Episode 6: Threats, Lies and Videotape

Previously

Michael accompanied Lauren to New York to investigate the Delta Group, an organisation which Douglas was paying money to before his death. A shot was fired at Lauren in the street. Julia told Morgan to be more persuasive with Mark. David attempted to smother Jake but Jessica unwittingly thwarted his plan. Stephanie hired a private detective to get proof that David was having an affair with Julia. David told Julia that he paid the detective off to make Stephanie look paranoid but his happiness was short when he had a flashback to Angela's murder. Dr Philbin told Cassie that Jake was well on the road to recovery and could be released soon. Morgan successfully seduced Mark. Lauren found a masked intruder in her hotel room.

New York Hilton Hotel: New York

Lauren's screams echo through the suite and Michael comes running into the room. She jumps out of bed as the knife plunges into her pillow.

"Michael! Help!"

Michael grabs the intruder and slams him against the wall. Something drops to the floor and the intruder slashes Michael's arm with the knife. He releases a yelp of pain and lets the man get away. The man runs down the dark corridors of the hotel as Michael's blood drips onto the carpet.

"Michael? Michael?" Lauren turns on the light and helps her brother up.

"Don't worry I'm okay. It's only a flesh wound." Michael surveys the blood on the ground with a disgusted look but then he sees something shiny. It is slightly covered with blood as Michael picks it up.

"What is it?" Lauren asks.

The gold pin displays the symbol delta and this sets Michael's pulse rating. "That man was sent by the Delta Group."

"I knew it. Michael I don't want to get involved in this. They have tried to kill me twice and they'll try again. We've got to leave...tonight."

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

It is morning and Mark wakes up. He is naked, as is Morgan who is sleeping along side him.

"Wake up." He demands and starts to shake her.

She moans and brushes her hair out of her face. "I don't get up this early Mark." She says hoping to get back to sleep.

"Yes you do." Mark jumps out of bed, pulls on a robe and tears back the bedclothes. "I said get up!"

Morgan shoots him an icy glare and swings her legs out of bed reaching for her negligee. "What is your problem?" she demands.

"This! This is my problem. I never meant for this to happen. You know I love Lauren and I told you that. Why did you do it?"

"Because I'm attracted to you."

"Well it was a mistake. It was cheap and tawdry and I am never going to do it again."

Morgan walks over to the closet and turns round with a smile. "Well it was a very expensive mistake sweetheart."

Mark panics, "What do you mean?"

Morgan plays with something in the closet and pulls out a videotape. "This. This is what I mean." Mark lunges for it but she swings her arm back. "Uh uh. This is mine. I can put it in my home movie collection."

"You're sick."

"I prefer the word...enterprising or even resourceful but sick is a bit too strong for my liking. The choice is simple. Either you do as I tell you or...well I don't think I need to go on with this cliched speech. You know what will happen."

Mark raises his head, "You'll show Lauren the tape."

"Clever boy. The choice is yours."

Oakwood Medical Center: Napa Valley

Cassie is in Dr Philbin's office. She has signed the release papers and is all set to take her husband home. Dr Philbin hands her a bottle of pills.

"I've already informed your husband about his medication. This is it. Make sure he takes two pills every morning on a full stomach. It should stop him from feeling too drowsy."

"Okay good. Any restrictions apart from the wheelchair?"

Dr Philbin puts on his glasses, "This is a very sensitive issue but...it would be best if you and Mr Wheeler did not partake in any sexual activity for at least three days. He needs time to build up his strength. I hope this isn't too inconvenient."

Hell no. "We'll manage doctor. Well I suppose I should go if that's all. I'll take care of him don't you worry."

Dr Philbin walks Cassie out of the office to a silent Jake who is waiting in the hallway. An orderly pushes Jake down the corridor to the waiting car that Julia has sent. Jake climbs in and remains silent for the rest of the journey.

Bitch, he thinks to himself. Cheating, lying bitch. I'm gonna make her pay...

Elliott House: San Francisco

Jessica parks her car in the street. She looks round warily. There is no car in the driveway so Stephanie should be out. She does not need a confrontation.

Tommy sees Jessica approaching from his bedroom window and rushes down the stairs to answer it.

"Hi!" he says enthusiastically, "What brings you to this part of town?"

She walks in, "I have to talk to you. I've been thinking about what happened the other night and...I think we should discuss it."

Tommy sighs and invites Jessica to sit down which she does. "I don't know what to say Jess. I've never seen my Mom like that before."

"So she must have a good reason to do what she did."

"You think it's true? That my father and your mother are sleeping together?"

"I don't want to believe it but we haven't got a choice. I can't see your mother doing what she did if she wasn't completely sure. So the answer is yes. I think they are having an affair."

Tommy walks distractedly over to the window and surveys the view. Just a normal house in a normal street...so why couldn't he just have a normal life? Jessica interrupts his thoughts by placing a hand on his shoulder and he turns to face her.

"What can we do?" he asks.

"Try and stop them. Has your father ever done anything like this before?"

"I have no idea. Not that I know of. What about Julia?"

Jessica is vehement, "No she couldn't have done. She was married to my father and whatever her faults I know she wouldn't have cheated on him when they were married. They loved each other." She realises how naive she is sounding.

"I'll talk to Dad. Get him to see sense."

"Good idea. Tommy I have something else to tell you. I've begun to have...well...I...I like you. I really like you." What am I saying? The horror of Jessica's embarrassment shows on her face and she turns to go, "I'm sorry. Just ignore me. I better leave..."

Tommy chases after her and stops her on the driveway, "Jessica!" he shouts. She is ready to respond but he pulls her into a kiss. She gives in and kisses him back. It is a magical moment for both of them. But out of the corner of her eye, Jessica can see a familiar car heading towards the house. Stephanie is home...

San Francisco Airport: San Francisco

Lauren pulls her baggage of the carousel and Michael hands it to the chauffeur to carry. They are led through the airport terminal and to a stretched black limousine, which reflects the harsh sunlight into Lauren's eyes. She gets in followed by Michael as they start to move.

"What are we going to do next?" Lauren breaks the silence.

"Keeping out of danger is probably a good place to start. Maybe we should ask Julia what she knows. Perhaps Douglas told her he was being blackmailed." Michael pulls a glass out of the bar and fills it halfway with vodka.

"Possibly although I doubt she would admit it to us."

"Let's try it."

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

Cassie jumps out of the limousine and tells the driver to take care of Jake and his wheelchair. Guy is working in the stables at the side of the house and the pair share a knowing glance before Cassie walks in to be greeted by Julia.

"You took your time. I got back from the hotel half an hour ago."

Cassie rolls her eyes, "Calm down Julia. Perhaps you're forgetting that your son is in a wheelchair at the moment. We can't exactly whizz around at the speed of light. Anyhow we're home now. Perhaps we can celebrate."

Jake is pushed into the hallway but pulls himself out of the wheelchair, "God damn it I'm not an invalid!" and walks slowly up the stairs.

"Well that's cause for a celebration." Julia remarks sarcastically. "You've really started married life on happy note haven't you." She smiles and leaning over whispers into Cassie's ear, "Don't worry Cassie dear. You won't be staying for long."

Cassie looks at the floor in silence as Julia walks out of the house. Outside Julia sees Guy working. Their affair seemed to have ended naturally. They rarely spoke to one another anymore. Perhaps that was a good thing...

Elliott House: San Francisco

The car comes to an abrupt stop at the side of the previously kissing couple and Stephanie irately jumps out.

"What the hell is going on." Her voice wavers barely above a whisper as she tries to control her simmering anger.

"Mom, you've got nothing to be angry about. Jessica and I are just...well I suppose we're dating." Tommy declares.

Stephanie slams the door shut and waits for the disturbing silence to unnverve her son. "Just...dating. You're just dating her? A Wheeler? Julia Wheeler's daughter? Haven't I told you what that family are like? I've warned you not to get involved with any of them. And you didn't take my advice."

Jessica steps forward angered by this talk about her family, "Excuse me Mrs Elliott but there is nothing wrong with my family."

Stephanie laughs in disbelief, "Nothing wrong? Nothing wrong? Your mother is a cheap slut who is sleeping with my husband. What do you expect me to do? Welcome you with open arms?"

"Well I don't see why I should be treated like some kind of pariah just because of my mother's so-called affairs."

Tommy attempts to break up the two women, "Jessica..."

However she carries on, "And I also don't appreciate turning up at my home to find you about to murder my mother!"

Tommy hangs his head as Stephanie retorts, "It's a shame I didn't finish the job."

"Is that a threat Stephanie?"

"The only threat here is you Jessica. You and your whole poisonous family so I don't ever want to see you near my house again. And I especially do not want you dating my son. Have I made myself clear?"

Jessica looks at Tommy who says nothing in her defence. "Perfectly." Jessica walks as fast as she can down the driveway towards her car trying to disguise the tears that are welling up in her eyes.

Elliott and Russo Building: San Francisco

Julia saunters out of the elevator to the sound of laughter. Cynthia, the secretary has left her desk and is giggling wildly with David in his office.

Julia swings the door open, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything." She says stony faced.

Cynthia grabs her files, "No of course not Mrs Wheeler." She rushes out of the door and Julia uses her foot to kick it shut.

David grins, "Jealous?"

"Of her? She's even prissier than Lauren." Julia sits herself down.

"Ouch we're not in a good mood are we. Anything wrong?"

"Yes David there is. It has been weeks since you read that damned will and we agreed to use several methods in getting the company back. I've kept my part of the bargain and Morgan is already working on Mark. Now it's your turn. I thought you were going to have Douglas declared mentally incompetent as soon as possible."

David sighs, "These things take time sweetheart. I can't just go to court and accuse Douglas of being off his rocker if I don't have proof."

Julia slams her hand down on the table, "Then get proof! In case you're forgetting, I'm living in a house I don't even own and eating food and wearing clothes that I can't even afford to buy. Lauren is taking care of me like I'm some kind of charity and I am not a charity David."

"I know."

"Then fix it!" Julia grabs her purse and opens the door unaware that Cynthia is listening intently to their conversation. "God do I have to kill somebody to get something done around here?" She storms past Cynthia and fixes her eyes on David before the doors close.

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

The sun begins to set in the sprawling valley and Cassie watches the orange hue cast its shade upon the hills. This is what she lived for. This is what she has been fighting for. Paradise.

She can see Guy standing in the stables with a pitchfork. As she strolls towards him she doesn't realise that his work has been done for an hour and he has been waiting for her arrival.

Guy wipes his brow with the back of his hand as Cassie watches. "Hot?" she enquires.

"You could say that. Especially now that you're here."

"You're such a charmer." She purrs as she puts her hands on his shoulders.

"I know." Guy leans down and plants a long deep kiss on Cassie's lips.

She moans slightly and pulls away. "What if someone comes in here?"

Silently Guy pulls away and pushes the huge oak door shut with a thud. He bolts the metal lock into the ground and walks over to a smiling Cassie. "Now where were we?" He pushes Cassie down onto a haystack and begins to unbutton her blouse as she takes off his shirt.

"I love you Guy." She whispers but is shocked to hear the words come out of her mouth. She had never even thought about it. Love meant vulnerability. Her parents had taught her that. What was she saying? But she needn't have feared. Her worries disappear when she hears the words,

"I love you too."

* * *

Jake lies on the bed watching television. It's a comedy but he does not feel like laughing. He feels like dying. He calls out for Cassie but she is not there. He knows where she is. She's with him. He angrily throws a glass of water at the wall and watches as it drips down to the floor.

Placing his unsteady feet on the ground he attempts to stand, but falls to the floor and stays there...sobbing.

Elliott House: San Francisco

Stephanie pours herself a glass of scotch as David walks in angrily.

"Good evening." she dramatically yells to her husband. "Oh dear. You don't look happy."

"That's because I'm not. I'm not happy at all. Tommy told me what you did to Jessica this afternoon. Can't you leave them alone? Can't you leave the Wheeler family alone?"

"You brought it on yourself David. You betrayed me."

David yanks the glass out of Stephanie's hand and slams it down on the bar. She lets out a yelp of pain as he grabs her arms and holds them tightly, "Is it any wonder? Is it any wonder I betrayed you? Look at yourself. You're sick." He spits.

"David you're hurting me."

"Good. Now you know what it feels like. Exactly the way I have felt for the last god knows how many years being married to you!"

Stephanie implores, "David you don't mean that. It's Julia. She's turning you against me. I know you love me really."

"No I don't!" David pushes Stephanie away violently and she lands on the couch. She pushes her hair out of her eyes and stares at him.

"How can you say that?"

"Because it's true! I hate you. I've never loved you and if it weren't for Tommy I wouldn't even be here now."

Stephanie stands up, "You tried to leave me once before remember?"

Her face...Her face...

"Yes." David says sheepishly.

They buried the body in the woods as Stephanie laughed and threw dirt at the shallow grave.

"It's over now David. We can finally be happy together. She's not in the way any more."

Bile began to rise in the back of his throat and he wiped his clammy hands on his jacket.

Stephanie threw a photo of David and Angela into the grave and piled the rest of the dirt over with her hands. They stayed their for hours that night. And David never knew how he would escape her...

"You can't do it again. You can't murder Julia like you did Angela."

Stephanie's eyes widen, "Can't I? I almost did it the other night. Just one more minute and she would have been dead. Just like Angela. The problem would have been...eradicated."

"You can never eradicate that fact that I don't love you." David turns his back on a smiling Stephanie and leaves the house.

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

Michael and Lauren come down the stairs after unpacking and find Julia sitting on the patio by the pool watching the lights sparkle in the hills beneath.

"Julia?" Lauren calls out.

Julia turns, "You're home already. I thought you might have taken longer to do...whatever you were doing."

Michael steps over. Julia's face is illuminated by the water of the pool and he tries to fight his remaining attraction to her. "We were investigating Douglas' business dealings in New York. There was an organisation called the Delta Group. Have you ever heard of it?"

Julia tries to keep her voice even but Michael knows she is disguising something, "No. I have never heard of them. Why?"

"Because Julia," Lauren interjects, "Douglas was paying this organisation vast amounts of money for several months before his death. Whether it was blackmail we don't know. But what we do know is that they are very dangerous. They tried to kill me."

Julia gasps in surprise, "What?"

Michael says, "Lauren was shot at...and then their was an intruder in the hotel room. We don't doubt that both perpetrators were part of the Delta Group."

"Does that mean the rest of the family are in danger?" Julia responds.

"We don't know. It is possible but I think they were trying to stop me from looking any further in New York. If they think that Michael and I have stopped our investigation then they might leave the family alone."

"It's a big risk Lauren."

Michael begins to think about his sister-in-law. What is she hiding? Is she a part of the blackmail? He knows she is lying.

"But I have something to ask you Lauren. A favour." Julia continues so that Lauren can't turn her down flat. "Since Jake got out of the hospital, he seems depressed. Angry. I'm worried about him and I know that despite our differences you would be too because he is your nephew. I think that he needs a focus and what I would like you to do...what I am asking you to do...for him...is to take Jake back at the Wheeler Corporation."

"What?" Lauren double-takes as Michael chuckles, "You can't be serious."

"I am."

"You and your son tried to oust me from the company with a spy. Does the name Nick Remick mean anything to you? How can I expect you not to pull a stunt like that again."

"Because I'm giving you my word."

"I don't want to sound uncaring but that really doesn't mean a lot Julia."

"Then just do it for him. Please."

Lauren looks at Michael and then faces Julia, "Okay. For a trial period but if you try anything that jeopardises my position, then he will be out so fast he won't realise what's hit him. I'll go and tell him now."

Lauren walks round the pool and into the house.

Harvey Apartments: San Francisco

The engines of squad cars drown out the noise from the radios and the news reporters as crowds gather round the barriers to get a glimpse.

The body lies still in death as the forensic pathologist zips up the bodybag and loads it into an ambulance.

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

Jake is sitting in a chair and does not respond when Lauren enters the room.

"Hey." She murmurs uncomfortably but he does not give a reply. "I need to talk to you about something."

"What now."

"It's about your job."

"Have you come up to taunt me is that it? Wasn't firing me enough?"

"No I have not come up to taunt you. In fact it's the opposite. I've been thinking and I've decided...to offer you your job back at the Wheeler Corporation."

Jake's eyes turn to Lauren's face from the television screen, "Really?"

"Yes. As long as you and your mother don't try anything then you can stay on. Remember it's only a trial period and I've warned your mother that if you two try anything then I'll have to get rid of you again. If you respect my authority we will work together fine."

Jake sighs, "Yes. I understand."

"So basically, you kiss my ass and I won't fire yours. Deal?"

"Deal."

They hear thuds as someone approaches the bedroom and Michael bursts in out of breath.

"Michael what is it?" Lauren asks and stands.

"They've found a body in San Francisco. It's Nick Remick. He's been murdered. I think the Delta Group are finally closing in..."

Next time on Power and Deception

Lauren tries to hang onto her relationship with Mark who is racked with guilt...

Tommy and Jessica spot something disturbing...

Jake ignores Lauren's warnings...

Guy and Cassie have a run in with Michael...

Guy's past comes into question...