An hour after Zach was wheeled into surgery, Myrtle and Kendall were still sitting in the sunroom at the hospital
"Darlin' " Myrtle began " I think we have had enough small talk for a while"
"What do you mean ? " Kendall asked
" So when did he tell you ? " Myrtle asked
Kendall had a puzzled look on her face when she looked at the old woman "So when do who tell me what ?"
"Don't play games with an old woman sweetheart" Myrtle laughed "When did your husband tell you he loved you ?"
Kendall got a shocked look on her face then slowly a smile formed on her lips "How did you know ?"
" I could tell something was different about you since I got here, and it had nothing to do with the shooting at your place last night." The old woman replied
Kendall just grinned from ear to ear "He told me last night"
"Well its about damn time " Myrtle said "and I assume you told him you feel the same way"
"Yes I did " Kendall exclaimed " but how did you know that he loved me and that I loved him ?"
"Darlin', a blind man could see how the two of you felt about each other. I was beginning to worry that the two of you would let your pride stand in the way, and I would have to take drastic measures to get you two to admit how you felt"
Kendall laughed
"So, don't keep me in suspense, fill me in on all the juicy details. I want to hear everything" Myrtle said with a grin
Kendall filled Myrtle in on all the details of the previous night, even the fact that Ryan was still alive
"Ryan's alive " Myrtle stated " that no good rotten scoundrel . Does Greenlee know yet ?"
"yes, I told her last night, but she got mad at me and ran out. I am not sure if she believes me that Ryan is alive or not " Kendall answered
"Well that is a lot to take in Dear, no one wants to believe their husband would willingly let them believe they were dead. Just give her time I am sure she will come around" Myrtle replied
"Myrtle, please don't hold Zach's part in all of this against him " Kendall pleaded
"Honey, I would never do any such thing." Myrtle declared "this is Ryan's doing, plain and simple. Erica told me how she saw the tape from the hotel room that night. She told me she had never seen Ryan that way, it scared her, and Erica Kane doesn't scare easily. If Zach helped Ryan, I can understand why he did it. He was afraid for you, and quite frankly I don't blame him. There is no telling what Ryan would of done if he had stayed"
"Oh Thank You Myrtle " Kendall said as she hugged her friend "No one in this town likes Zach, he needs as many people on his side as possible"
"Well he definitely has me on his side. Zach is a good man, now if we can get him to accept that fact, I'm sure everyone else is town would see it as well" Myrtle answered
"He is a good man, isn't he Myrtle " Kendall said with a smile
"Darlin' , men don't come any better then Zach Slater, you are a very lucky woman. There is nothing that man wouldn't do for you" she said "You know, I think I have an idea"
"What kind of idea Myrtle ?" Kendall asked with a puzzled look on her face
"Well " she began "The truth about Ryan has to come out, we know that. I think I know a way we can let everyone know, and at the same time keep Zach from being everyone's punching bag"
Myrtle filled Kendall in on her idea
"You know that just might work." Kendall exclaimed "Let me make a phone call "
Kendall pulled out her cell phone and made a call
"Ok Myrtle" she began " its all set. It should be here shortly"
"Wonderful "Myrtle smiled " I will start calling everyone and have them meet us here in an hour"
An hour later people started arriving at the hospital per Myrtle and Kendall's request. Everyone met in the sunroom. Those in attendance were Kendall, Myrtle, Erica, Jackson, Ethan, Simone, Greenlee, Tad, Aiden and David
"Thank you all for coming " Myrtle said
"Myrtle, what is this all about ?" Erica asked "you pulled me away from taping"
"You'll see Darlin', be patient " Myrtle answered "but first I have a question for David. Dr. Hayward, is it true that not to long before Ryan went over the cliff, he tried to strangle you ?"
Everyone turned to look at David
"Yes" he answered
"Would it be safe to say, you would consider him to of been out of control and dangerous " Myrtle asked
"That's putting it mildly " David answered
" I'm not going to sit here and listen to all of you bad mouth my husband " Greenlee announced as she stood up "He was a good man and wouldn't hurt a fly"
"Greenlee, just give us a minute, please" Myrtle begged
"Fine" Greenlee said as she sat back down "but no more Ryan bashing. I will not stand for his memory to be disgraced"
Myrtle began once again "As you all know, Ryan went over a cliff and no body was ever found. Well some information has come to my attention "
"What kind of information ?" Jackson asked
"As it turns out, Ryan is alive " Myrtle announced
"WHAT" was the general response through out the room
"Myrtle, that's impossible " Erica exclaimed
" Kendall, I cant believe you are going to tell that lie to all these people" Greenlee yelled
"Its not a lie Greenlee" Kendall replied "I am sorry you wont believe me, but it's the truth."
"its not the truth. Ryan would never leave me and let me think he was dead" Greenlee protested
"He thought he was protecting you" Kendall shot back
"Protecting me from what" Greenlee cried
"Now wait just a minute" Jackson cut in "If, and I do mean IF Ryan is alive, how did he survive the crash. Where was he ? We had search parties all over the place looking for him. And just how do you know he is alive ?"
"Because Zach found him in some rocks and helped him" Kendall said
"Helped my ass" Erica shouted "More like pushed him out of town"
"Everyone, wait a minute" Myrtle piped up " Just hear us out a minute before you make any further accusations. "
After everyone took a minute to calm down Myrtle continued
"We all know that Ryan changed since the thing with his brother in the cave. We have David here, who admits that Ryan tried to choke him. Greenlee, Simone, Ethan, Zach and Kendall found Ryan at a fight club and had to drag him out of there. The night Ryan went off the cliff, him and Greenlee had an argument in the hotel room. Am I correct Greenlee ?"
" Yes" she whispered "but Ryan was confused, he would never hurt me"
"If this is true, why would Zach help Ryan ? I mean they hated each other " David asked
"Because of this " Myrtle answered as she walked over to the TV and hit the play button on the DVD player
Everyone sat in silence as they watched Ryan on the TV screen. The DVD showed Ryan pulling his fist back and about to strike Greenlee as Zach and Kendall busted into the room. It then showed how Zach tried to hold Ryan back as he went after Kendall. After the scene played where Ryan over turned the entertainment center and walked out of the room Myrtle turned the DVD and the TV off.
"Zach was afraid that if Ryan stayed in town he would hurt, or worse yet, kill one of these women, if not someone else" Myrtle explained
Kendall stood up next to Myrtle and began to talk
"Zach told me last night that Ryan was still alive." she began " He also explained that after he found Ryan, he did try to talk him into going back to Greenlee and working things out and getting some help. Ryan didn't want to hear it. He told Zach that the only way he could keep from hurting Greenlee was to leave town. Zach kept Ryan in one of the out buildings at the casino and came to see me. He asked me if I thought Ryan could have been saved, I told him No. Going by my answer, Zach felt he had no other choice but to help Ryan. He thought that by helping him, he was keeping me and Greenlee and her baby safe."
Myrtle walked over to Greenlee "Are you ok Darlin' ? I know this is a lot for you to take in"
"He did it, he really let me think he was dead" she answered in shock
"Greenlee I'm so sorry" Kendall said as she hugged her
" So where is he ?" Greenlee asked
"That's a damn good question , I'd like to know that myself " Jackson added
"Well " Kendall started "Zach never said where Ryan was, but I think I know where he is. Tad, didn't Ryan hire you and Aiden a while back to find his sister ?"
"Yes he did " Tad answered
"By the time we found her, we thought Ryan was dead " Aiden added "But last we knew she was in Canada "
Just then Tads cell phone rang
"Tad Martin " he said as he answered
After a few minutes Tad ended his call
" I need to get going, something has come up" Tad said
"I'll go with you Mate" Aiden said "Jackson, I will get you the information about Ryan's sister and have it sent to your office"
"Thanks Aiden " He replied
With that the two men were gone.
"Honey I am so sorry " Simone said as she gave Greenlee a hug
"Is there anything I can do ?" Ethan asked
"I just want to find him so I can kill him myself " Greenlee replied "How could he do this to me after knowing how hard it was for me after Leo died. "
"Don't you worry Honey we will get to the bottom of this" Jackson said
"I still think that Zach pushed Ryan into this. There is no way that Ryan would leave on his own" Erica protested
"Erica, were you watching the same tape as I was ?" Ethan asked
"What is that supposed to mean " Erica asked
" Because in the tape I saw, Ryan was clearly out of control. I cant blame my Father for helping Ryan get out of town. If he hadn't he might of killed Greenlee or even Kendall" Ethan answered "and I am sure you wouldn't want that"
"Of course I wouldn't want that" Erica shouted "But …. "
No buts about it Erica " Jack cut in " I can clearly understand why Zach did what he did, and quite frankly I am grateful to him. If he hadn't of done what he did, who knows what would of happened"
Erica just stomped out of the room " I need to get back to the studio, I have work to do"
" I better go after her " Jackson said "If you need anything, call " he said as he hugged the two girls
A few minutes later Dr. Martin walked into the room. Ethan was the first to notice him
"Dr. Martin " he said " has something happened with my Father ? "
"Dr. Joe, how did the surgery go ?" Kendall asked as she went up to him
"It went very well. We repaired all the damage, and I expect him to make a full recovery"
"Oh Thank God" Kendall cried as Myrtle squeezed her hand "Can I see him ?"
"In a few minutes. He is being taken from recovery to a room. Once he is settled you can go see him" he answered
"Can I see him as well Dr. Martin ? " Ethan asked
"That is up to Kendall" Dr. Martin replied
"Of course you can Ethan, he is your Father" she answered " I think its time the two of you repaired your relationship"
"As do I " Ethan added
A few minutes later Dr. Martin led the group to Zach's room