Thirty minutes have passed by and still no sign of Pilar. Danny has called her cellular phone, but did not get an answer. He tried Towers, but no answer there either. Everybody is sitting around waiting. Waiting for anything. Any news. But nothing so far.

My father and Claire went back into the den. I don’t know what they could be talking about that can’t be discussed in here. It doesn’t matter anyway. I will stand by Danny no matter what my parents think. They deserted me and I don’t owe them anything. And I won’t desert Danny again.

I called Sandy and asked her to come over. When she arrives, we hug each other for a long time. I love Rick, but a sister…well, my heart is just so overjoyed. I wish we could have found out under better circumstances. I wish all those years weren’t robbed from us. But I won’t dwell on the past or the mistakes of our parents.

Forty-five minutes later from Pilar’s telephone call, there is a knock at the front door. I guess Pilar forgot to come around to the kitchen entrance.

"I’ll get it. It sure did her long enough to get here," I say walking to the front of the house to answer the door. I open the door without asking who it is, expecting to see Pilar.

It’s agents Simms and Mathers. "Uh hello."

"Hello Mrs. Santos. May we come in?"

"Sure." I let them in and immediately get defensive. "Look, unless you have some information about Abigail Bauer, I suggest you leave me and my husband alone. My family has been through a lot…"

Agent Mathers cuts me off. "Is he here?"

"Ye-yes. Why?" I immediately know they’re talking about Danny.

"We need to talk to him. Can you get him? It’s okay. We won’t tell him anything. You’ll never be implicated."

I take a deep breath. "I told you early he has nothing to do with the disappearance of Abigail. Shouldn’t you be out there looking for her and not harassing my husband! And what is it I won’t be implicated of doing?"

"Michelle. Pilar. What’s taking you guys so long to come back?" Danny enters the room and finds me standing between two FBI agents. "What the hell is going on?"

"Mr. Santos, we need you come down to the police station for questioning."

"What?!" Danny and I both exclaim simultaneously. By now, everyone else has migrated to the foyer.

Agent Simms takes my arm and holds me back, as if shielding me. "Don’t worry Mrs. Santos. We have everything under control."

I try to wrestle free and am successful. Running to Danny, I ask, "exactly what is going on?" I embrace my husband but he doesn’t return it. My heart starts to beat fast as I realize the set up. But it’s too late. "Danny?"

He doesn’t answer. He doesn’t even acknowledge that I’m standing there, holding him. Instead, his attention is focussed on the agents.

"Why would I need to go to the station? Just what have I done?"

"Mr. Santos, we need to question you about the disappearance of Abigail Bauer, Carmen Santos and Pilar Santos."

"What?!" This time, everyone exclaims his or her surprise.

Danny steps away from me. "Let me get my coat." His voice is cold and without emotion.

While he leaves the room to get his coat, I approach the agents again. But before I can say anything, Agent Mathers fills us in.

"Mrs. Santos, we got the call. Your plan worked wonderfully. You and your family will have 24 hour protection."

"What are you talking about?!" I ask, trying not to lose my patience.

"Bill Lewis told us everything. And when Carmen and Pilar Santos were reported missing, well we knew what we had to do." Agent Mathers pauses. "Where is Santos?"

The agents rush back to the kitchen.

Danny Santos is gone.



___________________________

Bauer Residence

"What is going on here! I did not call anybody. My husband did not have anything to do with the disappearance of Abby and certainly not his mother and sister."

"Oh yeah? Then where is he? Why is he running? Maybe someone kidnapped the mother and sister to get back at him. The Santos’ are mixed up with some crazy stuff. One kidnapping may or may not have anything to do with the other. Either way, Danny Santos is connected to all the missing."

"This is all my fault."

Everyone has filed into the Living Room. Sandy guides Michelle to the sofa.

"Well, you shouldn’t had Bill Lewis place that call. We told you to be careful," Agent Mathers retorts.

"What call! I haven’t spoken to Bill…wait. Did he just put an APB out on my husband? He’s not a criminal!" Michelle jumps up when she tunes into the other agent.

Agent Simms is on his two-way radio.

"Yes, ma’am every law enforcement person will be looking for Danny Santos now. And we’ve got to go. I suggest everyone here stay put. The house will be under surveillance. The telephones were tapped this morning, so we’ll know who calls."

The agents give more instructions and then leave.

"Michelle, are you sure you know Danny or what he’s capable of?" Ed asks coming to sit beside his daughter.

"Yes. Don’t be ridiculous. Believe me. I know Danny. And why would he kidnap his own mother and sister? None of this makes sense."

Claire says, "maybe he didn’t. Maybe someone else kidnapped Carmen and Pilar like the agent suggested. Danny’s so pre-occupied right now with the fire and all. A moment of weakness so to speak."

"Or maybe Carmen wanted it to appear that someone kidnapped her."

"Rick, why would she do that?" Michelle wonders.

"Jealousy. Revenge. Who knows? She could be up to something and wanted to get Danny and everyone else off of her trail."

"Up to something. My God. She kidnapped Abby."

Rick and everyone else are surprised at that speculation. "Huh? Why do you think that?"

"To cause a rift between Danny and me. She probably had someone place that call and pretend to Bill. I’ve got to find Danny."

Ed grabs Michelle’s arm as she gets up from the sofa.

"You’re not going anywhere. I don’t care what happens to the Santos’. You’re staying out of it!"

Michelle just stares at her father. Before she can say anything, Rick is there, his hand on Ed’s arm. "Dad. Please, let her be."

"I won’t let my daughter get killed because some woman has a vendetta against her. My God Rick, Abby is in danger because of the Santos’!"

"Dad please. Michelle is a grown woman. You’re going to alienate her more than you already have. Let her go."

Ed releases his hold on Michelle who in turn raises her hand to slap him. Sandy thwarts her and pulls her into the kitchen.


Laurel Falls

"Danny Santos?"

Spinning around suddenly with his gun drawn, Danny says, "Who the hell are you?"

"I’m Bridgett Reardon. Michelle’s cousin. I saw you storm out of the house and followed you here." She speaks fast, surprised by his speed and the gun.

"Really. Did anyone follow you?"

Now at ease, even though the gun is still aimed at her, she answers, "No. Those stupid agents. No one was covering the back door. They must not think you’re too dangerous, huh? I know very little about the mob in general, but the Santos name is infamous. Care to tell me what went on at the house? And everything else that pertains to Michelle?"

"Why?"

"Because I want to help. I can tell you love her very much. But if you’re wanted for something and you’re innocent, who better to help you than me? I’ve been out of town for a few years so no one would suspect me. Plus, I know my way around and have some pretty influential contacts."

"Yeah? Like who?"

"Roger Thorpe for one. And David Grant is my best friend."

He relaxes his stance and puts his gun away.

"Hmm. Alright. I’ll tell you what I know. I don’t have anyone else to trust or help me. I’m being set up. My mother wants me to marry another woman. She also wants revenge for Mick’s death. That was my brother and Michelle killed him. It was self-defense. I was sent to avenge his death, but couldn’t do it. I’m not a murderer. So I married Michelle. And we fell in love."

Bridgett is flabbergasted. "Go on."

"Michelle just realized a couple of days ago that she loved me. She was scared and had called the FBI and she burned down my house. She wanted to "die" so she could start over somewhere away from me and my family."

"But she realized she couldn’t do leave. My little cousin has been quite busy. Okay so how are you being set up?"

"My sister had called to tell me that she overheard my mother scheming with Bernard Rivera. Something about marriages and getting information on the Bauers. I didn’t get it all. Pilar was supposed to meet me at the Bauers’. Apparently, my mother discovered Pilar eavesdropping."

"Where are they now?"

"I don’t know. But the FBI can’t think that I kidnapped or had something to do with the kidnapping or Abby. It doesn’t fit. That’s why I ran."

"So what’s with the FBI and who called them?"

Danny’s pacing again now. Hands in his hair, he stops to stare off into the distance.

"Bernard. I think he’s going to doublecross my mother. He’s mad because I spurned his daughter. That’s who I was betrothed to."

"Sounds like something out of the medieval period."

"Yeah, well, I had to get out of there. As soon as that agent mentioned Bill, I knew something wasn’t right. He’s the only other person that knows everything. He would never betray Michelle even if he didn't think we should be together. I’ve got to protect my family and Michelle."

"Excuse me, but it seems that the mother you want to protect has it out for my cousin."

"She’s my mother. I can’t just turn my back on her. I’ll get her help when this is over. In the meantime, I’ve got to keep everyone safe and bring down Bernard and his FBI moles."

"So what do you need me to do?" Bridgett asks.

Pacing again, Danny says, "David Grant. Do you think he’ll help me?"

As if on cue, David steps out of the bushes, replying, "Yes, whatever you need."


West Virginia

"Mama, please tell me what’s going on! Where are we?"

"I told you to stay in Spain. Now that you’re here, you’re going to do as I say. Now be quiet. We’re almost there."

Carmen may not have known Pilar had her conversation, but Antonio did. Pilar hopes what she was able to tell Danny is enough to warning about their mother. Once Antonio alerted Carmen, things moved so fast.

"I’m glad I came home. Apparently there are some things about this family and you that I didn’t know. Why would you promise me to Nino? And Danny to Theresa? Danny’s married. Who are you?"

"I told you to be quiet. You’ve already jeopardized things by calling your brother. But we’ll get it straightened out. "

Pilar is becoming more terrified of her mother as the minutes pass. "Mama, please…"

"Look, baby. I forgive you for choosing her over me. I forgive Danny, too. But Michelle Bauer is not welcomed in this family. She killed Mick."

"I know mother. It was self-defense. And she loves Danny. So why not butt out?"

"She killed your brother! And who knows what else!"

"He was going to rape her! You’re a woman! Doesn’t that mean anything? How would you like it if someone raped me?"

"She was probably asking for it! And she didn’t have to kill him!"

"Oh no? How was she going to keep him from raping her? Ask politely? Punch him in the arm? How can you call yourself a mother? You disgust me!"

The slap stung Pilar’s face badly. And they were at the house now. Carmen rushes from the car into the house. Before Pilar can get herself together and get out of the car, Carmen comes running out of the house shouting...

"They’re gone! Where the hell are they!"

Parts 33-34