Chapter 13: A Visit With The Devil

Lucky and Mike sit in Mike's apartment over Luke's.

Lucky:"I don't care if my Mom is asleep, I'm calling over there. This
wondering is driving me crazy."

As if on cue the phone rings. Mike answers.

M:"Laura. Hi.. how are you doing?" He looks over to Lucky is waiting
impatiently to talk to his mother. "Thanks, that means a lot. Luke's the
best too. I feel like I lost two sons last night. Lucky is right here,
and he's itching to talk you." He hands over the phone.

Lucky:"Mom? I was just about to call you. Are you ready to go?
Laura:"Lucky, it's not safe for us to leave yet. Can you come over here?
I'll explain everything."
Lucky:"What?! What do you mean it's not safe? Jason took care of it
last night."
Laura:"Please Lucky, just come. It'll make sense. I promise."
Lucky:"Fine, but you aren't staying there tonight. I can take care of
you and Lu. Dad taught me how. I'll be there soon."
Laura:"See you soon sweetheart. I can't wait to see you."
Lucky:"Me too Mom. Bye."

Lucky hangs up the phone. "Man, Cassadine is a vulture. He isn't
getting his way on this one. You coming with me? I could use the
reinforcement."
Mike:"Sure, I need to go put a sign on the door of Luke's saying we're
closed. I'll be right back."

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

When Taggert walks into Alexis' room he finds her sitting in bed
frowning at her phone messages. Her hair is up in an untidy but stylish
knot on the top of her head. As expected, Jason is at her side. Alexis
looks up over her glasses to see Taggert.

Alexis (in a sarcastic tone):"Detective Taggert. I heard you were here
last night to pay your respects. Thank you."
Taggert: "Mrs Corinthos, I am very sorry for your loss. I'd like to talk
to you about last night. Privately." He shoots a look at Jason.
Alexis:"Jason stays. Go ahead and have a seat. Let's get this over
with."
Taggert:"Okay. Why don't you tell me what you remember about the
shooting last night."
Alexis:"Luke, Sonny, and I were standing outside the theater after the
show. Out of nowhere a big black sedan drove by spraying bullets. Sonny
jumped in front of me and took those meant for me. Before I could see
the license plates, the car sped off."
T:"You didn't see the license plates? Even though you are a criminal
lawyer? I find that difficult to believe."
A (her voice taking on a brittle quality):"I don't lie Detective
Taggert. It happened very fast. My husband had been shot, I was busy
catching him as he fell. Then I was busy trying to keep him alive.
License plate numbers were the farthest things from my mind."
T:"What about you, Mr Morgan? I understand you were there when the shots
were fired."
J:"Actually I wasn't. The limo didn't get there until after the
shootings occurred."
Taggert (sarcastically):"And I'm sure the limo driver and Mrs Corinthos
here will attest to that."
A:"Of course we would. Mr Morgan is telling the truth."
T:"Can you tell me who might have had a motive to kill Mr Corinthos and
Mr Spencer?"
A:"No one specifically."
T:"You're telling me that Sonny didn't have any enemies in the
underworld?"
A:"Why would he? He's a legitimate businessman."
T:"Yeah right."
A:"Are you insulting my husband?"
T (with false sincerity):"No of course not. Your husband was a model
citizen. But even legitimate businessmen have enemies. And I'd think
you'd want the police to catch the people who did this."
A:"Believe me, if I knew of anyone with a grudge against my husband,
you'd be the first to know."
T:"What about you Mr Morgan? You are Sonny's closest associate. Can you
think of anyone who hated Sonny enough to kill him? Or maybe there was
someone within the business who wanted to take over..." He looks
suggestively at Jason.
Jason shakes his head. "You mean other than you? Sorry Detective. I
can't help you."
Taggert glowers at Jason as he gets up."Well I want to thank you both
for your overwhelming cooperation. If you remember anything, please
call. Here is my number." He hands them each a business card.
A:"Good luck Detective. If I remember anything, you'll be the first one
I call."
Taggert leaves. As soon as the door closes Alexis mutters under her
breath. "When hell freezes over.... wait, my uncles tried that."
Jason laughs."Glad to see you have your sense of humor back. I was
starting to miss it."
A:"That man is an arrogant ass. He expects me to help him do his job
when all he's done is harass my husband? Remind me to take him on when
this is all over. He has no business being a cop."
J:"Well, he's no worse than most cops I run across. At least we know
what to expect with him."
A:"Yes, that's true. So when is the doctor going to release me? I'm
going crazy in here."

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

Mike is putting a sign on Luke's when he is attacked by a group of
reporters.

One reporter is more aggressive than the rest. "Mr Corbin. I am Veronica
Bowles from "Around Port Charles". I am so sorry about your son. Would
you care to make a statement?"

Mike (growling):"No. Get out of here. Have you no shame? You're all
ambulance chasers."

Veronica moves off talking to the video camera."So there you have it.
The father of the notorious mob figure, Sonny Corinthos, has no comment
on the murder..."

Mike overhears her statement to the camera and attacks, knocking over
the cameraman and breaking the camera. The other reporters swoop in like
vultures, recording Mike's every move.

Veronica is outraged."How dare you! You are a thug just like your son!"

M:"Cut the crap, lady. You will respect the dead and you will respect my
son. If you ever go after him like that again, you'll have more than
broken camera. Send me the bill. And the rest of you, get the hell out
of here!"

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

On the Cassadine compound in Greece a maid enters Helena's suite
carrying a tray with tea and a scone. She doesn't look at Helena as she
sets down the tray on a nearby table.

Maid:"Madam? Did you have a nice nap. I brought your tea and scone. Do
you need any help sitting up?"

The maid is surprised to get no response. She turns around and jumps
when she sees a man lying in bed with Helena. Then she notices the
bullet hole in his forehead and screams, only stopping when the guards
come running in, their guns cocked.

G1:"What? Do we have an intruder?"

The maid, unable to speak points at the bed. The guard swears when he
sees the dead body, but moves closer to check on Helena. Helena is eyes
are glazed and unfocused. Her breathing is irregular and some drool has
formed at the corner of her mouth. The guard shakes her and she doesn't
respond.

G2 (to the maid):"You stay with her." Pointing to another guard. "You,
take the body out of here. I'll get the doctor."

A short time later the doctor arrives to examine Helena. After a brief
examination, he turns to the guard.

Doctor:"It appears she's had a stroke. She needs to be hospitalized
immediately."

The guard shakes his head."I'm sorry. We have orders. She goes nowhere
without the approval of her son."

Doctor:"Well call him, damn it. Or we may lose her."

The guard picks up the phone and makes the call.

At Wyndemere, Stefan answers the phone on the first ring.

S:"Cassadine." He looks over at Laura and Nikolas who are entertaining
Lulu. "No. She will not be moved under any circumstances... Yes that is
correct. He will have to do what he can from there. Yes put him on."
Laura looks up curiously. "Doctor... Yes I realize that. It is a risk I
am willing to take. Do what you can for her, bring in any equipment you
need, but she will not be moved. I expect regular progress reports. I
will send a doctor to verify your claims." Stefan hangs up the phone.

N:"Helena?"
S:"Yes. It appears she's had a stroke." He picks up the phone again to
make some calls.

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

In Alexis's hospital room, Jason hangs up the phone. "That was Stefan."
Alexis:"And he didn't want to speak with me?"
Jason:"Helena had a stroke."
Alexis:"Not dead?" Jason shakes his head." No such luck, you have to be
human to die."

Alan walks into the room, interrupting their conversation. He smiles at
Alexis. "What would you say if I told you that you could get out of
here?"

Alexis(smiling back):"If you were close enough, I'd probably kiss you.
This room is driving me nuts. When can I leave?"

Alan:"As soon as you can sign the discharge papers and get dressed."

Jason (getting up to leave):"I'll go take care of the security." (to
Alexis) "You'll be okay for a few minutes?"

Alexis (wrapping her designer robe around her):"Of course. Now both of
you get out of here so I can get dressed."

Alan:"I'll send a nurse into help you. We don't want you to bang that
arm."

Jason encounters Joseph outside Alexis' room."Joseph, Mrs Corinthos is
being released. I want you to take the best men and secure the area as
well as the penthouse. Make sure the route from the hospital to the
parking lot is clear.. as well as the route home. I don't want to take
any chances."

Joseph nods and proceeds as ordered.

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

Lucky and Mike walk into the living room at Wyndemere. Stefan is
looking at the fire while Nikolas and Laura talk quietly. Stefan turns
around when he hears them enter the room. Laura looks up and sees Lucky.
She gets up to hug him.

Stefan:"Lucky, Mike. We've been waiting for you."
Laura (stroking her sons face through her tears):"I'm so glad you are
here. Come, have a seat." Nikolas vacates the couch so Lucky and Laura
can sit together.
Stefan:"Perhaps we should leave the two of you alone."
Laura:"No. I think you should tell Lucky and Mike."
Mike:"Tell us what?"
Stefan:"Have a seat, Michael." He waits for Mike to be seated. "Jason
determined last night who killed Sonny and Luke.. A man by the name of
Harry Silver."

Mike and Lucky grow pale.

Mike: "Are you saying this was a mob hit to take over Sonny's
territory?"

Stefan:"No." He looks at the fireplace not wanting to see the
reactions in their faces. "Harry was hired by my mother, Helena. Alexis
and the Spencers were the targets."

Mike (incredulously):"What? You're telling me that Helena did this?!
That Sonny wasn't the target?"

Lucky:"I knew it! I knew the Cassadines were behind this! Mom, let's get
out of here now, before it's too late."

Laura:"Lucky, this is the one place we are safe from Helena's minions."

Mike(still in shock):"I can't believe this. I didn't think I needed to
protect him from her...not him..."

Lucky (to his mother):"What? You believe that?! Mom! He's behind this, I
can smell it. He's wanted Dad dead for years!"

Nikolas (getting angry):"Think what you want of my Grandmother Lucky,
but my Uncle had nothing to do with Luke and Sonny's deaths!"

Lucky:"Well that's what he'd like you to believe." (pointing his finger
Stefan's face) "You're good, Cassadine. You always have someone to
blame. Now you are hiding behind your mother. Why don't you just admit
it? You're glad he's dead!"

Stefan(hoarsely):"No...I did not want this to happen! I've tried to
protect your family from Helena for years. I thought I had planned for
every contingency...I miscalculated..."

Lucky (standing face to face with Stefan):"I'm sure this was all part of
your plan. You didn't miscalculate. You better watch your back, man..."

Laura:"Lucky, please. I need you, Lulu needs you too. Attacking each
other won't accomplish anything." Lucky backs off and starts pacing
the room like a caged animal.

Mike:"Helena... where is she now?"

Stefan:"Under heavy guard at the compound in Greece. She had a stroke
earlier today. She may not live through the night... if we're lucky."

Lucky:"That means my Mom and Lu are safe from her."

Stefan:"We don't know for sure. She might have sent out another
assassin."

Lucky:"I protect my family, Cassadine. Mom, get Lulu. I'm not allowing
you to spend another minute in this place."

Stefan:"Laura, it isn't safe for you..."

Laura:"My place is with my son and Lulu. Not here. "

Lucky:"If we need protection, I'll take care of it."

Nikolas takes Lucky and Laura to get Lulu. Mike hangs behind to speak
with Stefan.

M:"You give me your word that Helena is no longer a threat? She's been
neutralized?"

S:"Yes. Too little, too late. Make sure Jason puts some guards at the
Spencer residence. If anything happens to them..." Stefan is too upset
to finish his sentence.

M:"I'll make sure they're safe. It's the least we can do." Mike looks
sadly at Lucky who is in the process of putting a coat on Lulu in the
front hall. Lulu is chattering at Nikolas.

S:"Despite everything you became very fond of Luke."

M:"Yes. He was a good friend. Now I'll never be able to make it up to
him."

S:"You can by helping his son. Lucky is going to need you. Make sure he
stays out of harm's way."

M:"For Luke, I will."

Just as Lucky is trying to escort Lulu out of Wyndemere, Lulu breaks
away and runs to Stefan. Stefan bends down to give her a hug.

Lulu:"I had fun. Can I visit again?" Lucky glowers at Stefan from a
distance.

Stefan (smiling):"That's up to your mother. Nikolas and I would really
like that."
Stefan walks her to the door.

Lucky picks Lulu up possessively."You ready Mom?"

Laura:"You go on ahead with Mike. I'll be there in a minute. I need say
good bye to Nikolas."

Lucky, Mike, and Lulu leave. Laura gives Nikolas a hug."Thank you for
everything. For helping with Lulu. I couldn't have made it through today
without you."

Nikolas:"I was glad to help, Mother." He gives her a kiss on the cheek
before stepping back.

Laura looks at Stefan awkwardly. Stefan breaks the silence.

S:"Please be safe. I will do what I can from here. I have put extra
guards on your mother in Switzerland, just in case."

L:"Thank you. I better go, Lucky is waiting." Without further ceremony
Laura leaves Wyndemere. Stefan watches her with a heavy heart.

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

The pretty young woman in Venezuela is sitting at the table looking her
notebook computer. She is connected to the Internet. She pulls up the
Herald Online to see the top stories for the day. She sees a title that
catches her interest: "Mobster's Father Attacks Reporter". She scans
the article.

W:"Damn." She disconnects her modem and makes a call.

W:"Hi, It's me. Did you see the Herald's headline? Couldn't you have
stopped this?" She pauses for an answer. "I know. There was no way you
could know. Any other news?" She paces the hotel room, playing with her
loose pony tail. "What? Are you sure? Damn it. He's going to blame
himself for this. WHAT?! Call me as soon as you know, I don't care the
time. Yes. I spoke with her when she got home. Have you? Well don't put
it off. She won't blame you, it's not your fault. Listen, I'll be there
in a couple days. No, it's not your decision anymore. No, my mind is
made up. Listen, I gotta go. I'll call you later. Take care. I love
you, you know. Bye."

She makes another call."Yes, I want to make a plane reservation..."