As John tried to weave his way through the crawling traffic, he wondered where to go next. Something must have set Gabriel off. He must have put together a piece of the puzzle as to where to find Angelique and set off on his own to find her. John was both annoyed and relieved by the idea. He knew Gabriel's feelings for Angelique were strong. It showed in his face and how he spoke of her.

It irked John, but he knew if Gabriel reached Angelique first, she would be in excellent hands. Gabriel would not let her come to harm, but the idea still rankled him that another man should be there to protect her. He knew and felt in his heart that she belonged to him. That it was their destiny to be together. He knew what life was like without her shining presence, and now that she returned to him, he knew he did not want to live without her.

Then he remembered what Veronica said: Danny told her, something about a message at the shelter. John's foot pressed down on the accelerator in his race to find her.

He had reached the shelter in record time. As he approached the office. Alice put a hand out to stop him.

"Where do you think you're going?" she asked. Alice heard all about his visit with Angelique and again with Michael. She wasn't about to let him cause more trouble for the shelter.

"I have to speak with Angelique or Michael. Are either of them here?"

"No," Alice said. She sat down at her desk outside the office, considering that to be the end of their conversation.

John realized that the woman obviously was unaware of the importance of the situation and so tried to stay calm. "Alice? Isn't it?" John asked.

"Yes," Alice said, cautiously.

"I'm worried Alice. I believe Angelique may be in trouble. I know I don't deserve your help but I would appreciate any help you can give."

Alice squinted at him, obviously trying to assess his sincerity. She quickly decided. 

"Deacon Michael said that as soon as he found Angelique, he was going to come back here, but that was some time ago," Alice confessed, showing signs of concern as she glanced at her watch. "But I'm sure they should be back soon," she added, although John wasn't sure if she was trying to encourage him or herself. 

"May I please wait here for them?" John asked.

He had the look of a man throwing himself on the mercy of the court. She didn't know entirely why, but she gave in. "Sure. Would you like a cup of coffee?" 

"I'd love some thanks," he said, grateful that she allowed him to stay. She opened the office door for him. John looked down at the boy sleeping on the sofa. 

Alice had forgotten he was sleeping there.

"Tommy. Tommy," she said as she woke the boy up. 

Tommy looked around the room. "Where is Deacon Michael?"

"He's not back yet, but I am sure he'll be back soon. Why don't you grab yourself something to eat and I'll come to get you when he gets here."

Tommy shook his head. "No, I have to talk to him. I promised. I have something to give him."

John noticed the boy clutched a note in his hand.

"That's all right, Alice. Tommy can stay here. No need for him to leave on my account."

"Are you sure?" Alice asked.

"It's fine. We'll wait here for Deacon Michael together. If that's okay with you, Tommy?"

Tommy looked warily at the man in front of him but nodded his head that he was okay with those arrangements. He sat on the couch, pulling his knees to his chest and holding on tight. 

Alice shrugged. "Okay. I will be right back with your coffee. Cream? Sugar?" she asked.

"Black is fine," John answered. "Thanks again, Alice, and for what it's worth, I'm sorry about our first meeting. I apologize for being so rude and abrupt with you."

Alice smiled. "Think nothing of it. We all have our bad days. Apology accepted."

John pulled up the chair from in front of Angelique's desk and turned it around before he straddled it and rested his arms on the back of the chair. Even though he wasn't a praying man, he couldn't stop his thoughts as he hoped beyond hope that either Gabriel or Michael were with Angel right now. He had run out of leads and he had not a clue where to look next.

John felt the intense gaze of an eleven-year-old interrupting his thoughts. Turning his attention towards him, he noticed how the boy huddled in the couch's corner, still clutching the piece of paper as if his somehow his life depended on it.

Brows drawn together, he looked at the boy. "Tommy, isn't it?"

Tommy looked warily at John. He wasn't sure what to make of the man. Tommy just shook his head yes to his question. John moved his whole chair towards the boy. Extending his hand out to him, John introduced himself.

"Hi, my name is John. John McDougle. It's nice to meet you, Tommy."

Tommy still looked cautious, but reached out and took John's hand. It amazed John at how small Tommy's hand seemed in his. He couldn't imagine what would cause someone so young to be so suspicious acting.

Tommy cocked his head to one side and stared at John. Alice came in and gave John his coffee. He thanked her, and she left the two of them alone again.

"You and Deacon Michael have the same last name," Tommy said, as he continued to stare.

John took a sip of his coffee and smiled at the boy. "Well, that's because he's my little brother," John confessed.

All at once, Tommy's face lit up like a tree at Christmas. "He is?" He could not believe his luck.

"Yes," John said, not quite understanding why the news would bring such an excited reaction from the boy.

Tommy was thrilled. Finally, he had someone to tell about Ms. Angel. Surely if this was the Deacon's brother, he would want to help. Tommy had been worried sick ever since Angel had left him behind with this note. Standing up, he handed the note to John.

Perplexed by the boy's actions. He placed his coffee on the desk and took the folded piece of paper.

"What's this?" he asked.

"Ms. Angel gave it to me," Tommy said.

"She told me to give it to Deacon Michael, but he hasn't come back. I thought...well, he's your brother...so...," Tommy faltered. He wasn't sure he did the right thing.

John quickly unfolded the note and then jumped up so suddenly Tommy jumped back, startled, and fell onto the sofa.

"You said Ms. Angel gave you this note, Tommy?"

Scared, Tommy just shook his head.

"You did the right thing by letting me see it," he reassured the boy. "I've been very worried about Ms. Angel and now thanks to you I can help her." John practically squeezed the stuffing out of Tommy. Tommy thought he was a madman.

"Alice!" John called from inside the office. Alice came running in at the urgency with which her name was called.

"What is it? Is everything all right?" Alice said, obviously alarmed.

"Alice, I need you to call this number," John said as he supplied her with a card from his inside his wallet.

"It a direct line to a Sargent Reid. Angelique is in trouble," he said, handing Alice the note Tommy had given him.

"I'm going after her, but I need you to tell Sargent Reid exactly what that note says." John regretted he couldn't tell her more when he took in her distressed appearance. "Tell him to get a hold of Michael. He can take him to the place Angelique had mentioned in the note. It is very important they act as quickly as possible. He'll know what to do."

John felt someone tug on his shirt. He looked down into two very frightened eyes.

Kneeling in front of the boy, John grabbed a hold of his shoulders. He knew without words that the boy was scared.

"She's going to be fine, Tommy. Thanks to you and that note. I'm going to make sure of it. I swear on my life, I will bring her back."

Alice was already on the line when John rushed past her and out the back entrance after Angelique.