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Wheeler
Estate: Napa Valley
 Leaning
back in the old leather chair previously belonging to Martin
Wheeler, Donna rubs her temples and breathes deeply.
She knows this kind of stress can't be good for her,
especially in her first trimester.
But what else should I expect
being a part of this family?
Anyhow,
it's time to bite the bullet.
She
thinks to herself and picks up the phone to dial Giorgio's number
which she has ingrained in her memory after the drama when Julia
was in New York.
Waiting for an answer, Donna shifts in her seat, causing it
to creak.
"Hello."
The voice is distinctly more shaky than usual.
"Giorgio Beretti."
"Giorgio,
it's me." Donna begins.
"And I want to know what in the name of God is going
on."
"You've
spoken to Julia?"
"Well
she spoke to me…and warned me that something is going on out
there.
Someone was killed."
"That's
right.
And I warned Julia that one of you needs to come to New
York and take care of it."
"Is
it really beyond your capabilities to deal with the matter?"
Donna's words are free of sarcasm.
She simply wants to get to the bottom of it.
"Yes.
The families know that I'm not in charge of the Santadio.
I'm pretty expendable to them…as will you and Julia be
unless you find a way to get back some of the power you've already
lost."
"I
don't care about power Giorgio, you know that.
I'd be quite happy to see the whole damn thing fall apart.
At least then I'd have some peace."
"You're
Bobby's daughter.
You can't get away from that."
"I
tried to when I came to California.
I've been hiding for years to avoid this kind of situation
and I'm not going to give up without a fight."
"Fine.
Fight away.
Just do it out here to prevent even more people from
getting killed."
"I'm
pregnant Giorgio.
I can't risk hurting my child to deal with criminals."
Giorgio
begins to lose his temper, "Then send Julia out.
Just stop passing the buck between the two of you and do
something about it!"
"She's
got problems too." Donna concedes.
"It's not easy for either of us to leave town right
now."
"You're
going to have a hell of a lot more problems if you don't get your
asses in gear.
Your father always told me this isn't a business for women.
I guess he was right."
"That
has nothing to do with this."
"I'm
sure it hasn't." Giorgio scoffs.
"Whether Bobby would have agreed…"
"I
don't give a damn what my father thought.
And if you're trying to goad me into coming to New York
just to prove some stupid point, you can forget it.
But I'll tell you what I am going to do…I'm going to let
the empire crumble and I don't want you to do a thing to stop
it."
There
is a pregnant pause, "You're taking a huge risk.
Perhaps I should consult Julia."
"I've
already discussed this with her thank you very much."
"She
really agreed to your course of action?"
"Yes."
Donna becomes uncomfortable and shifts again in the chair.
"Yes, she did."
"Very
well then.
I'll call with a progress report some time next week.
Goodbye Donna."
"Take
care Giorgio." Donna places the phone back down in its cradle
and pulls herself up slowly from her seat.
Her mind buzzing she moves slowly to the large oak door of
the study and pulls it open to find Julia waiting for her in the
hallway.
"How
did it go?" Julia asks, worriedly.
"You
don’t need to worry.
Everything's been taken care of."
Hartman's
Women's Institute: San Francisco
 The
first thing that hits Jessica as she inconspicuously opens the
door to the main hall is the smell of coffee.
Cheap but nevertheless comforting in an odd way as it
reminds her of the time she spent in this place, dealing with the
issues she had after being raped.
Now I have to do it all again.
Sneaking
into the hall, a group of women are sat in a circle, one of
whom is discussing her story.
Straight ahead of Jessica is the leader of the group -
Anita Hartman.
She looks very much the same as she did a year ago except
for her previously short red hair now reaching down to her
shoulders.
When
the story being told is finished, Jessica locks eyes with her and
Anita smiles warmly before addressing the group.
"Okay, I think we'll take a break there.
Feel free to fix yourself a drink and I'll be back in a few
minutes."
The
soft murmuring of female voices fills the room as Anita walks
forwards and holds her arms outstretched to envelope Jessica in an
embrace.
"It's been a while."
"Yeah."
Jessica replies, pulling away slowly.
"I know."
"I
have to admit…I have been expecting you to come back.
I mean, it must be over a year now since you were attacked.
The first anniversary can be a major setback."
Jessica
nods, "That's what happened with me.
I thought I was completely over it but a lot of stuff has
been happening at home and it brought the whole thing flooding
back."
"How
bad is it?"
"Nightmares
really and I've had flashbacks a couple of times during the day.
I'm worried that sometime soon, I'm going to have a panic
attack when I'm driving or something.
I can't put myself in that much risk."
"No
of course you can't." Anita places a firm hand on Jessica's
back and leads her towards the circle of chairs.
"So are you planning on coming back to the
group?"
"For
a while at least.
I know I can see my therapist but…I think what I need at
the moment is to just be around people who understand what I'm
going through."
"Whatever
you think you need.
No one knows you better than yourself.
Do you mind if I get the discussion started again?"
"No.
Go ahead."
Anita
claps her hands, "Ladies, can we gather round again
please?"
No
more encouragement is needed and soon enough, the scene is back to
how it was when Jessica walked in apart from her being a part of
the circle
"Now,
who would like to talk next?"
Taking
a deep breath, Jessica speaks, "Me.
I want to."
Wheeler
Estate: Napa Valley
"Michael's
home." Isabelle calls across the living room from the window
as she sees her son's car pull up outside the house.
Not waiting to watch, she takes a sip of champagne and
starts to move towards Donna who appears to be in conversation
with Julia.
Bizarre…
"Hey
everyone." Michael arrives at the doorway before Isabelle
reaches her destination.
Beside him are Cassie and Guy which immediately brings an
air of tension to the room.
Lauren
smiles and walks towards them, "Cassie.
I'm glad you showed up." She hugs the younger woman
for a moment and steps back to examine her.
There is something different.
Gone are the baggy clothes and makeup free face.
"Yes."
Cassie smiles and speaks as she notices her appearance being
placed under scrutiny.
"I dragged a brush through my hair and put on some
decent clothes.
I wanted to make an effort for the occasion."
"You
look wonderful dear." Isabelle beams and hands her and Guy a
glass of champagne each.
Walking
to the other side of the room with his wife, Guy holds up his
glass.
"Congratulations Donna."
"Thank
you.
I'm very happy."
"Yes
congratulations.
I'd also like to say sorry to John and Lauren for the way I
behaved the other day." They remain silent but it is clear
that there are no hard feelings.
"I reached a low point…but I'm hoping that won't
happen again after this evening."
"Has
something happened?" Lauren asks.
"Actually,
it has.
We got a call from Jake before we left the house."
The
words cause a jolt for Julia who finally ends her silence.
There is a sign of hope in her expression and she puts her
glass down.
"What did he say?"
Cassie
turns, a hint of disdain creeping into her voice.
"He wanted me to pass on a message to you actually.
Apparently…his running away with my child has nothing to
do with you.
For some reason, he thought you should be alerted to that
fact."
"I'm
glad he's okay."
"Really.
And Lucas?
Do you care whether he's alive or dead?" Cassie asks
icily.
"I
wouldn't wish that baby any harm."
"But
you don't care so long as your son is okay, right?
Because I'm getting what I deserve for hurting you precious
Jake and Lucas is just collateral damage."
"Stop
putting words in my mouth…and tell me where Jake is."
"It's
funny how the tables are turned isn't it?"
"Don't
play games with me Cassie.
Just answer the damn question before I lose my
temper."
"This
isn't going to help anybody." Isabelle interjects but is
ignored by Cassie.
"I
don't know where your son is and I credit him with the
intelligence not to tell me.
But even if I did know, I wouldn't tell you.
I want to watch you suffer, the way I've suffered not
knowing whether Jake is going to live or die."
"You
have no idea how much I hate you."
"Oh
I think I do.
Because believe me, the feeling's mutual.
And rest assured that when we find Jake…because we will
find him…he is going to pay for what he's done.
Until then I'd like to make a toast."
"What
to?" Guy asks and slips an arm round Cassie.
"To
hope…and justice."
Masters
Mansion: San Francisco
 The
sun has almost set behind the illuminated mansion as Kyle drives
towards it.
He clasps the steering wheel nervously as Stephanie
switches off the carphone and sets it back in its holder.
"The
police said they're on their way.
Maybe we should have called them sooner."
"Well
it's too late to worry about that now." Kyle slams his foot
down on the brake causing the car to stop with a jolt.
Nervously, he runs a hand through his spiked blond hair and
stares at the house.
"Are
you ready?" Stephanie asks quickly, worried that he is going
to lose his nerve.
"So
long as you're sure you want to do this."
"I'd
rather die trying than get sent back to the sanitarium."
Without another word, Stephanie opens the door and strides round
the car to walk up the front steps.
Kyle follows closely behind and catches up with her as she
presses the doorbell.
It
only takes a moment for the door to be answered and Stephanie
holds her breath as it opens slowly.
"Hello.
Can I help you?" A handsome silver haired man greets
her -- Greg
Masters.
"I'm
Stephanie Elliott.
This is my brother-in-law Kyle."
"Yes
I know who you are.
Isabelle told me all about you before the parole
hearing." Greg's voice is laced with caution.
"Then
you probably know that I'm being accused of trying to murder my
ex-husband."
"Yes
and I gave the police my statement about that.
I don't see how I can help you any further."
"You
will." Impatiently, Stephanie pushes past Greg into the
hallway and storms through the house.
"Excuse
me." Kyle follows and Greg shuts the door furiously.
"Would
you kindly tell me what the hell you two are doing?"
"Clearing
my name." Stephanie states matter-of-factly as she steps out
of the dining room where she has been searching for anyone else.
"Where is everybody?"
"You
really are insane." Greg yells in disbelief and looks over at
Kyle who also seems surprised by the situation.
"Oh
no Greg, I'm perfectly sane and perfectly lucid.
That's why I'm here.
And if you won't help me, I'll help myself."
"Stephanie,
wait!" Kyle calls out as she thunders towards the living
room, flinging the door open.
Greg shakes his head and follows them.
"Oh.
Here we are." Stephanie murmurs as she spies Travis
and Adrienne sitting on one of the sofas.
Surprised at the intrusion, they both jump to their feet.
"Dad,
what's going on?
Stephanie?" Adrienne narrows her eyes in shock.
"She
just burst in.
Call the police."
"Oh
no." Stephanie holds up a hand.
"I'll be the one doing that after I'm through with
what I came here to say."
"Which
is?" Travis chimes in.
"That
I know who tried to kill David and I'm not taking the rap for
it."
The
tension in the room is palpable and Greg shifts nervously.
"What the hell has that got to do with us?"
"It's
obvious isn't it?
David has been causing trouble for you for months."
Stephanie turns to Travis and Adrienne.
"I truly am sorry for you both, but you should have
realized the damage David would do to your marriage.
Especially you Adrienne.
I warned you.
I warned you what he was like and you had an affair with
him anyway.
Now you know I was right."
"I
still don't know why you're doing this.
Travis and I have moved on from that."
"I
bet you have.
But as much as I feel for you both and as much as I wish I
could take credit for trying to bring David down, I wasn't
responsible.
I'm sorry it's come to this."
"Now
I am going to call the police." Travis walks towards
the phone.
"Don't
worry, they're already on their way…to arrest you for attempted
murder.
I'm sorry Travis.
But the game ends here."
Next time on Power and
Deception...
Travis and Stephanie face off...
Lauren receives news of Megan...
Tommy comes under fire from
Jessica...
Amanda gets nearer to the truth
about Jake...
Mark sets his sights on Julia...
Part
1 | Part
2 | Part 3
Episode
45
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