At the police station, Victor Pearce is sitting inside a jail cell, still hung over from his drinking binge. He was hauled to jail after waking up in his apartment. Russell Gault walks in and faces a bleary-eyed Victor.

Russell: I see you're finally waking up Pearce.

Victor: M-my son. H-how is he?

Russell: He's in very serious condition, but he's going to make it. Which means you'll be facing charges of attempted murder.

Victor (grimacing): I didn't mean to hurt him! He was going to come down here and turn himself in! I just snapped, I didn't know what I was doing!

Russell: What do you mean, turn himself in?

The alcohol in Victor's system acts like a truth serum, and he begins to tell Russell what he knows without really realizing it.

Victor: He was going to confess to robbing those houses and I didn't want him to.

Russell looks at him in utter shock.

Russell (in disbelief): Are you serious?

Victor: You have to believe me. Brody is the thief---and I made him commit those crimes.

Paul is back at home and he's lying on top of his bed with Tess next to him, his arms wrapped around her tight. Although the TV is on, the couple is barely paying attention to it, other thoughts weighing on their minds.

Paul: I just thought of something honey.

Tess: What sweetie?

Paul: I'm going to contact my grandparents.

Tess (sitting up): You don't mean Kane and Ingrid's parents?

Paul: Yes that's exactly what I mean. I want to know why they hit my dad and my aunt, and why they don't act like I ever existed.

Tess: I wouldn't do it Paul. You're going to be opening up old wounds that have been festering for years.

Paul (also sitting up): It's something I need to do Tess. There's so much I don't know about Dad, and he was about to open up to me before you called. If anyone can shed light on what may have happened, it's my grandparents.

Tess: What if they don't want anything to do with you? What if they don't want to talk?

Paul: It's been so long ago, one them is bound to stop being silent. Like I told Dad, maybe it would be better if everything was out in the open. Then Dad and Aunt Ingrid could finally begin to heal.

In a small, darkened room, the mystery caller is holding a blonde-haired Barbie doll, dressed in a red fancy gown in black gloved hands. The person walks over to a table, lays the doll on top of the table, sits down, opens a drawer, and takes out a huge, shiny butcher knife. The dark clothed figure grabs the doll by its feet and begins chopping off its hair violently, leaving the doll with clumps of golden hair spread out wildly on its head. Then the person takes the knife and shoves it through the doll's chest, pinning it to the table.

The person laughs demonically and begins squeezing the doll's head hard, stretching its smile into an evil, clownish grin.

Person (loudly whispering): Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! The summer of terror is about to start! Tomorrow night, the first one will die. Blood will spill---and revenge will soon be mine!

Next on Come Nightfall:

Paul begins the attempt to contact his grandparents.

Janet visits Brody in the hospital.

Victor shocks Russell and Wade with his confession.

Kane has another violent outburst.

THIS HAS BEEN COME NIGHTFALL

BY BREE PERRY

COPYRIGHT 2001