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Kris poured herself a strong coffee then went back to Bosley's desk, sat down and picked up another newspaper from the large pile that she placed on the desk nearly an hour earlier. Since getting back to the office, it seemed to Kris that the best place to start was with anything current, then work her way back historically. The newspapers were obviously the best source of information to start with, so she had picked up copies of every daily paper she could find, in one of the larger grocery stores on her way back. She had put all the papers she bought into a shopping bag, so that it looked like she was just carrying groceries back to her car. Later, she would address getting her hands on back issues, but for now, she had enough to work with.

Kris had scrupulously worked her way through seven newspapers so far, coming across several major law-breaking incidents that may possibly have tied in with Kelly's disappearance. Each time something caught her attention, the article was circled and the page torn out and put to one side. Of course, she realised, each time she repeated this act, everything was a long shot. There had been no calls to the office, nothing via Charlie, to enlighten anyone as to the reason for Kelly's kidnap. Only the short, threatening note that Kris had picked up off the ground when she'd discovered Sabrina. So for now, Kris continued with checking every single possible avenue of investigation available to her, whether it was a long shot, or not.

She ploughed on through the minutiae of eventful everyday life reported on in Los Angeles and California: "Will the current Governor of California be re-elected next term?"; "A school is re-opened finally, after extensive repair work due to an arson attack"; "Thieves targeting the old and frail in down town district of L.A."; "Jewellery heist latest - Photo-fit pictures released"…and so it went on…Kris momentarily found herself wondering what the papers would say if nothing at all remarkable happened one day, in their little corner of the world…she smirked inwards as she found herself conjuring a daily news headline…"Yesterday, in Los Angeles…Nothing Remarkable Actually Happened…"

"Oh come on!" Kris said out loud, rebuking herself. She took a drink from her mug, realising her attention was wandering way off-track. What the hell was wrong with her? Get a grip, Kris! She was getting exhausted, she realised, but tough luck, she had to find something…

The phone rang, startling Kris out of her inward thoughts. She reached over to the phone, knowing who it would be.

"Hi Charlie."

"Hello Kris. How is your current research going?"

Kris got the slight dig at her efforts to trawl through the newspapers…yet again, she was somewhat surprised at how much Charlie knew without actually being there. She realised that her previous smouldering suspicions of the office being secretly live-wired with cameras were still being fanned by these ever insightful comments from her boss. One day Charlie, one day…

"Oh, slowly Charlie, slowly…I got a few things I found might be of help…" She picked up her clippings and ran through each of them with Charlie, hoping that he would have some prior knowledge of any of the items she related to him. But Charlie himself found nothing of much consequence in Kris's list. As she listened to Charlie, she bit her lip, still reading through where she'd left off when the phone had rung.

"…so has Bosley called back from the hospital yet?" Charlie asked, concern deep in his voice.

"No Charlie." Kris looked up from her reading, Sabrina's battered face still fresh in her memory. "Sabrina is still pretty much out of it… I don't know Charlie, she took quite a beating…" Kris felt pangs of regret for not being at the hospital with Sabrina.

"I know, Angel… try not to get too despondent - we all know how strong Sabrina is." Charlie was obviously trying to encourage his youngest angel.

"Yeah I know, it's just…" Kris faltered a little, then found her voice again. "I need to be doing something that will help both Kelly and Bri, you know, Charlie?"

"I know, Angel… well if you find anything, anything at all, you keep me informed. And please give my love to Sabrina … when she's awake."

"Will do Charlie. Bye."

Kris put the receiver down, frowning. She felt she was getting nowhere. She looked back at the printed sheets in front of her and studied each article over again. Nothing. Pointless. Garbage. She kept reading to the back page, even through all the sports pages. Nothing.

Another paper. Again, something caught her eye. She turned to the relevant page inside.

"Police 'unconvinced' over 'Mob' Daughters Death"

"A nineteen year old girl discovered dead at the rear of a bar, just outside of Sacramento, two weeks ago, died from an overdose of drugs and alcohol, local police have confirmed. The girl was identified as Alda Limardo, and is thought to be the daughter of Italian-born Lorenzo Limardo who was murdered in March this year in New York, in a mob-related incident. Police are not treating the death as suspicious and there has been no comment from the mother, Alexandra Limardo."

Kris pulled out the small envelope that she had found lying next to Sabrina, took out the small note and re-read it for the third time.

This is your final warning. You are being watched. Any more attempts to locate the whereabouts of your colleague, Kelly Garrett, will result in fatalities.

Kris chewed her bottom lip. She had done this so much recently, a small sore was developing there. She licked her bottom lip absently as she tried to recall information about the incident regarding Lorenzo Limardo. He had been a big time crook based in L.A. since fleeing New York some years ago, after overstepping his boundaries with other Mafioso. His status had travelled with him and he had soon become a top player in L.A. Kris tapped the side of her head with her pen and wondered about what lay behind this story. She looked at the journalists name: Angie Marciano. She thought for a moment or two, before picking up the phone and dialling local enquiries.

"Hello, yes I'd like the head office number for the Daily Review newspaper please…she scribbled down the number then thanked the operator before hanging up. She then dialled out the number she had jotted down.

"Hello, could I speak to Angie Marciano please?….Yes, thank you…" Kris tapped her pen on Bosley's blotter while she waited.

"Oh hello, is this Angie Marciano?…oh hi, my name is Kris Munro, I'm a private investigator based in Los Angeles…yes, I was just reading your report covering the death of Alda Limardo….is there anything else you could tell me about this case?" Kris took another sip of her cool coffee and grimaced, as she listened to the reporter at the other end. "No, I'm not another reporter, really… I'm investigating a missing person, and just covering all my bases…I'd be very grateful if you just had anything further to add that you felt you couldn't print….right…..oh, I see…so you think Alda Limardo's death was suspicious….oh really? Okay, well thank you so much, you've been a big help. Thank you, bye." Kris exhaled, then stood up, and gathered her things, ready to leave the office. She just stepped away from the desk when the phone rang again.

"Hello?"

"Kris it's Bosley. Sabrina's awake…"

"I'm on my way."

Kris had noted the absence of cheer in Bosley's voice given the hopeful news he had called her with. She was more than worried as she headed out of the office door.

Brother Marcus had put in an appearance at breakfast, offering a short prayer of thanks for the morning meal, which had been expectedly meagre, and eaten in total silence. There were no 'prison wardens' patrolling the large dining area, yet it was understood by all in the room that talking was forbidden during mealtimes. Kelly finished her plate of cereal and bread, and drained her water glass. Then gradually, as she glanced around, everyone else in the room finished eating and people began to stand up, but kept their heads bowed. Kelly did likewise, keeping her head bowed, but peeking upwards and sideward to watch around her. Colleen next to her, seemed generally content to be following this ritual for now, so Kelly decided there was no cause for alarm. Perhaps this was another opportunity for everyone to offer their thanks to the lord? She waited. Finally, everyone began to file out of the dining area. As soon as they were clear and heading down a different corridor, Kelly nudged Colleen.

"What's with all the head bowing?" She whispered. Colleen shrugged slightly.

"Ah, it's just more time to communicate with our lord, you know? You'll get used to it!" She smiled to Kelly. Colleen was a nice enough looking girl, with short dark hair and hazel coloured eyes. She had a small smattering of freckles over her nose, which Kelly found endearing. She smiled back.

"What now?"

Colleen tutted. "Chores… a brother will be along in a moment to tell us what needs to be done this morning. I hope I don't have to muck out the rotten horses again!" She complained in her Irish lilt. "I'm just not a horsy person! They smell awful! I spent most of last week down the stables and I've had enough o' that I can tell ya!"

Kelly smiled. Yeah, she guessed horses did smell a bit, but they were lovely creatures, never the less…and they were fast. Her next question to Colleen went unasked, as someone called her name.

"Sister Garrett?" Kelly turned to the voice.

"Yes…sister Clayton?"

"Brother Marcus wishes to speak with you now - please follow me." Sister Clayton waited for Kelly then set off back along the corridor they had come. Kelly fell in step beside her.

"Have you been here long, sister Clayton?" Kelly tentatively asked in a lowered voice, wanting to try and figure out this older sister. The sister didn't respond immediately, but kept on walking. Kelly tried again.

"I just want to feel like I will fit in here, you know? It's hard being new here…not knowing all the rules…I'm just trying to get an appreciation for … spiritual things?" Kelly hoped she was making the right noises.

"I've been here eleven years…" the sister said, straightening her back as she walked. "And I have come to realise that, having looked for God most of my life, I have finally found him here." Kelly watched sister Claytons face as a small expression of satisfaction appeared on her face, yet Kelly found something ever so slightly off. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she just sensed that sister Clayton was not one hundred percent convinced. Or maybe Kelly herself was just too cynical?

"Well I'm really glad for you sister…I hope I will be able to feel that I've found God, one day." Kelly smiled charmingly as sister Clayton looked at her, wondering if Kelly was passing a facetious remark. But she found no ill intent in Kelly's bright smile.

They stopped at the end of the corridor, where two large closed doors probably kept everyone in and the outside world...out. But sister Clayton turned and knocked on a door to the left of them.

"Enter." A male voice called. Brother Marcus. Kelly smiled again, and turned, opening his door and walking in to a spacious office.

"Ahh, our newest member…Kelly Garrett, isn't it?" Brother Marcus smiled at Kelly, yet the smile didn't seem to reach his eyes, she noted.

"Please sit down, sister Garrett." Kelly did as asked, smoothing the black material of her skirt over her knees as she sat on the austere wooden chair that was offered.

Brother Marcus walked over to his own chair, studded black leather with a straight back . He was quite thin, with bony facial features, piercing blue-grey eyes and a receding grey hairline. At breakfast he had worn a black robe, but now this had obviously been discarded as he now was sitting down in a decent quality business suit…also black. He sat and put his arms on the desk, clasping his fingers together.

"You came to us through rather unusual channels it seems…you were found at the steps of the sanctuary, like a discarded piece of flotsam…yet I feel you will soon settle in and regard our sanctuary from the world outside as your home." Again, the not quite genuine smile.

Kelly had a few questions though. "Brother…" But Kelly was interrupted as Brother Marcus lifted his hand. "Please remain silent sister Garrett. Remember, silence is a virtue. One I trust, you will come to covet." He gave her a look of slight disdain which immediately set Kelly on edge.

"The world outside is not for us, sister Garrett." Marcus continued. "It is a world of violence, of terror, of corruption, greed, disloyalty…hatred…many, many things which I'm sure you agree has turned the world on its head." He looked at Kelly expectantly. Kelly nodded, keeping quiet, for the time being. Your own appearance at our doors must give testimony to these facts…?" Again, Kelly nodded silently.

"Some time ago I was directed by The Lord to use this place as a sanctuary for all his lost sheep who are desperate for help from that dreadful illness, called …sin."

Oh here we go, Kelly thought. She mentally rolled her eyes but kept a steady meek looking gaze on Brother Marcus.

Marcus continued. "This world is passing away, and so is it's desire…" Kelly knew the scripture he had just quoted from…what did he mean by it though? "…but we are going our way too." Now what the hell did that mean? Kelly felt somewhat alarmed by this statement. She watched as Brother Marcus then stood up. "Sister Garrett, as you spend more time under our roof, sheltered from the world, you will learn so much about The Lord and his intent for us all to be with him…quite soon." He spread his arms out on either side. "Please attend all your prayers, attend to all the daily chores that we all must keep up with, to maintain healthy and happy living conditions amongst our brothers and sisters…and please remember…silence is a virtue." Somehow, Kelly felt this spiritually uplifting phrase come across as a threat.

Brother Marcus then extended one arm towards the door to indicate that she should now leave. She stood up, nodded for the third time, then left his office, feeling like a schoolgirl who had just been called in to see the headmaster. What a phoney! Something decidedly sinister was going on here and she didn't like it one little bit. She closed the door behind her as sister Clayton, who had been waiting for her, stood ready. Talk about weird, she thought to herself as she dropped back in step with old mother Clayton…that guy is something else. Well wherever he felt he was going… quite soon…she wasn't about to go with…and neither were the rest of these girls, if she had anything to do with it. It seemed, she didn't have as much time as she thought.

Kris hurried back along the hospital corridor, past the coffee machine she had gone to a couple of hours before, and down to Sabrina's room. She stopped outside, and gathered herself, prepared for whatever it was Bosley was bothered about. She took the handle and quietly opened the door and made her way across to the bed, aware that Bos was watching her.

"Hey Kris." He said almost in a whisper as she approached. He had pulled another chair around to one side of the bed.

"Hi Bos" she responded, but her eyes stayed on Sabrina as she approached her. Bri was awake, but she could only see out of her right eye. The other eye was closed by purplish-blue swelling. Kris faltered momentarily as she took in the fact that more swelling had appeared over Bri's features since she'd been gone. She shook herself mentally and crouched down beside her friend, who had yet to speak to her, gently placing her hand over the same arm as she had earlier. Even though she was awake, Bri looked in a worse state even, than she had before. No wonder Bos wasn't exuberant.

"Hiya Bri!" Kris said warmly, her calm tones belying her feelings. Sabrina blinked her good eye in response, and opened her bruised mouth just a little, to let a small sound of greeting escape, but Kris could tell even this much had caused Sabrina pain.

Kris swallowed. "It's okay Bri, don't try to talk. I'm sorry I wasn't here when you woke up." She ever so gently brushed a little hair off Sabrina's forehead, and then repeated the motion a few times. Sabrina's good eye was looking directly at her, and Kris could see a question there. She took a guess.

"I'm sorry Bri, no solid news on Kelly yet…but I think I might have a lead." Kris told her hopefully. Sabrina's stare continued.

"Well, I don't know, Bri, you should rest and…" Kris stopped in mid-sentence as Bri grabbed her wrist and held it on the bed. Surprised, she looked intently at Bri. Then she turned and looked behind her at the seat and pulled it underneath herself, as she stayed close to the bed. But she glanced at Bosley too. "Okay."

Bosley had raised his eyebrows at Kris, wondering what she had been up to, back at the office.

Kris turned back to Sabrina.

"I saw a news item in one of today's papers about a girl found dead up at Sacramento a coupla weeks ago. And something bothered me about it, so I talked to the reporter who wrote the story…it turns out she knew this girl…she was the daughter of a mobster from New York, but she ran away to join a religious group. But the reporter said that she knew this Alda Limardo pretty well - they were at school together…she wouldn't have done drugs and booze like the police think she did. The reporter thinks the girl was killed."

Kris realised suddenly that all she had just said, made no sense whatsoever. A quick glance at Bosley confirmed it. His puzzled look said it all.

"Look. I know this sounds really crazy…but …" She looked again at Sabrina, who was somehow still fighting to stay alert, then back at Bosley who was waiting for the penny to drop. She took a deep breath.

"Remember when Kelly and me were hired by Dinsmore and Williams to find the guy who had stolen their diamond heist from them?"

"Sure, Mr Clint Murdock ran off with the loot and Sabrina got to try out Dinsmore's boom-boom belt…" Bosley grimaced slightly at the memory. "I don't see…"

Kris sighed, agitated at herself. She wasn't sure if she was having a crazy moment, or could she really be onto something. But she needed to explain herself.

"Well, what if… this reporter is right, and Limardo's daughter was killed or murdered - what if the mother - Alexandra Limardo - wants some kind of justice, but the police don't want to know…and she can't involve herself in anything dirty…what if she's 'hired' us…Kelly…" Kris used air quotes to emphasise her point "…to find Alda's killer?"

She waited in the silence that followed, knowing full well that she had just described the biggest long shot ever. Well it was just as crazy as Kelly resigning like that…

"Kris…" Bosley began. "Kelly could be anywhere. Even if all what you just said is true… we still don't know where Kelly is. And don't forget the note… if they find out we're chasing up on this…" He looked pointedly at Sabrina and didn't need to say anymore. Bosley was right, Kris sighed again. Someone would not have the chance to recover in a nice hospital room. She looked back at Sabrina. Her good eye had closed, but Kris could tell she wasn't asleep yet. Kris found a tissue and carefully dabbed at the sweat that had formed on Bri's forehead.

"Rest now, Bri, okay?" Kris whispered. We're not going anywhere." Kris felt Bosley squeeze her shoulder and was grateful. "I'm sorry Bri, I shouldn't have said anything, it's a stupid long shot - we'll let Charlie…" Again, Kris was stopped in her tracks by Sabrina taking hold of her wrist. She looked again at the terrible bruises and swellings on Bri's face and felt sickened by this violence carried out on her friend. But as she looked she realised Bri was trying to talk again.

"No, shh Bri, don't…"

Sabrina held onto Kris's wrist and squeezed it with what little strength she had and focussed on saying just one word… that's all she wanted to say to let Kris know how she felt. Her jaw burned incessantly and her lips felt like they were three sizes too big and stitched with steel wool. But she summoned all her willpower and tried to lift her head off the pillow. She just couldn't do it. Kris thankfully understood and drew her head closer to Sabrina's.

Kris finally heard the word "faith" whispered ghostlike from Sabrina, before she felt her relax completely in exhaustion, her hand dropping from Kris's wrist. Kris let the tears trail down her cheeks then. She knew what Sabrina wanted. What they both wanted.