Chapter 6

Rebecca goes on a rampage. A top executive at Crane Industries becomes suspicious.

Whitney and Teresa Lopez-Fitzgerald, sat around the pool painting their toe-nails. Whitney was seriously considering another color all together. Teresa looked up from her work and decided now was as good as anytime to talk about a few things.

'Whitney?'

Whitney looked up from her feet. She eyed Teresa's toe-nails.

'That color looks good on you.' she commented, becoming more displeased at her own choice of polish by the minute.

'Uh, thanks. Listen, not to be nosy, but how much longer are you planning on staying here?'

Whitney gave her a blank stare. She really hadn't thought about it. Everyone had been so nice and welcoming, Whitney realized that with each day that she awoke under this roof, thoughts of leaving seemed to slip away.

Whitney shook her head.

'I know I've been here awhile now.'

'It's been six weeks now, Whitney. And I know that Chad is fed up.'

Whitney sighed. 'Well you know what, Teresa? I'm fed up with Chad's attitude! I've had two conversations with him since my mother died, and they all have to do with getting me out to L.A. so I can make money for him!'

Teresa gasped! 'Chad believes in your talent! So do I! It's not about the money for him!' She was beginning to regret the part she played in keeping the two lovers from communicating. But, she had sincerely wanted to give Fox a chance at wooing Whitney. But, she couldn't tell if it was Fox, Whitney was enamored with, or the Crane lifestyle. Not that she could blame her friend. The brief, nightmarish period that she thought she was Mrs. Julian Crane, had been a rush(not the part about being that man's wife, but all the power and money that went along with it).

'I know he believes in my talent. It's us as a couple I wonder about.'

Teresa said nothing at first. She then cleared her throat, looking down at a toenail.

'So, is Fox treating you well?'

Whitney raised a brow.

'Don't even try it! Yes, Fox has been a good friend, and that's all he's been.'

'I know he'd like to be more.'

'The whole town knows as well! I don't know...I will admit I see him differently than I saw him before.'

'Different how?' Teresa asked, pushing.

Whitney grinned at her friend.

'Can we talk about something else, please?'

'Okay. My mother has been spending a lot of time at your father's house.'

Whitney went back to painting her toenails.

'Oh? How is he doing?'

Teresa sighed. One of the things that she envied about Whitney was that she had a father in her life. She hated to see her friend waste time being angry with her only living parent.

'According to my mother, pretending as if he's not missing you.'

'And Simone?'

Teresa raised a brow.

'Still angrier than hell. I was at the book cafe when I saw Simone trying to talk to Chad. It looked like they were having some sort of argument.'

Whitney stopped painting her toenails.

'God! I love my sister, but does she not have an ounce of pride? Chad does not and will not ever return her love! But she still continues to throw herself at him!'

Teresa didn't say anymore. Her mother, Pilar, had also told her that Simone said she hated Whitney. She wasn't about to tell her friend that.

****

Rebecca peered out of a window that gave her full view of the pool area. Damn that Teresa! It was obvious that she was trying to worm her way back into this household, this time through Whitney. God! She had hoped to never see the little tramp's face again!

She let the curtain fall. She was standing in the library. She also held in her hands, Julian's 'Eve' CD collection. She had decided she was going to store them in the attic, where it was 100 + degrees. Julian would have a fit when he found they were gone, yet, be none the wiser. Her husband would probably just accuse some hapless servant and fire them.

Rebecca wouldn't have to take such extreme lengths, if Julian hadn't become so damned secretive! Like his sudden 'business trip'. Then again, there had been more of those since his father suddenly dropped off the radar.

Sure, there were times they never heard a peep from Alistair. Those were good times. But it was usually no longer than a week. Rebecca was pretty sure that it had almost been two months since they last heard from Crane Sr.. Julian never commented much about it. Rebecca knew that he was practically running Crane Industries single handedly, and had fired most of the people that worked closely with his father.

Rebecca's mind jumped from her missing father-in-law, back to these damned CD's. She was actually thinking of a way to somehow frame Ivy Winthrop for this whole thing. After all, it was her nasty, early morning phone call, that had started all of this trouble to begin with.

Ivy had called to ask if she had heard from either her son Ethan, or her daughter Gwen, since they left for Europe. Rebecca had tiredly answered no, then made sure that Julian's former wife knew that she had awakened her while she slept in Julian's arms, right as they spoke.

Ivy told her she was sorry for her, then asked if Julian was done mourning Eve. Rebecca had sat up, flinging Julian's arms off of her! Julian, awakened by all of the movement, asked her who she was talking to as such and ungodly hour. Rebecca lied and said it was Gwen.

Julian, took that as his cue to go and shower. He told her to tell Gwen hello, then disappeared into the bathroom, closing the door. Rebecca listened for the water, before returning to her phone call.

Rebecca had told Ivy that that business with Eve Russell was in the past, and that she and Julian were committed to one another. Ivy had snorted at that, then told Rebecca that Julian used to stare at Eve at Crane dinner parties all of the time, and that she herself had witnessed Julian oogling Eve when Rebecca's back was turned, and that Julian kept a tape collection of Eve's songs in the library!

Rebecca, guessing that things weren't going well with Ivy's plans to snare Sam Bennett, as usual, slyly asked Ivy how she planned to seduce Sam from a wheelchair? Ivy hung up. Rebecca did too, but with a smile on her face. It disappeared when she realized that Julian had kept mementos of Eve around their home.

Rebecca came back to the present. Would her pookie be that mad if she just threw the cd's into the fireplace? She then had a better idea. She would store them in the hot, steaming attic. If or when they were found, Rebecca would just put the idea in Julian's mind that a servant did the deed!

With that in mind, Rebecca left the study and headed towards the stairs. A moment later, Whitney and Teresa walked into the study from the pool. Whitney sat down on a couch, while Teresa began picking up pictures on the desk. She picked up one of Rebecca and Julian and stuck her tongue out at it, before setting it back down.

The doorbell rang. A few moments later, Teresa did a double take. There was a handsome young man in the hallway, standing there, waiting for someone. It did not take long for Rebecca to come prancing back down the stairs. She glanced over at Teresa, rolled her eyes, then fluttered her eyelashes at the man. She extended her hand to him.

'You work for Crane Industries...I'm sorry, I've seen you there, your name is just escaping me.'

Teresa rolled her eyes at Rebecca's flirtatious tone. She then looked back at Whitney, who was still sitting on a couch. She was staring down at her toenails. Teresa returned to Rebecca and the man.

The man smiled down at her and took her hand.

'It's alright. I'm Austin Reed, I'm a V.P. at the company.'

'Oh, and such a handsome V.P. at that! Why don't we go into the library here and talk.'

Austin smiled down at Julian Crane's very flirtatious wife. His eyes then left hers and met a pair of dark ones that were staring in a room that stood diagonally from them. Rebecca turned to meet his eyes. She then sighed loudly.

'Teresa! What the hell are you doing here?'

Austin's eyes widened at the use of language there. He then nodded to himself. The woman with the beautiful eyes was Teresa Lopez-Fitzgerald. She had briefly worked at the offices here in Harmony last year. Word around the company was that she didn't know what the hell she was doing, and only got the job because she bullied Alistair in to it.

Austin himself, was glad to be working at Crane Industries. His ex-stepfather, Victor Kiriakis, had put in a good word for him with Alistair Crane. The work was hard but rewarding. It re-inforced his belief that he had made the right decision, when he chose to make a clean break from Salem, once and for all, two years ago.

Whitney, who overheard what was probably going to be the beginning of a fight, got up from the couch quickly, and ran to Teresa's side.

'Teresa, what's going on?' Whitney asked in a low tone.

Teresa looked away from Rebecca and the cutie-pie, and looked at Whitney.

'I wasn't doing anything, I swear! I was just about to introduce myself to your company.'

Whitney noticed Austin for the first time. She smiled at him. He smiled back.

'Uh, actually, I don't know him. Listen Rebecca, Teresa and I will be upstairs.'

Rebecca smiled tolerantly at Whitney. Both her and Austin watched as Whitney took Teresa by the hand, and rushed upstairs with her. Teresa gave Austin a lingering glance. It was one that was met with interest.

Rebecca waved a hand in front of Austin's eyes.

'Yoo hoo! Remember me?'

Austin shook his head quickly and gave Rebecca an embarrassed look.

'I'm sorry. Wasn't that the woman that used to be married to your husband?'

Rebecca raised a brow. 'She was never married to my Julian! That was all a big misunderstanding. Now, my husband is on a short business trip out of town. But, if you wanted to tell me anything, we could go into the library.'

Austin nodded. Rebecca turned and walked towards the library. Austin followed her. When she stepped inside, Rebecca then waited for Austin to step in as well, before closing the door.

'Please, have a seat Mr. Reed.'

'Austin. Call me Austin.' he said, sitting down in a chair. Rebecca walked over to the bar.

'Can I fix you a drink? Or maybe one of the servants could bring you something?'

Austin shifted in his chair.

'No thank you, Mrs. Crane. Actually, I was really hoping to speak with your husband, but you are family, so I guess you will do as well as anyone.'

Rebecca smiled and sat down.

'I would hope so. What seems to be the problem?'

Austin cleared his throat.

'The problem is, Mrs. Crane, is that my job puts me in close, personal contact with Alistair. I haven't spoken to him in almost six weeks. I wanted to inform Julian that I plan on contacting the police.'

Rebecca's mouth dropped open! She slowly stood up.

'Austin, I think you're overreacting. Surely you know that a man like Alistair Crane pops in and out of people's lives whenever he feels like it. It's not unusual that we haven't heard from him.'

Austin peered at her, then stood up.

'Mrs. Crane, you just said, 'we'. I take it you haven't heard from him either?'

Rebecca shrugged. 'Well, no. Julian may have. As a matter of fact, he must have. Alistair put him in charge of everything, temporarily...I think.'

Austin shook his head.

'Mrs. Crane...'

'Call me Rebecca.'

'Fine, Rebecca. Alistair doesn't run his business that way. And if I can be quite frank, I know enough about his relationship with Julian to know, that he would never leave him in charge of everything the way he has.'

'Well!' Rebecca sniffed.

'Mrs. Crane...'

'Rebecca I told you!' she admonished.

Austin smiled softly.

'Rebecca. If I don't hear from Alistair by the end of this week, I am going to the police. Please have Julian call me.'

Rebecca nodded, then turned and watched Austin open one of the library doors, closing it behind him. She then looked away.

God! Was it possible something had happened to Alistair? If only! But still, Julian was in charge now...and if something was wrong, Julian would be the first to phone the police, wouldn't he?

Rebecca shrugged it off. She'd tell Julian about it when he returned home. For now, she had to finish getting rid of those damned Eve Russell tapes!

****

As Austin walked to his car, he heard the sound of footsteps rushing up behind him. He turned quickly to find Teresa in front of him.

'Hello,' he said. 'I don't think we were properly introduced. I'm Austin Reed.'

He offered his hand. Teresa took it.

'I'm Teresa Lopez-Fitzgerald.'

'I know. I remember seeing you around last year, at the office.' Austin answered.

Teresa squeezed his hand.

'Listen, I hate to admit this, but I was kind of listening outside of the library.'

'Oh, you were, were you?' he asked with a smile. Teresa smiled back.

'Alistair helped me out of a life and death situation once...if there's anything I can do to help you find him, please let me know.'

Austin folded his arms.

'Do you know something? I mean, Mrs. Crane in there doesn't think that anything happened to him at all. Maybe I am being premature.'

Teresa shrugged.

'Maybe. But I think what you said about how Alistair runs his business was 100% on the mark. And everyone knows how he feels about Julian. He would not turn over everything to that pig...not even if he was dead!'

Austin felt a shiver run up his spine. Was Alistair dead? Was it possible that Julian hadn't wanted to wait until his father died of natural causes, to take over the Crane empire?

Austin reached into his inside suit jacket, and brought out a business card. He handed it to Teresa.

'I would appreciate it if you would keep your eyes and ears open. Call me if you find out anything.'

Teresa nodded, looking down at the card. She then looked up at him again.

'Are you really planning on going to the police?' she asked.

Austin nodded. 'By the end of the week. Thanks, Teresa. It was nice to meet you.'

Austin took her hand again and squeezed it. Teresa looked down at their hands. She had not felt such a connection with another man since Ethan. She slowly pulled her hand away.

'Likewise.' she answered. Teresa did not take her eyes off of him when he turned away and got into his car. Only when the car took off, did she stop to stare at the card again. She then thumped it.

Austin had damned near told Rebecca that he thought Julian had done something to his father! And if that was true, that meant that Whitney could not stay here. It was too dangerous.

****

Fox stopped by the book cafe in high spirits. He had just finished arranging a surprise for Whitney, that included the use of one of the Crane jets to Bermuda.

Yes, he knew it was a big step. But Fox would know when he made the offer to Whitney, if this thing that was growing between them, could really become a permanent relationship.

Fox was ridiculously delighted at how little time Whitney had been spending with Chad. As a matter of fact, to his knowledge, she hadn't spent anytime with the man since her mother's funeral.

And he owed a great deal of his success to his father. Fox suspected all of the help he was getting from Julian, stemmed from sort of regret he had over not being able to be with Whitney's mother. That would've been cool. Whitney and him, Father and Dr. Russell. Alas, it was not meant to be.

It was as he was standing in line to order something to take back to Whitney, when someone jostled him roughly. When Fox turned to see who it was, a slow smile crept across his features. It was Chad.

'Chad, my man! What's been going on?'

Chad gave him a cold stare.

'Not much, since my fiancee is living with you.'

Fox looked around. He hoped this would not turn into some kind of public brawl.He sighed loudly.

'Look, Whitney is just trying to clear her head. You should support her during this time.'

Chad was outraged! He looked around. No one seemed to be looking at them.

'Like you have, hey? I can't believe how stupid I was, thinking that you just wanted to be friends with Whitney and I! It was my fiancee you wanted the whole damned time! And now, you've taken advantage of her when she's vulnerable and hurt! I ought to beat the living hell out of you!'

Fox smiled broadly. Perfect! If Chad ended up beating his butt in public(something he would prefer not happen), Fox could get in a few long awaited licks, then tell Whitney he was just defending himself. Or, he could hand out a can of whoop ass on his rival, and still tell Whitney he was forced to defend himself(and not look like a punk).

Fox moved up in his face. Now, people were beginning to notice.

'Bring it on, then!' Fox hissed.

Chad just stared at him, struggling to control his temper. If word ever got out to Whitney that he started a public brawl with Fox Crane, he was more than sure, that he would come out looking like the bad guy.

But, things were already so messed up, Chad didn't feel as if he had anything to lose. He backed away and turned around, as if he were going to walk away, then whipped back around and leaped on to Fox! He began pummeling him aggressively, as to not let Fox recover and get any licks in! It took three men to separate them, and by the time they did, Fox was livid, but strangely enough, very satisfied, as he wiped blood from his lip. A plan was forming in his head. One that should speed up his courtship of Whitney.

One of the men, who turned out to be David Hastings, dragged Chad out of the cafe. Chad pulled his arm out of his grip, breathing heavily.

'I'm fine, man! Leave me be!' he growled.

But David eyed him, then peered back into the cafe through the window. Fox Crane had took a good beating there. But he looked just as calm as you please, as he handed the clerk some money, then headed for the door with two coffee's. David stood in front of Chad as Fox came out, looking battered and bruised. He smiled at them both.

'I have to get home to the little woman, now. See you around, Chad!' Fox sneered. Chad began to make a move towards him, but David blocked his way again.

'What the hell did you do that for?! You know as well as I do, that that punk has it coming! I should've took care of him at that wedding reception!'

David shook his head at the young man.

'Is that all you can think about? Pummeling Fox Crane? Look, I know Whitney is living at the mansion...'

'Yeah, with Crane Jr. !' Chad sneered.

'Aright. Have you seen her? I mean, why is she there?'

Chad calmed down for a few moments.

'She claims it's because she needs to be by herself. Living with Fox Crane is not living by herself!'

'Chad, you can't stop trusting Whitney now. Look at what's happened. Whitney, and Simone for that matter, found out a lot of embarrassing and shocking things about their mother, at a very public event, courtesy of a woman that they now know is their aunt. Then, Whitney's parents marriage breaks up. Then, Eve dies. And what kind of support did she get from her father and sister? None. I would have to assume, Chad, that if you had been there for her, she would not be living with Fox.'

Chad clenched his fists!

'David, man, I just wanted to leave this place! I thought it would be good for Whitney to just leave with me...get a fresh start on her singing. There's nothing for her here.'

'That's not true,' David said quietly. 'There's her father and sister. Look, I wouldn't trust Fox as far as I could throw him either. And that's because he's Ivy's son! But if you're going to fight for Whitney, and I do assume you want to, then you're not being very smart about it. Right now, you're playing into Fox's hands.'

Chad nodded, feeling calmer. It felt good to talk to someone.

'What do you suggest I do?' he asked.

'Hightail it over to that mansion and stop being a stranger. The longer you let any issues separate you, the more inroads Fox makes.'

Chad folded his arms.

'It just bugs the hell out of me that this guy is using his money and power to steal Whitney from me. And I know she doesn't see it that way! She thinks he's being a 'friend'.'

David pointed at him.

'Keep in mind, bad-mouthing Fox at this point probably won't help your situation. Just make it clear that you are here for her. She needs to at least know that.'

Chad nodded again, then reached out and shook David's hand.

'Thanks, man. You told me everything I should've known in the first place.'

David smiled. 'Oh, you did know it. The Crane's can just muddle your thinking.'

'You got that right!' Chad agreed.

'Oh, by the way,' David began, 'you haven't seen Liz Sanbourne around town, have you? I figured she was trying to move into the Russell home, now that Eve is gone. But I see Pilar has been staying there a lot.'

Chad shrugged. 'No, thank God! And while I have my problems with Whitney's father, I doubt he'd be taken in by her anyway. For Whitney's sake, I hope she left town.'

David nodded absently, as Chad walked back into the cafe. David hoped Liz had left town as well. He couldn't look at her and not remember how stressed Eve was during those last months. Wherever Liz was now, he hoped like hell she found help for herself and stayed away from Harmony for good.

****

Salem

Celeste Perrault sat in Brady's Pub and sipped a cup of coffee. She had had a long night, as it finally came to her, as to where she knew the object of Tony Dimera's latest obsession.

Celeste set her cup aside and stared out of the window. Eve Johnson. Eve, the daughter that Warren, her husband from long ago, had refused to talk about, but kept pictures of. Celeste knew that face because it was burned in her memory. Questions never answered always were.

Caroline Brady walked over carrying a pot of coffee. She could see that Celeste's thoughts were elsewhere. Celeste looked up suddenly and smiled. Caroline Brady was one of the few people in this town, that knew her as she once was. When she was Frankie Brooks. The same Frankie, that at a young age, got involved with a terrible man named Stefano DiMera. The same Frankie who gave birth to his child, and gave the child to her sister, to protect her from Stefano's sordid life. A lot of good that did!

'Celeste?'

Celeste shook herself out of her reverie. She smiled up at the woman.

'Hello, Caroline. How have you been?'

Caroline smiled back.

'Fine, can't complain. How are you enjoying your new grandson?'

Celeste smiled again.

'He is my heart.'

Caroline smiled, but said nothing to that. She pursed her lips.

'I hope you don't mind my coming over here, but, you kind of look like you need to vent a little.'

Celeste rubbed her hands together nervously, then nodded. Caroline sat down and set the coffee pot on the table.

'It's slow this morning.' Caroline noted.

'Business will pick up, I'm sure.' Celeste answered, feeling more and more restless. Why was she thinking about Eve and Warren and her past? Probably because there weren't too many people around that knew of it...except for Caroline Brady.

'What is it, Celeste? I mean, when I said you looked like you needed to vent, I was being kind. Something is really troubling you, and if I didn't know you so well, I would've thought you just didn't like my coffee.'

Celeste gave her a faint smile. She then began talking.

'Do you remember when I left Alexandra with my sister, all of those years ago?'

Caroline stared at her.

'I don't really remember Lexie being yours, specifically. I knew you and I knew your sister and her husband. I knew you were Lexie's aunt.'

Celeste nodded absently.

'Yes, of course. You're right, I forgot. I did such a good job of lying, for Alexandra's own good, that even I forgot the truth.'

Caroline touched Celeste's hand.

'What is this all about? Why are you dredging up the past this way? I mean, clearly it's causing you some kind of turmoil.'

Celeste closed her eyes, then opened them.

'Caroline, there was a time, when I was with Stefano, that I came to my senses and left him.'

Caroline raised a brow.

'Really?'

Celeste smiled.

'I know you may find that hard to believe, but it is true. I was determined to make a life for myself, without him. And for awhile I succeeded. I got married.'

Caroline's eyes widened. She glanced around the pub, before looking at Celeste again.

'I didn't know that.'

'Not many people do. Alexandra doesn't even know.'

Caroline looked puzzled. She began to shake her head.

'Well, why not? Did the marriage end badly?'

'He died....suddenly. I was left all of his money...then I went and returned to Stefano.'

'Oh.' was all Caroline said, looking down. She then looked up at Celeste again.

'I take it, you're telling me this for a reason? Has something happened?'

Celeste nodded.

'My husband had secrets too. Someone is here from his past. I don't know what to do about her.'

Caroline squinted at her.

'I don't understand what you mean? Is this woman threatening you or something?'

'No, nothing like that. I think she may be the one in trouble, I....

'Excuse me.' a voice interrupted.

Caroline and Celeste looked up from their conversation to find Julian Crane standing over their table. He couldn't believe he was in a fish pub, but this is where he had tracked Liz's step-mother.

Julian stared at Celeste Perrault. She was a lovely woman, and probably had been quite a looker in her day. Why the hell Warren Johnson would run around molesting Liz, when he could be sleeping with a luscious babe like this, was beyond comprehension!

Celeste closed her eyes briefly. She was getting a premonition about this man, yet, she didn't know why. She didn't like the feel of what was about to happen.

Julian looked at Caroline.

'Would you excuse us? I have business with Ms. Perrault.'

Caroline looked at Celeste, who just nodded. Caroline got up and walked back over to the counter. Celeste motioned for Julian to sit down. Julian complied.

'Who are you?' she asked, her nerves on edge.

Julian took note of her semi-hostile tone. He offered his hand.

'My name is Julian Crane, of Crane Industries.'

Celeste raised a brow. Of course she knew of the Cranes, who didn't? That and Stefano had done a few shady deals with this man's father, Alistair Crane. Celeste had never liked that man! On a few occasions, when Stefano and Alistair met in Aremid, Alistair had tried to touch her ass on many an occasion. She had heard that his son was no better!

Celeste ignored his hand. 'What brings you to Salem, Mr. Crane?'

'Julian. Call me Julian.'

Celeste sighed heavily.

'Fine. Julian. What brings you to Salem? More importantly, what brings you to my table?'

Julian smiled.

'A woman by the same of Liz Sanbourne. You'll probably remember her best as Liz Johnson?'

Celeste's eyes widened! How the hell did Julian Crane know anything about Liz?!

The look on Celeste's face was all the proof Julian needed to confirm the connection between Eve's wretched sister, and the woman sitting across from him. But he would still need to hear it from Celeste.

'Look, Ms. Perrault, I know all about you and the type of life you've lead. So I'm not here to hurt you. But, I do need your help.'

'With what?' Celeste asked uneasily.

'Your former step-daughter made scandalous accusations about her father...accusations that drove her sister to her death.'

Celeste jumped up!

'So you think Eve is dead?'

Julian looked around the pub. A couple glanced over at them. Julian stood as well. Hearing Celeste speak Eve's name told him he had hit upon something.

'Yes, I know it...it happened not so long ago.' He struggled to keep his own emotions in check. On the trip here, all Julian could think about was how he should've stayed by Eve's side after Liz exposed her at his wedding reception. How Eve must've felt so alone after T.C. had rejected her. How he should've gotten rid of Rebecca somehow and forced Eve to see her husband's rejection, as their own chance for happiness.

But that chance was gone now. No thanks to Liz and T.C.. Julian felt as if he had to see this whole thing to it's conclusion, before he could get on with his life.

Celeste had not missed the hurt in Julian's eyes, when he had confirmed Eve's 'death'. What was going on here? What did Eve have to do with this man? Or Liz for that matter?

'What is it that you want, Mr. Crane?' she asked sharply.

Julian cleared his throat.

'Liz told Eve that their father molested her. Molested her during the years that he would've been married to you.'

Celeste's mouth dropped open!

'What?! Are you serious?'

'Quite! I know you knew that Eve was estranged from her family at the time of your marriage to her father.'

Celeste stared at him.

'I know my husband regretted not reaching out to her...I never met her, but I did see pictures. She was beautiful.''

'Very.' Julian responded.

Celeste peered at him. Julian Crane had a personal interest in her story...and in Eve.

'Liz was a surly, spoiled child. I will admit, I was much younger than Warren...I had no patience for pre-teens. I know now that Liz was probably hurting over her mother's death, and the fact that Warren married me so soon after she died. But that girl had better be glad we didn't send her to juvenile hall, instead of boarding school.'

Julian raised a brow. He didn't doubt that Liz was every bit as bad as Celeste was implying. But, that was not what he needed to know at the moment.

'Ms. Perrault. Did you ever see your husband act inappropriately with Liz?'

Celeste rolled her eyes!

'What I'm trying to tell you, Mr. Crane, is that the little hellion only lived with us for six months! We only visited her a couple of times at school, and believe me, that was a chore! The reason she was sent away is because she tried to burn down the house one night, while my husband and I were still in it...asleep!'

Julian's eyes widened! Good God! He hated to admit it, but it looked as if arson ran in the Johnson family! Though, Eve's was forgivable. The poor thing had been stressed. Liz's was just malicious, attempted murder!

'So, you see, Mr. Crane, Warren and her lived in separate states. And she lived in a dorm room. No, Warren never touched her! How dare that little bitch run around telling lies like that?!'

Julian secretly hoped that Celeste would take her rage out on Liz someday...if she could find her. After Julian had given her that 'assignment', Ms. Sanbourne had seemingly dropped off of the face of the earth.

Before Julian could respond, his cellphone rang. He looked at the number. It was Rebecca. He sighed, then looked at Celeste.

'Will you excuse me for one moment? I have to take this.'

Celeste nodded absently. She took a deep breath. What the hell purpose would it serve for Liz to run around telling stories like that? She knew Warren should've gotten that girl some help, years ago! Especially after she tried to kill them like that! But, Warren's way was to just forget about the things he couldn't fix. And in many ways, Liz was shipped away and forgotten about.

But that still didn't explain Julian Crane's involvement with any of this. Celeste turned to look at him. His back was to her and he was facing the counter. Caroline gave her a look. Celeste returned it with a weak smile. She then looked out of the window. Her heart almost stopped.

For standing right outside of the pub, with their backs to the window, were Tony and Eve. And they were holding hands! Celeste looked back at Julian, who seemed very engrossed in his phone call. Celeste wondered if she should warn Tony? She quickly nixed the idea. If Julian did happen to see Eve, then maybe he could take her back home to her family, or at least get word to them.