Without A Trace – Claire Kiriakis

1 Hour Missing

Jack Malone and Martin Fitzgerald of the FBI stand in a deserted alleyway in Salem.

The area is swarming with Salem police officers. Jack stares as they poke at garbage cans, take pictures of each other, text message their friends, take up a collection for donuts.

“Are you sure we’re in the right place?” Jack asks

Martin checks his notebook “Yeah, this is where the victim was last seen. Claire Kiriakis age 4. She was last seen being carried by a man known only as Rob. He got into an old rusty van driven by a woman named Crystal.”

“Okay,” Jack says, “Do we have any witnesses?”

“Well evidently ½ the Salem PD watched the kidnappers escape with the child” Martin answers

“Excuse me?” Jack says, “How could that many officers just stand and watch this happen.”

“Salem cops, well let’s just say they aren’t exactly Scotland Yard.” Martin says

“From what I hear, they aren’t even Bear’s Big Back Yard.” Jack replies

“Hey, FBI Guys” Bo Brady comes strutting up “Have you gotten any clues about where my granddaughter is?”

“Not yet, Detective Brady” Martin says “I see here that your son, Shawn Brady was also a witness.”

“Um yeah” Bo says, “But Shawn’s not going to be much help. Sometimes he don’t think so good, you know.”

Jack looks at Martin and rolls his eyes.

“Well, Detective Brady, we’re going to collect some evidence and try to get some lead

on who took your granddaughter.” Jack says

“Oh we know who took her” Bo says excitedly “It was Crystal and Rob!”

“Umm yeah we know that,” Jack explains “But what we don’t know is who they are really.”

“Oh, I’m pretty sure, they are Crystal and Rob.” Bo answers.

“We’ll be in touch Detective.” Jack closes his notebook and walks away.

1 Week Missing

Later at the FBI headquarters, we see the big timeline board they use to figure out these cases. Normally it has a picture of the victim followed by a single line connecting sightings and suspects. The board for Claire Kiriakis however, resembles a road map of downtown New York City. Lines intersect with lines, that lead to other lines, with notations and pictures that lead nowhere, then double back onto other lines.

Jack and Martin stare at the board in disbelief. Samantha and Vivian come up behind them and also stare at the board.

“Jack, just give up.” Samantha says, “These people are out of their minds.”

“Jack, I’m sorry but I have to agree,” Vivian adds, “It’s almost like this kid doesn’t want to be found.”

Danny, who’s laying on top of a table with an ice pack on his head chimes in “It’s Stefano but it’s not Stefano, who may or may not have brainwashed John, who was dead but came back, after Marlena got psychic messages from him when he was in a coma. Then Belle was married to Phillip who was Claire’s father but then he wasn’t because Belle had sex with Shawn but didn’t realize she had, until blood tests were done that proved Shawn was Claire’s father. Then Phillip had custody but Shawn and Belle kidnapped her and ran half way across the world, but came back because there was a hurricane and Phillip was okay with not being Claire’s father now.”

“Stop stop” Jack holds his head in his hands “If I interview one more person who used to be dead, and came back, I will lose my mind.”

“I’ll trade you for the forensics part of this mess.” Samantha says, “The lab in that town might as well be run by Dr. Melvin Honeydew and Beaker, you know the Muppets? And the evidence lock up might as well have a welcome mat outside the door. Anyone who feels like it can just wander in there and take whatever they want.”

“Well someone else can just tackle the files,” Vivian adds, “Because it looks like all you have to do to get away with murder in Salem is be a Brady or be married to a Brady. There are so many mistrials and dropped cases in the PD files, we better hope OJ and Michael Jackson never find out this place exists. They’d move next week.”

Jack rubs his hands over his face and sighs. “I just don’t know….” Suddenly his cell phone rings.

“Jack Malone” he answers.

“Mr. Malone, this is Claire Kiriakis. I’d appreciate it if you would just stop looking for me.” A voice on the phone says

“Claire!?” Jack says, “Where are you?”

“Somewhere far away and trust me, it’s my choice to be here.” Claire says

“So this was your idea” Jack says

“Yes Mr. Malone” Claire answers, “You’ve met my family, can you blame me?”

“Well no, I guess not” Jack agrees

“Okay then, thank you.” Claire says, then the phone goes dead.

The rest of the team starts gathering up papers and cleaning off the board. Everyone looks relieved this nightmare is finally over. Then the phone rings on Martin’s desk.

He answers it, talks for a few minutes, and then hangs up.

“Martin, what’s wrong?” Vivian asks, “You’re as white as a sheet.”

“That was Roman Brady, they have another missing child in Salem.” Martin says “Ciera Brady. Her parents say they put her down for a nap 2 weeks ago and now she’s gone.”

The members of the FBI missing persons unit look around at each other for a few seconds. Silence fills the air. Everyone looks to Jack for a sign of what they should do.

“So wrong number, huh Martin?” Jack says

“Yeah boss,” Martin replies “Wrong number.”