West Virginia

"Who are you talking about Mama?" Pilar runs to her mother.

"No questions. Get back in the car."

"But Mama…"

Carmen grabs Pilar by the arm and guides her back to the car. The driver hadn’t gotten a chance to get out of the vehicle and was still there ready to drive away at his boss’ command.

"Now! Get in the car! Take her back to Springfield. To her cousin Ray. I’ll call ahead to let the pilot know you’re on your way."

The driver acknowledges Carmen instructions.

"Mama, why aren’t you coming? You’ve got to tell me what’s going on! You’re scaring me!"

Carmen gives Pilar a huge hug and then forces her back into the car. "I’m sorry. I’m sorry that things got so out of hand. I only meant to protect my children. Go to Ray and stay there until you hear from brother. Now go."

The car pulls away, leaving Carmen standing there watching its’ retreat. Once the car is out of sight, she goes into the house and to the den. There, she walks to the library and opens a book. Inside is a secret cellular phone.

"Hello, Dietz. I’m on line 2…..yes, that’s exactly what that means..…no, Pilar is safe…..find Danny. Tell him everything…..I’ll be in touch…..yes, I’ve figured it out. Bernard crossed me…..no the only one we can trust is Danny…..I’ll be in touch."

Millennium

Michelle didn’t want to ask Drew for anything, but she needed her help. And Drew owed her. Sandy and Claire drove Michelle to Millennium. Since they were probably being followed, Millennium seemed like the best place to carry out a plan without the FBI becoming too suspicious. Drew is at the bar when Michelle, Claire and Sandy come in.

"What do you want?"

"Nice to see you too. I need your help."

"Where’s your husband?"

Sandy clears her throat as someone walks by the bar. They both suspect undercover FBI agents are everywhere. Michelle leans across the bar.

"Look Drew. I don’t have time for your jealousy and your games. People could get hurt if you don’t help me. Now I need to talk to you in your office."

"Why should I help you? Jesse’s gone. You have Danny, a new sister and your biological mother is back. And I have nothing. You keep using me…"

Michelle cuts her off, almost losing it. "Using you? I saved your ass and you fed me to the wolves. I know you told Danny I killed Mick. Of course you failed to mention your part. And even with all that scheming, you still couldn’t hold onto Jesse. You owe me Drew. I sacrificed my life for you. Now it’s time you do something unselfish for a change."

"Danny knows everything?" Drew asks, panic apparent in her voice.

"Yes, and even some things that no one else knows. Don’t worry Drew. You’re not going to die. At least not by Danny’s hand. But to keep everyone safe, I need your help."

Drew continues wiping the counter as if contemplating Michelle’s request.

"Your place is crawling with FBI agents."

Startled, Drew replies, "What?"

"I’m being followed. Do you want to know why?"

Drew nods her head.

"Okay. Then let’s go to your office. Sandy and Claire will stay here and let us know if something comes up."

Laurel Falls

"Have you been following me?" Danny asks David.

"Yes. But that’s not important. I heard everything and I can help. We need to get you into hiding first. Let’s go. Bridgett, find Bill Lewis and when you do, keep him there. Take his brother with you."

Bridgett quickly takes out here cellular phone. "I forgot to check in with Dylan. You go on ahead. I’ll check in with you in one hour. Everything's going to work out. And Danny, nice to meet you."

"Same here."

Danny leaves his car at Laurel Falls and accompanies David to his parents. Bridgett contacted Dylan and was pleasantly surprised that he was with Bill. She commands them to stay put until she gets there. She then calls David to let him know.

"That was Bridget. Bill is with Dylan Lewis at Millennium. Once we get you to my parents, I’ll get Bill into protective custody as well. Bridgett will get a hold of Frank Cooper through Buzz Cooper. There’s no telling who’s crossed the line anymore."

"Thanks Officer Grant. I really don’t know how I would have handled all of this by myself."

"Call me David. I’ve been watching Michelle for some time now. It’s obvious that you love her. After everything you two have been through, you deserve a break. I know what it’s like to be ostracized. Luckily, I have friends that care enough to be there no matter what."

"Yeah well, I don’t have any friends. Right now my main concern is my wife. Bridgett mentioned Roger Thorpe. What does he have to do with anything?"

"Roger respected Maureen Bauer. She never judged him. When she died, Roger promised himself that he would look out for Michelle. It’s no secret that there’s no love lost between Roger Thorpe and Ed Bauer. But as far as Roger is concerned, Michelle is just an innocent character in all the confusion that’s taken place over the years. He’ll help you."

"What did he think about Michelle marrying me? I know now that he must have known."

"I don’t think Roger ever had anything against you. It’s your mother."

"Hmm. My mother has that effect on people. How long before we’re there?"

"About five minutes."

"Then what?"

"We figure out a way to stop Carmen Santos and Bernard Rivera along with those FBI agents. You do realize that your mother may not come out of this without repercussions. "

"I know. My wife comes first now. I told my mother that as recent as this yesterday morning. And if Carmen had anything to do with the disappearance of Abby, I just don’t know what I’ll do."

They rode in silence the rest of the way. Once they got there, David explained everything to his parents. He warned his mother not to judge Danny because he’s a Santos. Next, David set out to meet Roger to plan their next move.



______________________________

Millennium

"you know what? Let’s go upstairs."

"that’s fine."

Michelle and Drew head upstairs to the loft.

"You know Michelle, I didn’t just ‘feed you to the wolves.’ I thought he cared."

Outside of the loft now, Michelle waits for Drew to unlock the door.

"Lucky for you he did care. Don’t you know what key unlocks your door?" Michelle asks irritated by Drew’s nervousness.

Just then the door swings open and the two ladies are pulled inside.

"Bill what are you doing here? Why did you call the FBI?"

"I didn’t call the FBI and be quiet for a minute will you!"

Drew is still leaning against the door. "Can somebody please tell what the hell is going on. And who are you?"

Dylan comes forward. "This is my half-brother Dylan Lewis. We have the same father. And you have more guests."

"Oh my God! How did you get here?" Michelle says not believing her eyes. "Bill?"

Michelle goes to her friend, hugging and crying.

"Abby, I was so worried. Why are you with Dinah Marler?"

"Once again, can somebody tell me what the hell is going on? I have a fugitive in my apartment for God’s sake! And the FBI are right downstairs!"

Bill grabs Drew. "Shut up! Now just calm down. Dinah is my half-sister by my mother. As you all know, she shot Hart by mistake. It was an accident, but she fled anyway."

Dinah interrupts him. "That was an accident, but I did intend on shooting Cassie. I know. I know. I need help."

"Let me do the talking please. Anyway, she went into hiding with help. My sister had no idea that Abby would be kidnapped or that Abby would wind up in very place that Dinah was hiding. Michelle, I’m sorry but Carmen had Abby kidnapped."

"I knew it. Abby are you okay. I’ll kill her myself!"

Abby tells her, "You are not capable of that, anymore than Danny Santos is!. Carmen is a obsessed with you Michelle. We have to be smarter than her to bring her down. She preys on those weaker than her. She uses people to her advantage."

To Dinah, Michelle asks, "Why did you help Abby. You could have run."

"Well your sister-in-law is pretty clever. She told me Hart was dead. At first I freaked. Then I realized that I had to see for myself. I love him so much you see. In my state of confusion, Abby convinced me to come back and say good-bye to Hart properly before they buried him. She also convinced me that now that Hart was dead, Carmen might think twice about helping me. I didn’t need money, but I needed her connections. I really believed Carmen would desert me, so I helped Abby escape. I found Carmen’s secret phone and called Bill. He arranged for us to get back here. I think I’m going to get me a private jet. They sure do come in handy."

Bill adds, "I knew no one would suspect a good old golden boy like myself to aid a fugitive and an abducted woman. Drew, we have to hide here until we figure out what to do. Your going to be getting more guests, so can you sneak them up here another way?"

"Not with all the FBI hanging around here. Michelle exactly what did you need my help with. I’m not liking me and my club being involved in this mess."

Michelle laughs, "well you should have thought about that when you handed me over to Danny on a silver platter. Actually, I needed you to get a message to Bill, but since he’s here, I can give it to him. Bill, Carmen been pretty busy. I don’t know everything, but I do know someone called FBI pretending to be you."

"What for?"

"To cast suspicion on Danny? To break our trust in one another. Who knows."

A knock at the door.

"Drew, it’s Brian. We need you downstairs. There’s some guy complaining about our choice of music and he demands to speak with the management."

‘Alright, I’ll be right down. So now what?"

"I’m leaving. The boys in blue will no doubt follow me home. I’m sure Sandy and Claire are ready. Abby, I’m glad you’re safe. No one in this room can breathe a word that Dinah and Abby are here. Where are you headed Dylan? Bill has to stay here."

"Actually, I’ll know when Bridgett gets here."

"Bridgett? I forgot about her. You can’t tell here anything."

"Michelle, I think she knows what’s going on. I can’t explain, but she called a short while ago and insisted Bill and I stay put until she got here. We can use her help. Roger Thorpe is Peter’s grandfather. He’ll help. I just know it. We just can’t tell him about Dinah."

Drew walks to the door. "Alright. Come on Michelle. You’ll go home and take the heat with you. Bill, I take it you told Bridgett to ask for me. I’ll bring her up here. After all of this is over, we’re even. Okay Michelle."

"Whatever Drew."

Part 35