Adam was pacing up and down a short stretch of carpet in the parlour, very agitated. He was worried about his grandson but he was also very angry. He gave a stern look to his son, JR, who was despondently nursing a coffee. They had found him sobbing in the study amongst broken glass very obviously drunk. Was that what had frightened AJ so much he had run away?

As Adam turned to pace another length of floor Marissa burst in, very nearly colliding with him.

"What happened?" she asked "Where is he!?"

"We're not really sure." said Adam in an exasperated tone. "We didn't realise he'd gone until he didn't come down for lunch. We've had everyone search, the staff included. He's not in the grounds or the house, he's not anywhere."

"Have you called the police?"

"An officer is on the way." said Brooke and she took Adam's arm and led him to the couch to sit down and stop his nervous pacing. She was probably right, all this fury and frustration wasn't good for his health.

"How long has he been missing?" asked Marissa, her head was obviously as full of questions as Adam's was. There were so many questions that needed answers.

"He hasn't been seen for hours." said Stuart. Adam looked across at his brother, he looked heartbroken.

"But why would he run away? Who was the last person to see him?"

"It was me!" said JR in a quiet voice. "I was… I was on the phone arguing with someone and AJ walked in and I guess it scared him."

When Marissa turned to JR there was a flash on anger in her eyes. The same anger Adam felt against his idiotic son; a man who seemed incapable of learning a lesson or accepting responsibility for his actions. Adam noted he didn't mention the alcohol to his ex-wife.

JR at least had the decency to look guilty about it. In fact he look devastated by AJ's disappearance. But Marissa wasn't to know his bloodshot eyes had more to do with alcohol than tears.

"We've called everyone we can think of." said JR, in the same measured tone. "I had hoped maybe he had gone to the Yacht Club to find you and that's why you were late."

Marissa shook her head.

"I haven't seen him all day." she said.

"People are already out searching." said Brooke, resting a reassuring hand on Adam's sleeve and he was grateful for the gesture. "He isn't at the Martin's or Krystal's or with Colby. The Police are sending a patrol to the park… Children usually run to somewhere familiar."

"I didn't see him at the park." said Marissa, resting on the arm on the couch by Adam's shoulder. "I did look as I left. Bianca might still be there do you want me to give her a call?"

"Bianca?" asked JR, a flash of something in his expression. Adam couldn't tell if it was disappointment or rage.

"We met up after work." explained Marissa, "It… um… gave us a chance to catch up on the past."

The scowl on JR's face was more noticeable now.

"It will be getting dark soon. Should we maybe think of raising a search party or do we have to wait for the police?" suggested Marissa.

"I don't know." said Brooke.

"No, Marissa is right." said Adam getting up from the couch. "We have to do something!"

"Is anyone checking the school? Should we call all his classmates?" Marissa asked.

Brooke turned to JR.

"Do we have his friend's numbers?"

"Um… sure. There's a phone book in the study; the red one."

Brooke got up to get it.

Marissa jingled the car keys still in her hand.

"Look, I'm going to check the school." she said moving to the door.

"I'll come with you!" said Stuart getting up to join her.

JR got up as well.

"I think I should swing by the park."

"Then I'm with you." said Adam, putting a comforting hand on his son's shoulder.

"Shouldn't someone wait here for the police officer, or in case AJ comes back." said JR, brushing off the gesture of support.

"Should you be doing this on your own son?"

"I'll be fine." said JR.

Adam nodded. His son looked sober now. The disappearance of AJ had done that. He would give JR one last chance to redeem himself. But this was going to be his last chance – hero of Pine Valley be damned. JR was a grown man; he shouldn't still be expecting his father to clean up his mess.

"So we have a plan." said Marissa, clearly desperate to start the search. "And you'll call us if there is any news?"

"Of course." said Adam.

He just hoped AJ was somewhere safe.

…