A Love Lost, A Love Found

Parts 29-30

Cedar’s

David, what took you so long?" Roger and David are outside Hart’s hospital room.

"I do have to work, remember. This is what I have. Abigail Bauer left this morning on a 7 am flight to Pennsylvania. She did board the plane, but never called Rick Bauer when she arrived in Pennsylvania. The FBI has been called in and checked her hometown of Goshen, and Abigail has not been there yet. Because Michelle is her sister-in-law and a Santos, the FBI is suspicious. They’ve already been to question Michelle."

"It’s Carmen Santos. I just know it. Anything new there?"

"Yeah, my sources tell me she wants Michelle dead because of her involvement in Mick Santos death. Why would she kidnap Abigail, though?"

"Probably trying to shake up Danny and Michelle’s marriage…plant seeds of doubt in Michelle’s mind. He was supposed to kill his brother’s murderer. But married her instead. Carmen’s probably upset that Danny and Michelle are really together. What about Dinah?"

"Nothing. She has too much money. If she doesn’t want to be found, she won’t. Look, here comes Bridgette. Let’s finish this later."

Bridgette and Dylan approach Roger and David. "Hey David. Roger. How’s Hart?"

"He’s stable. I was just about to go find Dr. Moore."

"Do you mind if I tag along?" Bridgette asks.

"No. Dylan, David, we’ll be back."

Roger and Bridgette start the walk down the long corridor.

"So Roger, where’s Dinah? I know you have people looking for her."

"I have no idea where she is. What is it that you really want to know, Bridgette?"

"Okay, since there’s no fooling you, I’ll get right to it. Why are you and David keeping tabs on my cousin, Michelle? Is she in danger?"

Roger stops walking suddenly and Bridgette has to back track to stand in front of him. "Listen carefully, do not ask questions, do not get in my way or David’s way. If you find out anything, you come straight to David or me. This is not a game."

"Now you listen carefully. I don’t like you and am only here because of Hart and Peter. You will not dictate to me like I’m some lackey of yours. If anything happens to Michelle, I will hold you responsible."

"Bridgette, I am not the one that’s going to hurt Michelle. But since you don’t trust me, do me a favor and go to Michelle. Watch out for her. That way, you can help protect her. You will eventually see the real culprit."

"We’ll see."

Somewhere in West Virginia

"Dinah, what are you doing here?"

"I’m on vacation. What do you think I’m doing here?"

"There’s no need to be hostile. Do you know why I’m here? My family is probably so worried."

"Look Abby, I like you. Really, I do. But I have no answers for you. I have one priority and that’s me. Now, everything you need is here. Except a telephone. You won’t need that."

"You have to help me. Please help me. I won’t say I saw you. Please Dinah. I need my husband and my family."

"Why don’t you just enjoy your stay here? I’m sure you’ll be going home soon enough. And it doesn’t matter what you say about me. I will be long gone."

"Don’t you have any compassion? What happened to you?"

"Cassie Layne. That’s what. She took my life away from me."

"Dinah, do you know Hart is dead? You killed him, not Cassie." Abby is thinking of anyway to get out of here. Maybe this little lie will help her.

She has Dinah’s attention. "What did you say? Hart is not dead. Carmen said…" Dinah stops herself.

"Carmen? What about Carmen?" Yes! Abby thinks to herself. Carmen is guilty of harboring a fugitive and kidnapping.

"Nothing. Just nothing!" Dinah runs out of the room leaving Abby thinking of a way to play on Dinah’s fragile state.

____________________________________

Towers

Carmen is pleased at how easy it was to get Abby. She knew couldn’t harm the woman, but she needed a way to break Michelle and Danny’s trust in each other. If only Danny had killed Michelle, no if Michelle hadn’t killed Mick, none of this would have to happen. Luckily, Abby didn't put up a fight at all.

What else would Danny have to forgive Michelle for, she wondered? No matter, there can be no love without trust and that marriage couldn’t possibly be all that strong to begin with. Still, Carmen can’t help but wonder what all Michelle has done.

The FBI. She called the FBI. That was probably it. Or is there more? Carmen decides that she needs to know everything.

She calls Bernard Rivera. "Bernard, yes it’s me, Carmen…Look, I have a proposition for you. I know Theresa is still in love with Danny. And I believe they belong together… What I need is to find out exactly what the police and FBI have on Michelle Bauer Santos and any of the other Bauers. Do you still have your contacts?…Okay and check out a Claire Ramsey, too…Danny won’t just leave Michelle, so I need to give him a little push…I’m promising you Danny will marry Theresa…okay and Nino will marry Pilar…Bernard, I cannot marry you. You’re already married…All right; I’ll be in touch.

Little did Carmen know, Pilar heard all.

Bauer Residence

"Danny are you sure you want to do this? I don’t want my family making you feel uncomfortable."

"Don’t worry about me. If it gets too ugly I will leave, okay?"

"I’ll leave with you."

"No. You guys need to stick together. And Michelle, if my mother is behind this, I’ll…"

I cut him off, "…don’t say it because you can’t do it."

"Right. Well, let’s go on in."

We enter the house through the kitchen door and Ed, Rick, Meta and Claire are at the kitchen table.

Surprised, I ask, "Claire what are you doing here?"

"The bigger question is what is he doing here," Ed counters motioning towards Danny.

"Dad, if you can’t respect my husband, then you don’t respect me. He did not have anything to do with Abby’s disappearance. Danny is here to support me. If you can’t handle that, then he’ll leave."

We wait for my dad’s response. Instead, he abruptly leaves the kitchen, with Claire close behind. I look at Danny and he says, "It’s alright. Rick, if you don’t want me here, I’ll leave. I did not have anything to do with the disappearance of Abby and I pray that she is safe and sound. I know what it’s like to lose a love and luckily, I found it again. If you need anything, please let me know."

"You don’t have to leave Danny. I believe you and you know what I’m going through. I could use the extra support."

Claire comes back into the kitchen. "Michelle, your father and I are worried about you and your safety. Danny I’m going to be completely honest with you. We think your mother had something to do with this."

Danny’s about to object when his cellular phone rings. "Excuse me. Santos. Pilar, what’s wrong? Calm down. What?! Fine, come straight here. I’m at the Bauer’s. Get a cab. 20 Hillcrest Lane." He hangs up and says to the group, "well if what my sister just told me is true, my mother may very well be the one who abducted Abby."

All of a sudden, I get scared and extremely upset. Danny hugs me tightly, asking, "Baby, what’s wrong?"

"I wish I never killed Mick. This is all my fault."

Danny sits me down at the table. "No, it’s not. Honey, my mother is obsessed with getting revenge. I told you I would not let her hurt you. I also meant your family. And Mick, well he would have been dead sooner or later. You were protecting yourself, remember? Now let’s just wait here to see what Pilar has to say."

"Promise me that you’ll let the authorities handle this if your mother is involved."

They all turn in the direction of the pleading voice.

"Ed, I promise."

Parts 31-32

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