Chapter 3

Location- Greystone

Ric stepped in front of Alexis. He said to Sonny and Jason, " We got a call from the coast guard that Sam's boat was found drifting in the Atlantic with no one aboard."

Jason felt like someone punched him. No, not Sam! he thought

"She's missing? What about her crew?" Sonny asked "Was there some kind of accident?"

Alexis collapsed onto the couch, crying. "Just find her, please. Use your resources to bring my daughter home."

Jason said, " When was she last seen?"

Ric sat next to Alexis, reached for her hand, then said quietly "Sam had a full crew. They docked at a port near Aruba last night. The crew left to get supplies. When they came back the boat and Sam were gone. The crew reported her missing and the local authorities started investigating. Eyewitnesses report Sam set sail on her own. No one else was seen near her at that time. The authorities informed us there is nothing they can do because she seems to have left on her own, if the eyewitnesses are to be believed. But why would she abandon her ship?"

"One of your enemies could have grabbed her," Alexis hissed at Sonny

"Why would they?" Sonny said

She jumped up. "Why would they! Because she is your daughter's sister and, up until a few months ago, she was dating Jason. Do you really expect all the people who hate you to keep up on if Sam is under your protection or not? Worth taking or not someone you two give a damn about these days?"

"Alexis, please, " Ric said, trying to comfort her and to calm her down. "We don't know anyone took her. You yourself told me how distraught she sounded the last time she called you."

"Don't say distraught!" Alexis said, her eyes terrified. "She wasn't distraught. You make it sound like she... No, she didn't want to end her life. She was just upset because of the break-up." Alexis looked at Jason "You sent her off because you were done with her. Look what you did. You left her unprotected! You did this!"

Jason was reeling inside. There was no enemy he was aware of that could have Sam but then where was she? Had she jumped? Or some stranger forced to take off without her crew and then...

Jason shook his head. "I'll do what I can to find out what happened." he said

I was almost free, he thought, So close.

"You better bring her home!" Alexis said

Jason nodded and left, heading for Carly. How would she take this delay in their trip? He hated having to tell her this but it was his nature to do what he could to help someone in need. Even when he had to sacrifice his own desires, his own dreams, his own happiness.

Sam disappearing didn't feel mob related but Jason couldn't be sure unless he checked it out. And he couldn't enjoy his trip with Carly and the boys feeling guilty about not looking for Sam.

This is the last delay, Jason vowed silently as he climbed onto his bike, revved the engine and headed for Caroline's.

It makes a sound like thunder
It makes me feel like rain


And like a fool who will never see the truth
I keep thinking something's gonna change...

There's a reason why people don't stay who they are
Baby sometimes love just ain't enough
Baby sometimes love just ain't enough

Patty Smyth and Don Henley lyrics

After Luke left, Carly went into her office and phoned the person she wanted to hire as the club's manager. Farrah worked as the entertainment booker at Caroline's already so she knew all the employees and the exact vibe Carly wanted for the club. Carly already had Farrah working as a stand-in manager when Carly couldn't be in the club the last few weeks. Now it was time to make it official.

Carly saw some of herself in Farrah- they were both, at times, sharp tongued , feisty and loud if anyone dared to give them trouble. Farrah accepted the promotion and promised to keep in contact via cell phone with updates about the business.

Carly was looking over receipts when Jason came through her office door. She stood up and walked toward him, her face all smiles, "Hey there you."

But his look stopped her cold before she could hug him.

"What?" she said, scared

"Sam went missing."

"How do you know that?"

"Alexis came to Sonny's and accused us of letting her get grabbed up by one of our enemies."

"Is that what happened?"

Jason let out a frustrated breath, ran a hand through his hair, " I don't know. I told her I'll try to find out. Sam was last seen off the coast of Aruba. So that's the spot to start looking."

Carly's world started turning sideways. She blinked once, twice, but the tears she expected might fall weren't there. Instead she felt anger and spat out, "What does that mean? You're leaving us to go search for her?"

"I have to." he said

"No, you don't. Send someone else."

He gave her a don't do this look.

Her eyes opened wide, she cocked her head and she shot him a you're the one doing this look.

Now I could never change you
I don't wanna blame you


Baby you don't have to take the fall


Yes I may have hurt you
But I did not desert you


Maybe I just wanna have it all


It makes a sound like thunder
It makes me feel like rain
And like a fool who will never see the truth
I keep thinking something's gonna change

Patty Smyth and Don Henley lyrics