Episode 7: Reliance

Previously

Michael saved Lauren from her attacker in New York but realised that he was a hitman sent by the Delta Group. Morgan blackmailed Mark with a tape of their lovemaking. Jake vowed revenge on Cassie. After admitting her feelings for Tommy, Jessica had a bitter confrontation with Stephanie and was devastated when Tommy did not defend her. Julia told David to speed up his plans to have Douglas declared mentally incompetent. Cassie and Guy admitted their love for one another. David had a violent argument with Stephanie and told her he did not love her. She threatened him with a reminder of Angela's murder. Julia denied all knowledge of the Delta Group to Michael and Lauren. She then asked Lauren to take Jake back at the Wheeler Corporation to help him get over his depression. Lauren agreed but warned Jake not to try and dirty tricks. Michael informed Lauren that Nick Remick's body had been found in San Francisco, a possible sign that the cartel was closing in...

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

Lauren lies back in bed and lets her mind wander as she thinks about the past few days. The only thing that has been on her mind was the Delta Group. Ever since Michael showed her the file, her whole life seems to have been taken over by their presence...and of course Nick Remick was murdered. Now she realises that she has to pay some attention to Mark.

Mark looks over at Lauren but every time he does it he thinks about her. One thing enters his mind. The tape.

"You'll show Lauren the tape."

"Clever boy. The choice is yours."

How am I going to end it?

"Mark?" Lauren leans over and gently nudges him.

"Yep?"

"I was checking you were awake. We've got to get up."

"Okay." Mark sighs nervously. I have got to stop her...

Park Valley Sematary: Napa Valley

Dressed in a trenchcoat to disguise himself from prying eyes, Guy kneels down and lays the colourful flowers on each gravestone.

Arthur Garrett 1936-1985

Rose Garrett 1939-1985

Rubbing his tired face with his hands, he stays there for several minutes watching the graves until he finally speaks.

"I'm only doing it for you. You both deserved so much better. You didn't deserve to die the way you did."

A flock of birds fly overhead disturbing Guy. He brushes a stray piece of dirt from the grey marble of Arthur's head stone and slowly paces towards the gates of the sematary.

Standing next to the beaten up truck which he is forced to drive, Guy takes out a cellphone from his coat pocket and dials. After several seconds a gruff voice answers. "Well?"

"It's working. I'm getting close."

"Close enough to nail them?"

"Not yet. It'll take time. But believe me. I am really getting to know the Wheeler family. I have to go and meet one of them now. Call me back later." Guy snaps the phone shut and grinning he jumps into the truck.

Wheeler Corporation: San Francisco

Julia enters Jake's office as removal men bring in the last of his possessions. Situated at his desk in front of the window, Jake looks happier than he has been in weeks. Julia comments on this.

"That's because I'm back here mother. Where I belong."

Julia runs her finger along the top of a bookcase before replying. "Thanks to Lauren. You know if we try anything again, she will get rid of you permanently."

Jake smiles, "You think I haven't taken that into account?" He laughs, "I'm still gonna get her out of here. Possibly even today. She may think she has the upper hand...but she doesn't. It's about time she realised."

"What are you intending to do?"

"Whatever I have to. I'm planning to set the ball rolling this afternoon."

Julia looks at her watch, "Well I have to leave. I've got a meeting. Fill me in later. But be careful. Don't get caught."

"I won't."

Red Store Restaurant: San Francisco

It is nearing noon. Tommy stops the engine of his car and greets Jessica outside of the restaurant. She looks as naturally pretty as ever, dressed in a blue satin blouse and black skirt. Tommy is somewhat surprised by her frosty reaction as she turns and leads the way inside without a word.

"Jessica is there a problem?"

She ignores him as a lanky Italian waiter shows them to a small table near the bar. Jessica places her purse on the table and sits down avoiding eye contact.

"I asked if there was a problem?"

"Is it difficult to figure out?"

Tommy fingers the rim of a candleholder nervously; "It's about the other day. When you had the argument with my mother. I'm sorry. I should've known that would happen. My mother is just...well..."

"It wasn't your mother who upset me Tommy. Yes she was about as unpleasant as she could possibly be but my problem lies with you."

"Me?" Tommy is taken aback.

"Oh my God, you don't realise do you? Well I'll fill you in. You didn't say one word to defend me. You let your mother attack me without saying so much as a word in my defence!"

Before Tommy replies, the waiter annoyingly returns to take their order. After he has left, Tommy responds. "I didn't have a chance. You left remember."

"I left because you didn't defend me. I know Stephanie is your mother and I respect that but...you know...I thought perhaps that I meant enough for you to say something."

"You do." Tommy leans over and takes Jessica's hand in his. She resists the reflex to pull away. "I didn't know what to do. I was torn. It wasn't because I don't care you know."

Jessica's heart begins to melt as she looks at him. She knows he is being sincere. His whole attitude is apologetic. "Maybe I overreacted a little. We should just let it drop."

Tommy smiles and pulls his hand away as a woman's laughter can be heard echoing through the restaurant. He looks in the direction of the noise and sees his father sitting in a corner booth with Julia. They don't notice him as he turns back to Jessica.

"Hey. Your mother is here with my father."

Jessica takes her eyes of the menu and shoots the pair a furtive glance as her expression hardens. "I don't believe it." She rises from her seat, hastily followed by Tommy and clears her throat as she stands at their table. "Mom. David."

Julia splutters as she swallows the last sip of her wine. "Jessica. Hi. What are you doing here?"

"I was about to ask you the same question."

Julia stands and takes Jessica's arm. "We're just going to the ladies room." She informs David and squeezing Jessica's arm, forcefully takes her inside.

"What's with the tone missy?"

"What tone?" Jessica stares at her mother.

"You think David and I are on a date or something don't you."

"You said it." Jessica responds.

"Because you implied it." Julia shoots back."You must have a suspicious mind. I can't believe that you actually think these vicious rumours that Stephanie has been spreading are true. She's crazy. You saw that for yourself."

"Well what are you doing here with David?"

"Discussing business! He is the family lawyer. You know that. Can't I have a discussion with my attorney without it being misconstrued as some kind of romantic encounter?" Julia can see Jessica beginning to back down.

"Maybe I jumped to the wrong conclusions. I seem to be doing that a lot recently."

"Well try not to honey." Julia pushes a strand of blonde hair out of her daughter's face and cups it in her hands. "You know I wouldn't lie to you."

Jessica smiles without responding and walks out of the bathroom. She wants to believe her mother. But can she?

Wheeler Corporation: San Francisco

Lauren closes the first draft of the manuscript that Mark has given her to read through. "It's great Mark. It really is. You have such a feel for the characters."

Mark takes the manuscript back and plays with it nervously. "I'm glad you like it." He looks at the clock on the wall and prepares to leave until he hears Lauren's voice.

"Mark! Wait! I need to talk to you."

Hoping that she won't mention Morgan he drops himself back down in the chair. "What about." He enquires.

"You. Us. Recently, I just don't know what it is. Maybe it's because I've been so busy with the company and everything but...you just seem so...distant. Is it me?"

He reels from her matter-of-fact attitude. "No it's not you." It's her...

"Then what is it? Are you having problems?"

"Lauren there's nothing wrong. It's the book. It's taken a lot out of me. Having to reach the deadline for the first draft and the editors being changed half way through..."

"I'm sorry. I ought to have realised." Lauren gives him a look, which seems to go on forever. "How are things between you and Morgan?"

Mark shifts uncomfortably, "Fine. Why are you asking?"

"Because it must have been difficult having your editors changed at such a crucial time."

"It was. But we worked through it. Morgan is fine."

"Good. Okay well I have some meetings to get to so I suppose I'll see you back at the house sometime this evening."

"Sure." Mark doesn't look at Lauren as he pushes his seat back and walks out of the door.

Guy's Apartment: Napa City

Guy and Cassie lounge in bed as they do often in the afternoons when he is not working. The sound of sirens wails through the apartment but the couple are now used to it. The only other sound is that of the phone which has been taken off the hook. Beside it lays Guy's cellphone, which Cassie demanded he turn off.

"Don't you just love doing nothing? I could stay here for hours." Cassie whispers seductively as she runs her finger down Guy's chest.

"I know what you mean." He replies.

They lie there in silence for a while just enjoying each other's presence. As Cassie is about to speak, there is a knock at the door and groaning, she flops her head down on the pillow. "You better get it."

"I know." Guy swings his legs out of bed and pulls on a pair of jeans that are lying on the ground. The knocking becomes louder."Okay, I'm coming." He says annoyed.

Opening the door, he sees Michael Wheeler standing casually in the corridor. "Leave your phone off the hook?"

"Um yeah." The panic shows on Guy's face as he stubbornly refuses to move in order to allow Michael entry. He can hear scuffling in the apartment and silently prays that Cassie is getting ready to hide.

"Are you gonna let me in?" Michael asks rhetorically and barges past his employee. His tone of voice changes, "Well, well, well."

Guy freezes and his heart skips a beat. He turns. Thankfully, there is no sign of Cassie anywhere.

"You do sleep in late." Michael remarks, surveying the untidy bedclothes.

Guy grins, "Something like that. What can I do for you anyway?"

Michael looks at the phone, "Well there's a problem with one of the stables. A leak is coming through and we had to move one of the horses until you can take a look. I tried calling but...there was no answer."

"Sorry I was sleeping." Guy reaches for a t-shirt and pulls it on before turning on his cellphone to appease Michael. "Do you want me to come back to the estate?"

Michael nods, "Yes it's pretty urgent. Sorry to catch you on your day off and all but we need to get the horse back into the stable before nightfall."

Guy grabs his keys and looks round for a sign of Cassie. She will have to find her own way out. "Okay then. Let's go."

Wheeler Corporation: San Francisco

Jake leaves his offending wheelchair against the wall near the door and gingerly ambles his way to the desk. Clutching the edge, he lowers himself into the reclining leather seat and through the huge glass window to his left, he stares over at Lauren's office. Previously Douglas's, she has done little to change the decor. It remains full of dark wood and black upholstery, mainly chosen by Julia. Soon, Jake knew the office would be his.

Picking up the phone, he consults a number on his computer screen and dials it, savouring every number he presses. After virtually grappling with a well-meaning secretary to make his way through, Jake is greeted by a smooth sounding and familiar man.

"Hello. Austin Morell speaking."

Jake leans back and intentionally lowers his voice to disguise it, "Hi, my name's Harry Derby. I'm Lauren Erikson's personal assistant."

"Oh good afternoon. I hope there isn't a problem. The paperwork for the deal was sent through two days ago."

"Well yes I'm afraid there is a problem Mr Morell. Ms Erikson has learned that your company has been involved in some pharmaceutical testing which she feels may jeopardise your possible future with us."

There is a pause, "What? Why?"

"You may well know that Ms Erikson is a newly appointed CEO. She has decided that until she can really get to grips with running things, she doesn't feel that she can take the responsibility of handling an account like yours, especially with the possible legal ramifications of any testing you are involved with."

"Douglas Wheeler told us himself that the Wheeler Corporation would be grateful for our custom right before he died. We actually turned down other offers to be a part of your organisation. What kind of shoddy outfit are you running over there these days?"

"I can't apologise enough. Ms Erikson just...can't handle your account. I'm sorry."

"You will be. Lauren wants to get rid of me and gets her secretary to do it? Your company has wasted my time and money. You can tell Ms Erikson that we are completely pulling out of the deal, and she can expect to hear from our lawyers shortly."

Jake waits for the line to go dead as Austin Morell angrily slams the phone down. Perfect. And so, so easy. He's nearly finished with Lauren. When it's over, he can get started on Cassie.

Guy's Apartment: Napa City

Cassie cautiously steps out of the musty closet where she had been hiding, waiting for Michael to leave. Great. Her afternoon with Guy is ruined.

She wanders aimlessly, fixes herself a drink from the minute bar in the corner and falls back on the bed, spilling half of her vodka on the bedclothes. About to grab a cloth, she hears Guy's cellphone ringing. Knowing she shouldn't answer it she walks over to see if there is a caller ID. There isn't and it keeps on ringing. Soon curiosity gets the better of her and she presses the answer button. "Hello. Guy Richardson's phone. May I ask who's calling?"

Immediately she hears a click as the phone line goes dead and frowning, places the phone back down on the dresser. "Who the hell could that have been?" She says to herself not realising that she is talking out loud.

Whoever it was, it is nothing to do with her. Although, maybe she should ask Guy if he was expecting a call. He wouldn't have to know she answered it. After pulling on jeans and a maroon polo-neck sweater, she grabs her car keys and walks out of the apartment.

Wheeler Corporation: San Francisco

"What the hell were you thinking?" An angry Albert Prentiss slams his hand down on the boardroom table causing several glasses of water to slide accidentally.

Lauren looks up, amazed that she is being treated with such indignity. "I was not thinking anything Albert and I would kindly ask you to sit back down and compose yourself! I don't know why Austin Morell pulled out of the deal . Douglas arranged all the details. But I can tell you that it had absolutely nothing to do with me! I haven't even met the man!"

"Perhaps that was the problem." Jake offers from his seat at the other end of the long mahogany table, obviously eager to continue this veritable 'kangaroo court'.

"What are you talking about?" Lauren snaps, her frustration rising. She had the good grace to offer him a job and now he is trying to undermine her again. Maybe he has something to do with this, she thinks to herself. I knew it was a stupid thing to do, taking him back on again.

"Well, Austin was to be one of the company's most important clients Lauren. Maybe you just didn't treat him as such. You say for yourself you never met him."

"I don't think that would explain why his lawyers called me this afternoon demanding a possible multi-million dollar settlement!"

Jake wheels his way over to Albert's side. "Maybe I should have a talk with him. I do know him reasonably well. Perhaps I can make some arrangement."

Albert places his hand on Jake's shoulder, "That sounds like a good idea to me Lauren."

She kneads her temples, "Fine! Do that. You can't make the situation any worse than it already is."

Jake gently refuses Albert's embarrassing offer to wheel him out of the room and makes his way over to his office, ready to phone Austin Morell.

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

Julia and Morgan finish watching the tape of her encounter with Mark, and Morgan instinctively jumps out of her chair in the den to go and retrieve it.

Julia smiles, "My, my, my. You certainly did show him a good time. The experience shows." She snidely comments.

Morgan scowls, "I did what you asked me to do. That's all."

"And the money will be paid into your account by noon tomorrow. Don't worry. I keep my promises. Well...most of them."

Morgan slumps back down in her chair. "That's not what I'm worried about."

Julia rolls her eyes, "What's wrong with you?"

"It's not about the money anymore. I feel...guilty. I don't know whether I can go through with this. Showing Lauren the tape...it's cruel."

Julia stands and yells menacingly, "Now you show signs of a conscience? What is wrong with you? Don't tell me you're falling in love with Mark. Oh my God, you are aren't you."

Morgan snaps, "No! No I'm not! I just...feel guilty that's all. Yes I have some feelings for Mark. But I'm not in love with him. Who wouldn't have feelings for him anyway? He's a wonderful guy."

"No he is not a wonderful guy. He is just like any other. He was able to cheat on Lauren wasn't he?"

"Maybe he's not in love with her."

"Then who is he in love with? You? I hired you to do the job because I thought you could carry it out with professionalism. David went through it all with you. Falling in love with Mark Fielding was not part of the plan."

"Dammit Julia I am not falling in love with him." Morgan heads towards the door, "I'll threaten Mark tomorrow. I'm sure that'll make you happy."

"It will." Julia beams. But as she watches Morgan leave the room, she wonders if she made the biggest mistake imaginable hiring her for the job. However, whichever way Lauren found out, her world would get blown apart. Maybe Morgan having feelings for Mark wasn't such a bad thing after all.

Wheeler Corporation: San Francisco

It is getting dark when Jake returns to the boardroom. Michael, Albert, Lauren and other members of the board return to their places. The only member not present is Jessica who called Jake to inform him that she was at Tommy's.

"Well?" Michael asks irritated at the amount of time they have been waiting.

"It's all sorted. Austin Morell's account is now back with us."

Several relieved groans can be heard and Lauren suspiciously interjects. "Did I hear a 'but' looming Jake?"

He grins knowingly, "I'm afraid so. Austin agreed to come back to us...if I take over his account."

Michael splutters, "I don't believe it! You?"

"Yes. He feels that I have inherited some of my father's business acumen and that he can put his trust in me."

Albert stands, eager to end the meeting. "Well, if he's back with us, it's good enough for me." Other agreeing board members pack up their belongings and leave the room led by Jake.

Alone with her brother, Lauren turns round to Michael who voices his opinion. "You know he has something to do with that don't you."

Lauren laughs, "Yeah I know. And I can't do a damn thing about it."

"Why?"

"Because if I fire him, then we lose the Morell account. And if that happens then we'll lose one of our biggest clients."

Michael puts his arms affectionately around his sister. "We'll figure out a way sis."

Lauren pulls away and looks up at Michael, "I hope you're right."

Elliott House: San Francisco

Taking heed of Tommy's prior warnings, Jessica grabs her purse, ready to leave before Stephanie returns home.

"It's been a nice day." She kisses Tommy but pulls away when she sees the time. "Damn I really have to go."

"Okay. Call me tomorrow."

"I will. Bye." Jessica pulls her long black coat around her body and as she walks down the darkened driveway, she fumbles in her purse for her car keys. Hurriedly, she opens the car door and sits down ready to start the engine.

Suddenly, she feels an arm shoot out from the back seat and clamp around her throat. She begins to breathe heavily as the attacker's grip prevents her from touching the horn.

"What do you want?" she chokes as a tear forms in her left eye from pain and terror.

"You'll find out soon enough. Drive." The voice doesn't sound familiar so it isn't a prank. She presses her foot down on the pedal and the car surges forward down the street...

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

Lauren lies awake in bed thinking about her day. Mark is asleep so she can't talk to him about it. And to add to her annoyance, Jessica still is not home. Julia didn't even wait up for her. "She's old enough to look after herself." Julia said.

Lauren hears a car pull up outside knowing that it must be one of the kids. Watching the darkened ceiling, she keeps her ears alert and hears a door shut on the other end of the landing.

She jumps out of bed and looks out of her bedroom door. Through the window at the end of the corridor she can see Jessica's car parked haphazardly next to the stables.

Surprised to hear the shower running full blast, she heads back to her room. At least Jessica got home safely, she thinks to herself.

Next time on Power and Deception

Jessica attempts to deal with her attack and confides in Lauren...

Tension arises between Michael and David whilst Julia panics...

Jake takes control...

PLUS

The beginning of a two-part mini-series "Back to the Past" which examines events in the valley 15 years ago and demonstrates how history repeats itself...

Martin meets with Arthur and Rose regarding Guy...

Lauren is in for a shock from Isabelle...

Stephanie's jealosy blows out of control with disastrous consequences...

Mark is in for a rude awakening...

Episode 8

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