Dance with the Devil: Chapter 65

Helena Cassadine had never been the most maternal of women.  With her firstborn, she had tried and she did come to love him, but with her second child, there was absolutely nothing there.  So, when she went into the nursery that had been set up to see Victor Lord, III, she felt what she had expected--nothing.  They child stared up at her and laughed, but she remained stoic.

“Such an animated child, would you say Mrs. Cassadine?” Heather Webber asked as she stepped into the room,.

“It is rather surprising, given who his parents are.  Not the warmest of parents, either of them.  Daniella has only ever been the means to an end for Ms. Delgado and Mr. Lord dumped his son Samuel the first chance he had with his lawyer,” Helena commented.  “So unlike his brother and his lover.”

“Well, Todd Manning has always been a devoted family member, be it father or brother.  He even surprised many people in Llanview with his fidelity to Blair.  I for one would have thought he would have had a string of mistresses just like his father,” came Allison Perkins’ voice.

Helena turned to her two accomplices.  “I fear, my friends, that our time is nearing an end here.”  Helena went on to explain Victor’s collapse at the park.  “While the failsafe seems to have worked, John McBain is nothing if not a tenacious investigator.  It is possible he could figure it out.”

“I think it unlikely,” Heather assured her.  “This old place has been forgotten about for years.  When Scotty’s wife died and he ran off into hiding with his daughter, he left this place behind.  I don’t even think Serena’s ever been here.”

“As much as I appreciate your confidence, I am still wary.  I want a plan to move the guests if the need should arise,” Helena ordered. 

“Whatever you say, but I think you worry too much,” Heather said as she left.

Allison looked at the departing figure.  “Says the woman who had to gloat to her victim before he lost consciousness,” Allison harrumphed.  “I, on the other hand, think it’s a very good idea to move.  Why have you kept Heather around anyway?”

“She has her uses,” Helena said vaguely.  “Would you be a dear and go check on Ms. Delgado?  Make sure all is well with her.”  Allison smiled, nodded and left the room.  Helena looked back and rolled her eyes at the baby.  “It is hard to find good help nowadays,” she said as she patted the baby’s cheek.   

Back at the hospital, Viki was still concerned with Victor’s condition, but he insisted that he was okay.  They two struck a compromise--he would stay in the hospital, but would join the rest of the family for the outcome of the surgery.  When he came into the waiting room, Blair was surprised.  Then Viki explained what had happened in the park.

“So, stubborn here, though he insists he’s fine, will be waiting with the rest of us,” Viki concluded.  “It keeps him near a doctor if needed, but not actually under a doctor’s care.”

Todd was smirking at the scene in front of him.  When Merrie gave him a questioning look, he said,  “I know this is the last place he wants to be.”

“I’m not so sure of that,” she replied.  “He may not admit it, even to himself, but he wants to be here.  You two have a bond, as much as you want to deny it.  That’s what’s really keeping him here, with the family, in this room.”

The door to the waiting room opened again, and in stepped Dorian and Addie Cramer.  Blair got up and immediately went to her mother as Dorian stepped towards Viki.  “Has there been any update?” she asked.  Viki shook her head.  “Alright, I’ll go see if I can get any information.”  Dorian stepped back out and found Dr. Webber, inquiring about Todd’s surgery.

“If you would like, I believe you’ll be allowed to observe.  It’s being done in a surgical theater,” he offered.

“Thank you, Doctor,” she said as he led her to the observation platform.  From her vantage point, she saw Dr. Harmon working in the incision.  She was actually able to see Todd’s face as he lay there.  “That has to be the most peaceful I’ve ever seen you,” she said to him.  “Listen to me, you bastard.  You’d better pull through this.  Blair can’t take losing you any more.  She loves you and if you die on her…”

Todd had watched her watching the procedure and raised an eyebrow.  “Has Dorian hit her head?” he asked Merrie.

“I think it’s more like she realizes there’s nothing that will come between you and Blair, except death,” Merrie told him.

Just then an alarm went off in the OR.  The medical staff scrambled as the patient’s heart rate took an unexpected fall.  Todd looked at his sister and then both turned their attention to Dorian, who looked panicked.   “What is going on?” she asked, though no one heard the question.  She heard something about blood pressure dropping and other things that made little sense to her with regard to this particular procedure. 

Todd wanted to know what was going on too, but before he could ask Merrie any questions,  another voice came to them.  “What, Todd, you didn’t think we were done did you?” said the wicked voice of Irene Manning.

John arrived back at the PCPD, which was a surprise to Anna.  “I thought I gave you the day off.  Weren’t you suppose to be keeping an eye on Victor?” she asked.

“I was.  We were having a conversation at the park.  I was trying to get him to remember his abduction, but he collapsed after he said something about being ‘transport across state lines to serenity’.’”  John sat on the desk.  “I got him to GH and they’re taking a look at him.”

Anna looked at John.  “Did you say ‘Serenity?’”  When John nodded, she continued.  “There was an estate up here long ago by that name.  It was owned by a woman who died…it has to be nearly twenty years ago.  I believe it was left in trust for her daughter.”

“Is the daughter in town?” John asked.

Anna shook her head.  “No, she’s been away for years, as has her father.  But I believe her grandparents are still in town, a lawyer, Lee Baldwin and his wife Gail.”

“Maybe they know about the estate.  Can we go talk to them?” John asked.  When Anna nodded, he grabbed his coat and they were off.  Anna remembered the location of the Baldwin residence and arrived at the front door. 

Knocking at the door, it was answered by an older woman, petite but still with dark hair.  “Anna Devane, it has been far to long,” Gail said as she embraced the other woman and ushered the two in the house.

“Gail, it is so good to see you.  I’d like to introduce you to a colleague of mine, Detective John McBain.  We have an ongoing investigation and in the course of it, the name Serenity came up.”

“Serenity, as in Dominique’s home?” Gail asked.  When Anna nodded, Gail replied.  “Well, I think Scotty has an estate manger running the place.  He never wanted to sell it, you know, keep it for Serena if she ever wanted it.”

“Serena?” John asked. 

“Serena Baldwin. My husband’s granddaughter.  Scotty is my stepson and he was married briefly to Dominique Stanton, an heiress.  She died of a brain tumor when a surrogate was pregnant with Serena.”  Gail turned to Anna.  “We were all so devastated, including Scotty.  I still don’t think he’s gotten over it, even all these years later.”

“Have you been out to the estate anytime recently?”  Anna asked next.

“No, I haven’t been out there in years.  And with Lee’s condition…” She turned to John.  “He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s three years ago.  It isn’t very bad, but I have to stay close to he house for him.”

“Do you think it would be possible for us to go have a look around?” John asked.

“I don’t see why not.  There should be an estate manager on the grounds.  He would probably be able to let you in,” Gail said finally.

John looked at Anna.  “I’d like to check out this place, see if there’s anything there,” John said. 

Anna nodded.  “I think that’s a good idea,” she agreed as she prepared to leave.  “Gail it was wonderful to see you again.”

Gail smiled.  “Anything to assist.  Oh, and Anna, I am sorry I didn’t get the chance to express my condolences to you about Robin.  She was such a wonderful girl.”

Anna couldn’t respond, for fear of her emotions taking over so she merely nodded.  They left the house and returned to the station.  “Look, it’s a good half-hour to an hour away.  We’ll head out first thing in the morning,” she said.

“Alright, should we get a warrant?” he asked.

“No, from what Gail said I think we should be fine without one,” Anna said.  “We’re just following a line of inquiry.  I don’t think the estate manager would have a problem with us, especially since Victor didn’t even sound sure of himself.”

“Okay, then, I’m going to head to the hospital and check in on the family.  I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow,” John said as he left.

“Goodnight John.  Send my best to Blair and the family,” Anna said.

The sound was clicked off on the laptop.  “Well, it seems I was correct.  Our time here is growing short,” Helena Cassadine said.  She reached for the phone, but it went directly to voicemail.  She left a message.  “If you want to see your wife and child, you will get me what we discussed.”  With that, she ended the call.           


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