CHAPTER ELEVEN

Morag joined the others in the diner. Laura had some things to do and will meet up with her later. Morag had wanted to bring up her suspicions but held off.

" Well, everyone here has a reason for wanting him dead." Morag was commenting.

" Well, there's no more Project 56…it's nothing now without Josh." Martha replied, " You must be happy about that Aunt Morag."

Morag nodded and glanced at her niece. Was it her imagination or Martha giving her a suspicious glance?

Wonderful, my own family thinks I may have something to do with it. Morag thought with irritation.

" Now that's he's out of the picture, what does this mean for Granddad?" her great-nephew Ric asked.

" I'm already looking into that. I believe we may have some evidence against that crooked judge." Morag assured him, " Alfred may out by the end of next week."

" That's awesome!" Ric said with feeling.

Morag nodded. Laura didn't end up meeting with her at the diner so Morag left them and rang her.

" Where are you?"

" At home, my errands took longer than expected." Laura said, " Do you want to come over?"

" Wouldn't Jacob be there?"

" It's Sunday, of course he isn't here."

" All right then." Morag paused, " There's something I need to talk to you anyway."

She met Laura at her apartment. " How long is Jacob gone for?" she asked Laura while she made them coffee.

" For a while." Laura assured her, " He's been spending quite a bit of time with those friends of his. I haven't met any of them. I must remember to ask him to bring a friend around for dinner."

" Laura…where did you go last night?" Morag didn't want to beat around the bush.

" I told you…I couldn't sleep so I went for a walk." Laura answered.

" And now Josh West is dead." Morag said and Laura frowned.

" Are you implying that I killed Josh West?" Laura exclaimed, " I-"

" And remember at the court hearing, you threatened Mr. West?" Morag interrupted.

" I was angry…I didn't mean anything." Laura said defensively, " You should be giving me the benefit of the doubt."

" I know and I'm very sorry." Morag apologized, " We wont talk anymore of it but if we are suspects, we have to get our alibis straight. "

Over the next few days, Peter interviewed his suspects. He was in the interrogation room with Laura Tate. He had just interviewed Morag earlier.

" Where were you on the night Joshua West was killed?"

" I was alone at my apartment."

" Can anyone confirm that?"

She didn't even blink, " No. My son was with friends that night. I felt like being alone."

" I am told that during your custody hearing, you threatened Mr. West Is this true?"

" Yes but I was angry at the time. I wouldn't act on it." Laura said, " people say a lot of things they don't mean when they are angry."

Be careful what you say. Morag had reminded Laura.

He asked her a few more questions and told her she can leave.

She walked along the pier, wearing a hat and sunglasses. She knew this was risky but she was tired of staying indoors all the time. She pulled the hat low over her eyes as she saw up ahead was a surf club and diner. Curiosity got the better of her as she made her way there.

She had a quick look around and darted away before she was spotted…

That night, Morag and Laura walked along the beach, arm in arm. It was quiet-obviously as it was ten pm. Laura wondered whether or not to confess but decided to hold off for now.

Laura stopped walking and glanced quickly around her. No one was in sight, so she pulled Morag forward.

" What are you doing?" Morag protested.

" No one's around, don't worry." Laura assured her before her mouth settled firmly onto Morag's.

Sam Tate shook his head as he turned away from the scene. He headed towards the car that was waiting for him as he wondered why the photos hadn't made the newspapers yet. He sat in his car and rubbed his forehead.

" Not feeling too good?" the person sitting next to him asked.

Sam glanced over at Dr. Middleton. There was a large bruise on his forehead as a result from Sam knocking him out.

" No. I need more painkillers." Sam said.

" You need to wait. Its dangerous to overdose on-"

" I don't need a lecture. Just give me some morphine."

" You aren't looking too good either." Middleton knew he should be afraid. He sitting next to a guy who just woke from a coma. Sam was sweating profusely, his eyes were bulging and he was as white as a ghost.

Sam didn't answer to that. Instead he rolled up his sleeve and Middleton administered the needles. When the procure was finished, Sam thanked him and handed him the cash before leaving the car. Middleton drove off as Sam walked back to his vantage point…but Morag and Laura had gone.

He heard footsteps crunching along the gravel and he turned. It was someone he least expected to see.

" Laura…what on earth are you doing here?" he demanded her.

Laura just stood there silently.

" Laura?"

" I am not Laura." Laura answered and that's when he noticed the knife in her hand, glinting cruelly….