The next 2 days passed slowly, with no leads on the killer, but also no more victims. It was time for John and Michael to meet Willow. Natalie had begged to come as well and of course John gave in. The three were in the car driving to the meeting place when Michael got a call from Marcie.
"Michael where are you?" Marcie wanted to know.
"I'm on my way to a meeting" he answered "I will tell you about it when I get back."
"Michael," Marcie said nervously, "I just wanted to tell you that I thought about what you said the other day and I want to get back together. If you still want me."
"Of course I still want you Marcie!" He practically yelled into the phone, making Natalie and John jump. He looked at them sheepishly, then said to Marcie; "How about we get together tonight?" Marcie agreed and Michael hung up.
"Things work out for you and Marcie?" Natalie asked with a grin.
"Yeah they did" Michael said smiling, very cheerful now. "Nothing bad can happen on a day like today" he said. "What ever this meeting is about it has to be a good thing."
John just grunted and rolled his eyes. Ten minutes later they pulled into a parking lot in front of a private building with the sign Summers Investigations on the front. John looked around, his cop training saying that this was a highly secure building. There were security cameras all over the parking lot and front of the building. As they went inside John noticed more of the same. Either this was a highly dangerous business or the owner was paranoid. Possibly both he though to him self. They went to the reception desk and introduced them selves. The receptionist looked at them and told them "you're early, but Willow told me to bring you to her the moment you arrived. Please follow me." She looked at Natalie and said, "I don't believe I know who you are. Why are you here?"
"I came with my boyfriend John." Natalie said at the same time John said, "anything said to me can be said to her." The receptionist just shrugged and said, "well, If Willow doesn't want you here she can ask you to leave her self, not my job." She proceeded to lead them to a large room with mats on the floor and walls, there was gym equipment scattered about the room in what looked like some sort of work out order. In the room was a woman practicing martial arts moves. John watched fascinated as she performed the kicks and punches flawlessly to the beat of the music she had blaring, seemingly oblivious to their presence. She was possibly the best he had ever seen. As the music ended she leapt up into the air spun around and landed back on her feet facing them. WOW" Michael and Natalie breathed and John nodded, impressed.
Willow had heard them come in but continued with her practice until the song ended, 'When the Hammer Swings Down' by Babylon AD was her favorite at the moment, then jumped up twisted around to face them. She was nervous her self about this meeting and could tell they were curious as to what she wanted to meet with them about.
"Hello, I'm Willow Summers," Willow said. "You are about 15 minutes early."
"We know," Michael said, "The traffic was good to us."
"Do you mind if I shower before we talk?" Willow asked gesturing to her self as if to indicate she was covered in sweat.
"No, please do." He wanted a chance to look around. John reached for Natalie's hand and trapped it in his. Willow saw this gesture and smiled then said, "I'll be just a minute, please feel free to look around, Ann please get our guests some coffee." Then was out the side door that led to her personal shower.
Natalie who had yet to say anything looked at John and said, "wow she's awesome, I have never seen anyone move like that."
"She is about the best I have ever seen," John said even more curious then before about why they were there. Something nagged at him, she still seemed familiar to him somehow, and he just couldn't figure it out.
"Does she seem familiar to you John?" Michael asked startling John.
"She does," said John, "I can't figure it out either." He looked around noting everything for about 10 minutes then turned to Michael and said, "I have to say, she has a nice gym here, I wouldn't mind working out here."
Just then Willow came back in wearing black jeans and a dark red sweater, her hair still wet. "Sorry about that," she said, "Would you care to do this in my office, it may take awhile." All three nodded and followed her into her office.
Natalie looked around, the office was large but not huge, the desk was big but not obtrusive, it was a lovely cherry instead of oak or maple like Kevin's. There were 2 chairs in front of the desk and a third off to the side as well as a leather couch against the wall. The room it self was an off white, there were pictures of family on the desk. What caught her attention were the 3 degrees hanging on the wall behind the desk. She had degrees in Forensic Science, Criminal Psychology and Business Management. The information that John had on his desk only showed she was in college for 2 years, so either this woman was incredibly gifted, or the report was wrong.
Willow sat down at the desk and motioned for the others to do so as well. John and Michael sat in the chairs in front of the desk while Natalie sat in the one off to the side. "Who are you?" Willow asked to Natalie.
Natalie got up, walked over, held out her hand, and said, "I am Natalie Buchanan, John is my boyfriend." Willow shook her hand, smiled at Natalie, and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you. You can move the chair closer if you like." As Natalie moved the chair next to John's, Willow said, "I suppose you all wonder why I asked you to come here?" At their nod Willow opened her desk drawer, pulled out a file, and placed it on the desk. She took a deep breath and started to say something stopped then started again.
"I believe I am your sister," Willow finally said, looking at their stunned faces.