"So, did Carlos tell you?" Jessie asked.

"No, not right away," Trent told her. "Things were definitely going from bad to worse."

**

Sam was working on autopilot, trying not to think about the mess she had made of everything. She knew she was right in trying to help Casey but not at the cost of her relationship with her boyfriend and her best friend. She knew she should have been open and honest with Trent but it hadn't worked that way. If only they wouldn't treat her like she would break. Yes, the trial had been emotionally and physically draining but she was coping. She would show them how well she was coping.

As she plunked three beers on the table and picked up the cash, an announcer was heard.

"Gentlemen, it is finally time for the star of the show! Put your hands together for Miss Casey Potter!!!" Sam headed back to the bar as the curtain rose. It was Casey alright but she looked anything but herself. Sam could tell she was high on something just by the way she moved. She definitely had her work cut out for her.

**

"Sandoval! My office! NOW!" The captain waited for Carlos as he sat at his desk. When the Cuban entered he asked, "how is the Carter case coming?"

"Slow, Captain. I've been to the Gentlemen's Cove a couple of times but I can't get anything on Carter." Carlos had taken a seat in front of the desk.

"Can you get someone on the inside? We have a tip that something is going down soon."

Carlos took a deep breath and hesitated. "Well..."

"What is it?"

"I know someone working for him but I didn't want to involve her."

"Do it. There isn't any more time." The Captain dismissed him with a wave.

**

"Casey?" Sam knocked on the dressing room door. "Casey, are you in there?" Sam heard shuffling and then the door opening. Standing there was Casey.

"Sam? What are you doing here?" Sam could tell that Casey was trying very hard to focus her eyes and to remain upright.

"Diane asked me to find you. I'm working here as a waitress." Closing the door behind her Sam was shocked at the mess in the room. There were beer bottles and needles on the coffee table. Turning back to Casey, she took her by the arm. "Casey, you can't stay like this. You are a mess and we've got to get you out of here."

Angrily, Casey broke free. "Leave me alone! I'm fine. Just tell Diane to mind her own business!"

Sam looked at her. "You can barely stand up, Casey. And working here? Is this what you want? What happened to those dreams you told me about when you started school? What about those?"

The look of sorrow on Casey's face told it all. "Those were just dreams," she said quietly. "They would never come true." She sank into a chair.

"That's not true, Casey and you know it." As she was about to continue, Sam heard footsteps outside the door. The door burst open and Eric Carter stood there.

"What are you doing here, Samantha?"

"I was just saying 'hi'." She turned and looked at Casey. "Now I'd better get back to the bar." As Sam tried to get past Carter he grabbed her arm.

"You know, that could be you out there on that stage. Think about it."

"I will," Sam murmured, pulling away. As the door shut behind her she heard the voices raise and Casey start to cry. Sam went back to the bar.

**

"She's where?!" Trent was livid.

"She's working as a waitress there. Look, calm down. She's okay. I've been keeping the place staked out. She's fine."

"But why there, Carlos? What the hell is she doing?"

Carlos hung his head. "Well, actually, she is helping me on a case."

"WHAT?!?!"

Carlos looked up at Trent who had begun pacing. "She started out trying to help a friend but I needed someone on the inside."

"No way, Carlos!" Trent implored. "Get her out, now!"

"I can't do that. She has agreed to help me, as long as we help Casey, her friend." Carlos tried to keep his voice even.

"I can't believe you would let her do this, man. You of all people. You know what she has been through."

Carlos was on the defensive. "Hey, she was doing it either way. I figure at least now I can keep an eye on her." Carlos got up and walked over to his friend, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I know you are worried about her. I tried to talk her out of it on Friday but she wouldn't listen. Like I said, now at least I can make sure she'll be okay."

Trent sat heavily and slumped in his chair. "I haven't seen her since Friday. That was when we had the fight."

"I know," Carlos said quietly. "She's staying at my place."

Once again, Trent's head shot up. "What?!"

"She had no where else to go, Trent. What was I supposed to do? That's why I'm telling you all this."

"For three days, I don't hear from her and she's at your place?!" Trent's eyes were wide in disbelief.

"She didn't want me to tell you. Look, go talk to her. She's still at my place. You two have to work this out because I don't want to be in the middle." Getting up, Carlos said, "I'm going to work. Call me later."

Now Trent was alone with his thoughts. On one hand he wanted to talk to Sam but she was the one who left and hadn't called him. At least now he knew where she was and that she was okay. He couldn't believe she had been at Carlos' place all this time. With his mind racing he knew what he was going to do...hit the bag while he sorted things out.

**

"Kiya!" Trent was kicking with such ferocity that he almost didn't hear the phone. Running, he grabbed it and said breathlessly, "Malloy."

There was a slight hesitation on the other end before he heard, "Hi Trent. It's Sam." Immediately his guard went up and he took a breath.

"Hi," he said, cautiously. "You okay?"

"Yes. I am really sorry about Friday, Trent. I'd really like to talk to you and explain a few things." There was a long pause.

"Carlos was here."

"That doesn't surprise me. I...." Another long pause.

"I want you home, Sam."

A heavy sigh. "Why don't you come over and we'll talk. I can meet you at Uppercuts in half an hour."

"I've got a class in half an hour and some business after that. Why don't you come here?"

"Can't Tommy take the class?"

"Tommy's gone to his girlfriend's place in Austin." Another heavy silence.

"I'll try, but I've got to go to work. Did Carlos tell you about that?"

"Yes. I want you to quit Sam. I don't want you working in a place like that."

"You have no say in the matter, Trent. This is my choice, not yours." Sam's voice had taken on an edge.

"Be reasonable, Sam."

Sam's anger was building. "Who says I'm not reasonable? Just forget this, okay? I didn't call you to fight. I'll see you around." The sound of Sam slamming down the phone reverberated in Trent's ear. He swore silently under his breath. She could be so damn stubborn.

**

The bar was smoky and dingy, the music loud and repetitive. The thought of Sam in a dive like this made his skin crawl. He waited until his eyes adjusted and found a table. Looking around he finally saw her. She was carrying a tray with about 6 beers on it and heading towards a table of older men. Their attention was divided between the stripper on the stage and Sam. Seeing them leering at her, it was all he could do not to go over and hit them. Finally, after making change, Sam caught site of him. She made her way over.

"Hi. Can I get you something?"

"A beer would be great." Sam nodded and headed to the bar. She took a deep breath before heading back.

"Can you talk?" Trent asked as she put the beer on the table.

"Not really. I want to but..." She looked at him earnestly. Seeing him here, she knew she wanted to make up with him more than ever but she also knew she had a job to do. "How about after my shift? I get off at 11."

Trent looked at his watch. 9:56. He could leave and come back in an hour. "Okay. I'll meet you out back." He looked around. "I just hate seeing you working here, Sam."

She just nodded and said, "See you at 11:00."

**

Twenty-five minutes later, the bartender told Sam to take a break. She looked back out from the bar but Trent had already left. She decided to check on Casey. Approaching the dressing room, Sam could hear sobbing. Looking around, she saw no one and knocked on the door. "Casey? It's me, Sam. Are you okay?" Slowly, she pushed the door open. Casey sat on the floor, curled up in a fetal position. Sam went to her. As Casey raised her head up, it was obvious to Sam she had been beaten. She sat down beside her and held her. "Shhh, I'm here to help you," Sam told her. "Do you want to tell me about it?"

Gaining her composure, Casey took a breath. "I told him I didn't want to do it anymore."

"Who? Eric?"

Casey nodded and continued. "He said I had no choice. I owe him too much. Then he hit me and said it would get worse if I refused. Sam, there is so much you don't know. He brings men in here and ....." She hung her head and cried.

Sam held Casey and let her cry. "We have to get out of here, Casey. I have a friend waiting for me. Are you with me?"

"He'll never let me go. He said he would kill me first."

"You'll be safe, Casey. I promise...." Sam looked up to see Eric enter the room. Casey looked up, horrified and let out a gasp.

"Get up," he ordered both of them. Behind him was the bouncer Sam had met the first day she had applied for the job. With an almost indistinguishable nod of his head, Eric motioned him over. The bouncer took Casey from Sam. Casey began to cry, begging "no, no no" as he sat her down on the bed. The bouncer pulled out a needle and injected Casey. Her crying ceased almost immediately and she slumped over on the bed.

Sam looked at Carter. "I think she needs a doctor."

"Gord here is a doctor," he said, winking at him. "But now I have problem." He took a step towards her. Without thinking, Sam took a step back against the wall. "I need someone to perform tonight. As you can see, Casey is in no shape to." Another step.

"I can't dance," Sam told him.

"Who said anything about dancing?" His eyes were staring into her. "You said you need money, right? This is your chance to make more than you ever thought." Another step. "You see, I've had a few inquiries about you from some of my better customers. They are very interested." Now he was right in front of her, his 6-foot frame towering over her. He reached up and ran his fingers through her hair. "A pretty girl like you could get rich quick." He smiled at the fear in her eyes. She hid it well but he knew it was there.

"I'd have to think about it," Sam said, trying to fight the fear that was rising in her. She closed her eyes to ward off the memories of another time, another place that were threatening to return to her.

"You don't have time." Finally he turned and took a few steps towards the door. "Doctor Gord here can give you something to help you relax, if you like."

"No. No, thank you, " Sam managed.

Turning back towards her, Carter smiled. "Tell you what, you stay here and think about it. I'll be back in a few minutes and you can give me your decision." He motioned to Gord who picked up Casey and headed out of the room. As they left, Sam was sure she heard the door lock.

Part 4

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