Episode 161

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Episode 161

Scene 1:

Without a job, Rick's life fell into an uneasy holding pattern. He'd made The Observer his life for two years. Without it, he was just a man without resources. Not monetary resources. Rick was more than prepared for life without work. After all, he'd married well and had a wonderful divorce attorney. He was without resources to information. That more than anything else about his status bothered him. He was, after all, a man of information. And what he would trade his life away for was information on Jude Fontaine.

He exhausted his sources in Washington while still at The Observer. No one would say a bad word about Jude but Rick knew that Jude’s nice guy act was a routine. It had to be. No one was that perfect. Maura was wearing blinders when it came to Fontaine. Rick was determined to ruin her false image of him. It was the least he owed Fontaine for his personal threats and for taking Maura from him. She was the reason he was in this godforsaken town after all.

Yes, it had been a bumpy year but they had made progress. He had learned why she had left all those years ago and if he were perfectly honest with himself, he knew she had made the right decision. Rick would have made a lousy father back then. Hell, he would make a lousy father now. And she knew that and did what she thought was best. He had to respect her for that. Their daughter now lived in New York with Maura’s cousin without a clue that she was adopted. In time, he would tell her and be a father to her. For now though, he had to get Maura away from Fontaine. And that meant getting rid of Jude Fontaine by any means necessary. Even if he had to go up against Gwen Mason to do it.

It was that idea he was pondering when a knock on his door interrupted his thoughts. He picked up his wallet and thumbed through it as he walked to the door, looking for a twenty to pay for the Chinese food he had ordered.

"How much do I owe you?" He said without looking up.

"Nothing yet, but that will change with time, I am sure."

Startled, Rick looked up at the well dressed man standing in his doorway. "Can I help you?" He asked his brows furrowing in question.

"Oh undoubtedly you will be able to at a later date. Right now though, I believe the question should be how can I help you, Mr. Upton. May I come inside?"

Rick shrugged and closed the door. He turned to the stranger, arms folded over his chest. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but just who are you?"

"John Creighton," the man replied with a pleasant smile. "My friends call me Jack."

Scene 2

"I'm waiting for Dr. Manning. If he asks for me, send him down to IT, would you?" Jamie asked his secretary. He headed out onto the main hall of the ninth floor where his office was located, barely nodding to the people he passed. He was a familiar face in the halls now, respected at last during the days after John Stafford's death. Not that he blamed any of them. He was the interloper, coming in at the request of Max Jency and Stafford to save the floundering hospital before it was taken over by a larger corporation, swallowed up and forgotten.

All that he had done, he had done silently and without any fanfare. Personnel files had to be looked over from the top down. As far as Jamie was concerned, no one was safe. Routines had to be changed. Efficiency was the new catch phrase at the hospital. The computer systems had to be completely overhauled and he was now just realizing, as the work dragged on and on, how far behind the times St. Joe's had been. It was slow, tedious work, but he intended to make St. Joe's a viable institution once again.

He pressed the down arrow for the elevator, tapping his foot impatiently. He checked his watch, noting for what seemed like the millionth time that it was now 9:30 and Josh was 30 minutes late. If he had a hangover, or God forbid, he was still drunk, Jamie would kick his ass back to New Orleans. The elevator doors opened and he took a step forward without looking, walking right into a tall slender girl.

"Dinah. I'm so sorry. Please excuse me," he apologized immediately. "How are you?"

"I'm all right, Mr. Mason," the young woman smiled hesitantly. "Dad's stuff is still in his office. His secretary promised to help me box it up," she added by way of explanation.

"I understand. Well, you let me know if I can help at all." He gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze just as his eyes fell on the woman behind her. Recognition flickered in her eyes as their eyes met. "Hello," he said to the woman, drinking in the sight of her. She was more beautiful here in the glare of fluorescent light than she had been in the smoky haze of a jazz club in New Orleans. "You're certainly the last person I expected to see today."

Angelina listened half-heartedly, her attention wandering to her siblings. She'd been able to see Tyler earlier and had promised him that she'd pay a visit to Dinah, just to check up on her. The girl had just lost her father, and Lina understood all too well what that felt like. Without much else to do, she'd volunteered to help Dinah gather her father's belongings.

But when she became aware that the words being spoken were directed at her, Angelina looked up, blinking in confusion. It took a moment to place the face -- and what a face it was. In the dim light of the French Quarter bar, it had been easy to think that the guy was just a figment of her tipsy imagination. But it appeared that he wasn't. He was very real, very sexy, and very surprised.

"You," she murmured, her golden brown eyes betraying her own sense of shock. "What are you doing here?"

"This is my hospital," Jamie answered proudly a smile lighting his face. "The question is what are you doing here?"

"Do you two know each other?" Dinah asked looking from Jamie to Angelina in confusion.

"I guess you could say we've met. Once upon a time, we met. Seems like years ago. When was it? Two weeks, maybe three weeks ago?" Jamie answered. He didn't want to take his eyes off Angelina, afraid she was a daydream he had concocted while waiting for Josh.

"It was a while," Angelina allowed with a slow smile. "As for why I'm here, in your hospital, I came to lend Dinah a hand. And the reason I'm in Virginia...would be family. This is...." She laughed with a brief shake of her head. "Beyond strange. To be honest, I never thought I'd see you again."

"I suppose I never told you I was from Virginia. That would be my fault." He glanced at his watch. 9:35. No Josh. Perhaps it was just as well, he decided thinking back about the glasses of alcohol the man had consumed the night before. "I had a meeting at nine but it seems to have fallen through. Perhaps, while Dinah is finishing here, we could have a cup of coffee?"

Angelina sent Dinah a questioning look. "Well, I did promise to help her. But maybe just one cup? I mean, if that's okay with you, Dinah."

Dinah glanced down the hall toward her father's office, dreading going there. But there was no one else to do it. It was her job. She spotted Galen coming around the corner towards them. "No, you go ahead. I'll be all right." Galen would help her.

"Shall we then?" Jamie asked feeling lighter than he had just minutes before.

Angelina squeezed Dinah's hand briefly before falling into step next to Jamie. "So this is your hospital, hmmm? Very impressive." She swept her hair back from her face and cast him a sidelong glance. "This is okay, right? I don't want you to miss your meeting. Especially if it was important."

"It was important. To me at any rate. I suppose my friend didn't think so." He smiled pleasantly trying his best to hide his annoyance at Josh. "And besides, if he hadn't been late I wouldn't have seen you in the hall. So, if and when he shows up, I might have to forgive him after all."

She bit her lip to hide a smile. "Well, maybe I'll tag along and thank him as well. It's a pleasant surprise to see you again. And I haven't had many pleasant surprises recently."

"That's too bad. You should have more." He paused in front of a set of double doors. "This is actually the Executive Dining Area. The administrator before me added this without telling anyone. The Board was so angry they fired him. But it really is nice." He pushed a door open, holding it for Angelina. "Now, tell me," he said entering the dark room that looked more like a fancy restaurant than a dining room in a hospital. "How do you know Dinah Stafford?"

Angelina was appropriately impressed, even if her expression turned to dismay at his question. For some reason, she'd refrained from running around town, claiming her brothers: the accused rapist and the shady businessman. "Um, she's a friend of the family. I feel horrible for her loss. I know what it's like to lose a parent. My dad died a few years ago and...." She sighed softly with a little shake of her head. "It was just a really dark time in my life."

"That was a bad business there. John Stafford was a good friend." Jamie shook his head at the loss. "Stupid really. He and Dinah always butted heads. Poor kid just wanted to help someone and John couldn't stand that she was disobeying him." He paused and pulled out a chair for her. "I mean, I'm no psychologist, but anyone could tell that was what was going on. Two strong personalities clashing constantly. The boy she tried to help...well, he's in jail now, but from what I hear around town, he's as innocent as I am."

Inhaling deeply, Angelina clasped her hands, twisting her fingers nervously. "I like to think he is," she murmured quietly. "That boy...is my brother."

Scene 3

The house Maura and Jude had chosen to rent with an option to purchase was an old plantation home even further out of town than Four Winds. The Bradford Plantation was built during the early 1800's and renovated a number of times including the most recent renovation in the 1990's. It was spacious with room for both the Conlan and Mason families. Maura was happy there, though it was lonely for someone who spent most of her days surrounded by family and people.

That day alone, she had looked out the window hoping to see Luke or Jory pull up into he driveway. No luck though as each time she heard a car it was heading into town. She finally settled into a routine of unpacking and had just finished the kitchen when a car did pull into the drive. She hurried to the front door and threw it open expecting Jude.

"Good afternoon, Maura," Gwen Mason called pleasantly from the drive as her chauffeur helped her out of her town car. Maura stiffened at Gwen's appearance but put on a pleasant face. There was still a rift between Gwen and Jude over the lies she told about his birth. If Gwen wanted to mend their relationship, perhaps Maura could help.

"Hello Mrs. Mason. How are you?"

Gwen waited until she was on Maura's step before responding. "I'm doing very well, Maura. Thank you for asking!" She was dressed casually in a cream silk blouse and skirt. Her idea of casual, Maura noted, was quite dressy for a Conlan. How would Maura ever really fit into Jude's world? "But please call me Gwen. After all, you and my son are together now. There's no need for formalities."

"All right, Gwen. Would you like to come inside? It's still a mess, but I could show you around, if you want."

Gwen patted Maura's arm. "No need, my dear. I've seen this place a million times. I used to date Michael Bradford when I was a teenager. Before I met James, that is." She stepped into the foyer and looked around taking in the marble floors and the cherry staircase. "Yes, it does bring back memories." She poked her head into the living room, making a small tsk noise. "Still have a lot to do I see. Why don't you let me hire someone to help you?"

"Um, no. I can do it...thank you." She swiped a stray lock out of her eyes, realizing how awful she must look. "The kitchen is finished though. Would you like a cup of coffee? Or tea?" She added hastily.

Gwen smiled warmly. "Tea would be nice. But don't go to any trouble just for me." She headed down the narrow hall of the old plantation house to the kitchen in the back, finding her way easily as she chattered about her days as a teen dating the Bradford heir.

"Oh I adored Michael. He was wonderful. But when James came along, I knew I'd met the man I would marry," she said settling into a chair at the table.

"I thought you grew up in Pennsylvania," Maura commented, reaching for the tea kettle.

"I did. But I spent my summers here with my aunt. She's gone now, of course, but she was a wonderful woman who thought Pittsburgh was a little too crass for a young lady. I met James when I was seventeen and I convinced my father that I wanted to finish school here. He only agreed because Aunt Eleanor agreed to be my chaperone."

"That sounds very-"

"Old fashioned. I know. It was. But it was what I had to do to get what I wanted," she added pointedly.

Maura glanced over her shoulder at Gwen. Gwen was looking at Maura with an arch look in her eyes. As if Maura could understand doing whatever it took. "I see," Maura mumbled.

"Yes. It was a lesson I learned early in life, Maura. When something threatens you, you do what you need to do to survive. You understand that don't you? I mean, you've done the same in your life haven't you?"

Maura turned slowly giving Gwen a hard stare. Had Jude told her about giving her daughter up for adoption? No, surely he wouldn't have. It wasn't as if they were even on speaking terms for the last year. The look on Gwen's face told her that somehow she knew about Tristen and Rick and everything that went along with them though.

"How did you find out? Jude didn't tell you," Maura stated matter-of-factly.

"No, he didn't. Maura, please don't think ill of me, but I took the liberty of getting to know you," Gwen said in a soothing tone.

"Getting to know me? Just how did you do that?"

Gwen sighed heavily. "Maura, can't we just say that I know a few things about you and you know a few things about me. After all, we do have some things in common." She paused as Maura threw a skeptical look at her. "We do. There's Jude, of course, and then there's the fact that we both made a mistake as young woman. I know what it's like to give up a child because it's the right thing to do."

"Are you telling me that giving Jude up as a baby just because you weren't technically together with Mr. Mason is equal to what I did? Mrs. Mason, I think you are way off base."

"I'm not a saint, Maura. I did what I had to do. Just as you did. Are you telling me that you would have done everything differently?"

Would she? It was something she had thought about time and again over the years but ultimately Maura knew the answer was no. Rick didn't want a child and he wouldn't have wanted after that. She only did what she had to do. She let out a deep sigh and pulled two clean cups from the cupboard, setting them down on the table. The tea kettle whistled loudly and she quickly removed it from the heat.

"Mrs. Mason-"

"Gwen."

"Fine, Gwen. Maybe you're right. Maybe I wouldn't have done things any differently but I don't see how you had the right to go digging into my life. In fact, it bothers me a little," she added pouring steaming water into the cups.

"If it means anything at all Maura, I wasn't looking into your background. I was looking into Rick Upton's. Your lives just happen to be unfortunately entwined."

"Why are you bothering with him?"

"He's threatening Jude. I'm trying to help. Any information I can get about him that gives us the upper hand, is welcome."

Maura frowned and sat down across from Gwen, stirring her tea. "I don't think I can help you there."

"I don't want you to, actually. Jude won't want you getting involved in any kind of fight with Rick Upton. There is something you can do though," Gwen added smoothly finally segueing into her reason for being at Maura and Jude's new home. "I've made mistakes with Jude. I've damaged the relationship we had but I don't think it's beyond repair. The only problem is he won't work with me on improving it. I was hoping you could talk to him. Try to make him understand that sometimes you do what you have to do. Maybe if he saw things from a different perspective...well, maybe we could rebuild our relationship."

Maura sipped her tea, trying to decide. She didn't think Jude would appreciate this at all. Especially Gwen's interference in Jude's professional life. She did think Jude's anger over Gwen's lies was justified. But maybe it was time to put it in the past. They were together again with their future ahead of them. There was no need to dwell on old hurts.

"All right, I'll talk to him. I can't promise anything though."

Gwen smiled brightly and picked up her cup. "I can't ask for more than that."

Scene 4:

"Hallie, it's Ellie. I've been trying to get a hold of you for days. What's going on? Dane saw Stephen at The Crossroads and he said you two had broken up. Call me!"

Hallie erased the message and waited for the next one to come up. Stephen's cell phone number was on her caller ID. She wasn't expecting him to call. Not after the blow up he'd had over something as trivial as setting up Luke Conlan. But he had called and there was a small smug part of her that knew he would. They had been through much worse than this and he had always called.

"Hallie. I need you to come to the house. I'll be there between five and six."

That was it. She played it again, listening for some type of clue to his mood. He sounded businesslike and distant, the way he sounded just after their first break up. Well, she thought as a trace of a smile flitted across her face, he still loved me then and he still loves me now. He's just angry. Of course, he was. She had done a stupid thing and he had called her on it. She had done as he asked and had left his house but had left a good deal of her belongings there, taking only a suitcase of clothes with her. She would be going back after all and there was no need to remove herself completely from his life. Now that Stephen had called it was time to finish this ridiculous break up.

For the time being though, she checked herself into a suite at one of the new hotels in town. She would never go back to Four Winds. Not like this at any rate. Besides, Gwen wouldn't allow it. Not until Jude was back in the fold at any rate.

Hallie picked out a strapless blue velvet dress and a pair of dazzling diamond earrings she had splurged on right before marrying Luke. She would look amazing for Stephen's apology if nothing else. After a final once over, she called a taxi and headed to Stephen's house. His car was in the drive when she arrived and the door stood open. At least, he was expecting her.

Stephen was there waiting by the time she climbed the steps to the front door. "Going to a party or something?" He asked by way of greeting.

"I wanted to look nice for you," Hallie shrugged.

"You didn't have to get dressed up for me," Stephen returned.

"I didn't think you wanted to see me again," Hallie began with a slow smile. "I wanted to show off for you."

"I didn't want to see you," Stephen returned coldly. "But we have something to discuss." He opened the door for her and stepped aside. Hallie swallowed his insult, determined to ease the tension between them somehow. She followed him to his office, which was more of a disaster now than she had seen it lately. He really needed a maid.

"We do have things to discuss. Like this ridiculous break up. Isn't it time, this whole thing went away?" She purred. Stephen stiffened visibly, turning away from her.

"This ridiculous break up is your fault Hallie and I do not intend to back down. You are the one who cannot let things go. God, you made a fool of me trying to sleep with your husband. And you still think you did nothing wrong." He shook his head in wonder. "I do really think you need professional help Hallie."

"I need professional help? That's a joke right?"

Stephen's eyebrows pulled together in a frown. "Sure, Hal. It's a joke."

"Well, it isn't funny. I'm tired of this. I'm tired of living in a hotel room and I'm tired of not being with you!" She stamped her foot petulantly. Her idea of a reunion with Stephen was crumbling as they spoke.

"Too bad. You made your bed. As far as I am concerned, we are as done as can be. I don't want anything to do with you."

Hallie blinked in surprise at his blunt words. He really sounded serious. "Then why am I here? Why did you call me?"

"Your stuff," he waved a hand at a few random boxes. "It needs to go. This week."

"Why? We both know I'll be back soon."

Stephen rubbed at his chin, shaking his head. "I don't want to be cruel, Hallie. But you are forcing this. Fine, I'll tell you everything you don't want to hear. I loved you once. When I thought you didn't know what you were doing. When I thought you just needed someone who loved you and only you in your life. When I thought if you could only get your silly ideas of proving yourself to your family out of your head you'd settle down. But I was miserably wrong. You are never going to change. You will always be selfish and you will always do whatever you think you have to do to be right or have the upper hand. I am done." He paused long enough to pick up a small velvet ring box off the desk and tossed it at her. It landed with a soft bounce at her feet. "I bought this for you after the fire at ME. I thought when the time is right, I'll give it to you. But you took any chance of that away."

"You can still give it to me, Stephen! This is nothing, just a bump in the road!" Hallie blurted. "I love you and I know you still love me. I didn't sleep with Luke, I swear. Nothing happened!"

"Don't you see, that doesn't matter? What matters is that you couldn't let him go. I'm sorry if this is news to you, Hallie, but I have a life and I want to live it without wondering if I can trust the woman I'm with. Can we just get back to your stuff? It needs to be gone by this weekend. If you can't find someone to pick it up, I will. Just let me know."

"Why? Why does it have to be this weekend?" Hallie asked feeling frozen to the floor. She wanted more time than this. Stephen would give in eventually but not if he erased her completely. "I need more time."

"No. Look, my brother is in town-"

"Your what?!"

"My brother. It's a long story. He's my step-brother. He plays soccer in Washington but he's living here and commuting. He needed a place to stay and I let him stay here. But I think I might as well give him the place. I don't think I can live here any more. So. You're things need to be gone by Monday."

"And where will you be after Monday?" Hallie demanded setting aside the knowledge that there were still things about Stephen she didn't know. Who was this brother anyway? She would find out more later. For now, she had other concerns. Stephen could run but he couldn't hide from her. She wouldn't let him.

"There's room at my office for a small apartment if you must know. Now, you look too nice for this. Why don't you go find someone to take you to dinner." He turned to the door, holding it open for her.

Hallie made a move to the door but paused just in front of Stephen. "Go ahead and play this little game if you want to, darling. But don't forget who you're up against. I always win, one way or another."

Scene 5

Rick closed the door behind the Englishman, intrigued by his sudden appearance and odd introduction. Creighton made himself comfortable on the couch, looking curiously around the room.

"Quite a place you have here. Different than I expected," he remarked making himself comfortable on the sofa. "I expected it to be more...country. But then, just because you move to a small town doesn't necessarily mean you would be countrified."

"Who are you?" Rick demanded angrily. He didn't like that someone he'd just met knew so much about him. It made him nervous.

"Just a businessman, like yourself. With something to offer you if you'll permit it. I don't think we've finished your story though. Now where was I? Oh yes, you tried to win back your true love. But she was already in love with someone else, wasn't she? A Mr. Jude Fontaine? Or is it Mason? Has he started using his real name yet? No matter. The fact is she didn't love you. She loved him. And you couldn't change her mind. So you reeled off an explosive editorial about his business affairs and accused him of some pretty bad things. I might add here that I am actually an investor in his real estate venture. There's nothing there that is shady. I can assure you of that."

"How would you know? Look, I don't know you. I've never seen you in town before tonight..."

"True. Very true," Creighton interrupted. "I like to keep a low profile. I am, however, an expert in shady business practices. I do practice law back home in England. But that is neither here nor there. Let's go back to the end of your story, shall we? You printed this expose in the local paper which is owned by Mr. Fontaine's family. Quite a bad move for you, don't you think?"

"I don't think so-"

"Good. Because I have an offer for you. I'd like to stay here in this little town for a while. In fact, I may stay here for good. I would like to make it worth my while though. How would you like to give the Masons some competition?"

Rick frowned thoughtfully. "Competition? As in?"

"Another newspaper. I'd give you the start up you need for it, of course. You would be in total control."

"What's in it for you?"

Creighton shrugged casually. "A stake in the community. That's all." He smiled lazily getting to his feet. "I have things I need to do here, Rick. You can help me do them. In the meantime, let me help you." He offered his hand to Rick and waited.

His own newspaper. There was something suspicious about this sudden offer. Something wasn't quite right but what an opportunity! He could finally have total control and he could use it to bring Fontaine down. Making his decision quickly, Rick took Creighton's hand.

"All right. You have a deal. I can't wait to watch Jude Fontaine and Gwen Mason squirm."

Creighton's pleasant smile returned as they shook hands. "Wonderful. I cannot wait to see you in action."