Chapter 7

…

Red was sitting at the table by his apartment window, looking down at the passers by, hearing his front door opening. He didn't even bother to turn around, already knowing that it was Dembe who had entered. The younger man walked over to his dear friend, taking a seat opposite Red, pouring himself a glass of the whiskey that was sitting in the middle of the table.

"You spoke to the family?" Red asked.

"I did."

"And?"

"Understandably upset, I've let them know that we'll be paying for Molly's funeral and that they will all be taken care off financially after wards."

"Thank you Dembe, for taking care of this mess."

"This mess isn't over yet, far from it."

"I know."

"What Elizabeth said to you, I know you don't want to hear it but…what if she's right."

"Dembe she…"

"It's a long shot I know Raymond but you've already ruled out your business connections and Kate isn't involved in anything outside of the work she does for you."

Red finally turned his head, looking up at Dembe before taking a long drink from his glass, topping it up for a third time.

"So she's convinced you too, convinced you that our long lost daughter has found her mother,"

"She?"

"Yes, she…seven pounds, six ounces. She was perfect, beautiful brown eyes, just like her mother."

Dembe watched the way Red closed his eyes tightly, as he reminisced.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course you can."

"Do you ever regret it, forcing Kate to give up the baby."

"There's not a day goes by that I don't regret what I did, what happened between us was a mistake, one that back then I regretted."

"And now?"

"We know so much more about one another now, and the truth is, Kate means everything to me. Dembe if I could turn the clock back to that day in the hospital I would. Kate wasn't as tough back then and I used that to my advantage, the pain she felt…it's never left her. I know she thinks about the baby all the time."

"What would you do if Elizabeth is right and it was your daughter, what would you do?"

"Honestly, I really don't know. If it is her then she's obviously very angry, she's kidnapped Kate…that tells you she wants revenge."

"Or perhaps answers, maybe she just wants to get to know you?"

"Well taking Kate…is not the best way to get my attention, not the best way at all."

…

Kate was sitting on the bed, the stuffed bear clutched to her chest as tears fell down her face, finally realising what was happening to her, why Abigail had taken her. Kate's head shot up when she heard the front door, she hid the bear under the pillow, wiping away her tears when she heard Abigail's footsteps getting closer. The key turned in the lock and the door opened, Abigail stepping inside, bags in her hands.

"Hey."

"I wondered where you'd got too."

"Took longer than I thought, so…I went clothes shopping and I got you a few things, some clean clothes and other things."

"You didn't have to do that dearie."

"Well, you said you wanted a shower, I figured you'd like some fresh clothes too."

"Thank you Abigail."

"You can call me Abbey."

"Very well, Abbey." Kate smiled.

Abigail watched her closely, noticing the tear stains on Kate's face. She put down the bags and took a seat on the edge of the bed.

"You've been crying, are you still having pain?"

"A little but it's not as bad."

"You sure?"

"Abbey can I ask you something?"

"I guess so?"

"When you left earlier, you called me Ms Nemec."

"I'm sure I didn't, I…"

"Abbey, look at me, please dearie."

Abbey raised her head, looking in to Kate's eyes, Kate took hold of her hand before she smiled at her.

"You know who I am, don't you?" Abbey asked.

"I think so."

"I don't, I…"

"You're my daughter?"

Abbey covered Kate's hand with her own, tears falling from her eyes as she looked at the older woman.

"I'm so sorry, I…I just needed to know where I came from and I…the kidnapping, it wasn't something I planned. I didn't mean for it to get this far, I'm so so sorry Mr Kaplan I…"

Abbey began to fall apart in front of Kate's eyes, the strong young woman she had been faced with days before was now a broken mess. Kate's heart clenched as Abbey broke down, the older woman moving forward to wrap Abbey in her arms. Abbey's head found its way to Kate's shoulder, as she held on to her, never wanting to let go of her.

"It's okay dearie…sssh, I've got you. It's all going to be okay."

"He'll kill me?"

Kate pulled back, concern on her face as she held Abbey's face in her hands.

"Who?"

"Raymond Reddington."

"Dearie I…"

"I kidnapped you, I know the type of man he is. I took someone close to him, he'll kill me."

"Dearie listen to me, Raymond won't hurt you. I give you my word, I won't let him touch you."

"He's my father isn't he?"

"It was a very long time ago."

"But he is?"

"Yes, yes he is."

"I'm sorry I hurt you. I didn't mean to hit you so hard when I took you."

"Let's not worry about that now okay, why don't we go and find Raymond and we…"

"Oh you're not leaving, you can't…not now. I can't risk anything happening to me, I'm sorry."

"Abbey I…"

"You're not going anywhere, I'm sorry. I'll get you something to eat and you can shower, there's a lock on the door…just in case you were thinking about leaving."

"Abbey please."

"You're a nice lady and you might have made a great mom, but you gave up that chance when you got rid of me, sorry."

Kate watched Abbey walk away and lock her in the room once again, Kate reached behind her and brought out the small bear, tears threatening again.

"Oh dearie…I didn't want to get rid of you." She whispered to herself.

…

To Be Continued…