Episode 13: Bringing up the Past

Previously
Jessica told Lauren she was getting over the rape. David assured Stephanie he had ended his affair with Julia. Lauren fell into Jake's trap and discovered that Morgan was pregnant with Mark's child. In Los Angeles, John Erikson discovered that his ex-wife Lauren had inherited millions. Lauren violently confronted Morgan and told her she could have Mark. Stephanie started a murderous plan for Julia. Morgan told Julia she was in love with Mark and decided to blackmail her. Jessica and Guy helped Lauren pack up Mark things and she told him she was throwing him out of the mansion. After a minor scuffle with Guy, he left. Morgan told Mark he could move in with her and he did. David arrived at Morgan's apartment and informed Mark that he was Stephanie's brother. Lauren made Julia jealous at the New Years party by flirting with Guy. She was shocked when John Erikson arrived.

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

"Is John still in bed?" Michael inquires as he walks into the living room. It is the middle of the day but many are still nursing the effects of their alcohol consumption from the night before.

"I suppose so." Lauren tries to keep her voice disinterested and throws the magazine she was reading on the coffee table in front of her.

Michael sits down in an over-stuffed armchair, watching the rain pelting down outside. "I don’t know why you asked him to stay. I don’t even understand why you would want to see him again after what he did."

Lauren sighs, "That was a long time ago Michael."

"Sis, time doesn’t matter when somebody does something like that. He dumped you for money. Don’t you still hold even a little resentment towards him?"

"Of course I do!"

"So what’s with the hospitality?" Michael asks, exasperated at his sister’s careless attitude.

"It was late. He said he wanted to see me and read in the paper that I was throwing the party…that’s it really."

"Doesn’t Mindy mind that her husband has skipped town on New Years to see his ex-wife?"

Lauren hesitates, "I didn’t ask about her. I have a feeling it's over."

"Which is why he’s come crawling back to you."

"Michael, stop it!" Lauren yells attempting to remain good natured. "He’s a guest and it’s my decision. I’m going out to dinner with him tonight. Maybe then I can see what he really wants."

"I think you already know. It’s not a coincidence that John Erikson turned up on your doorstep after you inherited millions of dollars. You’re not stupid so why…" Michael stops. A knowing glint sparks in his eyes, "You’re using him to get back at Mark aren’t you?"

"No!" Lauren replies adamantly.

"Okay...but I don’t believe you." Michael grabs his coffee cup from beside the chair and leaves the room.

* * *

"It’s so good to see you again!" Julia gushes as she throws her arms violently around John. "I know we don’t know each other that well but I always thought we could get on well."

"Sure." John worries about how the family might react if they find Julia in his bedroom so he releases himself from her grasp and shuts the door. "Is there something I can help you with?" he smiles attempting to dazzle her. It pays to be charming.

Like that’s going to work pretty boy. Julia resists the urge to scoff. I’m not as naïve as Lauren. "I just wanted to welcome you. See how you were doing."

"Fine. This house is just as I remember it. Although the last time I was here…for Martin’s funeral...wasn’t such a happy occasion."

"Oh I don’t know about that." Julia smiles at him as his face cracks in disbelief.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Well look at what he left us." Julia waves a hand round pointing out the opulence of their surroundings. "You can’t tell me you don’t appreciate…wealth and good living. I’ve heard stories about you."

"Would you believe me if I told you I’ve changed?"

"Not for a minute. And I wouldn’t want you to be any different. Lauren is a spoilt brat who deserves everything she gets. If you want to take her for all she’s worth…I won’t stop you."

"You really are a peace of work."

"I’ll take that as a compliment."

John laughs, "I think we really could get on quite well together."

"So do I."

Guy’s Apartment: Napa City

"I wish you could have stayed here last night." Guy utters down the phone.

"I’ve got to be with my husband occasionally you know. We don’t want him getting suspicious."

"I know Cass. At least we managed to spend some time together at the party."

Cassie laughs knowingly, "We sure did. So what did you call me for?"

"I need you to do me a favor."

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

"Do as I tell you!" he pushes her down roughly, grinding her face into the dirt as he ties her wrists together behind her back.

"Please don’t!" she cries as he turns her over and starts to touch her. She can’t see his face because of the mask but she can see the eyes. Dark eyes…hateful eyes.

"Be quiet!" he attempts to soothe as she tries to pull herself away reeling from his touch. "If you keep quiet everything will be fine…everything will be fine…everything will be fine…"

"Nooooo!" Jessica yanks herself up from her slumber, sweating. It takes her a moment to realize where she is but she knows she is safe. The grim daylight coming through the bedroom window is reassuring, pulling her out of the darkness of the nightmare. "Everything will be fine." She says to herself quietly.

Elliott House: San Francisco

"I’ll get it." Stephanie’s voice echoes through the house as she races to answer the front door. Is anybody else even at home?

"Here’s your mail ma’am." A portly male figure hands over a wad of envelopes. "Happy New Year."

"Same to you." Stephanie replies automatically as she shuts the door. "What have we got here…" she says to herself. After setting down several bills for David to peruse later, an envelope catches her eye.

Not another anonymous package. It is written in the same handwriting as the package she received at Christmas. Grabbing a razor sharp letter opener from the console table in the hallway she tears the envelope open and a small white card drops out into her hand.

"What is this?" she remains puzzled and reads.

Dear Stephanie,

There are some things you should know and it would be to your advantage to discover them. I will be at the Bay Shopping Center in the city at 14:00 if you want to discover the truth.

A friend

Stephanie plays with the card for a moment, mulling over what she has just read. Is it some kind of trap? Does Julia have something planned? Curiosity gets the better of Stephanie and glancing at her watch, she decides to comply.

Tuscedero Apartments: Napa Valley

"Hey!" Morgan exclaims loudly as she clumsily stumbles through the front door. The brown grocery bags she is holding begin to slip, dangerously threatening her precarious juggling act.

"Let me take some of those." Mark races over and relieves her, dumping the bags on the round wooden table in the kitchen.

"Thanks." Morgan drops her wet raincoat on a chair and heads into the bathroom.

"Morgan I need to talk to you!" Mark calls out.

"What about?" Morgan returns with a towel, rubbing her hair dry.

"I’ve been thinking about this whole situation…now that Lauren knows everything. It would probably be better for everyone if I went back to LA."

"You’ve got to be kidding." Morgan drops the towel.

"Of course I’d make payments to the baby…and we could come to some arrangement over custody."

"Why do we need to do that when you could stay here?"

"That’s not a good idea. I don’t want to lead you on and if I stay you might think something could develop between us. That just isn’t going to happen."

"Why not? I’m pregnant with your child. Isn’t that enough for you?"

"Look." Mark places his hands on Morgan’s shoulders, "I haven’t made a definite decision yet and I still have some unfinished business to settle."

"With Lauren?"

"No. But it is important."

"Oh. It’s something to do with what David had to say last night. What did he say by the way? You were awfully quiet after he left."

Mark smiles weakly, "Nothing important. Perhaps I can tell you later on."

"Okay. Do you want some lunch?"

"Sure."

Bay Shopping Center: San Francisco

After parking the car as close as possible, Stephanie walks down the center of the mall watching through the overgrown palm trees to make sure no one is following her. She looks upwards at the glass roof. It is not raining so heavily now and the sky is temporarily blue.

Stephanie flips the card over as she enters an elevator and reads where she has to go. Bay Café-Third table on the left. As she walks through the herd of happy shoppers towards the café, a sense of uneasiness hits her. But at least she will finally get to see who sent the video…and why.

Hesitantly, Stephanie steps inconspicuously into the open-plan café, determined not to be accosted by an over zealous employee. Pulling her long, camel colored raincoat tightly around her body, Stephanie looks around. Being New Year’s Day it is quiet but most of the tables are full. Her attention is drawn to a woman staring at her. Third table on the left.

The attractive younger woman stands and extends a hand that Stephanie refuses. "I’m glad you came." The woman smiles, "I’m Cassandra Wheeler."

"Cassandra Wheeler?" Stephanie almost shouts. "What’s going on? Did Julia put you up to this?"

"No." Cassie giggles. "Definitely not."

"So what do you want? Was it you who sent the videotape?"

"In a round about way."

"Why?" Stephanie’s voice strains, "To ruin my marriage?"

Cassie leans over, "To make you see just who your husband really is. I knew you already had your suspicions. I was told about the incident at the mansion a couple of months ago." Cassie fidgets uncomfortably, remembering just how deranged this woman is. But Stephanie remains completely still and Cassie continues, "I wanted you to have proof that David is still having an affair with Julia."

"He’s not." Stephanie exclaims defiantly as Cassie takes a bemused expression.

"That might be what he told you. But it certainly isn’t the truth. The video I gave you was taken less than two weeks ago. And believe me, your husband has made many more visits to Julia since then. Have you woken up at night recently and seen that David isn’t lying in bed with you? It really doesn’t take a genius to figure out where he is."

"You’re lying." Stephanie spits. She takes the letter opener out from her purse and clasps it angrily under the table.

"I’m trying to protect you! They’re making a fool out of you Stephanie. They’re laughing at you. There’s only one way to stop them."

And I know just what it is. Stephanie runs her finger along the tip of the blade, concealing the knife from her ‘friend’.

Cassie is unnerved by a period of silence. "You have to divorce him. Throw him out of the house and get rid of him. You’re strong. I know you are. Stop them from playing you for a fool. Do what you have to do."

"I will." Stephanie drops the knife back into her purse and rises from her seat robotically. "Thank you for meeting me. It’s been…enlightening."

"Good luck."

Cassie watches Stephanie leave the café and get into the elevator making sure the coast is clear. When Stephanie is out of sight, Guy jumps into the seat opposite Cassie making her jump.

"Well done. You did good."

"I hated it. She’s dangerous Guy. We’re playing with fire."

"No, Julia is playing with fire. And it’s going to blow up in her face."

The Red Store Restaurant: San Francisco

"You say this place is good?" John takes Lauren’s coat and flings it at the nearest waiter. John’s eyes are immediately drawn to Lauren’s dress. It is a red silk creation with a very revealing front showing off her slender but voluptuous body. John begins to regret the years he has spent away.

"Your table’s ready." The disgruntled waiter leads them up to the main dining room. Their table is near a window looking out over the now darkened city. John marvels at the sight of a San Francisco night scene. There were some spectacular views in LA but this is amazing.

"Thankyou." Lauren dismisses the waiter who goes to tend to their drink orders. "So…enjoying yourself so far?" she asks John flirtatiously.

His eyes immediately dip down to her body and up again to her face. "Absolutely. It was very kind of you to let me stay at the mansion."

"No problem. It’s been so long since…"

"I left you. I know. The biggest mistake of my life."

Lauren laughs heartily, "Is that the best line you can come up with?"

"Who needs lines?" John stares into Lauren’s eyes. He knows she can’t resist him.

"I take it marriage didn’t suit you well."

"Not to Mindy. I don’t think we were made for each other."

"So why did you divorce?"

John tries to think of a story. He can’t tell her the truth. "I caught her in bed with the pool boy."

"No!" Lauren cries out, "How awful for you."

"It was…but I could never commit to the marriage."

"Why?" The waiter places their drinks down on the table as John answers.

"Because I could never stop thinking of you."

"Don’t be ridiculous." A flash of anger takes over Lauren, "If that was true you’d never have left me. Certainly not the way you did."

"I admit I made a mistake. But that doesn’t mean I ever stopped loving you."

"Oh please…" Lauren slams her glass down on the table spilling some of the contents.

"It’s true. Did you stop loving me?"

"Of course." Lauren continues teasingly, "I took about a second."

John mockingly pretends to be taken aback, "I’m hurt!"

"Oh, poor Johnny." Lauren soothes him jokingly.

Before the waiter arrives with the food, John leans over and takes Lauren’s hand, "It’s true. I still love you Laurie."

A few seconds pass before she can respond. "You really do don’t you?" she can see it in his eyes. She is sure he is not lying.

"You know I do." His hand brushes over Lauren’s sending what feels like a jolt of electricity shooting through her body. Could she still have feelings for him? Is it possible? Maybe…

Elliott House: San Francisco

Stephanie slams the door of her car angrily and walks inside the house. There is a light coming from the den and she goes inside to see who is home. An unfamiliar man is seated on the couch and looks up at her.

"Who the hell are you and how did you get in here?" she demands, not shutting the door for fear that he may be some kind of…maniac.

"I’m Mark Fielding." He stands, dropping a file he is holding on the sofa. "Your son let me in and told me to wait for you."

Stephanie shuts the door, "Mark…Lauren Erikson’s fiance? Look I don’t know what kind of stunt you are trying to pull but I spoke to your little accomplice Cassandra already today and…"

"Cassie?" Mark looks confused. "What does she have to do with this? My accomplice? Sorry but I barely know her."

"Oh." Stephanie inwardly grimaces realizing that she has spoken out of turn. "Well…what do you want?"

"To talk. We need a serious talk. I don’t know how to tell you this so I guess you should just look at these." Mark hands her the file and she sits down, perusing the papers inside. After a silence filled five minutes, she looks up gravely, the corners of her mouth down-turned in shock.

"You’re my brother?" she asks breathlessly unsure of what to say next.

"Yes. I was as surprised as you are." Mark replies being careful of what he says. He remembers the mark she made in Lauren’s desk with a letter opener and notes that it might not be wise to antagonize her.

"How long have you known?" she continues to question him and slides the file gently across the coffee table in front of the sofa.

"Since yesterday. Your husband told me actually."

"David? He knew about this?"

"Yes but he thought it would be better coming from me."

"It wouldn’t be better coming from anybody! I have a brother I never knew about? I knew my real parents were dead but I never knew…" she chooses her words carefully, "…that they left a son."

"Well here I am." Mark looks around the room. There is something uneasy about the atmosphere. He can’t look this woman in the eye…his sister.

"I don’t know why David came to you. I suppose you know…about my marriage…"

"Yes." Mark waits for her to continue. This was the one subject he did not want to get into.

"I really want to get to know you Mark. I need somebody right now. I don’t know if you’re interested in getting to know me…"

Mark’s heart is overcome with a wave of emotion. Is this part of her insecurity? "Of course I do!" when Mark says the words he honestly means them.

"Oh God." Stephanie lunges over and flings her arms round him tears forming in her eyes. "I know we should really start slowly."

"Wait." Mark pulls back. "I don’t know how easy that will be. I was thinking about…moving back to Los Angeles."

"No!" Stephanie wails loudly. "You can’t! I need to get to know you! We need to get to know each other!"

"I don’t know Stephanie. Thinks are getting a little…tough for me. I’ve split up with Lauren and I don’t know what there is to keep me here." Apart from my baby…

"Me! Please! I’m begging you. I’ve needed a friend for so long. Maybe you can be that friend. At least consider it. I don’t think I could face finding out I have a brother and then him running off to another city."

Mark pauses, "I will think about it. Listen, even if I do move, we will stay in touch. I promise that." He places a reassuring hand on her arm.

"I hope so."

Elliott and Russo Building: San Francisco

The offices are empty. Lights from outside are blocked out and David sits in darkness. So Julia is having a problem with little Morgan. It was easy enough to get her and it will be easy enough to get rid of her. All it will take is one phone call.

David picks up the receiver and dials the same number he called months ago when he was first searching for Julia. It was easy enough to find a pimp in LA. The City of Angels it ain’t…

"Darren Kelly?"

"Who’s asking?" a slurred voice answers back.

"David Elliott. Remember me from a couple of months ago? I paid you a very healthy sum for your girl Morgan."

Darren sniffs, obviously high on drugs, "Yeah. I rememeber. What about it?"

"I’ve got a proposal for you. How would you like to take Morgan Janssen back?"

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

"Be quiet." Lauren whispers.

"In this house?" John smiles. "I don’t think anyone will hear us you know."

When they are inside the bedroom they don’t switch the light on. John takes off his jacket and tie and moves over to Lauren who is waiting. Pulling her close he reaches round and pulls down the zip to her dress, making it fall to the floor. She steps out of it and allows him to see her. Black lingerie. She remembered…

Placing her hands on John’s chest, Lauren pulls off his shirt and allows him to push her down on the bed. "I should never have divorced you." John moans with passion as he kisses her.

"I know…"

Elliott and Russo Building: San Francisco

"Did you call him?" Julia asks seductively as she sashays into David’s darkened office.

"Yes." David sighs. "Now I really have to get home."

"Why?" Julia pouts mockingly and leans over the desk. "Wouldn’t you rather stay here with me than go home to that…hausfrau?"

David grins, "You know I would."

"So why don’t you." Julia places her lips on his.

"I think you’ve persuaded me."

Mackenzie Gun Store: San Francisco

"Here you go." The assistant announces triumphantly. "Sorry it took so long. You know…paperwork and everything."

"Yes thankyou."

He gently hands the heavy, metal gun over to Stephanie who watches it mesmerized. "She’s been such a problem…I’m very worried about what she may do next."

"Well she’ll do you no harm as long as you have that. It certainly packs a punch." The assistant crosses his arms. "You’ll have no worries anymore."

"No I won’t will I." Stephanie smiles as she slips the gun into her purse. "Soon I won’t have to worry at all…"

Next time on Power and Deception

Julia gets a gift from an enemy...

Cassie is subjected to a nasty surprise...

Lauren pushes herself further into John's clutches...

Michael scuppers David's latest plans...

A man stalks Morgan's apartment...

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Episode 14