Chapter 5:

April 24, 1997

Oakdale, IL

Lakeview Hotel, 11:20 am

Lisa was busy attending customers when Roger walked in with a dejected look on his face.

As they left, Lisa turned around and saw Roger.

"Hello again, handsome," Lisa smiled. "How'd it go with Bob?"

"It went well," Roger slurred, smiling at Lisa. "He was of great help."

"Did he help find out what was wrong with you?"

Roger's smile fell. "Yes, as a matter of fact he did."

Lisa noticed his smile fall, before her own faltered. "Sweetheart, is something wrong?"

"I'd rather not talk about it," Roger said, his head bowed down. "If you don't mind, I think I'm going to head up to my room and rest for a while."

"Of course, darling," Lisa said softly. Roger nodded thanks at her. She noticed his eyes were reddened from crying, and his face saddened before he walked to the elevator with his shoulders slumped. She felt sorry for the man, seeing him like that. Whatever Bob had told him had completely dragged his mood down. She picked up the phone and dialed her ex-husband to find out what had happened.

Oakdale Memorial Hospital

Dr. Bob Hughes' office, same time

Bob Hughes had arrived at his office, about to pick up the phone to call Cedars when it rang. He picked it up and answered.

"Memorial Hospital. Dr. Bob Hughes speaking."

"Bob, it's Lisa."

"Lisa, has Roger arrived at the hotel?" Bob asked.

"Yes, darling, he did. He looked completely down when he came in the lobby, after your appointment with him. What exactly did you tell him?"

"Lisa, I'm not at liberty to discuss my patient's case with you, of all people," Bob said.

"So something is the matter with him."

"Lisa," Bob said firmly.

"I want to know what's wrong with him, Robert."

"Lisa, I'm afraid this isn't any of your business."

"And why not? I'm the one who set up the appointment between you two, darling," Lisa retorted.

"Yes, and I very much appreciate your doing so along with your concern for Roger," Bob said. "But the fact of the matter is that it's doctor-patient confidentiality. So that means you should stop prying into the patient's business."

"But I'm worried about him, Robert," Lisa said, raising her voice. "He looked like he had been crying his heart out for some time now before he came in the hotel. And I have to tell you, I don't like it when one of my guests has a bad day, especially one who I like to call a friend. So please tell me what you told him."

Bob sighed. "Lisa, I can't tell you what Roger has, exactly. All I can say, is that he is going through a very rough time right now. Besides, it's Roger's choice if he wants to tell you what is wrong with him or not, so don't push him, Lisa. That's all I have to say. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get in touch with his family."

"Robert--"

Bob hung up the phone, before he opened the phonebook and found the number for Cedars Hospital in Springfield, before picking the phone up again and dialing.

Springfield, IL

Cedars Hospital, same time

The phone rang as Dr. Lillian Raines entered the hospital lobby. She saw the phone ringing, and went to pick it up just as Frank Cooper entered as well.

"Cedars Hospital," Lillian said.

"Uh, yes. This is Dr. Bob Hughes from Memorial Hospital here in Oakdale. I was wondering if you could connect me to the family of one of your patients?"

"Which patient would that be?"

"Roger Thorpe."

"Is this some kind of a prank?" Lillian said, raising her voice as Frank approached her with a curious look. "Because I swear if it is, this is not funny."

"No, ma'am, I'm afraid it's not. It's rather urgent that I get in touch with them as soon as possible."

"May I ask why?"

"I'm afraid that is on Roger's call to tell them himself."

"And what would he have to tell his family?" Lillian asked. "Has something happened?"

"Could you please get his family in touch with me as soon as possible?"

"Not until you tell me what is wrong with Roger Thorpe," Lillian said firmly, causing Frank's eyes to widen hearing Roger's name.

He quickly snatched the phone away from Lillian, who looked surprised.

"Ah, hello," Frank said. "This is Detective Frank Cooper of the Springfield Police Department. May I ask who is calling?"

"Hello, Detective, my name is Dr. Bob Hughes. I'm the Chief of Staff here at Oakdale Memorial." Frank quietly mouthed to Lillian to get him a piece of paper and a pen. Lillian quickly did so. "I was calling Cedars to get in touch with the family of Roger Thorpe."

"Well, I'm a friend of his daughter Blake, who happens to be looking for him right now," Frank said. "May I ask what this is all about?"

"I'm afraid it's rather urgent that I get in touch with her, Detective Cooper. It pertains to his health."

"I see," Frank said. So Blake was right, Roger had left Springfield due to his health, and not stealing from the Spauldings. "Actually, I was hoping that you could tell me where he's staying in Oakdale, so I could inform his family of his whereabouts."

"Of course. Roger is staying at the Lakeview Hotel."

"Lakeview Hotel," Frank said, as he wrote down the address and the telephone number that Dr. Hughes told him. "Thank you very much. I will inform his family of Roger's whereabouts immediately."

"I appreciate that. Good day, Detective."

After that, the phone clicked and Frank hung up the phone. He immediately turned to Lillian and said, "I'm so sorry, Lillian. It's a matter of police business."

"What has Roger done now this time?" asked Lillian. "And what is he doing in Oakdale?"

"He's not in trouble with the law this time, Lillian," Frank said, as he picked up the phone and dialed Blake's number. "As for what business he has in Oakdale, I'm afraid I couldn't say."

"Hello?"

"Blake, it's Frank."

"Frank, did you find my dad?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact. Stroke of luck, really."

"You found him? Where is he?"

"Well, I haven't seen him yet, but I know where he is. I just got a call from the chief of staff at Oakdale Memorial in Cedars, and he told me he had an appointment with your father and that he's staying there at the Lakeview Hotel."

"The Lakeview Hotel? Are you sure?"

"Positive," Frank said.

"Oh, thank god. Frank, thank you so much for finding out where my dad is."

"It was a personal favor to a friend, after all," Frank shrugged sheepishly. "And thank god, the police department aren't going to be breathing down my neck anytime soon. Otherwise they'd have me working office duty for a month."

"Listen, Frank. I'm going to call my mom and let her know you found my dad. Thank you again for helping me."

"Anytime," Frank said. "Good luck finding your dad, Blake."

"Thanks, Frank. Bye."

"Bye," Frank said, before he hung up the phone.

"Frank, what is going on here?" Lillian asked. "Why did that doctor say something was wrong with Roger? And what did you mean that Blake was looking for him?"

Frank turned around and faced Lillian. "I'm afraid I can't tell you, Lillian. It is a rather personal matter of Roger's." Frank hesitated, before speaking in a quieter tone. "Please don't mention any of this to anyone. We wouldn't want to spread any malicious gossip here in Springfield."

Frank left, with Lillian staring at him in shock and confusion.

Reva suddenly appeared, as she approached Lillian.

"Oh, Lillian," she said. "I'm glad I caught you." She saw Lillian's face and looked back at Frank. "What did Frank want?"

"I couldn't say for sure," Lillian said, still stumped by the mysterious phone call from Oakdale, which caused Frank to snatch away from her. "What did you need, Reva?"

"Do you have a few minutes?" Reva asked. "I'd like to ask you about one of your nurses, Fran Richkin. She's a friend of Annie's, I believe. I really need to see her, I have something important I have to ask her."

"I can't help you with anything?" Lillian asked, disappointed that Reva was the second person to not confide in her.

"No, thanks, Lillian," Reva said. "I really need to talk to Fran."

"She's off for a few days," Lillian said. "She's at one of those spa vacations."

"Spa vacations?" Reva asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

"Yeah, you know the kind where you have decadent massages, leg wax, where you sit around all day and eating up each other until you get fat. She and a friend from the clinic went. They go all the time."

"Clinic?"

"Yeah, Fran's last job was the Northside Fertility Clinic," Lillian said.

Reva looked suspicious as she thought she could finally get information on Annie Dutton, who was now married to Josh and had been posing as Reva's sister these last few months.

"Reva, is something wrong?" Lillian asked with concern.

"Everything's fine, Lillian," said Reva. "If you could just tell me more about the fertility clinic."

"Well, I didn't work there," Lillian said. "Fran did. It'd be secondhand information from me."

"Well, do you know what goes in a place like that?" Reva asked.

"I know they do gynecological procedures," Lillian said.

"Do they have a sperm bank?"

"I think so," said Lillian. "They use it for infertile couples, though."

"So if anyone had a problem conceiving..."

Lillian looked at Reva questioningly. "Reva, why are you so suddenly interested in sperm banks?"

"Oh no, no, no," Reva laughed. "It's not me. It's just, I know someone who might need their services. Then again, they might already know about the clinic. Do you know where it is? If it's close?"

"Yeah, right around North Street," Lillian said.

"Thanks, Lillian," said Reva, who smiled before she walked away, leaving Lillian as shocked and confused even more than before.

This day was getting weirder and weirder, Lillian thought, as she decided to fill out hospital forms.

Springfield, IL

Spaulding mansion, 11:25 am

Phillip arrived at the mansion to find his father with Annie Dutton Lewis in the living room. Both of them were in a rather close proximity with each other. Rather intimate, Phillip might add.

"Mmm," Annie said. "I feel like we switched rows here, Alan. I was supposed to help you, now you're helping me."

Alan smiled. "Annie, I leaned on you, now it's time for you to learn to lean on me."

"Oh God," Phillip groaned, rather loudly. He didn't need to hear his father sound so corny, much less imagine the innuendo in his head.

Both Alan and Annie turned in surprise to see Phillip.

"Phillip," Alan said. "Annie and I were discussing, uh..."

Alan trailed off, trying to come up with an excuse for Phillip, who stared at him suspiciously.

"Your father and I were discussing his medical condition," Annie filled in, causing Alan to turn at her in surprise.

"Yeah, my medical condition," Alan said, turning back to his son. "I can walk and talk."

"Uh huh," Phillip said, looking at the two of them uncomfortably. "Speaking of talk, Dad, I really need to speak with you. Alone, if you don't mind."

"Of course," Alan said. "I'll be right back, Annie. Go on and make yourself comfortable."

"I already have," Annie said, smiling at Alan.

Phillip cleared his throat. "Dad?"

"Of course, son, lead the way," Alan said.

"It was nice seeing you, Phillip," Annie called out.

Phillip looked to Annie. "Likewise."

He and his father went into his father's office and closed the doors.

"What is it that you wanted to speak with me, Phillip?" Alan asked.

"What the hell is going on between you and Annie Lewis?" Phillip asked.

"I don't know what you mean," Alan said, looking nervous.

"You two have been spending a lot of time with each other," Phillip said.

"Of course we have," Alan said. "Why shouldn't we? She's my therapist."

"And is it part of your therapist's job to get up and close with their patient?" Phillip asked.

"Oh, please, Phillip," Alan groaned. "Don't be ridiculous."

"You two were rather cozy in each other's arms when I walked in the room," Phillip retorted.

"Oh, that," Alan said. "Annie was in need of a friend during that time."

"A friend with rather personal needs?" Phillip asked, arching his eyebrow at Alan.

"Phillip!" Alan said. "It's nothing like that. I had to take Annie to the clibic after she started feeling stonach pain."

"Is something wrong with the baby?" Phillip asked.

"No," Alan said, shaking his head. "She said the doctor told her everything is fine. I was going to make her some tea to help her feel better."

"Well, I'm glad we got that cleared up," Phillip said.

"Yes, I'm glad we did," Alan said, giving his son a dirty look. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to prepare Annie's tea."

"Wait, Dad," Phillip said. "That wasn't what I wanted to speak with you about."

"What did you want to speak with me about, Phillip?" Alan asked, folding his arms. "Before you started accusing me of having a secret affair with Annie?"

"Roger Thorpe has left Springfield," Phillip said, smiling at his dad.

"What?" Alan asked, staring at Phillip in shock. "Where did you hear this?"

"Amanda told me," Phillip said. "After I heard some talk going around in the office from some of the employees after Blake Marler confronted her in her office about it. You see, she was under the impression that Amanda had sent Roger off on some business meeting out of town, before throwing this cocktail party for some of Cedars' benefactors."

"Amanda's throwing a cocktail party?" Alan asked.

"Yeah, she didn't tell you about it?" Phillip asked.

"No, I'm afraid she hasn't," Alan said.

"Well, anyway," Phillip said. "That's what I heard. Isn't this great, though? Roger is finally out of our lives for good."

"As much as I want to celebrate my greatest enemy leaving town," Alan said. "I have to wonder, did you check to see if any money was missing from any of our accounts, off-shore, business-wise, and personal?"

"I already checked," Phillip smiled. "No money missing whatsoever."

"Then so long to that bastard!" Alan shouted, laughing and practically jumping with joy. "I never thought I'd see the day where Roger Thorpe was finally out of our lives for good. We should invite the entire town to Amanda's cocktail party and have a big celebration about it."

"Um, Dad, don't you think you're kind of going overboard with this?" Phillip asked. "I mean, Amanda said it was supposed to be a small cocktail party."

"Well, it's getting bigger," Alan said, grinning. "And I'm sure Amanda won't mind too much, her engagement with Roger notwithstanding, since there'll be plenty of money to go around."

"Actually, she broke off the engagement with Roger," Phillip said.

Alan stared at Phillip. "She what?"

"Amanda broke off her engagement with Roger Thorpe," Phillip repeated with a grin on his face.

Alan ran over and hugged Phillip, giving him a spin.

"This is so wonderful! I can't believe that Amanda had enough sense to dump Roger's ass once and for all. He's finally out of the company and out of our lives. Good riddance to Roger Thorpe!"

"You know what's weird though, Dad?" Phillip asked, suddenly remembering something.

"What?"

"When I talked with Amanda, she said that just because she broke off the engagement with him, didn't mean that Roger couldn't be an asset to Spaulding."

"That's a bunch of horsecrap," Alan sneered. "So she's still in touch with him?"

"No, Dad," Phillip said. "Roger didn't tell Amanda that he was leaving town."

Alan furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "That doesn't make any sense at all. Why would Roger suddenly leave Springfield, if he's still working for Amanda?"

"I don't know, Dad," Phillip said. "All I can tell you is that Roger didn't show up for work this morning, and Amanda was really upset."

"Well she better get over him real quick," Alan said, his face now a scowl. "Because that man has been nothing but trouble to our family for years. I really hope he doesn't show up back here and that he loses his job, because that would mean I never have to deal with the likes of Roger Thorpe ever again."