Chapter 526
NICOLE & DANIEL’S APARTMENT
Daniel and Nicole sat down on the couch.
DANIEL: You might wanna start from the beginning.
NICOLE: That creep you saw me talking to when you walked in, he was my father’s business partner. His name is Artōrius Green. My father wasn’t very good with money. Big shock, right? Anyway, he met Green, who he saw as a financial wizard, and asked him to help fund a “project” or two. There was some creative financing at the beginning, again, big shock, but they eventually set up a film studio together. While my father was the main actor, director, writer and producer, Green took care of the financials and camera work.
DANIEL: Wow. So, this guy..
NICOLE: Is every bit as disgusting as my so-called father, with the exception that he never “tested the merchandise”. Now he’s apparently hired Dante, made him look similar enough to my father, and is planning on using him to make my life a living hell.
DANIEL: Well, he isn’t gonna be able to do that.
NICOLE: You’re damn right he’s not. I’m gonna make sure Green pays for everything he put me and all those other girls through. First step, gonna talk to Abe first thing in the morning.
DANIEL: Wow. Nicole Walker cooperating with the police. I’m impressed.
NICOLE: Well, let’s just say that you and my brother have been good influences on me, much as I may hate to admit it.
DANIEL: You say that as if it’s a bad thing.
NICOLE: That’s up for debate.
Nicole winked at Daniel.
NICOLE: But what’s not is that I love you. And I am gonna do whatever it takes to get this guy out of our lives for good, even if that does mean cooperating with the Salem P.D. Now, for a moment, let’s forget about Green and Dante. I have other plans for tonight, and my brother shouldn’t be home for a little while.
DANIEL: Well, I gotta say, I’m liking the sound of this.
Nicole pulled Daniel into a passionate kiss.
CHEZ ROUGE
Philip was sitting at a table across from Tony.
PHILIP: It was risky using that e-mail address, especially since my partners don’t know about the situation.
TONY: Well, pardon me, but you’re the one who gave me that e-mail address. If you didn’t want me to use it, you could have said so. Now, which e-mail address would you prefer that I use?
Philip slid a piece of paper across the table.
PHILIP: This one.
Tony looked at the paper and pocketed it.
TONY: Very well.
PHILIP: So, remind me again why we can’t let Jody or Vic know about the situation?
TONY: Oh, come now, Philip. You’re a smart man. The more people that know about this, the more risky it is, and the less chance we have of taking down Alamain Industries by surprise. Also, I don’t think we can trust your partners.
PHILIP: I don’t know. They did good work while I was gone, and I’m impressed by what I’ve seen since I got back.
TONY: They’re still children. Or, at least, they act like it. I’m not telling Chad about it, either. The fewer people know about this, the better.
PHILIP: If you say so.
TONY: You doubt me?
PHILIP: No, of course not. What you’re saying makes perfect sense. I just wish we could start getting this thing going, already.
TONY: As do I, but these things take time. Patience, my young friend, is a virtue, as they say.
Philip nodded.
TONY: Once the time comes, I will be sure to let you know.
PHILIP: Okay.
Philip finished his drink and stood up.
PHILIP: Well, thanks for meeting with me.
TONY: No trouble.
Tony and Philip shook hands, then Philip walked away. A few minutes later, Tony was joined by someone else.
TONY: You’re late.
NICHOLAS: Sorry, traffic. Now, what’s this all about?
SALEM UNIVERSITY
CIARA: I honestly would rather not have anything to do with her.
TAWNA: I understand where you’re coming from, but like I said, I can’t do it right away.
CIARA: No, I get that. What about the other R.A., though?
TAWNA: Gilmore? No, Rayne Gilmore won’t be able to help you.
CIARA: Why not?
TAWNA: She just won’t be able to. Now, look, it’s not that I don’t wanna help you, but like I said, it’s going to take some time. Can you please at least try to make it work for a few days? That’s all I’m asking, a few days.
CIARA: Okay, I guess.
TAWNA: Thank you.
Ciara walked out of the room. Trix was waiting for her. She kissed Ciara on the cheek.
TRIX: How’d it go?
Ciara hugged Trix.
CIARA: Looks like I’m gonna have to put up with Noelle. At least, for a few days.
TRIX: She wouldn’t help you?
CIARA: No, she will, she just can’t right away. She says she’s swamped with stuff right now, which I get, and she’ll make the switch after the semester starts.
TRIX: Gotcha. You know, I am rooming with the other R.A. I could ask her if she could do anything.
CIARA: If you wanted, I guess, but Tawna already said that Rayne wouldn’t be able to help me either, for the same reason.
TRIX: Well, how does she know that?
Ciara shrugged.
CIARA: No idea. She got kinda weird when I brought up Rayne, though.
TRIX: How d’you mean?
CIARA: I can’t really describe it, she just seemed a little off when I mentioned her, that’s all.
TRIX: You think there’s bad blood between those two?
CIARA: No idea. I might want to find out, though.
TRIX: Well, I’m sorry that you have to share a room with Noelle.
CIARA: Thanks. Let’s just forget her for now, though, and get some food. I’m starving. There’s gotta be some place that’s serving food on campus already.
TRIX: Sounds good to me.
Trix put an arm around Ciara and the two walked off.
