Michelle wasn't surprised that Danny suspected that Theresa was working with Carmen. After all, Carmen had been the instigator of most of the problems they had encountered during their marriage. Danny told her that he originally believed that Dietz or Nino had been Theresa's line of communication with his mother, but Kevin's phone call changed that. Theresa had taken a very long drive with Edmund.

Danny was leaning back in his chair at the desk in the study. His mind was going in circles trying to piece everything together. He had believed Nino was Carmen and Theresa's line of communication, but last night made him rethink that idea. He had been secretly talking with Frank Cooper about the type of evidence needed to nail Nino and Dietz. He planned to call Frank this morning and find out if Edmund had been visiting Carmen. Frank had already confirmed that Theresa had not paid any visits to the jail. Her method of communicating with Carmen was the missing link in putting everything together.

Nino working with Carmen was the thing that had been the most confusing. If Nino wanted us out of the picture so he could acquire the Santos territory, helping Carmen trick me into taking over the business just didn't make sense.

Danny knew Carmen and Edmund had been spending time together during Michelle's trial. Since Carmen's arrest, he'd been under the impression that Edmund was occupied with his duties at Spaulding. Edmund's involvement made this an entirely new ballgame. "I never did find out what my mother and Edmund had been up to in San Cristobel," Danny thought aloud.

"What did you say?" Dietz asked as he came into the room.

"Just thinking out loud, nothing important. Tell me, Dietz, exactly what do you know about Mama's dealings with Prince Edmund in San Cristobel?"

***

Michelle was taking a walk along the beach in front of the lighthouse. She hadn't been back to this beach since the night Danny found out what had happened with Mick. A shiver ran down her spine as she recalled that horrible night with Mick and the terror she felt when Danny confronted her about Mick's death. She silently thought, "Why am I down here reliving those bad memories?"

While she was looking at the water, trying to steer her thoughts down a different path, she was startled to hear a voice behind her. "Michelle, you're looking quite well!"

Michelle turned and saw Edmund standing behind her. "What are you doing here?" she replied, surprise evident in her voice.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to give you a fright. I've found that I come here quite often, especially when I'm ...what do you American's call it? Oh! I know, homesick. Even though the beach here is quite a contrast from the ones in San Cristobel, just being in the sand by the water reminds me of home. Why are you here? I recall hearing that this is the place where that tragedy with Mick occurred," he said.

Michelle eyed Edmund cautiously. After what Danny had told her about his involvement with Theresa, Michelle knew not to trust him. She carefully weighed her words before answering. "I'm sure you're aware that Danny and I have separated. He thinks I'm in Europe visiting my father."

"Why are you here instead of in Europe?"

"Well, I realized that going to Europe was just running away from my problems. I knew I needed some time to think and make some decisions about what I want to do. My family owns the lighthouse and it seemed like a good place to spend some time alone thinking things over," Michelle replied.

"That still doesn't answer my question about being on this beach. It must hold some horrid memories for you," Edmund observed.

"You're right. I'm really not sure why I came down here. I just started walking and ended up here."

"Perhaps coming here to where your relationship with the Santos family began is a way of putting things into perspective," he said.

"I hadn't thought about it that way," Michelle said. She knew that she needed to ask Edmund to keep her presence a secret in order to keep the plan going. "You should come up to the lighthouse for some coffee. Please follow me."

As they walked up the steps to the lighthouse, Edmund continued to make small talk with Michelle. Theresa was right; this girl was easy to manipulate. Edmund had just gotten what he needed, access to the lighthouse. All that was left was to plant the listening device he had without Michelle's knowledge.

Michelle thought to herself, 'Why am I doing this? I should have left him on the beach. Danny's going to lose it when he finds out Edmund was here and I let him into the lighthouse with me. Of course, if I had dismissed Edmund too abruptly, he would've known we're onto him. I hope I can get through this little visit.'

"You should go up and check out the view from the observation deck," Michelle said as she motioned towards the stairway. "It's spectacular at this time of day. You can see for miles."

"I'm sure it's not as lovely as the beautiful lady before me," he replied.

Michelle was at the counter making coffee. She was glad her back was to Edmund as she rolled her eyes in disgust at his remark. Always the ladies' man she thought to herself. Knowing she had to keep up her act of trusting Edmund, Michelle politely answered the compliment, "You are too kind. Go on and check out the view. I'll be up in a moment."

Edmund had been casing the room while speaking with Michelle. The telephone was on the table by the bed. He needed to plant his listening device near there. He decided to go enjoy the view while he came up with a way plant the device unobserved.

Michelle came out onto the deck. "What do you think? I know the view is not as spectacular as the views in San Cristobel."

"It's different, breathtaking in its own quiet way."

"Always the diplomat, finding a way to say something nice about everything," Michelle remarked.

"That is what royalty is trained to do," Edmund laughed.

"The coffee should be ready. How do you take yours?"

"Black is fine." Edmund responded while looking at his watch. "I need to check in with my secretary at Spaulding. May I use your phone while you prepare the coffee?"

"Of course, it's downstairs by the bed."

While Michelle's back was turned to pour the coffee, Edmund placed his meaningless phone call. He planted the listening device under the edge of the bedside table as he asked his secretary about some pointless messages.

Edmund hung up the phone. "Michelle, I sorry to say that I must get back to the office. My apologies for leaving without enjoying your kind offer of coffee."

"I understand. Edmund, I do have a favor to ask. Please keep my presence here to yourself. I don't want to see Danny until I've thought everything through."

"Of course. Your secret is safe with me. Good day," he said as he went out the door.

"Yeah, right." Michelle muttered as she closed the door. She grabbed the cell phone in her purse and headed back to the observation deck to call Danny.

***

"Hello," Danny answered the phone quickly. Michelle could tell by the tone of his voice that now wasn't the time to tell him about Edmund's visit.

"Hi sweetheart! How's your day going?"

"It's okay. Can I call you back later? I'm in the middle of a meeting."

"Sure, but before you go," Michelle decided to tell Danny now. Since he couldn't talk, he'd have time to calm down before they discussed Edmund's visit. "I think you need to know that Edmund was at the lighthouse today."

"What?"

Before Danny could say anything else, Michelle said, "Call me back when your meeting is done so we can talk. I love you." Michelle hit end on the cell phone and watched Edmund drive away.

Bernard and Dietz sat across from Danny. "Is everything alright?" Bernard asked as he looked at the worried look on Danny's face.

"It's nothing that can't wait until we've finished. Dietz, I need you to go check on the package that's going to Europe."

"Yes boss," Dietz nodded as he answered. "Do you want me to call in and let you know the condition of the package?"

"ASAP." Danny glanced at Michelle's photo on his desk as Dietz left the room.

"Danny, what's up? I know you've got something going down. Care to let me in on it?" Bernard prodded.

"It's personal. I really don't want to get into it right now. Tell me about this deal you think I should be in on."

"Hold on Danny. I've known you since you were a child. I can tell when something is wrong. The business can wait a few minutes. Michelle's that package you've sent Dietz to check on, isn't she?"

"Yeah," Danny said as he picked up her photo and ran a finger along her face.

"Danny, our families have been close for years. Since your father's death, I've tried to keep the promise I made to him and look out for you. Tell me what's going on. Perhaps I can help."

"Okay. You know about the whole LA mess and Theresa and Ray's involvement in that." Bernard nodded as Danny continued. "I figured out that Theresa was working with Mama on that little game. They wanted to split Michelle and I up and reinvolve me with the family."

"From what I can tell, they've succeeded. That is, unless you've left something out."

"Well, that whole deal with Michelle and I in the hallway last week was an act. She's been staying at the lighthouse. I can't let it get back to Mama that we haven't really split up until I figure out everything she's got going on." Danny filled Bernard in on his suspicions about Nino, Dietz, Carmen, Theresa, and now Edmund.

"If you don't trust Dietz, why did you send him to the lighthouse?"

"You know that I have to make Dietz think I have complete faith in his loyalty or I'll never be able to get him to let his guard down and slip up. Once he does, I'll have him right where I want him."

Danny waited a few moments before asking, "Bernard, what do you know about Mama's involvement in San Cristobel with Prince Edmund."

"Just that she owned that bank down there that handles transactions for some of the different families."

"I need to find out exactly what Mama and Edmund are up to. I can't be sure that Michelle is safe until I know what they're up to and why."

"Danny, you've got quite a bit going down. I'll discuss this deal with you another time. Let me know if you need my help with anything."

"Actually Bernard, I do need something from you. I can't trust Dietz completely with Michelle's safety."

"You don't need to say anything more. I'll station some of my people around the lighthouse to keep an eye on things. If Edmund was in the lighthouse, you had better go check for unwanted ears right away," Bernard said as they walked out of the house together.

***

Dietz stopped at the docks on his way to the lighthouse. He only had a moment to speak with Nino. He reached for the handle on the side of the black sedan and climbed in. Dietz turned to speak with Nino, but was shocked to find himself face to face with Miguel Santos. "Boss, is that really you? I thought you were..."

"Calm down Dietz. The stories about my death are greatly exaggerated. What is going on with my wife and son?"

"But how, boss? Why are you here now?"

"Dietz, I'll explain everything later. You don't have much time here. What's going on with Daniel and Carmen?" Miguel inquired, even though he already had a very clear picture. Bernard had called him as soon as he'd left Danny and filled him in on Danny's version of what was happening. Now, all he needed was to know exactly what Carmen's scheme was. He also needed to learn more about his daughter-in-law before deciding whose scheme he wanted to see work out. Miguel listened as Dietz filled him in on what he already knew about Danny.

"Dietz, you'd better get to the lighthouse. I'll contact you later. When we meet again, I'll need you to tell me what Carmen's up to and what you think about all of this. Good-bye."

Dietz got to the lighthouse about five minutes ahead of Danny. He was still outside looking around when Danny's car pulled up. "Have you spoken to Michelle yet?"

"No boss. I walked down to the beach and looked around. I wanted to make sure that Edmund was long gone before I went to the door."

"Thanks Dietz. I'll handle things from here. You go on back to the house." As Dietz walked to his car, Danny eyed him cautiously. After the car pulled off, he said, "Where exactly were you? If you had come directly here, then you'd have already been inside and called me. Time to put a tail on you my friend."

Danny went to the lighthouse door and let himself in silently. Before Michelle could speak, he looked at her and put his finger over his mouth. Danny quietly walked around the room, looking behind the shutters and under the edges of the furniture. When he got to the bedside table, he found it. Michelle's eyes grew wide as she stared at the device he'd pulled out from under the table. Danny walked over to the refrigerator and put the bug inside. Then he took Michelle's hand and walked up the stairs to the observation deck.

"Why didn't you destroy that thing?" Michelle asked as soon as they were outside.

"It might be useful later on when I need to get Edmund's attention. Now, could you please explain to me why you let him in here," Danny demanded.

Parts 21-23

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