Chapter 6

January 23, 2009

Villa Scorpio

Mac and Robert strode on to the Kestrel. Robert began to issue orders to the First Officer Jalil Gaudi to set course for Spoon Island. Surprisingly, the officer did not budge.

"Is something wrong, Jalil?" asked Robert.

Jalil rumbled in his deep voice, "I see you are unaware of a new security procedure, Robert."

"Apparently. What is it?"

"The crew may only receive and execute orders given by those authorized by the Captain, such as Nyssa, or Andrew himself. Furthermore, only those considered one of us will be allowed to serve aboard in any capacity," replied Jalil. "We must be certain of the crew's loyalty to Andrew. There can be no exceptions."

Robert groaned. "Trust Salim to go to extremes."

"One of you? What does that mean?" asked Mac.

"A Thuggee, Mac. It is a cultural sect that I and the crew belong to. Only those indoctrinated into Salim's family sect may issue commands." For Mac's further enlightenment, Jalil added with a sly smile, "Think of it as an exclusive assassins' guild."

"Got it," answered Mac.

Robert fidgeted. "Call Andrew, please."

"He can't come along, Robby."

"Andrew won't be giving us much choice. It's his boat and his crew," answered Robert. "The Kestrel has always been Andrew's last chance escape option. He was given this boat and this crew when he was very young. Salim's right to tighten security and access."

"What happened to plausible deniability?" asked Mac.

"We'll have to play it by ear, I guess."

Andrew came jogging down the dock a few minutes later with Prospero at his heels. He led his father and uncle into the salon for a hurried conference. Robert quickly filled his son on the pertinent details.

"That's the plan. Now, please tell Jalil he can take orders from me," said Robert.

"Not necessary. I'm going with you. I haven't met Mrs. Cassadine face to face. I think I ought to rectify that," Andrew stated.

"You've met one rabid viper you've met them all," said Robert. "I don't want you anywhere near her."

"I will meet the person who killed my grandfather," said Andrew with steely resolve. "And most likely had a hand on killing someone I consider my sister."

"Jacques specifically instructed you to not take revenge on Helena."

"He did and I had every intention of honoring that until this business with Robin ... I mean Eve."

"Your mother and I will handle Helena."

"An attack on one is an attack on all," countered Andrew. "I promise to stay in the background. I just want to know my enemy first hand."

"Very blunt, isn't he?" observed Mac.

"Yes, he is. I don't know where he gets it from. He can be relentless like a dog with a juicy bone," said Robert. "Fine, Andrew, you can tag along but do NOT engage with ANYONE unless it's in self defense."

Andrew nodded. He left for the command deck.

"He's got an answer for everything," said Mac. "But he's right about family. An attack on one IS an attack on all."

"Do I detect a thawing in your attitude towards my boy?" asked Robert with a knowing smile.

"I did read up on Aspergers. Dia filled in a lot of blanks for me. I talked with Salim and Giles about him, too. I understand better where Andrew's coming from. He's unique in a lot of ways," Mac said. "Plus, he IS my only nephew. I'm stuck with him, like or no like."

"I sense a but in there."

Mac shook his head. "Faison. I will never, ever, forgive him for what he's done to us."

"Neither have I," said Robert softly.

"I thought you had for Andrew's sake."

"You thought wrong. One day in the future I WILL get him." Robert looked out the window. "I will make sure this family is safe from him if it's the last thing I ever do."

General Hospital

Bobbie gently shook Patrick awake. He awakened instantly and sat up.

"Is ... is she awake?" asked Patrick.

"If she sticks to her pattern, she should be waking up in an hour. I've taken her off the ventilator so you can talk to her." Bobbie placed a pile of garments on the cot. "Matt dropped off a change of clothes for you. He said not to worry about Emma. Andrew and Maxie have her for the day. Take some time to care for yourself, Patrick. Have a shower and some breakfast."

"Oh, god, Emma," Patrick rubbed his face with both hands. "I should go see her and -"

"You need to be here, Patrick. Emma misses you but Robin needs you more."

"We talked about this. Robin ... Eve ... she was always saying that I had to be prepared to be a single parent. And, I'm not, Bobbie. God help me, I'm not."

"Eve? Who's Eve?"

"The one I fell in love with. Never mind," said Patrick. "What am I going to do? What should I do?"

"Don't forget that you have a lot of people that care about you and Emma. We're here for you. Always," said Bobbie. Compassion and understanding shone out of her eyes and radiated from her gentle touch on his forearm. "Go on. I'll watch her."

Patrick thanked Bobbie and left the antechamber headed for the locker room. Luke arrived a few minutes later.

"Barbara Jean, is it true about ... about Robin?" asked Luke haltingly.

Bobbie nodded solemnly. "We're keeping the news under wraps for a while so the family can spend as much time with her as possible. How did you know?"

"Robert was at ... she's dying?" asked Luke.

Bobbie looked at her patient. "Yes, she is."

"But how? She was on the protocol. She seemed fine weeks ago." Luke could not tear his eyes away from the tiny, forlorn unmoving figure on the bed. "What happened? Does anyone know ... for sure?"

"Does it matter how, Luke? It doesn't change anything. She's slipping out of our hands and there's nothing we can do about it." Bobbie hugged her brother. "I know she meant a lot to you. I'm sorry."

Luke rested his head on Bobbie's head. His arms wound themselves around her. He could swear that he felt his very heart contract and his chest tighten. "She's been through so much and given back to a lot of people. This ... this isn't fair."

"What isn't fair is Emma growing up and never knowing her mother," said Bobbie nearly choking at the lump in her own throat. "We can tell her stories but that's only scratching the surface, barely."

"How's Patrick handling it? The family?"

Bobbie pointed at the cot. "Patrick hasn't left. Anna had to be pushed out last night. And Robert ... I think he's taking this the hardest."

At the mention of Robert's name, Luke looked away. "Well, she is the apple of his eye."

"He stays away, Luke, like he can't bear to look at her like this. He should be here with Anna."

"He's numb right now," said Luke. "Probably doesn't want to face it. It's tearing him up inside but he can't or won't show it."

"But still he-"

"I remember when I lost Lucky. I was a walking exposed nerve ending. Everything, anything and anyone caused me pain. I wanted to just ... just be left alone. Because, the one thing I wanted I could never have again. No one could help me."

"But YOU can help Robert. He'll listen to you."

"In one ear and out the other."

Bobbie took a deep breath. "My biggest regret when BJ died was that I couldn't hear her voice or look into her eyes one last time. I hugged her and got her off to school and that was it. I don't want that for Robert. Tell him, convince him to come here, spend time with her and say his goodbyes."

"Ah, you're overestimating the influence I have with him these days."

"Luke, please," insisted Bobbie. "If not for Robert, then do it for me. Talk to him."

"We're not on good terms."

"That's ridiculous. You two have never been able to hold a grudge against the other."

"Things change," said Luke. "He likes things in black and white and I like mine in vivid technicolor."

"What are you talking about?"

"We had a disagreement during Allan's fundraiser. We've been keeping our distance ever since."

Bobbie glared at Luke. "This is NOT the time for ... one of your schoolyard pissing contests. This is about HER." Bobbie pointed at Robin. "She's not able to say it but I know that she wants her father to be here. You and I know that a part of Robert will go with her. We're his oldest friends. We HAVE to help him through this. So, the first thing you have to do is to drag him out of whatever mental cave he's hiding himself in and talk to him."

"Sounds so easy," scoffed Luke.

"I don't care what you two are arguing about, Luke. I really don't," said Bobbie. "Whatever it is can't be more important than Robin. I'm sure you'll patch things up at some point."

Luke closed his eyes hoping that his mind could stop repeating his last conversation in the Cassadine parlor. No such luck. His thoughts were on an endless loop. "Some things can't ... won't be open to forgetting and forgiving."

"To be forgiven, someone has to ask for it first," said Bobbie. "Swallow your pride and say you're sorry for whatever it is you two are fighting over. I've been on the receiving end of Robert's anger. I know it's not pleasant. But I also know that he loves his friends and his family too much to ever really turn away from them."

Luke began to speak as if he wasn't in the room anymore. His voice was raspy. "Children should be off limits. No matter how old they are. Wreak vengeance on the parents but leave the kids be. That should be a law somewhere."

Believing that Luke was referring to Lucky's mental manipulation by Helena, Bobbie said, "You know what it's like to lose a child. Who better to help Robert than you?"

Luke sighed heavily. "Not this time, Red. I'm going to steer clear of the boy scout."

"But, Luke -" began Bobbie.

"I ... I've done too much already. I need to break off."

Bobbie crossed her arms and looked at Luke with suspicious eyes. "What have you done this time?"

"I've played the game too long," said Luke cryptically. "I'm on the wrong side. I see that now."

"What game?"

"Ever since Robert came back, I knew there was something going on but no one would clue me in. Heck, you knew more than I did. Lucky suspected something, too."

"Color me confused. What are you talking about?" asked Bobbie.

"Robert. His business ventures, his new house, his new kid. You knew all that before me." Luke was thoughtful. "And, so did Tracy and Edward."

"We were working together for the fundraiser. You were out of town for most of that. It was just like old times." Bobbie smiled. "We talked a lot and had so much fun."

"And that strange auction. Tracy and Edward bidding like mad. Sean and Ashton countering and pushing up the bid. Helena was furious," said Luke as the pieces coalesced in their rightful places in his mind. "They set her up. Naturally, she hits back. Then they come back at her and on and on. That's what's been going on under all our noses."

"Luke, our feud with the Cassadines is over. Put it behind you."

"Our feud is but ... but not the Cassadine Scorpio feud."

"What? There isn't one."

"But there is and it's just getting started." Luke's gaze drifted towards the patient in the window. "This time the fat lady ain't gonna be singing. She'll be screaming by the time they're through with her. Some things are beyond forgiveness."

Spoon Island

Robert was first off the Kestrel. To his surprise, Alfred was already at the dock and not issuing any protest whatsoever. He led them straight to the stables.

"Through that door, sir," said Alfred to Robert.

"What's in there?" asked Robert.

"The maze and ... and them ... down in the cellar." The butler visibly squirmed under Robert's hard stare. "We, the household staff, came to a decision and ... and, well, take them away. Snyman is vicious. I'd watch for him if I were you."

"Meade Snyman, wanted international hitman?" Andrew's eyes brightened with interest. "He's the one who targeted Grandpere."

"I'd almost forgotten about him," mused Robert. "His bomb nearly put Giles away permanently, too."

"Sounds like we have another reason for this visit," grinned Mac. He turned to Alfred. "We may have to search the house, too."

"We'll cooperate completely," replied Alfred. "Shall I gather the staff for you to question?"

Mac nodded and hurried to catch up with Robert and Andrew who had begun to jog into the stable. He passed the door and like his brother and nephew paused to get their bearings. They spotted the door leading downward. They heard the noise of hammers pounding and axes hitting their targets. Now and then, they heard instructions in German, French or English.

Andrew cocked an ear at the doorframe of the open door leading into the cellars. "They're dismantling the maze. Several are complaining about ... being electrocuted." He grinned. "Quite a bit of cursing."

"Destroying the evidence," muttered Mac. "Let's go."

"I'll go down first then Andrew." Robert nodded at his son.

"No way am I missing this," groused Mac.

"You're not. The commissioner cannot be the one to start the fight," explained Robert. "Give us a few minutes then go down and knock some heads with us."

Mac flexed his hands and cracked several knuckles. "That's more like it."

Robert and Andrew descended three steps at a time. The bright lights illuminating the work area had them blinking furiously but they adjusted quickly.

"Snyman, I suggest you stop tampering with evidence right now!" said Robert very loudly.

Work and their associated sounds ceased immediately. Andrew counted eight men and none of them seemed the slightest bit intimidated. Three men came towards them. One of them was Helena's head manager Snyman.

"Planting car bombs and now construction work. Your skills astound me as do the many warrants on your head," said Robert. Subtly, his stance changed. He stood on the balls of his feet. Blinders descended over his vision which was focused on the advancing Snyman.

"I cannot say that you impress me, Scorpio. Your day has passed." Snyman lunged forward, fist raised.

Robert dodged then handily blocked Snyman's next blow. With enormous satisfaction, Robert felt his fist connect soundly with Snyman's jaw snapping his head back. With the release of suppressed emotion and energy, Robert's offense was merciless. Not giving his opponent time to recover, he aimed and landed a side kick on Snyman's midsection followed by hard slash of his closed fist across the assassin's face. Snyman bent over and neatly met Robert's rising knee. Blood spurted from Snyman's nose. Robert's hands pressed together to make one fist which he slammed with his full strength on Snyman's back. The assassin collapsed flat on stomach and did not move again.

Robert looked up. "Who's next?"

The rest of the men surged forward. Robert and Andrew grinned and took them on.

"Save two for Mac!" yelled Robert at Andrew by his side.

"At least!" Mac took his place on Andrew's right side.

"You were supposed to wait!" Robert moved to the right at the last minute faking out his attacker who stumbled past him.

"Two minutes!" Mac landed a haymaker punch. "That's plausible enough don't you think?" Mac bowed and dodged as a sledgehammer swung over his head. He jabbed his elbow into his opponent's side and followed through with a slice to the head.

"Yeah, that's an eternity!" Robert shoved a man hard against the wall. He saw Andrew land a high side kick to the neck of his opponent. He called out to his son. "You and your mother, I swear!"

"Swear what?" asked Andrew. He finished of his opponent with a sweeping roundhouse kick that felled him once and for all.

"The weakness for fancy moves," yelled Robert. His left fist buried itself in his nameless opponent's face. His other hand grabbed the man by the head and introduced it to a nearby wall. "Instead of efficiency."

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Andrew swerved to the side easily avoiding the knife edge slashing towards him. He took hold of his opponent's hand and twisted at the wrist until he heard the audible snap of bones breaking. "How's THAT for efficient?"

Determined fists and legs hit unresisting flesh again and again. Blood spattered on the wooden walls. Bodies fell to the hard earth floors with bone-jarring force. The Scorpios looked around. They were the only ones left standing.

"About bloody time!" Robert announced with the biggest of smiles.

"God, that felt good!" said Mac. "I HAVE to brush up on my hand to hand."

"Ask Dia to spar with you," suggested Robert.

"That would be too distracting."

"Who says workouts can't be fun as well as educational," said Robert. He glanced at Andrew to make sure he was all right. He was.

Andrew said nothing. He was already studying the lay out of what was left of the maze. Using the video broadcast and the physical evidence, it would be enough to help Simon model a rendering of what the maze would have looked like. He began to sweep iPhone across the room.

Mac pulled out his cell phone and contacted the station. "Hey, Jardane, get a full crew and a forensics team over to Spoon Island. I think we got ourselves our next high profile arrests."

"Andrew, you know what to look for?" asked Robert careful to not disturb Andrew's precise movements.

"Yes. Simon will be able to reconstruct it digitally. The comment earlier about electrocution is curious." Andrew looked around. "I can see the cameras. Sloppy of them to keep them mounted after the main event. There must be a control room of some kind."

Robert nodded. "It can't be down here. Not enough room. It should be at the main house. Meet me there when you're done here."