Chapter 15: Building an Army
Kay and Jessica walked down "Hotel Alley," the street where most of Harmony's hotels were centered around. They were trying to find where their great-uncle was staying. Jessica led the way to "Harmony Grand," the newest and most luxurious hotel in town. "Only the best for the most powerful man on earth," Jessica said. "He wouldn't want to stay in anything less." Kay outwardly agreed with her sister, but inwardly had her doubts. Would Alistair do something completely predictable when he knew they were looking for him? Wouldn't he stay at a lower hotel, where they wouldn't be able to find him? Or did he want them to think that way while he stayed in the upper crust of Harmony's society?
Kay shook her head, figuring that she was using too much of her psychology on herself. She and Jessica entered into the Harmony Grand, and approached the concierge. "Excuse me sir, but we are looking for someone," Jessica said. "Who exactly are you looking for?" the concierge asked the woman. "We are wondering if one Alistair Standish is currently check in here," Jessica asked. Kay wanted to hit her sister, because Alistair was not going to use his real name. "No, we don't have any Alistair Standish. We do have about ten Standishes residing on the tenth floor, though," the concierge said. "Ten people or ten families?" Kay asked. "Ten families," the concierge replied. "Why do you ask?" the concierge inquired. "We are family members of the Standishes. We wanted to come see them. When did they check in?" Jessica asked. "About an hour ago," the concierge replied. "Would you like me to announce your presence?" Kay shook her head. "We are really from the 'black sheep' side of the family. I don't think our presence so early in their trip to Harmony would be advised," Kay explained. "Ah, family problems, I see. I won't announce you. Would you like me to let them know you stopped by?" the concierge asked. "No, thanks. We don't want to upset them," Jessica said. The concierge nodded.
Kay and Jessica left the Harmony Grand. "One of them has to know where Alistair is. But they won't tell us. They'd probably kill us on sight," Jessica said. Kay nodded, deep in thought. "I think I know how they'll tell us where Alistair is, though," Kay responded. "How?" Jessica asked. "A police raid?" Kay shook her head. "No. They know Daddy is a police officer. They would expect it. We have to be more sneaky," Kay explained. "Like climbing up the Harmony Grand late at night and reading their minds in their sleep sneaky?" Jessica asked, with a devious look in her eye. "Jess!" her sister scolded. "As fun as that sounds, it would be too risky. Especially if they know when their minds are being intruded on," Kay said. She learned when Jessica was probing her mind for answers, and if she didn't want any of her private thoughts to be known to her sister, she could block Jessica. "Then what do you have in mind, Kay?" Jess asked. "Remember when we went to Wellsport?" Kay asked. Jess nodded. "I've kept in touch with Lindsay and Ben," Kay explained. "The two journalists that helped us rescue Miguel?" Jessica asked. Kay nodded. "I think I see what you are thinking," Jess said.
Two days later, Lindsay and Ben were sitting in Kay and Vincent's living room. Miguel, Alyssa, Theresa, Ethan, Sam, Ivy, Jessica and Reese were all there. "So, you want us to pretend we are doing an interview with the famous Standishes, who helped further Massachusetts, but forgotten from the history books?" Lindsay asked. "Exactly," Vincent said. "In the process, you also want us to draw out where Alistair Standish is staying while here in Harmony," Ben said. "Precisely," Kay replied. "Alright," the two chorused. The little group smiled at the two journalists. Not much was told to Lindsay and Ben, since the group figured that ignorance was very blissful. Tabitha also sent Kay a warning. The witch feared leaving her house, for she knew the Standishes would recognize her from the 17th century and as the last surviving member of the original group of witches and wizards determined to usurp the Standishes. Tabitha warned that the journalists be careful, else the Standishes get suspicious and act before either party is ready to act.
The next day, Lindsay and Ben returned from their interview. "Talk about self-involved people," Lindsay commented. "Don't I know it," Paige said, who was finally out of the hospital. She sat with one of her twins in her arms, Noah holding the other one. Lindsay smiled at Paige, who gave her a wink. "They say they are in town for a business convention, but it looks more like a family reunion," Ben stated. "They say that everyone is spread out so that they don't take up the entire hotel and that they give each one of Harmony's hotels business," Lindsay read off her notepad. "What about Alistair? Did they tell you where Alistair is?" Jessica asked. Lindsay held up a finger. "I asked them about Alistair Standish," Lindsay said. "They told us that he is their patriarch and CEO of their corporation." Ben nodded. "But he isn't staying in Harmony. This convention is supposedly in Augusta and that's where Alistair is staying," he said.
The faces fell. "What, is this guy important?" Ben asked. "Let's just say that he is a very powerful man, and we are the black sheep of his family," Kay said. "Then you would be happy that he is no where near you," Lindsay said. "Alright, then let's say that we are the black sheep because we are the decent members of the family," Jessica said. "I can see that," Ben replied. "Is this guy evil?" Lindsay asked. The people in the room slowly started to nod. "Alrighty then," Lindsay said, running a hand through her hand. "How about I do some extended research and find Alistair for you?" she offered. "You would?" Hank asked. "We would?" Ben chorused. "Yes," Lindsay replied, "we would. I'll be in touch with you. Come on, Benny boy!" Lindsay turned and left. "Linz, Lindsay! I never agreed to that. And don't call me 'Benny boy!'" Ben said as he left.
Two days later, Simone knocked on Kay's door. "Come in!" Kay called. "I'm sorry to interrupt your session," Simone said. "Oh posh, Simone, it's only me," Ethan replied. The man had stopped by to talk with his half-sister and wait for Theresa to show up. Simone smiled and said, "Lindsay is on the phone." Kay thanked Simone and picked up. "What do you know?" she asked. "He's staying in a hotel outside of Augusta, about twenty minutes from Harmony. It's called the Standish Inn, and I believe some family members own it," Lindsay said. "Thanks," Kay replied.
Jessica rang her doorbell late that night, and Kay was surprised to see a whole family behind her. "This is Gregory Standish, his wife Lora, their daughter Katy and their son Joshua," Jessica said, introducing the family. "They are distant family members of ours. Black sheep like us." Kay offered these new Standishes something to eat and drink. "We heard you were going up against Alistair. We want to help," Lora said, when Kay handed her a bowl of soup. They were soaking wet, so Vincent wrapped them in towels. "Especially after what he did to us," Joshua said. "What happened?" Theresa asked. "Showed up at our inn, just outside of Augusta and demanded that we give him room. For free. We told him no, that since he hadn't shown us any kindness, we weren't going to show him kindness," Joshua explained. "And then he kicked us out of our own inn. We heard about you, through the Standish Black Sheep grapevine, and we made for Harmony," Gregory said.
"There are more black sheep?" Kay asked. "About twenty known so far," Lora said. "We stay in touch, like some big support group. After all, we are family," Katy said, after devouring her soup. "Do you know how we can contact them?" Kay asked. "Of course, why?" Lora responded. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking you're thinking?" Vincent asked his fiancée. She smiled and nodded. "We can call them, to form an army against the army of Standishes flooding Harmony!" Jessica said. "Exactly!" Kay exclaimed. "Wonderful idea! But where to put them?" Ethan asked. Lora looked over at Gregory. "Maybe Harriet would put them up," she suggested. "Harriet? Harriet who?" Kay asked. "Harriet Winsador. She's a descendant of one of the witches and wizards who tried to stop the Standishes a long time ago. She'll be willing to help," Gregory said. "We have the last witch from that group right here in Harmony. Tabitha Lennox," Jessica said. "That's wonderful. Kay, if you want the list, it's in my purse," Lora told her.
Three days later, a group of forty people were seated in Tabitha's house. There was her, Kay, Vincent, Jessica, Reese, Sam, Ivy, Ethan, Theresa, Hank, Miguel and Alyssa. Paige was there, sitting with Lora, Gregory, Katy and Josh. Then there was Beatrice Standish-Peterson with her two daughters Elizabeth and Michelle. Patrick Standish had his arms protectively around his fiancée Gina. Joseph Black and his wife Gretchen Standish-Black stood off to the side, a two year girl, Veronica, in squirming in her arms. Kayla Standish stood next to her uncle, James Standish, who raised her once her mother died. James' wife, Diana, sat with her son Kevin. Kimberly Standish sat near Kay, talking with Frank Standish. The Standish twins, Angela and Andrew, sat in a corner by themselves staring at Rebecca Di Orio, who was the disowned daughter of a Standish. Ashley Standish sat with Polly Standish, her aunt. Then the last Standish family, Kaitlyn and Leon Standish, with their two sons John and Derek.
The other ten people were descendants of the original group of witches and wizards who banded together those centuries ago to stop the Standishes. They all sat around Tabitha and Harriet. There was Jonathan Isilador, who sat with Katharine Sully. Then there was Hailie Petersen, Mike Orliz, and Rosa Vasquez. Paul O'Nell stood off alone, while eyeing Rachel Burns from across the room. Justine and David Newbranch stood next to Rachel.
Kay stood up and addressed the crowd. "We called you all here because we have a feeling we can stop the Standishes together," she said. "What makes you think we can handle them when others couldn't in the past?" Rebecca asked. "Because we can band together," Kay replied. "Strength in numbers," Rachel added. "Beauty and brains," Paul replied. "In your dreams, idiot," Rachel responded. "Not to be pessimistic, but hasn't that been their goal for centuries and have failed," Rebecca continued to argue. "Rebecca, this is no time to have any doubts," Ashley said. "Just listen," James said. "Thank you," Kay said.
"Alright, we know that there have been times where people went head to head with the Standishes. But they were normally alone, or with someone who was unable to provide them with help against the family. So we figured that if there were more people with the power to stop them stood against them, we can have a chance of finally defeating them," Kay explained. "What bonuses are there in joining?" Frank asked. "The chance to defeat the evil in this place," Kay said. "What do we give up if we don't?" Leon asked. "Your freedom," Vincent responded, standing up for his fiancée.
"So, you in or are you out?" Kay asked. "I know Tabitha, Vincent, Jessica and I are in." Theresa, Ethan, Miguel, Alyssa, Sam, and Ivy also raised their hands. Hank and Reese raised their hands after them. "I'm in," Paige said. Soon, person after person raised their hands, with Rebecca and Leon as the last ones. "I guess we really have nothing to lose," Kaitlyn Standish told her husband. "If we succeed, this is the ultimate payback for my disownment. Of course, why would I want to remain in that family?" Rebecca said. "Thanks guys. Let's start planning. I have the feeling we won't have too long," Kay said.
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A/N: Thanks for sticking through this. Am I drawing this thing out? I hope not. For any new fans of Passions, the Kay I use is based off of Deanna Wright's performance of Kay. I really haven't seen too many episodes with Heidi Mueller, but I just want to let you know. ~*Mac*~