Director Vance approached the podium as reporters shouted and clamored to have their questions answered.
"As many of you know, I am NCIS Director Leon Vance," Leon said, "Earlier today a team of our agents, along with agents from the FBI, WSB, and Metro participated in an operation which resulted in the rescue of 35 girls who been abducted. We believe they were abducted by the Esoterra cartel for the purpose of selling them into slavery. NCIS became involved in this case when multiple murdered marine and navy officers were found to have been involved in smuggling girls into and across the country. Today marks the first time, we have been successful in rescuing some of these girls."
Leon continued to discuss some of the history of the case before acknowledging Kellie's role in the operation.
"Crossing Into Dawn, a non-profit organization that specializes in rescuing victims of human trafficking, also assisted law enforcement with this operation," Leon said, "I'd like to turn the microphone over to the executive director and founder, Kellie Scott."
The reporters began shouting questions as Kellie rarely appeared at press conferences or gave interviews.
"I and my colleagues at the foundation are relieved that tonight 35 girls will sleep a little more soundly tonight," Kellie said, "While they have a long road ahead of them, the foundation's work is not done helping these girls recover from the ordeal. But this is not the reason I'm speaking before you today."
Kellie paused to take a breathe.
"Many of you may be wondering why I've stayed in D.C. these last few days when my own daughter is now missing," Kellie said, "Prior to my daughter's disappearance I had heard that there may be people out there that think they can threaten me and my children in an attempt to curtail the foundation's activities. My team and I had been in the process of attempting to determine the validity of those threats and what steps we might need to take to protect the foundation. When my daughter went missing, we couldn't be sure that my immediate return wouldn't trigger an action for those threats to become reality. As we've attempted to learn more, the question has come up if I myself could be a liability to the foundation, especially as we have seen in an increase in the threats directed towards my family. As much as I wish it weren't so, the question has validity. If I'm being honest with myself, my husband's illness and subsequent death along with with being thrust into the role of a single parent, has kept my attention off the day to day duties I would normally fill as the executive director. My uncle and father-in-law have handling those duties for me for much of the last couple years. The foundation needs to continue to do the work it does, providing resources for foster kids, victims of abuse and human trafficking. In order to ensure it can continue to do that with no threat of outside interference, I am announcing my resignation as the executive director effective immediately."
The reporters and crowded clamored, shouting more questions. Kellie couldn't get another word in.
Lorenzo and one of the foundation board members, Larisa, came out from the sides. Larisa hugged Kellie before Lorenzo escorted her away from the podium.
"My name is Larisa Adkins," Larisa said addressing the crowd, "I'm the board president of Crossing Into Dawn. I and the rest of the board want to extend our appreciation to Kellie. She had an idea and she ran with it. Eight years later, the number of people that have had their lives changed thanks to Kellie's generous heart and determination still astound me. As the board makes plans to search for a new executive director, Charles Scott and Lorenzo Alcazar will continue handling those duties, along with Arnold Jenkins our board vice president. Kellie will continue to be apart of the foundations as part of our rescue operations. We get many requests for her each year for her to consult with law enforcement agencies across the country on cases. Requests that she will be more available to fulfill while allowing her the flexibility she needs to be with her children. Before we forget, Kellie's own daughter is still missing even as we've been a part of this incredible rescue today. We hope she comes home soon."
Larisa moved away from the podium and Leon stepped forward to address the press once again.
"Do you have anything to say about Kellie's resignation?" One reporter yelled.
"Is the disappearance of Alyssa Scott related to this rescue operation?" Another yelled, "And the Esoterra Cartel?"
"The Port Charles Police Department is investigating all possible leads," Leon said, "We have no definite knowledge or leads we can share at this time. The important thing to remember is a little girl is still missing. Your packets should include information on Alyssa's description and last known whereabout and a tip line to contact. We're asking you to help spread the word to help find her. If you know anything, please contact the Port Charles Police Department at the tip line listed in the packets. Our press secretary will answer any further questions."
Leon left the podium.
Meanwhile Lorenzo had escorted Kellie away from the crowd to more secure area.
"When you did you get here?" Kellie asked.
"In time for the press conference," Lorenzo said, "I would have been here sooner if I could. You can't really just make a foundation announcement like that with out a few of us around."
"I assume there's nothing new on Alyssa yet," Kellie said.
"No," Lorenzo said, hugging Kellie, "I know that wasn't easy standing up there. I wish there could have been another way."
"She did good," Dante said, joining them, "Although you could warned me you planning to resign. Which why did you do that?"
"The board would have asked me to resign as it was," Kellie said, "The threats and the possibility that someone would try to get me to do illegal things using the foundation. They can't be ignored."
"So you go out on your own terms," Dante said, "As best you can. Come here."
Dante gently pulled Kellie towards him and wrapped her in a bear hug, "I don't know how. But we're going to fix this. We'll find my tenacious niece."
"She is so grounded after I hug her to death," Kellie said.
"Hopefully she'll have learned her lesson about taking off on her own," Dante said, "Are you headed home now?
"I've got one more thing left to do," Kellie said, "Did you and Diane get a location, Uncle Lo?"
"It's a church used strictly for weddings and events," Lorenzo said.
"Seriously," Kellie said, "I said no churches."
"We were limited on such short notice," Lorenzo said, "The only people you know here are law enforcement and federal agents who can't exactly open up their home for this type of thing and have it known publicly."
"Never mind that Jimmy is a federal employee," Kellie said.
"That can be overlooked," Lorenzo said, "Since he is lower on the totem pole in the federal bureaucracy."
"What do you need a church for?" Dante asked.
"I don't need a church specifically," Kellie said, "What about the tarmac at the airport?"
"No," Lorenzo said, "If the families ask questions or for photos, the ceremony needs to look somewhat like a real ceremony even if it is short notice."
"Wait, ceremony?" Dante said, "Please don't tell me you're doing what I think you're going to do."
"Probably," Kellie said, "If you don't like it tough."
"I can't believe you're letting her do this," Dante said to Alcazar.
"No one is thrilled about this," Lorenzo said, "But it's better than Kellie being forced into a marriage with one of the families."
"I'm doing what I need to to do protect my family and go home to my kids safely," Kellie said, "You don't have to agree with me, but I need you support me, Dante."
Dante stood speechless at first. He pulled Kellie into another hug.
"I've always got your back, little sister," Dante said, "If this is what you need to do, I'm with you. I guess we have to get you to the church."
Kellie stepped back and look at Lorenzo, "I guess I don't have a choice about that. As long as the church doesn't blow up this time."
As they walked away, Dante asked Lorenzo, "What was she talking about when she said she hoped the church doesn't blow up this time?"
"Her first wedding to Tyler was in a church to get information from a priest on Molly and Danny's whereabouts," Lorenzo said, "Helena showed up and my brother blew up the church."
Port Charles
Raul threw the paper weight on his desk at the computer screen.
"Temper, temper," Garrett said.
"We were banking on those supply lines Crossing Into Dawn has access to," Raul said, "Not mention repurposing the foundation for our uses. Now she's removed her access of her own accord."
"I'm sure with the right incentives," Garrett said, "She can get it back."
"That mean holding your buyer off indefinitely," Raul said.
"You won't need Alyssa, not with the two boys still around," Garrett said as his phone rang.
Garrett answered the phone. As the caller talked, Garrett became very angry. He hung up the. phone.
"You moved her," he yelled.
"Moved who?" Raul asked.
"Kellie's brat," Garrett said, "My men stopped by the house and she was gone."
"I can assure you I haven't moved the brat," Raul said, "And neither did Tonio. Though I'm curious, you were satisfied with the men I provided. Why would your men be dropping by?"
"To check on my investment and ensure it's safe," Garrett said.
"Excuse me while I call my men to see what happened," Raul said, seemingly outraged.
"Your men apparently had no clue she disappeared," Garrett said.
"It sounds like I'll be letting go of a few people," Raul said, "I'm sure you can see yourself out."
Garrett left angrily slamming the door behind him.
Raul made a call.
"Has she been moved?" He asked.
"As promised," Tonio said, "She should be settling in to her new spot."
"Good," Raul said, "Garrett sent men out to the original holding place. He's on the warpath."
"He won't find her this time," Tonio said, "Not until we let him."