Part 29
"We have to find out who did this, buddy," V. was saying, sitting in the chair by Zander's bed. "To bring them to justice. They're a danger to the community, whoever they are."
"I just didn't see anybody. Nothing. It was dark. I went out. I heard shots and felt them hitting me."
"Do you recall locking AJ in the storeroom?"
"Not really. I was in there, and he was in there, and Sonny was talking to him and he was yelling at Sonny, all about the same old stuff. It must have been 20 minutes later, and I was back at my desk, and Sonny said lock the storeroom and go home. There is nothing unusual about that. It gets locked; to keep people out. I didn't even know you locked it from the outside – never figured there was anyone in there to get locked in. By that time of night, there's nobody left, who works in the warehouse, usually. I didn't even think about AJ. I just figured he was gone from there too, I guess."
"So how long from when you locked the door to when you stepped outside?"
"Five minutes, maybe. Less."
"Was there anyone else there in say, about the one hour before you were shot?"
"No, a few of the employees, maybe. I can think of their names."
"OK. And if you think of anything else, call me or just write it down, all right? We will get to the bottom of this."
"Thank you."
V. patted Zander's arm, then went out. She saw Quinn in the hallway, and stopped to chat with her.
"Did you know Mama showed up?"
Quinn's eyes went wide, showing she did not.
V. explained what had happened. "We're trying to keep her away," V. said. "So far, she's been a good girl. We took her to Dr. Quartermaine's house, and they talked about it, and then Alexis and I took her to the Port Charles Hotel and now she's supposed to be writing down the family medical history."
"That's what Dr. Quartermaine needs, so that's wonderful, really. Does she want to see him, though? She must!"
"She does. Alexis got her to understand she should wait, and that they need the family history most. So far she's ok. Doesn't seem too crazy."
"I hope not. He really can't just live like this forever."
"I agree. Maybe it'll all work out. He doesn't have to live with her anymore, but at least be in touch! What a family! My father died last year, and my mother and I miss him so much. Then you see other people like this and you just feel so bad."
"I know; I can't imagine not speaking to your parents at all. But it's different. This situation got crazy. Just out of hand."
"He's still a basically good kid. I can't explain. In spite of his criminal record. Not typical."
"That's the thing. Nothing is typical about him. None of his experience is, either."
"Yeah, I can't judge him real harshly. Mother either."
"I'll try to be on the look-out for her and tell the other nurses to be careful not to just let her in – she says she's his mother and they'd easily let her in. What does she look like?"
V. laughed. "She's a woman, about forty, that looks like Zander. Trust me, you'll have no problem recognizing her."
