EPISODE #8

Kate stepped up on the Slater's front porch and rang the doorbell.
"I'll get it." Phyllis called out to her mother who was on the top of the stairs. Anna nodded and continued her walk up the stairs and down the hallway. She opened the door, "oh thank God."
"May I come in?"
"Of course." Phyllis moved to the side to let the inspector into her home. "Come into the living room." They walked into the living room. "Sit down."
Kate chose to sit in an antique lounge chair with a small side table next to it and a Tiffany lamp on the table. "Thank you."
"Can I get you anything?"
"No thank you."
"Well since the formalities are over I suppose I should tell you why Victoria said it was so urgent that you call." She sat down on the couch and crossed her legs. "You know my son Nicholas don't you?"
"Along with every other woman in America aged fifteen to thirty-five." She joked but by Phyllis' expression she could tell it was serious. "Yes I know him."
"You also know that my sister Faye was attacked at a nightclub a couple of days ago."
"Yes."
"Well he was staying in her hospital room and he was supposed to come home early this morning and it's five. I think something happened to him… I know an adult has to be missing for forty-eight hours but Nicholas isn't the average person, he's a Slater."
"Call me or have Victoria call me at nine. If he's not back by then I'll file a missing persons report. That's the best I can do." She stood. "Unfortunately crime doesn't stop in Heaven Beach and I have a murderer to catch. If you'd excuse me."
"Certainly. Thank you Kate."
She nodded and walked out of the living room.
Phyllis looked up at the ceiling, "please God wherever he is make him be safe…"
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He slowly opened his eyes again. A figure was in front of him. The figure came into focus. "What the hell did you put in me?" He groggily said.
"Does it really matter Nicholas?"
"What do you want with me? Dammit give me answers!"
"You're Victoria's brother… Think about it."
"What does Victoria have to do with this?"
"You don't know then?"
"What are you talking about? I demand some answers."
"What did she tell you about the trip she took to New York seven years ago?"
"She never told me anything."
"Really?" Thomas rubbed his chin as he thought. "Did she come home after the trip?"
"Not for a year. She said she was going on some road trip with some friends, across country. I still don't see how she ties into this. What do you care about her trip to New York anyway? Stop bullshitting around and tell me what is going on." He winced in pain. His head was throbbing again. His vision began to blur. "Not again…" He muttered before he passed out.
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Noah and Simone walked up a set of stairs leading towards April's townhouse.
"I hope she's okay." Simone said as they reached her door.
Noah rang the doorbell. "Something must have gone down for her to tackle Felicia on live television."
"I think everyone in this town at one point or another has wanted to tackle that god awful woman."
April opened her door, her eyes were swollen and tears stained her cheeks.
"Honey are you okay?" Simone asked her friend.
"Oh God…" She tried to wipe her eyes and cheeks but it was no use. "Uh, come in."
Noah and Simone walked in. Normally April's house was filled with sunlight. It was dark and dreary for the first time ever. All the blinds were closed and not a single light was on.
She flipped on the ceiling fan light. "What brings you two over?" She walked into the kitchen and poured three cups of coffee.
"We're here to see if you're all right." Noah stated as he sat down on the love seat with Simone.
She handed her guests their mugs and sat down on a chair across from them.
"It's not everyday you tackle a woman on live television April. We were concerned." Noah added.
"Yeah…"
"So what's wrong?" Simone said as she took a sip of her coffee.
"Felicia blackmailed Kyle into giving her district attorney."
Simone almost spit up her coffee. "Do what? How?"
"God… Kyle was… cheating on me."
"You're kidding me."
"I wish I was, Noah, I really do."
"That's so out of character for him…"
"I know Simone. I just don't… believe it. I'm in shock. Here I was in love with this perfect gentleman, who was kind, caring, and sweet. And for him to do this… I'm just in shock…"
"But how do you know for sure he was cheating on you?" Noah inquired.
"That's the funny part…When I tackled Felicia a picture fell out of her coat pocket. And it was Kyle… with a woman… on a desk."
"Oh my God…" Simone muttered. "You poor thing."
She began to tear up. "I just wish I wouldn't have seen the picture… I just wish I would have never found out."
"But then you'd be living a lie. As much as it hurts it is better this way April. You know the truth."
"The truth always hurts doesn't it Simone? I just wanted to be happy. I mean look at you two. You're perfect for each other. I envy your relationship. I really do…"
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"Mia what the hell are you talking about?"
"Don't you play stupid with me. I'm on to your game. You think you're going to win Austin by bedding him?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about." She said smugly.
"I just saw Austin."
"So?"
"Walking out of your dorm room. His hair was all messed up and I saw lipstick on his cheek. I know what you two were doing. And it definitely wasn't playing scrabble."
"You are seriously delusional. I don't know what you've invented in that little head of yours but whatever it is, it's completely off."
"Yeah right. Well Laurie two can play at this game." She turned around and walked out of the dorm room. She headed down the hall and opened the door to Austin's dorm.
"Mia?"
She began to unbutton her blouse.
"What are you doing?"
"I hope you still have some energy left in you Austin." She pushed him on the bed and ripped off his shirt.
"M-Mia…"
"Shut up and kiss me."
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The doorbell had rang a couple of times. Charlotte was hoping whoever it was would go away. She placed the picture of her deceased husband on the table and wiped her tears. "I'm coming." She said to whoever was at the other end of the door. She peeped through the peephole and opened the door. "My God!"
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Sarah and Amir strolled down a part of the boardwalk.
"I love it here." Sarah said as she looked up at the night sky.
"I love the company."
She looked at him and smiled. "You've really got to stop. I'm not used to being this spoiled or complimented."
He chuckled. "I don't believe that. A beautiful woman such as yourself should always be complimented."
"Yeah… Where do you want to go next?" She asked as she threw her empty ice cream cup in the trashcan.
"Want to ride the Ferris wheel? They say you can see all of Heaven Beach from the top."
"Yeah, let's do it." They waited in the line for the Ferris wheel. "The line is always so long." Sarah explained. "It's horrible for someone as impatient as I am."
He laughed quietly.
"What?"
"I've never met someone as honest as you."
"Yeah. I'm one of a kind."
"You sure are." He gently kissed her on the lips.
"Hey you two love birds we ain't got all day for you to get on the Ferris wheel."
"Uh… Sorry." Sarah said as she got on to the seat and slid over to make room for her date. The ride abruptly started. "I hope this thing has been inspected correctly…"
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Kyle bumped into Simone and Noah as they walked down the stairs. He knew where they had been. "Uh… hi guys."
"You make me sick." Simone said in a harsh tone as she brushed past him and headed towards her car.
"You messed up big time man." Noah added as he to brushed past him.
He stood at the top of the stairs. "Don't you think I know that Noah?" He walked up to April's door. "I just hope it isn't too late…"
Who could it be now? She opened the door again.
"April, can I come in?"
"No Kyle. You can't."
"Look I know what I did was… was horrible and inexcusable. I-I don't know what came over me April. All I know is that I love you and I'm sorry. It will never happen again. I promise."
"You wouldn't believe how many times my father promised my mother that when he got caught with other women. Living through those experiences I came to one conclusion, once a cheater always a cheater. I don't want to talk to you or see you or think of you ever again. You're not welcome at in this house or anywhere near me. You had your chance with me and you blew it for some cheap, skanky slut. You've made your bed, now lie in it."
"April--" His face was meet with a slamming door. "Dammit…"
She covered her mouth and slid down the door. She sat on the cold tile floor and cried. "K-Kyle…"
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The Ferris wheel stopped. Sarah and Amir looked at the town. "It's so amazing…" she said. "It looks so small from up here." She glanced at Amir, who was looking right at her. He was so handsome. She put her hands on his cheeks and kissed him. The Ferris wheel started moving again. It stopped when their seat was ground level.
"Come on you two. We ain't got all night for you to now get off of the Ferris wheel."
He pulled away and got off the Ferris wheel. She followed him and held onto his hand. "So what's your deal?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"I mean you're sweet, charming, handsome. You've got skeletons in your backyard don't you?"
He laughed. "Yeah when it rains a lot I get a little nervous."
They walked out on the beach and sat down on a dune. "Does your family live here?" He asked, trying to get to know more about the stunning woman sitting so close to him.
"We actually live together."
"Really? That's uh…"
"Unusual? Yeah. But don't think we're some hillbilly white trash family all living in a one bedroom trailer. I told you my last name right?"
"Yeah… Robinson."
"Have you ever heard of Charles Robinson?"
"Uh huh. He's on the news a lot. He's a senator right?"
"Yes. He's my dad."
"You're kidding me…"
"Nope. My grandparents bought the house we live in. My brother, his fiancée, and my grandmother live in it. Since my dad's a senator he's rarely home when he's in D.C. so most of the time it's just us four."
"That's cool. You all must be really close."
"Uh… you'd think so wouldn't you?"
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"Grandmother!" The young man in front of the door exclaimed.
"Of all the people… Uh… Come in."
He walked into the Robinson mansion. The taxi driver followed him carrying four large suitcases. He took off his coat and hung it up on in the closet. "Won't be needing that anymore."
"Ethan… what's going on?"
Ethan Robinson handed the taxi driver the cab fare and a thirty dollar tip. "Thank you."
The driver nodded and walked out of the house, closing the door behind him.
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Victoria walked into her aunt's hospital room and sat at the chair her grandmother was previously sitting in by Faye's bed. She held on to her hand. "Faye… I… I don't know how to say this. I always thought that if I did decide to tell someone, someday. It would be you. I knew that I could always trust you and that if I asked you never to tell anyone that you wouldn't… Seven… Seven years ago when I came to visit you and my friends in New York something happened to me that I've never told a single soul. Something horrible happened to me that I thought if I could just keep it locked inside of me it would eventually go away. I've tried to. Everyday for seven years for a thousand and fifty five hundred days I've tried to make it go away. I've tried not to think about it. I've tried to think of it as a dream. Just a dream. That it never really happened. It was all just make believe. But I'm not five years old anymore I can't just pretend bad things never happen…"
Phyllis walked down the hallway and made the first left. "Dar--" She could see Victoria was having a moment with Faye and decided not to disturb it. She backed away and stood just outside the door.
She wiped a tear running down her cheek. "S-Seven years ago… I was meeting some of my friends at a club. You told me to take a cab but I told you I wanted to take a nice walk and breathe some fresh air… or what little was left in New York City and it was only a couple of blocks away. I was all decked out in my club attire. The three quarter sleeve red top with the big sleeves at the bottom. The little black miniskirt. The heels. Everything. As soon as I stepped foot out of your house I noticed a man see me and cross the street to get over to my side of the sidewalk. I thought it was no big deal. He was probably just trying to get home or something. I started my walk towards the club and I got about half a block from the club and I noticed that he was still following me. I thought you know no big deal he was just probably going to the same club as I was. I glanced back at him and I noticed his clothes were pretty rugged and dirty, not the kind of clothes people normally wear to a club. Isn't it funny? The one thing to make those little red flags fly up in my head was his clothes. I started to get a little nervous so I picked up my speed. He picked up his speed and stayed right behind me. That really made me nervous and there were all these alleys around me. I started almost running down the sidewalk. He kept up with me, every time I looked behind me he was practically on top of me. I got past the second to last alley and I could clearly see the lights from the club. I thought I was safe I had made it. All I had to do was cross that little street. The man must have realized that was the last alley and his last opportunity. I was almost at the end of the sidewalk and he grabbed me and dragged me into the alley. He pulled out a knife and told me if I screamed… he… he would slit my pretty little throat. I kept praying God please make someone walk by. Please make my friends come looking for me. God just send someone to save me from this lunatic. No one came. He threw me on a cardboard box and ripped off my blouse, then my skirt. And he… he… raped me. And it seemed like it lasted forever and I just kept thinking, what did I do to deserve this? What did I do that was so horrible for this to happen to me? Then it was over… He got up and just left… like nothing unusual had happened. He left me there… lying soaking wet on a cardboard box in a dark alley and I just lied there forever. I didn't know what to do. I kept thinking if only I hadn't have worn that little skirt. If only I had chosen the long skirt instead. If only I had taken the cab. If only I would have left five minutes later. After there were no more tears left to cry I got up for fear of him coming back for a second session or someone finding me. I ran across the street to a clothing store. Bought a trench coat threw it on me and called a taxi. On the short ride to your house all I could think about was taking a shower. To… to wash this filth off of me. I dashed up stairs and hopped right into the shower. After I got out of the shower I pulled myself together and decided not to tell anyone about it. I don't know why I decided to do that… maybe out of fear… or… or shame... I don't know why. And ever since then I had nightmares of him every night. All different but with the same type of ending he would always kill the people that I loved in front of me and rape me again and again and again…" She burst out in tears. "I-I'm so ashamed Faye… I'm just so ashamed…"
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"Yes. I'm moving in. Uncle Charlie told me the day father and I left Heaven Beach. If I was ever unhappy in Europe to move back here and live in this house. I hate it in London and I thought if dad came home one more time drunk with a new tramp for the night I would kill myself. Then I remembered Uncle Charlie telling me that about being able to move in here so I got on the next plane going to JFK and took a taxi cab down here."
"Did you think to call us before you came?"
"I just assumed it was an open invitation any time I wanted to come."
"Oh…"
"So where will I be staying at? I've had such a long trip and I'd actually rather just go to bed."
"You can sleep in one of the guest bedroom I suppose… Until we can figure out exactly where to put you."
"Perfect. Is there a maid or servant around?"
"Why?"
"Those suitcases are awfully heavy." He looked down fretfully at the suitcase. He looked at this grandmother and by her expression knew there was no one around. "Well I suppose I can manage…"
"I'm afraid you'll have to."
Noah and Simone walked into the house chattering. "Hello grandmother."
"Hi."
They walked up the stairs before Noah realized the young man standing by his grandmother. He turned around, "E-Ethan?"
"Hello Noah."
"W-When… W-Who… W-Why are you here?"
"I'm moving in."
"You're what?"
Simone touched Noah's shoulder. "Who is he?"
"He's my uncle's son…"
She whispered, "your uncle as in the black sheep?"
"Mmhmm…"
"I'm moving in. Aren't you excited?"
"Uh… Why?"
"I hate London and your dad always told me I could move in if I wasn't happy there."
"Really? Um, grandmother can I see you in the kitchen?"
She nodded and followed him and Simone in the kitchen. "Did dad really tell him that?"
"I don't think he would make that up."
"I wouldn't put it past him grandmother."
"I've really got to talk to dad about this… I'll go talk to Ethan about it now."
"No! Wait Noah. That's cruel. He is family you know and what are you going to do throw him out on the streets?" Simone firmly stated.
"He can't stay here…"
"Why not?"
"Simone. The kid is trouble. Especially when my sister and him get together. It's bad. They'll have the whole town blackmailed and destroyed in a month, if that."
"Noah he hardly looks fifteen. How can a fifteen year old be that dangerous?"
"Little body, powerful punch."
"Maybe he's changed."
"There's no way. He's a spoiled, pampered little brat."
"Like you have room to talk."
"You two stop, please. Simone's right we can just throw him out on the street. I'll put him in one of the guest bedrooms. I'll call your father in the morning and see if Ethan's telling the truth."
"Of course I'm telling the truth grandmother." Ethan walked into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water.
Noah gave Simone a look of disgust. She mouthed chill out and approached Ethan. "Hi. I'm Simone."
"I'm Ethan… charmed I'm sure." He said as he kissed her hand.
Noah whispered in his grandmother's ear, "he has got to go…"