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The Triumph Of AJ Quartermaine
Chapter Fourty Two
Revelations
The limo on the way back to the house. Michael is strapped in and plays with his stuffed Giraffe. Carly leans her head back on the plush leather headrest. "Well was it worth it? Did that feel good?"
AJ takes Carly's hand in his. "I don't know how it feels yet." Then he laughs. "I shouldn't have enjoyed it so much but did you see the look on Ned's face? And Grandfather's?"
"I told Ned that he could be Vice President in Charge of Paperclips." Carly teases.
AJ laughs again. "He did look like he could chew nails, didn't he?"
"Oh yeah, And can you believe how ticked Edward was that he didn't get a photo album of Michael?" Carly shakes her head. "That was just a fringe benefit. I didn't know how... greedy that he'd be. Boy, Cook sure has him figured out."
AJ turns in his seat to face Carly. "I want to hear all about this-- When did you and Cook get to be best buds? How did you get her to get the affadavit? Last I knew you were going to return the casserole dish and give her some cookies and now the woman is SPYING for you?"
"They were VERY good cookies, AJ." Carly winks at him. "So what is next?"
AJ falls silent considering the evening's events. "Grandfather is going to come after me-- try to set me up somehow. He really disliked that I got the job without his vote. And he is going to be in the dog house since he gave you and Michael a block of stock but hasn't given one to Emily or one to Brooke."
"Paternalistic bastard deserves to be in the doghouse, although the Quartermaine dog house probably has cable and wall to wall carpeting. I can't believe that he makes Emily attend those things but she doesn't get a say. And I really don't understand why it doesn't matter how much stock you hold you only get one vote; shouldn't the percentage of stock held have some weight?"
"I really never understood that either, even if it made it easier for me tonight. I think it is something that Grandfather set up since it is a family rather than a publically held business. All the companies under the ELQ umbrella vote the way you said by amount of stock held-- it's just ELQ that has these little family fights. Does it bother you that I voted yours and Michael's portion?"
"It might down the road. Right now I just want the money."
AJ laughs. "And you call Grandfather greedy."
"I think I'm finally getting this money thing. It's a tool, isn't it?" Carly thinks aloud. "It's a way of supporting what you believe in-- once I figure out what I believe in, it'll probably be easier. Right now it's just a way of insulating me and Michael from outside interference."
"Baby, that's something you believe in." AJ says quietly.
"Yeah, I guess it is."
The mansion kitchen. Cook has sent out the main course with Reggie and Sally to the dining room for the remaining board members. While Edward blustered about counting the silver both Sonny and Jason had decided to stay for dinner to see if there was any information to be gathered. Cook meanwhile is dishing up portions for the staff dinner. "Wash your hands. I taught you better manners than that." She says testily.
"They're clean, Ma." Johnny replies even as he goes over to the kitchen sink and scrubs them again.
"I can't believe that you went back to work for them. You had your own RESTAURANT, for goodness sake. How are you ever going to keep your hands clean? I didn't do what I did so that you would get hooked up with the gangsters in this burg."
"Mr Morgan has been really good to me. Mr Corinthos too. I wouldn't have had the money to ever try for the restaurant if I hadn't been working for them. And I still own the restaurant-- it's doing much better now that I'm not obviously working there. Moreno has been letting my staff alone. He's been busy with other things."
"The other things are what I worry about." Cook comes over to Johnny and grinds the knuckle of her forefinger into Johnny's breast bone. She grunts when he winces. "And you-- a bullet proof vest won't stop you from getting a bullet behind the ear but it might save me from having to buy a new dress for your funeral in case of a driveby. I bought you the best on the market with my christmas bonus. Wear IT."
"Yes, Ma." Cook glares at him Then smacks him upside the back of his head. "OW, what was that for?" Johnny grimaces.
"Don't tell me what you think I want to hear-- you wear that damn vest."
"I WILL."
"Now what is this I hear about Mr Jason getting a sidecar for that donor cycle of his? He isn't going to put that precious child on a motorcycle, is he? It's bad enough that he has Miss Emily thinking of getting one but I'll put the kabash on hers-- mark my words. Even if I have to have a chat with Ms Benson about it." Cook nods as if it is settled already.
"Carly? What's Carly got to do with it?" Bewildered and befuddled as Johnny often is with his mother. "Carly and Emily aren't tight."
"They are now. Wouldn't surprise me a bit if Miss Emily started to practically live over at Ms Benson's house. What with Michael living there and them taking driving lessons together."
"Oh this is terrible." Johnny moans.
"Why? Miss Emily needs friends especially friends that encourage her to stand up for herself."
"Ma, Carly is crazy-- certified looney tunes. I like her and all, but she's a trouble magnet--- and did I mention-- CRAZY."
"Well maybe that is just what Mr AJ needs in his life and Miss Emily too. Keep them on their toes. And I wouldn't worry about her being certified."
"What do you mean by that?" Johnny asks suspiciously.
"I'm not saying a word. Just know this, boy, anyone that can get over on that old goat in there is Aces with me."
"Mr Morgan has been trying to get hold of Carly, but she isn't talking to him and it's making him nuts too. Ma, It would get me in good with the boss if I could find out why."
"Far be it from me to discourage anyone from getting away from the mob; sounds like she is doing the right thing-- unlike my son. Now eat." Cook sits down opposite her son and pulling the recipe card out of her apron pocket starts making a list of the necessary ingredients that she doesn't have effectively closing the subject.
In the dining room the tension is thick and the appetites nonexistent. Jason is being surly. Sonny is being charming to Lila which is driving Edward nuts. Ned is contemplating going on tour immediately and forgetting that he ever heard of ELQ. Alan and Monica are quietly fussing at each other until finally Alan gets sick of it and rises throwing his napkin on his untouched dinner.
"If you'll excuse me, I have a meeting to get to."
"Damn it, Alan this family is in crisis and you are off to one of those whiner meetings?" Edward blusters
"GRANDFATHER!" Emily jumps to her feet. "Dad, I think I need a meeting too. NOW." Emily stalks from the room ignoring Edwards demands that she sit down and finish her dinner.
"Nice Job, Edward." Monica gripes. "Do you think that once, just once, you could think before you open your mouth?" Monica rises to go check on Emily who could be heard thundering up the stairs.
"Oh dear." Lila shakes her head at the spectre of another dinner ruined.
Sonny reaches out and pats Lila's hand tenderly. "Teenagers." He looks across to Jason who is rubbing his forehead as he frequently does when dealing with the Q's. "Mrs Quartermaine, if you'll excuse Jason and me, we really should be going as well." Rising from his seat he bends over Lila's hand and softly kisses it. "It has been a pleasure as always to be in your company."
Lila preens at the attention. Jason rises from his chair gratefully. He bends over and kisses Lila on her cheek. "I'll talk to you later, Grandmother."
"I'll look forward to it, dear-- and you really should take some aspirin for that headache although I believe that some fresh air will do you a world of good. I know that is what works for me when I get a Quartermaine headache. Some quiet time in the garden with my roses and *poof* headache gone."
"Thank you, Grandmother. I think that you're absolutely on target." Sonny and Jason near the front door and Johnny appears as if by magic already shrugging on his coat. A small bag of cookies tucked into his coat pocket for his dessert.
Lila looks down the long table where only Edward and Ned sit. Ned is lost in his own thoughts and has probably not heard anything for the last 10-15 minutes. "Well Edward, you've managed to do it again. Ruin a perfectly lovely dinner. Cook will be VERY unhappy. " Reggie enters the room preparing to take off the abandoned dinner plates. "Reginald, could you take me to my room please. I think I'd like to listen to my new opera cd while I look at pictures of my great grandson--- ALONE. Could you prepare the spare room for Mr Quartermaine?"
"I've already got it set up, Mrs. Q."
"You are such a gem. Reginald" Lila looks over at Edward and sniffs delicately before wheeling away from the room.
"Oh great. AJ pulls a coup; America's Most Wanted was making a play for my wife and I'M in the doghouse. Can this day get better?" Edward mumbles to himself.
"Grandfather, I resign. Effective immediately, V will be booking me on a tour schedule." Ned looks around him. "Where is everyone?"
"I had to ask."