EPISODE 50

“THE THREAT”

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the fifth floor. Kevin Lassiter and Laura Harrison step off the elevator, led by Simon Harrison, who is pushing himself in his wheelchair.

Laura: Kevin, thanks for giving us a ride from the restaurant.

Kevin: It's no problem. I'm just sorry you had a flat tire.

Laura: (sighing) So am I.

Simon: (in a scolding tone) Darling, I told you not to forget to put the spare tire back in the trunk after you took it out to make room for all those clothes and books you donated to the AIDS hospice.

Laura: (shrugging) I know, I know. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have forgotten. Fortunately, the tow company said they'd have our car back here repaired in a couple of hours, so we'll be able to use it to drive home.

Simon: I guess that is a lucky break considering repairmen are usually so slow. But, we still have to pay for it, don't we dear?

Laura: Again, I'm sorry, honey.

Simon: (with a condescending tone) Let's just not let it happen again, shall we? (Pause as Laura looked embarrassed) Anyway, I have to be going…I have a meeting in my office in about fifteen minutes. Kevin, thanks for the ride, and I'll be in touch about the fund-raiser.

Kevin: (looking a bit embarrassed himself) Great. See you soon.

Simon: Good-bye. See you later, Laura.

Laura: (as Simon wheeled himself down a nearby corridor) Bye, Simon. (Laura glanced nervously at Kevin, as if she didn't know what to say)

Kevin: (breaking the ice) I guess you have to be getting back to work.

Laura: (relieved) As a matter of fact, I do. I'm seeing a patient in about fifteen minutes. (Pause) What are you plans for the rest of the day?

Kevin: I'm going to drop by and see A.J. and get the scoop on what happened today.

Laura: Kevin, it's like I told you at the restaurant. A.J. is fine. In fact, he was never even in danger.

Kevin: That's good to hear, but who knows how long that will last. The one thing my cousin knows how to do is find trouble.

Laura: Well, I'm glad he's okay…especially since he got into this situation with those drug dealers while trying to find Candice's killer. He almost lost his life and he's no closer to finding the truth than when he started. I just hope someone comes up with something before it's too late…if it isn't already with Nathan James having a heart attack and all.

Kevin: How's he doing anyway?

Laura: He was critical last time I heard. I hope things are getting better for him…the kid's been through so much, you know?

Kevin: Sounds like you feel sorry for him.

Laura: Of course I do.

Kevin: Then you don't believe Nathan killed your sister?

* * * * * *

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the Alec Stone Memorial AIDS Clinic, the nurses' station. Melissa Stone is there hanging up the phone as Dr. Zachary Dailey approaches.

Zachary: Melissa, what are you doing here? This isn't your usual day to volunteer here at the clinic.

Melissa: (nodding) I know it isn't, but I just felt like I should be putting in a few extra hours, especially today. It’s the fifth anniversary of my Uncle Alec’s death. Kevin had a small memorial service for him this morning.

Zachary: That's right. Gloria mentioned that to me. How was it?

Melissa: (smiling warmly) Very nice. Reminded me what a good man he was… how much I miss him even after all this time.

(The phone rang and Melissa answered it)

Gloria: (walking up) Zachary, there you are. I've been looking for you.

Zachary: (reluctantly looking at Gloria, the image of her kissing his father flashing instantly in his mind) You found me. (His voice was edgy)

Gloria: Can we talk? It's kind of important.

Zachary: (shaking his head) I really don't have time right now, I'm very busy.

Gloria: (puzzled by his curt attitude) Too busy to spare me a few minutes? I just want to clear something up about what you saw this morning about what you saw in your father's office.

Zachary: (holding up his hand) Forget it, Gloria. That is the last thing I want to discuss with you.

* * * * * *

Scene: A dark blue Acura Integra as it makes it's way through the streets of Southtown. Det. Eric Lassiter is behind the wheel, an unlit cigarette between his fingers. Det. Angela Sorensen is sitting in the passenger seat. Both of them were tense and wore grim expressions. Eric pulls the car in front of a small market. An old sign marked 'Southtown Market' hung out front.

Angela: The attack happened in the alley behind this market. We can start by questioning the store owner.

Eric: (reaching out and grabbing Angela's arm) Wait a minute.

Angela: (anger flashing in her emerald green eyes) You have got five seconds to let me go. (Her voice was as sharp as a razor's edge)

Eric: I want to talk to you.

Angela: (her voice rising) I said let me go. Now!

Eric: (letting her go) I just want to find out what you meant.

Angela: And I want you to know if you ever touch me again…must less grab me…you're going to be very, very sorry.

Eric: (tauntingly) What, are you going to accuse me of sexual harassment?

Angela: No, because when I'm done with you sex will be the least of your worries.

Eric: (bitterly) Don't worry…I'm not interested in touching you again. And if by some miracle I did, sex would be the last thing on my mind. I just want you to answer a question; I want to know what you meant.

Angela: (annoyed) Meant by what?

Eric: That remark…about me being full of crap.

Angela: (surprised) You want to talk about that now? We've got work to do.

Eric: It can wait a few minutes. Now I want to know what you meant by that remark.

Angela: It wasn't a remark. It's more like a statement of fact.

Eric: But what does it mean? I said my family refuses to accept me the way I am, which is why I'm not close to them. You say I'm full of crap. You want to explain that?

Angela: I'd think it was pretty obvious. You're blaming your family for your estrangement from them when it's clear that it's your own fault. 

* * * * * *

Scene: Covington Bay Police Department; a corridor outside the Homicide Division. Sabrina Collier is face to face with Jerry Nyland.

Jerry: I am not going to stand for you telling anyone about your crazy suspicions about my shoving the James kid down the stairs. You don't want to mess with me.

Sabrina: Mr. Nyland, that is the second time you have threatened me in as many days. Is this supposed to convince me that you're not responsible for what happened to my client?

Jerry: I'm not going to bother trying to convince you of anything.

Sabrina: But, I think you should, especially since you and Nathan were the only ones in that stairwell when he fell.

Jerry: The lights went out…he could've slipped and fallen himself. Or someone else could've came in the darkness, shoved him and ran away in the confusion.

Sabrina: True. Do you have any reason to believe that? Did you hear or see someone?

Jerry: Like I said, it was dark…and there was a lot going on. (Pause) The point is, I don't know what happened. All I know is that I didn't do anything…and if your client says otherwise and you try to peddle that garbage, you're going to find yourself in a hell of a lot of trouble.

Sabrina: That sounds like another threat, Mr. Nyland.

Jerry: I don't need to threaten you, Mrs. Collier. I've been here a long time, lady, and I've got an impeachable record. The likes of Nathan James is not going to ruin that. But then, maybe I'll get lucky and he'll cease to be a problem altogether. I heard through the grapevine that the James kid is pretty sick…that he had a heart attack.

Sabrina: How did you find out about that? It's not public knowledge yet. Captain Stone and Evan Maitland found out only moments ago.

Jerry: Covington Bay is a small town. Secrets don't stay secret for too long.

Sabrina: You're right, they don't. But the only way you could've found out about the heart attack was if you were at the hospital when it happened. Were you at the hospital today? And if so, why?.

* * * * * *

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the AIDS Clinic. Dr. Gloria Dailey and Dr. Zachary Dailey are standing near the nurses station. Gloria looks stunned and upset while Zachary wears an icy expression. Nearby, Melissa is talking on the telephone.

Gloria: Zachary, I just want you to know…

Zachary: I'm not interested in hearing about what is going on between you and my father. Frankly, it's really none of my business.

Gloria: But, I think we should discuss this.

Zachary: (holding up his hand) Like I said…I'm not interested and it's none of my business. (Pause) Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do. (Zachary walked away as Gloria looked after him, gasping)

Melissa: (concerned, having witnessed the exchange) Is there something wrong?

Gloria: Yes, I’m not exactly sure what it is though. (Pause) Can I ask you something?

Melissa: Sure.

Gloria: (recalling Eric's drunken display at Mama J's, during which he tried to illegally arrest Danny James) How was Eric this morning?

Melissa: (suddenly uncomfortable, remembering the quarrel she and Eric had the previous evening, one that ended with him shoving her and storming out) I don't know…I haven’t seen Eric since last night. Has something happened?

Gloria: Yes, I'd say so.

* * * * * *

Scene: A car parked in front of a small grocery store in Southtown. Angela and Eric are in the car, glaring at one another.

Eric: You're actually blaming me for the problems I have with my family? (He sneered) What the hell do you know?

Angela: Eric, you forget how long I’ve known you. I've seen you turn on your brother on a dime…cheat on every woman who was ever foolish enough to give a damn about you…treat your own mother like a stranger…ignore your own daughter. Family means nothing to you…and it's not because the Lassiters can't accept you or doesn't understand you. If you have problems with them it's because you don't give a damn about anyone but yourself.

Eric: You're only seeing one side of the story…the side that makes me look bad. You hate my guts and no matter what I said or did, you'd take the opposing side whether I was right or not.

Angela: (smirking) You say that as if anything you've said or done is right.

Eric: Look, I have always been viewed as the black sheep in my family. A.J. is the golden boy…he can do no wrong, no matter how he screws up. He blew his career as a cop, fouled up that foreign correspondent job he had with that magazine, messed up every relationship he's ever had, but does anyone ever criticize him? No! Everyone, my mother included, kisses all his boo-boos and showers him with praise. But, if I make a mistake, if life gives me a tough break, all I get are looks of disappointment, everyone saying it's my own fault and advice on how I can improve my life. And what about my dear cousin Kevin? Look at him…he's a goddamn queer. But everyone loves him and I get the cold shoulder because I can't embrace his freaking agenda. So don't tell me I'm the bad guy in this…you have no idea what you are talking about.

* * * * * *

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the fifth floor. Kevin and Laura walk into the lounge.

Laura: (shrugging) I don’t know what to believe. I know Nathan's had a troubled background, but he seemed like a good kid at heart, certainly not capable of murder. He did such a good job when he worked at the AIDS clinic for Zachary, so kind and caring to the patients. He really seemed to enjoy making them feel as best as he could. Zachary even said he was considering going into medicine as a result of the work he did there.

Kevin: I didn't know Nathan well, but he was a great help at the clinic. Zachary certainly was a big fan of his.

Laura: That's true. And he has no doubts that Nathan is innocent.

Kevin: That's can't be going over well with your father. Aunt Gloria told me Glenn is certain Nathan is guilty.

Laura: (nodding) It’s created problems between Zachary and Daddy, that's for sure…as if those two needed a reason to fight.

Kevin: I certainly know a lot about father-son conflicts, but I'd think given the situation, Zachary and Glenn might put their differences aside.

Laura: Believe me, I'm working on it, Kevin. I want to do everything I can to see to it that my brother and my father start to get along.

Zachary: (walking up) Laura, there you are. I've been looking for you. We need to talk.

* * * * * *

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the AIDS Clinic. Melissa and Gloria are standing near the nurses station.

Gloria: I tell you, I have never seem him as mean and vindictive or as drunk as last night. Fortunately, Zachary was there before things got out of hand between Eric and Danny James.

Melissa: (shaking her head) Gloria, I'm sorry. I'm sorry you had to go through that.

Gloria: I'm sorry I went through it too, but it's not your fault.

Melissa: Oh, but I think it is.

Gloria: What do you mean?

Melissa: It's my fault Eric got so drunk and picked a fight with Danny James.

Gloria: How can you say that?

Melissa: Eric and I argued last night.

Gloria: About what?

Melissa: He had a dream…a pretty bad one, I guess. It was about his old partner, Pete Cooper.

Gloria: (concerned) Eric's still having the nightmares?

Melissa: Yes. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised. You know how close he and Eric were…they were like brothers. Eric was devastated by his death and he still hasn't recovered.

Gloria: I know that…it explains a lot of his behavior. But how does that make you the cause of what Eric did last night?

Melissa: I tried to get Eric to talk about the nightmare. (Pause) He didn't want to talk about it, but I kept pressing him…I kept pushing him until he snapped and stormed out of the apartment. (Again she recalled him shoving her as he left) I knew I shouldn't have done that…I should've left well enough alone.

Gloria: Melissa, you were only trying to help Eric.

Melissa: But, I should've known forcing him to talk about his problems is no way to deal with Eric. He only shuts down and backs away. (Pause) He was obviously so angry and upset that he did what he did. (Pause) Gloria, don't you see what I've done? This whole thing is my fault!

Gloria: You can't blame yourself for Eric's actions.

Melissa: But none of this every would've happened if I hadn't of forced him out of his apartment. (Pause) And to think…to think I was angry at him for what he did to me.

Gloria: What he did? (Pause) Melissa, did something happen between you and Eric?

Melissa: (shaking her head) No. Nothing worth talking about. (Pause) I just hope it's not too late. I hope I can make things right.

Gloria: You can't make things right for Eric. Only he can do that.

Melissa: But this happened because of me…because I pushed when I shouldn't have. I just hope we can work this out. I hope he can forgive me for what I've done.

Gloria: Melissa, do you realize what you are doing? You're making excuses for Eric's drinking and his violent tendencies.

Melissa: I am trying to help the man I love. What is wrong with that?

Gloria: In this case, Melissa? Everything.

* * * * * *

Scene: An unmarked police cruiser outside a small grocery store marked 'Southtown Market'. Eric and Angela are in the car.

Angela: There is a big difference between you and your brother.

Eric: Isn't that my point?

Angela: I'm afraid you're missing the point. Unlike you, any mistakes A.J. has made he has owned up to them. He didn't blame anyone else or make excuses or repeat them time and time again. As for your cousin Kevin, he's not a queer, he's gay. And no one expects you to embrace his agenda. They expect you to treat him with respect and common decency…and they have every right to not like that you don't. (Pause) Eric, you are not the victim here. And I can't believe you'd even try to play that game with me.

Eric: If you're finished with your diatribe, can we get to work?

Angela: I wanted to do that ten minutes ago. You're the one who insisted on this discussion. Sorry if I didn't supply you with the sympathy you so obviously were aiming to get.

Eric: Sympathy from you? I don't want a damn thing from you, lady.

Angela: And you'd sure as hell would never get anything from me, either. (She grinned) And to think I never thought we'd ever agree on something.

Eric: (irritated) Let's get to work. (With that, Eric climbed out of the car. After slamming the door shut, he made a big show of lighting a cigarette and blowing a big puff of smoke in the air. He glared at Angela and headed for the grocery store where they'd begin questioning people who might know something about the assault of the Johnson boys)

Angela: (to herself) Trying to show me whose got the bigger gonads, are you Lassiter? You're going to learn I've got big ones myself…and they're made of steel.

* * * * * *

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the fifth floor lounge. Laura, Zachary and Kevin are there.

Laura: (turning to her older brother) Hi, Zachary. (He kissed her on the cheek)

Zachary: Hi, Kevin. How are you?

Kevin: Hey, Zachary. I'm doing okay. Thanks for asking.

Zachary: I'm sorry about not making the memorial service this morning, but I had a patient emergency.

Kevin: Don't worry about it, I understand. Thanks for the flowers…they were beautiful.

Zachary: No problem. I just wish I could've been there for you today.

Kevin: Zachary, you are here for me…and for Alec…with the work you're doing at the clinic. And you're doing that more than one day a year. Believe me, it's appreciated.

Zachary: Thank you, Kevin.

Kevin: You're more than welcome. (Pause) Well, I'm going to find Aunt Gloria and say hello before I take off. Bye guys.

Zachary: Bye.

Laura: Bye, Kevin. Thanks again for the ride.

Kevin: No need to thank me. Later. (Laura and Zachary watched as Kevin walked out)

Laura: You said you wanted to see me?

Zachary: I wanted to talk to you about Dad.

Laura: Good. I hope that means what I think it does. Have the two of you started mending fences ?

Zachary: No Laura. In fact, forget about bringing me and Dad together. It just simply isn't going to happen.

* * * * * *

Scene: Covington Bay Police Department; a corridor outside of the Homicide Department. Sabrina and Jerry are there.

Sabrina: Why were you at the hospital today?

Jerry: Have you suddenly gotten a badge? Is this an interrogation? Or am I on the witness stand? No? I guess that means I don’t have to answer any of your questions.

Sabrina: But you will have to answer questions eventually, Mr. Nyland. There is going to be an investigation.

Jerry: Of what? An accidental fall down the stairs? Mrs. Collier, you don't have any evidence of anything at all. The police isn't going to waste their time on nothing.

Sabrina: The police aren't the only people who can conduct an investigation, Mr. Nyland. Now I will find out why you were at the hospital today one way or the other. Why don't you just tell me now and make it easier on everyone?

Jerry: (glowering at her) Not that it's any of your business, but I will tell you why I was there…I have nothing to hide. (Pause) A buddy of mine, another guard here in fact, is undergoing a gall bladder operation. I was there to visit him. Simple as that. I wouldn't have even been there all that long except that the hospital wouldn't let me or anyone else leave because A.J. Lassiter disappeared and they had to search the place.

Sabrina: So you were there when Nathan had his heart attack?

Jerry: You already know the answer to that. Lassiter wasn't found until after the kid's ticker went south. (Pause) So, there's your answer. I was there…but I had nothing to do with what happened to him…today or yesterday. Now look, I don't give a damn if you believe me or not…I just want you to leave me the hell alone!

Sabrina: I would, except that there are too many unanswered questions about what's happening with Nathan and you are mixed up in it.

Jerry: Because I was there? That doesn't mean a damn thing.

Sabrina: It's enough to make me want to find out what is going on.

Jerry: And why would I want to hurt the kid? Until that day, I'd never seen him before in my life. I have no reason to hurt him, much less see him dead. Believe me, he was headed for a lifetime behind bars. That is going to be more painful than anything I could do to him.

Sabrina: I'm going to find out what is going on. Be warned…if you've got the answers, I will get them.

Jerry: You're wasting your time here, lady.

Sabrina: Right now, I am. But don't worry…we will talk again.

(Sabrina walked away)

Jerry: (a sneer curling his lips) You're right about that, sweetheart. We will talk again. But next time it's going to be on my terms.

* * * * * *

NEXT TIME IN COVINGTON BAY

· Quentin holds a family meeting.

· Laura asks Zachary a question he can't answer.

· Angela and Eric question a witness, but it doesn't go well.

· A.J. deals with an unexpected intrusion.