Chapter 3
Steve shuffled into the Salem Police Station dressed as a homeless man. He had a hat on that shadowed his face. He had learned over time that this was a disguise in which most people ignored him. Steve wanted to find Roman Brady first before he revealed himself to anyone in Salem. Finding Stephanie was going to be first.
Steve was several feet from Roman's office when he saw her. Kayla. She was by Bo's desk probably trying to help or get information from him. He had to physically stop himself from approaching her, taking her in his arms, and telling her that everything was going to be all right. He couldn't even promise her that everything would be all right. He'd seen too much to know that evil usually prevailed. Even if Stephanie was found alive, who knew what condition she would be in, or what the bastards who took her would do to her.
Steve didn't want to think about the atrocities that could be happening to his daughter. In his mind, she was still a sweet little baby. No one could hurt a sweet little thing like his Stephanie. But they could and they would. He knew that.
Kayla's back was to him when he passed her. He gently reached out and grazed the back of his hand across her back. The touch was barely noticeable, but he knew she felt it. She stiffened at his touch, and turned to look his way, but he'd already walked past her.
Roman's door was open, so Steve walked in and locked the door.
"Excuse me?" Roman asked. "What are you doing?"
Steve threw his ISA badge on Roman's desk. Roman picked up the badge and examined it while Steve closed the blinds in the office.
"So you're the man they call Black Eye." Roman said and sat back down at his desk. Steve sat across from him.
"Yes. I am." Steve said and removed his hat and Roman's eyes connected with his.
"Steve?" Roman asked. "My god, where have you been? Kayla's right outside. Stephanie's missing. You're the reason Stephanie's missing. What the hell have you done to put her in danger?"
"My job." Steve answered. "And right now it's my job to find Stephanie."
"You're supposed to be dead." Roman muttered.
"Obviously, I'm not."
"I suspected, but I didn't think it was true. How could you do this to them? To your family? Steve, Kayla never got over losing you. And Stephanie needed her father while she was growing up."
"Roman, there are things that have happened that you don't understand, and I don't have time to explain. Just know that if I could have been here, I would have. That's all you need to know right now."
"That's all the explanation I'm going to get?"
Steve didn't answer.
"You're going to be taking over my office? More agents will be filing in here shortly, right?"
Steve nodded in reply.
"And I'm just supposed to let this happen? I don't think so." Roman said. "It's my niece that is missing. I know her better than you do. That's my sister out there worried out of her mind. I'm not letting this case go."
"You do what you have to Roman. I don't care. But just know, within moments, the ISA will be here and they'll be answering to me, and only me. Stephanie may be your niece, but she's my daughter and I'm going to be the one who finds her."
Roman glared at Steve. "Stephanie's not your daughter. Kayla's not your wife. You lost that privilege the day you walked out on them and let them think that you were dead."
Steve let out a sigh. He knew that Roman was right. "You can stay in your office but do not act on any information that may come through here without my consent." Steve warned. "You're not equipped to deal with my enemies the way that I am."
"Fine." Roman answered, begrudgingly.
"Roman. Why is the ISA here?" Bo asked from outside the office.
"Damn," Roman muttered. "I forgot to tell Bo the ISA was taking over Stephanie's case. He's not going to let go either. And he'll probably knock you into tomorrow."
Steve smirked. "I wouldn't expect any less of him."
"Bo, come in." Roman called.
Bo walked into the office. "There're men out there from the ISA. They say they're taking over Stephanie's case. What's going on? She's a part of our family. I'm not letting anyone tell me I can't help find my niece. She's…"
Roman motioned to Steve. "Talk to him. He's the man in charge now."
Bo's eyes connected with Steve's and when recognition hit, Steve could see the anger in his eyes. "Steve."
Bo lunged for Steve, but Roman caught him. "If you brought this on Stephanie and Kayla then you should have stayed dead."
"I would have if trouble would have stayed in the past." Steve said while Bo still struggled against Roman. "You're still a hothead, I see."
"And you're still a smart ass. I'm not taking orders from you."
"You will take orders from me." Roman said. "And I order you to do as he says."
"But…" Bo started.
"Don't." Roman warned. "The only thing that matters right now is Stephanie. We all want her found safe, right?"
"Yes." Bo said.
"Then we're listening to Steve because he knows a heck of a lot more about his enemies than we do."
Bo straightened himself up and regained his composure. "Fine. For Stephanie." Bo turned to Steve. "You better find her, or you'll wish you stayed dead."
"I know." Steve said.
"What are we going to tell Kayla?" Bo asked. "She knows something's up."
Bo and Roman both looked at Steve. "Bring her in here. She needs to know the truth."
Stephanie was in a room. That she knew. She still felt groggy. But she wasn't tied up anymore. She opened her eyed to find that she was in a small windowless room. There was a bed, a chair, and a table. Bottles of water were on the table as were various boxes of crackers and chips. They were all unopened and sealed so she figured that they were probably okay.
She had to find a way out of here. First she tried the door, but obviously it was locked. She had nothing with her to pick a lock. Her mother didn't like the fact that she had learned how to pick a lock, but in this situation it would have been helpful. If she could do it. But nothing. She then checked the walls out to find some sort of weak spot, holes, anything that would help her get out of this place before the men came back. The wall were steady. She wouldn't be able to break them to get out.
The door opened them. Stephanie stood in the corner of the room farthest away from the door. "Steph?" Stephanie's heart soared. It was Derek. He'd help her out.
"Derek!" Steph called. "How did you find me?" Stephanie asked and threw her arms around Derek.
"I didn't have to." Derek said. There was a change in his voice that Stephanie didn't like.
"What do you mean, you didn't have to?"
"Are you really that naïve, Steph?" Derek laughed. Stephanie backed away from Derek. This was her boyfriend. The man she loved. What was wrong with him?
"I don't understand."
"You're only a means to an end. Black Eye killed my father. You will bring him to me."
Derek laughed as he shut the door on Stephanie. Stephanie banged on the door as she cried. "I don't understand. Please Derek, I can't help you. I don't know who Black Eye is. You've got the wrong girl."
Her cries fell on deaf ears. Derek was gone. Stephanie was trapped.
Chapter 4
Kayla could feel Steve near her. His presence was strong in the police station. She wanted to hold onto that presence and tell him to help her, help them find Stephanie. She knew she wouldn't be able to stand it if she lost Stephanie like she had lost Steve. She knew Steve knew that because his presence was all around her, comforting her.
She'd felt his presence the strongest when the homeless man had brushed up against her. So much so that Kayla had turned slightly to watch the man and fully expected him to be Steve. For a fleeting moment, she thought it was. But the man continued on as if nothing happened and Kayla thought that maybe she had imagined his touch against her back. He wasn't Steve. He couldn't be.
"Kayla?" Bo asked.
"Huh?" Kayla said as she focused on Bo in front of her.
"You should go home. Get some rest. Go with Hope."
Kayla shook her head. "As long as Stephanie is out there, I'm staying here."
"Then Kayla, you…"
"I know. Stay out of your way so you can do your work."
"I'm sorry Kay, but that's the way it has to be."
"I know…I just need to be near here so I know the minute she's found. She's going to be found soon? Right?"
Bo's face was grim. Kayla knew that he didn't want to give her any false hopes. But it was still less than 24 hours. Kayla reasoned that there was still a chance that Stephanie
