“Hey sweetheart,” Dorothy opened up the door to greet her daughter with
a soft smile, “I must admit I was surprised to get your call this
morning.”
“Truth be told, I wasn’t sure how to approach the subject I wanted to
speak with you about, but I guess being direct is the best route, huh?”
Jenna cleared her throat uneasily. Following her mother into the
living room, she could sense the confusion her mother was feeling when
Dorothy turned around to face her.
“Honey, what’s going on,” Dorothy question gently watching Jenna sink
into the couch cushions.
“I need to ask you a few things about Douglas,” Jenna explained after a
moment’s hesitation.
“What about that man,” Dorothy frowned involuntarily at the mention of
his name.
“I need to know more about the man he was back when you two were
together,” Jenna began thinking to her sleepless night of worry thanks
to Cameron’s visit.
“Jenna, it was a long time ago and it’s a part of my life that I’d much
rather not look back upon,” Dorothy reached for her hand, “Other than
you, there wasn’t anything more I could really take from my time with
Doug.”
“I realize that mom, but the more I started thinking about the fact
that I’m his daughter, the more I realize that I should know more about
the man,” Jenna sighed heavily, “I wish I didn’t have to ask this of
you, but things have come up where I’m certain that if I don’t have
some kind of insight into what kind of man he is, well…I just really
would like to know more.”
“There’s something you’re not telling me,” Dorothy noted with a frown,
“Jen, what’s really going on?”
“I guess last night I just had a wake up call last night and I realized
that if I’m going to be able to move forward in my life, I’m going to
have to know more about the man who helped bring me into the world,”
Jenna explained placing her hands in her lap neatly.
“So this is just about your wanting to know more about Doug?
About the man he once was?” her mother questioned in confusion.
“I want to know about the man you fell in love with. I know that
you’ve told me about his family, but what about him? What was it
like when you two were together? Was he a good man?” Jenna asked
further.
“As good as I think he could be capable of,” Dorothy sighed in
remembrance, “Doug was never the altruistic type, although he’d tried
for a while.”
“But?”
“But in time his family became overbearing and I had to leave,” Dorothy
stated plainly, “Jenna, what is this really about? Why are you
really here?”
“Mom I just…” she stopped herself knowing there was no point in hiding
the truth any longer, “Last night Cameron Stone showed up at work and
he said some things about Doug.”
“What kind of things?”
“Things about the two of them being a family--about Douglas being his
step-father. He said things about Doug--horrible things and I
needed to know if they were true. I need to know if my father has
it in him to turn someone as evil as Cameron is and if so, I need to
discover what that means to me in my future,” Jenna blurted out her
concerns afraid that she’d never find the answers she was searching for.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Feeling the warmth of Jade beside him, Grady couldn’t help but feel the
world had finally worked in his favor. Sure, he had a lot going
wrong, but when he held this beautiful woman in his arms, he found
himself dreaming about the future--about the life they would have with
one another once the situation in Coral Valley was resolved. Last
night he’d felt impulsive and ready to take that next big step with
her. It hadn’t been how he had planned on it, but in asking her
to be his wife; he’d realized that he’d finally met destiny full
force. There would be no more hiding away from his heart.
Jade had reminded him of all the reasons why life was worth living and
now that he’d embraced the love she’d so readily given him, he knew
that he would never look back again.
“So how long are you going to stare at me,” Jade questioned with a yawn
behind closed eyes.
“As long as it takes for me to realize that this isn’t just another
dream,” Grady confessed feeling her shift in his arms turning to face
him.
“Does it feel like a dream to you,” she questioned reaching out to
touch the side of his face.
“In more ways than I can even begin to explain,” he nodded in
confession. Tipping down to steal a quick kiss from her, his lips
curled in a smile, “However, the fact that it’s a reality is all the
more reason for me to thank God for giving me a second chance at life.”
“I think I’m the lucky one here Grady,” Jade murmured stretching her
toes out beneath the blanket, “You have no idea how long I’ve waited
for something this good to happen in my life.”
“I never believed the day would come when I’d be able to have something
like this in my life again,” he reached for her fingers interlacing
their hands together, “Now that it has, well, it’s given me hope that
the future isn’t a dark and ugly place for me any longer. I
really believe that good things are ahead for us Jade.”
“You mean when we finally leave here and return to Coral Valley,” she
questioned with curious eyes.
Grady nodded, “A few days ago I might not have been able to say that,
but now that everything has happened, well I’m a changed man. I
don’t see things with that same air of skepticism that I once
did. I know that whatever conflict we’ve been running away from
is going to be resolved. I have complete confidence that the
police will find the person who stabbed me.”
“Even when they do, we still have to think about those charges against
you,” Jade paused biting on her lower lip nervously, “we both know we
can’t run from that forever.”
“I realize that and truth be told I started thinking about what we’re
doing out here Jade. I realize that in faking my death the only
thing I’m doing is prolonging the inevitable. Granted, I’m not
about to leap on the first flight back to town just yet, but when they
find out who tried to kill me that night in jail, I’m certain that the
police will uncover everything else they need to know about that night
of the shooting. They’ll see I didn’t do it. Avery will
help show them that and then, well then I’d like for us to focus on our
future--starting with our wedding,” Grady announced tickling at her
sides in a teasing fashion, “what do you say?”
“I say you’re on,” Jade gleefully agreed squirming against his touch
while praying that things would go as smoothly in their future with one
another like Grady was hoping for.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Dave picked up the phone and dialed Deidra’s number. He felt bad for
missing out on the dinner date they had planned. He wanted to get
closer to Deidra so much and he felt like a jerk when he couldn't meet
her like they‘d planned, yet once again his job had kept him from where
he wanted to be in his personal life. He hoped she would be there
to answer the phone now that he‘d mustered up enough courage to finally
give her a call when things slowed down a bit. He was feeling down
lately and needed to talk to someone to cheer him up a bit. The phone
rang three times before he heard her soft voice on the line.
Deidra heard the phone ring and rushed for it at once. As soon as she
saw the blocked call on the caller ID she knew it was Dave. She grinned
to herself and picked up the phone, "Hello Dave."
"How'd you know it was me?" he chuckled in amusement as she called his
name specifically.
"I'm smart like that," Deidra gave a light laugh and sighed, "So what's
happening?"
"Not a whole lot," Dave leaned back and put his feet up on the desk,
"Listen I called to apologize to you for the other night."
"What's there to apologize for?" she questioned taking a seat on the
couch and curling up, "You didn't do anything wrong."
"I am calling to apologize for what happened. I asked you to dinner and
things came up." he cracked his knuckles, "I didn't mean to bail on
dinner like that."
"I understand Dave." she smiled even though he couldn't see it, "I knew
something had to come up because I know you wouldn't just bail on me
like that normally. Besides, after you left my mother and I went
out for a while. I knew that duty called for you."
"Yeah, I've had a large work load especially lately," Dave switched the
phone to his other ear, "I mean I've had lots of paperwork, interviews,
you name it."
"Aww poor Dave," she said in a soothing voice, "You're being way over
worked."
"Yeah, well it comes with the job," he sighed, "Besides even though
it's tough at times, I like what I do. What I was calling for to be
honest was to ask you something."
"Oh yeah? What's that?"
"I was wondering if you'd like to," Dave was cut off when the phone
beeped signaling him that there was another call coming in, "Hold on
Deidra."
"Alright." Deidra waited patiently for Dave to come back.
She was happy to hear from him and from the sounds of it, it sounded
like he wanted to try and take her out again. She smiled as she waited
patiently to hear his voice come back on the line.
Dave switched over to the other line, "Dave Warner, Chief of Police."
"Yes this is Dr. Clinton, no relation to the ex president," the man's
high laughter rang over the phone.
"Can you get on with what you need?" Dave asked
impatiently.
"Well, I'm from the crime lab, I wanted to let you know that we're
going to have results from the Grady Denton stabbing in a matter of
minutes. I figured you'd want to come down to the lab to get the
results."
"Thank you Dr. Clinton, I'll be right there," Dave switched lines back
over to Deidra, "Deidra, you still there?"
"Yeah, I'm here," she answered giving out a light yawn.
"I'll have to get back to you," Dave said apologetically, "They have
the results from the stabbing coming in and I have to go down to the
lab."
"Do what you have to," she replied laying back on the couch.
"I'll give you a buzz later," Dave hung up the phone and quickly walked
over to his office door. He locked up the door and walked out, making
his way over to the crime unit lab. He was going to solve this stabbing
mystery once and for all.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ben woke up as the sun peaked in through his bedroom curtains. He
looked down at Diane sleeping peacefully on his chest and couldn't help
but smile. He leaned down and kissed her head gently. Diane
shifted a bit, still in slumber. He casually looked at the clock and
noticed that they needed to get moving. He leaned down and kissed her
forehead once more. "Diane, baby, you got to get up."
"Mmm," Diane groaned rolling over onto her other side, not getting up.
Ben chuckled a bit and gently nudged her, "Come on sleepy head get out
of bed."
"No," Diane huffed putting a pillow over her head, "Give me ten more
minutes."
"We don't have ten more minutes," he laughed nudging her once more,
"Come on we need to get you up and get you moving."
"No, go without me," she tucked the blanket tightly up to her neck,
still keeping the pillow on her face.
"Diane Stevens," Ben got out of the bed, walked to the bottom of it and
grasped the blanket, "Get your butt out of bed right this instant or
else."
"Mmmm," Diane groaned again not attempting to get up, "I said ten
minutes."
Ben pulled the blanket off from her and she shivered, "I told you or
else."
"That is it!" she sat up throwing the pillow at him.
Ben dodged the pillow and stuck his tongue out at her, "I got you out
of bed."
"No," Diane shook her head and laid back down on the bed.
Ben shook his head and sat next to her on the bed, "Diane, you have to
get up!" She closed her eyes as if she was drifting back to sleep. Ben
leaned in to kiss her and at that moment she whipped him with another
pillow from the bed and chuckled to herself. "Oh that is it."
Ben started tickling her as she screeched and squirmed. She finally got
out of his grasp and leaped off the bed. Ben stood on the bed waiting
for her next move. She darted for the bedroom door but he dived off the
bed and grabbed hold of her. Her laughter echoed through the house as
she turned around and looked at him. She brushed a piece of hair from
his forehead and smiled, "I'm awake."
"Now you are," he smirked wrapping his arms around her waist, "It took
you forever to get you out of bed. You almost missed the trip you know."
"Now look who's stalling?" she smirked reaching up pressing her lips to
his and releasing him, "Let's get dressed and get a move on it! Hop to
it Walters!"
Ben shook his head and chuckled as they cleaned up and got dressed.
After packing the rest of Ben's stuff into the car, they both piled in
and headed to their destination. Ben needed to take a little detour as
he pulled into the Ashford mansion driveway and looked over at Diane,
"It will only take a moment. I just want to say goodbye to my Aunt
Annie."
Diane returned the smile running her hand over his cheek lightly, "It's
alright. I want to say goodbye to Annie as well."
Ben got out of the car and walked around to Diane's side and opened the
door for her. He hooked his arm around her waist and they made their
way to the door. Ben let himself in and found his aunt in the kitchen.
He silently walked up behind her and poked her shoulders. Annie turned
around and a look of delight crossed her face. "Ben! I thought you were
on your way to the airport to get going."
"I decided to stop by and say farewell before we took off," he smiled
once again wrapping his arm around Diane's waist, "We couldn't leave
without at least saying goodbye."
Annie got out of the chair and wrapped her arms around both of them, "I
will sure miss you two! But I know you will have fun down in Florida!"
Ben grunted as his aunt's hold on him tightened, "Well, if it wasn't
for you, we wouldn't be going."
"Oh, it was no trouble at all," she smiled kissing both of them on the
cheek, "Your mother was always wanting you to come down and I knew you
could use the vacation."
"Well we really appreciate it," Diane kissed Annie's cheek as well as
Annie slowly released the both of them, "I don't think we could thank
you enough."
"It's no trouble at all," Annie held out her hands in protest of any
more thank yous, "I wanted to do it for you. Just have fun for me will
you?"
Blake walked into the room and headed for the refrigerator without
glancing at them. She grabbed a bottle of Evian and turned and faced
them, "What's going on in here?"
"Ben and Diane are going to Florida to visit my sister," Annie smiled
over at her, "We don't know how long they'll be gone."
"What a shame," Blake rolled her eyes, uncapping her bottle and taking
a sip, "Diane will sure be missed."
"Blake, do we have to always fight?" Diane asked pulling away from
Annie's grasp, "for once in your life can't you grow up?"
"Me? Grow up?" Blake gave a chuckle and made her way out of the room,
"Have a safe trip. Take your time. No need to rush home."
Ben shook his head as Diane's face grew crimson with anger as she
followed Blake out of the kitchen, "Just like an Ashford, always
willing to turn their backs from their problems."
"What did you say?" Blake spun around, eyes staring a hole through
Diane, "Do you dare insult me in my own home? You can be just as easily
removed as you entered."
"Try to get rid of me," Diane tested her, "I dare you to try."
"It wouldn't be hard," Blake smirked twirling a piece of hair in
fingers, "You're a nobody. You're trash and that's all you'll ever be.
Diane's anger burst through as she took her hand and slapped it hard
against Blake's cheek. Blake lunged at Diane just as Ben rushed into
the foyer and fought his way in between the two girls, "Girls come on!
Diane we didn't come here to fight. And Blake just back up alright?"
"She started it," Blake hissed back, holding her hand against the cheek
that was turning crimson from the hard slap Diane had given her, "Just
say your goodbyes and get out."
Ben nodded in understanding as he backed Diane away from Blake,
"Please, just behave for a few more minutes alright?"
Diane sighed and nodded, "Just keep her away from me and we'll be fine."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ken, Caitlin, Zack and Johanna are leaving the hospital together.
Caitlin: Ken, thank you so much for flying out here with me on such
short notice. I know you have a ton of work to do.
Ken smiles and puts his arm around Caitlin lovingly and kisses her
cheek.
Ken: You needed me here, it's not like there was a choice.
Caitlin looks up at him seriously as they continue to walk.
Caitlin: Do you mean that?
Ken: Of course I do. I'm always going to be here when you need me.
Zack snorts
Zack: Like you were when Jimmy attacked her?
Ken gives Zack a dirty look.
Ken: I would've been if you hadn't barred me from her room.
Johanna: Come on guys, let's not get into that again.
Zack: Why shouldn't we? This guy’s vowing to be there for her, and
after everything my sister has been through I want to make damn sure he
means it!
Caitlin: And who the hell made you my keeper!
Zack: I'm your brother and I love you, further more with your taste in
men someone better be your keeper.
Caitlin pulls away from Ken and gets right in Zack's face.
Caitlin: Okay, brother dear let's get a few things straight. I don't
want or need your interference in my personal life. In fact, I
just plain don't want it in my life! Secondly, no matter what bad
choices I've made that does not give you the right to try and make
choices for me! Now, I'm glad we're closer now that you’re living in
Coral Valley, but if you want it to continue to grow you'd better butt
out!
She runs off Ken gives Zack a dirty look and races after her.
Zack sighs heavily and shakes his head.
Zack: Is it so wrong that I want her to be happy?
Johanna: No. But she's a grown woman Zack, and you can't control her.
Zack: So what are you saying? That I have to keep watching her crash
and burn and do nothing?
Johanna: Not nothing, just... Well, just not as much as you've been
doing. You know, let her know you're there for her, offer your support
and a shoulder to lean on when she needs it. And if she asks give your
opinion and advice on things. But that's it. The decisions have to be
hers and you have to respect them.
Zack: But that's not enough!
Johanna looks at him seriously.
Johanna: Well, you're going to have to find a way for it to be or
you're going to lose her all together.
Zack sighs as he looks off in the direction Caitlin ran with a sad look
on his face.
Outside Ken finally catches up with Caitlin.
Ken: Wait up! Wow you should've been a marathon runner.
Caitlin has to chuckle at this comment in spite of herself.
Caitlin: Yeah, well, with all the stuff I've been through I guess I've
becoming pretty good at running.
Ken hugs her compassionately.
Ken: Well, you can stop running now.
Caitlin looks up at him with a tired and sad look on her face.
Caitlin: Good cause I'm tired.
Ken takes his hand and gently strokes Caitlin's face as he gazes
lovingly into her eyes.
Ken: I'm never going to let you need to run again. I'm with you now,
and Jimmy is long gone. And I'm not going to let anything come between
us ever again.
Caitlin: Even Zack?
Ken smiles.
Ken: Even Zack.
He leans in and kisses her softly she smiles at him and wrapping her
arms around him they kiss again as Ken holds her to him tightly. She
gazes up at him.
Caitlin: God I'm glad you're here.
Ken: Like I said I wouldn't be anywhere else.
Caitlin: As long as Zack doesn't stop you.
She shakes her head bitterly.
Caitlin: I can't believe his nerve. We've never been on the same page
about my dating in general, yet now suddenly he jumps in and wants to
call the shots on my personal life!
Ken shakes his head.
Ken: Not even Zack can keep us apart I promise. But, listen, I really
do think you need to give the guy a break.
Caitlin pulls back startled.
Caitlin: What?! The man tried to rip us apart and you want me to give
him a break!
Ken: Caitlin, listen, to me, please? I have a sister too, so I can kind
of understand where he is coming from. He loves you and he wants you to
be happy and safe. Just like I want Blake to be happy and safe. And it
wouldn't matter if Blake and I didn't talk for ages, I'd still want her
to be happy and safe, and I'd still do anything I could to protect and
help her. That's just how family is. Now, I'm not saying I like his
methods or that I think he didn't go overboard. I don't and he did, but
I understand why. He only did it because he loves you and he probably
felt bad that he couldn't protect you from Jimmy. I think at that point
he wasn't sure who the bad guys were so he just wanted to keep everyone
away.
Caitlin: But I didn't ask him to.
Ken: Blake doesn't ask me either, it's just what family does. Look, if
someone was hurting Zack. I mean, really hurting him, wouldn't you want
to help and protect him?
Caitlin: Well, yeah but...
Ken: And if he was in a position where he was completely vulnerable and
couldn't say what he wanted wouldn't you do your best to not allow
anyone you thought might be bad for him around?
Caitlin sighs.
Caitlin: Yes. But, Ken, you're...
Ken: Zack doesn't know me that well, and we'd just had a fight. I don't
like the fact that he kept me from your bedside, but I do understand
his reasoning.
Caitlin smiles and moves into his arms.
Caitlin: That is because you are the most understanding man in the
world.
They kiss tenderly.
Caitlin: So I guess I should go apologize huh?
Ken: No. As I said he did over react. Let him sweat it out. But do try
to understand his side of it when he acts that way. It's only because
he loves you.
Caitlin smiles and nods.
Caitlin: Yes, sir.
They both laugh and kiss again softly.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Jenna, please don’t tell me that you believe you’re anything like your
father,” Dorothy reached out to take her hand gently, “because we both
know that isn’t the case.”
“Mom, it’s just when I think about what Cameron said to me… Sure,
I know I shouldn’t have listened, but is it at all possible that Doug
could’ve been responsible for that? You said it yourself that his
family was cruel and overbearing at times,” Jenna reminded her.
“What I said is that they weren’t understanding about things.
They were obsessed with status and power, but I don’t believe that Doug
could’ve caused that kind of evil in the world that Cameron Stone is
capable of. He might be cold, but Doug is no monster.”
“That’s not the message you were trying to convey the other night at my
apartment,” Jenna pointed out with a slight frown.
“That’s because he makes me irrational at times,” Dorothy dropped her
head shamefully, “I shouldn’t have lashed out at him like that, but
when I think about all that I went through in walking away from him,
well, I just didn’t anticipate having to face him again. Then for
him to break your heart, well that made me rather upset. I’ve
worked very hard to make life for you be as smooth as possible and for
you to have to endure any of this, well it’s just so unfair and cruel
in it’s own way.”
“But that’s not your fault mom,” Jenna reached out to her, “You weren’t
the one who brought about the dangers that Doug has willingly allowed
to take over his life.”
“Even so, I wish I hadn’t ever had to tell you about him. I
wished for so very long that your father could’ve been someone like
Preston--someone with a good, kind heart and character. A man who
would put love first in his life instead of allowing fame and fortune
to dominate his world,” Dorothy sighed unable to mask the emotion in
her voice.
“Which in the same breath could be a man who taught a child about evil,
right? I mean isn’t that why you kept me away from him?
Because you feared what being a part of his lifestyle could do to me?”
Jenna questioned desperately.
“I left because I knew if Doug’s parents got their hands on you, I’d be
nothing more than a memory that they banished from you before you began
your childhood,” Dorothy rose from the sofa rubbing her hands over her
arms nervously, “Jenna, regardless of what a man like Cameron has said
to upset you, your father isn’t capable of turning anyone into a
monster. Yes, tragedy follows his life and touches those he’s
connected to, but I don’t believe that he could’ve been the cause of
Cameron’s misery, nor do I believe that you will turn out evil in any
way. You’re my daughter after all and I’m the one who raised you.”
“I know this and you did an incredible job with me mom,” Jenna offered
up with a sigh, “I love you so very much and I’d be so lost without
you. I just sometimes wonder about who I am--about the man who
broke your heart and caused you to run.”
“I look at it as a blessing in disguise,” Dorothy stated simply, “We
were able to move on in our lives and find a family and a home
here. Preston is an incredible man and he was good for you
growing up.”
“That he was,” Jenna nodded in agreement thinking about the man her
mother had shared most of her life with, “although that has me
wondering something else now.”
“What might that be?” Dorothy asked.
“Why didn’t you say yes when he asked you to marry him,” Jenna arched a
curious brow, “Wayne told me all about your refusal and I had to wonder
what prompted that.”
“Jenna, you know how I feel about marriage,” Dorothy began to backpedal.
“And I know how you feel about Preston. He’s an amazing man and I
love him. He loves you so what’s the problem?”
“The timing was off because you weren’t speaking with me,” Dorothy
piped back at her.
“And now that we’ve mended fences, why aren’t you taking that leap with
one another?” Jenna stepped in towards her mother, “Mom, I want to see
you happy and I know that Preston does that for you.”
“Then why should I have to put a title on that feeling?” Dorothy
questioned, “Why should I have to change what isn’t in need of fixing?”
“Because maybe it would give you some of that peace of mind that you’re
always keeping from yourself,” Jenna explained with a soft smile, “Love
doesn’t have to be a bad thing, you know.”
“This from my daughter who is seeing a man that at one time tried to
ruin her life,” Dorothy shook her head at Jenna.
“Love changes people and I think with you and Preston, it’s worth
taking that next step,” Jenna added confidently, “He’s exactly the kind
of father I’ve always wanted and needed. We’ve got a great family
going on mom and I’d like to see you embrace that.”
“I have embraced it Jenna. I’m just not sure that now is the time
for…” Dorothy started hearing the sounds of the front door
opening. She looked towards the source of the sound seeing
Preston standing before her holding a few bags.
“Look what I found outside,” Preston stepped aside giving them a glance
of Hart, who carried a few bags with him as well.
“Hey you,” Jenna smiled at her boyfriend, “what are you doing here?”
“I thought I’d come on over and pay you both a visit,” he nodded in
Preston’s general direction, “and he roped me into helping with
groceries.”
“It got you inside, didn’t it,” Preston teased advancing towards
Dorothy and placing a quick kiss upon her cheek, “hey sweetheart.”
“Hey,” she squeezed his arm in a tentative movement keeping her gaze
upon Hart and Jenna.
“Having a good time,” Preston whispered motioning over towards Jenna.
“It’s been interesting,” Dorothy nodded offering up little about the
talk she’d been having with her daughter.
“So can I tempt you two into staying for dinner,” Preston questioned
turning to face Hart and Jenna again, “I have all the fixings for a big
meal if anyone is willing to lend a helping hand.”
“That sounds great,” Hart accepted the offer brightly, “and may I be
the first to offer my culinary services?”
“You’re hired,” Preston blurted out with a tiny chuckle.
“Excellent,” Hart grinned at Jenna, “I hope you don’t mind my
surprising you.”
“Not at all,” Jenna shook her head unable to quell the warmth that
spilled over her at the nearness of him, “I was actually thinking about
calling you later.”
“So I beat you to the punch,” Hart winked at her.
“You’ve been good at that lately,” Jenna whispered reaching out to
embrace him again when her cell phone started to ring.
“I’ll hold the thought,” Hart promised watching her pull her phone from
her pocket. A few minutes passed and as Jenna spoke to the person
on the other end of the line, her smile faded.
“Thank you,” she finished in a somber tone before hanging up the phone.
“What’s wrong sweetheart,” Dorothy inquired noting her daughter’s grim
expression.
“That was the lab,” Jenna explained taking in a slow, calming inhale.
“What did they say?” Hart touched her shoulder gently feeling her body
tense up for a brief moment.
“That the finger that was at my apartment wasn’t Kipp’s,” Jenna blurted
out with a breath of relief.
“That’s great news,” Hart offered up giving her a supportive squeeze,
“at least that’s something positive for a change.”
“It would be if it ended there,” Jenna frowned back at him, “but it
seems that the finger belonged to William Steed--a man who lived out in
Los Angeles--a man that at one time worked as an agent for Heather
Gibbons.”
“Well, why would someone send you that man’s finger,” Preston
questioned with a frown.
“They aren’t sure, but they can’t find William. Apparently he was
coming out here in Coral Valley to work out some kind of deal with
Heather for a project she was working on. William’s secretary
mentioned that Heather was up for a part in Douglas’s new film,” Jenna
confessed thinking to what the person on the phone had informed her
about the severed appendage.
“You mean…” Hart gave her a strange look.
“That my father hasn’t been honest with things lately and maybe just
maybe the sender was closer to home than we thought,” Jenna nodded
wondering if perhaps she was next on the hit list where Cameron Stone
was concerned. Given what little she knew about her father,
Cameron and the Mahoney family in general, she was beginning to think
that things were about to get far worse before they would get better.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“What time did you tell your parents that we were coming over to pickup
Rusty?” Avery questioned stepping into their living room area only to
discover Russell working away at the computer, “Russ, please don’t tell
me that you got up early to play around on that thing.”
“Not exactly,” he confessed casting a quick glance over his shoulder
before refocusing on the monitor once again, “I just wanted to finish a
few things here before we got a move on over to see my parents.”
“Hmm, what was so important that it got you up and motivated after our
late night,” Avery couldn’t help but ponder making her way in towards
him. Slowly she leaned in over his shoulder kissing the side of
his neck before eyeing the screen, “well?”
“I was inspired,” Russ blurted out clicking away at the keyboard in
front of him.
“Inspired how?” Avery questioned finding her own answer before her when
she noticed the words upon the screen, “Russ, are you working on your
novel again?”
“I couldn’t help it,” he admitted tipping his head back to look up at
her, “Last night after we got home, well I was a bit wired still.
I had a thought occur to me about the direction where I’d like to see a
few scenes go. After you fell asleep one thing lead to another
and here I am.”
“So when I went to bed, you stayed up writing huh,” Avery arched a
curious brow, “so what’s happening now with our beloved duo?”
“It’s still in the tentative stages,” Russell turned the monitor off
before shifting in his chair a bit, “nothing worth really reading just
yet.”
“Oh come on. If it motivated you to get up out of bed, then you
know I want to see it,” Avery insisted plopping down in his lap.
She reached for the computer monitor once again only to be thwarted by
his hand upon her wrist.
“Not yet,” Russell eased his arm around her waist, “it’s not ready for
a read through.”
“Russ, knowing the way you write, it’s more than ready for a read
through,” Avery offered up with a pointed look before reaching out to
the monitor once again, “You’re just too hard on yourself.
Besides, I want to know if our hero, the suave and sexy Dr. Nolan has
finally managed to persuade his ever clueless love interest into seeing
the err of her ways in not chasing him from the start.”
“That is yet to be determined,” he offered up with a cryptic smile
reaching for her hand once again. Unable to contain himself a
tiny laugh bubbled over him, “Only you would be so concerned about the
romance happening behind the scenes in the storyline.”
“Hey, I happen to think it’s a very vital part of the plot,” Avery
shifted in his lap, straddling him with a sudden seriousness, “those
two were destined to be with one another and the sexual tension is
riveting. Their chemistry is off the charts and if you‘d stop
being so cruel to them, then you‘d certainly let a little more of their
attraction evolve.”
“Is it now,” Russell quipped with an amused grin, “and how might you go
about putting an end to their sexual tension?”
“Well for starters,” Avery teased her fingers over the front of his
shirt in a slow movement, “I probably would have her make a move on
him.”
“Oh?” he questioned with an arched brow.
“That’s right,” she nodded eagerly her arms curling around his
shoulders, “Perhaps one night while he’s trapped in that stuffy office
of his working on uncovering he clues to the mystery he’s working
on. Now of course while she’d realize the importance of his work,
she’d also acknowledge that she’s a woman with needs--needs that only
the good doctor could satisfy.”
“And so it would be her duty to see to if that he was there to provide
her with what she needed,” he half questioned watching her enthusiastic
response.
“Oh yes, that is exactly what they’d need,” she leaned in closer to
him--her fingers dancing over the top of his back, “Perhaps she would
turn down the lights and make her way over to his computer where he was
putting his cerebral side to work. She’d see that he was far too
focused to really have paid attention to her entrance, so that would
prompt her to take a more direct approach with things.”
“And how would you propose she go about doing something like that,”
Russell inquired lazily reaching down to caress the smooth skin of her
legs.
“For starters, she’d probably shut the computer monitor off--then crawl
into his lap just like this,” she whispered with her mouth hovering
just above his, “and then…”
“Yes?” he questioned completely entranced with her.
“Then she’d start off with something a little like this,” she completed
her thoughts in slow, annunciated words while bridging the distance
between them. Seizing his mouth in hers in a bold display, she
shifted above him, causing him to react immediately to her kiss.
Throwing his arms around her, Russell lost sight of the train of
thought that had been driving him into the morning hours. With
his wife in his lap, he felt his mind reeling with ideas for a heated
page turner that his own private love scene would provide for
him. He cupped her body closer to his, feeling her fingers thread
into his dark hair. Their kiss grew in intensity, the fire
threatening to engulf the both of them when Avery’s hands eased over
the contours of his body savagely.
“What time were we supposed to meet your parents again,” she questioned
breaking through the moment when their mouths parted.
“Not for a while,” Russell remarked urging her in towards him again.
“Hmm, then maybe you can let me read what you were writing for a little
bit,” she suggested in a teasing tone.
“Or we could skip that altogether and you can continue inspiring me,”
he insisted pushing the material of her nightgown up over her
body. Pooling the soft satin up over her waist, he reached
underneath to caress her velvety skin.
“If you insist, I suppose I’d be more than happy to oblige if and only
if you promise to share some of your inspiration with me down the
road,” Avery mouthed feeling him nibble on her neck hungrily.
“Oh I’m very sure we can work on sharing a great deal of my inspiration
with one another,” he assured her with a low growl.
“I’m talking about your writing,” she reached out to curl her finger
underneath his chin, “Russ, can’t I have at least one little look?”
“Now?” he frowned back at her hating to tear himself away from his
latest spark of genius with her.
“Yeah,” she smiled in response, “I think I’d like that…a lot.”
“Why do I suddenly smell a setup here,” Russ threw out a mock glare
before reaching out behind her to turn on the monitor, “though I warn
you it’s not my best work.”
“I’m sure it’s pretty close to it then,” Avery shifted in his arms,
moving to get a better look at her husband’s creativity.
Scrolling up the page, she began to skim over the words before her
while Russell nibbled on the back of her neck.
“You like what you see,” he questioned easing one of the straps of her
nightgown down over her shoulder.
“Oh very much,” Avery nodded eagerly swept up in the words he’d come up
with during her slumber. His hands surrounded her, caressed the
contours of her body, while his mouth tasted her skin longing to devour
her completely. She let out a soft sigh, feeling his palm press
in over her abdomen before she let out an enthusiastic squeal, “I knew
it!”
“Knew what,” Russell questioned lazily, his eyes skimming over her
shoulder.
“They’re about to make love,” Avery bounced in his lap, “I can feel it
coming on. Here you were making me think that it wasn’t going to
happen, but with what she’s saying to him. She’s going to tell
him how she feels about him, isn’t she?”
“I don’t know,” he feigned innocence tipping down to place feathery
light kisses over her skin once again, “I can’t seem to remember.”
“Oh you remember alright. You‘re just trying to torture me once
again,” Avery reached for the mouse scrolling down a bit further unable
to get enough of her husband’s work before her.
“Okay maybe a little,” Russell admitted stopping what he was doing to
seduce her. He took note of her obvious interest in what he’d
written while wondering what her take on things would wind up being.
When saw the first glimmer of tears in her eyes, he skimmed the back of
his hand up over her arm, “well, what do you think?”
“Russ, that was so beautiful,” Avery confessed sliding around to face
him once again, “I mean I always knew that you had something incredible
you were working with here, but that….”
“Yes?” he arched a curious brow.
“That took my breath away,” Avery informed him honestly feeling her own
pulse race after the passage she’d read, “It was so real and honest
and…”
“It might’ve had a bit of a familiar feel to it, yes?” he couldn’t help
but smile.
“You’ve been basing them on us, haven’t you,” Avery decided with a grin.
“Maybe just a little bit, though I must confess that she pales in
comparison to you,” he murmured cupping her face in his hands.
“Oh Russ,” she smiled in response leaning in to kiss him, “how I love
you.”
“I love you baby,” he replied tenderly, “and like us, I hope to give
Nolan and his lady love a little bit of a happy ending…”
“I think it’s perfect,” Avery added with a soft sigh, “The words just
all seemed to melt into one another and I could feel the emotion
rolling off of the both of them. For so long they’ve waited to
have something with one another, but they were both far too stubborn to
allow it to be.”
“But when it happened…” Russell started seeing the expression that
swept over her.
“It was magical,” Avery confessed tasting his lips again. Wrapped
up in the feelings Russell’s work had provided her with, she sank into
him ready to explore her own world of romance with her husband all over
again.
“Maybe we should call my parents and tell them we’ll be late,” he
suggested with the beginnings of a sly smile.
“I’m thinking perhaps that’s not such a bad idea,” Avery nodded in
agreement ready to lose herself to the way her husband made her feel.
“Good, then I’ll get right on it after I make love to my wife,” Russell
decided lavishing her neck with kisses once again.
“That sounds like a perfect idea,” Avery nodded in agreement unable to
mask the soft sounds of pleasure he’d provided her with, but before she
could devour his mouth again, she heard a faint tapping sound coming
from the far side of the room. Opening up her eyes, she saw
someone staring back at her and a cry erupted from within, “Russ,
someone is out there!”
“What?” Russell blurted out feeling her practically jump out of his
lap. Turning around he spotted someone racing out of the bushes
into the yard.
“Did you see him?” Avery questioned with a gasp straightening out her
nightgown as a shiver swept over her.
“Yeah, I saw him and I think it’s time we put an end to this,” Russell
declared thinking to everything he and Avery had been through over the
last few months, “Avery, call the police. I‘m going out there.”
“Russ, if it’s Bruce, I don’t want you out there,” Avery blurted out in
horror.
“I’m not about to let him get away again,” he declared marching out of
the living room.
“Russ wait,” Avery cried out dialing for help.
Russell raced out into the yard ready to chase after the peeping
tom. However the man was nearly halfway into the neighbor’s lawn
with good amount of distance working for him. Still, Russell
wasn’t about to let Bruce slip away yet again and with that thought in
mind, he raced off after the intruder ready to stop him dead in his
tracks.
Running in towards the man, Russell could see something strange
happening before him. When the man began to spin around and rush
over towards Russell, Russ began to wonder if the man had lost his
mind. Sure, he wasn’t Bruce Mathis, but whomever he was, he
clearly was an idiot as it seemed he was coming right back to the scene
where he’d been found out. However, it was seconds later when
Russell caught a glimpse of a furious looking Kyle Houston chasing
after the man, did Russell finally understand.
“Going somewhere,” Kyle questioned gruffly knocking the man down on the
ground.
“Hey let go of me man,” the guy squealed while Kyle held him face down
into the lawn. “Let go of me!”
“Kyle, what are you doing here,” Russell questioned in surprise making
his way over to Kyle and the mystery man before him.
“Cleaning up the trash now that this sicko has decided to violate your
privacy,” Kyle reached for the smaller man’s arm wrenching it in a most
obtrusive way.
“I wasn’t doing anything wrong,” the man protested.
“The hell you weren’t,” Kyle growled again, “Russ, why don’t you call
the police here and we’ll see their take on the situation.”
“Look I can explain,” the man pleaded desperately lifting his head up
enough to see Russell.
“Yeah, I’m sure you can,” Kyle pushed off of him, pulling the guy up by
his collar, “and you can explain it to the boys in blue.”
“No, you don’t understand,” the man insisted looking to Russell again,
“I came here to see you.”
“Who the hell are you and why were you spying on me and my wife,”
Russell demanded with a frown.
“I came here to help you. Look, I didn’t mean to spy on you,
but…” the man winced in agony while Kyle held him in a death grip,
“Look you don’t know me, but I know who you are. I heard that you
were looking for information on a man you knew as Bruce Mathis and I
can help you do just that if you‘ll only listen to me.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Hey you,” Jade greeted Grady after she’d finished up with her shower,
“how are you feeling?”
“A little sore,” Grady confessed setting the television remote
aside. He patted the couch beside him in an attempt to urge her
to join him, “but I’m going to survive and that’s what is important,
right?”
“You bet it is,” she nodded sliding in next to him, “So what were you
keeping busy with?”
“Nothing important,” he shrugged his shoulders watching her reach for
the remote control. Before he could stop her, she turned on the
television once again and saw the news report before her he’d been
hoping to keep her from. Onscreen there was the tale of his
‘death’ in vivid color. It went on to rehash the details of the
mysterious Mahoney shooting. Grady reached for the remote,
turning the television off in a haste, “See I told you it was nothing
important.”
“That isn’t just going to go away,” Jade frowned realizing that she
couldn’t keep living in a world of denial about the situation, “Grady,
we both know as long as the person who stabbed you is out there, we’re
never going to be free.”
“I know,” he sighed bringing his hand up to his head, “and believe me
if I could remember, I would. I’ve tried to remember the details
of that night, but they’re all a blur. I remember being in the
jail cell and thinking about you. I was so worried that Cameron
would try to hurt you and then, well I was thinking about what it would
be like to never be able to see you again--to never hold you in my
arms…”
“And then?” Jade questioned further reaching out to touch his knee
gently, “What else happened Grady?”
“There was this man…” Grady paused with a frown, “He was speaking with
me--I can’t remember what he was saying, but then he said…” he stopped
himself for a long moment straining to recall the face before him, “He
said something about you and Cameron and…”
“Yes?” Jade questioned urgently hoping to uncover the mystery behind
what had happened while Grady had been in jail.
“And nothing,” Grady groaned in response, “After that I draw a blank
and don’t recall anything until I woke up at the hospital. I wish
I knew more about what happened, but…”
“It’s okay,” Jade sighed hating to think about what Grady’s memory loss
could mean to their future, “I’m sure it’ll come back in time.”
“I don’t know,” Grady frowned, “but whatever happens, I just pray that
it doesn’t end with Cameron getting the best of us all over again.”
“I thought we agreed not to worry about that for now,” Jade reached for
his hand.
“We did, but then when you were in the shower I started thinking about
what was waiting for us in Coral Valley--about the things I have to
face and as it stands I’m more terrified than ever that Cameron is
going to try to hurt you again.”
“Grady, nothing is going to hurt me as long as we have each other,” she
tried to assure him realizing that her own fears for the future were
very much alive within him.
“I hope you’re right on that Jade because I want nothing more than to
give you the world. I want to be able to provide you the kind of
life you’ve always dreamt about--without your having to worry about my
being in hiding the rest of my life.”
“I know Grady and one day that will happen. Like you said
earlier, it’s just a matter of time, but Avery will prove that you
didn’t shoot Kipp and then the rest will just fall into place. It
has to,” Jade sighed leaning in against him.
“I really hope so because if it doesn’t,” he paused hating the self
doubt that was slowly returning to him, “Jade, maybe we should prepare
ourselves for that…”
“Grady, if you’re asking me to forget what has happened between us over
the last twenty four hours, then you can forget it. I’m not going
to let anything take that away from us. Cameron isn’t going to
win and we’re not going to let him take away our happiness. Avery
will clear your name and everyone will know the truth soon enough.”
“You’re right Jade. I know you are,” Grady nodded with a weak
smile wondering if his sister-in-law would truly be able to pull
through for him at a time like this. Sure, earlier he’d been
convinced that things were going to be better, but with the news report
he’d just witnessed, he realized that there was no sure thing in this
world--not even with love on his side. He just hoped that in
having been given a second chance at happiness, that it also meant he’d
be given another shot at freedom.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Dave walked into the lab and noticed all the busy workers. He had no
idea which one had the information for him. He approached a female
working at the front counter he politely cleared his throat and smiled
at her, "Hello, I'm Dave Warner, Chief of Police. A Dr. Clinton told me
to come down to the lab."
"Yes, he's been expecting you," she got out of her chair and opened a
door for him, "He'll be in shortly."
"Thank you," Dave looked around at the all white room. It looked dull
and boring with only a table and a few scattered chairs inside it. He
sat in the chair farthest from the door and waited patiently. After
about fifteen minutes of waiting the door slowly opened. A short gray
haired man looked over his big framed glasses and closed the door
behind him. His lab coat clung to him as he took a seat across from
Dave and extended his hand, "I'm Dr. Clinton."
"Dave Warner," Dave grasped the doctor's hand in his, "You said you'd
have the results in for me?"
"Yes, indeed we do." Dr. Clinton opened up a folder and tossed some
papers over in Dave's direction, "We were able to lift a clear print
off of the knife."
"That's great," Dave nodded looking over the papers, "And you analyzed
everything right?"
"Of course, and we have established how had handled that knife the
night of the stabbing," Dr. Clinton pushed his glasses up off of his
nose.
"A positive I.D.?" Dave asked setting the papers down and looking over
at the doctor.
"Indeed," Dr. Clinton nodded.
"Well, who is it?" Dave asked impatiently waving his arm for the doctor
to go on."
"The computer has established that the person holding this knife was
none other then," the doctor paused for a moment, "A Simon DuBois."
"Christ," Dave searched through his pockets looking for his cell phone.
"You know the guy?" Dr. Clinton asked him raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I do." Dave found his cell phone and dialed the unit, "Yes this
is Chief Dave Warner I need to send a unit out to the Ashford mansion
right away. Simon DuBois is under arrest for the murder of Grady
Denton. Treat him as if he's armed and dangerous and get out there
ASAP."
Dave hung up the phone and hurried out of the lab, heading to his car.
He was going to meet the unit at the Ashford mansion and make sure that
Simon didn't run. He just hoped he wasn't too late and Simon had gotten
to someone else.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Simon walked into the foyer drinking a glass of water. He had been
outside cleaning the car and his forehead was beading with sweat.
He walked over to Blake and attempted to make conversation as she
wasn't in the mood to talk. Ben made his way to the front door of
the mansion as it slammed open and a police unit made their way in.
Diane was over by the kitchen door saying a final goodbye and spun
around in time to see one of the officers call out to Simon, "Simon
DuBois?"
Simon saw the officers approaching and grabbed Diane. Ben advanced to
get her back just as Simon pulled out the glock out of the holster
under his jacket. He placed it to Diane's temple, "Back away Ben or I
swear her brains will be splattered on these walls."
"Simon, what are you doing?" Blake asked in shock backing into the
wall, "Where did you get the gun?"
"I am not going to jail," Simon shouted backing up a bit, pulling Diane
with him, "I swear to god I will shoot her right here, right now."
Patrick pushed his way through the officers and made his way to the
front of the group holding his gun up, "Come on Simon, you don't want
to do this."
"To hell I don't." Simon pushed the gun harder into Diane's temple,
"How did you find me? I was so careful to hide the truth."
"It doesn't matter now Simon," Patrick took a cautious step forward,
"Just come with me and we'll get everything straightened out."
"There's no way in hell I'm going back," Simon shook his head
violently, "No damn way."
"Look Simon I understand," Patrick took another cautious step forward,
"I really understand. We can go back to the station and talk about
this."
"You don't understand a thing," Simon backed up a bit more, "You didn't
live what I lived."
"You're right I didn't," Patrick still held his gun in the ready
position, "Help me understand what's going on Simon. I want to help
you."
"You don't want to help me," Simon snickered, "You and your American
ways. You want everyone who's not an American to suffer."
"Simon, you're confused," Patrick continued to try and talk him
down, "You don't want to hurt the girl."
Diane gave out a little whimper and Simon shook her violently, "Shut
up! Just everyone shut up!"
"I swear Simon if you hurt her.." Ben threatened as one of the
officer's held him back.
"You come because of my citizenship. I spit at your American
culture. You don't know anything. You treat all foreign people like
they are beneath you. I am an Frenchman. I don't deserve to be treated
with brutality. You call yourself protectors of the innocent. Well,
congratulations you have just caused an innocent to die," Simon spit
towards the police ready to move past the point of no return. A
gunshot rang through the Ashford home, leaving no mistaking the truth
behind Simon’s words with the bloodshed in the Ashford home.