Chapter 4

Jenny stopped by The Planet and could tell that something had happened. Marina was not her usual self. She had smiled at her when she came in, but no enticement on her part could get Marina alone in her office.

Im fine, really. Is what Marina had told her when she asked if anything was wrong, was there something she could help with.

As she watched Marina her mind began to dream up different scenarios as what may have happened. If she had been anyone else – a different kind of writer, Jenny could have taken Marinas behavior as perhaps a sign that the older woman was losing interest in her. Jenny knew that wasnt the case. The ache she still felt from yesterdays impromptu get together quashed the idea.

Finishing her coffee, Jenny glanced at her watch. Sighing she knew she had to leave in order to get home before Tim. Taking in Marinas body with hungry eyes, Jenny once again appreciated the soft curves that she ached to touch, hold, pinch, caress and so much more.

Perhaps they could get together later on.

Marina.

Are you leaving? she asked as she finished pouring another coffee.

Yeah, Ive gotta go.

So soon?

Jenny bit back the retort that popped in her head. She had been sitting for forty-five minutes, Tims coming home.

Of course.

Ill call you later?

If youd like, Marina replied. Jenny…

Yeah.

I may not be home til late. I have a few errands to run.

Oh… okay. Ill call tomorrow instead.

Im sorry.

Its fine. Ill see you later, Jenny replied as she briefly squeezed Marinas arm before heading home.

Marina hadnt wanted to lie to Jenny, but she didnt want to be in her company tonight. All she hoped was that Alice would get her the information she needed.


* * *


Lena… honey… wake up, Bianca said softly as she gently caressed Lenas cheek in attempts to wake her gradually.

What? Lena mumbled as her eyes fluttered open. What had happened? Why was she in bed and what time was it?

Baby, I got you some soup.

Lena slowly pushed herself up into a seating position. Soup?

Yeah, I thought you might be hungry when you woke up.

Im sorry Bianca… Lena said as she glanced at the clock on the nightstand, she had been asleep for three hours.

Dont worry about it.

No, Lena reached out and took Biancas hands in hers. I said I would explain when we arrived…

Bianca slid her hand from Lenas grasp and placed an index finger on Lenas lips. You were exhausted. You needed to get some sleep.

What about you? Lena asked moving Biancas hand away. You need to rest as well. Did you eat?

Yes, I ate. I knew youd worry, Bianca said with a knowing smile.

Lena brought Bianca closer and kissed her gently before resting her forehead against Biancas. I cant help it.

Pulling back, Bianca shook her head slowly. No matter how many times I go on about being able to take care of myself, I never regret how you look after me… us.

I love you both so much Bianca… Lena said her eyes bright with tears.

I know, Bianca replied. I love you too. Taking Lenas hand and placing it on her protruding belly, she whispered, We both do.

* * *

Marina? Alice called out as she entered the office.

Yes.

Ive got one question. How do you know Bianca Montgomery? she asked as she sat across from her.

What? Why? What did you find out?

Alice had taken out the folder she had needed to bring the material she had been able to get. Well… she began, looking at her notes. Shes twenty years old – got top grades in school…

Alice, Marina interrupted, This is all very nice, but who is she.

Im getting to it, she shuffled some papers out of the way. Her mother is Erica Kane, perhaps youve heard of her?

Erica Kane… I think so.

You know, she owns Enchantment, the cosmetic company. Its based out of a small town in Pennsylvania – called Pine Valley.

Go on, Marina encouraged as she leaned forward in her chair.

It seems that young Miss Montgomery, a ***** I might add, is the heir apparent to her mothers vast fortune but unfortunately thats not the most interesting thing.

Unfortunately?

Alice nodded, About nine months ago she was raped, by the son of multibillionaire Alexander Cambias, Michael.

What! Marina was shocked – there was no way she would have ever guessed that the radiant looking… mother to be. Dear God. Shes pregnant, Marina blurted out.

Alice looked up. How did you know? Seeing that she wasnt going to get an answer, she continued, Okay… this Cambias guy, a real sweetheart of a man, Alice said sarcastically, … was able to beat the rape charges… lack of evidence or something like that. It really didnt matter, cause a few weeks later he wound up dead.

Hes dead?

His body was found in some warehouse, shot with a .38 caliber gun. Biancas half sister, Kendall Hart Cambias was later arrested for his death, Alice explained as she continued to shift through the copies of articles shed brought with her.

Cambias? Biancas sister married him? This was before the rape correct?

Looking up, Alice shook her head. No, after.

How could she?

I havent finished, Alice said. Kendall is arrested and brought to trail for murder.

Did she do it?

No.

Who did?

Youve got to let me tell you about the trial, youll never believe me but every word Im about to tell you is the truth.

All right. Marina could tell that Alice was excited by what shed found out and was anxious to share the information.

The verdict could have gone either way by the time a woman… where is that name, Alice muttered to herself, Here it is, Greenlee Du Pres, who happens to be Biancas cousin, disrupted the entire proceedings and things quickly headed south for Kendall.

What did she do?

Ill tell you in a minute. When it looked like Kendall was going to get convicted, Erica Kane; Kendall and Biancas mother – the Diva herself confessed in court that she killed Cambias.

Youre making this up.

Alice laughed. I thought the same thing, but I kept digging and it came back the same, except… Erica wasnt the only person in Pine Valley who apparently had a motive to off the guy. There was a parade of people called in to testify by Kendalls defense team that they had been arrested or suspected in one way or another in Cambias murder.

This is a soap opera, Marina interjected as she shook her head. She was still wondering how Lena was involved.

Tell me about it and I thought we were bad. Anyway, when it came down to it, the judge had to declare a mistrial. Witnesses had perjured themselves and evidence had been fabricated. *****, Kendall claimed to be pregnant with Michaels baby. The Special Prosecutor for the case thought she was lying not only about the marriage but the baby as well and had a DNA test run, which she passed. The thing is, Alice paused dramatically, … she wasnt.

What do you mean? Marina asked getting thoroughly lost.

She wasnt pregnant…

But you said…

She faked it… all of it. She even wore some get up that made her look pregnant, which is what Miss Du Pres exposed during the trial. She ripped the dress right off of Kendall while she was testifying and everyone could see the pouch she was wearing.

Come on Alice, you expect me to believe this actually happened? she asked and watched as Alice nodded. First of all, faking a marriage – it might be difficult, not impossible. But the DNA test – that I find hard to believe she could pass if she wasnt pregnant.

It doesnt hurt when your sister is the one actually having the baby.

Alice, please, Marina stood up and walked around the desk. This is ridiculous. Do you mean to tell me that Bianca had a hand in this? she couldnt imagine it.

Yes.

How? Or better yet, why?

No one knew she was pregnant.

How could they not know she was pregnant?

Apparently, she was hiding it and dont ask me why, I havent a clue. None of the newspaper accounts mentioned it – and I dont want to bring up some of the wild theories the tabloids wrote about.

What does any of this have to do with Michaels murder?

After the mistrial…

Marina nodded her head.

Bianca apparently goes to the judge and tells her that she killed Michael.

Let me see that, Marina said as she sat down next to Alice and looked at the accumulated data shed brought with her.

As Alice was putting her notes away she heard Marina gasp, looking over she noticed the picture Marina was staring at. Thats Bianca and her ex-lover… She was about to take out her notes again; there were really far too many names to remember, when Marina whispered, Lena Kundera.

Thats it. I decided to go back to when they dropped the rape charges against him. She was there, at the courthouse. According to the news reports, she had to be held back. Its hard to imagine that she and Bianca were together in the first place, Alice muttered.

Why do you say that?

She was working for him, for Cambias, Alice said missing Marinas shocked expression as she went through her bag. Boy, I gotta tell you Marina, this would make for a great series of stories…

What are you talking about? Marina asked as she looked away from the file. Lena had worked for Cambias?

The trial… its a goldmine.

Alice, you cant.

Are you kidding? This is something I can sink my teeth into, something that my putz of a boss would actually run. Think of it. Youve got the ***** angle – like it or not, that sells. Youve got rape, murder, blackmail, and deceit. Youve got everything. Maybe a series is too narrow… maybe a book deal, Alice said to herself.

Marina had to put a stop to this and quickly. Alice, you know this story has been covered by every news agency by now.

Yeah but…

Alice, Marina sighed. This wasnt going to be easy and might put a strain on their friendship but it had to be done. I need to ask you for another favor…

Alice suddenly developed a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. She started shaking her head, Dont…

You have no idea what Im going to ask…

The ***** I dont! she stood up and began pacing the small office. You dont want me to do the story.

Hear me out…

Marina…

I cant let you.

Alice stopped. Whoa! Whadda you mean, you cant let me? in the split second it took her to glance at Marina, a look of realization crossed Alices face. You know her dont you? she asked as she picked up the article she printed out. She looked at the photograph in question. You know this Kundera woman dont you?

Yes.

Oh ***** me. Alice groaned as she sat back down all the while wondering in the back of her mind when she finally made it home, should she put Lenas name in the computer and see what happened. Would there be any hits? Six degrees my *****!