Cath hurried after Mari and quickly caught up. She grabbed her arm gently. "Whatcha doing?"

"Let me go!" Mari snapped, pushing her friend's hand away. "Where's intensive care?!"

"Mari, he's in surgery," Catherine said softly. "You'll see him after. Come on. Let's go get coffee."

"I'm not leaving him, Cath!" Mari said firmly, her eyes ablaze. "I'm never leaving him again...I've lost too many friends, and I have too few good ones."

"You can't be in there while he's in surgery. The doctors need to concentrate."

"I just need to see him," Mari cried. "I have to, Cath."

Catherine pulled Mari in close. "And you will. He'll be out soon. You just need to wait five minutes."

Mari nodded sullenly. She hadn't felt this panic stricken since Mel had died.

Since her sister-

That pain seemed all too fresh in her mind. The idea of losing Josh-

"So, this is what it feels like," Mari thought to herself, "to have someone you can't bear to lose. And it only took him getting shot for me to feel it."

"Where's Matt gone?" Mari sniffled, looking over Cath's shoulder.

"He had to go to the police," she shrugged. "He wouldn't let me go with him."

"But, Cath, if he hasn't been vindicated, won't they try to arrest him?" Mari asked worriedly.

"He said that he got a confession. He knows who did it."

"Will they believe him?"

"I don't know, but I have my own fish to fry. Somebody wants to meet me at the cemetery. I don't know who, but they said if I don't go, then something with happen to Ashley and Scarlett," Catherine sighed. "I didn't tell Matt, so you're the only one who knows."

"Cath, you can't go!" Mari said sternly. "Tell the police and put it in their hands. If they want you to go, fine. But this is important to the case."

"I have to, Mari," Catherine moaned. "They won't hesitate to hurt the girls if I don't go, and I can't have somebody else there with me."

"My god, don't you watch tv?! This never goes well! You can't, Cath! It's not a game! It's some psychopath. He shot Josh, and don't think he won't shoot you too if he gets the chance."

"That's the point," Cath sighed. "If I go with them, they'll let Ashley and Scarlett go."

"You don't know that! He might just be trying to add you to his collection!" Mari whispered.

"That's a chance I have to take...Listen, if I don't make it back, just remember that you're my sister and best friend and I love you." Catherine forced herself to pull away from her friend and drove to the cemetery. It was eerily quiet. The only sounds were her breathing and footsteps. "I'm here," she called out.

Caroline stepped out from behind one of the stones, pulling two girls behind her. "You ready?"

Catherine nodded and Caroline let Ashley and Scarlett run to their sister. "Everybody's at the hospital. Go find them. Tell them all that I love them, okay? And remember that I love the both of you very much. Take care of Matt and make sure that he knows how much I love him, because I think he forgets sometimes," Catherine said softly, tears running down her cheeks. She quickly recorded a message on Ashley's phone for the girls to give to Matt. "Go!"

The girls nodded and ran in the direction of the hospital.

Caroline grabbed Cath's arm firmly and walked briskly away.

—————

Ashley and Scarlett ran to Mari. "They have Catherine," the latter cried.

"Are you alright?!" Mari asked them sternly. "Did they hurt you?"

Ashley shook her head. "We're fine, but they're threatening to kill Cath. They said something about getting back at Matt."

"I told her!" Mari muttered. "Listen, the police will look after you, alright? Trust them. We'll get her back, I swear." She shivered as the double doors opened. "I have to go. The officer right there, his name is Thomas, he'll help you."

"No, Catherine said we have to stay with you," Ashley sighed. "Where's Matt?"

"Catherine isn't in charge right now. She's in danger and you're going to have to listen to me. Thomas will take you to Matt. He's waiting at the station for Cath. Go!" Mari nodded, calling Thomas over and heading for the double doors frantically as Josh was taken into a recovery room.

Scarlett glanced at Ashley. "Fine," Ash said begrudgingly.

The two girls followed the officer.

—————

Mari rushed to the doctor. "How is he?! Is he awake?!"

"He's a bit out of it right now, but he'll be okay," the doctor nodded.

"Can I see him?" Mari asked desperately. "Please?"

"Sure. Just don't stress him out."

"Thank you," Mari professed, grasping the doctor's hand. "Thank you so much."

"I'll be needing some forms filled out, though. Information and such-"

Mari nodded and quickly brushed past him, peeking her head in the door nervously.

"Mari?" Josh said groggily.

Mari put a hand to her mouth and approached the bed, kneeling down at his side. "Don't speak," She said fighting tears. "You need to rest."

He shook his head. "Where's Catherine? I need to talk to her."

"Josh, stop," Mari said firmly.

"No, I need to see Cath. Where is she?" Josh tried to sit up, but pain in his side prevented him from doing so.

"Catherine isn't here," Mari sighed.

—————

The officer took Ashley and Scarlett to the police station and the girls ran over to Matt. "Where's Catherine?" He asked frantically.

"The people that took us- they have her," Ashley sighed.

Matt groaned. "I told her not to go anywhere!"

"She did it to protect us," Ashley shrugged.

"Thomas," Matt muttered, "can you handle this?"

"No," Scarlett sighed. "We can't go after her. They said that if we do..."

"They threatened to kill her," Ashley finished.

Matt kicked the wall in a rage.

"Matt," Thomas said calmly, "the police will take care of this. It's vital that you don't get involved."

Scarlett looked to her sister nervously. "What do we do?" She mouthed silently.

"I don't know," Ashley mouthed back. "Should I call her?"

Scarlett shrugged.

Ashley stepped away and dialed the number. "Catherine?"

"Hey, kid," came the older sister's oddly cheery voice.

"Oh my god. Are you okay? Where are you? Did they hurt you?" Ashley asked frantically.

Catherine shrugged. "I'm fine. It's dark and cold in here and I'm starting to get bored. Did you give Matt the message?"

"No, but-"

"Go give him the message. Love you. Bye."

"What? No! Cath!" Ashley exclaimed in frustration. "Ugh!...Matt, I need to tell you something."

"I really have to go," Matt replied hurriedly.

"I have a message from Cath."

Matt stared blankly, his face turning red. "What?!"

Ashley found the audio recording on her phone and played it. "Matt," Catherine sighed. "Look, Baby, whatever happens, I want you to know that I love you. Just remember that and...and take care of Mari for me. And- and take care of yourself too. I love you."

"Dang it," Matt muttered angrily. "Thomas, I'm heading out see you later."

—————

Catherine sighed. She was bored out of her mind and the room was dark. She had her phone and the charger, but it didn't keep her occupied for long. "I need human interaction," she moaned. She quickly texted Ashley her location before collapsing onto the small cot.

—————

"She's at the warehouse!" Scarlett proclaimed.

"Where's Collins?!" Thomas exclaimed.

"He just left," Ashley sighed.

"He's still a suspect!" Thomas stammered. "If he leaves now, we have justifiable means for arrest."

"Why is he such a moron?" Ashley moaned.

"Tell me about it," Thomas sighed. "He never listens."

—————

"What are we going to do with the girl?" Caroline asked.

Her father shrugged. "We can hopefully lure out Matthew and figure out what we're doing to do from there."

"I want no part in this," Caroline cried.

"You'll do as I say," her father hissed, "or Jeremy will suffer the consequences."

—————

"Matt isn't answering his phone," Ashley sighed.

Thomas sighed heavily. "Is- is Mariah Gerry still friends with him?"

Both girls nodded in unison.

"Is she-" Thomas asked slowly with a blush, "I'm sorry, this is off topic..."

Scarlett rolled her eyes. "What do you want?"

"Is she...with anyone?"

"I think she might have her eye on someone," Ashley shrugged. "Or, at least, that's what Cath said."

"Oh," Thomas nodded.

Was it too late to hope?

—————

Matt rushed in past the front desk and straight up to the second floor. "I'm here for Steele," he said firmly.

The young girl smiled up at Matt. "He is in his office," she said in her adorable half American, half French accent. "You may go in."

Matt nodded and made the mistake of turning his head to face her, causing a little horrified gasp to escape the girl. "What happened to you?!" She said breathlessly, her eyes full of concern. "Sir? Do you need me to call someone?"

"No, I'm alright," he said softly. The girl looked so familiar.

"Alexandra!" Came Jacob's voice from the other room.

"Y-yes, Monsieur?" She stammered.

"Get me some coffee, will ya?"

"Right away, sir," she replied, quickly hurrying off.

"Mr. Steele?" Matt asked, stepping into the man's office.

"That's me," Jacob grinned. "Can I help you?"

"Sir...it's me."

Jacob stared at Matt. "Matthew?" He asked slowly.

"Yes, sir," he nodded, fighting tears.

"Wow," Jacob stammered. "It's good to finally meet you. Can I...is there something I can help you with?"

"You're Mel's father?"

Jacob nodded. "And Mariah's."

Matt made a face. "Yeah, I'm still trying to get my head around that."

"Me too," Jacob laughed softly. "Is something wrong?"

"There's a chance your life is in danger, sir. Along with Mari's, should they find out."

"They?"

"The same people who...who killed my wife, sir."

Jacob's jaw dropped. "Do you know who killed her?"

"I believe so, sir," Matt said, holding back tears. "And they've taken Cath, and I didn't know where else to come."

"How can I help, son?"

"I was wondering what Information you have on Mr. Isaiah Whitney," Matt said hesitantly.

Jacob pulled out a file. "Take a look. It should all be in there."