Tarnished Armor
Part 171

The nursery.

Adam is placing Colby back in her crib. Liza enters.

Adam looks up.

Liza: All better?

Adam: Colby Chandler. Changed and ready for the world.

Liza: Well. The change of name will take a little while. There’s some paperwork involved. Long distance paperwork.

Adam: Long distance?

Liza begins to laugh.

Liza: Jake has sailed to Antigua. He thinks he may have a chance with Allie.

Liza roars with laughter. Colby laughs.

Liza: A joke so simple that even an infant gets it. Then again, we’re not talking about any old infant.

Adam: You didn’t get his signature before he left? What if she murders him?

Liza: I may not be too sure of most things, but I am sure that Allie will make him sign those papers before she murders him. Poor Colby.

Adam: Poor Colby?

Liza: Stuck with a father who doesn’t appreciate the smell of a dirty diaper.

Liza goes over to the crib and leans over Colby.

Liza: Did you think I’d forget the blessing?

Colby coos.

Liza: That’s right. A blessing on your pillow and your head and good night.

Liza goes over to her rocking chair. She sits down.

Adam goes over to his rocking chair and sits down.

Liza: Where’s that Palmer doll you promised me?

Adam: Sorry. All poked through.

Liza: Too bad.

Liza looks over at Adam. Then she stares ahead.

Liza: Did you know that Mateo almost cost me the station this year?

Adam: Mateo?

Liza: Yes. He had some sort of vendetta against Ryan, and somehow the station ended up in the middle of it.

Adam: He was the one who called the FCC?

Liza: Yes.

Adam: Does anyone know that you know?

Liza: No.

Adam: Well, that would make things easier, wouldn’t it?

Liza: See, now, that’s what I was thinking.

Adam: Are you looking for public humiliation or financial ruin or emotional distress?

Liza: I can’t decide.

Adam: Hayley could end up in the crossfire.

Liza: Maybe. I guess that would depend on what I do.

Adam: I suppose that’s true. Hayley did say that Mateo had hurt her.

Liza: Yes.

Adam is quiet for a moment.

Adam: I find that with public humiliation, the rest usually follows.

Liza: Not necessarily.

Adam: It depends on what you have. What were you thinking?

Liza smiles.


Tarnished Armor Index
Part One Hundred and Seventy