Sean, Fiz and Maria sit huddled in a booth a the Rovers return sipping their pints. Sean and Fiz are filling Maria in on the days work at Underworld.
"Mr. Lawrence is dead nice actually. He is quite strict but he is warm and friendly," said Fiz.
"And he is a hit with the ladies because he is gorgeous to look at. I wouldn't kick that out of bed in the morning," added Sean.
Maria almost spit out her pint.
"What? I'm being honest Maria he is tall dark and handsome. Tell me you wouldn't kick that out of bed in the morning?"
"Well the chances of Mr. Lawrence-"
"Alex, he likes for you to call him Alex," interrupted Sean.
"Okay Alex, well the chances of Alex Lawrence ever getting within the vicinity of my bed are slim to none."
"AW gosh Maria don't be such a kill joy," said Fez. "You're fit, he's fit you two need to get together asap."
"Yep, yep Fiona dating extraordinaire is correct Maria. When two fit people don't take the opportunity to have at it, horrible things happen in the universe," said Sean in a matter of fact tone.
"Yes Sean is right," chimed in Fiz once more. "Lots of horrible things happen like puppies and kittens die, your grass turns yellow, and the milk goes sour."
"I heard the milkman doesn't even come around anymore."
"Oh come off it the both of you. I am not going to sleep with Mr. Lawrence, he just got here, I don't even know him. Besides I have a kid to raise, I don't have time to date."
"You're preaching to the wrong choir babe. Fiz and I both got young ones. And besides we didn't say anything about dating, we said screwing. Those are two different things. As for not knowing him, you have to get to know him. Oh and here's the perfect opportunity sexy man just walked in."
On cue, Fiz pushes Maria from the booth and she falls straight at the feet of Mr. Lawrence. Maria is horrified, but Mr. Lawrence looks simply amused.
"Do you need some help up Miss?"
"Thank you that would be much welcomed." Maria glared over in Sean and Fiz's direction.
"Just call me cupid," Sean mouthed and Fiz bursts out into a fit of laughter.
Mr. Lawrence glanced in their direction looking slightly bewildered, and then turned back to face Maria, "I think they are having a laugh at our expense."
"Yes I think we may be the but of some private joke, although I don't know what." This was a lie, Maria knew exactly what was up.
Mr. Lawrence smiled and Maria thought he had the most strangely beautiful; features she had ever seen. He looked almost evil at times, the dangerous evil beauty that her staunch Catholic grandmother told her only Demons or Lucifer possessed. She felt intrigued by him.
"I didn't quite catch your name."
"That's because I didn't quite give it to you" Maria was surprised at how playful and flirty she was being with this man. It came so easily and he seemed to be enjoying it.
"Touché, but do you think you could manage it?"
"Not until you give me yours first."
"That's easy, Alex."
"Maria."
"Pretty name for a pretty girl."
"You know your name is ancient Egyptian for beloved lady."
"No I did not know that."
"Well you learn new something everyday, and you can't say I never gave you anything."
"Who says we will ever get to that point?"
"No one, but I have a feeling about you Maria. Would you at least let me get you a drink?"
"Yes," Maria followed him over to the bar and gave her order, which was just a vodka tonic. He ordered a brandy.
"So what's Alex ancient Egyptian for?"
"It isn't, it's Greek for the goddess Hera, meaning one who saves heroes and later meaning for one who defends men."
"How do you know all this?"
"My parents, they had degrees in ancient civilizations, I spent my youth travelling to various corners of the earth while they taught in their fields."
"Interesting."
"Some would think, but it was all actually rather ordinary for me. So enough about me, what's your story Maria."
"I don't know, I don't really have one."
There was a glint in Alex's eyes and for a second Maria thought of his strange evil beauty.
"Everyone has a story."
Alex pulled out his wallet and collected his change from Steve. Carla saw a picture in his wallet with a girl who had dark brown hair and blue gray eyes. She felt a little jealous and before she could help it she blurted out,
"She's pretty."
He must have been able to detect her jealousy because for a second Alex wore the familiar look of amusement on his face.
"Thank you, that's my sister Louise." He seemed preoccupied for a moment before he decided to add, "She died eight years ago."
Maria felt horrible, "Oh, I'm so sorry," she whispered.
"It's nothing really, life goes on whether the ones we love are here or not. To my parents Louise is like ancient history."
Maria didn't know how to respond, for a moment she thought of Liam and little Liam. Would little Liam grow up with that same apathetic approach to death and dying?
Alex tried to make the situation more comfortable, "You don't even want to know what Louise is ancient Greek for?"
"What is it?" said Maria all too happy to try and cheer up and think of something else.
"It isn't Greek, it's German."
"Ahh, you got me."
"But it means famous warrior. I think the warrior part accurately describes my sister."
Just thing Michelle walked in she looked grave as she rushed towards Maria, spotting Mr. Lawrence she shot suspicious daggers from her eyes.
"Maria I need to talk to you it's urgent."
"I'm in the middle of something Michelle."
Michelle turned shooting an incredulous look at Alex. "What, him? He can wait can't he?"
"Gosh Michelle keep your voice down, don't be so rude.".
"He doesn't mind does he?" Michelle turned to Alex and asked, "You don't mind of I interrupt for a moment do you?"
"No go right ahead," said Alex raising his hands up in defense of Michelle's glaring eyes.
"What then?" Maria was annoyed.
"It's about Dr. Harrington. I've tried contacting her, can't get an answer for days now. Her Secretary hasn't seen her either. I am going to make a trip down to her practice first thing tomorrow. Strange that first Carla disappears and now her shrink."
"You said Carla wasn't disappeared."
"You know what I mean."
"No I don't."
Now it was Michelle's turn to get irritated. " Well the point is I need back up tomorrow, your going to have to pull a sick day."
"I can't Michelle. I already have an appointment booked for Liam tomorrow."
"We'll go later then and no buts about it. Carla is family and we are going to do what it takes to look out for her." Michelle turned abruptly and left.
"I am so sorry about her, she's my sister in law. My husband died five years ago."
"Sorry to hear that."
"So where were we?"
"Ah actually Maria I've been thinking it is getting quite late, I need to get home. I live out in the country and have a bunch of things to do tonight. I should go."
"I understand, but I hope to see you around."
"Chances are you will. I will be at Underworld for a while."
"Is Carla ok?" Maria asked just to be polite.
"To be honest I don't really know. She seems fine, just needed to get away and take a break is all. Well goodnight Maria."
"Goodnight Alex."
Once safely inside his car, Frank Foster pulled out his mobile and scrolled through his contacts until he reached Katherine Harrington. He pressed send and waited patiently for the line to go through.
"Hello," answered Dr. Harrington's voice.
"Looks like you'll have to make a quick drive back into town tonight Kate. Michelle Connor is looking for you."
"But what about the tapes, I haven't gone through all of them yet."
"You can take them with you," Frank answered impatiently. "Just remember you won't tell Tony you listened to those ones."
"Yes I know," sighed Dr. Harrington.
"I'm serious Doctor, you work for me now. As far as Tony is concerned your still bating for him. But you are going to follow my plan now. So make sure you find Carla, I'll give you Crawford for this task. You can screw around with her head for a bit make Tony feel like his diabolical plans are coming to fruition but you answer to me understand?"
"Yes Foster, I understand."
"Good." Frank hung up the phone and sat in his car in the dark for a few minutes. He had no idea a dark figure was watching him from across the street as he put the key in the ignition and speed away.
Michelle Connor did not trust this new man who had just arrived on Coronation Street and was determined to figure out exactly what his game was for Carla's sake.