The sun was beginning to set on Salem, the shadows growing larger and more ominous. The trio still sat in John�s office, their minds racing to put what little pieces they had together. John sat in his chair with his legs propped up on his desk, a folder lying open on his lap. Dom lay on the couch, the papers he had raised to his eye level, a pencil gripped in his teeth. Marlena resumed pacing the room,her pencil having been made into a make shift hair ornament. The phone broke the silent stupor each held. John flipped his feet off the desk and lifted the phone to his ear. �Black here.� John�s hand went to his jaw, and scratched its way down his neck as he listened. �You�re sure? Okay, thanks.� John popped the phone back on the cradle and slammed his hands down on the desk, making the other occupants of the room jump. �John, goodness, what was that all about?� Marlena halted her pacing, standing beside Dom who remained surpine on the couch. �That was the report on the envelope. Nothing. Whoever is doing this is leaving us clues one at a time.� Dom sat up on the couch, tossing the folder beside him. �John, where do we start? We need to get busy before this happens again.� John closed the folder before him, calmly and slowly. �We start by packing our bags. We�re goingto West Virginia.� The folder Marlena held silently and slowly slipped between her fingers and fell to thefloor. �When do we leave?� Her words tried to be strong and solid, but only came out colored with hesitation. �We leave tonight, if you still want to be a part of this.� John�s sentence hid the true meaning of his words. �John, wherever you go, that�s where I�ll be.�
Stefano took the phone Eliana heldfor him. Waving her off, he searched the room for eavesdroppers before speaking. �What have you found?� He drummed his fingers on the wood of the bar, ending his percussion with a fist of victory. �Yes, yes. Thank you, you will be taken care of.� He turned the phone off, walking into thefoyer, and summoning Eliana. The timid woman appeared instantly with Stefano�s coat and hat. �Sir?� Stefano took the items, putting them on with little pomp. �Have the car brought around.� He raised a heavy eyebrow at her lack of speed, sending the woman out ofthe room in a hurry. He dialed the phone quickly, sighing as he waited for the caller to answer. �Ah, Nick. I have a job for you. I have an informant who, let�s say, has worn out his welcome. I need you to take care of him for me. Make sure it�s nice and neat.� Stefano clicked the phone shut in time with the car�s arrival. Shoving the phone into his pocket, he placed the hat on his head and made his way out to the car. Approaching the driver, he spoke to him. �The Airport. I�m going to pay someone a very special visit.�
The penthouse was darkened except for the soft light coming from the television. Curled up on the couch, Brady and Belle had fallen asleep waiting for their parents return. Marlena leaned over the back, staring down at her children. Her eyes began to mist at the thought of leaving them. John knelt down beside her, knowing how hard it was going to be to leave them. Rubbing her back, he leaned closer to his children, taking in their angelic features. Brady�s eyes began to flicker and soon were open, staring at his parents. �Momma, Daddy? Is it morning?� He rubbed his eyes and sat up, bringing a solidly asleep Belle up with him. Grabbing the little girl before she slipped off the couch, John picked her up in his arms. Brady crawled to his knees and placed his sleepy head on Marlena�s crossed arms. Marlena smoothed his hair, kissing his flushed cheek. Coming over to the right side of the couch, she nestled herself in the midst of her family. Brady crawled onto her lap and laid his head against her chest, his eyes fighting the slumber her heartbeat lulled him into. Marlena laid her cheek on the top of her son�s head, tears of sadness crawling down her face. She shook her head slowly, silently acknowledging to John her inability to handle this. John clasp her hand in his, giving her a small smile. �Hey kiddos, Mommy and Daddy have something to tell you.� The children widened their sleepy eyes, listening with all the energy they could muster at the time. �We have to take a trip for a few days. You two will stay here with Chelsea, and we�ll bring you back a big surprise.� The tired children�s eyes lit up at the mention of a surprise, but easily went back to the half open state they had been before. Belle muttered an incoherent sentence, followed by wrapping her arms further around John�s neck before succumbing to sleep again. Brady wrapped his arms around his mother�s waist. �Momma, will you bring me back a brother?� He blinked several times before joining his sister in dreamland. Marlena�s cheeks blushed a rose. Meeting John�s amused gaze, she motioned her head toward the upstairs. The family ascended the stairs and went toward the children�s rooms. Belle fussed as John went toward her room, pointing to Brady�s room instead. Following Marlena into the boy�s room, he laid Belle beside her brother. The parents stood watching the soft breaths of their children.
�How can we leave them John? Especially with Brady�s nightmares.� She smoothed the cowlick down from Brady�s part. �We won�t be gone long. If there�s a problem, we can be back here in a minute.� He knelt down beside the tiny bed and traced his finger along the children�s slack faces. A tear flicked out of his eyes. Kissing each child on the head, he rose and allowed his wife to say her good byes. Marlena�s breath caught with a sob before leaning in and kissing both ofthem on the cheek. �I love you,babies.� Brady�s small voice crept out over the quiet room. �We love you too,Momma.� His arm pulled the stuffed bear closer to him. Chelsea made her presence known by clearing her throat. �Dr Evans, they�ll be okay. I�ll take good care of them.� John and Marlena tip-toed out of the room, taking in all the glances they could of the children. �I know you will, Chelsea. It�s just a hard to leave them.� John put his arm around Marlena,offering her the support she needed. �We�d better get packed.� John nodded toward Chelsea in thanks and took his wife�s hand, leading her to the bedroom.
The couple walked solemnly down the stairs, lugging the luggage behind them. Reaching the door, Marlena looked back up to where Belle and Brady were soundly sleeping. �They�ll be okay, Doc. I don�t want to leave them any more than you do. The sooner we get out of here, the sooner we can get back.� John opened the door, allowing Marlena to exit first. With a glance up to the room, he followed her out the door and to the penthouse elevator. The jeep sat glistening under the bright streetlights. John loaded the luggage in the back, while Marlena jumped into the front seat. She absent-mindedly turned her ring around on her finger, staring up toward her home. John slid into the drivers seat, reaching over to take her hand. �Hey, you don�t have to go. I�ll be back in a few days.� He rubbed her knuckles, waiting for her answer. �Nope, you�re stuck with me.� She dazzled him with a smile. �Seems like I�ve heard that somewhere before.� He kissed the top of her hand and buckled himself in. �Allrighty,Doc. Here we go.�
Stefano waited beside the plane, his feet pacing him back and forth. The phone softly beeped in his pocket. �Well?� His hand made a fist tight inside his glove. �What do you mean he got away? No, forget it. I�ll do itmyself. This one will be a pleasure.� He flipped the phone closed and gritted his teeth. The phone again beeped in his hand. Looking at the number, he slowly flipped the phone up to receive the call. �What do you want?� The voice on the other line spoke slow and even. �You had someone try to do me in. Not smart Stefano. You just cost yourself a point. I know where John and Marlena are going. Would you like to know?� Stefano�s neck bulged with venom. �What news do you have?� He looked around for his informant�s face. �They are here at the airport,leaving for We�� Stefano smacked his phone, trying to get the lost connection back. �Where you imbicile!?�
The man quickly folded up the phone, sliding it into the pocket of his tan overcoat. Smoothing his hair down and straightening his tie, he began to walk toward the terminal. John turned to see him coming for them, his arm going for Marlena�s elbow. �There he is. Dom, man, where have you been, we�ve been looking all over for you.� Dom smiled and pulled out his phone. �Had a quick phone call to make, had a loose end to tie up. You just can�t make some people happy.� He chuckled lightly, turned the phone off and slipped it back into his pocket. He joined John and Marlena in line, waiting to venture off to West Virginia and the trail they were tracking.
To be continued...