Love, Lies, & Deception

by silverbellbaby

Elizabeth and Lucky have been together since they were 15 and 16 years old. They always knew they'd be together forever. What she doesn't know is Lucky has kept a secret from the time he was gone for a month from Port Charles. A secret that Elizabeth doesn't know and that could destroy his relationship with her. R&R

67. Chapter 67

Title: Love, Lies, & Deception

Chapter 66 "What did the Investigator Find?"

(Emily and Max are at her house in her bedroom doing some homework on her bed when a thought appears in Max's mind)

Max: "I wonder how their visit went with Andrew yesterday? Michelle's and Nicholas', I mean. I'm guessing it went well being they love spending time with the little guy."

(Emily raises her head to look at Max and thinks about it for a second before answering)

Emily: "Hmmm…I don't know. I'm sure it went well. You're right. They love Andrew. I know they were wondering when their lawyer was gonna contact them, but the investigator must have found something. That's the only thing I can think of why they haven't heard from her."

Max: (raises his eyebrows) "If the investigator did find something, it must be good."

Emily: (confused) "Why do you say that?"

Max: "Well, I mean, think about it. Usually when investigator's find things for their case, it takes awhile to dig up the stuff."

Emily: (turns her head a little) "Or they were trying to find something to help the case, but weren't successful."

Max: (sarcastically) "Way to be a downer when I'm trying to think positive."

Emily: (throws her hands up in the air) "Well, I'm trying to be positive, but we also need to be realistic."

Max: (gives her a look) "You can be realistic. I'll be positive."

Emily: (sighs) "Okay. Changing the subject. Isn't it nice school got out early for parent teacher conferences?"

Max: (gives her a look) "Oh yes…" (pointing to his homework) "…because then the teachers get to assign us even more homework than usual."

Emily: (chuckles softly) "I'm guessing you don't like homework much?"

Max: (fake smiles) "What gave you that idea?"

Emily: (shrugs) "Well, look at the bright side?"

Max: (tilts his head & winces) "There's a bright side?"

Emily: (smiles) "The more homework we get assigned to us, the more we learn!"

Max: (points his pencil at her) "Only YOU would say that, Emily Quartemaine."

Emily: (raises her shoulders, little defensively) "What?! It's true!"

(Max raises his history book at her)

Max: "How about we go back to our homework, Miss Smarty Pants?"

Emily: (gives him a look, sarcastically) "Ha-ha."

(Max puts his book back down on the bed and they continue their homework. At Kelly's, Elizabeth is at work, but her shift ends in about an hour. She's making a fresh pot of coffee for the customers as well as for a very appreciative Tammy. Elizabeth laughs at Tammy's impatient wait for the coffee to get done)

Liz: (laughs) "I don't think I've ever seen you so impatient for coffee until now!"

Tammy: (growls a little) "I was practically up all night getting all our orders ready to be shipped this morning. Usually there are never any problems, but I had to change a few of our manufacturers that contain our products because they're going through changes or whatever. I don't get it. All I know is it's been hectic switching manufacturers because of it." (sighs deeply) "It would've been nice if this happened over the weekend because then I would've had more time to get everything settled." (rolls her eyes) "Oh well." (to Liz) "Thank you, girl, for all your help with everything. I know you have a lot on your plate with Ashlynn's health scare and Nicholas and Michelle's troubles with her son."

Liz: (pats Tammy on the shoulder) "No problem, Tammy. I'm happy to help when I can. I appreciate you being patient and understanding when I had to leave during my shift when I had troubles with Ashlynn. Aside from Laura, you're like another mother to me as well as a great friend."

Tammy: (smiles) "It's good we're all always there for each other."

Liz: "And I couldn't have also done it without Taylor and Melody's help."

(Taylor and Melody are behind Tammy and Elizabeth working when they both notice Tammy and Elizabeth staring at them. They look at them confused)

Melody: (confused) "Huh?"
Taylor: (puzzled) "You say something?"

(Elizabeth and Tammy laugh as Melody and Taylor look at them weirdly. They stop laughing as Elizabeth speaks)

Liz: "I just wanted to thank you both for being there for me through everything and also for covering for me when I had to leave during my shift a few times." (smiles) "You guys are amazing."

(Taylor and Melody stop what they're doing and go to Tammy and Elizabeth)

Taylor: (smiles) "Anytime, girl!"

Melody: "We consider you family and family is always there for each other."

Tammy: (nods) "Damn straight!"

(Elizabeth, Taylor, and Melody look at Tammy with shocked looks on their faces)

Liz/Taylor/Melody: "Tammy!"

Tammy: (shrugs) "What? It's true!"

Liz: (surprised) "We've never heard you swear before!"

Tammy: (smirks) "You just haven't been around me enough."

(They all laugh)

Liz: (sighs) "Oh, Tammy."

(They look at each other and laugh. Meanwhile, Michelle and Nicholas are just getting back home from their visit with baby Andrew at the Brady's house. They put their coats on the coat rack and sit down on the couch, smiling from the visit)

Michelle: "Man, every time I see our little boy, it gets better and better."

Nicholas: (sighs happily) "I know. It's like he keeps growing and growing."

Michelle: (laughs) "I know! I swear, he grows an inch every time we see him!"

Nicholas: "That's good, though. It shows that they're taking good care of him."

Michelle: (little sadly) "I'm glad they are, but I admit I wish he was here…with us."

(Nicholas rubs Michelle's back, comforting her)

Nicholas: "I know, sweetie. But unfortunately, we have to wait to see what the judge decides, which I'm hoping they will determine he will go with us."

Michelle: "I know that you suggested we wait until we officially have Andrew before we get all the things needed to take care of him."

Nicholas: "Well, there's nothing wrong with getting a few things right now, but yeah, I think it would be better to wait that way we didn't get the stuff for nothing. Besides, if we got everything now and we didn't get him in the end, that would be too many memories and I don't want you to go through that…you know, being sad."

Michelle: "But, if we're allowed visitation and can bring him here, then we need things."

Nicholas: (nods) "True. Well, it's totally up to you if you wanna get things now or if you wanna wait. I'm fine either way."

(After thinking about it for a few minutes, she comes to a decision)

Michelle: "How about we get a few things for now and get more later if needed?"

Nicholas: (nods) "Sounds good."

(All of a sudden, Nicholas' cell phone rings. He takes it out of his pants pocket and recognizes the number)

Nicholas: "Hi, Mrs. Benson."

Mrs. Benson: "Hi, Nicholas. How are you?"

Nicholas: "Oh, good. Yourself?"

Mrs. Benson: "Excellent."

Nicholas: "What can I do for you?"

Mrs. Benson: "Well, I would have called you earlier today, but I remembered Michelle said you two were going to Samantha and Eric Brady's house to see little Andrew."

Nicholas: (nods) "Yep, we did. We just came back, actually. Our little buddy is growing so fast."

Mrs. Benson: (chuckles) "I don't doubt that."

Nicholas: "So, you said you would've called earlier today about something? What's up?"

Mrs. Benson: (nods) "Yes, I was. I have some news to share with you and Michelle regarding your case."

Nicholas: (little nervously) "O-kay. Um, i-is it good or bad?"

Mrs. Benson: "Well, I would like to discuss it with you in person, you and Michelle. If you're not busy, would you mind coming to my office and we'll discuss everything?"

Nicholas: (nods) "Yeah, no sweat. We'll be over in a half hour. We'll get ready and see you then!"

Mrs. Benson: "Okay, sounds good. What I have to say affects the Brady's as well. So they, along with their attorney, Miss Grace Powers, will also be here."

Nicholas: (confused) "Okay, now you got me a little confused. How does this news affect the Brady's as well as us?"

Mrs. Benson: "I know you're a little confused by what I said, but I assure you. Everything will be explained when you get here."

Nicholas: "Okay, we'll be there shortly."

(Nicholas ends the call and looks at Michelle, who has an impatient look on her face)

Nicholas: "That was Mrs. Benson."

Michelle: (nods) "Well, yeah, I gathered that much. What'd she say?"

Nicholas: (sighs) "She-She has some news for us…"

Michelle: (nods slowly) "Okay."

Nicholas: "And the Brady's as well."

Michelle: (leans back a little, confused) "The Brady's? What do they have to do with anything?"

Nicholas: (shrugs & shakes his head) "I was wondering that myself. I guess we will find out in a little bit."

Michelle: "I gather from the phone call before you ended it that she wants to meet with us?"

Nicholas: (nods) "Correct. She said the Brady's as well as their lawyer will be there."

Michelle: "Huh. Okay, this is weird. Why would the Brady's be included?"

Nicholas: "I don't know, babe. The only thing I can think of is the investigator found something that concerns them, as well. What that is…your guess is as good as mine."

Michelle: "Okay, well, I suppose we better get ready and head over there."

Nicholas: "I'll help you with your coat."

Michelle: (smiles) "Thanks, babe."

(Michelle and Nicholas go to the coat rack that's by the front door and get their coats. Nicholas helps Michelle with hers and then puts his coat on. Afterwards, they leave their house and head to Mrs. Benson's office. When they get to the building that Mrs. Benson's office is in, they get to the secretary's office, who greets them)

Secretary: (smiles) "Hey, guys!"

Nicholas: (smiles) "Hey, Arianna."

Arianna: (surprised) "You remembered my name."

Nicholas: (laughs) "Of course, we did." (looks at Michelle then back at Arianna) "In a way, you've been with us through everything and we appreciate it."

Arianna: (chuckles) "I've only told you when Mrs. Benson is available."

Michelle: (smiles) "Yeah, but you've been so kind to us and welcoming and we appreciate that."

Arianna: (cheerfully) 'Well, thank you! I'm glad I made you feel welcoming."

(All of a sudden, Mrs. Benson's office door opens and her head pops out)

Mrs. Benson: (smiles) "Hey guys! I thought I heard your voices out here."

(Arianna gets up from her seat, looking apologetically)

Arianna: "I'm sorry, Mrs. Benson. I didn't mean to keep them."

Mrs. Benson: (chuckles) "It's okay, Arianna. You're fine. You're very sweet so I'm sure they enjoyed the chat."

(Arianna only nods but smiles a little. Mrs. Benson looks at Nicholas and Michelle)

Mrs. Benson: "Are you ready?"

Michelle: (nods) "Yep."

Nicholas: (reaches out his hand) "Lead the way."

(Mrs. Benson raises her hand toward the inside of her office, prompting them to go in. Michelle and Nicholas say goodbye to Arianna before they go into the lawyer's office. They see the Brady's and Miss Powers already seated)

Nicholas: "Oh, you guys are already here."

Michelle: (chuckles nervously) "Sorry. When she called us, she said you were on your way. We didn't know you'd be here so soon."

Miss Powers: (shakes her head) "No, you're perfectly fine, Michelle. We just got here a few minutes ago ourselves."

(Mrs. Benson tells Nicholas and Michelle to have a seat, which they do. There are five chairs across from Mrs. Benson's desk that are spread around like a circle. Farthest away is Miss Powers, then Eric, Samantha, Nicholas, and lastly, Michelle. As they get comfortable, Mrs. Benson rests her elbows on the edge of her desk)

Mrs. Benson: (deeply sighs) "Okay. What I'm about to say to you Miss Powers already knows being it has to do with her clients. She and I have agreed that I would tell you everything being the investigator told me about it and she figured I would know more being the investigator works for me." (looks at Miss Powers) "That's correct, right?"

Miss Powers: (nods) "Yes, I agree. I appreciate you telling me about everything being it has to do with my clients. I have no problem letting you tell everyone being Jason told you what he found out. You don't mind if I interrupt you during it if I have any additional questions or concerns, do you?"

Mrs. Benson: (shakes her head) "Not at all. Feel free if you think of anything."

Miss. Powers: (smiles) "Sounds good."

Mrs. Benson: (nods) "Okay, well, I asked Jason…Mr. Cullen…to sit in with us in case we have any questions on what he found out. I'm expecting some of you might, considering what he found out."

Michelle: (nervously) "What he found out…is it good or bad?"

(Mrs. Brady looks briefly at Michelle before looking back at Mrs. Benson)

Mrs. Brady: "Yeah, th-that's what I was wondering as well."

Mrs. Benson: "I don't want to answer any questions until I've told all of you what Mr. Cullen found."

(Mrs. Benson picks up her phone and talks in it and then puts her phone down. Just then, a man comes into the room and walks to Mrs. Benson's desk and leans against it. Mrs. Benson stands up from her chair and points to the man)

Mrs. Benson: "May I introduce to you my investigator on this case, Mr. Jason Cullen. He has been with this firm for many years and is one of the best guys I have here, so of course, I use him quite frequently for my cases." (looks at Jason) "Jason, these are the people I was telling you about, my clients. This is Michelle Thomas, the mother of the baby she was told 'died' at birth."

(Jason nods at Michelle, like he's saying hello to her)

Mrs. Benson: "This is Mr. Nicholas Cassadine, Miss Thomas' boyfriend."

(Jason nods at Nicholas as well)

Mrs. Benson: "This is Miss Grace Powers, the Brady's attorney. And lastly, this is Eric and Samantha Brady."

(Mrs. Benson points to them as she introduces them to Jason)

Jason: "Nice to meet you all."

(Mrs. Benson sits down in her hair and tells Jason to pull up a seat to sit near her desk, which he does)

Mrs. Benson: "Okay, I'm sure all of you…Eric, Samantha, Nicholas, and Michelle…are eager to know what Jason dug up. I won't do any small talk so you get the facts right away. I hope that's okay with all of you?"

(They all nod in agreement)

Mrs. Benson: (nods) "Okay, the reason why Jason took longer than expected to investigate any hidden details in your case, Michelle, is because he did indeed find something."

Michelle: (nervously nods) "Okay."

Mrs. Benson: "You are aware that Nurse Linda Johnson used to work at General Hospital. I'm not sure you knew what her last name was. But it's Johnson."

Michelle: (shakes her head) "No, I didn't know that. Thank you for telling me."

Mrs. Benson: "Well, she was involved in more than you think regarding your baby's 'death'. Being a nurse, she had access to some confidential files or folders in the file room or wherever the hospital keeps their important documents. Dr. Sparrow had access to them as well being he was a doctor. Obviously, now that he's no longer a doctor at General Hospital and Linda Johnson is no longer a nurse there as well, so they no longer have access to these files on you."

Nicholas: (confused) "I guess I'm not sure why they'd want access to these files being they're at the hospital to heal the sick and everything."

Mrs. Benson: "Doctors and nurses are able to look at confidential documents for medical purposes so they know their patient's history when treating them."

Nicholas: (nods) "Okay, now I understand."

Mrs. Benson: "Well, as you know, Michelle, Dr. Sparrow and Nurse Linda Johnson had access to your files being you were one of their patients at the time, so they knew your history. Your medical history as well as your baby's history."

Michelle: (nods) "Okay. Yeah, I understand that."

Mrs. Benson: "Well, as I'm sure you're also aware of….they were working for Gislo Yasmen."

Nicholas: (scoffs) "Yeah, probably still working for him, as well."

Michelle: "Yeah, we heard they're sharing a cell together."

Mrs. Benson: (chuckles) "Well, I can only imagine how things are going with that. Anyways, Michelle, you know when you were told that your baby, Andrew, was legally adopted by Samantha and Eric Brady."

Michelle: (nods) "Yes, I remember. I remember you telling me that my signature was signed on the papers, legalizing the Brady's to adopt my son. But, I couldn't have signed them being I was unconscious after having my son."

Mrs. Benson: "Well, the social worker that was assigned to your case remembers seeing your signature on the paperwork she had with her and she verified it with your signature on your paperwork in your files in the filing room."

Michelle: (shakes her head in frustration) "B-But that can't be right, though. Because I NEVER signed away my son. So, I don't know how this social worker got my signature because I don't even remember seeing this form that allowed my son to be taken away."

Mrs. Benson: (nods) "Don't worry, Michelle. I'm aware of that. As I'm sure you're also aware of…is Gislo Yasmen was blackmailing Miss Johnson so she would do whatever he wanted her to do."

Michelle: (nods) "Yes, I'm aware of that, as well."

Mrs. Benson: "Well, here is where it gets interesting."

(Mrs. Benson looks at Jason, who nods at her to reveal what he found)

Mrs. Benson: "Gislo wanted your son taken away from you, so he came up with a plan to make sure that happens."

Nicholas: (leans his head in a little) "Which was?"

Mrs. Benson: "Gislo knew that Michelle's signature was on file at the hospital from signing forms in the past, especially when he asked about it from Sparrow and Linda and they confirmed it. So, he arranged a time when Linda was working a shift so it wouldn't raise suspicions on why she was in the file room where the confidential folders were. On Linda's lunch break, she went into the file room and got a copy of one of your files that had your signature on it."

Michelle: (confused) "Why would she need a copy of my signature?"

Mrs. Benson: (smiles a little) "I'm getting to that."

Michelle: (chuckles nervously) "Sorry."

Mrs. Benson: (chuckles) "It's okay. Gislo noticed from the way Linda signs her name that it was similar to yours. So he had an idea. He wanted her to practice your signature until she got it right perfectly. It took a while to get it to perfection. Linda didn't really want to do this, but she had no choice as Gislo threatened to expose her secrets and what she's done for him so far. Which of course, the stuff he had her do before was illegal and she'd go to jail."

Nicholas: (points out) "But, she did anyway. She went to jail in the end, I mean."

Mrs. Benson: (nods) "You are right, Nicholas. If Nurse Linda would've gone to the police at the beginning of this whole thing, she might have avoided jail time."

Michelle: "But she did go to jail in the end."

Mrs. Benson: (nods) "Yes, she did."

Michelle: (shakes her head) "But wait a minute. What I don't understand is, how do you know all of this? I mean, nothing against Mr. Cullen, but…"

Mrs. Benson: "Usually when there's new information revealed to me, it's from the investigator. Otherwise, it's revealed in court when I ask the witnesses questions."

Michelle: (trying to understand) "Okay…."

Mrs. Benson: "Miss Johnson came here on her own free will yesterday after I spoke with Mr. Cullen about this situation. I want to make it perfectly clear that I did not have her come to my office as I was planning on asking her questions on the witness stand. But, she went to the police and confessed everything. Her role in this whole thing and Gislo's plan that he had her do."

Nicholas: (shocked) "Wow. I-I didn't know that."

Michelle: (shakes her head) "Me, either."

Mrs. Benson: (chuckles softly) "That's why I asked all of you to come here today, so this could all come out. Miss Johnson is well aware of her extended imprisonment at Port Charles County Jail, but she's prepared to tell her side of the story to the jury and she also told me about it yesterday. What she told me was this…Gislo was originally a patient of hers at the hospital awhile back and you know how nurses want to make the patient as comfortable as possible and of course the doctor's want that, too. Well, the patient…Gislo…told Nurse Linda that he enjoyed helping others and hated seeing people in pain and she agreed with him. She didn't like seeing others in pain, as well. He said he was a wealthy man, but didn't know how to help others in need. The more they talked, the better acquainted they got. She doesn't remember the exact words in this conversation as it was a long time ago, but what she does remember is she opened up to Gislo about her son's illness and how he's undergoing treatment to try and get better. When he asked what illness her son had, she said he had respiratory failure. Her son, Noah, has had a long history of asthma and trouble breathing. Gislo felt bad for her because she told him she's been asking for as many extra shifts as possible to cover the costs of his treatments. Noah was also a preemie. I believe she said Noah weighed just under 4 pounds and the doctors were very wary that he would recover being he was so small."

Michelle: "Evidently, Noah recovered being he's older now."

Mrs. Benson: (nods) "True. Yes, he did recover, but he's had health problems his whole life. He's been a patient in so many hospitals that Linda couldn't keep track."

Nicholas: (confused) "Well, being she's a nurse, you'd think nurse's make good salaries."

Mrs. Benson: (nods) "True again. But all of her son's treatments plus all of his medications that he's had to take for his illness…her insurance wouldn't cover all of it."

Michelle: (leans back a little, confused) "Why not? You'd think the whole purpose for medical coverage is for when you're sick or a member of your family is ill."

Mrs. Benson: (agreeing) "Usually, yes. But in her case, Noah got worse. Some insurance companies will either only cover a portion of what the full cost is or none at all. Regarding General Hospital's medical coverage, Noah's treatments or medical bills or whatever the correct term for it, the Health maintenance organization or HMO, the insurance company might not pay for the patient to go to a provider who is not in its network. If you have a POS plan or 'point of service' or PPO which is 'preferred provider organizer', the insurance company will probably pay for you to use a provider outside the network, but it will pay less than it would if you visited an in-network provider. In either case, you are responsible for the part of the bill that the plan doesn't pay. So, yes, even though Linda had insurance, it depends what the insurance company is willing to pay for."

(Everyone shakes their heads in disbelief. They can't believe the hell that Linda Johnson has been going through regarding her son and the insurance company)

Michelle: (sighs sadly) "As much as I despise her for what he did to me, I kinda understand what she's going through. She's fighting for her son's life and, yes, Andrew may be alive and I can see him. If his life was ever lost or ended, I-I couldn't handle that."

(Nicholas rubs her shoulder, comforting her)

Michelle: "So, back to what Gislo blackmailed Linda and Sparrow to do…"

Mrs. Benson: "Linda was able to copy your signature to perfection and pretended to be you while doing it. Pardon my language, but I don't know how the hell she managed that. You'd think someone would've caught her or noticed or something."

Nicholas: (shakes his head in disbelief) "Yeah, no kidding. I mean, how the hell can someone not have noticed? I know she practiced a million times to have the same handwriting as Michelle, but can someone really be that perfect at it?"

Jason: "You'd be surprised at what people are capable of when pushed to the limit."

(Everyone looks at him, surprised. Jason has barely spoken this entire time so when he does, they look at him surprised)

Nicholas: (scoffs) "I guess so. Wow." (shakes his head)

Mrs. Benson: "Gislo wanted the adoption of the baby to go through without complications, so he had Linda forge Michelle's signature being her signature was in her folder. When Linda started refusing Gislo's demands because of all the illegal things she was doing, he threatened to expose her or hurt her son. Being she was in the hole with all her son's medical bills, she couldn't say no, especially when Gislo was offering to help pay for the bills."

Nicholas: "But, you'd think that Linda would've found another way to pay her bills or refuse Gislo, especially considering what she was doing was hurting Michelle."

Mrs. Benson: (tilts her head & sighs) "Like Jason pointed out before, you'd be surprised at what people will do when pushed to the limit. Given Linda's predicament and what she told me, I believe she was indeed pushed to the limit."

Michelle: "I-I'm not sure if I'm allowed to ask this, but…is Linda still paying off her medical bills for her son through Gislo."

Mrs. Benson: (smirks) "Interesting question."

Nicholas: (looks at Michelle & back at Mrs. Benson) "Is the way you said that a good thing or bad thing?"

Mrs. Benson: (laughs) "Gislo has given Linda more money than she can dream of regarding paying off Noah's medical bills, but now that she's caught up with the bills, she's tried many times to cut all ties with Gislo, but he won't let her. She's threatened to go to the police and tell them what she knows even though she's risking being put in jail."

Michelle: (puzzled) "What stopped her?"

Mrs. Benson: "Her son. He needs around the clock care being he's sick and she doesn't want to be away from him because she's all he has and vice versa."

Nicholas: (confused) "Well, you'd-you'd think Noah's father would help Linda or support her or whatever."

Mrs. Benson: (raises her eyebrows) "Yeah, you'd think. But no one knows who Noah's father is."

Michelle: (in disbelief) "No-No one?" (looks at Nicholas & then back at Mrs. Benson shocked) "I hope Linda knows who Noah's father is."

(Michelle puts her hand up to her mouth, realizing she shouldn't have said that. She puts her hand back down, feeling horrible)

Michelle: "Oh, I-I'm sorry. I-I-I shouldn't have said that. That's not my place to ask that."

Mrs. Benson: (sincerely) "It's okay, Michelle. To be honest, you're not the first person who's asked that question. I've asked that as well. But, Linda has chosen not to reveal her son's father. Whether or not she chooses to reveal the father or if she knows, that's not our place to ask. To be honest, I'm hoping whoever the father is…is stepping up to the plate because it's not right for a parent to abandon their child. I don't care if they meant to have the child or not with the mother, they made that child, they should be in the kids' life. But I won't force Linda to tell who the father is."

Nicholas: "Does she know who the father of her son is?"

Mrs. Benson: (nods) "She did reveal that much. Yes, she knows who the father of her son is. My only speculation is that she didn't love the father and the father chose not to be in the child's life so she left him, but she wanted to keep the baby despite the father leaving. Now, I might be wrong. I don't know. I'm just guessing. My only hope is she found peace with this."

Michelle: "So, what happens with Linda's son now being she's in jail?"

Mrs. Benson: "Well, right now she's in jail, but after confessing everything…you know…her role in everything…the DA is deciding whether to lighten her jail sentence. Linda is willing to admit to anything that she had a role in. Her only wish is that her son is taken care of. She requested that she be with him being he can't take care of himself. When there was a ruling in her case a few months ago, she was sentenced to 15 years. But, given the circumstances of her son and her full cooperation in Michelle's case, the DA is considering reducing her jail sentence."

Michelle: "To how long?"

Mrs. Benson: "That she doesn't know. She will find out in a few days."

Nicholas: "So, when is the custody hearing? Do you know yet?"

Mrs. Benson: "Miss Powers and I discussed that. Being you and Michelle and the Brady's have agreed to visitation to whoever gets permanent custody in the end, the only thing that needs to be addressed is if there's anything new to report. Which brings me to Jason."

(Everyone looks at Jason. He sighs deeply and speaks)

Jason: "Right now, everything that's been discussed in this meeting is all I've found. But, considering everything I did find, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if there's more to uncover."

Michelle: (chuckles) "I can see that!"

Nicholas: "Considering everything that bast….pardon my language…bastard did to Michelle, I wouldn't put anything past him to have more secrets."

Mrs. Benson: (nods) "You're very right, Nicholas. Gislo may be in jail, but he's a very resourceful man and if he wants something bad enough, he'll take care of it."

Michelle: "Hmm…being it's Gislo, I wonder what secrets he has left?"

Jason: "Oh, trust me, if he has any more secrets, I will find them."

(The Brady's as well as Michelle and Nicholas look at him in amazement. Mrs. Benson notices this and smirks)

Mrs. Benson: "Now, you all see why he works for me and why I use him a lot on my cases, especially this one?"

Michelle: (laughs) 'I can see that!" (to Jason) "You must be VERY good at this if you've uncovered what you've uncovered so far."

(Jason nods and can't help but laugh)

Jason: "You are correct. I've had many, many cases before, but nothing like this, Michelle. No offense."

Michelle: "Oh, none taken. Mrs. Benson has said before that you're very good at your job and you've definitely proven that. Thank you for all you've done."

Jason: (smiles) "You're welcome. I have a feeling that a man as powerful as Gislo…or who thinks he's powerful, he's not as smart as he thinks he is because I've uncovered things men like him think they've kept really hidden."

Nicholas: (laughs) "That's one way of putting it!"

(As Jason starts to stand up, he speaks)

Jason: "Well, unless there's anything else you need to ask me or anything, I think I'm gonna go. I'm still on this case and I have a feeling I'm not done yet investigating."

(Mrs. Benson stands up from her chair and goes to Jason and happily shakes his hand)

Mrs. Benson: "Thank you, Jason. I think I speak for everyone here when I say we all appreciate all that you've done and what you continue to do. If there's anything else, we will be sure to contact you. As for you and I, we will be in contact regarding more details that continue to emerge in this case."

Jason: (nods) "Ma'am. Take care, everyone."

(Everyone thanks him for his help, which he says 'you're welcome' to. He then leaves Mrs. Benson's office. Everyone stands up. Eric and Samantha Brady say their 'thank you's' to Miss Powers for her help as well as Mrs. Benson. They go up to Michelle and ask her if she's coming to their house to visit Andrew. Michelle and Nicholas both say they'll be there as soon as they update Lucky and Elizabeth. Eric and Samantha then leave the office to go home. Michelle and Nicholas go up to Mrs. Benson. Michelle surprises Mrs. Benson with a big hug. After breaking apart, Mrs. Benson laughs)

Mrs. Benson: "What was that for?"

Michelle: "For helping me in this case. I…" (looks at Nicholas then back at her) "…We appreciate it."

Mrs. Benson: "Oh, my dear, I'm just doing my job."

Nicholas: (shakes his head) "No, it's more than that, ma'am. Because of you, not only may we get custody of our son but those who have hurt us will pay in the end."

Mrs. Benson: "I hope you get your wish."

Nicholas: (nods) "Thank you."

Mrs. Benson: "You're welcome."

(Nicholas and Michelle say goodbye to Mrs. Benson and leave her office)

Chapter 66 Done