It was nearly 11pm when Erich returned to the hotel, he and his colleagues headed straight for the pub. After two shots of whiskey, Erich proceeded to Anna's room to deliver the bad news. She was awake, pacing the floor and talking nervously with Tom who had remained by her side for both her comfort and his own. He had never killed anyone and the events of the day were eating away at his conscience.
After Erich's knock on the door, Anna ran quickly to open it. Realizing he was there alone and without John, her stomach dropped as soon as she saw the despair in his face. She backed up slowly, allowing him to enter the room.
Erich explained how they arrived at the building to find it empty, revealing in detail the evidence hidden behind an armoire, a door, morsels of uneaten food on plates laying on the floor, both John's and Robert's coats abandoned. They had left quickly. With no signs or indications of where they were going.
Weeks passed with no additional letters, no sign of John or Lord Grantham, and no contact from Vera.
Anna requested time away from Downton. With complete support, Lady Mary granted her all the time she needed. The house was operating on a day-to-day basis with the heaviness of unanswered questions, the gloom of unending despair, the perpetual discouragement of silence. Tom returned to Downton under the instruction of Mr. Murray to manage the finances of the estate. Even though Erich continued to search, there were never any real leads. When the family finally informed the authorities and requested additional help, they were chastised for their delayed timing and Erich was quickly dismissed from Scotland Yard.
Anna remained in London. John had never sold his mother's home and Anna stayed there while trying to find a way to live without John. Erich visited her every day to ensure she was eating and taking care of herself, then he would report back to Mary about Anna and the investigation - both of which he had very little to say.
And then out of nowhere, it happened - a phone call to Downton.
Carson ran through the house yelling for Lady Grantham and Lady Mary - all propriety gone to hell in the moment. The London based embassy of the United States was on the phone for Lady Grantham, with news of Robert and John.
Carson, out of breath, picked up the phone line in the main hall, " Hello? I'm sorry to keep you waiting, here is Lady Grantham." Cora took the earpiece from Carson before he was finished announcing her. He continued to hold the mouthpiece for her, her hands shaking, her body weak from mourning.
"What can you tell me about my husband?"
"Your ladyship, we have received word from the City of New York that Lord Grantham arrived at the British embassy with a Mr. John Bates. Their story is quite horrific, but they wanted to inform and assure you they are alive and well and returning to London by passenger ship. They should arrive in five days."
Cora's face was beaming, instantly the life returning to her eyes, the color to her cheeks. "He's alive!" She exclaimed with great relief to Mary and Carson, who embraced at the news.
After more details were given, Cora hung up the phone and embraced Mary who was asking, "What about Bates?"
Still smiling from ear to ear, Cora continued with the wonderful news, "Yes, Mr. Bates is with your father. They are sailing home and will arrive in London in 5 days. We must get word to Anna at once."
News spread around the house like wild fire. The confirmation of Lord Grantham's and Mr. Bates' imminent return lifted everyone's spirits while cries of relief and yells for celebration filled the air. The staff took to working with a quickened pace as they prepared the home for the return of Lord Grantham. The family made phone calls to share the news. Everything had already been arranged. Robert and John were scheduled to arrive back in London early morning, proceed to Scotland Yard to give formal statements about their abduction, and meet the family that evening at Lady Mary's favorite luxury hotel. She was never more ready to be joyful. Now that the abduction had reached New York City, the newspapers would be reporting in earnest. There would be both a celebration and an opportunity for reporters to get the story first hand from Lord Grantham.
Back in London, the day was dreary; Anna had barely made her way out of bed that particular morning and down to make tea when she heard the usual knock on the door. Erich stuck his head in to announce his arrival. She stopped answering the door several weeks prior, and while recognizing that Anna was slipping into a deep depression, Erich took it upon himself to look after her, even taking a key to the house so he could come and go as Anna needed.
Today, she noticed Erich's voice was different. Still, she had lost hope of any good news, so she continued about making her tea. When he entered the kitchen, she politely asked if he wanted any.
"No thank you. Anna, how are you today?"
"I don't really want to make small talk Erich. You can see that I've gotten myself out of bed. I'm making breakfast. I'm resolving to accept my anguish."
"Anna...please stop what you are doing and look at me."
Reluctantly putting the kettle down, she turned to look at Erich - his face soft, a glimmer of quiet admiration in his eyes, a small comforting smile growing on his lips.
"What is it?" Having spent every day with him for the past seventeen weeks, she was able to read his face and know he had worthwhile news to share.
"It is a very long story Anna, but all you'll really want to know is that John is alive and coming home."
She stood there, stone faced, and then shook her head asking, "What did you say?"
"They' re alive Anna; John and his lordship are alive and returning to London in five days."
Anna let out a small whimper, fell back against the sink and slid down to the floor. Erich ran to catch her and met her on the floor of the kitchen in an embrace.
"John's alive?"
"Yes my dear, he is. They've had quite a time of it, but they are both well and anxious to return home."
"Where have they been all this time? My god...what about that evil witch Vera?" Anna was yelling and trying to digest the news.
"She's dead."
"How can we be sure?"
Erich laughed softly, continuing to hold Anna in his arms. "She was killed, quite brutally from what I understand. Its over."
She pulled back from Erich, the two of them sitting on the kitchen floor together. "Why don't I feel relieved?"
Erich looked at her with confusion, "you've been through hell this year ...give yourself time to adjust to the news."
"Why 5 days? Where are they?"
"New York City. Vera smuggled them onto a transatlantic freight liner. Apparently she had more money than we realized. Her only objective was to destroy Lord Grantham, John and...you. I'm so very grateful she did not succeed." Erich leaned in and gave Anna a small kiss on her forehead.
"I need to know...did John kill her?"
"No Anna. One of the older boys she hired turned against her in the end. There was a struggle and he forced her off a rooftop. I'm told she fell fifty stories to her death."
Anna was still in shock, stone faced, "I'm not sorry to say, that's the kind of death you expect someone like her to have. I've hoped for it honestly." Blinking a few times, she looked Erich in the eyes. "I don't care if that makes me sound horrid."
"Not at all Anna. Not in the least." Erich smiled, and then pulled himself up from the floor. Bending over, he helped Anna back to her feet. She was small and fragile and exhausted. He pushed a few loose strands of hair from her forehead and smiled. "We need to buy you a new dress, feed you, and whisk you off to a fancy hotel."
Anna was still struggling to believe him, "what on earth do you mean?"
"I mean, there is celebrating to do, and Lady Mary and Lady Grantham will be traveling to London in a few days to join you. In the mean time, I'm to deliver you to a fine hotel, where you will be pampered and cared for properly by your very own staff."
Anna finally presented a small smile and released an exasperated breath. "You've done quite well taking proper care of me Mr. Adler. In fact, I don't quite know what would have happened to me if you hadn't. How can I ever thank you?"
With the kindest eyes, Erich smiled saying, "Anna, your happiness is thanks enough."