SECOND CHANCES-FALLOUT 
 
Author: Jacqui
 
Email: ollyjac@optusnet.com.au
 
Rating: R
 
Disclaimers: The usual...Main characters belong to the TV show
etc..etc..Sam & Joe and anyone else not in the TV show are mine...poetic
licence taken with anything legal or medical as I am neither a lawyer
nor a doctor and this is just a story..
 
RECAP from SECOND CHANCES - RECOVERY

"But you can stall. She is not in any condition for any of this and I
won't allow her or my child's health to be compromised. Is that clear?"

"Yeah, I know Nick. I'm sure between your father and I, we can keep
the dogs at bay for a little while at least."

The door slammed, grabbing the attention of the occupants of the room.
 

**************
 

SECOND CHANCES-FALLOUT PART ONE

"Well, well, well, didn't think you'd be back here again so soon did ya?"

"Cut the crap, Darger and get on with it. What the hell is it you want
with me?"

"You know Fallin, you really shouldn't talk to me like that" Darger
shook his head as he stalled. He wanted to milk this for all it was worth.

"Either you get on with this or we gonna get up and leave" Matt growled.

"You his attorney?"

"Yeah so, what do you want?"

"Ok then! So! Fallin, why'd you do it?"

"What? …I didn't do anything… I don't know what in hell you are
talking about…So how about you tell me…"Nick glared at the detective.
"Oh come on you don't seriously think….Why do you think I would have
any kind of reason to hurt my wife?"

"Well for a start she's worth a lot of money"

"So the hell am I…I don't need her money…and just to remind you, just
in case you forgot, I used MY money to pay the ransom not Claire's and
I could have just as easily…by the way where's my money I know you
caught the bastard."

"Yeah well…I put that down to cold feet…and the money is evidence"

"You son of a …"Nick stood head to head with Det. Darger.

"SIT DOWN…I'm not finished….Now, where were we?…That's right….Not to
mention, these and these * and * this" Darger threw copies of the
photos and the emails down on the table in front of the two men.

"You can't be serious…this could be anyone…"

Darger, pressed play on the walkman-sized player in his hand. "Yup but
put it together with this and I think we have enough to hold you. That
is you talking isn't it?"

"Yes, but it sounds like the drop off instructions…Jesus half the
police in the room heard it."

"Oh but there is more"

The tape kept playing. Nick and Matt couldn't believe what they were
hearing. It sounded like it might have been Nick but again it could
have been anyone as the quality deteriorated. Matt stood up face to
face with Darger.

"You know I want an expert to look at the tape…it could easily have
been edited. I'm not even sure it sounds like my client…and anyone
could have used the damn computer."

"But not anyone could have signed this." He gloated shoving another
document in front of them.

"I didn't write this…I didn't…that's not me in the photos and if this
is all you have?…You know! I wanna see my wife so either charge me or
I'm leaving" Nick picked up his jacket and made to leave. Darger
grabbed him by the arm and pushed him up against the wall. "Nicholas
Fallin I'm charging you with extortion and the kidnapping of Claire
McCann-Fallin and anything else I can come up with…You have the right …"

"Matthew?"

"To remain silent……"Darger pushed Nick out of the interview room and
down the hall to be booked. Matt followed closely behind, there was no
way any of this was going to stand up in court. It was too
circumstantial, the only thing remotely like Nick in the photos was
the color of the guys hair. The emails anyone could have sent by
anyone in the office and the signature on the other documents could
easily have been forged. He knew Nick's priority would be to come up
with something to tell Claire before she heard this on the news and
that he would worry about the rest of it later.

************


"I'm almost done… Matt give this to Claire, please. It'd be better
coming from me. I don't think either you or my dad should have to be
responsible for breaking this to her…" Nick looked up from what he was
writing. "Matt…you'll give it to her right?"

"Yeah right. I'll give it to her first thing…but now I need you to think…"

"About what? About how I'm about to get screwed…again."

"No, about anyone who might want in for you enough to help this
bastard set you up and how they could have gotten close enough to you
to do it."

"I have no idea…but it is unlikely to be F & F related, at least I
really can't think of anything I have handled that…could have caused a
reaction like this…"

"Legal Services?"

Nick shook his head "Legal Services-where do I start…it could be any
number of people. I just don't know…Are you sure Claire is ok? She
doesn't know anything yet does she?"

"For the tenth time `no she doesn't'…now focus…It * is * your
signature on the letters Nick…the photos and the emails are suspect
but what about the signatures. Someone had to get pretty close to you
to get that and it had to be in an environment where you wouldn't even
notice…so it has to be be someone at the office."

"Yeah but which one?"

"You are going to have to try and work that one out buddy. Now I am
going to run your errand, my friend and go see your wife. I `ll be
back in the morning… Nicholas?"

"What?"

"Think man, think"

`Think' Nick rubbed his forehead as he watched his friend leave. He
had a killer migraine and it was only going to get worse. How the hell
had they managed to get him to sign the letters without him even
noticing? He automatically ruled out anyone at his father's firm and
concentrated on Legal Services. Later that night as he lay staring up
at the ceiling of his cell he just knew it could be the first of many
long nights.

*********

Claire struggled to get comfortable. She was feeling much better and
today's scan confirmed the baby was fine, she just wished Nick would
visit. She hadn't seen him in two days and all his messages had been
through third parties. She couldn't help thinking that maybe, now the
worst was over and he had a chance to think about
* them * and the unplanned pregnancy, he decided he didn't want any of
it. Admonishing herself as soon as she thought about it, deep down
inside, she knew that even if Nick wasn't keen he wouldn't just walk
away, not after last time. He promised, when they had first started
seeing each other again, he promised he'd never just walk away again
and she had to believe it, but something was wrong. One way or
another she had to find out what.

She stared at the magazine open on her lap not really noticing what
was on the page. There was a knock on her door and then Matt appeared.
"Hey there feel like a visitor?"

"Sure…Nick's not with you by any chance?" It was just as well as she
couldn't concentrate and hadn't read a word.

"Ah no…He's is still tied up…but hey…I brought you something"

Matt handed Claire the envelope and a small package. "Nick wanted me
to give you this. He bought it a couple of weeks ago and was keeping
it for a special…anyway in light of recent events he…I guess he just
wanted you to have it."

"Matthew, thank you for bringing it. But where is he? I can't imagine
what he could possibly be doing, that he can't visit."

"Why don't you open the gift…and I think the letter may tell you what
you need to know"

Claire smiled up at him as she unwrapped the present. She slowly
opened the box and gasped at the contents. Inside was the most
beautiful silver filigree bracelet.

"Oh Matt, it's gorgeous, Nick should have kept it to give me himself…
I'd love to wear it but I don't think I should keep it here. You'll
take it home for me?"

"Sure.

"I have to call him."

"I think you should read the letter. I'll just go grab a coffee and
I'll be back"

There was something in his tone and it scared her. Claire gingerly
opened the envelope not sure she wanted to read the contents of the
letter.


`Hi honey,


`You know; I sat down for an hour with a blank sheet of paper not
really knowing what to say or how to I needed to say it. So much for
making a living with words. I guess I should just take a deep breath
and hope for the best.

You are the light in my life you know that right? Or maybe you don't,
maybe I didn't really tell you that…I don't know, I don't really
remember. God this is hard, I doubt that I'm making too good a job of
it and I don't know how else to say it. The first time I saw you,
heard you, singing in that campus bar…man, I hated that Matt and Ellie
had set me up-again; but I didn't want leave, not that night nor any
other night. You gave me something I never thought I would have and
what did I do? Screw it up, with my usual finesse and as much as I
have continued to do in recent years.

Telling people how I felt, about anything, it never really came easily
to me; god, even telling you I love you- sometimes-especially, telling
you how much I love you, yet somehow you just knew, and let things
just `be' between us. You let me off the hook so many times…did you
think I didn't know it? I just don't know why....after everything that
happened, you could still trust me enough to come to me for help...I
never understood it, yet you needed me and I would be damned this time
if I let you down. Only I still managed to do just that.

There is nowhere I'd rather be than with you, but I can't, as much as
I want to, I can't… but you have to hear it from me. No matter what
you see or hear in the next few days-I could never, ever, do anything
to hurt you or our child. Claire I would never ever do anything to
hurt you. There was never anything I wanted more than to have a family
with you.

You have to promise me to take care of the baby, take care of
yourself. That's what I need from you right now, I will be in to see
you as soon as I can. Anything you need ask Matt or my father
…..anything.

Remember, I love you

Nick'


Matt slipped quietly back into the room as Claire brushed the tears
from her cheeks. She finished reading, and looked directly at him.

"They think Nick did this don't they?"

"Seems so"

"How can anyone possibly think he could have anything to do with this.
He tried to keep me safe. It was my fault…that day…Nick told me to
stay home but I had a doctor's appointment and I wanted to meet him
for lunch. I thought I was pregnant but I wanted to be sure before I
said anything. He didn't know where I was going. I didn't tell him. It
was a surprise"

"I know he didn't, but someone has gone to a great deal of trouble
setting him up and we need to find out who"

"What do you mean who? It's Sam of course"

"I know * Sam * but I mean he had help and we need to find out who and
how. Claire I know this is difficult but I will get him out of there"

"Out of where? Nick is in jail? Oh if you or anyone else think I'm
gonna just sit back…." Claire tried to get out of bed.

"Hold it…Nick warned me about your reaction. You are not going
anywhere. You still have some recuperating to do young lady and your
first obligation now is to the baby. I will take care of Nick…I
promise…and if you behave they just might let you out of here and home
in a few more days. I'll get Ellie to visit you, she didn't come the
last two days `cos she didn't think she could lie to you"

"Oh you mean like you and Burton"

"Claire!"

"I'm sorry, it's just that I can't just sit here and let them do this
to him, I just can't…"

"Yes you can, there is nothing you can do for him. Burton and I will
take care of it and you will take care of the baby…Oh stop glaring at
me…I'm sorry, Nick's orders…Do you really want be on the receiving end
of his wrath if you don't…'cos I sure as hell don't"

"It's not fair…how could anyone think…This whole thing, it started at
least a year before I came to see him"

"The hell you say. Oh I am so gonna kill hom myself. Far be it for my
client to tell me something so IMPORTANT…Tell me do you ever feel like
you just wanna smack him one?"

"Frequently and his dad's just as bad"

"You know maybe you should just start at the beginning…Nick hasn't
told me a damn thing…the more background I have the better…You feel up
to it?"

"Anything, if you think it will help."

"Ok" Matt pulled up a chair and tried to get comfortable. Claire
closed her eyes, turned on her side to face him and leaned back into
the pillow as she fingered the bracelet. She retraced the events
leading up to the present and the more Matt heard the more he was
convinced only a complete moron would try and pin this on Nick and
only an even bigger one would fail to investigate things properly. But
then again he had an idiot for a friend. How could he not have told
him this before now? He made notes as he listened. He needed to speak
to Burton as soon as he could. He wanted access to Claire's file and
quickly had her sign a waiver of sorts, just so there could be no
argument over client privilege. Just as Claire had brought him up to
speed his cell phone rang.

"Is it Nick?"

"No honey it's not Nick." Matt didn't immediately recognise the number
but he sure as hell recognised the voice.

"Williams, damn it where the hell are you?"

"Where am I? What, in the hell is going on there?"
 
SECOND CHANCES-FALLOUT PART TWO


"Is it Nick?"

"No honey it's not Nick." Matt didn't immediately recognise the number
but he sure as hell recognised the voice.

"Williams, damn it where the hell are you?"

"Where am I? What, in the hell is going on there?"

********


`Claire I'm sorry I have to go. I'll call you-soon." Matt picked up
his jacket and made to leave.

"Matt, are you meeting him? Where was he?"

"Don't know the details but he wants me to meet him-now. I have to go.
Claire, I asked Nick to try and think of anyone at either office that
may have been involved in this. I need you to think in case he
mentioned anything at all. He just can't think straight right now.
Anything he might have said about anything that may have happened at
either office, anyone that he may have had an issue with, anyone new
he may have mentioned, clients, anyone, anything at all. There was
someone on the inside and we need to know who and where."

"I really don't know but I'll think about it. Matt, if Nick can't come
here do you think it can be arranged for me to visit him?"

"Leave it for another day or so and if your doctor agrees I'll see
what I can do"

"Don't tell Nick, he'll get, you know, well, he'll be…"

"Pissed?"

"Yeah mildly" she smiled briefly at him.

"Ciao baby"

"Tomorrow ok…see you tomorrow"

Claire watched Matt as he left. She still couldn't believe that anyone
could think Nick could have been part of this. Something he said
bothered her, something she didn't quite remember, but she was
exhausted and couldn't think clearly, and she'd forgotten to give Matt
the bracelet. She put it on, glad she'd forgotten, she re-read the
letter before switching out the light, sliding it under her pillow
when she was done and mildly chastising herself for acting like a
smitten teenager, but she missed him, it was that simple. The tears
flowed freely in the darkened room for some time before she finally
succumbed to sleep.

(……She was sitting in the waiting room, but she couldn't make out
where it was. There were people all around but she couldn't make out
the faces. Paintings on the wall, but she couldn't see the pictures,
then they weren't there and then there was nothing. Deafening silence.
Suddenly, voices all around, it was a busy place, she could hear the
phones, damn it doesn't anyone answer phones anymore. The walls
changed color…same room different place…Where was he, he was supposed
to meet her; she checked her watch, he was late, he was usually late,
mostly she didn't care, she understood he had a busy job, but today
she had to tell him something; it was important. She looked for him,
the longer she looked the harder it was to remember; what was it she
had to say? Suddenly he was walking towards her-smiling, he stopped,
looked straight at her almost past her, then turned away. He was
talking to someone, distracted, not paying attention. You must pay
attention. There was someone behind him. She couldn't see who it was.
They wanted him to do something. He was still talking, he glanced at
her and smiled. There she was-again…now she could see the woman…Did
she know this person, she looked familiar, where did she know her
from? He didn't know her, didn't acknowledge her as he did the others,
the ones he knew. "You have to sign this, your father wants you to
sign it….No Mr Fallin, I need it now… no time to read it…it's
important, your father said it's ok" Why would his father send someone
else? He was right there, he saw; he turned away. Did he notice? Did
anyone else notice? What did you see Claire? What was it? Remember
Claire you have to remember"…)

She tossed and turned, waking suddenly, breathing heavily. The
darkness weighing heavily around her, she could hear the soft sound of
movement in the hallway. It was there in the back of her mind but she
couldn't reach it. She had to see him, talk to him, maybe they could
remember together. In the dim light from the hallway, she reached for
a glass of water, the bracelet sliding towards her wrist as she picked
up the glass. She was glad she'd forgotten to give it to Matt. Matt,
she had to talk to him, convince him to arrange for her to go to see
Nick. As she leaned back against the pillow, she gasped, dropping the
glass.

"Who's there?…What do you want?" She could only make out the shape of
someone standing by the door.

"You're a hard lady to get to"

"What do you want? Do I know you? What time is it? And how the hell
did you get in here?"

"Patience"

Claire discreetly reached for the buzzer ready to call for help. How
did this guy get in here at this time of night. "What do you want?"

"I want to talk to you about your husband"

"Nick? What about him? Who * are * you? I saw you-I think…that night
at the warehouse…I don't really remember…you're with the police?"

"Detective"

"What do you want?"

"You know he's gonna go down for this"

"I don't know what you mean"

"Your husband….I mean I have enough evidence to….."

"I don't have anything to say to you…Get out…now…" she hissed, keeping
her finger on the buzzer and hoping for an immediate response, Claire
kept her gaze fixed on the bastard in front of her, she would not be
intimidated by this guy.

"We have to talk and one way or another we will…here or at the station"

"Get…out…"

"What's going on here?…How did you?…You know never mind…get out of
here now" the nurse grabbed the intruder by the arm. "You pull a stunt
like this again and I'm calling the police"

"Lady I * am * the police"

"Yea, Well I'm impressed but I'm sure even you have a boss. Now get
out" she pushed him into the hallway closing the door behind her. "Mrs
Fallin, are you ok?"

"Yes….no… How come he can just get in here unnoticed?"

"I don't know how to answer that but I will make sure it doesn't
happen again. Can I get you anything?"

"It could have been anyone"

"I know I am sorry and there will be an incident report, but for
now…." she approached the bed gently fixing the covers as she avoided
the water and broken glass. "…I will get this cleaned up. Can I get
you anything?"

"A hot drink would be good"

"Done"

Claire stared after the nurse as she headed out the door. She watched
as she paused at the desk and issued some orders.

Claire breathed slowly and deeply in an attempt to calm down. She had
to see Nick, one way or another she just had to see him and she wasn't
going to wait for her doctor or Matt or anyone else for that matter to
give her the ok. Time to call on an old friend for help…at least first
thing in the morning. Now if she could only remember the dream.

*******

Matt had Joe meet him back at Nick's where at least they wouldn't be
seen. Joe was angry with himself that it had taken as long as it had
for him to figure out he'd been sent on a wild goose chase. Some
detective; and by the time Matt had finished talking, he was even more
furious at the tactics being used by Darger to pin this on Nick. It
should be clear to almost everyone that at best so far, the so-called
evidence was dubious to say the least but that was not going to make
the process any easier. He had to get into Dargers office and look
around. There had to be something he was holding on to, something he
was keeping to himself.

They spent the best part of the night going over and over all the
information to date. Joe would be calling in a couple of favors trying
to find anything that would shed any light on the obsession with Nick.

******

Claire waited impatiently for Ellie to show. She knew that she was
taking a chance asking her for her help to see Nick, knowing Ellie
would be torn between their longtime friendship and her husband. Matt
would be furious if he knew she was doing this, but she had to see
Nick and she had to see him sooner rather than later. She had been
feeling much better and would never do anything to risk their baby but
this was important.

The door opened slowly and Ellie slipped inside the room.

"Did anyone see you?"

"No…I don't think so…Claire are you sure about this? What if Matt…"

"So what!…El my husband is being held for being part of this shit and
we all know there is no way he's involved."

"I know but…"

"No buts, let's go…"

Carefully, the two women managed to get out of the hospital without
being seen.


*******

Claire sat, head bowed, eyes closed and leaning against the side
partition, waiting impatiently for Nick to be brought out. She was
getting a headache. He was going to be furious but there was no
helping that. It worried her that she had probably been missed by now
and considering the circumstances, the fact that she was `missing'
again would not go down well, but she wasn't going to just sit back
and let this happen to him--to them.

She looked up to see Nick standing over her glaring. Grabbing the
phone and signaling for her to pick up the other handset, for the
moment Claire was glad he was on the other side of the glass.

"Exactly what do you think…"

"Oh stop it Nick, I needed to talk to you and they're hardly going to
let you come and see me are they?"

He shook his head sadly as he sat down. "Claire I'm so sorry about
this. I don't know what…I didn't…."

"Do you seriously think, I think, you had anything to do with this?"

Nick smiled-just. "No…but then I can't believe anyone would think I
could do this"

"No-one thinks that…well except that detective."

"Darger"

"Yeah him. I don't understand him…did you piss him off in another life?"

"Who the hell knows…What are you doing here? Other than the obvious"

"Well that was almost a stupid question" Claire rested her hand palm
down against the window, wanting to touch him for just a minute. This
was going to be the best they could do. Nick placed his hand on the
other side, thinking the same thing.

Claire quickly rubbed her eyes not wanting him to see her tears. "Hmm,
Matt's been keeping me up to date…."

"You know he's gonna be here in a minute and honey, he's on the same
side of the glass as you…" a slow grin spreading as far as his eyes,
the implication was not lost on her. She was just glad to see him smiling.

"Nicholas, please... Matt told me he thinks who ever was in this with
Sam had to be someone close to you. Maybe at work, either office,
someone who would blend in…"

"I already told him…I can't think of anyone…"

"I've been trying to think…and there was something…I couldn't…can't
quite remember…"

"What?"

"I couldn't remember and then I had this dream…I remember I came to
meet you for lunch once and, you were late…When you finally came into
the reception area, there was someone following you, wanting you to
sign something…."

"Honey, that's the story of my life…"

"Nick I'm serious…you didn't seem to know this person…I saw you. You
spoke to the others, but not to her. Even when she tried to get you to
sign the papers…and I remember you wanted to read them first, but she
said your father said, for you to just sign them…He would expect you
to read them, surely? She looked familiar but I can't remember where
I've seen her before…I just can't remember…I can't remember what she
looked like, not really. But you signed them…I saw you…we left…went to
lunch…"

"Claire I don't know who you think you saw but there hasn't been any
new staff at my dad's firm for a long time."

"You have to ask him…get him to ask some of the others…Nick she was a
little shorter than me, brown hair…I can't…that's all…surely someone
would know her'

"I know you want to help me but…"

"Then you tell me how your signature got on the letters if you didn't
write them"

"You know about those? Damn it, he wasn't supposed to tell you…"

"Well he did and I can't believe you would seriously expect him not to
tell me, or more to the point, that I wouldn't try and get any
information out of him"

"Has my father been to see you?"

"Stop trying to change the subject; and yes he has, every day."

The door slammed behind her. "Do you have any idea how many people are
looking for you?"

"Hey, Matt"

"Don't you hey Matt me…My cell has been ringing hot…Nick?"

"Don't look at me like that…I'm stuck in here"

"She's your wife"

"As if …"

"Guys I'm still here"

"Yes and you need to go…back to the hospital, you shouldn't even be
out of bed and don't look at me like that…Ellie and I will have words
later"

"Matthew leave her out of this. I hounded her to bring me here."

"Ok and now you have to go…the guard is glaring and Nick and I need to
talk…you know lawyer stuff"

"Oh you're just hilarious… So glad you both think this is so
funny…"Claire stood abruptly, losing her balance as she turned to leave.

"Hey hold on there, careful " Matt reached out to steady her.

"I'm trying to help, you asked me to think of anything, anyone…and I
did…and you…"she pointed to her husband, "You are not even taking me
seriously"

"Claire calm down…"

"Calm down, you're talking to me from the other side of a glass
partition…Some jerk is trying to pin this shit on you, and…and…."

"Claire come here" She refused to move. "Come… here…" She moved away
from Matt and right up against the glass. "Stop it…I love you, you
know by now how much…Now go back to the hospital or go home and get
some rest…What I need from you now is for you to take care of yourself
and our baby. Matt and I will take care of this…

"But…"

"But nothing…I'll tell Matt what you told me and I'll ask my father or
get Matt to ask around see if anyone can remember this person, `cos I
sure as hell can't."

"Nick…"

"I know…get Matt to bring you in again tomorrow ok? If you feel up to it"

"I'll feel up to it"

"Good…Now go"

Claire managed a smile, just for his sake. "I'll be back" Matt
signaled Nick as he walked her to the door. Still annoyed with his
wife's part in all this, he instructed her to take Claire back to the
hospital and stay there with her. He would catch up with them both
later in the day. He watched them leave, feeling guilty that he hadn't
been the one to bring her in to see him.

He headed back to his friend. They had a few hard hours before them
going over everything. At least Joe was back and Nick would feel
better just knowing that. Sometime in the next day or two Joe was
going to try and get his hands on the so- called evidence and whatever
it was that Darger was hiding. Suddenly it dawned on Matt; could it
be; not whatever he was hiding but * who * he was hiding.

*******

"What the hell do you mean? There hasn't been any new staff here for ages"

"I understand that Burton, but Claire insists she saw this person.
Nick can't remember and, quite frankly it's the only lead we have. In
fact, at first Joe and I are thought Darger was hiding something but
now we're beginning to that he might be hiding someone. Joe is even
trying to find a connection between Darger and Sam"

"You're kidding right? You think that cop is associated with the
bastard who is doing this? How?"

"Don't know yet and we could be wrong but there are some things…it's
just been too easy to set him up. Sam had phone taps and other
surveillance equipment that could be police issue"

"Or he could have bought it himself"

"Sure but I just don't think he's that smart."

"You said she recognised this person from somewhere? She hasn't
remembered from where?"

"No not yet"

"Matt, I don't know what to say, that there was a possibility of
someone wandering around this office and no-one noticed…I…"

"It's a busy office Burton, people in and out of it all day. Are you
going to see Nick?"

"Later. I think I'll go and see Claire. I've called her but I haven't
been around to see her since she went home. I should do that before I
see him"

"It's ok you know, she has been to see him."

"Good, but I should call in anyway, see how she's holding up"

"I'm worried about her. Physically she's doing better, the baby is
fine, but I know she's driving herself nuts trying to remember this woman"

"I'll talk to her. Maybe between us we can come up with something. You
know, if she knows this person from somewhere it has to be from her
past, someone in the music business. There must be photos of public
appearances; photo shoots anything…newspaper articles…something she
can check out see if she was someone Sam was in contact with that
wouldn't arouse any suspicion."

"You could try the Internet…check out some of the showbiz sites-the
music sites, even her record label site."

"I guess it's a start. I'm sure Nick would have access at home, if not
I'll bring her back here"


*******

"Did you find anything?"

"Nothing we didn't already know. Which is why I think, whatever he has
up his sleeve, has to be the mystery woman. My bet is she's the only
one who'll be able to connect Sam & Darger and even if we knew who she
was, we'd probably have a devil of a time trying to find her." Joe
rubbed his eyes with one hand as he put his glasses in his pocket with
the other. "Have Claire & Burton come up with anything yet?"

"No I haven't heard but I'm going to the Fallin offices next. They
decided to go there to check out the web…Ellie's on one computer and
Claire on another. I think even Burton's having a go, though I don't
think he really knows what he's doing or who he's looking for" Matt
manage a wry grin at the picture of Burton trying to navigate the
internet.

"I have a friend in Los Angeles, someone I used to work with. She's
doing some checking for us, she has a friend in New York doing the
same. I'm hoping for a call this evening. She has some connections in
the music business, so I'm hoping…Has Darger tried to contact Claire
again?"

"Not than I know of. If he has she hasn't said anything but Ellie or I
are usually with her and she's been sleeping at Burton's home the last
two nights. When he found out the jerk showed up at the hospital in
the middle of the night; he was livid. Didn't give her any choice.
He's a stubborn bastard. Nick doesn't know, there is nothing he can do
about it anyway, we just need to make sure she is not alone at any
time. If Darger is involved in this in any way……"

"Oh he's involved alright"

"Ok say he is…there is no telling what he could do. There is a lot
more at stake now than just the money. I'll call you later"

********

Nick lay staring at the ceiling of his cell. The `evidence' was
bullshit and if he still hadn't been on probation he'd have been out
of here. He wanted to be home with is wife. His thoughts turned to
his unborn child. A slow smile crept across his face as he thought
about becoming a father. He really didn't care if they had a boy or a
girl, but the idea of a little girl with blonde curls who looked like
her mother turned his smile into a full-fledged grin. He had to get
out of there and get home and sooner rather than later.

********

"Dad, have you found anything?"

"No…honey, I'm not all that sure I know what I'm looking for." Burton
felt a sense of satisfaction that Claire had finally called him dad.
He knew he didn't deserve it, or rather hadn't deserved it, but he was
doing his hardest to make up for his past mistakes. "Ellie, what is it?"

She stood in the doorway stunned by her discovery. "I can't believe I
didn't think of it before."

"What? What have you found?"

Ellie walked over to Burton's desk. "May I borrow this?"

"Be my guest" He stood up and let her sit in front of the computer.
Ellie typed in a name search and waited for the results. She worked
her way around to the page she was looking for.

"Claire, remember her?"

"No…I…Hey is that the hospital fundraiser? That was, what, almost two
years ago?"

"Yup, remember I was visiting, you were getting ready to start
recording the last album. Sam tried to get you to hire a new singer,
but she was awful. Here, let me try and enlarge this."

"Oh my god it's her, it's the woman that was here, I'm sure of it but
I don't remember her name. Does it say? Anywhere?"

"Not that I can find, but I only just stumbled on this. I have to
check some more. So far I have only found `and friend' references to
her. But you have to remember how pissed Sam was when he couldn't
convince you to hire her."

"I couldn't understand it at the time, she couldn't sing her way out
of a paper bag and he was so insistent. It was one of the few times I
had to pull rank on him. How on earth did she manage to infiltrate
the office."

"I don't know, but I assure you I will find out. For now we have a
lead. I'm going to call Joe and Matt, get them both over here. We have
a picture; we can at least get the police on it."

"I have to see Nick, I have to tell him we found something."

"It's late honey, you won't be able to see him tonight, but I'll take
you first thing in the morning" Burton smiled at his daughter-in-law.
Maybe they'd both get some sleep tonight.


TO BE CONTINUED