Author's Note: I have to admit that I have thoroughly enjoyed bringing Charles back from the dead and getting to write these scenes as well seeing what elements from earlier stories have come in to play. These stories hold surprises even for me as things play out. The original premise for Kellie's character was what if Sonny had a kid that he didn't know about and somehow still ended up involved in the Mob. It's been fascinating and fun to how the backstory I'd created for her with Charles and Tyler really influenced this story and also Dark Nights.
"Now tell me about your business as an investigator or security consultant," Charles said, sitting on the couch.
"Security consultant is probably the more accurate term," Kellie said, "Investigator implies I'm licensed which I'm not. I'll hire a P.I. if that what my client needs."
"How'd that come about?" Charles asked.
"I was kind of looking for something to do after I came back from the island," Kellie said, "The Foundation runs without me and consults for the rescue ops were few and far between. My other businesses are run by my partners. I invested in Kristina's casino. The studio I organized myself out of running it once I got shot and went to the island. I still oversee things and teach classes occasionally. With the consulting, I can take cases as I want around taking care of the kids."
"Taggert mentioned you try to cater to clients who might need your services but can't typically afford them," Charles said.
"Yeah, I guess kind of a way to pay it forward when I've gotten that type of help," Kellie said, "There were times I needed that kind of assistance and didn't have a dollar to my name."
"I think it's great," Charles said, "You'll have to show me your space next to the studio for that sometime."
Kellie looked startled Charles knew about that space.
"Taggert was very impressed by your situation room as he called it," Charles said, "I doubt he's told anyone except me about it. It also sounds like you were part of the rescue team looking for Spencer and the other hostages."
"I just called my contacts, got people together, chased leads, and provided information to Anna and Laura," Kellie said.
"And sent resources which I believe got Taggert to the island to search for Trina," Charles said, "You know you did play a part in rescuing me even if you had no idea that's what your efforts would help with."
"I guess I hadn't thought of it that way," Kellie said, "With the amount of people over there, I assumed someone would have found you."
"I believe you still get some credit," Charles said, "I'm happy you're figuring out how to do the things you're good at it in a way that helps people. But I do have to admit I was relieved you hadn't joined the rescue party on the island."
"I wanted to," Kellie said, "But Anna wanted me to stay behind as the next line of defense in case they failed. Though I'm not sure what I would have been able to do if Victor had unleashed his virus. Jason would have gone too, but D.A. Scorpio really didn't want him taking off and possibility setting of another mob war if he didn't come back."
"I heard Jason took over the business from Sonny," Charles said.
"He did," Kellie said and then paused, "How much have you heard from Uncle Lo or Maximus?"
"They've told me some things including that you were offered your own place with the five families apart from Sonny and Jason's organization," Charles said, "But I'd like to hear what happened from you. The way I would have if I'd been around this last year. "
"I'm not running Sonny or Jason's business or my own," Kellie said, "I think that covers it."
"Last time you and I talked about the business, you were giving serious consideration to the possibility of taking over the Corinthos Organization if Sonny and Jason couldn't get it together," Charles said, "Selina Wu was also sniffing around trying to get you more involved. I can only assume Cyrus and Victor's attack would have sped up any decisions you were contemplating."
"Charles, I don't want to disappoint you," Kellie said, "So I don't we think we should discuss the business any further."
"Kellie, you had some very difficult choices to make given the circumstances," Charles said, "Ones I know you don't take lightly. There's absolutely no way I could be disappointed in you even if the choices could be considered questionable. Not when all you wanted was to ensure the safety of you and your children."
"After you died, part of me just wanted to go in guns blazing," Kellie said, "I'd had enough of the waiting for my father or Jason to figure it out. But I knew I needed to wait and get things in order. Truthfully, I didn't want to run the business again. I talked to Uncle Lo about ideas of how to get leverage just to keep people from threatening me and the kids."
"He sold you part of his shipping company," Charles said, "No, he didn't tell me owned it with you, but I figured it out when I asked for assurances about your business partner there. I'm not surprised he had something in the reserve in case he ever needed leverage."
"No one else knows he's the other partner," Kellie said, "We'd prefer to keep it that way."
"Remember it's all attorney client privilege," Charles said.
"Won't you have to apply for your license again?" Kellie said.
"I'm sure we can argue retroactive applies here," Charles said, "I didn't actually die. Just leave that to me and Diane. So you bought the shipping company and…"
"I went to the meeting of the five families to inform them I'd bought the company as a courtesy," Kellie said, "Assured them things would continue to run smoothly. Sonny was challenged as head of the families. It was put to a vote which ended in a tie since Sonny and Selina split the Novak territory. I was asked to be the deciding vote between Sonny and Selina."
"And you voted against Sonny," Charles said.
"I did," Kellie said, "In all honestly Selina had been acting as the head for a while anyway. Selina gave Sonny an ultimatum to have a plan to stabilize his territory by the next meeting or face consequences."
"I can't imagine Sonny took that well at all," Charles said.
"He yelled and stormed out of the meeting," Kellie said, "Then I was offered the open seat. I tried to decline right away. I still didn't know if I'd end up taking over from Sonny. They told me to think about it and show up at the next meeting if I decided to take it."
"How'd did you feel about that?" Charles asked, "Going from maybe taking over the business to you could chose that even if Sonny or Jason stabilized things on their end."
"Part of me was tempted," Kellie said, "Even though I never really wanted to run the business despite being good at it. But if I needed to accept the offer to protect the kids, then I would have. Maximus said he could make sure the seat was filled to my advantage and I could say no."
"I heard his nephew joined the Five Families," Charles said, "I'm extremely grateful Maximus was willing to watch out for you."
"He showed up for your funeral to pay his respects," Kellie said, "For a few minutes before everyone showed up because…"
"He really couldn't stay," Charles said, "Since he's not allowed to set foot in the United States. I'm aware. I was surprised he met me in Greenland to fly here."
"And never got off the plane when it got here?" Kellie replied.
"Long enough to ensure I met up with Lorenzo and hopped back on the plane," Charles said.
"I get the impression he enjoys taunting law enforcement with his supposedly non-existent visits to the states," Kellie said.
"My brother is definitely a character," Charles said.
"Do you happen to know why Maximus calls Jason a goomba?" Kellie said, "I got the impression he's not impressed with Jason to start with, but it feels like there's a story. Jason just gets annoyed when I ask him. I think Max and Milo know, but they always tell me to ask Jason."
"No, I have no idea about that," Charles said, "That may be a question, you'll have to live without the answer to."
"I kind of figured it was a long shot," Kellie said.
"So when did Jason take over the business from Sonny?" Charles asked.
"He told me it was a done deal the day of your funeral," Kellie said, "Strangely enough Sonny went missing after I had him thrown out of the church. Cars were broken down and his guard was unconscious. I got hauled down to the PCPD for questioning. But Nina got a note from him, he needed to leave town to think for a few days. Then Nina joined him in Niagara Falls just to have the cops bring him back to talk to the PCPD."
"So Sonny left of his own free will then," Charles asked.
"That's what it ended up being after all that," Kellie said.
"What happened when Sonny found out, Jason cut him out of the business?" Charles asked.
"He threatened to shoot Jason, so he could take the business back," Kellie said.
"And?" Charles prodded gently.
"Jason wasn't prepared for how far Sonny was willing to go," Kellie said, "I made sure that I was informed when Sonny came back to town. So I went to the warehouse where Sonny and Jason were and found Sonny holding Jason at gunpoint. I took care of it. The only injury was Sonny's suit jacket."
"I'm sorry you had to confront your father like that," Charles said.
"Sometimes I wonder what it says about me that I held my own father at gunpoint?" Kellie said.