Anna warns Valentin that he needs to leave town

General Hospital Recap for Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Gio was working at the Metro Court pool. Dex arrived in his cadet's uniform. They made small talk for a moment. Josslyn, on duty as a lifeguard, joined them. Josslyn and Dex playfully complimented each other on their respective uniforms.

Josslyn asked Gio to watch the pool, so she could have a private word with Dex. The second Josslyn and Dex were in the hallway behind the bar area and out of sight, they began kissing passionately. Josslyn told Dex that he looked "hot" in his uniform. They kissed again

Lois arrived at the pool. She had been looking for Gio. Lois was excited to tell Gio about an opportunity Lois had found for him to play violin on a Broadway soundtrack. Gio reminded Lois that his scholarship to PCU was contingent on Gio playing in the summer concert series. Lois offered to talk with the head of the PCU music department on Gio's behalf. Lois continued her pitch. She told Gio that a professional opportunity like that would set Gio on the road to stardom -- and that no one deserved that more than Gio did.

Josslyn and Dex kissed for a while but soon realized that they both had to get back to work. Later, Gio restocked the towels at the poolside counter. He was surprised to see that Lois had waited for him. Gio politely declined the gig. Gio cited his love for PCU and the musicians he'd played with there. Gio also declared that he loved living with the Quartermaines. "Even Tracy?" Lois asked.

Lois offered Gio a few adjectives such as "terrifying" and "intimidating" to describe Tracy, but the worst Gio could say about Tracy was that he had found her "a little standoffish." Lois informed Gio that Tracy had no say in who could live at the house. Lois reminded Gio that "it's Monica's house. Alan gave it to her." Lois advised Gio, "If Tracy -- I should say when Tracy starts to bully you, I want you to be polite, but don't let her push you around."

John Cates stopped by Ava's hotel room. Ava thanked John for helping her to figure out a way to get Avery away from Sonny. John advised Ava, "I think the best way for you to protect both Avery and yourself is to build a case against Sonny."

John wanted to discuss Ava's insights into the Corinthos organization. He turned on a recording device and set it on a table. Ava turned off the recorder and told John that things were moving too fast for her. Ava poured herself a glass of wine. John wanted Ava to talk on the record, but when he picked up the recorder, Ava gently took it from him and set it back down on the table. Ava admitted that she was afraid of Sonny.

Ava explained that she would make no recording that could find its way back to Sonny. Ava described Sonny as "erratic and dangerous." She told John that Sonny had pushed away everyone in his family except Kristina. John told Ava that it was his job to put Sonny away and that if Ava helped, it would be to John and Ava's mutual benefit. John gave Ava his word that he would not reveal Ava as a source. Ava agreed to think about it.

John asked Ava about dealings between Sonny and the Jerome family. Ava told John that Julian had kept her out of things. John found that hard to believe, given how close Ava and Julian had been. John asked Ava what had led up to her appearance with Sonny at Selina Wu's place on the night of the sniper attack. Ava denied having wanted to attend the meeting. Ava told John that Sonny had not given her much choice. Ava speculated that Sonny might have wanted to use Ava as a human shield or to intimidate Selina. Ava told John that she had been protective of Sonny that night because they had been getting along better during that time.

John asked Ava to tell him about Sonny's connection to Anna. Ava suggested that Sonny and Anna's bond over Robin was probably the reason why Sonny was still a free man. Ava figured that John was still grieving over Stone and Karen. John grew uncomfortable at the mention of his brother and his wife. He asked Ava to consider making a statement.

On John's way out the door, Ava asked if she could use his first name. "Of course," John replied. Ava said, "Well, John, it's really comforting, having you around." John left. His phone rang. It was John's superior. John explained that the Champagne on his expense report had been used to groom a source. John's superior mentioned Yemen and a shipment. It appeared that Pikeman was in play again. John said that he would have information for his boss soon.

A short while later, Ava ended a gallery-business call to answer a knock at her door. Ava opened the door and found Natalia standing there. Natalia said that she was seeking "clarity." Natalia admitted that she would regret her homophobic remarks for the rest of her life, but she wanted to know what Ava was trying to accomplish by recording and releasing their conversation.

Ava said that she hadn't realized their conversation had been recorded until after Natalia had left Sonny's apartment. Then, after having replayed the conversation, Ava had decided that the world needed to know what Natalia's daughter had been forced to endure because of her mother. Ava called Natalia "an awful person." Ava presumed that Sonny would be angry and would want nothing to do with Natalia. Natalia replied, "You're right. Sonny is -- he's furious about the recording... but not with me."

Willow visited Sonny's apartment. Willow told Sonny that she had just finished a conversation with Nina. Sonny was surprised to learn that Willow was speaking to Nina. Willow explained that she had decided to let go of her anger toward her mother. Willow informed Sonny that she was taking things slowly with Nina. Sonny acknowledged that he wanted Nina to be happy, and with Willow and the kids in Nina's life, Nina would be.

Willow told Sonny that she was there to discuss Michael's estrangement from Sonny. Willow explained that Michael had lied to them both in the name of protecting someone he loved. Willow pointed out that she and Michael were healing, as she also was healing with Nina.

Sonny's phone rang. The call was from Diane's associate, who informed Sonny that Diane was tied up in court. Sonny became upset because he'd been trying to reach Diane. Sonny told Willow that Ava was trying to take Avery away from him and that he was not going to let that happen.

Willow offered Sonny help from her and Michael. Sonny told Willow that he didn't want Michael involved in the upcoming custody battle. Sonny couldn't get past the fact that Michael had hired Dex to spy on Sonny. Willow told Sonny that Michael knew he had made a mistake. She asked if Sonny could consider forgiving Michael. Sonny called Willow "sweet and tenacious." Willow expressed a desire to take her own advice regarding her own mistakes. Willow thanked Sonny for his time, and she left.

Nina slapped Drew -- hard. "You kissed my daughter!" Nina exclaimed. Drew tried to explain that he had gotten caught up in the moment, but Nina didn't care about Drew's reasons. Nina threatened to tell Willow that "her hero is sleeping with her mother!"

Drew claimed the kiss had been "innocent" and the product of a moment. Drew compared it to what had happened between Nina and Sonny in Nixon Falls. Nina's anger did not abate. Nina informed Drew that Willow was "drowning in guilt" and was debating whether or not she should tell Michael about the kiss.

Nina told Drew that Willow had an opportunity to put the kiss behind her. Drew swore that he would neither pursue Willow nor take advantage of her. Nina was glad to hear that. Nina told Drew that she was choosing to believe him. Nina told Drew that he would have the endorsement of the Invader. Drew explained that it was not a quid pro quo and that his main concern was Willow's peace of mind.

Drew suggested that he and Nina should come to a new understanding. Nina and Drew both admitted that they had come a long way with each other. Drew suggested that it was time to put the "mutual contempt behind us, which begs the question: what, if anything, is left?"

Nina's intercom rang. "Madison, I'm in a meeting," Nina declared. Madison's voice replied, "Sonny Corinthos is here to see you." Madison showed Sonny in. Nina asked Madison to hold all of Nina's calls. Madison left. Sonny congratulated Drew on his candidacy. Drew excused himself and left -- but not before asking for Sonny's vote.

Sonny told Nina that he was taking Ava to court. Nina thought that was a good idea. Nina assured Sonny that her eyes were wide open as far as Ava was concerned. Nina explained that she had needed Ava's friendship -- until Ava had proven to be a backstabber. Nina asked Sonny why he had gone to see her. Sonny asked Nina what she would say if called to testify. Nina didn't think Ava would be foolish enough to subpoena Nina. Nina told Sonny that, on the stand, she would tell the truth that Sonny was "an exemplary father."

Sonny owned up to his part in how he had handled the breakup with Nina. He told Nina that his admission had nothing to do with what Nina had just said. Nina thanked Sonny for that. Sonny asked Nina, "If you can bury the hatchet with Drew, after everything that's happened, can you do the same with me?"

Jason wanted Anna to give him Valentin's satellite phone. Anna wouldn't relinquish the phone. "I can't let Cates take Valentin away," Anna told Jason. Anna informed Jason that Charlotte had returned from school in Europe. Anna asked Jason what would happen to Charlotte if Valentin went to prison. Anna reminded Jason that she owed Charlotte for almost having taken Charlotte's life.

Anna explained that, earlier that day, Charlotte had forgiven her. Anna refused to be responsible for leaving Charlotte "fatherless and alone in the world." Jason felt for Charlotte but declared that Valentin was to blame for anything that happened to her. Jason insisted that he would not disappoint his sons again. "What do you want from me?" Jason demanded. Anna replied, "Two hours. That's what I'm asking for. Can you trust me for two hours more?"

Anna explained that she wanted to warn Valentin that the FBI was onto him and give Valentin the chance to take Charlotte and run. Anna gave the satellite phone to Jason. She asked Jason to wait two hours before turning over the evidence. "I'm trusting you now," Anna said. Jason said, "I have what I need. Do what you want with Valentin." Anna thanked Jason then rushed off. Jason looked at the bedside clock. It read 4:03 p.m.

Valentin heard pounding at his door. He opened it. Anna rushed in. Anna instructed Valentin to call Charlotte home immediately. Anna told Valentin that he and Charlotte would have to leave town right away. Valentin asked Anna, "What's happening? What have you done?" Valentin's jaw dropped as Anna replied, "I turned you in to the FBI as head of Pikeman. You're going to have to leave the country immediately."

Valentin swept away the books on the shelf behind which he had hidden the satellite phone. He grew angry. "You did this? You turned me in to the FBI?" Valentin demanded. Anna raised a hand in protest. "We don't have time for this!" she insisted. Referring to their recent reunion and time together, Valentin took Anna's hands, looked her square in the eye, and pleaded, "Was any of it real?"

Anna explained that it wasn't about Valentin. It was about Charlotte. Valentin called Charlotte and confirmed that she was already on her way home. Anna told Valentin to take Charlotte and go -- and not to contact Anna again. Valentin replied, "I have another plan: you come with me."

John banged on Jason's door. He demanded full disclosure from Jason. "Everything! Or you lose your deal! And so does Carly!" John shouted. Inside the room, Jason sat next to his laptop and the satellite phone. Jason looked at the clock. It read 4:30 p.m.