"But I don't understand how did you escape?" Amy asked tentatively, a question that had been plaguing her for the last half hour, but she had been too scared to ask. From where he stood across the room, Brendan fixed her with a stare "You have to know the right people in this world Amy, it's all about who you knew,"

Amy sighed heavily, she hoped he wasn't going to close from her now, of all times and just after she had told him everything that had happened since Ste had gone. Brendan picked up the frames that sat, gathering dust, on the windowsill. Memories of a family now torn apart lay frozen before him in the spring half light of the evening. His eyes fell upon Stephen's cheeky grin and Amy's words of what had been happening, whispered to him.

"Brendan?" Amy softly said, placing a hand on his shoulder "What are we going to do?"

He thought about this and he knew who had all the answers and who was responsible. "You are going to stay here and I'm going to sort this," He replied simply, breaking his still persona and heading to the door

"Brendan! What if you get caught, this is dangerous, let me help!" Amy exclaimed after him

He stopped momentarily, turning round to regard the young woman "No Amy, I don't want Leah Lucas to be with out a mother as well, do you?" and with that he turned and fled.

It was much darker in this flat than the Barnes – Hay residence. Brendan stayed as still as he could waiting, just waiting. All he could do while waiting was let the hatred bubble inside of him, consuming every part of him, hatred for one man that was going to pay for everything he had done. The muffled sounds of the busy pub below seeped through the floorboards, reminding Brendan about one night too long ago but with muffled sounds of club bearing down on him…

Suddenly the door handle rattled signalling him that someone was here, it was go time. The rest of the Costello's were otherwise engaged, Brendan had made sure of that, with the introduction downstairs of some rather unwelcome customers.

The door opened spilling a rectangle of light in to the room, the newcomer walked in closing the door behind him. Not before noticing the chess board, set up once again. Walking over to it, he saw that it was set in a check state. Silas registered the déjà vu of the moment and turned to leave, only to be stopped by Brendan. He smiled at the immediate fear etched in to the old man's face "Silas," He hissed "Nice to see you,"

"Brendan, shouldn't you be rotting away somewhere, oh don't tell me you came just to see little old me, I am honoured," Silas replied replacing his fear with cold amusement.

"You know me, sociable kinda guy,"

"Speaking of which, your friends back at the station are probably wondering where you are, I'd gratefully ring them for you, wouldn't want them to get lonely with out your extraordinary company," Silas explained reaching for his phone.

Quick as a flash Brendan grabbed Silas's hand with his vice like grip "I'm not here to play games Silas, where is he,"

His companion smirked "Who?"

Brendan lost it and in seconds had Silas against the nearest wall "You think you're clever Silas? Huh? Well will see how clever you are when you get found out and sent down," Brendan exclaimed

"Temper temper Mr Brady, someone might actually believe you cared for the boy, but if I remember rightly, you cast him aside saying you were done with him?" Silas replied staying perfectly still

Eyes wild Brendan leaned in closer to Silas "You know nothing of my life, who I do or don't care about is none of your business, you want to hurt me, hurt me, don't destroy others around me, don't be a coward,"

"Ah but where's the fun in that? You're used to physical violence, you'd take it and be on your way, this way you have no idea what could be happening to poor innocent Stephen,"

Brendan's heart dropped at the sound of someone else using that name, the emphasis brought so much danger with it, it made Brendan feel sick with panic. But he couldn't let his mask crack; the joker had to stay in place. "Do not push me Silas, I –"

"No Brendan, You can't do anything, once you leave here I will ring the police have you arrested so fast, I'll give them the evidence that you took that sad excuse for a father and have you sent down for his murder as well,"

Murder the word cut in to him so deep it made him release Silas and stagger back causing the other man to laugh whole heartedly "I'll give you a choice I can ring the police and tell them about the murder, or hand yourself in and they'll find the body in a week or so,"

Brendan couldn't breathe, this couldn't be happening, this wasn't happening, he was dreaming, he had to be, his façade was gone, broken in a million pieces like Stephen's mind and soul. He looked up at Silas, looked him right in the eyes for a long moment assessing his situation.

But there it was, behind the other man's own façade, a glimmer of hope he's lying he'd know if Stephen was dead, he'd know "Okay I'll turn myself in," He replied going for the door

"Think I'll ring the police just to let them know you're on your way, don't worry the murder will be our little secret,"