Risk

Chapter LXXV

 

 

 

A man in a black suit knocks firmly on the hotel door. From within, he can hear a voice call out. "One minute!" The door is flung open. Elton gasps and puts a hand to his chest. "It I didn't know you were coming, you'd scare the death out of me, all grim reaper looking."

"Mrs Corinthos is feeling in need of an undertaker right now." The man says dryly.

"Good thing I know it's not for me." Elton says with an eye roll.

"No." The man agrees shortly.

"Oh well." Elton shrugs. "Not a minute too soon. I was just about done here anyway." Elton grabs his laptop case with all his notes in it and a garment bag. The Cassadine hired man grabs the other suitcase.

"Are you already checked out?"

"As soon as I got the call from Mrs C. I don't suppose you know just how bad it is?" Elton studies his ride carefully. With a little bit of effort and out of that awful black funeral garb he wouldn't be too bad looking.

"I work for The Prince."

"Gotcha. Carly said that they have a kinda prenup relationship. What's mine is mine and all that."

The man glances at his watch. He isn't going to discuss The Prince's personal business. "Mrs Corinthos wants you to come straight to the house. We'll be back in Port Charles after end of business."

 

 

 

Nikolas keeps an eye on Gia who is signing autographs in the lobby of the Chicago hotel. The public appearences had gone well. They were only back long enough to change clothes and head off to a charity gala for the local children's hospital. Tomorrow Gia was cutting the ribbon on a new police station. Wasn't particularly Deception oriented but it would make her brother a little happier with her going off on this trip with Nikolas... even if it is just business. "Are there any messages for Nikolas Cassadine or Gia Campbell?" Nik asks the front desk clerk.

"Yes, sir." The clerk answers promptly. In addition to a wad of little pink message papers there is a folder of faxes. "Some of the callers did leave messages on the voice mail for your suite, sir."

Nik looks at all of it and grumbles. "I'm glad I don't take as long to get ready as Gia."

"I heard that." Gia comes up behind him and sees the stack of work. "Looks like you are going to be burning the midnight oil." She gives him a pat on the back. "I'd help ya but I need my beauty sleep besides..." She leans in closer. "... my feet are killing me and if I don't get out of these shoes in the next ten minutes..."

"Thank you." Nik tells the desk clerk and then with tucking all the messages into the fax folder puts a hand at Gia's back and escorts her to the elevators. Unlike other talent, they aren't staying at the penthouse level even if those are the best but instead on the third floor. Luckily this hotel had suites on the third floor.

Once out of the elevator, Gia takes the lead to their suite. She unlocks the door with her keycard and once in immediately kicks her shoes off with a groan. Nik shuts the door behind him and walks over to the desk. He opens the fax folder to see exactly what the hell is going on. He sorts thru the pink messages to find the ones with all the local area codes figuring they are about the Chicago stops and returns those calls first making notations and amendments to the schedule. Once that is out of the way, he takes a look at the faxes. There are a few from promotions back in Port Charles for future stops but the bulk of them are from Carly. "What in the hell is going on?" Nik checks his watch and then calls Carly's cell. "It's Nik. What the hell is up? You trying to pull a coup while I'm gone?"

"If I were pulling a coup then I wouldn't be sending you the faxes. Two signatures remember?" Just initial them and fax them back."

"Carly, I know you don't get on with my mother but for goodness sake can't you guys even get along on something as mundane as glass beakers?"

"That's the quarterly money for the R&D in excess of what they were budgeted... basically it's an increase because of the bath line. Not the salts but the rest of the line that is going along. I don't know why that is even coming up to this level it should be handed by the head of the lab. We're spending all our time rubberstamping decisions when I'd rather be working on the bath line and I know you'd rather be.... well doing whatever Gia will let ya!"

"You've got a point." Nik sighs. "Okay. I'll look these over and fax back the ones I agree with. We'll discuss the micromanagement style when I get back to Port Charles. And Carly... try to get along with Laura. Please. I need this time."

"Nikolas, I haven't had a fight with her. I'm not going to have a fight with her... unless she starts it. Hell it's like she's not even here."

 

 

 

"Like she's not even here. Right." Lucky shakes his head. Everything down in the dark room had been put on hold and he hasn't been off the management floor since Carly called him that morning. This is not his idea of a good time. If he wanted to run something, he'd take Kelly's off Aunt Bobbie's hands... or cover for his dad over at the club. Roy had confirmed that Luke was nowhere around and had been very cryptic before leaving. "You handed me these damn folders. Like I know anything that is going on in them!" Lucky smacks them down on the desk.

"Elton is back tonight. I'm going to bring him up to speed before tomorrow. You'll be able to get back in the darkroom." Carly rubs the back of her neck. "So did Roy give you any clue where Luke is?"

"Carly, I'm not going to talk about my dad to you. And I'll never ask you about Stavros traveling plans... agreed?"

Carly sighs. "Agreed. So I know deepend and all that but did anything strike you as you were going thru all that crap? I mean it's more Nik's thing; he agreed to do all the numbers when we made our deal. Numbers don't bother me really but I hate spread sheets."

"I don't know what the hell I noticed." Lucky runs a hand thru his mussed hair. When he'd come into work in the morning it had been stylishly disheveled now it's just a mess. Then he snaps his fingers. "There was one thing. Take a look at this." Lucky sorts thru the folders and pulls out one putting it in front of Carly. "It says there was an audit done. But there are no results. Where is the rest of it?"

Carly looks at the file and frowns as she scans the contents. "Good question." She rises to her feet. "And I'll have Elton get on it first thing in the morning."

"You mean we're done?"

"Oh hell no but we are outta here. Stavros knows I'm running late tonight. Can you give me a lift to the house?"

"When are you going to learn how to drive?" Lucky asks even as he nods.

"I know how to drive!" Carly protests vehemently padding her skills more than just a little. "I just don't like to and besides I figure I can get more work done in the back of a limo." Lucky grabs her briefcase from her while Carly shrugs on her coat then starts digging thru her purse.

"What are you looking for?"

"Got it!" Carly walks out to Elton's desk to talk to Elton's temp. "I want to thank you for all your help today. I know you were here before me and well... you're still here. Elton will be back tomorrow but I know we're still going to need you up here until either Mrs Spencer or Mr Cassadine gets back."

"I understand, Mrs Corinthos. I appreciate the opportunity." The secretary rises to her feet.

Carly holds out her hand to shake the secretary's. "Don't stay out too late. Gonna need you bright and early in the morning. Thanks again."

Carly crosses to the elevator with Lucky right with her. As they climb on the elevator Lucky asks. "Since when did you start shaking hands with the folks from the secretary pool?"

Carly presses ground floor. "Since she saved our asses today." Carly looks over at the secretary and gives her a wink just as the doors shut.

The secretary looks down at her hand and the crumpled c-note in it.

 

 

 

Alexis and Jax sit on the same couch on the private plane coming back from Greece. Andreas checks with the captain then comes back to the main compartment. "We're nearing approach to Port Charles."

Jax looks out the window. "Almost home." He takes Alexis' hand and finds it ice cold. "You okay?"

"Sure. Why wouldn't I be?" Alexis smiles but it is forced.

"Alexis and I will meet you at the house." Jax orders Andreas.

"Of course, sir." Andreas nods. He clears the glasses from the cabin and stows them safely away in the galley before buckling himself in. The landing is unremarkable and the jet taxis to the Cassadine's private hanger. Andreas waits until the jet comes a full and complete stop and then opens up the door and drops the stairs.

Jax assists Alexis with her coat and she grabs her handbag. He precedes her down the stairs to make sure that the footing is secure and then offers her a hand when he reaches the tarmac. He's not particularly surprised to see his vehicle parked by the Cassadine hanger. A man dressed in coveralls meet them by the car and hands Jax the keys to the Ferrari 456M GT ( [link] "Welcome home, Mr and Mrs Jacks."

"Thank you." Jax says although his smile is forced. He really doesn't like anyone driving this car but him. It might be sterotypical about a boy and his toys but if he was going to spend a quarter of a million dollars on a car then he didn't want joe shmuck taking it for a spin around the block or through the drive thru. Jax hands Alexis into the passenger seat and carefully shuts the door before going around. Once in the car and adjusting the mirrors back to his specifications he starts the engine enjoying the throaty purr. "Now tell me what's wrong."

Alexis shrugs. "It's just weird to be back. I feel like I've been gone forever."

"Two weeks." Jax glances over at her. "But I know what you mean. Things have changed." He keeps an eye on the speedometer; the ferrari could do 0-60 in 5 seconds and was every speedcops dream and nightmare. Dream cause he was good for a ticket and nightmare if he decided to elude. "We'll make it work, Alexis. We did before." Jax pulls into the private drive of his new house stops right in front figuring he will put the car in the garage later. Assisting Alexis out of the car, he keeps a hand on her back as they walk up the stairs to the front door. "I know you didn't get a chance to really look at the place when you were here before. I haven't either really." Jax unlocks the door and then with a grin turns to Alexis.

"Oh don't you even think..." Alexis starts backing up.

"But Darlin', it's tradition." With that Jax sweeps her up into his arms and carries her across the threshold. He makes a half turn so that Alexis can shove the front door shut. Then he turns so that she can see the house without all the wedding finery. "Welcome home, Mrs Jacks."

 

 

 

The second Cassadine jet taxis to the hanger while Andreas is still supervising the storing of the luggage into a waiting car. He waits curiously to see who is arriving. As the ladder comes down a man in a trench coat with a fedora steps on to the stairs with a laptop case strung over his shoulder along with a garment bag. At the base of the stairs, Elton sees Andreas standing off by the car. "You!"

"Mr Herbert." Andreas makes a quick bow just a nod of his chin really.

"What are you doing here?"

"It is evidently the day for arrivals. The bride and groom have returned." Andreas says quietly. Elton looks around. "They have already left. Can I drop you off?"

"I have some information for Mrs Corinthos." Elton pats his laptop satchel.

The Cassadine agent that had picked up Elton comes down the stairs carrying Elton's suitcase. "I will drop Mr Herbert at The Prince's." Andreas tells the hired man.

He nods and retreats after setting the bag in the trunk of the vehicle with all of the other luggage. Elton climbs into the passenger seat. Once on the road, Elton gives Andreas directions after the driver starts driving to Carly's old house. "Oh no! They've moved. Carly gave the directions. Where are they..." Elton searches his pockets. "Here we go. Head on toward out of town."

"There are no Cassadine holdings out here."

"There are now." Elton lifts a brow.

Andreas sighs and follows the directions of the wedding planner.

 

 

 

"Where the hell is my SISTER?!!" Kristina hollars as she races thru the front door of the Jacks Estate. Alexis comes out from behind one of the ficus trees at the base of the staircase. "WOOHOO!! You're safe!" She wraps her arms around Alexis and lifting her up swings her around.

"Ah Hell put me down before I get airsick! Between you and Jax.."

"Did he carry you over the threshold?! That is just so romantic." Kristina puts Alexis back on her feet.

"Oh please act like you're over twelve." Alexis straightens her suit jacket. "Have you been working out or something?"

"Good living." Kristina steps back. "You look good too! Marriage agrees with you."

"Kristina..." Alexis shakes her head and opens her mouth to burst her sister's bubble.

"I know, I know but let me have a Disney moment here. We've had so few as a family."

"I don't know if I'd agree with that." Ned says wryly from the doorway. "Seem to have the evil step mother thing down. Even had a sleeping beauty covered... course who knew when he awoke he'd be totally psycho."

"Not any more psycho that he was before he went to sleep." Alexis laughs. She gives Ned a kiss on both cheeks and then cups the side of his face with her hand. "Thank you for taking care of my sister."

"I can take care of myself!"

"Yes, yes I know you can." Alexis agrees.

"Get your hands off my wife." Jax mockingly growls as he comes out of the kitchen with glasses in on hand and a bottle in the other. "There seems to be a couple of very fine bottles of champagne chilled. Anyone?"

Kristina looks at Ned. "Count us in." She takes the flutes from Jax and hold them steady while he pours. Once everyone has a glass she offers a toast. "To family."

"To Family."

 

 

"Well?" Stavros walks into the foyer where Andreas stands almost at attention.

"The newlyweds arrived back within the hour and requested privacy to enjoy their new home."

"So the marriage is real."

"Very real, sir. Madam understands her role."

"Madam, as you call her, is playing a role. Like the actress her mother was before her. But it will be real soon enough. You have my directions."

"Of course,My Prince." Andreas makes a full bow.

"You may go." Stavros waves his hand.

Kris escorts Andreas to the door then comes back. "He isn't reliable."

"I agree. He spent too much time with my mother. What is your report?"

"Kristina Cassadine will be here at 10am tomorrow."

"On what pretext?"

"Her interior design business."

"Good. Make sure Carly and Michael are out of the house." Stavros heads to the study where Carly is meeting with Elton. He opens the double doors of the study and looking around until he hears the sound of Carly's laughter. She is curled up on one end of the couch dressed in casual at home clothes with Elton sprawled at the other. He is filling her in on all the doings of Pine Valley, of Enchantment and it's prime competitor up there, Giovanna Cosmetics.

"Honey, You can go for the direct assault or for the stealth move." Elton's voice drops to a discrete whisper and his eyebrows go up suggestively. "Right now there is upheavel at Giovanna Cosmetics. Their creative force just had a death in the family and is not doing well at all. And I got the feeling that even on the best day, that the loyalty is to the work and not to the company."

"I can do both. It sounds as if Giovanna is the foot in the door I need for Enchantment. Doesn't put the spotlight on Deception." Carly leans in. "You have everything?"

"Everything I could get... right here." Elton hands over the disc. "Everything I didn't put in the emails. Now tell me what in the heck is going on here."

"Oh where to start." Carly groans. Stavros comes up behind her and starts massaging her shoulders. "You know about Nik's trip to the midwest. That's been in the plans for weeks. He's been planning it since he pulled Laura's fanny out of the fire and bought half of Deception. So when does Laura decide to take a little vacation?"

"She didn't!" Elton gasps with his jaw agape.

"She did. Went into the office today. No Nikolas, No Elton, and No Laura."

"Oh Mrs Corinthos, honey." Elton tsks and shakes his head as he reaches out to pat Carly on the hand. "You don't have a thing to worry about, Elton is back now and will take care of everything."

"I knew I could count on you." Carly puts a hand up on top of Stavros' who is resting his hands on Carly's shoulders.

"You will stay for dinner." Stavros invites but it sounds more like an order.

Elton's eyes light. dinner with Royalty! Okay so he's a sociopath but ROYALTY "I don't have a thing to wear."

"We're casual." Carly tilts her head to the side. "Michael is still working on his manners."

 

 

 

Andreas enters the New Jack Estate thru the kitchen door. He'd taken a little time during the wedding to explore the amenities, including a dumbwaiter style elevator that goes from the butler's pantry off the kitchen up to the living quarters on the second floor. He uses it to unload the suitcases. Since he was in charge of the packing he knows which suitcase to set aside as it is filled with clothing that need to be cleaned or repaired.

Jax comes into the kitchen to get the other bottle of champagne. "Oh you're here." His voice is grim.

"Yes, sir." Andreas nods. "You have guests?"

"Ned and a companion. It wouldn't surprise me if however there are others that stop by now that word of our... return has been spread."

"Of course, sir. Some appetizers perhaps?"

"That would be fine." Jax goes over to the fridge and grabs the champagne bottle taking it with him to the Den which is the most furnished room on the main floor thanks to all the wedding gifts. "Andreas found his way here. Just found him in the kitchen."

"Well we should get out of here then." Ned rises to his feet from the spot on the oriental rug. He'd been leaning against the chair that Kristina was sitting in.

"Wait a dang minute! We just got here and I haven't seen Alexis in forever." Kristina protests.

"The guy is a Cassadine spy." Ned holds out a hand to Kristina.

"And it is better that I see Miss Kristina surrounded by her family and allies." Andreas offers a quickly put together coldplate. "Hors d'oeuvres? The others will be out of the oven shortly." Andreas sets it on top of box and leaves the room.

"He's got a point." Alexis looks at Jax and then Ned.

"Staying!" Kristina announces and then she grabs Ned's hand and tugs it so that he, giving in, takes back his space on the rug. "Have a carrot stick."

As Andreas is walking back to the kitchen there is a ring at the front door. He detours to answer it.

"Surp...! Oh it's you." Jane Jacks sighs. "Where is Jax?"

"Your son and his bride are in the den, Madam. May I take your coat?"

 

 

 

Nikolas loosens the collar on his dress shirt. Gia moves her head from side to side loosening up the tension in her neck and shoulders. The charity fundraiser for the hospital was for a cause they both believed in and would give good press to Deception but that didn't mean that it hasn't been boring as all hell. It was a seen and be seen gig, but largely for people they didn't know which made things a bit tense. And of course being on display... made for the constant worry of getting something stuck in your teeth just when the photographer showed up. "This place should be good."

"What is it?"

"It's called Buddy Guy's. It's evidently a pretty famous blues club. Something that the reseach department came up with. Normally we wouldn't be able to get a table."

"You wouldn't be able to get a table?"

"Yep, tried money, tried L&B connections. No luck whatsoever. We would have had be in line to get seated for hours. Which would have played havoc with our schedule."

"But we're here." Gia points to the sign out the limo window. "So how..."

"I was trying to make the arrangements while I was hiding out in the dark room with Lucky."

"Ah. Lucky... a blues club." Gia nods her understanding. It should never have been Nikolas involved in L&B. Lucky should have been the one. He was the one with all the connections to an eclectic array of artists that span the generations dating back from oh-- birth, thanks to his time on the lamb with Laura and Luke.

"Front row table for the Monday night jam." Nik says wryly. "I guess it is truly who you know." The limo pulls up to Legends and stops. The driver comes around assists Gia from the vehicle. Nik climbs out after her putting a hand to her back and escorting her to the door where there is a line extending out past the club bouncer. "Table for two please." Before the bouncer can indicate where the end of the line is, Nikolas adds. "Lucky Spencer called ahead."

The bouncer steps aside. "Come on in."

 

Y'all still along for the ride? Holiday blues starting to get you down? Those end of the term papers and tests? Let me know how you are doing.

Deb

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