It was passed 1pm. 45 minutes had passed and Marianne was not home with Alexandra. Christopher was starting to worry. He was afraid something might have happened with Marianne and the new baby. She always answered his texts right away. He called Anne at the flower shop to see if they stopped in. He was disappointed when she reported that they had not stopped in. He stepped outside and looked up and down their street. He was hopping since it was such a nice day she just got sidetracked and was walking with Alexandra. He went down the front steps and started walking towards the end of the street to see if maybe he could see them coming. He stopped in his tracks at the corner when he spotted something on the sidewalk. He reached down and felt the knot in his stomach tighten. He picked up Alexandra's purple toy hippo. Marianne was so careful and always noticed when she dropped things. He knew something serious had happened to them. He ran back in the house and phoned the police.
Marianne was trying to keep calm and question Johnny about what his plans were. Marianne knew he had lost all touch with reality. She was flabbergasted when he stated that he had a flat lined up in Dublin where they would stay for awhile. Then he was thinking of moving them to America. Marianne tried to tell him that they would need passports. Johnny got aggravated and told them he was working on it. He also stated that they were going to change their names and get married in Ireland. "Once we are settled we can get her in daycare so you don't have to be trapped with her all day. Even though I am sure she is delightful. You can go back to your art and singing." He explained looking at her hopefully. Marianne spoke up. "Johnny I am very happy with what I am doing now. I am not trapped taking care of a child. This is what I want and dreamt of being along with my art and music. I am very happy with my life." Johnny stood up and scoffed at her. "Oh come on Marianne. He just has you so brain washed. You will like our new life."
Marianne's head was spinning. She didn't know what to say and tried thinking of ways to get out of this. Then it came to her. "Well if we are going to be here for a while we are going to need some things." She explained. Johnny grinned. "I took care of it. The refrigerator is filled with food for both of you. I also got some clothes for her and toys. We should be all set." Marianne started to think. "What about nappies? She will need some." Johnny frowned. He did not think of it. "You mean she is not toilet trained?" He asked. Marianne shook her head no. "No, she is not. She is not even two yet." Johnny sighed. "Fine I will get some now. What kind and size?" He asked. Marianne was feeling excited. She might be able to think of something while he was gone. "Huggies nappies size 4." Marianne stated. "Fine I will get them now. I should be back in 20 minutes. Don't think of trying anything. There is no phone and the internet is password protected. The door will be locked from the outside as well." He went over and stroked Marianne's cheek. She flinched a bit at his touch. "Maybe while she is down for the night we can get reaquainted again." He said and left. Marianne felt so frightened and scared of what he meant.
At that moment Christopher was in their front room talking to an officer. Another one was on the phone with a store that was located on the corner across the street from their street. They had surveillance cameras aimed at the end of the street. Another office was their looking through the footage. The officer stated that he spotted Marianne pushing a pram with a child. But also there was a man walking with him. It looked like he was holding on to her arm. The officer was arranging for the clip to be emailed to the officer at the Brandon home. Usually they would wait for the person to be declared missing. But since there was a young child involved and Marianne was pregnant they started now. "Now, Mr. Brandon we have surveillance footage from the Boots that is down the street on the corner. They are sending a clip from their footage. A woman with a stroller was spotted. We believe it is Marianne." The officer did not want to mention the man with them just at that moment. He could see the man was scared for his wife and child. The officer was hoping the man was a family friend and they could just ask him when he last saw them.
Christopher could do nothing but pace. An officer went to check with Anne at the flower shop and Elinor. They all should be at the house soon. He was hoping not to get Elinor to upset in her condition. The officer received the emailed footage. "Mr. Brandon, do you know this man?" He asked as he showed Christopher the footage. Christopher's face went white and he felt a cold chill run down his spine. "Oh my God. That is John Willoughby. He has been ordered to stay away from us. He has them?" Christopher said in panicked voice. They got him to calm down a bit and explain. Christopher explained the whole situation that happened four years ago. The officer quickly called to get his address and place of work, along with the file of what happened. They quickly issued an alert with a photo of Marianne and Alexandra.
Johnny was getting aggravated. It was taking awhile to get to the store because of the traffic and an accident. He waited patiently on the bus to get to downtown. Meanwhile at the loft Marianne was trying to figure out how to get out. She placed Alexandra in the playpen while she slept. Marianne checked the door and windows. No luck. Then it came to her. She had her iPad in the bottom of the diaper bag. She ran to it and rummaged through it. She found it! She quickly looked and hoped for service. She quickly sent an email to Christopher hoping he would get it. She then hid the ipad back in the diaper bag making sure the sound was turned off.
Johnny was in line to pay for the nappies. He turned white as a sheet when he took the change from the clerk. He saw on the telly behind him a possible kidnapped woman and child. Photos of Marianne and Alexandra were shown along with the name and mug shot of him as a potential suspect. He then ran out of the store. The clerk noticing who he was as he ran out quickly called the police.
