Chapter Twenty-One

When the plane landed back in Llanview, Natalie and John separately got off and headed to opposite sides of the airport. Natalie made a beeline for Bo to give him a quick hug, while John walked over to the team of officers that had been put in place. He waited until he saw Natalie walk off before heading over to Bo.

"What the hell is going on between you and Natalie now?" Was the first thing out of Bo's mouth as John appeared in front of him.

John just shrugged and started to go over the plan to arrest Walter. Once he was finished he knew he had to prepare Bo for the part about Paige and Spencer's involvement. Taking a deep breath he faced the older man. "Listen Bo, there's been some other people and things that have come up regarding this case that I'm going to need to talk to you about."

A look of concern came over Bo's face. "Okay, shoot."

John glanced around him and seeing how many other officers there were, shook his head. "This really something that should be done in your office. After Walter's been booked, can you hang around?"

Though confused, Bo nodded. Glancing around again, John realized that Natalie was no longer there. Trying to appear nonchalant, John turned his attention back to her uncle. "Isn't Natalie sticking around for this?"

"She was going to, but thought that it was better she went and explained the situation to Roxanne and Rex before one of them heard about it from someone else."

"Oh," John tried not to let his disappointment show and he focused on going over the game plan. Within the hour, everything was put into place and John and the team were just waiting for the plane to land. They didn't have to wait long as the flight arrived early.

Getting the news over comms, John and his team inched forward ready to swarm at Walter when they got the visual. Luckily for them, he was one of the first people off the plane and within seconds was surrounded.

"Walter Balsom you are under arrest for the kidnapping of Natalie Buchanan. Anything you say can and will be used against you…" John's voice rang out as he slapped the cuffs on his wrists.

"What? Get off me, this is ridiculous, I am not Walter Balsom." He cried out angrily, as John shoved him toward the exit.

But just being this close to the man that had shot his father had John's blood boiling, so he handed him over to Bo just to insure he didn't do something he would regret. Understanding John's reaction, Bo took a hold of Walters arm and began leading him toward the awaiting police car.

"Hey baby girl, it sounded serious on the phone. Ya finally here to make mama happy and tell her that you and Johnny Mac are all better?"

Natalie softly shook her head, hating was she was about to do. "Actually Roxy I'm here…"

"I got here as soon as I could, what's up Natty?" Rex interrupted as he came through the hotel doors and made his way over to them.

"I was just askin' her the same thing Rexy."

Natalie sighed and motioned over to the sitting area. "Let's take a seat guys."

"Oooooh, sounds big. Maybe she's back with Cris? I wouldn't object to that either cause then Johnny Mac is free for me." Roxy said to Rex as they followed Natalie and took a seat.

Rex however didn't crack a smile. Just seeing his sister's expression had him knowing whatever the news was, it wasn't good.

"What's going on Natalie?"

Taking a deep breath, Natalie fixed them with her most comforting expression. "As you both know, John and I have been working on his father's case. Well, one of our leads led us to a safety deposit box, which led us to the Cayman Islands."

"Is that were ya been honey? Come to see, you do have some color." Roxy's face lit up in delight. "Did you two do something crazy and get hitched?"

Once again Natalie sighed. "No Roxy, nothing like that."

Her mother face fell. "Then what's the big deal?"

"Walter's alive." Natalie blurted out, knowing she needed to just get it out there. "John and I found some recent passports with his picture and an address down there. We staked out the place and learned it was him. As we speak he's on his way to Llanview and John and Bo are waiting at the airport to arrest him."

Both her mother and brother just stared at her in combined expressions of shock and horror.

"He's alive?" Roxy repeated her voice now having an edge to it.

Natalie just nodded.

"Where is he now?" Rex asked his voice low.

"He should be at the police station."

Rex suddenly stood up and strode toward the door. "I have to see this bastard for myself."

"Rex, I don't think that's such a good idea…" Natalie tried as she also stood up hoping to stop him. But her words fell on deaf ears as Rex rushed from the hotel and toward his car.

Looking helplessly at Roxy, Natalie was torn. Should she stay with Roxy or take off after Rex? She made her decision quickly knowing how venerable Rex was when it came to her father. "I am going to go check on Rex, are you going to be okay Roxanne?"

Roxy just nodded, staring blankly in front of her

Natalie left quickly, hoping she could get to Rex before he got to Walter.