Sonny Corinthos was in dire need of a lawyer again. He sat in his dark penthouse, nursing a glass of brandy, staring at nothing, his mind unable to comprehend how his world had crumbled so quickly around him. He ached for the minutes before the crime took place, to try and stop it, anything to make sure that she didn’t die. What could he have done. The scene played itself out in front of his eyes over and over again, the images haunting, moving in slow motion. In a rage, Sonny threw the glass against the wall. He took a perverse pleasure in watching the brown liquid splatter down the wall, until he realized that could have been her blood, her blood on his hands just like everyone else’s.
“Sonny! Sonny, I know you’re in there,” Came his lawyer’s voice. Sonny didn’t really hear her. His mind was elsewhere.
“Johnny, if you don’t open this door,” Alexis Davis threatened, “I’ll call the police to break it in.” Johnny considered Alexis’ words for a minute. He knew the lady wasn’t joking. Besides, the boss shouldn’t be alone at a time like this. He opened the door. Alexis entered the penthouse. Sonny was pouring himself another glass of brandy. He was trying to get drunk. He hadn’t succeeded. Three glasses of brandy lay shattered on the wall.
“Sonny?” Alexis asked softly. He didn’t look up. Taking the brandy, Sonny Corinthos sat back down on the sofa. Alexis put her ever present brief case on Sonny’s livingroom table. She sat down on the sofa with him, pulling her skirt underneath her as she sat down.
“Boy you keep this up and you might as well go back to jail. They’d punish you less,” Alexis commented dryly. Sonny swirled the brandy in the glass, then looked up at Alexis.
“You think so, do you?” He asked cryptically. Alexis could have cried at the distress she saw in Sonny’s eyes.
“Sonny, you have to talk to me. You wouldn’t say a word when you were in jail. How can I defend you if you won’t talk to me?”
“Who asked you to defend me?” Sonny returned in a monotone.
“I’m on retainer,” Alexis quipped. “It’s my job.”
“Alexis, I don’t really give a damn…”
“But I do, Sonny. I know you’re not guilty. You are not a cold blooded killer.”
“Really? What makes you say that?” Sonny asked, his voice cynical. Alexis rolled her eyes. She sat back on the sofa.
“You wouldn’t like to tell me what really did happen, would you?” She wondered out loud.
“No,” Sonny replied. He took a sip of brandy. Alexis leaned forward. She grabbed the glass. Sonny held on to it tightly. They stared at each other they eyes locked in a battle of wills.
“That brandy isn’t going to bring Carly back,” Alexis warned. “and it’s not going to take away the grief you feel for her, or the looks Bobbie gives you each time she sees you, or the pain you feel when you see little Michael.”
“Don’t!” Sonny cried grabbing the glass of brandy back. Some of it sloshed on his pants. He didn’t pay attention. “Don’t mention Michael.”
“Why? What does Michael have to do with this?”
“What does he have to do with it? Michael has everything to do with Carly. He’s lost his mother. He’ll grow up without her. Isn’t that enough?” Sonny’s voice was stark, filled with grief. Alexis closed her eyes.
“I bet every time you see him, you see Carly, don’t you? You see her, then you see her body. Damn it, Sonny, talk to me!”
Sonny finally finished the brandy. He put the glass down, then let himself really look at Alexis, as if he were seeing her for the first time. Her gaze was fierce, her spirit intense as she squeezed his hand, begging him to talk to her. Sonny leaned back on the sofa.
“It’s not pretty,” He warned his attorney.
“I’m not squeamish,” Alexis retorted. She got up, poured herself a glass of brandy and sat back down. Sonny couldn’t help but be amused. He didn’t want to talk about that day, those moments he would have taken back if he only could. He’d always known he was destructive, known that people who loved him got hurt, but not Carly. Carly was indestructible. Or so he thought.
Flashback One week ago.
Carly was with Michael in the park. The little boy loved the slide. He would climb up on the slide, and Carly would catch him. Giggling he would climb up again.
“Watch me, Mommy,” He cried in excitement, his red hair blowing in the wind, his eyes alight with excitement. From afar, Sonny watched, enjoying the picture. He saw his bodyguard wasn’t far from Carly or Michael. His bodyguard, a man he trusted. Sonny didn’t know why he didn’t approach Carly, maybe because they still weren’t getting along very well, and he just wanted to see Michael happy, not torn between his mother and Sonny.
“Hey, Little Man,” Carly finally said. “It’s just about time for dinner,”
“Can we get some ice cream on the way home?” Michael asked as Carly helped him stand up when he came down the slide for the last time. Carly caught him in her arms, and they fell laughing to the ground.
“Again, Mommy!” Michael laughed.
“No, Michael. Time to go home.” She turned to the body guard as Sonny watched. “Paul would you bring the car around. Michael and I are going to walk through the park. You can meet us at the other end of the park.”
“Mrs. Corinthos,” Paul started to object.
“It’s just at the other end of the park,” Carly snapped irritably. Paul shook his head. He hated to leave Carly alone. But he did as he was told much to Sonny’s frustration. He decided to follow Carly and Michael through the park. Paul would definitely be fired by the end of the night. Fool! Michael ran off through the park with Carly following him. Sonny quickened his step to keep Carly in sight. She rounded some trees, and disappeared into some bushes with Michael in front of her. Sonny came around the trees, and stopped cold. There, Michael lay on the ground unconscious. Carly was held by a man with a face mask, a knife to her breast.
“Let me go,” Carly was crying out. “You hurt my son, you ****. What’s wrong with you. Don’t you know who I am?”
“Stop!” Sonny ordered harshly. The man looked up in apparent surprise. His gloved hand brandished a knife at Sonny. Sonny’s eyes met Carly’s begging her to be still.
“Well, well, Corinthos. I hadn’t expected to find you here. What a delightful surprise. Mrs. Corinthos, how does it feel to know you are dying for Sonny?” The words barely registered in Carly’s angry, frustrated and terrified mind before she felt the knife sink into her abdomen. An expert at his game, the man thrust the weapon upward, inflicting fatal damage and excruciating pain all at once to Carly’s surprise. She couldn’t believe it was happening. Her face paled. She gasped in shock trying to breath, but not getting the air she needed to sustain life. Her hands clutched the lethal weapon, but didn’t remove it. She looked up at Sonny who was as frozen as she was.
“Sonny?” her voice questioned in disbelief. “Michael!” Carly’s eyes pleaded with Sonny to save her in a thousand silent thoughts that passed between them. Carly knew she was dying. Her blood dripped through her fingers. Her legs grew weak. Her lungs screamed for air. She fell back against her attacker. Her last thought was for Michael, and how much she would miss with her little man. She heard Sonny’s cry of protest and then knew nothing more.
“No!” Sonny screamed in horror. He witnessed Carly closing her eyes, collapsing, falling backwards. Sonny lunged towards Carly’s attacker who only laughed, and threw Carly at Sonny. Sonny caught her in his arms, falling with her to the ground. The man ran off. Sonny had a choice, to chase the attacker or save Carly or so he thought.
“Carly! Carly, can you hear me? Carly!” He gently laid her on the ground. “Help! Someone help us!” He yelled, his voice a wisp at first in the air, until a passerby stopped. All he saw was Sonny leaning over Carly’s body, then throwing a knife to the ground. The man turned and ran to call the police.
“Carly, oh God, I’m sorry. Carly?” Sonny knelt holding Carly’s lifeless body to him. She wasn’t breathing. Sonny tried mouth to mouth resuscitation, but only blood came out of her mouth. Her blood covered him. His hands were filled with it, but he didn’t care. All he cared about was that Carly was dead by his negligence. He had killed her as surely as if he had welded the knife. He cried, but his tears couldn’t reach her. Nothing would ever reach Carly again…
Back in the penthouse, Alexis listened to Sonny speak, his guilt evident.
“I killed her,” He assured Alexis. “I deserve whatever I get.” Alexis raised her eyebrows. Only Sonny could take an event he was helpless to prevent and blame it on himself. His brooding was not helping him.
“Sonny, you didn’t kill Carly. A monster did, someone who had no idea you would be there, someone who may have followed her with premeditation to hurt her and kill her. Sonny, it wasn’t your fault.”
“Michael…” Sonny moaned.
“Michael’s fine. He’s with Monica Quartermaine. She’ll take care of him.”
“I deserve whatever I get,” Sonny repeated stonily. He got up, leaving Alexis by herself. Alexis stared after Sonny as he disappeared up stairs. She sat back on the sofa in frustration. Her client was unbelievable. He wasn’t a murderer, but he was willing to spend the rest of his life in jail because he felt guilty. He was lost in a world of darkness that Alexis couldn't enter. She shook her head. Just because Sonny had given up didn't mean she was going to. She would rescue him or else!
*****
“Mac, you can’t pin Carly’s death on Sonny,” Alexis told the man. Mac Scorpio stared at Alexis unimpressed. In his office, he was in charge, and he was not concerned with Alexis’ statements.
“Why not, Alexis. I’ve been trying to take Sonny out of the game for a long time. He had motive, opportunity and his fingerprints are on the murder weapon.”
“He witnessed the entire scene, Mac! He told you what happened. Why won’t you believe him? He’s traumatized enough without being put on trial for Carly’s murder. You should be out there trying to find the man who did this.”
“Alexis, let’s face it. You have a soft spot for Corinthos. I don’t. He’s a thug, pure and simple. I don’t see where killing Carly is a stretch. Now if you don’t mind, I’ve got work to do.” Alexis grabbed her briefcase off Mac’s desk, then hurried after him as he walked into the police station office.
“Mac, you’ll regret this. There’s a cold blooded killer walking around out there, and you don’t even give a damn.”
“The cold blooded killer posted bond,’ Mac retorted. Alexis gave a heavy sigh. Damn the man, she swore to herself. She walked outside into the cool fall air. Taking in deep breaths, she was shocked to walk into Bobbie Spencer at the bottom of the stairs of the precinct.
“Bobbie? What? I’m confused. What are you doing here?” Bobbie was quiet for a minute. She looked up at the door of the precinct, then back at Alexis.
“I came to talk to Mac. I’ve been thinking about what Sonny said in his statement. I believe him, Alexis. I don’t believe he’d kill my daughter and orphan Michael.”
“Thank God someone believes him,” Alexis replied. “Good luck. Mac isn’t exactly listening to anyone.”
“What can we do?” Bobbie asked. “This is a nightmare. Michael needs Sonny. He goes to bed every night calling for Carly and Sonny. They are truly the only parents he has.”
“I don’t know, Bobbie. Just watch out. Carly’s murderer is out there, and the PCPD isn’t doing a damn thing about it.”
“I’ll go and talk to Mac,” Bobbie said. “I’m sorry, Alexis. I shouldn’t have blamed Sonny. I assume he has some men out looking for the murderer.” Alexis shrugged her shoulders.
“Sonny’s willing to take the fall. He blames himself.” Bobbie rolled her eyes knowing Sonny’s feel for the melodramatic.
“Would it help if I went to talk to him?” Bobbie asked. Alexis raised her eyebrows.
“Couldn’t hurt. Hope he lets you in,” Alexis replied. “See you later. I need to go prepare a case.” She walked off, leaving Bobbie on the stairs of the PCPD. Bobbie turned and went into the precinct. The least she could do was plead with Mac to drop the case. Fifteen minutes later she left the PCPD without success.
Alexis’ driver left her off in the garage of the Harborview Towers. She told him she wouldn’t need him again for the day, but to stay on call in case she was called out. Walking through the garage, she reached the elevator, hearing footsteps behind her. She pushed the button for the elevator. The footsteps came closer. Alexis shivered. She was about to turn around when her arm was pulled behind her, pinned against a tall man, his hand over her mouth as she started to scream. His foot pulled her legs out from beneath her. Holding the lawyer against him, the man pushed her into the elevator. The door closed. He turned Alexis around, hitting her across the mouth, so that she fell to the ground in a daze. Alexis didn’t see him push the button for the roof. She used the wall to pull herself up. His body pinned her against the wall.
“What do you want?” Alexis demanded, trying to maintain her senses and her logical mind against the wave of fearful emotions that engulfed her.
“I would think that would be obvious,” he informed her. “I wouldn’t pull anything funny if I were you. I killed one person already. It would be so easy to squeeze your slender neck.” His hands came around Alexis’ neck. She shivered again, hating to be in such a position. Never in her wildest dreams had she anticipated being so completely at someone’s mercy.
“That’s better,” He said smugly as her body relaxed a little against the wall. “Now we can let Sonny Corinthos know just what he’s up against.”
“Sonny? What does this have to do with Sonny?” Alexis ventured to ask through her terror.
“Everything. Carly, you, Michael. You’re the people Corinthos cares about the most. Won’t it be justice when he goes to prison for killing you all?”
“No!” Alexis cried. She fought to turn around, struggling wildly. Her screams went unheard as they reached the top of the building. He pulled her out on to the rooftop. The cold air hit Alexis, but she barely paid any attention. She refused to walk. He merely laughed, half-carrying, half dragging her across the roof. He dropped her on the ground, only inches from the edge of the roof. Alexis couldn’t help but look down. She grew dizzy from the height. He could so easily just throw her off.
“Why?” Alexis cried again, trying to buy time. “Why do you want to bring Sonny down?” She was edging away from the end of the roof. He was just watching her through his face-mask, a mask that looked like the one Sonny had described. Alexis was convinced this was the same man who had killed Carly. He had admitted as much.
“Sonny is scum. He’s had free reign over this city long enough. The police can’t bring him down, so I will.”
“You don’t even know him,” Alexis guessed. It was the wrong thing to say. He was on her in a second, pushing her to the ground, knocking the back of her head on the cement. Numbing pain exploded in her head. She lay still semi-conscious.
“How do you know I don’t know him?” Came the crazed cry. Alexis didn’t answer. There were no words to speak as she tried to regain her thoughts. She moaned in pain. His hand touched the back of her head and felt blood. He pulled it away, and looked at it curiously, then rubbed it on Alexis’ blouse.
“Now you see what you’ve done?” He said petulantly. “You’ve ruined everything. I could have made it so easy on you. It could have been over so quickly, but no. You had to antagonize me.” From far away, Alexis felt her attacker lift her skirt and then hurt her. He took his time. She moaned and then screamed as she came around. He whispered in her ear.
“Scream for all you’re worth. There’s no one here to respond.” Alexis was aware of everything of every minute he held her, of every minute he touched her, but she couldn’t get away from him. When he finally got up, she turned over and threw up. Her horror was mixed with disgust and self-hatred. She should be able to fight him. She was Alexis Davis. No one should ever be able to hurt her like this. Never. Alexis crawled away from him. Suddenly he pulled her back by her hair, kicking her in her back. She fell again, once more consumed by pain.
“Did I say you could go anywhere?” He demanded angrily. Alexis’ heart fluttered with her own anger. She turned, ignoring the pain, and aimed upward to kick him where it counted. To her frustration, he moved away, laughing.
“Look at the great Alexis Davis,’ He taunted. “Can’t even defend herself. I don’t even know why I bothered with you. You’re just a weak woman, no better than Carly. She barely put up a fight. I wonder what little Michael will do.” Alexis started up again, not willing to give up while he threatened Michael. She stood despite the pain in her back, facing her attacker.
“You don’t want to hurt Michael,” She pleaded. “He’s just a little boy.”
“He’s Carly’s child. Sorel ordered me to kill the kid more than once. I just never got close until the day I killed Carly.”
“Sorel is dead,” Alexis reasoned. “There’s no point to carrying out this vendetta.” She was back against a brick wall, still only feet away from the edge of the roof. He stood just a few feet from her, just waiting to see what she would do next.
“I was wrong,” He said with admiration. “You aren’t weak. You think you can talk your way out of this, don’t you? The great lawyer at work.”
“Please,” Alexis gasped through her pain and self-disgust. “It’s not too late. You can walk away. I don’t know you. I can’t identify you. If you walk away, and leave us alone, you won’t go to prison.”
“I won’t go to prison anyway,” he said smugly. “Because once you are dead, Michael will be next. Sonny will be convicted of your murders, and he will be out of the way. The territory will be mine.” He was so sure of himself. It drove Alexis crazy. She looked around, but could find nothing to defend herself with. Her briefcase had to be in the elevator. She watched him advance towards her again. He took a knife out of his jacket pocket. Alexis wasn’t about to beg, but she could feel herself giving into primal fears. Everyone’s basic instinct was to survive. She screamed unable to stop herself hoping someone would hear, anyone, and ran at the same time. His arms grabbed her around her waist and threw her to the ground. He sank the knife into her back as Alexis screamed again, trying desperately to get him off her.
“This is it, Alexis Davis.” The knife struck Alexis in the neck, and back again. Alexis’ screams stopped. There was no point. She tried one more angle, playing dead after the third thrust of the knife. He had felt her body stiffen, then relax as if she were dead. He stood up, kicking the dignified lawyer in the ribs. Alexis didn’t move.
“I told you not to fight me,” He gloated. He bent down and picked up Alexis’ body. Alexis’ eyes opened in horror as she realized what he was going to do. She fought again, but her hands hitting him on the chest were no worse than a knat bothering him.
“Oh, God,” Alexis cried to herself. “Take care of Stefan and Nikolas.'' She told herself they'd never know how much they meant to her, and Sonny...Now he would never know...Alexis' body startled at the sound of a gunshot blasting through the air. Alexis' would be-murderer stumbled, falling to his knees, still holding his victim. Another shot rang out. Alexis’ scream was pure anguish mixed with denial and horror as she felt his dead body fell on top of her. Mercifully, the world turned black and she finally lost consciousness, not knowing if she would live or die, only believing that she had failed in saving her own dignity in her darkest hour.