Chapter 12: The Eyes of A Child

The next morning, Stefan is coming up the stairs when he see Lulu
peeking out the bedroom suite. Her eyes light up at seeing her friend
from last night. Stefan smiles back gently as he beckons her.

L:"Mama is still sleeping...is she sick? She never sleeps late!"

S:"Your mama is just tired. Why don't you come downstairs with me and
I'll have Mrs Lansbury get you some breakfast."

Lulu bounces down the stairs behind him. "Where am I? Are you Nikky's
uncle?"

Stefan smiles. "Yes I am. I'm pleased that you remember. You are in
Nikolas' home."

Lulu:"Really? Where is he? "

Stefan:"He's sleeping right now. If you like, we'll wake him after
breakfast."

Lulu enters the kitchen with Stefan where Mrs Lansbury is making
breakfast. He motions for her to take a seat as Mrs Lansbury prepares a
plate for her.

Lulu:"This kitchen is neat. Bigger than the one we have at home."

Stefan sits with her, oddly out of place in the kitchen. "I thought
you'd prefer it."

Mrs. L:"Why don't you and Miss Lesley Lu go into the dining room and
I'll serve you there? It's more comfortable."

S:"No, we will eat here Mrs Lansbury.. Miss Lesley Lu likes it so we
will stay."

Lulu screws up her nose:"I'm Lulu, no one calls me Lesley Lu except Mama
when she's mad. And Nikolas when he's weird."

S:"Okay, Lulu then."

Lulu proceeds to tell Stefan a long story about one of her dolls. Stefan
listens to her intently as they eat breakfast.

Mrs Lansbury shakes her head, convinced that Stefan has finally gone
around the bend. She has never seen him act so strangely.

....................

The Port Charles Police Station.

Detective Taggert is sitting at his desk when he spies Keesha walking
by, obviously beginning her shift. He calls over to her.

T:"Officer Quartermaine."
K:"Detective Taggert. What can I do for you?"
T:"I gather you know about the shootings of Corinthos and Spencer last
night."
Keesha (muted):"Yes, I heard. Do you have any leads?"
T:"Nothing yet. I just located Laura Spencer... she's out on Spoon
Island, at the Cassadine estate."
Keesha looks surprised."That's odd. What about Alexis Corinthos?"
T:"She's at the hospital recovering from surgery. Commissioner Garcia
suggested you might be a good choice to interview Laura Spencer. Are you
up to it?"
Keesha:"Yes, I can do it."
Taggert (noticing Keesha's sadness):"You are close to the Spencers,
aren't you?"
Keesha:"Yes, I am. They are like family to me. First Lulu gets
kidnapped, now this. I don't know how Laura can survive this. Luke was
her whole life."
Taggert:"You sure you're up to this? I can do the interview... but I
thought you might get farther with Laura than I would. Commissioner
Garcia said you were interested in becoming a detective."
Keesha:"No, I want to do this. In fact I need to. I think I'll feel
better if I'm doing something to catch the people that did this. So tell
me what you have so far...."

............................

After breakfast, Stefan is showing Lulu one of the secret panels in the
living room.

L:"This is neat. I want one at my house!"
Stefan smiles indulgently."All of my houses have them."
L: "Do you think Mama is awake yet?"
S:"She was very tired last night. I think we should let her sleep in."
Lulu frowns."Where's Daddy? He and Mama go everywhere together."

As if on cue, Nikolas walks into the room. Stefan looks relieved for the
interruption.

N:"Hey little sister, can I have a hug?"
Lulu:"Nikky! " She runs and gives him a big hug.
N:"I see my uncle has been showing you the secret panels, did he show
you the suits of armor as well?"
L:"Nope. What's a suit of armor? "
N:"I'll tell you all about it (turns to Stefan before leaving). I looked
in on Laura before I came down. She's awake, she'll be down shortly."
S:"Thank you Nikolas." Nikolas and Lulu leave with Lulu chattering at
him the whole way.

A short time later, Laura enters the living room looking haggard.
Stefan can see she has been crying again. It takes all of his restraint
not to reach out to her.

S:"Laura, can I have Mrs Lansbury fix you something?"
L (without emotion):"No, thank you. I couldn't eat it anyway. Where's
Lulu? She wasn't there when I woke up."
S:"She's with Nikolas. Lesley Lu woke up with the birds. She already
had her breakfast. "
L: "Did you check on me last night?"
S: "I stopped in once to check on LesleyLu. Perhaps some coffee or tea?"
L:"Some tea would be fine." (she takes the cup from him after he pours
some from pot that Mrs Lansbury provided). "This all seems so unreal.
Even more so being here."
S:"You are safe here. Right now that is all that is important."

There is a knock at the door, and Nikolas gets it with Lulu in tow.
Nikolas finds Keesha standing there in her police uniform.

Keesha:"Hello Nikolas. It's my understanding that Laura is here. I need
to speak with her."

Nik:"Well I think it's safe to say you are not here to give your
condolences. My mother isn't up to being badgered, so you'll have to
come back another time."

Laura and Stefan enter the entryway and overhear Nikolas.

L:"Nikolas that isn't necessary. Keesha, please come in."
S:"I think you should have a lawyer present, Laura. It's obvious that
she is here on official business."
L:"Keesha is my friend. I want to do everything I can to help with the
investigation "
S:"We can use the living room then." Stefan escorts Laura and Keesha
into the living room. Nikolas takes Lulu to the kitchen and returns a
few minutes later.

Keesha and Laura sit on the couch together, while Nikolas paces in the
background. Stefan stands by the fireplace.

K:"Laura, I want to say how sorry I am. Luke was a wonderful friend.
There is no one I'd want more in my corner."

L:"Thank you. It still seems so unreal you know? But please, let's go
ahead with the interview."
K:"I'd like to talk with you privately, Laura. If that's possible."
S:"That is unacceptable. (turns to Laura) Lasha, if you won't agree to
have an attorney, then agree to have one of us present...."

Laura stops him. "Please, I don't have the energy to fight with you. "

Keesha (glances at Stefan and Nikolas who are standing their
ground):"Well we'll do it this way. Why don't you start with what you
remember about that night.. leading up to the shooting and then after."

Laura:"We went to club to meet Alexis and Sonny. You were there I think?
Sonny announced Alexis' pregnancy. We were celebrating. Then we went to
the play called "You Can't Take It With You." (starts to tear) Ironic
isn't it? We...we saw the play and afterwards we decided to go back to
the club. I stayed in the lobby to make a phone call to Lucky. While I
was on the phone, there were gunshots.. that's when I turned around and
saw Luke ..." Laura begins to cry. Keesha leans forward and takes one
of her hands.

Nikolas walks behind his mother and puts a comforting hand on her
shoulder. Stefan watches silently.

Keesha (softly):"Laura, can you go on?"
Nikolas:"Don't push her. Can't you see how upset she is?"
Laura (through her tears):"It's okay Nikolas. I have to do this. Anyway,
I turned around and saw Luke. He was already on the ground. I dropped
the phone and ran to him. I don't remember anything else. I was so busy
trying to stop the bleeding...."

Stefan closes his eyes to the image she describes and turns his back to
them. Nikolas' face pales.

Keesha:"Did you notice any people around? Any cars?"
Laura (still crying): "I don't think so.. Everything is so hazy. All I
saw was Luke..."
Keesha:"Try and focus on the time you turned around when the shots were
fired. Do you remember any cars?"
Nikolas:"Stop badgering her!"
Laura:"Nikolas she's just trying to get information..."
Nikolas:"I don't care. The cops won't figure this out anyway. They never
figured out who shot Katherine Bell, why should this case be any
different? I won't allow you to be bullied...."

Stefan intercedes. "Nikolas, why don't you go check on your sister?" The
tone he uses is authoritative. Nikolas gives him a mutinous look and
then turns to his mother for guidance.
L:"That would be best, Nikolas. Lulu won't be scared if you are with
her... Please?"
Nikolas:"Alright. I'll go check on Lulu."
Laura (taking his hand and giving it a squeeze before he leaves):"Thank
you."
Keesha:"Can we try again? I'd like you to focus on the time you turned
around after the shots were fired. Do you remember any cars? Any
details?"
Laura:"I have a vague memory of a black car speeding away.. I remember
the screech of the tires on the pavement. All I remember is a big black
car. "
Keesha:"Do you have an idea on the make of the car or the license
plate?"
Laura:"No, it went by too fast. Afterwards Jason was there. He called
911 and helped Sonny..."
Keesha:"Can you think of anyone who would have done this, Laura?"
Laura:"I think it was a mob hit. Maybe for Sonny, and Luke got caught in
the crossfire. If Helena was still in good health, I'd say it was her."
Keesha (glancing up at Stefan's expressionless face):"Did anyone else
hate Luke or Sonny enough to kill them?"
Laura (sees Keesha's suspicious glance at Stefan):"Not enough to kill
them. Would you mind if we finished this later? Suddenly I'm feeling
very tired..."
Keesha:"Certainly. Here's cell phone number if you think of anything. Mr
Cassadine, I think I can find my way out."

Keesha leaves. Stefan walks over and sits next to Laura on the couch.
Laura begins to cry again after she hears the front door close. Stefan
reaches his hand out to her.

Laura (crying):"No. Don't touch me. Please."
Stefan (helplessly):"Lasha... tell me what I can do to help."
Laura (regaining her strength):"I want my daughter. Then I want to hear
what you know about who killed my husband."

.............................

Alexis awakens to find Jason dozing in the chair beside her. He wakes
up when she tries to sit up in bed.

J:"How long have you been awake?" He helps her to sit up.
A:"Not long. You should have gone home to sleep. The guard outside was
sufficient."
J:"I couldn't be anywhere else."
A:"Tell me everything."
J:"It's better if you don't know. You won't have to lie to the cops."
A:"Jason, I need to know who killed my husband."
J:"His name was Harry Silver. He used to work for Sonny way back."
A:"Sonny mentioned him once. He was the one who caused Lily's death. So
was this personal then?"
J:"Yeah, but not how you think. He was hired to kill you and one of the
Spencers."
A (knowing the answer):"Who hired him?"
J:"Helena."
A (her eyes fill with tears): "I might have known. Is Silver dead?"
J:"Yes. Stefan knows."
A:"He's going to blame himself ."
J:"He wasn't happy. He sent Silver to Greece as a present for Helena."
A (bitterly):"I can't think of a better gift. Except possibly her
suffering a long painful death. I can't believe Sonny took a hit meant
for me..."
J(taking her hand):"Sonny would be glad he did. He wouldn't have
survived if you had been killed."
A (through tears):"And now I'm supposed to, knowing it's my fault he's
dead?"
J:"He wouldn't' blame you. You didn't do anything to cause this."
A:"But I did. I crossed Helena one too many times. She swore vengeance
when I exposed Dorman and her drug ring. I should have been more
forceful in warning Sonny. If I had he'd...."
Jason cuts her off. "Don't do that. We took all the precautions that we
could. Short of you and Sonny going into hiding, there was no way to
prevent this."

Alexis breaks down into real sobs for the first time since Sonny's
death. "I can't believe he's gone....I can't believe I'll never see his
smile again.. or hold him again..Jason, what am I going to do?"

Jason holds Alexis, careful not to bump her elbow. "You are going to
take things one step at a time. Go from one moment to the next. And I'll
be there every step of the way. You won't go through this alone."

......................

Stefan and Laura are sitting in the living room. Nikolas enters.

N:"Lulu is with Mrs Lansbury eating lunch. I think they're becoming
buddies."
S:"Good. Have a seat Nikolas. I have news of the shootings."
L:"You know who killed my husband."
S:"Yes. Jason tracked him down. He's a mobster by the name of Harry
Silver."
L(pales):"Sonny's former associate. So this was a hit meant for Sonny?
Luke wasn't even a target?"
S:"Not exactly. Harry was hired by someone else." He pauses, finding it
hard to continue.
N:"And you know who. Why are you hesitating?"
S:"Because it is our worst nightmare." Stefan turns his back to them,
ashamed of what he has to say next.
L(in a whisper):"Helena."
S(turning around with tears in his eyes):"Yes, Helena."
N(too shocked to respond emotionally):"This is why you didn't tell me
last night?"
S: "Yes."
N (taking her hand):"I'm so sorry, mother. This shouldn't have
happened."
Laura begins crying. "I can't believe it. I won't be free of her until
I'm dead."
S (in a hoarse whisper):"No, Lasha. She will never harm another person
again. I will make sure of it."
L:"Like you did the last time? So who were her targets? Sonny and Luke?"
S:"Alexis and a Spencer... which means you are both still in danger,
Lasha. It's imperative you stay here so I can ensure your safety. I am
waiting for a call from Greece telling me the threat has been
neutralized."
L(resigned):"I will stay here for now. Lucky... is he being protected?"
S:"Yes. Jason and Mike are seeing to that. Lucky would not welcome my
involvement."
Laura nods. "I want to talk to him now."
S:"Of course." he reaches for the phone. "He has not been told about any
of this."
L:"I want to tell him in person. And I want him with me when I tell Lulu
about her father."