It had been a week and Craig hadn't contacted any of them since. The police couldn't find him. It was as if Craig Taylor had fallen off the face of the earth. Jennifer and Justin were constantly worried, as were Brian, Emmett, and Daphne.
Justin, Jennifer, and Brian were sitting in the loft, talking, while Molly was alseep. "I can't help but wonder what Craig is up to," stated Jennifer. "I'm sorry to be putting you and Justin out, Brian."
You're not, Mom, sighed Justin.
Brian nodded. "Justin's right, Jennifer. You're not putting us out. The only one doing that is that bastard Craig. I wish I knew where he was."
Jennifer nodded her agreement while Justin stroked Brian's back to calm him down. "What really pisses me off, though, is that we haven't heard from the police. So, I'm assuming that they haven't found him," said an aggravated Brian.
Just then, the phone rang. "Hello?" answered Brian.
"Speak of the Devil. Hello Detective Horvath. We were just wondering why we hadn't heard from any of Pittsburgh's finest." After a slight pause, Brian added, "I'm putting you on speaker phone, Detective."
A minute later, the detective's voice sounded in the living room. "I'm sorry that we haven't gotten in touch with any of you. But I discovered, about an hour ago, that Craig is still here in Pittsburgh. He was spotted at your old apartment, Misses Taylor. Before a car could get there, he was gone. I would advise all of you to be extremely careful and to stay together. And, call us immediately if you see or hear from Craig."
Horvath went silent for a moment, the started to speak again. "I also found out, today, that Michael Novatny will be getting released in a three days. I wanted to let you all know before he showed up and you were all surprised."
"This soon? He was supposed to be in that hospital longer," said an alarmed Brian.
"I know. But the doctors feel that he's no longer a threat to himself or anybody else, so he received eartly release on the conditions that he see a therapist weekly and he stay in the area for five years. If you want, you can come down to the police station and file a restraining order for all of you against Mister Novatny."
Brian sighed. "Thanks, Horvath." With that, Brian cut the connection. Jennifer had been signing the complete telephone conversation to JUstin and he was concerned about his lover.
Looking at him, he signed, I'm so sorry.
"About what?"
You've had to sacrifice a lot since you met me and I'm sorry about that. I cost you your best friend and everything!"
Brian could see tears swimming in his young partners blue eyes and shook his head. Speaking and sighing, he firmly said, "Don't think that! It's completely untrue. What happened was not your fault. Craig and Michael are responsible for their own actions. Okay?" Justin sniffled and nodded, wiping his eyes. Brian grabbed him in a hug and buried his nose in Justin's neck. Neither man saw Jennifer stand up, tears running down her cheeks, and head toward where Molly was sleeping. Something had to be done. There was nothing she could do about Michael, but there was something that she could do about Craig. She would do anything, including sacrificing herself, to keep her children and Brian safe.