The B Word.. Chapter 31 Bankrolls & Bait

The chapter starts out as Bette is at the CAC working.
She is in her office and the phone is ringing off the hook.
James brings in papers for her to sign.
Franklin walks into her office.

He shuts the door after James leaves.
He also asks James to hold all of Bette calls for the next ten minutes.

Hello Franklin Bette states as she just ended a call with a major newspaper.
Bette I just got a call from Peggy Peabody. Franklin states
Yes, and what did she want? Bette asks as she looks at Franklin not trusting him as far as she can throw him
She was talking about giving a huge grant to the CAC this spring for our donation drive. Franklin comments However she is really upset with her daughter and how this is affecting the family name.

Bette looks sternly at Franklin..NO! Bette screams as she jumps out of her chair.
Wait Bette I didnt even ask you yet! Franklin yells back.
Bette is now standing up leaning in front of her desk glaring at Franklin.
Look BetteMaria is ok.Your mom and the baby are finePeggy covered all of the hospital bills. Franklin says as he is trying to tell Bette to get Maria to go along with the storyit was a misunderstanding.
You have to be kidding me.you want us to drop the charges and say it was nothing but a misunderstanding.After she shot my sister twiceand almost killed my mom and baby! Bette states in a harsh tone.
Bette moves to the door and opens it .trying to get Franklin to leave.
I think this conversation is over Franklin Bette declares.
Bette please just think about it .Peggy is offering us a 600,000 five year grant.
Franklin states. You know if we dont get some donations in here we are going to be in serious financial disaster.

Bette just looks at the ground as Franklin walks out………

*****! What an *****.! Bette says to herself after he leaves.

Back at the house Maria is in the kitchen reading the newspaper.
Tina is getting some clothes together to do some laundry
She heads into Marias room for some dark colors Tina picks up a pair of Marias
jeans and a letter falls out. She picks it up and goes to place it on the dresser.
However curiosity gets the best of her when she sees the name Peabody on it.

She sits on Marias bed and reads the letter.She is so shocked.
Hey Maria come here for a second.. Tina asks
Maria gets up and walks to her bedroom to see what Tina wants.
Whats up Tina? Maria asks as she enters her own bedroom
Maria.I wasnt trying to snoop but this fell out of your pocket. Tina shows Maria the letter.
Why were you looking through my stuff Tina! Maria is upsetI cant believe you read my mail.

Tina is taken back by this behavior Maria is displaying towards her.
Maria why didnt you show this to us! Tina requests
Because it is none of your business or BettesIm an adult I can make my own choices. Maria explains with anger in her voice.

Maria storms out of the house and goes for a walk.

Hello Bette Porter Bette says as she answers her phone at the CAC.
Bette this is TinaWhat time are you coming home for dinner? Tina asks
Oh honey I think we are going to order out because we are going over the last minute details for the exhibit since it opens tomorrow. Bette says You wouldnt believe what Franklin just suggested to me
Oh yes I would if it has anything to do with what I want to tell you. Tina comments
Im listening please tell me Tina Bette comments trying to please her wife.
Well I found that letter Maria got from the Peabody Family. Can I bring it up to you?
Tina suggests.
If you think it is important you may bring it up to me. Bette says..Besides that would be a great special afternoon treat to see you.

Ok it is a date I will be up there in two hours. Tina says as they end the conversation.

The phone rings at the house..Tina answers it.
Hello Tina replies.
Hi Tina is Maria there? Dominic, Marias father, asks.
Im sorry Dominic she took offshe was a little upset. Tina shares with him.
What happened? Dominic inquires
Oh Maria got a letter from the Peabody Family harassing her about the charges. Tina tells him
That is quite interesting.. Dominic replies.
Look Im going to the CAC to meet Bette and show her the letter why dont you meet me there? Tina asks him.
Sure how soon? He asks her
Lets say an hour Tina answers.
Well that sounds good to meI will see you later. Dominic states.

Meanwhile Jenny hears a knock at her door.

Hey Maria.are you allowed to be out? Jenny asks as she welcomes Maria to come in to the house.
Hi Jenny, yes Im allowed to be out.Hey is Shane around? Maria asks
No she is off on some kind of project for the Studio. Jenny shares
Oh Maria says as she seems dejected.
Why is there something I can help you with? Jenny inquires.As she gestures for Maria to have a seat.
Well..I just have a dilemma going on.about the Peabody family and the pending
court date Maria replies
Marias cell phone rings..She looks at the caller IDIts says private.
Hello Maria says as she answers the phone
A voice on the other end says We know that you have received our letterWe want an answer by the end of the day!
Oh really Maria says..And If I dont?
Just say your sister will be looking for a new job.with hardly any luck! So dont be stupid take the offer.The person commands as they hang up the phone.
*****! Maria says as she looks down at the phone in anger.
Come on please tell me what that call was about and what this dilemma is about. Jenny
says is a nice tone.

Back at Bette and Tinas
Tina is getting the baby ready to leave..Tina is also on the phone talking to Bettes Mother.
Tina I dont mind watching herJust bring her to my house… Alana says.
OkI really appreciate this Alana, I will see you in fifteen minutes. Tina says as she
hangs up the phone. She looks out the window but she doesnt see Maria anywhere.
Damn where could she be.I really need her to go with me! Tina says to herself.
Tina tries to call Marias cell phone.but Maria doesnt answer.Tina leaves a message.
Maria this is TinaIm sorry that I read your letter but I am very worried about you.
So please come home. This is a problem the whole family needs to work onnot just you. We arent mad at you we are just worried.Please call me.Im leaving to go to the CAC.We luv you! Tina leaves this on the voice mail.

Meanwhile at the CAC
James lets Dominic into Bettes office.Bette was helping with the exhibit when she looked down at her watchOh could you excuse me.I have a meeting to go to
Bette announces to Toni and AngelaShe walks to her office.James tell her she has
Company in her office.

Hi Dominic Bette says as she gives him a hugThanks for coming over here in such a short notice.Bette takes a seat at her desk.

Oh Im glad you allowed me to help.I feel horrible that they are trying to do this to you. Dominic comments
Tina has arrived and James escorts her into the office.
Hey Dominic and Bette Tina says as she gives Dominic a hug and she sits down next to him. She gets the letter out of her purse and hands it to Bette.

Back at Jennys

Maria just got done telling Jenny about how the Peabody family was trying to blackmail Maria to change her story..
That is horrible.Do they think they are untouchable? She almost killed you Jenny says
I knowbut what about Bette if I dont do it they are going to destroy her career.If I
do what they are asking her career will be untouchable for at least five yearsMaria says

No but you cant give into those monsters Maria.. Jenny states..Does Bette and Tina know about it?

Tina just found the letter.She showed it to me. I got mad that she found it in my room and I stormed out.I guess by now she has told Bette. Maria says as she shakes her head

Come on MariaLets go to Tina.We all need to conquer this as a team. Jenny suggests as she stands up and leads Maria out of the house.

Maria and Jenny enter the house..There is no sign of Tina or the baby.Plus Tinas car wasnt in the driveway

Well where do you think she is? Jenny asks Did she say she was going anywhere?
NoI thought she was staying home all dayMaybe she went to see Bette. Maria suggests.

Just then there is a knock at the door.
Maria walks over and answers it.
There is a husky guy dressed up in a suitand wearing dark glasses
Maria? He asks
Yesand who are you? Maria responds
Could you come with me for a moment? He asks as she points to the black limo parked in front of the house.
Maria hesitates but then she follows himJenny I will be back in a minute. Maria shuts the door..

Maria gets into the limo
Jenny looks out the window and sees the limo pulling out.

TBC..Who is in the limo? What is going to happen now?