The Web

Sonny listened as Luke explained to him what was going on. Given the nature of his business, there were few things in life that shocked him, but he had to admit that what Luke was telling him blew his mind. "You should have killed that bitch when you had the chance!"
No words were truer spoken. Luke had thought the same thing a thousand times during the trip from Amsterdam to Rouen, where the Titan docked. Nikolas had arranged for a private medical van to transport them into Paris. Luke had called Sonny because he needed answers, and there was only so much he could do from abroad. He also needed discretion as well as muscle.
He had never been beyond calling on Sonny when he needed a favor.
"Trust me, Man," he said, assuringly. "When I find her, she’s going to be dealt with once and for all. Even Nikolas has stepped up to the plate."
Sonny didn’t offer to help with the handling of Helena Cassadine. He knew Luke would take care of her, but he knew Luke needed something.
"This drug you need to replicate," he said. "What do you need? Money? A chemist...a lab? Tell me, and it’s done." There were few woman in the world who Sonny admired. Laura Spencer was one of the few. She was a rare breed and genuinely a good person. She had always been kind to him, except for the one time when they thought Lucky had died in the fire. He couldn’t blame her for feeling enraging anger over it, or directing it at him. Helena Cassadine had been behind that too.
Sonny had dealt with a lot of bad people in his lifetime, but Helena took the cake.
He had always wanted to get even with her for causing that heartache and destroying a special friendship that he shared with Luke. They had rebuilt the friendship over the years, but a fissure ran through it because of Madame Cassadine. He didn’t take kindly to people messing with his family. Sonny had always thought of Luke as a brother, but something had changed when the fire happened. He would always consider them family; Lesley Lu was his Goddaughter, after all.
He also knew that Laura hadn’t been completely behind the idea, mainly for safety reasons. But, at that time, Sonny had been Luke’s best friend. Robert Scorpio had been presumed dead. He remembered when Luke told him that outside of Robert, Sonny was the only person he knew would protect his family. It had meant a lot to Sonny. Kids and family had seemed like an impossible prospect for him then. Sonny also knew how much Luke loved Laura. He had not believed in complete love, until he met them. If anyone wanted to see what love looked like, they just had to look at the two of them. It was a beautiful thing, and Sonny had always appreciated beautiful things. Sadly, he had viewed, first hand, the unraveling of his friend in recent years because of Laura’s health. Yes. He would gladly help Luke beat Helena Cassadine at her twisted game.
"I appreciate that, Man," Luke said. "We’ve got that covered. But, I do need a favor."
"You got it."
"We put Laura in Shadybrook three years ago," he continued. "I need to know about any new hires who began working there at the time of her arrival or shortly thereafter. Helena has a mole in there, and we need to find out who it is."
"Consider it done," Sonny replied. "I’ll head over there now and call you in a couple of hours with the information."
"Thanks, Man," Luke said. "One more thing. Could you ask Alexis to contact Nikolas on his cell phone?"
"I’ll call her as soon as we hang up."
"I owe you one, Sonny."
"You don’t owe me anything, Luke," he assured his friend. "Laura is a special lady. You know I’ll do anything in my power to help you guys."
Luke had counted on that. "I’ll talk to you soon."

* * *

Sonny walked into the lobby of Shadybrook. This was one place he had hoped never to see again. He didn’t have good memories of this place, not that one would, but it made him feel claustrophobic. As he was waiting for the Director of Human Resources, he noticed Lanie walking from a conference room with Tracy. Obviously, their meeting had involved a therapy session. Sonny had heard that Tracy was in Shadybrook. Apparently, she had begun to see and talk to poor, dead Alan...and, done so around the wrong people. Who’d have ever believed it? He smiled to himself. He did not like Tracy Quartermaine.
"Well, well, well," he heard her grating voice approaching. "Look what the cat dragged in."
"Tracy Quartermaine," he said, looking her over. " I heard you were here. This place seems to agree with you!"
Tracy ignored his slight. "Here for a little shock treatment?"
Sonny could play this game. He was about to sucker-punch her without laying a hand on her. He innocently shook his head. "No," he replied. "Actually, I’m here for Luke."
He watched as she considered this, cautiously, while a flicker of hope came into her eyes. Finally, Tracy thought. Luke had finally come through for her.
If Sonny had come to help her, she should act more appreciative. She loathed the man, but help was help.
"I’m a little surprised that Luke sent you to help me," she said, trying to remove the sarcasm from her voice. "I know you’ve never been a fan of mine."
Sonny pretended to be surprised over the misunderstanding. He held his hands up as if he had no clue what she was talking about.
"I’m sorry," Sonny explained. "Luke sent me here to help him
with something pertaining to Laura." He enjoyed watching the hope quickly disappear from her eyes. It was replaced with a look of indignation.
"Laura?" she said through gritted teeth. "Luke sent you here because of Laura?"
Sonny nodded, smiling. Taking Tracy Quartermaine down a notch was a bonus that he hadn’t expected. "Yeah. See, I am a big fan of hers!" He acted somewhat bewildered. "I spoke to Luke about an hour ago, but he made no mention of you, Tracy."
"I see," Tracy replied, curtly.
"Do you?" Sonny asked, looking her squarely in the eyes. "Cuz I’m not so sure you do."
"I think my husband is seriously delusional if he’s turned to a two-bit gangster like you for help!"
Sonny smiled again. He had gotten to her. He moved close, getting up into Tracy’s face and said calmly. "Not all of us were born with a silver spoon, Sweetheart." His black eyes bore into her.
"And I can honestly tell you that if you weren’t a Quartermaine, no one would give you a second glance. You’re crass, you’re loud, and you’re a bitch!"
Tracy let out her deep-throated, bellowing laugh. She didn’t want Sonny Corinthos to know he had gotten to her. She spat, "I’ve been called worse things by bigger men that you."
Sonny shifted his head, not bothered in the least by her cutting remarks. "Well, I’m not surprised that your secret is out," he said. Then he dug at her a little deeper. "Look around you, Tracy! Is there anyone remotely interested in helping you get out of here?"
"I don’t need any help," she said, trying to give a lift to her bravado. "I can take care of myself! I don’t need everyone running after me as if I’m a fragile little wallflower, like precious Laura."
Sonny listened as Tracy tried futilely to belittle Laura Spencer. She had become completely unnerved by the realization that Luke had made no mention of her, that he had not even considered her.
"Let me give you a word of advice, Tracy," Sonny said, matter-of-fact. "There are three things that Laura Spencer will always have over you, and all the money in the world can’t buy them for you."
"Really?" Tracy said, trying not to care about what he was saying.
"Oh yeah," Sonny said, gloating. "Laura Spencer is a lady, she has class, and Luke loves her." He didn’t wait for a response. He left her standing there with her mouthing hanging open.

* * *

Tracy went to her room, livid over what had just happened. She wanted to physically throw the orderly from her room, but he came bearing a tranquilizer, and Tracy decided she could use one at the moment. Since she had nothing to drink, she needed something to calm her nerves. Tracy tossed the pill into her mouth and gulped the glass of water. "That was a mistake, Luke." She thought to herself. "You just made a BIG mistake..."

* * *

Far away, on an island off of the Aegean Sea, Helena Cassadine sat on her terrace, enjoying a cup of Earl Grey tea. She had just received word that Dr. Jean-Paul Roche had discovered some unusual anomalies in Laura Spencer’s blood tests. She stared out at the sea, thinking about her Mikkos and Stavros.
No doubt, Luke would be visiting with Dr. Roche soon - probably with Laura in tow. She knew he had taken her from Shadybrook, but her contacts had been unable to locate their whereabouts. Luke was unpredictable, except when it came to Laura. Then, she could read him like a book. She smiled. Oh, yes. He would be on his way.
Helena finished her tea. She had spun this web very meticulously and she would not allow it to unravel now.
"Barnabas," she called to her houseman. "Prepare the launch. I’ll be leaving shortly for Paris."

* * *