EPISODE 82

 

“STAKING HIS CLAIM”

 

Scene:  Covington Bay High School; the third floor hallway.  Nina Tamakai and James Greyhawk are there.

Nina:  You think I should tell Nikki to break up with Richie?  

James:  You said yourself you're Nikki's best friend. 

Nina:  I am.

Richie:  And you don't think she deserves someone better than Richie?

Nina:   James, you don't know Richie, Nikki, who they are or anything about their relationship.

James:  I know that he wants to frame me for a murder his friend committed.    I can't believe someone as honest as Nikki would even waste her time on someone who could do such a thing.

Nina:  She loves him and she's trying to save him from making a terrible mistake.   Richie's blinded by his friendship with Nathan.  That's the only reason he's doing this.

James:  But Nathan's out of commission.  He may not recover from his heart attack.  I'd think that would put the plan on hold but apparently it hasn't.   And what about his rages, how he gets angry at the drop of hat?  Do you realize he attacked me because I wouldn't admit I was at the hospital yesterday?

Nina:  No…I didn't know. Why is it so important if you were there or not?

James:  I don't know. But, if I were there, I'd certainly admit it. I have no reason to lie.   But that's not the point.  The fact is Richie attacked me because I didn't tell him what he wanted to hear.  And it's not the first time.   Do you really think Nikki should have to deal with someone so angry all the time?  What if he got mad and attacked her?

Nina:  Richie loves Nikki, he would never hurt her.

James:  You're more certain than I am.

Nina:  James, it's really none of your business.   You should be grateful that Nikki is trying to help you and stop butting into her relationship.

James:  I am grateful to Nikki and I don't want to see her hurt. That's why I'm so concerned about her having to deal with Richie's temper.

Nina:  It's surprising that you're so concerned about someone who up until a few days ago you couldn't stand the sight of.

James:  My feelings about Nikki were based on the history between our families which is embittered to say the least.  But now that I've gotten to know Nikki a little... see what kind of person she is, I...

Nina:  You what?

James:  (hesitating)  I like her. I wouldn't want anything to happen to her.  But I'm afraid as long as she's around the boyfriend of hers, something will.

Scene:  Covington Bay High School; the second floor.  Richie Stone and Nikki Lassiter are in an empty classroom.

Richie:  I want an answer, Nikki!  What is going on between you and James Greyhawk!?

Nikki:  (shocked by Richie's rage)  Nothing!

Richie:  Then why are you taking his side against me!?

Nikki:  Richie, you attacked him... again.

Richie:  He was lying to me.  I just wanted to get the truth out of him.

Nikki:  Surely you know violence isn't the answer.

Richie:  Judging from what Greyhawk did to Candice, maybe violence is the only thing he understands.

Nikki:  Richie, why are you even asking James about Candice's death?  Isn't that why I'm spending time with him, so I can get information proving he killed her?

Richie:  This isn't about Candice.  It's about him being at the hospital the other day.

Nikki:  (puzzled)  What!?

Richie:  Remember I told you I saw Greyhawk at the hospital right after Nathan had his heart attack?

Nikki:   Yeah, so?

Richie:  I asked him about it and he said he was never there.

Nikki:  (shrugging) So? Maybe he wasn't.

Richie:  But he was!  I saw him as clearly as I see you.  He was there, I don't doubt that.

Nikki:  And that's what this is all about?  You attacked James because he says he wasn't at the hospital yesterday?  Don't you think that was going overboard?

Richie:  Nikki, I couldn't stand seeing him stand there and lie to me.  I just wanted to punch his damn face in.  He had it coming.

Nikki:  Richie, even if James is lying, and there’s no reason to believe he is, that doesn't give you the right to hit him.

Richie:  Even if he is lying? Come on, Nikki! You have to know he's not telling the truth!

Nikki:  I know that you are not very objective about James.  You hate him so you're always going to believe the worst of him.

Richie:  It's hard to believe anything good about someone who could beat and strangle a woman like he did Candice.  If he'd lie about that, don't you think lying about his whereabouts yesterday?

Nikki:  But why would he lie?.

Richie:  I don't know, but he is.  (Pause)   Why you're defending him?  I thought we were working towards the same goal!

Nikki:  We are.  And we have a plan to do just that, but every time you go near James and do something as foolish as you did today, you jeopardize our plan. The idea was for me to deal with him.   You stay away from him.  I don't want you to ever assault him again, I don't care how angry he makes you. 

Richie:  Nikki, it almost sounds as if you're protecting James...like you don't want to see him hurt.

Nikki:  Of course I don't want to see him hurt!

Richie:  I see.  Tell me again how there's nothing going on between the two of you?

Nikki:  There isn't!  (Images of James kissing her flashed through her mind)

Richie:  Really?  Why don't I believe you?

Scene:  Covington Bay Police Department; the Medical Examiner's office.   Dr. Darian Jackson and Patrick Jackson are there.  Patrick is holding up the telephone as he glares at his brother.

Patrick:  Well?  Are you going to tell me why you are here asking questions about Nathan James or do I need to call your boss at the hospital and ask him about it?

Darian:  Like I said, I'm concerned about Nate.  You forget I've known him his entire life...so have you for that matter.

Patrick:  Yes, and he's never been any good; neither has his brother Danny.  But that's besides the point.  You are no longer involved in the James case; you're not his doctor anymore.  So why are you here looking for answers about him here in the medical examiner's office of all places?  Last time I looked Nathan James wasn't dead.

Darian:  Would it matter to you if he were?

Patrick: Oh, you bet it would. I want Nathan James to live so he can be prosecuted and sent to prison for murder.  He needs to be brought to justice.  Maybe that'll send a message to all the other Southtown boys just like him...though I doubt it.  They never seem to learn their lesson.

Darian:  That's a rather broad generalization, don't you think?  We're both from Southtown as much as you'd like to forget.

Patrick:  Don't start that again, Darian.  Just because I don't still live in Southtown and walk around wearing my past like a badge of honor doesn't mean I've forgotten.

Darian:  Really?  You seem to have forgotten your family.  When was the last time you saw Jessie or Mama J.?  They do wonder about you, think about how you're doing.  Do you ever do the same for us?

Patrick:  I'm busy, Darian, okay?

Darian:  So am I, but I find time for my family.  I don't ignore them because they happen to live in the wrong neighborhood.

Patrick:  Darian, stop changing the subject and making this about me, okay?   I asked you a question and I want an answer.  Why are you here asking questions about Nathan James?  What do you expect to find out here?

Darian:  And what happens if I give you an answer you don't like?  You gonna report me?  You gonna have me arrested?  You that eager to forget your past?

Scene:  Covington Bay High School; a third floor hallway.  Nina and James are there.

Nina:  You don't need to worry about Nikki, James.  She can take care of herself.

James:  I don't doubt that.  Nikki seems to be a very resourceful young lady.

Nina:  She is.  And besides Richie would never hurt her.

James:  Let's hope so.

Nina:  Like I said, he loves her.

James:  And people don't hurt the ones they love?  Nathan claimed to have loved Candice...and look what he did to her.

Nina:  That is hardly the same thing.

James:  Really? You don't want to believe the worst could happen.  You don't want to think that there are people out there who could hurt someone as sweet as Candice.  But I guess we were all wrong, weren't we?

Nina:  It's still so hard to believe Nathan could've done that to her.    I didn't know him that well...and he does have a reputation from some of the things he's done in the past...but he always seemed like a nice guy.

James:  People are never what they really seem, Nina.  That's a lesson we all should learn early on in life.  (Pause)  I always thought Nathan was no good...there was always something about him I didn't like.  But Candice insisted he was a good guy...that he wasn't the petty thug everyone believed he was.  She liked him...she trusted him...tried to help him get his life together.  And he paid her back by killing her.

Nina:  James, I...

James:  You know, your friend Richie insists I killed Candice.  And in some ways he's right.  I am responsible for her death.

Nina:  What do you mean?

James:  I knew Nathan was dangerous and that Candice shouldn't have been anywhere near him.  But I didn't do anything to stop it.  I let their friendship go one despite my reservations.  I should've insisted Candice drop him from her life.   And because I didn't...because I didn't protect her...she's dead.

Nina:  (taken aback)  James, no one could've foreseen what happened to Candice.  It was a horrible, unexpected attack.

James:  True, but that doesn't change that I could've saved her and I didn't.   I loved her, but when she really needed me, I wasn't there.  That's why this thing between Richie and Nikki concerns me so much.   He's so angry and full of bitterness.  He can't control his temper.  I don't want to see Nikki get hurt and know I could've done something to stop it.

Nina:  James, I appreciate your concern and I'm sure Nikki would too, but I think that...

Voice:  What is going on here?

(Nina looked up to see a lanky, slender Asian-American teenage boy glaring at she and James.  He had short dark hair and wore jeans and an Eliot Smith T-shirt)

Nina:  Marc!

Marc Tamakai:  Nina, what is going on here?  What are you doing with this creep?

Nina:  We were just...!

James:  (shaking his head)  I was just leaving.  I've had enough accusations from the Nathan James fan club for one day.

Marc:  (icily)  That's a real good idea, Greyhawk.

James:  Goodbye, Nina.  I hope you're right about Nikki.  I really do.   (James walked away as Marc continued to glare at him)

Nina:  You didn't have to do that you know, Marc.  He wasn't doing anything.

Marc:  What was he doing here in the first place?  Why are you hanging around with that murderer?

Nina:  I'm not hanging around him.  We were just talking.

Marc:  What could Greyhawk possibly have to say to you?  You hardly know him.

Nina:  He just talking about Candice.

Marc:  Really?  He wouldn't happen to be confessing to killing her, would he?

Nina:  No, of course not.

Marc:  Then what were you talking about?  Why are you anywhere near him?

Nina:  James and Richie has a fight and Nikki broke it up.  She and Richie went off to talk and James was just here.

Marc:  (concerned)  James and Richie were fighting?  Is Richie okay?

Nina:  Yes.  Nikki stopped it before anybody got hurt.

Marc:  That's too bad.  It would be nice to see James Greyhawk with a few bruises.   Of course, it wouldn't begin to equal what he did to Candice.   (Pause)   Nina, I don't want you anywhere near that guy.

Nina:  I don't exactly socialize with James Greyhawk.

Marc:  Good because girls who do seem to wind up dead.  It's why I'm so worried about Nikki.  I still can't believe Richie let her get involved with trying to solve this case.  What is he thinking?

Nina:  He wants to help Nathan.

Marc:  I want to see Nathan be cleared of murder too, but I wouldn't risk the person I love to do it.

Nina:  This whole thing was Nikki's idea.

Marc:  Then Richie should've put his foot down and said no.

Nina:  You know, Marc, like Daddy and Michael, I know you like your women to stay in line...it could be why none of you have girlfriends...but some of us girls do like to think and act for ourselves.

Marc:  Nina, I like Nikki as much as you do. We grew up together… she's like family. But we both know sometimes she's a little too headstrong for her own good.  And, like always, it's only going to get her into trouble.

Scene:  Covington Bay High School; the second floor.  Nikki and Richie are in an empty classroom.

Nikki:  I don't believe what I'm hearing!  You're calling me a liar!?   You actually saying I'm not being honest with you about James?

Richie:  What am I supposed to believe when every word out of your mouth is in support of him!?

Nikki:  That I'm trying to prevent you from doing something stupid by bashing his face in every time you see the guy.  I'm trying to protect you, Richie, not him.   How could you even think there's something going on between James and me, not to mention lying to you about it!?

Richie:  (looking regretful)  Nikki, I'm sorry.   I know you'd never lie to me.   It's just that it sounded like you were standing up for James...taking his side.  What am I supposed to think?

Nikki:  You're supposed to believe in me...take me at my word.  But clearly you don't.  When did you stop trusting me?

Richie:   Look, I trust you, I really do.  I didn't mean what I said...it came out wrong.

Nikki:  Richie, calling your girlfriend a liar isn't exactly something that slips out. 

Richie:  Nikki, I said I made a mistake!  Can't you just forget it and let's move on.

Nikki:  No, I ignore this! I have stood by you ever since Candice died and Nathan was arrested.  I held you when you cried, dealt with your moodiness, your depression and your rages.    I've skipped classes and played hooky, risked my relationship with my parents and put my own life in danger to help you...to be there for you.  And this is the thanks I get.  At the drop of a hat you turn on me like I was a stranger instead of someone you claim to love!

Richie:  Nikki, I'm sorry.  I'm really sorry.  I do love you...I love you more than anything. It's just this situation.  You know how I've been since this all started.  Sometimes I act and say things without thinking.

Nikki:  You're right, you do.  And I've always made excuses for you.   I've always blamed your grief over Candice's death and your inability to help your best friend for your actions.  But I'm not going to turn a blind eye... not this time!

Richie:   Please!  Will you just try and understand!?  It's Greyhawk!  I just hate the guy so much that...!

Nikki:  (interrupting)  Richie, there are no excuses!  I have always been honest with you...I have always stood by you...even ignoring my own doubts in the process.  But I guess that shows me what a fool I was.  I was turning my life upside down for someone who has no faith in me whatsoever.

Richie:  Nikki, you couldn't be more wrong about that.  Look, we're both upset and saying things we don't mean...the pressure is getting to us.  We're letting Greyhawk come between us.  Don't let him do that.  Don't let him win.

Nikki:  James isn't coming between us.  This has nothing to do with him.   You did this.  (Nikki turned to leaven and walked out)

Richie:  Nikki!  Nikki, wait!  (Richie rushed out of the classroom to see Nikki rushing down a corridor and slipping down a stairwell.  Richie raced after Nikki)

Scene:  Covington Bay Medical Center; the AIDS Clinic.  Zachary's office.  Dr. Zachary Dailey,  Dr. Simon Harrison, Dr. Laura Dailey-Harrison and Kevin Lassiter are there.

Kevin:  You don't think we should be so quick to accept this money, Zachary?

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

Laura:  But why?  $10 million dollars is a godsend to the clinic.    There is a lot of good that could be done with that money, especially now.   I've been hearing a lot about Grant Rios' work in the research lab.  Word is he's close to making a breakthrough in an AIDS vaccine.

Kevin:  I've heard the same thing.  Since the Lassiter Foundation already allocated this year's funding of the clinic, I've been thinking of ways to convince the board of the foundation to provide more money so he can continue his work.  So far I haven't gotten positive results from them.

Zachary:  I've been concerned too about providing Grant with more money for his research.  And this $10 million dollars could be the answer to our prayers, not just for Grant's work, but for everything that we want to do here.

Simon:  But you obviously don't think we should be so willing to blindly take the money?  Why?

Zachary:  (nodding)  I hate to be suspicious, but people generally don't donate that kind of money and want to remain anonymous.  This is the kind of gift that usually only comes from corporations or in the form of government grants.  And they always want all the attention they can get.

Kevin:  (wryly)  So you don't think someone is doing this out of the goodness of their heart?

Zachary:  I’d like to believe so, but I've dealt with enough contributors over the years to know that it's rare that someone, even if they care about the cause, to give that kind of money without a agenda.

Laura:  If that's true, how can we find out what that agenda is?  You said the donor insisted on remaining anonymous.

Zachary:  Maybe, but I still think we should be able find out more about this before we make any decisions.

Kevin:  Can we meet with Jason Bennett?  Surely he can give us some information even if he can't tell us who is donating the money.

Zachary:  (nodding)  Right.  I'll call him and schedule a meeting.  Hopefully, we can get together as soon as possible and settle this matter one way or the other.  (Pause)  That's it for now.  I'll let you all know when I've arranged something.  Again, I apologize for interrupting your day.

Kevin:  I don't mind...not for something like this.

Simon:  Neither do I.  But, I have to be going, I've got meetings for the rest of the day.

Kevin:  I need to be going too.

Simon:  (as he started to wheel himself to the door)  Coming, Laura?

Laura:   (shaking her head)  I'm going to stick around and have a little chat with my big brother.  (She kissed Simon on the cheek)  Later, Simon.   Nice to see you, Kevin.

Kevin:  You too.  I'll walk you to the elevator, Simon.  Bye, Zachary.

Zachary:  (as Simon and Kevin left)  Bye.  (Pause as Laura turned to him)  What did you want to talk about?

Laura:  We never finished our discussion about Dad and Gloria.

Zachary:  Really?  What is there to talk about?  Their marriage is over.  With luck, they should be ending things as we speak.

Laura:   And that’s what I don’t understand.  Just yesterday Dad was so certain he and Gloria were getting back together.  But when I stopped by Dad’s office this morning to invite him to dinner next week his secretary told me he was in court.  What happened?

Zachary:  (smirking)  Let's just say Dad was suffering from a severe case of wishful thinking.

Scene: Covington Bay High School; a classroom. Nina is picking up her books and headed for the door with the rest of the students.

Jessica: (standing behind her desk) Nina, could you come here for a moment?

Nina: Yes, Miss Jackson?

Jessica: Where is Nikki?

Nina: Pardon me?

Jessica: Where is Nikki? She missed again class today and I know she was in school because I saw her in the hall earlier.

Nina: I'm not sure.  She said she wasn't feeling well.

Jessica: Then why didn't she let me know and I would've sent her to the school nurse?

Nina: (nervously) I don't know. She didn't really say what was wrong with her. 

Jessica:  And you have no idea where she could be?

Nina: Honestly, I don't.

Jessica: Then I guess I'll have to notify the office and they'll call her parents… again. (Jessica left the classroom)

Nina: (worriedly) Oh, Nikki, what happened to you?  

Marc: (walking in) Taking to yourself, little sister?

Nina:  I wondering what happened with Nikki.  I was wondering how things went between she and Richie.

Marc: I'm sure they went fine. They love each other, no doubt they'll patch things up.

Nina:   Nikki didn't come to class.

Marc:  Missing class is probably not a good idea, but she and Richie are probably talking things out.

Nina: I hope so.  He was so angry and upset. I hope Nikki was able to calm him down.

Marc: Yes, Richie has a temper, but it's nothing Nikki hasn't come up against before. She's always got him to relax and think straight. I'm sure she will now.

Nina: I hope so. I'd hate to think that…

Marc: Think what?

Nina: (nervously) Well, I was just thinking of something James said.

Marc: (angrily) James Greyhawk!? Since when did you listen to anything that creep says?

Nina: I don't usually, but this time he… (She shook her head) You're right… I shouldn’t pay attention to him. I'd be a fool to. I'm sure Nikki and Richie are working things out just fine.

Marc: Exactly. True love always wins out.

Nina: Well, I have to be going. It's my free period and I've got to put in some time in the music room so I can be ready for my recital this weekend.

Marc: As if you need it. You're a great pianist.

Nina: (frowning) Tell that to Daddy. See you later.

Marc: Bye.

(Nina walked out. A few moments passed and Richie rushed in)

Richie: Marc!

Marc: Hey, Richie, what's… ?

Richie: (anxiously) Have you seen Nikki? Did she come to class?

Marc: No she didn't. Nina says Nikki never showed up.  We got the impression Nikki was with you.

Richie: Damn! I've got to find her!

Marc: I take it things didn't go well between the two of you.

Richie: No, they went horribly.

Marc: What do you mean?

Richie: I went too far with Greyhawk. Nikki's really upset about the whole mess.

Marc: You couldn't talk to her… calm her down?

Richie: Talking to her only made it worse. I lost my temper and said something I shouldn't have.

Marc: Like what?

Richie: Does it matter? What matters is what will happen if I don't fix this!

Marc: Well, you're just going to have to fix it. You know what'll happen if you don't.

Richie: Of course I do. All our plans are going to go up in smoke.

Marc: Worse than that!  The truth about what we've done… about Candice is going to come out. We can't let that happen, Richie, we can't!

Scene: Covington Bay High School; the cloakroom. Nikki is there alone, pacing the floor, thinking about the fight she and Richie had.

James: (walking in) Nikki, there you are.

Nikki: (surprised) James!

James: I'm glad you're here. I thought after your argument with Richie you'd be so upset you'd forget we were supposed to meet.

Nikki: (as realization came over her) I did forget.

James: Then why are you here?

Nikki: Because I needed to get away. I needed to be alone to think.

James: Think? About what? (Pause)  Things didn't go well between you and Richie, did they?  Can’t say I’m surprised given how he was acting.

Nikki: James, please! I'm not interested in hearing your opinions or thoughts on my relationship.

James: Your boyfriend has a nasty temper.

Nikki: What will it take for you to realize that it is none of your business!? It is my life and you have no place in it.

James: What if I wanted a place in it?

Nikki: (startled) What!?

James: Nikki, since this whole thing started, I've made no secret of the fact that I like you. You're a great girl and I want to get to know you.

Nikki: James, please! We shouldn't be within two feet of one another much less getting to know one another. Beyond our family wars, we've never been too fond of one another. And there's the fact that I have someone in my life that I love very much.

James: Who isn't worthy of you.

Nikki: You hardly know me! How do you know who is worthy of me and who isn't!?   I don’t care what you think… and I don’t care about you!

James: Really? The young lady who defended me less than an hour ago seemed real interested in my welfare.

Nikki: That had nothing to do with you, James.

James: And you're going to stand there and tell me it wasn't just a little bit personal? There wasn't a small part of you that was concerned about me?

Nikki: James, I am sorry Richie attacked you. I have made it very clear to him that I will not now or ever tolerate that kind of behavior. But don't make the mistake of turning it into anything more than what it seems. Now could you please leave!?

James: Nikki…

Nikki: (shaking her head) Fine, then I'll go.

James: (as she started to leave) Nikki, we're not finished. You forget I asked you to meet me here. I needed to talk to you.

Nikki: Well, whatever it is will have to wait. I really can't deal with this now.

James: But, Nikki, it's important.

Nikki: What you want is always important. That's something you and Richie seem to have in common.  

James: (as Nikki turned to go) Nikki, wait! You'll want to hear what I have to say!

Nikki: (opening the door) Somehow I doubt that. (As she turned to leave, she stopped short, coming face to face with Richie and Marc) Richie!

Richie: Nikki, you might not want to hear what James has to say… but I sure the hell am interested.

Nikki: Then why don't the three of you talk about it? Me, I don't give a damn. (Nikki stalked away)

Marc: (to Richie) You better go after her.

James: Why don't you leave her alone. She clearly needs some time alone.

Richie: I don't need you to tell me how to handle my girlfriend!

James: Really? Because at this rate, you're not going to have one for very long.

Scene: Covington Bay Police Department; the Medical Examiner's Office. Patrick and Darian are there.

Patrick: I can't believe you're making this about me. You're the one in the wrong here, Darian. You're poking around a case you have no business being in and all I want are a few simple answers. The fact that you can't give them to me proves you've got something to hide.  

Darian: Look, I…

Voice: Who says he's here asking questions about Nathan?

(Both men turned to see Daphne standing in the doorway)

Darian: Hi, Daphne.

Patrick: Daphne. I was just wondering why Darian was here asking questions about a case I'm working on… the Nathan James case. Maybe you can answer.

Daphne: (nastily) Patrick, first off, I'm not involved in the Nathan James case. Since the boy is still breathing why would I be?

Patrick: But I heard him say he wants answers about the James kid.

Darian:  Right, but Daphne has nothing to do with that.  I never said she did. I want answers… we all want them. And hopefully we'll get them soon enough.

Patrick: Then why are you here?   If it’s not business, is it personal?  Are the two of you involved again?

Daphne: I really don't think that's any of your business, Patrick. (She went over to her desk and pulled a file out of a drawer) You came here for this, didn't you?

Patrick: (taking the file) Yes, but…

Daphne: Well, there you are. If you have any questions, give me a call.

Patrick: (nodding, seeing that he was being asked to leave) Sure. (Pause)   Goodbye. (Patrick walked out, slamming the door behind him)

Darian:   Thanks for the save. Patrick had his best prosecution suit on.

Daphne:  Your brother usually does.  (Pause as there was an uncomfortable moment) Well, I guess you want the results of Nathan's toxicology report.

Darian: That's what I came for, isn't it?

Daphne: (her voice bittersweet) Yeah, I guess it is. (She walked over to the desk and pulled out a file) Here you go.

Darian: (taking it) I appreciate this, Daphne. You just might save someone's life.

Daphne: Anything I can do to help. (Pause as Darian started looking through the file) And judging by what I found… you're definitely going to have the answers you're looking for.

Darian: (as he scanned the file, his eyes widening in surprise) Oh, my God. You're right. This is the answer to everything!

In Episode 83 of Covington Bay