Gwen Mason handed her coat to the maitre'd and sauntered into the main dining room of The Fountains. The room was sparsely populated with patrons, mostly old money who refused to give up their favorite haunt. Jude and Stephen's renovation of the downtown had changed the landscape of Conlan's Glen considerably, affecting most of the places that Gwen's friends called their own. The Fountains wouldn't close though. Neither would Connie's. Both places enjoyed a loyal clientele, made up of very different kinds of customers.

She scanned the room, nodding hello to Eleanor Fairchild and Max Jency. She wanted to avoid Max Jency for now. Dane hadn't agreed to the date with Rachel Jency just yet and Gwen would rather not make excuses for him. He would eventually agree to it, she had no doubt. Dane was easily manipulated and agreeing to a date with Rachel would happen in time. Max, however, would not like to wait.

Max took her quick greeting as a sign to join her and she was obligated to pause for a moment to talk to him. "Hello Max. How are you this afternoon?" She asked pleasantly, affixing a smile to her face.

"I'd be better if you would tell me that Dane agreed to see Rachel," Max replied cutting to the chase.

Without breaking her smile, Gwen replied, "Now, Max. You and I both know that Dane is still trying to get over the death of that reporter girl. I've told you before this is going to take some time."

"They weren't even dating, Gwen. So don't give me that baloney."

"Even so, he took her death in the fire at ME very hard. He's a sensitive young man, Max. You can't expect him to just forget about her."

Max narrowed his eyes. "Sure, Gwen. You and I both know what will happen if they don't get together," he warned.

"Oh that's silly, Max. You don't really believe all that nonsense do you?"

"Hasn't everything else come true? I would think the events of the last year would be enough for you to want this to happen sooner rather than later. Time is running out," he said before returning to his table.

Time was running out, indeed. Of all the ridiculous things! There was no need to panic yet. After all, nothing had to be set in stone until next June. She would think about that later. Right now, she had something else to take care of.

She continued to her table and settled into her seat, watching the door carefully. Her sources told her Maura and Jude were meeting for lunch here and she wanted to get Maura alone for a moment. The best chances for Jude coming around and accepting Gwen as his mother lay with Maura. He trusted Maura completely and if Gwen could win Maura, she would have Jude. On schedule, Maura entered the room following the maitre'd and took a seat at a table by the window. Gwen rose from her seat and crossed the room to where Maura was studying her menu.

"Good afternoon, Maura."

Maura glanced up at Gwen, a fleeting look of panic in her eyes. "Oh, hello Gwen. How are you?"

"I'm well, thank you. Do you mind if I sit for a moment?"

"Well," Maura hesitated looking toward the door for Jude. "Just for a moment. I'm meeting Jude."

"Oh, well, I wouldn't want to interrupt your lunch, so I'll make this quick," she said sitting across from Maura. "I need an editor for The Observer. And I want you to take the job."

"What? Why me?"

Gwen paused weighing her words carefully. "Rick Upton has backing for a rival newspaper. I need someone at The Observer who knows him and how he operates. He'll use his paper as a tool against Jude. I cannot allow that. You're qualified and I trust you to protect Jude."

"No. I can't do it," Maura said quickly.

"Yes, you can. Rick will destroy Jude if you allow him. Take the job, Maura, and we can fend him off ourselves."

"No. Jude can fight his own battles, Gwen. And he wouldn't like it if I got involved."

"I simply cannot take no for an answer, Maura. Please consider my offer. If Rick gets his way, Jude will be ruined financially. I have no doubt in my mind that he would take great pleasure in ruining him personally as well." She rose from the table and motioned to the maitre'd. "I won't be staying after all," she said as he arrived. "But please bill me for Miss Conlan's lunch." Turning back to Maura, she gave her one last cool look. "Think about it. And while you're at it, think about the lengths Rick will go to when it comes to you."


 

Scene 2

Dane rolled out of the bed, rubbing his eyes and reaching for his watch. The sun was beaming into the window blinding him and somewhere he could smell bacon. 1:30. He rubbed his head, rumpling his hair. What the hell had he done the night before to keep him bed so long? He gazed bleary eyed at the room, looking for clues. For starters, he realized, he wasn't in his own room. So whatever he had done, he had done with a woman. That wasn't too far of a stretch for him though. Really all he had to figure out now was the name of the woman.

"Dane..." A female voice drifted towards him. "Are you awake? It's getting late..." Desperately, he tried to remember the name or the face as he grabbed for his clothes. He hated situations like this,. They always ended with an ugly argument. "Dane? Are you a sleepy bug?"

He heard footsteps echoing in the hallway and dressed rapidly. God, she was a baby talker too. Who did he know that was a baby talker? Sharon? No, she was in France working. Tiffany? God, please be Tiff, he thought. She was a decent sort, talky and plain, but decent. The woman who opened the door, though, was not Tiffany. This one was tall, almost too tall, with shiny black hair and sallow skin. Her almond shaped eyes were a hazel color that would have been striking if it hadn't been for the almost Frida Kahlo-esque eyebrows.

"Did you just get out of bed?" She chirped in a voice that didn't match her gypsy appearance. He'd expected a petite blonde by the sound of her. "I must have really worn you out," she added with a giggle. Oh god, he hated giggling girls. They made him feel as if he were in high school again.

"Um, yeah. You sure did," Dane replied hastily. "I had a great time too. But I really have to run. Business meeting at uh... well, this afternoon," he lied.

The woman's lips twisted into an ugly red pout. "But you said you were free all day. I made you bacon and eggs!"

"Yeah, uh. Look, I don't know what I was thinking telling you that last night. I guess I was just so caught up in the moment that I totally forgot about this. It's with my aunt. Can't skip it. She's a..." He trailed off looking for the right adjective.

"Ball buster?" The woman offered.

"That's exactly it!" He waved a finger at her triumphantly. "She is a ball buster. Couldn't have said it better myself."

"You did say that. Last night as a matter of fact." Her unibrow pulled together in a puzzled frown. "You really don't remember much about last night do you?"

Ah, the moment of truth. He could lie his way out of the situation. After all, how would she know? Then again, he really had to get his act together and start acting like an adult. Sighing, he shook his head but offered a wry smile. "No, I don't remember anything actually. I must have had too much to drink. I'll be honest with you, all I remember is hitting the clubs last night and dancing."

"You don't remember meeting me?" She responded in a soft voice with a hint of amusement.

"Nope. I don't even know your name," he admitted as if they were sharing a little joke. Her face shifted suddenly from bemusement to righteous anger. Apparently, lying would have been the better choice this time around, he thought hurriedly slipping into his jeans.

"You asshole. You unbelievable asshole!" The woman yelped angrily.

"Right." Dane buttoned his shirt and slipped his shoes on quickly. "I'll take a raincheck on that bacon though. Smells great!" He added sidling past her, narrowly avoiding a small knick knack she had heaved at him. Not wanting to be her target, he beat a hasty retreat to the front door. His car was parked in her driveway in a thoroughly shameful position. He fished for his keys in his pocket and unlocked the door just as she vaulted herself out the door screaming wildly.

"You asshole! You think you can just fuck and run? You can't do that to me!" She screamed.

Oh he had picked a good one, hadn't he? He climbed into the car and started it, throwing it into reverse and squealing out of her drive. Glancing into his rearview as he sped down the street, he could see her running after his car, still yelling. Fortunately, the sound of his radio drowned out her incoherent cries and he was spared her abuse.

He deserved it, he thought as he slowed to a decent pace. He wasn't a nice guy when it came to women. In fact, he was an asshole to most women. Phoebe had been the lone exception and she had died. He'd grieved for her as if they were in love and happy even though she likely couldn't stand him. Phoebe Cameron was the closest he had ever been to a relationship. Sure, she mocked his every word and treated him like an unwanted puppy but he had liked her nonetheless. He even thought she liked him. Just a little.

He reached for his cell phone, wanting to put all thought of Phoebe and the woman from last night out of his head. Dialing Hallie's number, he slowed to a stop and sat at the intersection waiting for the light to turn green. Hallie answered, sounding as depressed as he felt.

"You need a pick-me up if ever anyone did," he said in response to her pathetic greeting.

"Go to hell," she snapped. "Where are you anyway? Max Jency has been calling for you. I told him I didn't know where you were, but he wouldn't believe me."

Dane groaned at the thought of dealing with Max this early in his day. "If he calls again, tell him I went out of town."

"You want me to lie for you?"

"Sure. I'd do it for you." He could hear Hallie snicker on the other end. "What? I would! I have!"

"Right. Let me think for a minute...what about all that nonsense with Liza Gennaro? I believe you wouldn't help me at all when it came to her. So, if you think I'm giving you any help with old Max Jency, you're delusional. Next time I talk to him, I think I'll give him your cell number."

The light turned green and just as he eased into traffic another car ran the red light from the other direction, smashing into his car and spinning it in a wide circle. The force of the impact threw him forward into the steering column slamming his head into the wheel and sending him into black unconsciousness.




Scene 3

"I'm sorry if I made you wait too long," Jude said kissing Maura's cheek. Maura looked up and smiled tossing her long hair over her shoulder as he ran his hand over it lovingly before taking a seat across from her.

"You didn't," she answered him, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "But you did make me sit through a sales pitch."

"Oh? And who was trying to sell you something?" He asked picking up his menu. The Fountains was slow for a lunch hour, he noted to himself, wondering why as well considering how popular the place was with the regulars.

Maura locked eyes with him, losing her smile. "Gwen," she said simply getting his full attention.

"And what did my mother want you to buy?" He tried to sound uninterested, but truthfully, he wanted to know what Gwen could possibly want with Maura.

"Well, nothing really. She offered me a job." Maura shifted her eyes away to her own menu, falling silent. "And before you ask, I turned her down."

Jude nodded silently, questions swirling just under the surface. Gwen was up to something, but what it was, he couldn't begin to guess. Was she trying to interfere with his relationship with Maura just out of spite? He wouldn't put it past her. She had, after all, pushed Jamie's wife mercilessly until she had left town without a word of warning. He thought back to the gathering at Four Winds and Gwen's compliments for Maura. She hadn't liked Jamie's wife but she did like Maura. That couldn't be it then, he decided.

"Jude." Maura interrupted his thoughts. "I know what you're thinking. And don't. It'll just make you crazy."

"What am I doing?" Jude asked trying to sound innocent.

"You're trying to give her ulterior motives for being nice to me," Maura returned. "I don't blame you but she only has one motive when it comes to the two of us and I think it's pretty obvious."

Jude grinned at Maura's common sense. She never ceased to amaze him with her logic and clear thinking. "It must be so obvious I can't see it."

"Of course you can't. Because you don't want to. But I can tell you." She paused as the waited stopped at the table for their order. After ordering a light lunch, Maura continued. "She wants you to like her. She thinks that by being nice to me, you'll ease up a little on her."

"So she's using you to get to me?" A shadow of anger crossed his face. "Jesus Christ, Maura. What the hell is she thinking?"

"She's thinking that she loves you, Jude. Don't be angry with her over that. Honestly, I do believe she's trying very hard to make things up to you..."

"Too hard," he interrupted.

"Maybe so. But considering how she shows affection to Jamie and Ellen? I'd say you're pretty lucky."

Jude considered her comment. She had a point. Gwen was doing everything in her power to control Jamie and Gwen's lives. So far, she had only tried to influence Maura and hadn't meddled in his business affairs. Then again, he thought, Stephen Roth would never allow Gwen's interference in the Drop.

"You're right. I shouldn't be so uptight about her, I guess," he remarked as their salads arrived.

"Oh, I think you should be uptight about her," Maura returned. "I just think you should pick your battles with her. I mean there are some things she's just going to do. Trying to influence me is just something she'll do to make herself look better. The catch is though, I'm on to her. And so are you. Gwen offering me a job isn't something either of us should be concerned about. Now, if she tries something like stealing our first born son, well then we might have some trouble," Maura added with a grin.

Jude looked at her, the corner of his mouth turning up slightly. "Our first born son? So, you think that's a possibility?"

Maura shrugged, still smiling, and changed the subject. "This place is dead. Wonder why..."



Scene 4

"Answer me, Chris," Jamie repeated angrily. "What are you doing in my office?"

Chris stared back defiantly, his eyes blazing with anger. "I told you, nothing."

Jason shifted uncomfortably, clearly abashed by Jamie's scolding. Jamie turned to him and narrowed his eyes at Jason. "Well, Chris doesn't seem to want to tell me the truth. What about you, Jason? I've never known you to do anything this questionable. Do you feel like telling me anything?"

"Leave him out of it, Dad!" Chris snapped. "All he did was give me a ride home."

"He's here though. That makes him an accessory and a willing participant. Now Jason, feel like talking or should I call your sister?"

"I gave him a ride, Mr. Mason. We weren't doing anything-"

Jamie shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry Jason, I don't believe that. For one thing, it's 12:30 in the afternoon. You both should be in school. Secondly, Chris hasn't been very forthcoming with me as of late and being his best friend, I imagine you would stand with him rather than sell him out." He stepped closer to Jason. "Once again, what were you two doing? Or do I need to track your sister down and tell her that you skipped school and broke into my office?"

"Leave him alone. I'll tell you what I was doing. I was looking for something," Chris interrupted. Jamie pivoted back to Chris waiting for more. "I was looking for...Mom's phone number in Toronto."

Jamie let Chris' answer sink in for a moment. Chris shifted his gaze away looking sullenly at the desk. Was that the truth? They had talked about Michaela over the weekend, but Chris had expressed no interest in wanting to talk to her. Even so, Chris had to know that Jamie would never deny him access to Michaela or Jesse or Lily. He was lying, Jamie decided.

"Jason, go back to school. Or go home. I need to talk to Chris alone." Jason made a start towards the door but Jamie called back to him. "I'm not going to tell your sister this time. But the next time you help Chris with some scheme, I will."

Jason offered a sympathetic gaze to Chris before beating a hasty retreat. Jamie waited until he heard the front door close before confronting Chris. "Why are you lying to me, Chris?" He asked softly. "I've never lied to you about anything. And before this month, I never thought you did either."

"What makes you think I'm lying?"

Jamie moved to his desk and opened a drawer. He lifted a leather address book out and offered it to Chris. "Here's my address book. Michaela's number is right here. You knew it was there. You've always known where I keep my book. From the looks of this room, you didn't even touch this drawer. Why don't you tell me what you were really looking for."

"What does it matter?" Chris answered sullenly. His chin dropped to his chest and he stared at the floor avoiding Jamie's harsh glare.

"It matters because I don't know how to help you Chris. If you can't tell me what's bothering you, I can't help you."

Chris' head snapped up, his eyes alight with fury. "I don't want your help!" He snarled. "I never asked for it."

"No you haven't asked for it. But I would give you whatever you wanted, Chris. I hope you know that."

Chris nodded his head with a satisfied expression on his face. "Yeah, I think I do know that. But you know what Dad? Your money can't buy everything in this town. Sure, you could make my life real easy. But it won't bring Mom home and it won't bring my family back together."

Before Jamie could answer, his cell phone rang. He was tempted to ignore it but the number that flashed up was Hallie's. Hallie never called him. Something had to be wrong.

"We're not finished," he said pointing at Chris before answering tersely, "Hallie? Is something wrong?" Jamie fell silent listening to Hallie while Chris sulked in the corner. "Okay, calm down. I'm on my way." He ended the phone call and turned to Chris. "This conversation is far from over, young man. But right now, you and I are going to Four Winds to get Hallie."

"No thanks. I'll stay here."

"You're coming. Dane was in an accident and she needs us. Your family needs you. This is no time to act like a spoiled brat so go get in the car." Chris hesitated a moment too long. "Now," Jamie added giving Chris a push towards the door. He didn't want to treat his son like that, but Chris was giving him no choice. There was an emergency and Jamie had to act accordingly.

On the next Episode of Secret Horizons...

Episode 170