The sun was rising steadily as Steve and Bo arrived back at Shane's house. Without a word, they exited the car and stormed into the house, not bothering to knock. Reaching the library, they found Roman studying a file at the desk.
"How the hell did Cal Winters get out of prison?" Steve and Bo asked, almost in unison. Steve had been steaming ever since Roman had told him what Andrew had said. Now he had a chance to vent.
Roman held up his hand. "Hold on. I know you're upset - so am I - but we don't know all the details yet."
"So why don't you tell us what you do know?" Steve snapped. "Besides the fact that a madman apparently escaped from prison and kidnapped my wife without anybody knowing."
Steve could see the anger flash in Roman's eyes, but did not care. While there was some small comfort in at least knowing where to start in his search for Kayla, it was cold comfort at best to learn it was Cal Winters.
"The FBI is investigating-" Roman started to say.
"Oh, now they are interested," Steve spat sarcastically. "Nice of them to finally decide to help."
"Are you done?" Roman asked, glaring at Steve.
Steve was about to retort when he felt Bo's hand on his shoulder. "Go ahead, Roman," Bo said calmly. "We're listening."
"As I said, the FBI is investigating," Roman continued. "They don't know too much yet, but it looks like the warden from the prison in Alaska covered up Winter's escape. The warden's conveniently disappeared, but it looks like a transfer was faked which allowed Winters to escape."
"And nobody figured this out until now?" Steve fought to control his anger. "Even when Andrew and Kim were threatened, nobody bothered to check on Winters?"
"I told you - the warden covered things up." Roman sounded frustrated. "Nobody would have known without flying to Alaska and looking in his cell."
"Son of a bitch," Steve growled. "How the hell did Winters get the warden to go along?" Steve thought for a moment. "And why would he have waited this long? He's been locked up for well over a year now, right?"
Roman ran a hand over his face. "The FBI is looking into that as well. Winters may have help out there."
"That's just great, Roman." Steve did not bother to hide his anger. "Not only does the psycho have Kayla and Kim, but he might have help in all of this?"
"Take it easy, Steve," Bo said, eyeing Steve carefully. "Yelling at Roman isn't going to help anything."
Steve took a deep breath. "Okay. . . . So we know it's Winters. What does that mean for finding Kayla and Kim?"
"We've put out an APB on him and alerted all the state and local authorities," Roman replied. "Hopefully somebody has seen him recently and can give us a place to start looking."
"A place to start!" Steve's emotions boiled over again. The fear Steve had felt earlier returned in full. Kayla was completely expendable to a guy like Winters. He had not hesitated to kill Mike and he had targeted Andrew. Kayla was in serious danger.
If she's still alive.
Steve forced himself to push the thought aside. He could not think like that.
"Roman!" At the sound of Shane's voice, Steve turned toward the door. Shane rushed into the room, clearly agitated.
"We need to get Jeannie here now. If Cal Winters is out there-"
"Hold up, partner," Roman replied calmly. "Jeannie's with Ma and Pop and I've still got a squad car at the house. She's safe."
"You don't know that." Shane paced across the room and ran a hand through his hair. Steve noticed how disheveled Shane looked. The shirt he was wearing was hanging loose, one sleeve was rolled up, while the other flopped about, and it appeared that Shane had only buttoned about half the buttons on the front. But his appearance was probably the last thing on Shane's mind. "Winters isn't going to forget about his daughter. We have to keep her safe."
"She'd be safe if you had kept an eye on Winters," Steve snapped.
"Steve-" Bo started to interject.
"Come on, Bo," Steve continued. "You know I'm right. Besides . . . Jeannie would be here right now if Donovan had given a damn about her before now."
The words were barely out of his mouth before Steve was slammed backward and shoved against a wall. He stared into Shane's angry, bloodshot eyes.
"I've had about enough of your mouth," Shane growled.
Steve broke Shane's hold and shoved him away. Glaring, Steve said, "You're just mad because you know I'm right."
"That's enough from both of you." Roman grabbed Shane and pulled him away from Steve. Bo did the same with Steve. "You two going at it is not going to get us any closer to finding Kim and Kayla."
Steve pulled his arm free from Bo's grasp and spun away. Taking a deep breath, he tried to get his emotions under control. He knew Roman was right; it would not help to attack Shane.
As he was regaining control, Steve saw Neil enter the room. "Can you keep it down? Andrew's finally asleep."
"How is Andrew?" Bo asked. "Is he going to be okay?"
"Yes, I think so." Neil nodded. "Everything seems normal."
Steve felt a rush of relief at the news. At least one good thing had happened in this awful day.
"But he needs some rest," Neil added. "The four of you yelling at one another isn't helping."
Shane turned back to Roman. In a low voice, he said, "I meant what I said, Roman. I want Jeannie brought here immediately. If you won't do it, I'll go get her myself."
Roman eyed Shane closely. "I don't think you're in any condition to go anywhere, Shane. When's the last time you slept?"
"Roman's right," Bo chimed in. "You look dead on your feet, Gov'nor. Why don't you go up and get some sleep?" Bo glanced at Roman and Steve. "We'll make sure Jeannie gets here and is safe."
"I'm fine," Shane snapped. "So are you going to get Jeannie or do I need to get her myself?"
"I'll take care of it, partner." Roman said wearily. "Bo, why don't you call Ma and have her get Jeannie ready to go? I'll call the station and have somebody pick them up and bring the baby here."
Bo nodded and walked to the phone, as Shane began to pace again. He seemed so wired that Steve suspected Shane probably could not have sat still if he tried. His right hand kept punching his left palm as he walked and his shoulders shook with each step, as if they were fighting the tension. Something in the way he walked reminded Steve of a coil being pulled back, tighter and tighter, until it exploded.
Meanwhile, Roman walked over to Neil and pulled him into the foyer. Steve wondered briefly what that was about, but his mind shifted quickly back to the present situation. Kayla was in the hands of a madman and he still had no idea how to find her.
I can't stay here, Steve thought. But where would he go? He had tried every place he could think, and if any news came about Kayla, it would come here to Roman. But Steve still could not stay there. The stress and tension in the room was too much. I have to get out of here.
Even a brief escape would help. Steve decided he could get some air. Ignoring Bo's question about where he was going, Steve walked quickly out of the room, passed Roman who was whispering to Neil, and headed for the kitchen door that opened into garden.
The air was cold and crisp when Steve got outside. He pulled his jacket tighter around him and wandered aimlessly on the grounds. As he walked, one thought kept repeating in his head.
Don't give up, Sweetness. No matter what, don't give up.