As soon as he got his wits together, Johnny took off to get things organized. He knew this was not something that Jason would allow any slack on so he was going to make sure there wasn't any. He understood Vinnie's reaction a lot better now that he heard both Jason's instructions and the pain in his voice. Serious didn't begin to cover it. They already talked about the security changes to the floor and the building. Some of the more extreme couldn't be put into play until Justice completed purchase of the building. There were many changes already in place, however. Johnny just thought of a few more. Yeah, someone was gonna be ticked but he didn't really care.

Tony stared but didn't say anything as Johnny spoke. His face was scrunched up in a very non wise guy like manner as he tried to understand his briefing. He didn't know what was going on but he knew serious when he heard it, even second hand.

"And four in the lobby at all times. Edward Quartermaine doesn't make it into the lobby. Those are orders from the top. And they need to report any attempt of him trying. Whoever's watching the building needs to be on the look out for him and they need to call it in immediately so that the guys have a heads up. It defeats the purpose of keeping him away from her if she steps off the elevator into the lobby while he's in it. Make sure everyone has a copy of the license plates for all Quartermaine and ELQ vehicles. There's two guards at all times on each parking level and they better check the plates coming in to be ready in case its him or any of his employees. That gets called in as well. Mr. and Mrs. Ashton are the only Quartermaines allowed on the penthouse floor. All the rest don't make it off the elevator, no exceptions, no matter what.

I want each parking level, elevator, stairwell, valet port, lobby, roof top and perimeter of the building feeding into our security system. If that means adding more cameras, do it. But do it quietly. They are manned 24/7 and nothing better get by them. From now on, no delivers to the floor, no matter what. No matter who they are. Even pizza gets dropped off in the lobby and one of the guys takes it up."

Johnny thought about it for a minute then realized it was within the realm of possibility,

"Any laundry cart passing through this building gets stopped and searched. I don't care how much linen is in it."

Tony didn't say a word. He just looked a Johnny carefully, nodded twice, then lowered his head to finish taking notes.

"One guy each manning the stairwell at the roof, penthouse level, and the floor below. Make sure access to the top floor from the service elevator is shut off from now on. They can go down using it, though. People just can't come up that way. The entry codes for the stairwell from the roof and as well as the penthouse level get changed immediately and new key cards need to be issued. These are limited to the family and Rey since he lives up there too. When guards working the stairs check in for duty they're issued a card, they turn it in at the end of their shift. Cards better be accounted for at all times. Make sure the system guarantees that no duplicates can be made from the original card. If a card is missing, the codes must be changed immediately and we start all over again. Who ever is responsible for losing a card gets it."

As Johnny continued his briefing, Caroline sat in the penthouse thinking about all she'd seen and heard over the last day. Jason's reactions and demeanor since she returned from the club last night held her attention. She has no idea what he's thinking but she knows he's upset. He stayed up so late the night before she thought he wasn't going to come to her room. That was a little selfish but it was more out of concern. Some time after 2:00 he slipped into bed next to her without a word. She wasn't asleep but didn't try to initiate conversation. Instead she rolled over and pulled him into what she hoped was a secure embrace. He did not rest well but finally drifted off to sleep.

Jason stayed across the hall with Emily, Justice and Faith for the entire day. Justice didn't tell the guards not to disturb them but everyone got the feeling that was what they wanted so that's how it was. Rey handled things easily, Caroline took care of the rest. When the third generation Quartermaines finally left penthouse 3, it was simply to forage for food. Jason checked but Caroline was over at the Brownstone yelling at the contractors and workmen. She'd be tied up for some time. That was actually a relief to him. Not that he didn't want to spend time with her or was trying to exclude her but... .

Emily demanded Rosco's. She wanted ribs and explained to everyone else that they wanted them as well. They really couldn't blame her for that. Rosco's was the best and they were hungry. Faith hadn't been in town for over a year so its been some time since she was down by Charles St.

"Just like old times, huh?"

"Are you kidding?"

"No, we used to do this all the time."

"Jason, we used to do this in my Honda Civic not an armored stretch limo with bullet proof glass. Followed by enough guards to be the president's Secret Service detail."

"Are we riding?"

"Yes."

"Are we going for ribs?"

Faith is getting annoyed with him at this point but squelches it because she knows he's trying to drive her crazy.

"Yes."

"Is this Charles St?"

"Knock it off."

"I won."

"Shut up."

Justice and Emily make eye contact then roll them. Once they got to Rosco's a crowd was already forming. Not a mob scene by any means but enough rubber neckers trying to get a peek. Problem was, it was a toss up as to who was more interesting in the group. This is Charles St. The water front district. Bradley Ward's children stepping out of the limo and heading to Rosco's was a big deal. Jason Morgan was one just as well. They knew Justice was his attorney. It took some minutes for most of them to register why all of them would be together before it clicked. The little one was Morgan's sister. Quartermaine. Two seconds later they remembered all four of them were Quartermaines. Cousins out for a night of ribs at Rosco's? They guessed that made sense.

Later that evening, Caroline was updating Rey, Jason and Johnny on the Miami situation and the placement of the DEA agents and how the first shipments would work when Francis stepped in.

"Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Ashton are on their way up."

Jason nodded absently.

"Thanks, send them over to Justice's."

Then he turned back to the others,

"Someone fill me in later."

That's all he said then he got up and left.

Caroline closed her eyes trying to stave off the dread. They all looked at each other without saying what they were thinking. Justice, Faith and Emily were already over there. None of them thought this was a meeting on how to take down Soleto and Tracy, though they were pretty sure it might come up at some point. They didn't know what the problem was, only that there was a problem. For Ned and Lois to be brought in meant something but they didn't know what. Except that it was obviously a family affair. She didn't want the others to have any issues with that or with how its affecting Jason and Justice.

"Do either of you have a problem or a concern about the current situation?"

Rey looked at Johnny before responding.

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean but I'll spell it out. Something serious is going on and its hurting all of them. I want to make sure neither of you have a problem with Jason or Justice needing to address some personal issues."

They both relaxed because they understood.

"No. I was here on the floor when you guys left. I have never heard Justice come apart before. Jason was right with him. Whatever happened to her was bad, is bad. And considering Jason's orders its obvious that Edward is the problem. That makes it all of our problem."

She accepted that then turned to Johnny.

"Uh uh. You and I both sat in this room and heard what we heard. I was scared just listening to what he wants for her basic security and I don't know anything. I got no problem."

It was her turn to relax.

"Ok, we do what we gotta do. We work double time to keep them free to do what they gotta do and we don't let anyone get in their way. Johnny, the guards don't talk. That's a general rule but I get the feeling that its more than important now. They don't talk. Ever."

"Consider it done. I'll just be glad when the sale goes through and I can have all the other changes put into place without anyone getting suspicious or noticing. I already had them lock out this floor from elevator access without a pass key. You guys get yours tomorrow but for tonight, the guards in the lobby get will give you access. Its not unheard of and considering Jason, the average joe wouldn't think it a big deal. Only one public elevator comes up here anyway. And I already had the service elevator shut off. "

Rey was nodding.

"I don't have a problem with any of those. Just make sure there isn't a way around the elevator access with duplicated keys or too easy a code. "

Johnny had another thought that he wouldn't bring up with Jason but thought he'd get their opinion.

"Yeah, I already went over that with them regarding the roof and stairwell, they got it. I know he said he didn't want to see Joey for a year but considering—I'm thinking he needs to be permanently reassigned somewhere else. Neither of them ought to see him again."

Caroline didn't hesitate.

"Do it."

About the same time the elevator was opening with Ned, Lois, Brook and their guards. Vinnie came with them so he nodded to Francis when they stepped off.

This was Vinnie's first visit so he didn't know what security was like at the Harborview Towers. He expected security, of course, but something was strange. Then he considered Tracy Soleto and let it go. Ned did not. Nothing he'd seen since arrival matched the situation the night before the man started a mob war. This security was definitely not in play then. Lois hadn't been to the Towers since she left Ned and that was just after Jason took over. Sonny wasn't nearly as high profile, but he still had guards. What she saw surprised her but she couldn't judge considering her own situation. Like Ned, she thought some of that was strange but like Vinnie, she considered Soleto.

Before the Ahston limo made it into the parking garage they were stopped by what they assumed was one of Jason's guards with a clip board checking the license plate. Lois looked at Ned when they saw they were stopped at the mouth of the garage.

"What's going on?"

"Can't tell. Vinnie?"

Vinnie hits the intercom to the driver so they can listen in on the conversation between the guard and the driver.

"What's the problem?"

"State the purpose of your visit and destination."

"Since when is that a requirement for entering a public garage?"

"Since this vehicle is registered to ELQ. State it or back up."

That surprised the driver and the guards up front. Vinnie, Ned and Lois said nothing but made eye contact.

"Mr. and Mrs. Ashton have an appointment with Mr. Morgan."

"One moment."

They can hear Ricki on a radio calling up to the floor for verification.

"Francis, yeah, the driver says Mr. and Mrs. Ashton have an appointment with Mr. Morgan. Ok."

Then he turns back to the driver.

"I need visual confirmation its Mr. and Mrs. Ashton and that there are no other Quartermaines in the vehicle."

Ned was certain something was up at that point. Nothing like this was in play before. And he was absolutely positive Tracy wouldn't inspire anything close to this kind of reaction in Jason. He spoke to the driver.

"Have the guard come back. The window's down he can have a look."

The guard walked to the back of the vehicle and peeked inside. He saw Vinnie and turned his head.

"Who are you?"

"Security."

Then he called it in.

"Mr. and Mrs. Ashton and their daughter visually confirmed. Plus one unknown claims to be security.

Francis has been to the Riverside, he knows Ned and Lois wouldn't travel without guards and he knows that Ricki's doing his job. But Francis has a job to do as well.

"Get a name."

Francis doesn't realize Ricki's still at the open window so those in the car heard that. He's not interested in much. Loui filled him in on the first day's events. His meetings with Tony and Johnny have taken all possible humor out of the situation. He doesn't know what's going on but anything that provokes an outburst in Justice is serious. Jason's orders are beyond serious. And Johnny's changes are just fine with him. He doesn't care how short he sounded.

Vinnie doesn't wait for Riki to ask.

"Vinnie."

Francis heard that.

"I heard that Ricki. Its him. Let 'em through."