Chapter 19 "And so..."

Finally, everything was in place and everyone knew their job and what they had to do. Nearly everyone was anxious, but Lucky was strangely calm. He was ready for the end to come, however it would happen. He felt he'd been living in limbo for far too long.

For two days, Laura laid low in Wyndemere. She spoke to no one and no one outside the plan knew where she was or what had happened to her. On the third day, Amy got nervous and called Luke, asking where her sister was. Eager to get tongues around the town wagging, Luke was short and gruffy, but radiated worry when he told her he hadn't heard from his estranged wife in several days.

"Ask Count Vlad," he told her. "If anyone knows where she is, it's him."

Amy did just that when Stefan arrived at the hospital that afternoon. She didn't get a proper response because Stefan, once he heard that Laura's family didn't know where she was either, appeared even more anxious than her. Quickly, he explained to Amy that he and Laura had argued three nights ago and Laura had stormed out of the mansion with the intent of leaving Spoon Island in the middle of the night. Because he'd been angry himself he didn't follow her. But that morning he'd spoken to the pilot of the launch and discovered that Laura hadn't left the island that night, at least not by Stefan's boat. He'd hurried in to the hospital to see if anyone had heard from her.

Of course all of this was a lie. Laura was perfectly safe hiding in one of Wyndemere's many secret passages where not even Mrs. Lansbury knew she was there. Stefan's story was good enough to sway Amy though, who became convinced something had happened to Laura, something Luke didn't even know about.

When Amy told Stefan about her earlier conversation with Luke, his face grew dark.

"I'm afraid my mother may have something to do with this," he told her. "I'd hoped Spencer had done something foolish but...at least I know Spencer wouldn't hurt her. Mother on the other hand..."

Amy knew enough about Helena Cassidine to understand why Stefan looked so anxious. She hurried back to the nurses' station and Stefan went to the PCPD to report Laura as missing. He knew Amy would more than do her fair share of spreading the news of Laura's "disappearance".

At the police station, Lt. Taggert took on the case, though he was doubtful much could be done at the time. He said there wasn't enough evidence to put out an APB on Helena, but being more than aware of her reputation he'd certainly keep an eye out for her. Stefan was appropriately brusque and unpleasant as anyone would have expected him to be.

When he returned to Wyndemere, he waited until Mrs. Lansbury was occupied with dinner preparations to sneak into the hidden passage and fill Laura and later Nikolas in on everything he'd done that morning, about all the information he'd spread. Laura almost had to laugh at the whole situation. Amy would have the word spread in no time. "I hate having to do this," she said, suddenly sober again. "Having to make everyone worry about me like this. I promised them all I'd never do it again, but here I am." She raised and dropped her hands in futile protest.

"Don't blame yourself," Stefan reassured her. "It's for the greater good. Imagine how relieved your sister and your mother will be when they find out not only are you safe, but Lucky as well."

Laura wiped away the tears that had unexpectedly sprung to her eyes and nodded her head with a steely determination. "I know," she said. "I know."

---

In the meantime, Emily risked daily trips to Sonny's safe house to visit Lucky and Elizabeth to try and iron out their end of the deal. In general, Lucky only told them what was needed and they concocted their plan on their own, with Sonny's help. It gave Lucky more than a little pause, but he knew better than to suggest they take a less dangerous route. They were in it for the long run now, and neither would hear a word about backing down.

And soon enough, just as was planned, Helena caught the trickle down news of Laura's disappearance. Not wanting to make herself an easy target, she had not actively pursued a chase for Lucky and had sent out numerous feelers to track him instead. She was determined to get him back, if for no other reason than payback for having thwarted her. When she heard the news, she was certain that her old foe had reunited with her son, and that following Laura's trail would lead her back to her captive. And the best way to track Laura would be to start at the beginning...Spoon Island. She set her sights and left straightaway for Port Charles.