Today we get the first of Mac's misadventures in dating.
Chapter 28
Carly sat stunned but upset on behalf of Morgan, Michael and Kristina. Turning to Jacks, she said "Did Mac tell Alexis?"
"No, he asked me too. He said things have been tense since the Sam situation exploded." He said.
"I will tell her." Seeing his expression, she said "I need to do this. We are going to have to talk, she and I. Jax; I need you to let me do this."
Taking in her pleading expression, Jax took a leap of faith and said "Carly, I trust you."
"Thank you." She said softly. "Now I am going to go over there, can you keep Morgan away from a television until I return with Alexis and Kristina."
Jason read the file again, there was nothing in here he didn't already know. Diego Alcazar on the surface was the TMK; there just was no one else who it could have been. Waiting until Elizabeth had gotten the boys down for bed, he asked her to walk him through what had happened the day she had been grabbed.
"Well, I told you about Ian, then I went to Sam's." Jason listened hoping to find some variation on the story, some detail he had missed.
"Did he say anything, anything at all that might give you an idea that Emily or Georgie were alive?"
Elizabeth thought about it and then said "No, he was bragging about killing... well, that was weird, he never mentioned Carly or Leticia, at least not to me. I don't recall him talking about it at all."
"When he mentioned Emily, could you go over exactly what he said again?"
Elizabeth did, then Jason thought about something. "Elizabeth, how did he know so much about Emily? I can't picture this kid sitting down doing research about her. Georgie he knew personally, but Emily?"
As they continued to discuss things, they heard a knocking on the door. Elizabeth went to answer it while Jason checked on the boys. "Patrick?" She said when she saw his face.
"Can you check in on Robin?" He asked exhausted.
"Is she..."
"Nothing like that. I don't know if you have heard." He started awkwardly. "Sonny is dead."
"We heard. Are you sure you want me to check on Robin?" She asked doubtfully.
"Yes. She is upset that she might be wrong for feeling ambivalent about his death."
Telling Jason what was going on and seeing his scowl, Elizabeth said "I get why he asked me."
Entering Robin's room, she saw her friend sitting there with a photo album of Stone and her. "Elizabeth, why do I still feel so bad, in spite of everything he has done. I mean, I get that he was one of my last connections to Stone, but with what he did to Jake, how can I feel bad?"
"I feel bad for the man who was trying years ago to be a decent human being, but at some point, he gave up." Said Elizabeth. "You know grams told me about Karen Webber, you were friendly with her at one point, right?"
"Yes, I get what you are saying. Brenda was the only one who he truly tried to change for."
"Robin, don't be delusional, he didn't try. He was still selfish; he married Lily for power breaking up with Brenda. Just like he did with Kate for Claudia. The only difference was that Lily wasn't power hungry like Claudia."
Robin winced in memory. "I know, it's hard sometimes to remember that Sonny is, was a selfish human being when I recall how he was with Stone."
"Yes, I get that, but Robin that was such a small part of his character. I can't help wondering how much of his generosity was cover because of selfishness. There are things, I can't tell you, but Sonny did damage in ways you will never know. Be glad, remember how he was with Stone, but you need to face facts. There was always a selfish reason behind everything he did."
Elizabeth saw a sad Robin putting away her album and saying to her. "I wonder how Carly and Kate are taking this?"
Francis was telling Kate the news. Seeing the fashion mogul sit down slightly pale, he offered her some water.
"No, it's fine. Sonny, the man I knew as a kid, I spent the last few years trying to recreate him. Looking for that kid I knew in the man he had become. Mainly I feel relief; maybe now he is at peace." She said sadly. "I look back on the last year and wonder what I became in trying to keep him in my life."
"I do understand a little. But honestly, I have always wondered how women never saw through that false charm of his." He said wearily.
"We didn't want to see it. You know when I was dating him; Alexis and Diane tried to warn me, several times. I ignored them certain I knew better. Same thing with Carly and Jax, I repeatedly told Carly that Sonny should be allowed to see his kids. I saw that news clip the one where he admitted setting up that little boy; it makes me sick every time I think of it."
"That is because you are starting to come out from under the hold he had on you. Sonny was a manipulative son of a bitch. If you feel sick, imagine how Jason feels." He pointed out.
Maxie was talking to Spinelli grateful to see her friend alone even if it was only for an hour. Kate had given them permission to wander the grounds but they couldn't leave the property. "So Sonny is dead? Why are you so upset about it?"
"That isn't what is bothering me. We went to see Jason before coming here. They were at the cottage. He looked so happy, I don't even think he knew I was there." He said sadly. "Then when I recall what Sam said about me, it makes me feel even worse."
"What do you mean?" She asked curious to learn what he was talking about.
"Sam was planning on kicking me out of Stone Cold and her lives as soon as she was free. She lied to me about caring."
"Sam cared about you, truly Spinelli. As much as she could possibly care about anyone, after all we are talking about Sam." Maxie qualified her statement with some hindsight before continuing. "As for Jason, the boys are like a new toy; eventually he will grow bored. Come on, he is married to Elizabeth, I don't know a more boring person alive."
Francis had been on his way to tell Spinelli they had to leave but instead he snarked at the blond. "Haven't looked in a mirror recently have you. Miss Jones, you are one of the most one-dimensional people I have ever met and I have traveled the world and worked for Sonny Corinthos. I find it hard to believe you are sisters with Georgie. At least she was interesting."
Seeing her sputter, he continued. "Elizabeth Morgan, is an artist, a nurse and someone who has lived through things you haven't even dreamed of, but she never uses it as an excuse for her bad behavior."
"Please." Sneered Maxie. "Even when she keeps a secret like the paternity of Jake, it is a boring secret. Little miss perfection never steps out of line."
"Wrong little girl, she just owns her mistakes. You are still blaming them on your heart transplant, which happened years ago and that mommy and daddy weren't here, for you. Grow up little girl. Miss Howard is trying to teach you something, trying learning it. I know the conditions of your living here; you should be glad she headed up to bed already. We have to leave."
Spinelli got up to go, when Francis added as a parting shot. "You know, you might want to consider one more thing, Miss Jones. Things aren't always what they seem on the surface, you should have learned that with Sam McCall. Your world is about to be rocked, and when it happens, my guess is you get a nice little taste of what you like to dish out and I truly can't wait.
Alexis looked at Carly, then said suspiciously, why are you the one telling me?
"Mac asked Jax to, I told him that we needed to tell the kids together. So you and I have to deal with this as parents." She said to the woman who was staring at her wondering if Helena had kidnapped and brainwashed another Spencer, only for the good of the world this time. Who knows there might be something to that message she had left after all?
"Kristina and Morgan are the only good things to have come from Sonny. You are right, we have to tell the kids. Why do you want to do it together though?"
"I want to emphasize that no matter what they are brother and sister. Something that really hasn't been done. You and I are at fault, but mainly it is on Sonny. He never really spent much time with them together."
"Fine, I will ask Viola to take Molly over to Wyndamere to visit Spencer. They like to play together."
Cruz pulled into the bus station, just as Lucky and his family's bus pulled out. Lucky and Laura had finally tracked down Lulu who had been avoiding going. He saw Laura's fragile grandmother talking to Spencer who was looking around curiously at all the people. Seeing Nik standing there, he approached the man who was watching the bus leave. "Why a bus?"
"Long story, involving Luke." He said without looking at his brother's former partner. "Did Lucky give you the keys to his car?"
"Yes, but I was going to ask them inside to hold the car overnight, I have my patrol car to take back to the station."
"I came with my mother, so why don't I drive the car to the station for you." He said. "Spencer is with Lesley inside and I know that she is tired after spending the day with him. She is keeping Laura's car."
"Sure, you know Lucky told me to donate the car seat and booster to the charity program, but if you need them for the ride to the station they are in the trunk."
Smiling ironically, Nik wondered what he would say if he knew that Nik had started that program soon after his son's birth. "Thanks, I will just drop it off and arrange for my staff to meet me there."
Addison and Mac were awkwardly talking. They soon found out they didn't have much in common but were discussing Robin and Patrick. "Sir, you office is on the phone." Said Marty as he approached the police commissioner.
"Thanks." He said. Turning to the doctor, Mac was grateful that the beautiful woman was leaving the next day, as far as dates go, this had to be one of the more benign bad ones. "I have to take that."
Walking to the bar, he listened as David Harper gave him the news. "Sir, they found Mike Corbin's killer. His old loan shark. We also had to pull in Mitchell Coleman and closed Jake's for the evening."
"What for?"
"According to the murderer, he was working for Coleman a few years ago at some strip club."
"The Oasis."
"Yes, that's it. Turns out that this Coleman had something on Corinthos. Don't have any idea what."
"More than likely that his sister was stripping." Said Mac; this was not new information.
"No, according to the shark, it was not that. He is offering it up in exchange for a deal. But since we don't have a prosecutor..."
"Talk to Jake Meyer's. Wait, okay it with the Mayor then contact Meyers."
"Okay, then what?"
"Don't worry, I am coming in."
Walking back to the table, Mac offered to drop her off at her hotel before proceeding into work.
"That's fine. But I am just down the street from the station; I can walk if you don't mind." She had come to the meetings wanting to enjoy small town America; so far all she had seen was one hotel and the restaurant of another.
Her date wasn't bad looking but they had truly been boring each other to death. Walking to the car after paying, Mac explained that he had his unmarked police cruiser because most of the time he was on call and he never knew what he might need. "I rarely have an actual day off."
"The local mob knows your schedule and plans attacks on that day." She said intending it to be a joke.
"No, Morgan doesn't think like that. But we are a border town with a deep harbor; I never knew what is going to happen. What's worse is that Morgan isn't my biggest worry. That is a seventy-year-old woman with serial killer tendencies."
Addison thought he was joking but he looked at her and said "Google Helena Cassidine when you get back to your hotel. Dowager Queen of a deposed Russian Prince. The entire family was pretty lethal. Nik and Alexis aren't homicidal, at least yet. They and their children are all that are left."
Addison recalled the rumors she had heard about Port Charles, turns out they might be true she thought as they pulled into the station. Parking she looked around the pretty building, just as a car pulling in the other entrance exploded in a ball of flames.
Hearing the sirens going off, Mac rushed closer but soon realized that the flames were too hot. Seeing Harper and Cruz rushing from the station with fire extinguishers, he said "That was Spencer's car."
Turning white, Cruz said "Cassidine was driving it here for me."
"Car bomb." Informed Mac just as the fire truck arrived to aid the three men. Addison was standing against the building hoping there was something she could do for those inside, but well aware there might not be anyone left.
The fire was soon out, the coroner arriving on the scene along with Steven Webber. Hearing it was Nik; he called his brother in law. "Jason, there is no way Nik survived. Cruz just told me they found Spencer in the car as well."
"I thought Lucky was leaving town." He said confused.
"Jason, Nik's son." Was all the blond said. Closing his eyes to the grisly scene, he continued. "Cruz bought the car; Nik was just dropping it off."
Jason had forgotten that Nik had a son. "So this was either meant for Nik, Lucky or Cruz."
"No one knew, according to what I overheard."
"Thanks, I have to tell Elizabeth." He said grimly.
Elizabeth didn't take the news well. "Oh my god, who would kill a little boy. He is only a year older than Jake." She said crying for her friend and the family she had been close to for all these years.
"They don't know. I called Francis and had him look into it. Do you have any way to reach Lucky?"
"No, he was getting rid of his cell phone, they all were. Can you ask Spinelli to track down some names?" She asked while writing feverously. "Here, any of these combinations were what Laura was going to use."
"I will get him started." Seeing her grab her coat and phone, he asked "Where are you going?"
"I am going next door to ask Patrick to baby-sit. Or better yet, see if Nadine is still there. I have to get to Aunt Leslie before the press does."
"I will go with you." He said going to the closet.
"No." she said firmly. "Jason, please locate Laura and them. I will go and see her. I am going to call Monica and have her meet me."
Luke was watching the news, when he saw the announcement that they were coming to air live from Port Charles. "We repeat, Nikolas Cassidine the last surviving prince of the Russian Cossack Cassidines, died tonight in an explosion while pulling into the Port Charles Police Station.
"Cassidine who was thirty was the father of one son. Spencer, who was believed to have been in the car with his father. The car belongs to the Prince's brother, Lucas Spencer a former police officer with the department. We will be back when an update becomes available."
Luke froze; this was not going to be good. Laura would see this, Helena would rampage after seeing this, and he had to get back home but quick.
Getting out of the seedy hotel where he was staying, he drove his borrowed car to the airport. "Well, well if it isn't Luke Spencer, going some place?"
TBC
