003

The Turning of Creased Pages

August 24th, 2027

On Concrete Shelves | Revisited

PART THREE

Scene One; Stone Creek

Now Town; Stone Creek Police Station

Twisting the pen between his fingers, Chief Gideon Wilkinson, focuses on the movement of the plastic as it maneuvers between all four fingers of his left hand. It’s a trick he has done multiple times in his life. Usually when he is in his reflective state. He is a few days shy of his thirtieth anniversary as Chief of Police in Stone Creek. The years, they seem to have flown by just as quickly as it took for her children to grow up and start lives of their own.

Gideon remembers his very first shift as a rookie officer. 

It’s almost as visible as the day each of his two children were born, and the day that his adoptive father, Grady Wilkinson, was forced to retire after the revelation of a medical diagnosis, Alzheimer’s. He can feel the blood in his body begin to run cold as he tries to rip away from the memory, but the hold it has on his subconscious has seemingly done a number on him in the past.

After Grady was diagnosed the whispers began to echo around him; who would take up the reigns as Chief of Police? Tradition had been the outgoing Chief would have a heavy hand in the process, though, his father was beginning to have a harder time leaving the house with pants on.

As a rookie police officer Gideon felt like a fist of nerves. He was entangled in his own self-doubts and anxious energy. There was no way he would be appointed with the position — and yet, through chain of command and a contract written-up by Grady’s best friend, Ace Maverick, ten years later he would follow in his father’s footsteps.

Still, the he couldn’t shake the fist of nerves.

“Chief,” Detective Miles Fowler calls out to his father-in-law, this breaks Gideon from his trance and he offers the younger man an assuring smile. “I was calling out to you but you didn’t respond through the glass. Is everything alright?”

Gideon nods. “I was just some place else.” He admits. The pen now on a small stack of papers positioned center on his desk. He focuses on his most trusted man. “I’m sorry, what can I do for you today?”

“I actually have a personal favor to ask?” Miles leads.

He goes over and closes the office door and then moves back over to where he was, sitting in front of Gideon with his hands knotted together and his knuckles white. “Hattie has a recital tomorrow and I was wondering if I was able to step away for a few hours so that I can attend with Greta.”

This gets a huge, proud smile from Gideon. The thought of his granddaughter and her new found artistic expression gives him some comfort away from the deathly and fast-paced everyday of his own life.

“I’m so proud of that girl.” Gideon replies.

Miles nods his head. “Yeah. We really are too.”

Gideon notices the tension between Miles’ eyebrows, and the pulsing vein in his neck. There’s an uneasiness about this conversation that is making Miles feel on edge and intern it causes pause within Gideon himself.

“Family is the most important thing in life.” Gideon states, firmly. “I can’t tell you how many times I had to miss a recital, or a baseball game because of my work here. The smaller moments of life are what build into the greater moments. You best remember that.”

This creates a small sense of tension between the two. If almost as if Miles is now wondering the same thing about Gideon that he too is wondering about the other man. Miles eyes shift off focus. Which gives oxygen to the room once again. “Tell me what time the recital is, I think the whole lot of us should be there for her.”

“She’d like that.” Miles says.

Gideon feels the moment begin to shift out of tension, like a tire through a puddle of mud, inching out with every push. “Was there anything else that you needed to talk with me about? You seemed to inquire bit of privacy with the way you shut my office door like that.” He motions behind the two of them at the sealed door.

But turning to face Gideon, Miles has no other conversations left within him. “No, sir, I guess I didn’t know how you were going to react to me coming to you so last minute. I know that you’ve been harder on me more than the rest because of my relationship with your daughter…”

The older man sits forward and interrupts his son-in-law, “I’m harder on you than most because I need you to go home to my daughter, detective.”

Miles nods. “I understand Chief.”

Scene Two; Stone Creek

Now Town; Thurlow Industries

“This is the third time we’ve lost connection with them. Maybe we can try at a later time to get a more stable video, until then, we can have someone take notes for the team members in the Paris sector?” Vinessa Torsney states through pearly white teeth. 

She stands in front of everyone, next to Bentley Wilkinson whom is trying once again to make contact with Anita and Aidan through a monitor. It’s been thirty minutes since the meeting had started and the younger man has been fidgeting with the monitor ever since.

Vinessa tilts her head which makes her luscious brown curls bounce forward, though she still held the air in the room in a tight grip. “We can also regroup in a few hours but Castro and Avi have a flight to catch by tonight, isn’t that right boys?”

The gentlemen, whom have mostly kept quiet in the far corner of the room both nod in agreement. The older gentleman with the salt and pepper beard and the bluest eyes is the colder of the two, dressed in a stifling suit and tie combo that reeks of intimidation. The younger, Avi, pulls his lips into a tight grin and with his deep brown eyes looks at the rooms occupants.

Castro, the blue-eyed man, speaks, “I wouldn’t be able to have another in-person meeting until next month. The merger has us busy on our end as well, Mr. Thurlow.”

It’s now James’ turn to speak. 

Vinessa, with her arms folded across a green lace camisole and a crisp grey blazer moves her attention to him with her eyebrow raised.

“Very well then,” James starts, “I know that my mother wouldn’t want us to have to push the meeting back that far. That would also mean she’d have to stay in Paris for much longer than she would like. Isabelle,” he turns to the blonde on his right, “can you call my mother and let her know we can patch her in by old fashioned phone call if she’d like.”

“I’m already on it.” Isabelle says, she spins from her chair and moves closer to the door with her phone against her ear.

The room begins to find their seats. Vinessa moves over to Shannon Thurlow’s side and gives her elbow a gentle squeeze. “I’m glad that we are able to get everyone together again to smooth out some of the wrinkles for the merger. Thanks again for having me oversee everything.”

“Of course.” Shannon smiles.

“I’ve got her,” Isabelle interrupts, “Anita says she will take the meeting on speaker phone but she recommends if you’re going to speak, do so close to the receiver so she can hear everything.”

Isabelle surrenders her cell phone to the center of the conference table and sits back down in front of her laptop where she is taking notes.

There’s a collective nod from the group. “Perfect. So then let me get things started for today’s meeting,” Vinessa speaks, her voice a couple notches higher than before, “I just want everyone to come together and take a deep breath. I’m sure that both parties have their concerns about the merger and we are here to bring them all to light and talk them through.”

The sound of Isabelle typing hums in the background.

“On behalf of our CEO, we would like to discuss the proper realignment of all three companies.” Walter Castro inserts.

James moves forward. “There’s only the two companies merging.”

“With all due respect,” Avi finally speaks, “Thurlow-Jurado Overseas is entirely its own identity and it’s been run that way for a while now. From our point of view, that is.”

James clears his throat. “My father merged the two companies a long time ago. I can assure you that both companies have been operating as one entity for the last three decades. We’ve cross trained, merged financial reports and have one CEO…”

“Even still,” Castro speaks, “the profit that has come from each former company is enough to keep majority if the three companies merge. It’s reason to stand that there won’t be an equal stake in this for us. We would require a much more substantial standing here.”

“What does that mean?” Shannon snips.

“We’ve been instructed to leave here with James agreeing to be second-in-command after the merger with our CEO being a majority shareholder. That’s the only way Malinger will agree to the merger.”

Shannon scoffs. “Son of a bitch!”

Vinessa shoots her friend a look. “What Shannon means is this wasn’t in the contracts. I’ve overlooked everything and both parties agreed to equal parts in every way. If there were to be renegotiations I should’ve been aware of this so I could alert the Thurlow’s so that they can think this over. This information is more of an ambush than anything else.”

Castro challenges. “Then there’s no deal.”

This gets a chuckle from Vinessa. “That’s not how this works.”

“I think the gentlemen have made it more than clear of where there company stands,” James states, “I just want them to know that we don’t operate in such a way. There are things and processes that we abide by and I do hear what the both of you are saying. The information that you’ve brought forward is shocking, but understandable.”

“So then you agree to the new terms?” Avi asks.

“Dad…” Emmet slips.

James shakes his head. “If Malinger wants new terms then we will have to redo the entire contracts, and if we are to redo the entire contracts than we will make sure to define in those contracts that both Thurlow Industries and Thurlow-Jurado Overseas are two separate entities… do you know what that means for SRQ?”

Emmet raises his hand, suddenly enlightened. “That would be you two negotiating with more than just my father and if you want to get specific we can elect someone from our team to be a temporary CEO of TJO and that can stall everything.”

“I can step up for that.” Anita says over the phone.

“I’m not opposed, either,” Shannon challenges.

Vinessa takes a beat. She can tell that the meeting has definitely derailed entirely. But just as she practiced in front of the mirror in her hotel room, she steps forward, a smile across her face and lets out a breath of air. “I think as a whole the best option is to continue down the path that we initially agreed on. If we prolong the merger then we will be spending more money that either company wants to be spending.”

“Vinessa has a point there,” James replies, “I think I speak for my entire family that we are more than willing to extend this process if we have to. But we also don’t want to be difficult. There are people who work for our company that benefit from the merger more than we do and with their respect I would very much like to come to an agreement sooner rather than later.”

Shannon adds, “but we will fight if it’s needed.”

“Financially Thurlow Industries is a powerhouse here on the west coast.” Frank Nelson states, the eyes in the room shift to the suited man. “If we need to move away from this opportunity we will survive. I have, however, been looking into SRQ Industries and I have to be frank, myself,” he winks, “I don’t think your boss will be able to keep the company afloat by this time next year.”

“You have no way of knowing that.” Castro states.

Frank shrugs. “Maybe so, but I do know the market and even though the economy has taken a hit in the last several years it is heading for a giant upswing. Does SRQ have the resources to keep up with the demand? I’ve seen giants falter at the beginning of economic renaissance because of mishandling, do you want to make that bet?”

“They make sense, Castro,” Avi says. “I think you need to get Malinger on the line.”

“He’s away on business.” Castro grunts, a vein in his forehead pulsing in defeat.

Vinessa takes this information in and to her advantage. “So then let’s regroup here and talk about what really matters to both parties. Profitability and cohesiveness. Castro, you say that Malinger wants a more stable stake in things? James, you’re looking for a guaranteed bet to keep your people healthy. I think we can all come to the agreement that the initial terms are best for everyone involved.”

Castro takes a minute to respond, but nods in agreement.

Scene Three; Stone Creek

Sage Gardens; Wilkinson/Duarte Home

Greta Wilkinson Fowler parks her car and climbs out, turning back to grab her double-strap leather bag. Though she has been in a fit all morning after her conversation with Lark, she still takes the time to remember when Miles surprised her with the bag. If only for a minute.

Then she was back on course. 

Finding out that her uncle was the one that stopped the market deal that could’ve been the best thing for her business… well, that’s something that she can’t let go. So she closed out her meeting early and had Lark rescheduled any of her prior meetings. Greta tried her uncle's cell a few times before she opted to just show up at the house she sold him when he arrived in town during COVID. How ironic now, she thinks, how helping her own family find their footing was now biting herself in the ass.

“Greta, honey,” Mona Duarte Wilkinson hums, she is emerging from the giant brick home that she and her husband own, “I didn’t know that you were stopping by. I’m on my way to the hospital now to meet with some patients.”

Trying to keep her composure, the younger woman pulls a smile on her face. “That’s fine aunt Mona. I was actually here to see my uncle. We have a few things to discuss.” Greta says, she storms past the older woman.

“Well he’s not here.” Mona turns on her heel. “Honey, is there something that you would like to share with me? Maybe why you’re so adamant on storming through my front door with a target on my husband’s head?”

This stops Greta. 

Instead of continuing her failed coop, she moves back closer to her aunt and bites her tongue. Greta remembers when she learned that her uncle Corey and Mona had been dating since childhood. Even when she heard about the boating accident that sent her uncle into a decade long coma she still couldn’t believe that Mona stood by his side so strongly. But as she stood in front of her with her arms folded and her lips pursed it was in this moment she discovered Mona’s determination to stand by his side.

“There’s just a few things that we need to talk about.”

Mona tilts her head and furrows her brow. “You can tell me anything that you need to discuss with my husband, Greta.”

“With all due respect —“

Mona stops her. “When you found us this house, we were eternally grateful. I was hesitant at first at uprooting our entire lives just so that we could watch over our daughter. Especially since she chose to start her medical career in Stone Creek — close to so much family. I didn’t think we needed to hold her so close. But Corey reminded me that life is not only about constant change but also about unexpected coincidences.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Greta replies.

This gets a smirk from Mona. “I’m going to be late for work. Your uncle isn’t home right now, anyways, he said something about a meeting uptown. I would hope that you’d leave him out of whatever mess you’ve got yourself into.”

Greta huffs. “I didn’t get myself into any sort of messes. In fact, there was a very important client that I was doing business with that backed out. So I was trying to find my uncle to try and sort it through.”

“What does your client have to do with my husband?”

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.” Greta bites back.

There’s a tension that gathers between the two women. The sound of the apple watch on her aunts right wrist dings with a message before either one of them makes any other movements. Greta catches a glimpse of it when Mona brings it to her wrist and then makes the move back to her car.

“Greta!” Mona calls out.

But Greta has already found the information that she needed from the glimpse at the watch and has made her way back into her car and put the key in the ignition. Greta now knows exactly where her uncle is.

Our Love. Our Fights. Our Friendships.

On Concrete Shelves.

Forever, They Shall Be Remembered.

Scene Four; Stone Creek

Sage Gardens; Langford Willow Inn

Kirsten Thurlow Sutton pulls the oversized Gucci shades from over her eyes and places them upon her romp of blonde hair she had twirled into a bun. If this was something she hadn’t done before, she would have more nerves about her. But unfortunately she has stepped foot in this motel a few times, recently at that. Kirsten moves into the motel room and shuts the door quickly behind her, the sound of the faucet in the bathroom alerts her that she isn’t alone.

Which, also, isn’t something new for her of recent months. 

There’s a pain deep inside she can’t pin point. Though, if she was honest with herself she would categorize it as guilt. Having had both conversation with her husband, and then with her daughter this morning only satiated the pain.

Kirsten shakes the thought from her mind. After the interrogation by her daughter, Megan, she was lucky enough to leave the conversation unscathed. Immediately afterward she sent out a quick text for Adrian Stone to meet her here. It felt so silly and strange but the feelings she has harbored for her best friend all these years came pummeling back last Summer and something inside of her just… jumped.

The bathroom door opens, revealing Adrian Stone in the doorway. “I’ve been waiting for you to arrive. That text message seemed urgent.”

“This is urgent.” Kirsten bites.

Adrian stands straight, clears his throat and nods, “by the sound of your tone and the way your eyes are starting to gloss over I can tell that it is. Would you rather us sit down so that you can tell me what’s going on?”

“I don’t know how you’re going to react when I tell you this. I don’t even know where to begin with this conversation.”

“Maybe you should just explain to me why we are here in this sleepy motel room again after we said the last time was the last time? That sounds like the perfect place to start for me, Kirsten and I’m being serious here. If someone catches us here on this side of town — and especially like this… could ruin both of our families.”

Kirsten pushes back the dread. “I wouldn’t let that happen. We have been really good at covering our tracks, Adrian. Besides, I had that homeless lady book the room again in exchange for her to use it after we leave.”

“You really think of everything.” Adrian scoffs.

“I have to think of everything because you don’t seem to do that!” Kirsten bites back. “I mean,” she stops herself to regain her composure. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just glad that we’ve both come to the agreement that this has to come to an end.”

“Which is exactly why we agreed that from here on out we only meet in open locations; family events and birthday parties or at work… where you’re my boss, might I add.” Adrian replies. “I know that something is bothering you, Kirsten. It’s written all over your face.”

She smirks. “It is pretty hard to keep things from you.”

“We’ve been friends since we were in junior high. You have to know that even if we hadn’t had the affair I would’ve still been so in-tune to your feelings and emotions. There’s no one in this world that I know better than myself — that includes Gail, actually.”

“I can’t believe you said that.”

“It’s true.” He replies earnestly. “Do you remember that Summer before Gail moved back to town, right before our freshman year? I fixed up that old dirt bike and we took it up to Boulstridge Mountain nearly every day.”

This garners a chuckle from Kirsten. “Yeah, I had to sneak out of the house. When my father found out he nearly killed you —“

“But he didn’t.” Adrian replies. “Instead, he offered me a job at the lumber yard for the duration of the Summer so that I could save-up money to — and I quote ‘to buy yourself something that won’t get my daughter killed’ he then asked me not to let you sneak out of the house anymore.”

Kirsten nods. “So that’s why you started picking me up at my front door.”

“Yeah. He went and done something great for me, something that not even my own parents would’ve done and thirty years later here we are… doing something that I never thought that I would be doing.”

The pain that had subdued while they were on memory lane has resurfaced and this time she feels it deeper in her gut. “Adrian…”

“No. Kirsten. We aren’t these people.” He responds. “We were never these people before and we have families that we both love very much. I think this has to be the last time that we do this. This has to be the last time that we meet here, like this.”

She goes to open her mouth, but nothing comes out.

Adrian locks eyes with her. “This has to be the end of us.”

“I’m pregnant.” Kirsten blurts.

Scene Five; Stone Creek

Now Town; Sutton Corporation

“What you’re proposing for the future of this company doesn’t align with our great grandfather’s legacy.” Kimberly Sutton says, she moves around the conference table and stands before the team that surrounds Lindy Llewellyn Yu.

The woman stares at Kimberly stone-faced. “Sometimes all you need is a change.”

“Tell that to my ex. Husband,” Kimberly retorts, “listen, I love change as much as the next person, alright? After my father marrying me off to every John, Dick and Larry that owns land or a company he needed out of the way… I would love to kick the patriarchy and start-up my own family legacy.”

“So then what’s stopping you?”

Kimberly pauses, she looks at her nephew who returns a mortified look her way. She knows that she is on a balancing bar right now. The thought of swaying one way and showing her cards to Lindy can prove to be detrimental for Sutton Co. going forward. Though, by the way Lindy keeps giving her rope she can’t help but tug.

“Do you know how many board members have deep connections here in Stone Creek? They practically grew up with my father and his father before him. It was hard enough getting my brother out of the company —“

“Not that hard.” Lindy quips.

The hairs on the back of Kimberly’s neck rise up. “Well it’ll be harder to steer this boat in the opposite direction. I can promise you that much. If we really want to start making big moves within Sutton Co. then you’d want to be able to fight.”

“I’m not trying to fight. I just thought, you know? Kimberly Sutton had more balls than this.” Lindy replies. “When you wanted to oust that burly imbecile I said, sure. Let’s do it. On one condition.”

Lindy raises one finger. “But now that one condition seems to be locked behind many doors and yet I am still here because I really want to help you.”

Kimberly gulps. “I’m not saying we can’t do it… I’m just saying it’s going to be —“

“Hard. Yes. But not impossible.”

“I think,” Peter Sutton, Jr. speaks up, “what my dear aunt is trying to explain to you is that we would need a few months in order to start making these deals with your suppliers. Especially if we are going to be doing business outside of the country.”

“Do you not trust me?” Lindy perks.

Peter leans forward. “We trust you. But I can’t say the same for our board members.”

This gets a coo from Lindy. “Must I remind you once again that you weren’t so concerned with them when we started the takeover. It’s been a few years now and I think it’s time that we start talking about expansion. You should be excited about that. More money to line your pockets.”

Lindy then turns to Kimberly. “Or would you rather that I go find you a new husband so that you can re-live that trauma you keep talking about?”

“That’s not funny.”

“I’m not laughing.” Lindy looks between the two of them. “I would like it if we kept this allegiance on the positive side. Happy, happy. I would love for the two of you to be on the right side of this jackpot. Everyone could be a winner.”

She always knew that getting into bed with someone like Lindy would be a gamble. There’s a draft within the board room that must be coming from an a/c unit above her somewhere. Kimberly does everything to keep her cool. She’s never been the type to hold in her emotions in this way. So instead of grabbing the nearest object and committing murder she smiles with a nod and turns to her nephew.

“We can start with the board. I think we would need to butter them up a little bit but we know how much they love money and if Lindy is correct — which she has been so far, this deal would produce lots of money. So we would be fools not to re-direct this ship.”

Lindy smiles, she clasps her hands together. “I don’t think I see one fool at this table.”

She extends her hand out and curls her lips into what appears to be some sort of smile. This unnerves Kimberly even more than when the meeting began.

Scene Six; Stone Creek

Now Town; Stone Creek Police Station

“I think that’s a great idea.” Gideon Wilkinson speaks. 

Detective Laurie Nelson stands before him. Her brown hair slick back into a tight ponytail, and even with little-to-no make-up she still has a youthful look to her as she approaches her late thirties. 

Laurie smiles proudly. “I figured at this point we should start broadening the questioning around the latest crime scene. I know it’s been over a month since we found the body but there has to have been something that we missed out there.”

“I’m not questioning your judgement detective. I think you’ve got a great sense about you.” He replies. “When you first came to me about making detective I really wasn’t sure of where your head was. To tell the truth, after you came storming back to town I didn’t know how great of an idea it would be.”

“I do apologize for the intensity that I presented when I moved back home.” Laurie says. “It was really hard to get my life back after what had happened between my husband and I. Honestly, I didn’t think I would take it as hard as I did.”

Gideon can see her emotions change, like a wheel as it turns. “We all surprise ourselves when faced with adversity.”

They link eyes. “Thank you, Chief. I will start by reaching out to the list of witnesses to see if maybe they have something that they remembered and then I will expand the perimeter to see if anyone had seen Lacey before the jog — or even passed her along the path that morning.”

“Run things by Edith at the front desk as well to see if she has an updated list of numbers for you.” Gideon suggests.

Laurie nods. “I will. Thank you, Chief.”

She turns on her heel and heads for the door just as it opens up to reveal Daphne Wilkinson with a huge smile. “Daphne!” Laurie leans in and gives the older woman a hug.

“Look at you, darling!” Daphne laughs. “I remember when you were just a teenager running around in a pair of overalls and racing dirt bikes on the outskirts of town. To see you now and how much help you’ve been to my husband. I couldn’t thank you enough!”

“What do I owe the pleasure?” Gideon smiles from behind Laurie.

Daphne waves her hand and lifts a bag before her. “I was just stopping by to drop off your favorite dish from Gladys’ on my way back to the hospital.”

“I should head out.” Laurie says, making her way to the door.

Gideon calls out to her. “Let me know how everything goes as soon as you’re able to find a lead.”

“I will, Chief.”

He then focuses on his wife. “Now that we have some time alone, how about we sit down and enjoy each other’s company. I’m sure you have a few minutes to spend with your husband before you’ve got to head back to the hospital.”

“I think I can spare some time.” Daphne replies.

Gideon pulls her in for a kiss. “Your grand daughter has a recital tomorrow.”

This information stops Daphne from sitting down at her husband’s desk. “I already knew that, I’m surprise you didn’t.. I put it on our calendar. But of course you never check that so I should’ve known.”

This illicit a chuckle from him. “That last time I looked at that calendar the year had a few nine’s in it.”

“One of these days you’re going to look at that calendar and notice how much time has passed you by, you know that?” Daphne replies, she takes her husband’s hand in hers. “Do you remember when Greta came to me and asked me what it was like living with someone behind the badge? I told her that sometimes you get used to them not being there but you never get used to waiting for them to come home.”

“I have done a lot better at coming home.”

Daphne smiles. “That you have. Yet you haven’t checked my calendar in two decades so I guess the more things change the more they stay the same.” With a sigh she changes the subject. “How are things going here at the station?”

“I can’t complain.” Gideon replies. “As you can see, Laurie is really carving out a name for herself around here and I’ve made sure that Miles has been making it home in time for supper with Greta and the kids.”

Daphne nods. “You know, honey, the nurses talk around the hospital. They say that Lacey wasn’t the only woman that has been found in that way. You know?” 

He can tell she means what she means. There’s a solemn look that his wife gives him. It makes his heart thud louder just thinking about what Daphne had been through when she was dating Rodney Burnett in college. It’s the same look she gave Gideon when they found out that Rodney was hanging around and stalking her when she was pregnant with Bentley…

It’s the same look she gave him after they rescued Daphne, Greta and Cassie Lakhani after Rodney had taken them hostage.

Gideon holds her hand tighter. “I will always be here for you if you need anything, my love.”

There’s a pause between the two of them, if only for a minute.

“I just keep getting this feeling that he’s back, somehow. But that is impossible because Cassie killed him in self defense.” Daphne states. “That doesn’t stop me from looking over my shoulder every now and then. What he did to Emily — what he almost did to our daughter.”

“He was stopped. Thanks to Cassie.” Gideon reminds her.

Daphne nods, a glimpse of a smile. “I’m so happy that we have these moments. What those girls had been through, god knows what Lacey had gone through before her death. I can’t imagine. I just hope that you can catch whoever did it because the nightmares are getting bad again when you’re not sleeping next to me.”

“I will be home tonight, I promise.”

“It shouldn’t have to be this way.” Daphne says. “We shouldn’t have to be this way.”

.:On Concrete Shelves:.

Scene Seven; Stone Creek

Now Town; Sisyphean's

There’s a rage built inside Greta, far greater than when she first found out that her uncle Corey had been sneaking behind her back and making deals with clients that she had already started contracts with. It felt so vile. Not the fact that her clients took a different deal than what she had offered them to begin with… but because the deal was with a family member that she thought she could trust.

Greta stomps down the pavement and into the building.

After her encounter with her aunt Mona earlier in the day, she made a call to Lark at the office to see where their client was to hopefully make a counter offer. The good thing about having Lark around was her connections within the city, call it a hunch but after Lark was able to track down their client, it wasn’t too hard to piece things together.

Stepping off of the elevator at the top floor, she blows past the groups of people waiting in the lobby to Sisyphean’s and halts to a stop as the hostess steps into her path. 

“Excuse me,” the young redhead says, her piercing green eyes starring daggers at Greta, “you need to check-in with me for a table.”

This gets a smile from Greta. “I’m not looking for a table. I’m looking for a person.”

“I’m calling security.” The hostess states as Greta blows past her and straight towards the man she has in her eyesight. 

Of course, her uncle has no idea that he is about to be approached by her in this moment he has his back towards her as he makes conversation with Greta’s client, Georgia. This isn’t the most professional thing she’s ever done. To tell the truth her nerves have started to boil up. 

The thought of confronting anyone, let alone her uncle is starting to sink in. The rage and adrenaline she had coursing through her body had started to subside but once the older man turned around to face her she felt it return.

“Greta, how—“

Greta shakes her head. “We need to talk about a few things.”

The words are harsh and she means for them to sound that way. She looks between the two people at the table. There’s definitely an uneasiness between the three of them now and she can feel her cheeks begin to flush.

“I don’t think this is the time or place.”

“He’s right.” Georgia Kettner, her client, speaks.

Greta looks around to see that many of the patrons in the restaurant have now started to close out their conversations and begin anew with the trio in mind. Which adds to the pressure she has had built up in the moment.

“No. I have practiced this stupid speech since the moment that I found out the truth!” Greta says, matter-of-factly. “How dare you go behind my back and steal my contract!” She then turns to Georgia. “And what were you thinking deciding to switch things up on me?” 

“It’s business, Greta,” Georgia starts.

But she has none of it. “I don’t care if that is how you do business, but thats not how I do it. We grew together, Georgia. We don’t do these things to each other. You know how hard I have worked at this. How much I put into my agency and how much work we put into building this contract!”

“Again,” Georgia says, a little heated, “this isn’t the place to have this conversation.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am,” a man approaches, she does little to pay him any mind although she assumes he must be the security that the hostess had threatened her with. “I must ask you to leave.”

Greta turns to him. “I will not!”

When he approaches her to remove her from the room, her uncle lifts himself from his chair and steps between the two of them.

“You will not remove my niece like she’s some kind of criminal.” Corey states.

“I don’t need you to come to my rescue! Especially after you just stabbed me in the back. I thought family was supposed to be there for one another. When I went to tell you about the contract that I had just obtained last month I thought I could go to you in confidence!”

He shakes his head up and down. “I have always looked out for you, but I also have my own business and contracts to deal with and my superiors thought it best that we acquire this set of properties. I should’ve warned you yes but I figured after the deal was set I would find you something better.”

“What are you even talking about?” Greta snips. “This was supposed to be my better. Don’t you understand that? I have been slaving away day and night to keep the agency going. This was the biggest contract that I had and I thought having a friend on the inside would be a great thing!”

Georgia slips into her seat.

“But now I am standing in a restaurant making a complete fool of myself in front of people who can’t even see how much this meant to me.” Greta turns to Georgia. “So maybe I didn’t have a friend on the inside and maybe I don’t have family that wants the best for me. I guess it’s better that I found out in the first place.”

“Ma’am, I am going to have to ask you to leave.” The security guard says once again.

Greta groans. “This isn’t over.”

“I will help you find something else.” Corey speaks up.

But Greta waves him off, completely deflated. “I don’t need your help, I don’t need either of you to help me out today, or in the future! Will figure this out for myself. I just hope that you understand the level of trust you just destroyed in the matter of weeks uncle Corey.”

Scene Eight; Stone Creek

Now Town; Thurlow Industries

Bentley Wilkinson is picking up the remaining packets and brochures from the meeting earlier between Thurlow Industries and SRQ Industries, he ponders if his little stint earlier had legs to grow into a bigger issue for his employer, James Thurlow. He knows that but companies stand to gain a lot if they merge, he however, still has a gut feeling that someone is going to lose more than the other.

“I can grab those,” Vinessa Torsney says, moving back into the room and taking the paperwork from Bentley, “there’s no need to have someone so brilliant be doing the grunt work around here. Leave that to me.”

He can feel himself blushing. “I was just trying to do anything that I could to help out.”

“Well,” Vinessa says, she grabs the last of the papers and holds them close to her chest, “from what I have seen, Bentley, you’ve done an incredible job with bringing Thurlow forward into the next era. Not a lot of legacy companies can continue to evolve in the way that Thurlow Industries has and it’s thanks to your Go Green Initiative.”

“I don’t think it was all me.”

Vinessa flashes him a smile. “Take compliments when they come, because from what I have seen working with titans such as these two companies, compliments are usually far and few between. Sometimes they come with ulterior motives.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Bentley replies.

She pats his left arm and then explains she needs to unload all the papers with her interns before leaving for the day. The sound of her stiletto heels give a sense of relief to the younger man as he stands in the room alone.

A knock at the doorway causes him to turn around.

“Aunt Isabelle,” Bentley greets, a kiss to her cheek and a hug, “I thought you already left for the day after the meeting we just had.”

“That was a hard one today, yes,” Isabelle admits, “but I don’t think we are anywhere in the danger zone so I figured I would go looking for you and we can go grab some food to celebrate? Maybe we can see if Olivia is free as well?”

Bentley nods. “I would like that a lot. I still keep thinking about the hostile meeting I roped you into this morning. I would really like a distraction from all that chaos.”

“That wasn’t chaos Benny. You were only trying to protect all your hard work over the last few years. I admire the ambition that you have towards this project and the people that you have relying on you to continue it. I know that James would be proud of that.”

His aunt is actually circling a thought he has had in the back of his mind since the meeting took place this morning. “Do you think I should talk to James about this morning?”

“I think it’s worth a thought.” Isabelle replies.

“It’s been more than just a thought in my mind all day.” Bentley admits.

“Well then, in that case I really think you should talk to James about it then. If it’s something that has been occupying your mind and keeping you distracted then it needs to be brought up. James isn’t the kind of man to turn friends to enemies over things like this. However, you might see that you both have more common interests than you think.”

Bentley nods. “Then I will see if he is available to have the conversation.”

Isabelle pulls her nephew in for a hug, and upon releasing him she smiles. “You will have to have that meeting with him tomorrow, though, because I’m pretty sure he has already left for the day.”

“I don’t blame him after that debate with the guys from SRQ.”

“Yeah.” Isabelle scoffs. “The nerve those two had.”

The intensity of the meeting earlier made his private meeting this morning seem docile. Even still, it wasn’t enough to occupy his mind. “Do you think they’re going to get what their boss wants?”

“Vinessa won’t let that happen.” Isabelle replies with confidence.

Scene Nine; Stone Creek

Now Town; Sutton Corporation

There’s a picture on her desk; her sister Isobel had wrapped her lanky arms around Catalina’s shoulders, the biggest, goofiest smile upon the then ten year old's face was always the motivation for Catalina to continue on. After Isobel had died, Catalina felt the pull of determination get even stronger. She thinks back to pulling the gun on Penelope Wilkinson after learning the woman had caused the accident that claimed her sister's life.. and then the unconventional friendship between herself and Penelope before the older woman passed away during COVID.

Now, she once again feels alone.

Sure, she has Peter to keep her company. It just felt so surface level between the two of them, even though she has chosen to open up — Peter keeps most of his emotions at an arms length and Catalina doesn’t feel the strength to reach.

A slight knock at her office door causes Catalina to look up. Standing in the doorway is Lindy Llewellyn Yu. Instantly Catalina regrets not locking the door to keep others at bay.

“What are you doing down here?” Catalina asks; her office was on the ground floor in the far back of the building near the loading docks. There was no need for Lindy to be this far bellow her pedestal. 

Lindy smiles. A gesture that causes Catalina’s blood to run cold. Then Lindy moves closer to her and unfolds her arms. “I was looking for you after the meeting upstairs. Though as soon as the meeting was over, you just scurried away like a little spider.”

“I have a lot of paperwork to get done.” Catalina responds. 

“This will only take a minute.”

Catalina thinks it over. “Maybe we can schedule a meeting for tomorrow. There are still a lot of contracts and receiving documents I have to look over before tomorrow morning. If we schedule a meeting for tomorrow you will have my full attention.”

She hopes that Lindy will take the bait.

“I don’t mind. Not having your full attention, I mean.” Lindy coos. “You know. The two of us have a lot in common. We’re both strong businesswomen just trying to do our parts to keep on top in a male centric world.”

Catalina drops her pen. “I’m not interested in forming a girls club or trying to decode any of your riddles today, Lindy.”

“So hostile.”

“So busy.” Catalina retorts. She keeps her eye on the open doorway behind Lindy and can make out a few works walking by which gives her a little bit more reassurance. “Catch me up quickly, please.”

“I know that you’ve done some unthinkable things in your past to get to where you are right now. I have done some things too.” Lindy says.

Catalina clears her throat. “You shouldn’t say things out loud that you wouldn’t want to be repeated.” She motions behind Lindy at the busy office space; a truck can be hear backing up into the large open space, a few workers talking loudly over machines that are whirring and belts that are pulling boxes to their destination for the night.

Lindy makes a squirming noise and dances her long nails against Catalina’s desk. “Maybe you are right. Maybe I should make a meeting for tomorrow. We can further discuss what proposals I have for you.”

“I’m not budging, Lindy.”

The other woman leans forward. “You might not be budging my dear, but that still doesn’t mean you’re not moving backwards. I think you should keep your ears open and maybe not just your legs. How is Peter doing these days?”

This causes Catalina mixed emotions; anger boils to the top, but doubt and embarrassment also begin to pour in. She takes a deep breath and leans back into her office chair. It is true that sleeping with Peter helped in her getting to where she is now. In essence though, her betraying Patrick was what helped Peter get to where he was now… and yet. Here Catalina is feeling as lonely as ever.

Catalina looks at the picture of her sister and herself, reflecting doubt right back at her as she ponders Lindy’s words.

On Concrete Shelves

Revisited

Next Time, On Concrete Shelves...

• Lindy Llewellyn Yu's words begin to seap into Catalina Cortez as she makes a move that could be counter productive for her own motives.
• Marina Thurlow Bauer is contemplating the offer from her step-mother, Caitlyn, and the words of encouragement from Diem Joplin on what path she should choose going forward now that Henry will be starting school soon.
• The Wilkinson family continues to see hostility as words begins to get out that Corey Wilkinson stole a very important client from his niece, Greta. Where will everyone fall as the news travels around.
• Detective Laurie Nelson Jonas starts to look deeper into Lacey Jane Kettner's last whereabouts in order to prove to the Chief of Police she is worthy of her newest promotion... but what will she stumble across in the process...

[ Previous Episode 002 | Next Episode 004 ]