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When Cassadines Fall
Your Move
Nikolas walks out to his jag carrying a travel mug of coffee. Living with Maddy was seriously cutting into the amount of time he spent at Kelly's getting breakfast every morning before going out to the stables or to GH.
"Hello! Mr Cassadine... Nikolas Cassadine right? My name is Louise... Louise Wells, my husband and I bought the house down the way from yours." Louise indicates across the street and three houses over.
"Yes, Hello." Nikolas takes the woman's hand for a friendly shake.
"I know you don't know me from anybody or anything. I've seen that you and your girlfriend have made arrangements to have one of the local boys keep an eye on your vehicles."
Nikolas instinctively wants to correct the assumption about Maddy but realizes a split second before he says anything-- keeping Maddy's name out of things is the best play with Larkin in town on a quest as yet unknown. "It seemed the most expedient way of taking care of the matter." He says instead.
"I was wondering if you'd be interested in getting together and forming a neighborhood watch? Something a little more formal than what you have going. After all the work you've put in I'm sure you want a say in the neighborhood. A few meetings... have the police public information officer come out to speak. Get organized." Louise leans in. "I'm really concerned right now." She points to a house. "One of the frats got kicked off campus because of their behavior. I know they were looking at that house. Do you have any idea what it takes to get kicked off? It could really tip the balance of the neighborhood."
"Yes, I see your concern." Nikolas agrees. He pulls out one of his business cards from General Hospital. He writes down the number to Wyndemere Lite on the back of it. "Call me when you've arranged a meeting. A representative from this address will attend."
"A representative?" Louise takes the card and stares at it.
"My brother and his girlfriend live in my carriage house. You might get one of us, or all of us, depending on our schedules. But one of us will be there given sufficient notice."
"I'll call the PCPD and find out how soon they can have someone come out. Well I've taken up enough of your time... I guess you have to get to work... General Hospital right?" Louise holds up the card.
"Yes, I'm the volunteer coordinator there."
"Then a neighborhood watch program is right up your alley." Louise smiles and waves as continues her powerwalk up the street to the next address.
"It might be an advantage right now." Nik unlocks the jag and slides into the driver's seat. First uncle about whatever Helena is up to, then GH, and then Sheba. Taking a second before he starts the car he calls Elizabeth over at Kelly's where she is covering so the morning gal can take care of an appointment until either Tammy or Bobbie relieve her.
Kelly's
"Elizabeth, it's Nikolas. When you're on campus today find out what fraternity got kicked off campus and why. One of the neighbors just told me they are planning on moving in across the street."
I'm on it. I'll have the scoop by end of business today.
"I knew I called the right woman." Nik grins. "Talk to you later."
Later. Liz hangs up. Nik puts the phone in the car's holder and heads off to the Docks to catch the launch to Wyndemere. He isn't even to the docks when the phone rings.
"Cassadine."
"Nikolas, I got the photographer you mentioned but she is only free this afternoon. Is there any possible way I can get into the house and makes sure things are set up.... You said as soon as possible so that there would be no more disruptions of your home." Larry's partner says in a rush.
"I did say that." Nikolas grimaces. "Lucky's working at home, at the carriage house. See him to get in. I would prefer to be on the grounds when the actual shoot takes place."
"She's squeezing us in.... I'll call you back when I have a firm time." Partner hangs up.
The phone rings again. "Oh you have got to be kidding me." Nik mutters. "Cassadine." He says tersely.
"Nikolas?"
"Granny Sophia." Oh **** I forgot to call her back. "I'm sorry I didn't call you back. Everything worked out fine with Maddy."
"She called. Told me it was your grandmother at the door. Course she also told me that the only thing stopping her from walking right in was the chain on the door. I thought that Stefan said you didn't get along with your grandmother? Have you mended fences and given her a key to your house?"
"No." Nik says flatly. "Thank you for reminding me. I guess a security system is in order."
"That wasn't what I was calling about actually. I need an address up there to send Madeliene's birthday present. Now I would prefer to not send it directly to Maddy cause if it arrives early the girl just can't resist opening..."
Nikolas recites off the mailing address for Wyndmere. "That's my uncle's address. He excels in keeping secrets."
"I'll get it in the mail today. I don't want it to be late." Sophia double checks to make sure that she got the address right and that everything is going smoothly in Port Charles and then rings off.
Nik realizes he has arrived at the docks and not quite remembered the trip. The launch pilot is waiting. Locking up and setting the alarm. Nik takes the short boat ride to Wyndemere. Mrs Lansbury takes his coat and announces him to Stefan who is on the phone in his study. Stefan waves Nikolas to a chair. He makes a few notations and then terminates the call. "Something I need to know?" Nikolas inquires.
"That was Reese. He has arrived in Larkin's hometown. He will call again when he either has the information or has a plan to get it."
"What information?"
"According to your brother, Larkin has a sealed file that predates the computer updating. It will be necessary to retrieve it... the old fashioned way."
"You're going to steal it."
"I'm going to copy it. Do you have a problem with that?"
"Nope. Ricky was spotted in Port Charles the Saturday after we got back."
"Has he been seen since?"
"Not to my knowledge. He dropped off some papers for Alexis and then left." Nikolas holds up his hand before Stefan can ask what. "Alexis doesn't want Lucky to have the information. If he finds it on his own-- great. If he doesn't-- having the information linked to Robideau in any way is going to make Alexis' case much harder to prove."
Stefan frowns. Not getting information he knows exists is going to be a nagging irritant. His eyes narrow. "Robideau's agenda is clear.. take out Larkin. Something we have in common. My concern is while working to the same goal we somehow sabotage each other." Stefan winces. "I would prefer to not work through Jerry Jacks-- while he is connected to Robideau by friendship; he is no friend to the Cassadine. I'll speak to Madeliene this afternoon."
"Is she still charging you?"
The twinkle in Stefan's eye is clear as he replies wryly. "Of course. But according to her it's not for the chess match itself but for the frustration factor. This is what you wished to speak to me about? Robideau's son?"
"Him too." Nikolas pulls out the contract he'd reviewed the day before and sets it on the desk in front of Stefan.
He reaches for his glasses and begins his perusal. "Well- well- well. It appears as if your Grandmother's minions are building a war chest. I wonder upon whom they plan to declare."
"One guess, uncle."
"Nice catch."
"Learned it from you."
A few hours later outside the kitchen door of Wyndemere. There is a knock on the door. Mrs Lansbury wipes her hands and goes to answer it. "Miss Madeliene. And this must be Cinnamon."
"I'm really sorry about this, Mrs Lansbury. I wouldn't normally bring a dog when I come visiting but... Cinnamon's human is away and she kinda has abandonment issues. And your boss takes so long playing chess... I couldn't just leave her in the van."
"Master Stefan has already made accomodations. Master Nikolas told him how Cinnamon has been accompaning you while there is danger in town. There is nothing better than a big dog to keep the villians away... the door to door salesmen too." Mrs Lansbury smiles. "The solarium opens to both the gardens and the house. He's already there with the chess board set up. Now that you're here I'll bring the snacks in."
"Okay. Thanks." Maddy turns around spotting the door that Mrs Lansbury had pointed out. She opens the door and enters holding the door for the dog.
Stefan looks up. "Punctual as always."
Maddy looks around. "This is nice.... airy. We should play out here more often." There is a rug on the floor that appears to have been brought out just for the dog. Cinnamon pads over to it.. sniffs it and then starts circling until she finally lays down. Maddy takes the seat across from Stefan. Reaching into her pocket she pulls out her cell phone and puts it on voice mail so that there will be no interruptions. Anyone who needs to know already knows where she is.
"Am I to assume then that the dog will be staying longer than a few days?"
Maddy nods. "Niknik didn't tell you? Larry was transferred Monday to a hospital 90 miles away. Dr Collins has no idea when he will be released. I already wrote to Larry and mailed him a prepaid phone card so he can call me. Did Nik say anything about having Cinnamon at the house?" Maddy worries.
"After the visit from his grandmother yesterday, I think Nikolas appreciates having the animal. We've always had dogs." Stefan offers Maddy the choice of colors. "Mostly outdoor dogs but the climate is quite different in Greece. So, Madeliene, first things first..." Stefan waits for Maddy's move and then contemplates the board as he asks. "What is this I hear about you offering Granny Helena the position of fourth in a mahjongg game?"
"Why do we even bother with chess? You just want me to give up the goods." Mrs Lansbury comes in with snacks for everyone. Maddy's is a huge sandwich on homemade bread and a glass of milk. Stefan gets a pot of tea. He's already had lunch. Even Cinnamon gets a stew bone from the night before. "Thanks, Mrs L. I missed lunch at the mansion because I had errands to run." Stefan raises a brow at that. Maddy missing meals wasn't in her norm.
"No problem, Miss Maddy." Mrs Lansbury makes sure that everything is set up. These two could and would go without interruption and break for the next couple of hours.
"So what did my mother want." Stefan prompts after Mrs L leaves.
"Why to see her beloved grandson's new abode." Maddy says inbetween bites. Her eyes sparkle at the total BS answer. "You know exactly what she was doing there. She was trying to find out where you and Candy had gone since it wasn't Aspen. And then when she didn't get any info on that she decided to give me a Cassadine History lesson. I didn't have the heart to tell her that I get history lessons three days a week at the mansion. And you Cassadines aren't mentioned in any of them." Maddy adds pityingly.
Stefan makes his opening. He clucks his tongue. "I guess I should have warned her that you are already well versed in Cassadine History through your own research prior to taking up residence at Nikolas' house." but it would have been entertaining to hear that conversation.
Maddy scans the board. Too early for an attack-- need to open the board up a bit more first. She slides one of her pieces into good position. "I think she realized that before she left. And you know who ever taught Nik his manners-- you need to get a refund. He didn't say as much as a howdy do before he was kicking her out of the house. And I'll say this much for Granny Helena... she didn't think I was the maid."
Stefan flushes slightly. Maddy had called him on that one directly after their introduction. "Yes, well you do defy description."
"Why..." Maddy drawls. "That has to be the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me."
Stefan changes the subject as he is making his move. "What did Robideau have to say about his son being in Port Charles?"
"Other than it being a free country? No, just kidding. Poppi is probably tearing his hair out... so to speak. On the one hand he wants to come up here and kick ass and take names 'cause that is what he does. And on the other-- him showing up here would open up an even bigger ole can of worms, and he knows it. So Ricky is here as Eyes and Ears." Maddy counters Stefan's move. "Poppi promised Ricky wouldn't be tailing me or Larkin either for that matter. Which I appreciate since if I'm being tailed I'd like to be able to assume it's the bad guys and not wonder or let my guard down."
Stefan winces. There went that idea. "So what measures have you taken... other than Cinnamon?" The pitbull looks up at him as she hears her name then returns to gnawing on the bone.
"Varying my route-- keep moving, doing a lot of stuff by cell, put my people on alert. My aunt suggested I put Taggart on speeddial. Larkin wants me cooperative. He is not going to mess with me. He is going to try to leverage the people around me like what he is doing with Aunt Dara."
"Alexis is addressing that." Stefan murmurs. He makes his move. "I concur with your initial assessment. But the situation will become increasingly volatile until it's resolution."
"I'm not taking things for granted." Maddy reassures. She draws first blood taking one of Stefan's pawns.
"And having Robideau's son here is like.... pouring gas on the flames? Because Larkin's focus has been Robideau, Larkin is more familiar with Robideau's organization than with Port Charles or it's citizens. It would be prudent for Ricky to return to New Orleans."
"Don't jump to that conclusion, Mr C." Maddy shakes her head, her tone warning. "Larkin got pulled into the investigation of Em's kidnapping. He might have been up here looking for me but he got a good look at all the players in town. Ricky knows how to give people what they expect to see. Poppi gave the clue-- Ricky's not here watching me or Larkin."
"Miss Madeliene, you are the expert. What do you suspect?" Stefan prompts. Stefan takes one of Maddy's pawns and sets it to the side of the board.
Maddy picks up the piece and swings it between her fingers. "If this was a chess match, I'd say Larkin has taken one of Poppi's players off the board. Having Aunt Dara out of the game dries up a source of information about what is going on in the local cop shop. Including any plans they might have to come after me or Poppi. Aunt Dara would never have told Poppi anything but she would have warned me, I think. Larkin thinks he's closed the back door...." Maddy runs her hand over the chess piece representing the king on her side of the board. It was the one with the most limited movement but the one that settled the game, like poor Poppi stuck down in New Orleans. Maddy finally settles her hand on one of her knights. Three squares up and two over, leapfroggin over other pieces, she establishes the piece within striking range of Stefan's piece that had just removed her pawn. "...But that can change."
Stefan's eyes narrow as he considers the changed dynamic of the board. "Yes, I see."
Larry's partner is about ready to pull his hair out. The photographer had just been the beginning. Since it was unlikely that he'd be able to get strangers into the residence again he'd made arrangements for a textile appraiser and a writer for the home improvement rags to all be there at the same time. He'd arrived early to make little fine tuning touches to the house-- a few floral arrangements and some fall/Thanksgiving touches that would photograph well. Lucky had groaned when he saw the first floral arrangement and made a quick retreat back to the carriage house. And it was already getting late. Miss Anderson had arrived before dark, thank goodness, but had prioritized getting outdoor shots of the house while she still had light.
Nik sees all the cars infront of his house as he pulls up and groans. He gathers up the proposals from the hospital departments wanting to utilize volunteers and reluctantly enter his own house. Partner is the first person he sees. "You said a photographer."
"I know, I know. But I found out there was a textile appraiser within range attending one of the local auctions. You did want to find out about Madeliene's quilt."
"And the other car?"
"Writer for This Old House. I've verified his credentials. Read his articles before. You don't need to worry it's not some guy from the Intruder."
"That's good to know. I won't have to kill you." Nik mutters.
"Candy, are you home? What are all the cars doing here?" Maddy calls from the kitchen. "There is some woman outside taking pictures...."
"I am not taking the heat for this one." Nik tells Partner flatly. "You explain it to her."
The appraiser comes out to the second floor landing. "Does anyone have the provinance on this quilt?"
Nik throws up his hands. "Maddy! We're in here."
"Who's we, white man?" Maddy quips as she comes into the house proper from the kitchen. Nik looks at her blankly not getting the old Lone Ranger/Tonto joke. Or was it Custer/Indian scout? "Nevermind. Hey Partner." Maddy gives him a quick hug.
"Madeliene darling, thank GOD you are here. The photographer will be in here any minute to take pictures of the house. The writer is from This Old House and he's looking through the project books. That man is here to appraise the folkart quilt."
"MY QUILT?!"
"For insurance purposes." Nik says in a hurry.
"It's priceless." Maddy states flatly. "And irreplacable."
"Oh good-- then you know the history." The man calls from above.
"Of course I know the history. It's been in my family passed from mother to daughter for over 150 years!"
"Do you have proof?" The appraiser asks eagerly. "Written proof?"
"Who is this freaking moron?" Maddy says to the room at large before replying to the appraiser. "My ancestors took beatings for learning to read!"
"Maddy, calm. He's just excited not intending disrespect." Nik says quietly. Zero to sixty in nothing flat and then back down again as Maddy takes a deep breath.
"He'd probably want a note from God for the Ark." Maddy mutters.
"No, But Noah would be nice." The appraiser jokes.
"Nik, where is the box the quilt came in?"
"Bottom of the closet."
Maddy nods and runs upstairs followed by Nik, Partner and the Appraiser. Maddy kneels down on the floor and pulls out the wooden container within the packing box. The appraiser who is seeing the box for the first time gasps and runs a hand over the leather hinges and iron hasps. Maddy brushes his hand away and opens the box feeling along the bottom for the knot hole which looks like a flaw in the carpentry. She lifts out the false bottom. She hands the appraiser a canvas oil cloth bag. "Family bible..." And then a bundle of papers that someone over time had transferred to a very modern ziploc bag. "My great, great, great..." Maddy counts off on her fingers. "...Grandmother wrote down the story when her grandmother's health started failing." Maddy opens up the ziploc and pulls out the very last yellowed with age page and hands it to the appraiser. Maddy rocks back on her heels rising to her feet and walks from the room. Nik starts to follow her. She puts a hand out. "No, you started this-- you finish it." She walks away.
Nik bites back what he wants to say. Partner tells him. "I'll go after her."
"My Gawd. My GAWD!" The appraiser starts muttering. He gathers the papers taking them over to the desk. Pulling on white gloves, he then removes the papers from the protective covering. This has just crossed the line from antique textile to museum piece. "Does she know what this is worth?"
"She told you. It's priceless."
"I was hoping for an old photo-- maybe a dated receipt." The guy's hands are shaking. "I could write a book from this."
"Or you could make your appraisal and go." The longer the guy was here the longer he had to wait to find out if Mady was alright.
"Most people would be excited about this."
"Her mother died last week." Nik realizes this truth as he speaks it. It had been a week ago today that Lisette had been taken off the ventilator and allowed to expire. "Give me the bible." Nikolas opens it knowing what he'll find. On the inside leaf in small writing, some more ornate than others, is a family tree dating back to when the bible had been gifted to the new family. From the beginning to the last entry... Madeliene Reynolds (b) 11/20/1982.
Nik pulls out a pen. The appraiser freaks. "What do you think you are doing?!"
"Using it for it's intended purpose. Do not leave this room." Nik takes the bible downstairs but Maddy is not in the living room so he goes in the kitchen. Partner sits silently across from her. Maddy stares at a wall her only movement petting Cinnamon's broad head as the dog rests it on her knee. Nikolas opens the bible and puts it in front of her on the table. He puts the pen next to it. "Finish it."
Maddy licks her lips and swallows hard, her mouth suddenly dry. She traces over the list of names until she finds her mother's name, Lisette Reynolds (b) March 20, 1964. With a shaking hand she picks up the pen and fills in the rest. (d) November 1, 2000. Closing the bible, she traces the cracks in the leather cover. The appraiser has snuck down despite Nikolas' instruction. Maddy starts telling the story that her mother had told her as a bedtime story before thing had gotten crazy. "Whenever we'd move, the first night in the new place would be kinda scary sometimes it took a few days to get the lights on. Lisette would tell me what her grandmother had told her while teaching her to sew as a little girl....
She came out of Carolina with her mistress. The mistress, a new bride, on her way to setting up housekeeping in N'Awlins. It was her first time on a ship and she was sick, so sick, but at least she could be above deck unlike her ancestors who'd come a lot further packed tight in the hold. But things didn't go as planned. Instead of the new Master meeting the boat, it was another who told the sad tale. There was sickness in the city and the master had succombed leaving no debts-- but no assets either and no home to claim. The mistress was a practical woman. A practical woman with limited funds in a strange sick city. Mistress took her hope chest to the nearest tailor and sold the quilts within. Still short and realizing there was insufficient funds for one return passage to Charleston let alone two, the mistress sold her remaining asset-- the slave who'd made the quilts. There would be a new master after all."
Maddy stares at the wall unseeing, tears streaming silently down her face. Her fingers tracing over the bible and then when Cinnamon whines petting the dog instead. The appraiser gasps as he realizes that Maddy is reciting the oral history word for word that her great, great, great, grandmother had put to paper over eighty years before.
Nik turns upon hearing the sudden intake of breath behind him. "Get Out! Both of you get out! Get these people out of my house!" He orders Partner in a roar.
Partner ushers out the appraiser, collects the writer from the foyer and stops the photographer from coming in the house. "Really bad time, family emergency... has to reschedule." He keeps them moving toward their cars.
After he hears the door slam behind them Nikolas comes over to Maddy brushing a hand over her hair. The only cure for this kind of pain is time. And he should have known. She'd been so strong that somehow he'd forgotten. Nikolas slides an arm under her legs and shushing her protests lifts her into his arms. He strides into the living room. Partner had built a fire before this all started. Nikolas sits down on the couch keeping Maddy close to him as he reaches around her for one of Granny Sophia's afghans wrapping it around them both coccooning them on the couch. "Tell me the rest." He whispers as he kisses the top of her head and hugs her tighter. This is a good memory of Lisette-- Maddy needs this.