Chapter Seven: Hurricane Erica



Erica arrived at her penthouse, still fuming over her argument with Jack. Her relationship with Jack had been a roller coaster ride. The peaks had been glorious-long nights of lovemaking, romantic dinners by candle light, fireworks on Bastille Day, two soul mates united for all eternity. But, the valleys had been horrific--brutal verbal combat that left both of them emotionally scarred, weary and painfully distant. They loved each other with such intensity that they had been able to weather almost every storm. They had survived a plane crash, several affairs, the death of Erica's mother and of Jack's brother. Each time they faced a challenge, they faced it together and emerged stronger and more in love. Through the red hot fire of her rage, however, Erica could not see her way out of the valley this time.



Erica showered and changed. She tried to focus her attention on something other than Jack. In spite of herself, she could not stop thinking about him. Her reverie was disrupted by a knock at the door. Certain that Jack had come to apologize, Erica opened the door with a smile.



"Oh, David, it's you", she said, attempting to mask her disappointment.

"Hi Erica. I hope I'm not interrupting." David replied, noting her demeanor. "I came to find out what happened with Adam."

"Come in, David. We have a lot to discuss."



David and Erica spent the next several minutes discussing her meeting with Adam. She also informed him that Lena was going to be charged with Michael's murder.



"We have got to help her" Erica said. "We have information that will exonerate her. We have to go to the police. We can't let her take the blame for this, David. Bianca would never forgive me if I let that happen. We've got to do something."



"But Erica", David reasoned, "we can't help Lena without destroying our alibi."



"Then I'll admit to my part in this mess. I'll keep you out of it."



"No, Erica, you know that won't work. We have already admitted to being at Cambias' condo together. If we destroy the alibi, we are both going down." David was growing increasingly uneasy over Erica's determination to clear Lena. "I have an idea that will allow you to clear Lena an potentially keep both you and I out of prison."



"What, what is it David. I'll do anything."



David hesitated briefly, then asked "Will you marry me?"