A few days later
Kellie's Self Defense Studio
"By special request," Kellie said, throwing a knife at one of the targets set up on one side of the room, "Knife throwing lessons."
Kellie was greeted by cheers as she went to grab the knife from the target.
"I wouldn't cheer just yet," Kellie said, "There are some rules."
Kellie was met by some groans.
"First off," Kellie said, "We'll be using stunt knives."
"How are we supposed to learn the feel of a real thing compared to the prop ones," Epiphany said.
"If you master these," Kellie said, "We'll consider the real ones.
"Sorry, I'm late," Sam said, entering, carrying a duffel bag.
"I just broke the news about the stunt knives," Kellie said, "For anyone that doesn't know, this is my cousin, Sam. She'll be helping with the throwing lessons. Particularly when we break up into groups of two. We can provide more one on one coaching while you practice."
"Why groups of two?" Sasha asked.
"One of you will practice throwing," Kellie said, "While your partners serves as a spotter in case a knife goes in a wayward direction. They'll need to warn us to move or have a heads up."
"Enough chatter," Kristina said, "Hand over the knives."
"Just for that you get yours last," Sam said, unzipping the duffel bag.
After everyone grabbed their knives and Sam and Kellie began providing instruction, Johnny came in.
"Hold up," Johnny said, "Kellie, we have a problem."
Kellie nodded to Sam to take over and went over to Johnny.
"Renault's outside," Johnny said, "Demanding to see you even though we pointed to the sign about no visitors during lessons and ignored him. Keeps yelling that you're a public business and supposed to be open."
"Could always call the police with a tip someone's causing a disturbance?" Kellie said.
"That would screw up his day," Johnny said, "I'll handle it. You make sure no one actually slices someone in there."
"The knives are blunt props, Johnny," Kellie said, "They'd most likely just end up bruised.""
Kellie returned to the lesson. Cyrus was standing outside when Detective Valerie Spencer approached.
"Excuse me, Mr. Renault," Valerie said, "But we've gotten several complaints you're causing a disturbance."
"This is a public place of business which is supposed to be open," Cyrus replied, "I simply wish to speak to the owner and the staff continue to ignore me."
Valerie looked at the door and noticed the sign.
"Mr. Renault, according to the sign they are closed to public during a lesson right now," Valerie said, "It's a private business. The owner has every right to be closed in the middle of the day."
"This just won't do," Cyrus said, "I came down here to discuss a business proposal with Kellie Corinthos-Morgan."
"Did you have an appointment with her?" Valerie asked.
"No," Cyrus said, "But it's a huge inconvenience on my time to have to come back later."
"Be that as it may," Valerie said, "I'm going to have to ask you move along or I'll have to fine you for loitering at the very least."
"That is unnecessary," Cyrus said, "Excuse me a moment."
Cyrus stepped aside where Valerie couldn't hear him and pulled out his cell phone.
"Do you know what I'm doing right now?" Cyrus said when Jordan answered.
"I'm sure you're going to tell me," Jordan replied, "Whether I want you to or not."
"I was minding my own business when a detective started harassing me," Cyrus said, "Something about bogus anonymous tips that I'm causing a disturbance."
Jordan checked her computer, "They're not bogus tips. I see the call logs from multiple businesses in the area."
"Handle it," Cyrus said, "and while you're at it maybe use your influence with Kellie Corinthos to call and I'm waiting to speak with her."
"I'm not her secretary," Jordan said, "From everything I've heard about her, she does what she wants when she wants. So I'd suggest you stop making a nuisance of yourself and go away."
"I don't think I like your attitude," Cyrus said, "Need I remind you…."
"You're breaking up," Jordan said, "Remind me what…."
Jordan hung up. Cyrus was furious, but tried to hide it.
"Look, Detective I'm sure you have better things to do than harass people for going about their day," Cyrus said.
Valerie handed him a piece paper, "Here's your fine for causing a disturbance. Now I suggest you move along before I have to write another one."
Back inside the studio, the lesson was wrapping up.
"Is Renault still out front?" Kellie asked Johnny quietly as the students got ready to leave.
"Yeah," Johnny said, "But a lot quieter since Detective Spencer wrote him a fine. He turned so red. Still might be red."
"We'll have the students go out the back," Kellie said, motioning to Sam.
"I suggest we all go out the back," Johnny said as Sam came over.
"What this about going out the back?" Sam asked, overhearing.
"Renault's out front wanting to speak to me," Kellie said, "The students don't need to be hassled."
"I'll send the students out the back," Sam said, "Kristina and I are going to hang around for a few minutes and practice if that's okay."
"Completely," Kellie said.
"I meant what I said about you going out the back," Johnny said when Sam left.
"Problem is he'll try to track me down later," Kellie said, "Might as well get it over with. We are pretending he never approached me at the hospital or had that conversation at least at first."
"That should irritate to him," Johnny said, "The nerve of anyone deigning to forget anything he says. What's the long play?"
"Get him blackmailing me on tape," Kellie said.
"That's bold," Johnny said, "But it certainly would make things easier if Renault pulls up a false witness or bogus paper trail. You're sure Cyrus won't pull any skeletons up that are best left buried if you call his bluff."
"I'm sure," Kellie said.
I'll be discreet then," Johnny said.
"I'd expect nothing less," Kellie said.
Once Kellie and Johnny were sure all but Kristina and Sam had left, Kellie and Johnny went to the lobby of the studio. Kellie went to the reception desk while Johnny went to the door and cracked it open. Cyrus walked in.
"That's far enough," Johnny said, stopping Cyrus just inside the door.
"It's about time your inept bodyguard…" Cyrus started to say.
"I'd suggest you keep your opinions about my bodyguard to yourself," Kellie said, "I'm well aware you've been standing outside demanding to be let in for the last hour. While I may be a place of business, sometimes the nature of my classes is such that allowing the general public to just walk in would be hazardous to their well-being. You're welcome, Mr. Renault."
"What kind of self-defense classes are you teaching that someone walking in off the street could be harmed?" Cyrus asked.
"Some of my regular attendees have expressed an interest in alternative forms of self-defense and skills," Kellie said, "If those lessons involved throwing sharp objects around, you can hardly fault me for taking extra precautions to make sure my students and bystanders are safe. Now is there a reason you're making a nuisance of yourself?"
Cyrus was flustered before speaking, "Uh, yes, Mrs. Morgan, I was hoping you to see if you'd had time to consider my offer."
"What offer?" Kellie replied.
"The offer we discussed at the hospital the other day," Cyrus said.
"I'm sorry. I have so many conversations. I can't possibly remember them all," Kellie replied, "You'll have to refresh my memory."
"You can't be serious," Cyrus said.
"I have better things to do than play your stupid games," Kellie said, "Johnny see him out."
"Hold on a moment," Cyrus said, "We really need to discuss a partnership with your foundation. I really do believe it's in Port Charles best interest to expand the foundations partnership with General Hospital."
"I'm pretty sure if we had this conversation before I'd have told you that the foundation board and staff make decisions about any partnerships," Kellie said, "Neither of which I'm considered apart of. You'll have to take it up with them directly."
"They seem to need convincing," Cyrus said, struggling to keep his anger under control.
Johnny put himself more between Kellie and Cyrus, "I think you've said your piece, Mr. Renault."
"Oh I'm not done saying my piece, Mrs. Morgan," Cyrus said, "I don't know what kind of game you think you're playing. But I can't believe you wouldn't remember our conversation."
"I seriously don't," Kellie said, "It must not have been that memorable."
"I would think the idea of legal trouble you might face by not putting in a word for me with the board would be pretty memorable," Cyrus said.
"Legal trouble, doesn't ring any bells," Kellie said, looking at Johnny. Johnny shook his head.
"What sort of legal trouble would I possibly be in simply in for choosing not to make any kind of agreement with you?" Kellie said, "I'm not bound by any contracts with you."
"Either you convince the board to accept the partnership I'm proposing," Cyrus said, "Or authorities might end up with a reason to reopen to the case into Garrett Esoterra's death and you, Jason, your father maybe you'll end up in a cell together."
"That type of comment seems to imply you know something about Garrett's death the authorities don't," Kellie said, "If that's true, I'm sure they'd be very interested in the idea that you've been withholding information from them."
"Don't be ridiculous," Cyrus said, "We both know you wouldn't actually go to the police…"
"Heads up," Sam yelled from the back as a knife came flying into the reception area. Kellie and Johnny ducked. The knife bounced hard off Cyrus's shoulder.
"Owwww," Cyrus yelled.
"Oops," Kristina's voice could be heard saying, "Sorry."
"Are you trying to kill me?" Cyrus asked, clutching his arm.
"No," Kellie said, "Several of the students stayed to practice their knife throwing skills. The flying knives are why I wasn't letting anyone into the studio. And the knives are props like they use in a movie."
"I think you've overstayed your welcome," Johnny said, opening the door, "I suggest you ice that shoulder. Prop knives or not, they still pack a punch."
"This isn't over, Mrs. Morgan," Cyrus said, before he stomped out the door, "We didn't have to be enemies if you had only listened to reason."
Kellie rolled her eyes when Cyrus's back was turned. Johnny shut and locked the door behind him.
"Did you get it?" Kellie asked. Johnny nodded.
"I am so sorry," Kristina said, as she and Sam joined them.
"It was only Cyrus," Kellie said, "I wouldn't feel too bad."
"Just don't do it again," Sam said.
The group looked at each other and burst into laughter.
