"Do you think that he knows? That they waited for us to leave," Caroline trailed off. "Oh God, are they going to kill us too?"

"Ssh. Stay calm, and keep driving," Max replied, willing herself to stay the same way, as she scribbled the information down. "License is 405-FRK, Massachusetts plates."

"What are you doing?"

"Don't worry about it," she replied grabbing her phone, and forcing herself to think like a cop and not like a shattered mom. "Turn here, and see if they stay with us."

She jerked the car to the right, and cringed a bit when the tires squealed. "It's still there."

"Take the next left," Max added, glancing up. "Caro . . . I didn't mean to get you into this mess. That's why Kenny and I said what we said last night. We didn't want anyone else dragged into this."

"Don't apologize. I was the one who wanted to play detective," Caro replied, with a wry smile. "And I'm glad you two are still together. How about another right?"

"Go for it," Max replied, seeing the black car had gotten closer. "Head for the highway, while I see if I can get an id on this car that is stalking us."

Caroline fell silent, as Max punched the buttons on her phone with a hand she willed steady. "Hi Jimmy. It's Max."

"What the hell is going on out there? Are you okay? You got out of the house," Jimmy barked into the phone, more relieved then angry. "We're putting a tail on your father and Barrington."

"Well, I think I know where they are," Max replied, shooting the car another look, as Caroline screeched the car to the left. "Um, we, me and Caro, have someone following us. Since we left my parents. Can you run the plates for me? Shit!"

She flew forward, caught by the seatbelt, as the Mercedes rammed them from behind. Grabbing the dashboard, she steadied the phone, as Caroline frantically tried to straighten the car on the narrow street.

"Oh god," she cried. "Maxie? What's going on?"

Max shook her head, as Caro stomped on the gas pedal. "I'm not sure, just keep going. Jimmy? Massachusetts 405-FRK, black Mercedes. And they just hit us."

"Max? Hello?" Jimmy asked the dial tone after he jotted down the number. "Damn it! Punching a button on the computer in front of him he typed in the information that Max had given him, and called. "Skeeter!"

The younger man poked his head in. "What's going on?"

Jimmy didn't look up from his mission in front of him. "Find Max's cell phone number for me. Now. And Morell."

Skeeter nodded. "I know it. 555-8470. Why?"

"We just go disconnected. She and her sister are driving somewhere, and someone is trying to run them off of the road. Go get Morell."

13131313131313

"Why the hell didn't I charge the battery last night?" Max snapped in disgust. "Can I borrow yours?"

Caroline turned to look at her, as the screeched around another corner to avoid being rear ended. "Check my purse."

Max shot a quick look around the car. "Got it. Ugh."

The car shot forward, as the Mercedes collided with them again. " I can't control it!"

Max felt herself slam into the door, as the car began to skid. Caroline screamed in her ear, as they spun in a circle. Crunching metal echoed around them, until it all went black.

13131313131313

"She's not answering," Jimmy said, trying to keep the worry out of his voice, before punching Kenny's hotel number. "Room 317 please."

Kenny snatched up the phone in the room, hoping it was Max. "Hello?"

"Kenny? Have you heard from Max today?" Jimmy said in way of a greeting. "Preferably in the last five minutes?"

"No," Kenny said slowly, not liking his boss' tone at all. "Jimmy, what's going on?

Jimmy filled him in on the scant details that he knew, before asking. "You have any idea of their plans this afternoon? Where they might be heading?"

"Shit, Max," Kenny replied, praying that she hadn't gotten in over her head. "They said lunch, and she was going to stop by after. I'll kill the bastard if he hurt her."

Jimmy didn't reprimand him for his comment. "Okay. Morell has his people on it, keep your phone on and don't do anything."

Kenny gritted his teeth, and decided he had done too much of that lately, while Max was off risking her neck. "You're telling me to sit here and wait while someone is trying to kill my wife? I sat around doing nothing while you guys looked for Josh, and I'm not going to wait until it's too late for Max too."

It's a huge city, Jimmy thought quickly. "Fine. Go, look. It's a black Mercedes 405-FRK, and a rental."

13131313131313

"Maxie?" Caroline whispered, feeling something warm drip down her face. "Maxie?"

"Hmm," Max mumbled, forcing herself to open her eyes. "Caro? Where are we? What happened?"

"I'm not sure," she replied softly. "Are you hurt?"

"I don't think so . . . you?"

"It hurts to move."

Max forced herself to focus as she looked around the squashed interior of the car. "I'd say we were lucky. We have to get out of here . . . can you see anyone outside?"

"No," she replied, straining to see out the window. "Wait. What's that?"

Max smiled despite the pounding in her head. "Sirens."

13131313131313

"Rented to who? That's gotta be wrong," Jimmy said a lot more calmer then he felt. "Are you sure?"

"Positive. He rented it this morning," the girl on the other end confirmed. "I remember because he said he wanted to treat his wife to something special."

"Could you identify him?," Jimmy asked hopefully.

"I think so. Why? Is something wrong?"

"I hope not," Jimmy replied. "Thanks for your help."

"Now what?" Skeeter asked. "It can't be good."

Jimmy shook his head in disbelief. "The car that was stalking Max and Caroline? It was rented to Kenny."

13131313131313

"Mild concussion, and you have some bruised ribs. You'll be sore for awhile, Mrs. Lacos, but very lucky considering the shape that your sister's car was in," the doctor said an hour later. "I'll give you something for the pain."

"Thanks. My sister? Is she okay . . . there was so much blood," Max trailed off.

"Broken arm, and some scrapes. You both pulled through very well," the doctor said with a smile. "And there are some people waiting for you in the lobby."

"Thanks," Max replied, wanting to check on Caro herself, as she glanced down at her blood stained clothes. "Can I see my sister?"

"She's getting her arm set, but your family is out front. You're free to go, Mrs. Lacos."

"Thanks," Max said again, wincing as she slid off of the table. Although I'd rather not see my family right now. Especially if they just tried to run me and Caro off of the road. Sliding her hand into her pocket, she felt the disk still securely in there.

"Maxie," Hannah cried. "Are you okay? Where is Caroline? What happened to the two of you?"

"Mom, I'm fine, and Caroline is getting a cast," Max replied, flinching as her mother threw her arms around her.

"The police are here," her father added coldly. "And they want to ask you a few questions. I told them I want this kept quiet. We can't take any more embarrassment."

"Okay," Max agreed, thinking if she wasn't so sore that she might choke him, or at least scream out to the police standing five feet away that her father killed Josh. "It's so blurry."

"Can you give us a description of the car?" the first cop asked. "Anything at all?"

"Black Mercedes, Massachusetts plates 405-FRK. It had tinted windows, so I didn't see how many people were inside," Max rattled off.

The cop look a little taken back by her adept description. "We found an abandon car fitting that description three blocks from your wreck, Mrs. Lacos. It was a rental."

"To whom?" her father asked. "I'm assuming you know."

"We've been you have been having marital difficulties? Is this true?"

Max eyed the cop warily before responding. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"And you went to see your husband last night? Did you two fight? Anything that might make him angry?"

"What is this? We didn't fight," Max asked slowly. "Kenny and I . . . we just talked."

"I understand that a custody suit is pending?"

"No," Max replied, glaring at her father. "There is no way that I would take Emily away from her father. Where are you going with all of this, Officer?"

"The car that we found, and most likely the one that ran you off of the road was rented by your husband," he informed her. "We got the rental papers, and credit card numbers."

Max stared at him like he lost his mind, and couldn't think of one thing to say back to him.

13131313131313

"That's crap," Skeeter declared. "Could Kenny even afford to rent a Mercedes?"

"The Boston PD arrested him a few minutes ago, according to my sources," Morell said joining them. "Apparently they have the rental agreement, his credit card number, and a possible signature."

"Shit," Jimmy said. "And the motive would be to keep his wife from leaving him, and taking his child? We have enough evidence to hang Stewart and Barrington, and if your people explain that to the Boston PD that should get him off."

"You would think so. William Stewart is a very powerful man," Morell replied. "With powerful connections. He obviously didn't want your two deputies to get back together, and wanted to secure that it didn't happen. Which means that he believed Max's story. This set up happened fast, so there are sure to be holes in it."

"So? We have him confessing to killing Josh on tape! Get your god damned warrants and arrest the man! I have two deputies up there! One is now in jail, and the other . . . where the hell is Max anyway?"

"Hospital," Morell confirmed. "With a concussion and some bruised ribs. The sister broke an arm. They're both fine. The warrants will be issued tomorrow."

13131313131313

"He's in custody," William continued. "He won't be bothering you again."

Max just stared at him, and couldn't believe that she actually hated him more now then she did in the afternoon. "What? Kenny would never do this! We have problems, but he would never try to kill me!"

"You were going to take his child away from him," the officer chimed him. "That makes men do strange things."

"I wasn't taking Em away from him! He knew that," Max cried, feeling like she was losing her mind. "What is wrong with all of you? Where is he? I want to see him."

"Not tonight, not ever," William declared, laying a hand on her arm. "You're coming home to rest, and tomorrow this will all seem like a bad dream."

"Don't touch me," Max snapped, yanking herself away and not able to take any more. "I'm not going anywhere with you. I want to see my husband. This has all been some terrible mistake."

She stumbled back from them, ignoring the pain in her stomach. Caro, I'm sorry, I can't wait. I'll come check on you later.

"Maxie," Hannah called. "Come back. I know this seems crazy now, but you need to rest. Get a fresh perspective for tomorrow."

Max swallowed, and took a deep breath to steady herself. "You don't know what you're talking about. I'm going. Bye."

Fleeing out the double doors into the darkness, Max prayed that it would all be okay.

13131313131313

Caroline did her best not to glare at Michael, as he held her hand and talked to her. What do I say to him? He helped Dad embezzle money and cover it up? He knew that they helped kill Josh?

"Caroline, Caroline," he said quietly. "What did your sister drag you into now?"

"Nothing," she sighed, avoiding eye contact. "It was just some freak accident."

"That's not what the police said," Michael countered. "Maxine's husband? He rented the car that the police found that matches the description. They hauled him in for questioning, and are most likely going to arraign him in the morning."

Caroline looked at her husband in shock, "Are you serious? No, I've met him, he still loves her. He wouldn't…What is this?"

13131313131313

Max gasped in her flight from the hospital, and paused to catch her breath as she rounded the corner. "Oh shit. What is happening?"

Ignoring the rain pounding around her, and soaking her blood stained jeans and green shirt, she flew down flew down the street. I deal with the pain later, she thought, ignoring the searing in her ribs. I have to fix this now. It's all gone to far. Climbing the steps one by one into the Boston PD, she burst through the doors as if she was on fire.

"Can we help you? Mam?" an officer called, taking in the soaked, dirty, bruised woman standing there. "Excuse me?"

"You have my husband in custody. I want to see him," Max replied, a lot more calmly then she felt. "Now."

"And who would that be?"

"Kenny Lacos," Max informed him. "Where is he?"

"Oh him. You're his wife? The one he tried to kill?"

"He didn't try to kill me," Max argued, frustrated. "Where is my husband?"

"He's being questioned," he trailed off, glancing behind him at the sound of doors opening and voices. "Or he was."

"Kenny," Max cried, as he came into view and pushing past the officer. "Kenny!"

Kenny just stared at her in amazement, as he took in his bruised, battered, and drenched wife. I'll kill whoever did this to her, he thought wildly. He longed to hold her, as she stumbled into him and grasped his hands in hers.

"Are you okay? Shit, Max, I was worried about you," he got out before her. "Are you hurt?"

"It'll heal," she answered, shaking off the hands trying to pull her back. "I'm going to get you out of here."

"Max."

"Don't argue with me! This thing has gone to far! You didn't do this!"

Kenny gripped her hands in his, and saw the wildly stubborn, head strong, woman he had fallen in love with, even if she looked like a drowned rat at the moment. "You can't do anything. Not now, you know how this works."

"I don't care. I'm not leaving you," she snapped back, turning to the officer pulling her back. "Would you let go of me?"

"Mam, you're causing a scene," he said calmly. "Would you please step back?"

"Not without my husband. He didn't do anything."

"Evidence says he tried to kill you."

"He didn't," Max declared, interlocking her fingers with his and looking up at him. "Kenny, I can't leave you here. Not after everything we've been through. I love you."

"I love you too," he whispered in her ear, still not believing that this was happening. It seemed surreal to him, and looking at Max who looked like someone had beaten her made him want to throttle people. "Listen to me, Honey."

"That is enough," a voice boomed from behind them. "Maxine, your father said you were probably here. You're coming home now, and we'll sort this mess out for you."

"Go to hell, Richard," Max spat back. "I'm not going anywhere with you."

"You'd rather stay with a murderer? He tried to kill you today, so how do you know he didn't kill Josh?"

"Believe me I know," Max snapped, wanting to scream that the FBI would probably be at his doorstep the next morning. "I'm staying."

"You're not going back to your parent's house either," Kenny said softly in her ear. "You still have the hotel key? Go there, wait. The arraignment is at nine tomorrow. Max, it'll be okay."

"Come on," Richard demanded, grabbing her arm. "Let them take this asshole away."

Max shot Kenny a desperate look, as Richard yanked her away. "Let go of me!" Raising her knee, she jammed it in his crotch. Feeling mild satisfaction as he crumpled to the ground, she turned back to Kenny. "You'll be okay? You promise me that?"

"Call Jimmy," he called back to her, as he was led away and another officer helped Richard to his feet. "Let him know what's going on!"

Max nodded, and wanted to weep as she watched him being dragged away from her. Oh Kenny, what are we doing here? What happened to our life? It was so perfect…we were so happy. Backing slowly away from Richard she fled into the night for the second time that day.

13131313131313

"Your daughter left? I had more I need to tell her," the nurse said rejoining Hannah and William in the waiting area. "In her condition I don't want her overdoing the painkillers."

"What condition?" William asked.

The doctor regarded the older couple silently before replying. "Well, you do know that she is pregnant? Almost four months along, so I hope she knows at least."

"Pregnant," Hannah gasped. "Are you sure?"

"It probably belongs to him," William snapped. "This changes things."

"She didn't say anything William. I wonder if she even knows . . . Maxie has been through so much, she'll be thrilled," Hannah trailed off. "We should do something to celebrate."

"We'll have to add this child into the custody suit," William continued ignoring his wife, as Caroline and Michael joined them. "How you feeling?"

"Fine," Caroline said flatly, feeling like the biggest sell out. Maxie, I'm sorry, I didn't mean too. "Is Maxie okay? Where is she?"

"You're sister decided to run off," William replied angrily. "To see her husband, the same one that tried to kill both of you today."

Caroline shook her head, as her blood boiled. "Kenny wouldn't do that. He loves her, Dad, despite whatever their problems are, he loves her."

"Why don't you tell your father why you know that?" Michael demanded. "Or should I?"

"I followed," Caroline choked out, Maxie I'll make this up to you I swear. "Please don't hurt me, Michael."

"There is a lot going on here," he countered. "Do you want this family destroyed? Do you? Do you want our kids to grow up in poverty? For everything that I've worked for to be taken away?"

Caroline shook her head, terrified of what he might do to her, or their children if she resisted. "No. I followed Maxie the other night when she went to meet Kenny. I didn't believe her when she said that it was over between them because they were so happy together. I went to their hotel . . . And they were in bed together."

"What! Why didn't you say anything earlier?" William demanded.

"She said it was just sex, that they were always good at that. I didn't believe her, just because of the way Kenny looked at her. They love each other, they're getting back together."

"That's great," Hannah cried. "With Maxie being pregnant and all."

13131313131313

Max pushed open the door to Kenny's hotel room wearily, and wondered how in the last 24 hours everything went to hell. She hurt, both physically and emotionally and glancing at her reflection in the mirror made her wince. I look like a wet dog that got it by a bus. Or a Mercedes. Pushing her hair off of her face, she sunk down onto the bed. Taking a deep breath she grabbed the phone, and punched in a familiar set of numbers. Closing her eyes briefly she prayed that they had answers on the side. "Jimmy," she said softly, wanting to weep when he picked up.

"Max," he cut her off before she could say anything. "Are you okay? Not hurt?"

"I'm fine. It'll heal," she replied. "The rest of it . . . they think Kenny did this."

"We know," Jimmy confirmed."Morell and his staff are working on getting it thrown out of court. Did you see the driver?"

"No. Tinted windows. What the hell happened, Jimmy? The arraignment is tomorrow at nine. I can't believe I just left him there."

"Where?"

Max sighed and filled him in on running out of the hospital in the pouring rain and down to the Boston PD. "And Richard showed up. My Dad sent him."

"Interesting," Jimmy replied, trying to picture the scene she just described. "Where are you now?"

"Kenny's hotel . . . I couldn't go back to that house tonight Jimmy. Not after what Caro and I heard and found, and this. Sorry, I couldn't."

"You've done more then enough," Jimmy replied, hearing the tremble in her voice. "Wambaugh and I are flying out tomorrow morning. Do you need anything?"

"Could you give Em a hug for me?"

13131313131313

"Well where did she go Richard? You were supposed to bring her home," William raged.

"She kicked," he argued weakly. "Then she was gone. I don't know, William. She was upset, hurt, and confused. She could be anywhere."

"I know where she'll be tomorrow, "William said more calmly. "I'm sure she'll go to the courthouse to see him being arraigned. I think it's time to start playing hardball."

Richard smiled slowly. "How so?"

"We'll force her to sign the papers by having the charges against him dropped with the condition she divorce him when it's over. Make her do what we want. This can't drag out any longer."

13131313131313

Max paced around Kenny's room at the seven the next morning, waiting for the gift shop downstairs to bring up some clothes. Wrapping his shirt tight against her body she inhaled his scent off of it. Catching sight of her reflection in the mirror, she decided the shower had done wonders. At least there isn't dry blood stuck to my head anymore, although that bruise is kind of gross. And these scrapes all over my arms.

Rummaging through his bag for a brush, she paused as she came up with some more pictures. Flipping through them with a small smile, she sat down on the bed.

"Oh Kenny," she sighed, looking at one of the two of them taken almost 10 years ago. "Were we ever that young?"

Em and Josh, Max thought, looking at the next one, and all four of us. What happened to the family that we were not so long ago. How did it all fall apart so fast?

Jumping slightly, she went to answer the door. "Hi? Thanks. Yeah just charge it to the room. Thanks."

Shutting it as quickly as she opened the door, Max slid on the white linen skirt and long sleeve blue tee-shirt. "At least it covers most of the bruises and cuts."

Running a brush through her long hair she decided that she didn't look to bad for someone who was in a car wreck yesterday. Sliding her feet into the white slides, and slung her purse over her shoulder, she wondered how she was supposed to get through this.