"So your brother?" Roger asked his tone indicating that he didn't really believe her.

"Half-brother, yes."

"How come that you or your mother have never mentioned him before?"

That was a good question indeed, but Rose wouldn't be the actress she wanted you, if she hadn't come up with some witty reply.

"Because she refuses to acknowledge him…"

Roger raised his eyebrows pointing the gun in Cal's direction.

"Either you tell me the truth now or he's going to die," he demanded with one hand pushing the pistol at Cal's head the other one closing around Rose's neck.

"I did tell you the truth, Roger. He is or better was the son of my father…from a liaison outside marriage…he's the black sheep of the family and mother fears that he might come up with…well with hereditary titles, if…"

"Alright, alright, I understand…," he mumbled letting go of her, but still standing near Cal. "Sit down beside him."

Rose did as she was told resting on the stairs. She quickly looked at Cal wondering what would be next.

Roger moved back sitting on the table again while still pointing the gun at them.

"So, Charles…," he began acknowledging Cal. "That was your name, right?"

Cal just nodded.

"Fine…so your sister here told me that you're not very well off with her family. May I ask you why you're why you're visiting her just now?"

Cal hadn't awaited that question and was taken by surprise. Unlike Rose he wasn't that good of a play-actor – save for businesses and when he had planned it out. Either one was true now.

Rose looked at him in fear that he would mess it up now.

Surprisingly though Cal managed to find the right words.

"Rose is the only one in the family, who's ever been nice to me. You see not even my dead father wanted anything to do with my mother and me. He told her that she would just ruin his reputation…"

Rose had to smile at this though careful that Roger wouldn't see.

"Alright but that doesn't explain why you come here in the middle of the night obviously climbing through that window and not even calling beforehand."

Instead of Cal, Rose answered the question.

"In fact he did call."

Roger raised his eyebrows once more in anticipation.

"Yes, really he did. But stupid be, I must've totally forgotten with everything happening and…"

Roger decided that he had heard enough.

"Fine, let's leave at this," he went towards Rose, who feared that he might try to kiss her again, but instead he just tied her hands to the staircase like he had done with Cal's, afterwards standing up, looking at both.

Frankly they didn't look or act at all like brother and sister.

"Roger?" Rose spoke up, when he had turned his back to them.

"Sir, please even if you don't believe us, at least let her go. She hasn't done anything."

Rose eyes widened at this never having thought that Cal would be sacrificing himself for anyone.

Cal nodded at her giving her a reassuring smile.

"Quite the contrary – she's the starting point of everything. Isn't that right my dear Rose darling?"

Rose could feel his cold breathing at her neck only managing to get a soft nod.

"You see, Charles, she told me that she wanted a life with me, but…how do is say it…I've trouble to believe her."

Neither Cal nor Rose liked the slyly sound in his voice.

"My sister would never lie to you, Sir. If she says that she wants you be with you, she means it."

Roger was silent for a moment – thinking.

"Fine, darling," he came up to Rose again. "Tell me you love me," he somehow begged somehow demanded giving her a kiss on the cheek.

God she was cold as ice.

"I love you," Rose said trying her best to sound confident though shivering inside.

"I reckon you won't regret your decision, darling," he jumped up unexpectedly startling both Rose and Cal with the bright grin on his face.

"Rose," Cal whispered towards her noting that Roger was about to go.

"Hey, wait you can't leave us here!" Cal shouted after him.

"Don't worry, I'll be back shortly. And then we can start our life together, sweetheart," he smiled again waving around with the chain's key before putting it in his pocket.

Afterwards he strode out of the house.

"Wait…you can't…," Cal screamed though soon realizing that it was no use.

Rose…

He looked over at her, finding her face white like a ghost.

"Rose, hey are you alright?" Cal asked her, wishing now that he could her in his arms.

Rose reluctantly smiled at him though not answering his question.

"Rose, where is he going?"

She could feel a tear streaming down her cheek again.

"Come on, tell me, you know something. I can see it."

"He's going to kill Jack," she got out in a barely audible whisper.

"What?" Cal didn't understand a word.

"He's crazy…"

Now that's for sure – Cal thought.

"Why would he think that you had feelings for him? Where did he get this silly idea from? I mean even I know that there's no one else for you, but Jack."

"Rose…"

Cal was beginning to get worried; she hadn't said a word for what seemed like an eternity.

"Rose…"

"He…we met and…I thought Jack was dead and…he and I…we…we…," she struggled to find the right words.

Cal still understood.

"Was it voluntary? I mean on your side…," he asked though knowing the truth without her answering – her face showed as much.

"What happened then?"

"I was working for…for…and he and that woman…her name is Mrs Pearson…"

"Mrs Pearson?" the name sounded familiar.

"Let's just say I was employed at her…ahem establishment."

"I see. Does he know?" Cal wanted to know referring to Jack.

Rose nodded.

"He came up one day…with…with Mrs Lindsay…yes, yes he really was married…but she died…"

"So he thought that only Jack would stand in this way now?" Cal rightfully guessed. "What did he do?"

"I've no idea actually…I…he and Mrs Pearson…they had set me up in a trap…she…she has got the diamond… ," she turned her gaze briefly at Cal, who just nodded. He had already thought as much. "...and he told me that I would get it…if…if…"

Cal could see that she was near hysterics now.

"Rose, hey, everything is going to be alright."

"I just wanted to help Jack," she cried out tears rolling down her cheeks.

Cal felt bad knowing it was his fault as well. He was angry with himself and with this man and woman for putting his lovely Rose in this situation.

"I know, Rose…look we have to find a way out of here…"

"Rose, we have to warn him," he repeated trying by hitting at her feet to get her to react.

"And how?"

"Mmmh…let me…wait…the telephone…"

"But we're handcuffed to the staircase," Rose stated.

"Yes our hands are…however our feet are free…," he said moving forward as far as he was able too.

"Cal what are you…?"

The quickly realized it.

"Come on, help me, Rose."

Together they stuck their feet under the table on which the telephone was standing.

"Careful or else it'll fall down…," Cal told her.

Somehow Cal managed to get hold of the receiver.

"You know the number of the hospital, Rose?"

"Yes."

Finally they succeeded in calling – Cal speaking, Rose dialling the number with her toe's – the hospital to warn them not to let any stranger near Jack.

"Phew, I hope that works," Cal half laughed. "Rose, hey…you'll see everything will be…Rose…," he was beginning to be worried again especially when he noted that she was smiling.

"Rose…is everything…?" he looked at her nervously.

"Cal?"

"Yes?"

"We're still handcuffed to the staircase."

Both had to laugh at this statement.

Cal picked up the receiver again, telling Rose to call a certain number.

"Whose is this?"

"Clarissa's."