Love's Prisoner

"I need you to get down here," Victor hissed into the phone.

"Why? What's going on?" asked Todd.

"There's been a murder. And someone... for whatever reason... has already written an article about it in today's edition of The Sun."

"How can that be?!"

"I don't know. But I need you go get down here... NOW!"

Victor hung up the phone. Todd stood there, holding the receiver and hearing the echo of the click. He hated working with his brother, but he had no other choice. The courts had divided everything between Todd and Victor equally, including The Sun. Despite their animosity for each other, they had joint ownership of the paper. Todd hated it. He would rather spend his life in hell than spend one minute with his twin.

He grumbled as he headed out the door.

~*~o~*~

Marty, too, had just heard about the murder. Jason Webb was in jail. He had been found with the body, and he had Dorian's blood all over his hands.

There were so many unanswered questions. Marty had to get down to the police station so she could see Jason.

When she arrived there, the place was swarming with media. John was trying to take Jason downstairs, despite all the chaos.

"Jason!" Marty called out as she began chasing after them. She had to push her way through the persistent crowd.

Finally she caught up with them, just as John was leading Jason into a jail cell. "John, stop!" Marty cried out. "Surely you don't think Jason had anything to do with...?!"

"Dorian Lord is dead," John stated as he locked the jail cell and turned to look at Marty. "Since he was the only one there at the time, it isn't looking good for him right now."

"But he didn't do it!" Marty exclaimed.

"The evidence says otherwise."

John didn't have a lot of sympathy. He left Marty alone with Jason. After John had walked away, Marty stared at her oldest and dearest friend through the iron bars.

"This isn't right, Jason," she said. "I know you didn't do it."

Jason had hardly spoken since the murder had occurred. He was still in a state of shock.

"He ripped her heart out," he murmured. "He just came in... and he tore her heart from her chest. He killed her. He killed Dorian."

"Who did?"

"I am not sure," he said as his blue eyes glowed with tears. "I didn't see his face."

Marty reached through the bars, placing her hand on Jason's arm. She wanted to comfort him, but she couldn't. There was nothing she could say to stop the pain.

"I love you, Jason. You're one of my dearest friends. I know you didn't do this. I know you wouldn't hurt Dorian. Whoever did this... I promise I am going to find them. They will pay for what they did. I am going to be here for you. I will visit everyday. And soon the truth will come out. I know it."

Jason felt Marty's soft caress on his arm. He looked down to see her fingers stroking him, her touch so light and tender. He had to conquer the sudden, overwhelming urge to kiss her. His feelings were so tied up in a tangle of sweet love and friendship.

"It won't be so bad, being here... if I have you, Marty."

He smiled a little, reaching out to take her hand in his. He gave it a soft squeeze. "But you have a baby now. Gracie comes first," he gently reminded.

"She does, but I will be here for you, too. Vicki's watching her," Marty told him.

"You're a good friend," he said in a whisper.

"So are you."

His eyes clouded over again. "Dorian didn't deserve to die," he said. "I came back to Llanview to be with her. We were in love."

Marty nodded. She too had experienced love once. More than once. But it had all gone to hell. She had been left bleeding among all the pieces.

~*~o~*~

As Marty was leaving the police station, she saw Victor. He had come to interview John McBain about the murder. "Didn't you get enough already?" she said as she brushed passed him. "I saw the article in The Sun this morning. It was very distasteful."

"I didn't write that," Victor responded.

"Then who did?" Marty asked.

Victor shrugged. He and Todd had been trying to figure that out all morning. Someone had written the article. Someone knew exclusive details of Dorian's murder, but no one at The Sun seemed to know the identity of the one who had published the article.

"Leave Jason alone," Marty warned. "He's going through hell right now... and he doesn't need YOU badgering him."

Victor stared deeply into her eyes. She nearly lost her balance as he gazed at her so intently. The feelings; the desire between them was still so strong. Marty nearly swooned.

"Don't you have a child you need to get home to?" he asked her.

"Victor, I'm warning you," Marty said, breathless.

He only chuckled as he walked away. She watched his every movement. He had one big fight on his hands. She was ready to do whatever it might take to protect her friend.