EPISODE 53

“TESTED LOYALTIES”

Sabrina Collier was in her office at Collier and Associates, the law firm that she helmed, leaning back in the comfortable black leather chair in her office. Her stocking feet was propped on her desk, her head was thrown back and an arm was slung over her face. The phone on her desk buzzed and Sabrina didn't stir. It buzzed again. Sabrina glared at the offending piece of office equipment and picked up the phone.

“Connie, I thought I told you I didn't want to be interrupted!” Sabrina grumbled.

“I know that, but there's someone here to see you.” Connie informed her. “And I don’t think you’ll want to miss this visitor.”

“You better hope so.” Sabrina warned.

Suddenly, the door swung open and David walked in. “I hope you're not going to let your husband be the cause of Connie losing her job.”

“Of course not, but that doesn't mean I won't fire her for not telling me who it was.” Sabrina said into the phone.

“Hey, your husband wanted it to be a surprise.” Connie said defensively.

“Unfortunately, I can’t fire him.” She grinned before hanging up. She went to her husband and hugged him tightly. “Oh, I'm so glad to see you. You, darling, are exactly what I need right now.”

* * * * * *

“Lucas, you have got to drop this case and drop it now!” James Greyhawk demanded.

James, along with his brothers Lucas and Nigel and their father Quentin, were in a boardroom at Greyhawk MedTech Inc.

“Why?” Lucas asked.

“It's a waste of time.” James insisted. “The police have their killer. Nathan James murdered Candice. If you’re investigating this case, you’ve seen the evidence so you must know that.”

“I’ve seen enough to know the evidence is circumstantial.” Lucas pointed out. “Left standing, Nathan could be convicted, but my job is to find something to poke all kinds of holes in the prosecution’s case.”

“You can aid and abet the guy who murdered the girl I was going to marry!?” James said in disbelief. “She would've been a member of this family if Nathan hadn't killed her and you're going to see to it that he get off!?”

Nigel gripped his youngest brother shoulder. “James, calm down.”

“Calm down!?” James cried. “How can I when my own brother is betraying me!?”

* * * * * *

Nikki Lassiter watched as her boyfriend Richie stared out of the window of the empty classroom of Covington Bay High School, watching the football team practice on the field below. Richie has tears in his eyes, his face wracked with pain.

“You know, it was only a few months ago that Nathan and I stood out on that field and watched the team practice.” Richie’s voice was ragged. “We couldn't wait for the season to start so we could go to the games.”

“I know. You and Nate were big football fans.” Nikki said. “It’s all you talked about.”

“I know.” Richie said. “We bored everybody to death. Nate's been rooting for the Cougars ever since he was a little kid when he used to come and watch his brother Danny play. He thought going to the games would be such fun. You and me…he and Candice. At least Nate hoped Candice could go to the games with him. He'd planned for their relationship to be in the open by that time. But obviously not meant to be. All the good times…all the joy we had in our lives and were going to have is gone. It's all gone. Nathan has lost everything…the girl he loved, his job, his future, his freedom…and now he might lose his life.”

“Richie…” Nikki began.

“Nikki, don't tell me everything going to work out.” Richie interrupted. “Don't tell me we're going to be fine. I really don't believe that anymore. I don't have any reason to. I can't believe in anything…not after seeing Nate lying so close to death in that hospital bed.”

“I can't believe Nathan had a heart attack. He's just a kid.”

“He's been under a lot of stress. That could've led to the heart attack.”

“Richie, I'm no doctor, but I know that there would have to be some sort of damage to the heart for Nate to suddenly have a heart attack. Last I heard, Nathan was in great health.”

“The doctors probably missed something.”

“Heart problems aren't usual in a teenage boy. I can't imagine the doctors would overlook something bound to be that conspicuous.”

“We’ll find out what happened soon enough.” Richie said. “They were doing all kinds of tests when I left the hospital. I want to go back there to see how things turned out.”

“Now? What about class?” Nikki asked.

“Nikki, the last thing on my mind is sitting in History class while my best friend could be dying.”

“There’s nothing you can do for him. From what you said he still unconscious and the doctors are trying to find out what happened. At this point, there's nothing you can do…you'll probably even be in the way.”

“Someone has to be there for Richie. No one can find his brother, his only family. I can't stand by while he lies alone in that hospital bed. I only left the hospital to come and tell you what happened.”

“And I appreciate that.” Nikki hugged her boyfriend. “The last way I'd want to hear this is the gossip grapevine or on the news.”

“It's probably too soon for that…I wouldn’t imagine the papers would've gotten a hold of this yet.”

“Then how did you find out?” The dark haired teenage girl asked.

“I was at the hospital when it happened. I found Nate's body. I tell you I've never been so scared in my life…he looked dead…like he wasn't breathing. Thankfully, he was.”

“Yes, thank God.” Nikki agreed, then paused. “Richie, I don't understand. Why were you at the hospital? You told me just this morning that your father forbid you to see Nathan. In fact, you said he was even going to try and stop you for testifying.”

“Right, but what does that have to do with anything?”

“Well, you told me you were going to my Aunt Sabrina's office to see what she could do…if she could stop your father. You only had your lunch break and the hospital and my Aunt Sabrina's offices are on opposites ends of town. You couldn't do both.”

“Nikki, I'm not sure what you're getting at.”

“I just don't get why you would go to see Nathan considering there were much more important things at hand, Richie? What was it that made you decide to go to the hospital?” Nikki questioned.

* * * * * *

Quentin, Nigel, Lucas and James Greyhawk were in the boardroom at Greyhawk Med Tech Inc.

“I'm no fool, Lucas.” James said. “I know how defense lawyers operate. Sabrina Collier's job is not to find out who killed Candice, but to clear her client no matter if he is guilty or not. This isn't about justice, it's about who can twist the evidence the right way to get an acquittal. The thing is I don’t understand why you took this job, this case. You can’t need the money. The last I heard Greyhawk Investigations was doing incredibly well. You couldn't afford to turn down this job?”

“I took this job so I could spend time with my family and work as well.” Lucas defended himself.

“And you wound up betraying us instead.” James accused.

“All right, that's enough!” Quentin interjected.

At that moment, the phone rang. Nigel, looking relieved at the intrusion, answered the phone.

“Nigel Greyhawk here.” As he listened, his expression turned grim. “Tell her I'll be right there.”

Quentin watched as Nigel hung up the phone. “There isn't anything wrong is there son?”

“I don’t know. Monica's here to see me.” Nigel headed for the door. “I’ll see you later.”

“James, I realize you're upset, but to say Lucas betrayed this family is uncalled for.” Quentin said as Nigel walked out. “Candice Dailey was a lovely girl, but she was not a member of this family.”

“And if you had of had your way, Dad, she never would've been.” James said.

“You're right about that.” Quentin nodded. “I thought she was completely inappropriate for you.”

“Well, you got your wish. She's dead and Lucas is conspiring with her killer.” James cried.

“I hardly wished the girl dead, I just wanted her out of your life.” Quentin said. “We're getting off the point here. Lucas did not take this job to hurt you. He took it because it brought him close to his family.”

“I certainly didn't think you would be so upset about it.” Lucas insisted.

“But now that you know that, I think you should drop the case, don't you?” James asked.

Lucas shook his head. “No, James. I'm afraid I can't do that.”

* * * * * *

Monica was in Nigel’s office, staring out of the office skyscraper window. Nigel walks in, a concerned look on his face.

“Monica, what's wrong?” Nigel asked.

Monica turned to face her husband. “Wrong? Nothing. What makes you think there's a problem?”

“Well, you hardly ever come to the office to visit.” Nigel reasoned. “The last time was to tell me Vicki and fallen out of a tree and broken her arm.”

“Oh, honey, I'm sorry there's no reason to be concerned. Vicki's fine and so am I.” Monica smiled. “I'm here to see my wonderful husband and tell him I love him. You don't mind do you?”

“As a matter of fact, I don't.” Nigel pulled his wife into his arms, kissing her. “It's good to see you, honey.”

“Did you get Vicki’s Ewey?” Monica asked.

“Yes.” Nigel said, a little uneasy.

“Good.” Monica smiled. “Then our step-daughter will sleep a lot easier tonight.”

“We’ll all sleep easier tonight.” Nigel corrected.

“Then I guess your foray into enemy territory left you unscathed.” Monica surmised.

“Pretty much.” Nigel nodded, thinking of his conversation with Kevin.

“What does that mean?” Monica asked. “Did something happen?”

“Nigel, you’ve never hidden anything from me.” Monica pointed out. “Why are you doing it now?”

* * * * * *

A.J. Lassiter sat in his kitchen at the breakfast nook, eating a sandwich and drinking a glass of milk. His cousin Kevin sits across from him, sipping on coffee.

“Kevin, you haven’t answered my question.” A.J. said. “Do you and Nigel still have feelings for one another?”

“A.J., how many different ways do I have to tell you that it’s over between Nigel and I. We broke up a long time ago. I fell in love with Alec. He got married. There's nothing left between us.” Kevin insisted.

“Kevin, you forget I was one of the few people who knew about the relationship between you and Nigel. I know how much you loved each other.”

“And you also know how much we hurt each other.”

“Doesn't mean you don't still love each other. In fact, being able to hurt each other so badly is a sure sign of love to me.”

“Somehow I don't think Hallmark will put that on a card.” Kevin said wryly.

“Kevin, I just think that if there is still something between you two, you should see what that is, where it can lead.” A.J. pointed out.

“A.J., there will always be something between me and Nigel.” Kevin said. “You don't have that kind of love for someone and have it go away. But it is over and it's over for the same reasons it always has been. Nigel can't accept who he is. He can't come out of the closet. And now he’s a married man. Not only that, our families are at war and always have been. Now it looks like we always will be. If those aren't enough reasons, I can come up with more.”

“Look, I'm not saying there are problems or difficulties with you and Nigel getting involved, but it's not something that can't be worked out if you two love each other.”

“A.J., you ask me how I feel about Nigel?” Kevin asked. “Well, I don't know. I do know that even trying to think about us and our past hurts. It brings back all kinds of stuff I thought I put away a long time ago. I've got enough pain in my life. I'm really not prepared to deal with anymore.”

A.J. could see the torment on his cousin’s face. “I understand, Kevin. I'm sorry, I just…”

“Look, I know you're concerned.” Kevin interjected. “But right now, let's concern ourselves with what the Greyhawks have done to you…to us. Like you said, that article in today's paper is just the start. We've got to figure out how to fight back before it gets even nastier.”

“Hopefully, Aunt Sabrina can do something.” A.J. sighed.

“She's a good lawyer, maybe she can.” Kevin agreed. “But, A.J., what about your newspaper? Have you spoken to them? How do you think they're taking this news?”

“Well, I…” A.J. started to say as the phone rang, interrupting him. “”Lassiter. Hi, boss. Oh, you've read the article, huh? Well, let me tell you… But, I… Okay, okay. I'll be right there.”

A.J. hung up the phone, a grim look on his face.

“That doesn't sound like good news.” Kevin said.

“It isn't.” A.J. shook his head. “My boss, Drake Williamson, wants to see me to discuss the article.”

“How did he sound?”

“Grim.” A.J. reported. “I have the feeling this mess is about to get a hell of a lot messier. Damn it! Damn Patricia Tamakai!”

* * * * * *

Michael and Patricia Tamakai were in Michael’s office at Collier and Associates.

“You understand, Michael, don't you?” Patricia asked. “You understand why I can't tell A.J. the truth now?”

“No. No, I don't. Now is the time when you should be telling A.J. the truth. He deserves to have the truth told about that article, and he deserves to have the truth about why you came back to town. The lies have got to stop!” Michael insisted.

“One has nothing to do with the other, Michael.”

“I say your lies are tangled in one big ball.” Michael returned. “And it's starting to catch up with you…it's going to destroy you…destroy us all unless you be honest.”

“If I tell the truth about that damn article, I lose my career and if I tell the truth about why I came home, it's going to ruin everything. I'll never get what I want.”

“And you think you deserve to get what you want when you achieve it by ruining everyone else's lives? Patty, haven't you learned yet? Lies will get you nothing but trouble. The lies you've been telling since you got back to town…hell long before that…are going to ruin your life. You're going to wind up with nothing if you don't put and end to this now.”

“I can’t, Michael, I can't!” Patricia shook her head.

Michael threw his hands in the air. “Then maybe you better just go, Patricia. I've got work to do, people I can actually help.”

“Michael, what am I supposed to do?”

“Patty, you've betrayed a family who has been nothing but good to you. The Lassiters have treated us like one of their own. And for you to so easily turn away from that, from us, I don't understand it, or you.” Michael said. “I cannot stand by and watch while you do this to people who don't deserve it.”

“Meaning.”

“I want you out of my office. I can't stand the sight of you.”

“Michael, please….!” Tears formed in Patricia’s eyes. “You're my brother.”

“And clearly family means little to you. How do I know that if it would get you what you want, you wouldn't do to me what you did to A.J.?”

“I would never hurt you.”

“You already are, little sister, you already are. Now could you please go?”

“Fine. I'll get out of this, Michael, even if you won't help me.” Patricia walked out.

* * * * * *

Nikki and Richie were in an empty classroom at Covington Bay High School.

“Nikki, what is this all about? Why all the questions?” Richie asked.

“Richie, I just want to know why you went to the hospital instead of going to see Sabrina Collier.” Nikki said. “Did something happen to change your mind?”

“No. I just found out Sabrina was at the hospital and I went there to see her. It was as simple as that.” He explained.

“Did you ever get a chance to talk to her?”

“No. I hardly saw her with everything that was going on.” Richie explained. “Why the cross examination? It's James Greyhawk you should be asking all these questions, not me.”

“Richie, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just…” Nikki started to say.

“Just what?”

“Forget it, forget it.” Nikki shook her head. “You know what we need? We need to forget about all this.”

“How can we forget this mess?”

“We can, for awhile.” Nikki took Richie’s hand. “Come with me.”

* * * * * *

Nigel and Monica were in Nigel’s office.

“Did something happen when you went to Lassiter Mansion?” Monica said. “Because there’s clearly something on your mind that you aren’t saying.”

“I was going to tell you about this, Monica, I really was. I intended on doing it tonight when I got home. I guess now is a good a time as any.”

“I think I can already guess what this is about.” Monica proposed.

“You can?”

“Yes. It's about having a baby. You've come to a decision, haven't you?”

“Yes, in a way, I guess I have.” Nigel said. “And it has a lot to with what happened when I went to pick up Vicki’s Ewey.”

“And what happened?”

“I’d have to say that Kevin Lassiter is what happened.”

* * * * * *

David and Sabrina were in Sabrina’s office.

“You're happy to see me then?” David smiled. “Does this mean Connie won't be fired?”

“Sorry about all that, but this day has been terrible.” Sabrina said. “I needed some peace and relaxation, at least for an hour or so.”

“I know this day has been tough. From A.J.'s brief disappearance to Nathan James' heart attack, you've been through a tough time.”

“Your day hasn't exactly been great either. Frankly, I’m surprised to see you. I thought you'd be with Polly Johnson.”

“I have been, but Mama J. relieved me for a while. She told me to go and hug my wife and get some rest. I thought I'd come hug my wife first.”

Sabrina embraced David again. “And your wife is eternally grateful for that, too. Has there been any word on Sam Johnson's condition?”

David shook his head as they sat on the Sabrina's office. “Not yet. Gloria gave him an exam, but the results haven't come in yet. I don't think it looks good though, not with the head trauma that boy suffered.”

“And the police? Have they come up with anything yet?”

“All I know is that Eric is on the case. I don't know where the investigation is at this point.”

“I'm sure he will come up with something. He's irresponsible in many ways, but he is a good cop.”

“I'm surprised you feel that way.”

“Why?”

“Well, he did arrest Nathan James for murdering Candice Dailey.”

“That doesn't make Eric a bad cop…he just made a mistake.” Sabrina reasoned.

“That's rather magnanimous of you considering all you've been through since you took on this case.” David said.

“I don't blame Eric for that. He was just doing his job…following the evidence where it led him. It's my job to get the evidence that is going to lead somewhere else. I just hope Lucas Greyhawk is able to get me that evidence.”

“You hired Lucas Greyhawk?” David was surprised. “Isn't that difficult considering the history between Michael and Lucas? I imagine he can't be too happy about that.”

“He's not, but I had to hire the man who would do the best job, who I thought could find the evidence to clear Nathan. In this case, it's Lucas Greyhawk.”

* * * * * *

James, Lucas and Quentin were in the Greyhawk MedTech boardroom.

“You can't drop this case? Knowing how much it bothers me, you can't drop this?” James asked.

“James, I'm sorry this upsets you, I had no idea that it would. But, I took on this assignment, I made a commitment to Sabrina Collier. I can't drop this, it would be wrong, unethical.” Lucas said.

“And what would you call betraying your family?” James accused.

“James, you're exaggerating.” Lucas replied.

“Your brother is right, James.” Quentin interjected. “This is not about hurting you, it's about getting at the truth. Lucas just wants to find evidence that Nathan James may have not killed that girl. Hell, he might even find the real killer. Isn't that important to you, Lucas?”

“It is, and we've found the real killer. It's Nathan James. Trying to find anyone else is just a waste of time.” James said. “I have to be getting back to school. I'll see you later.”

Glaring at Lucas, James walked out.

“Dad, I'm sorry. I really am. I had no idea James would react like this to my news.” Lucas said.

“It just surprised him, son.” Quentin said. “He'll get over it once he has time to think about it. After all, the whole point of this is getting to the truth behind Candice Dailey's murder. James wants the truth to come out just as much as anyone, don't you think?”

“Yeah, you'd think so, wouldn't you?” Lucas nodded, a curious expression spreading across his face.

* * * * * *

COMING UP ON COVINGTON BAY

· Nigel tells Monica about their future.

· Sabrina plans her next move.

· A.J.'s career suffers a terrible blow.

· Dana makes a confession.