"Beef stew's delicious, Erin," Frank said.
"Thanks, I got the recipe for Greg." Frank glanced over at the empty seat. Greg hadn't shown again. "I thought about getting it from the firehouse recipe book," Erin added, laughing. There had been a fight between a few firefighters and cops this past week. Getting them the front page news three days in a row.
"Very funny." He laughed, grateful for the break in the tension. "FDNY isn't at the top of my list right now, boy," Frank explained to his grandson's who hadn't heard about the incident.
"Okay, guys, no matter what you think of them, firemen are great cooks." Linda chimed in.
"That's cause they sit around all day."
"Isn't it funny how cops and firefighters hate each other," Jack said, looking at Frank.
"We don't exactly hate each other it's just that sometimes we disagree."
"You still working with that mentally ill woman." Linda asked, not wanting to talk about it anymore.
"Yeah, but it's not going well," Jamie said, shaking his head. Frank leaned forward. Something was bothering him.
"You can't save them all," Danny said, taking a bite. Jamie's eyes fell on Alison's chair.
"But we have to try."
Frank sat across from Jamie drinking a cup of coffee.
"I really wanted to help her." Jamie started. "So if part of this is on me…" The girl, Jamie, had been helping had died.
"No, it's not," Frank reassured him.
"What I do know is that there isn't enough training for situations like this." Frank nodded.
"We could do something about that, but how are you doing." The corner of his mouth twitched at the thought of Alison.
"I miss her, Dad." He rubbed his nose. "This is worse than last time. I know it changed her the first time; I can't imagine how it will change her this time. The mental taxing that has to be on her. I don't know if I could do it. If she is found alive, will she end up like this girl." Frank took a deep breath.
"She didn't last time we will be there with the proper help like the last time. It might take time, but she will come back." Frank's phone rang. He pulled it out, answering it. "Mac, what is it." Frank closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "I'll call Greg and meet you at the office." He hung the phone up. Jamie looked at him with anticipation.
"Good news." Frank took a deep breath fighting back the tears.
"No, it's not."
Greg stepped off the elevator on the floor that held Frank's office. He hadn't been to the office in a while. He walked up to Backer's desk. If he was honest, he hadn't seen the family much since Alison was taken. He tended to work on Sundays and swap shifts so he wouldn't run into Danny and Jamie. They just reminded him of what he lost.
"I got a call that the PC wanted to see me." Braker looked up, and there was a brief flash of sadness in her eyes before she hid it behind a smile.
"He's expecting you." She motioned him to walk into the office. Greg took a deep breath opening the door. He was greeted by Frank and Mac. Greg stopped short, his eyes jumping between the two of them.
"Greg, have a seat," Frank said, his voice full of emotions. Greg waited a moment before taking a seat.
"What is this about Commissioner," Greg said, holding his breath.
"It's Frank this time, Greg." Greg's heart dropped.
"You found her." He asked.
Frank looked at Mac, nodding to him explain.
"As of this morning, Alison's case is now considered inactive." Greg stood up, walking over toward the window, leaving his cane leaning against the desk.
"She's still out there. How can we leave her." Greg said, looking out over the city. Frank stood up, walking over to him.
"We are not leaving her out there," Frank said.
"Her file is going back in the stake," Greg said, looking back over at Mac.
"Yes, but she is going in everyone's stack. We will find her Sanders." Greg looked at Frank.
"But she might not be alive."
Alison opened her eyes. Her body was stiff from sleeping on the floor. A wave of nausea hit her—the pain proving too much. Alison crawled over to the toilet just in time to empty the content of her stomach. The heart monitor beeping as she went. When she was finished, she leaned up against the wall. She was dying. She looked down at her shackled legs. They were bleeding from where the medal had rubbed the skin off. She looked at the toilet before making her way back over to her spot. The small cement room had a single light that hung from the ceiling. The sores from laying on the ground had grown raw. How long had she been there? She didn't know. There was a banging on the door. Alison tensed, then a small tray slid under the door. He had decided to give her food this time. She looked down at her left hand were her ring had been. He had taken it before putting her in this room. Alison closed her eyes. Greg was going to find her, she was sure of it. He was out there looking for her right now. She just needed to hold out. She started nibbling on the food. She needed to keep her strength up. There was a double-tap on the door, and she returned the tray holding her breath. She had done what he wanted. The lock on the door clicked, and she scurried to the back of the room. The door opened, and He walked in. He brushed a strand of curly blonde hair out of his face.
"You didn't eat all of your food, my dear. That's not good for you." Alison didn't say anything. Nothing was going to stop him.
"A little birdy told me today that your file went back in the stack." Alison's heart dropped. "I have to say I would have thought that detective Taylor would have looked for you a little longer. Not to mention your own husband." He shook his head. "I guess he didn't care as much as I thought. Only willing to wait 3 weeks." He walked over to her grabbing her face. She pulled back but her head hitting it against the wall on accident. He laughed at her. "Alison, don't hurt yourself. I worked really hard to keep you from dying the last time. I mean having that man find you. Then getting you to the hospital alive. Now I finally get to finish our story together." he licked his lips.
"What would Greg think if he could see you know, my dear." Alison spat at him.
"Leave him out of this." He stood up, pulling out a scalpel.
"I will if you behave. I would hate for something to happen to his other knee." Alison closed her eyes as he grabbed her arm. "Now, let's have some fun."
