Chapter 15
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Flashback.
October 3
Jason and Elizabeth return home to find Johnny making dinner for Danny and Aiden. Danny moved into Jake's room, and Johnny moved into Cameron's. Jason and Elizabeth tell Danny and Aiden about Jake's becoming a 'Morgan.' It was too late to video chat with Jake, but they suggested contacting Jake the next day so everyone could be involved.
Danny and Aiden help with the dishes, and Johnny leaves to meet Francis. He turns over his keys to Bobbie's for Francis to use. They head to the Brown Dog Bar to track Ric's movements the night of the shooting. They order beers and question the bartender. The woman who provided Ric's alibi has skipped town.
Back at the Morgan/Webber home, Aiden and Danny are studying in their rooms.
Jason brings his new bride to bed. Elizabeth changes into a new negligee and asks, "How long will it be before we can tell everyone we are married?"
"Ric is still missing. Danny just lost his mother, and the boys are adjusting to us living together. Can you wait until they are all home? Maybe Thanksgiving or Christmas."
"Yeah, I can wait, but I hate not being able to wear my rings."
"So do I.
"I was surprised to see Sonny shaking Johnny's hand. Does that mean all is forgiven?"
Jason explained the new endeavors he had discussed with Sonny and what role he would have. He mentioned the PI business and how Johnny and Francis would be working for him. He reassured Elizabeth his business would be legit. He withholds his thoughts about what actions he might take toward Ric.
"I'm out. I'm Danny's primary caregiver unless Alexis tries to fight me on it. I can't have Jake and Danny to worry about, and I might not come home to them or you. I plan to be an involved father to them. I once told you I can't leave the business, but it turns out I can. Diane has a lot of paperwork to file. I want to find a larger place for all of us. Despite my leaving Sonny's world, I still have connections. I need Johnny and Francis near."
"It will take getting used to, but I like it. Can I take my husband to bed and consummate our marriage?" Jason pulls her to him and helps Elizabeth shed her clothes.
10/31
Dante and Chase report to a call about a body in the Pine Barrens. The county medical assistant arrives with a van to take the body away. Crime scene investigators take pictures and collect various items around the area where the boy was discovered. Dante calls Anna to warn her the body is likely Ric Lansing.
11/1
The Invader
Adrian Dewitt scans the news wires from the PCPD and rushes to tell Nina that Ric Lansing is dead. The PCPD has yet to make it public. Nina is initially saddened by the loss of the man who married her by fraud, and she blackmailed him for an annulment. She thinks, "Good Riddance," and authorizes Dewitt to write an article about his 'presumed death.' She tells him to contact the PCPD for a statement and run it even if they don't provide one.
PCPD
Anna reviews the results of the autopsy. Ric Lansing's cause of death is a lethal injection of succinylcholine. There is a contusion at the back of his head, likely causing a concussion resulting in unconsciousness. Anna hands off the autopsy report to Mac Scorpio, and he signs off the investigation for Detectives Harrison Chase, Calvin Bennett, and Officer Dex Heller. Dante is barred from getting involved.
Adrian Dewitt contacts the PCPD for comment. A representative comments a press release will be distributed, and Commissioner Devane will be available for questions at 2 pm.
GH
Nikolas arrives with LuLu for a follow-up. He embraces Elizabeth. "Liz, it's good to see you again. I'm sorry Lucky skipped town again, but I am grateful he saved LuLu's life."
Elizabeth brings LuLu to an exam room and tells her to disrobe and change into the gown provided. "I'll check on you in a few minutes before the doctor arrives."
Elizabeth returns to finish their discussion. "Nik, Lucky is like his father. He swoops in and saves the day, or in this case, LuLu, but he's a wanderer. He cannot stay in one place for long periods. The person who lost the most is Aiden. He was connecting with his father when Lucky was recuperating at your mom's. When your brother got a clean bill of health, he took off."
"What about you? Do you wish Lucky would have stayed?"
"For Aiden, yes. But he wanted to reconnect with me. That was not possible. I'm with Jason, and Lucky couldn't handle it. How do you think Aiden would feel that I'm the reason why his father isn't sticking around?"
"Are you sure? You and Lucky have a lot of history."
"Geeze, Nikolas, not you too. I am tired of you and your family believing I am the one to prop Lucky up. Lucky and I have been over for years. The only good thing from our last time together was Aiden, but I'm not the same person anymore. I'm happy LuLu is healing. I'm thrilled you are out of prison, but Lucky leaving is not a surprise."
"Fair enough. Tell LuLu I'll be waiting for her after her appointment."
Elizabeth heads to LuLu's room when Amy Driscol stops her. "Nurse Baldwin, have you heard? The PCPD will announce the news in half an hour. Maybe it has something to do with your ex-husband, Ric Lansing. He's been missing. Maybe he's dead."
"Nurse Driscol, before you insert your opinions to the rest of GH, please go to the records room and file this pile of patient records."
"But I'll miss the announcement."
"Amy, your break is not for another hour. Watch the announcement later."
Elizabeth checks on LuLu, and the doctor completes his follow-up. LuLu's white blood cell counts are improving, and one final check-up next week will determine her ability to resume regular duties. Nikolas brings LuLu back to their mothers. Rocco is waiting for LuLu in the dining room. He helped make a late lunch for her.
Elizabeth texts Jason, "Watch news at 2. PCPD announcement."
Jason texts back, "?"
"Don't know, but sounds serious."
"Thnx."
Coffee House
Jason calls Johnny and Francis to his office. "Watch the news and tell me what you think. Anything new on the two newcomers in town?"
Johnny says, "No activity since the 20th. Lila Rae left town. She didn't reconnect with Skye in Pennsylvania but flew to Columbia. Flynn is still in PC, but he is in hiding."
Francis says, "I told Sonny, and he's got a guard watching Molly. If Flynn tries to contact his sister, we will find out."
The PCPD interrupts all news channels for an announcement.
"Good afternoon. I'm Port Charles Police Commissioner Anna Devane. This is a brief announcement; there will be no questions. Yesterday afternoon, the PCPD identified the body of former District Attorney Ric Lansing. His immediate next of kin has been notified. Ric Lansing was a suspect in the murder of Sam McCall. We are not releasing the cause of death as the investigation is ongoing. We are not releasing a suspect list as the investigation is continuing. Please call the tip line on the number below if you have information regarding knowledge of the murder of Mr. Lansing. Thank you." Various channels switch to news, game shows, or talk shows.
Johnny says, "You know that you and Sonny will be at the top of the PCPD suspect list."
"I figured as much. I need to warn Elizabeth. Can you guys close up? I'm heading to GH."
Francis asks, "Are you going to call Sonny?"
"It's best Sonny and I don't communicate right now."
"Bye, give Elizabeth my best."
Jason gets on his bike and speeds to GH. Elizabeth looks up when she hears the elevator doors open. She smiles as Jason exits. He finds her at the hub and kisses her. "Do you have time to talk?"
"Yes, I've been expecting you. Diane wants you to call her. Did you see the news?"
"Yeah. When your shift is over, I want to go for a ride. I'll tell you what I know."
Google is my friend, and I apologize if I'm loose with the details.
PCPD
Anna meets with Mac Scorpio and her detectives in her office. Mac closes the door and sets up a whiteboard. He writes "Suspect, Motive, and Means across the top. He writes Jason and Sonny as #1 and #2. Detectives suggested Alexis and Kristina (#3 and #4) should be added to the board. Despite protests from Chase and other detectives, Anna hesitantly adds #5. Dante Falconeri.
Revenge was the number one motive across the board. Whoever killed Ric wanted him to pay for killing Sam. What was left out to the press was the how and the means. One can only acquire succinylcholine via prescription or in a hospital setting. Dex needs clarification of what succinylcholine is and how it can kill someone.
Mac googles succinylcholine and reads aloud. "Succinylcholine is a drug. It is a muscle relaxant and a first-line paralytic due to its quick onset. Doses higher than those recommended may result in neuromuscular paralysis. It can prevent the ability to move or breathe on your own. It's likely Ric was hit over the head, taken to the Pine Barrens, and given a lethal dosage of succinylcholine."
Chase mentions that Jason is dating Elizabeth Baldwin, and Elizabeth is the head nurse at GH.
Anna says, "Detective Chase, are you suggesting that Nurse Baldwin gave Jason Morgan access to pharmaceutical-grade paralytics?"
"Anyone in her position and involved with one of the suspects should be questioned."
"Tomorrow, send someone to GH and the coffee house. Bring Ms. Baldwin and Mr. Morgan to the PCPD for questioning. Allow them the luxury of contacting their attorney. I also want a subpoena for the pharmacy if the inventory is missing."
Detective Calvin Bennett questions Alexis Davis and her daughter Kristina's motives. "Isn't Alexis a Cassidine? I believe Cassidine Industries has holdings in several pharmaceutical companies. It isn't a stretch to believe she could reach out to an ally."
Anna says, "Follow the money, and if you discover Alexis has been in contact with those companies, bring her in."
Anna asks the forensic accountant to get subpoenas for all individual's bank accounts and research any connections they may have to pharmaceutical medications. Mac prints out a list of companies in a 50-mile radius that carry succinylcholine. He asks to have the company's holdings investigated.
Chase questions Dante's ability to get access to the drug. Mac says, "Playing Devil's Advocate, Dante was deep undercover in the Zacchara organization. Anthony ran an undercover drug ring. Dante could have contacted an old associate."
Chase counterargues, "Dante is a cop. No one in the Zacchara organization would help him."
"Perhaps, but it is still possible."
Anna says, "Unless anyone has more to add, this meeting is dismissed. Do not discuss any information with anyone outside this group."
11/2
Detective Bennett and Mac arrive at GH to bring Elizabeth in for questioning and subpoena the pharmacy. Chase and Dex arrive at the Coffee warehouse and ask Jason to come to the PCPD. Jason tells Francis to call Diane to meet him at the PCPD.
Flashback
10/15
Johnny and Francis are having drinks at the Highsider. A female around 23-25 and a male about 20-25 enter. They sit at the booth behind Johnny and Francis. The male says, "Lila, my father is still missing. I want to finish his mission to take out Morgan and Corthinos." Francis and Johnny looked shocked. Johnny gets his phone and hits the record app.
"Flynn, I have no problem with you destroying Sonny, but Ric wants Jason gone because he is obsessed with Elizabeth Baldwin."
Don't you want Morgan dead? I know you promised Skye, but you never said why your mother wants Jason alive."
"She said she owes Jason. Jason helped her with a problem when she asked him to do something, and he never judged her when their father died."
"I'm grateful to her for raising me after Lorenzo died, but she never told me why she did. She never liked Ric but refused to tell me why. You didn't have anything to do with him disappearing, did you?"
"I told you. Ric is an idiot. You've read the transcripts; figure it out, genius. I'm here to finance it, and I promised Mom I would look after you. No, I didn't do anything to your father."
The duo leaves, and Francis collects their beer bottles and takes them to a contact for DNA testing. They find Jason and play the recording, and Jason instructs them to follow the money.
End Flashback.
11/2
Jason and Elizabeth wait at the PCPD for Diane to arrive. Anna asks Elizabeth if she wants her own attorney. Elizabeth shakes her head. "Elizabeth, I recommend you get your own attorney. I need to question you, but you are not a suspect."
Diane says, "Is Mr. Morgan a suspect in something?"
"He is a person of interest in Ric Lansing's murder. Elizabeth, we got a court order to verify prescription records at GH. If you gave Jason access to your ID badge and password, you could be held as an accessory if we find medication is missing. You could be compelled to testify if this goes to trial."
Elizabeth looks at Diane and clasps Jason's hand. "I can't testify."
Elizabeth, I'm not sure you understand. If you are subpoenaed, you won't have a choice."
Diane says, "No, Commissioner, you don't understand. My client, Elizabeth Morgan, won't be testifying against Jason if called to the stand."
"Wait, did you say Elizabeth Morgan?"
Elizabeth laughs and says, "Guess it's not a secret anymore. We must tell the boys tonight."
Stay tuned.