ASE-38

City Hall

Robert and Sean were ushered into Mayor Cromwell's office nearly upon arrival. Their expressions were serious. The mayor rose from behind his desk.

"Robert, I can't believe it. Is it true?" asked Cromwell.

Robert cleared his throat then said, "A body was, um, discovered amidst the rubble. Ah, I'm awaiting the final report from the medical examiner. I'm also bringing in a top notch forensics expert from Manhattan and, possibly, getting some help from the WSB."

"You are? And the news release that just came out said that it was Anna. Is that not true?" began the mayor.

"It's a very strong possibility but I, ah, didn't want to ... to act without absolute proof," said Robert standing at the far edge of the table.

"I'm sorry to be crude but what evidence could you have? I saw the explosion from here. Heard it, too."

"You'd be surprised," said Sean striding towards the windows. "The WSB certainly has the expertise to find evidence that remains to be found."

"My hunch is that it, um, it was Anna but I ... I need to be sure," said Robert. "You understand that I've gotta be sure."

Sean leaned on the window pane for support. With one hand, he affixed a tiny listening device on the underside of the curtains that hung out the window.

"I'm very sorry, Robert. Please accept my condolences on your loss. You and Anna have a daughter don't you?"

"Yes. Robin. She's not taking it well. Obviously." Robert sighed. "I came over to ... to update you personally and answer any questions you may have. And-"

"It's appreciated but not necessary. You should be with your family right now," said the mayor.

Sean wandered to the small table where refreshments had been laid out. He lazily poured himself a glass of water. He sipped as he placed another listening bug under the table.

"I want to assure you, James, that I will find who did this to ... to Anna, Cassandra and Bettina. That's a promise," said Robert.

"Robert, you're under a great deal of strain. Take some time off. Hand over the case to Chief Lewis."

"I'm fine but thank you for your concern. I intend to wrap up this case very soon."

"Soon? So you have suspects?"

Sean took a seat in front of the mayor's desk.

"Some very good, very definite leads. This case is rather high profile. I'd like to know that I have your full support before it's over."

"Of course you do. Have no doubt on that." The mayor's eyes narrowed. "Is ... is there a reason you're asking?"

Robert fidgeted. He looked at Sean.

Sean took a deep breath and said, "Well, James, you see there are possible complications. Political ones I mean."

The mayor turned his full attention to Sean. "Isn't this a ... clearly a case of a some psychopath loose in the streets?"

Robert paced slowly in front of the bookcase that lined one wall of the office.

"On the surface but since I've been working on the case with Robert and Anna we've-"

"You and Anna are ... are working with Robert?"

"Robert asked us to help out on the original case. The one that you asked him to investigate," said Sean.

"What does that have to do with these murders?"

"I felt that your private case merited the best personnel available," said Robert.

"But that was about a ... a leak. Not a homicide. There's no connection," said Cromwell.

"We think there is," said Sean. He planted another bug on the underside of his seat.

"It's a strange angle but we need to be thorough. We may find nothing and yet again we might," added Robert.

"But I still don't see a connection."

"There are too many coincidences to not suspect a connection," said Robert. "I'm investigating a potential political scandal so I attend a gathering with many of the city's most influential citizens. You'd think it was the last place anything sordid would happen but one person collapsed and another is kidnapped. Then we end up with two ... deaths and one patient in a coma."

"Scandal? I don't believe I ever said-" began Cromwell.

"Poor choice of words on my part," said Robert.

"Don't most political cases end up in scandal? Or prison terms?" asked Sean rhetorically.

Cromwell looked at Sean then at Robert. "You ... you said you had suspects. Do you have proof? What is it that they call it on television?"

"Motivation?" Sean hazarded.

"Yes. Why would anyone do something like this?" asked Cromwell. "I think we, uh, hired a bad catering service who let this ... this person through or hired him."

"That's what we're going to find out." Robert began to button his coat. "That's all I've got for now. Do you have any questions?"

"Ah, when will you be sure ... about Anna?"

"We're working non-stop on these cases. We'll know soon."

"Thank you for letting me know personally. Please think about taking some days off, Robert. Be there for your daughter and family," said Cromwell.

"I'll think about it. Maybe after the case is solved. We'll take a vacation somewhere."

Robert and Sean left the mayor. Once the door had closed, Cromwell sagged into his chair. His face showed the strain and worry he'd concealed during the meeting. His hand went to his phone.

"But he said not to call him," muttered Cromwell. "Should I?"

Scorpio Penthouse

Propped against pillows on the couch, Anna put down a statement she'd been reading and stretched her arms upward. She yawned.

Robin, busy putting pins and markers on Frisco's map, looked at her mother and said, "Mom, it's okay to sleep."

"After I've gone through all these statements," replied Anna. "How are you doing?"

Robin counted the stack of statements that Anna had finished reading and declared were reasonably accurate. "I've got twenty left. How do you read them so fast?"

"You're not supposed to be reading just skimming for the location information I've confirmed."

"I can't help it. I want to know everything so I can help you and Daddy figure this out," said Robin. "I'm good at puzzles, right?"

"You are," said Anna. "And you're also rather good at getting people to see your viewpoint. This time you will fail I assure you."

"This time? Fail?"

"You're not fooling me. You're doing all you can to prove to me that you'll make a good detective some day."

"Or a WSB agent."

Anna groaned. "There are other career options, sweetheart. You can do anything you want."

"And I want to follow in my parents' footsteps. What's so wrong about that?"

"Nothing if your father and I were accountants or lawyers or business people or doctors," said Anna.

"That all sounds so boring!" Robin tacked on another pin.

"What's wrong with a normal job?"

"Well, for other people it's fine but it's not for me," said Robin.

"Our work is crazy. We meet crazy people. We have crazy hours. We live and breath our work. Your father more than me but you know what I mean."

"But, Mother," wheedled Robin.

"Oh, I'm mother now am I?"

"You do help people every day. Sometimes you even save a whole lot of people. You and Daddy make a difference. That's what I want to do."

"You don't have to be in the WSB or criminal investigations to do that. You should do your own thing. Don't be like us. Be your own person," advised Anna. "You are so talented, beautiful, intelligent and-"

"Oh, Mom, please," protested Robin.

"And willful and manipulative and cunning."

"I get it all from you and Dad."

Anna sighed. "Sometimes I wish you'd gotten less."

"I don't. I like who I am."

"I kinda like you a little bit, too. Come here!"

Robin bounded to the sofa. Anna enveloped her in a fierce hug.

"You know that door to door thing was smart and brave but I want you to promise me to not do anything like that ever again."

"But, Mom-" began Robin.

"Hear me out. You are the most important thing to me and to your father. You have no idea how important. And we don't want anything to happen to you," explained Anna.

"I was careful and Olin was right there."

"And I am extremely grateful she was there but that's not the point," said Anna. "You risked yourself for me. It's a good thing I didn't know because ... because I would have had a nervous breakdown. Anything could have happened to you around strange people and places." Anna stroked her daughter's hair. "I've always tried to give you as normal a childhood and home as I can. Do you know why?"

"Why?"

"I said that my work was crazy. It's enough to drive me mad," said Anna. "But at the end of the day I can come home to something normal. The normal life makes the insane parts manageable. That's the way it should always be - good, stable and safe. That's what I want for you but you go off and do crazy stuff of your own. Do you want to give me more gray hairs?"

"Dad said it was okay, Mom."

"I'll deal with your father later. We're talking about you."

"I'd rather talk about you and Dad. He was frantic to find you."

"As he should have been," said Anna with a grin. "I would have been the same if it was him."

Robin's expression turned sly. "He barely ate or slept. He pushed everyone to the limit."

"He did?"

Robin nodded. "He was always so tired but he kept going and going. He was desperate to find you."

Anna said softly, "He wouldn't stop looking. I know he wouldn't."

"He really loves you, Mom."

Anna was taken aback but recovered quickly. "Of course he does. We're his family. We only have each other. We have to stick together."

"Could you maybe, possibly, fall in love with Daddy again? For real?" asked Robin.

"Well, um, that came out of nowhere," said Anna.

"Maybe together you'd be ... be less crazy."

Anna laughed. "I doubt that."

"Crazy in love is a good thing right?"

"More like caught between the devil and the deep blue sea."

"What?"

"It's a saying. I think there's a corny old song about it, too. It means being caught between two undesirable possibilities."

"Dad's unlikable?"

"No, silly! He's impossible, grouchy, incorrigible, a workaholic but I wouldn't say he's unlikable."

"Dad isn't the easiest person to get along with."

"I wouldn't go that far. He has many wonderful qualities."

"Lovable qualities?" asked Robin shrewdly.

"Yes! I m-m-mean I'm sure the ... for the right woman he would be ... perfect."

"I hope she comes around soon. He's not getting any younger. He needs someone to look out for him. Someone to lean on," said Robin. "Anyway, Dad's happier when he's in a relationship. I'm going to urge him to ... to date more. A lot of my friends' mothers are divorced and single. Maybe I can fix him up with one of them." Robin rose and walked back to the map stand. Her mother was unusually silent. She congratulated herself on hitting a nerve.

Port Charles Police Department

Officer Evans strolled down the aisle between jail cells. Dinner was a little late tonight. All the prisoners were hungry and were now engrossed in their meal.

A choking sound from one cell made Evans stop.

"Help ... me," came a voice.

CRASH!

Plates and cutlery fell to the floor in another cell. Cries of surprise and pain erupted from various cells.

"I can't breath!"

CRASH!

"Help!"

In a panic, Evans ran outside of the cells and picked up the internal phone. "Hey! We got an emergency here!"

"What kind of an emergency?" came Dispatch's bored voice.

"They're dropping like flies. Get someone down here fast!"

"Dropping like-" the voice on the other end began to cough violently.

Evans could hear concerned voices in the background. "What's going on over there? I need help."

The internal alarm sounded throughout the station.

In his office with Sean and Lewis, Robert looked upwards at hearing the alarm. "What now?"

"l'll check it out," said Lewis as he left the office.

Robert and Sean compared notes on their meeting with the mayor.

"He was definitely nervous," said Sean.

Robert chuckled. "Especially when you mentioned scandals and prison terms."

"You wanted him rattled. That's what you got. What's next?"

"I didn't like his ... preoccupation about Anna. He must have asked about her what two or three times specifically."

"You think he'd target her?"

"He and his cohorts targeted her one time too many. There will not be a repeat."

"I could see he didn't like the idea that we were working with you on the case."

"No, he did not."

The door burst open and Lewis came in. "Robert, prisoners and some of our people are vomiting their guts out. Some are unconscious."

Robert thought fast. "I want the entire station on lock down and get some ambulances here."

"Already in progress. Neither of you ate the donuts in the break room, right?" asked Lewis.

"Just coffee." Sean looked at his mug of coffee then put it down.

One donut lay on a paper plate in front of Robert with a steaming mug of coffee beside it. Robert picked up the plate and studied the donut. He sniffed experimentally. "Don't smell anything. Looks okay. Get this bagged ASAP. Someone is pulling my chain and I don't like it!"

Scorpio Penthouse

Anna's stack of statements decreased as time passed. As she read, she hummed and sang a little ditty.

I want to cross you off my list

But when you come knocking at my door

Fate seems to give my heart a twist

And I come running back for more.

Robin came in with two cups of tea.

"What's that song, Mom?" asked Robin putting Anna's tea on the coffee table.

"Song?"

"The one you're singing."

"I'm not singing."

Robin repeated the snatches of lyrics she'd heard.

Anna was sheepish. "Oh, that. That's your fault. I've got that ... thing in my head and it won't stop playing."

"What's my fault?"

"The song, you know, the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea," said Anna.

"I like it. It's catchy. What are the rest of the words?"

Anna lied. "I ... I don't remember." She reached for the remote. "It's time for the news. Let's watch."

Tiffany's image appeared on the television reporting from outside of the PCPD. "We will be updating this story through the night as we get more information."

"Robin, the phone. Call the station. Get your father."

Tiffany continued, "Several officers and prisoners have been transported to General Hospital with severe abdominal pains. The station is currently on lockdown we are told as an internal investigation is under way. We have Commissioner Scorpio right here with us."

Robert stepped into view. Robin hung up the phone and went to sit with Anna.

"You've covered all the major points already. We do have an unusual situation here but I'd like to assure the public that it has NO effect on our public duties and responsibilities. I have requested neighboring stations to send us some additional officers to cover for any of our officers and detectives who may be temporarily sidelined," said Robert. "We are NOT in a crisis. I think we'd just been hit en masse by some food poisoning. We have no fatalities and again, this is a minor internal matter."

Tiffany wound down the interview before the show was returned to the news anchor.

"Food poisoning?" asked Anna out loud.

"I counted four ambulances driving by, Mom. Isn't that a lot?" asked Robin.

"Friday! Come here Friday!" called out Anna.

Next, she dimmed the lamp beside the couch before sliding down to the floor. She motioned for Robin to sit by her. Robin did. Anna wrapped the large blanket around the both of them. One of her arms kept Robin close. Her other hand felt for the gun tucked under the cushion.

"We're going to stay right here like this until your father arrives, all right?" said Anna. "Don't be scared."

"Is someone coming after us?"

"They better not be that stupid," said Anna grimly. "It would be a big mistake."

Port Charles Police Department Detectives Room

"Betty, I'm fine. It's not as bad as what it's made out to be in the news," said Detective Flores into the phone with his wife. "I'm talkin' to ya, aren't I?"

"Yeah, I ate the lunch you made for me. That didn't make me sick," said Detective Yao at his desk. "Don't cry. I love your cooking!"

"Baby, I told you. I'm at the station. It's just us four left. No one's leaving here until the all clear is given," said Detective Johnson to his wife. "Give the kids a kiss for me. It's going to be a long night."

Detective Dacosta's eyes went to large analog clock hanging on the wall. He whined, "Anyone know how long this is going for?"

"Extra innings," said Johnson as he hung up the phone.

"A man's gotta go sometime." Dacosta got to his feet.

"Down, Dacosta!" instructed Flores. "Orders. Be a man and hold it."

"Any word about Weissman? How's he doin'?" asked Johnson.

"My sister works at the ER," said Yao. "She told my wife it was mad crazy but no one's died. That's a good thing."

Many of the detectives breathed a sigh of relief.

RAP. RAP.

The knock at the doorframe signaled Robert's entrance trailed by Captain Lewis. Robert said, "We've saved the best for last! Everyone hands on your desk. Face up."

Though puzzled the detectives did as they were told. Each of them followed Scorpio's progress from desk to desk. It was obvious that each of them was being tested but for what no one knew or dared to ask. As each of them was questioned, they were cleared. Flores and Yao began to pack up to go home.

The captain got to Dacosta and said, "Your turn. Raise your hands a few inches off the desk."

"What?" asked Dacosta.

"Just do it so we can get out of here!" said Johnson who was next after Dacosta.

Lewis put his hands under Dacosta's and felt his palms and fingers. He said, "Stand up!"

The detective stood up. Lewis scrutinized him from head to foot. He nodded at Robert then said, "Take your jacket and shirt off. Put them on your desk."

"Why?" asked Dacosta.

"I think you know why," said Robert as he stood behind Dacosta. He stepped closer and took hold of the detective's jacket and began to pull it off. "How long?"

"What? I don't-" began Dacosta.

Lewis took the jacket from Robert and began to go through the pockets.

"How long have you been a crooked cop?" asked Robert.

"I'm not!" declared Dacosta.

"Sticky fingers and powdered sugar on your suit say otherwise."

"What? That's nonsense!"

"I call it the smoking gun. And the fact that you're not sick and I have witnesses who know you were hovering around the break room and the prisoners' trays earlier. Should have been more careful," said Robert. "Yao, search Dacosta's desk. Johnson and Flores, take Dacosta to a cell."

Lewis held up a small vial half full with a clear liquid. "Got it!"

"You can't do this!" protested Dacosta.

"How much do you want to bet that phone records and bank accounts prove my case?" said Robert. "You've been involved in major parts of this investigation. How much have you told them?" Robert expertly cuffed the detective.

The detective said nothing.

Robert whispered into Dacosta's ear. "I trusted you. One of my best. You know I'm not the forgiving sort. You've got hours to think about what I'm going to do to you." Robert pushed Dacosta towards the waiting detectives. "Put him in solitary with a guard. No one is to have any contact with him."

Dacosta found his voice. "You got NOTHING, Scorpio! I want my lawyer NOW!"

Robert yelled back, "Get him OUTTA HERE!"

Yao and Johnson escorted the still yelling Dacosta out of the office while reading him his rights.

Lewis shook his head. "I can't believe it's him. He must be under pressure or something."

"Maybe. A night in solitary may clear his head. I'll question him in the morning. I'm heading home."

"Me, too," said Lewis. "I'll drop the vial off at General for testing on my way home. You think this is our mystery drug?"

"I do," said Robert. "Give that to Tony Jones for testing. I'll tell Sean to let the WSB know what we've got. They'll be interested in it, too. It's about time we got a break on this case."

Scorpio Penthouse

In the dim living room, Robin lay sleeping on the couch. Friday lay dozing at her feet. Anna sat in an armchair relaxed but alert to every sound and movement. She twitched at the sound of the elevator coming up. Anna scampered to stand to the side of the elevator doors. A tall figure stepped out.

"Don't move," said Anna aiming her gun with practiced ease. "Hands up."

"It's me, luv," said Robert even as he raised his hands.

Anna turned on a small lamp on the desk. In the soft glow, she could clearly see Robert. She put the gun inside a desk drawer before stepping into his open arms.

"Been a long day and night for everyone, eh?" said Robert resting his chin on her head.

"You could say that." Anna's embrace tightened for a minute. "You all right?"

"Right as rain."

Anna studied his face. "You're exhausted. What happened at the station?"

"Let's ... let's talk about that in the morning."

Anna knew better than to press. "Robin's fallen asleep. Can you carry her to your bed?"

"My bed?"

"We're sleeping all together tonight. You have the bigger bed."

"Sleep. That's all I got energy for."

"We can cuddle," offered Anna.

"That sounds perfect." Robert scooped up Robin in his arms and led the way to his bedroom.

He lay Robin on the far left side. Anna slipped in towards the middle. She made sure Robin was comfortable as Robert undressed. Then he too got into the bed next to Anna. Curled against each other, they slept.