Pleasance, Calif.
Second Pier; 2 miles north of Presence

Patrick Donavon was very tired.

He had been driving around all night, and he hadn’t even stopped to sleep. He was tired in the sleepy way, though. It was more of an exasperated tired.

He had been driving around Pleasance for at least an hour. The police had told him it was a white Volkswagen Jetta. He had finally gotten a break with a police tip early in the morning.

Pier 1.

That was were a man from a convenience store spotted the car.

As Patrick spotted the Pier 1 Convenience Store, he slowed the car and turned into the parking lot. He stopped and hopped out. The door let out the usual ‘ding’ of a bell as he entered. Genuine wooden shelves and the mom ‘n pop store feel were everywhere.

“May I help you?” came a voice from behind the counter. He was a man in his fifties.

Patrick turned to him. “You made the call about the vehicle, right?” He flashed a badge.

The man nodded. “I’m Pete. And yes, I did. I have been keeping an eye on since I opened this morning. Thank God I listen to the radio. They put out an APB.”

“Where did it go?” Patrick asked, panicked. “A woman’s life could hang in the balance.”

Pete came up to him. “The man came to this store once. I saw his car. It was the white Jetta. I saw him drive it to Pier 2, down a block. It was there last evening when I gave my first call. Is her keeping a woman in there?”

Patrick nodded. “Thanks…”

“Officer?” Pete asked. “I don’t know what this was, but yesterday I heard a gunshot.”

Patrick turned back to Pete. “I’m going to save her.” He took out a handgun from a side-holder. “No matter who goes down…”

Inside Pier 2 Building

“How could you do something like this?” Kassie Tom demanded. Her hands were bound tightly, and they were now starting to hurt.

“Shut up!” Colin ordered, taking her by the wrists. “I need to get rid of you and evidence that you were here!” He picked her up and started dragging her out from the back. “You’ve been no more than trouble.”

Kassie squirmed at her grabbed her arm. Her feet struggled to keep up with his tugs. “Ow… Where’s Noah?”

“The little urchin? He’ll be dealt with at the same time.”

Kassie’s stomach fell.

Natural Exposure

“M’am?” came Tess’ voice as Gillian Evans barged through the elevator. “Do you have appointment?”

Gillian paid no attention. She knew she needed to speak with Iris about what had happened the night before.

Two?

It didn’t make any sense…

Gillian looked up at Iris. “Who is she?” Without warning, a man grabbed her from behind and pushed her back out into the hall. Gillian turned back around to see Iris greeting her. “Who is she? She looks just like you! What’s going on?”

Iris put a look of seriousness on her face. “Look. Whatever you’re thinking, I’m Iris. That woman sitting in that chair has been trying to impersonate me.”

Gillian was confused. “You’ve been acting so strangely lately.”

“I just found out today, and I managed to switch places. Just go home! And don’t tell Adam or anyone. Just wait. I have a plan. Don’t ruin it anymore.”

She had called Adam King that morning, but not about the impersonator. Gillian needed to talk to Iris before she started sounding like a lunatic.

As she entered, she noticed they had cleared away quite a few cubicles.

Her mother worked there. Gillian spotted Addy, who was sitting at her desk, and didn’t bother to introduce herself. She made her way directly to Iris’ office.

“Iris!” Gillian announced, entering the office.

Iris got up. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s about last night,” Gillian started. “Why the hell would there be someone impersonating you? Is that why you’ve been all strange the past weeks?”

Iris got up and nodded. “Yes… Why? I don’t know. Maybe Julian is upset that I’m with his son. I think ever since I slapped him he’s been on the edge.”

Gillian eyed her carefully. “Are you going to call the police?”

“Will you cut it out with the questions?” Iris demanded. “Jesus Christ! Can’t you just leave me alone?”

“See!” Gillian pointed out. “Right there! The Iris I know would never do something like that. You have changed: for the worse.” Gillian reached into her purse and pulled out the baggie of cocain. “I found this in your jacket!”

“Is that cocaine? Iris asked. “It’s not mine.”

“Liar.”

Iris put for a fish stick she had been eating down, and stood up. “Out of my office! Now!”

Gillian replaced the drugs and, obeying, left.

At Addy’s desk, piles of papers and notepads had mounted. She was busing strategizing Natural Exposure’s big summer campaign.

“Addy?” came Brooke Wright’s voice, stepping up to her desk. “We need to talk. Now.”

“No!!”

Both Addy and Brooke turned to Gillian, standing ten feet away from them.

“What do you want?” Brooke asked.

Gillian rushed up to Brooke and slapped her in the face. “No. We’re going to talk. About Giovanni. NOW!”

KING ESTATE

Constance’s Room

Constance King woke up that morning feeling refreshed. For some reason, she felt rejuvenated and full of life. It was probably because she was doing some major Fall 2001 Gala planning that day.

It was her favorite thing to do.

And Julian never wanted to be involved!

As she propped herself up in the bed, Adam King, her son, came through the door to her room. He was already dressed, and it looked like he had found a treasure.

“Adam. What is it?”

He stepped up to her bed. “Gillian left a phone message on my machine in the guesthouse. It seems she found Iris! And that she’s going to be at work at ‘Natural Exposure’ today.”

“That’s wonderful!” Constance exclaimed.

Adam turned to leave, but turned back. “And I won’t tell anyone about the man you told me about last night.”

Constance nodded. “Thank you.”

Mitchel’s Room

Mitchel Matheson realized that leaving the mansion again would probably be taking advantage of Julian King’s sudden change of heart.

“Why would he let me do anything I wanted?” he wondered, getting dressed. “I came home way past curfew, and he didn’t even care.”

Was there something going on?

Mitchel shrugged it off, and as soon as he had put on his shirt, he left.

Dining Room

After finished breakfast, both John and Julian King got up from the table and made their way to the living room. It was elegantly decorated with the newest summer flowers and colors. It was obvious Constance had given Muriel and the decorators a few ideas.

“About the opening for chief of staff,” John asked his father, “will it actually be available?”

Julian lifted his finger and pulled out a telephone. “That’s what I’m going to find out. I’m going to make a quick phone call to see if he’s a work.” He dialed.

Within seconds, “Hello?”

“Yes,” Julian began. “This is Nurse Betty, am I right?”

“Mr. King,” she spoke. “I am prepping a patient for a chemotherapy session. It isn’t the best time to call.”

“For me, anytime is the best time,” Julian stated simply. “Besides, it’s a very simple question. Is Ian Huber there?”

There was a pause. “No. He hasn’t shown up at work today.”

“Thank you.”

Before Betty could say anything else, Julian hung up.

“It’s up for grabs,” Julian announced.

St. Peter’s Catholic Church

“This place is beautiful.” Gloria Benton couldn’t help but observe the church in awe. There were flowers lining the isles, and the pews were carved from strong trees and refined with elegant artwork.

James Benton had to agree. Even the stained glass was intricately designed and created. “This place is nice.”

They were both dressed to the occasion. Not as fancy as their wedding day, but the day they renewed their vows had to still be special.

Gloria was dressed in a flowing white dress, very much toned down from a classic wedding dress. She wore two dove pins in her hair, and a pair of diamond earrings.

James, on the other hand, decided with the contemporary tuxedo. It was of a sleek black, and he wore a tie that seemed to wrap him like a package.

Father McMurdy welcomed them in.

Outside, Rachel Wright was rushing. She hurriedly put on her heels, and  skipped up to the door.

“Did you get the happy couple a gift?” came an old woman’s voice.

Rachel turned around to see a woman in her sixties, dressed to the hilt in purple velvet. Like gypsies you’d see in films. “No, I didn’t.”

The woman nodded. “I’m Cassandra, and I sense you’re not happy with this.”

Rachel shrugged. “So?”

“I have the perfect thing for you,” Cassandra said. “I’ve been giving out crystal hands like hotcakes lately, so I’ve chosen something that is perfect…”

Rachel lifted her hands. “Sorry… I don’t have much money—”

“No need for it. It’s just two silly pendants I made. They’re free.” She took them from a pocket in her dress. They dangled ominously before her eyes.

Rachel took them into her hands. “They’re beautiful. What are they?”

“They’re both doves,” Cassandra said. “They are carved from ruby, and placed on the silver circle. The pendant’s silver is encrusted with small diamonds. Very expensive. But for you. I have no need for it.”

Rachel smiled. “I give one to Gloria?”

“Yes, and you wear the other. Legend has it that when two people wear it, the one who gives it has brought bad luck to the recipient.”

Rachel placed one around her neck. “Thank you very—”

She was gone.

KING ESTATE

Constance’s Room

Sitting at her desk, Constance wrote out an invitation list. Her mind was still fresh with Julian’s racist comments that she felt like doing what he’d hate most.

Invite ‘common’ folk.

“Let’s see…” Constance thought. “Well… Iris Torres is definitely invited. And her family. And that nice redhead woman Adam’s been spending time with lately. Something Evans. Gillian. Yes. That’s it. And her family…”

Muriel walked into the room. “You wanted me, madam?”

“Yes, Muriel,” Constance said, turning to her. “I’d like you to take down my specifications, and arrange for them to happen.”

Muriel took out a notepad and a feathered pen. “Very good.”

“We need the best catering service on the west coast. Not the ones we had last year. Remember the cherries jubilee? Never have so many guests gotten drunk with too much booze in the dessert.”

“Mrs. Lourdes enjoyed it,” Muriel laughed.

Constance laughed, too. “She’s used to it. But I loved the decorations. Get the same people. Book them.”

Muriel nodded.

“Don’t forget a Porto-potty.”

Constance turned to the door to see her eldest son, John standing there. He had a large grin on his face. “Be more mature. You’re very much an adult now.”

John shrugged. “I guess I’m like dad. He’s always whacked out.”

Muriel left the room quietly.

“What do you want?” Constance asked.

“Nothing much,” John said. “I just want to know something.”

“What?”

John cleared his throat. “Do you love me?”

Living Room

“Where are you going?” Julian demanded as Adam passed through.

Adam turned to him. “I’m going to Natural Exposure. You know: my job.”

Julian looked at his watch. “You’re usually in the guest house when you go to work. I never thought you left before noon.”

“It’s called being on time.”

“I know,” Julian sighed, “but I own the place. It’s not like you’re getting fired.”

“I just want to,” Adam finished. “Thank you.” He passed by and left.

Julian stood in the house, alone.

Outside, Adam rolled his eyes. “I want to be more normal,” he announced. “I’d rather be like other people.” As Adam crossed the estate to get the driveway of the guesthouse, he got a feeling. A bad feeling.

Like he was going to face something horrible.

That his life, along with many others, will be completely changed by what will happen this afternoon.

Pleasance, Calif.
Second Pier; 2 miles north of Presence

“The boat?” Kassie squealed, thrashing while being pushed on. “Why are we going out to sea?”

Colin pulled her from the bock to the small fishing boat. He had been fixing it up all night, and it was finally going to work. “Why do you think?”

“You’re going to kill us.”

Colin nodded. “Bingo.”

Patrick approached Pier 2. There was an immense abandoned fishing building staring at him. He rushed up to it and began pounding on the door.

“Open up!” Patrick cried out inside. “It’s the police! Drop your weapons and come out.”

After a few seconds, he realized there were no answers. Nothing. Patrick finally stepped back, gathered his bearings, and charged for the door. With full force, he checked the hard door and its hinges cracked. He kicked in the rest with his foot.

His gun drawn, “Come out!”

It took him half a minute to realize there was no one in any of the rooms. But he could smell a perfume that seemed to linger. Before heading back out, he spotted an impurity on the ground.

It was blood.

“No…” Patrick moaned.

Just then, a scream shook him. He rushed past a setup of telephone equipment, and peered through a small window. Looking through, he could see a scene.

Kassie had been forced onto a boat, and it was pulling away.

Out to sea…

Presence Memorial Hospital

Darla Tom was sitting up in her hospital bed. Everything had happened so quickly the day before: she had been diagnosed with uterine cancer, and her daughter had probably been kidnapped.

“Was that a dream…?” Darla said, thinking back to when she went to sleep. “I could have sworn Robert came into my room last night.”

It had indeed happened, but she couldn’t pin it on reality or otherwise.

“Mrs. Tom?” came Nurse Betty’s voice, popping into the room. “I’m just here to say that your treatment will be starting soon. Doctor Wyndham will be by in a little while.”

Darla nodded. She was nervous.

Unknown Location, Anywhere in the World

The young woman was tied up in a room.

Consuelos Residence

“You can’t do this!” Mateo cried out, not wanting to jump in front of a woman with a knife. “This is murder. Do you think the police will buy an alibi that she was a demon? No.”

Brianna turned to him. “Then you—and I—will say she killed her own child.”

“This isn’t right…” Mateo muttered. He may have been though, but the law was the law to him. That was the different between him and his brother. “You’d better by that butcher knife back.”

Not listening, Skye brought herself beside Skye. Skye’s eyes were still open, and she seemed very weak.

“Like candy from a baby,” Brianna mused. Lifting the blade, she brought it down.

“No!!” Skye announced. Not in pain, but as an order. She brought her hand up, and intercepted the attack by grabbing Brianna’s wrist.

Brianna tried to pull her hand away. “What the…?”

Skye seemed stronger than ever. “You… better… not… try… anything…”

Mateo stepped forward to help Brianna, but Skye let out a scream. She let go of the wrist, and both Mateo and Brianna backed away.

“Ooooo!” she let out. “It’s coming.”

Brianna, panicked, said, “What?”

“The baby, stupid!” she puffed. “It’s coming!”

St. Peter’s Catholic Church

“…in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”

Gloria looked up at James, smiling. Her lips parted slowly as she spoke the words she had spoken so long ago.

“I do.”

As Father McMurdy repeated the same lines to James, Rachel sat in the closest pew. She was examining the pendant and its artistry.

It was so beautiful.

“…in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”

James look down to wife, ready to commit again.

“I certainly do!”

Rachel looked up and smiled as they turned to her. She wasn’t smiling on the inside. She knew she was due very soon for her child, and the father—James—had yet to tell his wife.

“But she needs to know,” Rachel said.

Father McMurdy looked down to his notes. “It’s been requested that these ceremonies replicate exactly those of their first marriage.”

Rachel rolled her eyes.

“Now. If anyone has reasons why these two should not wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace.”

A pause.

“I object!!” Rachel said, standing up. “And it’s because I’m pregnant with James’ child!”

Presence Apartments

Giovanni Pike was getting into his car. He had called Gillian’s house several times and had left at least three messages. He was getting very sick and tired of having her ignoring him.

And not knowing why.

As he started the ignition, the thought about where he was going.

Natural Exposure.

“You may hate her, Addy,” he thought, pulling out of the parking space. “But you could let me know where she is.”

As he drove off, he felt something sink in his stomach. A bad feeling.

Torres Residence

Bo Torres had been up since the middle of the morning.

“Good God!” he exclaimed, taking what seemed like his twentieth glass of water. “How long have a been sleeping?”

Bo remembered his daughter giving him something to drink, and then darkness.

Had he been drugged?

Bo suddenly realized that he had left something he was going to send to the police out in the open. He rushed to the front of the house and grabbed his jacket. When he was confronted in the alley, he found a bag of cocaine.

“Where is it?” he said, rummaging through his coat. He looked at the other coat hanging on the chair by the front door. “Both Iris and I have similar coats,” he remarked.

It wasn’t in either.

“Who could have taken it?”

Checking the time and calendar, he took his jacket. Exiting the house, he headed for where Iris was working that day.

Natural Exposure.

Natural Exposure

“What?” Brooke asked, staggering back from the slap. “What was that for?”

Tess came from the front desk to witness the commotion, and Iris peered out from her office.

“You were the woman that slept with Giovanni, right?” Gillian demanded, fuming mad for having been deceived by the vixenious co-worker of hers.

Brooke shook her head. “I didn’t even realize I was doing it. I swear. It was as if I was under a spell of some sort.”

“Bullshit!” Gillian continued. Tess rushed from the room and put security on hold. “There’s no way.”

“How does it feel?” Addy asked, as if victorious. “You stole the man from me, and now he’s being taken from you.”

“I don’t want him!” Brooke announced, her eyes watering. “I never wanted to hurt you!”

“I’m sure,” Gillian sneered.

Brooke wiped away a tear. “I swear. You two are horrible. I get involved with one of you, and it’s like life and death. I never meant to cause pain for any of you.” With that, she bounded from the desk to elevator.

Gillian followed.

“What happened?” Iris asked, coming up to Addy.

Addy shrugged.

As Brooke pounded the keys on the elevator, she was grabbed by Gillian. “Let go. Please.” Brooke broke through and ran to the stairs and started up them.

Tess saw this chase, and dialed for security.

Iris couldn’t help but smile as she made her own way to the stairs and started climbing.