CHAPTER 46

Hope guessed rightly that Augustus Pascal was not the sort of man susceptible to negotiation or threats, considering he had a rap sheet longer than her arm. Even after she informed him that his beloved 'Madam' had actually taken her own life, he didn't break down; the malicious light in his eyes only revealed his pride in her.

'I'm not telling you anything, so you might as well save your breath, Detective.'

'Why?'

'Regard it as my pound of flesh.' He peered at Hope through the cell bars. 'You should be thanking me.'

'I'm not like you,' Hope said coldly. 'You and Vivian are the most inhuman pair I've ever met. I would never do to Carly what you two did to her and Olivia.'

'Liar.' He contradicted softly, 'you still don't have the grace to admit that you're glad she's out of the way at last.'

'My marriage is none of your business and no matter what your sick mind thinks, I don't condone another human being buried alive! Don't you have any shred of humanity?'

'I'm a hardened criminal, I have no humanity.' Gus smiled mirthlessly. 'The only person I cared about is gone. She died seeking justice and I won't let her death be in vain by betraying her. Dr. Manning is going to stay where she is... for eternity.'

'Name of God!' Hope shouted, appalled at his unbending attitude. 'You can't do this! She has a daughter...'

'Who deprived my Madam of her nephew!' he spat back. 'She's the real murderer! An eye for an eye. And believe me when I say I shall not lose any sleep over those two women.'

Hope's heart sank as he lay down on the cot and rolled on his side to face the wall.

God damn it! Hope kicked the bars furiously and stormed out.

'Well?' Rafe demanded.

'Short of putting a gun to his head, which won't do us any damn good, he won't talk. He doesn't care.' Hope threw up her arms in frustration.

Rafe swore loudly, wondering what the hell he was going to tell Bo now. What were the chances that Carly will still be alive even if they do find her?

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'Carly? What's got you so jumpy?'

If only you knew, she thought in despair. How can I possibly tell you of all people that I'm the missing Katarina Von Leuschner? You barely like being around me already. I'll be lucky if you ever speak to me again after everything comes out in the open.

Without looking at him, she replied, 'I think we're all a little nervous, Bo. We all came here for different reasons; I just hope we all get what we want.'

'Oh, we will.' He assured her briskly. 'There's a bunch of good people working for the same thing. We'll get what we want.'

We? Carly turned round. 'Do you mean me too?'

In the bright moonlight, she could clearly see Bo's eyebrows rise in surprise at the question. 'Of course I do.'

Uncertainty was obviously on her face because he shrugged and went on, 'Julie and Shane and Kayla... they're here all by themselves. I'm not.'

'You're not?' she repeated.

He shook his head. 'I've got you.'

For the first time since they met, she saw a whole new expression on his face besides hostility, wariness, and cold reserve as he looked down at her. It was a look of tenderness. Everything she felt for this tortured enigma of a man rose to the surface and all she wanted was run her fingers through that mane of hair and hug him tight. Was he trying to tell her something?

Curbing the impulse, she replied quietly, 'I don't know what to say to you.'

His smile almost took her breath away. 'You don't have to say anything. I said it all. I just want you to know how I felt.'

And what do you feel for me exactly, Bo Brady? She thought. Is your broken heart making room for me at last? If only I could read your mind, if only you'd let me see the side of you no one else sees!

Both of them found it difficult to look away. Unable to resist, she reached out to touch his unshaven cheek but he didn't flinch and move away from her like he usually did. Instead, eyes not leaving her face, Bo squeezed her hand then pressed it against his lips. Carly's heart hammered painfully against her chest. Could it be? Could it be he was finally healing?

She had no idea who moved first. All she knew was that he was suddenly holding her against him, moving his face towards hers.

He's going to kiss me! She screamed in her head, thrilled. He's really, really going to kiss me!

Bo's mouth captured hers, his arms tightening round her waist. It was beyond her wildest dreams. The kiss was tender, yet demanding and she felt he was sweeping her up into the sky. Holding his head with both hands, she kissed as she'd longed to kiss him, his beard grazing her skin. Under the moonlit Alamainia sky, she savoured her first kiss with Bo. It was the most wonderful, unforgettable moment of her life.

Clear your mind completely, Carly told herself sternly, shaking the memory, glorious though it was, away. You have to make this work for Bo to come to you.

Inhaling deeply, she closed her eyes, concentrating the love she had for Bo and his for her as she began the process, praying it would work.

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Olivia's ghostly pale face and unsteady walk told Bo loud and clear she was still very ill so he firmly sent her back to town with Kayla, along with some of his men as escort. Brady and Phillip elected to stay behind and help with the search. He then called Hope who gave him the bad news. Gus simply won't tell them anything.

In Vivian's room, they went through her things, hoping against hope for a clue to Carly's whereabouts. All they found were clothes, some jewellery, passport and some odds and ends. Bo rummaged her Gucci handbag, pulling out her cell phone. Scrolling through the list of received calls, he saw that Victor had called her that day and the call had lasted for about three minutes. The rest was mostly from Gus, no doubt the son of a bitch who had kidnapped Carly and almost killed Olivia.

'Hello, what's this?' Phillip held up a piece of paper he found in Vivian's vanity case.

The others looked over it carefully.

'It's a death certificate.' Bo frowned. 'Catherine Francesca Alamain... born on the fifteenth of March, 1994, died the same day. She must have been still- born.'

'You never told us Olivia's a twin, Bo.' Phillip said reproachfully.

'That's because she isn't. This certificate states that Catherine was born on the fifteenth of March; Olivia was born on the seventh of February, remember? Besides, Carly showed me her birth certificate.' He scanned it again. 'And this isn't the original either. It's a copy.'

'Who is was this Catherine then?' Roman asked. 'And why would Vivian have this with her?'

'A lot of things still don't make any sense,' Bo muttered, folding the paper and slipping it in his jacket pocket. 'But we can't worry about it right now. Keep looking for anything that could give us a lead.'

Suddenly he started.

'Uncle Bo, what's wrong?' Brady asked, staring hard him.

His uncle shook his head, as though trying to clear it. 'I just had a very weird feeling.' Before he could stop himself, he turned his head sharply as if urgently searching for a thing only he could see, his face suddenly going pale.

'Bo!' Roman grabbed his arm anxiously. 'What is it? Are you okay?'

Bo's eyes only widened in reply.

'Bo cut it out; you're freaking us out...' Patch began.

'Shut up!' Bo hissed. The others stared at one another then back at him, wondering if Bo's anxiety for Carly was suddenly making him lose it.

'There it is again,' he said softly as though talking to himself.

'Bo,' Phillip said cautiously, eyeing him warily. 'What is it?'

Bo looked at his brother, a strange expression on his face. 'I can hear Carly's voice... in my head. Very clearly.'

More worried glances.

'Bo, don't you think...'

'For God sake, keep quiet!'

Bo, Bo can you hear me? The words came to him again. Closing his eyes he sent his thoughts back to her. Yes. Carly, is that you?

Thank God! Her voice sounded tearful. It worked! Bo, Vivian's buried me again, please help me!

Where are you, princess? He asked anxiously.

I don't know, it's all dark. Bo, I'm so scared... I need you to get me out of here quick!

You know I will, sweetheart. Keep talking to me... I'll follow the sound of your voice, okay?

Okay, Carly replied. I believe in you, remember that. And I love you.

I love you too. I'm on my way.

Bo opened his eyes to see his brothers, brother-in-law and nephew were staring at him, concern and fear on their faces.

'I know how we can find Carly now,' he said urgently. 'Let's roll.'

Bewildered and bursting with questions, they hurried out after him into the night.