Kim gripped Shane's hand as they entered the police station. Glancing at him, she marveled at how composed he appeared. In his dark suit and with a perfectly placid expression on his face, Shane looked like a high-powered attorney or a businessman who was perfectly comfortable stopping by the local police station. She doubted that anyone but she could sense how nervous Shane was. However, she could see the minute signs - the stiff way he held his shoulders, the tight lines around his eyes, his locked jaw.

She was trying to think of something to say when she heard Mickey Horton's voice. Turning her head, she spotted him coming down the corridor.

"Good, you came in the back," Mickey said. "There's a mob of press in the front setting up for the press conference."

Kim felt the rage begin to stir inside her. The ISA press conference, where Tarrington would take all the credit for everything Shane and Steve had risked their lives for. But she stopped herself from saying anything as she and Shane followed Mickey through the station.

They reached the main room of the station. On the far side of the cubicles manned by mostly unformed officers, Kim could see cameramen setting up their cameras and reporters milling about as they waited for the press conference to begin. In their midst, Kim could see Jack and Jennifer Devereaux and, leaning against a wall and talking with a man that Kim recognized as the field director for the Salem office of the ISA was Rachel Knight.

"Good thing Eve's not here," Kim said in a low voice to Shane, motioning with her head in Rachel's direction. Undoubtedly, their daughter would have had some choice words for the reporter.

During breakfast, Eve had been adamant about coming to the station with them, but Shane must have said something to dissuade her. He and Eve had talked privately in his study after breakfast. After that, Eve changed her mind and offered to stay home with Andrew and Jeannie. Kim had decided that Andrew should stay home from school. She did not know how he would be when it sank in that Shane really was gone, and thought it best that he be with family for the next day or two.

Kim suddenly realized that Mickey had stopped walking. They were now in the center of the room, only about 80 feet from the press area. As Kim wondered why they had stopped, Mickey scanned the room, as if looking for someone, and then set down his briefcase.

"What now?" Shane asked Mickey. "Where's Pasqua? I thought they wanted this finalized before the press conference."

Kim thought Mickey seemed confused for a moment, but then he responded, "Oh . . . I don't know . . . The U.S. Attorney didn't really mention why he chose the time." He paused, then said, "Um . . . let me go see if I can find him."

Mickey quickly disappeared in the direction of the offices of the Salem PD detectives and top-brass. As he did, Shane frowned slightly.

Kim gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Just hang in there," she said. "I'm sure this is just a little glitch." She knew that, at this point, Shane just wanted to get the plea bargain over and done with.

Five minutes passed, but Mickey did not return. Kim could sense the tension radiating off of Shane. She could tell he wanted to pace, but she also knew he did not want to attract the attention of the reporters.

"Kimmie."

The sound of Kayla's voice gave Kim a start. She turned to see her sister and Steve.

"So you decided you wanted to see the show?" Steve asked. He looked in the direction of the reporters.

Kim felt Shane tense, but his voice sounded very calm as he answered. "No. We're supposed to be meeting with the prosecutor before the press conference."

Seeing the concern in Kayla's eyes, Kim sighed and shook her head. There was nothing anyone could do to change things. She still expected Kayla to protest, but her sister turned away.

"You're really gonna do this, dude?" Steve looked bewildered. "All those reporters over there. If you just-"

"Stop," Shane said, curtly. "We went over this yesterday. You heard Tarrington. You heard what he'd do to you and Roman and John."

Steve grimaced. "Yeah, well, don't ever say we didn't give you every chance to back out."

Shane chuckled weakly. "No one would ever accuse you of that."

Kayla asked how the children were taking things, and seemed relieved to hear that neither Eve nor Andrew had been upset with Shane for making his decision.

Shane interrupted to ask, "Where is Mickey?" He sounded agitated.

"Calm down, dude," Steve said. In what Kim suspected was an attempt at levity, he added, "Someone might think you're excited to go to jail."

Shane did not answer. His attention was diverted by noise from the press area. Kim followed Shane's gaze toward the reporters, who were taking their seats. The cameramen were readying their cameras. Obviously, the press conference was about to begin.

"Maybe we should go wait someplace else," Shane said.

Steve laughed. "And miss some of the best acting this side of the Oscars? Not a chance. Oh, come on, Donovan, we might as well hear Ol' Tarrington spew his garbage firsthand."

"I don't want the reporters to get suspicious about my being here," Shane explained.

"Hey, don't worry, Donovan." Steve scowled at the reporters. "Those guys are so focused on the ISA and their heroes, they wouldn't notice you being here if you had a big neon sign with your name on it."

Kim had to agree. Nobody had come over while they had been waiting, and they certainly would not abandon the press conference to talk to Shane. And I should hear Tarrington's lies, Kim told herself. As bitter as the thought was, she wanted to know how the ISA intended to sell its story to the world.

Kayla pointed to an empty cubicle next to where the cameras were set up. It was near the back of the press area, behind the reporters, who had taken seats while waiting for the ISA officials and Salem PD to emerge.

"We might as well," Kim said.

Shane still seemed reluctant, but he agreed. They followed Steve and Kayla around the maze of police desks until they reached the empty cubicle Kayla had spotted. From there, they could see past the cameras and had a clear view of the reporters and the lectern that had been set up in front. Kim held Shane's hand in a tight grip. Next to them, Steve wrapped an arm around Kayla's shoulders.

A door to the side opened. A short woman who Kim recognized as being from the mayor's office came first. Tarrington was directly behind her and giving off an air of being the man in charge. Behind him were some other ISA agents, as well as Roman and Carly. Neither looked very pleased to be there. Carly looked at the entrance on the other side of the room. Kim followed Carly's gaze and saw that, next to the door, Bo had just slipped inside.

The gang's all here, Kim thought bitterly.

The short woman stepped up to the microphone. She gave a brief introduction to the people who would be speaking and set ground rules for questioning that Kim barely paid attention to, catching only that the person at the podium would answer only questions from the reporter called upon. That hardly surprised Kim. The ISA would want to keep control of the press conference. And, she realized, the ISA would play to their favorites. Rachel Knight would probably be the first reporter called.

Turning her attention to Tarrington, Kim studied him. The man oozed arrogance. Even standing silently and waiting for his turn to speak, Tarrington had a self-satisfied expression on his face.

Why wouldn't he be satisfied? He's getting everything he wanted, Kim told herself. He should be happy.

"I'd like to wipe that grin off that lying bastard's face," Steve mumbled to Kayla, his words echoing Kim's thoughts. "Just give me five minutes alone with that arrogant slimeball."

Kayla hissed a quick "Steve" before the woman finished her introductory remarks.

"And now, let me turn things over to ISA Director Nigel Tarrington, who will explain the incident and answer questions."