Shadowing Death: Wording Doesn't Matter

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Thanks for all of the great reviews for last chapter.

--------------------Outside the Church

Sonny watched as the EMTs tried to bring Jason back but no matter what they did, nothing worked. They declared him dead on the spot.

Taggert was impatient to get answers, "Corinthos, who shot Morgan? Look, I'm know you're upset but we can get the guy." Taggert said. He was trying his best to be patient. Though it wasn't much of a loss in his mind and he held no love or respect for either Sonny Corinthos or Jason Morgan, the guy had just lost his best friend. He remembered when he had teamed up with Jason to save Elizabeth Webber. He had proved to Taggert that he was smart - smarter than most gave his credit for.

Sonny continued to stare at Jason's lifeless form. "Get lost Taggert. I'm not answering any questions." He said, sounding nearly emotionless.

"Look, you want to get this guy - get revenge for Jason. I get that. Someone murdered him outside of a church. I want to help. Tell me what you know." Taggert said, he had moved in front of Sonny's view of Jason and was speaking softly.

"Why in hell do you care about this, Taggert?" Sonny asked angrily.

"I know that Morgan was your enforcer. I know that a lot of people are going to try to take over your territory or whatever you mobsters like to call it. There's going to be a mob war and it's going to be a massive bloodshed. If anything, Morgan staying alive would have been a good thing in my book." Taggert explained.

Sonny glared at the man. "I don't care about your book. What I care about is my best friend. Right now I need to go tell my wife - his best friend who depends on him - that Jason is dead. Then I need to tell my son why his Uncle Jason isn't ever coming to see him again. And later I need to tell Elizabeth Webber that she just lost someone else she loves. So, tell me how what you want figures into that?" Sonny asked. He waited a second and Taggert just stood there.

Without another word Sonny walked away. He only took one glance back, just in time to see a white sheet be draped over his surrogate little brother.

----------------------- Corinthos Penthouse

Carly heard the door open and ran down the stairs. She had some things she wanted to talk with Sonny about, maybe a vacation with Michael as a family. Jason and even Courtney could come along, if they could get the girl away from AJ.

Sonny walked into the room and Carly stopped dead in her tracks.

He was covered in blood.

"Oh my god! Sonny, are you okay? What happened? Are you hurt?" Carly said as she rushed to her husband, concern running through her.

"Carly, sit down." Sonny said gently. She could tell from his eyes this was bad.

"What is it Sonny?" Carly asked, fear lacing her voice.

"This blood isn't mine." Sonny said slowly, unsure how to tell her this. It would crush her either way. No matter how many ways he worded it. The news wouldn't change.

"Whose is it then?" Carly asked in a whisper.

"I was at a church tonight. I didn't know it but there was a gunman there. Jason came running into the courtyard of the church." Sonny started. Carly felt tears start to run down her face. She knew what was coming, and she didn't want him to say it. As long as Sonny didn't say the words it might not be true.

"The shooter fired and Jason threw himself on me. He, um, he had been shot." Sonny told Carly as she let out a deep breath. More tears leaked out of her eyes.

"I was sitting with him. He was awake and talking to me. He said, he said it wasn't my fault. And then he…" Sonny stopped. He tried to pull back the tears spilling out of his eyes. Jason has wasted breath and strength just to get out something to make him feel better. It had probably hurt him to speak, but he did it anyway. For Sonny. Jason had died for him.

"Sonny, don't say it. Please, tell me he's at a safe-house. Anything. He can be with Elizabeth Webber. That's where he is right? Recovering at her studio? Right? Sonny, right?" Carly cried out, but in her heart she knew that wasn't the case.

"He's gone Carly. Jason's dead."

"No." Carly said as she broke down, crying in Sonny's arms.

------------------------- Quartermaine Mansion

"Detective Taggert is here." Reginald announced. Taggert had called ahead and requested the presence of everyone in the family over the phone. Everyone with the exception of Lila was in the den.

"What in the devil are you doing here and why have you corralled us all in the sitting room?" Edward boomed out before Taggert could speak.

"I don't want to be here Edward." Taggert said gently. This was the worst part of his job, telling the families that someone they loved was dead. Even if it was Jason Morgan. Even if he had to tell the Quartermaines. Maybe Mac would have been a better choice.

"Then why are you here Taggert?" Ned asked.

"Jason Morgan was shot and killed tonight." Taggert said finally, he didn't want to sugarcoat anything.

And, for the first time, the room full of Quartermaines was silent.


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