Episode 154

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Episode 154

Scene 1:

Crista looked at her reflection in the bathroom mirror and scowled. She thought that her complexion looked uneven, her hair looked frizzy, and her waist looked large (despite all of the weight she had recently lost unnecessarily.) She released a defeated sigh and shoved her candy striper uniform into her floral print tote bag and shoved open the bathroom door, entering the sterile corridors of Hope's Cove General Hospital.

Life is so mundane, she thought to herself as she listened to the clicking of her heels against the tiled floors. She moved out of the way of a patient being wheeled into the OR and dodged paramedics bringing in a car accident victim as she departed from the emergency room exit. "It's always the same," she murmured aloud, running a hand through her long, brown locks. She squinted as the harsh Florida rays of sun hit her eyes and rummaged around her bag for sunglasses when she felt a hand grab her around the waist. Her heart leapt and she started struggling against her unknown aggressor. "Let me go!" she screamed.

"Shhhhhh," Diego Ramirez muttered in her ear pulling her to her feet. "Don't make a scene Crista, this is for your own good," he added in Spanish as he lifted her off her feet roughly. There was a stairway nearby and he shoved her through the door, releasing her momentarily as he did so.

She gasped a deep breath looking up to his dark brown eyes no longer in horror, but in contempt. Crista stumbled against the stairs and threw her arms out to brace herself and flailed her legs, hoping in vain to catch Diego with a kick. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" she demanded.

"Protecting you. You aren't safe in this town anymore," Diego remarked. "I have my orders to get you out of town today." He dodged to the left as her knee came close to making him a priest. "Don't do this Crista. I've got my orders," he repeated again.

"Yeah, like I need you to protect me," she rolled her eyes. "Don't tell me how to act. Why the hell should I trust you? I didn't want you before and I don't want you now, Diego, so if you're really desperate enough to resort to throwing me into a stairway and trying to 'rescue' me, I suggest you find another victim." She glared at him before she turned to brush past him, heading for the door, until he reached out and grabbed her again. "Ouch, you're hurting me! Let go!"

"A man makes mistakes," Diego replied gripping her tightly and clapping his hand over her mouth. "I won't make that mistake again." He had made a play for her once upon a time, but he wouldn't do it again. He valued his life. "We're leaving now." He picked her up and threw her over his shoulder, flinching slightly at her fists beating against his back. Crista Tejera might be small but she was certainly mighty.

Crista tried to scream, but Diego's clammy hand against her mouth muffled her shouts. She tried to bite at him, but to no avail, and he didn't seem phased by her spitting all over his hand. She pounded relentlessly on his back and kicked with her legs, but he didn't give in. Once he stopped covering her mouth, she started yelling at him again. "Put me down now. What the hell are you doing and where are you taking me?" He finally set her down on the provision that she wouldn't run away. "Tell me now," she glared at him.

"Your brother wants you out of this town. I'm taking you and your mother to Virginia so he can keep an eye on you," Diego replied. "And you're going if I have to tie you up and gag you."

Crista rolled her eyes. "My brother wants to keep an eye on me? I think he's a little misguided, what with the FBI, CIA, INTERPOL, who the hell even knows anymore, trailing him. He left here without saying so much as a word to me. I really don't need him. I happen to have a life here, and as much as it may suck right now, I really don't need you or him interfering. I'm a big girl, I can fend for myself," she told him with a sugary sarcastic smile.

"No one is trailing him. He's out in the open, respectable. And you're going," Diego insisted nodding to two shadowy figures just beyond her. The two shadows stepped out into the light, menacing her. She turned, catching sight of them and made a motion to run but the men were too quick for her. One clamped down on her waist, the other held her arms so that she couldn't move. "I hate to do this Crista. But I do what I am told." He pulled a syringe out of his pocket and uncapped it. Holding it up to the light, he checked for air bubbles before lowering it to her pinioned arm and pressing it into her flesh.

Scene 2:

"I brought you one of Noah's suits. I think it'll fit all right," Dinah said pushing the garment bag across the table. "Has your brother come by?"

Tyler shook his head. "No. But my sister is here now."

"Angelina? That's good. Maybe she can talk some sense into your brother. I can't believe he still hasn't found you a decent lawyer," Dinah huffed. Nicolas Tejera was taking his own time helping his brother though if anyone asked Dinah, the last thing she would call it was help. It almost seemed as if he wanted his brother to stay in prison. Of course, that would be decided today at his hearing.

"Well, Nicky has his own way of doing things," Tyler remarked running a hand through his untidy hair. "Most of the time they don't involve using lawyers."

"Well, maybe Angelina can help then. Do you think she knows any good lawyers?"

"Dinah, I have a public defender," Tyler told her earnestly. "And he doesn't seem to be too bad of a guy. He's Hispanic."

"Well, that's comforting."

"Maybe not to you, but it is to me," he replied sternly. "It means I can speak to him without everyone hearing everything I have to say. And right now," he added with a glance over his shoulder at the guard posted in the room with them. "That's a rare thing."

"So what's this guys' name?"

"Diego Ramirez. And he doesn't know Nicky. Which means that he won't know much about Nicky's past and that will help when we get to court." Dinah nodded but remained silent feeling helpless. "Let's not talk about the hearing all right? Let's talk about something else. How have you been? Settling in at your brother in law's?"

"I guess," she mumbled in return. "But you know what? He makes me tell him where I am most of the time. I know he's just worried about me, but it reminds me of..."

"Yeah, I guess so. It won't be for long though, right? You can get your own place pretty soon, can't you?"

"How? I lost my job at Connie's and Maura isn't there anymore otherwise she would probably let me come back. Mr. Conlan's girlfriend is running the place and she took one look at me and decided I was useless." A dark cloud crossed her face at the thought of Gina Corelli. That conversation had been more than a little unpleasant.

"I could talk to Nicky for you. He's opening that club here. Maybe he has something for you..."

"No. You have too much to worry about for yourself, Tyler. But maybe that's a good idea anyway. I'll talk to him." She smiled at last, feeling somewhat better about her current situation. If she had a job that paid decently, she could get her own apartment and then...well, then she could start saving to go back to school since this semester was definitely out.

"Well, if he's a jerk, I'll sort him out for you."

"You will, will you?" Dinah grinned. "You're quite a bad ass then?" Tyler blinked in surprise for a moment but grinned at her joke after a moment. "I mean after all, you are a big bad criminal," she laughed.

"Not intentionally," Tyler returned. "Look, Dinah. If I haven't told you lately, I really do appreciate all of the things you've done for me. You've saved my life...a couple of times. I'm not sure how I'll ever be able to repay you."

"You're being my friend," Dinah said with a shrug. "That's all I need right now."

Scene 3:

Crista awoke, her limbs feeling heavy and her head still tired. She yawned before opening her eyes. She could still remember how vivid her dream was, with Nicky's stupid henchman, Diego, trying to kidnap her. What time was it? she wondered, opening her eyes to glance at her watch. But when she opened her eyes, she gasped and her mouth formed an O of shock. Nicky was staring down at her. With wide eyes, she said nothing, though she looked to him for an explanation.

"Welcome to Virginia, baby sister," Nicolas said with a satisfied smile. "You were quite troublesome for Diego. I almost had to pay him double his normal fee. But Diego is a good man. He didn't ask for anything extra. Though, I should imagine he wouldn't mind a thank you for not tying you up."

Crista felt her blood boil at the false sincerity her brother was showing her. Through gritted teeth, she said, "That caveman doesn't even deserve to get a smile from me, forget a thank you. What the hell is wrong with you? Are you happy that you ruined my life?"

"I did nothing of the sort, Crista," Nicky replied smoothly offering her a hand, dropping it quickly when he realized she wouldn't take it. "I brought you here to make sure you were safe. There is nothing wrong with that. Perhaps, Diego might have been a little rough with you. But, I can assure you, it is only because we both knew you would not want to leave that god forsaken beach town."

"I liked that town," she said sharply and completely naturally despite the lie she told. All Crista had ever wanted was to get out of Hope's Cove. On her own terms. "And I was perfectly safe, so stop trying to convince me that you actually care about me and just admit that there had to be something in it for you. You're not the same big brother who used to help me with my swimming. You're a creep who won't do anything if it doesn't benefit you. And you don't care who you have to destroy, even if it's your own sister!"

"You are overreacting," Nicky pointed out, pulling out his cigarettes. "You have a choice, you know. But you have to hear me out before I give you your choices. Will you listen?"

"Well, seeing as though my legs aren't awake enough to carry my anywhere, I really don't have a choice, now do I?" she asked angrily as she gently rubbed the sore red spot on her arm where she had been drugged.

"Good." He lit his cigarette and inhaled. "You are right, your presence here does benefit me. You see, someone is up to something. Tomas...Tyler. I shall never get used to that stupid name," he muttered exhaling a ring of smoke. "Tyler is in jail right now simply because someone is forcing a stupid girl to accuse him of rape. I've looked into the whole thing of course, but I can't figure out who it is yet. I do know that it wasn't him they were after. Whoever has done this to our brother is making sure I am involved. One of my own trusted employees turned him in after all and then promptly disappeared." He caught the confused look on her face. He would have to simplify it. Crista wasn't dumb but she was coming into it halfway. "Look, someone is out to hurt me and whoever it is, is doing it through my family. In order for us all to be safe, we need to be in the same place and not scattered all over the country. Do you understand?"

"So instead, you have us all here, so we're even easier to kill. Shoot up all the Tejeras at once sounds like a good method to me, don't you think?" She spat at him.

"No one is shooting. As I said before, it isn't you they are after. It's me. Someone wants me to know they can do what they like to the people I care about. I just need to figure out who that someone is before they do indeed hurt someone else. Like you or Angelina."

She shook her head in disbelief, giving Nicky a look more of disappointment than anything else. "How could you manage to get us all into this mess? How did you change so much?" She looked down at her feet, remembering when she actually liked her brother and when he seemed to care about her. And then her mood changed. The look on her face turned back to anger, and she defiantly asked, "What did you do to Rey?"

Nicky raised an eyebrow at her. She was getting to be a lot like Angelina. "I did nothing to him. He went out on a boat and got caught in a storm. I can't control the weather, Crista."

She eyed him skeptically, but for some reason, she actually noticed a genuine tone to his voice that seemed to have disappeared so long ago. She bit her lip and stared at the ground a bit before looking back up at Nicky. She conceded. "So what now?" she asked meekly.

"You may stay here on your own. I won't force you to live with me or with Angelina. But I'll help you find a suitable apartment or house, whichever you prefer. You may go to school here and get a job. Whatever you want to do. The only thing I ask is to be notified of your movements. Or..." He trailed off for a moment letting his offer sink in. "Or you can go back to Florida and back to your life there. I won't stop you. But I won't be able to help you either."

She listened to his options carefully. He would help her, or she could go back to Florida. Back to the place where she always yearned to escape. Where some of the people she cared about most, vanished without a trace. They just picked up and left. And now she had a chance to do the same. She needed to start again. To escape the troubles at home. Sure, they were trivial things, issues with old boyfriends and loves, drifting apart from friends, but they were getting to her. How could she refuse a chance to start again and to be lifted out of the hole she was sinking in? She tried to stand up, but fell back to the couch as she was still too weak. Crista looked up into Nicky's eyes and softly said, "I'll stay."

Scene 4:

"Your lawyer is here."

Dinah and Tyler both looked at the guard who leaned into the room. He jerked his head at his counterpoint who had been monitoring them, motioning him towards the door.

"What? He doesn't get to stay and listen to everything I say?" Tyler asked, the question laced with sarcasm.

"Nope. What goes on between you and your lawyer is confidential, bub. Come on, Jones." The guard flashed an annoyed glance at Dinah. "That means you too."

"She can stay," Tyler said, reaching for Dinah's arm.

"Nope. Your girlfriend goes too. Those are the rules. Just you and your attorney for your first meeting." He grinned wickedly. "You know, in case you want to confess to your crimes or somethin'. Come on, you two."

He held the door open waiting for them. Dinah shrugged and gave Tyler's hand a quick squeeze. "Good luck," she whispered. "Let me know how it goes."

"Trust me, if this guy is any good, you'll know," Tyler responded. He waited silently, grateful for the moment of relative freedom from being watched. He hated this jail and knew that if things didn't work out soon, he would end up in a much worse one. The lawyer entered the room dressed for business in a navy blue suit and red tie. He was definitely Hispanic, Puerto Rican maybe Mexican if Tyler had to guess. Definitely not Cuban. He slid his briefcase on the table and opened it, pulling out a legal pad and pen without making eye contact.

"English or Espanol?" The lawyer asked at last. He lifted his eyes and stared directly at Tyler, unnerving him just a little.

"We're alone...English is fine."

"Good. I'll be your lawyer. Diego Ramirez." He extended his hand for a quick handshake. Tyler accepted it, returning the man's firm grip. "I apologize for the length of time it took for me to meet with you. As it happens, I've been in the process of moving offices and just now got the notice about this job."

"Someone hire you?" Tyler asked feeling suspicious suddenly.

"Consider this my pro bono work," Diego returned with a smile. "But just remember, I don't work for the government."

"Who do you work for then?" Tyler asked warily. Diego looked up from Tyler's file, his eyebrows raised in amusement. For a brief moment, Tyler had a flash of insight. Who else would he work for? Why else would it have taken him so long to come see him? And Tyler most certainly did not believe that bullshit about just moving.

"I work for myself."

"Yeah? Where'd you move your offices from? You're not from Virginia. In fact, I'd guess you weren't born in the US at all."

The amusement shifted suddenly to annoyance. "Not that it's any of your business, but my last office was in Florida. And no, I was not born in America."

"Where were you born?" Tyler pressed.

"San Juan."

"How did you end up in Florida?"

Diego sighed and dropped his pen on the legal pad. "Look, if you have something to ask me, go ahead and ask it. This game of yours is tiring. And a waste of time. You have a hearing in two days and I need to work up some kind of defense for you. The last thing you want is to go to trial."

"All right I will. But I want the truth." Tyler snapped. "Who hired you really? Was it Nicky?" Diego seemed to take the question in stride, his eyes hooding for a moment in thought. If anything, that was the answer Tyler was looking for. "Christ."

"You asked for the truth but you already knew the answer, Tyler. I do work for myself, but occasionally, I pick up some work from your brother. Mr. Tejera has been more than helpful during my career."

"Great. And here I thought you might actually help me. See, my brother thinks I'm safer here for some reason. He's paranoid." Diego shifted in his chair uncomfortably. Catching his discomfort, Tyler added, "Unless there's something Nicky isn't telling me."

"If Mr. Tejera is keeping his motives from you," Diego replied guardedly, "Then I'm sure he has his reasons."

Scene 5:

With Crista and his mother in town, all Nicolas had left to concern himself with was Tyler's situation. The kid was definitely better off in jail for now but he was itching to get out and what was more, he desperately wanted to prove his innocence. Nicolas wanted that as well and hiring Diego Ramirez to see to that was the best help he could give him. But until Nicolas could figure out just who was playing games with his life, he wanted all of the Tejeras where he could find them within minutes and if that meant dragging Crista to Virginia and keeping Tyler in jail, then that is what he would do.

His club was shaping up nicely too. Another week or two and he could open. Granted, he still needed a decent manager but there was still time for that. He glanced around the place, taking in the last of the decorating. He'd hired Rebecca Rose on the strength of her references and aside from a few small glitches, she'd done admirable work.

"Mr. Tejera?"

Nicky glanced over his shoulder to where his guard stood. "Yes, Vic?"

"There's a Buck Rollins here to see you." Nicky caught a glimpse of a small balding head, peering over Vic's shoulder with narrow eyes. The corner of Nicky's mouth turned upwards in amusement at the gawping gaze of the private investigator. The man did make him laugh even if he was a bit of a bumpkin.

"Helluva joint you got here, Mr. Tejera," Rollins offered strolling into the bar. He reached Nicky, his hand outstretched for a handshake.

Nicky eyed his hand, noting a blotch of mustard that had dried on his thumb. "Thank you, Mr. Rollins," he answered keeping his hands to himself. If Rollins took note of the slight, he had the manners to ignore it and dropped his hand. "What can I do for you?"

"Well, see that's the thing. It isn't what you can do for me now, is it. See, I got this piece of information I been sittin' on for a time now. I think it might be pretty valuable to you, if you get my meaning."

"Information you have? Somehow I doubt it's worth anything at all to me," Nicolas replied with a dangerous smile. "After all, whatever business you and I had is long over with and I would hate to think you had withheld anything from me previously."

Rollins cleared his throat nervously, glancing at the rows of bottles behind the counter, the desire stamped across his fleshy features. "Nah, I didn't hold anything back. I learned this one on the streets just recently. Thought you might like to hear it."

"For a price, of course."

Rollins had the decency to look ashamed. "Man's gotta earn a living, Mr. Tejera. I promise, this is something you're gonna want to know."

"Why is that exactly? I'm not so sure I should trust you," Nicky replied evenly.

"Hey, I did a pretty good job for you last time," Rollins returned hurt. "Come on, it's good info."

"How much?"

"Five grand."

Nicky laughed aloud. "You know where the door is," he said controlling himself. "Nice seeing you."

"No, wait. It's good, I promise. $2500?"

"Why don't you tell me what it is and then I'll decide what it's worth to me." Rollins shuffled miserably, obviously hating to reveal anything without a decent paycheck in his pocket. "I don't have all day," Nicky added.

"All right. See, I got this friend works in a strip club in DC. She hears things you know. Well, seems there's this British guy she's seen a couple of times. He doesn't own the club but he knows the owner, she says. Anyway, she says she seen him with this regular of hers. She's curious and all, so she asks the guy who his new friend is. He tells her, it's this rich lawyer guy who's paying him to set up this kid for something he didn't do." Nicolas' eyes narrowed suspiciously at the tale. It was too convenient. "Told you it was good," Rollins continued seeing Nicky's interest. "I asked who the English guy was but she didn't know. She did tell me her regular's name was Cravens. Now, how much is that worth to you?"

"Find out who the other man is and I'll double your asking price," Nicky answered grimly. This was an interesting development to say the least. Nicky only knew one man from England and he was definitely not one to mess with.