************

Chapter 51

Steven Mayer had taken great lengths to not cause reason for suspicion from his neighbors in his quaint suburban neighborhood. This is why he waited until dark before backing his small blue truck up to his garage and unloaded the final supplies he needed to complete the project he had so diligently been working on.

Once he carried the last load into the house, he lit a cigarette and stared out into the still night. It had taken him longer than what he had originally planned to put everything in order but he was finally reaching the end of his destination, at least this stage of it.

He finished his menthol cigarette and proceeded to the dining room, moved the small table away from the wall and pulled back the brown rug, revealing the hidden door in the floor that led down to the basement. He had made the entrance after his now ex-wife had moved out. He had completely removed the entrance from the kitchen so no one would know there was a basement, making it much easier for him to conceal his secrets should anyone felt the need to nose around.

He persistently carried each load down the wooden stairs until everything he needed was in the basement. It was a small area but would do for what he was going to use it for. He had placed a twin mattress in the middle of the room and hammered steal hooks into the ground beside it. The hooks were a precaution and he hoped he wouldn't have to use them for too long to secure Allison to the area of the mattress but he knew it was going to take some time for her to adjust to her new living arrangements. Of course, the accommodations were only going to be temporary and would change once he felt it was safe and she wouldn't try to escape.

He had taken great pains to make sure she would be comfortable in her new surroundings. He had built shelves into the wall and filled them with books and magazines that he thought she would enjoy reading. In the corner, was a small table with a reading lamp and on the other side, there was a toilet and sink so she would have a bathroom. He made sure she had plenty of blankets and he even purchased a new pillow for her. However, he wasn't naïve about the situation and was prepared to discipline her if he needed to but hoped it wouldn't come to that.

He stepped back and looked around the small room, satisfied with the results. Now, all he needed was Allison and if everything goes as planned, she will be here with him in less than twenty four hours.

He glanced at his watch and saw it was after two a.m. Sunday morning. Suddenly, he felt exhausted and needed to get some sleep. He wanted to catch the early morning services at his church. He had a lot to be thankful for and believed it was necessary to thank his creator.

**********

It was Monday morning and Cameron was running late for work. Something she didn't do too often but she was tired from having to work through the weekend. Their young patient had taken a turn for the worse early Saturday morning resulting in her, Kutner and Remy to work through Sunday night. Taub conveniently never answered his pager or cell phone, so he wasn't there and Foreman was out of town. House didn't show up either but kept in contact by phone. They had worked around the clock trying to diagnose Emily Patterson but they were no closer to an answer than when she was first admitted. They had finally managed to stabilize her when Sunday night had rolled around, making it safe for them to go home and get some rest.

She had been relieved yet disappointed when House chose to stay away from the hospital and wondered if he had felt the same way. It would have been awkward to have faced him so soon after their little escapade in his office on Friday evening. Just the thought of it made her heart race. They had talked several times throughout the weekend regarding the patient and neither one had the courage to bring up what had transpired between them. However, there was a lot of silence on both ends of the phone when they had talked. She wanted to say something but what would she have said, she thought. It was her, after all, who chose to leave that night and not let him follow her home. She hated for making that decision but knew it was the right one. Her heart wasn't strong enough to just have casual sex and not feel anything for him. She had been sincere when she told him she thought it best to cut her losses now and wasn't that what he had said to her, more or less, just a week before? She thought. Who knew what he was thinking now. He could turn his feelings off and on like a water faucet and she couldn't operate that way, at least not where he was concerned. He did, however, keep tabs on her all weekend and even stayed on the phone with her while she drove home from the hospital Sunday night and was safe inside her apartment.

The distant ringing of her cell phone brought her back to the present. She picked it up and saw it was Wilson giving her his usual morning call.

"Morning Wilson." She said as she hurried through her apartment, looking for her keys.

"Hey Allison. Just checking in."

"I'm on my way out the door if I can find my car keys."

"You're running late. I figured I would catch you in your car."

"I know." She said with some agitation.

Wilson could tell she was trying to hurry. "Okay. I'll catch you at the hospital."

"Okay. See you there. Bye."

"Bye."

She stuffed her phone into her purse, found her keys on the kitchen counter and grabbed her heavier jacket as she headed out the door. The jacket was in case the weather forecast was correct and the spring snow storm that was predicted moved in later today.

As she was walking down the sidewalk, she waved at the police who were also doing their usual morning drive by. Detective Hodges had arranged for a patrol car to pass by her apartment every morning to make sure nothing looked unusual.

She hurried to her car, unlocked it, tossed her purse, bag and jacket on the passenger seat and proceeded to get in. Just as she was about to put her car into reverse, a tap on her window made her jump. She turned and was surprised to see who was standing outside her door. She gave him a smile as she rolled down her window.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" She asked curiously.

"Would you believe my car broke down across the street? I was just about to call someone when I saw you walking to your car. Thought I could bum a ride with you."

"Sure. Hop in." She said as she reached over and placed her things on the backseat.

She saw that he was standing outside her door, waiting for her to unlock it. She quickly hit the lock button. "Sorry."

"Not a problem. I really appreciate this."

"Your welcome. Do you live close by?" She asked as she situated herself again.

She suddenly felt a stinging in her right arm and turned to see what it was when she saw Steven Mayer holding a small syringe.

"Ste..ven. Wha..at are…" It didn't take long for darkness to consume Cameron, causing her to slump over sideways in her seat.

"Don't worry my sweet Allison. I only put you asleep for a little while." He said softly and laid her on the seat so no one would see.

He jumped out and ran across the street to retrieve the rental car he had picked up this morning and pulled in next to Cameron's car on the driver's side. He studied his surroundings carefully, making sure no one was watching before he exited his car and quickly removed Cameron from hers, laying her down in the back seat of the rental. He then shut her door and got back into his car and drove away. He glanced back at a sleeping Cameron, amazed at how easily it had been. He didn't have to be at the hospital until ten, giving him ample time to get Cameron situated in her new surroundings before he had to leave her. He turned on his radio, listening to a catchy little tune as he drove to his destination.

**********

House walked into his office around ten. He could hear raised voices coming from the other room and saw his team having what looked like a heated discussion. This of course peaked his curiosity, so he quickly discarded his bag and leather jacket and headed into the next room. He immediately noted that Cameron wasn't among the other's but figured she was probably checking on the patient or running an errand. He caught the last part of the conversation as he made his way to the coffee pot.

"It doesn't matter Taub. You should have called in." Thirteen said with agitation.

As House retrieved his coffee, he knew what the discussion was about. He turned and leaned against the counter and took a sip of coffee, wrinkling his nose. "Who made the coffee?" He mumbled, knowing it wasn't Cameron's coffee.

The four doctors didn't hear him and continued with their discussion.

"Dr. Taub." House butted in.

Taub turned slightly in his chair to face his boss, ready to defend his excuse for why he didn't work with his colleagues through the weekend.

"Why didn't we hear from you this weekend?"

"Family issues and I didn't have my pager with me."

"And your cell phone?" House asked.

"It was with me but it wasn't a really good time for me to talk." Taub answered with arrogance.

House cocked his head to the side and gave Taub a smirk. "Maybe this career choice isn't the right one for you. Should there be a next time, don't bother showing up at all."

"Can I explain?" Taub insisted.

"Why explain now? You could have explained over the weekend. No one wants to hear it now and I especially don't give a rats ass." He said bluntly, ending the conversation. "How is our patient?"

"The same. She's still on the respirator." Kutner answered.

"Have we heard from her family?"

"Her parents will be here this morning. She's deteriorating fast." Thirteen said.

"Then why are you sitting here discussing why stupid didn't call in this weekend. Get to work." House said sternly.

They all jumped up and were heading for the door when it dawned on him that Cameron hadn't shown up yet. "Hey! Where's Cameron?"

They all glanced at one another, shrugging their shoulders.

"We haven't seen her." Foreman said.

The hair started to stand on the back of House's neck. "What do you mean you haven't seen her? Did she call?"

"No. I figured she probably called you." Foreman added, wondering why House was suddenly concerned about Cameron.

"I haven't talked to her since last night." He mumbled as he sat his cup down on the table and hurried across the hall to Wilson's office.

The other's followed out of curiosity.

House didn't bother to knock as he burst into Wilson's office.

Wilson looked up and sighed heavily when he saw who it was that had so rudely walked in. "Do you mind? I'm with a patient." He said as he pointed to the attractive lady sitting in front of his desk.

House could care less about Wilson's patient. "Have you talked to Cameron today?"

Wilson instantly tensed. "Yes. This morning around seven thirty. Why?"

"Because she's not here." House said, his fear increasing.

"That doesn't make sense. She was leaving her apartment when I talked to her." Wilson was standing now.

House abruptly walked out of Wilson's office, pulled out his cell phone and dialed Cameron's number.

Wilson followed. "House." Wilson knew he was trying to do the impossible and read House's mind.

House ignored Wilson as he listened to the ringing on the other end. After the fifth ring, it went to Cameron's voice mail. "Damn it." He turned to Wilson. "Meet me in Cuddy's office."

"I'll be right there." Wilson answered and watched his friend practically skip to the elevators.

Wilson quickly returned to his office and explained to his patient that they would need to reschedule due to an emergency.

"What's wrong?" Foreman asked with urgency.

Wilson looked up to find Foreman and the other three standing in his doorway with concerned looks on their faces. He stared seriously at them. "We think Cameron may be missing."

"What are you talking about?" Foreman asked as he tried to understand what Wilson was saying.

Wilson took a few minutes and brought them up to speed about what had been going on. "I don't have time to tell you everything. I need to get to Cuddy's."

Foreman nodded and watched as Wilson headed to the elevators, still stunned by what he had just learned. Just then, four pagers began to go off at the same time, letting the team know that their patient was in trouble.

**********

Lisa had just sat down at her desk with a cup of hot tea and a bagel when House swung open her door, startling her. She rolled her eyes. "House. It would be nice if you would knock." She said but her tone instantly changed when she saw the look on his face. "What's wrong?" She asked, standing up.

"Cameron's missing."

"Oh God. How do you know?"

"Wilson talked to her at seven thirty this morning and she was on her way here. It's ten thirty and no one has seen her."

"Have you tried calling her?"

House gave her a stupid look.

"Of course you have." She answered for him.

House started to pace back and forth in front of Lisa's desk. "I'm going to her apartment."

"Okay." She said, knowing she wouldn't be able to talk him out of it. "Take Wilson with you. I will call Detective Hodges."

House nodded and turned just as Wilson walked in.

"I'll drive." Wilson said knowing it best to not let House go alone.

On the way out, Wilson looked at Cuddy, both knowing the situation was not good.

**********

Neither House nor Wilson said much on the drive to Cameron's apartment which was twenty five minutes away. Even though it was a short drive, it was the longest twenty five minutes of House's life. He couldn't remember if he had ever been so afraid of the unknown. On one hand, he was scared of what he might find and also scared of what he may not find. Either way, it was burning a hole in his chest.

Wilson looked over at House and saw the the perplexed lines etched into House's face. Sensing what he may be thinking, he tried to reassure him. "She's okay House."

"We don't know that." House said barely above a whisper.

Wilson knew that there wasn't anything he could say right now that would console his friend. So, he decided it would be best to just keep quiet.

Ten minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot of Cameron's apartment complex.

"There's her car." House pointed.

Wilson pulled up beside her jeep and House jumped out before Wilson could put the car in park.

House made sure not to touch anything but looked through the windows. What he found, sent a chill down his back. "Her purse and jacket are in here."

Wilson saw the look on House's face. "I'll knock on her door. Maybe she ran back in for something and she's still here." He said, still trying to think positive.

House ran his hand through his hair. "C'mon Cameron. Where are you?" He said out loud and decided to try her cell phone again. As he waited for her to answer, he could hear a faint ringing inside of Cameron's jeep. This only sunk his hope further.

Wilson joined him. "She didn't answer and her door is locked."

"Her cell phone is in her car." House told him. "Where the hell is that damn detective?"

"I'll call Cuddy." Wilson said and dialed Cuddy's number.

Fifteen minutes later, a patrol car and Detective Hodges pulled up to where Wilson and House were standing.

"It's about damn time." House said walking towards Hodge's car.

The two policemen walked over to Cameron's car and carefully looked around and underneath it.

House stood back and watched helplessly.

"We have a finger print crew coming out. Did either of you touch her car or rode in it recently?" Hodges asked.

"No." Wilson answered.

"I have." House said quietly.

"We will need your fingerprints to exclude you."

"Her things are in there, including her cell phone." House added.

"Do either of you have a key to her apartment?"

They both shook their heads no. "Okay. We'll get the manager to let us in. Doctor Cuddy said you talked to her this morning?" He asked Wilson as they made their way to the manager's office.

"Yeah. At seven thirty." Wilson answered.

"I checked with the officer who drove by here this morning and he said that it was around seven thirty when he saw her walking to her car. Did she sound normal when you talked to her?"

"Yes. Other than being agitated because she was running late."

House and Wilson stood outside while Hodges retrieved the manager and then they all proceeded to Cameron's apartment.

"I want the two of you to wait in the hall while I check out her apartment first."

"Why?" Wilson stupidly asked.

Hodges glanced over at Wilson. "Because I don't know what I'm going to find in there."

House stopped walking as Hodges words sunk in.

Realizing House was not walking with them, Hodges, Wilson and the manager turned to see where House was at. "You coming Dr. House?" Hodges asked.

House nodded and started walking again. He and Wilson waited impatiently in the hall why Detective Hodges checked out Cameron's apartment. A few minutes later, Hodges opened the door and told them they could go in.

"It doesn't appear that anything is out of order. Why don't the two of you take a look around and tell me if anything looks out of place or if something is missing."

They both nodded and Wilson stayed in the living room area while House headed to bedroom.

He carefully pushed the door open and looked around the room, remembering just recently how he had held her through the night in that very bed. He shook his head of the thought and continued looking for anything unusual but it all looked normal to him. Her bed was made with her pajamas neatly tossed on the end and everything was in place in her bathroom. Nothing indicating that anything was wrong. He stepped back into the living room. "Looks okay in there." He told Detective Hodges.

Wilson could tell this was bothering House. "You okay?" He whispered to House.

House only looked at him.

Detective Hodges could feel the weight of the silence in the room. He looked at the two men standing in front of him. "I know you want to help but the best thing you can do right now is to go back to the hospital and wait to see if Dr. Cameron calls. You might remember something that happened that may not have seemed important but maybe it does now."

"So basically, what you're saying is you don't have shit to go on." House said bluntly.

Detective Hodges had been doing this for a very long time and was use to the anger and hopelessness that was expressed by the victims and their family. He stepped closer to House and stared him straight in the eyes. "We don't know what we have yet, Dr. House. Someone may have seen Dr. Cameron talking to someone or seen someone around her car. This is different than when Christy Sumner was killed. We have more possibilities with this situation. We aren't even sure if Dr. Cameron is missing."

"She's missing. Cameron wouldn't just leaver without telling someone."

"He's right detective. The last thing Cameron would do is worry the people she cares about." Wilson added, stepping closer.

"I have been doing this for a very long time and I can assure you, there are always mistakes made by the perpetrator. We just have to find them."

"But will you find them in time?" House knew he was asking questions that couldn't really be answered.

"We know this guy is infatuated by Dr. Cameron. She means more to him than just a random victim. Because of that, I really believe he has plans for her and it's not to kill her or even hurt her. So, in that aspect, we are lucky. We just have to find the answers and I am going to be working around the clock to do that."

House hated more than anything to not be in control but as he listened to Hodges, he believed that the detective was being sincere and was going to do everything in his power to find Cameron. He nodded at the detective.

Hodges reached out and shook House's hand. "I will keep you abreast with everything I find."

"Thanks." Wilson said and followed House out the door.