"Charlotte?"

Charlotte turned. It was Dr Stark. "Yes doctor?"

"I'm sorry to disturb you all, but please may I have a word with you? I need to show you something."

Charlotte nodded immediately and stood.

"Is it ok if I take a walk?" Danielle asked. "I think I need some air."

Though of course Dr Stark didn't say this, this was exactly what she was hoping for. Michael was now inside the building so she'd have the yard to herself. Her and Joanne at least.

"Of course you can, you don't need to ask Danielle. You take as much time as you need and we'll meet you back here when you're done. Ok? Joanne can let you back through with her pass."

"Will do," Joanne said. Danielle managed a small smile and Joanne took her arm, leading her in to the exercise yard.

As soon as they were gone, Dr Stark turned to Charlotte.

"You were hoping for that weren't you?" The young woman asked. "That Danielle would take some air. You don't want her to hear this?"

"You could be a psychiatrist yourself," Dr Stark smiled at her. "Correct. I didn't want Danielle to hear this. She's been through enough."

"Tell me about it," Charlotte growled. "Adam's pulling out all the stops here and it's killing me I can't do anything about it!"

"That's where you may be wrong," Dr Stark said as they began walking towards Dr Loomis's office. "You're her best friend, like you said you're like sisters. You can probably do more for her than anyone else."

"Now you do sound like a psychiatrist," Charlotte said with a grin. "Also, are you sure about that? More than even Michael?"

"Well," Dr Stark grinned back. "That remains to be seen, and I know you want to speak to him before you leave. Dr Loomis is speaking to him at this moment, so we'll see how that goes first."

"Do you…" Charlotte hesitated. "Do you think he's… well, coming round?"

"If you mean do I think he's starting to believe it was Adam, I don't know as I haven't seen him myself since it happened, but if you're honest with yourself, you probably believe the same as Dr Loomis and I do. That Michael believed it deep down and has done since this began."

"You think?" Charlotte stared at the doctor.

"You don't?"

"I… Well I don't know," Charlotte Admitted. "I hope you're right, but well he is a silent masked killer. He's never had reason to trust before, what if everything that's happened is… like wiped out of his mind by this?"

"While I understand where you're coming from," Dr Stark touched Charlotte's shoulder. "I don't think so. A lot has happened between them, a lot of time has passed. I don't think even Michael would let it all go just like that. Of course he's unsure and by the sounds of it you understand that just as we do. Charlotte nodded. "But we both think deep down he knows Danielle didn't say, and you didn't write any of it."

They had reached Dr Loomis's office and entered. Dr Stark made sure the door was securely closed, then picked up the file from Dr Loomis's desk.

"Charlotte, I need to ask you to keep what I'm about to tell and show you to yourself at the moment, don't even talk to Danielle about it. Can you do that for me?"

"Of course," Charlotte said immediately. Dr Stark smiled at her. Charlotte took a seat opposite her and the consultant opened the file.

"Do you recognise this man, Charlotte?"

Charlotte looked at the HD quality photo the doctor had just handed her.

"No," she said after a moment. "Never seen him before."

"Are you sure?" Dr Stark prompted.

Charlotte studied the picture closely again then nodded. "Yep, certain. I don't recognise him. Sorry."

"Don't be silly. No worries. Now please watch this?" Dr Stark showed Charlotte the video of Dr Loomis's visitor and the conversation between them.

"Wow he looked scared shitless," Charlotte said when the video was over. "Like he might as well have had help written on his forehead."

Dr Stark sighed sadly. "Indeed. But we couldn't keep him here as he wasn't a patient or anything. So he left when he was done."

"Ok," Charlotte said slowly, clearly trying to join the dots. "Then… where is he now?"

Dr Stark sighed again and brought up the news report. Charlotte clapped a hand to her mouth in horror.

"Fuck! Don't tell me! You… you think one of the goons Adam's got working for him to watch Danielle…" she couldn't finish.

"He was followed here," Dr Stark said. "He must've been. I'm also guessing he was bugged so they knew what he said. I think that's why he wrote this, too scared to say it." She handed Charlotte a copy of the man's message.

WATCH YOUR BACK. ADAM WANTS YOU. YOU ARE HIS AND NOTHING WILL CHANGE THAT. NO MATTER WHO TRIES TO PROTECT YOU, EVEN MICHAEL MYERS WON'T SUCCEED!

"Jesus," Charlotte looked horrified. "But see? Not even Michael Myers will succeed! Doesn't that show you Adam's responsible? God! A stranger died to protect Danielle! I can't trick a blind woman he said. That makes it so obvious…"

"Again, that's exactly what we thought," Dr Stark said. "Which is why we don't want Danielle knowing."

"Yeah," Charlotte looked sad. "It would tear the poor woman apart. It upsets me and I don't even know the guy. Danielle would blame herself I know it. She'd say in some way it's her fault because Adam is after her or something crap like that! It'd break her heart!"

Dr Stark smiled sadly. Charlotte could tell she agreed. "Dr Loomis is showing Michael the very same message and video as we speak."

"Too bad we don't know who killed this poor guy," Charlotte said sadly. "So we could ask Michael to take revenge."

…

"I now need to show you something," Dr Loomis said to the killer. "The screen is there. Please give it your attention?"

The killer made no response, but did look as the video started playing, the sound as crystal clear as the picture.

"I can't trick a blind woman Sir; I don't have the conscience to do it!"

When the video was done, Dr Loomis brought up the news report.

"That very same man was found dead on the highway less than an hour after that video was taken," he said quietly. "We strongly believe one of the criminals Adam has hired killed him."

The killer read the report, then looked back at his doctor. Dr Loomis would've sworn he heard him softly sigh.

"He's trying to stop you protecting her," Dr Loomis repeated. "Can you see that now?"

Very slowly, the killer nodded.

…

Adam hadn't expected to leave his meeting with Chris Leach feeling quite as uneasy as he did. Yes Leach scared him, but some of the things the crime boss had said made Adam's skin crawl. "One of my men was watching the building?" Did that mean they'd had eyes on Adam from the moment his contract with them had started? Adam didn't like the sound of that at all. Ok he had nothing to hide, but he'd hired for them to watch Danielle, not him.

Yet again and he hated it, he imagined how Danielle must be feeling, knowing she was being watched and listened to and hadn't even known it. He understood it a little now. But still, it changed nothing and didn't soften his resolve. Danielle was his property after all, end of story.

He didn't care Graham Williamson was dead, the guy was a fucking coward anyway, and a dwarf! The man's death in itself didn't concern Adam, but he did wish the guy could've been killed while doing something which had nothing to do with him. Despite Leach's less than comforting and scathing words, Adam didn't like how close the evidence was to him. The deceased had just left Smith's Grove hospital asking to see Danielle Hayward, then he's dead. As he'd also said to Leach, doesn't take a genius to work that out.

He'd also understood Leach's veiled warning. "We won't if you don't stop crying about today." Adam couldn't mention the murder to anyone, or how scared he was it would come down on him. He might not have been the one who pulled the trigger or done whatever had killed the guy, but he was still involved. But if he told anyone, Leach was bound to find out he had eyes and ears everywhere. This angered Adam. He was the one paying the money, yet he was being made to feel like the one right at the bottom. Which of course was what Leach wanted him to feel, he knew that. Didn't mean he had to like it though. Hell, if Adam wasn't so determined to show Danielle Hayward who was boss, he might have terminated his own contract before Leach could do it for him. But he was close now, he was sure of it. The last stage of his plan would've set things up nicely. There was no way a silent, masked killer would protect Danielle after this. No, he consoled himself. She'll be in your hands soon and this time you will be a murderer. Perhaps if this all worked out, he'd ask Leach for some tips on how to do it with absolutely no evidence to point to him. Leach would know exactly how of course. Adam didn't like Leach, but as Leach himself had said regarding Myers, "he'd be a very valuable asset and weapon indeed." The same held true for Leach if everything went as well as it was now and Adam saw no reason why it wouldn't. Maybe he could even pay one of Leach's guys to do it for him! Granted it would feel so much better if he killed the bitch himself, but he knew he also had to be realistic and practical about it. Without Myers to protect her, Danielle was his, he had a clear shot as soon as she got out of that nut house. Now, it was just a matter of waiting.

…

"I love this sound," Danielle said. She and Joanne were sitting on a bench at the back of the exercise yard. "The waterfall. I know it's not always turned on but I love being out here when it is. I don't know why, there's just something about water features I love. I've always associated them with…" she blushed. "Romance. The thought of Michael holding me while we can hear it is…" she sighed sadly. "Maybe I should say was a nice thought."

"No, stick to is," Joanne said firmly. A second later, Dr Stark's voice came over her earpiece, which of course Danielle didn't hear.

"Dr Loomis is talking to Michael; I think he's making progress. Keep Danielle distracted for a bit longer if you can. Charlotte's going to speak to Michael soon I think."

"What is it about waterfalls exactly, Danielle?" Joanne moved to the feature and turned a dial, so the water gushed faster with a soft tinkling sound. Danielle couldn't help smiling.

"I don't know," she admitted. "I've just always loved the sound. It's so nice. It sounds so… so peaceful, tranquil. There's something about being near water which makes me feel… safe? I'm not sure why. Maybe it's some long forgotten memory from my childhood?"

Joanne turned the dial so the pattern of the waters fall changed again. She did this a further 4 times, going through the different settings. "Which one's your favourite?" She asked.

"The third one," Danielle said without hesitation. Joanne turned the dial back so they could both hear the soft and steady fall and tinkle of water. Danielle lent back on the bench and sighed, a small contented smile on her lips.

"I could fall asleep to that sound," she said dreamily. "I would've loved to have been here with Michael, but I know that'd never be allowed. Security and all that."

Joanne made a mental note. That was good to know.

"In case you're wondering, no Michael doesn't know that," Danielle said. "There's no way I could tell him something like that. It would sound so stupid!" She looked down sadly. "A shame though, because…" She trailed off.

"You'd like him to know wouldn't you," Joanne said softly, understanding.

"Yeah," Danielle said. "But he's a masked killer. Me telling him I like waterfalls, I mean…"

"You told him you like ears," Joanne pointed out. "Look what happened then. He lets you touch his ears all the time. So why should this be any different?"

"He did," Danielle said. "He might not again."

Joanne could see the pain in Danielle's eyes and it tugged at her heart. But she wouldn't give away what Dr Stark had said. Charlotte was the one who deserved to do that. She after all had been used as the letter writer by that callus bastard Dawson.

"I can't remember if I ever asked," Danielle blushed again. "Can you whistle Joanne?"

Joanne laughed. "Not very well," she said and demonstrated. Danielle giggled. "You're just putting that on. I bet you can whistle really."

Joanne tried again and produced a couple of notes. Danielle grinned. "See? Told you!"

"Just give me a sec Danielle," Joanne said after a short while. "I just need to check something. I can still see you though and we're alone out here ok?"

Danielle didn't argue, just as Joanne knew she wouldn't. She was so sweet, so trusting to very few people and Adam Dawson had dared to destroy her confidence? Do all this to her? She walked out of Danielle's earshot and told Dr Stark via her radio what Danielle had said about the water feature and longing to be held by Michael on the bench next to it. That she knew security measures would have to be taken probably them alone in the yard, but she'd do whatever she could to make that happen. Dr Stark thanked her and Joanne was sure there was a tear in her voice.

When she returned, Danielle was indeed almost asleep, lulled by the tinkling water, her eyes almost closed. Joanne felt her heart contract. The poor woman had been through so much today, once again because of Dawson. God she'd love to be there when Michael killed him. She'd hand out popcorn! She relayed this fact to Dr Stark in a whisper. The consultant chuckled quietly.

"She looks so tired poor thing, she's almost asleep. It's warm out here and still, should I…"

"Ok, don't wake her," the consultant answered. "Leave it with me."

Joanne had a pretty good idea what the doctor was hoping for. Soon all being well, it wouldn't be Joanne or Charlotte sitting beside Danielle on that bench listening to the playing waterfall, but a man named Michael Myers.

…

The heavy steel gates slid closed behind Adam with a loud electronic whirr. He looked up and could see nothing except the barbed wire fences and armed guards in the 4 towers, one on each side of the prison.

"Please follow me Mr. Dawson," a guard said. Adam followed the instruction and was led in to a security station. There he was patted down (by a man he noticed,) while his phone and keys were placed in a locked and secure cabinet. Adam wasn't sure how he felt about this visit. On the one hand he desperately wanted to see his father again, on the other, how could he tell him about Danielle and everything that'd happened? Lisa Dawson had escaped, he didn't want to tell his father that he, and Edward Dawson's son had failed too.

The prison had contacted Adam a year ago to inform him that his father's sentence had been extended by another 6 years for "inside troubles" they called it. Probably teaching a woman who was boss, but then maybe not. There were no women in there, precisely for that reason. So this now meant his old man had 10 years on his sentence. This infuriated and deeply upset Adam, but he knew there was nothing he could do.

Now he followed the guards out of the security station and towards another set of iron gates. They opened silently and Adam was escorted through. Was it his imagination, or were the armed guards in the nearest tower watching him? He told himself not to be so stupid, they were just watching everyone, and it was their job. But still, he felt uneasy. He fucking hated prisons. Detention had been bad enough, but to end up somewhere like here…

Adam concentrated on where they were going and eventually he was in a huge visitor's room, some visitors behind glass from the inmate they were visiting. Adam sincerely hoped this wouldn't be the case for him and Edward and to his relief it wasn't. Edward was sitting at a bolted down table, his chair also bolted to the floor. Adam took the bolted one opposite him.

"You are not to leave your seats," a guard instructed them. "No physical contact, you have an hour." Then he was gone. Adam looked across at his father and inwardly winced. Edward looked tired, with the kind of pallor one only got in 2 places. Hospital, or prison.

"Hi dad," Adam said. "How are you?"

"Just fucking splendid son," Edward said with a thin lipped grin. "Having the time of my life in here."

"Why have they extended your sentence?" Adam lowered his voice. "There's no women in here, is there? Was it…"?

Edward laughed. The laugh of a long time smoker. Adam could smell cigarette smoke on his breath. He sent his old man a pack every week. "Ha! No, fortunately for them. Fucking so-called big boys pissed me off so badly I beat 2 of them up. Was so bad they're in hospital. That was 3 months ago.

"Shit," Adam whistled. "Good on you dad."

Edward looked at his son ruefully. "That's easy for you to say, you're not stuck in here for another fucking decade. Anyway," he continued before Adam could answer. "Enough about me, tell me about you. What's going on in your life?"