Everyone stared at Craig, Isabel had told them about seeing him talk to Caldwell, his turning up here seemed a bit too coincidental. Jim who was still holding his gun stood his ground with Craig. Craig looked down at the gun. "Don't you think that's a little unnecessary?" "I don't think so." "Well at least don't point it at me, it might go off." "Don't do anything stupid and it won't." Craig lifted one eyebrow and nodded. "Shoot me and you'll never get Maria away from here." His words stunned the group, Jim lowered the gun slightly dropping his guard. Craig took this opportunity to grab the gun from Jim's hand. Michael raised his hand but Isabel stopped him before he showed his powers. Craig hadn't noticed Michael, he pulled the clip from the gun, handing it back at Jim but kept the clip. Jim took the gun but narrowed his eyes on the clip. "I'll give it back when I leave, I'm here to talk about Maria." "Maria who? I don't know what your talking about." Craig was puzzled, he had been so sure....and Maria had said... Michael went to Jim, grabbing him he spun him around to face him. Jim looked over his shoulder at Craig. "Michael and I need to talk....in private. Max keep an eye on him." Max didn't know what the hell was going on but he nodded. He watched as they left the room then turned back to Craig. Craig dropped the clip on a table next to the phone. He indicated with his head towards the room Jim and Michael had gone to. "Tell him that if he changes his mind, he'll find me downstairs in the casino." He looked straight at Max. "I don't know what the problem is with him denying he knows Maria, I know that you all know her. If you want her back you've got to convince him that all I want to do is help." Craig pulled open the door, he was about to leave when he turned back to look at him. "Don't leave it too late, she doesn't have a whole lot of time left." He slammed the door shut, leaving everyone speechless. They heard raised voices coming from the other room. *-*-*-*-*-* "What the hell were you thinking? Why did you just do that?" "Michael if you just calm down I'll......" "CALM DOWN! CALM DOWN! How the hell can I calm down, when you do something so stupid?" "MICHAEL! That is enough. You don't understand." "What's to understand? You just blew him off." "Look we don't know anything about these guys." "Yes we do. We know that Caldwell is an evil sadistic bastard, you saw what he did to that girl." "So we know about Caldwell, but what we don't know, is what Craig's story is. For all we know he could be after more than just Maria." "Like what?" "For starters, you, Max, Isabel and Tess. Maybe this could all be alien related." "You don't know that. You're grasping at straws. What aren't you telling us?" When Jim didn't answer, Michael ran his hand through his hair, he felt like his body was on fire. "I need to get out of here, something smells, I need some air." Jim tried to stop him leaving but Michael used his powers and forced Jim across the room. He slammed the door shut. Isabel jumped up and shouted his name, he ignored her and kept going until he reached the elevator. He needed to get out of here, he needed to blow something up but without the audience. He took the elevator to the foyer, he didn't acknowledge anyone as he passed people, he just needed out the building. *-*-*-*-*-* He may not have taken any notice of the people he passed but someone took notice of him and followed him out. TBC

Part 20