Roman shook
his head as he listened to what Bo told him over the phone. ‘I can’t believe
it... after all this time, Carly resurfaces and she didn’t even recognise us.
What could’ve happened?’
‘That’s what kept
going through my mind the whole time she was talking... what the hell happened
to her?’ Bo said angrily. ‘What the hell did that son of a bitch do to her; why
the hell is she an ISA agent... Carly’s a doctor, she saves lives!’
‘Have you
toyed with the possibility she might not be Carly?’
‘This woman
isn't pretending to be Carly; she is
Carly!’ Bo insisted. ‘She was wearing the ring I gave her for Christmas years
ago, the Claddagh ring Pop helped me get.’ And what he couldn’t say out loud;
the rush he’d felt when their hands touched...
‘I remember
it.’ Roman replied. ‘What are you going to do now?’
‘I’m going to
call Shane soon as I can to get some answers; but in the meantime, nobody says
a word to Hope about Car... I mean Clarice
being my ex. The last thing she needs is somebody freaking her out with
questions she can’t answer and I don't want anyone else asking her anything
when they see her, okay? You can tell Hope and the others some woman found Ciara
and leave it like that. I’m coming over.’
‘I’ll take
care of it, don't worry.’ He understood perfectly; as an ISA agent, Carly
couldn't afford to get confused and bewildered by suddenly being forced to dig
into a past she knew nothing about.
‘I’m on my way
over now.’ After he hung up, he pondered on Carly; wondering how long she’s
been suffering from amnesia. What had caused it; Trauma? Brainwashing? Larry
had brainwashed her after digging her out of the grave but she’d regained her
memory, it had been too late for them to salvage their relationship. Maybe Lawrence had abused her or used more
extreme methods... stronger than whatever Vivian injected in her before, something
that damaged her mind and changed her from Dr. Carly Manning; M.D to Agent Clarice
Parker; ISA. And what was she exactly ... a spy? Or an assassin? No... Not
Carly; she cared too much about human life. The family will of course respect
his instruction about not pressing her. Hope knew nothing about Carly so she
would be easy to deal with. Mickey Horton was trustworthy but Maggie, though a
sweet, wonderful woman was Salem’s biggest gossip. Victor was a much bigger
problem; he was Carly’s vindictive ex
husband and a career criminal who’s
wormed his way out of arrests
over the years, nobody really believed
he was legit like he’d claimed to be since
Pop’s death. He can never know the wife who left him was ISA; he could do
anything to her out of pure spite; finger her to one of his underworld
associates or harm her emotionally.
‘My God...’ he
whispered, anger burning his insides. ‘What did you do to her, Larry?’
::::::::::::::
Hope’s joy at
seeing her darling daughter again, safe and sound, couldn't be described; she
was still sobbing as she held and kissed Ciara, Maggie laughing and crying as
well. Which was what was still going on when Bo arrived, Ciara enveloped by
hugs and kisses from all present.
‘Hey there,
Bo.’ Mickey Horton greeted warmly, shaking his hand. ‘All’s well that ends
well, eh?’
‘Yeah.’ Bo
agreed, opening his arms to pick up Ciara who ran up to him. ‘Where’s Clarice,
Daddy?’
‘Yeah, where
is this Clarice Parker?’ Hope asked. ‘I thought she’ll come with you; I wanted
to thank her.’
Bo noticed
that Hope made no move to hug him; her manner towards him still not softened.
‘She’s coming
by the station in the morning to give a statement; she’s tired from the long
drive.’
Hope nodded,
touching Ciara’s hair; avoiding her husband’s face. ‘You’ll see her again
tomorrow, sweetie. But we have to go the hospital now.’
‘Why?’ Ciara
whined. She hated hospitals.
‘Just routine,
I promise. Aunt Lexie’s going to check you out and you’ll be home in bed before
you know it.’
Ciara shrugged
resignedly before her eyes lit up again. ‘Can I have ice cream afterwards?’
Bo laughed,
kissing her on the forehead before setting her down. ‘Lots and lots... whatever
you like. First go upstairs and wash up a bit before we leave, alright?’
Hope took her
hand and led her up the stairs, still not looking at Bo.
‘Is something
wrong, Bo?’ Mickey asked.
‘Why don't you
ask Hope, she’s the one being weird with me.’ Was Bo’s bitter reply.
‘Hope will be
fine, this whole thing’s been a nightmare for her; would be for any mother. I’m
talking about the way you sounded when Ciara asked about Clarice. Who is she?’
Bo looked
towards the stairs to make sure Hope wasn't near enough to overhear what he was
about to say. ‘It’s Carly.’
‘Carly? As in
Carly Manning, your ex fiancée?’ Justin exclaimed.
‘Keep your
voice down!’ Roman hissed, glaring at him.
‘What is she
doing in Salem?’ Justin lowered his voice, his expression stunned. ‘And under a different name? Is she in
trouble?’
‘It depends on
what you define as trouble... Carly’s suffering from memory loss.’ Roman said.
‘At least that’s what we think it is.’
‘Memory loss?’
Maggie asked, incredulously.
‘She didn't
recognise any of us at the station; not even Bo.’ Caroline said, looking
worried and upset. ‘It was like she was just meeting us for the first time; just
like with Steve when he came back.’
Justin looked
at Bo. ‘What is she doing in Salem then?’
‘Listen, this
can’t leave this room... you especially are not to say a word about this.’ Bo
addressed Justin warningly. ‘Carly’s ISA. She was coming back from an
assignment and that’s how she found Ciara on the road.’
‘I don't
believe this,’ Caroline whispered, hand to her chest. ‘How is this possible
Bo... Carly’s a doctor; what is she
doing with the ISA? What could’ve caused her amnesia?’
‘Not what,
who.’ Bo said grimly.
‘Lawrence?’
Mickey guessed.
‘Yeah. I’ll
get answers from Shane in the morning. In the meantime... nobody says anything
to Hope and nobody asks Carly anything. As far as she’s concerned she’s Clarice
Parker, okay?’
‘No, no... Of
course not.’ Maggie promised, though she was already burning with curiosity. So
was Justin, who watched Bo’s face the whole time. What was Bo actually feeling
about Carly’s return and what did he intend on doing about it?
Hope came
downstairs with Ciara and the conversation was temporarily suspended.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
As Lexie
examined Ciara with Hope hovering close by, Roman took Bo aside, away from the
others. ‘One thing I want to know Bo... do you think Frankie knows about
Carly’s condition?’
Bo thought
about it for a few minutes then shook his head. ‘I don't think so, he would’ve
told me the last time he was here. Or Jennifer at least, he spent a lot of time
with her. Come to think of it...’ he realised, ‘we never talked about Carly.’
‘Your choice
or his?’
Bo shook his
head. ‘Mine. Of course I asked after her, he said “fine” and changed the
subject.’
‘Why would he
do that?’
‘I don't know,
I didn't think much of it at the time. I didn't... I didn't want to go down
memory lane. Letting Carly go was the most painful thing I ever had to do; for
years I blocked her out of my mind, Rom.’
‘I know.’
Roman squeezed his shoulder. He was the only one besides another who knew what
had happened on the boat; Carly had remembered Bo but Lawrence had gotten to
her emotionally, using the time she was convalescing from her ordeal to fall
back in love with him. Bo had been devastated but he’d loved her too much to
force back something Larry had taken away. ‘But we have a catch-22 situation right now. If Carly does have
amnesia, we can’t let her go on like this; she has a right to know who she
really is. On the other hand, what’s going to happen if she does remember? It’s
going to complicate things with you and Hope.’
‘ I’m fully
aware we can’t let Carly keep thinking she’s Clarice. Hope and I are going to be
alright, she’s just upset with me right now but it doesn't mean our marriage’s
on the rocks. All I want to do is help
Carly get her memory back, nothing more. And when that happens, Carly will
never do what Billie did to me. She’s
not Clarice Parker and she doesn't belong to ISA.’ Bo couldn't bear to imagine Carly wielding a gun.
Roman nodded.
‘But how are we going to keep her here?’
Bo raised one
eyebrow. ‘We?’
Roman snorted.
‘I didn't always agree with Carly’s ways of handling things but I loved her like a sister. Of course I want to
help her get her life back.’
Bo smiled
gratefully at his brother, very glad they were on the same wave length. ‘We’ll
find a way. But right after I talk to Shane. And... I think you should call
Frankie. Don't tell him she’s here, just pretend you were calling to see how
he’s doing and work Carly’s name into the conversation.’
Roman nodded. ‘I’ll
do that. Find all you can from Shane. This whole thing’s got me very curious.’
:::::::::::::::::::::::
Clarice could
still feel his hand on hers; akin to a warm flame, even after she stepped out
of the shower. From the moment she’d laid eyes on Bo Brady across the room,
she’d gotten full blast of the raw animal magnetism he radiated. His name had been mentioned in passing once
by some fellow agents who worked with him on a few cases in the past and she
hadn’t given it much thought, now that she’s seen him in the flesh at last she
couldn't get him out her mind. Especially his brown eyes, piercing yet
sensitive. No man has ever made her feel this way and on a first meeting too.
Pull
yourself together Clarice; she told herself
sternly as she towelled her hair dry. You’re
not some teenage girl drooling after the high school jock; you’re a
professional who’s never allowed emotions to overwhelm her. Bo Brady’s a
married man, a family man... unavailable and way beyond your reach.
And it’s not
like she was going to be in Salem for long. In the morning she was going over
to ISA headquarters to give her report which will be transferred to the Head
Office in D.C; recover from her injury for
some time and it’s back to New York for her. She might even go to
Connecticut where her house was for some real peace and quiet; she was for due
for some time off.
Brushing her
teeth and slipping on an oversize T shirt, she gratefully sank into the soft
mattress, covering herself with the cool, clean sheets. She thought of Ciara,
glad she was able to save that sweet little girl. But as she fell asleep, her
mind shifted back to Ciara’s father. And wondered for one lazy minute why he
and Mrs. Brady had called her Carly.
:::::::::::::::::
To Bo and
Hope’s great relief; there was no sign that Ciara had been physically abused as
the late Kyle had been convicted before for raping a minor. Hope insisted on
seeing Dean before they left; to thank him for his efforts even though he had
acted stupidly.
‘Luckily his
wound’s not so serious so we’re releasing him now. I guess you’ll want to take
his statement before he goes home.’ Lexie said. As she spoke, a nurse appeared,
pushing Dean’s wheelchair.
Hope did all
the talking; Bo was yet to forgive him for the way he had acted so he didn't
say much to him. Suppose Ciara hadn’t escaped and run into Carly?
Dean grinned
at Ciara. ‘You’re alright, kid? Bet you’re glad to be with Mum and Dad again.’
‘Yes.’ Ciara
said quietly, holding on to Bo’s hand.
‘I’ll take
Dean’s statement; you two take Ciara
home.’ Roman instructed. ‘Lord knows it’s been a very long night and we all
need rest.’
‘Yeah, of
course.’ Hope smiled at Dean. ‘Thanks again for everything, Dean.’
‘I just did my
job; Detective Brady.’
‘And then
some.’ Bo said coldly.
Dean’s face
went red.
‘Bo, lay off
him.’ Hope scolded. ‘He’s been through enough.’
‘No, that’s
okay; I... I know I didn't follow procedure but I really wanted to bring Ciara
here safe and sound, sir... honestly.’
Bo just barely
managed to control his temper but he nodded. ‘Roman here will take your
statement and you can go home and get some sleep.’
Picking Ciara
up, he and Hope said goodnight to the rest of the family and drove home; in
silence. At their house, Hope gave Ciara a bath but took her to their own room,
tucking her under the blankets. ‘I think it would be a good idea if she slept
with me tonight.’ She said as Ciara drifted off to sleep.
Bo regarded
Hope’s averted face for a minute. Me, not us. He reached out to touch her
shoulder but she shrank away from his touch and went downstairs. He followed
her, upset by her attitude. ‘Fancy
face...’
‘You accuse
Dean of not following procedure. But you... you had to go on T.V and offer a
reward instead of letting me pay the ransom, you were really the one who almost
got our little girl killed.’
‘We’ve been
through this; it was the safest option...’
‘No Brady... It
was the best option; because it was
decided by you. Your methods are always the better ones and you just won’t
listen to anybody.’ Hope turned to look at him, her lovely dark eyes as cold as her tone. ‘Especially me.’
‘Hope, I’ve
never turned down your ideas or looked down on your methods; we’re not just Man
and Wife, we’re partners.’
Hope’s face
didn't soften. ‘Partners have an equal relationship; which we don't have. You
should’ve let me pay the ransom instead of exposing Ciara like that.’ Her voice
now rose. ‘It was obviously what they were arguing about when Dean got there...
ransom turned to a reward; Ciara was this close to being killed, thanks to you!
She could’ve been in that cabin when the third guy torched it... he could’ve
found her in the woods before she got to the highway! All you!’
‘Hope, let’s
not do this.’ Bo replied, quietly. ‘We need each other more than ever, with
what’s happened. You know I’ll never do anything to harm our daughter, or any
of my children.’
Hope stared
him down before going to the door and locking it for the night. ‘Well I guess
the reward goes to this Clarice Parker; I’ll make arrangements with Justin
after I meet her.’
‘She won’t
take it. She’s an ISA agent.’
Hope looked
startled. ‘ISA? No... Of course she won’t take it. Well then it goes to Dean.’
‘No...’
‘Bo, I’m
tired, way too tired and exhausted to argue about this right now. I’m going to
bed, we’ll discuss it in the morning.’ She went upstairs again.
Sighing, Bo
switched off the lights before going upstairs as well, to the guest room. As he
got into bed, he thought over the conversation he had with Roman at the
hospital. Two important things truly had to be resolved; Carly’s memory and his
marriage.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Meanwhile Dean
Hartman lay in bed in his apartment; his mind filled with dark thoughts. His
work was still not done.
Not by a long
shot... he thought as he lit a cigarette.
Click,
Click, Click...
