Adam took a breath. Where the hell did he start? It was a long story. "It's a really long story dad."

"So we have an hour, spit it out then."

"You honestly want to hear this?"

Edward gave him a look which clearly said no, that's why I asked. Adam flushed a little.

"Ok. It's… fuck. I told you that blind bitch Hayward tried to kill herself, she's currently in a fucking insane asylum. Well…"

Taking another breath, Adam proceeded to tell his father everything. His unsuccessful attempts to get to Danielle via messages, as she'd had a DV advisor change her number not once, but twice. How his inside man had bribed a prison guard to get it the first time and Adam had heard rumours through his contacts that guard had consequently been killed. Adam shivered a little as he said this. How the hell would Edward react when he knew who his son was now up against? He told his father about how he was using some of his money to have Danielle watched, tracked and listened too by someone inside the asylum. He told him who it was. The notorious and infamous woman killer Derek Chancer. Edward whistled.

"Christ son, you don't do things by halves do you? Good work! So? What have you found out?" Adam and Edward were keeping their voices low, all too aware of the many microphones concealed in the walls, ceiling and even the floor of the visitor's room. So this was it. Adam looked his father straight in the eyes. "To be honest dad, I'm not sure you're going to believe this."

"Try me," Edward gave him that thin lipped grin again.

"Danielle's… well, got to know someone in that nut house I… well I really wish she hadn't. It could make my life incredibly harder. Even put it in danger. But I'm hoping I've concocted and executed the perfect plan to ensure that doesn't happen. This person has become very protective of Danielle and it's the last person you want as an adversary, you have to trust me on that one!"

Edward raised a thick eyebrow. "Oh? No one scares you son, you always used to say that. This must be one scary motherfucker to scare you."

Adam laughed humourlessly. "Just a little. Dad," he leant forward towards his father, being careful not to let the guards see. "It's only Michael fucking Myers!"

"Michael…" Edward looked at him as if he'd gone mad. "Did you just say Michael Myers?"

Adam smiled dryly. "The very same. Somehow he and the bitch have got close. He doesn't let her out of his sight, or should I say didn't," he smirked. "I think I've just seen to that."

He then told his father about the letter he'd written pretending to be from Charlotte to Michael and what it said. Edward was silent for at least thirty seconds after he was done.

"Jesus Christ," he said eventually, his voice low. "Adam, be careful. You become an enemy of Michael Myers, you're dead. That said, you come close to Michael Myers, you're dead. Jesus! Those kills in 1978…" Edward shivered a little. "The guy's a killer shark. I say guy, is he even a man? You say he's protecting Danielle? What the fuck? I would have thought he'd have just killed her on sight. A totally blind woman, how fucking easy a kill would she have been!"

Adam nodded. "I know, I thought that too. But it seems not. He seems to… I don't know. I don't want to say care about her, but…"

"I want to advise you to back out now," Edward said. "But I know you, Adam. I know you won't do that. But Michael Myers? Jesus! Might as well have signed your own death certificate!"

"But that's just it dad, what I've done now will hopefully snuff out any chance of him protecting, caring or whatever the fuck he's doing for her now. I told you. I wrote from Charlotte that she'd called him a "Psychopath, evil, remorseless killer." Who'd protect someone after they'd apparently said that about them?"

"That's…" Edward said slowly. "That's if he believes she wrote it. You're taking a huge risk their son. If they've spent a lot of time together, you'll have no idea what will have happened between them. You can only see from the outside, not within. How do you know for absolute certain Myers will believe Charlotte wrote this letter? After all, you're also trying to get hold of Charlotte aren't you? You told me that last time."

"Oh come on dad!" Adam said impatiently. "There's no way he'd disbelieve it! Why would he? He's a fucking masked killer! He's never had anyone care about him before, hell they've never lived long enough to even tell him their fucking names! So of course he'll believe it was her! Why wouldn't he? I'm surprised he hasn't killed her already! Maybe he has and I just don't know yet!"

"Do you want my honest opinion?" Edward asked.

Adam nodded. "Of course dad."

"I think you've gone in to this a little fast, without enough thought. You told me you covered your evidence from the cops, ok good. But Michael Myers…" He was silent again. Adam didn't interrupt, just waited. Eventually, his father spoke again.

"We obviously have no way of knowing how much if anything Danielle has told Myers about why she's there, or about you. You may indeed be correct and he'll believe it was her who said all that to Charlotte, in which case brilliant. Job done. However, if she has told Myers Charlotte is also… Involved with you along with all the so-called domestic violence you have inflicted on both of them but especially Danielle, then that could be very, very bad."

"What would you have had me do?" Adam demanded, starting to feel a little angry at his old man now. "Christ knows I've paid enough for this! When Danielle's released, Myers won't be going with her! Motherfucking killer's in there for life!"

"Adam, how much do you know about the 1978 killings?"

"Not loads, I was only 12 dad."

"Precisely. Then I suggest you do your research. Perhaps then you will understand why I'm so… concerned for you."

"Can't you tell me?" Adam asked. Edward glanced at the clock. They had 20 minutes left. He looked away for a moment, then back up at his son before speaking. "I was 30 when it happened. Living in Haddonfield, it was a fucking miracle the Psycho never targeted our house. He could've done incredibly easily. The killings happened just across the street."

Adam clapped a hand to his mouth. "Seriously? We were that close?"

Edward nodded grimly. "I was there with you and Lisa, wishing whole heartedly I could throw the bitch out in to the street for Myers to finish off. But I knew I couldn't without suspicion on me. If he didn't come our way, then I'd be charged with fucking assault if she lived to tell the pigs about it. So anyway. Michael Myers was being taken to court. His doctor, Samuel… something, was in a secure car with a nurse. When they got there, the patients were all wandering around the grounds. Next thing they know Michael Myers attacks the car, pulls the nurse out by her hair and speeds off in it."

"How would he have learnt to drive?" Adam had asked the question before he could stop himself. Edward rolled his eyes.

"Adam. You've told me yourself you think the man has supernatural abilities, answer your own question. So anyway he drives to Haddonfield and kills a group of teenagers who were babysitting. The kids survived, and he also killed paramedics and a nurse that night. There may have even been more, we'll never know. So his doctor… whatever the fuck his name is, speeds after him and finds a teenager in a fight for her life with the masked fucker. His quack shot him 6 times, Adam. At point blank range with a fucking gun! He fell off the balcony they were on to the ground and when they looked down he was gone! Fucking gone, Adam! Now here he is back in the very same nut house as Danielle, and you say he… cares for, protects her, whatever! The fact is, this guy survived 6 point blank gun shots and is protecting your fucking target! Be realistic, Adam! Give up now while you're still alive!"

Adam stared at his father in a mixture of horror and disbelief. "No way!"

"Yes fucking way," Edward snapped. "That's why I'm telling you to get away now before the heat really comes down! Even targeting Charlotte now might be dangerous, if it's true Myers is protecting Danielle. She's only Danielle's best friend!"

"But that's just it, dad! My inside man said he wouldn't let her out of his sight, but now I've sent that letter…"

"But that's my point!" Edward slammed his hand down on the metal table, causing a guard to look over. Edward grinned at him then spoke once the guard had looked away AGAIN. "If! That's a big fucking "If", Adam! Its miles too big for me! You're putting everything, possibly including your own survival on an "if!" How do you know Myers doesn't in fact know it was you who sent it? I repeat. We have no way of knowing what's happened between them while she's been there. You're going purely on what you know! If you want my advice, before you do anything else, contact your inside man and ask him what the state of play is. If it even looks like Myers hasn't fallen for it, get the fuck out! Now! Anything less and you're dead, son! Michael Myers didn't even know the people in 1978, how much worse will it be if he's actually killing someone whose hurt someone he knows? You're fucking naïve if you think being in there will stop him Adam! This is Michael Myers! He'll find a way to escape I'm telling you! Then might as well get the shovel out and start digging your grave! I hate to say it son," Edward tried to make his voice gentle, almost consoling. "But you might have lost this one. I know you want to show her who's boss and of course you are, but this might just be too dangerous. There are millions of women out there who Michael Myers will never even meet. Take one of them as your property, toy, whatever. But Danielle? Nope. Too hot. Leave her and Charlotte well alone if I were you."

Adam stared at his father. If he was honest, he'd never even considered some of what his father had just said. Particularly the part about not knowing what'd happened between Danielle and Myers in the asylum. Behind closed doors and thick walls. His man inside could only tell him what he heard and it appeared that was nothing these days as something had been done to his bitch's cell to stop him hearing her! Adam gritted his teeth in anger. He hated admitting defeat. It just wasn't him.

"Adam," Edward said softly now just as the bell rang to signal visiting was over. "Please. I'm speaking here as your father. Just be careful, think about what I have said. I don't want you to die son. That's all. I love you and it'd break my heart. You understand? See how it looks inside and if it's hot, please just leave it. Don't let your pride and anger, or determination for revenge kill you."

Adam had nodded to his father just as a guard came over and told him he had to leave. He gave his father a brief smile then followed the guard back through the maze of doors and gates towards freedom.

It was only then he realised he hadn't told his father exactly who the head was of the organisation WORKING FOR HIM. Chris Leach himself. Maybe that would've changed his father's outlook. He remembered Leach's words about Myers now as his car keys and phone were returned to him at the main gate. "If I could persuade him not to kill me, or any of mine unless I asked him to, he could be a very valuable, great asset and weapon indeed."

But as Adam got in to his car and waited for the heavy gates to open to let him drive out, he couldn't stop thinking back over everything his father had said. Was Edward right? He didn't like it, but he agreed with the suggestion he see how hot the situation was before he acted next. He'd have to contact Chancer tonight, see what was happening when he got home. He glanced at his watch. It was 14:05. Hopefully, the fucking pigs would have returned his laptop and phone by now. Adam hated this cheap bit of plastic he currently had to use which passed for a phone. But still, he could make calls and send texts with it, so that was something.

…

Dr Loomis was pleased but not surprised when Michael slid a piece of paper towards him across the table. The doctor picked it up and read the 4 words written on it.

Show her she's wrong?

Dr Loomis sighed and nodded. "Yes, Michael. She's certain you're going to believe she said and Charlotte wrote the contents of that letter. I didn't want to tell you this but feel I should. Joanne told Dr Stark and I something Danielle said a little while ago. She told us over the radio. Danielle said and I quote, "what if this is it? The end? If Michael truly believes I said that stuff, then my suicide will have been nothing more than a dress rehearsal."

Dr Loomis was certain he saw the killer's eyes widen. Breaking every security rule in the book, he reached across the table and laid his hand on Michael's arm. With no chains or glass between them, Michael could easily get to him now. But Dr Loomis was using his own judgement. Sure enough, Michael didn't move towards him in any way.

"I know," Dr Loomis murmured. "That's what I meant by show her she's wrong. She'd never have said any of that and I can say that purely from the time I've spent with her since she's been here. I and Dr Stark both. Apart from fearing you're… anger, she is terrified she's lost whatever is between you. She really, genuinely does care about you Michael. There's no trick here, no ulterior motive, just pure strong feelings. After everything Danielle's been through, do you really think she'd trick you?"

There was silence, but Dr Loomis was certain the killer's eyes had softened. He gave the other man a small smile. "Don't let Adam do this," he murmured. "That's what he wants. Danielle is currently outside with Joanne and really wants you to join her where she is."

Michael's eyebrows rows. Dr Loomis smiled again. "Sorry, can't say any more than that. It's Danielle's story. But will you, Michael? Will you show her Adam won't win? I know you care about her, so don't let him ruin it. That's exactly what he wants. He's scared of you, Michael. He thinks if you're not protecting her he'll get to her more easily. He's wrong I assure you, but think of Danielle. She genuinely wants to be close to you. Now you have to decide what you really believe and whether you'll follow your heart, or let everything you've achieved between you die?"

…

When Adam got back to his house, he was both frustrated and relieved to see a squad car waiting outside. Relieved because that hopefully meant he was about to get his phone and laptop back, and frustrated because they'd taken it in the first place. He stepped out of his car and towards the waiting officer. They would've known where he'd been, as the prison would've told them when he got there and when he left. Adam hated having all these restrictions on him, he had no privacy anymore. All because it was illegal to show women who they obeyed. Twats.

"Here you are Sir," The officer said as Adam reached him, handing back his phone and laptop.

"Told you you'd find nothing," Adam said, unable to stop himself. He was annoyed.

"Indeed," the officer said. But as Adam reached his front door, the cop lowered his voice. "But believe me Dawson. If I had any proof what so ever, you'd now be in handcuffs in the back of this car. I believe you did send that letter and I also believe you wrote it. We also noticed you formatted your phone very recently. Hmm, I wonder why that was! I'm not giving up on finding proof! You deserve to be behind bars for life! Leave those pour women alone, you misogynistic son of a bitch!"

Adam was speechless. That fucking cop had just threatened him. He opened his mouth, but then common sense made him close it again. He didn't want to be arrested. The officer continued to glare at him all the way back to his squad car. His words left Adam feeling uneasy. He had a horrible feeling that particular cop would continue to investigate him looking for even the slightest evidence against him. Adam just hoped the owners of the café would not DOB him in. He'd fucking kill them if they did, or ask one of Leach's goons to do it just as they had with the dwarf. On this occasion however, he'd pay whatever he had to for it. If those fuckers dared to tell the cops, he'd happily give leach all the money he had to watch them die.

Slamming his front door, he turned on his phone to make sure it was still working after the pigs had fiddled with it. Yes, everything was as he'd left it. Turning on his laptop, he checked that too. Same thing. Good! If those fucking cops had dared to delete even a file, he'd be suing them for invasion of privacy! Especially given they had no evidence he'd written the thing. No, that was in a café a few streets away. That said, he hoped the owners had disposed of it by now.

Picking up his phone again, he called the number he'd memorised and when it was answered by someone who sounded like a child, fucking voice changing idiots, Adam asked to speak to his man inside SG. There was a pause, then 3 beeps. What the fuck? Derek Chancer had rejected his call! Adam was just starting to get angry, when a text came through on his phone consisting of 4 words.

I haven't seen them.

That told Adam everything he needed to know. Chancer hadn't seen the bitch or Myers today. Hmm, what did that mean? But he agreed with his father on one thing. He needed more information before he acted further. Whether he liked it or not, he'd just have to wait to see for certain one way or the other if the masked Psychopath had fallen for his trick. He didn't like it, but knew there was nothing else he could do. So in the meantime, he ordered food and then a whore for that night.