Lucas handed over the keys with a grin as wide as the hood of the Mercedes. “Titan rewards great work, and you’re the best, Nicole. ”
Nicole’s eyes went wide. “That car is for me?
”
“Oh, yeah. It’s all yours. ”
“Lucas, I can’t believe this. ”
Neither could Eric, and he didn’t bother hiding it.
He stepped forward, jaw tight. “Neither can I, Lucas. Tell me, what exactly are you trying to pull? ”
Billie pulled Roman aside, voice low.
“She’s got to come through for us. ”
Roman nodded, glancing toward the closed door. “Well, let me put it this way. If his own sister can’t get him to talk, give us a statement, then we might as well pack it in.
”
Rosa had been in with her brother for what felt like hours. Billie paced. “Oh, Roman. She’s been in there for a long time.
”
“Come on, Rosa. She’s got to get to him. This could be Sami’s last shot. ”
Kate watched from the corner, pretending to look at paperwork.
Something was wrong. She could feel it. What the hell was Roberto’s sister telling him? Carrie’s call came through the static, Austin picking up on the first ring.
“I was wondering when you were going to get in touch with me. ”
“I just found out that you and Sami were back. I’m relieved that you didn’t have to go to jail. ”
“I have Sami to thank for that.
She gotthe D. A. to drop the charges against me. ”
“Then it was her fault that you took off in the first place.
”
Carrie’s voice was sharp, but Austin held steady. “I know you resent me for what I did with Sami. Is that why you took off with Mike? ”
John knocked on the door of Bo’s apartment and let himself in.
Bo was sitting at the table, a photograph in his hand. . “Hey, guys. ”
John studied his face for a moment.
“The man I want to see. What’s up? I want to check out those hotel records you brought back from Capri. ”
Greta moved closer, catching sight of the photo.
Her breath caught. “What’s wrong? ”
Bo turned the picture over. “I found this in Hope’s room.
”
Greta stared at the image of her mother with Stefano DiMera. “Oh, my God. I was right — Stefano and my mother. ”
Bo’s voice dropped to something raw.
“Ever feel like killing somebody with your bare hands? ”
Across town, Stefano raised a crystal glass in a quiet toast. “Ah, so… may I offer you an aperitif?
”
Gina smiled, settling into the chair across from him. “You may indeed. ”
“Kir Royale. You remembered.
”
“Well, my dear, I remember everything about you. ”
“But perhaps you’ve forgotten something about yourself. ”
“Oh? ”
“You are still a married man.
”
Stefano’s smile didn’t waver. “True, but tragically, because of Vivian’s illness, she is rapidly fading… and I must think about my future… with you.
” He lifted his glass. “Salute. ”
Gina echoed him. Then she let the smile turn wicked.
“Steffy, you naughty, naughty boy. Your wife hasn’t even taken her last breath yet, yet you’re already thinking about your next conquest. ”
“It is not because I do not love my wife. In a way.
But there are many different kinds of love. ”
Gina hummed. “Don’t I know that? There is casual love…
and then there is that one great love of a lifetime. ”
“By the way… ” Stefano set his glass down. “What did you mean before when you said that you were free?
”
“I got rid of Bo. ”
His eyebrows rose. “”What? ”
“I didn’t kill him, if that’s what you’re thinking.
”
“Then how did you get rid of him? ”
“Simply. I packed my bags and I left. I finally walked away from that stifling, bourgeois existence — that Mom’s apple pie.
”
Stefano leaned forward. “”How could you do something like that? ”
Gina shrugged. “”How could I not?
Ever since I shipped that kid off to boarding school, Alice Horton has been my judge and jury. ‘You really think you should be doing that, Hope? ‘ ‘I mean, Bo is not going to be pleased. ‘ Blah, blah, blah.
And then Bo finally comes back from his trip, and he starts haranguing me as well. ”
“Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! ” Stefano’s voice sharpened. “What are you saying…
that you shipped off Shawn-Douglas without consulting with his father first? ”
“Oh, Steffy, relax. What is the big deal? The kid wanted to go,andthe semester was just about to begin.
I thinkI was a very good mother. ”
“Gina, damn it! You know that Bo can be dangerous, hmm? So if you have not inflamed his suspicions by sending off his son, you certainly have done it nowby leaving.
”
In the apartment, John studied the photo in Bo’s hand. “What do you mean about your mother and DiMera? This isn’t your mom. It’s Hope.
Why else would she have it in her possession? ”
“Listen, Bo;”John’s voice turned careful. “Greta has a theory she just ran by me here about why Stefano may have… maybe transformed Hope into thinking she was Gina.
”
Bo’s eyes snapped up. “Talk to me. ”
Greta hesitated. “”I…
I just think that maybe Stefano didn’t do it for evil reasons. Maybe he… he missed my mother Princess Gina so much that he couldn’t live without her. ”
Bo’s laugh was hollow.
“”Oh, great. ”
John sighed. “”Well, it’s likeI said, it’s a theory. ”
“John, if you could just remember the time that you spent with my mother…
Did she ever mention to you her feelings about Stefano? ”
“I told you, Greta,I don’t have any recollection of that time. ”
Bo tossed the photograph down. “There are no records of you staying in the hotel at Capri and none of DiMera or Rudolfo Meradi.
”
“Maybe the reason she’s pushing me away is because she’s remembering her time with DiMera. ”
“Why would that make her push you away, Bo, when the thought of being with DiMera is repulsive to her? ”
“Maybe it’s exactly the opposite. ”
Carrie’s voice crackled through again, though this time it was Mike who answered her unspoken question.
He stood a little too close, a little too quiet. “Let me get you coffee. I hear refills are free around here. ” He waited a beat.
“So what did he say? ”
Carrie shook her head. “”He’s still obsessed with Sami and Will, and he’s desperate to protect her. He’s grasping at straws.
The last thing he said to me just now was that they might have a break to clear Sami,and then he hung up on me. I couldn’t get through to him,Mike. It’s like we’ve grown so far apart. ” Her voice cracked.
“”What if it really is over? ”
Austin hung up and found Billie watching him. “”Hey. Who were you on the phone with just now?
”
“Carrie. She finally called me. ”
“Oh, is she coming home? ”
Austin’s jaw tightened.
“”No, she can’t. She’s committed to goingto L. A. for the convention with Mike.
” He forceda breath. “It’s okay. It’s okay. I am more concerned about what’s going on right here.
What is taking so long with Roberto? ”
Billie glanced toward the station’s inner offices. “”I… Roman’s calling headquarters.
He wants to see if he can geta stenographer freed up. ”
Austin nodded, prayer in his voice. “”Well, let’s just pray that this will be Sami’s last day on death row. ”
Rosa stepped into the hallway, eyes red.
A police officer pointed her toward the cafeteria. “Yes, ma’am. That would be the cafeteria. You go right through these doors and then all the way down to the end,and then you turn right.
I’ll walk you to the hallway. ”
As they disappeared around the corner, Roman moved toward the medical wing. Judy was adjustinga tray when he pushed through the door. “I’ve already prepared the next injection, Marla.
The syringe is right there on the tray. ”
“Right. I’ll take it from here, Judy. ”
“Remember to flush the I.
V. line with saline and then inject the 10 ccs in the I. V. at the indicated times.
It’s crucial Mr. Barelli gets his meds on time,or he could havea relapse. ”
Roman froze. He watchedthe nurse turn, syringein hand, and his blood ran cold.
He stepped back into the hallway and caught the officer coming back. “What the hell are you doing leaving your station, Officer? ”
“Sorry, Captain. I was just showing Roberto’s sister the way to the cafeteria.
”
Roman’s eyes narrowed. He looked past the officer, toward the room where Roberto Barelli waited. He didn’t like it. He didn’t like it one bit.
. . . .
. He turned and headed back toward the waiting room, deciding to check on things personally. . .
He turned and headed back toward the waiting room, deciding to check on things personally. . . He turned and headed back toward the waiting room, deciding to check on things personally.
Meanwhile, Kate slipped past the nurse’s station, her heelssilent on the waxed floor. She reached forthe I. V. line, hands steady, heart cold.
A moment later, she was gone, and no one saw her leave. . Meanwhile, Kate slipped past the nurse’s station, her heelssilent on the waxed floor. She reached forthe I.
V. line, hands steady, heart cold. A moment later, she was gone, and no one saw her leave. Meanwhile, Kate slipped past the nurse’s station, her heelssilent on the waxed floor.
She reached forthe I. V. line, hands steady, heart cold. A moment later, she was gone, and no one saw her leave.
Meanwhile, Kate slipped past the nurse’s station, her heelssilent on the waxed floor. She reached forthe I. V. line, hands steady, heart cold.
A moment later, she was gone, and no one saw her leave. Meanwhile, Kate slipped past the nurse’s station, her heels silent on the waxed floor. She reached for the I. V.
line, hands steady, heart cold. A moment later, she was gone, and no one saw her leave. Meanwhile, Kate slipped past the nurse’s station, her heels silent on the waxed floor. She reached for the I.
V. line, hands steady, heart cold. A moment later, she was gone, and no one saw her leave. Meanwhile, Kate slipped past the nurse’s station, her heels silent on the waxed floor.
She reached for the I. V. line, hands steady, heart cold. A moment later, she was gone, and no one saw her leave.
Meanwhile, Kate slipped past the nurse’s station, her heels silent on the waxed floor. She reached for the I. V. line, hands steady, heart cold.
A moment later, she was gone, and no one saw her leave
Meanwhile, Kate slipped past the nurse’s station, her heels silent on the waxed floor. She reached for the I. V. line, hands steady, heart cold.
A moment later, she was gone, and no one saw her leave
Meanwhile, Kate slipped past the nurse’s station, her heels silent on the waxed floor. She reached for the I. V. line, hands steady, heart cold.
A moment later, she was gone, and no one saw her leave
Meanwhile, Kate slipped past the nurse’s station, her heels silent on the waxed floor. She reached for the I. V. line, hands steady, heart cold.
A moment later, she was gone, and no one saw her leave
Meanwhile, Kate slipped past the nurse’s station, her heels silent on the waxed floor. She reached for the I. V. line, hands steady, heart cold.
A moment later, she was gone, and no one saw her leave
Meanwhile, Kate slipped past the nurse’s station, her heels silent on the waxed floor. She reached for the I. V. line, hands steady, heart cold.
A moment later, she was gone, and no one saw her leave
Gina leaned closer across the table, voice dropping to something intimate. “Steffy, you never showed me how you felt about Princess Gina during the four years Hope took my place. You were always the perfect gentleman… butI always knew how much you loved me and wanted me.
It couldn’t have been easy… holding back your desires. ”
Stefano’s gaze stayed level. “There is a time and a place for everything,and right now your place is at Alice Horton’s house,whether you like the doughnuts or not.
”
“Steffy, please. ” Gina’s voice turned raw. “I am begging you. I am so sick and tired of being someone thatI am most certainly not.
Please,I needa break. Besides,there are things thatI need to do,many thingsI need to accomplish. ”
“I am well aware of what you have to accomplish,Gina… oris there more?
”
Gina’s chin came up. “”More? What are you talking about? ”
“What amI talking about?
” Stefano’s eyes turned cool. “I sense that you have an agenda all your own. ”
Back in the waiting room, Eric wasn’t letting it go. He followed Nicole outside, voice low but cutting.
“Lucas, you can buy Nicole all the luxury cars you want. In fact,you could even throw ina yacht anda private jet,but it’s not going to makea bit of difference. She loves me. ”
Lucas leaned against the Mercedes, unbothered.
“”Eric, if you’re this jealous now,what are you going to do when she becomesa big star,when she has love sceneswith all the hottest hunks in Hollywood,maybe even nominated foran Oscar? I don’t think you’ll be able to handle it because you will always bea hack photographer. ”
Eric’s jaw went hard. “”I don’t havea problem with Nicole’s success.
My problem iswith you. I know you’re out to get Sami. I know you hityour son. You’re trouble,Lucas,andI don’t want Nicole to have anything to do with you.
”
Lucas laughed. “”You know what,Eric? You live ina different century. This is the ’90s.
Women like to feel equal with us now. They like to make their own decisions about where they workandwho they hang out with,especially… especiallya strong,independent woman like Nicole. So,there’s not much you can do about it.
You might as well just be happy for her. ”
Nicole came flying back, face bright. “”Whoo! So amazing.
I have never driven anything like it–0 to60 like that,corners likea dream. ” She beamed at Lucas. “”Thank you,Lucas. ”
“No problem.
Only the best for my number-one model,and this is just the beginning. ”
“I’ll see you at the photo shoot. ”
“Oh, absolutely. Looking forward to it.
” He turned to Taylor. “”Taylor,buy youa latte? ”
Taylor’s smile was thin. “”Some models get cars,I get coffee.
”
“Oh, come on. We all got to start somewhere. Let’s go. ”
Eric caught Nicole’s arm as she moved past.
“”You don’t see what he’s trying to do? He’s trying to buy you,Nicole. Are you for sale? ”
Nicole pulled free, color high.
“”Eric,the car wasa bonus,that’s all. ”
“A $50,000 bonus? ”
“You’re reading too much into this. ”
“No,I’m trying to get you to see what’s going on here,okay?
You don’t buy someonea car like that andexpect nothing in return. ”
“I am not someone. I am Lucas’ employee,he’s my boss,andhe happens to be very generous. Come on,Eric.
Nothing’s changed between us. I love you,andI wanta future with you. ”
Eric’s voice roughened. “”Well,I’d feela whole lot better about our future if you would tell Lucas to take that car and shove it.
”
From across the lot, Lucas watched them,smile sharp. “”I’m detectinga little trouble in paradise over there. ”
Taylor shrugged. “”I wouldn’t gloat about it just yet.
Eric’s hostinga dinner party tonight,so his familyandNicole’s family–including yours truly,of course–can get to know each other better. I mean,I think we’re talkinga serious relationship here. ”
“I’m not worried about that. He can throw all the parties he wants.
It’s not going to changea damn thing. His relationship with Nicole is over,andyou andI are about to get exactly what we want. ”
Nicole turned back to Eric,voice softer now. “”Why are you making sucha big deal out of this?
Look,I’d bea fool to give upa Mercedes-Benz,but so what? I love you,Eric,not Lucas,andif he thinks he can buy me,well,then that’s his problem. Don’t you trust me? ”
“I do trust you,Nicole.
I don’t trust him. ”
“Please,don’t worry. I know whatI’m doing. ”
Kate stepped out of the station into the sunlight, smoothing her skirt.
She allowed herselfa moment. Well, thank God that’s over. Well done, Kate. You didn’t kill Roberto,but you did keep him from talking.
Now Sami is going to stay right where she belongs. . She walked toward her car, shoulders straight, no one watching her
Kate stepped out of the station into the sunlight, smoothing her skirt. She allowed herself a moment.
Well, thank God that’s over. Well done, Kate. You didn’t kill Roberto,but you did keep him from talking. Now Sami is going to stay right where she belongs
.
She walked toward her car, shoulders straight, no one watching her
Kate stepped out of the station into the sunlight, smoothing her skirt. She allowed herself a moment. Well, thank God that’s over. Well done, Kate.
You didn’t kill Roberto,but you did keep him from talking. Now Sami is going to stay right where she belongs
. She walked toward her car, shoulders straight, no one watching her
Kate stepped out of the station into the sunlight, smoothing her skirt. She allowed herself a moment.
Well, thank God that’s over. Well done, Kate. You didn’t kill Roberto,but you did keep him from talking. Now Sami is going to stay right where she belongs
.
She walked toward her car, shoulders straight, no one watching her
Kate stepped out of the station into the sunlight, smoothing her skirt. She allowed herself a moment. Well, thank God that’s over. Well done, Kate.
You didn’t kill Roberto,but you did keep him from talking. Now Sami is going to stay right where she belongs
. She walked toward her car, shoulders straight, no one watching her
Kate stepped out of the station into the sunlight, smoothing her skirt. She allowed herself a moment.
Well, thank God that’s over. Well done, Kate. You didn’t kill Roberto,but you did keep him from talking. Now Sami is going to stay right where she belongs
.
She walked toward her car, shoulders straight, no one watching her
Kate stepped out of the station into the sunlight, smoothing her skirt. She allowed herself a moment. Well, thank God that’s over. Well done, Kate.
You didn’t kill Roberto,but you did keep him from talking. Now Sami is going to stay right where she belongs
. She walked toward her car, shoulders straight, no one watching her
Kate stepped out of the station into the sunlight, smoothing her skirt. She allowed herself a moment.
Well, thank God that’s over. Well done, Kate. You didn’t kill Roberto,but you did keep him from talking. Now Sami is going to stay right where she belongs
.
She walked toward her car, shoulders straight, no one watching her
Kate stepped out of the station into the sunlight, smoothing her skirt. She allowed herself a moment. Well, thank God that’s over. Well done, Kate.
You didn’t kill Roberto,but you did keep him from talking. Now Sami is going to stay right where she belongs
. She walked toward her car, shoulders straight, no one watching her
Inside, Roman frowned at his watch. Rosa was still in with her brother.
The stenographer had arrived. Everything was ready. Then the alarm went off. There was a woman’s voice, tight with alarm.
“Code blue, doctor. He’s arresting. We may lose him. ”
Roman turned on his heel and ran.
The next hours blurrred. Marla fought for Roberto’s life, and Roman stood watch, jaw set. By the time the doctors emerged, he already knew. He had felt it in his gut the moment the alarm sounded.
Roberto Barelli would never give his statementnow. Sami’s hope had died with him. . .
By the time the doctors emerged, he already knew. He had felt it in his gut the moment the alarm sounded. Roberto Barelli would never give his statementnow. Sami’s hope had died with him
.
By the time the doctors emerged, he already knew. He had felt it in his gut the moment the alarm sounded. Roberto Barelli would never give his statementnow. Sami’s hope had died with him
.
By the time the doctors emerged, he already knew. He had felt it in his gut the moment the alarm sounded. Roberto Barelli would never give his statementnow. Sami’s hope had died with him
Bo pushed through the door of Alice’s house without knocking.
Greta followed close behind, breath short. John came in last, tryingto slow things down. Bo held the photograph out, voice shaking. “”This is like my worst nightmares have come true…
but it doesn’t make any sense. Even if she was with DiMera when she was Gina,she’s not under his control anymore,so why wouldn’t these memories of being with him make her vomit? ”
John tried. “”Come on.
Let’s not jump to conclusions on this,okay? ”
Bo turned on him. “”Why in the hell not? Take a look at this picture.
Do you see any resentment in her eyes,huh? Does she not look like she’s having fun? And why the hell was she hiding this from us? ” He dropped his voice, words tumbling.
“You know,I keep thinking about what Lili Fav ersham said. She said that Gina had this one true love in her life,something that she never told anybody. It was some big secret,but it’s starting to make sense to me now. It’s becoming very clear.
”
John’s voice came low. “”No. ”
Bo’s head snapped up. “”No what?
”
“Princess Gina never loved Stefano DiMera. ”
Bo stared at him. “”How do you know that? ”
John hesitated a beat too long.
“”It’s just… an instinct. I know that doesn’t hold much water. Listen,Bo,I think what you need to do is geta hold of Hope andhave her tell you what she knows.
You’ll get this whole thing ironed out. When is she coming home? ”
Bo turned away. “”She’s not.
She moved out. ”
Greta’s face fell. “”What? Why?
”
“Who knows? Maybe she wanted to be closer to DiMera. ”
“Stop it. ” John’s voice had an edge now.
“”I don’t buy that for a minute. ”
“Then explain this. ” Bo’s fist hit the table. “”I need some answers right now.
I’ve got to get to the truth. ”
Mike drove westward, Carrie quiet beside him. The highway rolled out flat and hot. He glanced at her once,and then again.
Finally he spoke. “”So what do you want to do? You want to go back to Salem? ”
Carrie shook her head, gaze fixed on the road ahead.
“”No. There’s no reason to now. Let’s just go to the convention like we planned,andI want to go to Las Vegas,too. It sounds like the perfect place to escape,andI just want to forget my problems right now.
”
Mike’s hands tightened on the wheel. “”Well,then you will. I mean,we will. I will.
We will. You know,we’re going to enjoy our time together,darn it. I’m not going to let anybody interfere with that. ”
Carrie didn’t answer.
She watched the desert blur past and wondered if Austin was watching the same sky,waiting fora call that would never come. . . She watched the desert blur past and wondered if Austin was watching the same sky,waiting fora call that would never come
.
She watched the desert blur past and wondered if Austin was watching the same sky,waiting fora call that would never come
. She watched the desert blur past and wondered if Austin was watching the same sky,waiting fora call that would never come
John stood at the window of the apartment, watching Bo’s car disappear down the street. Greta came back with two cups of coffee and stopped. “”I should have stopped him,” he said quietly.
“You couldn’t have. ” She set the cups down. “”When Bo gets his mind set on something,he just–”
“No,no,no. ” John’s voice turned rough.
“”I know he’s going over to confront Stefano. I should have stopped him. ”
“Oh,I feel so bad for him. ” Greta’s voice was soft.
“”He loves her so much. The thought of her being with Stefano… It must be tearing him apart. ” She picked up her cup.
“”I’m going to go make us some coffee. ”
John nodded, not hearing her. He stared at the street, mind turning. Stefano was in love with Princess Gina.
So does that mean that she was in love with him? Or could it be possible… He stopped, theought catching him off guard. I wonder if I…
might have been the great love of her life. Gina stood in the doorway of Lili’s guest room, bag in hand. Stefano had agreed, finally. She had won that much.
She turned back to him, eyes bright. “”Steffy, know that everything will be fine,even ifI’m not living at the Horton house. I’ve never let you down before,right? ”
Stefano’s face softened just slightly.
“”No,you never have. ” He nodded once. “”All right. Go.
Stay with Lili. ”
Gina smiled, and for a moment she looked almost young again. “”Steffy,thank you. Oh,thank you so much.
”
She turned and walked out into the afternoon light, leaving him standing in the doorway, watching her go. Behind her, the breeze caught the curtains, and somewhere far off,a phone began to ring. Stefano didn’t move.
He simply stood there, alone in the quiet house,and waited for whatever would come next.
