The Marriage of Nathan West

The Restaurant

When Maxie asked for Deborah's help, the last thing she expected was an invitation to dinner at a five star restaurant in the middle of Manhattan. She found herself sitting in a booth waiting for Deborah, mulling over what she had decided to undertake. Weeding out a killer was no easy task and Maxie was far from a private investigator like Spinelli or Sam. But she was smart and determined. More importantly, Nathan needed her help whether he would admit to it or not.

And he wouldn't. He was like that when he went into noble mode. Nathan was trying to save her from a murder charge by marrying a woman he despised, all the while assuming he would be able to extricate himself before the wedding. Maxie knew Chelsea's type though. If she thought Nathan was playing games, she would force his hand in a heartbeat. He needed Maxie's help whether he knew it or not.

Deborah arrived, fashionably late, accompanied by the maitre d'. She settled in the booth, opting to sit close to Maxie so that they could both look at the other patrons. Several diners nodded at her in acknowledgement.

"You must think I'm off my rocker for bringing you to such a visible place," she said picking up her napkin and shaking it out before laying it delicately on her lap.

Maxie raised her eyebrows. "The thought had occurred to me."

"There is a method to my madness," Deborah said with a small laugh. "This just happens to be Cassie Kirkland's favorite restaurant. She should be here soon. I thought she would be a good place to start digging into our main suspects."

Maxie had to hand it to Aunt Deborah. The woman had good instincts when it came to the people she surrounded herself with. With Deborah and Josh on her side, Maxie's chances of freeing Nathan from Chelsea's clutches were better than ever.

"So, who are the main suspects anyway?" Deborah asked breaking into Maxie's thoughts.

"Chelsea Pendleton for starters," Maxie said without a moment's hesitation. "Even if she didn't kill Scott, she probably knows who did. After that," Maxie sighed. "I'm at a loss."

"Well, that makes sense. Chelsea was Scott's date for the wedding after all."

Maxie started in surprise. "Wait, what? Scott and Chelsea were together that night?"

"Yes. And together as in, dating for the last year or so. But then," Deborah added casually. "They've been in each other's circles for years. Since childhood really. Same with Eric Holt and Alicia Kirkland. James- I mean Nathan, was always a part of it too until he left. No that isn't right. Nathan was always on the bubble. He was so removed from it thanks in part to what happened to Nina. I don't think he liked being whispered about, truthfully. And, well you know what happened with Nina Clay. There were always whispers and rumors going on about the poor dear."

Maxie kept her thoughts about Nina to herself and pushed Deborah back on track. "So, Scott knew all of them since they were kids but he was dating Chelsea."

"If you could call it that. The two of them..." Deborah trailed off, frowning. "It's difficult to describe them honestly. Look, I was fortunate enough to have had a great love with my husband and I know love when I see it. I saw it the night of the wedding between you and Nathan. It's remarkable to see from the outside, particularly when those on the inside have no idea the aura they are projecting. You and Nathan, it was obvious to me just watching you how in love you are. But with Scott and Chelsea... I don't know what it was, but it wasn't love."

"But they were together in some form."

"In some form, yes. But Chelsea has always been in love with Nathan and there were rumors that Scott was seeing someone else secretly. Neither of them were that into each other I'm afraid. Chelsea has always had her sights on James Reeves. I know there was a time it looked like he was in love with her too."

The thought of Nathan actually being in love with that with made Maxie's stomach fall. It didn't seem possible for the man she knew and loved to have loved someone as vile as Chelsea. She dropped her gaze from Deborah, overwhelmed by regret. Coming here had been her idea and at the time, she thought it would be fun to see what Nathan's life had been like before he moved to Port Charles. Now she knew what kind of terrible people he had been surrounded by and wished she had insisted they go to Portland to visit Georgie instead. Deborah patted her hand in a comforting manner.

"I'm sorry dear, I know that isn't what you wanted to hear, but if truth to be told, none of us thought that would ever work out. At the time, Nathan was far too dedicated to his career and helping his sister to pay much attention to Chelsea. And she does like her attention. Besides, Madeline Reeves was pulling his strings the entire time. He wouldn't have done anything without her permission back then. I'm glad that's changed!"

Maxie smiled in appreciation. She was certainly glad of it as well. If he still listened to Madeline, they wouldn't be together. No, they weren't together at the moment. He was with Chelsea.The thought of that made her center her thoughts again and focus on the task at hand.

"Scott and Chelsea go to the wedding together," she said, in an effort to lay her thoughts out logically. "Chelsea sees Nathan and makes a beeline for him, causing a scene at the reception. I'm pretty sure that was for my benefit. Scott keeps me from going after them and then makes a pass at me. Chelsea at the very least saw me leave the room. Is it possible she went in after me and killed him herself?"

Deborah nodded. "Of course, especially if she thought he was cheating on her. I don't know how true it is, but someone at the wedding mentioned whoever he was seeing secretly was at the wedding too."

Maxie blinked in surprise. "Do the police know this?"

"Probably not. They never listen to gossip, do they? Oh, there's Cassie!" Cassie Kirkland stepped into the dining room followed closely by her daughter Alicia and Eric Holt. "That's interesting," Deborah murmured before waving to Cassie, beckoning her over. Cassie nodded, smiling faintly. She cast a look at Eric and Alicia before weaving her way to Deborah and Maxie.

"What's interesting?"

"Alicia dining with her mother. I don't think I've seen her here since she was in high school. Cassie! Hello! How are you dear?"

"Hello Deborah. We're well enough I suppose." She turned a curious gaze on Maxie for the briefest of moments. "I wasn't aware you and Miss Jones were acquainted."

"We met at the wedding. It turns out Maxie has good contacts in the fashion world. I'm considering hiring her to help with the marketing of the new handbag line at Verity." Deborah's lie was so effortless that Maxie almost believed it. Deborah glanced from Cassie to Maxie before adding, "I wonder Maxie, could you give me a moment with Mrs. Kirkland?"

"Of course," Maxie said sliding out of the booth. She left the main room looking for a rest room. She found it but instead of going in, she leaned against the wall to send a text to Josh to pass on the gossip about Scott. She hoped it would be enough to start looking at other guests at the wedding besides herself.

Ducking into the restroom, she reapplied her lipstick and made sure she was still presentable. She gave Deborah a few more deciding to return to the main room. She pulled the restroom door open and stepped into the hallway and right into a rock solid man.

"I'm so sorry!" Maxie looked up into the face of the man she had collided with feeling her heart leap. "Nathan!"