Chapter Nineteen

Natalie awoke at the sight of the sun shining through the window. She stretched, yawing and rubbing her eyes as she stood from the chair.

"Natalie," Viki said, coming into the room, clasping her earring. "Sweetheart, I didn't know you were still here."

"Yeah..." Natalie smiled, "Jess was gonna wake me up... she has a class this afternoon we were gonna get coffee," she paused "I feel so horrible that she had to go through seeing that yesterday."

"She was really glad you came to spend the night." Viki said.

Natalie laughed. "Well Roxy wasn't too thrilled about being alone last night, but I managed to convince her that having Ron across the hall would keep her safe."

Viki chuckled. "Roxanne is understandably concerned." she said. "this man is very dangerous. Whoever he is."

"Yeah, you can say that again," Natalie said. She paused. "I'm gonna run upstairs... see if Jess is still up for coffee."

Natalie turned from Viki, making her way up the stairs. She came to a stop outside Jessica's bedroom door. She knocked softly. "Jessica?" Natalie waited a moment before knocking again. "Jess?" Natalie turned the doorknob, pushing her way in. "Jess?.." she stopped suddenly, her breath catching in her throat. "Mom!"



Marcie stirred slightly, her eyes opening. She let out a tiny yawn. Climbing out of bed, she stretched, making her way to the bathroom. She reached for the doorknob as the door swung inward. Marcie's eyes widened and jaw dropped slightly.

Al stood before her, a towel wrapped around his waist. He grasped the knot tightly to keep it from slipping off his hips.

"Michael..." Marcie stammered, swallowing hard. Neither of them moved. "I umm..." she laughed softly to keep herself from staring. She blushed, feeling her knees buckle beneath her.

"Woah," Al said, throwing his arms out to steady her. He led her over to sit on the bed, letting out a soft laugh. "Easy... her. You alright?"

"Just a little embarrassed." Marcie said softly, pushing the hair behind her ears.

"Hey, everyone gets a little lightheaded once in a while," Al rationalized it, sitting beside her.

"Right..." Marcie said. "Yeah... lightheaded, that's what it is..." Her face was beat red, both out of embarrassment and the fact that he was still sitting there in nothing but a blue towel. "I'm OK" she said. "I'm sorry. I'm..." she giggled nervously.

"You look flushed," Al slowly lifted his hand, placing it gently on her forehead. "And warm..." he was just as drawn in as she was.

"Oh..." Marcie's voice trailed off as she leaned into his hand.

"Yeah..." Al gazed at her. "Maybe it's the flu..."

"The flu..." she said as his hands moved down, resting behind her neck. Her eyes locked with his as he began to lean his head in, their lips just slightly brushing against eachother.

"Michael!" A pounding came at the door. Al and Marcie bolted back. "Mike, open the door!"

Al sighed. He stood from the bed, clutching the towel around his waist, making his way to the door, swinging it inward. "What John?" he said "What now?

"We need to talk, Mike," he said pushing his way into the apartment.

"Gee, come on in, John" Al said sarcastically.

"OK," he said "One time and one time only. Where were you last night?"

"Here." Al said.

"Anyone who can prove that?

"I can..." Marcie said stepping out of the bedroom. John looked at her and then at Michael. "He was here all night. I'll swear to it."

"Bo's headed this way" he said "He's set to murder."

"Who'd I kill this time?" Al folded his arms across his chest.

"His niece," John said. "Jessica Buchanan."

Al's heart stopped. "Jessica?" he said shaking his head, his eyes shut. "Oh God... no."

Marcie's hands went up to her face. "Oh no..." she said. "Jessica was..." she cried.

Al stood back in shock, utter disbelief, almost as if a piece of him was torn apart. "Jess..." he said softly as John cell phone rang.

"Yeah, McBain." he answered. "Yeah... I'll be right over." he hung up. "I gotta get out of here, we might have this guy."

"We're coming with you." AL said.

"Michael..." John said discouraging it. He shook his head, turning and hurrying from the apartment.

Al paused a moment, trying desperately to pull himself together. He turned to Marcie. "Get dressed. We're going to Llanfair."



The police combed the perimeter of Llanfair as John McBain pulled up, getting out of the car. "What do we have?" he said approaching CSU.

"We found it outside the bedroom window" the investigator said handing John a small evidence bag. "Could give you a good clue even if it doesn't have any traceable prints."

"A lighter." John said.

"Oh it's more than that" the investigator said. "Here..." he turned the bag over pointing out the distinguish feature. "Initialed. RW. Any ideas?"

John clutched the bag in his hand. "Only one"