Part 10 - Chapter 1 - There's No Escaping the Past

"Hector killed Lucy's father." As soon as the words were out of Eileen's mouth, she couldn't believe that she'd said them. She and Cassandra stared at each other, both shocked at the revelation, neither sure what to say next.

"I'm suddenly feeling really tired," Cassandra said as she held her head with one hand and leaned against the sink with another. "I'm sorry, but I think I have to lay down."

"Yeah, ok," Eileen said and took the cue to leave. She walked out of the house in a daze and took a long walk, trying to clear her mind before it was time to go to her night job.

As she sat at her desk and answered the phones, her mind just wasn't on her work. She couldn't believe the suspicions she had about Hector. It couldn't be true. He couldn't have poisoned Clifford, could he?

If she had just had a feeling that he was guilty, she could have dismissed it, but there were too many facts that led to the same conclusion. Her mind kept drifting back.

"I went by to visit Clifford on the day he died and he seemed like he was feeling better."

"The police found empty pill capsules in the trash in his room and residue on his drinking glass. The staff said he hadn't had any visitors since the night before."
"I met him at the hospital a few weeks ago. I work as a nurse there and he was looking for someone who could answer a few questions."

Eileen didn't know what to do. She needed evidence to prove whether Hector was guilty or innocent, but she didn't know where to find it.

As soon as the next song was over, Sebastian dragged Vanessa off stage. He stopped by the bar to tell the bartender to close early and take the next week off, before leaving the bar with his wife.

"What's going on?" Vanessa asked as she got into their car.

"We're going home to pack. We've got to leave town tonight."

"Why?" she asked in shock. "What's happened?"

Sebastian shook his head and said very little as he sped home.

By the time they made it home and got out of the car Vanessa was tired of Sebastian's evasive responses to her questions and was terrified of what could have caused this sudden panic in her husband. She vowed not to take another step until she had some real answers.

"Sebastian, you have to tell me what's going on. Where are we going to go?" When she looked into his face, she knew without a doubt that they were in serious trouble of some kind. "What are we running from?"

"I don't have time to explain now," he said impatiently and pushed past her, towards the front door. "Just start packing."

When they walked into the house, Zara met them in the living room. "Is everything alright?" she asked.

"Where's Cassie?" he asked, ignoring her question.

"In bed."

"Why didn't you wake her? Tell her to get up and pack."

"I tried, but she's out," Zara shrugged. "I can't wake her."

"You can't wake her?" Vanessa asked with concern. "Is she alright?"

"She's fine," Zara insisted, making light of the situation. "This happens with her all the time. When she gets in a deep sleep like this, nothing can wake her. She'll wake up fine in the morning."

Sebastian was growing increasingly impatient. "We don't have time for this. I want all of you ready to leave in 20 minutes. If you can't get Cassie up, you'll have to pack her things for her and I'll carry her out to the car myself!"

Before either woman could respond, Sebastian was headed upstairs to find his suitcase.

As Sebastian was taking clothes out of the bedroom dresser, Zara stormed into the room with Vanessa close behind her. "Wait a minute," she protested. "What is going on here? You have to tell us something. You can't expect us to completely change our lives with no warning and no explanation."

"Yes I can. I'm your father and if I say we have to go that should be good enough. If that's not, then I'm sorry, but you're on your own. I don't have time to wait for you to make up your minds."

Zara turned to Vanessa with a look of disbelief. Both women were at a loss for words.

Finally Zara spoke up, "I'm not going. I can't just quit school and leave my whole life behind. And I know Cassie would feel the same."

Sebastian looked up from his suitcase and said sternly, "You can't stay in this house. It's not safe."

"She can stay with me in the dorms."

Sebastian looked at his daughter and nodded solemnly. "Ok."

As Zara left the room, Sebastian returned to his packing. When he noticed that Vanessa was standing nearby, watching him, he asked, "Well, what about you?"

"Do you trust me?" Vanessa asked, stepping forward.

"We don't have time for this," Sebastian grumbled.

"I need to know," Vanessa insisted. She wasn't going to back down on this point. "When things settle down are you going to trust me enough to tell me the truth? Are you going tell me everything? If not, I can't go with you."

Sebastian stopped what he was doing long enough to look her eye and promise, "I will."

"Ok," Vanessa said quietly. "That's all I needed to know." She went to get her suitcase and started to pack.

Within a half an hour, Sebastian and Vanessa were packed and ready to leave. Zara met them at the door to say goodbye.

"Where are you going? How long are you going to be gone?" Zara asked.

Sebastian shrugged, "I'm not sure."

"You will call, won't you?"

"Of course," Vanessa answered right away, but Sebastian didn't seem as sure.

"If we can." He gave Zara a quick hug. "You and Cassie take care of yourselves."

Vanessa stepped up to say goodbye next. "And promise me you'll get Cassandra to go to the doctor if she's not feeling better in the morning."

Zara nodded dumbly and followed her father and Vanessa to the door as they said goodbye. She stood in the doorway as they drove away. She knew their lives had changed, but she wasn't sure what to make of what was happening.

Part 10 - Chapter 2 - There's No Escaping the Past

Reese took a deep breath and turned her head as she slowly started to wake. As she shifted her body, she immediately became alert. Something wasn't right. She opened her eyes quickly and began to realize where she was. Instead of waking up at home in her bed, she had fallen asleep in the back room of Sebastian's bar. As she stood from the chair where she had slept all night, she realized how sore her neck and back were, but she didn't have time to dwell on her discomfort.

When she turned around, she saw Blaine passed out on the floor. She gasped and knelt down beside him. Once she was assured that he was breathing normally, she hurried towards the door. She turned the knob, only to find that the door was locked.

"Hello! Is anyone out there?" she shouted as she pounded on the door. "Hello?"

She listened at the door for a moment, but there was only silence on the other side.

When she heard Blaine stir, she dropped down beside him and gently shook his shoulder. "Blaine. Blaine, wake up."

Blaine mumbled in his sleep and slowly started to awake. When he saw Reese leaning over him, he asked," What-" before realizing what had happened and where he was.

"Are you alright?" Reese asked as she helped Blaine to his feet.

"Yeah," he replied groggily, as he rubbed his eyes. "We were drugged and locked in."

Reese nodded and glanced around the room. There was only one door and no windows. She thought an office should have a phone, but there didn't seem to be one. "We're still trapped. There's no other way out."

"I guess we'll have to wait until the bar opens tonight," Blaine suggested. Reese just frowned. He didn't like the idea either, but he didn't know of any other options. He just hoped that Sebastian didn't come back for them before then, which made him wonder, why did Sebastian lock them up in the first place?

When Cassandra woke up in the morning, she was surprised to see her sister, dozing on the chair in the corner of her bedroom. As she started to get out of bed, she noticed that Zara was awake. "What are you doing here?"

"I have something to tell you," Zara began slowly. She stopped short when Cassandra stumbled as she got out of bed. "Are you ok?"

Cassandra sat on the corner of the bed and held her head. "I'm fine, just a little dizzy. I had a rough night."

"You aren't the only one," Zara remarked. She decided to just get to the point. "Dad and Vanessa left last night and I don't know if they're coming back. Dad wouldn't say much, but I think they might be in serious trouble." When Cassandra didn't react she asked, "Did you hear me?"

"I've got to go to the bar," Cassie said absently. As she started to stand up, she lost her balance again and collapsed onto the bed.

"Just stay in bed," Zara ordered as Cassandra tried to get up again. This wasn't normal, even for Cassie. "We'll stop by the bar later, but first I'm taking you to the doctor."

"I'm so glad you stopped by to see me, Lucy," Dr. Wilton greeted Lucy as he invited her into his office. "Have a seat." As Lucy sat down he took a seat behind his desk. "So how is the internship going?"

"Fine," Lucy replied. "Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about."

"What about it?"

"I love working here, but I think this job is getting to be more than I can handle, time-wise that is."

"Health care is a time consuming profession."

"I know, and I've been trying to cut back on other things so I can devote more energy to work, but it's still not enough. Right now I'm focusing on just work and school and I'm still exhausted all the time. I'm not going to give up, but I was wondering if it's possible to work fewer hours."

"Of course," Edward agreed. "I'll see if we can work something out. You've done a great job here and we'd hate to lose you."

"Thank you," Lucy said as she stood to leave.

"But Lucy," Edward called after her. "I want you to schedule an appointment for a complete physical, either with me or your regular doctor."

"I'm fine," Lucy insisted. "It's just stress, I think."

"It could be," Edward agreed. "But in case it's not, don't take the risk."

After Lucy left his office, Edward went to the examining room to meet with his next appointment.

Glancing at his patient's chart as he took a seat he said, "Hello, Cassandra. How are you doing today?"

"Ok," Cassie shrugged.

"Well, then, what did you need to see me about?" he asked giving her his full attention.

"It's nothing really. Just another dizzy spell."

"I see," Dr. Wilton remarked as he made a note. "How often have you had these dizzy spells since you were in the hospital?"

"Twice. Once at my friend's engagement party a few weeks ago and then this morning."

He asked her a few more questions, before coming to a conclusion. "I'm going to order some tests for you. One is a routine blood test. The other is an MRI. I want to make sure you didn't suffer any head trauma from when you fainted and hit your head."

Dr. Wilton walked Cassandra to the reception area where they set up an appointment for her tests to be run.

"I really think you're wasting your time. There's nothing wrong with me."

"I hope not, but I want to make sure."

"I know," Cassandra nodded, "It's just that I'm sure it's not physical. I think it's more mental."

"Oh? What makes you say that?"

As Cassandra started to speak, her sister came over and gave her a warning look, but Cassie continued, "I didn't want to say anything, but I'm psychic."

Edward stared at her doubtfully, unsure what to say.

"I only get these dizzy spells when I have a premonition. I've been seeing another doctor about them," Cassandra said in a low voice, "a psychiatrist."

Edward got out his pen and paper to take a note. "What's your psychiatrist's name?"

"Dr. Townsend."

"Veronica Townsend?" When Cassandra nodded, Edward put away his notepad without jotting down the name. "I'll give her a call. I'd like to confer with her."

Back at the bar, Reese and Blaine had searched the office from top to bottom trying to find a way out and had come up empty handed. As Reese had suspected, the office had a phone jack in the wall, but oddly enough there was no phone to plug into it.

"I still don't understand why he drugged us and locked us up in here," Reese said, trying to hide her fear. "Why wouldn't he want his wife to get her inheritance?"

"I don't know. It's got to be something else. He must be hiding something. Something big."

Reese frowned, she hated to think what it could be and what he might be planning to do with them. She felt so stupid for falling into this trap. She should have listened to Quentin and handed this case over to the professional investigators.

Reese sighed, "Blaine, I'm sorry I got you into this."

"What? You don't need to apologize. You didn't get me into this. I'm here because I wanted to do this."

"Not as much as I did. I took this assignment way too personally," she said as she turned away from him with her head down. "I almost forgot that it was someone else we were looking for and not me."

Blaine was confused, "What do you mean?"

"I've been looking for my parents," she slowly admitted. "They died when I was just a baby and I was raised in an orphanage, the one that we visited. I don't know who they are or where they came from. I don't even know what their name was. The people at the orphanage named me. When this case came up, I wanted to find Mrs. May's long lost daughter for all the wrong reasons. I guess I thought it might make me feel better about myself if I could help someone else find their roots."

Blaine touched Reese's shoulder, "That doesn't sound like the wrong reason to me."

Reese blinked, trying not to cry. "Now look at the trouble I've got us into."

"Hey, this isn't your fault," Blaine insisted. "And we're going to be fine."

Blaine barely finished his sentence before they heard someone on the other side of the door. As they heard the door unlock, both Reese and Blaine were overcome by fear. They backed away from the door and Blaine stood in front of Reese protectively as they waited for what was going to happen next.

Part 10 - Chapter 3 - There's No Escaping the Past

Reese and Blaine anxiously watched as the door began to open. Blaine wasn't sure who would be walking in or what would happen next, but he was determined to get some answers. He was thrown off guard when, instead of Sebastian or a hired goon, two young women were standing in the doorway, looking as surprised as he was.

"Who are you?" Zara asked as she looked from Blaine to Reese. She had come here at Cassandra's insistence, but hadn't expected to find anyone else there. "And what are you doing here?"

"We were locked in," Reese spoke up. Turning to Cassandra she added, "By your father."

"What?" Zara asked in disbelief. "It must have been an accident, right? He left in a hurry last night."

"Only if we were drugged on accident too," Blaine replied sarcastically.

Zara frowned. "I don't get it. What happened here last night?"

"I was hoping you could tell me," Blaine replied. "Reese and I came here to talk to Vanessa. When we explained to her husband that we wanted to tell her that she's the heir to an inheritance, he said we could meet her back here. Then he drugged us and locked us in. What I want to know is why."

Zara shook her head and shrugged. "I wish I knew." She opened her mouth to speak, but then hesitated. When she decided to continue, she spoke slowly. "Dad and Vanessa left last night in a hurry. He wouldn't say what happened or where they were going."

"In that case, do you mind if we get out of here?" Reese asked, rubbing at her aching neck. "I'd really like to go home."

"Sure," Zara replied, stepping out of the way.

As Reese started out of the room, Blaine turned back to Zara and Cassandra. "Look, I don't know what Sebastian Barrett thought, but we were really here for the reason we said we were. If you hear from him or Vanessa, could you let us know?"

Zara wasn't sure what to say, but Cassandra immediately agreed. "Of course."

Blaine smiled at her. "Thanks." He asked Reese for one of her business cards and then jotted his name and number on the back side before handing it over to Cassandra. "I appreciate it."

As they walked out of the building, Reese sighed, "I'm glad that's over with. I thought we had gotten ourselves into some serious trouble."

"Me too," Blaine mumbled, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

They walked to the street in silence. Reese stole glances at Blaine, but she wasn't sure what she wanted to say to him. Finally she said, "Well, it looks like we'll just have to wait until there's news. I guess I'll talk to you then?"

"Sure," Blaine said absently. "But in the meantime I'm going to do some research on Sebastian Barrett. I want to know what he's hiding."

"Hello? Can you connect me to Chad Vanderburg's room?" Hector asked the hotel receptionist over the telephone. "What do you mean he checked out? When was that?" After the receptionist answered, he thanked her and hung up.

"What's going on with him?" Hector wondered. He had called to chew Chad out for missing the job interview that he had set up with his boss, but now he had other things to worry about. Where had Chad suddenly disappeared to? And would he be back in time to be the best man at the wedding?

He didn't want to alarm Eileen, but he thought he should call her up and tell her. Maybe they should find a replacement, just in case Chad failed to show up for the wedding too.

When he called, Eileen's stepmother, Veronica, answered. "Of course you can talk to Eileen. I'll go get her." A few moments later, Veronica was back on the line, "Um, Hector, Eileen doesn't want to talk right now," she said apologetically. "Can she call you back later?"

"Sure," he said with a frown and then hung up the phone. "This is ridiculous," he mumbled to himself. He wasn't going to wait around until Eileen felt like calling him back. He picked up his car keys and headed out the door.

When Hector knocked on the Townsend's front door, Veronica let him in.

"I really need to talk to Eileen," Hector said impatiently. His tone wasn't urgent, but it was clear that he didn't want to play games. "Is she alright?"

Veronica shrugged. "She says she's fine, but she's been in her room most of the day."

"Can I go up?" Hector asked, motioning to the stairs.

"It's ok with me," Veronica replied. She watched as Hector hurried upstairs, then decided that she should follow him. She made it to the top just as Hector was knocking on Eileen's bedroom door.

"What is it?" Eileen asked from the other side of the closed door.

"Eileen, it's me," Hector replied. "I just came by to see what's going on. Why wouldn't you take my call?"

"I don't feel like talking."

"Did I do something wrong? Are you mad at me?"

There was a long pause before Eileen answered, "No. I just want to be alone right now, ok? I'll call you later."

Hector sighed and gave up, "Ok." He turned away from the door and said to Veronica, "I'll show myself out," before heading downstairs.

Veronica waited until she heard the front door shut before knocking on Eileen's door.

"Eileen, can I come in, just for a minute? Hector's gone."

Eileen hesitated before answering, "If you want."

When Veronica entered she found her step-daughter lying in bed staring at the ceiling. As she walked into the room, Eileen stood up.

"Is everything ok? Are you feeling alright?" Veronica asked. "You've been awfully quiet."

"I'm fine," Eileen insisted. "I just have a lot on my mind."

"You know, I'm here if you want someone to talk to."

"I know," Eileen replied. She did want someone to talk to and she trusted Veronica, but she didn't think Veronica was the person to confide in about this. Veronica was a psychiatrist. If she told her that she believed Hector was a murderer based on psychic intuition and flimsy evidence, Veronica would think she was crazy. And it couldn't help that the only other person who knew about Eileen's suspicions was Cassandra, one of Veronica's patients. "Thanks, but I just need time to think."

"Ok. If you change your mind, let me know."

Veronica quietly closed the door behind her as she stepped out into the hallway. She was about to go to the kitchen, when the phone rang. "Hello?"

At first no one responded. Veronica was about to say hello again, when someone began to speak.

"Hello, Veronica? This is Ed... Edward Wilton."

It was Veronica's turn to be momentarily speechless. She hadn't talked to Edward in years, but she recognized his voice before he introduced himself.

"I'm sorry to call you at home. But I need to speak with you."

"I - I don't think that's such a good idea, Ed."

"It's not anything personal," he was quick to clarify. "It's about a patient. I believe we have a mutual patient, Cassandra Barrett. I'd like to talk to you, as her psychiatrist, about her case. If you don't mind."

"Of course I don't mind," Veronica replied, but her voice held little confidence. "When should we meet?"

Part 10 - Chapter 4 - There's No Escaping the Past

Lucy hurried to answer the ringing doorbell. She was expecting Victoria Burgess to arrive for a meeting about the country club. To simplify her responsibilities, she decided to name Mrs. Burgess the new director.

Even though Clifford had hated Hector and his father, Lucy knew he wouldn't have had any qualms about Victoria. She was very well respected among the community and her reputation and wealth had come from her own family, not the Burgess family that she had married into.

"Hello, Mrs. Burgess. It's a pleasure to see you," Lucy greeted the elder woman warmly and welcomed her into the house. At first she hadn't noticed the man who was with her, but once she saw who he was, she was momentarily stunned.

"Thank you, Miss Stuart. I believe you already know Mr. Jordan. I hope you don't mind my bringing him along."

Lucy hadn't taken her eyes off Jordan. "No, but . . .why did you?"

"He's working for me now. And since he dealt with the business of the club while he was working for you, I thought it might be a good idea to bring him along."

"Of course. It's fine. Good idea," Lucy chattered nervously. "Shall we go sit down?"

Once they were settled in at the dining room table and Mrs. Burgess was offered refreshment, Lucy and Victoria got down to business.

"I'm so honored that you've chosen me for this position, Miss Stuart."

"Please, call me Lucy."

"I have so many wonderful ideas for the club."

"Like what?" Lucy asked. She smiled politely out of respect for Mrs. Burgess, but that statement made her nervous. She didn't want her family's country club to be changed drastically.

"I think the club should get back to a more . . . sophisticated air. I know you've done your best, Lucy, but I think it's very important to preserve the dignity and class that Pheasant Run evokes."

"And how do you propose to do that?" Lucy asked skeptically.

"We need to start with the entertainment. These modern performers are fine for stadiums and even concert halls, but our patrons would prefer more classically trained musicians. Anything less would send the wrong message and attract the wrong crowd. I mean no offense, especially to your young man."

"None taken," Lucy assured her. This talk of music made her nostalgic for Craig. She smiled to herself remembering the first time she saw him, at one of the concerts she had arranged at the country club, and how it felt to first fall in love with someone new.

When she looked up and saw Jordan standing behind Mrs. Burgess, she knew she had to stand by her decision.

"I know of a wonderful string quartet that would be perfect."

Lucy snapped out of her daydreaming and focused on the present. "I'm sure anyone you approve of will be appropriate."

After discussing a few more issues, Victoria excused herself for the ladies' room, leaving Lucy and Jordan alone in the dining room.

Lucy looked down awkwardly, not sure what to say. When the silence became unbearable, she asked, "How do you like working for Mrs. Burgess?"

"Fine. It's a good position," he replied.

"That's good," Lucy replied. "It's been different not having you around . . .I wondered how you were doing and if you found another job."

"I've wondered about you as well, how you were coping. I still regret not giving you proper notice."

Lucy rose from her chair and stepped towards him. "This is ridiculous. We should keep in touch. Get together and talk."

Jordan shook his head. "I don't think that's a good idea. What would your fiance think?"

"I don't care. I'm breaking up with Craig," Lucy announced. "He's a great guy, but I never should have agreed to marry him. I can't commit to him when I'm having feelings for someone else," she said with a meaningful look at Jordan. She added softly, "It wouldn't be fair."

Jordan and Lucy stared at each other silently. Jordan was about to speak, but before he could utter a word, Victoria returned. Lucy turned shyly from Jordan and returned to her seat.

As the final chord of Craig's song died away on the piano, producer Delilah O'Feefe clapped enthusiastically. "Craig, that was amazing. This album of yours is going to be a huge hit. Huge!"

"I hope so," Craig said as he turned to face Delilah. "I'm counting on this."

"With talent like yours you have nothing to worry about. Your songs are simply inspired."

Craig smiled, "They certainly are. When I hurt my arm and had to leave my tour, I was at a low point. But Lucy was there. She was my inspiration. She encouraged me to keep on going and to get back into song writing. I don't know where I would be without her."

"Wow," Delilah sighed. "What a sweet story. That's really going to sell . . .I'm sorry. I hope you didn't take that the wrong way. I'm always thinking business."

"I'll take that as a good thing."

"So how about playing one of your pre-Lucy songs? I'd love to hear some of your older stuff."

"Sure thing," Craig agreed as he turned back to the keyboard. He played the intro to a bluesy piece and began to sing. He hadn't even finished the first verse before Delilah interrupted him.

"What a second. I know that tune. It can't be one of your songs. It's one of the tracks on an album we're about to release."

"What?" Craig asked with surprise. "No. That can't be possible. That is my song. I wrote it," he insisted. "Whose album is it on? I want to know who's trying to pass off one of my songs as their own."

Delilah looked shocked by the outburst. "It's, um, James Spencer."

"James, huh?" Craig asked. He should have known. The tune was one that he used to play when they were on tour together. First James had replaced him on the tour and now he was trying to make money off his music. Craig wasn't going to let him get away with it.

Once they had covered the most pressing issues regarding the country club, Lucy walked Mrs. Burgess to the door.

"I'm so glad you accepted this position," Lucy said shaking Victoria's hand. "This is going to help me tremendously."

"The honor is all mine," Mrs. Burgess insisted. "Pheasant Run has been wonderful for the community. I've been a member since your grandparents started it and I'm only sorry that I haven't been more active in the past."

"Your contribution has always been appreciated."

"Thank you so much."

As the two women said goodbye, Jordan held the door open for Mrs. Burgess. Before following her out, he lingered in the doorway, exchanging a lingering look with Lucy.

Lucy hurried to the door and watched as Jordan helped Victoria into her car and the pair rode away.

Lucy heard the grandfather clock chime from the hallway, reminding her how late it had gotten. She would have to hurry if she was going to make it to her doctor's appointment on time.

"So, Lucy, what brings you in today?" Dr. Lawson asked as Lucy sat opposite from him in the examination room.

"I'm just here for a check-up," Lucy said, before admitting, "I've been very tired lately. I haven't quite felt like myself."

Dr. Lawson made a few notes and then started asking Lucy a list of routine questions. Lucy answered "yes" or "no" to each one. As a medical student herself, she didn't find any of the questions surprising, until he asked, "Is there any possibility that you could be pregnant?"

"Pregnant?" Lucy repeated. The thought had never occured to her, but it did make sense. She had attributed her nausea to nerves and the fatigue to stress, but what if there was more to it than that? She thought back over the last month and realized, "Yes, I could be."

Part 10 - Chapter 5 - There's No Escaping the Past

Hector walked into the office break room to find Lawrence having lunch with Amanda and Andrew. They were so involved in their conversation, that they didn't seem to notice that he had entered the room. He poured himself a cup of coffee and walked over to the table.

"So since when are you two such good pals?"

The table was silent for a moment before Andrew answered coldly, "We got to know each other while I was teaching his business course at the community college." Andrew glared at Hector and said tauntingly, "Maybe I should thank the person who set me up. I learned a lot, got to know Lawrence better. I think I'm almost better off now than I was before I got fired."

An uncomfortable silence followed as Andrew and Hector stared each other down.

"I should get back to my desk," Lawrence said as he started to stand.

"Me too," Amanda agreed before turning to her husband. "Honey?"

Andrew took the hint and backed down from the stare as he stood up from the table.

As Andrew followed Lawrence and Amanda out of the break room, Hector was left alone. When the others were gone he let his defiant expression relax into a frown.

He didn't like the way things were going. Suddenly he felt isolated in the office. Just when things seemed to be turning in his favor, Andrew was back. He really could have used Chad in his corner. But that was out of the question now, since Chad never showed up for his interview and was nowhere to be found.

Hector stood up and walked out of the break room. On the way back to his desk, he spotted R.J. on the telephone. Maybe he had an ally in the office after all.

"Have you found anything yet?" R.J. asked Lauren over the phone.

"What exactly am I looking for?"

"Anything you can find out about the company or its employees. I want to know how the company got to where it is today and I especially want to know if there's been any scandals. Do you think you can do that?"

"Sure, I can, but what are you doing for me? How are you going to help me get what I want?"

"Don't worry. I'll get you what you want." When R.J. spotted Hector walking towards him, he cut the call short. "I've got to go. We'll talk later."

"Hey, Hector," R.J. greeted his co-worker cheerfully. "How's it going?"

"Good. I thought I'd drop by and see how you were doing?

"I'm doing great."

"Still liking the job?" Hector asked in a teasing tone.

"I think I'll stick around for awhile."

"I'm glad to hear it. I was wondering if you wanted to have lunch with me. It looks like everyone else has already eaten. I thought it might be a good chance for us to chat, get to know each other."

R.J. smiled. This was just too easy. "I think that's a great idea. Let me finish up a few things and we'll go."

Chad walked slowly up to the Jordan's apartment. He wasn't sure if he should be here. He knew Audrey wouldn't be happy to see him, but he had to see her before he left. He had already checked out of his hotel and rented another room under a false name. He knew the safest thing to do would be to leave town as soon as possible, but he couldn't go without talking to Audrey first. He had to warn her. He owed her that much.

When the door opened, Audrey's reaction was just what he had expected, "What are you doing here?"

"I need to tell you something. Don't worry, it won't take long, then I'll be out of your life forever."

Audrey stood in the doorway with her hands crossed in front of her and waited, "What is it?"

"Can't I come in first?"

Audrey shrugged and then stepped out of the way.

"I want you to know that I'm leaving town, but I couldn't go without talking to you first."

"Why? That didn't seem to bother you before."

Chad ignored her attitude and continued. He didn't want to get into that now. "I had to let you know R.J. is town."

"Tell me something I don't know," Audrey sighed. "He's been making my life hell for months now."

Chad's brows furrowed with concern. "What has he done?"

"He found out that I was here, staying with my brother, and he started asking about you. He wanted to know where you were and where the money was. When I couldn't tell him, he decided it was up to me to make up for it by spying on this corporation he was interested in. And I didn't have any choice, but," she laughed humorlessly, "I guess I should be used to that by now."

Chad sighed and shook his head, "God, Audrey. I can't tell you how sorry I am. This is all my fault. I never meant for you to get caught up in this."

"Well, I am and that's not even the half of it. I left London to get away from your problems, but I can't get away from them. They keep following me and I feel like it's never going to stop."

"It will. I promise you, somehow, someway, I'm going to make this up to you."

Audrey just turned away. She didn't doubt his sincerity, but she didn't trust him to come through. "I've had enough of your empty promises."

Before she could ask him to leave, the doorbell rang.

Audrey answered the door, "Lawrence, come in. I'll just be a moment." She went to get her purse, giving Chad a look that clearly said, "get lost."

Lawrence followed her inside and was surprised to see Hector's friend Chad there. The two men looked at each other awkwardly while Audrey was getting ready to leave.

"Oh, hey you're . . ." Chad started. He had recognized Lawrence as one of Hector's co-workers and the man had gone to the party with Audrey. "You're dating," he concluded. "I'll, uh, get lost then." He stopped to look Audrey in the eye before going out. "Again, Audrey, I'm so sorry. Take care of yourself, ok?"

He waited for Audrey to reply, but when she didn't say anything, he left the apartment. He paused in the hallway before walking out of the building. At that moment he knew there was no way he could leave town now. He couldn't run away and leave Audrey to deal with his problems a second time.

Lawrence and Audrey had a very quiet evening together. Lawrence had never been much at holding a conversation on his own. He talked a little bit about work and the development that was going to start on his bit of real estate, but he soon gave in to the silence.
Audrey let out a deep sigh and said, "I'm so sorry, Lawrence. I haven't been very good company tonight."

"It's alright."

"No, it's not. I'm just a little out of sorts right now. It's Chad's fault, but I'm taking it out on you."

Lawrence felt like he should say something, but he didn't want to pry. "I didn't know you knew each other."

"We used to date," Audrey admitted. "But that's over. I've put him in my past and I want him to stay there. I don't want him around. "

Audrey's admission left Lawrence speechless. He didn't know how to respond.

"I'm not going to let his surprise visit ruin the rest of our evening," Audrey promised. "I'm glad that you called and asked me out tonight. I know this is only our second date, and we're just getting to know each other, but I really like being with you."

"I'm glad to be with you too."

Audrey smiled at Lawrence. There was almost something shy about the way he said those words, but his eyes were locked firmly with hers in a warm, sincere look. He was so unlike the other guys that she had dated in the past, but she thought he might be just the kind of guy she needed.

Part 10 - Chapter 6 - There's No Escaping the Past

Blaine walked away from the computer in disgust. He needed a break, so he decided to go outside for a walk.

After searching for hours, he had come up with nothing new on Sebastian Barrett. He knew from his earlier searches that Sebastian was co-owner of Barrett's Boardwalk along with his wife, Vanessa, who he had married after divorcing his first wife, Serena, and committing her to a mental institution. But there was absolutely no information about him prior to his marriage to Serena. It was almost like the man hadn't existed before then.

Blaine stood outside and leaned against the railing of the building. As he looked out over the bay, he wondered if he was facing the same problem they had when trying to find Dorothy Alice Summers. Maybe he was searching under the wrong name.

Blaine turned and started back towards the computer lab. The only thing to do was to talk to Serena Barrett. He wasn't sure if it would be possible to visit her at the mental hospital, or how severe her condition was. He knew that even if he was allowed to see her, she might not be able to answer his questions. It was a long shot, but he had to try.

Vanessa picked up the telephone and dialed the number to Zara's room at the University dorms. Sebastian hadn't wanted her to call, but she had to see how the girls were doing. She waited until her husband was out of the room to make the call. She was sure that he was just being paranoid.

"Hello?"

"Cassie? It's Vanessa. How are you feeling?"

"Much better now. Where are you guys?"

"I'm at a hotel room. Your dad just stepped out for a minute," she said, hesitant to reveal too much. "Is everything ok there?"

"Yeah. Why did you two leave so suddenly the other night? What happened?"

Vanessa sighed, "I still don't know. I haven't asked your father yet . . .the time hasn't seemed right."

"Then I guess he didn't tell you about the two people he drugged and locked in his office?"

"What?!?" Vanessa asked in shock.

"The day after you left, Zara and I went by the bar and found a couple of people locked in the office. One was a lawyer. I have her business card. They were looking for you. I guess someone died and left you some money and they've been trying to tell you."

"But why would your father drug them and lock them up!" Vanessa asked in disbelief.

"I don't know," Cassandra said quietly. "But I believe them. I don't think they did anything to provoke him, besides asking questions. They asked me to give them a call if I heard from you. Do you want the number?"

"No," Vanessa said slowly. "Not right now. I want to talk to your dad first. I'll call you again later, when I can. I just wanted to make sure you and your sister were alright."

After saying goodbye, Vanessa hung up the phone. When Sebastian came back she was going to make him keep his word. She was going to get the whole story.

When Sebastian returned to the hotel room a few minutes later with dinner, he found Vanessa staring pensively out the window.

"What's wrong?"

"I called the girls," she answered without looking up.

"How could you do that after I told you not to?" He tossed the takeout down on the nearby table. "I told you it was dangerous. Someone could have tapped the phone line. We've got to check out tonight."

"No," Vanessa said, as she turned to face him. "I'm not going anywhere until you keep your promise to me. I want to know exactly what's going on. What on earth are we running from?"

He sighed and sat down on the couch. "From my past. It's finally caught up with me."

"Honey, this isn't even about you," Vanessa said, sitting next to him. "Cassie found the people that were looking for you. They want to tell me about an inheritance. They don't know anything about you."

"That is a lie!" Sebastian insisted. "I was suspicious when they first started snooping around, but when they mentioned inheritance, I knew without a doubt why they were at the bar asking me questions. You were just a cover. No, it's me that they're after and they aren't going to get me!"

As Sebastian started pacing the room, Vanessa stepped in front of him. "What is it? You have to tell me! What are you hiding?"

Sebastian stared at her for a long moment. Finally he answered her, "I'm not who you think I am."

At the Burgess house, Jordan struggled to keep his mind on his work, but ever since he had gone back to Lucy's with Mrs. Burgess, he couldn't stop thinking about his ex-employer.

"I'm breaking up with Craig . . . I can't commit to him when I'm having feelings for someone else."

Justin wished he could pretend that Lucy was talking about another man, but the way she looked at him left him with no doubt. That someone else was him.

"I wish I could show you how I feel, Lucy," he thought to himself. "But it wouldn't be right."

He knew too well the scandal that would erupt if they broke rank and tried to have a relationship. People like his current employers would cause an uproar. He would probably lose his job and Lucy's social standing would be ruined. He didn't want to cause her any pain.

Yet, he couldn't stop thinking about her.

As the day went on, his mind and heart were torn in two different directions. By the end of the day, he had made up his mind. Damn social conventions, he was going to tell her how he felt.

Meanwhile, Eileen, Lucy, and Chloe decided to spend the day together. They had lunch at a nice restaurant and then walked around the shops.

"You've both been awfully quiet today," Chloe remarked. "I'm not trying to start anything, but are you sure you're really over your argument?"

"Absolutely," Eileen spoke up. "I just have a lot on my mind."

"Me too."

"Well, whatever it is, put it out of your minds, because today is about having a good time." Chloe stopped at a shop window and spotted something she just had to have. "I'm going to run inside this store for a minute and when I get back, I want to hear both of you chatting away like old times."

Both Lucy and Eileen laughed at their friend as she went inside the shop, but when the laughter died away it was replaced by a heavy silence.

"Lucy," Eileen started reluctantly. "I want to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"Why did your father hate Hector so much?"

Lucy sighed. "I wish you wouldn't ask me that. I don't want us to start fighting again."

"This won't turn into an argument, I promise."

"Why do you want to know," Lucy asked suspiciously.

As much as Eileen wanted to share her suspicions with someone else and get a second opinion, she knew that person couldn't be Lucy. How could she tell her best friend that her father might have been murdered by her own fiance? The news would hurt Lucy and it could only drive them further apart. There was no reason to take that risk when she wasn't sure if the information was even true.

"I just need to know. It's important to me."

Lucy shrugged. "I wish I could tell you, but I really don't know why he hated him so much," Lucy paused in thought. "Which makes it really stupid of me to be so biased."

"It's not stupid," Eileen insisted. "Instinct is more important than people realize."

"Is your instinct telling you something?" Lucy asked curiously.

Eileen frowned, "I'm not sure." She sighed and then changed the subject. "So how are things going for you? Have you broken up with Craig yet?"

"No," Lucy said. "And I'm not going to."

Justin hadn't meant to eavesdrop. He had been walking along the square and spotted Lucy by chance. As he approached her, he couldn't help overhearing her conversation with Eileen. He knew he should just turn away, but once he heard the topic of conversation, his curiosity got the better of him and he stopped to listen to what they were saying.

"What do you mean, you're not breaking up with him?" Eileen asked, confused. "Didn't you tell me that you weren't ready to commit? That getting married when you weren't sure about your feelings wouldn't be fair to him?"

"Things have changed," Lucy said in a low voice.

"What could have possibly changed?"

"I'm pregnant. I'm having his baby."

Eileen was struck speechless by the news and Justin was crushed. He turned and quickly walked away before either woman knew that he was even there.

"How do you feel about it?" Eileen asked cautiously.

"I'm not sure," Lucy admitted. "I just found out myself and I haven't had time to really think about it. It's still a shock."

"And you know for sure that you are . . .?"

Lucy nodded. "The doctor gave me the news himself," she paused for a moment. "Now do you understand why I changed my mind?"

Eileen nodded in agreement and looked at Lucy supportively. "Of course. I understand."