Chapter 19:

John McBain entered the grey interrogation room where Matthew was sitting at a desk handcuffed to his chair.

It was standard procedure and McBain couldn't offer special treatment to the Commissioner's son. "I'm glad you've decided to come clean Matthew. The judge will look favorably upon that."

Matthew looked up, "I've wanted to confess for a long time Lieutenant but I was scared." He clenched his fist. "Now I'm doing this for Destiny and our baby."

McBain noticed Matthew's tension, "Yeah congratulations, I heard about you and Destiny. It's the happiest and scariest time all rolled into one right? I remember that feeling..." his voice trailed off as he was dragged into memories of Marty and Natalie.

Matthew ran his free hand through his hair "Then you understand that I'd give my life to protect my family if they were in danger- hypothetically speaking."

Lieutenant McBain leaned his hand against the table and whispered "Is Destiny in danger? Is someone forcing you to confess?"

Matthew sighed "I'm confessing because I really did it. Now, I never got my phone call. I need to talk to Shaun Evans. He's the only one I trust to protect my family, hypothetically speaking." He hoped he dropped enough hints that he didn't want the cops getting involved. He couldn't risk them tipping off the kidnappers.

McBain sighed, Matthew was obviously done talking to him, "Gimme a couple of minutes and I'll get you that phone call." He walked out.

Matthew stared at the double sided glass praying that whoever was on the other side could be trusted with the knowledge he just dropped on McBain.

Officer Brody Lovett stepped out of the "secret" room behind the double sided glass to intercept McBain. He couldn't believe Matthew was a cold blooded killer, he was a good kid. Matthew and Destiny helped get him to the hospital awhile back. He wanted to repay that debt.

McBain came around the corner and met Brody in the hallway, "Did you catch all that?"

Brody placed his hands against his belt "Yeah someone is threatening Destiny and forcing Matthew to confess."

McBain nodded leaning against the wall and crossing his arms, "He wants Shaun to protect her. Our movements are being watched."

Brody nodded, "He's a bright kid. I'll work with Shaun discreetly to catch the unsub. I owe Matthew and Destiny for saving my ass in Angel Square."

McBain chuckled "I was hoping you'd volunteer. Whatdya think we were having this conversation for? Just make sure you don't meet Shaun in a public place."

Brody scoffed, "Lieutenant, I've got this."

Shaun Evans was at Tea Delgado-Manning's house discussing Destiny's situation with her. He trusted Tea's blunt approach- mostly due to her being a cut throat defense attorney. "I loathe that kid. If it wasn't for him Destiny wouldn't be pregnant or in the hospital."

Tea sat next to him on the brown leather sofa in a red mini dress with her legs crossed. Tea and Shaun had been friends for years while he protected her family from one calamity after the next. She placed her hand on top of Shaun's "And...?" she prompted.

Shaun looked down at their hands then up to her eyes "And I trusted him with my sister. I never imagined their friendship would lead to all THIS. I'm supposed to have great instincts. How could I let this happen on my watch?"

Tea chuckled "Shaun you're her brother not a puppet master. You can't control her every move. I think you're treading in dangerous waters trying to keep them apart. It will backfire and push them closer together. Matthew IS the father of her baby and she will regain her memory eventually. She'll resent you for trying to take advantage of her amnesia."

Shaun shook his head "Technically, I'm her uncle, but she still feels like my little sister to me." Shaun's phone began to ring, "Excuse me Tea, hello?" He was surprised to see the LPD were calling.

"Shaun it's me Matthew. PLEASE don't hang up. Destiny's been kidnapped & Dani is involved, she showed me a picture of Destiny in a limo. You're the only one I can trust to find Des."

Shaun wanted to bombard Matthew with a slew of questions, but was interrupted by the sound of the front door swinging open as Danielle arrived home. "Hi Mom. Hi Shaun what are you doing here?" she asked placing her keys on the front table.

"Don't trust her" Matthew said "Whoever took Destiny wanted me to confess to killing Eddie Ford. Besides Dani and Nate, I don't know who-CLICK."

Damn we got cut off. Shaun wanted to grab and shake the truth out of that lying girl, "Dani. Hi, how are?" Now, I have to parlay like that wasn't Matthew telling me Lil D is in danger!

"Hey Shaun, who was that? It looked pretty serious?" Tea questioned.

"It was about my brother Greg. He wants to see me right away. I'm sorry Tea I have to go." Shaun lied grabbing his jacket.

Dani looked between her Mom and Shaun's retreating form "That was weird. I hope they're not letting Greg out..."

Tea hugged her daughter "Me too Mija."

Shaun called the hospital. He reached Destiny's hospital room but there was no answer. That's the last place he saw her. He couldn't go to the hospital without showing he already knew she was missing. For all he knew someone could be watching him right now. He had to pretend to go to Statesville prison, ditch his car and circle back to Llanview.

He dialed information and got transferred to the nurses station. The nurse confirmed it, Destiny was missing. He asked for everyone who had visited that day: him, Matthew and surprise, surprise- Danielle. After she left, the cops arrested Matthew and Destiny said she wanted to be discharged to 'see her boyfriend.'

Shaun shook his head, damn, her memory must have returned; oh well, that was the least of his worries right now.

Shaun received an anonymous phone call from a blocked number. He cautiously answered surprised he recognized the voice on the other line. 'Shaun, it's Brody, I'm on a burner. I know Matthew called you about Destiny being in danger. The LPD wants to unofficially offer our support. Whatever you need, I'll make it happen."

"Thanks Brody, I appreciate that. I'm staying off the radar by telling people I'm visiting Greg at Statesville. First, I need to ditch my car for a rental. Also, if you can have hospital security check their tapes for the limo Destiny got in, that'd be a huge help. Don't trust anyone, Danielle is working with them & she was supposed to be Destiny's best friend."

"I'll get right on it. I'm in plain clothes so just text me and I'll meet you with that rental. We'll trace Danielle's calls too. Destiny's a sweet girl that doesn't deserve this. Don't worry, we'll find her Shaun.