Chapter 21

"Should we be expecting a little payback since we are walking into their arena today?" Sean asked with a smile.

"I bet Jason would like to get the drop on us," Robert agreed.

"What does it say on that card?" Anna asked. They were sitting in their car watching the building they were asked to meet Sonny in.

Robert pulled it out of his pocket again, "Dr. R. Edwards Theropist Office 219. I would bet there is no therapist working out of that office."

"What did he say when he handed that to you?" Sean asked.

"Meet us there at 3 tomorrow, and that it can't be traced back to him."

"Well it's almost time, this seems to be just an ordinary office building. I think we should go in and find out what's waiting for us," Anna suggested. They agreed with her and the three of them get out of the car. They headed up to the second floor and found office 219. They were surprised to find a receptionist was actually in the office. There were two doors, both with the name of a different doctor on them and a small waiting area.

"Robert walked over to the desk, "Hello, we're here to see Dr. Edwards."

She didn't even look up at him, "You can head right in sir."

"We have an appointment." Sean and Anna followed him through the door with Dr. Edwards name on it. They looked around there was no one inside, and it was set up like a doctor's office. There was a door behind the desk that could lead to another room or it could be storage. They were instantly suspicious of what they had just walked into and drew their weapons. Without saying anything they moved into position to cover both doors and still cover each other.

When the door behind the desk started to open they all took aim. Sonny walked in and instantly put his hand up, Jason was still behind him. "It's just me and Jason, I guess we should have been in here first." Once they were both in the room, "You can put those away now, it's just we can enter unseen this way."

Slowly they lowered and put away their guns. "Are we going to be overheard by anyone out there?" Anna asked.

"No this room is equipt with soundproofing, we can talk freely. I assume you want to talk about Miami," Sonny said.

"Yes, what the hell was that?" Sean asked.

"A tooth for a tooth, I wonder who else would want to get revenge against de Salva?"

"Are you really going to stand there and act like you weren't the one that ordered that?" Sean shot back.

"I'm not going to admit to anything. Were you able to discover anything about de Salva yesterday?"

"He and Jim Conners left here early yesterday, we can now place them here, we still have to find out when they got here though," Robert told him.

"Was the name I gave Robin helpful?"

"Yes, I set the explosives that killed Fred Robson and de Salva's men. We also found out that early in Anna's career with the WSB she arrested Ronald de Salva, Jonathan's father. The information she used to find him was actually leaked to her by de Salva's boss at the DVX."

"So that's why Jonathan wants revenge," Sonny concluded.

"That's messed up," Jason said. "You were both used as tools and now you're the ones that have to pay."

Robert and Anna nodded but didn't say anything. "Can we assume there won't be any more problems down in Miami?" Sean asked.

"I think the needed results were achieved by what happened there." Sonny wasn't going to say anything else, if Jonathan de Salva moved against him again he would retaliate.

"We've told you everything we've found out about de Salva and why he's coming after us, have you done the same?" Robert asked.

"Jason knew they had left here yesterday morning as well. We believe he still has people here, Pauly Munro for one. If you're wondering why he's targeting me, I think he wants my territory," Sonny speculated. "Why aren't we meeting at that cottage? Did someone see us there?"

"No, the owner is in town and is there practicing, we wouldn't want to disturb her. Is this someplace we can meet at again if need be?" Robert asked.

"Yeah, that isn't a problem. If that's everything we should be leaving," Sonny suggested.

...

"I know that we would never have found out about Jonathan de Salva without Corinthos, but I wanted to throttle that man today. Jason on the other hand, he actually understood what's happened. I get the feeling he is the voice of reason that Sonny only listens to when he wants to," Anna said once they were back in their office.

"What did you find out about Jonathan de Salva?" Kate asked from the doorway.

"I found this lovely lady wandering in your front yard. OK, she was at the door," Sean smiled.

"Are you going to tell us that you know Jonathan de Salva?" Robert asked.

"Well no, but if it's the same one that just lost two nightclubs in fires, I do know his wife Lisa. She was the co-chair of a children's benefit I played a couple years ago," Kate told them.

"That is interesting, and we may need to talk about that but another time. I'm glad you're here I think we need to go get something to eat, come back here have a few drinks then there's a conversation I think I need to get out of the way. You have both asked for an explanation and Anna has offered to help me get through that conversation."

"Are you sure you want to do that tonight old buddy?" Sean asked.

"Yes, we don't have anything to work on tonight and if I only have to do this once it's easier for me."

"Robert was it hard to tell Robin?" Anna asked.

"No, once I knew she needed to know the truth because she still didn't fully believe I didn't have a choice, I just had to tell her."

"And now?"

"Now she knows that I couldn't risk either of your lives and hope they were just bluffing."

"Slow down there old buddy, I think we were told there would be food, booze, and then the heavy conversation."

You're right, let's get something to eat," Robert said then they all left the office.

...

Kate wiped the tears from her eyes, "That was the edited version? Can I just ask one question?"

"I guess, I might not answer it, depending on what it is," Robert told her.

"What more did you have to tell Robin?"

"Like I said, they were doing horrible things to Anna and it was clear they could have killed her whenever they wanted to until she finally got away from them. I don't know for sure how or when Anna escaped but it was early '97 when they told me Anna was gone. Robin had already contracted HIV, they were so arrogant about how easy it would be to change even just one pill in her cocktail. They could make her sicker or they could make sure it became full-blown AIDS, then it would only be a matter of time and she would die. Like the videos, they never laughed again while threatening Robin."

"What video's?" Sean asked.

Robert hadn't meant to bring that up, "No, I can't."

"Do you mind if I try?" Anna asked. Robert nodded then put his head in his hands. "I was their prisoner more then I was ever a patient. To control Robert they would should him pictures of me and what they were doing. I would be held at gunpoint or threatened with a knife, tied up, pinned down, held up by my hair, whatever they felt like. They filmed some of those sessions and when they showed one to Robert he put two of them in the hospital."

"Anna, why did you never say anything?" Sean asked.

"I don't remember any of it. I have a scar on my neck that Robert explained, I think before he even saw it." Anna noticed Robert had started to tremble, she rubbed his back. "I'm done hon, just breath OK."

"I hate that scar. I can still see that damned picture. A little more pressure and the bastard would have slit your throat."

"But he didn't, I'm right here and I'm fine."

"I was doing what they wanted, they had no right to hurt you, no right to try and kill you. There are some very sick bastards working for the WSB. So help me if I ever find out who did that to you they will pay."

"Robert you can't keep doing this to yourself, yes I have a scar. There are other ones I assume I got from the explosion. What about your scars? I could blame myself for all of those but," Robert's head was still down, so Anna wrapped her arms around him. "We are moving forward, not living in the past."

Robert put his arms around her waist, moved his head to nuzzle into her neck, "I love you, Anna, I need you so much." Then he kissed her neck.

Kate thought they could use a moment alone so she got up to get another drink, and Sean followed her. "How could the WSB do that to them?" she asked him.

"I don't know. I never thought it was anything like that, I was told they had ways to keep him in line but I never thought they would go that far. No wonder he was so messed up by all of this." Sean poured them both a brandy.

"I wouldn't want to re-tell that either."

"Robert told me they spent days talking through everything they both went through, Anna's story is just as heartbreaking. I know there are things they've told each other no one else will ever hear."

"I hope you're still pouring, Anna wasn't kidding when she told you drinking helps get through this," Robert said as he joined them. Sean filled the two glasses he was holding then Robert went and sat down again. He put their glasses down then put his head down again.

Anna was right beside him and started to rub his back again, he reached out for her other hand, "Are you alright?" she asked.

"Yeah, it just hurts, I hate talking about it."

"Well Bob, your Annie is right here and she isn't going anywhere."

Robert smiled, "That's all I need." He took a couple deep breaths then sat back and put his arm around her shoulder. "Donely you better start telling some good stories I think we could all use a change of pace now."

"You got it old buddy, what if I start with some Irish jokes?"

...

Miami

Jonathan was still at the police station, "No I have no idea who would want to do this to my businesses, I've told you that. I haven't even been here for over a month, isn't it, your job to find out why this happened."

"Mr. de Salva we are just trying to determine if there is anyone you can think of that might have wanted to do this to your businesses. Has anyone threatened you or maybe there was a business deal that worked out in your favor and someone might be bitter? Anything you can think of will help us here."

"I can't think of anyone now. If I do think of anyone I will let you know."

"Thank you for your time Mr. de Salva.

"So I can go?"

"Yes, but we'll be in touch."

Jonathan got up and walked into the hallway Jim and his wife Lisa were waiting. "Let's get out of here I've been here long enough for one day. Lisa, Jim and I have some business to talk about tonight I hope you don't mind."

"I understand, after what happened, of course, you'll have to deal with business." Lisa turned and started walking then both men followed her. Lisa might be putting on a strong front but since Jonathan got home yesterday she hadn't been alone with him for more than five minutes, he hadn't even joined her in bed last night. When she met him she loved how driven he was, but he still made time for her. Now the more successful he became the more driven he was to get more, more money, more power. "I'll see you at home later." Then she walked away.

...

"How's your head this morning?" Sean asked as he handed Kate a glass of water. "I'm glad you didn't think you should drive last night." They were standing in Robert and Anna's kitchen.

"You are all bad influences, I don't think I've had a hangover in years."

"We all needed that after hearing Robert's tail. I can't imagine what it was like holding that all in. You know he doesn't open up easily, that took it to a whole new level."

"It's good that Anna was willing to give him a chance to open up to her."

"Anna needed to talk as much as he did. She only came to visit us twice since she regained her memory. She was there and happy to see us, but she wasn't really there. She was most like herself when she was talking with Ann, but she was guarded with Tiffany and I. We've talked over the years and I could tell she was getting more comfortable talking to me but she was always too busy to actually come visit."

"So when did that change?"

"I've known they were both alive for three years, but neither one was themselves anymore. The day I went out to your cottage to talk to Robert, I didn't know Anna was there. I could hear them laughing as I got to the door, they were both truly happy," Sean smiled as he thought about that day. "My friends were finally back."

Kate notice Sean was getting a little choked up, and gave him a hug. "You must have missed them so much."

"Sometimes it was worse knowing they were both alive but had changed so much, then believing they had died." Sean poured himself some coffee, "If anything happens to either one of them now,"

"The other will be destroyed by it. Sean, I know there isn't much I can do but I want to help. I know Jonathan de Salva's wife if there's anything I can do to get information on him let me try, please."

"Kate, I don't know."

"Please."

"We should talk to Robert and Anna about this, but I think we might need your help. They went to the hospital early this morning to try and talk to Grant Putnam again."

"Later then, if I'm going to get in any practice today I had better get moving. If you want to talk to them about my offer before I get back, that's fine just make sure they know I offered to do this."

...

"I don't think I should talk to you two today," Grant said when Anna and Robert entered his room. They had said hello and told him they would record their conversation again.

"Why's that Grant," Anna asked.

"Rodney still hasn't come to talk to me, I don't know what they want me to do now."

"I have some bad news for you, Rodney has died," Robert told him. "Was there no one else that you could talk to here?"

"Yeah but I'm not supposed to go there unless I'm giving him an update."

"What about a phone number maybe you could just call him," Anna suggested.

"No Anna I can't just call him," Grant insisted.

"Where is this place? We could go there for you," Anna offered.

"Why am I still here? I should be making plans," Grant was starting to get upset.

"You're here for your own safety," Robert told him.

"I'm here for your safety," Putnam glared at him. "If I was still out there, I would have taking Anna away from you. Maybe she'd still be alive."

"Grant why do you need to talk like that?" Robert asked.

"I want to see you suffer, I want you to hurt. I should have killed her all those years ago, I should have known then she was how to hurt you." There was anger in his voice as he spoke.

"You think I've never been hurt? You have no idea," Robert shot back.

"Robert stay calm he's trying to get to you," Anna said touching his arm.

"We'll be back again Putnam," Robert told him then turned and left, Anna walked out right behind him.

"I think his medication is working," Anna said as they left the room. "He just really is that crazy."

"He reacts to both of us differently, it's like he's trying to win you over to trust him while I agitate him and he wants revenge against me like he always has. I guess we should take this recording to Mac."

"Are you two here babysitting your kid again, maybe you should have been here for her when she was a teen. How do you sleep at night knowing you failed her so completely as parents?"

They both turned in a flash glaring at Carly, "Walk away right now," Anna said through gritted teeth. When they both turned Carly could tell they were angry, maybe she should have kept her mouth shut this time but she didn't move.

Robert was just as mad as Anna and was not going to stop Anna if she hit her, "Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Little girl you're our dear friend's daughter, so I am really trying to keep from snapping you in two."

"I'd like to see you try." That was not the right response. Bobbie and Alan had been watching them and came rushing over but it was too late. Carly barely saw Anna move before she was on the ground. A quick leg sweep had taken Carly's legs out from under her.

"Never talk to us about Robin again, you have no idea what happened to us that made it impossible to be here for her!" Anna was yelling at her now.

Alan helped Carly up, "Why are you here, do you have an appointment?" he asked.

"No I don't, what are they doing here?"

"They're conducting an investigation," Alan told her.

"She attacked me."

"You'd be in a lot more pain if I'd attacked you."

"We heard everything, you provoked her," Bobbie corrected. "I asked you to leave them alone, but you wouldn't listen. You should be happy Anna only knocked you down, I've seen what she is capable of. You need to leave, I can't deal you right now."

"Mom!"

"Carly, I don't even want to talk to you right now. You were extremely rude to Anna and Robert for no reason what so ever. You have a problem with their daughter, not them. I won't tell you again leave them alone."

"Fine," Carly turned and left in a huff.

"I'm sorry Bobbie," Anna said.

"No, I'm sorry. Carly has no right to talk to you like that."

"Thank you for not actually hitting her," Alan added. "I don't need to deal with that happening."

"Trust me I wanted to." Anna looked over at Robert who was being much to quite. There was so much pain on his face, "Robert?"

"Here take this to Mac, I have to go." Then he turned and walked away.

Anna sighed watching him walk away, then quietly said, "Oh Robert."

"Is he alright?" Alan asked.

"No Alan, he's not. Bobbie if the broken man that first came back to Port Charles replaces my husband I will make her pay," Anna promised. "Excuse me, I have business to take care of."

After leaving the hospital Anna went to talk to Mac, she played the recording of their conversion with Putnam. Anna told Mac they were going to talk to him again in a couple day, and that they thought his medication was working again. When Mac asked where Robert was Anna just told him there was another matter that he was dealing with. She didn't stay to visit at all she just wanted to get a hold of Robert, when she left Mac's office Anna tried calling Robert but he didn't answer.

She went down to the docks, it was always where they went to think. Anna walked for a long time but didn't find him anywhere. She stopped and looked out at the water, would he have gone back to the house or had he decided to go get drunk. She had tried calling him again but now his phone was off.

Anna decided to go see Robin, that usually made her feel better and maybe Robert had gone there for the same reason. "Hi mom, I heard about what happened today. I'm sorry Carly is acting like this, she can be such a bitch."

"Yeah. Can we please not talk about Carly?"

"I have no problem with that. What brings you here?"

"I just wanted to come see you."

"Where's dad tonight?"

"I wish I knew."

"Mom, what happened?"

"Can I have something to drink, maybe some tea?" Anna asked. Robin went and made them some tea when she came back Anna was sitting on the couch legs up holding her knees.

Robin handed her a cup and sat beside her, "OK mom what happened?

"Carly happened, he walked out of the hospital and I have seen or heard from him since."

"What the hell did she say?"

"We had just come from Grant Putnam's room, he was making threats again, when she came up behind us. She said something like are you here to babysit your kid you should have been here when she was a teen. How do you sleep at night knowing you failed her as parents?" Anna paused, "I know we were both angered by that, I even knocked her to the ground although I really wanted to beat the crap out of her. Bobbie and Alan came over to deal with her, then I noticed that Robert had gotten really quite then he just left."

"How long ago was that?"

"About 7 maybe 8 hours ago. I was actually hoping he might have come here to see you."

"Mom you have to go find him." Robin walked her to the door and hugged her before she left.

As she walked down the hall her phone rang, it was Sean maybe he had heard from him. "Hello"

"Hi, where have you been? Did you get any new information?"

"No, sorry I've been preoccupied all day. Did you find anything out about that director?"

"Johnston? No nothing I can use against him yet. Are you going to back here soon?"

"No probably not."

"Well, Kate has offered to try to help get some personal information about de Salva from his wife Lisa. It might help us but I wanted to run it past you and Robert first."

Anna thought for a moment, "Make sure she understands that she can not put herself in any danger. If she can do it by casual conversation then I'd be OK with that. Remember she can't put herself in any danger."

"Are you alright?"

"No Sean I am having a terrible day and no I'm not going to talk about it."

"OK, I'll let Kate know she can contact Lisa," then he hung up.

Anna walked out into the night, she decided to go back down to the docks. Whether she found him there or not she wanted to spend some time there. She found her way down to the part of the pier they had spent so much time at when she first came to Port Charles. They always seemed to find their way back to that spot. Anna was leaning on a crate just looking out over the water. Who the hell does Carly think she is? She has no right to talk to them like that, Robert beats himself up enough about the fact he wasn't there for Robin now some little bitch is going to throw it in their faces.

Anna walked closer to the water's edge, she had lost all track of time but didn't want to leave. She knew Sean was at their house and she wasn't ready to talk to him about this. Robert would have phoned her if he had gone home and she wasn't there. She wrapped her arms around herself to shield herself from the chill in the air.

"Have you been waiting long?"

Without turning around, "I would have waited all night."

Robert walked up behind her and put his arms around her, "I'm sorry Luv, I just need time to think." He kissed her neck, "I knew you'd be here."

"I walked along the pier earlier but after going over to Robin's for a while I had to come here."Anna glanced at her watch, "You've been gone for over ten hours, and you shut off your phone."

"I would have called you if you weren't here, I just needed to be alone."

"Robert I needed to know you were OK."

"I'm sorry," he held her a little tighter. "I thought about going to Robin's but I just couldn't. I walked along the docks right after I left the hospital, I don't even know for how long. Then went into some bar, and nursed a drink for a long time. After that I went for a drive, I just couldn't get those words out of my head. I kept hearing them over and over."

"Robert nothing that bitch says matters. She's the one that broke up Tony and Bobbie marriage, her lies have kept two fathers from their children. She has no right to say anything to us about Robin."

"I know Anna, it wasn't who said it, it what she said." Robert turned Anna so she was facing him. "You know I would have been there for Robin if I'd had the choice. I would have brought you home and made sure you were getting the proper medical attention you needed."

"Of course I know that. Robert, you're a good man that was forced into an impossible position."

"What about Putnam and his threats? He wants to kill you to hurt me."

"Robert, the man is mentally ill. He can talk all he wants, I know he's not getting out of there."

"Are you mad Luv?"

"No, I was worried and I've been in a bad mood all day, but no, I'm not mad."

"So can I take you home now?"

"Yes. Sean might have questions, he knows I had a bad day. Robin is the only one that knows I didn't know where you were."

"I'll talk to her after we get home, did anything else happen today?"

"Yes, I think Kate is going to try and find out some personal information about de Salva for us. I agreed without really paying attention to what Sean was saying, but I told him to make sure it was safe."

"We can talk about that tomorrow, if she came up with the idea there'd be no stopping her anyway." Then Robert took Anna's hands, "I'm sorry I walked away, and I shouldn't have shut off my phone. I can't shut you out, I'm sorry."

"You needed time to think I get that." Anna looked into his eyes, "I guess ten hours isn't that bad, I just wish I had known where you were, OK." He nodded, "Take me home."

...

Sean walking into the office early the next morning and found Robert already there talking on the phone. He hadn't seen either of them since yesterday morning. He went and sat at Anna's desk and started looking at the information he'd already gotten about Marvin Johnston. When Robert hung up Sean asked, "So what happened to you two yesterday?"

"Nothing. We got nothing from Putnam, he still hates me and wants to use Anna to get his revenge against me. He's just playing with us now," Robert told him angrily.

"Are you OK with Kate talking to Lisa de Salva?"

"It doesn't matter what I think," Robert said then picked up some papers and started reading through them.

"Is something wrong? Anna said she was having a bad day yesterday, what happened?"

"I don't want to talk, I just want to work alright."

"Fine, I have some calls to make anyway." Sean decided it was better to just let him be, he'd talk when he was ready.

About an hour late Anna came to the door, if either of you are hungry there's breakfast and fresh coffee, don't worry I didn't cook it."

Sean smiled at her, "I'd love some breakfast," then got up to leave. "Robert are you coming?" he didn't even look up when Sean spoke.

"You go Sean, I'll talk to him." She knew Carly's words were still bothering him, Anna walked over and sat on the edge of his desk. He'd held her but she knew he had hardly slept, "I missed you this morning, what time did you get up?"

"It was early," he answered without looking up.

"Robert, you should come have something to eat."

"I'm fine."

"No, you aren't. We promised not to shut each other out, but you're trying to right now."

"I just want to work on this."

"Why aren't you even looking at me?"

Robert put down the paper he was reading and looked up at her, "I have a lot to do."

"NO YOU DON'T! We have nothing! There's a crazy man in the hospital that wants us both dead. There some man in Miami that blames us for the bad things that have happened in his life. We know it but we have nothing to prove that Jonathan de Salva actually wants to harm us."

"I can't just sit here and do nothing Anna! Putnam isn't going to tell us anything, all he wants to do is play mind games. I can't find a bloody thing on de Salva that even hints that he's doing anything illegal let alone that he's the one that had Corinthos' businesses blown up."

"So come have something to eat."

"I'm not hungry." Anna reached over and moved the papers that were in front of Robert. "I'm reading those."

"Not anymore." Anna moved over so she was sitting right in front of Robert now and smiled.

"Anna."

"Say it again."

There was a softness in his voice this time, "Anna." Then he put his head on her lap.

She ran her fingers through his hair, "Now come have something to eat or you can just come have some coffee, but you're leaving this office. Bobbie came to see you."

Robert sat up, "What, why would she do that?"

"Because she's your friend and she's worried about you."

Robert stood up and moved closer to Anna, "OK let's go eat," he agreed. Anna put her arms around him, "Breakfast then maybe we should go lay down I was up really early," then he kissed her.

"If you play nice with your friends you'll be rewarded," she said with a smile.

Robert smiled, "I'll hold you to that."

Sean was surprised to see Bobbie in the living room when he came out of the office. "So we have you to thank for breakfast?"

"Yes, I thought I should come by, and thought you could all use something good to eat." When Anna started yelling, she looked towards the office. "They haven't been fighting have they?" she asked.

"That was the first time I've seen Anna since yesterday morning. Robert is in one hell of a mood, has been all morning." Sean listened to their voices then said, "That doesn't sound like them fighting though."

"Really? They're just yelling for fun."

"They are communicating loudly," Sean corrected and smiled at her.

They were still talking when Bobbie noticed them and saw their smiles. "I guess you were right." Bobbie got up and Robert walked over and gave her a hug. "How are you?" she asked.

"I've been told I'm not playing well with others," he joked. Then he looked her in the eyes, "I didn't have a choice, Bobbie. I know you can't control what Carly says and does but you have to know I didn't have a choice."

"I know that Robert, you're friends all know that. This might be wrong for a mother to say but I really wish Anna had decked her yesterday. Then she might think twice before talking to either of you. I won't make excuses for her and I know that what she said was extremely hurtful, especially to you. I just wanted to make sure that you were OK. When you left yesterday,"

"I'm OK, I spend hours thinking about what she said, then I had to do some groveling. I'm not in the best mood this morning but it'll get better."

"Good now come and get something to eat before it gets cold." Bobbie started leading him towards the dining room.

"Sean, are all the women we know bossy?"

"Yes and that's why we love them."

...

"When do you think you'll be heading back to New York Jonathan?" Lisa de Salva had hardly seen Jonathan since he'd returned and had gone to his office to talk to him.

"I really can't say Lisa, we are in the middle of some very important things here."

"There's a concert I've been invited to attend so I was thinking that if your business takes you back there soon I could come alone. It's in a few days and I would really like to go."

"Why don't you go then, if we're traveling there around that time we'll join you. Go enjoy yourself," Jonathan told her dismissively.

"Fine, I'll start making my travel plans today then." Lisa walked away she was so tired of being ignored by him all the time. Maybe she'll do more than just go to Katherine Delafield's concert while she's there, a girl has needs too.

"Are you sure Corinthos isn't the one behind the fires?" Jim asked after they were alone.

"How could he have found out it was us, I have worked very hard to cover any trace of our activities. I doubt he even knows about our organization."

"Well someone found something out, why else would it have been just your clubs? Scorpio then, he must still have some connection."

"I told you they haven't left Port Charles. Not only that but from what I understand he isn't on the best of terms with the WSB so I highly doubt he'd be going to them for favors. They arrested Grant Putnam and he's not going to give them anything useful on us."

"Alright, then it must be someone here in Miami. If we are down here trying to take care of this what's going to happen back in Port Charles?"

"I want to be back up there in two weeks, we should be able to have a plan to deal with Morgan by then, and hopefully, we'll know who burnt down my clubs by then as well."

...

"So Mac's single right?" Kate asked as she came into their home office.

Robert and Anna both looked up at her, "You're not interested in my little brother are you?"

"No," Kate smiled "but I just got an interesting phone call. I called Lisa de Salva last night, I told her I had heard about the fires and was just wondering how things were going. I got the impression she isn't really as happy as she was the last time I saw her, so I invited her to the New York concert. Well, she just called me back, she's going to come to the concert, but get this she said she wants to get out of Miami for a few days and would actually like to leave tomorrow or the next day."

"Her husband just got back to Miami and she wants to leave," Sean wondered.

"That's not all, when I told her I wasn't staying in New York she asked where I was and that she wouldn't mind just getting away where Jonathan wouldn't think to look for her and have some fun, not that he would care where she was anyway."

"Trouble at home for the de Salva's, that is interesting," Anna commented.

"This could be good for us," Sean added.

"So this is where Mac comes in I take it. He can show her a good time and just maybe Lisa will open up to one of you about the troubles at home. That's good, but if de Salva's men are still in town I would think they would know what his wife looks like and report back to him," Robert reminded them.

"Oh, I hadn't thought about them," admitted Kate.

"Have you noticed anyone following you?" Sean asked.

"A few time I thought we were being tailed and shock them off easily but that hasn't happened in a week at least," Robert admitted.

"So someone might just be keeping tabs on your whereabouts but not actively following you. They aren't very thorough and that will work in our favor. Whenever any of us are out, pay attention to see if there's anyone following you, we need to know what we're dealing with," Sean told them.

Kate started to laugh, "So which one of you is actually running this investigation?"

"Why?" Robert asked.

"You all give directions and all take orders, I understand you've worked together a lot but shouldn't someone have the last say if there's a difference of opinion?" Kate wondered.

"Usually we do appoint one of us for that very reason but not this time," Anna told her.

Sean and Robert looked at each other, then together said, "It's Anna."

She smiled, "Yeah it is."

"I'm going to call Mac and let him know he's going to have a few date nights coming up, Kate when will you know when Lisa is coming to New York," Robert asked.

"She said she'd call me back, later on, tonight. So should I invite her here right away?"

"Let her know that you're busy during the day, but she is more than welcome to come here," Anna paused then added, "make sure she knows you have friends here and in the evening you're enjoying going out on the town with them."

Robert checked the time it was already after six "Well if we are enjoying our evening we should call it a day, Sean you can pick up the search for dirt tomorrow and we have a date with Putnam in the morning."

"Robert what time did you start this morning anyway?" Sean asked.

"I think it was around five when I came down here, sorry I was so moody when you came in." Then he looked at Anna and grinned, "I was a good boy after you yelled at me, do I still get my reward?" Anna walked over and gave him a kiss then turned away again. "Oh, you tease."

"Good things come to those who wait, Scorpio." Then she left the office.

...

"Are we just wasting our time talking to him again?" Robert asked as they approached Putnam's room.

"We might be but we have to try. How do we want to handle this today?"

"He's more receptive to you, I agitate him so you should do most of the talking to start."

They nodded to the guard at the door then entered his room, "Good morning Grant, we are recording our conversation again."

"Anna, good to see you again. Why does he have to follow you around everywhere?"

"Robert? I like having him around. So how are you today?"

"I don't like being tied down all the time, when will they take these off?"

"You don't always cooperate when it comes time to take your medication or staying where you're told so, for now, the restraints will stay on. Grant, did you know Rodney's last name?"

"Why do you care about him, you told me he's dead."

"I was hoping you could tell us a little more about him. Did you know where he was from?" Anna asked.

"You don't care about Rodney, he was a nobody. You want to know who got me out."

Anna knew he wasn't going to just tell them that, they needed another approach, "Of course we do. Grant, we offered to make sure you'd be safe if you gave us some useful information, but so far that hasn't happened."

"Scorpio how long do you think Anna will be safe once I'm free?"

"Why do you think you'll be free again?" Robert asked.

"That's the deal, I get to be free so I can distract you."

"Really what are you distracting us from?" Anna asked.

"He needs time to take out the competition, then I get my reward." A creepy smile was on his face when he looked at Anna.

"We already know about your reward, who told you this?" Anna asked.

"My boss, he doesn't like Scorpio either. They would talk but didn't think I was listening, Anna you were a bad girl too, what did you do to his father?"

"If I knew who you were talking about, I might be able to answer that question."

"Anna you can't trick me I won't tell you his name."

"I guess we don't have to keep you out of Ravinview then. Do you want to talk again in a couple days?"

"Next time don't bring him. Then maybe I'd tell you something."

"If I actually believed you, I might come here without Robert, but I would bring our friend Sean with me instead."

"Why don't you trust me, Anna? What have I done to you?"

"You mean besides kidnapping me twice."

Putnam started to laugh, "Well yeah there is that. He found you didn't he?" Grant glared at Robert.

"Did Rodney give you the tranquilizer gun?" Anna asked.

"I told you Rodney was a nobody, he was just de Salva's errand boy. Pauly would have gotten that gun for me," they could see the anger in his eyes as he talked. "You have no idea who you're dealing with. They will get me out of here and they will make you both pay." Putnam was getting upset now.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that Putnam," Robert shot back. "They don't care about you. You're just the nutjob they needed to distract us remember, you've done that. The builds were destroyed so now you useless to him. He doesn't need you anymore, and you won't get to kill either one of us."

"Yes I will, that's the deal. Jonathan de Salva got me out of Ravinview to kill you. They made the deal and I got to walk out."

"He betrayed you, they aren't coming for you, they left town a few days ago," Robert told him.

"You're lying."

"No, I'm not, they left you here because they have no use for you anymore."

"He doesn't know I heard his first name, I could still tell you something useful."

"Really who's first name did you hear?" Anna asked.

"No not today. I won't tell you today." Then he started to laugh. "I would missing seeing again," he continued to laugh.

"We'll be back in a couple days," Robert said.

"I don't want to see you Scorpio I only want to see Anna."

Putnam was still talking when they walked out of his room. Anna turned to Robert, "That was recorded right? Please tell me we just got Jonathan de Salva's name connected to this."

"We got it." Robert picked Anna up and kissed her. They were both smiling when he put her down, "Come on we have to get this to Mac, this could help Sean as well."

"Robert we're gonna get him." They left the hospital and went straight to the police department. When they got there they had to wait for Mac to get back. They were waiting for him in his office when Kate phone, she told them that Lisa de Salva was going to be in Port Charles tonight and would spend a few days there before the concert.

Mac walked in and found them waiting, "Please tell me you have something good today, I could really use a break on either of these cases."

"Once you've listened to this I think you'll be in a better mood," Robert told him, then played the recorded conversation. "So what do you think?"

Mac looked up at them, "Did he really not realize he told you de Salva's full name and said he got him out of Ravinview?"

"That's what it seems like, when we catch him off guard we seem to get little bits of information," Robert told him.

"I think he was brought here to keep us distracted while the attacks were carried out against Corinthos. I know we can't prove that connection 100% yet but we getting there," Anna said with a smile.

"I've got to remember never to doubt you two. This was just what I needed today," Mac told them.

"So are you still the charmer you once were?" Robert asked.

"Does this have something to do with your phone call last night? Just who is it you want me to get close to?" Mac asked.

"We may have come up with another way to get some personal information on de Salva. We found out that his home life might not be as happy as it once was," Robert explained. "Katie just happens to know his wife so she called Lisa as a concerned friend to see how she was doing after hearing about the fires that destroyed he husband's clubs. While they were talking Kate invited her to her New York concert, and Lisa said she would actually like to get out of Miami for more than just a day or two."

"Her husband just got back and she wants to leave already?" Mac wondered.

"Yeah and she told Kate she wanted to have some much-needed fun," he added.

"So you want me to make sure she is enjoying herself while she's in New York, did you forget I have a job to do here."

"No, this is the best part. She is actually going to be here tonight. I think we should take her out maybe to the Haunted Star, just a group of friends out for a good time, and yes we'd like you to flirt with her," Anna confirmed.

"When I said I needed a girlfriend I didn't mean you should go out and find me one, especially a married one," Mac joked. "I'll do what I can to get information. What's Sean working on?"

"He's trying to find some information on Marvin Johnston that he can use against him if he refuses to talk about how Putnam got out of Ravinview," Robert told him.

"Do you think that's who helped him escape?"

"As director, he had to have known Putnam wasn't there, that there was no paperwork for a release, but still he didn't notify anyone a dangerous mentally ill patient was on the loss. If he wasn't involved he knows who was and is protecting them," Robert explained.

"For a man that apparently is only a nightclub owner he has some major pull."

"Yes he does Mac, but we're going to stop him," Anna sounded confident. "We'll let you know what the plans for tomorrow night are, but I think we should get going. Robert's taking me out for lunch."