Summer banged loudly on the outside of the apartment. "Open this door!" she demanded, "I know you're in there! Open up or I..."
Summer paused as the door began to open, revealing a bare chested, half-dressed Austin on the other side. With a towel in hand, Austin, rubbed it against his wet hair.
"Summer," Austin said, "This is a nice surprise. Although, it would be nicer if you would not pound on my door like that."
"What took you so long to answer?" Summer said.
"I was just getting out of the shower," Austin said, "Would you prefer I greeted you naked? I mean, it doesn't really make a difference to me."
"Where is he?" Summer said, "What have you done to him? If you've hurt him, I swear I will hurt you right back!"
"You realize I have no idea what you're talking about," Austin said.
"Tell me what you've done with Kyle!" Summer yelled.
Austin raised his eyebrows at Summer, a look of question in his eyes.
Jack answered his doorbell, to reveal an unexpected guest on the other side. "Kevin," he said.
"Hi Jack," Kevin said, "I'm sorry to hear about Kyle's disappearance."
"How do you know about that?" Jack said.
"I am helping out with the investigation," Kevin said, "Checking out Kyle's computer, trying to track his phone, his GPS, talking to people, stuff like that."
"Did you come up with anything?" Jack said.
"Not so far," Kevin said.
"I appreciate your help," Jack said.
"He has to be somewhere," Kevin said, "The police are doing their best."
"I know my son," Jack said, "He is resilient and would not give up easily if he is in trouble. At the same time, I shudder to imagine what's happened to him."
"Is Rachel here?" Kevin said, "I went by the house, but no one's home."
"She is upstairs resting," Jack said, "This whole thing is taking its toll on her. Rachel wants to stay with us until Kyle is back home."
"I'm glad she's not alone," Kevin said, "I have a question for her."
"A lead?" Jack said,
"Not exactly," Kevin said, "There's something I'm curious about. I'd rather talk to Rachel before I speculate any farther."
"Kevin," Rachel said, descending the stars.
Kevin met her at the base of the steps, giving her a comforting hug. "I'm sorry this is happening," he said, "We will find him."
"You heard about Kyle," Rachel said.
"Paul brought me in to help," Kevin said, "I've been trying to track Kyle's phone. Paul said, you got a text from your husband, is that right?"
"Kyle let me know he got to Minneapolis okay," Rachel said, "Which makes this so strange that no one has seen him."
"Do you still have the message?" Kevin said.
"Yes, it's right here," Rachel said, grabbing her phone and showing it to Kevin. Kevin quickly read the text. "Hi, I made it to Min. okay. Lots of meetings, see you soon. I luv you, Kyle."
"Rachel, does anything seem off to you about this message?" Kevin said.
"I'm not sure what you mean," Rachel said, "I asked Kyle to let me know he got there okay. He says he did."
"Is there anything different in the tone of this message from others he has sent you?" Kevin said, "Is the language the same way he always uses it?"
"It looks fine to me," Rachel said, "Well…maybe something is off."
"Any little thing you notice could be helpful," Kevin said.
"It's just that Kyle doesn't usually start his messages with 'Hi', he just launches into what he has to say," Rachel said, "And where he says 'I luv you' he has never spelled love that way before, it's always l-o-v-e."
"Anything else?" Kevin said.
"There is one more," Rachel said, "He has ended the text by putting his name 'Kyle'. Usually he ends his messages to me with '-K'. Just like I sign mine to him '-R'. It's our thing."
"Something between the two of you, no one else would know about?" Kevin said.
"That's right," Rachel said, "What are you getting at?"
"I don't want you to panic," Kevin said, "But I don't think Kyle sent that text."
"Would you like to come in and tell me what has you so upset?" Austin said.
"Don't pretend you're innocent in all of this," Summer said.
"I'd like to help you out," Austin said, "So either come in or go. I'm not having a conversation in the hallway."
"If you touch me, I will scream," Summer said.
"Understood," Austin said, stepping aside for Summer to enter the apartment. Shutting the door Austin said, "It sounds to me like you have misplaced your ex. Did you check with his wife? It would be the most likely place to find him."
"This isn't funny," Summer said, "I know you're involved."
"In what?" Austin said.
"Tell me where Kyle is!" Summer said.
"Wait, it's not just you that's looking for him," Austin said, "Is he missing?"
"Just tell me what you've done with him," Summer pleaded.
"I haven't done anything," Austin said, "Summer, I swear. If something has happened to him, it wasn't because of me."
"I don't believe you," Summer said.
"I can understand why you are accusing me," Austin said, "If something happens to Kyle, then Austin is the usual suspect."
"You are always plotting ways to cause him distress," Summer said, "Of course you're the one responsible."
"Not this time," Austin said, "I don't know where Kyle is, or what's happened to him. This is the first I'm hearing of this."
"You were never honest with me," Summer said, "How do I know you are not lying now?"
"I know you find it hard to trust me," Austin said, "But I promise, I had nothing to do with what's happened." Gesturing to his ankle monitor, Austin said, "This is my proof. If I went after Kyle, I would be in jail before I even got to him. If I deviate even just a little from where I am supposed to be, I would be arrested very quickly."
"That doesn't seem to stop you from going out to Society," Summer said.
"I am allowed to go there for meals and it's close by," Austin said, "So you see? It couldn't have been me."
"You swear?" Summer said.
"Cross my heart," Austin said.
"I better not find out you're lying to me," Summer said, taking a few steps towards the door.
Austin stepped in her path. "Don't go," he said.
"Get out of my way," Summer said.
"You're upset, you shouldn't leave like this," Austin said, "Can I offer you an Ice-T?"
"No, thank you," Summer said.
"You owe me," Austin said.
"Excuse me?" Summer said.
"You said you would talk to me," Austin said, "If I didn't hurt Abbott? Well, I held back from hurting him." Summer paused, so Austin said, "Or maybe you just said that so I wouldn't go through with it. And you accuse me of lying."
"What I said wasn't a lie," Summer said, "But I don't know what we have to discuss."
"How about my apology?" Austin said, "For everything. All this times I was not honest with you. For hurting you and frightening you. Summer can you forgive me?"
"I don't know if I can," Summer said, "I've seen nothing from you to prove you can be trusted."
"You can trust me," Austin said, "We can try to get back what we had. You can't deny when were together we were happy. You're an incredible and beautiful woman. I know I can make you happy again."
"Trust you?" Summer said, "You kidnapped my Aunt Avery! You shot a police officer. You had a love affair with Abby. You broke my heart. You and I will never be back together."
"I will be a better person for you," Austin said, "I still love you, very much."
"I would like to go now," Summer said.
"Summer, if you just give me chance," Austin said.
"You have had all the chances you are going to get," Summer said, "Now, get out of my way, before you hear that scream I warned you about."
Austin stepped aside and opened the door. "I'm sure things will work out," Austin said, "I mean, this whole thing with Kyle. He will be okay."
Summer left without looking back, Austin watching her walk away a few seconds, before shutting the door. Strolling across the floor Austin rubbed his hands together. He paused in the middle of the floor before, picking up his phone. Directing a message to Tessa and Lola, Austin texted, "URGENT, need to talk."
"You think someone else sent that text?" Jack said.
"I do," Kevin said, "It's likely someone wanted Rachel to think Kyle reached his destination, when in fact maybe he did not."
"Why would anyone do that?" Jack said.
"There could be any number of reasons," Kevin said, "Most likely, to throw the police off the trail of what really happened. It gives them time, before anyone realizes Kyle is missing."
"You think someone did something to him?" Jack said, "On purpose?"
"I can't say for certain," Kevin said, "I'm only speculating."
"It's been too long," Rachel said, as she sat on the couch
"It sure seems like it," Jack said, sitting in chair with a sigh.
"We can't give up hope," Kevin said.
"Why haven't we heard anything?" Rachel said, tears falling, "What if it's too late?"
Kevin sat next to her and put a comforting hand on her shoulder, "You can't think that way," he said.
"What if I never see him again?" Rachel fretted, "I never got a chance to tell him."
"Kyle, knows you love him," Jack said.
"That's not what I was talking about," Rachel said.
"Then what did you mean?" Kevin said.
Rachel wiped away a few tears and said, "After Kyle left on his trip, I found out…I'm pregnant."
Jack stared at Rachel. "You and Kyle…you're having a baby?"
Rachel nodded. "I was going to tell him when he came home," Rachel said, "I keep thinking we had our happiness. We got married and had a wonderful honeymoon. Now that I'm pregnant, what if that's all Kyle was supposed to do in life? What if that's it for him?" The more she spoke the faster her tears fell.
Hugging her, Kevin said, "You know that's not true. You both have a wonderful future to look forward to with your baby." Even though Kevin was encouraging Rachel, he was not certain he believed what he was telling her.
Strolling into Society, Theo approached the bar, where Abby was finishing up with a customer. Waiting for Abby to notice him, Theo smiled when she looked his way.
"How's my lovely cousin today?" Theo said.
"Someone's in a good mood," Abby said.
"No reason not to be," Theo said, "It's a beautiful day outside."
"Then why aren't you out there?" Abby said.
"I need some of Lola's cooking to fuel the rest of my day," Theo said.
"I hate to disappoint you but she's not here," Abby said.
"Oh, she took the day off to enjoy the weather?" Theo said.
"No, Lola took a leave of absence," Abby said.
"She's not sick, is she?" Theo said.
"I understand she needed some personal time," Abby said, "She said she had something to take care of."
"When is she due back?" Theo said.
"I'm not sure," Abby said, "Soon, I hope."
"I guess I will catch up with her later then," Theo said.
Abby checked her phone for messages, sighing when she didn't see any waiting for her. Theo noticed the worried look in her eyes as she stared into the distance.
"Abby?" Theo said, "Is something wrong?"
Coming out of her trance, she looked at Theo. "Do you not know?" Abby said.
"I'm usually in the know about things," Theo said, "But I don't know what you are talking about."
"I just had a disturbing call with Uncle Jack," Abby said, "It's a family thing."
"Did you forget that includes me?" Theo said, "Come on, tell me what's up."
"Kyle has gone missing," Abby said.
"No way," Theo said, "He's probably involved with some work thing or gone on a special getaway with his wife."
"Rachel does not know where Kyle is," Abby said, "No one has heard from him in in a few days."
"It sounds serious," Theo said.
"It is," Abby said, "I'm worried."
"You know Kyle," Theo said, "He will show up with a logical explanation."
"I would like to believe that," Abby said. Noticing another customer, she said, "You will have to excuse me."
Theo sat at the bar, deep in thought, thinking about Kyle. He silently wished Lola was, there to bounce possible scenarios around with her.
Taking out his phone Theo began text Lola. "Hey, just checking to make sure everything is okay. Hope to hear from you soon."
Theo paused before pressing send, realizing the coincidence that Lola was away at the same time Kyle was missing. Wondering if they were possibly together, Theo muttered, "Nah.." Shaking his head and brushing the thought off, he sent the message.
"You know," Lauren said, sitting next to Michael at Society, "I find it interesting that out son invites us to dinner, yet he's not here."
"That's our boy," Michael said, "Always fashionably late."
Looking out across the room, Lauren spotted Nick and Phyllis. Smiling she said, "Oh, look who's here."
Noticing their friends the couple walked over. "Hey, you two," Nick said, "Date night?"
"Actually our son, invited us to dinner," Lauren said, "You can tell how excited he is to see us."
"I'm sure it will be any minute," Michael said.
Nick and Phyllis shared a look, Nick saying, "Hmm…"
"Hmm what?" Michael said.
"Summer," Phyllis said, "She invited us to dinner too. Here…right now."
"Do you get the feeling we are all supposed to be having this dinner together?" Lauren said.
"That would be my guess," Nick said, pulling out a chair for Phyllis, before seating himself.
Silence presented itself, until Nick continued, "Do we know what this is about? I mean, if they want us all together, it must be important."
"The obviously want to tell us something," Lauren said.
"You mean an announcement?" Michael said, "Could this be an engagement?"
Nick bristled as he said, "Please, don't let this be a pregnancy."
"You are both letting your imaginations run away with you," Phyllis said, "No one is pregnant."
"Rachel is," Michael said.
"Kyle's new wife?" Phyllis said, "How lovely for them."
"You mean there's going to be a Kyle Abbott 2.0?" Nick said, with a shudder.
"It could be a girl," Lauren said, "I think it's nice they're starting a family."
"Speaking of family," Michael said, gesturing to Fen's arrival.
Fen walked up to the table and standing, he rested his hands on the back of a chair. "You're all here," he said.
"We're all curious," Lauren said, "Would you like to sit?"
"Where's Summer?" Nick said.
"She's not coming," Fen said.
"Why?" Phyllis said, "What's wrong?"
"We got some disturbing news today and Summer doesn't feel up to a family dinner tonight," Fen said.
"What's going on?" Michael said.
"Kyle Abbott has gone missing," Fen said, "The police are involved and it sounds like a pretty big case."
"Why didn't I know about this?" Michael said, checking his phone.
"Is Summer okay?" Phyllis said.
"You know she's friends with Kyle," Fen said, "She's very worried about him."
Stepping away, Michael was talking on the phone.
"Anyway, dinner is going to have to be postponed," Fen said, "Sorry for the late notice."
"I hope Kyle is going to be alright," Lauren said.
"The Abbotts must be beside themselves with worry," Phyllis said.
Michael concluded his call, walking over to stand by the table.
"You look concerned," Fen said.
"Did you find anything out?" Lauren said.
"Kyle Abbott is missing alright," Michael said, "From what I was just told, this case has taken a turn for the worst."
Kevin was staying by Rachel's side on the couch, trying to offer support.
"Can I get either of you anything?" Jack said, "Something to eat?"
Rachel shook her head, as Kevin said, "No thanks, Jack."
Jack ran his fingers through his hair, the waiting and worry taking it's toll. All three looked up sharply when the front doorbell rang. Jack rushed to answer it, as Kevin and Rachel stood up hoping for good news or for Kyle himself to walk through the door.
Revealing Paul on the other side, Jack said, "Paul, I didn't expect to see you back here today."
As Jack invited Paul inside, Rachel anxiously said, "Did you find him?"
"I'm afraid not," Paul said, "Kevin, I was hoping to touch base with you. Anything you can tell me?"
"Rachel I looked over the text message," Kevin said, "She thought the tone of it and the wording was unusual for Kyle. Also he didn't use his signature K, like he would always do."
"So, he likely didn't send the text," Paul said.
"Doesn't look like it," Kevin said.
"That means somebody has his phone," Rachel said, "Somebody has Kyle?"
"We are still investigating," Paul said, "However, I have some news you may find disturbing. Perhaps you should sit down."
All remained standing as Jack said, "How about you just tell us?"
"We found Kyle's car," Paul said, "It was in the clearing of a wooded area, just outside of Madison."
"But not Kyle?" Rachel said.
"I'm sorry, there was no sign of him," Paul said.
"What was his car doing there?" Jack said.
"There was evidence of a struggle," Paul said, "We found blood in the front seat and the inside and outside of the car doors."
Rachel's heart leaped, her stomach beginning to swirl. "Kyle's?" she said, her voice shaking.
"We are still waiting on the lab reports for determination," Paul said, "I would like you to take a look at a few items we found for identification."
Reaching into a bag Paul produced subsequent plastic bags, with evidence labels affixed to the outsides of them.
"First there's a watch found at the scene," Paul said, "Do either of you recognize it?"
Taking the bag from Paul, Jack only took a quick look before he said, "I've seen this before."
Showing it to Rachel, she nodded. "He had this on last time I saw him," she said.
"We also found this shoe," Paul said.
"Is that blood?" Rachel said, noticing the discoloration on the tip.
"It appears so," Paul said, "Does this look familiar?"
"He was wearing those the day he left," Rachel said. Beginning to tremble, she said, "Why is there only one?"
"Bear with me a few more minutes," Paul said, "We also found his phone. We can tell it's Kyle's. Kevin I want you to go through this meticulously, inside and out. It may be our best clue to his whereabouts."
"I'll get right on it," Kevin said.
"Is this everything?" Jack said.
"We found his briefcase and travel bag of clothes and personal items," Paul said, "We will return them, but right now everything is evidence. Then there is one more thing."
Showing them a bag with a piece of fabric inside, Paul said, "Do you recognize this?"
Shaking his head, Jack said, "No, I can't say I do."
Rachel was staring at the bag. "Rachel?" Paul said.
Rachel's hands were trembling as she took the bag in her hands. Tears began to fall as she said, "He was wearing shorts this color for his drive and this looks like the same texture."
"Paul, what are you trying to tell us?" Jack said, "What do all these clues mean?"
"I'm afraid I…" Paul started, pausing at the ringing of his phone. Rachel and Jack anxiously watched as Paul answered his phone. "…that's for certain…I see…thank you."
"That was the lab," Paul said, "The blood samples from the scene have been determined to belong to Kyle."
"What does that mean?" Jack said.
"There were signs of a struggle inside and outside the car," Paul said, "There was also a cliff nearby. A trail of blood was detected leading the edge of the cliff, which is also where we found the shoe and the torn fabric."
"No…" Rachel quietly said, her heart beginning to beat faster.
"The surrounding area has been thoroughly searched," Paul said, "There has been no sign of Kyle. Which leads us to the conclusion, it is likely Kyle fell over the edge of the cliff."
Rachel took an uneasy step backwards, Jack taking hold to steady her. "No…" Rachel whimpered, her breathing labored, "No, not Kyle…" Tears flowed down her face.
Jack had tears in his eyes, as he said, "You're certain of this?"
"I'm afraid so," Paul said, "I'm terribly sorry."
Rachel's sobs became louder, as she turned in to Jack, his arms coming around to hold her.
"I don't understand," Jack said, "How did he fall? What was he doing there in the first place?"
"We are looking into all of that," Paul said, "I can't answer those questions yet."
"How does someone just fall like that?" Jack said.
"As, I said, there were signs of a struggle," Paul said, "It's likely Kyle was not alone at the time."
"What are you saying?" Rachel said, "He was pushed?"
"This is now a homicide investigation," Paul said. Rachel leaned into Jack with a moan of despair.
"Okay, so he fell," Jack said, "Maybe he is still alive down there?"
"Jack, the cliff is very steep and no one could survive falling from that height," Paul said, "At the bottom there are large rocks and water. Of course, I have a team searching air and ground to find a body. You have to understand there are caverns and crevices and if he went into the water he could be upstream of down another way. In these instances we don't always find a body."
"You find him and bring him home for a proper memorial," Jack said, tears falling.
"We will do our best," Paul said.
"He can't be…" Rachel moaned, "He can't be gone. I'm going to be sick." With her hand over her mouth, Rachel ran from the room.
Jack sat on his living room couch, his heart breaking and his mind racing. It all felt like a bad dream, which he desperately wanted to wake up from. Jack was aching with the thought of never seeing his son again. Never see his smile, hear him crack a joke or share a warm hug. How could Kyle be gone forever? Who would do this to him? Questions plagued Jack, as he put his head in his hands.
Jack was startled by the sound of the doorbell. Standing to answer it, a small glimmer of hope that Kyle had come home. Opening the door, Jack found Phyllis, concern in her eyes. The two looked at each other a few seconds, before Phyllis walked to Jack and took him into and embrace. Phyllis's compassion brought Jack to tears, as he cried in her arms.
A deep sadness filled Rachel's heart as she walked the vacant halls of Jabot. Reaching her husband's office, the sight of, 'Kyle Abbott, CEO', name plated on the door caused her to pause. She read the nameplate over several times, before approaching the door. Raising her hand, Rachel caressed the letters of his name and title.
Rachel turned the knob on the door, surveying the empty office. Shutting the door and turning on the light, Rachel saw everything just as Kyle had left it. All his folders, office supplies, desk and chair were awaiting Kyle's return.
Rachel strolled to the desk, slowly running her fingers along the edges. Moving behind the desk, she paused to stroke the outline of the chair, before gently settling into it. Her hands trembled as she lightly touched Kyle's coffee mug, his work files and then something caught her eye. Placed on the desk, was the leather case, pen and pencil set she had given Kyle as a promotion gift. She grasped the case, the sight of his initials released the tears. Lifting the lid, she gazed upon the items, her fingers once again running along the letters of his name, upon the pen.
Placing it back on the desk, she turned in the chair to see photos Kyle kept on the mantelpiece. Spying their wedding photo, Rachel picked it up. She remembered how happy they were, the love she felt while in Kyle's arms. Tears were streaming down her face as she lovingly ran her fingers over his image.
Rachel yearned to feel Kyle's touch, his arms around her, the tenderness of his kiss, the gentleness of his voice, as he told her how much he loved her. With Rachel's heartbreak overwhelming her, she wrapped her arms around the photo and sobbed.
Lying on his back Kyle stared up at the ceiling. Inside the cuffs, his wrists were almost raw, resulting from a forceful struggle to free himself. With aching wrists and pain from the unexplained wound, under the bandage, around his leg, despondence was setting in for Kyle. He was losing hope that he would ever be set free, and if he would ever see his loved ones again.
Suffering from hunger, uncertainty, and sadness, Kyle drew a heavy sigh. He was certain Lola's perception of reality was not stable. If he did not respond the ways she wanted him to, Kyle feared for his safety. Whomever Lola's kidnapping partner was, might also threaten his well- being. Kyle's hopes of going home were fading as a few tears slipped down his cheeks.