Later that evening, Dr. St. John called Blake to inform her that Roger was doing so well that he was moving him to a regular room immediately. This should have been news for Jenna, but neither had any idea she was even back in town much less had been visiting with Roger just hours before. Daniel also advised that he was going to taper off Roger's sedation and that he would be able to carry on brief conversations that evening.
"Ross, I'm going to Cedar's" Blake called out to him after she got off the phone.
"Would you like me to come along?" He asked, coming into the living room dish towel thrown over his shoulder.
Blake paused as she grabbed her purse and keys. "No, if Daddy is awake, I think we should keep him as calm as possible. I want to tell him that Mom called the police on Ed, and to tell him that I still haven't found Jenna."
Ross closed the distance between them. He smiled gently as he took her in his arms. "You know I love you, right?" He asked as she kissed him.
"I do, and I can't wait for this nightmare to be over so we can go on that honeymoon."
"When do you think that might be?" He asked, peppering her with kisses.
"Soon. As soon as Daddy is awake, and Ed is behind bars."
Ross froze. "Honey, if they arrest Ed, you know I'm going to have to represent him, don't you?"
Blake slumped in his arms. "I wish you wouldn't, Ross. I know how you feel about my father, but he is my father."
Not wanting to fight Ross kissed her again. "You're right. Let's not talk about it. Go see your father and I will call the travel agent and find out when the next cruise departs. With any luck at this time next week, we will be on a boat in the Mediterranean"
"Sounds wonderful." Blake gave a backwards wave as she left the house.
At Ed's Holly made a phone call of her own and reported back to Ed who had taken up residence on a stool at the bar in the kitchen. In one hand he held a bottle of vodka, and in the other a glass. Holly leaned against the door jam and watched silently. After five agonizing minutes he twisted the top off. Holly closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Ed inhaled the vapors and slid off the stool. Holly wanted to call out to beg him not to do it, but instead she continued to watch in horror. Much to her surprise Ed didn't tip the bottle into the glass. He dumped it down the sink.
Holly cleared her throat. "Ed, I just got off the phone with the clinic. They can take you tonight. It's an inpatient program for thirty days."
Ed slumped over the sink as he poured. "Will you go with me?" He asked.
"I can't. You have to check yourself in." She told him.
"Will you drive me to the airport then?"
Holly nodded. "Of course."
Ed went to her and took her hand before laying his on her belly. "Oh Holly, this would have been so wonderful."
Holly laid hers on top of his. "In another lifetime maybe"
Ed pulled away. "What are you going to tell Michelle?"
"The truth." Holly said.
Across Town
Detective Leavey pulled up in front of Lillian Raines' small cottage house. He grabbed the arrest warrant and went to the door. He knocked on it and waited. She opened the door with a smile that quickly fell.
"I was wondering when you'd be here" she said. "Let me get my coat."
Lillian went willingly and quietly. Staring out the window as the police cruiser pulled out of her driveway. Her mind wandering back to the night she ran Roger Thorpe down. She wasn't angry at him, she didn't really know him, other than what she heard from Alexandra, and what was reported in the paper. No, she didn't care about him, but she did care about Ed and Ed cared about Holly. Holly of course had taken Ed, and any chance of a reconciliation between them away. Of course, Lillian knew Holly wanted Roger more, so what better way to get back at her than to kill him?
A tear fell.
The idea was a spontaneous one. She wasn't a cruel woman, but if she couldn't have the man, she loved then she'd prevent Holly from ever having the opportunity to have hers. She obviously wasn't in her right mind. No judge would convict her once they knew her reason, she thought. Temporary insanity brought on by a broken heart. That would be her defense. After all, it wasn't like Roger died. He'd recover. Her heart however, that was another story.
At Cedars Blake rushed into Roger's new room with flowers. Her bubbly mood quickly dissipated when she saw Jenna, lying on her side in Roger's bed. She was wiping a bit of drool from the corner of his mouth as he smiled.
"Where have you been?" Blake demanded, lying the flowers on the rolling table beside Roger's bed.
Jenna looked up and blushed, having been caught in the position she was.
"Ch…..Chri….Chrissy" Roger managed.
"Daddy, look at you!" Blake grinned. "You're going to be up and out of this bed soon!"
"That's right, Blake. I'm going to hire the best private care team imaginable for him. Then as soon as he can travel, we're going to move Spaulding Enterprises to London. That is where I was for the past week. Making those arrangements."
Jenna who had climbed out of the bed, pouted her lips. "Tell me something, Blake. You thought it was me who did this to your father, didn't you?"
Blake bowed her head. "The thought did cross my mind, but it turns out it was Ed Bauer."
"No!" Roger yelled most emphatically. "Li…. Lil…Lil"
Jenna laid a hand on his chest. "It's alright darling, I will tell her. You rest."
Blake locked eyes with Jenna. "Apparently it was Lillian Raines. We don't have a motive yet but I'm sure we will soon. The police department called me here to inform me that an arrest has been made."
"Well, I'll be damned. Who knew that mousy woman had it in her" Blake huffed.
Later that night, after Holly took Ed to the airport, she went to pick up Michelle from Vanessa's. Michelle ran to the door, arms wide open when she heard it was Holly.
"Hi Honey" Holly grinned, hugging her.
"I'm going to get my bag" Michelle said when she pulled away from her.
Vanessa came to the door. "Would you like to come in?" She asked politely.
"No thanks" Holly waved a hand. "I want to get Michelle settled and let her know that Ed will be away for a while."
Vanessa looked downward for a moment and then reached out and touched Holly's hand. "Holly, I don't know what to say. If I had any idea that Ed was drinking, I certainly wouldn't have stood idly by and allowed him to do it."
"I know. Believe me, I feel the same way. I just hope that he is able to wrestle those demons to the ground and to come back stronger. Michelle deserves that."
"Holly, you and your new little one deserves it too."
Holly smiled loosely. "Ed and I have agreed to an amicable divorce, Vanessa. When he gets home, we will sign the papers and end our marriage."
"What about the baby?" Again, Vanessa looked downward. "Michelle told me, but to be honest it's obvious to a woman whose been there before."
"The baby will be raised in a home that is quiet, and calm, as for the rest. It will work its self out."
With that, Michelle appeared. "I'm ready." She stood on her tip toes and pecked Vanessa on the cheek. "Thanks for having me" She said as if it had been a planned stay.
"You're welcome, Michelle. Be good for Holly"
"She always is" Holly relayed, putting an arm around Michelle's shoulder. "Come on, let's go. We have a lot to talk about."
THE END
