"It's a speaking likeness," said Akageno, studying Rachel's sketch of Jordan Stark/ David Halliday.

"So, when do we stick pins in it?" said Rachel.

"Actually, I have a better idea." He explained what he meant, finishing with , "For it to really work, we need a piece of him."

"How's that again?"

"Everything that was once part of you remains part of you, even when it is apart from you." Akageno explained, "What we need is to lay hold of something that is part of his body, something containing his DNA: blood, hair, sweat - it need only be a minute amount."

"Getting hold of it will be tricky, though." said Rachel.

"I have faith in your ingenuity, Love."

****

Josie's mind felt clearer than it had in years. Looking back on some of the inept, boneheaded things she had done since joining the BCPD ( such as dangling Chip Rayburn out of a window in order to force a confession out of him), Josie wondered if Joe Carlino had put some sort of Stupidity Spell on his subordinates, in order to keep them from outshining him. Or had his mere presence been enough to drag everyone down to his own level? It didn't really matter, now that Joe was in jail.

"The hit-and-run on Lila Cory was no accident." she said, "The attempt on her life in the hospital proves that. So, who hates Lila enough to kill her?"

"She and Vicky Hudson aren't exactly friends," said Detective Amy Dolan, "And, of course, Nick Hudson is Vicky's brother. And she's his alibi for the hit-and-run."

"No, I don't buy it." said Josie, "I can see Lila trying to kill Vicky, but not vice versa. And why would she want to hurt Lila Now? They were fighting over Shane Roberts, and he's dead."

"Well, there is Someone Else with reason to want Lila dead." said Amy.

****

"Mr Halliday? It's Rachel Hutchins. I want to apologize for my behaviour earlier. I was terribly rude; I hope you can forgive me."

"Actually, I was wondering if I should withdraw my money from Cory Publishing."

"Oh no! Please don't do that! Can't we discuss it over dinner at the Harbour Club? My treat."

"Neutral territory?" said Stark, "Very well. Shall we say, eight o'clock tonight?"

"I'm looking forward to it." said Rachel.

****

Wizard Wallace had finished another long session with Lila.

"I've repaired the fractures of her legs and pelvis." he said, pausing as he stuffed food into his mouth. "Luckily, her spinal cord wasn't damaged; regenerating nerve tissue really takes it out of me."

"So, what's left?" said Sofia, "Just her face, and then she'll be good as new?"

The wizard nodded. "She has some other broken bones, but they're clean breaks, simple to repair. I'll be focussing most of my power on reconstructing her beautiful face."

"I want to see her." said Matthew.

When they reached Lila's room, the door was unguarded.

"What's going on?" Matthew demanded of Lila's nurse., "Where's the cop who's supposed to be here?"

"Oh, the police deciding guarding Mrs Cory was a waste of time." she replied.

"WHAT?"

*****

Meanwhile, at the Harbour Club:

"Good evening, Rachel." Stark stood up as Rachel approached his table.

"Good evening, Mr Halliday."

"Please, call me David."

"Very well, - David."

In her younger days, Rachel had been the biggest flirt in Bay City. She knew how to flatter any man into thinking that she found him fascinating. Now she used those skills on Jordan Stark; an evil wizard was still a man, and susceptible to her charm. She kept the conversational ball rolling, avoiding any 'hot' topics, such as 'David Halliday's ' relationship with Amanda.

****

"Why have you removed the guard from Lila's room?" Matthew demanded.

"Calm down, Matt." said Josie, "One of the orderlies came forward and confessed that he - accidentally - pulled the plug on Lila's life support."

That took the wind out of Matthew's sails. "Oh."

"So, obviously, no one is plotting to murder Lila, and she doesn't need to be guarded."

"But - what about the hit-and-run?"

"It was a tragic accident." said Josie, "Lila was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

****

"That was an excellent meal." said Stark, gently patting his lips with his napkin.

"Yes, the food here is generally good. Ooops." Rachel 'accidentally' knocked her evening bag off the table.

"Allow me." said Stark. When he stooped to pick up the purse, Rachel quickly switched their napkins.

"Thank you, David."

****

The supply room at BCUH provided everything necessary for a disguise: gowns, face masks, latex gloves ...

No one paid any attention to the figure in green surgical scrubs, face and hair hidden under cap and mask, hands gloved, as it approached Lila's room and slipped inside.

Lila was breathing easily, in rhythm with the machines. It was the simplest thing in the world to ease the pillow out from under her head, and press it over her face...

"HOLD IT!" Suddenly, the lights went on. Josie had stepped out from behind the bathroom door, gun in hand; then 'Lila' sat up, and unwound the bandages from her face, revealing herself to be Detective Amy Dolan.

"You are under arrest, for attempted murder." said Josie, clapping on the cuffs,"You have the right to remain silent. If you give up the right to -"

Just then, Matthew arrived. "What's going on?"

"We have just arrested Lila's would-be murderer." said Josie.

'"SOFIA?" (Surprise! :-D)

"I told you, Matt - we'd all be better off if Lila was dead." she said, tossing her head.

Matthew shook his head, and addressed the woman on the bed. "Who are you? Where's Lila?"

"I'm Detective Dolan. We moved your wife to another room, for her safety, while we set a trap."

****

"Achoo!" Stark caught his sneeze in a handkerchief, then stuffed it into his pocket. "Thank you for a lovely evening, Rachel."

"It was my pleasure, David."

Rachel swayed slightly as she stood up, and had to catch hold of Stark's arm.

"I shouldn't have drunk so much champagne," she murmured.

"But it was such excellent champagne." said Stark, "How could we resist?"

At the coat check, Rachel insisted on helping Stark on with his coat.

"Maybe I picked the wrong Cory." he muttered.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Oh, I was just thinking that it's a pity Amanda isn't as charming as her mother."

****

"Sofia confessed." said Josie, "She used to be engaged to Nick, so she knew where he keeps the spare keys for his motorcycle. When she found out that Lila was going to be shopping at Babyworks, she drove to the farm - the tire tracks we found behind the barn match her car - stole Nick's bike, and laid in wait for Lila to come out of the store."

"Sofia always seemed so sweet, so sensitive ," said Matthew, "I never thought she was capable of murder."

"She's a Carlino." said Josie, "They stop at nothing to get what they want. Look at Joe!"

****

As soon as she and Stark had said goodnight, Rachel hurried to Akageno's suite.

"Saliva, on Stark's napkin." she said, taking it out of her purse, "Two hairs, from the collar of his overcoat, and - " She took out the crumpled handkerchief she had plucked from Stark's pocket when she leaned against him, " - he sneezed!"

"Good girl!" Akageno took Rachel's face between his hands, and kissed her full on the lips. "I hope you didn't have to offer him your body, in order to get close enough to obtain these items."

"Fortunately, it didn't come to that." said Rachel.

To be continued.