~ ~ ~

Raleigh Anderson surveyed the man that appeared at the office promptly at noon as she’d requested. As it was a Saturday there were few people around except maintenance and minimal security. No one would bother much with her visitor since he had permission from her and security was particularly lax on the weekend; though she’d never say so because it was useful to her from time to time as in this case.

“Good you’re on time.” Raleigh felt the hair on the back of her neck flare up as his cold brown eyes pierced hers for a fraction of time then he slipped behind the dark discs of his glasses as he replaced them on the bridge of his nose.

“I’ve never been late for an appointment yet.” His voice gravely quiet in keeping with his stance, reigned in aggression. Although the slim build defied his profession of an all round bully, according to her fiancé, he was a man for all seasons, or as it was said in places that should know these things.

Raleigh wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad one, all she knew was that the Senator had asked for her to handle the situation and she would, though she would implicate her boss too…it was only right after all.

“We have a delicate situation that requires your brand of expertise. Can I rely on your absolute discretion?” Sitting at her desk she opened the locked drawer of her desk with the turn of a key and removed a brown envelope, placing it in front of her as she asked the question.

Bushy eyebrows sprinkled with auburn highlights moved upwards as his cold gaze caught hers in a mixture of disbelief and annoyance. “Discretion is my middle name; didn’t you check that first, who is the WE?”

A shiver ran down her back. Holding her hands tightly while the hairs on her neck stood upright, fear gripped her as she closed her eyes for a second and swallowed hard, maybe this hadn’t been a good idea. She hadn’t checked up on the guy having gone her instincts on trusting the man she loved not to set her on the wrong track. Right now she wasn’t so sure he wouldn’t do her harm, how could she be sure he wouldn’t? Maybe she should have asked Joe to be with her for this meeting because right now she would have appreciated the support.

“Does it matter?” Of course it did and that was exactly what she was expecting.

“No explanation, no deal.” The man hadn’t taken a seat preferring instead to stand completely still opposite her with only the width of the desk between them. He exuded menace, and right now, all she wanted was this over and done with and him out of her office never to return.  

Her voice was a whisper quiet as she answered. “Senator Feldham, it’s his delicate problem.”

“Really, then why isn’t he here to do the dirty work? Ah, yes, politicians never do their own dirty washing in public, do they? Not even with such a public spirited citizen as myself, who has his best interests at heart.” A snide smile crossed the otherwise bland features, a face you forgot immediately because there just wasn’t anything remarkable to recall.

“The Senator had another engagement; if he called it off it would look suspicious. Are you going to take the assignment or not!” Flustered at the delay in getting to the point, he either was going to do the work or not.

“I rarely say no especially to a Senator, always very useful allies for the future, don’t you think, Ms. Anderson?” Raleigh refused to answer and slipped the innocuous looking envelope across the desk towards him. Watching in fascination as he picked it up swiftly using the minimum of movement and energy then pulling out the contents and staring at them in full concentration, everything else merely background images.

Raleigh didn’t even realize she was tapping her fingers on the notebook in front of her until a hand sprung out of nowhere and stopped the irritating movement. Her eyes flared upwards, were caught in a steely glare and released almost as quickly, though she could feel the pressure of his spindly fingers on her hand. “Exactly what do you want me to do?”

“I would have thought it was self explanatory with the note.” Sighing as the man continued to stare at her wanting more. Did she really have to spell it out for him, obviously she did!

“The Senator would like the situation resolved, no loose ends and nothing to tie it back to him.”  Surprisingly her voice held a calmness that she hadn’t expected, especially with what she was asking.

“Any means necessary, I take it?” He flipped the contents back in the envelope and turned his back on her ready to leave.

“All I know is whatever it takes to keep the Senator clean as a whistle in the public’s eye. Don’t you want to ask me about payment?”

“When it’s done I’ll require the usual fee.” He walked over to the door and stopped suddenly as she spoke again.

“What’s that…the usual fee I mean?” This wasn’t normal was it; didn’t people like him take a percentage up front?

“One million dollars wired to a Swiss account on completion. Oh and if you don’t pay up…” he left the sentence unfinished as he left the room silently, as silent as he had been inside the office.

Sighing in relief not sure exactly what she’d commissioned really, except that she’d followed the Senator’s orders as any efficient PA would do. Nothing to worry about there and Joe, her fiancé, wouldn’t send anyone here he didn’t think would work out.

~ ~ ~

Neil smiled as they arrived at Alison’s home and turned to her noting her pinched expression and preoccupation and it certainly wasn’t anything to do with him. He wished he could help her but other than minimal polite conversation on the trip from the theatre; they’d certainly not exchanged anything that could pinpoint her worries. Wanting to help but not pry he allowed the conversation to lapse. Tomorrow over a coffee maybe she might allow him to listen at least. Sometimes it was good to talk to a stranger…though he didn’t feel that Alison was a stranger, no, to him she was a good friend, a very good friend and one he didn’t want to see hurt in anyway.

“Home safe.” Neil grinned as he stopped the car at the end of the drive of her house. Fortunately a couple of lights were on in the house, which meant that someone was home and part of him was glad of that…another wasn’t and he couldn’t figure that part out.

Alison shook herself out of her thoughts, which vied between Lucy’s problems and her own deteriorating relationship with Jason, none of them making any real sense at the moment. “Thank you, Neil. I’m real sorry that I spoilt your evening, maybe we can do it again another time?” It was a halfhearted apology she knew that, however, that was all she could muster right now.

Turning in his seat to face her fully he shook his head. “Never be sorry, Alison, trust me, I enjoyed this evening, anytime with you is a wonderful tonic. I’m glad you could spare the time to spend with an old stick in the mud like me.”

“No way are you a stick in the mud, Neil. You are one of the most interesting and caring people I’ve ever met in my life. Thank you for taking pity on me!” She meant every word too. He was a wonderful man and she felt alive again in his company and that of his family, a reminder perhaps of what she has had to let go as time marches on and the people you loved needed to spread their own wings. What she hadn’t bargained on was her husband’s need to do the same in a different way, one she really didn’t feel part of.

An engaging, almost youthful grin replaced the previous serious expression. “You can be my publicity gal anytime, Alison. You are way too good to me, but thank you for the compliment anyway.”

Reluctantly Alison stared at the house. She had previously had an urge to get home and see Lucy, now that she was here, all she wanted was to sit with this man knowing she was safe and…wanted. “I have to go.”

“I know, I’ll wait, until you get inside before I drive away, okay?” His arm moved across her to open the door eliciting a soft groan from Alison. My God, why were her hormones acting up at this moment! The close proximity of his body to hers was sending her pulse through the roof.

Flustered and she was sure her cheeks were flushed as well, Alison quickly shot out of the car with a goodnight carrying in the air and a tentative wave of the hand. She virtually ran up the path towards the front door and closed her eyes as she realized she’d left her handbag in the car along with it her keys to the house. Damn!

Steps where heard behind her and as she swung around came face to face with Neil again, who was smiling happily holding her handbag in his hand. “Did you forget something?”

“Apparently so.” She couldn’t help but smile too, his was so infectious and reminded her of Sam, and one of his twin boys, and the way he smiled, definitely going to be a heartbreaker one day. Right now, staring at his father, she wondered in a dreamy kind of way if he’d been a heartbreaker in his day…what day, he still could be, he was certainly making hers beat faster and she was way too old for him. Now why was she thinking like that, this wasn’t a romantic situation at all, they were friend’s, only friends, and that’s all they could be…she was married!

“Here you go, want me to wait while find your key?” He continued to smile at her, and legs she would normally say were as solid as rocks now felt like jelly, wobbling precariously as she fished in her purse.

Finally triumphantly holding up her house keys, Alison inserted them in the lock. “Thank you, Neil, we’ll talk tomorrow, I promise.”

Tipping his hand to his head, he acknowledged the dismissal with a reluctance he knew he shouldn’t be feeling but that didn’t stop anything. What was that expression? Getting out of the way of a speeding freight train…right now he was mesmerized in its lights and unable to move anywhere. “Only if that’s what you want, I’ll have the coffee ready anyway, whatever time you arrive.” For some reason he had a desperate need to just hold her in his arms and comfort her, he hadn’t felt such strength of emotion for a woman since…his wife!

A faint smile crossed her lips as she wished him goodnight and closed the door behind her, relaxing against it sighing heavily. A part of her chastising herself for being a foolish old woman. Yet, the greater part of her relishing the adrenaline rush of emotions refusing to be calmed.

Neil whistled a tune, which was unrecognizable, as he walked slowly away from the house. He felt euphoric and he didn’t know why exactly and refused to analyze it. All he did know was that tonight had been special in a way that marked a turning point in his life and the person responsible might never know that but if he had the chance, he was going to take it, whatever that chance might be. Giving a final glance back to the house with a grin as wide as a barn door, he hopped back in the vehicle and set off for home.

Moments earlier a car had motored into the street and stopped abruptly a hundred yards down the street behind another vehicle. The occupants watching the house and the two people that alighted from the vehicle parked outside, thoughts rampant and angry, before setting off again to pull up down the drive of the house moments after the other vehicle left.

~ ~ ~

Luke punched the wall for the third time and this one caused a cracking of the surface plaster on the wall. He’d left Candy’s apartment in the right frame of mind, he had. Now all he wanted to do was go over there apologize and see if they could work things out, yeah and maybe makeup in bed, he’d like that and he had a strong feeling she wouldn’t mind either. On the other hand, he should call Lucy, try to explain and fix up a meeting. Once he had her in his sights again he was certain that the walls she had put up would crumble. Why wouldn’t they, she loved him, love doesn’t die overnight or it wasn’t love and he was pretty darn sure the woman loved him.

There was a third option. Leave them both behind and get out of town. He could go home, he supposed, but who wanted to be a laborer on a farm when he had experienced all this! The corner of his eye picked up the neon lights of signs glittering in the street below. He wasn’t supposed to be a farmhand, he was better than that and he liked America, all he needed was the right opportunity. Lucy had been that opportunity and he had screwed it up, or had he? She might still be receptive to his call and he could work on her as he had before.

Right now his mind refused to stop showing the picture of Candy lying naked in his arms, begging him to make love to her. How could he leave all that behind, who would?

He punched the wall again and this time the plaster cracked, causing a cloud of white powder to be released into the room along with a hole in the wall. For a moment it gave him satisfaction but only for a moment as his mind became as cloudy as the powder.

~ ~ ~

Clare watched her lover sit down then stand up several minutes later, her restless nature taking over. It always happened like this when the weekend came and for a few hours Constance didn’t have a definite focus. It was amusing to her but not to her lover.  Constance had to have a schedule, it was in-built in her and if her lover could put everything that happened in her life in a daily itinerary, including love making, Clare was sure she would. Fortunately she kept Constance’s day to day schedule and in a way her private one too. In many ways it was knowing what another person needed to function, as silly as that sounded, that strengthened the love they shared. In some relationships it was all about taking, in others all about giving, but the best ones were those that did both, even if the other partner didn’t quite understand why. She had loved Constance for…God, as long as she could recall really, and all she’d wanted to do was give in both the business environment and the private one and she knew she probably did more than her partner. Though how could you measure such a thing really, it must be the singular most misunderstood and impossible equation to work out. All she knew was that Constance was the source of her inner happiness, if she entered a room that was enough to fire up the feeling. She knew what Constance needed and though they never had talked about it….

“Constance, want to play a game tonight?”

Constance looked across at her partner who stood in the doorway. She hadn’t seen her there, as always she was too pre-occupied with other thoughts and it made her wonder why Clare put up with her sometimes. A wonderful thread of fire lit her blood as she smiled across at the love of her life…no…the eternal love of lifetimes, even if she didn’t quite agree with the concept, it was good enough for her because Clare did. Her lover had an incredible way of knowing how to make her happy. Strangely enough, with the look of love she saw shinning from Clare’s eyes, she must, by accident, have stumbled on that very thing for her partner too. Absurd situations had pushed them together and she was glad of that because her life would never have been as fulfilled if she hadn’t met her. There was a wonderful song that she loved and could never remember all the words, quite at odds with her practical reasoning, but it reflected perfectly her love for Clare. Time in a Bottle… If I could save time in a bottle, the first thing that I’d like to do is to save everyday as eternity passes away, to spend them with you… Yes, that was how she thought of Clare. Who wouldn’t want to go through time with her at her side and she was lucky enough that Clare thought the same.

“What game?”

A sneaky smile passed Clare’s lips as she moved slowly into the room and stood inches from her, Constance’s musky scent filling the vacuum between them, as she turned innocent eyes to those of her love.

“Want to guess?”

A chuckled manifested as Constance reached out and gently pulled Clare close, her herb scented hair filled her nostrils making her shudder slightly.

“Are you cold?” Glancing around the room for any evidence of a draught, it was quite a barmy night she thought.

Constance dipped her head, captured Clare’s lips and drank from the nectar she found there. Oh God, how she loved this woman, everything was so perfect…who could want more. “Nope, what gave you that idea…in fact, I’d gladly lose some of these clothes if it was worth my while.”

Tipping her head to one side Clare smiled seductively. “Yeah, and what would be a worthwhile cause?”

Lips were pulsed into life as they exchanged another fiery kiss, exploding the myth that a kiss could be lukewarm, not when it involved them, never had been. “YOU!”

“Me?” Clare was drowning in the sexual signals she was receiving and knew it wouldn’t be long before she succumbed altogether, who would want to resist, and she certainly didn’t.

“Yes, you, unless you’re game is better?” Constance saw a fleeting expression cross her lover’s features and was satisfied beyond a shadow of doubt with the next words.

“Oh no, you losing clothes for me are…” Clare’s lips captured her lover’s and arms that had held her lover in a casual way now roamed with intention over her back, feeling the muscles ripple slightly and her breasts moved invitingly closer to hers. Oh yeah, this was better than any game she could envisage to keep Constance’s attention, oh yes indeed.

“Want to move into the bedroom?” Whispered words seductively tickled her ears and Clare blew out a hot excited breath as she answered.

“No, why waste time getting there; I’d rather have you on the floor!”

Constance felt the sexual rush at her lover’s admission and felt certain that the wetness she felt at those words mirrored her partner’s as they lost themselves for the evening in a rather wonderful mutual game made just for two.

~ ~ ~

Russ Lloyd glanced at the paperwork on his desk that he had to send out to the various departments who would be interested. One of the many tasks he did each day, except today. He looked at the data that he was certain contained a familiar message. What was it though?

“Russ, Claber needs some input, want to make that your last detail of the day and I’ll see you Monday?”

Looking up at his supervisor Russ smiled and nodded his head as he returned back to the information at hand, surprised when the man bent over him and spoke again.

“Something wrong?” Startled momentarily, Russ stroked the small goatee beard he wore with pride.

“Nah just got some info from a snitch of Lassiter’s; it rings a bell that’s all. Can’t put my finger on it though, it's probably nothing.”

“Lassiter’s sources are usually good, let me see?” Russ handed over the paperwork and saw a frown furrow the other man’s forehead.

“Does it mean anything to you?”

“Not really, except that a hit like that isn’t normal. Probably his snitch has it wrong, send it back for verification.” The man walked away towards his office as Russ continued to stare at the contents of the data.

Half an hour later he put his computer into secure mode. Only he had access to the terminal, security paramount with the sensitive information that the FBI handled and stored. Glancing at his watch he noticed that it wasn’t that late, maybe he’d join a couple of his buddies in the bar across the street from his apartment. Jack and Lance were bound to be there, it was a routine with them and if they had enemies then they would become sitting targets. One thing he learnt in this job was never to have a solid routine it might be the death of you.

Waving to his supervisor he picked up his case and jacket heading for the exit but just as he was about to push through the swinging door, his terminal bleeped indicating incoming data. A puzzled expression came over his face wondering what it was. Claber hadn’t wanted any research done…then it dawned on him, Serena had asked him to run a check on a particular party perhaps that was it. As far as his friend was concerned, the situation was resolved. She’d called him and advised him of what happened, tough break for the kid but for the best…

“Jones…wasn’t that name of the woman…” Russ muttered under his breath as the lights went on in his head and the earlier cryptic message they’d received from Lassiter possibly making sense.

Rushing over to the console he logged back in and sat down waiting for the download of data.

“Thought you were out of here, Russ, haven’t you got a home to go to?” His supervisor joked as he slowly came over to Russ’ desk, watching the download appear with the picture of a pretty young woman.

“I was waiting for some info for a friend…” He trailed off as he realized that his supervisor wouldn’t approve the use of FBI information for a private detective, at least, unless he’d approved it and he hadn’t.

Quirking an eyebrow at the comment, Supervisor Shale let it go for the moment as he stared at the information on the screen.

Name: Shirley Marcia Crabtree
Alias’s used: Ria Patrick, Candy Jones, and Connie Rose
Age: 22
Residence: No fixed abode. Missing from home seven years ago when her stepfather murdered her mother originally thought suspicious circumstances to her disappearance though turned up in Vegas two years later working as a showgirl.

Next of Kin: Mother Glenda Delilah Stephens, deceased, beaten to death by second husband Robert Horatio Stephens currently serving life no parole. Biological Father: Ralph Joseph Crabtree, unemployed, alcoholic.
No known felonies committed.

“Why the interest in this woman? Looks like one of thousands of pretty young things in this city.” Shale asked tapping his finger on the side of his cheek. Russ never, to his knowledge, wasted FBI time and he doubted that he was with this either.

“I have a friend, ex-FBI; she needed to know a little more about the woman for a case she was working on. I didn’t think it would be a problem, she helps us out from time to time, seemed a courtesy we could afford her.” Russ knew it was fruitless to lie, he might get a slap on the wrist but little more and he could always toss in the information Lassiter had given as a backup plan. Maybe he should have used that first he thought as he took in the look of annoyance that had entered the man’s eyes standing stock still beside him.

Shale puffed out a heavy sigh as he pushed a hand around the collar of his shirt. “Who is the friend?”

Smiling, Russ gushed out Serena’s name. “You can check her out; she’s one of the good guys.”

“Don’t worry I will. Appears you have hit a dead end with this person, she looks perfectly normal when you take the environment we live in, in LA.”

“Sir, she’s the mistress of Senator Feldham and that last message we had from Lassiter might make sense if we put a few of the pieces together.” Looking up expectantly he hoped that his deduction was right it might make up for his lack of protocol.

The man blinked rapidly as he coordinated the brief message from Lassiter and the data from Lloyd here. It was a slow evening maybe it was worth pursuing. “Okay, you have my attention, guess this means you’re working late…oh, and not on pay either.” Shale left Russ alone for a few minutes as he went to get a coffee before they started work.

Russ shook his head knowing he deserved that penance. Only thing was, should he inform Serena? Nope, he’d wait until they knew more.

~ ~ ~

Serena Dusterly tiredly pulled away the glasses from the bridge of her nose as she looked across at the time. It was midnight and she should be home tucked up in bed either asleep or reading a diverting book, a normal book too, and not one of her case files!  Yet she was here poring over that kid’s disappearance file to help out the Fed’s when she had a dozen more cases that needed her urgent attention. Lucy Bardley’s diversion had been just that, a blip in the mountain of ‘genuine’ needy cases she would much rather devote her time to.

The phone ringing jolted her out of her current train of thought and she answered surprised anyone would call at this time of night.

“Jenny? Is something wrong?” Serena stared at the receiver wondering why her assistant would be calling at this time of night, had that scum of an ex-husband turned up to torment her again?

“No, nothings’ wrong, Serena, except maybe with you.” Jenny Clayton had lain in bed tossing and turning, finally summoning up the courage to call the office. For some reason her boss’ face had refused to go away as she tried to sleep and although she didn’t know why, she suspected that Serena had gone into the office instead of taking a break after her trip to LA and was probably still there poring over files.

“Me? What makes you think that…anyway, how did you know I’d be here?” She chuckled at the absurdity of the situation. How the hell had Jenny known, it was uncanny!

Silence greeted the question for a few moments then the woman on the other end of the phone cleared her voice fractionally as she replied. “I was just wondering if you'd arrived home okay.”

“Ah, so you checked my home first, is that it, the machine came on and you thought…she doesn’t have a life she’d be in the office.” Although Serena didn’t mean for the words to sound bitter she couldn’t help it, because it was exactly like that, only difference was now someone else knew it, it wasn’t just her secret.

Hearing the reaction Jenny bit down on her lip, it had been a bad idea to call, she shouldn’t have interfered with Serena‘s personal space, they weren’t even friends, just colleagues. “I’m sorry, Serena, I’ll see you in the office tomorrow…” trailing off unable to say more, though what more there was she really didn’t know. She was a damn nosey fool! The woman didn’t want her meddling in her affairs, did she, even if it had been for all good intentions?

“Sure, tomorrow. Oh, why did you call, Jenny, did you forget to leave me a message or something?” Exhaustion now weighed heavily on her as she cradled the receiver to her cheek, with eyelids drooping fast; now that her concentration had broken she was feeling the fatigue sap what was left of her strength.

“It doesn’t matter now, good night, Serena.” Jenny replaced the handset and heavily lay back on her pillow, tears welling up in her eyes as she felt the foolishness of the situation. How was she going to face her boss tomorrow, why couldn’t she keep a business relationship just that, pure business, instead of getting involved?

Was she involved? Groaning at the prospect made her stomach churn even more at being unable to comprehend what it all meant.

Serena punched the speaker button off. Oh well, at least someone cared about her well being, even if it was a bit annoying. She was unable to remember a time when anyone had, other than her dad. Perhaps it wasn’t so bad to allow another person in and Jenny at least knew the pressures she was under working with her. Yeah, maybe it wasn’t so bad after all. Her tired mind accepted, drinking thirstily from the well it presented to her, the chance of not ending up a lonely old woman, she might end up instead with a friend, stranger things had happened!

Finally allowing the tiredness to take over, she walked over to the sofa bed in the room and sank into its depths as sleep claimed her and for the first time in a very long time she slept peacefully, no dreams to haunt her.

~ ~ ~

Chapter Twenty-four

Grace felt like the whole world’s problems were on her shoulders. And who wouldn’t, given her own husband had put her in the loony bin by on false pretences. It wouldn’t have been so bad if he had been honest, but no, he’d spoken the same crap that the doctors had, that she was here for Georgina, totally false! Her daughter hadn’t even been mentioned beyond a superficial comment. She had been drilled with questions, questions and more questions, her only escape had been when she broke down under the pressure and screamed at them to leave her alone!

Tears of angry frustration had streamed down her pale cheeks and the sunken sockets of her eyes had glared back at the two so called doctors, who had said they were only trying to help. Help! If they even knew what that was. She would have been better off at home, her four walls might have seemed like a prison most days, but at least it was one she had grown used to and could manipulate to whatever she felt like at the time. Here she was stuck behind locked doors unable to leave or speak with anyone without supervision. She hadn’t committed any crime had she? Thoughts began to creep into her subconscious, terrible impressions that tore at her heart and soul, had she hurt her baby? Really hurt her, and she’d blacked it out and that was why she was here now? Could she have done the unthinkable and no one wanted to tell her? What kind of monster was she that she even thought of that scenario, especially if it hadn’t happened! God she was out of her depth, totally washed out to sea and no one to save her, who would want to if she’d committed such an atrocity, who?

“Mrs. Montgomery? Are you okay, can I get anything for you?” The voice was sympathetic, but would it be if they knew what she might do, or had done?

“Yes,” biting back the urge to ask if she was a demon in disguise of a loving mother? This orderly might not know anything about her.

“Your husband is here, do you want to see him?” The woman asked with an inquiring tone. Did she have a choice in the matter? If she said no, would that count for anything? Did she want to see Colin; he was, after all, up to his neck in the subterfuge they’d been feeding her.

“No!” Her eyes became cold and closed off from the life she once had. Now she was on her own, totally on her own…how was she going to get back, better yet, why should she, if all she had to look forward to was pointing fingers and behind the back snickers that she was unfit to be a mother.

“Are you sure, he’s been waiting for a long time to see you? I’ll wait outside the door and if you’re not happy I’ll ask him to leave, how about that?” Most patients wanted to see a loved one after the disorientation of being placed in the hospital. There were those who lapsed into a place inside them selves that refused to be drawn into the real world. However, the doctors on this case hadn’t mentioned the possibility, and they usually did. Those kinds of patients were unpredictable and had to be watched constantly. This woman had been given the best room on the ward and freedom to go where she chose and see anyone she wanted, literally no restrictions, except of course she didn’t leave the wing unless a doctor permitted it. Her baby was going to be moved into her room tomorrow for the bonding to begin, under the close eye of the doctors, to remove the possibility of any undue stress to mother and child. In the extreme cases of postnatal depression, as this was currently being termed, it could take months. Sometimes it took only weeks, depending on the way the mother could handle the situation in a controlled atmosphere. The success rate was pretty damn good for this hospital and her doctors were the best in the country; apparently money wasn’t a problem in this case. The senior psychologist was being flown daily from Auckland to Christchurch for the two-hour session, normally out of the reaches of most average New Zealanders, not to mention some of the richer ones too.

Grace pondered the question, should she see Colin? Right now she didn’t feel up to an intimate chat on how she was feeling, one look would be enough to convince anyone she was drained physically and mentally…and it was his entire fault, all of it!

“No, I’m going to bed.” Grace walked over to the bed and sat down heavily on its soft yet supporting mattress, right now she needed a good night’s sleep, no interruptions from a baby crying to a husband getting up early in the morning. Sleep, glorious sleep was all she needed right now, tomorrow would be better, how could it be any worse?

The orderly left the room with a shrug of her shoulders and a goodnight. Watching her leave, Grace sighed heavily as her thoughts didn’t so much drift but dragged her kicking and screaming to a place she didn’t want to go…her daughter hurt and by her hands.

Sleep might not be so good after all…her eyelids dropped as the fatigue took over and she sank into the bed, ironically taking the fetal position of safety as she fell into a deep sleep…marred with increasingly frightening visions of horror!

~ ~ ~

Jake looked around the small paddock area, no one was around, which he was thankful for, not that anyone would say much, they were too involved in their own work at the moment, especially with the snow causing extra work. The sheep needed to have extra rations and shelter, particularly those on the southern open fields. The chill factor wouldn’t be very pleasant even with a thick woolly coat to protect them.

Well, he and Elena were protected from the cold of the wintry day. He was dressed in denims, thermal socks encased in his best hiking boots, a fleecy shirt, wool sweater and the warmest ski jacket that was on the market, a cool color too!  His sister was wrapped in cord trousers, a thick wool sweater under the smaller thermal jacket that was almost a match of his; anyone would think they lived in the Antarctic, though sometimes the winds blew in from there. Warm woolen mittens and shiny pink boots complemented the rest of the outfit, along with a warm scarf and a woolly hat. She looked cute and excited at being in his company, as she clasped his hand tighter giving him a bright toothless smile.

“Want to ride your pony, Elli?” Jake grinned at his little sister, who he affectionately called Elli, as she gazed adoringly up at him nodding her head and pointing to Jake’s horse that had popped its head out of the stable on hearing his voice.

“Not my horse, Elli, yours. Sheltie is in the stable, shall we go find him?” Laughing at the frown that appeared on Elena’s forehead. Jace didn’t frown often, but when she did, she and Elena could be twins since it was exactly the same expression that crossed their faces.

“Sheltie, want Sheltie!” The child demanded as his horse snorted at the excited voice of the child.

“Let’s go get him, shall we, it will be your first ride in the snow, cooool!” The young man grinned. It would be a piece of cake as long as she came to no harm at all since he wasn’t supposed to ride alone with the child without adult supervision. Judy would never know, which meant that neither would Catherine or Jace, but Catherine particularly because she sometimes guarded the child’s well being like a demented woman.

~ ~ ~

Doctor Randall gave the beautiful woman opposite her a compassionate look while she waited for her to compose herself, her charge nurse had informed her of the relationship that this woman and her patient had. It didn’t matter to her in the least, though she’d heard talk from some of the others on the ward that they didn’t approve. One of them, a staunch churchgoer, had refused point blank to administer to Jace Warriorson. They’d had no choice but to move her to another wing, making them short staffed, but workable if a few of the others extended their hours. In today’s market of acute lack of trained professionals it was hard to do more than frown on the disapproval and move them to another part of the hospital.

Ice blue eyes looked up suddenly and caught the doctor staring at her. Composing herself after the initial shock had worn off; Catherine heaved a sigh and spoke decisively. “Before you begin the C-section, may I speak with Jace?”

Randall looked at the clock on the wall in the office, there might be time but it would be a close call and before she could answer there was a sharp knock on the door and the charge nurse entered looking harassed.

“Sorry to bother you, Doctor, but Mr. Lewis would like Mrs. Warriorson to come to the prep area now, Jace is refusing to go under until she sees her.”

Catherine shot up from her chair and strode towards the door and if the woman standing there didn’t move fast she would knock her over.

“Guess that answers that question. Nurse, please take Mrs. Warriorson to the prep area.” Randall smiled wryly watching them leave; did the couple have internal communication?

Two minutes later Catherine was given a gown and shown into the prep area, the anesthetist was talking softly to Jace and another technician was waiting patiently by some monitoring equipment, along with a nurse.

“Catherine I presume?” The man who was talking to Jace smiled as he moved away from his patient to allow the tall woman who had shot like a cannon through the door.

“You presume right. Jace, I’m here, love, I’m here.” Ignoring the interested glances she was receiving as she moved to the mobile bed where the woman who meant the world to her lay agitated. At her words the swollen body visibly relaxed and the technician who had been watching the monitoring put thumbs up sign to the people in the operating room.

A thin reedy voice wavered as it spoke. “I wasn’t going to sleep until you got here, you knew that, right?”

Catherine’s hand was clasped strongly in the smaller one of her partner’s as she smiled down at the pale features partially disguised by the unruly appearance of her blonde hair. Brushing back the bangs tenderly, Catherine bent lower and kissed her lover’s forehead. “I knew that, we’re in this together.” Her own voice wobbled at the emotions she was feeling, knowing that this had to happen but it scared the hell out of her too, what if something went wrong?

Jace saw Catherine trying really hard to control herself, knew what was going on in that head of hers, as always it would be the worse case scenario. You could pretty much say Catherine was a pessimist, not that her lover agreed. Her version was: that if she thought the worse at the beginning, when it didn’t happen, she felt a wonderful boost, and if it did, she was prepared. Not that she ever was, however if her lover liked to think that, it was okay with her, anything was okay with her as long as Catherine loved her. “I wanted to tell you I love you, can’t get to sleep without saying that.”

For a moment Catherine felt like she was trapped in a time bubble, everything around her stopped as Jace spoke to her the only words that would ever matter. And it was true…Jace always went to sleep with the words ‘I love you’ on her lips. She said it was the only way because one day you might not wake up and she always wanted Catherine to know, especially if it was the last words she ever spoke to her. At that moment in time her life, with all its woes and setbacks, crystallized for all time, like a flower trapped in the rocks and fossilized for thousands of years, this moment would be that for her. Whatever had gone before, became irrelevant…not irrelevant exactly, but a means to an end, this end. Knowing deep down that no matter what the future might hold for them, she would hold this fragment of time and space forever because this was what the love of her partner meant, simply everything, the meaning of her life!

The anesthetist gently administered the drug that would send Jace to sleep as Catherine answered her love, “And I love you, Jace, always and forever. When you wake up, darling, we will have two bundles of joy in our lives.”

Glassy eyed, as a count went on behind them while they waited for her to succumb to the drugs and sleep, Jace gazed lovingly up into the eyes of the only person that she loved that would ever love. Finally relaxing, the feeling of fear abated, as she knew it would with Catherine by her side, and everything was going to be all right. “Do you remember the conversation about feeding the 5000…?” The words slurred as the medication began its magic.

Stunned for a second, Catherine had to think hard then chuckled as she realized what Jace meant. “Sure I do. Now don’t tell me you’ve been keeping secrets and its not really twins?” Lightening the conversation though Jace didn’t hear since she was now sleeping and the medical personnel were impatient to move into the operating room. Kissing the top of the blonde head she whispered, “I love you,” as the trolley was wheeled away.

One of the medical team watching whispered to a colleague. “If that’s being gay, please, please convert me now!” Having been fascinated and totally bowled over by the tender scene, some days were better than others when you came to work and today, witnessing that scene, was one of them.

The technician who had been watching the monitors in the prep-room tapped Catherine on her shoulder. “You can watch the operation from the viewing room if you go up those stairs.” Some parents to be did while others were too squeamish.

Blinking back an errant tear that was threatening to fall as she’d watched Jace disappear from view she replied. “Thank you. Yes, I’d like to do that.” She followed the path of the hand that pointed the way, quickly making her way to the observation area and the birth of new life. One good thing out of all this…Jace wasn’t going to be throwing water or cursing her this time around.

~ ~ ~

Lisa washed up after getting flour all over her, even the tip of her nose but Judy had to admit, and the girl had loved the session. Perhaps it was the one on one or just something different. She didn’t know but if it brought out the youngster that they all knew was lurking behind her quieter moments these days, they would put up with anything.

“I’m going to tell Jake and Elena to come back for some of my cakes, is that alright, Judy?” Lisa rushed out of the washroom grabbing her warm jacket as she sped towards the door to the hall to collect her boots and mittens.

“Great idea, Lisa, I’ll keep them warm for you when you get back.” Judy grinned at the girl as she disappeared out of the door with a quick wave heading for her outer shoes.

Five minutes later, crunching down the gravel, she saw small footprints in the snow and bent down to examine them. It wasn’t Rio’s paw prints and it didn’t look like a horse’s hoof, no it was similar to Rio’s but much smaller. Wonder what it could be, Lisa thought as she looked about her but saw nothing unfamiliar.

As she stood up to her full height she pondered the puzzled. Should she follow the tracks or find Jake and her sister, hmm, it was a hard choice. The cakes would be cold if she didn’t fetch the others but then the trail would go cold. She laughing as she realized that was quite true with the snow, if she didn’t follow it. She could have an adventure and tell everyone about it when they came home, especially her Moms and the new babies. Maybe she would find a wild creature that she could say she tamed. It wasn’t just her Moms who could have a vivid imagination. Yeah, she’d go on her adventure it might not take that long.

Her steps traced the small imprints in the snow and she giggled as she felt the rush of doing something different. Today had been full of surprises, with helping to bake and now this. Maybe she’d ask her Moms to have more babies if they could do this for a change from church. Although she did enjoy church, she loved to sing the songs and now that she was older she helped with the younger ones in the congregation. Pretty soon she would be allowed to stay for the full service instead of half way through then having to go to another room with the other children. Jesus was cool and God was awesome, look what he’d made with his bare hands. Her eyes glanced around her to the snow-covered fields, the animals, to the trees with their boughs creaking with the weight of winter on their shoulders, not to mention her. She didn’t understand when people said they didn’t believe in God and mocked Him, because God sure was better than some of the politicians, actors and singers they followed. Jake didn’t believe, she knew that, but he’d not had the courage to tell Jace he didn’t want to go to any more services, not that they could force him because Catherine didn’t believe either. Though Jace said she did really, but it was something she didn’t like to talk about. Her Mom did though, passionately, and helped out other needy people when she could. She’d like to be the same as Jace, helping out one day too, that’s why she helped with the younger kids…it felt good.

The imprints of the creature she was following stopped outside the small barn that was used for winter hay. A broken panel was the only means of entrance from what she could see, unless it was a very clever animal and had opened the door, which was locked with a padlock. She’d have to find Larry who was looking after things, he’d let her look inside, she was sure of it…Colin would have.

Smiling broadly at having found the nest of the creature, she strolled off in the direction of Colin’s office. It was strange without them around, Colin and Grace that was, Faith too, she loved them all dearly. They had a big family here or so she thought. They might be a little different from other families, nevertheless it worked for them, and it was far better than any orphanage. As much as she loved her Moms and the rest of the family, there were times, especially recently, when she wished her real mom was alive to talk to. Her eyes misted up as a picture of her Mom appeared in her mind, laughing with her and tickling her as she was being put to bed, she was young then, really young. That was one thing she’d hadn’t understood about God, why he’d taken both her parents to live with him early, but Jace had said there was a reason and although it might not be very clear now, when she was older it might become so. At the time she’d agreed because she really hadn’t understood, but now she thought she did. They’d died to help Catherine, because God thought Catherine needed her and the others. When she first realized it, she felt upset at her new Mom, but then it disappeared because she knew that deep down it was what had to happen. One day she’d tell Catherine that too, one day but not yet, maybe when she was older.

“What you doing over there, Lisa?” One of the older men who helped on the property called out to her from atop his tractor that had come into the yard to clear away a path for the smaller vehicles.

“Oh, nothing, Stan, do you have a key for the barn lock?” Pointing to the barn behind her as she sheepishly walked towards the tractor.

“No, Larry will have it but he’s down the valley and won’t be back for another hour or so, is it important?” The man asked as he looked at the barn then back to the young girl.

“I’ll see him later, it’s cool. See you later, Stan.” Lisa smiled winningly at him and walked away towards the stables.

The man grinned at her and began the task of moving the compacted snow around.

~ ~ ~

There couldn’t be anything as miraculous as the miracle of life…bringing life into the world especially when it belonged to you. Or that was Catherine’s rose colored tinted view as she watched in awe the medical staff bring two more lives into the world.

She’d watched the procedure with nervous trepidation and fascination, though listening to the jargon and trying unsuccessfully to see the expressions of the doctor in charge as each stage of the operation commenced. The perspiration levels had been high as she watched in what to her was like watching fish in a goldfish bowl, except the wonder of what was happening engulfed her to such a degree that when the first baby was removed she had to convince herself to breath again. She was so engrossed the air had caught in her lungs and refused to be expelled.

The tentative cry from the tiny human had tears streaming down her face as well as the need to hold Jace’s hand and whisper what was happening even if her lover couldn’t hear her. Moments later the second child was brought out of the womb, its cry deafened the room and a murmur of approval went around the medical team but to Catherine, from this angle, the first baby had been much smaller or was it just the lights playing tricks.

A thumbs up sign was cast her way as the doctor completed the surgery, and in what seemed like no time at all, Jace was being wheeled back into recovery. Unable to stand she sat in one of the available seats. She was so overwhelmed by the event and the fact that, from the indicators below, all three members of her family were in good shape, and right now she was finding it incredible to take in the enormity of having twins!

A door opened into the observation area and Mr. Lewis, the consultant obstetrician, gave her a small smile as he held out his hand to her. “Congratulations, Mrs. Warriorson, you have two new additions to the family?”

“I, I…how is Jace? Are they both okay, when can I see them?” Babbling, she was babbling, get hold of yourself, Warriorson; you’ll look like a blathering village idiot.

The man, who usually had a dour face, broke into a smile, yep-typical response from the new parent. “Jace is in recovery, give it an hour and she should be coming out of the drugs; she’s doing better than I anticipated.”

“That’s good, right?”

“Yes, it’s better than good; excellent would be my word for it.”

“And the babies?” She was ecstatic Jace was going to be okay and that was all that mattered.

“You have a fine son and daughter. The boy, I’m afraid, will have to be put in an incubator, he’s a little small…now don’t worry about it that’s quite normal in these cases. Your daughter is one healthy young lady and she’s certainly got a very powerful pair of lungs.” He grinned as he saw the relief flood her face.

“When can I see them?”

“How about now, I’m sure your daughter wouldn’t mind a maternal hug from one of her parents, and you can wave or cluck or whatever you want to do over your son in the incubator.” He grinned as he saw the telltale sign that he’d hit the nail on the head.

“Thanks, I will, where do I go…and, Mr. Lewis, thank you, thank you very much. I appreciate your prompt action.” Ice blue eyes captured his…grateful that he’d made the outcome a happy one.

“Follow me; I’ll introduce you to your new children. And no thanks necessary I was just doing my job. However, if you want to thank anyone, thank Doctor Randall. She was quick to diagnose Jace’s deteriorating condition.” They walked down the stairs towards the small room that had the incubator and her daughter.

And this time she didn’t try to prevent the tears that unashamedly fell, how the hell could you not be emotional at this point in your life. Here, in this room, two tiny living and breathing human beings began the struggle of life as they knew it, and she’d make sure that their struggles were as muted as possible. As any parent did to protect their offspring in every aspect of life, sometimes with words, others with actions and in most cases by simply listening to the woes and offering that well padded shoulder to laugh and cry on. As Catherine stood there she was eventually dragged out of what she wouldn’t do for her children when the nurse asked if she wanted to hold her daughter.

Two minutes later she was holding the newest member of her family as safe as she possible could in the security of her arms. A tremor went through her as the baby squirmed and for a split second she thought that she was holding the child too hard. A grin traveled over the nurse who had given her the baby as she winked at Catherine who didn’t know why she did that.

“I think she wants to be fed; I guess the bottle will have to do until Jace feels up to taking over.” At the mention of her lover, Catherine had a far away tender look in her eyes; Jace would hate to miss this first bonding with one of the twins. She had remarked often that a camera was at the ready for the moment when she held their newborns for the first time. Guess that would have to wait until she could hold their son. Her eyes strayed over to the incubator and the small bundle inside, he might be small but he was sure kicking his legs around.

She turned her attention back to the baby she held close to her breast, if for nothing more than comfort, as her child settled down, her face was still a little red from the birth and the skin puckered up. A smile crossed her lips as the tiny face scrunched up into a ferocious scowl; yep she was one of theirs all right!

“She’s a wee beauty for sure.” The nurse murmured next to her.

Catherine stared at the baby. At the moment, if you were anything other than the proud parent you would be forgiven into thinking that, a beauty she was not. However, to this proud parent, she was simply, “Perfect, she’s perfect, just like her mother.” Bending her head to kiss the downy brown hair of the child, an errant tear slid from her cheek to the baby’s head. Oh well, she’d get used to it. In their family water works apparently were a pre-requisite of being part of the brood.

“Why not introduce her to her brother?” The nurse waved towards the small glass box like apparatus in the room. He was going to be transferred to the incubator area in a few minutes, where he would stay until he was able to function on his own. The lungs were weak, which wasn’t uncommon with premature births, and they wanted to make sure he didn’t end up with pneumonia or anything else serious.

Catherine smiled broadly. Sure, she could do that she wanted to see her son too. At first she wasn’t sure what to think or do, especially since she couldn’t touch him. She had been torn, between her healthier daughter and her weaker son, when she entered the room. Thankfully the nurse had effectively solved that dilemma for her.

“Hey there, little one, let’s see how your brother’s doing, shall we.” Catherine crooned softly to the baby who did little more than snuggle closer to her as she moved the few yards over to the life support equipment that was helping her son.

She looked down at the tiniest baby she had ever seen. He couldn’t be more than the weight of a bag of sugar, could he? How on earth did they survive!

“He’s going to be okay, isn’t he, what’s exactly wrong with him, other than being small, that is?” She peered at the child covered partially by a small white sheet, his active legs having kicked off the lower part. Jace always said she had a soccer player inside her; guess their son was going to have a lot in common with his elder brother. Her lips tugged into a smile as once again her thoughts traveled to her partner. Oh, Jace was going to be livid that she’s sleeping through this. Although it was for the best, once they had the new additions home things were never going to be quite the same again. And knowing her knack of finding a business problem when domestic strife hit the fan it was certain Jace would be the one administering the motherly role to a greater degree.

“His lungs are under-developed, which is why he needs a little help at the moment. Otherwise the little guy is doing well, considering. He certainly appears to be active enough; I’m gambling he was a spirited kicker inside the womb.” The nurse smiled as she checked on his progress and made several notes.

“I think you are right. Jace said she was sure they were practicing for a soccer match.” Her daughter put out tiny fingers so small Catherine held her breath afraid to take the mini digits in her much larger hand. Tentatively holding out one of her long tapering fingers, it was clasped with gusto. Making her chuckle as her daughter squeezed as hard as possible. “She’s got an awesome grip for an hour old.”

“Yep, she certainly seems to have.” A wail from definitely well developed lungs filled the room as the baby gave out one of the loudest cries Catherine had ever heard. Even Elena had never cried this loudly and that was saying something for their toddler.

Turning to the nurse to see what the problem was, the nurse grinned pointing to her tiny tummy. “She’s hungry, want me to take her and you can go check out your…Jace.” Catherine heard the hesitation and saw a small streak of red tinge the nurse’s cheeks.

Glancing down at her youngest daughter her thoughts turned to the other kids, especially Lisa, who were going to be over the moon when she went home and told them the news. Not only them but the grandparents too. She’d been a little remiss in not informing them of Jace’s admittance to the hospital, but also at the time, it wasn’t that urgent. Well, now they had something to celebrate instead of worry about.

Kissing the tiny cheek that was turning redder still, with the cries she was making. “I’ll be along again soon, little one; you take care of your brother for me.”

Handing over the child to the nurse, Catherine touched the top of the incubator and stared silently at her boy inside the glass encasement. An emotion so deep clutched at her heart as she gazed at the puckered features. At first they looked like identical twins, however, that wouldn’t be right under the circumstances, since they each came from two different eggs within their mother. The interesting thing in the future would be seeing who takes after which of them…that was one awesome prospect. Who would have thought it? For a moment her mind drifted to another birth of a son, which now seemed like centuries ago, and in many ways it was, a totally different life! A lump stuck in her throat as she recalled the moment her first, and what she expected to be her only son, was first placed in her arms. It had been a defining moment in her life, yet this was even more so in that had she chosen not to follow the destiny that Jace had placed before her. She wouldn’t be here now or know the pleasure, and yes, sometimes pain of bringing children into the world again.

Placing both hands on the glass enclosure, Catherine stooped a little to whisper to the boy out of earshot of the nurse, who probably wouldn’t have heard with her daughter’s increased tempo of cries. “I’ll be back, son, and soon, very soon you’ll be in your mothers’ arms, because we love you very, very much. All we ask is that you build up those lungs of yours, okay, and we can take you home with your sister.”

Standing up straight, Catherine blinked back more tears as she wiped a hand across her face, not wanting to look like a blubbering idiot. If Jace was awake it might frighten her, and this certainly wasn’t a frightening episode, nope…it was damn right terrifying, in the nicest possible way.

“Thanks for your help, Nurse, I’ll be back shortly.” The nurse grinned and waved her away. Catherine gave one more backward glance towards her new babies as she closed the door and headed for Jace’s room to wait the moment her love would wake up. It was going to be a supreme pleasure to tell her wife all about the miracle of the birth she’d seen. Yes, once in a while life was good to them and today they had been doubly blessed.

~ ~ ~

Chapter Twenty-five

Catherine paced the room for over half an hour waiting for Jace to be returned to the room, the nurse she’d asked earlier when her lover would be returned, had indicated no more than ten minutes…some bloody ten minutes!

Walking over to window she starred sightlessly out onto the grounds below, her thoughts on the beautiful children her partner had brought into the world. Jace was going to be peeved that she didn’t know much about it, and totally distraught when she found out that she’d beaten her partner to holding the new life for the first time, and her lover hadn’t been there as a grinning spectator. There was always that special look her partner gave her whenever she was particularly affectionate to the children, especially Elena, who soaked up every morsel of affection her taller Mom was going to lavish on her. Elena …hmm it was going to be interesting how their previously youngest child would take to the newest members of the family, they did have a tendency to spoil her…okay she did but she had cause …those green eyes for one. A faint smile crossed her lips as she clearly saw the toddler in her mind’s eye, using the twinkle that mirrored her mother’s with the accuracy of a marksman. Mind you she wasn’t the only one to be put through the hoops by the toddler; Jake was as much at a disadvantage as she was more so because usually as his little sister never left him alone when he was in the house. She often wondered if that was why he didn’t bring many people home going over to their houses, especially his best friend Ian. Kids were strange creatures for sure; they had a very interesting character in Lisa.

She loved the girl, her little princes …but was she that little anymore? Time was standing still in her head when it came to the child, thinking of her as just a touch older than Elena, however that wasn’t the case, nope next term Lisa would join Jake in the secondary school and before you knew it she’d be going to college. Yes, she certainly was remiss in not thinking that perhaps Lisa was growing up and they hadn’t realised it, at least she hadn’t. The girl had a childish mind in many things and didn’t appear at all worldly–wise, not like some kids she’d come across, smart mouthed Jace called them she thought they were downright obnoxious and way too informed for their age. Blaming the parents of course, if they didn’t restrict what the kids were fed on the TV, movies, books and computer access, not to mention the friends they associated with it was no wonder that most kids today knew more than there parents about life in general. Perhaps they were overly strict in that aspect, it was true she pretty much screened what they saw on the TV. Only Jake had the opportunity to watch what she might term un-suitable programmes, with his own personal TV set and computer access, he was after all fifteen! Lisa was what now…eleven maybe…nope twelve, she was twelve had to be if she was going to the upper school next term. God where had the time flown, twelve years old not quite a young woman but on the fringes and yet not a child either, those teenage years, which had seemed eons away now loomed precariously closer. Still the kid did manage to get into scrapes that she should know better; this last episode was a testament to that fact. Bullying, what next!

Pushing back the hair that had fallen over her forehead she shook herself mentally, damn tomorrow she had to see the principle of the school, she’d totally forgotten! Judy might have promised to take care of the children in all things until she was home again with Jace on the mend, however it wouldn’t be right for not only Judy but Lisa too if she didn’t make the effort and do the parental duty …god only knows how other people managed to have children and still keep the older siblings happy and involved. Somehow she didn’t class herself as like other people …not that she was any better, no it wasn’t that merely that she was different, her lifestyle her outlook and the fact that parenthood didn’t come that easily to her, she knew to some degree what Grace was going through, yes she did.

As her thoughts drifted to her friend locked away in a mental ward it made her grimace at how such a marvellous and totally normal situation of becoming a mother could turn out to be so disappointing and potentially dangerous. A picture of the twins flooded her inner vision now as her chest puffed out in pride; it wasn’t just men who had the monopoly on that emotion, tears pricked at her eyes as she felt the emotional wonder of holding her daughter and looking into the puckered tiny face of her son. She was just so proud to be part of the stunning scenario of birth; there really wasn’t much to match it except one thing…

“Are you going to speak to me Catherine?” the oh so familiar voice floated into her sub-conscious as she spun around to see the love of her life smiling weakly at her from the bed that must have been wheeled in as silent as the grave. She hadn’t heard a thing, nothing at all so deep in concentration had she been.

“I…I of course, Jace I didn’t hear you come …sorry.” A twinkle in tired green eyes reflected into the ice blue ones of the woman she loved, any other time she would have made a suitable retort at the ambiguous statement, but as it was just to look into Catherine’s face was the tonic she needed.

“Come over here and show me how sorry you are.” Catherine sped across the few yards to half sit, half lay on the bed hugging the smaller woman in her arms, placing tender butterfly kisses all over Jace’s face, neck, ears, nose you name it she didn’t leave any of her upper flesh bereft of the emotion she felt at this moment.

“I love you, I love you, oh god I love you Jace.” Exchanging a long tender kiss that left them both satisfied yet aching for more Catherine pulled herself into a more comfortable position, as she enquired gently but urgently if it was okay to hold her.

“Yes! Catherine there will never be a time when it won’t be okay for you to hold me, never ever, always remember that.” Although she was exhausted she wanted to know everything. The nurse had told her that she had two beautiful babies a son and daughter, however that only served to wet her appetite for more details and the only person she wanted that information from was the woman who now cradled her like a piece of fine china that the merest pressure might crack, and it wasn’t going to happen.

Kissing the top of her head Catherine relaxed into the warm body of the love of her life relishing the fact that for these few moments it was only the two of them, something that in the future might be very hard to come by, just the two of them. “They’re perfect darling just like their mother.”

Starring up Jace shed a few tears as she heard the words, she and Catherine had a bond that knew what the other was thinking and although she needed Catherine’s closeness she also needed to know that the babies she had been carry for over seven months were healthy in this new world they had been born into. “They are love? Do you think we can see them together now?”

Catherine frowned she hadn’t meant to but had been unable to stop the action, “What’s wrong Catherine why the frown?” Jace’s voice anxious as she pulled away from her partner’s hold to look at her directly she had to know if anything was wrong, no way could Catherine keep this a secret from her, not now they knew each other too well.

“Darling I promise you everything’s okay, I’ll speak with the nurse to bring our daughter in she’s got a fine pair of lungs on her I know that.”

Their daughter yes but what about their son, she needed to see both of her babies and now. “What about our son Catherine why can’t he be here too?”

Should she lie about the situation, a small white lie…”Babe he was born a little smaller than his sister and he’s in an incubator, his tiny lungs need to strengthen up a bit that’s all. He’s doing great otherwise.”

Jace felt her heart stop and start again at the words, her baby son in an incubator, just how critical was he, was this her fault in some way? “I want to see him too Catherine, take me to him now!”

Clasping Jace’s shoulders she was becoming mildly hysterical and there really wasn’t any need for it, though she should have known her lover wouldn’t be happy although she hadn’t expected such a surge in her emotional level. “Love, he’s fine I wouldn’t say it otherwise, would I? Let me have our daughter brought in and when you’ve seen her I’ll take you myself to see our son. Will you calm down for me now please, deal?”

Gulping down the sob, becoming emotionally overwrought wouldn’t help her cause with Catherine she’d insist that she calm down first and predictable though her lover was in those situations she was right. Babies could sense upset and discomfort and distressing them more wouldn’t be a good thing. No Catherine was right she needed to calm down and she would so desperate was she to see her children. Tremulously she gazed into the anxious features of her partner; although Catherine looked haggard she’d never looked so beautiful in her eyes, her rock. “I love you Catherine, thank you.”

A small smile crossed Catherine’s face, that’s my girl, she always knows when to quit …especially if quitting meant she got her own way in a round about way, it was one of the quirky but loveable traits she’d never want to live without. “Thank me? For what babe, shouldn’t it be me thanking you, which I do a million times over,” bending to kiss the pale lips tenderly.

Several minutes later Catherine moved off the bed and with a grin, left the room to have their daughter brought to them, a moment she was going to capture on camera forever!

~ ~ ~

“Dad I swear I didn’t know anything about this!” Lucy placed a hand on her father’s arm to prevent him getting out of the car and making a scene.

Grey eyes caught hers and the glare she was given felt like he was a flint being struck; sparks were flying all around her. You didn’t know anything? Don’t give me that your mother is seeing another man! For god’s sake first you now your mother and I thought it were a phase you were going through obviously not! More like a chip off the old block. How could she do this to me it’s our anniversary!”

Lucy desperately tried to calm her father as she said she didn’t think it was quite as black and white as her dad was painting it, however Jason would have none of that, for the first time in her life her dad was angry, his eyes cold and unfriendly, his body sizzling with electricity but not the good kind, the expression clearly showing he was ready to punch the lights out of anyone who got in the way.  “Please Dad let’s go home and speak with Mom she probably has a totally reasonable explanation, please!”

Jason glared at his daughter, this was a conspiracy he knew it to bring him back to LA, well it wasn’t going to work not like this anyway! He’d been considering it recently, especially as Alison had been leaving him for longer and longer periods of time. She’d said it was to be with friends and her own home, yeah right! What a blind fool he’d been, friends’ yeah but male friends it was looking like. For Christ sake when had she become so interested in that intimate side of the relationship, with him it had become a chore well for them both in a way, the years together meant that their love had changed …mutually he’d thought! “Let’s go.” He finally conceded as his eyes starred unseeing out of the windscreen as Lucy drove the few hundred yards to the drive, where minutes earlier Alison had arrived in a stranger’s car.

Sighing heavily and glancing furtively at her father, who’s profile from this side was the least welcoming she had ever seen it, god what had her mother unleashed here?

Father and daughter stepped out of the vehicle neither made a move to enter the house immediately, and then Lucy took out her key and quickly unlocked the door opening it wide. As she did so she heard her mother shout out enthusiastically was it her and footsteps getting closer. Her dad hadn’t moved he was like a garden statue, placed in a strategic position for effect …yep this was going be a shock all round.

“Hey babe I decided to come home early thought you might need comp…” Alison didn’t complete the sentence as she saw her husband standing unmoving a few feet from the door; he hadn’t mentioned he was coming home this weekend.

“Mom, Dad came home earlier this evening to surprise you …guess it’s a big surprise huh?” Lucy finished lamely as she shot both her parents a look and decided she would be better in her room with the TV turned up loud. “I’ll leave you too alone, I’m tired anyway. Goodnight Dad,” walking past her mother she gave her a compassionate hug and a kiss on the cheek as she whispered to her Mom, “He saw you arrive home …goodnight Mom.”

Alison stood starring blankly at Jason who hadn’t said a word or moved an inch; Lucy had effectively answered her own silent question, had he seen Neil. “Jason, are you coming inside or do you plan on spending the rest of our anniversary on the street?”

Deciding to take a forthright approach rather than a guilty one, at the end of the day she had absolutely nothing to be guilty about, did she? Turning her back on him and walking into the kitchen, her own private refuge as she placed a hand over her mouth and wiped away an invisible expression.

As Jason stood there, he had time to appreciate that Alison was looking marvellous; his heart had missed a beat as she’d come into view. She’d lost weight, her clothes looked great and she was looking the best he’d seen in twenty years, as beautiful in fact as the first day he’d ever met her, and now after thirty-three years of marriage he fell in love all over again. The anger he felt with the earlier scene was replaced with a weight of guilt that he had neglected his wife, her needs, and her opinion; most important of all the love they’d shared. However he still needed to know if she had been cheating on him, so much so the anger channelled to an irritating frustration as he watched her leave the doorway and enter the kitchen. Mobilising himself into action he walked inside the house and closed the door behind him.

Quickly following her into the kitchen where she stood next to the counter top sipping from a steaming mug, chocolate, if she was still as predictable as her old rituals. They’d come a long way in those thirty years, he knew it couldn’t be over Alison wasn’t like that, though what that was he wasn’t too sure at the moment.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home Jason”? Alison took the opportunity to strike while the iron was hot, it wouldn’t have taken him a few minutes to call her from his busy work schedule, but no he arrives out of the blue and expected her to be home waiting by the fire with his pipe slippers! She might have lots of the traditional old values, however being a walk over had never been part of the deal when she married him, and until he’d taken that position at Xianthos it had never happened.

Stunned at her remark who was the injured party here? He’d made the effort to travel several thousand miles to spend this special day with her and she’d been out with another man, what signals did that tell him? “I thought it would be a surprise …obviously it was but not in the way I could ever imagine.” His tone dripped with sarcasm the irrational frustration of not knowing what was going on, was slowly disintegrating into anger once more.

Straightening away from the counter Alison glared at him, his tone was enough for her to know he was thinking totally ridiculous things and they were just that fabricated fantasies, after all the years they’d spent together didn’t he know by now that she would never cheat on him, ever! If their marriage was over, which now wasn’t just stupid meanderings of her own thoughts, but glaring her right in the eye at this moment, it wasn’t going to be because he thought something that wasn’t true. “What are you insinuating Jason?”

Heaving a deep breath his hand stroking in an abstracted way the grey hair at the side of his head, a reaction she had seen numerous times when he was upset and didn’t quite have the right words at hand, if anything Jason always tried to say the right things no matter the situation, it was his way. “Do I need to insinuate, I saw you!”

“You saw me? Really, and just what did you see or think you saw?” Standing her ground, some might think she was the weaker of the two, as she preferred the backroom role, which to anyone who knew people and situations were equally as powerful if not more so than those that chose the limelight.

“Who was he?” Jason stepped closer to his wife, she was being defiant there wasn’t an ounce of remorse that she wasn’t here when he arrived home, no apology, just a belligerent attitude!

The hair at the back of her neck stood up at the vicious sound that echoed in the room, another thing Jason wasn’t renowned for was arguing loudly but that had hit the sound barrier in comparison to what she was used to from him. Although that didn’t deter her stance she’d done nothing wrong and who was he to demand that she explain herself, regardless of whom she was out with! “I don’t have to explain myself to you Jason, when did I ask you who you’re out with late at night in New York?”

“Oh don’t give me that Alison, you never asked because you didn’t care about what I did in New York! Anyway they were all business meetings you knew that?” why was she goading him, the simple answer would have been to tell him who the guy was, didn’t he have a right to be interested in her and who she was out with, didn’t he?

“You could have told me anything and I’d believe you because I trusted you, why don’t you trust me?” Her voice held resignation that all her previous thoughts were manifesting themselves into this moment, it would be so easy to tell him about Neil and his family, but his attitude was like she was committing a crime, when all she had been doing was helping a friend, had he forgotten that was a big part of who she was.

“This isn’t about trust Ali and you know it!”

A bleak expression embedded itself in her eyes, Jason really was lost to her if that was what he thought, because that was the only thing that mattered here, trust and right now he didn’t trust her. What kind of relationship did they have if that fundamental aspect was lost to them? “Jason what else is it about if not trust? Do you think I’m carrying on an affair behind your back?”

Snorting out a hot breath at the question, it cut at his heart as she said it so quietly, she was right of course this was about trust and right now the answer to that would be he didn’t know. After all the years together, the memories, the moments they shared together, and with the children too. He couldn’t believe that the steady life they had worked at together was fast disappearing before his very eyes. Sure they’d made mistakes along the way, never enough to come to a point where they couldn’t talk about it rationally, this wasn’t rational though was it, this was not them …or the people they thought they were. It was like virtually two strangers scatting over a jealous moment, and they weren’t strangers …perhaps somewhere along the line they had become strangers and never realised it. What did that mean a fresh start or, no he’d not go there it was too painful to even think it never mind see it happen.

Trying to clear the dryness in his throat he swallowed hard the Adams apple working overtime as he began to speak, “All I wanted to know Ali was who your new friend was. I didn’t mean to imply you were having an affair. However if that’s what immediately comes to mind, perhaps I have cause to ask are you having an affair?”

Alison tried not to let Jason see that he’d caused her to waver in her conviction that she was the innocent party here, she was. Although she realised now that provoking her husband wasn’t solving the problem, and as unsavoury as the thought was they did have a problem. Not with other people in their lives, no, with each other. The fact was they had grown away from each other, wanting different things, needing experiences the other didn’t. The real answer wasn’t in who Neil was, or how he figured in her life, it was who she and Jason were now, and how much they needed each other …or not.

Replacing the mug on the counter top Alison sat down heavily at the kitchen table, “I’m not having an affair Jason; if I was you would be the first to know because I’d tell you myself, if you’ve forgotten that much about me what else have you forgotten? Please sit down, we need to talk, and if it takes all night we will resolve whatever needs to be resolved.” Her words became pleasure and pain, pleasure at her not having an affair, but pain because he’d heard the serious tone of her voice and the sadness deep in her eyes, suspecting the final resolution might not be what he intended when he came here tonight. This was going to be a wedding anniversary he was never going to forget, ever!

“Okay, but will you tell me one thing please?”

“Yes, what is it…forget it I know, his name’s Neil Davis, he’s just …a friend.”

Jason heard the hesitation before she said he was a friend, a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach began and wouldn’t stop as he sat down hoping she would begin, he couldn’t because he suddenly felt like crying.

~ ~ ~

Catherine had the largest smile on her face that Jace had ever seen in the five years since they’d met on that wind swept and rainy hillside, the wow factor had been there then but now as she watched her partner bring into the room one of the newest editions to the family, that factor had increased a million times. Clearly Catherine was delighted at the birth of the babies; it was in her tender expression that passed between parent and child.

“Oh Catherine you have her?” Jace breathed out excited at seeing her love with the baby but desperately wanting to hold the small bundle herself.

“Oh yes, the nurse was busy, seems they’ve had a rush on today in the birth department, our two weren’t the only ones who wanted to see the light of day today.” Grinning broadly as she gently lowered her precious cargo into the waiting arms of the eagerly awaiting birth mother.

Jace’s eyes glowed in wonder as she peered at her daughter for the first time, a lump lodged itself in her throat making her unable to do more than coo at the baby, who sucked in her cheeks and blew out with pursed lips a bubble, maybe not a bubble.

“She’s wonderful, oh god she is and I missed it all. Oh darling little one I’m sorry I missed you coming into the world, but I promise I’m going to be here for the rest of your life from now on.” Catherine watched the immediate bonding of mother and daughter and with an indulgent smile she sat down on the chair close to the bed watching them in a happy contended silence. This moment was for Jace alone, just as hers had been earlier. The first precious touch seconds of holding the small life in your arms, no one could know what that felt like until it happened to them.

Now where was that camera? Catherine delved into the cupboard at the side of the bed and triumphantly pulled out the object. Fiddling with the lens and checking that the brightness was spot on, she wanted to capture Jace and their daughter for all time.

“Are you ready Jace”? Catherine had stood as Jace totally engrossed in her new baby didn’t notice Catherine for a few moments, her eyes flaring as she saw her lover standing with the camera pointed in her direction.

“You can’t take it now Catherine I look a mess!”

Shaking her head vigorously Catherine chuckled, “You look beautiful Jace, picture perfect you and our daughter both.” Grinning widely as she captured a startled Jace, but an incredibly peacefully sleeping baby.

Several shots later, Jace asked Catherine to give her professional photography session a rest for the moment, “Please sit with us love.”

Well that was one offering today she wasn’t going to refuse, no sir, fitted the bill quite nicely. Placing the camera on the bedside table she perched carefully on the side of the bed, taking care she didn’t jostle the baby who was snuggling in nicely to Jace’s breast. Making Catherine wonder if their daughter had been given the eating gene that Jace had in abundance …she’d need to make more money if she had, what if both the twins had, maybe Jace might need to go back to work too.

“Why are you smirking?” Jace had watched several expressions flitter across Catherine’s face but the smirk interested her the most it was part wicked and part humorous, something was obviously tickling her lover and she knew it wasn’t her, not physically anyway that would have to wait until they arrived home. A warm flood of desire flooded her as she waited with her green eyes fixed firmly but lovingly on her partner.

“I was just wondering…” Catherine saw the sensual look in Jace’s eyes and felt her heart begin to beat faster, what an adrenaline booster her mate was.

“Yes, you were wondering?” seeing the flush on Catherine’s cheeks meant only one thing she was feeling pretty much as emotional as she was herself.

“Back to the baby Jace, if I push you in a chair, have you the strength to see our son?” deciding to change the subject rapidly as she dropped a feather light kiss on top of the blonde head and a smaller replica on her daughter’s.

“Yes, yes, yes please Catherine I need to see him.”

“Then my love see him you shall, the nurse said it was okay as long as you didn’t stay too long and tire yourself out.” winking at her lover who gazed at her with utter love and devotion.

“I love you Catherine, and I promise.” Chuckling at the meek tone, yeah right!

Five minutes later having Jace settled comfortably in the wheelchair and their baby daughter snuggled close in her arms, Catherine bent in front of the chair and simply smiled adoringly at her lover.

“You look goofy darling.” Jace giggled she was tired, weary to the core but having Catherine beside her and the goal of seeing her new born son, gave her a lease of life that buoyed her immeasurably.

A serious expression created furrows in Catherine’s forehead and exaggerated lines around her eyes, with the crease of her cheeks growing longer as she smiled up at Jace, her stance as close to worshipping the feet the woman walked on as she could get at this moment. Plain fact was she did idolize, worship, cherish or whatever word could be found in the dictionary to describe the feeling she had. “Ever had anyone worship the ground you walk on or in this case wheeled on?”

Laughing at the dark haired woman, who too many was little more than a stoic unfriendly person who was too serious for words. However to her and people Catherine loved she was like the flip side of a coin, loving, attentive and even had a humorous side. This was the remarkable woman she had fallen in love with and continued to fall ever deeper in love every single moment of each day they shared together. A bit like her own parents she often thought, they had been such great role models for what a loving partnership was all about.

“Hmm give me time to think…maybe in a past life. Who knows I might have been Cleopatra.”

Catherine grinned; well she must have been Anthony in that case, weird, too weird to think about now. “I wanted you to know Jace, that you have given me so much, too much I think at times that one day I’m going to wake up and it’s all a dream. Then I look at you here with our new born daughter in your arms, and the incredible feeling that it isn’t a dream washes over me, and I feel so very honoured and blessed that you chose me to spend the rest of your life with.”

Tears flooded uncaringly from Jace’s green orbs as she reached out with a free hand to gently pull Catherine closer as they shared a kiss that sealed the words that throbbed between them, “I love you too Catherine, and it was and always will be my pleasure to chose you every day of my life.”

Biting down on her lips her own tears not far away, Catherine stood up and moved around to the back of the wheelchair to steer them out of the room to the incubator ward.

A few minutes later with Catherine standing holding their daughter, Jace moved in as close as possible to the glass enclosure her son was sleeping peacefully inside. Struck with the wonder of life and how such a small human being could survive, he was barely as big as her hand, although to her he was as perfect as any child could be. Her sorrow that he was struggling to breathe tempered with the fact that some premature babies were worse off than her son, and the medical staff didn’t appear to be unduly worried, and they would say surely if there was a critical situation, wouldn’t they?

“Catherine the doctor would tell us if there was a problem wouldn’t they?” her anxious eyes sought those of her partner, wanting the reassurance that only she could give.

Catherine could understand the distress that Jace was feeling she had too, but the nursing staff hadn’t indicated anything more than immature lungs and they would grow to be healthy in time. As one had said he’d been a little early jumping out of the box. It had made her smile the picture that came to mind was a Jack in a box. Now there was a thought….

“Darling I promise you that if anything is wrong other than what they’ve already told us I’ll make sure we find out, if you want I’ll go track down the doctor now?”

“No! No it’s okay love; I just want to spend this time with him, with us, the three of us. Do you think our daughter is missing her brother?” Jace’s eyes wandered from one sleeping baby to the other.

Lightening the pale concerned expression on Jace’s face, Catherine grinned, “No way she was probably glad to have some time away from his feet, look love even in sleep he’s trying to score a goal.”

Jace with weak tears of happiness trailing down her cheeks she watched the tiny feet she couldn’t touch as yet kick at the linen in his cocoon, a remarkable reminder of the day before when he was doing that in her tummy. As she smiled slowly she felt Catherine tenderly place her arm on her shoulders, yes together they were nothing short of perfect and it was going to be better than perfect when all the family were together, what a prospect that was to look forward to.

~ ~ ~

Chapter Twenty-six

“Okay, okay, I’m awake, who the hell would call at this time in…” unable to see the clock on her desk to verify the time.

Sitting heavily in her leather chair she focused on the clock her Dad had given her on graduation from training then reached her hand out unenthusiastically to take the instrument that had woken her moments before.

“Dusterly!” Serena barked out, half-groaning when the time of five-thirty drifted into her consciousness.

“Hey there, good looking, I’m not the IRS.” Russ Lloyd smiled at the brusque greeting, knowing that he had woken her, but even more certain she’d been sleeping on the job again, some things never changed.

“Russ?”

“Yep, that’s me, Serena, did I wake you?” He grinned when the impression of her face scrunched up into a scowl, having trained with her he knew some of her less than pretty facial expressions, came to mind vividly.

“What the hell time do you call this, Russ, it had better be good!” Spitting at him like an alley cat as she leant on one arm desperately trying to stay awake, needing her shot of caffeine.

Silence magnified ten-fold at her friend’s end while waiting for the information he obviously had for her.

Finally she heard him talk to another party in the background before he replied his voice now muted and serious, “Serena, I think you might have a problem, actually we all do.”

From lethargy to frenzied energy was a shock to the system for most, however for the private detective, it was the adrenaline rush of one word, problem.

“I’m listening, Russ.”

“You asked me to check on the Candy Jones character,” hearing her muttered ‘yes’ he continued. “She, for her part checks out, had a tough upbringing and ran away from home to live in the big city. Sure, she’s using her not inconsiderable beauty to bed a high profile Senator, but otherwise she’s clean.”

Serena mused over the information and rolled her eyes, so what! The case was over, all cleared up as far as she was concerned, what was Russ worried about for God’s sake?

“Is that it?”

“Let me finish!” Russ had been listening to his supervisor when he lapsed into silence to speak with him.

“Okay, okay, I’m listening,” Serena had arched her eyebrows at his rebuke, Russ was never anything but amiable, and he wasn’t one to lose his temper or raise his voice.

“A hit was identified by one of our operatives. At first we didn’t understand it, but as I was leaving the office for the evening, the information you requested came through and suddenly a bell went off in my head. I’ve spent the night with my supervisor tracking down leads and authenticating the information.”

“Russ… Russ, hold it for a minute, what exactly are you authenticating?” Her mind hadn’t grasped the information obviously making no sense at this moment.

“Serena, wake up, woman! Your Jones woman has been targeted for a hit and not just a warning but the end game.”

Sitting upright in her chair, Serena grabbed her notebook fumbling in the half-light of the early morning sun’s rays sneaking through the roller blinds. “That’s bad, sure, but I’m not involved anymore, remember, my client isn’t involved now, it’s all yours.”

Russ shook his head…the point hadn’t gotten across. She wasn’t awake that was for sure or by now she would be screaming at him for more details. “Serena, it isn’t just about Candy Jones, the hit is specific in that all and I mean ALL loose ends are to be eliminated.”

The penny finally hit her like a ten-ton weight being dropped from a skyscraper, “All the loose ends? Who called the hit?”

At last she was listening, Russ smiled slightly, “All we know at this point is that it’s a directive from the Hill. We’re trying to track down who and why? Although I’ve pushed the local office towards Feldham’s vicinity, seems logical under the circumstances.”

Straining to work out what to do next, though she knew there wasn’t many choices in the circumstances, the Bardley’s had to know the danger they were in. And that guy Cruisal too, not that she wanted to come into contact with the scumbag again, although she could have Russ’ people do that. “Do we know who the hit person is?”

Russ glanced down at his notes, “The Arrow, Serena, all our sources say to-date he’s never failed, and from the records we turned up, he’s a craftsman to the point of perfection.”

“Jesus! Only big money buys a hit of that caliber; it has to be Feldham or someone who watches his political back. I’ve a few friends at this end, Russ, give me an hour and I’ll be back with my info… thanks for this, my friend.  Russ, how much trouble did you get into and how much am I going to owe you?”

A small chuckle echoed in her ear before her friend replied, “It cost me pay for a night’s work, but worth it, you can buy me dinner when all this is over…maybe even a proper date?” He smiled at his request. Serena wasn’t the dating girl, she never had been, or not that he knew, pity, she was a great woman.

“Dinner sounds good, I’ll be back in touch shortly, bye, Russ,” replacing the receiver before he had a chance to reply.

Her mind was rumbling along like a high-speed train, there she was thinking that the simple case was over, what a fool she was, when was anything to do with the Xianthos crowd anything but complicated! Shaking her head, she stood up and opened the blinds to allow the rest of the early morning light in, at least it was pleasant out there today. Next she went to the outer office and set up the coffee machine, glancing at the clock on the wall. Hmm, Jenny wasn’t due for another two hours, maybe if she called to ask if she could start early, naw, it wouldn’t be fair…

The door opened at that very moment and a fresh looking assistant walked inside with a shake of her head and a slight frown on her face. “I knew you’d be here, let me do the coffee, you…go wash up, do you have a change of clothes?” Jenny Clayton briskly spoke to her stunned boss who stood like a statue watching her assistant take over the coffee preparations.

“How…how did you…oh, forget it!” waving her hand as she left the woman to her handling of the caffeine fix. Closing her door, the serious expression she generally wore slipped and a bright smile flooded her face, not that anyone saw it, but it didn’t leave for a long, long time.

~ ~ ~

Lisa watched her brother and sister riding in the paddock. It wasn’t as bad as she’d expected, as the area had been cleared to exercise the horses even in the snow. Although she didn’t think her Moms would agree with Jake on his own taking Elena on a ride, they’d repeatedly said that Elena was only to ride if an adult was supervising, wait until they found out that Jake wasn’t obeying orders.

“Hey, Jake, Elena, want some of my cakes I’ve just baked?” Her voice excited as she ran closer to the paddock fence and climbed on the top pole.

“Lisa! You could have spooked the horses.” Jake glowered at her, his eyes narrowing; she was dense, that one, at times. He looked towards Elena who was now paying more attention to her big sister than the small Shetland pony, her hands loosening on the reigns as she waved enthusiastically back.

What happened next was to be partially expected, but a shock to all three children, as Sheltie, with the light control gone, moved faster than expected and off toppled Elena onto the hard cold ground.

Lisa watched in horror and placed a hand over her mouth before she shrieked again, spooking the miniature horse more, especially as Elena was on the floor just lying there still, oh no, what if she was badly hurt!

Dismounting quickly, Jake tethered up his horse as a safety precaution  then ran over to his little sister, “Eli, are you okay?” The young man anxiously asked as he went down on his knees on the cold hard ground to examine her.

Unexpectedly, Elena giggled and threw her arms around her brother, “Jake, again, again.”

Puzzled but relieved that she didn’t appear hurt; he spoke quietly, “Again what, Eli?”

“Want Sheltie to play again,” the toddler’s voice excited at being thrown from the creature, and instead of being scared and hurt she had enjoyed the experience so much she wanted to do it again.

For a second more Jake allowed the anxious feeling to creep over him then he let out a loud burst of laughter and hugged the child to him. “For a minute there you had me scared, squirt.” He picked her up then turned to the frightened older girl sitting silently, tears running down her red cold cheeks.

“Girls!” He muttered softly as he headed towards Lisa.

“That’ll teach you not to shout around the horses, Lisa. Eli’s fine, she loved it. No harm done this time, but remember next time, okay?” He smiled at the girl, she was a handful at times, but he knew she didn’t have a harmful bone in her body, things just happened to her.

“I’m sorry, Jake,” Lisa mumbled as her gloved hand wiped away the tears, leaving a smear on her cheeks.

“I know you are, here, take the squirt indoors and I’ll bed down the horses. Don’t forget to leave me some cake.” He waited for her to drop down to the ground and handed over the toddler, who gave him a petulant glance as she was robbed of her new playtime experience, not to mention the boy she adored.

“Thanks, Jake, I owe you, I’ll take Elena home and let you have the biggest piece.” Lisa grinned at the young man, now all her thoughts on making sure her brother were saved the largest piece of cake.

Taking her sister’s hand they marched back towards the house and as they did so, Lisa saw the paw prints of her mystery creature again. Pointing to them for Elena to see she whispered to the child, “Elena, after our cakes, you can come with me to find the creature that made these prints, would you like that?”

Green curious eyes locked with the pale blue of her elder sister as the toddler looked like she was trying to work out what this all meant, “Yep, I like.” Smiling brightly, she held Elena’s hand tighter as they neared the homestead, she’d had another bright idea too, Judy might let her friend Toni visit after lunch, if she was lucky maybe have lunch too!

~ ~ ~

Candy Jones stretched her lithe body, closing her eyes relishing the time she had alone. Taking an extra lover had severely diminished her personal space-time, not that she hadn’t enjoyed Luke’s company; she had, far more than she wanted to admit. If she was lucky Jerry would never find out, she had the distinct impression that the woman involved with Luke wasn’t going to make any waves, probably was right back at home nice and cozy with the folks, thanking her lucky stars that she’d been saved from his philandering ways. In another lifetime she surely would have been! Not this one though, nope, she’d made her bed and slept in it, as her Mom used to say to her time and again when she’d been growing up. As her thoughts drifted to her family, the sadness of the loss of her mother in such a despicable way only galvanized her mind set, accepting all that she had with a shrug of her shoulders. She really wasn’t that badly off, a luxury apartment, generous expense account and living in the city of her dreams. Her only …chore… was that she had to make herself the sex toy, whore, kept woman, whatever rattled your chain, she was all of those and it was better than being on the streets.

The phone rang and she answered it cautiously, Jerry was in New York she knew that much. Luke, she hoped, had taken the hint and gone for good. Steve in the lobby had been given strict instructions she didn’t want to see him again. His slimy eyes had given her the shivers when she’d asked for that favor, fortunately he was scared of Jerry and his associates to even consider making a play for, her one blessing anyway.

“Yes?”

“Candy, you have a visitor…”

“I told you, Steve, he’s not welcome here anymore and you call me Ms. Jones!” Her nasal voice shrilled out making the concierge cringe at the sound. His face darkened in anger. Who was this bitch anyway, she wasn’t any better than the whores on Main Street, in fact she was worse, and at least they didn’t hide the profession.

“Yes, Ms. Jones,” he replaced the receiver and glanced up at the man standing silently waiting for the information he requested.

“She won’t see you, pal,” he opened the drawer to the desk and selected a key, holding it towards the man who gave him a hard clinical stare before taking it in his gloved hand. “That’s the master key; she’s on the third floor, apartment thirty-two, when you’ve seen her bring it back to me, no questions asked.”

Without a word the man gave him a small smile, his thin lips curling only slightly it could have been mistaken for a sneer as he turned away towards the elevator.

As the concierge watched him leave the lobby he smirked and switched on his tiny TV under the desk; that would teach the bitch, settling back in his chair to watch one of his favorite soaps.

~ ~ ~

Judy agreed to Lisa’s request to have a friend visit for the afternoon, and if she made it in over in the next couple of hours, she could have lunch too. Not having heard anything from Catherine, Judy worked on the theory her boss was staying over at the hospital, and if there had been a problem, she would surely have called by now.

Grinning happily, Lisa rushed to the phone in the hall to make the call to her new friend. If she was going to visit, she’d hold off the exploration of the barn for her, and they could all go together to seek out the mystery creature whose abode she’d found, or at least thought she had.

Lisa looked up the number in the phone book, fortunately Toni had told her where she lived or she wouldn’t have known where to contact her friend.

After speaking with first one brother than another who finally found her friend, she excitedly asked her if she wanted to come over to her house to play and have lunch, if it was okay with her folks.

“Please, Toni, it will be awesome if you can visit.” Lisa pleaded since the girl at the other end didn’t quite sound enthusiastic.

“What will we do?” Toni asked half-heartedly as she listened to a couple of her brothers bickering over who was going snow boarding.

“I found some footprints in the snow near the house and I followed them towards the barn, it’s locked, but I’m going to get the key. I thought we could explore, what do you say? If not we can do something else?”

Jake entered the hall at that moment wanting to change his snow soaked jeans and heard his sister pleading desperately to this so-called new friend. Was Lisa that hard up for a friend she had to bribe them with a stupid adventurous idea! Snorting softly he took the stairs two at a time to his room.

“I’ll think about it, got to ask one of my bro’s to give me a lift to your place. I’ll meet you outside your property around midday, see you then.” Toni finished the call and Lisa stood with the phone in her hand wondering if she was actually coming over or if it was a maybe then walked back to the kitchen with a perplexed expression on her face.

Judy saw the expression and wondered if it was wise to ask, “Everything okay, Lisa?”

Glancing up at the housekeeper as she sat down at her place at the table, a half eaten slice of cake on her plate, “Yes, I think so, I’m going to wait for Toni at the gates just before noon, she said she’d arrive around that time.”

“Good as gold, another place at the table for a new face. By the way, do you know if Elena fell when she was out, she’s got a bruise on her forehead?”

Lisa stared hard at her plate refusing to trade glances with the housekeeper; she didn’t know what to say. What if she’d already asked Jake and he’d given her a different story to the one she might tell. Where was he?

“Does Jake know?” She asked innocently.

Judy heard the tone, why was it that kids thought that adults didn’t hear the guilty sound in their voices. “He might, however, I was asking you?”

“I was baking with you, Judy, I don’t know anything.” Picking up her slice of cake and filling her mouth so full she wasn’t able to say anymore. A ploy Judy silently applauded the girl for, for a moment; however it was only a moment as Jake walked in.

“Ah, Jake, do you know how Elena got a bruise on her forehead, apparently Lisa doesn’t know anything.”

Jake glanced at Elena who was tucking into her cake with her usual gusto, pieces smeared over her face, in her mouth, on the mini table she used and all around her generally. Rio was in heaven as he watched the child from his basket, waiting until it was prudent to step in and help Judy by becoming the living vacuum cleaner. Unaware she was the topic of conversation.

“She fell in the snow, Judy, I should have told you, sorry, but she didn’t hurt herself!” The young man quickly added hoping that was enough to get by. Who wanted details anyway if his sister was okay!

Silently watching all three of them in turn with a look she’d mastered when she was teaching, it was clear there was more to this, however today she’d let it pass, as indeed the child did look happy enough. She’d watch her carefully though since head injuries sometimes caught up with the person several hours later. “Okay, well, I need to prepare lunch, what are you three going to do?”

“I was going to chat with Ian on the net until lunch.” Jake replied optimistically, his friend didn’t go to church and that meant he was probably playing games on the net and they had a session still to complete from last night.

Lisa glared at him. That meant she had to play with Elena, not that she minded, normally she didn’t but she was going to go up to the gate and wait for her friend to arrive. Somehow she didn’t think Elena would like to stand around in the snow for over an hour just waiting. “Well…I guess I’d better play with Elena, I promised Mom I’d help you and so I will.”

Judy turned away to switch on the stove, they might have their faults, these children, as any child does, however they certainly made it up for it in spades with their thoughtfulness, especially Lisa, having seen her crestfallen face at having been left with her younger sister.

“Actually, Lisa, why don’t you go do something else, I’ll take care of Elena and maybe this evening you can help by bathing her for me, what do you say?”

“Oh cool, I can do that, Judy, thanks!” Lisa jumped with happiness at having been let off the baby-sitting hook.

“My pleasure,” Judy picked up another small piece of cake and gave it to Elena, who was oblivious to her needs being discussed as her tubby hand grabbed it quickly in case someone decided she’d had enough; all that mattered to her was the delicious treats she was being given.

~ ~ ~

“Pick up, Serena, pick up for God’s sake!” Russ Lloyd muttered loudly, so loud the operative on the next station glanced across at him surprised at his outburst.

The constant ringing tone annoyed the FBI agent as he drummed his fingers rapidly over the note on the desk that had been handed to him less than two minutes ago. Then the call was answered, much to his relief, except that it wasn’t his friend that was at the other end.

“Hello, you’ve reached the office of …” Jenny Clayton answered the call as professionally as possible, surprised when she was cut off almost immediately.

“I need to speak with Serena, Serena Dusterly, is she there?” The male voice sounded agitated and put Jenny on the back foot for a few moments.

“May I ask whose calling?” Jenny replied perfunctory.

Russ groaned softly as he held the receiver to his forehead, obstacles, where did those days go when you dialed a number and you talked to the person you wanted?”

“Lloyd, an old friend, she’ll take my call.”

Jenny asked him to hold and punched the intercom waiting for her boss to answer.

“Yes, Jenny, has the report arrived yet from downtown?”

“No, I have a call for you; he said he was an old friend.” Jenny wasn’t sure, it could be a ploy to catch the detective out or enlist her sympathies on a case that no one else would touch. Serena had too many of those already.

“Yeah, who?” distracted as she was, the mention of an old friend was always intriguing, she had so few.

“Lloyd…” Once again she was stopped mid sentence when her employer briskly told her to put him through, which she did immediately. Reflecting that something important was going on and so far, other than being told that several reports would arrive by courier, e-mail or fax, she hadn’t been given any further details. One thing she knew for certain was that Serena hadn’t eaten and it was now ten, she’d slip out to the Deli and purchase something for her while she took the call.

“Russ?” Serena asked impatiently, she should be calling him, rather him calling her!

“Serena, thank God you are still there…there’s been a development.”

Hearing the anxious tone in her friend’s voice, the detective’s heart rate raced as she asked what that was.

“Jones is dead, along with the concierge of the apartment.” Russ waited for any fall out but surprisingly there wasn’t any, nothing but silence. “Are you still there, Serena?”

“Yes, yes, of course, I thought you would have been there before The Arrow, how far behind were you?” Knowing that her delay in informing the Bardley’s might cost them their lives, then there was the question of Cruisal, who probably didn’t deserve saving, but it’s what they did.

“Ten minutes, maybe less, forensic and the coroner will inform us of the precise timing, but that would be my best estimate with what I have so far.” Russ glanced down at the rest of the information he’d been given and it wasn’t a pretty narrative.

“You know I have only one question of course?” All her senses told her that this case was going to be one of those you thought easy and out of the way but came right back at you with the force of a megaton bomb blast.

Russ didn’t need her to say anymore, glancing at the information he recited the contents, “Jones was strangled, definite struggle and signs of torture before the end, which will be confirmed with more accuracy by the medical examiner. The concierge was hit full face with a single shot; he didn’t see it coming or at least…”

Her mind became detached and analytical as her training had taught her, now was not a time to panic. Perhaps the hit man didn’t know anymore than Cruisal’s involvement, then again he might not know the identity…yeah right, this was a 100%, no stone left unturned, professional. “I gave you Cruisal’s address earlier; did you send an agent over to check on him?”

“I’ll find out,” he ignored her irritated snort at the other end. Yes, he knew exactly what she was thinking, that he should know everything…because she would have.

Two minutes later Serena stopped herself from screaming at her friend, because it clearly wasn’t his fault. “No one has gone there yet? Fucking hell, Russ, who’s in charge of this fiasco?” She knew things were tight regarding staff, but this was a blatant gift of an opportunity to stop a known felon.

“Serena, it isn’t what you think…” this time she cut him short.

“Damn right, it’s exactly what I think; some jerk decided that bagels came before the job. You forget it wasn’t that long ago I was there too! Russ, have you called him?”

“It isn’t my job, you know that.”

At his chagrined apology Serena shook her head, protocol, fucking protocol, had its uses, however it usually ended up with the innocent as dead as the Dodo.

“Forget it, I’ll call the guy,” she closed her eyes wondering if she’d be too late.

“I’m sorry, Serena; did you inform your clients of the potential danger?” He asked as an after thought, she would have, it was her nature that was until he heard her reply.

“No…guess when we have dinner we go Dutch. Thanks for the info, Russ, if you know anymore you know where I am.”

After she disconnected, she flipped over her notebook and found Luke Cruisal’s number, hopefully she was in time to save his life and that of the Bardley’s!

~ ~ ~

Lisa was cold very, very cold as she paced up and down the short strip of land between the main road and the property entrance. She didn’t want her friend to miss her home. Not that you could really since it was the only property for quite a way, some of the kids at school said she was living on the largest property in the area. Her numbed hands and feet protested each time she moved, her clothing unable to manage the time she’d spent in one place to keep her warm.

A crunching on the snow made her turn her head as the guard at the gate approached her. It was old Timothy, who reminded her of Father Christmas though he didn’t have a beard, but his hair was snow white and his smile dazzled the eyes whenever it was flashed, which was often.

“Hey there, young Lisa, you’ve been out here for over two hours, it’s way past noon and Judy wants you to go home for lunch.” His kindly knurled features matched the words he spoke.

“But…I’m waiting for my friend who said she would be here by noon, what time is it, Tim?” Lisa jumped on the spot to liven up her toes and clapped her gloved hands together to try and get the circulation working.

“Past one thirty, what time did your friend say she’d be here?” The kindly man, who had granddaughters her age, asked softly.

“Really? Will you tell Judy to save my lunch I’m not hungry? I’ll wait a wee while longer for my friend.” Lisa felt, as the time permeated her cold sluggish brain, the disappointment of knowing, for sure, her friend wasn’t going to turn up.

Timothy watched the child for a few moments, “If you are going to stay out here longer, Lisa, why not come inside the cabin, it’s warmer, you will see your friend if she comes by.”

Shaking her head obstinately Lisa gave him a beguiling look, “Oh, she’ll be here, Tim, she will, she said so, and she’s my friend. I’d best wait out here; if I’m in the cabin she might miss the entrance.”

“Okay, little lady, but the doors are open when you need it.” He turned back to the hut, his old bones feeling the cold keenly even if the youngster’s didn’t.

Lisa, having been waiting for Toni for over three hours, mulled over the situation. Maybe she’d had an accident, maybe she’d got lost or maybe her parents hadn’t approved. Not once did it occur to her that her new friend had just simply chosen to do something else.

Stamping her feet to ward off the cold, which was too late for they were freezing, her thoughts traveled to the mystery creature in the barn. And for a time she was totally engrossed in the subject, oblivious to the cold and her friend’s lack of appearance.

Chapter Twenty-seven

Jace looked up and saw several expressions fleet speedily across Catherine’s features. The one she could relate to the most was the pride and joy she could feel radiate from her partner. Although the others she could relate to as well, bar one, of sadness, unless of course her lover considered their son’s current predicament a sad event. She didn’t look at it like that; whatever else their son was lacking, he certainly was a gutsy baby, with the waving of those minute limbs of his under the white blanket that covered him in his glass abode.

“Catherine, why did you look sad for a moment,” her small hand reached out to touch her lover’s arm gently  then to smooth the downy dark hair of her daughter, her need to touch the baby doubled as she couldn’t physically reach out to the baby’s brother.

Catherine arched her eyebrow, annoyed with herself for being caught in such despondent thoughts. This wasn’t the place or the time for anything except happiness. The side of her eye’s crinkled as she squinted at her partner then to their son, an understanding sigh escaped Jace as she saw where Catherine’s eyes went.

“Catherine, he’s going to be just fine, you told me so yourself, remember?” assuming their son was the object of her sadness.

For a moment Catherine was caught off guard at the words. It wasn’t true, Jace’s explanation of her sadness, and yet…yeah, better to leave it as that, it made more sense. Smiling brightly no longer any shadow of sorrow in her eyes, Catherine stooped down and stole a tender kiss. Startled at the action, but feeling her heartbeat increase at the demonstration of love that flowed from her lover, Jace basked in the emotional rays it produced in her body. My God could life get any better than this!

“I remember, love, and you’re right.” As she spoke, their daughter began foraging for food and the hapless expression on Catherine’s face made Jace burst out in laughter.

“She’s hungry, let’s take her back to my room and I’ll feed her there, I’m looking forward to this.” Jace remarked eagerly as Catherine, with a wry grin, gave up her precious cargo to the security and dotage of her mother.

“You can’t be seriously looking forward to having your nipple savaged… Okay, okay, silent point taken.” Catherine chuckled all the way back to the room as she and Jace shared not only a few sultry glances, but also the double meaning of her earlier words.

What it was to be in love, and with someone who can interpret your thoughts, even the ones that weren’t meant to be voiced, were Jace’s musings as Catherine wheeled her and the baby back to their private room.

~ ~ ~

Colin aimlessly wandered the quiet streets of Christchurch. It was Sunday and that being the case, many were at church or home or away for the day. Tourists were sadly lacking, although it wasn’t the best of times to be in the largest city on the South Island, what with the snow and generally not much happening. He was heading towards the hotel where Faith was probably waiting for his update on her daughter, but what could he tell her, nothing, other than she wouldn’t see him.

After he’d been told that, he’d despondently headed for the cafeteria in the hope that after a sandwich and coffee, she might have changed her mind, to no avail. She was now asleep and the nurse said it wouldn’t be wise to disturb her since she looked like she needed the rest. Who didn’t! Right now he was like a walking zombie, feeling totally useless as a husband and a father. He’d lost the two most precious people in his life and didn’t know if they were ever going to get back together again as a family. The whole situation was a disaster and he hadn’t seen any of it coming along, he hadn’t because he was certain if he had, he would have done something about it earlier.

Was that the real problem, he felt guilty? Wasn’t he though, he’d spent far too many hours looking after the homestead business instead of his own family, he was as much to blame if not totally to blame at his lack of understanding and …simply not being there to help?

Sitting down on one of the benches in the square, his body facing towards the cathedral, he felt like his whole world had disintegrated and there wasn’t anything he could do. As he stooped over, his hands in his head, an elderly man shuffled past him and the stench of stale tobacco and alcohol, unwashed clothing, not to mention strong body odor made Colin glance up. The old man was a down and out, maybe by choice perhaps not, who would know, who would care! His eyes watched the fellow walk in an unsteady gait towards another set of benches, drop down on them and tucking his head in his arms presumably to sleep.

As he saw the man’s predicament and contemplated his own, he realized that though things looked pretty dire at the moment, he wasn’t going to let it get him down. Oh no, one suicide in the family tree was quite enough and he had one thing to keep him going if Grace decided she didn’t need him, Georgina certainly did, even if she couldn’t tell him herself!

Standing up no longer feeling as devastated has he had been, he walked briskly back to the hotel to talk with Faith, together they would decide the best course of action. Grace’s mother was, though her daughter didn’t realize it fully, a wonderful shoulder to cry on, and she had a great deal of common sense to help others with problems, without you feeling it was forced upon you.

~ ~ ~

Smoothing down Jace’s blonde hair, which had become somewhat untidy and mangled in the preceding hours, Catherine watched her sleeping soundly, her body completely exhausted with the rigors of the medication for the birth and the emotional swings and roundabouts of seeing the differing conditions of their new born children.

At this moment, her lover’s even breathing in restful sleep and their baby daughter nestled in her own crib by the side of the bed also sleeping like an angel made her surroundings peaceful. At times like these you could do only one thing…simply watch and marvel at life and how truly magical it was!

Bending down, Catherine placed a tender kiss on Jace’s forehead not wanting to disturb her unduly. Other than a sigh of what Catherine could only imagine was complete contentment, her lover slept soundly. For a few seconds she stood over the smaller woman in the bed, a smile of wonder and pride crossed her features. She then turned to her sleeping daughter, performing the same ritual and though the baby, well fed from the breast-feeding she’d partaken, moved her tiny hands, she slept soundly as well.

Catherine left the room with one last backward glance, reluctant to leave her family, but at the same time knowing she must pass the wonderful news around to the rest of the clan. Smiling as she quietly closed the door, she’d come back later to check on her partner and their children. Walking quickly down the corridor she hesitated outside the door of the incubation ward, should she go inside or leave it until she came back later? As she was about to walk away, the door opened and the helpful nurse from earlier when they went inside grinned at her, beckoning her inside.

“No one else is inside at the moment, why not have a few minutes alone with him?” Stunned at the nurse’s remark, Catherine wasn’t sure what to do. Then it occurred to her that this was her son and she should say goodbye to him too. A part of her guilty that she hadn’t considered it until she was almost out of the building …at least her mind anyway, what kind of mother was she!

“Yes, yes, I was …going to drop by before I left,” flustered for a moment as she entered the room.

The nurse gave her a steady glance. Yeah, sure she was! “I know it’s difficult when you can’t touch him properly, isn’t it and you have a healthy twin that you can hold, it’s not surprising he’s…”

Upset at the way she thought the nurse was thinking she held up her hand glowering at her. “I do not consider my son left out as a secondary concern, if that’s what you’re implying!”

The nurse chuckled silently. Because it was a relatively small town, everyone knew everyone else and this woman, though she didn’t mix, was well known in the area, particularly her obstinate attitude and temper. Guess it was all true. “Never meant to imply anything at all, Mrs. Warriorson. I was going to say that he’s going to be a handful when he does get stronger, my sister had a child who spent a couple of weeks in an incubator and now he wants attention 24/7.”

Catherine realized, too late, she was being harsh on the woman. It wasn’t her fault she’d seen her character flaw and her explanation made her feel worse still. Swallowing hard she looked at the nurse squarely so that they had definite eye connection as she spoke. “I’m sorry; it’s been…I’m sorry.” Lamely glancing down at her boots that had lost their usual shine with the snow she’d walked in earlier.

A gentle hand touched her arm. “An exciting day, I’d say, and probably you still have family to inform and a few celebrations to wet the babies head too, I would think.”

Catherine smiled slightly, grateful for the nurse’s compassion at her rudeness. “Yes, a celebration will be in order.”

“Well, there he is, wide awake the wee one and kicking around like crazy. I don’t think it will be too long before he’s out of there and you can take him home. I’ll leave you with him while I collect some diapers. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” The nurse didn’t wait for Catherine’s reply as she saw her glance towards her son’s incubator and a tender expression exploded onto her dour countenance.

Awkwardly Catherine moved towards the tiny life enclosed in the glass box and she kicked herself that she had even considered leaving the hospital without seeing him. She glanced around to make sure she was the only adult in the room, there were a couple of other babies in incubators but they looked like they were asleep, only her young man was awake. As she stood over the vessel that held him safely helping him to breath, she felt tears welling up as she stared at him, watching as his miniature feet kicked apparently happily and with such gusto at the blanket that encased him.

“I’m sorry, son, sorry that I was going to leave without saying goodbye. I promise you, little man, that it will never happen again…ever!” Her whispering voice shook with the emotion she was feeling as she placed a large hand on the glass top, wanting desperately to open up the casing and hold him tenderly to her. To ensure he knew that they loved him very much, so very much, making him another wonderful facet to her life with the woman she loved, and who had made every conceivable dream come true for her in such a short space of time.

“You look like your mother, son, you have Jace’s nose. Mind she’ll tell you that you have mine, but it doesn’t matter whose nose you have because you’re ours and that’s all that matters, all that matters in the world. I’m going to see your brother and sisters and maybe tomorrow after school I’ll bring them over to see you, wouldn’t that be super?” Her face creased up into a wide smile, she was sure he was listening and understanding every word she spoke.

“Jake, your big brother, he’s good at soccer and rugby. I think you and he will get on famously, he’ll be glad you’re here, son, he was feeling a little brow beaten by all the women in the house. Maybe together you can take a little revenge of your own when you get a little older.”

As she watched the tiny hands clasp together, Catherine didn’t care when the tears that she had held fast now flowed down her cheeks. “You’re our little miracle, son, and one day you will find out just how much you mean to me and your mother, as do all our children, but I think because you’re in here now, you might find the love you get when you go home a little overpowering. Want me to let you onto a little secret, just let your mother pamper you, son, she’s real good at it, take it from someone who knows from first hand experience.” She stated chuckling. Jace would be poking gentle fun at her for her silly meanderings; just as well there wasn’t anyone else in the room with them.

“Any time you want to know how to get around your mother, son, you just come to me and I’ll let you in on the secrets…” Catherine stopped her foolish ramblings as the door opened and the nurse stepped back inside.

“He’s a feisty one, isn’t he? Hope you have plenty of toys to keep him occupied, especially his feet.” The nurse grinned as she put away her supplies.

“Yes, he is, just like…yes, he is. I’ll be back later; I need to tell the children they have another brother and sister.” With another tender glance at her son, she spun around heading for the door.

“Thanks for your patience and care of him.”

“Good as gold, I love this job, not many can say that. You take care on the way home, it’s snowing again.”

Catherine left the building in a wonderful buoyant mood, turning up the collar of her jacket to ward of the snowflakes that threatened to drop onto her neck. She spied a taxi on the hospital’s drive and hailed it, hoping it wasn’t already booked.

~ ~ ~

“Jason, I will not have you thinking that I’m having some middle aged crisis!” Alison pointed out forcefully as her husband stood up and asked for not the first time since they’d started what she hoped was a meaningful conversation, it was now more a slanging match between them, what she was doing with a man young enough to be her son.

“Then be straight with me, tell me what’s going on for God’s sake, because I sure as hell haven’t a clue. Tell me what I did wrong that you’ve turned to another man for…!” Jason knew that he was being obstinate about this so-called male friend Alison said he was, but to him it was the most important point.

“You are being pig-headed, Jason, that’s why I never mentioned my new friends. I knew you would think this way, I knew it! Just for once, can’t you look up from those musty old books you constantly read and open your eyes, Jason, and look at me, ME, and tell me what you find that’s different.” Alison challenged him to notice her fitter body and she had to say herself, she did look younger now that she was eating and exercising healthier. But had he noticed that, no, he hadn’t even mentioned it! This wasn’t about Neil this was about complacency in their marriage!

Staring at his wife who at this moment he felt was a stranger to him, he wondered, why was she doing this? They had a great life now. No money troubles, the family was settled…okay, Lucy was being difficult but they were here for her, and he was doing what he always wanted and for the benefit of the grandchildren, what was wrong with all that, because he sure didn’t see a problem. “You’re the same as you always were except for one thing.”

Aggravated beyond measure, Alison snorted out, “and that is?”

“You want someone younger in your life and I’m no longer exciting for you. I work hard, provide for the family and that isn’t good enough anymore, is it? Be honest, Alison, you don’t want what I have to give you, for some incredible reason that is totally beyond my understanding.” Jason felt wounded and wanted to attack rather than think things through properly.

Exasperated, Alison turned away from him. He’d worked the situation to make out he was the one hurting, maybe he was but she was too, this wasn’t the point at all. Her wayward thoughts that her marriage was over might not have been so far out of the ballpark after all, they couldn’t even talk to each other properly. “I’m going to bed; this was a stupid idea to think we could talk about our problems! Good night, Jason.” Alison walked away leaving him watching her retreating back, a grave look on his face, reminding her of Lucy when she was being stubborn for no reason but that she could be.

As the door closed with a crash behind her, Jason muttered loudly and he could hear himself petulantly say, “Go to bed, maybe tomorrow your toy boy can talk about ‘our’ problems, because I sure won’t be here!”

He slammed his hand on the kitchen table in frustration and anger mainly focused on his own inability to control himself. Standing up wearily, he wondered how this had all fallen apart so quickly. When they’d begun the conversation he wanted to tell his wife that he loved her, however, all he did was say that if she came back to New York they could sort it all out there. Oh no, that hadn’t been good enough, once he mentioned the city it was like a small explosion going off in Alison. She’d rounded on him that all he thought about was business and that she and the children came second to the precious Xianthos Corporation. Somehow, they’d deteriorated fast from that moment, and now, as he looked around the empty well used but comfortable kitchen area, he realized that maybe he and Alison had simply stopped talking to each other, and worse still, had journeyed down different paths. Wiping away the lines of strain on his face, he walked out of the room and headed for the study and a stiff drink, maybe once he’d settled down he’d see things more clearly.

~ ~ ~

Catherine had secured the taxi and with the snow falling heavily now, she hoped to goodness that it didn’t become an obstacle in getting back to town. She’d considered calling the homestead but decided she wanted to see the children’s faces when she told them about the new arrivals. Anyway, she needed to see Judy about tomorrow morning and taking Lisa to school; she was going to do it and clear up the matter of this bullying problem herself.

Nearing the property, the driver of the cab shot her a quick glance. “Catherine, if you’re going back in town later, I’d check first if the taxis are running. Unless it stops soon, I doubt they’d want to venture out this far.” The company that owned the taxis in town enjoyed a very good arrangement with the homestead, which was quite lucrative for them since Catherine used them frequently to go into town when Jace wasn’t available to take her. So much so all the drivers called her by her first name.

“Thanks, Ralph, I was lucky it was you at the hospital today, what with all that went on, I totally forgot to rebook the drive back.”

“No worries, I’m really pleased for you, twins and the missus all healthy, what more can you ask for?”

She smiled broadly at the words. “Nothing, nothing at all, next time you take me to town I’ll be boring you with photos, you know that, don’t you?”

“Yep, and so you should. Sorry I can’t be back later for you, my shift finishes after I drop you, and our lass indoors wants me to take her for a meal tonight…yes, I know, don’t say it, even in this weather.”

Laughing as they were about a hundred yards from the gatehouse and the entrance to the property, her eyes suddenly caught a small figure walking against the blizzard that was blowing towards the entrance on the side of the road. “Stop, Ralph!” The vehicle barely skidded to a halt when Catherine jumped out.

“Hey, what are you doing in this weather?” The snow was falling so fast she had to shade her eyes from the force hitting her head making it difficult to see clearly.

The small figure of what looked like a walking snowman turned to her and waved weakly.

For a few seconds Catherine tried to assimilate what her snow flecked sight was showing her. No, it couldn’t be, damn it, it was! “Lisa, what the hell, come here, girl, you shouldn’t be out in this and not outside the property, who the hell let you out!” Forgetting that she was talking loudly and that her daughter heard every word, she watched as the girl stepped back several paces and shrank back in fear.

Walking briskly towards her eldest daughter trying desperately not to slip, she reached the shivering mass and placed a calming hand on her shoulder, “Lisa, I’m sorry, I was worried, that was all, let’s get in the taxi and we’ll go home.”

With chattering teeth and desperately cold to the bone, Lisa turned and hugged her mom hard, tears streaming down her face, which wasn’t good news in these conditions. “Mom, it’s terrible, she didn’t turn up and I’ve been waiting, waiting ages for her. Why didn’t she turn up, mom, she said she was my friend?”

Catherine forgot her anger as she heard the desolate tone and felt a sharp knife pierce her heart at the sight of the pathetic small girl in such a condition. “Baby, don’t cry now, it’s going to be okay, I promise. Let’s go home, you must be freezing, I know I am.”

Gulping at the tender words, her thoughts, which had been so unhappy, now leveled out as her mom was being so nice to her and not angry as she originally thought she was.

“I’m cold and hungry, is Jace alright?” As always, Lisa could be relied upon to ask about the well being of others even though she was hurting herself. It was one of the things that Catherine loved about their little princess but worried her also, she was so vulnerable and it sounded like that vulnerability had been pierced.

“Jace is perfect, and so are your new brother and sister.” Knowing that would cheer the girl up, Catherine bundled her into the taxi as she shrieked in joy at the news.

~ ~ ~

Jason silently opened the door to Lucy’s room and as he peered into the darkness, he saw her huddled body under the covers. She had always done that since she was a tiny child, they’d often teased her that she was once a Red Indian in another life because it looked like she was making a wigwam out of her bedding. It was strange that some of the things we did as a child never left entirely. As he gazed in the dimness that his eyesight allowed, he felt the tenderness of the moment, making what he was doing now even more unpalatable, however well meaning he wanted the outcome to be.

Stepping closer he picked up from the floor, where it had fallen, the ten-inch, rather ragged looking bear that always perched on the end of her bed. She’d never cuddled it, as most youngsters did, for comfort; no, she had said he kept her safe because he roared at the bogeyman if he ever entered her room. Another of her differences to Jace, who had every single soft toy she possessed in her bed when she went to sleep. It wouldn’t surprise him if she still didn’t have the odd one from time to time.

Placing the bear back in position, he stepped closer to the bed, and looked down at the sleeping young woman. At one time they had thought she would be the one that went through college and did something with her life at a fast rate. Well, she was doing stuff at a fast rate but not what they expected or wanted. Still, she was young and there was time for her to get back on track. She was a stubborn young woman and didn’t give up easily, this current crisis would pass and she’d be back to her normal self and if she wanted her job back at Xianthos, he’d arrange that too.

Whispering softly as he pushed the bangs away from her eyes, “I love you, Lucy. Look after your Mom for me, baby. I need to go now, but everything is going to be okay, I promise you.”

Out of the foggy depths of sleep, Lucy cracked open her left eye, mumbling almost incoherently, “Is everything okay with you and Mom now, Dad?”

Jason sucked in a deep breath as a tear splashed onto his eyelashes. “Sure is, pumpkin, now go to sleep, tomorrow is a new day.”

“I’m glad, Dad.” Lucy drowsily replied as she fell back into a deep sleep.

“Yep, baby, I know you are.” Jason left the room as silently as he’d entered and walked toward the master suite. The light was off and he didn’t hear any sounds as he opened the door slightly to listen. Then he closed it again and headed back down to the study. Five minutes later he’d called a cab, collected his overnight case and with one final look at the house, walked down the end of the drive and within a couple of minutes was on his way to the airport.

Alison had heard him open the bedroom door, hoping he’d finally come to his senses and that they could talk tomorrow after they had a decent night’s sleep. However, that wasn’t to be not yet anyway since Jason closed it immediately, maybe he was going to sleep in Jace’s old room. Closing her eyes to squeeze away the tears, she felt that the chance for them to get back to normal was slipping away, and there was nothing she could do about it. The realization hit her hard, for when sleep finally took her it turned fitful, as nightmares shredded any semblance of peace.

The exhaustion of the day’s proceedings had taken its toll as she slipped into sleep, and didn’t hear the click of the lock as Jason left the house for what could be the final time.

~ ~ ~

Ralph looked through his mirror and saw two very uncomfortable passengers inside his cab; fortunately he was about to let them out, though he wouldn’t mind being a fly on the wall when they were settled inside.

“Want me to check with the office to find out what’s happening later?” Ralph stopped the vehicle as Lisa rushed out excitedly, wanting to be the first to impart the news to the rest of the household. No ‘wait up’ call from Catherine could prevent the new lease of life her news about the new additions had caused in the previously desolate child. Oh well, it might take her mind off whatever had led her to be outside the homestead’s perimeter on such an unwelcoming day.

“Thanks, Ralph.” Catherine acknowledged fishing in her purse to give the driver a well-deserved tip. After all, it hadn’t been the best of conditions to be driving around in. And as the snow fell heavier than before, she knew that it wouldn’t be just getting back into town that was her only problem today. She’d have to check in with Larry to see how the livestock were doing, they were into the early throws of lambing and it could be a major catastrophe for the ewes and lambs as well as the homestead’s profits.

Two minutes later she was opening the side door to the kitchen lobby and with an impatient snort, saw Lisa’s wet outdoor gear trailing all over the floor, having missed the peg to hang her coat, her boots and mittens were strewn untidily on the floor.

“You’d think after living in the house for all this time now they would have gotten this part right, damn annoying.” Catherine muttered away as she collected the offending clothing from the floor, placing the boots in the grated area for them to dry off properly.

As she pegged her own jacket on a free space, the door to the lobby opened and Judy glanced in and asked sheepishly, “Is tea the order of the day, do you think?”

Catherine glanced at the housekeeper she’d entrusted with her children and who had apparently not exactly come up smelling of roses, having allowed Lisa to venture not only out in such harsh conditions but off the property too, what had the woman been thinking!

“Yes, tea would be a wonderful tonic, thanks,” stepping inside the vanity area to towel her hair, which was wet from the snow.

Slipping back inside the kitchen, Judy glanced at the bubbling Lisa who was animatedly telling Elena, who didn’t understand what her elder sister was saying, she had a new baby brother and sister. Jake had yet to make an appearance after she’d asked him to go fetch Lisa an hour earlier, promising he would after he’d log off his chatting to his friend, he hadn’t. She had been busy preparing tea for the men, dinner for the family and keeping Elena entertained and hadn’t realized the omission until the car drove up to the house and it was too late for that.

“What’s the commotion, I bet you can hear Lisa in Wellington?” Jake walked into the room nonchalantly, having forgotten all about going to find Lisa earlier and now that she was in the room, he had no reason to remember until he and Judy traded eye contact.

“Jake, Jake, we have a new baby brother and sister, today, they were born today, and Jace is good too!” Lisa’s words tumbled out in such a way it was hard not to laugh, her excitement getting the better of her as her hands flew in all directions as she spoke.

“Yeah, are you sure, who told you?”

Before the girl could reply, a deep melodic voice answered for her, “I did.”

“Mom wasn’t due yet, was she?” Jake asked open mouthed as Catherine continued further into the room and sat down in her chair at the kitchen table, to be engulfed immediately by small arms wrapping around her legs as Elena joined the excitement loudly shouting Mamma at the top of her voice.

For a split second Catherine’s raw nerves almost got the better of her as she was about to shout out ‘be quiet’ over the increasing crescendo of one voice battling with another to be heard. She was saved from that situation as Judy with calm but firm voice told the two older children to let their mother speak. Taking the moment of peace to extricate small limbs from her legs and haul Elena up to sit on her lap, immediately silencing the toddler who gave her a huge hug and a very wet smacking kiss on the cheeks, “love mamma.”

Yep, it didn’t get any better than this, did it, from bedlam to peace, as Jake and Lisa sat opposite her to hear about the new additions and Elena happily snuggling into her shoulder contentedly. Judy at that moment placing a steaming mug of tea just close enough for her to reach it but far enough away for Elena not to do so. “I love you too, Elena,” kissing the dark head tenderly.

“Well, Mom, are you going to spill the beans or not?” Jake finally asked as he watched Catherine take a sip of her tea. The strain on her face miraculously departed as she turned to the two children and with a wide grin of pride began to tell them what had happened.

~ ~ ~

Jason sat quietly in the VIP lounge; he’d called for the private jet to be as early as possible, allowing the pilots to have a little more rest and in the mean time arranging, in the background, a time slot for them to leave.

He downed another Scotch, his second in the airport but his fourth in total, he felt numb, and wasn’t sure if it was the predicament he was in or the alcohol taking effect. He’d take a stab at it being the latter, in circumstances like this booze had only a margin effect on the body, only dulling the senses until a few hours later when the problem was still there, usually coupled with a terrible hangover making things even worse.

What had Alison meant by him noticing something about her? They’d been married over thirty years; he knew everything about her…or thought he had. Reaching inside his breast pocket for his watch, he withdrew something else that he’d left there for safekeeping. Snapping open the small lid, he gazed at the diamond and sapphire eternity ring he’d always wanted to buy for Alison, and now that he could afford the gesture of love, apparently the love was floundering.

All he knew was that he wasn’t to blame!

As that thought surfaced, another mined away deep inside saying over and over again one word, indifference.

~ ~ ~

Chapter Twenty-eight

The constant ringing tone only caused Serena more agonizing, should she stop trying Cruisal’s number and contact the Bardley’s or keep trying; what a dilemma. A single jab of her finger aborted the call when she found the note with Lucy Bardley’s home number then punched in the number with a speed that would have won her a place on any telephone exchange.

Her exasperation increased as the busy signal greeted her.

Slamming her hand down on the desk sent the mountain of paperwork positioned on the edge rocking precariously until the inevitable happened, and the once tidy stack fell over into an untidy pile on the ground. Cursing in words better suited to San Quentin rather than her office, she went over to the mess and began the task of trying to put them back in order. As she did so, the half glass paneled door opened cautiously as Jenny shot her head around to see what the commotion was about and if she could help. When she saw the figure of her boss kneeling collecting papers, she swiftly walked across and bent to help her too. Serena looked up and gave the woman a grateful smile as she stood up then went back to the desk to decide what to do now. Only thing to do was to keep trying Lucy Bardley, nothing else she could do under the circumstances.

“Thanks, Jenny, any chance of another coffee when you have a spare minute, its going to be one of those long days. Oh, and I need you to book me on the next flight out of New York to LA, even if it means I have to leave now!”

Jenny wasn’t going to ask any questions as she glanced up and saw the serious expression in the detective’s eyes not to mention the grim features as she stared at the phone, which Jenny half expected to jump up and bite the woman. “No problem, I’ll do that now, fetch you coffee. I’ll put these files back in order for you and return them later.” Collecting the papers and quietly leaving the room without waiting for any answer, somehow she didn’t think she was going to get one anyway; her boss appeared to be way too occupied with other thoughts.

Picking up the receiver, Serena speed dialed Lucy’s number again and once more it was engaged. “Damn it, what the hell time would it be in LA!” As she glanced at her clock on the wall and deducted three hours, 3a.m. Who the hell talked on the phone at that time in the morning…unless, the phone had been cut. Shit, maybe she was too late!

Replacing the receiver she tried Cruisal’s number, and this time it was answered after several rings. “Yes, can I help you?”

“Is this Mr. Cruisal, Luke Cruisal?” Knowing it wasn’t, the voice was far too formal, could it be…

“May I ask your name please?”

“May I ask yours?” Serena countered much the same as the voice asked of her. This time she heard a couple of other voices in the background then the voice returned. “This is Agent Reynolds of the FBI, who are you?”

Gasping, feeling the blood leave her face, knowing she must look deathly pale. “Dusterly, Serena Dusterly. Agent Reynolds, I know why you are there, is Cruisal okay?” She asked holding her breath. If he was then her worse fears would pass, if not…

“Now why would a civilian know FBI business, Ms…Dusterly?”

Bullshit caution, Christ, this was a life and death situation. “Contact Agent Lloyd, he’ll verify my interest, now tell me, is Cruisal alive?” screaming out the last in annoyance.

She was told to hold and two minutes later another voice came on the line, a note of apology in his tone, “Ms. Dusterly, sorry to took so long, I’m Agent Cores, Cruisal is dead, I’m afraid.”

Serena closed her eyes dropping her head to hit her desk with a sharp thud. God this could mean only one thing, Lucy and her family were in grave danger and it might already be too late. “Was he tortured?”

“Yes, physically. Looks like a mighty struggle, the apartment’s in a mess, he was strapped to a chair and he’s been mutilated in several places, some I’d rather not divulge for your sake, Ms. Dusterly.”

“Don’t go all modest on me, Agent Cores, I’ve seen worse than any mutilation you can describe over the years. How long has he been dead?”

“I’d say an hour before we arrived. If he knew whatever information the killer wanted, I suspect the poor bastard gave in, especially when he cut off the genitals.”

The explanation made Serena feel her stomach rocking as she visualized the brutality, having seen one in her years, to-date. She might have Cruisal down as a low life but no one warranted that kind of payback…some might, depending on the gravity of the crime, however not for being a two timer. “I get the picture, what have they told you to do now?”

Her first thought had been to tell them to go check on Lucy, but how was she to know that these were FBI Agents; they sounded it sure, however, her client’s lives could be at stake here.

“We will wait for the police and the medical examiner. Lloyd told me to tell you someone is at your client’s home now; I can confirm if you give me the address.”

Serena gave out a sigh of relief, Russ had turned the tables on his previous error and hers too if they were safe. “I’ll do that myself, thanks for your help.” Politely ending the call, she sat looking at her hands clasped in front of her; Jesus this was only supposed to be a simple case.

Dialing the number again, she heard what was an unfamiliar tone, it was ringing then an excited answered, “Hello, Catherine, did you forget to tell me how many fingers and toes the twins have.”

Serena could hear the happiness in the voice and obviously by the comment, good news had been the reason for the phone being engaged earlier. “I’m sorry; my name is Serena Dusterly…”

“Ms. Dusterly, why, Serena, what a surprise! I thought you were Catherine, she’s just called to give us the marvelous news Jace gave birth to twins. I’m sorry, my dear, what can I do for you?” Alison Bardley gushed out as she pulled herself back finally asking what the young woman wanted.

“I’m very pleased for you all; Mrs. Bardley is Lucy home, I need to speak with her urgently?”

Alison pulled a face wondering what could be so urgent that the private detective would call at this hour, unless she was abroad and had forgotten the time differences. But why Lucy, she hadn’t even met the detective, had she? “Yes, I’ll wake her for you.”

Waiting impatiently for Lucy to be risen from her bed, Serena had to thank someone that at least they were unaware, at the moment, of the danger they were in.

After what seemed like hours, a grumbling Lucy Bardley picked up the phone from her extension in the bedroom. “What do you want?”

The bitterness and anger she could understand, however, it was still hard not to pull the woman up on it and say she was only calling to save her life not to hinder it. “Lucy, before you go all belligerent on me, listen carefully, it will save your life.”

“Save my life! What the hell are you up to now, Dusterly, don’t you think you’ve done…”

“Listen! You selfish bitch, listen to me now and for a moment stop feeling sorry for yourself or you and your mother could be dead before this conversation is over.”

Although Serena hadn’t wanted to sound so harsh, she had little choice to get the woman to listen. “I’m listening,” Lucy sat upright, her body reeling from the tone of the detective’s words and her insolent manner. Who the hell did she think she was?

“Is everything okay, Lucy?” Alison asked anxiously from the door, she’d not had time to tell Lucy the good news yet and was waiting to do just that. Pre-occupied with her own thoughts, she hadn’t heard Lucy’s words other than a muffled oath as her eyes traveled to the stairs. Jason must have decided to sleep on the couch in the study, silly man, she’d have more words with him over breakfast.

“Sure, Mom, Ms. Dusterly was …was helping me out on a project, guess she forgot what time it was here. Why don’t you go back to bed or make us a hot drink, I’ll be down in a minute.” Lucy smiled at her mother; one of them anxious was quite enough.

“I’ll check on your father, he must have fallen asleep in the study, like he used to do after a busy day.” Her words whispered wistfully as she left the room. Lucy watched her, feeling the strain her mother was feeling in those words. Hopefully they could work things out, her dad had said so, or had that been a dream.

“Are you listening, Lucy?” The urgent question pierced Lucy’s brain as she sighed heavily.

“Yes, what’s the problem, Detective; I thought you and I had parted company for good!”

“There’s no easy way to tell you this but …Cruisal is dead and you’re in danger, grave danger.” Serena heard the sharp intake of breath and the sob that accompanied it, one of immediate disbelief and denial and she knew what was coming.

“Dead, no, he can’t be! You’ve got it wrong, Dusterly, you’ve got it WRONG!” The scream was enough to wake the dead with the decibels.

Lucy was totally disorientated. This wasn’t happening, it was a nightmare that’s all, she was still asleep, just a figment of her overworked brain. Of course, all she had to do was think of something good and this would disappear, it would!

Serena wasn’t sure what was going on, the woman had gone silent. “Lucy, can you hear me, please, Lucy, you must listen, and listen now!”

Lifelessly the receiver hung from Lucy’s hand as she stared at the wallpaper in her room, a simple design in a pale yellow that contrasted well with the bold blue furniture in the room. That voice had to go away, it had to, she just had to wake herself up and it would be gone.

Serena was unable to do more than hang on the end of the line and hope that eventually her screeching down the line would be heard. Five minutes later she heard the muffled words from someone else in the room, unfortunately too far away to be coherent.

Then she sighed thankfully as Alison Bardley spoke into the instrument. “Are you still on the line, Ms. Dusterly, what’s going on?”

Her daughter was crying silently, evidence of tears drenching her face the only tell tale sign; Lucy wasn’t even speaking. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Alison sighed as she waited for the response, what a morning this was turning out to be. Marvelous news about the twins though she felt that Catherine wasn’t telling her everything then finding out Jason had apparently left her! He’d placed a short note on the kitchen table explaining he needed time to think and he felt she did too under the circumstances. If she decided that their marriage was worth anything to her anymore she would fly back to New York to be with him, he couldn’t drop things as suddenly as she could. If she didn’t …he’d not completed the sentence, so like him to bury his head in the sand. Now this, what next she wondered.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Bardley, there is no easy way to explain this without getting straight to the point. You know of Lucy’s association with a Luke Cruisal I take it?”

“Yes, a love affair gone wrong, what has that to do with you?”

“I’ll leave that for the moment if you don’t mind, what I have to say is vitally important and please, Mrs. Bardley, don’t wait to check up on me just do as I say.”

Perplexed but fascinated at the same time, Alison asked for her to continue. “Cruisal was murdered about an hour ago, along with the woman he was seeing. I’m afraid Lucy and yourself are in danger and you must leave your home now without fail. If they aren’t already around, FBI agents will be on the doorstep in a few minutes. When they get there, go with them and don’t waste any time, your lives DO depend in it, and will you do that please, Mrs. Bardley?”

Alison was jolted out of her own middle class suburban world of her own problems to what appeared to be a more sinister and distressing situation. Having no reason not to think that the detective, who had been so instrumental in Lisa’s recovery from that kidnapping episode, wasn’t right on this occasion, but how and why had it come to this?

“I’ll do as you say, Detective; will someone contact my husband and let him know the situation? How long will this take?”

Heaving a deep breath of relief, at least someone was listening at that end. “I’m heading back your way as soon as I can get on a flight. When I do, I’ll fill in all the gaps, I promise. Right now all you need to do is …”

“Serena, someone is at the door, that must be the FBI you mentioned.”

Rapidly digesting the information for the first time that morning, Serena asked her to wait and double check something with whoever was there, and not to let them pass unless she verified it.

A couple of minutes later, Alison came back on the phone and repeated the answer, Serena smiled, great the cavalry has arrived in disguise of the FBI.

“I’ll speak with you in person soon, Alison, and I’m really sorry about all this.”

Ten minutes later, Lucy was being half pushed into the back of a vehicle, her mind in shutdown mode. Soon she would wake up and this terrible scene would be a distant nightmare. Right now she was fighting every conceivable subconscious predator living and dead, why would that detective say Luke was dead?

~ ~ ~

“Joe, are you awake?” Raleigh Anderson pushed at the shoulder of her lover as he slept soundly. Usually his snores woke her up in the middle of the night but not this time, this time it was the guilt she felt at hiring that…that man.

“Joe!” sharply digging the sleeping man in the ribs which had the desired effect as he groaned in pain and blinked opening his eyes to see his fiancée watching him impatiently.

“What is it, Rally? Can’t a man get a decent night’s sleep around here?” Joe cursed as he looked at the time on the bedside clock.

“I’m worried …worried about that man I dispatched to take care of the Senator’s girlfriend.” Raleigh stated biting down on her lip as she spoke.

“Jesus, Rally, whatever for? He’ll do the job okay, so my contacts informed, and it will be out of your hands. No one will even know that you’re involved, so forget it and let’s get some sleep, baby.” Reaching up he smoothed the lines away that formed around her mouth and gave her a quick kiss before he plumped up the pillows and sank back down, as far as he was concerned subject closed.

Raleigh knew he was right, worse things had been perpetrated in the cause of political ambition. She could have said no and have the Senator do his own dirty work. Yeah right and she would be on skid row with her own career, Feldham wasn’t a charitable man regardless of the posters that indicated as much.

“Joe, he won’t hurt anyone, will he? I didn’t like his manner or the cold way he replied to my deal.”

Trying desperately to shut out her words but knowing that he’d have to appease her to get any more sleep; he pulled himself up and faced her with a smile, one of the things that had first attracted her to him, that butter wouldn’t melt in the mouth smile. “Darling, he might rough the people up a bit, give the girl a scare but no, no, I think you’re safe on that one, he wouldn’t kill anyone. We didn’t take out a hit, you know, just a little sweeping the dirt under the carpet, it happens all the time.” Pulling her into a comforting embrace, Raleigh felt that sinking feeling ease, Joe had never been wrong before, she was being foolish to worry.

“I love you, Joe.” She kissed him deeply as they sank back into the pillows, sleep forgotten for a time as they enjoyed the pleasure of the moment.

~ ~ ~

Jenny Clayton picked up the heavy file load and was about to open the door to her boss’ office when it opened and she cannoned into Serena, sending the files flying once more in an untidy pile on the floor between her and the Detective.

“Oh no!” Jenny looked at her boss briefly who, although still had a worried frown, gave her a half smile of apology. As the detective bent to retrieve the wayward papers at the same time as she did, they knocked heads as they reached for the same final file.

“Ow, that hurt!” Serena barked out, but the sentiment didn’t carry to her eyes since a twinkle appeared there in response to her assistant’s flushing cheeks. “Sorry, Jenny, all my fault. Dare I ask if you’ve made me any arrangements to travel to LA?”

Jenny, a hand on her head, wondered if a bruise would appear, knowing her short haircut wasn’t going to be able to disguise it easily, except with a copious amount of powder. “Yes, one of the reasons I was coming in to see you. I have a seat booked due to leave in an hour, will that give you time to get your stuff together?” wondering if the detective had even thought that far forward.

“Excellent, what have I done all these years without you, you’re wonderful, Jenny, remind me to give you a pay raise when I get back.” Serena hugged the slender woman for a split second, which was totally out of character but interestingly enough, didn’t make her feel uncomfortable. Hopefully Jenny was okay with it too, Serena hoped as she saw the telltale sign of more color on the woman’s cheeks. Well, no time for an investigation into that right now.

Serena turned back to her office and looked at the holdall that had her change of clothes from the last trip. Oh, what the hell, she’d buy something when she arrived in the airport. Picking up the valise and collecting gun, wallet and her ever-faithful notebook along with the micro recorder she announced. “All set.”

Jenny was feeling…well she didn’t know exactly what. That hug from her boss had shaken her and it really shouldn’t have, it was purely a grateful reaction to what must be a difficult case the detective was working on. She didn’t have all the details but knew it had to be serious since she’d never seen Serena look so uncomfortable, and dare she say it, worried! Normally her boss was calm, cool and collected about her caseload, often saying impartiality had to be the name of the game or you would end up burnt out in no time. Something about this case was stressing the detective out though and she obviously wasn’t that much help. “Is there anything you need me to do? Make some calls perhaps?”

Taking her jacket from the coat peg in her office as she headed out of her door, Serena gave her assistant a grateful smile shaking her head in the negative. However as she opened the outer door to leave the office, she turned abruptly. “Will you do one thing for me, I think I’ve left the lights on in my apartment, any chance you could drop by and switch everything off for me, take an early night?”

“Sure, it will be my pleasure, if you need me…”

Grinning as she left the office, her words floating back to the woman sitting at her desk, “You’re a star. I’ll take you out to dinner when I get back, see you soon, I’ll call when I can.”

Jenny sat back in her chair as she heard the elevator arrive with a clunk that had scared her initially when she came to work here but was now just one of those familiar sounds that you became used to. One day she might ring the building maintenance supervisor and ask if that sound was normal. Smiling, she looked at the mess of folders on her desk. Well, at least she could do this to help the detective she contemplated as her fingers nimbly set to work putting them back in order for the second time that day.

~ ~ ~

Alison held onto her daughter who was shaking but otherwise silent. For anyone to hear that a person had died in troubled circumstances was bad enough, however to actually know the person, and as in her daughter’s case, actually having fallen in love with the person, was trauma added to the already unfortunate situation of that ill-fated love affair. Now, soothing over the dark hair, she tried to console the child in any way she could and right now holding her close and saying she was safe might help.  Right now her whole purpose in life was to restore Lucy’s equilibrium; her own problems with Jason would have to go on a backburner for the foreseeable future. Once he found out what was happening he was sure to reconsider his precious business arrangements and provide much needed support.

“Mrs. Bardley, is there anyone else you can think of that might be in immediate danger?” The FBI agent swung around from the front passenger seat to ask her quietly while his eyes scanned every window for any sign that they were being followed.

Was there anyone other than Jason? He was the only who had been…my God no Neil! “I’m sure you already know about my husband. He was home earlier this evening but took a plane back to New York, the company he works for has a private jet. He should be reachable through them if he hasn’t already landed; I’ll give you the apartment’s number as well.”

“Great, thanks, we’ll get onto that immediately. In a way it’s good that your husband is in a different location, he could be safer that way.” Pulling out a notebook to take the numbers she mentioned he began scribbling away as he dialed the Agency to follow through. About to finish the call Alison looked at him. “You know someone else?” He’d seen that look before …indecisive, wondering if it was something that was valid or not …he’d always considered more information better than a partial story.

Clearing her throat she glanced down at Lucy who was staring ahead wide eyed but with a vacant expression that worried her greatly, maybe she should call a doctor when they got to the place they were heading, wherever that was. “I, I, hmm, have a friend, he, that is, we went out to a show this evening…last evening I mean.” Stumbling over her words as the agent gave her a steady smile encouraging her to carry on. “He brought me home around eight thirty, dropped me off then left. I’m not sure if that’s a problem or not…I wouldn’t want anything to happen to him or his family, he has a beautiful family…” Alison felt the tears welling up in her eyes, my God how could she live with herself if anything happened to Neil or his children.

“I’m sure he’ll be fine, Mrs. Bardley; however, I’ll have it taken care of to rest your mind.” Continuing his call then hung up and spoke softly to his partner who was driving the vehicle.

“My daughter might need a doctor, is that possible where we are going?” Alison asked rather than demanded. Right now she was struggling to hold onto her own courage. However, that was all that was stopping her from ending up in the almost comatose state her youngest was in. That wouldn’t do, nope, Lucy needed her to be strong and yes, she would be no matter what happened next. Although right now another shoulder for support, wouldn’t come amiss. If only …if only Jason hadn’t bailed out on her, what a mess.

“I’ll make the call.” The agent stared at the young woman and tried to hide his disquiet about the condition she was in, this could be tricky.

~ ~ ~

Russ Lloyd couldn’t take his eyes off the message he’d received moments before and struggled to answer his supervisor who finally tapped him on the shoulder to gain attention.

“What’s wrong, Russ?”

Glancing up from the screen that blinked repeatedly for a response he replied quietly. “We have a new development.”

“In the Jones murders?” Andrews sat next to the man, reading the contents of his computer screen.

“Where did you get that information from, Russ, one of ours?” The man spoke calmly but wrung his hands in a nervous gesture.

“No, Serena… Dusterly sent it to me before she boarded the flight to LA.”

“Can you verify the contents?”

“Already have, Shuman says he’d give it the thumbs up for accuracy from that source.”

Agent Andrews stood and pulled his fingers through his wiry hair. “Makes things tricky, Russ, you know that, right?”

Nodding his head as he read the screen once more, hoping that it had changed since he’d last looked at it, it hadn’t.

“I’m going to see the coordinator; we need top level assistance now. Who’s collected the package from the home?”

“Martin and Daniels, Fremont has gone to the friend’s home to check that all is well there, we’ll keep it under surveillance until it’s over. We haven’t managed to contact the husband yet, I’m still trying, and no one is answering the number I was given for the company.”

“All good agents contact Martin when they have the package contained. We need to consider that an identity change might be the only way out for them.”

“Yes, sir, I’ll try the husband again.” Russ dialed the number and waited, his eyes straying back to the console and the message that made things delicate and a political time bomb.

“Xianthos Corporation, how may I help you?”

“How many do you think we’ll lose, Larry?” Catherine finally asked the man who glanced out the window himself and saw the ever-deepening blanket of snow covering the yard.

Larry pulled at his chin before answering, knowing that whatever he said she wasn’t going to like in any way. Judy had told him she was in a foul temper because some idiot had jack knifed his articulated truck therefore closing off the pass to the main arterial road to town. The police indicated that it would be early the next morning when it would open again, weather permitting of course, which meant that Catherine wasn’t able to get back into town to see Jace and the new additions to the family. “We’ve done the best we can, and I’ve sent two of our best shepherds to try and help the ewes who are still weak after giving birth, you know they hate to lose any of the flock. However, I guess somewhere in the region of a couple of hundred lambs and maybe fifty ewes, it’s been a wee while since this has happened in the region.”

Closing her eyes she felt for the defenseless creatures that relied on them to at least protect them in these conditions. However, it had happened so quickly and she’d been so darned preoccupied with other things that they were the last things on her mind. As she looked down at the pile of papers on the desk, she wondered if that had been Colin’s mistake but in reverse. The phone rang loudly and made Catherine cringe at the decibel level as she quickly snatched it up and answered curtly.

“Colin! What a surprise, how’s everything?” Listening intently as the man related the last twenty-four hours. As he did so, Catherine heard his pain and frustration, in some ways reflecting her own predicament at not being able to get back to Jace and the twins.

“You’re coming home? When? That is why?” Her enthusiastic tone was picked up immediately by the man standing in the room with her as well as by the one on the other end of the line.

“I have not screwed anything up, Colin! Anyway, Larry has done a fine job in your short absence, isn’t that right, Larry?” Catherine handed him the receiver to chat with his boss. As she sank down in the comfortable chair at the desk her thoughts were thankful, someone up there was at least trying to give her a break today.

She listened to the one-sided conversation with half closed eyelids; it was only a little after four and she felt exhausted. After the family had lunch, Jake had taken off to chat to Ian on the net. Lisa had promised to take care of Elena until she came back from checking on the farm then had promised the girl that they would have a talk if that’s what she wanted. Surprisingly Lisa had hugged her tearfully and said she did want to talk, making her feel humble while her heart tore at the torment she saw in the young girl’s eyes.

Larry laughed at something Colin said, bringing Catherine back to the present company. She was then handed back the phone and two minutes later she was saying her thanks and goodbyes to Colin, as he’d arranged to drive back the five hours to the homestead rather than take the chance on a flight that might end up grounded in the present conditions. Though Christchurch wasn’t so bad, he’d seen the weather worsen in their area and knew he would be better off back home, especially now that Grace had refused to see him. Faith would stay and provide the family support and he hoped Grace would soon agree to see him and they could get back to what they once had. His main worry had been Georgina, however, Faith had promised to call him every evening to update the situation with his family. Even the doctors had agreed that for the moment this might be for the best, as Grace was upset and irrational when his name was mentioned. Absence makes the heart grow fonder was a great expression but what if it had the opposite effect in this situation? He had few choices and at least he could do some good at Destiny, even if he wasn’t able at this moment to help his own.

“Well, Larry, I guess tomorrow you and I can heave a sigh of relief now that Colin is returning, perhaps things will start to take a turn for the better.” Standing up and flexing her shoulders, she smiled briefly when she saw, out of the corner of her eye, two small figures heading towards the barn. They looked like walking snowmen as the heavy snowfall covered their bodies quickly, apparently not a problem for the two youngsters obviously set on an adventure of some kind.

“Call me if you need me, I’ll be up at the house. Incidentally, what’s in the small barn over there, Larry?” She indicated the barn and the two approaching white figures.

He grinned at the two children, the much smaller one earnestly trying to keep up with the taller one, making their way against the blizzard towards the entrance of the barn. “Nothing significant, we keep extra feed in there, though Lisa asked for the key earlier today. I opened it for her just after lunch, sorry if I did wrong, Mrs. Warriorson.”

Quizzically watching the pair reach the barn door and slowly opening it a little as they crept inside, she smiled slightly as she reached for her outer coat pulling it on rapidly. “No worries, Larry, we all know Lisa and her inquisitive side, I’ll check it out. Save as many of the animals as you and boys can …there’s a bonus for all those who stay overnight to help.” She left the man with an open mouth at the generous offer. Not that it was needed since everyone on the homestead was as committed as he was to see the animals safe, however, a bonus was always a welcome extra and they’d happily take it.

Catherine grimaced as the polar conditions hit her in the face, feeling her cheeks sting at the cold icy blast that also invaded the warmth of her outer jacket almost immediately. The kids would be freezing and this time she would have a few choice words with Judy about letting them out of the house. With her feet crunching on the snow making large prints in the otherwise virgin landscape of the yard, she approached the barn and listened for a second or two at the door before opening it. And as quickly as the children had done, step inside to the relative comfort of the building. Her eyes squinted as the light changed dramatically from the brightness of the whiteness outside to the dimness of the barn. In the far corner she saw the glimmer of torch light and softly spoken words, picking up Lisa telling Elena to be quiet.

Walking slowly over to the area she watched, from her much taller vantage point, the two children knelt on a bundle of straw, their eyes fixed on a dark corner and very faintly she heard unfamiliar noises. She strained to see what they were so intrigued with, which was virtually impossible for her with only one sighted eye and her good one not as strong as she would like it to be, feeling the old frustration of not having her old 20/20 vision.

Catherine shivered as she felt an unseen slither of snow drop down the back of her neck; it had almost given her away as she stopped her verbal grievance at the icy water just in time. Then she felt a glow come over her as she listened to the two children so rapped up in this new adventure of theirs.

“See, Elena, can you see, aren’t they beautiful?” Lisa clasped her younger sister’s mitten encased hand as she waved her other towards the dark corner.

Elena blinked at her sister with a huge smile on her face, and if Catherine had ever wondered if their terror could ever be still to appreciate something, she was witness to it right there and then. Elena pointed in the direction of the corner as she whispered. “Beaut, beaut, Lis, home, come home?”

“No, we can’t take them home, Eli, Mom might not agree, we’re going to have to ask her first, okay.” Lisa smiled gently at her little sister wondering if she dare let Elena ask Catherine if they could do that.

“Mom yeahhhhh,” The toddler began to giggle and Lisa smiled too as they both pulled back abruptly hearing a shrill rebuke at them for disturbing whatever was in the corner.

Catherine was surprised at the noise too as she pulled away and walked backwards into the wall, coming into contact with a piece of equipment that jangled ominously. Ah, she was busted now!

“Anyone in here?”

Lisa put a hand over Elena’s mouth to stifle the child’s joy at hearing her mamma in the room with them.  Darn, her mother had caught them, she wasn’t going to be happy and what would she say about their newfound friends.

“It’s us, Mom.” Lisa answered obediently. If she was lucky, they could get out of the barn without Catherine seeing their new finding, giving her a chance to broach the subject at the right time.

Walking out of the shadows, Catherine smiled at them both slowly and was engulfed, as always, by her toddler terror that, when she was a little older, would need teaching that she wasn’t a tackler in a rugger game. Mind, it might be something she could do when she went to school if she enjoyed the sport, Jake would certainly teach her what he knew since she could twist the young man around her little finger and she was only three! “Ah, so there you two are, I thought I saw something strange enter the barn earlier.”

Lisa sucked in her breath as Catherine spoke. Oh no, she might already know all about their secret and could have been on her way to turf the poor creatures out. “Really, mom, what was that?” Her eyes looking down at her boots, strands of straw sticking to the wet surface as she bent to remove them not wanting eye contact with Catherine.

Catherine noted the action and a twinkle of devilment entered her blue eyes. “Hmm, well, it was an interesting sight I must say, never thought it would happen around these parts.”

Caught out with the softly spoken words, sparking an interest unaware she was being teased. “What did you see, Mom?”

Grinning, she picked up Elena who smacked her with a delightful wet kiss and clinging to her neck entered the conversation excitedly. “See, mamma, what see?”

“What indeed, Elena,” with a wink at Lisa who watched her cautiously waiting for her answer. “Abominable snowmen, two of them, tiny though. I figured, from all the myths, that they were tall fellows like me.”

Sucking in a breath Lisa naively whispered. “Where, Mom? Where did you see them, show me, please?”

Chuckling softly, Catherine tweaked Lisa’s nose gently. Touching her head then Elena’s she answered. “You two!”

“Aw, Mom, that’s not fair, we’re not monsters!” Lisa indignantly retorted.

“No? Really, and who told you that, pray tell?” Catherine placed a tender arm around her eldest daughter as they dissolved into laughter, all three of them.

“I love you, Mom.” Lisa hugged the taller figure as hard as she possibly could with her frail arms.

“Feeling’s mutual, Princess. However, I bet you can show me a couple of monsters yourselves.”

Unaware of what she was saying initially before she put her hand to her mouth realizing she’d spilled the beans. “In the corner, Mom, they are so cute, can we keep them?”

“Not sure about that, let’s see what’s so cute first.” They walked carefully over to the corner and Lisa shined the small beam of her torchlight to the spot that both children had been glued to when Catherine had entered the barn.

“Look, Mom, kittens and their mommy looks so thin, can we feed her, please, can we?” Lisa pleaded, her tender heart going out to the new mother and her babies.

Well, at least it wasn’t a possum, was Catherine’s initial thought as she breathed out a small sigh of relief. Possum was vermin in this part of the world and she would have had little choice but to have the men dispose of the creatures. As she surveyed the felines, she had to admit they did look cute. The grey, tiger striped cat with a white ruffle around its neck looked up at the commotion as she placed a protective paw over the tiny offspring suckling her enthusiastically. They were too small and the light poor to make out any markings on the kittens, but with the rapt expressions on both children, did she have any choice in what was to happen next.

“Can we, Mom, please?” This time the inflection in her daughter’s voice became almost a pathetic whine.

Blue eyes and green stared at her with the innocence of the children they were. And if anyone from her the past had said she didn’t have a heart, they had only to see her buckle under the intensity of these two children who she loved dearly, and that would be another legend ground into dust.

“Let’s go inside, I’ll have Judy make up something suitable for a nursing feline mother and her kittens then tomorrow we’ll see what we can do about them. Though I’m making no promises, mind you. If the cat is wild, she’ll not take kindly to being in a domestic situation and you have to respect that, Lisa, okay?”

Nodding her head, “Can I find out all about cats on the net, Mom?”

Catherine smiled at the precocious child whose smile kept growing. “Sure, you can use the computer in the office.”

Lisa’s eyes sparkled at the honor. No one but Jace was ever allowed to use Catherine’s office computer. “Cool, Mom, thank you.” Catherine was given another hug. She grinned at the excited expression on her daughter’s face as she checked their clothing to make sure they were as wrapped up as possible for the short journey back to the house.

As she glanced one last time towards the small family in the corner, she felt a tear grow in her weak eye as she thought of Jace and their son and daughter. Wiping away the offending trickle, scoffing at her own sentimentality she followed her offspring out into the cold.

~ ~ ~

An hour later, having warmed up sufficiently after the cold blast from outside, Catherine looked over the top of Elena’s, who was struggling to stay awake, head. According to Judy, she hadn’t taken her usual nap and was now paying the price. She had protested when she was given her malt biscuits instead of the delicious hot rolls the housekeeper was cooking up for dinner and there had been a screaming match for about ten minutes. Finally she’d taken the child in hand and sat her down on her lap, stroking her hair soothingly until she finally settled down. Lisa missed the exhibition since she’d been busy learning as much as possible from the net on the strays in the barn. Jake had yet to surface from his room, not that Catherine blamed him under the current circumstances.

“Want me to bathe her and get her to bed?” Judy asked quietly. She’d received a very odd look from her employer when all three had arrived home covered in snow, shivering from the Antarctic blast that was upon them at the moment. Yes, perhaps she shouldn’t have allowed the children out but Lisa was a law unto her and had slipped out taking Elena with her when she’d been ironing the laundry in the recessed room. Not that she was going to say anything about that, in her opinion Lisa was having too many mini crises at the moment and confronting her about disobeying her wouldn’t help. Taking a bit of brusqueness from Catherine was okay once in a while as long as it wasn’t too often. Discipline in children had to be maintained although tempered with gentleness and understanding from time to time. And when she had found out why the children had slipped out, it hadn’t seemed such a bad thing.

Peeping at the child held in her arms, she shook her head gently. “No, Judy, thanks all the same, I’ll do that. I think she misses Jace more than we probably realize.” Kissing the top of the dark head of hair, she felt the chubby arms squeeze her tighter in an acknowledging hug, even if she didn’t know what they were talking about.

“Okay, look, Catherine, about the children being out…”

“Hold it, Judy; before you go any further I have something to say. I know I’m asking a lot of you at the moment and it should be me that’s checking on the kids, making sure that they stay inside on days like this. I left the responsibility with you and I’m sorry. Lisa can be a handful and Elena …well we both know how willful she can be. Can’t you, baby?” Catherine smiled into the innocent green eyes that blinked sleepily at her as she spoke.

“Love, Mamma.” Elena mumbled incoherently.

“You’ve got a lot on your plate at the moment, I understand and I’m sorry about Lisa earlier too. I really should have checked to make sure Jake had done as I’d asked.”

Catherine frowned when Judy mentioned Jake. Maybe she’d have to have the odd word with him too about them all pulling together at the moment, more so when Jace arrived home with the twins. “Let’s forget it, shall we, and do what we can. I’m grateful for your help more than you’ll know. Did I mention that Colin would be back tomorrow?”

Turning in surprise before she opened the stove door. “No, really, so soon? Is that good news about Grace and Georgina?” Hoping it was, and then maybe Faith would return soon as well. She missed her friend’s companionship and help with the kids.

“No, unfortunately. I think Grace is still the same, can’t expect miracles in a couple of days, can we? He thinks it will help being back here, probably take his mind off what’s going on. In a strange way and between you and me, I could use him back here. He’s the most experienced farmer I know and those poor creatures out there need an expert, not a name-only farmer who owns the property and a foreman out of his depth.” Catherine admitted, knowing her comment sounded selfish.

“I wouldn’t call you a name-only farmer. You don’t give yourself enough credit and Larry’s doing great according to the guys.” Judy was surprised to hear her boss depreciating herself in such a way.

“Larry is working out great; however, he’ll admit this is way over his head when it comes to organization. And I, well, give me the horses any day and I’ll manage just fine. Sheep on the other hand are all Colin’s domain.” Standing up she winked at her daughter as she pulled her closer into her shoulder.

“Let’s go, little lady, time for your water playtime.” Smiling at Judy, she left the room for a half-hour of splashing around that would certainly use up any reserve energy their little tyke had. Then it was on to the next problem of the day, her eldest daughter and her woes.

~ ~ ~

Jace watched the snow settle in the car park from outside her window sighing heavily; she’d been sleeping when Catherine had called to say there wasn’t any way she could get back to the hospital that day, however, she’d be there as soon as the road opened up. Although disappointed Catherine couldn’t get back, she was grateful in a way. In these kinds of conditions it was better to be snug at home rather than travelling the miles from the hospital to Destiny every few hours.  Anyway, the other children might welcome some quality time with Catherine. It might help to prevent any possibility that the twins were going to make a difference in how much they loved them.

Turning her gaze back into the room, she smiled tenderly as she looked inside the crib that held her newest daughter. Her eyes taking in the tiny features that were scrunched up in sleep and for a few moments stopped breathing when she was sure she saw one of her lover’s expressions on the puckered face. It brought a glow of satisfaction to her that maybe just maybe their daughter had Catherine’s gene’s running through her body. She gently touched the downy head of hair, which was quite a mop of fair hair yet you couldn’t call it blonde but she wasn’t a brunette either. In time they would find out, hopefully she wasn’t a red head with the temper to go with it. Titian or reddish-brown was quite popular in Catherine’s family ancestry, from the portraits that had been hanging in Constantia’s home on the Island. Catherine’s aunt was going to get a kick out of seeing two more additions to the family, not to mention her own Mom. Looking at the clock she surmised that her mom would be up and around, probably flying around to check out the next flight to New Zealand. They’d planned, kinda, for her Mom to be with her this time around. However, the fates chose it not to be, perhaps next!

A delightfully soft chuckle, which didn’t cause her daughter to stir, filled the otherwise quiet room as she pictured Catherine’s face if another child headed their way. Her lover had been wonderful in every aspect about the children that now shared their life together, however, there were times of strain evident when Catherine didn’t approve of something the children did and five children in the equation hadn’t been in Catherine’s calculations, she was darn sure of that. Times change and people do too, if she looked back on how much they had both changed, she’d have to concede that her partner had sacrificed the most in accommodating her new circumstances. All her life she had just wanted to help people, find love and be loved in equal measure. Catherine was without doubt the love of her life and the moments they shared, good and bad, were the stuff of stardust being distributed all over their lives in many forms and the blessing of children was to her one of the greatest.

As she stared down at her child at peace in the crib, her thoughts drifted to their son. The nurse had said he was also sleeping, but that in an hour she’d drop by and wheel her to the incubation area so Jace could sit for a time with her son. The melancholy thought that he might not have made it was a very sober thought and she wondered, just for a moment, what life would have been like with Catherine without any of the children. Would their love be as strong, what would their life be like? A part of her refused to admit that Catherine might have decided that, as the world had her story, it was time she resurfaced and went back to her old position at Xianthos, would their relationship have survived that or become a casualty? A tiny devil inside her said it wouldn’t have endured the suffocating stranglehold that the Corporation had on lives, no matter how hard you tried for it not to do so. Thankfully her parent’s marriage was strong enough and deep enough to be buffeted in that situation; anyway, her Dad was more a figurehead than actually running the place as Catherine used to do.

A gentle knock on the door alerted Jace to her surroundings again as the door creaked open slowly and the very short ash blonde head of the new Reverend popped inside, a beaming smile on the woman’s face. “Hi, Jace, want a visitor for a few minutes?”

“Amanda, how wonderful, how did you know I was here?” Jace grinned back at the woman as she beckoned her inside.

“A little bird told me…okay, your family’s absence was noted this morning at the service. Clarence was upset and made inquiries, he said you had to be sick or something equally disruptive must have happened, for you never missed one of his services and certainly not his last one. He told me to tell you that he’ll be along tomorrow with his wife to see the twins. By the way, where are they?”

Jace, listening to the woman who spoke faster than a New Yorker, pondered that her mouth surely must be gapping as she slowly put her hand up to her lips and silently thanked goodness she wasn’t. “My daughter is sleeping here and my son, he’s in the incubator ward, he was so tiny he can’t breathe properly on his own.”

Concerned grey eyes gave her a compassionate look as the Reverend walked over to the crib and peered in at the baby. “Hey, she’s gorgeous and looks like her mother.” The Reverend Amanda Spencer whispered with a twinkle in the eye.

“Yeah, yeah, she does, Catherine doesn’t see it that way but…”

“Not Catherine, you, she looks like you, she has the shape of your eyes.” Amanda grinned. Parents never ever thought the babies looked like them, it was always up to others to point that out and no way couldn’t you see the resemblance.

Jace slowly took in every crease and pucker on the tiny face as the baby pursed her lips and blew bubbles in her sleep. That sight alone was enough to make Jace tearful of what a miracle life was. “I’ll make my judgement when we get her and her brother home and they begin to cause us headaches, then we’ll chose whose children they are. If they are anything like Elena, well, Catherine and I disown our daughter at least once a week for all of a minute.

“Whatever you say, she’s beautiful and you look good, how are you feeling?”

Jace smiled warmly at the woman, as she sat down on the chair that was placed near to her bed. “Good, I wasn’t expecting this but now that it’s all over and my two children have been born into the world, pretty much okay. I’ll go from strength to strength, thank you for asking.”

“Good as gold, where is the other half anyway, thought she’d want to be here twenty-four seven.”

Jace chuckled at the Reverend’s mimic of Catherine’s voice and while she spoke, the phone on the bedside table rang. Still laughing softly, Jace answered it…

~ ~ ~

Lisa watched Catherine from the corner of her eye as she scrolled down a page on the Internet of information on stray cats. Her Mom had arrived in the room moments before and looked tired, perhaps she was too tired to have that mother daughter talk. In a way she hoped so because right now she was excited about the cat and her kittens and her mind was on that and persuading the woman who now sat on the large leather sofa in the study waiting for her to finish.

“I’ll be done in a minute, Mom; I just need to print it out.”

Staring at the sheaf of paper already stacked on the printer, Catherine frowned. Was she trying to extract a book? “Okay, found anything interesting?”

Blue eyes widened dramatically as the youngster grinned engagingly. “Of course, Mom, the Internet knows everything!”

Smiling as she closed her eyes for a few minutes waiting for Lisa to finish up. “Really, well I’ll take your word for it.”

Five minutes later Lisa bounced down next to her on the sofa clutching the sheets of paper as Catherine, inwardly flinching, looked down at them. Tomorrow she’d have to change the printer ink, those color shots would have been intensive and you could bet your life she’d be printing off a report and the damn thing would run out if she didn’t remember and she hated for that to happen. Another of her pet peeves and she had a few, especially when it came to the ecommerce part of her life. However, the compensations were far greater and being here right now about to have a delicate conversation was one of them though a few years ago she wouldn’t have considered that an option she would call compensation, nope, more a trial.

“Mom, if you’re tired we can chat another day.”

At the sincere words Catherine smiled, placing a loving arm around the girl and pulling her closer. “No way, I want to know what’s going on and you can start anywhere you want and in any order but don’t leave anything out, deal?”

“It’s not what you think, Mom?”

“Hey, Princess, how do you know what I think until you tell me the full story and I give you my take on it, and it is only my point of view. Jace, as you know, might differ and you can ask her that yourself when she gets home. I think for now we play it close to our chests, don’t you, and not let her get steamed up at the moment, because we both know how she can be.” Winking conspiratorially at her eldest daughter who giggled at the teasing she was being subjected too.

“Deal, Mom, I think I’d better start at the climbing frame…”

Catherine didn’t quite understand that at first but as the story continued she did and her blood was close to boiling as the injustices to both her and her new friend, Toni, came to light. Tomorrow she’d deal with it in a big way, teachers weren’t always right!

As silence stretched at the conclusion of the first part of Lisa’s current woes, blue eyes stared reluctantly into ice blue ones. “Are you mad at me, Mom, for not telling the truth and facing up to the bully?”

Hugging the slender body to hers, she gave her a serious glance. “No, not with you, others perhaps and I’ll deal with them tomorrow. Right now I want to know what happened today, why you were out of the homestead on the road alone and for so long. Assuming you want to tell me, that is, no pressure.”

It had taken five years and lots of cajoling by Jace to listen and not jump to conclusions on behalf of the children and now she felt she could. Anyway, Jace wasn’t here right now to help out. Not to mention the therapy sessions she’d undertaken with Lisa, all in all she was more in control of the galloping to conclusion methods she was used to being accused of, unfortunately rightly so, now it was different and she hoped her daughter saw that too.

“I was waiting for my friend Toni.”

“I see and she definitely said she was coming over in this weather?” Skeptical that any parent would let their children travel several miles outside of town to play in the polar conditions they were currently experiencing.

“Yes, definitely she said so…at least…”

“At least?”

Lisa pulled at her bottom lip recalling the conversation as clearly as she could. “She was going to ask her brother to bring her over and perhaps he couldn’t for some reason. But she could have called, mom, I was freezing out there!”

“Hey, Princess, I’m sure there was a reasonable explanation for her not calling you, did she have our number?” Catherine waited for the girl to answer as she saw the perplexed expression cross the younger face.

“I never gave her it, isn’t it in the directory though?” The child asked as the knowledge dawned on her that they were ex-directory and only those given the number could call. Putting a hand to her mouth she gasped out. “We’re ex-directory, aren’t we, Mom, I forgot about that.”

“Yes we are, Lisa, and I’m sure she was disappointed when she couldn’t call to cancel. If she helped you at school, I’m sure she wouldn’t be hateful to you outside of it, do you?”

A bright smile crossed her face as Lisa turned to Catherine and hugged her tight, kissing her cheek in delight. “Mom, you’re wonderful, I love you.”

“Well, that’s good to know. I love you too, Princess, is that it for now?”

“Just one more thing, I promise.” laughing at the mock groan that emanated from her mother.

“If the stray doesn’t want to be domesticated, do you think we can have a kitten from the litter?” Her wide eyes glowed at Catherine. Scratching the side of her face in thought, Catherine felt the tiny traces of the scars that were still on her face and would be forever, a timely reminder of how life could change and spin around in a moment.

“Tell you what, how about we see what happens with the cat and the kittens? My guess is that if you make her comfortable in the barn, she’s going to want to stay and she can earn her keep by catching any mice that might want to settle in too. How would that be for a starter?”

“Oh, you are awesome, Mom! I love you more and more and more and more…”

Holding her hand up laughing, “Sure, I get the point, go clean up for dinner. I’m going to make a call and join you, tell your brother I want him there too and not eating in his room on the computer chatting to his friends.”

Lisa jumped up excited at the prospect of keeping the cat and her brood, even if it was in the barn. Her whole world, which had been looking shaky up to now, was as solid as a rock and as she opened the door to leave, she shouted back inside. “Mom, I was wrong earlier.”

Catherine puzzled at the comment asked. “About what?”

“The Internet doesn’t know everything, you do! See you at dinner, give my love to Jace.”

The door closed and Catherine sat in silence, dumbstruck at the reply for two reasons. One, she’d obviously got it right today with their chat. And two, she’d never mentioned who she was calling. What a precocious and astute child Lisa was.

Smiling happily she flexed her muscles, walked over to the desk, dialed the hospital and waited for the moment the love of her life spoke and then her world would be as happy as Lisa’s appeared to be.

Alison rushed out of her chair by the door of her daughter’s makeshift room, in this place they called a safe house, when the doctor who had been at their destination on arrival opened the door stepping silently into the tiny hallway.

She had wanted to be there for the examination, however, the Agents who were travelling with her had insisted that it was imperative that they point out to her the dangers she, and especially her daughter, were now under. The recent news the FBI had, that the hit had manifested from the Hill, made things even more urgent, reluctantly Alison had agreed, allowing the doctor to examine her child alone.

“Doctor, how is she?”

The young doctor, whom Alison thought was hardly out of medical school, smiled reassuringly at her. “Don’t worry; she’s disorientated, distressed obviously, and needs to get some rest. I’ve given her a sedative and I’d like you to administer this to her again, if you think she’s becoming hysterical.”

“You think this is just the initial shock and it will pass?” Alison wasn’t convinced. Hysteria she’d seen before, ranting and raving usually a prerequisite, wasn’t it? Lucy had been the opposite, as if she had shrunk into a world of her own where nothing could hurt her. Okay, that was a mother’s opinion and she wasn’t an expert but...

“I do Mrs.?” The young man smiled warmly. He’d seen cases like this before and normally after several hours of sleep the patient opened up to the situation and began the process of healing, which usually started with tears and recriminations.

Alison stared at the door of the room; this was a dream, it had to be. How could something so normal end up this way? How many thousands of people a day suffered a broken heart through a love affair then went on to pick up the pieces and getting on with their normal life…not end up running for their lives!

“Bardley, Alison Bardley. I’ll call you tomorrow if there isn’t any change and I’m not satisfied.”

The young doctor nodded his head, “Of course, why not go inside and sit with her for a few minutes. She’s sleeping although it might help you both under the circumstances. Would you like me to prescribe you…?”

“No! No, I don’t take drugs unless absolutely necessary and now is not the time to be without fully functioning senses,” surprised that the doctor should offer her the sleeping tonic too.

“Take care, Mrs. Bardley.” The young doctor smiled again irritatingly so, and left to talk with the other agents in the building.

Alison opened the door of the room quietly and from a distance watched her youngest child sleep like a baby, outwardly innocent of what was happening in the world, yet inside, everything she knew had broken into millions of tiny fragments and was now struggling to cope.

Walking over to the bed, Alison placed a hand on her daughter’s forehead moving the bangs away, anxious not to disturb the induced sleep in any way for fear her child might think it part of the horror of the day.

“I love you, baby.” Alison whispered finally kissing her daughter’s forehead tenderly.

She turned towards the only chair in the room intent on dragging it over towards the bed when Lucy mumbled. “I know you do, Dad, we love you too, even Mom.”

A wry smile crossed her lips as she pondered that one. Lucy must be in a safe place if she was dreaming about her Dad. Then the words brought home the calamity that had befallen them and she sank down on the side of the bed instead of fetching the chair over. Tears began to fall as she wondered what would happen next. This kind of thing happened only on TV not to people like her, this couldn’t be real!

Sliding next to Lucy, she placed comforting arms around her child who had begun to whimper. Softly entreating her to settle down, everything was going to be okay, her Mom was there and she would protect her no matter what. The action calmed the young woman in her arms, who sighed and thankfully seemed to settle into a deep sleep.

Alison closed her eyes trying to calm her own shattered composition. Why aren’t you here with us in our hour of need, Jason, why? Lucy’s words rang in her ears, ‘even Mom.’

Serena yawned, stretching her cramped body as she waited in line to get through the exit gate at the airport, on her way to the Bardley’s. Right now that was the only place she could be of any use. Every mile she traveled she kept blaming herself for this catastrophe. If only she hadn’t been so damn keen to get it all stitched up and out of the way then she might have seen the warning signs. She, more than anyone, knew that accusations, right or wrong, had a tendency to stick and follow you wherever you went in the future. Feldham, she knew, wouldn’t want any mud sticking to his pristine reputation, even if it was warranted. He would make sure that he covered his back to such an extent that it would be impossible to dig up any dirt…yet she had found it easily enough! Was there an ulterior motive behind that? No, couldn’t be, this was out of the blue and the Bardley’s had no direct connection to Feldham…that she knew of.

Pulling out her cell she dialed her office, smiling briefly when Jenny answered in a wonderfully professional manner; things had looked up in that department since her assistant had joined the work force. “Hi, Jenny, it’s me, I’ve just arrived at the airport. Will you do something for me, please?”

“Hi, you made it safely, anything.” Her enthusiasm made Serena smile even wider.

“Please call Constance Waverly at Xianthos Corporation and ask her if the company, or any of the Bardley’s, have a connection to Senator Feldham in any way?”

Jenny pulled a face; it was Sunday, surely the woman wouldn’t be at her company today? “Serena, do you have her private number?”

“Private number…oh shit, it’s Sunday, what’s with my brain these days. I’m getting more and more number challenged everyday. In my desk, second drawer on the left, there’s a key to the lock in the filing space entitled junk, it’s the one on a Warner Bros. key fob, you can’t miss it. I have a black book…yeah; don’t laugh its true, in there under Waverley.” Serena walked purposely towards the taxi stand not entirely sure where she was going but swiftly deciding to visit the Bardley’s home as a starting place. After checking that out, she’d call Russ on the way and leave for the safe house if allowed; there might be opposition from certain quarters. Although she’d exerted some influence from a pretty high level of her own to gain access, there was the odd perk of doing favors for the Fed’s and she was cashing in some of hers big time.

“I’ll do that directly, shall I call you after I’ve contacted her? Will she know though, have you tried Mr. Bardley?” Jenny felt the urgency in the tone, as she stood up from her desk ready to run over to find the number and call the woman.

“Yes, immediately, Constance will know. Worse case scenario, I’ll contact someone who will, but we don’t want to go down that path just yet. As to Bardley, I want to leave him out of the equation at the moment; he will have enough to worry about.” By now the Agency should have contacted him.

“I’m on to it, Serena; I’ll call you back shortly.”

For a few seconds Serena didn’t want the contact broken, a part of her felt that in a strange way she wouldn’t ever see her assistant again, bemusedly that hurt. Shaking her head she concentrated on the task at hand, “Jenny, be careful, okay, and thanks, I’ll talk with you soon.”

Hailing the next taxi, she stepped inside and gave the driver the Bardley’s address.

Jason paced the apartment lounge floor intent, to the discreet onlooker, on making his mark in the luxury Berber carpet specially commissioned for the room.  Dragging a hand through his grey sideburns he closed his eyes tightly, literally wishing away the phone call he’d had an hour earlier as he’d placed his overnight bag in the hall.

As he’d walked silently into the apartment, the phone had rang with an urgent call from the FBI, which had Sally Railston panicking unaware her employer had entered the room. Her relief clearly etched onto her face as she passed him the phone, he having entered the dining area where he heard her speaking, and scuttled off to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee, the only thing she could think of at that moment. The man at the other end of the receiver had been adamant that it was imperative to speak with Mr. Jason Bardley, a delicate matter regarding his family. Knowing it had to be a grave matter if the FBI were involved.

Three large scotches rather than coffee later had him slightly numbed to the news that his wife and daughter were in a secret destination, safe, while they tried to find the person responsible for a series of murders. At first he’d asked the Agent if he was joking or if it was a stupid prank but once he was given the name of the man killed, he knew it wasn’t anything but the truth. The crashing of waves against the sea wall on a wild winter day was nothing compared to the crescendo that built inside his head as he realized that Alison and Lucy would be scared to death, and he wasn’t there, or able to get to them to provide support. He and Alison might have the odd grievance about how their relationship was going, but the family ties would never be stronger than at a time of crisis and he, being the fool that he was, had left them alone to face this predicament! What kind of father, husband and man was he?

The agent had told him to stay where he was, stating he was in less danger to himself and the investigation if he stayed out of the State. Once the women were settled, a direct phone link would be in place and he could speak with them, patience was all that the agent asked of him for the moment, they would call back.

Patience! Who the hell had patience in such a situation as this, and what did he do now, what could he do to help? The FBI didn’t believe he was in any danger at this time, although they had an agent assigned to him until the investigation was complete. Though how long that was going be, no one knew, what if it was never safe for them, what then?

He had been just about to sit down heavily on the nearest chair next to his now Berber-walking track when Sally put her head around the door, “I’m sorry to bother you, Jason, can I do anything to help?”

Earlier the agent had told him not to discuss the matter with anyone but he’d have gone mad if he couldn’t at least say something. However, that something unfortunately had him spilling the whole sordid story, along with the fact that he’d left his wife and look at what had happened! Sally had been marvelous. He’d found a shoulder to cry on, and although he hadn’t shed any tears outwardly, inside he had broken like a baby and all he wanted was to be with his wife and child. No business deal or difference of opinion meant a damn thing in life if he couldn’t share it with the ones he loved. And right now, though his faith in Alison had been shaken, he loved her deeply and always would, no matter what the future held for them, together or apart. The love he felt for his child would never diminish, and though he felt bad that he’d done what he’d done with setting a private investigator on the case, in his heart of hearts he had acted with love for his youngest daughter, wanting only the best for her. As it turned out, a part of him was glad he’d done it now, because at least she wasn’t dead like the scum ball she’d fallen for. A part of him, however, questioned if the current scenario would have happened if he’d left well alone. If Lucy would have found out in a different manner about her deceased fiancé’s infidelity, but he buried that feeling as soon as it surfaced, no way was he to blame for any of this. In his mind, Lucy had been in the wrong relationship at the wrong time!

“Mr. Bardley, are you okay? Can I get you anything?” Sally asked again as she saw the ashen features barely register her presence, so engrossed was he in his thoughts that were positively tragic, if the expression he was pulling could paint its own story.

Clearing his head with a tiny shake, Jason stared bleakly at the woman who was kindness itself. In many ways she reminded him of Alison, way back when he knew for certain they were happy together. It caused a sharp pain in his heart as he realized that he had been dense not to see his current matrimonial problems heading like an out of control train towards him. He really hadn’t considered his wife in any of the major decisions regarding them in the last couple of years. How could he expect her not to rebel eventually? If there was one thing that many people didn’t realize about his wife was that, though she might come across only as the compassionate and caring person, she wasn’t one to be stepped on or ignored indefinitely. He’d done both and being the idiot that he was, he hadn’t realized it, even when she’d tried to reason with him. No, that hadn’t gotten through to him until now, now when there was a chance that she might never be in his life again. A feeling he realized was akin to when someone you loved died…well, Alli wasn’t dead yet, and he was going to make amends, yes he was, to her and Lucy, they were going to be a family again, he would ensure it would happen!

“Sorry, Sally, I’m going to make a couple of phone calls and try to take a nap. You have the day off, remember? Why not go out and do what you planned.” Standing in front of the woman, he saw her worried expression as she was about to deny she had anything planned; wanting desperately to stay with him, right now wasn’t good to be alone. “I know what you’re going to say, Sally…believe me, I’m grateful, but right now I need to spend a little time alone, I hope you understand?” He walked past her laying a gentle hand on her shoulder fleetingly as he left the room.

The housekeeper bent her head as she acknowledged his wish. Her heart felt some of the pain he was feeling, however, the worse possible thing had happened and she hadn’t even realized it. Not until today and he had opened up to her, telling her what was happening. Yes, the worse possible thing that could happen to any person under the current circumstances had happened…she was in love with Jason Bardley and he was very much in love with his wife!

Serena’s cell bleeped for attention after she’d been at the Bardley family home fifteen minutes, having spent several minutes talking with Russ and arranging for a car to collect her from the house as soon as he could get someone there. She’d checked the land around the house and been questioned by an agent who had been assigned the watch over the home. Having verified who she was he allowed her access to the grounds, although she found nothing of particular interest much as her ex-colleagues had.

Breathlessly, Jenny rattled out what she’d found out so far. “Serena, I talked with Jason Bardley a few moments ago, before I was able to contact Ms. Waverly, fortunately really since he was trying to contact you. He told me not to involve anyone else in this mess, and he told me that…”

“Hold it, hold it right there, Jenny, please! I’m no computer chip, you know. Although my brain takes stuff in at remarkable speed, it doesn’t quite process the stuff as fast as you can say it, I’m afraid. You tell me Jason called us?” Serena chuckled at the woman’s enthusiasm.

A glow tracked itself through Jenny as her boss said that one small word that meant so very much more to her, us! “Yes, apparently the FBI has given him a potted guide to what’s going on with his family and he’s been told to stay in New York until the investigation is complete.”

Serena approved that part; at least the guys in her local branch office had the foresight to ask that of the man, though she doubted he’d be happy about it. “That’s one good thing anyway; did you ask him if he had connections with the Senator?”

As she spoke, Serena realized that could be the smoking gun if Jason used his not immeasurable intellect to work out that maybe the Senator had something to do with what was happening to his family.

“Yes, he said he was having lunch with the Senator yesterday morning during a publishing promotion type of affair. One of the Senator’s friends has a contract with Xianthos. He also indicated that the Senator might have dealings with Catherine Devonshire.” Jenny blurted out quickly. However, at least this time around she did breathe in-between the sentences allowing Serena time to process the information.

Pursing her lips, the detective considered as many angles as possible. Had the hit been a way of getting back at Devonshire’s family ties? It was a distinct possibility, the woman did appear to cultivate more enemies than friends, or had in her past. Then again, it could be totally unrelated.

“Jenny, did he ask why I wanted to know?”

The assistant smiled as she spoke, knowing her boss would be worried about that aspect. “Yes, and I told him that you had the Senator down as a possible contact for government funding on the lost children part of your cases. That you were wondering if someone else who knew him better might lobby on your behalf.”

The detective grinned at the comment. She had to hand it to her assistant, that was quick thinking and entirely plausible under the circumstances since Feldham was known to be the figurehead of family values even if he didn’t particularly practice them. “I call that inspired thinking, Jenny. Maybe when I get back we can talk about you doing more in-depth work for me…of course there would be a pay raise.”

Jenny Clayton felt as high as a kite when Serena congratulated her on her statement. A part of her wanted to say no thanks to the extra money, except that she needed it if she wanted to do something more with her life other than being dependent on her husband’s charity, even if she was entitled to the money after the divorce.

“When you get back, I’d like to talk about it, if you feel I’m qualified enough.”

Five minutes later, as she finished the call with Jenny, Serena had that sinking feeling again. Feeling that she and Jenny where ships about to pass in the night, and had shared the dark inky waters of a stretch of water for a short time, beneficial to them both however not to last. “Damn, I’m getting soft in the head!”

“Ms. Dusterly?” A thin man had walked up the drive towards her. He was in a government issued suit…not really, but for some reason every agent had that bland fashion sense, even she had in her time. Now she was happier in comfortable slacks and a baggy shirt or T, ah, the luxury of being self-employed!

“You are?” She asked, her caution immediately shooting to the fore.

“Agent Evesham, Lloyd asked me to drive you.” The man held out his hand and she shook it firmly, smiling to take away the sting of her abrupt reply to his earlier question.

“Serena Dusterly pleased to meet you.” They walked together down the drive unaware that in a vacationing neighbor’s house, using a powerful telescope, a man watched their every move.

The room became lighter as the sun slithered through the chinks in the old curtain as rotten as the color of the material that tried and failed miserably to add a little décor to the room that hung drably around the small window casing. The faded brown and cream that looked like a horribly prepared latte should have been replaced years ago. However funds or more likely, the original owners of the hut had long since abandoned what was probably a cute and well loved place in its day.

Now, it was reminiscent, in many ways, of a worn out picture, the viewer unable to see its past beauty. The woman, who lay still in the bed looking at every detail in this room she’d been imprisoned in for months, groaned in disgust, more at herself than the room itself.

The days and nights had been one long nightmare of terrible pain, filled with memories that haunted and refused to leave her alone, even when she was awake. During the odd lucid moment she became aware of her surroundings, wondering if hell had not only beckoned her, but had also dragged her into its waiting fiery depths devouring her whole. The hallucinations she’d suffered caused by the fever of her wounds, drugs and troubled thoughts had been difficult to separate from the living beings who had aided her to the situation she was currently enjoying, if you could call living in this hovel a joy!

What had scared her most, which she had been unable to understand, had been the sounds of people talking. At first it had been in the background as she’d struggled from the hell of sleep to the waking hour’s pain engulfing her no matter how many drugs had been administered to her. As the waking hours lapsed into longer periods, she tried to focus on what the men and women who attended her said since she was unable to interpret the language they used. Over the months she gradually picked up pertinent phrases, and a young woman, who turned out to be the daughter of the man who was the leader of this pack of strays, agreed to spend an hour a day educating her in the Slavic language they used.

The next shock to her system had been her inability to walk properly. With grit and determination powered by the need for revenge, even greater than it had been before, she drew everything she needed out of her physical and mental strength, enabling her to take her first step forward. Not that in the first couple of months she didn’t fall backwards two steps, nevertheless, her prime motivator had been her hatred of all things Catherine Devonshire, Warriorson or whatever the hell she decided to call herself! In the evenings, however, when she sat alone in this room, her thoughts were filled with the image not of the woman she had every intention of killing herself, and there would be no reprieve this time, even if it meant she had to forfeit her life too! No, her thoughts in the evening were of a child, a tall boy like his father, but he had her eyes and several of her facial characteristics. Yes, at those times when her body was tired beyond belief, she drifted to a time long ago. When she had held her only son, and apparently the only child she would ever conceive in this lifetime according to the makeshift doctor that saw her frequently, for immediately he had scrunched up his face and cried blue murder. At the time she had hated the sound, had hated him in every way, he had come into the world as a mistake and one she had regretted initially. However, her planning had taken into account every possible ploy to win over his father and it had almost worked…almost, if the bastard hadn’t had that heart attack and left her with just her studio and an allowance! Now, she had nothing except the depleting funds in the Cayman Islands and with it her scheme to rid the world of the Xianthos seed, which had almost worked. Allowing her to bring her son out of hiding and into the limelight to claim his birthright, everything that Catherine Devonshire Warriorson owned lock, stock and barrel would belong to her progeny leaving Catherine cursing in the grave!

Her son was unaware of his parentage, and would remain ignorant until she had all her ducks in a row, later than planned, but it would happen one day. After all, Catherine didn’t have any children of her own, no blood ties. That bastard daughter of Jace’s wasn’t going to take the lion’s share should anything happen to her second ‘mother’, nope, her son was going to have it all! And she would be riding high alongside him, if her plans went well. And lying here in pain with the luxury of months to work every single detail out, there was no way it wouldn’t work in her favor, no reason whatsoever!

A voice shouted to her, calling her to the larger hut that was only slightly more appealing than the one room cottage she used. There were about four differing sizes of buildings in the wilderness area this band of gypsies called home. Standing awkwardly as the pain shot through her back, her steps tentative and clumsy, she slowly made her way towards the larger building for the evening chow down. Basic food, but it filled the belly and there wasn’t anything else around, not even a small town where provisions could be purchased, should these peasants have any money to call their own.

A large stone that she was unaware of, lodged in her path caused her to slip on the offending chunk. Her legs immediately buckled, sending her crashing gracelessly to the dirt track. She cursed loudly when she felt the hard rock beneath her knees scratching away the skin and blood began to seep profusely from the wound. A cry went up from a woman who had seen the fall and had been unable to get there in time to prevent the disaster striking the crippled foreigner.

The leader’s daughter, who for some reason always appeared when she needed her, offered her hand. Reluctantly and with a grimace of pain, the older woman clasped it tightly and was hauled up by the strong young woman.

“Clarissa, hurt?” The woman asked tentatively with a small smile. Her bright intelligent eyes full of the innocence of youth drew the older woman like a moth to the flame. As she then glanced at the open wound, she shook her head compassionately, knowing how much this woman had suffered already. Not that her father had given any details of why he really wanted to help the woman, other than one day everything would become clear.

“No!” Her taut expression silenced the girl immediately but not her concern as she held the woman’s arm tightly, leading her until they reached the more even path to the entrance of the larger hut.

The older woman realized she had hurt the girl’s feelings and also knew that without the younger woman’s help this place would be even more intolerable than it already was. She turned to see the girl walk away to the small campfire where most of the women ate together without the men; she being the exception to the rule because she was a foreigner, one she knew they wanted something from in the end. No one this poor helps someone in her condition without an ulterior motive. It was just a question of when they asked for payment and how much it turned out to be.

“Rosa,” The young girl turned. Clarissa, under normal situations, would have considered the kid ugly or plain at best, but here, she was quite pretty in her own surroundings. Perhaps, before she left this place for good, they might have a little fun together; the kid seemed to have that twinkle in the eye when they locked gazes. Anyway, someone had to teach the kid the ways of the world and who better than an experienced hand and she certainly had that in abundance.

“Yes?”

“Thanks for the help back there, after supper we can chat perhaps?” The beam that shot across to her was all she needed in affirmation as she turned towards the door and opened it. Her mind was now back on her son and the revenge she was going to take. Yep, Stephen was Stuart Devonshire’s only son, even if the old man had only found out about it prior to his death, that night in fact, the whole getting engaged and having another son too much for the old boy! Fortunately, in her present circumstances her original plan was working out. Stephen was as safe as any boy, in the midst of parents who thought of him as their own, never thinking she would one day take him away from them. Alas, Laura Victor had always been gullible, and that idiot husband of hers made you wonder just how he had passed the bar exams. Still, it had worked out well so far and they always had their own sprog, that irritating child who always whined for attention when she’d dropped by to see her son. Anyway, they hadn’t a leg to stand on if they tried to stop her. The adoption hadn’t been legal, she’d seen to that, you could never take a chance on things and the Victor’s would have little choice but to give her son back to her, or she would destroy them as she would a bug underfoot.

Rosa watched the tall blonde woman ungainly enter the hut where the men ate their meals as she slid next to her friend with a smile on her face.

Yes, later she would teach Clarissa more, perhaps if her new friend ever left them, she might go with her. Papa had said many times that the foreigner was wealthy, and that the name Clarissa Hudson, one way or another, would bring wealth and power back to the clan. Maybe that time was getting closer every day.

“Jace?”

Ah, the voice, which with little more than one word could send her heartbeat soaring. If a nurse had been checking her blood pressure at that moment, it would have been going through the roof! “Darling, I’m glad you called. I was worried about you, afraid you might have ventured out in this terrible weather to visit with me and the twins.”

Catherine heard the change from cheerful to elated, and her unsettled feeling that Jace was enjoying her time away from home calmed immediately. God she was a damn jealous worrywart!

“Unfortunately, I can’t, love, wish I was with you though. How are you feeling?”

“Good, I had a marvelous sleep and the twins are doing well too. Our daughter is sleeping for the moment, though I suspect she’ll want feeding soon, and I was just about to go see our son when you called me.” Jace responded rapidly as her smile grew wider.

Amanda Spencer watched the woman in the room glow as she heard who was on the other end of the line. It didn’t take a brain surgeon to tell her that, whatever else folks thought about the gay relationship, you couldn’t knock the real love that a person had for another. It was, after all, the cornerstone of religion in any denomination.  Wondering if she should leave she motioned to Jace as she stood up.

“Please don’t go… No, darling, not you. I have a visitor, she’s keeping me company.”

Catherine scowled at the reference to a visitor. It didn’t matter if it was man, woman, or beast, she felt annoyed primarily because she wasn’t able to be there too, it irked her greatly. “Do I know your visitor?” It was eminently possible she didn’t. Jace had friends in the neighborhood that she’d never met, and not likely to in the day-to-day world they lived in, probably to do with her charity work. She and Jace, for all they spent a lot of time together, had responsibilities that precluded the other by choice.

Chuckling at the affronted sound from her lover, Jace smiled at Amanda before she replied. “Catherine, it’s our new Reverend. Clarence was worried about the children and me since we didn’t turn up for his last sermon. He made inquiries and Amanda came over to see how I was doing.”

“Oh…why didn’t Clarence visit, you hardly know this woman?” Well, she didn’t!  Jace had met her barely days ago; it didn’t sound right to her.

Jace’s smile froze on her lips as she heard the reprimand in the voice, turning stern and cold. She could imagine the dark expression on Catherine’s face too, one day she’d stay like that. “Darling, Clarence, I’m sure, with it being his last official day in the area had far too many things to do, he’s coming over tomorrow with his wife. Amanda was being kind, and you know me, I’ll show off our new babies to anyone willing or not, who’ll be a captive audience.”

Closing her eyes briefly, Catherine realized she was being foolish as always. Jace was right though…she certainly would show off the children to anyone who passed by. Probably bore the damn Reverend before she managed to get away…not that Jace was boring, no, far from it, however…maternal pride and all that. “Yeah, I’m sure you will, I’ll be over as soon as possible tomorrow. I thought we could talk with the doctors about our son and find out when we can take him home; think that’s a good idea?”

Uncertainty didn’t settle too well with Catherine, and Jace knew she was out of her depth when it came to the matter of the babies, and any illness related to them. She had been the same with Elena, any small ailment had been a major catastrophe and she insisted they call the doctor at any time she had a temperature. Eventually she’d managed to persuade Catherine that Elena was going through all the normal childhood viruses attributed to growing up. Their doctor was pleased that Catherine’s overprotective eagerness had been quelled a little, not that he ever complained at being called out for a cold, but it was rather wearing when it was every few weeks in winter. Goodness knows what she would be like now that their son had breathing difficulties to begin with; knowing her lover she would more than likely smother him in cotton wool until he was a man! Ah, but that was the woman she loved and shared her life with, and she could temper the extravagant with common sense when needed, it was what a partnership was all about. “I think that’s a sure thing, love. How are the children, anyone giving you a hard time?”

There was a short silence before Catherine replied. “Jace, why would the kids give me any bother, they know what I’m like?”

Under her breath so that Catherine didn’t hear, Jace muttered, yeah right, you’re one big marshmallow with them, lover. “No reason how’s my baby?”

Jace felt guilty at leaving Elena. The two older children understood what was going on, even if they weren’t happy, but her younger daughter would be puzzled and possibly upset. It was bad enough Faith had disappeared out of her life suddenly, but to have one of her moms do that too, well, it was hard to know how a three-year- old would react.

Smiling at the reference to Jace’s baby, who in real terms now wasn’t the baby of the household but the child in the middle, “Elena was sleeping peacefully when I left her…oh, about half an hour ago, all bathed and tucked up in bed. I even read to her for a short time before she fell asleep, she had an exhausting day, Lisa was doing her good deed of the day by keeping her entertained this afternoon.”

“Ah, and Lisa, is she doing okay?” Jace heard a note in Catherine’s voice that reflected soberly.

“I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow. Right now, I guess your visitor will be getting restless listening to us chatter.” Catherine reluctantly conceded she would have spent the rest of the night chatting to Jace, it was just the way they were, even miles apart the effect of each others voice soothed away the ravages of each of their days.

Unwilling, however, knowing her partner was right, Jace sighed as she replied softly. “Okay…will you have an early night, you sound tired, love?”

Chuckling at the concern, “Love to, darling, but right now I need to eat dinner with the family so that they know we love them, and then help out with the sheep and lambs.”

“You will get some sleep, Catherine, promise me?” Jace asked anxiously. The weather was a disaster right now for the lambs and weaker ewes, but they had farm hands who were well able to cope, weren’t they?

“As soon as things are under control I promise. I love you, Jace; will you kiss the babies for me?” Catherine had a wistful smile on her face as she spoke. The wrenching of her heart left her with a despondent feeling whenever she and Jace weren’t close and had to say goodnight.

“I love you too, Catherine, and you’ve got a deal, don’t overdo it please. I’ll see you tomorrow, be careful, my love.” Jace held the receiver tightly as she spoke softly, aware that the Reverend was in the room, but no way was she going to give her partner a polite goodnight, it was up to the other woman in the room to give a damn or not, she really didn’t care.

“Bye, love.” Catherine disconnected the connection as Jace gazed at the now silent line, except for the crackle of the static, then placing it carefully back on the cradle. Her lover never lingered when she had to say goodbye it was her way. One time, when she’d asked the question of the speedy farewells because she felt that Catherine didn’t care, her lover had given her an odd look before replying, the quicker we say goodbye, the sooner we say hello again. That basically said it all and she never worried about that aspect again, because she knew it was true.

“Sorry about that, Amanda, how about we go check out my son?” her voice thoughtful. Knowing that Catherine, without her to gently persuade her otherwise with her presence, the chance was she would be out all night helping with the animals. Then who would end up in the sick bed?

“No problem, Jace, I’ll wheel over the chair.”

Five minutes later with her daughter snugly held to her chest, they entered the incubator area. A tender smile crossed her lips when she saw that her son had opened his eyes…must be like his Mamma, a night bird.

Dinner with Jake, Lisa and Judy had been a quiet affair, primarily each pondering their own private worlds as they enthusiastically demolished the food put in front of them. For Catherine, her thoughts had been uncharitable towards the new prayer merchant in town…yes, she was being harsh she knew it, but it didn’t matter, she felt like that. Why had that damn lorry caused the road to be blocked, a lightening bolt from God no doubt!

“Mom, if you keep scowling like that it might not go away.” Lisa proclaimed with a bright smile on her face; her chat with Catherine had put her world back on level ground. Tomorrow, she was sure, Toni would have had a good explanation about today and they would be friends again. It had been a tough time for her when her best friend Anna had to leave the area, her Dad had received a promotion and they moved to Auckland. She hadn’t felt comfortable enough with any of her other friends to let them know how she was feeling about her kidnapping and gradually they had thought her stand offish and moved on to other friends, leaving her out in the cold at a pretty scary time in her life. Thankfully she’d had her go-karting to take her mind off things, and it did, the adrenaline rush she had when behind the wheel made all her other problems simply disappear, since she concentrated on the curves and tricky bends of the circuit she visited every two weeks. Hopefully Catherine wouldn’t be too busy next Saturday to take her and maybe Toni could come too, she’d have to ask. Although she couldn’t see a problem, Catherine was usually amiable with their friends when she met them. Jace was friendlier and would often have the cookie jar handy, not to mention Judy baking them some treats. However, she’d come to understand the differences in her two Mom’s, and though it wasn’t quite the same as being with her own parents, she loved them. Even at times when she didn’t think Catherine loved her or Jake, she proved it out of the blue, like their earlier conversation.

“Really, why would that be?” Catherine replied after a few moments of thought. This kid was getting too astute about her moods and facial expressions; she’d have to work on that. Can’t have the kids knowing her every reaction, what kind of ogre would she be then. As Jace would probably say, oh sure, some ogre, kindly ogre fits the bill.

“Jace would have told you to lighten up by now.” A low groan went up around the table, as all eyes fixed on Catherine, waiting for the retort she was bound to express at such a stark comment, especially from Lisa.

“You think I need to lighten up, hmm?”

“I never said that, Jace would have done though, don’t you think so, Jake?” Lisa turned to her brother who shook his head.

“Keep me out of it, Red, I don’t second guess Jace.” The young man quickly drank his ginger beer to avoid any fallout heading his way…it was all Lisa’s.

A twinkle in Catherine’s eyes began to brighten as she captured Lisa’s gaze. “I think you talk too much, Lisa. Finish your dinner, I need to go out and help the men with the lambs. I’ll see you both in the morning, so don’t be tardy. I’m ordering a taxi to take us, if the weather allows. Sleep well, I love you both.”

“What about the bus?”  Jake asked quickly, preferring to meet up with his friends as always rather than traveling with his Mom and little sister.

“Ah, yes, the bus…you can go by bus, Jake, I’ll take Lisa.” Catherine stood up, flexing her muscles that had already begun to ache; when she finished her stint outside, she was going to be wracked with aches and pains.

“Great, thanks, Catherine…want me to help outside too?” He had realized way too late that he should have been out with the men helping with the lambs. If Colin had been here, he’d have been out there immediately. Colin said no one was a slacker on the farm, not even the children, when there were troubled times. He’d ignored that altogether today, knowing that Catherine was preoccupied and the other hands wouldn’t request the help directly.

Catherine’s expressive eyebrows shot up as she turned her gaze to him. A part of her had been disappointed that he hadn’t helped out today, preferring to chat on that infernal computer with his friends. Another part of her didn’t blame him. His absence shielded him from the somewhat horrific sight of so many dead animals. However, it was part of growing up on the land and she had hoped he would have used his own initiative…better late than never.

“Have you done all your homework?”

“Yes. Catherine, I’m sorry I was selfish today and didn’t help out. Colin is going to be really disappointed in me when he comes home.” The young man hung his head. It was true, Colin would be upset, and he didn’t want to cause the man whom he considered a surrogate father any more pain than he was currently handling.

A small smile curved Catherine’s lips. Ah, now that was her boy. His concern and apology sincere, though he was right about one thing, Colin would be disappointed in him, but not enough to make it a problem. “We could do with the extra hands, Jake, thank you.”

Jake beamed as he scrambled up from his seat and headed for the laundry area and the warm clothing and gumboots that he would need for the evening’s expedition.

“Can I help, Mom?” Lisa pleaded, annoyed that Jake was helping out and she didn’t see why she couldn’t too. Even if it was bitterly cold and dark out, the thought sending a chill down her back, she didn’t think it right for her to be nice and toasty sitting here in the kitchen while everyone else was outside helping.

Catherine smiled at her eldest daughter. “You can help Judy with the after dinner chores…” giving Lisa a mock stern glance as she heard the child mutter it wasn’t fair if Jake got to help the animals and she only had to do the dishes. “Let me finish, Lisa. I was going to add if you gave me the chance. Then you could take some scraps and hot milk to the barn, and check on YOUR new additions to our family, they need to be taken care of too.”

The change from a sullen expression to one of a bright grin made Catherine chuckle as she headed to the foyer to collect her outerwear. Some things in life where so simple, pity she rarely ever thought in elementary terms preferring to complicate matters in her head. Guess it made for an interesting life. Five minutes later she and Jake headed towards the office to find out where they were needed, chattering about the horses’ welfare as they went along.

Serena Dusterly glanced around the suburban street, much like any other in Middle America. Children played in the street, and various toys and cycles were strewn on the lawns indicating various family activities. As they pulled up to a short drive she saw a couple of people jogging, oblivious to everything except the run and the music that blared in their ears. A pursuit, she must admit, she once enjoyed. These days she never had much time for the activity. Usually she was holed up in her office or on a case, the leisure activity now on the back burner. Though she suspected that her body would probably appreciate the exercise regime, she wasn’t fat, but those odd pounds weren’t exactly going away.

Quickly alighting from the vehicle, she waited impatiently for the Agent to accompany her as he ambled along as if he had all the time in the world, he might, but she didn’t. Five minutes later she was inside having been triple checked at base to verify how much security clearance she had.

“Where are they?” Serena finally asked, having heard or seen nothing from the two women since arriving in the house.

“Young woman is suffering shock as far as the doctor can make out, he didn’t appear worried. The mother is in the room with her. I think they both need rest, Ms. Dusterly, and your appearance might cause them even more stress.”

Eyeing the man who spoke in a slow drawl with barely any emotion within the words, he was doing a job that was all, just another day, and another victim or criminal, when his shift ended he’d go home to his own particular brand of domesticity, life went on. At least those were Serena’s thoughts as she made an appraisal of the Agent in charge of the safe house. Damn it all, she’d been exactly the same once, maybe deep down she still was when it came down to the hard decisions of her cases. It was never easy to tell a loved one that their father, mother, daughter, son, etc. had died in unsavory circumstances, but someone had to do it, and on many of those occasions she was the one. “I told Mrs. Bardley that I was taking the first flight to LA and would see her on arrival, she is expecting me! Frankly, we haven’t the time to question if now or later are the right time to disturb them, let’s just do it, okay?”

Her flashing eyes told him that she wasn’t taking no for an answer. He’d been given instructions to allow this woman as much freedom as possible without jeopardizing the safety of the women in his charge, and he was still ultimately in charge, even if this self confident private detective bitch didn’t see it that way. “As you see fit, Ms. Dusterly. However, I’ll remind you that I make the decisions here not you, do we understand each other?”

For a moment Serena wanted to laugh in the guy’s face. What was it about these authority freaks if anyone threatened their power base that they went off the rails?  Let him have his macho status she didn’t give a damn as long as she protected the interests of her clients. “I understand clearly, which room?”

As she entered the bedroom where her clients were housed, she sighed softly as she saw the scene of the mother hugging her daughter tight to her, protecting her as they both slept. Slipping inside, she sat down on the only chair in the room to keep her vigil and as they slept while trying to piece what they knew together. Her main concern at this time was that they capture the assassin, because if they didn’t, the Fed’s would have no option but to put into full swing a protection program and a little bird told her that this family wouldn’t approve one little bit.

As she reflected on those thoughts, she watched in silence the apparently peaceful sleep of the two women in the room with her.

“Dad, Dad, it’s true, I wasn’t making it up.” Sam Davis pulled a face at his father who was preoccupied over breakfast.

“Leave it, squirt, we all know you have a vivid imagination.” Theresa shook her head at her brother who stuck his tongue out at his elder sister.

“Hey, Dad, are you going to let him do that?” Theresa swiftly asked her father as she glared at her brother.

“Can’t the two of you ever do anything but argue at breakfast…any meal come to that?” Neil replied his voice short as he wondered when Alison might call to have coffee. He needed to go out on a couple of visits, but he expected that he’d be home by ten, all being well.

“He’s a liar, Dad, bottom line.” Theresa remarked sulkily. Her dad was usually so placid in the morning, not today. He looked lost in thought and she’d never seen him like that before, although he’d never been on a date before that she could ever recall either. Now wondering if his ‘date’ with Alison had been a mistake, she was too old for him anyway, even if she had been cool about the shopping trip.

“Oh, for goodness sake, Terry, he’s a child and you are almost a woman, give the kid a break.” Snaking a hand through his hair. He was trying to work out if he should call Alison first and let her know, or…oh damn-it’d be better just go on his rounds and get back as quickly as possible.

“I’m not a child!” “I am a woman!” both children spoke at once and Neil looked at them, realizing he wasn’t giving them the attention he should. Alison would be over when she could, and she’d wait or return later if he wasn’t there. A part of him didn’t want her to think that he hadn’t understood about last night.

Randy watched his twin and sister do what they did most days…argue during the meal. He didn’t mind, to him it was normal, if they didn’t, he would worry. His dad though was acting strangely; he was usually so laid back, especially at mealtime. He would always say it was the best part of the day, and all the mistakes of yesterday had been forgotten and you were given a new slate to start again. His dad was a cool guy, better than most dads’ of his friends, who hardly saw their kids and never turned up for baseball practice. His dad even coached the Sunday cub team in the local park. The thing about this morning’s argument was that for once Sam wasn’t making it up, there really had been a man watching them or at least the house. He’d been woken by a noise in the trees; he hated storms and hoped that the weather wasn’t changing. When he’d peered out of the curtains the night was still, however, the large tree in the yard was rustling madly. Then he saw a dark figure in the branches. He tried desperately to see what the dark figure was, it could have been be a bunch of squirrels, but they usually chattered and there was no sound like that. The dark figure seemed to disappear and waiting for a minute or two, he decided that the night was playing tricks on his eyes and he settled back down to sleep. Sam had been excited when he’d woken him earlier, and rattled on about seeing a man with binoculars looking at the house, maybe that was the dark figure he’d seen…he would wait and see what his dad said first.

“What exactly is the problem, son?” Neil gave the boy his full attention. When he smiled it reminded him of his late wife, and right now he wished she were here to see how grown up the boys were, and what a beauty Terry was turning into.

“Dad, there was a man with binoculars looking at the house, I saw him, I did, Dad, I did!” His excited childish pitch had Theresa moaning and putting her hands over her ears to try and stop the ache his shrill voice threatened her hearing with.

“Where?” Neil knew Sam had a great imagination but sometimes when he made up stuff over a meal it was trying and today he could do without it.

Scrambling from his chair, he went over to the window in the room and pointed in the direction of the old tree in the yard. “Under the tree, dad, honest!”

Walking over to the boy he looked out. There wasn’t a man there now and probably never had been, just an overactive six-year-olds mind. One day it might prove a blessing but now… “How about we go outside and check for footprints, then I have to go on my rounds but I’ll be back by ten. Terry, will you iron the laundry and if Alison calls around, will you ask her to wait if she can if not I’ll call her later.”

Theresa groaned, ironing…gee, who liked ironing. She hated it and when she had a home of her own she wasn’t going to iron anything until she was desperate, yucky job! “Okay. Dad, when you get back can I go over to the coffee shop to meet my friends?”

“Sure, thanks, Terry. Randy, do you want to come and check out Sam’s mystery too?” Sometimes they forgot they even had Randy in the house, he was a quiet child, withdrawn some of his teachers said at school. He was just one of those types of kids who mulled over situations longer than others and in his opinion, having two like Sam in the household would have probably killed him by now. Smiling as Randy nodded his head and the three went off into the yard.

Walking around the tree Neil saw no visible evidence of anyone being in the yard, there were some scuffmarks but any one of them could have done that. Glancing up at the tree he couldn’t see any problem…then his eyes transfixed on several broken branches. Sam tugged at his arm as he stared up at the find. “Did he climb the tree, Dad? Did he? Dad, is it a spy?”

Sam was getting excited and jumping around while Randy looked at his father then at the broken branches of the tree. Moments later he put his smaller hand into the large one of his father’s.

Neil glanced down at his son. It was rare that Randy took his hand except if he was afraid of something, usually when a storm front hit. “Randy, are you okay?”

Tremulous brown eyes peered into his as the boy shook his head. “Dad, I think Sam’s binocular man might be real.”

The whispered words made Neil frown as he bent down crouching near his son. “What do you mean, son, did you see the man too? Why didn’t you say so?”

“I didn’t see what Sam saw, Dad, but the tree was rustling and I looked out and there was a dark figure then it went away. I didn’t see what it was though.” The young boy became frightened as he saw a look of anxiety cross his Dad’s face, had he done something wrong by not saying anything.

“No problem, son, it was probably the squirrels. Tell you what, how about both of you go inside and watch your cartoons, and when I get back we’ll go to the park, play catch and get some practice in. What do you say?” Both boys grinned at their father as he promised them the treat, although Sam glanced up at the tree reluctantly, then his child’s mind moved onto the next best thing…the cartoon hour.

As they sped off towards the house, Sam turned. “Dad, if Alison is here can she play catch too?”

“Sure, if she arrives before I get back why not ask her.” The boys entered the house while he remained at the spot under the tree and thoughtfully looked up at the broken branches. What if someone had been there spying on his home and family, but why? He’d have to call the police, although there wasn’t much evidence to convince a patrolman. Still, he was leaving the kids alone… he’d have to cancel his rounds, but he couldn’t do that.  Neil shook his head back and forth as numerous thoughts and what-if scenarios were playing a tennis match inside his head.  On one hand, what if the children were in danger? There were all kinds of perverts in the world today. But what if it was…. Argh…

Flipping open his cell phone he considered dialing the police then changed his mind. He’d call Alison and maybe she might help him out by arriving earlier than planned. For what appeared like ages he listened to the ringing tones then a male voice answered…oh shit, her husband was home. He contemplated ending the call without stating his name…but he had nothing to hide, he and Alison were friends. “Hi there, this is Neil Davis is Alison home?”

A silence greeted his question then the same male voice replied. “Mr. Davis, may I ask why you are calling?”

Swallowing hard he felt like the air was being starved to his lungs. Had something happened to Alison, who was this guy, it certainly wasn’t her husband the voice was too impersonal. “Why should I answer that, who are you and where is Alison?”

“Wait a moment, sir.” The voice went quiet as Neil stoked the stubble on his chin. Damn, he’d forgotten to shave; his mind so engrossed with other things this morning.

“Are you Neil Davis, the veterinarian?” Neil’s eyes bugged as the man reeled off his profession, who the hell was he?

“Who are you?” Adamantly refusing to answer the question, he wanted to know whom he was talking too. As he spoke, the fear that had been in his eyes now shifted to the pit of his belly, Sam’s mystery man and Randy’s dark tree figure now looming in his thoughts.

“Sir, I’m not at liberty to answer that, if you would confirm why you are calling Mrs. Bardley, perhaps I can help you?”

Briefly he mentioned that they were friends, he had been with her last evening and hoped she could do him a favor this morning. “Thank you, sir, I’m afraid Mrs. Bardley is unavailable at this time, but I shall have her call you as soon as possible.”

“Is she okay, what’s going on? Someone was spying on my house last night, was that you?” Neil spit out angrily. This was ridiculous and now he was worried for Alison, more so than he should be, he knew that. However, if he’d done the stupid thing of falling for her, then so be it, he’d work it out just as he’d worked out the loss of his wife, right now his main concerns were to keep the people he loved safe and that included Alison.

The line went silent again and before the man answered, the tall figure of a well-built man began walking up Neil’s drive, a determined expression his face. “Hey, there’s a stranger coming up my drive!”

The voice returned at the end of the line. “Don’t panic, sir, that’s Agent Gage, he’ll explain the situation.”

Neil closed the cell wondering if he should dial 911. Agent Gage…that sounded official sounding, he’d wait to find out.

The tall figure of the Agent stood a foot away as he extended his hand exposing the badge of his office. A part of Neil sighed in relief while another part felt a sharp pain. What had happened to Alison in the few hours since he’d left her? And was that why she had looked so worried! If only he’d been more attentive and found out what the problem was last night instead of being so timid about pushing her.

“Sir, I think we need to discuss this inside.” The Agent spoke quietly as his eyes scanned the area around him swiftly, taking in the three sets of eyes that watched from the window facing the yard inside the house.

“Do I have to worry about my kids?”

“Let’s go inside, shall we, sir.”

They walked inside the house slowly and as they did so, a slight figure watched intently from a distance, unseen by either of them.

~ ~ ~

Chapter Thirty-two

Jason agonized over the call he was making, having been in two minds over what to do, should he or shouldn’t he? In the end, unable to have that much-needed contact with Alison or Lucy, he succumbed to the need to call the only other person in this world that would understand his pain…Jace! He knew it was late, especially as she was heavily pregnant and probably, if she was anything like Alli… Oh God, Alli, what if something happens to you? I’ll never forgive myself for leaving the way I did, what would my life be worth without you in it!  He shook the troubled thoughts away, as well as any sign that he was overly upset, ensuring Jace wouldn’t become upset and possibly doing harm to her and the yet unborn babies, which was the main reason he’d held off talking with her when this fiasco had began. At first he’d considered informing Catherine, allowing her to make the judgement call on when to inform his daughter of the family crisis, however, at the end of the day, Jace would only understand if he called her personally. There wasn’t anything to be done that hadn’t already been done by the FBI, and Jace wasn’t in any condition to travel to the States, even if she wanted to, Catherine would put a stop to that without question.

The call was answered by Judy; he knew her voice very well; it had that warm friendly quality that probably would have made her a good counselor in some form or another. “Hi, Judy, its Jason Bardley any chance my daughter is there?”

Judy gasped slightly at the question; surely Catherine had informed the new grandparents of the birth of the twins? Perplexed she spoke quietly, “Hi, Jason, good to hear your voice…Catherine isn’t in the house right now, do you want her to call you when she returns?”

Smiling slightly, he did treat Catherine like a daughter in many ways and it must obviously show if Judy thought he meant Jace’s partner. “I’m looking for Jace rather than Catherine, probably she’s gone to bed already, bet she can’t wait for the twins to be born her …mother was the same way.” His voice broke slightly as the memory, however brief, came to the forefront of his mind.

Judy wondered how she should proceed, normally she would have called Catherine and have her talk with Jason. However, she hadn’t taken her cell out with her this evening because of the atrocious weather. “Jason, Jace had the twins this morning, I …I would have expected that Catherine would have contacted you, I’m sorry.”

Sitting back in his chair, a part of him elated at the news while the other filled with a feeling of despondency, Alison probably didn’t know that she was a grandmother again either. “I’ve been travelling, Judy, Catherine probably tried. Do you have the hospital’s number; I’ll give my little girl a call from a doting grandpa?”

“Sure, give me a moment please.” Within a couple of minutes Jason had ended that call and was attempting to reach his daughter at the hospital. His mind now furiously chewing over what he would say and how he would say it. Jace was an intelligent woman and probably wondered why they hadn’t called immediately once they knew the news. God help him, but this was one of the toughest phone calls he’d ever made in his life. He hoped Catherine was there at her side; Jace would require the support.

Having eventually been allowed by the receptionist on the ward to be patched through to Jace’s room, he waited, his stomach churning, and then the quietly confident tone of his eldest child said hello.

“Hi, baby, I see you’ve added to our growing clan, congratulations, darling, how are you and the twins?” Jason spoke fluidly, his happiness over the event for a moment taking precedence over the other more dramatic events of the day.

“Dad! Oh, dad, it’s wonderful to hear your voice! I thought you’d forgotten about me and decided to wait until tomorrow, Catherine promised she’d call you and Mom. Is Mom with you, Dad, she’s going to love the twins, they are adorable but of course I’m going to say that, right?” Jace chuckled as she realized that she was speaking faster than a flooding river…maybe several deep breaths were in order.

A deep laugh followed her words as Jason heard the excitement and elation in his daughter’s voice, wanting, as only Jace knew how, to share her good fortune with as many people as possible. For her it was as natural as breathing. “I know they are adorable, darling, why wouldn’t they be, it’s all in the genes.”

“Daddy, is Mom there?” Jace wanted to re-assure her Mom that she hadn’t had the twins early on purpose, thwarting all their earlier plans for her to be at the birth this time around.

Jason sucked in a sharp breath. There was no way he was going to break any bad news right now, nope, these few moments just hearing his daughter would be enough to sustain him until he could speak with Alli and Lucy, once he’d done that, then he would inform Jace. No point in distressing her now, this was a joyous time and he would see to it that it remained that way for as long as possible. “Darling, your Mom doesn’t know the wonderful news yet, she had to go away for a few days to help a sick friend, I’ll call her and have her speak with you after you’ve rested in the morning, how would that be?”

Jace stared at the receiver in her hand. Amanda Spencer quirked an eyebrow in her direction, something Catherine would have done in similar circumstances, certain her features had taken on a perplexed look. “Sure, Dad, that’s good. When will you and Mom arrive here to be with us?”

“Baby, you know I would be there like a shot, however, I’ve a few meetings I need to attend and your Mom has this sick friend…” Jason trailed off as he heard himself explaining. The pithy comments were pathetic, but what else dare he say.

A single tear traced down Jace’s cheek as she heard her father put business before her and her Mom too! What was it now…she was thousands of miles away, out of sight out of mind! Composing herself before she answered and wanting Catherine here with her so desperately it hurt. “Sure, I understand, Dad, have Mom call me when…she has the time. I’m tired, do you mind if I get some rest, it’s been a long day.”

“Of course, darling, I understand, I’ll have your Mom call as soon as I get a hold of her. Jace…”

“Yes, Dad?” A forlorn hope that he’d changed his mind and was going to take the next flight out coursed through her.

“I love you, baby, never forgot that, and I know your Mom would want me to say that for her too.” The bleakness in Jason’s voice transmitted to Jace as she puzzled over his insistence.

“Dad, is anything wrong? Something you’re not telling me, please, I’ll worry if you keep things from me. Just because I’ve had the babies doesn’t mean that you need to walk on eggshells.”

“Ah and when have we ever kept anything from you, Jace? Nothing is wrong and tomorrow your Mom will call and put your mind at rest.” Jason replied, shaking his peppered grey head. You could never keep anything from his astute child, even thousands of miles away.

“I love you, Dad; will you call me back too tomorrow? It will be good to have a family conference.”

“I’ll do my best, baby. Now sleep tight and kiss my grandchildren goodnight for me…incidentally, forgive me but have we a boy and girl or boys or girls?” Realizing that he hadn’t taken any interest in the children at all, calling had been a mistake on his part, what had it achieved except perhaps allow him a few moments of happiness with one of his family members?

Grinning now, Jace answered. “Dad, you are the proud grandpa of a girl and boy, I think our boy looks like you too, wait until you see them?”

“I’ll look forward to it, baby. Sleep well, we’ll talk again soon, that’s a promise, love you, Jace.” He waited for her quiet goodbye and replaced the receiver.

Standing up from the chair, his body ached like an old man of a hundred and right now he felt much older! Yes, much, much older. Right now he wanted the phone to ring and Alison to be on the other end, was that too much to ask?

Russ Lloyd was frustrated at the lack of response from the DC office; it had been over ten hours since they had alerted them to the crucial information that someone on the hill, a prominent someone, was involved in the shootings in LA. Even pointed them in the right direction and what had they got for their efforts, zilch!

“Any news, Russ?” He turned to his supervisor who had cautioned him to have patience after he refused to go home for some much-needed sleep.

“No. Anyone you can contact to speed up the process? I have a feeling that if we don’t do something soon, we will have another tragedy.” Melancholy thoughts, maybe but Russ felt like that and when he had that gut feeling he was rarely wrong.

The supervisor glanced at the tired features of the man who had been working non-stop for over 36 hours. “I’ll make a call, if you go have a couple of hours sleep and before you say it, yes, I’ll call you immediately if anything comes through the wire.”

“It’s a deal.” Russ stood up, closed off the console, picked up his valise and headed out of the office area to the elevator bank. At times like this he wished he was in the thick of things instead of the desk jockey, but it had been his choice to make fieldwork a limited part of his scope and in the majority of instances, it served him very well. Right now he’d rather be with Serena as her partner. Niggling away at him was the notion that the woman needed someone to protect her back as she did for others.

Heading out of the building, he walked over to his car and heard the snick of the door unlock. As he opened the driver’s side, he heard someone running fast in the parking area and spinning around saw one of his colleagues heading in his direction.

“Russ, Russ, you’re needed back in the office!” The man called out urgently as he neared Russ’ position.

“Why, what’s happened?” Wondering why instead of running him down, they hadn’t called his cell.

“There’s been another twist in the case, Jack will tell you more.”

Russ didn’t need to be told twice, they hurried back to the office and the new development.

Catherine heaved a freezing wet mass of deadweight wool out of a ditch, where it had holed up in the hope that the minimal protection would save its life, along with the newborn lamb at her side, it hadn’t. As with the vagaries of nature, the mother was dead and the lamb bleated pathetically at its mother’s side. It really should have been the youngster that was now dead. But the mother had done her task in life and protected her young to the extent she had lost her own life. When it came down to the wire, regardless of species, the need and ultimate sacrifices one would commit to protect their offspring was the same, death being the final act. Three hours ago she had wept silently for all the animals that had perished in the freezing conditions, resisting the urge to leave the task to her foreman and the other workers. However, she hadn’t. The look in the men’s tired eyes had given her the stomach to continue. Not only that, Jake had a feral expression in his eyes that told her he might hate the death that abounded around him but if he saved one animal, it was worth every second of his efforts. Pride was something that she had always had in the children from the moment she realized that they weren’t going anywhere and no one was going to take them away from her like her own family. Now, as she watched her eldest son toil in the snow packed paddocks, her heart swelled even more. And she had a surprise for Lisa in the form of the miniature racing car. She had one for Jake too, though the people who knew about it were sworn to secrecy, even those closest to him. One thing she had learnt in the past forty-eight hours was that they were a family, with ups and downs like most, and because of the bonds they shared, they would always prevail and defeat whatever stood in the way of their family unity and happiness. Now even more so as there were two more mouths to feed, her fervent hope was that Jace and the twins came home healthy real soon.

“Mom, do you suppose we will find them all?” Jake asked her, as he bleakly looked over the vast white area in front of him. Specks of a darker color occasionally evident, contrasting with the pristine sight before them.

She glanced up from her task of hauling the carcass over to the others that were stacked in an ever-increasing tragic mountain. Tomorrow they would salvage what they could of the skins and have them taken away and disposed of accordingly. Although they wouldn’t be as valuable as normal, they would make some financial reparation out of the deaths…it was the way of things in the farming environment.

 “I don’t know for sure, Jake. All we can do is keep looking and who knows, the weather might give us a break soon.” Pushing back the hair that strayed out of the confines of her hat, she gave him a reassuring smile, which had the effect of eliciting a replica expression from him.

Glancing at her watch Catherine realized that it was close to ten and Jake should be in bed. School had to be considered and he wouldn’t be any use there if he didn’t get some much-needed sleep, this type of work was exhausting physically and mentally.

“I think it’s time you called it a day. How about we go back to the house and have a cup of hot chocolate and you can go to bed.”

The young man stared at his adopted mother. Damn, he was hoping to get out of school tomorrow or at least the morning anyway, it was biology class and he hated that subject. “Why don’t I stay and help a little longer, Mom, I can skip the morning classes and be there for the afternoon session. My school will understand under the circumstances. Lots of my classmates help out on the family farms and take the odd day off in an emergency.”

Catherine digested the proposal it had merit. She knew that the guys here would welcome the young man’s help for a while longer and it wasn’t that often Jake took time off, except for that broken leg episode way back. One morning wouldn’t be a problem and the school would understand that these things happen. “By any chance would it be classes in the morning that you don’t particularly enjoy?”

A grin of reluctant agreement followed her words as he nodded his head tossing the snow falling, lightly peppering his brown hair, into the air to fall around him, like Rio shaking the excess water away after a bath. “Biology!”

Smiling properly for the first time in hours, Catherine chuckled as she placed a loving arm on his shoulders. If he continued to grow like a weed he was going to be taller than anyone she had ever met before. He was already a couple of inches taller than she was and he still had a few years to grow yet. “You know biology isn’t so bad, Jake, what about the birds and bees?” Winking at him as she hugged him close before he shrugged her away as adolescent young men do.

“Oh, Mom, sex education was over years ago! I don’t see why I should know about how blood cells are made up, I’m never going to be a doctor.” He grinned at her to take away any sting his movement away from her embrace might arouse. Though he was fairly confident Catherine understood his action, more than Jace, who often gave him a puzzled hurt frown when he did that to her. Women! That’s all he’d say.

“Jake, never tempt fate and never say never. You really can’t know what’s around the corner, and even if you take up a professional sports position, what about something to fall back on when your career is over?” She looked away from him as Larry approached their position in the field.

“I’m going to make millions from my sporting life, Mom, I won’t need it.” He spoke with the arrogance of youth. Who knew…maybe he was right. Anyway, she had made sure that he would be independently wealthy when he was twenty-five; with the trust fund she had arranged when the adoption became final. He and the two older girls might not be her flesh and blood but they were her family and she would support them by giving them the best possible chances in life, and that meant not only the love she and Jace had for them, but money too!

“Okay, sounds like a plan to me. Larry, is there a problem?” Catherine asked the man who looked even more tired than she felt, haggard too.

“Not from me or the men, Mrs. Warriorson. Judy left a message in the office earlier. She wants you to call Mrs. Jace as soon as you can. She left the message about a couple of hours ago. As soon as one of the men went back there, he came over to tell me straight away.” Larry had reacted immediately when the young Shepard had given him the information. It didn’t sound good to him, and maybe there was something wrong with one of the wee twins.

Catherine blinked away the snow that fell in front of her eyes and digested the statement; Jace wanted her to call! Shit and how long ago was that now! Damn it didn’t anything in her life ever fall into place normally.

“Thanks, Larry, I need to go and make that call. Jake has volunteered to help for as long as you need him…biology lessons can wait. Take care of him, Larry, I‘ll be back when I can.”

Turning to Jake she winked at him when she saw the fear and questioning mount in his eyes while he listened to Larry’s message. “I’ll be back later, Jake; everything will be fine, you see if it isn’t. And knowing Jace, she’s going to tell me one of the twins has taken their first step.” Twisting on her heels she headed back to the vehicle that was waiting to take her to the homestead. Damn that the network wasn’t working well in this terrible weather.

Lucy Bardley woke up groggily. So much so, she was sure she saw that irritating bitch of a private detective in the armchair opposite the bed watching her intently…no, it couldn’t be.  It was another illusion to frighten her out of the normal life she lived. Just like her dreams haunted her that Luke was dead, worse…murdered! It was just a dream, one of those lousy ones that appeared to haunt you when you were awake. Her eyes cast down, to the figure sleeping soundly next to her. At first shrinking back wondering who it was then she saw the head properly and realized her Mom was as good as her word and lay next to her. Protecting her as she would have done after a nightmare when she was a child. However, she was no longer a child, was she; here she was in her early twenties, relishing the close proximity of her parent to keep the nasty bogey men away from her. She rubbed her eyes, feeling the sledgehammers picking up the pace as she tried to focus once more on the room. Her initial thought that the detective was a dream now collapsed before her when she heard the woman’s voice.

“Lucy, how are you feeling?” Serena Dusterly had given the young woman a moment to orientate herself as she looked around in varying degrees of lucidity. Just her luck that the daughter had woken before her mother, oh well, these things come to try us.

“What the hell are you doing in my bedroom?” Lucy answered waspishly as her eyes flared in anger at the woman who merely tossed her head slightly to the side at the verbal assault.

Calmly, Serena answered, expecting Lucy’s agitation although the glazed look in the eyes worried her, though it was probably the drugs she had been given to sleep. “Lucy, I’m here to help you. I can assure you that as soon as everything is back to normal I’ll disappear from your life, that’s a promise.”

Lucy continued to frown. She had never trusted this woman and wasn’t about to now, what the hell did she mean by normal. Everything was normal…except that she and Luke was no longer an item. Though they might be in the future, she still loved him…loathed him too! “Get out; I never want to see you again! All this is your fault, if you had never arrived to show me what kind of man Luke was, he and I would still be together!”

On the face of it the accusations were valid; probably the poor creature would have ended up marrying the jerk. Regardless of his demise, he’d always be a jerk in her mind and Lucy, though she was upset, in pain and angry at the world in general over her woes, she’d come to terms with it eventually. “Perhaps you are right. At the moment that’s hardly the issue, is it, and never going to be in the future. You have to move on, Lucy. However hard you want to carry a torch for the guy, he’s gone and never coming back. Get over it!” There, she’d been cruel to be kind or that was her take on the subject. She hated people who wallowed in their own misery especially when other lives were at risk, even if they were the intended targets. It made it all the more difficult to counter the attacker if the victim was alien to the protector.

Screeching at the top of her voice, Lucy demanded that the woman leave her alone. It wasn’t any of her business how she got on with her life! The sound not only woke Alison up with a start but also alerted the men outside the room who knocked swiftly on the door asking if everything was okay. “What’s this, a posse? For God’s sake, this is a dream, isn’t it?”

Alison quickly took in the distressed state of her daughter and the fact that Ms. Dusterly had arrived as she’d promised. Maybe something was working out after all.

“Lucy, baby, come on now, calm down and I’ll explain everything, please, Lucy, for me?” Alison hugged her trembling and tearful child to her breast as she soothed away with tender entreaties her daughter’s current upset.

“Alison, I’d better leave you for a few moments. When you can, I’d like to speak with you outside.” Standing, Serena left the room with barely a backward glance in the direction of the two women huddled on the bed. As she did so, one of the agents gave her a puzzled glance.

“She’ll be okay, mother knows best in these instances, I think, any further developments?”

Alison cradled her daughter close, crooning softly as she had done the day before and always would if her child was distressed, it really didn’t matter how old she was or would be. “Baby, please calm down. It isn’t good for you and we have to talk.”

Lucy heard the words as if from far away. A part of her was drifting, afraid to cross over to the voice for fear of what she would hear. Knowing the information was terrifying yet unable to remember why she would think like that. Another part of her welcomed the loving care of her mother, knowing she would never let anyone harm her. It was a hard choice to make. “Mom, I’m scared.”

Pathetic words triggered a heavy sigh from Alison as she glanced down at the top of the head held close to her, my God, baby, you aren’t the only one. Her thoughts exactly as she tried to ignore her own nagging worries and concentrate on the most important person in the room right now…her child.

Ten minutes later she released Lucy and looked into her tear drenched face. “I haven’t seen you this upset since you lost Fred, how about a small smile for me, huh?”

Gulping down her sobs, Lucy remembered the event; it had been tragic in its own way. Fred, the family tortoise, had disappeared from the yard sanctuary and was never found again. They had hunted high and low, searched every neighbor’s yard and even inside rubbish receptacles and anything else they thought Fred might have taken up hibernation inside. By the end of the winter term they had all come to grips with the fact that Fred wasn’t going to step back in the yard and they had to consider him lost. She had been gutted by the experience as any seven-year-old would. It had been gallons of tears and lots of emotional outbursts before her father had proudly announced he had found Fred and was bringing him home. She had been ecstatic, never knowing until the creature died unexpectedly ten years later that he was a replacement.

Alison too pondered the memory, wishing the same could be done right now and this Luke boy would walk through the door. It wasn’t going to happen unless his ghost decided to pay them a visit.

“Why is that detective here and that other man?” Looking around the room properly for the first time, Lucy realized something else. “This isn’t our house, is it, what’s going on?”

Not a good sign or maybe it was she would have to see what to make of this revelation that Lucy didn’t recall the trauma of the earlier hours. “Darling, it appears we are in the thick of some sensitive situation with the FBI. They moved us here for our protection. Serena is here because I asked for her help and she’s been good to us in the past in that department.”

“Mom, what situation?” Lucy gazed at her mother in surprise. How could they possibly have any dealings with the FBI?

“Tell you what, darling, cleaned up, the bathroom is over there, and I’ll go speak with the folks outside. And when you feel up to it, join us and we can talk together.” Alison decided against mentioning Luke directly, at this stage it wasn’t necessary. Her main concern was to have her daughter thinking straight and then they could tackle the delicate problem in a more controlled situation.

“Okay, Mom, where’s Dad?”

“He…he left suddenly last night on an urgent business meeting in New York, but we are going to call him soon, I promise.” Closing her eyes at the lie, she’d never done that before, then again, she’d never been in this situation before.

Lucy smiled slightly. “That’s my girl, you take a shower and then we can talk.”

Alison felt like she was a very old woman as she scrambled off the bed and straightening her hair slightly as she left the room to speak with the three people who looked up in surprise as she neared them, alarming expressions in their eyes.

Raleigh Anderson hadn’t been able to sleep, no matter how hard she tried, even with Joe’s soothing words still ringing in her ears, so she decided to rise early and decipher why she was so uneasy.

Ten minutes later, sipping a hot black coffee and sitting staring at the dawn breaking over the tenement buildings in front of her, she contemplated her actions from the last few days. Sleep was never going to be accomplished again comfortably if she didn’t get over her fears of what she had placed in action on behalf of the Senator. It was that or she had talk with someone other than Joe about her predicament then solves the matter in her mind that she had taken the right path. Question now was who?

Flipping over names of friends, similar to the Rolodex system she had on her desk, each name that was filed into her mind who could understand this situation other than Joe was discarded quickly, and he was quite at ease with the situation as it was playing out. Perhaps she should forget it. After all, there wasn’t anything particularly sinister about her request. She hadn’t exactly asked the man to kill these people…nor had she inadvertently.

Walking back to the kitchen area she poured another coffee, this time deciding on adding cream, a luxury she partook in occasionally and now was that time. Turning to the refrigerator she paused as the small message board that she had to the left-hand side of the machine caught her eyes, a number and name hit her between the eyes as her thoughts considered such a bold move. Selecting the cream, she poured a small amount into the coffee and watched as it changed from the murky dark depths to a wonderful caramel tone, a bit like the way her mind was working right now.

To her left she picked up the phone mounted on the wall in the kitchen area and dialed the number she could just make out without her specs then waiting patiently for the call to be answered, ignoring the fact that it was very early.

A male voice answered in a deep bass, resonating in Raleigh’s eardrums pleasantly. For some reason, just making the contact settled her down immediately and she knew then, that it was the right thing to do whatever happened next.

“Senator Renaldo, this is Raleigh Anderson, you said I could call anytime…”

Catherine divested herself of her wet outside gear and pulled on a pair of deep pile sheepskin slippers to warm up her feet, right now her toes were freezing, as she dragged on a woolen sweater as well. Glancing at the clock it was close to ten and the main heating system would be on low, taking the winter chill from the house but little more. Usually they were early to bed people, Sunday through Thursday evenings, and it made sense rather than wasting money on unnecessary power bills. Sometimes she had to stop herself from penny pinching, often making Jace laugh at her attempts to stop the children leaving lights on all over the house, not to mention computers and other equipment. One such incident had happened recently and when she had thought about it later, it was rather petty of her…

After the formalities of the ward name, Catherine sighed slightly impatient at the delay in not being able to get an immediate connection to her love. That was the trouble with hospitals, no privacy, even if you paid for a private room.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Warriorson, but it’s late, could you call back in the morning, and Jace is sleeping.” The night nurse suggested politely.

“I’m aware it’s late but Jace asked me to call as soon as I arrived home no matter how late it is. Please, if you wouldn’t mind putting me through to her room.” It wasn’t a question but a demand and one thing she knew was still an excellent trait of hers, was the intimidating voice.

Sally Bostock gave a wry smile as she heard the tone. Earlier, when she’d come on the late shift, she’d popped in to see Jace Warriorson and the woman was sleeping peacefully along with her daughter, her son still in the intensive care unit but apparently doing marvelously well. “Let me go and check to see if she’s awake, I’ll be a moment.”

Seething at the delay but holding her tongue, Catherine waited at her end of the line. Damn that accident that stopped her from being with Jace tonight. Two steps forward one back, wasn’t that the old saying? Her thoughts musing the phrase when the nurse spoke again.

“I’ll put you through, Mrs. Warriorson.”

Catherine was immediately connected to Jace’s room and her rapidly beating heart slowed a fraction as she heard her partner’s voice, it appeared to be calm. “Baby, I called as soon as I could, what’s wrong?”

Jace smiled into the receiver. She’d forgotten that Catherine would jump to conclusions, at times it was endearing. Other times it was frightening, because Catherine was such a powerful woman and could set things that were difficult to prevent happening in motion. “Darling, I’m good and the babies are wonderful. Our son is responding to treatment and the doctors are hopeful he’ll be out of the incubator sooner than originally thought.”

Catherine sank back in the chair closing her eyes in relief that was all that was important then, thank goodness for that. “You wanted to have a late night chat, perhaps?” Her smile translated in her tone of voice as she heard Jace suck in a breath and chuckle.

“With you, love, always. I’ve missed you, I want to share every moment of the twins birth with you, everything!”

The words, though meant in a wondrous way, felt like a small dagger to the heart. She felt the same way and yet it just hadn’t been possible. This time it hadn’t been enemies baying for her blood, or kidnappings or Xianthos business, though that was looming in the shadows. No, this time it had been Mother Nature and domestic issues, pretty much like any of their neighbors in similar circumstances. Who would have thought that they would be thwarted by the average lifestyle of a farmer? “I miss you too, love, and I promise that as soon as the road is open, I’m going to be camping in that room with you the hospital staff will be cursing me.”

“Catherine… my dad called earlier, I kind of figured with all that’s going on you probably didn’t have time to speak…”

Catherine interrupted her lover immediately. “I talked with your Mom, Jace; she was going to call you immediately. Said it was just like you not to wait for her, you always did get impatient when excited.” Her own thoughts exactly, because that was who Jace was and they loved her even more for that.

Jace sucked in a deep breath. “Did you speak with Dad?”

“Your Mother said she would do that for me. I’m sorry, darling, was he upset with me?” Cursing herself that she hadn’t contacted Jason directly but Alison had been adamant.

“Dad said Mom didn’t know. Catherine, I think something is wrong, can you find out what’s going on, please?” Jace’s voice held that forlorn imprint that melted away any thought on Catherine’s part of saying no. Not that she would have, this did indeed sound strange.

“Anything for you, babe, you know that. I’ll call him now if you promise me something in return.”

“What’s that, love?”

“Sleep, darling, and tomorrow when you wake, if our daughter allows you to sleep that length of time, all will be revealed, I’m sure it’s a misunderstanding.” Catherine highly doubted things would be okay in the morning. She’d heard rumors via Constance that Alison wasn’t in New York anymore on a regular basis, living back in LA. She also knew that Jason’s schedule of the last three months would have given him little opportunity to have any major time with his wife. Not a good thing under the circumstances, but he’d agreed to the punishing schedule rather than she return to take some of the workload. That damn financial drain hadn’t helped the cause any either.

“I’ll do that just for you. I love you, Catherine, will you kiss the kids for me at breakfast and tell them mommy is coming home soon, especially Elena.”

“Absolutely, a done deal and who knows, you might get a surprise tomorrow.” Her thoughts of taking Elena along to the school for the showdown with Lisa’s principal, then taking Elena for a surprise visit with Jace. Yeah, that sounded good to her, very good indeed.

“I can’t wait, love. Sleep tight, Catherine, I love you.”

“You kiss the twins for me in the morning too, and I’ll see you before you know it. I love you too, Jace, sweet dreams, my darling.”

Catherine contemplated the next course of action as she felt Rio rub her leg for attention. “Okay, boy, I’ll take you out then I have to call grandpa and find out what the hell is going on.” Softly whispering to the dog, she opened the door to the yard next to the study and let the dog out. She smiled knowing he wouldn’t go far, it was too damn cold; he was such a creature of comfort these days.

 ~ ~ ~

Chapter Thirty-three

Neil Davis stared out of his window at the retreating figure of the FBI agent. His children, who had silently entered the room once they knew the coast was clear, watched him in trepidation. They had heard his voice rise in anger for the first time that they could remember. Their Dad was so mild mannered and had never lost his temper. It was one of the aspects of his character that people liked the most, or so Theresa had overheard her aunt saying to some of the family adult friends.

“Dad, Dad, are you okay?” Theresa finally found her voice, asking the question all three wanted an answer to. Her brothers held her hand and as they did so she could feel the fear that ran through them, especially Sam. Who might come across as the brave one but in reality was a bravado that was only skin deep. Randy on the other hand weighed every aspect of the situation and although afraid, didn’t show it as much as is brother.

Turning around to face his children, Neil masked the anxious look immediately, very much as he would have done when he was about to give bad news to the owner of a beloved animal. Holding out his arms to his children that meant everything to him, he felt them jump into his embrace thankfully. “I’m going to call Ed to have him take over my practice for a few days. Right now we are going to pack away a few items for a long weekend, nothing like the kitchen sink, Terri, okay?”

Theresa frowned; she had friends to visit this weekend and didn’t want to go, and said as much as she pulled away from his embrace. “I’m not going anywhere, Dad. It’s the weekend, I promised to meet my friends at the coffee shop; you said I could go.” A petulant expression followed the words. Neil shook his head bewildered for a moment as to what to say. Maybe the truth would be good.

“Terri, something has come up and it’s important we go away for a few days.” Staring outside he pointed to the man in the deep blue suit positioned at the end of the drive. “That man, Terri, is going to take us to a place where we can spend time together, it won’t be for long, I promise.”

“What? What’s so important that we have to go now this minute, I don’t understand?” Folding her arms across her chest, she glared at him, the obstinate adolescent expression clearly stating her stance. She was not going to move until she knew why.

“Look, Terri, trust me, it’s for our benefit, and I’ll explain later, right now I want you to pack your things. We need to go…the operative word being NOW!” The voice that had risen in anger earlier with the man who now stood guard outside the house came through clearly. Her Dad was having no more arguments on the topic.

“Boys, please go do as I say.” He gave the twins a wink and encouraging smile as they scuttled off to do as he said. Theresa stood there in the center of the room refusing to do his bidding no matter how angry he became.

“Dad, I’m fifteen almost sixteen, I think I deserve more of an explanation, I’m not a little girl anymore!”

Neil smiled at his eldest child. Yep, she was right, where had that little girl gone? It had seemed like yesterday when she was that quirky child with the penchant for pretty flowery dresses and he’d had a hard time helping her choose.  Somewhere along the lines she had grown up and he hadn’t noticed…or more likely… wasn’t prepared for her blossoming so quickly into a young woman.

“I know, Terri, you’re growing into a very beautiful young woman just like your Mom. She would have been so very proud of you.” Tears shimmered in his eyes as he thought about his deceased wife, where had the time flown.

Theresa glanced up at her dad. He’d never said anything like that before; she had always thought that he considered her ten years old. Sometimes it was hard to tell him that she was changing inside and out but he never appeared to understand or want to know. Had she just been so pig-headed not to see that he probably just forgot to tell her? As she watched him shrug self-consciously, her eyes caught the glimmer of tears in his eyes, he was going to cry, and her Dad never cried. All her selfish wants were dumped into the background as she stepped closer and in a split second ran into his waiting strong arms. “I’ll go pack and make sure the boys don’t bring every toy with them.”

Neil smiled lovingly at her. She always tried to be the hard one but underneath that veneer there was that little girl just trying to find her feet in an ever changing life and he’d see to it that she had the chance to evolve from her chrysalis to a wonderfully rounded beautiful adult.

“Thank you, Terri. I love you very much and I promise that as soon as we can come home, we will,” kissing the top of her head as she left the room to pack.

In the empty room he glanced around the clean but shabby through wear room and the various family photos hanging on the wall on the side cabinet. The FBI agent had told him that their lives were in danger and moving them to a safe house was the best thing to do, especially after what Sam and Randy had seen the previous evening. Better to be safe than sorry and he seconded that wholeheartedly.

As he walked towards the door, he paused at the wedding portrait that hung near the door. A sense of right assailed him as he stared into his wife’s eyes sparkling with laughter and happiness as she hung onto his arm. They might have had a short life together but it had been filled with love and joy. And he would be forever grateful that he had spent that time with her and had the experience of bringing into the world three marvelous children with her, even though she hadn’t lived to share the twins with him.

Alison stared at the FBI agents initially waiting for an explanation, then to Serena who had flipped opened her cell phone and dialed a number waiting for it to be answered.

“Will someone tell me what’s going on please; I have a right to know?”

The Agent who appeared to be heading the team in the house turned his attention directly to the question posed. “There’s been another development, we have it in hand.”

“Look, I deserve to know!” Alison grabbed Serena’s arm momentarily taking her attention from the call she was making. “Tell me, Serena, what’s going on.”

Serena frowned slightly and told whoever was at the other end of the line she would call them back shortly. Then gave Alison her full attention. Obviously her ex-colleagues were being as obtuse as normal. “Alison, it appears that last evening there was apparently someone watching over the Davis house…”

“Neil’s home? Are they okay, what about the children and Neil?” An anguished expression crossed Alison’s face as she placed a hand to her mouth in concern. She would never forgive herself if anything happened to Neil or his family, not that she knew about the danger she hadn’t, and this was all so crazy.

“Alison, don’t worry we…that is, the FBI have it in hand. They are going to take the same measures with the Davis family that they have with you. I assure you that they are all okay. Right now we need to find out…”

“I want to see them here; I won’t rest until I do.”

Serena gave the older woman a concerned glance; this wasn’t what anyone would want. If indeed it had been the Arrow that had stalked the premises, there was the likelihood he would follow the agents. And although they would try to lose any perceived tag on the vehicle, there was always that percentage of uncertainty they had been completely successful.

“You are in grave danger, Alison, you and Lucy. If they bring the family here, no one can give you a cast iron guarantee that the person who has committed these terrible murders hasn’t the means to follow them here. Do you want to take that chance or your life, Lucy’s and maybe everyone here?” Her eyes cast towards the agents listening as the Agent in charge, Mitchell Dooley, nodded his head in her direction agreeing with her synopsis of the situation.

“Then I’ll go to them and see for myself. That way the only person in danger is me?” The adamant expression on the face of the woman had the two agents and detective stare at each other for another way out of this predicament.

“Dooley, what do you think?” The detective had experienced this blind obstinacy before and if not properly controlled could do exactly what she had said, bringing the possibility of danger closer than it already was.

“I’d like a moment alone with you to discuss this, Dusterly.” He spoke with the professional air of a man who had also experience of this situation and didn’t give much away.

Alison was about to speak, outraged that she wasn’t part of the consultation process, as Serena placed a calming hand on her forearm. “Alison, trust me, please.” The older woman gave the private detective a long glance and nodded her head. After all, she had brought the woman here for her expert help, and perhaps she should at least listen to it even if she chose to ignore it in the end.

“I’ll check on Lucy. I’ll be back in a minute and I’ll expect to be leaving shortly thereafter.” She announced walking briskly away from the gaping expressions of the three others in the corridor.

Way to go, Mrs. Bardley! Serena silently applauded the woman as she spun around to face the two agents.  “Okay, what do you want to do about this?”

“They will not agree at HQ, it’s verging on a suicide mission.” Dooley calmly informed her, and knew by the look in her eyes she agreed with him.

“Then I’ll take her. She’ll leave anyway if we don’t do something. What can we do about it if she does, we can’t exactly hold her against her will, can we?”

Dooley sighed heavily. Some people didn’t appreciate that they were trying to help and it was usually people like the Bardley woman who ended up hurt because they never thought that it was a real situation in their heart of hearts. The criminal element was far removed from their suburban environment, except for the odd burglary or two. Hit men and multiple murders were something they watched on TV for entertainment, but this was as real a predicament as any could be. “I’ll take her. It isn’t your place to do so and too many people knowing the whereabouts of the safe houses isn’t policy. You are a civilian after all, Dusterly, no matter what strings you pulled to be here right now. White, here, will be in charge when I’m gone, you take orders from him.”

Seething inwardly at the orders part of the conversation, she had to agree with his summing up of the situation though she would have done the same. No matter what her instincts were, she was a civilian now and had to take that parting shot accordingly.

“Okay, I’ll fetch Alison.” Serena walked towards the bedroom door and rapped on it sharply. This wasn’t going to be pleasant either, having to be in the company of Lucy Bardley without her mother as the buffer.

Russ Lloyd stared at the monitor. They had gone hours without any news and now, in the space of minutes, two events had taken place. The Davis property looked like it had been compromised and a safe house were now being used to house the family from any potential danger. Secondly, Senator Renaldo had stepped into the frame, discussing the very subject with CIA officials he knew personally who had finally informed him in the Washington office.

Serena had called him earlier but she had been unable to continue and would call him back. By then he hoped to have more information for her and their operatives in the field.  A description of the Arrow would be a start and at least they would know who they were looking for.

Right now all he knew for sure was that the President had been informed of a potential scandal which might leave a stain on his office by default. Something Renaldo would milk to the end, having no respect for the current President or his long time friends who held prestigious cabinet posts, Feldham being one of them. It was going to be interesting in lots of ways and the fallout could have huge consequences in the future.

The screen blinked away rapidly as a message appeared.

“I see you have the information hot off the press, Russ, we might solve this case quickly. Good work.” The man moved away as Russ stared after him.

Something told him that this was way too easy…maybe he was being too critical. If you acted fast enough things like this could be handled quickly but 24 hours? Oh well, the Arrow was still out there and a potential danger to innocent parties, maybe the option of new identities would be an option they didn’t have to consider.

The phone rang next to him and he answered it, smiling as he heard Serena’s voice and quickly informing her of the new information at hand.

Jerry Feldham read his newspaper over breakfast, a ritual that hadn’t changed in the last twenty years. He and Marcia had gone separate ways in everything but the shell of their upstanding morality family life, which was only there for the public image. Two daughters had been an early bonus to the relationship when things had at least been cordial. It had been a marriage of convenience from day one, he needed her family money and standing, she wanted the prestige of a politician in the family who was going places. An agreement that had been mutually beneficial over the years, neither wanted out of the marriage, agreeing to discreet one-off affairs that would not jeopardize the public’s impression of their upstanding, moralistic, devoted family.  He guessed with Candy he’d been foolish taking her on permanently, supplying an apartment and expense account, but she had been good for his ego. He wasn’t getting any younger and a part of him yearned for the adulation of a much younger woman. She had supplied that and he had, in his own way, loved her. However, she was disposable; his career came first and always would.

Raleigh had taken care of the problem, paying her off with a generous sum to keep her quiet permanently and diluting any other party that was involved. Candy and her …boy lover were welcome to each other as long as they kept him out of the frame.

“Jerry, there’s two men here who need to speak with you urgently.” Marcia critically appraised the man in front of her who peered out from behind the paper, a bored expression on his face.

“It’s Sunday, Marcia, I will not see anyone at home, you know that!” He picked up the paper again and ignored his wife.

Pale green eyes glared at the figure hidden behind the sheet of news. She didn’t appreciate being spoken to like that either. “I suggest you tell them that, I’ve placed them in your study.”

Her voice sarcastic, devoid of any emotion as she flounced out of the room abruptly, leaving him to stare crossly at the door closing behind her. Damn that woman, now he knew why he hardly spent any time at home, she was becoming a real shrew stuck here all day.

Standing he headed for the study, opened the door and with the false smile of his profession, entered the room. As he did so, the two men who had been sitting in the leather sofa stood immediately, coolly appraising him.

“Gentlemen, I believe you have business with me. Couldn’t it wait until I’m back in my office or at least until tomorrow, even politicians get to take the Sabbath off, you know?” Feldham smoothly commented. Usually his silky charm worked and more often evoked a smile from the recipients, not so today.

“Senator Feldham, we have a warrant for your arrest on suspicion you initiated a hit on two people and potentially several others.” The larger of the two men walked towards the Senator whose face drained of any color as he stared at them, for once at a loss for words, handing him the warrant for verification.

Stepping back towards the door, Feldham glanced at the official document. As he did so, the smaller of the arresting officers quickly stepped between the door and the possibility of the man fleeing the room.

“Senator, we can do this the easy way or the hard way, your choice.”

Jerry Feldham looked once more at the document. There was some mistake; he hadn’t done anything like this. For God’s sake, he was a senator! “Look, I don’t know what’s going on here but I’m innocent. I think you have the wrong man, who the hell fabricated this?”

“We are not at liberty to discuss details. We need you to go with us, Senator, now.” The bulkier man stepped forward and pulled out his handcuffs.

“You can’t put them on me, what will my public think?” Jerry Feldham wasn’t thinking straight, he knew that, however, his reputation in the public eye was of paramount importance.

The agent who had his handcuffs ready gave a small wry smile. Typical it wasn’t his family he worried about, just his public image. “You can call your lawyer from the office, Senator.” The agent clicked one cuff on the Senator the other on himself as the smaller man opened the door and they exited the room.

Marcia Feldham watched from the gallery at the top of the curved stairs, a hand going to her mouth as she saw her husband being led away like a common criminal. She rushed down the steps after him once her body finally sprung into action.

“Jerry, what’s going on?”

Feldham turned to stare at the anxious expression in her eyes, knowing it wasn’t for his personal benefit, no but the reputation of the family. At least they had that trait in common. “Call Theodore, he’ll have this misunderstanding cleared up by lunch.”

Marcia watched as her husband was driven away, her mind tumbling over the numerous scenarios that could happen. She had often wondered if the privileged life they led built on a lie had a price, perhaps now she was going to find out. She sped back into the house to call Theodore Evesham, the family lawyer and close friend.

Lucy stared sullenly at Serena Dusterly, a part of her hoping all this was a nightmare. However, her mother had explained the situation again and all she could feel was a numbing sensation all over.

Luke dead, he couldn’t be, surely she would feel the loss?

How incredible could that be, just reward for his infidelity. Went through her mind, at least for all of ten seconds, then she felt the overpowering grief of finally understanding the man she had loved was dead, and that now she and her family, along with other innocent people, were involved in the whole sordid situation.  Movies weren’t as complicated as this, where was her Dad when they needed him!

“If you want to talk, Lucy, until your Mother returns, I can be a good listener.” Serena finally broke the deadlock of the silence between them.

The sullen expression didn’t vacate the young woman’s face as she glared at the detective. How could a private detective know what she was going through now? How could she, knowing someone like her, she probably never had been in love and if her looks were anything to go by, never would be, and the profession she was in wouldn’t help either! Who wanted to be involved with someone who did what she did for a living!

“Have you spoken to my Dad?”

Finally the woman speaks! What a question though, should she fabricate a reason for not having spoken to Jason Bardley? Yep, she could but at the same time, enough deception had been laid at Lucy’s door. It was time for straight talking and honesty if they were to at least get through the next few critical hours. “Yes, he was going to try to get back here to you and your mother.”

Lucy turned her gaze to the wall opposite her, the only decoration a small religious plaque hanging there. As she continued to stare at the figure depicted there, all her pent-up anger at her father in particular took on another path. She hadn’t been responsible for any of this nor had her father, who she had blamed equally in this business along with Luke’s infidelity. She’d been making some really bad calls in the past year or so and even though she’d been one pain in the rear about college, work and relationships, her parents had always supported her, her dad more so in the last six months. She must have been a major disappointment to him not to mention embarrassment. “Is that wise?”

Serena barely heard the whispered words Lucy finally spoke though she continued to stare intently at the religious picture on the wall. Clearing her voice slightly, Serena also glanced over to the spot on the wall that had Lucy mesmerized, being a non-practicing catholic herself she hadn’t time for religious nonsense in her life. Too many horrible things happened to people in the name of God and religion as she saw it, wanting nothing to do with any denomination. “Probably not but what your mother is doing right now isn’t wise either, so I guess they make a great pair.” Trying to lighten the heavy conversation with a touch of humor, not that she prided herself on being the humorous type but when circumstances prevailed, she’d try anything.

Lucy broke her gaze from the wall and stared intently at the private detective. “I don’t blame you for any of this, even if I said it earlier.”

Taken aback by the admission, Serena frowned slightly. Was this an apology? Well, you couldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. “I’m sorry things went the way they did, all your father wanted was to know that you were okay.”

Solemnly Lucy nodded her head. “My parents are cool and my sister too. I’ve been lucky to have them as a family. If anything happened to me, do you think they would say the same, I haven’t exactly been the best daughter and sister in recent times.”

Serena didn’t know what to say to the admission. Was this an emotional reaction to the trauma Lucy had gone through, to spill your heart to a stranger, not something she would do even under duress? Well, she’d implied she was a good listener, now she better stump up the goods. “I’m sure there have been more good times than bad and families have a way of turning the odd blind eye, you know.”

Lucy acknowledged the point. “I was horrible to my sister when she became involved with Catherine. I still don’t like her much; she isn’t good enough for Jace.” There, she’d finally said it out loud and meant every word. She’d never been able to say it to her family, they wouldn’t have understood. Not sure she did really; it was one of those irrational feelings that were hard to explain. Jace could have done better and it wasn’t the gay issue thing either, though that didn’t help matters. Nope, Warriorson was a nasty bitch, and although she might be playing down her less desirable character traits, a leopard never changed it spots and she didn’t want to see her sister hurt; especially now that she knew how much pain it caused to love unwisely.

Standing up and pacing around the room always helped Serena’s thought process and right now she needed all the help she could get. This was way over her head and then some. “Maybe if you had a chance to get to know Catherine a little better she might prove you wrong. People can change if its important to someone they love and from what I saw myself, your sister does love Catherine and I gather it’s a mutual condition. Why not, when all this is over, go visit your sister, I’m sure she would welcome you with open arms. It must be difficult to live so far away from her own family, no matter how much she loves her new one.”

Lucy watched the detective pace the floor not sure if it was a normal reaction in the woman or if she was embarrassed by the confessions. Maybe the detective was right, Jace might have a penchant for the down and out but you couldn’t exactly say Catherine was in that category. Although money wasn’t the only governing factor in finding yourself in the gutter, emotionally you could end up there; right now she was pretty close to the edge herself. “I guess. Will my mom be okay going to that other place?”

“Dooley is a very experienced Agent; I’m sure she will be just fine and back here before you know it.”

“She’s not having an affair with that man, you know!”

Shaking her head at the comment, this time it was most definitely out of her depth, it hadn’t crossed her mind that Alison was having any marriage difficulties. Jason and Alison, the only time she had met them together in New York when Lisa was missing, had seemed to her what many called soul mates. Or at least what she envisioned as such. They had that aura when together that was like fitting two pieces of a puzzle together to make the perfect fit. She’d seen it a couple of times before over the years with some of her clients, and had hoped that her own parents had been soul mates too. Her father had never remarried after her Mom had died when she was five, and he always kept a photo of her Mom on his dresser. Now, she had his photo alongside that one on her dresser, a link with the only family she had. “I never thought she was, Lucy, not every relationship between a man and woman has to have a sexual connection. As hard as some people find it, friendship can be a wonderful thing between the sexes.”

Lucy dropped her gaze. She’d been out of order to say that, and to this woman who was a stranger. What had she been thinking…that her Mom and Dad were splitting up and that had hurt more than Luke’s death and infidelity, though she hadn’t had the courage to say as much to either of her parents. “Are you involved with anyone?”

“Me? Not me, Lucy, who’d want a workaholic private detective who was never home and put other peoples problems before their own?” It wasn’t really a question, was it? There hadn’t been anyone in her life because she chose it that way and right now she wondered if that had been the correct path to go down all those years ago. Although it was too late now to change anything, she was what she was, and maybe with Jenny’s friendship, she might take the time to have a little fun now and again. As her thoughts turned to her office assistant, the queasy feeling took over again…it was really odd.

“Has there ever been anyone?”

Prying now was she; grinding her teeth, Serena considered ignoring the question. Except this was apparently taking Lucy away from her own problems and that’s what she wanted, didn’t she? “No, can’t say I’ve ever been remotely in love or going down that track.”

Lucy returned her gaze to the religious wall hanging. “I never realized how irresponsible I was being until a short while ago, and right now all I want to do is make amends and get on with living…oh, and not make trouble for my family.” For the first time since Serena had met Lucy, she actually smiled, wasn’t a very wide one but a start.

“Have you ever considered that what your family might think is good for you isn’t what you want at all. When we’re finished here, have a talk with your parents and tell them what you want…if you know what you want, that is?” God she was being stupid. This was like telling her to run away again on another whim, not what Jason would expect of her.

“I do know what I want to do.” Lucy spoke quietly, as a wistful smile crossed her face.

“Well, you go for it. Don’t forget, we are only here for a short span of time and you have to do something for yourself as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else in the process.”

Serena smiled when she heard the whispered response. “I want to travel the world for a year and just be me, and not what other people want me to be.”

A shuffle at the door had Serena quickly spinning the chair that Lucy was sitting in away from the doorway towards the wall, it turning over in the process with Lucy almost stuck under it. Pulling out her weapon and with a hand across her mouth to advise the shocked and startled Lucy to be quiet, Serena knelt beside the chair, with a good view of the doorway waiting to see what happened next.

Jason picked up the phone that rang louder than normal or was his hearing more sensitive right now. He didn’t know and he certainly didn’t care as he sat in the chair and swallowed hard saying a brief hello.

“Jason, hi, it’s me Catherine.”

“Catherine? How wonderful to hear your voice! Nothing wrong I hope, with my little girl and the new additions?” His heart pounded as he heard the cultured voice of his daughter’s partner at the end of the line, not whom he’d expected.

“Nothing like that, they are all doing well, and I’m pleased to say. What about yourself?” Catherine watched Rio leave the room knowing he was heading back to his luxury pad at the end of Lisa’s bed. Lucky dog, she had this call to make and then more time outside helping the unfortunate animals.

“I’m great, thanks for asking. Is this a business call or…” Jason frowned. Catherine rarely talked business when it was her evening, she had a regimented slot for the company and the rest was her personal family time. Interruption of such was at your peril unless it was a life or death emergency.

“Hardly business, Jason, I talked with Alison earlier and told her about the twins and that Jace hadn’t been able to wait for her arrival. Jace tells me she didn’t think her Mother knew because she hadn’t called. Have we a family crisis about to erupt that we should know about? We may live at the end of the world according to some but I can assure you that isn’t the case.” Catherine pulled at her chin as she spoke, contemplating if she knew her partner’s father well enough to know if he was lying to her over a telephone line.

There was the smallest hesitation and Catherine knew that something was wrong…how wrong had yet to be established. “I didn’t know Alison knew, Catherine, I gave Jace that impression.”

Snorting out her reply harshly, “Don’t you talk anymore or is it a case that you don’t care that your daughter has given birth to twins!”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Catherine, we care and you know it! You are out of order if you think otherwise and I’m hurt that you think it, never mind saying it.”

Oh bloody great, she’d put the boot in instead of the soft-shoe shuffle! However, it had looked that way at this end, maybe they were too far away and out of the loop. “Look, I apologize, Jason, if I was rude or insensitive, but you have to see it from my point of view, your daughter is upset and anxious that something is going wrong and she’s the last to hear of it.”

“It’s usually the person it’s happening to that’s the last to know. Didn’t they teach you that?” Jason replied sarcastically, he had enough on his plate without this from her.

“And that means…what exactly? Something is happening and you are the last to know?” Catherine heard the sarcasm and decided against retaliation, now was not the time and she was exhausted by her day without a verbal sparring with a family member.

“It means nothing of the kind.”

“I need to convince your daughter that all is well and to do that you have to convince me, and right now you aren’t succeeding. So tell me what the problem is and maybe I can help?”

Jason closed his eyes. Who was he trying to kid, this woman wasn’t going to be placated with a simple everything is fine comment. “I need you to promise me that what I tell you doesn’t go any further until it’s necessary, will you promise me that, Catherine?”

“You mean keep it from Jace?”

“Yes, I mean that exactly and when you hear me out, I‘m sure you will agree. Right now she deserves to enjoy giving birth to the babies and what I have to say wouldn’t remotely be called a joyous occasion. I was hoping to allow you those moments too, obviously that isn’t going to happen now.”

Catherine had given her word to Jace that they would have no more secrets. What Jason was asking would have her break that vow to the woman she loved. Dare she do that? “I can’t agree to that, Jason, your daughter and I have a pact…we promised no more secrets between us and this would break that trust.”

Jason smiled slightly; yes, trust was paramount in a relationship and with it any storm could be weathered, as he knew that his and Alison’s current differences would be. He’d made the cardinal mistake of allowing jealousy into the equation and how that destroys the peace of mind. “Okay, I’ll tell you, but it will be your call to say how much of it Jace needs to know right now.”

Catherine was thankful Jason had seen her point of view immediately. One of the things she admired about her partner’s father is astuteness. “I’ll do just that. Go ahead, Jason, tell me the worse, believe me I’ve heard it all before.”

Sighing heavily, Jason pondered that remark as he began the sorry tale. No way would she have heard this, he’d bet his last dollar on it.

The crashing of the door being forced open and the bulk of a man propped in the doorway a gun apparently being pointed inside the room had Serena on the back foot as Agent Smith stood there. Then her senses went into overdrive as she realized that the Agent was just as her first impression gave her…a solid mass, only the Agent was dead and being used as a shield. Her slight hesitation cost the element of surprise as several shots aimed with accuracy at the chair, which had been subsequently overturned, the fabric an impressive silencer as the shots embedded inside, except for the one that winged Serena.

Her eyes never leaving the assassin at the doorway, she aimed and fried a round of her own, targeting the upper body in the hopes that the person would drop the shield and take better aim. She was mistaken, the killer didn’t and the shots embedded in the wall and the dead Agent’s body.

Another barrage of shots headed in her direction and she yelled at Lucy to keep down unable to see the young woman’s reaction but knowing that fear made you do stupid things. A couple of shots ricocheted off the chair and pressed into the wall, one in the picture that Lucy had been mesmerized by, others once more went into the chair with a dull thud. The acrid smoke assailed her nostrils as she fought the pain that traveled through her body from her gunshot wound. Damn it, in the movies the hero’s never worried about a bullet wound, they got on with the job. Here, she was struggling with the searing pain, her body wanting to shutdown. Well, it wasn’t going to!

Aiming her weapon at the killer, she tried again to find a vulnerable spot and finally found one as the dead carcass of Agent White hit the deck with a resounding thud. The assassin dodged behind the wall of the open doorway, making a shot impossible for Serena.

“Lucy, we need to get out of here. Look around for something to throw through the window.” With no reply from Lucy, she was about to take her eyes from the danger of the doorway when another round was fired in her direction. However, this time she was ready and took careful aim, making sure that this shot counted. She gave silent thanks to her father who had insisted she be a crack shot for such an eventuality, for today, it had paid dividends as the assassin collapsed on top of the agent with a bullet through the brain.

Fighting the urge to pass out, she struggled to her feet and with the gun ready to shoot another bullet into the man should her first not have succeeded, though she knew it had, with the gory mess on the back wall.  Grimacing at the pain, she kicked the body over and didn’t need to check for a pulse, he wasn’t going to kill another soul…the back of his head was wide open to the elements.

With her stomach churning she shouted to Lucy that it was okay to come out now.

Yet again there was no response.  She walked back to the overturned chair while her stomach did worse cartwheels than the mess she had just inflicted on the murderer. Peering behind the furniture she saw her worse nightmare come true, Lucy Bardley with her hands clutching her stomach, her eyes staring widely but unseeingly up at her completely in shock, the blood oozing out of the wound.

With a choked sob she reached down to feel for a pulse, hoping against hope that shock was the reason for the vacant stare, and not a bullet that had reached the target through the foam and fabric.

With her fingers shaking, Serena pressed against Lucy’s neck…

The incredible had happened. Life was now becoming more and more like a fictional tale, if it hadn’t been already prior to Jason’s news, it had overstepped the mark and had now taken on, what Catherine could only term, manic delusional proportions.

From where she was sitting right now, all the information he had given her the previous night felt like watching Jaws in a 3-D cinema. It had to be some horrible mistake…he’d got it all wrong, hadn’t he?

No way were he and Alison splitting up. Bottom line, she and Jace wouldn’t allow it!

And that ridiculous situation with Lucy…well, the kid had always been trouble, at least, since she’d met her anyway. The FBI involvement was interesting though hardly normal, although they would work it out, and if Dusterly was in the thick of it, she had a tenacity that solved problems, if not immediately, then eventually through gutsy work and ideas. Having volunteered to call Dusterly to find out what was going on, Jason asked her not to get involved, just yet, and she had her own worries after all. If he needed her help he promised to ask for it. Reluctantly she consented, he was right, she did have her own problems here, and the way she was feeling right now, domestic issues far outweighed any others she had ever experienced.

“You look preoccupied this morning, Catherine, anything I can do to help?” Judy asked quietly as she contemplated her boss, the dark circles around her eyes testifying she hadn’t slept much the night before. The note she read when entering the kitchen that morning had probably been scribbled hurriedly barely hours before. Jake, it appeared, was being allowed the day off school because of his hard work during the evening and through the early morning hours, and if he slept all day, that wouldn’t interrupt her daily routine too much. Not that she was exactly rushed off her feet, she wasn’t, it would be a change to have him around and no doubt he would help out when he found out that Colin was back in charge.

Glancing up, Catherine’s thoughts were on how she was going to explain to her partner all the current family news, without her lover wanting to get out of bed and fly home. No doubt to bang a few heads together to make them see sense and very likely offering her kid sister a shoulder to cry on and support. “Tired from yesterday, all in all it was eventful; I think we packed into twenty-four hours what most people do in a year. I was going to take Elena along to the school and see Jace today, but on second thought, she will be happier here. She might get all out of sorts if she can’t stay with her mother, and anyway, I’m not sure when I’ll arrive home. We all know what a stinker Elena can be in the temper department if she doesn’t get her naps and meals at the right time.”

“Don’t worry, Catherine, I thought it might be a little too much for you…” Judy trailed off as Catherine gave her a sharp glance.

“I didn’t mean you couldn’t cope, but she likes attention and you need to concentrate on the bullying aspect today. Tomorrow you can take her to see Jace, I’m sure she won’t know she’s being left behind today.” Quickly explaining her reasoning because from the look on her employer’s face, she knew she had taken it as unable to cope with the toddler for the day.

Lowering her head to stare at the cooling liquid in her mug, Catherine agreed with a low mutter. “Okay. Where is Lisa anyway? The taxi is due any minute now.”

“Cleaning her teeth and collecting her school bag. I think she’s nervous about you arriving at school with her.” Oh, Judy, why can’t you keep your thoughts to yourself? Admonishing her yet again as she remarked on the children’s welfare, trying to remember she was only the housekeeper not part of the children’s education process. Some things you never forget and her training as a schoolteacher had given her a decent eye regarding children’s psyche in her few years working as such.

Fortunately Catherine was too engrossed in her own thoughts to take too much umbrage this time. “Yes, I know. When I’m done with the principal of the school, she will feel better.”

Standing to her full height, Catherine flexed her shoulders glancing out of the window as the taxi drew up outside the homestead. “I need to collect something from the study, will you fetch Lisa for me, please, Judy?”

Judy nodded, leaving the kitchen area in search of the young girl while Catherine glanced down at the toddler munching into her breakfast totally unaware she had been talked about, in fact, oblivious to everything but the delicious food in front of her. A tender expression crossed the tall woman’s face as she wondered if in ten years time she would be taking Elena to school for this reason. Bullying wasn’t a new practice; it was a centuries old part of human nature probably going back to their primitive roots and the need to be the superior one in a group. Shaking her head at her thoughts she realized she was analyzing. Damn, some of what that shrink had said had rubbed off on her. Stooping down Catherine kissed the top of the surprised but happy child, who grinned up at her with a mouth full. About to speak, Catherine quickly dodged the food pellets aimed in her direction. Roll on the day the child learnt some table manners. It wasn’t polite to speak with your mouth full.

“Baby, I’m going to see Mommy, I’ll give her a big kiss for you and tomorrow you can see her too.”

Elena grinned widely as she spoke again. “Mamma lov.”

A bright smile crossed Catherine’s features as Elena said the one thing she knew in her heart was true. “Yes, and mamma love you too, see you later, baby.”

Judy opened the door, as Catherine was about to leave. “Lisa is on her way…” They both heard the heavy footsteps on the stairs as the child quickly approached them.

Catherine muttered under her breath. “Sounds more like a heard of elephants than one slightly built girl to me.” Heading off to the study to pick up her purse and other items she needed for today.

Jace felt exhausted and the nurse who had been so kind to her on the previous late shift was even more attentive to her needs, especially when her daughter decided to use the not inconsiderable lungs she had been born with. Nurse Sally Bostock had taken the small bundle in hand and soon soothed away the cries of the distraught baby. It helped that her mother had discharged milk for feeding.

Although Jace had originally planned to feed the twins at the breast, her milk hadn’t been that forthcoming, and with her son still in an incubator, she had opted to express the milk available, feeding her daughter and eventually her son by bottle. She hadn’t as yet told Catherine; however, knowing her partner, she wouldn’t turn a hair, saying it was her choice since she was doing all the hard work. Her Mom probably wouldn’t agree on her view. She would say women had been given the necessary tools, why waste them and change what nature intended. Well, her Mom didn’t always know best. In this instance, if things got better, she might change her mind, for now the bottle would keep her daughter’s appetite at bay.

Yesterday she had been a fool trying to do too much after the caesarean, having been warned not to overdo it, and right now she felt like a truck had run her over and was unable to move without inflicting pain to one muscle or another. Glancing at the clock on the wall to check the time, if the weather had been kind and the roads cleared Catherine would be here soon, at least for morning tea, after going to school with Lisa.

What a predicament they had there, Lisa of all people being labeled a bully. It was such a complete out of the blue scenario. Lisa may have her faults but that wasn’t one of them, the other way around, being bullied that would be the more realistic probability. Lisa was an incredibly vulnerable young girl in many ways; maturity was still a while away, even if her body was growing up, and her mind hadn’t quite bottomed out the small child attitude to life. However, it would happen, patience and love helping the process of adolescence along and if this was the only problem with their eldest daughter in the coming years, they would be very thankful. Now she knew what her parents had gone through brining up two impressionable girls.

Her thoughts then traveled to her Dad. After he called she had wanted desperately to feel Catherine’s arms around her, to sooth away her fear and tell her she was imagining the undertones in her father’s voice. Her heart had been pounding and she was feeling emotionally overcharged for all the wrong reasons. Fortunately Amanda had kept her company for a while longer than the Reverend probably expected; she was a lovely woman and would be an asset to the community. She had a quirky sense of humor as her mimicry of Catherine’s voice had testified and yet a sympathetic ear. Not that she’d used the service, she hadn’t, Catherine was her shoulder to cry on and listen to her worries, but it was good to know that there was potentially another person she could rely on to perform the listening service if required in the future. Amanda had tried to make her smile again, mimicking in a jovial way Catherine’s voice. Weird thing was that for a few moments it was as if her lover was there in the room. Remarkably her nervous stomach settled enough for her to chat amicably with Amanda for a short time and after the Reverend left, she made her phone call to the homestead in the hope of speaking with Catherine. When she hadn’t been there it had been a terrible disappointment. However, waiting for her to call would have been agony except her body chose that time to take a catnap. And when her partner’s voice erupted at the end of the line a couple of hours later, it was like having her topsy-turvy world set upright and on course again. As she was Catherine’s rock, so her lover was hers, and she didn’t tell her half enough when they were together. She needed to remedy that and she would once Catherine set foot in the room.

Nurse Bostock arrived back in the room and smiled at Jace. “Here she is good as gold, all cleaned up and happy. I think she will sleep for a time now, if you want to get some more rest, Jace.”

Jace smiled warmly at the woman as a marvelous idea popped into her mind. “Thanks, Sally; I guess I did what everyone warned me about, overdoing it.”

Laughing at the chagrined expression on the young mother’s face, the nurse shook her head as she placed the baby in the crib beside the bed. “Aye, well, you new mothers never take advice, do you? Must be that over-powering motherly instinct to do everything for your children. I’ve seen it all before and the next day you are all tuckered out, but who listens to us, the experts.”

The wide smile dispersed any feeling of censure, though the nurse’s practiced eye gave the new mother a careful once over before picking up the blood pressure equipment to take a reading.

“Oh no, not again!” Jace wailed as the cuff was attached to her arm and the pump pressurized to take the reading.

“Yes, again. Now behave, Jace, or I’ll wake the youngster up for you and she can join us. Then we can have a competition to see if she takes after her mother for complaining.” Both women laughed at the teasing as Jace decided to shut up or maybe this high-spirited woman might do what she threatened.

“Have you always wanted to be a nurse, Sally?”

“Yes. My Mother bought me a nurse’s outfit when I was six, and it stuck around in my head, I guess. What do you do other than being a hard working Mum?”

Jace considered that carefully. “I used to work as a publicist for a company back in the States.”

“Ah, now that sounds interesting. Do you still have time to continue the career?”

“I gave it up, what I have here beats it hands down. Although with the personal time I have, I like to help out with community projects that the church involves themselves with, homeless that kind of thing. What about yourself when you leave here, do you have an exciting social life?”

A bubble of laughter echoed around the room making Jace smile. This woman reminded her of someone but she couldn’t put her finger on whom at the moment. “I’d love to say wild parties, plenty of doctors as the love interest. In reality, I’m usually tired after my shift to do much in the way of socializing, and my hours aren’t exactly conducive to partying. I do enjoy adventure vacations though. Camping in the out of the way places that not many have seen, and we have an enormous amount of those on the South Island. Should keep me happy until retirement and then I can travel to the North Island.”

“Gee, something I’m not, but the kids are, and Catherine has to do the adventure bit with them. She’s thinking of taking them on an expedition to the Catlins though I’m not supposed to know that. Lisa, our eldest daughter, spilled the beans when she visited yesterday.” Lisa, as always, could be guaranteed to keep her informed even if she didn’t mean to do so. She wondered how Catherine was going to persuade her to go on the trekking expedition. Whatever she did would, she was sure; end up in a very pleasurable experience, even if her lover didn’t win the battle.

“Great area and your kids will love seeing the penguins trip over in the surf. Nuggets cove is a wonderful place to see them in a small hide that isn’t usually that over crowded. I envy them; it’s a great part of the wild Southland.”

Jace heard the wistful tone in the nurse’s voice and pondered her idea a little further; maybe tonight she would broach her idea with the woman. To her mind, if you didn’t ask you never got to know what people think, and it was worth a try solving a big problem they had in the household.

“Good, your pressure is coming under control, keep up the good work and take a nap. I’ll see you tonight; have a great day, Jace.” Nurse Bostock floated out of the room with a cheery wave of her hand.

Hmm, she’d talk with Catherine about her idea and see what she had to say. Turning to peer with parental pride at the sleeping child next to her bed, her own eyelids blinked rapidly as she succumbed to sleep herself.

Colin Montgomery stared at the house he called home as he mentally prepared himself for going inside to the empty rooms. Before he’d married Grace, he hadn’t minded the silence of living alone. At least until he’d realized that being in love with his wife-to-be kicked, which placed into touch all other preconceived ideas of how to live wanting only to spend as much of his free time as possible with Grace. Now, looking at the building, it was a shell again. Except now it held memories that would be like living in hell until his family returned to him…if they ever did. Don’t go there. His mind repeated like a mantra. It wasn’t going to happen, Grace and Georgina would be home, and soon, he knew it in his heart. The doctors had indicated that this was a common occurrence, Grace’s refusal to see him, and if he had patience everything would work out. He’d read everything there was to know about the symptoms his wife had developed, and although right now it looked like a dire situation, the odds were that they would be back as a happy family unit in the future. It was the how near was near that had him an emotional wreck. The most amazing thing about falling in love and sharing your life with another person was that need to be with them, if not in person, in their thoughts, and right now he was hardly Grace’s flavor of the month. She had looked at him with such hate when they arrived at the hospital and again when she had been taken away, it was hard to equate that she was the same woman who loved him. But he had to believe that the love was still there but hiding until it was safe to reappear.

Then there was Georgina, his little girl. His pride and joy, and who fortunately wouldn’t be battled scarred by what was going on, as she was way too young. At least that’s what everyone said…how did they know for sure? Really know that she wouldn’t be affected by all the trauma of the situation. The worse thing for him was that she might forget him if they had to be away months with the treatment. He had so wanted to be a good father figure, always there from the onset. He didn’t want to be a fair weather Dad, who played happy families when it suited them, or when the going got tough they headed out to the golf links. No, he thought he’d done the right thing, except he’d taken his eye off the most important thing, his relationship with Grace. He hadn’t seen that she needed him too when the going got tough, now look at where they were…apart!

A tapping on the window of the car dragged his attention back to the present as he stared at Larry, his charge hand, vacantly for a few seconds. Then with a forced smile opened the car door, stepping onto the snow packed yard.

“Larry, how are things?”

The acting foreman heaved a silent sigh of relief thankful the boss was back. Mrs. Warriorson had done her best, just as he had, especially the previous evening. She and the boy had been willing and competent pair of extra hands with the stock. “Boss, I’m glad you’re back, we missed you.”

Nodding his head as he looked at the snow-covered hills, Colin raised his eyes beyond the horizon as the sun shined through on a clear blue-sky background, a good sign. “I need to see Mrs. Warriorson and advise her I’m back then you can fill me in on the damage to the stock.”

Larry pushed his leather hat back as he replied. “The missus has gone into town. She won’t be back until late although you can call her. She said she would have her mobile with her.”

“Okay, maybe we’ll go over what’s happening here first, I’ll call her later.”

“Good as gold, boss, the boys will be glad you’re here, it’s been hectic…”

The two men headed for the office, Colin’s mind now engrossed in the happenings at the homestead, his own personal dilemma pushed into the background for the moment. At least here people wanted him around and he could do some good.

Catherine paced the floor of the small waiting area outside of the Principal’s office. It had been one of the weirdest things when she entered the establishment with Lisa, some of her old memories of being hauled in front of the head of her prep school on many occasion surfaced. At that time she had been a confrontational child, sullen with it too. Having a disregard for authority that if she had been going through the attitude these days, she would probably have ended up in a juvenile detention center, and not having been chastised with a good caning and many hours of detention. Life, she was sure, was less complicated back then, and discipline was certainly at the forefront of what went on in the public schools back in England. She suspected that in the older establishment like the one she had attended, it still was a mainstay of teaching methods. However, not exactly approving of hitting children, sometimes the use of controlled disciplinary methods had the desired effect, bringing into line an adolescent before they did any major harm to themselves and society. Yes, discipline was lacking in parental control nowadays. You were lucky to not be hauled in front of a court if you smacked your child in public these days. Not that she had ever raised a hand to any of the children. A firm and occasional stern talking to had the desired effect, on the elder two anyway. Elena still had a ways to go before she learnt that she couldn’t have everything she wanted…that education process still had to take place.

Glancing at Lisa, she smiled encouragingly at the child who sat pensively in the chair opposite the Principal’s secretary, who was busily typing away on her computer, having informed the Principal of their arrival. Lisa looked like she was about to meet something out of a horror story, and to a young girl, the Principal was very much the ogre figure if you were in trouble. Catherine recalled her old headmistress, Miss Brown, vividly as having long black hair speckled with grey, held tightly in a confining bun on the top of her head. She wore a pair of sensible black lace up flat shoes always highly polished and a black woolen sweater that was the opposite in appearance, being well worn and baggy. The shape of her head also had that square jawed appearance that made you wonder if she ever smiled. Catherine couldn’t recall a time she ever had in any dealings with her. Mind you it wouldn’t have been very likely, the only time she saw the headmistress was when she was in trouble…which had been frequent, or at a school assembly from a distance. Except the time she had been caught chatting before prayer session and been cuffed on the ear and sent to sit it out at the head’s office for further punishment…oh those were the days, except now she wouldn’t wish it on any child especially her own.

As the door to the Principal’s office opened wide, Catherine’s last thought before she turned her attention to the present day was I wonder if old Miss Brown is still alive.

“Mrs. Warriorson?” Principal Gina Rush held out her hand to a woman who was as tall as she was and who scowled slightly, not a good sign for the first Parent-Principal meeting.

“Yes,” Catherine clasped the outstretched hand briefly. Her previously nervous stomach waiting for an audience with the woman immediately fled as she took in the woman’s appearance…absolutely nothing like Miss Brown from her schooldays.

“I’m sorry I kept you waiting, will you please step this way. Lisa, come along, I promise not to bite.” Principal Rush smiled encouragingly at the child who slowly vacated her seat and quickly moved next to Catherine, clutching her hand in support.

Catherine marveled that she and Lisa found another source of rapport. She winked at her elder daughter while walking inside the office to the seats pointed out for them.

“Would you care for a coffee or tea?” Gina asked politely, trying to gauge the woman who had entered her office. Usually she was pretty astute with the parents but this woman reminded her of a caged tiger, ready to pounce if you were out of order. Maybe that’s where some of the child’s fear stemmed from, though the body language between the two of them defied that theory.

“No, thank you.” Catherine sat down and waited for the Principal to do the same. All she wanted was a swift apology from this woman for blaming her child for something she hadn’t done, and spend the rest of the day with Jace. As her lover’s face came into her mind’s eye, she smiled, silently telling herself to behave, as Jace would have her do in the circumstances.

Gina rolled her eyes at Gail her secretary. “I’ll have a coffee after the meeting, Gail, thanks.”

Entering her room and firmly closing the door, Gina flipped open a folder as she sat down opposite the parent and student. “Before we start, congratulations, I hear you’ve added two more potential students to my ranks over the weekend.”

Catherine saw the genuine smile but wondered how this woman would know they had the twins. Before she had time to question the woman, Lisa excitedly replied.

“Yep, a brother and sister, haven’t seen them yet but I will soon, won’t I, Mom?” Lisa turned with brightly shining eyes to her adopted mother.

“Yes, Lisa. If the weather behaves, tomorrow after school.” Catherine replied to her daughter with a tender smile. “May I ask who told you?”

“Oh yes, the new Reverend, I was speaking with her yesterday.” Gina saw the disapproving frown crease the woman’s face opposite her, and she smiled slightly. Oh, someone else who isn’t on the ‘Warriorson favorite person’ list. At least I have something in common with the Reverend, wonder what she did to gain that disapproval. She’d have to ask at the next opportunity she had.

“Ah, yes, the Reverend. Thank you, we are very happy. My partner and the twins are well, that’s the main thing.” Catherine replied in a monotone voice, giving little away as she waited for the real reason for her to be here in this building.

“I agree, healthy is the only thing that matters. Well, shall we discuss the problem that has occurred in school recently with respect to Lisa?” Gina Rush felt like she was on the wrong foot with this woman, but for the life of her didn’t know how to change it, yet!

“My daughter isn’t a bully, Ms. Rush, far from it. I want to know how you came to that conclusion of accusing my child without adequate proof.” Catherine spoke in a low tone as she would when she was in a particularly sensitive meeting, giving the opposition no means of knowing what she was really thinking or feeling.

Straight talker, okay, I can deal with that. “Lisa was reported to me by a fellow student, or rather his parents. Who claimed that Lisa bullied him along with a friend of hers, Toni Pehukana. Under those circumstances, I confronted both students, who at the time refused to deny the accusation or give account of themselves. I thought it best that you came to the school and we discussed the situation. I will not have bullying in my school, Mrs. Warriorson, by anyone.” Gina allowed the tempo of her voice to rise at the end of her statement.

Catherine looked at the Principal carefully. There was a determination in her eyes that under different circumstances she might have admired. Right now, when her child’s reputation was at stake, it was merely a red rag to a bull, a very experienced bull at that. “Other than this boy’s word, is there anything to corroborate his accusation? I take it you have checked the facts for any truth in them. It is easy to accuse someone first… especially if the guilty party is the one doing the accusing.”

Principal Rush narrowed her eyes slightly, slipping off her chic glasses and twirling the arms in her hand as she considered the comment. “As Lisa chose not to discuss the matter, it was difficult to find the truth when only one person is talking. I do take your point. However, is Lisa ready to talk about the situation now?”

A nervous child shuffled in the seat as she turned her gaze to Catherine rather than her Principal, who was waiting for an answer to her question. “Lisa?” Catherine smiled encouragingly at her daughter and placed a light hand on her arm in a show of support.

“I don’t like getting people in trouble.” Lisa whispered as she stared out the window to the empty playground beyond the room.

Gina saw the troubled expression in the child’s face, a natural reaction in the circumstances. It was okay for the textbooks and so called experts to state the rules of engagement when it came to analyzing a bully situation, quite different in reality. Children were scared anyway, and even more frightened to accuse in many cases, especially if they thought their predicament would get worse. “Lisa, you won’t get anyone in trouble. If the complaint against you isn’t true, why take the blame for it? I’m sure that lots of other children will be grateful if you can highlight what’s really going on in school. You probably aren’t the only one being bullied, if that shoe fits better?”

Lisa heard the words but didn’t think that the Principal knew what she was talking about. If she dropped Bobby Jackson in as the culprit, he might make it even worse for her, and she still had to find out if Toni was her friend. If she wasn’t who would protect her and be her friend then, it would be worse than being labeled a bully.

Catherine watched Lisa as well as she could from her vantage point with her single eye vision, seeing the hesitation and fear cross her child’s face. Wondering how to make her see that this was the only out and standing up for yourself was the only way to get through life no matter how hard the road you took was. There were times when you had to be cruel to be kind and right now were one of those moments. As hard as it was to say what she was about to, it might be the only way. Sighing heavily, Catherine turned to face her daughter and with a controlled voice and blank expression she spoke quietly. “Lisa, do you want to go back to your class now?”

Gina Rush stared at the older woman; surely she wasn’t condoning the silence?

“Yes, Mom, I do, can I go now?” Lisa turned tearful eyes to her mother who without changing her expression nodded her head.

As Lisa stood up Catherine spoke again. “Of course, if you go now, you will be branded a bully with everything that goes with it. Not only in school but at home too, is that what you want?”

Damn, that was heartless. Gina stared at the psychological ploy, a very dangerous game and not what she would advocate at all. “If Lisa wants to go…”

Catherine gave the Principal a withering look. She might have been scared of her headmistress when she was thirteen years old, however, she wasn’t that young girl now, and she knew her daughter better than this newcomer. “If Lisa wants to live with the stigma of bully attached to her for the rest of her life, she can go. However, if she wants to confess all and be the young…woman I know her to be, she’s going to tell you her side of the story and clear her name.”

Looking directly into Lisa’s eyes, she saw the shimmering fear there, and making a strong play for dominance, the bravery she knew was in this child, how could she be any other with all the things that had happened to her in the past. This was easy in comparison to what she’d already experienced, the kidnapping yes, but worse the death of her natural mother leaving her alone in the world. It took courage to continue to be the bright spunky kid Catherine had seen in her in the early days and knew was still there but needed extra encouragement these days. “You know, Princess, that I’m right.”

Staring at her Mom, Lisa gave a tearful smile as she nodded her head. “I’m not a bully, Ms. Rush, Bobby Jackson is…”

Half an hour later, Lisa having told her story vindicating herself and Toni, she was then told that her brother had also tried to put the record straight when he spoke with his old physical Ed. Teacher before the weekend.  Lisa was then sent back to her lessons with a lighter load to carry, and assurances that she would not be bullied in the future, and if she was, she had to tell her teachers immediately.

As the Principal wrote a few notes down on the file, she then glanced up at the woman who had used dirty tactics not exactly admired in the text books on how to bring up children but had succeeded remarkably well. “I apologize for any problem I may have caused you or your family with this situation. However, you must understand my point of view. Since the two students wouldn’t defend themselves, the guilt can be placed in the wrong direction initially. I had every intention of following up the accusation thoroughly before I took the next steps.” For some reason Gina felt the need to explain her actions to this woman who had spoken little after Lisa began her story, leaving the Principal to do her job.

“I accept your apology. Now, if there’s nothing more, I have another appointment.” Catherine stood up intending to leave. As far as she was concerned this was an end to the situation, and she could go and see Jace. At least her partner would be pleased at the outcome, maybe not the tactics, but did she have to elaborate on those, who was going to tell…yeah right, she wasn’t going to be that lucky was she. Indulgently thinking it had been Lisa, after all, in the room with her, and that little pitcher had big ears and a mouth to go with it. God help them all when she was an adult, probably end up the best gossip in town.

“There is one thing, if you can spare me a few more minutes of your time? I know you are a busy woman but I think it’s important.”

Raising her eyebrow at the request, what other thing, for God’s sake, wasn’t the bullying under control now? “What is the one thing?”

Smiling at the tone she pressed the intercom. “How about that coffee now, I don’t know about you but I need one, Mrs. Warriorson?” Gina asked for coffee for two.

Frowning slightly she didn’t want to be rude but…coffee! “I take tea, white no sugar.”

Quickly changing the refreshment order, Gina grinned at Catherine. “Mrs. Warriorson, I have an idea, and perhaps you could help me…”

Alison Bardley sucked in a sigh of relief when she saw Neil’s twins chatting amiably with a tall well-built man who was listening to the excited children with a small indulgent smile on his face. He looked like he at least had a compassion for the innocents involved in such a case as this, not so the man who had remained focused and silent on the task of taking her from one safe house to another. Thankfully, she had left Lucy in the hands of Serena rather than that dour faced Agent at the house, the two women might not see eye to eye but at least her daughter had someone to talk to, even if the words might not be friendly. Right now Lucy needed to release some of the shock and pain she was feeling and who better to do that with than with a virtual stranger.

From a side room Neil stepped out into the corridor, a huge grin on his face as he saw her. She ran to him hugging him warmly, her whispered words almost incoherent as she told him she was glad he and his family were safe.

“I’m glad you are too, Alison, how is your daughter?” The warm eyes of her friend smiled into her anxious ones. He was such a kind and lovely man she was glad he was her friend.

“She’s in shock but she’ll get over it, we all will as soon as they find this person who’s making our lives hell at the moment. I’m sorry you have to be involved, Neil, really I am.” Alison saw the look of compassion and knew that it was all going to be okay, he understood. How he did was a miracle, most would have been distraught and annoyed having their family become embroiled, but he didn’t.

“Hey, you didn’t know, Alison, how could you have? From what the Agent has told me, no one would have known. I’m pleased you and your daughter are safe, that’s all that matters, the rest the FBI can work out.”

Smiling up at him, he was saying exactly the words she needed to hear from Jason and had he been here, she knew he would have been as supportive…she loved this man in front of her as she would a dear friend, she knew that now. Her heart had always been and would always belong to Jason only, and when she saw him again, they’d work it out. Because they were meant to be together and another trial in this road called a relationship was just another learning curve. Kinda loopy one, nevertheless it would work out as it had over the thirty-three years they had committed to each other body and soul. They hadn’t taken the vows they made to each other lightly then, and as time passed, only the situations changed. Deep inside they were still the same people, and bottom line, she loved her husband. “Yes, I’m sure you are right, where’s Theresa?” She glanced around to find the teenager who wasn’t with her brothers.

Grinning boyishly, Neil pointed in the direction of the kitchen area. A small opening of the door allowed Alison to see the breakfast bar and a pair of denim clad legs swinging from a barstool. “She was a little upset at first when I said we had to leave immediately but there were compensations.”

The tone of his voice had a wry reflection. “And what would that be?”

“Seems that in the FBI, they have the young good looking agents too. She’s taken a shine to Agent Carveso, and he’s been very tolerant of her following him around like a love sick puppy.”

“Well, I guess there are always compensations in every dramatic situation. Agent Dooley will be back shortly to take me to the other safe house, I just needed to see for myself that you were okay and no harm had come to any of you.” Alison waved at the children, who shouted back enthusiastic hello’s before saying something quickly to the man they were talking to and headed their way.

“I’m glad you did.” Neil whispered softly, clasping her hand gently before the twins invaded their private moment. Alison was grateful for the children’s intervention as they proceeded to tell her about the mystery person who had been watching them from the tree.

Agent Dooley gave Theresa Davis a curt nod of acknowledgement as he pulled aside Carveso, who looked barely out of college, but in fact was in charge of this particular safe house and neared his thirtieth birthday.

“Everything okay here?”

“Yes, we have Jackson in the grounds but no disturbance other than the normal routine of local residents. I think we made a clean exit.”

Dooley pulled at the day old stubble on his chin as he considered the information. “From what I’ve been told, this shooter isn’t an amateur, credentials are excellent. I told Stanley to be vigilant; I don’t want a disaster on my watch. Although this isn’t helping matters, however, the woman would have been a pain in the butt if something hadn’t been arranged.”

“You could have called?” Carveso remarked. He had enough experience to have the odd candidate go missing because they had an over powering need to see someone or be someplace. He, like Dooley, found it much more effective to solve the root problem.

“I could but she was adamant and Dusterly volunteered to do the duty…ex-colleagues make me nervous, they always think they know better. Make no mistake if you ever come across her, she’s one of those types.”

“From what I heard, she has a good reputation, a little tarnished a few years ago but had resolved that issue.”

“She failed, Carveso, simple as that and she gave up and went private. I call that a cop out. If she was that good, she would have stayed. In my book that's what matters.” Dooley glanced at the clock. He needed to check in with Stanley before they set off back.

“I don’t know the facts, Dooley, but if they think she is good enough to get in a safe house and involved up to her neck in this case, she must have some credibility high up in the command.” He watched the grimace cross the older man’s face as he flipped open his cell to contact Stanley.

Dooley muttered. “Probably sleeping with the director…”

Minutes later, with no answer from the other safe house, Dooley’s face schooled itself into a controlled cool mask few, except an expert, were able to penetrate and read his thoughts.

“Terri, why don’t you go talk with your family, we have a few private calls to make.” Carveso smiled and winked at the young woman. Ah, what it was to be sweet sixteen and she was a going to be a beauty one day for sure. Maybe he’d look her up in five years time, ah but then she’d think he was an old man.

“Oh…okay.” Theresa had heard snatches of the conversation but was annoyed at being treated like a child and pushed out of the room. Sliding off the stool she headed for the door and went outside but left the door slightly ajar and listened at the door.

“No response from Java One. Back up response team required.” Dooley contacted headquarters for help and when that was done would head back to help his colleague.

Carveso spoke into the internal communication system that relayed to the other Agents on site. “No response from Java One, code red.”

“I will not stay here if my men are in trouble, I’ll leave the woman here.” Dooley angrily spoke into his phone, a thunderous expression on his face.

As Terri watched, the man grew aggressively worse. The younger Agent told him to calm down that this wouldn’t help the situation. Taking the phone from the older man and speaking into the receiver. “Okay, yes, I’ll make sure he stays. We’ll wait for the reply.”

Dooley stared widely at the man. “You’re going to try to make me stay, you and whose army?”

“Dooley, the response team will be there before you can cross town. If there is something wrong, how can we be sure that whoever is responsible doesn’t end up here next and we’ll need all the hands we can get, there are children here, remember?”

The words were fact, the team would get there long before he did and Carveso would need help if there was a problem and headed this way. Closing his eyes, Dooley nodded his head. “I’ll be outside!” He left the kitchen area walking like a robot.

“Terri, what are you doing?” Neil asked his daughter as Agent Crane had asked them to all go to the lounge and stay there until further notice.

Turning reluctantly towards her father, she gave him a long glance. “Dad, I think something is wrong at the other place where Alison and her daughter…” She trailed off as Alison popped her head out of the lounge area, her features turning pale as she heard the fateful words; something is wrong, pass Theresa’s lips. Her first thought was have I brought trouble to the house as the Agents had warned might happen, if she had, how could she live with herself if anything happened to anyone inside, especially Lucy.

An icy feeling cursed through her body as the possibility that the same fate that had crossed Cruisal’s path had now claimed her youngest child. With the blood ebbing from her face she felt herself falling, hearing voices from afar as she slipped into a faint and landed heavily on the floor unconscious.

Catherine slipped into the private hospital room, silently hoping to surprise Jace. A tender expression crossed her features as she heard the small sounds of her lover sleeping. It was one of those things about a person that you took for granted but would know instinctively as soon as you heard it. And she’d lain awake last night until exhaustion claimed her, missing with all her heart that small innocuous audio, which was part of her partner. Strange how the smallest of things could have a dramatic effect and she knew it did in much the same way she knew her own name.

Quickly crossing over to the bed she planted a soft kiss on Jace’s head, staring at the blonde mop with love and indulgence, memories stirring up of the first time she had seen this woman sleeping. Once again how the smallest of actions had such a tremendous effect on others and for her. Jace might be pint size in stature but she was a giant in her life, asleep or awake, preferably awake and loving her.

Another sound, vaguely familiar and yet it wasn’t, assailed her ears as she checked that she hadn’t inadvertently woken Jace from her slumber. Finding that wasn’t the case her attention swung sharply to the crib and the gurgling that was taking place inside.

Her daughter was awake!

With another gentle kiss, she left Jace’s bedside and crossed over to the crib, gazing with fascination at the small human being kicking madly at the blanket that encased her body. Ah, another energetic soul. Maybe they were wrong and it wasn’t their son who had the soccer prowess, it was in fact his twin. “Let me get you out of that contraption, shall I, little one.”

The words had a calming effect on the baby, who focused on the area where the sound emanated. As with anything in nature, the baby had senses that worked for her in this very tender stage of her life, immediately recognizing that the voice would do her no harm. Carefully extracting her daughter from the blanket, she lifted her up and stared intently at the small bundle in her arms. “Hey there, little one, I’m your Mamma. How are you doing today, huh?”

Catherine was amazed when the baby smiled at her and the warmth of love she felt for the child tripled as the initial bonds were struck between them. Cradling the baby close to her chest she sat down in the chair next to Jace’s bed, and simply gloried in the miracle of life and the addition to their growing family. Amazed, not for the first time, that she was now the proud parent of five children, FIVE! If anyone who knew her from the old days, especially Adam, they’d think the miracle was not the baby or the number of children, but her!

Adam’s name running through her head reminded her that she still had to call Constantia with the news. Her aunt would be overjoyed with the new additions. There was a tentative plan that they would travel to her aunt’s small Greek Island and spend a vacation with her this year since Constantia was becoming quite frail. Helen, her long-term companion/housekeeper, had serious reservations about her travelling extensive distances these days. Not that her aunt was particularly sick, however, age and her weak body meant that they had to be more careful. Now that she had made peace with her only living relative…staring at the baby in her arms she smiled, not now of course, it was wiser that they visited, and the Island was a great place for a marvelous holiday for them all, especially the children. Hmm, later she would call. Perhaps even call from here and they could both talk with her aunt. Jace had a soft spot for the older woman and Catherine often teased her that it was the family likeness that had Jace in a spin. Her lover never actually denied it and they would laugh about how they would both look at her aunt’s age.

Placing a small kiss on the top of her daughter’s downy head, she smiled. The quiet joy she was feeling there for anyone to see if they looked at her now. A special moment in a new parent’s life, the chance to thank whomever for the life that she held safely in her arms. It made her feel humble and not much had ever succeeded in that department in her earlier years.

The baby was soon fast asleep mimicking her mother as Catherine glanced at the items she had placed on the side table on entering the room. “I wonder what you would make of me now, father. Would you be proud or disapprove of me even more than you used to do? I guess I’ll never know.” Her whispered words for her ears only.

The peacefulness of the room enclosing her in the same blanket of relaxation that it had the two other occupants, except that she didn’t sleep. She would keep watch over two very important lives that would have her vigilant eye over them for the rest of her life.

Russ Lloyd waited anxiously tapping a pencil hard against the monitor keyboard. His gut reacting violently to the news that the safe house that held the Bardley’s had been blown, having no response from either of the Agents stationed there. He’d heard that the Senator was also causing trouble in Washington, having some high-powered lawyer lobbying his defense, as if he was running for president, that he wasn’t guilty and it was some elaborate hoax, even threatening to call the President himself.

Standing up he walked over to his Supervisor’s desk. “Any news?”

The man looked up and shook his head, feeling sorry for the desk bound Agent who had been working for the past forty-eight hours non-stop on the case and who now looked like hell, he needed sleep. “I’ll call you, Russ, if you want to take a break.”

“Can’t do that, I might be needed.” Russ turned away and walked over to the coffee station, he needed the caffeine to stay awake. As soon as this was over, he felt like taking a vacation and he might do that he had time accumulated.

Half an hour later he sat stunned at his desk as the supervisor gave him and the others on the team the news on the activities of the safe house.

“I don’t believe it, how the hell did he find them?” Russ finally spoke, the tragedy that had occurred clearly reflected in his voice.

“We might never know. Take a break, Russ; you can travel to the hospital later. I know Dusterly was your friend.”

“IS, is my friend.” Russ got up abruptly and picking up his earlier discarded briefcase left the room.

His supervisor watched him go. A compassionate look on his rugged face as another agent spoke to him. “Should we go after him, he didn’t look that stable?”

“No, let him be. He did everything right but we were still caught out and someone he cares about was in the middle of it. Let’s send the forensic team in, we need to have everything by the book now, or we might lose our case against the senator.”

“It suits you, I’d forgotten.” Quiet reflective words floated in the air as Catherine looked over at Jace, who had woken without her knowing, and now watched from the bed with an expression of wonder, joy and pride on her face.

She grinned widely as she glanced down at the sleeping baby in her arms. “Really, but then I have had practice, remember. How are you feeling, darling?” Catherine stood up in a smooth movement so as not to disturb the slumbering child in her arms and carefully depositing their daughter back in her crib covering her up gently. Moving like lightening the few short spaces to the bed and sitting on the edge she engulfed Jace in a loving embrace as they shared a deep meaningful kiss. “I love you, Jace, when can you come home?”

Feeling the love flowing out of her partner, Jace relished the inhibited expression of affection from Catherine, who more and more these days was allowing her feelings of love more public airtime. It was a marvel of the trust that they had in each other and the patience that was finally coming to fruition. No one said making a dour soul more up beat was easy, but Jace felt that they were breaking down some pretty big barriers these days. “Soon, darling, and I love you more, Catherine, if that’s possible.”

A twinkle in Catherine’s eye had her staring intently at her lover. “Says who? Feel this.” Placing Jace’s hand over her heart as she spoke.

At first Jace was puzzled and then the rapid beating of Catherine’s heart told its own story. Yes, Catherine was as deeply affected by their love as she was. “Truce, how about we love each other more and more every moment.”

“Sounds good to me, you look tired, love, did our daughter keep you up all night feeding?”

Jace chuckled. “That’s a little ironic coming from you. Darling. Who looks herself like she’s hardly slept at all for days, or if you have, it was on a park bench.”

A bellow of laughter escaped Catherine at the comment; did she really look that bad? “Thanks, love, you can always find just the right words to make me feel great.”

“You’re welcome, anytime.” Jace tried one of Catherine’s expressions, the raising of her eyebrows, failing miserably as she saw the smirk on her lover’s face.

“Okay, okay, don’t say it; I look like I have a tick in my eye.”

Bursting with more laughter, though keeping it muted this time for fear she would wake the baby. “I never said a word, though if you…”

Jace stopped the rest of the words with a swift kiss, immediately returned with equal passion; words never did have the same effect as Jace’s lips placed on hers.

“I missed you last night; all I wanted was you here beside me.” Jace whispered as her heart steadied from the slowly building passion that Catherine elicited in her.

Catherine smiled; yep, she knew that feeling all right. “I wish I could have been there, although you had company and it was far better than mine, believe me, smelly wet and cold sheep aren’t the best companions…though I know nothing about the new Rev of course…”

Jace heard the slight jealous inflection in Catherine’s voice, it was one of the things she knew would never totally disappear, and in a way she was flattered, especially as she looked washed out and exhausted as opposed to some femme fatale. “Yes, Amanda was really nice. She stuck around longer than she wanted; though I think she might be offended if you compared her to a distressed ewe…did you find out what’s going on with my parents?”

Hoping the subject would be forgotten; Catherine sighed slightly then gave Jace a bright smile. “Nothing is going on, love, I promise. I’m working your father too hard and apparently your mother was feeling neglected, but they’ve had a talk and everything is going to be okay.”

Looking into the ice blue eyes that focused on her as best they could, Jace heard the words but wasn’t sure that the whole truth was being told here. “Catherine, will you promise me something”?

“You got it, babe, anything?”

“Don’t lie to me. I’m a big girl now and I can handle it, even if it isn’t what I want to hear.” Serious green orbs captured hers and Catherine knew that Jace could because they were in this together, no matter what it was.

Holding her close, feeling Jace’s head burrow into her shoulder, she felt that right now the whole world could disappear outside this room and she wouldn’t care as long as she held this woman in her arms. How obsessive was that she wondered.

“Your father has neglected your mother due to business and at the moment she spends her time in LA and he in New York. They did talk though, and he promised me that we shouldn’t worry, before you know they will be on the plane coming to see the babies when you arrive home.” Catherine omitted totally the Lucy scenario. After all, Jace hadn’t asked, and that way she didn’t tell a barefaced lie. Albeit, a distortion of what Jace wanted to know. However, at least this way her lover would only have one element to worry about, and in her opinion the other would be over before Jace arrived home. How much trouble could Lucy get into with the Fed’s, she wasn’t exactly Mata Hari, was she, more docile Mary with a sting in the tail.

“I’ve known for a while now that Mom wasn’t happy. I don’t want them to split up, Catherine, but I don’t want them to be unhappy in the relationship either. I just can’t bear the thought of them being apart, I know they love each other so much.”

Pulling Jace closer, if that were possible, Catherine kissed the top of her blonde head. “I know, baby, I know. Jason promised to work it out and knowing your father, he will. How about we go see our son and take his twin along with us, it might help him to recover quickly.”

She was lucky, so very lucky to have this woman beside her. Catherine eased her worries with a strong shoulder to cry on if she needed it and support always there, not to mention reminding her subtly what was more important in their lives right now, yes, she was a very fortunate person and very much loved.

“Want to help me in into the chair?” Jace smiled winningly as she looked with adoration into Catherine’s eyes.

Sucking in a sharp breath, as Catherine shared a silent moment lost in the gaze of her lover, a wide grin appeared. “Absolutely, want me to carry you over, ma’am?”

“Why, of course, my adorable princess…” Placing her arms around the taller woman’s neck she was easily picked up out of the bed.

It had been a flurry of activity for Alison once she’d woken from the faint, scaring the children and Neil, although she quickly announced it was the excitement of the last day releasing their fears.

Now standing pale as a ghost in a private waiting room of the emergency ward of the closest hospital to the safe house Lucy and she had been placed, her mind was a blank. Agent Dooley had finally acquiescence to admitting that something had happened at the safe house. Although he refused to tell her more and that they needed to go immediately to the hospital, so here they were. Neil had gallantly offered to come with her, but she had refused saying he needed to be with his family right now. The expression in her eyes had affirmed the suggestion in a way that words couldn’t, as Alison gazed at each of his children, sadness deep within her orbs. He had known how she was feeling, blaming herself for coming here to see him and leaving her child alone with strangers to face…whatever had happened there. Leaving the house she knew she wouldn’t see him in such an intimate way again. He also knew that any hopes he’d had of getting to know her better had flown out of the door as it had closed behind her. He wouldn’t see her again, at least not in the way he’d hoped, and now looking at his own children he understood perfectly and he prayed for her and her family.

She wasn’t alone though. Agent Dooley, whom she thought of as a cold fish, had accompanied her in the car, saying very little but that was okay too; she hadn’t any energy inside for polite conversation. All she wanted was to see her baby again and touch her even if it was for the last time; it was her right as a mother.

The door opened quietly and a young man, who didn’t look any older than Lucy, gave them a serious smile as he stepped further into the room, a clipboard in his hand. “Mrs. Bardley?”

“Yes, yes, how is she?” Alison galvanized her mind and energy into the action.

“We removed the bullet from her stomach. She’s comfortable, and we are taking her to ICU where you can see her for a few moments.” The young doctor spoke in a professional impartial manner.

“Thank you, Doctor, does that mean she’s going to be all right?” Alison swallowed hard. This was good, right, wasn’t it?

“We are quietly confident. I will say the next twenty-four hours are important, although she did wonderfully well in surgery.”

The relief was palatable in the room, and even Agent Dooley looked relieved. He then spoke in a controlled voice.

“What about the others, did they make it too?” As Alison heard the question she now knew why the Agent hadn’t given her any information, he hadn’t known anything, and his grave expression confirmed that.

Shaking his head the doctor gave him a serious look. “Three men were brought in DOA, and another woman was sent up to the operating theatre with a nasty wound to her arm, haven’t heard the outcome yet. I’ll have a nurse check and let you know as soon as possible.”

Alison put a hand to her mouth as she realized that she had forgotten all about Serena Dusterly, how could she have done that! Turning to Dooley she gave him a compassionate look, he had lost colleagues and possibly friends in this situation and all she cared about was Lucy.

“Go sit with your daughter, Mrs. Bardley, I’ll let you know about Dusterly. Do you know if she has any next of kin that we can contact?” Dooley spoke quietly as the doctor left them alone in the room.

“I’m sorry for your loss, Agent Dooley. I don’t know Serena that well, I’m sorry.” Alison replied compassionately. It was strange that you could make snap judgements about people, and it wasn’t until you faced a crisis that you really got to know just how wrong or right you could be as she found now. This man wasn’t anything like the cold fish she had originally thought. His pain masked, yes, but there nonetheless if you looked hard enough.

“We’ll have a file on Dusterly. Now please go and be with your daughter. Want me to call your husband?”

Closing her eyes as she thought of Jason, oh yes, she needed him here right now. “Please, Agent Dooley, I’d be very grateful.”

“Okay, he’ll be here before you know it; I’ll make sure of that.” The man opened the door for her as she left him to find the intensive care ward in the hospital, noting a nurse coming towards him with presumably information about Dusterly.

Catherine couldn’t help the tears of raw emotion that encompassed her as she looked at their son sleeping in the tiny artificial world that was helping him breathe. The doctor who was working in the unit when the family arrived had been very buoyant that the baby would soon be released from this contrived bubble of life that he had known within minutes of his birth.

To actually touch him for the first time, feel the warmth of his pink flesh, and the beating of his tiny heart had to be one of those defining moments in life, for her anyway. She knew that of her partner too, as she turned her attention to Jace who was tenderly touching the miniature feet with the surgical gloves that allowed them to synthetically touch their child.

Kissing the head of her daughter whom was being held close to her chest, Catherine whispered. “Soon, my daughter, you will be reunited with your brother and we will all be home and happy, all of us together as it should be.”

“He’s so small, Catherine.” Jace whispered brokenly as Catherine moved closer to her lover, staring at the tiny baby and marveling that these two miracles were in fact part of her too, how incredible was that!

Carefully cradling their daughter with a steady strong arm to her breast, she placed her free arm on Jace’s shoulder in understanding. “Yes he is, love. However, I’ll bet you a small fortune he ends up the rowdy one at the end of the day, not to mention the tallest.”

Green eyes gazed up into blue orbs with a mixture of disbelief and faith. “Taller than you and Jake, do you think?” A small smile accompanied the words.

“Absolutely, my love, absolutely.”

“I never thought life could get any better for us, Catherine, and yet today, I feel like God has given us a slice of heaven all of our own, it makes me very humble.” Jace spoke in an awed tone, her facial expressions indicating that she was lost in a place that even Catherine couldn’t venture into.

For a few moments Catherine felt bereft of her lover who was in a world of her own, this was a part of Jace that occurred on occasion and left her totally behind. Unintentionally, because she knew that if Jace felt that she was being excluded, it wouldn’t happen again when she was around. And yet at the same time, it wouldn’t be Jace if she didn’t move to that higher plane once in a while. It was part of who her lover was, and though she couldn’t experience the stimuli, Catherine felt that being in her partner’s life enriched her own. Her lover’s faith was a part of her that they might never truly share but it didn’t interfere with the love that they communicated together. A part of Catherine was cynical however, and hated to douse her love’s upbeat ethereal mood. Usually to her mind, for every good thing in life there was often a payment expected, and who knew what that might be. Still, she wasn’t going to say anything today. No, today for once she actually did think that the tide was changing in their favor and had been for some time. Domestic bliss might be another misnomer expression, but she didn’t care, not at all, it was all the variety of life’s ups and downs, and if the ups were the miracles she had right here in this room then they were indeed blessed, whoever or whatever was involved.

“Yes, Jace, I think you might be right.” Catherine finally spoke softly as they spent a few minutes silently soaking in the situation and the new additions in their life.

Constance put down the receiver and with a pale face turned to her anxiously waiting lover who hovered half in and half out of the kitchen as she took the call from Jason Bardley.

“You are never going to believe this, Clare!” Constance walked into the kitchen and sank down on the nearest chair as she waited for Clare to do the same.

“What, what’s going on?” Clare sat down immediately opposite her, eyes all agog expectantly.

Ten minutes later, having narrated the conversation she’d had with Jason, it was hard to say which of them were more shocked by the news that Lucy had been involved in a terrible situation involving the mystery boyfriend. So much so she was in the hospital and he was dead and according to Jason there was more news but he didn’t have the details yet. He was on his way back to LA to be with his family.

“My God that’s awful, do Jace and Catherine know?” Clare asked, trying to equate what they had heard with what they knew about the young woman who was Jace’s sister. Clare hadn’t liked her much personality wise, but no one deserved to be involved in that kind of tragic occurrence.

“Not sure, I can’t imagine him keeping it from them; though Jace is heavily pregnant, he might be waiting to inform them when he knows the full story. He won’t be in the office until it’s all cleared up, though I get the impression…” Constance didn’t complete the sentence as she stared at the kitchen table lost for a few moments.

Clare knew something was wrong with her lover and she swiftly rushed around the table and knelt before her, thinking it might be dredging up memories of her own experience of being shot. “Hey, it’s okay, Constance, I know it must be hard to hear about this, especially after what you went through yourself.”

Blinking away her thoughts, Constance stared at the lovingly compassionate woman who had been her savior when her life had been crashing around her after the shooting at Xianthos. Now Jason’s unsaid words made perfect sense to her as she smiled slowly at Clare. Placing her hand on the younger woman’s cheek in reassurance she said. “It wasn’t my old memories, Clare; I now understand what Jason was trying to silently tell me.”

Clare was inquisitive enough to want to know what that was, but diplomatic as well to not ask. “I’m glad it wasn’t that, how about I open us a bottle of the red wine you love so much?”

Constance looked into the lovely caring eyes of her lover and wondered over and over again how lucky she had been to have this woman care about her so much. “Do I tell you enough how much I love you?”

Grinning as she stole a tender kiss while straightening up from her crouched position beside Constance, Clare winked. “Maybe not, but you can practice as often as you want. I’ll happily soak it all up.”

“I do, you know, love you very, very much.”

Serious eyes looked directly into hers as Clare replied. “I know you do, Constance, and I do you too, very, very much.”

Constance grinned happily. Her equilibrium balancing out as she watched Clare find the bottle of wine then the glasses and corkscrew. Her thoughts finding their way back to Jason and his family, yes, she understood perfectly now, his unsaid words as clear as a bell in her head…I might never come back if they need me!

With their daughter fed and sleeping in her crib, Catherine hugged her tearful lover close in a warm loving embrace, soothing her gently. “Everything is going to be okay, love, I promise. When have I ever let you down, huh?” She kissed the top of the blonde head in a strong gesture of reassurance.

“Oh, Catherine, I don’t deserve you. One minute I’m drooling over how life is so good to us and the next I’m crying all over you for no reason at all, how do you put up with me?”

Catherine grinned at the emotional words, hormones had a stunning effect on a woman’s sense of balance and right now Jace was proving that big time. Not that it mattered, it never would and as she was partially responsible for the problem, it made sense that she hold on tight and make sure her partner knew that no matter what it wouldn’t be an issue.

She smiled as she began singing a few lines from a song that came to mind apt for the occasion she felt.

You baby are the best part of me,
The best that I am or ever will be,
You baby are the part that allows me
To open my heart and let love inside,
I want you to know,
What I’ve always known,
That you’re the best part of me.

My baby’s crying,
And thinks that things are never going to be right,
But she’ll make it, we’ll make it,
Because she’s the best part of me.

It’s true baby,
You are the best part of me,
The best that I am or ever will be,
You baby are the part that allows me
To open my heart and let love inside,
I want you to know,
What I’ve always known,
That you’re the best part of me.

Kissing her head reverently she felt Jace calming under her unorthodox ministrations. “Neil Diamond. I recall it from Lisa’s oldie songs CD she gave me for my birthday.”

“I love it, and I love you much more.” Jace turned up in the arms that held her tenderly exchanging their thoughts silently, a bond that had become more and more a part of them as time went on.

“I knew that, of course. How about we open that box of tricks that my father had in his office? I brought it with me to keep us occupied if we needed it.” Catherine winked as she slowly disengaged the smaller arms from around her and went over to pick up the box, depositing it on the table over the bed.

“Well, it would be a first to say we needed something other than each other to occupy us, although I’m game, I’ve been dying to know what’s inside for ages.” Jace smiled weakly, the magic that was Catherine having started the healing glow in her body as she watched the taller woman pick up the family heirloom and set it in front of her.

“I didn’t know that, you should have reminded me. Go ahead, open it, Jace.” Catherine offered gently as she settled back down beside her on the bed, holding out the key.

Jace had itched to open the box for sometime now, but this wasn’t her responsibility, Catherine should do the honors. Reluctantly she shook her blonde head. “No, darling, I think this is something you need to do.” Gently placing a supporting hand on her arm as she spoke, she felt the brief hesitation on her lover’s body before Catherine placed the key in the lock and opened the box.

~ ~ ~

Chapter Thirty-six

“Senator Feldham, we have a valid witness who will testify that you asked for someone to use ‘scare-tactics’ on Ms. Jones, and anyone else who had come into contact with her, who might know of your affair with the deceased. Are you denying that you issued that request, indeed, that you were ever involved with the lady in question?” Agent Rawson stared directly at the man whom he had, like many others, thought was a decent kind of family guy…he should have known better, especially with his profession, no one was that squeaky clean, certainly not a politician.

Jerry Feldham gazed straight back at the FBI agent with a nonchalant flip of the eyelids turned to his lawyer. “I have nothing to say on the matter.”

Theodore Evesham had known this man for over forty years, they had met in college and the friendship had grown from there. He had gone on to being a leading criminal lawyer and Jerry had taken the corporate route, where he had found a calling in politics. To all intents and purposes, he was the clean-cut all-American guy who loved his family and worked hard. Sure, he had policies that people didn’t like but he tended to stick to his guns with the opposition not exactly liking him but respected his straight down the line attitude. Now, from out of nowhere, came this bombshell!

“‘Charge my client or you let him out of here, Agent Rawson.”

Rawson didn’t change his stance as he continued to stare hard at the man some had predicated he might run for oval office one day, not now. That dream, if it had been one, was shredded to the winds. Mud sticks even if it was totally fabricated, which in this case didn’t look likely and if the shooter was found alive this bastard would go down with him. “We need to ask a few more questions of you, Senator, I’m sure it would look better if you cooperated rather than we dragged you back with a warrant in the near future.”

Feldham hated the thought of spending any more time in this small room being questioned, however, the Achilles heal proved his undoing as he succumbed to public peer pressure the Agent had adroitly laid before him. “I’m an innocent man, Agent Rawson. Please carry on, if I can help I will.” His sickly smile made the Agent want to wipe it off his face with a smack to the jaw; this low life wasn’t worth his suspension. Nope, he’d have the satisfaction of seeing the man go down, that was the best payback. “I’m glad you see it my way, Senator.”

Evesham laid a heavy hand on his friend’s arm and whispered something to him, which had Jerry Feldham smiling even more sugary than before. Placing his well-manicured hands on the table and with a nod of the head asked the Agent to continue.

“Did you know Ms. Jones, had you met her at a political function perhaps?” The agent selected a couple of photos out of the folder he had beside him on the table and pushed them across to him. The grotesque position and injuries the woman had received from the hit man clear to see, and would turn the stomach of any decent human being. The lawyer grimaced at the shots glaring at the Agent for using such graphic aides. What Rawson noticed, clinching the Senator’s guilt, for him anyway, was the man’s calm approach as he picked each photo up, staring at them while his features held no expression, not even compassion for the dead woman.

“She was a pretty girl, pity. However, in answer to your question, no, I didn’t know the woman; she looks like a hooker to me.” The callous words appeared to echo like a death knell in the room, with even the Senator’s lawyer and friend looking at him twice, as if he was seeing a part of the man he had never seen before, and perhaps he was.

Sliding another set of photos out, Rawson passed them along to the man. This time of a young man who had been tortured and then shot. “How about this guy, ever met him or knew him?”

This time a flicker of…anger or irritation crossed the Senator’s face for a split second, and if it hadn’t been for Rawson’s concentrated gaze upon the man opposite him, it would have been totally missed. Another nail in the Senator’s coffin, as far as he was concerned.

 “No, never seen him before.” This time he flipped the photos carelessly back, not as he had the woman’s, where he had appeared to linger in what a shrink might call an obsessive way. Well, the shrink would certainly get his day with this guy, because he was going to crack under pressure. If not today then another day, but for sure, oh yes, for sure. Rawson would see to it personally, not only for these two unfortunate victims, but the two agents who had died protecting other innocent people.

“You sound so sure, Senator; surely you might have come across them in one of the numerous fundraising events you attend?”

With a casual look at his fingernails Jerry Feldham flippantly replied. “I doubt those two could afford to attend any of the places I frequent or contribute to my campaigns.”

Rawson controlled the urge to shout at the man for the crass remark. “If you know nothing about them, how do you know they couldn’t afford to attend any of the functions? I hear you go to lots of charity events.”

Jerry Feldham was being baited, he knew that, it was second nature to him in the political ring and this man was no match for his expertise in that field, never would be. He was, with years of experience, the ultimate debater, and no one in years had held a candle to his talents in that area, and one of the reasons he hardly ran into a sweat when running for re-election.

“Jerry, he’s baiting you. They have nothing or they would be charging you, let’s go.” Theodore Evesham spoke curtly; he knew that if Jerry had one weakness, it was his inability to allow somehow out doing him in a conversation. This Agent had done his homework and was pushing all the right buttons.

“Don’t panic, Theo, I know what I’m doing.” Feldham gazed at his friend briefly, the challenge clearly in his eyes wanting appeasement.

“In that case, Senator, how do you know they couldn’t afford it?”

“I don’t, Agent Rawson, a gut feeling. And anyone who ends up like that must surely be either hiding something or on the wrong side of the tracks, money or no money. Do they have the means to be part of my campaign or charity functions?”

Rawson wrote something in his notebook then with a curt nod to his fellow operative, who had been standing in a corner silently, selected another photograph from the folder and slid that along the table to the man. “What about this woman?”

“What is this, a vacation shot hour? I don’t know this woman either, is she dead too?” The boredom in the voice undisguised this wasn’t the debate he expected; this was a stupid game they had nothing on him.

“No, luckily she survived the hit man’s attempt to silence her too. Do you think she would have attended your functions?”

Exasperated by the futility of the questions, “get to the point please, you’re going to tell me that they all have money, attended my numerous fund raising events, and I’ve probably shaken their hands a couple of times and passed the time of day with them. If that’s the case, I’m sorry they are dead but I didn’t pull the trigger.”

“True, you didn’t pull the trigger physically, Senator; however, you did load the gun and prime it. I call that as much a crime, if not worse, than the man you hired to take out these innocent men and women.”

“You can’t prove a thing against me because I had nothing to do with it, simple fact. Theo, let’s go, this is over, they can pull a warrant for me if they have that much proof!” He stood abruptly, glaring at the man as he scraped back the chair and headed for the door.

Agent Rawson smiled slowly as he saw the agitated politician. “You actually know that last young woman’s family, Senator Feldham; in fact, you were having lunch with her father Saturday.”

The words floated in the air. Who the hell was that, he had never seen her before, had he? Desperately mussing over the names of the people he had lunch with Saturday…where had it been now…ah, yes, that publication event for his friend.

“Do tell, Agent, I need to send them my good wishes for their daughter’s full recovery.”

“Her name is Lucy Bardley.” Rawson didn’t see the light of recognition for a few moments then it finally dawned on the man who he was having lunch with.

“Jason Bardley’s daughter, he’s the chairman of a prestigious corporation, how was she involved?” Rawson now heard the interest and did he also hear a faint nervous tremor too?

“If you sit back down I’ll tell you, it may jog your memory a little.”

“Let’s go, Jerry, this is just another ploy.”

“Allow the man to speak, Theodore, I have nothing to hide, and that poor man must be distraught. I know I would be if it happened to either of my children.” Feldham sat back down in the recently vacated chair.

“The man in the picture was Lucy’s boyfriend, Luke Cruisal, but he wasn’t exactly a one woman guy, he was also having an affair with Candy Jones. Apparently Candy was also somewhat free with her affections, she was also having a long term affair with a Senator.”

Holding up his hand, Feldham quickly grasped the point. “I’m not that Senator, Agent Rawson. I’m a happily married man and pride myself on being faithful, ask anyone.”

Pulling at his strong chin the Agent smiled slowly. “Ah yes, it’s true, you do have a reputation and a solid one at that, of being the happy family man, keeps you in office, I believe, Senator. However, we do have someone, who is also of sound character, who will testify that you were having an affair with Ms. Jones. And that you did, in fact, instruct her to take action to rid yourself of the embarrassment of the affair, after you found out about the young man.”

For the first time Feldham looked rattled slowly hissing out one word. “Anderson.” At which time Theodore Evesham, carefully watching his client’s reaction and that of the agent’s, knew that he had to shutdown the conversation.

“That’s enough! Are you charging the Senator, Agent Rawson?”

Grinning for the first time since the interview began; Rawson stood up and motioned for the other Agent to step forward. Which he did, duly presenting the lawyer with the warrant for the arrest of the Senator in conjunction with the murders of the aforementioned parties and the attempted murders of others so stated. Within seconds the Senator was handcuffed before he could say another word while Evesham quickly deciphered the official documentation, planning his own strategy as he huffed and puffed over the charges against his client.

Reading him his rights, Rawson asked Feldham if he had anything more to say. The shaken politician stared at him bleakly. “This is all some grotesque mistake; I never killed anyone or asked for anyone to be killed!”

As the Senator was led away Rawson dialed the number of a good friend. “All tied up here for now, give it a couple of days and we will have the whole sordid mess in the bag. Good luck at the hospital, Russ, gives Dusterly my get well love.”

Closing up his cell phone with a small smile he reminisced briefly; he, Russ and Dusterly had trained together and he was glad she had made it. Vacating the room he began the debriefing with his supervisor. No way did they want this one botched with a misdemeanor action on their part. Ah, the general public was going to love this one!

Catherine’s glazed expression said it all as she sorted through the items her father had left behind. She had never considered him a sentimental person, not even when her aunt had tried to make excuses for him leaving them in her care and disappearing off to America to make his fortune. Yes, it could be said he cared enough to provide for them, and he’d done that, they hadn’t wanted for anything materially, and had been provided with the best education money could buy. However, that hadn’t taken away the grief in Catherine’s heart of losing both of her parents at her mother’s death. To her childish mind, her father should have brought them up at the time, and not left them to get over the death of their mother. The loss of a father in their everyday life, and getting to know a strange relative hadn’t been right, no, never had been and things hadn’t changed in her mind, even today. Now, as she slowly turned over pages in his journal and the special photo albums he’d apparently kept with him at the office, it was clear the family was never far from his heart or mind.

Unknowingly, Catherine whispered words Jace only just caught. “I wish Paul were alive.”

The statement was a strange one. Sure, Paul had worked with Catherine’s father, but why not wishes her father alive instead. “Why Paul, darling?”

“Hmmm, what did you say, Jace?” Catherine asked in surprise, so engrossed was she in the articles now strewn across the bedspread.

Along with an understanding of how much to say, having gleaned that from living with her lover for the past few years, Jace repeated Catherine’s original wish.

“I said that, when?” Puzzlement crossed her face as she picked up a snapshot of a baby; it could have been one of the twins as it had been taken soon after the baby was born. Oh, she remembered it so well. Adam had been as proud as punch when Lukas had been born. That darned camera of his had never been out of his hands until she’d threatened to throw it in the garbage if he didn’t give her and the baby a little peace from the constant ‘smile please’. So lost was she in the memory she failed to hear Jace’s reply then felt a light tug on her arm bringing her back to the present.

“You didn’t hear me, did you? Nope, don’t answer that, I saw it in your face. I’m glad the memory was a good one. Who is the baby, you or your brother?” Jace felt left out of this strange journey her partner was taking, and she had to admit to pangs of jealousy. However, this was something that her lover had to do. It might heal the wounds that still festered, deep down, regarding her childhood and her indifference to her father.

Catherine gazed at the picture for a few more seconds before she released it into Jace’s care, watching her partner smile as she too gazed at the shot. “It’s Lukas; he was barely half a day old.”

“Yeah, how cool! I don’t think I would have remembered that about Lucy’s birth.”

Shaking her head, the dark hair falling over her face, “No, Jace, not my brother Lukas… my son. Adam insisted on taking photos every few minutes, it seemed at that time, I never knew he sent any to my father.” The admission was spoken so solemnly that Jace felt the tears forming in her eyes as she stared at the healthy baby. How must it feel to give birth to a child  then have it die so young, she knew that if anything happened to the children, any of them, she didn’t know if she could survive it and live a normal life again? Then again, how could it ever be normal again? A part of you died too, and she knew that Jake and Lisa were part of her now, as much as her own flesh and blood children, blood had nothing to do with it. The ties that bound her to the children were filigree strings attached to her heart.

“He was so cute, Catherine, he looks like you.” She wasn’t bullshitting either, thinking the baby had a look of Catherine and she hoped that same aspect might manifest itself in one of the twins. Perhaps compensating, in a very small way, the loss she surely knew Catherine felt buried in a place she hadn’t allowed anyone access to not even her.

“You think so; I guess he did a little. When he grew older, like the one we have in the study, he looked more like my brother… and Adam of course. Though Adam said that he had a look of my father too. Now I understand why he said that, because I knew he hadn’t known my father as a child and it had seemed odd at the time. They had obviously been corresponding or something along those lines I guess; perhaps it was talked about then. He should have told me though, I think I had the right to know and approve who had a picture of my son.”

Jace heard the slight angry tone, even after all these years. Oh, my love, you really haven’t healed all the wounds, have you, and might never. What am I to do with you? “He kept a record of the baby growing up, at least until…”

“Yes, until he died, I can see that.” The simple statement had Jace stare up at her lover and what she saw there made her want to reach out and take the pain away, because right now Catherine was hurting and it was a pain only her lover could extinguish.

“I love you, Catherine, if that helps. In fact, we all love you. Your children and our friends.” For a moment Jace wondered if Catherine had even heard her then felt the glow of the love they shared as she was hugged gently to the taller frame, a tender kiss placed on her lips.

“Thank you, Jace. I need your love, forever won’t be enough, have I ever admitted that to you?”

“Maybe not in words, in deeds though and the same applies to me too, Catherine. There will never be another love in my life, how could there be, you are my one true love.”

A deep chuckle escaped Catherine as she smiled at the blonde she held close to her heart, and here she was hoping to cheer the love of her life up, it was now the other way around. If she analyzed what she said to Jace and how her partner replied, she would laugh, self-consciously, the sentiment out of the ballpark. It was so corny, just like a cheesy movie. And yet, between them, it never sounded that way. It was part of their relationship. For all the hardships and fortunes, they imparted their fair share of mush to smooth the path along and who the hell cared as long as they loved the sentiments and each other. And she knew she did, and right now it was the much-needed tonic to what could have become a very pitiful experience for her.

Fingering the old letters that had never been mailed but had both her and her brother’s name on, she wondered if now was a time to let sleeping dogs lie and allow the memory of her father to be a little less antagonistic in her mind. And allowing her to remember some of the good times instead of the bitterness of his departure. She had matured enough by now to do that, hadn’t she? “Do you want to read the letters alone, darling?”

Shaking her head Catherine gave a small smile. “No, truth be known, Jace. I’d rather not read them at all. I think I’m going to bury the letters and journal in a spot next to my son. I think it’s fitting they should be there now; I don’t want to dredge up any more memories…except, with luck, the good ones.”

It was like a balm to an open wound as Catherine spoke, both women knew she had come a long way from the first dark days of her nightmares and angry bitterness over the injustices she felt attributed to her father. In its own way this box, Catherine had originally thought of the Pandora variety, had in actual fact hurt her. But also gave her a necessary wound from which she would heal, these simple items cauterizing the wound. “I think that’s a good idea, love. What about the photos?”

The albums that held the pictures were in leather bound books with the Xianthos emblem and what Jace assumed was a family crest. In fact, it held not just photos of Lukas but other family members including Catherine and her brother and mother. It would be a tragedy if her lover buried that along with the other items. There would be a hole in the family history if she did that.

Clearing her throat, Catherine slowly traced a finger along one of the leather bound volumes with a strange expression on her face, one that Jace couldn’t fathom. “I think our children should know the rest of the family, or at least as much as we know of them. Who knows, maybe one of them might become interested in genealogy one day and trace the roots of our family lines. Can’t say it’s something I want to take up myself, today’s family is enough for me.”

Jace smiled at the wry expression that crossed Catherine’s face, well her lover might not be interested but she certainly was. “May I look at your father’s journal, please, darling?”

“Sure.” Their daughter chose that moment to bellow out with healthy lungs that she was being ignored and Catherine signaled she would see to her as Jace gave her a loving smile and scanned the contents of the journal.

Looking up, she watched in pride as Catherine, with an ease you wouldn’t think she was capable of, gently sooth the baby and quickly had the child merrily kicking her feet in the blanket that encased her rather than use her energy in the vocal area. She flicked to the last couple of entries, in one way it was like prying into the man’s private world and yet, how else would they know anything about him.

Tuesday, 10th

C gave me a bombshell last night over the phone, not sure if I can believe her or not. I’ll know when she arrives in town tomorrow. If it’s true, she’ll get what she’s been angling for, for months now….

Wednesday, 11th

Can’t believe it, C sent me the doctor’s results by private courier this morning. I called Sam; he has the ring ready for me. A part of me wants this, I’m not getting any younger and she and the baby might keep me young. I’d like to see this new son or daughter of mine grow up. I’d be a better father this time around, maybe now Cat will understand; she’s a mother now herself.

Jace held a hand to her mouth to stifle the sound that would surely have had Catherine rushing to her side. This couldn’t be right, can it? Stewart Devonshire and this C person were having a baby? If that was the case, where was the baby and who was C? And Catherine had a pet name from her father, Cat. Wow, her lover had never mentioned that…mind you, why should she. Turning over the page there was a last scrawled note. The last, Jace surmised, that Stewart had ever made before his fatal heart attack.

C is over the moon with the proposal, I said I’d cement it with the ring in the hotel later, typical a business problem occurring half way through dinner. Anyway, she looked happy and I actually think she loves me in her own way. My Clarry isn’t the easiest of people to live with. I swear she has the odd nut and bolt loose on some issues… Damn, that indigestion again, I think it’s time for my physical. Can’t take too many chances now, especially with a new baby on the way… Maybe when all this has worked out, Adam might persuade Cat to have a family gathering and we can start all over again… I think it’s time I asked for that second chance in life….

Jace blinked several times as it dawned on her who the C was. Okay, she was dumb at times, because Hudson had implied to Catherine, on that fateful day at the studio, that she had been engaged to her father. Now this proved what everyone had thought were the ramblings of a bitter and twisted woman. If she had been pregnant at the time and something had happened to the baby, or what if the baby was still alive? Oh God, what should she do?

“I think she needs a feeding, babe, want me to fetch the bottle for her?” Catherine cooed adoringly at her new daughter. Having her eyes glued to the baby’s she failed to see the anxiety in her partner.

“Good idea, darling, you look sexy when you feed a baby.” A deep throaty chuckled followed the words as Catherine turned to Jace with a wink of the eye.

“Hmm, does that mean what I think it means.”

With an answering wink of the eye Jace replied.” Of course it does, who said babies killed your sex drive.”

“Not me, I’ll be back soon.” Carefully, she placed their daughter in Jace’s outstretched arms as she took the journal from the bed and glanced at the page that Jace had been reading casually. The words registered in a part of her mind that merely cruised over the meaning as she left the room for the bottle.

Heaving a sigh, Jace kissed the top of her daughter’s head of hair and pondered how to bring up this delicate matter…or should she ignore what Catherine’s father had written and allow her to bury what could be a link with a mystery relative. Even if that relative happened to have a mother called Clarissa Hudson!

A couple of minutes later, Catherine was back and instead of taking up where she left off with the baby and the offer to feed her, she instead handed the bottle to Jace. While absently picking up the journal and quickly leafing to the point she had read previously and not entirely registering consciously until she was being given the bottle by a nurse.

“Are you okay, darling, I thought you were going to…?”

“Perfectly fine, Jace, I just need to read something, be one minute.”

Although it wasn’t one minute, several passed, as Catherine became fixated on the journal, and Jace chose silence over inquisitiveness as she fed their daughter, waiting for her partner to say something.

Then Jace heard the exhalation of a heavy sigh and the clucking of Catherine’s tongue against the side of her mouth in irritation. She then stared into the green eyes she loved so much, a resigned expression on her face. “You read this, didn’t you, Jace?”

“The last entries you mean…yes, I did.” There was no use beating about the bush, she had, and Catherine knew it, the silence between them said it all.

“I call it the ramblings of a foolish old man.” Her cynical tone had Jace’s eyes flaring up at her she knew what was coming next.

“Well, it’s all bullshit, you know; damn, he must have been going senile to think that he was going to be a father again! Again, I ask you, he hadn’t even the guts to be one the first time around!” The savagery in the retort had Jace cuddling her baby closer to her, a protective instinct. Not that it was really necessary, for Catherine might lash out to some but to her and the children it wouldn’t happen, she was certain of that.

Quietly, with her child being burped on her shoulder, anxious green eyes captured the ice blues of her partner, and ice was the operative word at that moment, especially as the journal had been thrown without a care for any damage to it into the box. “He knew that, or at least admitted that in the last note, Catherine. We both know who the C is, don’t we, and I never knew of her having any children.”

“Thank Christ for that! Can you imagine that demon bringing a life into the world, makes me cringe to think of the possibility.”

“Even if that child might be your half brother or sister?” Jace had seen Catherine in totally belligerent mode, when nothing registered except her own views. Usually she was able to hold her own and sometimes persuade her love of another view. In this instance, she had a feeling that it was going to take more than her gentle persuasion to open a chink in the armor.

“I won’t labor the point, Catherine, but, darling, you need to find out the truth. Out there somewhere alone and afraid without any parents now, could be your flesh and blood. Don’t you want to find out if it is the truth?” Jace successfully burped her daughter who looked very content now, and would, in all likelihood, fall asleep until she needed feeding again or changing, which was probably next on the agenda.

“Jace, be serious for a moment. Why on earth would I want to have anything to do with Hudson’s illegitimate spawn? If indeed there was a pregnancy, which I doubt, she probably just wanted a ring on her finger and the chance to dabble in my father’s fortune.”

Jace accepted the point as valid and it was, but there was still the ‘what if’ scenario. What if there had been a child and for reasons best known to Hudson, had decided to keep it quiet when Catherine’s father had died. True, it didn’t sound like one of the things Clarissa Hudson would do; maybe for her own child she had a conscience. “Catherine, that’s harsh, who can say how a baby will turn out. They don’t have to follow their parent’s lead, you know. Shouldn’t you at least give the child the benefit of the doubt; you might gain a sibling’s love.”

Catherine became exasperated that Jace wanted to continue this stupid conversation. The information was better off buried six foot under, just like her father, and that’s what she intended to do. “I will not waste my time, energy and resources on what will turn out to be one of Hudson’s fabrications. My father clearly had lost all sense of balance if he ended up with a bitch like Hudson in his bed. Please give me credit for being less gullible than my father.”

Jace felt for her love, she did, and could understand, in part, why she would feel as she did. Hudson wasn’t exactly top of her list of people she ever wanted to see again, and the chances were that the woman was dead anyway.  Although her social conscience wouldn’t allow her to let the subject drop. “What if the child is in a foster home, or orphanage like Jake and Lisa were, perhaps even on the streets. After all, Hudson is missing. We still don’t know for sure what’s happened to her, a body still hasn’t been found. Don’t you think that now, morally, you should find out and help the child if there is one? They would be about ten, think of how you would feel if any of our children were out there alone and afraid…no, darling, remember how you felt when Lisa was!”

Okay, Jace had played the emotional guilt trip card, how did she not see that one coming. And it was true, she wouldn’t be happy, and would do all she could to find someone she loved and take them out of harms way. Except she didn’t love this fictitious person that was merely a note in a journal, and one that had no real hope of being anything else.

“Jace, as hard as this might be for you to understand, I really don’t give a damn.”

Was this the woman she loved speaking, surely not! Nope, it couldn’t be, Catherine had a compassionate heart, if she hadn’t, they wouldn’t be together. Life was filled with enough harsh realities without having a partner you spent your life with living theirs like a cold fish. “Please, for me, reconsider? What if it’s true …what if this is Danni’s secret and she was coming back here to tell us something big about Hudson? Shouldn’t you at least check it out and then it wouldn’t be an unanswered question?”

Catherine gave her lover’s plea all of a minute’s indulgence before she answered. There was the totally ridiculous factor, she supposed. Perhaps Hudson had a child, perhaps it was her father’s, stranger still, Danni could have found out. Yes, all those things could be true…but she didn’t buy it, nor would any other sane person who had come across Clarissa Hudson in their life and been burnt by her.

“In my mind there isn’t anything unanswered. My father was a foolish, maybe even senile, old man who was taken in by Hudson’s lies. Bottom line, it’s fairytale fodder. Hell, if it even had any grounding, in fact, she would have used it before I took all her rights to the studio away. I know how people like her work, Jace, she had nothing on me, my father nor had she a phantom child in the closet waiting to jump out at me, trust me, darling.”

Jace accepted Catherine’s viewpoint…for now. When she was out of the hospital and settled, it might be a different matter. “I trust you, love, always have, always will. But will you please consider this impossibility …for me?”

Indulgently Catherine smiled at Jace, how could she deny her love anything now that was an impossibility she’d accept wholeheartedly. “Of course, go ahead, what’s the impossible?”

“Perhaps Hudson’s maternal instinct kicked in and stopped her short of using her child in any battle with you. Maybe she actually loves this child and didn’t want to use him or her as a weapon.”

Catherine pursed her lips. If it had been anyone but Hudson, she might, just might have given that more than the cursory notice, before kicking the theory into oblivion, which was all it deserved. But since it was Jace doing the talking, she allowed herself to be indulgent. After all, her partner’s hormones were a bit screwy right now. With a belly laugh she replied. “Give me a break, Jace, Hudson and a conscience, pleaseeee!”

“Stranger things have happened, love.”

“Yes, and pigs might fly is one of them. Okay, my flight of fancy Californian, let’s get back to us, shall we, do you know I love you?”

As always, Catherine could take her mind off anything…well, almost anything, and with a smile she only used for her lover, she replied softly. “Everyday in everyway, I love you too.”

Grinning like a Cheshire cat, all other conversations disappearing into the inky world of the forgotten for the moment, Catherine moved closer to the bed and kissed, first the baby’s head then Jace’s lips, which responded eagerly to the tender assault; roll on when they went home. As she released the delicious lips of her partner, Catherine whispered. “All that matters is here in this room, down the corridor and at home. That’s all the family I need and want. Your love and that of our children is all that’s important, and I think tomorrow is going to get back in line. We won’t be going two steps forward one back, we will just keep going forward, I think it’s what we deserve.”

Smiling indulgently while relishing the contact with the love of her life and all that the future had to offer them, Jace kissed Catherine back with a little more force than perhaps her lover was expecting, but it wasn’t an unpleasant sensation, as the beating of her partner’s heart testified. She didn’t have the heart to contradict Catherine again over the old saying she was referring to, wasn’t it one step forward two back?

As one baby grew stronger in the incubator the other slept happily content, the two women indulged in the closeness of their relationship, and the glorious future it appeared to offer them.

Who knew, perhaps the ever-growing family would increase in size again from an unlikely
quarter!

The Reverend Amanda Spencer watched as another newcomer in town entered the church vestibule standing and looking lost. Ah well, this was the place for lost souls if ever there was a place in town.

“Ms. Rush good to see you, may I help?”

Gina Rush immediately turned to the voice that emanated from the pulpit area. She wasn’t exactly sure why she was here, except she felt that it would be good to have some company for a change. She thought the Reverend might feel obligated to be friendly from a professional stand point, but decided to take a chance.

“Reverend good to see you too, I was wondering if you had time for a coffee? I was passing by… and basically with not knowing anyone in town and you not knowing anyone…that is…”

Grinning at the obvious discomfort of the woman, Amanda waved her hand around the church interior. “You should consider your faith, Ms. Rush and then you would always have a friend.” It wasn’t said in a preaching way, merely a jovial one and was glad to see the new principal of the lower school had understood her teasing.

“Maybe I should. What do you say about that coffee?”

Glancing at her watch Amanda smiled, “it’s after seven, why don’t we go down to the pub at the end of the street and have a proper drink, maybe a pie too?”

Astonished at the comment, Gina simply nodded her head; she wasn’t used to the modern church parson. However, it looked like she was going to receive an education tonight. “Sure works for me.”

Fifteen minutes later, having found a snug corner of the pub with their respective choices of drink, they waited for their bar snack to arrive.

“How are you enjoying the town, Ms. Rush?”

“Please call me Gina, and I like it fine. I must say I was expecting it to be a quiet place, although I’ve found it isn’t much different to the bigger cities just on a smaller scale. I’ve recently had to deal with a bullying aspect, which could have sealed my fate here if it had gone totally the wrong way. In the end it worked out and the bully has been expelled from school. That’s partly why I was wandering around aimlessly this evening…I hate doing that to a student. These days you have to look at the bigger picture and consider the effect a bully has on the other students they prey on, not to mention the whole school’s moral.”

Amanda sipped her red wine as she heard the sorrow the decision had caused in the woman. “Ah yes, its a tragedy when someone loses their way. I’m sure you did the right thing and the parents of the children who were being bullied will be grateful so that must give you some kind of feeling it was the right thing to do.”

Gina contemplated the parents of the two children at the centre of the storm and wondered that too, she hoped so. In fact, she had gone so far as to request help from one of them, now she wasn’t so sure that was a good idea.

“Yes, I’m sure it will all work out. May I ask how well you know the Warriorson family? I know they attend church,” Gina asked cautiously.

Grey eyes caught hers in a startled expression. “Why do you ask?”

“Lisa’s one of my students and the eldest daughter of Catherine Warriorson, I know they attend church you mentioned the birth of twins, I wondered what you think of her.”

Gina saw the hesitation of the woman opposite her, so there was history here. She knew there had to be with Catherine Warriorson’s reaction to the reverend’s name.

“Hey, it’s okay if you’d rather not say I was …”

“No, no that’s okay. Actually, I only know Jace that’s how I knew about the twin’s birth. I’ve briefly met Catherine Warriorson once, and frankly I hardly think I’m on her list of favorite people. She must have a thing about the church; she was somewhat abrupt on our only meeting a dark entity if you know what I mean. Jace, on the other hand, is a marvelous woman, so light in comparison. Have you met her yet? Or did you have to face the dour woman without knowing what she was like, or Jace to help you?”

Gina heard the tone change from puzzlement over Catherine’s attitude to one of genuine warmth for Jace. She would like to meet this woman perhaps she’d asked the wrong person for help at school. “I’ve never met Jace…I look forward to that, perhaps at church.”

“Jace is a lovely woman you can’t help but like her. However, her partner is something else altogether. Though I can’t complain she’s been, apparently a very generous benefactor to the town, and the country in general, though it’s not generally known….guess I might have let my mouth run away, oops.”

Laughing at the reverend, who was about her age, coupled with a wonderful sense of humor, so much so she ridiculed herself, “I asked Catherine to be a school governor.”

Amanda’s eyes bulged as she heard the principle of the lower school admit such a thing. Well, she wished she’d been there to see the reaction, awesome move, teach! “What did she say?”

The food chose that time to arrive as they moved their drinks to allow room for the two platefuls of delicious smelling fare. They had decided instead of pies to indulge in a meal, as neither had eaten lunch that day. Amanda was going to probably get an earful when her part time housekeeper-cook saw she hadn’t eaten the meal left her for this evening…oh well it was only once.

“You never said, what did she say?”

Gina grinned as she scoped up some delicious smelling pasta, “she said yes, I think Gail my secretary must have made tea just right.”

Both women smiled as they tucked into the meal, Gina because next week was the first governors meeting and should be really interesting. Amanda, as she wondered just how anyone would dare ask such a thing of the woman, who was blatantly a fish out of water in such a situation…any situation involving people, she would bet her …well maybe not her vows but it didn’t appear right to her. Although she was glad that there was a chink in the armor, maybe the woman might yet attend church.

“You must tell me all after the meeting.” Amanda grinned as she forked up a prawn.

“Okay, how about the same time next week and you can tell me about one of your adventures of the week?”

Smiling as they both realized that a tentative friendship was being forged, “sure, is this ethical do you think?”

“Let’s make a pact; we will only discuss stuff that will help people not hinder.”

“I’m all for that…so where do you hail from originally?”

 Jason wandered down the corridor of the hospital waiting for the door to open of his daughter’s room. The doctors had wanted to do the final check-ups before they allowed her home. Alison was in there, although he’d been asked to leave, he had done so docilely, probably women’s things to discuss. Having lived the best part of his adult life with only women, he respected that, never understood it, but nevertheless accepted it in an abstract kind of way.

Pacing the hall he pushed a hand through his grey hair, which had been receding slowly, until recently. Now, he wasn’t so sure that it had gained a good gallop with what had happened in his life in the last couple of weeks. As he turned for the seventh time to walk the length of the hallway the swing doors at the end of the corridor opened and a women stood at the end gazing directly at him.

“Serena?”

A beaming smile, from the woman who had her right arm in a sling, greeted him. “Jason, thought I’d catch up with the news?” Serena Dusterly walked confidently towards him as he held out his arms for her.

“By god woman, I thought I’d have to track you down in New York.”

“Now why would you want to track me down, Jason?”

Smiling broadly at her, he shook his grey head of retreating hair, “Young lady, you know why. What are you doing here anyway? I thought you would have been home in New York by now.”

“Ah well, I was, however, a little bird told me that Lucy was going to be discharged today and I thought it was a wise move to be here. In fact, so wise a move that I brought along support.” The door opened as a stranger stepped from behind the doors.

Jason, with a puzzled expression, stared at the new arrival. Who was this and why were they so important? “I’m sorry I don’t…”

A hand held out swiftly stopped him in his tracks, “Mr. Bardley, my name is Russ Lloyd, I was…am…working with the FBI.”

Serena saw her friend falter. He was so precious and one day someone would snap him up. She really needed to introduce him to some decent women…then again, perhaps she had…Jane. That thought had her own emotions churning though she didn’t know why. Jane had been really great when she’d arrived back in New York by helping at her home and making sure she wasn’t worried about office dilemmas. She really did think that at this time in her life she had found a true friend and didn’t want to lose that attachment, even to another friend. Oh well, it would work out as it always did.

“Jason, this is a good friend of mine, Russ. He helped, no let’s re-phrase that, he allowed me access to information that I shouldn’t as an ex-agent …do I need to say more?”

Jason quickly realized what was being conveyed to him as he shook the man’s hand harder, and then spontaneously hugged him. How could he not? Because of this man’s actions Serena had been there to take care of his youngest. Who cared about fate, what ifs, or any other mumbo jumbo? All he cared about was what was and right now his child was alive, thanks to this man that was all that mattered. “Thank you,” he whispered over and over again.

 Russ’s face began glowing bright red from the attention. He hadn’t expected that for he was only bringing Serena here as she had asked. He’d do anything for her. He knew he always would for she just elicited that from him.

The door to Lucy’s room opened and Alison appeared beckoning him over, “I have to go.”

“Yeah you do, take care Jason and the family too. If you need me…”

Jason turned hugged the woman much to her surprise. “I know. I’ll never forget what you have done for my family. If you ever, and I mean ever, need us, we and whatever we have to give is here for you.”

Without waiting for an answer he left the startled woman to enter his daughter’s room.

“That went well.”

Serena watched, in bemused wonder, the older man enter the room, “yes it did. Well, Russ, time I was on my way, there’s always another problem to solve.”

The two left the area in total agreement.

Clare was excited at the message that had been left on their answering machine, though she didn’t understand when Shaker had mentioned two items. He must have mistaken them with someone else. Anyway, she’d cleared Constance’s diary for the afternoon to collect the gift Catherine had arranged for her eldest daughter.

Now entering the building that housed the present, Clare wondered what expression would be on Lisa’s face when she finally received it. Even without the enhancement of the special graphics it would have been a cool gift for anyone, especially a child.

“Are you as excited as I am, Clare?” Constance grinned happily at her lover who smiled with the question. She wasn’t as excited as Constance was admittedly, but, yes she thought that a month was quite long enough to wait for the work to be completed.

As they glanced around the shadowed work place looking for the proprietor, Clare saw another of those gleaming monster motor cycles that Constance had drooled over last time they were here.  Wondering who had been foolish enough to stump up the obscene amount of money the Harley cost, particularly as this one had been custom painted too. She wasn’t close enough to glean the details but it looked good from here. Familiar colours too, interesting…

“Clare, there’s Shaker. Let’s see how good he is, shall we?” Pulling at her lover’s arm gently, they headed away from the motor cycle towards the figure bent over the small vehicle he shielded with his body.

“Ah, ladies you’ve made it. Good. Well, now to show you what Cat wanted for her daughter.” He moved away from the miniature racing car to show off his handy work to the two women.

“Wow, it looks wonderful,” Clare breathed out as she scanned the racing green carriage covered with sapphire blue lettering, Destiny’s Hotshot Slugger in italics with smaller but in bolder letters, Lisa Simeon Bardley Warriorson. The writing was encased in a fiery fire pattern with several cartoon figures running as a theme along the bodywork. At first when you looked at it, you would have thought that Catherine would have been better served having the work done at home, however as you looked closer you saw the fine detail and patience that had gone into the finished product. Yep, shaker was certainly an expert in his field.

“You think Cat will be satisfied with the end product?” The bulky man scratched his head self-consciously as he searched each of the women’s faces for any sign that his old friend might dislike something.

“Shaker, she’s going to want to come here and thank you personally, and knowing Catherine as we do, she just might  and bring along the slugger with her.” Constance grinned at the man as her eyes held his for a few seconds longer than was necessary as she asked him a silent question.

“She ain’t changed any then. I have all the documents for the customs entries, tomorrow we’ll ship it out to her. I expect she’ll be presenting this little package to the recipient about this time next week if that’s appropriate.” Shaker placed a protective hand on the vehicle as he turned towards the motorcycle and pointing in that direction cocked his head to one side as he spoke to the two of them. “I guess you’ll want to look over your own merchandise now?”

Clare flicked a sharp look in Shaker and Constance’s direction as she saw where he was pointing. Oh no, surely she hadn’t! “Constance what other merchandise?”

With a proud grin she took Clare’s limp hand and walked her over to the monster vehicle, her eyes travelling over the paintwork that had been completed recently. Her mouth dropping open as she saw what was written there.

“Do you like it? No do you love it, Clare? I bought it for us, what do you think? Sit on it love. We’ll take it for a spin around the block then you can drive home and I’ll follow with this little beauty.” Clare wasn’t hearing this! She couldn’t be, why, hadn’t Constance discussed buying such a thing with her? The machine must have cost a fortune for not to mention the customizing Shaker had done.

Pulling away from Constance, Clare gave her a horrified look, “I hate motorbikes Constance and to spend such an amount on one is…sacrilege!”

Opps, Constance gave Clare a quick glance hoping she was teasing but the stance of her lover told her one thing, one thing alone, that Clare was not a happy woman. “We’ll discuss this when we get home Clare, you might find you only think you dislike bikes, they can grow on you.”

The look she received had her dropping her head in partial defeat. Hmm, perhaps this would take longer than she thought. Oh well, she was itching to ride the bike anyway and the work that Shaker had done only enhanced it. With its Xianthos logo discreetly displayed on the panniers and the fuel tank had her and Clare’s name surrounded by a heart made out of perfectly formed roses? Yep, she would be happy to be seen with and on this baby. The thrill she knew would rush through her veins would take some beating. Her eyes drifted up to catch the anguished ones of her lover. Well, perhaps one person could trounce the thrill and replace it with a more powerful one.

Placing a gentle arm around Clare’s shoulders she whispered, “I love you and I promise to be careful.” The grateful look she received told her it all. Clare was worried about her and that was okay too, in fact that was rather wonderful. Oh, she’d work on Clare and soon enough her lover would be holding her waist as they took their baby everywhere!

“They are arguing again Judy, in all the time I’ve been here it’s never gone on so long. If only Grace were home she would know what to do…say. I feel so useless and I know that the children do too, I really don’t think that Catherine and Jace realise that the children are upset at their disharmony.” Faith sighed heavily and sat down at the kitchen table here features lined with worry.

Judy gave her friend a sympathetic stare, it had been difficult of late she had to admit that and children were sensitive to any crisis in the family. “I know what you mean Faith, do you know why or do they say the same old thing.”

“I hardly dare ask Judy, Catherine gives me a terrible glacial look and Jace becomes irritated at the interruption. If I was an outsider, I’d put it down to them not wanting the twins. As it is, we all know they adore the children…all of them. Whatever has happened isn’t anything directly to do with the children I would stake my pension on it.”

Judy nodded her head and handed Faith a coffee as she sat down opposite the older woman. Having two more mouths to feed and demanding ones at that, she rarely had time to spend a few short minutes catching up with her friend. By the time she finished for the evening she was exhausted. Although she loved every minute of it she wasn’t exactly the life and soul of the party any more. Faith had been home only a few days herself. Grace was progressing well and the doctors had high hopes she would be home soon. Colin had taken a few days vacation to spend sometime with his wife and daughter, leaving Faith to come home to what she thought would be a happy if boisterous household. Instead she found the waging war between the two women who were the lynchpins of the family harmony here on Destiny.

“Well, all we can do is wait and hope they sort it out and we can get back to having a happy home again. At least the twins have names, I wasn’t sure we were ever going to call them anything other than the wee ones.”

Faith smiled at the comment. Yes, at least the babies had names, Nathan Paul Jason for their son, who was now gaining weight at a rapid speed, his lungs now working perfectly. And, their daughter had been named after Jace’s mother, Alison Constantia Grace. The christening had been arranged for three months time and …

“Do you think they are disputing over who the god-parents will be?”

Judy shook her head, “unlikely Faith, can you see the two of them continuing an argument over such a subject. It would more likely end up an amusing discussion rather than a bitter one. No, something is wrong that we don’t know about, though I am puzzled by one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Jace’s parents haven’t been over to see her or the twins. I know her Mom was looking forward to being here for the birth so you would have thought they would take the first flight over to see their newest grandchildren.” A bemused expression settled on Judy’s face as she spoke.

Faith gave her friend a serious glance. Why hadn’t she thought of that? Alison had made it clear to everyone that she had no intention of missing the first days of the newborns as she had with Elena. “Why Judy, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head, of course something must be wrong for them not to arrive. Darn, if only I had the courage that my daughter has, I’d ask them outright.”

“Ask who what outright?” Catherine’s voice startled the two women, as she entered the kitchen looking over at the kettle contemplating the stainless steel equipment.

“I’ll make you tea Catherine. Do you want to take it in the study?” Judy quickly stood up and was prevented from stepping over to the counter as her employers hand stopped her.

“No tea for me, Judy. Thank you. I’m going for a ride, have you seen Lisa in the last hour? She was taking care of Elena and they’ve been quiet, maybe too quiet.” The expression on Catherine’s face quizzically concerned.

“Where do you think Catherine? In the barn of course! Since they adopted that stray cat and her kittens, Lisa spends most of her free time watching over them. To be honest, I’ve never known Elena to be so well behaved when she goes with her sister to see them.” Judy smiled as she resumed her seat at the table.

Pulling at her chin reflectively, Catherine sighed, “hmm I keep forgetting about the new feline additions, I guess I’ll take a look in the barn and check up on them before I take my ride. Faith, good to have you back…I haven’t seen much of you since you arrived home…sorry about that. There are other more pressing matters like the two hungry brats asleep upstairs. Will Grace be coming home soon?”

Faith heard the tenderness as she spoke of the twins and an unusual expectant tone in her voice when she asked about Grace. “Hopefully soon Catherine, I was half expecting to see Alison here as she missed the birth.”

There, she’d asked. The guarded look she received told her what she needed to know. The dispute was in regard with Jace’s family. Just what could that be driving a wedge between them.

“She had other things to take care of unfortunately. Jace is going to take the twins to America to see the family shortly. I’ll catch up with you at dinner.” The woman strode away her demeanour angry.

Faith and Judy exchanged glances, now they had an idea of what was wrong. “Well that kind of answers part of the mystery anyway.”

“I’d say most of it. Jace wants to go to America and Catherine doesn’t want her to. It didn’t sound as if Catherine was going with her either. I hope this isn’t the beginning of the end, Faith.” Both women knowing exactly what she meant.

Staring blindly into the coffee cup, Faith’s eyes held a measure of sadness, “so do I Judy, so do I. It would be a tragedy.”

Jace checked the sheets for the seventh time on both the babies’ cribs as she stomped around the bedroom. The disarray in the room was a testimony to the fact that she and Catherine no longer shared the room in an intimate fashion. Nope, that went out of the window as soon as she arrived home with the twins. It had been a wonderful welcoming homecoming too, at least that memory wasn’t tarnished in any way with the disclosure a week later that her sister had been shot by an assassin and had been lying critically ill for almost ten days before she even knew that Lucy had been involved in any trauma. Her gut had been right all along that something wasn’t right at home. How could it be or her Mom would have been on the next flight home, better Catherine would have sent her personal jet…Catherine now there was another dilemma.

They’d agreed that no matter how painful or difficult they would have no more secrets from each other and that meant exactly that…none! Once more her lover had denied her knowledge of an incident and this time she’d made a mistake. A big one! This involved not a business transaction or some vicious person out for revenge, no this was about her own family! Her flesh and blood! What gave Catherine the right to deny her the information? Whitewashing it with her father requesting that she shouldn’t know wouldn’t do any good at this moment! Not when the babies had been born hours earlier. Well, that was generous of her dad, but when was she to find out, when? Catherine hadn’t thought to mention it not once! Had it not been for a phone call from her father updating her lover with Lucy’s condition she might never have known if it was up to Catherine. Hell, her woman had no right, no right at all to refuse her the opportunity to make her own choices on the issue! Okay, she was impulsive. Who wouldn’t be under the circumstances? Who wouldn’t want to get on the next plane out of here? Oh yeah, Catherine wouldn’t! She never had, her mind ruled her heart! Wow was she so blind to see that her particular leopard never changed its spots? How could she have been so naive to believe that she could do that? Crazy that’s what! She was so totally besotted with love that she failed to heed Catherine’s own doubts on the subject…who would know better than the person herself.

Well, she did make her own mind up on important issues she hadn’t lost her own identity by being involved with Catherine, no sir! Her focus was on leaving with the children next week to see her family. If necessary, she would stay as long as required to ensure that Lucy was safe and going to make a full recovery. Catherine could stick that in her pipe and smoke it!

She had gone so far as to make the arrangements herself ignoring Catherine’s protests that she think carefully before she hauled the children around the world on her own! Yes, that word that told her exactly what her partner thought of her plans! Some partner she’d committed too, a hell of a street to her mind.

Jake and Lisa had three weeks break from school, Elena and the twins could be with her as long as possible. She’d even hired Sally Bostock the night nurse at the hospital as a nanny. The woman had been reluctant at first, however decided that it was a new challenge and she hadn’t had one in years and agreed. It helped that the remuneration package she’d organised had been generous. Sally had been excited at the prospect of travelling to the States when she’d broached it with her last night, first day on the job and she was travelling. Awesome she’d excitedly announced much to Jace’s amusement.

Right now as far as she was concerned, it was going to happen with or without Catherine’s approval!

The words careered around in her head as she stared at the precious children they had been so thrilled to have arrived. Unfortunately, the euphoria had been replaced with a sense of betrayal and yes, bitterness, towards the woman she loved. How could you keep forgiveness in your heart indefinitely when the person you hoped would change a little refused to co-operate.

“My love, why? Why do we go two steps forward and one back every single time?”

Catherine surveyed Cutters Reach. The tranquil beauty that enclosed her when she rode here never ceased to amaze her, memories both sad and happy only enhanced her love of this part of the world. It was after all, where her life began in many ways and perhaps the real journey had come full circle and she was about to end what had turned out to be a miracle for her life.

The arguments she and Jace had over her lack of distribution of information had been acrid and to her mind over the top. Sure she hadn’t told Jace about her sister, yes she was sorry, but it was a decision made when lots of other things had been going on. Sometimes you make the wrong call, she had in this instance. However, was it a capital offence necessitating that Jace leave with all of the children to go home to the States!

Shaking her head the tears she knew threatened refused to fall. It was too late for that! Grace had been right all along… if Jace had all the rights over the kids she feared Catherine might lose them. Right now it looked like that deep seated fear had been justified!

Well, she made a vow when they came into her life and that still stood. She would fight for her children no matter who got in the way and if that was to be the outcome, even Jace!

Tickling the mare’s ears she whispered into the light wind, “even Jace, Tralargon, even the woman I love. I’ll fight to the end no matter the cost! No one has ever stopped me doing exactly what is required and no one ever will! That I vow or my name isn’t Catherine Xianthos Devonshire Warriorson!

“Darling, darling wake up,” Jace gently shook Catherine has she moaned and threshed around in the bed, if she didn’t get her lover to quiet down the twins would be making an equal volume of noise possibly enough to wake the rest of the household.

“No! You won’t take them away you won’t!” Catherine quietly expressed, but in such a tone that Jace felt a shudder go through her body at the conviction embedded in the words like steel.

“Catherine, wake up, please love, you’re dreaming…” Taking Catherine’s into an embrace she hoped would settle the restless wanderings of her dreamscape. She knew it worked for her when she had bad dreams and her partner soothed them away with a loving hug.

“Huh, are the twins okay, is there a fire?” Catherine dragged herself out of her tormented sleep pattern and peered up bleary eyed at the blonde love of her life.
Jace grinned, happy that Catherine had been released from her bad dream. It must have been a humdinger of a nightmare to have her partner talk in her sleep even if she hadn’t understood any of it. “No problem here love, you were having a nightmare.”

Shaking her head a little to wake up, her seeing eye searching the room for any sign that anything was wrong, satisfied when she couldn’t see anything but the peacefully sleeping twins. Her gaze fastened on the green orbs that stared at her filled with love, tenderness and …damn there was an element of Jace even five years down the track together she couldn’t put words to. All she knew was that it was hers and hers alone and it calmed any anxiety that could ever enter her life. “Ah, a nightmare, sorry if I woke you baby, you need all your rest for the trip tomorrow.”

“Darling I’m good to go except I’d feel better if you were coming with me…I know, I know you have to stay behind, but it won’t be the same. I miss you already.”

Catherine feeling disorientated by the dream…nightmare. Whatever it was, normally she remembered only snippets, but this time she recalled it all and what she remembered she really wished she didn’t. Must have been that damned cheese toasty Lisa had made for her supper, next time she’d have something different. It could also be the fact that Jace was going home to her family, taking Nathan and Alison with her to see her family. Once her partner had been released from the hospital she had told her about Lucy, or as much as she knew. The preceding weeks had been fraught with worry over the twins and her younger sister, finally making up Catherine’s mind to persuade Jace to go home for a short time. It hadn’t been that difficult under the circumstances and for once, she felt like she had done the right thing out of what could have been a very touchy situation. Perhaps that was why her dream was so vivid. Perhaps it preyed on her mind; at any rate, things would turn out they always seemed to.

Swiftly changing positions, she had Jace in her arms kissing her lips tenderly, “Jace, I’m going to let you have some time with the family and then I’m visiting with the older children, its only two weeks away.” Unable to help the chuckle that passed her lips at the thought that travelled in her mind.

Shifting in the embrace Jace gazed into Catherine’s eyes seeing the merriment there, “what’s so funny?”

“Elena, at least the thought of her being other than the baby of the family, kind of funny. Yes, I know, I have an odd sense of humour, but you love me right?”

Jace felt the irresistible bubble of emotion she associated with the woman as close to her as this life allowed. It was remarkable, wonderful and yet infinitely simple, she loved her no matter what, end of story. “Yes who would have thought it my love, she’s growing up.”

“They all do darling. In my opinion, it’s the parents that don’t.”

“Really? Now what makes you think that, love?”

Catherine grinned, her nightmares now slipping into the background where they could stay forever as far as she was concerned. There was no way on this earth that they could ever come true…Jace would never take the children away from her.  Ignoring the niggles at the back of her mind, she pulled the smaller woman as close as possible their skin touching sending a throbbing, sexually exciting messages to all parts of her body. “Ah, we want to stay young darling that’s all, right now I’d say I’m as young as I feel…better still as young as the gorgeous sexy body I can feel.”

Giggling at the compliment, apparently Catherine appeared not to be overly bothered by her nightmare, thankfully. Because of the depths of her woman you could never figure her out and trying to find out what the problem was still had her hacking away with a toothpick to a rock. “Hmm, in that case, I’d better make certain that the sentiment is duly given my full attention hadn’t I?”

The teeth that sank gently but sensuously into her neck had Catherine moaning gently. Oh, this was going to be a rather wonderful early morning session, quite brought back wonderful memories, who said your sex life died with kids? There’s was alive and kicking and ohhhh so exciting!

Two steps, one step, who cared as long as they shared those steps together.

The End

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