Surprises

Part 15

The grim faces of Justus and Mac greeted Dara as she entered Justus' office on the top level of the Criminal Courts Building. She closed the door behind her and just stood, accessing them. The writing was clearly on the wall, Dara thought. She'd been tried and convicted without giving a defense. Fine. If that's the way, they wanted it.

"Of all the people in Port Charles, I never thought you two would lead the witch hunt."

Justus opened his mouth, but Mac spoke first. "Dara, that's not what this meeting is about."

"Isn't it?" She crossed the room to stand in front of them. "Your faces tell a different story."

"We're just surprised," Justus explained.

"You called me in for a sudden meeting because you're surprised?" she asked, her expression incredulous. "I'm sorry, but I don't believe you. This is because of my daughter. Admit it."

Mac sighed and folded his arms across his chest. "The meeting is partly because of your daughter. We're happy that you have been reunited..."

"But?" she prompted.

"Her father is Sonny Corinthos," Justus sputtered, as if that explained everything.

Dara kept her features deceptively composed. "I'm well aware of who my child's father is." Her eyes cut back and forth between the two men. "So, this is about Sonny. What? You're firing me because we share a child?"

"No one is firing you!" Justus said, excitedly. "This is just a meeting, Dara. Nothing more, nothing less. And yes, it's because of your child's father. Sonny Corinthos. In case you've forgotten, he's the leader of the city's biggest criminal family!"

"I know that, Justus, but why am I here? If you're calling me in here because he's the father of my child... You're both hypocrites."

"Excuse me?" Mac said. "What do you mean by that? We're trying to help you."

"The same way you helped Robin when she was involved with Jason. She and Sonny are close pals. Have you forgotten that? And you, Justus. Do you rake Lois across the coals because of her friendship with Sonny? Somehow, I don't think you do."

"Lois isn't the Assistant District Attorney of Port Charles," Justus said. He drew in a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "Look, arguing isn't getting any of us anywhere. We didn't ask you to come here to start a fight. We want to talk to you and make you aware of what's to follow."

"What's to follow?" she asked. As her anger faded, she noted the concern in their eyes. She sat on the guest chair facing Justus' desk and said, "What do you mean?"

"The media," Mac said. "Once the story gets out that the ADA and a mobster have a child together, you won't know a moment's piece. Neither will this office or the city's Justice Department."

"Every case you've handled will be brought under close scrutiny. Appeals will be filed," Justus said, "and your work will be brought under review. The cases you've lost... The citizens will demand answers, and some will create their own answers."

"In a nutshell," Mac added, "your past association with Corinthos will come into play. Some will believe that you've been involved with him all along and the cases you've lost were because of him. You were doing him a favor--"

"That's not true!" Dara stood suddenly and began to pace. "You know it's not true! My relationship with him ended before our baby was born! Tell me you don't believe I'd do something as underhanded as that."

Justus and Mac looked at each other before Justus said, "No, I don't believe it."

"Neither do I."

She gave them a faint smile. "Thank you."