When Cassadines Fall

Working Stiffs

Tuesday afternoon, PCPD Interrogation room.

Elizabeth sits next to an older woman. Her face is battered but her expression is furious. Officer Rick comes in bearing coffees for him and the woman and a bottled water for Elizabeth. ''Damn Hoodlum!'' The woman swears. ''I was just coming from the bank from cashing my check. They know when the checks come in.''

''You're right, Mrs. Levy. That's why it's so important that you give Elizabeth a good description of the guy so we can get his picture out. We had three similar attacks last month. And considering the time of year... you know, they're going to get bolder.''

Rick sets the recorder. Elizabeth had been getting better at this over the course of her class with the forensic artist. And he'd found that she often got more from the victims than a uniform did.... and a lot more calmly. Liz had been in the building picking up her schedule for the next month, so they didn't even have to call for the artist. Elizabeth begins leading the woman through a series of routine questions to get a general description of the guy. For this she uses the computer program. The program provides prompts of the series of question to make sure that none are missed: height, build, age, sex, race, scars, marks or tattoos. As soon as the form is completed, Rick takes over the questioning while Liz pulls out her sketch book and art pencils. She uses the basic information that the victim gave her and when she's ready starts questioning Mrs Levy again for the more detailed information. The excitement of the situation could result in a cartoonish representation. It was part of her task to take in the fear and anger laden responses and to synthesis them into an accurate representation of the perp. This time they'd probably get lucky. Mrs Levy remembered a tattoo.

Rick sees Taggart outside the interrogation room motioning to him. He rises without excusing himself not wanting to mess with Liz's flow and Mrs Levy's memory and goes out to see what the LT wants. ''How is it going in there?''

''Pretty good. Sounds like the guy had a jailhouse tattoo. I'll run it down through the system. Maybe he'll have been popped for priors.''

''Even if we catch the guy I want the picture out to the senior centers along with the MO.'' Taggart says grimly. Looking through the window he can see the purpling bruises on the victim's face. ''She got lucky. The next one may not be so. See if you can do some outreach there, get a prevention program going. We got to get the seniors doing the direct deposit, or at least traveling in packs. They're too easy.'' Taggart shakes his head. ''I want to talk to Elizabeth when she gets done.''

''I'll let her know.'' Rick nods and goes back into the interrogation room. Taggart goes over to his desk and boots up his computer having just come on shift. He starts getting caught up on anything going on, any alerts. While he is taking in all the general information he is looking for something specific. Dara had mentioned to him that the FBI were looking at illegal alien smuggling ring that might be coming through Port Charles. As soon as he is updated he grabs his phone messages and starts working back though them. He is totally focused on his current cases when Liz interrupts him.

''You wanted to see me?''

''Yeah,'' Taggart rocks back in his chair to look up at Elizabeth. ''I just wanted to thank you for the info from PCU security. I think it's going to pan out.''

''That's great.'' Liz exhales. ''It was a real button pusher for me...ruffies, rape...'' Liz shudders.

''You doing okay?'' Taggart asks with some concern.

''Yeah, It's rough, but I feel like I'm doing something positive here. Ask me again on Valentines' Day.'' Liz slides back on her jacket and zips it up in preparation for leaving. ''I'm going to drive Mrs. Levy over to the Elm St. Clinic so Dr. Alan can check her out after Officer Rick gives her the peptalk and the phone number for the victim's advocate over at the DA's office. I'll make sure that the med reports get forwarded back here for the file. No weapon shown, but it sounded as if the guy didn't need one.''

Taggart nods. ''When we catch the guy I want to nail him for assault as well as Robbery so make sure that Dr. Quartermaine gets pictures of the bruises.''

''I'll mention it to him.'' Liz glances over her shoulder.

Officer Rick is helping Mrs. Levy on with her coat and is escorting her out into the bullpen. ''Mrs. Levy, I'll call you once we have your statement typed up so you can come in and sign it. If you take your copy down to Motor Vehicles with you it will make getting new ID much easier. And I'm going to get right on this.'' Rick is just finishing up the peptalk.

''I want my pictures back.'' Mrs. Levy warns. ''Money is money, and I'll get by. It'll be tight, but I'll get by. But I can't replace those pictures.''

''No guarantees, ma'am. He's probably gotten rid of everything he can't use.'' Rick warns.

''Well then you just make sure he can't do it to anyone else. Fry the sumbitch. And if he slips on a patch of ice when you catch him that won't hurt my feelings either.''

''Mrs. Levy, are you ready?'' Elizabeth interrupts before Mrs. Levy can get going again. ''I want to get you over to Dr. Alan before the clinic closes.''

Mrs. Levy pulls on her gloves. ''Lets go, sweety.''

''I'll talk to you guys later.'' Liz says over her shoulder as she escorts Mrs. Levy out.

''Leiney! Leiney!'' Louise Wells makes her way as quickly as weather permitting allows.

''Louise, Hi.'' Maddy waits by the side of her van. She'd just swung by the house quickly after instruction to gets some supplies for the kiosks before heading off to the library. ''How is it going? Getting all your Christmas shopping done?''

''Oh I was done back in July with the presents part anyway. Gives me more time for decorating and baking. How about you?''

''I haven't even started my shopping. Scratch that. I have a list.'' Maddy laughs. ''An ever expanding list. I have to get the out of town stuff done this week. If it's going to get there in time.''

''I hate to be a pain but have you talked to Officer Rick lately?''

''No, I leave that one to Elizabeth. She has been doing some work down at the PCPD for school and she's going to be there fulltime when the new term starts after the holidays. Is there a problem?'' Maddy asks curiously.

''I saw that a young man moved into that house. Is he part of that fraternity? The one we were worried about?''

''No, no, no.'' Maddy shakes her head. ''Lucky already checked the guy out. His name is Rick Robideau. He'll be going to school at PCU but he is definitely not a joiner. He's from out of town but he's being sponsored here in Port Charles by Judge Porter and his family.'' Maddy gives a PR spin to all the information she'd gotten from Ricky at the club.

''Oh that is a relief.'' Louise sighs. ''What about the building on the corner? Any word on that?''

''Nik has most of the information on that. He isn't even going to touch it until the new year. He's caught up in the family thing right now.''

Louise nods. ''I saw in the Herald that his mother was moved back to Port Charles after that horrible accident she was in. Is he okay?''

Maddy makes a so-so motion with her hand. ''His Grandmother has been a rock. She's staying with him right now. She was in the accident too.''

''Oh.'' Louise connects that comment to the Lady with the huge cast that she'd seen getting into the jag or Lucky's truck. ''Well if I can be of any assistance I hope you will give me a ring. I'm going to be having a Christmas open house in a couple of weeks. I hope you all can come.''

''Let us know when. With everything going on with Lucky's and Nik's mom, there are no guarantees but I'll do the best I can.''

''That's all anyone can do.'' Louise agrees. ''I'll get back to you with the particulars. I've kept you out here in the cold long enough. Thanks for the information on the new guy. I swear sometimes what we need is a neighborhood newsletter. But I'll talk to you later. I have to get back to my baking.'' Louise starts moving off with a wave of her hand.

''Good talking to you too, Louise.'' Maddy mutters with a shake of her head. ''Gees a newsletter. I wonder if Poppi ever did that for the neighborhood watch back home?'' Maddy climbs into the van, slamming the sliding door shut and dropping into the driver's seat.

''Jason, you around, man?'' Lucky calls out as he enters the motorcycle shop.

''Yeah.'' Jason comes out of the back. ''I was hoping you'd drop by today.''

''I have the software updates for your system. Added a few suppliers and a used part network for some of the antique bikes.'' What Jason said sinks in. ''Wait a minute. Why were you hoping I'd stop by?''

''I have to go out of town for a couple of weeks. Hopefully I will be back by Christmas. I was hoping you could keep an eye on the shop in my absence. Make sure the place doesn't burn down.''

''Yeah, no problem. As long as you aren't expecting me to actually fix any motorcycles. I'm the software guy; you're the hardware guy remember?''

''Just check them in.'' Jason nods. ''Nobody is going to be on the road for a couple of months. If they need it faster they are SOL."

''Is it safe to ask where you're going?'' Lucky inquires.

''China.'' Jason says tersely.

''The shop is open only from ten to two. All other times by appointment. Feel free to rent out the apartments. Check the voice mail.'' Jason hands over a ring of keys. ''I have to get going. I'm suppose to be meeting with Father Frank in about fifteen minutes. I'll owe you for this, Lucky.''

''Nah. We're even. Good luck, man. I hope you find them.'' Jason looks at Lucky suspiciously. ''Emily.'' Lucky reminds. ''She was kinda freaked when she talked to Maddy and Elizabeth.''

''Right. Lock up when you go.'' Jason leaves to meet with Father Frank without saying goodbye.

General Hospital. Nik's office. Audrey Hardy sits across from Nik's desk with a clipboard in her hand. There is a check off sheet on the top. ''Tony Jones is already signed up for Santa Claus. I sent the suit out for dry cleaning.''

''I contacted the cafeteria.'' Nik looks at his own checklist. ''They will have the punch and deli trays ready for the conference room. Do you have an idea how many kids will be in the hospital?''

''I'm using last years numbers plus ten percent. There are a few kids already in the hospital that I know will still be here for the holiday. I've touched base with their parents. Or rather the nurses on the peds floor have already started letting the kids know that GH is on Santa's route.'' Audrey hands Nikolas a manila envelope. The front of it says Santa Claus, North Pole. ''Here are the letters so far.''

Nik winces. ''Maddy's up to her ears already. I'll talk to Carly next time I'm up at the stables and see if she's willing to go shopping, or maybe Em. If they can't do it I guess Lucky and I will be hanging out at Toys R' Us.''

''The Quartermaines are in charge of the tree every year.'' Audrey puts a little check by that on her board. ''I talked to Monica this morning. And I've had a good response from the staff on decorating the tree.''

''Only one thing really left...'' Nik says ruefully.

''Who are the elves going to be this year?'' Audrey nods in agreement.
 

Meanwhile-- out by the elevators. KC is walking by the nurses station on her way to the CT lab to get the final imaging from Laura Spencer's test when the Elevator door opens. V steps off the elevator adjusting the satchel that crosses her body. They collide. ''Oh Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going.''

''Oh sorry, I was thinking of something else.... V?!''

''KC?!! Ohmigosh!'' V grabs KC in a bear hug. ''What are you doing here? I thought you were in Africa or Baltimore or something?!''

''Or Something.'' KC leans back from the hug. ''You're looking good. How long has it been? I swear the last time I saw you you were wearing braces and trying to keep up with your brothers.''

V tilts her head to the side as she considers the question. ''Ten years? It was before you went off to Medical school. And it always seemed like I just missed you whenever I made a trip home.''

''Oh home.'' KC says longingly. ''I was planning on going home for the holiday this year before I got called into consult on a patient here. Did you go home for Thanksgiving? How was everyone?''

''Everyone's fine.'' V reassures. ''Aunt Louise got into it with Auntie Arminda over who was in charge of the cooking. Your Dad and Mine got into it about the football game.''

KC laughs. ''Nothing ever changes. What are you doing here? I thought you were going to be a cop or something?''

''I work for an attorney in town now. I got laid off from the sheriff's department a couple of years ago. Getting laid off is horrible. Kind of took the thrill out of police work. So now I'm doing the private thing. I'm here to drop off some paperwork for Stefan Cassadine.'' V pulls out her notebook and scribbles off her address and phone number. ''We have got to get together the sooner the better. Really get caught up.''

''I'm up for that.'' KC agrees. ''I just have to check on a patient then I'm done for the day. It's your town. Where do you want to meet?''

''The Outback... how about five o'clock. I'm buying.'' V gives KC another hug. ''I can't believe you're here. This is so great.''

''It's a date.'' KC agrees. ''I'll see you then.''

KC starts moving toward the lab but turns around when V calls out to her. ''Where are you staying?''

''Port Charles Hotel.'' KC calls back. ''The Outback... don't stand me up.''

''I'll be there.'' V waves goodbye. There is a little skip in her step as she heads off to Stefan's office. ''KC Ryan, Gosh. This is so great.''

Maddy strolls into Luke's club. Claude is behind the bar doing prep work. Happy hour hadn't even started yet. ''Is Luke around?''

''Back in his office.'' Claude indicates the direction with a tilt of his head not even pausing with what he is doing.

''Thanks.'' Maddy heads down the back corridor until she comes to the door marked No Entrance and then knocks on it.

''Go Away!'' Luke snarls from inside. Maddy knocks again and then opens up the door.

''Is that Go Away for every one or just a select few?''

''Ah It's the Sweet Young Thing. Come into my lair.'' Luke teases with a leer and a mock twist of his nonexistent moustache.

''Oh said the spider to the fly.'' Maddy drawls with a grin. She drops into the chair across from Luke's desk. She examines it carefully. If she didn't know any better she'd swear she saw one just like it over at Wyndemere.

''What can I do for you, Light of My Life?''

''Oh no, it's what I can do for you.''

''Oh?''

''What's your busiest night at the club?''

''Friday's why?'' Luke wonders where she is going with the question.

''I'm here to make a deal.''

''I'm listening.'' Luke leans in.

''On Friday's I'll not only pick up Lulu from here, but also her dirty laundry. On Saturday when you're ready You can pick her up and her freshly cleaned laundry for the week. A night without worries, free babysitting, and a chore out of the way. What do you think?'' Maddy puts a little horsetrading tone in her voice.

''And the catch is she'll be staying at the Little Prince's house.'' Luke grimaces.

''With her grandmother and her brotherS. Where she's been staying for the last week while you were down in North Carolina.'' Maddy reminds. ''Look Luke, there aren't any debts or favors going on here. It's a mutually beneficial relationship. Lucky and Nik get time with their little sister. She gets time with them, and you get a night to get your business done. You know Granny Lesley is going to want at least this much.''

''No Vlad.'' Luke counters.

''I'll make it clear to him that it's Lulu's night and not his.'' Maddy agrees easily.

''And you do my laundry too.''

''Oh now you are pushing it.'' Maddy shakes a finger at him. Her eyes narrow. ''Fine, but that means I get to come into the club no matter what the age restrictions are.''

''Deal.'' Luke holds a hand out over the desk and shakes Maddy's hand to seal it. ''Baby, you could have had that anyway. It's good for business to have people who like to dance here.''

''Maybe, but I like having things up front and on the table.''

Carly comes out of the backroom where she'd just had her prenatal check up with Val at the Elm St. Clinic. It was part of the deal she had with her father-in-law. Regular checkups at the clinic meant no going to the hospital until she absolutely had to. And the sliding scale of the clinic liked having a patient who could pay. The actual physical stuff she did with Val, even though Alan is her doctor of record. Alan is the one who writes her scripts for the prenatal vitamins and does the lectures. She stops by the front desk where Lesley Webber is sitting. ''Val says I'm suppose to make an appointment for next month.''

Lesley sorts through the appointment book. She tells Carly the next date and awkwardly writes it on the back of a card. ''Here you go. Alan is in with a patient now but he said you were suppose to wait for him. Something about Emily's Christmas present.''

''Right.'' Carly tucks the appointment card in her purse and goes to take a seat in the waiting room. Alan had been visiting with Michael while she was with Val. So Carly isn't too surprised to see Michael in the toy corner but who he is with does surprise her. ''Elizabeth?''

''Hey Carly.''

''What are you doing here?''

''I'm providing Taxi service to someone who got mugged. Taggart and Officer Rick wanted her checked out to make sure she is okay.''

''Yeah, but how did you get roped into that?''

''I was at the station. I'm kinda doing a class over there.''

Carly sits down next to the play corner and reaches for a magazine and then grimaces. She looks at the date of the mag. 1997. ''I am going to have to bring in something more current the next time I come in here.''

''It is pitiful isn't it?'' Liz agrees. ''So when are we doing the next girl's night out?''

''I'm up for it.'' Carly nods. ''But you better check with Maddy. I'm on her list right now.''

Liz grimaces. ''Oh right.'' She shakes her head. ''That is all so weird.''

Carly shrugs. ''Port Charles.''

''No need to say more. Tell you what... Em and Maddy set it up last time. I'll set it up this time.''

''Grandpop.'' Michael hollers like he hasn't seen Alan in a million years and races to the burly guy just coming out from the curtains. Alan swings him up in his arms and plants a smacking kiss on him.

Alan tucks him on his hip. ''Elizabeth, Mrs. Levy is ready to go home. I gave her some samples to get her through the next couple of days. She was incredibly lucky.''

''I know. But I'm guessing she isn't feeling that way right now.'' Liz rises to her feet. ''You'll get copies of everything over to Officer Rick at the PCPD? They'll need it for her to be eligible for Victim's Assistance.''

''It will go out by messenger tomorrow morning.'' Alan agrees. Mrs. Levy comes out from the curtains with a nursing student. Alan holds a hand out to her. ''It was a pleasure to meet you even if the circumstances... sucked.'' Alan falls back on the language that many of his younger patients at the clinic used. ''If you have any problems I want you to contact me immediately. If it's dizziness or blurred vision you need to call EMS. The emergency room nurse can call me from there. Treatment as soon as possible can be the difference from going home that day or the next or months of rehab.''

''Why?'' Mrs. Levy demands. ''Those are often the first symptoms of a stroke.'' Alan tells her. ''This mugging had it's silver lining. You need to start monitoring your blood pressure, Mrs. Levy. Now it might be the stress of the situation but if it's not we need to be addressing that. I want to see you in a couple of days to check on that once things are more... normal.''

Mrs. Levy harrumphs. ''Doctors.''

Alan harrumphs right back. ''Patients.'' They smile at each other in perfect understanding.

''Dr. Lesley, I'm going back to the house after I drop off Mrs. Levy. Do you want a ride?'' Liz offers.

''Go on, Lesley.'' Alan urges. ''Val is kicking me out of here too. She's going to close tonight.'' Alan hands Michael off to Carly and helps Lesley on with her poncho. Lesley grabs her bag with her good hand. He holds the door for them as they leave and then turns around to Carly. ''So what do you say? The three of us go out for some hot c-h-o-c-o-l-a-t-e?''

''Chocolate! I want Chocolate!'' Michael demands.

''No way he could have known that one.'' Alan says in disbelief.

''Please-- a word that starts with C that follows Hot. It's either chocolate or cocoa; he had a fifty/fifty shot. And believe me those are words I learned how to spell early too.''

''You might hate me saying this... but maybe some of Edward's genes are coming through-- at least his sweet tooth.''

''Oh bite your tongue.'' Carly demands.

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