Chapter 7
Spoon Island
Robert's fingers drummed a fast staccato beat on the bench. He eyed the bank of computers and monitors that lined the bench. He had found the control room.
He turned to Alfred. "You say that Helena was frequently in this room?"
"Yes, sir, with Mr. Snyman," said Alfred.
"You can call me Robert. I'm not an official of this city any longer."
"I prefer sir, sir."
"Fine. One more question. How much of this situation did your employer know about?"
"The Prince knows nothing, sir."
"It's happening under his own roof. He would have to be deaf and blind to not have noticed the construction work and the extra manpower 'round here," said Robert.
Alfred studied the carpet unwilling to answer the question.
"If you answer, I'll keep it off the official record," Robert offered. "And your employers won't know where the information came from. You have my personal word on that."
"Thank you, sir. I and the staff would appreciate that courtesy." Alfred cleared his throat. "I believe the Prince has been manipulated by Mrs. Cassadine to turn a blind eye."
"Drugged? Hypnosis?"
"Possibly. I only know that for some time now his behavior has been out of the norm where his grandmother is concerned."
"Is what way?"
"The Prince has a certain ... tolerance level where Mrs. Cassadine is concerned. He follows Master Stefan's example by keeping her at a wary arm's length," explained Alfred. "Mrs. Cassadine is allowed to visit the island to see Master Spencer and that is all. She is not allowed to stay overnight let alone entertain here."
"The dinner was Nikolas' ideas wasn't it?"
"It was. Dr. Scorpio has always been a friend to him and we were delighted to organize an event honoring her." Alfred wrung his hands. "I was too busy with arranging the dinner to pay too much attention to the activities at the stable. I thought they were making simple renovations."
"There's nothing simple about that maze," said Robert. "Go on."
"Mrs. Cassadine was staying here. The Prince went so far as to announce to staff that she would be treated as before, as matriarch of the family."
Robert nodded. "I'm aware that the position is of importance."
"Absolute importance, yes," said Alfred. "Master Stefan would never have done that. I am of the firm belief that the Prince was coerced into those decisions. He should not be made responsible for what happened."
"That is up for the police to decide. I can't speak for them."
"The Prince values his friendship with Dr. Scorpio very highly. She has stood by that bond for as long as we have been here," said Alfred.
"I'm not fond of Cassadines myself," admitted Robert.
"They're not all cut from the same cloth, sir."
"That may be but I'm not inclined to be charitable especially after this latest incident."
"Mrs. Cassadine may have gone too far."
"May?" asked Robert. "I thought I knew Helena. When did she become a devotee of the Marquis de Sade? She was televising a torture show for god's sake!"
The butler remained silent.
Robert sighed and composed himself. "I'd like to thank you for your candor, Alfred. As I said this is just between us."
"There is one more thing, sir." Alfred pulled out a clear plastic bag holding a syringe with needle. "Mister Luke found this in the parlor yesterday and -"
"Luke found this?" asked Robert examining the bag.
"He nearly sat on it."
"Where did you say you found this?"
"In the parlor where Dr. Scorpio and Dr. Drake were held guarded by Mr. Snyman's men. Mrs. Cassadine was extremely distraught at finding it was used and emptied," said Alfred. "She ... she kept repeating that it was an accident. That it was never meant to be used."
"When did she make that statement?" asked Robert in a deceptively mild voice.
Alfred thought back to that event. "You and the commissioner had just left with Mr. Donely. I informed them of Dr. Scorpio's condition."
"She was here. She knew," rasped Robert. Dark murderous thoughts were filling his mind and heart. His words were measured but the anger running underneath them was apparent. "Luke knew and lied to me. Right to my face." Robert turned away and leaned against the bench. "Thank ... thank you for telling me. Please give the police as full a statement as you can. You may leave now."
Alfred paused at the door. "On behalf of the entire staff, I'd like to extend our deepest condolences to you and your family, sir."
Robert slumped in the chair. He hands began to tremble. His heart rate was climbing higher and higher. His conscious mind was sinking into a stormy, incomprehensible vortex of rage. He managed to say, "Thank you."
"We all admire your daughter. She has always treated the Prince as a person first before a title, a name or a reputation. I suppose she sees the good more than the bad. That speaks of a rare and giving heart."
Not hearing any response from Robert, Alfred exited and closed the door. He heard the entrance of booted feet and his assistant calling for him. He scurried off to the front hall.
General Hospital
Anna made inconsequential chatter as she washed Eve's face and brushed her hair a little after lunchtime. Eve drifted in and out of sleep. She seemed most comforted to see someone by her bedside when she awoke. Alex had taken the morning bedside shift while Patrick arranged a leave of absence with Monica. Anna shifted the digital photo frame so it faced the bed. Eve would be able to see the pictures and videos that Andrew and Maxie had loaded into the frame as they displayed in an endless loop.
A movement in the antechamber caught Anna's attention. It was Robert suiting up to enter Eve's room. Matt was tying the gown and mask from behind. Soon after, Robert entered the room. Anna came to him before he got too close to the bed.
"Robert? What's are you here for?" wondered Anna.
"To see Eve, of course. Is she awake?" asked Robert.
"In and out. Sit and wait with me." Anna led him to the bed. He sat on the bed while she stood close by. "What happened on the island?"
"Long story short, we found the maze and Snyman and his men. They were fairly close to dismantling the place but we have enough physical evidence to make an iron-clad case." Over the mask, Robert's eyes were clear and bright. Anna could see no anger in them. He grasped her hands and held them. "I was told some new information that you won't like."
"About Eve?"
Robert nodded. "Remember what Alex said about the puncture wound and the slashed skin on Eve's arm?"
"Yeah. Alex is certain it was from an injection. The slash is puzzling though."
"I'm piecing the timeline together and here's what I think happened based on the information I got today," explained Robert. "There WAS a syringe in the same room, the parlor, where Eve and Patrick were held. Patrick told Alex that there was some kind of scuffle and that the guards got involved. During the scuffle, the syringe was used. Or it could have been an accident. That would account for the sharp slash against Eve's skin. In a fight, you don't aim very well and, if it was accidental, Eve could have pressed against it unknowingly. Something in that syringe did THIS to her. It's a gut feeling but it all adds up. I gave the syringe to Alex for further testing."
Anna's eyes darkened with fury. "I ... I didn't want to think that someone could be this ... this malicious but this is proof of premeditation - the dinner, the maze and ... and the injection."
"We humiliated Helena and she devised a thoroughly nasty form of payback," said Robert. "I should have remembered she's not one to forget or forgive those who have wronged her."
"She's NOT going to get away with this! We'll press charges and -"
"She's left the country, Anna. So has Nikolas."
"Even better. We don't have to deal with the law."
A faint voice came from the bed, "Dad?"
Robert turned and focused his full attention on Eve. "Hey, there. Have time for me?"
Eve smiled and nodded. Anna lifted the oxygen tent upward.
"I have a present for you." Robert fished inside his gown and came out with something small that gleamed in the light. It was a bracelet. Very gently, he affixed the bracelet to Eve's wrist. "I had this made up just for you. I have a matching one and so does Mac." Robert pulled up his shirtsleeve so Eve and Anna could see the silver bracelet on his wrist. He took Eve's wrist and held it up so the women could see the small plate. "It says here: Eve M. D. Scorpio-Drake, MD. Eve Montrose Devane Scorpio Drake, doctor of medicine. What a mouthful for such a little thing! Would you believe they charged me extra for the letters?"
"Oh, Robert," said Anna blinking back tears.
Robert continued in a choked voice. "This stays on forever. Everyone ... everyone will know who you are. You have a name, a home and a family that loves you very, very much, Eve. Never forget that because I won't. Ever."
Eve held out both her arms. They trembled with the effort. Robert enveloped her in a long embrace. Anna wiped the tears from her face as she watched the touching tableau.
Later, after Eve had drifted off into sleep once more, Anna drew Robert to a corner of the room.
"Why did you change your mind about Eve?" asked Anna.
"Someone changed it for me. Alfred, the Cassadine major domo in fact."
"Really?"
"He told me about the syringe and gave it to me. He was horrified about what happened. If Helena ever finds out what he did, he wouldn't stand a chance but he took the risk for Eve. No hesitation about it." Robert's gaze shifted to Eve. "He told me about Eve's loyalty, support and friendship to Nikolas. How ... how she always saw the good in people no matter what. The fight took the anger out of me and I could think clearly and honestly about all this. You were right about our ... daughter. I wanted to ease her mind. Give her some peace like you said."
"And you too?"
Robert nodded. "For all of us."
Dr. Noah Drake came into the antechamber as Anna was helping Robert remove the quarantine-related apparel he had on. Noah's eyes drifted over the monitor mirroring the actual equipment in Eve's room. There were no changes for the better.
"Hey, you two," said Noah.
"Noah! When you did get in?" asked Anna with a smile.
"This morning," replied Noah.
"Good sized bruise there," said Noah noticing a large bruise turning azure high on Anna's exposed forearm.
Anna looked down on her arm. She said airily. "Sparring can turn serious. Someone got in a lucky shot. Have you seen Patrick?"
"Yeah, I did. Matt and I strong-armed him and gave him a sedative. He's in Robin's office asleep," said Noah. "I can see him spiraling out of control."
"What can we do to help?" asked Robert.
"You're giving him peace of mind by taking care of Emma and you're here. That peace of mind is what he needs," replied Noah. "Matt and I couldn't handle a baby, not with our schedules. She's better off with you until Patrick can make a rational decision." Noah's eyes strayed to the patient in the window. "This was so sudden. She was fine before I left. I just don't understand."
"Life happens," Anna said.
"Yes, it does."
"We have to see the good and the bad. Emma is going to need Patrick to be there for her."
"He's so overwhelmed right now. He doesn't know his left from his right. He's losing his wife and his best friend," said Noah. "I'm glad Tom has decided to move back here. Patrick is going to need counseling and support to get through this."
"Tom's one of the best," said Robert. "He's helped Anna and I enormously through the years."
"Are you both staying here? All day?" asked Noah.
"We do turns. I'll be here for another hour then Tiffany will take over then Alex, Maxie and then Mac," said Anna. "We never want her to wake up alone."
"Sounds like a good plan." Noah shook his head. "I just don't believe this. I just can't."
After Noah left, Robert looked at Anna then at the bruise. "I'm sorry about last night."
"It's all right."
"No, it's not." Robert pulled Anna close to the cot set up in the corner. He pulled the makeshift screen in front of them hiding them from prying eyes.
"What are you up to, Robert?" asked Anna softly.
"This," Robert whispered. His hands swept slowly along Anna's torso. Pressing slightly on her rib cage and along her waist and hips. "You got out of bed before I did this morning."
"Well, I couldn't sleep, ow!" Anna winced as he touched a tender spot.
"What other bruises are you hiding from me?" Robert straightened and looked down on Anna's face. Tenderly, he touched his lips to her forehead then down her cheeks as he drew her closer and closer into his arms. "I wouldn't have blamed you if you'd smashed the vase over my head."
"I didn't want to soak the bed." Anna relaxed completely. "That's all we need more innuendo and rumors about what goes on behind our closed doors."
"In no way, shape or form was it all right for me to ... to hurt you the way I did no matter how angry I was. No excuses for that behavior."
"Shush. You're not entirely yourself. You're not well. I understand -" Anna began to say.
"It's supposed to be making love not making war," interrupted Robert. "I'm going to do something I should have done a long time ago."
"What's that?"
"Admit I have a problem that's handling me and not the other way around."
"Robert, you're doing very well."
"That bruise says otherwise, luv," said Robert. "Since the Hardy boy will be moving back to town, I'll ask him for some therapy."
"And you'll be comfortable telling him everything?"
"I'll have to be. I can't keep taking out my problems on you." Robert locked his hands together behind the small of her back. "What's going to set me off next time? Seeing a face from my past? Having something catastrophic happen to those I love? I have to do something about this. Face it head on."
"I could always call off the engagement if you go too far," teased Anna.
"Do you want to wait until I'm better?" asked Robert trying and failing to seem and sound unaffected by her words.
"It was a joke, truly," Anna assured him. She rubbed and patted his chest. "I want this to be the shortest engagement period ever."
"I'd get a license tomorrow if I could," said Robert.
"Mac and Dia's wedding first then us."
"We've done the small wedding and the big wedding. Let's give eloping a try, hmm?"
"One word - Andrew," said Anna. "I would almost swear that he and Maxie are ... are cooking up something for us."
"Whatever YOU want, works for me. Care for a pagan ritual done in the nude under a full moon?"
Anna laughed. "Maybe, twenty years ago I would have."
"We'll require EVERYONE to go au naturel," joked Robert.
Anna laid her head flat on his chest and sighed. "I want Robin, Eve, Andrew and us but we can't get everything we want can we?"
A voice beyond their makeshift partition came to them. "Anna? Robert?"
Anna came out. "Yes, Monica?"
"It's Eve. She's very agitated and wants to see you or Robert," said Monica. "And she wants a pen and some paper."
"We'll be right in. Thank you," said Robert.
A few minutes later, they sat by Eve's bedside. Her frailty was obvious now. Her complexion was pale. Her eyes has lost their sparkle but not their intensity.
"You wanted to see us, luv?" asked Robert. He lifted the oxygen tent while Anna placed a legal pad and pen on Eve's lap.
Eve smiled warmly and nodded. "I had a ... a dream about the change. Remembered something." She picked up the pen and began to doodle on the pad. "A symbol on a lab coat. Strange because ... they ... they never said names just numbers. This was mine." Her hand moved with painful slowness on the pad. "The symbol looked like a .. Roman number two. Like this." Eve drew the symbol carefully then pushed the pad toward Anna and Robert.
They looked at what Eve had drawn.
CXA7
II
"You said this was on a lab coat like an insignia or a logo?" asked Robert. "Save your energy. Just nod or shake your head, sweetheart."
Eve nodded. She closed her eyes. "It was on a pin. Gold pin with the ... that symbol in gray or silver. It ... it was shiny."
"Did the person who wore this seem important?" asked Anna. "Do you remember what he looked like?"
Eyes still closed, Eve did not answer right away. "I was sitting in a ... a chair with IV lines. No faces." She waved her hand over her own face. "Surgical masks. There was a ... a head set. I was listening to a voice." Eve jerked hard.
Anna lay a gentle hand on Robin's shoulder. She said in soothing tones. "Shhhh, you're safe, Eve. Safe." She looked at Robert. "She's remembering or her body is."
Eve jerked twice more then her eyes opened wide. "It was Robin's voice! Was watching a tape of her talking. She ... she looked like me."
Robert took a deep breath and watched every word he spoke. "What was Robin doing on the tape?"
"She was ... just like me. IVs, sitting on a chair." Eve sighed. "Just like me."
"Was there anything on the tape that was unusual or caught your attention?"
Eve closed her eyes again recalling the memory. Robert and Anna waited anxiously.
"Bright white room. Robin was mad ... didn't want to answer the questions." Eve's eyes opened. "The drugs ... Robin was fighting the drug and a man was ... she knows his name," Eve gasped. "I ... I know him!"
Robert and Anna both jumped. "Who? Who is he?"
Eve sat up. She looked at her parents. "It was Faison. He was laughing at ... at her."
Author's Note: This story was begun and posted on September 2010 on my home page. It's similarity to any current GH storyline(s) is coincidental. This is a sequel to The Telltale Lie. Though it's not necessary to read that previously, it would be helpful. Please see my profile home page on the status of this story.