CHAPTER 92

Three days later…

(ANA)

"So has it aired yet in New York?" I ask Eva as I peer at my phone screen in front of me.

Eva shakes her head, "No, it airs tonight. Dad is coming over to watch it with us, but we've already seen the draft which Hazel sent as a courtesy to Gideon before it airs here, did you know it's airing in California and also the Midwest tonight as well?"

I nod my head, "Yes, when she sent the copy for Christian to preview she told us that, but we already knew as Eamon had told El that a couple of the networks were looking to screen it so we were aware that when it was going nationwide it really was, and so Christian has called his birth family and told them that it is airing tonight in their region and I think he also called Uncle Arnie who is in California at the moment".

Eva nods in understanding, "She did a really good job, have you heard anything from Kate since it aired there? Do you know if she has seen it yet?" she asks.

I shake my head, "No, and no. To be fair I don't even know where she is at the moment, but hopefully if she has seen it she has got the message now. None of us could've made it much clearer and seeing El and Meg together was a thing of beauty the way they look at each other and behave together, their chemistry is off the charts. It aired here yesterday, Christian gave his go ahead after he screened it yesterday morning and it aired last night, so there is still time for her to kick off".

"Has everyone seen it?" Eva asks warily and I nod.

"Yes, everyone was here watching it, Carrick was very impressed and said we had done the right thing but I got the impression Grace wasn't overly impressed. She didn't say much, but on the plus side things seem to be improving between her and Meg though, she made a point to sit with Meg and she chatted with her for a while and it didn't seem forced or awkward".

"That's good, Grace was totally out of order what she thought of Meg. I get she was trying to protect El but she can't automatically think Meg is Kate mark 2 so I'm pleased for Meg that Grace is now making an effort".

I nod, "I think Grace is keen to work with Caroline and I believe she has already had a session with Meg and El – just the three of them".

"Good" Eva says with a satisfied grin, she looks past me and I look round wondering what she is looking at but see nothing.

"Where's Christian?" she asks suddenly.

I smile, realising what she was looking for, as Christian normally pops in to say hello when I talk to Eva. "He's in his study, working. Trying to get back to normality, after everything that has happened" I explain.

Eva nods, and gives me a look of total empathy and I am guessing that Gideon is also currently digging his way through a ton of work which got side-lined with everything that has been happening recently. She confirms this with what she says next.

"Gideon is really behind at work, his team have done a good job keeping things ticking over but he has spent so much time away from the office what with everything that kicked off when you two were in New York, not to mention the repercussions of that - he is also trying to spend time with Ryan, due to those repercussions. Then flying to Seattle as well, I'm guessing he is going to be catching up for a while. Having said that though, he went to the prison to see Ryan today and took the interview for him to watch".

"I had no idea that he was going to come out about Ryan being his brother as well" I say and Eva nods.

"I encouraged him to do it, the way I saw it is, just get everything out there then there is nothing left which can be dug up and twisted. He was reluctant to do it to begin with as he didn't want to shift the attention from us, but I told him if he did it right and made it clear he wasn't willing to talk about it other than to say it there shouldn't be an issue… and he did that, and I think he nailed it" Eva says proudly.

"He did, but Hazel seemed keen to interview him to get more" I say and Eva nods.

"Yeah, he called her to thank her for the copy of the interview and I think he's arranging something. Between you and me, I think he is going to go all out and rid himself of everything. I know he told Ryan about being abused and there were lawyers and law enforcement there when he did it, but that was a controlled environment… I think he wants to rid himself of it and put it out there in the public domain. I was shocked when he said that, but he said he wasn't to blame for any of it and neither was Ryan. He said that he doesn't feel anything towards his mother and couldn't care less about how he makes her look, in fact he wants to set the record straight and let the world know exactly what she is like… he feels very bitter towards her after everything came out the way it did, and I was wondering if he would exact some kind of revenge towards her at some point after he found out she had watched him being abused. He has talked it over with Ireland and Christopher and told them what he is planning and they are all for it – especially Ireland. They are coming round tonight to watch the interview as well".

"Wow!" I say unable to articulate anything else after hearing that. "I'm surprised he is thinking about outing himself like that though, he really has come a long way hasn't he?" I say.

Eva nods and smiles proudly, "He really has, I'm so proud of him. Christian getting him to talk about everything with Caroline was the best thing he could've done. His nightmares have receded so much as well, so much so that hopefully we will soon be trialling sleeping together in the same bed".

"Oh Eva I'm so pleased for you both" I say with total sincerity.

"EVA!"

I watch as my sister turns towards the familiar voice and calls out.

"I'm talking to Ana, what's up?" she calls.

"Your father has arrived" comes the disembodied reply.

"I'll let you go" I say immediately and Eva nods.

"Ok, talk to you soon sis, bye for now" she says.

We say our goodbyes and the screen on my phone goes black, and I let out a sigh.

Meanwhile in New York…

(VICTOR)

"Hi daddy!"

I grin as Eva throws herself into my arms. I catch her and she gives me a hefty squeeze.

"Hey sweetheart, is everything ok in Seattle?" I ask and she nods.

"I think so, Kate hasn't reacted yet so I'm choosing to believe that, that's a good thing. The interview aired there yesterday so there is still time for her to respond. Ana said that everyone went to watch it with them and Carrick was impressed with it. I have to tell you; you came up along with Ray and it came out that you are now in New York and that you work for the NYPD". Eva looks at me slightly anxiously watching my response to that disclosure.

I pause as I think about that, my colleagues here are aware of who my daughter is and more importantly to them who my son in law is. I deliberately work at a precinct outside of Manhattan for that very reason, so there cannot be any question of a conflict of interests, should anything happen in Manhattan which involves Gideon or Eva.

"That's fine" I say simply with a shrug.

I see the relief on Eva's face as I say that. She had called me before the interview and said that there may be a possibility that I would be mentioned considering that Frank was being discussed.

"Have you spoken to your mom?" I ask, as I remember when she went public about her and Ana and the meltdown Monica had as a result. I can understand why Eva didn't do her the courtesy of giving her a heads up, like she gave me beforehand as at that point in time she was feeling very negative towards her mom. I didn't agree with what she did, but knowing Eva as I do, I could understand why she did it, she wanted to hurt her mom like she had hurt her.

Eva nods, "Yeah, she wasn't happy about it. But she was pleased I had told her this time. I've also told her it airs tonight".

I am startled by that and Eva sees it and smiles, "Don't worry dad, she's not coming here to watch it, it's just you, Christopher and Ireland who will be watching it with us tonight".

I relax again, after hearing that. The last thing I need is to witness one of Monica's meltdowns.

We head into the large living room and a short while later Ireland and Christopher arrive. Christopher is carrying a bag filled with beer and snacks which he hands to Gideon and Gideon lets out a snort as he looks inside.

"What on earth are you planning?" he says and Christopher shrugs.

"Got to have some refreshments" he says and turns to me, "What do you say Victor? You can't watch tv without beers and munchies!"

I smile and nod, "I totally agree son" I say, "Although I will pass on the beer as I'm on duty first thing in the morning" I add.

We settle ourselves down and a few moments later Angus slips into the room, he places his hand on Gideon's shoulder and squeezes and after acknowledging everyone with a nod he sits down quietly in the corner.

Meanwhile in Ohio…

(ALEXANDER)

"Ed, are you coming over to watch the interview, it's on soon?" I ask.

There is a deep sigh at the other end of the line, "I am, I'm just getting ready to leave now and come over… do you know why they are doing this? It seems to me a bit like airing your dirty laundry? Christian did try and explain when I asked him but I'm still a little unclear" he asks.

I sigh, I can't help but agree with him on that point, but I also accept that Christian lives a totally different lifestyle to us and the media are interested in him and everything he does needs to have the correct narrative. "Yes I do, primarily it's down to his brother's ex-wife" I explain. "She is looking for revenge on the family and she is sniffing around Frank Lambert to find a story she can exploit. They are worried that she will find out that her ex-husband who is Christian's adopted brother is biologically related to Ana and they are worried that she will make something sordid and dirty out of it. She is a journalist and so as Christian put it, they want to control the narrative. They want to put it out there on their terms so effectively there is no story".

"I see, are we going to be mentioned? Christian said the topic may come up but he assured me that we would not be named?" he says.

I know Edwin is worried about this, as am I if I'm honest, but I try and reassure him. "Yes, that's what he said to me. Christian is very aware of our privacy and anonymity so we have to trust that he will honour that. If we are mentioned at all I believe it will only be in passing and hopefully overlooked with everything else that is going to be said".

"I don't believe Christian will do anything that will negatively impact on us, I'm sure he will do his best to shield us" Edwin says confidently.

"I agree, alright then I'll go now and I'll see you shortly – I've got a few beers here for us for while we are watching it" I say and I hear a small laugh from the other end of the line.

"I'm on my way!" Edwin laughs.

Meanwhile in California…

(FRANK)

"What's going on?" I ask as I am led into a small office and told to sit down.

"You'll see" one of the military police officers tells me. I wait and then the door opens and I see Arnie. I smile widely at him, but the smug look he gives me in return unnerves me and I feel my smile fade.

"Frank, good to see you" Arnie says and I can hear the smugness in his tone.

"What's going on?" I ask now on full alert.

"Your children are giving an interview which is being aired tonight and I've pulled some strings so that you can watch it" he says.

"My children?" I ask numbly.

"Yes, Ana, Eva and Elliot" he replies.

A cold rock settles in my stomach, I totally miscalculated what would happen when I went to the media to try to sell my story that I was related to the wives of two of the country's richest men. I was hoping that it was a win-win situation, I'd either get paid handsomely by the media for my story or their husbands would pay me off to shut me up. As it was, I never received any payment from the outlet who ran with my story and I ended up being caught by the military police who I had managed to dodge for years as I tried to escape. I see now I was blinded by dollar signs and it made me careless, something I had never been before. I wish a million times I had not made that approach to Ana, but hindsight is a wonderful thing. I had hoped that I could get my story published and she'd be none the wiser as to who I was, my plan had been seemingly fool proof get the book published, rake in some money from it and then reveal who I really was to Ana and hopefully get some more money out of her and her rich husband, but it all went wrong as she knew who I was and not only that got Monica's girl involved and essentially lured me into a trap. That was a huge shock and things deteriorated from that point onward. My mind comes back to now and I wonder what on earth they are giving an interview about, as anything from either of them is incredibly rare. Elliot gives more interviews but it is always regarding his construction business and his latest work but nothing personal.

"So, what is this interview about?" I ask and Arnie shrugs, but I am certain he knows by his demeanour and the way he is behaving about this.

"I don't care I don't want to see it" I say dismissively.

Arnie stares at me, "Well that says it all doesn't it, you really don't give a shit about the lives you helped to create and once again you are looking to run away and close your eyes to the truth".

"So, it's about me then?" I ask as I take in what he just said and he laughs.

"Not everything is about you Frank, but as far as I am aware you could be mentioned" Arnie says.

This piques my interest and I quickly change my mind, "Ok I'll watch it" I say quickly.

Arnie rolls his eyes, "I thought you might" he replies sardonically.

(KATE)

As I sit in this tiny but comfortable California hotel, looking to make my next move I am strategizing how I am going to get access to Frank Lambert as I know I am on to something big here. I've not heard anything yet from Frank, but there is still time. He is in prison after all and there are procedures to be followed, so I know my letter will be read before it's passed on and his response will also be read before I receive it so there is still time yet. If I am right though, his response should answer everything. I know in my gut – almost certain, there is some kind of link between him and ass-wipe and if my hunch is right, I am guessing that he is ass-wipes biological father which makes him Ana's biological brother and how fucking messed up is that considering he is also the control freaks brother, it's positively sordid and something I intend to exploit once I get the facts from Frank.

After what Ana said… or didn't say that day when I went to see her, along with Taylor's reaction I know there is something more there. If I am right and I'm fairly sure I am I will expose and ruin them all with it as I am determined to get my revenge on that fucking family the way they have all treated me. It is slightly irritating that I can't just write it on the hunch I have, I mean most stories from the site I work for are all just half-baked hunches or assumptions many of which turn out to be untrue, but with my link to them, in my case it would be totally suicidal to do that where that family are concerned and just asking for trouble as if I do turn out to be mistaken in my assumption that fucking control freak Ana married would set his attorneys on me, and as my parents have been poisoned against me by them I wouldn't be able to count on their support, if I was sued.

I glance at the TV screen in my hotel room, and I am surprised to see photographs of Christian, Gideon, Eva, Ana and ass-wipe, appear on the screen. I turn up the volume and hear that an in depth honest and revealing interview with the Grey and Cross family will air tonight and is coming up next. Oh, I wonder what that is about?

I put down my notepad and make myself comfortable and listen to the trailer. I hadn't heard anything on the grapevine about any interview, and I wonder what will be discussed. I never did get that interview with Gideon Cross, the very least Ana could've done is try and arrange something for me – I mean the guy is married to that bitch of a sister of hers. I wonder why ass-wipe is featured? I mean he is hardly in the same league as Gideon Cross or Christian. My mind is working over time trying to figure it out and curiosity is burning within me as I keep my eyes fixed on the screen. I go cold as I see the Kavanagh Media emblem flash up. He didn't? He didn't do this to me, surely? He is my father? My blood? Surely there is some kind of family loyalty there? My eyes widen in shock as the name Hazel Mathers appears on the screen.

"You fucking bitch!" I shriek at the television screen. That fucking bitch not only stole my job but she stole my interview as well.

I am seething but I try and calm down so I don't miss anything, I really need to watch this and see what this is all about.