The Court, Milton Keynes, England
Augusta read the printed email several times. It was brief but held much hope for her.
"She is coming here, Elyot, and sooner than I expected," said Augusta handing the email to her husband.
"It does not mean acceptance, my dear. Please, on this matter, rationality must win the day," said the Red King.
"I had steeled myself to indifference however, this changes things considerably," replied his wife.
Elyot read the missive. "I see nothing here that should lift your heart or spirit. Or is it the wording of 'Dearest Aunt' which has raised your expectations?"
"Perhaps," said Augusta with a small smile.
Mr. Hare and Mr. Hatter entered the library like two mismatched bookends. One tall and relaxed and the other shorter and far from relaxed.
"You have news of our quarry?" asked the King.
"P.K. Sinclair has registered at the Dorchester. Flowers have been delivered to Sabrina's place of employment and her flat. Her real home not the one assigned for her cover identity," said Mr. Hare. "I dislike these developments."
The King's eyes gleamed with interest. "Ah, he is as resourceful as his reputation suggests."
"Where is Sabrina?" asked Augusta.
"On her way here with three of my best couriers," said Mr. Hatter. He glanced at Hare. "I don't intend to underestimate anyone."
"Sabrina's cover identity has been established for nearly six years. It was … should have been sufficient," protested Hare. "Where is Faison getting his information? Has the infiltration reached our information systems as well?"
"The information we have received from Robert point to a people problem not systems," said Elyot. "People may be controlled only so far. No security is foolproof against human nature and mischief. I am more curious if he has linked Sabrina to the Court? Is that the reason for his interest in her?"
"I doubt it," said Augusta. "As Sabrina said, Faison was very taken with her to the point that he let his guard down. Given her calculated resemblance to Anna it was a natural consequence."
"That may be or it could well be an exploratory gambit on his part," said Elyot.
Hatter cleared his throat. "How much do the Kriegs know about the Court?"
"Of our earliest incarnation, everything. However, they believe we have been decimated in modern times. Save for a few exceptions, our true purpose is unknown to our youngest generations. We have hidden ourselves too deeply in our comfortable burrows to be discovered now," said Elyot.
"Unless we have a nanny traitor," said Hatter quietly.
"We are considering this aren't we?" asked Augusta.
"In your absence, my dear, Hatter and I have analyzed every word in every document."
"And?"
"I no longer doubt the Scorpios' information. None of it," admitted Elyot. "The Nanny Network exists. I am in agreement with Robert's conclusion that the network is the foundation of Faison's financial and information resources. Eliminate it and he will be permanently, perhaps fatally, crippled. It is an insidious cancer that must be excised with fine precision. "
Hare brightened. "When do we begin?"
Elyot held up a hand. "Stealth must be our guide in this. One concern is troubling in the extreme."
"What is that, my love," said Augusta.
"Faison's penchant for hypno-programming. From recent events, it is obvious that his family has employed the technique to ensure the loyalty of the agents they have seeded in governments and organizations the world over," said Elyot. "As with their strategy, their programming skills have improved over time. This is an area over which we lack experience and expertise. This must be addressed first because we must assume that whatever nannies or house staff we uncover may be programmed to deceive and confound our efforts."
"I have made discreet inquiries among medical resources. None of them have knowledge of the type of programming the Kriegs have employed. The closest reference they have provided is the American CIA's Project Ultraa which was an infamous failure," said Hatter. "We must rely on the Scorpios' on this matter."
"They have shared an enormous quantity and depth of information. However, there is no mention of an expert on their side in any report or data. I find that unusual," said Elyot. He glanced at his wife.
"And you want me to find out why?" asked Augusta.
Elyot smiled. "I can think of no one better."
309 Baptiste Way Port Charles
Robin stared hard at the new residence that now stood where her old house had been. In the place of the one story ranch was a two story house with the straight planes and sharp lines of the post modernist style.
"I don't see anyone around the yard," said Frisco.
"Maybe no one is home," said Robin.
Frisco looked up and down the block. "Looks like they ripped out half the block and started over."
"It's called progress, Dad," said Maxie eyeing the new construction on the street.
"Progress means cookie cutter houses? Where's the ... the personality?" asked Frisco. He pointed at the house's damaged roof. "They don't make them any more durable do they?"
Residents were out repairing what damage they could. Fallen branches and cut logs lined the curbs next to overflowing garbage bins. A few hardy people were up on their roofs attaching makeshift covers from canvas tarpaulins or plastic sheeting.
"Why are we here exactly?" asked Andrew.
Robin slung the bag carrying the wrapped crystal over her left shoulder. "To find happiness."
In the back seat, Maxie and Andrew looked at each other.
Maxie shrugged and said, "She's your sister."
"You've known her longer," countered Andrew.
Frisco looked into the rear view mirror at the two younger family members. "Sometimes you have to believe what you feel and not what you see."
Robin exited the car and made for the garage attached to the house. The others scrambled out of the car.
Chief of Staff's Office, General Hospital
Three people alternated pacing, sitting and worrying. The fourth person could only pace in his head. Tom Hardy winced from the pain of two bruised ribs. He considered himself lucky to have escaped with no major injuries after being hit by the car that had rammed through and into the emergency room. Monica, Bobbie and Tiffany brainstormed and thought out loud.
"I have two groups staying at the Court which I have to keep separated. it won't be easy. The CDC people are going to be coming and going. The out of town reporters and their camera crews will be in and out, too," said Tiffany leaning on the edge of Tom's desk.
"And if one person from each group talks to the other ..." began Bobbie who stopped pacing.
"A public relations disaster!" exclaimed Monica rising from the armchair. "How much time do we have?"
"Not much. The CDC is already on record as having sent a team here," said Tiffany.
"Couldn't it be spun as part of the relief mission?" asked Bobbie. "Checking for cholera or Legionnaires' Disease, something like that?"
"Are you suggesting that we deliberately obstruct the CDC?" asked Monica. "I like the idea but no way could it be done."
Tom took a deep breath and said, "Let's accept that it's useless to think of a way out of it. We're in it and in it deep. What are our priorities?"
"The welfare and interests of the hospital comes first," said Monica.
Tiffany bristled, "I'm sure that the hospital will do fine, Monica. What are we going to do to keep Robin out of it? Or Andrew's computer thingee? Someone will be asking the right questions like where did the analysis on Fly come from or what treatment is being done on the Fly overdose cases?"
Monica sighed. "If not the press then certainly the CDC."
"How about we say that Dr. Scorpio-Drake was working on ... on the antidote before her death and ... and our lab staff is carrying on with her work?" suggested Bobbie. "Matt was working with her. He could back it up."
"From my understanding they were working on an antidote for Compound X or rather understanding it. That will raise more questions of why our staff was doing that sort of research in the first place," stressed Monica. "The grant links General to the Foundation. It's not a connection I want to draw any attention to. We can't announce to the world that our doctor took the place of the real Robin Scorpio who is very much alive. That would put the hospital in a bad light, too."
"This isn't about the hospital, Monica. As far as the world is concerned, General Hospital is ... is doing all it can in a unique crisis. We do things right and this place could be seen as the most heroic place on the continent," said Tiffany. "I'm not worried about the hospital. That poor child has been through enough! I don't know how she's been able to stay sane!"
"I realize that it could be quite a shock but some time has passed, why not say she's alive and Eve is dead?" asked Bobbie.
"I spoke to Sean before coming over. He was adamant that Robin's name not come out. I don't know all the details but I heard his WSB boss voice coming through loud and clear I tell you! Robin has to stay dead," said Tiffany. "Robert and Anna would be saying the same things if they were here."
"I don't know about that, Tiffany. Past a certain point, they wouldn't want the hospital to be ... be negatively impacted," said Tom. "I can't see a way to prevent Robin's involvement from being revealed. This isn't just about General anymore. We have to think about the bigger picture."
"We're back to square one, Tom. The CDC will be coming back as soon as they're settled in at the Court," said Monica. "We have to decide now how much information to give them."
"You make it sound like it's all or nothing. Can't you give it to them in ... in pieces? Take out some things?" asked Tiffany.
Monica glared at Tiffany. "You're asking us to lie to the CDC?"
"No. I'm saying to not tell them everything all at once. That's not lying," said Tiffany.
"According to procedure and the law, we have to give them full access to our records. Eventually, they will be able to put enough of the picture together," said Bobbie. "Given the ongoing crisis, we may be able to fudge a few things here and there where Robin is concerned but we have to be careful."
"No, Bobbie, we tell the truth if asked outright," said Monica.
"You'd throw Robin to them?" asked Tiffany facing off againt Monica.
Monica did not back down. "Don't you dare insinuate anything, Tiffany! I love her like she was my own child but I cannot and will not put the hospital's integrity at risk either. That is MY big picture and it's Tom's, too. It has to be."
"I'm not saying you do a ... a cover up, Monica. That's more Robert and Anna's territory. I'm saying that you don't cooperate as much as you could," said Tiffany.
"Where are they?" asked Bobbie.
"According to Edgar, they're in Europe for a few days. We're on our own," said Monica.
"They are?" asked Tiffany.
"You didn't know?" asked Monica.
"Not where they went no. Obviously, your connection is more well informed than I am," said Tiffany.
"This isn't up to them is it? We need to talk to Robin," said Bobbie. "She can make the decision to come out or not."
"She's in hiding for a reason, Bobbie," said Tiffany.
"Ultimately, it's still her decision," insisted Bobbie.
"For a few days, we can hold the fort and keep the status quo on Robin," said Tom. "I'm going to ask Mom to be the main liaison with the CDC at the hospital. Whatever she says will be the truth. Monica, you and I are going to keep ourselves scarce. Do what we can to keep from being questioned too much. Same for Matt and Patrick."
"I'll keep them on the OR rotation as much as possible," said Monica.
"Bobbie, Tiffany, if you could keep an ear out on what's happening at the Court that would help," said Tom. "Run interference, redirect interest."
"Working with spies is getting to you, Tom," murmurred Tiffany. "I've got the reporters on a different floor from the CDC group. I'll do what I can to keep them apart."
"There should be plenty for the reporters to cover. The city is a mess!" said Bobbie.
"According to Sean, the feds are working faster than he expected. By tomorrow, they'll have a permanent headquarters set up at City Hall. Transport is coming in on barges later today if the weather holds," said Tiffany. "I barely see Sean as it is. He's fast turning into the Invisible Man."
"So that means we do have a few days to use the chaos to our advantage," said Monica.
The others nodded. They all turned at a knock on the door. The door opened revealing Patrick.
"Tom? Oh, you're having a meeting. I can come back-" began Patrick.
"Come on in. We were finished," said Tom.
Patrick noted who was in the room. "Actually, can you all stay for a while? I have something to say." He closed the door behind him. "I will be taking a leave of absence from the hospital as soon as I can be spared. I'm taking Dad up on his offer of helping him out in Brazil for three weeks. Anna and Robert will have Emma while I'm away." He gestured at the office. "I can't think here. In this town. Too many memories. A few weeks should clear my head. I'm s-sorry about leaving like this but I need to ... decide what direction to take in ... in my life and do what's best for me and for Emma."
Monica said softly, "We do understand, Patrick."
"I thought I could handle seeing Robin nearly every day but I have to be honest. It hasn't been easy," said Patrick. "Emma's too young to miss me. This is the best and only time for me to choose the right path for her sake not mine. I don't have anyone to make things right when I screw up. Not anymore."
"It's a good decision," said Tom. "Don't worry about the hospital. We'll be fine. There's a team of volunteer surgeons coming in two days to help out. Once they're here, you can take off."
"That would be great. The sooner the better," said Patrick. "I could decide to take a position out of state, Tom."
"I know," said Tom.
"You have our support, all of us, whatever you decide," said Bobbie.
"I couldn't have made it through without everyone's help," said Patrick. His beeper went off. "Emergency patient with-"
"Go on. We'll talk more later," said Tom.
Patrick left with an easier heart and faster steps.
"That takes care of one source of information on Eve and Robin. They can't question someone who isn't here," said Tom. "I hate to think of it that way but I have to be practical."
"You sound a lot like Steve used to - kind but firm," said Bobbie.
"You're growing into the job," said Monica. "Steve would have been proud."
"I hope so. I never knew how hard this job was," said Tom. "The stress is unbelievable."
"Hang in there, Tom. The crisis is over. We'll all be able to get a solid night's sleep really soon," said Monica.
309 Baptiste Way Port Charles
Robin jiggered the locked knob of the garage side door. Maxie and Andrew stood behind her. Frisco surveyed the yard and back door of the house.
"It's locked," said Robin.
"Allow me." Maxie took out a pin from her purse.
Andrew watched fascinated as Maxie inserted the pin inside the lock and twisted it left and right a few times. "I have no comment on this activity."
"Don't tell me you don't know how to do the same thing," said Maxie. She opened the door with a flourish.
"I do. I didn't know you had similarly dubious skills, Aunt Maxie," replied Andrew.
The garage was full of boxes marked "Ace Movers." A gray tarpaulin lay draped over a car.
"Casey?" called out Robin softly. "It's me Robin. Casey, are you in here?"
The three of them went over every inch of the garage and found nothing. They locked the garage behind them.
Robin eyed the house. "In there?"
Frisco shook his head. "No one inside. This is a bust."
A woman called out from the house next door. "Can I help you, folks?"
"You three get into the van. I'll handle this," said Frisco. He waved a hand and moved towards the neighbor. "Just, um, estimating the damage. Do you know the people who live here?"
The neighbor shrugged. "The house has been for rent for a while. People move in and out a lot." She studied Frisco's face. "Don't I know you?" She gasped. "Frisco Jones! That's you!"
Frisco gave her his brightest smile. "The one and only."
"Wait right here! I have to get my camera! Oh, my God, I LOVED you on Teen Time." The woman's voice carried to the van. "I'll be right back! Don't move!"
Robin laughed. Maxie buried her face in her hand and groaned.
"This is a new house. There's no essence left here but there could still be some left on the island," said Robin. She opened her pack. She moved aside the cloth wrapping. She touched the crystal. It was hot to the touch. She closed her eyes as the soothing warmth invaded her body.
"What essence are we looking for? I want a real answer, Robin," insisted Andrew.
"It's hotter than before. Feel it," said Robin. "Go on. It won't bite."
Andrew extended a hand and felt the crystal. It was cold. "In Sicily, the original crystal was warm. But that was partly due to proximity to the volcano as Feargus explained to me. There is no volcano here."
Robin looked fondly at the crystal. "The crystal came into my life when I needed to believe in love and that good could still be … be found in life. I had lost my Grandmother Filomena. Uncle Duke had died. Mom and Dad went to Scotland to scatter his ashes. I decided to stay here with my crystal. I met the … the owner and he changed my life. I think … I know it can happen again."
"What can happen again?" asked Maxie.
"I have no idea but I can't wait to find out," said Robin.
Frisco entered the van. "I can't believe they still remember me after all this time." He noticed the bright glowing light coming from the pack. He looked at Robin. "Only one place left to investigate."
"Next stop - Spoon Island," said Robin.
Dorchester Hotel, London, England
Cesar Faison aka noted author P.K. Sinclair smoked his cigar with marked contentment while speaking on a secure cell phone.
Professor Von der Recke said over the line, "We require permission for a small test, Herr Krieg."
"And if the result is successful?" asked Faison.
"Then we will be assured that we have addressed one of the major reasons for the failure of the original test," said Von der Recke. "We may move on to our other goals."
"What if the equipment on Spoon Island is defective, will not the test be inconclusive?"
"After much deliberation, we feel that the receivers on the island have a ten percent probability of being at fault. That is an acceptable risk to us," said Von der Recke. "Do we have your permission?"
"Yes. What is your timetable?" asked Faison.
"Within the hour. Thank you, Herr Krieg." The connection was ended.
Faison accessed another number. "Ashton? Are you free?"
"I am completing preparations for your arrival," said Ashton. "Is there something you need?"
"Something trivial. A test will be commencing shortly."
There was a pause. "Big or small?"
"Perhaps both," said Faison. "Observe and report. That is all."
Vadsel Estate, Hungary
The Scorpios and the Maricks said their farewells on the steps outside the mansion. The driver packed Robert and Anna's bags into the trunk of the limousine. It would be a short trip to the airport where the Marick jet waited to whisk the Scorpios off to England.
"I suppose you can tell our new aunt that ... that I'll contact her ... soon. I need to get my head around it more," said Alex. "Aiden and Gabriel will have to make their own decisions."
"I'll tell her," said Anna.
"We're here for the next few months. Katherine Delafield is staying with us here during her upcoming world tour. Perhaps I shall invite Aunt Augusta to come for the concert," said Alex.
"I don't think she leaves England much. You'll have to go there when you're ready."
Robert held the limo door open. "Your chariot awaits."
The twins exchanged final hugs and the men shook hands. Dmitri and Alex watched as the limousine began to drive away.
Inside the limousine, Robert tensed in the back seat as the Andrassy private cemetary came into view on their right. Fresh earth covered a new plot off to the side sheltered by two tall pine trees.
Anna's eyes followed Robert's gaze. "She can't harm us or anyone else. We have to ... to let go of the guilt."
"I'm going to make it a life goal to never ever have THAT happen again."
"It wasn't under your control."
"It was just wrong," said Robert. "I can't help the feeling that we haven't seen the last of her machinations. Gottta watch that karmic payback."
"You've been Mr. Doom and Gloom since we woke up."
"I guess I took after you," said Robert.
"Me?"
"Cognac. Bad dreams. Collapsing in my arms like a sack of potatoes. Ring a bell?"
"My dream lover took care of me last night." Anna pressed a kiss on Robert's cheek. "Today is a new day and I don't see any shadows lurking about us."
"I rarely see you lose it like you did. You all right? Honestly?" asked Robert. "I know how dark a place it can be, remember? If there is something bothering you, maybe I can help."
"Just being you helps," said Anna squeezing his arm.
"Old mission that left scars?" quizzed Robert.
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Must have been one of your special operations with Sean. You had quite a few."
"Mustn't listen to gossip, Robert," teased Anna.
"I wasn't there when you first made an appearance at Paris HQ but O'Reilly and I heard about it, believe me," said Robert. "All everyone could talk about was Sean's luminous trainee. The trainee who monopolized the boss' time night and day."
"They didn't think that Sean and I were ... were lovers did they?"
"No. Sean put the word out first thing that your relationship was strictly professional. That rare announcement had unintended consequences however."
"Really? What?"
"Put every man at Paris HQ into hunter mode. Suddenly, they were coming to work shaved, behaved and sniffing the air every few minutes."
Anna let out a full throated laugh. "I wasn't worth that much effort."
"Maybe you weren't in the beginning but I noticed a change when you got back a few months later. O'Reilly and I had just returned from following a Cassadine lead in Cairo. We got into HQ and most of the men had this ... this glazed look in their eyes. I asked Hal Simpson what the matter was and he said your name," said Robert. "I looked all over the office for you but you'd disappeared. I decided I was overdue for vacation and went off to Stockholm for some rest and recreation."
"I think that was the time that I had a mission with O'Reilly. It was educational to say the least. We laughed a lot but I always sensed that O"Reilly saw more of me than I did of her, if you know what I mean."
"She gave you the patented O'Reilly analysis, molecule by molecule."
"Yeah. I tried to keep my guard up but it was hard. She could put a person at ease within three words. I didn't stand a chance," said Anna.
"Sounds like it was fun."
"Oh, it was. It was like an elaborate game and we set the rules."
Robert glanced at his wife. "So that wasn't the reason for the bad dreams?"
"You're awfully curious about my dreams."
"If you were the type of woman who became a watering pot at the slightest bit of drama, I wouldn't be concerned but you're not. It takes a lot to shake you enough to ... to want to drink yourself into oblivion. I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen you completely potted. And I noticed shards of glass in the fireplace this morning before it was cleaned up. You were trying to drown whatever it was in cognac and then got mad at yourself and threw the glass into the fireplace. Am I close?"
Anna said nothing. Robert took that as a cue to keep going.
"Does it involve a particular author of our acquaintance?"
Anna watched the passing scenery. "Not everything in my life concerns him."
Robert snarled, "He's like this tick that burrows under the skin and never crawls out again. At random times, it starts digging and the itch starts all over again. What's it going to take to relieve the itch? A flamethrower at point blank range blasting away for an hour at least. Yeah, that's a good mental image."
Anna thought of a tactic sure to distract her overly perceptive and persistent spouse. "O'Reilly told me about you. We were lying low at this location. We had nothing to do but talk and the topic came around to men in general. At the time I had no idea how accurately she had described you."
"I'm almost afraid to ask but, um, what did she say?"
"She said you were one of the best in the job."
Robert nodded. "I learned a lot from her. I surely did."
"She said you had a good heart but a naturally suspicious mind."
"Right again."
"That you were a stickler for the rules at least when things were going your way."
"Well, one has to be flexible in the field. In the end, it's the results that matter."
"O'Reilly implied that if I ever looked up the word playboy, your name would appear as a synonym. Would you agree with that, Robert?"
Robert grinned at his wife. "I may have enjoyed the single life to the fullest."
She looked at him. "She advised me to look away when I saw you coming. In her words, it was the best form of self preservation."
A memory of his and Anna's first meeting in Sean's office in Paris flashed across Robert's mind. He could see an answering glow of memory in Anna's own eyes. She was recalling the same thing.
"You didn't look away though," said Robert.
"I couldn't. Still can't," replied Anna softly.
"Dot dot dot," whispered Robert leaning close and touching her forehead with his.
The limousine slowed as it went through the rear gates of the airport. In a few minutes they were boarding the Andrassy jet hand in hand.
Email Server Somewhere In The World
Twenty eight hours remained on the countdown counter.
Tick. Tock. Tick.