Chapter 38

Anna watched as Jagger pulled himself off the ground. "Did he work with Faison? Is Faison with them?"

Jagger shook his head. "Yes, he worked with Faison but Faison didn't escape – he's dead."

"Dead?" Anna couldn't believe it. "How?"

"Pancreatic cancer. Cesar Faison drew his last breath months ago and that was when Nikolas escaped. He managed to bribe a guard and snuck out in a secret compartment in the coffin. When his daughter came to pick up Faison's body she also took Nikolas with her." Jagger walked over to a still fuming Patrick. "All news about Faison's death and Nikolas's escape was suppressed because the WSB was embarrassed by the escape. That's why I asked Jack to keep an eye on your family – I couldn't tell you about Nikolas's escape but I could try and keep an eye on you."

"Well that worked out well didn't it?" Patrick practically spat the words out at Jagger. "Now my wife and brother are both missing, my children are in danger and Nikolas has all the leverage he needs to get Robin to do what he wants." Patrick leaned against the wall, burying his head in his hands.

Jagger knelt down next to him. "I know you hate me right now but we need to work together to find Robin and Matt and bring them home." He stood back up. "There is one other thing you all need to know – Matt wasn't taken just because he was with Robin. Matt was a target."

Patrick stood back up. "What do you mean a target?"

"Nikolas was working with a former colleague of yours, a Dr. Terrell Jackson. He had personal reasons for wanting to get revenge on Matt."

"Lisa." Awareness flooded over Patrick. "He wants to get revenge on Matt for Lisa's death."

"Yes. Jack mentioned to me that he was suspicious of the doctor so I had him investigated. It turns out that he worked with Anthony Zacchara years ago to bring Lisa out of her coma." Jagger walked over and stood by Jack. "Once Lisa died, Dr. Jackson went back to Texas and began plotting his revenge. He had two targets - you and Matt."

"And the kidnapping got us both. I lose Robin and Matt loses Tara and Rylee."

"We found some very interesting things at his apartment including letters from Nikolas and articles about Robin and Matt. He also had a shrine set up to Lisa Niles."

"Wait a second – what do you mean his apartment?" Mac was confused. "The police didn't know until right now that Dr. Jackson was involved."

"No but I had a suspicion. As soon as Jack told me Robin and Matt were missing I sent a team to Dr. Jackson's apartment, unofficially of course, and they found all sorts of interesting things. They are going through it all to see if there are any leads as to where they took Robin and Matt." Jagger sighed. "I really am sorry that I didn't tell you – I had hoped it wouldn't be necessary."

"Well it was." Patrick walked to the kitchen. "I need to check on my kids."

Nathan walked over to Jagger – he and Dante had been at the house from the moment they found out Robin was missing. "What do you mean Britt claimed the body? Britt has not had anything to do with Faison or her mother for years." Nathan's half sister Britt had started a new life with a good man in the Hamptons. They had two beautiful children and she had a thriving medical practice. She would never risk that for a man she couldn't even stand.

"Well, the guard said that Britta Westbourne picked up her father's coffin and the ID presented was for a Britta Westbourne." Jagger picked up his phone and made a call. "Could you please send me the security footage of Nikolas Cassadine's escape?"

"Patrick!" Jason came running through the door looking for his best friend. He ran to Robert and Anna. "Tell me that they are wrong."

"Unfortunately no – Nikolas has Robin and Matt." Anna felt the tears come to her eyes. "Why can't he leave her alone?"

Robert wrapped his arms around her. "We need to stop playing by the rules – Nikolas sure the hell isn't."

Jagger waved everyone over the computer. "Here is the footage, see if there is anything you notice that could help us."

Everyone watched as a coffin appeared on screen followed by a woman with a large brim black hat on covering her face. She followed the coffin closely for a few steps and then looked up, giving the camera a full view of her face. Nathan relaxed. "That's not my sister."

Jason, however, shook his head in disappointment. "No, it's mine."

"Knock knock." Emily gently knocked on the door before unlocking it and entering Robin's room. "It is so good to see you again."

"What are you doing here?" Emily had been in a private mental health facility for the past five years. Patrick and Robin had attempted to help undo some of the effects of Nikolas's brainwashing but it was too late – the Emily Quartermaine they had known was gone forever. Jason had placed in her the facility in hopes of at least keeping her away from Nikolas but it obviously hadn't worked.

"As opposed to the looney bin my brother shipped me off to?" A look of anger flashed across her face but Emily quickly pushed it back down. "Nikolas worked to free me so I could help him escape from Steinmauer and reunite with you."

"But I don't want to be with him – I want to be with Patrick and our children." Robin was hoping that somehow she could get through to Emily. "That is my family. Matt and I just want to go home to our families."

"So I know this isn't your first wedding but I still think you should wear white." Emily ignored Robin completely and set a stack of photos down on the bed. "These are your choices – Nikolas really outdid himself with the wedding preparations. You are going to love it!"

Robin sat down on the bed and shoved the photos aside. "Emily – I am married to Patrick."

"Now, I know I am only the maid of honor but I was really hoping you would let me pick out my own dress for the wedding." Emily picked up the photos and spread them out on the bed. "I was thinking a dark green or maybe a pale yellow – I mean it really is up to you."

Robin sighed. "Whatever you want will be fine Emily." There was no point in reasoning with the woman, she was too far gone.

Emily gave a squeal of excitement and hugged Robin close. "Thank you!" She pointed at one of the photos on the bed. "Now the great thing about this one is that you can wear it with a veil or flowers in your hair."

Robin shook her head and then just listened as Emily rattled off all the ideas she had for Robin and Nikolas's wedding.