Part 15 - Chapter 1 - Missing

Since he had worked late the previous night, Justin had the morning off from work. He took advantage of the time off and slept in a little later than he normally would. As he was cooking breakfast, the telephone rang.

"Hello. May I speak with Audrey Jordan please?"

"She's not here right now. Shall I take a message?"

"Yes. This is her boss. I wanted to know why she isn't in the office this morning."

"She's not there? Could you hold for a moment?" Justin asked before setting the receiver down on the desk. He went back to Audrey's bedroom and knocked. When there was no answer, he called out, "Audrey?" and opened the door. As he had thought, the room was unoccupied.

Justin went back to the living room and picked up the telephone. "No, she's not here. I haven't seen her this morning."

"If you hear from her would you have her give us a call?"

"Of course," Justin said with a thoughtful frown and returned the receiver to its cradle. He was about to go back into the kitchen when he noticed the card sitting next to the bouquet of roses on the desk. Audrey had been out when he came home the evening before and she was gone after he got up in the morning. He had assumed she had been out late on her date with Lawrence and had left again while he was still asleep. But he hadn't actually heard her come in the night before . . . maybe she had been out with him all night.

Justin shrugged and went back into the kitchen. He thought it odd that she hadn't shown up for work, but Audrey was a grown woman and if she chose to spend the night with a man that was her own business.

Lauren sat her desk, her eyes darting back and forth impatiently as she rapped her fingers along the surface of the desk.

"Why did I even come in to work today," she thought to herself. "I so don't want to be here. There's so many better things I could be doing, like working on the next phase of my plan."

She watched R.J. as he walked towards his desk and decided to make her move.

"R.J. I'm not feeling well. I must be coming down with flu or something. I think I should go home and get in bed."

R.J. wasn't buying into her theatrics. "Go home if you want, but if you do, don't bother coming back."

Lauren pouted. She did want to go, but she still needed her job and she knew she was already on thin ice with R.J. "Fine, I'll stay. But I hope you'll at least call a doctor for me if I pass out or something!"

"How did it go, honey?" Amanda asked anxiously as Andrew returned from the boardroom.

"Really well. I think they were impressed with me."

"That's great," she said, giving him a hug.

As Lawrence walked past on his way to the boardroom for his interview, Amanda glared at him.

"Good luck, Arrendale," Andrew called after him.

"If he gets promoted over you, I swear I'm going to scream," Amanda said in a low voice once the door closed behind Lawrence. "It's not fair that he gets everything just handed to him while the rest of us don't even get what we're entitled to."

"You're still upset about Vanessa?"

"Yes, I'm upset! It was bad enough when she got everything in Mother's will. I could accept that. But for her to start giving it all away and not even think of us, just doesn't make sense. It's not right."

Andrew shrugged. "Try not to worry about it. We're doing alright financially and we'll be doing even better once I get this promotion."

Amanda frowned and gazed towards the boardroom. "I still hope he doesn't get it."

"I don't think he will. And even if they do choose Lawrence. Better him than Hector."

Hector paced nervously in his cubicle. Andrew had just come out of the boardroom smiling that obnoxious cocky smile of his and Lawrence had gone in his place. Hector knew he was next and he was feeling the pressure, the desperation to do something, otherwise he would lose everything.

"What can I do?" he asked himself. Lawrence had him trapped. If he made one false move it would all be over. He had to find some way to get around Lawrence's threats.

He knew Lawrence wasn't keeping quiet about this for his own benefit, that just wasn't his way. He had no reason not to tell what he knew . . . unless Eileen didn't want him to.

With that thought, Hector's desperation seemed to fade into the background. Maybe there was hope for him to salvage something. His confidence restored, Hector was able to compose himself and focus on his upcoming interview.

Part 15 - Chapter 2 - Missing

"Mr. Jordan, did you get that down?" Victoria Burgess asked sternly.

Justin snapped out of his stupor and quickly made the note. "Yes, madam."

"Honestly, I don't know where your mind is today," she muttered as she rose from her chair. "I should get going. I'm meeting with the garden club for brunch. I'll be back later this afternoon. In the meantime, you will see that these tasks are taken care of?"

"Yes, madam," Justin nodded as he followed Mrs. Burgess to the door.

"Oh, I nearly forgot. Could you call Lucy this afternoon? I need to set up a meeting with her to discuss the schedule for Pheasant Run."

Justin blinked and paled slightly, but managed to retain his demeanor. "Of course."

"I'll see you this afternoon, then," she said as she stepped outside.

Justin closed the door behind her and slowly wandered over to the phone. Call Lucy . . .the task was more difficult for him than it sounded, but he thought it might be better to get it out of the way rather than postpone the task. Drawing up his courage, he picked up the receiver and dialed.

"The Stuart-Sexton residence. Madeleine speaking."

Justin unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief when the maid answered instead of his former employer. "Hello. This is Justin Jordan. Is Miss Stu- uh, Mrs. Sexton in?"

"Oh hi, Justin! No, she's not. Haven't you heard? She's in the hospital."

"The hospital?" he choked. "Is she alright? What happened?"

"I don't know. I wasn't here when the ambulance came. We're still waiting to hear . . . Do you want to leave a message or something?" she asked, distracted. Since her employers were away, she was spending her day catching up on the soaps as she worked and the commercial break had just ended.

"No, don't trouble her. If she asks, tell her I'm calling on behalf of Mrs. Burgess."

"Ok, I'll let her know. Bye."

Justin let the receiver slip from his fingers as he dropped it back into place. Lucy, in the hospital? He couldn't believe that it was true. If something was seriously wrong . . .he tried to chase the thought from his mind. She had to be alright.

Justin slowly walked away from the telephone and picked up the list of tasks Mrs. Burgess had left for him. He glanced at it without reading the words before absently dropping it back on the desk again. Knowing he wouldn't be able to do anything until he knew for himself how Lucy was, he decided to leave the list for later and headed to the hospital.

Serena wandered around the living room, studying pieces of furniture. Finally coming to a conclusion she announced, "The arrangement of this room is all wrong. Here, help me move the piano towards the desk."

"I'll try," Cassandra answered uncertainly as she grabbed one end of the piano. Together they pushed it a few feet down the wall.

Serena regarded her surroundings once again and shrugged, "That's a bit better . . . This room is so cold and plain. It's in desperate need of redecorating."

"I don't know if we can afford to decorate," Cassie objected. "We're lucky Vanessa is letting us stay here or we couldn't even afford a place to live.

"It would be an investment. Hear my plan," Serena said as she sat down on the couch and motioned for Cassandra to sit next to her. "I'm going to start a business from the house, reading palms and tarot cards. And to do that I need to create the proper atmosphere."

"I see."

"Darling, why don't you quit that diner job and join me. You have the gift too, don't you?"

Cassie nodded. "I guess if it takes off I could try," she said uncertainly. Since her father was gone and Serena wasn't likely to find a conventional job given her past, Cassie had the burden of supporting herself and her mother. Working as a waitress didn't earn much money, but it was enough to keep them going.

Serena clasped Cassandra's hands, "What's bothering you, Cassandra? You seem so . . . heartbroken. Yes, that's it, heartbroken. What's happened?"

Cassandra sighed, "Nothing really. There's just this guy I like. I mean, the first time I saw him it was like I felt this instant connection to him, but now he's dating someone else . . .I just know he's the one for me. I can feel it every time he's near. I just know. But there's nothing I can do about it . . . because of her."

Serena drew back, her expression darkened. "The heart can fool you, Cassandra. It can make you blind. When I met your father I felt the same way. I loved him dearly, but he betrayed me and cast me away. You have to keep a clear head about these matters and not let your heart overrule your common sense, your intuition."

"This isn't like you and Dad. This guy is nothing like my father. He's a good person, honest and really nice. And what I feel for him isn't just infatuation, I know it isn't. I think this is my intuition telling me that we're meant to be together."

Serena studied Cassandra, "Who is he?"

Cassandra squirmed. She didn't want to say, but somehow she felt her mother would find out anyway. Perhaps she already knew. "It's Blaine," she mumbled.

Serena's dark expression seemed to fade, "Oh! Well, there may be something you can do."

"What?"

"Invite him over to dinner. If I think you're right about him, then I'll tell you what to do." She stood up briskly. "I think I'm going to stop by the fabric store. Surely, we can fit some drapes in our budget."

Justin walked quickly through the bare white hospital corridor. The receptionist at the front desk had given him Lucy's room number without any difficulty, but now that he was here, he was starting to have second thoughts about coming.

As he approached the door to Lucy's room, the sound of voices startled him and he stepped back.

"Isn't he beautiful?" Lucy asked.

"He's amazing," Craig replied, gazing proudly at the baby in his arms. "I can't believe I have a son. What are we going to call this little guy?"

"I want to name him Stuart," Lucy answered. "After my family."

When Craig seemed surprised by the idea, she explained, "It seems like there should be something that still carries my family's name. Maybe he can bring some good back to it."

"I'm sure he will," Craig grinned. "Have you already picked a middle name too?"

"No, what do you think?"

"I had an uncle, Vincent, who meant a lot to me when I was growing up. Since we're going with family names, I'd like to honor him too."

"Stuart Vincent Sexton," Lucy tried out the name. "What do you think of that?" she cooed at the baby. "That's going to be your name, little guy."

As Lucy smiled up at her husband and their new baby, she thought she saw something move outside the door and her smile faded.

"What's wrong?" Craig asked.

Lucy blinked and decided she must be imagining things. "Nothing. I'm just tired, I guess."

Justin turned from the hospital room and slowly made his way back down the hallway. He felt a complete fool. He couldn't believe he had just abandoned his work and dropped everything to rush to the hospital, and for what? Nothing. Lucy was fine, she was happy with her new family, and he had no reason to be there. She wasn't anything to him now, but a former employer.

As he left the hospital, Justin decided to stop by the apartment before going back to the Burgess' and see if Audrey had been in yet.

Part 15 - Chapter 3 - Missing

When Justin returned to the apartment he found it empty. There was no sign that anyone had been there since he had left that morning. He thought Audrey would have come home by now, at least for a change of clothes. The fact that she hadn't, worried him.

On his way back to the Burgess' house, he decided to stop by the Townsend offices and find out if Lawrence was in. If he was, then perhaps he would know something about Audrey's whereabouts. If he wasn't, then he would have to assume that the two had skipped work to spend the day together.

When he walked into the building he was greeted at the door by Amanda, "Can I help you?"

"Is Lawrence Arrendale in?"

"Yes. Have a seat and he'll be with you in a minute"

Justin had just sat down when he saw Lawrence approach. He stood up to meet him, "I don't know if you remember me, I'm Justin Jordan, Audrey's brother," he introduced himself.

"Yes, I remember. What brings you here?"

"I don't want to pry, but I was wondering if you knew where my sister might be. I only ask because she hasn't been home and her boss called this morning to ask why she didn't show up for work."

Lawrence shrugged, "I have no idea where she is."

"She didn't say anything to you last night . . .or this morning about her plans for the day?"

"I haven't talked to her in days," Lawrence frowned.

"Then you didn't have a date with her last night? But you sent her flowers with a card that asked her to meet you for dinner."

Lawrence shook his head, confused, "I didn't send her anything."

"Are you talking about Audrey?" Chad interrupted. "I saw her at a restaurant last night, Rodney's Hideaway. She was alone, but she looked like she was dressed up to meet somebody."

"Did you see anything? Did she say anything to you?" Justin asked eagerly.

Chad shook his head, "She told me to get lost, so I left . . .And neither of you have seen her since?"

"I just assumed she spent the night with you," Justin said, turning to Lawrence. "The bouquet of flowers and the card that came with them are on the desk in our apartment. They were signed with your name."

"I don't care whose name is on them. I didn't send anything to Audrey and I didn't go anywhere last night," Lawrence insisted. "I was home all evening and I was alone. If she spent the night with someone, it wasn't me."

"But why would someone want her to think she was meeting you?"

"This isn't good," Chad sad solemnly, breaking the tense silence that followed Justin's question. "I hate to say it, but I think someone's set her up. We've got to find her."

Lawrence walked past them to Amanda's desk, "Hold our calls. Chad and I are going out."

"Hi," Reese grinned as she hurried up the front steps towards Blaine. "Sorry to keep you waiting. I got held up at the office and I was afraid I wouldn't get a chance to get out of there for lunch at all today."

"It's no problem. I haven't been waiting long."

Reese unlocked the front door and led Blaine inside the house.

"Here it is," Reese said motioning to the desk where a computer was set up. "It's nothing fancy, just one of the older models the firm wanted to get rid of when they upgraded, but it's better than what I had before. No offense, but trying to store everything and keep it organized while using public computers wasn't working out for me."

"No offense taken. Believe me, I get it," Blaine said as he set down in front of the machine. "So what do you need me to do?"

"I was hoping you could help get everything transferred from my discs and set up on the computer. It's kind of a mess right now. I've got all of my work stuff and personal research mixed together."

"No problem. This shouldn't be too hard."

As Blaine went to work, Reese took a seat next to him and watched over his shoulder. She had never been one to depend on other people to do things for her, but she couldn't help thinking that it was kind of nice to have a boyfriend who would come over when she did need help.

"I'm going to have lunch before I go back to work. Do you want a sandwich or something?"

"Sounds great. Thanks," Blaine said as he clicked away at the mouse. A moment later, Blaine called back to Reese, "Is this the research you've done on your parents?"

Reese walked back to the computer and looked over his shoulder at the screen. "Yes. Unfortunately there's not much. I've tried checking the birth records from when I was born, but I haven't been about to find any matches."

"Can't the orphanage give you any information?"

"Either they can't or they won't. I've tried talking to Annie about it, but she won't tell me anything. I'm beginning to think it's a lost cause."

"Don't say that. There must be something out there that can help you find your past. I'll help you look. . . if you want."

"Would you really?" Reese smiled. "I don't know if you'll have much luck, but thanks."

"That's her car," Justin said as he walked up to the vehicle parked in front of the restaurant. He tried to open the driver's side door, but found it locked. When he looked through the window, he noticed Audrey's purse sitting on the front passenger seat. "She's left her handbag. Where could she have gone without her car and without her handbag?"

"Did she have her purse with her when you saw her last night?" Lawrence asked Chad.

Chad thought a moment and then shook his head. "I didn't notice." He went over the events of the night before out loud. "I saw her go into the restaurant. She was only inside a minute before she came out again. That's when we ran into each other and she told me to stay away from her. Then she went back inside and I left."

"Let's hope someone inside saw something," Lawrence said.

Inside, Lawrence, Justin, and Chad approached the hostess' podium. Since Chad was busy surveying their surroundings and Justin seemed out of sorts, Lawrence did the talking.

"Excuse me. We are looking for a woman who was here last night, Audrey Jordan. She might have been expecting to meet me here. I'm Lawrence Arrendale."

"Oh, yes . . ." the hostess replied, taken by surprise at the unusual question. "She was here last night, but she left right after I gave her your message."

"Message?" Lawrence repeated.

"Yes, the one your secretary phoned in."

"What was the message?" Chad asked eagerly.

"It was for her to meet him on the patio out back. Since she left the building as soon as I gave her the message, I assume that's where she went."

Quickly thanking the hostess, they hurried outside.

When they rounded the corner of the building, they found the patio deserted.

"Audrey?" Justin called out hopefully. He paused a moment, waiting for a reply as he scanned the area. There was no sign that Audrey had been there.

"What's that?" Chad called out as he stepped forward. Lying by itself on the ground was a small dark object that seemed out of place. As he got closer he saw that it was a brick. He reached out his hand to pick it up, but suddenly jerked back without touching it. "There's blood on it."

"My God," Justin breathed, feeling suddenly weak.

"I'm calling the police," Lawrence announced and went back into the restaurant.

Part 15 - Chapter 4 - Missing

Within a few minutes, the police had arrived. Two of the officers examined the area for clues, while the third questioned Lawrence, Justin, and Chad.

After collecting the necessary information, the officer told them they were free to go. "We'll contact you as soon as we find anything or if we need any more information."

"We should get back to the office," Lawrence said to Chad as the officer walked away.

"Is it alright if I come back a little later?" Chad asked. "There's someone I need to talk to."

"Do you know who might have done this?"

"That's what I'm going to find out."

Chad parked his car in front of the building and stormed up the steps leading towards the main entrance. He barged into the office so suddenly that Lauren, sitting at a nearby desk, jumped back in surprise.

"Where's R.J.?" Chad demanded.

Lauren just stared at him in shock. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.

"Chad. I'm surprised you dared to show your face here," R.J. stepped forward. "What do you want?"

"Where's Audrey? What have you done to her?"
Lauren turned pale and fumbled for her chair.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," R.J. replied.

"The hell you don't. I know what's been going on with you two and I want answers. Where is she?"

"I'm trying to run a business here," R.J. said looking nervously around. He didn't want his new employees to overhear something they didn't need to know. "Look, if you have something to say, let's take it to the back," he said in a quiet voice and calmly walked away.

Chad stormed after him, "Don't try these stupid games with me. Just tell me what you've done to her."

"I haven't done a thing."

"Damn it, R.J. I know all about the blackmail and how you've been tormenting Audrey since she got here. I knew you'd do something to hurt her again, but this is even worse than I expected. You've gone too far."

"You're one to talk. As I remember, you were the one who ran out on her -and me -after you took all of our company's money to pay off your drug dealers. If you hadn't cheated me, then we wouldn't be in this situation. I wouldn't have had to bother with Audrey at all."

Chad had to hold himself back to keep from lunging at R.J. "I'm not here to talk about the past. I just want to know where Audrey is. What have you done with her?"

"I've already told you, I don't know what you're talking about. I finished with Audrey a long time ago. She was useless to me. You're asking the wrong person." R.J. noticed a movement out of the corner of his eye. When he looked over, he saw Lauren watching them. "Do you want something, Lauren?"

"Um . . .I just wanted to make sure everything was ok. Do you need me to call the police?"

"Maybe you should," R.J. replied.

Lauren looked worried. Maybe the suggestion had been a bad idea. The last thing she wanted was to get the police involved.

"Don't bother, I'll leave," Chad said as he turned to walk away. "But I'll be watching you. If I find out you are involved I'll be back." As he walked back towards the front door, he took a good look at Lauren, who avoided his glance.

Lauren took a few steps towards her desk before turning around again. "R.J., are you sure I can't leave early, just for today? I promise I'll never ask again. I'll come in early to make the time up," she nervously bit at her lip, waiting for his answer. He just had to say yes. She had important things to take care of and now that Chad had been here asking questions, she knew they couldn't wait.

R.J. eyed Lauren suspiciously. He could tell she was up to something. "What have you done?"

Part 15 - Chapter 5 - Missing

Chad knocked on the door to Lawrence's office, before peeking his head inside. "Hey, I'm back."

"Did you find out anything?"

"No. I went to see to R.J. He says he doesn't know anything about Audrey, but I don't believe him. Who else would have a reason to do something like this to her?"

Lawrence shook his head, "I don't know."

"There was a woman working in his office that was acting really strange. I'm going to go back there and try to talk to her when R.J.'s not around. I think she might know something."

"What woman?"

"I think she's a receptionist or something. I heard him call her Lauren."

"Lauren?" Lawrence repeated. "What did she look like?"

Chad shrugged. "Short dark hair, kind of petite. Why? Do you know her?"

"Maybe . . .I think I should go with you, just in case."

As they turned towards the door, Hector was on his way in. "Are you two leaving again? What's going on today? It seems like I'm the only one doing any work around here."

"Hector, don't start," Chad replied sternly. "Audrey's missing. Someone lured her into a trap and . . .we don't know what's happened to her."

Hector looked startled, "I'm sorry. Anything I can do?"

"Just take care of things around here. We'll be back when we can," Lawrence said as he and Chad left the office.

"Sure thing," Hector replied as he watched Chad and Lawrence leave.

"It's too bad about Audrey," he thought to himself as he walked back to his desk. He really did hope she was alright, but, on the bright side, the situation could work to his advantage. The board of directors weren't likely to elect a president who was out of the office most of the day with personal matters.

"What are you up to now?" Andrew asked as Hector walked past his desk.

"Me? Nothing," Hector said innocently, causing Andrew to snort in reply. "Just trying to figure out how I'm going to get everything done by closing time. You know, I'm filling in for Lawrence and Chad, since they've skipped out for the most of the day."

Andrew turned back to his work with disinterest and Hector walked on. He really did want to everything finished without staying over tonight. There was another matter he wanted to take care of after work.

Chad and Lawrence parked in the lot next to R.J.'s office building, watching the front door as they waited in the car. Shortly after 5:00, Lauren emerged from the building.

"That's her," Chad said, unbuckling his seat belt.

"I know," Lawrence replied. He motioned for Chad to stay where he was. "Let me talk to her."

"You know her?"

"Yes . . .in a way. Maybe you should stay out of sight," Lawrence said as he got out of the car.

"Lauren. Hello," he called out, intercepting her before she reached her car.

Lauren grinned and nervously fussed with her hair. "Hi. Long time no see, huh? What brings you by?"

"I was just in the neighborhood. I heard you're working for R.J."

"Working with R.J." she corrected proudly. "We're business partners now."

Lawrence was skeptical of her claim. "How did you and R.J. team up?"

Lauren laughed nervously as she tried to come up with a good story. "Don't tell me you're jealous."

"No," Lawrence replied a little too sharply for her liking. "You do know that he sabotaged my company and threatened my girlfriend?"

Lauren's eyes narrowed at the word, "girlfriend." "I-I wouldn't know anything about that," she replied coldly.

"I think you do . . .maybe even more than we thought," he added cryptically as he remembered something Audrey had said to him.

"We?" Lauren repeated, her voice raising higher as she began to feel panicked. "What's going on here?"

"What do you know about Audrey?"

"Nothing! Why would you even think that I would know anything?" she asked in a wounded voice. "You know, Lawrence, you aren't the guy I thought you were," she cried out. She waited for him to apologize or object, but instead he stared at her skeptically and said nothing. Infuriated she stomped her foot, "You- You just don't get it, do you? It's not supposed to go this way! Ugh, why am I even wasting my time on you?"

Lauren stormed to her car and jerked open the driver's side door.

"Lauren!" Lawrence called out sternly.

Lauren hesitated a moment, caught between her fury and her desire to give Lawrence another chance. Her fury won out. She jumped into the car and slammed the door behind her before backing out of the parking space.

Before Lawrence could react, Chad had pulled out of the parking lot and was driving after her.

Part 15 - Chapter 6 - Missing

When Eileen walked out of the campus student center, she was surprised to see Hector standing by the front steps. Her first instinct was to turn and walk back inside, but it was too late for that. He had already seen her and had obviously been waiting there for her.

"Eileen, wait."

"I told you to stay away from me," she said firmly and started to walk past him.

"Just let me ask you something. Why haven't you turned me in?"

Eileen froze in her tracks for a moment, startled, "I don't want to talk to you. Leave me alone," she shook her head and tried to get away quickly, but Hector stopped her.

"I think I know why," he persisted. "You still have feelings for me, don't you?"

"No . . ." she answered, but with less certainty. Seeing Hector was awkward enough, but his line of questioning was making her completely uncomfortable.

"Why then?" When Eileen hesitated, he knew there was no other explanation, "Fine. You don't have to admit it. I just want you to know that my feelings haven't changed. And if you would be willing to give me another chance and take me back, I know I could be a better person. But I don't think I can do that without you."

"I don't want to hear it," Eileen turned away. "I-I've got to go."

As she walked away, a slip of paper fell out of her book. Hector picked it up, intending to give it back to her, but by then she was already hurrying down the sidewalk. He shrugged and unfolded the piece of paper. When he saw what it was, he was stunned. Thinking the information might be useful later, he decided to hold on to it for awhile.

Lauren closed the apartment door firmly behind her and made sure that it was bolted shut. She thought she lost that car that had been following her, but she wasn't sure and she didn't want to take any chances. She took a moment to catch her breath and steady her nerves before going into the bedroom to check on her guest.

"How ya doing in here?" she asked sweetly.

Audrey, bound and gagged, squirmed in her chair and mumbled a muffled reply.

"Well, don't worry. You won't have to stay here long. We're going to have to go for a little ride."

Lauren frowned as she looked around the room and tried to figure out the best way to get Audrey out of the apartment without any fuss and without being seen. It would have been better to wait until dark, but with Lawrence and Chad asking questions, she couldn't afford to wait.

"Why? Why do you have to be so much trouble?" Lauren ranted as she paced back and forth like a caged animal. "You couldn't just do what you were told and stay out of my way? No! Now I've both of your stupid little boyfriends on my case."

Lauren pouted and glared at Audrey with hatred burning in her eyes. "It's not fair. Why do all the guys always throw themselves at bimbos like you? You've got them falling all over themselves to come to your rescue. And the one time just one of them pays the slightest attention to me, you can't stand it, can you? Can you?" she shouted. "I hate you! I HATE YOU!"

Suddenly, Lauren grew quiet. Audrey watched her anxiously with wide eyes. She had no idea what Lauren might do next and knowing that she was unable to escape or defend herself terrified her.

With a renewed calm, Lauren said, "I have to make sure you don't get in my way ever again."

Audrey whimpered helplessly as she struggled with the ropes that bound her.

"Oh yes, I'll make sure of it," she nodded thoughtfully, trying to think of a feasible plan.

Her thoughts were interrupted by someone beating on the front door. Lauren looked up quickly. For a moment her heart nearly stopped. "Oh no," she gasped. Someone had followed her. They'd found her. "No, no, no, no," she mumbled, tearing at her hair in frustration. She willed the pounding to stop, but it didn't.

Audrey tried to call out, but her voice was silenced by the gag.

"Shut up," Lauren hissed at her. "I've got to answer the door. And while I'm gone I don't want to hear a sound out of you! Not one sound! Got it?"

"Just a minute. I'm coming," Lauren called out cheerfully as she closed the bedroom door. She took a moment to compose herself before unlocking the door.

As soon as the door to the apartment was open, Chad pushed his way inside.

Lauren stepped in front of him. "Excuse me? What are you doing barging into my home? I didn't invite you in."

"Tell me what you know about Audrey. Where is she?"

Lauren shrugged and tried to look innocent. "How should I know? I don't know who you're talking about."

"Don't play dumb. You overheard the conversation I had with R.J. earlier. And I saw you run away from Lawrence a few minutes ago."

"Then why don't you go ask R.J. and Lawrence," she said, urging Chad towards the front door. "And stop bothering me about it."

Lauren had forced Chad nearly to the doorway, when she heard a thumping sound coming from the next room.

"What was that?" Chad asked, stepping forward.

"Nothing! Nothing. Just the cat, probably. She likes to knock things off the dresser."

When he heard the thumping sound again, Chad shoved Lauren out of the way and ran towards the bedroom door.

"Wait! You can't go in there!" Lauren called out after him. "I mean it! I want you out of my apartment right now!"

Chad ignored her and opened the bedroom door. In the middle of the room, Audrey was struggling to move in the chair that she was tied to. She had managed to wiggle far enough to make the back of the chair hit against the wall, causing the thumping sound heard from the front room.

"Audrey. Thank God, you're alright," Chad cried out in relief, as he started to untie the ropes.

Audrey looked up with alarm as she saw Lauren sneak up behind Chad. She frantically tried to warn him, but the gag prevented her from speaking.

"Hold on. I'll get you out of here."

Audrey let out a muffled scream as Lauren hit Chad in the back of the head and sent him falling to the ground, unconscious.

"Great, now I have two of you to get rid of," Lauren complained as she looked down at Chad's motionless body. "I told you to leave!"

Lauren's rant was interrupted by the sounds of sirens. She gasped and looked wildly around the room. She was out of time. They were coming for her. There was nothing she could do now but run for it. She bolted from the room and ran out of the apartment, hoping she could get away before the police arrived.

Audrey struggled to get loose. Chad's brief attempt to untie her had loosened the ropes enough that she was able to free herself. She pulled the gag from her mouth and knelt down next to Chad as the sirens grew louder. "Chad. Wake up, Chad. Please wake up."

Part 15 - Chapter 7 - Missing

"R.J.! R.J. thank God you're still here," Lauren gasped as she ran into the office. "I was afraid you'd already gone home. You have to help me. They're after me."

R.J. sighed heavily. He had suspected earlier that she had been up to something. She had refused to tell him anything then and now he wasn't sure he wanted to know. "Slow down. What happened?"

"That Chad guy came to my apartment and found Audrey tied up in my bedroom." R.J. just rolled his eyes at her and groaned as she continued, "I managed to knock him out, but then I heard sirens, so I just ran."

"And you came here," R.J. said unhappily.

"I didn't know where else to go. You're the only one I can count on. You have to hide me or help me run away . . . maybe we can run away together! It's not like you have any friends around here either. We could start over somewhere new with new identities. I'll let you choose where."

"Hold it," R.J. interrupted. "I'm not doing that. I'm not go to help you hide from the police and I'm certainly not going to run away with you. I want no part of this. You're on your own."

"You can't abandon me! Don't forget, I know all about your past!"

"Then you should know there's nothing you can hold over me. I might not have the most honest past, but I'm no criminal. You have nothing on me."

"Then I'll make it up," Lauren cried out desperately. "I'll put the blame on you. I'll tell them you were behind everything, that you made me do it. They'll believe me too, because Chad already suspects you."

"That was before you attacked him," R.J. mumbled.

"Oh God, what am I going to do?" Lauren cried out. "It wasn't supposed to go this way!"

"What did you expect would happen?" R.J. asked skeptically, but Lauren didn't seem to hear him. He watched her for a moment before coming to a decision. "Ok, I'll help you. Just this once and then we're even. No more trying to blackmail me or holding the past over my head."

"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you," Lauren gushed.

"I want you to go to the Barnett Hotel and rent a room. I've got a few things to take care of, but I'll meet you there as soon as I can. Wait for me and try to get some sleep."

Lauren thanked R.J. again before leaving the office.

As soon as she was gone, R.J. picked up the phone and dialed the number for the police station.

"Chad, wake up," Audrey begged, but he showed no response.

"This is the police. Open up," a voice called out as someone pounded on the door. Audrey tried to call out to them, but she had no voice.

As the police entered the apartment, followed by Justin and Lawrence, Audrey rose to her feet. "Please, you have to help him. He's hurt."

"Audrey!" Justin called out, rushing to his sister's side. "Are you ok?"

She nodded, "I'm fine. How's Chad?" she asked the officer who was checking his vital signs.

"His pulse and breathing are stable."

"An ambulance is on its way," his partner said, putting away his radio. "Are you sure you're ok, ma'am?"

For a moment, she swayed. Feeling a little dizzy, she leaned on Justin's arm for support. "I think so."

"Well, I think you should go along to the hospital anyway and get checked out."

"That's a good idea," Justin agreed.

"Ok," she gave in.

"If you can, we'd like to ask you a few questions while we're waiting for the paramedics-" the officer was cut off by an incoming call. He turned to his partner, "We've got a lead on our suspect."

Lauren laid on the hotel mattress staring up at the ceiling. "Why did I waste so much time on Lawrence?" she asked herself. "Jerk! The right guy was in front of me all along. R.J., I knew you wouldn't let me down," she thought with a contented grin. "We're going to have such a great future together . . ."

A knock on the door, interrupted her daydream. Expecting R.J. she jumped up from the bed to let him in, but when she opened the door, she was shocked to see not R.J, but the police standing in the hallway.

Acting on instinct, she quickly pushed the door shut again, hoping that would somehow make them go away, but one of the officers already had his foot in the door and managed to push his way in.

"Are you Lauren?" When she nodded sheepishly, he continued. "You're under arrest for the abduction of Audrey Jordan."

"No! There's been a mistake. I've been framed!" she cried out, frantically searching for a means of escape.

She continued to shout as the police read her her rights. As they handcuffed her she struggled and fought to break free, but they had her surrounded and out numbered.

Lauren was dragged out of the hotel, kicking and screaming, and ushered into the police car. As they drove her to the station, she vowed revenge on everyone involved, especially R.J. No matter how long it took, she would make him regret this betrayal.

"Mr. Jordan, is that you? What are you doing here?"

Justin flinched. Being in the hospital waiting room made him edgy enough, but he hadn't counted on meeting Lucy there. He tried to sound cheerful as he turned to greet her. "Hello Miss - Mrs. Sexton. I'm just waiting for my sister. She's in with the doctor."

"Is everything alright?" she asked with concern.

"I hope so . . .It's a long story."

As Craig approached the pair, with the baby in his arms, he glared at Justin before addressing Lucy, "Ready to go, babe?"

"Yes, very ready. I'll be glad to be home again," she answered with a tired smile. "Oh, Mr. Jordan, would you like to see the baby?"

When Justin looked up at Craig, he was met with a challenging look. Declining the offer he said, "I wouldn't want to keep you . . .Congratulations."

"Well, Miss Jordan, other than being a little dehydrated, I'd say you're in good health," the doctor diagnosed. "Just get some rest and drink plenty of fluids. Your head may be sore for awhile. An over the counter pain medication should take care of any headaches, but if you need something stronger, let me know."

"Thank you," Audrey said as she stood and started to leave the examination room. "Would it be alright for me to see Chad before I go?"

"Yes," the doctor replied hesitantly. "But don't stay too long. He needs to rest."

Audrey crept quietly into Chad's room, trying not to disturb him as he slept. As she approached his bedside, he breathed in deeply and barely opened his eyes.

"Hey," he whispered. "You ok?"

"I was just going to ask you that," she grinned and took a seat next to Chad's bed. "I'm fine, thanks to you. Really, thank you," she said sincerely as she reached out to hold his hand. "I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't showed up at that apartment when you did. You might have saved my life."

"I wasn't going to let anything happen to you. I'm not going to make the same mistake twice. I promise."

Audrey looked up as one of the hospital nurses came to the door and told her it was time to leave. She looked back as she started towards the door, "Chad . . .I forgive you."