Thanks to all who have reviewed. I had been rereading my stories, a few I deleted as I often wrote small notes and snippets that never ended up going anywhere. When I opened my file on this story, I had forgotten what it was about then I got to the chapters that I haven't posted yet and the MOC between Johnny and Georgie where she thinks that he was going to marry someone else and the 2nd MOC plus the Jason and Elizabeth storyline and I found myself laughing nonstop and I decided that I had to post it. As many of my followers know I love Mac, Georgie, Johnny, and even to a certain extent my version of Maxie. GH went to pot years ago, it's the Laura, Maurice and Steve show now and frankly I only know this because I was in the hospital and went to the lobby one day after therapy. its trash and not even good trash. Which is a shame. I will finish posting this story while I feel the muse flowing but I won't be writing any stories for what they are showing now. So, I hope you enjoy the ride
Chapter Seven
(Telling the Truth, Covering up the Lies.)
Mac Scorpio was quietly talking to his ex-wife about all that was going on in their family as they got up to date with each other. "Anyhow, Maxie is now working at the department store, but Jacks of all people is saying that he needs to make it up to her for what Carly did. I don't get why he went into business with Carly, he clearly has no respect for her."
Felicia said "I wonder what she has on him or his family. It's the only thing that I can think. That she blackmailed her way into ownership."
"It would have to be something pretty big." He told her then looking at his watch told her. "Georgie asked me to meet her for breakfast. I need to head out. She has had it pretty rough since learning about Dillon and Lulu."
Felicia told him she had to go speak to a few clients then exiting the kitchen headed up the stairs to go shower and change. Stopping into the empty rooms that her daughter's occupied, she saw the usual organized chaos of clothes, shoes and handbags in Maxie's room and in Georgie's the usual neatness other than a stack of hardback books on her window sill.
Picking one of them up, she was a bit surprised to realize that they were romance novels. Reading the blurb on the inside cover, Felicia was amused as its description of being a romantic adventure. The lurid front cover had caught her eye as she found herself turning a few pages and the story soon had her intrigued.
Seeing that the others were part of the same series, she hesitated then picked up the first one to take along on her stakeout that evening. It was going to be a long night and she was going to be manning an audio bug, who knows this might keep her awake and certainly entertained.
Mac got out of his car at the old Lookout spot and saw Georgie standing there holding her school bag. "Georgie, what is going on. Your mother and I are a bit worried about you."
As he got closer, he saw her hair and gasped. "What happened to your hair?"
With a chuckle, she wryly told him. "I sort of tried to cut it myself, thankfully, I called Maxie, I have an appointment with a salon that I heard of. I know it looks horrifying."
"In truth..." Mac hesitated then told her. "It looks as if you took hair styling advice from your ex."
Seeing how offended Georgie was, he held up his hands as if to say he surrendered when he heard her chuckling. "Anyhow, that isn't why I asked you to meet me here. You know that I have been looking into how much it was going to cost me to go to Italy next year, well, Stan Johnson had an idea."
"Georgie, you are not going to go work for the mob as a hit person." He said with a frown with the intention of making her laugh which she did. "Jason wouldn't hire you and Sonny, no matter how young you are, would surely hit on you and I would get involved and unless you were working for some other family wanting me to take the man out, I don't see how you would get the money for Italy."
"You know, Maxie suggested being a rich man's mistress or selling information to the mob." She said with a chuckle that had him looking worried. "Don't worry, she isn't contemplating doing so, she just said that after her behavior this past year, you wouldn't be shocked."
"Georgie, we will figure something out." He told her not wanting her to stress out over the situation.
"Actually, Stan and I had an idea. I uh, we were at the hospital one day, and I was working the book cart and I had had a run in with Carly and was contemplating murder. Anyhow, I had just talked to this elderly woman who was complaining about the quality of the current genre of romance novel and I joked that I could do a better job."
Seeing dad's confusion, she told him. "Stan and I were joking around about all the ways to kill off Carly and I made a bet with him and at the end of two weeks had sent him a rough outline of a book, we made a few more jokes and I fleshed it out and he sent it to a publisher as a cold manuscript and to our shock, I got a response."
"They replied?" He asked sounding confused.
"Yes, Stan had gotten a name of a staff member for Warren James and he reached out and next thing I knew I was creating a pen name and they sent me back a few ideas to flesh out and correct and next thing I knew, I was doing a lot of research, and had Stan as an agent and they published my book."
"What?" He asked sounding shocked. "Really?"
"Yup." She said wearing a wide grin. "Anyhow, next thing I knew, I had the money for my trip and some extra and then they offered me a three book deal and then another three book deal and now, they want to publish my books in Australia and England, dad."
Leaning against the old bridge, he looked at his daughter and asked. "How long?"
"Well, the first book was released two years ago not long after my nineteenth birthday. I didn't tell anyone because I wasn't sure that it would do very well. I didn't want anyone to know in case it was a failure then when it was a success, I felt awkward because I hadn't told anyone then Dillon didn't do so good in his media classes and the time he spent with Ned didn't work out too good so I stayed quiet."
She told him then taking a deep breath added. "I told Maxie, Robin, Emily and Elizabeth a month ago, and now, I felt the courage to tell you."
"Sweetheart, I find that is wonderful." He said hugging his daughter. "So, what is going to happen with school?"
With a slight pull back to look her dad in the eyes, she told him. "I am still going to be going to law school, it just means that the cost is going to be easier. I don't want everyone to know, so I am going to keep working, at least part time."
"I am so proud of you, Georgie." He said softly hugging his daughter. "So, what name am I going to be going to look for in Martin's bookstore?"
" Sophia le Couer." She said then holding her breath added. "Dad, I have spare copies, trust me, I don't need you to go buy a copy. I have copies of all three of the first books in print and the fourth one is about to be released in time for Christmas."
Mac was about to reply that of course he had to go buy a copy of his daughter's mystery novel, when his police radio beeped and he was not happy as he told her he had to go. Arriving at the station, he was annoyed to be told that someone had walked up to the front desk and left a package for him.
"Sir, you are going to want to see this." Harper said wearing a frown as he showed his boss the files of information and three separate DVD's all showing a man known to them shooting Ric Lansing. A man already in their morgue who was an employee of Anthony Zacchara.
"Get Alexis Davis and Scott Baldwin in here." He stated as he went to call Jason Morgan's attorney Justus and Corinthos attorney Jordan after making a few calls that annoyed him. When the three of them arrived, he inquired which of them were representing the McCall woman. All were silent looking at one another then to his surprise, he was told by Justus as far as he knew none of them were.
"What is going on, Mac?" Baldwin asked when he arrived first.
"Lansing lied about her shooting him." He replied only for a call to come into the station.
Harper listened to what the front desk sergeant had to say and then asked him who had reported it. Shaking his head in disbelief, he walked over to the group idly wondering what you called a group of attorney, maybe a murder like you did crows. "Sir, that was GH, Lansing was to be released today, but someone, walked up to him and shot him at point blank range. Lansing is dead."
After a few moments of silence, Harper told them the rest. "You are not going to believe this one, but it was Sam McCall and she was babbling and making no sense. There were several witnesses including your niece, her boyfriend and two other nurses at the hospital."
The DA entered and Mac pulled her off to the side and gave her the news and he saw that she wasn't surprised, more like resigned as she told him she would stay in her office and that Scott would run the case.
Georgie went to the hair salon and heard a shriek as she walked into the door then a man rushed over and said "Oh, you poor, poor dear. Have you reported the assault to the police?"
Being led into the fuchsia and silver building with pops of teal and purple, she was already having doubts but as the man who had her by the arm kept talking, she was amused to realize that he believed she had been attacked by someone who had forced the haircut onto her.
Trying to explain, got her no where and to her bemusement, she was soon in the backroom, with her hair being shampooed by a second person who was cooing at her and telling her that they would take good care of her and that she was in good hands.
By the time she left the building, she was still unsure what to say as all four of the staff who had worked on her hair, her nails and her feet were telling her to be careful that there were lots of crazy people out there and that she should come back in four weeks for a touch-up on her new pixie cut.
Arriving back at her car, Georgie was debating what to do next, her mind still clouded by all that had gone on for the last two hours. Looking down at her wardrobe, which had also drawn comments from the staff and decided that she would take care of following their advice later. Maybe make Maxie's day and allow her to update her wardrobe.
Driving back to the hotel, annoyed to realize that she had not fulfilled even half of her plans for that day, but she had had a writing idea and she wanted to get it down while it was fresh in her head as she entered her hotel room carrying her take out sandwiches and salad.
Georgie never noticed the young man driving the discreet American rental car just like a thousand others on the road.
Elizabeth was at the hospital, listening to all of the gossip surrounding her as she changed into a surgical gown more than ready to help her current patient, shocked at the news about Ric Lansing and Sam McCall.
The woman had shown up, swearing that Ric was ruining her life, that he was the reason that Jason had abandoned her, and then she had begun babbling according to Patrick who was suiting up beside her.
The doctor was chuckling as he told the nurse "She claimed that Ric was the reason that Jason had had sex with someone other than her, that she had had to kill him to fix things. She also claimed that Sonny had betrayed her, that he had set her up to fail, that Carly also needed to pay, she was nuts."
Elizabeth inwardly winced worried that this was fallout from what had happened the night Jason and she had done what they had done to protect her. She only hoped that Jason got the word about what was going on as she had been required in the operating room before she could warn him.
The brunette was still annoyed with Jason but knew that for now, they would have to deal with this at a later time because right now, things were too chaotic for them to have it but that day of reckoning was coming.
Felicia Jones saw her ex husband entering the hospital and pulled him off to the side. "McCall, I was the one who set her off. I found proof that she had been set up by some computer kid who worked for Lansing's father. Anyhow, when I tried to bring her in for escaping jail, she suddenly lost it and began crying and then the next thing I knew, Ric was crossing the lobby in a wheelchair and she screamed at him then pulled a gun out of no where and just shot him point blank. She then began shouting again and then slide down the outside of the nurses hub sobbing no, no, no then saying that Courtney was smarter than she looked."
Mac thanked her and told her to speak to an officer to make an official statement and then was annoyed to be told by Robin that he would have to wait for Patrick's statement, explaining he had had to operate on a patient.
Hearing the sound of Sonny Corinthos arguing with his ex-wife, Mac stepped back, wanting to observe the duo, he had questions for both of them, but until he was sure that he had some of the answers, he was going to observe and not engage.
As he overheard them talking, he did get some interesting news. The rumors were true, his sister was pregnant and the father was either one of his detectives or his daughter's ex with already one possible child on the way.
Lulu Spencer was gingerly resting on the sofa at her brother's estate. She had been unsure of what to do, and knew that while she wanted to marry Dillon and be a secure member of that family, then Alcazar had confronted her with Skye there, regarding the possibility of the baby being Diego's.
Thinking on how Carly had miscarried and had used that lost child to get control of two different men and had thrown away the Quartermaine heir, she had made a point of 'accidentally' falling down the stairs here and she was currently waiting for a helicopter to airlift her to GH.
She had been having cramps and was not happy with all the pain she was in, but at least it would solve the problem of having a kid she really didn't want with the possibility of it being fathered by the wrong person. She could use guilt to get what she wanted when this was over.
Playing Alfred for all she was worth, thankfully Nik and his new wife Siobhan were off playing lord of the manor while horse back riding, she heard the medical personnel arriving just as her brother and his wife returned.
"Alfred, what is going on?" Nik asked as he trotted into the room with his red headed wife. "Is my grandmother here?"
"Your sister arrived and was going to change her clothes, when she fell down the stairs, your highness." The butler informed him.
Lulu hid her need to smile, even better, she could blame this all on Helena Cassadine, she thought as she wiped her silent tears away and told her brother that she had fallen down the central staircase and she didn't remember how it had happened but she believed that she had felt a hand on her back before she had tumbled down the stairs.
After a helicopter ride to GH and a visit with Kelly Lee, Lulu was still crying as she was told that she had suffered a miscarriage. She wanted to smirk when she saw the guilt ridden expression on Dillon's face when he heard the news. Lulu was told she would need to stay in the hospital for a few days as she tightly held onto Dillon's hand, thinking that she was going to win this round.
The Jackal arrived at the safehouse he had escaped from determined to rescue his Goddesses. Hearing the men talking about the dark haired goddess, he was horrified by the news that she was locked up in a place similar to where he had spent his childhood. That she had had a break with reality caused by his master being unable to cater to her due to that horrible man the lying cold hearted barrister.
As he went to leave, unaware that he had been seen, the man following him notified his boss as he trailed the escaped mental patient.
All Spinelli knew was that he had to track down his master, he had to help him rescue the goddess of his heart, then Spinelli would go and track down his own most bountiful one, the love of his life, the woman who was meant to be his. He had been so sure, so believing the numbers but when he had rerun them, they has shown him his mistake and the bad blond one was not to be his, no his blond one was to be the beautiful one, Ms Leslie Lu Spencer.
Max was relieved when his father told him that no, he wasn't being required to marry Claudia Zacchara. "Ms Zacchara is marrying Mr. O'Brien."
The former guard went still, knowing that Johnny had no intention of ever marrying anyone which meant that more than likely the woman flying with them was going to end up dead. Looking at the woman's father, he soon realized that this man also knew that his daughter was going to die.
Stunned, unsure of how a father could allow this to happen to his own child, he spent the next eight hours of the flight soon realizing that Anthony was insane and that his daughter was even worse as she began talking about her brother in the ways that he had heard other woman talking about their boyfriends.
Wheels down in Italy, they were crossing the tarmac when shots rang out and soon the woman was dead. The police came to speak to everyone and to Max's surprise, the father left, returning on the same jet they had arrived him, saying to his father. "My end of the deal is done."
Maximus nodded at the green eyed man who had come to 'greet' his fiancee and he followed the shorter man up the jet steps as they discussed the agreed upon deal. As the Bombandier Jet took off, Maximus told his son. "Sean is taking over the Zacchara territory, you are stepping up to his position."
As the jet flew over open waters, Sean wearing a strap that kept him in the jet in a calm told the older man standing in the nearby open door "If you can't sprout wings, hopefully you can grow fins. Have a nice day, Mr Zacchara."
Watching as the body became a speck, Sean called Jason Morgan on the air phone and said "Maximus said to remind you of your deal."
As Mac made his second trip to GH, he was surprised to have Alan Quartermaine approach him as he came to inquire about Lulu Spencer and if there was any evidence that they could use against Helena Cassadine.
"None." Alan replied somberly then told the other man. "Lulu has only vague memories, and of course Lucky has gone off half cocked determined to search for her. Cassadine seems skeptical of his sister's story however. One thing, McCall, Dr Winters has recommended she be sedated, we had her locked up, she tried to harm herself, slamming her head into the nearby wall."
"I heard that there were no drugs, like suspected." He replied.
"Yes, its like she has had a total break with reality." Alan replied while walking the Commissioner to where the Spencer family was gathered. Listening to Carly snapping at her ex-husband, Alan made a note of what Corinthos said about his sister being someplace safe until they could arrange a DNA test.
When Carly hissed at him. "I didn't tell her to do that. I only told her to tell her father that a test was being run she was the one who was stupid enough to lie and tell him that we already had the results."
Sonny left the hospital grateful that Bobbie had talked Carly into staying to speak to Lulu. Driving to the safehouse where he had his sister being held, he grimaced as she first seemed confused, then annoyed at what he had to tell her, he grit his teeth at her response. "How was I supposed to know that it would take that long? Besides, I used condoms with both men, I know that I did."
Sonny stayed silent, looking at old Doc Dooley who gestured for him to join him in the main part of the safehouse. "Sonny, your sister is fine one on one, but she breaks with reality when anyone else is in the room."
"How do we get her stable?" He inquired.
"The only drugs that will work would harm the baby." He replied.
Sonny thought about it, with Lulu's child gone, he hoped that the child was the Quartermaine kid's, because he knew that Tracy wouldn't want her son to raise it and he knew that if Lucky was the father, it would tie him to that family in even more ways and he was ready to cut ties with his ex-wife other than the ones through their children.
Lucky was a loose cannon, just like Carly and he would drain his sister dry of money if he could. Still, maybe he could get the idiot back with his ex-wife and then maybe
Courtney could be convinced to give the kid to Lucky and Elizabeth to raise. Yes, maybe that was the best way to go.
Sonny exited the safehouse and went to church to attend mid morning mass as he debated which option to take. The baby being a miscarriage, the baby being a way to get in to more ELQ stock or to let his sister give birth but have someone else raise the kid.
When Marco saw that kid talking to one of the Alcazar people, he was not happy to have to rescue him. The kid looked terrified of the South American but didn't seem much happy to be saved by himself until he heard that he worked for Jason.
The ten minute drive to the safe house had Marco wishing that he had no seen the kid, then when he was given the news that they had the unaltered footage regarding Lansing's shooting, he was considering killing the kid himself but instead, he purchased the kid some of his happy weed, then dropped him off near Sackett's Harbour after reliving the kid of his new laptop and everything else.
Watching nearby as the kid was picked up by the local police for vagrancy and drug possession, Marco from off, hoping that the delay would give them time to deal with whatever was happening to Sam.
Jason sat there, listening in amusement at what Sonny was telling him. The two men had met up at the warehouse, Jason waiting as the older man went on and on about how they needed to deal with Sam.
The blond kept to himself how he had suggested dealing with the woman earlier that year but how Sonny had been against it, pointing out that she had been the mother of his child.
Jason waited until Sonny went silent and said "I have a plan for Sam. We need to talk about Courtney and her lies. You and I both know that I am not the father of her child, and I get where she is coming from in not wanting Spencer to be the father, but from what I heard from Emily, its more than likely true."
"If it wasn't for the deal with his father..." Sonny trailed off then told him. "I feel I owe it to Luke to get the kid into rehab."
The Cuban left off that he believed that Lucky wanted to get back with Elizabeth which suited him just fine and he could convince his sister to leave the kid with them. Especially if it meant she was back with Jason.
First, he had to make it seem as if he was helping Lucky to help himself, as he prodded Jason to help him talk to Emily about getting Lucky to rehab. "If nothing else, I will go to Luke, suggest kidnapping him and dropping him off at a dry out center."
Jason nodded, letting the man think that he was in agreement, he was almost positive that he knew what his partner was up to and he was going to go along to a certain aspect but for now, he just changed the subject to what was going on with Max and the families.
"Ric's father is dead, I am going to ask for his territory at the meeting tonight." Sonny replied. "We all know that he has been running things that old man Zacchara is unable to run things at all. They won't give it to his daughter, she might be a way in."
"I heard a rumor about his daughter and son." Jason put out there, knowing that Sonny was going to be very very unhappy this evening. "Son doesn't want it and that the daughter was to be the heir."
"I have a way to work her." He replied then went Jason had left, Sonny called out for Max, annoyed to recall that the other man had been called home by his father.
As the high-profile magazine editor arriving at the tacky but expensive hotel with her family, she was annoyed and a bit worried because Trevor, her former lover and currently blackmailer was dead. From what she heard the police didn't seem to be too concerned about searching for his murderer then when they had arrived in town, the headline of the Port Charles Herald afternoon announced the death of his son.
Making a few calls, she was smiling as she told her cousin and nephew that they were only at an order night stop as she told them how she was taking them up to Montreal for the weekend. "I had a quick meeting I needed to attend to here, but that has now been canceled."
Still, it might not be a total loss, Kate had heard from Warren James that the current best-selling romance novelist was a recluse who lived in Port Charles. She just needed to locate this Sophia la Couer and speak to the woman, after all she had yet to meet one who wouldn't want to have an article written about herself in the premier woman's fashion magazine in the world
Mac Scorpio was in his office, getting ready to leave for the night, having had a very productive day. Lansing dead, McCall exonerated for his shooting but then she had killed him for real ending up at Shadybrook.
"Sir, what do you want to do about Spencer?"
Turning to the head of his civil Internal Affairs, he told the man. "He has failed another drug test, this time, one he was unaware of. For now, I want him suspended but in truth, I want him off the department. Thankfully, he is out chasing shadows so when he doesn't show up to work tomorrow, we can add that to the file"
"Sir, Alan Quartermaine is on the phone." Detective Cruz informed his boss, then after Mac spoke to the doctor, he looked at Cruz then frowned before calling over to Detective Harper. "Harper you are with me. Cruz, your partner is under suspension. You might want to submit a written report on all that you have seen for the last few months or you will be joining him."
As Mac entered the hospital for the third time that day, he saw that Alan Quartermaine looked even more annoyed than he felt. "What is it?"
The doctor handed him a file and then gave him the news. "Luke Spencer turned up an hour ago. He is barely hanging on by a thread, he claims that Helena Cassadine had him. I would have just waited but while he was delirious, he told me something that explains a lot."
"Tracy asked me to take care of his care, so I need you to get a court order and quickly because I can't tell you what he said."
Harper entered and handed his boss the paperwork which the man looked at and silently handed over to Alan as they walked down the hallway to the room holding Spencer who was barely hanging on. The doctor gave it a glance then said sounding annoyed. "Turns out Helena is in town, she is looking for something very specific. She is looking for the ice princess. She believed that Spencer had the rock."
"She did all of that for a rock?" Harper asked as he winced on the old drunk's behalf. "I heard Spencer talking about this woman, I knew she was nuts but all of this for a rock.
"What you haven't heard is that the rock the size of a human fist, Mike Tyson's size fist, oh and its a pure uncut diamond."
Harper looked puzzled and said "Why would she think that Spencer had it?"
"At one time, he stole it from her." Mac replied grimly. "Where does Lulu's attack fit into this?"
"Hell if I know." Alan replied then gave him the rest of the news. "Spencer told the woman he had no idea where the rock is, and that the last time he had seen it, her grandson had it. Nik was here with his wife, I am guessing that by midnight, he and his wife are gone from the island."
"Leaving all of us to deal with a pissed off ice queen determined to locate her very expensive bauble." Mac replied as he went to make a call. Thanking Alan, he filled an incredulous Harper in on all that he knew about the crazy old queen.
Jerry Jacks was finished listening to his brother's story and said "I could deal with her for you."
"I don't want her dead, Jerry." He replied then told him. "I have a plan. Did you get what I needed?"
When his older brother handed Jax the vial, he was warned to be very careful with it. "The wrong dosage could have you confessing to your sins all the way back to childhood. Now, I know that you haven't done too much, but no one is without some skeletons in the closet."
"Jerry, thank you for letting me do this my way." He replied then when his brother silently handed him a file, he opened it and said "This will come in handy as well. Be careful leaving."
Jerry walked out and exited the hotel, being careful to remain to the shadows, his mind on what his brother had told him about Luke Spencer helping that bitch blackmail his brother. He had promised to let things be with that blond bitch, but he had never said he wouldn't deal with Spencer.
Hearing the rumors from the lowlifes that Spencer hung out with, that he was in the hospital from being tortured by Helena Cassadine, Jerry's internal greed felt a tingle when he heard about the very lovely and expensive rock that she was trying to track down. With a slight smile, he went on board the gambling vessel and after searching it thoroughly and finding lots of hidden niches filled with ids, fake credit cards, and other illegal items, Jerry was disappointed to realize that there was a very good chance that Spencer really didn't have the diamond, at least not on the boat.
With a smirk, he walked away, listening as he heard the water entering the hole he had made, ten hours later as dawn was rising on the horizon, he heard the gulp that signified the end of the rusting tub that was listing at a forty-five-degree angle as it slowly fell below the water line.
Jason and Sonny arrived at the meeting having been given the news by Stan that old man Zacchara had been found dead, but that no one knew the details. Jason had suspected what Maximus was going to do about the crazy man. He had heard that the son had arrived home from wherever his father had sent him but that Giambetti had him on ice until things were clearer.
Entering the room, Jason walked beside Sonny and they were soon settled along side others, including Lorenzo Alcazar who didn't look too pleased to be there. There were a few conversations among the groups, but most were only talking to their own people, none really sure what this meeting was about or what the outcome would be.
"Good evening." The retired federal judge who was the mediator for their group entered along with several dark haired men wearing suits and speaking Italian. "It appears as if almost everyone is here, but as I spoke to the two who aren't here, yet, we can get started."
"Mr Giambetti has been dealing with some upstarts who felt that they deserved more than what they were already receiving and as a result Trevor Lansing is no longer with us." The man announced from the bulletins he had received regarding the meeting.
There were some whispers but none had liked the man who had pretended to have an air of respect but who had been the primary reason that the Zacchara territory was so unstable.
"Anthony's daughter was to be married as a token of payment for this to the second in command of the Giambetti's Italian territories. There was an unfortunate attempt on his life and Claudia Zacchara lost her life at the hands of his enemies. However, Mr Zacchara as a result still required to pay his marker. He refused and is no longer among us." He continued then looking at the group of men he knew were all going to be wanting the additional territory.
"His son is young and has no interest in his father's business. I have spoken to Giovanni and he had signed off on taking the offer that was made by Mr Giambetti. The young man leaves wealthy but whole. He is not to be touched, he is under the protection of Giambetti himself."
There was some more stirring about that but he held up his hand and continued. "There was one person who was left who was owed payment. Sean Bryant, Mr Giambetti's second in command who wanted a child. Ms Zacchara was to be the intended mother, but with her death...Maximus has offered him the territory he would have gained with his marriage and he has expressed an interest in finding a new wife."
That caused some stir as Sandoval asked "What about the marker I offered in exchange for the Zacchara woman?"
"It was refused by her father, Bryant has been made aware of the treachery of Mr Lansing who took your offer without the approval of the families. He has made a counter offer of his Italian territories as he needs an American wife for a particular reason." He stated.
Sandoval smirked and quickly replied that he would accept. Wives were a dime a dozen, territory in Italy was priceless. "You leave tonight for Italy, immediately. The territory cannot be without someone at the reins."
With that, the tall thin man gladly followed the two dark haired men wearing suits not realizing that he should have kept his head down, now that Maximus knew of his nasty habit of killing wives, he would also be taking flying and undersea diving lessons just like Anthony had.
"Which leaves us with two territories. Corinthos, both of which border your own territory." He said then after hesitating looked at the Cuban and said. "We do have an issue. I was required to look into all of the ownership paperwork for all of the territories and am curious as to why you are not the majority owner in what you claim to be your territory."
Sonny wanted to snap that it was none of his business, but the man had moved on and dealt with each of the other territories then dismissed the hard men one group by one group as he handed out orders from Giambetti.
Eventually it was Sonny and his group when two men entered the room as Lorenzo Alcazar left, clearly puzzled as to why he was there. "Mr Bryant and Mr Zacchara. Thank you for joining us."
Sonny wasn't happy but then the man at the end of the table looked his way and smiled. "Now, as to the Sandoval territory. Following the current partnership agreements, I feel as if Mr Morgan should be sitting at this table as well. Please be seated."
Jason looked ill Sonny thought but he did as requested.
"Mr Morgan, your partner and yourself are going to be offered the Sandoval territory if you agree to certain concessions." The man stated then handed them the paperwork. "Due to the cracking down on a lot of the illegal activities near Albany, they need new trucking lanes for their goods. Most of what they bring in is already in line with what you already deal in. That part it to be yours. Now, as to the prostitution, that Sandoval was involved in against our orders. I have told Sandoval's people to shut it town and what we have left is the unions which go to you, you deal well with these people and they are loyal to you already."
Sonny and Jason nodded, but Sonny was waiting for the other shoe to drop as this was standard for when they were given additional territory.
"Now for the sticky part. Mr Bryant is to receive the Zacchara territory, the Zacchara young man is to be protected by himself and your organization." Sonny wasn't happy but just bide his time, after all he knew that soon he would have the Zacchara territory. All it would take was a bit of maneuvering.
"Mr Corinthos, a few years ago, you took out one of your men, one on loan to you from Mr Giambetti without clearing it with him." He said leaning back. "What do you have to say for yourself?"
Sonny frowned, unsure of what they were talking about. "I am unsure of who you are talking about."
"A Mr John O'Brien. He was on loan from the Irish organization." He replied.
Sonny went still, then said "Mr O'Brien was already part of the organization when I took over."
"Yes the goods, the real estate and the obligations that came with it as well."
Jason looked at his partner and saw the moment that Sonny knew that something bad was about to come. The look of panic had him wondering what he was about to hear.
"Your man shot him, and left him for dead on your orders. Max Giambetti has confirmed what was reported to his father, Mr Morgan requested more time to verify what you were telling him, that you gave him a folder with so called proof. Is this correct?"
Sonny knew that if they were asking questions they already knew the answers and hated it but said "Yes, he betrayed us by going to Alcazar. I had gold plated proof."
"So, I heard." The man said as he slid the file over to Morgan. "The only problem is that the file was manufactured. And not by Mr Alcazar but by Mr Lansing. Your brother."
Sonny quickly replied. "My brother recently was killed."
"I am aware of that." He was told then looking at the Cuban he gave him the news. "Mr Lansing was desperate, he knew that his secrets were about to be exposed, and that if you knew the truth, in spite of his being your brother, that you might take him out yourself as you should have when he held your wife hostage."
Sonny went to speak only for the man to continue and slide another file over to Jason Morgan. "A wife who sent her uncle, a man you are well aware of. Luke Spencer on her behalf in exchange for money, who wanted Mr O'Brien gone because he knew a secret she wanted to keep from your partner desperately, even more than she wanted that secret to remain just that a secret."
There was silence then the man continued "Your wife who has already been an issue for us, who you have been spoken to in regards of her behavior, several times."
When Sonny began to speak again, the man held up his hand and said "I am not finished. Your ex wife, she is your problem, but if you should make the mistake of getting back involved with her, your life will be forfeited because she is not to be trusted. As for your sister's part in these plans..."
Sonny saw Jason tense as the blond man leaned forward as the judge continued "I was told that you owe a marker to the Irish mob for her part in this mess. A marker now
owned by Mr Bryant, the cousin of the man you shot because of your wife's lies."
Sonny wanted to roar that O'Brien was a traitor, but he knew that doing so would backfire and that he would be sanctioned. He knew what O'Brien had on his wife, and while
he didn't approve of what she did, he didn't care either way but knew that Jason would have.
"One other thing, Francis Corelli is being sent back from Italy, against his wishes but at the request of the Ruiz family." The judge stated. "At least against his wishes originally until he found out what his new assignment was."
Sonny was fine with that, Corelli had been moved to Italy against his wishes and knew that the man was loyal to his family. "In what position?"
"To guard Mr Morgan's wife and child." The judge saw the confusion on Jason Morgan's face and gave him the rest of the news. "A wife and child that I believe he had recently regained memory of."
Jason looked at the man then thought about what Maximus had asked of him and then with a hidden smile, realized that the man was fulfilling his marker request in a way that would protect Elizabeth.
"Jason isn't married. Yet." Sonny said thinking about his pregnant sister.
"Actually Michael, he is." With that, the judge slid over the wedding certificate to them. "I do believe that you are aware of Father Coates transfer. I have a number where he can be reached at but he did already verify that this is authentic to us."
Sonny saw Jason lift the certificate and then saw his small smile then a frown growing as he asked the judge. "I am getting the memory back, but not the full memory. I was unaware of the wedding til just now."
"Something to be asking yourself, Mr Morgan. Who knew and who covered it up and why?" The judge said before looking at his partner and telling him. "This wedding is to remain sanctified for at least ten years from the date on that certificate, Mr Corinthos. And I would be speaking with your exiled family members to find out what they knew about it and what was their part in this mess."
Sonny felt dizzy as he read the certificate announcing the marriage of Jason Morgan to one Elizabeth Imogene Webber and the part that had him quaking in his Italian leather shoes was that it was dated for several years ago and that Luke Spencer was listed as one of the witnesses.
There was a buzzing in his ears so he almost missed what the judge added. "There is a letter here for you from the law firm that works for Mr Giambetti. I would suggest reading it and taking it to your attorneys. Oh, Mr Morgan as you are the senior partner, that is to remain in effect and also we are sending in a lawyer for you. One without any connections to Port Charles. It is highly recommended that you hire her. She is without prejudiced "
Sonny saw Jason nodding as the two men left, they passed by the younger Zacchara kid who nodded at Jason before turning to speak to the Irishman that Sonny hated that he could not touch.
When he heard the man's voice, he shook the cobwebs away that reminded him of the man he had had killed. Arriving at the limo, they were silent as they drove away. Sonny idly noticing that it was Marco who was driving.
When they arrived at his estate, Jason looked at him and said "No Carly being Carly is going to fix this one. Stay out of it. Your sister used up her last favor years ago when she blinded Elizabeth."
Sonny had automatically begun to defend Carly but thought about how everything he wanted was not just out of his fingertips but that he couldn't reach for it due to his ex-wife. "She is on her own."
Sonny exited the car and watched as Jason drove away. Entering the house, he wanted nothing more than to get drunk and destroy everything but instead he sat down and read what had been given to him. Not finding consolation in the additional very profitable with low liability gains that they had made, he found the personal letter from Maximus and read.
Michael;
You and I go way back, which is the only reason you are still alive. My sons also spoke up on your behalf. Max openly admitted that you changed when you married Ms Benson. At one time you were turning into a good man, now, I don't trust you. Your choices are suspect, the only good one you have made in the last ten years was hiring Morgan.
Dump your current attorney, I have appointed one from my grouping,(unlike your partner's attorney, your will also report to myself) you are also deal with your family. Richard Lansing is being dealt with in a way that will protect your organization. Cut off your sister, let her deal with her pregnancy and other issues without your help. I would order you to cancel your adoption of the child you stole but for the fact that the boy is too old and needs stability. Your younger son needs attention, his mother give him everything materially she can, but she does neglect the child, its why my younger son remains. He cares for your son Morgan.
Regarding your ex wife, I get addictive behavior, I know that she is your chosen drug. Get clean or I will ensure that you do. Do we understand each other?
Regarding your partner, stay out of his life and if you should make the mistake of even attempting to end his marriage, you're out! Elizabeth Webber and her child or in the future her children are to lead long fulfilling lives or you're out!
Now regarding your partnership with Mr Morgan. He is clearly the senior partner and as far as the families are concerned that is fine with how the two of you handle this, for now. What we have an issue with is your disrespect of the man. He is your partner, not your enforcer.
You have stated during previous meetings that Elizabeth Morgan was under your protection, made quite a smug pompous scene about it but I let it go because in truth, Elizabeth has been protected for years, long before she ever met you.
A young woman age of fourteen as beautiful as she was, an innocent as she was, she made it to New York from Colorado hitchhiking without being molested or worse, didn't you ever think about how that could have happened? Have neither your partner or yourself ever looked into Tom Baker's life in prison. He had a very difficult time, until he was released two years ago. The pervert stepped out of prison, breathed fresh air and went missing. That is one body that will never be found.
Elizabeth is the granddaughter of someone who has been under the protection of one of the families for years. Its also why her worthless family is still alive in spite of my grave misgivings. Luke Spencer's part in the mess regarding your partner's marriage, was recently found out. Go, call your ex-mother in law, ask about her brother, oh, and his death will never be attributed to us. Take heed, Michael, take heed!
One last thing, several years ago while in town for a quiet visit with my son to tell him that his elder sister had given birth, I saw the shooting of Mr O'Brien. He wasn't dead yet, so I arranged for his care and brought him back to Italy with me. He has been loyal and honest with me unlike yourself.
Sean Bryant is Johnny Michael O'Brien and if he so much as develops a hang nail, your life is forfeit and so is the life of your ex-wife Caroline, your sister Courtney, and your father. Maximus
Elizabeth was talking to Steven as she exited General Hospital after working a long double shift due to a patient she had been working with having a set back. An old friend of her grandmothers. "At least grams is happy."
"And Monica." The heart doctor had been thrilled to offer to take Cameron home with her when she had been asked to stay with Mrs Barrington.
Steven had seen that his sister had been dealing with something for the last few days, whatever it was, she had refused to tell him, only saying it was something she had to work out on her own. Wanting to take her mind off of things, he filled her in the latest from their grams. "You know when she heard about the enduros scandal in spite of being away, she was hopeful that..."
Elizabeth laughed at her brother as he explained how he had disappointed the woman by announcing that he wasn't going to be a father in nine months. "I got the same call, and I ducked it. There are way too many potential pregnancies already due to Tracy Quartermaine's screw up."
Steven waited to Elizabeth had unlocked her car and then thought about it, he was about to question her if she was pregnant then thought about what Emily had said about Jason being busy right then, and knew that he needed to respect Elizabeth's privacy for now.
"Hey wait!" Elizabeth turned and saw Robin Scorpio hurrying her way. "Can I get a ride home?"
When the two women were pulling out in Elizabeth's one month old Toyota Sienna minivan, Steven continued on to his own car, his mind on his grandmother and her obsession with grandchildren and shook his head. He had long held concerns about fathering children, but now, after talking to his father, he got it.
His mind on his father, Steven pulled out of the parking lot heading home. Jeff was a lousy father because he didn't no how to be one. He gave material goods, but the man was more doctor than parent due to his own mother. Jeff freely admitted to not knowing how to talk to his own children and that he had married his wife seeing her as having the same issues. Carolyn wanted children but not the bother of raising them. That was their issues, not his.
When Steven was with Cam, he found himself enchanted with the day to day chores that his sister did for her son. He found himself forcing himself to leave her place because he wanted that life, that day to day life.
All he had to do was find a woman who was nothing like his mother, which he had been finding himself surprised to realize that Emily Quartermaine minus being related to that family fit the bill. A woman he had found interesting years earlier but she had been wrapped up in her life with her friends and her childhood dreams of marrying Cassadine.
As she matured and he had come to realize that he could have a life, he had spent time looking forward to his sister's calls and description of her friendship with the lovely brunette.
Still, Steven was curious about one thing. The five young women his sister hung out with, they had a secret, one that had him curious because they had all been tense, it hadn't been just Elizabeth and it wasn't the one he had found out regarding Georgie Jones and her unexpected career. Though, he would love to be there the moment that Mac Scorpio learned about it. He got the feeling that either man didn't know about the career or he didn't know what sort of books she wrote.
Steven had been curious one day after figuring it out and had seen one of the books on the General Hospital book cart. He had been stuck staying at the hospital in the on call room and had picked it up. Midway through the engaging tale, he had come to the love scene and had quickly gotten rid of the book, not able to deal with the thought that the serious minded young girl he had known during his previous time in Port Charles with braids in her hair had written such a book.
Arriving home he entered his house and was tossing his keys down in the brass bowl there for that purpose only to hear "We need to talk."
Shocked, Steven turned around to see the man whose life he had saved standing there, with his arms crossed and a serious expression on his face. "What are you doing here?"
"Long story, but we need to talk about your sister and Jason Morgan."
"Who my sister dates in none of your business." He replied.
"Oh, I am on her side. The issue isn't her dating, its that she is already married to Morgan and doesn't know it. The odd thing is he wasn't aware of it until about two hours ago." The man said as he moved towards the sofa. "Want to plot a little revenge against the people responsible?"