"Marcie?" Al said, standing before her. She was zoned out, didn't hear him. "Marcie?"
"Oh..." Marcie shook from her trance. "Michael, hey... what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to... see how you were doing," Al said. "I was worried about you."
"I'll be OK" Marcie said softly.
"Look,... Marc." Al took a seat in front of her. "I was thinking... I know we didn't really know all of the girls, but if we could figure out what they had in common, say, Jessica and Jennifer... maybe we could narrow things down."
"I really can't do this right now, Michael."
"I know she was your best friend..."
"She was more than that," Marcie started to cry. "Her and Joey took me in when Al died. She was... there for me when I didn't think I could live. Jessica too. They were both Buchanans, one way or another, but none of the other girls were. Can we not talk about this anymore? Let your brother handle it now."
"But Marcie..."
"Please. I just lost three people who were really important to me. I can't handle it again so... just let John handle it. Let him do his job."
>>>>>>
"Can't you tell me anything?" Riley said following Daniel into his office. "Dad. Tell me something."
"I can't, Riley." Daniel said. "It's an open investigation." Riley sighed, shaking his head. "I know she was your friend..."
"I should have just met her last night." Riley said. "She wanted to finish that stupid project. I told her I had to work with the band... if I had been there..."
"The guy could have gone after you to get to her." Daniel said. "We don't know what to expect anymore."
"Do you think she knew? Did she see his face?" Riley said. "Did she scream? Did she suffer?"
Daniel shook his head. "I have no idea, Riley. I don't... I don't know."
"Well maybe somebody should think about that." Riley said. "Jen was more cautious about this guy than anyone I know. She wouldn't have turned her back to a stranger."
"We don't know that she wasn't taken by surprise."
"She would have sprayed him." Daniel looked at Riley curiously. "I told you. Jen was cautious. She'd jump at every rustle of a leaf. She carried pepper spray. I freaked her out one day and I almost got it in the eyes. She would have sprayed."
"What are you saying, Riley?"
"If she didn't know him, she would have sprayed him. If she didn't spray the guy, then she knew him. That's the other explanation."
"There's no way to prove that," Daniel said. "Detective McBain is working on this case."
"It's not a case! Jen was a person! Jessica was a person! They were friends of mine, Dad! They're not just some names on a piece of paper."
"The police and the FBI are doing their jobs, Riley."
"Well they're not doing them fast enough. If they were, then this guy would be in jail and Jen would still be alive! And if nobody's going to do their jobs and find out who the killer is, then somebody has to."
Riley turned and stormed out of Daniel's office. "Riley!" Daniel called. "Riley, get back... don't do something stupid! Riley!"
