There was nowhere she could look that didn't remind her of what had happened to Julian. It was all over the newspapers, the radio, the TV and even the Internet. Julian Crane was a rich and powerful businessman. Even the national cable news stations were reporting on his accident.
Eve had heard Sam's press conference live on TV the day before. He had not really revealed any facts about the accident, just told them that any reports that Julian Crane was presumed dead were premature. For all intensive purposes, he had stressed, it was an ongoing investigation. There was no evidence that anyone had died in the crash.
Sam's statement had made Eve feel somewhat better. She was now clinging to the sliver of hope that Julian was really alive. Perhaps there was a chance.
She could not believe how Julian's accident was affecting her. Yes, they had shared a great love once, and had a child together, but their romance was over long ago. For years she had hated him. In recent months they had become friends, even kissed once, but she still could not fathom why his possible demise was making her feel so empty inside, like her heart had been wrenched from her.
Eve had barely been able to eat or sleep. When she closed her eyes, she only saw Julian. When she opened them after a brief nap, at first things were fine, until reality hit her again and the wave of loss crept over her once more.
She spent hours thinking about their past together, about their child that may still be alive - the child Julian would likely never get to meet. She also thought about Julian in recent times - how he had been her close friend and confidante, always there to lend a hand. She thought also about the kiss they had shared, how passionate it had been, and how she had wanted more. Now she may never get a chance.
Eve remembered how she had told Julian there could be no more kisses - that she loved her husband and belonged with him. She could still see the look of pain in his eyes. She had hurt him deeply, and now there was no going back.
"I've got to snap out of this," Eve told herself. "For my family's sake, I've got to get over this." She knew she wouldn't be able to, not until some closure was brought to the case. "It's the not knowing that's the worst," she said. "I have to know. I have to find out what happened to Julian; I've got to know if he's OK."
She stood up from the couch, grabbed her purse and keys, and headed to the door.
"Is there still a mob of reporters outside?" Sam asked Luis, who had just entered the station.
"Just as many as yesterday, if not more," Luis answered. "I tell you, this accident has got the whole world tuned into our little town."
"Julian Crane is a wealthy, powerful man," Sam said. "Their family is almost as famous as the Kennedys. I guess we should have expected this."
Luis nodded. "I didn't see all these reporters when it was announced that Sheridan was missing, or either of the times she was declared dead."
"You're right, Luis, the Cranes have never been one to push their women to the forefront, especially in business."
"I don't want Sheridan in the family business," Luis said, "but it would be nice if her family would show some sign that they cared about her. That bastard of a father of hers didn't even come to her own funeral."
"I remember that," Sam said. "Luckily, Sheridan wasn't really dead. Do you think Alistair knew that?"
"I wouldn't put it past him," Luis declared. "I think he tried to have Sheridan killed in Bermuda."
"I can't believe a man would want to kill his own daughter," Sam said. "And for what reason?"
Luis shook his head. "I don't know, Sam. And Julian's just as bad. I know he was into the mess in Bermuda up to his eyeballs. He'd do anything Alistair ordered him to do - even if it meant killing his own sister."
Luis sat down at the chair behind his desk and fingered a pen lying on it. "Alistair and Julian never wanted Sheridan and me to be together. I don't know why. I thought it was the class thing before - me being a cop and the son of the Crane housekeeper. Or even that my last name contained the name "Lopez." But now, I'm not so sure. I mean, Alistair didn't object to Antonio marrying Sheridan. He even..."
"What, Luis? He even what?" Sam asked, curious about what his friend had to say.
Luis hesitated but decided to just come out and say it. "Alistair even blackmailed Antonio to keep Sheridan and me apart."
"What?" Sam cried in disbelief. "Antonio knew about you and Sheridan?"
"The whole time he was here," Luis said, sighing. "I just found out yesterday. I finally had decided to tell Antonio the truth. What a joke that was! He admitted everything."
"Was it all a big lie? Even Antonio's illness?" Sam asked.
"No, Antonio was really ill, but I'm sure some of his little episodes were faked. I mean, how convenient that something always seemed to happen to him just when we were about to tell him the truth."
"I would have beaten him to a pulp, brother or not," Sam said.
"I almost did," Luis admitted, smiling at the thought of smashing Antonio's face in. "I did get in one good punch, but in the end, I thought it wasn't worth it. I needed to get back to Sheridan's case."
"Where is Antonio now? Is he still at the cottage?" Sam inquired.
"He's left Harmony," Luis replied. "I talked to Mama this morning. He said his goodbyes and left for parts unknown. Good riddance."
"Did Antonio ever say what Alistair had on him?" Sam asked.
"Nope, he just said it had something to do with the night our father disappeared. He wouldn't go into any details. I should have beaten it out of him, but right then, all I could think about was Sheridan."
"This is good news for the two of you, Luis," Sam said, smiling.
"It's the best news," Luis agreed, grinning broadly. "There's more too, but I want to tell Sheridan the rest first."
Sam nodded. "We're going to find her, Luis."
Luis put the pen down on his desk and met Sam's steady gaze with his own eyes, a look of determination in them. "I know we will, Sam. There's no doubt in my mind that Sheridan's alive, but I do believe she's in trouble. I'm going to do everything I can to find her - follow every lead."
Picking up Julian's accident report, Luis added, "If that
means finding out what really happened to Julian Crane, then I'll work on it
night and day. There just may be a connection between their disappearances,
and if there is, I'll find it."