Posted by Shani on October 30, 1997 at 11:52:12:
Katherine knocked on the door of Windemere. As she suspected, Alexis answered.
"Neither Nikolas or Stefan are here" she said and began to close the door.
Katherine stopped the door with her hand. "I'm here to see you."
"I'm not here either."
But Katherine pushed her way past. "I need a favor"
"Then why don't you ask someone who cares?"
"I'm looking for someone, and thought *maybe* you could help me". Katherine sat down on the sofa.
Alexis closed the door and walked over to her.
"I'm looking for a Jennifer Michaels? Have you heard of her?" Katherine stated with a straight face.
Brenda walked down the hall to the recreational room. There she saw Marcus Taggert who was showing a kid how to play pool. Brenda almost turned around and left when she saw him. But then she thought why should see. Taggert hated Sonny. Why should they hate each other. Besides, he was one of V's partners. So Brenda knew she would have to deal with him one day.
"Hi."
Taggert looked up. "Ms. Barrett." he said and went back to helping the kid.
Okay. "Um...I didn't know you came here."
"I volunteer. I figure that if kids have something constructive to do they won't join the mob. Or fall in love with mobsters."
Brenda took a deep breath. "Can we call a truce? I have nothing against you."
Taggert walked over to her. He looked at her for a minute and then he said. "Hi. I'm Marcus. And you are?"
Brenda smiled. "I'm Brenda. Nice to meet you."
"And I'm V. Nice to meet you both." V came up and handed Brenda a present.
"It's big!" Brenda said with a giggle.
"It's a painting. I've been working on it for months. I hope you like it."
Brenda's eyes flashed. "Thank you." she stated and opened it. Inside was a painting of a park. "It's beautiful. I love it....V?"
V was watching Taggert with the kid. "Huh? Oh. I'm glad you like it."
Brenda looked at her friend. She recognized that look, V was kind of interested in Taggert. "I'd be careful if I was you." she whispered simply.
"Careful of what?"
"Taggert is a lot more complicated than he seems. Trust me. I know him in ways you don't."
"You *know* what Sonny told you."
"I'm not stupid V. I've seen it myself. I'm not saying he's a bad guy or anything, I'm just saying maybe you should be careful. I would be."
"I'm seeing Alex. I don't see more than one person at a time." V answered quickly and turned around.
Brenda knew that remark was directed at her. "Look, I'm just trying to be helpful. Hopefully, unlike me, you'll listen."
Taggert looked over when Brenda's voice raised. He looked over at V and flashed a smile. "I'll see you later?" he asked.
"Sure." she returned his smile. When Taggert left V whirled around and looked at Brenda. "Look. I didn't ask you for your advice. If I wanted advice..." she stopped.
"Why would you come to me? Right?" Brenda picked up her portrait and headed for her office. When she got there she noticed Jax was gone.
And so was the envelope.
Shani
Part 7 Continued above.