Angelina stood up, her chair scraping against the wood floor of the kitchen. She didn't know whether to leave them alone, or to stay and defend her brother. "I think you should sit," she told the young woman, motioning to her vacated chair. "There's a lot...Tyler...needs to tell you. Things he should have told you before he drove halfway across the country with you, but that's not something up for debate any longer. Are you hungry? I made breakfast." Lina glanced at the toaster. "Kinda."

"No thank you," Dinah replied seeing the charred remains of a piece of bread sitting on the counter. "Well?" She looked at Tyler expectantly.

"Dinah...well, I don't know how to start except to say that my name isn't Tyler Jones." Dinah looked between Tyler and Lina expecting one of them to continue. "Angelina is really my sister though."

"Okay, fine. But what's your real name if Tyler Jones isn't?"

"It's Tomas. Tomas Tejera," he admitted dropping his gaze away from hers guiltily.

Dinah nodded, soaking in the information before looking at Lina critically. "And what is your real name then? Juanita?"

Lina choked on her orange juice. "Juanita?" she echoed. "I don't really look like a Juanita, do I?" Not waiting for either of them to answer, she shook her head. "No, for better or worse, I'm Angelina Tejera. I'm not the one in hiding."

"So why are you hiding then? Aside from what happened in Virginia?" She asked turning back to Tyler. She caught an exchange of looks between them. "Come on! You owe me the truth Tyler...Tomas. Whatever your name is."

"Dinah, it's complicated. You see, our brother..."

"Nicky?" Dinah interrupted.

"Yes, Nicky. He's involved in some bad business. About two years ago he came home to work in the family business. But he was already working for someone else. Someone who was extremely dangerous and wasn't afraid to hurt people."

"That makes no sense," Dinah said shaking her head trying to understand. "What kind of job would make you hurt people on purpose?"

Angelina arched a brow. "Let's just say, he was already involved in someone else's 'family' business."

"Oh." Dinah looked back at Tyler with a new understanding and something of a fearful expression.

"We're not though," Tyler assured her. "Neither of us. But, we know things. Lina's safe enough. Nicky won't bother me, but others will. And I wanted a normal life. I just wanted to be a normal college kid. So I went to California, and became someone else. I moved to Virginia to go to school that is all. Then Melissa Cravens made up that ridiculous story and everything changed. The minute the police got involved, I knew I was in trouble. They would figure out who I was and try and use me..."

"To get at your brother," Dinah finished for him. "Why not just go to your brother then? Talk to him, like Angelina said?"

"Because Nicky is..." He trailed off looking for the right word.

"I wouldn't say the option's been ruled out," Lina said, shooting her brother a pointed look. "But Nicky has been known to act first and ask questions later. Still, he's your brother. You're in a sticky situation, Tomas, and Nicky definitely knows how to get out of those."

"Will he hurt Tyler?" Dinah asked Lina suddenly. "Do you have any reason at all to believe that if Tyler...Tomas...talked to your brother he would get hurt?"

"I don't," Lina said. "But he seems to think he does," she said, motioning to her brother.

"Will he come here?" She said ignoring Tyler completely once again.

"Yes. If he knows Tomas is here - and I'm sure he does - he'll be heading down here pretty soon, I'd bet. Because the police are after Tyler as well, Nicky will want to make sure he gets to his brother first. In fact, you've already seen some of his creepy minions, haven't you?"

Dinah nodded setting her jaw firmly. "Then that decides it. We'll stay here and talk to your brother," she said meeting Tyler's gaze for the first time. "No arguing either. You're in so much trouble, he might be your only chance of getting out of it."

Scene 2:

"Thank you for joining me today. I hope my associate wasn't too hard on you?" Nicolas asked politely. He stared pointedly at the newcomer, taking in his cheap suit and beer gut. Nicolas himself was dressed down in casual gray slacks and a white oxford, sleeves rolled up to the elbows. He glanced over at Tony Garcia who held the man's arm tightly with his hand. Garcia was a good man and did good work. Even if he got carried away at times with the whole mobster routine.

"He was all right," Buck Rollins muttered under his breath. "All he had to do was ask nice though."

"I'm sure he did ask nicely in his own way," Nicky replied nodding to Garcia, the man who had brought Rollins to him in the first place. "Now, you have something for me?" He waved off Garcia, who let Rollins go with a dark scowl and a shove forward.

"Now wait a minute, Mr. Tejera," Rollins said straightening his lapels. "I didn't sign on to this to get dragged out of my place of business at all hours. And I sure as hell didn't sign on to be pushed around by your lackey."

Nicolas rose from his seat and approached him. "Mr. Rollins, I don't believe you signed on to do anything but supply me with a little information. Information, I might remind you, that I requested when I arrived in this town nearly a month ago. Was my request too difficult for you? Or perhaps you don't quite understand who you are dealing with." He nodded to Garcia who stepped forward ready to show Buck Rollins a thing or two.

"Now wait a minute," Buck replied carefully, his small eyes shifting nervously towards Garcia. "I'm here because I want to be. After all, we do have a deal."

"Good. Now. Do you have what I asked for?" Nicolas asked, planting himself firmly between Rollins and Garcia.

Buck drew out a file and waved it. "Everything you asked for...and a little extra."

"Let's see it then," Nicolas said his patience wearing thin.

"There is the matter of payment..."

"Do I look like the kind of man who doesn't pay as promised?" Nicolas snapped, raising an eyebrow questioningly.

"No, not at all, Mr. Tejera. Gotta watch out for my business is all."

"Have a seat, Buck," Nicolas replied taking the file. "Your business with the local yokels is safe enough." He flipped the file open and thumbed through its contents, pausing at the information on Melissa Cravens. That girl was trouble. He passed her picture on to Garcia. "I want to talk to this girl. Her father is a some sort of politician..."

"State representative," Rollins offered.

"Right," Nicolas said with a roll of his eyes. "What I was trying to say, find this girl for me. I want to speak to her before I leave for New Orleans." Garcia nodded but remained where he was. Good man, Nicolas noted watching the tension between him and their visitor. He continued to flip through the information, impressed at the amount that was there. A good deal of it was information Emilio's contact had failed to offer. "Well, Buck, it looks like you've gotten exactly what I needed." He paused at a family portrait of the Staffords, studying it. "Hold on here. Who told you to dig into Dinah Stafford?"

"Well, no one really, but I thought maybe you would need to know more about her if she is actually with this kid you're after," Buck stammered. Nicolas nodded and motioned to Garcia, who left Rollins' side reluctantly. He showed the photograph to Garcia whose face registered recognition at the image.

"Exactly what I thought. Who knew Butterfly had a family? And one so connected...all a little too pat for me." He turned the picture towards Buck pointing Butterfly out. "Who is this?" He demanded.

"Kelly Stafford...well Gennaro. Married a local guy here about 5 years ago, had a kid then disappeared. Rumor has it she's back in town and was the witness to Dinah leaving with Tyler Jones."

"Damn," Nicolas cursed under his breath. The whole situation was getting a lot more complicated with Butterfly in the mix. And for her to be here, that meant all hell was breaking loose. "Thank you Mr. Rollins. Your services have been most appreciated." He walked towards his room safe, opening it quickly and pulling out a wad of bills. "This should be more than enough compensation, I think."

Buck stared at the cash Nicolas held out, his eyes bulging with greed. "More than enough. Generous too..."

"There are a few catches," Nicolas said, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "The first is complete silence on your part. If I find out you've told anyone about me or the information I've asked for, you'll be wishing you had kept your mouth shut when Garcia is digging a hole to bury you in. Are we straight on that matter?"

Rollins swallowed hard and glanced nervously at Garcia who grinned maliciously. "Of course...I would never..."

"No, I'm sure you wouldn't. The remainder of this money is a retainer. You've got good information and good sources. I might need you again. Stay on my good side, Buck. Are we clear?" Buck nodded again. "Good, now get out of here. I have a young lady I need to see."

Scene 3:

"So where is she?" Gwen demanded blocking Jamie's exit from his office. No escaping now, Jamie thought bleakly giving his mother a frown. "Didn't she tell you?"

"Of course, she told me. She's heading to Canada to visit her parents," Jamie responded. "Really Mother, why do you have to be so critical of Michaela all the time? She has done absolutely nothing to upset you."

"I am critical of her because she has done absolutely nothing at all, Jamie. And you know what I mean, so don't pretend you don't. Michaela is a lovely person but she has done nothing since you came home except sit around that house all day!"

"Mother, she had a baby and spent most of the year raising my daughter. Or have you forgotten that completely?" He stood and approached her. "Come inside unless you want the entire hospital to hear your rant."

Gwen stepped inside reluctantly, closing the door behind her. Gwen had been on a tear over Michaela lately and today was no exception. Whatever it was Gwen thought Michaela should be doing, she had yet to fully vocalize it.

"All right, now spill it. What exactly has Michaela done to earn your wrath?" Jamie asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Don't speak to me as if I were a child, Jamie. She hasn't earned my wrath. I'm just concerned about her, that is all," Gwen replied. "Since Lily was born she's turned into a recluse. A lot of my friends are beginning to wonder about her.

"And your friends should matter to my wife why?"

"Because my friends will make or break your children's futures, Jamie. Do you want to subject Chris to the kind of rejection they are capable of? Or Jesse? He's so fragile, Jamie. They both are. Do you want them to be ridiculed because of Michaela?"

"Explain to me exactly why they would be ridiculed Mother," Jamie returned.

"They will find a way. Jamie, you know I adore Michaela...but admit it, she hasn't been herself lately. She's closed off and unreachable. Tell me you haven't noticed!" Gwen dared him. "You can't," she added when Jamie remained silent. "So she's the same at home as she is in public then. Look, Jamie, you know I like Michaela. But she seems so unhappy. Perhaps there is really something bothering her that this trip to visit her parents will help. But there is something bothering her."

"I don't know what it could be then, Mother. She seemed fine to me."

"Did she? Well, then everything must be all right," Gwen added sarcastically.

Jamie started to respond but a knock on the door cut him off. "Let it go Mother," he warned Gwen as he opened the door.

"Sorry to bother you Jamie, but I've got that contract for you all worked out if you want to take a look at it," Ryan interrupted. He flicked an uncertain gaze between Jamie and Gwen. "I can come back."

"No, we're finished here," Jamie told him ushering the lawyer inside. "Mother was just leaving, weren't you?"

Gwen frowned her disapproval at him but only nodded. "Will you bring Chris by before you drop him off for camp?" She asked instead.

"Yes," Jamie said simply taking the contract from Ryan. "Goodbye Mother." Something about Michaela was bothering Gwen. Though, Jamie doubted she would ever come right out and say it. She gave him one last appraising gaze before nodding to Ryan and departing.

"What was that about?" Ryan asked curiously, watching Gwen's retreating form.

"My mother thinks she knows everything," Jamie replied brushing off the wave of bad feeling Gwen had brought with her. "Now, let's get back to business."

Scene 4:

Outside the police station, Toni gathered her thoughts. She was about to make a considerable request of a police chief who had been her friend once, a long time ago. Until Miami. Even now, she thought of Troy Sloane as a friend. He had given her this job after all, when she desperately needed it. But as she saw it, there was nothing else to do. All leads concerning Tyler Jones had gone cold except one: Nicolas Tejera. He had come to town looking for Tyler Jones for no good reason that she could discern. He wasn't talking, of course, so it was up to her to find out more. That meant a trip to Miami.

She shuddered at the thought of returning to Miami. That was in the past, Antonia, she reminded herself. Shaking off the bad memories, Toni climbed the steps to the door and pulled it open, taking a quick left to the police chief's office. Thankfully, he was alone for the moment.

"Excuse me, Chief Sloane?" Toni said knocking lightly on his door.

Sloane looked up, gazing at her with a dispassionate gaze. "What is it, Detective?" He asked quickly. Toni lifted her chin, hoping she didn't look as nervous as she felt.

"I wanted to speak to you privately," she replied stepping into the office. Sloane leaned back in his seat waiting for her to continue. Unlike her current partner, Sloane believed Toni had a brain and was an asset to the department. She closed the door behind her keeping herself positioned in front of his desk. "Tyler Jones is nowhere in Conlan's Glen," she stated simply.

"I think you are probably correct, Toni," he replied casually. "You do realize of course, that John Stafford filed kidnapping charges against him, don't you? It's really not your case any longer."

"I know that. But I've come this far on it, I can't just give it up to the FBI. Besides," she argued. "If Tyler Jones kidnapped Dinah, then I must be Gwen Mason."

"I know that's what you think. But you do have an eyewitness..."

"Who thinks Dinah went of her own free will!" Toni cut in hotly, her temper flaring. "Look, I told you about Nicolas Tejera right? Well, I think he knows more than he's saying."

"You think. You have no solid evidence though, do you?"

"No," Toni admitted. "But I can get some. I just need to make a trip to Miami."

"Out of the question," Sloane replied stiffly. "You're not going to Miami. This is an FBI case now. So drop it." He held up a hand warding off Toni's argument. "Listen to me, Antonia," he added in a softer voice. "Whoever or whatever this Tejera guy is, he is bad news. I gave a copy of your notes to the FBI and they were extremely interested in him too. So do us both a favor and stay out of it."

"Troy, please. This is important to me." Toni sank into the chair opposite his desk and gazed at him. "I have to find this kid and make sure he gets what is coming to him."

"Toni, you don't even know that he did what Cravens said he did..."

"I do! I know he hurt that girl," she exclaimed vehemently. Sloane stood and came around the desk to kneel in front of her. Once upon a time, she remembered, they had been more than friends. "Don't try to convince me otherwise, Troy."

"Toni....listen to me. What happened to you in Miami was horrible, Toni, but it isn't the same thing. This is her word against his. Not even her words. Her father's word against that kid. There is no proof that he raped her."

"This isn't about what happened to me in Miami. You're right that was horrible and I deal with it every day. This is about two other girls: Melissa Cravens who has already been hurt, and Dinah Stafford who has no idea what she's getting herself into!"

Baldwin gave her a hard stare. She was worried about those girls, she hadn't lied. And maybe going after Nicolas Tejera was a little extreme but her instincts told her he was trouble. Once you got past that facade of charm, there was something dangerous there. No matter what Troy Sloane or Andrew McCormick thought, Toni knew that she had something big.

Sloane got to his feet, assuming police chief role again. "Detective, this is now a federal case. If you go to Miami, I will put you on suspension. Are we understood?"

Toni got to her feet, nodding briefly. "Yes sir," she muttered, her head already filling with possible stories to tell when she requested time off to fly to Miami for a "vacation."

"Toni," Troy said as if reading her mind. "Don't do anything stupid."