Within his sight

by Whistle-78

After Danielle Hayward, a totally blind teenager is committed to Smith's Grove having attempted suicide, the staff realise to their horror the only cell available is next door to the silent, masked, infamous serial killer. The Shape, Michael Myers. But as time passes, something slowly begins to develop between the two.

19. Chapter 19

Derek Chancer had heard the entire conversation between Hayward and the other girl. He wasn't sure how, perhaps some door in her modified cell hadn't been closed properly? Either way, now he couldn't help but congratulate Dawson, if only grudgingly. The guy was certainly causing a lot of distress to these two women. He'd wanted to ask him the night before what the point of all this was. He personally just believed in fucking and killing women. But he couldn't deny that perhaps mental torture had its merits after all.

It still didn't mean he liked Dawson. In fact, he thought he was a stupid, arrogant prick. But there was no doubt he'd clearly thought this through carefully and so far, it was working. He'd also seen the killer's face as Myers had left Hayward's cell and although it showed its usual no emotion, Chancer knew he was angry. Very angry. He'd silently thanked whichever God or Gods existed that he was safe in his cell at that moment.

As if on cue, a text came through on his iPod. Chancer picked it up and was immediately sure it was Leach.

Our client wants the fallout of this. We've already heard her call to the other woman from your iPod recordings and told him. Pass on anything else you see/hear.

This reminded Derek of Adam's promise to give him a lot of money when they met up. Derek still hadn't made up his mind for certain yet, but he was almost certain Dawson's meeting with him would be the last of Dawson's life. Chancer quite fancied taking his cash then putting him on his newly restored operating table. Just for a change, just to see… well, how strong he really was when not beating on women.

…

Samuel Loomis stepped out into the exercise yard ten minutes later. What he'd said to Dr Stark was true. He had called the police and told them of the letter and their suspicions Adam Dawson had written it. They'd told him they'd send someone to his house as soon as they could. Dr Loomis hoped they were fast, or the slimy son of a bitch could and would just delete the evidence.

Taking a deep breath, he focused on the task at hand. Michael was standing in the yard chained to his concrete block, and he was utterly still. Dr Samuel Loomis wasn't, or rather hadn't ever been afraid of Michael Myers, mostly because the killer had been behind glass from him. But now, Samuel Loomis just knew he was angry. Very angry. If he was going to do this, really going to do this, he had to be very careful.

He stepped up to the yellow line and stopped just in front of it. The killer turned his head ever so slightly and met his doctor's gaze. Dr Loomis had to force himself not to shiver. God. That stare… he had to stay professional.

"Michael," he said very softly. "Please will you listen to me?"

Just as he'd expected, there was total silence. But neither did the killer look away.

"Michael, I need to tell you this. I can't make you believe it, but you deserve to know. Neither Danielle nor Charlotte yet know what that letter said, but I know for a fact that when she does, she'll be devastated. We do not think Charlotte wrote it, or she said any of the things contained within it. From conversations I've had with her, she really cares about you Michael, you've been a huge help to her while she's been here. I totally understand why you believe it was her, you've never trusted nor had any reason to trust anyone before. We believe this is Adam's work and I think deep down you do too. I've already phoned the police and they're hopefully at his house by now to look for evidence. We're trying to hold off showing her the letter for as long as we can. We're worried about her reaction. Also, if she knows or even believes you're angry at her, it could make her slide backwards incredibly quickly. I think you know what I mean."

Still the killer didn't move. Dr Loomis didn't know if he was crazy or stupid, but he slowly stepped over the yellow line. Two guards ran over immediately, and Dr Loomis felt a rush of affection for them. They stood at the edge of the yellow line. There is needed, but not interrupting. Dr Loomis stepped forward and laid a hand on the killer's arm.

"Michael," he murmured quietly. "Listen to me. Are you angry because you think she said all these things? Or is it because you like us, suspect this wasn't her or even Charlotte's doing?"

…

"DAMN IT, I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT SAID!"

Danielle was standing in Dr Stark's office, Joanne at her side. She was furious and upset.

"OK SO YOU BELIEVE ADAM FUCKING WROTE IT NOT CHARLOTTE, SO WHY ARE YOU SO UNWILLING TO TELL ME WHAT THAT BASTARD'S SAID TO MICHAEL ABOUT ME?"

"Think about it," Dr Stark said quietly. "Why do you think? Take a second and think about your own question."

There were a few seconds of silence, then her mouth dropped open and she sank into a chair Joanne quickly guided her to, as if her knees would no longer support her.

"Jesus Christ," she breathed. "You're worried about my reaction, aren't you? That it'll bring me back to the brink of suicide like when I first came here."

Dr Stark and Joanne both touched her arms. "Well?" Dr Stark said. "Are we wrong?"

She let out a long breath. "I just… I can't believe Adam is still trying. I know what he's doing. He's trying to stop Michael from protecting me, to make attacking and probably killing me even easier. He's scared of Michael Myers, just as we all are! Yes, including me! Where is Michael?"

"Dr Loomis is with him now," Dr Stark replied.

"He's angry, isn't he?" she sounded resigned. "He thinks I said all that stuff. I'm not stupid enough to think he'd trust me that fast. He's a masked killer for fuck's sake! You know angry men terrify me, and Michael Myers…" She trailed off.

"Is more dangerous than most," Joanne finished flatly. "Yes. That's why we're keeping you apart. I don't think Michael truly believes you said it all, but…"

She too trailed off.

"We don't know for sure," Dr Stark finished for her.

She gave a humourless smile. "Yeah, I get it. It's not my turn to die today."

…

Unlike most mornings, Adam was whistling away happily as he got out of his bed and dressed. Normally he wanted to throw his alarm clock, phone, out of the window. But not today. Things were going just as he'd planned. His text had stirred things up just as he'd hoped. It seemed his plan was working perfectly. Michael Myers had indeed got the letter he'd sent from Charlotte, or apparently from Charlotte, and judging by the information he'd received from his inside man, the killer was very angry.

Adam continued to whistle as he headed downstairs. Oh yes, this was brilliant. Turning on the coffee machine, state of the art naturally he'd have it no other way, he headed out to his van to double check his tools for work, as he did every day. He had a job to attend in an hour. Some guy Adam hardly knew had broken his shed door. Adam didn't care if he was paid.

Everything with his van was fine, so he headed back inside to start sorting his coffee. The delicious smell hit him as the steaming liquid poured into his cup. He opened his fridge and pulled out milk and some bacon to fry for breakfast. Bacon sandwiches sounded just perfect right now.

As he pulled out a saucepan and plates, he once more found himself thinking of his father. The man Adam had idolised, looked up to and loved. The only thing he and now his son had wanted a woman for, was to fuck, and cook them their breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Adam sighed. Well as he didn't currently have one, yet, he'd have to cook this bacon by himself. Not that she'd get any of it if he did of course. She'd have to stick with cereal or something. Only men got the good stuff.

Smirking to himself, he was just about to turn on the cooker, when he heard the hammering on his door followed by the shouts of "POLICE! Mr. DAWSON, OPEN UP!"

Fucking hell! What did the pigs want now? He'd done nothing. He hadn't even written a letter. Charlotte had. Surely this could have nothing to do with that. Not this fast? He'd written the letter at a shady internet café he knew; the owners were friends of his and about as anti-police as you could get. There was no way they'd help the pigs out. Adam knew he was safe. He'd printed it there to, before paying the whore he fucked that night an extra fifty dollars to post it for him. Just as he'd hoped, she'd asked no questions and done it at that price. Adam would've been willing to pay her more if he'd had to, just this once of course.

No. He knew here, he was safe. He strolled to his door, to show the pigs they wouldn't rush him in his own home and pulled it open.

"Good morning officers," he gave them his most charming smile. "I was just about to make some bacon sandwiches. Would you like one?"

Not fucking likely he'd give them anything.

"No thank you Mr. Dawson," the officer at the front said. There were three of them. Adam noticed they were all male and suspected strongly that was deliberate. "We need to come in if you please?"

"You can't," Adam said. "Not without a warrant."

"Then this is your lucky day Sir," the officer said and produced the order from the court. Adam rolled his eyes. "We have reason to believe you have breached your order regarding contacting Danielle Hayward. That gives us enough evidence to come in."

The officer then produced his warrant card. Adam sighed. He knew that if he wanted to appear innocent, his best chance was to co-operate with the cops, even if he hated it.

"I've done nothing," he smiled at them again. "But sure, come in. How can I help?"

The officers didn't answer, just entered his address. Adam could see their guns, batons and handcuffs on their stab and bullet prove vests, and wondered if this too was deliberate. He wasn't intimidated by these fuckers. What was the worst they could do? Chuck him in a cell? Big fucking deal. It wasn't like they could execute him or something.

Just as he'd expected, the officers entered his living room and headed straight for his laptop, which was on the coffee table. Idiots. Did they really think he'd be that stupid as to leave evidence right in front of them?"

"I'm afraid we need to take this Mr. Dawson," another officer said and before Adam could argue, now did produce a warrant to seize any electronic devices they found within his address. "We also require you to hand over your phone."

Adam cursed internally. Fuck. So, they obviously suspected he'd written the letter. But they'd have to prove it first.

"If I don't?" The words were out of his mouth almost before he could stop them.

"Do I really have to answer that Mr. Dawson? I think you know. You'll be arrested. It's only because we have no proof yet that you're not being arrested right now. This is your last warning."

Adam sighed but handed over his phone as requested. He'd already told his client he was coming and at what time the night before. But it was nevertheless highly annoying. He'd already deleted the app he'd used to send the text to her with, plus any other evidence. He'd also formatted his phone, erasing all data before he'd written the letter, knowing this might be coming. Now, he praised himself for his quick thoughts and preparation. The pigs had nothing on him. Not this time.

"Do you have any further phones Sir?"

"No," Adam said, handing over his iPad which had had the same treatment as his phone the night before.

"Your pin?"

"4285," Adam answered.

"We are going to need to search your van I'm afraid Mr. Dawson."

Adam sighed. Damn they were thorough, he had to give the cops that. "Fine," he said, handing an officer the keys. Two of them left, but one of the fucking pigs stayed in the lounge with him.

Acting entirely unconcerned, Adam re-entered the kitchen to make his bacon sandwiches. Stay calm, he told himself. There is absolutely no way the pigs can link me to this. Just carry on as normal.

The officer followed him into his kitchen. This infuriated Adam. He wasn't under arrest at this time, so the officer had no right to follow him. This was his space, his home. "Can I help you?"

The cop ignored him. Shrugging, Adam carried on with making his breakfast. He decided not to kick up a fuss. Acting defensive would probably just make things worse, make it seem like he had something to hide after all. He'd pretend to co-operate with them and thus the court and that bitch of a judge. But he could see the officers gaze sweeping around his kitchen and knew he was searching for something. He then walked into the living room and did the same thing before heading upstairs. Shit. The pig was searching for his house. Once again, Adam forced himself to calm down. Let him, he thought. There's nothing to link me to any wrongdoing. Not this time. I've been way too careful.

Before long, the smell of frying bacon filled the house. The officer returned and stood stiffly by the counter, looking out of the window at his colleagues, occasionally putting a hand to his earpiece. Had they found something? Adam couldn't stop himself wondering. He consoled himself with the fact they couldn't have. The only things in there were his tools and the safe box he kept his cash in.

He'd just sat down with his sandwich when the other two cops re-entered the house. Sure enough, one was carrying his lock box. Adam felt anger take hold despite himself.

"That has nothing to do with her or anyone else," he snapped. "I keep my money in it I make from my work."

Once again, he thanked any God up there that he'd emptied it the night before. The cash was now in his bank account, and the joint of weed which had been in there had already been smoked.

"We need you to open it please Sir," the officer said and produced another warrant saying they could ask him to open any lock they required while during their search. Adam rolled his eyes and sighed. The last thing he needed was to be arrested today, not when he had work soon.

He pulled out his keys and unlocked the box. It was empty, just as he knew it would be. The officers looked at it carefully, then nodded. "Ok Sir, thank you."

Adam relocked it again. "Are you done? I must get to work."

"For now, yes," one of the officers said, looking sternly at Adam. "But we are taking your laptop, iPad, and phone to be examined. We will return if we need to speak to you again."

"How long will you be?" Adam demanded. "I need my phone for work."

"Hopefully not long. If you have nothing to hide however, then you have no need to worry do you?"

When they'd left, Adam sighed. "Fuck," he said under his breath. Thank God he'd thought about his plan carefully this time and not done something stupid which would incriminate him. The pigs would find nothing on his phone or his iPad, and his laptop would also be clear as far as what they were looking for was concerned. Now if they wanted porn…

He walked out to his van half an hour later and set off towards his next client's house. The pigs were smart, he had to give them that, and fast. They clearly suspected him, but hadn't it occurred to them that the two bitches might just have had a fallout and that was what this was? The letter hadn't even mentioned his damn name.

…

"Hey," one of the guards Daren said two hours later. "Charlotte's here."

She stood up and nodded to him. He guided her down the corridors and into a visitor's room. With a stab of horror, she wondered if she was going to be separated from her friend by security glass. But soon realised this was not going to be the case. As soon as she entered, Charlotte threw her arms around her.

"I had to come when you called me," she sobbed. "I promise you; I didn't write any letter to Michael, and I don't know what it said! I was so upset when you called, I had to tell you to your face! I love you to the moon and back, you're like my sister and I would never do that to you! Even if you had said something Michael wouldn't like, I wouldn't have told him! That's between us!"

"I know C," she hugged her friend fiercely back. "I knew straight away. This is Adam's doing and we both know that."

"Now we just need to convince Michael of that," Charlotte said sadly. "I phoned Dr Loomis on the way here. Michael's angry by all accounts."

"Yeah, he is. I can kind of understand it though. He's never trusted anyone before if he does even trust me that is. Of course, he's unsure whether it was you or Adam, or if I even said… whatever the letter says."

"You don't know yet?"

"No, Dr Stark said she'd tell us both to our faces."

"Which indeed I shall," came Dr Stark's voice. The women both turned. The doctor entered the huge room. "Joanne's here too," she added. The two women sank into chairs opposite the consultant and guard.

"The police have attended Adam's house and seized his phone and laptop," Dr Stark said. "Looking for evidence."

"Ha," both women laughed bitterly in unison. "They won't find anything," Charlotte said. "He's not stupid. He'll have written it on another machine, used someone else's printer or something. They won't find anything on his personal devices."

"Perhaps not, but it might lead them to something. We'll just have to wait and see. Now I must ask," Dr Stark began. "Please just let me finish. Are you both sure you want to hear this?"

"Yes," both women said in unison.

"I know you're trying to protect me Dr Stark," she said. "For which I thank you and acknowledge this. But please. I'm not the woman I once was who came through these doors, and it won't make me slide back. I'm determined on that. Adam won't make me give in. Not again! Not this time!

"That's my girl," Joanne said.

"Indeed," Dr Stark agreed. "Well ok, just don't say I didn't warn you. We will willingly talk to either of you afterwards if you need it. Understand?"

Both women nodded. Dr Stark sighed and both felt a rush of respect and affection for her. She didn't want to read it any more than Charlotte had written it. She was a damn good professional, but also a damn good woman.

"Ok," Dr Stark said, her tone making it very clear this was the last thing she wanted to read to them. Danielle, Charlotte, and Joanne all smiled at her, acknowledging this. Dr Stark took a deep breath. "If you want me to stop, just say so. Ok?" She took another breath before beginning to read.

"Dear Mr. Myers,

I write this to you with a heavy heart. The last thing I want to do is betray my close and dear friend, but neither can I stand by and just listen to her talking about you this way. I know you have done nothing but try to help her since she entered Smith's Grove hospital, and she's told you she appreciates it, even that she doesn't know what she'd do without you."

"How the fuck does he know that?" she exploded. "His fucking mole whoever they are! They must've heard me say it!" She looked angry though, not sad. "Motherfucker. God, I hope you find out who it is and stop them! Execute them if I have anything to do with it!"

Dr Stark and Joanne both gave a quiet, "hmm," of sympathy, before Dr Stark continued reading.

"I'm afraid Mr. Myers, this is a lie. Danielle doesn't appreciate you at all. She's terrified of you. That is no crime, everyone is including me. But the things she has said to me about you I can't keep to myself. I don't feel right doing so when you're trying to help her like this. She doesn't care about you Mr. Myers. She might say she does, but this is also untrue. In fact, she is just using you if you will keep herself safe. She knows she's in a dangerous ward and the fact you have noticed her is something she is using to her advantage. She would be happy to see you executed, I promise you. But of course, she had to pretend she meant it, the last thing she could afford to do was make you angry. She's scared of angry men given her past and you being angry would be by far the worst for her. She called you a Psychopath, a dangerous killer, and a remorseless, evil man. If he's even a man, she added. As I say, my heart is heavy writing this. I love her like my sister, but nor can I stand by and listen to this when you're doing so much for her. She's told me everything you've done, and I can't believe she doesn't appreciate you."

"He's fucking bluffing!" It was Charlotte's turn to burst out. "He's guessing! Someone's told him Michael's protecting her and he's making this up! Yes, Dan, you have told me what Michael's done," she squeezed her friend's hand. "I have to say Adam's not stupid, he probably worked out what he didn't get from his fucking spy!"

"I would really like to get to know you Mr. Myers, I would treat you a lot better than she has. I respect and thank you for everything you've done for her and wish I could tell and show you that to your face. I wish you nothing but the best.

Charlotte Avery. X."

Dr Stark placed the paper on the table and there was silence. "Fucking hell!" Charlotte exclaimed. "He even put a fucking kiss on the end! Jesus Christ! I'd like to get to know you. WTF? Does he think I want to get together with Michael or something? God he's a sick fucker! Not that I'm saying being with Michael is sick," she added quickly. "It's the fact that you really care about him and he's using it like this, even hinting to Michael, "I'd like to get to know you!""

I knew what you meant," Danielle assured her friend. It's the, "She'd see you executed," which hurts the most, I think. The, "She never appreciated you.""

"Well don't let it," Joanne said. "If you do, Adam wins. That's what he wants."

"Well said!" Dr Stark and Charlotte said together.

She sighed. "I know. You think I don't know all that already? But… Shit! What makes him think he has the right to do something like this? He thinks he owns me, but this is taking it to an entirely new level."

"It's because he has to be careful," Charlotte said. "He's got so many conditions on him now thanks to our, your, testimony, and he's running out of options. He's angry and getting desperate. That'll make him careless, he'll make mistakes. I bet you the cops will find something incriminating, however well he's tried to hide it."

"I hope you're right; God I hope you're right. I want to see him sent down for life. It's him I'd happily see fucking executed! A million times come to that!"

…

Dr Loomis walked back in from the yard and was about to head to his office when a receptionist called to him. Dr Stark was currently in with the women, and he was now giving Michael some space. "Sir?"

Dr Loomis turned. "Yes?"

"There's a young man to see you," the receptionist said. "Name's Alex Sparks. He's in the visitor's centre waiting to speak to you."

Dr Loomis raised his eyebrows. He normally preferred to be forewarned of visitors, it wasn't often they just turned up. "Ok, thanks Sally."

Turning, he headed out of the ward and towards the visitor's centre. Visitors had to show ID and submit to a search, so there was plenty of security. Clearly, this guy's details had matched.

When Dr Loomis entered the centre, he immediately saw a young man sitting alone in one of the chairs. He looked… there was no other word for it. Nervous. Uneasy. Afraid? Dr Loomis walked over to him.

"Alex Sparks?"

The young man nodded but didn't meet the doctor's eyes. "Can I talk to you?" His voice too was quiet, as if he was making a concerted effort not to be heard. "In," he swallowed. Dr Loomis noticed the gesture. He's nervous. "In private, I mean?"

"Yes, of course," Dr Loomis said, leading the man in to one of the offices in the centre specifically for this purpose.

Once the door was closed, Dr Loomis looked at his visitor. The man was now sweating, his forehead was damp. He still couldn't make eye contact with Dr Loomis. "No… no one can hear us, right?"

"No," Dr Loomis assured him. "The door is soundproof. We have total privacy. How can I help you?"

"Sir, Dr Loomis, please just hear me out?"

"Of course. You have the floor."

The man took a deep breath. The expression on his face was of a man walking up to the gallows. He looked terrified, as if he thought Dr Loomis was about to shoot him or something. His Adam's apple visibly moved as he swallowed again once, twice. He practically screamed SCARED! Dr Loomis didn't press him, just waited and after a minute, the man spoke, his voice still very low.

"Sir, Dr Loomis, my name isn't in fact Alex Sparks. I was sent here by… by someone to visit one of your patients. I was to use this name to see them. I was to pass on a message to that patient."

"I see." Dr Loomis said, keeping his voice neutral. He glanced at the man in front of him, then the ID round his neck. If his security had failed him, someone would pay with their job! But even from here the doctor could see they looked very alike. Whoever had sent him in, and Dr Loomis had a very good idea who, had clearly planned this carefully. Just like the letter.

"Based on this then I'm going to assume you are not going to tell me your real name. May I ask which patient you were supposed to visit?"

"Danielle Hayward," the man almost whispered. Dr Loomis felt his anger rise. So, he'd been right.

"I see." He said again. "What were you supposed to say? What is this message?"

"I…" the young man turned away, unable to look at Dr Loomis now. He didn't speak, but picked up a piece of paper and wrote on it, handing it to Dr Loomis once he was done.

WATCH YOUR BACK. ADAM WANTS YOU. YOU ARE HIS AND NOTHING WILL CHANGE THAT. NO MATTER WHO TRIES TO PROTECT YOU, EVEN MICHAEL MYERS WON'T SUCCEED!

Dr Loomis read the message and nodded. The young man was sweating profusely now and was deathly pale. He almost looked like Michael's infamous mask.

"But I couldn't do it," he was speaking faster now, as if desperate to get his words out now that part was over. "I can't trick a blind woman Sir; I don't have the conscience to do it. If… If they knew I was here now talking to you, warning you, it'd… It'd be well, bad."

"Which I acknowledge and know what this must've taken you," Dr Loomis said, his voice gentle now. "We can take measures to protect you too."

"You can't," the guy looked close to panic now. "I must get back and tell them I've passed the message on. If I don't…"

"Am I to assume then it wasn't Adam? But someone higher up the criminal chain?"

"I… I can't say!"

Dr Loomis took from that that he was probably right. Adam had probably ordered him to do it, but he had to report to a very dangerous higher up. Whoever was controlling the person watching her, perhaps? Dr Loomis flashed back to Chancer and his so-called iPod. He was seriously considering asking the techs to have another look at it, whatever they or Chancer might say. His alarm bells were still ringing, and loudly.

…

An hour later, Dr Loomis was once again in his office about to go and see Michael again, when the news flashed up on his TV screen. He looked up and felt a chill in his stomach.

Unknown male found deceased at side of highway, the headline said. If anyone knows this male's name, please contact the local police immediately. He was found deceased half an hour ago, badly beaten and with severe head trauma. It was a very nasty attack, and we believe the male would've suffered a lot of pain in the minutes before his death. We are putting this out this quickly because we need to identify this male as a matter of urgency.

Dr Loomis felt a wrench in his heart. He knew what'd happened without having to think too hard. This was murder. Planned, meditated, murder. And he knew why it'd happened. Because the man currently on his screen, was the very same one who'd stood in front of him terrified, just an hour before. He'd died for his actions and warning. No wonder he'd been so afraid. Dr Loomis bowed his head.

"Rest in peace stranger," he said softly before leaving his office. "And thank you. Your brave actions and warning will not be in vain. You have my word."

…

From where Charlotte Avery was standing, there was only one way to resolve the shit Adam had tried to stir. She had to speak to Michael herself. She would wait if Dr Loomis asked if she had to, but by God she was going to do it before leaving. Hatred and anger consumed her for Adam which had nothing to do with the hell he'd put her through. Compared to what he was doing to her now, hers had been child's play. The son of a bitch was the one who was pure evil, maybe even more so than Myers. She had cracked some of Michael's shell, while she didn't think anyone would change Adam. She agreed with her. The death penalty was too good for him.

They were now sitting in the staff canteen with Joanne, sipping hot tea and eating breakfast. She still looked pale and wasn't eating much.

"Come on," Charlotte prodded her. "You need to eat something."

"I can't," her friend's face lacked most of its usual colour. "What if this is it? The end? If Michael truly believes I said that stuff, then… My suicide will have just been a dress rehearsal."

"We won't let it happen," Joanne said fiercely. "Not a chance."

"This woman talks sense," Charlotte said. "So, listen. We'll make Adam fucking admit it to Michael's face if we must!"

"Ha, he might not live long enough to do it."

"Well good. Precisely what I was thinking. But seriously Dan, don't worry. We'll make sure he somehow finds out the truth."

"Maybe I should've told him I love him sooner. Before…"

"Stop it!" Charlotte and Joanne said together. "You can't do that," Charlotte said firmly. "The what if or I wish games. They won't do you any good and you'll just drive yourself mad."

"Yes, I know," she lowered her head into her hands. "But shit! Adam's probably really got what he wants this time."

"I don't think so," Charlotte growled. "Over my dead fucking body!"

"Well said" Joanne nodded. Charlotte pushed the plate of food back to her friend.

"Eat. I'll force feed you if it comes to it."

"With me restraining you," Joanne threatened. She knew they weren't joking. She picked up her fork and tried to do as she was told.

…

"Someone must've followed him here!" Dr Stark stared at Dr Loomis in horror. "There's no other explanation."

The two doctors were standing in his office looking at the video footage of Dr Loomis' recent and now dead visitor. They were trying to identify him but they both knew it was an impossible task. For a start, they had no real name to go on. Just the fake one he'd given. Alex Sparks.

"You can see how terrified he is," Dr Stark continued. "I'm surprised he's not screaming."

Dr Loomis sighed. "I know. I tried to make him stay, said we'd help him any way we could, I could see how scared he was, he wasn't here of his own free will. He was under duress. But he wasn't a prisoner, I couldn't keep him here unless I had a reason to believe he was a danger to himself or someone else."

"Spare me the medical stuff," Dr Stark snapped. "I'm a doctor to in case you've forgotten! You can't get in much more danger than he's dead half an hour after leaving, can you? He couldn't have done this to himself! I logged in to our side of the police database and saw the pics! They're…" She swallowed. "Horrific, Sam. His head…" She stopped herself. "Well, it's bad. I'm guessing he was hit with something like a hammer. Nothing else would've caused injuries like that."

"I knew he was afraid of something, but I never suspected this…"

"Then maybe you should have! This was murder, Sam! Stone, cold, murder! If he was as scared as he looks," she jolted her head at the video screen. "Then surely your alarm bells rang?"

Dr Loomis held up his hands. "Gemma, I agree. I should've done things differently. But I never dreamed of murder. How do you think I feel? I feel like I'm partially to blame for this because I didn't act on my gut instincts."

Dr Stark softened slightly and looked at him properly. "No Sam," she said quietly. "You're not a murderer. Whoever killed him is to blame, not you. You're right. How were you to know? He'd just walked into our reception."

Dr Loomis shook his head. "No. When he wrote me that message to her from Adam, I should've acted. I knew then who we were dealing with. Adam may not have murder on his record, but we both know he'd have killed her if given the chance. The machete, remember?"

Dr Stark nodded darkly. "All too well I'm sorry to say. But do you really think Adam did this? With all his conditions? Plus, you called the police, didn't you? They went to his house. Also, Adam lives nowhere near here."

Dr Loomis glared at the screen. "No, I don't think it was Adam himself, but I do think he got someone to follow our visitor. Somehow, they knew he'd warned me instead of just passing on the threat to her like he was told to do and then get out."

"But how?" Dr Stark asked. "Some kind of recording bug? Surely our security would've picked that up?"

"I'd like to say yes, but you know how sophisticated the higher up criminal gangs are. They can probably produce bugs we'd never even think of, never mind see. I suggest we show the picture to Charlotte," Dr Loomis said after a moment's pause. "If anyone will know him she might."

"Good thinking," Dr Stark nodded. "But I also think one of us should go and speak to Michael, tell him what's happened. I strongly believe this, and the letter are linked, just as you do."

Dr Loomis considered for a second then slowly nodded to his colleague. "Ok. I will. I'm his doctor and I need to… Uh, assess his state of mind before anyone else sees and talks to him, or gets too close."

Dr Stark nodded but made no comment, she didn't need to. They both understood what Dr Loomis meant. "Ok, I'll go and see Charlotte, show her this photograph. Meet you back here?"

"Ask Charlotte if she'll come back here. We'll show her in privacy. Ask Joanne to take Danielle for some air or something. Show her the photo and I'll meet you back here as soon as Michael and I are done. Ok?"

Dr Stark said nothing, just left the room. Although Sam Dr Loomis was trying to remain professional, detached from the case, his own anger was building. She didn't deserve any of this and now a man had died while in his own way trying to protect her. Adam Dawson knew no bounds and Dr Loomis would be privately happy when the son of a bitch was down for life.

…

"What, the, fuck?"

Adam knew he had to be careful, knew he was speaking to one of if not the most feared crime lord in America, but right then he was furious. This had gone way further than he'd ever intended. Not that he was sorry to hear the dwarf had died, but…

"I don't want murder on my fucking record, Sir," he added, with genuine acknowledgement of Chris Leach's authority. If he was honest, he couldn't believe the crime boss had even agreed to meet with him. Before formatting his phone, Adam had written down the number of the organisation working for him, memorised it, and then swallowed the piece of paper. He'd called it as soon as he'd got himself a cheap non traceable phone and asked to speak to someone face to face. To his surprise, leach himself was here. They were in the very internet café Adam had written and printed the letter from. Adam had assured Leach they were safe. That said, he wouldn't have been surprised if Leach also knew the owners. "Sir, Mr. Leach, why?"

"Oh Adam," Leach drawled, in the tone of voice of an impatient teacher trying to explain to a stubborn child that one plus one equalled two. "Don't you understand? He was a liability. We bugged him you see, and on your request may I remind you, followed him. There was a bug which was made to look like a boiled sweet in his bag. State of the art powerful, I might add. Their security would not have even seen it."

Leach pulled out a very realistic looking boiled sweet complete with wrapper and held it up so Adam could see it. "Starts recording as soon as we hit a button on one of our phones, each one has its own unique number. Anyway…" He then took out a digital recorder and pressed play.

"But I couldn't do it," I can't trick a blind woman Sir; I don't have the conscience to do it. If… If they knew I was here now talking to you, warning you, it'd… It'd be well, bad."

"Which I acknowledge and know what this must've taken you," said another voice, which could only have been Dr Loomis. "We can take measures to protect you too."

"You can't, I must get back and tell them I've passed the message on. If I don't…"

"Am I to assume then it wasn't Adam? But someone higher up the criminal chain?"

"I… I can't say!"

"You, see?" Leach pressed stop. "He was I repeat a liability, Adam. What else would you have had us do?"

"How the fuck did you guys know I was using him anyway? That I'd asked him to do this?"

"Now Adam." Leach now really did look at him as if he were stupid. Adam couldn't stop himself shrinking back into his seat. Leach could have him killed too on a whim and with a click of his fingers, and Adam wasn't foolish enough to deny this fact. "Come on my friend, this is business. It's nothing personal. But we had to make sure you didn't double cross us in turn. You could just as easily have got cold feet and told the authorities you were having, you're…" He paused. "Desired woman watched. We've been listening to your calls ever since you hired us."

Adam wanted to challenge this, but he didn't dare. Chris Leach and Michael Myers were the two men who Adam Dawson was truly afraid of and one of those men was sitting just across from him at a dirty café table. He didn't want to die today.

"You could've done the same," he'd said before he could stop himself.

Leach laughed. Adam understood the stupidity of his last statement. Leach was a feared crime lord, approaching the cops was not part of his plans.

"How can they possibly pin this on you?" Leach continued, still as if he were talking to a child. "We also know the pigs were at your house today, one of my men was watching the building. We know they have your phone and laptop. You were at your house when they arrived and where this individual was found deceased is about two and a half hours away from you. Relax."

"But they could link me by association!" Adam slammed his hand down on the wood. "Jesus' man!" He took a breath. "Sir, Mr. Leach, I'm serious. They know I knew this guy, I made his life hell at college, bullied him relentlessly. It won't take a genius or police expert to work that much out! I guarantee he'll have reported it to the cops before now!"

"Well, he can't tell them anything now," Leach gave a thin-lipped smile. "Can he?"

"I'm already in some serious shit because of so-called domestic abuse, I can't have anything come back to me or I'm down! For life! But I own that fucking bitch and she seems to have forgotten that, insolent cunt! So, I intend to remind her of this! Her and Avery!"

"Then think about it. Perhaps the fact someone has… Uh, passed, will help you in that endeavour. Even if she doesn't know it was, you're doing, she might suspect it and knowing someone has died will only make her fear worse."

Adam looked into the crime lord's cold blue eyes and had to admit he had a point. He took a breath and swallowed. "You promise this murder will not come back on me?" He couldn't stop himself asking the question and knew Leach would mock him for it, but he had to be sure.

"Now why do you need me to tuck you in and give you your teddy? Tell you it was just a nightmare? Adam, you. Weren't. There!"

"His association to me though."

"For fuck's sake!" Leach snapped now and Adam physically recoiled. Damn this guy scared him. "Stop being such a fucking cry baby! What's done is done! If you don't like the way we handled your… business for you, take it up with us after we terminate your contract! I am far too busy to listen to you wet your pants in fear! Contrary to what you may think or believe, I can't perform miracles to keep you safe from the cops for life! If all you intend to do in this meeting is cry like a baby…" Leach made as if to stand. "Then you'll excuse me but I'm busy."

Adam felt a jolt of panic. He couldn't lose their work now. Not when he was this close to getting his hands on both of his bitches. "Sir, please Mr. Leach, I'm sorry. I just don't want to be behind bars for the rest of my life."

Adam knew Leach was one of the most feared men in the whole of the States. The authorities could never pin any of the dirty work itself on the man. Leach stayed in the shadows, pulling the strings, causing his puppets to dance to his tune. He was a leader, not a worker. When someone died, the authorities where sure Leach had authorised it, but was never found anywhere near the knife handle or gun trigger. Adam knew enough to know Chris Leach dabbled in everything. Drugs, prostitutes, firearms, knives, the works. He'd heard rumours even the police were afraid of him. That cold stare was just as bad as Myers in its way. You saw it, you were probably either dead or your house was going to be burgled, you would be raped, robbed. If Leach had his eyes on you, you'd better run for the hills. Adam was very close to doing that very thing himself right now.

Leach slowly sat down again, his cold gaze never leaving Adam's face once. "I don't have time for this," he looked at his gleaming platinum Rolex. "If you're not finished, make it quick. I have places to be."

"I… I know," Adam stammered. "So, I thank you for even meeting with me Sir. I didn't expect you yourself, I thought you'd send one of your… Henchman instead."

"I considered it," Leached lounged back in his seat. "But you do provide us with valuable and profitable business Adam, so I decided it couldn't hurt me to spend a little of my precious time hearing what you've got to say. Perhaps if I'd known then how weak you are, I might not have agreed to us taking your business."

Adam felt a twinge of anger, but quickly stifled it. Chris Leach was not someone who you shouted at and lived to talk about it afterwards. At the very least he'd get very badly beaten and that's if he was lucky.

"Anyway," Leach made a show of holding up his expensive Rolex again. It probably cost more than Adam's house. "Anything else Adam?"

"Will you still watch her for me? With your man on the inside?"

"Well," Leach said. "I think you know the answer to that. Depends on if you keep paying. But we won't if you don't stop crying about the… Unfortunate incident today. We decided he had to die as part of doing business for you and we made that decision without your permission. Sorry if you throw your toys out of the pram as a result."

"But won't that cost me extra?" Adam blurted out and immediately wished he hadn't. If anything, it would just encourage the gang boss to do just that and charge him more. Sure enough, Leach appeared to be considering the question. Adam cursed himself. This had already cost him several thousand dollars of the money he'd saved, money his father had given him when he went to prison, and asking this would only make it worse.

"You get this one for free," Leach said after a moment. "He was a fucking small dwarf anyway. Who'll miss him? You'd have to crouch down to even see him! So no, not this time. But I will warn you now, if we must conduct any further… Eliminations on your behalf, we'll have to charge you for the privilege."

"Of course," Adam said quickly. "I totally understand Mr. Leach Sir."

Adam couldn't hide his relief the crime lord had decided not to terminate his contract, for now at least. For a horrible moment there, he'd feared that'd been about to happen. For the first time in his life, Adam got a glimpse of how women must feel when they called him Sir and feared him. The power Leach had over him was exactly how they must feel. But this didn't soften him at all. That was just fine with him. It was a woman's place after all to be controlled by men. But he had to admit the feeling of helplessness wasn't something he wanted to feel again, not after experiencing it in this meeting for himself. Having to suck up to Leach out of fear of his very name, losing his organisations work and if he wasn't careful, his own life. The very fact Leach had constantly and casually addressed him as "Adam" when Adam wouldn't have dared call the other man Chris, only demonstrated the huge power gap between them. Adam might be the client, but he was at the bottom of this chain and Leach was making damn sure he knew as much.

"Mr. Leach," Adam said quietly. He wasn't sure what made him ask this question, but he had to know. "Would you ever want to meet Michael Myers?"

Leach appeared to be seriously considering the question. "Hmm," he said slowly. "You know Adam, if I could only persuade him not to kill me, or any of mine unless I asked him to, he would be a very valuable, great asset and weapon indeed."

Adam nodded. This was true. He sincerely hoped his letter had undone any chance she might have had of being protected by the masked killer. In as few words as possible so as not to test the crime lord's patience any further, he told leach what he had done. He wasn't exactly sure why he was telling him this, did he unconsciously want a little of the criminal boss's praise?

"Very inventive," Leach said when Adam was done. Adam knew that was all he was going to get.

"I want to try and stop him protecting her," Adam said. "He scares me, Mr. Leach."

Adam knew the other man would never admit it, but was sure Leach feared Myers too. But even if he'd said he didn't, , Adam wouldn't have believed him.

…

Samuel Loomis stepped out into the exercise yard once more and approached Michael. He was still standing perfectly still, attached to his concrete block.

"Michael?" Dr Loomis softly called the killer's name and immediately their eyes met and locked. "I need to talk to you," Dr Loomis continued. "Please will you come with me?"

Of course, no response, but neither did the killer resist when the guards released him from his block and escorted him inside still in chains. Dr Loomis led them in to one of the therapy rooms, but he didn't open the security glass door for Michael to be taken through.

"Uh, Sir…" one of the guards began. "Shouldn't…"

"This is my session," Dr Loomis said briskly. "My decision, I can take it from here thank you gentlemen."

The guards stared at him incredulously, but their job was security, not the patient's welfare. So, they unchained Michael in silence. Dr Loomis was the expert and their boss. "Does he have a fucking death wish?" One muttered as they reached the door. "Crazy, suicidal. You wouldn't catch me alone with Myers without chains."

Dr Loomis pointedly pressed the button to close the door, blocking the guards off. Internally though, he understood the guards concern and respected them for trying to do their jobs. But he had a panic button if needed and given previous interactions with Michael, didn't think it would be.

"Please will you take a seat?" Dr Loomis asked his patient. No orders here, they were equals in this room. Dr Loomis knew that was the only way to get through to Michael. Slowly, the silent killer did so. The doctor stepped over to the other side of the desk, so they were opposite each other, not breaking eye contact.

"Michael, I need to tell you something. A rather… unfortunate event occurred today which all of us agree, or at least are sure Adam Dawson was behind." Dr Loomis was sure he saw Michael tense at the sound of Dawson's name. He nodded to the other man. "I know. That's why I needed to tell you. I think you deserve to know given… current events. Earlier this afternoon, a man entered the visitor's reception asking to see me. He gave me the name of Alex Sparks, later giving me strong reason to believe this wasn't in fact his real name, though he didn't confirm this. He wrote me this. Dr Loomis handed Michael the piece of paper the now deceased man had written him.

WATCH YOUR BACK. ADAM WANTS YOU. YOU ARE HIS AND NOTHING WILL CHANGE THAT. NO MATTER WHO TRIES TO PROTECT YOU, EVEN MICHAEL MYERS WON'T SUCCEED!

"You, see?" The doctor said softly. "Even Michael Myers won't succeed! Why would Adam have said that unless he'd made a conscious effort to ensure this was indeed the case. His man was too scared even to say it and had to write it! She is really upset and desperate for you to believe her. She didn't say any of this to Charlotte or indeed to anyone else. For her part, Charlotte wants you to believe she didn't write it and is just as troubled by today's events. As I have told you previously, she really cares about you Michael. She wants to show you that."

The killer raised a cold eyebrow. Dr Loomis gave him a small smile. "Now I can't tell you how, that's for her to do. But will you give her that chance, Michael? That's a decision only you can make. No one else can do so for you. You need to decide if you will let yourself trust her, or if you really, truly believe she would've betrayed you this way after all you've both been through since she got here. Not only that, but whether you honestly believe Charlotte wrote that. She'd never hurt her, and by association you. She knows how much Danielle cares about you and wouldn't do anything to endanger that. She's here right now, Michael. Charlotte. She wants to speak with you. The question is, will you let her? She was so upset when she told her about the letter, she got straight into her car and drove the almost three hours from her house to here. Now if that doesn't tell you she didn't write it, nothing will. No one's that good an actor, Michael. She was in floods of tears to me on the phone earlier. She was begging me to let her speak with you. My question to you now is, will you let her? Will you let yourself love, Michael? Believe this was indeed an act of evil, calculated malice designed to do exactly what you're letting it do? Will you show her she's wrong and by doing so, help her fight back?"

…

"Charlotte?"

Charlotte turned. It was Dr Stark. "Yes doctor?"

"I'm sorry to disturb you all, but please may I have a word with you? I need to show you something."

Charlotte nodded immediately and stood.

"Is it ok if I take a walk?" Danielle asked. "I think I need some air."

Though of course Dr Stark didn't say this, this was exactly what she was hoping for. Michael was now inside the building, so she'd have the yard to herself. Her and Joanne at least.

"Of course you can, you don't need to ask. You take as much time as you need, and we'll meet you back here when you're done. Ok? Joanne can let you back through with her pass."

"Will do," Joanne said. she managed a small smile and Joanne took her arm, leading her into the exercise yard.

As soon as they were gone, Dr Stark turned to Charlotte.

"You were hoping for that weren't you?" The young woman asked. "That she would take some air. You don't want her to hear this?"

"You could be a psychiatrist yourself," Dr Stark smiled at her. "Correct. I didn't want her to hear this. She's been through enough."

"Tell me about it," Charlotte growled. "Adam's pulling out all the stops here and it's killing me I can't do anything about it!"

"That's where you may be wrong," Dr Stark said as they began walking towards Dr Loomis' office. "You're her best friend, like you said you're like sisters. You can probably do more for her than anyone else."

"Now you do sound like a psychiatrist," Charlotte said with a grin. "Also, are you sure about that? More than even Michael?"

"Well," Dr Stark grinned back. "That remains to be seen, and I know you want to speak to him before you leave. Dr Loomis is speaking to him at this moment, so we'll see how that goes first."

"Do you…" Charlotte hesitated. "Do you think he's… well, coming round?"

"If you mean do I think he's starting to believe it was Adam, I don't know as I haven't seen him myself since it happened, but if you're honest with yourself, you probably believe the same as Dr Loomis and I do. That Michael believed it deep down and has done since this began."

"You think?" Charlotte stared at the doctor.

"You don't?"

"I… Well, I don't know," Charlotte Admitted. "I hope you're right, but well he is a silent masked killer. He's never had reason to trust before, what if everything that's happened is… like wiped out of his mind by this?"

"While I understand where you're coming from," Dr Stark touched Charlotte's shoulder. "I don't think so. A lot has happened between them, a lot of time has passed. I don't think even Michael would let it all go just like that. Of course, he's unsure and by the sounds of it you understand that just as we do. Charlotte nodded. "But we both think deep down he knows she didn't say, and you didn't write any of it."

They had reached Dr Loomis' office and entered. Dr Stark made sure the door was securely closed, then picked up the file from Dr Loomis' desk.

"Charlotte, I need to ask you to keep what I'm about to tell and show you to yourself now, don't even talk to her about it. Can you do that for me?"

"Of course," Charlotte said immediately. Dr Stark smiled at her. Charlotte took a seat opposite her, and the consultant opened the file.

"Do you recognise this man, Charlotte?"

Charlotte looked at the HD quality photo the doctor had just handed her.

"No," she said after a moment. "Never seen him before."

"Are you sure?" Dr Stark prompted.

Charlotte studied the picture closely again then nodded. "Yep, certain. I don't recognise him. Sorry."

"Don't be silly. No worries. Now please watch this?" Dr Stark showed Charlotte the video of Dr Loomis' visitor and the conversation between them.

"Wow he looked scared shitless," Charlotte said when the video was over. "Like he might as well have had help written on his forehead."

Dr Stark sighed sadly. "Indeed. But we couldn't keep him here as he wasn't a patient or anything. So, he left when he was done."

"Ok," Charlotte said slowly, clearly trying to join the dots. "Then… where is he now?"

Dr Stark sighed again and brought up the news report. Charlotte clapped a hand to her mouth in horror.

"Fuck! Don't tell me! You… you think one of the goons Adam's got working for him to watch her…" she couldn't finish.

"He was followed here," Dr Stark said. "He must've been. I'm also guessing he was bugged so they knew what he said. I think that's why he wrote this, too scared to say it." She handed Charlotte a copy of the man's message.

WATCH YOUR BACK. ADAM WANTS YOU. YOU ARE HIS AND NOTHING WILL CHANGE THAT. NO MATTER WHO TRIES TO PROTECT YOU, EVEN MICHAEL MYERS WON'T SUCCEED!

"Jesus," Charlotte looked horrified. "But see? "Not even Michael Myers will succeed!" Doesn't that show you Adam's responsible? God! A stranger died to protect her! "I can't trick a blind woman," he said. That makes it so obvious…"

"Again, that's exactly what we thought," Dr Stark said. "Which is why we don't want her knowing."

"Yeah," Charlotte looked sad. "It would tear the poor woman apart. It upsets me and I don't even know the guy. She would blame herself I know it. She'd say in some way it's her fault because Adam is after her or something crap like that! It'd break her heart!"

Dr Stark smiled sadly. Charlotte could tell she agreed. "Dr Loomis is showing Michael the very same message and video as we speak."

"Too bad we don't know who killed this poor guy," Charlotte said sadly. "So, we could ask Michael to take revenge."