Chapter 9

Diane's Office

"That is wow," Diane said when Kellie shut off the recording, "What exactly do you want me to do with this?"

"That's why I'm here to figure out the best course of action," Kellie said, "I mean obviously, the man's delusional. However, I also know that he'll likely find a way to twist the recording to try and make it look like that's not what he meant…and yada yada yada."

"True," Diane said, "Although the line about giving authorities a reason to reopen the case against Garrett if you don't do what he wants will be pretty hard to explain. Were there witnesses by chance?"

"My guard," Kellie said, "He took the recording. Sam and Kristina were there, heard portions of the conversation."

"That's more like it," Diane said, "Although I'm sure he'd try to cast doubt on their credibility. But it would cast doubt on any witnesses or documents that would now come up. The authorities would have no choice but to consider they were manufactured."

"The question is do we wait for Cyrus to make a move," Kellie said, "Or provide the authorities with the recording now."

"That is an interesting question," Diane said, "You have no reason to believe there's any truth to what Cyrus is claiming, I assume. No reason or evidence that would prove his theory that you, Jason, and Sonny had something to do with the brawl Garrett died in."

"Nothing what so ever," Kellie said, "Even if there was, I highly doubt Jason and Sonny would leave anything for anyone to find."

"Of course not," Diane said, "Do you have a time frame on this?"

Kellie shook her head, "No. I just wanted to make sure I'm doing my due diligence as a citizen. If Cyrus is blackmailing people or withholding information from the police, he really should have the opportunity to tell his side of the story."

"I'd forgotten how inventive your solutions to pesky problems are," Diane said, "But they certainly do the job. Are your father and Jason aware of the situation with Cyrus?"

"That he tried to black mail me at the hospital the other day, yes" Kellie said, "This recorded attempt, not yet. I brought it straight to you."

"So if I were to report Renault's blackmail on your behalf to the police," Diane asked, "Sonny and Jason wouldn't be surprised to be brought to the PCPD for questioning in the matter."

"They'd be surprised if they weren't," Kellie said, "They're aware I planned to handle Renault myself."

"I'm sure Sonny loved that idea," Diane said.

"I didn't really give him a choice about how to handle it," Kellie said as her phone rang.

"Just a moment. I have to take this," Kellie said, checking the number.

"Go on ahead," Diane said as Kellie answered the call.

"What's going on?" Kellie asked and then listened.

"Thank you for letting me know," Kellie asked, "There's no need to stop him at the moment. Let's see what he does. Have you informed my uncle he's there? Great…I'll be there shortly. Can you set me up with a video feed to the board room nearby?"

Kellie hung up the phone, "That was one of the security guards at Foundation offices. They caught Renault on the surveillance feed being let in a back entrance by the board's executive assistant. There's a board meeting shortly."

"I'll head over to the PCPD and file a report," Diane said, "I have a feeling that if Renault doesn't get what he wants today, he'll make his move in retaliation.

"Thanks, Diane," Kellie said.

"If you can avoid it," Diane said, "Try to avoid disclosing that recording at the board meeting. But I'd also understand if it's the difference between the board entering into a partnership with the man. Of course, I'd hope the board will have learned from firing you and Lorenzo the first time in favor of those idiots that embezzled funds from the foundation to listen to you."

"Here's hoping," Kellie said, getting up to leave.

Crossing Into Dawn Foundation Offices

Kellie sat a conference room watching the video feed for the board meeting.

The meeting was called to order and then Cyrus let himself into the room.

"Members of the board," Cyrus greeted them, "Mr. Alcazar, thank you for having me here today."

"Mr. Renault, you're not on today agenda," one of the board members, Larissa said, "Or invited to my knowledge. Larissa looked at the other board members and staff in the room. They all shook their heads.

"I should be," Cyrus replied, glancing at the executive assistant who looked away.

"I don't know how to account for the confusion," Larissa said, "But you'll have to make arrangements with whoever you're working with here at the foundation to get on the agenda another day."

"I'm already here," Cyrus said, "I would have thought Kellie Corinthos-Morgan would have arranged everything already."

"I'm going to stop you right there," Ned said, "I know my stepdaughter well enough to know that she has no desire to arrange anything with you related to the foundation. Even if she did, there wouldn't be any confusion about this."

"Well, you obviously haven't talked to her lately," Cyrus said, "Mr. Quartermaine, I'm frankly surprised you'd have any business with the foundation."

"He's our newest board member," Larissa said, "I'm inclined to agree with him. Mr. Alcazar, could you please have security escort Mr. Renault out."

"With pleasure," Lorenzo said, reaching for his phone.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Cyrus said, "I frankly cannot understand why my proposal has been continually stonewalled and want to be assured the board has had ample opportunity to consider all facets of what I'm offering. To be honest if you, Mr. Alcazar, and Mr. Quartermaine, are mistakenly biased against me, then I have reason to be concerned my proposal was not given due consideration."

"Mr. Renault," Faith Ward said, standing up, "The board is aware of your proposal and we've already decided it was not inline with the foundations operations or goals. I'm sorry if that wasn't the answer you are looking. But we certainly aren't looking to change that.

"Even if what you say about Kellie being on board with that request is true," Larissa said, "We wouldn't be inclined to change our minds. There's nothing about the model your suggesting that fits the scope of what we're doing at this time."

"Your proposal isn't in the best interests for our foundation," Ned said, "Your colorful past with all its allegations is a liability that can't be overlooked."

"Oh that's rich," Cyrus said, "I was falsely accused. Yet, you conveniently overlook the liability that your founder is. She's married to Jason Morgan of all people, never mind she's the daughter of Sonny Corinthos and has alleged involvement in his organization. Let's not forget Mr. Alcazar here."

"Mr. Alcazar," Larissa said, "Has turned his life around, admirably. His character and activities are not in question. While Kellie's more recent associations are more questionable, she personally made the decision to distance herself from the foundation when became obvious her direct involvement was a liability."

"The husband of her brother's mother being on the foundation…." Cyrus started.

"I suggest you watch your tone," Faith said, "Mr. Quartermaine is a member of one of the Port Charles most upstanding families."

"Would it be possible to settle the matter of Mr. Renault's claim that Kellie is on board with his proposal?" another board member asked, "I thought Mr. Alcazar mentioned she was here today consulting on a rescue operation."

"She is," Lorenzo said.

"I'm sure that's not necessary," Cyrus said, "I'd hate to bother her while she's doing such important work."

"It's no bother at all," Lorenzo said, "She's actually in the conference room next door. I'll go get her."

Lorenzo left the room as Cyrus waited nervously. After a few moments, Lorenzo opened the door, letting Kellie enter ahead of him.

"Mr. Renault," Kellie said, "I thought I had made my position perfectly clear on several occasions that I would not be questioning the foundation's prerogative to decline to your proposal."

"I was certain we had come to a mutual understanding in our last conversation," Cyrus said, "I'm sure we can both agree that helping the less fortunate is a goal of both your foundation and General Hospital and in everyone's best interests."

"The answer from me is no," Kellie said, "I certainly can't speak for the board…"

"We won't be changing our mind," Larissa said, "Now if you'll excuse us, we have other business to attend to."

"Are you sure about that, Mrs. Morgan?" Cyrus said, "The consequences of declining my partnership."

"That sounds an awful lot like a threat," Kellie replied, "Hardly the behavior of someone trying to reform themselves."

"Perhaps we should discuss whether or not you've truly stayed out of your father's organization," Cyrus said, "Your board should have the full picture of your activities if they're going to continue to support you."

"Mr. Renault, I would have thought you'd have figured out by now that your conversations with me don't go the way you hoped," Kellie replied, noticing Chase and Mac standing in the door of the board room, "This is your only warning if you continue..."

"It's come to my attention that your hands perhaps aren't as clean as you've led people to believe they are," Cyrus said, "Specifically in the matter of Garrett Esoterra's death."

"That's an interesting theory," Kellie said.

"Didn't the authorities determine he died in a prison brawl?" Faith asked.

"Yes," Cyrus replied, "But we all know that the authorities had questions for Mrs. Morgan, her husband, her father who clearly had motive for seeing him…"

"Excuse us for interrupting," Mac said, making his presence known, "But Mr. Renault and Mrs. Morgan are needed at the station for questioning in regards to the very matter you're discussing. We're extremely interested in the knowledge you claim to have about Garrett Esoterra's death. "

"Excuse me?" Cyrus replied.

"There's also the allegations you've attempted to blackmail Mrs. Morgan into accepting some proposal," Chase replied, "Instead of bringing that information to the authorities."

"Where exactly did those allegations come from?" Cyrus asked as Kellie pulled out her cell phone.

The sound of Cyrus's recorded voice filled the room.

"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."

"You…you…you," Cyrus responded as the Lorenzo, Ned, and the rest of the board looked stunned.

"Recorded our conversation," Kellie said, "Yes, I did. My attorney filed a police report on my behalf."

Kellie turned to Mac, "I'm more than happy to meet you at the station with Diane and answer any questions you may have. I just need a moment here with the board once Mr. Renault leaves."

"Mr. Renault, you'll need to come with us," Mac said.

"Mr. Renault," Faith said, "Don't ever come back and bother the board. You won't be allowed into any Crossing Into Dawn office ever again. Do you understand?"

Cyrus nodded, glaring daggers at everyone, as he followed Mac and Chase out.

Kellie looked at the board members, "Does anyone have any questions about what happened today with Cyrus Renault?"

Larissa looked at each of the board members who shook their heads.

"No, we don't," Larissa said, "We know the investigation into Garrett Esoterra's death cleared you of any involvement along with your husband and father. It's quite obvious, Mr. Renault has an agenda and doesn't know how to take no for an answer."

"You've obviously reported the pressure Mr. Renault put on you to back his proposal to the police," Ned said, "It appears you've taken all the proper steps in this situation."

"We have no further concerns at this time," another board member said.

"Thank you," Kellie said, "I appreciate all of you for continuing to decline the proposal. I know Cyrus hasn't made it easy."

"We doubted you and Lorenzo when it came to Calvin and his connections to Shiloh and Garrett," Larissa said, "You didn't leave the foundation to suffer when we didn't support you upon your return to Port Charles. You still put the foundation first. We'd be fool hardy not to listen to you and Lorenzo after ending up with egg on our faces. You and Lorenzo both recognize where less than reputable characters would possibly take advantage and work to make sure that doesn't happen. We have no plans to ignore our concerns now or in the future."