Disclaimers: see chapter 1
A/N: because no one is ever REALLY dead on a soap opera! Enjoy! And yeah, I went a little old school, but hey, that story line was one of my all time favorites!
"Simone, hurry up! The investors are waiting for us downstairs!" Kendall and Simone were running around, gathering last minute data for their meeting that was to have started 15 minutes ago. Babe was all ready in the conference room, holding down the fort until Kendall and Simone arrived.
Simone pulled the last of the papers out of the printer and shoved them in a folder. "Alright, let's go!" Kendall was already holding the elevator doors open, so Simone ran across the room and they discussed the meeting as the doors closed. Just then, the door to the stairs opened. He walked out, smirking at the elevator. He looked around the Fusion offices, flipping open files and glancing quickly at the new samples sitting in a box. He sat down in Kendall's chair and ran his hands along the desk. He scooted the pile of papers to the side and pulled a small box out of his jacket pocket. He flipped open the top and looked at it quickly before placing it in the center of the desk. He looked around one more time before heading back to the stairwell.
An hour later, Kendall, Babe, and Simone returned, smiling and laughing at how well the meeting had gone.
"Kendall, there's something on your desk" Babe said as she pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge. Simone looked over at the small velvet box.
"I swear, Kendall, if Zach sent you another piece of fabulous jewelry to torment us with, well… I may just have to kill you and marry him myself." Kendall looked up from her report and smiled at Simone, who was staring at the box. "Well, go ahead, since I know you are dying to." Simone giggled and grabbed the box and flipped it open. She scowled at the box.
"What is it?" Kendall asked, looking up from her report. Simone just shook her head and turned the box toward Babe and Kendall, showing them the 'SG' charm that rested inside.
"What's SG?" Babe asked Kendall. Kendall sighed and took the box from Simone. "Is there a jeweler's name on it? It looks like it got delivered to the wrong place." They all stared at the box, but the only thing it contained was the charm. Kendall opened her desk drawer and dropped it in. "Remind me to ask the security guards later who delivered and I'll call them." Simone and Babe both nodded and they all returned to their work.
Zach entered his office and dropped his files in the middle of his desk, sending a small box flying across the room. He grabbed it and looked at it. "Edie" he yelled. She appeared in the doorway immediately and he turned to look at her. "What's this?"
Edie just shook her head. "I don't know. I ran to the concierge for about 15 minutes to take care of a problem with a high rollers' room, but other than that, I've been here." Zach opened the box and pulled out an antique looking stamp. He pulled a blank piece of paper off his desk and pressed the stamp down, revealing a crest. "What is it?" Edie asked, peering over his shoulder.
Zach narrowed his eyes, remembering where he had seen that before. He balled up the paper and threw it, along with the stamp, in the trash. "It seems to be someone's idea of a twisted joke that's not very funny." Zach walked around his desk and pulled open the cabinets, revealing the surveillance equipment.
"When were you gone?" he asked Edie over his shoulder.
"About a half hour ago, for about 15 minutes." Zach cued up the tape and they watched Edie walk past his office door. A few minutes later, a man with a ball cap pulled down over his eyes entered his office and exited a minute later.
"You didn't see him?" he asked, pointing at the screen.
"No. I was the only one up here when I left and the only one here when I got back, till you just came back. Who was that?"
"Probably just some prankster, some idiot frat guy staying here for the weekend or something. Don't worry about it." Edie just shrugged her shoulder and left his office. He glanced down at the trash can one more time, trying to ignore the tiny feeling of dread he had in the pit of his stomach.
Beverly ran her hands over her skirt and took a deep breath before answering the door. Mike looked devishly handsome in his navy suit with no tie.
"Hi" she said breathlessly as he handed her a red rose.
"You look beautiful" he said, leaning in to kiss her on the cheek. "You ready to go?"
Beverly turned to grab her purse. "Yeah, but Myrtle wanted to meet you before we left." She missed the flash of panic that crossed his face because he had regained his composure by the time she turned back around. "I can meet her some other time. We'll miss our reservations if we don't leave now." Beverly just smiled and yelled by over her shoulder. Mike shut the door quickly as he saw Myrtle rounding the corner.
"So, where are we going" she asked as they pulled away from the curb.
"I thought we could eat at the casino. I've heard great things about the chef they have out there."
Beverly just smiled. "Well… ok. Maybe I could introduce you to the Slaters. The casino is hosting a kids' night on the veranda. It's something Zach has been really into since Will was old enough to hold a deck of cards."
Mike just smiled as he downshifted. "Yeah, maybe we'll run into them."
Kendall hummed along with the music in the elevator as she traveled back down to the casino floor. She had put Caroline down for the night and left her with one of the casino's sitters. Will was currently holding court at the mini blackjack table, keeping the kids of Pine Valley thoroughly entertained.
The elevator doors opened as Beverly walked by. "Beverly!" Kendall called out. Beverly turned and waved at Kendall. Kendall caught up and fell instep with her. "What are you doing here? I thought you had a hot date tonight."
"Oh, I do. We are just waiting on our table and having some drinks in the bar." Kendall smirked at her. "So, we may get to meet this mysterious Mike who my son has been going on and on about."
Beverly just shrugged. "Maybe" she said, shyly.
"Maybe what?" Zach asked as he walked up behind them, wrapping his arms around Kendall's waist.
"Seems Beverly and her mystery man decided to have dinner out here tonight."
"Well, tell your man to order whatever you two want, even if it's not on the menu. I'll let the kitchen know it's alright."
Beverly just grinned at her employers. "Thanks, Zach." They stopped at the doors leading out to the veranda and all started to laugh. Will was standing on a chair, berating one of the dealers on the art of blackjack.
"That's my boy" Zach said, just shaking his head. "We better get back out there before Evan decides to quit." Beverly nodded as Kendall and Zach headed back out to the tables.
Suddenly, Beverly felt an arm around her waist. "I was wondering where you had disappeared to" Mike whispered in her ear, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
She turned and smiled at him. "Hold on…" She turned and yelled for Zach and Kendall. They turned and headed back toward her, seeming to slow up as they approached Beverly and Mike.
"Kendall, Zach, I want you to meet Mike." She turned back to Mike and laid her hand on his chest. "Mike, these are my bosses, Zach and Kendall…" As she turned back to them, she saw the look of shock and horror on both their faces. She looked up at Mike, who was just smiling at the Slaters, tightening his grip on her waist. She looked back at Kendall, who was gripping Zach's arm tightly. "What is…"
Zach looked at Beverly and held out his hand. "Beverly, you need to come over here now. Just walked over here."
Beverly laughed nervously. "Zach, what are you talking about? I just wanted to introduce you to…"
"Beverly, get over here now!" Kendall yelled. Beverly just looked at Mike and shrugged. She broke out of his embrace and started to walk toward Kendall. Zach grabbed her as soon as she got in reach and whirled her behind him.
"Kendall, are you alright? You look really, really pale" Beverly asked, gripping Kendall's arms, but she just continued to stare at Mike, as did Zach.
"OK, someone needs to tell me what is going on right now" Beverly stated, trying to walk around Zach. He grabbed with his arm and pushed her back.
"Oh, c'mon now. There's no need to get rough with the ladies, there Zachary" Mike said in a condescending tone, spitting out Zach's name.
"Oh my god…" Kendall breathed out, knees going weak. Zach turned and grabbed her, pulling her into his body.
"And it's great to see you again Mrs. Cambias…" Mike smirked and slapped his forehead in a sarcastic manner "… I'm sorry, I meant Mrs. Slater. Did you like my gift?"
Kendall just shook her head. "What… oh my god… swamp girl" she choked out, closing her eyes and leaning her head against Zach.
Mike turned his attention back to Zach. "What, I don't even get a 'hey brother, how you doin'?'"
"Brother?" Beverly said, trying to process all this information. Zach didn't hear Beverly, focusing all his attention on the man standing in front of him. Zach glanced over at the security guards around the room and soon, four men stood behind Mike.
"Michael" was all Zach was able to say before he waved for the guards to grab him. Michael just held out his arms, smirking at Zach the whole time.
"We've got a lot to talk about ALEX" Michael yelled over his shoulder as the guards walked him inside.
"Take him to my office and if he tries to move, break his neck" Zach demanded, turning to focus on Kendall and Beverly.
"It's not possible" she whispered to him, wrapping her arms around his neck, trying to process all this new information. "I know" he whispered back, pulling away from her to focus on Beverly.
"Beverly, you need to come with us." Zach put his hand on her shoulder and led the two women inside.
TBC….