Tarnished Armor
Part 152

Belinda’s apartment.

The door opens and Liza enters. She turns on the lights.

She slowly comes in and scans the living room.

She shuts the door behind her.

Liza goes over to Belinda’s file cabinet and opens a drawer.

She looks through it and then stops dead in her tracks. She pulls a file from the drawer, and shuts the drawer. She puts the file in her pocketbook and begins to walk towards the door.

She hesitates when she gets to the phone and answering machine. She slowly bends down and presses a button.

Belinda’s voice: Hi. This is Belinda.

Liza’s eyes well up with tears.

Belinda’s voice: I’m sorry I missed your call. I’m not home right now, but if you’d like to leave a message, please do so at the tone and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for calling.

Liza touches a button and the machine turns off. She goes to the door. She shuts the lights off and leaves.


  ******


Pine Valley Hospital. David Hayward’s office. Evening.

David is sitting on his desk. Erica is standing in front of him. They are kissing.

The door opens and Liza enters.

Liza: Well. The snake and the two-faced lady. No one told me the carnival was in town.

David and Erica pull apart.

Erica: Liza! You have no right --

Liza: Ah. Rights. I’m glad you brought that up, Erica. And actually, I’m glad you’re here, although I could have done without the floor show. Let me kill two birds with one stone.

David: Has anyone ever told you that it’s rude to enter a room without knocking, Liza?

Liza: Sounds familiar. Especially the rude part. I believe you have a file of mine, David. I want it. Now.

David begins to laugh.

David: The fireworks happened and I missed them. How unfortunate!

Liza: I could put on quite a show for you, David, if you’d like. Helping a fugitive flee from justice. Tampering with medical files. Now I’m not sure how much time you’d serve, but I am sure that your license would be in jeopardy.

Erica turns to David.

Erica: David? What is she talking about?

Liza: How nice to know that your bed talk doesn’t include war crimes.

Erica: You’re a fine one to talk.

Liza: Oh, yes I am. Let’s see, Erica. Let’s recount your part in this, too. You find out that the paternity of my child is not what I believe to be, and so you decide to keep that information to yourself while a custody battle takes place. I wasn’t too surprised. I kept hearing this little voice whisper, “Sonia. Maddie. Sonia. Maddie.”

Erica: Liza, I’m so sorry. But I was looking out for Colby.

Liza laughs.

Liza: Looking out for Colby. I’ll be sure to give her the message when she’s old enough. “Look, Colby -- there’s Erica Kane, the ex-kidnapper who decided to play God with your life. There might have been a compatibility problem at birth, and later Mommy might have lost custody, but La Kane was looking out for you. And look who’s in the next cell! Why, it’s David Hayward! The man who almost killed you just to play a little game with your father. Bad things happen to bad people, Colby. There’s your life lesson for the day.”

David: What do you want, Liza?

Liza: My file.

David: Why?

Liza: Why? I’d say that’s none of your business, David. I’d say that none of this has ever been your business. Now play nice, and give me the file, or you’ll be wearing pinstripes.

David slowly goes over to his file cabinet. He unlocks it and removes a file. He holds the file out to Liza. Liza reaches for it. David pulls it away from her.

David: Not so fast. How do I know you won’t use this file against me?

Liza: Because much to my surprise, some of your actions are actually working in my favor.

David: You’re taking Adam to court? How delicious!

Liza: Hand over the file.

David hands Liza the file.

David: Give my regrets to the unlucky Daddy.

Liza leaves the room.

Erica: What did she mean about you almost killing her child?

David: The Chandlers have a flair for the dramatic. Soon-to-be ex-Chandlers, too. You know that.

Erica steps away from David.

Erica: Maybe Liza would like to tell me.

David: Oh, Erica! You’ve seen Colby. Does she look to be anything other than the perfect picture of health?

Erica: Well, a perfect picture of health is never an indication that a life has not been in jeopardy. I’m living proof of that.

David: Why don’t we forget the Chandlers and concentrate on us?

Erica: Why don’t we forget everything?

David: What are you talking about?

Erica: I’m leaving, David. When you decide to grow up and tell me what really went on, let me know.

David: Erica.

Erica goes to the door.

David: Erica!

Erica leaves the room.

David walks over to his file cabinet and slams the drawer shut.

 
Tarnished Armor Index
Part One Hundred and Fifty One
Part One Hundred and Fifty Three