Alexis sat in her car and turned on her phone. There were a ton of texts from Molly and Kristina, and she quickly typed out a few replies to soothe any worry. She sat in her car pondering her next move. At this point, Victor had probably set up some type of surveillance in her motel room, requiring all "discoveries" from here on out to be staged. But Alexis had more thinking to do. She pulled out and drove until she found a small coffee shop that was still open. From the street she saw a layout that would allow her to be watched, but still afford her a small measure of privacy if she sat in the back. It would have to do.

She shifted in a back booth, stirring her French roast as she waited for her sandwich. Alexis wasn't particularly hungry, but she knew she wouldn't be able to make it through the night on an empty stomach. The hot liquid swirled around her cup and she poured a little cream, watching streaks of white spiral into the black until both merged into her preferred mocha color. Once she ate, she would return to her hotel room and put on the performance of a distraught Alexandra before buckling down and typing a proposal. And then she would sleep restlessly—all for the cameras she was sure were installed in her room by now. Fortunately, Alexis wouldn't need to put too much effort into her acting to be convincing. She was petrified.

Alexis woke late the next morning after a night of tossing and turning and showered. She packed up her belongings and checked out, grabbing a stale croissant and a cup of bad coffee from what was left of the motel's continental breakfast. Five hours before her presence was required at Wyndemere. She needed her strength before she faced Victor that afternoon, and there was really only one place that would steel her reserve before she capitulated to her uncle's demands. Alexis pulled her car out of the lot and headed for Pentonville.

The fluorescent lighting shone on the small table and chairs. The room's glossy, institutional tile amplified the brightness, and Alexis found herself wincing somewhat against the glare. She tapped her fingers idly against the table, the only outlet for the tension that enveloped her. When the door finally opened and Sam slid passed the guard into the room, Alexis nearly jumped out of her chair. Her beautiful daughter stood cuffed in front of her, in a denim shirt at least one size too large that made her seem tinier, if that were even possible. Alexis moved to hug her, but was quickly warned against physical contact by the guard. He stood in the doorway, unmoving as Alexis stared at him.

-"You know I'm her lawyer?"

-"Yes."

-"Great. So I'll knock on the door when we're finished."

The guard snorted at his dismissal and moved into the hallway. Once out of sight, Alexis reached over and grabbed Sam's hand. "How are you, baby?"

Sam sighed. "I'm terrible. But I'm managing to keep it together. How's Danny?"

-"Kristina and Molly say he's doing fine, baby. He asks for you, but he's adjusting. In his mind it's just a trip you're taking. We tell him you're coming back soon every day."

-"What did you mean by 'Kristina and Molly'? How is he around you?" Alexis was silent. Sam's tone turned accusatory, "Are you saying you haven't seen him? Mom! I'm locked in here. You're his world even when I'm *in* the room. I need you to be there for him."

Alexis shook off the rebuke and looked at her hands. "I know, baby. But I need you out. And I had to go away to make that happen." She lifted her head to meet Sam's gaze. "I may have to leave again. I have a lead."

-"What is it?"

-"I don't want to get your hopes up. But suffice it to say things were a little too clean for this to be a crime of passion. And that is creating its own clues and leads."

Sam nodded her head. "You're using Spinelli?"

-"Not yet. But I promise if we need him, I will."

-"Are you using Dad?"

Alexis nodded. "Yes. Your father is exploring leads as well." She kept her explanation as curt as possible to avoid lying to her daughter outright.

-"Mom, I can help. We can strategize in here."

She smiled at her daughter. Even in a prison cell, she still had her fire. It didn't belong in a place as gray as Pentonville, and God—or Victor—willing, it wouldn't be contained there much longer. "I promise, as soon as I have a hypothesis we'll discuss it."

Sam nodded. "I'm just so frustrated."

-"I know sweetheart. I promise I'll get you home."

-"I'm scared, Mom. The evidence seems like nothing, but the police seem so sure. I can't believe they think I would do this."

-"Huh." Alexis thought back to her Floating Rib conversation with Dante and understood why Det. Nagy seemed so off to her. Clearly she was working for Victor. But Dante had said something else too—that Sam's case wasn't the only one she was working where concerns had been raised. What else was Victor up to?

-"Mom?…Mom!" Sam tried to bring her mother's attention back to her. Alexis appeared to snap out of it and raised an eyebrow in response. Sam looked at her curiously. "What is it? Where did you just go?"

-"It's the cops." Alexis had to carefully walk this line. "I don't entirely think they believe you did this." She started to rattle off some of her reasons. "They waited a few days to execute the warrant. Dante doesn't seem to be on board with the idea that you did this in a crime of passion. Even Anna's heart doesn't seem like it's in it." She smiled at her daughter as she reached for her hand. "I'm trying to say, it's not hopeless, Sam. They're still looking elsewhere…I have a really good feeling about this, and you should, too."

-"I thought you didn't want to get my hopes up?" She smirked before mumbling under her breath, "I wouldn't worry about that happening."

-"Now that's enough of that." Alexis's tone was sharper than she intended. "You've been in here fewer than 48 hours. All you have right now is hope. So get that PI brain of yours working." Alexis looked at her watch. She was cutting it close to make her meeting with Victor.

Sam noticed the signs of imminent departure and asked sadly, "You're leaving me already?"

-"I am." Alexis came around the table to grab her face and kiss her forehead. She absently wiped the smudge of lipstick she'd left behind. "I have a flight to catch to New York. I should be back late tomorrow, and I promise I'll spend as much time with Danny as possible. And if we're lucky…well, you'll be home soon to join him."

-"OK." Sam tried to inject strength into her voice. Her mother was right—it was too soon to give up hope. She needed to focus on what was driving her—her anger—and not the frustration that was thwarting her. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

-"I'll try. If not, then definitely the next day. Good bye, sweetheart. I love you."

Sam looked at her mother before the guard appeared to take her back to her cell. There was something her mother wasn't telling her, and Sam had let it go, too tired to wrestle it out of her. She'd rest up and take her shot at Alexis during her next visit.

Alexis arrived at Wyndemere with plenty of time to spare. She'd rehearsed her proposal in her head during the short launch trip, trying to orchestrate how she would use Victor's extreme narcissism to her advantage. There was only one possible solution she could think of to free both Sam and Spencer, except Alexandra wasn't clever enough to devise it. If the clues she'd left in her motel room didn't do the trick, she needed to lead Victor there without him realizing her purpose. She spent time pacing the docks rehearsing, unworried that her uncle's eyes were on her. Alexis would appear nervous to anyone following her which is what Victor expected. With a final glimpse at her watch, she turned and pulled her shoulders back in a gesture of false bravado. Time to put her gatekeeping skills to the test.

Victor placed a glass of Chardonnay in front of her over her initial objections: "This is a conversation between family, Alexandra. There is no reason this needs to be hostile. Sharing a glass of wine together is what separates us from the animals." She watched him sip it first, a move he apparently noticed. "Now really, Alexandra. Why would I poison you before we even begin negotiating? How does that get me what I want?"

-"You may have decided this 'negotiation' is more trouble than it's worth. Now that Nikolas is dead and it was an accident, killing me doesn't involve the same level of risk."

He considered her carefully. "True. But it is entirely possible you intend to propose something that makes you more valuable to me alive." He put his glass down and looked at her coldly. "Are you?"

She avoided his gaze immediately, fearing he'd see the anger in her eyes and wanting to appear cowed. "I hope so," she whispered. Alexis looked at him and realized she was coming off as too meek. Alexandra needed to come off as decisive enough to be valuable but non-threatening. A shy mouse had no value at all.

Alexis stood, her voice more confident. "I do have a proposal, Uncle. One I think satisfies your need for money without leaving you stuck with an eight-year old to rear."

-"I'm listening."

-"You need money. Cassadine Industries has a lot of it. My proposal is to invest in you, Uncle. Using Cassadine funds."

He smirked at her. "Continue."

-"We establish a small investment company in the Caymans. We provide the seed capital to invest in small start-up companies."

-"Why would I want to invest in small start-up companies."

-"Because they're not actual companies. They're your bank accounts that don't have your name tied to them."

Victor nodded. "And why would we do this?"

-"It's a new business line we start in honor of Nikolas. We market it that way to the executive leadership. I run it on behalf of the estate, so I'm the only one who sees the money going out…and in theory coming in."

-"Won't there be questions, Alexandra? Won't people wonder where the money has gone?"

-"Investing in start ups is notoriously risky. Most small companies don't make it. The company will write off the loss, and I'll play on the guilt of Nikolas's passing to stifle any questions we may receive." She changed her tone to ease his concerns. "We pitch it as investing in ideas. And of course I'll invest in one or two that are legitimate. But you let me worry about that."

-"And none of this is traceable to me?"

-"No." Alexis pulled a proposal out of her bag. "This is roughly how it would work. I believe we could get you twice as much as the trust."

Victor idly flipped through the pages in front of him, distracted by the questions forming in his head.

-"But who would run the company then? Can we trust the new CEO?"

Alexis took time outlining Nikolas's succession plan. "He made sure that Cassadine Industries would continue to thrive in his absence, ensuring the family's success and Spencer's future inheritance. Plus, he knows me. He trusts me."

-"But wouldn't it be better left in the hands of family, Alexandra?" Alexis didn't know whether to feel relieved or panicked by his line of questions. Clearly Victor had put the pieces together, but her mouth was dry at the thought of actually going through with it.

She pulled her head back into the conversation. "Are you suggesting you run Cassadine Industries, Uncle? I thought you had rejected that idea. Why is it suddenly safe?"

-"It's not safe for me to run Cassadine Industries, Alexandra. At least where everyone can see me. It is, however, safe for you to run it."

Alexis shook her head in confusion, "Me? Why would I run Cassadine Industries?"

-"Because you loved Nikolas passionately. Because his passing and his orphaned son have reminded you how important legacy and family are. Because you're Mikkos Cassadine's last surviving child and your family is relying on you in its time of need. Pick one, Alexandra."

-"You misunderstand me, Uncle. I'm not asking what we're putting in the press release or telling the executive committee. I'm asking you: what good does it do *you* if I'm running Cassadine Industries?"

-"You're the figurehead, my dear. *I'm* running Cassadine Industries." Victor pulled a document from his desk and plopped it on the settee next to her. "Counter-proposal."

Alexis sat and read his plan, recognizing the path formed with the breadcrumbs she had left scattered in her motel room the night before. As she read, he briefly verbalized the key points. "You, Alexandra, would serve as the CEO of Cassadine Industries. Representing the company in board meetings, in the press, at social functions. Most importantly, you'll sign off on any decisions I make. Or should I say *you* make. All you need to do is sign your name where I tell you."

She knew he was expecting her to protest, so she did. "What you're proposing…it won't work. The executives would never buy it. I've never expressed an interest in running the company. This change from Nikolas's vision…I mean, I'm not even qualified. No one would believe I suddenly would take this on."

-"You're selling yourself short, my dear. Everyone knows Stefan trusted you implicitly as did Nikolas. You've been involved intimately in the dealings of the company for years. How many calls did you get once Nikolas died?"

Alexis didn't have a hard time imbuing desperation in her voice. She knew she needed to argue against the proposal for Victor to believe it wasn't her idea, and it was coming easier than she thought it would. "You know I had a lot of calls because he was incapacitated. From a legal perspective…"

Victor cut her off sharply. "No one will question that a child of Mikkos Cassadine would try and seize power when it was available. Not even a bastard...and I say that without intending any offense."

-"None taken," she replied bitterly.

-"Plus, you will change your name to show your commitment. It would need to be total, Alexandra. Or should I say *Natasha*" He pulled out another legal document for her. "Natasha Alexandra Mikkosovna Cassadine was born the day that Nikolas Cassadine died." She looked at the document he handed her: it would legally change her name to what should have been hers at birth.

-"I can't."

His tone became harsh. "You can. And you will. Or Samantha rots in jail for the rest of her natural life, Alexandra." He went back to his chair. "You will serve as CEO to Cassadine industries, you will live at the family compound and serve as the head of the family. And you will do everything I tell you."

She started to breathe erratically. "I won't live on that Island."

-"You will." He looked at her contemplatively. "It has occurred to me, Alexandra, that perhaps you underestimate my willingness to punish you for disobedience."

Alexis quickly met his eyes with her own. "What do you mean?"

-"Where is Mr. Jerome?"

Her eyes grew wide in surprise and fear. "I don't know."

He smiled coldly. "I'm going to ask you one more time, Alexandra. And I suggest you don't lie to me this time. I repeat: where is Mr. Jerome."

-"Asia. He had business in Asia." Her eyes started to fill with tears. "He went to the Philippines on business."

-"Well, he started in the Philippines. But two nights ago he had a business meeting with a new investor in Jakarta."

Alexis closed her eyes. "He was going to see if his business was the reason Sam was being framed."

-"A noble pursuit. He really had all the makings of a great father. Unfortunately, his investor betrayed him and his boss. I'm afraid there were a number of casualties, Alexandra."

Her head started to spin, and her throat constricted. Alexis stood and moved to the pitcher of water on the bar. She just needed a drink so she could breathe again and collect her thoughts. Alexis took two steps and then everything went black.