At Grape's Grocery:

Mort *Enters Grape's Grocery, smiles beguilingly at Melissa*  Hi, where's Ted .. no, sorry it's Gilbert isn't it?  He always seems to be out on deliveries.  He should really spend more time here helping you instead of leaving you all alone.  *Glances toward the garden equipment*  Looks like you have an excellent selection of shovel's on hand.  I'll take a dozen of them but *Gives Melissa a suggestive look* you have to deliver them not Gilbert.  *Turns to leave*  I'll be waiting.

Assistant:  Oh wait, sir!  You’re mistaken, I'm not Melissa.  My name is Katie, I just escaped here ... moved here, from Cruiseville a couple days ago.  I was just hired yesterday do to the fact that unfortunately, Melissa is doing time.  We all hope she'll be out soon.  *Looks over to the shovels*  But the shovels, that’s great!  A dozen on my second day!  I will deliver them as soon as possible! It was very nice to meet you..!

Mort *With a cocky grin*  I see, Katie is it?  Yes, that'll be most kind of you.  By the way cancel that special order of fertilizer I requested last week.  *Studies her closely*  I believe you'll serve ..... I meant to say, I've decided to use some I've recently encountered .... *Makes a face* found already on hand, that is.  Thank you very much.  *Another smile and exits the door.*

Katie *Shuffles through the papers under the counter looking for his order of fertilizer*  Hmm what’s this.. *She finds a note for her titled Do NOT sell shovels to ...  Looks at the big bold print  .. KAT!  Flips it over*  Nope, no Mort, but I wonder who that Kat is.  *Forgets about it, finishes loading the shovels into the truck.  Sees Melissa walking towards the grocery.*

Melissa:  Hi Katie!  Getting a delivery ready for Gilbert?

Katie:  No actually, its for you!  And, you’re free?

Melissa:  Yes, the Vice Mayor let me go, she’s such a great friend!  What do you mean for me?

Katie:  This man, Mort?  He came by and asked for you, not Gilbert, to deliver a dozen shovels to his home.

Melissa:  Ah, I see.  *Thinks for a moment*  Ohhh I see!!  Wow, I've never done this before.  *Walks into the grocery, heads over to the cooler, grabs a bucket of ice cream and brings it out to the truck.*

Katie:  Oh no, he never asked for ice cream.

Melissa:  I know, just something I haven’t explained to you yet ...  *Drives off to Mort's house*

At Mort's house

Mort *stands and looks at the disaster the Security wrecked in his corn field digging up that female.  He didn't know of his brother's plans but it would have been good for the crop with some fertilizer.  The ones he bought from Grape's earlier didn't serve well their purpose. Neither the stuff from Foodland ... His face brightens when he hears the approaching truck, and he goes to meet it.*  Hello, Melissa!  How nice that you could come yourself.  *He eyes her critically.  She is a bit too small and she could have more flesh on her bones .... he shrugs*  Can I help you unloading the goods?

Melissa *Slams the old door shut, walks to the back of the truck*  Yes, its all in here.  *Follows him to where he wants the shovels set down, watching him from behind.  Dear God, look at that hair, and those clothes, I hope this doesn't take too long.*  Right here is ok?  *Laying them down on top an old dirty bag that reads Foodland Fertilizer.*  Foodland?  That bastard!  *A worried look crosses her face as that may have come out too loudly.  She turns and jumps back, only a foot away from him now.  Smiles innocently*  And um, er .. the ice cream, should we take it inside?

Mort *gazing at the wonderful new sharp shovels, testing the blade*  Ah, these are just excellent.  *he hears her mumble something and sees the Foodland bag.*  Just a try*  He shrugs*  Their fertilizer is no good.  I need better stuff for my cornfield.  *a puzzled look crosses his face* What ice cream?

Melissa:  Well!  I could have told you that.  *Rolling her eyes at the thought of Foodland.  Starts to walk back to the truck, stops and looks, walks back this time toward the side of the house*  And there’s your proof!  Geezus Mort, look whats its done to your cornfield!  *Looks closer*  What on earth are you doing to it?  *Looks at him*  Oh, ice cream?  Who said anything about ice cream?  *Forgets it, a little embarrassed.  Focuses back on the cornfield.  Walks right past him to go inspect*  You know, that’s a real shame, you ought to get your money back for that!

Mort *grabs one of the new shovels and starts to walk after her.  This is going much easier than he ever imagined*  You can see where I have used the proper fertilizer ...  Look a that spot, I have to start fresh all over*  He indicates the hole where Salome's body was found and caresses the smooth handle of the shovel*

Melissa:  You sure do like these new shovels eh?  Can’t say I blame ya, brand new shipment, just came in from China.  *Looks down at the hole*  Oh yea, that’s great!  *Kneels down to touch the dirt.  It crumbles underneath her feet, she falls on her butt and into the hole*  Aw damn.  *Turns and reaches her hand up for help*

Mort *takes a quick look around.  There's no one in view, so he grabs the shovel and starts to shovel the earth on her*  Fertilizing the field with good stuff is utterly important.  *He is interrupted by a voice from behind his back, he starts and turns to look at - Mort.*

Mort #2:  I wouldn't do that.

Mort:  Get away.  You don't exist.  And I killed the bathroom door and the mirror.  You are not real.

Mort #2:  Am I not?  What if it is you who don't exist and I am the real Mort?  *he walks to the hole and looks down.*  Why, hi, Melissa!  What are you doing down there?  Here, let me help you up*  He extends a hand towards her*

Mort:  You can't do that!

Mort #2 *helps Melissa up, speaks to Mort*  You are going crazy.  Nuts.  Give me the shovel!  *He twists it out of Mort's hands and hits him on the head with it, kicks the lifeless body into the hole*  Ah, great shovel!  Now, where is that ice cream you promised?  Work makes me hungry.

On the Beach:

Abberline *utterly confused, with a bad headache and still in a state of shock, tries to recall what happened to him after he left Manouche's house, but the only image in his head is the dead woman in his own bed.  He had staggered off to the bathroom to wash off the blood and change his clothes, but as he was pulling off his jacket, he could hear Candy's hysterical voice on the phone, and somehow it triggered him into action.  He left his jacket and felt that he must get as far as possible from that dead body, quietly he descended the stairs and left the house through the back door.  And then he got as far as the beach when he finally stopped.  He looks at the empty sea, his mind totally blank, except for Jeanne.  And his razor lying nearby.  He makes a move as if to take his cigarette case, but it is in the pocket oh his jacket.*  Am I going mad?  *for a moment, a flicker of light enters the darkness.  Maybe he is just hallucinating still.  Maybe there is no body at the house.  But there is still blood on his shirt sleeve, and he sits down on the same fallen tree trunk where ages ago, in some other world, he sat with Raven.*

At the Security office:

Isabella *sitting by the table in the interrogation room at the office with two FBI agents in the usual anonymous black suits; one pacing back and forth in front of the table occasionally stopping to lean in over the table in an attempt to appear threatening or at least superior as he asks her questions while the other keeps the background leaning against the wall by the door.  They’ve been asking her the same questions several times and she has to admit that she’s getting tired, but she feels confident that there are no inconsistencies in her explanations as she’s simply telling the truth.  She sighs and leans back in the chair*  As I’ve said already … I went to the Barries’ house to be with them till the Andersons had been arrested as ordered by Chief Inspector Brasco and by the time I arrived, the Andersons had already been there and had taken Emma.  After talking to James Barrie for a little while, I borrowed his car and went back to the office to pick up Officer Hanson who I’d convinced to go with me.  And as you know, we caught up with the Andersons on the freeway and followed them till they took the exit, then apprehended them and brought them here.

Agent 1 *still pacing back and forth*  But didn’t your superior specifically tell you to stay with the Barries and not go off in pursuit of the suspects?

Isabella:  Yes, those were my orders.  *in her mind she wonders when they’ll change tactics and start doing the good cop/bad cop routine, and she wonders if she’ll be able to keep a straight face if they do*

Agent 1 *leans in over the table again*  And yet you felt it necessary to go against those orders?  Despite the fact that you’re not even an officer yet!

Isabella:  Officer Hanson was with me and arrested the suspects.  *Sighs*  Look, the little girl is my niece; I just couldn’t sit back and do nothing.  I know it may not have been the brightest of ideas, but Emma has been returned safely to her parents, the Andersons are locked up.  What else do you want me say?  Do you want an apology?  Do you want to charge me with something?  *Agent 1 stands up straight and nods to his colleague; the steps back as the other agent approaches Isabella*

Agent 2 *takes a seat opposite her*  Regrettably, you didn’t cross the state border and you were in the company of a trained officer, so we can’t charge you with anything.  If something had gone wrong, the story might be different, but as it is, we have nothing.

Isabella *frowns*  Then what am I still doing here?

Agent 2:  We’ve been watching you for quite some time now.  And quite frankly, we’re not sure if you’d be an asset to the bureau or a liability if we were to offer you a spot at the academy.  *she looks at him quizzically*  You caught our attention a couple of years ago when you started hanging out with a CIA agent by the name of … *looks in the folder in front of him*

Isabella *rolls her eyes*  Sheldon Jeffrey Sands.

Agent 2:  Ah yes, that’s the one … and we became really interested when you started snooping around The Order.

Isabella *instantly on guard*  The Order?

Agent 2 *smiles slightly*  Yes, The Order … secret organization, good at covering their tracks, friends in high places and just about all major organizations in the country, if not the world.  You came closer to them than any of our own agents have managed … quite impressive.  And that’s why you’re still here.  We want to know what you know.

Isabella *studies him for a moment trying to assess if he’s trying to bring down The Order or if he’s part of it; decides to play it safe*  Well, you said it yourself … they have friends in high places and major organizations.  How do I know that you’re not one of them?

Agent 2:  Trust.  You’ll have to trust me.

Isabella *shakes her head*  Sorry, not gonna happen.  Whatever I know or don’t know about The Order stays with me.  And as for a spot at your academy; you don’t need to figure out if I’d be an asset or a liability. It has no interest.  *Rises from her seat and starts towards the door*  Have a nice day, gentlemen.  *Agent 1 looks at the other agent in question, then steps away from the door as the other nods.  She takes a deep sigh of relief as soon as she’s out in the hall; she didn’t really think they were going to let her go that easily*

In the hospital:

Ava *sits silently in the waiting room waiting for some one to see her, she watches the male nurses go by and she mutters to herself* So many male nurses so little time to do them.  *She pulls out the scan picture and looks at her little coffee bean of a baby again. That little baby is getting her into too much hot and steamy trouble, she glances at the picture for one final time and she puts it into her bag. Although she waits by herself she sings quietly what her heart fells.*  I thought we'd be simple together. I thought we'd be happy together. Thought we'd be limitless together. I thought we'd be precious together. But I was sadly mistaken. You've been my soul mate and mentor. I remembered you the moment I met you. With you I knew god's face was handsome. With you I suffered an expansion.  *she still watches the room doors open and close, yet they do not call her name and she starts to wonder if they have forgotten about her.*

At the Security office:

Ichy *knocks on Donnie's door using a moment when DeeDee is in the powder room*  It's me Constable Crane, none other.  *He listens anxiously for an answer, brushes his coat as if there was dust on it, polishes one button fearing that DeeDee will be back too soon*

Donnie *calls out*  Come on in, Constable Crane.  *as Ichy enters the office*  It’s been a while since I’ve seen you here.  So what can I do for you?

Ichy *salutes*  Constable Crane reports back to duty after a special assignment by Commander Portsmith.  I have to report some very sad tidings to you.  The Commander has framed up Kat, forcing me to build Ravenwood anew so that everyone should question, where she got the money from.  And furthermore, she forced me to do ghost tranq and store it in a hidden place in the cellar.  The building of Ravenwood was done in all haste to complicate the investigation and obscure all traces.  It is my duty to report these things to you, being my chief.  I am ready to go in jail instead of Kat.

On the Beach:

Kat *Stares at Abberline's back curiously.  Tuomas had said Abby needed her and where to find him.  Then strangely enough, he'd said to take him to Ravenwood and keep him there but as usual would not explain anything.  Still uncertain, she simply watches Abby, recalling the old cigarette case in her bag and wishes that she could magically wipe all memory of him from her mind and heart.  No hurt or pain, simply ignorant bliss*

Abberline *stares at the waves hitting the shore.  If he really has committed a deed like that, it means that all his worst fears are confirmed, and that tainted heritage from his father lives on in him, and he may have  passed it on to his son ... So there is only one solution ... Hesitantly he walks to the edge of the water*

Kat *Startled, rushes forward grabbing his arm*  Fred, what is it yer doin'??  Be ye drunk??  Why be ye out 'ere alone.  I thought ye'd still be at Manouche's.  *Sullenly*  What with that child ye wanted naught te do with e'en though I all but begged it of ye suddenly turnin' so special when ye found she were carryin' it 'stead of Metrea.  *Winces*  Apologies, it be no longer my place te say ye nay.  *Tensely*  Come away fro' the water then.  Look there ye done gone and got yer feet wet.  *Tugs his arm*  We're for Ravenwood to get them wet boots offen ye and maybe 'ave a 'ot tawdy.

Abberline *stares at Kat with a remote look*  You're not a hallucination?  Child?  Oh yes, the child ...  It will no more be Metrea's, she's mine and Manouche's .... Kat, I think I killed a woman.  I don't want to live with murder on my conscience ... Go home.  *but he lets her lead him away from the water*

Kat *Incredulously*  Killed a woman!  Don't be daft.  Ye don't 'ave it in ye.  If murders been done it were not by yer 'and!  *Worriedly.*  Aye, I agree there 'opefully will be some of Manouche in 'er blood.  But Metrea still conceived 'er and Cassidy blood will run in 'er veins.  Ye mustn't be thinkin' of 'er as yer and Manouche's babe.  That way leads te naught but ruin.  Ye 'ave te think of Manouche and Blake as well.  Do'na drive a wedge twix them o'er this but think of the child.  An innocent babe not poisoned with hatred and e'il  by Metrea, but yer daughter and sister te Chiana and Raven.  Te be raised in love and security.  That be the key.  *Leads him on to Ravenwood*

Abberline:  But I saw the body, in my bed, and I don't remember anything from the night.  *stops suddenly*  I am not coming there if Crane is there.  Or Jack.  Or someone else you fancy ..  Why are you doing this?  Why don't you just let me be. I can give over the baby to Manouche and Blake, let them raise her ... And just forget about Metrea ... And the accursed Abberline blood ... *stubbornly, but shivering in his shirt and leaning on Kat*  I am not going anywhere.

Kat *Snarls*  Crane 'as become the worst kinda blackguard and scoundrel iffen 'e turns up I'll make short work of 'im!!  *More quietly*  As for Jack, there were naught.  I just wanted ye te think there were.  Abby, please ye canna turn yer back on this child.  Someday she will find out who 'er real parents are and she'll need ye, 'er father te balance the scale.  Else she'll believe ye despised 'er for 'er mother's blood.  *pauses*  my blood and Ama's as well.  *Pulls him close trying to warm him.  Tearfully*  And yer not accursed.  Ye couldna be e'en if ye tried.  I love ye Fred Abberline come 'ell or 'igh water.  *In a harsher tone*  And I'll no leave ye 'ere te seek death.  I willna allow it!!!  Do ye 'ear me.  Now come on, else I'll be draggin' ye, savvy???

Abberline:  I believed there were ... And I have no right to blame you ... I can be there for the child, but why would she have to know about her real mother?  *shudders*  She would turn against me.  *embraces her*  I wish that you would hate me.  It would be much easier for me.  And I wish it had been your child.  *he takes a few hesitant steps, but the world starts slowly to spin around him.*  Kat, I am feeling ill ... I'm cold.

At Bournemouth House:

Charlie *knocks on the door. Instead of his tattered shirt and low-cut tight jeans he appears in a dark stylish suit and his usually ruffled hair combed carefully.  When Candy opens the door, he pushes straight
in*  Security.  Move aside.  I have come to seal off the crime site per Commander Portsmith's orders.

Candy *protests weakly*  But .. she's not more the head, isn't she ... I just called her because I panicked and ..

Charlie *with dignity*  We are the Special Branch, miss.  You don't f*** er, play with the Special Branch.  They play with you.  *he starts up the stairs, looks over his shoulder*  Special Constable Haffner.  You will take your position at the door and remain there unless otherwise commanded.

Helga Haffner *pushes Candy aside*  Yes, Sir!  *the stairs creak under her massive body when she follows Charlie.*

On the Beach:

Kat *to Abberline*  Don't ye see.  She 'as te know.  While she's growin' up it can be tempered with love and knowledge that she carries the blood of 'er grandmother, Gili, a bit of Manouche.  Aye and yers as well and donna use the word cursed again.  Be Chiana or Raven cursed for it as well, eh??  Think 'bout it!  Iffen ye damn the babe for 'er bloodlines, it be the same as cursin' Chiana and Raven, savvy??  If she grows up not knowin'.  The day would come when the truth would out and she'd 'ave no defense for it.  She'd lose faith in all of us for 'avin' lied te 'er.  She'd be lost.  *Holding close to him she notices a cab pull up nearby.  The driver steps out*

Driver *Calls out*  A man called his self Tuomas said I was to pick up a fare here.  I take it that's you two.

Kat *Relieved*  Aye, give me a 'and 'ere.  *They help Abby into the cab and she gives him the address and they turn toward Ravenwood*

Abberline:  And I'll lose Faith when she knows what kind of father she has ... I'd rather lie than let her know about her mother and me.  *he leans his head against Kat's shoulder and shuts his eyes, he's still cold, but her nearness comforts him*  I'm tired and I need a smoke.  *he shuts his eyes and falls asleep*

Kat *Strokes his hair and barely whispers*  Ye'll not lose 'er.  She'll know ye be a good man what only made a mistake.  *Quietly to the driver*  Hurry it up mate.  *Holds Abby close.*

At Portsmith's Office:

Portsmith *staring at Hilda Haffner*  Idiot!  What were you thinking about yo silly cow!  I told you to bring only the important belongings here.  Not these.  *disdainfully she pokes a pile of laundry with the tip of her high heeled boot*

Hilda Haffner:  I did not dare to make the decisions such importance, Commander.

Portsmith:  Get out.  *without giving another glance at the Special Branch Officer she starts to go through the papers of the late Jeanne Missoni.  She raises her eyebrow as she notices that she has 'Monuments Illustrated', with Commander herself on the cover.  Briefly she admires herself, then she goes on.  Passport.  Either faked, or she is really Jeanne Missoni, from New York.  A diary.  Eagerly she clutches it and rips it open.  What a disappointment.  Only meetings and boring stuff.  She shrugs, then inspects some loose leafs that fall out from the diary.  She completely forgets the murder and the gold buried under the town when she reads the letter Jeanne wrote but never sent.*  Interesting, how very interesting, but can that be used?

Madame,

I have located him in a small place in California called Deppville. I will recount all the details to you when I learn more. I talked briefly with him under very dubious circumstances in  place with a bad reputation, but further investigation revealed that he is quite well off, has a family and a big house, and he works as an Inspector. So, for the first time I can send you good tidings. I have found your nephew.

with Reverence,

Jeanne Missoni

At the Security office:

Donnie *frowns as he listens to Ichy … he is tempted to throw him in jail without any questions, but he also knows how the Commander works*  Portsmith forced you to do these things?  She may be the Commander, but I’m assuming you have a mind of your own.  How?  I mean, what was the threat if you refused to take this assignment?

Ichy:  She told me that she'll throw me into her private lockup full with spiders.  *he shudders, wipes his forehead, but gathers from somewhere strength and goes on without fainting, his voice lower, and his eyes wide with horror*  And what is even worse, she threatened me with a tea party with Lady Ainsworth.  And I wanted to build the house again for Kat so that she would have a place to go to when the Inspector gets tired of her and throws her out.  It's inevitable.  I couldn't resist the temptation of a modern, fantastic laboratory.  Science is my main attraction.  *proudly*  I will go to jail, if that is your verdict.

Donnie:  As someone who claims to care about Kat, you should’ve known better.  Despite threats of spiders and Lady Ainsworth or the lure of a science lab.  *Thinks for a moment*  But I won’t throw you in jail.  Secrets tend to not stay secret for very long in Deppville and I’m sure it’ll only be a matter of time before Kat finds out what you did.  *Smiles grimly*  I’m sure she can find a much more suitable punishment for you than jail.  *Turns serious*  In the meantime, I suggest you try to undo some of the damage by removing the ghost-tranq again.

At Ravenwood:

Abberline *wakes up with a start when the driver grabs his arm to help him out.  He feels totally weak and helpless.  It must be more than just the drugs he had, it must be the shock, no, the two shocks in a short while, and the nearness and warmth of Kat feels so intoxicating to him*  Kat, I promise, I will stop using that stuff, but I feel very bad now.  *once inside, he struggles free and staggers to the bathroom, and shortly afterwards he comes back, feeling much more weakened but a little better after emptying the all contents of his stomach, except the heavy stone that seems to have settled there for good, a tight knot of guilt, fear, anguish, regret ...  He lies down on the sofa and takes Kat's arm tightly*  Please don't go anywhere, I need to have you near me.