Episode 85

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Episode 85

Scene 1:

There were exactly 10,000 holes in the tiles on the ceiling. Tyler had counted them all. Twice. He wanted out of this place. He had to get out before they came back. He'd played dead before when the police showed up but that wouldn't work for much longer. He heard the door squeak open and slammed his eyelids shut, hoping he had managed to get them closed before whoever it was saw it.
The door shut behind Andrew McCormick with a thud. His eyes fell on the young man lying in the bed, trying to push the world away from himself. Tyler Jones had feigned unconsciousness every time an officer entered the room, but this was the first time Andrew had been to see the boy since he had been reassigned. Andrew settled into a chair by Tyler's bed, briefly flipping through some of the papers, the medical papers.

He opened his eyes slowly, not recognizing this guy. He was looking at his chart. Maybe he was a doctor. That wasn't so bad, he thought, opening them all the way. "Who are you?" He asked, trying to sound as if he had just woken up.

"A detective," Andrew answered, not even looking up at Tyler as he continued to flip through the papers and make his own judgments.

Shit. "Okay, Detective who? Or do I not get your name?" Tyler asked rudely.

"Detective McCormick." McCormick was now a well-known name in Conlan's Glen, of course that's what happened when you married a Fairchild.

"What do you want with me? Oh wait," Tyler paused, pretending to think hard. "You're here to ask me about Melissa Cravens, right? Well, I'll save you the trouble. I didn't do it. She's lying."

Andrew nodded. He hadn't developed his bias yet. He had met and spoke with Melissa Cravens and her family, they were the typical a few-bucks-below-upper-crust-but-thought-they-were-as-powerful-as-the-Masons kind of family.

"Don't you know better than to fool around with spoiled, rich brats?" Andrew asked with a smirk in his tone. Of course he had married a rich girl, not that Genevieve was a brat.

"Hey, the whole thing was her idea," Tyler replied, gazing at the detective with interest. So far, everyone he had encountered had automatically assumed he was guilty. "She was the one who wanted to...well, have sex," he said bluntly.

"And who were you to refuse?" Of course, Andrew, being a male, wouldn't have turned the girl down either if he was in Tyler's position. "And Dad walked in, correct?"

"We were in his room," Tyler said opening up just a bit to this new cop. "He started yelling and screaming. Missy was crying...the next thing I know, she's telling him I forced her and he's calling the cops."

Missy. Noting the nickname and a possible sign of some affection, Andrew asked.

"How well did you know Missy? What was she to you?"

He had to answer these questions sooner or later, he realized. Might as well be with the guy who hadn't made his decision yet. "She was in my Economics class with me at Hope. We went out a couple of times...just as friends before things got..." He paused looking for the right word.

"Serious, sexual?" Andrew offered at Tyler's pause.

"Yeah, sexual. I mean, we kissed and goofed off, but we never did it. But that night, she was determined. I never really wanted to with Missy, you know?" He said, trying to sit up a little and explain himself. "She's kind of...well, my friend Ashe says she's certifiable. You get my meaning?"

Andrew nodded, choosing not to comment lest he say the wrong thing and Tyler retreat back into himself.

"See, I wanted to after she started talking about it. Have you seen her? She's gorgeous. Who wouldn't want to? I should have listened to Ashe." He looked at Detective McCormick listening intently. "What else you want to know?"

"Date rape, Tyler, is a bitch," Andrew answered matter-of-fact. "You only have one person's word against another and both are trying to watch their own ass. It's pretty simple and obvious though, but that's what lawyers are for, to make things complicated. I'm not choosing sides here, but the Cravens have the upper-hand because they have money. Do you have anything to do with your family?"

"No," Tyler replied with a stony gaze. "And they don't have anything to do with me."

Andrew leaned back in his seat. "And I assume you can't afford a decent defense attorney. It doesn't help with this stunt you pulled on your bike."

"Yeah, I'm a bad driver," Tyler remarked. "I can find a cheap lawyer at any rate. Maybe I've got a relative...distant relative or something."

Andrew nodded at Tyler's lame excuse, rising from his seat. "I suggest you look into that...and you're going to need a good attorney...or at least find a cheap one with some decent moral," Andrew remarked dryly. He hated lawyers, they only complicated matters.

"Hey," Tyler called as Detective McCormick hit the door. "You believe me?"

"I can't choose sides, kid, not my place, but your case is classic," Andrew answered honestly. He wanted to believe Tyler Jones though. Andrew closed the door behind him and reached into his pocket to turn off the recorder.

Scene 2:

Maura lay in bed, listening to the sound of the rain against the window. Spring was coming and not a moment too soon. She was tired of cold gray days with no sunshine. She turned her head and watched the rain drops batter the window. It was comforting, at least, to know that after the rain, the sun would come out. She kept reminding herself that it would too. It couldn't be overcast forever.

She looked away, letting her eyes fall on the picture of her mother across the room. Her picture of Tristen was still missing and Jillie refused to confess to taking it. There had been no one else in her room recently either. Of course, Jillie wasn't around anymore to badger her about it either. She would have to admit that it was gone. And she would always remember what Tristen looked like. No matter what.

But not Rick, a small voice in her head said. Rick would never know. She had tried to tell him. Had every intention of doing so the other night. But he could be so demanding when he wanted to be. And she could be stubborn as well. The minute he asked to know, a defense system she had put in place years ago had kicked in and she had deflected his attempts to get it out of her. She knew she should tell him. But Tristen was her secret after all. He had never wanted children, least of all Tristen.

"That's right, Maura," she muttered. "You keep telling yourself that. Maybe you'll really believe it someday." She threw the covers back and sat up. Her life was a total mess. She had no one to blame but herself of course. She had kept the truth about Tristen from two men who should have known. Rick should have known because he was her father. And Jude should have known...well, because she trusted him and it was important to her. She sighed and looked at the phone, longing to pick it up and call Jude. She wanted to explain it all if he would let her.

Her hand stole out to the phone and she picked it up, dialing the number to the Mason Enterprises guest house. It rang twice before an answering machine picked up. This was the first time she had tried to call since he had ended their relationship. She hoped he would at least listen to her message. At the tone, she started talking.

"Jude...it's me...Maura. Look, I know you probably don't want to talk to me, but I really want to try to explain all of this to you. I know you can't possibly understand why I did what I did, but I never meant to hurt you. I should have told you. I just...I didn't know it would..." She stopped as her words tumbled over each other. This was a mistake. "I'm sorry. Okay? I just wanted to say that. I should have told you." She hung the phone up and fell backwards on her bed. That was possibly the worst thing she could have done. She sounded like an idiot. Worse, she sounded desperate.

Well, chalk up another mistake to Maura Conlan, she thought rubbing at her eyes. She should just give up trying to make things right. It always seemed to backfire at any rate. She just needed to accept that she and Jude were over. Maybe once she did that, she could see Rick the way she used to. Rick. God, another mess. She had to tell him. He deserved to know. Of course, she could think that all she wanted to. Didn't mean it would actually happen. She would just have to try harder the next time.

Scene 3:

Piper whirled in her stool at the bar of Connie's. She had told Maura and her father early she wanted to speak with them tonight and it seemed the only time they're three paths crossed was at work. Maura was closing up and Piper smiled warmly when her father entered. He returned the smile, but she knew by the end of the night the smile would vanish. She was looking forward to telling Maura, but not her father.

"Hi Daddy," Piper greeted, jerking to a stop on the spinning stool.

"Hey Pied Piper," Kevin grinned affectionately at his youngest. "Seems like the only time I see you is when you're waiting tables. Your gang of friends keeps you pretty busy. Or is that young man you've been seeing?"

Maura came up to the bar with the receipts for the day. She pulled a calculator out from the drawer and started adding figures. "Piper, have you counted out your tips yet?" She asked without looking up.

Piper briefly wondered which young man, then felt her face flush slightly. She was almost relieved when Maura spoke up. "Yes, Maura," she replied with the familiar slight annoyance to Maura.

"Did the Harrisons tip you? Because I swear that jerk has gypped Joanie and Dinah already this week! If he stiffed you too, I'm going to have a chat with him. Honestly! You'd think he'd have better manners!" She finished crossly.

Kevin raised his eyebrows, amused at her tirade, but held his tongue when it came to the Harrisons. Maura was right about them. "So, Piper, what is this little meeting all about?" He asked genially.

Blatantly ignoring Maura, Piper turned directly to her father. Of course, Jillie had already stole her thunder. "Now Daddy don't assume this decision is rash, I've been thinking over it for quite some time now, but I want to move out." Kevin and Maura both started at once. "Wait!" Piper interjected, then more calmly, "I'm not finished. And Jewel, Evan, and Allison share a small home on Poplars Lane and it's actually the perfect setting to start in. I have already done the figuring and even on the salary here...and because I have been saving, not to mention there's four of us sharing a house...I can easily manage the bills...and college, too. And I know you," Piper punctuated you directly at her father to let Maura know her opinion did not matter, "are not going to like this, especially with Jillie leaving, but I do want to know your opinion."

Maura stared at her father hoping he wasn't seriously going to agree to this. The look on his face said it all though. She could see his heart breaking but the acceptance was there. Dammit! Why didn't Jillie and Piper think before they did things like this?!

"Piper, I think you're a bit young to be on your own," Kevin started.

"That's putting it lightly," Maura cut in.

"Stay out of this Maura Rose." Kevin glared at her for a second and turned back to Piper. "If you think this is what you want to do, I'll support you in it. I'll only ask one thing of you though."

Piper bit her tongue to keep from saying, 'and you're a little old to still be at home, Maura.' She nodded, swallowing hard, surprised by her father's acceptance. "What's that?" she asked calmly.

"You'll have to finish your education."

Maura stared at him, almost on the point of outrage. When she had tried to move out at Piper's age, he had thrown a temper tantrum the likes the Conlan siblings had never seen again. Even when Jillie had tried, he'd been less willing than this even. Now, he was letting Piper move out and all she had to do was finish school? He was going senile!

"Dad!" Maura cut in, unable to hold her tongue. "I can't believe you're letting her do this! She's still just a kid!"

"Maura, I am not finished yet," he warned sternly.

Piper was dying to put Maura in her place, but at the moment she knew she had to be the mature one. So she chose to pretend Maura wasn't there. "Of course, Daddy," she assured. He hadn't even said anything about her living with a guy. "You should see the house, it's very cute, in walking distance of college, but I told Jewel I'd help with gas money in her car. Do you want to see it sometime?"

"Yes, I will. But Piper, there is one more thing you'll have to do. Until you graduate from college, you'll have to work here at Connie's. And I'm sorry but I am going to have to ask you to limit the acting thing too." He folded his arms over his chest and waited.

Piper was willing to agree to the first part...but..., "but, Dad is acting is my major..."

"No. It isn't. Piper, I can handle you wanting to act in your spare time, but it's no career. You need to rethink that major. Pronto."

She nearly rolled her eyes. "I know you and half the population of the world think becoming an actor isn't a job. I already have the waitressing thing down, don't think I'm not prepared to struggle for what I want to do. As for now there is nothing that interests me more than acting...maybe that will change...but maybe it won't...and if it doesn't I'm prepared to work for it because I am not going to be stuck here for the rest of my life and nor will I take over Connie's when I'm the only one left."

As much as Piper felt her heart beating against her chest, she kept eye contact with her father. Maura pushed her around, Dinah had pushed her around, Chase pushed her around, everyone pushed her around, but Piper was going to stand up her decision this time. She bit her lip, watching the emotions play over her father's face, all the while she gave herself a pep talk, 'don't breakdown, stand up for yourself, you can do this.'

Maura watched as he wrestled with what he wanted for Piper and what she wanted for herself. He had always supported their choice in careers. Even Luke's. And Luke was the one who was supposed to running Connie's.

"Wait a minute," Maura cut in. "First of all, I know you don't care what I think but I just have to say..." She began before Piper interrupted her.

"Jeez, before you spontaneously combust, Maura, spit out what you just HAVE to say," Piper said finally at Maura's many attempts to get involved in the conversation. Piper rather liked the idea of Maura spontaneously combusting though.

"I was going to say," Maura said narrowing her eyes at her sister. "That I thought you should be allowed to make your own decisions about your career choice. All of us were allowed. And the same should be afforded to you. But if you'd rather not want me on your side about this, I'll just go back to counting receipts because apparently I am stuck here."

Piper drew back in surprise. "You of all peop-," Piper stopped herself. She turned back to her father, waiting for his words.

"Maura's right," Kevin said quietly. "I can't ask you to give up your acting. Can we compromise? Can you make it your minor and find something a little more practical as your major?"

"Can I promise to seriously consider your compromise?" Piper offered. She didn't want to be a rebel for the sake of being one, but the fact that people assumed acting was a worthless profession and inappropriate only made her want to pursue it even more seriously. She wanted to prove everyone wrong.

"No."

"I can only promise to seriously consider your compromise," Piper said seriously, realizing this would be the first time she was out of her father's good graces.

"Then I can't agree to let you move out," Kevin responded.

"Dad..."

"Maura, this doesn't concern you," Kevin interrupted. "Why don't you take your receipts back to the office? Give me and Piper some space."

Annoyed, she scooped her papers up and stomped off towards the office, calling over her shoulder, "Just so you know, she's going to move whether you want her to or not!"

"Maura's right," Piper said as soon as Maura finished her dramatic exit. "I'm eighteen, therefore I am legal and I don't need a parent's consent." Piper slid of the stool, unable to look at her father now. She suddenly felt hurt at what her father thought of her intended career and she was able to use her hurt to look at him again. "I would have thought you of all people would support my dreams and even Maura is more supportive than you."

"If you move out Piper, consider yourself on your own. No more help from me or your sister," Kevin said jerking his head toward Maura. "And you can find yourself a new job too. I won't have my restaurant funding your life."

Piper's hurt transformed into anger and her eyes narrowed. "Fine." Piper untied the apron from around her waist and chunked it across the counter. "Since you're being a tyrant tonight, Dad, why don't you go ahead and disown me while we're on a roll like this!" She looked straight at her father, suddenly glad to tarnish her golden aura in his eyes. "You know, Jillie's pulled worse shit than this and because I have a less than practical profession in mind all ties are cut. It figures that the only person who would support me is DEAD!" Her words were meant to sting and hurt, to make him feel equally as bad as he had made her now feel. And she felt hot tears start in her throat, but Piper wasn't going to cry. "Bye, Dad."