Kimberly knocked on her own front door hoping Shane would hear and let her in. After waiting a few moments without any sound of footsteps, Kimberly once again fumbled with her keys, struggling to open the deadbolt locks on the front door. The neighborhood was extremely safe but Shane, always way too security-minded, insisted on multiple locks. He had even added a new one soon after they returned home from New York. Kimberly knew it was his ISA training that caused this extreme cautiousness. Maybe Shane wasn't in the ISA anymore but once an ISA agent, always an ISA agent, Kimberly concluded. Finally, after much jangling, Kimberly succeeded in opening the door. Shutting it behind her, she leaned back and sighed, hardly surprised by what she found. As she expected, Shane was nowhere in sight but from the faint sounds emanating from down the hall, Kim knew that he had once again shut himself away in his study.
For the past month, since Shane had agreed with Kim that they should postpone, or rather eliminate all talk of marriage, Shane had kept to his study, working from early morning to bedtime. Kimberly would lay awake at night waiting for Shane to crawl into bed next to her, aching for his arms to hold her. The few times they had made love since the aborted marriage proposal, Kim had sensed a distance between them. It was as if Shane was holding back, intent on keeping his emotions locked away. She knew this guarded reserve of his all too well, a protective shell he would hide behind like an armor meant to shield him from pain, and it scared her. At first, she had casually suggested he was avoiding her, hoping her teasing tone would mask her real concern. But Shane simply reassured her he was only working on the unsolved cases Bo had given him and promised he would try not to get too overly preoccupied with them. For a few days it seemed to work. Shane would be attentive and Kim would have a glimmer of how their life together had been before Shane's marriage proposal. But then Shane would start spending more time in his study and before long he would again disappear in his study for hours, his words becoming empty assurances as the distance between them seemed to grow, the wall dividing them becoming impenetrable.
That was the reason why Kim had arranged to meet with her brother earlier that morning. Kim needed to find out, first hand, exactly what Shane was working on and why it was consuming so much of his time. Now, coming home from her morning breakfast with him, Kim was more confused than ever, no longer convinced by Shane's excuses. She remembered Bo's exact words clearly.
"Kim, he took a few cases that we haven't been able to make any leeway on, that's all. But nothing should be taking up that much of his time. You say he's holed up in his study all day." Bo looked at his sister skeptically.
"Don't give me that look," Kim shot back. "From the crack of dawn he's in that study, working on his laptop. He doesn't break for lunch and rarely for dinner. I tell you, if he still had his ISA communications room, I'd never see him."
Bo could hear the frustration in his sister's voice. "I don't know what to tell you Kim. I gave him a few cases, that's it. None of them should demand that much time and attention. Are you sure there is nothing else that could be preoccupying him?"
Kim stared at her brother and without answering him, remembered Shane's marriage proposal and thought to herself, "No, I'm not sure at all."
That thought kept reverberating in her mind as she drove home. But now, after her talk with Bo, Kim finally found the resolve she needed to confront Shane. Before she had been too scared to challenge him, fearful it would open old wounds that were better left untouched. So rather than risk the pain, she reluctantly accepted the distance that was building between them, keeping them apart in their own home. But no more. Returning home, Kim was now more determined than ever to discover exactly what was driving Shane to stay in his study for so long. Maybe Shane was using the unsolved cases as a way to avoid her but he was going to have to face up to it, admit to it because Kim wasn't going to accept his excuses any longer. Tossing the keys on the front table, Kim turned and headed for Shane's study.
Deep in thought, Shane stared intently at the screen on his laptop studying the latest file ISA headquarters had sent him that morning. Upon hearing Kim's footsteps coming down the hall, Shane quickly closed the page with it disappearing just as Kim walked into the study.
She caught sight of the screen going black and for a moment was curious as to all the secrecy. Then Shane looked up and gave her the most disarming smile. For a moment Kim forgot her resolve, getting lost in his soft green eyes. But then she remembered what Bo had said. Kim was not going to be deterred from confronting Shane about all the time he spent locked away in his study, even if he gave her the most radiant smile, with his eyes crinkling at the corners just the way she liked. She walked slowly across the room and leaned forward on Shane's desk, meeting his gaze.
"So, how was your breakfast with Bo?"
"It was nice. He asked how you were coming along on the unsolved cases," Kim lied.
"Well, I am making some progress." Shane was glad he had taken the time to meet with Bo and get a stack of cases to work on. He had barely glanced at them but having those cases in his possession did give him an excuse every time Kim questioned the long hours he spent in his study. Shane hated lying to Kim but he needed the time to read and analyze the daily reports the ISA sent him on Drew's whereabouts. And this latest report detailing a new sighting was very disconcerting.
Kim held Shane's gaze as she cautiously proceeded with her next question. "You know, Bo was surprised how much time you were spending on these cases. Do you think they really require this much attention?"
Shane dropped the pencil he was holding and stepped around his desk towards Kim. "Now, now, I don't want to cast aspersions on your brother," he said as he put his hands on Kim's shoulders, hoping to once again reassure her with his excuses. "But remember Kim, these have been unsolved cases under his watch. I'm ISA trained," he continued, "and that means I may take a little longer, give a bit more attention to these cases. After all, I want to solve them." He hoped his earnestness would quell any lingering doubts Kim still held.
Shane pulled Kim into a hug and she sank willingly into his arms. She relished the feelings of their bodies so close together. It had been so many days since they had been close and Kim missed it terribly. Maybe it was just as Shane said … he was simply putting all his ISA training into solving these cases and his excessive time in his study had nothing to do with the aborted marriage proposal. She desperately wanted to believe that.
Shane held Kim close breathing in her intoxicating scent. For a moment he forgot all about Drew and the danger he posed. He only thought about how much he wished to be with Kim and how long it had been since they made love. Now all he wanted to do was carry Kim upstairs to bed and make love to her all day. But that wasn't possible. Not with Drew out there especially in light of the latest report.
Shane closed his eyes before gentling releasing Kim from his embrace. Surprised, Kim looked up at Shane questioningly, not sure what to say. The walls were once again coming up between them and Kim had no idea what she could do to stop it. Maybe news of a visitor would help, Kim thought.
"I got a call from Jonathan today. He has some business in Cleveland on Thursday and thought he'd stop here on his way. His flight comes in tomorrow morning."
Shane walked back around his desk and settled himself into his chair. Jonathan's visit was the exact opportunity he was waiting for and it couldn't have come at a better time. Shane needed to go out of town to check on this latest ISA report and he absolutely didn't want Kim coming with. Jonathan's visit provided the perfect excuse. "Darling, I need to go to Toronto tomorrow. Some family business."
"Oh." Kim couldn't hide the disappointment in her voice. "I'll call Jonathan back and tell him it won't work. Then I can come with you."
"That's nonsense," Shane quickly replied. "You've always wanted Jonathan to visit Salem."
"I know but he can visit another time," Kim reasoned and then for good measure, added, "besides, I miss you when we're not together."
"I miss you too but I'll only be gone one day. It makes absolutely no sense for you to come along and even less sense for you to cancel Jonathan's visit."
"But ..," Kim started to argue.
"No, I won't hear of it," Shane firmly interrupted, determined that Kim would not come along. "When I get back, we'll all have dinner together before he leaves. Sound good?"
"Sure, that's fine. We'll have dinner when you get back," Kim reluctantly agreed but wondered why Shane was so adamant about going out-of-town on his own.
Toronto, Next Morning
Shane drove through the unfamiliar streets of North Toronto, far from the fashionable lakeshore neighborhoods. The flight up from Salem had been a bit bumpy caused by one last push of cold air meeting the warm spring weather that had already settled over the city. But Shane hardly noticed the turbulence. He was totally engrossed in the latest report on Drew from ISA headquarters. He could only imagine one reason, or rather one person, that could bring him to Toronto. And it was the very same reason Shane had avoided this city. It had been some time – almost five years – since Shane's last visit so he wasn't quite sure what kind of reception to expect.
As he left the outskirts of downtown and drove through the northeastern fringe of the city, Shane noticed the finely manicured streets and luxurious highrises gave way to renovated duplexes and fourplexes. But they were still mixed with a good number of rundown buildings. Shane remembered the realtor, with his slicked-back hair and over confident grin, reassuring him how this neighborhood, with its close proximity to downtown and the highways, would be undergoing a revitalization with the city definitely pumping money into the area. But as Shane drove further from downtown, the streets and houses became decidedly shabbier, with very few renovations dotting the landscape. Most homes and buildings in this part of town still sported peeling paint and broken screens, with overflowing trash cans sloppily placed near driveways crowded with rusted cars and old pickup trucks. This was a neighborhood whose promised renaissance still had not come.
Following the directions from the GPS mounted on the dashboard, Shane drove down a dead-end street that ran alongside the highway. The large sound barrier wall cast a dark menacing shadow that ran the entire length of the block and barely succeeded in deafening the constant whirring of cars and honking of horns in the background. Shaking his head in genuine sorrow, Shane parked his rental in front of a fourplex which, like the other buildings on the block, had its share of peeling paint. This one, too, sported a broken window still waiting to be boarded over.
Shane slowly walked up the cracked sidewalk. The sole patch of grass, desperately in need of a mowing, was a tangle of weeds and dandelions. Standing on the stoop, he paused a moment before reaching for the buzzer marked Caretaker. He took a deep breath as he heard a mix of shrieking cats and footsteps lumbering to the door.
The door opened and there she stood, the daughter he hadn't seen in almost five years, not since the realtors office when he bought this building for her. He remembered Eve, all giddy and happy, repeatedly promising that now with this building to take care of, she would finally get her life together. Shane, though doleful and pessimistic, was still willing to try anything to help his daughter get her life back on track. Yet in those five years, Shane had only heard from Eve a few times, usually phone calls requesting money to fix the place. But now looking at its appearance, Shane had other ideas as to what she had actually used the money for. Certainly not the upkeep on this building.
Standing at the door, staring at his daughter, Shane silently chastised himself. He knew he should have called Eve more often, but the few conversations they had always ended in an argument. Eve wanted more from Shane than he could ever provide. He finally saw her neediness for him bordered on obsession and realized it was best if he kept his distance. He knew he would always provide for her financially, even buy a rundown building that he doubted she could maintain if that was what she wanted, but he couldn't give anymore of himself to her. It saddened him immensely but deep down he knew keeping his distance from her was best for both of them.
From the expression on Eve's face when she opened the door, it was obvious she was no happier to see Shane than Shane was to be there. She stood in the doorway holding the black cat, her once long blonde hair cut short and dyed a much too-brassy red. Her eyes, always her most striking feature, were now sunken and heavy lidded, as if permanently shadowed from years of drinking and drugs.
"Well, well, well," Eve said shaking her head. "It's been a long time."
"Yes, it has Eve. Probably too long." Shane hoped his conciliatory words would lead to a friendly visit.
"Come to check on your investment?" Eve asked, her question laced with sarcasm.
Shane breathed in deeply, uncomfortable under her angry glare. "No, I've come to check on you and to ask a few questions. Can I come in?"
"Sure. After all, you own the place," Eve shrugged as she stepped aside.
The inside of the apartment was no better than the outside. The new furniture Shane had bought five years earlier was haphazardly placed around the living room and buried under old newspapers, with dirty dishes strewn about. Adding to the mess were the three cats Eve owned, their litter box casting a decidedly noxious scent about the apartment.
Eve cleared a place on the sofa for her father but Shane declined. Considering the cold reception, Shane had no intention to stay long. He just wanted to ask his questions and leave.
Shane decided to skip the small talk, hoping to catch Eve off guard. "Have you seen Drew?" he abruptly asked.
The cat sprang from her arms. "Uncle Drew? He's alive?" Eve seemed genuinely shocked.
"So it seems."
"He's alive. I can't believe it. After all these years." Shane searched Eve's face, trying to discern if she already was aware that Drew was alive, looking for the slightest sign. For the moment, though, she seemed surprised but Eve was a good actress, that much Shane knew.
"I can't believe it. I just can't believe it," she kept repeating, shaking her head. "How long have you known?"
"Not very long."
"Wow. And you think he's here in Toronto?"
"No, not necessarily," Shane lied. He didn't want to disclose too much to Eve, in case she had indeed been in contact with Drew. The latest ISA file had definitely reported that Drew had come to Toronto. Whether he had made the effort to contact Eve, Shane did not know. What was unsettling in the report was that Drew had transferred a considerable amount of money from an offshore bank in the Cayman Islands to a bank in Toronto. It made no sense to openly transfer money to a public bank. It was a brazen act but so like Drew. Shane knew his brother well enough to suspect the transfer of funds was really a message to him. It was Drew's way of telling Shane that he knew he was being followed. Choosing Toronto, Eve's current home, simply muddled the message. Was Eve a participant in Drew's hiding or simply a diversion in his game of cat-and-mouse, Shane wondered. But what Shane did know was that a hunted Drew was a dangerous Drew.
"I just thought maybe he would try to see you, rather than me. You two had been close." Shane once again searched her face for some sign of recognition, something that would give her away as an accomplice to Drew's hiding.
"Well he hasn't," Eve answered, once more taking on a curt tone. "But I'm glad you came all this way to check."
Shane's eyes softened. He didn't want to fight with his daughter. "Maybe I will sit down and we can visit for a bit," Shane offered as he took a seat on the cluttered sofa.
Visibly surprised by Shane's gesture, Eve took a seat in the chair opposite him. For a moment they both sat staring at each other before Shane broke the silence. "So how have you been?"
"I've been fine," she answered guardedly. "I've been working a little, singing at a small club downtown. That kind of distracts me, though, from working on this place."
Shane smiled at her understatement. "I can see that."
"I hear you're back with Kimberly." Eve was eager to deflect the conversation away from her. She noted Shane's surprised expression and explained, "Every now and then, I hear from Andrew."
"Yes, we are back together." Shane didn't know why but it made him uncomfortable that Eve knew about him and Kim. Most likely guilt. Looking around the unkempt apartment and seeing Eve looking so tired and old, saddened Shane. He wished he had been a better father to her … to all his children. But he had too often lost his perspective. Too many times let other things take priority. Yet in spite of his absences, Andrew and Jeannie had turned out all right. Better than all right. As a matter-of-fact, they were responsible, well-rounded individuals. Shane knew the difference was Kim. Where he had always provided uncertainty in their lives, Kim in turn, had been the steadying force always providing loving support and guidance to them. She had wanted to provide that same support and guidance to Eve. But Eve repeatedly resisted and without intending, Shane knew he actually enabled Eve to resist Kim's attempts to help. Things could have been different, Shane thought. Things should have been different.
"Well, that's nice." Eve tried to hide her bitterness.
Shane was now uncomfortable with the direction of their conversation and decided it was a good time to leave. "I should be going. I do have a flight to catch soon."
"Oh, ok," Eve said with a hint of sadness. Despite everything, she still loved her father deeply and craved his attention. "Wait, I got a notice from the city about this building and I'm not sure what to do with it. I was going to contact a lawyer but … It's somewhere in my bedroom. If you can wait?"
"Sure, go get it." Shane was glad to be able to help his daughter, even if it was in a small way.
Eve left the room and while she was gone, Shane started milling about the room, absent-mindedly lifting old newspapers and magazines. Suddenly his eyes were drawn to an opened letter lying in a corner of the sofa. Shane reached for it, stunned by the familiar letterhead. But just as he was about to read it, Eve re-entered the room. Dropping the letter, Shane turned swiftly on his heels hoping Eve wouldn't notice where his attention had been.
"Here it is," Eve handed Shane the official looking notice she had gone searching for. "I have no idea what it means."
"I'll look into it for you." Shane quickly perused the notice before tucking it into his jacket pocket. He turned to Eve and smiled, hoping to hide his anxiousness. "Well, I'd better get going," Shane said as he headed to the door. After seeing the letter buried on the sofa, Shane was now more eager than ever to leave.
Eve walked him to the front stoop. They stood for a moment looking at each other and then Shane leaned down and awkwardly kissed his daughter on the cheek. "I'll keep in touch. Let's not let so much time go by again."
Eve nodded as she watched her father drive down the street and turn the corner. Returning to her apartment, she immediately went to her cell phone and dialed. "He was here, just as you predicted."
Driving through the streets of Toronto, Shane thought back on his visit with Eve. He still had no idea whether she had been in contact with Drew. But now what concerned him more was that letter he had seen on the sofa. Although he didn't have a chance to read it, the letterhead on it was unmistakable. And it led right back to Salem.