-1Chapter Eight:
Lauren came awake slowly, not wanting to return to consciousness just yet. She had been having the most amazing dream about a boy with mesmerizing eyes, a gorgeous smile, and the ability to make her see stars. Her eye lids fluttered open slowly, and she realized it wasn't a dream. Michael lay beside her on the king sized bed, sound asleep. His face was mere inches from her own, his arm swung over her waist possessively. She could tell by the rapid movement of his eyes beneath their lids that he was having a bad dream and Lauren was overcome with a profound sense of sadness. She had hoped his demons wouldn't haunt him here.
"Michael," She whispered softly, not wanting to startle him. "Michael, wake up." She reached up with one hand to gently caress his cheek, hoping that her touch would jar him from his troubled sleep. His eyes snapped open and he pulled away, staring at her in confusion. She watched transfixed as he rubbed at his eyes, smiling sleepily at her as he remembered where he was and who he was with.
"Sorry," he apologized, his voice rough from sleep. "I'm not used to waking up beside someone."
"Well, you'd better get used to it." Lauren teased playfully, then wished she hadn't. Michael offered her a sad smile, both of them silently acknowledging that they couldn't stay here in their little southern oasis forever. As badly as they wanted to.
"So, what's first on the agenda for today?" Michael asked, purposely changing the subject.
"Well, I seem to recall promising to repay a certain someone for rocking my world last night." Lauren purred seductively, swinging her leg over both of his so that she was straddling his lap.
"It was my pleasure." Michael assured her, placing his hands on her hips as she moved to wrap her arms around his neck, crushing her breasts against his bare chest. They both moaned at the sensation.
"No, it was mine." Lauren corrected him, playfully nibbling on his ear lobe before soothing it with her tongue. "But you're about to get yours." She informed him, sliding down his body so that her face was level with his chest. The action caused their lower bodies to rub against each other. "Oooo," Lauren cooed as she felt his morning erection brush up against her inner thigh. "Is that for me?"
"What do you think?" Michael grinned at her lasciviously and she started trailing open mouthed kisses down his chest, her eyes never leaving his. She dipped her tongue into his naval, slowly teasing the sensitive area of skin, eliciting a groan from Michael as he fought off the urge to guide her head lower. As if reading his mind, she slowly began tracing the edge of his boxers with her finger tip.
"Lauren, please." He begged her softly, his hands already twisting in the bed sheets as he eagerly anticipated what was to come. Smiling up at him seductively, Lauren used her teeth to grab hold of the waistband of his boxers, pulling them down slowly.
"Ahhhhhhh!" A loud, piercing scream rang through the small cottage. Startled, Michael and Lauren looked at each other in confusion.
"What was that?" Lauren wondered out loud, climbing off of Michael and covering herself with the bed sheet.
"Kevin!" He exclaimed, quickly jumping out of bed and rushing out of the room to go check on his little brother.
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"What happened?" Lauren asked in concern as she entered Kevin's bedroom, pulling her robe on over her nightgown. The little boy was curled up in his big brother's lap, trembling with fear as Michael stroked his back soothingly.
"He thinks he saw someone staring at him through the window." Michael explained, gesturing to the large transom window beside the bed. Lauren walked over to it, pulling the curtains back as she scanned the area outside. There was no one there.
"Sweetie, are you sure you weren't just having a nightmare?" Lauren asked softly as she sat down on the bed beside Michael. Kevin vehemently shook his head in response, his face still buried in Michael's neck.
"What did the person look like?" Michael asked him, relieved when Kevin sat up straighter and leaned back enough to look him in the face.
"Old," Kevin explained, his breath catching in his throat as he tried not to cry. "Like the witch that ate Hansel and Gretel."
"So it was a woman?" Lauren questioned, trying not to chuckle at the little boy's description. Kevin nodded his head in affirmation. "Well, I promise you that there are no witches around here that like to eat little children." She said reassuringly, reaching over to playfully poke him in the tummy. He smiled at her, obviously relieved.
"Yeah, the witches around here prefer to play with voodoo dolls." Michael added.
"Someone's been doing their research." Lauren said, impressed by his apparent knowledge of New Orleans witchcraft.
"I couldn't sleep last night, so I did a little reading." Michael explained. "I also scanned the phonebook looking for Baldwins."
"Did you find anything?" Lauren asked, anxious to get started on their search.
"No Lowell Baldwin was listed, but there are seven other Baldwin families currently living in and around the New Orleans area." Michael informed her.
"Why are you guys looking for more Baldwins? I thought we were going on an adventure?" Kevin whined, obviously no longer upset about his early morning witch sighting.
"That is the adventure." Lauren explained enthusiastically.
"It doesn't sound very exciting," Kevin complained. But then he looked up at Michael and Lauren, offering them a reassuring smile. "I'm really glad we're here, though. It's a lot nicer being here than at home." He declared softly and Lauren couldn't resist the urge to reach out and gather the little boy up in her arms, hugging him close. Then the door bell rang. Michael glanced at Lauren worriedly as she released Kevin and stood up from the bed.
"Are you expecting anyone?" He asked her cautiously, knowing that she wasn't.
"No." She declared unnecessarily. "I'd better go see who it is." She gave Michael a reassuring smile before leaving the room to go answer the door, praying to God that it wasn't her father.
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"Alright, just who are you and what are you doing in Mr. Fenmore's house?" The older woman demanded to know as Lauren cautiously opened the door to the cottage. Her eyes lit up when she realized who it was.
"Mrs. Everett! Oh my God, I haven't seen you in years!" Lauren exclaimed excitedly. The old woman just stared at her in confusion. "Don't you know who I am?" The woman continued to glare at her skeptically. "It's me! Lauren."
"Mon petit bebe!" Mrs. Everett gasped, finally recognizing who she was speaking to. "Dear Lord, you're all grown up! What's it been? Nine…ten years since I last saw you?"
"Just about." Lauren said pleasantly, smiling down at the older woman who had played such an important role in her childhood.
"Well don't just stand there! Gimmie a hug already!" Mrs. Everett exclaimed, pulling Lauren into a crushing embrace.
"It's so good to see you." Lauren said sincerely, pulling away slightly to take a better look at her. "My God, you haven't aged a day."
"Oh, you always were a little fibber." Mrs. Everett said dismissively. "Where's your father? We've got a lot of catching up to do."
"Actually he's, uh, he's not here." Lauren stammered out.
"Oh?" Mrs. Everett said, confused. Then something over Lauren's shoulder caught her attention. "Ohhhh." Lauren turned around to see Michael standing in the hallway behind her, wearing nothing but his boxers.
"It's not what it looks like…" She started to say.
"Now, now. No need to explain. I was a young lady once myself you know." Mrs. Everett said knowingly. "I take it your father doesn't know that you and your…friend are down here?" She asked. Lauren nodded. "And I take it you'd like to keep it that way."
"For now." Lauren said hesitantly.
"Well then, my lips are sealed." The older woman smiled at her reassuringly. "And now that I've seen the young man in his undies, it would be nice to know his name."
"Oh, I'm sorry." Lauren apologized as she opened the door wider to let the older woman into the cottage. Michael walked back out of the bedroom, wearing pants this time. "Mrs. Everett, I'd like you to meet my friend Michael Baldwin. Michael, this is Mrs. Everett."
"Michael Baldwin," The older woman said wistfully. "That's a good strong name you've got there, son."
"Thank you, Mrs. Everett." Michael said, reaching out to shake her hand in greeting. Just then Kevin came out of his bedroom to see what all the commotion was about. He gasped when he saw the strange lady standing in the hallway.
"That's her! That's the witch!" Kevin screamed, dashing to hide behind Michael.
"Well, I've been called a lot of things in my day, but never a witch." Mrs. Everett chuckled.
"I'm sorry." Michael apologized for his brother's behavior.
"Oh, nonsense." She said dismissively. "An active imagination is nothing to be sorry for." She crouched down to the little boy's level. "And what's your name?"
"Kevin." He replied timidly, still hiding behind his big brother.
"Well now, it's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Kevin." She said warmly, reaching out to shake his hand. He looked at her wearily before reluctantly placing his hand in hers. When he pulled his hand back, he was pleasantly surprised to find a piece of candy in his palm. He looked up at her in amazement.
"How did you do that? He asked.
"Do what?" She said mysteriously, winking down at him as she straightened herself. Kevin smiled up at her in wonder, inching away from Michael as unwrapped his treat.
"So how do you two know each other?" Michael asked finally, curious to learn more about the enchanting older woman.
"I was Lauren's nanny when she was a little girl. It was my job to keep an eye on her while her father was down here on business," Mrs. Everett explained, smiling at Lauren as she recalled all of their fond memories together. "And oh boy, was she a little troublemaker. Always up to something she shouldn't be." She glanced at Michael. "And I see not much as changed." Both teens looked away from the older woman, blushing profusely. She just chuckled. "Anyway, we can talk more about this later. Have ya'll eaten breakfast yet?"
"No, we just woke up." Lauren informed her.
"Well then, hurry up and get dressed. You're all coming over to my house next door. I've made enough pancakes to feed an army." She declared.
"Thank you for the offer, but we don't want to impose…" Michael started to say.
"Oh, nonsense!" She said dismissively. "Anyway, it wasn't an offer, it was an order. I'm not gonna have ya'll starving over here while I've got a house full of food all to myself." She turned to Lauren, looking at her pointedly. "And you my dear could do with a good hearty meal or two. You're nothing but skin and bones!" She exclaimed, playfully poking Lauren in the ribs before leaving the cottage to go finish making breakfast back at her place. Lauren glanced up at Michael uncomfortably, expecting him to say something. He smiled at her warmly, letting her know that he didn't intend on pushing the issue. She sighed in relief.
"Well, if she is a witch, she's the coolest one I've ever met." Kevin declared cheerfully, chewing on his candy as he ran off to go get ready for breakfast. Michael and Lauren chuckled before retreating back into their bedroom to finish getting dressed.
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"So, do you have any embarrassing stories to tell about little Lauren?" Michael inquired as he eagerly dug into the plate of food in front of him. The three of them were seated at Mrs. Everett's dining room table, surrounded by piping hot plates of every kind of breakfast food imaginable.
"I most certainly do," The older woman declared, placing another fresh batch of blueberry pancakes down in front of Kevin before taking her seat at the head of the table. "Mon petit bebe was always getting into mischief."
"That's not true!" Lauren defended, popping another piece of watermelon into her mouth. "I was a little southern belle." She declared proudly.
"Ha! Southern belle my foot!" Mrs. Everett exclaimed, turning to Michael who was chewing on a piece of bacon, listening intently. "Believe it or not, this one here used to be a tom boy."
"Really?" Michael said disbelievingly, glancing at Lauren in her floral sundress and ivory pearls. "I never would have guessed."
"That's because it isn't true." Lauren insisted, glaring at Mrs. Everett defiantly.
"Oh, it isn't?" The older lady said incredulously. "Well then, what about the time I took you over to Lafreniere Park for the day and you fell head first into the lagoon trying to catch a toad?" Mrs. Everett reminded her and Lauren smirked at the memory. "And then there was the time she pushed this poor little boy off the carrousel because he sat on the horse she wanted to ride."
"Now that I believe." Michael said, smiling at Lauren in amusement. She rolled her eyes at him, reaching across the table for a chocolate crescent.
"My stomach hurts." Kevin moaned in discomfort, sitting back in his chair exhaustedly. They all chuckled when they saw that the little boys face was covered in blueberry stains.
"I think somebody ate too much." Mrs. Everett chided the small child affectionately. "Why don't you go wash up and lay down on the couch while I get started on these dishes." She suggested, already starting to clear the table.
"Here, let me help." Michael offered politely, standing up from the table to lend a hand.
"Don't be silly, my boy." She waved him off dismissively. "You go sit down in the living room and rest. Lauren and I will tidy up." She declared, heading towards and kitchen and motioning for Lauren to join her.
"Whatever happened to Women's Lib?" Lauren muttered in mock frustration, obediently getting up from the table to start clearing up the dirty dishes. Michael crept up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist as he bent to whisper in her ear.
"But you'd look so cute in an apron." He teased her playfully, placing a kiss on her shoulder before retreating into the living room for a little post breakfast R&R.
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"Check this out!" Kevin exclaimed in excitement, directing his brother's attention to the crystal ball that sat atop the fireplace mantel. "You don't think she really is a witch, do you?"
"No, Kevin. I don't." Michael said confidently. "Of course, maybe she fed you all those pancakes to try and fatten you up?" He added jokingly, unable to resist. Kevin glanced down at his tummy nervously before plopping down on the couch to watch tv.
Michael walked around the cramped living room, curiously examining the various knickknacks and photos that littered the room. A collection of antique cups and saucers were proudly displayed on an oak shelf beside the decorative fireplace. He picked one up, admirering the intricate pattern before carefully placing it back on the shelf. Walking further into the room, a black and white photo of a young man in army fatigues caught Michael's eye and he moved closer to take a better look at it.
"So, where are you all off to today?" Michael jumped, startled by the older woman's voice as she came to stand behind him. He turned around to face her. She was drying her hands on a dishtowel, staring at him inquisitively. Michael shifted uncomfortably, he was unnerved by the intensity in her eyes.
"Actually we're, um, we're going to look for someone." He explained nervously. Mrs. Everett offered him a warm smile.
"Well, I hope you find him." She said simply, turning around to head back into the kitchen. "Lauren should be along shortly, she's just in the washroom freshening up." Mrs. Everett informed him casually. A feeling of dread swept over Michael as recalled the disturbing scene he'd walked in on the night before. He rushed towards the bathroom, praying that he'd get there in time to stop her.
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Lauren quietly closed the door to the washroom. Walking down the hall towards the living room, she nearly crashed into Michael as he came flying around the corner.
"Woah, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Lauren asked him, placing her hands on his chest in concern.
"I was about to ask you the same question." He said sharply. She looked up at him in confusion.
"What do you mean?" She asked. He glared at her accusingly. Lauren was about to question him again when she realized what had gotten him so worked up. "Michael," She sighed in frustration. "I just went to the washroom, that's all."
"Promise?" He asked, looking at her skeptically. She smiled up at him, touched by his concern. She moved closer to him, cupping his face in her hands as she gazed at him openly.
"I promise." She whispered sincerely, pulling his face down closer to her own and placing a gentle kiss on his lips. "Now come on," She said resolutely, taking his hand in hers and leading him back towards the living room. "Let's go find your father."
"Speaking of fathers," Michael said, pulling on her hand until she stopped walking and turned around to face him. "I think you should call yours."
"No, Michael." She said stubbornly. "Not yet."
"He's probably worried about you." Michael tried to reason with her.
"If he was so concerned about my well being than he wouldn't have tried to get me to leave Detroit with Danny." Lauren spat out bitterly, still disillusioned with her father over his latest stunt.
"Lauren," Michael sighed in frustration.
"I'll call him tomorrow, okay?" She assured him, glancing up at him pleadingly.
"Okay." He reluctantly agreed, dropping the issue for the time being. "Let's get going."
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It was early afternoon when the taxi pulled up in front of a small home in Kenner, Louisiana. Lauren got out of the car first, shielding her eyes against the harsh sunlight as she looked up at the decrepit residence in reluctant curiosity.
"Are you sure this is the right address?" She asked skeptically. It didn't look like anyone had lived there in years judging by the condition of the property.
"According to the phonebook it is." Michael said, coming to stand beside her on the curb. Kevin pushed his way in between them, staring up at the old house in morbid fascination.
"It looks haunted!" He exclaimed excitedly. "Can we go inside?"
"This from the kid who got scared by a little old lady this morning." Lauren said in amusement. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to look around."
"Lauren, we can't just go waltzing into someone's house without their permission." Michael pointed out.
"Why not?" She argued.
"Because it's illegal, that's why not."
"Oh, come on. A little B&E never hurt anyone." Lauren said mischievously. She ducked her head inside the taxi cab window. "Wait here." She instructed the driver as she took Kevin by the hand and the two of them eagerly headed up the broken walkway towards the small house. Michael followed them reluctantly.
"Watch your step." Lauren warned the little boy as she helped him up onto the dilapidated veranda. It creaked loudly under their feet as the three of them cautiously made their way towards the front door. Kevin stopped to peer inside the house through a dingy window, using his sleeve to clean off some of the dirt. It was dark inside, he couldn't make out anything except that it looked empty and rundown. He pushed his face up against glass to try and get a better look and shrieked when he saw a pair of luminous green eyes staring back at him.
"What is it?" Michael asked, rushing over to his little brother to see what had frightened him. Kevin watched as the gray cat jumped off the window sill and sauntered further into the house.
"Uh, nothing." Kevin said dismissively, not wanting his brother to know he had been spooked by a kitten. "So are we gonna go in or not?" He asked impatiently.
"The door's unlocked." Lauren informed them as she began to push it open slowly. Michael reached out to stop her.
"Lauren!" He hissed in frustration. "At least knock first." She rolled her eyes at him and proceeded to bang on the door obnoxiously. No one answered.
"There. Happy now?" Lauren asked, smiling at him satisfactorily. She leapt into his arms as the front door swung open.
"Who's there?" The owner of the house asked sharply. The three of them stared up at the old lady in shock. She had to be at least eighty years old. Her hair was in curlers and she was wearing a tattered robe and fuzzy pink slippers. She stood in the doorway, glaring at them suspiciously.
"Are you, um, are you Mrs. Baldwin?" Michael asked nervously.
"Who wants to know?" She questioned, obviously distrustful of the trio.
"We're looking for a man named Lowell Baldwin. Have you heard of him?" Lauren asked, moving away from Michael and looking past the older woman to try and see into the house. She couldn't believe the elderly lady actually lived in such horrendous conditions.
"Lowell! Yes, of course I know Lowell!" The woman gasped in delight and Michael and Lauren could see the she was missing more than a few of her teeth.
"You do?" Lauren asked skeptically, glancing at Michael. He looked just as doubtful as she felt.
"Yes, dear." She insisted, nodding her head in affirmation. "Such a nice young man, though he's always falling in with the wrong crowd. Seems like he's got a new problem to deal with every time he comes to visit me."
"Lowell visits you?" Lauren asked incredulously. "Here?"
"Yes!" The older woman declared impatiently. "Everyday at noon." Kevin glanced down at his watch.
"It's 11:55am." He said timidly, partially hidden behind his brother's tall frame. She gasped in shock. Without a word, the old lady turned around and retreated back into the house. Michael and Lauren looked at each other in confusion.
"Come on, Lauren. Let's go. The woman's obviously a few sandwiches short of a picnic." Michael declared in resignation, already turning to leave.
"You don't know that for sure. What if what she says is true and Lowell Baldwin is going to be here any minute?" Lauren argued. He looked at her incredulously.
"You honestly believe my father is going to come waltzing up these steps in a few minutes?"
"You never know." Lauren insisted, not willing to give up just yet. He rolled his eyes at her dismissively. "Well, we're here now. We might as well wait and see if he shows." She declared stubbornly, stepping through the open door and entering the house.
"Lauren!" He called after her, but she ignored him. Venturing further into the stifling hot residence, Lauren tried to see where the mysterious woman had run off to. She heard Michael and Kevin behind her and smiled in satisfaction. She knew Michael's curiosity would get the better of him. Glancing around the sparsely furnished hallway, Lauren's eyes were drawn to a curio cabinet situated against the far wall. It was covered in a thick layer of dust, a few pictures and old books were strewn atop its surface. Lauren picked up one of the photos, examining it closely.
"Could this be a picture of your father?" She asked, holding the frame up to Michael so that he could take a look at it.
"I don't know." Michael sighed in frustration as he studied the photo more closely. "I can't remember what he looks like." All three of them jumped when the sound of loud voices started blaring from somewhere else in the house. They followed the noise, walking down the narrow hallway which lead them into a dimly lit living room. In the middle of the room sat the old lady. She was on the edge of her seat, staring intently at the small black and white tv in front of her. The opening credits for a familiar daytime drama began to roll and the woman clasped her hands together in delight.
"There he is! There's my Lowell!" She exclaimed in excitement. Michael glanced up at the clock on the wall. It was 12:00pm. Lauren sighed in disappointment, watching as a dramatic shot of the infamous Lowell Braeden flashed across the screen.Michael was right. The old lady was obviously off her rocker. Of course Michael couldn't resist the urge to gloat, offering her a smug grin. Lauren stuck out her tongue at him defiantly, flipping him off before turning to leave the house.
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They spent the rest of the day traveling all over Jefferson Parish visiting the Baldwin families that Michael had found listed in the phonebook. Two of the homes they visited in Gretna had indeed been occupied by Baldwin families at one point in time, but they had since moved. They traveled to three more residences located in the picturesque Grand Isle area, but the Baldwin family members who they spoke to there had never heard of Lowell Baldwin. Michael was ready to give up, resigned to the fact that their search was a fruitless one. But Lauren was persistent not wanting to give up just yet. She insisted that they visit the last address on Michael's list before calling it a day.
It was already early evening by the time they pulled up in front of the old plantation in New Orleans' Garden District. The three weary travelers got out of the taxi cab, gazing up at the sprawling property in amazement. A long, dirt road with giant oak trees on either side lead up to the Victorian style mansion. A spacious veranda framed the home's exterior, on both the first and second floors. Tall arched windows with decorative cornices gave the house a welcoming look. A pair of ivory columns stood near the front door, giving the home an added touch of elegance. It was like something out of Gone With The Wind.
"Wow," Kevin sighed. "This place is bigger than our whole apartment building!"
"This house is amazing, Michael." Lauren said in awe, reaching out to take his hand in hers. "Can you imagine living in a place like this?"
"No," Michael said honestly. "And I can't imagine my father living here either."
"Why not?" Lauren asked, confused by his lack of enthusiasm.
"If Lowell Baldwin could afford to live in a place like this, then I highly doubt he would have shacked up with someone like my mother." Michael declared resolutely. "Come on, Lauren. Let's just go."
"I don't think so. We are not leaving without asking whoever lives here if they've heard of your father." Lauren argued stubbornly.
"Baby, I appreciate everything you've done for me, but it's time we face the facts…
"No, Michael. I'm not gonna let you give up. Even if your father isn't here in Louisiana, he's out there somewhere and we will find him." She looked up at him determinedly, reaching up to softly caress his cheek. "I promise." Michael offered her a sad smile, bending to place a quick kiss on her lips.
"Come on Kevin, let's go." Michael called out distractedly, placing his hand on the small of Lauren's back as he lead her towards the waiting taxi. "Kevin?" He and Lauren looked back, only to discover that Kevin was no longer there.
"Where did he go?" Lauren asked worriedly. Michael glanced down the oak framed trail leading up to the mansion and saw that his little brother was already halfway to the house.
"Kevin, get back here!" He demanded, but the little boy kept on walking. Michael sighed in frustration. "I guess we'll be paying Mr. William Baldwin a visit after all." Lauren smiled up at him in excitement and the two of them rushed to catch up with Kevin.
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They were greeted at the door by an elderly gentleman in an expensive looking suit.
"Yes. How may I help you?" He asked pretentiously. Michael glanced at Lauren before responding.
"Um, are you William Baldwin?" Michael questioned, shifting nervously under the man's scrutinizing gaze.
"No, I am not." He declared, giving no further explanation. Lauren was quickly becoming frustrated by the man's arrogant attitude.
"Well, is he here? We'd like to speak with him if you don't mind." She said, glaring at the older man in contempt. He looked at her with disinterest.
"Do you have an appointment?" He inquired.
"No." Lauren admitted reluctantly.
"Mr. Baldwin does not meet with anyone unless they have scheduled an appointment with him first." He informed them snootily, already starting to close the door in their faces.
"Wait," Michael blurted out, slamming his hand on the door to prevent it from closing. The man looked at him in shock. "I'm looking for my father. His name is Lowell Baldwin and all we want to do is ask Mr. Baldwin if he's ever heard of him. It'll only take a second." He said pleadingly. The man looked down at Michael curiously, his superior attitude seeming to falter momentarily.
"I'm sorry, son. There's no one here by that name and I can assure you that Mr. Baldwin has never heard of this Lowell that you speak of." He smiled at Michael awkwardly. "Now, if you'll excuse me." He said dismissively, closing the door and locking it soundly. Michael sighed in resignation.
"He's lying." Kevin declared. Michael and Lauren turned to look at the little boy curiously.
"How do you know that?" Lauren asked.
"He had that look in his eyes," Kevin explained uncomfortably. "The same one Tom has when he promises not to hit me anymore." Lauren smiled down at the little boy sadly, tears in her eyes.
"We've done enough searching for one day," She declared resolutely. "How about we go get some ice cream?"
"Dessert before dinner?" Kevin asked in excitement.
"Sure, if that's what you want." Lauren said pleasantly, taking the little boy by the hand and stepping down off the veranda. She turned back when she realized Michael wasn't following them. He was staring at the closed door as if willing it to open.
"Michael?" Lauren asked, concerned. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," He said softly, turning around to face her. He smiled reassuringly. "Let's go get that ice cream."
The three of them held hands and walked down the long path back towards their waiting taxi cab. In their rush to leave the property, they didn't notice the man watching them from a window on the second floor of the house.
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Genoa City, WI
9:28pm
Danny lay awake in bed, unable to sleep. He was still livid at the way Lauren had left him to be with Michael. He didn't like losing, especially to some worthless punk from the slums of Detroit City. He had to figure out a way to make her pay, to make them both pay.
"Mmmm, baby. Why are you still awake?" The blonde asked as she moved closer to him in bed. He pushed her away.
"Just go back to sleep, Christine. I've got some business to take care of." Danny said distractedly, getting out of bed and putting on his robe. He walked over to the phone and dialed a familiar number.
"Hello?" answered the voice on the other end of the line.
"Paul! Hey, what's up buddy?" Danny asked conversationally.
"Not much, just getting ready for movie night with mom." Paul declared in excitement.
"That, uh, that sounds like fun." He lied. "Anyway, are you still thinking of becoming a private investigator when you're done school?"
"I sure am. Why do you ask?"
"How would you like to get a little unofficial work experience?" Danny inquired.
"I'm listening…"
"I need you to run a background check on someone for me." He explained.
"Sounds simple enough. What's the name?" Paul asked, anxious to get started.
"Baldwin," Danny declared. "Michael Baldwin."
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