Disclaimer: See Chapter One!
See No Evil
Natalie walked into the stadium, and noticed Sam, the security guard, "Hey, Sam."
"Hello," Sam replied.
"I'm going up to the boxes," Natalie informed him, "Listen, I'm expecting a couple of people. So could you point them up my way?"
"You've got it, Miss Bard," Sam affirmed.
"Thanks," Natalie replied.
She then walked down the hallway and entered the luxury box. Natalie was startled upon hearing footsteps. She looked up as she heard the footsteps, "Tessa?"
The footsteps stopped and Natalie walked to the door to investigate, but only saw an empty hallway.
She turned back to the luxury box and the footsteps appeared again, and she turned to see a man wearing a helmet and goggles, who suddenly attacked her.
"No!" Natalie screamed as the man attacked her.
"Natalie!" she heard Tessa call out.
"No!" Natalie screamed, "Get off of me!"
Then suddenly, the attacker got off of her.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
Duncan and Tessa read the pamphlet that had Natalie's picture on it.
"You'll like Natalie," Tessa told her lover regarding her friend.
"I like her already," Duncan replied, "Stylish, tasteful, with a certain underplayed elegance. Anyone can see she's got a great foundation."
"Uh, you're talking about the stadium, of course," Tessa chimed in.
"Oh, of course, yeah," Duncan inquired, "So your art's going to grace the entrance way."
"If she likes my ideas," Tessa affirmed, "I'm on the short list, and I have an edge – we were at the at the Sorbonne together."
"Your edge is talent," Duncan replied before he asked, "Ready?"
"Ready," Tessa answered. They left the antique store to meet with Natalie and got in the T – bird.
Duncan and Tessa entered the luxury box to find Natalie's scalp bloodied after a mysterious man got off of her and ran out of the box.
"Stay with her," Duncan told his lover. Tessa tended to Natalie and cradled her friend in her arms, "Oh, Natalie."
Duncan chased the man out of the luxury box, down through the stadium seats and then inside the stadium. They ran along the interior hallway, then the man ran down the ramps with Duncan trailing some distance behind him.
By the time Duncan made it outside, the man already took off on his motorcycle.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
Duncan looked on with Tessa as the paramedics were wheeling Natalie out of the luxury box.
"I'm going with her," Tessa told her lover before she followed the paramedics out of the box.
"Duncan MacLeod."
A bald man approached him as Duncan replied, "Yeah?"
"Lieutenant Graffini," the man introduced himself before he said, "I'm told you saw the guy."
"Yeah, a, uh…..tall, well built," Duncan replied, describing the guy, "wearing old biker's leather, looked like something out of the Twenties."
"What about eye, hair color?" Graffini asked.
"He was wearing a helmet and goggles," Duncan answered, "Sorry."
"Did he say anything? Did you pick up an accent, something?" Graffini asked. Duncan shook his head, then Graffini asked, "Did you notice anything special about him?"
"Like I said," Duncan answered, "he looked like something out of an old movie."
"What about the bike?" Graffini asked.
"I was too far away to see," Duncan answered.
"Lieutenant, we found this on the floor on the balcony," Bennett informed the Lieutenant, showing a plastic bag, containing a bloody knife.
A blonde woman walked up from behind Duncan, "Is that the scalper's knife?"
"Randi McFarland, how the hell did you get in here?" Graffini asked the reporter.
"I'm very popular with your men, Lieutenant," Randi answered, "I get their names right on TV. Now, you didn't answer my question. Did the scalper strike again?"
"Scalper?" Duncan inquired.
"Another woman was murdered last week in North Shore Park," Randi explained, "Her throat was slit and she was scalped. Wasn't she, Lieutenant?"
"That information's restricted," Graffini answered.
"Well, what do you have on the killer?" Duncan asked.
"What are you, writing a book?" Graffini interjected.
"Is he following a pattern?" Duncan asked.
"Thanks for your help," Graffini told the Highlander, "We have your name and address."
He then walked away.
"Surprise, surprise, a weird murder attempt and you're right in the middle of it," Randi chimed in before she eyed Graffini, "He's a real prince, huh? So what really happened MacLeod?"
"A woman was assaulted," Duncan answered.
"Tell me something you didn't tell them," Randi chimed in.
"I told him everything," Duncan replied.
"You never tell anybody everything," Randi interjected, "Come on, MacLeod, you were here. Give me a quote."
"Those who forget the past are condemned to relive it," Duncan quoted.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
Duncan was going through contents of an old box as Tessa entered the room, "How is she?"
"Sedated. She was sleeping when I left. She went into shock in the ambulance. We almost lost her," Tessa answered. Duncan moved closer to her as she continued, "And that police officer…..he came in and made her relive every moment of it. Who could do something like this to her?"
"A man who was betrayed by the one he loved and then went insane because of it," Duncan answered.
"It sounds like you know him," Tessa replied.
"Someone like him," Duncan affirmed.
"An immortal?" Tessa asked.
"Marcus Korolus, this city in 1925," Duncan explained, "He felt a blonde flapper named Lenora betrayed her and tried to kill her, but I stopped him before she became another victim, like his other victims, who were tall, slender, blonde, and all found murdered. I ended up taking Korolus' head and quickening after the fact. He was insane."
"And he's dead," Tessa stated before she asked, "Then who is doing this?"
-DCH-Side-Stories-
"You know, before this was a stadium, there were orchards and stables," Duncan looked around as she walked around the stadium with Tessa, "It's where Marcus killed one of his victims."
"How did he choose them?" Tessa asked.
"By the color of their hair," Duncan answered, "He only chose blondes."
"Why?" Tessa asked.
"He fell in love once and the woman betrayed him," Duncan explained, "He went mad. He had to destroy her and everything that reminded him of her."
Tessa sighed, "It's too crazy. What was it like back then?"
"It was just after the war," Duncan answered, "1925…..Prohibition. There were half a dozen gang killings just two blocks from here."
"So one more victim didn't count for much," Tessa stated.
"No, actually, the pressed played it up," Duncan interjected, "A copycat killer could do a lot of research if he wanted to, and find out exactly how the women were killed."
Randi walked in the stadium, "Are you guys stringers for a rival network or is there some other reason you're here?"
"Natalie Bard is my friend," Tessa answered.
"I'm sorry," Randi offered condolences before asking, "How's she doing?"
"Recovering," Tessa answered.
"You know, I've been trying to get in to see her," Randi asked, "Do you think you could….."
"Ah, no, I couldn't," Tessa objected, "I'm sorry."
"Hey, maybe later?" Randi called out as Tessa walked away.
"Maybe," Duncan answered.
"You know, I was thinking about what you said yesterday about history repeating itself," Randi told him, "I spent the last twenty four hours in the archives running down the old serial murder cases."
"You did?" Duncan inquired.
"There is one that fits the pattern," Randi answered, "It happened sixty seven years ago, MacLeod. How'd you know about it?"
"Have you told the police yet?" Duncan asked.
"Didn't anybody ever tell you it's not polite to answer a question with a question?" Randi interjected.
"Have you told the police yet?" Duncan asked again.
"Sharing information with the police isn't a habit I've developed," Randi answered.
"Well, I suggest you develop the habit," Duncan replied with a warning, "He'll kill again."
-DCH-Side-Stories-
"What's wrong?" Tessa asked as she noticed Duncan sitting on the edge of the bed, deep in thought.
"I should be out there," Duncan answered.
"At the risk of injuring your immortal feelings," Tessa replied, "the police can do a lot better than you."
"Just feels weird," Duncan stated, "doing nothing while this plays out again."
He laid down next to her in the bed.
"He isn't Marcus," Tessa assured him, "You've given the police everything they need. They'll catch him."
There was a pause of silence before Tessa spoke up, "Uh, I've been thinking of something else."
"You want Natalie to come stay with us, right?" Duncan inquired.
"Mm hmm," Tessa answered, "Just until they catch this monster."
-DCH-Side-Stories-
"So, there's another mission for us again, Leader?" Richie asked.
"Yes," Janet answered, "another mission."
"An immortal?" Tori asked.
"Not exactly," Janet answered, "but there is somebody in town who is acting like an immortal."
"What do you mean?"
"There's this guy in town who is scalping blonde women, and after he killed one of our blonde agents recently, we've had him on our list to put into custody since," Janet explained, "Last week there was one murdered last week in North Shore Park, and we just got a report of another woman who had just been attacked at Municipal Stadium."
"Municipal Stadium?" Richie inquired, "That's where Mac and Tessa were going to meet with someone."
"Bingo!" Janet exclaimed, "Someone by the name of Natalie Bard was attacked by the Scalper. Reports said she survived the attack."
"So, she must be with them," Tori stated.
"Possibly," Janet nodded, "We'll need you two to inform us when the Scalper attacks."
"Will do, Leader," Richie replied.
The call ended as Richie and Tori looked at each other.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
Duncan looked up when Randi knocked on the glass door, "Come."
Randi entered the office, looking around, "I've always liked your taste. So….why don't you tell me what all this is about."
"All what?" Duncan asked.
"What the hell are you, MacLeod?" Randi inquired.
"Is this a fishing expedition or did you come here for a reason?" Duncan asked her.
"Well, nothing's gone down at the stakeouts and they think it may be a coincidence," Randi said before she pulled out a cigarette.
"You shouldn't do that," Duncan suggested, "You'll live longer."
"Who wants to live forever?" Randi retorted, "Tell me you used to be a two pack a day man."
"Nope," Duncan replied.
"What did you used to be, MacLeod?" Randi asked.
"Just what I am," Duncan answered.
"What if it's on the record? Just between us," Randi asked. Duncan didn't say anything.
"Well, at least think about it," Randi suggested before she started to leave.
"The copycat will stick to the same pattern…..one way or another," Duncan informed the reporter, "You can tell Graffini that."
"Like he'd listen. See you around," Randi replied before she left the office.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
"I hope Tessa's friend is doing okay," Tori said as she was helping Richie dust some artifacts, "This guy seemed crazy from what Mom said."
"Yeah," Richie replied, "Crazy doesn't seem to do it justice."
"You're right about that," Tori quipped.
"Hey, maybe we can talk sometime," the woman spoke to the duo as she approached them. She first eyed Tori, "I believe I know your family. The Gordons, including Flash Gordon. What are the odds?"
"Who doesn't know my family," Tori crossed her arms while grinning.
The reporter nodded, "I'm very sorry about Dale."
Tori sadly nodded, "Thanks. She was my aunt and Flash is my uncle."
The reporter nodded before Richie suddenly spoke up, "I got lots to say. I had a very interesting childhood. At the age of two I was visited by aliens."
The reporter laughed in response, "Spare me. I'll see you guys."
Moments later, she left the shop and Duncan approached Tori and Richie.
"So, Mac, what's with you and the lady newscaster, huh?" Richie asked.
"I can't go to Graffini directly; he'd ask too many questions," Duncan answered, "I couldn't stonewall him like I do her. We have a serious problem here, Marcus killed five women in ten days before I stopped him."
"Mom is asking us to investigating him as well," Tori stated, "so, we seem to be in the right place at the right time."
"Well, the copycat's not following the same pattern," Duncan informed the pair, "He should have tried again in Columbus Park."
"How can we be sure he's going to follow it so closely?" Richie asked.
"Because…...he's probably studied everything he can on Marcus," Duncan answered, "He wants to be like him, so he has to kill like him."
"The knife…...he lost the knife," Richie stated, snapping his fingers, "He's got to buy a new knife."
"No, no, he's too smart for that," Duncan replied.
"He's right, so there has to be something else," Tori added.
"Like what?" Richie asked.
"The Indian," Duncan answered.
"The Indian!" Tori quipped.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
Duncan, Tori and Richie entered Deeley Motorshops.
"Marcus rides an Indian," Duncan told his friends, "Maybe our guy does too."
"Perhaps," Tori quipped.
"Well, this is the place where the yuppies meet the outlaws," Richie declared before Tori chuckled a bit and then Richie continued, "If this guy is riding an old Indian, he's definitely getting his parts here."
He looked up and recognized a heavyset man with a beard, "Hey, Herbie, yo! My man, bro, what's up? Come talk to me."
"Richie, I'm glad you're here," Herbie replied, "Tell me, which leg do you want broken?"
"Whoa, whoa, chill big guy. What did I do?" Richie asked.
"You said you could get me a manifold for a '46 Harley, remember?" Herbie answered, "I had a cash client all lined up."
"I got out of the parts business," Richie informed him.
"What, you get busted?" Herbie asked.
"Ah," Richie looked over at Duncan before answering, "sort of."
"We were wondering if you could do us a favor," Tori spoke up.
"What?" Herbie asked, unamused.
"Uh….uh…." Richie stammered.
"We're looking for a guy who owns an Indian," Duncan answered.
"Great bike, fast as hell," Herbie replied, stating the bike, "They stopped making them thirty, forty years ago. What's this guy look like?"
"He's about six foot two, and weighs about a hundred and eighty pounds," Tori answered.
"Guy wore a scarf and goggles," Herbie told the trio, "Kept the goggles on."
"Yeah. That's him," Duncan replied before he asked, "Do you have a name? Address?"
"Nope," Herbie answered, "Sorry."
"Well if you see him," Duncan gave the man his business card before handing him a hundred dollar bill, "we'd appreciate a call."
"Sure mister," Herbie replied accepting the card and cash, "whatever you say."
"Thanks so much, Herb," Richie sarcastically replied.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
Natalie woke up violently sitting up, screaming. Tessa, sitting by her side in the bed, got up to comfort her, "Shh, it's just a dream."
"Oh, Tessa," Natalie cried.
"It's going to be okay," Tessa assured her.
"Oh God," Natalie laid back down on the bed.
"It's going to be okay," Tessa assured her again, comforting her friend.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
"Hi," Duncan entered the loft to see Natalie reading a book on the couch, "Is Tessa around?"
"She went to the drugstore to pick up a few things for me," Natalie answered.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better."
"Good."
"I, um, I never thanked you," Natalie told Duncan as he prepared to leave, "You risked your life going after him like that."
"Well, I'd wish I caught him," Duncan replied.
"Yeah. Me too."
"The police will," Duncan assured her.
"I wish I'd believed that," Natalie replied, "I wish….I wish I'd had a gun when he came for me. I….."
"It's not as easy as to kill as that, Natalie," Duncan stated, "Even in self defense."
"What if they can't find this animal?" Natalie asked, "What if he keeps killing?"
"They will. They'll find him," Duncan assured her before telling her, "I have to go."
"Okay," Natalie replied.
"Tell Tessa I'll be back in an hour or so," Duncan instructed.
"Okay," Natalie replied.
"Good night," Duncan told her before he left.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
Richie looked at Tori before the phone rang. He went to answer it, "Antiques, Richie speaking. What's up?"
"Richie, it's me, Herbie," Herbie replied on the other end of the line, "He's here?"
"Who, the Indian?" Richie asked.
"In the flesh," Herbie answered.
"Well, stall him," Richie replied, "Just keep him there."
"Hey, this is as far I go for a hundred bucks," Herbie replied, "You want him, come get him."
"All right, all right, just keep him there," Richie relented, "I'm on my way."
"What is it?" Tori asked as Richie hung up.
"The Indian guy's here," Richie answered.
"Let's make our move," Tori replied, "I informed my mom already."
"I got this," Richie said as he hurried out of the store, "There's no time for back up."
"Richie, wait!" Tori shouted as he ran out of the store.
Richie hurried to his motorcycle and then drove off and then moments later, he pulled up on his motorcycle as the perp was driving away on the Indian.
Richie chased the Scalper through the streets and he was eventually cut off by a car and dumped his bike, giving him some injuries in the process.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
Duncan arrived at the Columbus House, noticing Randi at the scene, the murder scene.
"Look who showed up," Randi stated as Duncan stepped out of the T – bird.
"I just heard on the radio that the serial killer struck again," Duncan replied.
"Columbus House instead of Columbus Park," Randi stated, "The guy's playing with the cops. He's getting off on it."
"He rides an Indian," Duncan told the reporter.
"What?"
"It's a motorcycle."
"How do you know?"
"That doesn't matter," Duncan told her, "but make sure Graffini does. There are twenty six of them registered in the metro area."
"What are you, federal? State? Special task force?" Randi asked, "You working undercover, MacLeod, is that it?"
"If I were, I wouldn't be talking to you, would I?" Duncan inquired.
"Graffini and the others don't even know, do they?"
"Neither do you."
"All right. Whatever you say," Randi replied, "I can be a team player. You know, if I keep quiet on this, MacLeod or whatever your real name is, I expect an inside lane when the story breaks."
"Well, I can't promise you anything," Duncan told her.
"Well, then neither can I. Think about it. Fair is fair."
"I have to go," Duncan said before he started to leave.
"Well, what do you know?" Randi asked as he drove away.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
Natalie looked at the mirror as she was reflecting on the day of the attack. She couldn't get the image out of her head. Her screams, him stabbing at her scalp.
Natalie unwind the bandage on her head, beginning to cry.
"Natalie…..don't," Tessa entered the bedroom, "Don't! Don't, it's too early. Let it heal first."
"One minute you're a…...successful career woman in control of her life," Natalie cried as Tessa replaced the bandages, "and…...forty seconds later, you're a piece of meat begging not to be butchered!"
"Don't think about it," Tessa told her friend.
"It's all I think about!" Natalie cried, tears streaming down her face, "God, we're just…..something on the food chain, Tessa. If a man wants to hurt us, he hurts us."
"Stop it. Don't do this to yourself," Tessa firmly told her friend, "Don't let yourself start thinking like that."
"Why? It's true, isn't it?" Natalie asked before continuing, "How would you feel if it happened to you? I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Tessa. I can't…..I – I keep…."
"It's okay. It's okay," Tessa assured her, "After the surgeons fix it, you won't even see the scar."
"Yeah…...and if they can't? It doesn't really matter, right?" Natalie replied, "Beauty's only skin deep, and for the rest of my life I'll watch some man's eyes slowly drift up from mine into this."
She motioned at her forehead, "God, I hate the son of a bitch who did this to me. If he were here right now, I swear I'd kill him."
Then Natalie started crying in Tessa's arms.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
"Richie!" Tori called out as she saw Richie limping and parking his motorcycle and Duncan pulling up in his T – bird. She hurried to him, "Are you all right?!"
"You don't need to worry about me, Tor," Richie assured her.
"What happened?" Duncan asked as he was getting out of his car.
"I saw him. I was on his ass, and I…." Richie answered, shaking his head, "I hit some cinders or something."
"Richie, I told you that was a bad idea," Tori firmly told her friend.
"Who?" Duncan asked.
"The guy," Richie answered, "The – the scalper. The dude with the goggles."
"Richie, what were you thinking?" Duncan faced him, scolding him, "This guy is a psychotic killer."
"You weren't there," Richie replied.
"Then you should've waited or called the police, but what you don't do…..you don't go off on your own!" Duncan scolded him.
"That's what I tried to tell him," Tori replied.
Duncan then spoke to Richie in a more gentler tone, "I know you thought you were doing the right thing."
"He saw me at the bike shop. He's not going to go back there again," Richie stated with regret, "Mac, I screwed up…..big time. I'm sorry."
"You meant well," Tori gave Richie a gentle pat on the shoulder, "Don't worry. We'll catch the guy."
"What am I going to do with you? Hmm?" Duncan asked Richie as he gave him a pat on the neck, "Did you hurt yourself?"
"I'll live," Richie answered.
"Come on. Let's go take a look at it," Duncan told him, "Come on."
He, Richie and Tori went inside to check on Richie's injuries.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
"Mom, what are you doing here?!" Tori asked as she saw Janet and a couple of agents enter the room while she was tending to Richie as he was recovering.
"It's time," Janet declared, "we believe we will be able to catch the copycat killer today at the theater."
"The theater?" Richie asked.
"From everything we are learning about this guy, he's copying everything that happened in regards to Marcus," Janet answered, "and we are going to use Tori as bait to take the guy into custody."
"Why are you taking him into custody?" Richie asked.
"He's a copycat of an immortal killer," Janet answered, "Our superiors are asking that we take him into custody. He's basically wanted dead or alive."
"And why me as bait?" Tori asked, "My hair's more brown than blonde. I think he kills the women who are "blonde" blonde."
"I suppose you are right," Janet nodded, "I think we need to talk to MacLeod and Miss Noel about this."
-DCH-Side-Stories-
"Did Graffini catch him?" Tessa asked as she met up with Duncan at the living room.
"That pompous ass couldn't catch a cold," Duncan answered, "He's sitting at the stakeout at the theater. The scalper knows he's there – he's not gonna show."
"So, what do we do now?" Tessa asked.
"Well, I don't know," Duncan answered, "Graffini's just waiting for an excuse to throw me in jail."
"We've got to do something," Tessa insisted.
"We have to set him up," Duncan stated, "Make him come to us."
"Exactly what we have in mind," Janet said as she arrived in the room.
"What are you doing here?" Duncan asked.
"I'm Janet Elisionne, Tori's mother," Janet answered, "we are also a part of the case with the copycat killer."
"What did you have in mind?" Tessa asked.
"We are going to use Tori as bait for this scalper," Janet answered, "I already discussed the plan with her and Richie, and they are set for it."
"He only kills blondes," Tessa replied.
Janet nodded, "I figured. That's why we also want Tessa to join us, just in case he doesn't take the bait with Victoria."
"No," Duncan stood up in protest.
"I'll be the bait," Tessa relented, "Mac will be there to protect me, and Richie will be there to protect Tori if he attacks her. No one is watching over his next victim. She – whoever she is – is out there alone, with no guardian angel, and she's going to die if we don't stop him. Mac said so himself."
"Okay," Duncan unfolded the poster and allowed Tessa and Janet to read it.
"Man and Superman," Janet read the poster.
"Yeah," Duncan explained, "It was playing at the Orpheum theater the night I finally caught up with Marcus."
"And do you think the killer will know that?" Tessa asked.
"If he knows everything about Marcus," Janet answered, "then chances are he will know this."
-DCH-Side-Stories-
"This is Randi McFarland outside police headquarters with an update on the serial killer that has been terrorizing the city for days," Randi said as she stood next to the news van, "Through confidential sources I have learned that today's scalper is imitating another madman who prowled this city sixty seven years ago. My sources assures me that police have broken the killer's pattern and an arrest is expected shortly."
She then faced Duncan and asked, "How'd I do?"
"It'll be on the six o' clock news," Randi told the Highlander, "If you're not right about this, MacLeod, my career as a reporter is over. Nobody'll talk to me."
"He'll take the challenge," Duncan assured her, "We'll have him."
-DCH-Side-Stories-
Tori looked on as Richie answered the phone once again, "Sisyphus Productions…..No, I'm sorry, that part's already been cast….You're very welcome."
He hung up the phone again before he heard the phone ring again and he picked it up, "Sisyphus Productions….No, no, no, Angie, wait don't hang up. It's Richie it's me."
Tori noted that Richie mentioned a girl named Angie previously. Most likely a friend from what she's heard about her.
"Ah, Sisyphus Productions, that's….uh….that's, well, it's a…..it's a long story. I'll explain later. Listen, Angie, I gotta run," Richie continued on the phone, "I can't keep this line tied up right now…...Oh come on. Don't get mad. Don't be that way, Angie. Give me a break. I'll s….I'll talk to you later, I promise. Come on, Angie. Come….."
Tori saw Richie's reaction seeing that Angie must have hung up on him, "Aw man, women. What are you going to do?"
"Hello," Tori quipped, "I'm right here!"
"Not you!" Richie exclaimed, "and definitely not Tess."
Duncan entered the office, "How's it going?"
"We've had one hundred and seventeen calls," Tori answered.
"And they're all pissed the part's been cast," Richie added.
"Well, at least none of them will show up and get in the way," Duncan replied before he left the office as the phone rang again. Richie answered it, "Sisyphus Productions."
"Richard," Janet stepped into the office, "I will need you and Victoria to join Mr. MacLeod and Miss Noel at the theater. We will have agents as back up while you help MacLeod and Tessa while I take over the phone calls."
"Sure thing, Leader," Richie replied before handing the phone to Janet and leaving the office with Tori.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
Tessa walked up and entered the theater. So far, there had been nothing happening. She hadn't been attacked. The IUA had decided to agree on her to be the bait and Tori to be back up bait in case the scalper was to attack in another area. The news would catch this on the six o' clock news and the scalper would be taken into IUA custody.
Tessa was startled upon Duncan stepped out in front of her.
"Did you see anyone?" Duncan asked.
"No," Tessa answered, "I suppose I wouldn't."
Duncan looked out the window and saw nobody. He turned around and called out, "Richie? Tori?"
"Yo!" Richie replied.
"Is anybody outside?" Duncan asked as Richie and Tori entered the stadium.
"No, sir," Richie answered, "and Leader is taking over any future phone calls."
"He's not aware of the IUA agents in hiding that are after him as well," Tori added.
"I was sure he'd follow you two," Duncan replied, "and good that the IUA is helping us out."
"So, how long before I go out again," Tessa inquired.
"Oh, we'll give it another twenty minutes," Duncan answered, "Don't worry, I'll be watching."
"As I will be watching Tori," Richie smiled at his friend.
"Gee, thanks," Tori quipped with a smile.
"He might see you," Tessa said.
"He'll be too blinded by your beauty," Duncan replied.
Suddenly, they heard a woman's screams.
"Richie, get the girls out of here," Duncan instructed.
"You got it," Richie replied before Duncan left him with Tessa and Tori.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
Duncan hurried to the alleyway to find a brunette woman laying on the ground with a blonde wig next to her. He knelt next to her and helped her sit up.
"It's okay. It's okay. It's all right," Duncan assured the woman, "What happened?"
"I came for the audition," the woman cried, "He had a knife. He tore my wig off…..and then he just pushed me down and he…..took off."
"You had the wrong color hair," Duncan told her.
Suddenly, Randi jumped out of the news van as it pulled into the alley, "MacLeod, what's happening?"
"Call the police," Duncan told the reporter, "Agents are here…."
"Agents? Agents of what?" Randi asked, confused.
"Just call the police," Duncan replied.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
Richie, Tessa and Tori hurried to the T – bird. As they were about to get in, Richie stopped.
"Whoa," Richie stated, "The Indian."
He ran towards the motorcycle.
"Richie, what are you doing?" Tori asked.
"Get in the car!" Tessa exclaimed.
Richie knelt by the motorcycle, "Son of a bitch won't ride into the sunset this time."
He pulled out a pocket knife, causing the Scalper to jump out of his hiding place and attacked Richie. The Scalper knocked the redhead to the ground.
"Tess, get in the car!" Tori exclaimed.
The two ladies got in the T – bird. Tessa drove it at the Scalper and hit him.
"Oh, man!" Tori exclaimed.
Richie opened the car door, "Are you two okay? Are you all right? Tess, Tori, are you okay?"
"We're fine, Rich," Tori answered.
Tori and Tessa got out of the car and they saw the Scalper bleeding as he was trying to get up.
"Help me!" the Scalper cried.
"I didn't know what else to do," Tessa told the group as Duncan arrived.
"You did fine," Duncan assured his lover, "You did fine."
"Help me!" the Scalper groaned in pain, "Help me!"
The four looked on as the Scalper groaned in pain. Janet and several other agents arrived. Followed by Randi and the cameraman.
"Excellent work, MacLeod," Janet told the Highlander. Duncan nodded.
"What'll happen to him now?" Tessa asked.
"Not sure," Janet answered, "it depends on if he lives or not."
"That's him, isn't it?" Randi asked.
"Yeah," Duncan answered.
"Shoot the picture, John," Randi told the cameraman, "Shoot this piece of garbage."
"Someone call an ambulance," Tessa said to the cameraman and Randi.
"Even if he lives," Janet informed, "he will be taken into our custody after Sargent Bennett releases him into our custody after he recovers from the injuries he has."
Tessa sighed nervously. Janet looked at her, "Don't worry, Miss Noel. Your actions will be considered self defense."
Tessa nodded and Duncan replied, "Thank you."
-DCH-Side-Stories-
"There you are," Tessa looked on as Natalie entered the room, "All packed?"
"Uh huh," Natalie answered.
"You sure you won't stay?"
"No. I need to be alone…..in my own place."
"The door's always open."
"That's nice to know. If I, uh, get the jitters, I'll call you," Natalie informed Tessa before they hugged, "I don't know what I would've done, if you….."
"Shhh, it's okay," Tessa replied, "You're going to be fine. Just…..don't be afraid to talk about it."
"He's still alive," Natalie inquired.
"He won't hurt anyone again," Tessa assured her friend.
"You did it. You stopped him," Natalie said, "I wish it had been me behind the wheel of that car."
"No you don't. Believe me."
Duncan walked in the room, "Ready to go?"
"Yeah," Natalie answered, "I'm all set."
"The car's outside," Duncan informed her, "Your bags are in it."
"Natalie…..I'll call you tonight, okay?" Tessa told her friend.
"That'd be great," Natalie replied before she left the room.
Duncan noticed Tessa crying silently, "Are you okay?"
"Sure," Tessa answered tearfully, "I just keep seeing him in front of me as I….."
"You did what you had to," Duncan assured his lover as he walked over to her, "and they are considering your actions self defense."
"I thought….." Tessa replied before she turned and faced him as she laughed sadly, "I thought "ridding the world of evil" would feel better than this."
Duncan hugged his lover, "I know. I know."