Episode 116: Vanishing Acts

Part Two of Four

Richie Stone couldn't believe what he was seeing. Standing in the doorway of his girlfriend Nikki Lassiter's bedroom, he stood face to face with James Greyhawk, who wore his patented smirk, a gleam in his chestnut colored eyes and a freshly pressed tuxedo. The smirk was what Richie's clenched fists wanted to wipe off his face. Richie's face twisted with rage, his emerald green eyes glittered, his shoulder length strawberry blond hair fell partially into his eyes, causing him to shake it out of his way with a toss of his head.

Richie: What the hell are you doing here?

James: (starting to walk past Richie as if he weren't even there) Actually I was just leaving.

Richie: (stepping into James' path) I asked you a question! What are you doing in my girlfriend's bedroom?

James: (mischievously) Would you believe that she invited me in?

Richie: There is no way Nikki would invite scum like you to her bedroom!

James: And yet she did.

Richie: (with a snarl, grabbing James, slamming him against the wall, causing James to grimace in pain) Stop lying! Now I want to know why you are here and I want to know now!

James struggled to get free of Richie's grip, but he was no match against the high school football player.

James: Get your hands off of me!

Richie: (slamming James against the wall again) I will, after I've popped you a few times.

Nikki: (her voice echoing through the corridor) Richie, let him go!

Richie: (turning to see Nikki standing a few feet away, Marc was standing behind her) Nikki, this creep was in your bedroom doing God knows what!

Nikki: Richie, let him go; you're hurting him! This isn't solving anything.

The veins in his neck looking as if they're ready to pop, Richie's muscular body rippled under the jeans and tee shirt he wore.

Richie: Really? I think bloodying his nose real good is a viable solution.

Nikki: I said let him go! He hasn't done anything!

Richie: Didn't you hear me!? He was in your bedroom. Don't you think he should answer for that?

Nikki: (hesitating) I know he was in my room.

Richie: What do you mean you know he was in your room?

Nikki: I know because I brought him up here.

Richie: (unable to believe his ears, he shoved James away and turned to his girlfriend, exquisitely dressed in a blue satin evening gown) Why would you have this pig in your bedroom?

Nikki: (hesitating) Marc, take James downstairs so Richie and I can talk.

Marc: Sure.

James: I'm not sure I want to leave you alone with this guy, Nikki. He seems unable to control his emotions and awfully prone to violence.

Richie: Only when you're around, Greyhawk.

Nikki really didn't want to deal with one of Richie's moods, especially after all she'd been through tonight, but she was probably the only one who could calm him down. He certainly wouldn't get himself under control with James standing a few feet away.

Nikki: I think I'll be fine, James. Please go downstairs with Marc.

Marc: (grabbing James by the arm and pulling him down the hallway) Let's go, Greyhawk.

James: (pulling away from Marc) My family is probably wondering where I am anyway. We'll catch up later, Nikki.

Marc and James walked away, James limping slightly.

Richie: (turning to Nikki) You want to tell me what the hell is going on here!?

Nikki: (caught between anger and exasperation) Can we go into my room? The last thing I want is someone to see you acting so foolish.

Richie: (following Nikki into her room, slamming the door behind them) Me, acting a fool? Just how should I act when I find James Greyhawk in your bedroom?

Nikki: (determined to keep her voice level) Will you please calm down?

Richie: (his gaze falling on the mussed bed sheets, the only untidy thing in the neatly kept bedroom) Calm down!? (He whirled to Nikki) This is about as calm as I get until I get some explanation as to what is going on here.

Nikki: You want to explain to me what you are doing here, Richie? I specifically asked you not to come.

Richie: It doesn't matter why I'm here, not now.

Nikki: Really? I told you that after everything that happened tonight, getting held at gunpoint, losing the diary, not to mention discovering more of your lies, that we needed to think and get our heads clear. We needed to get some perspective on what's been going on and we would talk in the morning. But you showed up here anyway.

Richie: I wanted to see you. I wanted to spend time with you.

Nikki: And I thought I made it clear we needed a little time apart. Couldn't you have waited until morning and give both of us a little breathing room?

Richie: (his voice starting level off) We've spent enough time apart, Nikki, don't you think?

Nikki: I think I wasn't in any mood to deal with our problems tonight, but you obviously didn't give a damn how I felt, you just did what you wanted.

Richie: I just wanted to come here and dance, have some dinner, enjoy the party and start working on fixing our relationship.

Nikki: Well, I'd say that you didn't accomplish that.

Richie: After all we've been through and after all we've meant to one another, we can't let a few problems ruin what has been a good thing. That's my reasoning, but what's yours? Why didn't you really want me here tonight?

Nikki: I told you why!

Richie: I know what you said, but coming here and finding that guy in your bedroom puts a whole different light on things.

Nikki: Meaning?

Richie: Meaning I get the feeling I interrupted something here tonight and that's why you were so insistent that I not come to the party. So, you want to tell me what's going on between you and Greyhawk? Just why in the hell did you invite him to your bedroom?

* * * * * *

Det. Jake Collier held Janie Rios in his arms as a bluesy romantic tune that wafted out from the ballroom and lingered lovingly around them. They were alone on the terrace that looked over the sprawling landscapes of the Lassiter Estate, his tall, muscular frame towering over her slim, petite one. The dark haired homicide cop held her close, his beefy hand gently stroking her jet black, glistening hair. Her milk chocolate colored eyes were full of warmth and passion that matched his. He bent over, one hand cupping her chin, tilting her head up to meet his lips, the other curling around her slender waist. They kissed, a sigh of contentment escaping from Janie before their lips met in a warm, intoxicating kiss.

Janie: (grinning) I've been waiting to do that from the moment we met.

Jake: (matching her smile) Really? And why is that?

Janie: Because I knew it would be good.

Jake: (chuckling throatily) And how did you know that?

Janie: (caressing his face, which was starting to show the stubbled signs of a five o'clock shadow) I've got good instincts. And from the moment I laid eyes on your very handsome face I've wanted to act upon them. I just hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Jake: Are you kidding? It was great.

Janie: Really? Because I'm not so sure.

Jake: What do you mean you're not so sure? Couldn't you tell?

Janie: (shaking her head) Honestly? I'm not positive you were into it as much as I was. I think I'm going to need some convincing.

Jake: (nodding as a playful smile curled Janie's full lips) Really? Is there anything I can do to convince you?

Janie: (her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered to him) Why don’t you follow your instincts?

Smiling, Jake pulled Janie to him and covered her mouth with his in a hungry kiss.

Jake: Does that convince you?

Janie: You're getting there. I guess I just need lots and lots of convincing. I'm just grateful you didn't let what happened the first time we tried to kiss deter you from trying again.

Jake: You're talking about your brother Jack swooping in to protect his baby sister's honor? (Pause) I've faced down murderers, rapists and assorted crazies. I think I can handle an overprotective big brother or two.

Janie: To your credit, you're about the first guy who didn't run for the hills after meeting Jack or Grant or one of the other Rios men. I can't tell you how many guys the men in my family have had a 'discussion' with and scared off.

Jake: I promise you that I'm not easily frightened.

Janie: Good to know.

Jake: Besides, you can't blame your brothers for wanting to protect you. They just love you and want to look out for you.

Janie: Don't get me wrong, I love my big and sprawling family, warts and all. I know they're only doing it out of love, even if it's a bit misguided. But I'm a big girl and I can take care of myself. And I know a decent guy when I see one.

Jake: Are you talking about me?

Janie: (toying with the bowtie on Jake's tailored tuxedo) Oh yeah, Det. Collier, I'm definitely talking about you. I hope you don't think me one of those pushy women, but how soon can I expect to hear from you for our second date, just so I can be sure that I'm free?

Jake: (as if he were mulling it over) Think you'll have time for me for lunch tomorrow afternoon?

Janie: Lunch... dinner, whatever meal you pick.

Jake: We'll start with lunch and see where it goes from there.

Janie: Will do. You know I'm going to owe Melody big time.

Jake: Melody?

Janie: Well, yeah. She is the one who set this up. I'm sure neither of us thought it would work out so well.

Jake wished that Janie hadn't brought up Melody; he'd gone so long without having to think or worry about her, and be reminded of how attracted he was to her. He knew it was wrong. Melody only regarded him as a friend and more importantly, she was in love with A.J., a lifelong friend Jake regarded as a brother. Heck , it was only a few hours ago that A.J. and Melody had announced their engagement. Then it wasn't much more than an hour later that they were fighting again. Jake didn't know what it was about or why, but he knew he was tired of seeing Melody hurt and she'd been hurt a lot lately because of A.J.'s secrets. Jake hoped it would come to an end soon; Melody deserved better. Now that Jake thought about it, he realized he hadn't seen either A.J or Melody in awhile. He couldn't help but wonder where they'd gotten off to. And if it meant more trouble.

* * * * * *

A.J. Lassiter gasped, unable to believe what he was hearing. As Sabrina Collier's agonized words echoed in his head, he felt Melody Sorensen's arm curl around his waist. She drew in a deep breath, her lithe body leaning heavily into his, her blue eyes brimming over with tears. Dr. Gary Sorensen stood a few feet away and he simply slumped onto the sofa in the waiting room of Covington Bay Medical Center, a distant, painted look on his face.

Melody: (shaking her head) No! This can't be true!

A.J.: (his voice ragged) Aunt Sabrina, there must be some kind of mistake. Are you sure?

Sabrina's her fancy evening wear had been ruined in the explosion and resulting fire earlier tonight, and she now wore a pair of green hospital scrubs that had been loaned to her.

Sabrina: A.J., I wish I were. Believe me, I wish I were. But, I just came from talking to Darian Jackson and he witnessed much of what happened.

A.J.: But, I don't understand. I came to the hospital because I got a call from my editor. He told me there'd been a shootout, that Kevin and Nigel Greyhawk had rescued Nathan James from an assassin. I came down to check things out.

Sabrina: Yes, that's what had happened. Up until that point anyway.

A.J.: But he said that everyone was all right. He said that Kevin was all right. Now you're telling me that he's dead!? That he and Monica drowned in the Covington Bay River!? What could've happened since I spoke to Drake and left Lassiter Mansion? Can you explain it to me because it makes no sense!

Sabrina: A.J., I'm trying to sort it all out too.

A.J.: What did Darian tell you happened to Kevin and Monica!?

Sabrina: Darian said that he and Danny were working at the Lassiter Estate when they received a call from Mama J. telling them what happened to Nathan. When they got here, Eric and Evan Maitland were waiting for them.

A.J.: (his dark brown eyes were alive with shock) Eric? What does my brother and the D.A. have to do with this?

Sabrina: Apparently they were at the station and there was a tip saying there'd been a robbery tonight at the Lassiter Estate.

A.J.: (in disbelief) What?

Sabrina: Yes. Danny James had been spotted leaving one of the bedrooms with some jewelry. Eric and Evan came to the hospital to intercept him.

A.J.: Danny James stole jewelry from the mansion? I don't believe it. I know he has a record, but he's been clean since then. Besides, why would he do something when the mansion is full of people?

Sabrina: I don't know, but Eric found the jewels in the car. Danny claimed he didn't know how they got there, but Eric had to arrest him anyway.

A.J.: And? I still don't see what this has to do with Kevin and Monica or how they got involved.

Sabrina: Just as Eric was about to arrest him, Monica comes running up and Kevin was with her. Danny panicked. He grabbed Eric's gun and took Monica and Kevin hostage and forced them to drive off in his van. Eric went after them. They were headed towards the city limits. They were approaching the Covington Bay Bridge, but the bridge was going up. Danny must've tried to jump it because they kept going. But...

A.J.: (grimly) But the car didn't make it.

Sabrina: (shaking her head, her blue eyes filled with regret) No. It didn't make it. It went into the river and, according to Darian, the car sank pretty quickly .

Melody: (burying her face in A.J.'s broad, muscular chest, her tears dampening the crisp white shirt he wore with his tailored tuxedo) Oh Monica! Oh Monica!

Gary: (his hands laid in his face, murmuring) That poor sweet girl... that poor girl....

Sabrina: I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

A.J.: I just can't believe this. I just can't. Sabrina, are you sure about this? Is Darian sure?

Sabrina: A.J., all I know is that the car went into the river and there's been no sign of them. The Coast Guard is looking of course, but it's dark and the river is pretty rough tonight because a storm is brewing. They...

A.J.: They aren't holding out much hope, are they?

Sabrina: No, they aren't.

A.J.: (her head buried in A.J.'s chest, he stroked her hair as she sobbed) But they don't know for sure, do they? They could still be out there, waiting to be rescued, couldn't they? They haven't found... their bodies, have they?

Sabrina: No, not yet.

A.J.: (as hope, small and faint, but hope none the less coursed through him) Then there's no reason to give up, not yet. They could all still be alive!

* * * * * *

Dr. Darian Jackson, wearing a white tee shirt and black jeans that hugged his muscular body, closed his cell phone and turned to Mama J. and Abby Jefferson, Mama J.'s foster daughter, who sat outside Nathan's hospital room.

Darian: I called Jessie; she's on her way down. She asked me if we should let Uncle Henry know. I told her that we shouldn't interrupt he and his family on their vacation.

Mama J., a stout woman who's head barely reached Darian's broad shoulder, now looked even more troubled and upset than she had been already With a sniffle, she wiped her teary, dark skinned face with a tissue. Her black hair, streaked with gray, was pulled into a tight bun.

Mama J: (in reference to her younger brother, his wife Ruth and their children) No we shouldn't. I just spoke to them this morning. They've had enough to deal with down in South Carolina with Ruth's sister having lost her house in that fire. They'll be back over the weekend anyway so the kids can get back to school. No need to tell them; there's nothing they can do anyway.

Abby: (turning to her foster mother with a toss of her curly, shoulder length black hair) Why did you call Jessica? She hated Danny. She's probably only coming down here to gloat.

Mama J.: Abby, this is not the time for that!

Abby: Why, it's true, isn't it!?

Mama J.: Yes, it's true that Jessie and Danny never got along, but she is a member of this family, just like Danny is... and we can use everyone's support right now.

Abby: Support for what? Danny's dead! All she can do is say he was a loser and a thief and how he probably deserved what happened to him.

Mama J.: Abby, please! (Pause) I realize you're upset and angry. We all are. It's just so hard to accept this... to believe that Danny...

Abby: (her brown eyes alive with rage and grief) That Danny what? That he stole those rich folks' jewels? You really believe he did that? You think he would do that after staying straight for so long?

Darian: (the words thick in his throat) Abby, I'm sorry. I don't want to believe it, but I saw those jewels. They didn't get in that car by themselves.

Abby: But it doesn't mean Danny put them there. You really think he would be stupid enough to steal from that mansion with all those people there? With his record he'd know he'd be the first person they'd suspect!

Darian: Eric Lassiter said the person that called in the tip saw Danny leaving the bedroom where the jewels were stolen from.

Abby: And we just have that racist cop's word for that, don't we? Since when did you start trusting anything he'd say?

Darian: I don't. But, Evan Maitland was there when the call came in and he says the same thing. He has no reason to lie.

Abby: Have you forgotten that he's the lawyer trying to put Nathan in jail for the rest of his life for a murder he didn't commit! He's gunning for both Nate and Danny, can't you see that!?

Darian: So how did the jewels get there if Danny didn't take them?

Abby: Det. Lassiter planted them! You know he has it in for Danny! He tried to arrest him for nothing just the other day. Obviously he was determined to get Danny one way or another. And he got him... he got him good, didn't he?! And the D.A. is helping him.

Mama J.: I can't believe a son of Gloria's would do something like this, robbing his own families’ home and planting the jewels on Danny. And even if Eric is everything you think he is, he isn't the only one involved in this. Like Darian says, why would the district attorney want to go to such lengths to frame Danny for a crime he didn't commit?

Abby: They're both white and Danny is black. Isn't reason enough?

Mama J.: Covington Bay may not be the most politically correct town in the country, but not everyone is a racist. In fact, I'd like to think that most people in this city aren't.

Abby: I bet you'd be wrong about that. And, I know you like to believe the best in people, but there is no best in Eric Lassiter. You were there when he harassed Danny and tried to arrest him. You know how he fixated on Nate and refused to even consider someone else could've killed Candice Dailey. He's had it in for this family for years. He's determined to see Nathan on Death Row and now he's targeted Danny. And with the D.A. helping him it only makes it easier.

Mama J.: Abby, please!

Abby: Please what? Sit down and shut up while some racist pigs destroys our family? You might be able to stomach and accept what's happened, but I won't! I never will!

Mama J.: (as Abby stormed off) Abby! Abby! (Pause) Darian, I should go after her.

Darian: (grabbing his grandmother by the shoulders) No, what you need to do is sit down and catch your breath. You've been dealt a terrible blow tonight and I don't think you're ready to deal with Abby right now.

Mama J.: But, I have to. (Fresh tears welled in the elderly black woman's eyes) I have to help her. She's my foster child and my responsibility. I can't stand around and do nothing when she's hurting so badly.

Darian: And what about you, Mama J.? Aren't you hurting? I know how you felt about Danny; I know you loved him like a son... just like I loved him like a brother.

Mama J.: I did. I loved that boy like he was one of my own. From the day he came to live with us, he was family. I tried to help him, tried to raise him right, keep him out of trouble. I guess I failed, didn't I? I guess I didn't do Danny much good.

Darian: Mama J., you did Danny a lot of good. You've been there for him ever since his parents died. Without you he and Nathan would've been separated and wound up being shuffled from one foster home to another. You gave them a home, a family and security.

Mama J.: (guiltily) But it wasn't enough. It wasn't good enough. Danny still got in trouble, he still wound up in jail.

Darian: Danny wound up in jail before because he couldn't support Dana in the style she wanted him to so he stole things to accomplish that. And even after he made those mistakes you still were there for him. You think he would've been paroled so soon if you hadn't of told the parole board he'd have a job and a place to live? It wasn't your fault then and it's not your fault now. Mama J., there is no way you could've stopped what happened.

Mama J.: I don't know about that. I knew Danny was in trouble.

Darian: What do you mean?

Mama J.: (hesitating, then sighed) I knew something was going on with him. With Nathan's trial starting, he'd been more and more upset, but after Nathan was attacked at the courthouse and hospitalized, it got worse. It wasn't that he was angry and embittered, I would expect that. But he started being very secretive and it seemed like he was up to something. Like when he disappeared for almost a day and we had no idea where he was or how to find him.

Darian: Yes, I remember that. It was the same day Nate had the heart attack or rather he was drugged so it would look like a heart attack.

Mama J.: Right. He wasn't answering his cell phone, no one had any idea where he'd gone off to. He even missed his shift at work. And when he finally showed up, I asked him where he'd been and he wouldn't say. He was so closed-mouthed about it. I pressed him on where he'd been and all he would say was that he was taking care of things... that he was solving Nathan's problems. What that meant, I don't know. It worried me, but I let it go. I should've pressed him. I should've forced him to tell me what he was going to do.

Darian: Mama J., you know you can't force Danny to do anything. I tried to get him to talk to me too, but all I got was a headache from all the stonewalling he did. But could his absence have anything to do with this?

Mama J.: It might have.

Darian: Like what?

Mama J.: Danny was desperate to get his hands on some money.

Darian: How do you know that?

Mama J. walked over to a row of chairs against the wall and slumped wearily into one.

Mama J.: A couple of days ago I overheard a conversation, more like an argument, between he and Dana.

Darian: Those two are always going at it, especially in the last few days. (He sat next to her) What does she have to do with this? What was the fight about?

Mama J.: It was here at the hospital. Danny was saying that Dana owed him some money and that she was going to pay up. He was really strong-arming her, demanding the money from her. Dana looked frightened, terrified in fact.

Darian: And did you confront him about this?

Mama J.: (nodding) I confronted both of them there and then.

Darian: And what did they say?

Mama J.: Dana said they were talking about some savings accounts they had during their marriage. Danny was asking if there was any money left in them and that he wanted a share of it.

Darian: But, you didn't believe that, did you?

Mama J.: Of course not. (The bar owner shook her head) Dana and Danny never had any money saved. They barely had two nickels to rub together.

Darian: And even if they had, Dana would've cleaned those accounts out years ago, especially after Pete died and she'd been left to raise Timmy alone.

Mama J.: Exactly. So they were both lying. But it was pretty clear that Danny wanted money and he expected Dana to give it to him. It was almost as if...

Darian: As if what?

Mama J.: As if he were blackmailing her.

As those words rolled around in his head, the dark complected man made his own deduction.

Darian: He might have been.

Mama J.: But that makes no sense. What could Danny be blackmailing Dana about?

Darian: Well, Dana has been dating this doctor here at the hospital, Zachary Dailey, you know him, right?

Mama J.: Of course I do. He's Gloria's stepson; he runs the AIDS Clinic. He and Dana are dating?

Darian: Yeah, but it's a recent development. Anyway, Dana was terrified that Zachary would find out about her marriage to Danny. She thought she'd lose Zachary.

Mama J.: Why would Zachary care if Dana had been married before?

Darian: Because Danny's brother was accused of killing Zach's sister.

Mama J.: Darian, I don't know Zachary Dailey all that well, but Gloria has always spoken very highly of him. Is he kind of man who would hold Nathan's problems against Dana just because she used to be married to Danny?

Darian: No he's not. But Dana thought so and clearly Danny did too since he tried to blackmail her. But in the end it didn't work. Dana told Zachary all about her past with Danny.

Mama J.: And what was his reaction?

Darian: He didn't like the fact that Dana lied to him, but he understood why she was afraid and he forgave her.

Mama J.: Which means that any leverage Danny had against Dana, he lost, leaving him someplace else to get the money he wanted. Darian, I hate to think it, but maybe Danny did what he was accused of.

Darian: I don't like thinking it either, Mama J., but what happened with Dana isn't the only thing working against him.

Mama J.: What else is there?

Darian: Tonight, at the Lassiter Estate, Danny was gone from the serving table for a long time. When I asked him where he was, he was vague. And there were periods of time when I was away from him as well.

Mama J.: So he could've had the time to have taken those jewels.

Darian: Yeah, he could've.

Mama J.: Darian, this is terrible, just terrible. I know what Danny did was wrong, if he did this, but he didn't deserve such a terrible fate. He didn't deserve to die.

Darian: (embraced his grandmother) No, he certainly didn't.

Mama J.: (her head rested on her grandson’s shoulder) What are we gonna do? How are we going to explain this to Nate? After all he's been through and with everything he's facing, how are we going to tell Nate that all the family he had left is gone?

* * * * * *

Nigel Greyhawk was numb. Absolutely numb. He couldn't feel. He couldn't cry. He couldn't speak. He could barely even breathe. But how could he? What was there left to feel, to want to feel, when you've lost the people you loved the most in the world? He stood in his hospital room, staring out of the window, into the blackness of the summer evening that seemed to be turning darker with the approach of a storm. Lights twinkled below, cars passed by on the streets, people walked by. They were going on with their lives as if nothing had happened, as if nothing had changed. As if the world, his world, hadn't come to an end. He left a strong hand grasp his shoulder. He turned and looked into the rugged, mustached face of his father.

Quentin: Son, what can I do? (Warmth radiated from his charcoal gray eyes) Is there anything I can do?

Nigel: (looking around the room, and saw that he and his father were alone) Where's Hillary?

Quentin: (monetarily confused by the question) She called her sister Melody and found out she's already here at the hospital with A.J. Lassiter. Lucas went with her. He didn't think she should be alone right now, but he should be back at any minute.

Nigel: Oh. That's good. She needs her family right now. They need each other. She was devastated at hearing about Monica. They've suffered so much loss, their mother dying of breast cancer. (He wrapped his arms around himself) And now this. How are they going to deal with this? And A.J and Kevin were like brothers. This is going to kill him.

Quentin: It's a terrible loss. And they'll get through it. Like you said, they've got each other. But son, as sad as I am for the Sorensen and Lassiter families, I'm more concerned about you.

Nigel: Dad, there's nothing you can do for me.

Quentin: Nigel, please. Talk to me.

Nigel: Dad, there's nothing you can do for me... not unless you want to drive me home.

Quentin: You want to go home? You can't! Not now. You have been through enough... too much for one day. You need to stay here and get some rest.

Nigel: Rest? (He went to the closet where the clean clothes one of the Greyhawk's maids had brought hung) That's the last thing I need to do right now.

Quentin: I think it's best if you stay here where the doctors can keep an eye on you.

Nigel: But, I have to leave. I have to get home to Vicki.

Quentin: Vicki?

Nigel: Yes, my daughter. I know you never thought so, but she is my daughter!

Quentin: Nigel, I know you love her.

Nigel: Yes I do. (He began to feel more agitated, his heart began to pound) She needs me. I have to be there for her. I have to be there... I have to tell her about her mother.

Quentin: Nigel, you don't need to do that. Not now.

Nigel: What do you think I should do? Let a servant tell her? Let her hear it on the news? Or maybe on the playground at school? No, I have to do it! I have to tell her that her mother... that her mother is...

And then it all started to close in on him. Loss, terrible and incredible. Nigel felt his body trembling uncontrollably, tears streaming down his face. He sank to his knees, an agonizing wait erupting from his throat.

Quentin: Nigel... son! (He took Nigel into his arms, hugging him tightly, rubbing his back, and trying to quell his trembling)

Nigel: (his voice thick with agony) How could this happen? Dad, how could this happen?

Quentin: Nigel, it's a tragedy, it's a terrible tragedy. (He tried to sound reasonable, to make sense of this horror, as if sense could be made of it) Monica was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's just a horrible, horrible accident.

Nigel: How could God have been so cruel? How could he have taken them both from me? How could I lose them both now... like this?

Quentin: What? (He pulled back, looking into his son's red, teary eyes) Both? Nigel, what are you talking about?

* * * * * *

As they stood on the shore of the Covington Bay River, both of them drenched and lucky to be alive after having nearly drowned, Monica Greyhawk grabbed Danny James by the arm, refusing to let him walk away from her.

Monica: (her throat still raw from choking after Danny had revived her moments ago) We have to do something. Kevin is out there; he could be hurt. He needs our help. We have to go out there and find him, before it's too late.

Danny: (towering over Monica's petite frame) It's probably already too late. He might have been trapped in the van and even if he weren't, the chances are slim...

Monica: (releasing her grip on in his thickly muscled arm, then scrambling to her feet) No, I won't believe that! I won't accept that! We have to find Kevin! If you can't or won't do anything, then I'll do it myself.

Danny: (barring Monica's path as she headed for the dark waters of the river) Lady, I am not going to let up risk your neck. You wouldn't have a chance in hell of finding your friend, not when it's so dark and you're so weak. And even if you did find him, then what? You think you can drag him back to the shore, a man twice your weight?

Monica’s reeled with confusion. He made sense, but she couldn't let that stop her. She had to do something to save Kevin.

Danny: I'll go. (Monica sighed with relief) I'll find him, or at least I'll do what I can.

Voice: You aren't doing anything.

Monica gasped at the sight of Eric standing several feet away, a gun leveled at Danny.

Monica: Eric!

Eric: Put your hands in the air and step away from the lady. (He approached them, his eyes glittering with determination, rage swept across his face)

Monica: What are you doing!?

Eric: Do as I said, Danny. Now!

Monica: Eric, put that gun away! (Her designer gown, wet from the river, clung to her like a wet suit) He's not hurting me! He's going to rescue Kevin. You can help him!

Eric: This scum isn't going anywhere, except to jail. Now get away from the woman and put your hands up, James. Don't give me a reason to put a bullet in you; I'd enjoy it way too much.

Danny rose to his feet, his hands in the air. He didn't look afraid, but angry, he nearly trembled with the emotion.

Monica: Eric, stop this! This man saved my life. He pulled me out of the water and breathed me back to life! Now he's going to rescue Kevin. You have to let him! You have to help him!

Eric: I don't have to do anything except exactly what I'm doing.

Monica: (stepping between Eric and Danny, not thinking that she was putting herself in the line of fire) Eric, are you listening!? Your cousin is out there and he needs our help! You have to do something! You have to rescue him.

Eric: Monica, what are you doing!? Get out of the way! Get out of the...! (He then looked past his ex-wife as Danny James turned and started running up the shore) Stop, James, stop!

Monica: Eric, no!

He aimed the gun at Danny as he fled. Monica lurched forward, shoving Eric's arm as the gun went off, the booming sound echoing through Monica's ears. Her efforts jarred Eric's aim. The bullet went harmlessly in the air.

Eric: (his voice booming with rage) Damn you!

He shoved Monica aside, knocking her to the ground. Monica watched in horror as Eric aimed his gun again and fired. Her scream, like the sound of the gun firing, rippled through the night sky. And Danny's body arched and crumpled to the ground in a heap. Monica screamed, leaping to her bare feet, running to Danny's fallen body.

Monica: Oh, my God! Oh, my God!

Eric: (approaching, his gun still aimed at Danny's prone form) Monica, get away from him. He could still be dangerous.

Monica: He's not the dangerous one! (She held up her hand, which was stained with blood. Eric came closer and could see that blood oozed from Danny's skull) Look what you've done! You've killed him; he's dead!

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