"Esme. Prince."
Alexis made a face as Gregory looked at her in flat confusion. She held a few sheets of paper in her hand, each with notes that resemble chicken scratch.
"What?" she asked.
"Isn't she somewhere in Europe?" he asked her back, "Didn't the PCPD track her to France…?"
"That's what they claim, yes."
"And now you think she's somehow back in town?"
"She's the only person who fits the evidence we have thus far. She has a plausible motive, her body type fits the description Dex gave us-"
"Did we ever get surveillance footage?"
"We did, and while I couldn't see a face or any hair, both videos showed a petite, thin person in all black in the alley and at the garage."
"Just as Dex said," Gregory's voice was low, "I thought we agreed that all roads lead to him…"
"We did."
"What changed your mind, exactly?"
"I talked to Diane and Ava," Alexis took her seat.
Gregory raised his eyebrows in intrigue, sitting across from her, "Oh? What did they say?"
"They deny it was Dex. Diane claims he's too soft and compassionate to commit such a heinous crime, and he and Ava never had any tension. Motive ultimately disqualifies him," she leaned forward, "I'm not saying your theory was meritless-"
"I know, I know," Gregory nodded, waving a hand, "but then how did we go from Dex Heller to Esme Prince?"
"Diane offered a theory of her own," Alexis reclined in her chair, crossing her arms, "She thinks we focused too much on the wrong side of the aisle. I mean, you saw the social media posts that supposedly came from Esme; to say she was unhappy Trina Robinson was acquitted would be an understatement."
"And Ava?"
Alexis gently bit her bottom lip, "...We know they didn't get along."
"But then what about Brando and Kristina? As far as I'm aware, they've never interacted with her."
"Correct, but," Alexis sat up, "what happened to them isn't really about her."
"Then who is it about?"
"Dex."
Gregory scowled in confusion, "I'm not following."
"Well, Dex saved their lives. I don't think it would be a stretch to say Esme wanted Ava and Diane dead and gone, and Dex technically, actively, ruined that for her."
"If that's the case, how is it that two people who aren't Dex got hurt?"
"I'm not sure about Brando, but with Kristina…" Alexis sighed sadly, "Esme must've known about their relationship."
"Attacking the woman he loves just to get to him?" Gregory shook his head, "That's just low."
Alexis scowled at him, pursing her lips outward. He raised an eyebrow, "What?"
"That word: love. That's quite a strong one to use."
"I was just speaking generally. But even then, if Dex does love Kristina, would that be a bad thing?"
Alexis's silence gave him an answer.
"...Back to the matter at hand," he began, "Esme is the Hook, or at least, the new theory is that she is."
"It's the best we have."
"So then, what do we do? I mean, Ava and Diane are recovering, and there's hospital security to protect him, but Dex is her target because he got in her way."
"Dex works for Sonny. I'm sure he can take care of himself-" Alexis stopped herself, sighing as she winced, "Damnit."
"What?"
"I convinced Sonny that Dex was the suspect and left them alone in the hospital," she pulled her phone out, "I have to fix this."
The phone rang a few times before going to voicemail.
"Sonny," she began, "it's Alexis. The theory I had on Dex being the Hook was wrong. He didn't attack anyone. I know I left you two alone in the hospital, and it could be that you both aren't there anymore, but whatever you're doing to him, it needs to stop. Let him go."
Not now, Alexis…
Sonny frowned at his phone screen, pocketing the device as he approached the closed hospital door. He gently knocked on the door, opening it soon after.
"This is really nice, Molls," Kristina's smile was exasperated but gentle. A knitted coral blanket was bunched up in her hands, "I love it, thank you."
"You're welcome," Molly hugged her sister, "Hopefully it makes your stay here more comforting. TJ's on a shift right now, but he wants you to know that he'll do anything you need him to."
"I appreciate that."
"And you'll appreciate this too," Sam reached into her purse and handed her younger sister three handmade cards, "Rocco, Danny, and Scout made them when they found out."
"Aw," Kristina cooed, looking over the crafts, "I think I love it more than the blanket. Tell them thank you and that Aunt Krissy loves them."
"Will do."
"Kristina?" Sonny cut in, all eyes then on him.
"Hi, Dad," she smiled, "Glad you dropped by."
"Of course I would. Have…Has Dante or your mother dropped by?"
"Well, Dante's working on the case," Sam said.
"I think Mom's working on it too," Molly followed with.
"I'm sure they'll come see me soon," Kristina shrugged, "I'm going to be here a while, anyway," she then tried to look past her father, the hallway empty, "Dex isn't with you?"
Sonny blinked, frozen in place. He let out a gentle sigh, looking at Sam and Molly, "Is it alright if I talk to Kristina in private?"
Both women nodded, each one giving Kristina a tight hug before leaving, the door closing behind them. Sonny slowly made his way to the open stool to the right of the bed.
"Where's Dex?" she asked.
"We'll get there," he responded, "but let's talk about you first. How do you feel?"
"Well, my stomach hurts, and my painkillers aren't strong enough to keep the pain away. But," she took a deep breath, "the doctor said that I'll make a full recovery, so that's what I'm focusing on."
"I'm glad you're going to be okay," he held her hand.
"Me too."
"Has anyone else visited you besides Molly and Sam?"
"Um, not really. Phyllis and Johnny did, Amy too since she's been assigned to my room. Dante's busy with the case and Mom's busy at The Invader. Carly and Olivia want to come by sometime, but their schedules are hectic."
"What about Michael or Josslyn?"
"They've…reached out," Kristina flattened her lips, "Michael plans to come by with Willow and Wiley, but Joss…she just sent a couple texts. Not much else."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay. It is what it is. I'm just grateful for the support system that I have. It's nice to know I'm as loved as I am."
"Because you're lovable," Sonny flashed a smile. Kristina giggled in response.
"Yeah," she grinned, "and speaking of, where's Dex? Is he working or…?"
"Sweetheart," he cleared his throat, "I don't think you should see Dex anymore."
"What's the reason this time?" she rolled her eyes.
"I don't think he has your best interests at heart, your safety at heart."
"What do you mean? He's been nothing but kind and loving to me."
"Sure, but he's…he's all kind and loving so that when the…the rug comes out from under you, you won't think it's him who pulled it."
"What?"
"I…" Sonny took a deep breath, "I have reason to believe that Dex is involved in what's been happening recently."
"You think he knows something about the attacks?"
"...I think he's the one attacking."
Kristina scowled in confusion for a beat before a mix of disbelief and anger colored her expression. She shook her head vigorously, "No."
"Kristina-"
"He didn't do it. He didn't go after Ava and Diane, he didn't kill Brando, and he did not hurt me. I don't believe it."
"Hear me out, okay? The evidence points in his direction."
"How?"
"For one, he was in the area when Ava and Diane were harmed, he had issues with Brando-"
"He found Ava after she was already stabbed," Kristina cut in, "and I'm pretty sure you assigned him to watch over Diane at the garage. Plus, Dex and Brando had a truce!"
"He told you that?"
"He did. And why would he attack me? We're in a relationship for God's sake!"
"Wasn't he the last person with you before you were attacked?"
"Yeah, we were in his apartment. That doesn't automatically mean he attacked me. He left to get us some food, and when he came back, he found me on the floor. Dad, I swear, he didn't do this."
"I admire how much you're defending him, but I'm sorry, Kristina, I just can't accept that. He can't say that he loves you and put you in the hospital-"
"He said what?" Kristina raised an eyebrow. Sonny blinked at her in confusion before realizing what he said.
"Dex…told me that he loves you."
"He does…?" her voice was soft, the delivery hoarse yet hopeful, "How do you know?"
"He and I…had a conversation…of sorts."
Kristina immediately shot a glare his way. Sonny looked at her, confused, and her eyes only sharpened as a result.
"...What did you do to him?" she asked coldly.
"Don't worry about it-"
"Dad, what did you do to him?"
Silence.
"Where is he? Where are you keeping him?"
"What makes you think I'm keeping him somewhere? That I'm doing something to him?"
"You think he tried to kill me. I know you pretty well, Dad. I know you went after him. Where is he? Better yet, what are you doing to him?"
More silence.
"Oh God," she began to choke up, "Dad, you didn't. Please tell me you didn't."
"...He's still alive. As far as I know, he is."
"As far as you know?! What did you do to him?!"
"Kristina, this panic isn't good for you. What's going on between Dex and I is our business. You should focus on recovery."
"I'll focus on it when you stop holding him hostage. What next, I'm going to find out he's being tortured?"
Sonny's silence gave her an answer.
"Dad…" she shook her head, voice cracking as tears welled up, "let him go."
"Sweetheart, there are some very serious accusations against him, and I'm doing what I can to protect not only you, but the rest of the town."
"He didn't do this. He didn't; I swear on my life that he didn't."
"The evidence says otherwise."
"The evidence is circumstantial at best. I don't know who Ava and Diane saw, but the person I saw was shorter than Dex, leaner than Dex, and far more petite than Dex. Please, Dad, if you love me at all, you'll let him go."
"Kristina…sweetheart-" Sonny's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled out the device, looking at the contact on the screen.
"Who is it?" the young woman asked.
"Your mother," he answered, his voice dropping in volume, "again."
"You should answer it."
Sonny gave Kristina a look before swiping on the screen, then holding the object to his ear, "Hello?"
"Sonny?" Alexis asked, "Where are you?"
"At the hospital. I'm visiting Kristina."
"Oh! How is she?"
"She's…" Sonny looked at the young woman again, "She's hanging in there."
"Can I talk to her?" Kristina asked. Sonny handed her his phone, "Mom?"
"Hi, sweetie. Are you doing okay?"
"Yeah, I'm okay. Where are you?"
"I'm at my office with Gregory, working on the case."
"Did your work end up influencing Dad in any way? Because Dex is nowhere to be found right now."
All Kristina heard was silence.
"Mom."
"I'm sorry, Kristina."
"Oh God," the young woman covered half of her face with her free hand, "Mom, Dex didn't do this to me!"
"I know, sweetie. I know. We were running off of a theory and we were wrong. Dex isn't the culprit here."
"Then tell Dad that."
"Give the phone back to him and I will."
"Alexis?" Sonny asked after getting his phone back.
"Did you listen to my voicemail?" the older woman asked.
"No, why?"
"Dex isn't the attacker. Our theory was wrong."
Sonny looked at Kristina briefly, "You're sure it's not him?"
"Yes. Gregory and I looked over the surveillance footage; the build of the attacker doesn't match Dex's. Furthermore, both Ava and Diane deny it was him."
"So he's…he's innocent."
"He's pretty much in the clear, yes. I know I left you two alone in the hospital when I went to see Diane, and I know you well enough to know that you did something to him, so whatever it is, it needs to stop and it needs to stop now."
Sonny sighed before hanging up the phone, slowly getting to his feet. Kristina gave him an expectant look.
"There's somewhere I need to be," he said, "I'm glad that…that you're going to be okay."
Kristina didn't respond, the father and daughter pair sharing a knowing look. She knew where he was going, and he knew he didn't need to say it. He was halfway out the door as she spoke up, "Dad?"
He turned around, "Yes?"
"Tell Dex I love him too."