“Is Carrie Reed there, please? ” Austin asked, gripping the phone. “Do you know when she’ll be back? She’s with Dr.
Horton. I see. No, no message. ”
He barely hung up before Sami burst through the door, her eyes blazing.
“Austin, I’m so glad you’re here. She’s disgusting. ”
“What? ”
“I can’t take it for one day more.
Nicole. I mean, she’s playing this role as wife and mother to the hilt. It’s disgusting. It’s an act, and I’m going to find a way to prove it.
”
Austin held up his hands. “Okay, let’s say it’s all true, and I believe the marriage is a setup just like you do. But there’s no way for us to prove it. ”
“Well, you might be right, but I think I may have found something even better.
”
“What? ”
“This letter to Kate from Rosa Barelli. ”
“Roberto’s sister. Why would she write Kate?
”
“I don’t know. But I’m going to steam open this letter, and we’re going to find out. ”
“Sami, wait a second. You can’t open up that letter.
”
“Austin, watch me. ”
She carefully pried the envelope open and pulled out the paper inside. Her eyes scanned the words, then widened. “Dear Ms.
Roberts, I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for my family, especially making the arrangements and paying for Roberto’s funeral. You are an extremely generous person. Mom and I will never forget you. ”
Sami looked up, stunned.
“Kate paid for Roberto’s funeral? Why would she do that? ”
Austin frowned. “Maybe my mom paid for Roberto’s funeral because his confession is what saved you.
”
“You don’t believe that any more than I do, Austin. You know, Rosa says ‘extremely generous’ in here. What does she mean by that? Do you think you could find out exactly how much money Kate gave Rosa and her mother?
”
“Yeah, I think I can. Why do you want to know? ”
“Roberto’s confession is what saved my life, but it also cleared Lucas of killing Franco. Now, my dad and I both think that Lucas is the one who did it and that Kate helped him cover it up.
”
“So you think that the money that was given to Roberto’s family was bribe money? ”
“Money for a job well done? Maybe Kate made a deathbed deal with Roberto. She agreed to take care of his family if he would confess to Franco’s murder.
Austin, if that’s true, do you realize that Will is being raised by a murderer? That is why I will not stop until I get my son away from Lucas. ”
—
Across town, Lucas handed Brandon a beer. “Thought you could use this.
”
“Great. Where’s Nicky? ”
“She’s upstairs reading Will a story. ”
“No kidding?
”
“She’s great with that little guy. They’re really starting to bond. ”
Brandon raised his bottle. “Hey, you were sure right when you said you had it all.
”
“Well, ever since I married Nicole, my life has taken a complete 180. I never thought I would be this happy. ”
“Nicky’s on a roll, too. Whoever said money can’t buy happiness sure got a wrong number.
Marrying you was the smartest thing sis ever did. ”
Lucas’s smile faltered. “Are you saying Nicole married me just because of my money, Brandon? ”
“Did you marry her just because she’s beautiful?
”
“No, but, you know, it didn’t hurt. ”
“Well, your having big bucks didn’t hurt, either. I mean, let’s face it. Rich guys have it made in the shade.
Women throw themselves at guys with money. ”
“Oh, man. You’re a cynic, Brandon. ”
“Come on.
Big house, family car, unlimited credit—chicks are all over you even if you’re a jerk. I don’t mean you, Lucas. I’m not saying you’re a jerk. ”
“That’s all right.
Don’t worry about it. You know, you’re right, having a lot of money does make your life easier, and your sister will never have to worry about money again. It’s got to be a relief, considering where she came from. ”
“We came from nothing.
”
“Yeah. You know what? I can sympathize with that. ”
“Yeah, right.
”
“I can. Really, seriously. I grew up with nothing, too. ”
“Oh?
”
“Yeah. In the beginning, it was just me and my mom. She worked long hard hours during the day and went to school at night, but it all paid off. ”
“How about you?
Do you work as hard as Kate? ”
“No, but I do my job. I just don’t let it consume me. ”
“No, I guess you don’t.
”
“Nope. I believe in enjoying life and having a good time. ”
“And you got the coin to do it. ”
“Yeah.
”
“Yep, you’ve got it all, brother-in-law—beautiful wife, great kid, and all the money you’ll ever need. ”
“Yeah. ”
“Here’s to you, Lucas. ”
“Thanks.
But, you know, Brandon, money isn’t the answer to all your problems. ”
“It sure would solve my problems. With enough money, you can buy your way out of anything. ”
Lucas studied him.
“Look, Brandon, what kind of problems you talking about? ”
“I was speaking hypothetically. ”
“Oh. Well, you’re right, having money does help, but you’ve got to be responsible for your actions all the same.
”
“Meaning what? ”
“I was just speaking hypothetically. ”
“What I wouldn’t give to have the life you do, living like this. ”
“But you are living like this thanks to Nicole.
”
“And you. And don’t think I don’t appreciate it. I caught a real break here. It’s given me time to clean up my act.
”
“Oh, really? What act is that? ”
“Huh? ”
“What do you do?
”
“This and that. ”
“All right. What about down the line? What do you want to do with your future?
”
“What’s with all the questions? ”
“Well, you are staying at my house, Brandon. I think I have a right to be a little curious. I want to know what you want here in Salem.
”
“What’s best for my sister. ”
“Well, at least we both agree on that. ”
“I know that someday I want to get married, have a kid. ”
“Take my advice.
Be careful—be very careful—who you have kids with. ”
“Now you’re talking about Sami. ”
“That’s right. ”
“It can’t be easy being enemies with the mother of your child.
”
“No, that’s an understatement. It is not easy at all. ”
“One thing puzzles me. If you and Sami hate each other so much, how did you have Will in the first place?
”
“Probably the biggest mistake of my life. Huge mistake. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I love my son with all my heart.
I’d do anything for that guy. It’s just Sami. You know, Sami is the monster. ”
“Sorry, Lucas, but I find that hard to believe.
I think she’s kind of hot. No, not kind of hot, definitely hot, and I admire her determination. ”
“Oh, my God. Wait a minute.
Don’t tell me that you’re interested in her. ”
“Just curious about her, that’s all. ”
“Curious about what? ”
“I don’t know.
Does she come from money? ”
“Her mom’s a shrink. Her dad’s a cop. Of course, her stepfather, he’s got a lot of money, so I don’t see her starving any time soon.
Is that what you’re worried about, Brandon—money? ”
“What, I’m not allowed to wonder about people? ”
“Don’t get defensive on me. ”
“I was just asking.
”
“All right. If you’re interested in Sami, forget it, all right? She’ll destroy your life. Trust me.
You have no idea what that witch is capable of. ”
“Now you’ve really got me curious. ”
“She made my life a living hell and my mom’s life, too. ”
“How’s that?
”
“Let’s just leave it at that, okay? ”
“Just one last question, okay? ”
“What now? ”
“If you hate Sami so much… why did you confess to Franco Kelly’s murder?
”
“For Will’s sake, Brandon, of course. I don’t want my son growing up without his mother, even though Sami’s done everything she could to get me away from my son. She needs to get a life, leave mine the hell alone. ”
“It sounds like all Sami needs is a man in her life, someone who will take her mind off getting back at you.
”
“Yeah. There’s just one problem with that. The only man Sami wants is my brother Austin. ”
“Would I be way off the mark if I guessed that Sami getting together with Austin is just about the last thing you want to happen?
”
“Bingo. ”
—
At the hospital, Mike Horton was trying to salvage what was left of his relationship with Carrie Reed. “Listen, I know it’s a shock finding out I was with Ali, and that you’re upset. And why wouldn’t you be?
”
“Mike, what I’m upset about is that you deliberately kept it from me. ”
“I know, and I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to hurt you. ”
“Oh, you didn’t want to hurt me?
How do you think that I feel now? I have made a complete fool of myself. ”
“No, you—”
“Yeah. For months, I thought Ali was delusional and living in a total fantasy world.
And now I find out that she’s the one that was telling the truth all along, and you’re the one that was lying. ”
“There was never any relationship. ”
“Oh, so, it was just sex, is that what you’re saying? ”
“We slept together once.
I realized it was a mistake. I broke up with her. ”
“And that’s supposed to make me feel better? ”
“Listen, I—she seemed to accept it.
I thought even maybe we could be friends, but she just—she would not give up on trying to get me to fall in love with her. ”
“Because she was in love with you, Mike. She is in love with you. ”
“But it’s not love, it’s an obsession.
That’s what I’m saying. She’s clinging to this idea that we have a future together, and that makes no sense. I never made her any promises, Carrie. I certainly did not promise her the head nurse job to get her into bed.
I didn’t have to promise her anything to get her into bed. Please tell me you believe me. ”
“I honestly don’t know what to believe anymore. ”
“Carrie, Carrie… the only relationship I want to have is with you.
You’re the only woman I love. The only woman I want to be with is you. ”
“Is that what you told Ali? Are those the words that you used with her when you were in bed?
”
“Of course not. ”
“Well, I mean, you must have said something that Ali could have misconstrued the night that you slept with her, Mike. ”
“No. ”
“So, you didn’t speak at all?
”
“Okay. There was some pillow talk. ”
“Which Ali could have taken seriously? ”
“No.
That’s my whole point. We were joking. It was uncomfortable. It was after we made love.
See, that’s what I mean. That’s why the idea of me promising her something to get her into bed is preposterous. This whole thing is about revenge, pure and simple. ”
“Oh, because you broke up with her.
She’d go to these lengths because of that? ”
“Yes! She’s been in denial ever since it happened, and this lawsuit is just a means of punishing me. And if she can extort money from me and the hospital at the same time—”
“You know, Mike, I hate to say this, but I’m beginning to think that you’re the one that’s in denial, and Ali’s lawsuit could very well be justified.
”
—
Ali McIntyre, meanwhile, was basking in her newfound attention. She had just finished charming the press, painting herself as the victim and Carrie Reed as the disturbed one. Her mother, Claire, watched her warily. “You weren’t talking to yourself, were you, dear?
”
“Of course not. I was just preparing a statement for the press, rehearsing out loud. ”
“Well, earlier, you certainly handled the press beautifully. You were calm, lucid, and very convincing.
”
“Oh, I shocked the hell out of you, didn’t I? You thought I’d be exposed for the raving lunatic you think I am. ”
“I thought nothing of the kind. I was worried about you, that’s all.
I know that kind of attention can make you very nervous, dear. ”
“On the contrary, clueless mother, attention is what I crave. Attention, respect, admiration—you know, all the things I never got at home. ”
“Alison, this isn’t about you.
What I mean is just because someone is being attentive—”
“What? Whoa, whoa. You jealous? You are, aren’t you?
”
“Don’t be ridiculous. ”
“Because you wish that you were being interviewed by all those TV people, getting your nose powdered by makeup artists, your face on the cover of magazines. ”
“Oh, that’s utter nonsense. You know, I really wish you could keep things in proper perspective, that’s all.
”
“Oh, God. Stop bringing me down. I know exactly what I’m doing. ”
“You do?
”
“Yes, I’m going to out-P. R. Carrie Reed, expose that slut for the hypocrite she is. By the time I’m through with Dr.
Horton, he’ll be lucky to get a job emptying bedpans. ”
“Well, it’s time to go, dear. We don’t want to be late for the lawyers. ”
“There is no ‘we,’ Mother.
I’m handling this alone. ”
“Well, I really think I should be with you, dear. I mean—”
“Mother, I am perfectly capable of doing this by myself. Besides, this is my time for the spotlight, and I’m not sharing.
”
Later, Ali cornered Carrie in the hospital corridor. “You talked to Mike, didn’t you? ”
“Yes, I did. ”
“Good.
Now you know I wasn’t lying, that Mike and I did have one wonderful, passionate, steamy night of sex. So, how are you going to defend your boyfriend now, Carrie? Hmm? ”
—
At Titan, Kate Roberts was preparing for a crucial meeting with the bankers.
She needed a $30 million loan to acquire an internet sales company, a deal she believed was vital for the company’s future. Her assistant, Mindy, tried to reassure her. “Anything else you need for the meeting, Ms. Roberts?
”
“Victor. I need his guidance. I need his brilliance. I need his powers of persuasion.
You know, I talked to him earlier, and he thinks it’s very important that we acquire this internet sales company. It’s important for the future of Titan. But without him by my side, it’s going to be so difficult to squeeze a loan out of these banker types. ”
“You’ll charm the pants off them.
”
“Oh, God. It’s not their pants I want. It’s their cash. To complicate matters even further, Vivian wants in on the meeting, and thanks to Stefano, she now owns 49% of the company, so it’s going to be difficult for me to prevent her from attending.
Maybe I’ll get lucky and she’ll die en route. ”
Vivian Alamain, meanwhile, was reveling in her scheme. “Ah, isn’t it a glorious day? The sun is shining, birds are singing, and Stefano is still in Europe.
”
Her nephew Nicholas raised an eyebrow. “And what do you think he could be doing over there? ”
“God only knows, but it’s bliss. I am so tired of pretending that I’m dying.
”
“Must I remind you that you being terminally ill is the only reason Stefano gave you 49% of Titan? It’s also the reason that Kate agreed to give you back your office and let you become an active part of the company. ”
“Oh, darling, I have you to thank for that. ”
“No, all I did was point out to Kate that it was better to keep you close to her, so she can keep an eye on you instead of wondering what you’re doing behind her back.
”
“Nicholas, you are wiser than your years. ”
“It’s those good old Alamain genes. And now, Aunt Vivian, it would be my pleasure to escort you to Titan and lend you moral support as you give Kate a big thumbs up. ”
At the meeting, Kate laid out her proposal.
“Well, internet is the wave of the future, there’s no disputing that. Direct sales of our books and our cosmetics are going to cut distribution costs, cut out the middle man profit, and avoid overproduction of our slower-selling items. Now, I have made up some revised sales projections. If you open your folders—”
One of the bankers cut her off.
“That won’t be necessary. We’ve crunched the numbers ourselves, and have already come to a decision about the loan. ”
“We have enormous respect for you, Kate, and for this company,” another added. “But the fact of the matter is Titan’s profits have plummeted this year.
”
“A number of divisions are losing money,” the first banker said. “We’re turning that around. It’s only a matter of time. ”
“Time is money, Kate—our money.
”
Vivian seized her moment. “You know, Kate has had some very serious personal problems this year, so who could possibly blame her for completely ignoring her responsibilities to Titan? Not I. ”
Kate’s jaw tightened.
“Any personal problems I’ve had are solved. Titan is my number-one priority. ”
“I hope so, Kate,” the banker said, “but considering the company’s reduced profits, increased debt, and virtual absence of cash reserves, I’m afraid we can’t approve the loan. ”
“With all due respect, I think that’s a bad decision, and I’m asking you to reconsider.
”
Vivian sighed dramatically. “Much as I want Titan to succeed—and, my God, I own 49% of the company—I have to be realistic. I’m afraid you’re making the right decision. Kate has driven this company into the ground, and I wouldn’t trust her with 30 cents, let alone a $30-million loan.
”
“I’m glad you understand, Vivian. Perhaps you should consider bringing in another top executive to help you run the company. ”
Kate stood. “I am in charge of Titan, and that’s how it’s going to remain.
Thank you very much for your time, gentlemen. We’ll be getting the money elsewhere. ”
After the bankers left, Vivian smiled smugly. Kate turned on her.
“You wipe that smile off your face, or I’ll do it for you. ”
Vivian gasped. “What would Victor say if he heard that? Now, of course, he’s going to realize that you are not capable of running this company.
”
“You would just love to tell Victor what happened here today, but you won’t. You can’t. I’ve made sure that you’re barred from ever seeing him. As long as I draw breath, you won’t get your talons into him or his company.
”
Vivian laughed. “Well, we’ll see about that. All I have to do is get to Victor and get him to replace Kate with me. ”
Nicholas stepped in.
“And how do you figure you’re going to do that, seeing as how you’re barred? ”
“Don’t you think there’s some way you might be able to distract Kate for a bit? ”
“Shouldn’t be too difficult to come up with something. ”
Later, Nicholas knocked on Kate’s door.
“Well, that was one angry ‘come in. ’ Are you all right? ”
“You know, if Vivian sent you over to gloat, just forget it. ”
“She has no idea I’m here.
I came because I know those bankers upset you. I thought maybe I could help out. ”
“Well, I don’t see how. ”
“Actually, I have a proposition for you.
”
—
Craig Wesley, watching Mike’s distress from a distance, saw his opportunity. “Mike doesn’t look too jolly, does he? ”
His wife Nancy shook her head. “No, he doesn’t.
”
“This will be the perfect time for me to make my move. ”
“Please—”
“Hey, hey, no guilt, Nancy. No guilt. Just remember our goal.
”
He approached Mike. “How you doing? Pressure getting to you? ”
“Well, I was kind of hoping this whole lawsuit would just kind of fade away, but it doesn’t seem to be doing that.
”
“No. No, at this particular point in time, it seems to be set in motion. You know, I’d never want to add salt to the wound, but I have a feeling this whole thing could get a lot uglier for you and the hospital. ”
“So, what’s your point?
”
“I’m sorry. I was just commiserating with you, that’s all. Mike, do you mind if I give you some advice? I mean, I know you may not want any from me, but, you know, if I were in your shoes, I know what I’d do.
”
“Let’s hear it. ”
“Resign. ”
—
Back at the Roberts house, Sami was pacing. “Austin, I can’t.
I can’t ever forget what it felt like to know that I was about to die. I was framed. I was wrongfully accused of murder and sentenced to death. And to top it off, I lost custody of my son because of it.
I’m going to do everything that I can to get Will back. ”
“It’s going to be tough to win in court. ”
“I’m not going to let Lucas share my little boy with me. I want to be with Will all the time.
”
Austin looked at her thoughtfully. “Well, I think I may know of a way to make that happen. ”
Sami stopped pacing and stared at him. “What do you mean?
”
Austin didn’t answer right away. He just looked at her, a new determination in his eyes.
