Chapter 5: Ding dong, The Wicked Doctor's Dead
Brady stood and felt for a pulse at Rolf's neck. He frowned and shook his head, bewildered. "He's dead."
Lucas spoke to the room of stunned guests. "Okay, I'll be the first to admit the steak was a little tough and the mashed potatoes a tad dry, but you guys didn't have to kill him."
"He's dead!?" Belle cried, tears forming in her eyes.
Sami merely scoffed at Belle's tears. "Oh, relax, none of us liked the guy anyway."
John snapped sarcastically. "Oh, real sensitive Sami."
Marlena slapped her husband's arm lightly. "Stop it John. Sami's just shocked. All of us are. We're each just handling it differently, that's all."
Sami rolled her eyes and took a bite of her roll. "Yeah, that's it."
"Is he really dead?" Belle couldn't seem to believe it. Shawn wrapped his arms around her tightly and whispered words of comfort in her ear. "And if he is dead, who killed him?" The group remained silent, not knowing what to say. Rolf was dead and one of the people in this room had done it. One of their friends or family had just murdered a man. The thought put a sickening feeling in each of their stomachs, causing them to ignore the question completely. Whoever killed Rolf would be found out later.
"Is he really dead Brady?" Chloe asked, her eyes wide in concern as she rounded the table to stand behind him.
"Yes," he ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "You wanna check yourself?"
"You don't have to get so defensive."
"Diva, I'm sorry." He turned around to look at her and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry-I didn't mean.it's just that.He's gone. Just like that."
"It's okay Brady." Chloe put a comforting hand on her husband's shoulder and caressed it lightly. "This is a tense situation, baby." She addressed the group. "Well, shouldn't we do something?" She raised a hand to attempt to pull the knife from Rolf's back.
Bo abruptly stood, knocking his wine over in the process. "Don't do that! That's the murder weapon. You touch that and we don't have a case."
"Murder?" Belle's voice was shrill as she buried her face in Shawn's chest, sobs wracking her body.
"Yes, murder." Lucas answered. "I don't know why you're acting so broken up about it. Are any of us really gonna miss the guy? I mean really. He tried to blackmail and threaten us for G-d sake."
Hope strode to the phone in the corner of the room. "We have to call the police." She cradled the receiver in her hand. "Oh, no.it's dead. The phone's dead."
"Maybe that's not such a bad thing." Brady said soberly.
"What?" Belle cried.
"I said maybe it's not such a bad thing. Maybe Lucas is right. He tried to ruin our lives. And don't tell me five minutes ago we all weren't sitting here wishing he were dead. This is a complicated situation. If we called the police now, what do you think would happen?"
Belle pulled away from Shawn's embrace, anger rising in her cheeks. "They'd arrest the killer Brady."
Sami spoke. "And just how would they do that exactly? They don't even know who the killer is. Hell, none of us know who the killer is. We'd all be investigated and they'd ask us why we're here tonight. They'd find out all of our secrets, the ones we are intent on keeping to ourselves. And in the end one friend or family member would be going to jail for murdering a guy we don't give a rat's ass about anyway. And aside from Brady, I don't want to see any of you harassed and arrested."
"Oh, go screw yourself Sami," Brady took a gulp of wine.
"Guys cool it." Chloe nodded, "I think Sami's right. Rolf's not worth it. I say we get rid of the body." All of the guest's heads nodded in agreement, excluding Belle's.
"Get rid of the body? Are you serious? You too Shawn? I don't believe this. Don't you even want to know who did this?"
"Who cares?" Sami took a bite of her steak.
Shawn glared at his sister-in-law and then tried to reason with his wife. "Belle, you have to understand."
"Understand!? You and your father are police officers, expected to uphold the law. And you dad and mom.Brady and Chloe. I can't believe you!" Belle shrieked and stood from the table. "Ah," she clutched her bulging stomach.
"Belle! What's wrong honey?" Shawn sped to her side.
"I think it's the baby. I think I'm having contractions."
"Already? But I thought you had two more weeks."
"Tell the baby that! Ahhhhhhhh, oh ooh Shawn," she cried.
John stood, deciding to take charge. "First let's get Belle out of here."
"Where to? The hospital?" Shawn asked over his wife's cries, as he rubbed her back.
"No, unfortunately, the bridge may be closed and the roads washed out. Take her to the living room. Sit her down and keep her calm."
Hope raised a hand. "Bo and I will go and see if the roads have been washed out by the storm. If not, we'll come back and we'll be able to get Belle to the hospital." Bo nodded in agreement.
Shawn shook his head in question. "Well, why not just take Belle with you?"
"Because," Brady answered, "there's no point in risking that. The roads are dangerous and if you get stuck out there, you'll be worse off."
"He's right," Bo answered. "We'll go alone."
The lights flickered off and on. "Okay, get going you two." John pointed to Bo and Hope. "Brady and I will look for emergency light switch and the fuse box in case the power goes out again. Marlena, you and Chloe go look for some candles and flashlights just in case. Lucas, Sami: Behave." The pair rolled their eyes. "Alright," John smiled. "Let's get going."
"Not so fast," Bart yelled as he wheeled a desert tray of fruit covered cheesecake slices into the room. "What's going on in here? Where is Rolf?" The group parted toward the room's walls giving Bart a clear picture of the table, now empty of occupied seats except one, at its head. "Rolf? Rolfski? Oh no. No! This can't be true! Who did this!? Who did it, damn it!? Rolfski!" He cried as the group silently attempted to exit the room. Bart spun around. "Don't you dare! None of you are leaving until we find out who killed him. None of you!" He turned back to his employer. "Rolfski," he sobbed and collapsed at the dead man's feet. "What am I going to do without you? I have no job, no future, no money.no money." He sniffled and raised his head. "Money." He sniffled again and turned around to look at the guests. "I want money from each of you. You get me some money and I keep this entire thing quiet."
Lucas sneered. "I'm not giving you a cent jackass."
Bart smiled wickedly as he eyed the guests. "I know your secrets too. Did you know that? And if I don't get my money, I'll pin the murder on one of you losers and reveal all of your secrets anyway. So decide now, what it is you want. Ha-" he suddenly fell to the floor unconscious, having been knocked over the head with a heavy, crystal vase by Belle Black.
"All right Belle," Brady cheered as he saw Belle's petite form hover over Bart's lifeless one.
"Shut up Brady! I didn't do it for any of you ruffians!" Belle yelled as she felt for Bart's pulse, making sure she didn't kill him. He was alive. "Now, Shawn get me to the living room! If I don't sit down soon, I really will kill someone!"
"Okay." John rounded up the troop. "All right people. Aside from Bo and Hope, we meet back in the living room in fifteen minutes no matter what, got it? It's important that we stick together. For all we know, none of us had anything to do with Rolf's death. This is a big house and there are a lot of places for someone to hide. Just stick together."
BASEMENT
The DiMiera basement was dark even with its few flickering lights having been turned on by Brady and John. Cobwebs and dust blanketed the entire space and clouded the light bulbs that hung overhead.
Brady wiped a cobweb from his face. "This place looks like it hasn't been cleaned in years at least. Must cost a fortune to maintain it. No wonder Rolf needed money."
"Yeah," John agreed as he searched the walls for the fuse box. "A house of this magnitude needs constant care and attention or it just falls apart."
Brady slipped on a slick substance on the floor and grappled a nearby wooden table, which subsequently broke apart and tumbled to the floor, sending Brady along for the ride. "You can say that again Dad," he muttered as he wiped his face.
"Get up son. We don't have time for games." John continued to walk along the dark space.
"Yeah dad. Slipping and falling. One of my favorite pastimes." He got up and quickly caught up to his father.
"So son, what's going on with your marriage?" He asked Brady over his shoulder as he continued to search the basement walls.
"Nothing dad."
"Obviously. Nothing. You know, you two have only been married five years. You're practically newlyweds. You can't tell me the mystique has worn off already."
"Maybe it has."
"Right Brady. You guys couldn't keep your hands off each other, not six months ago. Even after Noah was born, you guys would be at it constantly."
"How do you know what my sex life was like?"
"Come on son. I have eyes. And ears. Like the Horton's Christmas party two years ago. Alice Horton's laundry room Brady? Couldn't wait until you got home?" John laughed.
"Dad! Stop!" He reddened. "How the hell did you know about that anyway?"
John chuckled again. "Well, I think all of us found out that Christmas something I'm sure you already knew: that Chloe is quite the screamer."
"Oh my G-d Dad! No, no more talking about my sex life please. Please -just -no."
"It's nothing to be embarrassed about son. The whole situation was actually pretty amusing for us. Jack Deveraux was actually going to ask you for tips when you guys rejoined the party, but within two minutes, you two were out the door. I think you'd said 'something came up.' Something came up alright." He raised his eyebrows and laughed at the mortified look on his son's face. "Hey dad, isn't that the fuse box?" He pointed to the gray box that hung on the wall a few feet away, grateful to change the subject.
"Yep son. You've found it. Now let's see.the emergency light switch should be. around here somewhere." He walked a few more feet. "Yep. Here it is. Well, let me put it on now in case the power goes out again."
Brady watched his father dust off the box and flip the switch on. "I haven't had sex in four months."
"What?" John was speechless. "Where'd that come from?"
He ignored his father and leaned against the wall, sliding down until he was seated on the floor. "You're right dad. Me and Chloe used to make love all the time. Morning, noon and night. Planes, trains and automobiles.and laundry rooms." He smiled. "We couldn't get enough of each other. Even after she had Noah. You know that little pouch women get after they give birth?"
"Yeah?" John asked, confused.
"Even that turned me on. It's like this one time I saw Chloe changing Stinky's diaper, and I had to have her right then and there, you know?"
John nodded, smiling at his son as he reminisced.
"It was crazy dad. But then things changed. The last few months before she left me, we had sex less and less. And we fought more and more. We were fighting because as Basic Black branched out, I was at work progressively more. She got restless." He proceeded to retell the conversation to John that he told Shawn earlier in the day.
John took it all in and was silent for a moment before he spoke. "Well, why not quit Basic Black?"
"Quit the company? What-"
"Son, you've done an incredible job with her. But think about it. You're part owner. You don't need the title of president too. I'm proof of that. Basic Black can practically run herself with the success we've had. I think you can hand over the presidential reigns now. I'm not saying you have to retire, like I did Brady. You're twenty-eight years old and in the prime of your life but remember that you do need to live one too."
"You're right dad. I miss my family. I want them back."
"Well, son, do what you have to do."
"Thanks dad. I will. My happiness depends on it." The power went out, the emergency lights glowing.
The power went out, causing Chloe to jump. She calmed as she noticed the emergency lights glowing warmly in the corner as they looked for more candles and flashlights in one of the upstairs rooms of the house.
Marlena smiled. "Well, the lights are on. Looks like Brady and John got to the fuse box."
"Yep," Chloe sighed as she shifted the box of candles and flashlights under her left arm.
"Aww, you two will work it out." She continued to rummage through a drawer.
"What are you talking about Marlena?"
"Chloe.don't play dumb. You and Brady." She turned to look at her daughter-in-law. "Tell me what's going on."
Chloe retold Marlena the same story she told Belle earlier that day.
"Chloe, it's not like you don't have family and friends here that can take care of Noah when you're away and Brady's at work. I'm sure all of us would love to watch him.periodically at least. He's a pretty naughty toddler but he's in his terrible two's. So it's understandable. It's just a phase. I'd love to watch him whenever I could."
"Thanks Marlena but I couldn't ask you that."
"Chloe-"
"Well, that's not the only thing. I miss Brady. I miss seeing him. I miss waking up in his arms every morning. I miss our morning routine with Noah and making pancakes and I miss the." she mumbled something Marlena couldn't quite hear.
"What was that Chloe?"
"I miss the..." she mumbled again.
"Huh?"
"I miss the sex!" She blushed.
Marlena laughed and pulled her shawl around her tighter. "Well, that's understandable Chloe. From what I've heard, you and Brady have quite an active one." Chloe's eyed widened. "Relax Chloe. An active sex life in a marriage is a healthy one."
"Where did you hear about our sex life?"
Marlena opened her mouth to answer but closed it, thinking of Alice Horton's Christmas party two years ago. 'No need to embarrass her further,' she thought. "You know, you guys were always all over each other and everything. It was cute."
"Yeah, we were something." Chloe sighed wistfully. "But the last few months before I left him, it's like Basic Black was his life. It's like I was a smaller and smaller part of his life. And then I." she trailed off.
"What Chloe?"
"I keep thinking back to earlier tonight when Rolf said something to Brady about the initials S.R."
"Yeah?"
"Well, Brady's reaction to them.I don't know. I-"
"You're not thinking what I think you're thinking are you?"
"I don't want to believe th-"
"Well don't," Marlena stated firmly. "Brady loves you. He adores you and Noah and would do anything for you two. You two are his life."
"It certainly hasn't felt that way." Chloe's eyes welled with tears.
Marlena embraced her daughter-in-law warmly. "Chloe, you have to talk to him. That's the only way you can work your issues and feelings out, okay?"
"Yeah Marlena. Thanks. I think it's been fifteen minutes. Our husbands may send out a search party if we don't get back downstairs."
Chloe and Marlena entered the living room. The room was dark except for the glowing emergency lights in each corner of the room. Furiously, the rain continued to pound against the windows. Belle lie awkwardly on the couch as she chomped on ice chips from a Styrofoam cup. Shawn was hovered over her, wiping the sweat from her forehead. Sami and Lucas were playing chess in the corner of the room and John and Brady entered after them.
"Oh John," Marlena hugged her husband and they checked on their daughter's progress while Brady and Chloe stood uncomfortably by, gazing at each other. Each of them questioned what they saw in the other's eyes. Was it longing? Apprehension? Desperation? A little passion?
Brady mouthed 'we have to talk' to Chloe and she nodded, 'I know.' They were about to leave the room when John called everyone's attention. "Okay guys. I'm guessing the crack that Bart got on the skull won't keep him down for too much longer. I think we ought to tie him up. Keep him out of the way while we decide what to do about Rolf."
The group left the living room, except for Belle and Shawn. As they rounded the corner to the dining room, Marlena gasped. Bart was in the same position they left him in but Rolf, the dead man, was not. In fact, Rolf was gone.
Brady stood and felt for a pulse at Rolf's neck. He frowned and shook his head, bewildered. "He's dead."
Lucas spoke to the room of stunned guests. "Okay, I'll be the first to admit the steak was a little tough and the mashed potatoes a tad dry, but you guys didn't have to kill him."
"He's dead!?" Belle cried, tears forming in her eyes.
Sami merely scoffed at Belle's tears. "Oh, relax, none of us liked the guy anyway."
John snapped sarcastically. "Oh, real sensitive Sami."
Marlena slapped her husband's arm lightly. "Stop it John. Sami's just shocked. All of us are. We're each just handling it differently, that's all."
Sami rolled her eyes and took a bite of her roll. "Yeah, that's it."
"Is he really dead?" Belle couldn't seem to believe it. Shawn wrapped his arms around her tightly and whispered words of comfort in her ear. "And if he is dead, who killed him?" The group remained silent, not knowing what to say. Rolf was dead and one of the people in this room had done it. One of their friends or family had just murdered a man. The thought put a sickening feeling in each of their stomachs, causing them to ignore the question completely. Whoever killed Rolf would be found out later.
"Is he really dead Brady?" Chloe asked, her eyes wide in concern as she rounded the table to stand behind him.
"Yes," he ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "You wanna check yourself?"
"You don't have to get so defensive."
"Diva, I'm sorry." He turned around to look at her and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry-I didn't mean.it's just that.He's gone. Just like that."
"It's okay Brady." Chloe put a comforting hand on her husband's shoulder and caressed it lightly. "This is a tense situation, baby." She addressed the group. "Well, shouldn't we do something?" She raised a hand to attempt to pull the knife from Rolf's back.
Bo abruptly stood, knocking his wine over in the process. "Don't do that! That's the murder weapon. You touch that and we don't have a case."
"Murder?" Belle's voice was shrill as she buried her face in Shawn's chest, sobs wracking her body.
"Yes, murder." Lucas answered. "I don't know why you're acting so broken up about it. Are any of us really gonna miss the guy? I mean really. He tried to blackmail and threaten us for G-d sake."
Hope strode to the phone in the corner of the room. "We have to call the police." She cradled the receiver in her hand. "Oh, no.it's dead. The phone's dead."
"Maybe that's not such a bad thing." Brady said soberly.
"What?" Belle cried.
"I said maybe it's not such a bad thing. Maybe Lucas is right. He tried to ruin our lives. And don't tell me five minutes ago we all weren't sitting here wishing he were dead. This is a complicated situation. If we called the police now, what do you think would happen?"
Belle pulled away from Shawn's embrace, anger rising in her cheeks. "They'd arrest the killer Brady."
Sami spoke. "And just how would they do that exactly? They don't even know who the killer is. Hell, none of us know who the killer is. We'd all be investigated and they'd ask us why we're here tonight. They'd find out all of our secrets, the ones we are intent on keeping to ourselves. And in the end one friend or family member would be going to jail for murdering a guy we don't give a rat's ass about anyway. And aside from Brady, I don't want to see any of you harassed and arrested."
"Oh, go screw yourself Sami," Brady took a gulp of wine.
"Guys cool it." Chloe nodded, "I think Sami's right. Rolf's not worth it. I say we get rid of the body." All of the guest's heads nodded in agreement, excluding Belle's.
"Get rid of the body? Are you serious? You too Shawn? I don't believe this. Don't you even want to know who did this?"
"Who cares?" Sami took a bite of her steak.
Shawn glared at his sister-in-law and then tried to reason with his wife. "Belle, you have to understand."
"Understand!? You and your father are police officers, expected to uphold the law. And you dad and mom.Brady and Chloe. I can't believe you!" Belle shrieked and stood from the table. "Ah," she clutched her bulging stomach.
"Belle! What's wrong honey?" Shawn sped to her side.
"I think it's the baby. I think I'm having contractions."
"Already? But I thought you had two more weeks."
"Tell the baby that! Ahhhhhhhh, oh ooh Shawn," she cried.
John stood, deciding to take charge. "First let's get Belle out of here."
"Where to? The hospital?" Shawn asked over his wife's cries, as he rubbed her back.
"No, unfortunately, the bridge may be closed and the roads washed out. Take her to the living room. Sit her down and keep her calm."
Hope raised a hand. "Bo and I will go and see if the roads have been washed out by the storm. If not, we'll come back and we'll be able to get Belle to the hospital." Bo nodded in agreement.
Shawn shook his head in question. "Well, why not just take Belle with you?"
"Because," Brady answered, "there's no point in risking that. The roads are dangerous and if you get stuck out there, you'll be worse off."
"He's right," Bo answered. "We'll go alone."
The lights flickered off and on. "Okay, get going you two." John pointed to Bo and Hope. "Brady and I will look for emergency light switch and the fuse box in case the power goes out again. Marlena, you and Chloe go look for some candles and flashlights just in case. Lucas, Sami: Behave." The pair rolled their eyes. "Alright," John smiled. "Let's get going."
"Not so fast," Bart yelled as he wheeled a desert tray of fruit covered cheesecake slices into the room. "What's going on in here? Where is Rolf?" The group parted toward the room's walls giving Bart a clear picture of the table, now empty of occupied seats except one, at its head. "Rolf? Rolfski? Oh no. No! This can't be true! Who did this!? Who did it, damn it!? Rolfski!" He cried as the group silently attempted to exit the room. Bart spun around. "Don't you dare! None of you are leaving until we find out who killed him. None of you!" He turned back to his employer. "Rolfski," he sobbed and collapsed at the dead man's feet. "What am I going to do without you? I have no job, no future, no money.no money." He sniffled and raised his head. "Money." He sniffled again and turned around to look at the guests. "I want money from each of you. You get me some money and I keep this entire thing quiet."
Lucas sneered. "I'm not giving you a cent jackass."
Bart smiled wickedly as he eyed the guests. "I know your secrets too. Did you know that? And if I don't get my money, I'll pin the murder on one of you losers and reveal all of your secrets anyway. So decide now, what it is you want. Ha-" he suddenly fell to the floor unconscious, having been knocked over the head with a heavy, crystal vase by Belle Black.
"All right Belle," Brady cheered as he saw Belle's petite form hover over Bart's lifeless one.
"Shut up Brady! I didn't do it for any of you ruffians!" Belle yelled as she felt for Bart's pulse, making sure she didn't kill him. He was alive. "Now, Shawn get me to the living room! If I don't sit down soon, I really will kill someone!"
"Okay." John rounded up the troop. "All right people. Aside from Bo and Hope, we meet back in the living room in fifteen minutes no matter what, got it? It's important that we stick together. For all we know, none of us had anything to do with Rolf's death. This is a big house and there are a lot of places for someone to hide. Just stick together."
BASEMENT
The DiMiera basement was dark even with its few flickering lights having been turned on by Brady and John. Cobwebs and dust blanketed the entire space and clouded the light bulbs that hung overhead.
Brady wiped a cobweb from his face. "This place looks like it hasn't been cleaned in years at least. Must cost a fortune to maintain it. No wonder Rolf needed money."
"Yeah," John agreed as he searched the walls for the fuse box. "A house of this magnitude needs constant care and attention or it just falls apart."
Brady slipped on a slick substance on the floor and grappled a nearby wooden table, which subsequently broke apart and tumbled to the floor, sending Brady along for the ride. "You can say that again Dad," he muttered as he wiped his face.
"Get up son. We don't have time for games." John continued to walk along the dark space.
"Yeah dad. Slipping and falling. One of my favorite pastimes." He got up and quickly caught up to his father.
"So son, what's going on with your marriage?" He asked Brady over his shoulder as he continued to search the basement walls.
"Nothing dad."
"Obviously. Nothing. You know, you two have only been married five years. You're practically newlyweds. You can't tell me the mystique has worn off already."
"Maybe it has."
"Right Brady. You guys couldn't keep your hands off each other, not six months ago. Even after Noah was born, you guys would be at it constantly."
"How do you know what my sex life was like?"
"Come on son. I have eyes. And ears. Like the Horton's Christmas party two years ago. Alice Horton's laundry room Brady? Couldn't wait until you got home?" John laughed.
"Dad! Stop!" He reddened. "How the hell did you know about that anyway?"
John chuckled again. "Well, I think all of us found out that Christmas something I'm sure you already knew: that Chloe is quite the screamer."
"Oh my G-d Dad! No, no more talking about my sex life please. Please -just -no."
"It's nothing to be embarrassed about son. The whole situation was actually pretty amusing for us. Jack Deveraux was actually going to ask you for tips when you guys rejoined the party, but within two minutes, you two were out the door. I think you'd said 'something came up.' Something came up alright." He raised his eyebrows and laughed at the mortified look on his son's face. "Hey dad, isn't that the fuse box?" He pointed to the gray box that hung on the wall a few feet away, grateful to change the subject.
"Yep son. You've found it. Now let's see.the emergency light switch should be. around here somewhere." He walked a few more feet. "Yep. Here it is. Well, let me put it on now in case the power goes out again."
Brady watched his father dust off the box and flip the switch on. "I haven't had sex in four months."
"What?" John was speechless. "Where'd that come from?"
He ignored his father and leaned against the wall, sliding down until he was seated on the floor. "You're right dad. Me and Chloe used to make love all the time. Morning, noon and night. Planes, trains and automobiles.and laundry rooms." He smiled. "We couldn't get enough of each other. Even after she had Noah. You know that little pouch women get after they give birth?"
"Yeah?" John asked, confused.
"Even that turned me on. It's like this one time I saw Chloe changing Stinky's diaper, and I had to have her right then and there, you know?"
John nodded, smiling at his son as he reminisced.
"It was crazy dad. But then things changed. The last few months before she left me, we had sex less and less. And we fought more and more. We were fighting because as Basic Black branched out, I was at work progressively more. She got restless." He proceeded to retell the conversation to John that he told Shawn earlier in the day.
John took it all in and was silent for a moment before he spoke. "Well, why not quit Basic Black?"
"Quit the company? What-"
"Son, you've done an incredible job with her. But think about it. You're part owner. You don't need the title of president too. I'm proof of that. Basic Black can practically run herself with the success we've had. I think you can hand over the presidential reigns now. I'm not saying you have to retire, like I did Brady. You're twenty-eight years old and in the prime of your life but remember that you do need to live one too."
"You're right dad. I miss my family. I want them back."
"Well, son, do what you have to do."
"Thanks dad. I will. My happiness depends on it." The power went out, the emergency lights glowing.
The power went out, causing Chloe to jump. She calmed as she noticed the emergency lights glowing warmly in the corner as they looked for more candles and flashlights in one of the upstairs rooms of the house.
Marlena smiled. "Well, the lights are on. Looks like Brady and John got to the fuse box."
"Yep," Chloe sighed as she shifted the box of candles and flashlights under her left arm.
"Aww, you two will work it out." She continued to rummage through a drawer.
"What are you talking about Marlena?"
"Chloe.don't play dumb. You and Brady." She turned to look at her daughter-in-law. "Tell me what's going on."
Chloe retold Marlena the same story she told Belle earlier that day.
"Chloe, it's not like you don't have family and friends here that can take care of Noah when you're away and Brady's at work. I'm sure all of us would love to watch him.periodically at least. He's a pretty naughty toddler but he's in his terrible two's. So it's understandable. It's just a phase. I'd love to watch him whenever I could."
"Thanks Marlena but I couldn't ask you that."
"Chloe-"
"Well, that's not the only thing. I miss Brady. I miss seeing him. I miss waking up in his arms every morning. I miss our morning routine with Noah and making pancakes and I miss the." she mumbled something Marlena couldn't quite hear.
"What was that Chloe?"
"I miss the..." she mumbled again.
"Huh?"
"I miss the sex!" She blushed.
Marlena laughed and pulled her shawl around her tighter. "Well, that's understandable Chloe. From what I've heard, you and Brady have quite an active one." Chloe's eyed widened. "Relax Chloe. An active sex life in a marriage is a healthy one."
"Where did you hear about our sex life?"
Marlena opened her mouth to answer but closed it, thinking of Alice Horton's Christmas party two years ago. 'No need to embarrass her further,' she thought. "You know, you guys were always all over each other and everything. It was cute."
"Yeah, we were something." Chloe sighed wistfully. "But the last few months before I left him, it's like Basic Black was his life. It's like I was a smaller and smaller part of his life. And then I." she trailed off.
"What Chloe?"
"I keep thinking back to earlier tonight when Rolf said something to Brady about the initials S.R."
"Yeah?"
"Well, Brady's reaction to them.I don't know. I-"
"You're not thinking what I think you're thinking are you?"
"I don't want to believe th-"
"Well don't," Marlena stated firmly. "Brady loves you. He adores you and Noah and would do anything for you two. You two are his life."
"It certainly hasn't felt that way." Chloe's eyes welled with tears.
Marlena embraced her daughter-in-law warmly. "Chloe, you have to talk to him. That's the only way you can work your issues and feelings out, okay?"
"Yeah Marlena. Thanks. I think it's been fifteen minutes. Our husbands may send out a search party if we don't get back downstairs."
Chloe and Marlena entered the living room. The room was dark except for the glowing emergency lights in each corner of the room. Furiously, the rain continued to pound against the windows. Belle lie awkwardly on the couch as she chomped on ice chips from a Styrofoam cup. Shawn was hovered over her, wiping the sweat from her forehead. Sami and Lucas were playing chess in the corner of the room and John and Brady entered after them.
"Oh John," Marlena hugged her husband and they checked on their daughter's progress while Brady and Chloe stood uncomfortably by, gazing at each other. Each of them questioned what they saw in the other's eyes. Was it longing? Apprehension? Desperation? A little passion?
Brady mouthed 'we have to talk' to Chloe and she nodded, 'I know.' They were about to leave the room when John called everyone's attention. "Okay guys. I'm guessing the crack that Bart got on the skull won't keep him down for too much longer. I think we ought to tie him up. Keep him out of the way while we decide what to do about Rolf."
The group left the living room, except for Belle and Shawn. As they rounded the corner to the dining room, Marlena gasped. Bart was in the same position they left him in but Rolf, the dead man, was not. In fact, Rolf was gone.