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Crisis & Catharsis -- Part XVIII Bo pushed open the door to Nora’s room. “Hey Nora, I gotta head out.”   Nora sat up in the bed. “What happened? Is it Matthew?”   Bo shook his head. “Matthew is fine. I sent Rex over to the house to keep an eye on him and Rachel.”   Nora was alarmed. “Why would you need Rex to watch them?”   Bo sat beside her on the bed. “It’s just a precaution, Nora. Jenkins reported in that Paige ran into Matthew and Rachel at the diner. Rachel got Matthew out quickly but I just want to make sure that Paige stays away. I’m headed to Rodi’s right now to pick up Paige – and Truman too if he’s there. John called and the ingredients from the garret are clear. I’m going to have another discussion with the two of them about Spencer’s mother’s secret organic extract.”   Nora started to get up. “I need to go home.”   Bo took her by the shoulders. “Not a chance. You need to stay right here and finish with your meds. I will keep Matthew and Rachel safe, I promise. And I will get the answers you deserve. That’s a promise too.” Nora looked unconvinced. “Please, Nora. I know I haven’t given you reason to trust me lately, but please trust me on this one.”   Nora nodded slowly as she settled back into the bed. “Okay, Bo. I will trust you because I know you will do what is best for Matthew.”   Bo looked at her closely. “And you, Nora.”   Nora shook her head. “I trust you to protect Matthew,” she repeated.   Bo sat quietly, trying to find the right words to say. He shook his head sadly. “We have a lot of work to do with us, Nora. As soon as this mess is over, we’re going to have a long talk.”   Nora shook her head. “Just go, Bo. Make sure Paige stays away from my son. If you don’t I will take care of her myself when I get out of here.”   Bo grinned. “That was a joke, right?”   “Do I look like I’m joking?”   Bo shook his head. “No, and I’m sorry for all of this.”   Nora nodded. “Just go, Bo. Go find Paige and make it clear to her that I want her to stay far away from my son. I won’t be in here forever and I will find her when I get out.”   Bo grinned again. “That’s the Nora I remember. I’ll be sure to pass along your warning.”   Bo got up from the bed, making his way to the door. He turned back to Nora as he pulled open the door. “You get some rest. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”   ********************* Matthew marched in the door ahead of Rachel. He dropped his jacket on the floor in the foyer and made his way to the couch, depositing the takeout bag on the coffee table. “I didn’t get to order my flan. Why did you drag me out of the diner, Rach?”   Rachel followed him through the door, picking up his jacket as she came into the foyer. She walked over to the couch, holding out his jacket with a frown. “This doesn’t go on the floor.”   Matthew took the jacket from her, marched over to the closet and tossed it inside, returning to his perch on the couch. “Now will you tell me what’s going on?”   Rachel sat beside him, digging into the takeout bag. “I’m sorry I rushed you out of the diner like that, but I had my reasons. You’ll just have to trust me on this one, little brother.”   Matthew crossed his arms defiantly. “That’s no answer, Rachel. It was just Paige. I don’t like her much but it’s no big deal if she’s in the same restaurant I’m eating in. We could have at least said hi. She is living with my dad, after all.”   “Not for long,” Rachel muttered under her breath.   Matthew eyed her curiously. “What do you mean by that? What are you not telling me? Does this have to do with Paige not figuring out what was wrong with mom and Michael being her doctor now?”   Rachel handed him a burger. “You ask a lot of questions for a little guy. Here, eat your dinner before it gets cold.”   Matthew took the burger and set it on the table. “Don’t change the subject, Rachel. What's going on?”   Rachel sighed and put down the fries she was about to hand Matthew. “I know this is hard for you but I really think that mom and Bo should be the ones to talk to you about all of this.” Matthew started to object and Rachel held up her hand. “But I will tell you that I don’t think it will be a problem anymore if you don’t want to spend time with Paige.”   “Wow! Does that mean my dad and Paige are breaking up?”   Rachel nodded. “I’m pretty sure they are. But you need to confirm that with Bo.”   Matthew smiled as he grabbed his fries. “That’s the best news since Mr. Colson got thrown in jail.” Matthew’s hand stopped in mid-air as he was about to pop a fry in his mouth. “Wait a minute. Did Paige kill someone like Mr. Colson did?”   Rachel avoided his look. “Not exactly.”   Matthew eyed her carefully. “Not exactly? What do you mean?”   Rachel sighed. “I mean you ask too many questions and you need to wait until you talk to mom and Bo. They’re the ones who will answer all your questions.”   “But they’re not here,” Matthew whined. There was a knock at the door. “Dad!” Matthew jumped off the couch and ran to the door, flinging it open before Rachel could stop him. Matthew’s face dropped when he saw who was standing at the door. “You’re not my dad.”   Rex grinned. “Just as well. You’re too ugly to be my kid.”   Matthew laughed. “You’re the ugly one.”   Rex put his fists up as if to box with Matthew. “You want to go a round and see who’s ugly?”   Rachel stood behind Matthew with a smile on her face. “Rex, what brings you by?”   Rex looked around. “Um, I was just… Is that burgers I smell?”   Matthew nodded. “We got burgers from the diner. Want some?”   Rex grinned, following Matthew into the living room. “Don’t mind if I do. I kinda skipped lunch.”   Rachel followed the boys into the living room, watching Rex suspiciously. “You didn’t tell me why you’re here, Rex.”   Rex looked around quickly. “Well, you know, I was just in the neighborhood and thought I would stop in and say hello.”   Rachel eyed him suspiciously. “In the neighborhood?”   Rex stuck his hands in his pockets. “Yeah, just hanging out.”   “I think it’s cool you came by,” Matthew said, handing him some fries and half his burger. “Maybe we could play video games?”   Rex took the food and sat in the chair. “Sure, I’m great with video games.”   Rachel sat on the couch next to Matthew. “What’s your favorite?”   Rex stopped in mid-bite. “My favorite? I… Um… I think that would have to be…”   Rachel didn’t let him off the hook. “What’s the name of it?”   Rex took a huge bite of his burger, stalling for time. “I’m thinking, okay?”   “You shouldn’t talk with your mouth full,” Matthew admonished.   Rex shot him a glare, swallowing quickly. “I’ll try to remember that. Why don’t you run upstairs and bring down your games and I’ll pick my favorite one.”   “Cool!” Matthew jumped off the couch and bounded up the stairs.   Rex turned to Rachel. “Bo told me to come over here. He doesn’t want me to freak Matthew out, so I’m playing it like a casual visit. Stop busting my chops, will ya?”   Rachel crossed her arms as she watched him. “Bo must know about the diner. I’m sorry. I’m just a little suspicious of anyone coming around my little brother these days.”   Rex looked at the stairs. “That’s cool. I’m here to watch out for him too. Bo didn’t go into details but he told me to stay here until he gets here. No one comes in and no one goes out. Deal?”   Rachel nodded as Matthew came running down the stairs with a box full of video games. “This is awesome that you can play. Rachel is terrible.” Matthew dumped the box onto the coffee table. “Take your pick. I can kill you at any of them.”   Rex frowned as he picked through the stack of video games. “Wow, you have a lot of games here. It’s hard to decide which is most fun…”   Rachel laughed. “I’ll leave you two ‘He-Men’ to your games. I’ll be in the den.”   Rachel picked up her food and left the room. Matthew turned to Rex. “Which one should we play first?”   Rex looked back toward the door, muttering. “I hope your dad gets here soon.”   Matthew followed Rex’s look. “What did you say?”   Rex turned his attention back to Matthew. “Nothing. Why don’t you pick your favorite and I’ll teach you how to play.”   Matthew laughed. “You’re going to teach ME?”   Rex nodded. “Yeah, that’s what I said, little guy.”   Matthew shook his head. “You wish.”   Rex winked at him. “I know how to cheat at all these games.”   Matthew's eyes got big. “You’re kidding, right?”   Rex handed him a game. “Pop this one in and prepare to dazzle your friends.”   ********************* Paige looked around Rodi’s and took a seat at the bar. She ordered a drink, continuing to look around cautiously. When the bartender served her drink, she threw some bills on the bar and took her drink to a secluded table at the back of the bar. Jenkins walked in and took a seat near the entrance where he could see Paige but she was oblivious to him.   Paige downed her drink, surveying the bar, clearly looking for someone. She was startled when Spencer slid into the chair in front of her. “Where did you come from?”   Spencer smirked. “Why so jumpy? You’re not nervous are you?”   Paige leaned forward, smiling as she hissed at him. “Of course I’m nervous. Bo is asking a lot of questions. He thinks I poisoned Nora.”   Spencer grinned casually. “Did you?”   “Of course not. I need you to go talk to Bo and explain to him about the extract.”   Spencer drummed his fingers on the table. “Why would I want to do that?”   Paige was taken aback. “Why? Because Bo thinks I’m purposely poisoning his ex to get close to his son.”   Spencer grinned again. “And you’re not?”   Paige sat back, exasperated. “No, I’m not poisoning Nora or anyone else.”   At that moment, the waitress appeared. She looked curiously at Paige before turning to Spencer. “Can I get you something?”   Spencer smiled pleasantly at the waitress. “I’m going on duty. I’ll just have an iced tea.”   The waitress turned to Paige. “Would you like another drink?”   Spencer jumped in. “She’ll have another. And make it a double. She’s really quite distraught and not thinking clearly.”   The waitress hurried away. Paige stared at Spencer.   “Why are you so calm? Do you know how much trouble we’re in?”   Spencer smiled at her as he played with his napkin. “We? From where I’m sitting, it appears Bo is focused on you.”   Paige shook her head. “I told Bo the extract came from you.”   “Why would you tell him something like that when it’s not true?”   Paige stared at him. “Not true? What are you talking about? You know you gave me that extract. I’ve been getting it from you for years.”   Spencer smirked. “Are you sure it’s the same extract?”   Paige sat back in her chair, stunned. “Oh my God. You switched the extract and gave me Hemlock?”   Spencer shook his head. “You have such a vivid imagination, Paige. Why would I want to hurt Nora?”   “This is your way of hurting me. If Bo thinks I’m the one poisoning Nora, we’re done.”   Spencer smirked. “Surely you have ways of getting him to believe you.”   Paige buried her face in her hands. “I can’t believe you’re doing this to me. Why can’t you just leave town?”   The waitress arrived with their drinks. Spencer smiled. “Thanks, Honey.” The waitress left and Spencer turned his attention to Paige. “Why would I want to leave now when I’m close to getting everything I want?”   Paige shook her head. “You will never get away with this. Bo will know that I would never poison someone. I’m a doctor!”   Spencer chuckled. “As am I. And which of us has more of a motive to hurt Nora?”   “You’re not going to get away with this. I’m going to tell Bo the truth.”   Spencer nodded. “The whole truth? About what you did all those years ago? Are you ready to let that secret out? Bo is the Commissioner. He can’t simply look the other way when a crime has been committed. No matter how good you are in bed.”   Paige stood and grabbed her purse. “You’re a pig, Spencer. I’m going to tell Bo the truth and let the chips fall where they may.”   Spencer grabbed her wrist as she moved to leave the table. “Think very carefully before you act. You’re no match for me. You think you know all my moves but if you push me, you will regret it.”   Paige shook her arm free. “I’m not going to be intimidated by your threats any longer, Spencer. This ends now.”   Paige marched toward the exit where she was stopped by Jenkins. Paige smiled broadly at him. “You again. What, is Bo having you follow me?”   Jenkins nodded. “As a matter of fact, he is. He’s on his way. I can’t let you leave before he gets here.”   Paige put her hands on her hips, staring down at Jenkins. “You can’t let me leave? I’m headed to the police station to find Bo. Why don’t you just follow me like you’ve been doing.”   Jenkins shook his head. “I don’t follow your orders. The Commissioner told me to keep you here until he gets here. That’s what I’m going to do. Why don’t you relax and have another drink?”   Paige tried to push past Jenkins. He grabbed her arm to stop her and she swatted him with her purse. Jenkins grabbed her arm and twisted it behind her back. That’s how Bo found them when he came through the door. “What the hell is going on here?”   “Bo!” Paige shrieked. “Your goon is manhandling me. Tell him to stop.”   Bo looked at Jenkins, who shrugged. “Just doing what you said, Sir.”   Bo nodded. “And a fine job of it, Jenkins. I can take it from here.”   Jenkins released Paige and she threw herself at Bo. “I’m so relieved you’re here. We need to talk.”   Bo pushed her back. “Yes, we do. Why don’t we take this down to the station. I have a few questions for you myself.” Bo turned to Jenkins. “Where is Truman?”   Jenkins pointed to the table at the back of the bar. Spencer held up his drink in a mock salute. “He showed up just like you figured,” Jenkins said.   Bo motioned to Spencer. “Get over here, Truman. You’re going for a ride too.”   Spencer sipped his tea, got up and walked over to Bo. “Right on time, Commissioner.”   Bo nodded to Jenkins. “Get them out of here.”   Jenkins shepherded Spencer and Paige out the door and Bo followed.   TBC