Scene 2

The view from Jack Creighton's rented mansion in Conlan's Glen was spectacular. Nestled at the foot of a mountain on the edge of the town, his office opened onto a terrace where a sparkling blue lake was just footsteps away. Across the lake were homes of the wealthy denizens of the town, most notably Four Winds, the ancestral home of the Mason family, and Jency Farm, which wasn't much of a farm in this day and age.

Jack stood at the window staring across the lake. The people over there were of no concern to him. They interested him but purely from a social point of view. His interest in Conlan's Glen lay with Nicolas Tejera. Surely by now, Nicolas was guessing who was behind his brother's incarceration. He'd laid enough clues for him. But what Nicolas didn't know and wouldn't know until the time was just right, was that it wasn't Jack who had wanted this. It was someone else completely. Jack had gone along with it of course. Why not? Tejera had property and employees who would be useful in Jack's organization. Jack's partner though wanted revenge pure and simple.

"Mr. Creighton?" The housekeeper interrupted his thoughts with her soft southern voice. "You have a visitor."

"Who is it, Mrs. Hunter?"

"Agent Stephens with the FBI."

"Send him in," Jack replied. What was he doing here? He was supposed to be at the courthouse waiting for news. To show up here like this was a mistake. He would have to set Agent Stephens straight about that. Stephens entered the room alone dressed in a nondescript navy blue suit and blue tie. He had short trimmed hair and a fat florid face. "Agent Stephens. To what do I owe this visit?" Jack asked as Mrs. Hunter departed.

"I thought you might like to know the judge is reconvening on the Jones case," Stephens replied in a raspy low voice.

Jack raised an eyebrow in amusement. "You drove all this way to tell me that? A telephone call would have sufficed."

"I thought you would like to know in person. Besides, I have something else you should know."

Jack waited expectantly for him to continue but when Stephens only stood there staring mutely at him, he sighed heavily. "You're waiting for some sort of compensation for the information? I'm afraid I can't do that, Agent Stephens. That sounds like a payoff to me."

"You didn't seem to mind when I killed that doctor."

"I didn't ask you to kill him. In fact, I don't recall asking you to shoot anyone. The point is, I am not going to pay you for information when I don't even know if it's important or not. Do you understand?" Agent Stephens chewed his lip in silence. "If I think your information is good, perhaps we could come to some sort of agreement."

"Fine. Your friend Vivian Marek has disappeared. Emptied her bank account and sold that house of hers."

"How interesting." Jack turned away and stared across the lake. She wouldn’t go far. Not with Nicolas Tejera still in the Glen. Obviously, she lost her taste for the finer things in life. A shame too, he thought. She was more attractive in her finery than she had ever been as a street rat in Florida. All in all, Vivian’s disappearance was a small bump in the road. He’d find her again one way or the other. Without turning, he asked, "Is that all you have, Agent Stephens?

"There is one other thing. Have you talked to your wife lately?"

That got Jack’s attention. The matter of his marriage was relatively secret having only happened a few months ago and with the objection of the bride herself. "My wife, Agent Stephens? I’m not sure I understand you."

"Sure you do. Pretty little blonde girl, late twenties? Didn’t she inherit a ton of money from her father? And wasn’t he your partner once upon a time?"

Jack turned and glared at the FBI agent. "Get to the point."

"I think you should call home more often, Jack," Stephens rasped. "You know what? Let’s just call this one a freebie. The next time I bring you good info though, maybe you should be a little more respectful." He jabbed a finger in Jack’s direction and left.

Jack picked up the phone on his desk and dialed. "I want someone to go check on my wife. Send Hart, she tolerates him. Also, Vivian Marek has disappeared. I want someone to find her."  He paused for a brief moment before adding, "Agent Stephens has become a problem. Take care of it."



Scene 3

The epiphany had come to her one night when she was walking her German Shepard and had seen the Flamingo Club. She had been trying to find a job because she couldn't be satisfied living off the money from selling her father's assets to create her very own assets. It wasn't like she owed the man anything. Looking towards the high end of things was futile for someone who had only a high school diploma and three years of work at a bar. Frankie knew that didn't have what it took to make it through four years of college. So she decided it then and there.

With the club not open yet, Nicky's barriers would be a little down, he would be a little stressed. Frankie brushed right past Raphael and blew him a kiss when the recognition dawned on his face. She had never liked Rafe. She didn't knock on Nicky's office door, of course.

"Oh good, you aren't screwing anybody on your desk or something like that. I have a proposition," Frankie stated, firmly and factually as she made herself comfortable leaning against Nicky's desk, arms over her chest, directly in front of him. She had dressed her best for him in case it took a little 'extra' convincing. A black miniskirt with a black coat to lend a little imagination and some knee-high black boots. She let a little black-hosed thigh show from beneath her coat, which was longer than her skirt. He had always loved black on her.

Nicky raised his eyebrows at her, taking in her provocative appearance. She wanted something. He knew her well enough to know that. He set the file aside and waited expectantly. When she didn't respond immediately, he sighed heavily and folded his arms over his chest. "I'm listening, Vivian. Or is it Frankie again?"

Damn, it really pissed her off sometimes that he knew her so well, but she didn't let that show in her face. She fished out her driver’s license and tossed it at him.

"Actually yeah it is Frankie," she replied. Nicky could play hardball all he wanted, but she knew how to break him down if necessary. "I want you to let me be your event manager here," she said and when he gave her the look she was expecting, she said, "and don't fuckin' look at me like that, I mean every word."

"I have no doubt you are sincere...Frankie," he replied using her street name for the first time in a while. He'd just gotten used to the idea of her as an heiress with a fancy name. He glanced at the name on the license. Fontana. Strange, he hadn't heard that one before. "But the thing is," he continued pushing the license back at her. "I don't need an event manager. I have Rafe. And before you say he's just a bouncer, he does a helluva lot more than kick out the drunks."

Frankie shifted her weight on to Nicky's desk and leaned back, she wasn't trying to seduce him honestly; she was merely contemplating. She didn't trust Rafe at all and she was surprised Nicky favored him so.

"Event manager might not be the correct word, but Nicky I know I can bring you more business, and yes you're doing a great job now, but it can be better...of course. I'm younger, I appeal more to the audience you are striving for. I've worked in bars for who knows how long so you can't argue that I'm not experienced..." she trailed off. If she could just get rid of Rafe. "What about hostess? I can work my way up from there, maybe even impress upon you I'm more than a great figure and pretty face." She smiled confidently, she knew he knew that, but she was going to get this job. They both knew it.

Damn, he hated it when she knew exactly what to say and do. He sighed again and rubbed his temple where an ache had started to pound against his head painfully. "All right. You can have the job of hostess. But there are a few things you should know." He pulled a drawer open and pulled out a pack of battered cigarettes. "I smoke in my office and no one lectures me on it. That's the first thing you need to know. The second thing you need to know is I have an enemy. And don't you give me that look either. I know I don't make friends so easily but someone is seriously out to damage me and my family and my business. Are you sure you want to be back in my world?"

"Who says I'm back in your world?" Frankie replied. She'd lecture him about smoking if she damn well pleased, too. "I'm merely someone who works at your club, like so many of your other employees at so many of your other businesses." She gave him a charming smile, but it quivered slightly. Hadn't Nicky realized by now, she could not stay away from danger. It made her feel alive. She had tried to be a charming, carefree socialite, but it didn't work. She would be happier living dangerously. Didn't
he know that was some of the reason why she loved him? Of course, she had never admitted she loved him verbally...and probably never would. Some things were best left unsaid. "Don't you worry about me Nicky sweetie.  I've suffered bullet wounds for your sorry ass, I can take it."

"Maybe I can't," he murmured under his breath before taking a long drag on his cigarette. He stared at her for a moment, contemplating what he could possibly say to turn her away from the dangers that seemed to be at every turn. Nothing, he realized sharply. She would do as she pleased. "No one, and I am goddammed serious about this one Frankie, no one lectures me on smoking in my own fucking office. You got it?"

She gave him a wild grin and laughed. "Of course, sweetie," she assured him. Why did he even bother? She fiddled with a paperweight on his desk, "so I'm going to be presumptuous and assume that is yes, Frankie, you got the job." She had heard what he said, but disregarded it. She wanted to disregard any possible affection he had for her or she for him. It just made things easier.

"I'm serious Frankie. No lectures," he said getting to his feet. "Play this little game all you want. You know I'll do whatever you want me to, but do me the courtesy of leaving my habits alone for a change. Please?"

Frankie sighed, rolled her head on her shoulders, back to Nicky, she still propped up on his desk, looking almost comfortable. She met his eyes, noting how completely weary he looked. She longed to wrap her arms around him and mold that weariness into pleasure, not even in a sexual way, but in ways she had done times before. "I won't lecture you," she said finally.

His hands curled into fists at his side, trying to keep to themselves. It would never do to want her again. That was history. He didn't know how she spent her nights, but he spent his staying alive and not remembering what he had thrown away. It had killed him for the first couple of months after she had left but it had gotten better lately. The good Detective Hamilton likely had something to do with that, he realized. He wasn't likely to throw that comfort away for the uncertainty of Frankie.

"Good. As long as we understand each other." He rose from the chair and picked up his suit jacket. "You get to tell Rafe though. I think he'd murder me if I told him and I have to be at the courthouse now."

"Oh, I will be more than delighted to do that, I assure you," Frankie cooed and slid off the desk finally. "If it makes you feel more like a man, I'll just tell him I seduced you into giving me the job," she teased.
"I don't care what you tell him. Tell him you threatened to castrate me. Whatever you want. Just tell him. Oh and Frankie?"

She was all play and lightheartedness, but it was all an act to hide her emotions from Nicky. "Yes, Nicky dear?" she asked with a smile. At least she had the job, it might not be easy being around Nicky, but she would deal with it as she dealt with everything life threw her way.

"I hated the name Vivian. Made you sound like an old lady."

Frankie laughed softly and gently shook her head, the act fading. "Yeah me too."



Scene 4

Tyler sat stiffly watching as Diego finished his chat with the DA. The wait was agonizing. His life was hanging in the balance and no one seemed to know what was about to happen. Diego had been confident that he would be released and the charges dropped yesterday. Today, though, he was anxious and seemed unsure of himself. If things didn’t go as Diego expected there would be a jury trial. And, as everyone seemed to enjoy telling him, that would definitely not go in his favor.

Dinah slid into the bench behind him, looking nervous. "Nice to see you again," she whispered with a trace of a smile. "Didn’t we just see each other here yesterday?"

"Fast wasn’t he?" Tyler remarked soberly.

"Maybe that’s a good thing." She placed a light hand on his shoulder. "Look, try not to worry too much, okay? I have a really good feeling about today."

"I’m glad someone does."

"No, really, Tyler. I can feel it. This is all going to be over today. You’re going to go free," she insisted.

"And what happens if I don’t?"

"Then I’ll help you break out of prison and we’ll go on the run again." Noah slid into the bench next to Dinah looking uncomfortable. Dinah flicked a quizzical look at him. "Where’s Piper? I thought she would want to come."

"Can’t find her. So, what’s going on? How are you holding up?" Noah asked Tyler.

"I’ll be a lot better if this thing ends today," Tyler said.

The bailiff appeared from the side entrance and cleared his throat. "All rise. Court will now come to order, the Honorable Joseph Pascarelli presiding."  All eyes in the room shifted to the judge, a paunchy middle-aged man with a hawk nose and thick eyebrows.

Diego put a reassuring hand on Tyler’s elbow. "Almost over," he whispered unconvincingly. The judge took his time with papers after sitting, giving every one in the room a chance to settle. He glanced over at the bailiff raising his bushy eyebrows.

"State versus Tyler Jones," the bailiff intoned.

"Yes. All right. Is the defendant present? Good," he added without waiting for a verbal response from Diego. "Let’s get right down to it. Mr. Jones, please rise."  Tyler and Diego got to their feet simultaneously. "Mr. Jones, you have been charged with rape, kidnapping and resisting arrest. It has been up to the State to show worthy cause to take this to a trial by jury. While I think DA Foster has done an admirable job, I have grave misgivings on taking this matter any further." There was an audible silence in the room as the onlookers took in the judge’s stance. Tyler stared straight ahead, trying not to look relieved. "Now, as you know, kidnapping is a federal charge. However, there has been enough evidence to show that you did not victimize Miss Stafford. I have no other recourse but to drop those charges. Rape is a serious offense. I think you understand the severity of the charge. What bothers me is that the young lady in question is no longer with us to tell us her side of the story. Furthermore, her father, who claimed to witness a portion of it, refused to testify at this hearing. The charge of rape is also dropped. Unfortunately, I cannot ignore the fact that you did resist arrest on a number of occasions. Do you agree that refusing to comply with the police is a serious offense, Mr. Jones?"

"Yes sir, I do," Tyler replied after a nudge from Diego.

"I believe that you do. But I would like to know why you thought it was necessary."

Tyler swallowed nervously. The last thing he wanted to do was ruin his chances. "Your Honor, I am innocent. But no one wanted to believe me. I didn’t think the police would give me a chance. Especially if they knew my background."

"You are referring to your brother?"

"Yes sir."

"All right then. While I don’t condone your behavior, I certainly couldn’t argue with your line of reasoning. Mr. Foster, would you be willing to accept a guilty plea on resisting arrest?"

The DA got to his feet, holding himself tightly. "I would Your Honor, but with the caveat that the State does not agree with the decision on the rape charge."

"So noted. Mr. Ramirez?"

"Your Honor, I think that is an acceptable option for my client."

"Very good. Mr. Jones do you agree?"

"Yes sir," Tyler replied. His heart was pounding and his throat was dry.

"In the matter of State vs. Jones, trial by jury has been deemed unnecessary by the presiding judge. The charges of rape and kidnapping are hereby dropped and a guilty plea entered for two counts of resisting arrest. I would rather not take up any more unnecessary tax dollars either. So if it’s all right with the lawyers present, I’d like to proceed to the sentencing." Neither lawyer disagreed. "Tyler Jones, in light of your guilty plea, I hereby sentence you to time served and 500 hours of community service. Court is adjourned."



Scene 5

Jack Creighton waited by the phone, his body tense with anticipation. He had no doubts that the judge would come back with the exact decision agreed upon by the two of them. After all, he was paid well and all it would take to ruin the man’s life was a small word with a reporter. He might do that anyway. Joe Pascarelli was an opportunist who had already made a deal with Tejera. What would stop him from making another one?

So it wasn’t the trial that had him worried. Instead, he was concerned about the whereabouts of his wife. Their marriage was relatively new and her investment in it nothing like his own. If truth be told, she hadn’t wanted to marry him at all. She had been engaged to another man but Jack had put an end to that with a few well-worded conversations. Yes, he had forced it on her with threats but the ends justified the means. His wife was the daughter of his partner. Actually, her father was his ex-partner considering that the man was now six feet under. She had inherited the fortune though and Jack wanted it. He didn’t need it but he did help his partner earn it. He almost felt as if it were due him and not his wife.

He wasn’t in love with her by any stretch of the imagination. She was flighty and prone to nervous breakdowns. He preferred women with strength and character. His wife had neither. The fact that she had disappeared and eluded her guard bothered him. But she did have a tendency to disappear. He had no doubts she would be found.

He picked the phone up on the first ring offering a terse, "Yes?"

"Found her." Jack recognized the voice of the man he had asked to go find her. Tanner Hart was the only one of three employees that his wife would lower herself to speak to. The other two were the housekeeper in Connecticut and the groundskeeper, both were elderly and both were in the dark about Jack’s line of work.

Jack exhaled and nodded to himself. "Good. Where is she?"

"New York. She’s visiting a friend. Someone by the name of Charlotte Avell."

"Have you checked into this woman?"

"She’s British. Apparently, they met in Colorado about four years ago."

"All right, well get her. And don’t take her back to the compound. Have someone pack her belongings and bring her here. I’m tired of this game she thinks she’s playing with me. And Tanner? Didn’t you say you were familiar with Virginia?"

There was a brief pause of dead air on the phone before Tanner answered. "Yes sir. Born and raised there."

"Yes...you have family in the state no doubt?"

"Yes sir. I actually have relatives in the Glen," Tanner replied.

"Well, that makes this fate. I want you to stay when you get here. She’ll need a bodyguard and a babysitter. Since you know the area, I want it to be you. How does that sound?"

Another pause and a brief exhale of air. "Sounds fine to me."

"Good. I expect to see you both soon."



Scene 6

"Well what do you think of that?"  Nicolas asked Diego in a quiet corner of the courthouse after the judge made his decision. Nicolas had already arranged a car to take Tyler back to the new Tejera home. There was no need to subject him to the press that waited outside. Diego could handle that well enough. "It came out mostly like we expected but that last about resisting arrest..."

Diego shrugged noncommittally. "Maybe he was covering his ass. Do you plan on questioning it?"

"I should," Nicolas replied darkly. "But if he was being pressured by someone else with a longer reach, he won’t answer."

"Why don’t I ask that reporter?"

Nicolas shook his head. "Don’t bother. We both know who pressured the judge besides us. Obviously, Creighton wants us to know he can play with my family’s lives as he sees fit."

"You’re certain it’s Creighton then?"

"Of course. The one thing I’m not certain about is his motive. Why me? He hated me when I worked for him in Florida. It was his partner that wanted me in their organization."

"And it was his partner who released you," Diego reminded him in a low voice. "Maybe he wants you back in the organization."

Nicolas thought about that for a moment. It sounded plausible but if it were true, why go to all the trouble of ruining his brother’s life? No, it had to be something else. "No, I don’t think that’s it. There has to be something else motivating him. For now though, we go on the offensive."

Diego nodded. They held a whispered conference before shaking hands and ending it with Diego departing to talk to the press. Left alone in the courthouse hallway, Nicolas watched the crowd leave the building slowly. He saw Toni chatting amiably with someone and called out to her. She paused in her walk and nodded ending her conversation abruptly.

"Well, looks like things turned out well for your brother," she said approaching him.

"You aren’t disappointed are you?"

"Of course not! I’m happy he’s free," Toni replied defending herself.

"This isn’t over. Not by a long shot. Someone is playing with my life and my family, Antonia. I don’t intend to sit idly by and watch it."

"Why are you sharing that with me?"

"Look, for some crazy reason, I trust you. Yes, even though you’re a cop. I just wanted to warn you, that’s all. Knowing me could be dangerous."

Toni’s expression softened and she smiled. "I’m figuring that out. But I know you, so there’s nothing we can do about it now."

"Well, there is something we could do. We could get to know each other even better," Nicolas hinted.

"Just what did you have in mind?"

"My club opening this Friday. I want you to be my guest."

Toni flushed a bright pink at his request. "I don’t...I wouldn’t have anything to wear," she stammered.

"I’ll take care of that. Just be ready at six when I come pick you up." He turned to leave but paused and looked over his shoulder. "I know you’re already thinking of ways to get out of it, Antonia. But don’t. This will be the best night of your life."

"Or the worst," she muttered as he walked away from her.

 

On the next Episode of Secret Horizons...

"My limits," Eric repeated, taking another look at Catherine Fairchild. "Are none of your business, Miss Fairchild. Now either take the grade as it is or write another paper. I think I've been pretty fair in giving you another chance. Be smart and take it. And this time Catherine? Put some effort into it. I know you're intelligent. The whole school knows it. But show me, all right?" He added closing his grade book. "You've got a week to change the grade."

Episode 174