"Motion to adjourn carries and with that we are adjourned," Edward Quartermaine said jubilantly with an aggressive rap of his gavel.
"Thank you, Grandfather. My staff will tabulate the director ballots and the vote on the White Pine Referendum while everyone moves to the reception outside the Versailles Room. Dinner will begin at seven o'clock followed by the announcement of the new directors and an enjoyable evening of dancing. I hope you can all join us for that," Ned Ashton, ELQ Executive Vice President and Pro-Counsel said.
"Will you be joining us?" Jasper Jacks called from the back of the room.
"Unfortunately, I have another family obligation I must attend to. But I will oversee the vote tabulation before I leave," Ned said through gritted teeth.
XXXXXXXX
Brenda Barrett refrained from hitting her date as they filed out of the Chapparal Salon where the ELQ Shareholder's Meeting had been held. "Why did you have to put Ned on the spot like that?" she hissed.
Jasper Jacks feigned shock. "What do you mean?"
"You know that Ned's wife is in the hospital. Obviously, he is going to be getting back to her as soon as possible," Brenda said.
"I'm surprised you would presume that. Especially since you like to consider yourself Lois's best friend. It's no secret that Ned was never able to put her, or their marriage, ahead of ELQ," Jax said.
Brenda considered that. She knew Lois had resented Ned's dedication to ELQ at different times, but she wasn't sure even Lois would phrase it exactly the way Jax had. She was quite certain that neither Lois nor Ned would want her discussing their marriage with Jax. "You're entitled to your opinion; I suppose but it really is neither fair nor kind to lob into Ned like that!" she said before she took a few quick strides over to where AJ Quartermaine was standing with Keesha Ward and his younger sisters, Allison and Emily Quartermaine.
"You look stressed," Alli said when Brenda joined them.
"Jax seems to have that effect on people," Brenda said.
"Sorry! I don't think Ned particularly appreciated his question either. I'm hoping that is just because Jax is being annoying and not because Ned just heard more bad news about Carly or the baby," Emily said.
"As far as I know the baby shower is still on, so I presume that means Carly is being discharged tonight," Brenda said.
"I'm glad you're doing that. I think it's important Carly really feels like the whole family is supporting them and the baby. Because at least that is what we're trying to do," Alli said.
"It's a nice thought; unfortunately, we're Quartermaines so it may be a little bit messier than that. Especially since apparently Grandfather was offended that he wasn't invited to the shower," AJ said.
Keesha raised an eyebrow. "Your grandfather was offended? You didn't mention that. Actually, let me rephrase that, I'm surprised Edward didn't mention that."
"Oh, he was going to. But Grandmother got to him before he got to you or Brenda," AJ said.
Everyone laughed at that. But as Brenda forced herself to join in, she caught Jax's glare from across the room. She forced another laugh and tried to ignore him.
XXXXXXXX
Lorena Barrington watched her son chat with the Quartermaine sisters and realized exactly why he had recently become so interested in the family's diversified holdings. She had wondered about that when she had seen him dancing with Allison Quartermaine at the Ashton reception. Derek had laughed at her suggestion, but she had been right!
XXXXXXXX
Lila Quartermaine extended her arms up and wrapped them around her eldest grandson. "No apologies are necessary. As far as I am concerned you are going exactly where you need to be," she said.
"Thank you, Grandmother," Ned Ashton said as he leaned in and gave the wheelchair bound woman a gentle squeeze.
"Please give Carly our love, and your Grandfather appears to be in rather deep conversation with Asa Buchanan so now might be the best time to make your exit," Lila suggested.
Ned chuckled. "Great minds think alike, Grandmother," he said as he straightened just as his Uncle John approached with his wife, Abigail Donely Quartermaine, a DOJ Attorney.
"Yes, please let Carly know we've been praying for her and the baby," John Quartermaine said.
"I will, thank you. Not to be rude but I think I'm going to take advantage of this narrow window for me to slip out without additional drama," Ned said.
"Godspeed," Abbie agreed.
After Ned's departure, Lila turned to her son and daughter in law, "I'm glad you were both able to come. I know you are both doing wonderful things in DC, but we miss having you here with us," she said.
"Of course; Mom, we miss you and the boys miss their cousins. I will have more flexibility and could possibly work out of a more local FBI field office after my initial DOJ commitment ends next summer," John said.
Lila heard what her son was saying but she sensed that there was more he wasn't saying. The Hudson Valley FBI Field Office was in the Federal Building Annex just beyond the town square on Federal Avenue right in downtown Port Charles. His wife had initially clerked for Federal Judge Paul Murdoch in the Northern District NY Federal Courthouse located on the Port Charles Town Square. Then she had been an US Attorney working out the Northern District NY which was also conveniently located in Port Charles. But when John had decided to go to law school himself, he had eschewed PCU School of Law for Georgetown University. There was a reason for that. Just one she was a bit afraid to ask about. "That would certainly be lovely if it works out, dear," she said. She would leave it at that, at least for the night.
XXXXXXXX
Quentin Quartermaine realized that anyone else would merely think his daughter was talking to her cousins. Unfortunately, he knew better. She was intentionally avoiding him as she always did for at least twenty-four, if not forty-eight, hours after seeing her mother at Rose Lawn. He tried to be understanding but it was hard.
XXXXXXXX
Jasper Jacks seethed as he watched Brenda continue to chat away with the Quartermaine siblings as if she didn't realize he had summoned her. Perhaps others had found her disobedience cute, but he did not, and he just didn't have the patience for it. So, he covered his gritted teeth with a smile and made his way across the room.
His cell phone rang before he reached his destination, and he deftly connected the call. "Jasper Jacks," he announced.
"This is Paul Williams, you asked me to reach out when I was done with the assignment. My secretary says you want to go over the report in person."
Jax smiled genuinely. "I do. Are you still in the city?" he asked.
"I am. My wife is attending a conference at NYU, it concludes tomorrow so we will fly back to Wisconsin on Monday evening."
Jax considered his options. He could certainly fly down to Manhattan. He had a plane after all and that seemed preferable to bringing Paul into Port Charles, at least from a standpoint of downstream plausible deniability. That also held some potential of a rendez-vous with Lois. "I can make reservations for noon at The Fulton," he offered.
"Sure, it's your dime, I guess," the private investigator agreed.
"Indeed, it is, indeed it is," Jax said. He terminated the call. Brenda was still chatting away with the Quartermaines but that seemed so much less irritating when he thought about seeing Lois in less than twenty-four hours.