Adventures in Villainy-7

by Wisteria

Part Seven

"I'm going to ask you again, Mrs. Corinthos, where were you last night at midnight?"

Brenda buried her face in her hands and her shoulders shook, "I don't know! How many times do I have to tell you? I don't remember what happened; my mind is blank."

Donovan exchanged glances with Detective Piedmont, "Mrs. Corinthos, could it be that you don't remember because of the shock of...killing your husband?" Brenda's face drained of color, "No! How could you think that?! I love him...even if he did---"

Brenda shut her mouth abruptly and Donovan came closer. She leaned on the table and looked Brenda in the eye, "Even if he did...what?" Brenda's eyes shimmered with tears, "He only hit me a couple times. He didn't mean it...he was just frustrated because of business. Believe me I did not kill Sonny! I loved him!"

Just then the door opened and another detective came in. He handeda folder to Donovan and exited as quickly as he had come. Donovan flipped through the folder and whispered something to Detective Piedmont. She turned back to Brenda, a grim look on her face.

"Mrs. Corinthos, you have a right to remail silent..."

***

::snip snip::

The pieces of photograph fell to the floor to join the myriad pieces already there. Pierce lay down the scissors and smiled, satisfied. The picture of Monica smiled back at him. The faces of alan, emily, and AJ had been carefully cut out. Pierce laid the picture alongside the other pictures of Monica. Examining them, he selected the most perfect one and slipped it into the envelope addressed to Monica.

"My sweet...if I can't have you, no one can."

***

"Order! Order! This meeting needs to come to order! Come on people!" Edward Quartermaine growled.

Finally, everyone settled down and the board meeting began. A few minutes later, a bleary-eyed Ned stumbled in. He mumbled an apology and sat down. "Well, can we get started?" Edward snapped.

"NOT yet." Alexis stepped into the room, a sheaf of papers clenched in her hand.

"What is the meaning of this? Ned?"

Ned shrugged, bewildered.

"Oh Ned, don't play the innocent act." Alexis chuckled. "Why, it was just last night you signed over complete control of your family's company to ME. Wasn't that a sweet engagement gift, Edward? Oh that's right, you haven't heard about the impending nuptials."

Edward stared at her, aghast. Ned stood up, swaying a little. "E-engagement?! Alexis, what are you talking about?"

Alexis looked hurt, "Ned, you proposed to me last night, are you telling me you didn't mean it?? What about this ring?"

She displayed a sparkling diamond. "No matter, though. I have control over ELQ now, you signed the contracts."

Edward snatched the papers from Alexis and examined them. His face turned white and he sat down with a thump. He limply placed a hand over his heart, "N-ned...how could you..."

The entire room came to life. An ambulance was called and Edward was rushed to the hospital. A.J. and alan surged toward Ned while he offered apologies. Alexis stood back and watched it all, smiling cruelly. She then withdrew a cell phone. "Yes, Mr. Blankenship? I want the sell to go thorugh immediately. Yes, I've told the family. OF COURSE I'm sure. Finish the purchase of Sheridan Laboratories NOW."

Ending the call, Alexis motioned for everyone to sit down. "I wish Edward could be here to hear the wonderful news, but I shall share it all with you instead. I've sold all companies owned by ELQ and used all the money available to purchase a laboratory in Africa. Shereidan labs. They've made great advances in science and I am in need of their...services.

Having said her news, Alexis left amidst the outcries and protests of everyone inside the board room.

***

Stefan led Katherine down a flight of stairs. "I've decided to explain my plan to you. You know part of it, but not all of it."

He came to a stop outside a heavy, wooden door. He selected a key from his pocket and unlocked the door. They descended one more flight of stairs and then stood in a large room. The room was bitingly cold and lined with large glass cases. Katherine gazed in horror at the people inside them, frozen solid.

"My family." Stefan offered in explanation. "Some of them were frozen by Luke Spencer. My brother, Stavros, supposedly "died" in prison, and my mother, Helena, near death because of a mysterious illness that is in our family's blood. I had them brought here by a very clever man, Cesar Faison. I'm keeping them frozne like this until Alexis finished the purchase of Sheridan labs. I have people at Sheridan who will be able to restore life to all of them. After I have my beloved family back, I shall continue with my plan."

"Wh-what would that be?"

Stefan picked up a vial from a nearby table. The table was full of identical vials. "This is the sap from a rare tree found in the rainforest. One drop of this and it will infect hundreds with disease. Poeple infected don't know it until it's too late. The disease exhibits flu-like symptoms, lasts for an extended lenght of time, and then...instant death. And I possess the only antidote. I shall infect the major capitals of the world and if I don't get what I want, I won't provide the antidote."

"what exactly do you want, Stefan?"

"Money, and the power it brings with it. My plan will allow me to control the most important people in the world. But I want my family here to share the power. Now tell me, my lovely Katherine. Is this the most perfect plan you've ever heard?"

"Yes, Stefan...it's perfect."

They returned to the main floor of the house and Stefan left to contact Alexis. Katherine stood in the middle of the room, wondering what to do.

"I can't let Stefan do this...I must tell someone about his plan."

MEANWHILE

Luke opened the door of the cottage and peered out, "Lucky! What--how?!"

"There's no time, dad. We have to tell you something."

"We?" Luke's gaze traveled to Lucky's companion and he galred. "The Cassadine spawn...what are you doing here? Are you threatening my son?"

Lucky grabbed Luke's arm, "No dad...he's not Cassadine spawn...he's SPENCER spawn."

***

Jerry stood over Jax's grave, barely listening to the words being intoned. Near him, his father stood, holding Lady Jane and comforting her. V. knelt to the ground and placed a single white rose on the tombstone. She swiped at a tear rolling down her face and then straightened. She turned to her lover and leaned against him."

"Jer...I'm so sorry. I know how close you were to him. I wish we could have found him."

"I know, V. But sometimes these things happen."

The funeral ended and JErry walked his parents to their car. They had to leave immediately. Jane had wanted to stay with her remaining son, but business demanded that she and John depart. After their car drove off Jerry turned to V. "I'm no longer in need of you, V. Jax is dead, our business is finished." V. looked like she had been slapped, "W-what?! Jerry...is this your way of breaking up with me?"

Jerry's eyes flickered, betraying the sadness in them. But they hardened again and he nodded sharply. "I'm sorry. But I"m not eady to be committed to you like you want. And now...with all this. Looking at you only brings painful memories of my brother."

V. slapped him and spit at his feet, "B*stard! I should have known you'd do this. I thought you loved me but I realize I was stupid. You have to have a HEART to fall in love!"

V. stalked off, leaving Jerry aloen as the first raindrops began to fall.

MEANWHILE

Paisley Swan studied the paper carefully, "Millionaire businessman's brother killed in boating accident. How convenient. Poor Mr. Jacks. He must be so...VULNERABLE."

She ought to know. After all, there was a reason that she was considered the best thief of the century. She had scammed men like Jerry Jacks before, and she would do it many times more. And now her heart was set on Jerry's money. Or more precisely, his priceless collection of jewels and trinkets - former possessions of royalty and long dead celebrities. He kept them in a remote - but secure - cabin. She knew that was where Jerry would go to recoop from the tragedy of his brother's death. She would be there too...but Jerry wouldn't know that until after she'd gone.

Paisley gathered together the tools she would need. "Mr. Jacks, you're about to get a visitor."

***

When Faison entered the room it was dark save for the candles flickering in the corners. His eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Ms. Jones? Robin? Ms. Don--"

"They're not here." Anna purred, emerging from the bathroom. Her hair cascaded down her back in wild curls. She wore a filmy red nightgown that covered only the bare essentials. "They agreed to give u some...privacy."

Faison's eyes widened, "Anna...you've changed your mind?"

anna nodded and smiled. "I convinced your guards to bring some wine, would youlike some?"

The first strains of Nocture in C drifted through the room. Faison smiled, "I'm impressed. Yes...some wine would be nice."

Anna poured the wine. The sleeping aid was already in the bottle. She knew she would have to drink some of it herself, but Holly had it all planned out. Together they sippedt he wine and Faison gazed hungrily at her. His eyes narrowed to slits and he slurred, "Shall we go to..to your room, my Anna?"

Anna hadn't drunk much of the wine, so it was slower to act. She led Faison to her room and shut the door. By the time they were in bed, Faison was sleeping soundly. Anna carefully removed his clothes and then hers. She wrinkled her nose distastefully, but climbed into bed with him. She could hear the muffled click of the door as Holly left and a smile spread across her face. The guards had left when Faison arrived. Their plan couldn't fail. Anna felt the drug working now and she laid her head on Faison's chest and let sleep overcome her.

MEANWHILE

Robert didn't respond to the rattling of keys until Holly grabbed his arm.

"Robert! You must come with me...Anna's helped me escape and I need you to convince someone to help me!"

Without a word, Robert leapt to his feet and followed Holly. She locked the bars to the cell again and - with Frisco and Sean's assurance that they would hide the escape of Robert for as long as possible - left. After that it was easy. They ascendeda flight of stairs and entered a spacious living room. A picture window overlooked the French countryside.

"Come on, Robert, don't dawdle!" Holly said, "We have to get to Paris and if we don't find a car, horse, ANYTHING, we're stuck walking!"

Robert nodded and they left the house in search of help.

Beam me up, Scotty,

Traci

~*~