Episode 7

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Episode 7

Scene 1:

Galen made no move to run after Dinah. She had behaved like an irresponsible child and he certainly wasn't going to try and make her feel better about her actions. He caught the eye of the young man who had brought them back but ignored the imploring look he was giving him. Instead he turned to Maura.

"I'm sorry if I made a scene in your restaurant, Maura. It won't happen again," he said turning on his heel and threading his way through the crowded diner. He was at the front door when Maura caught up with him.

"Look, Dr. Gennaro, I know it's not my business, but I think you should go find Dinah. I know her pretty well and I think you really hurt her feelings," Maura said trying to be reasonable. Galen arched an eyebrow at her and shook his head.

"Well, you are right, it isn't any of your business. But I'll tell you something about Dinah you might not know. She is trouble. I love her like a sister, but she has a chip on her shoulder the size of Texas and that chip is going to get her into a lot more trouble than it already has."

"I think you're wrong about her," Maura started before he cut her off.

"Listen, Maura, I know you mean well. But the thing is, Dinah is exactly like her sister. I met Kelly when she was Dinah's age and I put up with a lot of that same irresponsible behavior from her. I couldn't do anything about Kelly, but I can help Dinah."

"By being cruel to her? Obviously, comparing her to her sister hurt her terribly. I just don't see how being cruel will help her," Maura replied shrugging.

"You know what? You seem like a nice enough person. You care about your sister," he said as Maura nodded. "Well, take my advice. Keep her away from Dinah. She's trouble and she'll only drag your sister down with her," he said abruptly before walking away.

He climbed in his car and sat for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts. First things first, he had to get his daughter from the sitter and then he was going straight to the Staffords home to tell them exactly what Dinah was up to and right under their noses. And, while he was there, he could certainly ask if they had news about Kelly. It had been a year since she had left without a word and he still could not get her out of his head.

His wife was a larger than life woman and every day with her was filled with fun and laughter. Until the end...after she miscarried their second child, she had changed. She retreated into herself and her laughter and carefree ways were gone. She refused to touch Mia and never came near him. The day he woke and found her belongings gone without even a note, he knew it was over. God help him, he still loved her though. He only hoped that he could find it in him to forgive her for leaving them the way she did, if she ever came back. Until then, he would have to make do with what scant information her parents were willing to share.

Scene 2:

Jude followed Jamie into the board room of Mason Enterprises and took a chair near the back of the room. Hallie was there, leaning all over Luke Conlan. Stephen Roth, looking disgusted and annoyed at the both of them. Gwen sat at the head of the table, like a queen and kept her eyes on Jamie at all times. She had fought hard to get Jamie home and now that he was here, she was as proud as she could be without bursting. There were a few more of the old guard attending the meeting and they all welcomed Jamie as if he had been missing for years. Dane, he noticed, was no where to be seen.

"Thank you all for attending this meeting on such short notice," Gwen started as Jamie settled into a chair near hers. "As you all know, Mason Enterprises has been going through a spate of rough times as of late. Since my husband's death, ME has lacked direction and focus. We've been through three Chief Executive Officers and unfortunately, I am sad to announce we will be losing our most recent CEO. My nephew, Dane Lennox, has been asked to be let go from his contract."

Jude listened but heard no murmurs of shock. If he hadn't been in a serious meeting, he would have laughed. Leave it to Gwen to paint a picture the way she wanted it to be seen.

"This leaves the position of CEO open for the moment. However, I am pleased to say that my son, Jamie, has agreed to step into the role his father always meant for him," Gwen continued. Jude saw Jamie flinch at her words, but he stood and embraced her gamely as the old guard applauded after a moment of shock. Apparently he wasn't the only one who thought ME wasn't in the cards for Jamie. Jamie smiled and met Jude's eyes. Ready or not, they said.

"Thank you every one," he said after the applause died away. "I won't keep you as I know you all have work to do and I, myself, have an appointment to look at a new house for me and my family."

Jude caught the look on Gwen's face of total shock. Oh Jamie was going to hear about that one later, he thought with amusement.

"Now, I'm committed to making ME the best it can be. With that in mind, I've decided upon a few changes within the executive structure." He turned to one of the Old Guard. "Mr. Morrison, I'd like for you to move into the Industrial Division as head of Overseas Operations. There will be travel involved. But the reason I'm asking you to do this is because I feel like the Communications Department is going to need an overhaul. I'd like to bring our website into the forefront and to do that I'm going to need someone with extensive computer knowledge." Morrison nodded. "How do you feel about that?"

Morrison looked around the room at the rest of the Old Guard and shrugged. "Hell, I always did want to see South America," he said with a smile. Jamie grinned back at him and nodded.

"Great. Now, Mr. Roth? I'd like for you to take over the Domestic Industrial Division. It'll be a lot more work but I am sure you'll do a great job at it." Roth threw a smug smile at Hallie who turned a deep red trying to ignore him. "Mr. Conlan, I'd like for you to step into Mr. Morrison's position as Head of the Commercial Division." Hallie hugged Luke and flashed a triumphant smile back at Roth. Jamie's eyes fell on Hallie and he paused for a moment gathering his thoughts. "Hallie, you've done a wonderful job in the Public Relations Department," he started getting her attention. "With the new overhaul of the Communications Department, there will be a position for Head of Public Relations and Operations. But...I need you at The Mason Foundation. It's floundering right now and it could use your intelligence and skill to save it."

"What?" Hallie said, her voice low. "You're kicking me out of ME?" Luke turned to Jamie but catching his eye, wisely kept his mouth shut. "You can't do that!"

"I'm not kicking you out. I need you elsewhere," Jamie replied calmly.

"So, who's this Head of PR?" She asked coldly. "An outsider? Are you bringing in one of your old sports buddies?"

"No, as a matter of fact, I'm not. However, I would like to introduce you all to the new Head of Public Relations and Operations, Jude Fontaine."

Heads swiveled to stare at him. Hallie glared at him, her eyes shooting daggers. He stood and went to Jamie's side, shaking hands along the way. Hallie would give them all an earful later, he knew, but they were ready for it. Jamie had been more than prepared for this meeting and he had no doubt that he could deal with whatever Hallie threw at him.

"I knew it," he heard her say as he passed her. "Jamie's brought in an outsider."