Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Not What I'd Call Southern Hospitality

Well, well. Guess who had to buy a new laptop today? It would seem that someone isn’t very happy with my snooping around the bureau’s network for information on Holly. While I was out last night some gentlemen let themselves into my hotel room and proceeded to ransack the place. They didn’t steal the laptop - they smashed her to bits. Everything on her was encrypted, but I never leave anything important on the machine anyway. Flash drives. Wonderful little things - and so portable. So yeah – they got nothing. I really didn’t think I found anything useful yesterday, but from the looks of my trashed hotel room, I’m guessing I was wrong. Now I just have to figure out what it was.

I haven’t heard back from Robin or Mac yet. I guess there’s lots going on in Port Chuck, although I can’t imagine what. I sent Anna a quick note asking if she had checked in on Robin. She’d be much better at dealing with this Drake and his couch stuff than me. Last I heard, Anna was involved in a revolution somewhere. It will probably take ages to hear from her as well. I did get an interesting note from Connie though. She’s working somewhere in Europe and said she’d follow up on the Greece thing for me when she has a chance.

Still no word from Holly – aside from her reply the other day – which I still can’t really trust. That’s one of the few drawbacks of this whole internet thing. After last night’s events, I’m more determined than ever to find Holly and sort this virus mess out.

I’m off to find a pub with a cozy dark corner. I need to get this new laptop up to speed – it came with Vista. We’ll see how that goes. Then I need to start searching through the files I downloaded yesterday. Figure out what bit of information was worth destroying a nice hotel room over.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

On the Move

I’m sitting in the airport in Atlanta waiting on my connecting flight to Savannah. No luck in Florida, but I’m not quite ready to head back north just yet. Savannah is an interesting little city and best I can tell, Holly is headed in that direction, so I’m headed there for a few days myself. Right now I’m taking advantage of the airport’s free Wi-Fi and I’ve emailed both Mac and Robin – just to check in. I’ve also booked a room at the Hyatt Regency Savannah. Have I mentioned how much I love my laptop?

Took a taxi over to the Atlanta Field Office earlier and borrowed their network to do some poking around. Seems someone we know spent some time in Greece near the end of 2005. Holly, was that really a reply from you yesterday? You know you never can be sure who you’re talking to over the internet. Perhaps you could give me a call? We could have dinner at Elizabeth’s on 37th and maybe sort out that whole virus mess from last year? Or maybe we could just find our terrace and share a bottle of cabernet? Come on – what do you say?

Monday, January 29, 2007

The Chase Continues...

Well, Florida seems to be a bust. I haven't seen one sign of Holly since that day on the beach. She seemed to stop using her credit card as well. I am downloading a list of plane manifests as I type. I am hoping I can recognize one of her aliases, if she did leave Florida. God I love the chase!

I just got a call from Mac. Seems Robin and Drake had a fight about that bloody couch and Robin and her friends got drunk at the airport bar. Robin scissor-kicked some guy in a bar and got herself arrested. Apparently he told her she smelled good. She is definitely her mother's daughter. Mac didn't seem pleased I left town. Of course, I leave and NOW she needs me. I just cannot win...

Friday, January 26, 2007

"I wasted time, and now doth time waste me"

It's hard to believe that roughly a year ago I chased Luke and that blasted monkey to Port Charles. If I had the last year to do over, would I change things? I'm not sure. It's a relief to be "alive" again. What I would do is change the past 15 years if I could. Hindsight being 20/20 and all that.

I noticed that I wasn't getting too many comments on this blog. I asked Robin how she manages to get 15 comments nearly every single day. She wasn't completely sure, but suggested that I change comment logs - so I did. Now people don't have to sign in to leave comments. I think I prefer that. The last time I was chatting with Mac, he showed me some identity theft statistics. No one wants to be leaving their information all over the place.

I figure that a fringe benefit might be that I may get some more leads on Holly's whereabouts.

Marco Island

I did manage to spot Holly on the beach on Marco Island this afternoon. Unfortunately, by the time I made it across the bloody hot sand, she was gone. She doesn't even like the heat. Fortunately, she appears to be travelling alone. Although, she was attracting a little too much attention on the beach for my liking. I am hoping to get some more of her credit card information shortly. Then I can figure out where she has disappeared to this time.

I spoke to Robin this morning. It seems she moved in with Drake. I suppose I should be happy for her. That guy better not hurt her, or he will be dealing with me. Robin went on about some bloody couch for far too long. I must admit, I zoned out a bit at that part. I always left the decorating to the women. Not my thing. Holly always did a fabulous job as I remember.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

On the Gulf Coast

I spent the last day travelling across Florida. You would think this state would have more wireless access! I cannot believe Holly would choose Florida. It is far too humid for her here. I rented a convertible, but it rains here just about every afternoon!

I had a new lead on Holly. It seems a credit card in her name was used over on Marco Island. An expensive restaurant on the water called the Snook Inn...some things never change. If all goes as planned and my fleet-footed beauty stays still for a few minutes, I might be dining with her tonight! Marco Island is pretty small. I should have no trouble catching up to her there! She almost seems to be running, I wonder what is going on with her. Why is she so quick to move on all the time?

Monday, January 22, 2007

First Night In Florida

Aside from the food and the music, last night was a bust. I had drinks at my hotel with an old WSB mate. He's retired to the Keys - has his own little charter fishing set-up. Sounds nice, if not a little dull. He was in town on business and had a little time to waste. We relived our first year of training together over a few glasses of scotch. Our conversation made me feel old. I'm not old.

After that I headed over to Auturo Sandoval's Jazz Club and listened to Roberto Perera. I met Auturo years ago when I was sneaking around Cuba on some bureau assignment. Unbelievable trumpet player. He had played a show himself earlier in the week and I figured that if Holly was in town she would catch it. Turns out I was right. When I showed him a picture, Auturo remembered the lovely little brunette at a table down front. She had been with a group of people, but he didn't think she was attached to anyone in particular. Good news for me. The old man said if he'd known who she was, he'd have flirted a little more. I drank too much and we ended up reminicing about my time in Cuba. It's funny that my wild misspent youth isn't what I'm missing most these days.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Leaving On A Jet Plane

Ah - the Sunshine State - I'm finally warm again. What with all this crazy global weather, you'd almost think the Cassadines were up to their old tricks again. Yesterday, I had a quick lunch with Mac at the PCPD. After talking about the girls and all their drama, we got into another argument about the way he’s running things over there. It’s a shame how much the place has changed. Part of me really misses being Police Commissioner. And how the hell did Malcolm end up with that job anyway? After that, I headed over to the hospital to grab a cup of coffee with Robin and let her know my plans. Something’s up between her and that kid Drake so she was less angry with me and more upset with him. She promised we’d have dinner when I get back into town. At least that’s something – right? And she isn’t against the idea of me looking for Holly – even said it would be a good distraction for me. From what, I’m not sure. So I stopped by the Haunted Star and tied up some loose ends, then headed for the airport. Why wait – right?

It was a nice, uneventful flight. I downloaded the first 4 episodes of 24 to the iPod before leaving, so I watched those to pass the time. Jack Bauer. I’ve saved the world a time or two myself, you know. It’s an entertaining show, but I have to say I saw the Curtis thing coming a mile away.

In the airport I was reminded of the time Holly and I flew down here looking for leads on the Brock murder case. It was a quick trip – we didn’t even leave the airport. We should have taken a few days, gone to the beach, enjoyed some uninterrupted alone time. We never had enough of that. Anyway, I’ve checked into the Ritz-Carlton South Beach. I figure it’s as good a place as any to start looking for Holly. They have those strolling tanning butlers, four poster beds, and a steam room. I have a couple of leads I’ll be following up on later today. Who knows – maybe by tonight I’ll be sharing the steam room – just like old times.

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Day 1

I decided to try and find Holly. I mean, it’s not like there’s anything for me to do in this godforsaken town. Luke’s nowhere to be seen, my daughter still has a chip on her shoulder (wish I knew what to say to her) and everyone acts as though the MiniMobster walks on water. It’s time for an adventure and I’m pretty sure that Holly can provide that for me.My laptop has come in very handy, it’s amazing what one can find out over the internet if they know where to look. I was able to track Holly from JFK to London, where she stayed for a few months before moving on. Next up was Paris and then Milan. Last month she was back in New York City, but not for long. It would appear she’s on a “Couture Tour”, I’ve got pictures of her at all the fashion shows – D&G, Chanel, Gucci, Dior, Lacroix, Escada – you name it, she was there. Anyway, last week she headed to Miami, so tomorrow I’m off to the Sunshine State! Wish me luck, I love a good chase!

Friday, January 19, 2007

Taking a Walk on the Docks

I took a walk down by the docks today. It finally has gotten really cold here. Of course, I have missplaced my gloves. I went into Kelly's for some chili. I think they lost Ruby's recipe. It was awful. I knew I should have ordered the fish and chips. They are always delicious and they bring back a lot of great memories. Seems like this little mobster Sonny has his claws in everything here. Even has his father working in Kelly's. Is there no escape? What mobster has to have his father to sling hash for a living?

It was about 15 years ago that I saw Holly in Dominique's penthouse. She was illuminated by candlelight. She looked more beautiful that even I remembered. I swear my heart leaped when I realized it was her sitting there. I really do need to find out what happened back in February and May. That was must definetely not the Holly I know and love. She must be in trouble, that unfortunately would be exactly like her.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Gotta embrace the technology

I was talking to my daughter, Robin, a few months ago and she was telling me about this blogging stuff.

I've always liked computers. They make life so easy. When I was Police Commissioner of Port Charles, I don't know what I would have done without the WSB computer that I was provided. That thing solved more crimes for me than I care to admit. Plus it had this great game on it where you had to put down flags where mines were and try to keep from getting blown to bits.

These days, I have a little more time on my hands. I'm still waiting for my next spy mission, and there aren't any local damsels in distress to rescue. Robin spends all her time with that Patrick. For all the fuss she made about me not sticking around, she sure doesn't make any time for her dear old dad. I'm beginning to wonder if she just wanted to line up a few babysitters with overdeveloped defense skills...

Not quite sure what to do with myself. Maybe I should try and track down Holly? I know there was more to that virus business than met the eye.