All four of them flew back to England within a week and started to work. They talked to several TV station owners who agreed to broadcast a program once the story was of a missing little girl was told. Even if the case was a quarter of a century old it was being reopened and the more people knew about it the more likely they were to get leads.

"Are you sure that this will work?" asked Adam.

"I hope so. I've contacted the BBC and the news as well as America's Most Wanted in America. They each said that they would run Sara's story," Dave said.

It was a few days after they had returned from the States and they had set the search for Sir Ian's daughter in motion. Sir Ian's influence had helped it get on the air quickly. Sir Ian was willing to do almost anything to find his missing daughter Susan.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

"Greetings, this is the BBC World News, I am Stuart Templeton. In today's news from England a more than twenty year old cold case is coming back to life."

"She was a local girl, a daughter of a barrister who was coming up in the ranks of the court. Born in London to Mr. Ian Semple and his wife Ellen, Susan Barbara Semple was taken from her home in London at the age of twelve back in 1977. Of her family and friends, she was seen as a kind girl who always tried to help others and had many friends. An all A's student, she excelled in all of her studies and when she was asked on what she wanted to be when she grew up, she remarked that she wished to be a doctor and help anyone and everyone. But on June 12, all that ended when she was kidnapped just outside her home in London. No one except an elderly neighbor saw her get, kidnapped. Now after 25 years, the search begins again for this young lady."

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

In Dublin, Ireland, a man watched his telly with a glass of chocolate milk, an afterthought from his childhood. Toys were on the floor from the kids and their mum had just gone up to put the three little munchkins to bed. He used the remote control to turn the channel and comes across a newscast. It talked about a girl named Susan Semple who been missing since 1977 from age of 12. Poor girl, he thinks until they said, "Now we will show you a picture of the missing girl and an aged-enhanced photograph of what she would look like now."

The man's eyes go wide. God, no...it couldn't, be!

One word came from his lips.

"Mary."

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

"Got any leads?" asked Sir Ian.

"No sir. I'm afraid not," said Sara, shaking her head.

Sir Ian plopped himself in a nearby chair and placed his head in his hands. After a few minutes, he brought his head back up, his eyes glimmering with tears. "Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe she is dead—"

It was several weeks later and they had had a ton of leads that had eventually petered out. Sir Ian was getting more depressed as days; then weeks passed with one dead end after another.

"Sir Ian, don't think that. We told you to keep a positive attitude."

"Yes, but if they find her bo—her in a grave, what then?"

"Sir Ian, can you think of anyone who would take her from you?"

"No, no. I have no other family."

"Any enemies?"

"Plenty of those," Ian admitted, sadly shaking his head. "I've put a lot of criminals behind bars over the years. I'm sure some of them hated me enough to take my daughter away from me."

"We need to check with that police officer what was; his name?"

"Liam Simmons," Sara supplied.

"That's it," said Dave. "We'll make him our first priority. I have a sneaking suspicion that somebody else besides the man who sent the ransom had to be involved. It would be hard to kidnap a twelve-year old girl alone. We'll probably need help to sort out all the angles. If we don't get any leads soon I would like to call Marcus and ask him to come and help. As an investigator he's topnotch."

"Marcus?" Ian questioned.

"Marcus O'Malley," Dave replied. "Kate's older brother. He's a U.S. Marshal and a good one at that. I'm positive he'd be willing to come down if he can get the time off and he could bring his wife Shari and their son with him."

"Shari would be willing to help as well in any way that she could."

Dave nodded in agreement and said, "That she would."

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

A few weeks later in Virginia America

Shari came home from the doctor late that afternoon. She was in shock for she had not expected to be pregnant again quite so soon. Davey was just over a year and three months old after all. However, she knew Marcus would be pleased. He hadn't known he was going to the doctor and she hadn't told him so she could surprise him if she was pregnant like she thought she was. It turned out she was right.

Marcus came home around six o'clock. Marcus was nice enough to call if he was going to be any later or if he had to go out of town for a few days.

"Shari I'm home," Marcus called as he entered the front door.

"I'm in the kitchen," Shari called.

Marcus raised an eyebrow at that. Shari was cooking. She only cooked on rare occasions or for something special. She had never become very domesticated when she was growing up, but he had to admit the more she practiced the better she got at it.

Marcus entered the kitchen to find an absolute disaster. Flour was everywhere and coating every surface. It looked like there'd been a tornado and it had spread the flour everywhere. He kissed Shari's flour coated cheek and asked, "So what are you cooking?"

"Something special," said Shari. "You'll see." Marcus knew better then to ask again. Not only would he get nothing out of her he would just put pressure on her by asking again. "Dinner should be ready shortly."

"Okay. Just call me when it's ready. I'll be in the den reading the paper," said Marcus. He then turned without a word and left her to finish up alone.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

A half an hour later Shari entered the den to find Marcus asleep in his favorite leather covered recliner the newspaper open and spread out on his stomach. Shari smiled softly and gently kissed him awake.

Marcus awoke with a start to find Shari leaning over him kissing his lips.

"Dinner," she whispered. Marcus yawned and let the footstool of the recliner down "Where's Davey?"

"Upstairs with Rosie," said Shari. "He's already had his dinner."

"I'll have to go spend some time with him right after I eat. I've been a bit busy lately and haven't spent as much time with him as I would have liked," Marcus said.

"I know you've been on a case, but Davey misses you. He asked me where his daddy was this afternoon. It's hard to explain to a one year old that he had to work," Shari said.

Marcus sighed and looked guilty for not spending more time with his son. "I really must take the time to spend with him. These growing up years are important in any child's development and if he feels like I didn't care… Well, that could ruin him or at the very least do him harm. I love him too much to do that to him. I need to spend time with him while he's young."

Shari nodded and agreed and they both headed in to dinner arm-in-arm.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

"So what's the special occasion minx?" asked Marcus curiously.

"Marcus what are you eating?" Shari asked trying to get him to look down at his food.

Marcus raised an eyebrow and complied. He was sure Shari had a reason for this… "Baby spinach, baby carrots; baby peas. Shari; are you trying to tell me you're pregnant?" Marcus asked his voice slightly husky with emotion.

"Yes, I am. I've been to the doctor and the doctor confirmed it," Shari said.

"That's great, terrific!" Marcus exclaimed jumping up from his chair all his tiredness vanishing in an instant. He came around the table and hugged Shari tight then kissed her. "So that is what this "special dinner" is for," said Marcus. It was a statement not a question.

"Of course," said Shari mysteriously. "I wanted to surprise you and I figured you were smart enough to figure it out given a few clues."

"You managed that," said Marcus ignoring the part about being smart enough to figure it out. He plopped down in his chair with a sigh still looking shocked, but pleased.

Shari laughed softly as his expression slowly faded from shock to joy.

"What's so funny minx?" asked Marcus half seriously.

"Your expression; it's priceless," said Shari. "I wish I had a camera handy."

"Is it now," said Marcus with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Suddenly moving, like lightning and yet like a silent shadow Marcus was around the table while Shari was pretending to concentrate on her dinner. He snuck up on her and tickled her mercilessly. Shari's eyes widened in surprise for she hadn't seen or heard him coming. Then she was laughing so hard her sides ached.

Finally, she said sounding strangled with laughter. "Enough I can't breathe for laughing so hard."

Marcus complied and it took Shari a few minutes to catch her breath. "I'm hoping for a little girl this time," said Marcus suddenly serious.

"It doesn't matter to me," said Shari. "I'll take either one. I love our son and I wouldn't mind having another boy. Of course, I wouldn't mind a girl either."

"I think I'd better go and see Davey and maybe tell him a bedtime story. It's about his bedtime anyway."

"So it is," said Shari looking at her watch. It was nearing eight o'clock and any one-year olds bedtime.

Marcus turned and headed up stairs without another word.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

"Daddy," said Davey throwing himself into his father's arms expecting to be caught. Marcus picked him up and swung him around. Davey giggled in glee as Marcus made him dizzy. The governess they had hired was a sweet older lady by the name of Rosie whose children had grown up and moved away. Her husband had died about ten years ago and this was her second job as governess.

"Bedtime Davey," said Marcus.

"Don' wan' 't go 't bed," said Davey pouting.

"I'll tell you a story," Marcus promised.

"The one 'ow 'ou and mommy met?" Davey requested looking eager.

"Okay," Marcus agreed. "Hop into bed." Unlike most bedtime stories this one was true. Based on Shari and him had met. It was Davey's favorite.

"Yes daddy," said Davey eagerly. He was already dressed in pajamas with teddy bears all over them and little padded feet. He eagerly scrambled to his crib and Marcus helped him climb up the side.

"Lay down," said Marcus gently. Davey obeyed somewhat reluctantly.

Marcus chuckled at his son's expression. It was a mixture of eagerness for the story and grumpiness because he wasn't ready for bed.

"Once upon a time…" Marcus began.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

Marcus answered the phone not expecting Dave. After all Dave was still in England. It was the next day after Shari had told him she was again pregnant and he had just gotten home from work when the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hi buddy," came Dave's voice strong and clear over the line.

"Dave, I thought you were still in England," said Marcus sounding surprised.

"We are. I called because we need your help."

"With what?" asked Marcus; curiously.

"This investigation, it has too many leads for just one or two people to follow. Gideon and the rest of us need some help and we immediately thought of you and Shari. You both have experience at seeing past the obvious and have a feeling we're missing something here. Besides, we could use your insight," Dave explained.

"I'd love to help and I'm sure Shari would to, but I'll have to see if I can get some time off," Marcus said,

"If you can't I can always go through the American embassy…" Dave suggested. "To get you temporarily assigned over here."

"Let's only use that option as a last resort. I'll call you back say tomorrow, as soon as I can check into it," Marcus said.

"Okay, talk to you soon," Dave agreed.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

A week later, Shari and Marcus along with Davey were winging over the sea. Marcus had gotten the time off without too much difficulty. He didn't take all that much time off anyway unless there was a "family emergency" and his superiors knew it.

"Marcus, Shari I'm glad you could make it," said Adam who was there to meet them, "And Davey to." Adam tickled Davey under the chin and Davey giggled and stretched out his arms saying, "Unca Adam."

Adam took him gently out of Shari's arms and held him. "Well let's get going. It's at least an hour to Sir Ian's estate and he wants to see you right away."

"No time for a shower or a change of clothes?" Shari asked feeling hot and sticky from the long flight.

"Sorry, Dave thinks he may have a lead," said Adam.

Marcus nodded. "We can drop you and Davey off at the hotel if you want," Marcus suggested.

"No I'll go with you," said Shari.

"You're sure?"

"Yes, I can take a shower later," said Shari.

"Okay let's get going then," said Marcus not bothering to argue.

Shari was as interested in the case of the missing girl as he was. He knew she just wanted to appear at her best in front of someone she had never met. Not that he blamed her, he was feeling all sweaty and dirty himself and would have been grateful to stop for a shower and a change of clothes.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

A short time later, they pulled up in front of a big old house that had a nice front lawn that looked freshly cut and glistened with dew in the late afternoon sun. The house itself was brick with a foundation of stone.

"Welcome," said Matthew the butler who opened the door. "Thank you for coming so quickly."

Then Matthew showed them into the parlor without another word. Sir Ian was already waiting along with Dave, Kate and Sara. "Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. O'Malley," Sir Ian greeted.

"Just Marcus and Shari will do. We don't usually go much for formality," Marcus said. "And this is Davey named after Dave."

"As you wish," said Sir Ian with a twinkle in his eye. "It's a pleasure to meet you at last. Kate and Dave have been telling me about you and the rest of the family."

"Has she now," said Marcus giving his sister a wink. "Then she certainly must have told you about some of her exploits."

Sir Ian raised an eyebrow while Kate went red with embarrassment. "No I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure, but we can discuss it another time. It's time for tea."

~~~Beyond the Future~~~