can say more. "I don't want to hear anymore about that. How involved was Laura in this?"
"She wasn't," Stefan replies.
"Did she at least give you permission to take her child out of the country?" Alexis asks impatiently.
"Of course she did! I would not kidnap the child!" Stefan snaps.
Alexis sighs with relief. "Good. I'll do what I can and report back to you later. Goodbye, Stefan."
After Alexis rings off, Stefan makes another call. "Yes, this is Stefan Cassadine. I have a job for you. I want you to locate several people..."
Laura sits in an interrogation room, opposite Keesha and Taggert. Laura eyes them suspiciously as Keesha tries to allay her fears. "I want to assure you Laura, you aren't under arrest. We just want to ask you some questions. We want to know when and how you got to Switzerland and how long you were there."
Laura shakes her head. "I'll wait to answer your questions until my lawyer arrives."
Keesha tries another tact. "From our sources, you were in Greece at the Cassadine Compound before you went to Switzerland." Laura says nothing
Taggert interjects. "Now that's interesting, Keesha. And we know Stefan went Switzerland at the same time. And his daughter went with him. Did you know he had a daughter, Keesha? I didn't. But it's a simple matter to confirm through birth records."
Laura remains silent, the muscles in her jaw tightening. She glares angrily at Keesha and Taggert. Keesha breaks eye contact first, looking down guiltily.
Taggert gets up and starts pacing. "Tell me Mrs Spencer, why do you need a lawyer? Are you feeling guilty?"
Laura smiles at him sweetly. "Not particularly, Mr Taggert. But your reputation precedes you."
Taggert continues as if she didn't answer. "I don't think you understand how serious things are for you. We know about the falsified passport for your daughter, LesleyLu. Do you realize that's a felony? We know you are involved, but we also know Stefan Cassadine is the one behind this. Do you really want to leave your children without both parents? If you cooperate with us now, we can make a deal so that you don't do any prison time. You help us convict Stefan Cassadine for this crime and we can make this go away."
"Not another word, Detective Taggert, or I'll slap a suit on this department for violating my client's rights." Alexis slams the door behind her as she makes her entrance. "What is the purpose of this interrogation?"
Taggert scowls at Alexis, clearly frustrated at having been thwarted again by her. He turns his attention back to Laura. "Well, Mrs Spencer, you've certainly come up in the world. Are you sure you want to be represented by a dead mobster's wife who's also the cousin of Stefan Cassadine? I'm not sure she has YOUR best interests at heart."
Alexis rolls her eyes dramatically. "Please, Detective Taggert, spare us the melodrama and enlighten me as to reason for dragging my client downtown. Or better yet, let me confer privately with Mrs Spencer."
"This is your last chance to get out of this mess scott-free, Mrs Spencer." Taggert looks at Laura expectantly.
"I have nothing to say to you until I've spoken to my lawyer," Laura replies calmly. She smiles gratefully at Alexis.
Keesha and Taggert leave the room reluctantly. Alexis sits next to Laura and leans over to whisper, "How are you holding up?" Laura smiles and shrugs. "Well, I'll try to get you out of here as soon as possible. Have you told them anything?" Laura shakes her head. "Good. I spoke to Stefan on my way over here so I know exactly what this is about. But let's get you out of here before you tell me about your interview. Are you comfortable with me taking it from here?" Laura nods. "Good, then let's get you out of here in time for supper with your kids."
Alexis leaves Laura to give Taggert and Keesha the signal, saying as they enter the room. "I want my client released immediately."
"We aren't done asking her questions, Ms Davis." Taggert replies. "We want to find out what she knows in connection to a felony. If she can clear up some questions for us, then she can be on her way."
Alexis walks up to Taggert and stands toe to toe with him, locking eyes. "No, you don't understand, Detective. My client has no intention of answering any of your questions. You either arrest her for a crime or you release her, NOW."
Taggert steps back and motions them to the door. "You've just sealed your fate, Mrs Spencer. I hope lover boy Cassadine is worth selling your children's future for."
Laura leaves without a word, holding the door for Alexis since her good arm is being used to hold her briefcase. Alexis sends a final volley. "Get over it, Detective. You've lost AGAIN."
Keesha steps forward, attempting to salvage interview. "Excuse me, may I make a simple request? We'd just like to see Mrs Spencers' passport. If we could, then it might clear up this whole situation. Laura, do you have it with you?"
Laura turns around and looks at Keesha in surprise. "No, I don't carry my passport with me, Keesha."
Alexis continues to usher Laura out of the station. "And once you furnish us with a search warrant, she'll be happy to cooperate."
Lucy stands at the office doorway studying Cassidy, who is staring intensely at the computer screen, apparently oblivious to her surroundings. Lucy has to admit her single-minded focus reminds her of her darling doc. She didn't like that one bit. After several minutes of assessing her opponent, Lucy steps in and makes herself known. "You must be Cassidy Corbin." Cassidy jumps slightly, and turns around to face Lucy's determined face. "You look exactly how I expected you to look, glued to your computer screen, so very conscientious. Tell me, do you give Kevin your undivided attention like that?"
Cassidy looks confused, noticing Lucy's determined look turn hostile. "Excuse me? I don't understand..."
"Oh, I think you do, little girl," Lucy continues as she walks back and forth in front of the stationary Cassidy. Cassidy's eyes follow her movements like a pingpong match. "I'm here to put you on warning. I will not stand by while you try to destroy my doc. I don't know WHAT sick plan you and Stefan Cassadine have cooked up for him, but I'll stop you and then I'll tear you into itsy bitsy tiny little pieces. You'll be sorry you ever set foot in this town!"
"You must be Lucy Coe..." replies Cassidy. As the realization finally dawns, Cassidy rushes to try and reassure her. "I assure you, the only thing I want from Kevin is friendship. I admire him, actually; he's quite amazing. You must be very proud of him. I'd loved to get to know you too, Lucy, and I hope we can be friends..."
Lucy's eyes glitter with jealousy as she shakes her finger at Cassidy. "Oh, don't you try and play nice with me! I've gone against worse than you and won! Don't think for a minute that I'm going to fall for the .. 'I only want to be Kevin's friend and I want to be your friend too' routine! Please! What do you take me for? And then to try buttering up to me by complimenting my doc?! Do you really think I'm that gullible? Huh?! Don't try and beat a pro at her own game, LITTLE GIRL! "
Cassidy pales. "Lucy, what I meant to say is..."
Lucy strides to the door purposefully, her head held high. "Forget the innocent act, Cassidy Corbin. I see right through you! And so can Kevin. He knows you are lying and playing games with him. He hates people who do that. He may be polite to you for the sake of his job and even pretend that he's interested in what you have to say, but he wants nothing to do with you. Nothing! If you're as smart as they say you are, you'll slither back under the dirty slimy rock Stefan pulled you from. Get out while you still have your pride!" Lucy slams Cassidy's door behind her.
Cassidy stares at the blank door, her brown eyes wide with shock and hurt. Her hand trembles while she fusses with her bangs distractedly. Cassidy takes a deep uneven breath in an attempt to steady herself, turning back to the computer screen. She stares at the screen numbly and starts to type furiously; tears fill her eyes, blinding her as they fall to the keyboard.
