(chapter 2)
by CassadinegirlSetting-
Greystone Manor, 2010
"Ok, let me get this straight. Here we have a man trying to throw you in jail and you want me to comp him a room. And, not just any room, but, the finest suite at the Metro Court!"
"He's my son!"
"I know he's your son Sonny, that's beside the point. He's trying to put you in jail! What part of this are you not understanding?" Carly was becoming exasperated.
"Look, I've already explained this to you. You're not listening!"
"Look, Sonny----" Jason tried to intercede.
"I am listening! You're just not making any sense!"
"Carly---"
"You're not listening! You're doing what you always do!"
"Ok, Sonny----"
"You're going off without thinking, Carly"
"OK, you know what? Both of you need to STOP! NOW!"
Jason drew a breath.
"You…sit down!"
"Carly!"
"Fine, I'm sitting."
And with that Carly threw down her purse and dropped into the sofa. Jason turned to Sonny.
"Fine, you explain it to her. I'm done." Sonny shook his head and stepped away.
"Look, Carly, We're going to comp Dante's room" Jason began.
"I heard you the first time."
Jason sighed again, "And we're not going to tell him."
"I heard that part too."
"I think what the Valkerie fails to grasp is that this is a lure, a trap of sorts, set to ensnare the Audacious one." For the first time since he'd arrived, Spinelli spoke up.
Sonny was annoyed.
"Who the hell asked you? Jason, why is he speaking?"
"Sonny, please---"
Spinelli continued, "By accepting Mr. Sir's gracious gifts, even unknowingly, the Audacious one establishes a pattern of behavior---"
"A pattern of getting free stuff from Sonny!"
Spinelli nodded, "Precisely, a pattern that will give lie to the Audacious one's claims of judicial justification. It will appear that he has, as they say, an ulterior motive."
And, with that, Diane decided it was time to step in. She hadn't wanted to. For all intents and purposes she was helping known criminal subvert the law. Doing that was, well, it was illegal. But, somebody had to clear things up. And besides, it was a good plan, even if she did say so herself.
"Carly, Dante will continue, knowingly or unknowingly, accepting gifts and services from his father, Sonny Corinthos…"
"Yeah, I got that"
"…that is, until said father cuts him off…"
"Ok"
"…which, conveniently will occur just before the trial. Now, were Mr. Falconari to have demonstrated an immovable, implacatable, dedication to Law and Order that could not be swayed by the mere fact that his father is the biggest crime lord on the eastern seaboard that would be one thing. But, that is not the case, no, quite to the contrary. Indeed, Mr. Falconari knowingly lied to the police despite being shot by his own father. A fact which led to his dismissal from the NYPD and subsequent hiring by the PCPD."
"He did that to protect Michael, Morgan and Kristina"
"Yes, possibly, or, he did so for personal gain. After all, what better way to aid your criminal father than as a leading detective for the local police department? And if there's a reward, well then…"
"Why would he do that if he could just join the mob?"
"What, and ruin his honorable reputation? Nonsense! No, our Dante wants the best of both worlds. And he almost gets that, before Sonny cuts him off. Then, he'll want to testify against Sonny"
Jason steps in again to complete the explanation.
"That's when Diane starts grilling him, about his expenses, about his using Milo and Max. She'll
ask how he's been paying for everything. He'll say by credit card, but when Diane asks him to prove it, he'll find out that his card shows no expenses. Then Diane whips out Sonny's financial papers to show how Sonny paid for everything. Dante's nothing more than a disgruntled son trying to get revenge on his dad."
"And, Sonny doesn't go to jail."
"Right, then Sonny doesn't go to jail. But, Carly, there can't be a paper trail, so we need your help. Are you on board?"
"Ok, sure. As long as Sonny doesn't go to jail, I'm in."