~ Two Shorten The Road ~
by Irish
Copyright December, 2002

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Author notes and Disclaimers: See Part 1

Feedback is always welcome and appreciated at Irishred1855@cs.com.

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Part 3 (Conclusion)

The next day Karen had them all on an early morning flight to Alexandria about 50 miles from RidgePointe but the closest town with the hotel accommodations they would require, two-two bedroom suites for Tress, Bryg, Paul and Karen and single rooms for the rest, all on the same floor, a conference room with a computer, screen projector and internet access.

Karen rarely if ever accompanied them on an investigation but she insisted and no one, not Tress or Paul tried to argue with her, actually Tress felt better having her along and knew Paul did. They all sat in coach, Bryg downing her third Xanax as the pilot announced they were taxiing to the runway. Her arm was on the armrest and Tress saw her tighten her fist, watched it shake slightly as she opened it wide stretching her fingers to their limits then tightening them again. Her body stiff, faced straight ahead and Tress thought, "she must have been half -unconscious when she took those other flights." The next time Bryg opened her hand Tress slipped hers around it and held the cold, sweat soaked, shaky hand firmly in hers. She felt Bryg's fingers close over hers as Bryg looked up at her and smiled her thanks. Tress nodded and drew her into a conversation about the 'wild sex' in "Libbie and Autie", which was the only part she'd read once she'd found out about it and then want to know how it compared to Cleo's relations. Bryg told her the Custer's were mild in comparison to Cleo and elaborated. By the end of the flight, Bryg was calm and Tress wanted to know how soon she could get an advance copy.

When they reached the Best Western Conference Center, they settled in their rooms, then met in Tress and Bryg's suite.

"Kare, did you get anyone at RidgePointe?" Tress asked.

"I was able to get an appointment with the assistant director, Dr. Harold Primm for today at 11:00, that's the reason for the early flight, and then an afternoon meeting with the FBI special agent for this area at 4:00."

Great," Tress replied.

At exactly 10:50 Tress and Paul arrived at RidgePointe. They'd decided that just the two of them would go speak with Dr. Primm. Chloe and Rick made an appointment with an admittance officer to inquire about the services that RidgePointe could offer for their 'uncle' while Bobbi and Karen would keep Bryg occupied by shopping.

Tress and Paul waited for Dr. Primm in the library. Books filled shelves from the floor to ceiling and Tress kept occupied by looking at some of the titles. A complete eight-foot section had nothing but books on serial killers and mass murderers. Paul was sitting in a chair by the window reading the local newspaper when Tress softly called his name and motioned him to her. A few moments later a nurse came to escort them to Dr. Primm's office.

"Dr. Primm thanks for seeing us on such short notice," Tress said. "This is my associate Paul Hernandez," they shook hands and Tress remarked, "your facility is very unique doctor."

"Yes it is, we tried to keep as much of the original plantation house as possible, history is very important to us."

"I can see that," he motioned to them to sit, "I couldn't help but notice that your library has a rather extensive collection of books about serial killers and mass murderers."

"We are a state institution, Ms. Morgan, and often serve that population. Those are mostly Dr. Hyatt's books, he's our staff expert in that area," he paused, "now what might I do for you, I was confused by your request to see me."

"Actually I was hoping to see Dr. Hyatt while I was here or Richard O'Malley, who I understand owns half of this institution. I'm a private investigator and have some questions regarding Mr. O'Malley's stepsisters, Brygid and Ashlyn. I believe you know Brygid, she was your guest here last year and now Ashlyn's disappeared, also Dr. Hyatt recently purchased something I'd like to ask him about."

"And who are you working for Ms. Morgan and why would you think Mr. O'Malley is here?"

"Ms. Brygid O'Malley is my client and hired my firm to investigate her sisters disappearance and felt that maybe her step-brother would be helpful, he's seemed to have disappeared from New York and since he owns RidgePointe we thought you might know of his whereabouts."

"I'm sorry Ms. Morgan, but I can't help with any of your questions, now if you would excuse me I'm very busy." He stood and held out his hand toward the door.

Tress and Paul continued to sit, "Then may we speak with Dr. Hyatt?"

"Dr. Hyatt is unavailable at this time and is not on the premises," he walked from behind his desk to open the door.

Tress and Paul stood and as they walked by Dr. Primm Tress stopped in front of him, "As you are aware Dr. Primm the injuries Ms. O'Malley's sustained here last year while under your care could still be cause for a lawsuit of malpractice and negligence, not to mention possible criminal charges, I'm sure Dr. Hyatt or Mr. O'Malley would want to avoid unnecessary legal action and attention, please inform them of our interest," she handed him her card which he gruffly took, "I can be contacted at the number on the back."
He stared at her, "Please leave."

"Think about what I said, Dr. Primm," Tress answered sharply.

Paul and Tress drove back to the hotel and waited for Chloe and Rick. Bobbi, Karen and Bryg had returned with Bryg holding a bag of souvenirs. "Shirts for every occasion," Tress said. "Of course," Bryg said, "what did you find out?" "Nothing from Primm, I'm waiting for Chloe and Rick." She ordered room service and as the food was being delivered Chloe and Rick walked in. "Just in time for lunch," Rick said as he sat down and stuffed several fries into his mouth.

"What did you find out?" Tress asked.

"Not much," Chloe said, "got a tour of the rooms, not too bad for the private patients though pretty expensive. We heard some screaming from behind closed doors, the caseworker said it was where they housed the criminally insane, always remained under lock and key and guarded 24/7. Reminded me of what I'd read about Bedlam. Tried to split up and do the 'looking for the bathroom and got lost bit', but couldn't find any unlocked doors. The one thing I did notice is that it is pretty isolated, you could have a Ku Klux Klan rally there and no one would ever know."

Later that day Tress and Paul made a visit to the local FBI office. They were escorted to the director, Jeff Brooks, "Tress Morgan, as I live and breath and Paul Hernandez, how are you both?" Jeff had been one of Matt's best friends and had gone through the academy with him and hugged Tress as she entered the room. "I've been fine Jeff, seems like you've moved up in the world," she said as she surveyed his opulent office. "It's a living," he said, "I hear you're doing well." "It's a living," she replied with a grin. He laughed, "I can't believe you're still hanging around her Paul." "It's a living," he said and they all laughed as he indicated they should sit. "Coffee Tress?"

"Sure," she said and he asked his secretary to bring in coffee for three.

"So what's up, I hear you had a run-in with Menace."

"Not yet," Tress said, "and he better hope I don't," and told him about Ashlyn's disappearance and Bryg's uncovering the photo in Atlanta, she told him of Menace's inaction, of RidgePointe, Richard and the murders, "we've also found evidence that Richard may be involved with the al-Qaida, if so that means Menace missed a big mark."

"Yes, you're right," he pressed his intercom, "Connie, get Thomas in here."

"I assume you have your team here and want to continue your investigation."

"Yes," Tress said firmly.

"I'll assigned Thomas to you, he's young but good. Those murders have been a thorn in our side for a long time, he's a real psycho, besides, I've heard too many strange rumors about RidgePointe and after that affair last year we've had our eye on it but it always been kept just out of our reach. Wouldn't have got in there last year except to escort some court officers. If there's an interstate kidnapping and an al-Qaida sympathizer if not supporter involved it will give me the authority I need to go in there and find out what's going on. I'll contact some sources in Washington, give me what you have and we'll combine our information with it."

"I won't be left out of this Jeff," she said determined.

"No, I'm more concerned you'll leave me out, that's why I'm assigning Thomas as your liaison." She nodded, reached into her briefcase, pulled out the CD that Karen had encoded all the information they had so far and handed it to Jeff then there was a knock at the door and a brown headed, brown eyed man stuck his head in, "You wanted to see me sir."

"Yes," he indicated for him to enter the room and close the door, "Thomas Allen this is Tressa Morgan of Morgan Investigations and her associate Paul Hernandez, they're investigating our local institution, RidgePointe, in connection to a kidnapping. They have strong suspicions that the man that owns it is involved in these murders the last few years and may be an al-Qaida supporter."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Morgan, Mr. Hernandez," Thomas said as he shook both their hands, "I've heard good things about your organization," he paused and Jeff Brooks indicated he should sit down, "RidgePointe, huh, that would really be a break for us sir, it's had it's share of problems lately, with that girl being beaten and raped there last year."

Tress' hands clenched, jaw tightened and voice sharpened, "That girl, Mr. Allen is a Pulitzer Prize winning author, my friend and our client and I'd appreciate it if you would watch the way you talk around her."

"I'm sorry Ms. Morgan, it's just that I was the one that escorted her sister and brother-in-law up there last year with the court officers. I heard what happened and it made me mad we couldn't do anything, I hope she's better."

"She's fine," her voice softened losing its edge, "and it's Tress, but now her sister's missing and with her step-brother one of the owners of RidgePointe we think it's a good place to start."

"It will be hard to get a search warrant, Dr. Hyatt and Dr. Primm have these local authorities in their back pocket."

Tress turned to Jeff, "Try Sarah Walker, the U.S. Circuit Judge over Louisiana, she's the one that helped Ashlyn get Bryg out of there the last time."

"We'll get all the information together, written up and present it to her."

"We're at the Best Western Conference Center," Tress said, "let me know as soon as you find out something."

The phone rang on Jeff's desk and as he listened his eyes fixed on them, telling them to wait a moment, they never left as he finished the conversation, "Thanks, sheriff," he said hanging up and continuing his focus on them, "they've found another body, out on Old Post Road," he glanced at Tress, "it fits your profile."

On the way back to the hotel to pick up the rest, including Bryg who refused to be left behind, Tress and Paul filled Thomas in with what they had so far. Karen and Chloe were deep into research on RidgePointe and decided to stay. Tress grabbed her gun from her room safe and told the others to do the same along with the crime scene equipment. Thomas eyed them but she assured them they were legal and they got into two cars and drove for almost an hour before turning off onto a side road and stopped over a stone bridge.

They met Ben Atkins, the local sheriff and one of those friendly with the FBI, "different jurisdiction, different attitude," he explained, "she was found over there," he pointed to where two deputies were standing, "by some hunters, we've searched the area. We don't think she was killed here, just found a torso, no head or legs and no blood under or around the body. It's pretty decomposed," he hesitated, "abdomen's been slashed, intestines, internal organs and heart are missing."

Ben's words were drowned out by the buzzing in Bryg's ear as if she were in a crowded room with lots of talking, but couldn't make out any of the words. She concentrated and her breathing increased. Paul, Thomas and Rick had walked over to the spot where the body had been found and were examining the area with a flashlight and camera. Bobbi noticed Tress was looking at Bryg who had set her head and brushed past both of them as if she had heard or seen something.

"Bryg," Tress called after her, but received no answer.

She reached the crossroad and turned her head left then right then left again and ran down the lane. "Bryg," Tress yelled. Bobbi was next to her. "Get Paul, Rick and Thomas, I'll follow her, keep in contact," she held up the radio and Bobbi nodded and turned back to get Thomas, Paul and Rick.

Bryg ran, then stopped then ran some more. Tress had no problem keeping her in sight. She'd reach a lane, look down it, straighten her head and run toward the next one. Tress knew she was looking for something or someone, and whatever it was had a hold of her and wasn't letting go. "Probably the place of the murder," the thought entered her head not knowing why, she turned a corner to find her gone.

"Bryg," she yelled. "Bryg," she yelled louder. Her pace quickened as she walked down a darkened lane leading into an open area with a broken down shack at the end.

"Here," she said weakly. Tress followed her voice and found her leaning over some bushes, trembling, hand against a tree for support, and had just finished vomiting. "Need your spray, hurt anywhere else?" he said. She nodded 'yes' and 'no' to the questions. She wrapped her arm around her and led her to the other side of the pathway, lowered her down to the ground against a stone wall that lined the lane and knelt down next to her. Even in the moonlight she could see that her face was ashen, covered in sweat and perspiration and seemed to have trouble keeping her eyes open.

Finding the spray, she gently pushed Bryg's head back and after one spray in each nostril, pulled out the radio and pressed the send button, "Bobbi, Paul, we found something, we're about a quarter mile up the road, a lane on the right lined with a stone wall and leading to a shack, I'm checking it out." She thought she heard something about waiting, but her attention was on Bryg, her voice harsher than intended, "Don't run off like that again," she took a breath, then more gently, "can you tell me what happened?"

She looked at her and swallowed, "Sorry, it's as if I didn't have any control, something pulled me here and I had to follow. I heard a noise coming from this way, like a crow I think, and as I rounded the corner I felt," she stopped, "death." She used her head to point to the back of the lane. "I tried to go back there but the closer I got the sicker and dizzier I became until I had to turn back or pass out. I didn't think passing out was a good idea, god knows what I'd fall on," she smiled weakly, "so I turned back."

"You think the rest of her body's back there?"

Bryg nodded, "The feelings are too strong and I can smell the blood."

Tress turned toward the shack and although she knew the body was too old to have any smell she instinctually sniffed the air, she couldn't discount Bryg's senses, "Stay here," she said, "watch out for the others." Bryg reached up and grabbed her arm, "Be careful." She smiled and patted her hand, stood, pulled out her gun, switched off the safety, and began to walk toward the back of the darkened lane.

The only light she had was the full moon and a small mag light. She heard a noise to the left and swiftly turned her gun and light toward the sound and almost slipped on the wet stones of the entrance. The light followed a rat as it scurried into the underbrush and let out a sigh of relief almost laughing at how she would explain how a rat put her flat on her back. Paul, Bobbi and Rick's voices were faint as they yelled for the Tress and Bryg so she knew they were getting close. Continuing to inch along the wall, her gun in front of her, she didn't have to be psychic to know that something bad happened here. Finally reaching the end she yelled, turned, kicked the door in and flattened her back against the outer wall. Hearing nothing, she pulled the gun parallel to her body and twisted her head so she could see into the shack ready to shoot whatever moved. Scanning the area she saw nothing except the almost mummified head of a woman sitting on top of an overturned pail in the middle of the shack, her eyes open and looking straight at her, her arms secured to the sides of the pail with cord and her legs lying on the ground in front of her as if it were the most natural sight in the world. Her intestines and internal organs were in a pile next to the pail, her heart lying on top. She heard Paul and Rick behind her, "Tress," Paul yelled, "are you all right?"

"Yes, I've found what we're missing," she said as she pointed toward the pail.

Paul and Rick entered the shack and all three checked to see if anyone else was there. Finding no one but the body parts, Rick pulled out the camera and started taking photos and video, "It's pretty decomposed, almost mummified, even the maggots and flies are done with it."

"Where's Bobbi?" Tress asked as she holstered her gun. "Back with Bryg," Paul said, "she looked like she needed help and you were supposed to wait for backup."

"Sorry," Tress replied, "you're right, it won't happen again."

Paul nodded.

"Look's like you found the murder site," Rick said as he walked around documenting blood splashes on the walls.

"Not me, Bryg. Secure the area, document what you can, I'm going back for Bryg and I'll tell Thomas and Ben," Tress said jogging toward the road.

Bryg was still sitting on the ground leaning against the wall, Bobbi and Thomas knelling next to her. Thomas was asking Bryg if she needed an ambulance as Tress stepped out of the shadows. She didn't answer as she looked up at Tress who nodded 'yes'.

'No, I'm OK, I just need to rest a moment," Bryg said closing her eyes in pain or relief, Tress couldn't tell.

Tress motioned to Thomas to stand and lowered her voice, "The murder site's back there, her head, arms, legs, intestines too, blood's everywhere, you better notify your team and get it secured, Paul and Rick have already started."

"How did you know it was here?" Thomas asked.

"I didn't, Bryg did, that's why she took off, I just followed," she replied.

Thomas looked down at Bryg, "Then how did she know?"

"It's a long story," Tress said, "we'll tell you later but first let's get your people here and secure the scene." Thomas pulled out the radio, told Ben and his team they'd found the murder site and gave him directions. Tress knelt down next to Bryg and looked at Bobbie, eyes questioning. Bobbi smiled and nodded indicating she seemed fine. Tress smiled back and asked, "Could you help them?"

Bobbi stood and heard a number of feet breaking twigs and sloshing through mud. Soon Ben and his deputies appeared and saw Bryg on the ground with everyone huddled over her, "Do you need an ambulance, one's just down the road I'll have them come here first?" he said reaching for his radio.

"No," Bryg said opening her eyes, "I'm all right."

Ben looked at Tress who nodded that she was all right. "It's back there," she said to him, jerking her head toward the end of the lane. He turned to follow Thomas and Bobbi down the path and Bryg noticed the bad feeling of the area seeming to disappear as the number of people increased.

Bryg turned to Tress and exhaled a sound of frustration, "Some help huh, how can I help anyone when I throw my guts up every time I think about or get near one of his victims. I couldn't have even held a weapon or radio if I tried, my hands were shaking and sweating so badly."

"These are extraordinary circumstances Bryg and when the time comes, you'll do whatever's necessary," Tress assured her, "remember what Emily said, 'we never know how high we are, until we are called to rise, and then our statures touch the skies'. You'll touch the sky Brygid O'Malley and I have faith in you and that should be all that counts." She smiled and reached her hand down to help her up.

"You really did read my book, I guess I'll have to tell your mom you weren't raised in a barn," Bryg chuckled as she reached her arm out for Tress' hand, "or at least you got out before the barnlike ways set in." They both laughed as she leaned on Tress as she helped her to the car.


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Bryg woke up from a sound sleep, sweating and gulping for air. She had another dream and it had been bad, dismembered cats flew through the air bursting in flame. A man and a woman were drinking and having sex on the bed while two older people looked on holding the hand of a child. The older man called the woman on the bed a 'whore' and 'slut' and as she looked up at him, just laughed. The boy stood up against the older couple but the older man called him a 'judas' and the older woman grabbed his hand and shook him and said he was full of perversion and evil and only by taking him and showing him the path to righteousness by bathing him in the blessed water could he be saved from his sins. She saw the boy lying in a wet bed, the older man opening the door, knives flying through the air and as something dark and heavy flew at her she put her hands up to protect her face and ducked.

And then she woke up with her hands still in held in front of her for protection and was falling off the bed, her forehead hitting the edge of the nightstand on the way to the floor, her hip and shoulder hitting the floor hard, the cover following. She felt the bile rising in the back of her throat and her chest burned, unable to stand because of the dizziness she fought through the covers and crawled on hands and knees to the bathroom. The headache hit in full force and she made it to the toilet right before her dinner and as the contractions hit she hung on tight hoping to stop the room from spinning. After her body finished expelling what was left, she gently touched the right side of her forehead where she'd hit it and felt the skin slightly broken and swelling but no blood. She muttered several questionable terms, crawled back to the nightstand, reached up searching for the radio, hitting it with the back of her hand it slid across the top of the nightstand and fell on the floor. Sighing she felt for her spray, closed her hand around it and leaned back against the bed as the medicine hit the back of her nose. Too tired to move, she pulled a pillow off the bed, placed it between her and the nightstand, pulled the blanket up around her and leaning back, closed her eyes.

It was 1:00 and Tress was returning to the room after staying up to review the case with Thomas and the rest. Karen and Bryg had both gone to bed early to read and watch TV. She had felt uneasy for the last few hours and the closer she came to the suite, the more the hairs on the back of her neck stood, a tingle running up and down her spine. She opened the door, immediately went to the bathroom saw the disarray and noticed what was in the toilet.

She stood at Bryg's open doorway, softly called her name then without waiting, "I'm coming in."

The room was dim and she flipped on a switch next to the door, the soft wall light faintly lit the room and she saw her friend leaning against the bed and nightstand. She hurried over and knelt next to her, "Are you all right?" she asked.

"I…I think so," she groaned moving her head to face Tress and lifting her hand to her forehead.

"Keep your eyes closed, I'm going to turn on the light," Tress replied reaching up and turning the knob of the light over the bed one notch to the lowest light

"What happened, why are you on the floor?"

Bryg looked up at her, "I had a dream, woke up, fell off the bed and hit my head. I felt sick and when I got to the bathroom I realized I forgot my radio and spray, so I crawled back here and as I grabbed for the radio I knocked it behind the nightstand, all I could do was use the spray and pull the blanket around me. I guess I fell asleep."

Tress checked her forehead, "So you slept on the floor all night?"

Bryg wrinkled her face, wincing at Tress' touch and glanced at the clock through narrow slits, "Nope, not long, but I had a really interesting dream," she said telling her about it as Tress told her to stay still and left her for a moment to get something from the dresser.

"You think it was the killer?" Tress asked gently placing something filled with ice on her bruise, "Can you hold it?"

Bryg reached her hand up and held the ice in place while she watched Tress walk around the bed to the phone, heard her dial someone but couldn't make out what she said. Gently hanging up the phone, Tress walked back around the bed and took the ice pack from her holding it herself.

"I think I had some unwelcome company," Bryg said looking at her under hooded eyes, "I was afraid that might happen," she paused, "you didn't call an ambulance did you?"

"No, I called Karen and Paul and they're taking us to the hospital," Tress said.

"I'm fine Tress," she protested, "I handled it, it's just a bump."

"I'm not sure if 'handling it' means bonding with the toilet and the floor," Tress said eyebrows up, face questioning, slightly smiling. Bryg flashed her an aggravated look. "Humor me," Tress said, "I need you healthy, remember we're in this together and after we get back we're finding another way for you to signal for help."

"Yelling is always good," Karen said, hair disheveled, clothes thrown on standing with Paul at the door, "works for you."

After everyone had shown up for breakfast in the conference room they'd rented Tress told them that Bryg had another episode last night. "Are you all right?" Rick asked looking at the gauze pad on the right side of her head. "Yeah," Bryg said, "I have a hard head," she paused, "at least if there's a scar they'll all be on one side."

"Shouldn't we get a doctor to look at you?" Thomas said and Tress smiled noticing his genuine concern.

"One did, early this morning. Tress, Karen and Paul took me to the emergency room and that's what the doctor said, that I was lucky I had a hard head."

"So, Tress, since that's now a medical diagnosis maybe we could get some disability for you," Karen chuckled.

"Sorry," Tress smiled, "I think there's a time limit for claims, my father diagnosed that a long time ago."

Everyone chuckled.

"It was the killer," Bryg said clear eyed.

Thomas almost choked on his toast, "Did you see him?"

"No, it was just, well, just weird," and she told them about the dream. After she finished and before anyone could say anything the phone rang, "It's for you Bryg," Karen said answering it.

"Thanks, I'll take it in the bedroom," she said and left.

A few minutes she returned, "It was Pete, I've been keeping him informed, his flight is leaving is 20 minutes and wants to know if someone can pick him up from the airport." "Sure," Tress said turning to Rick, "can you take care of that?" "No problem," he said. "I'll get the flight information, I wrote it down on the pad in the bedroom," Bryg said leaving the room.

Paul watched Bryg walk into the bedroom, "If he is revisiting his childhood it sounds very disturbed,"

"More than disturbed," Tress said, "but it does explain the connection to prostitutes and the religious fanaticism."

"There's probably a wealth of information in the juvenile records but you won't get any court to open them," Thomas replied, "besides if Bryg's right tomorrow's the 31st."

"We don't have time for court orders so we do the next best thing, start asking around some of these small towns, surely we can find someone who is talkative," Tress said, "Kare, I need you and Chloe to stay and continue to see what you can find out about RidgePointe."

"No way," Karen said adamantly crossing her arms in front of her, "I'm going too, I finally get out of the office and I'm not staying stuck in a hotel."

Tress looked at Paul who looked back and shrugged his shoulders as if to say, "I can't do anything with her, you knew her before I did." Tress knew this battle wasn't worth fighting because she wouldn't win anyway, sighed and turned to Bobbi, "Bobbi, would you stay with Chloe and help with the searches they started yesterday."

"Sure call us if you need help," Bobbie said.

Tress nodded, "Find out as much as you can about Richard, Hyatt and Primm," Tress said as she walked out the door, "and call me as soon as Rick gets back, we may need him also."

"Chicken," Paul muttered to Tress, nudging her arm as they walked out of the hotel. Tress nudged back and by the time they reached the car they were laughing ignoring Karen's questioning glare. Bryg shrugged her shoulders innocently and Thomas quickly opened the driver door, sat down and started the car waiting for them all to get in.
They drove to the closest town to RidgePointe and as they got out of the car the sheriff and two deputies walked up to them. "Ms. Tressa Morgan?" the sheriff asked. "Yes," she said apprehensively. "I'm Sheriff Collins and I have something for you," and he handed her a piece of paper. She opened it and saw that it was a restraining order for her and associates of Morgan Investigations against Harold Primm, David Hyatt, Richard O'Malley, Brygid O'Malley, RidgePointe, its properties and its employees. "What is this?" Tress said defiantly, "you can't keep me away from my friend." Paul took the paper from her hand and read it, there was another paper declaring Bryg mentally incompetent and placing her under the guardianship of Richard O'Malley and giving him her durable power of attorney.

"It's not my choice Ms. Morgan, I'm under orders from the court, please stay where you are. Dale and Trace, get Ms. O'Malley."

Bryg tried to back away from them but they grabbed both her arms as she kicked and tried to pull away. "Bryg, no," Tress cried and tried to reach for her but Sheriff Collins stood in front of her as she pushed her chest into him. "If you don't back off Ms. Morgan I'm going to have to arrest you for obstruction of justice."

Tress' eyes bore into him with such anger that he stepped slightly backward. She stepped slightly forward remaining face to face with him, Paul reached one side and Karen was on the other ready to grab her. Trace and Dale pulled Bryg toward a waiting van and out stepped Dr. Primm, Richard O'Malley, another man who they assumed was David Hyatt and two orderlies.

Bryg turned and saw them and started to cry and moan, "No, no, no, Tress, no," and turned to look at Tress with such fear in her eyes that Tress knew who that orderly was. She pushed against the Sheriff and Paul and Karen grabbed for her. "I'm warning you Ms. Morgan," he repeated and looked at Paul while reaching for his handcuffs, his eyes asking for help, "I don't want to arrest her."

"The paper's legal Tress," Paul said after Thomas had looked them over, "there's nothing we can do now. Tress," he put his hand around her upper arm and she turned to him her eyes filled with anguish, "I can't let them take her, I promised." "There's nothing you can do, you can't help her if you're in jail and that's where they want you, out of the way, remember rule 101."

Tress turned to Paul, understanding in her eyes, she had to let her go but not without a fight. Dr. Primm and the orderlies were forcing Bryg into a straight jacket and she was fighting against them with tears running down her face she was begging, "No, please, don't, please."

"Bryg," Tress yelled. Bryg kept fighting them until one orderly wrapped his arm around her neck in a choke hold, "Get your hands off her," Tress thundered in warning, then her voice turned forceful, "Bryg, stop, look at me!" Bryg stopped and met her eyes, "don't fight them, that's what they want, don't fight them, I promise I will not leave you, I promise I will find you, I will find you," she pleaded emphasizing the last four words, "please Bryg, don't fight them, don't," she begged breathlessly, "I will not leave you, I will come for you, trust me."

Tress' last two words echoed in Bryg's ears as she stopped, remembering their conversation the other night at Starbucks, "If I asked you to do something, could you do it without thinking or analyzing, no matter if it was against everything you felt, could you do it, could you trust me that much?" She half-smiled, nodded once so subtly no one but Tress noticed and submitted, allowing them to put on the straight jacket. The orderly that had held her head reached his arm out to hold hers straight and the other one slipped the arm of the straight jacket over it. He next held the other arm straight and before they slipped the straight jacket on the other orderly took out a syringe, turned, deliberately looked at Tress and smiled. Tress' face, expressionless with the exception of blazing eyes, narrowed and bore into him marking him with her gaze. His face dropped slightly and his eyes momentarily flashed with fear until his name was yelled and he turned back to Bryg brutally jabbing her with a long needle, pushing the liquid into her.

Bryg yelped, jerking as the needle entered and Tress reached for her arm as she felt a sharp pain. "Don't take your eyes off me Bryg, keep your eyes on me, remember, I will come for you, I will not leave you, I promise." Her breathing increased as she clenched her jaw against the pain, mouth tight, tears burning the back of her eyes, the energy suddenly seemed to drain from her as she watched Bryg's eyes fight against the liquid, flutter then close. The orderlies lifted her roughly by her shoulders and legs and put her into the van.

Paul and Karen pulled Tress back and held her by her elbows. Sheriff Collins looked at her, "I'm sorry Ms. Morgan, but I had no choice."

She looked past him and watched as a man walked up to her. "Ms. Morgan I presume, I'm Richard O'Malley I believe you are looking for me."

Tress suddenly became rigid, face fixed as she straightened and pulled away from Paul and Karen and started for him. Sheriff Collins stepped in front of her blocking her advance with his body. Tress ignored the fact that she was within inches of the sheriff, "You have no right to do this Dick, there is nothing wrong with Bryg only you," her mouth hardened as she glared at him.

"You have a soft spot for her Morgan, that's dangerous, she's dangerous, she's unstable and will turn on you in an instant," he sneered.

"It will only be dangerous if something happens to her, Dick," Tress snarled his name, eyes narrow in threat.

"You have no legal ground to stand on, it seems I hold all the cards," he said with confidence.

"Not all," her voice and gaze sharp as a knife, "and the games not over yet."

"You're insolent, impertinent, and arrogant," he retorted face spotted red in anger.

"You seemed to have uncovered most of my good qualities," Tress replied with a feral grin, voice quiet, low and full of controlled fury, her posture relaxed but tone aggressive, "but you missed irritating, frustrating and persistent," unable to take a step toward him, she deliberately maintained her gaze on him like a cat stalking a mouse.

For a moment his glare flickered and fear glinted off his eyes, "You need a man to teach you your place."

"When you find one, let me know," she spat, head tilting slightly around the sheriff to keep him in sight.

"Remember Morgan," Richard said with confident authority, "you have a restraining order, do not interfere with my family, I know what's best for my sisters," he turned walking toward the van, once glancing at her over his shoulder.

"I don't take threats easily," Tress yelled contemptuously, voice unwavering all the while inching closer and closer to the sheriff, "and don't think a simple piece of paper will stop me," her eyes blazed, every muscle in her body tensed.

"Ms. Morgan," the sheriff warned.

Paul wrapped his hands around her upper arms and gently but firmly pulled her back. She resisted at first then stepped back roughly shaking him off and he heard a faint harsh sound that he would later swear was a growl.

Tress watched the van until she could no longer follow and even before the sheriff and his two deputies had left Tress had turned on Paul, Thomas and Karen, "Shit, shit, shit," she kicked the dirt and tires, stones flew and her eyes turned followed by her head, shoulders, arms and body, her voice shaking, "how could you let that bastard take her, Paul, Karen, you know what he'll do now that he has both of them, Thomas," she turned on him, "you're the godsbedamn FBI, that can't possibly be legal," she shouted harshly as cold eyes glared at him.

His eyes widened at the ice in her voice and he swallowed dryly as he kept a wary eye on her, "The papers were legal, they were signed by a judge, we can't ignore…," she interrupted him, "Goddamnsonofabitch," came out all in one word, "I'm tired of excuses, I don't know why I came to you in the first place, you people are as useless as tits on a bull, you couldn't stop Oklahoma and what happened on 9/11 even when you had warning signs," bitterness and mistrust filled the air as she stepped around him toward the car.

Thomas was taken aback by her accusations for a moment and was glad that it was Paul who stepped in front of her, "Where are you going?" Paul said to Tress who replied, "Up there."

"You interfere now and they'll get away with murder," Thomas said finding his voice and trying to attach some authority to it, "we have to do the right thing we have to let justice handle it."

"Right thing? Justice?" she hissed, voice rising as she quickly turned to him so fast he felt like he'd been punched in the gut, "the right thing would have been not to have let them take her in the first place and as for justice, this isn't justice, we failed to stop this, we didn't do anything, if you know it's wrong you have to take a stand even if you're the only one standing, by now they could be…," her voice caught and she couldn't finished the sentence, instead she started around Paul who stepped back in front of her and Karen who stepped beside him, with Thomas behind them.

"Oh no you're not," Karen said standing next to her husband.

"We have to wait for the warrants, you go charging in there and you'll be the one locked up, not them, by the time we get things straightened out, they'll be out of the country, and Bryg and Ash," Paul stopped, they locked eyes and he had her complete attention not having to finish the sentence.

"It's wrong Paul," Tress' body remained tense but her voice was lower and controlled.

"Yes, it is, but it's all we have, I know how you feel but we can't use 101 now, we start breaking rules and we'll ruin this case and lose them both," Paul said, Karen next to him and Thomas behind them.

Karen's look pleaded with her, "Tress please, don't do this."

Tress started to say something then froze, she stared through them, her body stiff and taunt, jaw clenched, neck muscles throbbing, fists so tight that Thomas though blood would soon be seeping through her fingers, her breathing steady and even, she started to say something then thought twice about it, stopped abruptly, turned suddenly and stomped off into the woods slapping away tree limbs and getting drenched from the rain soaked leaves.

Karen and Paul looked at each other mentally sighing relief, then both leaned casually on the side of the car and crossed their arms with Thomas looked at them, "this is her way of letting it out, she'll calm down in a while then we can talk," Karen said.

"If this is her way of letting off steam I'd hate to see her really mad," Thomas exclaimed.

"Me too," Paul and Karen said at the same time.

Fifty yards into the woods Tress stopped and stared. She found herself surrounded by a beautiful glade with a natural spring and small waterfall on one side. Ferns and plants surrounded the small pool and misty water flowed into the beginnings of a small stream filled with moss-covered rocks. It felt surreal and peaceful as if she'd stumbled into another world as birds chirped and butterflies fluttered around her. She heard a noise, looked up in the tree and right above her was the biggest raven she'd ever seen. It locked eyes with her and held her to the spot and she heard a woman's voice, a soft Irish lilt, the same she'd heard at Morrigan's Breathe, "faith, loyalty, courage" and felt the words fill her. Her pendant warmed her skin and she reached up and held it with her fingertips and the warmth she usually felt had changed to some kind of energy that strengthened and intensified as it flew down her arm, traveled to every nerve ending in her body and when it hit her lower back it rode her spine like a surging wave, lifting one piece of backbone at a time gently laying each down before picking up the next. Rolling upwards it hit the back of her neck, and pulled her head as a feeling of serenity immediately filled her. Her eyes and the ravens never left each other. A goose honked and the raven held her gaze for a moment longer as if to make sure she understood then flew off meeting the goose above her and together they circled overhead flying intricate circular patterns, familiar patterns that Tress recognized and as she rubbed the lines of her pendant the anger, now gone, had been replaced by a new force of soulful and unwavering resolve.

Moments later Thomas jumped as Tress came out of the woods yelling for him, "Thomas, get your boss on the phone and find out what's taking that warrant so long. We need it now, tell him Ash is alive, did you hear what he said, 'I know what's best for my sisters'." She threw the car door open and sat in the front. Karen and Paul opened the back door and got in, Karen reached up and touched her shoulder, "You all right?" Tress turned her head, reached up and held her hand for a moment, "Never better," she said. Paul patted her other shoulder.

Thomas sat in the driver's seat cautiously watching Tress out of the corner of her eye, he turned the key in the ignition and started to put it in reverse when she stopped him with her voice, "I seem to owe you an apology Thomas, I'm sorry," she held out her hand.

Thomas smiled at her and took it, "No worries."

"Watch 'The Crocodile Hunter', Thomas," Tress said looking ahead.

He blushed a little red, "Every night," he said more embarrassed, but everyone laughed.

"Hey," Karen said from the back, "what about our apology?"

"I pay you guys enough to take it," Tress smiled over her shoulder, "or at least now I do."

"Apology accepted," Karen replied smiling back at her old friend.

Bryg stirred. Her mind was hazy and thoughts and images were flying so fast through her brain she was having a hard time pining one down. Instincts hit and she quickly turned her face to the left and promptly vomited. Choking and gasping for breath, she coughed, tears quickly filled her eyes as pain rolled like thunder echoing and reverberating through her body.

She lay back as the tears flooded out and down the sides of her face. They dribbled into her ears and she allowed it for she had not the strength to wipe them away.

She had to breath slowly and carefully through her mouth. She lay still for a long time meditating as her mother had taught her until gradually the pounding subsided and the tears dried. Her skin was numb and inside she felt hot and cold and the same time. She shivered, the chain and manacles attached to her leg made slight clinking sounds that echoed throughout the small cell. Air slipped through parched lips, into a dry mouth and down a raw throat. It felt as if cotton had been stuffed in it.

"Brryygg!" said with strength and urgency caused her eyelids to snap up at the command and her breath caught.

"Ash?" Bryg sat up, her head pounding and leaned against the wall behind her. It was wet and smelled of mold.

"Bryg, are you all right?" Bryg turned toward the voice and saw her twin looking dirtier than she'd ever seen and it was a glorious sight. She smiled and reached out her hand and as their fingertips touched they both lowered their heads and cried then Ash looked up, tear-streaked face, swollen red eyes and said, "What are you doing here?"

Suddenly the door flew open, "She's here because I brought her," a voice said in the darkness then Richard stepped into the room.

"You knew about those planes, didn't you, didn't you? Bryg howled accusingly tears staining her face.

"Yes I knew, and when I found out I suddenly realized," he put his finger to his head, "it would be the perfect opportunity to destroy them, those that had destroyed my life so I invited them to visit me, they were so happy, the evil ones came and waited and died when those planes struck and I cried, not tears of sadness, but tears of joy, they all deserved to die, he and she deserved to die," he was raving and screaming, flecks of spit coming off his lips, Ash and Bryg just looked at each other tears filling their eyes.

""So you knew, you knew," Ash shrieked and tried to go for him but the chains held her back, "why?" her voice pleaded.

"To save them of course," he said in a puzzled voice, "don't you see, I had to do it, it was the only way to save their souls from the darkness that had overtaken them, the darkness that caused all my pain and suffering, they had to be redeemed to allow them into the light."

"What darkness, what pain and suffering, redeemed, what are you talking about?"

"You were his two darlings and I was the one cast aside, his own son cast aside, it was against the highest law to cast your son aside for daughters, they broke the covenant so I had to do it, to cleanse them, to save them."

"They didn't cast you aside, father loved you," Bryg said sadly.

"He pretended to love me until he met your mother, then he stopped and loved you more. I was sent away with nanny's and boarding schools but he kept you with him, he kept you because he was ashamed of me."

"He was ashamed of the way you acted, hurting animals, hurting Bryg and almost burning down the house. He tried to get you the help you needed, to keep it within the family," Ash was cut off as Richard screamed red-faced, "he wanted to make sure I was gone so he could love you. He didn't want to be reminded of me and my mother, he couldn't face me, just like Tina, my so called wife, she couldn't face me either, that's why she was rutting with every man she could find. She said she married me for my money and laughed at me behind my back, she said thank goodness we couldn't have children because she didn't want our child to be as small as me for the rest of his life. She laughed at me, but she won't anymore, she too broke the covenant so I took her darkness too, redeemed her, she won't be laughing anymore," he paused wild eyes looking at them, "and it was all his fault."

"You planned this whole thing," Ash said weakly.

"When I found out about the planes it was the perfect opportunity to wash their sins away in a glorious purification of fire. I got rid of them then tried to get rid of you," he pointed at Bryg, "by sending you here afterwards but you," he pointed at Ash, "found her, always her protector, even as a child, and brought her back so I had to get you out of the way. Hyatt helped me kidnap you and kept you drugged until I could get my other sister," he said sarcastically, "here. I planted the picture at that gallery, had Carr call you because I knew you'd go check it out and had Hyatt order it planning on the little genius figuring it out. I talked to that FBI agent, North, and told him you were mentally unstable and if you persisted long enough he would have called me to come get you and commit you again and no one would have questioned another breakdown, just thought how sad, but that girl, you got that girl involved, but no matter she brought you to me anyway and now you'll both die together, just as you were born."

Then he walked over and in turn touched each of their cheeks almost tenderly, lovingly. Bryg and Ash both shook him off but he seemed unconcerned about it and just smiled gently and spoke as if begging them to understand, "I had to do it, I had to save them, from the darkness, the evil that had controlled them. I saved them," he howled, "just as I'm going to save you so you too will find the treasure and riches of salvation." He turned and left, closing then locking the door.

With all her might Ash yelled, "Crazy bastard," at a closing door and spit at it with what little saliva she had then pulled and pulled on the chain trying to loosen it from the wall. Unable to move it frustration, tiredness and exhaustion overtook her and she leaned back against the wall and turned her head to look at her twin, "he should be in a loony bin."

Bryg started to laugh and Ash naturally followed. After a few moments Ash still laughing asked, "What are we laughing about?"

"Because we are in a loony bin," Bryg answered grinning.

"RidgePointe?" Ash asked and Bryg nodded.

"No one hurt you did they?" she said, suddenly alert and straightening up as much as she could, "did they do that to her head?" indicating the bruise, she'd lost the gauze pad earlier.

"No, just a needle in the arm," Bryg answered.

"You shouldn't have come," Ash said firmly.

"Right, like I'm supposed to know you're still alive, needing help and just go on with my life like nothing happened. Would you leave me?"

"No," she said adamantly, "but you're different," Ash said eyes locked on her mirror image.

"No I'm not, we're the same, I've just got a few more fringe benefits," Bryg replied eyes remaining on Ash then they both broke into a grin, began to chuckle and leaned back against the stone wall.

"So you knew I was alive, huh? Ash asked glancing at her.

"Yep, I knew," Bryg answered glancing back.

"From those fringe benefits you mentioned?" she asked.

Bryg nodded.

"Fine pair we are," Ash said still chuckling.

"Yes we are," Bryg replied mimicking the tone of her twin.

"Hey," Ash said turning her body partially to her, "who's that girl he was ranting about, the one you got involved, the one that brought you here, do I have to kick someone's ass like I did to that kid in school, remember the one that was bothering you."

"I remember and it was first grade and you pushed him down on the playground," Bryg said.

"Well he stopped didn't he, anyway who's he talking about."

"It's a long story," Bryg said.

"Do we look like we're going anywhere," Ash said jokingly, "spill," and Bryg did.

"Wow," Ash said, "you figured all that out."

Bryg nodded, "With some help."

"Then what I want to know is for being able to figure out all that stuff, how come you couldn't figure out it was our own step-brother?" she voice teased, her smile wide.

"Don't start with me now Ash," Bryg said as a crooked bemused smile played on her lips for despite their circumstances, she had found Ash, they were both alive and Tress would come for them, she promised.


************************************************************************************


It took Thomas less than fifteen minutes to explain to Jeff Brooks what had happened and Jeff said they were still trying to find Judge Walker, seemed she'd picked now to visit her grandchildren. "Her maid said she'd be back this evening," Thomas told Tress who took the news by stomping into her bedroom and slamming the door. Suddenly the beat and volume of the music increased accompanied by fierce off-key singing, something about 'being all fired up', 'believing', 'faith', 'a bloodied road', and 'invincible', suitcases slammed open and closed.

"I thought she was settled?" Thomas asked Karen.

"You can tell her mood by the music she's listening to," Karen said looking at Paul and when something banged against the wall they all jumped.

"Shouldn't someone go in there?" Thomas said.

"When the music slows down," Karen said going to the bar, adding ice, Coke and a small bottle of rum she found underneath. Stirring it, she took a mouthful, swallowed greedily and breathed out a murmured 'ah' and looked at the door as the beat slowed, then sped up and when it reached a crescendo words about 'god-fearin women getting the blues', 'freedom', 'day of reckoning', 'independence' and 'guilty pay' seeped through the wall, she reached into the cabinet and found another bottle, added it along with some more ice and Coke, took several deep gulps and lowered her glass as she held her head tilted slightly back in thought, then she heard an acoustical guitar solo, the singer repeating the words 'straight on for you' and 'now I'm stronger' and 'got to play my hand'.

Thomas looked at her, "Not yet," she said eyeing him then her husband and took anther sip, "almost." Once she heard the music settle into a haunting, Irish rhythm about a 'waterfront' and 'mist', "OK" she inhaled, it's time to go see what we have to pay for," finished the rest of her drink, took one last look to her husband and Thomas, opened the door and shouted Tress' name, for protection or warning, neither were sure.

Paul and Thomas heard words, the music stop and suddenly things became quiet and Paul fearful for someone knocked on the door. "We'll be out in a minute, just finishing," Karen yelled as she watched Tress attach her nine-millimeter to her right hip. She was wearing a long-sleeved red shirt whose sleeves billowed slightly as she walked, black leather pants and mid-calf black riding boots. The gold of the pendant dazzled against the bright red of her shirt, a ray of light in a sea of blood.

"Dressed for battle, I see," Karen said as she walked over and straightened her collar then stepped back.

"You were the one that insisted on that dress for success workshop," Tress said flatly then turned to her and sniffed, "have you been drinking?"

"You drove me to it," she responded.

"That wouldn't have been a far drive," she looked at her tone and eyes amused.

"Ha, ha, very funny," Karen said eyes narrowing on her, "I know red's your color but don't you think this is a bit much, those are the colors of revenge and justice aren't they?" She stepped forwards, face unguarded and voice sincere with concern, "don't lose yourself in this Tress, there's been too much bloodshed already," as she reached out and held Tress' arm.

Tress smiled to herself for Karen's stance and tone of voice reminded her of her mother and somewhere deep inside of her she was thankful for that. Reaching out she held Karen's hand on her arm, looked directly into her eyes, voice soft, "That's what I have you for," she patted her hand for emphasis then turned to the mirror, "the first impression is made within ten seconds, I intend for it to be quicker, in ancient Ireland the war goddess Morrigan never killed but flew over the battlefield, shiftshaping and shrieking to cause terror, disorder and chaos."

Karen smiled looking over Tress' shoulder, "Well, you've already got the terror, disorder and chaos thing down and flying and shiftchanging's OK, but no shrieking, I have a headache."

"Forget the ice next time," they paused for a moment, locked glances and exchanged the smile of old friends and past experiences before Tress continued, "it's really for intimidation and confusion, keeps em guessing."

"It's not necessary to wear that outfit to do that," Karen replied picking something up off the floor, folding it and placing it on the bed, "that's gotten to be second nature for you."

Tress laughed softly then said, "Maybe," she turned her head and glanced down over her shoulder smiling thoughtfully, "besides, I think I look really good in leather." She looked at Karen and they both laughed, Tress gave her a one-arm hug, squeezed her upper arm for reassurance, then straightened her body and with a stern and somber face opened the door.

"She certainly looks formidable," Thomas said as she strode into the room.

"That's the idea," Paul muttered into his own drink, seeing his wife shake her head slightly.

As soon as Chloe and Bobbi opened the door, anger, fear, tension and frustration covered them like a blanket. Tress, clad in a red shirt, black leather pants with a nine-millimeter attached to her side, sipped a glass of white wine as she paced between the phone and the window. She turned abruptly in mid-stride as they walked in, "Well?" she said tensely.

Chloe feeling slightly uncomfortable under Tress' gaze, swallowed and looked away quickly rummaging through her briefcase, "we," she stopped, cleared her throat and started again her voice slightly higher than before, "Bobbie can you help me organize the papers?" Chloe's hand shook slightly as she pulled several computer printed papers out of her briefcase, handed them to Bobbie who also with slightly shaking hands straightened them in order on the table. Tress set her glass on the bar and hovered in the background with hands folded across her chest smiling to herself. This was working just the way she wanted, if her own staff were unsure of her actions then those who didn't know her surely would be.

Chairs were pulled up around the table and everyone sat looking at the papers and notes waiting for Chloe or Bobbie to start while Tress restless stood in the background watching them from the bar.

"What happened?" Bobbi asked Paul under her breath feeling slightly uncomfortable under Tress' gaze.

"In a nutshell there's a restraining order against us from going to RidgePointe and Richard has Bryg."

"Is she all right?" Chloe asked eyes motioning toward Tress.

Karen saw something glint in Tress' eye, Tress winked so only Karen saw and Karen's eyes bore into her, her mouth pursed and she shook her head slightly as if admonishing a small child.

"She's upset," Paul said noticing the interaction between his wife and boss.

"I think that's an understatement," Chloe asked keeping an eye on her.

Chloe, her voice a little more in control started, and Tress moved up behind them, circling the table looking down at the information, making them glance warily up at her as she moved behind them, each hoping the other was going to be the target of her attention. "Seems Dr. Harold Primm's a local, mid-50's, nothing remarkable, but this David Hyatt is interesting. There are no records of him before 1982. I looked up his medical degree and it's from some school in Central America. He graduated and applied for a Louisiana medical license right out of med school and moved here in '88, in 1990 he and Richard bought RidgePointe, he's licensed here in Louisiana but no other states."

"What about a birth certificate?"

"None for a David Jared Hyatt but a search found one for a Jared David Hyatt, born 1960 in Cameron, Louisiana, it's south on the Gulf. I did a search on the computer for lost classmates and found this." She pushed a picture of a younger David Hyatt across the table, "It says he attended high school in Cameron but didn't finish. I called the county clerk and she said she knew him and gave me the name of the diner where his mother had worked and I wound up in a lengthy but enlightening conversation with someone named Maggie."

"And?" Thomas said.

"I talked to her while Bobbie kept researching," Chloe said, "Maggie was a wealth of information, almost couldn't get her off the phone until I promised to visit. She said Sally, Jared's mother, and she were good friends in high school and after graduation got jobs at the diner. After work one night Sally was raped. They caught the rapist and put him in prison where he was killed but regardless of how she got pregnant Sally's parents kicked her out and with no other relatives to help she told Maggie she was going to New Orleans. Maggie said she came back a few years later with Jerry, the child she'd had, to visit but her parents refused to see her or the child, said he was a product of perversion, so Maggie let Sally stay with her awhile. She left the kid alone with Maggie a lot while she went off sometimes for days at a time but would always come back with money. Maggie didn't know but suspected prostitution and drugs, she'd seen the needle marks and said Jerry used to ask her why she didn't have men lie on her like his mother did. Maggie didn't know what to say but knew what he saw, confronted Sally and Sally left."

"What happened to her?" Karen asked.

"She said that she heard later that Sally was arrested for solicitation and distributing, sentenced to 5 years but died in prison and they gave Jerry, who was seven at the time, to his maternal grandparents. Maggie says it was a shame because the grandparents isolated themselves and Jerry from the community saying they were home schooling in the ways of the righteous. They had several calls to family services, Maggie said that she knew the case worker and that several times they took him away because of perversions."

"What kind of perversions?" Tress snapped.

"The case worker told Maggie that the grandparents said Jerry's mother was a 'whore' and 'slut' and that since he was born dirty the only way to save him was to wash his sins sometimes scrubbing him so hard he bled. One time the grandfather hit him so hard in the head with a board that he was knocked unconscious."

"Frontal lobe damage?" Thomas said knowing as well as Tress and the others that more than half of serial killers had frontal lobe abnormalities.

"Probably, either way they gave him back. After that hunters and the locals started finding dismembered animals hanging from trees in the woods and when the barn caught fire and burned the bodies were found."

"What bodies?"

"The grandmother and grandfather, it was one of the few murders in the county. Maggie was dating her soon-to-be husband who was the deputy sheriff at the time and he said the grandfather was stabbed over 25 times and the grandmother was choked then stabbed 15 times, it was apparently really gruesome, blood everywhere. Everyone knew who did it although they couldn't say in the papers. Jerry was tried as a juvenile and disappears until 1990 with a new name, a doctor's degree and money enough to buy RidgePointe."

"Where was Hyatt sent to?"

"Maggie asked her husband and he said the state contracted with a private religious institution that ran something like a boot camp in Frogmore. There's an 1,800 acre working plantation where they would be assigned to pick cotton as well as attend counseling for their rehabilitation."

"Rehabilitation," Tress snorted, her voice rising and dripping with sarcasm, "don't they know by now that psychopaths can't be rehabilitated or cured," she clenched her jaw, turned and walked to the bar, hands momentarily gripping the countertop until she spied the wine, grabbed the glass, gulped it down and set it hard back on the granite top. Karen stood and went to get a drink, stopping next to Tress, their shoulders barely touching. Tress took a deep breath and glanced sideways thanking her friend with her eyes then hidden from the others view patted the side of her hand with hers.

She turned, eyes and brow creased in concentration and when she spoke her voice was softer, calmer, "Richard had similar problems, John told me he had a difficult time adjusting to his father's new marriage and was jealous of Ash and Bryg and had picked Bryg in particular to terrorize. After he set the house on fire and hurt Bryg they sent him to some religious boot camp, it's too coincidental not to be the same, the 'sons of dawn' met there."

"Then they're both killing," Thomas said suddenly understanding, "of course, that's why there were two descriptions of the assailant, Richard puts up the money to buy RidgePointe and the Plantation and they use it as their private killing ground."

The clock on the table began to chime ten o'clock, they all sat still listening to the musical ring echo in its countdown knowing that in two hours it would be the 31st. Tress looked at the clock and was transported back to that afternoon when Bryg was taken, the fear in her eyes at the sight of that orderly, the probable reason why, she had memorized his face and everything that happened, even the name they called him to get his attention to give Bryg the shot and the Braves baseball cap he had stuffed in the back pocket of his pants. "Shit," she said harshly, "shit, shit, shit," her voice rose in anger directed more at herself for not remembering sooner.

Karen was startled by the sudden change in Tress eyes for they appeared to glow with a reddish cast and would swear later that she felt a wave of anger role through her and gasped at its intensity and swore she saw a faint red aura surround Tress, there was no way she was going to be stopped now and Karen knew it. "Paul," she warned as she nodded toward Tress.

All the noise outside of Tress was muffled as the raw primal rage crashed through her with such force that it almost drove her to her knees. The room seemed to rush away from her as her body froze and she clenched her fists to tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her breathing increased, her body taut and trembling, jaw stiffened and lips curled in a dangerous sneer. Her eyes blazed with vehemence and with a rapidity that surprised them all she turned quickly and without a word, grabbed the car keys, jerked the door open and ran down the hall taking the stairs two at a time.

"Tress," Karen yelled getting up, "damn, Paul." They all chased after her knowing where she was headed. Karen ran into Paul as he stopped short seeing the rental car spinning its wheels, gravel flying.

"This way, it's the fastest," Thomas said as he led them to his car, they all packed in and he roared off. Thomas' phone rang and he answered it as he sped down the road, "we got it," he yelled, "my team, the local sheriff and the state police with a helicopter will meet us there with the search warrants and papers reversing Bryg's guardianship."

"She is so lucky, but if she gets killed, I'm going to kill her," Karen mumbled under her breath. Paul was going to say something about 'do you know what you just said' but after seeing his wife's blazing eyes decided to keep quiet. His cell phone rang, "Where are you guys, I have Pete here," Rick said. "Tell him to bring his medical kit, we may need it and meet us at RidgePointe, Bryg's been taken by Richard and Tress is on a rampage."

"All that since we've been gone," Rick said.

"That's what you get for missing staff meetings," Paul said calmly, "bring the equipment with you," he emphasized the word, "I have a feeling we'll need it."

Tress reached RidgePointe slammed on the brakes and the car slid onto the sidewalk. She threw it into park even before it had stopped, pulled on the handle and swung the door open leaving it like that as she took the steps two at a time. "Where's Hyatt or Primm?" she yelled as the door flew open, handle hitting the inner wall.

"He's in a meeting," the orderly said self-importantly and Tress noticed it was one of the orderlies that had held Bryg.

She walked to the door ignoring him.

"You can't go back there," he ordered and grabbed her arm. She looked him directly in the face, "I'm only going to say this one time, get your hand off me," her tone low and dangerous.

"And if I don't," he grinned and tightened his grip. She grabbed his thumb and pulled it back until he released her then swiftly brought her knee up between his legs. He grabbed his groin and fell over moaning and rocking back and forth on the floor. "I warned you," she snarled, "don't ever touch me or my friends." He reached out and grabbed her foot and she kicked him connecting with his nose, blood splattering all over him. He reached up and held it, blood dripping through his fingers, "you broke my nose you bitch."

"You're lucky that's all I broke, asshole," she spat out, attention now diverted to the office door and ignoring the writhing body on the floor she stepped past him toward the door. She had some faint recognition of various slurs being yelled but they soon turned to yips of pain as she flung open the door and hit the orderly in the knee with it.

"What are you doing here?" Primm bellowed at her.

"You knew all along didn't you," Tress responded venomously as she walked toward him, "you knew and you never said a thing, to protect him, to protect a rapist and a killer," she yelled at him.

"What are you talking about?" Primm yelled, "You've hung around that other girl so long that she's rubbed her crazy notions off on you."

A feral grin curled her lips as she pounced on him like a lion on its prey and he groaned as she pinned him to the wall with her left forearm and snarled through clenched jaw and bared teeth, "You let him rape an innocent girl, repeatedly, then shove her into a wall, put her in a coma and almost die," her voice thickened, "maybe I should slice open you like he did to those women, see how it feels," she reached around behind her and grabbed the letter opener, "or maybe I'll just turn you over to the authorities where they can put the both of you in prison and you can both take what you give. Where are Bryg and Ash?" she snarled. When he didn't answer she lowered her tone to a growl, "Where are they?"

Tears of fear formed in his eyes, "I don't know what you're talking about, I didn't do that, I asked Jimmy but he gave me his word he wasn't involved."

Tress lowered her arm and her eyes bored into him, "He lied, I saw her face when she saw him."

"He promised, after that last time he promised and when Dr. Hyatt started taking an interest in him and he started spouting all that religion, I believed he'd seen the light and was born again."

"Oh, he saw the light all right and was born again," she seethed, "as an accomplice for Richard and Hyatt's murder club, one that's committed at least 10 murders, probably more, and you allowed it," Tress said leaning her arm into him to force him back against the wall.

He looked at her as if he'd just been slapped. "I didn't do anything," he whimpered, "I tried to help him, I gave him a job, I tried to watch over him."

She pushed her elbow harder in his chest, "he's a rapist and a murderer, you should have watched harder." Terror filled his face, he was sniveling, mucus running down his nose and into his mouth, her face moved close to his and he tried to back away but couldn't, "If I don't find my friend and her sister alive I will be back to find you and next time I won't stop." She pushed him back against the wall and he slid down to the floor head in hands, "You aren't worth the effort, you both deserve some prison time because I believe everyone gets what they deserve in the end," she said emphasizing the last word.

She felt Karen and Paul enter the room and stepped back as Paul and Thomas grabbed Primm, handcuffed him and led him to the couch. Tress turned to watch him as Karen stood behind her, her hand on the small of her back. Chloe and Bobbi stood at the door.

Karen put her hands on her waist for support and whispered in her ear, "I'm proud of you Tress, let's go find Bryg." Tress turned to her, smiled and Karen moved her arm behind her and around her waist and Tress leaned into the hug and with Karen breathing a sigh of relief she lead Tress toward the door.

Karen had seen this behavior before, with some of the cases Tress worked but it was the worst after Matt died, Tress refused to be consoled or listen to anyone, she wouldn't even talk about it, she distanced herself from others protecting her emotions, her only objective, revenge, and Karen was relieved that this time it was balanced with reason.

Behind them Primm shrieked in a voice as if possessed by a madman, "You see how she attacked me, you should be arresting her not me, not me." His voice trailed off and no one paid any attention as she exited the room hearing his rights being read to him.

They walked into the outer office past Chloe and Bobbi and saw Rick and a man helping the orderly whose nose she had broken. "That's her," the orderly yelled pointing, "That's the bitch who broke my nose." Tress pointed at herself then looked at Karen and the others with a 'who me' look on her face and a shrug of her shoulders as the man pressed a sensitive part on the orderlies face causing him to howl in pain. "Oops, sorry," the man said as he handed the orderly a gauze pad and instant ice pack, told him to hold it there and suggested he remain still. Rick moved to stand next to the orderly and pressed his fingers into his shoulder, a warning which the orderly took and didn't say another word.

"Tress," Rick said, "this is Dr. Peter Reilly, Ashlyn's husband." The man had stopped working on the orderly, turned and straightened up, Tress smiled and held out her hand, "I've heard much about you Dr….," he held up his hand, "call me Pete, Bryg speaks highly of you."

"As she does you, are you ready Pete?" she asked checking her gun and switching off the safety.

"I've been ready a long time," he said.

Just then two men, a woman, Sheriff Atkins and a deputy walked into the office. "Tress," Thomas spoke bringing Primm with him and handing him to Ben Atkin's deputy who took Primm and the orderly and left the room. "This is Brian, Andy and Lil they're my team, you've met Sheriff Atkins, his deputy Pierce and the state police are also on the way. Lil has something for you." Lil smiled and held out her hand with the search warrant and a document reversing Bryg's guardianship to Ashlyn and Pete. Tress smiled, nodded and handed it to Pete.

"Coming Sheriff?" Thomas asked as he checked his weapon and made sure they all had working flashlights, handcuffs, radios, mics and florescent 'FBI' stickers on the fronts and backs of their shirts. "I'll wait for the rest of my deputies and the state police, go on ahead, we'll catch up, good luck," Ben Atkins replied as Thomas led them out the door.

They searched the hospital and found nothing in the wards but over sedated inmates. In the basement they found a locked door. Forcing it open they found a lighted tunnel and following it for a tenth of a mile found a cell that whose door was half open. Forcing the door the rest of the way they found it to be empty except for straw and a smell of feces and urine. Two chains with manacles were lying open on the floor. Someone, no, two people had been here recently.

"They were here," Tress said and left the room holding her pendant, the only warmth in the chill of this basement. A few hundred yards down they found another cell. Forcing open the door they immediately knew they smelled something that had once been alive. Covering his mouth Thomas and Pete went into the cell and found a dark headed woman lying on a cot. He recognized the picture from the ones Bryg took of Richard and his wife. He walked out and looked at Tress, "it's Richard's wife, throats cut, and Pete says she's been dead several weeks."

Thomas contacted the sheriff who replied that he and his deputies were on their way. They continued to the end of the tunnel they came to a large tiled room, well lit and smelling of incense. "Is this the pool I read about?" Thomas asked. "The mikvah," Tress said, "the ritual pool of purification, Bryg was right, three feet by ten with steps at each end and the smaller pool for washing," Tress pointed out, "there must be a natural spring under here."

"Look," Paul called pointing to the wall against which were several barrels of Sea Salts and numerous handmade limestone cups of various sizes, all with square handles. Paul fingered one, "I'll bet these match the pieces found at the murder scenes."
On a small table next to the bath set bread and wine. "The sacred meal ate after the purification," Tress said, "we need to hurry."

The rest of Thomas' team from out of the tunnel, "Nothing else but her body, the sheriff and his deputies are checking the rest and we've called for our crime scene team and medical support units," Andy said.

Tress looked at Thomas and although she knew it was necessary it didn't stop her breathe from hitching.

"Where are we?" Thomas asked her forcing her attention to something else.

"My guess would be under the Plantation manager's house," Tress said looking up, "here's some steps," she turned to them, "check your radios and mic's." They all pressed some buttons and nodded, "OK, safety's off and quiet." She led them single file up the steps to the doorway that hopefully led into the house. Twisting the knob and finding it unlocked, she carefully and gently pushed it open just enough to see into a room, which appeared to be the kitchen. Seeing no signs of movement Thomas handed her a small mirror, like a dentist's instrument only a little bigger, which she stuck between the door and the frame to check behind the door and the rest of the room. It was deserted so she pushed the door fully open and motioned them into the room.

"Thomas," she whispered, "take your team through there and we'll go back around here, be careful, they're dangerous and Bryg or Ash may be in there so be prepared for anything." They nodded and split up.

The house was dark, flashlights quickly followed by guns formed small circles of light that flew around the halls and rooms, looking for any sign of Primm, Richard or Hyatt. Paul and the rest followed Tress and soon everyone, including Ben Atkins and a few of his deputies were in the front foyer finding nothing but dust. "Search the house, top to bottom," Thomas said, voice low, in the radio mic, "stay in teams and don't take any chances."

A few minutes later, Andy's voice echoed in their ears through the radio headset, "Clear up here," soon followed by Bobbi's voice, "same in back," then Ben's "clear here too." Tress, Paul, Thomas, Karen and Chloe had finished searching the lower level except for one room when Tress' flashlight landed on a picture on the wall and knew immediately she'd found what they'd been looking for. "Down here," she radioed in a low voice. Hanging in a large, heavy, gilded frame was a grotesque picture of something that looked halfway human.

"What is that?" Karen said.

"It's a distorted image of Asmodeus, the custodian of secrets and guardian of hidden treasures," Paul replied and they all looked at him. "I was going to be a theology major before I changed to criminal justice," he explained.

"Why'd you switch?" Thomas asked.

Karen coughed, Paul blushed, Tress chuckled and Thomas had his answer.

Next to the picture was a closed door and above the doorframe was written something in Latin, 'terribilis est locus iste'. "This is a terrible place," Chloe said shining her light on it, "guess 12 years of Catholic school was worth something," she grinned.

Karen shivered and her husband moved in front of her as Tress opened the door and stepped into the next room, soon followed by Thomas and Paul, and the others, flashlights and guns flying around the room, "My god," Tress exclaimed seeing glimpses of white and red lettering, white scarves hanging all around and shelves of jars along the opposite wall.

Satisfied of no human movement she heard a light switch and the room became bathed in dim light. She kept her gun ready as she walked across the room toward the jars looking up at the bloody, white scarves that hung from the ceiling like ceremonial banners. As she got closer she realized the jars were full of human remains and the walls behind painted white with religious sayings and scriptures written in red. "Blood?" Thomas asked as he stood next to her.

"'White scarves around their necks and notes with red and white lettering raining around her,' one of Bryg's dreams," Tress's thoughts trailed off as she turned and saw a figure sitting in the dimness of the corner.

"Don't move," she yelled, turned and pointed her gun and flashlight at the figure. The others followed her movements, Paul staying in front of Karen, only he didn't have to worry, the figure wasn't moving he couldn't, for there was a white scarf tied around his neck so tightly that his eyes were wide and bulging out of their sockets and his tongue, black and swollen, hung out of his open mouth. They walked over to him, guns still pointed directly at him. He was wrapped in an ornate purple robe with scarlet tassels that hung from the edges of the garment. White scarves wrapped around his body holding him to the chair. They dropped their weapons as Pete felt for a pulse making sure then shook his head, he picked up a Braves hat that lay on the floor and handed it to Thomas who looked more closely at him, "Jimmy Primm."

"How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it," Tress whispered.

"The murderer committed suicide then," Ben said.

"No, the rapist was killed, I don't think he murdered them although he certainly helped, they know we're onto them, they killed him to keep him quiet," Tress said.

Thomas laid the hat on Jimmy's head pulling the bill down to hide his face and finding nothing else to lead them to Bryg or Ash they went back to the kitchen to search outside. Tress opened the door slowly then opened it all the way and they all found themselves inside a tall, thick wooden enclosure.

"Jesus, Mary and Joseph," Paul said, "it's gotta be at least a mile in diameter. It looks like the entrance to Jurassic Park."

"And these killers are just a smart," Rick replied.

They walked down the stairs, "It looks like we went 100 years back in time," Bobbi said.

"One hundred fourteen years to be exact," replied Tress, "this is an exact replica of Whitechapel as it was in 1888, including the mist and fog," she coughed, "must be dry ice machines." She turned around and noticed the exit from the house had been disguised as an apothecary shop, the silvery-white of a big, bright full moon catching her eye for a moment..

"How big is this?" Thomas asked.

The turned back, "If it's to scale, Paul was right, one square mile," Tress said, "but the real Whitechapel was actually surrounded by factories and slaughterhouses, with a population of about 9,000 people, 7,000 of which were women and children, I doubt anyone beside Richard, Hyatt, Ashlyn and Bryg are here, but the actual living conditions were crude and unsanitary," she said as she reached down through the thick mist with her fingers, stood, smelled them and then wiped them on her pants, "they've recreated the Ripper murders with as much detail as possible. There's excrement and liquid sewage in the streets and the cobblestone are wet, be careful where you walk."

"There's even 19th century gas lights," Thomas said.

"There's a gate over here," Ben called, "I'm leaving two deputies here to open and guard it for quicker access for our teams."

Tress nodded, "Listen," she cocked her head, "there's music and talk coming from the dancehalls," she paused as she turned her head orientating herself, "if I remember correctly six blocks to the right and you're at the docks, water seems important to them so lets start there, the streets can be confusing, they twist and turn into each other but mostly they're parallel and perpendicular. If we split up into teams we'll be able to take the streets one at a time and meet at the dock, Paul, Karen, Bobbi and Pete are with me, Rick take the next street with Chloe and Thomas, Brian, Andy, Lil and Ben can take the others, keep in touch."

The all nodded and as they separated Tress called out, "Be careful, don't hesitate, they won't." Guns were drawn and she watched as they were swallowed by the fog and darkness.

Clouds covered the moon, masking the way with shadows lit only by the soft gas lamps. The fog was densest low to the ground about knee level becoming wispy and damp the higher it rose. It was gloomy, cold and chilled Tress to the bone and as she walked she asked, "Does the fog look blue to you, it looks like we're walking through water without the resistance."

"It does look a little blue," Bobbi agreed.

"Probably the reflection of the streetlights," Tress responded, looking up at the full moon as it momentarily appeared between clouds, noticing it had a bluish tint to it to before it disappeared again.

Tress heard a crow cawing in the distance and the muffled cry of murder, "This way," she pointed toward an apartment building about 50 feet away.

Paul tried his radio, "Rick, Brian, Ben, we've found something." He didn't hear a response and pressed it again, "Rick, Brian, respond, anyone, respond," and again nothing but dead air.

"My radios out, I can't reach anyone try yours," he said to Bobbi and Tress. They both tried but still no answer. "If they can't reach us they'll know to rendezvous at the docks," Tress said moving quickly down the street.

As they came within twenty-five feet of the building Bobbi stopped short and put out her hand. "What's wrong?" "Look up there," Bobbi pointed. They all looked up at the streetlamp and saw a hunk of hair hanging from a post, the light from the gas lamp highlighting the bloody scalp still attached, the blood dripping onto the street.

Something was draped over the window so they couldn't see inside. Tress motioned for Karen and Pete to stay there and pushing aside the sickening smell of blood moved to one side of the door as Bobbi moved to the other. At Tress's nod, Paul kicked in the door and they entered holding the gun's at arm's length.

Her eyes quickly scanned the room. At the sight of what used to be a body lying on the bed she slowly lowered it to her side. Bobbi was right behind her and followed her gaze. Tress stepped forward into the room and gasped as she gazed as the hollow, bloody corpse, she swallowed the bile rising up her throat. Suddenly all the breath left her body and her lungs seemed to freeze.

She turned and pushed through Paul and Bobbi to go outside the room. Leaning with her back and head against the wall, her heart pounded in her ears and sweat broke out on her forehead. Her stomach felt like it was crawling up her throat and she struggled to force it down. The knot in her throat and chest tightened and she couldn't breathe and bent over to force great gulps of air into her lungs. She reached up and felt for the pendant, holding tightly to it. The heat seemed to settle her and she knew she had reacted to the body thinking the worse. It wasn't Bryg, it wasn't. She could feel she was still alive, but if it wasn't her could it be…, her mental voice trailed off upon feeling Karen's hand on her shoulder, "Tress, it's not her, it's not her," she kept repeating until Tress finally nodded and looked up. "Is it…?" she managed to get out.

"No, it's not Ashlyn either. We don't know who it is," Pete said to Bobbi as she turned to look back to the room, "and may never know.

Tress closed her eyes in relief and visibly slumped. Ashlyn's loss might send Bryg to a place she may never return from and Tress would do everything to prevent that. She pulled her head up, straightened her body and turned to Karen, "I need to see."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Paul turned as Tress and Bobbi re-entered the room, keeping his wife from seeing the body that was hidden behind him and stepped out taking her with him. "Her breasts were cut off, stomach sliced, intestines removed," Pete said and their eyes followed the line of white wrapped around the bedposts, Tress instinctively swallowed, "he even left the knife in her vagina."

"And look at this," he said and Tress and Bobbi turned their gaze to the small table beside the bed where he was pointing and saw her nose, ears and breasts lying on the top. "They're still warm," he remarked, "no more than 30 minutes ago."

Tress glanced at her watch, it was 12:45 am, "Mary Kelly," Tress whispered.

"Then where are Bryg and Ashlyn?" Bobbi asked.

Her head jerked up as she heard the cawing of a raven. She pushed past them and went out into the street and looking up saw the huge, coal black raven sitting on the lamppost. It looked at Tress, cawed and flew away. "Follow it," Tress yelled.

"What?" Paul said.

"Follow the raven, it's heading toward the docks, split up, I'll take Bobbi, take the next street."


***************************************************************************************


Bryg and Ashlyn both out of breath ran up to the edge of a wooden dock built out over the river. Richard and Hyatt had let them loose and were chasing them through the twisting streets of this replicated city. They had slipped on the cobblestones numerous times and their hands were cut and bleeding. The fog that had seemed to them once to be blue was thin and had now taken on a reddish cast, which Bryg put down to an optical illusion from the full moon, which looked red to her as well. They looked over the edge for a boat but couldn't see because of the darkness. Ash thought she heard something hitting up against the footings but couldn't be sure what it was and they could find no way to get down, besides they were still in Louisiana and couldn't discount the alligators. They heard the river rushing under the dock, water swirling and overflowing its banks from the last rains. Mud covered their shoes and dark brown flecks were liberally sprinkled on the front of their clothes and exposed skin. Sweat mingled with the mud and made rows of dirt down their bodies. Their hair was plastered to their skin and they both panted heavily as they leaned over on their thighs and looked back and forth from each other to the edge and toward where they waited for Richard and Hyatt to show up any second.

They had only been on the dock for a few moments, just long enough to look for an escape and catch their breath when they turned and headed the opposite way they'd come when they were stopped by a figure that stepped out of the shadows.

Richard stood in front of them holding a sica. "Going somewhere," he said.

They turned to go the opposite direction and Hyatt came out of the shadows, "I think not," he said as he held a gun on them.

Tress and Bobbi had come up on the side where Richard was but didn't see him in the shadows although they did see Hyatt and pulled their guns pointing them toward him. "Drop it," Tress yelled. Hyatt looked at Richard who nodded at his partner and reached up with his sica and cut a rope that was holding a large rope net that hung above Tress and Bobbi. "No, you drop it," Richard said confidently as the net fell on them knocking them to the dock, their guns flying out of their hands and over the edge splashing into the water below.

"Tress," Bryg screamed and started for her but Richard stood in front of her with the sica and Ashlyn pulled her back to the edge of the dock by the waistband of her pants.

"Well, well, well," Richard said switching his attention between his sisters and Tress, "look what we have here Hyatt, fish in a net." Tress and Bobbi fought wildly against the heavy netting. Hyatt looked at his partner, walked over to them, "looks like they're injured and since we're both humane we'll have to put them out of their misery."

Raising the rifle he aimed it directly at Tress who struggled fiercely and for a split second she stopped and looked into his eyes. He was taken aback for a moment by seeing what he thought were two glowing red eyes staring back at him, regaining his composure and with her directly in his sights just as he pulled the trigger, something flew into him from behind hitting the back of his knees forcing the rifle up but it didn't fire, not that either of them noticed, but Tress and Bobbi certainly did.

Bryg had rolled past Richard before he could grab her, tackled Hyatt from behind at his knees, rolled under him and they both grappled for the rifle. As Hyatt turned, Bryg elbowed him in the nose and as he howled in anger and held his face, she grabbed the weapon and slung it across the dock watching as it slide over the edge hitting the water with a splash.

Richard momentarily took his eyes off Ashlyn to watch Bryg and Hyatt and turned to find the wide end of an oar heading directly for his head and connecting with it. He dropped the sica, grabbed his head, and fell to his knees on the dock. Ash weak and exhausted dropped the end of the oar on the dock. "Run Ash," Tress yelled pushing against the net, "run and get help, Pete's out there, for god's sake run," Tress yelled again but instead of running Ashlyn made an exerted effort to grab the oar in both hands and went after Hyatt who had reached Bryg's legs and was pulling her toward him as she kicked at him. Raising the oar like a baseball bat and swinging for all she was worth, hit a home run, connecting with the back of his head and he slumped to the dock face first landing right on top of Bryg.

"Bryg," Ash cried as she threw the oar down and reached for her sister, pushing Hyatt off her while giving him a subtle kick in the ribs in the process.

As Tress and Bobbi struggled harder, Ash pulled Bryg up they stood leaning into each other for support. Turning to help Tress and Bobbi, they came face to face with Richard.

Bryg put her body between Richard and Ashlyn. Bryg watched Richard's eyes and followed his gaze both seeing the sica at the same time. Richard, surprisingly agile, dove for it, rolled and came up with it. Bryg and Ashlyn could do nothing but watch him as he turned on them.

Richard was on the side nearest the river, Bryg between him and Ashlyn, and behind Ash Tress and Bobbi fought intensely against the heavy netting. Standing protectively between her half-brother and twin, Bryg saw a glint of red light and glanced quickly to her right. Stuck in the pier post right next to her was a piece of bright red smooth wood about six inches long and a half inch round with a sharp barbed metal point, reminding her of a short, thick spear or arrow without feathers. She swore it wasn't there a moment ago and assumed it had something to do with fishing and without hesitation she reached up, jerked it out and it seemed to mold to her hand as she held it protectively in front of her. Her stature straightened and she seemed to gain strength, "Help Tress," she said to Ashlyn in a firm, controlled voice.

Ashlyn touched her back for a moment then turned and moved quickly across the dock to help a still struggling Tress and Bobbie.

Using both her hands to hold the weapon in front of her Bryg pointed it at Richard in warning. "Bryg," Tress yelled through the net, "watch him." Tress' eyes glimpsed the moon over Bryg and Richard, it had snuck out behind the clouds only this time she was sure it was red, she blinked and it was gone again swallowed by black storm clouds

The fine reddish mist crept up around Bryg and Richard encircling them until nothing below their knees was visible, eerily making them look as if they were knee deep in a river of blood. "Drowning in a river of blood," Tress thought remembering Bryg's dreams, "Bryg!" she yelled as Richard, eyes wild, sliced at her with the sica. Bryg pulled back. He slashed again and cut a fine line open on her abdomen. "Bryg!" Tress cried struggling to free herself feeling a line of heat travel across her stomach.

Bryg darted out of his reach as Richard taunted her, "Just like all the pretty whores, you'll all die too."

"Watch his eyes, Bryg," Tress yelled, "they'll give him away we're almost free." Bryg's attention wavered for a moment as she glanced toward the net giving Richard the opportunity to cut open her right shoulder. She could feel the tendons and ligaments release their hold over her arm and as it flopped uselessly against her side the arrow like weapon fell on the dock.

"Bryg," Tress yelled back feeling a searing sensation in her right shoulder. Blood poured from Bryg's shoulder and both knew it was severely damaged.

"It's nothing," Bryg called out as calmly as she could, biting back the pain not wanting to alarm Tress or Ash. She used her left hand to put pressure on the wound and pulled her arm as close to her as she could then quickly jumped to the side as Richard thrust at her.

Tress called to her again harder and harsher than she intended, "don't look just listen, watch his eyes and follow your instincts."

Richard smiled and sliced at her again, she stepped back just in time for the tip of his blade to catch just above her right eye. If she hadn't stepped back he surely would have blinded her in that eye, as quickly as she could wipe it, blood blinded her vision and continued its trail down the side of her face and neck.

Ash finally reached the edge of the netting and with Bobbi's help pushed it off her and Tress. Tress was down on one knee holding her head. "Tress," she called holding out her hand. Tress looked up and for a split second saw Bobbi through a veil of red before it slowly dissipated. Bobbi reached out for her hand, pulled her up and Tress swiftly turned looking for Bryg, "Bryg, we're free, we're coming."

As Bobbi pulled Tress to her feet Ashlyn's strength gave out and both Bobbi and Tress helped her sit back against a crate. "Bryg," Ash said trying to push up but Tress stopped her with a hand on her shoulder, "rest, I've got her." Ash grabbed Tress' hand and her eyes locked on hers, "If anything happens to her I'll have to kick your ass."

Tress patted her hand, smiling slightly, "You won't have to, I'll do it myself."

While Bobbi handcuffed a still unconscious Hyatt to an iron ring on the pier Tress watched Bryg and Richard involved in a macabre dance alongside the edge of the dock, against and within a backdrop of reddish haze, almost as if they were surrounded on three sides, around, behind and below, by fire. "Get back Bryg," she called to her as she searched for a weapon unable to see anything on the dock because of the darkness and fog.

"I can't, he'll kill us all, I have to stop him," Bryg yelled back.

"Should we rush him?" Bobbi asked.

Tress replied to Bobbi out of the side of her mouth, eyes never leaving Bryg and Richard, "No, they're too close to the edge, we'll all go over, go for help."

Bobbi hesitated and Tress turned to her for a second and her eyes bore into her, "Go." Bobbi nodded and disappeared into the shadows as Richard and Bryg, with Tress' direction, danced around each other. Thrust, parry, force, move, duck, step, back, they continued their deadly, bloody dance on the edge of the dock, outlined against a curtain of red.

Tress tried to move behind him but every time she did, he managed to move and block off her attack, another slash this time across Bryg's right thigh. Tress felt a line of heat across her thigh and reached down to touch it, suddenly running feet were behind her and Tress knew without looking that Karen, Paul, Bobbi and Pete were there. "The rest are coming," Paul pulled his gun, but Tress stopped him, "don't fire, they're too close and I don't think it will work anyway, try your radio."

"Not working," Paul responded.

"Nothing's working, damn technology," Tress muttered, then yelled, "Bryg, move back, we'll surround him," as she saw Rick, Chloe and Thomas on the other side.

"Thomas," she glanced at Ash who was in her husband's arms, "Ash is with us, Hyatt's under lock and key, we need to get Richard from Bryg," Tress yelled.

Bryg stumbled backwards and Richard stopped as he noticed he was surrounded and they were moving closer from the sides. He frantically waved the sica back and forth between them keeping his focus on Bryg. Blood poured down the right side of her face from the cut above her eye making it look like half of a grotesque red mask, reaching up she wiped her eye with the heel of her hand. The blood continued its course down her body combining with sweat and every part of her seemed to glow red. She couldn't feel the right side of her face, her right leg or right arm. Her breath came in rapid, steamy gasps and she was finding it harder and harder to gather air.

Tress felt nauseous and her focus was on helping Bryg for she knew she was close to collapsing both physically and mentally.

Sweat and foam flecked his chin as he screamed, "Stay away, I was only enforcing justice, they didn't keep their covenant," he shrieked raising the volume of his voice, his eyes wild and face contorted in madness, "they had to suffer the sorrows of affliction for their digressions, they had to be cleansed of their sins it was the only way their souls could reach salvation."

He ended his sentence staring directly at Bryg, raised the sica and started toward her.

Refusing to go down without a fight her eyes filled with purpose and resolve and using mostly strength of will she straightened and planted her feet for his attack.

Suddenly a thick pale blue fog rolled over the dock like an ocean wave, obscuring the two combatants. Tress surrounded by a sea blue mist craned her neck trying to catch a glimpse of them. Slowly the blue fog became thin and wispy mingling with and becoming one with the red, settled close to the ground and the moon, Tress blinked, the moon that had first seemed silvery-white, then blue, then red was now bright white, haloed by a blue and red ring, then gone again covered by the clouds.

Tress stilled completely and stared wide-eyed at Bryg who surrounded by radiant aura of luminescent pale red and blue layers, stood in the middle of the dock oblivious to anything but watching Richard muscles tight and taut ready to move at any moment.

Richard stopped, let out a gasp and stared wide eyed at her. Bryg stood breathing heavily, unsure for a moment what was going on or why he stopped, so she waited, watching him intently, unaware of the white images forming on both sides of her.

Tress and the others also stopped and stared as the white images materialized into the dead victims, some wearing modern clothing some Victorian clothing, surrounded Bryg and each, one right after the other flowed through her toward Richard who frantically slashed at an afterimage of no substance, howling, "No, you're saved, I allowed you to become one, no, no."

As they passed through Bryg her body stiffened, her head pulled back and her hands fell to her sides. Their voices soft and single at first strengthened in volume and intensity leaving their combined voices echoing in her head crying for revenge and vengeance demanding she be the one. Confused and scared at the many voices she closed her eyes and clutched her head with her left hand.

Richard sliced through each one of the victims until the last one vanished then he screamed and still possessed of a maddened strength and vigor thrust the sica at the nearest victim, Bryg.

Time seemed to stand still as Tress caught something out of the corner of her eye and for a split second her attention diverted to a large black raven, just like the one earlier, only this one had two red eyes boring into hers, "the 'washer at the ford'," she thought, "who would meet warriors on their way to battle and if they saw her glowing red eyes and hear her shriek their death was determined that day."

The heat of her pendant burned her skin and her eyes shifted back to her friend who was barely able to stand, the aura dimming, arm hanging limply at her side, hand weakly clutching her head and as her hand wrapped around her pendant she again heard the old Irishman's brogue, 'you have been gifted with faith, family and friends, and such a waste to lose that,' tremors grew in strength and power up and down her spine, and "Bbbrrryyyyggg," came out of her mouth in a piercing scream.

The buzzing started softly like distant thunder then swiftly and without mercy a torrent of raw, primal rage crashed though Bryg followed by hot, liquid fire that exploded within her like a volcano, filling her veins and forcing her body taunt and trembling. Lips curled, teeth bared and the muscles in her neck and jaw distended Bryg jerked her head violently back uttering an inhuman howl, "Noooooo," reached out with her left hand in a rapidity that surprised them all and grabbed Richard's wrist with the sica right before it would have entered her left side.

Tress gasped at the enormity of the emotions and strength coursing through her. Bryg's aura deepened and seemed to brighten and increase in intensity making her almost incandescent.

Tress' body stiffened, her head pulled back and every muscle tightened as she opened her hands feeling the heat flow through her veins and knew it paled in comparison to what Bryg was feeling. Her pendant glowed a faint red against her skin and if she could have seen Brygs she would have been surprised to find it as blue and hot as coals.

The aura around Bryg strengthened until it was almost blinding, the gaslights sputtered, hissed sparked and all but Richard, Bryg and Tress jumped when the quick, sharp explosion blew glass and wood over the dock, the only illumination were two figures, one on the edge of the dock radiating dynamic circles of deep blue and fiery incandescent red and the other a paler mirror image standing fifteen feet directly behind her.

Richard's eyes widened at Bryg's change and then upon seeing her paler mirror image yelled, "abominations," and unable to move his right hand, reached up and wrapped his left fingers around her neck squeezing until the muscles in his forearm bulged.

Bryg's eyes lowered and bore into him with icy hot vengeance. She pulled her shoulders back and stiffened her neck, against his fingers, pushing her chin into his wrist, her lips puffed out a guttural snarl with each breath.

Karen, Paul and the rest, relegated to the sidelines as spectators, stood stock-still captivated by the sudden change in both appearances and watched unbelievingly as Bryg's eyes seized Richard's in an intense gaze of soulful and unwavering resolve, moved her critically injured right arm straight outward and upward until it was almost shoulder high, opened her hand, stretched her fingers as if beaconing it and the weapon she'd dropped earlier which was now a gleaming silver-white, shook and flew swiftly to her waiting hand the wood molding around her fingers until you couldn't tell where skin ended and wood began.

"Brighid the bright arrow'," Tress muttered, "do it Bryg," Tress willed to her tightening her right fist just as Bryg had done and at the exact moment Bryg's arm shot upwards and shoved the short, thick arrow deeply up into Richard's ribcage, Tress felt her own arm mirror Bryg's forceful action and for a moment she saw in her hand a faint outline of the same short arrow Bryg held in hers. With a fierce look in their eyes followed by two vicious smiles, their hands twisted right then left and Richard bent slightly forward by the force of the arrow blinked in surprise.

His eyes and mouth opened wide, blood poured out of his nose and he gurgled in disbelief, "But it was God's will, I," he spat fresh blood on her as he spoke and his hand loosened it's grip around her throat, dropped to her chest, fingers reflexively gripping the front of her shirt, "am the instrument of justice."

"No," Bryg and Tress forced through clenched teeth, eyes glowing red and voices hard with unconcealed loathing, "no more sacrifices, let the devil take your soul," and as the last word left their lips Bryg and Tress, one mirroring the other, leaned slightly back and Bryg forced Richard's knife hand up to his throat, her hand and the blade of the sica burned a fiery white, Bryg held his hand tightly in hers, swiftly slid the sica left to right across and close to his throat but instead of a bloody slice, his throat became a wide gap of black, seared flesh as Bryg and Tress spat, "go to hell, you bastard."

The foul smell of burning flesh and the sickening sweet smell of fresh blood filled the dock as Richard's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he leaned into her, resting his head on her shoulder, his other hand wrapped around the front of her shirt and if it weren't for the blood it would have been seen as a gesture of comfort. Locked in the deadly, bloody embrace, Bryg wouldn't let go of the weapon in him and he wouldn't release his hand from her shirt.

The auras around Bryg and Tress dissolved as the reddish/blue mist rose up around them and as it passed the lights, they sputtered, hissed then flamed on leaving the dock in a dim glow.

And then time seemed to start again and Bryg slumped, suddenly drained of all the strength and intensity she'd just had. It was as if in these last few moments she had been filled with an indescribable power but now it was gone, drained from her so suddenly it would have driven her to her knees if it weren't for Richard still holding onto her. He swam in front of her, her right arm dropped to her side unusable, her left dropped the sica and it hit the dock, no longer red but a dull steel gray, bounced and flew off into the water.

As Bryg and Richard swayed together for a moment locked in some macabre dance Tress was momentarily sapped of all energy, then right before he fell backwards Tress knew and adrenaline rushed through her body as she yelled Bryg's name starting toward her, but was too far to prevent Richard from taking Bryg over the edge with him.

The last thing Bryg heard was Tress's name and hers blending together and echoing off the dock and water.

Tress rushed to the edge looking for any sign of her. "Brygid nooo!" Tress yelled, anguish and terror reverberating throughout the dock. Lights suddenly filled the small area and shouts of police and FBI echoed throughout the dock. "I can't see her, I can't see her," Ash yelled hysterically, clinging to Pete who had helped her over to where Tress was lying on her stomach on the dock, leaning as far as she could without falling herself, flashlight in one hand searching the river for Bryg. Tress didn't question why the lights and radios suddenly worked when they weren't before, she had only one objective on her mind and it was nowhere in sight.

Tress felt a body next to her, turned and for a brief moment her eyes held the face she'd come to know as her friend and as their eyes locked Tress realized who it was and Ash understood the silent vow being made to her. Tress jumped slightly as she felt a cold hand against the small of her back gripping the waistband of her pants, "go" she heard Paul say and glanced over her shoulder and saw Paul with Rick holding him and scooted even further over the edge searching underneath the dock.

"There," Tress yelled to them, "pull me back", and once on the dock pointed her light at a blue outline. Bryg had fallen onto a flat boat and was leaning on her right side, right arm hanging loosely over the side with blood running down from her shoulder and dripping into the water. The boat rocked wildly against the raging, swollen river, and was perilously close to flipping her over. There was no sign of Richard.

"Bryg, if you can hear me, don't move I'm coming down," Tress yelled and turned to get a rope.

"Tress," Ash pleaded as Pete was trying to lead her to an ambulance. "I promise," Tress said.

"Honey," Pete said firmly, his arm around his wife, "Tress will get her."

"She'd better," Tress heard Ashlyn say in a warning tone as she was led away, "or I'll…" Tress didn't hear the rest, she didn't need to because she was fairly certain it involved 'kicking' and 'asses' and soon she heard the sounds of a siren as the ambulance pulled away.

Thomas watched as another FBI agent was strapping climbing gear around him. Tress stopped him and simply said, "I'm going."

He tried to stop her, "Tress, he's an expert in this."

"No," she said and continued to hold him from getting into his gear, "if she is having or has a seizure you won't know what to do, she knows me, I can… " Tress stopped unable to tell them that Bryg would be able to feel her, to know it was a friend.

Thomas had seen enough tonight to know there was something different about these two and if he learned one thing it was not to question her, he motioned to the other man, "help her into the gear and tell her what she'll need to do."

As they helped strap her into a vest and climbing gear the man talked, "these extra straps in the front are for her. Strap her in front of you, her head and arms around your shoulders if possible, if not put them between you, we'll pull you both up but you'll have to hold tight to her head."

Tress nodded taking it all in as a paramedic and Pete Reilly walked up to her with two packages, he clipped one to one side of her, "It's a blanket, cover her as soon as possible for shock make sure the silver side is out, it will repeal the rain," he clipped another package to the other side, "It's pressure bandages and a prefilled syringe of Valium, in case she goes into a seizure, the straps will help hold down the bandage."

"Why aren't you with your wife?" Tress asked, checking to make sure the harness was tight.

"She said she was fine and so did the EMT, said Bryg needed me more right now. As her doctor it was more important for her mental health to be here," he looked into Tress' eyes, "besides I hate to see anyone's ass kicked."

Tress grinned and saw Karen next to her, "Don't worry Pete, if there's any ass kicking I'm much better at it than your wife."

"I'm not sure," Pete started to argue the merits of his wife's ability.

"OK," Tress finally said, "everyone will get their chance, agreed."

They both nodded and Karen reached out to grasp her arm, voice serious, "Be careful."

"Always," Tress patted her hand in reassurance.

Thomas attached a coil of rope to her side and a small two-way radio to an enclosed pocket in the upper part of her vest and snapped it in, "Tie that boat down or we'll loose both of you."

Tress nodded as he continued, "Another ambulance is waiting it's raining too heavy for the copter, good luck."

"Thanks," Tress said checking the equipment one last time.

"Let's lower her over," Paul yelled, "and shine that light on the boat."

Tress sat down on the edge, then slipped over the side and began to be lowered over the edge about 25 feet to the flat boat that was hitting the pier footing with loud bangs. Flashlights led the way helping her find a foothold. It was a small boat, just big enough for the two of them and Bryg was sprawled across the front, the right side of her face pressing into the side of the boat. Water swirled around the boat and splashed on her wetting them both.

Once both feet were on the boat and she was steady, she gently lifted Bryg's arm out of the water, pulled the rope free of her harness, wrapped it around tight around the boat, then the pier footing tying it as tight as she could, then she bent down to check on Bryg. Her pulse was weak but it was there. Tress carefully positioned her in the middle of the boat. She felt for the shoulder wound and for a moment felt nauseous as Bryg's hot, sticky blood seeped between her fingers. She shook it off, wrapped the pressure bandage tightly around her shoulder, carefully attached a sling and strapped it close to her body immobilizing her arm. The river buffeted the boat against the footing and she lost her balance falling on Bryg.

She heard her moan as she wiggled underneath until Bryg was on top and facing her then wrapped the harness around her legs and back, pulling and tugging until the straps were in place then tightening them. With Bryg's right arm in between them she was sure she felt a broken forearm, Bryg groaned, "Sorry," Tress muttered as she tightened the buckles, holding her in place. She did the same to the left then using her teeth ripped the package open holding the blanket, shook it out and formed it around them all the while talking to Bryg softly and gently.

She wrapped her arms tight around her, pulling her left arm over her shoulder, held her head close to her neck and shoulder and reached for the radio, "Thomas, I've got her secured and the straps tightened. I think her right forearm's broken, there's blood everywhere, I," she stopped as her voice caught, "she's pale and cold, I'm afraid she's going into shock, hurry and get us up."

"Tell her to wrap the blanket tight and hold her to her as tight as she can, her body heat will help," she heard Pete say.

"Tress," Thomas yelled.

"Copy," she replied, "watch the lights, if she wakes up it might scare her and we really don't need a seizure right now."

Suddenly the bright light was gone and instead a red glow covered her and Bryg. "Ready Tress." "Ready," Tress replied. The rope tightened, pulled and straightened Tress and Bryg and Bryg started to jerk against her tying to get free. "Bryg, it's OK, it's Tress, we're in a situation here be a good girl and don't fight me on this."

Bryg stopped moving and relaxed her head against Tress' neck. Tress could feel blood dripping down her neck and into her shirt as Bryg's cold lips trembled contrasting with the warm breath against her neck, "T….resss, did you just call me a g…g…iirrll?"

Tress smiled, "Yes I did, now relax, your sister's fine, she's probably already enjoying the comfort of a hospital bed and their well-known cuisine."

"You came for me," Bryg whispered.

"Of course I did silly, friends stick by each other, no matter what."

Bryg whispered, "no matter what," pausing a moment she breathed out, "it hurts, Tress."

"I know it does but it will get better, I promise and you know I always keep my promises," Tress whispered in her ear, "hold onto me and don't let go, no matter what Bryg don't let go, promise me," Tress begged as the wind picked up and twirled them around like a yo yo on a string.

"Ppp…rro..mmisse," Bryg breathed out and Tress held her head tight to her check and neck, Bryg's blood sticky and cold against her skin.

Tress whispered into Bryg's ear, "You remember that 'Ya Ya' movie, at the end when they're making Sandra Bullock a member," she didn't wait for a response just kept talking to let Bryg know she was there but also to settle her fears, "remember they pledged that when you needed it they'd be there for each other, to save you," she thought she heard a short laugh and tightened her grip, "to cover your ass," she pulled the blanket closer around the back of her, "and to give you someone to lean on," she steadied her head on her shoulder, "do you remember Bryg?" She felt Bryg swallow and a slight movement of her head, "Lean on me, no matter what happens you're stuck with me so get used it." She pulled her as close to her as possible and spoke softly and urgently in her ear, "I won't let go, don't let go of me, OK pal."

"OK pal," Bryg blew out a gentle laugh, rested her head on her shoulder then asked, "The moon's blue?" she drew out with the release of a warm breathe against Tress' neck, a slight movement of her head and Tress felt her slump against her, boneless. "Shit," Tress cursed and felt for a pulse. Relief filled her as she felt it, weak but steady, she was just unconscious, then the drizzle started, "Shit, shit, shit," she spat as she pulled the blanket up over her and Bryg's head and pulled tightening her fingers around her. Her head twisted so she was looking straight up and saw the same blue moon Bryg saw, it had changed colors so many times in the past hours, Tress decided it was best to not ask any questions, just accept.

As she reached the edge the rain had started in full force feeling like a thousand needles against her skin. She held onto Bryg and her other hand grabbed for the pier trying to keep her body between them. "She's unconscious, pull me up first," Tress yelled.

Between the four of them, they had pulled Tress up, unbuckled Bryg and were carrying her to a stretcher. Paul helped Tress up and over to the stretcher while wrapping a dry blanket around her. Several agents were holding umbrellas above them as they put her into the ambulance.

Tress followed them into the back where Pete and the paramedic were working on Bryg, who was still unconscious. Tress turned to Karen, Paul and Thomas, "Go, we'll meet you at the hospital," and Tress gave Karen and quick hug whispering in her ear, "remind me if it's raining not to wear leather."

Karen eyes raised in an 'I told you motion', Tress smiled and crawled into the ambulance, knelt down next to Bryg's left side and took her hand as she bent over to her ear, "I'm still here Bryg, I'm not leaving you, feel my hand, just don't let go of my hand." She heard the engine start and the ambulance started to move, siren blaring.

The EMT had already cut open her shirt and had attached small pads with wires leading to a heart monitor. "The wound on her shoulder is pretty deep, forearm's broke and the other cuts are superficial," Pete said as he lifted her lid and looked into her eye with a light, "I don't think there's a concussion, pulse is thready, let's get that IV in and move this tin can faster." The paramedic yelled for the driver to speed up, handed Pete the needle and as he was about to put it in her arm, Bryg let out a long breath, the line on the monitors went flat and a warning tone began. Tress tightened her grip.

"She's coding," and he pulled back the covers, ripped open her shirt as the EMT flipped a switch on a machine and pulled out some paddles handing them to Pete. The EMT squirted them with jelly, rubbed them together and handed them to Pete, "Clear," he shouted and pressed a paddle to the sides of Bryg's chest. Tress had let Bryg's hand go and leaning back against the wall of the ambulance, her lips barely moved as she chanted, "come on, come on, come on."

Bryg jerked as the volts impacted against her body. The only thing moving in the back of the ambulance were eyes begging a green line to move on the monitor. The drone of the flat line continued to reverberate throughout the ambulance and chilled Tress to the bone. "No response," Pete yelled and noticing the pendant lying on her chest tried to move it, "what's wrong with this thing, it's like it's stuck or something." Tress saw it glow a dull blue against Bryg's clammy skin. "No," she said stopping Pete's hand, "leave it and add this," and she reached up and removed her necklace with its pendant and placed it around Bryg's neck. The two pendants lay side by side next to each other, one glowing blue and the other, Tress', glowing red in the low light of the ambulance. Pete looked at the resolve in her eyes and turned to the EMT, "again," and jelly was squirted on the paddles, and a dial turned up. "Clear," Pete called out as Tress' eyes narrowed on the pendants and her mantra turned to 'please, please, please," as Bryg's body jerked again, Pete's eyes remained glued to the monitor and Tress's eyes remained glued to the pendants.


**************************************************************************************


Bryg opened her eyes expecting to feel pain and wetness but didn't feel either. Looking down she saw salmon, fish, ducks, swans and geese swimming below her. Pure reaction forced her to push up and she stopped halfway realizing in surprise that her right arm was now usable. Confused she continued to push up till standing checking for wounds that were no longer there nor glasses and found she could see perfectly.

Twisting her head she was on a glass bridge but because of the red tinted mist she couldn't see either the beginning or the end. The cawing of a crow sounded in the distance and she turned toward it suddenly surrounded on either side by white swans some with gold and some with silver chains. "I don't think I'm in Kansas anymore," she murmured and followed as the swans led the way.

Soon she came to a lowered drawbridge that revealed the interior of a huge castle where she could hear music and her mouth watered at the delicious smell. She saw people singing, dancing, laughing and eating. A great party was being held and her eyes opened wide as she saw her parents. A woman walked in front of them carrying a plate of food, she turned to Bryg, smiled and waved. It was one of the victims and Bryg knew they had been redeemed and were at peace.

Suddenly two guards appeared on either side of her and lowered spears of blue in front of her. "Halt, you cannot enter, mortal foot cannot tread on this drawbridge or enter this castle." She moved to push them aside, but her feet wouldn't move and were stuck to the glass bridge, "I'm not mortal, I'm dead," she protested.

"To be more precise, you are between worlds Brygid Aine O'Malley, time has no meaning here."

She followed the voice and saw two white dogs with red ears and a woman leading a group of people toward her. They seemed to float toward her and although she'd never seen them before the closer they got she began to recognize who they were, Brigid, the sun goddess, patron saint of Ireland and the goddess of poetry and healing, Morrigan, the moon goddess, the queen and goddess of the mystic arts, the great father Dagda and great mother Danu. The rest she recognized by their names as Brigid waved her hand, each was introduced and lowered their head to Bryg in response. To her right was Druantia, sorceress and queen of the Druids, Arianrhood, the lunar goddess of time and space, Belisana, the goddess of healing and laughter, and Epona, the goddess of the horse. To her left was Morrigan, Dagda, Danu, Eire, the Earth goddess of Eire, Bel, the shining god, Diancechet, the physician-magician, Don, the god of the Land of the Dead, Goibniu, the 'great smith', Llyr, the god of the sea and water and lastly Macha, the war goddess.

It was the entire pantheon of the Irish gods and goddesses in front of her in all their glory. They shone and beamed with light. They were so beautiful and she was so overwhelmed they took her breath away, tears formed in her eyes and feeling humbled and small she lowered her head.

Brigid stepped forward and touched her on the top of the head. "Arise laoch, you have nothing to fear it and is we who should honor you."

Bryg uncertain of what Brigid was speaking about lifted her head as requested.

"Observe Brygid Aine and know your true heritage." Brigid passed her hand through the air and Bryg saw all the female members of her family from her mother to her grandmother, to her great-grandmother to her mother and her mother before her, thousands of women's faces passed before her and each smiled lovingly at her. "Since the beginning of time all the way back to Nemed your line has all held the right of awenyddian for the imbas forosna runs strong in our family, every one of you has had my name and you my namesake are doubly blessed by being descended from the Ur Naill's, the first royal family of Tara."

Bryg was speechless for a moment, "This is the Otherworld, my parents."

Brigid said smiling and stepped forward and touched Bryg's pendants, "We are surprised to see you wear both my and Morrigan's symbol around your neck."

As Brigid stepped back Bryg reached up and held it by her forefinger and thumb. "Tress gave me one, she must have put the other one on."

Dagda stepped to stand next to her as all the gods and goddess' lowered their heads in respect, "Aye, she did lass for since you are between worlds, she fears for your life and since they were both formed from my cauldron they are being used to heal and protect, she is calling you back."

"What if I don't want to go, what if I want to remain here?" Bryg said glancing around them trying to catch another view of her parents.

"I'm afraid in that my dear you have no choice," Dagda said, "I had the two pendants you wear forged by Goibniu thousands of years ago, one as a symbol of Brigid's chosen and the other representing Morrigan's chosen. I told the young lass it was a gift and she should not question, just accept and give thanks and that she should nay be stingy about the sharing. I am pleased that she has honored my request beyond my expectations." He smiled at her.

Bryg looked to Brigid, "Two pendants, one representing words and inspiration, the other justice and honor, it has been many cycles since our two chosens have been together and many more since their two souls have been connected in such a way as yours," Brigid said, "you have family waiting for you, many more things to do in our name, a long life ahead and many people to influence with your words and deeds. She calls your soul home and you cannot ignore the request."

Bryg looked at Morrigan, "Does she know?"

Morrigan smiled, "That she's my chosen? When I to spoke to her at the well and the other times, I believe she realized her destiny."

"Then we have no choice."

"Most often the destination is chosen for us but we always have choices in the journey and in who accompanies us," Brigid replied.

Bryg's eyes moved past them as she found the eyes of her mother and as Brigid's voice faded her mother's filled her head, "I know this is difficult for you to understand right now Bryg, but this is one of the times that I told you about not questioning and just accepting. This is our heritage, your heritage, you are the strongest of us all and are destined for greatness my darling, just listen to your heart it will always be true and lead you home. Wisdom, faith and courage Bryg, and remember family, friendship and love can do amazing things. Know above all else that your father and I love you and Ash with all that we are and that will never change. We are always with you and till we meet again live well, love much and laugh often," she smiled and waved as she and Bryg's father turned and walked back into the castle arm-in-arm.

"You seem troubled, my chosen," Brigid said and Bryg looked at her, "if it is your true wish to remain?"

"No," Bryg said adamantly then glanced at her parents one last time before looking back at Brigid, her eyes glistening with tears, "no," she repeated in understanding and acceptance, "I understand."

Brigid nodded, "Then be recognized," and as Bryg held her head high in acknowledgement as Brigid turned to the others, "I present to you Brygid Aine O'Malley, heir to my line and the great royal throne of Tara, she is my chosen and assumes her rightful place. For the first time in many cycles the two chosens stand together and the ancient circle has closed, beginning a time of renewal and awakening, a new generation of inspiration, words, honor and justice."


She turned to Bryg, "You have my protection and the blessing of us all. When it is time, you will know who to pass the pendant onto and upon your return you will be welcomed as an honored warrior and respected for you are of my blood and of the first clan of Eire."

The other gods and goddesses nodded to her and overwhelmed she slowly nodded back. Brigid continued, "Continue your journey and fear not that you will be alone, for I will always be with you, if you need me look to your heart where all important things lie and I will be there to guide you."

"As will I and my chosen," Morrigan said moving to stand next to her sister.

Brigid and Morrigan held hands and with Brigid's palm over her heart and Morrigan's palm over her head she felt the pendants glow, spreading warmth throughout her chest. "Tress," Bryg whispered as she closed her eyes and felt herself falling backwards.

Two pairs of eyes watched the monitor and Tress watched Bryg and held her hand so tight she knew later there would be bruises. She vaguely remembered hearing the words v-fib, defibrillator, 200, shock, again, lidocaine, 300, again, 360, again. She sat back a chill settling in her and willed all her strength to her while she watched and begged her through tear filled eyes, "don't let go, don't let go," she saw the pendants glow brighter, she pleaded breathlessly, "I'm here, I'm here, come on, come on," and saw the pendants increase their intensity until they formed a small circle of concentrated bluish-red light hovering just above Bryg's chest and head and everyone but Tress jumped when the circles split in a small explosion and blue and red light flashed throughout the ambulance, dissipated and then she heard a beep, then another and another until it turned into a normal rhythm, "that's it," she smiled as the beeping became steady.

Tress finally released her breath as fresh life filled the ambulance and at that exact moment a movement in the window caught her eye. A raven cawed and a goose honked and she saw both flying together a wingtip from each other and as they flew between her and a moon that remained natural white but was haloed by red and blue.

Tress held Bryg's hand with both hers and glanced at Pete and the EMT. "I'm not even going to ask," Pete said shaking his head back and forth mimicked by the EMT. "Good," Tress said, "I don't understand it either, I'm just accepting."

Pete pushed Bryg's wet hair off her forehead, cleansed the wound and applied a gauze pad then began working on her other wounds. Tress felt a tightening around her hand and squeezed back.

"Tress," she coughed weakly, licked her lips and pushed her eyes open,

"Yes," Tress breathed out a sigh of relief and smiled tiredly. "Did," she paused forcing out the words, eyes fluttering, "I do something wrong?"

Tress laughed out loud at the same question she'd asked almost three weeks ago, "No, in fact you did everything right, relax we're on our way to the hospital, we need to get you fixed up."

"Ash?" Bryg whispered and Tress knelt down next to her.

"She's fine," Tress replied and saw Bryg weakly try to move her hand away and toward her pocket. Tress refused to let loose and instead reached her other hand in and felt a smooth cool stone with a hole in the center, which she pulled out. It was the Irish luck stone she'd given her a few days ago. Tress held it in her hand for a moment rubbing the smooth stone, then put it in between her and Bryg's palm and tightened her grip.

"It worked," Bryg said, eyes shadowed in pain and exhaustion.

"Good, I hate to see good money wasted," Tress smiled.

"You d…don't l…ook too g….good," Bryg said.

"Just need a hot shower and remind me next time about wearing leather in the rain," Tress said trying to adjust her pants.

Bryg smiled weakly then looked up at Tress, "I… I sss…aaaw them."

"Who?" Tress asked gently.

"Mmm….my parents, Brigid, Morr…igan, all of the, I was in the Other," she coughed, "world, I…I saw them all."

Tress smoothed back her damp hair, "Bryg, you were," she stopped unable to say the word 'dead', "you weren't here, it may have been your mind…."

Bryg tightened her grip on Tress's arm and tugged her to move closer, "Nooo, I…I saw them, I w…was there, m…my m…mother spoke to me, heritage, our heritage, we were their words and justice," she said eyes pleading as she looked at Tress for belief.

Tress smiled, "Then we'll accept and give thanks."

"Thanks," Bryg said softly relaxing, closed her eyes for a moment then looked back up, "thanks," her eyelids fluttered and she licked her lips, "for being my friend, for sticking by me."

"That's what friends do Bryg, help shorten the road."

Bryg smiled slightly then her face clouded and looked at Tress with teary eyes, "the nightmares are still there, even in the light," she whispered.

"I know, that's also why I'm here," Tress smiled softly and as Bryg fell asleep Tress leaned back against the wall of the ambulance and put her other hand around Bryg's, holding both tightly all the way to the hospital.

It had been five hours since they'd reached the hospital, Bryg was rushed into emergency surgery and Tress was checked over, allowed to take a shower and given some dry scrubs. Ashlyn was dehydrated, suffering from drug withdrawal, but otherwise fine and sleeping peacefully.

Tress was in the waiting area with Paul, Karen, Bobbi, Chloe, Rick and Thomas when Pete came in from the operating room. She saw the look in his eyes and lowered her head in her hands and sobbed. Karen put her arm around her and she held her tight as Tress leaned into her.


****************************************************************************************


Tress stood at the lake behind Ashlyn's house watching Ash sit on the bench, the children playing around her, yelling, chasing and laughing, and Pete sitting next to her. Ash turned to look at Tress and smiled and Tress turned around and also smiled at the figure that was walking toward her from the house. Bryg's arm was in a sling and wrapped tight to her body. A gauze pad still covered the right side of her forehead.

"Does it hurt much?" Tress said taking the two cans of Coke from Bryg, opening one and handing it back to her.

"My shoulder does only when I move," Bryg smiled glancing at the cast, "but this itches like crazy, but the pain medicine helps."

Tress looked at her questioningly. "It's Anaprox Tress, super strong Aleve, I just need it for a while, that and the physical therapy will take care of everything."

Tress smiled and Bryg joined her as they both watched Ash and her family. "What about your head?"

"Bright red and healing nicely," she answered, "it will be another good scar, a nice match for the other one," she smiled.

Tress nodded knowing the real miracle that happened that night on the dock, "Can you do anything to help it?" Tress asked.

"The doctor gave me some cream to put on it, even something for the old scar," Bryg answered, "said it'd take maybe a year for it to heal, in the meantime there's some treatments they could try to reduce the older scar, then later work on the new one."

"So," Tress started hesitantly, "what are you going to do now?"

Bryg turned to her, "I think I need to stay here awhile to make sure Ash is all right. It's been a shock for all of us and I want to make sure everything's together," and she pointed at her head, "I guess after Richard's betrayal and, well…," she didn't finish.

They were silent for a moment then Tress said, "You know you did the right thing." Bryg looked at her, "I know," she hesitated. "He would have killed you and Ash," Tress said. "And you," Bryg looked at her, "and yes, I did the right thing."

"Call me when you're ready and we'll meet in Sanibel and have a real vacation, we both deserve one after this," Tress said hopefully.

Bryg smiled and nodded but Tress wasn't sure whether she'd come or not. She'd gotten used to Bryg O'Malley and refused to lose this friendship, Bryg had become an essential part of her life, because of the person she was and because of the person Tress was when she was around her. She needed Bryg to know she'd be there for her, that she was worthwhile of loyalty and friendship and had opened her heart to her. She had accepted that Bryg was her soul friend, as the Irish called it, her mother right as usual, but Tress couldn't force a friendship, Bryg had to realize this on her own and Tress wanted it to be as real and solid for Bryg as it was for her and even though Bryg had Ash back she hoped she'd give it a chance.

Tress heard a car honking. "There's my limo, I guess I'd better be going."

At that moment Ash walked up with Pete and hugged Tress, "Thanks again Tress for giving me back my life and my sister," Ash whispered to her, "and for not making me kick your ass."

Tress hugged her back, laughing, "Anytime." Next Pete hugged her, thanked her, then put his arm around his wife and led her back to the bench.

Bryg walked Tress to the front of the house where the limo driver had just finished loading her luggage, he had opened the door for her and walked around to the drivers side and got in. Tress turned to her, "Call me," she fought down the lump in her throat and pulled Bryg to her. "I will," Bryg promised.

Tress released her and looked at her, "You have my cell number?"

"Yes, you have mine?" Bryg asked.

"Yes," Tress paused, "shit, I just remembered I leave for a cruise on Sunday, I'll be out of the country for two weeks."

"I seem to bring the best words out of you Tress," Bryg smiled, "call me when you get back, I'll either be here or Ash will know where I am."

"Bryg I have an idea, come on the cruise with me and my family, John and Emily will be there too. I talked to my mom and your doctor and they all said it would be a good break for you. We have a doctor and a neurologist in the family and the doctor on the ship can take care of everything you'll need. They all like you and we both deserve a rest. I have a suite all to myself with two twin beds and a private balcony, we won't be crowded," Tress' voice implored.

"Tress, it's your family vacation, I'd just be intruding, besides I haven't been out of the country in a long time and Ash," she turned and looked at the back of the house, "Ash needs me right now and I need her. Please understand, Tress, I owe you everything and I can't thank you enough," she pulled Tress to her, "have a good time and call me when you get back," Bryg said into Tress' ear as she reached up and gave her a one arm hug. Tress returned it careful of her shoulder and when they released each other Tress held her eyes, "I'm you're friend Bryg, that will never change, but don't run away from this or you'll never find your way back, the pain will poison your soul, that I know." Tress then smiled, "Be well, Brygid Aine O'Malley."

"You too, Tressa Katherine Morgan," Bryg said through tears.

"Maam," the limo driver said stepping out of the door, "sorry to interrupt but we'll be late for your flight."

Tress reached out and put her hand on top of Bryg's, "Di cutach a bealach, Bryg."

"Two shorten the road," Bryg repeated smiling as tears rolled down her cheeks and she squeezed Tress's hand. Tress' jaw muscles tightened as she fought the tears and she smiled back, unable to say anything for fear of breaking down, sat down in the limo and closed the door. She rolled the window down, "Call me," she managed to get out as the car pulled away. She turned and looked out the back window and saw Bryg waving and nodding. Tress watched her until the car reached the street, turned and Bryg was gone. She felt empty and lonely and in some ways cursed Bryg O'Malley and John Watson for asking her to help in the first place.

Tress walked into her house in Naples after a long flight from Chicago. She set her luggage and went to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. Even the Jublum with Irish cream flavoring didn't raise her spirits. She checked the answering machine and pressed the play button. There were several from her mother regarding packing for the trip, what they would do and see, when they were leaving for the airport on Sunday and what time they'd pick her up. Two from her sister, a couple from Karen who said not to worry about anything and she'd see her Sunday and how much she was looking forward to the trip, one from John who thanked her again and one from Nick who said she was getting some kind of commendation from the director of the FBI for solving the last case and he'd see her Sunday and they were looking forward to the trip, but none from Bryg. It seemed everyone was looking forward to the trip but Tress. She reached for the phone and started to dial Ash's number but stopped and hung it up. She couldn't force her friendship on Bryg maybe she need some time which Tress would give her.

The phone rang and a startled Tress quickly grabbed it, "Hello," she said out of breath. "Tress," her mother said, "how was the flight?" her mother asked. Tress had talked to her mother from Alexandria and Chicago and she knew everything that had happened. "How's Bryg?" her mother asked before Tress could say anything. "The flight was long and she's was all right the last time I saw her," Tress said sounding a little disappointed. "Did you ask her to join us for the cruise?" her mother said for Tress had talked to her mother about asking Bryg to see what she thought. Gillian liked Bryg and was happy that her daughter had finally felt comfortable enough with someone to offer friendship much less ask them on a family vacation. Tress' voice tightened, "she said she needed to be with her sister for a while and for me to call her when I get back." "I'm sorry Tress, there'll be other times for us all to get together and Bryg is always welcome," Gillian said knowing by her daughter's voice how disappointed she was. "We'll be picking you up at 8:00 on Sunday morning, the flight leave at 11:00, please be one time, you know how security has increased and how I hate to be late for the airport," Gillian said changing the subject. "Yes, mother," Tress know when not to argue.

Ash watched Bryg from the window of the kitchen as she sat on the bench and watched the sun set on the lake. She picked up a cup of coffee, took it out to her and sat down next to her. "Are you all right?"

Bryg looked at her, "I should be asking you that."

"I'm fine or I will be fine. Gloria and Ian's arranged for a therapist for me, starting tomorrow," Ash said.

"The same one I went to?" Bryg asked.

"The same," Ash said.

"She's good," Bryg said and took a sip of her coffee.

"Tress asked me about you going on the cruise, she did ask you didn't she?" Ash said.

"Yes, but I told her I needed some time with you and to call me when she got back," Bryg replied.

"Why don't you go Bryg, I'm fine," Ash said.

"I don't want to intrude and I haven't been out of the country for years, I don't know if I can, what if I have a seizure?" Bryg confessed.

"You haven't had one since after the surgery and your cat scans are normal, your migraines have lessened, you don't stammer anymore and you can see without glasses. The chances of a seizure are slim, but from what I hear they'll be enough people to surround you and I don't think you'd be intruding, I talked with Emily and she said Tress' family really liked you. Did you know they were going too?" Ash asked.

"Yes, Tress told me, but," she looked at Ash, "I'm scared Ash. I'm not good with people, even those I know and being on a ship in the middle of the ocean."

"Tress will be with you and so will John and Emily and you know all of Tress' family. You need to do this Bryg you owe it to Tress. She wants you as a friend and as far as I know she's the first applicant since, well, since forever. Don't turn this down Bryg, friendship is a powerful gift," Ash said.

Bryg looked at her twin thoughtfully and went into the house leaving Ash sitting on the bench.

When Bryg didn't show up for dinner an hour later Ash went up to check on her. She knocked on the door, "Bryg," she called and when she didn't answer she opened the door and say Bryg sitting on the floor against the wall hugging her knees with her one good arm and crying her heart out. Ash went over and put her arm around Bryg and pulled her to her. Bryg turned and grabbed onto her sister, clinging for dear life and as Ash held on tight Bryg cried great wracking sobs. She thought she heard Bryg say something about being tired of hiding and wanting to go somewhere. An hour later Ash had managed to get Bryg onto the bed and settled in behind her still holding her. Bryg clung to her sleeping fitfully and every time she started to wake, Ash would soothe her with her voice and she'd fall back asleep. Ash was finally able to pull a card from Bryg's hand and noticed Tress' pendent around her sister's neck along with the one she'd given Bryg earlier. She uncrumpled the card and read it wondering what it said that would have caused this kind of reaction. It said, "may the light always find you on a dreary day, when you need to find home may you find your way, may you always have courage to take a chance, and never find frogs in your underpants." She chuckled at Tress's humor then saw the inscription, "this helped me now it's your turn. Remember, just call out my name, well you know the rest. Love, Tress."

When Pete stepped in to see if they were all right Ash quickly silenced him, told him not to worry, to pull out the luggage and check on flights for Sunday to Miami.

Pete smiled, closed the door, went into his office and turned on the computer.

Bryg's singing in the shower awakened Ash the next morning and she just lay in bed for a moment listening to the change in her sister's voice and the fact that she was singing some Irish song. It was as if a heavy rain had come and swept away all the darkness, the guilt and pain and she was healed. Bryg came out drying her hair and for the first time in over a year had a genuine smile on her face and said Ash must be getting old needing to sleep in and all. Ash laughed, jumped up and grabbed Bryg in a hug only sisters could share and as they were both laughing and hugging the kids ran in and they all joined in a mass hug on the bed. "Can I join or is this an exclusive club?" Pete said smiling and standing at the door. Megan went over and pulled him to the bed and they all tickled and laughed and hugged. After a few moments as they all lay there in the bed exhausted Pete said, "You know if you want any outfits for the cruise you'd better get going."

Bryg stuck her head up, "Outfits, cruise?" she said.

Ash stood and pulled her up by her hand, "Yes, outfits and cruise. Pete booked a flight for you to Miami for tomorrow, landing at 3:00 with plenty of time to make the port. He also went to the bank, got your passport and I'm sure you have your driver's license and a credit card. I also called Gloria and had all your meds refilled, all we have to do is pick them up. She's going to contact the ships doctor and faxed all your medical requirements so they have what you'll need in stock. After you fell asleep I called John and got Gillian's phone number, she's a delightful woman, Bryg, and invited us to spend some time in Naples later this year and between the two of us we've arrange transportation and tickets. Gillian is arranging special VIP help at the departure port and Pete's called the airline and told them a Pulitzer Prize winning novelist with special medical requirements was flying and could their VIP services offer a helping hand."

Bryg just looked at her dumbfounded.

"Did I miss anything?" Ash asked innocently.

"No," Bryg smiled.

"No arguments, Bryg, you deserve to have some fun. You are going to Miami to join Tress and her family on that cruise and you will enjoy yourself," Ash said adamantly.

Ash looked at Bryg who said very adamantly, "No." Ash started to speak then Bryg grinned widely interrupting her, "No, no arguments."

Ash hugged her, they both laughed and she pulled her through the house as she led them to the car to go do some shopping she told her all about the conversation she had with Gillian and the cruise she and Pete went on for their honeymoon.

Ash dialed Gillian and Patrick's home number and Gillian answered. "Mrs. Morgan," Ash said. "Yes," Gillian answered. "Hi, I'm Ashlyn Reilly, Brygid's sister," Ash said. Gillian's stomach dropped, "Is anything wrong? Is Bryg all right?" Ash laughed, "Bryg is fine, in fact she's decided to accompany your family on the cruise leaving tomorrow, Tress did mention it to you?" "Yes," Gillian sputtered in astonishment, "yes, that's great." "Bryg was worried about a ticket, she's given me her credit card number and…" Gillian interrupted Ashlyn, "I'm sorry Ashlyn, but we cannot accept her money, she's given my daughter the gift of her friendship and it's been a long time since I've seen Tress this happy, allow me to take care of the arrangements," Gillian said. "She wants it to be a surprise Mrs. Morgan," Ashlyn said. "It's Gillian dear, Mrs. Morgan was my mother-in-law and a perpetually crabby woman," Ashlyn laughed, "and I will take care of the ship's arrangements. It assume it would be better if Bryg stayed with Tress since Tress is aware of her special medical needs." "Bryg is also a little uncomfortable about traveling out of the country, Mrs., sorry, Gillian, and she's a little anxious about having an attack in public." Ashlyn said. "Bryg has nothing to fear, we've all seen her attacks and we have enough people on this trip to cover up anything. Bryg is always welcome in our home and on our vacations, Ashlyn, we'll watch over her you have my word." "Thank you, Gillian, and thank your family for giving my sister something to smile about." "And Ashlyn, we look forward to meeting you and your family as soon as you feel up to traveling, you are welcome to visit us anytime in Naples." Ashlyn laughed, "you may not say that when you meet the rug rats as Bryg calls them." Gillian laughed too, "I have several rug rats of my own and you and they are welcome anytime." "Thank you Gillian," Ashlyn said. "No, thank you, Ashlyn, this is the best news I've heard in a long time," Gillian said, "if you don't mind could you give me your number so I can call you later about the arrangements and Ashlyn, she'll need her driver's license and birth certificate or passport." Ash gave her the number.

The next morning the limo was at Tress' door at exactly 8:00. Her luggage already sitting out front, she set the alarm and closed and locked the door. She smiled at her mother and kissed her but Gillian could tell she was hiding her true feelings. "Just wait," Gillian thought, "you'll feel better soon."

They arrived at the airport on time, Tress had to settle for a cup of Starbucks while waiting for the plane spending her time playing a handheld game with Mike Jr. They arrived in Miami one time, retrieved their luggage and found the limo that would take them to the port. By the time they got there the ship was boarding and lunch was being served in the buffet. They were one of the first passengers on and after putting their carry-on luggage in their rooms, they all went to eat and it wasn't long before John and Emily, Nick and Terri and Karen and Paul arrived. Gillian looked around the table, they were all there and it filled her heart with joy, the love of her life, Patrick, Lauren, Mike, Mike Jr., Lisa, Tress, Sean and Neil, and the other members of her extended family, John and Emily, Karen and Paul and Nick and Terri. They all looked happy and excited all that is except for Tress, who hid her loneliness well, but Gillian could tell by her eyes. She looked at her mother and smiled and her mother smiled back.

Gillian knew Bryg would be late getting on the ship and had arranged for them all to be in the main entrance at 4:30 to wait for her. The ship left at 6:00 so she should have plenty of time before the departure time. Linda had arranged the cruise ticket, VIP pickup at the airport and VIP service getting checked in. On the other end Ash and Pete ordered a car for the trip to the airport. The limo dropped them all off at the front of the airport and the driver carried her luggage to the curb. A bellcap put them on a rack, checked her ticket and labeled the luggage. Pete gave him a $20 tip, "Thank you sir, Miss, have a nice flight." "Thank you," Bryg said a little nervous. They walked to the ticket counter and were met by the airlines VIP personnel, "Ms. O'Malley?" she asked. "Yes," Bryg said. "We've been expecting you, I'm Nancy, I will be escorting you to your plane."

"Thank you," Bryg said as Nancy reached for Bryg's carryon.

"We'll leave you in capable hands," Ash said as she hugged her sister, "have fun and don't worry." Pete hugged her too and so did the kids. "Ash," Bryg called and pulled her into another hug, "I'm a little scared." "Don't worry, Tress and her family will be waiting for you, you feel comfortable with her and her family don't you?" Bryg nodded. "You have your medicines?" Ash asked, "your driver's license?" Bryg nodded. Credit card?" Bryg nodded again. "Your passport?" Bryg nodded. "Then have a great time, call me," Ash hugged her again and Nancy held out her hand indicating that Bryg was to go this way. Bryg looked at Ash and Pete and the kids who all waved and yelled for her not to forget their presents. She laughed, waved back and followed Nancy to the gate.

Bryg was escorted to the plane and met by the pilot. The stewardess took her carry on from Nancy and led her to an aisle seat in first class. Ash had made sure she wasn't near the window. This was the first time she'd been in a plane since last year and she took three Xanax to calm down. When the stewardess offered her a drink she asked for a Coke. She laid her head back on the seat and flexed and reflexed her hand, she started to sweat and was just about to undo her seatbelt and leave when a little boy next to her asked her something. "What?" anxiety filled voice said as she looked at him. "Are you scared?" he asked. She smiled, "a little," she reached up and fingered the pendants, they felt warm and she didn't feel so alone, "are you?" "A little," he said, "I'm Joey." "It's my favorite name," Bryg smiled. "My mommy and daddy are waiting for me, are yours?" Joey asked. "Yes they are, but I don't think I'll see them as soon as you'll see your mommy and daddy," she said. "Do you want to hold my hand and we'll be scared together?" he asked and held his out. "Yes," she said and he put his small hand in hers and held tight.

They were held up in a traffic pattern over Miami and the plane landed over an hour late. As soon as the hatch opened the VIP representative was waiting for her. "Your car is waiting for you Ms. O'Malley, we have to hurry," he said holding out his hand for her carryon. She turned to Joey, "thank you," she said. "Sure, Bryg, when you fly again let me know and I'll hold your hand anytime," he smiled. Bryg laughed, gave him a card and told him to tell his mother to call in three weeks, "I'd like to talk to her, to thank her." "OK," Joey said.

"Ms. O'Malley, I'm sorry, we need to hurry," Tom the VIP rep said. "I'm coming," Bryg said and followed him down the ramp. He led her to a golf cart and helped her on it then drove her to the waiting car. "Do you have your luggage tags, I'll get them for you," Tom said. "Yes," she gave him her ticket with the tags attached. "Be right back," he said and left on the cart. Twenty minutes later he returned with all her luggage, "here you go," he said and helped load it in the car. She gave him a tip and the car pulled away toward the port.

It wasn't until 5:30 that the car reached the ship's departure point and ship's personnel rushed to help her. The ship's head of security at the departure point met her, "Welcome Ms. O'Malley, we're waiting for you, please follow me. Don't worry about your luggage, we'll take care of it," and he took her carryon and nodded to a group of men who hurried to the open trunk of the limo and put the luggage in a rolling basket and hurriedly pushed it to the loading area. Bryg followed him to the cruise entrance. "Name miss," the agent said. "Brygid O'Malley," Bryg said catching herself as she reached up to rub her scar, at least it was still covered with a bandage.

"Ah yes, part of the Morgan party, they travel with us quite often. You'll be staying with Tress Morgan, is that correct?" "Yes," Bryg said. "May I see your drivers license, birth certificate or passport and credit card for your ship and shore card?" Bryg handed them to her. The agent gave her a ticket, the drivers license, passport and credit card, "I'm a great fan Ms. O'Malley have a nice trip." "Thanks," Bryg said stunned and let the security agent led her to the next station. "You need to get your sign and sail card here," he said. She handed the girl at the table her ticket and she pulled a sign and sail card from the stack of envelopes. "This is your room key, what you'll use to get on and off the ship and charge items to your room. Sign here please," and indicated a white space on the back of the card. Bryg signed it and put it in her envelope with the ticket. "Have a great trip Ms. O'Malley, loved your last book." Bryg again seemed surprised that so many knew of her work.
The security agent led her to the x-ray machine and placed her hand luggage on the conveyer belt to go through the machine and she walked thought the archway. The security agent retrieved her hand luggage for her and led her to the escalator that led up to the walkway to the ship. At the top she was asked to lean forward into a wooden box with a screen and smile to have her picture taken. "Thank you," they said and the agent led her to the entrance to the ship. At the entrance, the cruise director, Jack Mitchell, and chief purser, Lynn Adams, met her with Jack Mitchell taking her carryon from the security agent.

"Ms. O'Malley, how nice to meet you, I'm a big fan, read all your books," Nancy said, "on behalf of the Captain we're proud to have you as one of our guests and he's asked if you and you're party would join him at the Captain's table one night this week, if you need anything during the cruise, please don't hesitate to ask," she continued. Jack greeted her as well, "I know it's early and you want to just enjoy yourself, but when I heard you were coming we stocked the ship's store with your books and had additional copies put in the library for checkout by our guests. I'd like you to consider giving a talk during the cruise. I'm sure all our guests would be excited to meet you and hear from a Pulitzer Prize winner." Bryg was astonished and overwhelmed at all the attention, "I," she paused, "I don't know, please let me think about it." "Of course," Jack said, "if you need anything at all don't hesitate to let me know." At that they had reached the main lobby. Bryg's mouth opened as she looked up at the eight-floor entrance with a three-story piece of abstract art in the middle and glass elevators.

"Bryg," Gillian called to her. She smiled and walked over to where they were waiting where Gillian hugged her as well and Patrick. John, Emily, Karen and Paul all hugged her in turn and she was introduced to Nick and Terri. "Here's you luggage, Ms. O'Malley, again on behalf of Captain Williams, welcome aboard," and Patrick took her carryon from Jack Mitchell.

Bryg thanked them and turned to Gillian, "we were beginning to wonder if you'd make it," Gillian said. "My plane was late," Bryg said looking for Tress and starting to get nervous, the Xanax wearing off, the urge to rub her scar overwhelming. "Tress and the boys went up to watch the ship disembark," Patrick said. "Come on, I'll show you how to get there," Gillian took her hand and led her to the elevator that would take her to the top deck. "We'll watch your things," she said and pressed the button that said exercise room and running track. "It's toward the front," Gillian told her as the doors closed.

Tress had just finished playing shuffleboard game against Neil and Sean and they were leaning on the railing watching the ship pull away from the port of Miami. Tress sighed. Lauren and Mike had taken the kids to the arcade, her mom and dad were sitting in the main entrance area with John and Emily, Karen and Paul and Nick and Terri and they were to meet up in an hour for dinner. It was casual tonight in the main dinning room, the only night it would be for the rest of the cruise. Sean turned and hit his brother in the ribs, "we gotta go, see ya later," he said and he and Neil disappeared. She saw them following two college-aged girls down the stairs. She turned back to look at the lights of the city. Bryg walked up behind her and the small bag she hand in her hand fell onto the deck. As she bent down to pick it up, Tress suddenly turned, saw a body bent down on the deck out of the corner of her eye and rolled over her to the right winding up flat on her back on the deck. "Shhiiittt," Tress let out in a long breath as she rolled over Bryg. She looked up, "I'm sorr…" then stopped mid sentence, eyes and mouth open. Bryg still kneeling looked down at her, "are you all right?"

Tress pushed herself up on her elbows a smile lighting up her face, "you know you could give someone a heart attack?"

Bryg smiled and held out her good hand and pulled Tress up as she stood, "and you could give someone a stroke?"

Tress stood brushing herself off as Bryg walked a few feet to lean against the rail, "You know Tress," she said, "I'm beginning to get a complex. We both have PhD's, I have a Master's in Literature and a Pulitzer Prize and all you can say every time you see me is 'shit'?" Bryg smiled.

Tress grinned widely and walked over to lean next to her, "you just seem to bring out the best in me."

"It's all right, isn't it Tress?" Bryg said face and voice questioning her actions. " Cead Mille Failte, ma achora," she said and squeezed Bryg's hand. "And a thousand welcomes to you too, my friend," Bryg replied.

"This is great," Tress said excitedly, "wait, you don't get seasick do you?" "Not that I know of, this is the first time I've been on the ocean," Bryg said, "and the first time I've been on a cruise," she paused, "and the first time in a long time I've been out of the country." "How many Xanax?" Tress asked. "Three," Bryg responded. "What did you have to drink?" Tress asked. "A coke," Bryg smiled. "Did you get your meds refilled?" Tress asked. Bryg nodded. "Did you take them?" Tress asked. Bryg nodded, "I haven't had a seizure since before I was injured, cat scans are normal, migraines have lessened, the stammering's gone and my vision's good in both eyes."

"How's your arm and head?" Tress asked. "Fine and the ship's doctor said he'd continue the therapy and check it for me but I have to keep it wrapped, can't get it wet, so pool and water sports are out for me."

"Doesn't matter," Tress said excitedly, "at least we're off to a better start than last time, besides, you're lucky I'm an expert on cruises and what tours to go on and where the best shopping is, we'll have a great time, and," she suddenly stopped and looked at Bryg, "thank you," Tress said emotion filling her voice. "No, thank you," she said as she fingered the pendant, "two do shorten the road" Bryg answered and handed the small bag to Tress.

"What's this?" Tress asked, "you didn't have to get me a present," her voice trailed off as she pulled out one of the pendants on a chain. "I can't accept this Bryg, I gave them to you."

"Sometimes lass you just need to not question, just accept, give thanks and nay be stingy," Bryg said in a perfect Irish brogue. "Besides, you can't refuse a gift from a friend, I kept one, you need to have the other." "I have to, huh," Tress said smiling. "I have it on good authority," Bryg said and raised her eyes in a gesture that would eliminate any argument. Tress laughed as she fastened the necklace around her neck.

Just then Gillian, Patrick and all the others walked up and joined them and laughter and teasing filled the air. As they finally broke away and headed back to their cabins to get ready Bryg pulled back and watched them walk away. "Are you OK?" Tress asked worried, "we don't have to go to dinner if you don't feel well," she reassured her. "Actually," Bryg said, "I'm fine, here surrounded by your family and friends, I just suddenly felt like I've come home," she turned to Tress her eyes wet. Tress smiled and they headed down the stairs to the room to get ready for dinner and it was on this trip that Brygid Aine O'Malley, the reclusive Pulitzer Prize winning author, made her first public appearance.

The lounge was filled to capacity and as waitresses and waiters served champagne, at John's insistence, 'we'll get more to attend' he said, and with John at her side and Tress, Gillian, Patrick, Karen, Paul, Nick and Terri sitting in the front row, Bryg answered questions and signed autographs. Camera's flashed and instead of shrinking away, Bryg, with her arm in a sling and gauze pad covering her head, looked up and smiled. Lauren and Mike helped Emily and one of the ship's cashiers in the back sell Bryg's books. "Lucky I brought some extra books," John leaned over to Bryg. "Extras!" she replied, "looks like cases to me." "Always be prepared," John smiled.

One of the guests asked what Bryg's next book might be. "Well as a personal request for a good friend and her mother, I'm writing a biography of Eleanor Roosevelt," she looked at Gillian who smiled and glanced at Tress who nodded, "then I'm thinking of doing a fictional book," she mused, "about ancient Ireland, gods and goddesses, a never ending circle, ancient souls that come home every lifetime, I really don't have all the details yet, except for the title, it's called 'Two Shorten The Road'."

Bryg looked back to Tress and they both smiled that smile shared only by true friends.

Later after everyone had left and Bryg and Tress were walking the track up on the top deck watching the sunset and planning their activities for tomorrow, Tress heard Bryg sigh. "Are you allright?" she asked worriedly. "Is it always like this with your family and friends?" Bryg asked. "Unfortunately," Tress said. "Thank God," Bryg replied smiling. Tress returned her smile and began to tell her what St. Thomas would hold for them.


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If you've reached this far I hope you liked it. There were many times when I was obsessed with completing it and many others when I didn't want to think about it. It's been a labor of love and gives me comfort because I know she's looking down on me, laughing and shaking her head. Thanks Jan for being my friend.

I have another story in mind for Bryg and Tress, if you want to see more adventures email me and let me know at Irishred1855@cs.com and again, thanks for reading. Irish

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