EPISODE TEN
Written By Aaron D. Mullins
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Previously On
Autumn Lake:
SCENE ONE – ROSS BOWMAN’S APARTMENT Karen had been knocking on the door for a solid ten minutes with no response, but she was certain Ross was home. His car was in the lot, the living room lights were on and she could hear the sound of ESPN coming from the plasma screen. “Rossie, it’s me. It’s important, can you please open the door?” She knocked again and waited. Still no response. Frustrated, she reached into her bag and quickly dialed his number on her cell. In the distance, she heard his phone ringing. After a moment, he answered, his voice groggy and weak. “Hello?” “Oh. You were sleeping. Or, what, passed out?” “Karen.” “Yeah, I’ve only been knocking on your door forever. Can you please open it so I can come in?” “Yeah, hold on.” He closed the line and she could hear him fumbling toward the door. A few moments later, she was greeted by his grizzled, blinking gaze. “Well, well,” she teased, thumbing his chin, “aren’t you just springtime fresh?” “Hey, it’s my day off, cut me a break.” His apartment was in a state of total disrepair. Ross had never been a neat freak, but he’d never lived in barbaric conditions either. “What the hell happened in here?” “God, what, are you my mother or something?” “I’m your stepmother, but that’s beside the point.” She lifted the lid of a pizza box and just as quickly closed it. “Okay, now that’s revolting. How many days has that delicacy been germinating on your countertop?” “Karen.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I beg of you. What. Do. You. Want.” “Join me,” she said, pulling him toward the sofa. “Look, it’s your favorite show!” She pointed toward the TV. “Um… guy with… huge iron ball… running in leotard…” Ross smiled and hugged a pillow. “It’s kind of late for a house call, you know? Shouldn’t you be home taking care of Dad?” “He’s at the hospital.” “Oh, so you figured you’d come and harass me instead?” “What’s up with you?” she grabbed a cushion and whacked his arm with it. “We used to pull all-nighters all the time in med school! You act like an old man.” “I am an old man.” There was an unmistakable sadness in his voice that even Karen couldn’t mistake for wit. “Ross, seriously… what is it? What’s going on with you lately?” “Karen…” “No… no excuses. Don’t tell me it’s work, or that you ‘need the money’ or any of that nonsense. I know you, Ross Bowman, I’ve known you since before you had hair on your chest. Tell me the truth.” He sat silently for a moment. Finally, taking a deep breath, he reached toward the coffee table and withdrew a long, slim envelope from a stack of bills. “Here. This should pretty much explain it.” He dropped the envelope on Karen’s lap. Perplexed, she opened the envelope and quickly read the contents. He watched as her eyes grew wide in shock and, finally, understanding. “Oh, Rossie,” she said, folding the letter closed. “I’m so sorry.” “It’s Katie,” he explained. “I never told you, or Dad, or anyone. I was so afraid of what you guys might think. I know how badly you all wished that I’d just ‘get over it’…” “Ross, that’s not quite how we felt…” “Maybe not, but it’s how you should feel. I mean, she dumped me, right? Everything was going along great. I know I wasn’t crazy, we were really, really happy. Even you could see that, right?” “Yes,” Karen agreed. “We got engaged, things were progressing nicely, then all of a sudden, I get back from that medical conference in Jamaica and she’s gone. Nothing but my engagement ring and a note saying she can’t marry me. Nobody will tell me anything; Randy and Olivia both treat me like it’s something I did, but won’t tell me what it is… neither of them will tell me where she is, so I did the only thing I could think of.” “Hire a private investigator.” “Exactly.” He rubbed his head in frustration. “I know, it seems stupid in retrospect. Like I had any chance of finding her; she’s a member of the Drummond family, for God’s sake, if she wants to disappear she’s going to damn well disappear.” “Oh, Rossie.” Karen clutched her friend’s hand. “I had no idea. I mean… don’t get me wrong, I was pissed as hell at Katie for running off like that. Not just for what she did to you, but… she was my best friend, Ross! Not a day goes by that I don’t miss that crazy girl. But I always chalked it up to her being… artsy… you know? Flighty.” “It had to be more than that, Karen. She loved me, I know that she did. I can accept it if she… I don’t know, had cold feet or something, but I just need to hear it. I need to get an answer. And I need to hear it from her.” SCENE TWO – Drummond Estate “Jason, really. You’re making too much of this.” Olivia handed her coat to Foster, the family butler, and closed the door behind them. They had driven together in the limo from the Gypsy and she was growing weary with his inquisition regarding Payton McClaine. “I’m sorry, Mother, but I think it just seems a bit… inappropriate.” He lowered his voice on the last word, nervously looking around for his father. “I understand McClaine’s a valuable new part of the company, but to carry on with him in public…” “Enough,” she said firmly, raising her hand to silence him. “Now, listen to me. I’ve tolerated your tone for the last half hour, but I’m really tired of it now. I resent what you’re implying and I resent the suggestion that, because I’m a woman, I don’t know how to handle a client.” “That’s not at all what I was…” “Enough, Jason.” “Fine.” He began loosening his tie as they made their way into the library. A fire was burning in the hearth and Kyle sat in J.D.’s old high back, looking quite irritated. “It’s about time the two of you got home.” “Oh, not you, too,” Olivia sighed. “God save me from disapproving sons.” “I’ve been waiting for over an hour, Mother,” Kyle complained. “You promised me that we’d run over these figures tonight so that I don’t look like a complete idiot in front of Hernandez and Bates tomorrow morning.” “Kyle, relax,” Olivia said, pouring herself a brandy. “There’s not much to this, really. You’re overcomplicating the situation.” “Of course I am.” He rolled his eyes as he opened his briefcase, withdrawing two folders. “Be that as it may, if you can manage to find the time right now, I’d appreciate a quick glance.” “Of course, darling.” She accepted the folder from him and joined Jason on the sofa. As she sipped the brandy and read through the figures, Jason began rolling up his sleeves. “Tell me again why I’m needed?” Kyle grunted in aggravation. “Oh, I’m sorry, do you have more important things to do, too?” “Kyle, come on, chill with the attitude.” Jason grabbed the other folder from his brother’s outstretched hand. “I just don’t see how this meeting tomorrow affects my role in the Foundation.” “As you can see from the marked pages, if Bates walks away from this meeting a happy man, he’s interested in expanding his charitable contributions with Drummond. I thought that might interest you.” Jason raised an eyebrow. “Good eye. It does, indeed.” Kyle bit back a smug response, choosing instead to sit in silence as his brother and mother read through the document he had spent three hours preparing. While his mother had dismissed the meeting as inconsequential, Kyle was smart enough to know that any face time with clients was essential to his success at Drummond, especially while he was still in school. He didn’t plan on getting the presidency based on name alone. Just then, Foster quietly entered the room and cleared his throat. “Pardon. Miss Emily is here.” “Em…” Kyle crossed the room toward his girlfriend, indicating for Jason and Olivia to continue reading. “Hey,” he said, kissing her. “I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight. Is everything okay?” “Yeah,” she fibbed. “I was just kind of missing you.” She noticed Olivia and Jason. “Am I interrupting a business thing?” “No… well, I mean, yeah, it’s a business thing, but no, you’re not interrupting.” He started to pull her into the room, but she resisted. “I’m sorry, honey. I’ll wait for you in the sitting room.” “Don’t be silly, come on in.” “Kyle,” she said, more forcibly, “why don’t I just wait… with your father. Where’s he?” He shrugged. “Got me. I haven’t seen him all night. Probably holed up somewhere with his book or something.” “Kyle,” Olivia called from the library. “We’re finished, dear. Whenever you’re ready.” “Go.” Emily gently pushed him into the library. “I’ll wait out here.” “Okay, okay…” As she pulled the doors to the library closed, Emily quickly dialed a number on her cell phone. “Whit, it’s me. I’m at the house. You were right, none of the Marshaks even realize Mr. Marshak’s gone. How’s he doing?” “Not well,” Whit said. “Look, I realize you don’t want to tell Kyle about you singing here, but this is important. I really think you need to tell them that Randy’s drinking and have someone come get him. Otherwise they’ll find out in tomorrow’s papers.” “You’re right,” she said, biting her lip. “They’re having a business meeting right now, but I’ll tell them as soon as they’re done.” “Em, don’t worry,” Whit reassured her. “Kyle’s not going to be mad that you’ve been singing…” “I’m not worried about that,” she said. “It’s just that singing has always been… well… mine. Does that make sense?” “Yeah.” “Anyway… it’s not important right now. Mr. Marshak’s safety is what counts. I’ll call you back as soon as I know more.” “Thanks.” ********** “I’m impressed,” Olivia said, offering a thin smile to Kyle. “You’ve done good work.” “Thank you, Mother.” Jason nodded in agreement. “When did you have the time to prepare all of this data? The research you’ve compiled on Hernandez, especially, is very thorough.” “I’ve known about this meeting for weeks, Jason, I’ve had ample time to prepare.” There was an edge of defensiveness to his voice, but his brother seemed oblivious to it. Olivia stood, closing the dossier. “Well then, I guess that’s that. Good work, Kyle. Now I’d suggest you get a good night’s rest so you’re ready to present this material first thing in the morning. I’m sure the clients will be just as impressed as we were.” Kyle cleared his throat and felt his heart begin to beat faster. “Actually, there’s one other thing I’d like to discuss, if you don’t mind.” “Certainly.” She took her seat again. He began to slowly pace the room, trying to remember the beginning of a speech he’d planned for days. However, the words wouldn’t come, so he was forced to wing it. “As you know, Mother… Jason… I’ve made it no secret that I’ve got big plans for my future with Drummond.” “Of course, darling,” Olivia said. “I’m quite happy to hear that.” “And, as you both know, George Hearn has announced that he will be retiring from the presidency early next year.” Jason and Olivia shared a knowing glance. “Given this, and my demonstration that I’ve got the skill, knowledge and, if I may be so bold, blood, I’d like to formally throw my name in for consideration for the position.” For a few moments, the only sound in the room was the crackling fireplace. Kyle watched as Jason’s eyes remained fixed on the floor. Finally, Olivia joined her younger son, placing her hands firmly on his shoulders. “Kyle… darling… you must know that what you’re suggesting simply isn’t possible.” He felt as though the wind had been knocked out of him. Struggling to find his breath, he stammered, “No. I don’t know that to be true. I’ve worked very hard…” “Yes, darling, you have. No one disputes that. You’ve done an amazing job balancing your school work with Drummond, but Kyle… you’re 22 years old! I respect the fire and the energy you have for the company, but…” “It’s not unprecedented, you know,” he interrupted. “A 22 year old corporate president. I’ve researched it. I have empirical evidence, I can show you… examples of how well it’s worked when…” Her quiet, mocking laughter caused him to fall silent. “Kyle, you’re not listening to me, darling. It’s not just your age. You’re simply not ready. You may be, in time, but you’ve still got a lot to learn.” “I can learn. From you. You can teach me!” “And I will, darling,” she gently stroked his face. “But from a different position. Not as president.” Kyle felt his face grow red with anger. “What position?” She gave him a quizzical look. “I’m… not sure, darling, I haven’t given it much thought. Why?” “Exactly,” he scoffed. “You never do, do you, Mother? When it comes to me?” “Kyle, really…” “You can’t stop me from posting for the presidency, Mother. I just need to inform the board… after all, they make the final decision.” “This is true,” she said, choosing her words carefully. “But they also hold my recommendation with a significant amount of weight.” He shot a glance at the still-silent Jason. “And let me guess who your recommendation is going to be?” “Kyle…” “You knew about this, didn’t you?” Kyle stormed past Olivia and pulled his brother to his feet. “You sat here, quiet as a mouse and watched me make an ass out of myself, knowing the whole time that she was going to endorse you to take over Hearn’s position? Didn’t you?” “Kyle,” Jason began, “first of all, you need to calm down. You’re not winning any fans by acting like a twelve year old.” “Stop talking down to me!” he yelled. “Damn it! I work my ass off for this company and all you do is sit around in your little pansy office worrying about little pansy charities…” “Kyle James Marshak!” Olivia shouted. Hearing the shouting, Emily entered from the back of the room. “Is everything okay in here?” “Emily, sweetie, just give us a moment, okay?” Olivia forced a smile toward the young woman. “No, Mother, don’t dismiss her the way you dismiss me.” He rushed to Emily’s side. Emily gently touched his arm. “Kyle, it’s really…” “Both of you can go to hell,” Kyle spat. Pulling Emily behind him, he rushed from the library, leaving a stunned Olivia and Jason behind. Jason began to laugh, rubbing his temples. “Score another one for Olivia Marshak’s sensitive nature.” “You can’t possibly hold me accountable for that little tantrum?” “Oh, yes I can. This is exactly what I’ve been telling you was going to happen, Mother. You try to control me, while ignoring Kyle and we both end up mad as hell at you.” She shook her head in disgust. “Well, I’m through with the lot of you for the night. I’m going to bed.” Jason watched as his mother climbed the stairs. Sighing in frustration, he dialed a few digits on his cell phone and waited a second or two for a beep. “Kyle, it’s your brother. I’m leaving this message directly on your voice mail because you’re still in a rage. Listen, when you calm down, I’d like to talk to you about the presidency. I want you to know I have no interest in it, and I’ve told Mother that countless times. So, you have nothing to be angry with me about. I just want you to know that there’s no hard feelings. I love you, bro. Relax. Call me.” ********** “I can’t believe them!” Kyle yelled, slamming his fist against the steering wheel of his BMW. “Kyle, please slow down,” Emily begged. “I need to talk to you!” “All this time, Em, all this time I’ve been working my ass off trying to go places in that company, trying to make a name for myself so people didn’t think I’d gotten by on just being the boss’s son… all of that time wasted when, of course, Golden Boy was the first choice all along.” “Kyle, just pull over so we can talk!” “He’s so smug! He’s always been that way, ever since we were kids! Always so haughty and superior. Even when grandfather was still… you know, healthy, he always liked Jason better.” “Kyle, I’m serious!” “What?” he yelled in frustration. “What is it?” “Pull over!” He pulled the BMW to a full stop, the wheels squealing against the roadway. “Fine. I’m stopped. I wasn’t going to crash, Emily, for God’s sake!” “You wouldn’t stop talking long enough for me to get a word in edgewise!” “Maybe because I need someone to listen to me for once, Emily, did you ever think of that?” “Kyle, this is important, it’s about your father!” “My father? What the hell does he have to do with anything?” “Do you even know where he is tonight? Don’t you even care?” “Quite frankly, no. I told you that earlier. What’s this all about?” She shook her head. “You’ve changed, Kyle.” “Emily, what is your point?” “Your father. He’s out drinking. At Baxter’s.” Kyle began to laugh. “Is that all? You’re in a big panic because my father’s a drunk being a drunk? So what? And how the hell do you know this anyway?” “Because I was there tonight, I was going to sing.” “What?” He stared at her. “What the hell are you talking about? Sing? Like on stage?” “Yes. With Whit’s band. But your father…” “Wait, wait… you’re singing with Whit’s band and you never thought to tell me?” “I’ll explain it all later, Kyle. Right now, you’ve got to pick up your father…” “Let him rot.” “Kyle!” “You know what?” He glared at her. “You can all rot. You, my brother, my mother, my so-called friend Whit, my drunken father… all of you. I don’t know any of you anymore.” He gunned the engine. “I’ll drop you off at your house.” Emily stared at him in cold silence. What had happened to him? Where was the kind, gentle boy he’d once been? When had ambition made him so cruel and single-minded? And how had it happened so suddenly? SCENE THREE – BAXTER’S EAST SIDE “Is your friend going to be okay?” The bartender nodded toward Randy, who was staring off into space, his bloodshot eyes lost in some distant, drunken memory. Shelby Dunne winked at the young man and slipped him a bill. “No worries, handsome. He’s in good hands tonight.” As he hesitantly moved on to other customers, Shelby placed a comforting hand on Randy’s knee. “You okay, darlin’?” “Yes,” he slurred. “It’s just been… a long day.” “I know.” Her voice was calm, comforting. “Let me get you another drink, help you relax. You were telling me about… your daughter, was it?” “My daughter,” he repeated. She noticed a deep sadness fall across his face. “Katie…” “That’s right, Katie. You were telling me about how she doesn’t like you to drink. Why do you think that is?” “Katie…” he repeated again, this time in a hushed tone. “She’s been gone for so long. She’ll only talk to her mother. Always makes excuses when I ask to talk to her.” “Where is she?” “Who?” Shelby tried not to get frustrated, but she was having a hard time. She’d been following the loose threads of this story for the better part of the evening. “Katie, darlin’. Your daughter. Where is she?” “Different places,” he mumbled. “Always a different place. Running from something. Liv thinks it’s Ross…” Ross Bowman, Shelby remembered from her prior research. The jilted lover. “But you don’t?” “Not sure. Something’s just… not right. Why can’t I remember?” “Take your time, darlin’, we’ve got all night.” She waved to the bartender for another round. “I think he’s had enough.” Shelby turned to see young Whittaker had returned. “Well hello again,” she purred. “Save it,” he snapped. “This man’s a good friend of my family’s. It’s time he went home.” “Home,” Randy mumbled, stumbling from his seat in a daze. Whit helped him keep his feet. “Kenny… Kenny Whittaker!” Randy smiled and playfully punched Whit’s jaw. “Good to see ya, kiddo.” “Right, come on, Mr. Marshak, let’s get you home.” He shot a disapproving look at Shelby as they stumbled toward the exit. She curled her fingers in a kittenish farewell. Reaching into her purse, Shelby pressed the speed dial to Payton’s cell phone. After a few rings, he answered. “Oh, don’t sound so grumpy,” she teased. “I know it’s late, but this is worth it. I tailed Randy Marshak to a seedy bar tonight and got an earful. Payton, I’m convinced… the key to this whole thing is the daughter. There’s a reason we can’t find out anything about what she’s doing and where she’s been, and I’m certain Randy knows more than he’s telling. He gave me enough to work with for a while, but I’m going to have to be creative and figure out a way to get some more out of him. But mark my words, Payton… the destruction of the Drummond empire lies with Katie Marshak.” SCENE FOUR – ROSS BOWMAN’S APARTMENT “Do you remember this one?” Ross handed Karen a snapshot of him and Katie, sitting under a tree in Scarsdale Park. “Oh yeah,” she smiled. “That’s a great shot. I always loved her hair like that. She was always messing with the cut and color, but this was my favorite look for her.” “Yeah, mine too. Of course I’d never tell her that, but she was really beautiful then. I mean, she was always beautiful but there was something about that period that…” his voice trailed off wistfully. Karen gently stroked his hand. “I know what you mean.” She picked up a handful of photos from the shoebox that sat between them on the couch and thumbed through them. “So, the private investigator sends you the letter saying they’re closing the case, they can’t come up with anything on Katie. So what’s next?” “I don’t know.” “What I mean is… is that it? Are you going to let it go now? Or at least try?” “I guess I have to, and that’s what’s hit me so hard. I’m left with nothing else to do. I’ve tried the Marshaks, I’ve tried my own search, I’ve tried hiring someone to find her. I’m all out of options. I just have to assume that she’s happier now and try to forgive her.” “That sounds more like the Rossie I know and love.” She smiled warmly at him. “Well,” he said, leaning back in his seat. “Now that I’ve confessed all, why don’t you tell me the real reason you’re here?” “Oh,” she said, waving her hand dismissively, “it’s nothing.” “Karen…” She put her head in her hands and sighed. “Oh, Ross, I’m just being stupid. I keep doing stupid things…” “Does this have something to do with my mother?” Giving him a half-smile, she nodded apologetically. “Good lord, what have you done now?” “It’s stupid.” “So you’ve said… spill.” “Ross, I feel bad even telling you, but I really think you should know…” “Come on, Karen, you know I’m not going to judge you. I might disapprove, but I’m not going to judge you.” “Thank you for that.” She took a deep breath. “I went to see your father this morning at the hospital, at the end of his shift, and I ran into Diana there. She was on her way to see Will.” “Okay,” he said. “Well, you knew she was going to see him eventually, right?” “Yeah, but…” she shook her head. “Anyway, before I knew what I was doing, I lied to her. I told her he was in California on a medical conference.” He began to laugh. “What? Oh, Karen, come on! Why on earth…” “I know, but wait, there’s more…” She brushed a lock of hair from her eyes. “She believed me… for now, anyway, but there was something going on with her… something odd, I couldn’t put my finger on it. She said she had to talk to Will right away, about you and Emily.” Ross wrinkled his brow in confusion. “Us? What did she mean?” “I don’t know, but that’s just it. She seemed really upset about it. I just thought you should know. Maybe you can call her tomorrow or something and see what’s going on?” “Karen,” he said, reaching out to hug her. “Did I hear you correctly? Are you seriously concerned about someone else?” “Stop it!” she laughed, accepting the hug. “I’m not completely self-absorbed.” “I know that.” He held her tightly, closing his eyes. As he did, he breathed in deeply, smelling her perfume. Suddenly, his eyes flew open, and Karen felt his grip tighten slightly around her. “Ross? What is it?” He pulled away from her, giving her an odd stare. “Nothing, just… your perfume…” “What about it?” He stared at her again for a few seconds before finally shaking his head. “Nothing, nothing… it was just… like déjà vu or something. The smell, it reminded me of something. It must just be all those all-nighters we had in med school, like you said.” “Right,” she said, visibly shaken. “Well, listen, I’ve taken up enough of your time. I just wanted to make sure you were all right and tell you about your mother. I’ll have to figure something out to get out of that stupid lie, but in the meantime…” “Karen,” he said, reaching for her hand as she stood. “You don’t have to go.” “Yes, I do.” She withdrew her hand, quickly, reaching for her purse and coat. “Go back to sleep, get some rest. Thanks again for sharing with me about Katie.” “Sure.” He watched as she rushed toward the door, throwing him a tight smile as she closed the door behind her. “What the heck was that all about?” he whispered to himself. ********** Meanwhile, outside the door, Karen leaned against the wall and tried to catch her breath. She rubbed her forehead and concentrated on controlling her racing heart. “Calm down, Karen,” she whispered. “Don’t overreact. It was nothing. He doesn’t remember anything. Stupid, stupid, going to his apartment, making small talk… of course he’d start to remember things…” She rubbed her swollen belly. “It doesn’t matter, anyway,” she said quietly. “You’re Will’s baby, I know it. It was one night with Ross, one drunken night, one that he doesn’t even know happened. And he doesn’t need to, because this baby is Will’s.” She felt tears spring to her eyes. “This baby is Will’s…” she repeated, defiantly. Don't miss an episode! Join our episode notification list by clicking below...
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