Tortured Souls
Part XI – The Cold, Hard Truth
By Dee Allen
She sat alone in her office smiling to herself. Looking at the ring on her finger, she
remembered the night before. It had been the most wonderful and happiest night of
her life. Yet she sat here; that feeling of uneasiness came over here once again. Why
did Michael seem so sad all morning? Why did he act like he was never going to see
her again when she left? She had the same feeling of dread when he left for New York,
but he returned just hours later. Perhaps her thoughts had no merit after all. “Why can’
t I shake this feeling?” She asked herself.
But it was 9:30 am. The meeting would begin in 30 minutes and Greg had not yet
arrived. She tried again to call him, but there was no answer at his apartment or on his
cell.
There was a knock at her door. Tracy came barging through without waiting to be
invited. “Greg had better be laying in a ditch someplace or I’m going to kill him with my
bare hands!” She ranted.
“Tracy, this is San Francisco. We don’t have too many ditches in the city limits.” Laura
tried to calm her friend. “Did somebody whiz in your coffee this morning?”
“He was supposed to be here an hour ago to go over the Neiman Marcas renovation
with me, but he didn’t show.” She said angrily. “Have you talked to him this weekend?”
“No.” Laura smiled coyly. “I’ve been a little busy.” She smiled easing her hand out
where Tracy could see the ring on her finger.
Tracy let out a gasp, then a loud squeal as she hugged her. “Oh my GOD! I'm so happy
for you! It’s about time that boy bought the cow!”
Laura glared at her. “Bitch!”
“So tell me all about it! Where did he propose? Was it romantic?” She prodded her.
“Well, of the parts I can tell you…oh who am I kidding! Hell YES! It was VERY romantic.
He asked me down by the waterfront. I said yes, and then I promptly took him home
and...” Laura whispered in Tracy’s ear.
Tracy’s eyes got big with excitement. “Oh YES!!! Now that’s the kind of details I love to
hear about!” She high-fived her friend. “So, when? Where? We need to figure this out,
girl!”
“Well, I don’t know yet.” She answered thoughtfully. “We got so caught up
in…um…other stuff we didn’t really talk about details.”
“Well, we have to find a dress…a church…a minister….” Tracy rushed ahead with the
details.
“Tracy!” Laura brought her friend back to the present! “All in good time. We’ll figure it
out and you can help me.” She took a deep breath. “I just want to get through today.”
“What do you mean?” Tracy asked concerned.
Thoughtfully, she folded her arms. “Tracy. Do me a favor.” She began. “I want all of the
key staff members to be at that meeting this morning. All of my dad’s friends, advisors.
Anybody who has been with this company for a while who remembers my dad. And I
especially want you there; I think I am going to make you very proud of me.”
“You make me proud every day, sweetie.” Tracy hugged her. “But something tells me
this is going to be really good.”
“Oh…it is.” Laura smiled mysteriously. “Believe me…I am about to rock your world.”
“I can’t wait to see this. Ok, I’ll go get everybody. See you in 10.” She ran out the door.
It was now 10 minutes to the meeting start. Looking out the window and down at the
street, she could see a limo pull up and 7 people got out, including Mr. Evans, Mr.
Linderman’s “right hand man”.
“I got you right where I want you, you little weasel! Now, if only I could open this
window and had a big bag of dog shit in my hand…” She grinned slightly maliciously.
Again, she became concerned. “Greg, where are you?” She looked at her watch, and
then tried his cell once again. No answer. She could wait no longer. She began to pick
up her portfolio, took two steps and decided to leave it right where it was and left for
the meeting without it.
------
Laura walked into the conference room. Today was standing room only. She took her
seat at the head of the table, shaking hands with Mr. Linderman’s associates before
taking a seat. As she sat down her eyes met squarely with Mr. Evans’s. “Game on!” She
thought to herself.
“Well, Miss Ryan,” Mr. Evans began. “I didn’t realize there were going to be so many
people here this morning. I don’t see Mr. Andrews. Will he be arriving shortly?”
“Well, I see this morning as an epic new beginning for Ryan and Associates and I
wanted all of my father’s key people who have been beside him for so many years to be
here to witness this. As for my associate Mr. Andrews, I don’t know, Mr. Evans.” Laura
began. “I have not heard from him all morning and truth be told, I am very concerned.
“Of course. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.” He offered superficially.
“I’ll do that.” Laura replied derisively. “So Mr. Evans…why have you called this
meeting.”
“Ok, I am going to be brutally frank here, Miss Ryan.” He began. Mr. Linderman is less
than pleased with the level of commitment displayed by Ryan and Associates since you
were selected to represent this project. I feel I have to give you notice that Mr.
Linderman is thinking of hiring another firm to finish the job. And that said, it will be
difficult for you to rebuild your reputation once Mr. Linderman gets word out that your
shoddy workmanship and devotion to this project has been less than ideal. So that is
what Mr. Linderman has to say. How say you, Miss Ryan?”
Laura leaned forward, folding her hands in front of her. “Shoddy workmanship. Lack of
commitment. That’s very interesting.” She continued to lock eyes with him purposely
trying to make him uncomfortable.
It was working. “Well, Miss Ryan” he began to bristle under his collar. “I am not here to
make trouble for anybody. I am simply here to find a resolution so we can work
together as a team.”
“Really!” Laura spoke slowly. “A resolution! How very democratic of you.”
Mr. Evans sighed. “Ok, Miss Ryan. I have come here to work with you, but your
intimidation tactics have been less than benevolent and you have shown my position
absolutely no consideration, therefore…”
“Therefore, I’ll never work in this town again!” She said derisively. “I saw that movie
too.”
The employees exchanged laughter and snickers under their breaths.
“Miss Ryan, could I ask you exactly what your fucking problem is?” He asked her
angrily standing up.
“Oh good, and the gloves come off…I have been waiting for this!” She stood up.
“Carol, may I have that folder?” Carol handed her a manila envelope containing
several faxes and documents. Laura took out its contents and threw it on the table.
“So you say our workmanship and attentiveness to this project has been ‘less than
ideal’, I believe is what you said, is that right?” She jabbed at him. “Well, lookie what I
have been collecting. Unanswered e-mails, phone messages, faxes. All to you, or Mr.
Linderman. And not a response to boot! I personally put in a request to fly to New York
to do a walkthrough of the Deveaux building. I believe your response was ‘you’ll get
back to me’…you didn’t get back to me. I have asked you for specs. I have not received
specs. So Mr. Evans…without providing us with highly important details we need to do
our jobs, how can you sit there and tell me we are providing ‘less than ideal’ results
when it is very clear that we are not being provided with information to get our jobs
done?”
“Well, I can assure you that any miscommunication is simply an oversight, Miss Ryan….”
“Oversight…right.” Laura sat down again, sitting back in her chair, arms folded glaring
at him. “That, or you are purposely are treating us like mushrooms.” She said starring
him down.
“Um…I don’t understand the relevance of mushrooms to this conversation.” He replied
nervously.
“It means we are being fed a lot of bullshit and kept in the dark.” She replied flatly, not
shifting her eyes from him. The room came to life with snickers from the staff.
“I must say I find your tone quite offensive, Miss Ryan.” He stammered.
“That’s ok…I find your presence in the doors of my father’s company offensive, Mr.
Evans. And if you think, that you are going to try to acquire Ryan and Associates in a
hostile take over, you are insanely deluded.”
Gasps from the others filled the room. Tracy sat there with her mouth wide open in awe
watching her friend not back down from her foe! “Yes Laura! Yes!!!” She thought to
herself.
“I’m sure I have no indication what you are referring to, Miss Ryan.” He responded
haughtily.
“Well, let’s see if I can refresh your memory.” She threw down another folder in front of
him. “It looks like somebody in the Linderman Group is illegally buying up shares.
Yeah…it looks like you have acquired so far 29 of our company shares. So how say
YOU, Mr. Evans?
“Just simply putting an investment in our interest.” He coughed.
“Ok, I can understand that.” She replied. “So how do you explain the fact that Mr.
Linderman has been dead since November 8th, 2006, but somebody has been going
through a lot of trouble to keep that secret?” She threw a copy of his death certificate
on the table.
“Where did you get that?” He stammered.
“Does it really matter where I got it?” She asked. “The point is I got it and you are flat
busted, you lying, candy ass, pussy whipped piece of crap! I got you!!!”
He looked like he wanted the room to open up and swallow him inside.
“Mr. Evans, you have been passing yourself off as Mr. Linderman acquiring business
deals right and left, quite illegally I must add. And you have been setting up smaller
corporations to fall by putting the word out that they have a bad reputation, and then
you blackmail their shareholders to sell their shares to you eluding them that they can
keep their jobs once you take over the company.”
Everyone in the room was looking at Laura in complete astonishment wondering where
this girl came from. Standing toe to toe with Mr. Evans, she was on fire. For the people
who had watched this girl journey from a child into a savvy, confident woman, this was
the day they knew would happen.
“You know Mr. Evans, ever since you accepted our proposal, you have been playing
this little game of passive-aggressive pussy footing, trying to make us look like we are
incompetent idiots. You have been rude to me, you have disrespectful to my
employees and you have dared to desecrate the institution my father worked his entire
life to build, just so you can have your little corporate garage sale, you nauseating, two-
faced, back-stabbing, little prick!”
She stood up.
“Now, you get your ass out of that chair and get out of my father’s company
immediately, because you are not worthy to breathe the same air of the people I call my
family.” She stood in front of him. “Get out!” She said calmly but spitefully.
Mr. Evans picked up his belongings and put them into his briefcase and quickly began
to walk out of the office.
“Oh and by the way, there is only one way out of this building and there is a big burley
FBI agent standing in the lobby who has been dying to meet you. Have fun in San
Quentin. Don’t drop the soap!” He walked out and slammed the door followed by the
rest of the Linderman thugs.
Laura stood there for a moment then fell down in the chair her heart pounding out of
her chest. The room burst with thunderous applause!
“THAT…was epic!” Tracy screamed giving her a hug. “Where in the hell did that come
from?”
“I really don’t know.” Laura answered her flabbergasted. “Greg and I have been
getting suspicious. We both have heard rumors about Mr. Linderman, but we never
had any proof to back it up. Then Greg started looking into Mr. Evan’s activities and we
became very suspicious. That combined with him being a sniveling little twit and not
returning our phone calls. Lets face it…we were getting tired of the little weasel and
decided to call him out on the playing field.”
“But how in the hell did you get a copy of Mr. Linderman’s death certificate?” She
asked still in shock.
“Oh, that?” Laura smiled looking like she was going to burst. “It’s my dad’s. Photoshop.
It’s a beautiful thing! They burst out laughing. "See, Greg found that Mr. Linderman's
jet flew from Vegas to New York on November 6th and when the jet returned, he was
not on it.”
"Well, I'll be damned!" Tracy shook her head in disbelief.
"Well, stick around...there are more surprises coming." She told her.
Laura stood up. “Could I have everyone’s attention?” The room quieted down.
“Everyone take a seat please.”
“Thank you.” She started. “I asked you all here today to be part of this reveal because
you have worked alongside my father to make this company what it is, and you have
continued to help us grow after my father’s death by staying on after I took over the
company.” Laura began to get choked up, but continued.
“I know it could not have been easy to suddenly have a young girl taking over the rains
of the firm after you had been working with my father for so many years. I really thought
when you got the news that I was now in charge, many of you would leave.” She smiled
softly. “But you didn’t. You stayed on and helped mentor me in keeping this company
as successful as if my father never left. I have only provided the boat, but you all are
the oars, the rutters and the wind in our sails. When people congratulate me on a job
well done, I always tell them that I am just a face and a name; this company would not
be what it was with out all of you. And I thank you all, from the very bottom of my heart
for keeping us afloat.”
She took a deep breath continuing. “That is why it is with mixed emotion I tell you, that
effective noon today, I am resigning as Chief Executive Officer of Ryan and
Associates.” She stood in pause for a moment and the room came alive with shocked
expressions and whispers going through the room.
“Laura, why? She could hear above the whispers.
“I have known many of you since I was just a little girl. After my mother died, you were
all there and you have all become my family. I have loved working with all of you.”
Taking a deep breath. “But this company was somebody else’s dream. I loved my father
and I love this company, but my life is calling out to me and I can no longer ignore it. In
fact, most of you do not know that as of last night, my boyfriend Michael Walsh, is now
my fiancé.” The room exploded in applause. Laura smiled. “I don’t know what I am
going to do, or where we will go once we become ‘legal’. But I only know that I am
going to start living my own dreams; and that includes have lots of babies.”
“So, that said, I would like to announce my successor; Mr. John Darcy.” The room
applauded him loudly.
“Mr. Darcy, please come up here and take your seat.” Laura gave him a hug and turned
to the group once again. “So without further delay, I leave you now as I start the next
chapter in my life and you with the man who should have had the job in the first place. I
love you all. Thank you all for being there for me. I will miss you all terribly. Thank you.”
She turned and walked from the room, tears now streaming down her face. They were
partially tears of joy and partially tears of sadness. But she marched forward leaving
her father’s life behind her walking into her office for the last time. She quickly
changed into her street clothes and took her hair down.
There was a knock at the door and Tracy came in. Laura smiled at her.
“Well there you go with your bad self!” Tracy looked at her proudly.
“The real me. No more dressing up in my mother’s clothes to live my father’s dream.”
She said a little sadly.
“Are you sure about this?” Tracy asked her.
Laura closed her eyes and nodded. “I am sure.” She opened her eyes and looked at
Tracy. “I told you that you would be proud of me.”
“I was already proud of you.” She walked over to her putting her hands on Laura’s
shoulders, tears starting. “But today, you made my buttons burst off of my blouse, girl.”
Tracy began to cry and hugged her. “You’re going to have a wonderful life, Laura. I
love you honey.”
Laura stood back and looked at her. “I love you too.” She touched Tracy’s face and
wiped her eyes.
There was a soft knock at the door. “Come in.” Laura called out.
Mohinder Suresh came through the door. “Hubba Hubba!” Tracy said to Laura under
her breath.
“Control yourself.” Laura told her sternly.
“Mohinder.” Laura shook his hand, looking at him puzzled. “Did we have an
appointment I forgot about?”
“Well no”. He replied. “But I am here about something important. Can we talk?”
“Sure. I’m sorry Mohinder, this is my friend and…well friend Tracy Bauer. Tracy, this is
Dr. Mohinder Suresh. He is a genetics expert and he is researching people that
are…well…like me.” Laura smiled.
“Pleasure to meet you doctor.” Tracy said a little flirty. “Now, my girl here is going to be
a married woman soon, but if you’re looking for some company while you’re in town,
come see me on the way out.” Laura shook her head holding back laughter. Tracy left.
“I’m sorry Mohinder, I only keep her around for the comic relief you understand.” She
smiled. Mohinder looked pensive. “I take it this is not a social visit?” Laura said
studying his face.
“Laura, I’m afraid I have some terrible news and there is just no easy way to say this.”
He took a deep breath. “It’s Greg Andrews. He was found dead in his apartment last
night. He was murdered over the weekend.”
Laura stood there for a moment. She slowly sat down in her chair starring at Mohinder
in disbelief.
----
Audrey Hanson slowly walked around Greg’s apartment looking for any evidence.
There was a knock at the door as Matt Parkman walked in.
“Need a cop?” He asked her.
“Ex-cop” She smiled.
“Whatever.” He replied. “What’cha got?”
“Well, no breaking and entering, no finger prints, no signs of struggle, knife clean
through the skull…what does that sound like to you?” She asked looking at him.
“Sylar?” Matt replied.
“You got it.” Audrey replied shaking her head. “That poor girl. I think we all thought he
had changed, but this confirms he never will.”
“I thought Mohinder was supposed to break the news to her.” He responded.
“He hasn’t been able to talk to her for more than 5 minutes at a clip and each time has
been inappropriate.” She said thoughtfully.
Matt shook his head. “Dammit! That bastard has ruined so many lives. Thank God he is
going to be dead soon!”
“Well, Peter seems to think he is remorseful about his deeds.” Audrey replied.
“Yeah…look at Mr. Andrews head and you tell me that he is remorseful.” Matt said
angrily.
“Hey, I’m not condoning his actions.” She shrugged. “But he came to Peter after he
committed this murder. You gotta admit it takes balls to ask to be put to death to
protect someone you love.”
Laura walked in the door followed by Mohinder.
Audrey turned and looked at her. “You must be Laura Ryan. Audrey Hanson, FBI. This is
Matt Parkman, formerly LAPD. He’s helping me out today.”
Laura nodded at them both, still crying. “What about his dog and his cats?” She asked
through her tears.
“They went to the SPCA. Somebody already took the dog. I’m sure the cats will find
homes too.”
Laura looked around the apartment like she was looking for something. She looked at
something in the one of the plants.
“So this was done by Sylar?” She asked
“We think so.” Audrey answered her.
Laura continued to cry. “He was looking into finding out who this Sylar was to help me.
He wanted to protect me from him.” She turned and looked at Audrey. “Do you have
any idea how much of a bitch I was to him? I kept scoffing every time he would talk to
me about it. I would laugh off any of this information about Super Genomes, powers
and the arch-enemy serial killer. He took it completely seriously and I just got annoyed.
Maybe if I had paid better attention...”
“Maybe Sylar would have killed you.” Audrey said touching her shoulder. Laura turned
and looked at her. Then she continued her search around the apartment.
“Maybe you shouldn’t be here.” Audrey said gently.
“Where else would I be?” Laura asked her.
“Miss Ryan, may I ask you what you are looking for?” Audrey asked her. “This is a crime
scene.”
“And you are former FBI, agent Hansen.” Laura responded matter-of-factly. “I know the
crime scene was already investigated last night. So you are trespassing, just like I am.
Now are you going to let me look around, or do I need to get a hold of the San
Francisco FBI?”
“She’s good.” Audrey said to Mohinder. Then she whispered “Have you told her yet?”
“No.” He looked at her incredulously. “I didn’t feel telling her that best friend was just
murdered in the same breath that her fiancé is a serial killer was too appropriate. Do
you?”
“Ok, your right.” Audrey replied. “Well, they way it is all going down, it looks like we
won’t have to break the news to her. Bennett wants her to be brought in. He is sending
The Hatian and Candice here now as we speak.”
Mohider looked astounded. “I thought this wasn’t going to happen until tonight?”
“Sylar called Peter this morning.” She told him. “When Laura left for work this morning,
he wanted to get it over with.”
“Is he dead yet?
“Not yet.” Audrey answered. “They are waiting for her to arrive.”
“What?” Mohinder almost shouted. “Why prolong the agony? What is this solving? It’s
not going to change things?”
“Will you lower your voice!” She reproached him. “I don’t disagree. But it appears that
it is all part of the “bigger plan” they keep talking about, so we’ll just do what we
normally do and play along.”
Laura kept searching the apartment. Matt approached her hoping to assist. “Nanny
Cam?” He whispered to her.
Laura turned and looked at him. “I didn’t say that out loud.” She looked angry at him.
“How did you know that’s what I was looking for? She thought to herself, testing him.
“Because I am like you Laura.” He told her.
“You can read thoughts?”
“Yes, I can. If there is anything you don’t want agent Hansen to know, I will read your
thoughts.” He whispered to her.
“I am looking for the nanny cam he installed the other day. It is motion activated. If it
was on while he was being murdered, then we know if Sylar killed him or not.
“Laura.” He came in close to her and whispered. “Maybe you don’t want to see this.”
“I have to know. Can you do something about Frau Blücher over there? She’s making
my skin crawl!.”
“She’s not so bad once you get to know her.” He whispered. “But Laura, this is not a
good idea.”
“I have to see the face of the man who killed my friend and may even be after my
powers.”
“Ok.” He said. “I guess you need to do whatever you have to do.” He warned her. “Hey
Audrey...can you help me get my crime bag out of the back of my car?”
“You’re a big boy Parkman.” She glowered at him. “You can do it.”
“It’s a big bag.” He protested.
“Fine.” She turned to Laura. “Don’t touch anything.”
“Whatever.” She replied.
As Audrey and Matt walked out the door. Laura ran to his laptop. Sure enough he had
the nanny cam ran to his laptop.
Sitting down, she logged in. Working quickly she started looking through the dates the
cam had uploaded to his computer. “Here we go…Saturday.” She double clicked the
icon.
She fast forwarded until she found what she was looking for. Greg answered the door.
To her shock, Michael walked through the door.
Laura’s heart sank. Leaning forward, she turned up the sound.
The whole scene played out before her. She heard every word. She could hear the evil
in his voice. Right until the moment he sent the knife piercing Greg’s head.
As the footage showed Sylar destroying the evidence, two large tears fell on the
keyboard.
Mohinder walked back in the room in the same instant as Matt and Audrey.
“Oh God!” Audrey shouted watching Laura view the footage of her lover murdering her
best friend.
Mohinder approached her, touching her shoulder. She sat in shock, her face wet with
tears.
“Laura, I am so sorry you had to find out this way.” Mohinder said to her.
She looked up at him. “You knew?” She said in horror. Turning to Matt and Audrey.
“Did you know too?” Her voice shook as she spoke.
Matt and Audrey both nodded.
“You all knew that the man I love…is a killer?” She looked at them all with disbelief in
her eyes. “My God! If I had known this when you came to the pub, maybe Greg would
be alive now. And you didn’t tell me.”
She fell to the floor sobbing in anguish. “Michael.” She whispered. “How could you?”
“Laura.” Audrey approached her. “You need to come with us.” She tried to help her up.
“Get away from me, bitch!” She screamed shoving her away. She stood up.
“My God! It has all been a lie!” Closing her eyes in disbelief. “I don’t understand. Did he
come to kill me too?”
Mohinder tried to console her. “Laura, he really loved you...”
“Loved me?” She shouted, tears streaming down her face. “He knew how much Greg
meant to me. He was my brother! He couldn’t do this if he loved me”
She put her hands over her face. “My God, it all makes sense now. Greg must have
figured it out and tried to call me. I left my cell at home on Saturday
morning…Michael…” She closed her eyes blinking back tears, and then opened them
again. “Sylar must have intercepted the call and came to kill him. He didn’t want me to
find out, so he killed Greg and destroyed the evidence.”
“Laura, I know this is painful for you…” Audrey tried again to approach her.
“Ya THINK!” She screamed! “Don’t even think of coming near me! You all knew what he
was!” The tears flowed from her eyes, her heart breaking. “You KNEW! How could you
let me fall in love with that monster? My GOD I loved him so much! And he was nothing
but a goddamn murderer! And you all KNEW! You knew and you did nothing!”
She backed up toward the door. Before running out she turned around.
Pointing at each one of them. “Fuck you! Fuck you! And fuck you! Just stay the hell
away from me.”
They all stood there watching; devastated, she ran out the door.
END OF PART XI
Part XI – The Cold, Hard Truth
By Dee Allen
She sat alone in her office smiling to herself. Looking at the ring on her finger, she
remembered the night before. It had been the most wonderful and happiest night of
her life. Yet she sat here; that feeling of uneasiness came over here once again. Why
did Michael seem so sad all morning? Why did he act like he was never going to see
her again when she left? She had the same feeling of dread when he left for New York,
but he returned just hours later. Perhaps her thoughts had no merit after all. “Why can’
t I shake this feeling?” She asked herself.
But it was 9:30 am. The meeting would begin in 30 minutes and Greg had not yet
arrived. She tried again to call him, but there was no answer at his apartment or on his
cell.
There was a knock at her door. Tracy came barging through without waiting to be
invited. “Greg had better be laying in a ditch someplace or I’m going to kill him with my
bare hands!” She ranted.
“Tracy, this is San Francisco. We don’t have too many ditches in the city limits.” Laura
tried to calm her friend. “Did somebody whiz in your coffee this morning?”
“He was supposed to be here an hour ago to go over the Neiman Marcas renovation
with me, but he didn’t show.” She said angrily. “Have you talked to him this weekend?”
“No.” Laura smiled coyly. “I’ve been a little busy.” She smiled easing her hand out
where Tracy could see the ring on her finger.
Tracy let out a gasp, then a loud squeal as she hugged her. “Oh my GOD! I'm so happy
for you! It’s about time that boy bought the cow!”
Laura glared at her. “Bitch!”
“So tell me all about it! Where did he propose? Was it romantic?” She prodded her.
“Well, of the parts I can tell you…oh who am I kidding! Hell YES! It was VERY romantic.
He asked me down by the waterfront. I said yes, and then I promptly took him home
and...” Laura whispered in Tracy’s ear.
Tracy’s eyes got big with excitement. “Oh YES!!! Now that’s the kind of details I love to
hear about!” She high-fived her friend. “So, when? Where? We need to figure this out,
girl!”
“Well, I don’t know yet.” She answered thoughtfully. “We got so caught up
in…um…other stuff we didn’t really talk about details.”
“Well, we have to find a dress…a church…a minister….” Tracy rushed ahead with the
details.
“Tracy!” Laura brought her friend back to the present! “All in good time. We’ll figure it
out and you can help me.” She took a deep breath. “I just want to get through today.”
“What do you mean?” Tracy asked concerned.
Thoughtfully, she folded her arms. “Tracy. Do me a favor.” She began. “I want all of the
key staff members to be at that meeting this morning. All of my dad’s friends, advisors.
Anybody who has been with this company for a while who remembers my dad. And I
especially want you there; I think I am going to make you very proud of me.”
“You make me proud every day, sweetie.” Tracy hugged her. “But something tells me
this is going to be really good.”
“Oh…it is.” Laura smiled mysteriously. “Believe me…I am about to rock your world.”
“I can’t wait to see this. Ok, I’ll go get everybody. See you in 10.” She ran out the door.
It was now 10 minutes to the meeting start. Looking out the window and down at the
street, she could see a limo pull up and 7 people got out, including Mr. Evans, Mr.
Linderman’s “right hand man”.
“I got you right where I want you, you little weasel! Now, if only I could open this
window and had a big bag of dog shit in my hand…” She grinned slightly maliciously.
Again, she became concerned. “Greg, where are you?” She looked at her watch, and
then tried his cell once again. No answer. She could wait no longer. She began to pick
up her portfolio, took two steps and decided to leave it right where it was and left for
the meeting without it.
------
Laura walked into the conference room. Today was standing room only. She took her
seat at the head of the table, shaking hands with Mr. Linderman’s associates before
taking a seat. As she sat down her eyes met squarely with Mr. Evans’s. “Game on!” She
thought to herself.
“Well, Miss Ryan,” Mr. Evans began. “I didn’t realize there were going to be so many
people here this morning. I don’t see Mr. Andrews. Will he be arriving shortly?”
“Well, I see this morning as an epic new beginning for Ryan and Associates and I
wanted all of my father’s key people who have been beside him for so many years to be
here to witness this. As for my associate Mr. Andrews, I don’t know, Mr. Evans.” Laura
began. “I have not heard from him all morning and truth be told, I am very concerned.
“Of course. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.” He offered superficially.
“I’ll do that.” Laura replied derisively. “So Mr. Evans…why have you called this
meeting.”
“Ok, I am going to be brutally frank here, Miss Ryan.” He began. Mr. Linderman is less
than pleased with the level of commitment displayed by Ryan and Associates since you
were selected to represent this project. I feel I have to give you notice that Mr.
Linderman is thinking of hiring another firm to finish the job. And that said, it will be
difficult for you to rebuild your reputation once Mr. Linderman gets word out that your
shoddy workmanship and devotion to this project has been less than ideal. So that is
what Mr. Linderman has to say. How say you, Miss Ryan?”
Laura leaned forward, folding her hands in front of her. “Shoddy workmanship. Lack of
commitment. That’s very interesting.” She continued to lock eyes with him purposely
trying to make him uncomfortable.
It was working. “Well, Miss Ryan” he began to bristle under his collar. “I am not here to
make trouble for anybody. I am simply here to find a resolution so we can work
together as a team.”
“Really!” Laura spoke slowly. “A resolution! How very democratic of you.”
Mr. Evans sighed. “Ok, Miss Ryan. I have come here to work with you, but your
intimidation tactics have been less than benevolent and you have shown my position
absolutely no consideration, therefore…”
“Therefore, I’ll never work in this town again!” She said derisively. “I saw that movie
too.”
The employees exchanged laughter and snickers under their breaths.
“Miss Ryan, could I ask you exactly what your fucking problem is?” He asked her
angrily standing up.
“Oh good, and the gloves come off…I have been waiting for this!” She stood up.
“Carol, may I have that folder?” Carol handed her a manila envelope containing
several faxes and documents. Laura took out its contents and threw it on the table.
“So you say our workmanship and attentiveness to this project has been ‘less than
ideal’, I believe is what you said, is that right?” She jabbed at him. “Well, lookie what I
have been collecting. Unanswered e-mails, phone messages, faxes. All to you, or Mr.
Linderman. And not a response to boot! I personally put in a request to fly to New York
to do a walkthrough of the Deveaux building. I believe your response was ‘you’ll get
back to me’…you didn’t get back to me. I have asked you for specs. I have not received
specs. So Mr. Evans…without providing us with highly important details we need to do
our jobs, how can you sit there and tell me we are providing ‘less than ideal’ results
when it is very clear that we are not being provided with information to get our jobs
done?”
“Well, I can assure you that any miscommunication is simply an oversight, Miss Ryan….”
“Oversight…right.” Laura sat down again, sitting back in her chair, arms folded glaring
at him. “That, or you are purposely are treating us like mushrooms.” She said starring
him down.
“Um…I don’t understand the relevance of mushrooms to this conversation.” He replied
nervously.
“It means we are being fed a lot of bullshit and kept in the dark.” She replied flatly, not
shifting her eyes from him. The room came to life with snickers from the staff.
“I must say I find your tone quite offensive, Miss Ryan.” He stammered.
“That’s ok…I find your presence in the doors of my father’s company offensive, Mr.
Evans. And if you think, that you are going to try to acquire Ryan and Associates in a
hostile take over, you are insanely deluded.”
Gasps from the others filled the room. Tracy sat there with her mouth wide open in awe
watching her friend not back down from her foe! “Yes Laura! Yes!!!” She thought to
herself.
“I’m sure I have no indication what you are referring to, Miss Ryan.” He responded
haughtily.
“Well, let’s see if I can refresh your memory.” She threw down another folder in front of
him. “It looks like somebody in the Linderman Group is illegally buying up shares.
Yeah…it looks like you have acquired so far 29 of our company shares. So how say
YOU, Mr. Evans?
“Just simply putting an investment in our interest.” He coughed.
“Ok, I can understand that.” She replied. “So how do you explain the fact that Mr.
Linderman has been dead since November 8th, 2006, but somebody has been going
through a lot of trouble to keep that secret?” She threw a copy of his death certificate
on the table.
“Where did you get that?” He stammered.
“Does it really matter where I got it?” She asked. “The point is I got it and you are flat
busted, you lying, candy ass, pussy whipped piece of crap! I got you!!!”
He looked like he wanted the room to open up and swallow him inside.
“Mr. Evans, you have been passing yourself off as Mr. Linderman acquiring business
deals right and left, quite illegally I must add. And you have been setting up smaller
corporations to fall by putting the word out that they have a bad reputation, and then
you blackmail their shareholders to sell their shares to you eluding them that they can
keep their jobs once you take over the company.”
Everyone in the room was looking at Laura in complete astonishment wondering where
this girl came from. Standing toe to toe with Mr. Evans, she was on fire. For the people
who had watched this girl journey from a child into a savvy, confident woman, this was
the day they knew would happen.
“You know Mr. Evans, ever since you accepted our proposal, you have been playing
this little game of passive-aggressive pussy footing, trying to make us look like we are
incompetent idiots. You have been rude to me, you have disrespectful to my
employees and you have dared to desecrate the institution my father worked his entire
life to build, just so you can have your little corporate garage sale, you nauseating, two-
faced, back-stabbing, little prick!”
She stood up.
“Now, you get your ass out of that chair and get out of my father’s company
immediately, because you are not worthy to breathe the same air of the people I call my
family.” She stood in front of him. “Get out!” She said calmly but spitefully.
Mr. Evans picked up his belongings and put them into his briefcase and quickly began
to walk out of the office.
“Oh and by the way, there is only one way out of this building and there is a big burley
FBI agent standing in the lobby who has been dying to meet you. Have fun in San
Quentin. Don’t drop the soap!” He walked out and slammed the door followed by the
rest of the Linderman thugs.
Laura stood there for a moment then fell down in the chair her heart pounding out of
her chest. The room burst with thunderous applause!
“THAT…was epic!” Tracy screamed giving her a hug. “Where in the hell did that come
from?”
“I really don’t know.” Laura answered her flabbergasted. “Greg and I have been
getting suspicious. We both have heard rumors about Mr. Linderman, but we never
had any proof to back it up. Then Greg started looking into Mr. Evan’s activities and we
became very suspicious. That combined with him being a sniveling little twit and not
returning our phone calls. Lets face it…we were getting tired of the little weasel and
decided to call him out on the playing field.”
“But how in the hell did you get a copy of Mr. Linderman’s death certificate?” She
asked still in shock.
“Oh, that?” Laura smiled looking like she was going to burst. “It’s my dad’s. Photoshop.
It’s a beautiful thing! They burst out laughing. "See, Greg found that Mr. Linderman's
jet flew from Vegas to New York on November 6th and when the jet returned, he was
not on it.”
"Well, I'll be damned!" Tracy shook her head in disbelief.
"Well, stick around...there are more surprises coming." She told her.
Laura stood up. “Could I have everyone’s attention?” The room quieted down.
“Everyone take a seat please.”
“Thank you.” She started. “I asked you all here today to be part of this reveal because
you have worked alongside my father to make this company what it is, and you have
continued to help us grow after my father’s death by staying on after I took over the
company.” Laura began to get choked up, but continued.
“I know it could not have been easy to suddenly have a young girl taking over the rains
of the firm after you had been working with my father for so many years. I really thought
when you got the news that I was now in charge, many of you would leave.” She smiled
softly. “But you didn’t. You stayed on and helped mentor me in keeping this company
as successful as if my father never left. I have only provided the boat, but you all are
the oars, the rutters and the wind in our sails. When people congratulate me on a job
well done, I always tell them that I am just a face and a name; this company would not
be what it was with out all of you. And I thank you all, from the very bottom of my heart
for keeping us afloat.”
She took a deep breath continuing. “That is why it is with mixed emotion I tell you, that
effective noon today, I am resigning as Chief Executive Officer of Ryan and
Associates.” She stood in pause for a moment and the room came alive with shocked
expressions and whispers going through the room.
“Laura, why? She could hear above the whispers.
“I have known many of you since I was just a little girl. After my mother died, you were
all there and you have all become my family. I have loved working with all of you.”
Taking a deep breath. “But this company was somebody else’s dream. I loved my father
and I love this company, but my life is calling out to me and I can no longer ignore it. In
fact, most of you do not know that as of last night, my boyfriend Michael Walsh, is now
my fiancé.” The room exploded in applause. Laura smiled. “I don’t know what I am
going to do, or where we will go once we become ‘legal’. But I only know that I am
going to start living my own dreams; and that includes have lots of babies.”
“So, that said, I would like to announce my successor; Mr. John Darcy.” The room
applauded him loudly.
“Mr. Darcy, please come up here and take your seat.” Laura gave him a hug and turned
to the group once again. “So without further delay, I leave you now as I start the next
chapter in my life and you with the man who should have had the job in the first place. I
love you all. Thank you all for being there for me. I will miss you all terribly. Thank you.”
She turned and walked from the room, tears now streaming down her face. They were
partially tears of joy and partially tears of sadness. But she marched forward leaving
her father’s life behind her walking into her office for the last time. She quickly
changed into her street clothes and took her hair down.
There was a knock at the door and Tracy came in. Laura smiled at her.
“Well there you go with your bad self!” Tracy looked at her proudly.
“The real me. No more dressing up in my mother’s clothes to live my father’s dream.”
She said a little sadly.
“Are you sure about this?” Tracy asked her.
Laura closed her eyes and nodded. “I am sure.” She opened her eyes and looked at
Tracy. “I told you that you would be proud of me.”
“I was already proud of you.” She walked over to her putting her hands on Laura’s
shoulders, tears starting. “But today, you made my buttons burst off of my blouse, girl.”
Tracy began to cry and hugged her. “You’re going to have a wonderful life, Laura. I
love you honey.”
Laura stood back and looked at her. “I love you too.” She touched Tracy’s face and
wiped her eyes.
There was a soft knock at the door. “Come in.” Laura called out.
Mohinder Suresh came through the door. “Hubba Hubba!” Tracy said to Laura under
her breath.
“Control yourself.” Laura told her sternly.
“Mohinder.” Laura shook his hand, looking at him puzzled. “Did we have an
appointment I forgot about?”
“Well no”. He replied. “But I am here about something important. Can we talk?”
“Sure. I’m sorry Mohinder, this is my friend and…well friend Tracy Bauer. Tracy, this is
Dr. Mohinder Suresh. He is a genetics expert and he is researching people that
are…well…like me.” Laura smiled.
“Pleasure to meet you doctor.” Tracy said a little flirty. “Now, my girl here is going to be
a married woman soon, but if you’re looking for some company while you’re in town,
come see me on the way out.” Laura shook her head holding back laughter. Tracy left.
“I’m sorry Mohinder, I only keep her around for the comic relief you understand.” She
smiled. Mohinder looked pensive. “I take it this is not a social visit?” Laura said
studying his face.
“Laura, I’m afraid I have some terrible news and there is just no easy way to say this.”
He took a deep breath. “It’s Greg Andrews. He was found dead in his apartment last
night. He was murdered over the weekend.”
Laura stood there for a moment. She slowly sat down in her chair starring at Mohinder
in disbelief.
----
Audrey Hanson slowly walked around Greg’s apartment looking for any evidence.
There was a knock at the door as Matt Parkman walked in.
“Need a cop?” He asked her.
“Ex-cop” She smiled.
“Whatever.” He replied. “What’cha got?”
“Well, no breaking and entering, no finger prints, no signs of struggle, knife clean
through the skull…what does that sound like to you?” She asked looking at him.
“Sylar?” Matt replied.
“You got it.” Audrey replied shaking her head. “That poor girl. I think we all thought he
had changed, but this confirms he never will.”
“I thought Mohinder was supposed to break the news to her.” He responded.
“He hasn’t been able to talk to her for more than 5 minutes at a clip and each time has
been inappropriate.” She said thoughtfully.
Matt shook his head. “Dammit! That bastard has ruined so many lives. Thank God he is
going to be dead soon!”
“Well, Peter seems to think he is remorseful about his deeds.” Audrey replied.
“Yeah…look at Mr. Andrews head and you tell me that he is remorseful.” Matt said
angrily.
“Hey, I’m not condoning his actions.” She shrugged. “But he came to Peter after he
committed this murder. You gotta admit it takes balls to ask to be put to death to
protect someone you love.”
Laura walked in the door followed by Mohinder.
Audrey turned and looked at her. “You must be Laura Ryan. Audrey Hanson, FBI. This is
Matt Parkman, formerly LAPD. He’s helping me out today.”
Laura nodded at them both, still crying. “What about his dog and his cats?” She asked
through her tears.
“They went to the SPCA. Somebody already took the dog. I’m sure the cats will find
homes too.”
Laura looked around the apartment like she was looking for something. She looked at
something in the one of the plants.
“So this was done by Sylar?” She asked
“We think so.” Audrey answered her.
Laura continued to cry. “He was looking into finding out who this Sylar was to help me.
He wanted to protect me from him.” She turned and looked at Audrey. “Do you have
any idea how much of a bitch I was to him? I kept scoffing every time he would talk to
me about it. I would laugh off any of this information about Super Genomes, powers
and the arch-enemy serial killer. He took it completely seriously and I just got annoyed.
Maybe if I had paid better attention...”
“Maybe Sylar would have killed you.” Audrey said touching her shoulder. Laura turned
and looked at her. Then she continued her search around the apartment.
“Maybe you shouldn’t be here.” Audrey said gently.
“Where else would I be?” Laura asked her.
“Miss Ryan, may I ask you what you are looking for?” Audrey asked her. “This is a crime
scene.”
“And you are former FBI, agent Hansen.” Laura responded matter-of-factly. “I know the
crime scene was already investigated last night. So you are trespassing, just like I am.
Now are you going to let me look around, or do I need to get a hold of the San
Francisco FBI?”
“She’s good.” Audrey said to Mohinder. Then she whispered “Have you told her yet?”
“No.” He looked at her incredulously. “I didn’t feel telling her that best friend was just
murdered in the same breath that her fiancé is a serial killer was too appropriate. Do
you?”
“Ok, your right.” Audrey replied. “Well, they way it is all going down, it looks like we
won’t have to break the news to her. Bennett wants her to be brought in. He is sending
The Hatian and Candice here now as we speak.”
Mohider looked astounded. “I thought this wasn’t going to happen until tonight?”
“Sylar called Peter this morning.” She told him. “When Laura left for work this morning,
he wanted to get it over with.”
“Is he dead yet?
“Not yet.” Audrey answered. “They are waiting for her to arrive.”
“What?” Mohinder almost shouted. “Why prolong the agony? What is this solving? It’s
not going to change things?”
“Will you lower your voice!” She reproached him. “I don’t disagree. But it appears that
it is all part of the “bigger plan” they keep talking about, so we’ll just do what we
normally do and play along.”
Laura kept searching the apartment. Matt approached her hoping to assist. “Nanny
Cam?” He whispered to her.
Laura turned and looked at him. “I didn’t say that out loud.” She looked angry at him.
“How did you know that’s what I was looking for? She thought to herself, testing him.
“Because I am like you Laura.” He told her.
“You can read thoughts?”
“Yes, I can. If there is anything you don’t want agent Hansen to know, I will read your
thoughts.” He whispered to her.
“I am looking for the nanny cam he installed the other day. It is motion activated. If it
was on while he was being murdered, then we know if Sylar killed him or not.
“Laura.” He came in close to her and whispered. “Maybe you don’t want to see this.”
“I have to know. Can you do something about Frau Blücher over there? She’s making
my skin crawl!.”
“She’s not so bad once you get to know her.” He whispered. “But Laura, this is not a
good idea.”
“I have to see the face of the man who killed my friend and may even be after my
powers.”
“Ok.” He said. “I guess you need to do whatever you have to do.” He warned her. “Hey
Audrey...can you help me get my crime bag out of the back of my car?”
“You’re a big boy Parkman.” She glowered at him. “You can do it.”
“It’s a big bag.” He protested.
“Fine.” She turned to Laura. “Don’t touch anything.”
“Whatever.” She replied.
As Audrey and Matt walked out the door. Laura ran to his laptop. Sure enough he had
the nanny cam ran to his laptop.
Sitting down, she logged in. Working quickly she started looking through the dates the
cam had uploaded to his computer. “Here we go…Saturday.” She double clicked the
icon.
She fast forwarded until she found what she was looking for. Greg answered the door.
To her shock, Michael walked through the door.
Laura’s heart sank. Leaning forward, she turned up the sound.
The whole scene played out before her. She heard every word. She could hear the evil
in his voice. Right until the moment he sent the knife piercing Greg’s head.
As the footage showed Sylar destroying the evidence, two large tears fell on the
keyboard.
Mohinder walked back in the room in the same instant as Matt and Audrey.
“Oh God!” Audrey shouted watching Laura view the footage of her lover murdering her
best friend.
Mohinder approached her, touching her shoulder. She sat in shock, her face wet with
tears.
“Laura, I am so sorry you had to find out this way.” Mohinder said to her.
She looked up at him. “You knew?” She said in horror. Turning to Matt and Audrey.
“Did you know too?” Her voice shook as she spoke.
Matt and Audrey both nodded.
“You all knew that the man I love…is a killer?” She looked at them all with disbelief in
her eyes. “My God! If I had known this when you came to the pub, maybe Greg would
be alive now. And you didn’t tell me.”
She fell to the floor sobbing in anguish. “Michael.” She whispered. “How could you?”
“Laura.” Audrey approached her. “You need to come with us.” She tried to help her up.
“Get away from me, bitch!” She screamed shoving her away. She stood up.
“My God! It has all been a lie!” Closing her eyes in disbelief. “I don’t understand. Did he
come to kill me too?”
Mohinder tried to console her. “Laura, he really loved you...”
“Loved me?” She shouted, tears streaming down her face. “He knew how much Greg
meant to me. He was my brother! He couldn’t do this if he loved me”
She put her hands over her face. “My God, it all makes sense now. Greg must have
figured it out and tried to call me. I left my cell at home on Saturday
morning…Michael…” She closed her eyes blinking back tears, and then opened them
again. “Sylar must have intercepted the call and came to kill him. He didn’t want me to
find out, so he killed Greg and destroyed the evidence.”
“Laura, I know this is painful for you…” Audrey tried again to approach her.
“Ya THINK!” She screamed! “Don’t even think of coming near me! You all knew what he
was!” The tears flowed from her eyes, her heart breaking. “You KNEW! How could you
let me fall in love with that monster? My GOD I loved him so much! And he was nothing
but a goddamn murderer! And you all KNEW! You knew and you did nothing!”
She backed up toward the door. Before running out she turned around.
Pointing at each one of them. “Fuck you! Fuck you! And fuck you! Just stay the hell
away from me.”
They all stood there watching; devastated, she ran out the door.
END OF PART XI
