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Post by Admin on Nov 27, 2021 0:21:55 GMT -7
Chapter Thirty-Six
3 weeks later:
“Hey”, Jason said.
“Hey yourself”, Elizabeth said before he kissed her.
“Where are the kids”, Jason asked?
“Lindy is taking a nap”. “The boys are out in the backyard”, Elizabeth said.
“I love you”, Jason said.
“I love you too”, Elizabeth replied.
“I am glad that we are here in Port Angeles”. “I’m glad that we made the trip into a vacation”. “We can now be happy”, Jason said.
“I am too”, Elizabeth said. “When are you going to deal with…”?
“Soon”, Jason said. “Have you decided about the boys and school”?
“Yeah”, Elizabeth said. “I am not going to go back to work”. “I am going to be a stay at home mom”.
“What about school”, Jason asked?
“I asked Cam what he wanted; he asked about being homeschooled”. “I told him that we would look into it”, Elizbaeth said.
Jason nodded.
_______________________
Begin flashback:
“How did you get in here, Siobhan demanded?
Wouldn’t you like to know, Courtney said.
Yes, I would like to know how you get into my house, Siobhan said again?
We need to talk, Courtney said.
About what? What could you and I possibly have to talk about with each other, Siobhan demanded?
You, aborting your husband’s child, Courtney said. And why would you do that since you claim to love him so much?
Siobhan remained silent.
Don’t believe that I knew about that did you, Courtney said? She then showed Siobhan video proof of what had happened. Believe me now?
Siobhan didn’t answer.
…………
You can leave now, Siobhan said.
You are going to help Carly and I find Elizabeth and get her away from Jason, Courtney said.
No can do, Siobhan said. Before escorting Courtney right out the door”.
End flashback:
________________________
Greystone:
“Corinthos”, Sonny said, answering his cell phone.
“Sonny, it’s Alexis”, Alexis said.
“What’s going on”, Sonny asked?
“Can you get a message to Elizabeth for me”, Alexis asked? “It’s important”.
“I will”, Sonny said. “I will have her call you as soon as possible”.
“Thanks”, Alexis said.
_______________________
Morgan home:
“Morgan”, Jason said, answering his cell phone after it started ringing.
“It’s me”, Sonny said.
“Hey what’s up”, Jason asked?
“Alexis called me”. “She asked if I could have Elizabeth call her”. “Alexis said that it was important”, Sonny said.
“I will give her the message”, Jason said.
“Good”, Sonny said.
…………
“Alexis would like you to call her”, Jason told his wife later.
“I will call her now”, Elizabeth said before going to call Alexis.
…………
“Lansing residence”, Alexis said. When the house phone rang.
“Alexis it’s”, Elizabeth.
“Hi”, Alexis said. “I am sorry to bother you”.
“It’s not a problem”. “What do you need”, Elizabeth asked?
“You heard about Jax”, Alexis asked?
“Yeah”. “Kate is a monster”, Elizabeth said.
“Yeah she is”, Alexis said. “Elizabeth, Jax left you his business holdings as well as all of his personal holdings, aside from what he left to his brother”.
“Wow”, was all that Elizabeth could say.
“Have Alex call me”, Alexis said. “She will be able to advise you”.
“I will”, Elizabeth said. “Thanks”. “I will talk to you soon”.
……………
“So what’s going on”, Jason asked?
“She was Jax’ attorney of record”, Elizabeth said.
Jason nodded.
“What he didn’t leave to Jerry, he left to me”, Elizabeth said.
“Wow”, Jason said.
“That’s what I said”, Elizabeth replied. “I’ll have to arrange for Alex to call Alexis”.
Jason nodded.
_______________________
A warehouse in PA:
“Hello Kate”, Jason said. “Or should I call you Connie”?
Kate remained silent.
“I guess that you’ve met Mr. Rand”, Jason said.
“What do you want”, Kate demanded?
“Answers”, Jason said. “And I will know if you are lying to me”.
“Like hell you would”, Kate said.
“Wrong”, Jason said. “Eziekel was friends with Hernando”.
Kate audibly gulped.
“So shall we begin”, Jason asked?
Kate just glared at them.
“When did your mother start working for the Riveras”, Jason asked Kate?
“When I turned 7”, Kate said. “It was eight months before Lily’s mother died”.
“You mean 8 months before you murdered Lily’s mother, don’t you Connie”, Jason said.
Rand looked at Kate with a raised eyebrow.
Kate glared at Rand; then said: “yes damn it”.
“Why”, Jason asked Kate?
“Because; she wouldn’t allow me to come with my mother on weekends”, Kate said. “She hated me”.
“That is not entirely the truth”, Rand said.
Jason nodded for him to continue.
“Kate is correct that Elena hated Connie; but Elena had a very good reason”, Rand said.
Jason looked at Kate.
“Elena didn’t want Connie on the property because she was protecting her daughter from Connie”, Rand said.
“Why”, Jason asked?
“Kate liked to hurt animals and children who didn’t cater to her or didn’t like her”, Rand said. “Elena had had her and her mother investigated”.
“Anything to say Connie”, Jason asked?
Kate didn’t answer.
“Elena found out that Connie was bullying Lily at school”. “That is why Elena told Connie’s mother that Connie wasn’t allowed on the Rivera property”, Rand said. “But Elena also suspected something else”.
“What”, Jason asked?
“She had a suspicion that Connie had murdered her father, then framed the housekeeper for the crime”, Rand said.
“Was she able to find out”, Jason asked while looking at Kate?
“No”, Rand said. “She died before she could”. “But she left me a letter”.
Kate’s eyes got big at that statement.
“What did she request of you”, Jason asked?
“To promise to find out the truth about Connie”, Rand said.
Kate just glared at Rand. She had not known about the fact that he had been friends with Elena Rivera.
“Did you find what she wanted”,Jason asked his friend?
“Yes”, Rand said. “But it took me quite a few years”.
“Did you find out anything else”, Jason asked?
“Oh yeah”, Rand said, eyeing Kate. “I found a treasure trove of information about things that Connie had committed as a child and young adult”.
Jason nodded. “Who contacted you about my wife”, Jason asked Kate?
“Jennifer Webber”, Kate said.
“Son of a ———”, Jason said. “How do you know Jennifer Webber”?
“She was my childhood friend”, Kate said. “She’s also been through what I have”, Kate said.
Jason was speechless.
“I want you to tell me everything that you did for Jennifer Webber”, Jason said a while later.
“Why should I tell you anything else”, Kate demanded?
“Because I am the one who controls when and how you die”, Jason said, matter of fact.
………
Kate finally caved. She then told Jason and Rand everything.
…………
In another room in the warehouse, Rand asked: “what are you going to do with her”?
“I am going to make sure that she’s found guilty for Jax’ murder; then I am going to let the authorities in South America have her”, Jason said.
“I will let you have what I found”, Rand said.
“I will arrange transport”, Jason said.
_________________________
Two days later:
“Welcome”, Elizabeth and Jason said to an entering Scorpio family.
“Thank you”, Mac said as he watched the girls hug Elizabeth.
“It is beautiful”, Stella said.
“Thanks”, Elizabeth said.
“We will leave you girls to talk”, Jason said.
………
“Your house is ready”, Jason told Mac.
“Thank you for that”, Mac said.
“How bad was it”, Jason asked?
“Bad”, Mac said. “After Floyd fired Stella, he came to me”. “He didn’t like my answer”.
“I am sorry about that Mac”, Jason said.
“You are not to blame for this anymore than Elizabeth is to blame”. “Carly and Mayor Floyd are the ones to blame”, Mac said.
…………
“So tell us about your trip out here”, Georgie asked?
Begin flashback:
They’re first stop was Rochester; and picking up Audrey, Jake and Cam. “Hello my dears”, Audrey said. “Grams”, Liz said. “Are you okay”? “Yes, Cam, Jake and I are just fine”, Audrey answered. “Are you ready for your trip Cam”, Jason asked? Are you ready Jake? “Yes daddy; let’s go!”, Cam demanded. “Yup”, Jake said. ………………… So everyone got loaded and Jason spoke to Paulie: “You know what to do”, Jason said. “The “package” is waiting at Rand’s”. “I will meet you in Port Angeles”, Paulie said. “We’ll see you when we get there”, Jason said. Paulie said goodbye to everyone and watched as the vans drove away. He then drove to the airport;catching his flight to WA.
End flashback:
“What was the package that was waiting here”, Maxie asked? “Something that Jason needed”,was all, Elizabeth said.
Begin flashback:
En-route to Pittsburgh: While they traveled; Elizabeth was worried about Francis. He’d told her about Jenny. They’d been dating in high school, then she’d been killed by a drunk driver. She could tell that he was lonely; but he wouldn’t let her set him up. Well she was ready to try again; and she knew the perfect person: Alexandra. She’d already started to drop hints to Alex; and Alex thought he was cute. Francis sat watching his surrogate little sis. He knew what she was up to and he loved her for it. But he and Alex were already acquainted. He’d let Lizzie-bell in on it before they arrived in Port Angeles.
End flashback:
“Poor Francis”, Georgie said. “Yeah”, Elizabeth said. “You will find more out later”.
Begin flashback:
Pittsburgh, PA: After putting Cam to bed, Jason showed Liz pictures of the house. “WOW! It’s huge”, Liz answers. “Yes, but with Cam, Jake and Lindy and this new little one; we’ll need it”. “And I wanted you to have a room to paint in”, Jason said. “I love you”, Liz said. “I love you too”, Jason said. “You will give your input on furniture, I will not decorate that house alone”, Liz informed her husband. “I’ll help”, Jason said. “Jason, what about Grams”, Liz asked? “Well, she can either live with us, or she can have a home of her own”. “It’s up to her”, Jason said. “Okay”, Liz said. And they fell asleep in each other’s arms. … … … … Liz was up before Jason, or so she thought. She pulled out her laptop and started looking for things for their house. Liz knew Jason liked simple; she wasn’t going for loud colors or prints. She would make sure Jason would be comfortable in their home. All she was doing right now was finding what she liked; then she’d show it to Jason before they purchased the pieces. … … … … Everyone met downstairs in the lobby; they were headed to breakfast, then to Sandcastle Waterpark. Jason hoped everyone would have fun. He especially hoped Liz, Cam, Jake and Lindy had fun. They deserved this. ………….. And they did have fun… they all did. They had spent the entire day @ the park. He made sure that everyone was able to enjoy the day. _________________________
Dinner @ Lucci’s Pizza: As everyone was finishing dinner Jason paid the check. Then they headed back to the hotel. He asked everyone to join him and Elizabeth in their room. “What’s going on”, Piph asked? “I wanted to tell you about Rand”. “You’ll meet him in Port Angeles”, Jason said. “His full name is Ezekiel Rand”. “But he prefers for everyone to call him Rand”, Jason said. “He’s ex-military: Special forces, Navy Seal and lastly he was a part of the British military”, Jason replied. “How did you meet”,Audrey asked, astounded? “One of my trips; even though I was gone, someone came after me”. “They tried to kill me”, Jason explained. “Rand saved my life”. ……………… “I was in Russia; they started shooting”. “Thank god the street was deserted or they would have killed someone”. “Rand just happened by right as the shooting started”. “When the dust settled, they were gone, and I’d been hit in the shoulder”, Jason stated. “So that’s where that scar came from”, Elizabeth said. “Yes; but he had also been hit”. “He had gone to Russia looking for answers as to who had killed his family”. “I got him out of the situation that he was in”. “Then he helped me when whoever it was came after me”, Jason said. “He got me out of the country; and we became friends”. “He told me if I ever needed help getting “out”, to let him know; he’s a very good friend”, Jason said with a smile. “I can’t wait to meet him”, Liz said. “He’s a good man”, Jason said as everyone started to excuse themselves. “Good night everyone”, Liz said as everyone headed to their own rooms. ____________ Before hitting the sack; Jason checked his email and found one from Sean… Jason, I will be waiting to hear that you are at your final destination. What did Bobbie and the Spencer family do now? Is my nephew alright? Bobbie called us frantic, because she couldn’t find him. Sean Jason emailed him back…. Sean, It would be better if I told you what they did in person. Yes, Lucas is fine. When he found out what his mother did he wanted to leave. He is in Port Angeles. Please keep that under your hat. Jason
End flashback:
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Post by Admin on Nov 27, 2021 0:23:11 GMT -7
Chapter Thirty-Seven
“Lucas is here”, Maxie asked? “Yes”, Elizabeth said. “But my husband has no intention of hurting Lucas”. “I didn’t think he would”, Maxie said. “Lucas offered to help”, Elizabeth said. “Wow”, Georgie said.
Begin flashback:
After breakfast the group decided to take Cam to the National Aviary to see the birds. A good time was had by all as they enjoyed each other’s company, and showed Cam all of the different and exotic birds.
End flashback:
“Did you hear”, Georgie asked? “Did we hear what”, Elizabeth asked? “Lucky married Siobhan McKenna at the prison”, Maxie said. “Wow”, Elizabeth said. “Why would she marry him”? “What would have been in it for her”? “We did hear about him marrying her, but not about the rest”. “No one knows”, Stella said. “It later came out that she was working for Helena”. “Oh boy”, Elizabeth said. “What did Helena want her to do I wonder”? No one could answer that.
………
“Also, Bobbie lost Kelly’s”, Georgie said. “What”? “How”, Elizabeth asked? “Not sure”, Maxie said. “But things got really bad”. “Aunt Bobbie had the health department called on her”. “Seems that she wasn’t up to code”. “Wow”, Elizabeth said.
…………
“Can I ask you a question”, Mac asked? “You don’t have to answer”. Jason nodded. “You can ask”, Jason said. “Do you have Courtney Matthews”, Mac asked? “If you do, I am not going to turn you in”. “I think that she and others need to be held accountable for what they did”. “Yes, I do have her”, Jason said. “I have questions that she has answers to”. “When I get those answers, she will be turned over to the authorities to face charges”. Mac nodded.
…………
“Is it true”, Maxie asked? “Is what true”, Elizabeth asked? “That your mother really isn’t Jennifer Webber”, Maxie asked? “Yes, it’s true”. “My biological mother was Lily Corinthos, who was Sonny’s first wife”, Elizabeth said. “Wow”, Georgie said.
Begin flashback:
Indianapolis, IN: Jason and entourage had just arrived in Indianapolis; and were heading to their hotel. As they rode up in the elevator, Liz thought back to what she’d been told about Luke: Flashback: “Ellie, I need to tell you something”, Jason said. He’d taken to calling her Ellie. “What honey”, Liz asked? “Will you sit down”, Jason asked? Elizabeth sat down and Jason joined her. “Luke was indicted”, Jason said. “On what”, Liz asked? “I was told on 3 counts of assault with a deadly weapon, 1 count of child endangerment, and attempted kidnapping”, Jason explained. “WOW”, Liz exclaimed. “Who’d he try to kidnap”, Liz asked? “They searched his cell; and found plans to break out and kidnap Cam”, Jason said. “But why”? “He’s not related to Luke”, Liz asked? “He was planning on taking Cam and, breaking out Laura and Lucky, then they’d disappear”, Jason informed her. End Flashback: Elizabeth hoped that Luke rotted in jail. He’d had plans to kidnap her sons!
____________________
Next day: “Daddy, where are we going today”, Cam asked? “We are going to Great Times Family Fun Park, Jason told his son”. He knew Cam was having fun on this trip, they all were. He loved spoiling his son. So a few minutes later they left for the park.
End flashback:
“We had fun there as well”, Maxie said. “I am glad”, Elizabeth said. “Did you know that Carly was tearing Port Charles apart looking for you”, Georgie said. “Yeah, we know”, Elizabeth said. “She didn’t want to find me to congratulate me”. “She wanted to find us so that she could get rid of the kids and I”. “WHAT”, Maxie said. “Yes, we found out that Carly wanted to have me and the kids killed”. “She wanted us away from Jason”, Elizabeth said. “Wow”, Stella said.
Begin flashback:
Indianapolis, IN: Later that evening → “Thanks for seeing them Gwen”, Kelly said as they walked into the clinic. “No thanks needed Kelly”, Gwen said. “You’re my friend”. “Okay, let’s check on this little bambino”, Gwen said. And with that she examined Liz; and then said: “Everything looks good”. “Do you want to listen to the baby’s heartbeat”, Gwen asked? “Yes, we would”. “How far along”, Liz asked? “10 weeks”, Gwen said. “10 weeks; the night of the 2nd blackout”, both Jason and Elizabeth said. And then they heard their baby’s heart. “Do you want to know the sex”, Gwen asked? Jason looked at Liz and Liz looked at him; then they said yes. Gwen looked, then she said: “it’s a girl”. “Congrats”. “Another girl”, the couple said with a smile.
End flashback:
“You’re having a girl”, Georgie said. “We didn’t know about the baby”? “We kept it quiet because of what was going on”, Elizabeth said. “Carly would have really tried to hurt us if she knew”. Stella nodded. “Congrats”, Maxie said. “Yes congratulations”, Georgie said. “Thanks”, Elizabeth said.
Begin flashback:
Chicago, IL: Jason and his group had arrived in Chicago safely. They got their rooms, freshened up and went sightseeing. After that they headed to dinner, then just hung out. ********* “Morning”, Liz said to her husband. “What do you have planned for today”? “This morning we’re going to the Historic Navy Pier; then after lunch us adults are going to the Museum of Con Temp Art”, Jason said. “Okay, we should get ready then”. “Cam will love the ships”, Liz said. ……………… And she’d been right. Cam had loved the ships. He was fascinated with them. He told his parents that he wanted to be a sailor. Liz had just smiled. And the adults had enjoyed the Museum. Audrey and Piph had stayed with the children. She had enjoyed Cam time.
End flashback:
Begin flashback:
Madison, WI:
They had spent the morning playing mini golf @ Vitense Mini Golf. Audrey and Piph had kicked everyone’s collective asses. But it was fun. They spent the afternoon wandering the local shops. Everyone found something they liked.
………
The group was now at Ice age Scenic Trail. they were learning a lot; and Jason and Cameron were having a blast. Elizabeth was happy that Jason was bonding with Cam. That was the one thing that Lucky had never done. He had always looked at Cam like he was an outsider.
End flashback:
“We only got as far as Chicago”, Maxie said. “Why”, Elizabeth asked? “We were being followed”, Georgie said. “Yeah, I heard about that”, Elizabeth said. “I was with Jason when your dad called”. “We are thankful that Jason was able to send people to help”, Stella said. “We weren’t followed the rest of the way”. Elizabeth nodded.
Begin flashback:
Minneapolis, MN:
Jason and the troop had gotten in last night. Today they were going to Vertical Endeavors. He hoped everyone would have fun.
Audrey hoped that Jason would continue to spoil Elizabeth, Cameron, Jake, Lindy as well as the new baby. They deserved it. Audrey only wished that Steve was here to see it.
……....
Saint Paul, MN: Cafesjian Carousel-
“Wow”, Elizabeth said. “I will have to draw this”.
“Yes, you will”, Jason said. “Take pictures”.
“Mom”, Cameron said. “These are really old”.
“Yes, they are”. “The correct term for that is antique”, Elizabeth said. She then took pictures from every angle.
“Can we ride it”, Cameron asked?
“Yes, we are going to ride the carousel”, Elizabeth said. “And Grams is going to take pictures so that we will have something to remember”.
Everyone had fun on the carousel. Even Audrey rode once around the classic carousel.
…………
Minneapolis, MN:
“What are we going to do while we are here”, Cam asked?
“We are going to see some sights and we are also going to hit the Mall of America”, Elizabeth said.
“Cool”, Cameron said. “Can I get something if I find something I like”?
“I don’t see why not”, Jason said.
“Okay”, Cameron said. “I’m glad you came too”, Paulie said. “Will you marry me tonight”?
“Yes”, Lainey said
___________________
“What’s up”, Jason asked Paulie when he called everyone together?
“We want to get married tonight”, Paulie said while holding Lainey’s hand.
Jason just laughed and then everyone started planning.
_________________________
“We are gathered together on this day to witness and celebrate the marriage of Paulie Fernandez and Lainey Winters. We come together not to mark the start of a relationship, but to acknowledge and strengthen a bond that already exists. This ceremony is a public affirmation of that bond and as their dearest family and friends, it is our honor and privilege to stand witness to this event. This day is made possible not only because of your love for each other, but through the grace and support of your family and friends. It is our hope that your fulfillment and joy in each other will increase with each passing year. Marriage is a commitment in life, where two people can find and bring out the very best in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other human relationship can equal, a physical and emotional joining that has the promise of a lifetime. Let us bow our heads in prayer. Lord, we thank you for gathering everyone here today. We ask that you help Paulie and Lainey to remember the strong love that they share. To work that love into practical things so that nothing can divide them. May their love always inspire them to be kind in their words, considerate of the other’s feelings, and concerned for the other’s needs and wishes. Increase their faith and trust in You. Bless their marriage with peace and happiness and make their Love fruitful for Your glory and their joy, both here and in eternity. Amen. While the commitment begins with the two of you, its effect radiates outward. It touches your family and friends and ultimately all of society. When this commitment is seriously made and continuously fulfilled, it leads to the richest and most rewarding of human relationships. Your relationship will take more than love. It will take trust, to know in your hearts that you want only the best for each other. Dedication, to stay open to one another, to learn and grow, even when it is difficult to do so. And faith, to go forward together without knowing what the future holds for you both. While love is our natural state of being, these other qualities are not as easy to come by. They are not a destination, but a journey. Marriage is a give and take between two personalities, a mingling of two endowments which diminishes neither, but enhances both. Seeing that no moment is without meaning, we ask that you take this marriage as a beginning of your lives together. Today signifies the creation of a new home and a new family for you both. May you be fulfilled by each other’s love and friendship. May you be overjoyed by the promises you are about to make and the life together you will create. Remember that in every marriage, there are good times and bad, times of joy and times of sorrow. Marriage is a journey – a time of adventure and excitement enhanced by the love, trust, dedication and faith you share in one another. May the promises you make to one another today, be lived out to the end of your lives. Tomorrow can bring you the greatest of joys, but today is the day it all begins. Paulie and Lainey, do you, with your family and friends as your witnesses, present yourselves willingly and of your own accord to be joined in marriage? We do, the couple replied. Will you promise to care for each other in the joys and sorrows of life, come what may, and to share the responsibility for growth and enrichment of your life together? We Will, Paulie and Lainey said. Paulie, please repeat after me. I, Paulie, take you Lainey, to be my wedded wife I give to you in the presence of these witnesses My promise to stay by your side, In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, As well as through the good times and the bad. I promise to love you without reservation, Comfort you in times of distress Encourage you to achieve all of your goals, Laugh with you and cry with you, Grow with you in mind and spirit Always be open and honest with you, And cherish you for as long as we both shall live Lainey, please repeat after me I, Lainey, take you Paulie, to be my wedded husband I give to you in the presence of these witnesses My promise to stay by your side, In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, As well as through the good times and the bad. I promise to love you without reservation, Comfort you in times of distress Encourage you to achieve all of your goals, Laugh with you and cry with you, Grow with you in mind and spirit Always be open and honest with you, And cherish you for as long as we both shall live Having this love in your hearts, you have chosen to seal your vows by exchanging rings. From the earliest times, the circle has been a sign of completeness. The rings that you have chosen to wear have neither beginning nor end, much like your love for one another. They are a symbol of the words that you speak today. May these rings be from this day forward, your most treasured adornment, and may the love they symbolize, be your most precious possession. As you wear these rings, may they be constant reminders of these glad promises you are making today. Paulie, take this ring, place it on Lainey’s finger and repeat after me. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you. Lainey, take this ring, place it on Paulie’s finger and repeat after me. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you. Paulie and Lainey from this moment forward you will never be alone. You will carry with you the love of another person, giving you a completeness and renewed lightness. May your life together be immersed in love and excitement. May you strive to enrich each other in every possible way. And may you work to bring the peace you find to this world. Having pledged their fidelity to one another, to love, honor and cherish one another in the presence of this gathering and by the authority vested in me by the constitution and the laws of this state, it is my honor to now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to be the first to introduce you to: Mr. and Mrs. Paulie Fernandez”.
_______________________
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Post by Admin on Nov 27, 2021 0:24:03 GMT -7
Chapter Thirty-Eight
“What are you thinking”, Leyla said?
“How best to protect Elizabeth and the kids”, Marco said. “They are family”.
“Is the Spencer family still a threat”, Leyla asked?
“Possibly”, Marco said.
“You’ll do your best”, Leyla said.
“I will”, Marco replied.
__________________
“What are we going to do today dad”, Cam asked?
“Well; what would you say to go karts and bumper cars”, Jason asked?
“Cool”, Cam said.
“And while you are doing that, us girls are going to go and play mini golf”, Elizabeth said.
“Have fun mom”, Cam said.
“We will”, Elizabeth said.
........
The group had fun. Jason and the men had fun driving go karts and bumper cars. And the ladies had fun talking smack and playing mini golf.
.......
Francis stood and said: “I have an announcement”.
Everyone turned to listen to Francis.
“Elizabeth; you don’t need to worry about setting me up with anyone”, Francis said.
“Why”, Elizabeth asked?
“Because I’m already seeing someone”, Francis said.
“Who”, Elizabeth said?
“Your attorney”, Francis said.
“I’ll be damned”, Elizabeth muttered with a smirk. “How long”?
“About 6 months”, Francis said with a smirk of his own.
Elizabeth just rolled her eyes.
_________________
Next day:
“What are we doing today mom”, Cam asked?
“We are going to go to the Red River Zoo”. “I think that your little brother will love the animals”, Elizabeth said.
“What else”, Cam asked?
“The Fargo Air Museum”, Jason told his son.
“Wow”, Cam said.
“Well, let's eat breakfast and then get going”, Jason said.
“Yeah, let’s go mom”, Cam said.
........
So they ate breakfast and then headed to the zoo.
......
“Well we now know some of the animals Jake likes”, Elizabeth said. They had found that he liked the Red Pandas, the North American River Otters, the camels, and the owls.
They ate lunch and then headed to the museum.
.......
It was at the Fargo Air Museum that they found out that Cam not only had a love of trains, but he also had a love of airplanes. Jason would make sure to support that love.
.......
Once the kids were down for the night, Jason sat the adults down.
“What’s up”, Spinelli asked?
“I wanted to show all of you the homes I set up for you”, Jason said.
“Show us”, Piph said.
“So”, Jason showed them their homes.
.......
“What are you writing”, Johnny asked entering their room?
“An application for Olympic Medical Center”, Kelly said.
“Do you think that they will hire you”, Johnny asked? “I hope so”.
“I think so”, Kelly said. “Leyla, Piph, Nadine and Lainey are doing the same”.
“Jason is setting up his corporation offices, so we will have jobs as well”, Johnny said.
“Good”, Kelly said as she finished the application.
End flashback:
“That would have been fun”, Maxie said. “We all got to enjoy it as a vacation”, Elizabeth said. “We are glad”, Stella said. “Also, have you heard about Lucky’s attorney being found dead”, Maxie asked? “No”, Elizabeth said. “Do they know who killed him, or did he die of natural causes”? “Mac said that he was found with bullet wounds”, Stella said. “Wow”, Elizabeth said.
Begin flashback:
Bismarck, ND:
“Good morning”, Jason said.
“Good morning”, everyone said as he walked into what was their floor’s waiting area.
“What are we doing today daddy”, Cameron asked?
“We are going to Raging Rivers Water Park”, Jason said.
“Cool”, Cameron said. “I get to go swimming”.
“Yes you do”, Elizabeth said.
…………
“What are we going to do mommy”, Cameron said?
“We us ladies as well as you, Jake and Lindy are going to go play over there at Aqua Play Area”, Elizabeth said.
“What about daddy and the rest of them”, Cameron asked?
“They are going to go do the Speed Slides and the River Run Tube Slide”, Elizabeth said. “Is that alright”?
“Yes”, Cameron said. “ Jake, Lindy and I are not big enough to go with them”.
Jason smiled and said: “have fun”.
“We will”, Elizabeth said before the men headed to scream.
“Let’s go get wet mommy”, Jake said.
Elizabeth nodded as the ladies and the two boys and her little lady headed to have some fun.
…………
Billings:
“What are you thinking so hard about”, Jason asked his wife?
“What do you think about my Grams and Rand”, Elizabeth asked?
Jason knew that look. His wife was planning on setting Audrey up with Rand. He didn’t know if it would work but it sure as hell would be fun to watch.
“I am not going to stop you; but just be careful”. “I would hate to see either of them get hurt”, Jason said.
“I’ll be careful”, Elizabeth said.
………
Geyser Park, Billings MT:
“What are we doing mom”, Cameron asked?
“Well first we are going to play golf”, Elizabeth said. “Then us ladies and you kids are going to go to the arcade”. “While we are going that, the men are going to go and do that Laser Maze”.
“Cool”, Cameron said. “I can’t wait”.
……………
Well they all had fun playing golf. Then Elizabeth and the fellow ladies took Cameron, Lindy and Jake to the arcade, while the men went to play laser tag.
…………
“That was a good day”, Audrey said. “I am glad that you thought to make this trip into a vacation for the kids”. “We have all been able to show them some historic sites as well as all of us having fun”.
“We didn’t tire you out did we Audrey”, Jason asked?
“No”, Audrey said. “I paced myself so I wouldn’t tire out”. “And I am enjoying seeing my great grand babies have fun”.
Jason nodded.
End flashback:
Begin flashback:
Billings, MT:
“Where are we going today dad”, Cameron asked?
“We are going to Pictograph State park”, Jason said. “We are going to look at the caves”.
“Cool”, Cameron said.
……………
Well everyone had a grand time at the park. Audrey even enjoyed seeing the drawings that were on the walls. She was also happy to see that Elizabeth was able to enjoy the trip. Her granddaughter had had so much happen to her; and for a long time she was sad. Audrey was now glad that she had Jason in her life.
…………
Billings, MT:
“Good morning”, Jason said. “How is my beautiful wife this morning”?
“Ready to do our next activity”, Elizabeth said. “I am going to have lots of pictures to have developed once we get to Port Angeles”. “So what are we doing today”?
“We are staying here at the hotel”. “We are going to go to The Reef for the day”. “I figured that we needed a day to cut loose”, Jason said. “Then tomorrow for our last day in Billings, we are going to take the kids to ZooMontana”.
Elizabeth smiled. Her husband was making sure that the kids had a memorable trip. “They will love that; as well as what we are doing today”, Elizabeth said.
“I know”, Jason said. “We’d best get up and get everyone ready”.
…………
“Well”, Piph said. “I had fun”.
“I think we all did”, Kelly said. “Especially the kids”.
“So what is the plan for tomorrow”, Lainey asked?
“Well; we will pack up in the morning”. “From here we are going to ZooMontana”, Jason said. “We will leave for Missoula from the zoo”.
Everyone nodded.
…………
ZooMontana:
“Mom, look”, Cameron said.
“That’s an American bald eagle”, Elizabeth said. “That is our nation’s national bird”.
“Wow”, Cameron said.
“And they mate for life”, Audrey told her great grandson.
“Cool”, Cameron said.
…………
“Momma”, Jake said pointing. “What’s that”?
“That is a Red Panda”, Elizabeth said. “They come from Asia”.
“Cute”, Jake said. “I want one”.
Elizabeth laughed.
“We will see if we can find you a stuffed one”, Jason told his son.
Jake just nodded. “Panda”, he said.
………
After that they wandered the Zoo and showed the kids the other animals. Everyone had a good day.
…………
“Everyone ready”, Jason asked as they got into the vans for the next leg of their trip?
“Yes”, everyone said as they got in.
“Let’s go”, Jason said.
…………
Missoula, MT:
I mentioned to Rand that he might find a friendship with Audrey, Jason told Elizabeth.
Did you, Elizabeth said. What did he say?
He didn’t, Jason said. But I could tell that he was intrigued.
Elizabeth smiled. I hope this works. My Grams deserves to be happy.
That she does, Jason said.
He also said something else, Jason said.
What, Elizabeth asked?
He and Audrey have apparently been having phone conversations, Jason said.
They have, have they, Elizabeth said. Interesting.
………
Good morning, Jason said as they all sat down for breakfast.
Good morning was everyone else’s response.
What are we doing today mommy, Cameron asked?
We are going to go play paintball, Elizabeth said.
Okay, Cameron said.
I am going to stay here, Piph said.
I will as well, Audrey said. We will keep Jake and Lindy.
Alright, Elizabeth said.
………
Missoula, MT:
HORSEY, Jake yelled when they saw the carousel horses at Dragon Hollow.
Wow, Elizabeth said.
I thought you would want to draw these as well, Jason said.
They are beautiful, Elizabeth said.
I knew that you would think that, Jason said.
………
Welcome to Dragon’s Hollow, my name is Rich and I will be your guide today. First let me tell you about our history here at Dragon’s Hollow
MAGIC IS MADE BY VOLUNTEERS
“If you will give it a home, and promise no one will ever take it apart, I will build A Carousel for Missoula.” That was the promise Missoula cabinet-maker Chuck Kaparich made to the Missoula City Council in 1991. Kaparich, who had spent many childhood hours on the carousel at Columbia Gardens in Butte, Montana, had already carved four carousel ponies and had purchased an antique frame in thousands of pieces. The Council agreed and Kaparich’s dream of A Carousel for Missoula became the dream of a community.
A board of directors was formed to facilitate organization and fundraising, Kaparich taught others to carve, mechanics began the process of restoring 16,066 pieces if the antique frame and motor, painters were recruited, and Missoula began working together to create a treasure.
By Opening Day, May 27, 1995, over 100,000 hours of volunteer time had gone into the construction of 38 permanent ponies; three replacement ponies; two chariots; 14 gargoyles, gargoyle frames and mirror frames; and the largest band organ in continuous use in the United States, all within a jewel box building.
Community members donated time, services, materials and encouragement. School children collected over one-million pennies to adopt four ponies; stained glass artists constructed shimmering windows; mechanics poured Babbitt; majestic horses’ heads emerged from blocks of wood; and people found lasting friendships among the woodchips. The community extended as far as Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where the Midnight Rose Carvers built a friendship horse for Missoula. The story of the Carousel includes wood and metal, concrete and colored glass, hearts and hands, and countless hours of loving labor.
The spirit of giving which created the Carousel didn’t end when the building opened. Volunteers carve ponies for other carousels and local not-for-profit organizations, and restore ponies for antique carousels. The mechanical crew donates time to keep the machine in tip top condition, and many others help improve and maintain the Carousel as a gift to the community.
In the spring of 2001, over 4,000 volunteers gathered to create Dragon Hollow Playarea next to the Carousel in just nine days. A grassy field became a magical playland, again with the help of the entire community, and friends from around the world.
Wow, Audrey said. All I can say is very impressive and very beautiful.
Thank you, Rich said. We know that our community really enjoys it.
Are you still adding things, Elizabeth asked?
Yes we are, Rich said. Our founder has more ideas. I welcome you to look around and explore for yourself. The carousel Weill also be available if anyone would like a ride.
Thank you, Jason said. The kids would enjoy that.
Are we allowed to take photos, Elizabeth asked? I’m an artist and would like to paint a mural of these in my daughter’s room, if that is alright?
Yes, by all means you are allowed to take photos. We would also love to see what your finished mural looks like, Rich said.
Thank you, Elizabeth said as they began to wander around the carousel.
End flashback:
“Tell me that you are going to paint the carousel horses”, Georgie asked?
“Yes, I plan to”, Elizabeth said. “It will take me time though”.
Begin flashback:
Boise, ID:
So what are we doing tomorrow, Elizabeth asked Jason?
It’s a surprise, Jason said. But I guarantee that Cam is going to love it.
……………
Everyone returned from eating dinner, each heading in their own directions. Elizabeth and Jason got the kids in bed and then went into the hotel room’s living room.
Where are we going, Elizabeth asked Jason again?
You will have to wait until tomorrow to find that out, Jason said.
End flashback:
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Post by Admin on Nov 27, 2021 0:25:03 GMT -7
Chapter Thirty-Nine
“So did you find out what Jason was keeping from you”, Stella asked? “Yup”, Elizabeth said. “But I won’t tell you how I got the information”.
Begin flashback:
Boise, ID:
“Morning buddy, Jason said when Cameron came out of the bedroom that he and Jake slept in. Good morning daddy, Cam said. What are we doing today daddy? It’s a surprise, Jason said; so you need to go and get dressed.
…………
Cam was frozen in place. His mom and dad knew of his love of all things trains. Now here he was in front of one. What do you think Came, Jason asked? Is it real, Cam asked his dad? Yeah, Jason said. I know that it isn’t Chuggin Charlie; but I hope that it’s close. I’ve outgrown Charlie, but I still love trains, Cam said. Thanks dad. You’re welcome Cameron, Jason said.
……………
Well, did you have fun, Elizabeth asked her oldest? Yes, Cam said. Does dad have anything planned for Jake? Yes, Elizabeth said. Tomorrow. Cool”, Cam said.
……………
Boise, ID:
“You ready Jake, Jason asked his son?
Can I open my eyes now, Jake asked his dad?
Yeah you can, Jason said.
Cool, Jake said. ZOO!
Everyone laughed at Jake’s reaction.
……
You did good Mr. Morgan, Elizabeth said. Cam even enjoyed it.
Jason smiled. Thanks. I wish that I could do something for Lindy, Jason said.
Lindy was happy too. She loved seeing the animals, Elizabeth said. Don’t worry so much”.
Jason nodded.
…………
Boise, ID:
“Where are we going, Jake asked his family?
Wait and see, Elizabeth told her son.
Jason was grinning like the Cheshire cat from Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland”.
…………
I’ve never seen him like that, Marco said.
He’s planning for the children. He’s doing things with them, Audrey said with a smile. Lucky never did that with them.
I am enjoying the show, Piph said.
We all are, Francis said with a grin of his own.
…………
FISH, Jake shouted at the top of his lungs. WAYS, Jake asked?
Yeah, Elizabeth said. Ray pool it is.
Cool, Cameron said. Do we get to feed them?
Yup, Jason said. Let’s go.
…………
It was a great day, Elizabeth said.
It was fun watching Jason and the kids, Audrey said.
He was happy, Elizabeth said. I want that for him. He missed out on so much with Cameron and Jake”.
End flashback:
“Where did you head next”, Maxie asked Elizabeth?
“We headed to Spokane, Washington”, Elizabeth said. “Jason planned several spots there to see”.
Begin flashback:
“Where are we going today dad, Cam asked?
Somewhere that all of us will enjoy, Jason said.
Okay, Cam said.
…………
Where are we, Cam asked once they got out of the car?
Read the sign, Elizabeth old Cam, pointing to a sign.
Cat Tales Zoological Park, Cam said. What’s that?
It’s a sanctuary for rescued big cats and other wildlife, Jason said.
What does that mean, Cam asked?
It’s a place where animals; such as circus animals, come when they can no longer perform, Jason said.
Okay, Cam said.
……………
It’s hard to believe that people would try to have tigers as pets, Marco said.
But they do, Audrey said. I have heard some horror stories about people like that. But I have also heard about people who want to give them a safe place to be.
What animals did you like Cam, Jason asked his son?
The Canada Lynx, The black bears, Siberian Tigers and the White Tiger, Cam said.
Jason nodded. Let go have lunch.
Okay, Cam said.
Jakie, Elizabeth said? What did you like?
TIGERS, TIGERS, TIGERS, Jake yelled at top volume.
Elizabeth laughed.
……………
That was good, Cam said, of lunch at Kalico Kitchen.
It was, Elizabeth said. Even Jake was happy with his meal.
Where are we going next, Cam asked?
Somewhere fun, Jason said as they got into the vehicles.
…………
When Jake saw where they were, he started jumping up and down. FUN, fun, fun, Jake chanted!
Cool, Cam said. I want to do the go karts.
We will see, Elizabeth said.
…………
Indeed, Cam was able to do the go karts, as well as the bumper boats. Even the men had fun. They made a competition out of it.
BOATS, BOATS, BOATS, Jake yelled at top volume.
……………
Well they are pooped, Elizabeth said.
That’s good, Jason said. How would you like to go out to a movie?
Just us, Elizabeth asked?
I was thinking of the adults, Jason said. Piph has volunteered to stay here with Audrey.
Okay, Elizabeth said. Let’s do it”.
_______________________
“We didn’t stop in Spokane”, Stella said. “We were still trying to make sure that we weren’t followed”.
“Carly just doesn’t know when to give up, does she”, Elizabeth asked?
“Only when she’s dead”, Maxie deadpanned.
“After that we headed to Yakima”, Elizabeth said. “We got to see an Arboretum that could rival Lila’s rose garden”.
Begin flashback:
“Wow, Elizabeth said. They were in Yakima, Washington. They were currently at the Yakima Area Arboretum.
I’m partial to Lila’s garden; but this would be a close second, Piph said.
I would have to say that you are wrong Piph, Audrey said. I have been in Lila’s garden. I have also been to the Arboretum that she and Edward helped put together. This is a very close third.
I agree with Grams, Elizabeth said.
So do I, Jason said. I am in love with my grandmother’s rose garden.
After that they all went to explore”.
End flashback:
“We totally agree with you; but I do have to say the flowers were awesome”, Elena said.
Stella nodded.
…………
“Did you find out who was following us”, Mac asked Jason?
“Yeah”. “It was a couple of men that were hired by a Private Investigator in Rochester”, Jason said.
“Did they say who hired them”? “Why”, Mac asked?
“Carly hired the PI”, Jason said. “And she hoped that by having you followed, you would lead her to us”.
“I’m sorry about that”, Mac said.
“What happened isn’t on you”. “It’s on Carly”, Jason said. “And it is being handled”.
…………
“Where did you go after that”, Maxie asked?
“We went to Toppenish, Washington”, Elizabeth said.
“The Northern Pacific Railway Museum”, Georgie said?
“Yup”. “Cam’s love of trains is what made Jason pick that location”, Elizabeth said.
Begin flashback:
“Cam was speechless. He thought what they had done in Idaho would be it.
Cam, Jason asked?
Cam walked over and hugged his dad … You didn’t have to do this dad, Cam said.
I know that I didn’t. I wanted to, Jason said. I like seeing you happy.
…………
I think that cam is overwhelmed, Piph said.
No, Francis said. Cam lost Zander before he was even born. And Lucky ran hot and cold; and violet at times. Having a dad do what Jason is doing is all new to Cameron.
You’ve noticed that, have you, Audrey said?
Yeah, Francis said. And when I guarded Elizabeth; I saw the damage that Jeff and Jennifer did to her as well.
Jennifer will get hers”, Audrey said.
End flashback:
“Did Jason buy him some model trains”, Georgie asked?
“Yup”, Elizabeth said.
“They plan to show Edward”, Maxie said?
“Eventually”, Elizabeth said. “Then we headed to Seattle”.
…………
Begin flashback:
“Welcome to Seattle kiddo, Steven said.
Thanks, Elizabeth said. Where’s dad?
At his place, Steven said.
Oh, Elizabeth said. How is he doing?
I think that he will be okay now, Steven said.
Has Jennifer been causing problems for dad, Elizabeth asked?
She’s tried, Steven said.
…………
Hey you, Lindsay said. How are you?
We are good, Elizabeth said. This is my husband Jason.
It’s good to meet you, Lindsay said.
You too, Jason said.
…………
So, Steven said. You’re going with Elizabeth and Jason to Port Angeles?
Yes, Audrey said. I feel like I need to be there.
Okay, Steven said. Just don’t do too much.
I won’t, Audrey said.
_______________________
Good morning, Steven said as the Morgan family came in.
Good morning Uncle Steven, Cam said.
Morning kiddo, Steven said. Morning Jakie.
Jake just nodded at his Uncle.
A man of few words, Steven said.
……………
What are your plans for today, Steven asked?
The Space needle, Elizabeth said.
The boys will love it, Steven said.
…………
What do you think Cam, Elizabeth said.
I can see on forever, Cam said.
High, Jake whispered. Too high.
Elizabeth could feel Jake shaking. Are you scared Jakie, Elizabeth asked?
Jake nodded. WANT TO GO DOWN! DOWN, Jake yelled.
…………
I hadn’t expected that, Cody said.
Not all kids like heights, Nadine said. Will he be okay?
Jason nodded.
……………
How is he, Jason asked?
He yelled the entire way down, Elizabeth said. I’m sorry.
No reason to be sorry, Jason said. But I am kind of sad. I wanted to take you guys to Italy. I can’t do that if he won’t fly.
We can still try, Elizabeth said.
Jason just nodded sadly”.
End flashback:
“Oh poor Jake”, Georgie said. “How is he”?
“He’s fine”, Elizabeth said. “It was a phase”.
“Huh”, Maxie said?
Georgie giggled?
“What”, Elena asked?
Begin flashback:
“Daddy, Jake said?
What Jake, Jason said?
Where are you going, Jake asked?
With Francis and Marco, Jason said.
Where, Jake asked?
To see an airplane, Francis told his nephew.
I come, Jake said.
Francis looked at Jason.
You can come, Jason said. He just hoped that Jake didn’t freak out again.
…………
PLANE, PLANE, PLANE, Jake yelled!
Yup buddy; that’s a plane, Marco said.
GO, GO, GO, Jake yelled!
…………
They were in the air. Francis and Marco were worried about Jake.
HIGH, HIGH, HIGH, Jake yelled before giggling.
Wow, Marco muttered.
Francis just shook his head.
…………
Marco had been doing some tricks with the plane….
AGAIN, AGAIN, AGAIN, Jake yelled! DO IT AGAIN. AGAIN, AGAIN, AGAIN!
Jason just looked at his son. He could only smirk and think that Jake was his mother’s son.
…………
Back at Steven’s house….
How did it go, Elizabeth asked?
I’ll tell you after I talk to Jake, Jason said.
Okay, Elizabeth said.
…………
Jake can I talk to you for a couple of minutes, Jason asked?
Okay daddy, Jake said. I in trouble?
No, Jason said. You’re not in trouble. Why didn’t you like being up in the Space Needle? Are you afraid of being up that high, Jason asked?
It wasn’t the needle. It just wasn’t fun, Jake said. Plane was fun. Lots of fun.
Jason could only shake his head.
…………
What is the verdict, Elizabeth asked her husband?
He’s not afraid of heights, Jason said firmly.
Huh, Elizabeth said?
He’s not afraid of heights, Jason said again.
Then why did he freak out at the Seattle Space Needle, Elizabeth asked?
It wasn’t fun, Jason said. Come to find out, our current middle child is an adrenaline junkie.
I don’t want to believe that, Elizabeth said, as Steven, Audrey and Jeff walked in.
Watch this, Jason said, handing her his cell phone.
Elizabeth watched the video he had taken…
Begin inner flashback:
PLANE, PLANE, PLANE, Jake yelled!
Yup buddy; that’s a plane, Marco said.
GO, GO, GO, Jake yelled!
…………
They were in the air. Francis and Marco were worried about Jake.
HIGH, HIGH, HIGH, Jake yelled before giggling.
Wow, Marco muttered.
Francis just shook his head.
…………
Marco had been doing some tricks with the plane….
AGAIN, AGAIN, AGAIN, Jake yelled! DO IT AGAIN. AGAIN, AGAIN, AGAIN!
End inner flashback:
Audrey just laughed.
That’s your son Elizabeth, Steven said.
I don’t get it, Jeff said.
Jason has a motorcycle, Audrey said. And ELizabeth has been on it. She likes to go fast.
So apparently my grandson has inherited her love of speed, Jeff said?
Apparently so, Jason said. Laughing”.
End flashback:
“We have something that we need to tell you”, Stella said, once Mac and Jason returned.
“What”, Elizabeth asked?
“Courtney attacked Sonny before she disappeared”, Stella said.
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Post by Admin on Nov 27, 2021 0:25:45 GMT -7
Chapter Thirty-Nine
“Is Sonny alright”, Elizabeth asked?
“He is”, Jason said. “But he didn’t tell me about this”.
“I think that he is still trying to process that she brought a gun into his house with Michael and Morgan there”, Mac said.
Begin flashback:
“Greystone-
Boss, Milo said, from the open office door?
Yes Milo, Sonny said?
Your sister is here to see you, Milo said. Do you want me to bring her back?
Yes, Sonny said. But leave the door open and don’t go far.
Milo nodded.
………
Courtney, Sonny said. What do you want?
What I have always wanted every time that I have come to see you, Courtney said. I want you to go where Jason is and get rid of that b-- and her bastards, and bring Jason home to me.
No. That’s not going to happen, Sonny said. I will not do that for you. You can leave now.
NO, COURTNEY SAID. Then she pulled a gun and pointed it at him. I’M NOT LEAVING HERE UNTIL YOU DO WHAT I WANT. YOU ARE GOING TO CALL YOUR MEN. YOU ARE GOING TO ORDER THEM TO GO AND KILL ELIZABETH AND HER BASTARDS! THEN YOU ARE GOING TO ORDER THEM TO BRING JASON BACK HERE TO ME!
When Sonny attempted to move, Courntey took a shot at him. She missed him by mere inches. Sonny realized that she was a very bad shot.
…………
Courtney had forgotten about the fact that Milo and the other guards were in the house. At hearing the shot, Milo silently moved behind Courtney.
……………
You are extremely stupid Courtney, Sonny said.
No I’m not, Courtney said. You don’t even know all of what I have done or gotten away with.
Yes you are, Sonny said. He was going to distract her until his guys were ready to take her.
Courtney fired again; again missing Sonny. CALL YOUR MEN, Courtney shouted!
No, Sonny said, as he saw the other men from the corner of his eye.
……………
Courtney fired again. CALL THEM, she yelled!
No, Sonny said.
Courtney suddenly felt cold metal against her forehead.
DROP THE GUN, Milo told her. NOW!
Courntey didn’t move.
I SAID DROP THE GUN, Milo said, making a point of cocking the gun.
Courtney finally dropped the gun.
You will be paying for this stunt Courtney, Sonny said.
Yeah; like you’ll do anything to me, Courtney said. I’m not afraid of you.
I won’t be the one dealing with you, Sonny said. That will be Jason and Ezekiel rand.
Courtney audibly gulped. She knew exactly who Ezekiel Rand was. You can’t turn me over to them. I’m your sister, Courtney said.
I can. I plan to, Sonny said. Jason and ELizabeth are closer to me than you are.
Courntey tried to get out of Milo’s tight grip.
Milo, get her out of here, Sonny said. Have her taken to Jason and Rand. Courntey; good luck conning Jason. Then he walked away.
…………
NO, LET ME GO, Courtney yelled! SONNY! SONNY! NO! SONNY”!
End flashback:
Elizabeth had no comment for what they had just told her. She couldn’t believe Courtney. Had she really thought that Sonny didn’t have men in the house? Did she really think that Sonny would allow her to threaten him?
Wanting to lighten the mood, Georgie asked: “what else did you guys do”?
“Well, Francis and Alex got married while we were in Seattle”, Elizabeth said.
“Who’s Alex”, Georgie asked?
“My attorney”, Elizabeth said.
“Tell us”, Maxie said.
Begin flashback:
“Hello Alex, Johnny said. Does Elizabeth know that you are here?
No, Alex said. It is a surprise.
Is everyone coming, Francis asked?
Yeah, Johnny said.
Francis nodded.
…………
Thanks for coming over, Francis said once everyone had sat down.
No problem, Jason said as he and the others got comfortable.
What’s wrong, Elizabeth asked?
Nothing, Francis said, before looking towards the bedroom door.
…………
SURPRISE, Alex said coming out of the bedroom!
Alex, Elizabeth said, before rushing to her friend and attorney.
…………
What are you doing here, Elizabeth asked after the surprise wore off?
That’s why we asked all of you to come over, Francis said. We wanted to talk to you.
Everyone waited for Francis to continue.
I proposed to Alex, Francis said. She’s agreed to marry me.
Congratulations, everyone said.
……………
When are you thinking, Jason asked Francis?
While we are here in Seattle; and before we head towards Port Angela’s.
Wow, Elizabeth said. Their trip has never had a dull moment. We need to start planning.
……………
“We are gathered together on this day to witness and celebrate the marriage of Francis Corelli & Alexandra Cabot. We come together not to mark the start of a relationship, but to acknowledge and strengthen a bond that already exists. This ceremony is a public affirmation of that bond and as their dearest family and friends, it is our honor and privilege to stand witness to this event. This day is made possible not only because of your love for each other, but through the grace and support of your family and friends. It is our hope that your fulfillment and joy in each other will increase with each passing year. Marriage is a commitment in life, where two people can find and bring out the very best in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other human relationship can equal, a physical and emotional joining that has the promise of a lifetime. Let us bow our heads in prayer. Lord, we thank you for gathering everyone here today. We ask that you help Francis and Alex to remember the strong love that they share. To work that love into practical things so that nothing can divide them. May their love always inspire them to be kind in their words, considerate of the other’s feelings, and concerned for the other’s needs and wishes. Increase their faith and trust in You. Bless their marriage with peace and happiness and make their Love fruitful for Your glory and their joy, both here and in eternity. Amen. While the commitment begins with the two of you, its effect radiates outward. It touches your family and friends and ultimately all of society. When this commitment is seriously made and continuously fulfilled, it leads to the richest and most rewarding of human relationships. Your relationship will take more than love. It will take trust, to know in your hearts that you want only the best for each other. Dedication, to stay open to one another, to learn and grow, even when it is difficult to do so. And faith, to go forward together without knowing what the future holds for you both. While love is our natural state of being, these other qualities are not as easy to come by. They are not a destination, but a journey. Marriage is a give and take between two personalities, a mingling of two endowments which diminishes neither, but enhances both. Seeing that no moment is without meaning, we ask that you take this marriage as a beginning of your lives together. Today signifies the creation of a new home and a new family for you both. May you be fulfilled by each other’s love and friendship. May you be overjoyed by the promises you are about to make and the life together you will create. Remember that in every marriage, there are good times and bad, times of joy and times of sorrow. Marriage is a journey – a time of adventure and excitement enhanced by the love, trust, dedication and faith you share in one another. May the promises you make to one another today, be lived out to the end of your lives. Tomorrow can bring you the greatest of joys, but today is the day it all begins. Francis and Alex, do you, with your family and friends as your witnesses, present yourselves willingly and of your own accord to be joined in marriage? We do, Francis and Alex said. Will you promise to care for each other in the joys and sorrows of life, come what may, and to share the responsibility for growth and enrichment of your life together? We will, both Francis and Alex said. Francis, please repeat after me. I, Francis, take you Alex, to be my wedded wife I give to you in the presence of these witnesses My promise to stay by your side, In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, As well as through the good times and the bad. I promise to love you without reservation, Comfort you in times of distress Encourage you to achieve all of your goals, Laugh with you and cry with you, Grow with you in mind and spirit Always be open and honest with you, And cherish you for as long as we both shall live Alex, please repeat after me I, Alex, take you Francis, to be my wedded husband I give to you in the presence of these witnesses My promise to stay by your side, In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, As well as through the good times and the bad. I promise to love you without reservation, Comfort you in times of distress Encourage you to achieve all of your goals, Laugh with you and cry with you, Grow with you in mind and spirit Always be open and honest with you, And cherish you for as long as we both shall live Having this love in your hearts, you have chosen to seal your vows by exchanging rings. From the earliest times, the circle has been a sign of completeness. The rings that you have chosen to wear have neither beginning nor end, much like your love for one another. They are a symbol of the words that you speak today. May these rings be from this day forward, your most treasured adornment, and may the love they symbolize, be your most precious possession. As you wear these rings, may they be constant reminders of these glad promises you are making today. Francis, take this ring, place it on Alex’s finger and repeat after me. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you. Alex, take this ring, place it on Francis’s finger and repeat after me. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you. Francis and Alex from this moment forward you will never be alone. You will carry with you the love of another person, giving you a completeness and renewed lightness. May your life together be immersed in love and excitement. May you strive to enrich each other in every possible way. And may you work to bring the peace you find to this world. Having pledged their fidelity to one another, to love, honor and cherish one another in the presence of this gathering and by the authority vested in me by the constitution and the laws of this state, it is my honor to now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to be the first to introduce you to: Mr. and Mrs. Francis Corelli”. End flashback: “Wow”, Maxie said. “You guys have really had a major trip”. “But we had fun”, Elizabeth said. “So what else did you do while in Seattle”, Georgie asked? “Well, there were still places in Seattle that Jason planned”, Elizabeth said. Begin flashback: “So where are we headed today Mr. Tour guide, Johnny asked? We are headed to Woodland Park Zoo, Jason said. Johnny nodded. ……… What do we want to see first, Jason asked? Let’s do the Tropical Rain Forest area first, Kelly said. Let’s go, Elizabeth said. ………… So which animal did everyone like, Elizabeth asked? The Red Ruffed Lemur, Leyla said. The Jaguar, Marco said. The Ring Tailed Lemur, Cam said. Can I have one as a pet? No, Elizabeth said. LEMUW, Jake yelled! LEMUW, he yelled again. Elizabeth just laughed at Jake. Tell me about lemur daddy, Jake said. The red ruffed lemur (Varecia rubra) is one of two species in the genus Varecia, the ruffed lemurs; the other is the black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata). Like all lemurs, it is native to Madagascar. It occurs only in the rainforests of Masoala, in the northeast of the island.[1] It is one of the largest primates of Madagascar with a body length of 53 cm, a tail length of 60 cm and a weight of 3.3–3.6 kg. Its soft, thick fur is red and black in color and sports a buff or cream colored spot at the nape, but a few are known to have a white or pink patch on the back of the limbs or digits and a ring on the base of the tail in a similar color, Jason said. Thank you daddy, Jake said. The Gorilla, Kelly said. The Gorilla, Marco said as well. The Toucans were beautiful, Piph said. They were, Lainey, agreeing. The Ocelot, Pauline said. The Lemurs, Nadine said. I agree with Cam and Jake. They were cool, Elizabeth said. Jason? I liked them all, aside from the tarantula”, Jason said. End flashback: Begin flashback:
“NO LIKE PIDERS, Jake yelled!
Everyone laughed.
Which section next, Elizabeth asked?
The African Savanna mom, Cam said.
Okay, let’s go, Elizabeth said.
…………
What is that, Jake asked?
Jason had noticed that at times Jake’s speech was good; but then other times, he had trouble pronouncing certain words. Elizabeth had told him that he would get better as time went on.
That is a giraffe, Jason said. Do you want me to tell you about them?
Yes please, Jake said.
The giraffe (Giraffa) is an African artiodactyl mammal, the tallest living terrestrial animal and the largest ruminant. It is traditionally considered to be one species, Giraffa camelopardalis, with nine subspecies. However, the existence of up to eight extant giraffe species has been described, based upon research into the mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, as well as morphological measurements of Giraffa. Seven other species are extinct, prehistoric species known from fossils.
The giraffe's chief distinguishing characteristics are its extremely long neck and legs, its horn-like ossicones, and its distinctive coat patterns. It is classified under the family Giraffidae, along with its closest extant relative, the okapi. Its scattered range extends from Chad in the north to South Africa in the south, and from Niger in the west to Somalia in the east. Giraffes usually inhabit savannahs and woodlands. Their food source is leaves, fruits and flowers of woody plants, primarily acacia species, which they browse at heights most other herbivores cannot reach.
Giraffes may be preyed on by lions, leopards, spotted hyenas and African wild dogs. Giraffes live in herds of related females and their offspring, or bachelor herds of unrelated adult males, but are gregarious and may gather in large aggregations.
Thank you, Jake said. He didn’t understand everything that his daddy had told him, but that was okay.
……………
What aminal is that, Jake asked?
That is a hippo, Elizabeth said.
Oh, Jake said. Daddy tell me about them.
Okay, Jason said. Hippopotamuses are stout, naked-skinned, and semiaquatic artiodactyl mammals, possessing three-chambered stomachs and walking on four toes on each foot. While they resemble pigs physiologically, their closest living relatives are the cetaceans. Hippopotamuses are the only living members of the family Hippopotamidae.
There are two living species of hippopotamus in two genera; the pygmy hippo, Choeropsis liberiensis of the forests of west Africa, and the common hippo, Hippopotamus amphibius. Hippopotamuses are large mammals, with short, stumpy legs, and barrel-shaped bodies. They have large heads, with broad mouths, and nostrils placed at the top of their snouts. Like pigs, they have four toes, but unlike pigs, all of the toes are used in walking. Hippopotamids are unguligrade, although, unlike most other such animals, they have no hooves, instead using a pad of tough connective tissue on each foot. Their stomachs have three chambers, but they are not true ruminants.
The living species are smooth-skinned and lack both sebaceous glands and sweat glands. The outer epidermis is relatively thin, so hippos dehydrate rapidly in dry environments.
Cool, Jake said with a smile.
……………
Cam what did you like, Elizabeth asked?
I liked the lions and the Zebra, Cam said.
Jakie, Cam asked his brother?
Girawe and Wippos, Jake said. I want Wippo!
Jason shook his head. Only Jake.
…………
Jason had a running list of stuffed animals to get the kids.
……………
Which exhibit next, Jason asked the group?
How about the Trail of Adaptations, Johnny suggested?
What does adaptations mean, Cam asked?
It means: are any behavioral or physical characteristics of an animal that help it to survive in its environment. These characteristics fall into three main categories: body parts, body coverings, and behaviors, Jason explained.
Oh, okay, Cam said.
Any other questions, Jason asked?
No, not right now, Cam said. Let’s go see what animals they have.
…………
So which animal first, Jason asked?
Let’s see the Meerkat, Piph said. I have always been fascinated by them.
They headed to see the meerkats.
…………
They look funny, Cam said.
That’s how they are supposed to look honey, Elizabeth said.
Why, am asked?
The meerkat, also called the slender-tailed meerkat or suricate, is the only species in its genus Suricata. A small mongoose, it lives in large social colonies made up of several family units. It is often found in association with other mongoose species, as well as squirrels and various other rodents.
Meerkats are catlike carnivores that are part of the civets and mongoose family. They are identified by their long bodies; short, flat ears; and their ability to stand on their back feet. Meerkat coats can be gold, silver, orange or brown with dark patches of fur around the eyes.
Standing on its hind legs offers a sentry a much clearer vision of the desert around it and enables it to spot threats on the ground and in the sky much more efficiently. An adult meerkat can see up to 4.8km away and even look into direct sunlight without being blinded. Meerkats are encouraged by their plenty family members to stand up on their hind legs to o serve the world around them. There are different jobs / positions in the meerkat family including, Alpha female, Alpha male, Beta male, Beta female, Sentry, Babysitter, Pup. Each position has their purposes from being an Alpha female (at the top), to being a pup.
Meerkats are small mongooses. They're on the move and productive at daytime. That justifies why they're termed as small diurnal mongooses. Further, they own a long slender body and limbs. Their body length can extend up to 14 inches long while the length of their tail can extend up to 9 inches long. Unlike other mongoose species, meerkats' tail is not bushy. Their tail is often long and thin. As well, the color of the tip of the tail is usually black or, at times, reddish. The social structure of a meerkat family is one of the attributes that make them so fascinating. They are one of the few mammals that take on different roles depending on the situation, and it makes an individual gang incredibly versatile in the wild. For instance, while a group goes foraging for food or is busy digging further tunnels, one or two meerkats will remain on sentry duty, alerting the rest of the group with any dangers. Meerkats even climb small shrubs and trees of the desert in order to gain a better view of its surroundings. Meerkats also have a loud growl or voice so it can communicate everything to its group from danger to prey. This excellent awareness of meerkats, has allowed them to live up to 10 years of natural life.
Meerkats rely on hierarchy and roles for the survival of their species. At the top of the meerkat groups are the alpha females and the alpha males. The alpha female is usually the only member of the group that may become pregnant so she is the heart and soul of the group. Below them are the beta females and males. These are the pups that have almost grown to adult size but still need to reach the adult maturity. Both males and females will leave their birth gang at around ten months to seek better breeding opportunities elsewhere. If a group falls apart, beta females will leave and find a new male, also creating a new group in the process.
Pups are the youngest of the groups, the alphas and betas will spend their time mentoring the young ones, teaching them to hunt and burrow in the desert. The position of babysitter and sentry are roles that cycle between members but the roles of looking after the young usually fall to meerkats that are aged to six months or older. Meerkats are also co-operative breeders, so raising the young is a responsibility shared between the whole group. The meerkat inhabits all parts of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana and South Africa. A group of meerkats is called a mob of meerkats, a gang of meerkats or a clan of meerkats. A meerkat clan often contains about 20 meerkats at a time, but some meerkat superfamilies have been known to have had 50 or more meerkat members.
Meerkats need to survive in the harsh environment of the African desert, so building a cool home to raise young and evade predators is really important. It takes two - three days of hard work for an alpha pair to build a suitable den for a small home.
Meerkats live in underground burrows in the deserts of South Africa. In the wild, Meerkats can live up to the age - ten, however, in captivity they can live up to fifteen years of age. Due to the small size of the Meerkat, they are natural prey to numerous animal species that are both on the ground and in the air. The biggest threat to Meerkats are Birds of Prey such as Hawks and Eagles that can spot these animals from high above their heads, along with ground-dwelling predators such as Snakes that hunt them on the ground.
In order to try and protect themselves from being so vulnerable in their open surroundings, Meerkats adopt the safety in numbers tactic and ensure that there is always an individual on guard to warn the rest of the group of any approaching danger.
In places that are closer to growing Human settlements and near to areas where domestic animals are grazed, Meerkats have been known to contract both bovine diseases and rabies that can affect whole populations of these adaptable and otherwise resilient animals. 1. The next adaptation of a meerkat, involves their burrows. Their eyes have a clear protective membrane that shields them from dirt while they are digging. Their eyes also close tightly to keep the dirt out.
2.Meerkats have light brown fur with a gray and brown tint to it with stripes on their back. Their dark-skinned bellies are covered with only a thin layer of fur, allowing the meerkats warm themselves by lying face up in the sun.
3. There are 20 to even maybe 50 meerkats in each family! This is because of how they have adapted over time. They need this huge number of members per family because of their roles. In the meerkat family, there are plenty of roles, some including sentry, Alpha female, Alpha male, babysitter, pup etc.
4. Meerkats have a reasonably thin coat of fur, due to their habitat. As mentioned, meerkats live in the warm, deserts of Africa. Meerkats have this thin coat of fur to survive in the boiling heat of the African desert. This is another adaptation for meerkats.
5. Meerkats have adapted to living in the harsh desert environment. Dark patches around their eyes help them be effective lookouts by reducing the glare of the sun. Their eyes also allow them to take in a wide angle view of the scene. This helps prevent predators from gaining an advantage by sneaking up, Jason said.
Your dad is a very good animal person. He will possibly know a lot about these animals, Elizabeth said.
Ugwy, Jake said. UGWY!
Jacob Martin, Elizabeth said.
I have to agree with Jake, Johnny said.
Jonathan O’Brien, Elizabeth admonished.
What, Johnny said. I’m only starting a fact.
Elizabeth just shook her head.
…………
What that, Jake asked his mother?
That is an Indian Flying fox, Elizabeth said.
That not fox, Jake said.
No it’s not, Jason said. It’s really a bat.
If it BA; why call flying fox, Jake asked his dad?
Elizabeth wasn’t sure how to explain that on,
Pteropus (suborder Yinpterochiroptera) is a genus of megabats which are among the largest bats in the world. They are commonly known as fruit bats or flying foxes, among other colloquial names. They live in the South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, East Africa, and some oceanic islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.[3] There are at least 60 extant species in the genus.[4]
Flying foxes eat fruit and other plant matter, and occasionally consume insects as well. They locate resources with their keen sense of smell. Most, but not all, are nocturnal. They navigate with keen eyesight, as they cannot echolocate. They have long life spans and low reproductive outputs, with females of most species producing only one offspring per year. Their slow life history makes their populations vulnerable to threats such as overhunting, culling, and natural disasters. Six flying fox species have been made extinct in modern times by overhunting. Flying foxes are often persecuted for their real or perceived role in damaging crops. They are ecologically beneficial by assisting in the regeneration of forests via seed dispersal. They benefit ecosystems and human interests by pollinating plants, Jason explained. Flying fox species vary in body weight, ranging from 120–1,600 g (0.26–3.53 lb). Across all species, males are usually larger than females.[11] The large flying fox has the longest forearm length and reported wingspan of any species,[3] but some species exceed it in weight. Its wingspan is up to 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in), and it can weigh up to 1.1 kg (2 1⁄2 lb).[12] The Indian and great flying foxes are heavier, at 1.6 and 1.45 kg (3 1⁄2 and 3 1⁄4 lb), respectively.[3][13] Outside this genus, the giant golden-crowned flying fox (genus Acerodon) is the only bat with similar dimensions.[3]
Most flying fox species are considerably smaller and generally weigh less than 600 g (21 oz).[14] Smaller species such as the masked, Temminck's, Guam, and dwarf flying foxes all weigh less than 170 g (6 oz).[14]
The pelage is long and silky with a dense underfur.[3] In many species, individuals have a "mantle" of contrasting fur color on the back of their head, the shoulders, and the upper back.[15] They lack tails. As the common name "flying fox" suggests, their heads resemble that of a small fox because of their small ears and large eyes. Females have one pair of mammae located in the chest region. Their ears are long and pointed at the tip and lack tragi. The outer margin of each ear forming an unbroken ring. The toes have sharp, curved claws. While microbats only have a claw on each thumb of their forelimbs, flying foxes additionally have a claw on each index finger. The megabats, including flying foxes, have the greatest encephalization quotient (brain size relative to body size) of any bat family at 1.20.[20] This value is equivalent to that of domestic dogs.[21] Flying foxes display behaviors that indicate a reliance on long-term information storage. Though they have wide-ranging movements and cover thousands of square kilometers annually, they are consistently able to locate the same resource patches and roosts. They will visit these resource patches consistently in a strategy known as trap-lining. They can also be conditioned to perform behaviors, such as one study where spectacled flying foxes were trained to pull a lever using juice as a reinforcement. In a follow-up to the initial study, individuals who had learned to pull the lever to receive juice still did so 3.5 years later.[22]
Senses[edit] Smell[edit]
The prominent eyes of the spectacled flying fox Flying foxes rely heavily on their sense of smell. They have large olfactory bulbs to process scents. They use scent to locate food, for mothers to locate their pups, and for mates to locate each other.[15] Males have enlarged androgen-sensitive sebaceous glands on their shoulders that they use for scent-marking their territories, particularly during the mating season. The secretions of these glands vary by species—of the 65 chemical compounds isolated from the glands of four species, no compound was found in all species.[23] Males also engage in "urine washing", meaning that they coat themselves in their own urine.[23][24]
Sight[edit] Flying foxes do not echolocate, and therefore rely on sight to navigate. Their eyes are relatively large and positioned on the front of their heads, giving them binocular vision.[25] Like most mammals, though not primates, they are dichromatic.[26] They have both rods and cones; they have "blue" cones that detect short-wavelength light and "green" cones that detect medium-to-long-wavelengths. The rods greatly outnumber the cones, however, as cones comprise only 0.5% of photoreceptors. Flying foxes are adapted to seeing in low-light conditions.
As Jason was explaining this to Jake, a zookeeper approached them with one of the bats. I am sorry to intrude, but I heard you talking about the bats, a young woman said. Bending down to Jake’s level she asked, would you like to pet him?
Jake, being timid, had to think about that for a moment. Will he bite, Jake asked?
No, she said. He is from our petting zoo. His name is Skippy.
Jake reached out his hand and petted the bat”. End flashback:
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Post by Admin on Nov 27, 2021 0:28:52 GMT -7
Chapter Forty
Begin flashback:
“NO WIZAWD, Jake said. I WANT TO LEAVE!
We will go sit over there, Jason said, before he and Jake walked quickly to a bench at the other end of the Komodo Dragon exhibit.
Everyone nodded.
…………
Mom, Cam said?
Yes honey, Elizabeth said.
Why do they call them dragons, When they are really lizards, Cam asked?
Komodo dragons are the largest living lizards in the world. They are identified by their massive size, flat heads, bowed legs and long, thick tails. The name comes from rumors that a dragon-like creature lived on the Indonesian island of Komodo. No Western scientists had seen a Komodo dragon until 1912, according to the San Diego Zoo. Local people call them "ora," or "land crocodile."
Size & characteristics
The average size of a male Komodo dragon is 8 to 9 feet and about 200 lbs., according to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, but they can reach a whopping 10 feet (3 meters) in length. Females grow to 6 feet (1.8 m).
Komodos come in a variety of colors, including blue, orange, green and gray. Their skin is rough and durable, reinforced with bony plates called osteoderms. They have long claws and a large, muscular tail.
Komodos have good vision; they can see objects as far away as 985 feet (300 m), according to the Smithsonian Zoo. They are also speedy. They can run briefly up to 13 mph (20 kph) but prefer to hunt by stealth — waiting for hours until prey cross their path, Elizabeth explained.
Oh, Cam said. I don’t think I would want one as a pet. I can see why Jakie doesn’t like them.
Elizabeth nodded.
…………
Daddy, Jake said as he was sitting with his dad?
Yes Jake, Jason said.
I don’t like that lizard, Jake said. It is bigger than me. I am afraid that it will eat me.
It’s okay, Jason said.
……………
Dad what animal is that, Cam asked, pointing at the Sloth?
That is a Sloth, Jason said. Sloths—the sluggish tree-dwellers of Central and South America—spend their lives in the tropical rain forests. They move through the canopy at a rate of about 40 yards per day, munching on leaves, twigs and buds. Sloths have an exceptionally low metabolic rate and spend 15 to 20 hours per day sleeping. And surprisingly enough, the long-armed animals are excellent swimmers. They occasionally drop from their treetop perches into water for a paddle.
There are two different types of sloths, two-toed and three-toed, and six species:
Pygmy three-toed sloth (Bradypus pygmaeus) Maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus) Pale-throated sloth (Bradypus tridactylus) Brown-throated sloth (Bradypus variegatus) Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus)Hoffman’s two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni)
Of those, the pygmy sloth is critically endangered and the maned sloth is vulnerable.
I want one, Jake said. Can I take it home?
No, Jason said. You can’t take it home. We will see if we can find you a sloth stuffed animal.
Okay, Jake said.
…………
Which exhibit do you guys want to see next, Jason asked?
Can we see the Northern Trail next, Nadine asked?
Sure, Jason said.
…………
BEAR, Jake said. Wead daddy.
Jason read the sign out loud.
Dad, Cam said?
Yeah Cam, Jason said.
Why do they call it a brown bear, Cam asked?
The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is a large bear species found across Eurasia and North America.[1][2] In North America, the populations of brown bears are called grizzly bears. It is one of the largest living terrestrial members of the order Carnivora, rivaled in size only by its closest relative, the polar bear (Ursus maritimus), which is much less variable in size and slightly bigger on average.[3][4][5][6][7] The brown bear's range includes parts of Russia, Central Asia, China, Canada, the United States, Hokkaido, Scandinavia, the Balkans, the Picos de Europa and the Carpathian region (especially Romania and Bulgaria), Iran, Anatolia, and the Caucasus.[1][8] The brown bear is recognized as a national and state animal in several European countries.[9]
While the brown bear's range has shrunk, and it has faced local extinctions, it remains listed as a least concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with a total estimated population in 2017 of 110,000. As of 2012, this and the American black bear are the only bear species not classified as threatened by the IUCN.[1][2][6] Populations that were hunted to extinction in the 19th and 20th centuries are the Atlas bear of North Africa and the Californian, Ungavan[10][11] and Mexican populations of the grizzly bear of North America. Many of the populations in the southern parts of Eurasia are highly endangered as well.[1][12] One of the smaller-bodied forms, the Himalayan brown bear, is critically endangered, occupying only 2% of its former range and threatened by uncontrolled poaching for its body parts.[13] The Marsican brown bear of central Italy is one of several currently isolated populations of the Eurasian brown bear and is believed to have a population of just 50 to 60 bears.
Oh, Cam said. How many types of bears are there in the world?
There are 8, Jason said. I will buy a book about bears so that we can learn all about them.
Okay, Cam said.
BIG, Jake said.
Yes they are, Jason said. But Polar Bears are bigger.
Wow, Jake said.
……………
Even though they are dangerous, they are beautiful, Leyla said.
Yes they are, Paulie said. There also aren’t a lot of them left.
What is it daddy, Jake asked? It looks like a big dog.
Gray wolves, or timber wolves, are canines with long bushy tails that are often black-tipped. Their coat color is typically a mix of gray and brown with buffy facial markings and undersides, but the color can vary from solid white to brown or black. Gray wolves look somewhat like a large German shepherd. Wolves vary in size depending on where they live. Wolves in the north are usually larger than those in the south. The average size of a wolf's body is three to five feet long and their tails are usually one to two feet long. Females typically weigh 60 to 100 pounds, and males weigh 70 to 145 pounds.
RANGE
The historic range of the gray wolf covered over two-thirds of the United States. Today gray wolves have populations in Alaska, northern Michigan, northern Wisconsin, western Montana, northern Idaho, northeast Oregon, and the Yellowstone area of Wyoming. Mexican wolves, a subspecies of the gray wolf, were reintroduced to protected parkland in eastern Arizona and southwest New Mexico. Wolves can thrive in a diversity of habitats from the tundra to woodlands, forests, grasslands and deserts.
DIET
Wolves are carnivores—they prefer to eat large hoofed mammals such as deer, elk, bison, and moose. They also hunt smaller mammals such as beavers, rodents, and hares. Adults can eat 20 pounds of meat in a single meal.
BEHAVIOR
Wolves communicate through body language, scent marking, barking, growling, and howling. Much of their communication is about reinforcing the social hierarchy of the pack. When a wolf wants to show that it is submissive to another wolf, it will crouch, whimper, tuck in its tail, lick the other wolf's mouth, or roll over on its back. When a wolf wants to challenge another wolf, it will growl or lay its ears back on its head. A playful wolf dances and bows. Barking is used as a warning, and howling is for long-distance communication to pull a pack back together and to keep strangers away.
LIFE HISTORY
Wolves live in packs. Most packs have four to nine members, but the size can range from as few as two wolves to as many as 15. Occasionally a pack can increase to 30 members, until some individuals break off to find new territory and form their own pack.
Within the pack hierarchy, there are male and female hierarchies. The alpha male is dominant over the entire pack, both males and females. The alpha female and male are the only ones that breed.
When the young adults reach the age of three, they can either join the pack or leave to find their own territory. The new territory can be close by if there is a lot of prey. In some areas, young adults travel hundreds of miles to find a new territory.
Wolves typically mate for life. In the northern United States, they breed from late January through March. The breeding season is earlier for wolves living farther south. Wolves are pregnant for about 63 days and usually birth four to six pups.
The wolf pups are usually born in a den. At birth, they cannot see or hear and weigh about one pound. The pups are weaned at about six weeks. Adult pack members swallow meat and bring it back to the den for their pups. After the adults regurgitate the food, the pups have a hearty meal. The mother wolf moves her pups to new den sites every couple of months until the fall, when the pack stops living at den sites. In the wild, wolves live 8 to 13 years, sometimes more. In captivity, they live upward of 15 years.
CONSERVATION
The gray wolf's story is one of the most compelling tales of American wildlife. Once, the wolf was widespread across most of North America, but it was hunted ruthlessly and extirpated over most of its range. Today the wolf is making a successful comeback in some of its former habitat due to strong conservation efforts. The gray wolf plays a vital role in the health and proper functioning of ecosystems.
What is an ecosystem, Cam asked?
a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. "the marine ecosystem of the northern Gulf had suffered irreparable damage
Thank you for explaining that dad, Cam said.
You’re welcome Cam, Jason said.
So it not a dog, Jake said.
Nope, but they are related to dogs, Jason said. It’s complicated. When you are a little older, I will try and explain.
Otay daddy, Jake said.
…………
Cute, Jake said. Owl.
Yup Jakie, it’s a Great Grey Owl, Cam said. Tell us about them dad.
The great grey owl or great gray owl (Strix nebulosa) is a very large owl, documented as the world's largest species of owl by length. It is distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, and it is the only species in the genus Strix found in both Eastern and Western Hemispheres. In some areas it is also called Phantom of the North, cinereous owl, spectral owl, Lapland owl, spruce owl, bearded owl, and sooty owl. Adults have a large rounded head with a grey face and yellow eyes with darker circles around them. The underparts are light with dark streaks; the upper parts are grey with pale bars. This owl does not have ear tufts and has the largest facial disc of any raptor. There is a white collar or "bow tie" just below the beak. The long tail tapers to a rounded end.
In terms of length, the great grey owl is believed to exceed the Eurasian eagle-owl and the Blakiston's fish owl as the world's largest owl.[3] The great grey is outweighed by those two species as well as several others, including most of the genus Bubo.[4] Much of its size is deceptive, since this species' fluffy feathers, large head and the longest tail of any extant owl obscure a body lighter than that of most other large owls. The length ranges from 61 to 84 cm (24 to 33 in), averaging 72 cm (28 in) for females and 67 cm (26 in) for males. The wingspan can exceed 152 cm (5 ft 0 in), but averages 142 cm (4 ft 8 in) for females and 140 cm (4 ft 7 in) for males. The adult weight ranges from 580 to 1,900 g (1.28 to 4.19 lb), averaging 1,290 g (2.84 lb) for females and 1,000 g (2.2 lb) for males.[5] The males are usually smaller than females, as with most owl species.[2]
The call of the adult is a series of very deep, rhythmic whoos, which is usually given in correlation to their territories or in interactions with their offspring. At other times, adults are normally silent. The young may chatter, shriek or hiss. Tame owls may produce higher-pitched hoots when given food by humans”.
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Post by Admin on Nov 27, 2021 0:29:30 GMT -7
Chapter Forty One
Begin flashback:
“Zoo-
Cute, Jake said. Owl.
Yup Jakie, it’s a Great Grey Owl, Cam said. Tell us about them dad.
The great grey owl or great gray owl (Strix nebulosa) is a very large owl, documented as the world's largest species of owl by length. It is distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, and it is the only species in the genus Strix found in both Eastern and Western Hemispheres. In some areas it is also called Phantom of the North, cinereous owl, spectral owl, Lapland owl, spruce owl, bearded owl, and sooty owl. Adults have a large rounded head with a grey face and yellow eyes with darker circles around them. The underparts are light with dark streaks; the upper parts are grey with pale bars. This owl does not have ear tufts and has the largest facial disc of any raptor. There is a white collar or "bow tie" just below the beak. The long tail tapers to a rounded end.
In terms of length, the great grey owl is believed to exceed the Eurasian eagle-owl and the Blakiston's fish owl as the world's largest owl.[3] The great grey is outweighed by those two species as well as several others, including most of the genus Bubo.[4] Much of its size is deceptive, since this species' fluffy feathers, large head and the longest tail of any extant owl obscure a body lighter than that of most other large owls. The length ranges from 61 to 84 cm (24 to 33 in), averaging 72 cm (28 in) for females and 67 cm (26 in) for males. The wingspan can exceed 152 cm (5 ft 0 in), but averages 142 cm (4 ft 8 in) for females and 140 cm (4 ft 7 in) for males. The adult weight ranges from 580 to 1,900 g (1.28 to 4.19 lb), averaging 1,290 g (2.84 lb) for females and 1,000 g (2.2 lb) for males.[5] The males are usually smaller than females, as with most owl species.[2]
The call of the adult is a series of very deep, rhythmic whoos, which is usually given in correlation to their territories or in interactions with their offspring. At other times, adults are normally silent. The young may chatter, shriek or hiss. Tame owls may produce higher-pitched hoots when given food by humans.
How many different kinds are there, Cam asked? I know that there are others.
Owls are some of the most popular raptors, not only for their nocturnal habits and amazingly expressive faces, but also for their outstanding abilities and the many legends and superstitions that surround them. They are found worldwide, and it can be easier than many birders realize to go owling and add these remarkable birds to their life list. Furthermore, many owls are ideal ambassador birds at aviaries, zoos, wildlife rehabilitation facilities, and nature centers, so everyone can see them up close and get intimately familiar with their favorite owls. Types of Owls There are more than 225 owl species in the world, divided into two families. Barn owls with their distinct heart-shaped facial disks make up the Tytonidae family, while all other owl species are in the Strigidae or typical owl family. It can seem like there are many more species, however, because many owls go by a number of different common names throughout their ranges. This makes it important to learn the scientific names of owls to be certain of proper identifications and not mistake one common name for an entirely different species. While only a handful of owl species are classified as endangered, nearly 50 species are vulnerable or threatened with drastic population declines. Several species have not been studied well enough to make a proper determination of their status, so the numbers of owls that may be in danger of extinction could be even higher. Local populations can also suffer severe threats in parts of their range but not be considered endangered or threatened worldwide. It is vital that conservation efforts be put in place to protect all owls to preserve these powerful and fascinating birds for future generations of birders to enjoy. I will show you all of them when we get home, Jason said.
It’s a Porcupine, Cam said. Why do they call them that?
Porcupine North American porcupine
Porcupine are large rodents with coats of sharp and pointy spines, or quills, that protect them against predators. The term covers two families of animals: the Old World porcupines of family Hystricidae, and the New World porcupines of family Erethizontidae. Both families belong to the infraorder Hystricognathi within the profoundly diverse order Rodentia and display superficially similar coats of quills. Despite this, the two groups are distinct from one another and are not closely related to each other within the Hystricognathi. It is the third largest living rodent in the world after the capybara and beaver.
The Old World porcupines live in southern Europe, Asia (western[1] and southern), and most of Africa. They are large, terrestrial, and strictly nocturnal. In taxonomic terms, they form the family Hystricidae.
The New World porcupines are indigenous to North America and northern South America. They live in wooded areas and can climb trees, where some species spend their entire lives. They are less strictly nocturnal than their Old World relatives, and generally smaller. In taxonomic terms, they form the family Erethizontidae.
Most porcupines are about 60–90 cm (25–36 in) long, with a 20–25 cm (8–10 in) long tail. Weighing 5–16 kg (12–35 lb), they are rounded, large, and slow, and use aposematic strategy of defence. Porcupines occur in various shades of brown, grey and white.
Are there other kinds in different parts of the world, Cam asked?
There are 29 species of porcupines, Jason said.
Ugwy, Jake said.
I guess that to you, they are, Elizabeth said. But their mothers love them.
…………
Where to next, Elizabeth asked?
AUSTRALASIA, Johnny said. Please.
Let’s go, Jason said.
……
Beautiful animal, Kelly said.
They are highly endangered, Jason said.
Tell us daddy, Jake said.
You heard your son, Elizabeth said.
The snow leopard’s powerful build allows it to scale great steep slopes with ease. Its hind legs give the snow leopard the ability to leap six times the length of its body. A long tail provides balance and agility and also wraps around the resting snow leopard as protection from the cold.
For millennia, this magnificent cat was the king of the mountains. The mountains were rich with their prey such as blue sheep, Argali wild sheep, ibex, marmots, pikas and hares. Snow leopards are found in 12 countries—including China, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, and Mongolia—but their population is dropping.
Oh, Jake said.
They are beautiful though, Elizabeth said.
Yes they are, Piph said.
…………
FUNNY ANIMAL, Jake said pointing to the Wallabies.
A red-necked wallaby A wallaby (/ˈwɒləbi/) is a small or middle-sized macropod native to Australia and New Guinea, with introduced populations in New Zealand,[1] Hawaii, the United Kingdom and other countries. They belong to the same taxonomic family as kangaroos and sometimes the same genus, but kangaroos are specifically categorised into the four largest species of the family. The term "wallaby" is an informal designation generally used for any macropod that is smaller than a kangaroo or a wallaroo that has not been designated otherwise.[2]
There are nine species (eight extant and one extinct) of brush wallabies (genus Macropus, subgenus Notamacropus). Their head and body length is 45 to 105 cm (18 to 41 in) and the tail is 33 to 75 cm (13 to 30 in) long. The 19 known species of rock-wallabies (genus Petrogale) live among rocks, usually near water; two species in this genus are endangered. The two living species of hare-wallabies (genus Lagorchestes; two other species in this genus are extinct) are small animals that have the movements and some of the habits of hares. The three species (two extant and one extinct) of nail-tail wallabies (genus Onychogalea) have one notable feature: a horny spur at the tip of the tail; its function is unknown. The seven species of pademelons or scrub wallabies (genus Thylogale) of New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and Tasmania are small and stocky, with short hind limbs and pointed noses. The swamp wallaby (genus Wallabia) is the only species in its genus. Another wallaby that is the only species in its genus is the quokka or short-tailed scrub wallaby (genus Setonix); this species is now restricted to two offshore islands of Western Australia which are free of introduced predators. The seven species of dorcopsises or forest wallabies (genera Dorcopsis (four species, with a fifth as yet undescribed) and Dorcopsulus (two species)) are all native to the island of New Guinea.
One of the brush wallaby species, the dwarf wallaby (Macropus dorcopsulus), also native to New Guinea, is the smallest known wallaby species and one of the smallest known macropods. Its length is about 46 cm (18 in) from the nose to the end of the tail, and it weighs about 1.6 kg (3.5 lb).[3]
Wallabies are hunted for meat and fur, Jason said.
It’s a Kangaroo, Cam said.
No, Jason said. It’s a Wallaby.
What’s the difference, Cam asked?
So what's the difference? Is Rocko a wallaby or a kangaroo?
The most obvious difference between the wallaby and the kangaroo is size. As a rule, the kangaroo is generally much larger than the wallaby. The kangaroo has more height between its ankles and knees, which makes its legs seem out of proportion to its body. The kangaroo's legs are built for speed on open terrain. The wallaby's more compact legs are built for agility in forested areas. Although there are many different species of both wallabies and kangaroos that span a wide range of sizes, wallabies only tend to weigh between four pounds and 53 pounds (2 kg to 24 kg) and grow a mere 12 inches to 24 inches (30 cm to 104 cm) tall, not including their tails [source: "Wallaby"]. Kangaroos, on the other hand, can grow to heights of 8 feet (2.1 meters) and weigh as much as 200 pounds (91 kg) [source: Microsoft Encarta].
Another simple way to tell a wallaby and a kangaroo apart is by their coloring. A wallaby's coat is usually brighter with two to three different colors. For example, the unfortunately-named "red-necked" wallaby's grayish body is distinguished by reddish markings around its shoulders. The kangaroo's coat is usually less splashy and more uniform, with muted colors like brown or gray.
For a more scientific way to tell the two animals apart, you'll have to get these guys to open their mouths and say "Aaaah." On the next page, learn how a quick look at the kangaroos and wallaby's teeth could help you identify them, Jason said.
Cool, Cam said.
WANT WALLABY! WANT KANGAROO, Jake yelled!
Elizabeth just laughed.
…………
Where to next, Johnny asked?
Let’s go to the Temperate Forest, Piph said.
Everyone headed that way.
……………
I like Panda, Jake said.
Why are they red, Cameron asked? Pandas are black and white.
“South central China is home to giant pandas and red pandas. These two "pandas" are quite different animals. Here we compare 1. their names, 2. appearances, 3. taxonomies, 4. diets, 5. habitats, 6. behaviors, 7. histories, and 8. where to see them in China. Giant pandas are well-known to everyone as a WWF emblem or Chinese national symbol. They are quite cute and interesting, and they are Chengdu's number one tourist attraction. Red pandas on the other hand are smaller and far less recognized and appreciated. But they are also interesting animals for their appearance, behavior, and playfulness. They too are strikingly beautiful”. When we get home I will buy a really good animal book and we will learn about them. Maybe your mom can make that a subject for your schooling, Jason said. I WANT PANDA, Jake said! We’ll get you a stuffed Panda, Elizabeth said. COOL, Jake said! I liked the ducks, Cam said. Are there ducks in Port Angeles? Yes, Elizabeth said. Nice, Cam said. ……… Tropical Asia next, Elizabeth said. Yup, Jason said. ………… Which animals did you like, Jason asked everyone? I liked the tiger, Lemur and the otters, Cam said. Same here, Elizabeth said. Sloth bear, Piph said. They are stinking cute! OTTERS”, Jake yelled!
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Post by Admin on Nov 27, 2021 0:30:02 GMT -7
Chapter Forty-Two
Begin flashback:
“Everyone had enjoyed their day at the zoo. Jake had home away with quite the haul of stuffed animals. He had also bought ones for Cam, Lindy and the new baby as well.
__________________
Port Charles/Seattle:
Morgan, Jason said answering his cell phone?
It’s me, Sonny said.
How are things, Jason asked?
The same, Sonny said. But I did find out something.
What, Jason asked?
Someone has been drugging me, Sonny said.
Who? Why, Jason asked?
I think it’s Carly, Sonny said. And as for why; I think that she saw my will. I have since changed it.
She never stops, Jason said.
No she doesn’t, Sonny said. I just wanted you to have a heads up.
Thanks, Jason said. Talk to you soon.
Yup, Sonny said.
__________________
Seattle:
What are we doing today Mr. Morgan, Piph asked? She liked that Jason was making the effort to make this trip memorable for the children.
You ladies are going to The Spa @ the Four Seasons Hotel, Jason said.
I am staying here with Lindy, Audrey said.
Us men, Cam and Jake included are going to IFly Seattle, Jason said.
Have fun, Elizabeth said.
You too, Jason said as they all headed out.
……………
I needed this, Elizabeth said. It’s been so long since I have been to the spa. And I sure as hell wasn’t going to go to the Metro Court.
Likewise, Piph said. I always went into the city or to Rochester.
Me too, Nadine said. Jolene always went more than I did.
I always did home spa things, Leyla said. I couldn’t afford to go to the spa.
I’ve never gone, Kelly said.
My mom and I always went together, Lainey said. We did mother daughter days.
I treated myself once when Stan was little, Piph said. Then he treated me to a day a few years ago.
……………
This is going to be fun, Marco said. Have you done this before?
No, Jason said. But I am willing to try.
I’m willing, Paulie said.
I am up for it, Johnny said.
Cam, Jason asked?
It looks like fun, Cam said. But I don’t know about Jakie.
We’ll see, Jason said.
……………
How was the spa, the men asked when they arrived back at Steven’s?
We had fun, Elizabeth said. Thank you for doing that.
You’re welcome, Jason said.
How was IFly, the ladies asked?
We all had fun, Paulie said. He was so glad that he had flown from Port Angeles to where everyone was at the time. He got to enjoy what they did as well.
What about Jake, Elizabeth asked?
He had a blast mom, Cam said. Show her dad.
Jason showed Elizabeth the photos and video that he had shot.
WOW”, Elizabeth said.
End flashback:
________________________
“Wow”, Stella said. “That must have been fun”.
“It was”, Elizabeth said.
“Where did you go next”, Maxie asked?
“We went to the USS Turner Joy museum ship”, Elizabeth said.
Begin flashback:
“Where are we going today, Cam asked?
We are headed to Bremerton, WA, Jason said. We are going to the USS Turner Joy Museum Ship.
What that, Jake asked?
It’s a boat that is a museum, Jason said.
That bowing, Jake said.
He can stay with Lindy and I, Audrey said.
Okay, Elizabeth said.
……………
How was it, Audrey asked?
It was cool, Cam said. Where’s Jake?
He and Lindy are napping, Audrey said.
Okay, Cam said.
Well, I am glad that you all had fun”, Audrey said.
End flashback:
________________________
3 months later:
“Hello Miss Matthews”, Rand said.
“Who the hell are you”, Courtney demanded? “Why am I here”? “And where the hell am I”?
“My name is Ezekiel Rand”. “You are here because of the crimes that you committed against someone that is close to a friend of mine”. “And as for where you are; that is of no importance to you at this time”.
“How would you know anything about what I’ve done”, Courtney demanded?
“I know everything about you Miss Matthews”, Rand said. “Including that you somehow managed to lie while medicated with truth serum”.
“I don’t believe you”, Courtney said. “You know nothing about me”.
“I will prove it”, Rand said.
Courtney sat in the chair, silent.
Jason just watched.
“Shall we begin, Rand asked? You were asked some questions in Port Charles. Let’s review that talk and then you can tell me how you lied and why you lied. And then you are going to tell me what you held back”.
“I am not going to tell you anything”, Courtney sneered.
“Oh, you will”, Rand said. “If you don’t then this will be very painful for you”.
Courtney didn’t say anything. They wouldn’t hurt her.
Rand started the video of Cody questioning Courtney…
Begin flashback:
“Hello, Miss Matthews”, Cody said.
“Who do you work for and what do you want”, Courtney asked?
“I have some questions for you”, Cody said. “So let’s get started”. “Do you know Sarah Webber Dietrich”, Cody asked?
“Yes, we’re good friends”, Courtney said with a smile.
“How long have you known her”, Cody asked?
“I’ve known her for about 10 years”, Courtney answered.
“Did Sarah help you change the DNA results for her nephew Cameron”, Cody asked?
“Yes, Sarah hates Elizabeth as much as I do”. “So when she found out what I was planning, she wanted in”. “She wanted to hurt her sister”, Courtney said.
“But by doing that you hurt Jason; I thought you loved him”. “So why would you hurt him”, Cody asked?
“He doesn’t know about Cam being his and he never will”. “I had a lot of help taking Cam from him”, Courtney answered.
“But why”, Cody asked? “And who helped you”?
“Because Cam would have been a permanent connection to Elizabeth”. “He loves children and he would have loved Cam. And that would have meant that Elizabeth would have been in our lives forever; I couldn’t allow that”. “Jason loves me and I was not about to let her have an “in” into our relationship”, Courtney spat. “It’s bad enough that she had Jake with him”.
“She’s delusional”, Jason thought.
“But you and Jason are no longer a couple”, Cody said.
“I’m going to get him back”, Courtney vowed. “And I’m going to get rid of Elizabeth and her brats”!
“Do you know how long Sarah’s known about Elizabeth being Jeff’s biological daughter”, Cody asked?
“Sarah said she’s known since she was 10”. “She found some papers in her father’s things”, Courtney replied.
“Who else helped you and Sarah”, Cody asked? “And why would they help”?
“Well there was Bobbie Spencer”. “She was helping to protect Lucky and give Laura a grandchild”. “Laura Spencer helped”. “She wanted to hurt Liz for sleeping with Jason; and she wanted to punish Jason for hurting her son”, Courtney said. “Then there was AJ; he wanted to hurt his brother”, she said.
He’d have to add AJ to his list, Jason thought.
“Helena Cassadine”, Courtney answered. “She just wanted someone to mess with”.
End flashback:
“We know that you lied to the man questioning you”, Rand said.
“I did not lie”, Courtney said, while she thought: how could they know that I was lying?
“We know you lied, because you were given truth serum as I stated before; but despite that you were able to lie”, Rand said.
“How would you know”, Courtney sneered?
“Because after that, we had you bugged”. “Listen…”.
Begin flashback:
“How could he”? “He was supposed to come back to me”! “I’m the love of his life, and his soulmate”. “And D***, he knows that Cam is his”. “How did he find out; and who told him”? “I know it wasn’t Helena”. “And Sarah wouldn’t have told”. “And Bobbie and Laura had too much to gain”. “So who told him”? “They couldn’t have remembered that night”.
End flashback:
“YOU WHAT”? “YOU BEEN LISTENING TO EVERY CONVERSATION”, Courtney yelled?
“Yes we have”, Rand said.
Begin flashback:
“Hello”, Sarah said, answering her phone? “Did you hear”? “Hear what Courtney”, Sarah asked? “That Lucky’s in prison, Laura being in Roselawn, Luke being in jail, Elizabeth marrying Jason, or Cam being Jason’s son”, Courtney sneered. “Did you know about her other two brats being Jason’s”? “WHAT”, Sarah yelled? “What do you mean Lucky’s in prison”, Sarah asked? “What other brats”? Courtney then summarized what happened to Lucky. “Laura’s in Roselawn”? “All because she hit the little b****** with a brick”, Sarah spat? “Luke’s in jail because he deserves to be there”, Sarah stated.
“Yes, Laura is in Rose-lawn”, Courtney said. “They are saying that she is unhinged, at least that is what the gossip mongers are saying”. “What is this about Elizabeth and Jason getting married”, Sarah asked? “Jason and Elizabeth secretly got married a month ago”, Courtney sneered. “He married the B****”, Sarah yelled? “She doesn’t deserve him”! “And how did they find out about Cam”? “I DON’T KNOW”, Courtney yelled!
End flashback:
“We will be talking about your relationship with Sarah Webber as well”, Rand said.
Courtney just stared daggers at Rand.
Begin flashback:
“What can I do for you Courtney”, Sonny asked after Max showed her in? “You can tell me where Jason is”, Courtney said. “And why did you let Jason marry that bitch”? “I’m not telling you where Jason is”. “And I have no right to stop Jason from doing anything”, Sonny told his sister matter of fact. “There is NO WAY that brat is Jason’s”, Courtney sneered! “DNA tests proved that he is; having to make everyone wonder who changed the test results the first time”, Sonny said. “What would you know about that”? “Are you accusing me Sonny; because if you ARE, it would not be a good idea”. “I know about your business”, Courtney said. With lightning speed, Sonny had Courtney against the wall with a hand at her throat: “You’d best think twice about that dear sister”. “I know where you’ve buried the bodies”. “And you’d be wise to watch your back”.
End flashback:
Courtney was pissed off. Her brother and Jason had bugged her. But when she thought about it; she had never found any listening devices. “How”, Courtney demanded?
“Trade secret”, Rand said.
Jason just smirked from his hidden position.
Begin flashback:
“Why did we need to meet”, Courtney asked when she arrived?
“Sam here wanted to meet”, Carly said. “She screwed up”.
“No I didn’t”, Sam said. “I didn’t have all the info that I needed”. “No one told me about Elizabeth Webber having Jason’s children”.
“She didn’t have his children”, Carly spat. “Those kids are not his”.
“Everyone says that they are”, Sam said.
“They are lying”, Courtney said. “How are we going to find out where she is”?
“I have someone who is trying to find that out for us”, Carly said. “We should know within the next 48 hours”.
“What are we going to do once we find her”, Sam asked?
“We get rid of her and her bastard children”, Carly said. “Do not call to meet again”. “We need to make sure that we are not seen together”.
“Fine”, Courtney said.
“Fine”, Sam said before storming out.
“She could ruin this for us”, Courtney told Carly.
“Then we get rid of her”, Carly said. “But not until she kills Elizabeth and her brats for us”.
End flashback:
Sh--, Courtney thought. Now she really was in deep. She wondered if Jason had heard any of these recordings.
Begin flashback:
“What’s wrong”, Courtney asked as she walked in?
“The person that was going to find out where that b——- and her bastards are is unable to do so”, Carly sneered.
“Why”, Courtney asked?
“Because Mac Scorpio and his family disappeared last night”, Carly said.
“What do you mean disappeared”, Courtney said. “He is the police commissioner”. “He can’t disappear”. “How can they have vanished”?
“Well apparently he did; and he took his whole family with him”, Carly said.
“So now what are you going to do”, Courtney asked?
“I am going to find her; it will just take more time”, Carly said. “I am going to get Jason away from her”.
End flashback:
Courtney thought: at least I won’t be the only one this man goes after.
Begin flashback:
“Sonny we need to talk”, Courtney said once Max had closed the door.
“About what”, Sonny asked?
“About Jason”, Courtney said.
“What about him”, Sonny said. He knew what she was up to; and he was going to let her hang herself.
“You have to find him”, Courtney said.
“Why”, Sonny said. “He is no longer any concern of yours”.
“Because he should be here watching your back”, Courtney said.
“I have good men watching my back Courtney”, Sonny said.
“I am the one he is meant to be with; not that b—- Elizabeth Webber”. “You need to find him and bring him back”, Courtney said.
“No”, Sonny said. “And watch your mouth”. “Say something else about Elizabeth Morgan and it will be your end”.
“I don’t have to watch my mouth about her”. “You need to find him, bring him home and make him divorce her and make him marry me”, Courtney said.
“And why the hell do I have to do that”, Sonny said. “Jason is happy in his marriage to Elizabeth”. “He is happy raising his children with Elizabeth”. “He is just plain f———- happy”. “And I am not doing anything to ruin that happiness”. “So again, you need to stop”.
“No”, Sonny. “I will not stop”. “You need to do as I say or I will ruin you”, Courtney said.
Sonny then grabbed her by the throat pushing her against the wall. “Are you really threatening me again”? “Try and you’ll die; and it won’t matter that you’re my sister or Mike’s daughter”. “MAX”!
“Yeah boss”, Max said, opening the door?
“Courtney’s leaving”, Sonny said.
“You will regret this Sonny”, Courtney said storming out.
End flashback:
Oh, how she wanted her brother dead at this moment. He was a traitor!
Begin flashback:
Hey, Carly said as Courtney walked in. What is up?
Well, I am worried about Laura talking, Courtney said.
Why, Carly asked? She has as much to lose as we do if she does talk.
Well she seems to think that I know more than I do about the truth about Cameron. She seems to think that we’ve been lying to her about everything, and about the fact that we didn’t know that Jason was Cameron’s father, Courtney said.
Well why would she think that, Carly said?
Who knows you know she’s as crazy as ever, Courtney said.
What did you say to her exactly, Courtney said?
Why would you ask me that question, Courtney asked?
Because Courtney I don’t trust you not to say something you shouldn’t, Carly said.
I do know the truth about Cameron‘s paternity, Courtney said. Yes we know that he’s Jason’s son but we didn’t know any sooner than anyone else. I knew that he had been Jason’s from the beginning, that Jason would’ve loved him Courtney said, not realizing that she had just slipped and almost spilled what she knew. As she realized that she had almost let out the secret that she had known the truth that Cameron was Jason‘s son from the beginning she looked at Carly to see if Carly had figured it out or had caught what she had said. Looking at Carly, Courtney realized that Carly hadn’t realized what she’d said.
I will have to go and see her and remind her of what we all have to lose if any of us talks. And I will also assure her that none of us have lied to her, Carly said.
I hope that you can convince her of that, Courtney said. Because I don’t want her to turn on us. Well I have to go. I have to see daddy.
See you later, Carly said not realizing that they’d had an audience for their conversation.
End flashback:
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Post by Admin on Nov 27, 2021 0:30:28 GMT -7
Chapter Forty-Three
Port Angeles, WA:
“So let’s address the contents of those recordings”, Rand said.
“Let’s not”, Courtney sneered.
“The next thing that Courtney knew”, Rand had cut her left arm.
Courtney screamed.
“I can go on for hours Miss Matthews”, Rand said.
“FINE”, Courtney yelled. She wouldn’t be able to take much more.
Rand started the recordings from the beginning again.
“Hello, Miss Matthews”, Cody said.
“Who do you work for and what do you want”, Courtney asked?
“I have some questions for you”, Cody said. “So let’s get started”. “Do you know Sarah Webber Dietrich”, Cody asked?
“Yes, we’re good friends”, Courtney said with a smile.
“How long have you known her”, Cody asked?
“I’ve known her for about 10 years”, Courtney answered.
Rand stopped the tape then asked: “How did you meet Sarah Webber Dietrich”, Rand asked?
“I met her while traveling before I found out that my father is Mike Corbin”, Courtney said.
“Who befriended who”, Rand asked?
“I did”, Courtney said. “I thought that she would make a great friend”.
“Did Sarah help you change the DNA results for her nephew Cameron”, Cody asked?
“Yes, Sarah hates Elizabeth as much as I do”. “So when she found out what I was planning, she wanted in”. “She wanted to hurt her sister”, Courtney said.
“But by doing that you hurt Jason; I thought you loved him”. “So why would you hurt him”, Cody asked?
“He doesn’t know about Cam being his and he never will”. “I had a lot of help taking Cam from him”, Courtney answered.
“How did you get the DNA results for Cameron Morgan changed”, Rand asked?
“Don’t call him that”, Courtney said. “I will never believe that he is Jason’s son”.
“Ahhhhhh”, Courtney screamed as Rand took a knife to Courtney’s other arm.
“How did you get the DNA results for Cameron Morgan changed”, Rand asked?
“I slept with the tech guy in the lab”, Courtney said finally.
“What exactly did Sarah tell you when she asked you to help her change the results”, Rand asked?
“She said that she wanted to punish Elizabeth”. “That she wanted Elizabeth to suffer; Sarah said that it was because she was brought into her home and took her father’s attention off of her and her mother”, Courtney said.
“But why”, Cody asked? “And who helped you”?
“But why did you really get involved”, Rand asked?
“Because Jason is supposed to be with me; Carly told me so”, Courtney said. “I thought that by doing what I helped do, that Elizabeth would be out of Jason’s life permanently”. “But that didn’t happen”.
“Because Cam would have been a permanent connection to Elizabeth”. “He loves children and he would have loved Cam. And that would have meant that Elizabeth would have been in our lives forever; I couldn’t allow that”. “Jason loves me and I was not about to let her have an “in” into our relationship”, Courtney spat. “It’s bad enough that she had Jake with him”.
“Why would you care that Jason and Elizabeth conceived Jake Morgan”, Rand asked?
“Because Jake was supposed to be mine”, Courtney said.
“From what I was told, Jason never intended to have children with you”, Rand said.
“How the hell would you know”, Courtney said?
“Because”, Rand said. “He is a very good friend”. “He and I have talked about you and your marriage”.
Courtney was shocked at that statement.
“But you and Jason are no longer a couple”, Cody said.
“I’m going to get him back”, Courtney vowed. “And I’m going to get rid of Elizabeth and her brats”!
“And just how did you think that you were going to get rid of Elizabeth Morgan and their children”, Rand asked?
“I was going to poison them”, Courtney said.
“With what”, Rand asked?
“A poison that I got from someone”, Courtney said.
“Who would that someone be”, Rand asked?
“Carly Corinthos”, Courtney admitted.
“Do you know how long Sarah’s known about Elizabeth being Jeff’s biological daughter”, Cody asked?
“Sarah said she’s known since she was 10”. “She found some papers in her father’s things”, Courtney replied.
“Did Sarah ever tell you how she found out the truth about Elizabeth”, Rand asked?
“Sarah said that she found out by snooping in her father’s papers, in his office”. “She said that he had them well hidden, but that she still found them”, Courtney said. “She also told me that her mother had already known”.
“Who else helped you and Sarah”, Cody asked? “And why would they help”?
“Well there was Bobbie Spencer”. “She was helping to protect Lucky and give Laura a grandchild”. “Laura Spencer helped”. “She wanted to hurt Liz for sleeping with Jason; and she wanted to punish Jason for hurting her son”, Courtney said. “Then there was AJ; he wanted to hurt his brother”, she said.
“How did you get Bobbie Spencer to help you”, Rand asked? “Was AJ Quartermaine really involved, or did you lie about that”?
“Laura and I lied to Bobbie to get her to help”. “That woman is as gullible as Laura Spencer”, Courtney said. “No, AJ was never involved”. “I lied so that Jason would go after him and kill him”. “I want the man dead. He is a threat to my happiness with Jason”.
“Helena Cassadine”, Courtney answered. “She just wanted someone to mess with”.
“How did you get Helena to believe you”, Rand asked?
“I just fed into her believed lies; the ones that Lucky kept spouting when she had him captive”, Courtney said. “And she believed me”.
“Let’s move on to the next recording”, Rand said.
“How could he”? “He was supposed to come back to me”! “I’m the love of his life, and his soulmate”. “And D***, he knows that Cam is his”. “How did he find out; and who told him”? “I know it wasn’t Helena”. “And Sarah wouldn’t have told”. “And Bobbie and Laura had too much to gain”. “So who told him”? “They couldn’t have remembered that night”.
“You were talking about Jason marrying Elizabeth right”, Rand said?
“Yes; he was supposed to marry ME”, Courtney said.
“You were never the love of his life”, Rand said. “From what he told me, he was pushed to marry you by Carly Corinthos”. “That woman didn’t give him a choice”.
“And his finding out the truth about Cam; he found out from people who wouldn’t lie to him”. “And he had every right to know”, Rand said. “Moving on”.
“Hello”, Sarah said, answering her phone? “Did you hear”? “Hear what Courtney”, Sarah asked? “That Lucky’s in prison, Laura being in Roselawn, Luke being in jail, Elizabeth marrying Jason, or Cam being Jason’s son”, Courtney sneered. “Did you know about her other two brats being Jason’s”? “WHAT”, Sarah yelled? “What do you mean Lucky’s in prison”, Sarah asked? “What other brats”? Courtney then summarized what happened to Lucky. “Laura’s in Roselawn”? “All because she hit the little b****** with a brick”, Sarah spat? “Luke’s in jail because he deserves to be there”, Sarah stated.
“Yes, Laura is in Rose-lawn”, Courtney said. “They are saying that she is unhinged, at least that is what the gossip mongers are saying”. “What is this about Elizabeth and Jason getting married”, Sarah asked? “Jason and Elizabeth secretly got married a month ago”, Courtney sneered. “He married the B****”, Sarah yelled? “She doesn’t deserve him”! “And how did they find out about Cam”? “I DON’T KNOW”, Courtney yelled!
“Interesting”, Rand said. “That you didn’t know that Sarah had known the truth about Cam from the beginning”.
Courtney remained silent.
“And Sarah will get hers”, Rand said. “Did you know that she is currently in a jail cell in AZ”. “She apparently has been murdering patients”. “Moving on”.
“What can I do for you Courtney”, Sonny asked after Max showed her in? “You can tell me where Jason is”, Courtney said. “And why did you let Jason marry that bitch”?
“Why did you think that Sonny would help you, over helping Jason and someone that he owed”, Rand asked?
“Because Sonny is my brother, and I should have come first”, Courtney said. “Jason is just his employee”.
“Wow”, Rand said. “I see how little you think of Mr. Morgan”. “I’m not telling you where Jason is”. “And I have no right to stop Jason from doing anything”, Sonny told his sister matter of fact. “There is NO WAY that brat is Jason’s”, Courtney sneered! “DNA tests proved that he is; having to make everyone wonder who changed the test results the first time”, Sonny said. “What would you know about that”? “Are you accusing me Sonny; because if you ARE, it would not be a good idea”. “I know about your business”, Courtney said. With lightning speed, Sonny had Courtney against the wall with a hand at her throat: “You’d best think twice about that dear sister”. “I know where you’ve buried the bodies”. “And you’d be wise to watch your back”.
“You thought that you could threaten your brother; a mob boss”, Rand asked? “You are lucky that he didn’t kill you on the spot”. “And I was also given the information that Sonny has on you”.
Oh god, Courtney thought.
“One more thing before we move on”, Rand said. “Sonny and Jason also know about your part in framing Johnny O’Brien as a traitor”.
Sh--, Courtney thought.
“Moving on”, Rand said. The recordings played again…
“Why did we need to meet”, Courtney asked when she arrived?
“Sam here wanted to meet”, Carly said. “She screwed up”.
“No I didn’t”, Sam said. “I didn’t have all the info that I needed”. “No one told me about Elizabeth Webber having Jason’s children”.
“She didn’t have his children”, Carly spat. “Those kids are not his”.
“Everyone says that they are”, Sam said.
“They are lying”, Courtney said. “How are we going to find out where she is”?
“Miss Matthews, no one was lying”, Rand said. “Cameron is Jason’s biological son. Jake is his biological son”. “And Lindy is his biological daughter”. “8 different DNA tests prove that”. “Where is your proof that claims that they aren’t”?
Eight tests, Courtney thought. “We only had one run on each of them”. “Who lied to me”?
“I have someone who is trying to find that out for us”, Carly said. “We should know within the next 48 hours”.
“What are we going to do once we find her”, Sam asked?
“We get rid of her and her bastard children”, Carly said. “Do not call to meet again”. “We need to make sure that we are not seen together”.
“Fine”, Courtney said.
“Fine”, Sam said before storming out.
“She could ruin this for us”, Courtney told Carly.
“Then we get rid of her”, Carly said. “But not until she kills Elizabeth and her brats for us”.
“Well”, Rand said. “You won’t be killing anyone”. “Because when you leave here it will not be to your freedom”. “Moving on”.
“What’s wrong”, Courtney asked as she walked in?
“The person that was going to find out where that b——- and her bastards are is unable to do so”, Carly sneered.
“Why”, Courtney asked?
“Because Mac Scorpio and his family disappeared last night”, Carly said.
“What do you mean disappeared”, Courtney said. “He is the police commissioner”. “He can’t disappear”. “How can they have vanished”?
“Well apparently he did; and he took his whole family with him”, Carly said.
“You should know, The Scorpio family is safe”. “They are here in town”. “They are under my protection as well As Mr. Morgan’s protection”. “Mr. Scorpio realized early enough that Mrs. Corinthos was having him followed”.
“So now what are you going to do”, Courtney asked?
“I am going to find her; it will just take more time”, Carly said. “I am going to get Jason away from her”.
“Mrs. Corinthos will not be doing anything”, Rand said. “Her time on this earth is running out; she just doesn’t realize it”. “She lied to you as well”. “She has always known that Jason loved Elizabeth”. “Moving on”.
“Sonny we need to talk”, Courtney said once Max had closed the door.
“About what”, Sonny asked?
“About Jason”, Courtney said.
“What about him”, Sonny said. He knew what she was up to; and he was going to let her hang herself.
“You have to find him”, Courtney said.
“Why”, Sonny said. “He is no longer any concern of yours”.
“Because he should be here watching your back”, Courtney said.
“I have good men watching my back Courtney”, Sonny said.
“I am the one he is meant to be with; not that b—- Elizabeth Webber”. “You need to find him and bring him back”, Courtney said.
“No”, Sonny said. “And watch your mouth”. “Say something else about Elizabeth Morgan and it will be your end”.
“I don’t have to watch my mouth about her”. “You need to find him, bring him home and make him divorce her and make him marry me”, Courtney said.
“And why the hell do I have to do that”, Sonny said. “Jason is happy in his marriage to Elizabeth”. “He is happy raising his children with Elizabeth”. “He is just plain f———- happy”. “And I am not doing anything to ruin that happiness”. “So again, you need to stop”.
“No”, Sonny. “I will not stop”. “You need to do as I say or I will ruin you”, Courtney said.
Sonny then grabbed her by the throat pushing her against the wall. “Are you really threatening me again”? “Try and you’ll die; and it won’t matter that you’re my sister or Mike’s daughter”. “MAX”!
“Yeah boss”, Max said, opening the door?
“Courtney’s leaving”, Sonny said.
“You will regret this Sonny”, Courtney said storming out.
“You just never learn do you”, Rand asked?
Courtney didn’t answer.
“You need to realize that you are never going to get what you want”. “I will not allow that to happen”. “Neither will Mr. Morgan”. “Moving on”.
Hey, Carly said as Courtney walked in. What is up?
Well, I am worried about Laura talking, Courtney said.
Why, Carly asked? She has as much to lose as we do if she does talk.
Well she seems to think that I know more than I do about the truth about Cameron. She seems to think that we’ve been lying to her about everything, and about the fact that we didn’t know that Jason was Cameron’s father, Courtney said.
Well why would she think that, Carly said?
Who knows you know she’s as crazy as ever, Courtney said.
What did you say to her exactly, Courtney said?
Why would you ask me that question, Courtney asked?
Because Courtney I don’t trust you not to say something you shouldn’t, Carly said.
I do know the truth about Cameron‘s paternity, Courtney said. Yes we know that he’s Jason’s son but we didn’t know any sooner than anyone else. I knew that he had been Jason’s from the beginning, that Jason would’ve loved him Courtney said, not realizing that she had just slipped and almost spilled what she knew. As she realized that she had almost let out the secret that she had known the truth that Cameron was Jason‘s son from the beginning she looked at Carly to see if Carly had figured it out or had caught what she had said. Looking at Carly, Courtney realized that Carly hadn’t realized what she’d said.
I will have to go and see her and remind her of what we all have to lose if any of us talks. And I will also assure her that none of us have lied to her, Carly said.
I hope that you can convince her of that, Courtney said. Because I don’t want her to turn on us. Well I have to go. I have to see daddy.
See you later, Carly said not realizing that they’d had an audience for their conversation.
“What you and Carly failed to realize is that Laura Spencer isn’t the one who told”. “That was all of you and Helena Cassadine”. “She began to see the error of her ways as Mr. Morgan was questioning her”, Rand said.
“I don’t believe you”, Courtney said. “She has too much to lose, to be talking to anyone”.
“Wrong”, Rand said. “Last question”. “How did you get past the truth serum”?
“I don’t know; I just did”, Courtney said. “What happens now”?
“I think that you know”, Rand said. “Goodbye Miss Matthews”.
“I want to see Jason”, Courtney said.
“Not going to happen. He is at home with his wife and children”. “I am glad that I will be able to tell them that they will not have to worry about you anymore”, Rand said.
____________________
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Post by Admin on Nov 27, 2021 0:30:58 GMT -7
Chapter Forty-Four
“What are you thinking about”, Elizabeth asked? “Something is not quite right about what Helena told us”, Jason said. “She always has her own agenda”, Elizabeth said. “But this feels different, Jason said. I know from what you’ve told me, as well as what Emily has told me that she never plays fair”. “No she doesn’t, Elizabeth said. Instead of going after Luke and Laura for what happened back when, she went after Lucky”. “That is why this seems off, Jason said. I think that I need to talk to her again”.
____________________
Jason walked in and replayed the video of Cody questioning Helena….
Hello Mrs. Cassadine”.
Helena sneered
“Are you comfortable”?
“What do you think; no”, Helena answered.
“We have some questions for you; answer them truthfully and you live”.
“Why do you hate Elizabeth Webber”?
“I wouldn’t call it hate ……… per say”, Helena said. “I would say more like extreme dislike because of her connection to the Spencer family”.
“Did you help Courtney Matthews change Cameron Webber’s DNA test results”?
“Yes, I did”. “She came to me”. “Said Elizabeth needed to be punished”, Helena answered.
“But you claim not to hate Elizabeth; so why did you help”?
“To punish Lucky Spencer my dear young man”, Helena snickered.
“Did you know who young Cam’s real father was”?
“I was told that he was either Zander Smith’s or Lucky’s”. “Ms. Matthews assured me that Cam was Lucky’s”, Helena said.
“Did you know that Laura and Bobbie Spencer were in on it as well”?
“No, I did not know that”. “That is rather interesting”, Helena said.
“Did you know about Sarah Webber being in on it”?
“Yes, I did”. “She wanted to hurt Elizabeth”. “Kept saying that she knew Elizabeth’s secret”, Helena said.
“Did Sarah say anything else”?
“She said that Elizabeth being raped wasn’t random”. “I asked her what she meant”. “She told me that she and her partners had set that up; to hurt Elizabeth”, Helena said.
“Well, Ms. Matthews lied to you; Cam is not Zander’s or Lucky’s”. “He’s Jason Morgan’s son”. “This means that you are in very big trouble”.
“Hello Mrs. Cassadine”, Jason said. “Before we begin Mr. Morgan, I would like to talk to Mr. Rand”, Helena said. “What would you like to tell me”, Rand asked? “I will give you the name of the one man that you haven’t been able to find”. “The one who ordered your family killed”, Helena said. “Why should I believe you, Rand said? “Because; I want him dead as much as you do, Helena said. “And why is that, Rand asked? “He tried to kill me as well, Helena said. He had crossed me. “Give me the name, Rand said. “Before you leave”, Helena said. “Let me finish with Mr. Morgan”. Rand nodded.
……………
“You can call me Helena”, Mr. Morgan, Helena said. “What can I help you with”? “Why do I get the feeling that when I talked to you the last time, that you lied to me”, Jason said? “Because I did in a way”, Helena said. “Are you going to lie to me now”, Jason said? “No”, Helena said. “Why did you lie to me the first time”, Jason asked? “Because I needed to find out why one of my people veered off script”, Helena said. Jason looked at her.
“Let me explain”, Helena said. “Yes, I kidnapped Lucky Spencer, and made his family think that he was dead”. “And yes, I did have him brainwashed by Fasion”. “Why”, Jason asked? “Because I couldn’t touch Luke or Laura”, Helena said. “Every time that I tried, I failed”. “So I used Lucky”. “Where did Elizabeth fit in that plan”, Jason asked? “Lucky wouldn’t quit talking about her, Helena said. I never intended for her to be involved. I know who she really was even then; I had no intention of crossing her grandfather”. “Then why did you go after her”, Jason asked? “I didn’t”, Helena said. “But you ordered Nikolas to poison her’, Jason said. “No I didn’t, Helena said. Lucky had veered off script. I didn’t know that he had told his brother that until after the fact. And then Laura ran with it. I think that she had an ulterior motive for wanting Nikolas to poison Lucky’s girlfriend”. “Why did you get a call out to Siobhan”, Jason asked? “She veered off script, Helena said. Elizabeth was never to be a target this time. But she let Luke, Laura and Lucky con her”. “Why did you send her here”, Jason asked? “To take down Luke and Laura permanently”, Helena said. “Why”, Jason asked? “Laura and Luke lied to everyone about what happened with Stavros, Helena said. He didn’t kidnap Laura. She went with him willingly”. “Then why did Laura Spencer lie about what happened”, Jason asked? “Because she became unhappy with what happened. She couldn’t deal with Stavros; so she ran and then lied about what happened”. “Did Luke lie about not knowing about Nikolas”, Jason asked? “Yes, Helena said. He knew about Nikolas. He saw him when he fled with Laura. Laura willingly left her son behind to be with Luke”. “Why do you hate Elizabeth Webber”? “Or was that a lie as well”? “It was a lie. I have never hated Elizabeth Webber. In fact I admire her. She is a strong young lady, Helena said. She might have been a good match for Nikolas at one time”. “Did you help Courtney Matthews change Cameron Webber’s DNA test results”? “Yes, I did”. “She came to me”. “Said Elizabeth needed to be punished”, Helena answered. I only changed them long enough to earn Courtney’s trust. Then I changed them back to you”. “So then, after that, someone must have changed them again”, Jason said. “It would seem so, Helena said. I have nothing against you or Elizabeth. So someone else had to have changed the results”. “Did you know that Laura and Bobbie Spencer were in on it as well”? “No, I did not know that”. “That is rather interesting”, Helena said. But then again, I should have seen it coming. Laura would do anything to give her favored son whatever he wanted. Bobbie is just like her brother. Easily led”. “Did you know about Sarah Webber being in on it”? “Yes, I did”. “She wanted to hurt Elizabeth”. “Sarah kept saying that she knew Elizabeth’s secret”, Helena said. “I want Sarah Webber”. “Why”, Jason asked? “She crossed me, Helena said. She murdered one of my people at the hospital she worked at. But she is also like her mother. And her mother crossed me as well”. “Did Sarah say anything else”? “She said that Elizabeth being raped wasn’t random”. “I asked her what she meant”. “She told me that she and her partners had set that up; to hurt Elizabeth”, Helena said. I believe her words were “I set the whole thing in motion”. “How did Jennifer Webber cross you”, Jason asked? “She was involved with Stavros, before Laura Webber caught his eye. She got pregnant. She then aborted my grandchild. She will pay for that”. “Is that the real reason that Siobhan was told to marr Lucky”, Jason asked? “Yes, Helena said. Lucky was a failure. His brainwashing didn’t fully take. That is why he went after Elizabeth and kept spouting that she belonged with Nikolas”. “Did you know that I was Cameron’s real father when you changed the results”, Jason asked? “No, Helena said. When I saw the set of results, they showed that Zander Smith was his father”. “So they had been altered before you changed them, then changed them back”, Jason said. “Apparently”, Helena said. “Who showed you the results the first time”, Jason asked? “Sarah Webber”, Helena said. “Well that answers that”, Rand said. “Sarah changed them”. “Why are you taking revenge now”, Jason asked? “I’m dying, Helena said. I have an inoperable brain tumor. I want to make sure that Luke, Laura and Lucky can’t influence Nikolas. Emily is good for my grandson. Elizabeth is also a good friend to him. Can you ask her to look after him once I’m gone”? Jason just nodded. “How long do you have”? “Not long”, Helena said. “Let her go Rand”, Jason said. Rand nodded.
____________________
Two days later:
“Hello Mike, Jason said, as he and Rand entered the room. Mike saw Rand and started to shake. He knew who Rand was. He had crossed Rand. Why am I here Jason, Mike asked? Jason just pressed play on the DVD player…”
Begin flashback:
“What do you want, Mike demanded? Why am I here?
Hello Mr. Corbin.
Who are you and what do you want, Mike demanded again?
We have some questions to ask you.
Why was I brought here, Mike demanded to know?
I will be the one asking the questions Mr. Corbin.
………
Were you involved in Elizabeth and Jason not knowing that Cameron was Jason’s son?
Mike didn’t answer.
You can either answer me or I will make this very painful.
Why should I tell you anything, Mike said?
Because, another man said from across the room. If you don’t tell us what we want to know; you die.
Fine, Mike said. Yes, I was involved in keeping that knowledge from that whore and Jason.
Why?
Because Jason cheated on my daughter with that whore, Mike said.
But he didn’t. Neither Jason nor Elizabeth knew that Cameron was Jason’s.
How didn’t they, Mike demanded?
Because Laura Spencer, Carly Corinthos, your daughter and Helena Cassadine were responsible for Cameron’s existence.
What do you mean, Mike demanded?
The group that I just mentioned along with Bobbie Spencer, drugged Jason and Elizabeth; took genetic material from Jason and Elizabeth, and then impregnated Elizabeth. That is how Cameron happened. You kept Cameron from knowing his father because you wanted to protect your daughter, who was in it up to her neck.
I didn’t know, Mike claimed.
Your daughter was no angel. Did you know about the fact that she knew about Elizabeth being pushed down the stairs by Laura when she was married to Ric, which resulted in Elizabeth miscarrying? Or about the fact that she knew as well that Ric was drugging Elizabeth with birth control pills? You daughter thought that she deserved whatever she wanted, and everyone else be damned if that wasn’t what they wanted.
I didn’t know, Mike said.
Why did you help Carly convince Elizabeth that Jason wouldn’t want baby Jake?
Because Carly told me that he was going to take Courtney back. I wanted to ensure that, Mike said. Carly also said that Elizabeth was lying.
What did Elizabeth Morgan ever do to you? She was not lying about Jake being Jason’s son. She hadn’t slept with Lucky in the months before she became pregnant with Jake. So you kept another child from his father.
Oh, was all Mike said.
You are going to tell us everything that you helped Carly and Courtney do to Elizabeth.
Mike just nodded”.
End flashback:
Mike just sat there silently. He hadn’t done anything wrong. He was protecting his little girl. Elizabeth f----- Webber had taken Jason away from her.
“You are going to answer some questions for me, Jason said. And if you lie to me, I will make your death even more painful then it already will be”.
“WHY SHOULD I TELL YOU ANYTHING, Mike yelled? YOU BETRAYED MY LITTLE GIRL FOR THAT WHORE”!
Jason played the video of all that Courtney had told them….
Begin flashback:
“Hello Miss Matthews, Rand said.
Who the hell are you, Courtney demanded? Why am I here? And where the hell am I?
My name is Ezekiel Rand. You are here because of the crimes that you committed against someone that is close to a friend of mine. And as for where you are; that is of no importance to you at this time.
How would you know anything about what I’ve done, Courtney demanded?
I know everything about you Miss Natthews, Rand said. Including that you somehow managed to lie while medicated with truth serum.
I don’t believe you, Courtney said. You know nothing about me.
I will prove it, Rand said.
Courtney sat in the chair, silent.
Jason just watched.
Shall we begin, Rand asked? You were asked some questions in Port Charles. Let’s review that talk and then you can tell me how you lied and why you lied. And then you are going to tell me what you held back.
I am not going to tell you anything, Courtney sneered.
Oh, you will, Rand said. If you don’t then this will be very painful for you.
Courtney didn’t say anything. They wouldn’t hurt her.
Rand started the video of Cody questioning Courtney…”
Begin flashback:
“Hello, Miss Matthews”, Cody said.
“Who do you work for and what do you want”, Courtney asked?
“I have some questions for you”, Cody said. “So let’s get started”. “Do you know Sarah Webber Dietrich”, Cody asked?
“Yes, we’re good friends”, Courtney said with a smile.
“How long have you known her”, Cody asked?
“I’ve known her for about 10 years”, Courtney answered.
“Did Sarah help you change the DNA results for her nephew Cameron”, Cody asked?
“Yes, Sarah hates Elizabeth as much as I do”. “So when she found out what I was planning, she wanted in”. “She wanted to hurt her sister”, Courtney said.
“But by doing that you hurt Jason; I thought you loved him”. “So why would you hurt him”, Cody asked?
“He doesn’t know about Cam being his and he never will”. “I had a lot of help taking Cam from him”, Courtney answered.
“But why”, Cody asked? “And who helped you”?
“Because Cam would have been a permanent connection to Elizabeth”. “He loves children and he would have loved Cam. And that would have meant that Elizabeth would have been in our lives forever; I couldn’t allow that”. “Jason loves me and I was not about to let her have an “in” into our relationship”, Courtney spat. “It’s bad enough that she had Jake with him”.
“She’s delusional”, Jason thought.
“But you and Jason are no longer a couple”, Cody said.
“I’m going to get him back”, Courtney vowed. “And I’m going to get rid of Elizabeth and her brats”!
“Do you know how long Sarah’s known about Elizabeth being Jeff’s biological daughter”, Cody asked?
“Sarah said she’s known since she was 10”. “She found some papers in her father’s things”, Courtney replied.
“Who else helped you and Sarah”, Cody asked? “And why would they help”?
“Well there was Bobbie Spencer”. “She was helping to protect Lucky and give Laura a grandchild”. “Laura Spencer helped”. “She wanted to hurt Liz for sleeping with Jason; and she wanted to punish Jason for hurting her son”, Courtney said. “Then there was AJ; he wanted to hurt his brother”, she said.
He’d have to add AJ to his list, Jason thought.
“Helena Cassadine”, Courtney answered. “She just wanted someone to mess with”.
End flashback:
“We know that you lied to the man questioning you”, Rand said.
“I did not lie, Courtney said, while she thought: how could they know that I was lying”?
“We know you lied, because you were given truth serum as I stated before; but despite that you were able to lie”, Rand said.
“How would you know”, Courtney sneered?
“Because after that, we had you bugged”. Listen….
Begin flashback:
“How could he”? “He was supposed to come back to me”! “I’m the love of his life, and his soulmate”. “And D***, he knows that Cam is his”. “How did he find out; and who told him”? “I know it wasn’t Helena”. “And Sarah wouldn’t have told”. “And Bobbie and Laura had too much to gain”. “So who told him”? “They couldn’t have remembered that night”.
End flashback:
“YOU WHAT? YOU BEEN LISTENING TO EVERY CONVERSATION”, Courtney yelled?
“Yes we have”, Rand said.
Begin flashback:
“Hello”, Sarah said, answering her phone? “Did you hear”? “Hear what Courtney”, Sarah asked? “That Lucky’s in prison, Laura being in Roselawn, Luke being in jail, Elizabeth marrying Jason, or Cam being Jason’s son”, Courtney sneered. “Did you know about her other two brats being Jason’s”? “WHAT”, Sarah yelled? “What do you mean Lucky’s in prison”, Sarah asked? “What other brats”? Courtney then summarized what happened to Lucky. “Laura’s in Roselawn”? “All because she hit the little b****** with a brick”, Sarah spat? “Luke’s in jail because he deserves to be there”, Sarah stated.
“Yes, Laura is in Rose-lawn”, Courtney said. “They are saying that she is unhinged, at least that is what the gossip mongers are saying”. “What is this about Elizabeth and Jason getting married”, Sarah asked? “Jason and Elizabeth secretly got married a month ago”, Courtney sneered. “He married the B****”, Sarah yelled? “She doesn’t deserve him”! “And how did they find out about Cam”? “I DON’T KNOW”, Courtney yelled!
End flashback:
“We will be talking about your relationship with Sarah Webber as well”, Rand said.
Courtney just stared daggers at Rand.
Begin flashback:
“What can I do for you Courtney”, Sonny asked after Max showed her in? “You can tell me where Jason is”, Courtney said. “And why did you let Jason marry that bitch”? “I’m not telling you where Jason is”. “And I have no right to stop Jason from doing anything”, Sonny told his sister matter of fact. “There is NO WAY that brat is Jason’s”, Courtney sneered! “DNA tests proved that he is; having to make everyone wonder who changed the test results the first time”, Sonny said. “What would you know about that”? “Are you accusing me Sonny; because if you ARE, it would not be a good idea”. “I know about your business”, Courtney said. With lightning speed, Sonny had Courtney against the wall with a hand at her throat: “You’d best think twice about that dear sister”. “I know where you’ve buried the bodies”. “And you’d be wise to watch your back”.
End flashback:
Courtney was pissed off. Her brother and Jason had bugged her. But when she thought about it; she had never found any listening devices. How, Courtney demanded?
“Trade secret”, Rand said.
Jason just smirked from his hidden position.
Begin flashback:
“Why did we need to meet”, Courtney asked when she arrived?
“Sam here wanted to meet”, Carly said. “She screwed up”.
“No I didn’t”, Sam said. “I didn’t have all the info that I needed”. “No one told me about Elizabeth Webber having Jason’s children”.
“She didn’t have his children”, Carly spat. “Those kids are not his”.
“Everyone says that they are”, Sam said.
“They are lying”, Courtney said. “How are we going to find out where she is”?
“I have someone who is trying to find that out for us”, Carly said. “We should know within the next 48 hours”.
“What are we going to do once we find her”, Sam asked?
“We get rid of her and her bastard children”, Carly said. “Do not call to meet again”. “We need to make sure that we are not seen together”.
“Fine”, Courtney said.
“Fine”, Sam said before storming out.
“She could ruin this for us”, Courtney told Carly.
“Then we get rid of her”, Carly said. “But not until she kills Elizabeth and her brats for us”.
End flashback:
Sh--, Courtney thought. Now she really was in deep. She wondered if Jason had heard any of these recordings.
Begin flashback:
“What’s wrong”, Courtney asked as she walked in?
“The person that was going to find out where that b——- and her bastards are is unable to do so”, Carly sneered.
“Why”, Courtney asked?
“Because Mac Scorpio and his family disappeared last night”, Carly said.
“What do you mean disappeared”, Courtney said. “He is the police commissioner”. “He can’t disappear”. “How can they have vanished”?
“Well apparently he did; and he took his whole family with him”, Carly said.
“So now what are you going to do”, Courtney asked?
“I am going to find her; it will just take more time”, Carly said. “I am going to get Jason away from her”.
End flashback:
Courtney thought: at least I won’t be the only one this man goes after.
Begin flashback:
“Sonny we need to talk”, Courtney said once Max had closed the door.
“About what”, Sonny asked?
“About Jason”, Courtney said.
“What about him”, Sonny said. He knew what she was up to; and he was going to let her hang herself.
“You have to find him”, Courtney said.
“Why”, Sonny said. “He is no longer any concern of yours”.
“Because he should be here watching your back”, Courtney said.
“I have good men watching my back Courtney”, Sonny said.
“I am the one he is meant to be with; not that b—- Elizabeth Webber”. “You need to find him and bring him back”, Courtney said.
“No”, Sonny said. “And watch your mouth”. “Say something else about Elizabeth Morgan and it will be your end”.
“I don’t have to watch my mouth about her”. “You need to find him, bring him home and make him divorce her and make him marry me”, Courtney said.
“And why the hell do I have to do that”, Sonny said. “Jason is happy in his marriage to Elizabeth”. “He is happy raising his children with Elizabeth”. “He is just plain f———- happy”. “And I am not doing anything to ruin that happiness”. “So again, you need to stop”.
“No”, Sonny. “I will not stop”. “You need to do as I say or I will ruin you”, Courtney said.
Sonny then grabbed her by the throat pushing her against the wall. “Are you really threatening me again”? “Try and you’ll die; and it won’t matter that you’re my sister or Mike’s daughter”. “MAX”!
“Yeah boss”, Max said, opening the door?
“Courtney’s leaving”, Sonny said.
“You will regret this Sonny”, Courtney said storming out.
End flashback:
Oh, how she wanted her brother dead at this moment. He was a traitor!
Begin flashback:
Hey, Carly said as Courtney walked in. What is up?
Well, I am worried about Laura talking, Courtney said.
Why, Carly asked? She has as much to lose as we do if she does talk.
Well she seems to think that I know more than I do about the truth about Cameron. She seems to think that we’ve been lying to her about everything, and about the fact that we didn’t know that Jason was Cameron’s father, Courtney said.
Well why would she think that, Carly said?
Who knows you know she’s as crazy as ever, Courtney said.
What did you say to her exactly, Courtney said?
Why would you ask me that question, Courtney asked?
Because Courtney I don’t trust you not to say something you shouldn’t, Carly said.
I do know the truth about Cameron‘s paternity, Courtney said. Yes we know that he’s Jason’s son but we didn’t know any sooner than anyone else. I knew that he had been Jason’s from the beginning, that Jason would’ve loved him Courtney said, not realizing that she had just slipped and almost spilled what she knew. As she realized that she had almost let out the secret that she had known the truth that Cameron was Jason‘s son from the beginning she looked at Carly to see if Carly had figured it out or had caught what she had said. Looking at Carly, Courtney realized that Carly hadn’t realized what she’d said.
I will have to go and see her and remind her of what we all have to lose if any of us talks. And I will also assure her that none of us have lied to her, Carly said.
I hope that you can convince her of that, Courtney said. Because I don’t want her to turn on us. Well I have to go. I have to see daddy.
See you later, Carly said not realizing that they’d had an audience for their conversation.
End flashback:
“And here is what she later told Rand”, Jason said, playing another DVD….
Begin flashback:
“So let’s address the contents of those recordings, Rand said.
Let’s not, Courtney sneered.
The next thing that Courtney knew, Rand had cut her left arm.
Courtney screamed.
I can go on for hours Miss Matthews, Rand said.
FINE, Courtney yelled. She wouldn’t be able to take much more.
Rand started the recordings from the beginning again”.
“Hello, Miss Matthews”, Cody said.
“Who do you work for and what do you want”, Courtney asked?
“I have some questions for you”, Cody said. “So let’s get started”. “Do you know Sarah Webber Dietrich”, Cody asked?
“Yes, we’re good friends”, Courtney said with a smile.
“How long have you known her”, Cody asked?
“I’ve known her for about 10 years”, Courtney answered.
“Rand stopped the tape then asked: How did you meet Sarah Webber Dietrich, Rand asked?
I met her while traveling before I found out that my father is Mike Corbin, Courtney said.
Who befriended who, Rand asked?
I did, Courtney said. I thought that she would make a great friend”.
“Did Sarah help you change the DNA results for her nephew Cameron”, Cody asked?
“Yes, Sarah hates Elizabeth as much as I do”. “So when she found out what I was planning, she wanted in”. “She wanted to hurt her sister”, Courtney said.
“But by doing that you hurt Jason; I thought you loved him”. “So why would you hurt him”, Cody asked?
“He doesn’t know about Cam being his and he never will”. “I had a lot of help taking Cam from him”, Courtney answered.
“How did you get the DNA results for Cameron Morgan changed, Rand asked?
Don’t call him that, Courtney said. I will never believe that he is Jason’s son.
Ahhhhhh, Courtney screamed as Rand took a knife to Courtney’s other arm.
How did you get the DNA results for Cameron Morgan changed, Rand asked?
I slept with the tech guy in the lab, Courtney said finally.
What exactly did Sarah tell you when she asked you to help her change the results, Rand asked?
She said that she wanted to punish Elizbaeth. That she wanted Elizabeth to suffer; Sarah said that it was because she was brought into her home and took her father’s attention off of her and her mother, Courtney said”.
“But why”, Cody asked? “And who helped you”?
“But why did you really get involved, Rand asked?
Because Jason is supposed to be with me; Carly told me so, Courtney said. I thought that by doing what I helped do, that Elizabeth would be out of Jason’s life permanently. But that didn’t happen”.
“Because Cam would have been a permanent connection to Elizabeth”. “He loves children and he would have loved Cam. And that would have meant that Elizabeth would have been in our lives forever; I couldn’t allow that”. “Jason loves me and I was not about to let her have an “in” into our relationship”, Courtney spat. “It’s bad enough that she had Jake with him”.
“Why would you care that Jason and Elizabeth conceived Jake Morgan, Rand asked?
Because Jake was supposed to be mine, Courtney said.
From what I was told, Jason never intended to have children with you, Rand said.
How the hell would you know, Courtney said?
Because, Rand said. He is a very good friend. He and I have talked about you and your marriage.
Courtney was shocked at that statement”.
“But you and Jason are no longer a couple”, Cody said.
“I’m going to get him back”, Courtney vowed. “And I’m going to get rid of Elizabeth and her brats”!
“And just how did you think that you were going to get rid of Elizabeth Morgan and their children, Rand asked?
I was going to poison them, Courtney said.
With what, Rand asked?
A poison that I got from someone, Courtney said.
Who would that someone be, Rand asked?
Carly Corinthos, Courtney admitted”.
“Do you know how long Sarah’s known about Elizabeth being Jeff’s biological daughter”, Cody asked?
“Sarah said she’s known since she was 10”. “She found some papers in her father’s things”, Courtney replied.
“Did Sarah ever tell you how she found out the truth about Elizabeth, Rand asked?
Sarah said that she found out by snooping in her father’s papers, in his office. She said that he had them well hidden, but that she still found them, Courtney said. She also told me that her mother had already known”.
“Who else helped you and Sarah”, Cody asked? “And why would they help”?
“Well there was Bobbie Spencer”. “She was helping to protect Lucky and give Laura a grandchild”. “Laura Spencer helped”. “She wanted to hurt Liz for sleeping with Jason; and she wanted to punish Jason for hurting her son”, Courtney said. “Then there was AJ; he wanted to hurt his brother”, she said.
“How did you get Bobbie Spencer to help you, Rand asked? Was AJ Quartermaine really involved, or did you lie about that?
Laura and I lied to Bobbie to get her to help. That woman is as gullible as Laura Spencer, Courtney said. No, AJ was never involved. I lied so that Jason would go after him and kill him. I want the man dead. He is a threat to my happiness with Jason”.
“Helena Cassadine”, Courtney answered. “She just wanted someone to mess with”.
“How did you get Helena to believe you, Rand asked?
I just fed into her believed lies; the ones that Lucky kept spouting when she had him captive, Courtney said. And she believed me.
Let’s move on to the next recording, Rand said.
“How could he”? “He was supposed to come back to me”! “I’m the love of his life, and his soulmate”. “And D***, he knows that Cam is his”. “How did he find out; and who told him”? “I know it wasn’t Helena”. “And Sarah wouldn’t have told”. “And Bobbie and Laura had too much to gain”. “So who told him”? “They couldn’t have remembered that night”.
You were talking about Jason marrying Elizabeth right, Rand said?
Yes; he was supposed to marry ME, Courtney said.
You were never the love of his life, Rand said. From what he told me, he was pushed to marry you by Carly Corinthos. That woman didn’t give him a choice.
And his finding out the truth about Cam; he found out from people wouldn’t lie to him. And he had every right to know, Rand said. Moving on”.
“Hello”, Sarah said, answering her phone? “Did you hear”? “Hear what Courtney”, Sarah asked? “That Lucky’s in prison, Laura being in Roselawn, Luke being in jail, Elizabeth marrying Jason, or Cam being Jason’s son”, Courtney sneered. “Did you know about her other two brats being Jason’s”? “WHAT”, Sarah yelled? “What do you mean Lucky’s in prison”, Sarah asked? “What other brats”? Courtney then summarized what happened to Lucky. “Laura’s in Roselawn”? “All because she hit the little b****** with a brick”, Sarah spat? “Luke’s in jail because he deserves to be there”, Sarah stated.
“Yes, Laura is in Rose-lawn”, Courtney said. “They are saying that she is unhinged, at least that is what the gossip mongers are saying”. “What is this about Elizabeth and Jason getting married”, Sarah asked? “Jason and Elizabeth secretly got married a month ago”, Courtney sneered. “He married the B****”, Sarah yelled? “She doesn’t deserve him”! “And how did they find out about Cam”? “I DON’T KNOW”, Courtney yelled!
“Interesting, Rand said. That you didn’t know that Sarah had known the truth about Cam from the beginning.
Courtney remained silent.
And Sarah will get hers, Rand said. Did you know that she is currently in a jail cell in AZ. She apparently has been murdering patients. Moving on”.
“What can I do for you Courtney”, Sonny asked after Max showed her in? “You can tell me where Jason is”, Courtney said. “And why did you let Jason marry that bitch”?
“Why did you think that Sonny would help you, over helping Jason and someone that he owed, Rand asked?
Because Sonny is my brother, and I should have come first, Courtney said. Jason is just his employee.
Wow, Rand said. I see how little you think of Mr. Morgan”. “I’m not telling you where Jason is”. “And I have no right to stop Jason from doing anything”, Sonny told his sister matter of fact. “There is NO WAY that brat is Jason’s”, Courtney sneered! “DNA tests proved that he is; having to make everyone wonder who changed the test results the first time”, Sonny said. “What would you know about that”? “Are you accusing me Sonny; because if you ARE, it would not be a good idea”. “I know about your business”, Courtney said. With lightning speed, Sonny had Courtney against the wall with a hand at her throat: “You’d best think twice about that dear sister”. “I know where you’ve buried the bodies”. “And you’d be wise to watch your back”.
“You thought that you could threaten your brother; a mob boss, Rand asked? You are lucky that he didn’t kill you on the spot. And I was also given the information that Sonny has on you.
Oh god, Courtney thought.
One more thing before we move on, Rand said. Sonny and Jason also know about your part in framing Johnny O’Brien as a traitor.
Sh--, Courtney thought.
Moving on, Rand said. The recordings played again…”
“Why did we need to meet”, Courtney asked when she arrived?
“Sam here wanted to meet”, Carly said. “She screwed up”.
“No I didn’t”, Sam said. “I didn’t have all the info that I needed”. “No one told me about Elizabeth Webber having Jason’s children”.
“She didn’t have his children”, Carly spat. “Those kids are not his”.
“Everyone says that they are”, Sam said.
“They are lying”, Courtney said. “How are we going to find out where she is”?
“Miss Matthews, no one was lying, Rand said. Cameron is Jason’s biological son. Jake is his biological son. And Lindy is his biological daughter. 8 different DNA tests prove that. Where is your proof that claims that they aren’t?
Eight tests, Courtney thought. We only had one run on each of them. Who lied to me”?
“I have someone who is trying to find that out for us”, Carly said. “We should know within the next 48 hours”.
“What are we going to do once we find her”, Sam asked?
“We get rid of her and her bastard children”, Carly said. “Do not call to meet again”. “We need to make sure that we are not seen together”.
“Fine”, Courtney said.
“Fine”, Sam said before storming out.
“She could ruin this for us”, Courtney told Carly.
“Then we get rid of her”, Carly said. “But not until she kills Elizabeth and her brats for us”.
Well, Rand said. You won’t be killing anyone. Because when you leave here it will not be to your freedom. Moving on.
“What’s wrong”, Courtney asked as she walked in?
“The person that was going to find out where that b——- and her bastards are is unable to do so”, Carly sneered.
“Why”, Courtney asked?
“Because Mac Scorpio and his family disappeared last night”, Carly said.
“What do you mean disappeared”, Courtney said. “He is the police commissioner”. “He can’t disappear”. “How can they have vanished”?
“Well apparently he did; and he took his whole family with him”, Carly said.
You should know, The Scorpio family is safe. They are here in town. They are under my protection as well As Mr. Morgan’s protection. Mr. Scorpio realized early enough that Mrs. Corinthos was having him followed.
“So now what are you going to do”, Courtney asked?
“I am going to find her; it will just take more time”, Carly said. “I am going to get Jason away from her”.
Mrs. Corinthos will not be doing anything, Rand said. Here time on this earth is running out; she just doesn’t realize it. She lied to you as well. She has always known that Jason loved Elizabeth. Moving on.
“Sonny we need to talk”, Courtney said once Max had closed the door.
“About what”, Sonny asked?
“About Jason”, Courtney said.
“What about him”, Sonny said. He knew what she was up to; and he was going to let her hang herself.
“You have to find him”, Courtney said.
“Why”, Sonny said. “He is no longer any concern of yours”.
“Because he should be here watching your back”, Courtney said.
“I have good men watching my back Courtney”, Sonny said.
“I am the one he is meant to be with; not that b—- Elizabeth Webber”. “You need to find him and bring him back”, Courtney said.
“No”, Sonny said. “And watch your mouth”. “Say something else about Elizabeth Morgan and it will be your end”.
“I don’t have to watch my mouth about her”. “You need to find him, bring him home and make him divorce her and make him marry me”, Courtney said.
“And why the hell do I have to do that”, Sonny said. “Jason is happy in his marriage to Elizabeth”. “He is happy raising his children with Elizabeth”. “He is just plain f———- happy”. “And I am not doing anything to ruin that happiness”. “So again, you need to stop”.
“No”, Sonny. “I will not stop”. “You need to do as I say or I will ruin you”, Courtney said.
Sonny then grabbed her by the throat pushing her against the wall. “Are you really threatening me again”? “Try and you’ll die; and it won’t matter that you’re my sister or Mike’s daughter”. “MAX”!
“Yeah boss”, Max said, opening the door?
“Courtney’s leaving”, Sonny said.
“You will regret this Sonny”, Courtney said storming out.
You just never learn do you, Rand asked?
Courtney didn’t answer.
You need to realize that you are never going to get what you want. I will not allow that to happen. Neither will Mr. Morgan. Moving on.
Hey, Carly said as Courtney walked in. What is up?
Well, I am worried about Laura talking, Courtney said.
Why, Carly asked? She has as much to lose as we do if she does talk.
Well she seems to think that I know more than I do about the truth about Cameron. She seems to think that we’ve been lying to her about everything, and about the fact that we didn’t know that Jason was Cameron’s father, Courtney said.
Well why would she think that, Carly said?
Who knows you know she’s as crazy as ever, Courtney said.
What did you say to her exactly, Courtney said?
Why would you ask me that question, Courtney asked?
Because Courtney I don’t trust you not to say something you shouldn’t, Carly said.
I do know the truth about Cameron‘s paternity, Courtney said. Yes we know that he’s Jason’s son but we didn’t know any sooner than anyone else. I knew that he had been Jason’s from the beginning, that Jason would’ve loved him Courtney said, not realizing that she had just slipped and almost spilled what she knew. As she realized that she had almost let out the secret that she had known the truth that Cameron was Jason‘s son from the beginning she looked at Carly to see if Carly had figured it out or had caught what she had said. Looking at Carly, Courtney realized that Carly hadn’t realized what she’d said.
I will have to go and see her and remind her of what we all have to lose if any of us talks. And I will also assure her that none of us have lied to her, Carly said.
I hope that you can convince her of that, Courtney said. Because I don’t want her to turn on us. Well I have to go. I have to see daddy.
See you later, Carly said not realizing that they’d had an audience for their conversation.
What you and Carly failed to realize is that Laura Spencer isn’t the one who told. That was all of you and Helena Cassadine. She began to see the error of her ways as Mr. Morgan was questioning her, Rand said.
I don’t believe you, Courtney said. She has too much to lose, to be talking to anyone.
Wrong, Rand said. Last question. How did you get past the truth serum?
I don’t know; I just did, Courtney said. What happens now?
I think that you know, Rand said. Goodbye Miss Matthews.
I want to see Jason, Courtney said.
Not going to happen. He is at home with his wife and children. I am glad that I will be able to tell them that they will not have to worry about you anymore, Rand said.
End flashback:
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