Chapter 57

When Anna and Robert walked through their front door, Anna let out a little sigh. They'd had no idea what they were going to find out when they had left. They had wanted to find out why they had used Finn, there was no way she could have known what all would be exposed. Speaking of Finn she has to call him now that she's back. "Do you think we should talk to Finn here?" she asked as they carried their bags into the bedroom.

"I think that would be a good idea. Here if he makes a scene, no one will overhear it."

"Robert, he's not going to make a scene."

"He isn't going to take it well, either. He wants to know what was done to him and all we can really tell him is that it was part of Peter's plan."

"We don't even know what all he was planning. What if he did do other things to Finn? What if there are other suggestions planted in there that Peter is just waiting to unlock. What all did he do to him?"

"Anna, you can't assume he wanted to use Finn for anything more than trying to control what you believed."

"How can we be sure he didn't?" Anna looked over at him, the look on her face told him she wasn't trying to fight, she just wanted them to think about all the possibilities.

"I'm sure once Frisco knows a little more he'll fill us in. You're right, we can't be sure of what Hendrick has been up to."

"We should tell Finn how it was triggered." Anna paused, "If there's more, how and who can trigger those? Valentine triggered mine so who else. He didn't even know, he just told me what he believed." Anna let out a frustrated breath. They've gone over this a few times now and it never came out any better. Yes, they have some answers but they just lead to more questions that they can't answer.

After he had put his bag down Robert came and took Anna's from her. When he returned he put his arms around her. "We can keep talking about this or we can just crawl into our bed and get some sleep. I'm beat, Luv. I need to not think about any of that for a little while."

"Yeah, you're right." She looked over at the bed. So inviting. She could curl up in his arms and just sleep. Anna suddenly felt drained. She had been pushing and now that she's home and in their bedroom, all she wanted to do was sleep too. "Sleep sounds amazing."

…

The following morning, Finn was in his hotel suite pacing as he waited for Alexis. He was grateful she's been there for him through this. He knows he could have really messed things ups between them but she's stuck by him. Now that Anna has called to say she's back and they need to talk at her house he was horrified about what they might have to tell him and that's why he had called Alexis.

What kind of man is Peter August, really? What all had Peter done to him? What else could he make him do? Finn, stop it, he told himself. It had only been a few days since Anna had called and told him it was Peter that had planted the suggestion in his mind but that was more than enough time for him to come up with more and more frightening situations, all of which ended badly for him.

He jumped slightly when there was a knock at his door. Finn turned and went to answer it, glad to see Alexis standing there. "Good. You're here."

Alexis was slightly confused by his greeting, "You did ask me to come over," Alexis said as she walked into his room, wondering what was going on.

"Right, yeah. Ah, no it's good you're here. Anna's back." He turned to look at her, "They want to talk to me."

"Oh, what about?" Finn had already told her all about the phone conversation he'd had with Anna.

"I don't know," he admitted. After a moment he started asking, "What all did Alex tell them? How exactly is Peter involved? How bad is it that Anna is calling him Henrick?"

"Why are you so worked up? This is good, Finn. If Anna is back and wants to talk then she can answer those questions for you."

"What is she going to tell me this time?" Finn started to pace nervously, "It won't be good, I guaranty that." He ran his hand through his hair, "Peter planted suggestions in my head. What else is in there?"

"Finn, I really think you should just go talk to Anna."

"I don't want to see her with Robert, alright? Yeah, he's working on this with her but that's not why he is at her house."

"Now you're jealous?" Alexis asked, not sure she fully believes his sudden shift in attitude.

"I don't know, no." He turned from her putting his had to his chin. "It's a reminder, I guess. I feel like I have lost something rather special but was it even Anna I had that with?"

Alexis hated seeing him like this. She was sure he wasn't using but she didn't think he was taking very good care of himself either, not sleeping enough, not eating properly. She can't imagine what he's going through. "Do you want me to go with you? Is that why you asked to come here?"

That thought had crossed his mind, he looked up at her, "That wouldn't be awkward for you?"

Alexis let out a long sigh, "Well, it's not going to be fun for any of us. Finn, I think you could really use someone in your corner today."

"Yeah, I think I do. Thanks."

Alexis put her hand on his arm and gave it a little squeeze, "Let's get this over with." She slid her hand to his back then they left.

…

Finn was still a little on edge as they walked up to the door, "Just relax, it will be alright." He nodded then knocked, no point wasting any more time, he thought as he took a deep breath.

Robert answered the door when they arrived, he greeted them then led them to the sitting room. The fact Anna was pacing when they arrived didn't make either of them feel any better. "Hello Anna," Finn said as he stopped by the chairs.

She stopped and turned to them. "Hi sorry, just a lot on my mind." Anna took a good look at him then. "You aren't eating or sleeping enough, are you. Oh Finn, please don't let this wear at you." She looked over at Alexis. "Hi, I'm glad you're here. I guess he's been telling you about all of this."

"Yeah, I offered to be here." Alexis looked right at Anna. "I'd understand if this is something I can't hear, or you not wanting me here."

"No, stay. This way you hear it straight from us as well." They both looked over at Finn, Alexis understood Anna knew why she was here and was glad Finn had someone helping him.

Robert offered them coffee then they all got settled. Anna sat beside Finn on the couch facing him, Robert and Alexis both choosing to remain standing. "I don't really know exactly where to start." Anna looked at Finn and could tell he just wanted her to get on with it. "Alex did confirm that the only time Peter planted any suggestions on you was when you were," she paused, "away for that weekend. As far as she knows it was only that one but I will not rule out that there could be more. If he is anything like his father he will have several backup plans. More than one thing in motion to ensure his success."

Finn looked a little like he was losing hope at hearing that. "I'm not sure that's helping right at the moment," Alexis said from by the fireplace where she was standing. Robert was closer to Anna's desk but they were both staying back, letting the two of them handle this.

Anna nodded, then continued, "I just think we should all be aware that we can not underestimate this man. "Henrick," she started.

"I think you need to stick with Peter for now," Robert reminded her. He'll call Faison jr whatever he wants but Anna needs to be careful now.

"Right, Peter is clearly his father's son."

"Yeah, I think I've got it." Finn glanced over at Alexis then back at Anna. "I think you covered what Peter had done to his mother. We can't be completely sure one way or another about what might be in my head. You want the people that associate with Peter to be careful."

"Well, the people he might think of as friends, yes. Desperate people do crazy things and we can't risk anyone's safety."

"So what can I do? What do I have to do now?"

"Nothing," she put her hand on his. "The best thing you can do is nothing at all."

"What? No!" Finn couldn't believe she was suggesting this.

"She means we need to just go about life as normal for the time being," Robert offered from behind him. Finn looked back at him. "For right now, Henrick can not know that we suspect him of anything. He can't know that Alex knows what he did to her. The longer he believes you have no idea what was done to you the better."

Finn took that in, then nodded, "Right."

"How is the investigation going?" Alexis asked. "I assume that's why you're all waiting."

"It is just getting underway but there are some very interesting things already coming to light so I'm sure it won't be much longer before Junior is facing a boatload of charges," Robert told her.

"Shouldn't you still be working on this then? Why are you back here?" Finn asked Anna as he turned back to her.

"We will not be working on this case, partly because the WSB feels I might be a little too close to it, the same goes for Robert. The main reason though, is Peter might get suspicious if we are out of town for too long. We can't have him suspicious for any reason."

"Do you really think he won't know something is up?" Finn asked.

"That's why we all have to act like it's business as usual. If you see him, don't stare at him trying to figure out what he did. In fact just ignore him," Anna said holding up her hands.

"Right," he scoffed.

"Do you spend a lot of time with the man?" Robert asked, sounding annoyed by Finn's response.

"What he means to say is," Anna cut in, "He's not a part of your life. If you see Peter in passing interact with him as you always have. You can't let on that you know anything about him."

"Yeah, I understand. How long is this going to take?"

"That depends really but I assure you this is a top priority," Anna said as she touched his hand again.

"This will be resolved?"

"Yes, this is not over and Peter will pay for the things he has done," Anna assured him.

"Was there anything else you had to tell me?"

"No, do you have any other questions?"

"Um." Finn stood up and looked at the other two people in the room. "No, no questions. I do have something to say though." He paused as Anna moved closer to Robert. "I'm sorry. I made mistakes. I said terrible things and all three of you were affected by that. I just want you all to know, I realize what I did and I am truly sorry for any pain I have caused."

"It's not like you were completely to blame," Robert said. "You got messed around with just like Anna and Alex."

Finn looked at the other man a little surprised to hear that from him. "I think I'm going to get out of here. We broke up, I probably shouldn't be seen here." Alexis followed him out of the room then out the door without saying a word. He might not be ready to talk about this but she didn't think he should be alone at the moment either.

As soon as they were alone Robert took Anna in his arms, "Do you feel better now?"

"I had to talk to him. I owed him that much." She put her head against his chest as her arms slipped around his waist.

"And now?"

"Now I hope he listens and just lets the WSB handle this. Once we know a little more we'll know what we have to do next."

Robert kissed her forehead, "Alright, that works for me." He understood this couldn't be easy on any of the people involved. On any of the people that have had their lives interfered with by Henrick. "I think I should take you out for dinner."

"I'd like that very much. What are we going to do until then?" she asked with a smile.

"If you follow me up to our room I think you just might get a message."

Anna grinned, "Just a message?"

Robert took her hand, "I didn't say that."

…

That evening Robert and Anna went to the Metro Court. They hadn't gone there looking for Peter but weren't all that surprised to see him step off the elevator a short time after they had been seated.

He walked over to their table, a smile on his face. "Hello Anna, Robert. I haven't seen you lately. Does that mean you've been out doing the spy thing with this guy?" Robert knew he was trying to be charming but all he wanted to do was knock that little smirk off his face.

"We were off doing our thing," Anna said and grinned at Robert. "We went on a little trip. We did some visiting, a little sightseeing and spent some much needed time alone."

"Well, that sounds lovely. I don't want to interrupt just wanted to say hello. So I'll be on my way."

Anna watched him walk over to the bar then turned back to Robert. They both leaned in and she said, "Did he really think we would just up and say we've been talking to Alex?"

"He might have learnt a lot from his father but I don't think he will give us the same level of problems as Faison and no, I will not underestimate him," he said and gave her a little grin.

"Good," Anna leaned in and kissed him then sat back with a smile on her face as their waiter came over to take their order.

Peter had taken a seat at the bar and was now casually watching Anna and Robert. They seem to be enjoying each other's company, he believed they were on a date and not interested in him at all. Then that voice in the back of his head started again. It had been there for years, Scorpio and Devane can't be trusted. It had been when his father was in hiding after that tanker was blown up with him on it. Scorpio messes everything up. His father had said that so many times afterwards. These words rang true once again. If Scorpio hadn't been here his plan would have worked. What were they up to, he wondered. They hadn't given him a second glance since he had walked away from their table.

Peter finished his drink then turned and looked right at them, Robert was saying something that she was laughing at. They really don't seem interested in him. Maybe he's a little on edge right now. No one has mentioned anything, no one was asking questions. They very well could have just gone on a vacation together, they had just gotten back together. Maybe he'll talk to Maxie and find out a little more about Anna's trip, the uncertainty was starting to wear on him.