Episode 157

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Episode 157

Scene 1:

Georgia stared at the drawer of a filing cabinet, all thought of what she was supposed to be doing disappearing at the sound of Ian's voice in the hall outside Medical Records. She was still smarting from his defection and betrayal. She should have known better, she thought bitterly. Jory warned her at the Moonlight Ball and she wouldn't listen. She wouldn't listen to anyone, not even her own mother and look where it had gotten her. She was miserable and brokenhearted, moping around at home and coming off as cold and distant at work.

Ian's voice echoed in the hall and she paused listening to him as he chatted easily with someone. How could he go on as if nothing had even happened between them? How could he have married Ellen while professing to care for her? Georgia shook the questions off and slammed the drawer angrily. Even when he had come to her to explain himself, he'd been telling her marrying Ellen Mason was something he had to do as if it were a business deal. Well, he could just live with his decisions, Georgia decided. She wanted nothing to do with him.

"Yeah right," she sighed picking up another chart. She scrawled her name across the bottom of it and slipped it into its file.

"Georgia?" She flinched inwardly at the sound of her name in his voice. He shouldn't be allowed to say it.

"Yes?" She responded keeping her back to Ian.

"Still angry I see," he remarked casually. Her spine stiffened at the easy way he talked to her as if they were simply having a lover's quarrel when in fact he had betrayed her completely. "Well, you'll get over that. Now, let's talk about tonight. I was thinking we could have dinner in a quiet out of the way place...maybe a drive to Richmond wouldn't be uncalled for...."

"What are you talking about?" Georgia snapped. "I'm not going anywhere with you! You're married, Ian. Or have you forgotten about that little fact?"

"No, I haven't forgotten. But I don't see how my marital state affects us. I told you the other day, marrying Ellen was just a way to get the position I want here in Conlan's Glen. As soon as this pays off and I get a better position in Richmond, I'm divorcing her and moving on. I'd like to take you with me of course..."

"You're twisted," Georgia interrupted. "And I'm not going anywhere with you."

Ian moved closer to her letting his hands fall to her shoulders. A shiver ran down her spine at his touch. She cursed herself silently for the reaction her body always seemed to give him. "Stop it," she managed to whisper.

"You don't really want me to stop," Ian replied lifting her hair off her neck and placing a small kiss at the nape. "We've got something special, Georgia. Why let my marriage ruin it?"

She shrugged away from him and spun around to face him. "Do you really care so little about marriage that you'd cheat on your wife after a week?"

"I told you, I don't love Ellen," Ian insisted.

"Then why did you marry her?" Georgia demanded feeling tears welling in her eyes. She didn't understand him at all. He wanted to be Chief of Staff, she knew that, but he could get that job on merit alone. Why bother with all this behind the scenes crap?

"It doesn't matter..."

"Actually, it does matter," Ellen said from the doorway. "It matters a great deal. Didn't he tell you Georgia? I'm pregnant."

Georgia pulled further away from Ian and stared at Ellen. She certainly didn't look pregnant. But then, perhaps she wasn't too far along. She glanced at Ian. The look on his face told her everything she needed to know. Picking up her stack of files, she walked towards the door.

"Congratulations, Ellen. I didn't know. I hope you are both very happy together," Georgia murmured.

"Thank you. Oh, and Georgia?" Ellen said as she tried to pass her in the doorway. "I just had lunch with Jory Conlan. He's worried about you. I think it would be lovely if you gave him a call."

Georgia nodded and slipped past Ellen into the empty hallway. Jory. She did need to call him. But, she promised herself, I won't pour my heart out to him. There was nothing to tell, after all. Ian had married Ellen because she was having his baby. It was simple enough now. Georgia was finished with Ian McCormick no matter how her heart ached at the news of his new family.

Scene 2:

"Hamilton." Toni nearly dropped her coffee at the loud bark of the precinct captain. He waved at her, beckoning her towards his office. With a sigh, she left her coffee on her desk and grabbed her current case files. A meeting with Troy Sloane only meant one thing: trouble. He held the door for her and jerked a thumb at the empty chair opposite his desk. "Sit down. We're waiting on O'Donnell."

"Why are we waiting on Mike O'Donnell?" Toni asked dropping into the uncomfortable plastic chair. "Is there something going on?" She added, her stomach jumping at the thought of a new case. She was getting no where on finding Chase Garrett. Personally, she thought the kid was long gone and it would be easier to move on and just follow up on leads as they came in but Andrew McCormick was dead set on finding him.

"O'Donnell went out on a call this morning," Troy explained pouring himself a cup of coffee from his sideboard. "Unidentified woman was found in the trunk of a car wrapped in plastic."

"Suffocated?"

"Most likely." Sloane sat at his desk and pushed a few files around, blowing on his coffee. Toni waited for him to continue but he remained silent. With a frown, she glanced at her watch getting impatient. If O'Donnell had already gone to the crime scene, what did they need her for? It wasn't as if she was homicide anyway. Troy caught her edginess and raised an eyebrow. "Am I keeping you from something important, Toni?"

"No," she answered quickly. "But what exactly do you need me for, Troy? I mean, I'm not homicide and I doubt I can offer much in the way of assistance on this."

"Actually you can. O'Donnell just called me with the ID on the body," Troy replied carefully. He opened his mouth to continue but was interrupted by a knock on the door. "That will be O'Donnell. Come in."

Frank O'Donnell, a veteran of the Conlan's Glen Police Department for twenty years and probably the most respected officer on staff, poked his head into the office. Toni was always struck by how hard his face seemed considering that he was only in his mid-forties. Fine lines had formed around his eyes and his line was nearly always pulled down at the edges.

"Captain Sloane, you ready for me?" He asked his voice gravelly from years of cigarette use.

"Yes, Frank. What have you got?"

O'Donnell entered the room pulling a battered notebook out of his pocket as he did so. "Caucasian female, approximately twenty years of age, found in the trunk of an abandoned car," he said consulting the notebook.

"Cause of death?" Troy interrupted.

"Looked like suffocation at first. She was wrapped in a plastic tarp. On closer inspection, we found a garrote wound across her neck," he replied grimly.

"Strangling. Interesting."

Toni looked between the two men. Just what did this have to do with her? "Not to interrupt, but you said I could help you on this?" She said. Troy glanced at her, then nodded at O'Donnell.

"The girl was ID'd, Toni," Frank told her calmly. "It's Melissa Cravens."

Toni blinked, letting the name sink in. Melissa Cravens was the young woman who had accused Tyler Jones of rape and who, if Nicolas Tejera could be trusted, was pressured into doing so by either her father or someone else. And she was dead? No, Toni corrected herself, murdered. She hadn't liked the girl much during her interviews with her, but murdering her was so...final and desperate.

"What else?" Troy asked, watching Toni's face.

"Well, it looks like a planned murder. We got a tip on where the body was and let me tell you, it wasn't hard to find at all. In fact, looks like whoever did the girl in wanted her found and soon."

"Any leads yet on who might have murdered her?"

O'Donnell exchanged glances with Troy before directing his comment straight at Toni. "There was a witness said she saw a guy near the car. Hispanic, very well dressed. Sound like anyone you know?"

"That could be anyone," Toni managed though she knew exactly where the two men were heading.

"It was professional. And there aren't a whole lot of Hispanic men in the Glen with money, Toni," O'Donnell continued. "Someone wanted this girl dead and there's only one person I can think of who has the connections to do it."

"Are you implying that Nicolas Tejera had this girl murdered? Because if you are-"

"No one is implying anything. But he does need to be brought in for questioning. Why don't you ask him to come seeing as how you have a working relationship with the man?" Troy interrupted her before she could work herself into a righteous anger. Though, why she should be so annoyed at Nicolas being accused was beyond her. She knew he wasn't one of the nice men.

"I will." She got to her feet glaring at them. "But maybe you guys might want to hold off on pressing charges until after he's been questioned!" She snapped, leaving the room with a heavy slam of the door.

Scene 3:

"What are you doing here, Ellen?" Ian glared at his new wife.

Ellen batted her eyes innocently. "Why, can't a wife come see her husband? Or does it interfere with your ability to hit on the nurses here? Honestly, Ian, you should really learn to be a bit more discreet."

Ian rolled his eyes, dropping the glare. "I'll try harder next time." Sometimes there was no point with Ellen. And besides, he did have to make nice if he wanted that position. There was some gossip that a new applicant had been found and if Ellen was correct then it was Josh Manning, Jamie's crony from their college days. He hated that guy almost as much as he hated Jamie Mason.

When he had dated Ellen in college, Josh was always in the thick of things with Jamie and Jude Fontaine. Those three were enough to make any one sick, so buddy-buddy all the time. And if you weren't with them, you were against them. The last thing he wanted was to see the three of them reunited. He stood no chance in the world if they were all together again.

"I heard a rumor today from Rachel Jency," Ian said pulling the door closed. "There's a new applicant for Chief of Staff."

"Is there?" Ellen asked innocently. "I hadn't heard."

"Right. I'm sure you know nothing about this new development." He leaned closer and gripped her wrist. "Out with it. Is it Manning?"

Ellen twisted her arm free rubbing the red spot his fingers had left. "I don't know. Why would I know? It isn't as if Jamie tells me all his little secrets!" She snapped. "Besides, even if it is Joshua Manning, who says he'll get it? Jamie just runs the business side of this hospital. He still has to get Board approval."

"Quit pretending your mother doesn't run the Board, Ellen. God, this was all a huge mistake." He picked up a clipboard and slammed it against the wall. Ellen flinched at his outburst, wrapping her arms around herself protectively. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to tell you that I have a doctor's appointment next week. Would you like to come?"

"Why would I want to do that?"

Ellen colored a bright pink and dropped her eyes. "I thought you might like to hear your baby's heartbeat. But I guess not. Forget I asked." She picked up her purse and headed toward the closed door. "Oh, and just so you know, Mother is going to help us find a house of our own. If you don't want to look with me, I'll find us something on my own." She pulled the door open and left, slamming it heavily behind her.

Ian exhaled sharply relieved that his wife was gone. God, he hated that word now. Wife. Ellen Mason was his wife. Psychotic, crazy Ellen Mason. What the hell had he done to himself?

Scene 4:

Toni stormed into the club, more angry than she had a right to be. Nicolas Tejera had played her for a fool, claiming innocence of any illegal activities. Melissa Cravens' death was proof enough for her that he lied. Who else would have killed her? Certainly not Tyler who was still sitting in the jail and certainly not Dinah Stafford. That girl was just a girl after all. She might have helped Tyler escape initially but Toni was certain that murder was beyond Dinah's range of behavior patterns. No, it had to be Nicolas Tejera. There was no one else who was capable.

She had been certain he was innocent in Troy's office. Thinking it over in the car over to Nicolas' club, she'd had her doubts. Now the doubts had taken over and she was absolutely positive he had masterminded the whole thing. Why not? It wasn't beyond his reach or capabilities. It had to be Nicolas and that stirred up a whole mess of emotions.

She found him in the corner after flashing her badge a couple of times to his flunkies. God, did he really need that many bouncers during the daytime? He was speaking quietly to a woman Toni didn't recognize. Why should she? She asked herself. It wasn't as if she knew every person in Nicolas Tejera's circle of friends. And she was damn sure now that she didn't want to know them.

"Looks like you've found a way out for your brother after all," Toni snapped interrupting their conversation. Nicolas turned an innocent gaze at her and raised his eyebrows questioningly. "Oh God, don't look at me like you don't know, Mr. Tejera!"

Nicolas smiled and leaned back in the booth, his arm stretched out across the back. "We're back to formalities, I see. Well, then Detective Hamilton. What have I done now?"

"You know very well what you've done!" Toni snapped. "Is this the payoff? I hope he's paying you well for doing his dirty work," she added addressing the woman.

"Excuse me?" Angelina looked up at the other woman. She would have been very pretty, if it wasn't for the scowl on her lips and the anger and disgust flaring in her eyes. "Payoff? I don't think we've been introduced." She sent Nicky an inquisitive look, much like the one he'd used to greet the female detective. Briefly, Angelina wondered if there was something going on between the two of them. As she'd noted, the detective was attractive. And she knew how her brother could be.

"I'm Angelina Tejera. Tyler's sister. And I'd really love to know what it is you think my older brother is guilty of this time."

"Sister?" Toni repeated gazing at her. Okay, so there was a resemblance. If she wasn't so worked up, she might have seen it before. She took a deep breath and addressed her comments to Angelina. "I'm sorry. Detective Antonia Hamilton, CGPD." She held her badge out for the woman to inspect.

"What are you here for Detective?" Nicolas asked without a trace of humor.

"Melissa Cravens is dead," Toni said without preamble trying to get her temper in check. She had likely blown any decent questioning she could have done by coming in so hot. Andrew was right. She should have waited and let him tell Tejera.

Nicolas flashed an uneasy look at Angelina. "This isn't good."

"Well, at least no one can accuse Tyler," Angelina muttered under her breath with no small trace of bitterness. "I'm sorry," she apologized, looking up at the detective. "Really, I am. Another death associated with this mess is not what we need, and I feel horribly for the families involved. But I know my brother, and Tyler would never hurt anyone."

She glanced at Nicolas, unable to say quite the same thing. "If you don't mind my asking, what is it that makes you think Nicky is any way involved with this girl's death?"

"Your brother has done everything he could to hamper this investigation," Toni replied. "He showed up at a crime scene intent on tampering with it. He kept Tyler and Dinah in seclusion when they should have turned themselves in and I'm pretty sure he was in the car that was seen waiting for them when Dr. Stafford was shot! And now, he's hired some lawyer for Tyler whose specialty is racketeering. Hardly the lawyer you want helping your brother." She glared at Nicolas daring him to refute her charges but he only pulled a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it, gazing at her intently.

Angelina didn't particularly want to make an enemy of Detective Hamilton, nor did she wish to attract even more undue attention from the police. But it was obvious there was a deeper current of something going on here. The woman seemed to have it in for Nicky specifically.

"None of which makes my brother a murderer." Angelina didn't have to look at her brother to know the expression on his face. Half of her expected he was enjoying this. "Nicolas knew as well as anyone that Tyler couldn't have done what Melissa Cravens accused him of. The charges were bogus and he was willing to prove it. If he's guilty simply because he offered Tyler and Dinah shelter, then you may as well accuse me too. I helped them out and I'd do it again, especially since your people are running around shooting innocents and asking questions later." She quieted a moment, her gaze meeting the detective's. "As for Tyler's lawyer, maybe you're right. I've yet to meet with him, though I plan to do so soon. But if he can help my brother, that's all I care about."

"Sit down, Antonia," Nicolas said. "I have to tell you something. Both of you. It's information I just received and I think it's quite important."

"Information you just received?" Toni spluttered. "Christ, Nicolas! What are you playing at?"

"Sit down, Antonia." His tone suggested she do as told but Toni wasn't accustomed to being told what to do. She folded her arms over herself and stared at him defiantly. "Fine, have it your way. It seems that Melissa's father has a rather important contact. A British man," he added pointedly to Angelina. "I'm waiting for confirmation but if this is who I think it is, Antonia...well, then I've got more to worry about than a dead tramp."

That little piece of news turned Angelina's caramel colored skin to a pale café au lait. "Tell me he's not here," she said. "You don't really think...I mean, he can't be. Why? Why is he involved?"

"I don't know, Angelina," Nicky replied. "I thought I was free of him and that...life. But something tells me he's not through with me. I can't imagine what he wants with Tyler either. Do you see now why I had to have all of you closer?"

"Closer?" she laughed. "If he's anywhere near this place, I want to be as far away as possible." Pushing herself up out of the booth, Angelina leaned down and grabbed her purse, obviously unnerved by Nicky's news. "I've got to go. I told Tyler I'd stop by to see him. With any luck, maybe I'll finally get to meet that lawyer you hired. I'd like to ask him a few questions." She paused just long enough to return her attention to Detective Hamilton. "I hope you find the person who killed that girl. But you're looking in the wrong direction."

"I hope so," Toni muttered under her breath watching Angelina Tejera leave.