Chapter Sixteen

The ringing of the doorbell at Llanfair woke Natalie from her slumber. She rubbed her eyes, standing from the chair as the bell rang again. "One minute!" Natalie called, fixing her hair as she approached the door and swung it open.

John McBain stood outside, his hands in his pockets. "Natalie," he said . "I'm sorry, did I wake you?"

"Me?" Natalie stumbled. "No. No. I wasn't sleeping." She stepped aside allowing him to enter, "John... what brings you here tonight?"

"I was looking for Jessica actually." John said. "She around?"

"She's sleeping," Natalie said. "Is this about the murders?"

"I needed to come down and pick her brain, see if she can remember anything else."

"Try to clear your brother." John shot a glance at Natalie. "I just assumed..."

"Michael's innocent" John said.

"Oh I didn't... I didn't mean to imply that... I met him today. He doesn't seem like he could hurt anyone."

"Either way, he's still a suspect until I can prove otherwise."

"Do you have someone else in mind?"

"You know even if I do, I can't tell you."

"Right" Natalie said softly. "Don't want to compromise the investigation." There was a long awkward silence. "Jessica..." Natalie said. "I'll go see if she's awake."

John stepped back as Natalie went upstairs. He paced just slightly, waiting, letting his eyes scan the room. He was accustomed to that being a cop. New surroundings were the most important thing to recognize, being aware of what was happening around him.

"John?" Jessica said coming downstairs. "Hey."

John rubbed the back of his neck. "You got a minute?"

"I really don't know anything" Jessica said. "I told you everything I saw."

"And that was my brother."

"I'm sorry, John." she sighed. "But I wasn't the only one who saw him arguing with Madison."

John sighed. "How well... did you know Madison?"

"Not too well. We took dance together, She liked to practice at the community center at night."

"Was she there last night?"

Jessica nodded. "She was still there when I left."

"Alone?"

Jessica thought. "No," she said. "Ron was there. Ron Walsh."

"How is Ron Walsh?"

"As a person? He's great. He's a great guy. He lives with over Roxy. Well not with Roxy, across the hall. He's really nice." Jessica paused. "Oh my God, do you think Ron..."

"We don't know anything yet, Jessica." John stopped her. "We don't know, but we're just trying to tie things together. Eliminate as many people as we can. I assure you, you're safe."

"I bet Madison and Marissa though that too" Jessica said.

"We're working round the clock on this one," John said. "And we're gonna get him."

Jessica wrapped her arms around herself. "Before or after he kills somebody else?"



Al walked into the diner, making his way up to the counter. "Hi," he said "I'm picking up an order. Should be under McBain." he took a seat, resting his arms on the counter top waiting as one of the waitresses went to the kitchen to check.

"Mrs. Vega," Marcie said nervously pushing her way back into the diner. "Oh Mrs Vega. You didn't find my... my purse, did you? I think I left it in the booth... when I was here before."

"I'm sorry, Marcie" Carlotta said. "They cleaned out the table, nobody reported finding anything."

"Ohh," Marcie whined. "Nobody." She sighed, taking a seat at the counter. "I've gotta find it, everything I own is in there. The keys to my room...pictures..." she sighed. "Could you let me know if you find it? Please?"

"Of course, Marcie" Carlotta said.

"Hey.. Marcie." Al said turning, looking over at her.

"Michael..." Marcie wiped her eyes, sniffling. "I'm kinda in a hurry."

Al raised his eyebrows. "To go where?" he said. "I heard you say you were locked out of your room. Marcie sighed, her shoulders falling. "Let me buy you a cup of coffee."

"No thanks." Marcie said.

"A sandwich, fries, anything" Al said. "Please." Marcie sniffled once again. She didn't have anywhere to go. She was locked out of her room, she couldn't go to Jen's, not after she had left so abruptly earlier. "Please."

"Maybe just a soda." she smiled

"You're order, Dr. McBain." the waitress handed the bag over the counter.

"You know what..." Al said to the waitress, smiling at Marcie. "I think I'm going to make that to stay."