41

Nikolas was out on the patio, making a list of caterers. There was so much to do and he wanted to make Beth’s day absolutely perfect.

"What are you up do?" Beth wrapped her arms around Nikolas’s neck, glancing at the lists. "Ah, caterers. Why don’t we use the ones Lucky and Elizabeth used?"

Nikolas shrugged. He’s never really thought about it. "We could , but the Cassadines have very particular taste. I don’t know if Lucky’s caterers can pull it off."

Beth opened her mouth to say something else, but stopped when Elizabeth had came out. She looked like she had been hit with surprising news. "Elizabeth? What is it?"

Elizabeth looked at Beth and blinked. "Tom’s dead," Her voice was as flat and emotionless as her face.

"What?" Nikolas stood up from his chair.

"Tom Baker is dead," Elizabeth repeated, sinking down into a nearby chair.

"Oh my," Beth gasped. "How?"

"Strangulation and torture. Where’s Lucky?"

"He went out for a run. Said he needed to clear his mind. Why?" Nikolas frowned. The reason for the question suddenly dawned on him. "Liz…you don’t suspect Lucky do you?"
Beth laughed. "Come on you guys. Lucky’s not a killer."

"He tried to kill him once before. At Emily’s trial," Nikolas stroked his chin. "Then the other day, I had to stop him from beating Tom to a bloody pulp."

Beth rolled her eyes in disbelief. She really couldn’t believe that they were having this conversation. "You two are being ridiculous! Lucky didn’t do it!"

"Do what?" Lucky came back from his run, his face flushed and sweaty. "What are you guys talking about? What didn’t I do?"

Elizabeth handed Lucky the paper, her eyes void of emotion. "Tom’s dead. He’s been murdered."

Lucky’s eyes widened in dismay and disbelief as he read the article. "Whoever did it must really have hated him."

"Yes they did," Nikolas agreed, staring at his brother, suspicion clear in his eyes. "So…did you do it?"

Lucky just about dropped the paper at the question. He looked up at Nikolas, a bit hurt by the question. Why on earth would Nikolas suspect him? "No. I didn’t. Why did you ask me that?"

"Because you were pretty angry Lucky and both Liz and I know how you get."

Lucky frowned. "You really think I did this don’t you?"

"Well…sweetie…you were ready to kill the McCoys that one time," Elizabeth wringed her hands nervously. She knew that these suspicions were hurting Lucky, but she had to know for sure.

"You would have done it too if we hadn’t stopped you," Nikolas got to his feet, also hoping to get the truth.

"Nikolas, Elizabeth…listen to me. I did not kill Tom Baker. I promise I didn’t. I really have no reason to unless he came near Elizabeth. Did he?"

Both Elizabeth and Nikolas shook their heads.

"You see. I didn’t do it," Lucky placed an arm around Elizabeth when he suddenly thought of something. He may know who did kill Tom. Which would also make himself partially responsible. "Listen, if you don’t mind, I have to go see my dad at the club. I’ll be back."

"Lucky!" Elizabeth called, still troubled. But he didn’t answer as he headed for the launch, ready to question Luke about his involvement with Tom Baker.

~*~

Luke sat in his office, his feet propped up on the desk as he read his inventory list and smoked his cigar. He lifted a shot of whiskey to his lips when Lucky came in and stood in front of the desk, his arms crossed, his face grim.

"Cowboy!" Luke greeted his son happily. "Good to see you! What brings you to my neck of the woods?"
Lucky was quick and straight to the point. "Tom’s dead. Did you kill him?"

Luke blinked back his surprise at the question and leaned forward. "What was that?"

Lucky sighed, wishing that he didn’t have to ask his father such things. But he knew how his father got when he felt that his family was threatened. It was very possible that Luke did do away with Tom.

"Did you kill Tom? His body was found out on the docks last night."

Luke’s feet hit the ground and he sat up to stare earnestly at his son. "Lucky…I admit, I did kidnap Baker and had a bit of fun with him. But I swear to you Cowboy, Baker was still alive when I left him."

Lucky looked at his father, wishing that he could believe him, but sadly, he couldn’t. He knew Luke all too well. He wasn’t telling him everything.

"Listen if asked, you were at Wyndemere with Elizabeth and me and…," Lucky began pacing the room, trying desperately to come up with something that would get his father off.

"Luke Spencer," Taggert stood in the doorway, his badge in hand. "We have some questions for you."

"About what?" Luke got to his feet.

"Tom Baker. He’s been murdered."

Luke frowned. This wasn’t looking very good at all. "Well…I…"

"I did it!" Lucky interrupted. "I killed him!"

"Lucky, what are you doing?" Luke looked at his son in disbelief. He wasn’t expecting this. "Telling the truth dad," Lucky answered. "Baker was threatening Elizabeth so I killed him."

"Lucky no," Elizabeth and Beth stood in the doorway, both had shock and disbelief in their eyes.

"Elizabeth," Lucky’s eyes were full of horror. He hadn’t wanted her there to see this. He had thought that she was safe at home. But she wasn’t home. She was there watching him get arrested for a crime he didn’t even commit. He had to see her alone. Explain everything to her. That he really didn’t kill Tom. He was just protecting his father. "Elizabeth…I can explain…I…"

"You have the right to remain silent," Taggert cuffed Lucky’s hands behind his back, not being too rough. He too hated the fact that Baker walked free, but he couldn’t let the kid get away with murder.

"Cowboy, don’t say anything else! Do you hear!" Luke followed the police as they led Lucky away. This was all his fault! Lucky confessed to protect Luke. He had to get his son out of jail somehow. Even if it meant confessing to a crime he hadn’t committed.

"Lucky no," Elizabeth whispered, tears of self-loathing in her eyes, blaming herself.

"Come on Cowgirl. We have to get to the courthouse," Luke grabbed his coat and was out the door.

~*~

Luke slowly walked down the corridor, leading to Lucky’s cell. He swallowed hard as his son was led in, dressed in the traditional orange jumpsuit of the PC jail.

"Cowboy," Luke greeted, trying to smile, but failing. What was there to smile about? His son was being locked up for a crime he couldn’t have committed.

"What are you doing here dad? You should be on the road this minute. Dad go. Go now while you still can. Please dad…," Lucky was at the point of begging. Why couldn’t Luke see that Lucky was trying to protect him. Buy him enough time to get away from Port Charles…to remain free. Lucky owed him that much.

"Cowboy, listen to me. I did not kill Tom Baker. I had left him alive when I did leave. Baker didn’t die by my hand."

Lucky stared at his father in disbelief, not sure if he could believe what he was being told. "Do you know who did?"

"I have my suspects. I want you to get some rest in the man time. I’m going to go see what I can milk out of Jason and Sonny."

"Dad…be careful. I love you," Lucky watched Luke disappear through the door.

~*~

Luke found Sonny and Jason on the docks. Sonny was busy yelling at some one over the phone. Something about a botched job. Turning the phone off, Sonny waved Luke over.

"You heard about Tom I presume," Sonny asked.

"Yes. He’s dead and my son’s taking the blame for it. I need to know Sonny. Who’s responsible for this? Tom ending up dead and my son in jail, thinking that he’s protecting me. Who is my Lucky really protecting?" Luke crossed his arms, glaring at both men.

Jason bowed his head and raised his hand. "Guilty as charged Luke."

Luke sighed. "Why am I not surprised? So Jason, tell me. How long are you going to let my son set in that cell?"

Jason and Sonny looked at each other and then back at Luke.

"You expect me to confess…don’t you Luke?" Jason asked, scratching the back of his neck.

"It’d be the decent thing to do Jason. Lucky is just a kid. Not to mention that he has a wife and child on the way," Luke lit up a cigar. "He’s too young to waste away in a jail cell for a crime that he didn’t commit."

Sonny ran a tan hand over his face, knowing that he was going to lose a friend if didn’t think of something. "Luke listen…we’ll take care of this. Lucky will be free and cleared this time tomorrow. But Jason is not going to confess."

"Well in that case, make it quick. I want Lucky home with Elizabeth as soon as possible," Luke glared one last time before heading back to the station.

~*~

Nikolas, Beth, and Elizabeth stood in the police station, waiting on news about Lucky. Taggert kept glancing at the small group…especially Elizabeth. He was well aware of her history with Tom Baker. She was also the reason Lucky probably killed the guy. The Spencer kid had always been protective of Elizabeth. It was only a matter of time until something like this happened.

"Uh…Taggert. Can I please see Lucky?" She tentatively approached the Lieutenant.

Taggert sighed. Visiting hours were over. He really wasn’t supposed to let anyone see the prisoners. But looking at the small group, he couldn’t say no. "Ok. The three of you can go in. But make it quick. I’m not supposed to be doing this."

"Thank you Taggert," Elizabeth hugged the officer tightly.

"Go on. Get in there," Taggert sighed.

They found Lucky on his bunk, just staring up at the ceiling; probably wondering how he was going to get out of this mess. Feeling eyes watching him, he turned to see Nikolas, Beth and Elizabeth watching him with sad eyes full of disappointment.

"Hi," He sat up and walked to the bars.

"Lucky why? Why did you like to us this morning?" Elizabeth asked, tears at the edge of her voice.

"I didn’t lie. I didn’t kill Tom. Not really."

"But you confessed…," Beth’s frown deepened. "Why would you confess to something you didn’t even do?"

"I…I’m buying time for my dad. Give him a chance to bail," Lucky quickly explained.

"Lucky no," Nikolas groaned. He should have known that Luke was involved somewhere. "You can’t do this. You can’t just throw your life away for Luke like this."

"Nikolas is right. There’s no guarantee that they won’t find evidence linking you to the murder," Beth said. "Lucky, come on. Think about Elizabeth and your family. They need you free. Not behind bars."

"Yes Lucky," Elizabeth wrapped trembling fingers around the bars. "What about us? We’re supposed to be together forever. Remember?"

Wrapping his hands around hers, Lucky looked into Elizabeth’s eyes. "And we will be. I promise, we’ll be a happy family, just like we’ve dreamed. I just have to do this for my dad first. I can’t see him locked away Elizabeth. You know I can’t."

Elizabeth bowed her head. She understood Lucky’s reasons, but she still didn’t like it. She wanted Lucky home with her. Not locked away from her like this.

"Lucky, you have to talk to Taggert. Tell him that you mad a mistake. That you didn’t kill Baker," Nikolas headed for the exit. "I’ll get him now."

"No Nikolas. Wait!" Lucky stopped him. "There’s something else I need you to do for me. Take care of Elizabeth while I’m in here. Make sure that she’s ok."
"Lucky…," Nikolas sighed. "Ok. I’ll do it."

"Thank you," Lucky said, just as Taggert entered.

"I hate to break this up. I really do, but time is up. You guys are going to have to leave," Taggert crossed his arms.

"We’ll be right outside Lucky," Elizabeth kissed him through the bars.

"Remember your promise," He stared after his brother. Alone again, he laid back down and stared up at the ceiling, daydreaming about happier times.

~*~

"I can’t believe this," Elizabeth followed Nikolas and Beth outside. "We have to get Lucky out of there."

Nikolas opened his mouth when he saw Luke heading in their direction. Just the man he needed to see. "Luke! We need to talk," he briskly approached the older man. "We know you did Tom in and Lucky is protecting you! You can’t let him stay in there Luke! It’s not right!"
"I know perfectly well why Lucky’s in there Prince and I plan to get him out. As soon as possible," Luke stopped in front of the steps. He glanced over at Elizabeth, who just stood staring out at nothing. She looked so lost and alone without Lucky at her side.

"So you’re going to confess?"
"Of course not. I didn’t do it. I know Lucky things I did, but I didn’t."

"Do you know who did?"

"Listen Prince, I don’t have time for fifty questions right now. I have to go make sure that they don’t try to railroad your brother. Just go…take care of Elizabeth. I’ll take care of Lucky," Luke stepped around Nikolas and disappeared into the police station, leaving the trio wondering who had really killed Tom Baker.

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