Part 2
It was late and obvious now that Vincent andCatherine were not returning, and Father was in two minds whether toseek them out and ask them to join him for supper or leave thembe.
Catherine's sudden declaration of coming tolive Below had, Father noticed, quite surprised his son, not tomention himself. They no doubt had much to talk about.
As he contemplated what to do for the best,he heard footsteps approach and looking up saw Mary enter followed bya person whose face he had not seen in quite some time.
"Devin!"
"Hiya Pop. Did you miss me?"
Devin breezed into the chamber to quicklyhug his father in greeting before looking all round and asking,"Where's Vincent?"
"He's in his chamber….but Devinwait…don't go in there…" but Devin had alreadygone.
Mary smiled at Father, "Seems Devin hassomething for Vincent, and can't wait to see his face when he givesit to him. Why do you worry so?"
"Its not that Mary…" And Fatherproceeded to tell her of Catherine's decision.
Not many minutes later Devin walked backinto his father's chamber with a stunned expression on his face. BothFather and Mary noticed at once, "Why Devin what ever is the matter?"Mary asked.
Devin grinned sheepishly, "You didn't tellme Catherine was with him."
"Well you didn't wait long enough to betold. I'm sure Catherine wouldn't have minded Vincent speaking withyou though, even though they have much to discuss. Surely Vincent waspleased to see you?"
"He didn't see me." Devin almost laughed.He'd seen him though, and what a shock he'd got.
"He didn't see you, what do you mean?"Father was truly mystified.
"He had his eyes shut. Pop he wassleeping."
"Sleeping, I wasn't aware that Catherine hadleft."
By Devin's face Mary deduced what Devin hadseen and her eyes opened wide -surely not?
"She hasn't Pops, she's still with him.She's asleep too."
"You mean they have both fallen asleep, Idon't understand. They went in there to discuss the possibility ofCatherine's coming here to live with us permanently, I can'tunderstand why they have fallen asleep?"
Devin erupted into laughter, "Lord but for adoctor you are naïve Pop."
"Am I missing something here?" Father askedas Devin winked at Mary and she hid a giggle behind herhand.
"You sure are. Let's just say thatdiscussing the possibility of Catherine's move down here was not thetop priority on their minds. Let's just say that by the looks of itCatherine has just given my little brother his first lesson ingetting his leg over."
Father gasped and reddened,"Devin!"
Devin burst into laughter, "Well look foryourself if you don't believe me." He continued to shake withlaughter, while inside thinking 'way to go Vincent.'
Father looked from Devin to Mary unable tobelieve his ears, Vincent and Catherine doing that? Surely not? Devinmust have been mistaken. He told him so. "You must have misjudged thesituation Devin, Vincent would never agree…"
"Just go and look. Don't take my word forit."
Father stared at his son his temper rising,how could Devin swan in here and moments later presume that his ownbrother would do such a thing. Devin had no idea of the amount ofdiscussions he and Vincent had had these past three years over suchan event taking place. Vincent would never ever allow it. It was toodangerous, with him being as he was.
Picking up his stick, Father hobbled towardsthe entrance, thinking I'll show that wayward son of mine. Hisworldly ways and his worldly language are not welcome here. He ismistaken surely?
Mary watched Father go, she was torn as towhether to go along with him or stay put, but before she had decidedDevin had caught her arm. "It isn't a peep show Mary, and Pop willsoon see that I'm telling the truth. They are in bed together, soundasleep."
"Maybe they were tired, maybe they just laydown together and fell asleep?" Mary told him.
"Naked?" Devin started to laugh at the lookon her face. It was priceless.
Not too many minutes later Father returned,his face expressionless.
"So?" Devin asked.
"So what?" Father snapped.
Mary stiffled another giggle, "Excuse meJacob I'll have William rustle up some late supper for Devin." Shewas gone in an instance.
Father walked to his seat aided by Devin andsat down without a word, with not even a thank you for hishelp.
For long moments he was silent, and Devindidn't know what to expect, but remained quietly waiting. FinallyFather looked up at him, "I do believe you are right my boy." And toDevin's amazement his father burst into tears.
The next few days were spent in a whirl.Catherine took some leave much to Joe's chagrin so that she couldsecretly pack the belongings from her apartment and trail them downto the basement where Vincent would collect them afterdark.
That accomplished she went back into workand Joe could not deny the change in her.
"If four days rest brought me back to worklooking so utterly refreshed as you look Radcliffe I would take sometime too. You look great, what are you on? Got some forme?"
Catherine laughed. Even her laughter rangmusical. She was positively glowing.
"Well I do feel good." She told him happily,"And I am raring to go."
"Well what's first on theagenda?"
"Well I haven't entirely been work free Joe,I did keep my promise to interview the man that calls himself Myhr aspromised on my first day of leave, but as I haven't seen him sincethat will be my first port of call."
"Why the interest Radcliffe, surely twovisits at this stage is enough?"
"You're right, but I feel there is more tothis than meets the eye. For example I definitely feel they have thewrong man."
"Now why doesn't that surprise me?" Joesmiled to soften his response as Catherine looked at his strangely."So have you got any other clues Radcliffe?" It was such directquestions as these that always had Catherine averting her eyes, justa little, just missing the mark. She could not look him in the eyeand lie, she never had been able to do. But to avert her eyes just alittle, she could just about manage it, "No Joe none at all, but Ifeel certain he just had to be in the wrong place at the wrong time,as coincidental as that sounds, bearing his outfit in mind and allthat." She hoped she sounded professional. She didn't feel it. ButJoe accepted her statement and nodded, "Actually I got thatimpression too from your report. There is absolutely no way he couldhave cleaned up in such a short space of time. Besides Radcliffethere has been a development since you were last here."
"There has?" Catherine's heart raced, "Tellme?"
"The police are working on the possibilitythat the guy was set up, for reasons unknown as yet. There was notime or date on that video left for the police, and what was shown onit could have happened down that alley at any time, not necessarilythat night. Someone could have acted out such an event on anothernight just to set the guy called Myhr up. And in consideration ofthat it was decided that he would probably be 'safer' in the stateprison." Joe raised his hands to make the sign of inverted commaswhen he said the word safer and Catherine followed his drift straightaway.
"Safer Joe. You've got to be kiddingright?"
"Of course, but no one is going to admitthat the state prison is a criminals paradise are they? The theory isthat whoever wants to see this Myhr guy get it for whatever reason,are more likely to strike there than they are at the county jail.He's being transferred today and being monitored very closely whilehe's there, I can tell you."
Catherine didn't know whether to rejoice ornot. Certainly Myhr's arrival at the state prison slipped right intoher plans, but his being watched so closely would hinderthings.
For now though she should rejoice, the otherthing she would give some thought. She knew that Myhr was not in anykind of trouble with anyone, and he would be perfectly safe while shethought of an added plan to secure to the first, so that Vincent wasin no more danger than he was before.
For Myhr it was a painfully long time towait but to Catherine good planning could not be accomplishedovernight and she worked very closely with Vincent over the nextthree weeks. Grateful that the arrival of Devin helped to securetheir plan.
They went over it a final time in Vincent'schamber before the day arrived.
"So we are all agreed?" Catherine askedlooking to the two brothers in turn.
"Yes." Both men told her inunison.
"So let's run through it one last time.Tomorrow I will go to visit Myhr at the state prison and suggest wego out into the yard to speak. This shouldn't be a problem as I havedone this for the past four days without suspicion.
But tomorrow as I arrives I tell securitythat I am awaiting a messenger and to let me know when hearrives.
Then Myhr and I will be in the yard whenDevin arrives bringing the message and while the security guard comesto get me, I tell him that Myhr and I are not finished, but I willreturn just as soon as I have spoken to the messenger.
Hopefully he will leave Myhr in the yard andat that point Vincent you jump down into the yard, break through thesurrounding wall, and whisk Myhr away. Devin leaves, and I go back tothe yard and find no Myhr.
I might be some time, no doubt they willhold me for questioning and I cannot tell them who brought themessage since I don't know his name, and the message was to do withanother case I've been working on.
At this stage neither of you must worry orcome looking for me. It's possible that I will be held for furtherquestioning, but you must promise to stay put.
If I can and if the going gets tough and Ithink that I am in deep trouble I will convince them that I will beperfectly secure in my apartment and ask to let me go there. Most ofmy stuff is already in the basement, save for a few bits of essentialfurniture, and if it comes to that then I will get word to youVincent to come and collect me from there, and we will both exit overthe balcony.
Vincent laughed at that, "It will be thefirst time, just make certain you are wearing sensible footwear or itmight be your last."
"Talking of which.." Devin could not helpbut say, "There is a first time for everything this week it wouldseem." Vincent and Catherine drew their brows together and looked atDevin totally mystified, "What do you mean?" Catherine askedhim.
Devin burst into laughter but would not saymore.
Vincent and Catherine exchanged worriedglances, but before either of them could question him further Devinsaid, "I know we have gone over and over this plan Cathy, but am Ipermitted to say that I don't like it?"
Catherine looked at him in surprise, as didVincent.
"And another thing," he told them both whilehe had their rapt attention, "When were you going to run it byFather?"
When neither answered Devin looked shocked,"You were going to tell him weren't you?"
"Are you kidding!" Catherine laughed, "Devinyou know your father, he'd have a fit if he knew what was takingplace tomorrow. He never liked the sound of it before we had workedit all out as it was."
"That's what I mean. Look you two pardon mefor saying so, but I think the pair of you are too darn close to theproblem to see it logically." Devin turned to face his brother,"Vincent I think that you feel so guilty that this innocent man isbeing blamed for your handiwork that you want to free him as soon aspossible to appease your conscience. And Catherine…" he turnednext to face her, "For similar reasons, I think that you are doingthe same thing."
"Oh you do, do you?" Catherine was on thedefensive.
"Calm down Cathy. Look from my point of viewonly I think you feel so guilty that Vincent has had to kill peopleto save you from dangerous assignments that you too want this overand done with and swept under the carpet as soon as possible. All I'masking is that you should run it by the man of wisdom himself. IfFather agrees to it, then go ahead, but personally I think he willthrow the whole damn plan out of court."
Catherine's mouth dropped open and Vincent'seyes widened, was that true? Were they too close to see thedangers?
"This isn't a game you know. This isn't agame where you outwit your opponents. This is breaking a man out ofjail. What if, just what if Vincent gets in their and finds he isunable to break through the wall on the inside. What if the wallshave solid steel reinforcements between two layers of brick? Have youthought of that?"
"The plans don't show it." Catherineretorted.
"Maybe not, but have you checked, do youknow for certain? Where did you get the plans? Are they available ata price to anyone?"
"No I haven't checked no I'm not certain andno they aren't available to anyone. Only those in the rightprofession." Catherine snapped.
"Okay okay come down off your high horseCathy. Okay so they are only available to lawyers and cops and peoplelike that. What about fraudulent lawyers?"
Catherine stared at him. She knew very wellwhat he was talking about. The very first time they had met he hadbeen posing as a lawyer under fraudulent means. And she understoodwhat he was driving at, but not the gist of what he wassaying.
"If anyone can get their hands on the plansCathy, you can bet your bottom dollar that the authorities haveplanned for that. Plans such as these meet public demand. Schoolprojects general interest stuff like that. As far as such people areconcerned that's all they need to know. But for the sole purpose ofkeeping criminals behind bars the real blueprints would reveal thereal status of the prison, and those kind of plans would be keptunder lock and key inside a vault possibly in the very prisonitself.
You know you won't be the first people thathave thought of smashing someone out of jail, but if you think youcan waltz in there and pull it off I think you are going to come verymuch unstuck. Personally I think Vincent's going to find himselfbehind bars with no where to run. It's not going to be simply a caseof 'Beam me up Scotty you know'? If the inmates can't get out, howcould Vincent, even if he is so much stronger. That type of prison isdesigned to hold the strongest man in the world. I'm sorry Cathy, butyour plan is not going to work."
Catherine could see he was right, "Then whatare we to do?"
"You have to outsmart the authorities. Bothof you were working on Vincent's super strength but that's not theway. A bullet is much more lethal and so much faster, and Vincentwould be down before he could move a muscle. Remember what you aredoing here. Breaking a man out of jail that has been considered amass murderer. Any attempt on that is not going to be taken lightly.And I think personally that you should leave Vincent entirely out ofthis."
"I won't have Catherine undertake thisalone. It's because of me that this has happened." Vincentflared.
"No it isn't. Its because some geezer wantedto be nosy. This, this guy Myhr is to blame. He knew that the wholething was a set up, he should have left well alone, or he may havefound a bullet in his back. Come to that how can we believe hisstory. Could be that he is trying to flush Vincent out for the gangwho arranged all this to start with."
Catherine stared at Vincent. How could shehave been so naïve? Devin was right, how much could they trustthis guy in the cat disguise anyway?
"Vincent has to stay out of it. He hasto."
This time Vincent agreed. To think it couldpossibly be a set up, well he had no choice but to keep well away.Secretly he was relieved, he hadn't liked the plan anymore thanDevin, but could think of no other way.
"I think our first job is to see Kanin. He'sbeen in that prison and he knows more than any of us three as to whatgoes on in there. I don't consider that any of the tunnels have linksbeneath the prison or if they do no doubt they are encased by a solidwall of concrete but a surprise tactic might be our only answer. Atthis moment in time I haven't a clue, but lets speak to Kanin and seewhat materialises shall we? And also run it by Father, are we allagreed?"
Catherine and Vincent nodded. It did makeperfect sense.
Every time Father saw Vincent and Catherinehe saw them in a new light. Images flashed through his mind of hisson and the woman he loved laying naked in bed together. The top halfof them exposed from where the quilt had slipped back.
Vincent had said nothing, but Fatherdetected a new awareness in his son, and a new confidence aroundCatherine. He was more assertive, more attentive, and more certain ofhis place in her life.
The change warmed Father's heart and thoughhis outburst of tears had worried Devin at the time, when Father hadexplained that they were tears of happiness and relief Devin hadunderstood.
The solitary life each had expected forVincent was now banished forever. Catherine had given Vincent a life,and they would be forever indebted to her for that.
But Father was not about to agree toeverything she said just because of it.
When he was finally told of their originalplan some days after Devin had suggested that he should know, Fatherwas furious, and when Kanin stood in the chamber and outlined theinner security of the prison Father was even more disgusted withthem.
"None of you." He flared, "None of you,least of all you Catherine, and I'm surprised at you for evensuggesting it, none of you should be thinking about setting this manfree. What are the courts for? What is a trial for? As Devin rightlypointed out this man placed himself in danger. And what you all seemto have overlooked is that he had gone out dressed as a cat to looklike Vincent, and he knew damn well that Vincent would be there. Whyin God's name does one look for trouble like that? Why when he knewthere was a guy with a video camera recording the whole event did heinvolve himself? I'm sorry but Devin's remark of the fellow being inon it to flush Vincent out makes perfect sense to me. I reckon it isa set up."
"But if it isn't?" Vincent whispered,"Father this man could be innocent. He is being blamed for somethingthat I did. He could be executed."
"Rubbish. The least he will be tried for isbeing an accessory. He couldn't have committed those crimes for hewas too clean, and in typical batman and robin style he could havehad an accomplice who committed the murders and then he took the heatoff by baffling the detectives. This man will not be charged, hecan't be. There is only circumstantial evidence to link him to thecrime, and none of that proves he did it."
Listening to Father speak Catherine feltfoolish. She was the lawyer it should have been she that stood theresaying all that. Devin was right she and Vincent had been too closeto the problem. They had allowed guilt to over ride common sense.Thank God Devin had turned up when he did.
"So we do nothing?"
"For the time being yes."
"Why the time being? What would alterthings?"
"If we wait until this fellow has beentried, if we wait to see whether he is genuine and wasn't hired toflush Vincent out, then we can rethink things through. Personally Ithink he will be released on a conditional discharge, but even then Ithink it would be unwise to bring him down here as we had firstdiscussed. In fact I personally think that we should forget about himcompletely and let him take his chances, just as every one caught inthe wrong place at the wrong time has to take theirchances."
"That's all very well Father, but not everyone knows about Vincent. How much can we trust him to keep silent?"Catherine asked.
"Vincent knows the risks he takes every timehe goes Above, and he knows that people might see him, and he runsthe risk that any sighting could result in his being discovered. Butfortunately life is full of sceptics and would be especially sotoward a man who walks about the city dressed as a cat. The chancesof his being believed to any greater degree are very remote, and thenhe has got to find Vincent. He doesn't have knowledge of the tunnelsdoes he?"
Catherine shook her head "If he has he's notheard it from me."
"Well then I think we should let sleepingdogs lie and leave it to the authorities. You Catherine were assignedto his case, but I think if you can wiggle out of it youshould."
"I can do better than that Father, I candisappear off the face of the earth literally and come downhere."
"Are you sure about that my dear? Withoutthe jail break there isn't quite the necessity now to come Below asthere was before."
"Yes there is Father. The necessity isgreater. If I'm down here, Vincent is not up there, surely you can'targue with that?"
"I'm not arguing with anything my dear, Ijust want you to know exactly what you are doing. What you are givingup."
"I'm giving up nothing that I cannot receivetenfold by being here with Vincent."
Father smiled, her words touched a chord inhis heart, he could see how deeply her loyalty run for his son, infact she showed a fierce protective spirit when it came to lovingVincent. He could understand that, and so could Devin. In fact thethree of them knew what it was to love Vincent on equal terms but fordifferent reasons.
"Then welcome my dear. It will be a pleasurehaving you live with us, and a real treat to have someone tochallenge me over the chess board, you play remarkably wellCatherine."
Catherine stepped forward to hug him,"Besides there is another reason." She whispered into his ear so thatonly he could hear her, "I'll tell you later." And she winked at himas she drew away.
Father drew his brows together as Catherinepositively blossomed before his eyes. He hadn't noticed it earlier,he'd been too busy watching the changes in his son, but now he hadnoticed, and as his medical eye did some quick calculations hepositively glowed all over. If he was right, of course Catherine hadto move Below.
Kanin left them shortly after this exchangeand Devin followed him out leaving Vincent and Catherine in Father'scompany for the first time since Devin had arrived. Father realisedin all that time he had hardly spoken half a dozen words to Vincent,because for the first time he had spent uninterrupted time with hisother son, time pursued in pleasurable conversation long overdue. Hehad learned a great deal about his fleshly son in the past fourweeks, things that made him proud to be his father. In fact Devinwasn't the bad sort he had always been led to believe. And Fathercame to know that Devin truly did love Vincent so much that much ofthe pranks he had reprimanded his son for during their childhoodyears had been things instigated by Vincent, but for which Devin hadtaken the blame.
Now finding himself alone with Vincent andCatherine Father offered them tea and hoped they would stay longenough to engage in stimulating conversation.
"Do you have any classes to prepare fortomorrow Vincent?"
"No Father nothing that needs my attentiontonight."
"Will you both stay with me for supperthen?"
"Yes Father we'd like that." Father notedwith interest the 'we'. Once Vincent would have consulted Catherinebefore answering. Now he automatically included her along withhimself.
"So what have you two been getting up tosince we last had a chance to sit and talk like this?" Father triednot to sound too interested as he poured them tea.
Vincent and Catherine exchanged hurriedglances, "Actually Father there is something you should know."Vincent spoke quietly. He had wanted to bring it up ever since themorning after he had first made love to Catherine almost a month ago.Since then they had made love at every given opportunity and now itwas imperative that they mention it to Father.
Father raised his head, settling the teapotdown between cups, waiting for one of them to speak.
He watched them knowing whatever it was theyneeded to say was difficult. He had seen his son struggle with wordsbefore, but he had never been this bad. Catherine was quiet, muchmore quieter than usual but she seemed to speak to his son with hereyes. He decided to help them out a little.
"Catherine did you want to tell me thatother reason for you to move Below now?" He took his time filling thenext cup, allowing her to decide whether to tell him. Replacing theteapot to its stand once again, he looked up to find her looking athim, a small smile playing around the corners of hermouth.
So that was it, humour tactics, well thatwas all right by him, if that's what she felt happiestwith.
He waited watching as the flickering candlelight danced in her eyes and saw them light up with an inner spark asshe started to speak, "Father do you think you could give me apregnancy test?"
Vincent almost passed out. When they hadspoken of consulting Father, he had told Catherine that he wouldtactfully bring up the possibility of Catherine carrying his child.So his mouth dropped open and he waited for the outburst that wouldsurely come.
But Father calmly filled the final cup, andpassed one to Vincent who took it with trembling hands, and one toCatherine whose eyes had never left him, before settling himself backwith his own cup against his high back chair.
He took a few sips, aware in a gleeful waythat Vincent and Catherine stared at him gone out, before he replacedhis cup to its saucer and to their utmost surprise told them, "Yes Ithink that would be possible Catherine. It will be about a month bynow wouldn't it? Long enough for a positive result if there is to beone don't you think, my dears?"
There was complete and utter silence. Fatherpicked up his cup again and took some more sips. He was loving everymoment of this. Vincent and Catherine lost for words? What bliss -andthe looks on their faces! He wished he had a camera and couldtreasure that look for ever.
"You knew?" Catherine was the first toretrieve her voice. It had fallen somewhere between her toes, and itlooked very much like Vincent's had hit subterranean level. It mightbe a long time before he could retrieve his again. If ever hecould.
"But of course." Father replied as if theywere asking him whether he knew how many candles he had burnedyesterday.
"You knew?" Catherine repeated unable tobelieve it.
"Knew what?" Everyone looked up as Devinre-entered the chamber, walking towards the table to pour himselfsome tea. He had been listening outside and had gone over thepossibility of discussing this delicious topic with Father some daysearlier when speaking about what to say when Vincent and Catherinefinally told them about the new turn their relationship hadtaken.
Father looked up at Devin, who detected thehidden smile in his father's eyes, "Oh that." He went round toVincent's side, "Yes we knew about that didn't we Pops?"
"You knew too?" Vincent had found his voice,scraped it off the floor ten levels below, broken and cracked fromits fall.
"That you and Cathy were lovers. Yes, way togo Vincent!" and Devin slapped his brother on the back before takingup his cup of tea and downing it in a couple of swallows." Gotta go,I promised Mouse I'd help out with something." And with that he hadtaken the steps two at a time and vanished before anyone could speak.But he did not get far. Out of sight he creased in half with silentmirth.
Inside the chamber it was a long time beforeanyone spoke again until finally Catherine broke the silence. Shelaughed. Just the merest of giggles at first, then on and on untilher giggles bubbled over into full-blown laughter that sounded as ifit might never stop.
Father leaned forward and grasped Vincent'shands in his, "Congratulations my boy, you cannot know how happy I amfor you." Father's merry eyes twinkled.
"You knew?" Vincent echoed Catherine's wordsof earlier. He looked absolutely shocked and continued to stare athis parent.
Father nodded, a smile lighting his eyes,"From the very first night."
"And you said nothing?" Vincent whisperedwith disbelief.
"Nothing at all. But I've got plenty to saynow!" His voice rose high enough to penetrate Catherine's humour andshe slowed to a stop to hear him out. Her eyes were troubled. AndFather couldn't keep it up and he started to giggle. He had enjoyedhimself immensely at their expense but he couldn't trouble themfurther now, he just couldn't, "Its all right, its all right." Hetold them laughing heartily, "Even if the possibility of my being agrandfather is to arise it's done now, and I understand really I do,these things happen, and happen and happen again, and the thought ofcontraception seldom comes up before it's too late. Don't worry, I amhappy for you both really I am."
He stood as did they and the three embracedtightly, "I'm so happy for the two of you." Father told them withtears in his eyes, "So very happy for you. You have both deservedthis happy life. It couldn't have happened to a nicer couple.Everyone is going to be so delighted. Oh I can't wait to see theirfaces."
For Mhyr waiting in prison it was alreadytoo long a sentence. Something had gone wrong, he was certain ofit.
At first he thought he had it made, a bigfat cheque in his bank account and a way to discredit alawyer.
He had nothing against her of course, butwhen he had been approached in his home-town of Texas by a man he hadnever seen before, Myhr had thought it too good an offer to refuse.The plan was a simple enough one he just hadn't thought that he couldbe double-crossed. Other people would take all the risks. He wouldjust reel off the story to Miss Chandler as he had been requested todo, she would find a way of getting him out of jail, use her friendto help her, the men would be waiting and that would be that. He'd bepaid and put it all behind him.
But things hadn't gone that way. In thesmall amount of time he had met Catherine Chandler he had come to seeher loyalty to the man who only ever killed for a reason. And usuallyto protect her and Myhr could see no reason why he shouldn't do that.Catherine Chandler was one beautiful woman, and anybody that actuallygot to love her was one lucky guy.
No one knew the face behind the disguise ofthe guy that cleaned the scum off the streets, but Myhr had heardthat he had killed a lot of people and must have one nifty weapon toinstil the wounds he inflicted to make it fit his lion likeappearance.
He was quickly becoming a legend in his ownright and Myhr kind of admired the man for that. A sort of vigil antithat no one was able to track. In fact he seemed to disappear intothin air every time. But someone had wanted revenge someone hadwanted his blood. A brother of a cousin of a father or something haddied at his hands and their life was to be avenged. But Myhr knew nowthat he couldn't be the one to help them, he couldn't let this guy becaught, neither could he implicate his lawyer lover assuming thatthey were that close.
But it troubled him that the plan hadsuddenly gone cold. One moment his contacts were impressed by hisreports and he was awaiting Miss Chandler's final visit before hisescape and the next there was nothing. She simply did not come again.Neither had there been anyone to come in her place. And the day ofthe trial was approaching fast.
He didn't seriously think they had anythingon him and he didn't seriously worry, but he was growing impatientand he was annoyed that he would not now get his promised money, savefor the few thousand he had been given up front. It did not for onemoment cross his mind that his own life might now be indanger.
No simply a few days from now circumstantialevidence would not be enough to convict him. He would be free, and hewas going home. Home to Texas with all this behind him. And thatthank God would be the end of that
"Morning Joe." Catherine walked into heroffice one morning and greeted her boss whose back was turned to her.He swung round at the sound of her voice. "Cathy! Where have youbeen, I mean where the hell have you been?"
Catherine smiled, "Thanks for worrying Joe.I'm sorry I took off like that Joe but I had some problems to sortout, and they still aren't sorted. I only came in to hand in mynotice." Joe was stunned, to have her back and see her go again, wellhe felt as though someone had just cut off his life-blood.
"You're leaving?"
"I have to Joe, I'm pregnant."
His mouth fell open, he felt it and his jawseemed to be paralysed. There was no way he would ever shut his mouthagain he was sure of it.
Catherine giggled at the sight herepresented and placing the index finger of her right hand beneathhis chin she deftly closed his mouth.
He stared at her and she nodded, "Its trueJoe don't look so surprised, I'm expecting a baby and I am leaving mycareer to bring up my child."
Joe found his voice, "I suppose it belongsto whatshisname?"
"Of course. Be happy for me Joe. Believe methis is all I have ever wanted."
"Then if that's the case, I am happy for youRadcliffe, only you certainly pick your timing. We are so busy rightnow."
"You'll soon find a replacement Joe. Whythere will be a whole line of people queuing up to work foryou."
"How long will you stay? Amonth?"
"Yes, sorry I can't give you any longer, butI am moving into his place and its out of town. A month is all I cangive you I'm sorry."
"So where is this place or is thatclassified too?"
"Yes Joe I'm sorry I can't tell you but I'llkeep in touch I promise."
Joe nodded, "Let me give you a big hugkiddo, It'll never be the same around here without you. I shall missyou lots." They embraced and Catherine hugged him hard, "You've beena good friend Joe, I'll miss you too. But hey we have another monthtogether so what you got for me?"
"Desk job right?"
"Desk job." Catherine nodded.
"Well since I handed that Myhr Der case ontoBrad, and since it goes to trial tomorrow its too late for you to doanything on that now. Let's see I think I can find you some mundanedomestics that should get you through the month."
"How has the Myhr Der case gone Joe. Wasthere any further developments?"
"Nothing. The guy is sure to get off. Theyhave nothing on him. They don't even think he knows the guy that doesdo all this vigil anti stuff anymore either. It was just as he saidbeing in the wrong place at the wrong time, very coincidental butnothing more than that. What's more the guy actually comes fromTexas, so he doesn't even know New York, he was on holiday hereapparently."
Catherine heard alarm bells sound in herhead. "Has he been here before?"
"Says not."
"How long was his holiday?"
"A couple of weeks. Poor guy has been herelonger than he expected. Plus he has alibis for all the other attacksthat have taken place over the past three years too. He wasn't evenin this city at the time of any of them."
Catherine drew her lips into a thin straightline. Father had been right the fellow had led them on. He couldn'thave been saved by Vincent at some stage that would have beenimpossible. Nonetheless she wanted to hear it from him. "Joe I wouldlike to go and see him before the trial, do you mind?"
"But why?"
"I owe him an apology I'd like to do that. Ijust stopped seeing him, he must have wondered why."
Joe nodded, "Okay, well I think Brad isgoing this afternoon, do you want to go with him?"
"No if its all right with you I'd like to gonow."
"Okay Radcliffe, that'll give me time tosort out some cases for you."
On the way to the prison Catherine thoughtover the very many things Myhr had told her. She couldn't believe shehad been so easily fooled. Devin had been right, she and Vincent hadbeen too close to the problem, and in being so it had clouded herjudgement. But she was usually so careful and could usually spot alie like that. Myhr had had her completely fooled, but why? That'swhat she wanted to know why had he lied to her? What possible reasonwas there for him to do so?
She arrived at the prison before lunch andwas ushered into a waiting room, where Myhr was soon brought to her,his face lit up when he saw her. "Miss Chandler!"
"Hello Myhr, I'm sorry I haven't been to seeyou, I had some personal problems, and only got back to worktoday."
"That's okay, you're back now. Is the planon for today?"
"No that has been abolished I'm afraid,there were too many risks involved, besides its pretty wellconsidered that you will be set free tomorrow. That video was theonly thing that secured you being here so long as it is. I expectyou'll be pleased to get back to Texas after this."
"I've certainly seen more of New York thanI'd anticipated." He told her without thinking.
"Certainly more than you've seen on previousvisits anyway." She laughed and he did too, "I've never beenbe..fore." The last word came out slowly like he knew he had justdropped himself in it. He sat and stared at her for long momentswondering whether or not she had realised.
"Then you must have been rescued by yourhero in Texas, you never said. I just assumed he had come to your aidin New York?"
"What? Oh yes, yes in Texas, yes that'sright didn't I make that plain? Yes he came to my aidthere."
"So what made you come to New York to findhim?"
For the life of him Myhr couldn't think ofan answer and out of the blue he placed his head in his hands andstarted to tremble quite violently. Catherine looked at him, touchinghis shoulder with one hand, "Myhr what is it?"
He looked up at her, she thought he lookedas though he would cry, "I lied to you Miss. Chandler. The whole damnlot. My name is Myhr and that's about the whole truth, and I do livein Texas, but the bit about your friend saving my life that was alie. The bit about following your cases and being one step ahead ofyou that was a lie too. The bit about wanting to see what hadhappened to those three men your friend had attacked that night wasalso a lie. Everything was put up, I was paid for all those lies, butI can't continue with this."
"Why not?"
"I grew to like you. To respect you. Youbelieved in me, you were even willing to discredit yourself to helpme escape. Your friend also felt so bad about me being convicted inhis place that he was willing to risk his life for me. Somewhere inthe whole of this I saw everything for what it was and I hated myselffor allowing myself to become involved."
"I don't understand, what do you mean bythat? Did someone pay you to do all these things?"
"Yes. Everything that transpired between usI reported back to them. If you had aided my escape they would havebeen there waiting. Seems your friend killed someone and a relativehas vowed revenge. They're after him Miss Chandler, they don't knowwhere he is, but they know he's wherever you are. All they have to dois follow you, create a scene and he will come running to protectyou. Whatever happens Miss Chandler you have to take care ofyourself, because believe me they want blood. His."
Catherine felt a cold shiver run throughher, "And what of you?"
"What do you mean what of me?"
"Do you know who these people are? Have youseen them?"
"Not the guy that was paying but I hiscolleagues I guess, yes I've seen them. It was they who approached meabout this back home in Texas."
"You aren't safe anymore you know that don'tyou?"
Myhr looked surprised and then afraid,"Surely they wouldn't hurt me?"
"You know too much Myhr, chances are youwould never have been paid off. Except with a bullet."
He shook now as fear consumed him, "They sayI will walk free tomorrow Miss Chandler, do you know what thatmeans?"
"Yes."
"Can you help me?"
"Why should I trust you?"
"I haven't an answer to that for a certaintythere's no reason why you should." His voice trembled.
"I'll see what I can do. Whatever happens,however the trial goes make certain that you don't leave the buildinguntil after dark you got that?"
Myhr nodded his eyes wide withfear.
Catherine stood, "I'll see you tomorrowmorning Okay?"
"Okay."
It was going to be a long twelvehours.
