Scene 1:

Piper slipped through the people on the crowded balcony and out into the grounds of the estate. These functions were slightly exhausting for her, maybe it was all the people. She reached up to remove the barrettes that held her hair from her face and let it fall as a protective shield around her upper body.

"Your hair is long now, you look like a mermaid."

A wave of terror rushed through Piper, but before she could react his arms landed around her, practically crushing her small frame. His hand clamped over her mouth and all Piper could think was, 'not again, not again.' Chase pulled Piper away, but she didn't struggle with him, making it easier and faster for him to pull her away from the people.

"Where's the fight Pip? You certainly put one up last time."

And as soon as the words left his mouth, Piper used all her force to slam the back of her head into his nose. Chase immediately dropped her and Piper scrambled up, but slipped, her heels catching in the slightly damp earth. She kicked off the shoes, but Chase had already made it back to her. His hand snaked out, grabbing her by the waist, blood smearing across the dress because Piper had broken his nose. Now she was struggling, kicking, throwing her arms about, an instinct to live ruling her mind entirely. The two fell backwards and Piper grabbed one of her shoes. Chase pinned her down, but Piper delivered a swift blow between his legs and he rolled off her and Piper rolled onto him. She knew that she should run, that was her safest bet. Something though was driving Piper. She was furious. All she wanted to do know was jam the heel of her shoe into Chase's eye. She wanted to make him hurt. Realizing her intent, Chase grabbed Piper's wrists, surprised by her strength. The heel of her shoe was very close to his left eye and she was putting her entire body into driving into his eye.

"Piper!" he cried.

She wanted him to feel what he had put her through. To know the pain she had felt. The way people looked at her with pity. The nightmares she had night. How terrified she was to be alone now. How she felt so weak and pathetic. She wanted him to know how exactly how it felt. Piper wanted to kill him.

Chase threw Piper off him and for a moment he didn't do anything as she scrambled up to a sitting position. His chest rose and fell with his heavy breathing. Her eyes were wide now, demure again, innocent. They didn't resemble the vicious look from just several seconds earlier.

"Are you trying to kill me, Piper?" he demanded. "I only came here to speak with you, not fight."

"Go away."

"Piper, baby, listen to me," he said, his words muffled by one hand covering his broken nose.

"Go away."

"Piper," he began in a warning tone.

"GO AWAY!" Piper screeched, throwing her heel at him as though he were a bothersome animal.

Chase rose to his feet, glaring at Piper, but there was a hint of wariness in his body.
"I'm not finished with you," he warned, looking down at her. He heard someone calling Piper's name. He recognized the owner of the voice as Noah, but Piper didn't respond back. He looked down at her again, wondering just what was going through her mind. She didn't seem to want to get him caught. He hurried off, disappearing quickly in the darkness of the unlit part of the garden.


Scene 2:

"Where are we going?" Dinah asked again. Garcia hunched over the steering wheel and refused to answer. She flashed a worried glare at Tyler who only shrugged. He didn't seem to be too worried considering that Garcia had steadfastly refused to tell them anything after the phone call. Just to get in the car and keep quiet. The whole thing unnerved her. "Aren't you the least bit nervous?" She whispered to Tyler.

"No, Nicky knows what he's doing," Tyler muttered back. "Now just let it go."

He was angry with her for whatever reason. Personally, she didn't care. No, that wasn't true, she reasoned with herself. She did care because whether she liked it or not, he was all Dinah had for the time being. She didn't have her parents or her sister. And she hadn't had her best friend since last summer. Noah wasn't even a possibility now that he was firmly entrenched in the myth of Piper Conlan. All she had was Tyler Jones and his brother, and she didn't want anything to do with his brother. Whether she liked it or not though, Nicolas was trying to help. Even if it didn't exactly feel like it.

Her gaze shifted to the passing scenery as Garcia drove them through the nearly deserted downtown. Where was everyone? At that party? Made sense, she decided, considering how certain members of Conlan's Glen society liked to show off their generosity. Maybe that's where they were going. The Country Club was just a mile or two away and if Garcia turned left onto Maryland, that had to be right. The car stopped at the intersection, pausing briefly before turning right. So much for that idea, she sighed watching as they sped northward on Maryland towards...

Dinah bolted upright and grabbed Tyler's hand, jerking him closer. "He's taking us to my parents house," she whispered fiercely. Tyler's brows pulled together in a frown, looking out the window where she pointed. The old brick house came into view just as Garcia slowed the car. He stopped across the street and parked the car, turning to stare at them.

"Go on, get out," he ordered them. Dinah and Tyler exchanged quick glances but did as they were told. Garcia stayed in the car, rolling the window down just a little. "Nicky will be here soon with that lady cop. You guys wait here."

"What about-" Tyler's words got lost in the revving of the engine as Garcia left them stranded in front of Dinah's house.

"Okay...I've changed my mind," Dinah said staring after the disappearing car. "It wasn't your brother we should've doubted."

"What the hell," Tyler muttered staring angrily at the empty road. "There's no way Nicky would have us wait in the open for him. Something is wrong." He grabbed Dinah's hand and pulled her towards the house. "Let's get out of sight for now. You still have your house key?"

"No...but I know where there's a spare." She took the lead, following the sidewalk to the back of the house where she climbed a deck chair and reached into the rain gutter. She felt for the little metal box her father had installed years ago hitting it after a moment of frantic searching. "Please be there," she muttered pushing the lid open. She sighed with relief as the key fell into her hand. "Dad was always practical," she grinned letting Tyler help her down from the chair. She went to the backdoor and unlocked it, letting them into the kitchen at the back of the house. None of the lights were on save for the light over the counters and the hall light. It was enough for now.

"Okay," Tyler said pacing the room nervously. "Something is wrong. There's no way Nicky would have us just left here..." He paused and stared at Dinah intently. "Unless you were right about him all along and we shouldn't have trusted him."

Damn. She shouldn't have doubted him so vocally. She didn't trust him, but this was basically giving them to the cops. "No...you're right. This wasn't his idea. Maybe Garcia double-crossed Nicolas?" She offered.

"Why though?" Tyler resumed pacing, a furious frown twisting his normally handsome features into an ugly glare. "What would he have to gain?"

"Money."

Tyler stopped and turned to her. "What did you say?"

"I said, money. Maybe someone paid him to bring us here. Maybe he's out for a reward," she shrugged.

"It just doesn't make sense," Tyler repeated. A flash of light in the windows startled them out of their conversation. Dinah's eyes flicked to the pantry where the door to the basement was. Good enough for now, she decided, grabbing Tyler's hand. She pulled him towards the pantry, shoving him inside and closing the door behind him, as light flooded the kitchen.



Scene 3:

She hated that she believed Nicolas Tejera. What was worse, she hated that he had offered her proof of Tyler Jones' innocence. Toni's belief that the boy was bad news was gone replaced by a shaky image of a kid in the wrong place at the wrong time, thanks of course, to Nicolas Tejera.

She shifted in the passenger seat of his sleek Lexus annoyed with herself for not pressing Melissa Cravens further. But her father was a state congressman and Chief Sloan had practically ordered her off the case once Dinah Stafford went missing. But what had the FBI done? Nothing. Not even asked for her files on the rape case. If she were cynical, she would say it sounded like a conspiracy.

"Look, even saying that I can use that tape as evidence, which I assure you I won't be able to," Toni said after a moment, more to herself than to Tejera. "He looks guilty as sin and Dinah's father is out for blood."

"Yes, I am aware of how angry Dr. Stafford is," Nicolas replied. "But I assure you Detective Hamilton, my brother did not kidnap the doctor's daughter nor did he harm her in any way."

Toni sighed uncomfortably. She knew that. Dinah was infatuated with Tyler Jones. That much was obvious on the too few interviews they had had together. "I know. I got the feeling she would do anything to help that boy."

"And she has. Tyler is trying to protect her now and she is still protecting him. They've developed...quite a friendship," Nicolas commented dryly.

"Friendship? Are you sure there's nothing more?"

"Positive. My brother is an honorable sort. He would never take advantage of someone who helped him," he returned defensively.

"Okay, I get it." She turned back to the window staring again at the passing town. She still wasn't sure what she could do to help. After all, it wasn't her case. Nicolas stopped the car in front of a familiar bed and breakfast near the university and turned the engine off. She glanced over at him quickly before climbing out of the car, cursing the ridiculous cocktail dress she wore. This was certainly no way to deal with the turn of events. Nicolas met her on her side of the car and nodded towards a second floor window.

"They're up there," he said motioning towards the room. She nodded silently, letting him lead her towards the building entirely too aware of the hand he placed at the small of her back. That was too close for comfort even if he was being himself, she decided and shook off his hand. Nicolas raised an eyebrow at her, grinning wickedly before opening the door for her.

"Mr. Tejera!"

They both turned at the voice. Toni watched the large man approach them, lumbering up the stairs and taking his time. She studied him briefly, noting that he didn't even look like a man, more like a refrigerator with feet. Nicolas looked surprised to see him though he clearly knew the man.

"Garcia? What are you doing out here? Why aren't you upstairs with my brother?" Nicolas demanded.

"They're gone," Garcia replied in a thicker version of Nicolas' accent. "They left an hour ago. To her house."

Toni turned an accusing glare at Nicolas. "Is this some kind of joke?" She demanded keeping her anger tamped down for the moment.

"No. It's not particularly funny is it?" He returned sharply.

"I don't think so," Toni volleyed back. "But maybe you just felt like making me the biggest fool in town tonight. I don't know why I ever believed you in the first place." She brushed past Nicolas, determined to get away from him. She should have trusted her instincts, she scolded herself.

"Wait a minute, Toni," Nicolas said following her. "I did not drag you here just to find out that Tyler and Dinah left. That was never my intention," he added.

"That's comforting, Nicolas," she shot back using his name as familiarly as he used hers. "Forgive me if I don't believe you."

"No. We're going to the Stafford house then. I'm serious about all of this."

He reached for her hand but she jerked it out of his reach. "Forget it..."

"Toni, what's going on here?"

Toni stiffened at the voice of the chief of police. What was he doing here? Troy Sloane towered behind Nicolas, glaring at the two of them. He was dressed casually in his work clothes, looking as rough as Nicolas did elegant. Nicolas turned to Troy, his charming facade up and ready to ward off any possible attacks.

"Nothing," she mumbled at last dropping her eyes to the ground. "What are you doing here?"

"Got a tip about Tyler Jones being back in town. More specifically, that he was seen leaving this building a while ago." He paused and studied the tension between herself and Nicolas for a moment. "What are you doing here? And why are you here with him?"

"I honestly don't know," she replied glaring at Nicolas though it was lost on him. His attention was aimed toward the house and where the refrigerator with feet had been. Something wasn't quite right about that.

"Well, no big deal. But as long as I've found you, do you want to come with me to the Staffords? We figured that's where he was heading if Dinah's still with him."

"What about the FBI? Isn't it their case?"

"They don't seem too interested do they? Are you in or not?" Troy asked again glancing at Nicolas. Toni's gaze shifted to Nicolas as well. If Tyler and Dinah were indeed at the Stafford home, then they were about to be in some serious trouble. Neither she nor Nicolas could help them if Troy or John Stafford got to them first. Oh god, she really did believe the kid was innocent after all! She sighed heavily, making up her mind about what she needed to do.

"We'll both go," Toni said after a moment, her eyes still on Nicolas. "But on the way, we have a helluva story to tell you."




Scene 4:

The sound of Leo's keys jingling was the only sound to echo through the halls of the Hope College Science and Humanities building. The entire department was dark, as all of the professors had either gone home or were attending the charity function. Even the computer lab on the first floor had been empty.

Reaching forward to unlock the door to Dr. Adams' office, Leo was surprised when it swung open beneath his barest touch. It made him hesitate only a second, Hunter's threats still ringing in his ears. Stepping inside, Leo left the door slightly ajar, reluctant to make much noise despite the apparent lack of witnesses.

The lamp on Albert's desk glowed golden orange, dimly illuminating the dusty, disorderly office. Actually, from his recollection, Albert wasn't one to keep his office in such a state. Sheaths of papers were strewn across his desk, boxes of relics and artifacts collected on his many journeys were unpacked, their contents piled precariously upon chairs and shelves and any available surface.

He didn't know where to start. Where would Albert keep his most prized possessions? Would he find anything concerning the diamond here? He'd been hinting around to Albert recently, asking questions. The wrong questions, obviously, otherwise he might have had an answer by now. Not for the first time, Leo wished he'd never gotten involved with Alexander Montgomery.

Did Albert have a safe? On the other hand, why would he have hidden references to the Eye? It had been a large part of his research for almost thirty years. There had to be something around here....

Leo stepped behind the desk, meaning to look through the drawers there, but what he saw made him stop cold. There, on the floor, was Dr. Albert Adams. And in the middle of his back was a knife. A machete, really, crudely fashioned and from appearances, quite old. He crouched down, tilting the knife slightly, not thinking as he examined it. Didn't matter, he realized, noting the catalogue number on its side. It was from his own collection of artifacts. No doubt if he headed to his own office right now, he'd find it missing.

"What did you do?"

Leo looked up, startled out of his morbid fascination by the sound of a woman's voice. There was Jillie, standing at the opposite corner of Albert's desk, her horrified blue eyes glued to the professor and the pool of dark blood spreading out beneath his body.

"I - I didn't - " Leo stumbled, trying to make sense of the situation. There was really nothing to make sense of. In his mind, he could see Hunter's smug smile, could hear his parting words. He had to be behind this. But why? Did he think he'd be able to find the location on his own? Had he?

"Didn't what? Didn't kill him? Didn't mean to? What, Leo?" Jillie's voice was growing shrill, and Leo glared at her.

"Shut up," he hissed.

"Why? Afraid someone might find out what you did?"

"I didn't do anything. I just found him like this."

"Oh really? What were you doing breaking into his office in the first place?"

"What were you doing following me?" he shot back.

"I'm not the one who killed someone!"

"Neither am I!"

They stared at each other for a long moment, their eyes clashing. Now that she looked back on it, why had she followed him? What had made her think it would be a good idea? Leo bad. Bad idea. God, maybe her family was right about her.

There was a sound of sirens in the distance and Jillie backed away slowly. As guilty as he'd looked hunching over that dead body, part of her refused to think he'd actually committed murder. Probably the part of her that had thought up the harebrained idea of following him in the first place. But, mainly, she didn't think he'd had the time to get in here and kill a man. Not before she showed up, anyway. She hadn't been that far behind him.

"We need to get out of here now," she told him, stepping back towards the door.

"What? We can't just leave him here," Leo argued. "You know I didn't do this."

"I know I don't want to be here when the cops show up," Jillie snapped. "I know you look pretty familiar with this office, so I don't doubt your fingerprints are all over the place. I know I don't need to be involved with something like this right now." Grabbing a couple of tissues from a Kleenex box, she grabbed the doorknob and wiped off any telltale sign of her own fingerprints. "I also know I'm leaving now, and you can either stay here and wait for the police, or you can come with me. Your choice."

The sirens were growing louder. Had Hunter tipped off the police? Standing up, Leo shook his head. How had this happened? When had he gotten in so deep?

"Where are we going?"

"My place," Jillie told him, hurrying towards the stairs. "Where you're going to tell me everything that's going on. Otherwise, you can just go ahead and drive yourself to the police station."
 

On the next Episode of Secret Horizons...