Thursday, February 7, 2013

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.     

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