This begins Book 2 of Shards Of Light & Darkness.

Hotel Vladivostok, Vladivostok

In the hotel lobby, the manager approached the large boisterous group. "Mrs. Scorpio?"

"Yes?" said Anna. She squeezed Robin's hand and said to her, "I'll be right back."

"We have made the arrangements as you requested. You have the entire floor to your party. If you will sign in, we will give you your keys," said the manager.

"Thank you for accommodating us at such short notice," said Anna striding towards the front desk. She beckoned for Dianara to follow.

"Not at all. We are most happy to be of service to you, Count Andrassy and Ms. Amanti," said the manager. "With such a ... a party, the security arrangements must be as you need it to be."

Anna reviewed the number of rooms and other requirements. She nodded at the manager. "Everything is perfect. Thank you again. Dia, can you finish this off please?"

In Russian, Dianara stepped in and got everyone registered. Anna drifted over to Andrew who was seated at a lounge chair fiddling with his IPhone. Nestor sat next to him looking a little worse for wear.

"Something going on?" asked Anna.

Andrew looked up. "Edgar. He's followed Doctor Sinclair to a boat."

Anna started. "We can't let him get away."

"The boat has no crew. It's in dry dock. It's hardly going anywhere," said Andrew.

"What's he doing then?"

"According to Edgar, he's carrying boxes to and fro from his car." Andrew retrieved a few coin-sized black discs from his jacket pocket. "Also, SIMON's found out where these were transmitting to."

"These are the location transponders you found on the men's clothes?"

Nestor nodded. "We think we've deactivated them. It's a model I'm not familiar with, Anna. I can't really be sure."

"Ah, so there's a chance that they can trace them back to us," said Anna. "Let's try to take the wind out of their sails. Bring their wayward people to them and don't leave tracks."

"I'm going to need help," said Nestor.

"I'll go. I'm not needed here," said Andrew.

"We'll tell her soon. It may be a good idea to keep yourself scarce until we know more about her mental state," said Anna. "Tell Edgar to return here. It doesn't matter where Peter goes, we'll deal with him eventually. Vincent will go with you, Edgar and Nyssa." Anna touched Andrew's face and looked at Nestor. "You two are a matched pair of black eyes."

"He got in a lucky punch," grumbled Andrew.

"We're not the ones in the trunk unconscious, are we?" said Nestor. He followed Andrew out the door.

Anna came over to where Robert and Vincent stood with Robin surrounded by everyone else talking and hugging Robin. She gave a shortened update for their ears only.

Despite greeting everyone, Robin kept her parents and Vincent in view at all times. She noticed Vincent leaving.

"Vincent, are you going already? We ... we just got here." said Robin. "He can stay can't he, Dad? Mom?"

"I have to check on something. Some people got lost and I have to bring them back to the hotel," said Vincent. He inclined his head towards her parents. "They give the orders. I follow."

"You're with the WSB now not Interpol?"

Vincent shook his head. "I'm retired from Interpol."

"That's great! Do you work on the boat? Or travel like you always wanted to?" said Robin.

"I have to go but-" began Vincent.

She grabbed Vincent's forearm. "I ... I have to talk to you. I really do. Today."

"I'll be back soon. We'll talk as long as you want." Vincent kissed Robin's forehead. "Don't worry so much. Be happy. You're safe. Truly safe."

Anna and Robert watched and listened to the exchange with interest. They were equally puzzled by it all.

Mac came over and said, "Dia's got us all organized. Let's get to our floor and celebrate properly!"

The elevator was crowded but it didn't seem like a problem to anyone inside. Robin looked around at all her family gathered around her. There were a few missing like Georgie or her godfathers Sean and Friso but there were probably good reasons why they weren't there, she thought. She smiled and touched each one in turn. Good thing the elevator was slow.

The smile on her Uncle Mac's face had not changed from the time she'd seen him outside to inside the elevator. He beamed at her. He gestured to the woman standing next to him. "May I introduce my fiancee, Dianara Amanti."

"Fiancee?" Robin nearly squealed. Her delight was obvious. She looked long at Dianara and said the first thing that came to mind. "You're gorgeous!"

Everyone laughed.

Maxie said, "Of course she is. She's THE supermodel of the decade. Robin, shopping with her is ... is like nirvana! Designers practically beg her to open their closets. And the discounts are, whew, outrageous!"

Everyone laughed again.

"I'm retired from modeling, Robin," said Dia. She looked at Maxie fondly. "You exaggerate too much."

"She just quit the WSB, too. Imagine, a supermodel and a spy," added Maxie.

Robin looked at Dianara. "That's nice but are you in love with my uncle?"

"More and more every day. I hope to make Mac as happy as he makes me. And, I hope that we'll be good friends beyond being family, Robin," said Dianara.

Robin nodded understanding. Then she looked at Maxie then at Felicia. "Gosh, I wish Georgie and Frisco were here but I'm not complaining."

Felicia brought Robin close for a hug. Over Robin's head, she shared a worried glance with the others. She said, "I wish Georgie were here, too." Felicia broke the embrace. "Frisco's on a case but I'll get him on the phone as soon as I can."

"You're together?" asked Robin.

"Yes, we are. We're very happy."

"I'm relieved everyone looks so good and happy! Can someone tell me who he is? It's bugging me not knowing," said Robin.

"Who?" asked Anna.

"The one that rescued me the first time," said Robin. "He looks so familiar but I know I've never met him. He was incredible, Dad, fighting those two guys off. Are the WSB recruiting so young these days? The other man I saw is he with the WSB, too?"

Robert took his time answering. There were obvious gaps in Robin's knowlege. Filling some gaps would bring her pain he knew. Robert decided to bite the bullet. There would be no better time. "The blonde young man is Andrew ... Scorpio and-"

Robin's words came in a rush. "I know about Mom's new family but you and Holly had a son? That's ... that's fantastic! He does looks like you, Dad. Something around the eyes."

Anna's eyebrow arched reflexively. Robert uttered several unintelligible syllables.

Robin frowned. "Wait. Andrew has to be in his late teens, right? That ... that means that Dad and Holly got together after Mom, um, left. Is that why you divorced Dad, Mom, then remarried? Are you and Holly married or just together, Dad? No, that can't be right. Andrew would be younger if that was the case."

Caught unprepared, Anna blurted out, "At the moment, he's engaged to me."

Robin babbled on as if not hearing Anna's words. "You divorced the doctor, Mom? Did you bring your baby with you? I saw the announcement in the paper. I was so happy for you. She's not a baby anymore is she? I can't wait to see her and ... back up. You're engaged to Dad?"

"Oh, Robin, I ... I'm not ... you don't-" Anna stopped feeling Robert's hand on her arm.

Robert sighed. "We have a long story to tell you. The important thing to know is that Andrew, your rescuer, IS your brother."

"Half or whatever, it doesn't matter to me, Dad," said Robin. "He's part of the family."

"That's good to know. One more vital thing. Andrew is mine and your mother's. He's fully your brother."

"What? But Mom never said ... what am I missing here?"

"When you get settled and rested a bit, we'll fill in the blanks," said Anna. "You've been gone nearly eight years. That's a lot to fill up."

"Okay. So, I have three sisters in Maxie, Georgie, the baby and one brother, Andrew," said Robin happily. "That's pretty good."

The adults nodded and smiled weakly. They didn't have the heart to shatter Robin's current happiness. Robert kept a comforting hand on Robin's shoulder the rest of the way up.

Anna chose the largest suite. There was one bedroom for Robin and another for herself and Robert. They all crowded into the living room. Robin got more hugs from Alex, Dimitri and Holly. Robert pulled Anna into the small kitchenette.

"What was that in the elevator?" asked Robert.

"A nightmare," said Anna.

"I want Sinclair, Anna. I want him badly. More than I want Faison at this moment."

"Take a number." Anna rubbed at her forehead. "I have a new family? Is that David and ... and Leora? Why would she think you and Holly would ... it doesn't make sense."

A roar of laughter came from the living room.

Robert leaned in close to her. He lowered his voice. "She's not the same."

Anna whispered back. "We expected there to be differences."

"Not like this. She's Robin and yet she's not. There's something missing, different."

"We have to give her time. A lot has happened to her today. Let's not overreact or bombard her with too much," advised Anna.

"How do we make this right? This is so unfair to her."

"She has years to catch up on. We have, too," said Anna. She squeezed Robert's arm. "We have her with us. Mission accomplished. The rest, well, it's going to take time. That's all."

Felicia sidled up to them. "Have either of you heard from Frisco?"

Both Anna and Robert shook their heads.

"I haven't been able to get a hold of him for two days now," said Felicia.

"Dia was with him. She didn't say anything negative. He should be fine," said Robert.

"I don't know. I have this funny feeling," said Felicia.

"Try Connie," suggested Robert.

"Yeah, I will. Tell Robin I'll be back." Felicia left for her own room.

"When are you going to ... to ... check?" asked Robert.

"We have to know don't we?" asked Anna.

"I wish we didn't even have to think about it."

"I'll need a few minutes with Alex beforehand then-"

"Dad?" came Robin's voice. "Mom?"

"Coming, sweetheart," was Robert's immediate reply.

After the initial euphoria of finding Robin had ebbed somewhat, Anna pried Robin from Robert's side and led her to the bedroom where Alex waited.

Anna closed the door. She hugged Robin hard for the twentieth time. She couldn't seem to stop herself. "It's so good to do that again."

Robin smiled. "Ditto."

"We all have a lot of talking to do, questions to answer but first things first," said Anna with a hint of steel in her voice. "Alex is going to do a full physical on you. No arguments, please."

"What?" Robin looked at her mother then her aunt then realization dawned. "Oh, I see. You think I've been molested or raped or something."

"We want to make sure you're healthy, Robin," said Alex. "Everything else is secondary."

"But you really would like to know if I'm fine in THAT way?" asked Robin sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"It would stop your father and me from, well, rampaging through the city to get our hands on Sinclair," said Anna. "Whatever happened, you can tell us, sweetheart. None of this is your fault and-"

Laughter bubbled from Robin. Alex and Anna looked at each other perplexed at his behavior.

"What's so funny?" asked Anna.

"It's ... all of this is such a Mom thing to do," said Robin. She gave Anna another hug. "Don't ever change."

"I'll remember you said that," retorted Anna. "Look me in the eye and answer the question."

"Rampage unnecessary, Mom. I've never been molested, raped or forced," said Robin. "I have missed my meds though. Twice today. I'm starving, too."

Anna's shoulders sagged with relief. "Right. Alex, you get the physical done and deal with her meds. I will get room service. We can all use a good meal." She hugged Robin again. "I love you so much."

Alex took a seat by Robin but waited until Anna had left to say, "You really do know how to distract Anna and how to not answer a question."

"Practice," said Robin. "I wasn't lying to Mom or to you."

"Fine. You said you weren't forced but ... does that mean that he ... you ... "

"I haven't had sex in so long that I don't think I remember how to anymore," said Robin. "There are no traumatic events like that, Alex. I'm tired though. I feel like I've never really slept since I ... was taken."

Alex nodded. She refrained from pushing the issue realizing that Robin hadn't actually answered her question either. "You look healthy on the outside but who knows what's on the inside. I have an assortment of the usual drugs. I don't think yours and Eve, your double, would have the same cocktail formula."

"You HAVE to tell me about this double. Her name was Eve? Did she really look like me? I have my own meds here," Robin began to take off the layers of clothes she had. She unbuckled her waist pack and got her medication out.

"That's ingenious. Very prepared."

"Examine away," said Robin. "They watched me like a hawk but I was able to hide a pill here and there to build up a supply. This still all feels like a dream to me. Everyone here and finding me, being with me. I don't want to wake up yet."

"You're awake. Trust me." Alex touched Robin's face. "When Anna and I heard your voice, I know my legs turned into jelly. Your mother would have passed out if she could.

"Right time and right place," said Robin. She peeled off more clothing.

"it was perfect timing," said Alex. She began a quick but thorough examination looking for signs of physical abuse and found none. Anna and Robert would have to deal with the scars on the inside of which Alex was increasingly sure were many.

Anna found Robert in the other bedroom. He was sitting very still on the edge of the bed. His hands clasped the edge of the mattress. She could see his fists squeezing and releasing the mattress rhythmically. He looked up at her with haunted eyes. She locked the door.

"I couldn't take it anymore," said Robert.

Anna knelt in front of him. She placed her hands on his knees. "Going good or going bad?"

"Good. I ... I can't stand up though. Legs are gone," said Robert. "I don't know what I'm feeling right now."

"Everything is catching up with you, Robert," said Anna gently. "Therese and now Robin. It's a shock to the system. It's supposed to knock you off balance."

"I guess," said Robert. "How do you feel?"

"Same as you," said Anna. "I'm holding off my breakdown until later."

"Good idea," said Robert.

"You're going to have a blubbering mess in bed later. Stay right there." Anna stood up and walked into the bathroom. She came back with a damp washcloth. Tenderly, she washed Robert's face. He closed his eyes and let her. When she was done, she said, "Is that better?"

Robert stood up. "Nurse Feelgood to the rescue."

"Yeah, she's on retainer," replied Anna. "Room service should be here soon. All we've had was dessert. I'm ready for some real food."

Robert wound an arm around her waist. She leaned into him. "What, um, what happened with Robin and Alex? Did she say anything? I'm braced. Give me the worst of it."

"Robin said that she wasn't molested, raped or physically abused," said Anna. "I believe her."

"Thank God!" Robert inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. "I ... I don't think I ... I could stand the-"

"Hush, no more of that thinking. Robin needs us more than ever," said Anna. "You would know more about her probable state of mind right now."

"She'll be floating on air for a while yet. Then later, she'll come down to earth and she'll want answers and we have to give them to her."

"How much do we tell her? What do we tell her when?"

"I don't know that. However, I do know that we can't tell her everything here," said Robert. "She won't be able to process everything all at once. She'll need peace and quiet."

"We can't stay here either. Our two day deadline, remember?"

"I have the perfect place to go for a much-needed vacation," said Robert with a smile. "Somewhere YOU have never been."

"Yeah, where?"

"My family ranch in Australia," declared Robert. "It's private, a bit remote and fully staffed in every way. We can hide from the world and get our family sorted out."

"I've always wanted to visit there. Robin would come back with stories after her visits and I would try to imagine it."

"It's a great place for kids. I took Andrew there after I found him. And, Mac hasn't been back in forever. It will do him good to see the old place."

"This is going to be great! I feel it!" exclaimed Anna. "I want to see where you grew up and find out more about that part of your life."

"You will," said Robert. He kissed her nose then said, "Australia here we come."

Seiyo Hotel, Vladivostok

Jaw firmly set and eyes forward, Hunter took the dressing down that Arnold Vandenberg, the Gem Group's Operations Director, handed to him.

"You've LOST four agents? I don't believe this! Anyone else but not you! This is unacceptable!" said Arn. "You've heard nothing from them?"

"None. Their transponders are not emitting anything. No excuses, Arn, but-" began Hunter.

"But what?"

"Everything about this operation was off. I wasn't provided accurate information from the start."

"Explain."

"Sinclair was adamant that his wife was weak and HIV positive. She was to be handled with extra care. We created our search and capture strategy around those requirements," said Hunter. "Arn, she was nowhere near feeble. And, she knew how to evade capture. I'm not talking about hiding out somewhere. This woman changed her appearance, her clothes, got funds, supplies even a cell phone. She hid the cell phone in a book store knowing that it would be traced. By the time Sinclair's people got there, she was long gone. Does that sound like a civilian to you?"

"No. But Robin Sinclair doesn't match any known agent in any service," said Arn.

"As soon as I suspected something, I sent you her picture. There was no visual match?" asked Hunter.

"A picture?"

"I know it's not the usual procedure but I felt it was necessary to check. You didn't get it?"

Arn looked away from the camera. He fiddled with his computer. "Wait. I got the email. Sorry. I've been busy. Traveling."

"You're not at HQ?"

"No, Port Charles New York." Arn studied the picture. "I've seen this face. I know I have."

"I didn't think she was Sinclair's type. Wrong age and not flashy enough."

"Men like Sinclair like arm candy. Wait a minute." Arn disappeared from the screen. Hunter could hear paper rustling. He came back paler with frown lines across his folder. He held up a newspaper article to the camera. "Is this similar to Mrs. Sinclair? To the person you saw?"

Hunter didn't need to study the picture for very long. "Yes, that's her." He squinted at the headline. "Who's Dr. Robin Scorpio-Drake?"

"Trouble. As in the daughter of Anna Devane and Robert Scorpio," said Arn. He wiped his face with a hand. "She died a few days ago here. But the woman there looks just like her you said."

"She does. Who's the real one?" asked Hunter.

"Well, this one who died, of course." Arn's eyes narrowed. "Maybe not." He reached for another newspaper. He showed Hunter another grainy newspaper picture. "You said that Taylor said he'd run into a kid who had all the moves, could it have been this kid? Andrew Scorpio by name."

"Maybe. I don't know. Taylor wasn't precise. This kid is too young and skinny to be able to take down Barry," said Hunter.

"The damnedest rumors are swirling around this kid. He supposedly went berserk in the local hospital and injured a dozen people killing two or three of them," said Arn. "Then there's the store, the boat. Why the heck are there DVX agents in this nothing town? Gah, nothing adds up right."

"DVX?"

"Yeah, I almost did a double take when I saw one of at a cafe. They use a travel agent as a front."

"There has to be a matching WSB station right?"

"WSB station is a photography studio owned by the boy's uncle's fiancee," said Arn. "If the kid is there, then his parents have to be, too. And that means that my surveillance is ... they've played me! Damn it!"

"Who's played you?"

"I've been listening to garbage!" Arn slapped a palm on his desk. "They've been there not here." He snapped his fingers. "Sinclair!"

"We can't find him, Arn."

Arn looked grim. "He better be hiding. He's played a dangerous game that's about to end."

"What game?"

"Never mind. I ... I have to think. A boy who isn't a boy. A farm that isn't one. Why not a woman who isn't what she appears to be?" said Arn. He looked at the newspaper. "And, she studied in Paris, too. The time lines fit. Two women. One dead. One alive. But who is ... is ... oh, I have to talk to Chase."

"What do you want me to do?" asked Hunter.

"Get the hell out for starters," said Arn.

"I'm not leaving my team to be disposed of."

"They'll be fine. Scorpio's a boy scout. Well, he used to be," said Arn.

"Used to be?"

"More rumors about him in the last five years. He's on record as running a private security and alarm company but there's been talk about him recruiting others, building up a power base. That sort of thing," said Arn.

"I thought most operatives ended up running their own operations."

"Sure on a small scale or as private for hire forces. The rumors went deeper than that but they could just be rumors. Scorpio's never seemed like an empire builder. He gave up the Bureau to be a glorified small-town cop," said Arn. "First, I need verification that he and Devane are there and not here. Check hotels and the usual likely places."

"And my team?"

"They'll turn up "

"What if they don't or they're in the ocean?" asked Hunter. "Scorpio is a boy scout but what about Devane? If I was in their shoes and this Robin was my child, I wouldn't pull my punches or my bullets. No mother would, Arn."

Arn was silent for a time. "You think your quarry WAS their daughter?"

"Like I said, she knew how to evade detection. Her instincts and reactions are fast, decisive. I saw her up close. There was no hesitation," said Hunter. "Sinclair told me that she had prepared for her escape. I would have taken that info into better consideration if I'd known she had some survival training."

"She's escaped before?" asked Arn.

"According to Sinclair's security officers, yes and more than once," said Hunter. "Come to think of it, the security systems in place were a bit extreme for a normal setup. I thought it was because she was mentally unstable."

"How so?"

"Electronic access to her quarters via key code and key card. Escorted action to and from her laboratory. Limited access to clothing or supplies. Bed checks every night. Controlled access to a computer system. She had to hand write her results. She was only able to use dumb terminals," said Hunter. "Those are procedures and precautions you use to contain highly capable prisoners not an unstable wife."

"She worked in the lab? In what capacity?"

"Ah, let me think, um, head researcher I think," said Hunter. "We were explicitly told not to harm her. We had to use tranquilizer darts in fact."

"She must be very valuable to Sinclair," said Arn.

"I got that impression," said Hunter. "Arn, I don't want to leave my team behind."

"I don't like the idea either. We always protect our own," said Arn. He made up his mind quickly. "Fine. You've got twenty-four hours to find your team and verify if Scorpio and Devane are there. After that, you and Hendricks fly out. Got it?"

"Thanks, Arn. Will do."

"On the fly out, I want you to go to the Sorbonne in Paris. Check out the educational records of one Robin Scorpio," said Arn. "In fact, trace her years there. I want to know what she did in school, where she lived, her interests, everything she did there. Everything, you hear me?"

"I hear you," said Hunter.

"Bring whatever you find to HQ. I need to talk to Chase before you get back."

"Sounds serious."

"Deadly," said Arn. "This fiasco isn't your fault, Hunter. You're right. It was a lack of information through ignorance and misdirection."

"Do you want me to look for Sinclair?"

"Gah, it keeps coming back to him, doesn't it? You said he lost it when he heard about the Foundation attack?" asked Arn.

"We were watching the news feed. It was a report from Jackie Templeton on site. We saw it all. It seemed like a big fire then the explosions started one after the other. The building imploded in under an hour," said Hunter. "Sinclair was rattled. I think he forgot I was in the room. He tried to call someone named Elena over and over. He couldn't reach her. Then he screamed out orders and began to pack things and I moved in here."

"Elena? Elena Villiers is the head of the Foundation. Could she be connected with Sinclair?" mused Arn. "The Foundation, Sinclair and Scorpio?"

"And Devane?" asked Hunter. "Wasn't Anna Devane some wonder agent in her day?"

"Yes. According to my father, every agent panted after her but Donely kept everyone away from his pet agent. There were the weirdest rumors about her back then, too."

"Too? There are rumors about her now?"

"Rumor is too strong a word. Whispers, maybe, but nothing substantial," said Arn. "Scorpio's files are required reading at the Academy. But Devane had tallied just as many missions and many of them are still classified. In fact, of all the agents in the Bureau's history, Devane and Donely have the most case files still considered need to know and classified. Those records are decades old. Why would they remain classified for so long? Something strange there. This whole thing is bizarre." He looked directly at the camera. "If you find them, Hunter, contact me immediately. No matter the time."

"Right. Anything else?" asked Hunter.

"No. Good luck in finding your team, Hunter. I do mean that. I don't like to lose good people. I'm out." Arnold Vandenberg cut off the connection.

Hunter looked up at a knock from the door of the hotel room. He motioned to Hendricks to take cover position. He listened at the door for a few seconds. He heard the rustling of clothes and the soft shuffle of feet. Hunter opened the door a crack and cautiously peered out. "What the hell?"

He opened the door fully then crouched down to survey his four missing team members. They were all unconscious on the floor and expertly tied up. He looked up and down the hallway and saw no movement. A niggle of fear came to his mind and spirit. Someone knew who they were and where they were. How was that possible?

"It must be the boy scout," muttered Hunter before giving orders to get the team inside.

Hotel Vladivostok, Vladivostok

Robin swayed slightly before taking her seat at the improvised dining table set up in the middle of the living room. Mac, ever alert, was instantly by her side.

"All right?" asked Mac.

Robin kissed Mac's cheek. "Just tired."

"Eat up then bed."

"I'm too keyed up to sleep," said Robin. "You and Dia better have a child. All this paternal instinct has to go somewhere."

Mac looked uncomfortable, "We'd like one or two but whatever happens is fine with us. We can adopt. Whatever she wants, I want."

The hotel door opened and in came Nestor, Edgar, Nyssa, Andrew and Vincent. Anna and Robert leapt out of their seats to greet them.

"All done," reported Edgar.

"And Sinclair? How is he?" asked Robert.

"It looks like he's on the boat for the night."

"I'd think he'd try to get away as soon as possible," said Anna. "Why is he sticking around?"

"For me," said Robin quietly. "I think."

Robert bristled. "He's never, ever, getting near you again."

"I have to see him, Dad."

"What?" came a chorus of voices. "No!"

"I have something of his and he's probably found out by now what I did. He'll be furious," said Robin.

"Wh-what did you do?" asked Anna.

Robin looked sheepish, "I ... I sabotaged his database files. Little by little over years. By now, he's lost the entire inventory of drugs that I'd been working on even the ones that never made it into production."

"Compound A, X and the rest of the alphabet?" asked Alex.

"Yes but how did you know about them?" asked Robin.

"Bits here and there. Another long story for later," said Alex. "We have to compare notes."

"Whatever you did or have, you're under no obligation to give it back to him let alone seeing him. You're staying right here," said Anna standing next to Robert. "We will not be moved on this."

"I have to see him, Mom." said Robin. "This is not negotiable."

"For God's sake why?" asked Mac.

Robin stood up and began to pace. "Because I have leverage now. I can be free of him. Completely. I ... I have so much in my head. I think sometimes I'm going to explode. But, it was the only way I could think of for ... for an insurance policy. Dad, you always told me to plan ahead and be prepared. That's what I've tried to be."

Robert grasped the back of a chair for support. His next words were enunciated carefully, "Leverage for what exactly, Robin?"

"For a divorce," said Robin. "Peter Sinclair is my legal husband."