Book 2 Chapter 20

One Temple Court

Beep! Beep!

At Maxie's place, Matt and Patrick instantly consulted their attached pagers. They both grimaced.

"It's work," said Matt. "Gotta go."

"Looks like a blanket SOS," said Patrick.

"Something must be going on," said Maxie. She bounded to the television set and began flipping through the channels.

She was on the tenth channel when Felicia tapped her on the shoulder. Felicia turned her daughter's head towards the window. Matt and Patrick turned too. Outside the window, two plumes of dark smoke rose up against the skyline of downtown Port Charles.

"Maxie, Felicia, can you keep Emma for a while?" asked Patrick.

"Sure," said Maxie. "No problem."

"You're on leave, Patrick, stay here," said Matt.

"You're going to need all the hands you can get. Besides, I prefer to keep busy," said Patrick.

Maxie waited until the doctor brothers had left before sitting down on the couch next to her mother who was playing with a bright-eyed Emma.

"Mom, I know that was RealDad on the phone. What did he say?"

Felicia didn't answer right away. When she did, she said, "He's delayed."

Maxie shook her head. "You mean he's not coming."

"I didn't say that," said Felicia.

"You didn't have to. That was the subtext." Maxie sat back. "I don't know why I get my hopes up every time this happens."

"He'll be here, honey."

"I already have a Dad. It's not like I'm desperate for another one."

"There's a good reason why-"

"Isn't there always a good reason? He's off to save the world because he's the only one who can."

"Maxie, it's different this time. He's different."

"Actions speak louder than words, Mom. RealDad has a big fat ZERO in the action department as far as I'm concerned." Maxie retreated to her bedroom.

Felicia looked down at Emma. "Why do kids have to grow up?"

Green Pearl Limited Warehouse

Rain from several fireboats fell on the smoldering walls of a warehouse closest to the water's edge. The other warehouse was too far to benefit from the fireboats. Firemen stood by their engines unable to battle the furious blaze. Gunshots from automatic weapons rang through the air. Cars and trucks of every description were arriving and disgorging their passengers.

Acting Commissioner Captain Samantha Wells conversed in low tones with warehouse owner, Suki Kwon, and Scorpio team leader Lars.

"So, you're sure the Zacchara people started this?" asked Samantha.

"Sure, I'm sure," said Suki. "My foreman says that they came in two big vans. Tried to push their way inside. No go, man. Tried again. Same thing. They didn't like it. They waited outside watching the next shift begin work. They started trash talking. My foreman called Lars and he sent a team. They went with my foreman to get those thugs off my turf. They got a good beat down and left. An hour later Molotovs started to fly."

"What did they want?" asked Samantha.

"Isn't it obvious?" said Lars. "I have four people still in there plus the shift workers. I want to extract them. Now."

"Hold your horses," snapped Samantha.

"They wanted protection money and jobs. Like heck I'm going to hire goons like them," explained Suki. "Another group came by and torched my other warehouse over there."

A burst of gunfire echoed.

"This is ridiculous!" exclaimed Lars. "You don't want to get your people hurt, Sam, that's fine. Let my team take them out."

"Out as in OUT?"

"By whatever expedient way, yes."

"They're Zaccharas."

"So what?"

"They'll retaliate. That's what," said Samantha. "Johnny Zacchara doesn't like his people being disrespected and then there's Sonny Corinthos to consider. He heads the organization."

"First, that is some twisted logic when criminals warrant respect, and, second, I do not care about any of these hoodlums and their bosses," said Lars.

"Maybe you should care, Lars," said Samantha. "The city cannot take another gang war."

"If these bosses have problems with me, they can speak to MY bosses."

Samantha grinned. "I'd pay to see that."

"It would be a very short meeting," said Lars. "Ever since Salim left, these bullies have been harassing Suki and his people more and more. They didn't dare with Salim around because, well, he's intimidating all by himself. No Salim equals trouble. I will not allow them to believe that things have changed. My people can take them easily. Just let us through your cordon to get our business done before people are hurt and more property damage is incurred. There is still DigiMaze stock in there."

"Has Anna or Robert-"

"They are out of the country. I'm in charge. We will attempt to minimize casualties but no guarantees," said Lars.

"Suki, this is private property. If you give permission to Lars, then I have pull out my people," said Samantha.

Suki gave a thumbs up to Lars. "Do it."

Lars nodded. "Sam, you have five minutes before we go in. I suggest retreating to about fifty feet from the building."

"What are you going to do?" asked Samantha.

"Flush the rats out." Lars sprinted off.

Detective Martinez tapped Samantha on the shoulder. "I bet they've got some super cool spy gear on hand."

Samantha rolled her eyes. "Spywork is not THAT glamorous. Believe me. It's a lot of hard work."

"But it's got to be way more exciting," insisted Martinez.

"Well, yeah, but it takes nerves of steel. Robert and Anna made it look easy." Samantha began issuing orders for the police to fall back from their current positions. "Martinez, I want you and Lucky to handle the Molotov and fire angle. Full report in by tomorrow."

"Okay, um, where's Lucky?" asked Martinez.

"Isn't he with you?"

"No, I sent him ahead while I cleaned up the crack heads. Oh, speaking of that, you're going to have a problem on your hands, Sam."

"Problems I don't need. Give it to me."

"The female crackhead was sent to General. She was unconscious. And, she's Mayor Floyd's niece," said Martinez.

Samantha groaned. "I am going to kill Mac for leaving town."

"The male crackhead was her boyfriend. He's at the hospital too." Martinez took out his notebook and consulted it. "The weird thing is the seizures they were having."

"It can happen in drug overdose cases," said Samantha.

"I know but this time there was something, I don't know, off," said Martinez. "I'm going to keep an eye on this angle for a while okay?"

"Yeah - whoa there!" Samantha called out to Lars who had what looked like a miniaturized bazooka carelessly balanced on his right shoulder. "We are NOT in a war zone here!"

"That is so awesome," said Martinez.

Lars smiled. "This is just a launcher, Captain Wells."

"Yeah, for a missile," said Samantha.

Lars signalled his people to make their way to assigned points around the warehouse. They seemed to have hospital face masks on. Lars opened the compartment on the launcher and took out a shining rubberized ball. He held the ball out to the police officer. "See, no missile. It's just a ball."

"Uh, huh, what else? There has to be more to it."

"My people have moved the workers into a safer area of the warehouse. I'm going to fire two of these into the open windows of the warehouse. After a few minutes, my people will come in and take control of the situation."

"This I gotta see," said Martinez.

Lucky dusted himself off after crawling through a window in the back of the warehouse. He crouched and crawled towards the direction of a low hum of voices.

A voice said, "This is stupid."

Another voice added, "Yeah. They're holed up near the office. How are we going to get in there?"

A deeper more authoritative voice ordered, "Shut up! We don't get paid our bonus if we bail. 'Member that."

"This is not worth it. How are we going to get out?"

"Tell Abe to get some Molotovs ready. Look, we're getting out one way or the other. Don't worry about it. 'Sides we got the best lawyer in town," said the boss of the gang.

"If we live through this."

"I told all of you that this was a special job. You signed up. Now, figure out a way to get into that office. I just need a few minutes to crack the safe."

Lucky heard the men shuffle off. He was about to follow them when the sound of breaking glass and a series of yells from the front of the warehouse made him pause.

CRASH!

"Whattahell is that?"

"Looks like a cannonball."

"Don't touch it, you idiot!"

"Get the boss!"

Lucky flattened himself against a darkened wall. The three men he had been listening to came tramping back in his direction. He heard voices arguing then another window breaking.

HISS! CRACK!

"Gas! Told ya so!"

"Get outta here!"

The coughing and sneezing men scrambled out of the front area and began pouring into the rear. A hazy fog dogged their heels. The men began to rip their coats off. They rubbed frantically at their arms, neck, legs and hair.

"Get 'em off me! Off!"

"Must be … a … a million ants … on me!"

Lucky sniffed and caught the scent of charcoal. He realized too late that he shouldn't have breathed the air in. In seconds, he felt an escalating tingling sensation on his arms. "Crap!"

He stumbled into the open area and dropped to his knees among the gang members. Some had stripped to their underwear scratching themselves raw. Some rolled on the floor moaning and groaning.

The last things Lucky remembered seeing were a pair of black-booted feet and a face half hidden by mirrored sunglasses and a hospital mask.

"Detective Spencer, your captain is looking for you," said Lars. "She won't be happy about this."

Lars stood up and began to walk towards the office in the rear of the warehouse. The Scorpio team spread throughout the warehouse. Each one carried a large spray bottle filled with a clear liquid. They sprayed the air generously to neutralize the gas. Suki Kwon, also masked, walked briskly through the crowd.

Lars looked at his watch while speaking into his IPhone. "Captain, situation is secure. You can take the vermin away now." He disconnected and contacted Command and Control. "Giles, five minutes from detonation to surrender."

"Shane will be happy with that," said Giles. "Fatalities?"

"None. Any word from the hotel on our favorite guest?"

"He's finally arrived at his room. He hasn't made any calls so far," reported Giles.

"Internet traffic?"

"He's not using the hotel WiFi network but he is relying on 3G signalling. I had the radio station increase the receiver reception and we are receiving fragments of his traffic."

"Perfect. Has Dani reported in?"

"She's in NYC. Shane and Raine's boat was on time. Estimated time of arrival is within the hour."

"Good. I'm going to feel better when they're both back in the fold," said Lars. "Pull Alys out of the field. I want her to do a final inspection of the farmhouse before Therese Curic moves in. I'll be returning to HQ as soon as I can."

Lars ended the call. He found Suki at his elbow catching his breath.

"I need a favor," said Suki.

"Name it," said Lars.

Suki removed a rectangular jewel case from his pocket. "Take this with you. Hide it at your base until I ask for it."

"Isn't the safe here secure?"

"It is but the warehouse is not. I cannot lose this."

"What are you giving me?"

"An important symbol of hope for my people - the black pearls of the Ancient One."

"The ones for the exhibit?"

"The same," said Suki. He opened the jewel box and removed the pearls. He put them carefully into Lars' hand. "I want others to assume I still have them. Get my drift?"

"I see," said Lars. "We'll keep this safe."

"Thank you." Suki pocketed the now empty box and walked back to his office to return the box to his safe. On the way, he reassured the rescued workers that everything was fine.

Scorpio Ranch

"Mum?" asked Andrew peering over Anna's shoulder. "You ought not to be doing that."

Anna didn't bother lifting her eyes from the phone's screen. "I won't tell on you if you don't tell on me."

"How did you know I'd checked SIMON earlier?"

"Flesh of my flesh, remember?"

"Oh, right."

"I know I agreed to this vacation but your father is going too far with his no contact rule."

"I thought that was YOUR idea."

"Well, yes, but not to this degree. Your father always goes overboard," admitted Anna. "I need to know what's going on at home. It's not like I'm actually speaking to anyone or giving orders. Cover for me will you?"

Andrew lifted a trunk by its handles. "For as long as I can. When I call you, you'd better come downstairs."

"Fine, fine," said Anna. She began to talk to herself as she read the various reports made by the team. "Who is Arnold Vandenberg? How many laws are we breaking on his surveillance? Increased net traffic. Something's got the rumor mills going. Better not be us. Therese now at the safehouse. Very good. No new intel on Charlotte. Damn it."

Andrew trudged down the stairs and deposited the trunk in his old bedroom among three others he'd put there previously. In the hallway on the way downstairs, he met Robin coming out of her room.

Tousled haired and barely awake, Robin said, "Mornin', where's everyone?"

"Father is downstairs seeing Holly off I expect. Mum is up in the attic," answered Andrew.

"Checking in at work right?"

"Well, um, I'm not-"

Robin looked upward and declared, "Hmm, she's up there hiding out from Dad who would tease her about it if he knew." Robin looked at her brother. "And you've been checking in, too, I bet."

Andrew reddened. "I … I have … n-n-not."

"You need to work on the poker face, really," said Robin. "Do me a favor and my lips are sealed."

"The women in this family …" Andrew said. "What favor?"

"Two favors and-"

"You said A FAVOR. Singular."

"Okay, okay, one. Let me think."

Robert's voice came from downstairs. "Hey, Scorpios! Where is everyone? It's lonely down here!"

Under Robin's watchful eyes and ears, Andrew jogged to the attic door and hissed, "Mum, now!"

"I'm not done yet," said Anna. "Stall him."

"With what?"

"I'm sure you'll think of something."

Andrew hastily closed the door and ran down the hallway. He called downstairs. "Just a m-m-minute!"

"Need some help in the attic, son?" asked Robert. "Wait for me."

"No!" It came out more forcefully than Andrew intended. "Um, I can handle things!" Andrew stomped loudly on the floor. "Be down soon!"

Robin stifled a giggle watching her brother's frantic antics. She found the worried frown on his face quite funny. "You need a diversion."

"Right um, make one happen," said Andrew.

"And get on Dad's bad side. I don't know about that," said Robin.

They could hear Robert approaching the stairs. Andrew's eyes darted from the stairs going down to the door to the attic and back again.

"Help me!" insisted Andrew.

"You'll owe me if I do," said Robin.

"Where's your family feeling?"

"You're not a child. Why should I treat you like one?"

Robert's phone rang and they heard him answer it.

Andrew sagged against a wall. "Saved."

"Dad won't be on the phone forever," noted Robin.

Andrew ran back to the attic door and called up, "Mum! You REALLY need to get down here."

He heard his mother exclaim, "My God! What has been going on over there?"

Andrew ran back to his room. He hurriedly dragged a trunk from his bedroom to the edge of the stairs. Robin followed all of this bemusedly. By her feet, faithful Jack watched Andrew as well. Andrew ran back to his bedroom.

Robin leaned on the doorframe of her bedroom door which was opposite from Andrew's room. "Barricading the stairs? Like that's going to stop Dad."

Andrew brought out another trunk. Between breaths, he said, "Delay … the … enemy … at the gates."

Robert seemed to have ended his call. He called up. "Anna! Stop monopolizing the kids! I'm coming up ready or not!"

"So, what will it be?" asked Robin.

"You are ruthless," observed Andrew.

"It's entirely genetic. Well?"

Robert's tread could be heard on the bottom of the stairs.

Andrew took one last look at the attic door then said, "Fine. Whatever. A favor it is."

Robin picked up Jack and whispered something in his ear then set him loose on the stairs. Yipping loudly, Jack ran off straight into Robert's legs.

"What the-" said Robert. They heard a combination of dog barks and Aussie curses.

Robin's lips moved silently counting to five seconds.

Andrew said to Robin. "I liked Eve better. She was a sweet, undemanding sister."

Robin smirked. "In other words, she spoiled you." Not waiting for Andrew's retort, she pushed the trunks aside and sauntered down the stairs. "Daddy, good morning!"

Robert grumbled, "Do something about this dog of yours will you!"

"Jack, down. He just wants to go for a walk. Maybe after coffee I'll take him out for a walk by the stables," said Robin.

"Mind if the old man tags along, sweetheart?"

"This place has changed a lot," replied Robin. Their voices receded.

Andrew stood still in the hallway listening. He could feel his heartrate returning to normal. Just then the attic door opened and Anna came out of it. She smiled at her son.

She noticed the trunks then touched his cheek as she passed. "See, I knew you'd think of something. Smart boy."

"The women in this family I swear," said Andrew under his breath.

The door chime sounded throughout the house.

"Expecting anyone?" asked Andrew.

"That must be Salim," answered Anna.

"Why is he here? What's wrong?"

Anna took Andrew's hand in hers. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. C'mon, let's get down there before we're missed."