CHAPTER ONE: THE DOCTOR AND THE STUDENT

Late on Thursday evening, Lucinda Walsh entered her bedroom suite, after notifying Matthew she did not wish to be disturbed "until the cock crows, darling, unless, of course, it's Miss Lily or Miss Sierra (Lucinda's precious daughters)." Gracefully, she made her way over to her dressing table and sat down. With an amusingly arrogant gaze, she peered at her face, taking note of her complexion. "Well, my dear, you look rather warn today. You mustn't let Lily worry you so – frown lines and droopy eyes, dear. We must keep up our appearance. Lily must work to figure out her own issues. I never dreamed I'd see the day when I thought it best for Lily to seek advice from Iva… Iva," she let out a heavy sigh and pursed her lips.

Just then the phone rang. Lucinda quipped, "Matthew, darling, keep to your instructions." Ring… ring… ring… silence. "Well, I shall remember to remind my new young Matthew to answer on the first ring from now on, and to ask whom on earth would call at this hour. Of course, no one with manners..." She stood and headed off into her master bathroom.

- - -

Meanwhile, Dr. Susan Stewart returned to her empty home from a medical conference in St. Louis. She set her bags down beside the sofa and sat down with a thud. As she let out a large yawn she threw her head back against the throw pillow and gazed at the business card in her left hand. As she stared, her thoughts return to the previous evening…

While attending the conference she ran into an old Memorial Hospital colleague, Dr. Hillary West. Catching up over drinks at the hotel lounge Dr. West asked Susan if she ever kept in touch with any of the other doctors she (Hillary) had interned with at Memorial back in the mid-80's. She recently heard that her ER Attending Doctor, Dr. Marcus Martin, had died suddenly and wondered if any of her fellow interns had heard the news.

Hillary set her wine glass down on the cocktail napkin. "I just wondered if any of the others had heard about Dr. Martian. Hmmmph… anyway, that's what we called him. He was just such an alien, you know. He hated all us interns, and he had no problems making us look like fools in front of Dr. Dixon or you or Dr. Hughes."

"Well, you ought to know by now that we all knew what he was all about," said Susan with a smirk. "I mean, he was a brilliant doctor, but he had terrible people skills. Plus, he wasn't at Memorial for very long. He put in his time at our hospital and then moved on to brighter territory. The last I knew, he was out East doing cancer research."

"Would you like another Seltzer, ma'am," asked the cocktail waitress.

"Oh, no thank you. I'm fine," smiled Susan

"Refill your wine, miss?"

"Oh, um, no thanks, I'll just take the bill – thanks," she watched as the waitress walked off. "I just remember how much we hated that man. Most of us placed bets that he would never die – he was just too arrogant & self-promoting to have helped further any of our careers by teaching us anything helpful."

Now at home, Susan thought aloud, "I haven't thought about Dr. Martin in probably twenty years. That old slime ball… well, I didn't say this to Hillary and I shouldn't say this now, but I'm not sad. He always made me feel uncomfortable. I wonder what took him down."

She laid the business card on her coffee table and lifted her purse onto her lap. She searched through its contents and pulled out her cell phone, "Three missed calls from Emily - Wonderful. I shouldn't check the messages until morning. I'm sure I'll wish I had if I listen now. I wonder what my charming daughter needs tonight."

Susan stood up and headed toward her staircase, dragging her wheeled carryon bag behind her. As she reached the base of the stairs, her phone rang once more, "Emily, you'll have to wait until morning. I am just too exhausted to deal with you tonight," she said to herself without even consulting her phone to see who was calling. She continued up the stairs toward her bedroom. As she ascended, the display on her phone read "Baltimore Caller."

- - -

In Emma Snyder's farm house kitchen Meg Snyder stood by the window looking out over the enclosed front porch. Holding the phone to her ear she smiled, "Well, it's good to hear your voice. You sound good… Sure, Lily, I'll get her. Just a minute..." She sat the receiver down and walked toward the living room, "Mama? Mama… phone," she called into the room, paused, and then whispered gently as her mother walked into the kitchen, "Yeah… er, um… it's Lily. She wants to talk to you."

"Lily? Oh, where's Holden? Goodness, why does she want to talk to me," Emma Snyder asked quietly.

Meg answered, "I don't know, Mama. I assume Holden's upstairs. Lily just asked for you, so you're the one I got. Anyway, if you're alright here, I think I'm going to head to bed."

"Sure, Meggie. Good-night, dear. Sleep tight," said Emma as she walked to the receiver, "Hello?..."

- - -

"Tom?" came voice from the Hughes' master bathroom.

"Yes, honey, I'm coming," replied Tom Hughes as he bounced from the hallway, into the bedroom and toward his wife's voice carrying a bowl of popcorn and two bottles of beer.

"No. I was just wondering if you were up here," Margo Hughes remarked to her husband as she walked from the bathroom into the bedroom and relieved him of one of the beers.

"Well, I'm here and ready to assist you in whatever capacity you wish, sweetie," Tom replied with a grin as he placed the popcorn down on the nightstand.

"Whatever?" she asked with a sly smile and raised eyebrows.

"Name it. Need help with buttons? I'm your man. Want to…" he reached around the back of her neck & pulled her into a kiss.

Tilting her head upward and looking into his eyes Margo broke the kiss with a smirk, "…extract information from you, oh wise man that I married."

"Extract away, sweetie, but just keep in mind that my wise brain is currently distracted by a beautiful red-head wearing only my PJ top. I may not be trusted to be at my level-headed best at this moment," he said while pointing his finger toward her from the grip of his beer bottle, in a mock-shaming manner.

Margo rolled her eyes and sat down on the edge of the bed and rested her drink on the nightstand next to the popcorn with a chuckle. Tom climbed onto the bed and crawled over until he sat against a pile of pillows on the other side of the bed next to his wife. Margo laid back and her head fell in his lap. He began combing his fingers through her hair. Looking up, Margo sighed, "Mmm, that's nice, but… oh yeah, I tried to call John several times today and only got his voice mail. Has Bob mentioned anything to you about when he's supposed to be back? I want to ask him how Mama's show was and if he got a chance to talk to her."

"Um, no. Dad hasn't mentioned anything to me about John. I mean my Dad isn't in the habit of discussing John with me, so I wouldn't expect him to tell me when he's coming home unless I asked him. You know how much Dad has enjoyed John being away from the hospital this past year. I'm sure he's not exactly thrilled that John's research project is coming to an end and he'll be returning to Memorial. Anyway, I'm sure he will call you back tomorrow. Give him a chance to enjoy his evenings in Chicago."

"I know Baby," Margo said with a perplexed look. As she lifted her head and turned to sit facing Tom she continued, "It's just that it's not like John to not call me back when I leave him a message."

"Come on, what're you so worried about? He's busy, like the rest of the people we know. Your father will call you back tomorrow and you can interrogate him then Lieutenant Hughes," Tom said as he leaned forward and kissed Margo along the neck. As he gently placed kisses up one side of her neck, continued around to the other side and back down he muttered, "But… what I want from you right now… is for you to launch… a private investigation of your own… right here… in our own bedroom."

Margo scooted closer and whispered, "I live to serve. What can I do for you my darling," she asked as she gently straddled his lap and slowly slid her hands across his shirtless chest, up his neck, and began running her fingers through his thick, graying hair.

"Well, this is a start, but you're gonna have to get even closer, and keep those senses alert …" he wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and pulled her into a deep kiss.

- - -

There was a soft wrap at Lucinda's bedroom door. With a loud groan, Lucinda called out, "Matthew, I gave you explicit instructions. I do not like my orders to fall on deaf ears."

"Certainly, Ms. Walsh. I realize this goes against your instructions, ma'am. But, there is a caller who refuses to hang up until he speaks to you. He says it's urgent that he speaks with you tonight."

"Oh for heaven's sake… who is this desperately rude intruder to my much desired slumber," Lucinda retorted as she swung open the door to face her rather frightened looking, young, dark haired servant, Matthew.

Matthew wasn't his real name, but it was stated in his contract that while in her employ he would report to the name of Matthew. Lucinda had employed several servants in the past named Matthew and she was fond of the name. Besides, what was the point in trying to learn a new name when Matthew was a perfectly suitable name for a servant?

"Ah…" Matthew stammered.

"Well, boy, you're here. Out with it. What's so urgent that you must disrupt my beauty rest?"

"Ms. Walsh, ma'am. Ah, there is a Mr…, oh no, ah…"

"Out with it boy."

"A Dr. Ian Kramer wishes to speak to you. He says it's urgent and that it couldn't wait until morning.

"Dr. Ian Kramer? Dr. Kramer? Ian…" she let out a gasp, then almost shouted, "Duke?"

"Yes, Dr. Kramer said you'd remember him as Duke."

"What in heaven's name would make him think that I would want to talk to him – much less at this dreadful hour?"

"I, ah… well, he insisted Ms. Walsh. He said it was very urgent and that he wouldn't take no for an answer ma'am. I'm sorry to go against your instructions, but him being a doctor and all I thought I…"

"Good grief boy. I'll take the call here in my room. Now go. And don't disturb me again tonight! Go… shoo…" she swatted her hand at the air and turned to close her door, "Duke… Ian… Dr. Ian Kramer?" she said with an intriguing glint, "What could possibly be so important to call me at home at this hour" Lucinda wondered aloud as she walked to her desk and picked up the phone.

"Ah, helooo," said Lucinda with a sly, yet annoyed look on her face.

The man on the other end of the line responded frantically, "Lucinda! Thank God that butler of yours got through to you!"

"Yes, darling, I'm sure he was ever so difficult to persuade to go against my wishes. How very clever of you to play the doctor card. Bravo, darling."

"Lucinda, listen, I need to talk to you. It's about John. It's very important!"

"John? John Dixon! John is hardly someone I'm up for discussing, let alone with you at this dreadful hour. Are you out of your mind?"

"Don't hang up. Listen, I would have never called you, but I had no choice."

"Oh, I see. I'm ever so popular because you were coerced into calling me."

"No. Listen. Really, I think John's in real danger and I didn't know who else to call."

"Well, let me see darling – John's in trouble… hmm… you couldn't have thought to call that snoopy detective sister of yours I suppose – Lieutenant Margo, Chief of Police Margo? After all, if someone's in trouble that's who one should call. What can poor old Lucinda do when there's a detective in the family?"

"Good grief lady! I'm really serious here. Do you really think I'd choose you to help if I had a choice?"

"All right. But this better be good. You knew me well at one time. I'm not in the habit of doing unto others and all that." Lucinda rolled her eyes and looked over to an old Christmas picture on the sofa table that contained members of her and John's combined families from when they were married.

- - -

"Yes Lily, I understand, but wouldn't it be better for Iva to call on Jack or Caleb or even someone more local for help with this? I don't understand why you have to get so involved," Emma earnestly suggested to Lily, who was on the phone. She was standing by the kitchen sink, now drying off the remaining coffee mugs and plates left in her dish drainer on the counter.

After a long silence, Emma replied, "I understand, but you are going to have to explain this one to Holden yourself. I am not in the habit of being a go-between here. You know that. You also know that I don't believe that all this separation is a means to helping you get back on track with him and the girls. That is all I'm going to say about that. Now, let me speak to Iva." After a slight pause she said, "I know… But… well ok. Good-night dear. Get some good sleep Lily. That will help more than anything."

Gazing out the kitchen window toward the front porch Emma waited for Iva to come to the phone as Lily went to retrieve her. Some two decades ago the Snyders learned that Emma's oldest daughter, Iva, had given birth to a baby girl some 17 years earlier who she put up for adoption. The baby was adopted through illegal means by Lucinda Walsh's then husband Martin Guest. This meant that Lucinda's daughter Lily was really Iva's daughter! The shocking truth caused great pain and embarrassment for Lily and Holden, since they were developing a strong attraction to one another. Holden was Iva's brother, so a relationship between the two of them was strictly forbidden. To add to the confusion and deceit within the Snyder family, Emma was forced to reveal a secret that she had been keeping - Iva was not a Snyder by birth! Emma and her husband had adopted Iva and never told the family. It took a long time for everyone involved to come to terms with all this information, but in time all was forgiven and since they were not related by blood Lily and Holden eventually found their way back together. With blessings from Lucinda, Iva, and Emma Lily and Holden had married and built a large family together.

Currently, however, Lily and Holden were having marital problems due to the fact that Lily had been keeping secrets (some small and others not so small) from Holden and found it difficult to be truthful to him when he confronted her on them. Lily decided to take Lucinda's suggestion of spending some time away at Iva's in order to sort out her feelings and strengthen her self esteem. Emma wasn't sure that a separation was the best thing for Lily and Holden's marriage, but nonetheless Lily headed to Maryland to visit Iva.

Suddenly turning around to face the kitchen table Emma spoke, "Iva, what is going on? Lily told me about M.J., or I guess he's going by Matt by his college buddies. Where is he? Uh, I mean, I know you don't know… When did you last hear from him?" Emma wore a look of worry as she unwound the phone cord that she'd twisted around her finger.

She listened intently as Iva spoke to her. "Sweetheart, I just can't believe it. Have you spoken with all his roommates? Did you contact the police?"

Emma put her fingertips to her lips and continued to listen. "I understand, but what do you think Lily can do to help? I mean, she's having so many problems herself and her poor girls are starting to have real difficulty with her being gone."

Just then Emma's son Holden emerged from the stairwell into the kitchen. He watched his mother as she continued her conversation.

"Iva, I am very worried. Please keep us informed… Yes Dear, I'll do that. You take care and get some rest. Tell Lily that we love her and I love you, too, Iva."

Emma finished saying good-night to Iva and hung the phone up on the wall. She then turned to Holden, "Can't sleep?"

"No Mama. Ethan was crying in his sleep and I just got him to go back down. I tell you, I'll be glad when Lily gets home. She's better at these night time things than I am – bad dreams, crying, tummy aches… What did Iva have to say?" asked Holden

"Well sweetie, I hope you don't have to wait much longer for Lily to come home. But, I'm afraid it may be longer than any of us hoped."

"Why? What did Iva tell you?"

Emma let out a sigh and motioned for Holden to sit down with her at the kitchen table. After they both were sitting she began, "Iva is under a great deal of stress right now. M.J. seems to be missing."

"Missing?"

"Yes, well, two days ago he supposedly finished up his finals, but never returned to his dorm afterward. Iva said she got a call from his roommate asking if she'd heard from him because he was gone all night and none of his friends knew where he was. He was very worried."

"I'd be worried, too. What … Has Iva talked to campus police or the local police there in Evanston?"

- - -

Back in Lucinda's bedroom suite Ian told Lucinda that he had received a frantic phone call from John. John was supposed to be in Chicago, but the caller id on his cell phone when John called listed an unknown overseas number. In terrible trouble, John phoned to ask Ian for a huge favor. He asked Ian to wire a large amount of money from one of his mutual fund accounts into a specific Swiss bank account and he was not to tell anyone about it. John had given him all the information he needed to gain access to his account on the Internet in order to move the money. He couldn't go into details, but he had stumbled on something while in Chicago that he had no choice but to investigate. All he could tell Ian was that once he transferred the money he was to wait for another phone call. John would call within five days or Ian was to assume that he might not see him again. The only thing he could tell him was that his investigation had something to do with James Stenbeck and he made him swear not to tell anyone in the family, especially Margo.

Thinking logically, Ian chose to call Lucinda because she was the only person he knew who may have enough resources and wherewithal to help him figure out what John was up to and where he was. After all, Lucinda was once married to John. After John found out that Ian was his son she schemed to bring Ian's "bad girl" girlfriend Julie to town to try to persuade him to have nothing to do with John. He knew Lucinda had high priced investigators on her payroll and a private jet at her disposal. He also knew that Lucinda could never pass up something as intriguing as this once he told her the whole story.

"What proof do you have that any of this ludicrous story is even remotely true? You expect me to believe John is trapped God knows where looking for James? You've got to be out of your mind," Lucinda snapped after Ian stopped talking long enough to catch his breath.

"All I can tell you is that my caller id said unknown and listed some totally foreign number. I haven't been able to figure out where it came from. Please Lucinda! You've gotta believe me. You've gotta help me! Please!"

"I don't gotta do anything of the sort. I'm not your Press 1 for International Espionage girl."

"Please, let me show you what I've got before you decide anything. I have booked the next flight from Seattle to Chicago. Please meet me in Chicago. I'd rather not come to Oakdale, but I will if I have to.

"Have you lost hold of your senses man? I'm not meeting you in Chicago," Lucinda chuckled under her breath. "Why on earth would I do that, really – tell me."

"I've just told you. I will show you the proof you need. Just please agree to meet me. Please!"

Although there was no love lost between them and she had no great desire to help her previous step-son, Lucinda was intrigued. She would give anything to know where James was, and just exactly why John was trying to find him this time. Somewhat reluctantly she arranged to meet Dr. Kramer at a hotel in Chicago the next afternoon.