Chapter 14

''I need to talk to Michael,'' Steve announced when everyone else but Mark had left Jaime's cubicle.

''I don't think that's wise,'' the therapist told him.

''You can come along and make sure I 'behave myself'. Hell, Oscar can be there for all I care! But Michael and I need to get a few things straight; I won't touch him. At least...I'll try not to.''

''Which is precisely what I'm worried about. There are still charges hanging over your head. You could end up in prison while he's walking around free. I could talk to him for you,'' Mark offered. ''Just tell me what you need to be said.''

''Nope. I have to do this myself. I want him to see my face...so he knows I'm not just blowing smoke.''

It was one of the hardest things he'd ever have to do. Oscar would have to take his right-hand man into custody...if he could find him. The magnitude of Jaime's accusation staggered him - but he had to take her at her word. He would handle this himself, once his best teams tracked Russ down...because suddenly the man Oscar had often trusted to back him up with their very lives was nowhere to be found.

Steve found him at the nurses' desk, intently watching the read-outs from Jaime's remote monitors. ''We need to talk, Michael,'' he requested as calmly as he could manage (with Mark right at his elbow to make sure he stayed that way).

''My office?'' Michael suggested. Steve followed him silently, surprised the man felt safe enough (or cocky enough) to take this out of the public eye. Mark put his hand on the office door, telling both of them (without the need for words) that it would remain open.

''You didn't just glance at Becca from the doorway,'' Steve seethed quietly. ''You didn't even walk over to the crib and look at her from there. You put your hands on my daughter - and you picked her up!''

''I don't think she's your daughter,'' Michael told him.

''Guess what? She is - and I can prove it! But that's beside the point. You're here to treat my wife, not to spend 'quality time' in the nursery! If you ever so much as set foot in there again, you'll wish you hadn't...and if you have the balls to lay another finger on her, I swear to God I'll kill you!''

''She's...not my daughter?''

''No. No, she isn't! With all of your fancy degrees, your knowledge and your research, I'd imagine you've at least heard of DNA?'' Steve posed.

''Of course.''

''Well, guess what? But like I said, that's almost beside the point. You're here to treat my wife. Stay out of the nursery! And while we're at it, stay away from Jaime until it's time for you to 'work your magic'.''

''That might not be possible,'' Michael explained. ''Depending on her condition, it might be irresponsible for me to stay away entirely.''

''If that proves to be true, we'll deal with it then,'' Steve insisted. ''But if any harms comes to my wife at your hands, you'll be in the next stratosphere - and I won't need bionics to do it, either!''

''Find him!'' Oscar barked into the phone...just as Russ walked calmly into the office.

''Michael had no visitors other than Reinert - until you went to see him, that is,'' Russ announced. ''No large withdrawals or deposits of cash, either; Michael didn't do it.''

''I know,'' Oscar told him.

''You have a new lead, then?''

''Unfortunately...I do.'' Oscar said grimly. Security had taken their place in the doorway, blocking any attempt Russ might make to get away. ''You are in formal and official custody, pending investigation for Attempted Murder.''

''I'm...what?''

''Put your hands on the desk so Security can take your service weapon.''

''Oscar - that's insane!'' Russ sputtered. ''I don't know who's been feeding you false information, but -''

''You're refusing to cooperate, then?''

''I know how this works! You get me down there - with my cooperation - and then you arrest me...correct? I think I have the right to know why you're doing this!''

''At this point, no you don't,'' Oscar told him.

''You want my weapon that badly? I don't understand this...but here you go.'' Russ reached into his jacket - and Security was immediately upon him, forcing his arms behind his back.

''Let me,'' Oscar told them, placing his own set of handcuffs around the wrists of his right-hand man. ''Mark Russell...now you're under arrest.''

Just over an hour later, Anja was scowling. By now, she should have received word that the Austin woman had been disposed of. Something was wrong - but no matter. She would fix it. She placed a call to OSI-HQ in Los Angeles, intending to shore up his resolve...but there was no answer. Still, she was undeterred. She would simply have to use another tactic.

Very soon thereafter, on the bench in The Hole (where he'd been quietly awaiting his attorney), Russ began to struggle violently.