Covington Bay--Episode 68

EPISODE 68

“HIS OTHER SIDE”

~~Scene: Covington Bay Police Department; the Homicide Division. Eric and Angela~~Scene: Covington Bay Police Department; the Homicide Division. Det. Eric Lassiter and Det. Angela Sorensen are there near her desk. Angela is glaring coolly at Eric.

Angela: You know, Eric, as much as your ego might like to think I sit around obsessing about you, I give you as little thought as possible. For your information, I happen to be doing paperwork. We are on a new case, you know. And there are reports to be written and papers to be filed.

Eric: We just started on that case today. We've got plenty of time.

Angela: (her green eyes filling with disapproval) I don't believe in putting things off, especially when it comes to my job.

Eric: (sarcastically) So with you other wonderful attributes, you're anal retentive too?

Angela: (pulling the sheet of paper out of the typewriter and slipped it into the file folder) Don't you have a bar stool you could be falling off of?

Eric: I forgot my wallet.

Angela: If you forgot your wallet, how'd you pay to get yourself in this disgusting condition?

Eric: I borrowed a few bucks off my buddies at the ~~Black and Blue~~Black and Blue.

Angela: (her brows raised in surprise) You have friends?

Eric: (grinning) A lot of people find me quite the charmer.

Angela: (smirking) And the Germans liked Hitler in the beginning too.

(Angela got up and walked over to a gray metal file cabinet which lie against the wall with several others. She looked annoyed that Eric tagged behind her)

Eric: Just because you don't like me doesn't mean that other people feel the same way.

Angela: Are you trying to convince me or yourself of that?

Eric: You just seem to get off on hating me.

Angela: (opening the file cabinet with a little more force than intended) No, Eric, you just make it so damn easy. You treated ~~my sister~~my sister like hell when you were married to her, you ignore ~~the daughter~~the daughter you share, you are rude and obnoxious to everyone and everything around you and your selfish needs. Am I supposed to find that endearing?

Eric: Well, maybe you wouldn't think so harshly of me if you liked men in general.

Angela: (growing angry) Now what in the hell is that supposed to mean?

Eric: (taunting) What do you think it means?

Scene: Aboard The Cassandra. ~~James and Nikki~~James Greyhawk and Nikki Lassiter are there on deck facing one another. James is smiling at Nikki as he holds a glass of champagne.

Nikki: (shaking her head) Greyhawk, you are amazing.

James: (smiling) ~~Play your cards right and you'll find out just how much.~~ You’ve realized that so soon on our relationship?

Nikki: ~~For the record, I am~~ We are not ~~interested in kissing you. I certainly didn't enjoy it before~~having a relationship and ~~I sure wouldn't enjoy it now.~~

~~James: So you say, but I say different.~~

~~Nikki: And I say you are as egotistical as the rest of~~even if we were, there wouldn’t be enough room for me and your ~~family.~~ ego.

James: What is wrong with being sure of yourself? You're a very self-assured woman. It's one of the many things I found attractive about you. Does it suprise you to hear that?

Nikki: Yes, it does. You've never given any indication of how you felt, if what you're saying is true.

James: It's true, but I certainly couldn't let you in on it. What would be the point? Ignoring the fact that our families are constantly at war, you have ~~Richie~~Richie Stone glued to your side. I didn't have the chance to get close to you.

Nikki: And now you do?

James: ~~Yes, my dear.~~Yes. And I plan on taking advantage of this golden opportunity.

Nikki: Really? And to think all it took was for your fiancée to get murdered to get it.

Scene: Greyhawk Manor; the foyer. Monica is coming down the staircase as the doorbell is ringing.

Monica: (yelling) I'll get it! (She ran to the door and opened it. She looked surprised, then smiled to see Melody standing there) Melody!

Melody: Hi, Monica. (They hugged) How are you?

Monica: Pretty good. (She closed the door) What are you doing here?

Melody: I just wanted to drop by and see my baby sister. It's not too late, is it?

Monica: No, of course not. You know it's never too late for the Sorensen girls to drop in on one another, especially when there's something wrong.

Melody: What makes you think there's something wrong?

Monica: Come on, Melody. You're dressed to the nines~~, but you're on my doorstep, clearly~~ and you show up pretty late looking pretty upset. I'd say you needed to talk. I just wonder why you came to me.

Melody: Well you are my sister.

Monica: Melody, I am all too aware that ~~Hillary is the go-to gal when anyone in this family has problems. And Hillary goes to you when she needs to talk.~~ Hillary is everyone's go to gal when they need to talk. No one ever shows up at my doorway with a load of problems. Is everyone else busy or unavailable?

Melody: (hesitating) Monica, I....

Monica: Melody, don't worry. I'm not offended. Lord knows I'd made so many mistakes in my life that I would be the last person anyone would come to for advice.

Melody: Monica, we've all made mistakes when it comes to relationships.

Monica: You and A.J. having problems?

Melody: Of course we are. How could we not with everything that's going on? We'll be lucky if we survive this mess.

Monica: ~~What mess? Is there~~What mess? Is there something going on I should know about?

Melody: (puzzled) You mean you don't know?

Monica: No. I have no idea what you're talking about. ~~What's going on?~~

Melody: (hesitating) Melody: I see. I don't think I should be the one to tell you. You better talk to Nigel.

Monica: Nigel? What does Nigel have to do with you and A.J.?

Melody: I~~t's~~(hesitating) It's best if I not say anymore. Maybe I better go and let you talk to your husband.

Monica: No, Melody, tell me what’s going on. And tell me now.

Scene: Greyhawk Manor; the living room. Nigel and Lucas are there.

Lucas: Nigel, you have a point. A.J. wouldn't just take off with Patricia and leave Melody in the lurch. He might be a jerk, but he's not a complete jerk.

Nigel: The question then is: what happened to them?

~~Lucas: But, if that isn't what went down, then what did happen?~~ Lucas: I'm afraid to think. It was no less than twenty four hours ago that A.J. and Patricia were nearly killed by drug dealers rumored to work for Victor ~~Markham.~~Markham.

Nigel: And they vanished at ~~Markham's,~~Markham's, right? Do you think there's a connection?

Lucas: (grimly) Right now, I'd say it was a pretty good bet.

Scene: A log cabin outside of Covington Bay. A.J., Patricia and Victor ~~Markham~~Markham are there.

Victor: So, will the two of you hear me out?

Patricia: Why would we be interested in anything you would have to say...unless it's a confession?

A.J.: (sternly) Shut up, Patty. (Pause) I'd ~~like~~love to hear what you have to say, Mr. ~~Markham,~~Markham, especially since you went to so much trouble to get us here.

Victor: ~~For starters~~Good. (Pause) I was rather surprised when Det. Jake Collier showed up on my doorstep this afternoon with all kinds of questions about my connection to the men the two of you encountered last night.

Patricia: Why shouldn't he come to you? The police do think they work for you.

Victor: And the police would be wrong. As I said, I am not involved with drug dealers or murderers. But the police believe I ~~am.~~am.

A.J.: ~~And~~With all due respect, Mr. Markham, it wouldn't be the first time your name has been in connection with criminal activity in this town.

Victor: True. But there's never been any proof, nor a conviction. Not even an arrest. That says something, wouldn't you think?

Patricia: That you're lucky?

Victor: (insulted) That I'm innocent.

A.J.: Is this why you wanted to talk to us? Did you bring us here to tell us you're innocent? Are you hoping for an interview?

Victor: I have come here to not only let you know that I had nothing to do with those men, but to prove it.

Patricia: How?

Victor: By helping to find them. I want to bring an end to the police suspicion of me. I'm tired of being vilified in the press and looked down upon by a lot of people in this town. I want to clear my name and the best way to do that is to find those men and bring them to justice.

A.J.: The police are working very hard to find them.

Victor: I don't exactly have faith with the police in this town considering their continual suspicion of my and my business activities. But, I do have faith in the two of you. You are both capable, intelligent and intuitive reporters. And given that you also have something at stake, that being your lives, you want them found as much as I do. I suggest we pool our resources and our skills and find them...together.

Scene: Aboard The Cassandra. Nikki and James are on deck.

James: (angrily) That comment isn't very funny.

Nikki: Well I’m glad I’m not the only not finding humor in this evening.

James: I thought you were friend of Candice's? How could you joke about her being murdered?

Nikki: That was no joke, James. Candice has only been dead a few months yet you are flirting and coming on to me. I don't get it. How could you do that to something you claim to love so much?

James: (shaking his head) I don't want to talk about it.

Nikki: Why not? You brought it up. You're the one who accused me of making light of her death.

James: I shouldn't have said it. Candice was a friend of yours. You wouldn't make jokes at her expense.

Nikki: No I wouldn't. But, you don't act like a young man in mourning, someone who lost the love of his life. In fact, grieving the loss of your fiancé seems to be the furthest thing from your mind.

James: What is wrong with moving on with my life?

Nikki: Nothing. It's just so different than how Nathan seems to be feeling. He's torn up about what happened.

James: (rage burning in his eyes, grabbing Nikki roughly about the wrist) How dare you compare me to him!?

Nikki: (struggling to get away) Let me go, James! Let me go now!

James: (shaking her) Take it back, damn you! Take that back! Don't you ever compare me to that murderer! Ever!

Nikki: (trying to pull away) Let me go, James! You're hurting me!

Scene: Covington Bay Police Department; Homicide Division. Eric and Angela are standing near a bank of filing cabinets.

~~Angela:~~ Angela: It is just like you to assume that because a woman is strong and refuses to take any crap from men, she must be a lesbian.

Eric: Hey, I'm all for strong women. You know my mother. She's one of the toughest ladies around. And so is my Aunt Sabrina. But, that isn't what makes me wonder what side of the field you're playing on. There are plenty of other reasons why.

Angela: I'm really not interested in what you think.

Eric: Miss Sorensen, I question your preference because for as long as I've known you, I've never seen you with a man. You don't seem to be interested in dating anyone or even just out to have a good time.

Angela: My personal life really isn't up for discussion.

Eric: Why? You got something to hide?

Angela: No.

Eric: But, this topic of conversation seems to make you very nervous. I may have hit a nerve. And you still haven't answered the question.

Angela: Because I don't owe you an answer. I might be a lesbian... then again I may not be. I might be a transexual or I might be a virgin waiting to give myself to my husband on my wedding night. But whatever I am, however I conduct my private life, it's none of your damned business. (Angela slammed the filing cabinet shut) Excuse me, there are some files downstairs I suddenly remember I need. Since you probably won't be here when I get back, goodnight. (She stormed out)

Eric: Definately hit a nerve.

Melissa: (walking in) Eric!

Eric: (nastily) Melissa, what are you doing here? You want people to see us together?

Melissa: No one's going to think anything and even if they did I'll just say I dropped by to see my father and I missed him. I've been trying to catch up with you for the last couple of hours. I called here first, but they said you left so I tried your place. You weren't there, so I tried the Black and Blue and a couple of the other places you hang out. I was going to give up until I passed by and saw your car outside the station.

Eric: Well, you found me, but I was just on my way out.

Melissa: (grabbing Eric by the arm as he started to walk out) Eric, please. I know you're angry at me. I know you're upset about what happened last night, but...

Eric: You're right, I am upset. Whatever you have to say, save it. I'm not interested.

Scene: Aboard The Cassandra. James and Nikki are there on deck. James has hold of Nikki's wrist. She is struggling to get away to no avail.

Nikki: James, let me go, damn you! Let me go!

James: Not until you take that back! Not until you....! (He stopped, suddenly looking as if he suddenly realized what he was doing and released her) Nikki! Oh my God! I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that...I had no right.

Nikki: (rubbing her wrist) You certainly didn't.

James: Nikki, I'm sorry. I truly am sorry. I just lost control. I got so angry. Just thinking about Nathan James and what he did to Candice makes me so full of rage. Don't you understand that? He murdered Candice! He took her away from me. And no matter what you think of me, I loved her. I really loved her and I wanted to marry her. (He sighed heavily) I thought my life was set, I thought I'd always be happy because I had Candice. I had the best girl in the world...until that scum came along and took her away. And why? Because she loved me and not him.

Nikki: (taken aback) James, I...I'm so sorry.

James: What do you have to be sorry about, Nikki? You haven't done anything wrong. You came here to help me. You came here to do a good deed and look how I've treated you. No matter how angry I was, I had no right to grab you, not like that. It was wrong. (Pause) Are you sure you're all right?

Nikki: I'm a little shaken. But, I'm fine.

James: Then do you accept my apology?

Nikki: Just don't let it happen again.

James: It won't. I promise. I know I've got to keep my anger and my rage at what happened underwraps. I can't let it consume me. It won't help the situation. And it's not what Candice would want. She's hate to see me like this; so angry and full of bitterness. Don't you see it's why I don't want to talk about her? It hurts too much. It hurts so badly that my feelings sometimes overwhelm me.

Nikki: Maybe if you dealt with it, you might be able to get over it.

James: And maybe my emotions might get so out of control that I...

Nikki: (encouragingly) That you what?

James: (stopping himself) Nikki, I think we better call this a night. I'll turn the boat around and we'll go back home.

Nikki: Now? We haven't even had dinner yet?

James: I know, but I'm not hungry anymore. I suddenly seem to have lost all my appetite. (Pause) I'll talk to the Captain. We should be at the marina in no time.

Nikki: Wait. You can't do that, not yet. Not until you hear what I have to say.

Scene: Covington Bay Police Department; Homicide Division. Melissa and Eric are there.

Melissa: Eric, you have every reason to be angry, but I think we should clear this up. Let's get out of here. I really think we should go somewhere to work this out. Somewhere where we can be alone.

Eric: (sighing) Fine. You can buy me a drink. I gotta grab my wallet. Go get the car and I'll meet you out front.

Melissa: All right. (She turned to see Angela standing a few feet away, some files in her hand) Angela.

Angela: (her perfectly manicured eyebrows arched in curiosity) Hello, Melissa.

Melissa: Melody told me about your promotion. Congratulations.

Angela: Thanks.

Melissa: Well, I came looking for my father, but he’s not here so I guess I’ll take off. Bye, Eric.

Eric: Bye.

(Melissa walked out)

Angela: You know, Eric, you have finally managed to do something I never expected.

Eric: And what would that be?

Angela: You’ve actually surprised me. Because I’m amazed at how self-destructive you can be.

Eric: What are you going on about?

Angela: Sleeping with Captain Stone’s daughter. You must have a death wish… not that I care.

Eric: What makes you think I’m sleeping with Melissa?

Angela: Because you’re not subtle and she’s a bad liar.

Eric: So what if I am? Your personal life is off limits, but mine isn’t?

Angela: Eric, I don’t give a damn what you do or who you do it with. But if you’re looking for trouble you sure as hell have found it. Do you know what will happen when he find out about this?

Eric: If he did, so what? The Captain can't do anything about me seeing Melissa.

Angela: You really think he’s going to stand for you involved with her?

Eric: And I guess you’re going to be the one to tell him? You’re going to go blabbing to him about this? Try and make look bad.

Angela: I don’t have to try and make you look bad, you’re able to do that all by yourself. But don’t you worry, the Captain won’t be hearing about this disgusting relationship from me. I'm no gossip, Eric. But I will say this. He will find out eventually, you’re not exactly discrete. And I can’t wait. It’s going to be a pleasure to watch while you get what’s coming to you.

Eric: (smirking) I think it might be a pleasure if you were the one to give it to me, sweetheart.

(Enraged, Angela reached up and slapped Eric)

Angela: Don't ever talk to me like that, again!

Eric: (shaking his head as he rubbed his red cheek) You know you're going to be sorry for that, don't you? (He smiled) See you in the morning. (Eric walked away and out of the office, leaving Angela fuming)

Scene: Greyhawk Manor; the solarium. Melody and Monica are there. Monica looks stricken as Melody looks upset.

Melody: Monica, I'm sorry.

Monica: (looking at the current edition of the Covington Bay Times) Why should you be sorry, you haven't done anything. I should be saying I'm sorry to you. You're the one who's a victim in all this. (Pause) Nigel told me what his father was going to do something to hurt the Lassiters, that he was going to revive the family war between you. I had no idea it was going to be something like this. Why didn't Nigel tell me?

Melody: I'm sure he planned to. You would've found out. This is not something you can keep secret. I imagine A.J. would've told me about it too, but knowing him as I do, he probably didn't want to ruin our date tonight.

Monica: It did ruin your date, didn't it?

Melody: Finding out about this story Patricia wrote was bad enough, but having to see that woman was about more than I can stand. Especially since she gleefully threw the fact that A.J. lied to me again in my face. Of course, why shouldn't see treat me like a fool, that's exactly what I am.

Monica: Melody, you're not a fool.

Melody: Monica, I placed my trust in a man who obviously can't be completely honest with me. How stupid is that?

Monica: Melody, it's not stupid. You loved A.J. You still love him. Trusting him is part of that.

Melody: Well, not anymore. Any trust I had in A.J. is gone now. And I don't know if we can get it back. I'd hoped we could. That's what tonight was all about. It's why A.J. and I went out to dinner...to begin rebuilding our relationship. Maybe that just isn't destined to happen.

Monica: Melody, I realize you and A.J. have problems right now, but you can work them out. The two of you have been together for a long time. You love each other; you've had a wonderful relationship. You can whether this storm.

Melody: I'm not so sure about that.

Monica: Melody, Nigel and I are very happy right now. Despite the fact I'm a little annoyed at him right now for not telling me about this article, we have a happy marriage. But, it wasn't always that way. We have had our problems, but we worked through them. And we got through it because we loved each other and we wanted to make the marriage work. And now we couldn't be happier.

Melody: How is this article going to affect things? You won't let that come between you and Nigel, will you?

Monica: Of course not. Knowing my husband as I do, he was going to tell me about this. He was just waiting for the right time. (Pause) As for the revival of the battle between the Lassiter and the Greyhawks, I can't blame Nigel for that; it's Quentin's doing. Nigel has always been against his father's need to ruin the Lassiters, especially if it's going to hurt Vicki and I. I'm sure he had no part of this.

Melody: You trust him that much?

Monica: Yes, I do. It took a long time before I could trust another man after Eric, but I do. And Nigel deserves that trust. He’s treated me better than I ever could've managed. He makes me and Vicki the most important things in his life. How could I not love and trust him?

Melody: (smiling) A ringing endorsement if I ever heard one. You deserve it. And so does Vicki.

Monica: Nigel loves her so much. And she loves him. Seeing them together, knowing what a wonderful father Nigel is makes me all the more eager to have Nigel's baby.

Melody: Have Nigel's baby? Monica, are you pregnant?

Monica: (shaking her head) Not yet, but hopefully I will be soon. Nigel and I have decided to start working on it.

Melody: (smiling, hugging her sister) Monica, that's wonderful! I'm so happy for you.

Monica: I've wanted to have Nigel's child for a long time.

Melody: That’s pretty obvious. Your whole face just lights up at the thought of it. Monica, I am so envious of you. You've got a good marriage to a wonderful man. A family. Children on the way. It's all I've ever wanted.

Monica: And you can have that, Melody, you can. If you and A.J. can stick it out, you can have all those things.

Melody: Monica, Nigel wanted those things, A.J. doesn't. Marriage and children are the furthest thing from his mind. They always have been. And that's not going to change. Neither will the fact that A.J. will no doubt continue to lie to me and keep secrets if he has to.

Monica: So, what? Is it over between you two? You're just going to give up on this relationship?

Melody: (sadly) I may not have a choice.

Scene: Greyhawk Manor; the living room. Lucas and Nigel are there.

Nigel: Lucas, if you think A.J. and Patricia have been kidnapped, you have to call the police right away.

Lucas: I don't think that's a good idea.

Nigel: Why not? Given the circumstances, don't you think they'd do something?

Lucas: Nigel, no less than a few hours ago, A.J. Lassiter had the entire police department looking for him, only he was napping in his mother's office. He made them look like idiots. I doubt if they're going to stick their hands in that particular fire again.

Nigel: So, what are you going to do?

Lucas: Find them myself of course.

Nigel: You're going to look for them alone?

Lucas: Nigel, I am a pretty good private investigator. I've tracked down a few missing persons in my day.

Nigel: I don't doubt that, but where would you look?

Lucas: I haven't a clue, but I at least know where to start.

Nigel: Lucas, I really don't think this is a good idea.

Lucas: Why not? Nigel, I may not like A.J. Lassiter, but I certainly don't want to see him hurt or dead. And Patricia's in this too. They need someone to rescue them. And wouldn't it frost A.J.'s cookies to have me come to his rescue.

Nigel: I just think you should call the police. If they have been kidnapped by either those mobsters or Victor ~~Markham,~~Markham, the odds are by this time they are already dead. And if they aren't trying to find them and rescue them is going to be very dangerous.

Lucas: Nigel, you forget my background with the FBI before I became a private eye. I'm not exactly unacquainted with danger.

Nigel: I know that. I just don't want you to get hurt. I really think you shouldn't get involved with this, Lucas.

Quentin: (walking in from the library) And I couldn't agree more.

Scene: A cabin outside of Covington Bay. Patricia, A.J. and Victor are there.

Patricia: Us work with you? Are you kidding?

Victor: Mrs. Lassiter, I'm hardly the kind of man who kids on a regular basis. This offer is quite serious.

A.J.: True, but when did you start this grand desire to clean up your public image? You've never been interested in that before. Everyone in this town knows about your reputation as a criminal figure. Sure, it's never been proven, there's never been even an arrest. But it's common knowledge. And other than the occasional denial, you've never taken any other action.

Victor: You're right, I haven't. But I can no longer stand by while my name is maligned, connected with two murderers. I want my name cleared. Catching Joe Reilly and Slade Jenkins will accomplish that.

Patricia: But why do you need our help? I can't believe you wouldn't have the connections to find those men yourself.

Victor: You're right. I imagine I could eventually find them alone. But you two have something I don't.

A. J.: And what would that be?

Victor: Respectability. Impeccible reputations even amongst your enemies.

A.J.: As much as I love having my ego stroked, you don't really expect me to buy what you’re selling, do you?

Victor: You're a very suspicious man, Mr. Lassiter.

A.J.: It comes with being kidnapped at gunpoint and spirited away to a deserted hideaway; chicory coffee aside.

Victor: Does this mean you don't believe I sincerely want to bring those men to justice?

A.J.: What it means is that I think you're looking for some great P.R.. The problem is P.R. is not my strong suit. I’m really not into distorting the truth.

Victor: And you, Miss Tamakai?

Patricia: I think I'll stick with A.J. on this one. (Pause) Now, if you want to call your henchmen, or whatever they are, they can drive us back to town. If that's too much trouble, we'll call a cab.

Victor: I'm afraid it's not going to be that simple.

A.J.: Really? You don't have a phone around here?

Victor: I can't let you say no to my offer. (His face took a sinister tone) In fact, I insist that you don't.

TO BE CONTINUED….