"No, I don't think that's quite how it's going to work."
From where he had been sitting, Steve had seen Tarrington enter the lounge before Shane and Kim realized the ISA Chief had entered. They spun around in surprise when he spoke.
"What are you doing here, Tarrington," Steve growled.
"Ahh, Mr. Johnson, as well-mannered as ever," Tarrington replied. A moment later, Carly entered. She crossed over to Bo, who wrapped a protective arm around her shoulder.
Neil asked, "What's going on? I thought Carly was in the lab."
"I asked her to join us," Tarrington said. "Though you are no longer needed, Dr. Curtis. Your cooperation with our security precautions are appreciated, but they have been lifted. My people are in the process of informing your staff that they may leave." When Neil just nodded, Tarrington gave him a long, pointed look until he got the message and said that he probably should supervise the staff.
Once he had left, Tarrington looked around the room. "I suppose asking Mr. Black and the younger Mr. Brady to also leave is pointless, even if this is ISA business."
"We've got as much right to be here as anyone else," Bo snarled. "You dragged my fiancee into this mess."
Tarrington chuckled. "Actually, you can thank former Captain Donovan for doing that," he said. "And I assume Mr. Black will insist on staying due to his noble efforts in attempting to bring Lawrence Alamain to justice - futile though they were."
"They were hardly futile," Shane shot back. "You can't deny what we did."
"Of course, we can, old chap," Tarrington said, sounding almost amused. "What do you think the point of the hospital lockdown was? While you and your associates were rather occupied here, our sources in the press were establishing the foundations for the media reports. In fact, the initial reports already are going out as we speak."
Steve could hear the self-satisfied tone in Tarrington's voice and, even before the man finished, Steve wanted to wipe that smug grin off his face.
"It's already established," Tarrington declared. "It's thanks to the work of the ISA, and especially the heroic efforts of Carly Manning, and Roman Brady, that Lawrence Alamain's plot was ended."
"That's bull-" Steve shouted, but he doubted Tarrington could hear him over the shouts and protests from the others in the room. Roman had to block Bo from charging the ISA Chief, and Steve felt Kayla press her hand down on his shoulder, most likely to keep him from rising and doing the same. But even as she did, she cried out that the ISA couldn't do that.
When the shouting died down, Steve glared at Tarrington. "So that was your plan? Have us do the dirty work and then lock us in here while you spread lies to the press? It won't work."
"It already has, Johnson." Tarrington sounded certain. "If you go to your brother with another story, it will just be viewed as another one of his attempts to drum up business. Nobody will believe it."
Steve had to admit there was probably some truth to that. Nobody had picked up Jack's earlier story about Cal Winters, and Steve suspected that the ISA would put pressure on the major newspapers and TV networks to do the same now.
"You're forgetting something," Roman said.
Tarrington raised an eyebrow. "Am I?"
"Yeah. . . . You need Carly and me to go along with your sham." Roman said, in a tone that made it clear that was not going to happen.
Steve felt Kayla's hand loosen on his shoulder and he heard her say, appreciatively, "That's right."
Across the room, next to Tarrington, Kim was looking at Roman with a soft smile. An arm wrapped tightly around her, Shane watched stoically. He did not say anything and his expression was unreadable.
Roman continued. "You've been feeding me lies ever since I returned to Salem and I'm done being played for a fool. It's going to be hard enough making it up to my family for being such a bastard for these past few months, but if you think for one damn minute that I'm going to stand up in front of the press and take credit for what Shane did, you've got another thing coming to you."
Carly nodded. "Same goes for me."
Tarrington did not seem concerned. "Oh, I would seriously reconsider that, Dr. Manning. Not only could I shut down your precious Immunology Lab with the stroke of a pen, but I'm sure you probably wouldn't want the state licensing board inquiring into how Katerina Von Leuschner managed to obtain a medical license under a false name." Tarrington turned to face Roman. "And Commander Brady, these delusions of yours are quite a new concern. Perhaps you require more observation than we previously believed. Your captivity could be having a delayed reaction."
"You bastard," Roman snarled. His face was growing scarlet, and Steve could tell his fury was growing as heated as Steve's was.
"Shall I continue?" Tarrington asked. "You seem so concerned about your extended family, but how would your sister feel if Mr. Johnson were quarantined for further examination? After all, he was heavily exposed to Lawrence Alamain's deadly toxin. And I hardly need to address Mr. Black's situation. We could-"
Roman lost it. He rushed toward Tarrington, his fist raised. But just before he reached his target, Shane stepped forward and blocked Roman's path.
"Don't," Shane said in a tone that Steve knew all too well.
Don't you start this again, Donovan, Steve thought. He started to rise to his feet to protest, but Shane glanced at him and their eyes met. Shane was giving Steve a warning and unmistakably was telling him to back off. Don't do this, Steve thought, then realized that Shane could tell what he was thinking when Shane gave a tiny shake of his head along with a look that said, I have to.
Shane turned to Tarrington. "That's enough. You don't have to make any more threats." He looked down at Kim and said, in a resigned voice, "We tried, Kim, but it's over." Raising his head back up to face Tarrington, Shane said, "Congratulations, Tarrington, you win."