The Next Day

Jason banged on a door, "Open up, Coleman."

"Sheesh, some people like to sleep in, Morgan," Coleman said as he opened the door.

"What lesson did Kellie teach you?" Jason asked.

"The same lesson every woman teaches me," Coleman said, "To not come on to her. Although I think she's the first to flash a gun at me to get the point across."

"What room is she in?" Jason asked.

"Kellie's not staying here," Coleman said, "Someone broke into the room she was staying in did a number on it. I can't afford that kind of trouble."

"Where is she?" Jason asked.

"Some one from the Metro Court is supposed to pick up her stuff, later today," Coleman said.

"Where is it? I'll take it to her," Jason said.

"Whatever, man," Coleman said, "Her stuff's behind the bar."

Jason grabbed Kellie's stuff and left.

Metro Court

"Mornin' Slinger," Luke said.

Kellie grabbeda gun from under the pillow and pointed it at Luke. With her free hand, she held the covers over her body.

"Now is that anyway to thank the man responsible for putting a roof over your head," Luke said. Kellie lowered the gun and relaxed.

"Luke, don't terrorize the poor girl," Carly said, "I'd pull a gun on you too."

"Haunted Star when the bars are open, be there Slinger," Luke said, leaving.

"I'm having breakfast sent up to your room," Carly said, "You have time to get dressed and shower before it gets here." Kellie nodded and Carly left.

In the lobby, Carly saw Jason walk in. "Carly," Jason said.

"What's with the bag?" Carly asked, approaching him.

"It's Kellie Riley's stuff," Jason said.

"I was supposed to send someone to get it," Carly said, "Why do you have it?"

"I stopped by Coleman's to chat," Jason said, "I offered to bring it over."

"Great, I'll have one of the bellhops take it to her," Carly said.

"I'll take it to her," Jason said, "What room is she in?"

"Why?" Carly asked, "What do you want with Kellie?"

"It doesn't concern you, Carly," Jason said, "Why is she staying here? I know she can't afford it."

"She's here as my guest," Carly said, "I wasn't going to let her wander off into the night with a rapist stalker looking for her."

"You've done your good deed, Carly," Jason said, "Now check her out. She's trouble. You'll only get caught in the crossfire. How do know about Ethan?"

"Ethan?" Carly asked.

"The stalker rapist," Jason said.

"Luke found her on the docks, pointing a gun at him," Carly said.

"Just get her out of here," Jason said.

"The girl has spent her adult life running from this creep and you want me to put her out on the street," Carly said, "I don't think so."

"I don't have time for this Carly," Jason said, "I've been arrested because of this cat and mouse game they have going on, on paper she's a ghost, and despite her insistence that it has nothing to do with me and Sonny, he has offered us all the information we could want on her in exchange for access to the docks."

"Maybe you need to work with her instead of against her, Jason," Carly said, "Leave her stuff and I'll tell you want to see her. Now go." Carly shoved him. Jason dropped her bags and left.

Carly grabbed Kellie's bags and took them to her. "Are you doing okay?"

"I want it over with," Kellie said, "I'm tired of the running, wondering if and when Ethan's gonna show up, the constant fear."

"It's probably none of my business, but what's so important about the ring to you," Carly asked.

"It's the life I could have had," Kellie said. She looked like she was trying not to cry.

"It's okay," Carly said, "He's not gonna win. You're not gonna let him."

Kellie straightened up as if she'd managed to put whatever emotional barriers she kept in place back up. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to dump my problems on you," she said.

"Kellie," Carly said, "This creep has dominated your life for how long? He rattled you last night. Now Jason brought your stuff. He wants to talk to you."

"More like interrogate me," Kellie said.

"I know you, Jason, and my ex-husband got off on the wrong foot but trust me," Carly said, "Whatever's going on, teamwork is a good idea."

"Ethan doesn't want anything to do with them," Kellie said, "He wants me."

"He offered Sonny and Jason all the information on they wanted on you in exchange for access to the docks," Carly said.

The look in Kellie's eyes changed, "I need to make a phone call, then I'll talk to them," she said. Carly left.

Kellie made a call. "What did you find out about Ethan's business?"

"That's not what I wanted to hear," Kellie said.

"Well, when Ethan is involving other people into this, I have a problem," Kellie said. "I may not be leaving this town in tact when I leave."

"If you were me, you wouldn't be too happy that Ethan decided here and now's a great time to expand his illegal businesses," Kellie said, "Just make sure the paper trail on me stays cold." She hung up.