It was an act of desperation from Sam that brought a change in Etheridge’s life. While hunting down a missing girl on the cusp of being lost to the sex trade, Sam had knocked on Etheridge’s door, begging for his help to find her. What should have been a quick favour turned into a life-changing series of events.

Sam engaged the armed police in Etheridge’s house.

Then, in his quest to find Sam, a furious enemy from his past tortured Etheridge and left him for dead.

That should have sent Etheridge running.

But it hadn’t.

Etheridge had embraced it, selling his company and giving his wife a tidy divorce settlement. After carefully creating a financial narrative that saw him living a life of quiet retirement in Tenerife, Etheridge remained in his home, compiling information on some of the biggest crime syndicates in England.

To help Sam.

To join the fight.

After devising a plan that put Sam in The Grid to take down Harry Chapman, Etheridge hijacked Sam’s transportation to another prison, freeing the vigilante and joining him on the government’s most wanted list.

Now, like Sam, Etheridge had fled the country.

Moments before Sam boarded his flight, they’d said their goodbyes, with Etheridge heading wherever he fancied. Having sold his company for millions, Etheridge had the resources to go wherever he pleased. Sam didn’t even want to comprehend how much Etheridge had placed in the account he’d given to him, but he was sure it was enough to see him through until Etheridge resurfaced.

Until he did, Sam was on in his own.

Headed to America to do one final thing.

Make good on his promise to Alex.

A rumbling echoed from the plane as it slowly began its descent, the clouds fading to reveal a glorious view of the land below. A maze of roads sliced through large buildings, the busy city of New York in full flow. Sam had slept for a few hours during the flight, knowing the time shift would play havoc with him if he didn’t try to rest a little.

It was fast approaching midday, and as the wheels touched down on the runway way of LaGuardia Airport, Sam felt his stomach rumble slightly. Luckily for him, he’d travelled light, with just his phone, wallet, and passport, meaning there was no baggage collection to hold him up.

Unsurprisingly, everyone was out of their seat before the doors opened, and Sam calmly waited in his seat until the desperate masses made their way off the plan. Eric had woken groggily, and Sam wished him the best before making his way to the door. Emily smiled at Sam as he reached the door, handing him a sheet of paper which had her phone number on it.