“What am I going to find if I go downstairs to the incinerator?” Szymon Skubisz questioned as he stared at the three people in front of him. He glanced at Elijah Montessori, then slowly moved his gaze toward Devon James before finally staring directly into Cayden King’s eyes. The silence was deafening.

“Somebody answer me,” Szymon demanded, his voice slightly cracking as he glanced away from Cayden and stared at the floor. “What am I going to find?”

“You’re not going to find anything,” Devon responded, “because there’s nothing to look for. What Steven said back at the club was a lie. There’s no body. He made the whole thing up just to send you on a wild goose chase. You don’t need to search the incinerator because there’s nothing there,” she explained.

Gage Matthews stood in the corridor behind Devon and slowly stepped up. He reached forward and put his arms around her. “It’s okay,” he said softly. “Szymon knows that you didn’t kill anybody, isn’t that right, Szymon?” He questioned as he glanced at the police detective.

Szymon glanced back at Gage for a moment before shaking his head. “I have to follow up on this claim,” Szymon said.

“W-why?” Elijah questioned.

“Because I am a police detective,” Szymon responded. “I’ve sworn to uphold the law. When someone is accused of murder, I have to find out if that claim is true,” he explained. “I don’t want to do this,” he said as he shook his head.

“Then don’t,” Devon spoke up. “Steven was obviously lying. We didn’t kill anyone.”

“Devon,” Szymon said as he shook his head, “you know that I do that. I can’t sit back and do nothing, especially in a situation like this,” he informed her.

“So great, now you’re going to accuse me of murder again,” she retorted, “shaking her head with frustration. Once wasn’t enough, you have to find another murder to try and pin on me?” She questioned.

“But according to you, Devon, a murder didn’t take place,” Szymon pointed out. “So if I go downstairs, then you shouldn’t have anything to worry about, isn’t that right?” He questioned.

Devon stared at him in silence. She shook her head slightly. “I don’t have anything to worry about,” she said softly.

Szymon nodded his head and glanced over at Cayden. “Cayden?” He questioned. “Do you know anything about this?”

Cayden King glanced at Szymon for a moment, before turning toward Elijah and Devon. He stared into their eyes silently and saw how fearful they were. “No,” he said finally after a long silence.

Szymon shook his head with disappointment. “Okay then. I’m going to ask that you all go to your apartments now,” he said as the elevator doors opened and Joseph Lester stepped off. He glanced down the hall and approached the group.

“We’re all set downstairs,” Joseph explained. “Our guys are entering the incinerator now.”

Devon turned away from the group and started for her apartment with Gage in tow. Elijah Montessori paused for a moment and stared at Cayden. “C-can I t-talk to you?” He questioned.

Cayden glanced at Szymon. He could feel himself begin to panic. He didn’t want to be placed in the situation that he currently found himself in. “Okay,” he said softly as he turned away from Szymon.

“What about me?” Ryan Clarke questioned as she stepped forward. She had been silent, listening to the police detective. She had no idea what was going on or why Steven had made the claim, she was more concerned with what was going to happen. “What do I do?”

“What do you mean? You go back to your apartment,” Szymon explained. “And then you come down to the station in the morning to provide your statement.”

“But what about Steven?” Ryan questioned.

Standing off to the side, Jesse Martinez listened silently. He could tell that Ryan was nervous.

“They took him down to the station,” Szymon explained.

“But what am I going to do?” Ryan asked.

“It’s okay,” Jesse Martinez spoke up. “Everything’s going to be alright,” he assured her.

Ryan Clarke glanced at him for a moment before nodding. “Okay,” she whispered softly.

Further down the hall, Sarah Mulberry stood in her doorway watching. “What’s going on?” Mrs. Mulberry questioned as she stepped up beside her. “What the hell are you standing here for?”

“Shh,” Sarah whispered as she tried to listen.

“Well, aren‘t you a nosy little bitch,” Mrs. Mulberry said as she glanced down the hall and realized what Sarah was looking at. “Shut the door and come inside so you can give me the gossip,” she said.

“Just a minute,” Sarah said as she continued to glance down the hall. Joseph Lester smiled when he saw her and waved slightly. Sarah Mulberry waved back and smiled before turning to enter the apartment. “Grandma, you won’t believe what happened tonight!” She said excitedly.

"This is crazy," Ryan Clarke sighed as she leaned up against her door. The others had already cleared the hallway, and Szymon and Joseph had already stepped onto the elevator, leaving Ryan alone with Jesse Martinez.

"It’ll all be over soon," Jesse assured her as he stood across the hall watching her.

"Why are you still here?" Ryan questioned.

"What do you mean?" Jesse responded. "I’m here to help you."

"Why do you care?" Ryan asked. "I mean, the first time you see me, you act like some psycho lunatic and now you’re all concerned about me and everything. What’s up?"

"I just don’t want to see you get hurt," Jesse explained.

"But why? You don’t even know me. I mean, so what if I look like your ex? I’m not her," she pointed out.

"That’s obvious," Jesse responded. "I know you’re not her. She’s dead."

"So what, you’re helping me because I look like her?" Ryan questioned.

"Maybe," Jesse said with a shrug. "Or maybe I just don’t like to see women get beaten," he explained.

Ryan paused for a moment. "How did you know?" She questioned.

"I don’t know," Jesse responded, choosing not to tell her how he sat on the fire escape watching her day after day. "I just did," he answered.

"My God, I was stupid," Ryan sighed. "I don’t know what I was thinking. I let him hit me."

"It happens," Jesse answered, "and sometimes we have no explanation for it. It just happens."

"But it shouldn’t," Ryan explained. "It shouldn’t happen. I should have been stronger. The first time he put his hands on me, I should have left. I shouldn’t have put up with it. Why did I let him hit me?

"You were scared," Jesse said, "and alone," he added.

Ryan glanced at the door to her apartment in silence. "I’ve never been alone," she realized. She glanced at Jesse and shook her head. "I’ve never been alone," she repeated. "What am I going to do now?"

"What do you want to do?" Jesse Martinez questioned.

"Are you okay?" Gage asked Devon as they entered her apartment. Elijah and Cayden followed and Cayden slowly shut the door behind them.

"I’m fine," Devon said as she nodded her head. "I just need something to eat," she explained. "Can you get me a sandwich or something from that place down the street?" She questioned.

"Of course," Gage responded. "I’ll be right back," he said as he lead her over to the couch and helped her sit down. "Just sit there and relax until I get back," he said. "Guys, can you just watch her while I’m gone?" Gage questioned.

"Of c-course," Elijah responded. Cayden stared at the floor in silence as he stood in the corner. He didn’t hear a word of what was set.

"Thanks," Gage said as he started for the door.

Once he was gone, Devon turned toward Cayden and Elijah. "What the hell are we going to do?" She questioned.

"Th-they’re going to f-find him," Elijah said as he began to pace back and forth.

"How often do they light up the incinerator?" Devon questioned. "Maybe there’s nothing to find," she added. "Maybe he’s burnt to a crisp. Maybe he’s just ashes right now," Devon said, hoping against all odds that the police didn’t find anything in the incinerator.

"Yeah," Elijah chimed in, "th-that’s true!"

"Cayden, what do you think?" Devon questioned. Cayden did not respond. Instead, he stood very still, staring at the floor. "Cayden," Devon repeated. "Cayden!" She finally yelled as she stood up from the couch and took a step in his direction, causing the young man to snap out of his reverie.

"This is all your fault!" Cayden screamed as he started for her. "You did this! You dragged me into this!" He shouted, tears filling his eyes. "I didn’t want to be a part of this! You stupid bitch!" He cried as a torrent of emotion was unleashed from within him.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Devon questioned.

"I’m going to lose him!" Cayden shouted. "He’s going to leave me. I lied to him and he’s going to find out. I’m going to lose him! It’s all your fault!" He cried.

"What’s done is done, Cayden, we can’t change it," Devon responded. "All we can do is hope for the best."

"You don’t even care," Cayden said as he reached up to wipe the tears from his cheeks. He shook his head incredulously as the tears ran dry, replaced by anger. "You don’t even care that I’m about to lose the one thing in my life that makes sense," he said softly. "Look at you," he said as he took a step back. "You don’t even care."

"Of course I care, dammit!" Devon shouted back. "How can you stand there and talk to me like this? This is me, Cayden. This is Devon. I’m the one who covered your ass more times that you can remember," she explained.

"Don’t start that with me," Cayden said as he shook his head, "this is different."

"How is it different?" Devon questioned. "We were best friends," she said as she stepped forward. "We promised one another that we would have each others backs," she explained. "And then you crossed me!"

"I crossed you?!" Cayden questioned.

"Yes, you accused me of killing Julia," she explained. "I’m not a murderer, Cayden."

"Yeah, well there’s a man in the incinerator who would beg to differ," Cayden retorted.

In the next moment, Devon grew so furious that she reached over and smacked Cayden across the face, stunning him into silence.

"You fucking bitch!" Cayden shouted.

"E-enough!" Elijah shouted as he put his hands up to his head. He was having trouble keeping up with the conversation and his head began to pound. "St-stop screaming!" He pleaded as his legs began to wobble. He fell to his knees. "St-stop!"

"Elijah," Devon said as she turned to help him. "I’m sorry . . ."

"Sh-she didn’t k-kill anybody," Elijah said softly as he glanced up at Cayden, his eyes filled with tears. "Sh-she didn’t d-do it. She’s n-not a mur-murderer."

Cayden stared down at Elijah in shock and glanced over at Devon. "What is he saying?" Cayden questioned.

"Nothing," Devon explained. "He’s confused, he has no idea what he’s saying," she said as she helped him up from the floor and walked him over to the couch. "Just forget about it."

"No," Cayden said as he walked over toward them and grabbed Devon by the arm, pulling her toward him. "Did he kill that man?" Cayden questioned as he stared into Devon’s eyes. "Did he kill him?" He asked again.

"Cayden," Devon sighed as she shook her head, "don’t . . ."

"Oh my God," Cayden said as he let her arm go and glanced down at Elijah. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

"I d-did," Elijah said softly, "b-but you didn’t b-believe me."

"You believed me instead," Devon said softly, "and it was easy to do that, wasn’t it, Cayden? It was easier to believe that I did it, right?"

Cayden shook his head. "That’s not important right now. We have to figure out what we’re going to do. What happened?" Cayden questioned as he turned toward Elijah. "How did you . . ."

Elijah began to shake his head. "Don’t ask him to tell you," Devon interrupted. "He’s already been through it once, don’t make him go through it again."

Cayden glanced from Elijah toward Devon. "Why didn’t you just tell me the truth?" Cayden questioned.

"Because I didn’t want you to know, and because if someone goes down for this, then it’s going to be me, do you understand?" Devon explained.

Cayden stared into her eyes for a moment before nodding his head in response. "I’m sorry," he said softly.

"I know," Devon responded.

Liliana Martinez sat in the living room with the remote control in her hand. She stared at the television screen as she surfed from channel to channel. "All these channels and nothing to watch," she said to herself as she rolled her eyes.

She heard the door open and she jumped up, setting the remote on the couch beside her and standing up. "Oh thank God, I was getting worried," she said she turned toward the door and saw Jesse step into the apartment with a young woman. "Ay Dios Mio, es un fantasma!" She shrieked when she got a better look at the young woman.

"No, Abuela, it’s not a ghost," Jesse said as he stepped further into the room. "This is Ryan," he explained as he motioned to her. "She’s going to stay with us tonight."

Liliana’s eyes widened. "This is the girl you were talking about?" Liliana questioned as she took a step forward and stared at Ryan Clarke. "The one who’s been making you go crazy?" Liliana inquired as she circled around Ryan.

"Is something wrong?" Ryan Clarke questioned.

"Yes, Mi hija, something is wrong. Something is definitely wrong," Liliana noted.

"Abuela, por favor . . ." Jesse began.

"Jesse, please! This is not healthy," Liliana assured him.

"Maybe I should go," Ryan said shakily.

"No, please don’t," Jesse said to her. "My grandmother is just a little shocked. Just let me talk to her."

"Yes, talk to me," Liliana said. "Try to make me understand Jesse, because I don’t understand," she said as she shook her head. "I definitely do not understand. What do you think you’re doing? How are you supposed to get better if you keep dragging yourself down. How do you expect to move on?" She questioned.

"I am moving on," Jesse explained.

"And how are you doing that?" Liliana questioned, "by doing this? What do you think you’re doing? Look at her," Liliana said as she pointed to Ryan. "What do you see when you look at her? She looks just like Julia. How are you supposed to get better when you have a reminder of her in your own home?" She questioned.

"Abuela, she’s not Julia," Jesse explained.

"I know that," Liliana responded, "and she knows that," she said as she pointed to Ryan, "but you . . . as much as you’d like to think you know it too, you really don’t."

"Abuela, I’m tired of you telling me what I do and do not know," Jesse said, raising his voice slightly. "I can make my own decisions, and I know the difference between Ryan and Julia," he explained. "Stop trying to run my life for me," he pleaded.

Liliana shook her head. "Somebody has to do it, Jesse, because you’re obviously not doing such a great job of it yourself," she explained.

"Well it’s not going to be you," Jesse said bitterly.

Liliana’s eyes widened with shock. "I’m going to take a walk because right now I could kill you," Liliana explained. "When I get back, we are going to talk like two adults," she explained. "We are going to sit down, in private," she said as she glanced at Ryan, "and work this out."

"Walk for as long as you want," Jesse said, "I’ve made my decision."

"And I will make mine," Liliana assured him as she headed for the door.

"Is she okay?" Ryan questioned as she watched Liliana leave.

"She’ll be fine," Jesse assured her as he glanced around the apartment. "So, this is it," he said. "Make yourself comfortable.

"Thanks for letting me stay here," Ryan said. "I think I would have gone crazy if I had to stay in my apartment alone," she explained.

"It’s not a problem," Jesse said. "Make yourself comfortable."

"This is crazy, I can’t just sit here and wait," Cayden said as he paced back and forth glancing at his watch. "I feel like I’m waiting for an execution.

"Don’t say th-that," Elijah said.

"Cayden, just relax."

"How can I relax when my boyfriend is downstairs looking for a dead body that I helped hide?" He questioned, not realizing that the door had been opened and Gage Matthews was standing there. "Oh my God," he said when he saw the man. He glanced over at Devon and Elijah, his eyes wide with surprise.

"It’s okay," Devon explained as she stood up from the couch. "I told him."

"You d-did wh-what?" Elijah questioned as he stood up.

"Relax," Devon said. "Gage, come in and close the door," Devon said as she waved him into the apartment.

Gage closed the door behind him and walked over toward Devon. "I got you a cold cut sandwich," he said as he handed it to her.

"Thank you, Baby," Devon said as she grabbed it and sat down on the couch as she opened it.

"Are you kidding me?" Cayden questioned. "There’s a dead man in the basement and you’re eating a cold cut sandwich?"

"What the hell do you expect me to do?" Devon questioned.

"You told h-him?" Elijah questioned, unable to wrap his mind around the fact that someone else knew about Luis.

"Guys, relax," Gage said. "Devon told me at the club. She told me everything," he explained.

"E-everything?" Elijah questioned.

"Yes, Devon said. I told him how I hit Luis over the head," she explained as she glanced at Cayden and Elijah sternly.

Cayden stared back at her in silence. "You told him that?" Cayden questioned. Elijah simply stared at her, slightly dumbfounded.

"B-but I . . ."

"I know, we agreed we weren’t going to tell anyone," Devon said, cutting him off. "But I had to tell him because this affects him too. That guy came here looking for him," she explained.

"Devon . . ." Cayden said, as he shook his head.

"Cayden, it’s better that he knows the truth," Devon said as she stared at him, her eyes pleading.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Cayden questioned.

"Sure," Devon said as she stood up and walked into the bedroom. Cayden followed her.

"What are you doing?" He questioned once they were alone.

"I’m telling Gage what he needs to know," Devon explained.

"You’re lying to him," Cayden replied her.

"And you’re lying to Szymon," Devon reminded him. "Look, Gage will do everything in his power to help us if he thinks that I’m the one who killed Luis," she explained. "I’m the mother of his child," she explained. "He’ll protect me."

"So this is about you?" Cayden questioned. "What about Elijah."

"This is about Elijah," Devon explained. "Gage has no allegiance to him. He’ll help us as long as he thinks I’m the killer, but the minute he finds out that it wasn’t me, he’ll turn on Elijah just to keep me safe," she explained.

"He wouldn’t do that," Cayden said.

"He would do anything to protect me," Devon explained, "and if that means telling the police who really killed Luis, then that’s what he’ll do. He can be stubborn and a complete ass sometimes, but I never doubt his devotion to me," she explained.

"Fine," Cayden said, "lie to him all you want, but when this blows up in your face, don’t say that I didn’t warn you."

"Whatever, just stick with the story," Devon said as she started out of the bedroom with Cayden behind her.

"Are you guys okay?" Gage questioned.

"Yes, Cayden was just a little worried about what might happen," Devon assured him.

"Cayden, man, you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll help you guys out. I don’t want Devon to get in trouble for this. It was all my fault," he explained.

Cayden nodded as a knock sounded at the door. Everyone in the room paused and glanced in that direction.

"What do I do?" Cayden questioned.

"Open the door," Devon responded.

"Oh, okay," Cayden said as he crossed over to the door and reached for the doorknob. He opened it slowly and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Sarah Mulberry standing in the hall.

"So this is where you guys got off to," Sarah said as she walked past him. "What a wild night, wasn’t it?" She asked as she entered the apartment.

Devon shook her head and sighed. "What are you doing here?" She questioned.

"Wasn’t it crazy?" Sarah questioned. "First Jesse punched Steven in the face, oh and then Cayden’s mother went with that stripper. Or was that before Jesse punched Steven?" She questioned, looking slightly confused. "But anyway, then Steven beat the crap out of that guy and then he accused you guys of murder," she said. "What the hell was that all about?"

"Sarah, please, we don’t have time for this right now," Devon said.

"Do you really think there’s a dead guy in the basement?" Sarah questioned. "Did you guys put him there?" She asked.

"Sarah, this really isn’t a good time," Gage spoke up.

"No seriously, what were you guys dragging to the basement? Was it a body?"

"Sarah!" Devon yelled as she stood up, causing the other woman to pause and stare at her. "Look around," she said. "We are all friends here."

"Of course we are," Sarah said with a shrug.

"No, you don’t seem to understand . . . You’re not a part of our group," Devon explained. "No one wants you here. No one has wanted you here since you showed up. The only reason I put up with you is because I like your grandmother," Devon explained, "but I don’t like you. So turn around and get the hell out of my apartment," she demanded.

Sarah Mulberry stared at Devon in shock. "You know, I’ve tried to be your friend," she said, "I’ve tried to forgive you for being such a nasty bitch, but I guess that was just stupid of me. Fine, I get the point. You don’t like me, but you don’t speak for everyone, Devon," Sarah said as she glanced around the room at the embarrassed faces.

She realized that the others in the room wanted her gone as well. "Oh," she said softly, "I see . . ." Slowly, she walked toward the door and glanced back at those in the room one last time before slipping out.

Liliana Martinez stood in the lobby of the building with her cell phone firmly pressed to her ear. "I don’t care what it takes," she said angrily, "my grandson is not getting better any better. Do whatever you have to do, but get it done," she said before snapping her phone shut.

She sighed as she stared out of the door to the streets that lay beyond. She watched the people silently for a moment as they went on with their lives. She turned away and started for the elevator. She felt that she was calm enough to go back and speak with Jesse.

Liliana pressed the button for the elevator and waited. Her thoughts drifted toward her grandson and the emotional hell she knew he was trapped in. She wanted so desperately to save him, but he made it so difficult for her.

As the elevator doors opened, she stepped onto the elevator absently. There were two men standing there and she avoided their faces. She didn’t want complete strangers to see how upset she was.

"What floor?" One of the men questioned. The sound of his voice made the hair on the back of Liliana Martinez’ hair stand on end. She froze in place, unable to move. "What floor?" He asked again, waiting.

Slowly, Liliana turned to glance at him. Her eyes widened and she took a step back, gasping with surprise. "Ay Dios mio," she managed to say as she put her hand up to her chest.

"Are you okay?" Szymon Skubisz questioned with concerned when he saw the older woman respond to him. He took a step forward to steady her, as she appeared to have lost her balance, but the woman jumped back from his grasp.

"Es el Diablo!" Liliana cried.

"I’m sorry?" Szymon questioned, slightly confused. "Are you okay?" He questioned again.

Joseph Lester stood beside him, shaking his head and laughing. "This city is filled with lunatics," he mumbled under his breath.

Szymon glanced back at him, slightly annoyed, and shot him a stern glance. "Are you okay, Ma’am?" he said again as he turned back toward Liliana.

"God is punishing me," Liliana responded as she slowly inched toward the door. "He is punishing me for not taking care of my grandson the way I’m supposed to, the way his mother couldn’t," she added.

"Ma’am, I’m a police officer," Szymon said, "would you like me to call someone for you? Do you live in this building?" He questioned.

"Stay away from me," Liliana said as she pointed to him. "Stay away from me," she repeated as she pressed the button to open the doors and clumsily stumbled back into the lobby when they opened. She stared at Szymon Skubisz with horror before the doors closed between them.

"What the hell was that all about?" Szymon questioned with confusion.

"I told you, this city is filled with crazy people," Joseph Lester responded.

"I don’t know," Szymon said, "the way she looked at me . . . it was kind of like she knew me," he explained, unable to make sense of what had just happened.

"I don’t know if she knows you," Joseph responded, "but she did call you the devil, so she was part right," he laughed.

"Go to hell," Szymon said as he pressed the button for the eighth floor.

"Don’t you think that was a bit harsh, Devon?" Cayden questioned once Sarah was gone.

"No," Devon responded.

"You’re such a bitch," Cayden said with disbelief.

"Hey, we needed her gone and I got her to go," Devon said.

"Yeah, but did you have to be so mean about it?" Cayden questioned.

"She’s gone, isn’t she?" Devon inquired sarcastically. "Or would you rather have sat here and told her all about the body in the basement?" She inquired.

"All I’m saying is that sometimes you go a little overboard," Cayden suggested.

"Well I’m sorry that I finally got that two-dollar whore to see the truth," Devon explained. "Forgive me for doing what everybody else wanted done but were too chicken shit to do," she responded.

"That’s enough," Gage said. "We have enough to deal with right now without getting at each other’s throats. Let’s just sit down and relax," he said.

"Fine," Cayden said as he crossed over to the couch and sat down beside Elijah. "Are you okay?" He said softly.

Elijah glanced at him. He hadn’t said anything for several minutes and Cayden was beginning to worry that perhaps he had gone into shock. Elijah’s eyes were filled with tears. "I . . . I’m scared," he whispered.

"Don’t be scared," Cayden said as he reached over and put his arm around his friend. "I’ll be here for you," he explained. "I won’t let anything happen to you."

Elijah nodded as they heard a knock at the door. Gage glanced at Devon and the others. "This is it," he said softly as he got up from the couch and walked toward the door. He opened it slowly and saw Szymon Skubisz and his partner standing in the hall.

"Gage," Szymon said with a nod. "I need to talk to Devon," he said. Gage stepped away from the door and motioned for Szymon and his partner to enter.

Szymon stepped past Gage and glanced into the living room. His eyes widened with surprise when he saw Cayden sitting on the couch with his arm wrapped around Elijah. Cayden’s eyes locked with Szymon’s and he slowly pulled his arm away from Elijah.

Szymon glanced away and shook his head before staring at Devon.

"Is there anyone that the three of you would like to say right now?" Szymon questioned. He couldn’t bring himself to look at Cayden again. It wasn’t the fact that he had his arm around Elijah that angered him, but the fact that he chose Elijah over him. "Anyone?" Szymon questioned again, his voice filled with anger.

"There’s nothing to say," Devon responded as she slowly stood up from the couch.

"Nothing at all?" Szymon questioned. "Cayden!" He said, slightly loosing his grip. "Do you have anything that you’d like to say?" He questioned, still unable to look at his boyfriend.

Cayden’s eyes filled with tears and he jumped slightly when he heard Szymon call his name. Never before had he heard Szymon address him with such disappointment. He couldn’t bring himself to say anything.

Szymon waited for a moment before continuing. "There’s no body in the incinerator," he said softly as he closed his eyes. Szymon Skubisz was sighed. He didn’t want to believe that Cayden had anything to do with a murder, much less a cover-up, and the fact that there was no body in the incinerator help to relieve him.

"We did, however, find a bloody rug," Szymon added, and that was the part that troubled him more than anything. The possibility that somehow, someway, Cayden was involved in moving that rug to the incinerator scared him beyond belief.

Devon’s eyes widened with surprise and she glanced at Elijah and Cayden. "A bloody rug?" Devon questioned. She was prepared for almost any scenario, except this one. She knew, deep down inside, that they would either find the body or they would find nothing, she never even thought that they might find one half of the puzzle.

"I recognize the rug, Devon," Szymon explained. "It was yours," he said as he stared into her eyes. "So, do you want to tell me what happened?" He questioned.

"What do you mean?" Devon questioned.

"Listen, Honey, don’t play stupid," Joseph Lester spoke up.

"I’m not playing stupid," Devon countered, "and I’m not your honey either," she said.

"Devon," Gage said as he took a step toward her.

"Devon nothing," she retorted as she pushed him away. "What are you asking me, Szymon?" Devon questioned.

"Why is your rug covered in blood and why is it in the incinerator?" Szymon questioned.

"It’s in the incinerator because it’s covered with blood," Devon responded. "Do you think I wanted to keep a blood-stained rug?" She questioned.

Szymon laughed incredulously as he shook his head. "Listen, can the attitude, Devon. Just answer the questions."

"She did answer the question," Cayden spoke up.

"I’m not talking to you," Szymon said as he put his hand up and pointed at Cayden, still unable to look at him.

Cayden paused and stared at him silently. Elijah reached over and grabbed Cayden by the arm and gave him a squeeze. Cayden stared into his eyes for a minute and Elijah shook his head slowly. "D-don’t," he mouthed.

"Why is there blood on the rug, and whose blood is it?" Szymon questioned.

"That’s my fault," Gage spoke up. "A buddy of mine came over. We got drunk and he fell and hit his head," he explained.

Szymon glanced at Gage silently. "What is this buddy’s name?" He questioned.

"Luis Alvarez," Gage responded. "We helped clean up the cut and then he stayed the night, but he was gone in the morning," Gage explained.

"Do you have this friend’s number so that we can check out this story?" Szymon questioned.

"Of course," Gage said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. He walked over to the table beside the couch and jotted down the number on a piece of paper before handing it to Szymon. Szymon grabbed it and handed it to Joseph.

"Call that number," Szymon said.

"I’m not your bitch," Joseph responded.

"Just call it!" Szymon demanded.

"Fine, whatever," Joseph said as he reached for his phone and stepped into the hall.

"We’re going to check out this story," Szymon said softly, "and if any one of you are lying to me, then when I get back, there’s going to be hell to pay," he warned as he backed out of the apartment and shut the door behind him.

Cayden watched as Szymon stepped out of the room and when the door closed, tears streamed down his cheeks. "Oh my God," Cayden said softly, "What have I done?"

Jesse sat in the living room with Ryan silently. "Do you want to watch television?" Jesse questioned. As he reached for the remote control and glanced at her.

"Sure," Ryan said with a smile.

Jesse turned the set on and flipped through the channels slowly. He sat beside her, silently watching the images on the screen.

"You know," he said after a while. "There’s all these channels . . ."

"And there’s never anything good to watch," Ryan chimed in.

Jesse glanced at her and smiled. "Exactly," he said. "It’s like you were reading my mind. Julia used to do that all the time," he admitted before realizing what he had just said. He glanced over at Ryan.

"It’s okay," Ryan responded. "We can’t help that I look like her, right?" She questioned.

"Right," Jesse said as he glanced at his watch, then at the door.

"You’re worried about her, aren’t you?" Ryan questioned. "You’re grandmother."

"A little," Jesse admitted. "I didn’t mean to be so mean to her, I just wanted her to stop," he explained.

"I know," Ryan said.

"It’s just that she can be a little pushy sometimes. She likes things to be her way all the time."

"She’s your grandmother," Ryan explained, "that’s what grandmothers do."

"Yeah, but I shouldn’t have been so rude. She raised me, you know. My mother got very sick and my grandmother took me in and raised me. It was always me and her," he said with a smile. "She’s always been there for me."

"There’s nothing wrong with that."

"Yes, but I don’t need her anymore," Jesse said. "She’s only here because she’s worried about me, but I can’t seem to get her to understand that I’m fine," he explained.

"She’ll come around," Ryan said. "Why don’t you go find her. I mean, you’re obviously worried about her. Go see if she’s okay. Tell her exactly what you’ve told me," Ryan urged. "I’m sure she’ll understand."

"You don’t know my grandmother," Jesse said with a smile, "but you’re right. I should go find her." He stood up from the couch and handed the remote control to Ryan. "Will you be okay for a few minutes?" He questioned.

"I’ll be fine," Ryan said with a smile.

"Good," Jesse said with a smile. "I’ll be right back," he said as he headed for the door and stepped out of the apartment.

Ryan glanced around the empty apartment in silence and set the remote control down on the couch beside her. She stood up slowly and walked toward the corner of the room to glance at an easel. She smiled at the half-finished painting and admired the artistry. Glancing around the room, she realized how sparsely decorated it was. The couch and television set seemed to be out of place, like they were afterthoughts. She walked slowly toward the bedroom and entered it cautiously, pushing the door open.

She stepped in and reached along the wall for the light switch. When she turned it on, she jumped with surprise. "Oh my God," she said as she took another step into the room and stared at all of the pictures on the wall. "Where did he get these pictures . . ." she whispered as she glanced at the woman in the pictures. "Wait a minute . . . this isn’t me . . ." She realized as she stared at Julia Taylor.

"Oh my God," she whispered again.

"You look just like her," Liliana Martinez said softly as she stood in the doorway.

Slightly startled, Ryan glanced at her. "I didn’t hear you come back," she said. "Jesse just left to go after you," she explained.

"Well, when he doesn’t find me, he’ll come back," Liliana explained.

Ryan nodded and glanced at all of the pictures on the wall. There wasn’t a part of the wall that wasn’t covered with a picture. "Is this really her?" She questioned.

"That’s her," Liliana said as she stepped further into the room. "You don’t just look like her," she explained. "You look exactly like her."

"This is kind of freaky," Ryan admitted.

"No kidding," Liliana agreed. "Do you see now why this is a bad idea?" She questioned. "My grandson was so much in love with this woman that he almost took his own life," she explained as she shook her head and sighed. "I should have come back then. Who am I kidding? I should have come back when she was murdered," Liliana admitted.

"Why didn’t you?" Ryan questioned.

Liliana Martinez glanced at Ryan Clarke and shook her head. "I was afraid," she explained. "I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to help my grandson. I was afraid that he would leave me the way his mother did."

"What happened to his mother?" Ryan questioned.

"The same thing that happens to everyone else in his life," Liliana explained. "She was taken from him."

"She died?" Ryan said.

"No, my daughter didn’t die," Liliana said as she shook her head, "she’s very much alive. She’s in an institution," Liliana admitted.

"I’m so sorry."

"She’s been there for a while," Liliana said. "I’ve had to raise Jesse all on my own. In his entire life, I’ve been the only person who hasn’t left him," she explained. "I’ve been with him through it all, and now when he needs me the most, he’s pushing me away. Because of you . . . because of her," she said as she pointed to the pictures on the wall.

"I don’t think I have anything to do with this," Ryan said as she shook her head.

"Of course you do," Liliana explained. "You look just like her. He’s obsessed with her," Liliana explained.

"I can’t help that I look like her," Ryan responded.

"Maybe not," Liliana said, "but you can help Jesse. Does this look like something a rational person would do?" Liliana questioned, "plaster their walls with pictures of a dead woman? Does it look like Jesse’s getting over her death?" She questioned.

Ryan looked around the room and fell silent. "I guess not," she replied.

"Then there is something you can do," Liliana explained. "You can stay away from my grandson and let him heal. You can stop reminding him of the woman he was once in love with. You can stop haunting him with your mere presence. None of us needs a living reminder of a ghost from the past," Liliana explained. "You can help my grandson by leaving him alone and letting him move on."

"Szymon!" Jesse Martinez called out as he stepped off of the elevator. "Have you seen my grandmother?" He questioned as she approached him in the corridor. "She’s about this tall," he said as he used his hand to show him her height.

"Not right now," Szymon said, "I’m in the middle of an investigation," he explained.

"You’re not serious about Steven’s claims, right?" Jesse questioned as he stopped in front of the other man.

"Look Jesse, this isn’t the right time," he explained.

"Come on, Szymon, that guy was an ass. He made the whole thing up."

"Jesse," Szymon said, slightly annoyed, "this isn’t a good time."

"Fine," Jesse said as he shook his head, "it’s a shame that you let that son of a bitch jerk you around like this," he said as he started to walk away.

"Jesse," Szymon called out after him.

"What?" Jesse questioned as he turned back.

"Here," he said as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out an envelope.

"What is this?" Jesse questioned as he reached for the envelope.

"I couldn't find anything on Jamie Taylor," he explained, "but this is everything I found of Ryan Clarke. Don't you dare tell anyone where you got it from, either."

Jesse stared at the envelope for a moment before glancing back at Szymon. "Thank you," he said softly. Szymon nodded as the elevator doors opened down the hall and several uniformed officers stepped out.

"Oh man," Jesse said when he saw them, "this is crazy."

"Go home," Szymon said softly. Jesse nodded and turned and walked down the hall past the police officers.

Joseph Lester approached Szymon and shook his head. "No answer on Luis’ number, just voice mail," he explained.

"Then we have to do this," Szymon explained.

"Are you sure about this?" Joseph questioned. "He’s your boyfriend, isn’t he?"

"What do you care?" Szymon questioned. "You don’t even like fags," he reminded his partner.

"Yeah, well . . . he doesn’t seem like a bad guy to me," Joseph admitted as he shrugged his shoulders. "Do you really want to do this?" He asked.

"No," Szymon explained, "but I’m a police detective. I have to do this," he said as he turned and knocked on Devon James’ door.

The door opened a moment later and Devon stared at Szymon. "What do you want?" She questioned. Szymon glanced past her at the others in the room. They were all standing in the living room staring at him. He managed to finally lock eyes with Cayden before glancing back at Devon.

"I’m going to have to ask you to step out of the apartment," Szymon said.

"What?" Devon questioned.

"Wait a minute, what is this about?" Gage Matthews questioned as he approached the door.

"We need to search the apartment," Szymon answered.

"Oh my G-God," Elijah whispered.

"It’s okay," Cayden said softly to his friend.

"You can’t search my apartment," Devon said.

"Yes, I can," Szymon responded.

"Not without a search warrant," Devon reminded him.

"Officer," Szymon said as he took a step back. One of the uniformed officers handed a folded piece of paper to Devon.

"What is this?" Devon said as she grabbed it. She didn’t look at it.

"It’s a warrant," Szymon responded.

"I know that, Szymon, but why?" She questioned. "Why would you do this to me?" She questioned as she searched his eyes, pleading for him not to do this.

"Because I have to," Szymon explained, unable to look into her eyes. "Everyone, please step out of the apartment," he said softly.

"Son of a bitch," Devon sighed as she shook her head and stepped into the hallway.

"It’s okay, baby," Gage said as he followed her out. "They won’t find anything."

Elijah slowly stepped out of the apartment and paused when he reached Szymon’s side. He stared into his eyes and shook his head. "I th-thought you w-were our fr-friend," he said softly.

"This is my job," Szymon said, his voice slightly cracking as Elijah walked past him. "I don’t want to do this," he explained to everyone, but I have to. I have to," he said as Cayden approached him. Cayden slowly reached out and tried to place his hands on Szymon’s face. He could see how truly torn Szymon was.

Szymon Skubisz shook his head. "No," he said, "I’m on the job."

Cayden paused and stared at him with shock before turning toward his apartment and unlocking the door. He slipped into the apartment, leaving the door open, and turned back to glance at Szymon in silence.

"Officers," Szymon said, choosing to ignore his lover. "Search the entire apartment," he said. The police officers entered the apartment as Devon and the others watched.

"You son of a bitch," Devon said.

"That’s enough out of you!" Szymon shouted. "your rug was found covered in blood. Someone accused you of murder! I’m not trying to piss you off, I’m just trying to do my job!"

"Well fine, then do it quickly," Devon said. "We’ll be in Cayden’s apartment," she said as she turned toward Cayden’s door.

"No you won’t be," Szymon said as he shook his head.

"Of course we will," Devon argued as she started for the apartment. "We’re not going to sit out here in the hallway," she explained.

"I can’t let you do that, Devon," Szymon explained.

"Szymon, please . . . we can’t make her stand out in the hallway," Cayden said.

"She won’t be alone," Szymon explained.

"What are you talking about?" Cayden questioned.

"Cayden . . ." Szymon said as he glanced at the floor. "Please step out of the apartment," he said.

"What’s going on?" Cayden questioned, slightly confused.

Szymon Skubisz slowly walked toward the apartment. "Cayden, please step out of the apartment," Szymon repeated.

Cayden’s eyes filled with tears. "What are you saying, Szymon?"

"Cayden . . . Please," he said softly.

Cayden King slowly stepped into the hallway. Joseph Lester stepped up beside him and handed him a folded piece of paper before entering Cayden’s apartment. "What is this?" Cayden questioned as he glanced at the search warrant, unable to comprehend what was happening. "Szymon, what is this?" He questioned.

"It's a search warrant, Cayden," Szymon said softly.

"Szymon, wait," Cayden said. "Let me talk to you," he pleaded as tears streamed down his cheeks. "Don't do this. Szymon, I'm sorry . . . let me just talk to you," he begged.

"I’m sorry Cayden . . . it's too late," Szymon said softly as he stepped into the apartment and shut the door behind him.