In His Corner-Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Skye Chandler-Quartermaine was still amazed at how much being a mother changed her.  She knew it sounded so clichéd, but she couldn’t help but look at her life before and after Lila Rae.  Before, she had been a selfish, self-absorbed, narcissistic alcoholic.  Now, she was a doting, caring, family oriented woman and that was all because of the precious little girl sitting at the table next to her in the Palace Hotel’s restaurant. 

She had made this her base of operations when Todd and Carly had left her there to go back to Port Charles.  Monica Quartermaine had flown Lila Rae down to her mother a day later after trying to convince Skye to let her stay with the family.  Skye was heartened by Monica’s offer, since relations between them had never been good.  However, she couldn’t bear to be separated from her little girl any longer.   They had moved into a suite and hung around waiting for any word on Tomas Delgado or Lorenzo Alcazar, whoever he may be. 

Lila Rae adapted well.  She had befriended Viki Davidson’s granddaughter, Bree Brennan and even Blair’s son, Sam Manning.  It was amusing to no end how her daughter got along with the offspring of these two women, looking back at all their histories.  She even found herself enjoying the presence of Blair, much more so than that of Tea Delgado. 

Skye could think of numerous things that irked her about the other woman.  But the one that stuck out most was how Blair reacted in her presence.  She had vague recollections of the Blair/Todd/Tea triangle, but the lawyer hadn’t been around for much of the time Skye had lived in Llanview.  Despite the fact that Blair was set to marry the woman’s brother, Skye could feel the underlying tension when they were in the room together.

It had only gotten worse once Todd had left.  Skye had felt the slap Blair had laid on her ex down her spine but when she looked back on it, even that felt staged.  It was obvious to Skye that Todd was getting to Blair, especially after Agent King had left Tea’s that day.  Was Blair starting to fold?  It seemed plausible, knowing their history.

It was a history that Skye felt no pride in now.  While she had been in Llanview, to give her daughter some free-wheeling time, she took her to the Buenos Dias Diner.  A few times, she had seen Jack Manning, Todd’s son by Blair.  A pang of regret rang in her ears every time she saw him.  Again, she had heard the stories about the shenanigans that had surrounded his birth.  Could they have been avoided, if not for her and Max Holden’s schemes against his parents?

If she had had Lila Rae back then, she probably wouldn’t have ever given Todd Manning or Blair Cramer a backwards thought.  Yet it was because of those actions that she had her daughter in the first place.  If not for the fact that Todd had caught Blair “in bed” with Max the night before their wedding, then Todd wouldn’t have blown up the ceremony and spun Skye on a quest for her birth father.  It was in that search that she had landed in Port Charles and, eventually, in the path of Lorenzo Alcazar.  In the grand schemes of things, Todd had given her her most precious possession.

She was still musing when her phone rang.  Finding it in her bag, she smiled when she saw AJ’s picture there.  Just another benefit Todd Manning had unwittingly given her years ago.  “How goes the palace coup?” she asked by way of answer.

AJ, standing outside one of the criminal court rooms, grimaced at Skye’s happy tone.  “Fought and lost, unfortunately.  Tracy’s still at the helm of ELQ.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.  Sam voted her way?”

“No, actually, Sam split the shares between us.  It went to a tie-breaker and I lost,” AJ said, not wanting to get into this now on the phone.  “Look, when you get here, I’ll give you all the details but I have other concerns on my mind.”

“Is it Michael?” she asked.  She knew AJ was as devoted to his son as she was to her daughter.

AJ thought about it for a minute.  “In a way.  What do you know about Todd Manning?”

“Why do you want to know about him?”

“He’s about to be arraigned on the charge of raping Carly Jacks.”

If she had not been in a public establishment in Llanview, Pennsylvania, Skye response would have been different in words and tone.  She chose to just say, “Carly?” with all the incredulity she could muster.  She knew of Todd’s past.  Everyone in Llanview, hell, everyone in the state knew it.  And while he was still no Prince Charming to anyone not named Blair Cramer, even she couldn’t imagine him doing that again.  

Speaking of the third amigo, it just dawned on her she hadn’t seen Blair around in a day or so.  Come to think of it, neither had Viki been seen.  “AJ, you haven’t by chance seen a blonde-haired, green eyed woman in Port Charles around Starr Manning?  Also, maybe another woman, older, blonde, elegant?”

“Do you mean Blair Cramer and Viki Davidson?  I just saw them go into the courtroom.  I even drove Blair and her daughter here from the MetroCourt,” AJ replied.

Skye didn’t want to go any further as she caught sight of Tea.  She didn’t want to let on if in fact Todd was in trouble.  “So that vote is scheduled for tonight?  Is Tracy crazy?”

“Skye?” AJ asked, confused by the sudden shift in the conversation.

“I’ll be up there as soon as possible.  See you soon, AJ.”  With that, she ended the call as Tea approached.

“Skye.”  Tea’s voice was cautious.  She then noticed Lila Rae and smiled at the girl.  “Hola, senorita Alcazar.” 

Lila was a very perceptive child and had taken her cues from her mother, who didn’t seem to like this lady.  But she was also a polite child and smiled all the same.

“Skye, have you heard from Blair.  I’ve left her some messages, but she hasn’t called back,” Tea inquired.

“No, I haven’t,” she replied, as she got up out of the chair.  “Look, Tea, this is very short notice, I know, but I have to get back to Port Charles.  My Aunt Tracy has called a board meeting and since my brother AJ just told me she’s still in control of the company, I need to get back to help him out.”  Then she decided to add, “Have you heard anything more from Dorian?”

“No, I was hoping Blair may have,” she admitted.  The women had been going to Dorian a lot for any help she could give or influence she could use.  Dorian had been more than happy, as she did seem to like Tomas or at least, seem to like that he was keeping Blair away from Todd.  “When will you be back?”

“If I know Tracy, this may be a few days.  I’m sorry, but AJ has never had much support from within the family.  He really needs me there,” Skye said, playing on the affection she knew Tea had for the man who said he was her brother.

“Of course, I completely understand,” Tea told her, playing right into Skye’s hand.  With that, Skye took her daughter’s hand, promising her an ice cream sundae when they got back to Port Charles for not blowing Mommy’s cover.

****

Scott Baldwin had noted AJ Quartermaine in the hallway when he entered the court room.  He also noted the presence of Sonny and Michael Corinthos behind the prosecution’s side.  He smiled as he walked over and whispered encouragement to Blair, Viki and Starr on his side of the court.  Scotty took his place as his client was led in in a pricey suit accentuated by handcuffs.

“Your sister has good taste,” Scotty observed, attempting to lighten the mood.

“And she bought it from the right department,” Todd clucked back.  He turned and looked at Blair.  She offered him an encouraging smile as she placed her hand on his shoulder.  Starr did the same, sparing a glance towards Michael.  He boyfriend only offered a stony glare.

The judge arrived and read the charge sheet.  “How do you plead?”

“My client pleads not guilty, Your Honor,” Scotty informed the court.

“So noted,” the judge replied.  “From what I’m reading here, Mr. Manning has vast monetary resource available to him.  As such, bail is denied.  He will be remanded to Pentonville State Prison for the duration of his trial.”

“With all due respect your honor, I have an alternate solution,” Scotty said.  Looking over to Sonny, whose presence unwittingly helped Scott, he said, “If Mr. Manning is sent to Pentonville, I fear for his safety.  His accuser has a connection to a known mob boss, who is present here right now.  I have grave concerns that if Mr. Manning is sent to jail, he may never make it to trial.”

The judge looked over at Sonny then back at Scott.  “I’m guessing you have a solution, Mr. Baldwin?”

“As a part of his pardon deal over twenty years ago, Mr. Manning was made to wear an ankle monitor, so it is a situation that he is very familiar with.  His ex-wife, Blair Cramer, is willing to pay the bail and take responsibility for him if he were to be released.  She has set up a place for her, Mr. Manning and their daughter here in Port Charles.  I ask the court to release Mr. Manning into Ms. Cramer’s custody with an ankle monitor.”  He saw the judge wavering.  “There is already a restraining order out for the alleged victim’s protection and the residence is at least one mile from the MetroCourt Hotel.  I only ask this with concern for my client’s safety.”

 The judge looked back at Sonny, who was now staring daggers at Todd, not even trying to mask his contempt.  “After there is an evaluation of this residence, I would be amenable to that.  Until then, Mr. Manning will be taken back to the PCPD.  Court is adjourned.”

Scott asked the bailiff for a minute before they took Todd away.  While he was relieved to be getting out soon, he had to roll his eyes at the conditions.  “Now I’m the housebound lump, huh?” he asked his sister.

“Looks that way,” Viki said, a smirk on her face.

“I’ll see what kind if rush I can get on this evaluation.  Hopefully, we can have you home by tomorrow morning,” Scott said.  Everyone nodded and Todd was led away.  Then he turned to Blair.  “I looked over those papers you gave me.  Todd’s lawyers did well.  They have no means to throw ME out of the MetroCourt, so long as Todd doesn’t go there.”

“Well, when Todd gets out, he can still run the business from the apartment.  I’ll be the point woman at ME,” Blair said.  “Let us know when you hear anything.”

Scott left and the women followed.  Michael and his father walked out and right past Starr.  In the hallway, Michael paused when he saw AJ.  He then turned and followed his father. 

Starr saw the pain in AJ’s face.  It was a look she was all too familiar with.  It looked like because of her father, AJ may have lost his son.  “I’m sorry,” she said to him.

“I’ve hit rougher patches with Michael,” he assured her.  “What happened inside?”

“They’re going to do an evaluation of the place and if all goes well, Todd will be released on an ankle monitor,” Blair said.  “Back to the beginning, I guess.”  When AJ gave her a curious look, Blair said, “He was still wearing one the night I met him.”  She rolled her shoulders.  “Would you like to come back with us to the apartment?  I know you said you had things to talk to us about.”

“Yes, please.  I just want to know anything there was to Todd and Carly’s relationship.  I have a feeling it may sound familiar to me,” AJ said to them.     

In His Corner-Chapter 9

Chapter 9

“So you’re dumping me too?” Todd asked Scott as the lawyer sat down in from of him.

“What?” Baldwin asked, confused.  Then what Todd had said processed through his head and he shook it quickly.  “Hell, no.  This is the case I’ve been looking for for a while.  But at the same time, it brings up some of my own history.  If you’ll allow me?” At Todd’s begrudging nod, Scott continued.  “When I was fresh out of law school, I married a girl who wasn’t even out of high school.  She was beautiful and sweet and kind-hearted.  Well, I was working at my dad’s law firm, long hours, money was tight and Laura, my wife, offered to help with the bills by getting a job.  I didn’t like it and liked it even less when she went to work at a disco.  In fact, I expressly forbade her from working there.  But she was stubborn and insisted on doing it.”

“Her boss, he was connected to the local mob boss.  He also had begun to develop a crush on Laura.  Well, one night, his boss ordered him to kill someone.  The guy was wracked with guilt and after the club closed up, Laura saw the guy was not doing so good.  He was also drinking himself into doing the hit.  Laura asked what was wrong but the guy wouldn’t open up about it.  He did, though, confess that he had fallen in love with her and to stall what he had been ordered to do, he begged her to dance with him.”

“I’ve never been certain of how things escalated from there, but he kept trying to get closer and she started to get frightened, but he…wouldn’t stop.  She kept saying no and he still wouldn’t stop.”

Todd eyes closed, the image of the room in the KAD house beginning to overwhelm him.

“She never really admitted to me or her parents what he did to her.  I figured it out and went after him, but she defended him.  They eventually went on the run together and a few years later, ended up getting married.  They even have two kids.”

“IS THIS WOMAN SICK?” Todd roared.  “Getting involved in…marrying…”  He couldn’t even fathom the words.  For a minute, images of Victor and Marty danced in his head.

Scott wasn’t prepared for Todd’s reaction.  “I never understood it myself, but Laura, that was the type of person she was and still is,” he said, calmly.  “The point here Manning, isn’t the act, it’s the perpetrator.  Its Carly’s uncle, Luke Spencer.  It just so happens that I had a little chat with him before coming here.”

Todd truly didn’t know what to say about learning about Luke Spencer’s past.  But he did remember the man.  “He warned me about meeting the real Carly.”

“Well, he and she don’t have a great relationship.  When she first hit town, from what I’m told, he was the one who figured out she was his sister’s kid and held it over her head for a long time.  Bobbie, Luke’s sister, wasn’t too pleased with that secret being kept from her by the two of them.”  Then Scott smiled.  “Anyway, I started to plant seeds of doubt with him.  He’s already generally suspicious of her.  It can only help you.”

Todd sat back and crossed his arms.  He didn’t like the direction his lawyer was taking and he said so.  “Baldwin, while I absolutely deny…what I’m accused of…I don’t deny that I hurt her.  I think you need to back off this plan of attack.”

“What are you saying?”

Todd let out a sigh as he stood up.  “Maybe I led her on.  She was someone who was a friend.  She shared things with me…her concern when her son’s father came back, her sorrow over the dead hitman, even what she thought had happened to Sam’s kid.”

“And how did you react?”

“I did what I thought was right.  I listened.  I advised.  She told me so much about herself,” Todd said.  But in thinking about it, she hadn’t revealed much more about herself than he has about himself.

“And what did you tell her about yourself?”

“That I had a daughter and a son.  That my sister may forgive me for killing my brother eventually,” Todd recollected.  “Stuff about Blair.”

“Did you tell her about the rape?”

“She saw a good in me.  Why would I tell her that?”

“Did anyone else in town know about it?”

Todd thought for a minute.  “I’d guess Sam Morgan and her weirdo partner may have.  Especially after the births.  Sam almost brought in up in front of Carly right after Christmas.”

Scott wrote down a few notes.  “When you first met her, what did she know about you?”

Todd closed his eyes, remembering their first meeting.  He let out a short laugh.  “When we first met, I had skipped out of Llanview because my daughter had been in an accident.  I needed a hotel room and anonymity, so I paid in cash with no name and assurances of no trouble.”  He turned back to Scott.  “When I got back here after your magnificent job, she had read up on me.  She knew who my father was and what I was, a newspaper publisher.”

“Did she say anything about Victor Lord?”

“No, not until today, in fact.”  At Scott’s look, he expounded.  “She made a comment about the old man just as my sister heard it.  It was not a pleasant exchange, from what Blair told me.”

The shark smile appeared again on Scott’s face.  “Then that’s how we’ll go.”  He put his things back in his briefcase.  “I’ll see you in a bit.  I have some things to look into.”  He left before Todd could say other word.

******

Starr found her mother behind the desk at ME.  Subconsciously, she knew her mother was a businesswoman, but it had never been very evident in her lifetime.  She found it comforting, though, that Blair was looking out for her father’s interest despite everything.

“Mom,” she said as she walked in.  “They took the police tape down from around Dad’s room and I was told we can get his stuff now.”

Blair only nodded and headed for the suite.  After Starr slid the keycard into the door, the two women entered and looked around.  It was still a bit of a mess.  “Okay, I’ll go into the bedroom and pack up his suitcases.”  Blair walked in and couldn’t take a step further.  The bed was unmade, the sheets in a pile.  She didn’t want to think about anything Todd had done there.  She back up and turned to Starr.  “Um, why don’t you tackle the bedroom, I’ll look through here.”

Starr nodded and wrote something on a piece of paper.  “Here’s the code for the wall safe.  Knowing Dad, he’s got things in there.”  She headed past her mother and Blair walked around the room looking for the safe.  When she found it, she inputted the code and opened it up.  Inside were stacks of bills but it didn’t seem like much else.  Blair removed them but then found a small box behind them.  Her breath caught in her throat.

He still had the ring he had tried to give her in the summer.  She picked it up and opened it.  It truly was a magnificent piece.  Big without being gaudy.  Memories flooded back to her.  This is the ring that you deserve.  This is the ring you should be wearing.  Yes, because it is bigger!  And because it is mine! 

And what would have happened if she had taken that ring?  She knew he had a secret that night.  But just how many were there?

She must have been staring at the ring for a while, because Starr came back into the living area with the bags packed.  “Mom?” she asked cautiously.

“Yes, baby girl?”

Starr saw what her mother was holding.  “It really is beautiful.  Say this about Dad, he has excellent taste in jewelry.”

Blair couldn’t answer.  “You about ready?”

“Yeah, I think so,” Starr replied.

They did one more go around of the room and were leaving when, as they opened the door, Carly was standing there in front of it.

“What the hell are you doing here, Carly?” Blair demanded.  “Returning to the scene of the crime?”

“I was just making sure you cleared out of here,” she informed them, indignation in her eyes.

Blair noted the master keycard in her hand.  “Were you just gonna come in here unannounced?”

“It’s my hotel,” Carly stated.

“But Jax gave it to you,” a new voice said.  “Sorry, old argument in my family.  My dad gave my mom our house as a wedding present and she hasn’t let the Quartermaines forget it ever since.”  AJ shrugged and smirked.  “It just sounded familiar.”

Carly wheeled at AJ.  “Keep your nose out of this.  It has nothing to do with you.”

“In a direct sense,” AJ agreed.  “Ms. Cramer, Starr, I was wondering if we could talk?”

Blair looked at her watch.  “Actually, we have to get to the courthouse.  Todd’s arraignment is soon.”

“Allow me to drive you, please,” he pleaded gently.  “I was thinking about our conversation from last night and I have some questions.”

Blair looked to Starr for guidance.  She knew her daughter was wary of this man, but she herself wanted to talk to him.

Starr eyed AJ but then looked at Carly.  Something was making Michael’s mother nervous and she too wanted to know what it was.  Very slightly, she nodded to her mother.

Blair turned back and gave AJ a wide, bitchy smile.  “Thank you, Mr. Quartermaine, that is most generous,” she replied in her sweetest, most syrupy Southern tone.  The three left together but before turning the corner, Blair said to Carly, “I guess I’ll be seeing you shortly.  I’m sure you’ll want to look at the man you’ve falsely accused of rape in the face.”  Then, they disappeared from Carly’s sight.