The
smooth glass pebble sank with a little shimmy down to the bottom of the
water-filled jar.“There goes another one,” Marcus Taggert proclaimed with relish.“One more step toward ridding Port Charles of all its vermin.”
Police
Commissioner Mac Scorpio entered the squad room just in time to overhear his
detective’s comment.“Don’t get too excited, Taggert.We have still got a long way to go before that happens.”
“I
know, I know.But can’t I at least enjoy this moment while it is here?”Marcus grinned broadly.“You know the only thing that could make this better?To be a fly on the wall at Sonny Corinthos’ place.He and Angerboy are probably pulling their hair out at their bad luck.”
Despite
himself, Mac had to smile as well.Mob boss Sonny Corinthos had been triumphant against the Port Charles law
enforcement community for so long that any victory – no matter how slight or
accidental – was a cause worth celebrating.
It
was a fleeting celebration.“I could enjoy it more if I weren’t so worried about Dara.”
Mac’s
sober comment erased Taggert’s good humor.“I came in to work this morning hoping that someone was going to tell
me that Dara had finally checked in.”The tall detective ran a hand over his bald pate, a sure sign of his deep
concern.“What the hell is going on with her?”
“I
don’t know,” the Commissioner replied.“But I intend to find out.”He paused.“I have called in a few favors.”
“Favors?”
“From
a couple of old friends in the WSB,” Mac explained.“Since from all accounts Dara disappeared by choice, nobody will touch
this officially.”
“You’ve
got people looking for her.Good.”Marcus whistled softly as a thought occurred to him.“If Dara did disappear because she needed some space from
things, she is not gonna be happy knowing you had her traced.”
Mac
nodded.“I know.But if there’s even a possibility that she didn’t disappear by
choice, then I have to do something.”
