Ch.5
"Any luck?"
Teresa climbed out of the vents after 20 minutes of searching.
"Nothing," she said defeated. "It's all dead ends."
She wiped the dust off her dress.
"So…anybody have a new plan?"
Suddenly, a loud voiced boomed from behind them.
"There'll be no need for a new plan."
Everyone turned around.
"Alistair!"
The old man walked in, cigar in on hand, scotch in the other.
"My dear Teresa…you seem to have ruined your dress." He said with a laugh.
"You bastard," Luis said. " What is all this? Huh? What are you planning on doing?"
"Easy Luis," he said putting his hands up. "I'm only here to spice this party up a little."
"You mean by killing us?" Fox asked.
"ME? Kill you? As much fun as that sounds, I don't think there will be a need for me to do it…once I share what I've come to share with everyone, you all will do the killings yourself."
"What are you talking about?"
"I've gathered you all here today..."
"You mean trapped us all here today," Teresa interrupted.
He laughed.
"Ok…trapped you all here today, because I think it's time that the air be cleared between you all…"
"Grandfather, does this little soliloquy of yours have a point?" Fox asked.
"Don't interrupt me Nicholas…it's rude."
"Sorry," he whispered, putting his hands up.
"As I was saying…basically what it boils down to is that I've come to tell your secrets."
"Father, this is ridiculous," Julian said. "You've created all this drama, all this panic, just for a little secret sharing?"
"And you're not going to kill us?" Sam asked in disbelief.
"Why would I? This is much more fun."
He lit his cigar.
"Where do I begin?" he pondered, stroking his cheek.
"How bout I start with my dear son Julian…he's got many secrets."
"Father, I have no idea what you're talking about…"
'Oh really?" He said sarcastically. "You mean to tell me you have no idea about having an affair with one of Harmony's finest citizens? Someone who is highly respected and looked up to…and who also happens to be present at this party."
Julian grew pale.
"What?"
"You heard me…I know all about your little fling…and I think its time all of harmony did as well…these after all are your friends and family…they should know the truth."
"What is he talking about?" Fox whispered into Teresa's ear.
"I have no idea."
"So go ahead Julian…why don't you share with us who this mystery woman of yours is…or I will."
He wiped the sweat from his head.
"Don't make me do this Father…"
"You did this to yourself," he said coldly… "This is the price you pay for keeping secrets."
Julian tried to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat.
"So who is it Julian?"
He looked over out of the corner of his eyes at her. The love of his life.
Eve.
She was crying, her eyes shut tight, trying to block out what was happening.
"I wont do it," Julian said quietly.
"You don't need too," Alistair replied. "It's easy to see who it is…" his gaze drifted to her.
Everyone's eyes followed to a guilt stricken Eve.
"Honey, what is he talking about?" TC asked.
She tried to speak, but all that came out were loud sobs.
"I'm so sorry TC…" she collapsed to the ground.
"Oh my god," Whitney whispered, her hand flying to her mouth. "I knew it."
"Eve…don't tell me this is true," TC said enraged.
She didn't say anything.
"TC…" Julian said walking towards him.
"You son of a bitch! I'll kill you!" he lunged for him, knocking him to the ground with his fists.
"TC, Stop it!" The men tried to pull them apart.
Teresa tried to console a hysterical Whitney.
Grace and the others were trying to help Eve.
Alistair stood back and watched in amazement.
"This is even better than I had hoped."
He took a puff of his cigar.
"If only they knew the other secrets I'm about to spill…"
Teresa looked over at him, laughing at the fight going on.
She charged at him.
"You bastard!" She yelled slapping him. "Do you think this is some kind of game? Ruining people's lives like this?"
He put his hand to his cheek, laughing to hide the stinging pain that had begun.
"Teresa, I never knew you liked it so rough…" he tried to stroke her cheek. She slapped his hand away.
"Don't touch me. I don't know why you're doing this, but you need to stop. This isn't funny…ruining peoples lives, their reputations…"
"I didn't do anything to these people…they did it all themselves…I'm simply sharing the details."
"But why? What can you possibly gain from all of this?"
He looked at her.
"This is simply for my enjoyment…if someone gets hurt along the way, it's just one less problem for me to deal with."
She scoffed.
"You are one sick, twisted son of a bitch, you know that Alistair?"
"So I've been told."
She glared at him, and then turned around to go back to her friend.
"You know Miss Lopez-Fitzgerald…now that we're face to face, I do have a matter of business to discuss with you…"
She stopped and turned back around.
"Business?"
"Yes. I have something in my possession that I think would make you a very happy girl."
She was confused.
"What are you talking about?"
He smiled.
"All in good time my dear…"