082:

It didn't make sense.

She pulled out her phone and called Robert.

"Hey, there, little gal, twice in one weekend, one busy weekend, are you bored at the family reunion?" His voice was comforting and she wanted to let loose and cry, with him she could she knew. But right now she needed to be strong. She needed his advice. She didn't want to involve him, just get some perspective.

She launched into it, leaving nothing out. The whole thing from the beginning, even though some of it she'd already told him. He listened intently, clarifying when necessary. And finally she sighed. "I just need some clarity. I need you to analyze what I should do and give me your best advice."

"It would be best to find out if it is Villarino, by contacting him directly." Robert said.

"Contacting him?"

"Well, right now he's calling all the shots. It would be best to get this thing in our court." He answered. "Then bargain with him. We have something he wants, and it isn't money. If he's as well connected as he thinks he is... i.e.: hench men, and hit men and drug cartels and porn... he's trafficking in white slavery no doubt. He couldn't want you for that, you're too well known. But perhaps the guy is unhinged. Perhaps he just wants you. You personally..."

"Me, personally." She repeated.

"Or not... I think the revenge on Jared for the exposure of his operation and the death of his mole is more plausible. You've hit on something there." He agreed. "It goes along with the more personal aspect. If he's really wanted you all this time, and now has the opportunity to get you and get back at Jared, through his family.... It's too... shall we say, implausible any other way. None of it makes sense. He's opening himself up for disaster. Unless he is just nuts. Lost it, you know?"

"Yes." She sighed. "I do know. It doesn't make any sense. Money and pictures are too flimsy. They don't really hold water. But why get back at Jared? He's dead."

"I don't know. In some cultures dead carries over into the living for generations. Vendetta."

"Why Kell?"

"Maybe the reason you said, he thinks you guys are an item. I saw pictures recently on a tabloid of the two of you. You have been linked somewhat."

"Oh for heaven's sake, you don't look at tabloids do you?"

He laughed. "I go to the grocery store like everyone else. I think this was in People, a better tabloid than others."

"I don't look at any of them."

"Ever?"

"Ever." She stated emphatically. "Who has time?"

"I had time to look at you, obviously. It wasn't very revealing; it was just the two of you standing around on set, waiting. You looked hot. Not sexy hot, just sweaty hot."

Melia was annoyed and disgusted. "Fine, whatever, this doesn't help me."

"Except to know that I would stoop to looking at tabloids to get a glimpse of you." He laughed. "Okay, okay, let's think this through. I could contact Villarino and...."

"No! No! No! You can't do anything like that! I didn't call you so that you would fix it. I just want your opinion."

"Don't get involved Melia. That's my honest opinion. Stay away from it. This guy is certifiable. He's stupid and has involved way too many people. If Antonucci's brother was involved and isn't now for whatever reason... I don't know. I think you should stay away from that also."

"Let the guys take care of it? Why? Because women are too stupid?"

"Oh, don't go getting your panties in a twist. I never said women weren't capable. You're not in a position to take care of a porn dealer/ drug lord right now, Mia. Doesn't that sound crazy to you? Melia Mann goes after drug lord by herself? Or would it be Melia Mann and two daughters?"

"I'm not helpless and I'm not stupid." She cried, angrily.

"I never, never said you were. I just don't want to see you dead or abducted somewhere, leaving your mom to raise two more children. It's not worth it. Your dad is way more connected and better able to take care of this the right way than you are. He's got the experience edge on you. Don't you think that's why Ryan hired Jared to take care of you the first time? He had experience in these things. And whoa, whoa there, I hear you gearing up! You were not the one flying the helicopter Melia... you didn't arrange the black sky diving suits, the place in Alaska, or the dangerous escapades to free Matt and Megs, you were just a tag along that Jared kept safe... relatively safe. He was the master mind. He was the guy with knowledge. He was the one who orchestrated the whole thing and here you are safe and sound to prove it. Don't throw it all away now."

"So you don't think that paying him off would do it?"

"Are you kidding? No! I don't! I think that's stupid. Yeah, stupid. You go there; you have a lot of money, what cash? You give it to who? You don't even know who you're giving it to, and they take the money and kill you, or take you as well, and then what? And by all that's holy to you, Melia, quit believing that it can't happen. Did you think any of these thugs got to where they are today by being honest men? Believe me, Mia, there are no honest guys in that business."

"No, I don't believe they are honest. So, I don't understand the entire ruse to get me in a certain place at a certain time."

"It's perfectly simple. To abduct you, of course. You, and a whole lot of money."

"But..."

He sputtered. "I can't think of any non-religious imprecations right now, Melia, they all have to do with your God and his Son, and I won't disrespect you by using those terms, but you've got to be kidding here! Quit with the but's. There are no buts. Stay out of it. That's final. Do you want me to call your dad and let him know what you're thinking? Do you want me to physically come there and stop you from doing anything stupid?"

She was stunned at his sudden vehemence. Her brows were raised to the ceiling, her heart beating irregularly. She had an opinion, she had a voice here. And... she thought furiously, I have a choice. I can let this get me all riled up and have to have Steve or Ryan come up and whatever.... Or I can blow it off....

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