Chapter Eighteen

Audrey Hardy stepped off the airplane thankful to be home. When Ric called, she immediately knew something was wrong but never did she imagine that Elizabeth was missing. Part of her wanted to be angry with Ric. He was after all the most likely reason for all of this. However, Audrey could not find it in herself to be mad at the man. Especially after she heard how much pain, he was in.

The last year had not been easy on him either. When Elizabeth finally introduced them, Audrey already disliked Ric. As time went on, she saw how much in love the couple was. There even came a time Audrey started to genuinely like Ric.

"Mrs. Hardy?" Zander called out as she made her way though the terminal.

"This is a surprise. What are you doing here?"

"Ric asked me to make sure you got home safely."

Audrey shook her head. She should have suspected Ric would do something like this. "I thought I told him..."

"Well you know Ric. He's almost as stubborn as Elizabeth."

"How is he really?" Audrey asked very concerned about her grandson in law.

"Not good. Lucky said he was going to try and convince Ric to go home."

"I doubt that he will be successful. My granddaughter married a man just as stubborn as she is."

"She's going to be okay." Zander said softly not wanting to imagine the worst.

"I certainly hope so."

"Shouldn't you be looking for my sister?" Steven asked harshly as he approached Audrey and Zander.

"You must be Steven."

"Why aren't you looking for Elizabeth?"

Zander nearly laughed at being mistaken for Ric. "I don't think the cops want my help. Besides I told Ric I'd pick Audrey up."

"You're not Ric?"

"No." Zander said trying not to laugh. He was amused by the comparison to the D.A. Never did he think someone would mistake him for Ric. It only proved how out of touch Elizabeth's brother was. Zander could not wait for the two men to actually meet. "But I'm sure he's anxious to meet you."

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It was another two days before Ric finally went back home. He could not stand the thought of going home knowing Elizabeth was not going to be there. However, Ric knew he could not put it off any longer.

The first thing Ric noticed was how still the house was. Elizabeth has so much energy that it overflowed into the rest of the house. Without her there, the house felt cold and lifeless.

At least Audrey was going to be back in Port Charles soon. It took her nearly two days because of freak storms in Seattle. Despite Audrey insisting he focus on Elizabeth Ric asked Zander to pick her up at the airport? It gave Zander something to do. The young man had felt helpless the last few days.

Ric certainly understood the feeling. It was almost impossible for him to be a spectator in the search for Elizabeth. At this point Ric did not care about prosecuting the people responsible. All he wanted was his wife home safely. He was at the point he would do anything to get what he wanted.

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Johnny O'Brien had no illusions about how he worked for. Sonny Corinthos was a controlling bastard. He also thought both Sonny and to an extent, Jason had some boundaries. Over the last few days, he was rethinking that last assumption.

Ever since Elizabeth Lansing had come up missing, his bosses had been acting strange. Well Sonny had Jason seemed to have dropped off the face of the Earth. Johnny had to wonder if they had some involvement in Elizabeth's disappearance.

It was certainly a real possibility. Johnny knew both men wanted to make Ric Lansing pay. Elizabeth was the easiest way to do that. Even Johnny had to admit the new D.A. was completely in love with his wife.

"Johnny get in here!" Sonny yelled form the guard through the closed door.

"Yes Boss?"

"Do you know where the hell Jason is?" Johnny shook his head. "Damn it! He is supposed to be protecting us from Ric. How can he do that if he isn't here?"

"Did you want me to look for him?" Johnny suggested knowing it wouldn't be an easy task. Jason hadn't escaped being convicted because he was sloppy.

"No I want my enforcer to his damn job!" Sonny shouted throwing a glass at the wall.

Johnny barely reacted. Like all the guards, he was used to Sonny's tantrums. He closed the door and listened to the sound of glass shattering. He had no idea where Jason was but Johnny was determined to find out.