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#Post#: 397--------------------------------------------------
Part 11
DIR By: 22639
Date: August 14, 2012, 12:33 pm
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[center] The part of Duncan MacLeod is temporarily being
understudied.[/center]
Det. Huff leans back in his chair and rubs his tired eyes. He
has been reviewing his notes on the interviews he has conducted
for the past four hours without a break and everything is making
less sense now than it did when he started. A young uniformed
officer walks into the squad room and up to Huff's desk and
says, “Detective? Have you got a minute?”
Det. Huff: Hmmm?
Det. Huff looks up at the officer without sitting up in his
chair. He clasps his hands behind his head.
Det. Huff: Yeah. What's up?
Det. Huff asks, looking lazily at the young officer. “I was
going over what history we have on Miss Flynn and I checked out
the Seacouver Times Society archives and I came across these,”
the uniform officer says and slips a CD into the computer on
Huff's desk. A few seconds later Huff is looking at a couple of
news photos taken at a couple of charity events and the illusive
Nicayla Flynn is in both of them. Huff sits up, his interest
renewed. Then the young officer tapped the mouse button and two
more news photos appear on Huff's monitor. As with the previous
photos, Ms. Flynn was visible in the crowd of event goers. “In
two of the photos,” the young officer says and flips to the
previous page, pointing out the man standing next to Flynn in
one of the photos on that page. Then he flips back to the
second page and points to the man whose arm Ms. Flynn is holding
on to as they descend a stairway. “The guy looks like the
foreman of her ranch,” the uniform officer says and looks at
Huff. The detective takes control of the mouse and flips back to
the first page and the first two photos and nods his head.
Det. Huff: Yeah...that's him.
Det. Huff says and he leans closer to the monitor to get a
closer look at the man in the other photo who was obviously
Flynn's escort for that event.
Det. Huff: I know that guy.
Det. Huff announces and quickly flips back to the second page
and looks closer at the escort in the third photo.
Det. Huff: Run a facial recognition on this guy.
Det. Huff says and quickly makes copies of the photos on the
disk then gives it back to him. Then he transfers the photos to
his cell phone.
Det. Huff: If you see Ernie...
Det. Huff says as he gets to his feet and puts his sport jacket,
that has been hanging off the back of his chair, on.
Det. Huff: Tell him I'm running down a lead and I'll see him at
the usual for lunch.
Det. Huff says as he grabs his holstered gun out of his desk
drawer and clips it to his belt. Then he hurries out of the
squad room.
[center]***10 minutes later***
[/center]
Det. Huff pulls his car up to the curb in front of the DiSalvo
Martial Arts Dojo and gets out. He walks up the stairs, enters
the building, then walks into the Dojo and looks around.
Duncan is sitting at the desk in his office with the phone to
his ear and his elbow resting on the desk.
Duncan: I understand that.
Duncan says, rolling his eyes to himself.
Det. Huff sees MacLeod sitting in his office on the phone and he
saunters across the Dojo floor to the open office door and
knocks on the door jam.
Duncan looks up at the sound of the knock and recognizes the
detective standing in the doorway. He motions for the detective
to come in.
Det. Huff walks into the office and wanders over to the photos
on the back wall of the Dojo office.
Duncan: Unfortunately that doesn't solve my problem of being
150 towels short. If I send you 450 towels to be laundered I
expect 450 clean towels in return.....not 300. I assume that
you realize that you are not the only linen laundry service in
the city so I would advise you to remedy this problem promptly
or I will take my business elsewhere and take another of your
substantial clients with me and in today's economy I rather
doubt you can afford to lose any customers.
Duncan hangs up the phone without waiting for a reply and turns
to look at the detective.
Duncan: Now....what can I do for you, Det. Huff? I assume
you're not here to join the Dojo.
Duncan says, quirking an eyebrow, questioningly.
Det. Huff turns away from the photos of a Little League Baseball
team, a Youth Hockey team, two bowling teams that MacLeod's Dojo
sponsored and the winners of the last two National Martial Arts
Conference...who were students of the DiSalvo Dojo Youth Martial
Arts. He takes his cell phone out of his pocket and flips it
open. As he walks over to MacLeod, he loads up the photos he had
transferred to his phone. He holds his phone out so that
MacLeod can see the photo of with him and Nicayla Flynn.
Det. Huff: I take it you know this young lady
Det. Huff says as he holds out his phone.
Duncan: I do.
Duncan says and sits back in his chair.
Det. Huff: How well do you know her?
Det. Huff asks, looking at MacLeod for any sign as to how
honestly he was answering Huff's questions.
Duncan quirks an eyebrow, questioningly.
Duncan: If you have something specific you want to know
Detective, I suggest you just ask because the vagueness of that
question will only get you an equally vague answer.
Duncan says, picking up the bottle of water sitting on his desk
and takes a drink.
Det. Huff: All right then. I have been trying to get in touch
with Ms. Flynn and all I get is her voice mail. Her foreman
says that she sometimes stays in the city with friends. You
wouldn't happen to know who those friends might be...would you?
Det. Huff asks, not really expecting MacLeod to tell him. If he
had learned one thing about the mysterious Duncan MacLeod in his
dealings with the man over the years it was that he wasn't
forthcoming with information about his friends.
Duncan: Sorry, Detective Huff, but I have only been back in
town a couple of days and haven't seen or spoken to any of my
friends.
Duncan says with a casual shrug.
Det. Huff:When was the last time you spoke to Ms. Flynn?
Duncan thinks for a few seconds.
Duncan: Not long after that photo was taken.
Duncan says and leans back in his chair. He looks up at the
detective with a nonchalant smile.
Det. Huff loads the photo of Flynn and the man he couldn't
identify and shows it to MacLeod
Det. Huff: Do you know who this man is?
Duncan leans forward and looks at the photo on Huff's cell phone
He shakes his head.
Duncan: Can't say that I do.
Duncan says, leaning back in his chair and clasping his hands
behind his head.
Det. Huff: Yeah. Didn't think so.
Det. Huff says, sarcastically.
Duncan: Sorry I couldn't be more help, Detective. I promise
to tell Miss Flynn you're looking for her if I hear from her,
though.
Duncan says and sits up in his chair.
Det. Huff: I'm sure you will.
Det. Huff says with even more sarcasm.
Duncan: Well, Det. Huff...if there's nothing else...I have to
get ready for a meeting.
Duncan says as he stands up.
Det. Huff knows he'd be wasting his time trying to get any more
information out of MacLeod, so he turns and walks out of the
Dojo.
Duncan waits until the detective is out of the Dojo then he
takes the elevator up to hi8s loft where he takes out his cell
phone and dials Methos' number. When he gets the ancient
Immortal's voice mail he says, “It's MacLeod Meet me at Joe's
around 3:00. I need to talk to you.” He hangs up and puts his
cell phone back in his jeans pocket and changes into a clean
shirt. He checks his pocket watch and then heads out the door
of his loft and takes the back stairs down to the alley where
his T-Bird is parked.
[center]To be continued[/center]
#Post#: 399--------------------------------------------------
Part 12
DIR By: 22639
Date: October 12, 2012, 4:46 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Haley sighs as she finishes dressing. Not being able to sleep
until the rooster crows apparently means one is going to end up
sleeping late. Leaving her bedroom, Haley can tell that the
silent house, must also be empty. Leaving the house, she starts
to wander around the yard, looking for well... anybody.
Brandon leaves the barn and is on his way to the stables when he
sees Haley wandering around and changes direction to go to talk
to her.
Brandon: Hello?
Brandon says as he approaches her.
Haley: Brandon. Hi!
Haley says brightly as turns towards him.
Brandon: Where have you been all morning? You're not avoiding me
or anything, right?
Brandon asks with a little puzzled frown, as far as he knew he
didn't do anything that would upset her.
Haley: Oh, god no!! Jet lag. I didn't fall asleep until just as
the sun was starting to rise.
Haley explains quickly, and honestly.
Brandon: Yes, must be hard to cross so many time zones.
Brandon nods looking back at the stables, and wondering if she'd
be interested to see the horses.
Haley: Apparently.
Haley grins at Brandon.
Haley: I just found out.
Brandon: Yeah... well I never left Ireland so I don't really
know.
Brandon admits as he grins back at Haley.
Haley: I've never been away from Washington before.
Haley admits with a shrug, still grinning at Brandon.
Brandon: Listen, I was on my way to the stables, do you want to
see the horses? If you rather take a look later I understand.
Brandon decides to ask, he just had to finish work before lunch
time, if he was going to lunch on time.
Haley: I'd love to.
Haley grins at Brandon.
Brandon grins back at Haley, then turns and starts walking to
the stables.
Brandon: Come on then.
Haley: Alright.
Haley chuckles walking along side Brandon down to the stables.
Brandon: Don't worry I've cleaned the bays first thing in the
morning, now what I need to do is to give some extra ration to
the mares that are feeding.
Brandon explains chuckling softly as he walks to the stables.
Brandon: Oh and there's someone else I'd like you to meet.
Haley: Oh? And who would that be?
Haley asks, her face falling a little. She hadn't realized
Brandon had a girl friend.
Brandon: My horse. Liam only gave him to me yesterday. A little
before you arrived actually.
Brandon goes on as he enters the stables, he couldn't wait to
see him again.
Haley brightens back up a little, but cautiously adds.
Haley: A new horse? That's cool. I half expected a girl friend.
Brandon: A girlfriend?
Brandon bursts out laughing at the thought.
Brandon: Nah, too busy working and riding to find time to have
one. Girls tend to take it really hard when you have more time
for a horse than them.
Brandon sobers up a little when he thinks she probably is one of
them, so she'd never find it amusing.
Haley: I can see that.
Haley grins a little and rolls her eyes slightly.
Brandon: Besides this is a small town, all the good looking
girls are already taken. Hmm... or not...
Brandon looks down a little embarrassed for a moment, then
decides to just go ahead and ask.
Haley: Or not?
Haley asks confused.
Brandon: Did you leave a boyfriend back in Washington?
Brandon asks while he gets a scoop and tries to look busy.
Haley rolls her eyes.
Haley: That would be a negatory.
Brandon: No?
Brandon asks surprised as he comes back with a bucket to put
some horse ration in it.
Brandon: Coming, boy.
Brandon looks up and smiles when a horse starts neighing at him.
Haley: No. No boyfriend.
Haley shakes her head, but smiles as the horses react to the
sight of Brandon
Brandon: Good.
Brandon smiles as he begins to scoop some horse ration inside
the bucket.
Brandon: Yeah, I know lunch time.
Brandon nods when another horse neighs at him.
Haley: Somebody is excited.
Haley chuckled at the horse's enthusiasm and reached out to rub
the nose of the nearest.
Brandon side glances at Haley still concentrated on filling the
bucket to feed the horses.
Brandon: You like him?
Haley: He's lovely.
Haley grins at Brandon over her shoulder before turning back to
the horse.
Haley: A handsome prince.
Brandon: You mean knight, no?
Brandon steps away from what he's doing to pat his horse's neck.
Haley: Last time I checked princes could be knights too. Why?
Haley asks with a chuckle.
HTML http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/Cyberfox277/Animals/Horses/Blackthoroughbredhorse.jpg
Brandon: That's Ridire Dubh, Black Knight. My horse.
Brandon says proudly, still patting his neck.
Brandon: Ridire, I'd like you to meet Haley.
Brandon says to the horse.
Haley: A pleasure to meet you sir.
Haley says in a serious voice to the horse.
Brandon chuckles softly when the horse nods.
Brandon: I think he also liked to meet you.
Brandon gives one final pat to his horse and moves back to
resume his work.
Haley: You certainly are a handsome one, aren't you.
Haley grins.
Brandon decides he has enough food for now and walks to the
first box to feed one of the mares.
Haley: So.. Liam just gave him to you?
Haley asks a little enviously, looking over to Brandon.
Brandon: Yes, we have a long way to go though. A lot of hard
work if we want a chance to be in the next Olympics.
Brandon explains as he keeps feeding the mares.
Brandon: Small contests first, but we need to get used to each
other.
Haley: I'd think so.
Haley grins a little.
Haley: But the Olympics? That's pretty intense.
Brandon grins looking back at Haley.
Brandon: Well, I'm not sure I'll ever make it but...
Brandon shrugs.
Haley: But there is that stupid corny saying that must have some
truth to it.
Haley says grinning back.
Haley: What was it? Shoot for the moon, even you miss you'll be
among the stars? Or something like that.
Brandon: Besides that's all I ever wanted to do since I was a
kid. It’s wonderful when you do what you love, doesn't feel like
a job at all.
Brandon tells Haley as he feeds the mares until the bucket is
empty. Then he comes back for more.
Haley: So I've heard.
Haley smiles at Brandon.
Brandon: Yes, I'm glad it's true.
Brandon nods smiling at Haley, then he looks down and starts
filling the bucket again.
Haley: Lucky you.
Haley says wishfully.
Brandon smiles and looks up when his horse neighs at him.
Brandon: I know, I know, I didn't forget you.
Brandon tells his horse chuckling amused.
Brandon: Getting impatient, aren't we?
Haley: Well he's hungry.
Haley replies, patting Black Knight's neck.
Brandon: Yes, but ladies first?
Brandon says as he laughs at Haley and his horse.
Haley: Never stopped a guy from complaining about waiting
before. Least not in my experience.
Haley smiles slightly.
Brandon straightens up and winks at Haley before he picks the
bucket to feed the rest of the mares.
Brandon: Maybe you've been going out with the wrong kind of guy.
Brandon teases before he moves away.
Haley: Probably.
Haley whispers to herself.
Brandon finishes feeding the mares and moves to his horse to
give him some horse ration.
Brandon: There you are, Ridire. Didn't take long, did it?
Haley: Hungry fellow.
Haley chuckles, watching the horse.
Brandon: Yes, I could eat something myself.
Brandon sighs unhappily, he wanted to ask Haley to go with him
for a ride but it was almost lunch time.
Haley: Most guys can.
Haley laughs.
Brandon brightens up when he gets an idea. So he asks Haley with
a smile.
Brandon: Hey, why don't we get a picnic and go for a ride? Then
we can stop when he find a nice spot.
Haley blinks at Brandon a little surprised.
Haley: Yeah. That'd be cool.
Haley nods.
Brandon: I'm glad you like it.
Brandon smiles at Haley before he moves hurriedly to put the
things he'd used at the usual places.
Haley: If... if you tell me which horse and where the tack is, I
can start saddling. If you wanted to get lunch together?
Haley suggests a little hesitantly.
Brandon: Yeah, good idea.
Brandon nods approvingly as he goes to the stable door and
points to one of the paddocks.
Brandon: That white mare. You shouldn't have a problem with her,
she's docile enough.
Haley rolls her eyes at the docile comment.
Haley: Tack?
Haley asks.
Brandon points to the wall on the other side of the door.
Brandon: There. Meanwhile I'll convince Mrs. O'Brian to get us
something to eat.
Brandon frowns as he remembers she might still be in town.
Brandon: If she's not there I'm sure she left us something to
eat in the fridge.
Haley: Okay.
Haley replies going to the wall, and getting a lead rein, before
heading out towards the paddock after the mare.
Brandon: Be right back.
Brandon says after her, when he's sure she's not looking back,
he starts running towards the house.[center]
To be continued
[/center]
#Post#: 406--------------------------------------------------
Part 13
DIR By: 22639
Date: October 30, 2012, 11:56 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[center] ***Mid afternoon at the Seacouver County Sheriff's
Precinct***[/center]
Lt. Larry Evans' feet are propped up on his desk and he is
leaning back as far as his chair will allow. While he holds his
cell phone to his ear with one hand, his other hand taps a
pencil against the arm of his chair.
[Evans] Yeah?....right....
Evans quickly takes his feet off of his desk and sits up. He
picks up a small notebook from the top of his desk and starts
scribbling in it.
Two detectives walk into the Lieutenant's office and approach
his desk.
[Evans] Right....OK....got it. Thanks. I owe you one.
Evans says and shuts off his cell phone, shoving it into his
pants pocket.
Det. Brian Porter pulls out his notepad and flips it open.
Det. Wayne Stone picks up a remote control laying on the top of
Evans' In Box and points it at a large screen monitor on the
wall.
[Porter] We basically have come up with nothing on Nicayla
Flynn.
Porter says as a picture of Nikki's Washington Drivers License
appears on the monitor.
Evans stands up and takes a few steps closer to the monitor and
looks at the picture on the drivers license.
Stone points the remote towards the monitor.
[Stone] She has no criminal record. The only police contact she
has had since she moved here....
[Porter] ...besides attending both the Policeman's and Fireman's
Balls four years in a row...
Porter interjects and the monitor's image changes to Nikki's DMV
record.
[Stone] ...are three moving violations for speeding and one
parking ticket that she failed to pay on time...
[Porter] But she took care of it. Better late than never.
Porter interrupts with a chuckle.
Evans glances back at Porter and quirks an eyebrow.
[Porter] Shutting up, Boss.
Porter says, sheepishly, and lowers his eyes.
[Stone] Other than that there are no records...medical or
dental.
[Porter] We ran her financials.
Porter says as the image on the monitor displays Nikki's bank
statement on one side of the screen and a copy of her tax
statements for the last two years on the other side of the
screen.
[Stone] For the most part, she had been living off of the modest
income the horse breeding, boarding and training business she
runs at her ranch.
[Evans] I thought the ranch was a home for kids?
Evans says looking at the images on the monitor.
[Porter] Flynn bought the old ranch when she first moved to
Seacouver.
[Stone] Not only old but failing ranch.
Stone interjects as he aims the remote at the screen and the
image changes to a copy of the deed to the Nua Tosu Ranch.
[Porter] It took her a year to get it operating in the black.
Then she began working on getting permits to open up a portion
of the ranch as a home for unadoptable kids.
Porter says, almost admiringly.
[Stone] But she only uses State, local and Federal grant
money.....
[Porter] ...and funds from private contributors...
Porter interjects.
[Stone] ...to support the part of the ranch that houses, feeds
and councils the kids. There is no sign of any improprieties on
her part.
[Porter] She, herself, contributes to some of Seacouver's larger
charities.
Stone changes the image on the monitor to a copy of Nikki's
charitable donations.
[Stone] Like the museum, the University Historical Restoration
Society and the Council for the Performing Arts.
[Porter] She has several influential friends including a
Superior Court Judge.
[Evans] What about before moving into Seacouver? How did she
purchase a 640 acre ranch?
Evans asks looking first at Porter than at Stone.
[Porter] There is record of her having owned a working horse
ranch in Arizona in 1995 but there is no record of it having
been bought, sold or traded and there is no current deed for the
property on record.
Porter says with a shrug.
[Stone] It's like it simply vanished.
[Evans] Where did she live prior to moving here?
Evans asks, looking at the faces of his two best detectives.
Stone points the remote at the monitor and a copy of Nikki's tax
statements for 1998 and 1999 appear on the screen.
[Porter] For the two years prior to her moving to Seacouver,
Flynn filed 10-99 forms each quarter and listed her source of
income as tending bar at a friend of hers club in San Francisco
called the Sanctuary. Then she came here.
Porter says, reading off of his notes in his notebook.
[Stone] And the only ties we could find between her and the
Colson kid is the ranch.
[Porter] We've talked to the foreman at the ranch, Richard
Williams....
Porter says as the image on the monitor switches to one of
Richard.
[Porter] ...and, according to him, her disappearance is
extremely out of character for her and he is more than a little
worried that something has happened to her.
Porter says in conclusion.
[Stone] Same thing everyone we have interviewed that has known
Flynn for any length of time. There are three friends of hers
that we have not been able to get a hold of. One is the person
her Administrative Assistant says she refers to as her best
friend and...coincidentally...
Stone changes the image on the monitor to a photo of Amanda.
[Stone] ...is the owner of the club she tended bar for in San
Francisco..Amanda Darieux.
Evans looks at the image on the screen and thinks to himself,
“wow!”
[Evans] Look into her.
Evans says simply.
[Porter] As we speak, Boss.
Porter says with a nod.
[Stone] ...her Superior Court Judge friend, Judge A. Everson....
Stone changes the image on the screen to a photo of Ally.
[Stone] ...and the man in the press photo....
[Porter] ...who we have not identified yet.
Porter interjects quickly as the image on the screen changes to
a copy of the press photo with Methos and Nikki together at a
charity event.
[Evans] Well your unidentified person is one Adam Pierson.
Evans says, glancing down at the notes he had taken during his
telephone conversation.
Stone hurries around the Lieutenant's desk to his computer and
keys in a couple of commands and a Washington Drivers License
appears with a picture of Methos on it.
[Evans] According to my source he is a Historian of some sort
for the University...or so he thinks. Get on that Porter.
[Porter] On it, Boss.
Porter says and makes a mock salute.
Stone taps in a few commands on Evans' computer.
[Stone] I've got his credit card statements for the last 6
months and he seems to spend a lot at a place called Joe's Bar
on East Oregon Street.
Stone announces as the image on the screen switches back to
Nikki's drivers license.
[Evans] Check it out, Stone.
Evans commands.
[Stone] Yes, Boss.
Stone says and both he and Porter turn and hurry out of the
Lieutenant's office.
[Evans] Somebody has to know something about something.
Evans says to himself and he stares thoughtfully at the image on
the monitor and rubs his chin. He hates dead ends!
[Stone] Trade ya.
Stone says to Porter when they are out of earshot of the
Lieutenant.
[Porter] Not a chance. Did you see her? She is waaay out of
your league, Rookie.
[Stone] Figures.
Stone says shaking his head as he heads for his desk where he
takes his holstered gun out of his desk drawer, grabs his jacket
that is neatly hung on the back of his chair and heads for the
elevator.
Porter smiles and heads for his desk and his computer.
[center]To be continued[/center]
#Post#: 411--------------------------------------------------
Part 14
DIR By: Cyberfox277
Date: November 19, 2012, 7:22 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Lt. Evans gathers his keys, etc. from the ex-ray machine at the
entrance to the Seacouver Superior Courthouse and walks over to
the directory on the marble wall next to the bank of elevators.
He looks up Judge Everson and finds her location, then gets into
one of the elevators and rides it in silence, to the floor where
Ally's court room and chambers are. He gets out of the elevator
and walks confidently and purposefully to the glass door with
the name Judge Ally Everson painted on the glass in gold
letters. He pushes open the door and walks up to the secretary's
desk.
Lt. Evans: Ahem.
Lt. Evans clears his throat to get the Administrative
Assistant's attention.
The Administrative Assistant looks up and sees a detective
standing before him.
The Administrative Assistant: Can I help you, Detective?
The Administrative Assistant asks.
Lt. Evans takes out his ID and shows it to the Administrative
Assistant.
Lt. Evans: I'm Detective Larry Evans with Seacouver County
Sheriff's Investigation Division and I have an appointment to
see Judge Everson.
Lt. Evans says and smiles politely.
The Administrative Assistantreplies and stands up going to the
office and tapping on it, he then enters, shutting the door
behind him.
Lt. Evans: Thank you.
Lt. Evans says and takes a step back from the desk. He,
nonchalantly, looks around at the decor of the Judge's outer
office.
The Administrative Assistant: Judge Everson? Lieutenant Evans is
here to see.
The Administrative Assistant says once the door is shut on
Ally's office.
Aldria: Ah, yes. I've been expecting him. Please send him in.
Aldria says with a smile.
The Administrative Assistant: Yes, your honor.
The Administrative Assistant replies and opens the office door
stepping outside.
The Administrative Assistant: Lt. Evans? She'll see you now?
The Administrative Assistant says holding the door, so the
detective could enter the office.
Lt. Evans: Thank you.
Lt. Evans says and smiles at the Assistant. Then he walks into
the Judge's chambers.
Lt. Evans: I'm glad you consented to setting aside some time to
see me, Your Honor.
The Administrative Assistant pulls the shut behind him.
Lt. Evans says to Ally as he approaches her desk.
Aldria: Lt. Evans, please take a seat.
Aldria says gesturing towards the chairs in front of her desk.
Lt. Evans: Thank you.
Lt. Evans says, politely and walks in front of the chair. Before
sitting down, he removes a small note pad from the inside pocket
of his sport coat. He opens the notepad and takes out copies of
two photographs....one, an enhanced copy of the news paper photo
of the man on the stairs behind Nicayla Flynn....and one is a
closeup of Nicayla. He hands them to the Judge before sitting
down
Aldria accepts the photographs and looks them over, then looks
back at the Detective and raises her left eyebrow, curious as to
where this is going.
Lt. Evans: I believe that you know the young lady in that
photo....correct?
Lt. Evans says nodding toward the photo Ally was holding in her
left hand.
Aldria: Of course. Nikki Flynn. She runs the ranch for troubled
teens I support.
Aldria nods.
Lt. Evans: When was the last time you spoke to or saw Miss
Flynn?
Lt. Evans asks...his voice remaining in a respectful tone.
Aldria frowns trying to remember.
Aldria: I believe it was about a month and half to two months
ago. Why?
Aldria asks.
Lt. Evans: Did she say anything to you about plans to leave town
for any reason?
Lt. Evans asks while making notes in his notepad.
Aldria shakes her head.
Aldria: No. She didn't.
Lt. Evans leans forward in his chair with interest.
Lt. Evans: How well do you know Miss Flynn?
Lt. Evans asks...his intense gaze locked with the judge's.
Aldria: We're friends, but casual friends. By no means intimate.
Lt. Evans: Do you know of any one who might have wanted to do
Miss Flynn harm?
Lt. Evans asks...his gaze still locked with the judges....as if
he is trying to see into her soul.
Aldria thinks it over for a moment, and unable to give the
COMPLETE truth to the mortal shakes her head slowly.
Aldria: Not that I know of. I can't think of anyone with a
grudge or the like, against Nikki. Granted, as I said, its not
as though we're close friends, I'm not entirely sure I would
know if someone had it out for her.
Not getting the vibe from the Judge that she is intentionally
holding back information, the Lieutenant leans back in his chair
and relaxes a little.
Lt. Evans: Have you ever seen the man in the other photo before?
Lt. Evans asks without looking up from his notepad. He already
knows who Pierson is but this is one of his tactics to test how
honest the person he is interrogating is going to be.
Aldria: Yes, I have. But I think its time YOU told me what this
is all about, Detective.
Aldria says watching the Lt. for what signs his body language
could give her.
Under normal circumstance....if this were a "normal"
interview....Larry would respond to her last statement
by...first, ignoring it and continuing to ask his
questions....then by pointing out that he is in charge and he
asks the questions...not her. But this was NOT the "norm"
because he wasn't dealing with some Joe Blow Citizen. This was a
Superior Court Judge who could....at anytime and for any
reason....have him slapped in jail with a contempt of court
charge and the Seacouver County Sheriff would not find that at
all amusing.
Lt. Evans: It seems that Miss Flynn has gone missing.
Lt. Evans says simply.
Aldria: Any sign of fowl play?
Aldria asks concerned.
Lt. Evans shakes his head.
Lt. Evans: No signs of anything. She was just there one day and
gone the next and no one has heard from her. Not her foreman, or
the friend he told us that she usually stays with when she stays
in town.
Lt. Evans says, watching the Judge out of the corner of his eye.
Aldria: Huh. That's very odd...
Aldria frowns thinking it over, wondering what could have
happened.
Aldria: Well, that,
Aldria puts the second picture down.
Aldria: Is Dr. Adam Pierson. A PhD linguist out of Sobornne in
France.
Lt. Evans's eyes shot up to the judge's face. Someone had
finally given a name to Flynn's mysterious escort.
Lt. Evans: So you know him? This Dr. Pierson?
Lt. Evans asks with renewed interest.
Aldria: Yes. I do. But, detective I think you need to give me
more information.
Aldria replies.
Aldria: This is obviously more than just a simple missing adult,
persons.
Lt. Evans hated being forced into a position of sharing
information with a witness. But this was no regular witness She
was a Superior Court Judge and could....should she be so
inclined...make his life miserable. So he swallows his stubborn
"pride" and settles back in his chair.
Lt. Evans: Ok, Judge Everson..... I'll make you a deal that I
rarely...more like never....make. A little quid pro quo....if
you have no objection.
Lt. Evans says, quirking an eyebrow, expectantly.
Aldria: I do believe that would be fair.
Aldria replies, leaning back a little in her chair.
Lt. Evans: My team was originally assigned to investigate a
report of a missing teenager who lives out on Miss Flynn's
ranch. The girl, Haley Colson, was reported missing by
Washington Child Protective Services after she failed to show up
to a scheduled visit with her father and never returned to the
ranch. She just vanished into thin air.
Lt. Evans says....pausing to take a breath and let this
information set in with the judge.
Aldria nods her understanding, and waits to see if Lt. Evans has
anything more to say.
Lt. Evans: During the course of our initial investigation we
discovered that the girl wasn't the only one missing. Miss
Flynn's foreman, Richard Williams, told me when I interviewed
him about the missing girl, that he had last seen Miss Flynn the
previous evening when she helped him "put the stock to bed"...
Lt. Evans makes quotation signs in the air with his fingers.
Aldria: Meaning the horses.
Aldria replies with a small smile.
Lt. Evans: ...and he hadn't heard from her since.
Lt. Evans finishes.
Lt. Evans: So....how well do you know this Dr. Pierson?
Lt. Evans quickly asks....wanting his quid pro quo.
Aldria shrugs.
Aldria: Relatively well. I've known him for years. Casual
relationship. Met up with him again when I moved here. We drink
at the same bar.
Lt. Evans: Did he or Miss Flynn ever mention that they were
dating?
Lt. Evans asks quickly. This might be his only chance to get any
information on this Pierson guy and his gut is telling him that
this guy may have the information that could break this
case....or cases...wide open.
Aldria: I'm not sure if they were dating or not. I do know that
Nikki was thinking it was going that way, as she had asked me if
I was going to mind if they dated. Whether they were or are
dating, That I can't tell you, because I don't know.
Aldria replies.
Lt. Evans: So....they didn't know each other well.... Is that
what you are telling me?
Lt. Evans asks, trying to clarify his understanding of what the
judge is telling him.
Aldria: No, that's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is I
don't how well they know each other Nikki asked me if I minded
if they dated over a year ago. I do know they aren't living
together, but that's all I can say. I see much more of Adam than
I do of Nikki.
Aldria replies.
Lt. Evans: When was the last time you saw or heard from Dr.
Pierson?
Lt. Evans asks before the judge has a chanced to ask him a
question.
Aldria: Couple days ago.
Aldria says flatly, and arches and eyebrow at the Detective,
indicating it was his turn.
Lt. Evans: Just one more question, your honor. While it's still
fresh in my mind.
Lt. Evans says, apologetically.
Lt. Evans: When you saw him a couple of days ago.....did he
mention having seen Miss Flynn recently?
Lt. Evans asks....jotting a few notes down in his notepad.
Aldria allows her lips to purse slightly, indicating that he was
trying her patience, before shaking her head.
Aldria: No, he didn't. We honestly didn't do a lot of talking.
It was at the bar we usually meet up in. Each just there to have
a drink or two to unwind after a day. I'm sure you can
understand that.
Aldria says.
Lt. Evans nods his head.
Lt. Evans: Yes. I can.
Lt. Evans replies....looking over his notes and trying to figure
out what else he can tell the judge that would satisfy the quid
pro quo without giving up too much information.
Aldria: You're trying to figure out if there's a connection
aren't you? Between Nikki and Haley?
Aldria asks flatly.
Lt. Evans furrows his brow. Up until that moment....he has not
really entertained the thought that the 2 cases might actually
be 1. But now that the judge has put that idea out there..... He
clears his throat, a bit embarrassed for not having thought this
before.
Lt. Evans: Do you think there's a connection, Judge?
Lt. Evans asks...raising one eyebrow, questioningly.
Aldria: That I don't know. However, I do know one thing about
young miss Colson, you might want to check into.
Aldria offers.
Lt. Evans leans forward....his interest fueled.
Lt. Evans: And that is....?
Lt. Evans prompts.
Aldria: I met Miss Colson, from what you're saying, about a
month before she disappeared. She had missed an appointment with
her father and the family court was threatening to remove her
from Nikki's ranch and return her to her father's custody. Given
what she told me, that young lady would be willing to do
ANYTHING to avoid being returned to her father.
Aldria explains, then pauses, waiting for the Lt. to ask the
obvious.
Aldria: I can't think of many that wouldn't be. I was. Though
apparently the idiots who investigated before weren't.
Aldria replies honestly.
Lt. Evans rubs his chin, thoughtfully.
Lt. Evans: Why did the girl not want to be returned to her
father's custody?
Lt. Evans asks...slowly beginning to put some of the pieces of
the puzzle together in his mind.
Aldria: Her father has been raping her, since she was 10.
Aldria says flatly.
Lt. Evans winces as if he had been stabbed with a hot poker and
he doesn't bother trying to hide his reaction. Crimes against
kids. He just couldn't stomach them. He was glad he didn't work
in that department because he couldn't guarantee what he would
do to a pervert that ended up in his interrogation room.
Lt. Evans: How sympathetic to the girl's situation was Miss
Flynn?
Lt. Evans asks as he shifts his weight in his chair.
Aldria: Extremely But then again, so I was. I looked into after
meeting with the girl. Even spoke with the detectives that were
the original investigators.
Aldria shakes her head in disgust at the thought of those
detectives.
The Administrative Assistant knocks on Ally's chamber door and
opens it a crack, sticking his head in just far enough to be
able to deliver a message.
The Administrative Assistant: Judge Everson? You wanted me to
remind you that you have a preliminary hearing scheduled in
about 5 minutes.
The Administrative Assistant says quickly.
Aldria: Thank you for the reminder. Remind me again in 3 minutes
if need be.
Aldria replies to her assistant.
The Administrative Assistant ducks back out and shuts the door.
Lt. Evans: Well....Judge Everson....I have taken up too much of
your time. But I do thank you for seeing me and being so
helpful. May I call you if I have anymore questions?
Lt. Evans says, getting to his feet.
Aldria: Please do. And... if Its not to much trouble, have
someone look into Haley Colson's father. The other
investigator's didn't look into it much, given Mr. Colson's
standing the in the community. Who knows, following that route
you might even track something more down.
Aldria replies getting to her feet and offering the Lt. her
hand.
Lt. Evans takes the judge's hand and shakes it.
Lt. Evans: One last question, Judge. Where would I find Dr.
Pierson?
Lt. Evans asks with a genuine smile.
Aldria: I can only tell you were I usually see him at. You'll
find him there most evenings.
Aldria replies with a grin.
Lt. Evans lets go of her hand and quirks an eyebrow,
questioningly.
Lt. Evans: And that would be....
Lt. Evans prompts.
Aldria: Same place you'll find me. Joe's, of course.
Aldria grins.
Lt. Evans: Joe's. Just Joe's?
Lt. Evans asks, curiously.
Aldria: Don't tell me you haven't heard of Joe's?
Aldria asks a little surprised.
Lt. Evans: Can't say that I have. Should I have?
Lt. Evans looks at the judge in wonderment.
Aldria: I'm just a little surprised. Seems like everyone goes to
Joe's. It's a blues bar in town here.
Aldria smiles.
Lt. Evans: So it should be listed in the phone book
then....right?
Lt. Evans asks as he writes in his notepad. Then he puts the
notepad in the vest pocket of his jacket and moves toward the
door as he waits for the judge to confirm his last queries.
Aldria: Should be. But if you ask my assistant he can get you
address.
Aldria replies.
Lt. Evans: Thank you, Judge. You have been a huge help. And I
WILL be in touch.
Lt. Evans says as he reaches for the door knob, turns it and
opens the door to the judge's chambers.
Aldria: Detective.
Lt. Evans: Yes?
Lt. Evans says, turning in the open doorway to look at the
judge. He gets the address to the bar the judge mentioned from
her assistant then hurries out of the office and the court
house. He takes out his cell phone as he heads for his car which
is parked by the curb in front of the courthouse.
Lt. Evans: Stone.....I want you to check out the WCPS file on
Haley Colson and find out who and where her father is. I'm on my
way to some place called Joe's Bar to see if I can catch up to
our mystery man...whose name, by the way, is Dr. Adam Pierson.
Lt. Evans hangs up and gets into his car and heads for Joe's
Bar.
[center]****10 minutes later****
[/center]Lt. Evans surveys the place located at the address the
assistant gave him as he slowly drives past it. It is still
early...not even noon, yet...and he knows that most bars aren't
open to the public this early. That assumption is backed up by
the fact that there is only one car in the bar's parking lot. He
quickly pulls into the parking lot and stops behind the only car
parked in it and quickly jots down the license plate number.
Then he backs out of the parking lot and drives a block away and
parks along the curb. He takes out his cell phone and dials a
number.
Lt. Evans: This is Lt. Larry Evans. I need a plate run.
Lt. Evans says and reads off the license plate number he had
just written down. The officer Evans is talking to comes back on
the phone and tells him that the vehicle is registered to a Mike
? (Joe's Mike). Evans thanks him and hangs up He rubs his chin
thoughtfully then starts his car back up. He makes a U turn and
parks along the curb...still a block away from the bar...yet
where he can clearly see the bar's entrance. Then he reclines
his seat enough that it is comfortable and settles in for what
could be a long stake out.
[center]***3 hours later***
[/center]Methos stops his car in Joe's parking lot and slowly
exits his vehicle. He looks around out of habit but doesn't see
anything out of the ordinary, as he locks his car. Then walks
slowly to the bar wondering if Mike has any news about Joe. "I
hope he's feeling better now." He murmurs under his breath as he
keeps walking.
Lt. Evans is adjusting the station tuner on his car stereo when
he sees the man in the news photo walk around the front of the
bar from the parking lot and go inside.
Lt. Evans: Finally.
Lt. Evans says aloud to his empty car. He gets out, locks his
car up and walks the block to the bar. He opens the door and
steps into the dimly lit bar, standing just inside the door
until his vision adjusts to the change in light.
Methos nods when Mike moves to the tap as soon as he sees him.
Methos: Yeah, a draft beer would be appreciated, it's kind of
early but I'm leaving work soon.
Lt. Evans looks around and sees that there are only a few people
sitting at tables and only one at the bar. He casually strolls
over to the bar and takes a seat on a bar stool a few away from
Pierson.
Methos side glances at the man who sits close to him, but
decides to ignore him and takes a sip at the beer Mike has put
in front of him.
Methos: So any news from Joe?
Methos decides to ask right away before he forgets, Mike tells
him no and moves away to get something done.
Lt. Evans reaches into his pocket and takes out his ID and
badge, gets up from his stool and walks over to Pierson.
Lt. Evans: Excuse me, Dr. Pierson. I was wondering if I might
ask you a few questions.
Lt. Evans says, laying his ID on the bar next to the man so he
could see it.
Methos raises his eyebrows as he looks down at the badge and
then up to the man's face.
Methos: Sure?
Methos says before he picks up his glass to take another sip of
beer.
Lt. Evans: I understand that you know a Miss Nicayla Flynn.
Lt. Evans says, holding out the photo he has of Nikki.
Methos nods as he looks down at the photo the police detective
is showing him.
Methos: Nikki? Yeah I do.
Lt. Evans: When was the last time you saw or spoke to Miss
Flynn?
Lt. Evans asks, putting the photo and his ID back in his jacket
pocket.
Methos frowns a little as if he was puzzled.
Methos: Two months ago? Why? Something happened to her?
Methos' frown deepens as he stares at the man.
Methos: Why else would the police be looking for her?
Lt. Evans furrows his brow as he thinks to himself, "what kind
of man dates a woman but doesn't try to contact her for 2
months....and doesn't even know that she is missing?" But he
keeps his thought to himself.
Lt. Evans: I take it not hearing from Miss Flynn for 2 months
isn't unusual.
Lt. Evans says, clarifying his observation.
Methos: Hmm, not really. But she told me she's going to leave, a
family emergency of some sort and that she'd call me when she
returned back to Seacouver.
Methos shrugs before he takes another sip of beer.
Methos: Just figured it was taking longer than she was
expecting.
Lt. Evans wonders why this Pierson knows about this so called
family emergency but nobody else....not her foreman, assistant,
the counselors at the ranch or her friends, MacLeod, Amanda and
Judge Everson knew anything about it when he asked them.
Something wasn't right about all of this. He didn't know why he
had the suspicion but his gut was telling him that there just
wasn't something right going on. And one of his 22
rules...Number 4, as a matter of fact, was "Always trust your
gut."
Lt. Evans: So where is this family emergency that Miss Flynn had
to leave for?
Lt. Evans asks....closely watching the doctor's face in the
mirror on the wall behind the bar.
Methos frowns as if trying to remember.
Methos: Actually, she didn't tell me where. She just said she
was going home. And she told me she'd come from Arizona when we
met so you might want to look that way.
Lt. Evans: Arizona?
Lt. Evans asks, quirking an eyebrow, questioningly.
Lt. Evans: Can you be more specific, doctor?
Methos: Hmm, I don't think a town was mentioned, only that she
had or has a ranch there. Sorry.
Methos says using his best Adam Pierson innocent look.
Lt. Evans: And she didn't give you a way to contact her where
ever she went?
Lt. Evans asks a little more dubiously than before.
Methos: No, she told me she'd call me when she returned. Why
would I want to just talk to her on the phone? We can't go out
if she's in Arizona or whatever she is and I'm here, now can we?
Methos points out as he shakes his head amused, then he looks
down to get his glass back.
Lt. Evans: Interesting way of looking at the concept of dating.
Lt. Evans says a bit sarcastically.
Lt. Evans: I guess you two aren't as close as I was led to
believe.
Lt. Evans lies.
Methos: Oh really?
Methos asks slightly amused, he can't imagine anyone who knew
about them to tell a cop how close they were, the man is trying
to catch something.
Methos: No, probably we're not as close as you were led to
believe.
Lt. Evans: Well....Ok, then. I guess I'll check Arizona.
Lt. Evans says and takes a business card out of his shirt pocket
and hands it to Pierson.
Methos takes the business card and looks down at it.
Lt. Evans: Do me a favor, please...if you will. If you hear from
Miss Flynn....have her call me at that number. It is very
important that I speak to her. Hmm?
Lt. Evans says with a nod then turns and heads out of the bar.
Methos: Will do.
Lt. Evans takes out his cell phone as he walks back to his car
and says to the person he called, "I want a tail put on Dr. Adam
Pierson," then he hangs up, gets into his car and drives
off...heading back to the precinct.
Methos says after the man, then gestures Mike to get him another
beer. He takes a deep sigh of relief that his talk to the police
detective is over, only to frown again at the thought that a cop
is investigating an Immortal, usually something would come up no
matter how much someone covered his track.
Methos: Besides I miss the brat.
Methos murmurs under his breath as he smiles.
[center]To be continued
[/center]
#Post#: 413--------------------------------------------------
Part 15
DIR By: 22639
Date: November 29, 2012, 12:26 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]The part of Duncan MacLeod is temporarily being
understudied.[/center] [left]Duncan pulls his car into the
parking lot of Joe's Bar and sees Methos' car so he parks next
to it, gets out and heads around to the front of the building.
He feels an Immortal buzz as he approaches the door to the bar.
He opens the door, steps inside and waits for his eyes to adjust
to the dim light.[/left]
Methos waves at MacLeod when he sees him, then looks down at the
table to get his beer glass again.
Methos:Look who's here.
Methos whispers at Aldria.
Duncan heads over to Methos' table, motioning to Mike, the
bartender, that he wants a draft beer.
Aldria: So I see.
Aldria chuckles
Duncan: Just the man I was looking for.
Duncan says as he sits in the chair to Methos' right.
Aldria: This is going to be good.
Aldria mutters to her beer.
Methos looks up at MacLeod suspiciously.
Methos: Oh ho, why do I have the feeling it doesn't sound good?
Duncan looks over at Ally.
Duncan: I'm glad you're here, too.
Duncan says as the bar maid sets a frosty mug of draft beer in
front of him.
Methos side glances at Aldria, then looks back at MacLeod,
waiting for what he's up to.
Methos: And the reason is...?
Methos urges him to go on, promising himself that if it has
anything to do with the Game, he's going to pretend to go to the
bathroom and leave through the back door.
Duncan takes a sip of his beer and looks back at Methos. He
leans closer so he can speak quietly.
Duncan: I had an interesting visit from a detective yesterday.
He was asking a lot of questions about Nicayla and you. When he
showed me a newspaper photo of you and asked if I recognized you
I said no. I tried to call you but it just went to voice mail
and I thought I should give you a heads up.
Duncan says and takes another sip of his beer.
Methos rolls his eyes as he gets his beer glass again.
Aldria: Talked to a Detective myself today. Wanted to know about
Nikki and Haley - though did ask if I knew who you were...
Aldria says with a smile to Methos
Methos: Oh it was you? I was wondering how he found me at Joe's.
Methos says before he takes a sip of beer.
Duncan: He already talked to you?
Duncan asks, a bit surprised at the speediness of the police.
Aldria: Told him I knew you that we drank, at Joe's.
Aldria shakes her head sadly.
Aldria: Poor detective had never even HEARD of Joe's before.
Methos: Let's hope he doesn't become a regular costumer.
Methos could have added that it would be pretty boring to have a
detective around but he knew the other already figured that out.
Methos: Yes, he already talked to me, MacLeod.
Duncan: Just what the Hell is going on?
Duncan asks and takes another sip of his beer.
Methos: Hmm, I told him Nikki called me and said she had some
kind of family emergency. Is that enough for you?
Methos smirks, almost 100% sure the answer would be no.
Duncan: Is Nicayla in some sort of trouble?
Duncan asks, concerned.
Methos sighs looking down at his now empty glass.
Methos: You could say that.
Aldria: I do believe the problem is she's missing.
Aldria replies.
Duncan: Missing? What do you mean by missing?
Duncan asks...his concern growing.
Methos: No, the problem is that she ran away with that kid from
the ranch. Haley?
Methos points out before he gestures Mike to bring him another
beer.
Duncan: She what??!!!
Duncan says, almost choking on his beer.
Methos: Don't think she had much of a choice, but she could have
planned it better, so it wasn't so obvious, I think.
Methos sighs playing with the empty glass on the table, he knew
Nikki would never have the patience for it.
Aldria: I didn't realize that. Well, I figured it was a good
possibility
Aldria shrugs.
Aldria: Given what Haley went through and the state was going to
do I can't say I blame them.
Duncan shakes his head.
Duncan: I wish somebody would tell me what the hell is going on.
Duncan says...obviously confused.
Methos: Why don't you start, Your Honor? After all you're the
one who got involved in it in the first place.
Methos teases, before he looks up at Mike and thanks him for the
beer.
Methos: It's always better to start from the beginning, no?
Methos points out as he picks the new beer glass.
Aldria: Haley's father raped her, from the time she was... 10, I
think. She stole things and went to jail to get away from him.
Aldria explained.
Aldria: Problem was, because of her father's position nobody
believed Haley. Just recently, thanks to one of us,
Aldria gestures to the three of them.
Aldria: Who wanted Nikki, Haley missed one of her scheduled
visitations with her father, so the state decided that she needs
to go back to her father's custody.
Aldria explains.
Aldria: That's all I know, other than that the detective came by
my office this morning asking questions about both Haley and
Nikki.
Duncan slowly nodded his head.
Duncan: You know....as scary as it may be.....that sounds
exactly like something she would do.
Duncan takes a sip of his beer.
Methos: Yeah, you know Nikki would do anything for those kids.
She was taking Haley to her father in Ireland, last time I
talked to her, until Haley turned 18.
Methos takes a deep breath looking down at his glass.
Methos: I only wish there was some other way, what if they
decide to close the ranch?
Methos takes a sip of beer and sighs.
Methos: We have to do something.
Aldria: Yes well, luckily I do have some say in that.
Aldria chuckles
Duncan: Do the cops know that Nicayla actually took Haley out of
the country?
Duncan asks and picks a peanut out of the bowl in the center of
the table.
Methos: No, but they're investigating, they might come up with
something.
Methos frowns remembering the detective who had talked to him,
he looked good at his job.
Duncan: What kind of trouble will she be in then?
Duncan asks Ally.
Aldria: Depends. On if they they left the state, or the country.
And what they can prove Nikki had to do with it.
Aldria replies.
Aldria: Minimum I think Nikki's looking at some kind of Jail
time. Unless she can prove she went after Haley to bring Haley
back, rather than being the one who took Haley.
Duncan looks over at Methos and quirks an eyebrow.
Duncan: And you knew about this?
Duncan asks Methos.
Methos: Yeah, she paid me a short visit before she left.
Methos takes a deep breath looking down at his glass on the
table.
Duncan: And you didn't try and talk some sense into her?
Duncan asks, incredulously.
Methos: What was I supposed to do? Ever tried to stop her from
doing anything?
Methos points out, apparently MacLeod didn't know Nikki as well
as he did.
Duncan shakes his head.
Duncan: No. But it can't be any worse than trying to talk Amanda
out of doing something stupid.
Duncan says and swigs down the last of his beer.
Methos: Yeah? How many times did you succeed in that?
Methos asks slightly amused, he knew there couldn't have been
that many times.
Duncan: There's a bit of a difference between the two
situations, though.
Duncan says looking around for the bar maid.
Methos: Care to enlighten me?
Methos asks raising an eyebrow at MacLeod.
Duncan catches the eye of the bar maid and motions her over.
When she gets to the table he places his empty glass on her tray
and looks up at her.
Duncan: Make mine a single malt this time and another round for
my friends.
Duncan says, indicating Methos and Ally. The bar maid heads back
to get his order and he looks back at Methos.
Duncan: Enlighten you about what?
Duncan asks as he picks another peanut out of the bowl and pops
it in his mouth.
Duncan: The difference?
Duncan says, quirking an eyebrow, questioningly.
Methos gestures him to go on as he takes a sip of beer.
Methos: Yes, what's the difference between the two situations?
Methos says as he puts the glass back on the table.
Duncan: I have never been in love with Amanda. Not in the way
you are supposed to be with Nicayla.
Duncan says...completely serious.
Methos raises an eyebrow at MacLeod's answer.
Methos: Really? Could have fooled me.
Aldria: Guys... is this really important?
Aldria asks, arching an eyebrow.
Duncan simply shrugs and turns to look at Ally.
Duncan: Ally? Who is actually pressing for Haley's return? CPS?
Duncan asks just as the bar maid brings everyone's second round.
Methos: Yes, what's done is done, we should be discussing what
to do now.
Methos points out as he takes the beer glass absentmindedly.
Aldria: Her father, I believe, is the one pressing for Custody
of her again. And as CPS really doesn't have any reason to
suspect him... And as far as they can see, Haley is the one who
has made mistakes, not him.
Aldria shrugs.
Aldria: Damn....
Aldria mutters as her phone rings. Picking it up she answers it
with a, "Hello?"
Duncan thinks about Ally's answer to his question while she
takes her call.
Duncan: What exactly did she tell you when she left?
Duncan asks Methos, softly.
Methos looks away from Aldria on the phone to look at MacLeod.
Methos: What do you mean?
Aldria: Alright. I'll be there as soon as I can.
Aldria says ending the call and standing up.
Duncan looks up at Ally, a bit surprised that she is standing
up.
Duncan: Are you leaving, Ally?
Methos: What's up?
Methos asks looking up at Aldria.
Aldria: Sorry guys gotta run. Have a warrant request.
Aldria says.
Methos: Have fun.
Methos murmurs picking up his beer glass.
Duncan: Ahhh. A judge's work is never done.
Duncan says understandingly.
Aldria: Yes well. I'll see you two around.
Aldria replies and heads to towards the door.
Duncan returns his attention to Methos.
Duncan: Now. Back to my question.
Duncan says as a prompt...hoping he doesn't have to repeat it.
Methos: She asked to take care of a chain with the amethyst
crystal spear, which is at a safe deposit box by the way. If I
lost it how was I ever to face her again?
Methos sighs sadly remembering those moments as he grabs the
beer glass again.
Methos: She actually didn't talk much.
Duncan thinks about what Methos has said....trying to picture
the Nicayla he knows...or knew...and he is about to interrupt
when Methos asks a question, even though Duncan knows he said it
more to himself, and Duncan refrains from interrupting and
listens to his friend.
Duncan: Do you WANT to face her again?
Duncan asks Methos in a soft, non-confrontational tone of voice.
Methos frowns puzzled, wondering what the hell MacLeod wants to
mean by that.
Methos: Of course I want to face her, just what the hell are you
thinking?
Methos shakes his head trying to clear his thought, maybe he's
missing something here.
Duncan holds up his hands in surrender.
Duncan: Not thinking a thing. Just a question. Don't even need
answer it.
Duncan says, sitting back in his chair.
Methos: MacLeod, we've been friends for years, long before we
moved to the next level, as far as I'm concerned we'll still be
friends even if we stop dating.
Methos points out hoping MacLeod can understand that.
Methos: I'd still want to face her.
Duncan: Tell me.....
Duncan says and leans forward placing his arms on the table and
looking seriously at Methos.
Duncan: ....did she tell you where she was going?
Methos: She told me she was going home, so I assume her father's
ranch in Ireland. Why?
Methos asks before he takes a sip of beer.
Duncan: Because when Nicayla runs....she never says where she is
going or for how long.
Duncan explains and picks another peanut out of the bowl then
pops it into his mouth.
Duncan: Ok. So let's analyze this.
Duncan says, moving his glass out of the way and brushing off
the peanut shells on the table
Methos looks at his glass on the table while he frowns thinking.
Methos: Actually I don't think she did. How long she'd be away
that is.
Methos says after a while.
Duncan realizes that Methos has become preoccupied with
something that had been said before. And although he believes
that that is a good thing.....now was not the time so he raises
up in his chair and waves his hands in front of his friend's
face and snaps his fingers.
Duncan: Hey! Come on! Focus!
Duncan says as he snaps his fingers....as if snapping Methos out
of a trance.
Methos blinks in surprise when MacLeod jumps to his feet and
snaps his fingers in front of him.
Methos: OK, I'm back, now what?
Duncan shakes his head.
Duncan: Man. You got it bad.
Duncan says as if it saddens him.
Methos: What do you want to analyze?
Methos urges him to go on.
Duncan: Ok. So Nicayla left to get Haley away from her
father.....right?
Duncan says to clarify.
Methos: Right.
Methos nods in agreement as he picks up the almost empty glass
again.
Duncan: And Haley's not running from CPS or any government
agency.....she's running from her father...At least that's the
way I understood what Ally said.....am I right?
Duncan again, clarifies.
Methos: Right.
Methos nods again, before he drinks the rest of the beer and
puts the empty glass on the table.
Duncan: Now what was Ally said about Nicayla maybe having to do
jail time?
Duncan asks Methos....unable to remember everything Ally had
said.
Methos: Only if they prove she had anything to do with Haley's
disappearance.
Methos goes on while he thinks if he should order another beer
or not.
Methos: We just can't let that happen.
Duncan sits back in his chair, picks up his half full glass of
single malt and swirls the liquid around the glass like it were
brandy. He stares at the designs the golden liquid is making on
the inside of the glass for several minutes then puts the glass
to his lips and downs it contents in one swig. He sits up, sets
the empty glass on the table and looks directly into Methos'
eyes.
Duncan: Then there's just one solution.
Duncan says, seriously.
Methos: Which is?
Methos asks raising an eyebrow at MacLeod.
Duncan wrinkles his forehead and squishes up his mouth until he,
slightly, resembles Marlon Brando then says in a very convincing
Marlon Brando impression he says.....
Duncan: Make him an offer he can't refuse....capisci, Fredo?
Methos is slightly surprised MacLeod had proposed to do it, but
can't help to burst out laughing at MacLeod's answer.
Methos: Lead the way, Don Corleone.
[center]To be continued[/center]
#Post#: 414--------------------------------------------------
Part 16
DIR By: 22639
Date: January 17, 2013, 3:46 am
---------------------------------------------------------
The year was 1844. A nine year old Nikki was standing at the
living room window, watching for her father, who had been called
to the ranch's north pasture where one of their prize racing
stallions was pastured, as she did every time her father was
away.
Liam rode up to the barn...but instead of riding his horse, he
was kneeling in the back of the buckboard that was being driven
by one of the ranch hands...his focus on the stallion lying on
its side in the back of the buckboard.
Nikki jumped from chair she had been kneeling on as she held
vigil at the window, and ran through the living room and kitchen
and burst out of the back door as her mother called after her,
“Nicayla Flynn...don't run through the house!” She ran the
distance between the house and the barn as fast as her legs
could carry her.
“Easy now,” Liam instructed as he and three ranch hands pulled
the litter the injured horse was lying on, out of the buckboard.
They, carefully, carried the litter into one of the larger
stalls in the barn and, gently, lay it on the floor.
Nikki ran into the back door of the barn just in time to see her
favorite stallion being carried into a stall and her stomach
knotted up. “Daddy?” she called out. “What happened? What's
wrong with Ghost?” she called out as she ran toward the men and
the injured stallion.
“Not now, Nikki,” Liam warned as he helped carry the litter into
a stall. “Now set him down easy, lads,” he instructed.
Nikki ran up to the door of the stall and stopped, making sure
to stay out of the way. She muffled a gasp by covering her
mouth with her hands, when she saw how the pure white stallion's
front leg was bent and tears began to flow down her cheeks.
“Michael! Go for Doc Sweeney!” Liam ordered and one of the ranch
hands left the group and sprinted out of the barn. Liam knelt
by the injured horse and placed his hand on the stallions cheek.
“Easy boy. Easy now,” he said soothingly. One of the ranch
hands brought in a bucket filled with bandages and set it down
next to Liam.
“What do ya think, boss?” one of the ranch hands asked as he
knelt on the other side of the litter and began, gently,
caressing the stallion's neck.
Liam shook his head, slowly. He had seen a lot of horses with
broken legs but never one as severe as this one. “It doesn't
look good,” he said quietly. He looked into the stallion's eye
and could see how much he was suffering. He glanced at the
stall door and saw his daughter standing there in tears and his
heart went out to her. He motioned to her to come in and
pointed to the floor behind the stallion's head. Winter's Ghost
and Nikki had been practically inseparable since the pure white
Andalusian made his entrance into the world two and a half years
before. He was hoping that her presence would help to calm the
injured horse as well as giving her something to do so she felt
helpful.
Nikki rushed into the stall and dropped to her knees at the
horse's head. She lifted his head and cradled it in her lap,
rubbing his neck, comfortingly. “Help him, Daddy,” she begged
with tears streaming down her face. “You gotta help him.”
Liam's relationship with his daughter had always been based on
his being honest with her...some times against the wishes of his
wife...no matter how difficult it may have been for her to hear.
So he wasn’t about to go against that now, even though it would
have been easier to shield her from the truth. “I'm afraid it
may be too serious a break, honey,” Liam said, softly.
“No, Daddy! You gotta help him,” Nikki pleaded. “You can fix
him, Daddy. I know you can. He'll be Ok. I know you can fix
it,” she said, tearfully. Confidently but tearfully.
“Some things can't be fixed,” Liam said, sadly, as he looked
down at the stallion's fractured leg. The horse's cries of pain
cut him to the bone as if he were feeling the pain himself.
“What is important is that he is suffering,” he said and looked
back at his daughter.
“No, Daddy! No!” Nikki wailed, knowing what her father meant.
“You can't, Daddy. You can't!” She hugged the horse's head,
protectively. The last time her father had to put a horse down,
Nikki was only five years old but she still remembered the sound
of the gun shot and she couldn't stand the thought of hearing it
again...especially to the horse she had considered hers for two
and a half years.
Liam reached out and placed his hand, lovingly, on Nikki's cheek
then he glanced at his foreman who was kneeling next to him.
“If we rigged up a kind of harness suspended from the
rafters...,” the foreman began.
Liam looked up at the rafters and was able to picture where his
foreman was going. As good as the idea was...it all depended on
one thing and that was the one thing Liam wasn't confident that
he would be able to do. “All depending, of course, in whether
or not we can successfully set the fractured bones,” Liam said
more to himself than to anyone particular.
Nikki looked up at the rafters and her face lit up as she
suddenly understood what her father's foreman was getting at.
She looked at her father and said, confidently, “You can do it,
Daddy. I know you can,” because in her mind....Liam Flynn was
her hero and could do anything.
“I wish I had your faith,” Liam said and looked, doubtfully, at
Ghost's broken leg. Just then the sound of horse's hooves
pounding against the cobbled ground outside of the barn made
them, all, look toward the door of the stall and the front of
the barn.
“It's Michael!” one of the ranch hands standing at the stall
door announced.
Michael came running to the stall door and said, “Doc Sweeney is
out of the county.” As he tried to catch his breath, he
continued. “He's not due back until late tonight...maybe
morning.”
The ranch hands groaned and grumbled.
“Cac!” Liam cursed in Gaelic.i
HTML http://hlrpg.createaforum.com/#sdendnote1sym
“That means it's up
to us,” he said, looking extremely dubious.
“Please, Daddy!” Nikki begged. “Please try. Ya gotta try,
Daddy. Please?”
Liam looked at his daughter eyes and saw the hope in them. Then
he looked down at the stallion's injured leg. The barn was,
uncharacteristically, quiet. You could hear a pin drop as
everyone looking on waited, expectantly...and held their breath.
Finally...after what seemed like an eternity...Liam cleared his
throat. “Michael? Bring me as much ice as you can,” he said
without looking away from the fractured leg. “Sean? I need
some ether, two pieces of wood for a splint and some strong
tape,” he went on. Then he got an idea. His wife, Mary, had
started playing around with crafting small plaster figurines a
few months ago and had some of the dry plaster mix that she
hadn't used yet. “John? Go ask my Mrs. for some of that
plaster mix of hers. Enough to make a cast...of sorts,” Liam
instructed and glanced at his foreman who was nodding his head
in agreement. Then he looked back down at the stallion. “Hang
in there, boy,” he said, quietly. Silently to himself he
prayed, “Dear Lord...give me strength and guide my hand,” then
he crossed himself.
Nikki laid her cheek against the stallion's. “It'll be Ok,
Ghost. Da' will make everything Ok,” she whispered. “He's mo
laochii
HTML http://hlrpg.createaforum.com/#sdendnote2sym.”
Present Day
Nikki silently stands out of the way in a corner of a large
stall in the main barn and watches as her father, with the help
of his on site vet, sets the broken leg of a white Andalusian
mare and puts her in a modern day version of the harness he had
used on Ghost one hundred and sixty nine years ago.
Liam finishes buckling the straps of the sling and steps back to
see if the mare has been raised high enough to prevent her from
putting too much weight on her injured leg as it healed.
Satisfied, he steps back up to the horse's head and rubs her
forehead, affectionately.
[Liam] How's that, girl? Better?
Liam asks in a soft and soothing voice. The mare tosses her
head a little as if to say, “yes” and Liam gives her neck an
affectionate pat.
[Liam] You get some rest now.
Liam says to the mare, who is still groggy from the sedatives
given to her while her fractured bones were set. Then he steps
away and turns to leave the stall. As he turns he sees Nikki
watching him from the corner of the stall and he stops.
[Liam]She's going to be fine.
Liam says, reassuringly.
[Nikki] Of course she is.
Nikki says as she steps out of the corner and walks up to the
mare and gently rubs her soft muzzle.
[Nikki] She has the best trainer in Universe.
Nikki says, looking up into the mare's eye.
[Liam] I wouldn't go that far.
Liam says, humbly.
[Nikki] I know YOU wouldn't.
Nikki says, walking up to her father and linking her arm through
his.
[Nikki] But I would, mo laoch.
Nikki says, looking up at her father, lovingly.
Liam looks down into his daughter's eyes and sees the look he
remembers seeing in her eyes when she was a child...a look
filled with love and admiration...and he remembers how it felt
to be Nicayla Lynn Flynn's hero and it warms him. Unable to say
anything, he simply puts his arm around Nikki's shoulders and
gives her a squeeze as he guides her out of the stall.
As Nikki walks alongside her father, she lays her head against
his upper arm and smiles, contentedly.
To be continued
i
HTML http://hlrpg.createaforum.com/#sdendnote1ancGaelic
for “shit!”
ii
HTML http://hlrpg.createaforum.com/#sdendnote2ancGaelic
for “my
hero”.
#Post#: 415--------------------------------------------------
Part 17
DIR By: 22639
Date: January 17, 2013, 8:51 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Larry steps out of the elevator and heads for his desk in the
“bull pen”.
Wayne sees his boss and meets him in front of his desk with the
remote control to the big screen monitor on the wall behind
Evans' desk.
[Wayne] Since coming up empty handed on the Arizona angle I did
some more checking into Flynn's past...
Wayne says as he brings up a picture of an airline ticket on one
side of the monitor and a car rental agreement on the other
side.
Larry stops and turns his attention to the image on the monitor.
[Wayne] And a little over a year ago she made a trip to
Ireland...
[Brian] ...where she used her credit card for lodging in Raheen
which just happens to be where Liam Flynn...
Brian says as he takes the remote away from Wayne and changes
the image on the screen to one of Liam's passport photos.
[Brian] ...runs a very prosperous horse ranch.
Brian says in conclusion and shoots a smirk at Wayne.
[Larry] Relative?
Larry asks without taking his attention from the screen.
[Wayne] ...her father.
Wayne says and scowls at Brian behind Evan's back.
[Larry] What do we know about this Liam character?
Larry asks before turning away from the screen and looking at
his detectives, questioningly.
[Wayne] Just that he is employed as a trainer for a reputable
horse ranch in the small town of Raheen, Ireland.
Wayne says as he walks back to his desk and sits down. He
begins to type information into his computer.
[Brian] And that he hasn't been in the US since 1975.
Brian interjects.
[Wayne] And there is no record of Nicayla Flynn leaving the US
since her trip to Ireland over a year ago.
Wayne adds.
[Larry] Stone? Do you still have that contact in Interpol?
Larry asks, looking at Wayne.
[Wayne] On it.
Wayne says and picks up the phone on his desk. After a brief
conversation he begins typing commands into his
computer...cradling the phone between his ear and shoulder. He
hits Send and, a few minutes later, hangs up the phone.
Larry sits down behind his desk and turns on his desktop's
monitor.
Brian turns and watches Wayne, expectantly.
[Wayne] He says that there is no record of Nicayla Flynn
entering He's going to call me back when he has some
information.
Wayne announces. A few minutes later his phone rings and he
picks up the receiver.
[Wayne] Stone.
Wayne says into the phone. After a few minutes of conversation
and viewing shared information on his computer, he hangs up the
phone.
[Wayne] My contact is out of the London office and says he would
have to send someone to investigate or try and get Scotland Yard
interested enough to investigate and right now neither has the
manpower.
Wayne announces.
[Brian] Aren't we all due some vacation time?
Brian asks, turning to look at Evans.
Larry shakes his head. Brian Porter never missed an opportunity
to wrangle a “road trip” out of the department.
[Larry] Don't start packing just yet.
Larry says with a bit of a chuckle.
[Larry] If Miss Flynn left town on her own she would have left
some sort of trail.
Larry says and looks at the image of Nikki that is displayed on
his desktop monitor.
[Larry] Especially if she's not traveling alone.
Larry adds, more to himself than to anyone in particular.
[Brian] Since there is nothing proving she used any form of
major transportation...like a plane, train or bus...she would
have had to drive somewhere but there has been nothing from any
of the BOLOs we put out on her vehicle.
Brian says, leaning on the front of Wayne's desk and folding his
arms.
[Wayne] Even if she changed vehicles....where'd she leave her
truck? It hasn't turned up anywhere in a tri-county wide
search.
Wayne adds, looking around Brian at Evans.
[Larry] Somebody's seen her....somewhere.
Larry says...again...more to himself than to anyone in
particular.
[Larry] I guarantee it.
Larry adds, softly, as he stares at Nikki's image. “Where are
you, Nicayla Flynn?” he thinks to himself.
To be continued
#Post#: 416--------------------------------------------------
Part 18
DIR By: 22639
Date: February 27, 2013, 9:28 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[CENTER]***Early evening at the Smaragaid Parthas
ranch***[/CENTER]
Brandon looks around trying to find out if anyone is looking at
them, "Come on." He whispers to Haley despite no one is near
enough to hear it, "Coast's clear."
Haley: Okay.
Haley whispers back and hurries after behind Brandon.
Brandon sneaks inside the barn and points up at the hay loft.
"No one will remember to look for us up there." He explains as
he goes towards the ladder to go up. "And I've put a blanket up
there when I came to check it out." He explains as he starts
climbing the stairs.
Haley: Sound Perfect.
Haley grins, waiting for Brandon to get far enough up for her to
start up after him.
Brandon: Yeah, too cold to stay outside now.
Brandon nods while he waits she gets to the platform in case she
needs some help.
Haley: Well, this will certainly be more comfortable.
Haley grins.
Nikki has been in town on a shopping spree. She pulls up in
front of the main house, gets out of the car and carries her
packages inside. She takes them up to her room and removes a
couple pair of jean, a couple of shirts and a new pair of cowboy
boots which she takes to Haley's room. She knocks on Haley's
door and when she doesn't get an answer she goes in and lays
everything on Haley's bed then leaves the room. She heads
downstairs to look for Haley.
Liam is in the small pen used for breeding. He is holding the
lead on one of the ranch's stallions as three ranch hands tend
to a mare. Another of the men cleans the stallion and, when he's
finished, Liam slowly leads the stallion up behind the mare. The
stallion mounts the mare without incident and a few minutes
later climbs off of her and Liam leads him to the other side of
the pen.
Brandon helps Haley get to the platform and then moves to get
the blanket intending to put it over some hay bales, "Come on,
help me out in here." He says as starts unfolding the blanket.
Liam: Give her some extra oats.
Liam instructs the ranch hand holding the lead of the mare. He
leads the stallion out of the pen and to a corral a small
distance from the main barn. He ties the horse to the corral
fence and looks for a nearby ranch hand. When he spots one he
calls him over and asks him to bring him a curry brush. When the
hand brings it to him, he proceeds to brush down the stallion
while whispering to him.
Haley moves and grabs the other end of the blanket and helps
spread it out. Then climbs onto the blanket.
Brandon lays down on the blanket near Haley and smiles smugly as
he puts his hands behind his head, "Cozy huh? Didn't I have a
great idea?" He turns his head to look at Haley, "And no one
will ever know."
Nikki leaves the house and heads for the main barn. She sees her
father brushing one of the stallions and walks up to him.
Nikki: Hey, Da. Who's this?
Nikki asks leaning against the fence.
Haley: Makes it Perfect.
Haley grins and leans forward to kiss Brandon.
Liam: This is Colorado King.
Liam answers.
Liam: He was just bred to the Bay mare.
Nikki steps up and rubs the stallion's forehead.
Nikki: Congratulations, Ol' Man.
Nikki says to the horse with a mischievous grin.
Brandon puts Haley to him and rolls her over chuckling softly,
"Besides always wanted to do it in the hay." He confesses before
he moves his head down to kiss her.
Liam finishes brushing the stallion, unties him and leads him to
the gate of the corral. He leads him inside, lets him loose and
walks out of the corral, making sure the gate is securely
latched behind him.
Liam: So....where have you been all afternoon?
Liam says, putting one arm around Nikki's shoulders.
Nikki: Shopping. You haven't seen Haley around...have you?
Nikki asks.
Liam shakes his head.
Haley responds eagerly to Brandon and works on removing his
shirt.
Liam: No. But I also haven't seen Brandon around either so I
assume they are together somewhere.
Liam says as he starts walking towards the main barn to put the
curry brush away.
Nikki falls into step with her father.
Nikki: They've been spending a lot of time together.
Nikki says, then giggles.
Nikki: I know that Haley has had that dreamy eyed look on her
face the last week or so.
Brandon pulls Haley's sweater out of her pants so he can move
his hands over her skin as he keeps kissing her.
Liam leads Nikki into the main barn and puts the brush away.
Nikki: Oh. By the way....as I came through the kitchen Mrs.
O'Brian said that dinner would be ready in an hour or so.
Nikki says as she walks up to one of the stalls and pets its
inhabitant's muzzle.
Liam: Well....what say we go looking for our two love birds?
Liam suggests.
Nikki: Where should we start?
Nikki asks, thinking that it is a big ranch and they could be
anywhere.
Liam looks around and sees one of the ranch hands.
Liam: Kenny? Is Ridire still in his paddock?
Liam asks the ranch hand who says he is.
Liam: Hmmm. Well....there aren't too many private places to go.
Liam say thoughtfully and rubs his chin as he thinks.
The ranch hand walks over to Liam and Nikki and asks, "Are you
looking for Brandon, Boss?" Liam nods. "Well....I haven't seen
him lately but earlier I saw him carry some of the old horse
blankets into the hay barn....I assume to store them," Kenny
says. Liam thanks him and takes Nikki by the hand.
Haley reaches for Brandon's belt and starts working that free
Liam: Come on. I think I know where they are.
Liam says with a mischievous grin on his face.
Nikki follows her father as he leads her out of the main barn
and heads for the small hay barn.
Brandon starts helping her out of her own clothes while he keeps
kissing her.
Liam walks into the entrance of the hay barn. He switches on the
light and stands just inside the door, looking around.
Nikki stops next to her father and looks around, also.
Liam doesn't see any sign of Haley or Brandon and is about to
give up when he hears the sound of cracking wood.
Nikki hears the same sound and looks up in the direction it came
from.
Brandon sees the light on by the corner of his eye, and puts his
finger across the lips to tell Haley not to say anything, but he
frowns when he hears something alarming coming from the platform
they're laying on. "Damn." He murmurs to himself.
The sound of cracking wood gets louder and Liam looks up at the
hay loft above them just as some strands of hay and dust come
falling down. A loud snap comes from over head and.....
Brandon 's eyes get wider at the sound and he tries to zip his
pants while he whispers to Haley, "Get dressed, we have to get
out of here."
Haley: What why?
Haley whispers back, when suddenly the loudest crack yet sounds.
Brandon: I think this thing is going to collapse.
Brandon explains fighting to hook his belt as he speaks.
Haley moves to pull her shirt back down, when the wood gives
way.
Haley: Eeeek!!!!!
Haley screeches as they fall.
Nikki: Da! Look out!
Nikki calls out and grabs her father's arm, pulling him out of
the way.
When the dust clears, Liam places his hands on his hips as he
looks down at Haley and Brandon. Although he has a stern look on
his face he is trying hard not to laugh.
Liam: Well, now. What have we here?
Liam asks, trying to sound stern.
Nikki coughs and waves the flying dust away. When she sees Haley
and Brandon on top of the hay that has fallen from above, she
covers her mouth and turns her head to hide a smile and she
fights to suppress a giggle.
Brandon looks around with a surprised look on his face, he can't
believe he didn't break anything. He looks back between Liam and
Haley and remembers to ask Haley in a quivering voice, "Are you
OK?"
Haley nods her head.
Haley: Yeah... be sore tomorrow though.
Haley murmurs back to Brandon.
Liam: I trust nothing is broken?
Liam asks, still with his hands on his hips.
Haley: No, I think I'm good.
Haley says sitting up.
Brandon: Hmm no.
Brandon answers too embarrassed to look up at Liam, looking
around for his shirt.
Liam: And I trust you'll clean this mess up after dinner, Mr.
Cavanaugh?
Liam says sternly as he looks up at the hole in the hay loft.
Nikki turns back around and looks at Haley. A snicker escapes
her and she has to turn her head again to hide it.
Brandon: Oh yes, sir, and I'll fix it.
Brandon nods, briefly looking up, but looking down again after a
moment.
Liam: Good. Now I suggest you two get dressed because Mrs.
O'Brian has dinner waiting.
Liam says and turns on his heels and walks out of the hay barn.
Nikki looks back at the couple and shakes her head.
Nikki: Tsk, tsk.
Nikki says and turns to follow her father to the main house.
Once she is a few feet from the barn she burst into laughter
which she muffles with her hand.
At the sound of his daughter's laughter, Liam can no longer
suppress his own and he joins in.
Brandon is finally able to take a deep breath, before he stands
up to look for his clothes. "Damn, this was embarrassing."
Haley: I wouldn't worry about it.
Haley says as she finishes adjusting her clothes so they were
where they were supposed to be.
Haley: Besides, you look really great, all red and blushing.
Haley grins and leans over giving Brandon a brief kiss on the
cheek, before bouncing up to her feet.
Haley: We'll have to try again later.
Haley grins and leaves the barn.
Brandon manages to chuckle softly at that, "Yeah, preferably at
a place that doesn't collapse under us." He says as he follows
her out to get to dinner.
To be continued
#Post#: 417--------------------------------------------------
Part 19
DIR By: 22639
Date: March 6, 2013, 8:34 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]***Early afternoon at Smaragaid Parthas ranch in
Raheen, Ireland.***
[/center]
Liam watches as Brandon runs through the practice course that he
and Liam have set up in one of the larger corrals.
Liam: Good....good.
Liam says as he checks his stop watch.
Brandon slows down and turns around his horse to look at Liam,
while he pats Ridire's neck.
Brandon: Yeah, we're starting to work well together.
Liam: You need to let him have his head on the number 4 hurdle.
You're holding him back.
Liam says.
Liam: But you did manage to shave 3 tenths of a second off you
last time.
Liam says with a smile.
Brandon: Yeah, but see I'm afraid to let him go too much and
screw things up.
Brandon confesses still patting Ridire's neck.
Liam: He knows the course. You point him in the right direction
and trust him to know what to do.
Liam councils.
Brandon: Yeah, I guess I need to trust you more big guy.
Brandon tells his horse, while he leans over to hold his neck.
Liam: That's what it's all about. You trust him and he'll trust
you.
Liam says with a nod.
Liam: I think you two have done enough for today. Go cool him
down and put him in his paddock then see me in my office when
you're done. There's something I want to talk to you about.
Liam says, putting the stop watch in his pocket.
Brandon: OK, Liam.
Liam turns and heads for the main barn and his office.
Brandon frowns while he directs Ridire in the direction of the
stables to clean him up, wondering what Liam wanted to talk to
him about. It sounded serious.
Liam walks around his desk and sits down. He picks up the stack
of mail on his desk and starts going through it while he waits
for Brandon.
Brandon takes care of his horse with the easiness of long
practice, puts him in the paddock as instructed and walks to
Liam's office, wondering all this time what Liam wanted to talk
to him about.
Liam is on the phone when Brandon pokes his head in the door and
he motions for him to come on in and points to the empty chair
in front of his desk.
Liam: No.....right. Aye. I'll see to it, Mr. McCall. Thanks for
calling. Bye.
Liam says into the phone then hangs the receiver up and looks
across his desk at Brandon.
Liam: Want a cup of coffee, lad?
Liam asks as he gets up, picks up his coffee cup from his desk
and carries it over to the credenza where the coffee maker is
and pours himself another cup of coffee.
Brandon walks in, sits down and moves his head around looking at
the pictures of the horses in Liam's office while he waits.
Brandon: Hmm, sure???
Brandon answers focusing his attention on Liam.
Liam takes a cup out of the cupboard and pours a cup of coffee
for Brandon. He carries the two over to his desk and sets
Brandon's on Brandon's side of the desk then sits down, leans
back in his chair and takes a sip of his.
Liam: So how's Ridire?
Liam asks and takes another sip of coffee.
Brandon looks at Liam slightly surprised at the question, he
expected anything but that.
Brandon: Fine? He's at the paddock.
Brandon says before he takes a sip of coffee.
Liam: You two look good together and it seems things are
starting to mesh.
Liam says and takes another sip of his coffee.
Liam: Speaking of things looking good together....
Liam says and pauses for a few seconds then continues.
Liam: You and Haley seem to be hitting it off.
Liam says, quirking an eyebrow a bit teasingly.
Brandon: Hmm yes.
Brandon looks down at his cup of coffee still embarrassed though
it's been a couple of days Liam and Nikki had caught them in the
barn.
Brandon: She's a nice girl.
Liam: I'm just curious. And if I'm crossing some line let me
know....but just how close have you two become?
Liam asks, a bit hesitantly...having never had to have any kind
of talk like this before. He had a daughter and this sort of
thing was handled by his wife.
Brandon: Hmm... close.
Brandon murmurs just loud enough for him to hear while he
briefly side glances at Liam, but quickly stares at his cup
again.
Liam: May I ask....what are your intentions with the lass?
Liam asks, hoping that Brandon won't feel he is invading the
boy's privacy.
Brandon: Intentions?
Brandon is so surprised at the question he forgets his
embarrassment for a while and looks at Liam directly.
Brandon: What do you mean by that?
Brandon asks with a puzzled frown.
Liam: What would you like this....whatever it is....going?
Liam says, rewording his question.
Brandon 's frown deepens at the question, while he considers it.
Brandon: Hmm I don't know, never thought about that before.
Liam clears his throat and takes a sip of his coffee as he plans
how to say what he needs to say.
Liam: I don't know how much you know about the lass, but she's
had a pretty rough time of it and she is just learning how to
trust.
Liam says and stops. He looks across the desk at Brandon.
Liam: Do you understand what I'm saying, lad?
Liam asks and takes another sip of his coffee.
Brandon: Hey, I'm not planning to hurt her. I just thought we
had time to see how things were going? You know what I mean?
Brandon manages to keep looking at Liam, though his
embarrassment returns. He didn't dare to tell him he thought he
was in love with Haley, besides shouldn't she be the first to
know?
Liam: Aye, son. I understand. I just wanted to make sure you
took her vulnerability into consideration. I'd hate to see her
get hurt....whether you intended to or not. And I know that it
would upset Nikki if that happened and the last thing I want is
for my daughter to get upset.
Liam explains.
Liam: My best advice would be....whatever you do...just be
honest. Be sincere.
Liam says and takes another sip of his coffee.
Brandon: I am. I never lied to her and I'm not planning to...
It's just...
Brandon moves on the chair uncomfortably, he takes a sip of
coffee to take some time.
Brandon: Sometimes I wonder what she sees in me, you know? I'm
just a cowboy.
Brandon shrugs looking down at his cup of coffee.
Liam sits up, places his cup on his desk and leans forward,
crossing his arms on his desk.
Brandon: Maybe she just wants to spend sometime while she's
visiting?
Brandon manages to say, then takes a deep breath.
Liam: You are more than "just a cowboy", son. You're also an
athlete with a hell of a future. You will make it to the
Olympics. Maybe not this year....but if you keep up the way you
have...definitely the next year.
Liam says, sincerely, as he looks directly into Brandon's eyes.
Brandon: I certainly hope so. That's what I want to do with my
life anyway.
Brandon nods smiling a little, then he frowns again, looking up
at Liam.
Brandon: How do you know a woman is serious about you?
Brandon blushes a little at the question but he really wants to
know.
Liam: Oh. Now that's a good question, me lad.
Liam says, clasping his hands behind his head and leaning back
in his chair.
Liam: And its the question men have been asking since Adam and
Eve.
Liam says with a chuckle.
Liam: And....as far as I know...no one has ever come up with the
answer.
Liam says and chuckles again.
Brandon takes a deep sigh of relief, at least he wasn't as dumb
regarding the opposite sex as he thought he was. He manages to
chuckle softly.
Liam: But....since Haley has spent most of her life hating and
mistrusting....if she were to say she loved you....I would have
a tendency to believe her. She doesn't strike me as the type who
says things she doesn't mean.
Liam adds.
Brandon: Hating and mistrusting? Why? What happened to her?
Brandon asks remembering Liam had said something like that
before but he had missed it, worried about other things.
Liam leans forward again.
Liam: If she hasn't told you yet....then she should tell you.
But I wouldn't ask if I were you. Let her tell you on her own.
Liam advises.
Brandon: OK, I will.
Brandon nods in agreement.
Brandon: We have time.
Liam: You know.....that's always the way you young people think.
That you have all the time in the world. But the reality is that
your life is actually short. And it could be shorter.
Liam says and realizes that he sounds like an ancient Immortal.
One of the ranch hands comes to the door of Liam's office and
knocks on the door jam. “There's a truck outside with a horse.
The driver says you are expecting it, Boss,” the hand announces.
Liam: I'll take care of it. Thanks, Josh.
Liam says to the ranch hand.
Liam: Well....it looks like I have to go back to work. Are we
good?
Liam asks Brandon as he gets to his feet.
Brandon: Oh yeah, I'll help you get the horse settled in.
Brandon nods as he jumps to his feet.
Liam picks up his pair of work gloves that were on his desk and
walks around the desk.
Brandon: By the way, Liam. Thanks for the advice.
Brandon says as he walks to the door.
Liam: Anytime, lad. Anytime.
Liam says and claps Brandon on the shoulder. Then he heads out
the door.
[center]To be continued[/center]
#Post#: 418--------------------------------------------------
Part 20
DIR By: 22639
Date: April 7, 2013, 10:59 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Brandon looks up from the entrance of the limestone cave where
Haley and him were having a picnic, when he realizes the sun had
stopped shining. "Great, now it looks like rain." He says before
he takes a deep, unhappy, breath. He side glances at the horses
under the nearest trees and wonders if he should get then or
not.
Brandon:I'd suggest we'd go back to the ranch, but I doubt we'd
make it on time.
Brandon tells Haley, while he looks up again and wrinkles his
nose at the black clouds over them. He decides to leave the
horses where they are for now and waits to see what Haley is
going to decide.
Haley: Hopefully it won't last too long.
Haley says pondering the sky.
Haley: But if it's like most of the rest of the rains I've seen
here, the first half hour to hour will be the heaviest.
Brandon: Yeah, it will stop eventually.
Brandon nods as he picks a sandwich from the blanket they were
using as table cloth and starts eating it.
Haley leans against the cave wall, watching the clouds for a few
minutes, before turning and returning to the blanket and picking
up her own sandwich.
Brandon takes some bites at the sandwich in silence, while he
frowns at it, he could feel his mood was turning like the
weather.
Brandon: I'm getting sick and tired of this, you know? It was
fun in the beginning but now...
Brandon shrugs hoping she'd get the idea. He takes another bite
and sighs unhappily.
Brandon: Sick and tired of hiding.
Haley shrugs.
Haley: You're the one who insists on hiding it from Liam.
Haley points out.
Brandon: Yeah, I know but he's sort of like a second father to
me and you're here with Nikki and it was already embarrassing
what happened at the barn.
Brandon tries to explain while he looks at Haley, wondering if
he should tell her what has been in his mind lately or not.
Brandon: And he's kind of old-fashioned, no need to shock him?
Haley: I suppose.
Haley chuckles a little, thinking that Liam wasn't
old-fashioned, he was just old.
Brandon: In fact, maybe I'm also a little old-fashioned or I
wouldn't feel the need to hide.
Brandon admits chuckling at himself. He takes a deep breath as
he prepares to continue, then hesitates again if he should say
it right there and then, maybe he should wait till later?
Haley: Nothin' wrong with that.
Haley says, thinking that it's actually a nice change, from the
guys she's been with before, or her dad for that matter.
Brandon: I'm glad you think that way because ever since I found
out I was in love with you, I've been trying to find a way to...
Brandon trails off and swallows as a thought comes to his mind,
what if she told him no, or laughed on his face?
Haley: Find a way, to what?
Haley asks looking over at Brandon, and raising her eyebrows
slightly.
Brandon takes a deep breath to prepare himself, when he realizes
he's gone too far to stop now.
Brandon: I think we should get married.
Haley looks at Brandon in surprise. A range of emotions flicker
over her face, before she shakes her head.
Haley: You don't want to marry me.
Haley says softly, turning to stare back out the mouth of the
cave.
Brandon frowns at Haley's answer, he was expecting anything but
that.
Brandon: Hmm, I do. Maybe it's you who don't want to marry me?
Haley shakes her head.
Haley: You shouldn't want to marry me.
Brandon: Why not?
Brandon asks as his frowns deepens trying to understand what's
she's trying to tell him.
Haley: You should marry someone whose... well, not like me.
Haley replies softly.
Brandon shakes his head as if to clear his thoughts, too
confused to know what to think, it seemed they were speaking two
different languages here.
Brandon: Not like you? What do you want to mean by that?
Haley: Someone who isn't tainted.
Haley says flatly.
Brandon rolls his eyes at her choice of words.
Brandon: Now who's being old-fashioned? I know I wasn't the
first, of course, but that doesn't make you tainted.
Haley: You want to know what is tainted?
Haley says sharply turning back to Brandon.
Haley: My "first" was my own father.
Haley spits out, and then moves to her feet and moves to the
mouth of the cave, not actually leaving the cave, not mad enough
to leave the cave, and not mad at Brandon. But knowing the only
reaction to her statement can be disgust, and not wanting to see
that in Brandon's face when he looks at her.
Brandon is too dumbfounded to do anything but stare at Haley's
back for a long moment, then he slowly gets to his feet and
walks to the entrance of the cave to be near her, even thought
not near enough sensing she might need some room.
Brandon: I'm sorry. I had no idea.
Brandon says just loud enough for her to hear him.
Haley: Now you know why you shouldn't marry me.
Haley says, not looking at Brandon, not wanting to see his
disgust.
Brandon frowns thinking for a while looking outside, then shakes
his head.
Brandon: Still don't see why that would make you tainted, it
wasn't your fault.
Haley: I know that it wasn't my fault. But you should still
marry someone better than me.
Haley says.
Brandon: You judge yourself too harshly.
Brandon says shaking his head again.
Brandon: Besides I don't want to marry anyone else but you, so
that settles it, no?
Haley turns to look at Brandon, tears in her eyes.
Haley: How can you still want to marry me, knowing the truth?
Haley whispers.
Brandon: Maybe that's what love is all about? I just know that
whatever you did in your past, isn't going to make me stop
loving you, so...
Brandon shrugs not knowing how to explain it.
Haley felt her eyes over flow slightly, and felt the trickle of
wetness go down her cheek.
Haley: I don't deserve you.
Haley whispers.
Brandon: Ah come on, Haley. Don't turn me into a saint, I know
I'm not.
Brandon smiles softly as he slowly wipes her tears with his
fingertips.
Brandon: So Haley Colson do you want to marry me?
Haley nods her head.
Haley: Yes.
To be continued
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