Chapter 536
ALAMAIN INDUSTRIES
NICHOLAS: Morning, Hadley. Hope you slept...Aunt Viv?
Vivian stood up and kissed Nicholas on the cheek.
VIVIAN: Hello, Nicky.
NICHOLAS: I was wondering why I didn’t see you at the mansion this morning while I was getting ready.
VIVIAN: Well, I’ve been seeing so little of you lately, since I know you’re busy at work. So, I thought I would come and surprise you, darling. I had Ivan drive me over early enough so he would be back in time to bring you here.
NICHOLAS: Well, that’s very nice. Hadley, could you bring me a coffee, please? Anything for you, Aunt Viv?
VIVIAN: Tea would be lovely, thank you.
HADLEY: Y-yes, sir.
Hadley quickly left the room.
NICHOLAS: Wonder what’s up with her this morning. She seems jumpy.
VIVIAN: Oh, that’s my fault, I’m afraid. I got to your office shortly before your little assistant. When she came in, I was admiring the view of Salem from this office, and had my back turned to the door. When I heard the door open, thinking it was you, I turned around quickly. I’m afraid I rather gave the poor girl a bit of a fright. She nearly jumped out of her skin.
NICHOLAS: I see.
Nicholas furrowed his brow slightly.
VIVIAN: Is there a problem, Nicky?
NICHOLAS: No, no problems.
VIVIAN: I’m very glad to hear of it.
Nicholas nodded, and looked at his watch.
NICHOLAS: You’ll have to excuse me, Aunt Viv, I’ve got a meeting in ten minutes.
VIVIAN: Oh, of course. I’ll just be right here when you get back. Perhaps we could have lunch, if you haven’t got any big plans.
NICHOLAS: Lunch would be good.
VIVIAN: Excellent. Well, good luck, darling. Though, f course, you won’t need it.
NICHOLAS: Thank you.
Vivian kissed Nicholas on the cheek. Nicholas picked up some papers and walked down the hall. Hadley joined him, and handed him a cup of coffee.
NICHOLAS: What did I walk in on just then?
HADLEY (whispering): She knows.
NICHOLAS: What?
HADLEY: She knows! About last night. I don’t know how, but somehow, she knows about us!
NICHOLAS: This way.
Nicholas led Hadley into an empty conference room, shutting the door behind them.
NICHOLAS: What did Aunt Viv actually say?
HADLEY: I don’t know, it all happened so fast. She was there when I came in. One minute, we were making small talk, the next, she’s asking about my intentions with you and going on about how she has eyes everywhere here and she thinks I seduced you.
NICHOLAS: All right. All right, I think I see what’s going on now.
HADLEY: What are we gonna do?
SALEM P.D.
Eric sat in Hope’s office.
ERIC: Thank you for agreeing to see me on such short notice.
HOPE: No problem. I’m always happy to see you. Though, I suspect that this isn’t just a social call.
ERIC: You’re right there.
HOPE: What’s going on?
ERIC: I need your help finding someone, a child who was stolen from a young mother who’s staying at the Horton Center.
HOPE: Can you tell me who the mother is?
ERIC: Since she’s eighteen, yes. Jade Michaels.
HOPE: One of the girls Ciara and Chase went to school with.
ERIC: That’s the one. Around the time they graduated from high school, Jade left town with her one and a half year old daughter. Her name is Emerald Alexandrite Michaels, but Jade calls her Emmy most of the time. They went to stay win an aunt of Jade’s in Columbus, Ohio, but things didn’t work out. The aunt kicked Jade out, and refused to let Emmy leave. Jade returned to town a few days ago.
HOPE: Okay. Did Jade tell you what her aunt’s name is?
ERIC: Simone.
HOPE: Last name Michaels?
ERIC: I doubt it, Simone is her mother’s sister.
HOPE: Do you know if Jade would be willing to come in and speak with me? I’d like to get some details on Simone and Emmy. Actually, I’m surprised you didn’t bring her with you today.
ERIC: I tried, but she wasn’t up to going. However, I will try again.
HOPE: Okay.
Hope sighed.
HOPE: Here’s the thing, Eric, I want to help. I know how horrible it is to have a child taken from you. However, Columbus is a long way out of my jurisdiction. Much as I want to bring this woman in and return the child to her mother, I have no power over there.
ERIC: So, there’s nothing you can do?
HOPE: I didn’t say that. I may not have any authority in Columbus, but I know someone who does. I’ll get in touch with them, fill them in on the situation, and they’ll have to take it from there.
ERIC: I understand. And I will talk to Jade about talking to you.
HOPE: Good. Hopefully, my contact at Columbus P.D. will be able to track this woman and the child down.
ERIC: Thank you, Aunt Hope.
Meanwhile, in Abe’s office, he, Brandon, Nicole and Daniel were talking. Nicole handed Abe the cup that Dante had used earlier.
ABE: I’ll have the tests run on this as soon as possible.
NICOLE: So long as they’re not run by University Hospital, fine by me.
ABE: University Hospital has a fine lab.
NICOLE: I think your definition of fine is different than mine, I don’t call having the award for most paternity, and in a few cases, maternity switches in the world fine.
Daniel put a hand on Nicole’s shoulder.
ABE: Well, be assured, Nicole, we will get this done. Promptly. With the results from this, along with the recordings we have from those bugged earrings provided by the ISA, we should soon have enough to arrest both Dante and Green.
NICOLE: I appreciate the help, I just wish I shared your optimism. This is all seeming a little too easy, and from my experience, nothing is ever easy when it comes to Green.
