Chapter 12
Pilar goes on a job interview. Fox arranges a surprise for Whitney.
Sam Bennett slammed down the phone for what seemed like the umpteenth time. Another reporter wanted to know if the authorities were looking at Julian Crane as a suspect in the kidnappings of T.C. Russell, and the as of yet, unidentified woman.
How could this be happening?! T.C. had been his best friend since...since...forever. First the man finds out that his wife is not who he thought she was. Then Eve dies. Now, T.C. himself, has been ripped from his daughters. Who would do this?
Luis walked up to him. Sam stood up.
'Anything?' he asked.
Luis sighed.
'A nurse at the hospital remembered that T.C. had two women visitors that day. One has already been identified as Liz Sanbourne. The other, I suspect, was probably the other kidnapping victim.
'But we don't have a name yet?'
'No,' Luis said,'but I've got someone talking to Simone. She probably saw her father with the other woman.'
Sam nodded.
'Yeah, she's going to stay with Grace and me for awhile. Kay was a real help in this thing, though she's still kind of shaken.'
'I can't blame her.' Luis said. 'I mean she saw T.C. get knocked out and snatched into a car. That kind of thing stays with you. So, are we looking at Julian Crane?'
'He's always number one on my list. Though, I wonder if the woman was an accident...you know, in the wrong place at the wrong time?'
Luis shrugged. His phone rang on his desk. He walked over to it and picked it up.
'Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald.'
Sam looked away from Luis, mulling this whole thing through. What would Julian's rationale be for pulling something like this? After all, not only was he probably the one responsible for shattering T.C.'s dreams of becoming a professional tennis player, but now T.C. may lose his eye, no thanks to Crane! One would think Crane had had enough trouble. Especially after that crap he pulled on Ivy at his house!
Luis hung up and hurried over to him.
'That was Simone. She said the other woman in her father's hospital room today, introduced herself as Eve's step-mother.'
'I thought...yeah...I guess if Liz was Eve's sister, and none of us knew it, why would it be surprise that she had a step-mother?'
'Yeah, Sam, but this woman isn't just any little step-mom. This woman said her name was Celeste Perrault.'
Sam frowned.
'Why does that name sound familiar?'
'Because if you search our files...hell search Interpol's files, you'll find the name Celeste Perrault...right next to Stefano DiMera's!'
'Christ!' Sam hissed. 'Then T.C. wasn't the one that these guys were after! You think DiMera did this?'
Luis nodded.
'And poor T.C., not knowing anything about this woman or her association with that creep, probably tried to stop her kidnapping and ended up going along for the ride!'
Sam rubbed his jaw. Luis peered at him.
'We have to stay positive. Stefano DiMera doesn't automatically mean death.'
Sam's eyes widened.
'No, not always! Just damned near! Stefano DiMera takes this thing to a whole new level.'
'Yes, it does.'
Sam and Luis looked at the man that had said those words. Harmony FBI Director Spence Lowell showed his badge. He was accompanied by two other agents.
'We'll be taking over this investigation, Chief Bennett.' he said.
****
Pilar had just gotten off the phone with Spence, who told her he was heading to the Harmony Police Station.
She was parked outside of the DiMera mansion. This was not where she wanted to be at the moment. Right now, she wanted more details as to how T.C. and Celeste ended up kidnapped. And she wanted to know why hadn't Liz Sanbourne been any use to them at all?!
Pilar rubbed her hands together, as she watched the front entrance. The gate had been left open, probably to allow all of the other vehicles access. There were more than a few vans in the drive. One read Smiley's Catering. It looked as if things were really moving forward with the barbecue.
Her mind went back to T.C....and Simone and Whitney. DiMera had to be behind this. And if DiMera had had her Martin somewhere all of these years, how long would it be before Simone or Whitney saw their father again? But why kidnap T.C.? Unless he got in the way or something? As a matter of fact, why kidnap Celeste? If DiMera wanted to get in contact with her, kidnapping her was a very public, and attention raising way, to accomplish his task. Something wasn't right.
Pilar had managed to snag an appointment for an interview with Lexie Carver, who was Tony DiMera's sister, and Celeste Perrault's daughter. Pilar wondered if Lexie knew her mother had been kidnapped by her father?
She took a deep breath and got out of her car. She felt as if she was walking into the lion's den or something. She had dressed simply, without make-up and had put her hair in a pony-tail. The FBI had come up with references for her, since Pilar did not want it known she used to work for the Cranes, in case the connection between Alistair and Stefano was known to either Tony or Lexie.
Pilar walked up to the front door and rang the bell. A maid answered.
'Yes?'
'I'm here to see Lexie Carver. I have an interview with her.'
The maid nodded and stepped aside. Pilar walked in. She noticed how dark the decor was. Somehow, it fit Stefano DiMera.
'Wait here please.' the maid said, and walked off. Pilar continued to look around, her back to the stairs. She did not see Eve come down them, with little Theo in her arms, and disappear down another hallway.
****
Eve walked into the library and handed Theo to his father. Abe smiled at her, secretly entranced with Eve's gorgeous complexion. Eve did not notice, but smiled back.
'Lexie and you are so lucky.' she sighed. 'He is just so precious!'
'That he is.' Abe said, holding on to Theo tightly. 'That's why I don't like him spending so much time in this house.'
Eve looked confused.
'Why?' she asked.
Abe inwardly sighed. Why poison this woman's mind against Tony? Yet, Abe couldn't help but wonder if Eve had any idea of the DiMera reputation, and just how bad it was?
'Let's just say that Tony and I aren't exactly close.' Abe answered.
'You know, I find that hard to believe. You are both handsome, strong men. Both very sensitive. Both good fathers. Surely, you can find some common ground?'
Abe shook his head. Eve was an eternal optimist. That probably meant she was completely unaware that she was living with a criminal!
But Abe decided it was better to say nothing. He got the impression that Lexie really wanted this relationship to go somewhere. And he did not want to be accused of getting in the way of true love, even if he did not believe Tony DiMera was capable of such!
'Tell me, Eve, how did Tony and you meet? You're not from around here, are you?'
'Actually, that is quite tale. You see I....'
'There you are, darling!' Tony exclaimed, realizing how lucky he was that he dropped in when he did. He had just gotten off of the phone with the men he had ordered to pick up Celeste. Apparently, plans had gone awry and another hostage was taken.
Tony had not been thrilled to hear this, until he heard that the other hostage was T.C. Russell, Eve's husband. Then, the plans changed. He now just hoped he could cover in front of Alexandra.
Eve turned and smiled at Tony. He pulled her into his arms.
'So, what have Abe and you been talking about?' he asked, his tone light.
'Actually, Tony, I was asking Eve here how you met.' Abe answered, thinking his brother-in-law's entrance in the room was a bit too convenient.
'Well, the time to learn that information will be tomorrow.' Tony answered, his teeth clenched.
'Why? I mean it's a simple question. I know Eve isn't from around here. I'm just wondering how the two of you hooked up? Is there anything wrong with that?'
Eve didn't like the underlying hostility she sensed between the two men. She wriggled out of Tony's arms. She then reached out for Theo.
'Why don't I take Theo to Lexie?' Eve suggested. She didn't think the baby should be subjected to this kind of animosity.
'Well, Alexandra is still interviewing help for tomorrow, but why don't you take my nephew out for a stroll in the gardens? Would you like that Theo?' Tony asked, resting a hand on the baby's head.
Theo smiled. Eve smiled at him as well. She then looked at Abe.
'I'll be out in the gardens when you're done.' she said, and left the room with Theo. Tony waited until she cleared the room, before turning to Abe.
'What the hell was that? Interrogating Eve like she was one of your suspects!'
Abe sucked in a breath. Tony was just a little too damned defensive, about a very simple question he had been about to put forth to Eve. Something was not right here.
'You know, DiMera, the more you make out of my asking Eve questions, the more I think you have something to hide. So tell me: how did Eve and you meet?'
Tony walked up to him.
'I don't like what you're insinuating!'
Abe's eyes widened!
'Good lord, Tony! If you can't answer a simple question like that about this woman, then why are you even bothering with this barbecue?'
'I didn't like your tone!' Tony sniffed. 'It doesn't sound like a simple question when it comes from your lips! And I'll tell you something else: I overheard you badmouthing me to Eve! If you can't support my love for her, then maybe you shouldn't bother coming tomorrow!'
Abe just stared at him. Now he knew for damned sure something was fishy! He had been dealing with DiMera's too long not to smell trouble!
'You're serious?' Abe asked, looking him up and down.
'You bet I'm serious!'
'And what do you plan to tell my wife? Huh, Tony? You're going to tell her that I asked a couple of normal questions and you freaked out? No, of course not! Since that's the truth and you wouldn't know it if it hit you in the face!'
'Get out of here! And don't show your face here tomorrow! I'll deal with my sister!'
'No, I'll deal with my wife! And I'm telling you right now, she won't stand for it!'
'Yes, well, we'll see, won't we?' Tony asked glibly, before turning and leaving the room. Abe stared after him for the longest while. He then replayed their argument in his head.
The whole thing started because of that question Tony overheard him asking Eve. How did the two of them meet? Abe shook his head. What was it Eve had begun to say? Something about it being a 'strange tale'? Why?
Tony DiMera had not wanted Eve to finish her sentence. That was why he suddenly made his presence known just now. Abe decided to find Eve and ask her the same question again.
****
'Well, Pilar, your references are impeccable. I don't see any harm in hiring you right on the spot!'
'Oh, thank you, Mrs. Carver!' Pilar cried, overly enthusiastic for effect. She shook the woman's hand vigorously. Lexie pulled her hand away quickly.
'Well, Pilar, you'll begin tomorrow morning at nine. We'll need you to help set up and cook.'
Pilar nodded and stood up.
'Nine o'clock it is! Thank you again!'
Lexie smiled at Pilar. The woman seemed a bit overly grateful. She really must need the work, Lexie thought.
Tony walked into the room just then. Pilar pretended as if she had never seen his face in any of the FBI files.
'Oh, hello.' he said, his eyes sweeping over Pilar casually, before settling on his sister.
Pilar nodded. Lexie looked at him.
'Did Abe pick up Theo yet?'
'Uh, yes, he's around here somewhere. Alexandra, there is something I need to talk to you about. In private.'
Lexie nodded, looking concerned. She then turned back to Pilar, who waved a hand to her.
'I'll show myself out.' she answered. Lexie nodded and thanked her. Then she and Tony left the room. Pilar did not leave though.
Tony must be telling Lexie about Celeste, Pilar thought, looking around the room. She had to come up with a way to stay in this household, after the barbecue. But how?
Pilar casually glanced over some pictures on a desk. Her eyes then moved to a set of glass doors that lead to the garden. Something she saw out there made her suck in her breath!
Pilar moved closer to the doors, then opened one, completely forgetting where she was. There was a woman standing outside holding a baby. The woman...the woman was Eve Russell! Pilar would swear on her life that it was Eve!'
'Eve!' she gasped, and started to step outside to move towards her. It was then that a sharp pain to the back of her head, caused her to lose consciousness.
****
Tony had settled Lexie in the library to tell her about Celeste, when Lexie remembered she had forgotten her purse in the drawing room. She then told her brother that while she was sure Pilar was a nice enough woman, she didn't trust her alone with her purse!
Alexandra would never know that her small request to go back and retrieve her handbag, was the equivalent of divine intervention. When Tony walked back into the drawing room, his sister's purse was the last thing he noticed.
He saw Pilar, standing by the doors that lead out to the garden. He then heard her cry out Eve's name, and knew instinctively, that the hired help was trouble, Tony's eyes then focused in on a very valuable statue Stefano had once given him. He moved stealthily, hey quickly, picking up the statue, hurrying up behind Pilar, then whacking her across the back of her head with it!
As she fell, Tony caught her, dragging her over to the couch. He then hurried over to the doors of the drawing room inside the house, closing them and locking them. He then did the same for the garden doors.
Tony then took a deep breath. He knew a place to store the servant woman, until he could call in reinforcements to get rid of her.
****
Abe walked down the garden path and saw Eve swinging Theo up in the air. She did not appear to see him.
It was as he was walking towards her, that Abe witnessed something disturbing. His eyes caught some sort of strange movement behind Eve, back towards the house. A woman was staring at Eve's back. She then seemed to drop!
Has the woman had an attack of some sorts? Abe stopped moving towards Eve and cut through some shrubbery towards the side garden doors. He didn't want to alarm Eve or the baby with what was happening.
When Abe reached the garden doors and peeked inside, he saw the woman lying on the couch in the drawing room. Tony was on the phone and the doors to the library from the inside were closed. Abe squinted. In Tony's other hand, was a statue.
Had DiMera konked that woman over the head with that??? Why??? Abe turned away from the window. His eyes were on Eve, as she began to talk to Theo, her back still to him.
That woman had been looking at Eve, then Tony knocks her out and drags her back inside the house. Eve was the key! That woman recognized Eve. She recognized her. So what?!
Abe took a deep breath, remembering how he himself hadn't known anything about Eve, until that day he accidentally happened by. That night, at dinner with John and Marlena, it had been in his gut that DiMera was hiding the woman, not just shy about showing her off to the community. But Lexie had soothed his fears.
Was it possible Eve was some sort of criminal? Maybe that's how she knew Tony?! But Lexie would've told him if there was anything shady about her, anything he should know, wouldn't she have?
Lexie. God, Abe hoped she hadn't lied to him again! Abe slipped away from the house. He needed to get back inside and find his wife! He cursed himself when he realized he left his cell, and gun, in his car. But why would he have thought he would've needed it? After all, he was just picking up his son from his uncle's house! Abe took another angry breath. This was one of those moments when you never, ever forgot that you when you were dealing with the DiMera's, you were dealing with evil!
Abe decided to get to his car first, call for back up, then get to Lexie.
****
Lexie began to pace around the library. What was taking Tony so long? And what was it that he had to tell her?
Her thoughts then jumped from Tony to Celeste. Lexie was unnerved by her last conversation she had had with her mother. Celeste had said that if Eve's family wasn't missing her or needing her, she would leave well enough alone.
But how could that ever be? Of course Eve's family missed her! Lexie closed her eyes briefly and rubbed the back of her neck. Tony was just going to have to fess up to Eve. For she had no doubt that Celeste was going to return to Salem with Eve's husband and children in tow.
Lexie's eyes opened when she heard a car door slam. She walked over to a window and parted a curtain. Pilar had been the last bit of help Lexie had hired for the barbecue tomorrow. Who else was Tony expecting?
But when Lexie peered out of the window, she saw Abe at his car. He was pulling out his gun and checking it! Lexie hurried from the library, walked down the hallway, and only briefly noticed that the doors to the drawing room were closed. Why? Was Tony in there with someone? She wondered if he had caught Pilar stealing her purse!
Lexie turned though, towards the front door and threw it open, hurrying towards the drive. Abe saw her. He was clutching his weapon.
'Abe? Do you have to work?'
Abe glared at her.
'Yeah, Lex, I do. You see, your brother attacked some woman in the house there. I was just getting ready to call for back up.'
Lexie's mouth dropped open!
'Honey, this is a mistake! I'm sure Tony didn't 'attack' anyone!'
Abe grabbed her by the shoulders!
'Lexie, I want you to stop blindly taking that man's side and listen to me!'
'Abe you're hurting me! I'm not taking sides I...'
'SHUT-UP for a moment and listen to me! The woman he attacked was looking at Eve in the garden. That is why Tony attacked her. Now you're going to tell me right here and now, what you know about this Eve Lincoln woman!'
Lexie wriggled out of her husband's grasp, feeling very frightened! From the damned start, she knew what Tony was doing to Eve was a bad idea! But no! Tony said he had it under control! And he and Eve had seemed genuinely happy.
Lexie looked down. She then turned away from him.
'Abe, I didn't want to keep this from you, but it did seem harmless.'
'Harmless? Oh I can't wait to hear this!' Abe hissed, watching her back.
Lexie knew this deception could very well mean the end of her marriage. But Abe seemed so sure that something was wrong, that no lie, even if it was one to cover for her brother, would pacify her husband.
'Tony found Eve...she had had an accident. She has amnesia and remembers nothing. Abe, Tony is in love with her and just wants a chance, that's all. He's been alone for so long and we don't know that someone didn't cause Eve's accident and...Abe...'
Lexie turned back around and gasped loudly! Two men, that she could only describe as thugs, were behind Abe. One had already chloroformed him. The other was advancing on her!
Lexie screamed and turned, only to run straight into Tony!
'Tony! What the hell is this?!' she screamed. Tony held her tightly, putting both hands on each of her arms.
'Alexandra, I need for you to listen to me now. Calm down.'
Lexie nodded, her breath shaky. She turned her head to look at Abe, who was being dragged into a car with black tinted windows. She then looked at her brother again.
'Tony, listen to me! It's over! Abe knows about Eve!'
Tony's grip loosened on her arms.
'I know. I actually saw him skulking through the bushes outside of the drawing room. Really Alexandra, how he ever advanced in rank, boggles the mind!'
Lexie put a hand on Tony's face.
'Tony, Abe says that you hurt some woman in there?'
'The help that you hired. She recognized Eve as well. I looked through her purse and found an FBI badge.'
'Good lord! Tony, it's over! Just tell Eve the truth and maybe Abe can help you with what you've done...it's over.'
Tony removed her hand from his face.
'I love you, you know that, don't you?'
Lexie looked confused, but she nodded slowly.
'Good. Now, I'm going to tell you this: either you are with me or against me. If you're against me, Alexandra, then you will join your husband, Pilar back in there, Celeste and Eve's husband, on a very long journey. If you're with me, then you will walk inside the house and forget you saw any of this.'
Lexie began to shake! Celeste? Tony had done something to Celeste?! And Eve's Husband?!
'Tony, Abe is my husband...Theo's father I can't let this go... I...'
Tony nodded quickly towards thug # 2. He came up behind Lexie quickly and covered her nose and mouth with a cloth. She soon fell limp into his arms.
'Take them away.' Tony said, looking down at Lexie with deep regret. He touched her face.
'Eve and I will raise Theo right, I promise.' he whispered to her unconscious form. He then nodded towards thug#2, who picked Lexie up, walked over to the car and dumped her in the backseat as well.
Tony then looked at thug#1
'There's another one in the house. Go and get her, then take her away in her car.'
****
Inside the DiMera mansion, in Tony's bedroom, an answering machine kicked in.
'Mr. DiMera, it's Dr. Case. You have been ignoring my calls for months now, but I can't stress enough how vital it is that you begin treatment immediately. Your illness has returned and without proper care, will kill you this time. Call me back so we can set up a time to begin treatment. My number is.....
****
Eve walked back inside the house, sometime later, wondering what was keeping Abe and Tony for so long. She hoped they weren't still fighting.
Not that she minded the time she spent with her precious Theo. Eve shook that notion out of her head. He was not her baby, he was Lexie's.
The house seemed quiet, and she wondered where everyone was. She looked at Theo.
'Where has everyone gone, honey? Hey? Let's look out here.' she suggested, getting a smile from Theo in return.
Before Eve could touch the doorknob, a harried looking Tony came back in. He stopped short, then smiled at them both.
'Eve darling, where have you been?'
Eve raised a brow.
'I should be asking you that. I waited for Abe to come for Theo...where is he? Is Lexie still around?'
Tony touched Theo's little hand briefly, before giving Eve a pained look. She, in turn, looked panicked.
'Tony, what is it?'
'Abe got an emergency call. There's been a sudden death in his family.'
Eve gasped!
'Oh...I'm so sorry.'
'Yes, darling, I know you are. Lexie asked if we would keep Theo, just for a short time.'
'Of course! Have they left already?' Eve asked, peering around him through the still open door. She saw nothing in the drive.
Tony nodded, blocking her way.
'Yes, they did have to leave immediately. Listen, you do still want to put on the barbecue, don't you?'
Eve's eyes widened, and she looked at Theo, who was already staring at her.
'Well, yes, I mean I know you sent out invitations. I guess I was hoping Lexie, and even Celeste would be here, you know, for support.'
Tony smiled, pulling her closer to him. Theo looked over at Tony.
'What support? Everyone is going to love you!'
Eve smiled.
'I hope so. I really do.'
'They will.' Tony said firmly. He then kissed her. Theo put his hands in Tony's hair. Tony pulled away and smiled at him. Eve laughed.
'I'm going to put him down. I'll be right back.' Eve said, marveling at how natural her mothering instincts were. And she had never had a child!
Tony watched her as she walked upstairs with the baby. Yes, Eve would be a good mother to Theo. He quickly shoved any guilt he felt about Alexandra, to the back recesses of his mind.
****
HIGHWAY
Julian was sitting in the back of his limo, on the phone with a top-notch realtor in Salem.
'I want to move in tonight. I don't need to look it over. I should be there in two hours. Meet me at the gate.' Julian then hung up.
Within hours, he had purchased the property behind DiMera's. It used to belong to the Alamain family, formerly Lawrence, then his aunt, Vivian. It was now his. As soon Eve would be again.
He eyed the back of the limo driver's head, then looked at the speedometer. He was doing 65 mph. Julian would've preferred he do 90!
His private eye had called him awhile ago and told him of the events he had witnessed. He told Julian of the men that had kidnapped Celeste Perrault and took T.C. Russell as well, when he tried to help her.
Julian used his police sources to find out that the FBI had already taken over the investigation, because they were sure Stefano DiMera was involved. Julian rubbed the back of his neck. He suspected it was a DiMera, but not Stefano.
Liz had uttered some nonsense about the FBI thinking that Stefano was going to contact Celeste sometime in the near future. Kidnapping, while it was 'contact', would've drawn too much attention to Stefano. Tony, on the other hand, had more to lose.
Julian mulled over his father's words. Eve had amnesia. That meant Tony was taking advantage of her memory loss. Celeste probably knew this, and maybe came here to tell T.C. the truth. Tony found out her plans and had her stopped.
Julian sighed, restless. Whatever happened, Tony DiMera was dangerous. And it probably wouldn't be long before he showed his dark side to Eve. He prayed he was not too late.
Julian picked up his cell again, eyeing an invitation he had managed through unsavory sources, to snag. It was to the DiMera barbecue tomorrow afternoon.
Julian dialed a number. Fox answered.
'Fox Crane.
'Fox? It's your father. You were right. Your Grandfather is alive and well.'
'Oh, great!'
'Listen to me son: he has offered us a deal. I still don't trust that he'll keep his end of the bargain, but it's all we have for now. Until I figure something else out.'
'What do you mean, 'a deal'? What, he's not going to turn you in?'
Julian rolled his eyes.
'Believe me, that was never one of my fears. That's not your grandfather's style. To make a long story short. Whitney's mother is alive.'
There was a brief silence.
'Fox? Are you still there?'
'Father, please don't tell me you know this because Grandfather told you? Because we all know how he operates.'
'I can't get into the details, but things have happened that have given me cause to believe that your Grandfather is indeed telling the truth.'
Fox sighed on his end.
'Alright, well shouldn't I tell Whitney?'
'Listen to me: Eve has been kidnapped by the DiMera's.'
'The DiMera's? Who are they?'
'Christ, Fox! Do you ever read a newspaper or a book or anything?!'
'Hey! Don't go off on me! I don't know who the DiMera's are, okay?'
'Just know that they are dangerous. Not only does one of them have Eve, but just today, this same person may have had T.C. kidnapped as well.'
'Oh, God!'
'Fox, I want you to be happy with Whitney. But, your Grandfather has given us a deadline of a month. If we can both get Whitney and Eve, to agree to marry us, AGREE, then Alistair will leave us in peace, and not disinherit us.'
Fox paused for a moment before speaking again.
'If Whitney knew about her father then she'll want to go back home. Her worrying about him wouldn't leave much time for me.' Fox said.
'It might even push her back into Chad Harris's arms.' Julian warned him.
'Okay. I'm going to do whatever I have to do on my end. But what about you? If this guy that has Whitney's mother is a psycho, how are you going to save her? And even if you do, I don't think you'll be able to ditch Rebecca that easily.'
'Leave that to me. Just get an engagement ring on Whitney's finger. I'll keep in touch.'
'Good luck, Father.'
'Good luck, my boy.' Julian answered, hanging up. He had not told his son that Alistair had already picked out his future bride. There was no need in giving the boy a heart attack, just yet. He then closed his eyes and leaned back against the seat. It was beginning to rain.
****
BERMUDA
Fox hung up and shook his head. God! Things were really screwed up!
He would have to keep Whitney away from the news and newspapers, that was for sure! He was sitting in the hotel lounge, when Whitney came up behind him, dressed in a black, evening gown. She covered his eyes with her hands.
'Guess who?'
Fox smiled. Then removed her hands. He looked her up and down.
'You look beautiful.'
Whitney twirled around.
'Why thank you, kind sir. So, tell me when I'm finally going to get this surprise you've been hinting at all day?'
Fox stood up from his chair, put his hands on her shoulders, and turned her, so she was facing the stage.
'Right now. You see that microphone? The floor is all yours.'
Whitney turned to look back at him. She was clearly shocked.
'Fox! I can't go up there! In front of all of these people! Fox...really, they're waiting for real entertainment!
'You are real entertainment! What are you talking about? Go on now! Go on!'
Fox pushed Whitney up towards the front of the lounge. She stepped up onto the stage, as someone announced her name. It was at that moment, that Fox's cell rang.
Fox walked off into a dark corner, just as Whitney began to sing Luther Vandross's 'A House Is Not A Home'.
'A chair is still a chair, even when there's no one sittin' there...'
'Father?' Fox asked, looking up at Whitney.
'No, Fox. It's your Grandfather.'
Fox took an angry, deep breath. All he wanted to do is enjoy Whitney, but now, he had to deal with this crap! Fox walked out of the lounge and sat in a chair in the hallway.
'What do you want?' he asked.
'I just wondered if your father told you about the nice girl I want you to meet?'
Fox shook his head.
'What the hell are you talking about?'
'Ah, just as I suspected. Let me tell you the one thing your father forgot to. If you fail with Whitney, you are to marry the woman of MY choosing, do we understand one another?'
Fox hung up! Christ! Why hadn't his father succeded in killing Alistair?!
Fox decided to put the phone call behind him. He also decided he wasn't going to answer anymore calls from Alistair. They would just derail his plans. He walked back into the lounge. Whitney was just finishing up the song. Damn!
'Still in love with me, yeah....yeah...' Whitney sang. Then she finished and took a bow. The room was thunderous with applause. A few people stood.
Whitney took another bow, then looked out into the crowd, her eyes seeking out Fox's. She made her way off of the stage, stopping to accept praise from a few tables, before meeting up with Fox.
'That was an incredible surprise. Thank you.' she said, moving to kiss him on the cheek. Fox turned his face so that Whitney ended up kissing him on the mouth. She pulled away, startled at first. She then pulled him to her and kissed him again, with plenty of tongue!
Fox threw his arms around her, savoring the moment. They did not hear the applause from the onlookers.
****
Pilar was the first to wake up. Her vision was foggy at first, then it kicked in sharply. She sat up quickly, and was instantly dizzy! The back of her head hurt too.
'Easy.' a soft voice said. She looked over and saw a Black man, that she recognized as Abe Carver, sitting next to her. He had on a parachute. Lexie Carver was next to him as well, wearing a parachute, and just waking up.
The sight of Lexie caused Pilar to try and stand!
'I'm FBI!' Pilar croaked. 'Where are we?'
Abe stood as well.
'On some sort of airplane, going God knows where. I just woke up myself.'
'Why is your wife here?' Pilar asked, shocked that DiMera would go to these lengths.'
Abe looked over at her. He didn't try and assist her.
'We are all here because she lied to me...again!'
Lexie focused and tried to stand.
'Abe? Where are we?'
Abe didn't answer. Pilar didn't have time to get in the middle of a family brouhaha.
'DiMera hit me over the head because I recognized someone I knew at the house.'
Abe looked at her.
'Eve?'
'Yeah, Dr. Eve Russell? What's happened to her? Her family thinks she's dead!'
Abe turned and gave Lexie a filthy look. Lexie looked away in shame.
'Are one of you you going to answer me! I asked you...'
Another door opened, and two men wearing Jerry Springer masks, entered the cargo hold. One of them had a gun. The other, moved past the three of them, and opened the door to the plane.
'Oh, you've got to be kidding!' Pilar cried out, clearly not ready for this step.
'We've been given parachutes,' Abe replied. 'So I guess DiMera's intention isn't murder.'
But Lexie was freaked! How could Tony to this to her??? And how could he rip her away from her baby?!
The other Jerry Springer, without the gun, reached for Lexie, and began shoving her towards the door. Lexie screamed, kicking and dragging her heels. Abe tried to interfere. The other Jerry Springer, moved away from the door and cocked the gun. Abe pulled on Lexie's arm.
'Honey, we have no choice. Just hold my hand. It will be alright.'
Lexie stopped struggling and looked from Abe to Pilar. Pilar nodded, then walked over to them as well.
'He's right, Lexie. We have no choice.'
Lexie nodded miserably, then took Abe's hand. Abe then looked at Pilar. Pilar smiled weakly, then took his other hand. Together, the three of them moved to edge, prodded on by the Jerry Springer with the gun. A moment later, the three of them were one with the wind.
Pilar goes on a job interview. Fox arranges a surprise for Whitney.
Sam Bennett slammed down the phone for what seemed like the umpteenth time. Another reporter wanted to know if the authorities were looking at Julian Crane as a suspect in the kidnappings of T.C. Russell, and the as of yet, unidentified woman.
How could this be happening?! T.C. had been his best friend since...since...forever. First the man finds out that his wife is not who he thought she was. Then Eve dies. Now, T.C. himself, has been ripped from his daughters. Who would do this?
Luis walked up to him. Sam stood up.
'Anything?' he asked.
Luis sighed.
'A nurse at the hospital remembered that T.C. had two women visitors that day. One has already been identified as Liz Sanbourne. The other, I suspect, was probably the other kidnapping victim.
'But we don't have a name yet?'
'No,' Luis said,'but I've got someone talking to Simone. She probably saw her father with the other woman.'
Sam nodded.
'Yeah, she's going to stay with Grace and me for awhile. Kay was a real help in this thing, though she's still kind of shaken.'
'I can't blame her.' Luis said. 'I mean she saw T.C. get knocked out and snatched into a car. That kind of thing stays with you. So, are we looking at Julian Crane?'
'He's always number one on my list. Though, I wonder if the woman was an accident...you know, in the wrong place at the wrong time?'
Luis shrugged. His phone rang on his desk. He walked over to it and picked it up.
'Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald.'
Sam looked away from Luis, mulling this whole thing through. What would Julian's rationale be for pulling something like this? After all, not only was he probably the one responsible for shattering T.C.'s dreams of becoming a professional tennis player, but now T.C. may lose his eye, no thanks to Crane! One would think Crane had had enough trouble. Especially after that crap he pulled on Ivy at his house!
Luis hung up and hurried over to him.
'That was Simone. She said the other woman in her father's hospital room today, introduced herself as Eve's step-mother.'
'I thought...yeah...I guess if Liz was Eve's sister, and none of us knew it, why would it be surprise that she had a step-mother?'
'Yeah, Sam, but this woman isn't just any little step-mom. This woman said her name was Celeste Perrault.'
Sam frowned.
'Why does that name sound familiar?'
'Because if you search our files...hell search Interpol's files, you'll find the name Celeste Perrault...right next to Stefano DiMera's!'
'Christ!' Sam hissed. 'Then T.C. wasn't the one that these guys were after! You think DiMera did this?'
Luis nodded.
'And poor T.C., not knowing anything about this woman or her association with that creep, probably tried to stop her kidnapping and ended up going along for the ride!'
Sam rubbed his jaw. Luis peered at him.
'We have to stay positive. Stefano DiMera doesn't automatically mean death.'
Sam's eyes widened.
'No, not always! Just damned near! Stefano DiMera takes this thing to a whole new level.'
'Yes, it does.'
Sam and Luis looked at the man that had said those words. Harmony FBI Director Spence Lowell showed his badge. He was accompanied by two other agents.
'We'll be taking over this investigation, Chief Bennett.' he said.
****
Pilar had just gotten off the phone with Spence, who told her he was heading to the Harmony Police Station.
She was parked outside of the DiMera mansion. This was not where she wanted to be at the moment. Right now, she wanted more details as to how T.C. and Celeste ended up kidnapped. And she wanted to know why hadn't Liz Sanbourne been any use to them at all?!
Pilar rubbed her hands together, as she watched the front entrance. The gate had been left open, probably to allow all of the other vehicles access. There were more than a few vans in the drive. One read Smiley's Catering. It looked as if things were really moving forward with the barbecue.
Her mind went back to T.C....and Simone and Whitney. DiMera had to be behind this. And if DiMera had had her Martin somewhere all of these years, how long would it be before Simone or Whitney saw their father again? But why kidnap T.C.? Unless he got in the way or something? As a matter of fact, why kidnap Celeste? If DiMera wanted to get in contact with her, kidnapping her was a very public, and attention raising way, to accomplish his task. Something wasn't right.
Pilar had managed to snag an appointment for an interview with Lexie Carver, who was Tony DiMera's sister, and Celeste Perrault's daughter. Pilar wondered if Lexie knew her mother had been kidnapped by her father?
She took a deep breath and got out of her car. She felt as if she was walking into the lion's den or something. She had dressed simply, without make-up and had put her hair in a pony-tail. The FBI had come up with references for her, since Pilar did not want it known she used to work for the Cranes, in case the connection between Alistair and Stefano was known to either Tony or Lexie.
Pilar walked up to the front door and rang the bell. A maid answered.
'Yes?'
'I'm here to see Lexie Carver. I have an interview with her.'
The maid nodded and stepped aside. Pilar walked in. She noticed how dark the decor was. Somehow, it fit Stefano DiMera.
'Wait here please.' the maid said, and walked off. Pilar continued to look around, her back to the stairs. She did not see Eve come down them, with little Theo in her arms, and disappear down another hallway.
****
Eve walked into the library and handed Theo to his father. Abe smiled at her, secretly entranced with Eve's gorgeous complexion. Eve did not notice, but smiled back.
'Lexie and you are so lucky.' she sighed. 'He is just so precious!'
'That he is.' Abe said, holding on to Theo tightly. 'That's why I don't like him spending so much time in this house.'
Eve looked confused.
'Why?' she asked.
Abe inwardly sighed. Why poison this woman's mind against Tony? Yet, Abe couldn't help but wonder if Eve had any idea of the DiMera reputation, and just how bad it was?
'Let's just say that Tony and I aren't exactly close.' Abe answered.
'You know, I find that hard to believe. You are both handsome, strong men. Both very sensitive. Both good fathers. Surely, you can find some common ground?'
Abe shook his head. Eve was an eternal optimist. That probably meant she was completely unaware that she was living with a criminal!
But Abe decided it was better to say nothing. He got the impression that Lexie really wanted this relationship to go somewhere. And he did not want to be accused of getting in the way of true love, even if he did not believe Tony DiMera was capable of such!
'Tell me, Eve, how did Tony and you meet? You're not from around here, are you?'
'Actually, that is quite tale. You see I....'
'There you are, darling!' Tony exclaimed, realizing how lucky he was that he dropped in when he did. He had just gotten off of the phone with the men he had ordered to pick up Celeste. Apparently, plans had gone awry and another hostage was taken.
Tony had not been thrilled to hear this, until he heard that the other hostage was T.C. Russell, Eve's husband. Then, the plans changed. He now just hoped he could cover in front of Alexandra.
Eve turned and smiled at Tony. He pulled her into his arms.
'So, what have Abe and you been talking about?' he asked, his tone light.
'Actually, Tony, I was asking Eve here how you met.' Abe answered, thinking his brother-in-law's entrance in the room was a bit too convenient.
'Well, the time to learn that information will be tomorrow.' Tony answered, his teeth clenched.
'Why? I mean it's a simple question. I know Eve isn't from around here. I'm just wondering how the two of you hooked up? Is there anything wrong with that?'
Eve didn't like the underlying hostility she sensed between the two men. She wriggled out of Tony's arms. She then reached out for Theo.
'Why don't I take Theo to Lexie?' Eve suggested. She didn't think the baby should be subjected to this kind of animosity.
'Well, Alexandra is still interviewing help for tomorrow, but why don't you take my nephew out for a stroll in the gardens? Would you like that Theo?' Tony asked, resting a hand on the baby's head.
Theo smiled. Eve smiled at him as well. She then looked at Abe.
'I'll be out in the gardens when you're done.' she said, and left the room with Theo. Tony waited until she cleared the room, before turning to Abe.
'What the hell was that? Interrogating Eve like she was one of your suspects!'
Abe sucked in a breath. Tony was just a little too damned defensive, about a very simple question he had been about to put forth to Eve. Something was not right here.
'You know, DiMera, the more you make out of my asking Eve questions, the more I think you have something to hide. So tell me: how did Eve and you meet?'
Tony walked up to him.
'I don't like what you're insinuating!'
Abe's eyes widened!
'Good lord, Tony! If you can't answer a simple question like that about this woman, then why are you even bothering with this barbecue?'
'I didn't like your tone!' Tony sniffed. 'It doesn't sound like a simple question when it comes from your lips! And I'll tell you something else: I overheard you badmouthing me to Eve! If you can't support my love for her, then maybe you shouldn't bother coming tomorrow!'
Abe just stared at him. Now he knew for damned sure something was fishy! He had been dealing with DiMera's too long not to smell trouble!
'You're serious?' Abe asked, looking him up and down.
'You bet I'm serious!'
'And what do you plan to tell my wife? Huh, Tony? You're going to tell her that I asked a couple of normal questions and you freaked out? No, of course not! Since that's the truth and you wouldn't know it if it hit you in the face!'
'Get out of here! And don't show your face here tomorrow! I'll deal with my sister!'
'No, I'll deal with my wife! And I'm telling you right now, she won't stand for it!'
'Yes, well, we'll see, won't we?' Tony asked glibly, before turning and leaving the room. Abe stared after him for the longest while. He then replayed their argument in his head.
The whole thing started because of that question Tony overheard him asking Eve. How did the two of them meet? Abe shook his head. What was it Eve had begun to say? Something about it being a 'strange tale'? Why?
Tony DiMera had not wanted Eve to finish her sentence. That was why he suddenly made his presence known just now. Abe decided to find Eve and ask her the same question again.
****
'Well, Pilar, your references are impeccable. I don't see any harm in hiring you right on the spot!'
'Oh, thank you, Mrs. Carver!' Pilar cried, overly enthusiastic for effect. She shook the woman's hand vigorously. Lexie pulled her hand away quickly.
'Well, Pilar, you'll begin tomorrow morning at nine. We'll need you to help set up and cook.'
Pilar nodded and stood up.
'Nine o'clock it is! Thank you again!'
Lexie smiled at Pilar. The woman seemed a bit overly grateful. She really must need the work, Lexie thought.
Tony walked into the room just then. Pilar pretended as if she had never seen his face in any of the FBI files.
'Oh, hello.' he said, his eyes sweeping over Pilar casually, before settling on his sister.
Pilar nodded. Lexie looked at him.
'Did Abe pick up Theo yet?'
'Uh, yes, he's around here somewhere. Alexandra, there is something I need to talk to you about. In private.'
Lexie nodded, looking concerned. She then turned back to Pilar, who waved a hand to her.
'I'll show myself out.' she answered. Lexie nodded and thanked her. Then she and Tony left the room. Pilar did not leave though.
Tony must be telling Lexie about Celeste, Pilar thought, looking around the room. She had to come up with a way to stay in this household, after the barbecue. But how?
Pilar casually glanced over some pictures on a desk. Her eyes then moved to a set of glass doors that lead to the garden. Something she saw out there made her suck in her breath!
Pilar moved closer to the doors, then opened one, completely forgetting where she was. There was a woman standing outside holding a baby. The woman...the woman was Eve Russell! Pilar would swear on her life that it was Eve!'
'Eve!' she gasped, and started to step outside to move towards her. It was then that a sharp pain to the back of her head, caused her to lose consciousness.
****
Tony had settled Lexie in the library to tell her about Celeste, when Lexie remembered she had forgotten her purse in the drawing room. She then told her brother that while she was sure Pilar was a nice enough woman, she didn't trust her alone with her purse!
Alexandra would never know that her small request to go back and retrieve her handbag, was the equivalent of divine intervention. When Tony walked back into the drawing room, his sister's purse was the last thing he noticed.
He saw Pilar, standing by the doors that lead out to the garden. He then heard her cry out Eve's name, and knew instinctively, that the hired help was trouble, Tony's eyes then focused in on a very valuable statue Stefano had once given him. He moved stealthily, hey quickly, picking up the statue, hurrying up behind Pilar, then whacking her across the back of her head with it!
As she fell, Tony caught her, dragging her over to the couch. He then hurried over to the doors of the drawing room inside the house, closing them and locking them. He then did the same for the garden doors.
Tony then took a deep breath. He knew a place to store the servant woman, until he could call in reinforcements to get rid of her.
****
Abe walked down the garden path and saw Eve swinging Theo up in the air. She did not appear to see him.
It was as he was walking towards her, that Abe witnessed something disturbing. His eyes caught some sort of strange movement behind Eve, back towards the house. A woman was staring at Eve's back. She then seemed to drop!
Has the woman had an attack of some sorts? Abe stopped moving towards Eve and cut through some shrubbery towards the side garden doors. He didn't want to alarm Eve or the baby with what was happening.
When Abe reached the garden doors and peeked inside, he saw the woman lying on the couch in the drawing room. Tony was on the phone and the doors to the library from the inside were closed. Abe squinted. In Tony's other hand, was a statue.
Had DiMera konked that woman over the head with that??? Why??? Abe turned away from the window. His eyes were on Eve, as she began to talk to Theo, her back still to him.
That woman had been looking at Eve, then Tony knocks her out and drags her back inside the house. Eve was the key! That woman recognized Eve. She recognized her. So what?!
Abe took a deep breath, remembering how he himself hadn't known anything about Eve, until that day he accidentally happened by. That night, at dinner with John and Marlena, it had been in his gut that DiMera was hiding the woman, not just shy about showing her off to the community. But Lexie had soothed his fears.
Was it possible Eve was some sort of criminal? Maybe that's how she knew Tony?! But Lexie would've told him if there was anything shady about her, anything he should know, wouldn't she have?
Lexie. God, Abe hoped she hadn't lied to him again! Abe slipped away from the house. He needed to get back inside and find his wife! He cursed himself when he realized he left his cell, and gun, in his car. But why would he have thought he would've needed it? After all, he was just picking up his son from his uncle's house! Abe took another angry breath. This was one of those moments when you never, ever forgot that you when you were dealing with the DiMera's, you were dealing with evil!
Abe decided to get to his car first, call for back up, then get to Lexie.
****
Lexie began to pace around the library. What was taking Tony so long? And what was it that he had to tell her?
Her thoughts then jumped from Tony to Celeste. Lexie was unnerved by her last conversation she had had with her mother. Celeste had said that if Eve's family wasn't missing her or needing her, she would leave well enough alone.
But how could that ever be? Of course Eve's family missed her! Lexie closed her eyes briefly and rubbed the back of her neck. Tony was just going to have to fess up to Eve. For she had no doubt that Celeste was going to return to Salem with Eve's husband and children in tow.
Lexie's eyes opened when she heard a car door slam. She walked over to a window and parted a curtain. Pilar had been the last bit of help Lexie had hired for the barbecue tomorrow. Who else was Tony expecting?
But when Lexie peered out of the window, she saw Abe at his car. He was pulling out his gun and checking it! Lexie hurried from the library, walked down the hallway, and only briefly noticed that the doors to the drawing room were closed. Why? Was Tony in there with someone? She wondered if he had caught Pilar stealing her purse!
Lexie turned though, towards the front door and threw it open, hurrying towards the drive. Abe saw her. He was clutching his weapon.
'Abe? Do you have to work?'
Abe glared at her.
'Yeah, Lex, I do. You see, your brother attacked some woman in the house there. I was just getting ready to call for back up.'
Lexie's mouth dropped open!
'Honey, this is a mistake! I'm sure Tony didn't 'attack' anyone!'
Abe grabbed her by the shoulders!
'Lexie, I want you to stop blindly taking that man's side and listen to me!'
'Abe you're hurting me! I'm not taking sides I...'
'SHUT-UP for a moment and listen to me! The woman he attacked was looking at Eve in the garden. That is why Tony attacked her. Now you're going to tell me right here and now, what you know about this Eve Lincoln woman!'
Lexie wriggled out of her husband's grasp, feeling very frightened! From the damned start, she knew what Tony was doing to Eve was a bad idea! But no! Tony said he had it under control! And he and Eve had seemed genuinely happy.
Lexie looked down. She then turned away from him.
'Abe, I didn't want to keep this from you, but it did seem harmless.'
'Harmless? Oh I can't wait to hear this!' Abe hissed, watching her back.
Lexie knew this deception could very well mean the end of her marriage. But Abe seemed so sure that something was wrong, that no lie, even if it was one to cover for her brother, would pacify her husband.
'Tony found Eve...she had had an accident. She has amnesia and remembers nothing. Abe, Tony is in love with her and just wants a chance, that's all. He's been alone for so long and we don't know that someone didn't cause Eve's accident and...Abe...'
Lexie turned back around and gasped loudly! Two men, that she could only describe as thugs, were behind Abe. One had already chloroformed him. The other was advancing on her!
Lexie screamed and turned, only to run straight into Tony!
'Tony! What the hell is this?!' she screamed. Tony held her tightly, putting both hands on each of her arms.
'Alexandra, I need for you to listen to me now. Calm down.'
Lexie nodded, her breath shaky. She turned her head to look at Abe, who was being dragged into a car with black tinted windows. She then looked at her brother again.
'Tony, listen to me! It's over! Abe knows about Eve!'
Tony's grip loosened on her arms.
'I know. I actually saw him skulking through the bushes outside of the drawing room. Really Alexandra, how he ever advanced in rank, boggles the mind!'
Lexie put a hand on Tony's face.
'Tony, Abe says that you hurt some woman in there?'
'The help that you hired. She recognized Eve as well. I looked through her purse and found an FBI badge.'
'Good lord! Tony, it's over! Just tell Eve the truth and maybe Abe can help you with what you've done...it's over.'
Tony removed her hand from his face.
'I love you, you know that, don't you?'
Lexie looked confused, but she nodded slowly.
'Good. Now, I'm going to tell you this: either you are with me or against me. If you're against me, Alexandra, then you will join your husband, Pilar back in there, Celeste and Eve's husband, on a very long journey. If you're with me, then you will walk inside the house and forget you saw any of this.'
Lexie began to shake! Celeste? Tony had done something to Celeste?! And Eve's Husband?!
'Tony, Abe is my husband...Theo's father I can't let this go... I...'
Tony nodded quickly towards thug # 2. He came up behind Lexie quickly and covered her nose and mouth with a cloth. She soon fell limp into his arms.
'Take them away.' Tony said, looking down at Lexie with deep regret. He touched her face.
'Eve and I will raise Theo right, I promise.' he whispered to her unconscious form. He then nodded towards thug#2, who picked Lexie up, walked over to the car and dumped her in the backseat as well.
Tony then looked at thug#1
'There's another one in the house. Go and get her, then take her away in her car.'
****
Inside the DiMera mansion, in Tony's bedroom, an answering machine kicked in.
'Mr. DiMera, it's Dr. Case. You have been ignoring my calls for months now, but I can't stress enough how vital it is that you begin treatment immediately. Your illness has returned and without proper care, will kill you this time. Call me back so we can set up a time to begin treatment. My number is.....
****
Eve walked back inside the house, sometime later, wondering what was keeping Abe and Tony for so long. She hoped they weren't still fighting.
Not that she minded the time she spent with her precious Theo. Eve shook that notion out of her head. He was not her baby, he was Lexie's.
The house seemed quiet, and she wondered where everyone was. She looked at Theo.
'Where has everyone gone, honey? Hey? Let's look out here.' she suggested, getting a smile from Theo in return.
Before Eve could touch the doorknob, a harried looking Tony came back in. He stopped short, then smiled at them both.
'Eve darling, where have you been?'
Eve raised a brow.
'I should be asking you that. I waited for Abe to come for Theo...where is he? Is Lexie still around?'
Tony touched Theo's little hand briefly, before giving Eve a pained look. She, in turn, looked panicked.
'Tony, what is it?'
'Abe got an emergency call. There's been a sudden death in his family.'
Eve gasped!
'Oh...I'm so sorry.'
'Yes, darling, I know you are. Lexie asked if we would keep Theo, just for a short time.'
'Of course! Have they left already?' Eve asked, peering around him through the still open door. She saw nothing in the drive.
Tony nodded, blocking her way.
'Yes, they did have to leave immediately. Listen, you do still want to put on the barbecue, don't you?'
Eve's eyes widened, and she looked at Theo, who was already staring at her.
'Well, yes, I mean I know you sent out invitations. I guess I was hoping Lexie, and even Celeste would be here, you know, for support.'
Tony smiled, pulling her closer to him. Theo looked over at Tony.
'What support? Everyone is going to love you!'
Eve smiled.
'I hope so. I really do.'
'They will.' Tony said firmly. He then kissed her. Theo put his hands in Tony's hair. Tony pulled away and smiled at him. Eve laughed.
'I'm going to put him down. I'll be right back.' Eve said, marveling at how natural her mothering instincts were. And she had never had a child!
Tony watched her as she walked upstairs with the baby. Yes, Eve would be a good mother to Theo. He quickly shoved any guilt he felt about Alexandra, to the back recesses of his mind.
****
HIGHWAY
Julian was sitting in the back of his limo, on the phone with a top-notch realtor in Salem.
'I want to move in tonight. I don't need to look it over. I should be there in two hours. Meet me at the gate.' Julian then hung up.
Within hours, he had purchased the property behind DiMera's. It used to belong to the Alamain family, formerly Lawrence, then his aunt, Vivian. It was now his. As soon Eve would be again.
He eyed the back of the limo driver's head, then looked at the speedometer. He was doing 65 mph. Julian would've preferred he do 90!
His private eye had called him awhile ago and told him of the events he had witnessed. He told Julian of the men that had kidnapped Celeste Perrault and took T.C. Russell as well, when he tried to help her.
Julian used his police sources to find out that the FBI had already taken over the investigation, because they were sure Stefano DiMera was involved. Julian rubbed the back of his neck. He suspected it was a DiMera, but not Stefano.
Liz had uttered some nonsense about the FBI thinking that Stefano was going to contact Celeste sometime in the near future. Kidnapping, while it was 'contact', would've drawn too much attention to Stefano. Tony, on the other hand, had more to lose.
Julian mulled over his father's words. Eve had amnesia. That meant Tony was taking advantage of her memory loss. Celeste probably knew this, and maybe came here to tell T.C. the truth. Tony found out her plans and had her stopped.
Julian sighed, restless. Whatever happened, Tony DiMera was dangerous. And it probably wouldn't be long before he showed his dark side to Eve. He prayed he was not too late.
Julian picked up his cell again, eyeing an invitation he had managed through unsavory sources, to snag. It was to the DiMera barbecue tomorrow afternoon.
Julian dialed a number. Fox answered.
'Fox Crane.
'Fox? It's your father. You were right. Your Grandfather is alive and well.'
'Oh, great!'
'Listen to me son: he has offered us a deal. I still don't trust that he'll keep his end of the bargain, but it's all we have for now. Until I figure something else out.'
'What do you mean, 'a deal'? What, he's not going to turn you in?'
Julian rolled his eyes.
'Believe me, that was never one of my fears. That's not your grandfather's style. To make a long story short. Whitney's mother is alive.'
There was a brief silence.
'Fox? Are you still there?'
'Father, please don't tell me you know this because Grandfather told you? Because we all know how he operates.'
'I can't get into the details, but things have happened that have given me cause to believe that your Grandfather is indeed telling the truth.'
Fox sighed on his end.
'Alright, well shouldn't I tell Whitney?'
'Listen to me: Eve has been kidnapped by the DiMera's.'
'The DiMera's? Who are they?'
'Christ, Fox! Do you ever read a newspaper or a book or anything?!'
'Hey! Don't go off on me! I don't know who the DiMera's are, okay?'
'Just know that they are dangerous. Not only does one of them have Eve, but just today, this same person may have had T.C. kidnapped as well.'
'Oh, God!'
'Fox, I want you to be happy with Whitney. But, your Grandfather has given us a deadline of a month. If we can both get Whitney and Eve, to agree to marry us, AGREE, then Alistair will leave us in peace, and not disinherit us.'
Fox paused for a moment before speaking again.
'If Whitney knew about her father then she'll want to go back home. Her worrying about him wouldn't leave much time for me.' Fox said.
'It might even push her back into Chad Harris's arms.' Julian warned him.
'Okay. I'm going to do whatever I have to do on my end. But what about you? If this guy that has Whitney's mother is a psycho, how are you going to save her? And even if you do, I don't think you'll be able to ditch Rebecca that easily.'
'Leave that to me. Just get an engagement ring on Whitney's finger. I'll keep in touch.'
'Good luck, Father.'
'Good luck, my boy.' Julian answered, hanging up. He had not told his son that Alistair had already picked out his future bride. There was no need in giving the boy a heart attack, just yet. He then closed his eyes and leaned back against the seat. It was beginning to rain.
****
BERMUDA
Fox hung up and shook his head. God! Things were really screwed up!
He would have to keep Whitney away from the news and newspapers, that was for sure! He was sitting in the hotel lounge, when Whitney came up behind him, dressed in a black, evening gown. She covered his eyes with her hands.
'Guess who?'
Fox smiled. Then removed her hands. He looked her up and down.
'You look beautiful.'
Whitney twirled around.
'Why thank you, kind sir. So, tell me when I'm finally going to get this surprise you've been hinting at all day?'
Fox stood up from his chair, put his hands on her shoulders, and turned her, so she was facing the stage.
'Right now. You see that microphone? The floor is all yours.'
Whitney turned to look back at him. She was clearly shocked.
'Fox! I can't go up there! In front of all of these people! Fox...really, they're waiting for real entertainment!
'You are real entertainment! What are you talking about? Go on now! Go on!'
Fox pushed Whitney up towards the front of the lounge. She stepped up onto the stage, as someone announced her name. It was at that moment, that Fox's cell rang.
Fox walked off into a dark corner, just as Whitney began to sing Luther Vandross's 'A House Is Not A Home'.
'A chair is still a chair, even when there's no one sittin' there...'
'Father?' Fox asked, looking up at Whitney.
'No, Fox. It's your Grandfather.'
Fox took an angry, deep breath. All he wanted to do is enjoy Whitney, but now, he had to deal with this crap! Fox walked out of the lounge and sat in a chair in the hallway.
'What do you want?' he asked.
'I just wondered if your father told you about the nice girl I want you to meet?'
Fox shook his head.
'What the hell are you talking about?'
'Ah, just as I suspected. Let me tell you the one thing your father forgot to. If you fail with Whitney, you are to marry the woman of MY choosing, do we understand one another?'
Fox hung up! Christ! Why hadn't his father succeded in killing Alistair?!
Fox decided to put the phone call behind him. He also decided he wasn't going to answer anymore calls from Alistair. They would just derail his plans. He walked back into the lounge. Whitney was just finishing up the song. Damn!
'Still in love with me, yeah....yeah...' Whitney sang. Then she finished and took a bow. The room was thunderous with applause. A few people stood.
Whitney took another bow, then looked out into the crowd, her eyes seeking out Fox's. She made her way off of the stage, stopping to accept praise from a few tables, before meeting up with Fox.
'That was an incredible surprise. Thank you.' she said, moving to kiss him on the cheek. Fox turned his face so that Whitney ended up kissing him on the mouth. She pulled away, startled at first. She then pulled him to her and kissed him again, with plenty of tongue!
Fox threw his arms around her, savoring the moment. They did not hear the applause from the onlookers.
****
Pilar was the first to wake up. Her vision was foggy at first, then it kicked in sharply. She sat up quickly, and was instantly dizzy! The back of her head hurt too.
'Easy.' a soft voice said. She looked over and saw a Black man, that she recognized as Abe Carver, sitting next to her. He had on a parachute. Lexie Carver was next to him as well, wearing a parachute, and just waking up.
The sight of Lexie caused Pilar to try and stand!
'I'm FBI!' Pilar croaked. 'Where are we?'
Abe stood as well.
'On some sort of airplane, going God knows where. I just woke up myself.'
'Why is your wife here?' Pilar asked, shocked that DiMera would go to these lengths.'
Abe looked over at her. He didn't try and assist her.
'We are all here because she lied to me...again!'
Lexie focused and tried to stand.
'Abe? Where are we?'
Abe didn't answer. Pilar didn't have time to get in the middle of a family brouhaha.
'DiMera hit me over the head because I recognized someone I knew at the house.'
Abe looked at her.
'Eve?'
'Yeah, Dr. Eve Russell? What's happened to her? Her family thinks she's dead!'
Abe turned and gave Lexie a filthy look. Lexie looked away in shame.
'Are one of you you going to answer me! I asked you...'
Another door opened, and two men wearing Jerry Springer masks, entered the cargo hold. One of them had a gun. The other, moved past the three of them, and opened the door to the plane.
'Oh, you've got to be kidding!' Pilar cried out, clearly not ready for this step.
'We've been given parachutes,' Abe replied. 'So I guess DiMera's intention isn't murder.'
But Lexie was freaked! How could Tony to this to her??? And how could he rip her away from her baby?!
The other Jerry Springer, without the gun, reached for Lexie, and began shoving her towards the door. Lexie screamed, kicking and dragging her heels. Abe tried to interfere. The other Jerry Springer, moved away from the door and cocked the gun. Abe pulled on Lexie's arm.
'Honey, we have no choice. Just hold my hand. It will be alright.'
Lexie stopped struggling and looked from Abe to Pilar. Pilar nodded, then walked over to them as well.
'He's right, Lexie. We have no choice.'
Lexie nodded miserably, then took Abe's hand. Abe then looked at Pilar. Pilar smiled weakly, then took his other hand. Together, the three of them moved to edge, prodded on by the Jerry Springer with the gun. A moment later, the three of them were one with the wind.
