Chapter 33
Kendall was still asleep when Zach left. He kissed the top of Kendall's head. In order to make the connecting flight through New York City, he had to leave obscenely early. On the flight, he thought about how he should go about getting in contact with Sonny Corinthos. After Kendall had fallen asleep the night before, he tried googling the man, but all the links that popped up were articles that went on and on about his criminal antics and his sordid personal life. Eventually he found the number to the coffee business Corinthos owned, but when he called it on the way to the airport, the flunkies who answered refused to even consider letting him talk to the big man - or his partner, Jason Morgan.
When he landed in Port Charles, Zach took a taxi to the docks. He walked around for a bit, feeling conspicious. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. If he even said the name, "Sonny Corinthos," he'd probably get jumped by either a thug or a cop. Zach found himself standing in front of a diner called Kelly's. Diners were always good sources of information. There weren't many people in the diner. A woman and a little girl were sitting at a table. The woman looked like a corporate executive, and the little girl had a mass of curly hair. Zach smiled. Just like Kendall's hair. There was a petite brunette sitting at the counter, talking to the older man behind it. He sat down a few stools away from the brunette. "I'll have some coffee." The man nodded affably and poured him a cup. Zach eyes the pie sitting under a dome and toyed with the idea of having a piece.
-------------------------------
"Have a piece of pie, you are nothing but skin and bones." Opal held up a plate of pastry. Kendall smiled and shook her head. "Actually, I've had a piece, thanks." It was the grand opening of the new Glamourama. Kendall had showed up to support her mother's best friend, but she was a little bored. She felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned and saw Myrtle smiling up at her. "I hear that scrumptious Zach is back in town, and staying at your place." Kendall raised her eyebrows. "Word travels fast. Yes, he is in town, and yes, he is scrumptious." Myrtle chuckled. "I knew it was only a matter of time before you two got together." Kendall smiled. "Really? Want to tell me who's going to win at the races tomorrow? You seem to be good at long shots." Myrtle chuckled again. "My dear, in my experience, the long shots always turn out to be winners." Kendall's smile faltered a bit. "Well, don't lay down any money on us. I'm sure I'll tank the race sooner or later." Myrtle patted her arm. "You think because you and Ryan combusted twice that you can't be in a relationship. I'll let you in on a little secret. Ryan may be the Golden Boy of Pine Valley, but he doesn't know anything about how to deal with a Kane woman. Zach on the other hand….well, you saw the way he handled Erica when she was playing drunken showgirl in Las Vegas. Ryan may have brought her home to her family, but it was Zach who saved her from sliding into oblivion. Something our dear Erica would never admit to."
---------------------------------
Zach glanced over at the brunette, getting a better look at her face. Suddenly he realized that she was familiar. He smiled at her. "You're Sam McCall, aren't you?" She narrowed her eyes. "Who wants to know?" Zach held out his hand. "I'm Zach Slater, former owner of the Seasons casinos." She hesitated, then shook his hand. "I recognize you now. But how do you know who I am?" Zach grinned. "Your quest for the Dead Man's Hand made all the rounds in Las Vegas. Everyone likened you to Lara Croft." The look on her face told him that she would just as soon forget about that adventure. "So what brings you to Port Charles?" Zach decided to just come out with it. "I'm looking for Sonny Corinthos. Do you know where I can find him?"
Zach suddenly felt like he was in one of those old westerns where the hapless cowboy strolls into the saloon and dares to breathe the villain's name. Sam narrowed her eyes again. The guy behind the counter stopped wiping the counter and narrowed his eyes. The executive turned her head to look at him and narrowed her eyes. Only the little girl was oblivious. If the jukebox had been playing, it surely would have stopped. Zach glanced at the door of the diner, half expecting Corinthos to come walking in with his spurs jingling. He half-smiled at his fanciful thoughts and sipped his coffee, waiting for everyone to snap out of it.
-------------------
Kendall drove away from the Glamourama, trying hard not to think about Myrtle's words. Could she make a relationship with Zach work? Did he even want one with her? For him, it could be just great sex. Or maybe she was Rebound Woman for him. Ugh, what an awful thought. As Kendall zipped around a curve, she was startled to see a large dog galloping around in the road. She jammed on her brakes. The dog stopped, his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth. Fortunately, the brakes worked well, even with the squealing. She managed to stop before hitting him. Taking a deep breath, she prepared to open the door. Kendall paused, wondering if that was a good idea. He looked friendly, but what if he attacked her? She rummaged in her purse for the mace. She dearly hoped she wouldn't have to use it.
Kendall exited the car, and the dog immediately trotted over. Holding the mace in one hand, she stretched out the other for him to examine. He sniffed it for a moment, then nudged it. She started to pet him. "Good doggie. You are so cute." He had the coloring of a german shepherd, but the silky ears of a labrador. She noticed he had no collar. As she petted him, he sat down, then flopped over so that his belly was exposed. Kendall laughed and rubbed his tummy. "You are just a love bug, aren't you? Why are you wandering around with no collar?" She opened the back door of her car, and the dog promptly jumped in and made himself comfortable on the back seat. She called information on her cell phone and got the address to the animal shelter.
-----------------------------
Sam McCall slipped off her stool and walked to the exit, pulling a cell phone out of her pocket. The man tossed the rag he was holding in a corner and leaned on the counter. "I'm Sonny's father." Zach was taken completely aback. Struck gold on the first try. The man continued, "I know where to find him. Thing is, I don't think he wants to be found." Zach stifled a grin. "By the likes of me, eh? What if I told you that I did him a favor once, and he told me to come to him anytime I wanted one in return?" The man looked at him skeptically. "He wants you to come to him anytime, and didn't leave you a way you could reach him?" Zach sighed. "I did some housecleaning awhile back and so I no longer have his contact information."
Sam came back into the diner. "Mike, I just talked to Jason. He recognized Zach Slater's name. He's coming over right now to take care of him." Zach heard the clatter of a coffee cup and looked behind him at the executive. She was scrambling to her feet. "Come on, Kristina, it's time to go. Kiss Grampa Mike goodbye. Hurry." Sam rolled her eyes. "Relax, Alexis. I meant that Jason will come and escort Mr. Slater over to the house." Alexis seemed quite harrassed. Kristina was as calm as a lake in the summertime. She toddled over to Mike and he picked her up in a hug. Zach was enchanted by her. Miranda was cuter, of course, but right now he wanted to put Kristina in his pocket, she was so cute. If Kendall had a little girl, would she look like this?
----------------------------------
As Kendall drove to the shelter, she kept glancing in the rearview mirror. The dog was panting, but clearly in high spirits. When she reached her destination, she went inside and explained the collarless dog in her car. The volunteer took a rope and followed her to her car. The dog greeted the volunteer as jovially as he had Kendall. The guy slipped the rope around his neck, and the dog cheerfully exited the car with him. However, as they were nearing the building, the dog started to dig in his heels. He gave Kendall a pathetic look with his liquid brown eyes. Kendall bit her lip. The volunteer managed to get the dog in the building, and nodded goodbye to Kendall as he shut the door.
Kendall took a deep breath and got back into her car. She had done a good deed. The dog wasn't going to get hit by a car. Some family would come and adopt him because he was so adorable. Kendall was suddenly reminded of her promise to get Miranda a pound puppy when she was old enough. Well, it wouldn't be this dog because Miranda wasn't old enough yet. Kendall's throat started to constrict. Why was she getting choked up? There would be a perfect dog out there when it came time for Miranda to pick one. It was just that this dog was so sweet. Kendall could see that he would be great with children. To her own amazement, she burst into tears. Maybe it was getting to be that time of the month.
------------------------
Zach looked over at Sam. "I assume you were talking to Jason Morgan?" She nodded. Zach looked over at the man called Mike. Then he looked back at Sam. "This genteman here is Sonny Corinthos's father. Are you related to Sonny or Jason?" She cocked her head. "Not related. I've just slept with both of them." Nearby, Alexis gave a squeak. "Excuse me! Sonny's daughter is standing right here! Let's talk about something else!" Zach stared. This adorable angel was the daughter of a mob boss? Now he wanted to put her in his pocket and walk out the door and away from this town. He had a sneaking suspicion that her mother wanted to do the same. Sam gave Alexis a sly look. "Isn't it time for Kristina to visit her dad? Jason can take her over to the house, along with Mr. Slater." Alexis glared at her. "No, it isn't. I'm taking Kristina shopping for preschool clothes." With that, she marched out the door, her daughter in tow.
Zach remembered back to when he ranted to Maria about the depravity of the citizens of Pine Valley. He had the uncomfortable suspicion that Port Charles made Pine Valley look like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. A man walked into the diner, and Zach recognized him as Jason Morgan. Progress. The sooner he got the information he wanted, the sooner he could get back to Pine Valley and Kendall.