Port Charles Chronicles: Chapter 58

     Sam climbed out of bed and tiptoed softly to his door.   He turned the knob and realized it wasn’t locked.  Opening the door he went out into the hallway and looked up and down.  It appeared no one was up.  Curious, he wandered down the hallway.  He looked over the banister and didn’t see any movement down below.  He walked down to the room of the lady his dad called, Alison, and gently knocked on the door. 

      “Um, Lady.  Ms. Alison, could you help me?  I’m hungry and I don’t know where the kitchen is.” 

     There was no answer.  He tried the door.  It was unlocked, so he looked inside.  She wasn’t there.  The bed was all made up, and it looked like no one was in the room any longer. He couldn’t stop himself and found himself opening the closet. It was empty. I hope Daddy got rid of her.  She shouldn’t have hurt Grandma.  He glanced out her bedroom window and saw a lot of activity going on behind the house.  There were men going in and out of a building set back from the house.   He stood there for a moment watching with interest.  He spotted his dad joining an older man, then decided to try and open the window so he could hear what was going on.  Having opened it, he knelt down in front, so his dad wouldn’t know he was listening in.  He didn’t want to get his dad angry again.

      Walker walked up to Calmar “Is the shipment ready to go?  Tomas is waiting for it on the other end.  I don’t want any screw-ups, this is the final piece in the plan to get Corinthos.”

     “Yes, Monsieur Flynn, all the crates are just about packed.  Andre, bring the product to Monsieur.”

      Sam watched wide-eyed as a short, swarthy dark-haired man came out of the building carrying what looked like some fancy gun similar to the ones he had seen on Jack’s video game.  What did Jack call them?  A salt rifles.  Whoa, what’s Dad doing with guns?  Why is he sending them to Tomas? Sam turned and sat on the floor, his back to the window.  He knew his father had a gun in the house because Dani had told him but this was weird. He could hear his dad looking over the item.  Suddenly he heard loud popping noises.  Sam peeked out the window and saw his father was firing the gun.  He quickly covered his ears but was frozen watching as his father cut down a small tree across the yard.  When his dad was finished, he smiled.  Sam didn’t like the smile.  It bothered him.  What was wrong with his dad?  He watched his dad hand the gun back to the man and then he waited to see what else his father was going to say.

     Walker looked back at Calmar and saw the disapproval on his face.  “What’s the matter, Claude?  I had to test the product.  The items have to be top of the line, for the feds to take it seriously.”

     “I’m more concerned about attracting the wrong attention,” Calmar said.

     “Don’t tell me you’re upset about the noise.  That’s why I bought this property.  It’s far enough in the outskirts of Philadelphia, no one will hear anything.”

    “What about the certain little ears you now have in the house?”

     “Sam’s asleep, and I’ll worry about my son.  He’s none of your business.”

     “Aren’t you worried the noise might have awakened him?”

     “If he asks, I’ll tell him I had on a violent movie.  Like I said, he‘s my son.  You worry about getting that shipment to Port Charles and taking care of Johnny Zacchara.”

      “Yes, Monsieur Flynn.  By the way, what are you going to tell him about Mademoiselle Perkins?” 

      “I’ll just tell him I sent her away.  There’s no reason he has to know she’s dead.  Now you better leave.  It’s time for me to wake Sam and get him some breakfast.”

      Sam quietly closed the window and dashed out of the room and back to his own room.  He climbed back into bed and covered his head with the blanket.  He couldn’t believe what he had just heard.  The mean lady was dead.   His dad was acting weird and why was he being called Monsewer Flynn?  Sam didn’t know what it all meant, but he couldn’t help shivering. Jack, I hope you got my message.  I’m scared.

****

    Tomas was pacing his apartment.  He had been unable to find out anything about the body he had seen removed from the Metro-Court the night before.  The television news and the paper both were silent about it. 

 "Damn it, you’d think a media mogul would generate some news.  I guess you weren’t that big an item, Todd.”  He continued pacing and looked at his watch. “Come on, Claude. You should be here by now.  What the hell is keeping you?”  Just then his cell rang.  “It’s about time.  I thought you were going to call me when you got close to Port Charles.”

   "My apologies, my friend, the shipment will be delivered to the docks within a few hours.  It will be up to your men to make the exchange and make the call to the Feds.  I’m calling to give you a heads up.  My superior in the CIA called as we were traveling.    He told me I was to cooperate with the officials in Port Charles as to your whereabouts.  I talked to an Anna Devane, it seems, that John McBain has been looking for you.  It’s possible you’re about to have visitors.  I informed her you were undercover.  You know what to do.  Monsieur Flynn doesn’t want them to get wind of your real activities so play along with McBain.”

  Tomas frowned, he really didn’t want to have to deal with McBain.  “I understand.  Don’t worry, John McBain trusts me.  He believes the story I told when I arrived in town, as does everyone else in Llanview.  In fact, after Manning’s stunt, I look like a saint.  I’m sure he’ll believe me again.  Thanks for the warning though, I hate surprises.  Tell Flynn there won’t be a problem and that everything here is going along like clockwork.”  He hung up and walked out on the balcony.

     Tomas leaned on the railing. His thoughts going back to what had brought him to Port Charles many years before.  Luis Alcazar had died years before at the hands of Alexis Davis.  Tomas had discovered the family connection shortly after Luis’ death.  They were first cousins, but Tomas’ uncanny resemblance to his cousin had made it easy to slip into the role of Lorenzo, Luis’ twin.  His uncle was dead and no one challenged his right to the Alcazar fortune.  Even his older brother Del was unaware of the family ties.  As a CIA operative, and already involved with Calmar and arms dealing, it had been an easy fit and he had moved into Port Charles.  The CIA had thought it was a role and had no idea he was just taking over what was his by right. 

       He straightened up and relaxed his shoulders.  He was back, and it was time for Sonny’s downfall.  Flynn could have the organization.  All he wanted was revenge.  Don’t worry Blair, I’ll be there to comfort you and we’ll go back to Llanview. Tea will forget about Flynn, and I’ll be able to take care of all of you.  He looked down, his eyes surveying the scene below him.  Traffic was light, and he failed to notice the parked car stationed halfway down the block.  

       Down on the street level, John stood in the shadows observing Tomas on the balcony. He waited until Tomas left, before approaching the surveillance car.  Reaching the car, he stopped to talk to the officers. “What time did he arrive home last night?”

       “He was out late, we saw him arrive after midnight.  He went in and hasn’t had any visitors,” replied Officer Carlson.

        “Good, your replacements should be here within the hour.  From now on there will be eyes on him twenty-four seven.”  

       “Uh, sir.  May I ask, why this guy’s so important all of a sudden?”

       “Let’s just say he’s a person of great interest in some recent killings.  If you have any further questions, take them up with Dante Falconeri.”  John patted the top of the car, then crossed the street and walked to the entrance of the apartment building.  He paused before entering remembering the recent events of the day before.  Dante had wanted to be with him but had had to stay with Corinthos to keep him under control.  It had been a trying night for Anna and Mac convincing Corinthos to keep quiet about Carly’s death until they were ready.  Sonny had no idea  Alcazar was considered as a possible shooter in Carly’s death.  If he had, he would have taken matters into his own hands.  Dante had managed to calm him and made him focus on getting Morgan and Jax back into town so they could be properly informed.   

      John looked at his watch, he had planned his visit to coincide with the decision to finally release the news of Carly Jack’s death.  He wanted to be there so he could gauge Tomas’ reaction.  After Sonny had finished with his calls, he had calmed down sufficiently for John to bring up the subject of Lorenzo Alcazar.  Sonny admitted to knowing that his old nemesis might be back in town.  He related what Michael and Molly had told him earlier before everything with Carly went down.  John could tell from Sonny’s voice there was no love lost between him and Alcazar, but he had managed to find out that Alcazar had once been very much in love with Carly.  If Sonny was right, Tomas would be extremely upset to hear about Carly.  John mounted the steps and entered the lobby.  He pushed the button for another resident and informed them he was the police.  They rang him in.  “Okay Tomas, let’s see how good of an actor you really are.”

****

Sam kept looking at his dad during breakfast.  He licked his lips and swallowed his pancake.  After taking a quick drink of his orange juice, he couldn’t help asking,  “Um Dad, how come you’re wearing your hair like that?  It’s funny.”

Walker frowned and took a sip of his coffee.  “What do you mean funny?  I used to wear my hair like this a lot before I met your mother.  I like it.  Your mother didn’t, so I stopped, but now I can wear it the way I want.”

“Okay, but it’s weird, all slicked back like that.  Where’s the mean lady?  How come she isn’t here for breakfast?”  Sam washed down some more pancakes and waited to see what his dad was going to say.

Walker had been expecting the question and responded.  “She left yesterday evening.  I told her that since she had hurt your grandmother she wasn’t wanted around here any longer.  I figured you would be happy she was gone.”

Sam nodded,  “That’s good.  I hope she stays away, I don’t think she was a nice person.”  Even as he appeared happy, Sam’s stomach felt sick.  His dad had just lied to him.  The lady was dead, and his dad knew it.  “May I be excused, I’m full.” Sam was afraid he was going to lose his breakfast and didn’t want his Dad to know he was scared of him.

“You may go, Sam, and since I’ve got some work to do, I want you to stay in your room until lunchtime.  After that, I’ll show you around your new home.  We’re going to be great buddies.  It will just be you and me and I’ll teach you everything you need to know.  You’re my son and you’ll be raised by me and no one else.”  Walker watched as Sam slid off his chair and walked out of the kitchen.  

     Blair will never have another day with you if I have anything to say about it.  Walker got up out of his chair and poured himself another coffee, then he headed to his office.  He wanted to get to work on the custody papers his lawyer had sent over.

Sam huddled at the top of the stairs, peeking through the rail.  He watched until his father went into his office then he stood up and slowly made his way back to his room.    His stomach was still rumbling, and Sam hurried to the bathroom. Minutes passed, he wiped his mouth with the washcloth and walked back and sat on the edge of his bed.  He rubbed his tummy and looked at the desk across from him. Jack?  The message!  He walked over, sat down, and opened the computer back up.  A few minutes later he found Jack’s My Face page and started typing.  “Hey Jack, It’s me, Sam.  Are you there?” He waited and prayed that his brother was on his computer.

****

    After Blair had fallen asleep, Todd had gotten up.  He had ended up in the main room and poured himself a drink.  The scene of Victor’s death kept playing over and over in his head. How can he be alive?  If I didn’t shoot him, why do I keep seeing it?  Sam says he’s with his dad.  That means he’s with Victor.  If this is true, Victor, you have a lot to answer for.  Todd finally fell asleep on the couch close to morning.   A short time later he was awakened by the men Anna Devane sent over.  The next hour was a flurry of activity as the technicians set up a number of different computers and other equipment for tracing Sam’s message.  Starr and Addie joined him, Blair, and Jack for breakfast in his suite.  Looking at their anxious faces, it was clear that they, too, had had a restless night.  Now all they could do was wait.  After his third coffee, Todd couldn’t stand it.  He started pacing again.

    Blair had seen Todd’s drawn face when she got up, and now his constant pacing worried her.  From his posture and fidgeting, she knew he was holding in a lot of emotions and began to fret that he would push his blood pressure up and trigger another attack.   She got up and snagged his arm and pulled him with her to the couch.  “Todd, sit down.  You’re only making it hard on yourself.  You have to stop this.  You’re going to give yourself a relapse and I need you here, not in some hospital bed.”

       Todd heard the concern in her voice and looked around. Starr, Jack, and Addie were all watching him with the same concern on their faces.  He sat down and squeezed her hand, “I hate this!  This ‘not knowing,’” he said.

       Glancing at Blair, he saw tears beginning to form in her crystal green eyes.  “Hey, I’m sorry.  This is all going to work out.  Sam’s a smart little guy.  He’ll get another message out.  Just wait and see.  He has no fear. Remember when he saved Dorian from Rex’s nutcase mother.  If he can do that, he can let us know what’s going on.  Victor is obviously careless where Sam is concerned or he wouldn’t have let him have a computer.  It’s pretty clear to me Victor doesn’t have a clue about his son.”

       “You’re right.  I know it, but he’s only seven.  What if Victor finds out about the message?  His temper has gotten worse over the years.  I’m worried.” Blair blinked, and a tear dropped on her cheek.

       Todd gently wiped the tear away. “About what?  You told me Victor would never hurt Sam.  The worse he would probably do is take the computer away.” Todd looked over at Starr.  “That’s right, isn’t it.  Victor wouldn’t really hurt Sam, would he?”

       “I don’t know, Dad.  I don’t understand any of this.  Victor was always over the top protective of us.  But some of the things he did the last few years were hard to figure out.  The whole Marty thing and wanting to take Hope.”  Starr paused, just bringing up Hope’s name clogged her throat with tears.  “I never thought he would do those things, but he did.  If Sam is right, he’s let us all believe he was dead and that you killed him.  I don’t know what he’s capable of anymore.”

       Just then, Jack’s phone signaled a message on his My Face account.  He looked at his phone.  “It’s Sam!”   Everyone in the room moved to the extra computers as Jack brought up his page.  At a nod from the technicians, Jack responded.  “Hey Bud, I’m here.  Are you okay?’

       In his room, Sam began to cry a little, he had reached his brother.  He sat up straighter in his chair, wiped his eyes, and started typing some more.  He was talking to Jack and suddenly felt a little less afraid.


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