Book 2 Chapter 20
Haunted Star Casino, Port Charles
The postman dropped the package and a pile of letters that were most certainly bills on the bar counter then left after a quick greeting to casino owner, Luke Spencer. Luke pushed the letters off the parcel and left them as they were on the counter.
In his back office, Luke stared for a while at the package on his desk. From all appearances, it was an ordinary package wrapped in brown paper and weighing about two pounds. There was no return address though. It didn't need one. Luke knew who it was from - Dino Venturi.
"Do I do this or don't I?" muttered Luke fingers drumming on the armrest of his chair. "You bragged you could do it. You'd better find your nerve fast."
His hand went to the phone. He began to dial a number he knew from memory.
The office door opened wide and Tracy Quartermaine, his wife and co-owner of the Star, breezed in. "Hey there, let's do lunch!" said Tracy with a big smile.
"Let's not," replied Luke. He set the receiver down.
Tracy eyed the package. "Busy with something?"
"This? Just some fixtures I ordered. I can get to it later." Luke picked up the package and deposited it in bottom drawer. "Why aren't you at the office, Madame CEO?"
"Because Dillon doesn't need me looking over his shoulder. He has Daddy for that."
"I thought the heir apparent was doing pretty well in his … apprenticeship."
"Oh, he is. Superbly. Being on his own and learning to make his films were surprisingly good preparation for learning to run a company. Dillon told me that Paul taught him all he knows. Paul wasn't the best husband to me but he does know corporate management and finance," said Tracy with distinct pride in her voice. "I'm beginning to think Dillon will be even better for ELQ than Ned. He's more creative and with the world economy that way it is, problem-solving and original ideas are going to be valuable skills."
"So you come here to micromanage me, wife?"
Tracy's expression changed to a serious one. "You haven't been around here much the last week." She held up a hand to stop Luke's inevitable listing of excuses. "Don't even try it, Luke."
"Try what?"
"Turn my head with your silver tongue," said Tracy. "You haven't accompanied me to my charity events, evening parties or business luncheons. You certainly weren't here. You flit in and out of the house at the oddest hours. What's going on with you?"
"Since when do we live in each other's back pockets?" asked Luke.
"Since you said I do." Tracy waited him out in silence. She knew he would break first.
"I … I've been watching at the docks. There. Happy?" asked Luke.
"Hardly. The Cassadine feud is all but buried but for you digging it out when you get bored," said Tracy. "It's time to move on."
Luke's eyes narrowed. "Move on to what? What prospects do I have? Tell me."
"For starters, you can focus and turn this place into a world-class establishment. You can be there for Lucky and Lulu as a real father. Or help Bobbie with her adoption agency," said Tracy. "Become involved with the Chamber of Commerce. Or for another perspective on life, visit patients at the hospital who otherwise wouldn't have visitors."
"That stuff is for old people."
"Look in the mirror. The eighties are long past."
Luke chuckled. "You know you're the only one with the nerve to call me a has-been to my face."
"I didn't say that," said Tracy quietly. "I don't think that."
"It's the truth," answered Luke equally soft. "I wanted to be somebody. I wanted respect. I wanted a better life for me and Bobbie. I wanted a lot of things. What have I got? Nada!"
"It's never too late for any of that," said Tracy. "You're the most charming and exasperating rogue, but, you get worse when you're bored. You get like this - moody, pessimistic and unlikable. Luke Spencer with a goal, a purpose, is a force to be reckoned with. That's the man I thought I married. Where is he?"
Luke looked around his office. "He's somewhere around but damned if I know where."
"Make a decision and stick to it. Start something and see it through. He'll come out of hiding. You'll see."
"What would be the point?" asked Luke belligerently.
"How about trying for some self respect and dignity?"
"You didn't marry a boy scout, sweetheart."
Tracy glared. "YOU are your own worst enemy, Luke Spencer!"
"Baby, I hear all you're saying. Believe me I am and I love you for thinking of me."
"But?"
Luke grinned. "I'm the stubbornest man that ever lived. Don't worry about me. I always land on my feet."
"I'm more concerned about the people you take down with you," said Tracy.
"Ye of little faith," said Luke. He stood up. "Lunch you said? Sounds like a good idea."
"What about your … work?"
Luke pulled his coat off the wall hook. "I need to think. I can do that while having lunch with you. Shall we?"
He escorted his wife out the door and off the boat.
Metro Court Hotel
Deft hands restored the ventilation duct's front grill. One would have to look directly into the duct to see the dark gray surveillance device attached flat to the wall. It had no camera but it did have a poweful recording device as well as the ability to send small batches of data in wireless squirts set at randomized intervals. The better to avoid detection that way. Aside from the listening device, nothing else was touched or inspected. That would have been too obvious.
Khamchatta exited the room of one Arnold Vandenberg who was in the dining room. It had been an unexpected opportunity that Lars had wasted no time taking advantage of. The surveillance team at the hotel had been given the green light to go ahead.
Khamchatta walked past Alys who was noisily vacuuming the hall carpet. Mission accomplished. Now, they had to play the waiting game.
One Temple Court
Paint fumes made Maxie and Felicia's noses twitch as she knocked on Unit 302. A muffled "Come in" came from inside. The Jones women entered and found Matt and Patrick dressed in faded jeans and tee shirts. Maxie spotted Emma's carryall on the living room couch and made for her niece.
"Oh, my god! How could you expose her to this stuff? You should know better," exclaimed Maxie.
"We haven't even started," said Patrick. "She's finally gone to sleep. Do NOT wake her up."
Matt grinned sheepishly at Maxie and Felicia. "I was hoping you'd take care of her at your place." He lowered his voice. "I'm thinking the painting, some man talk and some beers can distract Patrick from everything going on. Can you take her?"
Maxie said a little loudly. "We'd love to babysit."
"Yes, don't you worry about her. She's in good hands." Felicia shouldered Emma's bag. "Sweetheart, can you get Emma?"
"Sure, Mom," said Maxie. "Ah, Matt, do you have food in? I mean you just moved in and probably haven't, um shopped. And Mom bought all kinds of goodies."
Felicia's glance alternated between Maxie and Matt. She wisely said nothing.
"Food? What's that?" asked Matt. "I was going to get some carryout later."
"You can't eat in here with the smell. I was going to make spaghetti. Come on over in an hour," said Maxie.
"That's perfect."
"Matt, a little help here," said Patrick. He began to pour paint into a roller tray. "We won't finish if we don't start."
Matt skittered off to begin work. Felicia waited until she, Emma and Maxie were out in the hallway before commenting.
"Matt's kinda cute, honey," said Felicia.
"That's not what's happening, Mom. Really."
"What is happening?"
"He saved my life in the Maze like I said. And he's a new neighbor. I'm just being friendly," said Maxie.
"Oh, well, that's all right," said Felicia. "We have so much food. What about inviting Damian? Did I get the name right?"
"He's not allowed in the building."
"He has a police record? A public menace?"
"Dad just doesn't like him. Neither does Uncle Robert."
She risked a sidelong glance at her daughter. "But you like him?"
"He and Georgie were cute together. Spinelli doesn't have anyone else in town except for Jason. He's, um, amusing."
"But are you or are you not going steady with him?"
Maxie burst out laughing. "Steady? That's so quaint, Mom."
"Are you or aren't you dating?"
"I've tried breaking things off with him but he won't listen. He keeps hanging around outside or at Crimson," said Maxie. "He's just not the one for me. We're friends. That's all."
"I'd still like to meet him."
"Why?"
"Curiosity," said Felicia. They reached the elevator and stepped inside it. "Maybe I want to see if we have the same taste in men."
Maxie laughed. "Spinelli is a nerd. Brilliant but a nerd."
"I've learned not to judge a book by its cover."
"Oh, Mom, you go for the action and adventure type. Spinelli is nothing like that."
"Frisco had some nerdy moments as I recall," said Felicia. "Smart can be sexy."
"Matt is smart. He's a surgeon," countered Maxie.
A small smile played on Felicia's lips. "So he is."
Port Charles
Clink! Clink!
In an alley, loose quarters rolled over the ground in every direction. Shouts ensued as shabby, grizzled men set to collecting the coins on hands and knees. A laughing young man in a leather coat and hoodie threw more quarters in the air. The action set off more scrambling. An elegantly dressed young woman wrapped in a faux fur coat stood by the young man and screamed with delirious joy. She flung her wool cap into the air in delight as yet another handful of coins filled the air.
The commotion caught the attention of a passing police squad car. It stopped with a loud squeal of brakes. Detectives Alvin Martinez and Lucky Spencer sprang out the car.
"What's going on here?" yelled Martinez.
"It's Christmas, pig!" answered the coin-flinging man. "And I'm Santa Claus!"
Lucky studied the man's glazed eyes and the woman's idiotic grin. He turned to his partner and said, "Drugged out of their minds."
Martinez weaved his way around the crawling men. He snatched a canvas backpack that lay open on the ground. He rooted inside. "I got cocaine here. Prescription bottles. A wallet." He opened the wallet. "Trouble."
"What?" asked Lucky.
"The girl is the mayor's niece."
Just then said niece began to convulse. Lucky barely caught her as her knees buckled.
The young man pointed at Lucky and yelled, "Police brutality!" He began to repeat in a singsong way, "Piggy, pig, police are pigs!"
Lucky lay the woman flat on the ground. He tried to keep her from swallowing her tongue as she continued to convulse. "Get an ambulance! What the hell?" The young man leapt on Lucky's back and began to try to wrestle the detective away from his girlfriend. "Get off me!"
Martinez rang to the squad car to get an ambulance and another squad car. By the time he returned to help Lucky, the crazed man and Lucky were struggling on the ground jostling aside the other men still chasing coins. Martinez saw the bright flash of a knife's edge.
"Lucky!" yelled Martinez. "He's got a knife!"
Lucky grabbed at his adversary's right arm. He managed to flip the man on to his back and repeatedly smashed the hand wrapped around the knife against the ground. Martinez put his weight on the man's other arm and shoulder keeping him pinned down. The knife loosened. The man began to convulse. Lucky and Martinez backed off.
The ambulance siren wailed louder and louder as the seconds passed. To the detectives surprise, the ambulance passed the alley followed by two squad cars.
Lucky and Martinez ran out of the alley and into the street. Their yells died in their throats as they beheld dark plumes of smoke rising from the direction of the docks. A fire engine brigade drove by.
"Hey! What's going on?" cried Lucky.
"Warehouses on fire!" yelled back a firefighter.
"Lucky, go on to the docks. I'll catch up with you when I settle things here," said Martinez.
The radio in the squad car crackled to life. It blared: "All cars and officers to Green Pearl Limited warehouse. Suspected arson. Armed assault. Disorderly conduct. Mass gang fight in progress! Calling all cars!"
One Temple Court - Maxie's Place
Felicia soothed a whimpering Emma in her arms while Maxie got her formula ready in the kitchen. Sounds of pots banging made Emma cry harder.
"Ah, Maxie, need help?" Felicia called out.
"I'm fine, Mom. Getting the spaghetti ready and doing the formula takes some, ugh, ah, coordination," replied Maxie. "Be right there."
Felicia crooned soft words at Emma trying to distract her. Her phone rang. She looked at the display, smiled and answered. "Hi, good timing, sweetheart."
Felicia put Emma back in her carryall while continuing the conversation. Her voice was carefree and happy. "Things are going so well. I have to pinch myself a lot. It's so wonderful to be home, really, truly home."
Carrying the baby bottle, Maxie was halfway through the kitchen door when she heard Felicia yelp. She paused. She listened.
"You can't be serious, Frisco. Not this time. You can't," said Felicia. She turned and saw Maxie watching and listening. "Maxie, I'll be right back." Felicia strode to the door and left. She walked some distance before resuming the conversation with Frisco. "I don't care about Ross. I don't want to hear any of your other reasons. The only thing I want to know is when you'll be here. When, Frisco?"
Felicia listened. She bit her lip as she fell against a wall still listening. "I have to think. I … I have to calm down before I say things I shouldn't. Let's talk later tonight. That's all I can say right now." She ended the call.
At that moment, Matt and Patrick got off the elevator. Matt noticed the signs of distress on Felicia's beautiful face.
"Something wrong?" asked Matt.
Felicia drew her dignity about her like a cloak of protection. "No, only normal operating procedure you could say. Maxie's waiting with lunch. Let's get inside.