EPISODE 80

 

“THE TARNISHED SHIELD”

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the emergency room. Melissa Stone is at the main desk, hanging up the phone as Dr. Darian Jackson walked up to her.

Darian: Melissa, I'm having Mr. Jenkins admitted. Could you please make sure the tests results on the blood work we did get to his doctor in Oncology?

Melissa: You bet. (Pause)  Light shift last night, huh?

Darian: (sighing, leaning against the desk) Yes, and thank God for that. I am worn out.

Melissa: (nodding) You do look a little tired. 

Darian: (shaking his head, rubbing his bloodshot eyes)  That’s the life of a resident.  And yesterday wasn't exactly a good day.

Melissa: I guess you're worried about Nathan James.   How is he?

Darian: No change. He's still unconscious and there's no sign of if or when he'll wake up.

Melissa: I'm sorry, Darian. I know it must be tough, especially since you were taken off his case.

Darian: You heard, huh? (Darian sighed as Melissa nodded) I guess I shouldn't be surprised. No doubt everyone is talking about how I screwed up with Nathan.

Melissa: No one's saying that, at least not that I've heard. And anyone who knows what a great doctor you are wouldn't believe it even if someone was nasty enough to spread that kind of vicious gossip.

Darian: (smiling) Thanks for the vote of confidence, Melissa, but I have my own doubts. After all, I was Nathan's doctor through most of his childhood. If there was a problem with his heart, I should've found it.

Melissa: Darian, I don't have to tell you that you can't know if you did something wrong until we find out what caused his heart attack. And I'm sure Dr. Sloan is working on that. He'll come up with something that will vindicate you.

Darian: (remembering that he'd drawn blood from Nathan the previous evening and was waiting for the toxicology reports to come back that would say if there was anything in Nathan's blood that would cause the heart attack) I want these answers for myself as much as Nathan. Let's just hope we get some news soon. Nathan has been through so much. He can't be beaten by this.

Christina: (interrupting, walking up) Dr. Jackson, can I have a word with you?

Darian: (noting the stern look on Christina's face) Good morning, Dr. Sloan. Is there something wrong? Is there news about Nathan?

Christina: Step in the lounge with me and we'll discuss it.

Darian: Okay. (Pause) Excuse me, Melissa.

Melissa: Sure. (Darian followed Christina into the emergency room lounge)

Darian: What is it? What's wrong? You look upset.

Christina: (angrily) I am upset!  With you!

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the eighth floor. Patricia Tamakai-Lassiter is standing in a corridor, talking on a pay phone.

Patricia: (a confused look on her face) He's not in? Shouldn't he be there by now? I called his apartment and he's not there either.

Voice: I'm sorry, but I don't know when Mr. Tamakai will be in.

Patricia: What do you mean you don't know when he'll be in? He's a lawyer for your firm. Surely he must have some sort of schedule.

Voice: Mrs. Lassiter, I've told you all that I know.

Patricia: Well, let me speak to Sabrina Collier. She's his boss. Maybe she'll know where he is.

Voice: She's in court and I don't expect her back until this afternoon. (Pause)  Why don't I just take a message and as soon as Mr. Tamakai comes in, I'll have him call you.

Patricia: (sighing, annoyed) Sure, I guess that's the best you can do. (At that moment, Patricia spotted Michael stepping off the elevator) Never mind. I found him. (Patricia hung up as she rushed over to Michael) Michael, there you are.  I was just calling your office.

Michael: (after a hesitation) Patty, whatever your latest crisis is, I really don't have time.

Patricia: Why? Is there something wrong? Are you here about Nathan James? I know he's on this floor.

Michael: No, I'm not here to see Nathan. A friend I went to law school with was in a car accident last night and he's pretty bad off.

Patricia:  I hope everything okay.

Michael: My friend will be fine. He's got a lot of recovery ahead of him, but he'll pull through. (Pause) Look, I gotta go.

Patricia: (as Michael started to walk away) Michael, wait. I know you're still angry with me about this mess with A.J. and the Greyhawks. I wanted to try and clear things up between us. And a lot has happened that you don't know.

Michael: I'm fairly certain I don't want to know, either.

Patricia: Micheal, I need someone to talk to.  Don't you want to know what's happened to me?

Michael: (shaking his head) No, I don't.

Patricia: Michael, what is wrong with you? Why are you being so cold? Aren't you ever going to forgive me for what's happened?

Michael: Damn it, Patty! When you realize that not everything is about you!?

Scene: Lassiter Pharmaceuticals. Steven, Kevin and Barton Lassiter are in Steven's office. Steven is opening the door for Harry Tamakai, who is walking into the room.

Steven: Harry, come in.

Harry: I am sorry to bother you at work, but I really had no choice.

Steven: No problem. (Steven closed the door)

Barton: Harry, you have us really concerned. It's not like you to drop by the in the middle of the day. There isn't some sort of problem with the house, is there?

Harry: No. Things are fine at the estate. I made sure the duties were being taken care of before I left.

Barton: I'm sure you did. (Pause) It's not a personal matter, is it?

Harry: Of course not. I would never bother my employer with my personal problems.

Kevin: Then what is the problem?

Harry: (turning to Barton and Steven) I received a call from your father a couple of hours ago.

Barton: Dad called you?

Harry: Yes. He informed me that he would be returning home this evening.

Steven: That's true. But, why would Dad call you and tell you about it?

Harry: Because in honor of he and your mothers return, your father has requested that there be a party.

Barton: A party? He wants to throw a party?

Harry: Yes.

Barton: When?

Harry: This evening. (Pause) It's black tie…and the entire Lassiter family is to be in attendance.

Scene: Covington Bay High School; the library. Nikki Lassiter and Richie Stone are sitting at a table. 

Nikki: Keeping tabs on you? Richie, I just asked you a simple question. I wanted to know where you were this morning.

Richie: What does that matter right now? We have more important things to discuss…like what you found out when you were out with James Greyhawk last night?

Nikki: I want to discuss that. But why are you avoiding my question?

Richie: Nikki, you are making too much of this. (Pause) I just went to see Nathan is all.

Nikki: You went to see Nathan? Well, why couldn't you just tell me that? Why keep visiting him such a big secret?

Richie: I wasn't keeping it a secret, Nikki. I just didn't want to talk about it. (He sighed, hanging his head between his shoulders) Do you know how difficult it is to visit him in the hospital…see him so sick and know there's nothing I can do to help him?

Nikki: (suddenly feeling ashamed and embarrassed) (She started to rub his back) I know it's tough for you. I know how much you care about Nathan. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

Richie: It’s okay.  I know you want me to be more open…sometimes it's just so hard.

Nikki:   Richie, I just want to help is all. Seeing Nathan has to be difficult…especially since your father forbid you to have anything to do with him. I just hope your going to see him today doesn't get back to him.

Richie: I'm sure it won't. I was careful.

Nikki: Good. We don't need that kind of trouble. (Pause) By the way, did you ever get the chance to talk to Sabrina Collier?

Richie: About what?

Nikki: (surprised) About what? I thought you were going to talk to her about what she can do to prevent your father from interfering with your wanting to testify for Nate. Isn't that why you went to the hospital yesterday?

Richie: Yes, but I didn't have time to mention it to her. I found Nathan unconscious in his room before I had the chance.

Nikki: I see. (Pause) Well, you should mention it to her.

Richie: I will, but there's no rush now. Who knows when Nathan will wake up…or even be well enough to stand trial? (Pause) Look, I appreciate everything you're doing, Nikki. (Pause as he grasped her hand) It must be tough spending time with that bastard Greyhawk.

Nikki: (thinking of his kissing her in the cloakroom and their evening together on the yacht) It's not the easiest thing I've ever had to do. But, if it gets at the truth, that's all that counts.

Richie: So what have you found out? You said you did discover something. What was it?

Nikki: (nodding) The one thing that can break this case wide open.

Scene: A car as it drives through the city streets of Covington Bay. Det. Jake Collier is at the wheel of the car; Det. Angela Sorensen is a passenger.

Jake: I can't believe this is happening. We're actually going to stop one of our own from committing a crime.

Angela: I'm not surprised at anything when it comes to Eric Lassiter.  Just when I think he can't sink any lower, he goes and proves me wrong.

Jake: So you believe the article in the Times?

Angela: Of course I do. I've seen Eric in action. I saw his racist tendencies when we started the Johnson investigation. I have no trouble believing him capable of harassing Danny James because he's black.

Jake: I don't think it's that simple. Eric and Danny James have a history. Eric was responsible for putting James away and then he arrested Danny's brother Nathan for the murder of Candice Dailey. Given that, I can't believe what happened at that restaurant is as simple as what the Times says it is.

Angela: Jake, I know you're Eric's friend…the two of you grew up together. Don't you think you're a little biased?

Jake: And you're not given his past with your sister? Look, if he'd done something wrong, I'd call him on it. But this…I just can't believe it's true. But I do believe that because of the acrimony between the Greyhawks and the Lassiters, it's no surprise to me that a paper owned by the Greyhawks would print nasty articles about Eric and his family. From what I understand, the article in yesterday's paper about A.J. is full of inaccuracies. Why can't this be any different?

Angela: Whether the article is true or not is beside the point. We're going to Greyhawk Manor to stop Eric from letting his temper and recklessness get him into trouble.

Jake: We're not sure he's going to go there to lash out at the Greyhawks because of that article.

Angela: Really? Then why do you look so worried?

Scene: Greyhawk Manor; the living room. Eric Lassiter, Monica Lassiter-Greyhawk and Quentin, Lucas and Nigel Greyhawk are there. Quentin and Lucas are standing in the doorway looking horrified at the scene before them. Eric, his face and clothing streaked with blood, stood over Monica. Monica was kneeling on the ground, tears flowing down her cheeks as Nigel lie bloodied and unmoving, on the floor next to her.

Quentin: Oh my God! Nigel! Nigel! (Quentin ran to his son, kneeling next to him) Nigel! What happened here!?

Eric: (stunned) I…

Lucas: (rushing towards Eric, grabbing him) What have you done!? What have you done to my brother!

Eric: (pulling away from Lucas) Get your damn hands off me!

Lucas: (grabbing Eric by the shirt collar) No way, Lassiter, because I'm going to need my hands to kill you!

Scene: Lassiter Pharmaceuticals; Steven's office. Steven, Kevin, Barton and Harry are there.

Barton: A party? Tonight? Is this some kind of joke?

Harry: Of course not. Your father was quite serious. And as I said, the arrangements are being made. I have come to simply deliver the message to you. The rest of the family are being notified by telephone.

Steven: Why would Dad throw a party tonight?

Kevin: Who knows? Grandfather always has been full of surprises.

Barton: But the family is in crisis, especially with the vile articles about A.J. and Eric and the stockholders meeting being days away. The last thing we need to be doing is dancing and drinking.

Kevin: (grinning) Isn't that what the people on the Titanic did after the iceberg hit?

Barton: (scowling) Always a big help, aren't you, Kevin?

Harry: I must be going. I have to supervise the preparations for the party.

Steven: Sure, Harry. (Steven followed Harry to the door and opened it for him) Thanks for dropping by.

Harry: Of course. (Pause) See you this evening. (Harry walked out and Steven closed the door behind him)

Kevin: Just when I think I can't be shocked by what goes on in this family.

Barton: You're amused by this.

Kevin: Dad, I was looking forward to seeing Granddad and Grandmother. The fact that there is a party surrounding their homecoming only makes it more interesting. I can't wait to find out what it's all about.

Steven: I have to admit I'm curious. (Pause) I better call home and make sure my tux will be ready.

Barton: What is with the two of you?! Aren't you concerned about what is going on here?

Kevin: What is to be concerned about a party? Maybe with all that is going on around here, a little fun is exactly what this family needs. (Just then, the phone rang. Steven answered it)

Steven: Yes, Tina? (He looked up at Kevin) Yes, he's right here. (Steven held the phone out to Kevin) It's for you. It's Zachary Dailey.

Kevin: (curiously as he picked up the phone) Hi, Zachary.

Zachary: Hi, Kevin. I hope I'm not interrupting anything important.

Kevin: Not really. What can I do for you?

Zachary: I was wondering if you could come over here to the clinic?

Kevin: Is there something wrong?

Zachary: I really don't have time to get into it over the phone, but it is important. (Pause) If you're busy, I…

Kevin: No, Zachary, I can come right over.

Zachary: Thanks, Kevin.

Kevin: See you soon. (Kevin hung up) I have to be going. Zachary needs me at the clinic.

Barton: (surprised) Now!? Kevin, we’re right in the middle of something. You happen to work here, not at the AIDS Clinic.

Kevin: I won't be gone long, I'm sure. Zachary wouldn’t have called me unless it was important.

Barton: Are you forgetting you were gone all day yesterday on personal matters? We are running a business, you know.

Kevin: Somehow I have the feeling things will go fine without me. (Kevin walked out)

Barton: (throwing his hands in the air) I don't believe it. He takes off for more personal time. When is that son of mine going to start acting like a Vice President?

Scene: Covington Bay High School; the library. Nikki and Richie are in there, seated at a table. Richie has a surprised look on his face.

Richie:  Candice had a diary?

Nikki: Yes.

Richie: (shaking his head) So what? How does that help? I thought you said you had evidence that Greyhawk killed Candice?

Nikki: It's not a smoking gun, but it could be something.   Richie, people write their innermost secrets in journals and diaries and James told me she wrote in her diary everyday.

Richie: I still don't see how that's important.

Nikki: What if she wrote about the relationship between she and Nathan? There's been no proof that they were involved other than what you and Nate have to say. And what if she wrote, like you and Nate say she did, about how she told James about the relationship, that he knew about it?   James has always denied Candice told him about it.  Catching him in that kind of lie not only makes him a suspect, it also helps Nathan with his case.

Richie: I guess it would. But I can't imagine the police wouldn't have found the diary already. And if they had, Sabrina Collier would know about it. They do have to share all their evidence against Nathan with her.

Nikki: Maybe, unless the diary is hidden somewhere. It's certainly plausible that she would hide it where she didn't think anyone would find it.

Richie: Or Greyhawk already has it and destroyed it to prevent anyone from ever knowing Nathan and Candice were in love and that she was going to end things with him.

Nikki: (shaking his head) I don't think so.

Richie: Why not? We know he killed Candice. Why not dispose of any evidence that could incriminate him?

Nikki: That makes sense, Richie, but I don't think so.

Richie: How come? Surely you must think Greyhawk is capable of it?

Nikki: (after hesitating) I just think that if Greyhawk had killed Candice, stole her diary and framed Nathan for the murder, he wouldn’t be stupid enough to mention that diary.  He’s too smart to be tripped up by such a dumb mistake.

Richie: Maybe he's not as smart as you make him out to be.

Nikki: He's no fool, Richie. I have to watch my step around him every second if I want to stay ahead of him.

Richie: Really? Sounds like you're getting to know the guy pretty well.

Nikki: (as images of his kissing her and their previous evening together flashed through her mind)   Isn't that what this is all about; getting to know him so I can find out if he killed Candice?

Richie: (nodding) You're right, it is. (Pause) So assuming the diary is still out there and Greyhawk doesn’t have it or destroyed it, what do we do next? How do we get a hold of it?

Nikki: I don't know, Richie, but I have to find it. It could be the one thing that could leads us to the truth.

Nina: (rushing into the library) Nikki, there you are. I need to talk to you.

Richie: Well, Nina and I were in the middle of something.

Nikki: But it can wait. (Pause) Let's talk over lunch, okay, Richie?

Richie: (annoyed) But, Nikki…!

Nikki: Richie, this can wait. We'll pick this up later.

Richie: (seeing Nikki wouldn't change her mind) Sure.  (He kissed his girlfriend on the cheek) Bye.

Nina:   (sitting down)  I'm sorry, Nikki. I shouldn't have interrupted you and Richie.

Nikki: That's okay. Like I said, our issues can wait. (Pause) Nina, you look so upset. What's wrong?

Nina: (shaking her head) I shouldn't even be here with you. What if Father found out? He'd be even angrier than he already is.

Nikki: I doubt if your father would leave the house during the day to keep tabs on you. You know what a stickler he is about supervising everything at the estate. We're probably pretty safe here. (Pause) So why are you so upset? Is this about your father forbidding us to see each other?

Nina: No. It's about my sister.

Nikki: (surprised) Your sister? Patricia?

Nina: Yes.

Nikki: I haven't heard you talk about her in years.

Nina: I know. We were just kids when she left. I don't even know where she's been for the past ten years.

Nikki: Because of your father, right?

Nina: Yes. Father would never tell me anything. And he ordered me not even try and find out where she was. As for Michael and Marc, they always claimed they didn't know anything.

Nikki: (nodding) True, but it's been that way for years. Why are you so upset about it now?

Nina: Because Patricia is back. She's back in Covington Bay.

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the eighth floor. Michael and Patricia walk into the patients' lounge.

Patricia: Michael, why are you so angry? What have I done?

Michael: Once again, Patricia, I know this is hard for you believe, but this is not about you.

Patricia: Then what is it?

Michael: I really don't want to discuss this. Why don't you go and write some vile article for that paper you work for. They're becoming quite good at it. Today's edition was one for the record books.

Patricia: So you've seen the article about A.J.'s brother Eric.

Michael: I'm sure everyone in Covington Bay has by now. It's an awful, disgusting piece of trash.  Eric isn't the easiest person to get along with, but he's no racist. That article is full of lies and half-truths. (Pause) I can only imagine what the Lassiters are going through.  Those are quite the people you're working for, Patricia.

Patricia: (not missing her brother's bitter tone) I had nothing to do with that article about Eric. I haven't even seen him since I got back into town.

Michael: You may not have written that article, but you're working for the Greyhawks and I'm sure the time will come when you'll have to write another article attacking the Lassiters.

Patricia: That's something I want to try and avoid.

Michael: You could avoid it if you stopped working for them.

Patricia: How many times do I have to tell you that I can't do that!? Quentin Greyhawk promised to destroy my career if I even thought about leaving the job.

Michael: But doesn't it turn your stomach to know the kind of nasty, manipulative people they are? Does success matter to you so much you'd forget every principle you were ever taught?

Patricia: Michael, I want out of this situation. I hate it. But right now I have no choice. Surely you must understand that since you work with Lucas on the Nathan James case.

Michael: No, I don't.

Patricia: What does that mean.

Michael: I'm not working with Greyhawk anymore.

Patricia: Why not? Did Sabrina fire Lucas or has he quit?

Michael: Nether. I quit.

Patricia: (stunned) You quit your job!? Michael, are you serious?

Michael: Am I ever anything but?

Patricia: (shaking her head)   You loved working at that firm and you put in a lot of time and effort to get there. Why would you quit?

Michael: I had no choice. I couldn't take working there anymore.  

Patricia: You threw away a job at the best firm in this town, maybe the tri-state area because you couldn't work with Lucas?

Michael: It was more than just Greyhawk. It's everything. It's this whole damn case. From the minute she appointed me co-chair for Nathan's trial, I have wanted out.

Patricia: Why?

Michael: Because Nathan James is guilty. He raped and killed Candice Dailey and I was working to see him acquitted for his crimes. It made me hate my job. I didn't become a lawyer to see murderers go free with my help.

Patricia: Michael, what's what lawyers do. It's not a happy thought, but it happens. I guess the fact that most guilty people do go to jail balances it out.

Michael: I'm glad you're able to just sweep any sense of responsibility in letting a killer go free right under the rug. I guess I just can't so easily toss my morality aside.

Patricia: If it bothered you so much why didn't you just ask to be taken off the case?

Michael: I did. I begged Sabrina to take me off this case, but she refused. She said the only way I'd get out of it was if my job went with it. I guess she was right.

Patricia: Michael, I can't believe this. You've always been so level-headed and responsible. How could you do something so foolish!?

Michael: You think I should represent Nathan when I know he killed that girl? I can't stand by and participate in that. It goes against everything I believe in.

Patricia: Really? And what about the fact that all defendants are innocent before proven guilty and that everyone accused of a crime deserves the best defense possible. That doesn’t extend to Nathan James?

Michael: Patricia, I know the boy killed Candice. Everything in me says he did it. I can't be a party setting him free, I won't! I'd rather not be a lawyer.

Patricia:   God, Michael, sometimes you can be so stubborn and judgmental that it scares me. It reminds me so much of Father.

Michael: Father stands up for his morals and principals and the things he believes in. There is nothing wrong with that.

Patricia: Except for the fact that it drove his oldest daughter out of his life.

Michael: Don't start, Patricia. You can't blame Father for what happened. You brought your problems on yourself.

Patricia: Oh, I see he taught you well. If I close my eyes, I can easily imagine it's him I'm hearing. Father must be so proud.

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the emergency room lounge. Christina and Darian are there.

Christina:  I thought we made it clear that you were no longer involved in Nathan James' case?

Darian: (warily) You did.

Christina: Then why are you still poking your nose where it doesn't belong?

Darian: (wondering if Christina knew about his drawing some of Nathan's blood to have it analyzed) I'm not sure what you mean.

Christina: I heard you were in Intensive Care asking the nurse about Mr. James' condition. And I also heard you talking to that nurse about him just now. I thought I'd make it clear to you again that Nathan James was no longer your concern and that any questions you have should be directed to me or my father.

Darian: Look, just because you kicked me off the case doesn’t mean I'm still not concerned about that boy. I've known him most of his life; I know what he's been through and now he's fighting for survival. I'm going to be concerned about him and care about him whether you like it or not!

Christina: Fine. Be concerned. Just remember that he isn't your patient and you have no business involving yourself in this in any way. You had your shot, Dr. Jackson, and you blew it.  As you pointed out, you were his doctor for most of his life. If he had a heart problem and you missed it, then I'd say it was your fault.

Darian: Don't you think you're passing judgment just a little too early? We don't know what caused his attack yet.

Christina: No we don't, but young men his age don’t suddenly develop heart ailments. He had to have a preexisting condition. You had to of missed something. I just hope that now that he has quality care, his life can be saved.

Darian: And you call what you and your father have done quality care? You've hardly even looked at him. Your father barely got the case before he jetted off to a speaking engagement across the country.

Christina: My father is very much in demand. That happens when you are a respected, noted doctor in your field. But I guess someone like you, with your background, wouldn't know about that.

Darian: What the hell is that supposed to mean?

Christina: Let's just say I've heard a little bit about you, Dr. Jackson. I understand you are from Southtown, that you still live there in fact. I also heard that you didn't exactly attend the best medical school. It's no surprise to me that your skills as a doctor wouldn't be up to par.

Darian: (his eyes burning with rage) You know something, lady, you just crossed the line!

Scene: Greyhawk Manor; the living room. Eric, Lucas, Quentin, Nigel and Monica are there. Quentin and Monica are kneeling over an unconscious Nigel while Lucas is grabbing and shaking Eric.

Lucas: You bastard! I'm going to make you pay for what you did to my brother!

Eric: Really? My guess is you're going to end up just like him.

Monica: (screaming, tears flowing down her face) Will you two stop it!? Hasn't there been enough violence!? (After a hesitation, Lucas let Eric go. She turned back to Nigel) Nigel, please! Please wake up! Nigel, please!

Lucas: He's alive, isn't he!?

Quentin: He's breathing. Thank God he's breathing. Lucas, call an ambulance!

Lucas: Right away, Dad!

Monica: (as Lucas started for the phone, Nigel started to stir) No wait! He's coming around. Nigel! Nigel!

Nigel: (shaking his head) Oohh!

Monica: Nigel, are you all right!?

Nigel: (his voice rough and scratchy) Yes…I think I'm fine. I was only out for a few seconds. (He started to sit up, touching the tender redness around his neck) I'll be okay. Just give me a few minutes.

Eric: See? He's fine.

Quentin: No thanks to you, you could've killed him!

Eric: As tempting as that is, I wouldn't kill the little wimp. Why should I when torturing Greyhawks is so much more fun?

Quentin: Torture!? You haven't begun to know what torture is. You are going to pay for this! You're going to rue the day you laid a hand on my son!

Eric: Hasn't this taught you that I'm not going to roll over while you play your little games? I'm not my brother or the rest of my family. Mess with me again and what happened today is going to be child's play. (Eric headed for the door)

Quentin: Oh, no! You are not going to just walk away from this, Lassiter!

Eric: Really? How are you going to stop me!?

(As Eric walked out of the living room and into the foyer, Quentin and Lucas followed. Eric opened the door and came face to face with Angela and Jake)

Eric: What are you two doing here!?

Jake: (disappointed) Hoping not to find you.

Angela: (as they walked in) But not surprised that we did.

Jake: Eric, how could you do something so stupid!?

Quentin (as he and Lucas walked into the foyer): Officers. You're here just in time.

Jake: Mr. Greyhawk, we're sorry about this.

Quentin: I imagine you are. But you can make up for it by arresting Det. Lassiter for attempted murder.

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the eighth floor lounge. Patricia and Michael are there.

Michael: Why are you bringing our father into this?

Patricia: Because you're being just like him, Michael, judgmental and close-minded to the point of ruining your own life. Not to mention the lives of others.

Michael: You really see him that way?

Patricia: How else can I see that man after what he did to me!?

Michael: Really? Seems to me what happened you did to yourself.

Patricia: I am well aware of the mistakes I made, but I was just a kid at the time. I did the same stupid things a lot of young girls do. But instead of being there for me, supporting me when I needed my family, our father turned me away, shut me out of his life. He disowned me and made it so I couldn’t come back home.

Michael: I admit Father could've been more supportive of you. But don't forget what you did. You knew how he would feel about the decision you made. You knew he would never stand for it, but you did it anyway.

Patricia: I had no choice.

Michael: You always have choices, Patricia, you just consistently make the wrong ones.

Patricia: You refuse to see my side of this!

Michael: (shaking his head) I don't believe it! What a fool I am. A minute ago you showed such concern about my problems. Yet somehow again you've made it all about you. You really don't care about anything but yourself and what you want!

Patricia: Michael, of course I care about you. I think you made a big mistake in quitting your job. You need to go back.

Michael: I can't! I cannot stand by and be a party to setting a killer free! And I can't work with Lucas Greyhawk. That man and his family are out to destroy people who have been nothing but good to us.  

Patricia: I think it's all well good that you have convictions and morals, but sometimes…

Michael: Sometimes what? You have to push them aside and forget they exist because they might be a little inconvenient? Maybe you can live that way, little sister, but I can't.

Scene: Lassiter Pharmaceuticals; Steven's office. Barton and Steven are there.

Steven: Bart, you know how important that clinic is to Kevin.

Barton: Of course I do, I hear about the damn place constantly.

Steven: That clinic does a lot of good work. It's helped a lot of people with AIDS and HIV live longer and more comfortably.

Barton: I realize that. But Kevin lets it interfere with his job. After he took the day off yesterday, he hasn't done a lick of work before he's dashing off again. What could Zachary Dailey want?

Steven: I'm sure whatever it is, it's important or he wouldn't have called.

Barton: Isn’t the fact we pour millions of dollars into the place every year enough?

Steven: Some people like to speak with more than just their checkbook, Bart.  That place is Kevin's way of honoring Alec Stone and their live together? What's it going to take for you to finally give their relationship the respect it deserves?

Barton: Please. Don't start hounding me about accepting Kevin's choice about how to live his life.

Steven: (laughing) So I guess the rumors aren't true.

Barton: What rumors?

Steven: I heard about you trying to be more understanding; that you were going to try and get along better with your son. But, from what I've seen and what you just said, you won't be getting that nomination for Father of the Year.

Barton: Steven, spare me. The last thing I need is you lecturing me on how to be a good father.

Steven: What does that mean?

Barton: You're not exactly my role model for good parenting. Your teenaged daughter leads you around the nose doing whatever the hell she wants to.

Steven: I wouldn't quite say that.

Barton: Really? The last I heard Nikki was running wild…and there was nothing you can do about it.

Scene: Covington Bay High School; the library. Nikki and Nina are there, seated at a table.

Nikki: (stunned) I can't believe what I'm hearing. Your sister is married to my cousin A.J.?  But that makes no sense. A.J. has been involved with Melody for years. He's not the type to have a secret wife stashed somewhere.

Nina: I didn't think so either, but apparently it's true. My father said it was. And it was right in the newspaper.

Nikki:   Wow. So A.J. is married to your sister.  Why is she back?

Nina: I don't know.  I guess I'll never find out.

Nikki: You could ask her.

Nina: Father has forbid me to see her. He says she's not part of the family and I'm to have nothing to do with her.

Nikki: Why?

Nina: Nikki, you know my father has always refused to discuss Patty or what happened to make him so angry at her. That still hasn't changed.

Nikki: But Nina, surely you must want to see your sister. Haven't you missed her?

Nina: Of course I have. But I can't disobey my father. I shouldn’t even be here talking to you.

Nikki: Nina, I know you love your father and you want to obey him, but sometimes parents don't always know best. And kicking Patricia out of the family and forbidding you to have contact with her is not best.

Nina: It could be, if there's a good reason for it. Father doesn't do things because he's cruel or spiteful. He does things because he loves me and he doesn't want me to get hurt.

Nikki: And keeping you away from your best friend and your sister doesn’t hurt?

Nina: Of course it does, but I…

Nikki: I'm sorry, Nina, I love my parents as much as you love yours, but I don't believe in blind obedience.   If I always did what they wanted, I'd have never found out what I have about Candice that could help solve the case.

Nina:   Really?   What did you find out?

Nikki: Last night James Greyhawk told me that Candice kept a diary and that she wrote all her secrets in it.

Nina: (her eyes widening) Wow. And you're thinking she may have written something in it that could lead to her killer?

Nikki: Yes. If not that, at least that she was having a relationship with Nathan, which would certainly help his case.

Nina: You're right. So where is this diary?

Nikki: I don't know. That's what I need to find out.

Nina: Maybe the police have it.

Nikki: (shaking her head) I don’t think so. If so, they would've had to of shared that information with Sabrina and we probably would've heard about it. Besides, with all the coverage on this trial, the details of that diary would've come out in the press by now.

Nina: You're probably right. Okay, so maybe it hasn't been found. How are you going to get a hold of it?

Nikki: I'm not sure, but I do have an idea. I just hope it works. Finding that diary could be the answer to everything.

Scene: Covington Bay High School; a pay phone in the hallway. Richie is on the telephone.

Richie: That's right. Candice had a diary.

Male Voice: A diary?

Richie: Yes. According to Greyhawk, Candice wrote everything important to her in it.

Male Voice: (gasping) Oh, my God. If that's true…! Lord knows what she could've written! Everything could come out!

Richie: Face it. If there is a diary, there's no doubt what she knew about us is in it.

Male Voice: (fearfully) Do you think it's already been discovered? The police might already have it.

Richie: No. If that diary had been found by the police or anyone else, we'd of heard about it. Let's face it, if people knew the truth, Nathan wouldn't be the only suspect in Candice's murder.

Male Voice: Well we've got to find it! No one can know the truth, Richie. After all we've gone through to keep these secrets from coming out, we can't be exposed now!

Richie: Believe me, I know that. We've got to find that diary before Nikki does.

Male Voice: Yes. But how are you going to do it without her finding out and getting suspicious. You told me she's already starting to question you about the way you've been acting lately.

Richie: True, and the last thing I need is for her to get even more suspicious.

Male Voice: So what are you going to do?

Richie: Don't worry. I've got a plan to find that diary and take care of Nikki. Once that's done, no one will ever know the truth.

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the emergency room lounge. Darian and Christina are there.

Darian: I don't believe you. You're saying just because I don’t live on the right side of town and I don't have a medical degree from some fancy Ivy League school that I'm incompetent?

Christina: Haven't you ever heard the saying that you get what you pay for?

Darian: Yes, mostly from snobs like you. (Pause) I may not be rich or have a pedigree that puts me along the elite in this town, but I am as good and skilled as any doctor in this place!

Christina: Really? I wonder what Nathan James would have to say about that?

Melissa: (walking in) Darian, I hope I'm not interrupting anything, but you have a phone call.  She says it's important. 

Darian: (annoyed) Do you know who it's from?

Melissa: (looking embarrassed)   She wouldn’t say, but it sounded pretty urgent.

Darian:   Oh.  I guess I should take it.   (He glared at Christina) We'll finish this some other time.

Christina: Really? Seems to me you're pretty much finished already.

(Darian gnashed his teeth and then turned to follow Melissa out of the room and to the nurses desk)

Melissa: Sounds like I did interrupt something.

Darian: Only possibly a murder. (He picked up the phone)   Dr. Jackson.

Daphne's Voice: Darian, it’s Daphne.

Darian:   Daphne.  Hey.  Has the toxicology report come in?

Daphne's Voice: Yes, it has. I think you better come over here. We really need to discuss what I found.

Scene: Greyhawk Manor; the foyer. Eric, Angela, Jake, Quentin and Lucas are there.

Eric: Attempted murder!? Are you out of your mind?

Quentin: You tried to kill my son, you animal. He could've died because of you. That's what I call attempted murder!

Eric: Believe me, Greyhawk, if I wanted that pasty faced son of yours dead, he would be. I don't do things halfway.

Quentin: That's it, keep talking. Be your own worse enemy…you're so good at it. (Pause) Do your duty, officers! Arrest him!

Jake: Why don't we calm down and find out what happened here before we do anything?

Lucas: He attacked Nigel! That's all you need to know.

Jake: Is this true, Eric? Did you attack Nigel?

Quentin: Look at him! He's a mess! He has my son's blood on his clothes. Of course he did it!

Eric: Why don't we just get out of here? We'll talk about this at the office.

Quentin: You are not leaving here unless it's in handcuffs! And if you two won't do it, I will call Walter Stone right now and have him send over someone who will.

Angela: Mr. Greyhawk, I understand you're upset, but screaming won't accomplish anything. Like Jake said, let's calmly discuss this.

(At that moment, Nigel and Monica walked into the room)

Monica: Nigel, please! Let me call the doctor. You should be looked at. You could be really hurt.

Nigel: Monica, I am fine. It looks a lot worse than it is.

Monica: Really? Because you look like someone who almost died.

Nigel: (looking up at the scene talking place before them) What's going on here?

Quentin: We're hoping to have Eric arrested for attacking you son, but his fellow officers won't do their jobs.

Jake: We're just trying to get a handle on what happened here.

Lucas: It isn't obvious?

Angela: Nigel, is this true? Did Eric attack you? Did he cause those injuries?

Nigel: (nodding) Yes he did.

Quentin: There you go! Isn't that all you need to hear?

Eric: This is ridiculous! I'm getting out of here!

Jake: (blocking the doorway as Eric tried to walk out) Eric, I can't let you do that.

Eric: What do you mean you can't let me do that? Jake, get the hell out of my way!

Jake: Eric, I'm sorry, but I can't let you go.  Hand over your badge and gun

Eric: Are you out of your damn mind!?

Jake:  I'm sorry…but you're under arrest.

In The Next Episode of Covington Bay….

·         Danger stalks A.J.