Chapter 14

Somewhere on February 1992

Legs splayed, arms stretched over one leg, Anna pondered her situation while doing some yoga. By her inner reckoning she had been a prisoner for at least four days. If it was day or night she didn't know and couldn't care. Her existence was this one room and the damnable bracelet that kept her in. Her eyes scanned the room for the umpteenth time. Though she had studied the walls she hadn't found any seams or other marks. The unnatural quietness led her to believe she was underground.

Faison had provided her a simple but complete wardrobe. She had rested and bathed and now felt closer to her usual self than ever before. To keep track of the days, Anna had adopted a strict schedule - light aerobic exercise, a shower, breakfast, book reading, yoga, a very light lunch, a tea time nap, book reading and a late supper. Her captors by now were well aware of the routine. Faison joined her for almost all meals. Otherwise, she was left alone.

Loud voices on the other side of the door caught her attention.

"Scorpio will NOT stop me this time. I have seen to that."

At the mention of Robert's name, Anna pressed her ear closer against the door.

"You UNDERSTAND what you have to do, don't you?"

Anna's hopes soared at the frustration in Faison's voice. The more frustrated he became the higher the likelihood that he would make a mistake. His agitation had increased incrementally in the last two days so she gleefully assumed that his plan was falling apart.

"It is very clear to me what is wrong, Mother. You are letting your ... feelings for Holly MESS up my PLANS. How can I forgive you for that?"

"Nanny is in Port Charles?" Anna whispered. "Holly?"

"I will not HAVE it! Follow the plan, mother, can you do that for me? Hmm."

"How is that possible?"

"Anna will never be happy without her daughter. I WILL have her."

"I'll see you dead first." Anna whispered.

"All right, Mother, don't cry. I know it is difficult but you have never failed me before, have you?"

"You left me little choice. I had to punish you as a reminder, that is all."

The underlying menace in his voice made the hairs on Anna's arm stand on end. She had to find a way to derail Faison's plans. Anything to buy her and Robert more time.

"You will know when it is time. Just remember the plan, Mother, the plan. Good bye." There was a pause. "Mesick, it is time to begin tying up loose ends. Ensure that Frankie Taylor and his mother never return from their latest audition. And has my wedding gift been delivered?"

It was too much to take in. Anna made her way blindly to the couch absorbing all she had overheard. She sat down. To an electronic observer she seemed the picture of calm with her eyes open, her face immobile. Only her tightly clenched fists revealed her rage.

Anna dismissed Holly and Nanny from her mind. They were not important. Robin, Robert and Faison had to be her focus now. One hand gently rubbed her abdomen. In a few weeks her pregnancy would become apparent to a casual observer and her physical symptoms would soon disable her. She had to act and her window of time was closing fast. If she could just introduce one or two disruptive actions, then Faison's plan could be pushed further out of his control and into hers.

She steadied her breathing until determination and will sharpened her mind to an ice cold clarity. She dismissed the wife, lover, friend and mother. It was time for the operative, the black widow and maybe the killer. She could not wait for opportunities to present themselves. She had to act to set things in motion.

Anna slipped to the floor. She began her exercises once more. Her head turned at the door's opening. Faison entered. In one smooth motion, Anna raised herself from the floor. She took a seat on the couch.

"Good afternoon, Anna. I see now how you have kept yourself so beautiful." He sat down next to her.

"I like to stay fit." Anna answered. "It's best for the mind and the body not just cosmetics."

Faison took her hand. "I hope you are now fully rested." He looked down on her open palm where several cuts oozed blood. "You've hurt your hand."

"Did I? I ... I didn't feel anything."

"They are not too deep," Faison pressed a hankerchief into her palm. "How did you get these?"

"I must have touched something sharp. Don't trouble yourself."

Faison kissed her hand. "You are never too much trouble, Anna."

Anna wet her lips before saying, "Speaking of trouble, let me go. Robert will be on your trail by now. Get far, far away from here while you can."

"Oh, no, no, my white rose, the game is afoot and I have studied well my enemy."

Anna stiffened imperceptibly. "Have you?"

"Let me tell you about Robert Scorpio," Faison began to pace. His face became very animated and his gestures just shy of manic.

Anna feigned a relaxed interested posture. She poured herself some water from the pitcher on the table by the couch.

"Robert is formidable but he is predictable. He is relentless but prone to redirection. He trusts deeply but that trust can be misplaced." Faison exclaimed. "What have I always said is the best strategy to employ against a strong opponent?"

"The best strategy takes advantage of an enemy's strengths while exploiting the enemy's weaknesses at every level possible." Anna replied. "What sort of cleverness have you done, Cesar?"

Faison smirked. "Cleverness, yes, that ... that is the right word. I must admit it has been the most complex plan I have ever devised."

Anna's eyes were hard as diamond chips but her voice was velvety soft. "What have you done that you are so proud of?"

"I have created a maze of dead ends and false trails layered over the real strategy. I have greatly amused myself watching Scorpio traverse my maze like a frantic mouse." Faison lit a clove cigarette.

"Um, that must be quite a plan."

"It is and it is not yet over. The denoument is yet to come." said Faison. "My strategy was laid out in one path then it reaches a ... a fork. One is false and one is not. Robert has taken the wrong path."

Anna cleared her throat. "It doesn't matter you know. Robert will see through your smoke and mirrors."

Faison shook his head. "No, no, Anna. Robert is sufficiently distracted by many, many things that he can barely think. He can only react. I have removed his singular strength of tactical planning. That is EXACTLY how I planned it."

"Robert isn't just one man. There's Sean, Mac, the police force, the Bureau. He can put any of them into play against you. Sean knows you and your methods too well."

Faison stopped pacing and faced her. "I have turned his friends and family against him. He will not know whom to trust."

"That's ridiculous! Every person who received one of your block letters is your enemy. Robert will exploit that. I would."

"And while he tended to each of the worried parties, he has removed his eye from the actual prize. I am surprised that you would think that I would reduce myself to petty revenge. If I wanted Hornsby or Eckert dead, a bullet to the head is preferable. Those blocks have served their diversionary purpose." Faison said. "This plan has not been without some personal sacrifices on my part. I have possibly exposed my mole in the WSB. It was necessary but such a waste."

"You have an agent in the Bureau?" Anna asked not bothering to hide her shock.

"A long-time sleeper under my control." Faison blew a long stream of smoke. "I have activated him to collect information and spread disinformation where it is strategically valuable to me. Any information from the WSB is now suspect, but Scorpio and Donely won't know that. That was step one."

Faison continued on not even noticing Anna's lack of response. "Step two involves a campaign of misdirection."

"Frankie Taylor and his mother?"

"Yes and a few others like ... Holly Scorpio." Faison waited watching for a reaction.

He was disappointed. Anna's face betrayed no outward reaction. "Holly died in a plane crash several years ago. Where did you find a double?"

"The Suttons had planned a scheme for nearly a year involving several rich and ancient families in Europe. The plan was at its last stages and Holly, living in Australia, was asked to assist by her kindly Uncle Clive in the final execution of their scheme in Hong Kong."

"Why would she help them?"

"Family loyalties can be unpredictable. Perhaps, she was bored ... staring at sheep and cattle all day on the Scorpio ranch. A little harmless excitement might have been attractive." Faison fell into the armchair. "The plan did not go well. The families went after Clive, Holly, Algernon, Barry and a few others. They scattered to hide in the old British colonies - India, Malaysia, Ceylon, Burma - among friends and contacts."

"Robert would have helped her. Why didn't -"

"One of my contacts in Ceylon connected Clive to me. We made a deal. I helped to ... extricate his family from their difficulties AND settle their disputes with the families."

"Disputes?" Anna poured some water in a glass and gave it to Faison.

"A sleight of hand theft or even a straightforward blackmail attempt would not have motivated the families into vengeance. Whatever the scheme, it had cost the families dearly." He drank. "I was able to apply some creative solutions and the disputes were settled with most of the families."

"Not all?"

Faison shook his head. "Some families have very long memories if a short reach. I laundered identities for the Suttons, including Holly."

"You caused the plane crash then."

"No. I provided some funds and legitimate identities only. How each of them assumed those identities was their problem."

"What was your reward?"

"It can be useful to have a family of stylish capable thieves at one's disposal." answered Faison. "Holly and Barry were sent to New York to retrieve an item for me. Their assignment was to ingratiate themselves with the widow Taub."

"Dominique."

"Yes. The item was in her late husband's possession. It was his insurance policy against me."

Anna's brows rose at this revelation. "You and Leopold Taub were untrusting partners?"

"Business partners not blind allies. We each had something on the other."

"We wondered how you and Taub could be so loyal to each other." She raised her glass in a mock toast to him.

Faison clinked his glass against hers. "Robert discovered Holly a little earlier than I had wished but no matter. I have made adjustments in my plan."

"Holly is in Port Charles now?"

Faison watched her face as he replied. "Yes, she is. With Robert, Robin and Nanny. All of Port Charles knows that she is alive."

Anna was thoughtful. "Robert mourned her. He really did. They can have some closure now."

"You are not jealous or concerned that she may want him back?"

"Robert and I are committed to each other." Anna said with conviction. "If ... if he wants her, then he'll have to tell me to my face. We've always been honest with each other in that way. Until then, no, I see no reason for jealousy."

"I do not believe you." Faison said.

Mesick entered with the lunch trolley and began to lay out lunch. He left the door ajar slightly.

"Believe what you like," Anna shrugged. "Delude yourself in believing that your plan will work."

"The final moves on this chessboard are set." Faison clapped his hands together. "It is time to remove my Queen from danger."

Anna gestured to the room. "You have me in a very safe place already. Why change now?"

"Mesick, have arrangements been completed?" Faison asked.

"The Nereo is ready, sir. We can board at any time." said Mesick.

Anna stood and walked to the table and their lunch.

"Inform the captain to expect his cargo - Anna!"

Anna sprinted towards the open door. She had to get away before she was moved. Robert had to be told about the WSB. As she sped past the door, she found herself in a small anteroom. She spied stairs leading upward. She bound up the stairs. Her heart pounded in her ears. She slammed open the door at the top of the stairs and found herself in a rustic cabin. Mesick's heavy footsteps were close behind. Anna left the cabin at a dead run.

Outside, she came out into a copse of trees that hid the cabin from view. She saw a faint but definite path on the ground and followed it. A few meters down the path the bracelet began to emit a continuous high pitched chirp. She ran. She began to recognize the environment. Not too far away she could see the outline of a tall imposing house and hear the sounds of water lapping on to the shore. She was on Spoon Island.

The realization stopped her cold. Rapidly, she oriented her position. She said under her breath. "Where ... is the ... dock? Which direction?" Her head swiveled left and right.

She whirled backwards at a sharp pain on her back. She clawed at her back trying to dislodge the transquilizer dart. The dart did its work quickly. She collapsed unto the cold ground.

A/N: There were so many holes or things that just didn't fit in the original story line and the current show that for my sanity I had to try to make them fit. This chap is my attempt to do so but still be plausible if not realistic. One of the best things in the 1990 Faison story was Anna's artful manipulation and his recognition that it was a cat & mouse game with everyone else. I don't think Anna would have lost her edge during the kidnapping. Thoughts anyone?