Chapter 40- Eavesdroppers

A few weeks later, Felicia pulled out her phone and called Spinelli.

"Greetings, Mrs. Scorpio… uh I mean Felicia."

"Hi Spinelli. I know I keep calling you, but what is the latest status on the surveillance footage? Esme's plea hearing is tomorrow. I'm worried we're not prepared enough. Esme still hasn't told me anymore and closes off anytime I ask her. And I've spoken to the staff at Ferncliff, the Highsider, and GH. But because it was so long ago, they don't remember much. Other than she spent a lot of time in Ryan's room at Ferncliff, even past the assigned times she was his health aide. And Nora has been trying to get access to Esme's box but it's taking a long time."

"Yes, well I have been fortunate to find many clips of footage at all three locations," Spinelli explained. "It's just taking a long time to go through them. Some of it is glitchy. I am able to restore it, but it is time consuming. I told Maxie and the kids I'll be working late into the night."

"I wish we had more time. Have you found anything at all that can help us yet?"

"Nothing too promising," Spinelli said. "So far just Esme coming in and out of Ryan's room at various times, looking unhappy. And Dex Heller, aka Antoine Moreau, was hired by Michael Corinthos to get inside information on the Corinthos organization."

"Okay. Well, Robin and Emma are coming over soon. I'm coming to your office and see what I can do to help speed up the process. These last few weeks have been so busy, I haven't been able to focus as well on it as I was hoping. But I'll be there in a couple of hours. Thanks, Spinelli."

She heard a knock on the door and she went to answer it. Robin and Emma were standing there with James and Noah.

"Hi Grandma!" James hugged her.

"Hi, buddy."

"Hi Auntie Felicia," Noah said.

"Patrick and Noah arrived late last night," Robin explained. "We've decided to extend our stay."

Felicia smiled. "That's wonderful. Come in."

"Emma's taking us to Jungle Adventure," James said.

"It's an indoor playground," Emma said. "We're just dropping off Mom first and Noah wanted to see you."

"That sounds like fun," Felicia said. "Hey, do you think Esme and Ace could join you?"

"Yeah, I think there's a baby section," Emma said. "I could ask her."

GHGHGH

Esme changed Ace's diaper and dressed him before heading downstairs. She stopped outside the guest room when she heard voices. The door was open a crack, so she peeked inside.

"You're finally getting a little colour in your cheeks," Mac said. "And your mom said you gained 2 pounds."

A tray sat between them with a scrabble board on it. Georgie spelled out a word. "Yeah, I'm feeling much better. I'm so glad I'm home."

"We are too. I love you so much, Georgie Girl," Mac said. "Can I get you anything? Is there anything you want?"

"Well, I wouldn't mind a couple books to read," Georgie said.

Mac smiled. "Of course. Anything you want. Just name it."

"You know I care about you," Daddy said.

"Do you?" Esme asked. "Then why do you never ask me what I want?"

He sighed. "Fine. What do you want?"

"To know who my mother is."

"You can't be considering Spencer's offer," Daddy said.

"I need the truth," Esme said desperately. "If not from Spencer, then from you. Whatever it takes."

Esme broke from her trance and headed out to the living room.

"Good morning, sweetie," Felicia said.

"Hey Esme," Emma said. "I'm taking James and my little brother to Jungle Adventure. There's a baby section. Do you and Ace want to come?"

Esme looked nervously at Felicia who smiled reassuringly. "Okay," Esme said. "That might be fun."

"That's great. Unfortunately, the PCPD won't do anything about Sonny, because there wasn't any evidence. But..." Felicia pulled out an envelope from her pocket and handed it to Esme. "The restraining order against Spencer just came this morning. He should have his copy too by now. Take it with you in case you run into any trouble. I photocopied it too. If Spencer bothers you or anyone else does, call the police."

"Thank you, Mommy."

GHGHGH

Emma and Esme arrived at Jungle Adventure with the kids. James and Noah ran right to the tunnels and disappeared inside.

"Looks like the baby toys are over here," Emma said, leading her around the corner.

Esme sat down with Ace and stacked some blocks for him.

"So, you've been having trouble with Spencer?" Emma asked. "Aunt Felicia told us a bit. He's been harassing you and helped attempt to kidnap Ace?"

Esme frowned. "He wants to take Ace from me."

"Well, he's always been controlling all the time I've known him," Emma said.

"You… you know him?"

"When we were kids, yeah," Emma said. "We lost touch. But remember as kids, everyone would always have a boyfriend or girlfriend and mock grown up relationships?"

Esme nodded.

"With Spencer, he was more serious about it," Emma said. "He was obsessed with me and became very controlling even as a kid. He'd yell at me a lot. Then when I started hanging out with Cameron, Spencer got possessive. He could've killed us when we performed at the Nurse's Ball. He called himself the Phantom of the Nurse's Ball and dropped heavy sandbags on the stage that just barely missed us. Normally I wouldn't hold something against what someone did as a little kid. But that's just creepy that he's still like that and hasn't changed much."

Esme passed a block to Ace. "My mom wants to have a birthday party for Ace on Saturday. That's if I don't go to prison…. Maybe you and Noah can come. I mean… if you want. I doubt Maxie will let James and Bailey Lou come."

"Sure. That would be fun."

Esme smiled.

GHGHGH

Maxie arrived at her parents' house and when she didn't see anyone in the living room, she decided to check the kitchen first because she wanted to talk to her mom before going to see Georgie.

"So, how are you feeling about Esme's trial tomorrow?" Robin asked.

When Maxie heard Esme's name, she stopped and stayed out sight, but listened in.

"Honestly," Felicia said. "I'm really nervous. I don't want my daughter to have to go through this."

Robin nodded. "That's understandable. It's not easy watching our kids go through things, especially something this big."

"I just don't know how to help her," Felicia said. "I know she remembers everything…."

Maxie's jaw dropped.

"But she's so scared and won't open up to me fully. I don't know whether she should plead guilty or innocent."

Maxie balled her hands up.

"So, you don't know if she is guilty or not?" Robin asked.

"I know that she broke into Wyndemere at Christmas," Felicia said.

Maxie gritted her teeth, recalling her conversation with Esme at the Metro Court and whispered to herself, "I was so STUPID... She belongs in prison…." Maxie turned and left the house.

"But that was because she wanted to remember," Felicia continued. "She didn't do it maliciously. She didn't steal anything. I think if she comes forward that she did that, then it will help with everything else. Spinelli and I are investigating Dex Heller. I suspect that he was involved in it all. And I suspect that Esme might be guilty for some of it, but not all of it. I spoke with Esme's old nanny, and she told me that Dex has a long history of making her look guilty for things. I just know in my heart that she doesn't belong in prison. I know what you're thinking. Any mother would feel that way. But even as a P.I., I can sense there's more to it than just evil evil Esme hurting everyone."

"Well, Emma and I will be there tomorrow to support both of you either way," Robin said. "But I was talking to Elizabeth the other day, and from what she told me, I don't see Esme winning this. So maybe you should convince her to plead guilty and accept a plea bargain."

"Maybe. Anyway, I need to get to Spinelli's office," Felicia said. "Thank you for listening."