| Indecent Proposal Episode 21 |
| ** Rachel walked into the Fairmont's bar and saw Vincent sitting in his regular spot, this time next to an attractive blonde. Rachel was in no mood to compete, but she knew what she had to do. She had stayed longer at the office to make up for taking time offf tomarrow. She sent Nash all the recent updates on his financial status and was free and clear of information until Vincent signed the papers. She walked up behind Vincent and stood there for a moment, listening to his conversation. "I'm in business, financial aspects." Vincent smiled, trying to win her over. He was bored without Rachel there. "I'm sure your doing quite well." The blonde was obviously interested, but Rachel couldn't risk her being any more than a mere distraction. She had to come foreward. "He is, I've seen his books." Vincent turned around to see Rachel their behind him, Antwon got a good laugh as he watched the scene on the video. Leave it to Rachel, she wouldn't be outdone by a blonde. "Rachel, when did you get here?" Vincent hadn't realized she was standing there and wondered how long it had been. He was too drunk to have realized the time, it was well after ten but he'd never know it. "Just now, but long enough to know I need to keep an eye on you." Not that she really cared, but this case was too important to be wasted on some bimbo that Vincent felt attracted to. "Me?" Vincent gave a shameful grin, worried about how much Rachel might have heard. He hadn't intended to do anything, just make conversation until Rachel showed up. Rachel pulled him in closer to her and whispered in his ear, "I'd suggest we go upstairs, unless you have other plans." "It was nice meeting you, Angela, but my wife and I have to get to dinner." He knew they wouldn't be eating, but Vincent didn't find it proper to say what was really on his agenda. Vincent paid the bartender and followed Rachel to the elevator. "Your wife, huh?" Rachel smiled at him as they waited for the elevator to come to the first floor. "One day you will be, she'll never know." Vincent pulled her in closer to him, "I've got an excellent bottle of wine upstairs waiting for us." "Perfect." That's just what she needed; the more drunk he was, the better. The elevator came and they got in. "Are you sure its me you want to be with, or Angela?" "Rachel, that was nothing. I was just passing the time till you got here." He couldn't risk Rachel walking out on him now, he needed her to take the money. He pulled her in towards him, trying to assure her she was the one. "I had a feeling you'd say that." Rachel kissed him, hoping the rest of the evening would run quickly and smoothly. ** "Rachel called off work today.'' Antwon was giving his daily morning report to Nash just after 10:00 A.M. "To spend the day with Vincent I assume?" Nash knew Rachel would come around sooner or later. "You bet, she said he was quite hungover." He had spoken with Rachel when she came over to the house on Belmonet that morning. "I'd imagine so. The man isn't shy when it comes to the bottle." He hadn't anticipated Vincent being such a drunk, but it was working to their advantage. "She's meeting with Andrew and the kids later, she'll get back with Cardell tonight.'' He and Rachel had discussed the plan for the day, since Antwon had to know her every move. ''I'll get Ronnie to trail Cardell, see what he's doing this afternoon without Rachel around. Call me later if anything comes up.'' Nash hung up the phone to find Ronnie, wondering why he hadn't heard from Cardell lately himself. ** "Good morning," Vincent smiled at Rachel as she laid next to him. ''Oh, we're well into afternoon by now." Rachel had checked the clock minutes before, it was nearly two-thirty. ''Why didn't you wake me up?" Vincent hadn't realized he had been asleep for so long. He hadn't anticipated such a hangover. "You looked so peaceful." The way his hand felt on her skin gave Rachel the sensation of bugs slithering across her. Rachel thought he was better off asleep, she didn't want to contend with him any more than necessary. "What's on the agenda for today?" Vincent kissed her and pulled her in closer. "I promised my sons I'd be home when they got back from school and we could eat dinner as a family." Rachel really hadn't warned the boys she'd be home, just Antwon. "I see, so that means I should cancel the reservations?" Vincent really hadn't made reservations, but he wanted to make Rachel feel guilty for leaving him alone. "I'm sorry, Vincent, you know I am. I have to spend some time with my kids." Rachel knew time with the kids wasn't integral to the role, but moreso for her sanity. "Will I see you tonight?" Vincent pretended to pout, he was jealous over her spending the evening with someone else. "Do you even have to ask?" Rachel smiled, knowing Vincent would have to give up his act sooner or later. "Who have I spent all my nights with for nearly the past two and a half weeks?" "I guess you're right." He kissed her again, the liquor still stained his breath and Rachel was repulsed. "I should go shower and get ready, look like I've been to work today." Vincent grinned at her, pleased she had called off to spend the afternoon with him instead. "I'll be waiting." Vincent sat up in the bed and reached for his phone, he had a call or two to make while she was busy. ** "You okay?" Rachel looked like hell as she collapsed upon the bed in the house on Belmont. Antwon had been running the tapes from there recently, whenever she wasn't at the hotel with Vincent. ''I don't know how much longer I can take this, Antwon." She had told Vincent she wanted to be home to see the boys when they got home from school but she'd meet him at the office later. "Every night it's the same thing, he gets drunk and I drag him to bed." ''And let me guess, he gets up the next morning thinking he's the King of the World?" Antwon laughed, from what he saw of them each evening, they were quite a pair. ''Are you familiar with such behavior?" Rachel smiled as Antwon shot her an evil look, there had to be some humor to the case. ''You seem to know the routine well." ''I'll remember that next time you need me to help you move in.'' Antwon smiled at her, knowing he couldn't ever turn down a request for help from her. She'd have done anything for him. "How's Harvey?'' She was sure no one else was around who might hear, and she had to know. 'He's getting by, but for one reason or another, he misses you. Desperation, perhaps?" Antwon knew he'd have to pay for that comment later on, but now he had to keep talking to make sure Rachel stayed awake. ''Ha, ha. So when was your last date anyways?" Rachel was tired, but she always had a comeback for Antwon. Antwon heard the boys coming in downstairs. It was time for Rachel to take on her role again. ''I believe your children are home, go be a good mom and visit with them instead of torturing me. Can you bring me a snack while your at it?" Antwon loved to antagonize her, she was such a good sport. ''Right away, Twonny." Rachel shot him a glare as she exited the room. ''Thanks, mom." Antwon listened as she headed down the stairs, he wanted to make sure she was in the kitchen before he called Nash. He picked up the phone and dialed, waiting for Nash to pick up. "Bridges.'' Nash was expecting Antwon to reach him earlier, he was worried about the later call. ''She just got here, tied up with Cardell. I think its getting serious, Nash.'' From what Antwon could tell, it looked like Cardell was pulling Rachel in. She was a good cop, but even the best had their limits. ''How serious is serious?" Nash knew just about every detail of their relationship, but this he hadn't heard about. "Do you think she's in danger?" ''All I'm saying is that if she doesn't give him what he wants, things could get ugly.'' Antwon was convinced that if Rachel didn't comply to Vincent's every wish, she'd be the next one they'd find in the Bay. "Watch her, Antwon.'' Nash didn't know what more he could do. He had to make sure Rachel was safe, but he had to close the case. He was torn. ** "Paul, it's Vincent. I need another favor." Vincent had to make sure no one and nothing stood in the way of him attaining his next possession. "What do you need, boss?" Paul had been waiting for Vincent's next request. The information he dug up on Andrew Martin surely wouldn't be enough. ''I need you to follow someone, watch them for a while. Make sure she stay's safe." Vincent didn't want to worry about Andrew getting to his wife, he wanted Andrew completely out of the picture. "So now we're talking about her, not him?'' Vincent had switched gears, he wanted more on Rachel now. Things must be getting serious. ''I want you out there, keep an eye on the house. The address is 19265 Belmont. Call me if there's any problems." Vincent hung up the phone, he was certain he could trust Rachel but he had to be sure. ** ''At least you came home for dinner." Rachel kissed Andrew after he came in, it was obvious they were getting too close to blow their cover. ''What are you doing home?" Andrew was a little surprised to see her there, figuring she would've had dinner with another client again this evening. "I wanted to come home and see the kids, is there a problem with that?" Rachel pulled away from him, it was next to impossible to do. She had spotted a strange vehicle parked near the house earlier, and assumed she was being watched. "No, no problem." He paused for a minute, trying to think of what was next. "The boys and I were thinking we should go out for dinner tonight?" Andrew considered he'd have to soften her up before he could tell her about their money problems, this would be a decent distraction. "That's fine." Rachel assumed if she was being followed, this would give who ever it was a better opportunity to listen to their conversation and report back to Cardell. "I'll go tell the boys that you'll be joining us." Andrew went upstairs to tell the boys and Antwon what was going on. ''I'll be ready." Rachel went into the kitchen and placed the car again from the window, sitting about four houses down near the driveway. ** Paul sat and watched as Rachel ate dinner with Andrew and her children. She seemed to be enjoying it too much, being with them. Rachel appeared far too much like the family-type woman to be with Vincent Cardell the way she was. His seat allowed for him to hear a good bit of their conversation, but nothing notable had been said. "I thought you had to work again tonight, Mom?" Kyle looked over to his mother, wondering where she was every evening. "I told you, I took the night off so I could be with you guys." Rachel had to assure them there was always room in her life for her children, but Andrew's importance was dwindling. "Your mother is a busy woman boys, don't you remember the variety of nannies?" Andrew had never been fond of Rachel's work ethic or devotion to the company. He would've preferred her to stay at home and raise the boys. "Andrew, I don't think its necessary to bring that up now.'' Rachel shot him a look, it wasn't a good time to get into that. She let her eyes roam the floor, until they fell upon the man she saw sitting in the car. "I'll be late again tomarrow." "You're always late, Mom." Ryan looked at her, trying to pull some sympathy or pity from her since she normally left them with their father. "Yeah Mom, I don't even hear you come in any more." Rachel's eyes widened, he wasn't supposed to know that much. At least not yet, she'd have to make do. "You're coming in later than Dad these days." That was an uncomforting thought, they knew she was out late. Andrew shot a look over to his son, this wasn't an appropriate dinner conversation. Rachel's phone rang, she was sure it was Vincent. There was no way she could answer that call at the table. "I have to make a call, I'll be back." Rachel walked towards the bathroom, seeing the man slowly trailing behind her. "Hello?" It still seemed strange not to answer the phone with the foreward, McCabe, everytime someone called. ''I need you." Vincent felt he had waited long enough, Andrew was now cutting into his time with her. "We're just eating now, I'll meet you at the office." Rachel didn't want to leave just yet, worried about what the man following her had heard. "I need you, I need to be with you. Don't make me wait." Vincent hung up the phone and walked through the rest of her home. Luckily for Antwon, he was already back at the hotel when Vincent came in. Vincent looked at various pictures on the wall, wondering what Rachel ever saw in Andrew. ** "I can make you a very rich man, Vincent, all you have to do is trust me.'' Rachel was trying to get Vincent to sign the money over into her hands. As soon as she had it, she could turn the records into Nash. They were together in Rachel's office. She was sitting on the corner of the desk and he was seated in the chair before her. "And I can make you a very happy woman." Vincent got up to kiss her, sure she wouldn't reject his advances. His intent was clear with the kiss, but there would be none of that. As he began to kiss her neck and work his way towards her shoulders, she interrupted. "Sign the papers, there's time for this later, I swear.'' Vincent wasn't pleased with her refusal, but he pulled away and reached for a pen to sign the papers. Rachel handed him the documents, sure he'd be far too interested in other things to read them carefully. He scrawled his name across each page and handed them to her. "Now where were we?" Vincent wasn't going to take no for an answer this time as he moved in closer to Rachel and kissed her. He couldn't see why she was worried, no one else was there. "I want you to leave Andrew." Rachel pulled away a moment, she needed breathing room. "He won't let me go." Vincent pulled her back in towards him, "neither will I." Their kissing turned into heavy making out, Rachel wasn't about to let things get any further, not now. Thoughts of Harvey entered her mind. This wasn't right. She had to pull away. Vincent's cell phone rang as it sat on Rachel's desk. "I'm not going to answer that." Rachel had to think of something, "what if it's one of your sons?" She had to be the maternal voice of reason. Rachel needed to get him away. "You're right." Vincent pulled back and reached for his phone, leaving his free arm securely wrapped around Rachel. She wasn't going to get away. "Hello?" "Vincent, about time you picked up the phone. How's life?" Nash laughed into the phone, wondering what he had interrupted. "Bridges, don't call me again. Get off my back." Vincent stepped away from Rachel and the desk and walked out into the hallway to finish the call. Nash would never know how much that call meant to Rachel. "What's wrong, did I interrupt some great meeting of the minds?" Nash couldn't imagine what Vincent had been doing that he seemed so annoyed by the call. "Bridges, leave me alone. Tamara's dead and we both need to move on." Vincent angrily hung up the phone, how dare Nash interrupt him. Vincent walked back into Rachel's office. He had to get back to Philadelphia and make sure everything was safe. "Vincent, what's wrong?" Rachel could tell from the look on Vincent's face that Nash had said something to anger him. "Nothing is wrong. I've got to get back to Philadelphia first thing tomarrow morning.'' He didn't want to explain the situation to Rachel, not yet at least. ''Did something happen?" She knew he had spoken to Nash, but she had to play dumb. "I just have to get home for a day, to take care of some business." Rachel's sincerity really astounded him, she seemed to care so much for him. ''Do you want me to come with?" Rachel knew she was placing herself into a dangerous position by offering, but it was a chance she couldn't miss taking. Vincent already had plenty to drink that evening, she could only hope he'd go out and drink more. Tonight had been a close call. "No, I want you to work on leaving Andrew. I'll be back the day after tomarrow, we can work out some details then." Vincent kissed Rachel, he didn't want to leave the next morning but he knew he had to. Nash was getting too close. Andrew was going to be a problem. "I have a meeting this evening, but I'll be back at the hotel no later than ten.'' Vincent knew what was next. ** ''I just spoke to Cardell, he brought up Tamara.'' Nash was getting closer each day, he could feel it. ''Did he say he did it?" Joe was curious about how much Cardell would've said, he vehemently denied even knowing Tamara earlier. ''Of course not, but he said she was dead.'' Nash wondered if Rachel had been around for that, or if she was even with him if not at the office. ''Did Rachel hear this?" Joe wondered if maybe Rachel was able to get more out of Vincent than Nash had. ''I don't know if she was there. He wasn't exactly happy that I called.'' Nash couldn't remember Vincent ever sounding more angry to receive his call. "Maybe you interrupted something.'' Joe was disturbed by the mental images entering his mind. ''I hope so.'' Nash knew Rachel was against what he had implied she do, if need be. He hoped the situation would never come to that. ** ''I know you need all the help you can get. From one business man to another, I know what it's like to be desperate." Vincent was sure that Andrew was going to do whatever it took to prevent himself from meeting social and financial ruin. "I've seen your financial standing, it isn't pretty. I guess one too many cocktails and too many girlfriends have distracted you from your work.So I'm going to propose a deal." "A deal, to help me?" Andrew wasn't expecting this, nor was Harvey. He had no idea what Vincent had in mind. He scheduled the meeting late and after hours, he was up to something. "It would help both of us.'' Vincent took a moment to consider his deal again, sure he was ready for the proposal. ''I will invest my money here and save your end of the company.'' ''For what? What do I do in return?" Andrew was already suspicious, he didn't like the look on Vincent's face as he prepared his offer. Vincent's deal already seemed too good to be true. "Let me finish. I will invest six point five million dollars with you, saving you from your social and financial problems. And I will give you two million dollars, all in exchange for one thing.'' For Vincent, she was worth the money. ''Just one thing. I don't believe that's asking too much." "What's that? I don't believe I have anything of such great value.'' Andrew couldn't imagine what Vincent could want of his that he'd be sticking such a high price tag on. "But you do. She's a gorgeous woman, and she's a good mother. I'm sure she excels in other areas as well.'' Vincent was surprised that Andrew hadn't gotten the point. For being a reknown business man, he wasn't too bright. "Who?" The message hadn't clicked in Andrew's head. Vincent knew for the right amount, Andrew would make the deal. Money meant too much to him, he wasn't in a position to refuse. ''Your wife.'' Vincent watched as the look on Andrew's face changed, he was in shock. Andrew rubbed his forehead, not knowing what to do with such and offer. Nash hadn't prepared him for this. He never said money would be offered for Rachel. Cardell might be stopped sooner or later, but Harvey was terrified with what could happen between now and then. ''Let me get this straight, you want to pay off my debt and give me two million dollars, all to sleep with my wife?" Andrew couldn't comprehend the magnamity of his offer. "This is unreal, you've seen Indecent Proposal one too many times." "Not to sleep with her, I already do that for free and she's quite good to me." Vincent grinned as he watched the horror in Andrew's eyes. He loved seeing him so desperate and shocked. Harvey wanted to lunge at him, wipe the smug grin off of his face. The ball was now in Vincent's court. "I want you to leave your wife.'' "You want me to leave my wife, and disrupt my children's lives?" It didn't make sense, why would Vincent want her so badly if she wasn't really sleeping with her? Harvey couldn't understand, what was Rachel doing to him? What was she doing with him? He had to trust her, he had to. "She's unhappy with you, and your children would be better off elsewhere. The way I see it, there's two options. I can get rid of you, or you can be paid to leave. The choice is for you to make." Vincent had given Andrew his options, it was now up to him. "I leave for Philadelphia first thing tomarrow morning, no doubt after another passionate night of making love to your wife. I trust you'll make your decision by the time I get back." Harvey sat there after Vincent left the room, what was Rachel doing? Had she gone that far? He had to get out, the images filling his head were too much. This wasn't right. She wouldn't do that to him. She wouldn't. But would Rachel do it for Nash? He had to talk to her, he needed to know what was going on. While Vincent was in Philadelphia, Harvey would find out. There was the surveillance video. There was the audio. Anything could help put his mind at ease. He couldn't stand not knowing the truth. ** |
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