Goal Seeking

Minutes Earlier

"Dammit, Sinclair! Tell me how nobody stopped them from erecting a stage on hotel property," Dalton snapped through the phone at his nephew. "Too small to see? Well, it should've been shut down as soon as you... yes, yes, I know, I had you looking at old security footage. I'm not blaming you. It's just that I can't be everywhere tonight."

Standing near the irate hotel owner, Graham checked his phone to see a snapshot of the crowd through one of the lobby's large windows. Then, with widening eyes, he swiped to the second picture Tamsin had sent. Bringing his head back up, Graham briskly moved over to his brother.

"Hey, give me your keycard for a second."

Harvey did so, knowing his brother must have a valid reason. So he watched as Graham opened the door to Suite 802, leaving it wide open, and entered Suite 801. Through the two open doors, Harvey watched his younger brother head straight to the row of windows that overlooked the front of the hotel. Finally, curiosity won out, leading the elder Diamond sibling to step inside his own penthouse suite.

"What is it?"

"The crowd outside is fucking huge!" Graham exclaimed.

"What?!"

Rushing over to join his brother, Harvey's shriek brought Hayden Penn, Mayor Dunkley, his chief of staff, and Lotus Thirlby over quickly. The two older women, Blair Trimble and Emma Mulberry, gracefully made their way over to the Diamonds' penthouse suite.

"The hell?!"

"How in the world did they..."

"Nothing spontaneous about this development," Professor Trimble remarked.

"Hayden, who's here from the firm's junior staff?" Emma questioned. As Hayden rattled off the list in his head, the managing partner clarified, "From our side."

"Ah, right," Hayden acknowledged. He promptly understood that Ms. Mulberry wanted the attorneys and staff from the criminal side. They would have sharper eyes and cause less griping from Clarence.

"Good," Emma said after hearing the list. Next, she listed four names. "See if they can do me a favor and take a brief look at the crowd's makeup."

"I'm going down there," Graham announced, more to his brother than anyone. "I want to know who rushed over here on a holiday of all nights to hear these announcements."

After a few seconds of mulling the issue over, Lotus also declared her intention to do so. Graham stopped in the doorway to glance back at her.

"I might recognize some younger faces. Rougher ones, too," the dirty blonde stated. Then, amused by Graham's expression. "Oh, I'm sure I know more scumbags from my wilder days than you, Mr. Good Brother."

Graham rolled his eyes.

"What room are you in?"

"Looking to spark a scandal, Graham?" Lotus inquired, adding a flirty tone to her voice. "Room 519."

"I'm in 723. How about I grab my coat and wait for you by the elevator on your floor?"

The rest of the Diamond suite didn't hear Lotus' reply.

While those gathering near Suite 801's windows chatted about the crowd, over in Suite 802, Kermit continued to argue with Fiona over his exclusion from the meeting. Bored with the usual family drama, Estelle left her father's side and approached Fiona's personal assistant, Santino Fuentes.

"So, I see you couldn't get a real job after graduation, Tino," Estelle commented, moving to stand directly in front of the handsome young man.

"Did you just insult your family's foundation, Stella?" Santino questioned. A year ahead of Estelle, he'd never succumbed to the gorgeous shrew either in high school or at Breakwater University.

"I'm talking about being 'personal assistant' to Fiona. I know her tastes in men," Estelle remarked, shaking her head. "It's a shame that you soiled your potential."

"Ah, that's what pushing the broomstick further up you. Still salty over my numerous rejections? That's now a good look for Princess Cruella."

"Call me that again, and you won't be able to screw my slutty cousin or any woman," Estelle snapped. Then, almost as fast as she'd dropped her usual mask of etiquette, she put it back on. "Also, I think you misunderstood our previous interactions. I've never been interested in you for any sort of romantic endeavor."

"Right. So the time at Helen Krogh's Halloween party way back in your sophomore year never happened. Or the next summer at Wasp Lake when I hooked up with Eve Naylor. You weren't the person who threw a temper tantrum and kicked everybody off her family's property? Or the time over in Guzzle Crossing when we got eliminated in the basketball playoffs. That wasn't you who wanted to guzzle my essence down as a consolation prize? No, I guess that was another succubus," Tino remarked sarcastically. "If that wasn't you, then you might have a doppelganger that attended Breakwater with us. Wait, if someone is evil, can they even have a more evil doppelganger?"

"Spread those lies to anyone, and I'll spread my own. I'm sure you have plenty of secret trysts that I can embellish into quite the scandal," Estelle said through gritted teeth while maintaining control.

"No doubt. I guess that means if you aren't upset over those 'fabricated memories,' then it has to be another incident," Santino said, tapping his chin. "Could it be the time I threatened to turn Chance into a eunuch with a machete?"

"Count yourself lucky that no charges were filed. A threat such as that to a fourteen-year-old boy would've landed you in jail," Estelle stated.

"Yes, I'm sure the police, DA's office, and eventually a jury would've all loved to learn why your creepy fourteen-year-old brother was on the other side of town, sneaking around alleys and backyards," Tino commented. "Count yourself lucky that I only threatened him. Creeping around my neighbors' windows in the dark is bad enough. That's why I warned him to stay away from Yanet and YoYo. Hell, I even said if anything happened to our cat, I'd issue some street justice."

"Chance wasn't doing anything wrong. H-He's a curious person...and he's not creepy!" Estelle hissed.

"Sure. It's not like Fletch hasn't said many times aloud that if he's found murdered, the main suspect should always be your brother. And we all know he's not talking about Bert."

"That's the problem when bastards are allowed to live. They always come back to haunt their families," Estelle responded with a venomous tone before shifting down again. "I'd enjoy your personal duties or whatever chores you perform. Once the election travesty is rectified, and my father gains his rightful chairmanship, you will be gone."

"Is that so?" Santino chuckled. "You do know that the public loves Fiona, right? I can't see enough of your family members wanting to kick out such a successful leader."

"They will once the expected financial fraud is found. Fiona has been spending far more money than usual," Estelle declared with an air of certainty.

"And Fiona's brought in far more donations than Myles did. She's not relying on only your family's funds. I don't think you know what--"

A loud outburst broke up the two twentysomethings' tense conversation.

"You've had a person eavesdropping on our conversation this whole time? That's a new low even for you, cousin," Kermit said, seething with anger. "Who is that?"

"Take it down a few notches, will you? No one is eavesdropping on your conversation. Slade's on the speakerphone because of the meeting that you **** your way into," Fiona explained.

"Yes, nobody was hiding his phone presence," Basil added.

"Shut up, Thirlby," Kermit bellowed. "At least you're a shirttail relative. Hollister is not even family. He has no business here or occupying his position at the foundation."

"Not family?" Fiona repeated. Then, after showing incredible patience with her family rival, the silver-haired beauty dropped the polite act. "Are you saying that my mother, Slade's aunt, wasn't part of this family? Is that what you're saying, Kermit?"

Suddenly realizing that he'd gone too far, Kermit found himself stammering his response. Seeing a way to end this pointless argument, Fiona added a final threat or two.

"Basil, be so good as to call Sela up here. Oh, call Kathleen as well. I'm sure that both our sisters would love to--"

"Now, wait a minute! I didn't mean to imply anything about your mother--"

"Holy shit!" Santino shouted, pointing at the television screen.

---

After the first egg exploded over Edward Laffont's face, a tomato hit him square in the chest, splattering over his expensive suit. Then, another egg hit the side of his turned head. Next, several tomatoes whizzed past his now ducking body, hitting the hotel. Crouching low, Eddie jumped off the tiny stage at its rear, allowing his back to get pelted by two more tomatoes.

"Yes!" Lana screamed in delight. With her face pressed up against the large lobby window, she had a perfect view as Regis, Eddie's son, came under **** from the produce pelters.

As people in the line of fire scrambled to get inside the safety of the hotel, chants of "Dunk Rusk" and "Fuck Eddie" could be heard.

"This isn't good," Peyton muttered through the hand partially covering her horrified face.

"Fuck yeah, it is!" Lana responded over her shoulder.

"Lan, the people throwing the eggs and tomatoes appear to be supporters of your dad. This is a bad look for him."

"Oh shit! Peyton's right," Kiki said. But then, she had another idea. "Wait, that's IF they are Mr. Stratton's supporters."

"Wha--Oh!" Peyton sounded as if Kiki's suggestion had clicked into place in her brain. "That...that seems very plausible."

"Huh?" Lana questioned, finally turning away from the glorious view.

However, a new commotion sounded before her friends could explain their thoughts. Orrin Rusk had made it inside the lobby, apparently unscathed by the angry hecklers. Immediately, he began to complain.

"Where in the hell is the damn hotel security? This is unacceptable!"

A handsome man in his mid-twenties with short, stylish black hair appeared almost as if summoned. Stepping forward, he clasped his hands behind his back before addressing Orrin.

"The Witzler has no duty to protect your unauthorized gathering on our property, sir. You should've arranged your own security."

"Unauthorized. We were told that we could hold our announcements outside!" Orrin screamed, eyeing up the reporters gathering around.

"Mr. Pierce graciously allowed you to hold a small announcement outside to the media, who coincidentally happened to be inside our lobby tonight of all nights. How fortunate for you and Mr. Laffont. What the Witzler did not approve of was erecting a stage on our grounds. Nor was anything said about recruiting such a large crowd on such short notice," the young man reminded.

"Are you implying that I recruited those people? Those are clearly supporters of Dunkley and Stratton—enough of this. I wish to talk to Pierce," Orrin demanded.

"I am Pierce, sir. Sinclair Pierce. And my uncle is busy elsewhere."

"Doing what?"

Sinclair leaned forward to whisper into Orrin's ear.

"Plotting your downfall."

"What?! How dare--"

"What the fuck, Rusk? How the hell didn't you get anything on you? That wasn't the--"

"Quiet!" Orrin ordered, staring daggers at the egg and tomato-covered Edward Laffont. "Clearly, most of those thugs were supporters of Clive Stratton," Orrin emphasized the name as he turned to face the assembled group of journalists, not outside.

"I didn't agree to this version of the plan!" Eddie continued to bitch. Then a woman attempted to pull him aside. "No, Marion, no! You sandbagged--"

"That's him! Regis Laffont! He's the man offering **** to women!"

Everyone in the lobby turned their attention in two directions. First, to the tomato-covered son of the newest Noble County District Attorney candidate. The other portion turned to face the sexy brunette in her multi-colored sequin dress.

"Showtime," Lana declared softly before walking toward the commotion.

"Tell me you didn't...it was Poppy you messaged. Of course," Peyton said more to herself than anyone else. Then she saw the girl trailing behind Poppy. "Double crap."

"Oh, don't give me shocked expressions, people. Reggie Laffont attempted to give this...Steph, get over here," Poppy ordered after noticing Stephanie stopped to flirt with a man about a decade older than them. Lunging forward, she grabbed her friend and pulled her over. "Reggie tried to give this innocent girl **** earlier this evening."

"He did?" Steph asked before remembering her part. "Oh, he did! Uh, Reggie said the first one was free. Um, right?"

Poppy ignored her friend's question. Instead, she pressed on with the agreed-upon scene.

"Isn't that what **** dealers do? They give free testers to get people addicted."

"Stop this nonsense right this--"

"Zip it, old man!" Poppy ordered a sputtering Eddie. "Maybe Reggie isn't a **** dealer. But he could be one of those lowlifes who **** women to take advantage of them. I mean, look at this hot piece of ass."

Steph took that as her cue to preen for the assembled crowd.

"This...this is bullshit! Poppy tried this attack on me the other night. She's doing it to make me look bad," Regis explained, practically whining.

"See? He just admitted to offering me **** four nights ago," Poppy pointed out excitedly. "The scumbag did this at an engagement party, of all places. It happened at The Copper Lantern, and I have witnesses. Witnesses!"

The crowd followed Poppy's pointed finger toward a shocked Priscilla and Merritt. Peyton appeared almost resigned to getting dragged into this spectacle. She mumbled several choice words about Lana and Poppy under her breath. Only Lana seemed to love the performance.

"This is complete bullshit! Uh, I mean, utter nonsense," Regis said, correcting his language for the cameras. "Clearly, Miss Dufor is attempting a smear job against me to hurt my father. If anything, I should sue her--"

"How could I have known about your dad's campaign four days ago? Huh?" Poppy challenged.

Murmurs in the crowd agreed.

"Steph, tell the people what he tried to give you," Poppy directed, hoping that her slightly airheaded friend remembered her line.

"Uh, it was this--"

"Enough!" a new voice roared. "My nephew is not a **** dealer or pusher."

"Oh, do you go everywhere with him?" Poppy inquired.

A loud snicker caught Alexis Olesky's attention. Searching for the source, she spotted Lana. Immediately, Eddie's sister put two and two together.

"Ahh! I see. This is all your plan to help your father, isn't it? Folks, if you hadn't realized it yet, these false accusers happen to be close friends with Lana Stratton. Yes, you heard correctly, the allegedly corrupt district attorney's daughter is trying to smear his opponent's son," Alexis informed the press.

Many of the assembled reporters turned their attention to Lana, forgetting the ongoing commotion outside.

"So what if they're my friends? Reggie and I know many of the same people. There is only one high school in Honey Hollow," Lana explained. She understood that reporters from Blackbridge might not know that detail. "He's only a year older than us."

"It's also true that Regis has a known attraction to Lana. It dates back years, and he's never been happy that she doesn't feel the same way," Peyton revealed, stepping forward. As much as she hated to get involved, Peyton felt the need to bail out Lana's awful plan. If not for her best friend, then for Lana's family.

"Don't stick your nose in this, Peyton, or I'll be **** to have a word with your mother," Alexis warned before turning to point at Lana and Stephanie. "I'm definitely going to speak to your mothers about these vicious lies. As for you," Alexis said, turning toward Poppy, "I'm going to have a word with Sela."

"Sela? Why? I'm pretty sure that she hates me," Poppy replied. She held in a laugh at the absurd threat.

"Because Sela is an old friend from high school, and her sister is your foster mother--or whatever your deal is--and can talk some sense into Fiona," Alexis explained. "You should be cut off for spreading damaging lies that can ruin a person's life."

"Ruin a life? Bitch, please. Reggie is headed down that route with his arrogance--"

"I've had enough of your mouth, young lady. Nobody believes your lies," Alexis declared.

"I believe the girls," Sela Thirlby declared from the crowd's edge. Then, strutting forward with a purpose, she eyed up her old cheermate.

"Y-You what?"

"Lexi, old friend," Sela began, mockingly emphasizing the last part. "We all know your older brother was a bit of a slimeball growing up. Especially after a few drinks. So is it that far-fetched that his son is a lecherous brat? However, this sideshow doesn't matter. What does matter is how your brother spewed unsubstantiated lies about another of your old friends from the cheer squad. I'd even call them damaging lies that can ruin a person's life. Perhaps it's Rachel who deserves to give you a talking to about what Eddie called Clive. Or are you afraid of your old captain?"

---

"Norah, get back!" Ramsey ordered, pulling the younger teen away from the unruly crowd.

After the initial salvo, the crowd appeared stunned by the egg and tomato throwing. However, by the third barrage, supporters of Rusk and/or Laffont began to scan for the produce pelters. Spotting throwers, these individuals pointed them out to friends with shouts. By the fourth round, the food tossers found themselves ducking punches thrown their way.

Worried about the third distinct group, those fleeing from the other two factions, Ramsey started to show concern for her and Norah's safety. A momentary worry about her mom flashed through the strawberry blonde's mind, but she brushed that aside. The experienced Hillary Swift knew how to stay safe while covering a story. It was the sixteen-year-old whom Ramsey felt responsible for that concerned her.

Grabbing the sophomore's hand, the editor of The Buzzy Bee dragged Norah far away from the crowd. It wasn't until they were across the street, in front of the parking garage, that Ramsey stopped.

"Hey, we need to cover this," Norah protested.

"No, you're going to get inside the hotel and stay safe."

"What about you?"

Ramsey scanned the street in both directions before returning her gaze toward the hotel. Spotting the leather jacket-wearing man, she gave a relieved sigh. Still, she'd assumed correctly. The man had started to depart the chaotic scene.

"I'm going to follow that man," the strawberry blonde revealed.

"Why?" Norah queried. Focused on the crowd and candidates, she hadn't noticed the man or his actions.

"He was handing out envelopes and the brown paper bags."

"Whoa! That's the ringleader?" Norah questioned, but she'd already started to follow the guy from their side of the street.

"No! You're going back inside," Ramsey insisted, catching up with the younger teen.

"And I will. But I'm helping follow him until the corner." Sensing the coming argument, Norah explained. "I can't enter the hotel through the front doors without entering that mosh pit. However, I can go around to the back and find an entrance there."

"Fine," Ramsey agreed, mulling over Norah's rationale.

It wasn't a long walk to the corner. But the short period gave the two girls time to discuss Ramsey's tailing of the man. Ramsey agreed to send street-by-street updates to Norah, while the younger girl said she'd follow her editor's order and let Daisy know about the latest developments.

"Oh! Daisy just replied. She's up in Ms. Graff's room. It sounds like something happened," Norah relayed, three steps after parting from Ramsey,

The older girl acknowledged the latest development. However, Ramsey had already switched on her reporter mode.

Keeping on the opposite side of the street, Ramsey followed the potential ringleader as he continued down the street. However, after crossing two more roads, the man turned right at the next intersection. That **** Ramsey to scramble and cross over to the side of the road he'd been on. The streets and sidewalks had become slightly slippery with the light snow falling.

So when Ramsey finally turned right at the corner, she almost panicked when she spotted the man on the opposite street side, turning left, and disappearing. Although she wore only mid-sized heels, Ramsey regretted the choice as she dashed forward at a faster pace.

Fortunately, after several blocks of weaving this way and that way around side streets, the person of interest appeared to return to a main street. Keeping in mind that his movements might be to shake any tail, Ramsey tried to maintain a safe distance on the other sidewalk. Able to resume her text updates, she informed Norah that they'd entered the Wax District. The former merchant area east of the Witzler Hotel had been turned into an entertainment district.

Suddenly, the man surprised Ramsey by sharply turning right after crossing to the other side of the street. Up to now, he'd turned before crossing the street. Sensing they might be close to his destination, the man confirmed this by slowing his pace considerably. That narrowed the distance between the two.

That's how Ramsey noticed the soft sound of his speaking. Then, she caught sight of the phone in his hand. Curious about the person on the other line, Ramsey nearly stumbled over a bench as the man screeched to a halt just before an alley. As he turned around, the teenager dashed behind a tree. It wasn't a large one, as the city selected trees that wouldn't develop extensive root systems. Still, it gave her a bit of cover as the man backtracked about ten feet.

Ramsey watched as the man entered a door. Raising her gaze, she found the name of the establishment: Penalty Pub. Looking up and down the street, Ramsey crossed the road. Stopping outside, she peered through the windows before messaging the name to Norah. She added that it might be a sports bar, but she wasn't sure.

Trying to get closer, Ramsey stepped up to the glass front door. But, unfortunately, she couldn't see much on the fogged-up door with the cold, wet weather. Unsure what to do, the teen had the decision taken out of her hands.

"You going inside or what?" a woman asked from behind.