Chapter 21

July 11th

Milwaukee Airport

Hyde leaned in close to Jackie, his arms locked around her from her behind. He hadn't been more than a foot from her since they got to the gate. "I love you," he whispered into her ear.

She gently unlocked his hands and turned to face him. "I love you, too," she whispered back, hearing the subtext in his voice. "Are you nervous?"

He tried to assuage her, "Nah, just not looking forward to the heat."

"Steven…"

He sighed, "Fine, Jackie, I'm nervous."

She grabbed his butt and bit her lip, "Just a little absence to make the heart grow fonder, baby."

He grinned and kissed her, wishing the clock would stand still on the wall behind her. As she rested her head on his chest, he heard the gate agent make her final announcement for passengers to board. He grabbed the small backpack Kitty had given him and hoisted it onto his shoulder. Looking down at his beautiful doll, he saw her pull something out that had been hidden under her blouse.

The beautiful white gold locket from Red was hanging on a long chain. He picked it up and gazed at it. He really thought she would have pawned it or melted it down after the whole Sam incident. For some reason, it calmed his nerves to see her wearing it. "I thought you would've gotten rid of it," he said softly.

She shook her head lightly, "You said you'd always be with me. I just wanted to make sure you kept that promise." Her voice was gentle, but firm. She needed him to understand what was at stake, just like WB had done with her nearly two years ago. When she looked up again, his head was bowed towards hers.

"I swear Jacqueline, I'm not going to walk away again. I'll be back, and we're going to have a good life together."

Her breath felt ragged in her chest. She knew she'd lose what composure she had before too much longer. She looked up, using 95 pounds of sheer force of will to keep her cool, and felt a beautiful peace settle on her. His deep blue eyes were fixed on her face, a calm and kind smile on his lips, and love- very like the one she felt on a Valentine's night long ago- was radiating from them.

"Be safe. I'll be here when you know what you want to do" she said, and she kissed him very deeply.

He breathed in her scent and kissed her forehead, then he walked straight for the jetway. He didn't turn back. He didn't think he'd keep walking if he saw her face looking back at him. Once he was settled in his seat, he looked out the window. He was sure he could see her waving at him from the airport, he put his whole palm to the window and said quietly, "I'll be back."

July 12th

Kenosha, WI

The dark haired man stood outside the rundown apartment complex and wrinkled his nose. Even from the outside the place smelled like shit. He walked up to the common front door and knocked. He noticed it was heavy and thick, like a steel fire door. A speakeasy slid open, and a pair of dark eyes stared at him from inside.

"Santo y seña?"

The man passed $200 through the speakeasy and stared back at the eyes. The password question was a trick. If one of their guys was collared by the cops and tried to flip them for information, they would give them a fake password. The cop would show up and try to get in and be denied entry. Meanwhile, they could begin moving their cargo to a new shop while police tried to obtain a warrant. The scheme had worked well so far.

The man heard the locks shift on the door and it opened up. For a split second he wished it hadn't. The stench was overwhelming- vomit, urine, feces and sweat all seeped in to the floorboards. One thing was for sure, once he did what he came here to do he was going to make sure it was burned to the ground.

"Que lo quieres?" asked the doorman.

"La rubia" the man answered. There might be a few blondes here, but only one he was looking for, and she'd be easy to spot.

The doorman gestured to the hallway in front of him. "All güeras on this floor."

The man resisted the urge to punch the doorman and walked slowly down the hall. He stopped at the first door and pushed it open. Looking inside he saw a filthy mattress and a thin blonde laying on it. Her glassy eyes were focused on a spot above his head. He took a few steps forward and she vaguely followed his movement with her head. He crouched down in front of her and looked closely at her face. It wasn't the one he was after. He stood up to leave and felt a tug on his pant leg. The woman was pulling on him. He crouched back down and she blinked slowly, but deliberately, and said in a thick whisper, "Help."

He leaned forward, "No," he said and walked away. It was killing him, but he had a priority. As soon as he did that, he could get the rest of them out. As the man walked away, the woman swiftly picked up a walkie-talkie from under her mattress and said, "Bueno". He'd inadvertently avoided the second trap.

The man searched another room and found another girl in the same condition. Finally, on the third try he saw her. She'd never had weight on her, but she was basically skin and bones now. Her wide eyes were dull and listless and she barely responded to his touch. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a syringe and vial. Her eyes widened at the sight, and his heart broke in two. She had no idea who he was, but the sight of the needle had triggered a Pavlovian response.

"Momentito," he said. She nodded in understanding. He withdrew a small amount, and found a vein. Sending up a short prayer, he pushed the chemicals into her vein and waited. In the space of a heartbeat her pupils went from pinpricks to fully dilated, she drew in a huge lungful of air and tried to crawl up the wall behind her. The man threw himself on her and wrapped her tightly in his arms, "Ssshhh, I know. Try to take a few deep breaths. You will feel jittery and sick for a while. I need you to look at me. Look at me and see if you recognize me."

The woman took several deep breaths. He was right, she could feel vomit rising up in her throat. Leaning over the edge of the mattress she emptied her stomach onto the floor. After a few moments, she sat up and looked at the man. His dark hair and flawless skin looked so out of place in this dirty, smelly hovel, but still, she knew that smile and those eyes.

"I know you," she said slowly, "Why are you here?"

"I'll tell you on the way out," he said, "We need to get out. In the next ten minutes."

She looked panicked, "You can't get out! There's a door guard, and the windows are nailed shut!"

"It's okay," he said, "I've got a plan. All you have to do is lay there and pretend to be dead."

"I can do that," she said, "but then what?"

"Trust me," he said simply. She nodded and lay back on the mattress, letting her limbs splay randomly on the surface.

"Oye!" he yelled into the hall, "Esta puta está muerta!" He stood at the doorway, his arms crossed and his expression angry. The doorman double-checked the lock on the front door and headed back to the room. He walked in and the dark-haired customer gestured angrily at the bed. As the doorman crossed the room, the man withdrew a second syringe and pulled the plunger back to fill it with air. He watched the doorman lean over the blonde and he made his move. Coming up behind him, he swiftly plunged the needle into his neck and depressed the plunger. The man collapsed instantly onto the bed, and the girl grabbed her liberator's hand.

They ran for the front door and he closed it behind him. As they jumped in the car she turned to him and said, "Where are you taking me? Home?"

"No," the man said, "Not for awhile. I've been looking for you for over a year. I'm not going to just drag you back to where this started."

"Then where am I going?" She was starting to come down from the naloxone he'd given her. The whole of her body began to break out in a cold sweat.

"I found a place that will help. In a few months you'll be completely clean and then we can work on getting you into a good life," he paused, his voice thick with emotion, "A life you deserve."

Her mind was too fixated on her withdrawal to register his words. In a few months, when the pain and the addiction receded, she'd remember them. She'd remember how he'd found value in her, how much he'd risked for her, and she'd mark it down in her small green notebook as the day she felt loved for the first time.

August 15th

Hunt, Texas

The late summer Texas heat felt good on his skin. He pulled the barbed wire tight and wrapped it around the next fence post. He'd been out at the ranch working for the past few days on the advice of his counselor. She believed in a "whole body" approach to recovery, so she'd put together a physical component to his therapy from the outset. He'd spent the past two weeks alternating between physical labor at this ranch and doing recreational activity like swimming in Cullum Lake, or hiking through the Texas Hill Country. He found he relished the chance to let his mind go during that time. His counseling sessions were mentally exhausting, and if he was being honest, emotionally as well.

The first week he'd been at the clinic he'd been through a complete battery of blood tests. The doctors had been kind but honest. His liver could recover if he quit drinking. He'd even asked if he could "celebrate" on special occasions and the doctor had given him a severe look. "Mr. Hyde, I'm trying to be honest with you because I think it makes patients more likely to be treatment compliant. So, yes, if you have a glass of champagne at your wedding, you won't suffer adverse side effects. However," and at this point his eyes had become hardened as only a doctor who had watched hundreds of patients succumb could, "you need to keep in mind that alcoholics rarely stop at A GLASS. They have one, feel fine, have another, maybe recognize they're drunk since they've been sober for awhile, and stop. Then the next day, when they aren't hungover since they only had two drinks, they think they're cured. They start to think they don't need meetings, or treatment, or to be labelled as an alcoholic anymore. And it's a short and lethal slide into the darkness after that."

Hyde had taken his disease seriously after that. He wanted a long, full life with his doll. He'd spent weeks participating in every therapy the doctors and counselors had ordered. He'd been brutally honest in therapy, talking about Edna, Bud, WB, Jackie and everyone else in his life. It had been harder than the day he woke up in his Camino and Jackie hadn't been there…

He took off his hat and ran a gloved hand through his sweat-soaked curls. The sunburn on his shoulders felt like payment for his past. He looked behind him and saw he had 4 more fence posts to wrap. He gripped the barbed wire in his thick gloves and pulled the wire, leaning into the dirt to pull it completely taught. He had the last posts wrapped in 20 minutes, and he chugged half a gallon of water he'd left under a mesquite tree. He heard the ranch owner's truck driving up on the access road and he waved to it.

The ranch owner, a man in his early 50s with silver hair and kind green eyes, pulled the truck up to the tree and hopped out. He was tall, and if Hyde had seen him in a dark alley he'd have considered turning around. His name was Colt Green, and his ranch was used for both cattle grazing and as a dog sanctuary. Colt took in dogs from the pound who were about to be euthanized the next day. The last time Hyde counted, Colt had about fifty dogs on the ranch. He'd even trained a few to herd the cattle away from fence lines that had to be repaired. Hyde had a deep respect for Colt. The man treated everyone as his equal, from ex-cons looking for some work experience to recovering alcoholics who needed a way to work through their demons. His wife, Bunny, was a spitfire. A true "Yellow Rose", as Colt liked to put it, thorns and beauty all together. On his first day, Bunny had walked up to him accompanied by her Great Dane, Ares, and fixed him with a stern gaze. "Now I understand you're here to do some work and get your head straight, sugar. That's fine by me and Colt. If there's something you can't do, be honest, so we don't have to find out the hard way when half the cattle's been swept down the Guadalupe during a flash flood because you can't wrap a fence post tighter'n you tie your shoes. Now, c'mon inside and grab breakfast, I swear y'all look like ya ain't eaten properly since kindergarten."

Colt sidled up to Hyde and clapped him on the shoulder. "Can't thank you enough for all your work, Steven," he said, "Me n' Bunny were just sayin' we'd love for you to come back down anytime you'd like for a visit. It'd be a real treat to meet that Jacqueline you've been talkin' up."

Hyde smiled and nodded enthusiastically, "I know she'd love that, Colt." The Green Ranch was everything beautiful about Texas. The rolling hills, the crystal clear waters of the Guadalupe, and Bunny and Colt's kindness had made this paradise a home. Colt had spent the better part of some days listening to Hyde talk about Jackie, his friends, his dad, whatever he was focusing on in therapy. He'd offered his ear, and when asked, his advice.

He leaned in close over the last fence post and looked at Hyde with his calm green eyes. "How much longer the docs gonna keep ya here, son?"

Hyde looked down at his gloves and then back up at Colt, "I'm leaving on Monday, sir," he said with a wide smile, "They think I've made good progress the last month and that I'll be okay with AA meetings and regular check-ins. All thanks in no small part to you and Bunny."

Colt waved off the gratitude and smiled back, "None necessary, son. Although," he paused, "I know it'd make Bunny's year if you'd come back to visit now and again. We never had the chance to have kids of our own, so when the doc from the clinic told us we could help young folks like yourself with time on the ranch, well… I know she likes to mother you boys, but she's never had the chance to get to know any young ladies. We both took a shine to you from the get-go, so I know she's hopin' to meet your Jacqueline and get to know her better."

Hyde was a bit overwhelmed by the parental sentiment from Bunny and Colt. They'd known him for all of a month, yet they'd folded him into their world, made him feel welcome and valued. This must've been what Jackie was doing with all of us. Thinking of his doll was painful right now. He missed her fiercely. Their calls had been limited to 30 minutes and the sound of her voice only served to amplify his anxiety. He'd finally told her after a week that he wanted to call her on Saturday and she to call on Wednesday. She'd been gracious about it, acknowledging his need to focus on recovery, but he was worried she would pull away all the same.

"I promise, Colt, I'm bringing her back here for something very special. She doesn't know it, but this place is what she's always dreamed of for her wedding" he said fervently, "I'd love to bring her back here for that."

Now it was Colt's turn to be overwhelmed. The sickly man-child who'd showed up here a month ago had morphed into an image very like what he'd always pictured for a son. The boy was honest, hard-working, and he seemed to love this 'Jacqueline' as much as Colt loved Bunny. He was proud of how hard the boy had worked to get better. It hadn't mattered how dirty or exhausting the work was, he'd shown up and done it all. Life sometimes answered silently whispered prayers in strange ways.

"I think that'd be the best wedding this ranch has ever had," he said to Hyde, "You just let us know when and we'll get all the particulars in order."

"Thanks, Colt," Hyde said, "Any chance I can grab dinner with you and Bunny? Saturday night at the clinic is worst night for food, and Bunny promised she'd make brisket." Bunny's brisket was second to none in the Hill Country, and it took her nearly 24 hours to smoke it. She called it a "Texas delicacy" and after two successive Saturday night dinners he'd had to agree.

"Like you even have to ask," said Colt, grinning, "Bunny made all your favorites again. And she baked up a batch of kolaches for you to take back to the clinic for breakfast… and lunch… and dinner."

"Jalapeño and cheese?" asked Hyde hopefully.

"Whole dozen," replied Colt, "C'mon then, let's get back to Bunny n' Ares. I swear, that dog'll miss you as much as she does come Monday."

Hyde didn't want to admit that the giant blue Dane had tackled his way into his heart as well. He was huge, even for a Dane, but possessed an extraordinarily gentle nature. The dog reminded him irresistibly of Kelso. Hyde usually spent a half-hour every morning drinking coffee and giving Ares a thorough rub-down on the front porch. As they rounded the last half-acre to the ranch house he saw the dog run up to the locked gate to meet them. Hyde jumped out and swung the gate open, whistling to Ares and lowering the tailgate so he could jump in. Driving to the house, Hyde thought about how much Jackie would love the way the night sky glowed with stars out here.

Bunny had prepared brisket, potato salad, Texas toast, beans and pecan pie for dessert. By the time he'd finished his last plate, Hyde was sure he'd put on fifty pounds. He got up from the table and took his plates to the sink. As he rinsed them off, he saw a few fireworks go off to the south and he looked at Bunny who was next to him. "Just practicing for Labor Day, sugar. They have a big celebration down in Medina every time there's a holiday."

Hyde laughed and said, "Any excuse to blow stuff up, huh?"

"Got that right, son."

Colt joined them and they all had a good time watching the preview fireworks. After a last round of goodbyes, Hyde headed back out to the main road to wait for the shuttle driver to come get him. As he bade Henry the driver goodnight, he thought about his time in Texas. He'd been through a lot in his life, but nothing had taught him as much as this last month. He'd gotten stronger- mentally and physically- but he'd also realized there were places he'd always be weaker than most. He needed Jackie in his life, and for the first time he couldn't wait to tell her that.

He got to his room and picked up the phone, dialing a number he'd burned into his brain.

"Hello?"

"Jackie? It's me."

"Steven! How are you, baby?"

"I'm good, doll. Listen, I've got something to tell you. The doctors are releasing me as of tomorrow."

"Oh my God! Steven, that's amazing!" she cried. He could picture her jumping up and down and the image made him smile.

"Thanks, doll. Listen, I missed you so much this last month, but I want to ask you something."

"Anything, baby."

"I want to see you so bad, but I need to spend a day with WB first. There are things I need to say to him and questions I need answered. I was wondering if you'd be okay with meeting me at his place in Milwaukee on Tuesday, the day after I get back." He cringed a little waiting for her response. He knew she'd be hurt by his request, but he was hoping to avoid a blow-out.

"Steven," she replied gently, "of course that's okay. How about I come over around noon? That way you guys have time to talk over breakfast if things go badly."

He was glad she couldn't see the surprise on his face over the phone. "Jackie, thanks babe. I'll make sure Maria leaves the front door unlocked for you."

"I can't wait to see you, Steven."

"Me neither, doll," he said, hesitating. He wanted to tell her he loved her, that his heart hadn't changed, that he was ready to be with her for good. But he heard a small voice in the back of his head telling him to wait. She deserves the big gesture, man. Don't do this over the phone. "I'll see you on Tuesday."

"See you Tuesday, baby. Be safe and I'll see you soon."

Hyde busied himself packing his bag up and then tried to fall asleep. His mind was running through too many scenarios for him to drift off, though. He wanted to do everything perfectly, and there were so many options he could hardly focus. Finally, though, sleep enveloped him. He would be home in just over 24 hours. Home and starting fresh with the love of his life. No more living in the past. I'm done with all of it.

Oh, if only it were that simple…

August 16th

Evanston, IL

Jackie and Eric's place (and Amina too)

Jackie woke up and stumbled into the kitchen. She'd smelled the coffee and burek, and her mind and stomach were in desperate need of stimulation and comfort. First, always first, was coffee. She poured a giant mug and placed the pot back in the coffee maker. As she did so, she heard a loud pop and the lights in the apartment went out. What the fuck?!

"Sorry!" called Eric from his bedroom, "My fault! Just reset the fuse panel!"

Jackie walked toward her brother's bedroom, cradling the hot survival liquid in her hand. She pushed the door open and saw an entire room covered in metal detritus. "What the hell, Eric? Did you eviscerate R2-D2?"

Eric looked up, mildly surprised at his little sister's quip, "No! Well, not really… It's complicated," he finished.

"Dude. What did you do?"

"Okay, you know how I took that self-paced circuits course this summer?" he asked.

Jackie nodded. He'd gotten an A and finished 3 weeks early, the nerd. "Well, I realized that even with that A, I didn't really understand what any of it meant. So I went down to the local electronics store and asked them for scrap so I could take it apart and see how stuff worked. I was trying to put this monitor back together, so I plugged it in and blew the circuit breaker," he finished sheepishly.

Jackie nodded in exasperation, "Okay, come show me what a circuit breaker is and how to reset it."

Eric got up and led her to the breaker panel in the wall. He opened it up and showed her the labels and the circuit breakers. Resetting the main one, the lights came back on and she turned to him. "Can you explain some of that to me? I'm done with my last final and this actually looks kind of cool."

"Sure, come on back to my Bat-Cave!"

Rolling her eyes, she followed him back to the bedroom and sat down on a corner of the bed still clutching the coffee cup. "Okay, so basically what happened was that I caused too much current to surge through the apartment. Those breakers are designed to pop open and prevent current flow through wires that would damage them. Think about plugging in your microwave and hairdryer into the same outlet. As long as they're both off, no big deal, because they aren't pulling current through the wires. One at a time, still no biggie. But, you turn them both on at the same instant and they draw a massive amount of current through the wires and pop the breaker. Unfortunately, this monitor had a few damaged circuit boards and I think the capacitors I replaced were too highly rated. Drew way too much current."

Jackie nodded, "So technically you could black out a neighborhood by just overloading the circuit breakers?"

"Well, that's a really simplified way of putting it. Breakers are designed to pop open from smallest load to biggest- outlets first, then rooms, then homes, then blocks, etc. That way one person's microwave doesn't cause a neighborhood blackout."

"Ooohhh, okay," she said, comprehending most of what he'd said. It really was kind of cool to see how he was putting theory into reality.

"So, what's on the plate for this week?" he asked.

"Well," she said, smiling coyly, "Steven's coming home on Monday!"

"What?" he exclaimed, "That's amazing!" He jumped off the floor and hugged her.

"I know!" she said excitedly, "I'm going to drive up on Tuesday to spend some time with him."

Eric looked confused, "Why Tuesday?"

"Well, he said there were some things he needed to talk about with WB and I wanted him to have that time," she said.

"That's really big of you," he said gently, "I hope everything is just the way you've wanted it to be, kiddo."

"Thanks, Eric," she said, squeezing his hand, "I want to stop and get him something special before I get there. Any ideas?"

"Well," he said, "I think that store meant more to him than just about anything. Can you think of anything he might've had at the store that he couldn't replace after the fire?"

"Hmmm," she mused, "You know, there was a Zeppelin poster from one of their tours. It hung behind his desk in the office. Signed by the whole band. I could try and find a replacement for it?"

"I think that would be perfect," he said. Jackie was way better at gifts than Donna had ever been. At least there wouldn't be a hideous man-ring in Hyde's future…

Jackie jumped up and went to get dressed. She had a day and a half to find this perfect gift. She needed to get her ass in gear!

The phone rang inside the lake cabin and the slender fingers picked it up instantly. "Hello?" a high-pitched voice snapped.

"She'll be in Milwaukee on Tuesday."

"How do you know?"

"I followed her to a store. She told the guy at the front that she wanted to get a present for her 'man' and she needed it before Tuesday, since she was leaving for Milwaukee. The guy told her he didn't have what she was looking for, but he thought he knew a store in Milwaukee that might. He called and then gave her the name and address of the store."

"Good. Stay on her tomorrow to make sure she doesn't leave early. If she sticks to the schedule, then grab her at the store. And make sure to keep it quiet and keep her alive."

"I know, I know. You get your money and then I get my man."

"Precisely. Be careful and keep out of sight."

"Will do."

The woman at the cabin hung up, crossing her legs and sipping on her beer. She'd been waiting months to get her payout. Thanks to a little digging, she'd found a way to get what she wanted and leave no trace back to her. In a few days she'd have everything she needed to start over somewhere better. She just had to make sure her partner kept a level head.

August 17th

Milwaukee, WI

WB was nursing his third cup of coffee and feeling like decaf would've been a better choice. Steven had said he wanted to talk, and WB had been eager to be the first link of trust his son reestablished outside of rehab. Their conversation had been productive at first, with Steven asking questions about his and Edna's relationship and why he'd never tried to find him before. It had been hard to get through the conversation, but they'd managed it. Then Steven had excused himself to go to the bathroom, but not before he told WB that he'd saved the most important question for last.

WB was nervous. If the first part of their talk had been "easy" he didn't want to know what the next would be classified as.

Hyde came back, trying hard to not betray how nervous he felt. He wiped his palms on his jeans and sat down across from WB. Clearing his throat he said, "WB, man, I need to ask you something really important."

WB nodded and tried to keep his hands from shaking on his coffee mug. "Go ahead, son. Ask me anything."

"Well, I think you know how much Jackie means to me," he said, "I know she's waiting for me to give her an answer to her question, and I want to make sure she understands me perfectly. WB, I want to ask her to marry me."

WB buried his hands in his face. He'd been so worried that the happiness he felt on hearing his son's announcement was a little overwhelming.

"WB?" Steven asked, a little worried.

WB looked up and smiled through happy tears, "That's wonderful, son. I'm so happy for you. But… what did you need to ask me for?"

Hyde looked embarrassed, "Well, I don't really have the money for an engagement ring right now. I was hoping for a loan so I could get her something she'd like. I swear I'll pay you back." He'd never asked for money from anyone before in his life, but he felt like this was the moment to swallow his pride.

WB shook his head and grasped his son's hands, "Son, I don't know how to tell you this, but I'm not loaning you any money."

Hyde was prepared for the response. He was a recovering alcoholic with a bad track record. Hopefully he could convince Jackie to stay with him while he saved up the money…

"Steven," WB said calmly, "I'm not loaning you money for a ring. We'll go to the jewelry store right now and pick one out and I'll give it to you outright. Son, I've got plenty of money and all I want is for you to be happy. If you're ready to marry that good woman, and I can help, then by all means- let's get it done."

Steven smiled. He hadn't expected things to fall into place so well for him. As they rose from the table and headed to the jewelry store he thought about all the things he'd wanted to say to Jackie since he'd been gone. He knew he'd need to tell her about Caroline, and Donna, and all the awful things he'd done while she'd been away. But before he did any of that, he wanted one more moment where he did something completely right for her. And he was going to start with the perfect ring.

August 18th

Evanston, IL

Jackie woke up at the crack of dawn, her nerves riding the crest of a tidal wave of anxiety. What if he's changed his mind? What if he figured out I'm not what he wants? FUCK!

She let her mind run its race in her head for an hour while she stared at the ceiling. The outcomes she had to choose from were black and white. If he chose her, she would follow her heart into happiness. If he didn't, she'd have to make her own path to happiness. It was the second one that was worrying her. The words were easy to say in her head, but she knew from experience they were nearly impossible to live out. Breathe, Burkhardt. You can't control what you don't know.

She finally got up an hour later and made her way to the shower. She decided to give herself the full two hours to get ready. She set her hair in the long curls she knew Steven liked, but kept her makeup simple. She'd gotten used to a more sparing routine in the last two years and found she liked it better. She picked out a sundress and heels and grabbed her purse and small suitcase. She was hoping for a few days with him, but just in case she'd put the suitcase in the trunk. She didn't want to seem presumptuous, after all.

She pulled the Lincoln out of the apartment complex and made her way to the highway. As she drove, she played with her locket and hummed a few bars of "The Rain Song". As she made her way through Kenosha, she felt an odd sensation creeping up her neck. She felt like she was being watched. She turned her neck to check the back seat. Nothing. She chalked it up to nerves.

She started to review her map and directions to the memorabilia store, and turned off the highway at her exit. She pulled into the strip mall and found a parking spot near the back of the lot. She strode into the store and found the owner waiting behind the counter, as she'd been told.

"Hi, I'm Jacqueline Burkhardt," she said with a smile, "We spoke on the phone about the signed poster?"

"Hi, Bob Bradley," the bald man said with an equally gracious smile, "I'm glad you showed up! It's one of our rarer and more expensive pieces, so most of the time we just have people call for the price and then never show up."

"I'm sorry!" she said, "But I'm definitely interested. I brought the cash, as well."

He nodded and brought the poster up from behind the counter. It was signed by all four members, and was from the Denver Auditorium Arena- their first American concert. What made it especially valuable was that the poster had hung on the marquee for the arena, it wasn't a fan purchased souvenir. Traditionally, bands were gifted these after successful shows from the promoters. Somehow, it had ended up here, in a memorabilia shop. Jackie knew he'd love it.

"It's perfect," she said, "Do you have authentication papers?"

"Standard for something this rare," he said, and pulled a few papers in a plastic bag from the drawer.

She glanced at them and opened her purse. "I feel like the price we agreed on is fair for the quality." She pulled out an envelope and pushed it towards him. He opened it, counted the bills and asked her if she wanted a receipt. "No, thanks. I'm running a little late as it is. I'm supposed to be at his dad's house in half an hour."

She thanked him again and took the poster and papers out to her car. She unlocked the trunk and gently laid it inside. She dashed around to the driver's side and pulled the door open. She heard a sizzling sound, felt a rush of burning heat in her neck, and then everything went black.

Milwaukee, WI

Steven was pacing the den at WB's house, his hands nervously checking to make sure the ring was still in his pocket. He checked his watch. It was nearly 5:00. Where are you, doll?

He went to the kitchen and picked up the phone. He was about to dial her apartment when he heard the front door open. "Jackie?" he called, heading to the entryway, "Damn, woman, I was starting to-" but he stopped short. It was WB and Angie, and they looked confused.

"Son, where's Jackie?" WB asked, "I thought we'd be celebrating by now…"

"Did she say no?!" squeaked Angie, her hands flying to her mouth.

"What?" said Hyde, "No, she… She hasn't gotten here yet." His mind was racing now. He felt like he should have more information than he did. He went back to the kitchen, leaving WB and Angie in the front den. He dialed Jackie's apartment and waited, his fingers drumming out a steady rhythm.

"Hello?"

"Amina?" Hyde said, "It's Steven, listen is Jackie there?"

"No," Amina replied, sounding surprised, "Lije left early this morning. She wanted to make sure she got to you by noon. Is she not there?"

Hyde's throat and mouth felt as dry as the desert. "No," he croaked, "she's not here. Can you check with Eric? See if he's heard from her?"

"Of course," she said and he heard her set the phone down. He waited, hoping Eric had some information. The phone rattled on the other end and Eric came on the line, "Hyde? Amina says Jackie never made it to you?"

"No," he repeated, "Do you have any idea where she could be?"

"None," said Eric, "Listen, Amina and I are going to call Kelso and start driving to Milwaukee. We'll keep our eyes peeled on the way for her car. You guys stay there in case she shows up."

Hyde nodded and then remembered Foreman couldn't see him over the phone, "Okay man, see you guys soon."

Hyde hung up and turned to his dad and Angie.

"Guys, Jackie's missing."