She was chilled by the cold wind blowing in her face and through her long brown hair. The alleyway was pitch black except for the dim lights coming from the streetlight at the corner. She can see a slight reflection of light coming from the rain puddles on the ground. She tightened her trench coat around her neck and tucked her arms inside each other.

The slight drizzle had her fine hair plastered to her face. Out of the corner of her eye she saw movement in the shadows behind one of the dumpsters lining the alleyway. The shape bounded out from behind the dumpster.

It was a black cat. She gasped and put her hand up to her heart. She dropped her purse in the ruckus. She bent over to pick it up when she was violently pushed up against the alleyway wall. Her head hit the cold, wet, damp bricks and she could feel blood drizzle down the side of her face. She felt a piercing pain starting from the back of her head that stretched all the way to her forehead. She looked up and all she could see was a black mask.

As she tried to turn her body to face her attacker, she was roughly pulled up straight by her hair. She was once again pressed into the damp brick work. She could feel the weight of the stranger pressing into her back. Her attacker leaned close and whispered in her ear, "Not a sound, or your as good as dead." She could not tell if it was a man or a woman, the figure felt soft and springy, but something was pressing up into her back.

She realized it was a gun! The soft feeling was a thick, black, padded coat. She saw the arm of the coat out of the corner of her eye. It appeared to be a man's coat. She didn't say a word, she could hear her heart beat. She could see a mist of smoke from her breath travel up the brick in front of her. She was petrified. She wasn't sure what to do. She was extremely close to losing her mind. She could feel herself start to tremble. What was merely seconds of silence seemed to be a lifetime.

Finally the silence was broken with another whisper. By now she knew it was a man's voice. He said "Where is the envelope?"

“What envelope,” she said.

He yelled pushing the gun hard in to her back this time. “Don't lie to me! I know you have it!”

"I don't have anything,” she yelled, her voice cracking this time and almost bringing her to tears.

All the sudden her purse was ripped out of her hands and she felt a blow to the head...then darkness.

She did not know how long she was out, but as she tried to sit up pain raced through her brain. It was still dark, clouds must have moved across the sky as she could not even see any of the stars. As she looked around she realized that there was no longer any light coming from the far side of the alley. She also noticed that the air around her was warmer than it should have been. Not only that, but the ground was dry and she could no longer feel the brick wall that had rubbed her cheek raw. Struggling to get to her feet she was hit by a wave of nausea and was forced to sit again. She realized that she was not sitting on the black top that had covered the alleyway, this was a tile floor. "What the hell is going on," she whispered to herself.

She heard a lock open to her right, looking that way she was blinded by the bright light that poured into the room. "Good, you're awake." This was a woman’s voice, "I was afraid Donald had put you down for good." As her eyes adjusted to the light she could see that the woman was carrying a tray, on it was a glass and a brown bottle.

Her vision was still a little blurry, it would clear and blur in spurts. Her head felt like there was a drum pounding in it. The slightest move would shoot pain down her spine. The old lady finally spoke. She said “I see you didn’t like the bed.”

She looked up and was finally able to focus. She was at the side of the bed on the floor. She asked, “Where am I?”

The old woman walked toward her, setting the tray on a side table next to the bed. She reached down and said, “Lets get you off this floor.” She helped her get up on the bed and leaned her back against the pillows. She then grabbed the brown bottle and opened the lid. She tipped the bottle onto a gauze pad she had and said “This is going to sting a little.” The woman raised the alcohol-laced gauze to the back of her head.

She winced at the stinging she felt. She reached back and felt where the old lady had just cleaned and felt stitches.

The old lady had been rambling the whole time about something, but she couldn’t focus. She finally started to hear what the old woman was saying. "Boy, you are lucky Don takes his late night walks when he can’t sleep. He is always going around downtown and I always tell him it is dangerous. I guess it’s a good thing he didn’t listen to me. God knows what would have come of you if he hadn’t run across you."

"Did he find my purse?"

"No, the robber must have taken it. But don't worry about it, the only thing you need to worry about right now is getting better."

"Well how long was I out? How long was I asleep?"

"So many questions," The old woman laughed. "Don found you about two hours ago. Do you remember what happened dear?"

"Yes. What time is it?"

"Its about 1am. Did you have someone waiting for you?"

"Could I ask to use your phone?"

"Certainly, I can bring it in to you soon. Don is talking to the police now, but as soon as he is off the phone I'll bring it to you."

"Thank you. And thank you so much for every thing you've done."

“Speak nothing of it. Don is pretty handy when it comes to a needle and thread. He's the one you should be thanking. Now drink up." The old woman handed her the glass that had been sitting on the tray.

"What is it?"

"Water, you must be thirsty."

"Yes I am. Thank you." She took a sip, it was cold and felt nice running down her throat. But as she emptied the glass weariness over took her and she was asleep again.

"Sleep well," the old woman said as started to dab at the scrap on her cheek.

She finally came to, and noticed the room was dark. She couldn’t see a thing. She started to panic and wanted to know what was happening. She remembered seeing a lamp on the side table and fumbled around for it. She found it and turned it on. She was still in the same room as before, so she started to look around.

The room had old heavy red curtains over the windows. It reminded her of the old theaters. The room had a dark undertone to it, mostly because there was a dark wood paneling lining the walls and there was a stuffed deer head hung on the wall to the right of her. She thought it was kind of creepy. On the opposite wall hung a painting of a man and a woman sitting on a very old Victorian chair. Neither of them were smiling. She looked down on the floor and the tiles had a dark brown marble look. The center of the room had a huge Persian rug covering the tile. In the right hand corner sat a large desk scattered with papers. Clearly this is a study/bedroom. It was extremely large and it was clear these people had money.

She finally spotted the door. She decided to try to get up even though her head was still pounding. She turned her legs to the side of the bed and pushed herself off. Immediately she felt nauseous, but she pushed herself on. She finally got to the door. The doorknob was really old fashioned. It was gold and had various Victorian designs all around it. It also had an old keyhole just above it. She went to turn the knob and found it was locked!

She pressed her ear to the door, she could hear voices but they were to muffled by the door to make out. Suddenly the door opened. She was pushed out of the way as it swung inward.

Strong arms grabbed her and pulled her to her feet. "What are you doing out of bed young lady?"

The man holding her could not have been more than 40, in other circumstances she may have thought him handsome, but now he just scarred her.

"What do you want?" she managed to stammer.

"I want you to get better. Nothing more. Nothing less."

"But why are you keeping me here?"

The man carried her over to the bed and laid her back on it. "Rest I'll bring you some food in a few minutes."

"Don't ignore me, answer my question. Why are you keeping me here?"

"Rest." He walked back to the door and closed it behind himself.

She didn't hear the door relock.

She angrily sat up losing her patients this time. She stomped across the room to the door. She turned the knob and yanked the door open. She stepped out of the room into a long hallway. There must be at least six different doors in view from where she is. She decided to turn left into the hallway toward the voices.

She got to a banister and there were about 10 steps that led into a foyer. This place was humongous. It was extremely old fashioned and elegant. Up above her head was a massive chandelier in the ceiling.

She stepped down the stairs and had a choice to turn right or left.

She felt as if the voices were coming from the right. She pressed the door open and stepped into the room. She looked up and saw the man that she had just spoken to. Sitting on a table, beside him was the old woman and an old man.

They all looked up at her and the young man stepped to her and said, “Well you couldn’t wait could ya?” He started to laugh.

She then started to lose her temper. Not only was she in a strange place, being held against her will, now she had complete strangers laughing at her.

He took her by the arm and told her to sit at the table.

She angrily yanked her arm away from him and started to yell “You tell me what’s going on right now, I will not take another step until I know what’s going on!”

By then he said, “Okay if you sit down I will tell you what’s going on. Now calm down.”

She allowed him to lead her to the chair. He pulled it out and sat her there. He then said, "Well my name is Doctor Michael Kinsey please call me Mike, these are my parent’s Anne and Dr. Donald Kinsey. You were lucky my father was here to stitch you up. You lost quite a bit of blood."

He grabbed a thick leather bag and pulled out a small flashlight and a stethoscope. He grabbed the flashlight and shined it in her eyes. He said look straight at me as he was shining the light in her left eye, then again in the right. He then said, "Looks like you have suffered a minor concussion. You are lucky that’s all you suffered. Looks like your robber did a fine mess to your check there."

She said, "Okay I am getting tired of this. Why are you holding me here?"

All three of the family members looked at each other as if they were hiding something. Michael pulled up a chair and sat right in front of her. He said "You are being held here because you don’t know who you are."

She said that is ridiculous. “I know who I am are you crazy?”

He said, "What is your name?"

She was sure she had it at the tip of her tongue she knew it was there. What was it? She was trying so hard to get it out but just couldn’t. She was very frustrated and scared. She started to cry.

He pulled closer to her and assured her she was in safe hands with his family. He said he had spoken to the sheriff who happens to be his best friend and they had decided it was best to keep her there until they found out who she was.

"When my father found you, you were babbling something about an envelope. Do you have an idea what that means?"

She responded, "No, I'm sorry. I don't know what you're talking about."

Donald said, "When i found you, we were afraid that you would never wake up. But Anne had faith in your will to live."

"Why don't you tell us what you do remember sweet one," Anne said. "It might help you remember something."

She started to recount the story of how she was attacked.

When she had finished Michael told her that things like this happened all the time. Not to worry as she would remember something more soon.

"Would you like something to eat?" Anne asked.

"I think that would be wonderful," she said.

"I won't be a minute," Anne said as she walked out of the room.

"Let me help you with that," Donald called after her as he followed.

Michael stood up and walked around the room, she kept her eyes on him. He stopped at a small bar and picked up a glass, "Would you like something to drink?"

"Thank you."

"Think nothing of it," he said as he poured two glasses of iced tea from a pitcher.

"So where am i?"

"You're at my parents home, just outside the city."

"Where is my coat?"

"Hanging in the hall closet," he answered as he handed her one of the glasses and took a sip of his own.

"Would you get it for me?"

"Are you cold?" Michael asked, concern creeping into his voice.

"No, but my phone was in my inside pocket. Maybe that will shed some light on what’s going on."

"I checked your pockets, there was nothing in them. The robber must have taken it."

Michael observed her from where he was standing. He found her very attractive. He hadn’t been attracted to anyone since his wife had died. He actually felt kind of numb until now. It had been three years, maybe it was time for him to move on. He thought she had a great body and her blue eyes were captivating. He wondered what she looked like without the scratches on her face. He was glad she was going to be staying there until she got her memory back, he wanted to get to know her. Something about her made him want to lurk about her and stare at her, he caught himself several times staring and tried to keep his mind occupied. God knows he has plenty of work to do.

He knows she must be into some kind of trouble. Before he would have thought it was just a plain robbery, but the envelope she spoke about must have something to do with it. She looked up and noticed he was staring at her with a puzzled look his face. "What?" She asked him.

"I was just thinking," he said covering.

"What about? Any ideas on who attacked me?"

"No, I was just thinking I've seen you somewhere before. Maybe we ran into each other in the city. Its possible."

"Anything is possible," she said.

"They should be back with the..." Michael started as his parents came back into the room.

They set a tray on the table and Anne said, "If you'd like to wash up dear the washroom is just outside the door on the left side."

"I'll show you," Michael volunteered taking her hand and leading her out the door.

"She is a nice girl," Anne said to Donald.

Minutes later Michael lead her back into the study and sat her in a chair at the table. On the tray were sandwiches, diagonally sliced, just how she liked them.

After lunch, Micheal took her back to her room and helped her lay on the bed. "If you'd like a book feel free to help yourself to the bookcase, or if you'd rather I can stay and we can talk."

"I'm sure you have other things to worry about. I'll just find a book, I'm a little tired as well."

"Okay, I'll leave you to your reading. Feel free to look around the house as you would like. Just stay out of the basement."

"Why?"

"Its flooded from all the rain." She agreed and went over to the book case. "I'll see you later." Michael left leaving the door open a crack.

She thumbed through the books and decided she just didn’t feel well enough to try to read. She walked over to the bed and noticed some silky pajamas neatly folded for her and also a robe with fresh towels next to it. She decided she’d like to take a long hot bath in the huge garden tub she saw in the guest bathroom.

She got to the bathroom and started running the bath. It of course had to be really hot. The faucet was very large, it flowed like a waterfall. It was so relaxing. She thought she could spend the rest of her life in this one bathroom.

There was tile everywhere and a half wall of square glass bricks separated the tub from the rest of the bathroom. The vanity was to die for. It had a humongous mirror and a large matching vanity and chair. She imagined herself getting up every morning sitting in that chair in front of the mirror to get ready for the day.

She sat down in the chair and started to brush her hair, she looked up in the mirror and noticed how horribly her cheek was scraped up.

She reached up and pulled her hair back to look at the stitches in the back of her head. The gash in her skull started on the right side behind her ear and was about two inches long. She slightly touched it and winced at the pain. At the same time she looked in the mirror and something flashed by. It seemed as if a small film was playing right before her eyes. It felt kind of like dejavoo but she was sure this was a memory coming back to her. It was Horrible. She was in an office and there was a man yelling at her holding an envelope…..

"This must be delivered tonight. You were supposed to take it 3 days ago. What the hell do i pay you for!"

"I'm sorry Mr. Randle..."

"You Will take this to Jerry Masterson tonight! Do i make myself clear? If not don't bother coming back. Now get out of my sight."

Mr. Randle plopped down into his chair and turned away from her. "I said get out!"

She turned on her heal and closed the door behind her on her way out of the office. "Tab, why do you let him yell at you like that?" said a woman's voice off to the left of the office door.

"Well, I screwed up," she said timidly.

"That still doesn't give him permission to yell at you like that."

"Kerry, I failed him. I'd probably yell at me too."

"Tab, you've never even raised you're voice to anyone before, what makes you think you'd be able to yell like that."

"Oh man, he didn't even give me the envelope. What am i going to do now."

"You could always wait till he’s gone and take it then. I'm sure that Mister Masterson wont mind."

"But that means I have to go over there in the dark."

"You could always ask Mr. Randle to give it to you."

"I guess your right," she heard herself say as the images floated away into the glass.

My name is Tab? That doesn’t’t sound right. Tab? I better hurry and get a pen and paper and write this down before I forget. She wrapped herself in her robe and ran to the first bedroom she saw. The door was open, she turned the corner and she saw Michael standing by his closet with only his boxers on. His back was facing her and she wanted to turn away, at the same time she couldn’t. He was so gorgeous. She started looking at his dark black hair on his head and her eyes followed down his muscular tan back through his shoulder blades down his spine to his tight buttocks. She immediately felt her body tingle all over. She was working her way back up when all the sudden she got to his face and met his eyes.

Startled she covered her eyes and turned saying “I’m so sorry the door was open.” She muffled under her breath “I’m so embarrassed.” She started to flush.

He hurried and turned away from her and grabbed a T-shirt out of his closet. Smiling wickedly the whole time because he knew she was checking him out. He also grabbed some grey sweat pants, put them on and then walked over to her.

He said, "What’s going on? Is everything okay."

She started to explain to him what had happened in the bathroom and told him she thought her name may be Tab. She said she was speaking to someone named Kerry, Mr. Randall, and something about a Mr. Masterson.

Michael said "Mr. Masterson? As in Masterson and Associates?"

"I don't know."

"That’s the only Masterson I can think of that is around here."

"Maybe its him," she said shacking her head, "I just don't know."

"I'll get the sheriff to look into it, he may know of another Masterson that could be part of this." He put his arm around her and squeezed her shoulder lightly.

"NO! Don't worry about it," she said pulling away from him a step. She thought *I can't be falling in love him, could I? What if I'm with someone else.*

Feeling just slightly hurt he said, "Well, I won't tell him if you don't want me to. Its up to you. But now i can stop referring to you as The Girl."

Smiling she replied, "But Tab is so strange a name."

"Maybe its short for something. Tabitha maybe, or Taban."

"For all I know it could be something about the kind of soda I drink around her."

"Would you mind if I started to call you Tab?"

"I guess not," she said relaxing in her own skin again.

"Maybe you should go get dressed. I think my mom laid out some clothes for you when she put the towels and robe in your room. We don't need you catching a cold on top of everything else"

"Actually, I was about to take a nice hot bath! Oh my!"

"What?" Michael said.

"I left the water running!"

She ran back into the bathroom only to find the water had been turned off.

Michael followed and laughed. He said, “Oh mother, always taking care of everything.”

"Wait," Tab said. "How did she know I left it running?"

Michael laughed and said “She hears everything. She doesn’t sleep much anymore at her old age so she tries to find things to keep her occupied. She’s just ecstatic to have another lady in the house. She probably went to your room to make sure you had everything you needed and probably heard us talking, so she checked the bathtub. Who knows?"

They stood in the bathroom and looked at each other for a moment. It almost started to get uncomfortable for Tab.

Finally he acted like he was jolted out of a trance and said, “I will let you get to your bath then.” He turned and walked out of the bathroom and closed the door behind him.

He went back to his room and started to imagine Tab getting into the tub. He imagined her hair being wet and her nice soft body….*What am I doing?* He started to pace back and forth across his room.

He decided to thumb through the phone book to see how many Masterson's were listed.

He found four listings for Masterson, but no Jerry. *Should I just call them and ask for Jerry?* he thought when there was a soft knock on the door. "Come in," he called

"Sorry Mike, but i just wanted to make sure you didn't need anything," Anne called softly from the other side of the door.

"Everything is fine mom," he called back. Michael laid the phone book on the dresser and picked up the piece of paper he'd been writing on when his father had brought in their guest. It was a list of things to do starting with:

"Tabitha Morre -- retrieve envelope, eliminate, dispose of body"

Michael said, “What the hell! This isn’t mine." He flipped the paper over and it had some notes he had taken during a luncheon the other day. He flipped it back over to study the writing and the name. "Tabitha Morre, this can’t be Tab, can it? Who here would want her dead? This doesn’t make any sense."

He started to pace the room. He knew his brother had been in town, but hadn’t seen him yet. He was always getting into trouble. They were only a year a part and they never got a long. They were different in many ways; his brother got involved in drugs, was arrested several times, and just never did anything right. He always ran with the wrong crowd.

Michael thought to himself ,*Where did I pick this paper up from? How did I not notice this note before? I must speak with my parents, maybe they’ve seen my brother around.* He didn’t think his parents could possibly be involved, but at the same time thought it was quite the coincidence she turned up in their home, if this Tab was in fact the Tabitha Morre on the paper.

He hurried and got dressed and went to get Tab, but she wasn’t in her room. Where could she be? He suddenly was struck with panic. He started toward the kitchen when the bathroom door opened. It was Tab!

Relief hit him when he saw her. She had put makeup on, her hair was pulled up in a bun, and she looked perfect. She had even covered the scrapes on her face.

She looked up and smiled. She said, “I hope you don’t mind, but I helped myself to some of the makeup from the vanity. Whoever it belongs to has great taste." She looked into his face and sensed something was wrong. She said, “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

He looked at her and said, "Nothing, I’m fine." He started to say something when he heard his mother yell.

"Breakfast is ready!”

He then took Tab by the arm and said lets go eat.

He walked her to the kitchen and pulled the chair out for her and sat her down. His mother looked up at him and said, "Michael be a dear and go get me the Sunday paper please. You know how I like to read my paper over breakfast."

Michael retrieved the paper and walked back into the kitchen. He poured himself a cup of coffee and put it up to his lips when he glanced down at the paper and saw a headline “BILLIONAIRE ROBERT MASTERSON MURDERED IN HIS OFFICE YESTERDAY”

His cup slipped out of his hand and to the floor, shattering.

Tab and Anne both jumped. "What’s wrong?"

"What was that?" Donald called from the other room.

"It was just a cup dad, nothing to worry about," Michael called back to him. "Mom can you hand me a towel so I can clean this up?"

Anne handed Michael a towel and he started to clean up the glass and spilled coffee. Anne just smiled and turned to Tab, “How many eggs would you like? Two?”

“That sounds great,” Tab said.

“And Micheal? Two or three?”

“Just two today,” Michael replied as he finished throwing away the glass shards. He got another mug from the cabinet and poured another cup. “Would you like something?” he asked Tab.

“A cup of coffee would be wonderful,” she said.

“Mom would you like anything?”

“No thanks,” Anne answered as she cracked two eggs into a frying pan. “How do you like your eggs sweet one?”

“Over easy is fine, but however you are making them will work.”

“That’s how Mike likes his too,” Anne said as she put the eggs on a plate. “There are potatoes and bacon on the table, feel free to help yourself.”

Michael took Tab's plate from his mother and sat it in front of her, along with a cup of steaming black coffee. “Sugar? Cream?” he asked.

“Milk if you have it. Please.”

“Come now, stop with that. As long as your staying with us your family,” Anne said.

Michael looked up at his mother and asked her, “Hey mom, have you seen Kent around lately?”

His mother slowly looked up and raised her brow at him. She nervously said "No, I haven’t seen him since he got out of prison. Why do you ask?"

Michael just looked at his mother suspiciously and said, “Never mind.”

After they finished breakfast Michael told Tab he would like to drive her around town to see if anything would jog her memory.

She said she would be happy to do that.

She got up to take her plate to the sink when she saw the headline on the newspaper and saw the picture of Mr. Masterson. She gasped as another flashback hit her.

She was in the office again getting yelled at by Mr. Randall. The picture was clearer now and Mr. Randal was confined to a wheel chair.

She realized now why she took so much abuse from him. She remembered seeing him leaving the office and she snuck in and grabbed the envelope. The envelope was a manila envelope and it had a small lump in it. She had her coat on and decided to put it in a pocket on the inside seam of her coat. It was near the front pocket but on the other side. She accidentally found that pocket one day while doing the laundry. She was turning it inside out and noticed a tiny zipper poking out of the seam.

She hurriedly went to Michael, grabbed him in a panic and said, “Where’s my coat?”

Michael stood up and said, “In the foyer, why, what’s wrong. You need to relax.”

“Just take me to my coat, now Michael!”

Micheal looked at her of a moment before he realized what had happened. “Okay, its in here,” he said taking her arm. Tab dropped the plate back on the table as Micheal pulled her past it. “What did you see?” he whispered once they were out of sight of the kitchen.

“You'll see, if its still there.”

“Was it the headline?”

“Yes.” They reached the hall closet next to the side door and Michael pulled her coat out and held it for her as she rummaged around in the inside pocket. “Yes, its still here.”

Tab pulled a thin manila envelope from the confines of her coat.. “Is that it?” Michael asked. Tab did not reply as she started to open the envelope. “No, wait a minute.” He took her hand and said lets go upstairs and open this.

“Is something wrong?” she asked with concern.

“I'm not sure,” he whispered back to her as they took to the steps.

In his room he sat Tab on the bed and closed the door and locked it from the inside. He also pulled the curtains closed after looking around the yard under the window. “Okay, go ahead.”

Tab opened the envelope and dumped the contents onto the bed. “O'my God,” she gasped seeing what was laying on the bed in front of her.

“That explains it. That’s why Kent is involved.”

In it was a picture of Kent, Mr. Randal, Mr. Masterson, and some unknown male. One of them was holding a gun at Mr. Masterson and the other appeared to be handing some sort of package to Kent.

Other contents of the envelope were a roll of undeveloped film and some sort of floppy disc.

Tab looked up at Michael and said, "What do you mean? Who the hell is Kent? How do you know about this? Are you in on this? Oh my God!”

She turned to run out of the room and Michael ran up behind her and grabbed her by the arm turning her toward him.

He said, “I don't know anything about this! I just barely put a piece of this puzzle together. I won't hurt you, you can trust me!”

She started to collapse in his arms and tears started to stream down her face. She said "How can I trust you? I know nothing about you. Do you have any idea how it feels not to know who you are and have nothing but flashes of a memory?”

He put is hand under her chin, gently lifting her face until her deep blue eyes met his. He gently wiped her tears with his hand and felt her soft cheek under his thumb. Seeing her cry tugged on his heart and he wanted nothing more at that moment then to hold her and make her feel better.

She smelled like roses. She was perfect. He didn't understand how she was getting to him in this way. He didn't even know her. She didn't even know her. What is he going to do? He needs to help her, but how?

He pulled her close to him hugging her and said, "We will get to the bottom of this, I promise. I won't let anything happen to you."

Feeling overwhelmed, she passed out in his arms. He picked her up and carried her to his bed. He tucked her in nicely then grabbed the contents of the envelope.

Michael pocketed the film and floppy disk and put the photo back in the envelope and tossed it onto the desk. He gently kissed her forehead and whispered, “I will get to the bottom of whatever is trying to hurt you.” He wrote a quick note.

Michael headed down the stairs and called that he would be back in about a half hour. He grabbed his keys and was out the door before either of his parents said anything. He drove to the nearest photo developer. He dropped the film off and walked next door to the library where he checked out the floppy disk.

While Michael was gone Tab woke up and found Michael's note. It read:

Stay in this room, keep the door locked.

At the library Michael booted the files on the disk. They were bank records showing the transfer of well over a million dollars through Swiss accounts. The accounts were in three names: Kent's, Jason Randal, and a Tony Sheltor. “They were trying to set her up, use her as the fall guy. Or in this case girl. The question is why. And why is Kent involved.”

Michael walked back to the photo developers and picked up the roll of film he had dropped off. Twelve pictures.

As he flipped through them he found one common element, Tab was in all but the last one. It was a picture of him.

He paid for the photos and headed back home. He didn't bother saying hello as he bounded up the stairs to his room. The door was open.

He immediately felt panic. He yelled out, "Tab! Where are you? Tab!" He ran into the room and looked around. Didn’t see her anywhere. He felt deep in his gut something was wrong. He was thinking to himself *I shouldn’t have left her here, I should have stayed with her until she woke up, how could I be so stupid?*

He immediately ran downstairs to the kitchen and didn’t see anyone. Odd, it was so quiet in this house. It wasn't normal.

He ran back upstairs to his parent’s room. He knocked on the door, but there was no answer. He turned the door knob, but it was locked. He placed his ear to the door and heard some sort of weird muffled sound. Mom, is that you? Hello? He just kept hearing that sound.

He kicked the door in to find both his parents tied to a chair and gagged. He ran in and took the gags off his mother and father. As he was untying them, he asked, “What is going on here? Who did this?”

His father looked at him with tears in his eyes. He said, “I’m so sorry son, this is all my fault.”

“What are you talking about dad?”

"The night I found Tab wasn’t by accident. Kent called me panicking saying he thought he killed someone. He had me meet him in the alley where I found Tab laying there unconscious. She was bloody and I thought she was near death. I had to help him son, this will be strike three for him and you know what that means. So I brought her home and fixed her up. Your brother took off and I haven’t seen him since. I have no idea what is happening, but he is into some sort of trouble."

"Dad! You need to quit bailing him out of this stuff! Good thing for Tab you are a doctor and she isn’t dead because your ass would be in jail along with your son! Why didn’t you tell me about this? Never mind! Where did he take her?"

His father said, "I don’t know. He just kept on shaking her asking for the package. She didn’t say a word. He grabbed my car keys and took off with her. Son, he has a gun. He isn’t right. I think he is on drugs or something. He isn’t himself. He wouldn’t do this unless his life was being threatened in some way. He’s a good boy."

“You can stop defending him and help me rescue Tab. Did Kent say anything about where he was going?”

“Michael, this is not a task for you, call the police and they can handle it,” Anne said.

“Kent is my brother, no matter how much I hate him, I have to help him if I can.”

“Do you know anything about this package he was talking about?” Donald asked.

“He must have been looking for this,” Michael reached into his pocket for the disk, but it wasn't there. “Damn, i must have left it at the library.”

“What?” Anne said.

“A disk that was in the envelope in Tab's coat.”

“So you did find it,” Donald said, “I knew you would figure it out.”

“Dad, you knew about this?”

“Only what Kent said. He was looking for an envelope that girl was carrying.”

“Are you sure that’s all he said?”

“He was mumbling a lot, but nothing important.”

“He said something about you being able to find him,” Anne timidly said.

“That i could find him....” Micheal said. “I know where he is. How did i not think of it sooner. I'll be back as soon as i can.” With that Micheal kissed both his parents on the forehead and ran for his car. His first stop was the electronics store where he bought a pack of floppy disks matching the one that had been in the envelope. Then he went back to the library where he made 4 copies of the disk. He left the original with the Librarian saying he'd pick it up later.

He then turned his car toward the state park, where he and Kent had played as kids. The old Tree Fort was where he was headed.

On the way to the park he mailed three of the four copied discs. One went to his cop friend Billy, the other to his private PO box, and the other to a friend of the family who happens to be their lawyer.

He sent the same note in each one. It said, 'If anything should happen to me or my family, this disc will contain all the answers.'

He pulled up to the parking lot located just outside the park. This is a very large park, it seems like it should almost be deemed a forest. It has many acres and it is partly deemed a wildlife refuge. He and his brother had built this fort in the middle of it and nobody seemed to notice it was there. It was hidden by many trees. It was the fondest memory he had of his brother. Seemed like that was the only time they got along.

He pulled out his flashlight and tucked a small pocket knife into his jacket pocket.

As he got closer and closer to the fort, his heart beat and pulse seemed to pick up in anticipation. He called out to his brother, “Kent! Where are you?”

He heard a faint cry coming from inside the fort. It was Tab. He ran inside it and saw her tied to the tree at the base of the fort. She looked terrified.

As he got closer to her, Kent stepped out from the darkness. Michael shined the flashlight into his face. He looked white as a ghost. His eyes were blood shot and he looked like he hadn’t slept for days. He smelled like a liquor store.

“What are you doing Kent? You don’t need to do this. Let her go.”

Kent looked at his brother and pulled out a gun. He said, “Give me the envelope Michael, that’s all I want. I need that envelope.”

“You left the envelope at the house.”

“You took my disk, hand it over.”

“Kent, why are you doing this?” Micheal asked as he inched closer to Tab.

“Give me the disk Mike.”

“Kent, whatever it is, I can help you.”

“No one can help me. Just give me the fucking disk!”

“Kent, you know you don't want to hurt anyone. Least of all this poor woman that you involved.” Micheal was now standing with the tree between him and Kent, he eased the knife from his pocket.

Kent fired three shots before Micheal even knew what hit him. Micheal dropped the knife and grabbed his shoulder, gritting his teeth he said. “Now, see what you've done.”

“You made me do it,” Kent said as he pointed the gun at his brother again. “Give me the disk and it'll all be over.”

“If you really want it, here you can have it. Its in my left jacket pocket. I'd get it for you but...”

“Toss me the disk,” Kent said missing the problem that Micheal was referring to.

“Fine.” Micheal pulled the disk out of his pocket being careful not to move his shoulder, using just his lower arm he tossed the disk in Kent's direction.

Kent quickly snatched the disc up and ran off. Tab was hysterical at this point. She had been screaming and sobbing. She was still tied up and couldn't move. Michael slowly stood up and grabbed his knife off the ground and cut her loose. She immediately took the rope and tied it tight at his wound. He said lets get out of here before Kent decides to come back and finish us off. There was something shining in the light of the flashlight that caught Tab's attention. She bent down and picked it up. It was a matchbox. It said Sunny Side Hotel on it. She said this must be where he is staying! She looked at Michael and said, “Let's get you to the hospital.” Three hours later, Michael came out of the emergency room as good as new. They got back in the car and decided to head to the Sunny Side Hotel to check out if his brother was staying there. They were sitting quietly in an uncomfortable silence. Finally Tab said, "I am so sorry Michael. He sounded just like you outside the door." Michael glanced over at her and noticed her rubbing her wrists. They were rubbed raw from the rope that had had them tied together. Her hands and below her wrists were starting to bruise. He could see dried up blood from the incisions. He said, “You should have had the hospital look at that.” She said, "I will be fine, just a little sore that's all." Tab looked at him and said, "How is it you didn't have to talk to the police about your wound?" Michael laughed and said "I'm a doctor remember? This is a small town, everybody knows everyone. Plus they know I will take care of things."

When they pulled up in front of the office of the Sunny Side Hotel, which was really a motel rather than a hotel, Micheal got out of the car and told Tab to wait for him. He walked inside and asked the clerk, “I was supposed to meet my brother, Kent here. Has he checked in yet?”

The clerk, who was not someone that Micheal knew replied by asking, “Last name?”

“Kinsey.”

“He's registered to room 13.”

“Thanks,” Micheal said as he left the office. He got back into the car and pulled forward out of sight of the office, then he killed the engine and said, “He’s here, room 13.”

“What are you thinking?” Tab asked.

“I don't know, but I have to stop him.”

“No, we do.”

“This isn't your fight,” Micheal turned his head and looked Tab in the face, “I couldn't bear it if anything else happened to you.”

He started stroking her cheek with his good hand, she took it and said, “I can take care of myself, you're injured and I couldn't sit by while you put yourself in danger.”

They both decided to go see if they could hear any noise coming out of the room or see any lights.

They crept up to the door. As they got closer they realized the door was slightly ajar.

Michael put his finger up to his lips to signal to Tab to be quiet. She saw him pull his knife out of his jacket pocket. He cautiously pushed the door open.

The room is quite small. It had a full bed, T.V, and a small table. The end of the room has a nook to hang clothes and there's a bathroom located to the right of it.

The room didn't appear to have anyone in it. It was also a huge mess. It appeared to have been tossed. The drawers were pulled apart, the bed had been ripped open, clothes were strewn everywhere.

They slowly entered the room looking for any sign of movement. They saw nothing.

They made their way to the bathroom and it too was empty. They saw no hint of what could possibly be happening.

After snooping through Kent's things, they found a passport under Michael's name. They totally looked identical. The only difference is Kent has a small scar by his right eye. He looks a little younger and is a little shorter. If you don't look at them carefully, they could be mistaken for the same person.

Michael also found a plane ticket for Mexico dated three days from now. Underneath the ticket was a drivers license, and a birth certificate. All of them were fake and under Michael's name.

Tab looked at Michael and said, “What is your brother into? Why would he steal your passport?”

Michael said, "My brother has always gotten into trouble. He has been in prison two times now and it looks like he is on his last leg. Instead of straightening his life out, it appears he is trying to assume my identity."

Tab looked into Michael's eyes and could see the anger and hurt. She took him by the hand and said, "Come, lets get a room close to this one so we can keep an eye on it, You need to get some rest."

Tab went to the front desk and got a key. She led Michael to a room on the right side of Kent's. "Now we should be able to hear if he gets back," she said.

Michael and Tab both stepped into the room and saw it was identical to Kent's; they locked the door behind them. Tab and Michael both stood in front of the bed. They looked at each other uncomfortably and they could both feel the tension in the room.

Tab broke the silence by saying, "Sorry, but they only have single beds."

Michael looked at her and laughed. "He said, don't worry I will take the floor."

Tab smiled and said, "It's okay, we are both adults here. We can share the bed."

Immediately Michael felt a tug in his groin. He quickly said, "I am going to go freshen up, I will be right back."

He got into the bathroom as quickly as he could and looked at himself in the mirror. "What are you thinking man, your brother is trying to kill you, you are in danger and all you want to think about is getting into bed with Tab? Snap out of it!"

He shook is head at himself and laughed. Then he got in the shower.

He stepped out of the bathroom and saw Tab had put on a hotel robe. He imagined himself untying it and slipping his hands underneath it.

Tab came out of the bathroom and noticed Michael sitting on the bed with a first aid kit.

She said, “What do you have there?”

He said, “I borrowed the first aid kit from the front desk while you were in the shower.”

He patted the bed next to him and said, “Why don’t you have a seat right here.”

She looked at him and smiled and said, “I am fine, really.”

He looked at her, laughed, and said, “Are you scared of the big bad doctor?”

She laughed and complied with his request.

She sat down and he gently took her right hand into his and began to apply Neosporin to the abrasions on her wrist. He then wrapped it with gauze. He asked for her left hand and started to do the same to it.

She noticed his tan strong hands. They were so manly, yet gentle.

She shifted when he was bandaging her up and her robe slid open slightly revealing her upper thigh. Michael longed to slip the rest of it open to reveal what else she had hidden underneath there.

He finished wrapping her wrists and kissed her hands and said, “All better," and smiled.

Their eyes connected and they could feel the sexual tension between them.

She longed for him to kiss her. She loved the way it felt when he touched her. She got goose-bumps all over her body whenever he touched her.

He leaned into her and kissed her. What started out to be a soft, gentle kiss, turned into a ravaging animal like kiss. He grabbed her and brought her close to him. He untied her robe and slid it off her pearly white shoulders. He started to kiss her neck and worked his way to her collarbone and down to her erect nipple.

She ran her hands through his thick black hair as he gave her pleasure. She watched him with fire in her eyes.

He sat up and took his shirt off revealing his nice hard pecks and flat stomach. She sat up and started to kiss his stomach. She took her long slender fingers and traced them from his pecks down his stomach to his waste band until she found the buckle. She gently unzipped his zipper and pushed his pants down around his waste.

He hurriedly stripped the rest of his clothes off and crawled up the bed to where she was leaning back.

She had made her way back up to the headboard by the time he disrobed.

She enjoyed watching him make his way to her.

He positioned himself between her legs and lifted on leg over his shoulder. He began to kiss her soft, smooth calf, starting to make his way up her thigh, then finally to her heat.

He put her other leg over his shoulder and continued to pleasure her with his tongue.

She moaned in pleasure. She was getting closer and closer orgasm. She said 'stop' under her breath. “Stop now!” she said.

He looked up at her and smiled knowing she was about to explode.

She looked into his eyes and laughed while tilting her head back with enjoyment.

She looked back into his eyes and said, “I need you to enter me, enter me now!”

He continued to work her, he could feel her muscles tighten up. He loved the taste of her.

She needed to feel the release, she needed him in her, she wanted it. She couldn’t take it anymore.

Finally he grabbed his penis and thrust it inside her. She moaned loudly. He began to thrust faster and faster. She thrust back. They were in perfect rhythm with each other. Their bodies were sweaty and hot. The room was filled with the essence of sex. They were both going wild and nearing orgasm when they heard a SLAM!

It sounded like it came from the door from Kent’s room.

They were lost to their passions and thought nothing more of the door being slammed until they lay holding each other. They could do nothing but smile and kiss each other, but behind the smiling eyes Michael's mind was busy playing out what was going on. Tab slept in his arms.

It was easily half an hour later that Micheal pulled himself from Tab's body and pulled on his pants. He pressed his ear to the wall and heard Kent's ragged heavy snores. Micheal pulled on his shirt and pressed his lips to Tab's forehead. “I'll be right back,” he promised.

Michael closed the door quietly behind himself as he left and headed into his brother's room. The broken door frame kept the door from closing and he snuck right in; in the low glow from the still on TV Michael was able to see that the gun was laying on the table next to the bed. Kent who has always mumbled in his sleep was tossing and turning as he mumbled something about a girl named Sabrina and not wanting to hurt her.

Micheal made his way to the far side of the room, quiet as a mouse he moved toward the gun. As he reached for it, Kent's hand shoot out and grabbed it.

“Micheal, why? What I ever do to you,” he heard Kent mumble. The gun was now beneath he covers. Kent continued, “get out.... leave me alone..... you don't want to be here. Leave while you still.... can.”

Even in the low light Micheal could see Kent blinking his closed eyes. Kent was not asleep.

“Have what.... they want..... get out.”

Micheal took the hint. He snuck back out of the room and into his and Tab's. He took one of the chairs and sat in it facing the bed. He'd have given anything to be able to crawl back into Tab's arms at that moment.

Michael was sitting in the chair wondering if his brother was really awake or asleep. His behavior was so odd. How could he have been awake?

He heard Kent's phone ring. He stood up and put his ear to the wall.

He heard a raspy voice say, "Hello."

It was Kent's voice.

He continued to listen, he heard Kent give the person his room number and the address of the hotel.

About thirty minutes later he heard a knock on Kent's door. He put his ear back up to the wall. He heard the entire conversation.

“Did you take care of it?”

Kent said, "I haven't been able to find her Mr. Randle."

Mr. Randle said, "What do you mean you haven't found her, she was in your parent's house!"

Kent said, "I know, but my brother is keeping close tabs on her."

Mr. Randle said, "You were supposed to take care of this the first night! It was simple, rob her, kill Masterson, and plant her prints in his office!"

Kent said, well, “I couldn't find the envelope! What makes you think the police would think it was Tabitha anyway?"

Mr. Randle said, "Because she is my secretary, she has access to all my accounts. The Masterson account was put under her name for a reason! Now that I have the money I want the rest taken care of so I can finally spend it."

Kent said, "Well, I think you should just leave things alone!"

Mr. Randle yelled, "What do you mean? Have you forgotten you are the reason I am in this wheel chair? It's your fault! How dare you try to run away with my daughter, Sabrina! There is no way I would let her run off with a loser like you!"

Kent said, "I love Sabrina, we were going to get married tomorrow in Mexico! I will do what you ask, just let me see her."

Mr. Randle laughed, "She doesn't want to see you, she knows you are responsible for my paralysis."

Kent said, "She saw what happened, there is no way she would believe I would hurt you on purpose! You can't keep her locked up forever!"

Mr. Randle laughed sarcastically and said, "Do as I ask and maybe I will let you see her."

Michael glanced up from the wall and saw Tab sitting up in the bed white as a ghost.

Michael rushed over to the bed and crushed her to him. “Its okay, Kent is not going to hurt you,” he whispered into her ear.

“Its not your brother I'm worried about. I think I know who is behind everything.”

Michael started to rub his hands up and down Tab's back and sides as the color returned to her skin. “Don't worry about it, I know everything now, Mr. Randle is in Kent's room.”

“But, its not Mr. Randal. He wouldn't hurt a fly.”

“Tabitha, I'm sorry,” Micheal kissed Tab on the lips and said, “I'm going to put an end to this right now.”

He stood and walked to the door, he looked out the window next to it and saw that there was one man standing next to the car that had brought Mr. Randle. Calm as day he walked out of the room and up to the man. “Nice car,” he said

Startled the man replied, “Yes, it is.”

Micheal was now standing with in an arms length of the man pretending to look at the car. “What year?”

“I'm not sure, but it is nice ain't it.”

“Ya, it is.” They were now standing next to each other. Quickly Micheal punched the man across the jaw and he went sprawling on the ground.

Meanwhile Tab quickly dressed and hurried after Micheal. He was standing over Jakie, Mr. Randal's driver, when she made it outside. “What did you do?” she hissed at him.

“I only hit him once,” he said. “Who knew he'd fall so easy.”

“Why?”

“Your boss is the one that wants you dead. He tried to get Kent to frame you for the Masterson murder.”

“But.... but why would he do that?”

“Money,” he answered as he headed toward Kent's room.

Tab followed close at his heels. 'What are you going to do?” she whispered.

“Pray my brother is still sane,” he whispered back as he pushed open the door.

Kent and Jason Randal jumped in astonishment.

Kent yelled, "What are you doing here Michael, get out now!"

Jason looked up with a sly smirk on his face and said, "Well, well what have we here? You two have made things much easier for me.” He reached in a side pocket and pulled out a small handgun.

Tab looked at Mr. Randal with tears in her eyes and said, "Why are you doing this? I have done everything for you, you have referred to me as your other daughter. I remember now, I remember everything that has happened! My amnesia is gone! I know who I am and now. I looked at you as a father, and you do this, why?"

Jason just laughed slyly and said, "You were always gullible Tab, that's why I chose you. Once the police find out you have murdered Mr. Masterson I can take my money and my daughter and leave this place."

“What?” Kent yelled. “You dirty double crosser.”

“What? Did you think I'd actually let you and my daughter get married? You are out of your mind.”

“Why even bother with all this? You could have just taken the money and run; couldn't you?” Micheal asked.

“This is more fun,” Jason said. “Now, Kent get over there with your brother.”

Kent moved slowly around the room to where his brother and Tab were standing.

“Tie them up,” Jason said. “I want this done tonight, and then we'll see what we have.”

“Why are you doing this?” Tab asked. “Is it just the money?”

“No, its revenge too.” Jason said.

“What happened to Tony?” Kent asked. “He was supposed to meet me here.”

“Tony had to catch a train, so he is gone from the picture,” Jason said. As Kent started to tie Micheal and Tab together.

As Kent did that, Micheal whispered to him, “You can end this right now. He has no intentions of sharing the money. He’s just going to kill us all, like he did Tony.”

“Tony? Tony is fine he is on his way to Mexico. Right Mr. Randal?" Michael could see the hurt in his brother's eyes. He had never been too bright. He has absolutely no common sense.

Kent pulled the gun out and turned it on Mr. Randal.

Mr. Randal said, "What the hell are you doing? Don't you point that gun at me young man!"

Kent said, "I should have put an end to this a long time ago, but I let you manipulate me and Samantha. This has gone on long enough! I don't care if you have all the money in the world, I don't care about your promises anymore! You jumped out in front of the car, I tried to stop, the accident was your fault!"

Jason stood up and slapped Kent across the face and yelled "How dare you!"

Tabitha gasped. She was totally shocked. She said , "Mr. Randal! You can walk!"

“Yes my dear, I can.”

Kent nearly dropped his gun in surprise. “What the hell.”

“Drop the gun Kent,” Jason said.

“Micheal? What do i do?”

“Kent, you know what you have to do,” his brother said.

“Kent, put the gun down and step away from them.”

“Kent, don't you dare.”

“Mr. Randal, why did you deceive me like this?” Tabitha asked.

Kent fired one shot into the ceiling, then he said, “Micheal, you and Tabitha go get the police. I'll stay with our 'friend' here.”

“Kent....”

“Go,” Kent interrupted his brother.

Micheal put one hand on Tabitha's shoulder and pulled her from the room. Once they were out of the room there was a single gun shot.

“God, what just happened. Why did he do this to me?” Tabitha sobbed.

They were standing right outside the motel and all the sudden they heard a voice behind them saying, "Put your hands up where I can see them, slowly turn around, and get in the car!"

They both turned around and it was Mr. Randal's driver. He was holding a gun and aiming it right at Tab.

Michael said, "Now what?"

Tabitha just looked confused and scared.

The driver took out some rope, threw it at Tab and told her to tie Michael's hands behind his back. He said, "You better tie it well or I will put a bullet in the back of his head."

Tab did as she was asked and he pointed the gun at Michael and told him to get in the trunk of the car.

Tab started to protest, "But he could suffocate in there!"

The driver just laughed at her and said, "Well we better hurry to Mr. Randal's office and access his accounts so you can get him out then."

Tab said, "What do you mean?"

The driver said, "I know you are his secretary and you have all the account information I need to transfer the money into my account. I've had my eye on Mr. Randal's fortune for a long time and I'll be damned if I let him take all the money and leave me with nothing."

He forcibly pushed Michael into the trunk and slammed it shut.

He pointed the gun at Tab and said, "Slowly get into the driver's seat from the passenger's side of the car. I will shoot you and your little doctor friend if you try anything."

Tab did as she was asked and slid over to the driver's seat.

The driver then got in the car after her and pointed the gun back at her head.

"Drive to the office,” he said.

Tab put the car into drive and pulled off the parking lot just as Kent came running out of the motel room. He saw the car pulling off the lot and recognized it and the man in the passenger seat. “That bastard,” he spat. “He had Jakie waiting all the time.”

Tab pulled the car into the office parking lot. Jakie pulled a key card from his breast pocket and handed it to Tab, “Use this to open the door.”

Tab used the key to open the door to the garage and pulled into Mr. Randal's private parking place. “Do you have the keys to the building?”

“Yes, now get out and move to the door.”

“What about Micheal?”

“He will be sitting tight until I give you the keys and you come get him.”

Jakie handed Tab a set of keys and told her which one to use on the door. She opened the door and he followed her inside.

Micheal heard the heavy door slam from inside the trunk. He also heard the door to the garage reopen about 3 minutes after the other door closed. He heard something scraping at the lid of the trunk, then it was opened.

Standing over him with a bloodied nose and a crowbar in one hand was his brother. Micheal sighed in relief as Kent pulled him out of the trunk and said, “What are you doing sleeping on the job, we have work to do.”

“Always the kidder you are.”

“Well I hate to be mister sourpuss. Well are you coming?”

“You have a key?”

“Du'h.” Kent walked over to the door and pulled a sting of keys from a pocket of his jacket. He fiddled with them a moment before picking one and reaching for the door knob, it was still open. “Go figure. He must have forgotten about me. I'm hurt.”

“Come on Kent be serious for a minute would you. How did you know we'd be here?”

“Lucky guess, and the fact that I saw Jakie with a gun to your girlfriend's head.”

"What makes you think she is my girlfriend?"

"Pfft, please. I saw the way you looked at her. I haven't seen you look at anyone like that since Nancy died."

Michael just looked at him with contempt remembering what a jerk he is and said, "Lets just go get Tab."

Michael asked Kent, "Do you even know where the office is?"

Kent looked at him rolled his eyes and said, "Du'h."

Jackie got Tab up to the fifth floor and in front of Mr. Randal's office door. Holding the gun to her head he said, “Open it!”

Tab was shaking so bad she couldn't ever hold her hand straight to get the key in the lock. She accidentally dropped the keys on the floor, losing the office key amongst them.

Jackie smacked her a cross the face and said, "You are so incompetent, how did Jason put up with you for so long!"

She fell to the floor and covered the side of her head where Jackie had hit her. He bent over, picked up the keys and unlocked the door. He bent down, grabbed Tab by the hair and stood her up. "Get your sorry ass in there!"

Tabitha stumbled a bit and made it to Mr. Randal's desk.

Jackie pulled out the chair and pushed Tab down in it and said, "Put in the password and do it quick!"

Tab made herself steady her hands and she started up the computer.

Jackie just stood there staring at her.

He gave her the creeps. She just wanted this over with. She had the feeling if she didn't do anything now, she would never see another day.

Jackie stood behind her and said, "You know, I have always thought you were attractive."

He stood behind her and grabbed some of her hair and put it up to his nose and inhaled the flowery scent of her hair.

Tab looked down and saw a golden letter opener sitting right in front of her. She reached out, grabbed it and turned around and stabbed Jackie right in the stomach. He stumbled backwards and she pushed the chair away, kicked him in the balls and ran.

Tab ran to the elevator. She could hear Jakie cursing after her

The elevator was on its way up, currently at the 3rd floor, when she reached it. “Damn it,” she swore as she hit the steel doors with her fist. She tried to remember where the stairs where.

In the elevator, now passing the 4th floor, were Kent and Micheal.

Tab saw where she had hit the doors when she pulled her hands away, a bloody hand print remained. “The emergency stairs are to the right of the main elevator. The main elevator is...” she said aloud trying to recall where the stairs where.

She could hear foot steps coming from the direction of the office.

The ding of the doors made her jump. But when she saw who was inside she nearly fainted. Kent had a gun pointed at her.

She screamed and took off running down the hall. She took her first right, which led her to another long hallway. She saw a glowing exit sign down the hall and ran toward it.

Michael and Kent yelled after her, but to her it was all Kent. She didn't see Michael in the elevator.

She turned the corner and ran right into Jackie. He grabbed her and shook her yelling, "What in the hell do you think you are doing you stupid girl!"

She saw pure hate in his eyes. He had a tight grip on both of her shoulders. He was squeezing so hard she winced at the pain.

She roughly got out of his grip and elbowed him in the stomach and ran straight ahead to the stairwell.

She heard, "Get back here you bitch!" Then a gun fired.

She got down one flight of stairs and checked all around to see if she was hurt. She didn't think she was. She hadn't felt anything. She was panting and at her wits end.

Michael and Kent heard a gunshot from Mr. Randal's office and both ran in that direction.

He heard Jakie's holler down the hall. It was a psychotic voice saying, Tabitha....Tabitha. Over and over again.

Michael and Kent got closer and closer to the voice, but their vision was skewed because the entire building was dark accept for a glowing exit sign down the hall and a few floodlights.

They got to the corner and both looked at each other. Kent pulled out the gun and then looked at Michael. Michael whispered, "Go on three." He held up three fingers on his hand and counted down to one. They both turned the corner to see a shadow enter the stairwell.

Tabitha continued to run down the stairwell and thought she had gone down five floors, but she got to the basement and the door was locked! "Oh my god! I went one floor too far.” She began to panic.

She could hear footsteps in the stairwell above her and she ducked under the last stair in the dark. She knew she wasn't completely hidden by the large, cold , cemented stairs due to the floodlights in every corner, but she thought maybe Jackie would enter to the lobby on the first floor instead of go all the way down. She looked up and saw a fire extinguisher connected to the wall and grabbed it thinking maybe in someway she could swing it at him in case he did get to her. Crouching down on the cold cement, Tab realized she had a sharp stinging pain on her right fist. She looked down and noticed blood gushing out of it. She ripped a piece of cloth off of her t-shirt and wrapped it around her hand. She lifted her head and noticed some drops of blood leading up the stairwell. "Oh know, he will follow a blood trail, she said under her breath."

Panic started in and she didn't know what to do.

Suddenly she heard a door slam on the floor above her!

Kent and Micheal started down the stairs. Kent checked each door and stood ready with his gun, Micheal kept an eye on the stairs below them. They checked each floor and found all the doors to the first floor locked form this side. “Kent, check out there, I'll see if he went down this way.”

Kent nodded at his brother. “You always were the hero.” He opened the door and looked into the lobby.

In the light from the door Micheal saw something he never wanted to see again, blood drops on the floor under his stance. Pain shoot through his arm as the door closed behind Kent. The slam echoed in the concrete stairwell.

Taking hold of the railing Micheal made his way down the steps. He stopped when he saw the bottom and, he rested for a minute before continuing on downstairs. He looked around the basement level from the stairs and didn't see anything. He continued down the stairs and heard a loud thump from behind the stairs.

Tab could feel the strength draining from her arm. She heard steps right above her, then they stopped. Her grip on the extinguisher slipped and it went crashing to the floor.

Micheal continued down the stairs. He went slowly and carefully, ready for Jakie to spring at him.

She heard him coming closer, she tried to pick the extinguisher back up, but she couldn't lift it. That was when he rounded the corner behind the stairs.

Micheal rounded the stairs and found Tab. She collapsed into his arms and they fell to the floor together.

Tab just held him close and started to weeping in his arms. He was saying, "Shhhh, it's okay I am here now. You are safe."

As they lay in each others arms in both pain and delight, they heard a wrestle in the stairwell just above them.

They heard Kent and Jackie's voices. It was really muffled because of the rustling they were doing. They heard a bang against the railing and something crashed on the floor just in front of them.

It was a gun!

Michael reached over and grabbed the gun and cocked it. He moved to Tab and whispered in her ear, "Stay right here I will come back for you I promise." Tab reluctantly let go and Michael cautiously made his way up the steps.

As Michael came to the landing for the first floor the door was open and there were voices coming from just down the hall beyond the door. The landing was covered in blood and torn bits of cloth.

The voices stopped. A gun shot rang through the hallway.

Kent came stumbling onto the landing, he was holding onto his side, just below the ribcage.

“Kent,” Michael gasped.

“Mikey.”

“Where's Jakie?”

“He’s not going to trouble us anymore.” Kent smiled weakly as he collapsed onto the landing.

Michael knelt next to his brother, in the dim light Kent's face was very pale. “Kent, let me see that wound.”

“Its nothing, he just knocked the wind out of me.” Kent tried to sit up and Michael saw the pain tighten his face.

Michael called down the stairs, “Tab, come up here quick.”

Tab took the stairs as quickly as she could, and was horrified at the sight that she found on the landing.

She saw blood everywhere.

Michael tore off his shirt and pressed it into the bullet wound. He grabbed Tab’s arm and said, “Put all of your pressure on this wound!” “I have to find a first aid kit!” He quickly stood up and started down the hall.

Kent looked up at Tab with tears in his eyes and said, “I am so sorry for what I have put you through.”

Tab tried to steady her voice as she tried to hold the tears filling her eyes back. “Don’t talk right now, everything will be okay.”

What seemed to have been hours were just mere minutes. Micheal was back with a first aid kit. He pulled several bandages out and was starting to apply more pressure on the blood gushing wound.

They soon heard voices coming from the foyer.

Tab and Michael both looked at each other and said, “What now?”

They heard a voice saying, “Police, anyone here?”

Michael yelled, “Billy!” Relief filled his voice.

Billy motioned into the hallway, “In here guys,” He said.

Billy had brought the paramedics with him.

They strapped Kent onto a gurney and loaded him into the ambulance and took him away.

Michael and Tab followed outside where the whole place seemed to be surrounded by police and emergency vehicles. They were both sent to the another ambulance to get checked out.

As they sat there and had their wounds attended to, Billy strolled over to them. He said, "Man you are a lucky guy."

“How did you know where to find me?”

“I was working late at the station when there was a call on the radio about the alarm going off in this office building. I also received your package in the mail and thought you had something to do with this. I knew you were probably in trouble."

“Did you find Jackie?” Micheal asked.

“Who?” Billy said.

“Mr. Randal's driver,” Tab said. “He was the one that brought us here, he also shot Kent.”

“We haven't found anyone other then you three,” Billy answered.

“You're sure?” Micheal asked.

“There is no way he got far,” Tab said.

“We'll keep looking, but....” Billy said trailing off.

“I don't think you'll find him,” Tab said.

“Did he take anything?” Billy asked.

“He tried to get me to transfer all the pilfered money into his account,” Tab answered.

“And did you?” Micheal asked.

“No, I stabbed him in the stomach with a letter opener,” Tab answered.

“Okay,” Billy said, “if you'd like i can get someone to take you home once the medics clear you.”

“That would be nice,” Tab said snuggling up against Micheal.

Michael remembered Tab got her memory back. He ached with the thought she would no longer be staying at his house. He wondered if they would continue to see each other or if things would stop.

Tab looked at Michael and said, “It’s so wonderful having my memory back!” “It was so awful not knowing who I was, where I came from, where I lived, and now I know.”

“It will be nice to get into my closet and wear my clothes and soak in my tub.” “Well, actually your tub was very nice.” “I could live in your bathroom.”

Michael laughed along with Tab.

Michael said, “So, is your name Tabitha?”

Tabitha laughed and said “Yes, but please call me Tab.”

A young officer approached them and said to Tab, “Billy has sent me to escort you home, are you ready to go?”

Tab’s smile faded from her face and she looked at Michael and back to the officer and said, “Yes, I am.”

She was extremely excited to go back to her home, but at the same time felt a sadness. She was worried she would never see Michael again. What if he didn’t want her? What if this is all they had? She had to think of something quick to keep him by her side, but what?

The officer said to Michael, “Did you want to ride along too and we can drop you to your house after we drop Tab off?”

Tab, being distracted from her thoughts was hoping Michael would say yes.

Michael said, “Well, actually, I would like to be taken to the hospital, so I can check on my brother.”

Tab felt her heart sink into her stomach.

Officer Stanley said, “That will work just fine. The hospital is on the way to Tabitha’s house.”

As they sat in the back of the squad car Micheal knew he should say something, so he blurted out what was on his mind. “Tab, the last few days have been the best of my life. And i don't want them to end. But now that you have your memory back you probably remember someone special in your life already. So i will understand if that’s the case.”

“Micheal, there is only you.”

“Me?” Micheal gasped not believing what he was hearing.

“Yes silly, you.”

“You mean that even after all this you still want me? I must be the luckiest man on Earth.”

The car slowly pulled away from the office building and into traffic.

“Michael......Michael......! “

Michael all the sudden realized he was daydreaming.

Tabitha was staring at him with curiosity.

When he made eye contact with Tab she said, "Wow, where were you just then?"

Michael was blushing, "I was just thinking."

The officer pulled up to Tab's house and said “Here we are.”

Tabitha reluctantly got out of the car and thanked the officer for taking her home. Michael got out of the car as well and said, "Let me walk you to your door."

He looked up at the house and it was perfect. It had a little wrap around porch with bushes surrounding it. Flower beads all over the front of the yard. The front yard had a large oak tree with a tire swing hanging on it.

Michael said to Tab, "Do you have kids or something?"

Tab let out a little giggle and said, "No, I am renting this house from a friend of mine. "Her husband's job relocated them to New York, so I am renting the place until they can sell it."

Tab went to grab the doorknob and said, "Oh no."

Michael said, "What's wrong?"

Tab said, "I don't have a house key."

Michael asked, "Do you have a spare hidden anywhere."

Tab thought for a moment, "Oh, yes I do."

She walked around to the backyard and found her key. She made her way back to the front door where Michael was standing and went to put the key in the door. The slightest push on the doorknob pushed the door open.

Michael and Tab both looked at each other and stepped back. “Let's get officer Stanley to check things out” Micheal said.

Michael and Tab made their way back to the squad car and told officer Stanley the house wasn't secure.

Officer Stanley made his way to the front door with his gun cocked and ready. He slowly pushed the door all the way open. It revealed the living room and the whole place was a mess. Looked like a tornado blew through it.

Tab gasped and put her hands over her mouth in amazement.

The officer turned to them and told them to stay put while he made sure the perp was no longer there.

They watched the officer make his way through the living room, then to the kitchen where they lost sight of him.

A few moments later, Officer Stanley came back outside to them and said the place is clear, but the whole house has been torn up.

Michael looked at Tab to see tears streaming down her face.

She slowly stepped into the living room and found her couch slit open, pictures broken, and glass all over the place.

Michael stepped in behind her and said, "Why don't you go up to your bedroom, grab some clothes and toiletries and come back home with me." Although Michael felt terrible about her house being torn apart, a part of him was relieved because he knew she would be with him in his home again.

Tabitha looked at Michael and said, "I don't want to be a bother."

Michael laughed and said, "Don't be silly. My mom loves having you around and you need a place to stay while your house gets put back together. Plus, I kinda like having you around." He squeezed her to him.

She kind of giggled a little, then reality hit her. She looked around at the mess in what used to be call her home.

She made her way upstairs and started to collect some clothing she could find among the rubble and saw her toiletries were strewn all over the place. She thought to herself, well I guess we'll be making a stop at the store.

Officer Stanley was outside on the radio when Micheal lead Tab back outside. She took one last longing look at the ruins of the place she had called home. Micheal gently turned her from the scene and walked her to the squad car where he sat her in the back seat and walked around to get in himself.

As soon as Micheal was seated Tab laid her head on his shoulder and cuddled against him. “So where to?” Officer Stanley whispered.

“I guess to my place. I'll get Tab settled and then go and see Kent.” Micheal replied in the same whispered voice. “Do you have a phone by chance?”

“Ya.” Officer Stanley pulled a small cell phone from his breast pocket and handed it to Micheal. He started the engine and pulled away from the house as another squad car pulled up in front of the place.

Micheal called his house, but no one answered, he assumed that they were already on the way to the hospital to see Kent.

They pulled in front of Micheal's and he gently shook Tab to wake her. Officer Stanley walked in with them as Micheal carried Tab's bag. “Could i get something?” Micheal asked him.

“No thanks,” Officer Stanley replied, “I really should be getting back. Are you sure you two will be alright?”

“We'll be fine,” Tab told him.

“Well, Micheal if you two need anything be sure to call me.” Officer Stanley handed Micheal a card with his phone number on it. “Keep in touch.”

“Thank you Stan,” Micheal said. “I'm sure I'll be seeing you.”

“Thank you for everything, Officer Stanley,” Tab said.

“It was good seeing you again Mike, and it was a pleasure Miss Tabitha. And its just Stan or Stanley from here on out for you okay.”

Tab smiled at that, and said, “Okay, and its Tab for me.”

“Sure thing, Tab.” Officer Stanley tipped his hat quickly and left.

“Lets get your stuff upstairs,” Micheal said as he picked Tab's bag back up.

“I can do that. Go see your brother.”

Just as Michael was grabbing his keys to step out the door, the phone rang.

It was Billy.

“Michael, we cannot find any evidence of anyone else being at the office. We have no idea who this Jackie person is.”

Michael said, "Oh, no. Is somebody at the hospital with my brother?"

Billy said, "No why?"

"Well, we better get there then."

Michael grabbed his jacket and keys, and rushed out the door.

Tab unpacked her bag and made her way down the hall to see if Michael was in his room. She saw he wasn't so she made her way downstairs to the foyer and called his name. There was no answer.

She thought maybe he had gone to the hospital and forgot to say goodbye.

She decided she was a little hungry so she made her way to the kitchen. After making herself a sandwich, she decided to take a bath and clean up a bit so she would look half way decent when Michael returned home.

She got to the bathroom and started the fabulous tub she loved so much and looked in the vanity for a brush and a hair tie. She figured since she saw nail polish, etc in it, then it would sure have stuff for her hair.

She opened the middle drawer and saw a picture of a woman with Michael. She looked closely and saw they both had wedding rings on. Covering her mouth with shock she started to wonder if he was married and his wife was on a trip or something or if he was separated or what.

She started pacing the bathroom thinking all these horrible thoughts. She was driving herself into insanity. Why was she so angry? Could she possibly be in love with this guy?

Micheal found himself at the hospital before he knew it. He hurried inside and to the trauma ward, where he knew Kent had first been taken, there he grabbed a passing nurse and asked where his brother was.

The nurse handed him a chart and said, “He’s still in surgery, Dr. Kinsey.”

“What room?”

“Trauma one, but you should wait; Dr. Miller is taking care of him. Your parents are in the waiting room. I'm sure they'd love it if you joined them.”

“Ya, that’s a good idea,” Micheal said as he handed the chart back. “I'll go wait with them.”

The waiting room was deserted other then his parents and Micheal sat across a table from them. They sat in silence as each had an inkling of the others were thinking. All they could do was wait and pray.

There was only one answer that Tab could come up with. 'Yes.'

But that one answer created nearly a million more questions. She resolved to ask Micheal about the picture when she saw him again.

A door slamming downstairs brought her attention back to reality. She hurried to the balcony over looking the front door and gasped at what she saw.

“Officer Stanley, you startled me. Did you forget something?”

Officer Stanley looked around the foyer while pushing his hands together.

Tab noticed immediately he had black leather gloves on and felt as if something was terribly wrong.

Stanley looked up the balcony at her and said, “I was just asked by Michael to come in and check on you.”

Tab stuttered, “W…w….well, I’m just fine thank you. I…I was just on my way to bed so if you don’t mind.”

Stanley said, “Not at all.” He started to make his way up the long staircase.

Tab said, “What are you doing? I said everything was fine!”

Stanley just stared at her as he got closer and closer to her.

Tab realizing she was in danger, took off and ran into the bathroom and locked the door.

Stanley banged on the door. “Open the door Tab!”

“I’m calling Billy right now, go away!”

Stanley just laughed and said,“ I know you don’t have a phone in there. I really wish you wouldn’t have gotten Michael involved in this. He is a good guy, but now I have to take care of both of you.”

Tab said, “Why are you doing this? What do you have to gain?”

Stanley said, “Well, Samantha is a very beautiful woman, and also my fiancée. She has Kent wrapped around her little finger. We have plans for that money and we will get it one way or another. Kent obviously can’t do one simple task, so I guess it’s up to me now.”

“What about Mr. Randal, why was he involved?”

She heard a snide laugh from the other side of the door. “Samantha has great powers over any and all men. Her father hasn’t known how to tell her 'No' since she was a child. “Samantha told her father she has gotten herself into trouble with drug dealers and needed the money otherwise she would be killed.”

“I knew Mr. Randal couldn’t have been that evil without a purpose.”

She heard some pings in the lock on the bathroom door. She thinks he was trying to pick the lock.

Tab looked around the bathroom. The vanity, the tub, a sink.... not much of use in a fight. That was when she saw the window, with the big oak tree outside it. The branches looked strong enough to hold her weight.

Tab pulled the double window open and reached for the nearest branch as she heard the lock click.

“Come on this is silly” Stanley called through the door, “you know I'll get it open, and then...”

Tab didn't wait to hear the rest of what he was saying, she swung out onto the tree branch and worked her way down.

Back at the hospital Dr, Miller walked into the waiting room. She did not look happy. “Iiris, how is he?” Micheal asked.

“I think he'll pull through, but he lost a lot of blood. He was lucky you were there or he would have been dead before Billy found him.”

Micheal and both his parents sighed in relief. “Can we see him?” Donald asked.

“Yes, but he is still out, so make it quick,” Iiris answered. “He is in room 205, I'll show you the way.”

The four of them made there way to Kent's room and looked in on him. A few minutes after they went in Billy knocked on the door and came in, “How is he?”

“We think he'll be okay. I'll be back in a bit to check on him,” Iiris said as she took her leave.

“What’s up Bill?” Donald asked.

“Well, there is still no sign of Jackie, but that's not why I'm here. Micheal, did Stanley say anything about where he was going when he dropped you two off?”

“No, he dropped me and Tab off at our place and then he left. I figure he was going back to meet you or to Tab's,” Micheal said.

“No one has seen him since he left with you and Tabitha. He's not answering on his radio eith....”

Billy was cut off by a frantic voice on his hip radio. “Someone help me, I'm at the Kinsey's place. Officer Stanley has gone nuts, he’s trying to kill me.”

“Gods be damned,” Billy said as he turned and ran from the room. Micheal followed hot on his heels.

Tab had made the jump to the branches and climbed her way down to the grass. She took off running towards the front of the house. She jumped the fence and ended up in the driveway where she was blinded by headlights.

Michael ran out and grabbed her.

Tab struggled a bit until she heard Michael’s voice. She was quickly calmed and said he’s trying to get into the bathroom.

Not two minutes since Tab ran into Michael’s arms, Jackie walked out the garage door.

He saw Michael and Tab hugging each other and was too busy planning his next move to notice Billy standing at the front of the garage out of his view. As soon as he stepped out Billy knocked him down and cuffed him.

Two months have gone by since the arrests of Stanley, Samantha, and Kent. Mr. Randal had shot himself in the head in the apartment after Kent walked out on him. Kent was given a light sentence to serve in the prison due to the fact he saved lives. Samantha and Stanley were pressed with several charges including embezzling, drug dealing, identity theft, and many others. They are both serving life sentences.

Kent will be out on work release in time for Micheal and Tab's wedding next month.

It was the night of the wedding rehearsal and Tab was getting ready in the other room. Micheal ducked into the closet to find the jeweled rose that he had gotten her as a gift for her birthday. When he turned back around holding the small box in one hand he gasped in horror at what was stuck in the pillows on the bed. Some how someone had stuck a knife with a note into the bedding.

The note looked to have been written in blood. It read, “Enjoy yourselves while you can, but always remember I am watching and waiting.”