Chapter 16

Putnam had spent two days in his room, he was in a run-down motel but at least he had a TV. It had been a long time since he could watch whatever he wanted, and he had enjoyed watching many different TV shows to pass his time. When he saw the news report about the explosion that had destroyed a coffee warehouse the day before, Grant knew de Salva had been behind it. Was he finally going to get another shot at Devane and Scorpio?

He was still watching the report when there was a knock at his door. When he opened it he recognized the man standing there, they had spent a few days together already. "Just let me in, we need to talk and my boss wouldn't want us overheard," Rodney told him.

Grant knew who he worked for and let him in. "What are you here to tell me?"

Rodney walks into the room and noticed the new report. "That was an impressive blast, Jonathan was very happy with the results." Then he turned to look at Putnam, "He sent me here to tell you that you can get started on whatever your next plan is. Here's my number if you need anything you are to call me." Rodney handed him a piece of paper.

He looked at the number then put it on the table, "Why you?"

"I guess they are going to busy so if you need anything they said I can handle it. You will still have to give de Salva reports though," Rodney told him

"Yeah OK, so I can leave here now? I need the freedom to move around to come up with the best plan of attack."

"Yeah man, you can leave. Do you need anything from me today?"

"No, but I'll call if I do. Come on I'll walk out with you." Then both men left the small room.

...

"So no one saw Putnam or me on Monday morning until Quan saw him with me. How can that be there were people around I had to stop for a car just before I got to mine." Anna sat at one of the desks in the police station.

"Come on you know how many people pass through that area they might not be able to find anyone just because people weren't paying attention or haven't been back. We'll get a break, Putnam is not going to slip away from us," Robert reassured her.

"So what do we have? There were several witnesses that saw him in the Asian quarter the day he grabbed me. A couple sightings at the Metro Court including Robin and Maxie and one at a convenience store." Anna had stood up and was pacing as she talked.

"Yup, that's about it," Robert agreed.

"And no one has seen him since Monday."

"That does seem to be what these reports would indicate." Robert stood up. "Convenience store?"

"It's not much but it's better than nothing. Let's go," Anna said, then they left the squad room.

When they got to the convenience store they talked to the clerk, "We just have a few questions for you. Were you working here on the weekend?" Robert asked.

"Yes, I was."

"Can you tell us if you've seen this man in here at all in the last week?" Anna held up Putnam's photo.

The clerk studied it, "Yeah he's been in here a couple times."

"Have you seen him in the last couple of days?" she asked.

"No, I think Tuesday morning was the last time he was in. Is he wanted for something?"

"We need to talk to him about a case we are working on." Robert handed the clerk his card, "If he comes back here would you give me a call, but don't tell him we are looking for him. He may get scared, then we don't know how he'd react."

"You don't think he's stopped taking his meds again do you?" Anna said realizing what Robert was doing.

"I don't think so, he was doing so well with his treatment. It's just not like him to not check in with his therapist."

The clerk had been listening to them, "Is he dangerous? Am I in danger?"

"No, no nothing like that. He's more likely to harm himself and we don't want that to happen. So we would appreciate any help you can give us," Robert told him. The clerk agreed then they left. Neither of them saw the two men walk out of the little run down motel across the street. Putnam was sure it was Scorpio and Devane that he saw get into a car, he told himself he couldn't go back to that store again.

Once they were in the car Anna looked at Robert, "Was there a reason for that little misdirection?"

"I got the impression that guy was more likely to warn Putnam then tell us, so I figured we needed a different approach. Do you not approve?" Robert asked.

"I approve, I was just wondering."

...

Patrick and Robin had decided to go to Jake's after work, they were sitting at one of the tables farthest from the bar. "You know Patrick, I really like all these wonderful things you've been saying lately. I have to admit I'm a little worried it won't last though. What if you get bored with me?"

"What, why are you thinking like that?"

"When things are too good they don't last."

"You don't have to worry about that. No matter what we said when we started this thing between us, I've realized I want a relationship with you, Robin. This may sound weird but it was something your dad said that really got me thinking about this."

"Do I even want to know then?" Robin asked.

"It's not that bad, he said he hoped I still find you as desirable 30 years from now as I do today. That and a few of the other words of wisdom he and Sean said that day made me think about what I really want." Patrick took her hand, "Robin you're unlike any other woman I've known, and I need to see where this is going to go."

"You, Patrick Drake? You're ready to have a monogamous relationship with me?"

"For as long as you'll have me Robin Scorpio. I know my history says that can't happen, but I want to prove I can be that man you want to have your happy ever after with." Patrick smiled then kissed her hand.

"Good because I really like having you around and all to myself." Robin leaned towards him and he kissed her.

"Do you want another drink?" Patrick asked. She said yes so he went to the bar to get them drinks, when he turned around he noticed the man playing pool. As he walked back to the table he tried to get a better look at his face with being noticed himself. He put down their drinks then leaned close to Robin, "That guy playing pool why does he look familiar?"

Robin looked over and had to wait for a chance to see his face. "Isn't that the same guy that was here when Sean was?" Robin quickly grabbed her phone.

"What are you doing?"

"Calling mom, they'll want to know that he's back in town." Robin kept an eye on the man playing while the phone rang. "Hi, mom the man that was watching us all a month or so ago is back in town."

"What, where are you? Has he noticed you?" Anna asked.

"I don't think he cares about me now. We're at Jake's and he's just playing pool, Patrick noticed him. I don't think he's given us a second glance if he knows we here," Robin told her.

"Well, I think your father and I could use a drink we'll be down there soon." Then Anna ended the call.

"Mom and dad are coming here, not sure what they want to do but we should wait for them. I want to keep an eye on that guy," Robin told him.

When Robert and Anna arrived they walked over to the bar, neither of them wanted to let on they saw the man playing pool. After they had drinks they went over to Patrick and Robin's table. "Well fancy meeting you two here, mind if we join you," Robert said as they sat down.

"Why do you think he's back here, didn't you tell him not to come back?" Robin asked she'd leaned in so she wouldn't be overheard.

"I don't know, but maybe he has something to do with Putnam, he could be working for whoever let Putnam loose on us," Anna suggested.

"You could be on to something, we may just have to talk to him when he comes back," Robert said as he watched him walk towards the bathrooms.

Rodney had noticed Scorpio and Devane when they were at the bar getting drinks, he was really hoping they hadn't seen him. It wouldn't do for them to see him or try to talk to him again. Jonathan wouldn't be happy with him if they did. They were too close to the main entrance for him to just leave but he was sure there was another exit at the back of the bar, so now he just had to get there unnoticed. He chanced a quick glance at the table they were at as he passed. How had he not noticed their daughter was here with the boyfriend. He had to get out of there, even if Scorpio and Devane hadn't seen him they could have and could be telling them he was here right now. Rodney smiles when he saw the door he was hoping to find and speed up to get out of there. As soon as he got out the door he breaks into a run to get away from Jake's as quickly as possible.

Robert realized the guy was taking a long time in the bathroom. "Is there another way out back there?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure there is," Patrick told him.

"Bloody hell," Robert and Anna got up to see if they could follow him. Robert checked the bathroom then followed Anna outside. There was no one in sight, "He's gone. We clearly need to talk to him, he knows something or he wouldn't have run like that."

"He could be that lead we're looking for," Anna agreed. "Come on let's go back inside."

When they rejoined Robin and Patrick at the table Robin asked, "Did he take off out the back?"

"Yeah it looks that way, hopefully, he sticks around town though we'd really like to talk to him," Robert said.

"We don't want to spoil your evening so we should get going," Anna said.

"That's OK mom, stay for a little while longer," Robin insisted. "Besides I want to know what he could know."

"Well, we don't think it's just a coincidence that he would show up back in town now. There is a very good chance he is connected to whoever got Putnam out," Anna told her.

"We need to talk to him, but if tonight is any indication of things, he's not going to do that willingly," Robert added.

"So if we see him do you want us to call you again?" Patrick asked.

"Yeah that would help us out a lot," Robert told him.

"K, we'll do that but let's talk about something else, I'm sure all you two have thought about lately is this case," said Robin.

They looked at each other and smiled, "Yeah, unless you're around," Anna admitted, "but aren't we interrupting date night?"

"No we just came in for a drink after work," Patrick told her. "Really you should stay, I like spending time with both of you."

"Oh look who's trying to butter us up," Robert joked. They all laughed, then sat and talked for a while before they all decided to call it a night.

...

Jason had been trying to find someone that had seen anyone around the warehouse but had no luck. He knew he had to report to Sonny soon so went to talk to him. Sonny was pacing in his living room when Jason got there. "So what did you find out?"

"Nothing, I haven't been able to find a single person that noticed anyone suspicious around the warehouse. This had to be a professional," Jason reported

"This isn't good I need to know who was behind this. I won't let someone just waltz in here and try to take away what I've worked for." Sonny can't believe there are no witnesses, "There has to be someone that saw something, have you checked the surveillance cameras?"

"Of course I have, there were a couple pictures of dark figures but they made sure their faces were never towards the camera. That was two nights ago, whoever this was made sure to avoid the cameras," Jason told him, Sonny started pacing again. "I'll get back down there, the people that may have seen something could be around now," Jason told him then turned to leave.

"Jason, we need to find whoever this is."

"We will," then he left.

Sonny went and poured himself another drink. Who is coming after him? It has to be a rival that wants his territory. Whoever it is he won't stand for it. When he finds them he will make them pay.

...

Jonathan de Salve couldn't be happier with the total destruction of the warehouse. He stood at the window looking out into the night, "I don't want to wait long before we take down Corinthos' Coffee. It won't take Sonny long to realize what's happening. The faster we make this move the better," he told Conners.

"I agree we can send Jay and his men out there tonight to find a way in. He is confident no one saw them by the warehouse, we can expect the same results this time as well."

"Yeah get him out there tonight Jim. If he can come up with a plan and make his move tomorrow night Corinthos won't know what hit him."

Just then Pauly entered the room, de Salva turned to him, "Sir Rodney is here to talk to you."

"Thanks, Pauly send him in," de Salva smiled at him when he entered. "What news do you have for me tonight?"

"I met with Putnam earlier and told him he is free to make his next move," Rodney said but was fidgeting while he spoke.

"That's good, but what wrong with you?" de Salva asked. He could see Rodney was nervous about something.

Rodney knew he couldn't tell him about his near run-in with Scorpio and Devane. "It just that guy is kind of a creep, I guess he just makes me uneasy or something. When I told him he could go after them again he got this crazy look in his eyes. Are you sure he's the right guy for this?" Rodney asked.

"That craziness is what makes him perfect for this. If he gets caught they already know about his mental state and will put him away quickly, hopefully before they really question him about any of this," said de Salva. "You don't have a problem being the go-between do you, Rodney?"

"No sir, I'll try to get used to how he acts." Rodney hoped that was a good enough reason and that de Salva would buy it. After that little talk Pauly had with him he knows they won't accept failure from him.

"Good now leave us, Jim and I are in the middle of an important meeting."

"Yes sir, I'll see myself out."

"Is Putnam really that crazy?" Jim asked.

"Where Devane and Scorpio are concerned I think he is, but that all works in our favor. Now I want you to talk to Jay and tell him to get to work."

"I'm on it." Then Jim Conners left as well.

...

Robert woke in the middle of the night to find he was alone in the bed. In that first moment, fear shot through him, but looking at her side of the bed he could tell Anna had gotten up on her own, no one had taken her. Robert took a moment to calm himself and checked what time it was. After that brief moment of fear, he got up to go look for Anna. He went downstairs and could hear her moving around in their office so he made his way there. Robert leaned on the door frame with a smile on his face, watching Anna pace back and forth mumbling to herself. When she noticed him "Oh good you're up. So this man from Jake's we need to find him. He has to be connected to Putnam and whoever got him out. If we can get to him I think he would give up Putnam before he'd give up his boss. We need to get Putnam put away before he can harm anyone else."

Robert walked over and stood in her path to stop her pacing, "You're right we do, but I think this can wait until morning."

Anna realized she had no idea what time it was, "Oh right what time is it?"

"It 3:30 in the morning let's go back to bed we can talk there," Robert suggested.

"You're right, I just couldn't sleep. I know this guy is the break we need, I want to bring him in, I need to talk to him."

"Yes we need to talk to him, but right now I need this stunning beauty back in bed with me," Robert said as he took her hand. Anna smiled up at him then they went back to their bedroom. Robert got into bed and Anna curled up next to him, once he had his arms around her he said, "K, now that you're comfy what do you want to talk about?"

"My head is just spinning with the need to get answers. Why is Putnam back in our life after all this time? Who would plan to use him against us? Now we have this other guy who has to be connected to this as well."

"I can't answer those right now but we'll figure this all out. Whoever this is, has either done a lot of research into us or they've known about us for a while. To find Putnam in our past, they have been planning this for a while. That makes me wonder if they were planning all of this before I was really back. Was this plan set up for only one of us? Did they wait for the perfect time, us both being back here?" Robert wondered.

"See that's what's going on in my head as well," Anna told him. "I need this to be over and done with, I can't stand having this threat hanging over us."

"Neither can I, and we'll get to the bottom of this," Robert then lifted her chin to look in her eyes, "We need to rest now, I need my partner clear-headed in the morning," then he kissed her.

She closed her eyes and put her head on his shoulder, "I'll try to get some sleep."

Robert kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes, of course, they're both worried about this but as long as he knows she's with him and safe Robert knows they will solve this. With Anna beside him, he knows he can face anything. Then they both drifted off to sleep.