Together and Forever 2

Chapter 101 — Name! Name! Name!

Mason hardly escaped from hands of relatives wanting to embrace him, and rushed toward Theda and Christy as if Theda was his favorite aunt.
"How is my daughter?" Theda anxiously asked.
"Mason, who we have?" Christie just danced with impatience.
"Boy! And the mother and the son are fine, just wonderful!"
"Great! Means I have the nephew! Mason, my congratulations!" Crusty hugged him. "Where is the happy mom now?"
"She's probably already moved to her room," Mason said carefully freed from the grip of his mother-in-law who crying from happiness and mumbling. "Theda, are you okay?"
"I touched by your concern, I'm fine. I just already stop to hope to have grandchildren."
"Mom, let's go to Mary. I want to see my sister!"
"Tell her that I'll be back soon," Mason said and returned to Capwells. "All right, the circus is over. You can go home."
"Mason, how you can!" he heard the chorus of reproachful voices.
"The nail on the head, huh?"
"You'll receive the nail now, nasty big brother!" Kelly blazed with righteous wrath, but her eyes were laughing. "How can you send us home? We're not congratulated Mary yet!"
"Well, this is a sacred thing," he accepted. "But not earlier than I do. And if someone will make sure that my older children had been fed, I'll do the patronage of this person as favor."
"I am taking Sami," Sophia grabbed the girl and carried her towards the hospital cafe.
"Me too," Kelly following her.
"Chip, go to Grandpa," CC Capwell could not resist too. "Mason, what's look like your son!"
"He look likes Cruz" almost escaped from Mason, and he so frightened that he almost blurted out the whole truth. He felt sudden the chill by the fact that his willing to tell his father the true, almost destroyed all his life. Especially since he never saw similarities in Chip with him and someone. The boy is belongs to Mason, and that was enough. He looked at CC and Ted's backs while they leave to feed Chip.
"Mason, what's wrong?" Eden asked who was silent until this moment. "Something wrong?"
"No... Just some nervous. I... I was so afraid that I'll lose her!" he suddenly said.
Eden stand, leaning on her crutch, and put her hand on his shoulder.
"It's over. You have the wonderful son, and Mary is with you."
He slowly smiled.
"Do you not succumb to my provocation."
"Well, I always knew that I'm your favorite younger sister," Eden smiled in response.
"I am glad that you are wise to keep that information to yourself," in Mason's eyes flashed devilish twinkle. "Okay, let's go, favorite sister. Overwise soon the rest comes back and reveal us."

* * *

Almost the entire conversation with her mother and sister, Mary could not escape from worried thoughts about Mason. She kept glancing at the door, wondering why he's not here.
"Mary, where is the baby?" Christie snatched her from her thoughts. "When they'll bring him here?"
"The doctor said that after half an hour. Soon."
"Do you know how you want to name him?"
"Yes, Mary, what have you decided about his name?"
"Nothing yet... Mason, where are you?"
"Here!" sounded from the door, and Mary's shining.
"Hi!" He quickly comes to her and gladly embraced. "Thank God, finally!"
"Absolutely agree with you," Mary hugged him, amazed at how easily his presence and touches can wash away all her worries, and give her feel that she's loved.
Someone's cough came from the door, and Mason reluctantly tore himself away from his wife.
"Here is the person who wants to see you," he said.
"Eden! I'm glad to see you!" Mary gladly said.
"I am very glad too!"
It was during the exchange of greetings the door of room opened, and nurse wheeled the crib for newborns, where lying Mary's baby. The nurse picks up the baby from the crib and gently gave Mary. She took the boy with awe.
"He's so sweetie!" Christy exclaimed. "I swear I'll make Jimmy to give me directly the same!"
"No, let him give you the different one," Mary retorted, not looking at her sister. "And preferably after yours wedding. By the way, when you'll make it?"
"Coming soon," she seriously answered. "We almost stated the date."
Mason sat down next to Mary, looking at the tiny hands and eyebrows of his baby.
"It's a miracle!" escaped from him.
"This is our miracle!" Mary corrected and put the baby in his hands. Mason froze, afraid to move. Then he looked at his son. He had huge dark brown eyes, something like the eyes of Sammy. Mason could not move away his eyes; son's eyes seemed to stare straight into his soul.
But the moment of mystic passed, the boy winced and yawned. Eden giggled.
"He just likes you in baby age!"
"You cannot know. It's me who wiping your nose when you were in baby age!"
Eden slapped her palm on his hand and whispered Theda: "Let's leave them alone. 
She according nodded, but went reluctantly. And even more reluctantly leave Christie. But when all three finally came out, Mason lets out the sigh of relief.
"Finally! It's true, we do not have much time together," he grimaced. "Soon there will be the crowd of my family with my children."
"Poor Mason," Mary pitied. "Do not worry, they leave us in peace very soon."
"I can not wait," he handed the boy to Mary with some regret. She gently put him to her breast, recalling the recommendations that she gave new mommies for long ago in the charity clinic. She did though not the first time, but succeeded. The baby funny smacked lips.
"How we'll name him?" Mason asked, enchanted looking at them. "I think we never discussed the question."
"It seems we did not. Do you have any suggestions?"
"Let's name him Matthew."
Mary paused, lower her head. After waiting several minutes, Mason said: "You do not like?"
Mary sighed.
"I know that you liked that name. And I know that you wanted to name our son Matt... But... it's name of our baby who never make it... I do not want to name this baby just like him."
"So we'll not," Mason gently squeezed her hand. "We name him with different name. For example... Scotty? Colin? Richard? Oswald?"
"Or Michael?"
"Michael?" Mason doubly looked at her. "Michael... Mike... Mickey... May be. It's sound good."
"Michael Capwell--"
"Michael Kenneth Capwell--"
"Kenneth? Do you want to name our son after my father?" Mary's eyes filled with tears. "Oh Mason!"
"Yes, I want it. Do you mind?"
"No! Oh my God, of course not!"
"Then it's officially. Michael Kenneth Capwell. Welcome to our family!" Mason lightly touched his lips the tiny forehead. "Hey, Mickey. I am your daddy--"
Chapter 102 — Like father like son

"Tell me honestly, Mason if you did ask the doctor who we'll have a boy or a girl?" Mary asked putting Mickey down in the crib.
"Of course I did not!" Mason upset looked at her.
"Come on, Mason. Do you want to tell me that you never might ask it?"
"I did not ask the doctor about the sex of the baby," Mason repeated.
"Well, then you have just an amazing sixth of sense--"
"I had not an idea that you wanted to have a girl so much."
"I don't sure about. I guess I did not. Just wondering how you were sure that we'll have a boy."
Mason smiled.
"Probably every man dreams to have his son. I swear." He raised his right arm over his shoulder, connecting the thumb and little finger. "The next one will be the girl."
"Oh, Mason Capwell was the scout!"
"Yeah. And I even was the Ranger Scout for the year."
"I'm proud of you, Mr. Capwell!"
Mason had not a chance to give her some appropriated reply when the door opened and excited Capwells rush in the room. Mary confused buttoned her gown as accepting congratulations. Children are slip out hands of grandparents and rapidly climbed onto Mary's hospital bed.
"Mommy! Mommy!" they squealed in two voices.
Flushed and happy Mary looked at Mason as he picked up Samantha and sit her on his lap.
"Mom, what is it?" Chip pointed to the new baby.
"It's your brother. His name is Mike."
Chip stretched to the thing that seems him as a new toy, but Mary grabbed his hand.
"No, not now. Mike is sleep."
"So you named him Michael?" CC loudly asked and immediately was shushed.
"Yes," Mason defiantly said. And Mary added: "Michael Kenneth Capwell. My father was Kenneth."
"And Michael after whom was named?"
"None. We just like the name."
"Here!" Samantha crawled closer to Mary and gave her greasy thing.
"Thanks, honey. But what is it?" Mary twirled the thing in hands.
"My pen!" Mason cried. "I know better then tell you where this little ghost dug it."
"It turning to you like a boomerang," Sophia laughed. "How many times today you are trying to get rid of it?"
"Even not want to count. And this baby squirrel did find it again," Mason kissed her daughter on the top of head.
"Mason, I think that your apartment is very small for all of yours now," CC Capwell said. "Do you obviously need to think about buying a new home."
"Thank you, father, but I'm already doing this job," Mason tensed. "So you were just the second."
"I could help you. You rejected my wedding gift, so may be you will take one for Michael's birth? Although I would prefer that your son's name was Harold."
"But he was named Michael, father. It's officially now and without appeal."
"If you like... So what is about your new home?"
Inside Mason's something growled, and Mary touched his hand.
"I'll think, father," he finally lets out.
"Do it," CC grandly said. And Mary suddenly noticed how much they look like. No, she had seen it earlier (although never said to Mason), but now the similarity was obvious not only in facial features. Turning of the head, facial expressions, then as Mason narrowed eyes and raised his eyebrow. He was the son of his father, flesh of his flesh--
"Mary?" she heard the worried voice of her husband.
"I'm okay," she smiled. "Just look at you."
Kelly giggled.
"I agree that he just handsome!"
"I hope Mike will like him," Mary said and with shining eyes looked at Mason.
"Ladies, you confuse me," Mason said, and really feeling uncomfortable when discussing their own looks.
"You never confused!" his younger sister grunted.
"Mr. CC Capwell?" The nurse come in. "You have the call."
"Thank you," he replied and looked at the oldest son from his superior height. Mason looked so happy that CC was stirred in his soul. With some mix of pride and guilt. Mason always been the difficult child, a kind of mystery for him. Sophia's children and Channing were simpler. And Mason more like him... but in some ways even surpassing his father.
"Mason, I wait your decision about the new house," said he and leave the room with Sophia on tow.
"I do not doubt it," Mason sighed when his father closed the door. "Mary, what do you think about this?"
"About moving to the new home? I do not know. I probably agree. We'll get much more comfort, CC is right here. And you already thought about this idea?"
"Yes. Sitting in the basement I had many time to think about many things--:
"Sitting in the basement?" Theda asked glancing at Kelly. "Do you mean when you were kidnapped?"
"Well, that's too tough words; I just was bringing down in the basement of the house and held there for 24 hours."
"Mason, you still did not say who was kidnapper," Mary said looking at him.
"I said that I'll explain later, and I'll do it," Mason said. "But not here and now."
"I hope this bastard will pay for what he did," Kelly said.
Mason did not answer. He did not want to think about relatives of Mark. He had Mary, Mickey, Chip, Sammy here... What was happened just three days ago now seems so far away like if it's happened in the past. He moved his lips.
"I love you," Mary easily read and smiling waved him the kiss. "I love you too."
Chapter 103 — Fresh Start

The next week turned out is crazy for Mason and Mary. Mickey's arrival makes a real chaos in their small family. Suddenly appeared that there so much need be to redo and rebuild for living with the newborn as well as fend off the overwhelming wanting of older children to help out with youngest brother.
Mason realized that they need urgently seek some way out after in the morning Sammy wake him up when he's sleeping with his head on his table.
"Dada, Miki wet."
When Mason stretched and went to the nursery he saw that Mary's deeply sleeping on the sofa, and Chip kneeing on the chair at Mickey's crib. Seeing her father, the boy makes a face and said: "Wash Miki!"
After leading out older children in the living room and bring them the box of bricks Mason returned to the nursery and changed Mickey.
Mary stirred, and then raised her head.
"Mason? I'll get up now."
"Do not worry, I already did. Sleep."
Convinced that she fell asleep again, Mason picks her up and carried into the apartment number two. Christy will come in fifteen minutes, and Mary was needed to have a rest.
Going into the living room Mason almost fell stumbling over the scattered bricks and while he's restoring the balance Chip straddled his leg.
"Daddy, ride me!"
"Lord, how women can endure this!" Mason thought sadly, doomed stepping with sticking son. "I really love their children, but sometimes they're going me crazy!"
To his enormous relief at this moment appeared Christy and children are delighted found her as the new object of entertainment. Mason collected his papers and left for the court earlier. From experience he knew that as longer you are in society these little rascals as sooner they'll make a game that then did not ending without loud upset cries. No, they really need to work out with the moving in a new house.

In the between court sessions Mason rewrote the requirements for their new home for tenth time, adding more new and removing olds. In the process he was found by CC's secretary.
"Mason, Mr. Capwell sent you these documents." She handed him the folder and then intimately bent and whispered: "Your tie have the spot of children's cream.
"Damn!" escaped from Mason when he finally noticed the spot. "Thank you, Marisa."
"Not at all," she laughed and walked away.
Mason sighed and put CC's folder on the table, thinking that he already have his work too much for to take up more of Capwell's company. However he's opening the folder and frowned. These documents have nothing about Capwell Enterprises. These were offers to buy real estate with the attached note from CC: "Mason, may be you and Mary would happy with one of these houses. If don't, please make me to know and we'll find others".
Against Mason's deciding to make the selection by his own but he still forced himself to look at the houses selected by the father. He starts to look though pages and suddenly his hand froze on one of them. He leaned back in his chair, looking the pictured home. He looked quickly though values and its location. Yes, perhaps it's was just what they was need. Location, price, size, number of bedrooms... and even the small apartment above the garage where they might Christie settle in. She surely would be happy to have the free and comfortable housing, and they get their babysitter here. And the playground outside the house... Yes, his father thought about everything. And he found the house that Mason was not even able to found in whole week. Mason have a hard time to accept that his father easily gave him the flick on the nose again, but for the sake of Mary, and their own mental balance, he seems was ready to agree to with CC's offered house.
After reviewing all the conditions of sale and with some displeasure making sure that they have no dirty tricks, he left the courtroom that already was getting crowded. Using the phone booth he called Marisa and reported that they agreed with the house number six. Marisa asked the cautious question if his wife agree with him and Mason replied that he had not doubts. "I am sure, Mary, you will like this house. And maybe you'll love it," he said aloud, and hurried back into the courtroom.

However, he did not expect that Mary's reaction found out be so upset.
"Mason, you bought the new house without even consulting me?" Mary's eyes were offended and upset. "I never thought that I'm an empty place for you!"
"Mary, look at me--"
"Why? You've already decided everything and my opinion mean nothing for you."
"Not at all!"
"Then why you did it with me?!"
"Do not cry, Mary, you make children wake up. Mary, look at me. I did not want you to be upset. Just I saw that the house fits really very well for us. You did not see it. Why you already think you do not like it?"
"Are if I'll say "no"? If I say that I do not like it what you going to do?"
Mason sighed.
"So I need to say my father that we changed their minds."
"Your father?" Mary stared at him.
"Yes. Today he sent me papers of dozen houses and it seemed to me that one of them we fit almost perfectly. Mary, I did not ask your opinion not because it does not matter to me. Very important! I'm just sure that my one and your one are gone together. And if it's did not so we'll think for something more."
Mary took the deep breath and then went up and embraced him.
"I'd forgiven?" Mason asked, relieved hugging her.
"I'll forgive if you will forgive me. I should not to yell to you. You wanted the best."
"I was too bossy--"
"Why was?" Mary pulled away and smiled. "You've always is. Or do you think that I did not know it earlier?"
"And you still married me?"
"Yes, as far as I remember. And you have doubts?"
"No one and Mason backed up his words with his kiss.
Chapter 104 — The new house and memories

Mary was very doubtful that she would like the new house. Frankly, she did not want to move anywhere. She's too bounded with Mason's apartment, she feels so good and safe here... Therefore Mary remained silent all the way to the house. Mason has looked at her, but said nothing. She looked so tired that his heart ached.
When they do arrival, Mason stopped the car and turned to Mary.
"It's here," he said cautiously.
Mary said nothing, just climb out of the car and stood in front of the small house color of aged wine, with dark blue roof. The house was surrounded by the strong wrought iron fencing behind you can see the abandoned garden.
She can stood still for a long time and just looking at it if she was not cautiously embraced by her back.
"Well, what you say?" Mason asked looking over her head at the house. "Do you like it?"
"Yes," Mary gasped, unable to calm her loud beating heart. "It's like... I do not know, like a dream comes alive. Although I would be swear that I never dreamed about the house. Like wishes for Christmas!"
Mason did not hide the joy.
"Thank God! Then let's see what's inside."
They opened the gate and went though the tiled path to the house. Mary felt a nagging feeling that she was longing for here long ago. It was strange and nice.
Inside the house, they were not disappointed too. Despite the isolate-looking garden, the house had the good furniture and equipment of the latest models. They can move in even now!
"Actually?" Mason surprised and Mary realized that she said aloud the last phrase.
"Yes," she said. "I must admit that at first I reacted very wary of the proposal of your father," Mason frowned. "But now I have no doubt that we'll good here. And even sure we'll be happy here..." Mary suddenly paused and then stared at Mason. "It's strange--"
"What's strange?" he asked actually already trying to figure out what to do for the moving.
"I can not understand... It feels like I've been here once."
"Did you? I hope this is not due by re-reading "Sleeping Murder"? I saw that you have one of Agatha Christie's books.
"No, it's "The Man in the Brown Suit"--" Mary said and then chuckled. "What are you; do you know all Christie's from memory? How the murder was connected here?"
"I was Christie's fan as kid and read all the collected works of more than once. Before moved toward to Perry Mason."
"Ah, that's why you decided to become the lawyer?" Mary laughed.
"In fact, my father wanted me as a lawyer, not me. I wanted to go into medicine, but he had his own ambition for me in politics."
"I'd venture to assume that your father is not too stupid when he chosen your profession. Because you become so great lawyer."
"Glad that you're such the high opinion about me. Well, do you remember why you see this house as familiar one?"
"No. But I am sure that no murder here. Fortunately."
"Then we begin to prepare for the moving. And I'll say my father that his offer was graciously accepted."

* * *

The moving did not take a long time since CC insisted to pay for the moving company. And after passing just a week Mason and Mary moved into their new home. From the first day both of them almost think that they lived here long ago, so everything was convenient and handy. Children's bedrooms on both sides of the main bedroom. Spiral staircase to the second floor in the office of Mason, and the winter garden on the other side of the hall. Large children's room was equipped with speakerphone of radio nanny... and huge living room on the first floor. Isolated apartment above the garage was with enthusiasm accepted by Christie and Jimmy. And there was the garden looking like a jungle, just a paradise for children of any age.
Everything finally fell into place. Sammy and Chip stopped working get in the way, and Mickey did not wake up from each of their scream. Mary began to get enough sleep, and Mason was able to leave safely in the court, without fearing that he'll return at home looking as Alcatraz under attack--
The idyll was broken up by Mary.
"Mason, I would like to visit my father's grave," she said over dinner.
Mason nearly choked by coffee. While secretly he was thinking about Chris... but still was not ready to accept his death. Just trying to push these thoughts away and switch his mind to other things.
"When?" He asked only to gain time.
"Tomorrow morning or afternoon."
"Okay, I'll ask Jimmy to drive you--"
"Mason!" Mary looked up at him in amazement. "First, Jimmy is not working as a driver for us. And secondly, I would like to go there as all family, with children. And together with you, of course."
"I did not aware that you love to visiting cemeteries," Mason muttered.
"I don't love it. But I know I must pay tribute to his father. And I want our children to know about their grandfather. Mason, what is wrong? We already visited his grave, remember?"
Mason did not answer.
"It's because Chris?" Mary asked, after waiting a few minutes. "You do not want to visit my father's grave as the grave of Chris?"
"Maybe," Mason looked into her eyes. "I think I'm still coping with his death."
"You will be easier if you'll go," Mary's eyes become sympathetic.
"How do you know?" he snapped.
"I knew that he had died since I was little girl, but I was almost an adult when I coped with his death. As child I could not bear to come to his grave. Believed that it's obligation... And only in high school I realized that just all the time I considered him as alive. I remembered him alive. I thought he was simply far, far away gone away," Mary paused. Her voice was trembling with emotion. "But just before my leaving to convent my mother pushed me to say goodbye him. I went because I did not want to argue her. And standing in front of the gravestone I suddenly realized that he does not return. Never."
"And what did you do then?" Mason across the table, reached for her hand. "What?"
"Screamed at God why he taken him from me," Mason blinked in astonishment, but Mary's face was serious. "I screamed until lose voice... and then burst into tears."
"And what happened then?" Mason encouraged her.
"I cried and cried, the tears ran as stream... And then I felt that someone touched my shoulder. I turned and saw the girl. Little, maybe three or four. Serious little angel. And she asked me, tall angular teen. "Do you crying because your daddy? Your daddy died?" Mason, I was shocked. I could not understand how she knows. The girl continued. "My dad died too. I'm Zoey". I do not know why, but I asked her, "Do you missing him?" And she answered, "I'm sure missing. But my mom said that daddy is looking down at us from heaven, and that makes me not so sad. I look at the stars and talk to him". I almost started to cry again, I've did the same that the little girl. I talking at stars and asked them to give me back my dad... You know, I so much wanted to cry out that she just does not understand what she said. It's just beauty tale, and her father was eaten by worms and never return. What she is talking to herself, and the stars do not care about her... But I could not. She was so small... and so vulnerable. I looked at her and said nothing, and she patted my hand and said, "I'll ask my father to search on heaven your dad. And he'll ask him to dream you. I always have my dream about daddy when I ask him. Do you want it?" "I want" I said, because I painfully want to have the dream about my father. At this time the girl was taken away by her mother whom glancing suspiciously at me. I returned home and spent the entire evening with one thought — that I'll have my dream with dad."
"And you had?" Mason could not resist. Mary's story straining his soul.
"Yes," Mary nodded. "I again turned into the little girl, who I was before his death, and all of our family walked along the coast... And then we had been together at the cemetery. He picked me up and I noticed that he has no hair. As after his chemo. I asked him when he returns. And he said that when I'll call him again. He put me on the ground and went to his grave. He walks up to it and becomes transparent until melted away--"
"Mary... you so good remembers all of that."
"At that moment I was woke by Christie. She slipped the puppy under my blanket," Mary faintly smiled. "I spent whole hour writing down my dream and the previous events in my diary. Later I almost learned by my heart these records that are why I remember. Mason... I understand that's hard for you to realize that Chris is not alive anymore. But I think for both of us would be better if you still visit his grave."
"I'll think," Mason reluctantly said. "That's all I can promise."
"I do not wait more that it," Mary responded, she rounded the table and put her arms around his neck. "But how strangely intertwined our lives. My father and your friend. The same person."
"I'm still cannot believe," Mason barely audible whispered. "Just I can not."
Chapter 105 — Cemetery

Three days later, Mason was driving toward Ventura's cemetery, and had been bad feeling. Mary just once reminded him about the trip, but Mason was no longer equivocating. He decided that it was better to go there and forget about everything, although he dimly understood that never have forgotten about Chris.
Five of them went along the familiar path of cemetery. Mason led the older children, and Mary had on hands her one-month baby in the baby's carriage. Mason remember how less than a year earlier he got almost scared to death when he lost in thought and did not notice that Mary stepped aside, and then decided that she was alive just in his imagination. Now he no longer felt any mysticism; it was just an old churchyard.
They reached the grave, and Mason stood before it like at his last visit. And as then as he read the inscription.

"Beloved husband, father and brother Kenneth Duvall. Have a peaceful rest"

Mason released the children who curiously begin to walk around immediately. He pulled out the blanket of the bag and spread it down on the grass. Mary put down baby's carriage and sat beside it. Chipper immediately ran to her and hugged her neck. Mary takes her son on her knees. Mason catches Samantha behind the gravestone and having her on hands he sat down too.
"Not too scary, right?" Mary faintly smiled. Mason shrugged. He did not want to be here.
"What's the matter?" he asked noting that Mary listens for something.
"Mom and Christy arrived."
Mason turned and saw Theda and younger sister Mary who're coming in their direction.
"Grandma! Grandma!" Chip and Sammy cried out in unison and rushed to the women. Mary pulled awaken Mickey out of the baby carriage and also went after the children.
Now Mason was near the grave alone. He rose up from the blanket and stand before the gravestone with his hands in his pockets.
"Kenneth Duvall--" he muttered. "Or Chris Rock? How difficult to combine both of yours... Too pity that we cannot able to say goodbye, Chris--"
But Mason doesn't have a chance to finish his thought. A horrible realization runs though him like a stream of icy water. If they are never met, Kenneth Duval could stay alive! In his ears buzzing, in his mouth appeared bitter taste. He is guilty in the death of Mary father's! It's his fault!
Mason lowered his head and ran his hand across his forehead. Then he almost falls down on the grass. He forced himself to breathe deeply and regularly, and the shock began to pass away. But the terrible feeling of guilt not gone anywhere. Ruthlessly rang in my ears words of Lawrence Duval.
"... As his condition became worse. And in one of his "bad" days he said be that he meets with the boy in caves near beaches... I wanted to be with him to the end. But he forced me to promise that I will go to this dammed cave and tell his Golden Boy that he cannot come to their meeting... And when I did return to the hospital my twin brother already was without consciousness and did not come around until his death. And I began to hate "Golden boy" who not allowed me even to say goodbye to my twin".
If they never did not met! If they never become friends with Mary's father he would not suppose to spend precious time and energy to meeting with him, secretly going out the house, to quarrel with his twin brother... and eventually lost his life. "He already finished the fourth course, his condition even becomes a little improved--" Mary's uncle said. If he and Chris never had their meetings, he would have stayed alive. In the place of is sorry stupid Mason who does not realize that it's the matter of dead and life--
At some moment, Mason wanted to die for at least partially compensate what he done. But it passed... and was replaced by the feelings of guilt and shame. He stole a look at Mary. At Theda, selflessly squeezed Chip and Christie tickling Samantha... Do not they realize what he is the person whom need to blame? Or they are realizing, but forgive him? After all, then he was a boy and knew nothing.
This last idea was a little help. Mary turned toward him and waved, encouraging approach. Looking at her calm and smiling face, Mason seemed impossible that she could forgive him. The death of his father's broken up her life. And not only her life, but also her mother's and sister's. So he should keep his shameful secret. And probably he would succeed for while. But sooner or later, Mary put two and two together and realizes that she married with young murderer of her father--
Mason shrugged and then saw that Mary worried looking at him. He reluctantly got up and walked over to her. Said hello. Mary took his hand, tried to look into the face, but Mason turned away. Now he could not even look into her eyes. Watch and lie. Yes, Mason, you're returned to old Mason. Though you promised that there would be no secrets, but you are not going to open this... Devil inside him immediately tossed in the thought that Mary herself violated the same promise, by hidden from him news about recovering health of Eden. But that was little consolation. Eden, thank God, become better, not worse. And Mary did not kill anyone--
The rest of the day Mason lived like in a hell. He tried hard to look usually, but the shock was too strong to he was able to completely hide his feelings. Mary, thinking that he is experiencing due to the death of his childhood friend, tried to cheer him, and her care made Mason's feeling even worse. And even Theda... Mason regularly has caught her strange sight. She never did look at him like now. Did she understand? But the mother-in-law said nothing and behaved as usual. So it was only a matter of time.
Mason and Mary with children returned home, and Christy stayed with Theda, who said that want to spend a little more time with darling Kenneth.
While Mary tucking in the children, Mason quickly went to bed and when she returned, he is pretending to be sleeping soundly. He just unable to discuss the things that burned his soul with guilt. Even with Mary. Especially with her. He could not bear to her accusations and condemnation. He waited until Mary did fall asleep, then he slipped out of bed and went downstairs, poured myself a good shot of brandy.

Mary woke up because she felt that beside was empty place. She sat up in bed, remembering her dream. Or not dream? She tried to re-play it in her memory. No, it was not her dream. This was happened in reality! She got out of bed and went to look for Mason, shocked by his discovery.
Its easy was to find him. He was sitting in the empty living room and drinking. Mary stunned when she saw him completely lost figure. May he was too hurt after their visit to the cemetery? She remembered how his face become look alike a mask.
"Mason!" she called. "Mason."
He jerked by whole body and raised his head. Mary took a few steps toward him. Her gown and loose hair flashed in the moonlight pouring through the huge windows on the first floor.
"Are you here?" he muttered as his own voice sounded some strange for him.
"I must tell you something very important... I just realized it."
Chapter 106 — Death and Guilt

"Well, that's over," flashed through Mason's mind. "The end. She realized it". A terrible emptiness suddenly formed in his head, a sense of loss overwhelmed him. In the moonlight Mary seemed heavenly and very distant.
"I did not want--" he blurted finally. "I did not aware--"
"What you did not want?" Mary puzzled asked. She walks to the couch and sit down beside him. "What are you talking?"
What's idiot! I did give myself away, but she knows nothing. 
"Nothing. Never mind--"
"Mason!" Mary glared at him, and then turned his face to her. "You shut yourself off me again. Why? We already were agreed that we have no longer any secrets."
"I don't see if you're sorry that you hid Eden's recovery from me."
"It was not my secret. Can you say the same about your one?"
Mason did not answer. He was afraid of her reaction, but keep it inside was very painful. And he has not enough strength to say the truth.
"I have no secrets," he said as much as possible in a calmer tone. "It's seems to you. I'm just tired, the day was long."
"Mason, I know what it's not the truth," Mary sighed. "Even the cemetery, I saw that you feel bad. Your face was like a face of person who was signed the death sentence--"
"Maybe I was," escaped from Mason.
"Tell me," she looked into his eyes again, but he obstinately refused to meet her gaze.
"Even if it destroys everything of us?"
He felt that she froze.
"Anyway I want to know," after the pause she said. "Whatever it was. Worst of all — it is when you surround himself impenetrable wall and try to protect yourself from everyone, including me."
"Do you not think that I want to protect not me from you, but you from me?"
"Nonsense! I do not need any protection from you. Mason, please. You're scaring me."
"I do not like. But... beyond my power to tell you."
"It has something to do with my father?"
"Mary, I do not want to talk about it."
"Are you mad at me that I forced you to go at his grave?"
"No. Mary. Enough."
"And maybe that's enough to lie? You got me convinced that you're all fine, but you can not even look at me!"
Mason turned and met her gaze. But almost immediately lowered his eyes.
"Mason--"
"Okay, I--" It's actually stupid. Mason opened his mouth to lie, but unwittingly, he tore the truth: "I killed your father. Are you happy now?"
Mary gazed at him, then slowly and said: "I never heard more nonsense than this."
"Really?" Mason's face was bathed in warmth. "Your father would be alive now if he did not going to our meeting with him! He worked with my problems instead be focused on his own. My God, he even wanted to talk to my father! He was barely alive, but tried to help me even with damaging of their health."
"Do you think... do you really blame yourself for his death?" Mary looked at him in amazement. "My God! And it's came in your mind when you was at his grave, huh? That's why you look like a ghost!"
"Yes, standing near the grave, I realized that I am the murderer--"
"Stop talk like that! My father was killed by cancer, not you."
"Accepted, by both of us--"
"Mason, my father wanted your friendship by his own decision. You did not force him to do anything."
"No, but... I thought he was a boy like me and shared with him... my thoughts and feelings. With my "big" problems. Whining and complained to my father. And then listened as he complained to his one... I thought that he understands me only because that he felt the same as I do. If I knew the truth!"
"And what would you to do? Mason? If you would have turned away from him, your Chris if you knew that he was seriously ill?"
"I... I do not know. May be I would convince him to stop out meetings."
"Do you mean that you would turn him away?"
Mason scowled at her. "But he would have stayed alive."
"Clearly it's Capwell's style!" Mary shrugged shoulders. "Do you will decide for him what is better for him? Your father usually has been say like that when he justifies his actions."
"I thought you liked my father's actions."
"Sometimes, but not in such cases."
"Your uncle Larry said that he hated me for what I did to his brother."
"Even without knowing anything about you, Uncle Larry wanted to kill you, wanting to make "better only" for me."
"And now he has the very good reason to wish my death. And your mother too."
"Nonsense! My mother doesn't hate you!"
"I saw how she looked at me today," Mason shook his head. "I'm sure she remembered who I was for her husband."
"Yes. You were his Golden Boy.
Mason's face contorted. "Stop it."
"My father used to call you when he's talking with his brother. It was his right?"
"It was, yes. And mine — to call him Chris. Mary... let's not talk about it. Later you will see that I am right."
"No," Mary shook her head so that her hair flew off and flashed in the moonlight. "I already can see everything. You blame yourself for something that gave my father another reason to fight against the disease and to live. And did you not think he would have lived shorter without your friendship? What it gave him more strength?"
"I do not think so. He had your mother, you and Christie. Why he had me anyway?"
"I can not say. But I am sure that your friendship was necessary for both of you. And not just you. What my father did not come to your cave, out of pity, as you hint."
"You're sure... but you're not Chris."
Mason got up. 
"Thank you," he embraced her, pressed his face against her hair. "Thanks that you're not alienate me. I went crazy with guilt."
"Thank you that you decided to tell me the truth. I understand why it was so hard for you. But I really do not think you're guilty. My father was killed by his illness. Not you. Now let's go to sleep, huh? I beginning to think this day would never end... And do you know what?"
"What?" It is the whisper.
"I love you."
"Did you hear what you said?"
"I love you. I. Love. You."
"Thank you for being the person you are. I love you too--"
Chapter 107 — Looks All Wrong

In the morning Mary wakes up and found out that Mason already is out. She read his note that was placed on the pillow.

Sorry, I had to leave early. I love you.
Mason.

Mary sighed, and smoothed the piece of paper between her fingers. He still doesn't believe that no one blames him. In any case, not completed. Mickey demandingly cried out, she stood up to him. Changed and fed her son, Mary went down, have him on hands. Downstairs Christie feeding with breakfast their older children.
"Good morning!" her sister stopped and hugs Mary.
"Good morning!" Mary put Mickey in the crib in the living room and began to prepare the breakfast for her and Christy.
Although Christie worked as their nanny, they all lived as one big family. May be just Jimmy was seen here infrequent because he was some shy.
"How long time Mason was gone away?" Mary asked, making the toast.
"About an hour ago--" Christie wiped Chip's face and pulled him out of the chair, putting down on the floor. He rushed to his favorite toys. "I thought that he was upset about something. Did you quarrel?"
"No--" Mary launched the coffee machine and absently watched the dodges of Samantha whom Christie trying to wiping also. "It's because of our father. Do you know this story? Mason knew him when he was a teenager."
"Yes, mom told me. Marvelous," Christy put Sammy down on the floor, but Mary did not let her escape to her toys — she caught her daughter, wiped her cheeks from the meal, and only then let her go.
"Careless," she shook her finger at Christie.
"Come on, there was quite a drop. So what about Mason? Displeased he that his friend found out is our father?"
"No, he feels guilty for his death. And think that we all — me, mom and you — blaming him."
"Blaming him?" Christy thoughtfully looked at Mary. "Do you mean that he took by his friendship the time that dad could be used for treatment?"
Mary shocked looked at her younger sister.
"You're... Do you mean that you blame him for the death of dad?"
"No," Christie shrugged. "Just trying to understand him. Probably, I would have felt uncomfortable if I was on his place."
"Mason did not do anything wrong to our father," Mary sharply told.
"I know. Why are you angry?"
Mary said nothing. Christie deeply thought.
"You may want to talk with mom," she finally said. "I and you were just children, but her words may be able to change it to Mason."
Mary hesitantly glanced at her sister. She was not sure in Theda's reaction. Christy immediately realized it.
"Telling me about dad and Mason, mom said that now she looks at him with new eyes."
Mary remembered the words of Mason that her mother had changed her position to him.
"Are she upset to him?" Mary asked being unsure that she wants to know the answer.
"Not at all. She so sadly said it as if she was sorry for him. She was not upset anyway. Mary, talk to her. Somehow I think that mom will be able to find the right words."
"I'll think about it," Mary said. Words of Christie were the point. But first she had to talk with mom.
Leaving Chip and Sami with her younger sister, Mary took Mickey and drove in Ventura.

Theda was happy to see her older daughter although at first she gets worried that Mary can be quarrel with Mason. Mary assured her that they were all good, and then raised the subject of Mason and Chris.
"How is the strange twist of the fate," Theda slowly said. She and Mary sat on the porch of their old house, where Mary spent all her childhood and adolescence. Mickey snuffling in the baby carriage. "The Golden Boy grew up and married his older daughter. Kenneth's dream actually become to alive--"
"What you mean with "his dream"?" Mary confused. "My father even had not dreamed to meet me and Mason."
"No, of course. I am sure that it's never came in his mind."
"Then what's you mean?"
Theda looked at Mickey, then at Mary, but said nothing.
"You do not blame Mason for his friendship with dad, are you?" Mary could think only in one direction.
"Me? Blame him?" Theda looked at her with shocked face. "No, of course. Mary, baby, I thought that you're already realized it. Your father was alive in the last few months just because of your Mason."
"Because?"
"Yes... Of course, he had me, and you and Christina, but the Golden Boy had a special place in his heart."
"How do you get knew? Were you discussed it with dad?"
"A little. But, unfortunately, most of his thoughts I learned from his diary."
"Diary? My father had the diary? You never told me," Mary suddenly felt that she is jealous. Why she knew nothing about the diary of her own father?
"At first you were too young, but later it just never entered the conversation. Yes, and I found it not at once. A few years after the death of Kenneth."
"Where? Where did you find it?" Mary felt that her palms become damp.
"By pure chance, along with his clothes in the attic."
"And you read it?"
"Not right then. I was not sure that Kenneth would ready to show me it. But after reading, I'm sure that I did the right thing. And Kenneth wanted me to know his thoughts, he wrote in his diary about that also."
"But he can just tell you what he thinks? I do not understand."
"I think you'll understand if you read it yourself."
"Where it is now?" Mary got up. "You saved the diary?"
"Of course, I saved it. How could I do not? I loved your father. And his diary is in my bedroom. Do you want me to bring it?"
"Yes. Please."
Waiting Theda's return Mary sat down again on the steps. What wrote her father in his diary? Mentioned her? Judging by the reaction of Theda, he mentioned Mason. And did not blame him. Why she so long?!
But Theda returned with the sizable book in hardcover. Mary takes the diary and was about to open, but the mother is not allowed it.
"It is better to take home and read it there. Believe me, it would be better."
"What is it?" escaped from Mary.
"Many things. And good and bad. Your father had the wonderful style. Even if this diary just dethrones him, there is nothing that could throw him out."
Mary winced a bit; these words reminded her that she heard as a teenager. Theda said her that she idealizes her father and opposes all earth people. Mary took the diary and drove home. Her mother was right. She wanted to read the diary at home and alone. And then she decides whether to show it to Mason.

* * *

Mason's day in court was just a disaster. His case hopelessly tied up in objections of gloating attorney, the judge for no good reason to get up on his side, and Mason could hardly force himself to concentrate. This day had only positive quality — it has approached the end.
Spotting the father Sammi and Chip rejoiced and hung Mason from two sides. Mason picked Chip up and Sami instantly cling to his leg. Christie appeared from the living room.
"Hi!" She took his displeased Chip, and Mason unhooked Sammi from his trousers. He straightened up with his little girl on hands and was surprised to realize that Mary never showed up. Usually she met him just after the children. "Where's Mary?"
"Upstairs," Christie replied. "Today she went to see mom."
Mason slowly lowered Sammi down and goes upstairs, loosening his tie.
Looking into the empty bedroom and finding there nobody, Mason went to his study. Mary was coming here but very rare. Usually, it's meant that she was upset by something. Mason could only guess that Theda told her about him--
Mason opened the door. Mary was on the window seat. She's embracing herself for her knees and stared out the window.
"You are here--"
Mary turned her head, straightened her knees and pulled down one foot.
"Mason?" from her place she could see the door only his figure. "It's you?"
"Who else could it be?" He took a few steps into the room. Mary got up and met him halfway.
"Are you crying?" He probably felt it in her voice, than he saw his face.
"A little. I had my reasons."
"Christie's said that you met Theda. I told you that she blames me--"
Mary raised her head.
"She blames you nothing. Instead... wait, it is better I will not say anything."
"Why?" Mason thought that she was trying to takes away. Offence's stirred him.
"Because it's better than he tell you everything, not me."
"Who is he?"
"My father."
"Are you kidding?" Mason stepped back, stepped aside and bowed his head, rubbing his neck.
"No. Yes, today I visited the house of his childhood and talked with my mother. And I learned from her that my father had the diary that he filled in last months of his life."
"The diary?" Mason suddenly became very cold and a little lonely.
"I never knew about it. I think my mother wanted to saves it for herself. But today she gave it me."
"And did you read it?"
"From first to last word. And now your turn."
Mason shook his head.
"It's too private thing."
"No. You'll understand when you read it to the end."
"Did he mention me?" Mason clutching at straws, hoping for the negative answer. It did not work.
"Mentions more than once. Take it, The Golden Boy," the first time, calling him with this nickname, Mary put the diary into his hands and left the room. Mason was left alone with the thing that could either kill him or save him.
Chapter 108 — The Diary

Mason took a few steps and sank into the chair, turning on the table lamp. Then he put the diary on the table, pausing and then opens it. His eyes caught the warning "Read only after my death."
Mason blinked in surprise and turns over the page.

May 15
I hope that nobody should read my writing. I do not want to die. But if suddenly this happens, I want you, my dear, should know what I feel and how much I love you. I'm not an expert to speak out things like these, especially now. But I can trust it to the diary.
Always wanted to write some little romance and got my part of glory. Huh!

May 20
Well it was as usually. Just I decided to start my diary when I had to abandon it. My chemo's so exhausting that I can do nothing except it.

May 25
I can not sleep at night; I wander around the house, barely moving my feet. Do not have the strength even to pick my baby Christine up! It is terrible to feel the power go out of you like water though a sand. I hate it; I want not to be helpless! Almost every night I hear your cry, Teddy. It breaks my heart... I so want to comfort you, but do not know how I can. At me you always try to smile. Even if your eyes are wet with tears. You think I do not see it, silly old girl!

May 30
Larry arrived here. Teddy scowls at him, and Mary hides behind me when she sees him. My brother in trouble, he is afraid and therefore behaves like bad guy, but I'm still glad to see him. One twin's like half of full.

June 1
The atmosphere is warming up. Teddy and Larry look daggers at each other and Mary following me like my tail. So sweet little baby girl, and she feel everything. Today she asked me "Dad, you'll die?" I choked. Where did you get that idea? Mrs. Ginters said that you have a terrible disease and you will die soon. Thank you, Mrs. Ginters! Well, what I suppose to answer? Of course I said that Mrs. Ginters is not a doctor and did not know who dies and who does not. My baby girl's eyes just shining!

Mason swallowed. He so vividly pictured baby Mary with shining eyes that he got the limp up his throat. But he forced himself to turn the page.

June 3
My hairs falls out, I look like a freak. Christine even did not recognize me after I cut out the remains of my hair. Mary scared too, her eyes enormous. Larry scoffing, Teddy gets angry with him and trying to assure me that this is all the rage. I want not see it!

June 5
The last days I'm trying to leave out despite the fact that Mary horrified looks after me every time... Maybe it's better if she gets used... No, I do not give up. But how hard to pull me out of bed every morning, and then again go out to that nasty room and again feel like in hell. Often I catch myself thinking that I want all of it to be ended sooner. But I can not leave Teddy and my girls! God, give me more strength! Christine is just little baby, do not let her to lose her daddy!
Today I spent on the shore the whole day...  its feels so good. Do not even want to go home. Only one thing was bad — as I'm alone as I always think about death and begin to limp. And I can not afford it. I need the strength to survive.

June 7
Today I meet the boy in the caves... He sat in the next one and heard how I mumble something under my breath. We talked, and then he runs away. But it was like a breath of fresh air! However, he thinks that we had the same age... my voice was disfigured in cave's tunnels. Let go on... its looks even easier.

Well, it is... Mason feels muffled beating of his heart in complete silence of the studio. But... he listened: somewhere downstairs he's heard children's laughter and screams. He sighed and went back to reading.

June 9
The boy came to our meeting, even though I'm not really expected. Mystery always attracts. And we do not know even the names of each other — we call each other up with: I'm Chris Rock, and he's Brownie Boomer. At his age, I would have been crazy about this mystery too. Too pity that I had to lay him, but the truth will destroy both of us.

June 10
Mary gladly teases Larry and my brother has been offended as a little boy. Funny both. It's even Teddy understood it and no longer gets angry when his older girl perfects her ingenuity and wit. I'm so sorry that we never had a boy!

June 11
More one week of chemo and I'll get the break. We must somehow survive... My cave-friend regularly comes into his cave and we have talks about life through the wall. At such moments it seems to me that I was going back to my childhood and just play with my best friend. Too pity that we are so different. I would like to ride on the bike and swim in the surf together with him.

June 15
My chemo and meetings in caves are too exhausting that I fell asleep as my head touching the pillow and just have not a time to writing my diary... I see that Teddy gets scared by my absence and my twin brother have just dark face when I return.

June 17
Well, my chemo finally finished! I have a few weeks for a rest! My tests are good; doctors say that I'm going well. They, of course, skilled liars, but I am happy even after all.

June 20
Brownie is Capwell! He blurted out it today and did not even notice. Now many things become clear. His stepmother died six weeks ago, and his father buried himself in work. Poor guy... but he has the golden heart.

June 25
Larry upset because my "disappearances" and he trying to press me. I cannot risk opening him the truth. My twin has too explosive temper. But the girls become happier, Mary have been asking me to go with her to the beach and have the family picnic. Later we will do, now I have not enough strength.

July 1
With Browne, I'm beginning to forget that I'm adult. I feel like I'm splitting apart and one part feels as a boy, and other often reminds me that I'm the married man with two little daughters.

Mason stopped to read. Now he feels the same emotions when he thought about Chris. Some part of him remembered Chris as the boy from his childhood, whom he never saw, and other part realizing that the boy was actually the adult as Mason is now.

Or may be Brownie is too serious with his non-children problems? If he is the early matured boy? Either way, there is no doubt that these meetings are necessary for both of us. Just don't want to think that its will ended sooner or later.

July 7
The picnic on the beach. My baby girls were just happy! No matter that I was almost fainting from exhaustion. I think I was cheated Teddy, but Larry looked frankly suspicious. I just sorry that I had to reject the meeting with Brown. No, we still have time.

July 14
Again my chemo is going on. What a bad thing! And Larry was right there — yesterday he waited for the good moment and finally pulled out of me with whom I meet. It was funny to look at his face when he realized that this is not some kind of beauty in the motel, but the teen. He tortured me for half an hour if he is my illegitimate son! Huh! Well, Larry always judges by his own doing.

July 17
Today I and Browne met again... I'm beginning to feel hatred toward his father. He turns the life of his older son in hell. Truly, this is life in a golden cage, which is inside the dank and damp. We were not very happy family, but I cannot even imagine how he lives with his life and never known about other versions. His mother left out by the claim of his father and even never visits him. The father is deeply in his grief and notices only the children of his second wife. Brownie's only friend — the Capwell's housekeeper but she can not replace the family for him. His siblings are quite little children, and too well understand their superiority over him in the eyes of their father.  If Brownie was the different boy, he could be grew angry and began to vent his anger at everyone and everything. But he is...  the golden boy with a heart of gold. Yes, he is no angel, but his soul is light.

July 24
I must admit that Larry's words touched my heart. I would like to have a son, such as Brownie. My little girls are miracle, but for men it is so important to have the son... I think I realized it just now, when already too late to talk about it. I only have my golden boy.

Mason slammed the diary; the tears were burning eyes, threatening to pour out. Undulating lines overturned soul. But he had to finish.

July 27
Larry told Teddy about Brownie. After unsuccessful attempts to force me to abandon mine and Brownie's meetings, he decided that my wife can do it. He did not know Teddy! Fortunately, she got up on my side and told me that if I need it, I can meet with anyone I want. Teddy, you have no idea how much this means to me. I really love you. You gave me so much; you have nothing to blame yourself. You gave birth to my beautiful daughters. But fate given me and Brownie too. I am the happiest man on earth.

August 1
The second half of chemo is always worse. Or am I just image it? Overwhelmed by heavy thoughts and doubts. Have I the right to lay Brownie? He believed me with all heart and what will happen to him when he learns the truth? It will be the blow for me when he finds out, but I'm adult. And he does not trust people even now. If the blow hit him too badly? Maybe I'll better to disappear until everything is revealed? No, it's cowardice. I'd better tell him the truth, but when all is finished.

August 5
Another pause. Doctors are encouraging, and I begin to believe that I can go up through. Mary always something comes up to have fun with me. And Christine already trying to get up. But Brownie begun to be depressed, his younger brother always puts him be fool and liar in the eyes of their father. Trying to persuade him do not to get in troubles because I know from my experience (thanks Larry!) the rivaling he never wins. I said him that revenge is a dish best served cold... My adult part yelled that he's a boy and he might do something terrible, but I know that the golden boy will do nothing beyond tricks.

Mason remembered how he did take this advice (which was submitted as your own experience!) And smiled. This was perhaps the only time he managed to outplay Channing on his own field.

August 10
His father is too cruel to Brownie. I tend to think that we should go and talk to him. Even if he is CC Capwell, he should not be treated his own son with this way. The boy devotedly loves him.
Mary teases Larry again, happy calling him "crazy uncle". And where she heard this? Christina stands up with her feet, holding the rail bed. I must recover sooner and make sure our financial position. Insurance barely covers my medical care.

August 15
If the third time is easier? Who said that? However, it seems, I have really come to tolerate the crap that is poured into me in the hospital.
Mary complained that Larry beat her. He admitted that he slapped her for a few times. I was furious and demanded that he do not dare come near my daughter. I must protect my baby girl. And Larry let go to hell!

August 20
Almost ready to talk with CC Capwell. My hopes that with surviving though his grief he will finally notice his eldest son now are melting before my eyes. And if no one except me wants to protect Brownie, I want.

August 28
Brownie starts to withdraw into himself... I do not know what was happening, but I can guess what he thinks about his return to the boarding school. Tomorrow I will try to get the audience with His Majesty CC Capwell. And later I have the courage to tell Brownie truth about myself--

Mason turned over the page, but it was followed by clear sheets. This was the last entry in the diary. Mason slowly closed it and stared into space. Now he knew the truth. Not just about his friend, but also about himself. Duality that tormented him for all the time is disappeared now. Chris Rock and Kenneth Duvall united in the one person... Too sorry that they will never meet!
Chapter 109 — Parallel straight lines sometimes intersect

Mary went into the dimly study and stopped in front of the table.
"Are you here?" she softly asked.
Mason turned to her together with his chair. Mary do not see his face in the darkness but she knew that he do look at her.
"Well?" She came closer and sat on the chair opposite him. "Do you read the diary?"
"Read," Mason echoed. And after the pause added: "He was so young, your father."
"He was about to turn 25 then. He and my mother were married as soon as they graduated high school. Mason... do you feel better now?"
"Yes," with his chair creaked Mason leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees. "Now I understand a lot of that happening then. And I can understand Chris."
"Do you not blame him that he did not tell you the truth?"
"He could not. I perfectly understand it and I can not blame him."
"Him... yes, and what about yourself?"
Mason sighs.
"Perhaps I'm not. What your mother said you about me? Today when you met her."
"She said..." Mary found Mason's hands in the dark. "She said that the destiny fulfilled the pray of my father. He wanted to Brownie was his son. And Brownie really became one."
Mason smiled in the darkness.
"Being married to his older daughter. Yes, indeed."
"Too bad that dad cannot make it--"
"Agree... Although it is possible that he would not like the man who was become grown-up Brownie."
"Do not be silly... Mason--"
"What?"
"I have something that I wanted to tell you."
Mason reached out and turned on the desk lamp. Mary finally saw his face. Sadly tired gaze.
"I listen," he said some worried. "Is something wrong?"
"No... though... how to look."
Mason expectantly silent as Mary collecting her thoughts.
"I realized this in last tonight," she finally said. "I realized it and wanted to tell you."
Mason raised his brow.
"So why yesterday you downstairs to looking for me?"
"Yes. I wanted you be aware about."
"About what?" Mason could not help.
"If you read the diary so you should be know about our family picnic on the beach."
"Yes, I remember that your father wrote. What's the matter? And how could you know about this entry yesterday if you first saw the diary today?"
"Mason, it's your lawyer's voice," Mary informed. "I did not mean that the diary entry had something unusual. I mean the different thing. Even on the picnic, this was happened then. Dad's words just confirmed my own memories."
"About what, dammit!"
"Mason, calm down. About you."
"What?"
"About you. I saw you there."
"You're crazy," Mason sadly looked at her. "Memories and reality mixed up in your mind. I was not attended on your family holiday."
"I'm not saying that you were among us. Listen to me, please... I'm vividly remembering the picnic even though I was just the little girl. Always remembered... My father mentions that in the same day they had held the meeting with Brownie, but it had to be rejected. I remember how my father suddenly went out somewhere. I do not know where he is and becomes worried. I look out him, look out... then I saw the boy who had his bike. He led the bike by the wheel and then stopped at the drinking fountain. He drunk and suddenly looked up at me."
"Oh, my God..." Mason's shudder and then he raised his hands to his face. "It is impossible."
Mary even jumps up.
"Mason... you aware... it's can not be... you're--?"
"It can not be," Mason agreed. "But it is true. I remember how I was so disappointed that my meeting with Chris was so short. I remember the drinking fountain and I remember the little girl in the red bathing suit. I remember her eyes... Lord, I never occurred that she can be you!"
Mary looked at him in amazement.
"... The girl looked at me with uneasy and sadness in her eyes and then called by her father, and she ran to him," Mason shrugged. "I was sick of looking at their tender embrace--"
"... I did let off my daddy and turned to the boy. He abruptly dropped his head and swung his leg over the bike frame. I watched him, hoping he'd turn around just once more."
"... I wanted to go away as far as possible from this place. But this little girl stabbed my memory so deeply that I forced myself to look back before her and her father just out of sight."
"... The boy turned around and it seemed to me that he wants to smile me."
"... I wanted to smile, but I thought it would be indecorously. The little girl was just of Tee-Ball League! But she waved at me."
"... The boy went away, and Dad asked me who I waved. I replied that the boy on the bike. And daddy said I'm still too young to stare at boys!"
"And he was right. It's fantastic! I can not believe that it is possible. This girl, the way with she looked at me when I looked up from the fountain... all my life I have been dreams with her. I thought it was my guardian angel--"
"I'm your angel," Mary immodestly said. "I also always remember about the boy on the bike. And I had dreams with him also. Only in the dream I always wanted to keep off him, even rush after him... Mason... I'm scared."
"Because I found out be your dream boy?"
"No... The fact that fate turns out was pushed us together even when we were children. As if we have been with some special connection."
"Is it so terrible?" Mason stands up and pulled Mary to him. Embraced with relish. "But now I already lesser surprised by the fact that you were returned to me from the world of dead. I feel that it's the result of all this devil game--"
"You're right. As if someone at heavens helps us to stay together. Mason, do not tell anyone about our founding, please? Let it to be our private secret."
"I would like to ask you about the same. That girl from my dream is too personal stuff for me."
"Good thing that I do not have to be jealous!"
"Even do not tell! I would not have survived the competition with the boy on the bike who he drinks from the fountain at the beach!"
"Mason... I love you."
"I love you too... and always loved. You're my angel... guardian sort of or not, but the angel. And I never let you go."
Chapter 110 — Remembrance

And happy days passed like a dream.
It's enjoying was overshadowed just by the fact: Mary becomes to realize that Mason have not plans to tell her details about his kidnapping. And it undermined her sense of being in safe. She tried to ask Mason but every time he avoided to answer and surely said that he's not in danger anymore. Mary wanted to believe it but she was afraid that Mason overestimates his powers. What if he'll kidnap later again? And why he does hide the truth from her?
"Who is hiding the truth from you?" Mason's voice interrupted her thoughts. It seems that the last phrase she uttered aloud.
"You do," Mary turned to him. She's sort out the children's clothes after its cleaning. "You still do not want to say who was behind of your kidnapping."
"I do not hide it. I promised that I'll tell you, and I'll do," he sat on the edge of the table.
"Seems that you are not in hurry."
"Dada!" Chip came to them and stretches out his little arms. Mason picked him up and sat on the table too.
"Mom!" After a second Samantha did the same thing, and smiling Mary sat her on the table beside her bro. Sammy grabbed the tank top from the pile of clothes and put on her head. Her brother did the same thing, but he, unlike her sister, caught panties.
Mary looked at Mason and saw that he hardly resists smiling. She laughed. Sammy tried to pull the tank top down, but got stuck in it.
"Oh-oh, oh-oh," she murmured. Chip immediately came to her rescue and pulled the top to himself, but he grabbing her hair along with top's fabric and Sammy start to crying.
Mary hardly unhooked Chip from his sister's hairs, and helped Sammy pull the tank top off her head. Chip skilled slid to the floor, grabbed the inflatable horse's head from the floor and jumping onto the living room:
"I'm a little pony, I'm a little pony!"
"No, I'm a little pony!" Sammy runs after her brother. "I'm a little pony, not you! Give me!"
"And where they do take so much power?" Mason muttered putting in order crumpled clothes.
"Just do not say that as their age as you was the type of a child who always sitting quietly in the corner and silent. I would never believe it."
"As their age as I was the single child of my parents."
Mary looked at him in silence.
"I want to visit the cemetery," Mason said. "I want to say goodbye to Chris."
"Are you sure that you're ready for it?"
"Yes. Thanks to you."
"Me?"
"For Chris's diary."
"Then rather to my mother. She kept the diary of my father until now."
"So both of yours."
Mary thought over his words for a moment.
"Do you not mind if my mother will join to us?"
"No," Mason said after a pause. "I'm not."
"Thanks. Then I called her and we'll arrange for it."

* * *

One week later Mason is standing in front of Chris' gravestone and thought that finally he can look at it with sadness, but without the grief and pain. In the beginning Kenneth Duval was the absolute stranger for him, and then he becomes his late friend Chris, engendered painful doubts and guilt in his mind. And now he becomes the person who was belong to be — Mary's dad and Brownie's best friend.
Mason lay down flowers and straightened up. Then he looked at Mary and Theda, who were standing at distance. He sighed deeply, with his eyes said goodbye to the gray tombstone and walked over to his wife.
Mary patted him on the shoulder.
"Well, are you OK?"
"I'm fine," he hugged and kissed her. Looked at Theda. Openly looked.
"I'm glad to meet you, Golden Boy," she said. "As Kenny was still alive as I thought that I'll hate you. But I could not. You're mean too much for him."
"Did you aware that Brownie is Capwell?"
"Yes," she nods. "But I admit that firstly it's was difficult for me to match you and Brownie. But now I can see that you actually were him." Theda cupped his cheek. "Kenny could see deeply inside you and see something that I never noticed--:
Mason gasped. He turns aside, hiding his boiling emotions... and was taken away. He saw Larry Duvall who's standing in a few dozen pounds. Mason flushed, realizing that he saw the whole of the scene.
Mary followed his gaze and also saw her uncle.
"What are you doing here?" Her face darkened. "How did you know that we're coming here? Mom?" She turned to Theda.
"I was said by Christie," Larry pushed back from the tree near he's stood.
"Why did you come?"
Larry did not answer. Mary touched Mason's hand.
"Let's go out here."
"You're right. Let's go," Mason stepped to the path leading to the exit from the cemetery and froze.
Cory's stands on the path. Mark McCormick's brother who kidnapped Mason for a few weeks ago.
Chapter 111 — The Poor Cousin

"Hi, Capwell," Corey drawing, glowing complacency.
Mason made a couple of steps to the side and leaned against a tree, posing like a bored tourist. As always he did in the difficult situation he observed in his mind all of options.
"Mason, who is he?" Mary asked, approaching.
"I think he'll introduce himself," Mason replied carelessly. Mary turned to Corey.
"Who are you? And what do you want?"
The guy shook like a dog who coming out of the water.
"I am the brother of your husband, ma'am."
Mary automatically turned to Mason, but he silently shook his head.
"Oh, I forgot to clarify," Corey clowning. "Of your ex-husband, Mark McCormick. The man who was left for a mafia's lunch by you and your lover."
Mary momentarily froze.
"Is Mark died?" then she asked.
"Oh, Capwell, did you not say even the fact? Yes, Mark is died. He was killed by mafia." Corey's face at once becomes serious. "And it's blame of your recent husband."
"Mason, where he knows you?" Mary asked with toneless voice.
"Remember, do you ask me who was behind my kidnapping for a few months ago?"
"What? Do you want to say that it's was he?" Mary looked at the guy.
Mason nodded.
"His name is Corey McLean. I dismissed him then, considering that he had more stupidity than malice. But it seems I made the mistake. What do you want?" his last words already been addressed to McCormick's brother.
"To put you behind bars," he flashed with his eyes. "Revenge for Mark."
"Wait a minute, wait. I knew Mark for half of my life. He had no brothers. And parents died in a few months after our graduation. And they were not too young."
"Old grumbler Gerhard did not want me to admit," Corey grimaced.
"It's strange," Mary said.
"But it does not matter," Corey added. "Be ready, Capwell. You'll get the lawsuit very soon."
"About what?" Mason snarled. "I guess that McCormick died by natural death. I did not kill him."
"It will not help you to get out, do not hope with it. You'll pay for everything."
"Is it the threat?" Mason pushed himself away from the tree, stood up straight. "How careless saying it in front of so many witnesses."
"Do you think that your witness will defend you after he tried to kill you?"
Mason pressed his lips.
"Get out. Tomorrow you will receive the summons. Kidnapping still considered as the crime here. See you in court, McLean."
"Do not be too self-assured, Capwell," the man hissed. "Do you think that you're in quite safe, are you? Wrong answer! I wonder if your beloved wife would know that she was married for the killer of children."
"However. McCormick killed any children after all of his crimes?" Mason raised eyebrow.
"You perfectly understand what I meant!" Corey yelled. "I know everything about you! I know about The Great Valley!
Mason's face turned to stone. And Corey importantly nodded.
"Yes, I aware. And I take over you, Capwell. I do not recommend venturing any mess with the lawsuit. Otherwise, everyone will know what was happened then!"
Mason strangely silent. However, an instant later, there are happened the thing which nobody expected. Larry Duvall stand between Mason and Corey, he folded his arms across his chest.
"Look here, boy," he said quietly. "Go and get one's bacon out of here until I polished up your face."
Mason looked at him wildly. Sleek looks and polished manners contrasted sharply with the lexicon of the street kid from the suburbs. He was the person whom was difficult to expect to say words like these. Meanwhile Larry continued.
"I do not know what the nonsense with your Valley was, but Mason could kill nobody."
"Do you just do not aware about it. Do you think why he just turned into the stone figure?" Corey nodded to silent Mason. "He knows what I mean. Right, Capwell?"
Mason did not move. Larry took a step toward Corey. He backed away.
"We'll meet, Capwell," he shouted and walked briskly toward the exit of the cemetery.
Mary came to Mason.
"Are you OK?"
He quickly looked at her and shook his head. Then he looked at Larry.
"I am grateful you," he said. "Although not understand why you did it."
"The golden boy is not the killer," Larry retorted.
"I agree," Theda went up to him. "Mason, what was happened at The Great Valley? Where is it?"
Mason bit his lip.
"It's not the name of the place," he finally replied. "It's the private school for boys in Orange County.
"Did you attend it?" escaped from Mary.
Mason looked at her.
"I'll tell you," he said. "But not here."
"Right. Let's go to our home," Theda said. She looked at Mason with sympathy.
"OK," said Mason with some tense, and all of three went to the main track of the cemetery.
Chapter 112 — Secret of The Great Valley

Everyone was silent while driving. Mason was deep in thought, Mary anxiously glancing at him, and Theda did the same at Mary. Larry was in concentration of driving.
Just entering the house, Mary rushed to the phone to learn about children.
Mason sat on the windowsill, leaned against the window frame and watched her. It is not the first time when he noticed that as coming in the house of her childhood as Mary subtly changed. Her movement became a little sharper, and she did many things simply out of habit. Mason liked to catch the way with she habitually throws the keys on the coffee table, leaning back against the wall when she's talking on the phone... and just runs on the first floor the stairs at one point jumping over the step.
He has the chance to see different Mary, the grown-up girl in the red bathing suit whom he painfully wanted to know.
"All right," Mary said putting down the receiver. "Christy and Jimmy babysitting." She chuckled and shook her head. "What is the screaming! Chip and Sammy are ecstatic!
"Are you sure that they're OK?" Theda frowned.
"Absolutely. When Chip displeased, he bawls, no screams. And the screams of displeased Sammy bring up air waves. They are both having excellent lungs. The main thing that they must not wake up Mickey overwise they will not calm down him. Well, I guess that my younger sister knows what she is doing."
"You know better," her mother pursed her lips.
There was a pause. Mason met Mary's gaze and clearly said: "I did not kill anyone."
"I know," Mary instantly replied, experienced the strong desire to sit with him, showing that she never doubts in him.
Mason smiled faintly, but his eyes remained cautious.
"So what was happened?" Theda could not stand. "Why the boy accused you for murder?"
But Mason did not answer; he did not take his eyes off Mary.
"Why do you doubt that McLean may be McCormick's brother?" He asked.
Mary shrugged her shoulders. "I cannot to collect it together."
"What is it?" Mason insisted.
"Well... First, his age. He is around twenties, so he should be born when Mark and I were close friends..." At the word "close" Mason gave a barely visible frown. "He claims that his father knew of his existence. I well remember Mark's parents and confident that no scandals with the illegitimate child of his family."
"May be he did not want to tell--"
"May be, but I saw the relationships of his parents. They were quiet and calm couple who were lived in absolutely harmony."
"Maybe after you left for the convent--"
"No," Mary shook her head. "They were killed the car accident for the month after our graduation."
"Was his father's name actually Gerhard?"
"Yes. And his mother's Myurel. Mason, why do you asking? Do you think that he is Mark's brother, do you?"
"No," Mason smiled. "Just... I accept it as possible until I saw him today at the cemetery."
"I do not understand--"
"You'll understand soon. Because now the turn of story with The Great Valley School. Though I'm afraid that you'll all be disappointed about it. I do not really know what was happened there."
"Do not you know??" Theda exclaimed she actually waited for the answer to the detective puzzle.
Mason just sighed.
"This was my first boarding school," he said. "But I attended there for very small time, just a few months."
"Do you still have pleasant memories for it?" Theda asked with a certain amount of envy.
"No," Mason's response sounded too harsh, and he tried to smooth over the impression. "Just there were strict rules. My father wanted me to learn discipline."
"Boys are useful discipline," Larry said. Mason gave him a look, but said nothing.
"How you been?" Mary asked.
"Nine."
"Nine years?? You were just a little boy!"
Mason shrugged his shoulders. "The boarding school it's not so bad thing."
"But not the Great Valley, right?"
"Right.
"Because you were bad treated?" Theda asked.
"N-no," Mason said after a pause. "But the atmosphere was no nice."
"Do you not have along with children?"
"Rather I just missed home. But there was the boy... indeed he is the point. His name was Colin Stewart."
"Were you and him in the same grade?"
"No, he was couple of years older. The most popular boy in school. One half of the boys praised him and the other one were afraid."
Mason spoke calmly, even detached. Like telling not about myself, but about someone else.
"And you?" Mary asked and immediately caught herself. "May not answer. And probably we actually must to stop the subject. It's talking is too painful for you... whatever was happened."
"No," Mason shook his head. "It's unpleasant, but... I'm afraid that all of its will become public soon."
"Why?" Theda was surprised.
But Mason did not answer her question, but did at Mary's question.
"First Colin was my best friend. But then for some reason he grew angry and hated me. I never knew why."
"Did you something hurt to him?"
"No... We even never fought. Maybe he was said something bad about me by someone... I do not know. But the fact is in the day when it happened, he tripped me greatly. Just openly slandered. And I got the punishment canning."
"Wha-a-at!" Mary looked fearfully at him. "Canning? How it can be? Did anyone dare you--?"
"Well, first of all I never say that I was canned. Fortunately, there was no time for getting the punishment. And secondly, yes, it was quite possible for me. I was learnt about the point of school rules in my very first day. And week later, I already knew about the beaten to death student whose ghost appears on the second floor for each full moon and ghost of Terrible Mrs. Clarence who was on guard is for hundred years and was appearing in the toilet at night, ready to caught little boys--"
"Do you're kidding, right?" Theda asked in weak voice.
But Mason's face remained serious. He shook his head. "Alas, no. However I never saw anyone of these ghosts... although I guess that it would be better I saw them."
"So what did you see?" Mary could not stand. For a moment she hesitated, then stood up, walked over to Mason and sat down next to the windowsill. She doesn't touch him, just a quick glance at him and lowered her head.
And Mason start to tell.
"That day apparently was not the best day of my life," he glanced at Mary. "Firstly Colin without any reason said the teacher that I stole the antique desk set from the office teacher. I did not even aware about the theft, and I was sure that the set is on its place until the teacher unlocked the office and found out that it's missing. The teacher informed the school director, and he ordered to canning me. I do remember that he said that he could exclude me, but because of respect for his father, he replaces the exclude by the canning."
Mary, not raising her head, finds Mason's palm and squeezes.
"But I was lucky. The teacher who supposed to canning me was away. And the punishment was postponed for the day. And I was locked in one of the empty rooms of the school building for the rest of the day. At the evening I was released and sent to bed in the dormitory. One of the boys of my group talked the terrible story about Timmy "who was canned to death, and he was bleeding like a stuck pig" for long time."
Mary shuddered because the feeling that she was sitting in the huge dark dormitory and waiting for the punishment. Mason's warm hand gently wrapped her shoulders.
"I could not sleep for long time," Mason continued. "With every minute my hope to be protected by father was melted. Earlier I managed to get climb out through the window of the locked room (thanks, it's was on the first floor), and make to phone call in my father's office. I recorded the message on the answering machine because my father was not in here."
"CC probably just missed your message," Mary said.
"No, he did not... Finally I fell asleep. I woke in the night... I do not know why. I got up and looked out the window and... screamed in horror," Mason paused. "I saw the face behind the window glass."
"Oh my God," escaped from Theda.
"Who it was?" Mary asked.
"At that moment I thought that it's was the ghost boy. And screamed. The face immediately disappeared. The teacher coming in, the boys jump out of bed. I tried to explain about the face in the window, but they became to convince me that it was just a nightmare. Well, all of us was sent to beds and told to sleep. And I could not. I waited until all went silent and looked out the window."
Mason paused and then admitted: "Then I thought that it's cannot to be worse then it's now. It turned out I was wrong. I saw the crouched body that was lying on the ground."
There was the tense silence.
"I see," Larry thoughtfully said. "And who was that guy? If he survived?"
"He was Colin," Mason said. "But I do not know if he survived or not. I did not to scream again but ran to the teacher who was on duty. As you might guess firstly he did not believe me but then went to check out, just to calm me... When he's look at where I was showing, he ordered me to stay here while he ran to Colin. I heard he was calling Colin's name. Then he came back — pale, with trembling lips — and pushed me back into the school building. He said me to go back in the dormitory and say nothing nobody."
Mary got up, poured brandy for Mason and put the glass in his hand. He sipped with enjoying and looked gratefully at her.
"I returned to the bedroom and tried to sleep. But no avail. I kept thinking that I could cause of Colin's fall if he hung on his hands from the outside, he could be afraid by my screaming and falling."
"Nonsense," Theda protested.
"I did not think so. I did think that in the morning the police will come to take me in jail..." Mason meanfully looked at each of them and suddenly weakly smiled. "And then there was happened the miracle. In midnight I was awakened by the teacher. I sleepily thought that I was going to be arrested now. But when I went out into the corridor, I saw Sophia. "Boys do not cry", but... at that moment I'd weeping. Just cannot to keep up more after events of last hours. Sophia was terrified; she took me into the room and heard my confused explanations. When I finished, she told me to go into the dormitory for my belonging and then waited for her in the car. Of course I was just happy to get rid of this nightmare. I returned to the dark dormitory to take my stuff. When I almost packed up my bag, suddenly something fell out of my bedside table and rang on the floor. I raised it and saw it's was the key. I had no time to found out about the key, so I put it in the pocket and walked out. I wanted to go directly in Sophia's car, but was stopped by the teacher. I was said to wait. I had to stay... Then I heard the talking with raised voices in the director's office. I went closer and realized that they don't want to give up me to Sophia. But she finally won over and took me home."
"How you manage to remember it with so many details?" Larry asked.
Mason shrugged his shoulders.
"It's was the strong impression. Beside... at home I realized that the key belonged to the room... from Colin fell out. I've been thinking about this, make myself to remember. Sophia and my father had the terrible fight in the first day of my returning."
"If CC was angry that she took you out?" Mary asked.
"No. Sophia scolded him that he did not take me out earlier in the day when I phoned. It turned out that my father received my message, but decided that I just cowardly complaining. Fortunately, he did not erase it and later Sophia accidentally came in the office and heard it. And rushed to save me."
"She was too late in the day," Theda said.
"She's was stuck in traffic somewhere if I remember correctly. No, I cannot reproach her at the point. In the case she fought for me like a tigress. And may be it's the first and last time when my father took in her reproaches. I remember she was still yelling that I just hardly missing the simply barbaric punishment, and only because of the fact that he did not bother to see the school's rules. He tried to say that the school was advised by his good business partner. Sophia said that she was sorry for the children of his partner, and my father should think about something other than its business deals and to pay more attention at me--"
"But they still sent you in another boarding school," Mary said.
"Only in the next year. I actually did not mind, it's found out be the good school. And my father and Sophia visited me for every weekend for the first couple of months and often asked me about school routines and rules." Mason paused. "I blamed myself for Colin's fell for long time. But then I shared it with Sophia, and she had some kind of investigation. She called to The Great Valley and may be to other source — and found out that the point was not my scream. Colin did fall down because the rope was broke when he crawled from the window of the room of the second floor. It's just wearied by the sharp window ledge, and my guilt was not there. She even said that when Colin found he was still clenched the rope in his palm--"
"Wait a minute, but you said that you do not know the details. And do not even don't aware if boy survived or not," Larry said.
"At that time he was in serious condition in hospital. I do not know whether he survived."
"What about police?" Theda asked. "They were supposed to investigate the accident."
"I do not know," Mason repeated. "Sophia took me to the child psychologist, considering that I got the serious psychological trauma. And the psychologist forbade my parents to discuss the subject with me. My father was very glad with such recommendations and began to pretend that there's never The Great Valley School.
There was silence.
"This story is worthy of the pen of Agatha Christie," Larry finally said. "But I do not really know how it's connected to McLean and his murder charges. What makes you think that he knows something about this accident?"
"As far as I know that this school was disbanded in the following year. And the accident never made it public. McLean just could not learn about it. He had told by someone."
"Do you think that behind McLean's back is stayed the unknown person?" Mary looked anxiously at him.
"I am sure it," Mason replied. "McLean is pawn. And whoever is behind this I think he attended The Great Valley in the same time that I did."
"Not necessarily. Maybe this guy is bluffing, and he knows nothing."
Mason shook his head. "Hardly. He was too sure in his impunity."
"But Mason... let's say that someone even knows about this accident. If it might hurt you in any way? Besides the fact that you did not do anything, it was happened 25 years ago! This ancient history already for long time overgrown with moss!" Mary got up and nervously paced the room.
"We'll soon see it," Mason also stands up. "Do not worry, we will survive," he drew her to him. And he them turned to Larry and Theda: "I told it to all of yours since I am sure that this story will be in headlines of all newspapers very soon. It is better you will learn it from me than from journalists."
"I appreciate your confidence," Theda got up and walked over to him. "I promise I'll be totally on your side."
Larry nodded, and then said: "Seems you can make enemies very well, Capwell."
"I guess if I can add you to them?" Mason looked at him.
"It is no longer. I believe his brother. Golden Boy--"
"Do not you dare call me like this," Mason abruptly interrupted. "Let's go, Mary."
They briefly said good byes and went away.
Alone with Theda, Larry muttered some curse.
"It's your own fault," she replied.
"He'll forgive me..." Larry said as if he trying to persuade himself. "He has the big heart."
"But even it's has limits. You need be think about earlier. You wanted to destroy him. And let's go away now. This is my home, and I'm not invited you."
Larry gloomily looked at her and walked to the door.
"Never could understand what Kenny saw in you!" he angry hissed and slammed the door.
"I never could understand how Kenny could have such the terrible brother, and even his own twin!" Theda shouted. "You're not worthy of even his little finger!"
"But I'm still alive, and he already in the grave for long time!" could be heard from behind the door.
Theda sobbed and buried her face in her hands.
Chapter 113 — Life Goes On

Mary and Mason are driving home in silence.
"Are you going to charge this guy, McLean?" Mary finally asked.
"No, I will not. I want to see further actions."
"Do you think it would be so bad?"
"I do not know," Mason turns away from the road and looks at her. "Do not worry. Everything will be fine."
"Mason, he did kidnap you! I do not understand why you had not charged him as the kidnapper yet. You do aware his name."
"I thought he was really connected with Mark."
Mary raised her eyebrows.
"Do not tell me that you do feel sorry for Mark's brother."
"No, of course. But then newspapers would pull out the story of rape, with your claim in court. Once I brought you up... that you went on that roof. I never will repeat this mistake."
"Yes, then you are forced me to go in the court, but Mason, it was the accident. Don't blame yourself."
"You went there because of me."
Mary shook her head.
"No. Because of me. I was in despair--"
"I'm sorry; I was not supposed to remind you."
"I want to leave it in the past," Mary whispered. And added a little louder: "But fate does not give us such a chance." She paused. "So you're ready to forgive your own kidnapping for me?"
"Do not forgive. But I fear that we still need to charge against McLean... Mary, do you think if your uncle will give me reports of his detective eye for the trial?"
Mary becomes straight with the unexpected question.
"Probably. Do you want to ask him?" Mason did not answer. "By the way, if we talking about forgiveness... Do you forgive him for everything that he done to us?"
"No," Mason sharply answered. "And I'll never forgive."
"Really? And it seemed to me that the way by you did talk to him--"
"He is your relative. I'm just trying to be polite. And do not ask me for something bigger. I feel that you are inclined to forgive him. As Christian."
"Stop it. No. I did not forgive him. He almost killed you. But we have something that unites us — my dad."
"If Larry reminds your father for you?"
"Someway," Mary accepted after a pause. "They are still very alike... visually."
Again there was a pause in the talking, and soon they can see their home in distance. Mary looked at the car window as they approach.
"Do you say something?" she suddenly turned to Mason.
"No," he was surprised. "What?"
Mary did not answer. She did not take her eyes from the house, but her ears heard mumbling voices. Louder and louder.
"... Do not jump, baby... Daddy, I want pizza! Left turn... no, he said Gaskell... Really?"
"What's wrong with me?" Mary thought. "Who are these people?"
"Mary, what's the matter?" Mason asked, concerned about her tense face.
She shuddered. But not because it appealed to Mason. Voice... the familiar voice... called her by name.
"... Look, Mary. Do you see this house? Your daddy does everything that we could live in it."
"When?" she heard the squeaky childish voice. Her own.
"Later. But it will be ours."
"Do you promise?"
"I promise... "
"Stop it!" cried Mary.
"What?"
"Stop it!
Mason hit the brakes. Mary jumped out of the car and ran away, almost without seeing around because of her tears. But it's were just a few. Her soul twisted by soundless sobs--
Neither the Uncle Larry, her father's diary... his Golden Boy... could not do what suddenly did her early memories. It's so unbearably painful to hear the voice of her daddy... They had everything, and just at once they lost everything.
Earlier Mary felt that she mourned her father for long time and she was able to come to terms with his death... Monastery helped her find peace of her soul. But now she realized that the pain is not disappeared. And now the wound to start bleeding again.
"Mary!" She heard the shaky voice of running Mason. "Mary, what's the matter? Do you feel bad?"
She nodded her head, fearing that once again burst into tears if she started to reply him.
Mason approached, touched her shoulder. Mary brought her shoulders, quickly pulled away.
"It's because of me? Did I upset you?""
Mary tried to calm down, even breathing, but the pain and anguish choked her, not yielding control. Lord, how to deal with!
"Mary--"
Mason went back to her, tried to turn her to him, but then just hugged with both hands. Mary shuddered, feeling that she was losing the lasts of her self-control, but Mason did not let her go, and she giving in. She cried, pushing him away and then pressed his whole body. So they stood for a long time, until Mary was not exhausted from crying.
Finally she lifted her head. Mason looked anxiously at her, and seemed relieved.
"Are you better?"
She nodded.
"I'm sorry. I guess I scared you," her voice still trembling.
"It's not the word! What is happened?"
"I can not explain right now," Mary squeezed, feeling that the tears rose in my throat again. "I'll later."
"OK, OK. All right. Come home?"
"Yes.
They return to the car and reaching the house in silence. Trying not to think that this house was the last dream of her father, Mary opened the front door. There was turn on the TV in the living room, and just in front of it were sleeping Jimmy, Christie, Chip and Samantha, laying in the side by side. Mary quickly went to the crib where sleeps Mickey, and Mason turn on the upper light and proclaimed:
"Wake up!"
Stunned Jimmy sat on the floor, Christie rose on one elbow. Mary made sure that Mickey is dry and well fed, and angrily turned to her sister.
"Well you know! I'm paying you money not for you're relaxing in front of TV!"
"Yes, we just..." Christie confused. "Do not be angry, everyone is all right."
"And if Chip or Sammi would wake up?"
"I would never miss them, I swear!"
Silent Mary took Mickey to the nursery. Mason picks up Samantha and carried her in her and Chip's room. His daughter mumbled something and arched her back. He grabbed her under back, wondering to himself how quickly she growing up.
Upstairs Mason put her in the bed and gently tuck up. Then he's walks to the door, planning to do the same thing with Chip, but on the threshold he bumps in Jimmy, who carried the sleepy boy. Mason took his son and put in the bed.
"Daddy?" the boy sleepily muttered.
"Sleep," Mason whispered, taking off his sandals. "It's time to go to sleep for Super Cowboy Dan."
"I'm not Dan, I'm Ben!" Chip protested.
"For Super cowboy Ben, all the more."
Mason takes a fluffy dog of strange colors, the favorite toy his boy, and put in the Chip's bed. Chip sleepy sniffed very soon.

Mason went back to the bedroom. Mary sat on the bed, hugging myself for my knees, and stared ahead.
"How are you?"
"All right." Her voice was quiet, but more or less peacefully. "Let's go to sleep."
After taking off her clothes and showering, Mason went to his side of their bed. Lay down for a few moments. Mary still sitting in the same position. Then Mason sat up and gently ran his fingers down her spine. Mary pulled together her shoulders and turned to him.
Mason paused with the serious expression.
"I love you," he said then. "Do you believe me?"
Mary swallowed a lump in her throat and then nodded.
"Then do not cry," he touched her face. "All will be fine."
"Yes," Mary uttered, not knowing whether to believe it or not. "All of us will survive."
"Mary... do you hidden something from me?"
"No. And let's sleep. I'm awfully tired."
Mary leaned back on the pillow, then shifted and moved to Mason. He pressed his face to her hair.
"Sleep," he mumbled. "I will let happen nothing bad to you."
Mary clung to the idea as in a safe haven. Mason is all of her life. They have three children, their home... they went through all the borders... He is here right now. But even Mason was unable to return to her father to her.
Damn, she was no longer a little girl! It's been more than twenty years since his death! Why did she suddenly feel so painful as if he died recently?
Mary clung to Mason and told herself to sleep. Mason fell asleep; gently running his finger down her arm, causing her feels a strange tenderness. She suddenly remembered how her mother touched his face at the cemetery. Like making him the part of the family. The boy with the bicycle? Her husband? Love of whole her life? He stole her heart with the very first meeting--
Mason is deeply asleep. Mary took his hand and touched her lips. She smiled, remembering how she did like this earlier — it seems that in a past life! And left the mark of her lipstick on the back of his palm. Then she closed her eyes and tried longer keep that feeling... a life is a God's gift. She aware it more then most of people!
Chapter 114 — We are one family

Mary was awakened by the bright sun beaming in through the window curtains. Surprised she sat up in bed and looked at the clock. 9 am! How she managed to sleep for so long!
She's out of the bed, coming in the room of her youngest son who was quietly sleeping, then freshen up herself, again peek into Mickey's room and went downstairs.
To her amazement, there had their breakfast not only the older children, but Mason too. Her younger sister was missing somehow.
As Chip and Sami caught the sight of Mary as they crying out "Mommy" and rushed to her. She squatting and caught both in her arms. Kisses and giggles... Mary looked up and saw that Mason stares at them. Catching her eye he smiled.
"Mother Goose," he ironical cited. "Mary had a little lamb--"
"Oh, we already have the big progress. Earlier you persistently cited "Mary, Mary, quite contrary--"
"When you wake up with your Irish ancestors only."
"Daddy, read "Mother Goose!" the children caught the subject.
Mason dramatically shuddered.
"Yours are not finish the breakfast yet. And if later you'll ask daddy some little stronger, I sure that he would not refuse to honor his loving babies," Mary said.
Mason's face flashed with horror. Mary just smiled.
Putting the children at the table again, she began to prepare the coffee for herself. Mason got up and grabbed her arm.
"I'll make it."
She looked up him, then shrugged her shoulders and returned at the table.
"I think that today you have the morning session in court."
"I called them and asked to substitute me. And said Christie that today's her day off."
"Why?" Marie looked at Mason, who was making a toast for her.
"Just I want to be with my family alone. Is it too strange?"
"In fact, yes. For you."
Mason did not answer, but put down the coffee cup before Mary.
Mary delight swallowed and opened the newspaper to quickly overlook what are happening in the world. She was not too interesting, but somehow she loved the fact that she's doing it. However, today there was the article on the fourth page that caught her eye.
Meet Colin Stewart.
The famous writer of documentaries gives the interview and talks about her personal life for the first time. 
Mary's eyes sliding down the lines--
M: How you managed to avoid the press for so long time? For 10 years you did not give any interviews.
C: As far you have money as you have many ways. And I have money.
W: We thank you for that honor. If your decision to be interviewed was connected with the award which you recently received?
C: Yes and no.
W: You are very mysterious. Can we hope that you are even slightly open the veil of secrecy that surround you?
C: Oh, you're exaggerating. My life is a routine. My only secret connected with the accident because I'm in the wheelchair now. But I'm not going to reveal it right now.
M: May be later?
C: I guess that you want to make a series of interviews?
M: Oh yes, I see.

The rest of the article was about Stewart's new book. Mary get through it skipping, then looked up at Mason: "Do you saw this?" She showed him the page with the interview and took her toast.
Mason took the newspaper and frowned.
"Is it what I think?" Mary asked after just waiting. Mason nodded, deeply in reading.
Chip finally become too bored in throwing toasts at her sister, he got down from his place and began to pull Mason's trouser leg.
"Dad, play--"
Mason put the son on his lap without turning away from the article. Mary caught Samantha who wanted to do the same thing and took her to the nursery. After cleaning mashes of breakfast from the little girl's face Mary gave bricks to Sami and picks up hungered Mickey.
After fifteen minutes Mason comes in here, he had on his hands Chip, who pulled Mason's hair.
"Mason, his cheek stained with chocolate," Mary looked up from feeding.
Mason tried to cleaning it, but Chip immediately slid down to the floor.
"Chippy, baby, take the napkin and wipe it," Mary pointed to pack of baby wipes.
Chip shook his head.
"Come on, you're a good boy. When he was in your ages Daddy already had no chocolate cheeks."
Chip pouted and looked up Mason, then grabbed the napkin and began to wipe his face so hardly that his hairs stood on end.
"All?" asked the boy, taking the napkin away his face.
"Yes, it's all. Good boy," Mary barely restrained to laugh. He cleaned most of choco spots but become much disheveled.
Chip threw away the napkin and went to Sammy to play with bricks. Mary finished to fed Mickey and put him in the crib. She and Mason took the older kids and went downstairs.
"Let's sit in the garden," Mary suggested. "We even can talk."
Mason shrugged and nodded. The packing and dragging out things and children took about twenty minutes. Chip and Samantha finally ran away to play hide and seek in the overgrown garden, and Mason and Mary with Mickey are located on the sunny lawn.
Mason sitting and leaning against the tree bent his legs. Mary sitting sideways and leaning her back against his knees, rocking sleeping Mickey. They were silent for a long time.
"Did you aware that your Colin became the writer?" Mary finally asked.
"No. I told you I was not even sure that he did survival."
"And do you never wanted to find this out?"
"It was not the best time in my life, Mary. I wanted to forget all of it."
There was silence.
"How you feel if it's just a coincidence?"
"No," Mason shook his head and then held out his hand: "Give me Mike."
Mary sighed and gave him the baby. Mike did not even wake up, just sleepy smacked.
"So it's--"
"The start of the attack to us," Mason finished her sentence. "I wonder if yesterday's appearance McLean was also part of the show or his initiative."
"I do not think that he acted by any plan," Mary said. "I'm no expert, but I think he spoke quite frankly. Although I think he was holding a stone in his bosom."
"Yes, of course, he knew that the story will pull out. Perhaps he just decided to hasten the event."
From somewhere aside Chip ran in and flopped onto the grass next to Mary. Then he crawled up to her and pressed his dirty face to her dress. Mary pulled him up to her and held close, trying to clean the blackest spots on his little face. A minute later, Samantha came running in too, but she decide against throwing on the grass and run and embraced Mason's neck so hardly that he staggered. Mickey made a face in sleeping, going to cry out. Mason put him more comfortable and sat his daughter on his lap by his free hand. Sammi began to unbutton his collar intently.
"What you going to do?" Mary asked. She raised her head up and looked into Mason's eyes.
He did not answer.
"How you feel what Stewart want to get is? He can not think that you are--"
"I have to talk to him," Mason finally said, absently buttoning up his sleeve.
"No!" protested Samantha and brushed his hand, was again nudged the cuff.
Mary stroked Chip's blond curls and found that he unleashed the belt of her dress.
"Don't!" She said sternly, and turned the boy's nose upward. He looked askance at her with quite Mason's twinkle in his eye. Then he crawled on all fours for a few feet aside and began to collect pebbles. Mary looked at Sammy who's enjoying by sitting on Mason's lap; she's rising and took Mickey back. She put the youngest son to the carriage and went back. Chip was deeply in collecting pebbles. Samantha looked at him from afar and appreciating if it's enough interesting for leaving her father's lap.
"Do you think that it may be dangerous?" Mary asked never taking his eyes from the oldest son.
"To visit Colin? I don't so. He's not your uncle and not going to kill anyone."
Mary winced.
"Sorry, I should not to say like that... I just see that Colin is acting very delicate. Although I am afraid that his goal is the same that Larry's."
"Do you think he wants to ruin you?"
"Yes, I do. And I think that for whatever reason he thinks I am guilty of his fall and disability."
Samantha could not stand it; she got off and ran to her brother.
"You think... that Sophia lied you then?"
"I do not know. At that time I believed her. I would not want to know that she just wanted to save me from the feeling of guilty."
"Want me to talk to her?"
"No, I don't."
"Mason, don't dare think to go though this alone!" Mary suddenly said firmly and turned to face him. "We are one family. And we will stand together against those who would threaten us."
Chapter 115 — Result of doubts

"If we are one family, please, tell me that why you were so upset at last tonight," Mason asked.
Mary frozen. Mason put his hand on her neck and began to touch her hair.
"I remembered my father," Mary finally said. "Once he brought me and mom here and promised that we will live in this house someday."
"In our house?" Mason surprised.
She nodded. "I could to guess many things when we moved here. But it's not that everything will remind me about my father."
Mason paused, and then smiled wryly: "Yes, probably you would not escape from me."
"Not from you. I'm meaning the other stuff--"
"I aware. Do you want to move out?"
"No," Mary smiled. "I do not want. It's our home. Sometimes I even seem that I have always lived here. Just such a strange feeling that I'm making my father's will... of what I never suspected."
"I think that everything can be explained by the fact that Chris had the good taste," Mason chuckled. "This house is a real treasure."
"Yeah. Although my father would never have enough money to buy it," Mary stared at the house.
"Do you remember him now?" Mason gently asked.
"No," Mary shook her head. "Not him."
"And what then?" Mason sat down, hugged her back and pressed his cheek against her hair.
"My mom who yelling at my drunken stepfather, and me who ran out the garden, just not hear and see them. I stood by the tree and prayed that they would ever stop."
Mason drew in air through clenched teeth. "It was happened often?"
"There was the period when they did it all of time. I tried to be at home less then often and take out Christy... but we still had to go back home," Mary shrugged her shoulders.
"It's been long time ago," Mason quietly remind. "We never become like them."
"We don't," Mary echoed. She turned her head and kissed his lips. "Let's back home."
"Go," Mason got up and took his youngest son. Mary called Chip and Sammy, and all five of them returned at home.

The rest of the day was very calm and quiet. Older children was not in fights and running around, they quietly arranges their color books on the floor in the living room, Mickey was not fuzzy and did not wake up in the wrong time. Just the perfect picture. But Mary had the feeling that it's the calm before the storm.
"Do you think that Colin has a chance to win the trial?" she asked without looking at Mason.
"No, of course," he replied after the pause, and then looked up at her. "He had nothing serious against me. But he may fairly destroy our nerves."
"But I think that the statute of limitations already was gone?"
"When it comes to crimes against children the statute of limitations is 20 years since the age of the victim. In our state."
"But you were a boy as well. Can the court take in such the claim?"
"It's hard to say. In addition it just might require re-open the case based on new facts."
"I wonder what the facts are."
"Yes, I am interesting it too... He has something in his sleeve, but what is it?"
Mason stood up, thrust his hands into his pockets and walked across the room.
"It's hard to imagine that someone did this intentionally," Mary admitted. "Why? Colin was just a kid. As you were."
"And how many of other students. And if we have been assume that there was not the accident, it turns out that someone planned Colin's fall. Someone was going to kill him."
"I still find this hard to believe... Talk to Sophia. Maybe she can shed some light on what happened."
Mason shook his head slowly.
"She was not there when Colin fell."
"Nevertheless, she came back a few hours later."
"Yes, I remember. And I'll talk to her tomorrow. And now let's forget about this subject. Why we need to spoil so wonderful evening?"
"To me, it's too wonderful."
"Too does not happen. When Christy should to return?"
"She would call that will be half an hour. Why do you ask?"
"I have some plans," Mason said and smiled mysteriously.

* * *

In the next day Mason went to court very early. He did leave the note that instead his usually appearing at home in trial's break he'll come to father's house to see Sophia.
At breakfast Mary hastily scanned the newspapers, but to her relief she did find nothing about Colin Stewart. By noon she already started to believe that yesterday's premotions were not more than her overwrought nerves.
After children's afternoon nap Christie took the older children to walk in the park and Mary was left alone with Mickey. Her little boy asleep and she realized that she did not know what to do with myself. Actually this sense visited her before too. Just be a mother and wife, spending time at home — it's beginning to weigh on her. She missed work in the charity clinic, she wanted to help people. But she had no time for doing it. Not mention that constant attacks on their family caused her to wanting to surround the house with very tall fence and never go out.
She sighed. Probably as long as she would have to come to terms with the role of housewife. She cannot give out her baby and two terrible twos to her younger sister's charge!
At this point the doorbell rang. Mary went to open the door, thinking that it was someone of Capwells.
But on the doorstep was the teenager. Slender, dark-haired, black watchful eyes. In the strange way he was warmly dressed — in tight black jeans and the leather jacket. The backpack on his shoulders.
"Hello!" surprised Mary. "You must be mistaken the house."
"Oak Lane, 115?" The boy pulled out the piece of paper and read it.
"Yeah, right, it's our address. Whom you want to see?"
"Mason Capwell," in the voice of the teenager could be heard distinctly British accent. "He is my brother."
Chapter 116 — Younger brother

Mason found out Sophia in the living room of Capwell's house.
"Mason, I glad to see you!" She hugged him. "Do you come to see your father? But CC is not here; he's away for business trip and will return only at the end of the week."
"No, I come to see you. I need your help."
"O? Well so I'm at your service."
She nodded invitingly on the couch and they sat down.
"What is happened? Do you have some problems with Mary?" Sophia anxiously asked.
"No, we are fine," Mason shook his head. "I want to talk about the events of two decades ago."
"What?" Sophia frowned.
"The Great Valley School. Do you remember it?"
"I remember, yeah... but what is that for the school?"
"I'll explain soon. But at first tell me, please, earlier did you tell me the truth about the reasons of Colin's fall? It really was the accident?"

* * *

"Brother?" Mary stunned repeated. "But Mason has not any brother of your age. I am his wife, Mary Capwell. And what's your name? If your parents know where you are?"
"I'm Charlie Pepperidge. My mother knows I'm here. It was she who sent me here."
"Pep... Oh, I get it. You're maternal half-brother of Mason. Did you come with her? Come in, please."
The boy obeyed, curiously looking around.
"No," he asked suddenly. "I'm not half-brother. I'm just brother of Mason. And where is he now?"
"He is in the court. He's working as a lawyer. And why did you come alone? Where's your mom?"
"In London. I came alone."
"So far? Across half of the globe? Or you ran away from home?"
"No, of course. I did tell you, my mother sent me here."
"Okay, then we faces it. And where are your belongings?"
Charlie reluctantly broke away from examining for the house and ran out to take his travel bag. It's loud running on the floor and woke up Mickey.
Mary went to the crib and began to rock her baby.
"Is it Mason's baby?" Charlie stuck to her.
"Yes, it's Mike," the baby already calmed down, but was still wake. "Charlie, may be you have some note for Mason? Or a letter?"
"I have one," he nodded eagerly. "But I will give it directly in Mason's hands."
"Sure. I guess you must be hungry? Do you want something? May be cocoa and toasts?"
Charlie nodded and quietly licked his lips.

* * *

"Colin? Oh, you mean the boy who fell out of the bedroom window? Of course, it was the accident. Why you doubt?"
"It seems that Colin call me vendetta. Apparently he thinks I'm the cause of his fall. Therefore, I ask again: did you tell me the truth?"
"Yes, Mason, I told you all that I knew," Sophia frowned, trying to remember the details of the time. "I think I called the police and this case's detective said that it was the accident. I gave you his word. And why did you doubt?"
Mason apparently relaxed.
"I thought you could sugarcoat the truth, wanting to spare me from feelings of guilt."
"Yes," Sophia nodded. "I remember that you blame yourself... you gave the scream and later you thought that he could fall down because it." Mason inwardly shivered, remembering these not the most pleasant moments of my life. "But I did not lie to you."
"And if I was blamed for his fall?" Mason asked with interest. "What would you do?"
"Mason, you were a kid. And you're not pushing the boy out the window."
"It's not the answer."
"What do you want to hear? What I'd give you up prison of juvenile criminals? If it's more consistent with your view about the stepmother?"
"No, I'm sorry. Just I cannot understand it--"
They were approached Rosa.
"Mason, there's the call for you."
"Who is it?" Mason stands up.
"It's Mary, Mason."
"Mary," Mason picked up the receiver from the nearby phone. "What is happened? Is something wrong with children?"
"No, they're fine. But you'd better come home as soon as possible. Here is the boy who said he's your brother. Son of Pamela and your father probably."
"What? And my mother? If she is here too?""
"No. He came alone."
"I'm on the way," Mason slammed the receiver back on the phone.
"If Pamela is in the town?" Sophia some tightly asked.
"No. But it seems that my father has more one heir. I'll call and Mason rush out of the house.

* * *

"Why did you say? Do you not believe me?"
Charlie sullenly watched as Mary changed Mickey and has been looking at her watch.
"No, I just not aware that Mason has another younger brother."
"Maybe he did not say you?"
Mary silently shook her head.
"Mason is on the way," she said. "I think everything will be make clear soon."
"Yeah. And you'll see that I'm really Mason's brother."
"I have no doubt about it," Mary smiled. "You look alike him."
"Really?" The boy put his mug of cocoa aside.
"It's true. You will see him soon and understand it. If your mom was telling you about Mason?"
Charlie mumbled something unintelligible.
At this point, there's opened the front door and rush in Chip and Samantha, who's following by tired Christie.
"They are just unbearable today," she complained and stumbled look at Charlie. "Who is that?"
"It's Charlie, the younger brother of Mason," Mary briefly replied.
Christie rounded her eyes, but his older sister glanced "don't ask". Christie shrugged and glanced at the boy.
"They look alike," she appreciated squinting. "Come on, the brother of Mason. Help me to scrub your nephews."
"Are they his children too?" He squinted suspiciously.
"Sure. Chip and Samantha."
"Chip? What is a stupid name!"
"The good name, homely. Come on, help us," Mary hugged his shoulders.
Charlie frowned with displeasure, but he went after them. On the way Mary exchanged glances with Christie. The case gained more and more strange turn--
Chapter 117 — Mother's Letter

Mason hurriedly comes in at home but he found that the hall is empty. Neither the children nor Mary, nor Christy. Only the travel bag is near the sofa as well as the teen backpack. He threw the keys on the table.
"Mary?" he called. "Christy?"
He climbed upstairs to second floor and saw the open door of children's bathroom, which appeared in the corridor. The wet disheveled little head leaning out at the sound of his footsteps in the hallway.
"Daddy!" exited screamed Samantha and ran to him. Mason automatically picked up his daughter, went to the bathroom and peered inside. Four heads turned to see him. Chip, Mary, Christy and the teenager, dark-haired, thin, and for some reason, wet as a mouse.
"Mason, you're here," Mary smiled with relief. Then she wiped her hands by the towel and gently embraced the teenager's shoulders. "Meet your younger brother Charlie."
"Hi," Mason said, his eyes fixed on the son of Pamela. Then he nodded toward the hallway. "Come on, let's talk. Do you not need my help?" This question was addressed Mary, of course.
"No, we're almost done."
Mason put down Samantha and returned with Charlie in the living room.
"Mary said that you have the letter of my mother," he said, thrusting his hands into his pockets.
"Yes," the boy shrugged his shoulders and began to rummage in your backpack. Pulled out the long, narrow envelope, but held it in his hands. "Are you actually Mason Capwell?" He asked with a fair amount of irony.
"Exactly."
Mason took out his business card and put it in Charlie's palm. Then he picked up the letter.
Hesitated a moment, he opened it (the letter was not sealed) and unfolded the sheet. The letter was not long. Neat flowery handwriting.

My dear Mason!
I imagine how you are surprised to learn that you have the younger brother. But believe me, it was absolutely necessary. Charlie have my maiden surname, but he is CC's son. The result of my weakness when your father came to London for business negotiations. CC never did aware about Charlie, I was afraid that he will take my boy away as he did to you.
But now I have no other choice. Charlie became very restless, I'm cannot to handle with him. He already was expelled from three schools in this year. In addition I finally have in my life the man who loves me and, God willing, will soon become my husband. I can not allow my younger son make us apart with his mean tricks.
Please take care of Charlie. You know how your father may be tough. Defend your brother from CC's rage, I begging you.
Love you very much,
Your mother

Mason looked at the finish line and felt the pain spreads inside. Not a word about him, only about the youngest son who stand on the way of her personal life. The youngest who had a thing that never had Mason — the childhood with his own mother. God, she can not even imagine what she requests. To resist CC Capwell, to stand between him and his son. His blood and flesh. His father just will destroy him! Both of them.
He actually needs to return the lucky guy to his mother. With any price. Until the father returned to Santa Barbara.
Unwittingly came up Mary pulled out the letter of his hand. Asked by her eyes "May I?"
Mason nodded and turned to his brother.
"You immediately go back home. Where is her phone number?"
The boy's face stunned as if Mason hit him. It was evident that he doing his best to not to show his offence.
"I came to my father," he said in a broken voice.
"My mother trusts your fate in my hands," Mason cut off. "The number."
Charlie angry looked at him and reached into his backpack. Pulled out the card with embossed lines and threw it on the floor. Mason picked up and quickly left the room.
Torn between the desire to support Mason and stay with Charlie, Mary finally chose the latter. She looked at Charlie. He was sitting on the couch with his head down and fiddling with backpack straps.
"Do you actually were expelled from three schools?" she asked willing to easing the situation.
"Yes. As mom wrote it," he shrugged his shoulders.
"Did you read the letter?"
"It was not sealed."
From the second floor Chip and Samantha ran down.
"Mom, he pushes me!"
"Sam's bothering me to make my plane!"
Mary quickly found Christy and went to her.
"Take them to the nursery," she whispered.
"Ok," Christy nod and called children. "Chip, I have the fun idea. Let the plane will be for both of yours and bombs will be balls."
"She's a girl," Chip grimaced.
"And your sister also. She'll drive the plane no worse than you will."
"Grandpa promised that I'll get a private jet when I grow up," Samantha proudly said and defiles upstairs.
"And grandpa promised that I'll get a pony!" After the moment's hesitation said Chip. But he's feeling that the pony is not in comparison with the jet and ran after his sister. "Okay, you'll be the second pilot!"
"No! You are the second one!" her voice came from the second floor.
Mary looked at Charlie and saw that he just smiles. But catching her eye, he frowned again.
"Are they twins?" He asked after the pause.
"Yes," said Mary after some pause.
"They're funny," the boy sighed. He wanted to say something else but saw that Mason's going downstairs. The boy's slumped as if he expecting to be thrown out the door now. Mary made the move to close him by herself, but Mason shook his head wearily. He seemed confused.
"My mother went off for an unknown destination," he said and looked at his wife, then at his brother. "She disappeared, leaving no address. So you, my younger brother, will stay in Santa Barbara. It can not be helped."
Chapter 118 — Unnecessary Brother

"I want to see my father," the boy raised his chin.
"He is out of the town," Mason said. "But Sophia is here so you have a chance to meet her".
"What? I do not want to meet that bitch!" Charlie looked at Mason with sudden fury.
For a moment there was silence in the room, and then Mason leaned over and poorly said to his younger brother:
"If you want to win the approval of his father I do not advise to insult his second wife."
"Why do I need his approval?"
"Charlie, Sophia is a good woman, do not hurt her," Mary intervened. "I'm sure you can see it when you learn her better."
"Bah!
Mary put her hand on Mason's shoulder, slightly pressed and then went upstairs to the children. Brothers were needed to talk in private.
"Charlie, I can see that our mother have said you many bad things about the second marriage of our father, but now you are in his territory. And you'll better play by his rules."
"She stole my father!"
Mason inwardly cursed.
"Sophia does not know anything about your existence as the father do. Just the mother was very angry at CC when she told you about him."
"At... Who?"
"Father is often called by the initials."
"Stupid habit!" 
Charlie jumped up; thrust his hands into his pockets, frowning. "Take me to my father!"
 "Do you not listen to me?" Mason got up, too. "Father is out of the town, he is on the business trip. I can take you to father's house, but now there are only Sophia and Ted."
"Who?" Charlie looked puzzled at Mason.
Mason raised his eyebrow.
"And you do not know? I and you have some half-siblings: sisters are Kelly and Eden, and the younger brother is Ted. They are Sophia's children. But all of them already are grown-up and partly living separately. Ted is the only one who still lives in the father's house."
"I do not believe you!" Charlie's eyes filled with tears. "Mom did say me very different things!"
"And what did she say?" Mason gently asked.
The brother frowned and looked away.
"She said that my father would be happy to see me because I'm only his son after bi... Sophia's death. And that you hated her too and enjoy being only son."
"She told the truth," Mason dryly said, hiding his rage behind the indifference. She's crazy if she talked such things to the little boy. "Yes, many years ago we thought that Sophia died in the boat accident, but she survived and returned to the family. And the father loves her. And her children, of course!"
"Do you hate her? Tell me that you hate her!"
"No," Mason shook his head. "All of us are one family. I advise you to get used to the idea."
Charlie sniffed and turned away.
"Today you can stay here," Mason said after the pause. "Do you want?"
With one quick movement the boy wiped his eyes and nodded.
Mason picked up the travel bag and led his brother to the guest room. Then he went to Mickey's room. His conclusion (or a kind of six sense?) was correct. Mary sat in the chair and cradling her youngest son.
He quietly closed the door, walked over, sat on the arm of her chair and kissed Mary in the top of head. She looked at him with anxious eyes.
"Charlie will stay with us today," he whispered in her ear. Mary nodded, still rocking the child. Mason touched her hair, feeling rush of tenderness. His own home, his own loving woman, his own son. Ugly reality seemed relegated to second place.
At this moment the door is open and the tousled little head peek in and then the other one do the same. Sammy quickly and quietly snuck into the room to Mason, Chip move closer to Mary on the other side. She made round eyes and put her finger to her lips. The boy clung to her side, sniffed. Mason, meanwhile, pulled Sammy on his lap. But she shifted, pulled out of the pockets something and put in Mason's mouth. He nearly choked, but felt some sweetness in his mouth. Candy. Sammy slyly looked at him.
"Tasty?" she whispered.
Mason gave a glance, showing her to be quiet but then winked and hugged her. A moment later he looked up and saw Charlie who stands at the open door. He twitched but the younger brother already disappeared into the hallway. Mason felt a stab of guilt. He knew too well that Charlie suffers now. Before his eyes was flashed an old happy family picture of Capwells. And it has not Mason.
He pulled his daughter from his knees, took Mickey and put the sleeping baby in the crib. Mary got up and gently kissed his cheek.
"Everything will be fine," she promised softly.
Mason nodded. What else could be?"

The next few hours passed as usual. Family dinner, tucking to bed older children. Charlie immediately went to his room and no more appeared.
Almost at midnight Mary knocked at Mason's studio. She was needed to be knocking the door. It's was strange because Mason never locked it if he was at home.
Mason lets her in and again closed the door. Returned to his desk where he read some papers.
"How are you?" Mary quietly asked and after passing through the room she sank into the chair which stands before the table.
"I called Sophia and inform her about Charlie," Mason said.
"And how she reacted?"
"Very surprised. She promised to call my father."
"Do you think that CC becomes angry?"
"At my mother? I'm sure."
"Mason--"
"No, Mary. I'm fine."
"I feel that you don't," Mary becomes straight.
Mason smiled wryly.
"Not every day you can see the miniature of yourself," he sighed and admitted: "I guess I am jealous of him."
"To your father?" Mary was shocked.
"To our mother. I've always dreamed bring my life back and spend it with her. I never understood why my father left me to himself."
"Maybe he had reasons. Do not think about it," Mary stood up and hugged his neck from behind.
"I can not!" Mason snapped and tried to wriggle out, but Mary was not allowed. "My mother asked me to protect my brother from our father. Do you understand that it means practically the declaring a war? Do you understand how it change our life if will have a place?"
"I understand that you're running ahead of the engine. Yet nothing is happened that would require such drastic measures. Besides I do not think that your father is able to cause harm to Charlie."
"I aware by my own life what happens if my father does not want to see other people on his idyllic picture. And I see what my father is doing with Brandon."
"Mason, stops it, please. I'm sure you're worried for nothing. Nothing bad happened yet. On the contrary, it appears that you have more one younger brother now."
"And how would you react if you discover that your father was the illegitimate child?"
Mary stopped and frowned.
"It's quite another thing," she said finally. "If Charlie's father was not CC, things would be different, is not? It is unlikely that your father would claim that Pamela's child from her other marriages."
"You're right," Mason leaned back in his chair with a sigh, Mary sat on the armrest, facing him. "But Charlie is son of my father, and this puts him in the dangerous situation. If it comes between my father and my mother, I'll force to stand on the firing line."
"You'd do it for the sake of Brandon, I'm sure. Let's wait for CC's reaction."
"It's actually the problem," Mason took her hand up to his lips. "And the reaction of my prodigal younger brother. If he looks like me, we will not easy deal with him."
"I did look in Charlie's room when I was on my way here," Mary admitted. "He read some book. I think he is a good boy."
"I was a good boy in my childhood too," Mason grunted. "Only a few people valued it."
"I know," Mary took his hand in hers. "Let's go in the bedroom. It was a long day."
"Let's go," t Mason raised to his feet with one movement, put his hands around her waist. "I do not know how I lived without you," his voice betrayed his soul. He still too well remembered how is like to live without Mary."
"Do not think about it," Mary apparently knew what he was thinking. "Just think about me."
"I sure can promise you it--"
Chapter 119 — New Blow

The next morning was surprisingly calmly. At breakfast Mary quietly watched at Charlie. He had something so... Yesterday's burst of emotion disappeared without a trace, today he was the calm, polite, well-controlling boy. Mannered, obedient, attentive. Just an alive dream of any parents. Only his eyes did not covered by the powerful self-control. They remained watchful like if they belonging to a wild animal. If they gave out even half of his emotions--
The Charlie's calm voice broke her thoughts.
"I'm finished. When I'll see my father?"
Immersed in his thoughts, Mason did not respond. Christie looked inquiringly at Mary. Chip and Sammy mouthful looked at each other.
At this moment the phone rang. Mary got up and picked up the phone. She listened for a moment, and then closed the receiver with your palm:
"Mason, it's for you."
He came out of the trance and stood up. Giving it up, Mary whispered: "It's your father."
Mason grimly nodded and pressed the phone to his ear. Mary returned to the table.
"You may go out the table," she said to Charlie, who still sat by the empty plates.
"My father--?"
"Do not worry, you'll see him soon."
Mason looked at breakfast table, something clicked on the phone and shortly replies: "I'll speak in the study," and go upstairs to the first floor.
From baby monitors they heard Mike's scream, and Mary hastily finishing her coffee, went upstairs too. Charlie walking around the living room, then went outside.
Ten minutes later Mary went downstairs and found here just her sister, who cleaning Chips' cheeks.
"Where is..." she began, but at the point the front door opened, and Charlie came in with the morning paper in his hand.
"Look, Mason in the headlines!" he announced and open out the issue of New York Times.
Mason's portrait truly graced the newspaper page, but Mary's eyes immediately rushed to the title that graced underneath.

THE MYSTERIOUS ACCIDENT
Forever changed the life of
COLIN STEWART, world-renowned documentary author.
How it relate with the eldest son of oil magnate
Well-known lawyer MASON CAPWELL?"
Read us today and every day!

"What?" Mary snatched the newspaper out Charlie's hand and realized that it was not the head page, but the last one. More specifically, the announcement of the next release. "Damn!" escaped from her. It seems they just struck by new blow.
With the unexpected Charlie's appearance she almost forgot about threats by intrigues of Mason's schoolmate. And about Corey McLean, so-called brother Mark.
"What was happened?" Charlie asked with interest. "Actually does Mason know about the accident?"
"I see you already know," they heard the voice of Mason. He slowly downstairs. "My father does also," he added in a blank tone.
Then he looked at his younger brother. "Come on, Prince. His Highness CC Capwell requires us on the carpet."
Charlie contentedly smiled.
"And someone get beans. But it's not me," he said proudly, sensitively caught the backbone of the case.
Mason did not answer, just shrugged. The boy grabbed his jacket and strode to the front door. The older brother chuckled.
"It's California, brother."
"I knew it," the boy blushed, but did not leave the jacket.
"I'll go with you," Mary emphatically said to Mason, but he stops her.
"No, we'll be alright."
"But Mason--"
"No, Mary," he came back and kissed her cheek. "I'll handle it."
Mary looks at brothers until they were gone out and looked around to Christie.
"Are we in troubles?" She pointed at Mason's face on the newspaper page.
"Not yet," Mary bit her lip. "But, perhaps, we'll soon."
"Capwells always get out," her sister replied. "They're rich people and have so many connections."
But Mary thought that it's not too comforting her. She felt with her guts that there'll major problems.

* * *

On the way Charlie was silent and curiously looks out the car. But when they stopped at Capwell's residence, the boy pulled out the sigh of admiration.
"Wow!" He said slowly, with the driveway reverently gazing at the huge mansion. "Do my father lives here?"
"Yes, it's his house," Mason slammed the car door and took Charlie on the shoulder. "Come on."
He walked over to the massive door and suddenly realized that he had no keys. Frowned in annoyance he pressed the bell button.
Sophia opened the door. Seeing Charlie, firstly she froze and turned pale. But a moment later, she's having recovered herself and smiled:
"Hello, Mason. And he's Charlie, right?" she asked.
"Yes, it's my younger version. Hello, Sophia," said Mason and went along with his brother into the hall.
"Where's my father?" The boy no longer was able to restrain impatient. "I want to see him."
"Yes, Sophia, where's dad? I thought he would meet us with judicial orders and tests for paternity."
"CC is in the office, I will tell him that you are here. Try not to annoy him in the first five minutes, Mason. Today he is not the spirit."
"I know," Mason said. "I've already talked to him."
Sophia incomprehensible looked at him and went deeper into the house.
Mason expectantly rocked with a sock at the heel and muttered "Home, sweet home. How long have I been here".
"Why?" asked the brother.
"Because I'm married and finally moved out of the mausoleum."
Mason did not have time to say more because CC Capwell coming in.
Chapter 120 — Charlie Pepperidge

Not looking in the direction of his oldest son, CC immediately stepped to the youngest one.
"Charlie Capwell?" he sternly asked.
"Charles Quentin Pepperidge, sir," the boy drew himself to attention.
CC slightly frowned but then smiled.
"Well, hello, son," he said and squatted down. "Did mom give you the letter for me?"
Charlie nod and pulled the folded envelope out from the pocket of the school jacket. Hands to his father.
CC took the letter, opened it and began reading. A few minutes later he looked before him as if deep in thought, and then again turned to the boy.
"Charlie, I even did not aware that I have more one son. I feel sorry about. But did you know it, right?"
"Yes, sir."
"No, you can just call me "dad".
"Well... Sir."
CC sighed.
"Okay, not all at once. So, Charlie. I hope that we still are not too late to recover our relations despite the fact that we have lost so much time. More than twelve years old, dammit! However, you're not to blame. Just try to get used to the fact that it is your home and your family now. Soon you will get meet with their older brothers and sisters, they are already very adult. And this is my second wife, Sophia."
"We already met," Sophia said, seeing that Charlie is not going to answer.
"Do you not send me at home?" he asked his father.
"Of course, I do not, son! My house is always open for my children."
"Especially for Pamela's children," Mason could not resist. "Really, Dad?"
CC threw him the angry glance and smiled again to his youngest son.
"Now Rosa will take you upstairs and show your room. Rosa!" he shouted so loud that Charlie jumped back.
"I'm here, CC," Rosa appeared.
"Rose, it's my son Charlie. He'll live in the corner room, next room for Ted's. Show him my house."
"Yes, sir. Come with me, Charlie," Rose took his hand, and the boy looked at Mason. He nodded encouragingly to him, and Charlie went for Rosa.
As soon as they were out of sight as CC Capwell's mask of goodwill fell off.
"Damn it!" he swore. "How she dare!"
"It seems that Pamela did not take many words to convince you in his fatherhood."
"Yes, I also noticed it," Sophia said. "CC, are you sure--"
"I am sure!" He yelled louder than he should. "It's clear because his date of birth."
"Oh?" Mason surprised.
"Eleven years ago I spent the week in London with your mother. Nine months later Charlie was born," CC reluctantly explained.
"However," Mason slow said and become pale. "I did not know what you have met with my mother."
"It's not your business," CC barked. "But enough about Charlie. He is my son, and that's it. What actually interests me now — what is the scheme you're up? I've saw today's newspapers. Do you want to break up my talks with Braxton? Now I have enough even without the more one scandal!"
"CC, stop it."
"Do not interfere, Sophia. I'm waiting for the explanation, Mason."
He forced shrugged.
"Looks like someone wants to make public the dirty story that happened to me in the first private school. Do you remember, father? I was nearly canned for alleged theft, and one of the boys got the severe injury when he falls from the third floor."
CC stared at him, obviously not expecting such the explanation.
"It seems that I can something remember," he finally said. "But where does... do not tell that you really stole that vase!"
"Of course, I did not!" jerk up Mason. "Although it was not the vase."
"Then what it's up? I do not understand."
"I think the guy who after the fall was disabled for life thinks that I'm to blame for his fall."
"Do you blame?"
"CC, how you dare! I must remind you that it's your fault that Mason got into this horrible place!"
"This does not negate my question. Mason..?"
"No, father. I did not push Colin out and didn't help him to fall."
"Then why he thinks so?"
"I do not know.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely.
"Then I advise you find out sooner because otherwise--"
"Enough, CC!" Sophia's voice soared to the heavens. "You went all the conceivable boundaries! Stop venting at Mason your anger at Pamela!"
"Sophia--"
But the answer to him was just a quick tap of heels.
"I would not want today to be in your place, my father. Sophia not quickly forgives you having more one son of my mother who was passed on her for upbringing."
"Look yourself, Mason," CC parried.
"Are you going take Charlie from the mother also? And what will happen when she'll want to take him back?"
CC looked at him with long look.
"Son, I thought you knew that your mother does not going to taking Charlie back."
"Where you get this idea?" Mason turned white.
"It's obvious. Otherwise she would not hide from me of his existence. Once she sent him to me so she aware that she cannot take him back."
"It's your speculation."
"Let's look, Mason. By the way, you must to bring his things here. Oddly, Pamela is not sent Charlie directly to me."
"Maybe she was afraid that you'll shut door in his face.
CC did not have time to answer because at that moment the doorbell rang. Rose run downstairs and opened the door. It's Mary. With Mickey in the baby sling and both hands with Chip and Samantha.
"Grandpa!" older children ecstatically cried and ran to CC.
Mason went to Mary.
"What are you doing here?" his voice sounded relieved and irritated at the same time. "Do not tell me that you are driving," he pointed to the sling.
"No, I took the taxi. Mason, are you OK?"
"Fine.
"Did you talk to CC?"
"He did, and I did not eat him. Mary, do you really have such a terrible opinion about me?" CC walked up having Sammy in his arms, and hugged her. Chip, almost crying, tugging his jacket. Mason picked up his son, thinking that is not the first time when she notices that Mason's father prefers Samantha then son of Cruz and Victoria.
"Only occasionally, CC," Mary admitted, hugging her father-in-law.
While they talked, Mason pulled Mickey out from Mary and went to the belvedere. Peering inside he saw that there was sitting Sophia alone.
"My father is in the living room," he said and sat in the wicker chair.
"I'm not hiding from him, Mason."
"OK, then I'm Pope. Is the Charlie's appearance such the blow for you? The father thought you were dead when he was with my mother--"
"I do not want to talk about it, Mason."
"Well," he said wearily. "How you know. But Charlie in any case not is left alone. He has me."
"Mason, does you actually remembering me as so terrible step-mother that you are ready to save your younger brother from me?"
He momentarily confused.
"No, of course," he replied after a pause. "I'm meaning the different thing."
"Is it?"
"Yes. Just I know too well that he's feeling now. And I see that you unpleasant to his appearance. He has no time to wait until you coping. I just want to protect him."
"No, Mason. I'll not hurt your brother."
"I know. But my father can. How much you could do when he directed his anger at me when I was a boy?"
Sophia paused, looked thoughtfully at him.
"Do you think your mother... going to visit Santa Barbara?"
Mason's first impulse was to say "It's none of your business", but Charlie's fate now depended from Sophia.
"I do not think so," he honestly said, remembering his father's words that the mother never appears in the life of his brother. It was the worst nightmare of his childhood. And in his heart he knew that this nightmare could easily become alive. "Father believes that she gave him Charlie forever. Even if she does not, he will do everything to keep him. Like he did to me."
"Charlie is not you, Mason. No need to transfer your feelings to him. He had the very different childhood, and probably other nightmares."
"Do you think that its make me feel better?" Mason looked at her. Mickey in his arms sleepily moved.
"In any case, it cannot be the things that you fear."
"And what's afraid you?"
Sophia left the question unanswered, and he did not insist. He has enough his demons.
Chapter 121 — Colin Stewart — Part 1

"What you going to do?" Sophia asked and anxiously looked at Mason.
"About Charlie?"
"No, I'm talking about the accusations of your friend."
"He's not my friend anymore."
"And after all?"
"I guess I have a little I can do now. May be just go and talk to him privately--"
"Talk to whom?" Mary joined them and Mason hugged her shoulders. "Your father is going to gather everybody for the family dinner."
"We talked about Colin Stuart," Sophia explained. "Mason wants to talk to him."
"Are you sure that it would be safe for you?" Mary sat down beside him and takes Mickey. The baby is fussing.
"Not sure, but the situation is so strange that you can take the risk. If I could convince Colin that he is wrong about me--"
"I doubt that it is possible," Mary shook her head.
"But worth a try. And the sooner the better," Mason got up.
"Do you want to go to him right now?" Sophia was surprised.
"You may miss the family dinner in honor of Charlie," Mary added.
"It is unlikely that my conversation with Mr. Stewart will be continued for a long time," Mason said. "So I'll not miss the dinner even if my father has these hopes."
Mary gave Mickey to Sophia and caught up with Mason at the entrance of the gazebo.
"Maybe we'd better go together?"
"No, of course. I and Colin would have a man-to-man talk," he kissed her cheek. "Do not worry about me."
"Be careful," Mary clung to him.
"Sure I'll," Mason reluctantly let her out and walked through the garden to his car.
"I do not like all of it," Sophia followed him with her gaze and then looked back at Mary.
"Me too," Mary shivered. "And there are really more — I do not like the fact that here involved the man who had once kidnapped Mason."
"What? Do you aware who did it?"
"Yes. But everything is very difficult--"

* * *

Mason spend a few minutes and couple of calls to found out the address of his ex-classmate. He has lived in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Mason was also reported with some information about Colin Stuart. Driving up to the gate of the vast estate Mason tried to summarize the information. Colin became the writer of documentary, the author of two books on the history of Southern California and a few months ago he received the award for his contribution to the study of national culture. He did lives with his wife and two children in his own home. And generously funds research to treat spinal injuries.
Mason said his full name to the guard and after a few minutes the gates is opened. Okay, so Colin doesn't mind his visit.
The female maid met Mason at the door and said that "Mr. Stewart waits you in his office." Mason wonder about.
He was led through the long corridors in the remote part of the house. Mason involuntarily noticed the absolute silence in the house. And the absolute void. No sign of life.
Finally he was led to one of the doors of mahogany. The maid knocked and Mason heard the pleasant baritone:
"Come in."
"Mr. Colin, here is Mason Capwell," the maid said and left out.
Mason pushed the door and stepped into the room.

* * *

"... He said that Mark was his older brother, but I do not believe him. He's talking about events that should happen just before my eyes. I would know whether all this is true."
"It is strange that Mason did not report to police."
"Mason believes that he is Mark's brother and felt that it touches me too much."
"But why did you decide that this Corey has to do with Colin Stewart?" Sophia asked. She and Mary are discussing the situation for around an hour.
"He told us that "he knows all about The Great Valley". Mason said that he has not had a chance to learn the story without Stewart. And I'm with him agrees."
"I got a lot on my mind," Sophia admitted after the pause. "What could be more common between these two men?"
"A desire to take revenge?" Mary suggested. "McLean obviously hates Mason."
"And in this case he is mistaken about his relating to Mark?"
"Apparently, yes. He seems quite sincere in his accusations... But it seems to me that Stewart is more dangerous then McLean. Do you remember him, Sophia?"
"A little," she nodded her head. "I and CC visited Mason in the school before the accident for several times. He was the friend of Mason, the cheerful smart boy. I thought he and Mason got along well. And I was quite shocked the next event. These wild accusations... and the fact of the accident, of course. All of it seemed me a sort of nightmare."

* * *

Colin Stewart's study would be normal if not its strange elongated shape. Like a wide corridor it suddenly ended with the massive desk behind sat the man.
Mason mentally noted the situation — it was obviously must trying to press the newcomer to get him to feel subordinate. Well, he was ready.
He calmly walked over the carpet and sat in the chair that stood to the right of the table. Leaned back and looked at his former playmate.
Colin looked at him back, and Mason surprise realizing that Colin looks like a stranger to him. He was only a little like the boy who he remembered.
"Glad to see you, Mason," said Colin. "We're met for a long time."
"Twenty years passed."
"Yes, I know. But if it is the reason to break up with friends?"
It seems that Colin kept some kind of game depicting the meeting of old friends. Mason knew this and not wants to obey the rules.
"I do not quite understand you."
"It's strange. I thought that once we were friends. Do not you agree?"
"I guess we could postpone a discussion about our childish relationships."
Colin looked at him and shrugged.
"Why did you come?" He asked in unexpectedly harsh tone.
"I want to know how I suppose be related to your old injury as you obviously is thinking. And I want to hear about innuendos that you're going inspire about me in the media."
"How much expression!"
Mason remained silent waiting for his answer. Colin strangely gestured and driving from the table in his wheelchair. Driving around the table and stopped in front of Mason's chair.
After pausing he said: "Well, what do you think?"
"About what?" Mason leaned his elbows on the armrests and brought his fingers together.
"About my disability."
"I'm sorry for it," Mason accented calmly replied. First time in the eyes of Colin's flashed some feeling — it was the rage.
"The unusual reaction for the person who caused it."
"I already knew that's what you think."
"You know," Colin slowly said. "I waited for this moment for a long time."
"Why? You could call me. I would come to see my old friend," Mason sarcastically said.
But Colin did not pay attention to his words.
"I wanted to understand what can feel the person who tried to kill me. I wanted to look into his eyes and asked whether he suffers nightmares about it."
"Well, here I'm not able to help you. I have no idea what can feels a person in this situation."
"Mason, this is stupid," he throws up his hands like a woman. "We both aware that you are make up my fall. Although I could never understand why. I've never been your enemy."
"You are mistaken that's all I can say about it. It was the accident."
"Come on, Mason. I aware that while I was in the hospital between life and death you're going the therapist to get rid of the feeling guilt."
Mason hardly restrained the mask indifferent expression. How in the world did he found out?
He said nothing, but Colin continued:
"You can not deny it, you know. I even have records of your conversations."
"You're bluffing," Mason straightened in his chair. "Or someone brought you into mistake." He paused. "I would like to ask you one question."
"I listen," he eagerly looked at Mason's face.
"Why did you start to dig up this story just now? Twenty years you're not worried, you made the great career, married... and now suddenly become hate me."
Colin's palms instinctively clenched into fists, betray his raging emotions. He returned to the table, pulled out the piece of paper from the drawer and handed it to Mason.
"Here's why."
Chapter 121 — Colin Stewart — Part 2

Mason took the paper and began reading. It was the long document abounded with medical terms. Mason understands not all of it, but catches up the core. The function of spinal injuries is not possible to restore. He looked up the former friend.
"I'm sorry," he repeated. "But I still do not understand what the matter it is to me."
Colin sighed.
"Of course, you don't... I clung to the hope to recover for twenty years. Six months ago I realized that this would happen never. Not in this lifetime."
"And then you decided to punish those who are to blame for your paralysis."
"Do you will act differently?" Colin flushed.
"I do not know," Mason suddenly remembered how he blamed his own father for Mary's death. "In any case I do not feel guilty for anything. I do not even understand why you decided that I must be blamed. It was the accident."
"The pseudo-accident," Colin said. "Actually it's the attempt to murder."
"What makes you think that someone made up it?"
"There is evidence, Mason."
"Well, clue in me."
"My lawyer will make it in court."
"Do you going to sue me?"
"Probably. However for the beginning there may be enough for your sincere confession."
Mason snorted.
"And you think I'll buy it?"
"So we'll go in the court. You can not escape from responsibility."
"I can accept only one. If you fall was the trigged the person who did this should be punished. But I did not it I can assure you. And I advise you look for other options."
"So you admit that it was the attempt to kill me, but the blame for it not you?"
"No. I just accept that you may know more about it than me. I have not investigated it so theoretically it can be the attempted murder. Even though it diverges from what I know."
"And what do you know?"
Mason shook his head.
"As long as you think I'm guilty its talking makes no sense."
"You have always been slippery as an eel, Capwell."
"You too, Stuart. I think I would go."
"I'll meet you later... Mason."
"Probably," he nodded.
Colin pressed the button on his desk.
"Mr. Capwell goes away," he abruptly said addressing to the appearing female servant.
Mason left the room and followed her down the long corridor. But now the house was not struck him as uninhabited. One of the doors was open and he caught a glimpse of children playing on the floor.
"A strange house, a strange master," he thought going out into the street. Before get into the car, he raised his head and looked up. It seemed to him that he sees a woman in the second-floor window. Colin's wife?
He sat behind the wheel and looked at his watch. He needs to hurry if he wants not miss the family dinner. In addition, the talk with Colin was some interesting and gave him something to think about.

* * *

"Do you well remember that day?" Mary asked.
Sophia nodded slowly.
"Mason's questions made me remember the details. Frankly I'm generally believed that it's too early to send Mason the boarding school. But CC was categorical and Mason did not protest... I remember that day: CC was annoyed and chided me in our long-standing dispute that his son should be the man. He said that Mason called him and uttered some nonsense on the answering machine because he misses home, you see. I did not want to argue with him and later using the moment I hear Mason's message. And horrified. I knew that Mason will not come up with so wild story. CC was out here and I could not contact him so I drive for the Mason.
It's very long journey because I'd stuck after the horrible car accident and came only late tonight. I remember that I'd very surprised that the school does not sleep, all is running. Tutors are frightened and no one can explain what is happened. I asked for Mason. I have long argued that it is better not to wake up but I insisted--"
Sophia stopped.
"When he was brought to me... the moment for a long time hit me in the memory," she admitted after a pause. "Mason always was very reticent to me and behaved like a little adult. But then he seemed a little boy who just afraid to the death and seeks for protection. At first glance I thought I'm late and he suffered because the terrible execution. But he talked about something else entirely. That the boy fell out the window and Mason saw it.
I am insanely angry at the teachers and the whole school. Of course, Mason was not supposed to stay there for a single extra minute. I told him to go and fetch my things (my God, he had such eyes. Like a freed person just before an execution) and went to the director for his documents. I was sure that the school will be only too happy to get rid of the awkward pupil but ran into strong resistance of the administration."
"It's weird, right?" Mary said thoughtfully.
"Yes, perhaps. But I was worried at the moment about only one thing to take Mason out of this horrible institution. I had the long conversation on the raised voice and only after my threat to call to CC Capwell they agreed to let out Mason. How I was mad at them!"
"Something there was foul play," Mary summed up. "I can only suggest one reason why they did not want to go Mason out. They were afraid that he saw something and can tell the truth."
"Probably..." Sophia begins but at this point due to the nearest bush hibiscus sudden said boyish voice: "So we need to investigate it and find out what were happened there!"
Chapter 122 — The Family Dinner

"Charlie! How long you have listening us here?" Mary said indignantly.
"Enough long time and I heard everything! We'll need to investigate it or everyone would think that Mason is the killer!"
"Do not worry about Mason; he'll all right," Sophia said. "But please do not doing like that anymore. Eavesdrop on conversations of adults is not good thing."
"If you do not listen, you do know nothing!" Charlie frowned. After the past couple of hours he seemed to be transformed from a young adult in a normal boy.
At this point Mike wake up and Mary take him in the house to change and feed.
"Come here," Sophia said to Charlie.
He reluctantly approached, his eyes became alert again. Sophia corrected his collar and pulled down his shirt.
"You do not fuss with me," he said defiantly. "I can do everything alone."
"I have no doubt. But even the big boys sometimes have to correct their collars."
Charlie paused then with black shining eyes looked at Sophia.
"Did you steal my father from my mother?"
"Charlie... No, I did not steal your father. I loved your father and married him."
"My mama said it!"
"Probably she's still hurt because your father divorced with her. Do not think about it."
"I can not--"

* * *

Mary nervously has glancing at her watch. The whole family was already gathering and Mason becomes late. Kelly, Ted and Eden gleefully shook her and asked about everything, but Mary kept looking at the door.
"Do not worry, Mason soon will be here," Eden said smiling. "He never does miss family gatherings."
Mary forced herself to smile and then resolutely went to CC. However, at this moment the door flew open and Mason came with quick step in the hall.
"Finally!" Mary sighs of relief. She run and embraced him.
"Well, it seems everyone is here," CC disapprovingly looked at his oldest son. "Listen to me, please!"
Everyone looked at him with a question, but Mary — at Mason. Oddly he seemed to her a sort of peaceful. As if he adopted some kind of solution.
"I want to introduce my youngest son," patriarch's voice boomed. "Charles Quentin Pepperidge Capwell!"
Dressed in the tuxedo little Charlie came from somewhere in the side and with the solemn look went to CC.
However the joyous reception failed. Puzzled Eden exchanged glances with Cruz, and Kelly with Ted, and they said nothing. An awkward silence was interrupted by Sophia.
"Charlie arrived yesterday from England, I am sure you welcome him here."
"Yes, of course," Eden finally said. Like others now she worried about only one question — who is Charlie's mother and whether or not he is CC's son.
"I beg to table," CC Capwell said seemed to notice tension arose. "Rosa prepared a kind of special dinner in honor Charlie's welcoming."
All went into the dining room, Eden quickly came to Mason.
"It looks like you're not too surprised. Do you know who his mother?"
"He is my brother," Mason quietly replied.
"Is he Pamela's son??" by surprise Eden forgot that she must whisper.
"Is it true, dad?" escaped from Ted. "Is Charlie son of Pamela?"
Mason looked at Charlie. He stood with a look that seemed on the verge of tears.
"This is not the time or the place to talk about it!" CC yelled. "Charlie is my son, and now he will live in my house."
"Yes, of course. Charlie, welcome to the family," Eden stiffly said.
"You're lying! You do not want me to be part of your family!" the boy tearfully shouted and ran out of room.
"Charlie, come back!" CC yelled and wanted to go after him but Sophia stopped him: "No, I'd better."
All were looked after her and then turned their eyes to CC.
"Dad, do you want to explain us?" Kelly asked. "Is it true that Charlie is Pamela's child?"
"Yes, it's true," CC answered calmly.
"Why did you never say that you have more one son?" Eden's voice rang with indignation.
"He did not know about Charlie," Mason said. "The mother did not tell him."
"However without your moving he would never be born. Father, how much your children scattered in the wide world?" Ted ironically asked.
"Are you sure he's your son?" Kelly inserted and guiltily looked at Mason.
"I'm sure and enough of this!" CC yelled. "You like it or not but he's yours brother and you will well treat him!"
"We do not mind, dad," Ted chuckled. "Just wanted to know for the future."
CC pierced Ted with his dark eyes and walked into the dining room. Others followed him.

* * *

Sophia would never guess to look for Charlie in the dark corner of the library but his whereabouts was gladly betrayed by Chip with Samantha eating Rose's biscuits.
"Charlie, you upset for nothing, we are all glad to see you."
"Yeah especially you were so happy," she gloomily heard behind the racks. "And these... also would like to see I was not here."
"They're just surprised. Not every day they get the new younger brother."
"Especially from my mom, huh?"
"Yes, it was the surprise also."
"The unpleasant surprise," Charlie appeared from the darkness and looked at her stepmother with the pained expression on his face. "Even why all you would be want me here? I'm just a hindrance."
"My God, why do you think like this?"
"It's too clear."
"Nothing of the sort. Of course, we all are a bit shocked. But soon everything returns to normal. I think you quickly see what your brother and sisters well treat you. And your father will not allow you to be hurt. And you've still have Mason. And me."
"I want my mother," the boy suddenly burst into tears because all the tension of the last hours. "I want my mom! Please let her come in and takes me away!"
Sophia hugged him, feeling completely helpless.
"Now it does not work but then we'll see. Everything will be fine. Do you just miss my mother, do you?"
"Yes..." Charlie burst through his sobs. "I waited at the school that she was coming, I waited and waited... then she came and the next day sent me here. I almost did not see her at all--"
"Perhaps she had some circumstances... Maybe she'll call you soon."
"No," Charlie unstuck from Sophia and angrily wiping his face with his sleeve. "She always promises but never calls."
Sophia wiped his face and then held out her hand.
"Come on, your father and siblings already tired of waiting for us. Do not worry, we will not allow you to be hurt."
Charlie sighed... and took her hand. Sophia smiled and patted his head.
"Everything will be alright. Just imagine that you arrived to your father on school vacations."
Charlie said nothing and went with her into the dining room at Capwell's house.

Sophia and Charlie's appearance was welcoming quite calmly. The boy was seated at the table between Mason and Ted. CC Capwell stood up and lengthy toasted his youngest son whom he never aware for eleven years but who finally found his rightful place in the Capwell family.
Charlie slowly has relaxed and by the end of the dinner becomes chatting with Kelly who promised to take him to ride on the yacht. Mason with surprise watched him. The younger brother was much more well-balanced and easily appeased than himself. Maybe it's because he spent almost all his childhood with his mother? Mason involuntarily clenched in his hand cutlery because the painful prick of jealousy.
At the end of dinner all moved into the living room. CC calmly but firmly shoved Charlie out the door and then sat on the couch.
"Well, Mason. Tell us what you got involved in this time," he declared.
Mason stared at his father.
"What is happened?" Eden suspiciously and anxiously looked at her older brother.
"Why, father?" Mason just asked.
"Believe it or not, but we are one family," Sophia said. "We want to help you."
"You found yourself in the difficult situation, son," CC said. "Do not deny."
"What are you talking about?" Ted moving his eyes from one to another. "Mason, what is have you done? Lost all your money in the casino?"
"Thank you for the trust," Mason grunted. "No, it's about one incident from my childhood. My ex-playmate suffered during the accident and now accuses me of attempting to kill him--"
Chapter 123 — Action Plan

"What the strange story!" Kelly surprised when Mason finished his story. "I think that this Colin just a crazy man. After so many years he starts to blame you but more so unreasonable!"
"Well, he really believes that I somehow trigged his fall. I met him today — and because just be late for dinner," Mason said slightly pretending about the latter. He had plenty of time to reach the father's house but he needed to think through things.
"Did he say it?" Mary asked. "Does he think you really wanted to kill him?"
"Yes, he does. The accident has been arranged, and me is responsible for it."
"But why did he wait so long?"
"He was hoping to recover, but now lost hope."
The silence falls in the living room of Capwell's house.
"Do you think he has a chance of winning the case in the court?" Eden finally asked.
Mason frowned.
"Such cases are extremely rare."
"May a judge to dismiss his claim?"
"Hardly. There are no such grounds."
"Then we must take into our own hands the case," Eden said with enthusiasm. "We'll find out what happened and present the real killer to your Colin."
"It is unrealistic," Mason seriously looked at his sister. "Twenty years later where are you going to look through? In addition why I should try to clear my name for him? I came across and not tried to kill him!"
"You need be to clear your name in any case," CC said. "The only difference is where you going to do it — in court or not."
"And it will be much better for your business if all would work out the behind the scenes, right, father?"
"Not just for my business, Mason."
"Once the father agrees then everything is agreed," Eden's eyes shining. "Cruz, you'll be able to take out the case from the police archive? We want to look at the results of the investigation and then make a plan."
"I will try. But it will be difficult. As well recreate the scene of so old crime."
"The risk is too great, Cruz. I do not want to Mason get in jail just because in someone's memoirs Colin would look like an innocent victim and Mason was vengeful thief."
"And we must find those who studied with you then. And then go to the place, I mean the school," Kelly picked up.
"And questioning you and mom," Ted added and slapped Mason's shoulder: "Do not worry, we will solve this case."
"I'm hope," Mason sighed. In part he felt relieved that his half-siblings supported him. After the conversation with Colin he also came to the conclusion that he's need to investigate the case. However he would prefer to do it alone. The case was too personal for him.

Mason and Mary returned home. Chip and Samantha deeply asleep in the backseat, and Mary cradling Mickey and looked at Mason.
"The day was heavy," she finally said. "How are you?"
"Sometime would be better."
"Is it because of Charlie?"
Mason paused.
"Lets not talk about him. This is not the time or place."
"Okay. But do not close on me, please... Do not go into yourself."
"You do not like what you can see."
"Do not decide for me."
Rest of the way they drove in silence. Mason takes older children upstairs, and Mary went with Mickey in the nursery and then alone downstairs back in the living room.
To her surprise she found here her younger sister with some papers in hands.
"What is it?" she suspected asked.
"Uncle Larry came along. He brought these papers and told me to give it Mason. Seems it's about the guy who was on the cemetery."
"MacLean?" Mary was amazed.
"What about MacLean?" Mason asked running downstairs.
"My uncle asked me to give it you," Christie said handing the papers. "And I'm going to bed," she yawned and left out.
Mason looks though papers and sat on the couch. Mary sat down beside him.
"Mason, leave it for tomorrow."
"Uh-huh. Now," Mason did not take away from the documents. "Damn!" He said after a while.
"What is it?"
"Mr. Duvall dug inside story of our "friend" Corey. You were right," he looked up. "This guy has no relation to McCormick's family. He has great acting ability and works for Colin Stewart."
Mary's heart sank.
"Are you saying that you and I have watched his role in his own show?"
"Looks like it. Apparently Colin no let me out of his sight and was aware of what happened to me for long time. However he did not really dug deep. I noticed that he did not during our today's meeting. He referred to my psychotherapy session when I was a kid and said that he knew about its content. But if he really knew he would be understood that I done nothing wrong."
"Why do you think?" Mary put his chin on his shoulder.
"Because Colin said that I trigged the accident. If he knows what was really bothered me then he would have understood: I am distressed that my scream could cause his downfall. That is an involuntary part rather than a deliberate will to cause harm. No, he dug up on tops and draw conclusions according to his theory about my bad will."
"Maybe you're right."
"By the way..." Mason somehow awkwardly glanced at Mary. "Judging by your uncle's papers, McCormick is quite alive and well."
"And you are not happy about," Mary said after a pause.
"I don't want to pretend. I would prefer that he was lying in the grave. Unlike you."
"I also want not pretending. I feel relieved that he is alive."
"What we are both honest," Mason smiled his stunning smile and pulled Mary close him. "I hope it does not kill us."
"Do not kill," Mary echoed listening to the resounding beat of his heart. "I wonder why Colin kidnaps you?" She murmured into his shirt.
"I think it was the attempt to frighten me. Or perhaps he planned to knock me out the balance. By the way, McLean is not really in early twenties and already around thirty. And his real surname Longstick. He was twice expelled from the university's drama class and then he some time hanging around the state yet did not get to work with Colin."
"Uncle Larry held thorough the job."
"I am grateful to him," Mason slowly said. "I had to check McLean."
"You were too confident that he is Mark's brother."
"Yes, my mind is overshadowed by emotions."
"But now everything falls into place. And we can concentrate on investigating the secrets of The Great Valley School. Mason, do you think there really was the attempted murder?"
"I do not know," he broke the long sigh and rose to his feet. "I never thought about it from this angle."
"Let's go to bed. Let's leave it all on the morrow."
"It is unlikely that I can," Mason frankly said.
He went to the bar and poured himself the brandy. Mary did the same.
"We are right," she said softly feeling the pleasant warmth spreads inside. "And your father is on our side."
"Just because the publicity would hurt his business," Mason snorted.
"He loves you. And I think he feels guilty. Sophia told me how he first lashed out at you. And when he realized what it was about he tries to help you."
"The attractive idea but I do not believe in it."
"Just do believe me. Today all were on your side. Including Charlie."
"Charlie?" Mason looked at her.
"He heard as me and Sophia talked with your problem with Colin and offered to investigate this case for you not get to jail. So do not anger God, Mason."
"I would not dare. Once he returned me you back," Mason embraced her, pressed his lips to her hair. "Lord, how I love you."
"As I love you. I love you very much. Let's go to sleep, Mason."
"Come to bed so it will be more accurate."
Mary laughed, and they began to upstairs in the bedroom, holding each other's hands.
Chapter 124 — Capwells investigates

In the next day everybody gathered at Capwell's house looking forward for the investigation. Only exception was Charlie because of his young age.
Mason and Mary appeared here in afternoon: Mason had to spend all morning in the courtroom. By this time all the preparatory working was already done: Cruz borrowed the case of the accident in Great Valley School from police archive, Eden with Kelly questioned both their parents.
Seeing their loved older brother they attacked Mason from two sides. Mason was not like to be questioned. He wants to read the copied police case, but he was not allowed.
"We need clear evidence, you know," Cruz reminded and opened his notebook.
Mason took a deep breath and sat down on the sofa.
"Go ahead, inspector. But I can hardly add much to the already known."
"Do not think about it," Kelly said. "Just tell us."
"About what?"
"About the accident," Cruz said. "And from the very beginning. Everything you can think of."
And Mason again repeated the story about Colin's blaming, waiting the punishment, the cry in the night and saving by Sophia. When he finished there was silence. Cruz wrote something and then closed his notebook.
"Your story is identical with the data that we already know," he admitted.
Mason shrugged.
"I'm not surprised. I also warned that I will not useful."
"We're still not done," Eden protested.
"No yet? But I already told everything."
"About Colin's fall of Colin you indeed did. But we are interested not only facts but also the air which was around the school."
"Mason, did you like it?" Eden interrupted. "I mean before the incident."
"No," Mason shook his head.
"Missed home?" Ted asked.
"Yes, I missed, of course. But it was not because my homesick feeling."
"And why?" Cruz reached for his notepad again.
But Mason helplessly shrugged his shoulders: "I do not remember."
"But so even?"
"Since then it took more than twenty years! I do not know! The atmosphere was oppressive."
"Okay, let's leave it for some time. Do you remember how the father brought you there?" Eden asked.
"Very little. He had long discussions with the head school principal. I was bored."
"You and Colin quickly become friends, did you?"
"He came there later when it began classes. And instantly became the leader. The most popular boy in the school."
"In the school?" Eden echoed.
"Yes. His glory soon spill over elementary school classes."
"And why he became so famous?" Cruz asked.
"His charisma. He could be very convincing when he wanted and also had a good imagination. He was good in telling stories and even some teachers came to listen to him. In addition, he is well studied and feared nothing."
"And so what brought you and him together?"
"The anatomical atlas," Mason chuckled. "One night we confronted face to face in the library, wanting to see it."
Ted snorted. Kelly laughed. Eden and Cruz exchanged smiles.
"So you're become friends... and you do not know what caused him to end this friendship?"
"No.
"But something had to be done? You were close friends, why would he suddenly break away from you?"
"Do you think I never puzzled over this, Eden? I do not know!"
"But any suggestions you have?"
Mason paused.
"Yes, something happened. But quite unfounded."
"We all come in handy," Cruz hastened. "So what are you thinking?"
"In the week before the incident the new boy was brought to the school. He was older than me and Colin. And I have sometimes thought that this guy Ross is trying to make Colin his pet."
"Maybe you're just jealous?"
"May be. I said that the assumption was unfounded. Rather just some feeling."
"What was name of this guy?"
"Ross... Dermont, I think. But I'm not sure."
Cruz wrote the name and looked up Mason.
"Do you have any suggestions that Colin could do in that room where he climbed out by the rope? Why he did it?"
"Is this not in the police report? Colin is not dead; he had to tell the police his version."
"His version we have, but I want to hear yours."
"I have not it. May be he could get out for a dare. What was this room?"
"Do not you know?"
"No.
"But you said that you got the key from the room where Colin got out."
"It had the number belonging to the second floor. I decided that it can not be accidentally."
"Yes, it was the room on the second floor, inhabited and designed for teachers, but at that time it was empty."
"Oh," escapes from Mason and he fell silent.
"What is it?" asked Cruz.
"Well, you should know if you have Colin's story. It's "treasure trove"."
""Treasure trove"?" He frowned. "I do not understand."
"Is it means that Colin did not explain what he was doing in that room?"
"No," Cruz replied reluctantly. "He said that he came there by accident, attracted by the light and the open door. Do you know something about this room?"
"Like all the boys who studied in the school at the time. The room was considered cursed.'
"Why?" Eden surprised.
Mason did not answer. He was silent for a long time then raised his head and looked around at everybody.
"If I remember something from that time that its scary stories that went around our dormitories. Partly they were inspired by the history of the school."
"And what it had so special?"
"Well, in short it was pretty rocky. As far I remember the school was established at the beginning of the century. It has been closed for three times because an ill-treatment of students, its founder was hanged for beating to death by one of boys. Later it was bought from his heirs and by the time I got into it already earned the good reputation."
"How do you know such details?" Kelly narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"Oh, it's never were secretly. Inside the school, of course. In fact the new owner bought the school because of its original glory and just slightly changed the statute. He was a zealous advocate of strictness and discipline. And diaries of former pupils were his favorite means of intimidation. We even forced to memorize individual places of it's as a punishment for being late and minor violations."
"Hrmph," Cruz said when Mason was silent. "And what about the room? Why are you named it as a treasure trove?"
"Because we named it so. They were believed that in the thirties there lived the Arab sheik's son who hidden there the big gem — his mascot. One night one of the jealous students tried to steal it but the diamond shone in his hands and he was blinded by bright light. He pulls out the diamond from his hand and seeing nothing went in the wrong direction, fell out the window and died. In next morning Arab boy was found dead in his own bed. The legend is silent as to whether he killed by his envious or he died when lost his magic talisman."
"What the story!" Kelly shuddered. "Mason, do you think that Colin could climb out there because this legend?"
"He could. As far I remember the story was very interested for him. But its does not explain the attempted murder."
"Of course, it explained!" There was suddenly Charlie's voice. "Probably someone ran across his path. Waited until Colin finds the diamond and when he fell someone took the treasure!
"What are you doing here?" Eden was outraged. "I told you to walking outside until we're grown-ups talking."
"I can not miss this! Curses, jewelry, the murder!"
"I think you already were said that listening is not good," Mary said.
Charlie put out the tongue. Mason threw the quick look at Ted. He stood up.
"Charlie, come on, swim in the pool."
But the boy shook his head.
"I want to help," he said. And with the challenge he added: "Mason is my brother! I also have the right to be here!"
"I'm also Mason's brother," Ted reminded.
"You're not real brother, just half-brother. And I'm natural brother."
"Let him here," Cruz suddenly said. "Just sit quietly, you understand, guy?"
"Cruz, are you sure--"
"Give him a chance, Eden. You can see that he is a grown man."
"Well, all right," Mason got up, took Charlie's shoulders and led him into the corner. Seated in the chair. "Sit here while we're talking."
Charlie folded his arms across his chest and made a face. Mason shook his head and went back to the others.
"Where we stopped?" he asked, sitting on the sofa.
"At the reasons," Cruz said. "School stories are good thing but they do not give any motive to wish the death of Colin."
"But there was the diamond!" Charlie said out of his corner.
"Charlie, it's just the legend," Mary moved over in the chair next to him. "If there was any diamond probably it was already found for long time ago."
"Certainly," Mason said.
"Why did you call the room "cursed"?" Eden asked.
"Because there were such rumors. It was empty for a few days. Earlier the teacher lived there."
"Was he fired?"
"No. He had the bad accident, and it is rumored that he gone the crazy. And he is not the first one who did."
"It's so cool story!" Charlie gasped with delight.

Mason reached for the archive folder and began reading it.
Terse police documents... But something was really interesting. The rope that Colin gripped in his hands was broken because it was frayed. However, there have been other scrapes and so deep that the detective doubted it could even support the weight of a teenager. The school quietly resisted the investigation, withheld information. Mason picked up the paper with Colin's version of the story. It's were written a few months after the incident. The story was so enchanting that Mason was surprised that such evidence could be included in the case. Colin reported that at midnight he's go to a toilet and on the way he noticed a moving light spot as if someone's going ahead of him with a lantern. He followed and ended in the empty room on the second floor. The room immediately became dark but by moonlighting Colin saw that it's window wide open and the rope running outside. He came back and suddenly heard voices in the corridor. He was afraid that he will catch in the wrong place and punished, and without thinking decided to go down the rope. And fall down.
Mason thoughtfully folded yellowed pieces of paper. It seems that the police even did not try to understand if the injured child hides something or just wildly fantasizes. He had no doubt that Colin imagined the story from beginning to end. But... in his words was not words about the charges against him. Mason Capwell never mentioned. His name appeared only in the part of the teacher who found Colin — after Mason's cry. Turns out if Colin did not immediately become to blaming him?
"It's goes to show," Cruz agreed, and Mason realized that the last phrase uttered aloud.
"I think someone else was involved," Eden suddenly said.
"I agree," Cruz said. "Mason, you recently saw your former friend. Do you think he knows what was happened that night?"
"Unlike."
"Can we believe in his story?"
"I would not. I think he make up all of it."
"And its' leading us to the next question. Why? Why would he lie to police?"
"May be he defended someone?" Kelly suggested. "Or, conversely, he's afraid of someone?"
"Then he must know that he cannot blame Mason. Or he deliberately calumniates him?"
"I do not believe," Mason said slowly. "I think Colin was sincere in his belief that I'd make up his accident. Probably I should visit him again."
"Not now," Cruz shook his head. "You gave me quite a lot of information, I need to process it."
"We do not have much time."
"To sue us is not for Colin's favor," Mary replied. "I think he will wait to the last."
"I do not understand what he can expect. In fact there are uncertainties, but no hint either a lead to you. In my opinion he's just trying to act on your nerves, play on the guilt," Eden said thoughtfully.
"I think the same thing," Mary supported her.
"All true, but it is too early to relax," Cruz warned. "Stewart may keep some information in the sleeve."
"Most likely it's someone's testimony," Mason said. "One of the former students told him something. The weight of such a story is almost nothing. But who knows."
"I need make the call," Cruz stands up. "I'll work the oracle the police department. We must try to find the detective who did keep the case."

At home Mason locked in his study. Alone. Family talking stirred up his soul. Even in morning he could sworn that he remembered nothing about his life in Great Valley School but now it floated before his eyes. His classmates' faces, the dark school building, long hallways, cold dormitory... How much it turns out kept his memory!
In the master bedroom Mary waiting Mason. She's torn between her desire to comfort him and let him be alone. Finally she broke down and went to the study. Tugged the door and realized that it's locked. She knocked softly.
Heard the sound of knocking Mason silently cursed. Why she would leave him alone! For a moment he felt the temptation to pretend that he is not here. But then he got up and opened the door. Of course it was Mary.
"Let's go to bed," she takes his arm. But Mason did not move.
"I want to be alone now," he said and returned behind his table.
Mary silently followed him, tried to hug his back. Mason pulled out of her hands, walked to the window, leaned back against the wall.
"I'm very sorry for little boy who you told us today," she said. "But... Mason, he was in the past."
Mason shook his head.
"I know."
"Then why you do withdraw into your shell again? Do not doing it, please."
"You do not understand."
"I do not need to understand. I just feel--"
"What do you feel? What?"
"I feel like you need me."
"I don't."
Mary feels her cheeks burning with offence, she felt a strong desire to turn around and leave. But she afraid to do. If she does not break through this wall now they can move away each another for ever. But what she supposes to do? What she need to say to him that he would stop to defend himself from her?
"Yes, now you need no one," she finally said. "You built the thick protective wall around your heart. You've already recorded every of us as your enemies, right? And I'm among them. I am not your enemy, Mason. I do not wait for chance to strike you under armor. I just love you..." Her voice broke treacherously and she pressed her hand to her lips trying to hold back tears.
Mason almost physically felt the icy wall around his heart becoming melting. He quickly got up and come to Mary, pulled her close to him. Mary burst into tears; he pressed his cheek against her hair.
"I'm sorry..." he whispered hoarsely. "I'm so sorry--"
"I am not your enemy," she said again. "How can you think so?"
"I never did. Never."
"Then do not go anymore where you can not go back."
"I'm not go away anymore. I did not want. I love you very much. I need you."
"I know," Mary gave a wry smile. "Do not scare me like that. I will not survive if you ever turn into Mason, the Iceman."
"I was the Iceman for too long time to immediately forget how it feels. But I will do everything do not to make it again."
"Do you promise?"
"I do. I swear."
Chapter 125 — Unexpected Guest

In next morning the doorbell rang in the midst of breakfast.
Mary left the table and went to open. To her surprise Gina was on the verge.
"Hello, Mary. I want to see Mason," Gina immediately said.
"Mason, it's for you," Mary called and let her in.
"Who?" Mason asked throwing his napkin on the table and went out to them.
Meanwhile Gina curiously looking around the spacious living room and smeared Samantha and Chip at the table. Her gaze lingered a little longer at Mickey's crib and went back to Mason.
"I need your help," Gina said seriously. "CC demands the sole custody for Brandon."
Mary shivered.
Mason took Gina at side: "I'm up to my ears with work right now. Has my father any reasons to take Brandon?"
"He does not need reasons," Gina snorted. "He just comes and takes what he wants."
"It's all?"
"I have no an idea. Will you help me or not?"
"I'll," Mason sighed. "For the sake of Brandon. But I must know what the dirt have my father for you."
"I'm a little bit low on the hog and turned out the delay in paying for school," Gina voice said in a low.
"And?"
"I asked CC to help, but he did not want to give me a loan."
"Well, I can see why," Mason chuckled.
"And then he said that if I can not provide the good education for Brandon, I should give him in."
"In some ways he is right," Mason said. Then paused and added: "It looks like he is in the active phase of his father's feelings now. I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you. And Mason, I'm sorry that you had so the mean friend! Fortunately Brandon goes to the school where it's seems impossible."
"What you mean?"
"Did you see Santa Barbara Times yet? Then I recommend reading Colin Stewart's interview in it."
"I read it. And now your time is over," Mason is almost pushed Gina out of the house. "I call you when I talk to my father."
"Useless to talk with him," they heard Gina's voice behind the door.
Mason sighed and turned to Mary.
"That's real CC Capwell," he said. "He can not remember about Brandon in months until once again he's go into overdrive."
"He just found out about Charlie. Perhaps he feels that spent too little time with Brandon."
"This does not necessarily require the sole custody."
Mason leaned over and picked up the morning newspaper. Unfolded.
"Damn!" escape from him when he saw his own face on the first page. And photo of Colin in his wheelchair and very significant words "Colin Stewart vs. Mason Capwell."
Mason quickly found the article and go deep in reading. Mary came over and began to read over his shoulder.
Colin blew his little bomb! The article detailed described what she learned the week earlier by Mason. But the story now looks very different. Colin described Mason as the arrogant son of oil tycoon, vindictive and cruel boy. Too hard to believe that he once called Mason his friend. Colin himself appeared as the intelligent boy who found the courage to not just fight with his disability but also to make a career thanks to his talent. He talked about his family, his wife whom he met in rehab and the children who he adores. In general it is embodied the ideal image of heroism that marred only this dark story. The article was ended with the Colin's words:
"In spite of the accident that had broken my life I can call myself as a really happy person. I have the lovely family, my wife and children, I built the great career and my heart has no room for hatred. However I believe that every crime must be punished. And I want to see that it happened in my case ".
"Said you!" Mason exploded. He threw the newspaper on the table and walks around the room.
Christie wisely takes children to wash hands.
"You'll be late to court," Mary reminded and picked up the newspaper. "By the way here are the details I had not heard."
"I noticed," Mason thoughtfully looked out the window. "He became convinced of my guilt after our former classmate told him that he saw as I'm packing my belongings and dropped the key."
"The interesting interview," Mary said finishing reading the article. "It seems that he believes in his words."
"Well, there is one thing where he's surely lying — I saw the hatred in his eyes when we met a couple of days ago. He wants to take revenge on me. But," Mason looked at his watch," I really must go. And I need to speak to his father about Brandon."
"I see. Try not to linger."
Mary kissed Mason and followed him to the door by eyes.
Mickey whimpered, she went to the crib and took his little son on hands. Chip and Samantha downstairs and jump around.
"We want to walk! We want to walk!" they crying in unison.

* * *

In the afternoon Mason drove to Capwell's house. He already managed to speak with CC's lawyer and knew that CC determined to take Brandon from Gina's care.
To his surprise he found here all Capwell family and Mary with the children, accompanied by Christie.
"I thought you were at home," he whispers, embracing her.
"I was called Eden. I could not come."
"What's happened?" Mason involuntarily turned to her sister.
"Yes, something did," Eden said. And after a pause she added: "I and Cruz decided to get married."
"Wow!" Mason hugged her. "Congratulations! And you too, Cruz. When going happen the happy event?"
"Month later, on August 20."
"I'll be there," Mason promised and then asked: "Is the father at home?"
"In the study," Eden said. "What's the matter?"
"Brandon. More specifically in his wishing to take the boy from Gina."
Eden winced and held look at her older brother who bent his steps to CC's study.
However, the conversation of father and son came out the short one. CC flatly refused to withdraw his demands, and Mason could only get him to the temporary agreement: in the next month Brandon can live in Capwell's house without a change in custody arrangements. However, he doubted that Gina would like the solution.
As soon Mason left out the room as Cruz takes him.
"Mason, you know the name Darwin Beckett?"
"I think I do not. And who is he?"
"The guy that saw you picked key up the floor. I've had the interesting conversation with him today."
"And what did he say?" Eden came to him. And she was followed Mary.
"He was in contact with Stewart all of time. And he claims that Colin was not only obsessed with revenge on Mason, but even never mentioned that he blames him for something. And only about year ago he appeared at Beckett's home and became to ask questions about that night."
"When I recently met Colin he said that he hoped to recover for a long time and only recently decided to take revenge when he realized that nothing can do. But he said it happened about six months ago. But it seems to me that there rather is a year if not more," Mason said. "Given that McClain as how many he knew about the events of last summer... I think Colin was already watching me long ago. Otherwise how he could know so many details about McCormick and returning Mary?"
"So he does lies," Cruz resumed. "I'm trying to get info about Ross Dermont but still do not work. By the way Mason you are greatly helped my work when you putting the charges against McClain. I think it can be valuable information."
"Did you sue him?" Mary looked at Mason.
He nodded.
"As soon I learned that he had no relation to McCormick."
"He deserves to be punished for your kidnapping," Mary involuntarily clung to Mason's shoulder. "When I remember how many I'd passed though at this day and night--"
"And he will get it," Mason hugged her. "I promise."
Chapter 126 — Old Demon

For a wonder Gina agreed to CC's terms about Brandon's custody. May be she's branded with Mason's words about Charlie — she did not want that other CC's son would take over Brandon's place. One way or another but Brandon did moved into Capwell's house in the same day.
Mason left Mary and the children in Capwells' house and have drove to his former school. He did not explain anything to anybody, just got in the car and drove off. He did not really understand for why. He cannot come back in past years.
"And I would not mind," boy's voice suddenly said and Mason jerked. In the rearview mirror he saw his youngest brother.
"Dam, how are you ending up here?"
"Hid in the back seat," Charlie innocently replied.
"Why?"
"I understand what you are going to the interesting place. You told no one where."
"How did you manage to escape from Rosa?"
"It's easy. So where are we going?"
"You'll see," Mason snapped grimly.
He stopped at the first gas station, locked his little bro in the car and called to his father's house. Of course, Charlie was missed here. Mason reassured Rosa that he will bring him back and then hung up. He did not want to change plans because this sneaky baby--
He sighed and returned to the car.
"Where are we going?" Charlie enthusiastically repeated his question.
"To my first boarding school."
"Cool!" the younger brother exclaimed. "Do you want to look for a jewel?"
"You could say," Mason chuckled. "A jewel of my memory."
Charlie did not ask for anything more, just quietly humming something under radio music at the back seat.
It took about an hour. However when they finally arrived at the place Mason saw the picture is not what he expected to see. In place of the school building was black ruins.
"Ugh, how disgusting," Charlie frowned getting out of the car. "Is it the same horrible school?"
His voice sounded genuine disappointment. However Mason felt almost the same.
"Get back in the car," he ordered to his younger brother and went to the blackened frame.
Charlie even did not think to obey and Mason had to firmly grip his hand. He looked around the former The Great Valley School. Raged fire left a little of it. The roof was completely burned, the attic floor had walls only, and the second floor was badly damaged too. The last thing the fire touched was the ground floor with dormitory. Mason eyed the window his class's bedroom and then looked up to the second floor. Something did not shape well.
Charlie followed his gaze.
"Did you live here?" he asked curiously.
Mason absently nodded, not taking his eyes off half-burnt building. What cling to his mind?
"Get out of here," they suddenly heard the sharp raspy voice and turned around. The old man quickly walks to them. Apparently it's caretaker.
"Hello, I'm Mason Capwell," Mason went to meet him.
"Yes, I do not care who you are," the man rudely growled. "You have no right to be here. This is a private area."
"And who is your boss?" Mason asked.
"It does not concern you."
It seems that the old man did not read newspapers.
"Well, we just leave. Just tell me when was the fire? I do not think that it is confidential information."
"A year ago there was. And go away now."
"Wait a minute. It appears that you have been guarding the area?"
"Since you even went on foot under the table, Mister."
Mason struggled to revive his memory. Maybe they finally were lucky? Suddenly in his mind like something clicked.
"Old Demon," he said suddenly. "Everyone calls you Old Damon."
"How do you know?" the man suspiciously looked at him. "Who are you?"
"I once went to this school," Mason pointed to the ruins. "I studied in the same year when was the accident with Colin Stewart."
The old man thoughtfully eyed Mason.
"My memory already is not what was earlier but your face seems familiar to me. You were Stewart's buddy, were you?"
"Yes, we were friends before he had the accident."
"Exactly! So both of yours I pull off the tree near the library."
"And twice caught after bed-check in the attic," Mason could not help smiling.
"Yes, lo... So I remember something else. And who did you become the guy? You were definitely smarty boy."
"I became the lawyer," Mason said desperately wondering how to ask the old man without opening him the whole story. He suddenly was helped by Charlie.
"And why you were named Old Demon?" the boy boldly asked.
The old man was not offended but laughed revealing the yellow crooked teeth.
"My name is Henry Damon so boys gave me this nickname."
"Mr. Damon if we could talk somewhere? It would be very important if you tell what you remember about the accident."
"Why?" he puzzled asked.
"Colin said that Mason wanted to kill him!" Charlie angriness butted.
Mason pulled her brother's arm but boy continued: "What is it Mason's friend! He let everyone think that Mason steal the thing!"
"Steal?" Old Demon suddenly frowned.
"Yeah, there was disappeared the antique desk set and Colin said that he saw that I had it in hands leaving the staff room. Unfortunately I can not prove that I even never seen this thing."
"Well maybe it actually does not prove, but I aware who stole it," Mr. Damon suddenly said.
"Do you know?" escapes from Mason. "But how?"
"I saw how he carried it out of the room. I thought that he is charged for. When it happened I was not in the school, I drove to the city. Returning I found out about the accident... and I feel sorry the poor fellow and said the truth no one. Indeed in the very next day the value was found."
"Who is he? Who are you talking about?" Mason could not resist.
"What you mean? Of course I'm talking about Colin Stewart."
Chapter 127 — A new twist in the investigation

"Colin... he took the desk set out the staff room?" Mason repeated slowly.
"Exactly," the old man confirmed.
"Mr. Damon, can you proclaim it in the court? Are you sure that it was Colin?"
"I'm sure," he pursed his lips. "About the court... well, if it would need I can proclaim."
"Thank you," Mason warmly shakes his hand. "You even can not imagine how it's important to me."
Damon threw up his hands.
"I can not imagine why Colin would pile up this nonsense. You were good buddies."
"I thought the same," Mason said. "Did he contact you lately?"
The old man shook his head. "I have not seen him since the day just before the accident."
Mason said goodbye to Damon and returned to the car with Charlie. Before climbing in Mason turns back to his former school to cast last look. And it suddenly dawned on him. It subconsciously bothered him since he came here!
The school looked too small. Second floor was very low. How Colin managed so badly damaged falling from nine-ten foots height? It seemed almost impossible!
"Mason, are you going?" He was called by the younger brother.
"Now," the Mason said, and sat behind the wheel. He was really needed to think about everything.

* * *

CC Capwell met them as they come in the house. He barely looked at Mason and turned to Charlie.
"Young man, you badly behaved when leaving my house without permission. Go in your room."
Charlie lowered his head and quietly went up to his room.
"Why you were so late?" the patriarch asked his oldest son.
Mason did not answer and walked into the living room. Mary rose to meet him.
"Are you okay?" She asked quietly hugging him.
"Yes, of course. Is Cruz here?"
"He and Eden are in the belvedere. Where you were?"
"I did drive to The Great Valley School."
"And what is up?"
"Coming soon to explain."
Cruz and Eden coming in the living room — Rose said them about Mason's arrival — and Mason briefly told them the last events of the last hours.
"Mason, it's wonderful!" Eden excited. "If the caretaker testifies that Colin stole the desk set--"
"... it's does not remove suspicions from me."
"Do not remove but the balance will swing in your direction!"
"It's true," Mason admitted. "But it is unlikely to solve the riddle. But there is something else. The school building burned down but--"
"Burned down?" Cruz asked.
"Yeah and it did not seem for long time. Do you think if someone would want to get rid of evidence?"
"It is unlikely that there could be something important, but somehow did not seem to match."
"Maybe. But I'm talking about other--"
When Mason told the story about his discovery about the height, Eden Cruz looked at each other, and Mary looked at her husband.
"You have the explanation," she surely said.
"Some considerations," Mason putting his arm around her shoulders.
"And what is exactly?" Cruz asked.
Mason nodded toward the living room. He fast closed the door and all four sat down at the lighted fireplace.
"Let's tell us," Eden hurried him. "What's the idea that you hit upon?"
"Since the very beginning... since Colin's blaming I'd too stuck into the past and could not get beyond my memories. The conversation with Old Demon helped me to take a sober look at the situation.
"You and sobriety? It's impossible," Eden sarcastically said.
Mason did not respond to her sting.
"I thought that Colin did fall when I saw his face in the window of the dormitory. But in fact I saw him lying on the ground much later. I think it was at least half-hour or even forty minutes. I think he fell later."
"Why?"
"The height. Cruz, there is so low that if he's hanging out the dormitory's window he could just jump off the ground. Well, may be he can broke his leg."
"Actually he could get worse injuries," Cruz shook his head.
"Theoretically he could but I do not think so."
"Then what do you think was happened?" Eden looked at him skeptically too.
"I think Colin makes up some complicated scheme," Mason slowly answered without looking at them. "I was assigned the role of a whipping boy in both senses. It's Colin who told the teacher that I had seen with the desk set in hands just before it's missing and it's Colin who actually took the desk set."
"Maybe he's needed it for something?"
"He did not need to blame me, nobody miss it still for hundred years. No, he wanted to make me the thief."
"Or isolate for a time," Cruz added.
"May be," Mason agreed. "In the evening for some reason he climbed up the roof or one of upper floors and fell down."
"And what's about the face in the window?"
"I'm not sure what it was Colin. At first I thought it was a ghost — a former student of the school."
"Mason, you know, all the time I can not understand..." Mary suddenly began. "From the very beginning I have the impression that someone want to accuse you in Colin's accident. The key that you found on the floor, the accusation in stealing... Someone thought about it all. Someone wanted to make it look like it really was. And the impression that it's person is Colin. But he could not make up his own fall; he would not want to become disabled."
Mason turned to her and so closely looked into the face that Mary blushed.
"You ought to write detective books." he said in not clear tone. "Do you want to try?"
"Maybe I'll try," Mary sneered.
"Detective books are good thing, but Mary is right," Eden said. "The first rule investigation: cui proudest?"
"I already long ago have the impression that there is an unknown person who we know nothing," Cruz looked at each one.
"Yes, I remember you saying something about it. In this case it turns out that Colin himself was the victim of someone else's plot. But whose?"
"It is unlikely one of your classmate's. This does not come up with little boys," Cruz said. "Take it higher. Teachers? School masters? The school principal?"
"Any of them? Mason, remember: Sophia said that they did not want to give you to her," Mary said.
"I do not think it could be one of the adults," Mason shook his head.
"Why not? It's was so terrible school!" Eden said indignantly. "And so terrible the principal!"
"The principal may not accept me or Colin, or simply exclude us. He did not need to take such a risk by making up the accident and blaming me."
"It's must be someone who was close to Colin," Mary said. "For whom Colin would take such a risk? For whom he sold your friendship?"
Everybody turned all eyes ay her again, and Mary smiled.
"No, you exactly need to write detectives," Eden strictly said.
"No, we must save the detective for us," Mason hugged her from behind and kiss in the ear. "You read my mind," he whispered slyly and then turned serious: "I remember little of the time but I can imagine only one candidate. The high school freshman who was very interested in Colin."
"Ross McDermott," Cruz nodded. "I'm trying to look up his background, but it's not easy. It seems he's out of the country for a long time."
"Focus on him. If we need someone of seniors, it's either Ross or teachers and rest of school staff. Colin was flattered that one of big guys was interested in friendship with him. Ross was the only big boy who paid attention to him."
"And to you also?"
Mason shook his head.
"He did not even try."
"I got it," Cruz nodded. "By the way my attempts to find your classmates and teachers met with complete lack of documents of The Great Valley School. Only saved docs are in the police archive. It looks like someone is trying to cover tracks."
"And it's not Colin," Mason slowly said.
"We can not guarantee this," Eden did not agree.
Mason looked at her and said nothing. He did not know if he wants to see Colin as a mastermind or as a victim. He knew only that his soul still felt a long-standing painful betrayal. No because current charges, Mason was ready to meet it head on but meanness of the boy who he considered as a close friend.
Chapter 128 — Prison confessions

In next day Cruz suddenly appeared at Mary and Mason's place.
"Any news?" Mason asked after usually greetings.
"I found Ross McDermott," Cruz nodded. And after a pause he adds: "He's jailed in the state prison."
"Prison?" Mason asked dumbly. He did not expect it.
"Yes. Served for 10 years for killing his father. And he'll there for much more."
"I want to talk to him," Mason emphatically said.
"With whom?" Mary went to them and anxiously looked at her husband.
"With Ross," Mason answered. "I feel deep inside my gut that he has all the answers."
At this moment the doorbell rings. Mary goes to open the door and immediately calls for Mason. The court courier stands on the threshold.
"Mr. Mason Capwell? You have the notice."
"Thank you, Joe."
Mason took the paper and signed. Then he looked at Mary.
"Is it about MacLean?" she guessed.
"Yes, the court hearing scheduled for tomorrow. Cruz, can you arrange the meeting for me?"
"I'll try. By the way I found McDermott via McLean's ways. He contacted with McDermott for three times over last two weeks."
"Okay," Mason nodded. "So we have a good chance to finish this unpleasant history in the very near future."
Cruz left and Mary silently hugged Mason.
"I'm scared," she admitted quietly.
"Everything will be fine," Mason pulled her closer.
"I want that finally it's over."
"It does. Soon. I promise."

* * *

At the same evening Mason accompanied by Cruz and prison guards walks through the long corridors of the San Quentin. Another turn and more one... and they entered the visiting room. Just the room without the usual glass barrier.
"He is not considered as a particularly dangerous criminal," Cruz said.
Mason nodded, waiting for Ross McDermott. They waited for another quarter of an hour until the door finally opened and the guard led the handcuffed prisoner. He immediately raised his hands waiting for handcuffs will be removed, but the security guard yelled "Even not dream". Then he added, addressing to Mason and Cruz, "Push the button when you finish" and slammed the door.
Mason, Cruz and Ross were left alone.
"I do not know you," Ross bleakly looked at his visitors. "Who are you and what you want from me?"
"I'm Mason Capwell, the former classmate of Colin Stewart. And detective Castillo."
In Ross' eyes something flashed.
"Yeah, Capwell. I see you decided to revive old days in The Great Valley School, are you?"
"Something like that," Mason sank in the chair, crossed his legs. Cruz leaned against the doorpost and silently watching at both of them.
"Well, what do you want?" Ross leaned back in his chair. "Sorry, I can not offer you drink," he threw up his cuffed hands.
"What do you remember about one dark night that happened many years ago?"
"There were a lot of dark nights. What exactly do you mean?"
"Colin Stuart's fall."
"Oh, you know. But I know nothing about it. Well, I can see Stewart pulled your tail, Capwell?"
"How you knew?"
"Well, I do the reading newspapers. He accused you in his injury."
"But also you aware that I had nothing to do with it, right, Ross? You know it better than others."
"Do you blame me?" Ross barked.
"I know you welcomed Colin. And I know that someone want to accuse me in his fall."
"And so? I liked this kid, he so funny did everything what I told him."
"For example, steal the antique desk set?"
Ross paused then said: "I'll say no more."
Mason also leaned back.
"Why did you kill your father?" he melancholy asked. 
"Why do you want to know? Everything is in my record."
"Why did you kill him?"
"The old bastard robbed me of my inheritance," Ross grinned. "I've been sharpening his teeth at him and it's was the last nail."
"And it's cause that you killed him?"
"I just said it."
"What he did to you? And what did you to him?"
"Capwell, why you ask me these questions? What are you, turn to the damn shrink?"
"I want to understand."
"Me? What the devil? Though it's no secret. He just could not stand me. And he sent me to our beloved school when his next whore hitched up him and he's married her."
Mason turned white, before his eyes flashed color spots. All sudden lined up in the harmonious picture. Now he knew what happened that night. And he was afraid for the first time of all time.
"That's why you came up with this scheme. You wanted your father took you out of the school. And you were ready to sacrifice their lives for the sake — and Colin's one and eventually my too."
Ross looked at Mason and then nodded.
"You're quick-witted, Capwell. How did you manage to catch me?"
"Not matter. I think now you do not make sense to pretend innocent lamb. Maybe now you did tell me what you did?"
"And add couple of decades to my sentence?"
"No add to sentence for a dead man," Cruz said from the doorpost.
"So you know it," McDermott good-naturedly replied.
"We know that doctors give you no more than five years of lifetime. Even in the best case."
"Be aware Capwell, I'll deny everything."
"I do not doubt it. So how you got the idea to make "the accident"?"
"I knew that there were too small things that could get to my father," Ross said with a sigh. "I was 14 and I was ready to do anything in order to be back in the family."
"Even commit a murder? Did you want to kill Colin?"
"Honestly I did not care. I wanted that something happened in the school that would cause her father to take me out. Stewart just got under my hand and became the sacrificial lamb."
"How did you get him to agree?"
"Get to agree?" Ross laughed. "This kid so looked in my mouth that I'd no need even to talk him into. He gladly agreed to help me find the diamond in "the treasure room".
"Why do you need to make up the false stealing and put the blame on me?"
"Why, why... and do you not get it yet? I do not like to get in jail and I needed someone who would pay for what happened. The insult to the guy who accused you in stealing was a great motive. And poor Colin agreed to play pranks on you without any questions. In next day the thing would be found."
"But something went wrong."
"Yeah. I misjudged Stewart. He decided to scare his classmates and lowered from the roof the cardboard figure of school theatre club."
"Damn!" Mason blurted out. Now he did remember that just before Colin's fall all of the school was buzzing about the preparation for the school performance of Oliver Twist.
"Yes, it was daubed cardboard. He almost ruined my plan when raising turmoil. Well and then everything was easy. I pulled him down from the roof using the rotten rope and he naturally falls. Then I just open the door to the treasure room and put the key for you."
"And if Sophia did not take me at night, in the morning I never be able to wash away the charges," Mason said slowly.
"Bingo! I would tell everyone that I saw you coming out of the treasure room. The key would be the ultimate proof of your guilt."
"You are so sincere. But why Colin did blame me now? He surely knew who was held the rope when he did fall."
"Of course he knew. And also he "knew" that you wanted to revenge for his betrayal."
"You, of course, told him its version. When?"
"About a year ago. He came here and began to ask what did happen then. He blamed me."
"And you turned on me hand as originally planned?"
"Yes, I did. Then I still had hoped to leave here alive."
"It's strange that Colin believed you."
"There is nothing strange. I made sure to hide the ends."
"Is arson of the school your job?"
Ross nodded. "When you suddenly taken away from school I was really was in a cold sweat. Fortunately Stewart crashed too hard and could not immediately be questioned. My father actually came for me but I'd scared that police found out about me for a long time. And as soon as I got the opportunity I covered all tracks."
"Guess that you were not pleased by Colin's visit."
"It is an understatement. But it's my hands held the rope and I had to somehow get out."
"And he believed you?"
"I was not interested as the object of vengeance for him. You were a much more suitable figure. I threw a few facts to him and he gladly swallowed the bait."
"But he becomes to investigate for the past year. Why he had not blamed you earlier?"
"Ask him I know nothing about that," Ross becomes upset. "It's over. I hope that this moron would leave me alone now. How did he bore me!"
"Who?" Mason raised his eyebrow.
"Stuart, of course. The last months he constantly calling me — personally or through his henchman — and want to be advised how he could take you in the best way."
Mason and Cruz looked at each other.
"I am not going to thank you," Mason said. "I hope I never see you again."
"Both sides, Capwell," Ross replied without be offended.
Mason pushed the button and the guard led McDermott out.
"Are you okay?" Cruz put his hand on his shoulder.
"Yes," Mason shrugged. "Did you record it?"
Cruz silently pulled the small tape recorder from his jacket and pressed a few buttons.
In the empty visiting room again sounded Ross' voice. "Honestly I did not care. I wanted that something happened in the school that would cause her father to take me out--"
"I think that this record will satisfy all of Mr. Stewart's claims," Mason frowning said. "Let's get out of here."
"Let's go," Cruz agreed and they walk towards the exit.
Chapter 129 — Midnight Monsters

When Mason and Cruz came back to Capwell's house they found out here all of Capwells. The whole family was gathered there except for young children.
Mary rushes to Mason, hugging him and buries her face in his shirt.
"What's up to you...? I did not come back from a war."
"The lead thing that you just came back," Mary sneakily wiped her tears. She did not understand why she's so scared.
"Of course, I did."
"Mason, did you get it? Don't make us to wait any longer," Kelly could not wait.
"Yes," he nodded. "I did."
"Did tell McDermott all of it?"
"Turn on the record, Cruz. Let's old Ross tell the whole story. I hope you excuse me."
Mason threw in brandy in the tumbler and went out the garden. The dust was falling; the fresh cool breeze is blowing. The meeting was unpleasant, but now it was all over. He felt very tired.
"Mason," he heard Mary's quiet voice. "Go to us. We did finish listening."
He turned around, in one gulp drinking his brandy and returned to the living room.
"'It was the story!" Kelly shrugged her shoulders.
Eden put her arms around her sister's shoulders and nodded.
"I can not believe he is the terrible monster. He was a boy then!"
"He was the murderer," CC protractedly said. "By the way I seem can remember his father. He was the hard man, very hard."
"By the way I may guess that he was the person who advised you to send me to The Great Valley School," Mason said.
The living room was silent. CC nodded. "Yes, he did," he accepted.
"But Ross appeared in the school after me."
"Ross is the youngest son and the eldest one studied there all of years."
"And what happened to him?" Eden asked.
"I do not know, I'd never interested. Why you're all looking at me like this? I wanted to put Mason in the school with strict discipline and McDermott advised me one with fit terms."
"Yeah, he advised how advised," Mason could not resist and then looked at Sophia. "Thank you. You saved my life."
"You just can not imagine how glad I did," she hugged him. "I had no idea that I played so big role in the story."
"Me too," Mason admitted. "This story was not at all similar to the one that I thought was true."
"And what are you going to do now?" Mary asked.
"Give Mr. Stewart the copy of this record. I think it will remove all of his claims."
"Do you apply the claim for defamation?"
"I'll think about."
"If Ross has 10 years in prison how he can set fire the school building?" Kelly thoughtfully wonders.
"Given his tendencies I do not think that it was difficult to find the hand for it."
Kelly nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I guess so."

* * *

"Very tired?" Mary gently asked when they'd driven on the way back.
"The trip to San Quentin was exhausted."
"Do you think about Ross now?"
"Yeah--"
"He got what he deserved, right?"
Mason said nothing. Mary's heart sank. He did close in his shell again. What she suppose to do?
Upon returning home Mason immediately locked himself in his study. At this time Mary did not go after him guessing that she should give him privacy. She went to bed alone. For a while she tossed in the unusually large bed, and then finally fell asleep. But in midnight she was woken by Mason.
"What's happened?" She sat up. "Mickey? Children?"
"No, it's just me."
"What is it?" She reached out to light the lamp, but Mason grabbed her arm.
"Do not."
"Why? What's happened?"
"I need you--"
Mary instinctively hugged him and felt that he was trembling all over.
"I'm here, I'm with you..." She stroked him on the back and realized that he was still fully clothed. "Did you not go to bed?"
"No".
Mary hugged his head, feeling that he is on the edge. So it took several minutes Mason gradually stop to trembling and then drew back.
Mary firmly turns on the bedside lamp and looked into his eyes.
"What happened to you?" she quietly asked. "Did you tell me not all about Ross' story?"
"Not all? Was it too little of thrill for you?"
"It's too much of it for me. Why do you snapping?"
"From self-defense," Mason sighed.
"Do you think I'm accusing you of something?"
"No, just too good thinking about me."
Mary bit her lower lip.
"Nonsense. Do I do not know enough about you?"
"Mary--"
"Tell me what exactly I do not know about you and get it over."
"I can not."
"Do you do not trust me? Remember once you've tried to hide from me his alleged guilt for my father's condition. Would I turn away you then?"
"Do you mean that you already know that you're married to the monster?"
"Stop it. What else have you done?"
"Nothing. Just..." He paused and then continued with an effort: "When I'd listening to Ross I learned myself in his words. If you only knew how I hated my father when I was a boy! Today I looked at my mirror reflection."
Mary sighed and pulled the legs off the bed.
"I knew it," Mason quietly said.
"Well, of course it was not difficult to guess what I want to make you the cup of hot tea."
"Mary?"
"Let's go to the kitchen. There I will tell you the difference between Ross McDermott and Mason Capwell."
Mary put on her robe and without looking back went downstairs. Mason went after her.
She put the tea-kettle on the cooker and sat down at the table against Mason.
"Ross is a criminal and parricide," Mary sharply said looking directly into his eyes. "And you, Mason are a wonderful man. Whatever feelings you're experiencing for your father. Do you understand me?"
"Between me and Ross is almost no difference, can not you see?"
"I see. Have you ever tried to hurt your father?"
"Do you aware that my father fell into a coma because of my doings."
"And also I aware that you did not know about his illness then. Mason, between feelings and acts is a chasm. Even if you thought like he is you never made his actions.
"I could have done."
"But you did not. My God, Mason, you're so fond of your father! I never seen Ross, but his voice was anger and contempt when he talked about his. You and he are not equal, do you hear me? Do not you dare even think like this!"
"You always thought I was better than I actually was."
"You are the best. You're the best man in the world," she smiled.
"I sometimes think that it's a mistake. What do you suddenly see me as a monster and leave away."
"I do not see and do not go away. Mason, it seems to me that you do change in some way. Is there something more than your anguish because it's Ross?"
"Why did you asking?" He raised his eyebrow.
"You woke me up now. Do not overbuild ice walls around your heart and just open yourself to me."
She pushes the cup of hot tea in his hands. Mason automatically swallowed and winced.
"What is it?"
"Chamomile tea. Excellent help with stress."
Mason quietly pushed away his cup.
"Yes," he accepted. "Today I'd some changed." Mary looked at him questioningly. "I wanted to add a couple of walls to my heart defense but I suddenly realized that I'm even feels empty and cold with these that I already have. And unbearably lonely. You did melt the ice shield of my heart and now it refuses to be alone."
"Mason, but it's great!"
"I do not know--"
"It's good you're just not used to it. Trust me, okay?"
He did not answer.
"Okay, then just listen to your heart. And do not freeze it anymore."
"I will not," Mason said and drew Mary closer. "I think it's time to go in the bedroom."
"I think the same thing," Mary giggled, and they went upstairs together.
Chamomile tea was destined to cool off in solitude.
Chapter 130 — The Escape

"Mason, where you been? Channing almost missed the race because of you!"
"I'm sorry, Dad." (Fingers clench the table knife)
"Mason, you must to do what I say."
"Yes, Daddy". (His mouth fills a bitter taste)
"Mason, give your place to Eden, she so upset."
"Okay, Dad". (His heart is beating like a hammer)
"I disown you, Mason. You are no my son any longer."
He looks at the bloody knife in his hand--
"Mason, what you done?"

"Mason, Mason, wake up, it's a nightmare!"
Mason hugs Mary, but still sees the bloody knife in his hand.
In the night the storm broke. The garden rustled and creaked as if there raged a witch. Older children open-mouthed looking out the window at the raging nature.
Mary accompanies Mason to the car before he's take off to the office.
"Don't wait me too early," he warned. "Today's court session promises to be a long and deep."
"We'll miss you," Mary kissed his cheek.
"Of course," he smiled and got into the car.
Mary returned to the house and came across two pairs of reproachful eyes.
"Walk?" Chip and Samantha chorus asked.
"No, look at the rain and wind, sweetie."
"Noo-oo-oo!" children ached and scattered around.
Christie sadly looking out the window: she likes have the children outside much more than at home.
But at the day they did outdo themselves. After a couple of hours Christie gives down and went to Mary.
"We must do something! Today they just do not like themselves and can kill each other."
Mary tried to calm Chip and Sami, but also failed.
"They are bored," she finally made her verdict. "I think we should go to the Capwell's house."
Christie beamed. Despite everything she still liked to visit Capwells. Her lost love for Ted was healed for long time, and they have the good friendship now.

* * *

An hour later, Mary already has a nice talk with Eden who stopped by here. Chip and Samantha quietly sat in the kitchen and helped Rosa make cookies; Christy shared the latest news with Ted.
But just before lunch Brandon's cry shakes the house.
"No! It is not true!"
Everyone run in the living room. Charlie and Brandon rolling on the flour and punching each other.
"Stop it," Ted firmly grabbed Charlie by the collar and began to pull off.
Mary and Eden were dragged off Brandon.
"What has come upon you?" Eden asked Brandon. "You never like fighting earlier."
Brandon quietly wriggled out of her hands and ran outside.
"Brandon, come back!" Mary ran after him, but the boy disappeared in the rain.
She returned to the house.
"Do you found him?" Eden rushed to her.
"No, he ran away. Where's Charlie?"
"In the living room. Ted tries to learn what's up for them."
Mary entered the room and joined the rest of the adults that were around scratched Charlie. He's dark and do not answer any questions, but looked askance at one then another.
Ted took Charlie to his room and then he tried to reach CC. But CC was not in the office, and secretary reported that he just gone to the business meeting in San Francisco.
"Excellent," Ted sadly commented and returned to the living room.
"Father is in San Francisco," he said. "Does anyone know where mom is?"
"I'll call her to Armonti's," Eden said and goes to call.
"I'll go into the garden to look for Brandon," Christie stands up from sofa.
"I'll go with you," Mary got up also.
"He could not run away too far," Ted said confidently. "Do not worry, he does soon be found."
But Brandon disappeared without leaving trace. They searched for him all in turn, searched every corner of the garden. But the estate seems too large.
Called by Mary Mason entered the house along with Sophia.
"Have not yet found him?" he asked quickly steps in the living room.
"No," Mary quickly embraced him. "I do not know what to do!
"Apparently the kid does not want to be found. Where's Charlie?"
"Still locked in his room. We tried to ask him but he is not too talkative."
"I'll try to talk to him," Sophia said and goes upstairs to the second floor.
"Did you looking for in stables?" Mason asked. "No? Then I'll go. May be he's is sitting there. It's his favorite place."

But Brandon was not found in the stables too. Mason walked around a few promising places, but its also was failed. He returned to the house through the back door and upstairs to change soaked clothes. Passing along the corridor he heard Sophia tries to reach out to Charlie.
"We do need to find Brandon, you understand me? Where did he run away?"
"I do not know!" In Charlie's voice could be heard sobbing. "I do not know."
Mason was about to enter and stop the questioning but heard:
"Sweetie, I know you're scared. But you not be any punished. I swear. Tell me why you quarreled?"
There was silence for a few moments and then Charlie give up: "He mocked over the way me speaking. And he said that he'll teach me to speak in California way. I said that I'll not have a deal with snobs. And he said that he is like his father is. And I said that he cannot be like his father because he's adopted."
"What?" Mason burst into the room. "What did you tell him?"
He saw the huge frightened eyes of youngest brother.
"Mason, calm down," Sophia took his hand. "Charlie, why do you say it to Brandon?"
"Because it's true," he looked up her. "I heard that my father and his mother talked about it. Well, I told him. And he yells and rushes at me! But I do not know where he escaped. I really do not know!
Sophia and Mason looked at each other.
"I'll call Cruz," Mason said and run downstairs. The case took a bad turn.
Sophia turned to Charlie.
"You acted very badly," she said dryly. "You should not say Brandon about his adoption."
"And he was not supposed to laugh at me.
"Charlie, I understand that you're offended, but it's too serious thing."
"I ever know that he does not know it! I thought it turned to be witty about his father's liking. In my school there was the adopted boy so he called himself the foundling and was not offended by jokes. His parents were so cool! They always came to him. He was jealous by everybody!" Charlie's eyes dreamy flashed and then went out. "Sophia, what will happen now to me? Father would punish me, right?"
"Maybe. But first we must find Brandon. Charlie, you're playing together. Remember maybe there is some place where he likes to hide?"
"I do not know," he shook his head. "I almost did not talk to him."
"And where you would go if you were on his place?" They heard Mason's voice from the door. "If you feel really bad where you would ran?"
"To my room. But..." Charlie suddenly stopped and swept past Mason out the hall.
"Charlie, come back!" Mason chased him and grabbed his hand. "I'll see you."
"He ran away because me so I must look for him!" Charlie broke away and ran out to the rain.
"Damn!" escaped from Mason powerlessness.
"Did you find Brandon?" Mary came up to him.
"No, and Charlie ran away too. To seek for him."
Half an hour later Cruz came in, and again Capwells went with flashes to the wet garden. Rain died down, but still it was drizzling.
Mary fills Mason up with hot coffee when the door suddenly opened and showed both of two runaways.
"Brandon, how are you scared me!" Sophia ran to him and saw that he was limping.
"He was at Lockridge property, tangled in barbed wire," Charlie explained.
"Its need to call the doctor," Sophia turned to Mason who nodded and dialed the number.
Sophia gently helped Brandon to upstairs to his room.
When they were out of sight Mason looked at his youngest brother.
"How did you know where he was?"
"I remember that he told me that he lived with her mother in the mansion and there was the barn with a well-hidden place. I run there and saw that he was stuck in the wire. I unhooked it and he still did not want to go with me!"
"But he did so what did you tell him?" Mason asked.
"He is really lucky guy. He has mom who loves him. Unlike me," Charlie said and go upstairs too, leaving Mason thoughtfully watched after him.
Chapter 131 — The Last Visit

Mary and Mason's house was granted by the unusual visitor in the morning of the next day.
"Mr. Stewart?" Mary surprised and moved aside letting in the wheel chaired guest.
"Good morning. I like to see your husband," Colin Stewart said. "Do I believe that you are Mrs. Capwell?"
"Yes, it's my wife Mary," Mason approached and with possessive gesture put his hand on her shoulder. "What wind blew you in, Colin? Still waiting I'll wake up by pangs of conscience?"
Stewart looked at Mary.
"I have no secrets from Mary," Mason said.
"I think you both are needs to talk. Come in," Mary invited.
Colin drove into the living room and stops next to the sofa.
Mason got at the sofa's arm while Mary leads her curious children upstairs.
"Your little ones?" Stuart nodded after them.
"Of course. So what do you want to say me?"
"I have received the copy of the record," Colin looked darkly at Mason.
He slightly shrugged.
"I want to apologize," Colin emphatically said.
"For what? For defaming my name and my family? The threat of litigation? For the charge of attempted murder?"
Stewart weakly smiled. "Tomorrow all the newspapers will come out with refute. Any trial will not be. I do apologize for accusing you."
"Why you did it?" Mary came to them and sat on the sofa near Mason. "Mason was your friend. How you did believe in McDermott's false story?"
"You would not believe me, but being Ross's friend has been for me the most precious gift of all time."
"He's never seeing you as a person," Mason could not resist. "And you and I were on an equal footing."
"You still did not understand, Capwell," Stewart's face got a dreamy, melancholy expression. "Of course, you cannot do. You've always had a great family."
"A great family?" Mason repeated puzzled.
And Colin continued: "I and McDermott were in the same boat. We were both thrown to rot in this horrible school, we actually have been orphaned."
"Not only you, but me and the rest of students."
He shook his head.
"All others were visited by their families. They got letters from home. They were protected by parents. And only I and Ross were forced to survive on our own as we could. When you showed up at school I thought you were on the same way. That we can understand each other. But then it turned out that you are like everyone."
Mason looked at the former classmate and pictures of the past seethed madly in his brain.
"So why you are abruptly turned away from me," he hoarsely said and cleared his throat. "On the weekend I'd visited my father and stepmother."
"It's true," Colin nodded. "I saw how they're all over you and I realized that we both were not on the same road. Fortunately Ross soon appeared in the school."
"You're sounding like you did wait for him," Mary wondered.
"I did not wait but I guessed that he might appear."
"Why?" Mason surprised.
"I went to the school since my elementary classes," Stewart just said. "I knew his older brother. And I guessed what Ross might also be here."
"And where is his brother now?" Mason asked. "In the prison also? Or in the nuthouse?"
"He committed suicide a month after his prom."
"And Ross was still sent to your school?" Mary stunned.
"It's not matter about the school, Mrs. Capwell," Stuart looked at her. "Not everyone can stand against the absolute loneness."
"But he still had his family? Parents, siblings?"
"Have you ever heard that you can have a bunch of relatives, but to be completely alone? I also have three brothers, two sisters and both parents. But I do not even know their phone numbers. They never did care about me. However after my fall my father had sitting at my bed for a few times and my mother even once spent the night in my hospital room. It's the best days in my life."
"But you did survive through this," Mason slowly said. "You survived, got the profession and well-known name, got married. What made you to look for a guilty person?"
"My wife said me that she would leave me if I do not get the worldwide popularity. I thought it's the great chance to express everybody and for revenge. You would not believe how the world changes when you look at it from the wheelchair," Stuart lovingly stroked his arm-rests. "For the one your own step you are ready to sacrifice everything. I spent so much money on doctors and medicine, but it's no good."
"But you believed it that I did set up you fall?"
"Ross convinced me that you outplayed us. We wanted to set up you in that night and you're ahead of us."
"You both were judged by your own," Mason chuckled ruefully.
"Mr. Stewart..." Mary begins, but he interrupted her.
"Call me Colin, please," he sweetly smiled. 
"Mr. Stewart, could you say when exactly you decided to take revenge on Mason?" Mary asked.
"Does it matter?" Colin raised the eyebrow.
"Yes. So when?"
He shrugged his shoulders.
"I do not remember."
"And it seems to me you do. But for some reason you do not want to talk about."
Mason looked at her.
"You are very perceptive," Colin said. "Yes, I lied to Mason when I said that I decided to take revenge on him six months ago. I lost my hope for recovering at the last August."
"I knew it. After my supposed death," Mary nodded.
"I wanted to take revenge on you, Capwell, but I thought that your fate made it for me."
"But you still continued to follow Mason, right? Hence and McLean's masquerade. As Mason told me whole story as I immediately thought how you can know so much details about Mark McCormick."
"I hired the private eye and I'd aware about every step you take, Mason. When I'd known that you found your love again, I started new plans for revenge, but it's intervened by Lawrence Duvall."
"And did you decide to let him to make your dirty work?" Mason chuckled. "And you failed again."
"Yes, I was with no luck. And then I finally made out the scheme. The rest of it, I think, you already knew."
"You are so outspoken, Mr. Stewart," Mary noted. "Do you sure that your words will not be used against you?"
"It would be not good for your husband, Mrs. Capwell. The new lawsuit with my word against his word... No, I'm sure I can speak freely."
"I think we've all said, Mr. Stewart," Mason rose to his feet. "I hope you'll continue to stay away from me and my family for a long time."
Colin said nothing and turned his wheelchair toward the exit. Mary accompanied him to the door and returned to the living room, just making sure he got in his car.
Mason poured the portion of brandy to tumbler.
"Pour me too," Mary said and exhausted sank in the chair. "What the horrible person--"
"Perhaps I am not better than him, Mary--"
"Do not talk such nonsense. You and Stuart like come from different worlds. From different planets... Did not you see? He even not turned against McDermott who cynically used him and almost killed. His mind works in very different way--"
"Yeah. While he's speaking I thought how I did not notice it when I was a child."
"He was unhappy, you feels him like a friend in misfortune."
"Just do not tell me you're sorry him," Mason snapped.
"In some ways I do. Mason, he still lives by his offenses. Angry boy who never grew up. I think if your friendship kept a little longer you'd have dropped it like a hot potato."
"We do never know."
"We must leave it in the past. I do not know how but we need to."
"I think I know what we need now. Wait a minute," Mason jumped up and run to his study.
Mary got up and walked to the window. She feels bad shivering from the monstrous personality of Mason's former classmate.
Five minutes later Mason came back and immediately dragged Mary out of the door.
"Where are you takes me?"
"You'll see.
"Mason, but what's about children?"
"I've already talked to Christie. Do not resist, you like it."

* * *

Mason brought Mary to the coast and led her to a wild beach then through the gallery of caves and in the tiny cove.
"Here so beautiful, Mason! How did you find it?" Mary sat on the high flat rock posing in the water.
"This is my child hiding place," Mason sat down too and leaned back. "No soul knows about."
Mary absently ran her fingers through his hair, looking at choppy water surface.
"Here so quiet..." she whispered. "It seems that we are alone in the whole world."
"We are."
"I think I can understand why you brought me here now. It's feels like a kind of pristine clearness."
"It's true," Mason convulsively sighed and sat up again. "After Colin's visit I longed to clean off his presence. To wash, to bleach, to disinfect--"
"Mason--"
"I know you disapprove me--"
"You're too strongly reacts. The Great Valley School's case is in the past now and ever."
"But Colin and his evil world still exist. They are transformed and reshaped in mimicry, but survived."
"I thought you already know that there is underside, Mason. Why you come across them in court in every day?"
"In the court I do not know these people personally. And now I feel like I came into contact with something nasty thing."
"Stop think about Colin. Forget about Ross and this awful school," Mary hugged Mason, then pulled away and pressed her forehead against his forehead. "They are no longer part of your life. And you have me," she smiled. "And Mickey, and Chip and Sammy. And whole your family. And mine one."
Mason felt the icy grip of the heart begins to melt. The world began to acquire the correct proportions again. Yes, he has Mary. And his family and children. And he never was the killer, even involuntary one.
"You know when Colin told me how I was happy with my great family it occurred to me... When I phoned to father and asked for help I was sure he would help me. Yes, finally I was saved by Sophia, but she was also part of our family."
"Of course, they never abandoned you. Your family is all very fond of each other."
"When I was a kid I wanted to some monster swallowed my father. The day before yesterday I had the dream that I'm stabbing him to death."
"It's all your fear, Mason. Fear of losing the father."
"Why?" Mason sharply pulled back.
"Dreams always interpreting with the way. On the contrary. Your mother left when you were very young. No wonder you're afraid to lose his father too. And the last events returned to you in the past again. All logical."
"You will never believe that I am a monster, will you?" He pressed his face to her hair.
"No, of course. You're not a monster. You are wonderful."
"It's your fault--"
Chapter 132 — Full Circle

They have been stay here for a long time. And were silent. It's feels good even without any words.
"Mary, let's leave away," Mason suddenly offered.
"Why? I'm feels well here," Mary fumbled in his hands.
"Is it true?"
"What?"
"What you feel well here--"
"Sure," Mary turned and looked into his eyes. "Do you doubt?"
"I... I do not know."
Mason ran his hand through his hair and looked away.
"What's the matter? Or you're hiding something from me?"
"No, I just think that we can not have a calm life in Santa Barbara."
"Why? Because your former friend? Mason, all your family is here. And mine also. Why we must leave?"
"My past... it does not give us a peace."
"I never had promised it," Mary smiled. "I have three children, Mason!"
"You're so well taken Chip and Sammy."
"I can not image my life without them. Why you constantly remind me that they are not my children?"
"I always thought it's impossible," Mason smiled wryly.
"To love a step-child? But what about Sophia?"
"In fact it's because her."
"Why? She did replace your mother."
"Let's just say I saw it with different eyes."
Mary looked away.
"Perhaps after fifteen years Chip will tell me the same thing."
"He'll not!"
"It is unlikely that your father could predict your attitude to his second wife. I'm too the second one."
"What are you blaming me for it? I thought that you were dead!"
"I'm not blaming you, just surprised that you do not see the parallels."
"My second marriage and second marriage of my father as like as cheese and chalk."
Mary looked at him in silence. And then said: "I'm not going anywhere. It's point. My family is here."
"This is an ultimatum?" Mason raised his eyebrow.
"No."
"It's good," he pulls her to him. "I hate ultimatums."
"Like I do," Mary pointedly said and unable to help she smiled. "And I hate even one thought about leaving."
"I just offer it," Mason put her hands on her waist. "Do you trust me?"
"Of course," she kissed his cheek. "It's time to go home. Thank you for brought me here. It's a wonderful place."
"Sure. It's was me who found it."
Mary laughed and went through caves after Mason.

As soon as they entered the house as Christie rushed them.
"O God, you're here!"
"Christy, what happened?" Mary alarm looks at her troubled face. "Children?"
"No, they were okay. Uncle Larry died."
"What? How?"
"His car skidded on the wet road. They say that he immediately died."
"Mom already knows?"
"She called me."
"I call her now," Mary quickly begins to dial the number, but Mason took her phone.
"Its better I talk to her."
Mary pursed her lips and gave up the receiver. And then go upstairs.
Mickey peaceful slept in the nursery. Older children gleefully yelled "Mom!" and stuck her on both sides. She hugged them and inhaled a sweet baby scent, trying to calm down. Uncle's death fills her soul a lot of feelings which she did not even try to found out--

* * *

Mason took care of all the troubles of the funeral, and Mary was very grateful. At the brief ceremony attended only relatives.
Theda touched Mary's shoulder:
"I take the children tonight."
"It is not necessary."
"I know. But I want someone to be there. Alive. They are so wonderful babies, Mary."
"Mom, are you crying?"
"No, of course, sweetie. Something got in my eye."
Mary gazed after his mother until she disappeared from sight. Then she looked for Mason but he's not here for some reason.
She chilly brought her shoulders together and walked slowly through the cemetery, deeply inside aware where she's going, but not wanting to admit it. However reaching the place she was surprised to see the familiar figure at her father's tombstone.
"Come here," Mason did not even turn around.
Mary came over and sat down on the grass next to the tomb. He sat down and touched her shoulder.
"How are you?"
"All right. Really."
"I see you don't. Do you feel guilty?"
Mary shook her head.
"I do not sure. But I would like that we're be in other ways. To keep things differently. Just... he connected me with my father. It is foolish to think so but now seemed his death cut the last thread."
Mason did not answer immediately.
"I think now he feels better."
"Without us?"
"No," he shook his head. "But now he's reunited with his twin brother."
Mary stared at him and then nodded.
"My father had always been the important figure for him. I never thought about it but maybe he really was ready to exchange us for his Kenny."
"It is unlikely that Larry wanted to die. But his life was really hard without his twin brother."
"Do you saw it too?"
He shrugged his shoulders.
"Yes, many times."
"Mason, you did forgive him?"
"For the fact that he tried to kill me? No."
Mary did not answer.
"You did not too." The statement, not the question.
"I could not," Mary whispered. "I tried really hard but failed. And now I no longer have a chance."
"Do not beating yourself. He was just the brother of your father. You did not know him. And he almost destroyed our lives."
"Dad loved him. And he saved my life."
"I'm very grateful to him for it, but let's leave it in the past. Duvall Twins are in a better world now."
"It seems to me Uncle Larry was dead long ago. Perhaps dad's death was too hurt for him. He wanted me only because my dad. I and Christy would not his interest if not his promise to take care about us. You're probably right. Now they are finally together."
And they slowly moved along the path to the cemetery gate.
"Lawrence Duvall was the rich man," Mason suddenly said. "I think he left all money to the family."
"Probably," Mary replied absently as if she was deeply thought.
"Do you know where he kept his will? It is strange that his lawyer had not yet turned up."
"I know nothing about that, Mason."
"What do you think?" He stopped, took her hand.
"I have the feeling that circle did closed. A little less than a year ago I accidentally saw my uncle Larry at the cemetery at my dad's tomb, and now he's gone too."
"I can understand what you mean. During this year we have learned a lot about us self."
"That's right," Mary smiled and looked up at him. "The boy with the bicycle--"
"... and the girl in the red swimsuit. I found my long lost childhood friend."
"And once again lost him."
"Not really. Some part of him now lives in you, remember?"
"I remember, just I do not think that you're looking at it in the way."
"During this year I found out not only you. But myself, too."
"I know. I love you."
"I love you too," Mason pulled Mary to her and kissed her. "Let the dead men have a rest in peace. And we alive will look to the future."
"I agree," Mary kissed him. "We will have the bright future."
"And even death never separates us," Mason added, clearly remembering how he found Mary after already having accepted her death.
Chapter 133 — Rest We Can Only Dream--

The house was unusually quiet without the older children. No one screamed, run, asked to draw any picture and not complain on their siblings.
Christy early upstairs to her room, Jimmy was out for shooting for the local magazine.
"I'm feeling not quite the thing," Mary said with a sigh and sit down on the sofa in the living room. "The silence rings in my ears."
"And screams in mine," Mason said referring to Mickey's recent hungry crying.
They were silent.
"Yesterday my father offered me the position in the company," Mason finally said and looked at Mary.
"And your answer was?" She forced herself to focus on the conversation. Her mind still was flooded with memories of the funeral so look alike to her father's funeral.
"Nothing. I'm not sure it's worth to agree."
"But you have always dreamed of working with your father."
"In the past I did. But now I no longer need to prove something to him."
"And yet his offer to get you."
"Old habits die hard," Mason shrugged.
"I think you already knew the answer," Mary frankly said. "You do want to work with CC."
"Is it so obvious?" Mason sadly smiled.
"I just know you," Mary put her hand on his shoulder. "Agree."
"I'll think," Mason evasively replies.
At this point the phone rang.
"No! No again!" Mary exclaimed.
Mason picked up: "Mason Capwell's residence. Who's talking? Yes, I'm listening, Charlie. What? Why? I think my father knows best. Oh, OK, I'll come."
"What happened?" Mary tensed looked at him.
"My youngest brother is asking for help," Mason said without smiling. "The father just returned to the town. He learned about Charlie's fight with Brandon and grounded him. I will try to negotiate an indulgence for the young sinner. Will you forgive me?"
"Sure. Just do not be back too late."
Mason left and Mary stay alone. She looked into the nursery, wandered through the house then returned to the living room and turned on TV. Switching channels, stopped on a movie, but was unable to take in the plot, being deeply in her thoughts about her father and his twin brother, about her mother. She remembered Theda's second husband and Steve. Mary involuntarily shuddered, she was disgusted.
"Mary?"
She looked up and saw her younger sister in the doorway. The house was built in such way that the flat above the garage have the straight way into the main house without going through the front door.
"Come here," Mary called her.
"Is not here Mason?"
"No, he went to Capwell's house."
"Something serious?" Christy sat on the sofa and picked up her legs.
"I do not think," Mary shook her head and smiled: "Do you miss Jimmy?"
She nodded.
"Do you wish you had gone to the funeral?"
"No. I do not like them. And I hate Uncle Larry after all. Why did he leave us again? He promised that he never go away anymore."
"You're become to love him, are you?" Mary sat down beside her sister and put her arm around her shoulders. "He did not want to die. It was just the accident."
"So he had to drive more carefully. And now me and mom alone again. And Jimmy disappeared somewhere."
"Christy, what's the matter?"
"Nothing."
"Christy--"
"Nothing. I'm just feels some lonely. I always desperately miss when Jimmy leaves out."
"He will return tomorrow. And now you have me."
"I know," Christie smiled. "I'm just too used that I have a family. Several years ago I would have thought that it's just a normal state of things. Now I upset by it."
"You did the long way, sis."
"You too," Christie touched her hair. "You even came back from the dead to be with us."
"I think we all deserve a little happiness. And Mason too."

* * *

"Father, do not you think that you're going a little too far?"
"It's none of your business, Mason."
"Charlie is my brother."
"He deserves to be grounded."
"You need be at home more often. He already forgot the whole event and made it up with Brandon."
"Your mother gave him to long the rope. She could not deal with him, and now I can see why. He grew up without the father and needs the good discipline."
"He was just the boy, not a soldier. I remember that once you've tried to discipline your eldest son."
CC glanced at him.
"And more then one time. Do you think it is useless? Do you think that he will grow up to be the same as you did?"
"Do you're dissatisfied with something, father? Oh, you wanted me to become an unprincipled politician. And I become just a brilliant lawyer."
"What do you want from me, Mason? Charlie is my son and I decide how to punish him. Grounded for a week that is enough. He is always kicking against the pricks and pick on Brandon. Let him sit alone and quiet."
"Do you think he'll stay alone and quit? From that I've managed to learn about my brother I'm sure he will run away from the bedroom on the first day. He'll bore."
"And what do you suggest, Mason? Do not punish him at all?"
"Return Brandon to Gina. Then Charlie no longer defends his territory."
"Absolutely no way. Gina did not receive anything beyond the agreement. And Brandon still shows himself!"
"Father, do you want bloodshed? Or they'll hate each other as me and Channing did?"
"In short, Mason. Do you have any other suggestions?"
"Let him be grounded in my house for the week."
"Your home as the prison? A curious view. But I am afraid that such punishment would be too weak. Brandon had both psychological and physical trauma because his behaving."
"Do you want to punish him or break? I have the impression that you work off for Pamela."
"Do not talk nonsense. Okay, take your younger sibling away. And tell him that just one more fault — and he will be moved in the private school with strict discipline."
"Father, The Great Valley School no longer accepts students."
CC looked grimly at Mason and silently marched to his study.
Mason sighed and hoped that Mary would not be opposed. His brother was not a gift in any way.
Chapter 134 — Soul Distress

Mary meets Charlie as surprised but not angry. She arranged him in the guest room and downstairs.
"How is he?" Mason asked.
"Reading. What's happened?"
He shortly recounted the situation.
"Why do you think that something's up with him?"
"Are you angry?"
"No, I just do not understand."
"I am afraid that he'll out of control," Mason accepted. "Moreover with Brandon together."
"Have you been able to contact to your mother?"
"No," Mason got up off the couch and walked across the room. "She left the UK, that's all I know. She could be anywhere from Majorca to the Cayman Islands."
"I can not believe she left no address--"
"However she did," he sighed.
"Mason, I know what it was a huge blow for you--"
"I've always thought that she loved me but my father forbids her to see me. But she found the replacement for me--"
"Do not think about it."
"I'm trying," he wryly smiled. "But I can not help. I see myself in Charlie."
Mary stroked his arm.
"He's quite another person."
"Probably, it's affecting his European education."
"I think you're takes your blood ties as too important. I and Christy are very different although we have the same parents. You are not clone of Charlie. Let go the situation--"
Mason said nothing, and Mary knew that he did not agree but do not want to argue.

* * *

In the next day Theda brought back Chip and Sammy, and the house has filled with their delighted screams. Children adored Uncle Charlie and take every chance to gladly drag him into the nursery.
So passed a few days. Mason almost did not have been at home, replacing his lawyer colleague in the court, but Charlie made himself perfectly, and Mary sometimes seems that he always lived with them. And he was not like that the nervous teenager who firstly appeared here. He seemed to become younger, relaxed, and simpler.
One morning Mother Isabel visits them. Mary talks to her with great pleasure, but then she's surged by desperate longing for her old life when she did help to people and worked in the charity clinic. A way back was gone, but her life seemed to cut the half. By the accident on the roof of Capwell Hotel.
"Mary?" She heard Charlie's voice. "Are you all right?"
"I was just thought."
How she can return the missing part of herself? Quite out of place she remembered Uncle Larry. What he felt after losing his twin brother?
"Is Mason hates me?"
"What?" Mary came back to reality. "No, of course. Why you decided it?"
Charlie shrugged, then turned and sat down before the playpen. Put down his hand and started to move the rubber T. Rex over Mickey's head. The baby reached up, trying to get the toy.
"He tries to leave out when I'm near," Charlie said without looking up.
"Mason has a lot of work now," Mary sat down the sofa.
"It's not true," Charlie looked up to her eyes. "He does not want me here."
"Do not talk nonsense; he's brought you here."
"He believes that he must take care about me because mom asked him."
Mary paused.
"Mason loves you, but may be he's little offended at you. You do not want to tell him about your mother. She is his mother too."
"He never asked me about. And anyway I have nothing to say."
"Well, you see? You are both so stubborn and always bristled as hedgehogs."
Charlie chuckled.
"He is even a porcupine!"
"Well, you have many prickles too."
At the point the door slammed and Mason's voice loud declared: "I'm home!"
Mary got up and went to her husband, kissed him on the cheek and hugged.
"Hi! You're early today."
"I'll explain later. What we have for dinner?"
"The Orient Express."
"Alone? It's tempting," he smiled.
Mary hesitantly looked at Charlie, but then shook her head.
"Sorry, I'm afraid if we take you CC decides that you have too luxurious life as a prisoner."
"Yes, I guess," Charlie seems not too upset. "Can I call Brandon? It would not break rules. I still am stay in the house."
"Only for a short time," Mason allowed.
Mary warned Christie that they'll leave out, and half an hour later she and Mason already are sitting in the restaurant.
"You're some kind of silent," Mason said after pausing. "Is there something wrong?"
"Today Mother Isabel came up."
"Any bad news?"
"No, I just thought about how different my life become now."
"Of course. If compared with the monastery."
"Not only. If compared to what has been up before... my accident. I have a feeling that I had lost myself. Sorry," she added noting how changed Mason's expression. "Do not take it personally. I love you. Do not pay attention."
"I'll not," Mason said a little stiffly and then smiled. "You're not pay attention to my mood too."
"What's happened?"
"I made the decision about my job. I accept my father's offer."
"This is so good news!" Mary grabbed his arm.
"I'm not sure."
"You always can go back to the law firm."
"If the father did not throw me out without severance pay."
"You're mad at yourself for being unable to resist."
"I am no a boy any longer."
"And you have your own family. Us."
"Of course. And how is going the preparing for the wedding?"
"Oh, everything is fine. But so many things still must be done! I am just now appreciated how much work done for us your sisters."
"I hope that soon-be-wife-and-husband do not plan to parachute immediately after the ceremony."
Mary giggled.
"Eden suggested it, but Cruz goes totally against. He has bad memories associated with mountains."
"Oh yeah, I forgot. So what they decided?"
"As far as they chosen the traditional way but who knows what bizarre ideas can still reach them later!"
They smile at each other, remembering their own wedding.
"I love you," Mary looked into his eyes. "Do you remember that?"
"I do. I love you too, Mary. I'm afraid to lose you."
"You never lose me. I do promise."
Chapter 135 — Heritage and Reunion

Several days passed. Charlie's grounded life ended and he returned to Capwell's house.
Mason finally agreed to his father's offer to work at Capwell Enterprise. He just signed on the contract when Rosa knocks.
"Mason, is Charlie here?"
"No," Mason surprised. "I think I did not see him today."
"Did not?" It's time for Rose to be surprised. "He asked to visit your house and I did put him in taxi."
CC's face becomes stunned. Mason looked up the father and ran upstairs. Charlie's room was empty. Neither the boy nor his belongings.
"Damn!" Mason blurted out. "Rosa, where is Brandon?"
"I just saw him in the garden," she looked at him anxiously.
But Brandon said them nothing. The boy was silent like a stone and just repeating that he promised to tell nobody where Charlie goes.
Mason returned home but Christy said that Charlie was not here today. Where could he go? And for what? Through these questions the idea leaked into his mind that Mary was not at home. How strange. He was used that whenever he came home he always met by the wife. He asked Christy but she said that when she and the children returned from the park Mary already was gone. Not if her disappearance is connected with his younger brother?
However at this moment the door lock is clicked and older of his missing family's members comes in.
"Where were you?" Mason rushes to her.
"I'm walked," Mary rose up her eyebrow. "What is wrong with you?"
"Charlie is gone."
"Gone?""
"Exactly. Disappeared. Vanished into the air. Allegedly he's go here, but never got."
Mason picked up the phone and dialing Capwell's house number.
"Rose? No, we did not yet. No. Okay, keep me informed."
He hung up and headed for the door.
"Where are you going to find him?"
"I do not know. In the park, on a beach--"
"Mason, do you not think that he can decide to flee to his mother?"
"What?" He turned around. "In London? She just out of there. And he surely aware that her phone is not responding."
"He may get through. Or he knows some other number."
"Unlikely but I should check. Thank you," he kissed her and goes out.
Mary looked after him in silence and then sat down on the sofa. She just was back from her charity clinic on Figueroa Street. And she even some helped to young nurses who's working there now. But then she left out without any sense of accomplishment but having an incredible longing in her heart. Everything feels wrongly. It looks like there no the returning to its part of her former life.
"Mary?" Christy comes to her. "Where were you? Mason was looking for you."
"Yes, I know. Are the children asleep?"
"Yeah. Tired in the park. Was something wrong?"
"No, I just went for a walk."
Mary went upstairs and looked in older kids' room, feed baby Mickey and downstairs again. She saw the note — it's saying that Christy and Jimmy are going at his parents' place until tomorrow. Well, she has time to think as long as the house was quiet.

* * *

At the airport Mason immediately walks to the reception desk — he had no doubt that Charlie cannot buy the plane ticket without any adult. The receptionist said that the boy actually approached her and asked the ticket to London. And he left out when she turned him down because his young age. Mason walks around the lobby, looking into all corners when he just heard the familiar voice. Charlie argued with the guard.
"Let me out! You have no right, I'm the American!"
"What's matter, officer?" Mason comes to them.
"Who are you?" the guard asked suspiciously and nodded to the co-officer. "Call the police, just the boy is taken away."
"My name is Mason Capwell; I'm the lawyer and brother of the boy. I think it makes no sense to bother the police. I'll take him at my own responsibility."
The guard looked uncertainly at Mason, then at Charlie."
"Is he really your brother?"
"Yes! And CC Capwell is my father! He'll show you how grab his son for no reason at all!"
"Okay, take your relative," the guard finally decided. "And watch him better! If he appears here again alone I immediately call the police."
"Of course, I'll watch him. Thank you, officer," Mason grabbed Charlie's hand and dragged him to the car.
But no sooner they left the airport as Charlie rested his feet on the ground.
"I do not go anywhere!"
"Of course, you do."
"Mason, take me to mom! You will be better if you do!"
"I already told you I do not know where our mother is. I tried to look for her but--"
"You're a liar! Yesterday I called her and we talked! She promised to meet me in Heathrow."
"You talk nonsense. Unaccompanied you would never got in the plane. So you're a little liar. The mother could not promise that she meet you in London."
"She did! She said she'll wait for me! Mason!"
"Let's go," Mason pushed the boy into the car and got behind the wheel. "Just one advice. Do not share the fairytale with dad. He hates lies."
"This is not the fairytale! You see that my mother come after me when she realizes that I never arrived."
Mason left his word with nothing and added more speed. If he had the opportunity he would took Charlie to his mother even in Timbuktu!
The rest of driving time they spent in silence. Mason handed the brother to Sophia and in a gloomy mood was back home. He feels that the situation is getting worse. CC Capwell was not an authority for Charlie; it's the main difference from his own relationship with the father. Mason always tried to win dad's attention, but Charlie's the main priority was the mother and he not care two hoots about the father.
At home he briefly told Mary that he found Charlie and then upstairs to his study. At this time Mary do not go to pull him out. She just wanted to be alone too.

* * *

In the next morning it seems that everything was back to square one. Mason was in his high spirit again and Mary also slightly thawed. But the fragile peace was broken by the unexpected visitor.
"I'll go!" Christy cries when the doorbell rang.
On the threshold she saw the stranger.
"I'm looking for Mrs. Mason Capwell and Miss Christy Duval," the old man said.
"I'm Christy Duval. Mary, come here!"
"I am here." Mary came out of the living room. "Hello! Who are you?"
"My name is John Jenkins; I'm the lawyer of the law office Jenkins and Sons. Are you Mrs. Mason Capwell, nee Miss Mary Duvall?"
"Yes, I am," Mary confirmed. "What's the matter?"
"I am the competent executor of late Lawrence Duvall," Jenkins replied gravely. "You and your young sister are set in his last will."
"Uncle Larry signed something for us!" Christie openly shining. "It's cool! So he just not forgets about us."
"Let's go into the living room, Mr. Jenkins," Mary invited. She feels uncertain and looked back at Mason looking for support.
"I remember that you did ask me to wait," the lawyer suddenly said as looking up Mason. "But I prefer not to postpone indefinitely the hereditary cases."
"Mason, what does this mean?" Mary exclaimed. "Mr. Jenkins?"
"Your husband, right? Contacted me a few days ago and asked to postpone the announcement of the will for a couple of weeks. He said that you have a family crisis and have no possibility to do it now. But I'm reasonably assumed that you may carve out one hour of your time. Am I right?"
"Yes, of course," Mary blushed and angrily looked up Mason. He's pressing his lips and looking past her. "Mr. Jenkins, are you mind if we have a talk somewhere out... may be in your office?"
"I sure, Mrs. Capwell."
"We can go right now. Christy, are you ready?"
"Sure, I just take my purse."
"Mason, are you taking care of the children? We'll soon back."
"OK, but not be late."
When the door closed after all of three, Mason blindly staring at the door. Hell, why Jenkins came across them in the worst moment! Mary was angry, he saw it. All gone to hell... After Charlie's arrival he felt that all the rolls down on the inclined plane.

* * *

"I, Lawrence Garland Duvall, resident in the City of Santa Barbara, County of Santa Barbara, State of California, being of sound mind and disposing memory and not acting under duress or undue influence, and fully understanding the nature and extent of all my property and of this disposition thereof, do hereby make, publish, and declare this document to be my Last Will and Testament, and do hereby revoke any and all other wills and codicils heretofore made by me.
I give all my tangible personal property and all policies and proceeds of insurance covering such property to my nieces: Mary Capwell Duvall and Christine Duvall in equal shares.
I assign the lifetime allowance in the amount of (--) to the widow of my late twin brother Kenneth.
I give the portrait of my twin brother Kenneth to Mason Capwell, the Santa Barbara's attorney".

"It's directly his last will," Jenkins said, leaning back his chair. "You can ask any questions. I'll happy to answer."
"How great is our share?" Christie asked pragmatic.
Jenkins hesitated and reluctantly called the approximate amount.
"Wow!" Christy's moved to the tip of the chair and pushed Mary's hand. "Did you hear? We are riches!"
"Yes, I see," Mary nodded absently. Sum of money was really great, much more than she could ever imagine. "If anything that you are need from us?" she asked Jenkins.
"Yes, your signatures."
Mary and Christy did sign, and Jenkins began to tell about each possession with papers in his hands. Mary honestly tried to catch but her thoughts kept returning to Mason. Why did he want to delay the announcement Uncle's will? What does this mean? Is he trying to hide something from her?
Fortunately they did not have difficulties with separating their shares. Christy got the Uncle's mansion and the significant amount of invested funds. Mary also took possession of the shares and the medical clinic. The last one was the big surprise for her — it seemed to her that Larry was so far from medicine — until she heard Ventura's address and realized that it was the same hospital where her father was treated.
Mary picks up papers and returned home alone. Christy drove for Jimmy to tell him the good news.

Mason tried to work at the company's contract but Chip and Sammy kept pushing him up their drawings and toys trying make their daddy to play with them. Mason absently mutters but the kids did want more his attention and doubled their efforts.
To Mason's dismay Mary came home alone. However she had the bright box in her hands and the children rushed to see new toys.
"Are you OK?" Mason asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Yes, absolutely."
"We need to talk. I want to explain--"
"Not now."
"Well, all right," Mason stood up. "Now I have to go the office. I'll be back and we talk, right?"
"I guess. We have a lot to discuss."
Mary looks after him and heavily sighs. How all mixed up! But perhaps this delay for the better. She has many things to ponder.

* * *

Mason returned home much later than he supposed. The house was already enshrouded in darkness but he saw Mary on the porch. She sat hugging her knees and seemed so lonely that his heart sank. But when she saw him she got up and went to meet him.
"Why did you take so long? Is something wrong?"
"No, just cases kept me away," Mason relieved. He put his arm around her, pressed his face in her hair. "Are you still angry?"
"Let's go in," Mary said instead of answering.
And they went into the dark living room.
"Do you want have a dinner?"
"I had a bite at the office. We can postpone the discussion until tomorrow If you like."
"No," Mary shakes her head. "Let's go to the study."
They're go upstairs and come in Mason's office. He jerks the tie, tearing it from his neck and collapsed on the chair.
"Tired?"
"It's was not my easiest day. How you done the conversation with the lawyer?"
"Uncle Larry left me and Christy all of this fortune. Equally."
Mason grimaced.
"Why are you unhappy?" Mary sat on the windowsill. "I thought that Capwells love money."
Mason did not answer.
"What's wrong with you at all? Why did you ask the lawyer to postpone the opening of Uncle's will?"
"Why? You've already came into the inheritance."
"You sound as if you are uncomfortable with it."
"No argument here," Mason accepted after pausing. "I would prefer that you do not receive it."
"And you may want to bribe Mr. Jenkins for he hid my inheritance from me?" Mary put down her foots on the floor.
"No," Mason shakes his head. "I would never to do it with you. I just wanted to postpone that case a little bit, that's all. What would have changed for those two weeks?"
"I can resend the same question to you. Why you wanted to postpone something of that? And deceive me. When you knew it?"
"A few days ago. Just after Larry's funeral."
"Why did you not tell me?"
"I'd just go but--"
"But?"
"No matter."
"Of course, yes. I remember that you take me to the restaurant. I guess that you did want to tell me about the inheritance then, right? But something prevents you..." Mary intensely remembers their conversation in Orient Express. She felt unsure about her own life; she said to him something... I have a feeling that I had lost myself. "I remember how changed your expression when I said that I doubt in my life. Why, Mason?" She got up and looked directly into his eyes.
He kept silent and suddenly Mary recalled the different conversation which they had much more ago. Just before her deadly accident on the roof.

Mary:  I told you that Mark is the unpredictable man. And I do not want the trial delayed.
Mason: I'll win the process. Mary. I knew that I had done dishonestly and dishonorably. Perhaps such recognition would have been a sensation for many people. But do you silently pack your belongings and leave away from me?"

They already have lived together, she was pregnant, but he still thought that she may to leave him in any moment. Yes, she's always been independent in her decisions and judgments. Yes, she would leave him if... if she did not see any choice. But as far as she could remember it did not come to her mind of all that terrible period. Moving to Mason's place she did decide to be with him. And her decision was too fundamental for she can so quickly and easily change it. But Mason... Was he lived on a powder keg for all time? She thought that his fear of losing her was rising from that awful year when he thought she was dead. But if he never felt in other way and believed that she can leave him at all? So... any her word about her doubts he should have been feeling as a step to leave.
She just images that he must felt during that conversation. Her abstract phrase could push up the idea that she has her doubts in their marriage. Perhaps he decided that Uncle's money encourage her to an independent living.
"Mary?" Mason's voice was concerned.
"Sorry, I just lost in thoughts."
"About what?" His voice sounded so strained that she looks up him.
"About you."
"Do you want to leave?"
"Lord, it seems I'm right in my wild suggestion!"
"I want to live with you the rest of my life."
"But--"
"No buts! Mason, do not you think that you are in a dark room looking for a black cat which isn't there?"
"What you mean?"
"The fact is... you do not trust me. You think I'm always ready to pack my belongings and children and run away. Am I right?"
"Are you not really?"
"Oh, God... Mason, why did you not tell me!" Her voice sounded with tears.
"About what? Mary, wait, I do not understand! If it's inheritance--"
"It is not about my inheritance! Its' about you! You always waiting for me to catch at the first sign of troubles, right? You intensely catch my words, trying to guess whether there are marks of the coming crash! As if you afraid to turn your back on me like I can stab you in back! Why, Mason! I never deceived you, never betrayed!" Mary bit her lip, holding back sobs.
Mason dropped his shoulders.
"I've always felt that I was not deserved of you," he tuneless said. "Probably it's the reason. Yes, I get to stand every time when you stop smiling. And when you said that you're begin to doubt the rightness of your life I just gone crazy. I could not let you have so powerful weapon like Larry's inheritance. In the first moment I felt that I can do anything — to bribe Jenkins, steal documents, and start a fire... as long as you're not gained your independence."
"But simple asked for two weeks delay. Why?"
Mason weakly smiled.
"I thought that may be you'll be able to find yourself for this time. I was afraid to push you to the decision to leave. Then all would settle down and not seems too scary."
"I did mean absolutely different things!"
"What were they?" Mason's eyes appeared the first gleam of interest.
"It does not matter; the most important thing is--"
"No, if you started from very beginning let's talk to the very end."
"Do not believe me again? All right. Recently I began to feel that I am missing just be a wife and a mother. I want to help people--Today I visited the charity clinic. My former one, Firegou Street's. I thought it would help me feel better."
"It did not help?" Mason takes her hand.
"Did not," Mary sighed. "The attempt to get back into the past was failed."
"If it's only your trouble maybe you would like to try any different charity? I can ask Sophia to find something for you. Or you can to talk with her."
Mary looked at him in amazement, feeling that maybe he got the point. So simple answer never occurred in her mind.
"Mason!" She embraced him, pressing her face to his shirt.
Mason feels a lump in the throat. Mary never goes in a general way and always reads him like a book.
"Why do you still stay with me?" Mason muttered. Its question tormented him for whole year. When he thought that Mary died he felt deep inside that he never deserved her."
"Because I love you," Mary looked up from his shirt, looked into his eyes. "Do you hear me? I love you. And never leave. Do you believe?"
"I do. Now."
Mary dropped her hands, an apathy heaving on her. Whatever she said he still does not believe her. As they separating as he let in suspicions' poison to his soul.
"You remind me of Othello," she bitterly said. "With the only difference that you do not need in Iago. You're making his duties over and above."
"Do you want to say that my suspicions have no reason?" Mason intently looked up her face.
"Exactly. Absolutely nothing. Mason, may be we have better to separate since you think it is the only possible outcome of our marriage?"
"Do you want a divorce?" Mason's heart almost stopped. "You just said that--"
"No! I do not want! But I do not want to see how you suffer. You're always living like on a powder keg while thinking about it."
"Not all the time, but--"
"I do not want to be constantly under your eye, think how be accurate with my words and not give you a chance for suspicions for every moment. I just want to live, to love you and our children, share with you my doubts and enjoying! Can you understand?"
"You're not blamed, it's just me--"
"Of course, it's just you. Mason, I begging you... You are a strong, generous, courageous man... Why do you think that I can be so two-faced? You believe that I'm speaking my words of love I make up ways to leave you! And so secretly that you never guess about it."
"I do not think so--"
"But it turns out that way!"
"I guess you're right... I keep waiting for the blow. My father taught us always to be on guard. No relaxing, to fend off blows--"
"But you know that you can take off a mask when I'm here... Do you know?"
"... Just before her leaving my mother came to me in the night and said that she loves me very much, but she needed to leave. And she left. Forever." Mason dropped his words like stones in a well. "I guess I never associated the words of love with the engagements. I believe that you love me but... it's not mean that you cannot pack your belongings and go away."
"I agree. I loved you for long time before we started living together. Just tell me, you would feel better if I left out?"
"What?" Mason jerked back. "No, surely I do not! You already asked me this question. Why?"
"Because it seems to me that you would be glad," Mary frankly said. "This would be fit to your usual stereotype. I guess that you may expect that all be ended as quickly as possible, just not feel this awful waiting of my leaving."
"No. I think I'll die without you," Mason hoarsely said after a pause. "I... I can not go through it again," he smiled sadly. "I was trying to prevent your leaving but apparently got out of shape."
"Mason, I beg you to find a way not to give away to the fear."
"Otherwise what?"
"Otherwise we would hurt each other. Listen. I promise I will do my best to save our marriage. Even if it's not real problem now. Do you promise to make the same thing?"
"I promise," Mason just said.
"I guess I'm guilty in some way too," Mary slowly said and looked up him. "I tried not talk about my feelings to you. Just I do not really understand what they are. But I just broke the conversation, did not wanting to discuss it. You grabbed my words, decided that it's meaning something. Mason, I swear, now the last thing that I can think it's the packing and leaving. I need you. For the first time my life has fresh colors and clear outlines. I'm even--"
"Even?" Mason drew her to closer and even without seeing his face Mary felt that he's smiling.
"I even began to wonder if I can arrange the artist's studio in the attic--"
"Do you can draw?"
"I'm had lessons in the monastery... but I draw some more out of curiosity. And now I want to express something of mine--"
"As good as you already have it," Mason contently chuckled. "No problems."
"I had no doubts," she smiled. "I have a very generous and kind husband who knows how to solve all of my hardest problems."
"He just has a loving wife. She shines his life even when it seems to him as an impenetrable darkness. And she suggests a right way out of the most complicated maze."
There was a short silence.
"Mason, do you love me?"
"Very much."
"Should I refer it like what you are going to leave us tomorrow or next month?"
"Touché!" Mason smiled. "I can see, Mary. I'm not such a fool."
"That's really what I never considered you as a fool. Let's go upstairs? Or do you want dinner?"
"I want a special dinner. In the bedroom."
"Oh, this is a very expensive dinner."
"Have I the most generous wife in the world?"
"I think its worth to checking. I love you."
"I love you too. And do not intend to leave anywhere. Except our bedroom."
Chapter 136 — Return Of The Ghost

The next day turned out that Mason and Mary is in an urgent need for the good babysitter. Some embarrassed Christie said her older sister that she and Jimmy moving in ex-Uncle Larry's mansion.
Mary suddenly felt upset. She used to have her sister here that now she felt like a devotee.
"Just no be mad, okay?" Christy sensed something. "I like my nephews very much but I can not be nanny for them forever. I have to... move on."
"And what are you going to do?" Mary still was trying to cope with her sudden loss and just heard the unexpected response.
"Learning."
"Learning?" Mary surprised.
Christie nodded.
"I want to go to college. Now I have money and I want to get a career."
"I thought you were going to marry Jimmy."
"I'm going. One does not interfere."
"I'm glad for you," Mary finally overdoing her hurt feelings and hugged her sister. "You're so serious about your life now!"
"I learned to appreciate it," Christy shrugged. "When you live on the streets, all of your life seems no matter. And now... I feel like I have a footing. You did help me to get it."
"Me?" Mary surprised.
"You," Christy blushed. "Now I know what is like when you have a family. And it's not just a drunken mother but a sort of normal family where everyone loves other each."
"I so glad to hear it," Mary smiled. "Okay, but you cannot leave us so suddenly. Let me find the replacement for you, OK?"
"Of course," Christy smiled. "Just talk to Mason yourself, okay? I afraid he would get angry because it's backstabbing."

But Mason easily took Christie's leaving and after moment's thought he suggest calling Mrs. Rold.
"She worked for me before... I found you," he brought out with some effort. "I liked her."
"Find out is she free," Mary said. "And ask her to visit us for some interview if she is."
"Do you not trust me?" Mason raised his eyebrow.
"No, I just want to see the person who I would trust our children. Women sometimes feel things that men even do not notice."
"We coped very well when I have been bring up Chip and Sammy alone," Mason' voice sounded excessive rigidity but Mary just shrugged her shoulders. She do not leave the children to the woman who she never seen before.
However Mary's distrust to the potential babysitter immediately came to fade. Although Mrs. Rold already had the permanent job, but when she heard that Mason wants to hire her she immediately declared her readiness to quit. Mary was not too pleased with it but Mrs. Rold explained that she was working for the final months because her charges gets grown up and had to go to school the fall. And just before the family's going to spend the summer in Texas with their relatives. So she would really happy to help Mr. Capwell with his children.
Mary immediately likes this friendly woman so after a couple of days everything was settled. When Mrs. Rold firstly walks in her new place of work and the older kids took her with great enthusiasm, Mason put his arm around Mary and whispered in her ear:
"I told you that she is wonderful."
"And you were right." Mary kissed him on the lips. "I afraid that you really need to go."
"Damm," Mason glanced at his watch. "I'm sorry, I must leave."
"Do not be late, OK?" She brushed a speck of dust on his coat.
"Of course."

* * *

In the middle of the day after feeding and putting sleep Mickey, Mary leaves the children in the capable hands of Mrs. Rold and goes to Capwell's place. Fortunately Sophia was at home. She happily volunteered to help Mary to find the point of application for a charity. However it turned out a bit more complicated than they may image. But also the more interesting and rewarding.
When the clock struck seven in the lobby, door bell rings in Capwell's house. And just after a minute worried Rosa comes in the living room.
"Mrs. Capwell, you did not see Mr. Capwell?"
"I think he's in the study. What's the matter?" Sophia looked up from the documents which she studied with Mary.
But Rosa already disappeared into the lobby.
"It's strange," Mary said. "What's happened to her?"
She and Sophia go out the atrium and saw the guest. Sophia is frozen. Mary stared at her and then glanced at the unknown lady who standing in the lobby and who apparently also recognized Sophia.
"And you're here. It's good. Even better."
"Pamela," Sophia just said. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to protect my son."
"What's going on here?" CC walked into the hall. His face turned to stone at the sight of his ex-wife. "Pamela? How dare you come here?"
"Where is Charlie?" she asked instead of answering. "I want to see my son."
"You lost all rights for him when you sent him to me. Alone, even without any attendant. I thought that your letter clearly said that you do not want to bring him up."
Mary quietly slipped out the living room and dialed Capwell Enterprise's office.
"Mason Capwell, please. It's his wife. Mason? Come to your father's house straight away. Here is your mother. What? No, I'm not kidding. Pamela is currently talking to your father. Yes, in the house. All right."
She hung up and returned to the atrium where the conversation was continued already in a raised voice.
"I'm not leaving until I see my son!" Pamela almost cried. "What you done with him, CC?"
"Charlie is all right, stop a tantrum!" CC clearly had enough.
"If you are does not bring him here now I'll call the police!"
"For God's sake. Charlie is an American citizen. Do you want to know what the court will say about your depriving me of my legal father rights to see and visit my own son?"
"CC, how do you dare?"
"I do."
"CC, may be..." Sophia begins, but he walked past her and took Pamela's elbow.
"So you're here, let's talk without scandals and cries."
Mary followed them with her eyes and looked at Sophia.
"I do not understand," she said. "And where is Charlie?"
"He and Brandon at Brandon's friend home. They soon are back. But we really need to inform Mason."
"I just called him, he's on the way. Do you know why did she come?"
"No..." Sophia clenched her fingers.
"Maybe she wants to take Charlie back?"
"Maybe, but I doubt that CC..." Sophia not finished her sentence because the door was just open and Mason Capwell rush in.
"Where is she? Where is my mother?"
"She is with your father in the study. No, Mason, wait," Mary grabbed his sleeve. "Let them to talk alone."
But Mason pulled out and blindly went to the study. However at the point Pamela and CC Capwell come in the atrium. Both were dark and angry.
"Mason, dear my son!" It was Pamela's reaction at the sight of his eldest son. "Where is your brother?"
"Charlie is at the friend's party," Sophia said. "He will be back soon. You have nothing to worry."
"Nothing!" Pamela suddenly soared. "How dare you talk me like that? You are bitch, so abused my son! He told me everything! How do you lock him up in the attic! How you left him alone without food and water and forced to run around the house to being complete exhaustion!"
For a moment all eyes were fixed on Sophia. Mason gently took his mother's hand.
"Mom, did Charlie tell you all of it? When?"
"In the last night. Mason, I beg you, help me. Protect your little brother."
"Did you speak with Charlie at the last night? By what way? I tried to find you but could not. They told me that you left out."
"Yes, I was not in London. But the other day I came back and immediately got the call from Charlie. He said that you, CC, is ready to send him back on the plane, and I must to waiting for him in the airport. But he came not, and I had gone here. I could not leave him at home with this sadistic woman!"
Mason remembered the escape of his youngest brother. Hmmm, Charlie made the tricky combination.
"Mom, Charlie lied to you--"
"Do not tell me that you're on the side of your father!"
"Mom, he did make up it. Just believe me--"
"Mom!" They heard the child's voice and turned around.
In the doorway were Charlie and Brandon.
Charlie immediately jumped up and ran to Pamela, embraced her, pressed against her dress.
"Mom, you came back!"
Mason got the lump in the throat. Well that's all--
"Stop clinging to me, you are not three!" Pamela spat out with the unexpected fury. "And say me now, you really was bad treated here or what?" She painfully grabbed his arm, making eye contact.
"Of course I was!" But for a moment he comes apart and flushed.
"You are a little liar!" Pamela pushed him away. "I did my way though a half the globe to stand up for you, and now I see that you just lied me. It's all, I'm leaving."
She quickly walks toward the door. Charlie lunged for her: "Mommy, take me away! Please! I do not want to stay here! I swear, I never bother you!" He grabbed her arm, choking with tears.
Pamela stopped and turned to him. Charlie run and huddled to her, continuing to flinch with sobbing. She sighed and wound her arms around his shoulders, strokes his little head. Then she gently torn him away and sat on her haunches beside him.
"I can not stay, honey. You are already a big boy, you're a man. Here you will be with your father and Mason. And if you're not going in for dramatics, I'll come back later. OK?"
Charlie's shoulders still heaving with silent sobs. And when Pamela tried to get away again, he again grabbed her arms.
"Mom! Don't go!"
Pamela pulled out and pushed the heavy door of Capwell's house. Someone's hands lays on Charlie's shoulders. The boy started and turned around. Sophia.
At this moment the door was slammed, and he rushed out after his mother. Sophia held him back.
"No, Charlie. Take it easy. Everything will be fine."
He huddled to her for a moment, but then pushed away and ran out.
"Mommy!"
The rest ran out after him, but Pamela's car already darts away. Mary just caught a glimpse of Bunny Rabbit cling at the rear window.
"Dad, stop her! Please!" Charlie turns his tear-stained face to CC, but just before CC can react the boy jumped up and disappeared into the dark depths of the garden.
Mary realized that firmly hold her husband's shoulder. Mason glanced up his father.
"I will find him," Mason said shortly and faded in the garden.
Mary pressed her palms to her cheeks.
"What a nightmare," she whispered.
"Come in, here we can nothing to do," Sophia said.
"He'll be back," they heard Brandon's voice behind. "He's strong."
"Of course, he will be back," Mary put her arm around the boy's shoulder. "He's just very hurt."

* * *

Heavy-hearted Mason wanders through the garden trying to find his youngest brother. The drama shaken him to the depths of the soul and firstly aroused sympathy for Charlie. He began to have an uncomfortable feeling that the mother did ill with both of them.
"You like Charlie more than you're willing to admit"," old Mary's words came to his mind. "Where he would go if he was his youngest brother?"
After a moment's hesitation, Mason walks to the fountain. As a child he loved the place. He lied on the edge of the fountain's border and leisurely teased goldfish with a sprig. He did like to feel himself as their master.

Charlie sat on the bench at the fountain. He's leaning over its edge and staring with unseeing eyes at shiny streams. He lost everything. He had no strength. He did believe that his mother would come and take him home as she promised. And now a dream turns a dust. He feels very, very alone. Surely he cannot take seriously the father and his wife. They hate him. Even early they did not, but now they really do in. All of them. He saw how their faces were frozen. Adults look like when they'd going to raise a fist--
"There you are!"
Charlie jump up and almost fell off the bench.
"All worries about you," Mason gently sits down beside him.
"They hate me," Charlie sighed.
"Of course, they do not. We all love you."
"Me like an eyesore here," Charlie decided that there no more sense to pretend. "My father hates my mother and me. I heard that he hate you too. His wife never forgives me--"
"She'll forgive if you apologize to her."
Charlie shook his head.
"I'll run away," he whispered. "If I must be alone so I want to be on my own."
"You're not alone." Mason suddenly wants to ruffle his hair. Like he did to Ted. "You have all of us. How Eden and Cruz's wedding can be done without you? You did promise to bear the ring, remember? And your nephews dote on you. Mary loves you very much."
"I'm not belonging here. All of yours is the one family, but I'm just fifth wheel."
"Of course, you belong. You are Capwell, and that said it all," Mason patted him on the head. "Come on, old man. Ask Sophia for forgiveness and everything will be fine."
"Do you think she can forgive me?" Charlie's eyes lit up with an involuntarily hope.
"Of course, she does," Mason confidently said. "Come on."
When they come in the Capwell's house, the first person who saw them was Mary.
"You found him!"
"Sophia, Charlie wants to say something to you," Mason said.
Red-faced Charley came to his stepmother.
"I am sorry," he muttered.
"Why you slandered me to your mother? Have I ever hurt you?"
"No... I just wanted her to come to me. Do you forgive me? I'm very, very sorry."
"Of course, I do," Sophia smiled. "And now go upstairs to your room."
Cheerful Charlie just headed for the stairs but was stopped by the terrible voice of CC Capwell.
"Wait a minute, young man."
Charlie turned pale and cringed.
"Father..." Mason began but CC raised his hand.
"Hold your tongue. Charlie, you did misbehave. I want that you can see that any lies cannot help you to get back to your mother. Now you're living in my house and I will not accept such behavior."
"Yes, sir," automatically replied the boy.
"Do you understand me?"
"Yes, sir."
"Come here."
Charlie came up to his father like his legs feel stiff.
"If you understand so you must be aware that you did deserve a punishment. Right?"
"Yes, sir."
"Do you want to know, what is it?"
"What you say, sir."
"Stop calling me sir!" CC exploded. Charlie starts back.
"Yes, si... father."
"Tomorrow I'm going on the business trip in Mexico. And you're going with me. It's your punishment."
"What?" Charlie blankly looked up him.
"You're going with your father in Mexico City," Sophia explained. "Your dad just joked about the punishment. He wants you get some rest and relax. Am I right, CC?"
"Sure. So your packing things would very useful for you. Now run to sleep," CC hugged Charlie. The boy freeze under his father's hands and quickly pulled away to ran upstairs.
"Let's go home," Mary touch Mason's hand. "Now Charlie will be alright."
"Yes," Mason said, thinking about his own. He was hard time to cope with today's painful events.
They left the house and he delightly breath a cool night air.
Mary squeezed his fingers, and Mason looked at her.
"Everything will be fine," she said.
"When it's you who say it I begin to believe that its truth," Mason faintly smiled, and they're go to the car.
Chapter 137 — A Loop Of Time

"Daddy, when my mommy comes back?"
"She's not come back, son."
"I want her back. I want back to my mommy."
"Forget it. And be a good boy."
"And if I'm a good boy, my mommy coming back?"
"How many times I should say it, Mason, your mother is gone forever!"

"Mason?" He started because Mary put her hand on his shoulder, and reached for another portion of brandy. "How are you?"
"Could be better," Mason grimly answered. In his mind was spinning his childhood memories and today Charlie's cries "Mommy, don't go!"
"Can I help you?"
"No. No one can. I'm sorry, Mary, but I want to be alone."
She's sighs, looking at his pale face and decides not insist. She's better to walk in the garden than to try to take Mason out of his frozen state.

Mary went through the balcony door out and shivered from the cool of night air. She slowly walks the garden path, trying to banish from her mind the terrible scene happened in Capwell's house for a few hours earlier. Yes, she could not even image Mason's mother like this. Pamela's so rude met Sophie then turned her anger to Charlie, the young boy who just suffers because he's missing for the mother... And Mason... Until Charlie's coming she had no idea how painful sounds Pamela's name for Mason. And her returning became not a salvation, but a nightmare. Mason again turned into his ice state, and now she even doubted whether he's need be warm. If the ice melts it becomes painful for him, very painful... Does she have the right to rob him of that protection? For a moment she tried to image how her own mother abandons her or Christie like Pamela did to Mason. That her mother leaves her to the stranger. To her father who she never met before... No, she knew her father, of course, but she remembers Willard... Mary winced. No, Mason's father is no Willard Bassett. And not his son Steve. Her arguments were deadlocked. She could not imagine such a situation like had Mason or Charlie. She could only image how it hurts for both of them.
"Mary..." the ominous whisper suddenly comes out and someone's hand with the iron grip clamped over her mouth.
She gasped; a terror gripped all of her body, but after a few seconds the idea that the voice sounds familiar leaking in her mind.
"Say that you'll not scream."
She nodded and the hand slowly let her go.
Mary turned around and saw the man who attacked her.
"M-mark--"
"Yes, it's me."
He looked at her without much anger. Just watched.
"W-what... ar-re you doing here?"
She so wants to back home. Her heart still beating irregularly, she's breathless, her hands trembling.
"Just come to see you after all. I guess you may be tired with Capwell?"
Mary silently shook her head and quietly took a step back.
"Wait a minute," he grabbed her arm. "Do not worry, I would not hold you for long time. I'll be in the town for a couple of days. I just wanted to know what you are doing here."
"What do you want? Why you attacked me?"
"I did not want to let you make any noisy panic. You're not be afraid me."
"I'm not afraid you," Mary rose up her head. "So say what you want now or I'm leaving now."
"Are you fed up with this shyster yet?"
"I and Mason love each other. We have the strong family," Mary steps back even further.
"That's like today when he do not parts with his brandy," Mark chuckled.
"Were you spied?" Mary blushed with the thought that he peeked in the window at them.
"For a while," Mark nodded. "I just did wait until you're staying alone."
"Mark, leave us alone, okay? I am more than happy be Mason's wife."
"Are you sure?" He approached very close to her. "Or may be you want to try some of this?"
He pushed her against the tree and painfully pressed his mouth against her lips. His taste and his smell wrapped Mary, she's stunned. It seemed to her that she was back in the past that she thought was deeply buried for long time. No, no! Not that again!
The memory helpfully reminded what was followed after his kisses, and Mary felt a rising wave of nausea. Her urge was so strong that Mark drew back and cursed. Mary pressed her palm to her lips, trembling all over.
"You'll be sorry!" Mark furiously threw and disappeared into the darkness.
After a few seconds the car's lights came on and the engine roared. Mary could not move. She stared at the toy hung on the rear window. The little pink Bunny Rabbit. It was very similar to the toy that she saw only a few hours ago. Mark and--Pamela? Impossible!
The car raced past her at great speed. Mary walks back to the house. She feels her legs stiff like wooden ones. Before her eyes stood Mark's face... she almost vomited at the thought of his kiss. Today's accident and the nightmare of the house guest were merging in her mind. Lord, she feels herself so dirty!
She slowly opens the balcony door and comes in the drawing room. The feeling of relief and safety was making her legs weak. Thank God! Her eyes filling with tears.
"Mary?" Mason raised his head and put down the tumbler of brandy.
She just could not answer, feeling a lump in her throat.
Mason comes to his feet and just glancing at her face immediately turned around.
"Mary, what is wrong? What is it?"
She finally breaks down and sobs. His soothing hands wounds around her on both sides. Now these moments in the garden it seemed to her just like a dream. A nightmare.
"Mary, Mary... you're scaring me. What is happened?"
"Mark..." Mary hardly utters. "He was... here."
Mason stunned.
"He doesn't take it out now," Mason snapped though his teeth and lunged for the door, but Mary grabbed his arm.
"Don't... it's not necessary. He is... not there anymore. He's gone away!"
"Didn't he something bad to you? Mary, look at me, please! Did he hurt you in anyway?"
Mary allows Mason to gently lead her to the couch and sit down. The shock began to fade, Mary's trembling. Mason put his jacket on her shoulders, and she nearly burst into tears again — the jacket radiated Mason's warmth and scent.
Mason sits next to her, cupping her lovely face and makes her to look up.
"Tell me what's happened," he asked.
"I'm walking in the garden and see Mark... he was there, he wanted to talk to me... Mason, he spied us! He's spied though our windows for the whole evening."
"Bastard!" Mason's lips pressed in the thin line. "Mary, he did... hurt you?"
"No. He... he just scared me. And he tried to--"
"What?" Mason shakes his head.
"... to kiss me," Mary completed and then admitted: "I almost threw up him and that he did not like it. He got in his car and drove away."
"Thank God, he did not touch you," Mason carefully pulled Mary closer like she was a crystal vase. "Tomorrow I'll take the restraining order so he no longer dares to come near you."
"Do you think it stop him?" Mary suddenly gives a sob. "But he is not going to stay here."
"What he did want from you?"
"Find out if I'd tired of you," Mary pressed her face in his shirt, trying to banish feelings of helplessness and disgust out of her mind.
"And you?" Mason could feel her how she's trembling and does his best to restrain his anger at McCormick.
"Not tired," Mary managed to smile weakly.
"And you told him it?"
"Yes. And asked to leave. And he--"
"Do not think about it. Tomorrow I'll talk to Cruz, we'll try to something. No one allows hurt my wife and even more to kiss her."
Mary knew that it would not protect her from Mark, but she felt better. Mason immediately felt the change of her condition.
"Do you feel better? Maybe we should call the doctor?"
"No, of course, not. When you're stay with me, I need no doctors." She felt as he stiffened.
"What?"
"I was not with you when that bastard--"
"Mason, you cannot be with me for 24 hours of day. Do not blame yourself."
"I can not help," he smiled wryly. "I had to protect you. And I'll do."
Mary nestles at his side.
"Of course, you'll."
"Everything will be fine," Mason firmly promised. "And now go upstairs. It's already after midnight and you really need a rest. Are you sure that I do not have to call the doctor?"
"I'm sure," Mary stands up. "I'm OK. He scared me, that's all."
"McCormick is dangerous," Mason said. "He must be isolated from the society."
Mary said nothing and goes upstairs. She does not want to discuss what's happened but she probably has to say Mason about the toy on the back window of Mark's car. If her supposition is correct he finds out it in any case if he starts to dig up on Mark. And she knew that he will. And she had no drop of pity for her former friend now. She must tell all to Mason but not today. Now she wanted to feel safe in the warm embrace of Mason.

She found the strength to look at older children, and then came to the nursery and changed Mickey and goes in the bedroom.
Upon entering, she felt a delightful floral fragrance. The room was dim, just candles lit.
"How you can manage it? You had no more than quarter of an hour!" She was amazed.
"For you I can do anything."
Mason approached her and takes her hand. He had bare feet, his shirt was unbuttoned. His eyes glittered in the candlelight. He smiled a little hesitant smile to Mary.
"You're beautiful," she said overwhelming by the ineffable feeling of affection. She felt loved, adored and unique. "I love you."
"I love you," like an echo said Mason and takes her to the bed. "And I want to show you how much I love you.
"Show me," Mary whispered. "It's not a dream, is not?"
"No, it's reality, my love. Come to me--"
Chapter 138 — Pamela

Mason was lying on the bed and watched as sun rays are creeping into the bedroom. Mary asleep beside him. He turned his head and looked at her. Yesterday's events seemed moved close. He did let her down again... He felt sorry for himself while Mary was suffered from this bastard--
He gently sat up but Mary immediately began to stir.
"Mason?" she mumbled sleepily.
"Sleep, it's too early yet."
He quietly stands up, walked around the bed and sat beside him. Touched her hair.
"Are you leaving?" Mary opened her eyes and blinked.
"No, not yet. Sleep."
He stands up and quickly left. Mary sighed and pulled the legs off the bed. She knew that look... He feels guilty.
When Mary goes downstairs, Mason already is finishing his breakfast.
"Why you're leaving so early?"
"I want to get the restraining order," he quickly glanced at her. "Can I ask you do not to leave the house for a few days?"
"Why? Mason, I see no reason to hide. Mark would no dare to come here anyway. As he said as he not going to stay in the town."
"We can not trust him."
Mary shuddered, feeling some deja vu. In earlier days Mason used this tone when he insisted her to charge Mark.
"Mason, I should tell you something."
"What?" He intensely looked at her.
"When Mark was going to his car I saw the toy on its back window. It was look alike to the toy that had your mother's car when she driving out of your father's house."
Mason raised his head and pressed his lips. Then he shook his head.
"It's a coincidence."
"Maybe."
"Just a coincidence. Nothing else here can not be," Mason said rather abruptly and headed for the door.
Mary put down her coffee cup and caught up with him at the door. She's kissing him feels that he softening a bit. Mason quietly breathing out. She straightened his tie, her hands pressed to his chest.
"Be careful, okay?"
"Okay."
He wanted to leave, but Mary held him yet.
"You're not guilty," she whispered and let his hand out.
Mason weakly smiled.
"Thank you."
He left and Mary anxious looked after him. She was afraid of what he can do.

* * *

Mason had no problem to get the order which forbid Mark McCormick to approach Mary Capwell closer than 100 foots. Past Mark's charges was enough for the judge even if he nevertheless asked that Mrs. Capwell write her statement. Mason promised that she would do.
With the order in his pocket Mason drives to Cruz's place but unfortunately he was not at home. Hence, it remained as the most difficult thing for Mason. After short searching he found out the name of the luxury hotel where his mother was stayed in. He wanted to see her in any case.
Fifteen minutes later he called his name for the hotel clerk. The clerk dialed the phone number, humbly listened and lets Mason in.
Mason takes the elevator up the 15th floor and knocks at the door of his mother's room--
"Mason, my dear son!" Pamela rushed to embrace him. "I am so happy to see you!"
It seemed that the room was flooded with bright light. Hugging his mother Mason felt himself as a little boy who received a long wished gift. He even almost forgot that he's an adult.
But then the moment of happiness was ended and he gently takes his mother away. Her cheeks glistening with tracks of tears.
"I'm sorry," she wiped her eyes with the handkerchief, lightly brushing makeup. "It's tears of happiness. I'm so glad to see you."
"I'm glad too," Mason said very sincerely. "I did not see you for so long time."
Pamela paused then looked up him.
"I've let you down, I have? I promised that I'll back to you..." her voice broke, "... but so never did."
"I've been waiting for you," Mason choke out. It's no point to pretending for being overwise. "I know it's was my father who forbidden you to return--"
"Yes, CC did take you from me. Your father is the powerful man."
"I'm aware," Mason said.
"I just could not fight with him. Rather first I tried to do but I've done many stupid things and just gave your father a weapon against me. Later I could already see you without his permission--"
"... but you already had Charlie--"
"You must understand I could not lose my younger son too."
"But now you gave him our father. What's matter, mom? Are you pregnant again?"
"How can you be so cruel?" Pamela's eyes fill tears. "You have no idea about the reasons of my actions!"
"So clue me in!" Mason hardened. "What made you send my young brother here by so a cruel way? You'd bored with him or he becomes more alike to our father? What is it? Why do you treat with him like that?"
"I wanted to save him," Pamela quietly said.
"For the sake of God, from whom?"
At this moment there was heard a rap on the door.
"Not now," Pamela loudly said.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Tonnell, but it is urgent."
Mason winced at the sound of the voice. What?
Pamela sighed and said: "Come in."
The door opens and... lets in Mark McCormick in driver's uniform. He just stared at Mason as Mason does. It seems Pamela was not surprised at his appearance.
"What is it, Mark?" she asked. "I'm very busy."
"Mrs. Tonnell, your husband's waiting for you down the hallway. I think you're going to the restaurant on the coast," Mark said blankly, never taking his eyes off Mason.
"Husband? Mrs. Tonnell? Mom, you never said that you're married more one time."
"Mom?" Mark echoed in the shock.
"Say Anthony I'll be there in five minutes," Pamela sharply said to Mark.
As soon as the door closed after McCormick as Mason attacks his mother with questions: "What does it all mean? Charlie never said that you're married again."
"Mason, I can not explain to you all, I just have no time--"
"Yes, I heard that your husband is waiting for you. I wonder should I call him Dad."
"I see that you're offended, but this is not the time or place."
"It is unlikely that we will have more one such conversation."
Pamela looked up his stiff face.
"Okay. Wait here, I'll try to do something."
She disappeared behind the door. Mason groaned and collapsed on the sofa. Even can all be worse?
He waited for her mother for half an hour, but she never appeared. Then the bellboy brings him the note from Pamela. She asked Mason meet her in the small beach restaurant in two hours.
Mason slipped the note into his pocket and goes the police station.

Now Cruz was on the job. Mason told him that McCormick appeared in the town and noticed that Cruz seems not surprised.
"Were you aware?" Mason angry asked. "Why did you not tell me about? He scared Mary almost to death."
"We just received this information. I was going to call you, but do not have enough time."
"Get McCormick involved in something again?" Mason grabbed it. "Why should you have informed about his arrival?"
"Well, if be precise I'd informed not about his arrival but about arrival of the person for who he's work as the driver."
Mason suddenly became cold.
"Go on."
"One of most famous East Coast mobsters made his appearance in Santa Barbara. Just see McCormick works as his personal chauffeur."
Mason paled: "What's his name?"
Cruz curiously looked at him: "Anthony Tonnell. What's the matter?"
"Nothing. Okay, Cruz, keep me inform."
Mason hurried out because he's not in mood to further questions. So Mary was right. She really saw his mother's car.
He glanced at his watch and go to meet Pamela.
His mother was waiting for him at the table. She seemed very nervous, constantly looking around as if she afraid that she was being watched. However when she's beams and seemed to calm down when Mason comes closer.
"Thank God, you're here."
"I could be not," Mason sat down opposite her. "We're not seen each other for long time. Too long."
Pamela did not answer; she just stared at him as if trying to memorize his features. Mason painfully thought that it's not looks as their meeting and first conversation as he imagined earlier.
"Probably you do not know what you should think," Pamela finally spoke.
"I hope that you'll explain me."
"Mason, it's not simple--"
"I have no doubts, but you just try. So why you sent my younger brother to our father? And why the fact that you're married was hidden? By the way, my father aware?"
"He does," Pamela turns away and looked toward the ocean. "And he always did."
"About what?"
"It's a long story. When me and your father getting the divorce, I had an affair with Anthony."
"Are you... want to say that you're married to him for many years?"
"Oh, no, we'd break up soon after and I got out of touch with Anthony for many years. It was he who found me a few months ago. And I even not notice that I'm proved to be married again."
"If you regret why do you not divorce yet?"
"It's more difficult than it looks, Mason."
"I can help you--"
"You do not need. Please, don't. You have no idea what kind of the person."
"I can see. I'd already informed about his... uh, reputation. But I do not care; you're my mother after all."
"Do you know who Anthony is?" an inexplicable expression appeared on Pamela's face. Some like a mixture of suspicion and guilt. "Then you must understand that he is the dangerous man. Yes, and I'm feels good with him. Besides I love him," she weakly smiled. "As the saying goes old love does not rust."
"Are your husband knows about Charlie?" Mason realized the truth still before she answered. "He's have no idea. So why you sent the boy here."
"I already told you that I wanted to protect him. Anthony does know nothing about my youngest son. And I could not let him know."
"But why?"
"He does not like children. And I do not want that he would send Charlie to some boarding school in Singapore. Charlie would be better with his real father. I'd lost him in anyway," Pamela paused. "I see you think that I'm too badly treating your brother. My heart almost burst when he cried yesterday. But I could not take him along. Let he would hate me but be in the family where he is loved."
"Mama, I'm sure we could be works out. If you just let me--"
"No, Mason, I'm not. This is my choice and my burden. And I'll carry it myself." She suddenly blushed. "You seem to have the impression that Anthony poorly treats with me. It's not like this. There was a time when I was in love with him. We broke up because of ridiculous circumstances. And I can not lose him again."
"Mom--"
"I know that he have a shortcoming--"
"It is an understatement. Being a kind of mafioso leader seems really a big disadvantage."
Pamela quickly glanced up him.
"He's not too bad. I'm sorry that I cannot accept your help, but I want none of my children had any bearing on him."
"I do not desire to get acquainted with your new husband," Mason shook his head. "But I want to ask you something. What do you know about your chauffeur?"
"Mark?" Pamela was surprised. "Nothing. He just drives me and Anthony. Most often it's Anthony," she added. "What's the matter?"
"This man... raped the woman who I love. It's happened a few years ago, and then she was married to him."
"My God... Mason, are you sure?"
"Absolutely," he grins. "He caused a lot of pain to Mary and me."
"Mary... it's the name of your wife, right?"
"Yes. We got married one and half years ago."
Pamela shrugged helplessly.
"I even had no idea--"
"Last night that bastard almost raped her again."
"What a nightmare!" Pamela looked into his eyes. "I'll talk to Anthony."
"Well, I do not think that a mafioso could be embarrassed about the former rapist--"
"You do not know him. Mason, I promise I will do everything that I can that the maniac will not bother anyone of yours."
"I want not you put yourself at risk."
"No, I'll not, of course. Do not worry. I'll be alright."
She looked at her watch and sighed sadly.
"It's time. Anthony is waiting for me."
"Is he aware that you meet me?" Mason supposed that she responds negatively, but Pamela nodded.
"He does. Of course, he knows that I have the adult son with CC Capwell and understands that I want to see him. I had much more problems to talk him out of inviting you to dinner. Mason, I beg you, stay away from this man."
"Of course, I will," Mason stands up after his mother did.
Pamela kissed him goodbye and hugged. Then she without looking back quickly went to the fancy white car that was parked on the nearest parking lot. The driver — fortunately it's not Mark McCormick at this time — opened the door for her.
Mason forced to take eyes off the retreating car and then stunned at the view in front of.
"Mary! What the hell are you doing here?"
Chapter 139 — Hidden Doubts

"I had the meeting about Christy. And what's the matter?" Mary looked up him in amazement and somewhat angry.
"I told you don't leave the house!"
"And I answered that it's makes no sense. And what are you doing here? I thought that you are in the office until a lunch time."
"Let's talk elsewhere," Mason takes her hand and going to lead her to the car but Mary stops him.
She folded her arms and said quite sternly: "Stop being bossy, I'm not a little girl."
Mason cannot help to smile.
"You are my wife," he politely reminded. "And the wife must obey her husband."
"Not in this century. Mason, what's wrong? Why are you so nervous? Is it because Mark's appearance yesterday?"
"Come on, let's walk on the beach," he suggested instead of answering. "Or may be we should take the yacht and relax on the waves!"
"You are in trouble," Mary quietly stated.
Mason's face stiffed for a moment but then he smiled ruefully.
"No, just a bad day."
They went down to the shore, took off their shoes and walk on the wet sand bathing their feet in the lapping waves.
"What's up with Christy?" Mason broke the silence.
"I'm worried about her," Mary frowned.
"Why? She got involved in some trouble?"
"I do not know. I saw Jimmy; he called and asked to meet him."
"What he said?"
"They have... problems. More precisely, according to him Christy recently was acting very strangely. She asked him to move out to his family. Now she's staying alone in the huge house of our uncle and starts at every rustle. Jimmy worries about her."
"I can talk to her if you want," Mason stopped and looked at Mary.
"No, I do not. Actually I guess where the point is--"
"And where?"
"I think this is her delayed reaction after realizing what was happened to her in childhood and adolescence," Mary squinted at him. "So there's nothing serious. But she needs the help of crisis counselor and I'm afraid it will be difficult to persuade her to turn to them."
"Are you sure that's the point?"
They walked along the beach again.
"No, of course. I'm not even talked to my sister. But Jimmy's description is very similar to the picture."
"Is he aware what happened to her?"
"What stepbrother molested her for years and then brutally raped? And then she accidentally killed him? I don't think so. Unlikely she had told him and he have not another ways to know."
"Are you going to tell him?"
Mary shook her head.
"I have no right... Mason, what is happened to you today?"
"I met his mother."
"Oh... Then things become clear."
"What you mean?" Mason asked rather abruptly.
"It is obvious why you are so upset. Had you a good talk with her?"
"It depends... Learn that your mother married her longtime boyfriend mafioso and therefore gave your younger brother to the father for ever... it hardly can be called a good conversation."
"My God, Mason... is that true?"
"A big one, Mary..." He stopped and looks in her eyes with a pained gaze. "I'd so wait for her... all of my life."
"Mason..." Mary embraced him, desperate to take on his suffering. "Whatever... she is your mother. And she always will be."
"I know. Just... I thought I knew her, I remember her... but I saw the almost unknown woman today. Woman who just fine living without his oldest son by replacing him with the younger copy who was the result of the one stand night with her ​​ex-husband. You know..." he looked away, "...when my father so clearly showed that he wants to forget about my existence and have only Sophia's children I always thought that my mother surely never reject me and always needs me. Again and again I have been giving the promise myself to going for her. And now I realize that it's were just my childhood fantasies. I do need none of them--"
"Mason, it's not true," she turned his face to her. "And your family needs you. All of them. Your father, your siblings, Sophia. And all we are — me, Chip, Sam and Mickey. We really need you. Do not ever think about other things."
"So you agree me about Pamela?" Mason strangely looked at her.
"I do not know. I do not know your mother as I'm know Capwells. Beside--"
"What?"
"I cannot be objective, Mason." Mary sighed. "After looking how much she hurts you — by her long absence and now presence — I can not treat her too well."
"I never thought that there may be problem like this," Mason curiosity looked at her.
They were silent.
"How you think if your mother came here for a long time?" Mary finally asked.
"I think not so," Mason absently said and added: "By the way, you were right. I met Mark McCormick at my mother's hotel room." Mary tensed, and he continued: "He works as her husband's personal chauffeur. And he was shocked to see me too."
Mary could not resist and giggled.
"Perhaps only my mother's presence saved him from having bloody face," Mason finished. "He made you scared so much yesterday."
"I'm fine now... Did you speak to Cruz about?"
"Yes, and we're working on it. Mark does not bother you anymore. I promise," he looked at his watch. "I'm sorry, I need to call the office. The father left me a bunch of paperwork for me."
"I hope you do not forget that next week's coming up Eden and Cruz's wedding," Mary looked sternly at him.
"How could I forget," Mason chuckled. "Oh," he suddenly remembered. "Workers must come to make the art studio in the attic today. And you may want to look after them."
"You are a sly fox!" Mary sighed. "Okay, I'm coming home. Although I just thinks about go shopping."
Mason thoughtfully kissed her lips and reluctantly let go: "I'll meet you home."
"Do not be late," Mary called after him. Mason waved with his hand and disappeared behind trees.

* * *

Yet Mary was not come home immediately. She's so anxiety about Christy.
She disliked uncle's house, it conjures up her memories about his meeting with Mason when they did uncover the truth about Chris Rock. Why the sister did not sell it? It is so big and dark--
Christy greeted Mary without much joy but she seems quite normal until Mary mentioned Jimmy. And Mary heard sister's obvious lie that he drove to make a photo shoot in Mexico.
"I saw Jimmy today," Mary said increasingly suspecting that something is wrong. "He said nothing about Mexico."
Christy's face stiffed, she turns away.
"What's the matter?" Mary sat down and tried to pat her hand. But her younger sister moved away.
"Chris, what's eating you? Old memories?"
"Memories?" Christy surprised stared at Mary. "No."
"So what is it?"
"I do not know. I feel somehow uncomfortable here. Scary."
"Is that why you asked Jimmy to move out?"
"How do you know?" Her sister frowned.
"He told me today. He's worried about you."
"It's none of his business!" Christy gets up and passes around the room.
"And whose is? Chris, why do not you tell me what really was happened?"
Christy was silent for so long that Mary already begins to think that she would not answer at all.
"I think that Steve is somewhere," Christy said finally.
"What?" Mary never even images some like this. "But... you saw his dead body."
"And besides I was who killed him," Christy shivered. "Yes, I know. But... I feel his presence."
"Where?"
"Here, in the house. Some stupid tings... once I even heard his voice. Everything repeats again, right?" In Christy's voice could be heard the crying.
"The last time you saw Uncle Larry. You just thought he was our father. But Steve exactly had not the twin."
"How do you know? We were not aware even about Uncle Larry."
"I'm sure about. However we can check up it for your peace of mind. But I think it's not all, Chris. You experienced the very difficult lifetime and then shot Steve... I think you need to get some help."
"Are you thinking I'm crazy?" Christy resentfully looked at her.
"No, of course I'm not. I guess that you may have a kind of post-stress syndrome. You're need to dealing with your trauma and leave it in the past. I'm just talking about working with a psychologist."
"You do sound like a psychologist. I'd not daydream and I had not any hallucinations."
"Do you think your mind can stand anything? All survivors are experiencing this syndrome in some way."
"I hate it when you say like that!"
"How like?""
"Didactically! Sagely! Ah, silly me! You have always been the good girl."
"Christy, Christy, come on. I just want to help you."
"So leave me alone, okay? I can deal with my life without your help."
"I thought you trust me," Mary said after the pause. She feels upset.
"And I thought that you trust me. And don't take my words as result of stress."
Mary was silent and then offered: "Maybe you should sell the house?"
"This one?" Christy honestly surprised. "Why? I love it. I even..." She stopped.
"Even..?"
"Well... I even dreamed that someday it does be full of my children," she blushed. "I even turned in my mind in every way where I would want to make the nursery."
"Chris, why did you ask Jimmy to move out? Is he aware about your past?"
"I did not tell him. I asked him to move out because I'm not wanted to put him in a danger situation."
"How Ted was? Christy, I do not understand. You said that you consider this home as your own and feels well here. And you aware that Steve is dead for long time. What are you afraid? He can not hurt you anymore."
"I know that. But I can not ignore things which I can see or hear. I heard the voice of Steve! I did just yesterday."
"Look, what I think?" Mary said firmly.
"What I need to see a psychiatrist?" Christy quipped.
"No. I think you should tell Jimmy all of these events and ask him to move in again. Tell him about your troubles."
"Well, of course. And he'll just take to his heels."
"You must to take a chance," Mary calmly said. "Santa Barbara is a little town, and he learns the truth sooner or later. And if not Jimmy so it may be another boy. You would not want to spend the rest of her life just alone, right? So you must trust in someone."
"Do you would say it Mason if you were me?" Christy curiously looked at her.
"I would say," she replied immediately. "I do trust him. Jimmy seems a good boy to me. Try to talk to him."
"Okay... I'll think about it."
Chapter 140 — Too Deep Feelings

Mary came home when workers are finishing the studio. She surprised looks around inside of the reconstructed attic. Now there was something... native of her. Although this house in common made her feel that they're living here forever. How quickly they get used to good things.
To evening closer workers' gone and Mary downstairs alone in the living room. Her memories about Steve surfaced up. In fact she knew little of this dark terrible man though long time ago she tried to think about him as her stepbrother. Her brother... she shudders with disgust. How could she did not see it! She feels the longtime shame rising up in the depths of her soul.
"Mary--"
She jerks as if struck by something. Surprised Mason takes her hand.
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing... just thinking."
"About Christy?" He knowingly looks at her.
"Not really," Mary does not want to talk about it. To voice what she remembered and felt. "Let's not talk about."
"Mary? Is something wrong?" Mason's voice clearly sounded with the alarm.
"No," she looks up him and manages to smile: "Just the conversation with my sister evoked unpleasant memories. It's all."
"OK," he reluctantly accepted her answer. "Can I help you in someway?"
"Yes," she said surprising him. "Could you pull your strings and drag in Steve Bassett's past life?"
"Why?" Mason raises his eyebrow and frowns.
"Christy thinks that she recently heard his voice."
"Is it all of fuss? But you must know what she just feels like it," Mason sat on the chair opposite her. "Basset never comes to life. Or... Wait. Do you think he could have the twin too?"
Mary shook her head.
"I'm sure that he could not. But I want to assure Christy."
"Do you think it helps her?"
"I do not know. I just talked to her--"
"I guessed it," Mason ironically said.
"... Of course she'll not want to consult with psychologists. And I understand her. But she becomes so nervous and it's associated with the past."
"And with Jimmy," Mason astutely said.
"To some extent," Mary agreed. "He knows nothing about her past. And she's afraid that he would turn away from her if he found out."
"He doesn't look like a coward to me," Mason replied. "I do not think he would alienate your sister."
"I hope he'll not. It would hard blow for Christy."
"She's a tough girl. Like is her older sister," he smiled. "Okay, I'll search in the past of your stepbrother--"
"Do not call him like that!" Mary surprised herself to the escaped a surge of emotion.
"Mary," Mason seriously alarmed came close to her. Turned her face up his. "What's wrong with you? Why are you so nervous? Look at me."
But Mary turned away and chilly rubbed her shoulders.
Mason made a step forward and put out his hand to remove hair from her face. Mary's reaction was momentary. She slapped his hand and drew back.
"Mary, what is--?"
But she jumped up and ran past him out of the house. Faces of men are messing and merging in her mind: Mason, Mark and Steve, Steve and Mark. And their nauseating touches. She wanted just one thing: run, hide herself and do not allow to be touched by anyone.

It took at least an hour before Mason found Mary in the depths of the dark garden. She sat nearby the tree hugging her knees and bent her head down.
"Mary, it's me, Mason," Mason softly said but she winced anyway. She looked up from her knees and looked at him.
He cautiously approaches, desperately longing to touch her.
"Do you understand that it's me?"
"Yes, of course," she said after a pause. "I'm sorry I acted like a fool."
Some relieved Mason sat down beside her on the grass. Slowly, very slowly reached out and takes her fingers. Mary does not react.
"I want to know what's happened," he said quietly but firmly.
"Nothing," Mary looks away again.
"I can see that you feel bad and I want to help you."
"Nothing happened," she forced herself to look at him. "I already told you--"
"I heard what you said but bad memories are not enough to make you recoil from me."
"Mason, I'm sorry. I did not realize what I was doing. The past suddenly appeared too very close."
"Tell me about."
"Why?" She finally looks in his eyes. They frightened Mason. Her eyes seemed somehow unfocused, like empty. As if she was half elsewhere and may completely never come back.
"So you can leave it behind."
Mary shook her head.
"It's impossible."
"You did not try."
"I do not want... Mason, do not ask me to go through this again."
"Do you mean... the rape? Do you remember McCormick's evil act? Is it because his appearing here yesterday?" Mason intensely looks at her.
"No. Yes... I do not know. It's so confused!"
Mason paused then gently stroking her fingers and admits: "I do not understand."
"Give me time, Mason, OK?"
"I can not see how you are suffering."
"You're not able do anything. This is my past."
"Now I know why you did it," Mason said after a pause.
"What is "it"?"
"When you're trying to melt my soul. If I was something like you are now... I can see why you could not just leave me alone."
"You're probably right. I feel like in the middle of an iceberg. I'll hurt to escape from there."
"And hurt to feel something, huh? Hurt and frightening."
"Yes, it is--"
Mason takes her palms as if trying to warm up them. He saw that risk but could not resist. He was insanely frightened by the ice statue who became his alive Mary.
"Trust me. You know you can tell me anything."
"I know," she looked at him in the darkness of the garden. "It's just... so nasty, so dirty--"
"So let it left behind. Tell me what's wrong," he takes her elbows with his warm fingers.
"Steve... he molested my sister... for many years... she ran away home because of him."
"Yes, I know," Mason quickly said.
"But you do not know that even before then... he interested in her, he... became interested in me."
"What?" Mason jerked and lets her hands out. "Mary... but I'd saw how you were like one family during the trial... How is this possible? If you aware--"
"I did not aware... Of course I would never leave Christy alone to Steve if I'd realize that he was a monster... I realized too late. You still do not know how the truth was turned out."
"I know that your sister shot him."
"But before he found Christy and she did it I finally tumble to the idea that he was the real rapist."
"Do you?"
"Me. When I realized that Ted was not the rapist I began to wonder... I just had suspicions but then suddenly the memories came and I found out the complete truth. I did remember how he touched me and didn't leave my room when I'm going to change..." she shuddered all over with disgust.
"You... Mary, may be you felt it like... an afterthought? Maybe he did not actually--"
Mary paused, and then shook her head sadly.
"We'd better then continue this conversation. Come on home."
"No. We must have it done."
"If you doubt my words--"
"I have no doubt. Just maniacs like Steve usually fixated on one victim... Are you sure--"
"I'm sure!" Mary's voice soared. "For God's sake, Mason, he told me it! He told me!"
Mason swore under his breath and then takes her hand: "Go on," he encouraged. "What exactly he said to you then?"
"He told that it was my fault that he raped Christy. What he loved me but I ran away to the monastery and he had no choice but pay attention to her."
"Bastard!" Mason blurted.
"But... he was right in some way."
"Do not be ridiculous. He was a maniac with abnormal perverted logic."
"Mason, but I'm really left Christy with him. And I actually felt something wrong with him even then."
"Mary, Mary, you were a young girl who really did not understand that you really feels. You did not throw Christy into the clutches of a maniac. You did not aware that your nasty stepbrother actually a kind of pervert."
"But I must have known--"
"Not kick yourself. The past never return."
"I know. But... it comes in sometimes. My guilt and feelings of nasty memories.'
"It seems to me or the ice begins to melt?"
Instead of answering Mary quickly hugged him and pressed her cheek to his neck. Mason smiled in the dark.
"Now that's my girl."
"I'm sorry that I scared you," she wiped her eyes with her palm. "Just all so were clashed: yesterday's the meeting with Mark and today's talk with Christy who scared me by her words Steve's voice. You know... I do not think that it was her imagination."
"Do you think someone is trying to scare her to death?"
"Maybe. But I have no idea who could be."
"Do not worry. We'll figure out how we can protect your younger sister. Just remember: this maniac is dead and never return."
"I remember. If I can erase my memories about him--"
"It's no problem. Look," Mason touched his lips to hers then kissed slowly and thoughtfully. A few minutes later he pulled away from her mouth and asked: "How are memories?"
"What are memories?" Mary pulled him back close. "Do not be distracted--"

Thirty minutes later they returned into the house and Mrs. Rold inform them about Miss Duvall's call. Christy asked to tell that she is fine as well Jimmy is. Mary had doubts that it's actually true but not showing her suspicions. Christy was not in immediate danger; the house had the good guard. And they'll work out later.
That night she's sleeping peacefully for the first time without any dreams. Mason's hand firmly held around her waist. Just in case she'll want to disappear again. He's not going to allow this. Never.
However in the morning Mason waking up and finds the empty bed. His heart almost stops dead. He abruptly jumps up, calling himself as an alarmist and walks to the nursery. Mickey's cot was empty too.
Mason rushed back tearing off his pajamas but just noticed the door leading to the attic is open. He slowly upstairs to the flight and looks into the studio.
Bright sunlight flooding the art room through the skylight. Drawing accessories were on the floor. Mary sat in front of the small easel and penciling the paper. In a few steps away Mickey snoring in his carriage under the reliable shadow of oblique ceiling beam.
Mason gave the wide smile. Perhaps he need to stop the habit ever doubt in his family. He almost had a heart attack!
Mary felt Mason's presence and looks up. She smiles and holds her finger over her lips.
Mason walks silently and scrouches down beside her. Mary tried to hide her drawing but he still managed to see the outlines of something like the street.
"What is it?" he whispers in her ear.
"The house of my childhood in Ventura," Mary whispers back. "I am trying to draw it from my memory."
At this point Mickey whimpers.
"Take him to the nursery," Mary said in a low voice. "I'll be right back."
Mason picked his little son on his arms.
"Do not be long," he said pausing at the door. "The male half of Capwell family is bored without you."
Mary giggled and began to collect her pencils. So far she still had trouble to doing her plan. Transfer on the paper her children memories was harder than she thought. But she hoped that may be later she'll able to portray what she wants. It's vital to her to close the door in her past.
Chapter 141 — A Question of Trust

In the middle of the day Mason appeared at his father's house — he was asked to get documents from the office for CC. He goes into the living room and surprises to see his bored younger brother.
"Is the father returned?" He asked Charlie. "Where he is?"
"I came back alone," the boy grimly replied.
"Are you escaped?" Mason horrified. He can clearly see its consequences.
"No, of course," Charlie snorted. "The father put me on the plane and Rosa was taken me in the airport."
"How you manage to annoy him so hard?" Mason incredulously asked having his heart of a little relieved.
"Oh, there was such a bore!" Charlie grimaced. "I hardly seem him. He's always with his business partners and bankers."
"Well, welcome to the club," the older brother smiled sadly.
"But you were something, he did not ignore you!" Charlie snapped.
"Alas, he did. CC Capwell never acting with other ways. As the profit is at stake as the rest is nothing for him."
Charlie sighed and said nothing. Then he stands up from the wicker chair and headed for the door to the garden.
Mason shakes his head looking after him. He heard a loud splash — Charlie's jumping into the pool.

* * *

Mary was not surprised when in the next day Christy came and asked to spend the night in her old little room above the garage.
"Just not read me morality," she warned.
"I even do not think. But I'm worries about you."
"Honestly?"
"Honestly," Mary smiled but then became sober. "Chris, what is wrong?"
"I heard it again," Christy said after a pause. "The voice."
"Steve is dead. We both saw his body," Mary said.
"I do not believe in ghosts," her younger sister said. "This is one of flesh and blood."
"Or something like an audiotape," Mary said. "There is no other explanation. But who might be wanted to scare you?"
"I have no idea," Christy's face falls. "Maybe someone who wants to inherit after our uncle?"
"And how Steve is connecting with that? Beside no one was trying to scare me though we're both Uncles' heirs."
"OK, it's dropped. But what is we remain?"
"Well..." Mary thought for a moment. "Logically the person must be someone who may hold the recording of Steve's voice. By the way what were words?"
"He calling me," Christy shivered.
"Calling by the name?"
"Yes," Christy nodded.
Mary frowned.
"This changes everything," she murmured.
"Why?"
"Because so it is not a prank. This is purposeful intimidation. Probably a kind of some montage," Mary said. She paused and then added: "Chris, I'll talk to Mason. I guess that we should put the bugs in the house to know sure."
"But then I'll need to go back in the house," Christy sounded like she does not want to do that.
"Not necessarily. We'll work something out. Do you have the talk to Jimmy?"
"About what?"
"About your past."
"No. I'm not going to do."
Mary did not want to quarrel and turned the conversation to another subject. She does not want to think about that time too. But she felt that it can not be avoided till they found out what was happening.

* * *

Mason finally leaned back in his chair and stretched. His drawing up of the contract was almost over.  Left just a couple of places to compare. He suddenly remembered Mary's request and made the call about Steve Bassett's case. So the strange story. Why anyone want to hold such games with tape recordings? All know exactly that Bassett is dead. And it serves on right. Mason remembered the Mary's pale face when she had told him about Bassett. At the time he really wanted to strangle Steve with his bare hands.
At this point the secretary looks in the room.
"Mr. Capwell, you have the visitor. Mr. James Johnson."
"Let him in, Lily," Mason folded his papers.
A moment later the Jimmy, Christy's boyfriend comes in.
After the common exchange of greetings the guest settled in the comfortable chair and asked Mason: "Why you want to see me?"
"I want to talk. What is your relationship with Christy?"
Jimmy inclines his head: "I think it is not your business."
"Nope. Mine. This girl is part of my family. And I want to know what your intentions are."
"It's funny. I'll like Chris hear it."
"Why?" Mason raised his eyebrow.
"She's afraid of you to death."
"Do you know why?" Mason looked at him.
"No," Jimmy surprised. "Has she any special reason?"
"How long you're living in Santa Barbara?" Mason asked instead answering.
"About a year."
"I see. So what's about your intentions?"
"I have no idea," Jimmy just becomes angry. "All looked not so bad but then she began to avoid me. She's lying and does not answer when I call her. I thought she got another guy but it seems not. She just stood me up."
"So you're broken up?"
"She asked me to give her some time. But I'm not sure about."
"Do you love her?"
Jimmy does not answer.
"Ready to fight for her?"
"With whom?" he replies bitterly. "I can not fight with Chris. If she does not want me--"
He does not finish.
"I do not know what you feel to Christy," Mason softly starts. "But I am aware of the reasons for her current behaving. It is not connected with her feelings to you."
"Why she does not want to see me?"
"Christy had hard life when she was a child. Its past tragedy echoes to her present."
"Thank you for letting me knows," Jimmy stands up and heads for the door. "I'll talk to her heart to heart."
"Wait," Mason stops him. "It's not so simple."
Jimmy slowly back into his chair.
"What is else?" he asked tensely.
"Christy does not want you be aware about her past. It is unlikely she'll agree to tell you about."
"But you do?" Jimmy asked sounding like Mason was his friend or relative.
"May be. Do you really want to know?"
"I love her," Jimmy managed to get. "I'm already going crazy as out of play."
"Very good. So listen--"

* * *

Mary threw the pencil out in frustration and straightened. She won't make it. The picture was good but it did not reflect that she wanted to express. Maybe it's impossible at all--
"Mom?"
Mary looked up and saw Chip lying in the doorway of the studio.
"What is it, sweetie?"
The boy quickly crept to her and Mary gently patted his head.
"Mom, where Chally?"
"Charlie stays with your grandfather now."
"And when he comes again?"
"May be soon. And you are missing him?"
"Yes. He's good to be a holse. Mom, Aunt Chisty is going to live with us for ever?"
"No, she just is our guest for sometime and then she will leave to her own home."
"And we will go to her home?"
"Surely," Mary tucked his t-shirt down. "Where's Sam?"
"There," the boy waved his hand toward the stairs. "She's playing with the nanny."
"Why you are not?"
"I don't want. It's bored!"
Chip stands up and tamping to the easel.
"What is it?" He looked up Mary.
"The street where I lived when I was like you."
"Like me?" Chip surprised.
"Yes, I was a little girl too."
The boy incredulously looks up her:
"No-o-o! You're not a little, you're my mom!" He looks at the picture again. "And you're not here! Look!" He points his finger to the painted street. "Nope!"
Truth comes out of the mouths of babes and suckling. Yes, indeed the street of her childhood was deserted. And she even not noticed it.
"Mom!" Chip pulls her blouse down. "I'm bored!"
"Okay, let's go," Mary gets up and takes his hand. "Lets look for you something to do."
They're downstairs and soon Chip was satisfied with the metal erector set. Penciling the color book Sam immediately looked up but convincing that his brother is busy with his foolish metal pieces she returns to her book.
Mary pulled Mickey out of the arena and picks up him. Older children stopped their acting and run to her, stuck on both sides trying to climb up to her knees.
"Mom, when he'll get bigger?" Samantha asked for the umpteenth time.
"He'll not get bigger!" Chip revengeful countered. "He will always be like he is now! And then he will become smaller and smaller and disappear at all!"
"It cannot be happen!" Sam slapped his hand. And then got her slap back.
Mickey begins to roar.
"No-o!" the sister and the brother buzzed in unison and dramatically covered their ears by their palms.
"Sam, Chip, that's enough!" Mary is rocking Mickey and the baby gradually calmed down.
"Mom, tell the tale!" Samantha asked and laid her head on mother's knee.
"Yes, tell, tell!" Chip climbed on the sofa on the other side.
Mary sighed: "Okay. Once there was the girl--"
"Her name was Samantha?" Sam interrupted.
"Yes. And she had the brother whose name was... Channing, but they called him Chip."
"No! I asked the tale but not about us..." Samantha snorted irritably.
"The tale is not about you. Listen more."
But they not got enough time to hear the rest of the tale. Christy burst in the house like a swirl.
"Why you told him!"
"What told? What you mean?" Mary stands up with Mickey on her hands.
"To Jimmy! All about me! How you could do it!"
"Mrs. Rold, please, take children in the nursery," Mary ordered and hands her youngest son to the nanny.
She waited until all four disappear upstairs and turned to her sister: "Do not shout. I said nothing Jimmy about you. I even did not see him."
"Then how he would know everything?"
"Why do you think he knows?"
"Because he does! He called and said that he want to see me. I rejected but he said that he knows everything and I had to tell him before. Clear as glass. He knew," Christy grimaced barely holding tears.
"If he called here?"
"No! I'd back home because I had to take something. And he called me there! How he got to know!?"
"Is it important now?" Mary tried to calm her down. "He knows it and he's not turn away from you."
"How you can know?!"
"Chris, think better. If he should call you if he do not want to have something with you?"
"Well... maybe he wants first to face me and then leave alone," Christy suggested in a little calmer voice.
"Do you're really so badly thinks about me?" Jimmy's voice sounded from the doorway.
"Who told you? My sister?" Christy upset asked.
"No. Mason told me," Jimmy calmly replied. "And we really need to talk. Mary, do you excuse us?"
"Of course."
She left them to work out, got in the car and drove to the Capwells. For some reason she felt that Mason was there, not in the office. And she was right.
She found Mason in CC's office. He holds the some thick book in his hands.
"Mary?" He frankly surprised to see her here. "Is something wrong?"
"You could say me. Why do you get into my sister's relationship with her ​​soon-be fiancé?"
Mason slammed the book and threw it on the table, then walked to Mary and closed the door.
"So Jimmy actually decided to act? The decisive man."
"Why you told him everything? Who asked you to?"
"I found that it would be better," Mason shrugged. "Jimmy is a good guy. I sure they work everything out. They're just needed some push."
"Or they will not and broken up for ever," Mary sits on the chair in frustration.
"Your words have no logic. They'll work out in anyway but the results can either staying together or break up."
"You sound like a lawyer."
"Why like? I'm a lawyer."
"Yes but beside the fact you're still Mason Capwell. My beloved husband and a concerned person. So concerned that doing what you was not asked. WHY?"
"Someone had to do. Do not be worry. Your sister is stronger than she seems."

* * *

When the door was closed after Mary Jimmy some relaxed. But Christy took a couple of steps back as if she's going to show heels. How Mary dare left her alone with him!
"Do not be so nervous," Jimmy suddenly softly said. "I'm not going to attack you. I just want to talk."
"Why? If you already know everything."
"Well, let's say that I do not think about your past as about an obstacle."
"Really?" Christy managed to get ironic smile.
"Chris, it's me, Jimmy. Do you do not trust me?" He cautiously approached her, held out his hand.
She walked slowly toward him, and then stopped.
"Say what you want."
Jimmy takes her hand and leads to the couch.
"Just sit down."
Christy took her seat and looked up under her fringe. The attentive, careful look.
"Mason's story became the big surprise to me," Jimmy admitted and leaned back. "I was not ready for something like that."
Christy tried to pull away but he held her.
"Of course I was not. You do not betray any hint of his secret. Though I can see why now. But it was offensive for me, dammit!"
"What Mason told you?" Christy asked. She finally begins to relax. It's just Jimmy. Steve did not return. He can not return. He's dead and lies in the grave.
"Tell the whole story about you and your step-brother Steve Bassett. What can I say? Just wishes he's not dead. I'll like to make it to him with my own hands."
"No, then you must go to the jail," Christy broken sighs. "I was lucky that it was an accident."
"Yes, it was the end of your nightmare," Jimmy reached out and brushed her fringe away from her forehead.
"So it seemed to me," Christy looked down. "A year later my sister was died. I thought I was alone forever."
"Your sister? I did not know that you had another sister," Jimmy bits his lip.
"No, I had not the other sisters. I mean Mary. She had the accident and we thought that she's died for about a year. And then she came back. Later it turned out that she was saved by our Uncle Larry."
"Wow! And Mary does not look like she was survival of died!"
"Yes, we are very lucky. And she is."
"And what about your mother? You said that you left all alone."
"She was hard drinking. I did not want to see her," Christy hunched.
"Mrs. Duvall?" Jimmy was amazed. "I've never seen her drunk."
"Everything changed after the return of Mary. One day I asked her about it and she said that she did not take a drop in the mouth after Mary was returned. And she really never gets drunk again. She always loved Mary more then me."
"I do not think so. It seems to me that Mrs. Duvall loves you both very much."
"Forget it, okay?" Christy rubbed her palms against her knees. "So what we do now?"
"First tell me why you're trying to escape from me. Mason just hinted that it have some connected with Bassett's case."
After hearing Christy's story about Steve's voice Jimmy deeply thought and then declared: "I'll move in your house and catch this bastard! And until you'll live with her sister. I want to see you in perfectly safe."
Chapter 142 — Happiness Exists!

"No way!" Christy grabbed Jimmy's arm. "Are you crazy? He'll kill you!"
"Chris, this bastard is dead," Jimmy looks into her eyes.
"When I hear his voice I almost believe that it's a dream when I shot him," Christy whispered.
Jimmy puts his hand on her neck.
"He's dead. Do you hear me? He's dead. It's over long time ago."
"How you can know that I'm thinking about?"
"Just guess," Jimmy sighed. "Sometime I have nightmares too."
"I thought you had the serene life really."
"If I had."
"Tell me, Jim."
He said nothing.
"Okay, I'm sorry. I see."
"Do you remember my younger brother Kevin?" Jimmy asked after a pause.
"Sure."
Christy has been visited at Johnson's place. It was large and noisy family so different from the laconic steady Jimmy. She saw Kevin for many times: he was cheerful shaggy teenager.
"At the age of three he was lost. Mom entrust him to me, and I just want to see my friends and... He slipped away from me. He was gone for five days."
"Five days?" Christy was horrified. "How did he manage to survive? He was just a little boy."
Jimmy lowered his head.
"He's small guy, yes, but he was still Johnson, and we are strong guys... All of police looking for him but it was useless. I wandered around the town and stared at passers to hurting my eyes. Rushed to every kid in Kev's age--"
"Yes, of course," Christy takes his hand and laced her fingers with his. "And how he was found?"
"By great luck. I just heard that our neighbors had visited by their distant relatives from a remote ranch. I thought that Kev could get into someone else's car. One of the officers agreed to check my version and took me there. We almost left out empty-handed! Ranch's owners did not see any unfamiliar children. But I could not accept defeat and went to look for him as myself."
"And you found him?" Christy squints at him.
"Yes, I did. As barely alive in some deserted barn. God knows what he's doing there... And at first I even thought he's dead when I saw his little body on the floor--"
"Jim, Kevin is alive and well," Christy patted him on the back already regretting that she started the topic. "It's in the past."
"Yes. Like Bassett," Jimmy turned around and looked into her eyes. "A few months after the incident I had the same dream for every night: I'm looking for Kevin and I can not find. Often these searching were fruitless and sometimes from afar I can see his body and aware that he is dead."
"But he's alive!"
"I repeated it to myself for every night when I wake up. And eventually I'd coped. But even now sometimes I feel like a rip off gear and I caught myself on the searching for the baby Kevin among a crowd."
"Well, you're lucky that he can not hear you now. He's likely hates when he's called baby Kevin," Christy forced smiling.
"Yeah. And he's got off easier then all of us. And he even does not remember that his dreadful trip... Chris, I'm very well can see how the past seemed to be becoming a reality again. Sometimes I'm reminding to myself that it happened for long time ago."
"I'm afraid. Jim, I'm so scared!"
"Do not be afraid. You're safe as long as you're with me."

* * *

"Still you should not have to intervene," Mary repeated.
"You'll see when we get home they're sort everything out and make peace," Mason said and pulls her close to him. "Do not worry, we'll catch one who makes miserable your sister's life.
"Do you have a plan?" Mary raised her head and looked at his face.
Mason smiled.
"Yes, but not yet fully worked out."
"Did you ask for Steve's file?"
"Yes, but not yet received it. Mary, let's go for a walk."
"I thought that you have some work?" She pointed looks at the impressively thick legal volumes.
"These can wait. Come on."
They go out and walked slowly along the path into deep of the garden. They walk in silence then Mason stops and pulls Mary into their arms.
"Are you happy?" he asked looking into her eyes.
"Yes," Mary said without hesitation and smiles. "Especially when you're around."
"Our life really is not a fairy tale," Mason sighed.
"I never expect this. In addition the tales have come to an end but we're going to live for long time."
"It's good that you can see the good in anything."
"Mason... is something wrong?" Mary looked up him anxiously. "We'll expect some kind of trouble?"
"No," he shook his head. "Anyway I do not know about."
"So you may afraid again that I'll go away," Mary turned away. "You do not trust me."
"But I will," Mason turned her face to his and thoughtfully kissed her. "I'm sorry."
"Forgiven," Mary gasped a few minutes later.
Mason smiles.
"That's fine."
"Can I ask you the same question? Are you happy?"
"What is happiness, Mary?" he asked slightly drawing his words. "When you wake up next to your beloved woman and feel the fragrance of her hair? When you see her smile and seemed you can soar into the heavens? When you hold your son and can see her eyes? If these are so then I'm definitely happy."
Mary embraces him, pressing to his chest. Then he stepped back and gives the shining look.
"We'll always together," she said. "Even when Samantha will make us grandparents."
"Who knows maybe Chip'll be first."
"Maybe. Or maybe Mike makes a surprise for all of us."
"I think not. I think he will be the serious young man," Mason said.
"One does not interfere. Oh how you were serious in childhood--"
"Me? Who uttered about me such nonsense?" Mason's face is darkened.
"Sophia. She keep said that you were very serious boy, much more then your sisters and brother."
"That's because I was doing my best not to insult her before the father."
"Why do you say that?" Mary seems surprised.
"You know I've been in complicated relationship with her," Mason chuckled knocking down intensity of the conversation. "But in fact I do not remember myself be too serious at any age. I've always been a palace jester."
Mary shook her head as if to show that she has doubts.
"Well if you prefer to believe Sophia..." Mason shrugged.
"I believe both of you," Mary softens said. "Do not be angry."
"I never thought to be angry," he leaned forward and pressed his lips against her hair. "I know that you're always on my side. And you alone."
"Previously you did not think so."
"I thought but I was afraid to say aloud," Mason raised his hand and sadly looks at his watch. "I need to make a phone call."
"Let's go," Mary took his hand, and they go back home.

"You've still got a lot of work?" Mary asked; her voice's tinged with sadness when they returned to Capwell's house.
"No, not really. And you know what? I'll take it along. I can finish these at home. Wait for me here."
"Sure," Mary looks after Mason who quickly walks to his father's study.
At that moment the phone rang and Mary answers.
Five minutes later Mason returns carrying his briefcase with documents. He just looks at Mary's face to realize that she got the bad news.
"What's happened?"
"Cruz's call. Mark was killed while trying to escape during the arrest."
"Let is go hang," Mason did not even try to hide his feelings. "He that liveth wickedly can hardly die honestly."
Mary stared at him, her face expressionless.
"Do not tell me that you're sorry for him!"
"I... I do not know," she finally said. "But why he would have been arrested? Do you know anything about?"
"No," Mason shook his head and thought about his mother's words that she take care of this. But she could not... No, of course it was an accident. "Perhaps Cruz can make some clear."
"I asked him but he did not answer."
"I guess he could not. The husband of my mother quite frankly is in conflict with the law. Perhaps it was a secret service operation. But my mother is alright after all, is she?"
"Cruz did not mention it," Mary tried to distance with the news. "Did you find your documents?"
"Yes. Let's go home."
And two of them headed for the door.
Already getting into the car Mason involuntarily glanced at Capwell's house. Once it was his only home. He sought at all costs to stay here. But now... it was just his father's house.
He suddenly warmed by the idea that he has his own house where he will never be a guest.
"Do you miss this home?" Mary misread his face.
"No. Not anymore," Mason said and started his car's engine.
Chapter 143 — The Wedding Bells

Christy and Jimmy were still sitting in the living room when Mason and Mary returned at home. Mary embraced her younger sister and sat down beside her on the sofa. Mason sat on the chair and Jimmy got on the couch next to Christy.
"I have the plan," Jimmy said, his eyes shining. "I'll hiding in the house and catch one who poses as Steve's ghost."
"It is unlikely that anything will come of this," Mason frowned. "Yes, you enough know the house but clearly the villain do also."
"What do you suggest?" Mary asked.
"Start with the personality of the pursuer. Christy, you must have a lot thought about him. May be you hears something familiar in his voice?"
"What? No, I do not. Not considering the similarities with Steve's tone," she admitted awkwardly. "Yes, I've thought about it. And I want to go back home! It goes against me if someone wants to force me out of my house. And the voice of Steve creeps. "Chri-esty... whe-ere... a-are... yo-ou..." she mournfully recited.
"This is perhaps the most inexplicable," Mary said. "If it's really Steve's voice... so who and when recorded these words? Why would he say that? Chris, you do not remember heard these?"
"No," Christy shook her head.
"But do you sure that it was his voice?" Mason persistently asked.
"Yes!" Christy blushed and turned away.
"Okay, can you describe it? What's kind of the tone? Joyful, sad, angry?"
Christy frowned, trying to remember as accurately as possible.
"He... a little hoarse... and as if he pulls words... like being drunk. But he never said me words like these. He always tried to intimidate me," she winced.
Jimmy moved up and rubbed her shoulders.
"We have a few opportunities," Mason stated. "First we can try to track down the villain. Although it will be difficult because the size of the estate. Quite possibly this man knows some ins and outs."
"And what else?" Christy asked. She did not see any another option.
"We can research people who were around Bassett. I already requested his file. Whoever he had to deal with Steve and talk him for a long time."
"One does not interfere. We can use both ways," Jimmy summed up. "I'll surveillance and Mason can hit the documents. One of these options must work out."
All agreed but Christy still did not like the idea have Jimmy alone in the house, vulnerable, open to attack.
However Mason offered the more rational way. He said that they must find the plan of the house and systematically search it. To check for any secret passage also.
"And you should still live with us yet," Mary said to her sister. "It's safer."
"For me. What about Jim and Mason?"
"No one follows us," Mason said. "No, Christy, this man obviously wants you."
Christy's shoulders dropped. She felt as if she were lead to execution. Mary tried to comfort her but no avail. Her younger sister gone to shell again.

* * *

In the next day Mason and Jimmy found out the plans of Jean Do (they turns out its name of the house). Jimmy was about to take the first floor but after long researching Mason stated that it's newer plans. They need to find older ones. There are the ruins of the some secret passage but it is not fully shown. As Jimmy's the next step was the Municipal Archive as Mason decided to visit Cruz.
"Eden asked you to come here?" Cruz asked with pretty grim.
"No," Mason frowned. "What's the matter?"
"Never mind. Do you want ask something?"
"Yes. What's the mess with McCormick? I hope that my mother did not suffer."
"Your... mother?" Cruz stared at him.
"Pamela Capwell Tonnell is the first wife of my father and my mother," Mason impatiently gestured. "So what was happened yesterday?"
Cruz staring at him for a moment and then flushed.
"The wife of Anthony Tonnell is your mother? Why did you tell me nothing earlier?" he snapped.
"Our family relationships do not concern you. So about my mother?"
"Mr. and Mrs. Tonnell are alright. That's all that I am authorized to say."
"McCormick?"
"He's dead."
"Can I see his dead body?"
"No.
"Why?"
"Mason, why do you want to do?"
"I want to be sure in his death. Previously it was rumored that he become food for worms but it was false. I want to be sure that he will not bother us anymore."
"FBI involved," Cruz gave an incomprehensible look. "They want to take his body."
"But it is still in Santa Barbara, is not it? Do me a favor--"
"Mason, he's dead. Dead like stone. I saw how he was killed."
"Cruz--"
He sighed.
"Well, I will try to do something."
"Thank you, Cruz."

* * *

Mason returned home just as Jimmy returned from the archive. They compared the plans and found that the secret passage surrounds the whole house's perimeter. It starts from the unnoticed door in the rear of the house and ended near the kitchen. It allows getting in almost every room of the first floor.
"We may chase him for weeks and all the same, he'll escape from us!" Jimmy threw away the pencil in frustration.
"I can offer something," Christy said after pausing. "Just shut the passage and that's that!"
"It may still be useful to us," Mason shook his head. "No, it's better to call the cleaners and to bug it under that guise so we will be able to trace if someone uses the passage."
"I wonder where our pursuer knows about it," Mary said thoughtfully. "Even we had to digging in the archive to find out."
"New plans were kept in the house. Perhaps he does not know the whole passage's way."
"Maybe--"
But Mary frankly doubted. She still had the feeling that Christy's pursuer was someone familiar with their family. She mentally went over all the family friends but no one seemed to her a suitable candidate.
She tried to ask her sister, but Christy shook her head: "It's just some crazy man!"
Mason and Jimmy have the same opinion.

Eden and Cruz's wedding day comes. Mary was wrapped up in Capwell's house doing last-minute preparations. Charlie and Brandon hanging around and getting in way.
Mason spent in the office for the whole day; with his bad luck he just got full hands of business contracts. But he manages to be in time and even bid farewell his younger sister just before the official ceremony.
"I thought you'd change your mind and run away at the last minute," he ironically said. "It seems to me that you did not put up with traditions, Eden."
"Well, you also not so far gone from traditions, Mason. Although as I can recall it's was you who solemnly swear that you'll prefer to skydive than to standing at the altar."
"I think I was completely drunk then."
Mary giggles.
"I can not imagine that someone want to be married jumping with a parachute."
"Yes and kiss the bride must be uncomfortable," Mason kissed her cheek. "Well, I and you fortunately had no such problems."
"What for to kiss the bride?" Charlie's head popped up.
"When you get married so you will know," Eden laughed and strictly asked: "You have the ring?"
"Here!" Charlie presses his palm to the pocket.
"Charlie, have you seen Chip and Sam?" Mary worried. She left Mickey in the nursery where the nurse had to change him to the official suit but the older kids just slipped away on the sly.
"Yes! They are begging Rosa for cookies!"
Mason raised his hand and looked at his watch.
"All right, so soon my little sister will fly out of the nest," he kissed Eden in the cheek. "Be happy! Promise?"
"I promise," Eden hugged him back and quickly walks away toward the gazebo.
Mason turned around and goes to meet Mary who was carrying Mickey in a black tuxedo and led by the hand Chip. Samantha ran skipping on the other her side.
"Come on," Mason took Mickey on his hands and Samantha immediately grabbed Mary's free hand. With the arrival new baby brother she was deeply annoying by the lack third hand of her mom. Like Chip did.
The ceremony went perfectly. Just Mickey was trying to move on his grandfather's knees all the time but Mason kept him successfully.
Finally the priest pronounced the sacramental: "By the authority given to me by the State of California, I now pronounce you are husband and wife. Kiss each other, my children."
Charlie presses his palm against Samantha's eyes. She angrily threw his arm away.
"Uncle Charlie, I see nothing!"
Mason clearly hemmed and Mary glared at him.
The ceremony was followed by a flurry of congratulations and the celebration. When Eden and Cruz departed to their Hawaii honeymoon Kelly suddenly noticed the absence of Brandon. He attended at the ceremony but after nobody saw him.
However the mystery was solved quickly. Brandon was found in one of guest rooms and he was with Gina. CC firmly shoved his ex-wife out and ordered Brandon to go to his room.
"Lord, why you cannot let them to see each other even today!" Mason could not resist looking after the sad little boy. "What do you want to do? To break him apart?"
"Gina is bad for Brandon and you well know about," CC said.
"She loves him! For God's sake why you're forcing him to sneaking around just to see his own mother?"
"If Gina really loves him she can find a job. You aware why I took Brandon from her. She owed his school more than six months!"
"And you did not bother to help her."
"Help Gina? Of course I did not."
"Father, if you would continue to go on, I will have to apply to the court in the interests of Brandon. Yes, you got custody but you can not forbid the boy to see his mother."
"I can if I think it's in his best interest."
"It is unlikely that the court will accept your arguments like these."
"Mason, what you're doing? Do you want to go against the family? And be moved from your company position?"
"Not against the family but against you. I do not want to but I want not to watch how you're breaking Brandon.'
"Mind your own business and nobody gets hurt."
CC walked past Mason and disappeared into the deep of his study. Mason silently cursed.
"Are you okay?" Mary came to him. "Did they find Brandon?"
"Yes. He was found. Are you ready to go?"
"Not quite yet, I just need to change Mickey--"

The knock on the door of CC's study. The patriarch irritably raised his head.
"Come in."
The door opened and Charlie appeared. CC's sight softened.
"What's the matter? I 'm busy right now."
"Sir... I mean, father... I want to ask you... Allow Brandon to back to his mother."
"Charlie, Brandon lives here and there are reasons for. This adult's business. Go to the bed."
"No!" Charlie tensed like waiting for the jump. "Why you keep them apart! I'd give anything to be back to my mom. Just she does not want me! She left me forever! Brandon's mom loves him!" his voice soared. "Allow her to take him, please!"
"Charlie, go to your room," CC voice sound steady but firm. "Brandon's mother has some shortcomings about you do not aware. So you're continued to live with your ​​brother."
"Father, please!" Charlie's lips trembling, but he's manages. "Why do you hurt him?"
"Nobody hurts. Charlie, go to sleep. You do not have much time before starting your school."
"Come on," Mason quietly said from the door. "It's useless, Charlie."
He cocked his head and stared at CC. Mason thought the boy would give in but to his surprise that CC Capwell was one who looked away. But he said nothing. Charlie turned and walked out the door.
Mason put the completed contract on the table before his father and without any words went out after Charlie. The boy's leaning against the wall hiding his face and his shoulders shaking with silent tears.
Mason patted his youngest brother on the shoulder. The boy turned his tear-stained face to Mason.
"Why he is like that?" Charlie breathed. "He does not care! About me and Brandon, about everybody! He's like a stone!"
"He is CC Capwell," Mason winced. "Come on."
He takes his brother by the hand and led downstairs. Charlie jerks in surprise.
"The father said to my room."
"I thought it was better for you to spend the night with me and Mary. I'll let Sophia to know, I'm sure she will not mind."
Charlie beamed and with all haste run to the car. Mason sighs and goes to his stepmother. He just told her about the conversation between the father and his youngest son and informed that he takes Charlie to his own home. Sophia agreed that it would be better.

The road to home was not easy: tired kids was fussing, Charlie was grimly silent. Clenching his teeth Mason driving and thinks that his father crossed the line and he must use forcible means. Mary can see his face and decides not to ask about. And very soon becomes clear that his bad mood have something with CC.
At home they have full hands to put to sleep children but with Mrs. Rold's help finally all four children were gone to the beds. Even Charlie fall sleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
Mary walks downstairs and sees Mason who had the glass of brandy in his hand. She silently poured the same for herself and blissfully sank onto the couch.
"Tired?" Mason sat down near.
"Dreadful. Today the kids were absolutely unbearable. Mason, what was happened? Why you took Charlie?"
"My brother decided to show his generosity and put in a word for Brandon. Asked my father to allow Brandon go back to Gina. As you can guess CC Capwell did not bear for being pointed by some little boy.
"And you wisely decided to hide him here?"
"It's not just about Charlie. No news that my father uses Brandon as the weapon against Gina. But today he outdid himself."
"You and he had a fight?"
"I said that I was going to sue him in court in defense of Brandon."
"And you really go to do?" Mary tried to understand his reaction.
"Play against CC Capwell can have unfortunate consequences," Mason got up and walks to the window.
"But you already played against his father earlier."
"Then I had nothing to lose," he turned his head toward her. "And now I have you, and Mike, and Chip and Sammy."
"And Charlie. But in fact you are thus Mason Capwell. It's not you if you not tried to help Brandon."
"Do you realize that we can find out us in the doghouse then?"
"I'm not afraid of your father."
"Do you think you can stop him if he wants to destroy me?"
"Mason, he is your father."
"He is CC Capwell. And he hates me for a long time."
"Do not be silly. He loves you."
"Yeah, just adores," Mason smiled bitterly. "Okay, it's all meaningless."
"Did you already make ​​the decision?"
"Tomorrow. Tonight I have other plans."
"And what's?"
"Oh, all sorts. Very, very various... Very, very--"
"Mason, shut up! And kiss me--"
"Our desires agree," Mason muttered in her ear. "But it's better to doing them in the bedroom. We would not want to shock Mrs. Rold."
"You're right--"
"I'm always right--"
Chapter 144 — Parents and Ghosts

In the next day Christy suddenly opened her desire to move in Uncle Larry's ex-house again. Jimmy tried to dissuade her but she persisted. However she did not protest when he said that he would stay with her here.
Mary was tormented by her disturbing doubts; she just worried about her younger sister.
However Mason rather was worried with Brandon's case. It took not too much time to file the petition for rehearing of the custody case. Needless to say Gina was very glad to join battle with CC.
"What should I say to the judge?" she asked trying to read her chances on Mason's face.
"The truth, Gina," right now Mason's mind calculating all the possible combinations and trying to choose the best option.
"The truth will not return Brandon to me," Gina frowned.
"We'll see."
Firstly seeing the name of the judge Mason decided that they were just damn unlucky. Madame Randolph was known for his tough stance and hating for cases rehearing.
As Gina made her best to portray CC Capwell as an abusive father and husband as the judge frowns more and more irritably. Mason realized that soon Gina would shut up all of their chances and quickly intervened.
He unceremoniously interrupted Gina and shortly told the judge that CC Capwell did violate the visits agreement, preventing mother to see her son. The boy definitely suffers from the fact that he was not allowed to see his mother. He is too desperate that even trying to cheat his father to see her. Mrs. Capwell lost the custody not due to mistreatment of his son but because her income was diminished after her divorce.
"How I can compete with Oil Magnate!" Gina put in finally grasp what is required of her. "Of course I was not able to sustain our lives at the same level as doing millionaires. But Brandon had all the things needed when he lived with me. Yes, of course, the school was too expensive for we can afford it but CC did not want to help us and I'd just go to transfer Brandon to another good school."
"Which one?" the judge asked. And when she heard that Gina renting the house right next to the house of her former husband she visibly surprised. "To my knowledge you had a serious debt for schooling of your son."
Gina quickly explained that it was an accident and that debt already paid long ago. The judge asked a few more questions and got up: "I'll talk to your ex-husband and I inform you about my decision," she said.
"What you think she'll decide?" Gina asked when she and Mason came out of judge's office. "She's on our side, right?"
"I hope. But when it's Margot Randolph you cannot be sure for anything."
"She can relax! I have the best lawyer of the entire west coast!"
Mason grinned. None can deny Gina's optimism. However he really is the great lawyer. And he's quite able to compete with CC Capwell.

* * *

"Who is Steve?" Charlie suddenly asked.
Mary flinched and hugged Mickey even tighter. Older children were out with Mrs. Rold and just three of them were at home now.
"One bad man. He died long ago," she said briefly and placed her youngest son in the playpen.
"Then why Christy and Jim were discussing how to catch him? Just at the morning."
"Charlie, you overheard again?"
The thin smile becomes showing on boy's lips. Mary somehow thought that Mason must look like at his father and Sophia when he was a kid. Although he probably was not so straightforward like Charlie.
"So many people told you that it's bad acting. And you just not understood the conversation. Steve Bassett is dead. Lies in the grave long ago."
"He made you feel bad?" Charlie after pausing quietly asked.
Damn! Mary quickly pulled herself together.
"Yes. But it's adult business."
"I'm the big boy!"
Mary smiled and patted his face.
"Not quite yet. You still cannot get driver's license for a long time."
Charlie did not answer. Then she took his hand and sat on the sofa.
"Tell me about your mother," she asked.
Charlie blushed.
"Why?" he managed looking down.
"I'm just wondering."
Charlie pulls his hand away, stands up and walks around the room.
"Charlie?" Mary asked, it's was a strange reaction for her. "What is it?"
The boy came back and sat backwards on the sofa, his chin resting on the rounded back. He looked at Mary with his jet-black eyes.
"I can not tell you about my mom," he finally said.
"Why?"
"I have nothing to tell."
"Well, I just mean some simple things like I'm sure you can remember. I well remember how my mother and I went to the market and bought huge pineapples when I was a little girl--"
"You do not understand!" Charlie's voice sounds tensed and upset. "I hardly remember her!"
"What? No, you just think like that. Surely you're--"
"I do not think!" And Charlie told Mary in a nutshell all that he kept to himself for so long time.

* * *

CC Capwell was in a rage. He just had been visited by the judge who asked all sorts of awkward questions about Brandon. The fact that she came to him directly and personally he saw as very suspicious one. Previously all custody issues have been resolved by long sessions in the court offices. Furthermore Brandon appeared here just at the moment of her visit and judge questioned him too. And leaves clearly not in the spirit.
"Bloody Mason!" CC spats. "He is again! Let me see, son! You will fly out of my company as a cork from a bottle!"
He already began to dial his office's number when suddenly Sophia appeared out of inside the house and pressed the levers of the phone.
"Don't!"
"I do! Of course, I do! He played a dirty trick on me and you want I'll thank him for it?"
"If you please, yes!"
CC's face become angry red but Sophia do not remove her hand.
"I often do not agree with Mason but he is absolutely right now!"
"Actually?" CC's tone ominously softened. "And how he is?"
"You're using Brandon as your weapon against Gina!"
"Even if I am? Brandon is well here. And Gina cannot provide for him all that I can."
"Except his mother, right? You know I cannot stand this woman but Brandon suffers without her. Beside he and Charlie always are outs with each others."
"Charlie will go to the boarding school very soon and everything will return to normal being."
"The boarding school? But I thought he would go to the same school as Brandon does."
"May be. I'm not decided yet. Or I will send them both to the boarding school. They both need have a good discipline. Their mother completely spoiled them."
"CC..." Sophia feels almost dizzy. "I thought you wanted to be the real father for Charlie. So you needs see him just little more than just on holidays."
"Charlie is my son, not yours," the patriarch said. "So do not interfere in. That's what I call be the real father. Charlie needs a strict discipline. He constantly lies, overhears and runs away."
"CC..." Sophia's voice rang and CC even turned to her. "I thought you learned something after Mason's experience."
He grimaced, his hand waved.
"I did just not the best choice of the school then. I'm not going to do the same mistake anymore."
"Your "not the best choice" almost broke Mason's life. And I will not let you break Charlie's life too."
"I wonder how?"
Sophia said nothing and went to the stairs intending go up to the second floor. Then she turned around: "You'd better think twice about what you are doing with our lives. With life of Charlie, Brandon, Mason, mine and yours in the end. You will no longer be able to crush us under."
"Where are you going?" the patriarch blurted.
"Collect my belongings. You see you were bearable when there was Mason's school problem. I do not understand what happened to you now."
"I hardly changed," CC snorted however feeling that somehow he's gone too far.
Sophia runs upstairs.

* * *

When Mason returned home he feels strangely excited. He's replaying meeting with the judge in his mind over and over and not immediately realized what Mary said.
"I'm sorry, what of you are?"
"You're not hear me! Your brother... Charlie told me about his life in England."
"And?" Mason involuntarily tensed. "By the way where he is now?"
"Helps Mrs. Rold cooking the dinner."
"Wanting to become a great cook?" Mason chuckled.
"No," Mary sadly shook her head. "Just want to be a normal kid."
"Well, "Capwell" and "normal" usually do not match each other. But I still do not understand why you're so worries."
"Mason, he did not live with your mother!"
"What?" He blinked puzzled. "And who is with he lived?"
"In the boarding school."
"Well--"
"Throughout all his life! Since he can remember!"
"No. Mom could not..." He caught his breath.
"Could. That's what she did. Put him in the boarding school when he was five. Originally she visiting him for every weekend and then she came only for the school breaks and for the last year he saw her only once, at Christmas. And he still remembers those couple of days as the best gift for Christmas."
"What is an enviable constancy," Mason pained utters after a long silence. "She even left us when we were the same age."
"It's been a long time, Mason," Mary stroked his arm knowing that he remembers how his mother left him forever.
"For Charlie it's not," he briefly said.
"Yes, of course. But it seems to me that he somehow leaves it behind. He was more worried about the fact that he cannot tell you about your mother."
"It is impossible to leave behind," Mason quietly said. "It will be stuck with us for all our lives. Now I clearly can see."
"Yes, I know. And I know that you're hurt. I wish I could take your pain away!"
"Capwells are tough. We will survive. Especially if we are together."
"Mason... tell Charlie about Pamela."
"Why?" he winced.
"You are brothers. Tell him all you remember."
Mason vaguely shook his head. Mary pulled him closer and kissed in the cheek.
"Do you want to be alone now?"
Mason raised his eyebrows in surprise and after a moment nodded.
"Then I'll go to Christy's to see how she is doing. I'll back soon," Mason frowned and Mary adds hastily: "It's perfectly safe. There's Jimmy and burglar alarm of the latest technology."
Mary left out and Mason stayed alone. But he did not feel abandoned. On the contrary he had growing warm feeling that it's his own home. His own fortress. He heard children's laughter and screams upstairs. And laughing voice of Charlie. His jealousy and envy vanished without any trace. He'll take care about his youngest brother. And not just about him.

* * *

Christy sat in ex-uncle's office and watched old black and white cartoons. She could not remember when and with whom she watched it when she was a little girl but she knew that it's was the best times of her life. She was surrounded by love and happiness then. As far as she remembered. No faces, no words — just those old cartoons and a sense of overwhelming joy. She never shared those memories with anyone. For a long time she even waved them away considering such feelings as unreal. But then her life come to a kind of semblance of normality she increasingly allows herself to enjoy these sweets like a child stolen minutes.
And of course she was not happy when the older sister suddenly caught her in the act.
Christy presses on-off button and said angrily: "I did not need be constantly patronized!"
"I'm not patronizing you, just some worries."
"It's the same thing."
Christy bit her lip, trying to cope with embarrassment. Although Mary did not seem aware about her confusing and talks about something else: "Why are you here?"
"Just because."
"No, I mean why did you choose this room to sit here? So strange to see you in "the crypt"," Mary could not help but remembering how she and Mason were led by the guards here when they did break in the mansion for searching Christy. After his uncle's death she learned that all stuff call this room "the crypt" because it had no windows.
"I like it here," Christy shrugged unable to put her feelings into words. "These cabinets... chairs... they seem so... alien. Once we'll catch this bastard I immediately throw everything away and furnished quite differently."
"And why not now?"
"It's silly but I think about this house somehow like it's marred. Firstly I want to get rid of all evil. Do not you feel it? These walls really asking to be free--"
Mary stares at her sister as she blushed.
"Forget it. No matters after all."
Mary looks around the room and shakes her head: "It's just an old wall for me."
The room fell silent.
"Chris?"
"What?"
"Do not you think about the making of comics again?"
"Are you kidding?"
"Not at all. You're really enjoying when you did these."
"It was in another life," Christy just remembered how she's drawing so many notebooks with some stories about monsters and ghosts when she was a child. But it was before her mother married Willard Bassett and a real monster appeared in her life.
"I see," sighs Mary. "I was not able to collect my life together for long time also. But you cannot feel happy without this, Chris."
"I'll manage somehow."
"May be you are not ready yet. I was not ready till the time will come and then you can connect all your past lives into one whole."
"You sound like a spiritualist," Christy chuckled.
"No more than you," Mary smiled. "May be this room really brings something like... I'm just seeing how the door is opening, a ghost's appearing in and--"
She does not finish her sentence because some dark substance began to separate from the opposite wall and floating to them.
Sisters screamed in horror.
At the same moment something thundered in the hallway, the door swung open and the lights came on.
"Jimmy!" Christy squeaked and falls on his neck.
Mary tried to keep her presence of mind but failed and rushed to Mason too.
"Are you alright?" Mason began to touch her, making sure she don't hurt.
"I'm fine," Mary gasped and looks at Mason. "But what are you doing here? I thought you stayed with Charlie."
"My brother is in good hands, do not worry. You'd better tell me what is happened here. You're made so awful scream."
Mary pursed her lips not wanting to admit in the fearing of ghosts. However Christy did not care about such conventions.
"We've seen a ghost!" she immediately informed. "It was right there!" she gestured on the wall. "And it goes directly to us."
"Is it true?" Mason seriously looked up Mary but his eyes sparkled with evil flashes. "You saw a ghost too?"
Mary bit her lip.
"Well--"
"She saw! We both saw it!" Christy intervened.
"So what, Mary?" Mason insisted. "What did you see?"
"I do not know!" she finally said. "Really there was appeared something like... like some part of a fog--"
"A fog?"
"A fog or a blob... really I have no idea, but it... this thing flew to us," Mary angrily turned away.
Mason pulled her closer and looks at Jimmy. The two men exchanged knowing glances.
Then Jimmy gently moves Christy away and approaches to so-called ghost's place. He touches the wall, then turns around and looking at others.
"I think its where was built the secret passage. Maybe there is a door."
They began to feel the wall but nothing came until Christy accidentally leaned against the pedestal of ugly eastern lamp nearby. There was the click and the wall splits with the slot.
Mason gently pulled the part of the wall and it quietly moved aside. They saw inside the dark passage.
All four look into the darkness. Jimmy took a step inside but Christy silently clung to him. Mason picked up some rag from the stone floor and closed the door of the secret passage.
Then he gestured to others to keep quiet and go out.
He led them into one of the rooms that were not connected to the secret passage and then he threw the found cloth on the coffee table with his wide gesture.
"Meet your ghost."
"And what is it?" Mary disgust fingered the thing.
"I think it's someone's veil, slightly modernized. Our magician stuck it on the pole and successfully scared nervous ladies."
Mary darts the murderous glance at Mason and Christy frowned.
"Why you did not say it when we were in the room?" she angrily asked. "I'd shivered along all way."
"Because it's better to let the bastard thinks that his idea was a success. Chase him is the pointless acting now so much better to follow him by bugs."
"It is goes on and goes on," Christy sadly said.
"I think he will catch in our hands in the next few days," Mason surely said.
"What are we going to do with him?" Jimmy asked practically. "The police will not take our statements."
"We'll look as the case goes. But I'm take care about. He will not bother you anymore."
"Christy, do you like to spend the night at our house?" Mary asked her younger sister. "I can--"
"No, no!" Christy shook her head and bravely looks at Jimmy. "This is my home. And some veiled lunatic cannot scare me off."
"You do not know how many the person can be dangerous," Mason warned.
"If he would want to hurt me he had many chances to do. This passage allows coming in any room. He could kill me in bed a 100 times!"
Mary shivered.
"Do not say that," she asked. "I've got goosebumps."
"Sorry. But I'm not afraid of him. Not anymore."
"I'll stay with you," Jimmy said and looked up Mason. "Do not worry, she'll be safe."
Mason nodded, and he and Mary went out.
On the way to the car, Mary turned to home and shrugged.
"I do not understand what she like in this house. Ugly, creepy... even haunted by a lunatic!"
"Love is blind..." Mason chuckled and pulls Mary to the car. "Let's go home."
"Okay... Mason... do not you think that we were wrong trying to look for a man? Maybe it's a woman?"
"I do. Since that day."
"Do you really think that we will catch him or her... soon?"
"I'm sure."
Mary reluctantly walks after Mason to the car continuing to look at the house. Mason could not resist the temptation and howled in her ear with the sepulchral voice: "Boo-oo-oo-oo-oo!"
Mary jumped up on the spot.
"Mason! I'll strangle you right now!
"You'd better kiss me!" And he backs up his words with his acting.
Chapter 145 — No More Tears

The storm broke in Capwell's house in the next day.
In the morning CC Capwell received the order to ensure that Brandon has meetings with his mother at least once a week otherwise CC might lose custody of his son.
CC snorts and already picks up the phone to call his lawyer but suddenly froze. He saw Sophia who walks downstairs and hold the suitcase in her hand.
"What the hell are you doing?" He hangs up and blocks the way to his wife.
"I'm leaving. I no longer can stay with you in the same house."
At this point like adding fuel to the fire the front door is opens and shows Mason and Charlie.
CC looks at youngest son and angrily ordered: "Go up your room and do not leave until you get permission. You're grounded until I find the proper boarding school for you."
Mason involuntarily glanced at his brother who became whiter paper, his lips were gray.
"Father, don't. Charlie had lived in boarding schools since his five," Mason tried to stand on brother's defense and then he noticed Sophia's suitcase. "You're leaving somewhere?"
"I feel stuffy under this roof. Charlie, run up to get your things."
"What?" The boy looked blankly at Sophia and then beamed. He does anything just for not going to the boarding school!
"It's too much!" CC could not resist. "You can go out of my house but do not dare take my son out. He has nothing to do with you!"
"Charlie, go upstairs and pack your things. Now," Mason nudged his youngest brother in his back. Charlie just came out of his stupor and flew up the stairs.
CC did not seem to notice this. His eyes were fixed on his wife.
"You do not," he hissed ominously. "Or I'm... swear to God I'm--"
"I decided, CC. In fact the reason of my leaving is not Charlie but I can not leave this boy at the mercy of the man who does not want to even think about his wellbeing."
"Hardly the judge would find that his father is the worse parent to him then his stepmother."
"Only if the judge will not be Judge Randolph," Mason picked up the crumpled order. "Look, father. I think you got the last warning."
"Get out of here!" CC thundered. "Do you hear me? Get out of my house, get out of the company!"
Mason's face went white for a moment — but just for a moment.
"Just as I expected," he sighed. "Nothing changes, father, huh? As soon as I'd displease you as you are just ready to take revenge."
"Get lost, Mason," CC's face turned to the stone mask.
"Just as soon as I'll be sure that you have not eaten my brother for dinner. By the way, for some reason you really did not use your last dagger. You forgot to disinherit your oldest son," Mason felt that he's crossing the line but he'd ride on the wave. The disappointment was too big.
"Just saved for my dessert," the patriarch responded.
"Stop it!" Sophia could not stand it. "CC, do you just listen to yourself!"
At this point, Charlie ran down the stairs dragging his own backpack, just packed to overflowing.
"Come on," Sophia takes him by the shoulder.
"Stop it!" CC roared so that walls just shook. "Don't dare take my son away!"
But Sophia silently led Charlie out and taken him in the waiting taxi.
A few seconds Mason watches how the car's leaving and then turned to his father. CC's still standing in the atrium... the tall man with proud bearing... tough like a stone.
Mason pursed his lips, then sharply turned away and headed for his car. All his efforts were wasted. The past is dead.

* * *

In the taxi Sophia lost in thought and not once realized Charlie's question: "Did you leave the house because of me?"
"No, of course," she looks up him.
"Then why?"
"It's adult business, Charlie. You're nothing do with it."
"It's OK then," he cheered up a bit. "Where are we going?"
"To the hotel and later we'll think about."
"And if my father wants to take me away?"
"Do you want back to him?"
"To him — maybe. But to the boarding school — no! No way!"
"So you're not going to any boarding school. Do not worry, everything will be fine."
Charlie smiled and turns to looks out of the window.
Sophia suppressed a heavy sigh. She did not lie: the reason for her leaving really was not Charlie. The reason was Pamela. From the moment when Pamela walked in Capwell's house CC subtly changed. She actually felt this but preferred to ignore for some time, hoping that everything will return to normal later. It did not work. CC becomes more and more distanced and now to reach out to him was not easier than to touch down the North Pole. Nothing she could do about it, and she no longer can see the consequences of his destructive. And she did not want.
Most of recent time she somehow did not think about Charlie until she saw his pale face and heard Mason's words about boy's life in the boarding school. Now she just could not give Charlie at the mercy of CC.
She blankly stared at the neck of the taxi driver. The story about the plot against Mason in the Great Valley School is still painful throbbing in her soul. It was the miracle that she had managed to take him away then. And if she would not got there in time? What made her to rush to this terrible school? The despair sounded in Mason's voice? Or own six senses? She could not remember now. But she's too aware that she could — yes, she could as did in other cases — say to herself the words that she heard at every step of her husband: "You nothing to do with it. Mason's not your son."
Not that she was afraid of something like for Charlie. But this case undermined their confidence in boarding schools. Especially because Charlie was so terribly frightened by the idea that he would be sent to one of them.

* * *

Mason visited his office and took out things. He even had not to pack them — they were collected in neat piles on his desk. CC Capwell probably personally ordered to show his eldest son where his place is. On the way back to his car Mason thought that he's offended more then hurt. He was so foolish again when he believed that his father could change his attitude!
Walking by Orient Express Mason wonders he'll feel better if he hit the bar. And he even is up to the appropriate floor. But just one sight of the familiar bar counter suddenly become unbearably nauseous for him. He wanted as soon as possible to reach home. Not to father's house, of course, and to the one where Mary and children are waited him.
"Mr. Capwell, are you all right?" Mason heard the bartender's voice.
"All right, Bill."
"Wish your favorite sort of brandy?"
"Not tonight."
Surely he was not afraid. No, of course. But the sympathetic bartender, the whole bar...  all of them belonged to the timeline of his life when it was like infinite process of survival in the twilight zone of his anguish mind. Then he thought that it's just normal life but now he almost puked by just some memory about this.

When Mason returned home his sight immediately said Mary that there had happened something serious.
"Is Charlie okay?" she asked.
Mason relieved collapsing on the sofa in the living room. The house was quiet: the older children were lead by Mrs. Rold to the park, and Mickey was soundly sleeping in the nursery. Nobody were fussing, jumping and screaming.
"Yes. My brother is fine."
"And you are not," Mary looked at him. "What's happened?"
"Well... Sophia and my father are separated. I got fired from the Capwell's family company. Apart from these everything is alright."
"Oh, Mason--"
Mary kept her first impulse to hug him and just watches as he pours some whiskey in his glass.
Mason took a sip of alcohol and then looks into Mary's eyes.
"How did this happen?" she asked.
Mason briefly told her the events of the past hours. Mary was silent, digesting new information.
"Did you aware what's happened between your father and Sophia?" she asked after a pause.
Mason shrugged and shook his head.
"Although she actually surprised me, taking Charlie away along her. But it's for the better. Maybe now the father would see what he is doing. If he loses everybody who he loves." He suddenly grinned as if he surprised at himself. "It seems I caught from you having good hopes about CC Capwell. I need to stop it."
"What are you going to do next?" Mary asked calmly.
"Probably I'll hire back to the law firm where I worked before my working for the father. Unless of course he does not cut my oxygen."
"Who?"
"My father. There were times when he almost kicked me out of town, prohibiting the employment. Capwells run things in Santa Barbara."
"Well, the matter cannot rest here," Mary said.
"You recently said me that you do not want to leave," Mason surprised.
"I still do not. I hated the idea of leaving Santa Barbara," she said honestly. "But if we'll need I'll follow you even to the ends of the earth. Well, or to Los Angeles at the last."
"Are you really ready to do?"
"No. And I never will. But nobody forces us to run aimlessly. We can rent some accommodation in Los Angeles. Or in New York. You're actually being the excellent lawyer, and you will be welcomed in any law firm."
Mason gave his warm stunning smile that always made her feel the strong feeling of tenderness.
"This is the most shameless flattery I've ever heard but when it's you who saying it I almost believe that it's true."
He stands up and strokes her cheek.
"You are my angel."
Mary hugs him and presses her face to his shoulder. They were still like that for a few blissful moments until Mickey give his voice.
Mary's gone upstairs and returned keeping her youngest son on her hands. Mason's stands at the French window and thoughtfully looks out.
"Would you like to be on Charlie's place?" Mary asked, picking up the jar of baby food. Mickey is baby talking and patting the high chair tray. He just loved a peach puree.
"Are you meaning as the staying with Sophia against the staying with my father?" Mason turned. "No, of course. I would consider it as the worst of punishments."
"Mason... But seriously?"
"Seriously, I do not. I was always attached to my father more than anyone. And if my father would give me to his new wife I would have felt that he betrayed me. But lucky for him my youngest brother has very different priorities. You should have seen how he beamed when Sophia said him to go packing."
"Oh, I just forgot!" Mary turned up Mason, looking up from feeding Mickey. "They brought the profile of Steve Bassett for you," she said the name as if this man was a stranger to her. "I carried documents up your study.
Mason quickly upstairs to his study and soon walks down again to the living room keeping the manila folder in his hands. When Mary's finishing to feed Mickey Mason already had buried himself in Steve's profile.
Soon Mrs. Rold, Chip and Sammy came back from the park and the homely life began to buzzing again.
Half an hour later Mary returns to the living room, wiping her hands with the towel and she heard Mason who speaking on the phone.
Ending the call he caught her questioning glance: "I think it's almost solved."
"What? When you did?" Mary stunned.
"I'm often dealing with criminal cases, Mary. Now I'm waiting for the call. If everything will be confirmed I'm sure that your sister and her fiancé will be free just before the next morning."
"Just let it be over!" Mary sighs briefly. They really need to get rid of the ominous shadow of Steve Bassett!

* * *

The Californian hot night wrapping Jean Do the mansion as a stifling blanket.
Mary and Christy are sitting in the study of Uncle Larry and tried to play cards. It does have been poorly gaming: both of girls were distracting and jumping at the slightest rustle.
"You do not look what you give me again!" Mary could not stand. "It's five, not two."
"I'm sorry," Christy sounded with weariness. "I'm nervous. For some reason."
"It's all right," Mary hugs her sister and then whispers in her ear: "Not too long now."
Christy said nothing not wanting to disturb the given scheme but she felt better. Time drags unbearably on but they could do nothing. "A jerk can be no earlier than a fish bites", she remembered words of Jimmy who adored to fishing.
Suddenly there was sounded quiet but the distinct creak. Mary and Christy are quite naturally jumped on the spot.
"What is it?" Christy asked.
"I do not know," Mary barred her sister wondering where pop up the same ghost that they are waiting for an hour.
The creak repeated and already much closer then earlier and then everything run very quickly.
Behind the empty fireplace appeared the blurry black figure and start to move toward them. At this moment the top light was turn on. The figure darted back. Mason and Jimmy burst into the room but they were late — there was nobody to catch.
"We lost him!" Christy almost cried.
But Mason shook his head, and then smiled and risen the microphone up his lips.
"The game is over," resounded through the house. "Katie Anne Baxter, we know it's you. Running away is useless. The house is surrounded by police. Come out with your hands up."
There was silence for a few minutes. It seemed that Mason's statement had no effect but then the wall next to the fireplace moved again and the blonde girl in the black suit steps out. She has the black mask in her hand.
"Katie Anne Baxter," Mason drawing.
"Do not shoot me," she warily eyed the gun in Jimmy's hand. Mason gave him a frown, but Jimmy even not bothers to lower the weapon.
"No shooting until you do anything stupid," he said.
Christy looked from behind him. Then she looked up the girl: "Why you did it?" She tried to speak calmly. "Why?"
"Ask him," the former ghost snapped and nodded at Mason. "You do know everything, right?"
"I do," he agreed.
Christy questioningly looks at her sister's husband.
"Let's sit down and talk." Mason nodded to chairs. "It would be better for everyone."
"And then what?" She asked nervously. "You'll turn me to the police?"
Mason ignored her question and looks around.
"I'll start the story and you correct me if I'm inaccurate," he said. "So you're 19 years. You're born in Seattle and lived there until last year. You're the only daughter of the widowed woman named Stacy Baxter. The women who lived with Steve Bassett for last years of his life. You were his stepdaughter who he did hurt in the same way like his stepsister. Correct?"
"No! Stevie did not hurt me! He loved me!"
Hearing the nickname "Stevie" Mary jerked like felt a burn. She feels sick. She looks up Christy who turned white.
"But what I do with it?" Christy's voice sounded miserable bewilderment.
"Steve Bassett was a pedophile," Mason continued. "When I asked for his profile to the police, we found out that it's disappeared. In other words it's destroyed by someone. Then I asked Seattle police to send me all that they had on that person — Bassett graduated from his law school and began his career in Seattle. And finally I got even more information than I expected. In fact the Seattle's profile of Steve Bassett had documents about the child molestation case that was later closed due to withdraw the application."
"But how did you know?" Mary asked puzzled.
"Miss Baxter put up a poor show. I already had enough information to figure out who might be behind these threats. For example, there was the voice of Bassett heard by Christy in her house. The voice repeats her name indistinctly like a drunken man. Or sleepy." He looks at Katie.
She glares: "I even want not listen this nonsense! Stevie adored me. I always knew it. But then he got another one. I thought it's his new girlfriend but then I realized that she was someone from his past. Of course, he denied it. I knew that he often talks in his sleep and once tried to take him by surprise. I waited to hear from him some like "I love you so much, Katie" but he--"
"He began to address to me," Christy winced. Jimmy stroked her hand by his free hand.
"Yes!" Katie spats. "I asked him to call my name but he called yours. Bitch! Whore!"
"Stop it!" Mason warns and Jimmy pointedly shakes his gun. "And then what's happened?"
"He left and never returned. I could not believe. I waited for him so long and then decided to search. I had no idea where he can be. All he talked about himself were lies. But finally I'd able to hit him off. But it's too late. That bitch killed him!"
The girl rushed to Christy aiming with her sharp nails but Mason deftly caught her and pushed into the chair.
"So you decided to take revenge," he concluded grimly.
"Yes! Because this bit... she did not suffer. She got much money and happily lived ever after."
"How did you find the secret passage?" Mary asked. This question nagged her from the beginning of the story.
"In the city library, of course. The house is famous; there were more then one books about. And the one had the detailed plan of the house with all secret passages. So I decided to scare Stevie's killer."
"Just to scare?" Mason loomed over her. "So why you brought here sulfuric acid?"
"To do this!" Katie headlong rushes to Christy and splashes her with some liquid. Christy screamed and Katie laughed hysterically. "You got some!"
"Are you all right?" Mary concerned looks at her sister.
"Absolutely," Christy spats darkly. "Really you could find something else and do not spoil my clothes, Mason?"
"What's wrong?" Mason surprised. "Do you not like a lemon flavor?"
"I hate it!" Christy grimaced. "Never bring it out now. It's my favorite shirt!"
"What is it?" Katie finally realized that Christy does not yell of pain and terror.
"Well do you really think that you would be allowed to carry here sulfuric acid?" Mason asked gravely. "As soon as I heard your name I contacted to the police. You had been shadowed all of the time. And, of course, acid was substituted harmless flavored water even before you came in the house."
"If you knew all why you needed have all these conversations?"
"I adore being the theatrics," Mason grinned and raised the microphone up his lips. "Mitch, all was recorded?"
"Every word."
The door swung open and three policemen immediately burst into the room.
"Come on, lady. We have the warrant for your arrest. You have the right to remain silent when questioned. Anything you say or do may be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning now or in the future. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you before any questioning, if you wish. Do you understand each of these rights I have explained to you? Having these rights in mind, do you wish to talk to us now?"
When the police taken yelling and spitting Miss Baxter away Christy silently leaned her head to Jimmy.
"It's over," he pulls her closer and hugs. "Now she never bothers us."
"And if she'll be released?" Christy's eyes were filled with fear. "She's just crazy."
"No," Mason shakes his head. "Not anymore. That's why I started this idea. I needed her to risk it all and make ​​something enough bad so she'll surely go behind bars for long time."
"But how did you know that she'll bring an acid here? And how you came to the idea that it's she?" Mary asked. She's shudders now too.
"I added two and two. I already knew her name because her mother's statement and I'd aware why she did it. Bassett was a typical maniac pedophile. Together with the loss of the police profile I had just to check if the person hired on some secretary position to the police department of Santa Barbara."
"Was it the call that you waited today?" Mary guessed.
"Right. And then there was just a matter of technology. Fortunately the police make it with lightning speed. She was found and shadowed. And just in time when she was in the process of the producing sulfuric acid in her garage. You know the rest. Acid was substituted, every room was bugged and police was waited. I just need to use my acting skills."
"No harm, no foul," Jimmy summed up.
And Mary offers: "Chris, you're really tired. Do you want to spend tonight together us?"
"No, I don't," her sister first smiling now. "I'd rather stay here. Of course if Jimmy will remain with me," she looked at him slyly.
Jimmy hugs her: "Of course, I'll be here. I really need to get to use to your house."
"Our house," Christy pointedly muttered.
Mason pulls Mary toward to the door.
"Now they'll manage without us," he said in the hallway.
"I'm not sure," Mary pursed her lips but then laughed. "Christy will kill me if we do not get out of here as fast as can."
Mason smiles and hugs by her shoulders.
"Come on."
They almost reach the car when Mary suddenly thought: "But if this crazy Miss still planted something even more dangerous in the house?"
"I asked the police to inspect the house thoroughly. Do not worry. Your sister is safe now."
"Thank you," Mary pressed her mouth to his lips. "You're the true hero."
"Well, I'm glad that just one person can see it," he mutters, kissing her. "Mm-m... may be we'll not go home at all?"
Mary playfully pushes him and looks up the house. It's not made ​​her shiver anymore. Just the old mansion and his dark garden. Maybe someday children of her sister will play here?
"I guess that Jimmy would not hold back on the wedding," Mason said as if he answers to her thoughts.
Mary looked at him with sparkling eyes. "I love you so much"," he thought. "Just to trill."
Mary silently smiles at him.
"I love you," Mason whispers.
A sudden breeze pierced him to the bone causing to look around. But there was nobody. They are stand alone on the empty street near his car.
Mason met Mary's eyes and she brushed the hair back from his forehead.
"Let go home," she said, hugging his neck.
"Go home," Mason echoed.
He felt like the happiest man on earth.
Chapter 146 — Life Lessons (part 1)

Lull.
Mary and Mason finally able to enjoy their now uneventful life, and Christy and Jimmy almost never left Jean Do as if they're trying to make the old mansion belong to them.
But the idyll was marred by CC and Sophia’s disagreement. Older children become so far distant from the family that they found out the parent's quarrel only the week after, just one day before Eden and Cruz’s return from their honeymoon.
"Mason, do you know that what’s happened between them?" Kelly restlessly strokes her ​​hair up.
"No, I don’t," he shook his head.
"Have you seen the father?"
"He threw me out of the company. I thought you knew that."
"What have you done now?" Kelly narrowed her eyes and frowned.
"Yes, I did the terrible and horrible crime. I did help Gina to go to the court and regain custody of Brandon."
"The father could not--"
"Of course, he could! Little sister, you still not realized? He is obsessed with revenge. I guess that Sophia also did something against his liking and he decided to punish her."
"Mason, but the father did not expel her! Right?"
"No, he did not. Kelly, leave it alone. They’ll sort out."
"Why my mother took Charlie along? I do not understand--"
"Me too."
"I need to talk to the father!" Kelly jumped up. "I knew you have old scores with the father but I do not believe he could just kick my mom out. He must have a good reason!"
"I thought you were always on Sophia’s side."
"I do not want them to break up. Mason, please, help me!"
"I know nothing."
"And I think that you know more then that. Is it because of your little brother?" Kelly blurted out and immediately bit her tongue. "I'm sorry."
"He's your half-brother as I’m."
"I know, I know. Just--"
"Just when we say Charlie we mean Pamela."
"I did not say that."
"But you thought. Kelly, I really do not know what’s happened and how my mother was involved if she was."

* * *

"What do you want?" Sophia looked up her husband who’s standing in the doorway.
"I suggest you stop to acting a farce and back home," the patriarch’s eyes were icy.
"This is not a farce. I'm sorry that you’re not understood yet."
"Sophia, who is it?" Charlie jumped out of the bedroom and froze at the sight of his father.
"I need to talk your dad. Go up Orient Express, they have the delicious ice cream."
"Y-yes, I know. Eden's taken me over there."
Charlie cautiously glancing at his father and slips out the door.
"Tomorrow Eden and Cruz are back from their honeymoon," CC hissed.
"Yes, I know."
"Why did you leave? I do not believe that it's because my youngest son."
"It's because all of that, CC. In the last month you become the different person. A kind of a cruel, icy man. I've never seen you like this."
"Nonsense."
"You're changed. You do not want to hear me anymore."
"I do not agree with you that do not mean that I'm not hear you."
"So you just lie to me now. We're already discussed Charlie's future earlier and I knew that you thought otherwise just some month ago."
"As soon as I change my opinion as you just left me!"
"I already said you it's not about Charlie."
"So we hit the point. About what then?"
"I just said. You'd changed. This touch not only Charlie's doing. Mine also."
"I'm the same person who you were married."
"No, you are not. You've always had the difficult character but now everything changed much more than I am able to agree. I'll not back to you. At least until something changes for the better."
CC Capwell had the stone face when he's goes out the door. Sophia sadly lowered her hands. Everything was falling apart before her eyes... But she could not go back. Not now.

* * *

Not without difficulty finding her younger brother, Kelly returned to his father's house and they both tried to talk to him. But CC replied that it was Sophia's choice.
"I do not believe it! Mom could not leave like that just because she wanted!" Ted angered. "Especially since she took Charlie with her. What you done to her?"
"Nothing!" CC barked already beginning to losing patience. "And she took Charles imagining that she knows better what my son needs."
"So," escaped from Kelly. "It's about Charlie."
"She denies it," the patriarch said.
"What's the point of your conflict? If Charlie did something wrong?"
"No," CC sighed wearily. "Your mother does not like my decision to send your youngest brother to the boarding school."
"Maybe she's right," Ted put in. "Why he must go away? He can live at home and go in the school."
"Because Charles needed the good discipline. He's presumed too much and has a bad influence on Brandon. In any case I'm his father and I'm deciding where and with whom he can live."
"Dad, I think you're too hard on both of them. I think mom has her reasons," Kelly replied.
"Its have nothing to you, kitty. We work out."
"We can see. Mom already left home."
"I did not make her leave," CC pursed lips. "And I asked her to return. But she does not want."
"And you did not make Mason leave too?" Kelly asked.
"Dad, did you kick Mason out?" Ted surprised. "What's he done?"
"I do not want to hear about him! He went against our family!" CC Capwell flushed with indignation at the thought of his eldest son. "He took Gina's side with her claim about the custody!"
"And you threw him out of the company?" Kelly shocked. "By the way I can agree with Mason. I hate Gina but Brandon actually suffered without her. You even do not let them to meet to each another."
"I know better what the best is for Brandon! And for Charlie too. You'll understand more when you'd have your children, kitty."
"I think I'm beginning to understand why everybody wants to leave this house," Ted said. "If you're so hard with my mother too, it is full understandable why she left--"
"Your mother just confirmed me today that it's not about my youngest son!" CC lost his patience.
"I see," Kelly nodded. "The point is your way, is not?"
"She thinks I've changed a lot. I do not understand why she does."
"Lookers-on see more than players," Kelly sighed. "Come on, Teddy. He does not want to listen to us."
Siblings left and CC Capwell upset stared after them. What's the hell they think they are!

* * *

Mason ended the conversation with Eden and hung up. At least someone in the family still enjoys his life. Though not for too long. Tomorrow his sister's back and find out how things turned out during her absence. He knew she'll upset. Eden could not stand when her parents were quarrel though she was openly against the return of her mother not too long ago. Mason was not worried because the trouble marriage of his father but there was Charlie. He promised Pamela to take care of him--
Mason picked up the phone again intending to call Kelly, but instead of beep he heard Mary's voice: "... as we agreed. At three o'clock. I will definitely come." Click.
His heart filled with unpleasant suspicion. With whom she meets? And why she did say nothing him? Although it probably was something to do to a charitable foundation. He tried to throw Mary's words out of his head. He's not go to be mortally jealous of Mary! However... however--
However an hour later he heard Mary explains Mrs. Rold that she is going for the lesson in drawing at three hours. He was relieved. This is just art lessons--

* * *

In the next day Eden and Cruz returned to Santa Barbara. And the parents quarrel became a severe blow for Eden. She could not understand why CC and Sophia's relationships become so aloof but all her attempts to find out where is a point were met by silence from both sides. Neither her sister nor brothers could help her. Returning home she burst into tears in the arms of Cruz.
"I cannot understand!" She repeated. "They were so good! Just one week and they behave like strangers."
"Your parents are complex individuals. They will work out--"

But days passed and nothing changed. The school must be start soon and Sophia decided to find a new proper house for her and Charlie. They cannot live in the hotel for ever--
CC not visited them anymore as if he forgot about existence of his wife and youngest son. Meanwhile Charlie began to thaw. And he stopped to get in troubles. May be he afraid to break a delicate balance or may be he just did believe that now he was protected. Anyway he began to behave like a normal child. And even in some way younger his age.
Found out about her mother's searching for a new house Eden realized that time's running out. If Sophia and CC will break up now their separation would stay for long time if not forever.
So she returned to Capwell's house and found her father in his study. They talked about the affairs of the company and then Eden changed the subject to Brandon's.
"I bought a bunch of gifts for him from Hawaii. Today he spends the night at one of his friends?"
CC irritably winced.
"He's at Gina's."
"What?" Eden was amazed. "I thought you did not want he would be with Gina."
"It's the decision of the judge. By the grace of your older brother the judge though that Brandon was suffering when he's living in my house and made the decision about joint custody."
"I'm sure that Gina does not hurt Brandon. And it would be redounding to advantage of Brandon if he can live with his mother."
CC said nothing but took off his glasses and leaned back in his chair.
"You do come not for the talking about Brandon."
"Mom is going to look for a new house for her and Charlie."
CC jump up to feet.
"Daddy, don't! Why are you so angry at her? What for?"
"Honey, she's portraying me like a monster for all of yours. I just want to take care about my son."
"May be she wants the same thing? Why do not you listen to her? Why Charlie must go away again if he already spent most of his life in boarding schools?"
"Because he needs the discipline. I cannot see why nobody wants to hear it! He lives in Santa Barbara just a few months and looks how many mischief he's done! Also I'm not going to send him to some horrible place like The Great Valley School. This is the good boarding school with the excellent reputation."
"Do you blame yourself for sending Mason there?"
"Well..." CC pursed his lips but then still accepted: "It's not my best decision. I think Mason was too young for any boarding school then. I overestimated his maturity."
"And almost destroyed his life," Eden concluded. "Dad, do not you think that your pressure makes Charlie behave not in the best way? He lives with my mother for almost three weeks and does not give her any problems."
"All the better. So he will not have any difficulties to coping with school discipline."

* * *

With her drawing lessons three times a week Mary spends in the studio almost all of her free time. Mason felt abandoned and even when they were together he often had some feeling that she's thinking about his canvas and paints but him. And the most importantly she did not allow him to see her paintings. He always has been heard the same answer "I'll show you when I finish."
He managed to restrain his curiosity for some time but then he finally gave up. Using a moment when Mary was busy with Mickey he went up the studio. The easel was empty but it was not difficult for him to find the canvas on which she worked so hard now. The painting stood in the corner, its closed oiled canvas. He picked it up, put on the easel and slowly removed the cover canvas.
At first he even did not process what he sees.
"My God," Mason gasped with pain and terror. And with anger.
"Mason, I'd asked you don't look!" Mary briskly walked in and curtained the unfinished painting.
But Mason already do not need to. The portrait was branded on his mind for ever.
"Why?" he finally asked and angrily looked up Mary. "What the hell did you do that?"
"What's the matter?" She felt the change in him but did not understand the reason. "What's happened?"
"And you even have nerves to ask?"
"Of course I see that you're upset though you did not care about my request not to look until I finish."
"Finish what?" Mason blankly asked. He's feeling that he had been betrayed, he's dizzy. "This is the monster?"
"Where is the monster?" Mary gave the shocked and frightened look at the canvas. But there was still the same thing — the portrait of Mason on the background of the distant moon. "What do you mean?"
"Stop it!" Mason comes off. "Stop!
"Mason," she cautiously approached him and touch his forehead.
Mason jerks away.
"Do not touch me!"
"Where are the monsters? You see something in this room?"
"You decided to make fun of me? You drew me as a vicious caricature and now pretend something?"
"A caricature? Where did you get it?" She looked at her picture again. "Yes, I drew your face and chose it because I know it better than others."
"That's for sure," Mason smiled painfully. "Only you could draw me like this--"
"Mason, probably I'm worthless artist," Mary's finally beginning to understand. "But I never tried to express anger into you. And in first place because I do not see it into you. Bitterness — yes. Regret — maybe. Love — of course. But your anger has always been... superficial. It has never been an essential part of your character. Believe me," she put her hand on his shoulder. "I really cannot understand why you're angry."
Mason silently put Mary to face to the portrait.
"What do you see?" He asked abruptly.
"I see... the man," Mary remembered how his art teacher has been taught her to describe the paintings. "He stands at the window; there are dark sky and bright full moon in distance behind his back."
"What is he thinking?" It seemed to her that Mason's voice become sound a little calmer.
"He... is tense and worried. His past left scars on his soul and the desire to repay the offenders. But there's almost visible overwhelming love in his eyes."
"Where do you see a love? Look how his brow mockingly up. How he smugly grinning, ready to walk over corpses? How he does not care everybody but himself?"
"It's in his eyes. He frowns but he has a warm, loving look. Yes, he raised the eyebrow but it's not evil but as if he'd say "Well, well, what you still come up with?" Yes, his credo is irony and cynicism but he's too tense to be one like you're telling. Those persons who do not care about the others usually are easy and relax. They do not being worried and do not think about others after all. I tried to paint the leery, conflicting person. Perhaps I just did not work out--"
Without saying a word Mason walks out of the studio.
Mary looks at the portrait but no matter hard she's trying she could not see what apparently saw Mason. She just was not able to see with his eyes--
She remembered how Mr. Leon had warned her. "You run the risk, Mrs. Capwell. The art of painting is not only a given talent but also a dangerous weapon. Others rare see us in the same way we can see ourselves." The old artist must have a gut feeling. But she still could not understand why Mason reaction was so painful. Seems the portrait caused him almost physical pain and broken something in their relationship. But it's her fault so she must restore it.
That night Mason did not come in the bedroom. In the morning Mary realized that he slept on the couch in the living room and apparently immediately gone out because he never appeared at the breakfast.

* * *

Mason felt that he's a mess. He felt a little better when he realized that Mary did not understand what she had done. But... what was done cannot undo. He could not and did not want to talk to anyone about. And he could not cope. He's feeling like his whole soul turned inside out and put on display.
Sitting in the gazebo of his father's house Mason's sips the brandy and smiles wryly. God, he always had been a clown and never does shy. But a buffoonery was not his normal part, it's just a mask behind he's cozy hidden. And now--
How she did it? How she can able to paint the bitter truth and even does not see it after all? "An overwhelming love." What nonsense. A cynical, heartless satire.
He gasps and admits to himself that the point was not only the portrait. He just was not ready to see the truth entirely. Sometimes it's easier to close your eyes and think about yourself better than you actually are.
He closed his eyes for a moment and remembered Mary's sight. Honest, open... bewildered. She saw the inside of his monster core which he even does not dare to look.
Mason suddenly realizes that the worst thing already was happened — it's something that he was so afraid most of time. But the world did not collapse. And Mary's not rejected him but on the contrary she even tried to defend and comfort him.
He starts to feel that his pain slowly gives way to relief.
Mason put his tumbler down on the table and quick steps toward the door. He just wants as soon as possible to see Mary's face and make sure everything is exactly like he thinks.

Chapter 146 — Life Lessons (part 2)

Mary has been glanced nervously at her watch. Even playing with her children she still could not fully concentrate on this. Noon passed but Mason did not return yet.
The house plunged into an afternoon slumber. Mary suddenly decided to go upstairs to the studio. She had to finish the portrait.
Even opening the door with his key Mason feels that silence. The living room was empty. Littered with toys and soiled bibs of Mickey. But Mary is not here though usually she waited for him.
But before he could think through this idea Mary quickly walks downstairs.
"You're back?"
She walks up to him and stares into his eyes.
"Are not you glad?" Mason does not understand why he's sneering. He went back for a very different thing.
"I'm glad," she weakly smiled and fingering his cheek. He notices that her fingers paint stained. Mary became serious. "I think you will agree that we need to talk," she said.
"I agree," Mason took her wrist. "Are you backing to old ways?"
"If you mean my painting — yes, I do. I want to finish your portrait."
Mason frowned.
"It's the point we need to talk. I thought--"
Mary puts her finger against his lips.
"Give me a little time, okay? Today until the evening. Especially since you clearly are not in the best mood for conversation now also."
Before he could answer she already started up the stairs. But then she stopped and smiled.
"I'm not going to leave you," she said distinctly. "This is just for the case you're occurred with such nonsense."
"Of course I'm not," Mason said pretending that he's in the righteous indignation. Usually he'd afraid when Mary showed his ability to see through him but now he somehow felt warm inside the heart.

The waiting was continued until the night. No, of course, he can see Mary but they hardly talked. Seems she's gone deep into herself and even almost not responded when she was called by the name. At the dinner Mason caught the worried look of Mrs. Rold and sent back the soothing smile. He does not like what's happening inside Mary too but she seems aware what she does. He hoped that she does.
After the dinner hour passing after hour but Mary did not come out of the studio yet. At one point Mason almost decided to go for her and see if she is ok but then he called himself an idiot and flopping down on the sofa plunging into the latest issue of the Law Weekly.
He had time to read about three pages when the long-awaited footsteps finally heard on the stairs.
"I'd going to go for you," Mason stands up.
Mary looked tired but calm. And... impossibly determined. Mason felt the sting of an alarm.
"Were you finished? Let's talk now."
But Mary shook her head and took his hand by her warm fingers.
"Please, go up the studio first."
Mason shook his head in amazement but walked up to the attic. He stepped into the darkness but Mary turned on the light in a second.
The covered painting sits on the easel in the center of the room. Mary took two steps and carefully removed the oiled rag.
Mason winced. It was noticeable that the portrait is really finished. It's not the sketch — the real picture.
Despite his ill feeling Mason came closer to the portrait and then looked back questioningly at Mary.
"I finished," she said softly. "And I entrust this picture in your hands."
"What?" Mason confused. He not knew what he expected but it's not this. "Do you want me to--? What do you want me to do with it? Don't give me the offer to hang this thing on the wall!"
"You can do with it anything. I'll accept whatever your decision. Even if you decide to burn it."
"Burn? You want me to burn your work?" Mason rubbed his forehead and smiled wryly. "Something I just can not understand you. I guess it's the working for my father really soured my brain."
"I do not want you burn your portrait. But... I'll understand if you do," she pulled him toward the door. "Come on, let's talk about."
They go downstairs again. Mason helped himself to brandy, Mary did the same and sat down in the chair. Mason sat down on the sofa.
"Why?" He's twiddling the tumbler between his palms, looking at the brownish liquid. "You're so caught up on your work. Why are you giving the portrait to me?"
Mary speaks after a pause.
"Probably because I feel that only you have the right to dispose this picture. Your reaction to it... I just could not do otherwise. Burn it. Cut into pieces. You can do it. It's just a piece of canvas and some paint. I will survive."
"I do not want to hurt you. I can see how much it meaning to you," he reaches for her hand.
"Not by your pain. I made the mistake. I had no right to draw you without your permission. I was arrogant and stupid."
"Don't... don't talk nonsense."
"It is not nonsense," she looked into his eyes. "This is our relationship."
"You do not have to perform penance in this regard. I understand — you see me with different eyes," he turned to the topic that was interesting much stronger for him. "You're drawing exactly what you see? Right?"
"Well... not really."
"How?"
"Mason, it's not the portrait taken from the life. I painted... from my memory in the way I often see you."
"Do you often see me like this?" Mason grew cold inside as just before a high jump.
"Quite often. But beside you ever have been angry, funny, just focused--"
"So you do not think I'm angry on the portrait?" Mason asked.
"No, of course, not."
"It's scary to think how you see me in anger if you're said that the person being calm," he muttered.
"I'm not afraid of you," Mary moved to the sofa and takes his hands in her palms. "Never was afraid of you."
"Actually there were a couple of times--"
"No. I pushed you away only when I cannot recognize you. When you're mingled in my mind with someone else."
"Okay. So this unprincipled satyr does not look threatening for you. But Mary... can you really love him?"
"Here we come to the point," Mary sighed and takes a sip of brandy. She stares thoughtfully into space. "Could I love him? The person who you describe — no. But I love him — you," she looks into his eyes. "It's really true."
"So you're wrong," Mason stood up. "Because I described myself. I'm the person who you're paint."
"Right. But he is not an unprincipled satyr."
"I'd better know."
"Do you think there are only two opinions — your and wrong one? Mason, I cannot able to choose what I see when I'm looking at you. I see what I see. I can change nothing. As well as I cannot agree that a clear sun is a black cloud."
"You always thought I'm better than I am in fact."
"And you always think you are worse then you're in fact. And where is the objective truth there?"
"Are you meaning that you're more objective then I am? With regard to my own character."
"Of course not," she looked up him. "We both are frustratingly subjective."
"Agree. So what do you suggest us to do? Where we can get the arbitrator?"
"I suggest..." Mary finished her brandy, licked her lips and puts her tumbler on the coffee table. "I suggest to leaving tries to be objective and let me see you by the way I can see. It's just pointless, Mason. You cannot make me see though your eyes just as I cannot make you see though mine."
"And if one day you're seeing the light? What then?"
"Do you not believe that I love you?"
"Why? I believe," he's a little confused. "But where does it?"
"Just I love the person whose portrait I did finish today. But it's only the portrait. Whatever you would do with it would not affect my feelings for you."
"Are you sure? If someone burns my favorite book--"
"I'm sure. In fact it's my own offer. By the way if I'd mistaken about you so how I could draw you so accurate? You really can see yourself, right?"
"It's true," Mason thought over her words. "Seems to me that you're looking directly into my heart," he winced. "Not the most pleasant feeling in my life."
"So what is the point of our conversation? I see you exactly in the way you see yourself. And I continue to love you."
She gets up and goes to him, hugging from behind and pressing her cheek against his back."
"Forgive me," she said quietly. "I had no idea what demons I can awake with my art hobby."
"I do not blame you. Those demons appeared not because you."
"But I aware about of its existence. Mason, someone did portraits of you earlier?"
He gives a wry laugh.
"Oh, yes. A few ones is still lying somewhere in the attic. And of course there were the family pictures. But I'd never been touched by its."
"Perhaps the pictures never drawn by the woman who is in love with you."
"Fortunately. I would not have survived twice."
"I'm sorry--"
"Do not apologize," he turned to her, cupped her face in his hands. "Well, I experienced not the most pleasant moments in my life but you had been experienced enough troubles because me as well."
"Are you not mad at me?"
"No, I don't," he bent down and kiss her in lips.
"And what you're going to do with the portrait?"
"Later I'll think," Mason captured her lips again. "Forget about it now. You have the original."
Mary said nothing because she was complete agreed with Mason.

* * *

CC Capwell was sitting in the living room of his own mansion and pondering. Inside of his heart feels empty and cold. Suddenly he remembered terrible nights of the times when he thought that Sophia was died. He was raged, blamed himself and others... and sobbed in silence of his bedroom. Alone. Later his pain gradually transformed into an ice. He stopped to longing and stopped feeling at all. But sometimes memories rolled over him with such force that his heart felt be torn to pieces.
Charlie's conception was the result of one of those moments. He recalled those days with shame and embarrassment as if he got egg on his face in public. It was the accident. Just the coincidence and nothing more. He came to London on business. A clerk accidentally mixed hotels and he found out himself in one of the rooms of Claridge's — the same one where he and Sophia once celebrated the wedding anniversary.
It seemed to him that he would not survive the night. He canceled all his business meetings and blindly wandering along the banking. He could not think about anything. He's in so bad state when he was found by Pamela. Frightened hotel staff found her somehow and sent after him. Pamela drove him to her home. He's stayed in her bed for almost a week and then he returned home as soon as he gained enough his reasoning. He's back in Santa Barbara and tried never to think about those days.
And now Charlie's hovering before his eyes was as the living reminder. For devil's sake, Mason was right about his reasons to send the boy away to the boarding school. Although Mason not knew the whole truth. Nobody knew but CC did--
He raised his head and blinked. It seems he has hallucinations because his loneliness. But the boyish figure so reminiscent of Mason's one emerged from the shadows. Charlie.
"What are you doing here?" CC's angry that he was nearly caught off guard.
"Sophia brought me. I like to see Brandon," Charlie spoke in quite usual tone.
"He is not at home."
"Where is he?" Charlie seemed upset.
"At his mother's."
"Really?" Charlie's face brightened. "You let him to go to his mother?"
"I'm not such a monster as you all think of me," CC muttered without mentioning that he had no choice. Then he looked at his youngest son and said softly: "But I can not take you to your mother. I would like to be able, but I'm not."
"Why? She hates me?"
"No. Your mother... is not healthy. That's why she had sent you to the boarding school. She could not take good care of you."
Charlie frowned puzzled.
"But she looked healthy. She was so cheerful as always."
"Not all diseases are visible, son."
"But when she'll recover, you let me go to her?"
"Of course," CC thought sadly that is unlikely to be happened. Pamela... shows no signs of improving. Too little hope for Charlie.
"Charlie, you found Brandon?" They heard Sophia's voice.
"No," he replied loudly. "He's not here; he's at his mother's place. The father let him leave."
"What a pity. Well so you'll see him later. Come on, Charlie."
"No, wait," CC stands up. "Let's go for a short walk, young man. I need to talk to Sophia."
Sophia looks after her stepson leaving and shifts her clear sad eyes to her husband.
"What is it, CC?" she asked quietly. "Do you want to tell me something?"
"No, I do not," involuntarily escaped from the patriarch. "Just want to be with you for some time."
Sophia looked surprised, but followed him into the living room.
"I cannot remember when you said that you're missing me last," she said sitting down on the couch.
"I'm not saying that yet," CC pursed his lips. "However it does not matter. Our older daughter told me that you're looking for a new house for yourself and my son. Do not you think that it's some absurd?"
"Not at all. The school starts soon. Charlie needs the home and his own room."
"From when you're presenting yourself as his mother?"
Sophia sighed showing her angelic patience: "From when Pamela entrusted him to our care."
"My care, not ours. Do you think that Pamela wanted to entrust my son to you? She even was not aware that you're alive."
"She had her chance to take him when she arrived. She did not so she agreed with my candidacy."
"Not all depended on her, my dear. However in fairness she even did not mention you. Although she certainly saw you."
Sophia shuddered at the thought about her last meeting with CC's first wife. How prudently Pamela came in the house and what was happened later.
"CC, I do not know what's between you and Pamela," she said slowly. "But just at the moment the man who I loved and with got married was disappeared."
"Nobody was disappeared!" CC got angry. "Where are you going!?"
Sophia resolutely stands up and walks to the entrance door.
"Charlie and I are going back to the hotel. If you cannot or want not to trust me so I can do nothing. But recently I manage to know your son very well. And I'll let you to send him to the boarding school just over my dead body. I almost allowed you to ruin Mason's life. You have not such chance about Charlie."
But before she could call for Charlie and leave there was a ferocious roar of CC Capwell.
"Alright! Alright. Dammit... Okay, I'll tell you everything." He just cannot see how she's walking away; it was beyond his mental strength.
Sophia turned to him.
"Everything?"
"Yes. Everything about my first marriage. About my damn first marriage. And about Pamela's part."
Chapter 146 — Life Lessons (Part 3)

Sophia stares at her husband. Incredulously. But with hope.
"Let's go to the living room," she finally suggested. "Charlie is a very curious boy."
CC winced but followed his wife into the living room and sat on the sofa nearby the lighted fireplace.
Sophia sat down on the other end of the sofa and looked at the fire. She was so lost in her thoughts that even flinched when CC started: "I loved Pamela--"
Sophia felt like a block of ice collapsed on her.
"What?"
"Yes. I loved her. Adored. Was crazy about her. Was ready to strangle Grant for one glance to her direction."
Sophia dares to look up him.
"And what happened then?" she managed. If he was going to say that she is guilty for--
"Mason's birth," followed by the brief staccato answer.
"I do not understand. Would not you want to have children?" Her astonishment supplanted her torment for some time.
"Of course I wanted. It's not that. Mason is not guilty, but his appearance broken the spell. Ruined all. Damaged."
"What are you talking about?" Sophia looked into his eyes, not knowing what he was getting at.
CC sighed abruptly.
"Pamela went off head after his birth."
"You mean... figuratively? You began to quarrel?"
"No." CC looked into Sophia's eyes. "She has developed a mental disorder."
"My God--
"It was... not immediately. Some specific moments... changes in her mood... I thought she just was bored so we started to attend many parties and receptions, but she only got worse. She forgot all, she could break all bounds of decency, and she deliberately publicly said things that perfectly well knew that we are not talking about. If she do not know these — she invented ones. Inflicted her on my business partners. We had fights, I thought I could reason with her, but nothing helped. Eventually her bearing became to badly reflect on the company's business reputation and my father did step in. I and he quarreled. He demanded that I must to lock my wife inside of the house so nobody see her, or send her away in Timbuktu. Anywhere for our names finally disappear from the scandalous columns of newspapers."
"And you obeyed him?"
"Of course I did not. I was blinded by love, and in any case I was not going to turn my wife in a captive wife. So my father kicked me out of the family."
"Kicked out???" Sophia even lifting herself up on the sofa.
"He called it differently but in fact he did. I was displaced from my position as the vice-president and ordered to move out to one of our family homes in some back country. I'd faced the fact that I'd not allowed to live in this house anymore," CC gestured around the living room.
"And you did move out?"
"I'm not going to but Pamela insisted. She worried about my damaged relations with the father and she convinced me not burn all my bridges behind me. At least she said this--"
"Are you meaning that she lied? For what?"
CC gave no answers to these questions. He paused and then continued: "We moved in the new house but our problems remain the same. The only difference was that there're suffered from Pamela's antics our neighbors only. However they are quickly found out what was happened and we stopped to receive invitations."
Sophia tried to imagine how it was. The gloomy house which's avoided by everybody and neighbors cute hello but never applied visits. Whispers behind back and unkind looks.
"What was happened then?" she asked because CC fell silent again. "How did you realize?"
"She embittered," CC blankly replied. "She could scratch my face in a fit of rage or break all dishes. Especially she got angry because our neighbors do not take us into the society. I tried to explain their reasons but she's not interested. She had seen her behavior as a complete normal. And I was so blind and did not wish to reckon with. I did not want to understand that she goes far beyond."
"You're trying to take her to a doctor?"
"Of course not. And I do not occur. I thought that all of comes from our bad relations. So why at some point I allowed myself to go away for a week. The father needed my help in the business affairs--"
"She... Pamela did something in your absence?" Sophia braced herself together as she's waiting for some terrible confessions.
"No. When I returned I found her in really good spirits. I rejoiced thinking that the separation does well us and all problems is over. But I quickly realized that she got even worse. Pamela's lost in the world of her fantasy so deep that she assured me that she have called on receptions of all the neighbors for this week, telling me about them so many details that at some point I even thought it was true. But when she came over to parties and receptions hosted by her in our house I began to doubt. The talking with the crew was enough to expose all her attempts to lie. And there was even more. Mrs. Casters informed me that Pamela never came into Mason's room and even did not remember about him. And Mason was four, he can see a lot. And he's crying that his mom did not want to say him goodnight. I was a complete idiot," CC shook his head as if he's wondering now about. "And my idiocy almost led to a tragedy," his voice suddenly dropped to a whisper.
"What is she made?" Sophia feels as if she's not having enough air to breath. And then she heard words made her ​​heart nearly stop.
"She almost killed Mason."
"Almost? You mean, accidentally?"
"No," he gritted his teeth but then forced himself to continue. He must get to the end otherwise there's no way out for them. "The first night after the return I woke up in the night. I do not know what's woke me up. But it does not matter. The bright moon shone so bright that I could not sleep again and started to walk around the house. Then I saw that the door Mason's room was ajar. Mason's bed was empty. I rushed into Pamela's bedroom, but she was not here too. I got so angry that I could not think right. I decided that she left me and took my son along. But all of our cars still were stayed in the garage. I roused all household, servants were sent to the search for them. I went to look for my wife and my son too."
"Where did you find them?" Sophia endlessly repeating to herself that it's ended well. Pamela and Mason are both alive. But her imagination's showing her what thoughts of terrified Channing were then. Two lifeless bodies on the grass--
"In the lake."
"What?"
"I thought I heard some like a splash of water. I did run up ashore and saw Pamela. She stood waist-deep in the lake's water and called for Mason. He was also stayed in the water — they were separated by a couple dozen inches. She saw me and yelled only louder. She promised Mason that they never would apart if he goes closer to her," CC momentarily closed his eyes with his hand and then shook his head, pushing his memories away. "And he came to her. She picked him up and began to retreat into the depths of lake. And I finally realized what she was going to do. I screamed and ran to them. But I was too far away and I knew I cannot reach them in time--"
"Who's saved yours?" Sophia whispered. The horrifying picture was showing in her mind. The empty surface of the lake, the bright moonlight and the crazy woman holds her little son intending to kill both of them.
"Mason," the unexpected answer followed. "He heard my voice and somehow managed to slip out of her hands. Their struggle gave me those precious seconds. I had taken Mason out of the water and handed him to my servants who just came in time, and then I returned for Pamela."
"You saved her life."
"Almost giving mine up instead," he smiled bitterly. "She almost drowned me. Before I've never seen so much rage and evil from her. She yelled that she wanted to drown herself and take our son with her. What she hates me... hate everyone... Fortunately I'd much stronger then she was and I drag her out the shore. She instantly turned into a weak and defenseless young girl... who begged me forgive her... But I already did not believe her. I forcedly led her to the house and locked in the former nursery — only room which still had bars on the windows. You know... when I went to the mirror first I just did not recognize myself. My face was blooded, scratched all along and bruised. But my own reflection just sobered me. I realized that if a weak woman might to make some like this it's mean she is really crazy." He looked into Sophia's eyes and moves his sight to the fire. "I had to re-think a lot and admit my mistakes at that night."
"And you divorced her," Sophia said softly never taking her eyes away from CC.
"After some time," Channing nodded. "First I forced Pamela to visit the psychiatrist and then I heard many interesting things. And from the doctor and my own wife. Including the information about Anthony Tonnell."
"Who?" Sophia did not understand.
"The villain who using my wife's illness, who got her mixed up and made her march to his tune. He was her lover."
"So you let Pamela to go with him?" Sophia clarified.
Capwell's face set.
"No. As soon as my wife has been receiving treatment he immediately disappeared realizing he could no longer use her. And I and Pamela were finally able to talk and come to the agreement after some time. She realized that she's ill though it was not easy for her and she agreed that she could not take care of Mason. We officially divorced and signed the agreement on custody. Instead I gave her enough money to make sure that she's getting all she's needs and continues her treatment."
"Wait," Sophia suddenly frown. "And what's about Charlie? So you're actually aware of his existence?"
"I did not," CC clenched his teeth. "After that event... I did want to know nothing about her and took all my surveillance out. By the time it was just a formally watch. My ex-wife quietly lived in London and responsible fulfilling her treatment. I thought that there would be no any surprises."
Sophia nodded, thinking about new information. It shed enough much light. But what's she suppose to do with?
CC guessed her thoughts and slightly smiled.
"My feelings for Pamela died in that night on the lake," he said. "Although, of course, I took care of her, yet she was my wife."
"Really?" escapes from Sophia.
"What are you mean?" CC frowns.
"You're changed even after her short visit. Maybe your feelings for her actually still not died? Just like when you and she conceived Charlie?"
CC suddenly saw red.
"Do not be stupid!"
"So why Pamela's visit such affected on you?"
"Damn, I do not want to talk about it!"
The silence fell in the room for a moment."
"You just told me terrible things you kept to yourself so many years. And why do you not want to tell this? What's happened when Charlie was conceived?"
"I did not rape my ex-wife if you mean it," CC hissed involuntarily clenching his fists.
"God, no! It never occurred to me."
"So leave it alone."
"CC, what are you hiding from me? You're..." She closed her eyes. "Do you still love Pamela?"
"I've already said that I do not! For God's sake she almost killed our son!"
They both fell silent.
"Mason is aware about this?" Sophia asked softly.
"Of course not. I think he does not remember what's happened. His mother's departure shocked him much stronger."
"I hope he never finds out," Sophia said and looks up the husband. "CC--"
"What do you want from me? I've told you as much as I could. Charlie's conception was result of my mistake."
And CC Capwell grimacing briefly told Sophia about the events of that week.
Sophia finally felt much better. Though that's just not something able untangle the Gordian knot today. She searchingly looked up CC. Her intuition suggesting that the solution is somewhere nearby.
"Did you want to send Charlie away to the boarding-school because he is Pamela's son? You don't like see him so badly?"
CC shook his head.
"Not so."
"Then I cannot understand," Sophia admitted and at that moment it's dawned. "Oh, you do feel guilty towards Pamela, do you?"
One glance at her husband's face was enough to see that she hit the right spot.
CC stood up and walked to the window putting his hands behind his back.
"I'm really guilty towards her," he said, looking into the gloom of the night. "And the fact that I allowed myself to be with her while my time in London... was inexcusable. Then I'd just cowardly run away and tried to forget. Charlie... my son's lived with her in great danger and I knew nothing."
"I could not understand why Pamela so hard tried to hide his existence from you," Sophia said slowly. "And why she's so sure that you'll take her son away."
"She had good reasons," CC sadly smiled. "But I'm glad that she was smart enough to send him to me. Otherwise the consequences could be very bad."
"I think you're exaggerating."
"You never saw Pamela before her treatment. If she'll stop taking her drugs--"
"In my opinion you're taken upon yourself too much. Look, she quietly brought Charlie up to until he had five and then she safely put him to the boarding-school. And everything was just fine. Charlie is a wonderful, smart boy. And it's not your fault that you did not realized yours wife's illness earlier. How you can even suspected that? You're not a doctor."
"I had to see it. My God, I saw that she was not like she was before! But I arrogantly believed that she's able handle it."
"She's able and she does since she receives the treatment. Just look at Charlie!"
"I think about her every time when I see him! About her, about my shame and cowardice! About my negligence!"
"Stop! Stop it!" Sophia immediately comes up with him, embracing his shoulders. "You did the best of you could do. Yeah, it's not so quickly and correctly as we would like. But nothing irreparable had happened."
"How I've missed you..." CC embraces her too, pressing to his chest. He fells a lump in his throat.
"I love you. Do you hear me? I love you."
"I do! For God's sake, just do not leave me."
"I never leave you!"
Chapter 147 — The Angles of Refraction

The next morning Mary went up to the studio. Mason's portrait was no longer there. She sighed sadly; yes, she's still feeling pity for the loss of her work but never regretted about her offer to burn it. All the same she could not bear to look at this picture. She just remembered how Mason's face was distorted with pain.
No more portraits she'll paint. She just must return to her original thought to painting her memories of her childhood home and her father. But it would later. Now she can paint some landscape picture for charge. Maybe she'll better to consult with Mr. Leon? She never would ignore his words and warnings. He is a very wise man, her old art teacher.
Fortunately Mason's managed to overcome the consequences of her mistake. Today she's enjoying by his warm look again when they have breakfast.
She's about to take Mickey to the park when Mrs. Rold peeks in the nursery room.
"Mrs. Capwell, the lady asked for you."
"Who?" Mary surprised fastening the last Velcro of Mickey's clothes.
"She's presented herself as Mrs. Lockridge."
"But she's cannot be Minx... Oh, she must be Augusta! Tell her I'll be downstairs right now."
"Of course, Mrs. Capwell."
Mary picked her little son up.
Probably Augusta wants to see her own niece. But why she did not call before her arrival?
Mary shrugged and came down with Mickey in her hands.
Augusta actually was sitting in the living room. Neither Chip nor Sammy was not around but Mary could hear their muffled voices from the backyard.
"Good day..." Mary began but Augusta immediately attacked her: "I want to see my niece!"
"We're just going to the park. May be you'll want to join us? Just please be careful. Samantha is a shy girl and she does not know you."
"And who is blame to? I'm her aunt."
"I'm sorry but you were not looking toward for see her earlier--"
At this point Sammy and Chip run in the living room.
"We're going to the park! Go to the park!" they're called in unison but stopped as they saw an unknown lady. Sam immediately hid behind her mother's dress.
Mary looked pointedly at Augusta.
"And who is the lady?" Chip asked in a loud whisper.
"Chip, Sammy, say hello to Mrs. Lockridge."
"Hello!" the children greeted and then Sammy tugged the hem of Mary's dress.
"Go to the park?"
"Just a minute. Mrs. Rold, we are ready!" Mary turned to Augusta. "I'm sorry but they so love to walk in the park. I'm sure Sam would overjoy to meet you if she would not suffer the loss of her favorite outdoor amusement because you're visiting."
Augusta pursed her lips but agreed with a slight nod.
"Call us later and we'll decide when you can get acquainted with Sam. You're probably going to stay in Santa Barbara for a while, are you?"
"Of course," Augusta said curtly and left.
But Mary's mood was already spoiled. The entire walk she tried to cheer up but it was not succeeded. The idea that Julia's sister can claim Samantha as her own makes Mary to feel a fierce desire to protect her little girl. While she had no reason to think that Augusta would want something more than a couple of meetings but Mary were still scary.

* * *

The news that their parents finally reunited was overjoyed for all younger Capwells. Sophia and Charlie returned home — CC stopped to demand that Charlie goes to the boarding school and even promised his youngest son that the matter in question will be closed unless Charlie do something extraordinary wrong.
Mason has felt the huge relief. Not that he was so worried about his father and Sophia's relationship but the problem of Charlie lain like a burden on his shoulders. After returning home he found that he just missed Mary. Mrs. Rold said that she's gone to Capwell's house.
Mason decided to go back to his father's house but he was caught by the phone call. It's the law firm where he had worked earlier. They're informing him that gladly takes him back. After promising tomorrow to sign the contract with them Mason hung up and smiled. Well, another problem solved! He glanced up the clock, grabbed his jacket and headed for the door.
"Augusta!" He almost ran into her on his own doorstep. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see Samantha, do not you see?" Augusta tried to pass him in the house, but Mason blocked the way.
"You're to have to call us before," he said in rather ungracious tone.
"Must I remind you that she is my own niece?"
"The fact does not give any rights to burst in my house whatever you would like. Sam is still too small to understand the intricacies of her families."
"But she should know that she has her own aunt and who was her birth mother."
Mason gritted his teeth.
"Mary and I are only Samantha's parents. And if you ever try to tell my daughter that's not true I swear you'll never cross the threshold of my house!"
"But Mason--"
But he did not listen to her anymore.
"Mrs. Rold, come here if you please."
"Mr. Capwell. What's happened?" The babysitter stared at Mason.
"Do you see this lady? Since the moment you must keep her out of my house until my special order. And no contacts with my children for her."
"Sure but--"
"No buts!"
"I'll do, Mr. Capwell."
Mrs. Rold left and Mason came out of the house passing stunned Augusta, pointedly locked the door and went to his car.
"Mason, how you dare!"
"I can ask you the same! How you dare to make the decision what my daughter should know about her family!"
"She's not only your daughter, but Julia's too!"
The cold silence fell.
"Julia is died. Samantha does not remember her. Only mother who she knows is Mary. And only we can decide whether to tell her about her adoption. You have no right to vote."
"I have rights to see my own niece."
"I can not allow this until there is any danger that you would allow yourself to tell her too much."
"It's not too much! I just can not believe you dare to treat me like this!"
"But you'll better to believe!" Mason slammed the car door. "I'd think better of you, especially in the context of Samantha."
"Dam Capwells and their arrogance!" Augusta helplessness shook her fists after the retreating car. "I'll make him squirm yet!"

* * *

Mary was very happy to learn about reconciliation of CC and Sophia. Patting respired Charlie she went in search of things what for she came to Capwell's house. She wanted to see the portraits mentioned by Mason. The portraits of Mason in his youth.
Rose did not understand what she was asked about but then she realized and just said that these things took away to the attic. Of course. In the fact Mason said that they are lying in the attic but she decided that he put it figuratively. Mary's walking upstairs remembering how she's hid here from bandits and then found Mason's knitted baby-shoe.
She found these portraits in one of the old closets. Paintings were numerous although of course not all of them were Mason's. The attic was pretty light and she had quite enough light to see pictures. Mary began to arrange them around leaning against an old chests and chairs. Then she sat down in front of them and began to examine one after one. Young CC, young Pamela, some strangers... The family portraits. Mary absent-minded surprised that there are no pictures of first marriage of CC Capwell. The second one's as many as you wish — with different numbers of children and without them at all. She wonders why they were taken away. And finally she got her goal — the four portraits of Mason. First one portrayed Mason in the very young age — the little boy towering just above the back of the chair but wears the smoking and the bowtie. The other three were written probably in Mason's university years. Mary's struck by the artist's skill. Her own painting in comparison was looked like children doodle... Mary's looked at these portraits for so long time that concerned Rosa comes up here. Mary reassured her that she's OK and then went downstairs.
"Mason! Rose did not say that you're here!"
"I just came. How are you?" He spread her hands out and took her fingers.
"I'm fine," she surprised looks up him. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to see you," Mason smiled.
"I guess you got it," Mary tucked at his sleeve.
"As always," Mason kisses her cheek. "As always."
Chapter 148 — The Family Portrait

"Here you go... I do search for you."
Mason goes into the studio and sits down next to Mary in front of the easel. With suspicion he looks at the canvas but there were only some vague outlines of the trees.
"What?" Mary roused herself and glanced at her watch. "Oh God I just wanted to take five minutes! My God, Mickey--"
"He's asleep, do not worry. I just saw him while I'm looking for you all over the house."
"I'm sorry, I was deep in thought."
"About it?" He nodded to the canvas.
"Yes..." Mary looked back at her draft.
"Cannot manage?" Mason touched her hair, and then run his fingers along her collarbone.
"For some reason I can not draw faces from my memory... It'd fail."
"Well, you're drawn my portrait from your memory too."
Mary shivered.
"Yes, but you're always here. Now I'm pulling the heavily clouded image out of my memory."
"Of your father? But this is not a portrait. I do not see any faces at all."
Mary nodded.
"They are not here, yes. Because I cannot manage."
"All in good time, do not you think?"
"Tries to hint that I still have too little experience?"
"Yes. But also it seems to me you have not gone through his death... to the very end."
"It's ridiculous!" Mary surprised looked up. "My father died many years ago. His death was in the past for me for long time."
"It is unlikely if you so hard push yourself to draw him."
"I want to save him in the canvas exactly he is in my memory!"
"Pictures can tell you how he's looked. Do not deny, you try to do something more."
"I do not know," Mary hugged her shoulders with annoyance. "Maybe. By the way, why you're looking for me?" She looked at him questioningly.
"I wanted to inform you that Augusta Lockridge's back in Santa Barbara."
"I know. She already came to see Samantha."
"You knew but said me nothing?" Mason angrily frowned.
"I had no time; she appeared just in the yesterday's morning. Why you're so mind against her?"
"If she saw Sammy?" Mason asked instead of answering.
"From afar. I offered her to accompany us to the park but she refused.
"And how you presented Augusta to Sammy?"
"Mrs. Lockridge. Mason what's wrong? Why you do this interrogation?"
"I spoke to her yesterday; she wants have rights to tell Samantha about Julia! She won't make it."
Mary looked up him but said nothing.
"Do not tell me that you're on her side!" Mason hardly said.
Mary shook her head.
"No, but... Do you actually want Samantha never learn about her mother?"
"She has her mother, and it's you!"
"Yes, of course. I love her. And Chipper. Just it's a sort a secret that can not be safely stored for many years. Too many people aware that I'm not birthmother for Sam. If she finds out it later by her own efforts? She may hate both of us if she found out that we lied to her! I do not want to lose my daughter because some relative who appear once in ten years and then disappear without saying goodbye."
"Now Samantha is too young to understand such difficult things," Mason said.
"When she'll be old enough it will be very difficult to explain her why nobody said it earlier."
"Nonsense."
"Not at all. Mason, why you're making so much unnecessary fuss? Allow Augusta to see Sam and she'll forget about her for ten years more."
"It is unlikely. I think she's just bent to active interacting with his niece."
"And so? Now she's bent and after a couple of days she's forget. You actually think that she came to Santa Barbara just for Sammy?"
"Do you know something I do not?"
"No. But if she worried about Sam she'd appeared much earlier. Perhaps she has something to do here and decided to see her niece as well."
"This is your guess. I do not trust to all of Lockridges and directly to Augusta — twice."
"Why? I thought you took well her. Or I'm confusing you?"
"No..." Mason grimaced. "Just after Julia's death she tried to take Samantha from me. We almost went to the court."
"What?" Mary became pale. "You... you think she wants to file for custody now?"
"Unlikely. Especially because it would be absolutely lost cause."
"Then what is you afraid of?" Mary felt some better.
"I'm not afraid. I said that I do not trust her. And I'm asking you stop her attempts to see Sammy. At last for now. I already warned Mrs. Rold. The way into our house is tabooed for Augusta Lockridge.
Mary evaded of direct answering. Mason's position seemed unnecessarily rigid to her. Besides she feels sorry for Augusta. Sammy was her only reminder of the late sister.
Mary leaned over and kissed Mason on the lips.
"Let's go downstairs. Mickey's about to wake up soon."
Unfortunately they could not stay together. Soon Mason had to leave to the law firm with he signed only in the morning.
Once he was gone the doorbell rang.
Thought that its Mason Mary flung open the door without asking who it is.
"If you forgot something..." Mary began.
But it was not Mason but Augusta Lockridge.
"I want to see my niece," she stated.
"I'm sorry, but Mason does not want it. He said you plan to tell Sam that she's not my daughter. Is that true?"
Augusta's face somehow twitched.
"Can I come in?"
Mary unwilled looked back but then remembered that the older children are walking in the park with their nanny and gestured Augusta come in the living room.
"Is it true?" Mary asked again when their exchange of niceties was over. "Do you want to tell Samantha that I'm not her mother?"
"My sister was actually her mother."
"I aware. And I know that Julia loved Samantha."
"So what is wrong?" Augusta softened. "Why do not you want Sammy to know the truth?"
"Because it is a heavy burden for a little girl. One mother — other mother, stepmother — not stepmother. She did not understand yet. In addition it's up to me and Mason only."
"Samantha will know who her real mother was anyway. Mason wants or not. He could not shut me up."
"And you're willing to sacrifice the happiness of your niece for it?" Mary could not stand. "She's so sunny little girl, laughing like a bell. Do you want she's mourned after her dead mother when she's just less three years? It's impossible."
"She must know the truth," Augusta rigidly repeated.
"Well," Mary stood up. "So I have to agree with Mason. I can not allow you to destroy Sam's trust to the world. She's my daughter even if not through blood. And I will fight anyone who even tries to harm her. Even if it's her ​​own aunt. Have a nice day, Augusta."
"I did not expect to hear such words from the former nun," Augusta snorted indignantly and reluctantly headed to the door.
Caught Augusta's gaze into the depths of the house Mary explained:
"Samantha is not here, she and Chip are walking with the nanny."
Augusta immediately disappeared behind the door.
Mary helplessly looks around the living room and buried her face in her ​​hands. Lord, how she's wishing that Augusta will leave Santa Barbara as soon as possible!
Again heard the doorbell's sound and Mary almost groaned. If it's Augusta--
But it's not Augusta but just Sophia.
"A bad time?" she asked gently seeing Mary's expression. "I'm just stop by. At the last moment Charlie found that he missing his favorite pen."
"It's okay. Come in. I'll get Charlie's pen now. I know one he's meaning."
A few minutes later Mary came down having Mickey in one hand and the beautiful black pen with gold engraving in the second one.
"This is the gift of his mother," Mary explained handing the pen to Sophia. "I wonder how he managed to forget it."
"Boys constantly lose everything. Mary... I don't wish to pry but it seems to me there's something happened? Maybe I can help?"
"Hardly. No many people can handle with Augusta Lockridge."
And Mary told Sophia about the latest developments.
"Lord, she's absolutely crazy! Samantha is still quite baby!"
"I think she just wants to see Sam as Julia's incarnation."
"It's very selfish!"
"I agree," Mary sighed. "My only hope that Mrs. Lockridge will stay in the town not for long. I do not really believe that we can hold her away from Sammy too long."
"Let me know if you want any help."
"Of course. Now I just hope to do without an act of war."
"Too good to be true..." Sophia sighed. "What is this album?" She takes note of it.
"Just old photos of my family, including my father. I still keep attempts to draw him."
"You're a child when he's dead?"
"Yes..." Mary put Mickey in the playpen and reaches the album to remove it from the sofa to the table but its smooth cover slides out of her fingers. The album fell down, photos scattered on the floor.
Mary gasps and kneeling to gather up pictures.
Sophia rushed to help her but she suddenly froze, staring at one picture.
"Where you get it?"
"What?" Mary surprised and looked at the photo. The unknown woman holds the tiny baby in her arms. "I do not know who it is. Probably some relatives."
Sophia silently collapsed on the couch, keeping hold of the photo. Mary anxiously looked at her.
"What's wrong? Do you know this woman?"
Sophia raised her head and sadly smiled.
"Oh, yes. It's me," she pointed to the baby on the image. "And this is my mother."
Mary's eyes widened as she looked at the picture.
"It's impossible! Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
"Absolutely. I know this picture since long time ago."
"But how it turns to be in our album?" Mary said in amazement. "We're... we can not be relatives."
"I do not think that we are," Sophia shook her head. "My family was originally from the East Coast."
"My parents both were long-standing Californians. So how it can be like this?"
Mary reached out to the album. Slowly flipped through it from beginning to end but found nothing. Just pictures of her parents, familiar to the smallest speck. Mary looked up and saw that Sophia's restlessly twisting her fingers.
"Do you remember if this photo was already in your album earlier?" Sophia asked nervously.
Mary frowned, trying to remember and then shook her head.
"No... I do not remember. I think it was, but I'm not sure. Sophia, why it so important for you?"
"You're even not imagining," Sophia managed a trembling smile. "Maybe this photo meaning that the fortune gives me a new chance to find out my father's fate."
"What's happened to him?" Mary sat down beside her on the sofa.
"I've lost contact with him many years ago. My mother died with cancer when I was fifteen. The father was heartbroken. And my wish to become an actress was the last straw for him. We quarreled and I left home to conquer Hollywood. Since I never saw him."
"Did you try to find him?" Mary looked at her sympathetically.
"Yes, of course. Long time I just could not bring myself to go back when I did there were nobody. The house was looked as completely deserted and the neighbors knew only that my father gone away. I even hired detectives to track him but they came back with nothing. And now I saw this photo!"
"May be my mother knows something. But I have no more relatives for asking," Mary awkwardly looked at her. "My father is long since dead and now my uncle is too. Although he hardly knew anything about this picture."
"But it's at least a track," Sophia hopefully looked at Mary.
"Let's hope that it will lead somewhere. How you think if your father had the copy of this photo?"
"Almost certainly. When he leaved he took almost nothing. Most of things have remained in their places. I'm sure he'll like keep my mother's picture. The one was his most beloved."
Mary looked at the picture.
"Yeah, I guess it looked like someone carried it with him," she said touching the worn and yellowed piece of card. "I mean, album photos usually are not soiling like this."
"I do speak exactly about that!"
"I'll go to my mother," Mary decisively got up. "Maybe she remembers how we got the picture. Don't you mind to babysit with Mickey?"
"Of course, I'm not! Thank you so much!"
The door just closed after Mary and Sophia pressed her palms to hot cheeks. God, is it possible that she got a chance to find out about the father? She looked at the picture and her eyes filled with tears. Once they were so happy--
Chapter 149 — Mere Surmise

Sophia cradled Mickey in her arms and tried not to think too much about the past. But the memory still was floated memories about her childhood, her mother, her last conversation with the father. She even did not think that she's remembered so much. Apparently her amnesia and followed hypnotic suggestion muffled her earliest memories, pushed into the farthest corner of the mind. Now it felt as if someone just pulled the invisible veil off her memory. Sophia's longing to find out something about her father but also she's scared. Inside her mind raised a vague mix of bitterness, guilt and tenderness--
"Sophia? What are you doing here?" She suddenly heard Mason's voice.
Sophia turned around with the baby on her hands. Mason stood at the door and looked at his stepmother.
"Mary had to leave." She said as soon as she recovered. "She asked me to babysit with Michael".
"Is something wrong?" Mason came in and took his son away from her.
Mickey whimpered and reached for Sophia. She smiled and patted boy's cheek, his whining intensified. Realizing that soon they'll have a lot of crying Mason reluctantly handed the baby to Sophia and quizzically looked at her.
"No, it's fine." She replied and comfortably arranged Mickey on her hands. He's stirred, looked up Mason and beamed his toothless smile. "Da!" And he stretched out his little hands for Mason.
Mason grinned and then gently kissed his son on top of his head.
"And where my wife goes off?"
"To her mother. She'll be back soon." Sophia suddenly lost her voice.
"Sophia, what is it?" All cheerful drained from Mason's face. "If something comes to our family I want to be aware."
However at this moment the front door opened and Chip and Sammy ran in. Behind them Mrs. Rold calmly walked. She quickly took the children off Mason as they're clinging to their father on both sides, took them up the nursery and then returned to the living room.
"Mr. Capwell, I'd like to talk to you." She said and Mason noted that the nurse seems upset.
He excused himself and step aside.
"Any problems?"
"No, but... in fact Mrs. Lockridge walks to us when we already was going to home. She wanted to spend some time with Samantha but I'm referring to your instructions, asked her to leave."
"You did everything right." Mason said firmly.
"... Mrs. Lockridge tried to insist but eventually left. Are you sure we should not give them to spend time together? Mrs. Lockridge seemed a respectable woman."
"I do sure. Just follow my instructions and everything will be alright."
Face of the babysitter momentarily showed anxiety but then she nodded and quietly left to the nursery. Mason turned to Sophia.
"Augusta keeps her efforts to see her niece?" She asked.
"You already know?" Mason raised the eyebrow. "Yes, she tried to break through our cordon again today."
"Mary told me. I can see that Augusta is very persistent."
"Incredibly stubborn. So what's the mysterious case of Mary?"
At this moment the door opened again and the latter quickly walks in.
"You're home!" Mary surprised at sight of Mason and then turned to Sophia. "I found out almost nothing."
"What are you talking about?" Mason's moving his eyes from one to another. "What's the secret case?"
Mary hesitantly looked at Sophia who nodded after a moment's thought.
"You can tell."
Mary told Mason all story in a few words and then added: "Mom knows this picture for many years but she don't remember how it came in our album. It's not her relatives and seems not my father's."
"Then why did she save it?" Mason surprised.
Mary shrugged.
"Hard to say."
"Probably she had some reasons." Mason mused and then glanced at Sophia. "Are you sure it's that photo?"
"I do sure! Besides I still have my family album and I can find its copy. But this changes nothing..." Her voice faded.
"I'm sorry." Mary took Sophia's hand. "I know you're hoped--"
"Don't be ridiculous!" She sadly smiled. "In any case this something from my past. Even if it led me to nowhere."

Sophia leave, but Mary have returned her thoughts to the old photo. Theda said that she remembered it from the times when they were happy. So before Mary's father's death. But when her parents getting married, Sophia just had her wedding with CC. It's meaning that the photo must come to the Duvall's family album later. Then why Theda does not remember how?
During the dinner Mary shared her thoughts with Mason but he surprised her just wincing.
"Why bring up the past? Let it stays where it belongs."
"Sophia takes it hard, and I understand her. Especially because this affects to my family too."
"How?"
"Mason, this is my family album. These pictures belong to my family."
"And the photograph just got there somehow. Neither you nor your mother ever knew these people."
"Mason, what's wrong with you? Why are you so rigid about?"
Instead of answering Mason threw the napkin on the table, quickly poured two cups of coffee and pulled Mary upstairs to the study.
"I did not want to talk when Sophia was here but I remember something about her father." Mason said slowly, sitting on the small window sofa. Mary started to lean back against the window but straightened up in surprise when she heard the last words.
"You??" She almost spilled her coffee. "How? Sophia had not seen her father since she got married, and you were three then."
"Five. But, of course, I saw him later."
"Have you seen him? Where?"
"In our house."
Mary became speechless.
"I do not understand." She finally managed. "Do you saw Sophia's father? In your father's house? But then why Sophia did not--"
"She does not aware about his visit."
"And nobody let her know?"
Mason just looked at Mary, and she felt unsettled.
"It was happened when we believed that Sophia's died." He said softly. "A few years later the yacht accident. I do not know all the details but... my father kick Bernard Wayne downstairs and thrown him out of the house."
"Oh." Mary made.
"It's a dirty story. And it is better not stirring it."
"Dirty?"
"Trust me. I was a teenager but I knew enough to keep secret what I had heard."
"And what did you hear?"
"It's no matter."
"Mason!"
"It's been a long time ago."
Mary wanted to protest but then she mused. "Maybe that picture has no relation to Mr. Wayne." She said at last. "Sophia's gone missing in the same year that my father's died." Mary blushed remembering the boy with the bicycle. "My mother remembers this photo from the days when he was still alive. Unlikely it came in our album from Mr. Wayne if he appeared in your father's house still a few years later."
Mason shook his head.
"Do you think the picture must get to your album only after his death or shortly before? Not necessarily."
"Right. And yet... Let's say Mr. Wayne left his home, taking along the photo of his late wife and his daughter. Sophia thinks so and we have no reasons to believe otherwise."
"You definitely speak like lawyer's wife." Mason smiled and gently patted the sofa. "Come here."
But Mary looked up the clock and guiltily looked at him.
"I need to check on the children and feed Mike. Do you wait?"
"Of course."
Mary left; Mason got up and looked out of the window. Bellow trees were swaying in wind at dusk. Mason almost automatically helped himself to brandy and sat down at the table. He's not too worry about the mysterious photo, though memories of the last visit of Mr. Wayne were unpleasantly here yet. CC angry shouted at him. And accused of blackmail. Of being fraud. Stop to think about it, Mason. When it's gone, it's gone.
"They're just fine." Mary slipped back into the study and sat beside Mason, spreading light odor of perfume. "Chip and Sam fell asleep as soon gone in beds, and Mike was just a little fussy."
Mason put his arm around her and kissed her hair.
"Are you ready to continue? Or already lost your interest?" Mary slightly pulled away and looked into his eyes.
"No way! So where were we?"
"Mr. Wayne left out, taking along picture which was the most valuable for him. And what is supposed to mean?"
"He was not going to live happily in Hawaii."
"Exactly. Sophia said that most of the things remained in the same places. Mr. Wayne could sell or pawn things. He could sell ​​the house and leave. But it is as if he just dropped everything and ran away." She paused. "You remember how he's looked? If he was like was-bird?"
"No. Not at all." Mason remembered the fury distorted face of the man. But he definitely was not kind of homeless or drunker.
"So, he managed to get up." Mary said. "I dealt with people in similar situations. Tragedy or some family problems pushed them down where they are even more immersed in the spiritual distress. They are very hard to help and as usually they quickly lose themselves in drinking."
"But not in this case." Mason sighed and clasped his hands. "The man who I saw definitely was not depressed. My father kicked him out actually not for begging."
"For what then? Mason, why do you want not to say? It was something too horrible?"
"I heard not so much of it." Mason reluctantly explained. "But the father clearly saw Mr. Wayne's not for first time. And he accused him of blackmail."
Mary whistling breath.
"Yes, it would be a blow for Sophia."
"I do not want to become a whipping boy in this situation but if I open my mouth how you think who would accuse by my father of all mortal sins?"
"Perhaps, you." Mary admitted. "But Sophia was so upset. I feel that this photo open up her wound... However I distracted. So depressed Mr. Wayne left home, taking along the photograph of his wife and daughter... I guess it is unlikely he would give it to the next man."
"He could lose it." Mason said.
"And my father found it, took home and put in the family album? There is no logic. Especially because Mr. Wayne was not a drunker as far we know. Apparently he overcame his depression and found new place for life."
"And he never tried to meet his only daughter. Although he knew where she's lived and even met her husband."
"You do not know how he lived and if he wanted to meet her. And Mr. Wayne could find out where was his daughter after her supposed death. You ever say that the conversation which you witnessed occurred a few years later Sophia's missing. They could firstly meet for a year earlier and for a month."
"And just before the wedding of my father and Sophia too. Whatever."
"Maybe. But the photo exists. And how it came to our album if not from Mr. Wayne?"
"It is unlikely that we ever know. May be you and Sophia are kind of distant relatives."
"Hardly. And why we have only one picture then? We would suppose have a few at least."
"Maybe it accidentally got into the album. I guess you have more then one family album?"
"Yes, I think so. I'll have to look for. But even this does not explain why the pictures still hold among my family's photos."
"Following the logic we can assume that the people would have not too many reasons to keep old photos. First are memories, of course." Mason tick off points on his fingers.
"And the second is the willing to save the history of the family." Mary added.
"Yes. Also there is revenge as motive."
"It is unlikely that in this case." Mary doubted.
"Who knows?" Mason thoughtfully looked at her. "As a lawyer I have seen many human frailties. I can imagine a female who hold the photo of her rival."
"Not in my family!"
"Maybe." Mason surrendered. "Okay. What else?"
"Else..." Mary remembered Missing Children sheets with the children's smiling faces. "You can hold the photo hoping to find someone."
"Yes, it's an idea. But who would look for persons of the picture?"
"And why it eventually ended up in our album? My father was never a detective."
"He was a traveling salesman..." Mason said. "Maybe he brought it from some trip?"
"Well, it's not a souvenir, Mason. And my mom would remember."
"But the photo brought not to you by the Holy Spirit. Someone put it in your album. And if this was not your mother so who was? Your father? Your uncle? Maybe other relatives?"
"My uncle — hardly. He never lived with us. It's was not his nature to be interested in family albums. And I've never seen any other relatives. But of course they could visit us when I was too young to remember. But I still do not think that some distant relatives did this. Why do they need to slip some old photo in our album? But then it's all about my father again."
"Probably, yes. Perhaps he had his motives to do it. We never know now."
Mason got to his feet in one fluid motion and stretched up.
"Come to bed." He smiled but turned serious for a moment. "I think I'll use some my connections and try to find out the fate of Bernard Wayne. Does not hurt to know what we're dealing with."
Mary nodded. Mason wound his arm around her shoulders and they go upstairs to the bedroom together.
Chapter 150 — Strange Coincidences

Mary patiently waits until Jean Do's gate guard checks her identity. It's Christy's idea to have armed guards and Mary could not blame her.
Finally she was allowed to go in the estate. Mary walked one the neat path to the main house and rang the doorbell. The old-fashioned butler led her inside and stated that Miss Duvall's in the Upper Room.
Mary could not remember such a room and asked again. The butler described how she can get there and Mary realized that it's the former uncle's "crypt". She shuddered remembering this room. Why Christy want be there?
However when she came into the place she just frozen in surprise. And then she involuntarily looked back into the hallway to make sure that she's not mixed rooms. No, that's right. She came exactly where she supposed to be. But the bright lit room did not resemble to the dark room with no windows by her uncle's living. Now it was the beautiful stylish accommodation filled with flowers. Mary just realized that it had the window earlier — it evidently were bricked up, and now the room become the living in the exactly way it was intended from the beginning. Mary walked slowly looking around. Oddly enough but she felt a touch of his sister here. Christy made the design? No, hardly...
"Well, what do you think?" Mary suddenly heard the voice of her younger sister and almost jumped in surprise.
"God, you scared me. Where did you come from? I could swear that nobody is here!" 
Christy pointed with her ice cream to the half-open secret wall door
"From there. See all of these? Do you like the design?"
"You have no idea how much I love it!" Mary said sincerely and then cannot resist. "I just not understand how you can use these terrible hidden passways".
"It's fine!" Christy smiled and bit off the half of her ice cream horn. "With nobody's hiding into, it is quite comfortable staircase. However Jimmy sometimes startled when I'm appearing out like this."
"And I can see why," Mary smiled.
Her sister looked somehow off. Like she was a teenage girl on holidays. Although there... was something more. And suddenly it dawned on Mary.
"Are you pregnant?" She blurted out.
Christy jerked as if she caught unawares but then nodded.
"Oh my God, I'm so happy for you!" Mary embraced her sister. "You must be in seventh heaven! Is Jimmy already knows?
"Not yet." Christy looked away.
"Chris, what's wrong? What's happened? You did fight?
"No..." Christy finished her ice cream and wiped with handkerchief her stained fingers.
Mary pulled her elbow. "Let's sit down and talk."
"There is nothing to talk about." Christy opposed." If it is necessary I can raise this child alone."
"Hey, hey, Chris. It's me, your sister. Tell me what's on your mind."
"You'll not like it."
"I'm not going to judge you. So why? You do not want to marry with Jimmy anymore?"
"I do not sure," her sister frankly admitted and flopped in the recliner chair. "It's feels like something's blocking me."
Mary stares in a space thoughtfully.
"Blocking to make the final step? Are you afraid that everything will be changed forever?"
"Yes!" Christy renewed her spirits because the sister understood her. "Did you feel something similar before your wedding?"
"In some way. I entirely trusted Mason but a part of me was still afraid. Unconsciously. Irrational."
"I'm afraid too. I feel that everything will be different after the wedding."
"It will. And even better than it was! Want me to tell Jimmy that he set the date?"
"No way! We'll on our own."
"Okay." Mary smiled. "So tell him that he will soon become a daddy."
"Do you think he would be delighted? Or decide that this' too much for him?" Christy stuck out her lip.
"Of course he'll be happy. Why he'll be not?"
"I do not know. I'm just afraid," Christy said plaintively.
"Well, I'm not sure but something tells me that Jimmy won't bite."
"It's not just about him," Christy hunched grimly and looked out the window. "I had planned so many things... Uni, trip around the world and even more things. But the baby... crosses all of these! I'll go crazy with boredom!"
"I and Mason have three but nobody can call our lives as boring and monotonous."
"No, of course," Christy laughed. "But I wanted to live for myself only so much."
"I understand what you mean. But your baby decided a little differently."
"Yeah. The naughty baby," Christy lovingly patted her stomach. "Why you cannot wait until your mummy gets enough of her freedom!"
"Maybe he just like his mom," Mary winked.
"Yeah. Or like his dad. Or she."
Mary laughed.
"Just spare us from these guessing. I'm fed up with this the boy-or-girl quest for my own pregnancy."
"That's because Mason was right," Christy giggled. "Boys recognize boys."
Mary didn't want to accept that her younger sister was right, and she changed the subject.
"For God's sake, why did you hire this picture-looked butler? Where did you just dig him up?"
"Haskins? In the theatrical agency, of course. I think that he just was born for this role, do not you?"
"Definitely. And he's being the actor but agreed to work as a servant?"
"Naturally. And he even was very pleased. He's very rarely getting any role and playing a butler was his long-cherished dream. And now he can combine business with pleasure and receives a lot of money."
"Hmm. And what will happen when you get tired of him?" Mary could not resist.
"We'll part amicably, do not worry. And I'm afraid that he'll the first one who runs away. Especially when we will have a baby."
Mary could not think what to say to this and just smiled to her sister. Christy sighed and put her leg on the arm of her chair.
"I feel sorry for my plans, of course, but I can not lose my chances."
"And you won't. By the way, Chris, you may remember the particular photo in our father's album? Quite old. The woman who's holding her ​​baby."
"I do not remember. I have a bad memory for faces. And I guess that you must be aware this."
Mary belatedly realized that Christy means how Uncle Larry tricked her when he's posing himself as her father.
"I'm sorry, I forgot."
"Never mind", Christy pouted a bit, but then recovered.

* * *

Three pairs of eyes scanned the two identical pictures. The only difference was that the one was white and clean, and the second strongly yellowed, all in specks and scratches. But there were not slightest doubts that both came from the same photo plate.
"It's magic!" Enchanted Mary breathed. Up the point some part of her still did not believe in an incredible coincidence.
"Perhaps," Mason mused and put both pictures down side by side. Then he slowly began to flips through pages of the album where they got the cleaner picture just a few minutes ago.
Changing faces of the parents, a tiny little girl was growing up. He stopped several times at close-ups of the father of Sophia but eventually he finished it and closed the cover.
Sophia was silent and seemed even not heard Mary and Mason. She was fully captured by her memories.
"There's no coincidence," Mason finally spoke, and Sophia shuddered.
"Sorry?"
"I think there's hardly coincidence. Both you and Mary both are distant relatives or someone put this photo in the Duvall's album having particular reasons.
"What're reasons?" Sophia's voice was strained.
"I inclined that whoever believed that it somehow relates to his family.
"Is not the same thing?" Mary asked.
"No. Relatives also can not be excluded but in this case it is unclear why your album has no more pictures of Wayne family. By the way, Sophia, what's the maiden name of your mother?"
"Andrews. Her name was Mary Elizabeth Andrews."
"Mary?" her namesake surprised.
"Yes," Sophia confirmed.
"Wait", Mason suddenly showed his interest. "Mary, who named you as Mary?"
"I have no idea. What's about it?"
"Just curious touch. The naming patterns. If your family had more Marys earlier?"
"It had," Mary nodded. "And on my mother's side and on my father's one. I see what you mean. But my name is too common."
"It's true," Mason said. "Question is what do we do with this?" He looked at Sophia. "Do you want to leave it as is?
"I can not. Though I'd hardly able to learn something more. Or..." She suddenly looked at him." Or do you know something about? Mason?"
"No." He replied without hesitation.
"May be you're able to find out? Use your contacts in the DA's office?" Sophia spoke feverishly as if she's afraid to be too late.
"I'll try," Mason said after a pause. "But I promise nothing. And I'm not guarantee that you'll love the answer. Are you sure that you want to know it, no matter whatever?"
"Absolutely. Thank you, Mason."
Sophia embraced him and gone out taking her album.
"The case seems more complicated now", Mason said and looking up Mary.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"The man who posed himself as Mr. Wayne when I saw him in my teens has nothing to do with the father of Sophia.
"How?" Mary stared at him. "That's... you mean that you're mistaken and saw another Mr. Wayne, who was not supposed to be Sophia's father?
"No." Mason shook his head. "But may be my father was not completely wrong when he's accused him in being a fraud."
Mary shook her head. "It's too much for me. Let's go home."
"Yes." Mason nodded.
They headed to the door but Mary suddenly remembered that she left her purse in the living room. Meanwhile Mason went to the car; Mary stopped to look her purse behind the sofa.
When Mary finally fished her purse she headed to the door too but noticed the bunch of some cartons clearly prepared for discarding at the kitchen door. Surprised she came closer and her heart sank. These were not just cartons! It's the same family paintings which she recently looked at the attic. And they are clearly prepared to be throwing in the trash!
It took only half a minute for Mary to make the decision. She looked around, then covered with some cloth the bunch of pictures and took it with her.
She walked around to the other side of the house, not wishing Mason see her carrying the bundle, and then quickly shoved it in the trunk and climb in the front seat of the car.
"I did not note how you came up," Mason surprised.
"I went a short way," Mary vaguely explained. "Let's go."
Mason started the engine and began taxing off the driveway. Mary stared out the window. She had no idea how Mason would react to her... stealing. Later probably she had to tell him but now she did not want to go into details.
However arrived at home they saw tearful Mrs. Rold runs toward them.
"Samantha disappeared!" the nanny gasped. "I could not find her so I called the police!"
"Augusta!" escaped from Mary and Mason simultaneously.
"I'll find her," Mason rushed back to the car. "God help me if she touches one hair on the little head of my daughter!"
"Wait!" Mary blindly clutched his sleeve. "I'll go with you!"
"No, someone needs be here to meet the police and tell them what's happened."
Mason sat in the car but just in the moment the second door slammed violently, and Mary appeared on the passenger seat.
"She's my daughter!" Mason snapped.
"And mine too! Mason, I want to be there when we'll find her."
Mary slammed her door, and Mason silently pressed the gas pedal. He feels a bubbled rage mixed with fear.
Augusta Lockridge paid for it!
Chapter 151 — The Saving Of Samantha

"Mason, who do you think you are?"
Gina just blown off when Mason burst in Lockridge's house.
"Get off! Where is she?"
"Who? Mason, are you crazy?"
"Where is my daughter?"
"No, you're just crazy! How Samantha can be here?"
"Augusta!" Mason rushed to the staircase and ran upstairs. "Give me my baby! Right now!"
Gina shrugged and turning bumped to Mary.
"What's with him? Really DT's?" she sarcastically asked. "Are problems in Paradise? So take Mason and..."
But mother's ear already catching the child's voice somewhere in the patio and Mary rushed into the garden. "Samantha!"
Alive and unharmed Sammy sat in the wicker chair cowering in front of Augusta. Heard Mary's cry she whirled around, her eyes widened and she ran to her mother. "Mommy! Mommy!"
Mary picked her up, holding close and immediately turned away, hiding her little girl from everyone. "My God! Sammy, are you all right?"
"Of course, she is!" Augusta majestically turned to her. "I would never harm a baby. I..."
At this point Mason burst in the garden and saw Sammy, letting out a sigh of relief. "Thank God!" He turned sharply to Augusta. "How dare you!"
But his tirade was cut by sobbing Sammy. "Mommy, mommy, you do not leave me anymore? Please, don't leave me alone!"
"Of course, sweetie! Of course, I'll never leave you! This lady does not take you away again..."
"She is a liar! She said that they buried you in the ground and I'll never see you! She said that I must to go to your big stone and tell it how I live! Mommy, I do not want to tell your stone! I do not want to bury you!"
Feeling everyone's eyes Augusta become pale, then she blushed.
"I just..."
"You'll never get close to my daughter! Do you understand me?" Mason was pale with anger and stepped toward her. "Never more!"
"Mason, let's go away," Mary asked, whispering soothing words to Samantha. God, her girl suffered enough because Augusta's idiotic antics!
"Of course!"
Mason came up and tried to take Sammy from her, but the girl clung to Mary even stronger wrapping her legs and arms like a little monkey. Mason did not insist and gently steered Mary to the door. They walked downstairs and through the house to the entrance. Just before the front door Mason stopped and turned back.
"Tomorrow I'll get a restraining order," he rapt out addressing to Augusta.
"That's not necessary," she shook her head. Mary looked up and realized that Augusta was almost crying. But she doesn't feel sorry for her. "Mason, I'm really sorry. I did not think that she will assume... I just wanted to say..."
"I don't care about your regrets! You were repeatedly warned! Tomorrow I'll get the order. Hopefully now I finally can protect my daughter from your selfish antics!" With these words Mason went out with Mary and Sammy in tow and slammed the door.
"I did not want..."  Augusta repeated perplexedly and just noticed Gina's presence. "You have nothing to see here!"
"I never thought that you could hurt this little girl!" Gina said with disgust and walked away into the depths of the house.

* * *

On the way home Sammy had burst into tears for several times. Mary comforted her, hating herself that she did not pay enough attention to Augusta's intentions.
"My little baby, my tiny girl," she repeated softly stroking Sammy's head. "I will not give you anyone..."
When they finally return home, Mrs. Rold immediately ran to them.
"You found her! Thank God!"
She kissed the sleeping girl to the cheek, patted her head.
"Mrs. Capwell, I'm so sorry..." She started but the policeman appeared from her back.
"Mr. and Mrs. Capwell?"
"Yes, we are," Mason confirmed.
"We got the call about a kidnapping case. As I can see as the girl already was found?"
"Yes, she was," Mary answered and went into the house, taking Sammy with her. "Fortunately it's all right now."
"Come, I'll explain them", Mason said. He waited until Mary goes in the house and then turned to the policeman. "My daughter actually was kidnapped and I know who did it."

Mary had great difficulty to calm down upset Samantha. But even when her girl fell asleep peacefully Mary still has not been able to move away from her. She knew that it was purely selfish feeling but she cannot help. She would be sitting at the bed even much more but the door opened and the blond boy slipped in the room.
"Sam's sleep?" Chip asked quietly.
"Yes, she is." Mary hugged him and felt her son fondly cuddled up to her. "Everything will be fine."
"Promise?" Chip's voice was filled with so great hope that Mary's eyes welled up with tears.
"Of course," Mary lifted him up and carried to the door. "Sammy will have a good sleep, and everything will be as was before."
She closed the door and put Chip down on the floor. "You became so heavy; soon I'll not able pick you up."
"But I'll grow up so big and strong like my daddy! And I'll pick you up on my hands!
Mary smiled.
"I hope you'll pick up not me but the other girls. Go to sleep, Chipper Gorgeous!
"I'm Chipper Gorgeous! I'm Chipper Gorgeous!" Chip bounced. "R-r-r!"
"Young man, you rouse up the whole house!" Mason appeared like out of nowhere and grabbed his son. "Go wash and sleep!"
"Mommy!" Chip squeaked under his arms. "Help me!"
"Okay, but only to your top half," Mary agreed and Chip crawled into her arms by his upper half of his body.
Mary and Mason carried him to the nursery: Mary had Chips' arms and Mason had Chips' legs.
Inside of the room Mason dropped the son on his bed.
"Take off your clothes, Cowboy. You must be in the bed in five minutes."
"Yes, sir!" Chip stood at attention in his half-taken off shorts.

Mary came out to check Mickey. She leaned over the crib thinking that the youngest son is soundly asleep but as if sensing that his mommy's here Mickey woke up and demanded his share of eating. Finally sated he did not fall asleep for some reason and goggles his little eyes. Mary took him on her hands and went to see out of the window. What are bright stars! Mickey begins to soft snore and Mary almost burst in tears. The contrast of the experienced horror and the warm family home caused confusion in her mind.
Finally she put her son down on the bed and went into the master bedroom. Semi-naked Mason sat on the edge of the bed and looked through some papers.
"Lawyer's working never ends," she sighed and started to undress too.
"Not at all." Mason's head snapped up and he took documents away in one motion. "Are the children alright?"
"Yes. Fortunately. I think Sam will forget it in a couple of days."
"But I never forget," Mason frowned.
"What did you tell the police?
"That Augusta Lockridge stole my baby. They'll shake her properly."
"OK," Mary climbed into the bed close to him. "I do not want to think about it."
"You do not need to. I am sure that she will not bother us anymore. Although I've already got the restraining order."
"Mason, you talk too much. Forget Augusta and kiss me."
Just expecting these words Mason selflessly obeyed the order. The great ending is not the easiest of the day. Actually the best one.
Chapter 152 — The Evil Fairytale

Fortunately Samantha quickly recovered. She quickly forgot the lying aunt with bad stories and turned back into herself.
However adults are not getting off that easily. Mary constantly had wanted to check on whether the children and Mason had looked at the nursery much more often when he was home.
Not wanting to disturb her family Mary started to put her emotions on the canvas. She's already not trying to make something complex and purposeful — she's just sketched anything that came into her mind.
So no one expected the storm on that day about a week after Sammy's kidnapping. Mary's trying to sort mail and Mason looks though some papers while talking on the phone. She heard him talks about the cross-examination and the judge's reputation... when Sammy's wild scream came from upstairs!
Mary jumped up in panic and ran upstairs but Samantha's already flew down and clung to her.
"There! There!" She sobbed.
"Where is it, honey? What's happened? Are you hurt?" Mary frantically feels the little body.
"No! There! Forest! It's so scary!"
Mason came up and turned to her daughter.
"Where did you see the forest? It's a fairy tale?"
"No, it's not!"
"I saw it too!" Chip run down the stairs. "It's dark and scary! And it's moving!"
Mason and Mary looked at each other.
"Do you show it me?" Mason asked Sammy.
Samantha gave a sob and then nodded.
Mason picked her up and carried to the second floor. He had no doubt that Sammy just messed up her fairy tale playing with real life. He promised himself to review all books Mrs. Rold read to his children. It is possible there was something too hard for child's delicate psyche...
However Sammy led not him to the playroom or the nursery — she showed him up to the studio. Mason involuntarily glanced over his shoulder. Mary followed him, holding Chip's hand. Mason shrugged and went upstairs.
As soon as they came in the studio, Sammy immediately covered her face with hands and then jabbed the finger somewhere.
"It's here!"
Mason turned left and froze.
The painting. Indeed, there's the forest. But even Mason got goosebumps when he looked at it.
"Sam, it's just the drawing. It's not real. Look!"
But Samantha stubbornly refused to look at the picture, and Mason stopped to insist.
"This is not a real forest." He said firmly, and led his daughter out of the studio. A minute later Chip jumped out too and took his father's hand.
Downstairs kids gave real hard time Mason, causing him to make clearer that there's not way for a painting able to turn into something real. Mason took all his eloquence to persuade them and he did in the end. Returning his children in safe hands of Mrs. Rold — he still trusted her despite the incident with Augusta — Mason came up the studio again.
Still walking upstairs he heard a strange noise from there. Mason stepped in the room and stunned by the sight.
He saw the blushed face and tear-stained eyes of Mary who fiercely cut and tore her canvases to pieces.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Mason grabbed her hand and hardly missed the next swing of her knife.
"I'm destroying Evil!" Mary tried to wriggle out and continue the destruction of her paintings but Mason held her hand tightly.
"Come on, it's your work!"
"No. It is Evil!"
He felt her violent breathing as her chest's bubbling up with sobs.
"Mary, don't. Sammy just has an imagination."
Mary shook her head and looked at her knife.
"Come here," Mason took her aside and forced to sit on the old sofa. Crouched nearly he took her hands in his.
"Mary, she's just a little girl..."
"I know. It's not the point."
"What is it then?"
"Mason..."
"Tell me."
"It does not work," she gasped and rubbed her palms together. "When I dreamt to have my own studio I wanted... Oh, I thought I was a great painter — just one flick of fingers and my memories come alive. Materialize. I wanted its turn in a sort of real thing."
Mason was silent, quietly looking at her upset face.
"... and then there's your portrait. I never forgive myself for..."
"Mary, don't be..."
"No! I've badly hurt the person who I love more than my life! I can not forget it even if I wanted to. And now it's painting. From the mouths of babes come words of wisdom. My creations just bring pain and sufferings. So they are no longer to be.
"This is just a piece of canvas and a little paint", Mason pulled her closer to him. "I did not aware that this story hurts you so much."
"Do you think that I can hurt you and immediately forget about it?"
"It was not too bad. And I do not want you to torture yourself for the rest of your life because of my complexes."
Mary shook her head and turned away.
"Tell me something," Mason asked. 
"What?" She quickly glanced up him.
"I can see why you wanted to draw the house of your childhood and your parents. And why you did my portrait. But why did you draw this picture? It's really look fairy but resembles a sort of a nightmare."
"I tried..." Mary shrugged helplessly. "I wanted to draw the fairy forest. But instead of the good tale with fairies and elves I managed... this. I just could not draw the good magical world. I could not."
"Yes, I understand," Mason nodded thoughtfully. "How there can be a good forest if exist the evil witch who's kidnapping little girls? And parents barely have time to save their children. Your soul is too honest to make on canvas the thing what you really not believe.
"Maybe you're right," Mary said after a pause. "Perhaps it is the cause why I could not draw my home and parents. I can not just go back in time... I aware what happened later... too well aware. My soul resists... Hence, a fortiori it's all meaningless. I'm sorry that I made ​​you set up this studio for me. I wouldn't make an artist."
"In my opinion it's on the contrary," Mason said. "You make a too good, too honest artist, and you're suffering because of this. Let's close up this room for a while. You need to relax and forget it."
Mason took Mary out of the studio, then went somewhere for the key and deliberately locked the room.
"That's all," he proclaimed and put the key in his pocket. "No one get in, including particular young spies."
Mary silently leaned her head against his shoulder. Mason was often unbearably arrogant but sometimes this trait may bring even a relief. Like now. Mason forgives her... forgives all sins of her... Mason, the love of her life...

They're walked downstairs and found Christy in the living room. The younger sister is beaming that Mary knew immediately what Christy's going to tell. And she did.
"Jimmy and I set the date for our wedding," Christy blurted, barely waited when they say hello. "We are getting married on November, 1 and I'll like that you and Mason attend at our wedding."
"I'm so happy for you!" Mary hugged her. "And your fiancé already knows the happy news?" She whispered to her sister's ear.
"Yeah." Christy smiled. "Sure. By the way I wanted to ask you about the particular wedding gift."
Mason mumbled irritably, and smiling Mary asked: "And what is it?"
"The painting."
"What?" Mary's heart frozen.
"Well, I aware about your studio. Mary, draw something for me, please. Mine and Jimmy's portrait, for example."
"I can not write from nature," Mary replied weakly.
"Well, then something else," Christy said like expected such a response. "I do not care. I want your painting. Will you do me a gift?" She looked older sister's eyes.
"I'll try," she replied and then added: "I can not promise to the wedding. It's not so fast working".
"Well, okay." Christy nodded. "Take your time. Just do it. I mean to draw."
They talked about trifles, and then Christy left.
Mary sat on the couch, wondering how she supposed to perform this promise now. How she's going to draw a gift, not another nightmare.
"Well, well." She heard Mason's voice and looked up him.
Mason stood at the table, staring at the pile of papers.
"What's the matter?" She came to him. "Is something wrong?"
"Yes." He somehow tentatively looked into her face. "I just got copies of legal papers for Wayne Bernard, father of Sophia."
"These? And what's in them?"
"It seems Mr. Wayne appeared out of nowhere and disappeared into nowhere."
"What you mean?" Mary was surprised.
"He's very mysterious person. According to Sophia, her family was origins from Pittsburgh, PA. However, my man could not find any trace of the marriage or the birth of Bernard Wayne. As Sophia's. Registered record is the one only — the death of Sophia's mother in the right date. But again, not her birth's."
"They must have come from somewhere."
"Sophia rejects that they did. In addition the death of Mr. Wayne was not found also."
"You're... you think that Sophia lied? But what for?"
"I have no idea. But the facts are stubborn things. I need to talk frankly with Sophia. This story did not like me from its beginning, and now I do not like it even more. And I want to know the truth. What else Sophia is hiding from our family?"
Chapter 153 — The Wrong Trace

"I wonder what you expected to see when you asked me to search information about your father." Mason asked, coming in the living room of Capwell's house in the next day.
"Sorry?" Surprised Sophia turned to him.
"You're surely known that in fact it's impossible to find any traces of your family in Pittsburgh. What was the point? Or it was just for show-off? What are you hiding?"
"Mason, what are you talking about? Why you're so aggressive? The case of my family is extremely painful to me, I never thought that you will put me that backstab," Sophia noticeably paled.
For a moment they glared at one other, and then Mason apparently relaxed.
"So why did you send me on the wrong track?" He repeated softly.
"Why on the wrong one? My family originated from Pittsburgh, I just told you."
"Do you mean that you're born there?"
"I did as my father and my mother."
Mason pursed his lips, looking intently into her face. Whether it's lying? After all, she's an actress. Or she really does not know.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"My man could not find birth records of your parents, as well as your own. In Pittsburgh."
"It's impossible!" Sophia made a wide gesture. "That just can not be."
"However, it is an indisputable fact. Either records were destroyed or never existed. Any errors excluded. So what you may say now?"
"I may say that you're gone mad or play some of your games with me. I told you the truth."
"I did, too." Mason sat down on the sofa. Then he raised his eyes to hers. "Do you want to tell me something else? Or the family research supposes to be closed now?"
"I already told you everything I knew. Mason, I do not believe that you did find nothing. It's impossible."
"I found the only record of the death of your mother. But that's all."
Sophia stared up him, then opened her mouth and closed it.
"Are you serious?"
"Absolutely."
"But my parents have been told me... told about their childhood. Exactly there."
"Looks like they're laid."
Sophia winced.
"No, they didn't. What for?"
"I have no idea. But destroy anything in the birth registration data is very difficult case, believe me."
"Then what is it?" She looked up him helplessly.
"Well, I guess, these records exist somewhere, but definitely not in Pittsburgh. Perhaps your family was originated from somewhere else. But seems it was very important for them to belong to founders of the town. Or hide the fact of their moving."
"Do you think this can be verified?"
Mason looked at her searchingly.
"It's laborious, but I think we can try. But this requires at least some details of your earlier life. Are you sure that you want to continue?"
"I do. Please, believe me, Mason. I would never joke with these things. Let alone deceive you. I am the most interested person here."
"OK, I'll try. May be I'd overreacted. But feel an idiot was not too nice. Okay... who was your father? If he had any education?"
"He was a traveling salesman..."
"What?" Mason was astonished.
"A traveling salesman. He traded books. Why are you so surprised?"
"Mary's father was also a salesman. Maybe it's sort of a family business?"
"It's coincidence, Mason. Back then many people tried to doing it."
"I aware. Tell me more... my father ever met to your father?"
"Of course, he did not. As I already said as the last time I saw my father was just before I left home to become an actress. Of course, it's happened before my acquaintance with CC."
"Then how he can knew ..." Mason stopped. "Of course. Family photos."
"Photos? I don't know that you mean. And CC knew what?"
"And I would like to know it also," the voice of the patriarch suddenly sounded. "What or who I knew?"
The retreat was already nowhere.
"About the false identify of the person who's posing himself as Bernard Wayne." Mason folded his arms on the chest. "I was the witness of this not-too-pleasant scene in my late teens."
"Oh, I see you mean," CC frowned. "But I cannot see your point."
"Wait a minute. CC, you're saying that you're visited by the man who introduced himself as my father?"
"The father threw him down the stairs" Mason put in.
"Did you throw my father down the stairs???" Sophia was horrified. "When? Why did you not say me about his visit? You know how much I want to see him!" Her voice was laced hurt and resentment.
CC shot an angry look to his oldest son and turned to his wife.
"It's happened during your missing years. In addition, that man was not your father."
"How you can know? My father could look different now..."
"No, Sophia." Mason shook his head. "After seeing pictures of your father I stopped doubting. It's not him. Not his appearance, face or hands."
"I really understand nothing," Sophia said, moving her eyes from the son to the father. "I still could understand if my father might look for me here. But having someone posing as him???"
"We'll talk later. I'll let you know if I'll find more", Mason quickly walked to the door, giving the father and Sophia a chance to sort things out.

"Why did you tell me nothing?" Sophia asked tensely when the front door slammed shut after Mason. "You're aware how it is important for me. You've even helped me look for him! I do not understand this."
"What I had to tell you? About the long time event when an unpleasant man tried to pose himself as your father who you so desperately wanted to see? I did not want to give you a false hope."
"Perhaps with helping of as you say "an unpleasant man", we would find my father!"
"I'm sorry, but back then I was sure you're dead and not expect that you would need him."
"Tell me about your meeting. What did he want? Maybe he's still my father after all?"
CC shook his head.
"I realized that he's lying from the very beginning. He wanted to see you but frankly lied about your last meeting, your last conversation. You and I discussed this for too many times when you were trying to look for him. He was not your father, just some fraud. What I cannot understand why you're discuss your missing father with my oldest son!"
"Mason helps me find him."
"Why?"
"I asked him. Do not argue, CC. I want this. But please, give me everything you remember about the man and as detailed as possible. Please, CC. Just for me."

* * *

Mary sat in the living room and sketching her children in pencil on the piece of paper: baby Mickey with a rattle in his playpen, busy Chip's building the tower of blocks, concentrated Sam's trying to put teddy bear in pants with straps. She's just outlines their faces, more sketching the contours than actually drawing. It's not-quite-drawing gives her great pleasure. And there is no risk to draw something bad! Maybe she could give something like to Christy?
The doorbell rang. Mary raised her head from the paper, she was expecting nobody.
She got up and went to the door. There's the very beautiful woman with long dark hair.
"I'm looking for Mason Capwell," she said in a sing-song, velvety voice.
"He's not home. Any message for him? I am his wife."
"No, I'll come by later if you do not mind. Oh, I'm sorry, I did not introduce myself. My name is Amy Kolbet, I and Mason went together to Harvard."
"Mary Capwell." Mary shook her hand. "I'll tell him about your visit."
The beautiful stranger leave and Mary came back to the table and stared blankly at her unfinished sketch. Mason's classmate? What is she doing here?
To her own amazement Mary realized that she's eating by jealousy. Amy Kolbet was so beautiful.
"Nonsense!" Mary sat up. "Probably they are just colleagues."
But she saw no one Mason's colleagues for whole time of their living together as before the marriage as after one. Only different delivery men brought documents for him. Mason's working life never touched their home.

Mason returned a few hours later, after the visit to his father's house he had to drop at the office of law firm and to complete some papers. He appeared just for dinner and while they eating Mason briefly retold Mary his conversation with Sophia.
"Looks like she really was not aware", he finished helping himself with the glass of wine.
"Of course, she did not. Mason, Sophia absolutely has no reasons to lie."
"You never know who and why take this path. I prefer facts, Mary. And its points to the apparent mismatch with my stepmother's story. However, just one thing became obvious for me today: Sophia really wants to find her father. Although I honestly do not understand why she does."
"For the same reason you wanted to find your mother."
Mason winced. "Hmm," he managed to utter.
"I hope she'll still succeed with your help. I wish I had even the slightest hope to see my father again!"
"I'm sorry, you have not." Mason got up, walked around the table and sat down beside Mary. "I wish to meet my old friend just once too."
Mary hugged him for a moment, pressing her face to his chest and then pulled away.
"Someone came to see you today", she said carefully choosing her words. "The woman, she named herself Amy Kolbet. She said that you and she went together at university.
"Amy Kolbet? Came here?" Mason seems very surprised. "It's... strange. I was not even known that she is in the town."
He got up and went to the phone.
Mary heard him asking for Miss Kolbet. So she is not married and has no any business with Mason. 
Mary finished her dinner and walked back into the living room. Mason's already finishing his phone talking.
"Yes, of course, I'll call you. Yes. The Capwell Hotel. Well, of course, how can I invite you to our competitors? Yes. See you later." He hung up and looked at Mary. "I hope this is going to work out."
"Do you and she are going to do something?" Mary cannot help.
"Yes, we're..." Mason suddenly looked up Mary. "Wow, I detect a note of jealousy?"
"Just a little bit." Mary hid her flushed face on his chest.
"Do not be silly. We have purely business relations," Mason gently pulled back and looked straight into Mary's eyes. "Do you believe me?"
"I do", Mary accepted after a pause." But I could not help. She is very beautiful, Mason."
"Well, she was one of beauties of Harvard, so not surprisingly."
"You had an affair with her?" Mary guessed that Mason would deny it, but he nodded.
"I did, not long."
"And after the graduation?"
"No, I have not seen her since. Mary, you just said that you do believe me."
"I believe you, but don't sure about her."
"Forget Amy. You and I have much more interesting things now. In the bedroom.
Mary automatically steps to the stairs, but then she stopped.
"You hint it every time when you want to distract me from something."
"And I have been succeeding for every time. I'm just irresistible." With these words Mason pulls Mary to the master bedroom, and she had no choice but to obey.
However, she had no desire to resist. She did not want to think about the beautiful stranger who's just invading her home.
Mason loves Mary and Mary loves Mason. And they both know it.
Chapter 154 — The Deal

The next day, Augusta unexpectedly showed up at Mary and Mason's house and asked for a meeting with Sammy again.
Mason snapped that she's not dare to approach his house anymore, and left for his office.
Augusta looked helplessly at Mary.
"I just wanted to apologize. I never have harmed his only niece."
Mary was torn in two by conflicting feelings. On the one hand, she did not trust Augusta and she even was a little afraid of her, but on the other hand she has been understand that Augusta really underestimated the reaction of the little girl.
"I know," Mary said finally. "But earlier I've asked you not to do what you did. How can I trust you now?"
Augusta apparently also struggled with different feelings. She stared at Mary, not sure how convince her.
"Perhaps your presence would..." she began, but Mary shook her head."No. Sorry, but no. Too fresh memories."
"I'll stay in the town for not long time," Augusta said with a touch of arrogance. "And I would like to spend some time with my niece till my departure."
Mary almost said that Augusta's supposed to think about this when she and Mason tried to stop her, but she stopped in time.
"I'm sure you would come again if you really love Sammy," she said.
Augusta flushed with anger.
"You and Mason are usurpers! By the way, if my sister was alive, you would never get Mason! They were very much in love. Mason aware about, and what's he's against my participation in the life of my niece."
Mary was so surprised that she becomes speechless. Augusta's face flashed with a triumph and she walks out to her car.
Mary closed the door and shook her head in bewilderment. Mason's madly loved Julia? No, Augusta just wanted to hurt her. Of course, Mason must have some affection to Julia as to Victoria. And he changed himself after gone through so many tragedies. But Mary never feels that he loves her less or in some other way. No, Augusta was totally wrong. No need to think about it.
But Mary knew in her heart that Augusta would not give up. She must somehow resolve this situation... But how? To ask Augusta to wait was apparently useless. To agree her demands was impossible, and Mason never agrees with it. What does she do?
Still having no answers Mary went to visit her sister. Christy had her hands full with preparations of the wedding but she was glad to have a little rest. The sisters sat in the chairs on the large terrace of Jean Do and have a nice tall glass of iced tea.
Christy silently listen Mary's story and then said firmly:
"I'm sorry, but I'm on Mrs. Lockridge's side."
"What?" Mary was surprised.
"You know, I never like her, she always looked at me like I was some kind of a bug. But I can not blame her now. I know how it feels when you're lost your only sister. And if I find out that you had a baby but I was not allowed to see him/her when I thought that you're dead... I not know what I'd have done!"
"You just did not see how Sammy was scared when she heard Augusta's story about her dead mother who was buried in the cemetery!" And Mary briefly told about the kidnapping.
Christy shook her head.
"She shouldn't have done it but you don't have them separate too. Don't do this, Mary!"
"But what I suppose to do? Allow my little girl have more stories about her dead mother? Allow Augusta to take Sammy to the cemetery? Sammy can have only one mom."
"But you're not her birth mother. I'm sorry, but you can not undo this fact."
"I aware. But even when Sammy will be able to realize it, she'll have Julia just as the inscription on the tombstone and photos in the family album. She will never have Julia as her mother..."
Mary looked up and saw that Christy is almost crying.
"Oh, sorry, I even did not think!"
"No, no, all right. I'm so sensitive because my incoming baby. My eyes often wet now," Christy quickly wiped away her tears.
"All the same, I should not start this conversation. Let's talk about the wedding, OK? I'll manage Augusta."
They discussed the issue of invitations, slightly argued over a style of wedding dress. Christy complained that now she rarely sees Jimmy.
"He wants to find a new job to have more money. Making photos not earn much." She sighed. "I already told him that we have enough of my inheritance, but he does not listen me."
"I guess he's nervous too on the eve of the wedding," Mary comforted her. "Jimmy is a reasonable guy. He must find some place for himself."
"But while he's looking for... sometimes I think that we are too different to be together."
"Sometimes I think the same about me and Mason. But just sometimes." Mary smiled. "It's okay, Chris. And your doubts are normal. Everything will be fine."

* * *

Sitting alone in her Capwell Hotel's room Augusta Lockridge had brandy with tonic. She was not expecting anyone and therefore raised her eyebrows when there was a knock on the door.
When she got up and opened the door, her surprise becomes a kind of shock.
"Mary?"
"Good evening, Augusta. May I come in?"
Augusta silently stepped aside. 
"What do you need?" She asked without offering her guest sit down. 
"I want to offer a kind of ceasefire. Little Sammy would not do any good if her relatives begin the war for her."
It is difficult to disagree. Augusta automatically raised brandy to her lips and took a sip. Then he motioned Mary to sit down.
"And what is a deal?"
Mary comfortably settled on the wide sofa and clasped her hands together.
"I suggest you turn in my sister."
"What???" Augusta choked brandy.
Mary waited until she stops coughing.
"Of course, I mean it metaphorical. Being Samantha's only mother I cannot allow someone to talk to her about her dead mother now. As you can see she still did not understand it and know me only in the role. On the other hand, I understand that you're taking care about this girl so much because she's the daughter of your deceased sister. And I think we could do the compromise: you get chances to spend time with Samantha but without any mention of Julia. No trips to the cemetery and trying to poisoning the peace of her mind She already has the Aunt Christy, my younger sister. Let she'll thinks that you are her other aunt."
"Samantha has the right to know about Julia..." Augusta began again, but Mary interrupted her: "Of course, she does, and she'll know about her. But only when I and Mason deem it safe for her."
"And I have to believe it?" Augusta asked mockingly.
"Yes. Just as we have to believe that you will not break your word and will not scare Sammy again."
Augusta thinkingly looked at Mary. She did not want compromises. Damn, this little girl belongs to her! To her family after all! However, she clearly understands how small her chances to get what she want. Of course, she can sue and get the right of regular visits... but if she likes to do that she can sue a long time ago — when Mary Capwell was presumed dead and Mason was a single father and had not so strong position in the courtroom. No, she wanted to have the different way... wanted to be able to walk to the park with her little niece when she'll casually stop in Santa Barbara, and then leave having a peace of mind. As she used to be when Julia was alive. And in fact Mary offered something similar. Very close to Augusta's wishes.
"Your word against my word," she said slowly and then took a sip of brandy.
"Yes. For the sake of the little girl who we both love and do not wish her any harm."
"Well." Augusta sharply raised her head and looked directly in Mary's face. "Then so be it."
Mary held out her hand and Augusta shook her after a slight hesitation.
"I'm leaving the day after tomorrow morning," she said feeling significant relief. "And I want to see Samantha before my leaving, Mary."
"Call me tonight, we'll figure out the best way to make your meeting," Mary stands up. "I'm glad we came to an understanding."
"I hope you'll keep your word." Augusta also rose up and accompanied Mary to the door.
"The same for you," Mary said seriously and left the room.
Augusta return on the sofa and looked thoughtfully before her. Maybe this was the answer to her prayers? Unless, of course, brave Mrs. Capwell will be able to stop her husband when he'll set to prevent their agreement by all costs. Augusta had no doubts that Mason does not aware about the initiative of his wife. He would have never allowed it.
Chapter 155 — Too Different

Ending his recent cases in the office Mason's back to his father's house. He had to question Sophia about her past overwise to find the dots will be absolutely impossible.
"What else do you want to hear from me?" his stepmother surprised when he came to her with his questions. "I've already told everything I knew."
"I need the details and as many as possible. The address of the house where you lived with your parents when you were young, names of family friends, the school you went to, any mentions of other relatives. Everything that you can remember. Of course if you're not changed my mind to search your father's traces."
"No, I did not. But... Mason, are you sure you can find something? After all these years? I thought this case's absolutely hopeless."
"Under normal circumstances the chances would be slim", Mason said honestly. "But the picture in Duvall's family album and some of my contacts are increase rates. Why would not give the try after all?"
"Why do you doing it, Mason?" Sophia looked at him intensely. "You did not want to help me in first place; I saw it on your face."
He sighed. "I and Mary had the talking, and I came to the conclusion that everyone should have a second chance. Maybe you'll luckier and will get happy reunion with your father."
Sophia stared into his eyes, knowing that he has in his mind the return of Pamela which became a kind of disaster for him. 
She's just said: "Thank you." Then she smiled slightly and shrugged: "Ask me, I'll try to answer."
"Good. First where you were living in Pittsburgh?"
Sophia said the address and added that the house still belongs to her. CC bought it when she began looking for his father.
"There's no one living there?" Mason asked.
"No, of course. It is closed."
"Your family ever has moved?"
"No. Or I do not remember this. But my parents always had said that our house was an ancestral."
"And what about your neighbors? If there were neighbors who were familiar with your family for many years?"
"No... I do not remember. I think my parents were not getting close to our neighbors."
Mason raised his eyebrows.
"It's a bit strange for the family belong to founders of the town."
"We're lived very quietly. All my friends were schoolmates ... I do not remember that I invited someone to my home or played with the children of neighbors. Yes, it's really strange," she thought aloud. Her chest feels the unpleasant chill.
"Yes, it's unusual. Especially for the family of the traveling salesman."
"Perhaps my father was too tired of communicating with his clients so he's not willing to talk with anyone at home. Though I don't sure about."
Mason gently asked all the details and names but he and Sophia were disappointingly it's small count. Finally Mason put his notes in the folder and takes it away in his case.
"I'm sorry, I can remember so little. No matter how hard I try." Sophia looked at him with guilt and hope.
"But it's not too little. Anyway, now we have the point where we can start."

Mason came home late when Mary already started to worry.
"I'm sorry, I just lost track of time," he kissed her at the door.
"You might call," Mary returned the kiss. "Is something wrong?"
"No, just the family investigating for Sophia."
"And how it goes? By the way, Miss Kolbet called and asked for you again."
"I aware." Mason smiled. "I just rang her doorbell when she did."
"So you spent all of time with her?" Mary surprised unpleasantly.
"I do love when you're jealous," Mason's smile widened. "Sorry, I can not help."
"This is not funny," Mary said grimly.
"I know. But my relationship with Amy is... you see she's my secret contact."
"What you mean?" Mary bit her lip.
"The thing is, Mary," Mason pulled her closer to him and put his arms around her. "Amy lives in Pittsburgh and she's investigating about Mr. Wayne due my request."
"But why you were so surprised when she came?" Mary turned to face him. "If you were the person who hired her. By the way, why you choose her? After all she's apparently a lawyer, not a private detective."
"Because I know her very well and can trust her. Sophia's case requires special privacy. I was surprised because I was on the phone to her earlier and she's not supposed to go here. But it turned out that she came on the other case and just brought me something that she managed to find. Well, happy now?"
"Pretty. I do not know why I so overreacted. I have not doubts in your love."
"I hope in my loyalty too..." He did not finish because at the point the phone rang.
Mason picked up: "Mason Capwell's house. What? Augusta? I..." But Mary immediately grabs the receiver from him: "Yes, Augusta. No, all right. When? Well, I think we can meet in the park tomorrow. Yes, at the large fountain. Okay, it's fine. Around three o'clock. We'll be there."
She hung up. Mason frowned.
"Did you agree to meet Augusta in the park? Oh no, do not tell me that you were going take Sammy along! Are you are crazy?!"
"Nothing like this. I and Augusta made the deal: I allow her to meet with Sam and she closes her mouth about Julia and pretend to be our children's aunt."
"There you go," Mason clenched his teeth. "I thought we agreed to build a united front."
"This is the point, Mason. A front. Are you really looking for a war against Augusta? I think that I just found the acceptable choice."
"I'm not looking for a war; I do not trust Augusta Lockridge! And she already proved that she's not going to deal with us. You think too well of her."
"Or you do too badly? Remember her face when crying Sammy ran to us. She was terribly terrified."
"Don't ask me to remember. I saw red when it's happened."
"Mason, she does not want to hurt Sammy. And I sure that she will not risk with repeating this traumatic experience for her niece."
"Are you sure? That's what I call credulity."
"You are too tough on."
"I cannot take any chances to damage my daughter's mind."
"And thus turn the problem into a time bomb. Sam will not always three. Now we can hide her from Augusta but what you will do if she will appear in the town when Sammy will be 7 or 10? And if Augusta would start to tell her how her evil parents hid the truth about her birth mother and prevented from seeing his own aunt?"
"Do you think she will not do if you're going to meet her halfway?" Mason smiled bitterly.
"I think she'll not. She will have not reasons. By the way she told me that you and Julia had the great love when you conceived Samantha. Is it true?" Mary looked at him questioningly.
"Of course, not!" Mason finally hit the roof, being already frustrated to the brink. "And you still want to compromise with her?!"
"Yes. Because I realized how much this situation hurt her. Mason, Augusta's not guided by a cold math. She still does grieve because of her sister's death."
"All right." Mason stared past Mary.
"Do you not going to interfere in our agreement?"
"I guess you call me a tyrant if I'll?" Mason smiled wryly.
"Mason, I love you very much. And the last thing I want is to hurt Sam. Now or in the future."
"I know. But I can not help asking myself if you would risk if the child was not my daughter, but your son?" With these words Mason turned around and quickly goes upstairs.
Mary bit her lip. She knew that he hurt badly by her taking the decision alone. But she just could not see another way out. No one...
She still spends some time in the living room but then the weariness took over, and she walks upstairs to the bedroom. Opening the door she was almost certain that she would see the empty room but she clearly could see Mason's form on the bed. That's something.
Mary undressed and lies down next to Mason. Then she reached out and feels his hand. Mason did not move. Then she put his fingers to her lips and kissed. Mason turned over and took his hand away. Mary felt a wave of cold frustration but after a moment she felt hugging arms of Mason, his breath was on her neck.
"I'm sorry..."
"No, I'm sorry..."
They were together again. Inseparable. As a whole.
Chapter 156 - Shadows of Closest Ancestors

Sophia was sitting alone thinking in the living room. Yesterday's conversation with Mason made her think about things which just not come to her mind earlier: her family was too strange. Being a girl and a youth she never wondered why her life divided into two separate halves. After suffering amnesia all seemed covered with a thick haze but now that a fog dissolved and clear pictures of the past were appearing before her eyes: an active school life, parties, boys, the School Drama Theater, schoolmates... Sophia was the very popular girl. So it was even stranger to remember that she had never brought her friends to home. There were no bans, she just did not. It's like a kind of her inside stopper's shielding her homey life from public one.
And she even could not remember that if she ever seen any friends of her parents. Mason asked if she remembers old friends of the family but the truth was that she could not remember ANY family friends at all. Her parents never been grim isolate: she can remember her dad's laugh and mother's smile, her affectionate hugs, and talking with her father about the books she read. A kind of normal family life: his father worked as traveling salesman, her mother was a housewife. They were out in the country on the weekends and spent together Christmas holidays. Together. All of three. Alone only. It's a strange and frightening realization.
Could it be true? The parents lied to her about their ancestors? But why? It's so stupid if the truth can be revealed at any time. Or... it could not? Actually she had never discussed his family out of her home. Although in fact she still could hear something... even just from neighbors. But their house was at a distance from others and all neighbors just never too familiar with her family. Nobody knew that Waynes were pretending to be descendants of the founder family. Nobody can scuttle this lie.
Why should they lie then? Was it really a lie?
"What is it?" She suddenly heard CC's voice and jumped up.
"Not matter," Sophia avoided.
"No, it's important. You're not yourself since yesterday. What's happened?"
"Mason told me something I never suspected. About my own family."
"It's Mason again! I told him not interfere us!"
"I asked him to investigate it. CC, please. It's very important thing for me."
"And you're ready to discuss it with Mason but not with me?"
"Don't tell me that you're jealous to Mason! At least he does not try to force me to give up my search."
"It hurts you."
She shook her head. "May be this is the price of truth. I'm ready to pay it to learn the fate of my father."
"Share with me. Why do you think that parents lied to you?"

* * *

Going to the park with the children accompanied by Mrs. Rold, Mary was not even sure that Augusta actually will come there. Yesterday's solution now she saw as a rather naive. But Augusta makes it. With an arrogant rock-face and suspicion in her eyes in first place. But then without seeing any resistance and pitfalls she pretty quickly relaxed and patiently waited as Mary's explaining Sammy and Chip that Mrs. Lockridge is their Aunt Augusta.
Chip was barely interested in Aunt Augusta and rushed off to the playground but Sam immediately cringed and tried to hide behind Mary's skirt. And muttered "Aunty Liar" in response to mother's asking to say hello.
Mary scolded her bad manners but Sammy said resentfully that that's true. Aunty lied that her Mommy was buried in the ground!
"My Mommy is here!" Sammy defiantly clung to Mary.
"Your aunt was just joking", Mary assured her.
"A silly joke!" The little girl glared up. "Even Chip has no ones!"
"I'm sorry, honey. I never thought you would scare," Augusta said and squatted down in front of her niece. "Come here, let me look at you."
Sammy hesitated and then reluctantly came. Augusta pulled out the stuffed baby deer and handed to her. Sammy's eyes lit up. She grabbed the toy and hugged it.
"Bambi!" She gasped.
"Do you like it?" Augusta's voice sounded like if she had a lump in her throat.
"Very much!" Sammy buried her nose in the deer's fur. "He's so beautiful!"
"And what do you need to say?" Mary reminded.
"Thank you, Aunt Augusta," Sam looked up. "I will love him so much."
"I do not doubt," Augusta finally smiled, and the tension finally disappeared.
Later Sammy easily chatted with her newfound aunt and answered her questions but occasionally she still shuddered and looked back at Mary. And just only after receiving her mother's silent approval she's regained her usual cheerfulness. Getting tired of the talking she playfully grabbed Aunt Augusta's arm and dragged her to the playground. Stunned Mary watching how arrogant refined Augusta enthusiastically spends time with her niece: pushes Sam on the swings, helping her to go down from slides, playing hide and seek... unless paying catch-up. Holding Mickey in her arms Mary tries not to think about Christy's words still echo in her head: "And if I find out that you had a baby..."
Finally dusk began to arrive, and it was time to go home. When Augusta said goodbye to Sammy Mary thought that she would leave immediately, but Augusta took her hand: "Walk me to the car."
Mary shrugged and gestured to the Mrs. Rold. "I won't be long."
She and Augusta leisurely walk through the park to the parking lot. At first they went silently but then Augusta suddenly stopped.
"I want to thank you," she said moderately. "I admit I did not believe that you'll keep your promise."
"But you came."
"I had some hopes. Is Mason knows about our deal?"
"He does."
"Really? And he agreed?" Augusta surprised.
"He did not like it but he did not interfere. What time's your flight?"
"An hour later," Augusta took a deep breath. "What an incredible day!"
They went to the parking lot, and Mary was about to go out into the street to take a taxi, but Augusta stopped her again.
"I wonder why you offered me a deal."
"Because of my sister," Mary said after pausing.
"Are you meaning Christy?" Augusta surprised.
"Of course. I do not have another sister. Christy knows a lot more than you think. She thought that I was dead for whole year."
"And Christy offered this plan?"
"No, just forced me to change direction."
"So maybe I need to change my opinion about this girl," Augusta mused.
They said goodbye, and Augusta once again promised that she'll visit them as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
Mary took a taxi and allowed herself to exhale in relief. Everything went perfectly. Now she had to go home and bring this premise to Mason.

* * *

"You never told me about this!" CC Capwell said quite angrily when Sophia finished her story.
"I never looked at my own family from this angle. It hurts. Though now it's easier for me to believe that someone might come to you pretending to be my father."
"Why?"
"Because this way of life can meet only one reason. They were afraid. My parents lived in mortal fear. And most likely that reason explains the disappearance of my father. Probably, he's been dead for a long time." She covered her face with her hands.
CC gently embraced her, held her close.
"You do not know. It's just your assumption."
"It's not unfounded."
She abruptly stood up and decisively headed towards the study. CC silently followed her and watched as she's unlocking the safe and rummaging though old papers.
"What are you looking for?"
"The deed of my family house. I want to find when my parents bought it. Ah, here it is," Sophia pulled the stapled documents and opened the top sheet. She scanned a text, turned the sheet, read it up and went back to the first page. Then she lowered her head.
CC took the deed from her. It indicates in black and white the year of ownership. 1946.
"I was five years old then," Sophia said toneless.
"Maybe they inherited the house. Even very likely."
"Do not try to comfort me. I'm perfectly capable to accept the reality."
"The reality is our family."
"And my past is a part of me, CC. I want to know the truth."

* * *

When Mary returned home, Mason was here.
"How did it go?" He asked kissing her on the cheek.
"Perfectly," Mary kissed him back. "It was Augusta Lockridge who I never been seen. And Sammy accepted her even though initially she was wary."
"Naturally. After a kind of such nightmare."
"I hope that now it will be erased from her memory. Let it would only be a weird joke of her foolish aunt, not an evil kidnapping."
Mason nodded and said after a pause: "I need to talk to you."
"Sure." Mary surprised of his serious tone but she followed him up the study.
She froze when Mason took out one of the portraits which Mary brought home from Capwell's and forgotten in her car a week ago.
"I would like to know how these got in your trunk?" he asked dryly.
"And what you did doing in there?" Mary took the portrait from him and leaned it against the back of a nearby chair.
"The best defense is offense?" Mason raised the eyebrow.
"Do you think that I need to defend myself now?"
"It's up to you. Maybe you still answer where did you get these things work of art?"
"The house of your father as you can image."
"He gave these to you?"
"CC? God, no."
"How else it's possible? Mary, you do not know how to lie. How you got these portraits?"
"I did not say a word of lies, Mason. Why are you so worried about? Believe me, your father will not come here to reclaim them."
"True, but you still trying avoid a straight answer. Why?"
Mary hesitated, but then answered. "Because it is unpleasant to hear that your youthful portraits were planned to be thrown in the trash."
Mason's face froze for a moment, but then he relaxed. "And you decided to save them"
"I was equally frustrating to see them there. Especially because I would love to see them in our house."
"So why did you not show them me at once?"
"I did not have time. It's the day when Augusta kidnapped Sammy. Mason, are you questioning me?"
Mason did not answer but came close to her and took her forearms.
"A bad day?"
"Partially, yes," Mary sighed and pulled back slightly, freeing her hands. "I was sitting on pins and needles while Augusta was there. I was afraid that she goes wrong so I'll urgently manage with consequences."
"But it turned pretty good," Mason tried to take her hand again but Mary turned and stepped away. "What's the matter?"
"It's nothing. I'm just tired."
She went to the door but Mason blocked her way frowning.
"It's not just that. Did I hurt you with something?"
Mary raised her head and looked him straight in the eye.
"It's not easy to get over when the closest person throws words in your face that you love your stepdaughter less than your son and it's why you're ready to risk her life."
Mason winced. "I aware. But I've already apologized. And you also violated our agreement yesterday."
"I do not argue. But it cannot cancel the fact that your words etched in my memory."
"I was only speaking in anger!"
"Are you sure?"
"Of course, I do! Mary, are you really... Dammit! No, look at me." He took her hands again despite her resistance and made to look up him. "I do not think anything like that. And the last night would not have happened if I was serious." Mary gave shaky breath. "I'm sorry. I really crossed the line."
Mary just hugged him, pressing her face to his shoulder. The tension of a hard day finally beginning to subside. Mason made a sound - something between growling and moaning.
"Are you alright?" Mary was afraid.
"I think I'm beginning to see a point of our family feud. It's all Augusta Lockridge!"
"Do not be silly. She is not so bad."
"I'd better say nothing." Mason expressively looked at her and dramatically rolled his eyes.
Mary snorted, kissed him on the lips and then pulled away.
"Do you not mind if we hang your portrait here?"
Mason shrugged. "I do not care. Which of them?"
"Perhaps ..." Mary put portraits side by side and took a good look. "That's it," she pointed to one where Mason was portrayed as a young man.
"I would not have chosen it. But be on your way."
Mason looks around, trying to see where the better spot to attach it. Mary touched his sleeve.
"Do you really not mind? I do not want you feel some uncomfortable."
"Well, yes. It's all right, Mary. These portraits do not cause me any feelings. Moreover I'm starting to like your idea," he smiled. "Do not worry."
"I'll try."
When the portrait was finally hang on the most prominent place of the wall Mary goes upstairs and Mason looked at the image of young himself. He feels somehow deliciously frightening to see himself as the new head of the family and the patriarch. He finally stood on a par with CC Capwell. He had been dreaming of this for long time. And the young man with a strained face and cynical smile seemed to him the prototype of his today's success life. He did it. He built his own life without the father. This is his own family, his own home. His own wife and children. He felt proud.
Chapter 157 - Deja Vu

The next day Mary came to Capwells. She found Sophia looking though her family albums. The older woman told Mary the latest news about her newfound memories.
"I can imagine how it was hard for you," Mary said sympathetically.
"Yes, you can. You had to reveal the family secrets too."
"Right. But I hope that your secrets are less severe than mine. Can I...?" Mary took the album from Sophia's hands to get a better view.
"Sure. This is my mother, and my father. Here they are together..."
Two women slowly turn pages till Rosa peeked in saying that it's a phone call for Sophia.
Finished the call Sophia came back and sat down again. 
"Mary? Are you all right?"
"Yes..." Mary seems is out of a strange stupor. She looked up from one of the photos in the album. "I'm just thinking... What is this photo?"
"It's just my parents. I guess that they are quite recognizable here. What is it?"
"Where it was taken?" Mary cannot understand why she's so hooked on this particular picture. She really did not know this picture but there was something familiar.
"In my family house. Why are you so nervous?"
"I don't know. Cannot understand. Let's go though to the end."
Mary turned the page and then another one. When she opened the third one she's experienced some distant sense of deja vu again. They compared this picture with the previous hypnotic one and it turned out that they were taken in the same room.
"This was a guest room on the second floor. I can recall that we had used it as a living room because the renovation of the first floor. Mary, these are saying something to you?"
"Not clear," Mary finally looked up Sophia. "I cannot explain it but it's seems familiar not these picture but the interior of the room. Like if I was there." She shivered involuntarily. The feeling seemed somehow weird. As of the underworld. But the magic dissipated as soon as Sophia spoke.
"I think there's only way to reveal everything until the very end. Mary, come with me to Pittsburgh."
At first Mary did not even realize what Sophia offered. "To this house?"
"Yes. I still own it."
"Sophia, I hardly have been in your family house before. It's just... a weird feeling."
"Moreover there is nothing to fear. Think of this as just accompanying me to the house of my childhood. I beg you. We'll not stay there for long time, I promise. And I have been planned to go there anyway."
"Well... OK," Mary eventually agreed. "Tomorrow, OK? I need to talk the babysitter and give her detailed instructions."
"Thank you. I really appreciate your help."

Mason's visible frown when Mary told him about her journey.
"I'm going with you," he said categorically.
"Mason, this is not necessary. We will stay there for a few days only. In addition, I would like to have someone of us to look after the children here."
"Mrs. Rold just doing fine," Mason said.
"I know. But I'll fell better if you stay."
Mason paused. "Oh well, OK. But promise me that you'll call me immediately if you feel that you need me, okay?"
"I always need you. But I promise."

* * *

"Mary?"
The younger woman startled and looked up Sophia. They were in the plane on the way in Pittsburgh.
"Remember anything else?"
"No... I do not think they were my memories."
"Why?"
"I do not sure. I just never experienced anything like. Even when... when my childhood nightmares turned out to be true at some point. Dreams and memories ... they have a lot in common but it's not like now. Frankly, I would not be surprised if my memory connects this picture with a scene from any movie or anything else... I'm sorry."
"It's all right, Mary. I cannot understand it too. I just know that I must reveal the truth."
"Why?" Mary curiously looked at her.
"This was just about my father when I saw the picture in your family album but now... I have a feeling like I'm falling down in timelessness. I was sure that I knew who was I and where I came. And now all fell completely to pieces." Sophia paused and added softly. "It feels like the terrible feeling from days when I was suffering from amnesia. The terrible emptiness was inside that nothing can fill."
Mary reassuringly squeezed her hand.
"You need not be afraid. Memory loss will never come back."
"I know. But now I feel somehow similar. As if I'm ripped up from the native ground."

* * *

After five hours of flight they had a good lunch in the hotel and drove to Sophia's family house for a one and half of hour. They arrived only in the evening.
"It's so lovely place!" Mary gasped as they're nearly there.
"It's not too much changed," Sophia said trying not to giving up to the load of memories.
They drove through neighborhoods of neat historical buildings. Somewhere ahead the water shone silver.
Their goal found out to be the beautiful mansion is almost on the shore of the lake. The house really had the marked distance from the other houses although it was not stood out. Seemed like someone led the dotted line to the lake and then just put the final dot. "It's a perfect place to hide in plain sight," Mary thought involuntarily.
"Is it closed?" she asked as they approached the gate of the fence.
"Yes, just the keeper looks out," Sophia explained and forced herself to push the wicker door.
She goes straight to the front door but Mary curiously walks around of the house. She definitely likes it and there're no dark memories. More precisely the house does not cause any feelings. Going round Mary returned to the front door, it's already opened.
Mary did steps up and walked into the dark bowels of the house.

Half an hour later they were drinking tea in the abandoned but cozy kitchen.
"How do you feel now?" Mary asked.
"Better than I could image," Sophia dry smiled. "But every thing brings back memories. And what about you?" Hoping she looked at the younger woman.
Mary shrugged. "It's a quite beautiful place. Though does not like California," she took a sip. "And it's... cozy and nice too. Sophia, I'm sorry!"
"No, it's okay," Sophia wiped her tears. "Yes, it's really true! We were very happy here! God know, we were a loving family! And then everything fallen apart... ruined", her voice faded.
"Why?" Mary asked quietly. She knew these feelings too. When your life is dividing to "before" and "after" - Haven and Hell.
"My mother's illness. Like in your family. She was treated, had mastectomy but no avail. The cancer's back and then she died."
"Yes, like mine. Dad's death destroyed everything. Destroyed my family."
They fell silent each thinking about her family tragedy. Then Sophia rose slowly.
"I'll turn on the heating and we settle for the night. Which room you'll take? You can choose anyone!" She smiled and spread her arms wide.
Mary shrugged and then asked: "Show me that room. Where was taken the photo."
"OK." Sophia led Mary upstairs.
They walked down a short hall and then Sophia pushed the door and turn on the light.
The bright light shone the room and Mary immediately received a strong wave of deja vu. "I was here!" Every part of her being screamed. "I remember these walls!"
Mary distanced heard Sophia calls her name but she did not turn her head. Like a sleepwalker she walked across the room to the window and sat on the sofa. Everything was covered in thick dust. Mary ran her fingers on the bedside table and then noticed some piece of paper on the floor. She automatically picked it up and stared. The child's drawing, aged and dog-eared.
"My God!" She heard her own voice as unusually loud. "It's me!"
"What are you talking?" Sophia quickly came to her and took the picture. And also froze in the place.
The recognizable drawing of leopard was signed by "Mary Duvall".
"This is my drawing," Mary said slowly, realizing the discovery. "I really was here!"
Women shocked looked at each other.
"But what it's meaning?" Sophia uttered.
"Only the one thing, I think", Mary sank back on the dusty sofa, feeling that her legs are ready to shutting down. "I was here and leave my drawing. Our families really were somehow connected."
"Yes, it's undoubtedly now. So that photo was not brought in your album by accident."
"As well as my drawing. I know it was me who drew it. I can see my own children's handwriting but I do not understand how and when I did this. I remember nothing about this house! Sophia, there is a phone? I want to talk to Mason."
Mary quickly leaves the room and goes downstairs. She longed her husband to be here. Mason was the only person who's able to save her and put down on firm ground again!
Chapter 158 - The Lake House - Part 1

"You don't mind me asking Mason to come here?" Mary hung up and slightly guiltily looked at Sophia.
"No." Sophia shook her head. "I'm just wishing that my pride would allow me to ask CC do the same."
"You can call him," Mary handed her the phone.
Sophia hesitantly looked at her but then declined.
"I can not. I do not want to quarrel."

Mason booked a plane ticket to Pittsburgh, PA and quickly began to packing after instructing Mrs. Rold. Mary did not go into details but he felt that she's scared. Dammit, he should have push harder and went with Mary!
The doorbell rang. Mason cursed and went to open.
"Where's my wife?" CC Capwell bursts into the house.
"Father, were you got the address wrong? None of your wives live here."
"Where Sophia is?" CC snapped.
"I do not hide her in the closet," Mason gestured around the living room.
"But Mary certainly knows where Sophia went."
"I must say that at first I'm not Mary and secondly, stop yelling, please. You'll wake my children."
CC puffed fiercely and pulled himself together.
"Mason, be kind and call your wife."
"Mary is not here," Mason sweetly smiled.
"Really? She ran away from you?" CC Capwell ironically asked.
"No, just accompanies my stepmother."
"Where?" His father could not help.
"I do not sure if I have the right to inform you. Since Sophia did not tell you where she was going so she would not want you to know."
"So you're keeping her secrets?" CC blinked. "Since when?"
"Legal ethics."
"She's not your client."
"Are you sure? Your wife tends telling you not the whole story."
"Come on, Mason. Where Sophia went? I want to know now!"
Mason looked at his father in silence, assessing how much CC upset. By the way, why he was?
"Sophia got a new lover?" Mason blurted out and enjoyed seeing how his father's face turned red.
"How you dare!"
"Spare me, father. I have Mary. Why would I want Sophia also?"
"Do you say where did they go or not?" the patriarch asked through his teeth. The smart ass just mocks him!
"May be," Mason threw the bait. "If you explain me why you want to see your and mine wives."
CC looked grimly at him.
"Sophia was too concerned recently. By the way, because you and your investigation."
"I'm glad you finally admitted she's my client."
CC glared him and Mason finally shrugged: "Sophia has been visiting her childhood home and invites Mary to accompany her. It's weird that she did not tell you about."
"Pittsburgh?"
"Yes, of course. I'm just going to there. By the way, I think if we'll take your plane it's would more fast and comfortable."
CC chuckled. "Dream, Mason."
"Not at all. You owe me, father."
CC muttered something under breath and then shrugged.
"Wonderful. Give me five minutes," Mason said.
"You have none of them, Mason."

Half an hour later they were sitting in the private plane of the patriarch.
CC Capwell got in deep with his papers. First Mason pretended to be asleep but then he really fell asleep.
CC turned away staring out the window to the endless clouds. He was angry. Sophia was not supposed to leave saying him nothing. What on Earth she did like this? And why she's so deep digging in the damned past. He remembered how long she had been preparing for the meeting with her father and then they met just the abandoned house. It's empty. Sophia was almost broken by the trip. And now it started again. Mason will pay if anything happens to her! He can not lose her again.
The patriarch shook his head and looked at his eldest son. Mason's asleep putting his hand under his body. He often slept in that position as a child, CC suddenly remembered for no reason. And even more out of place resurfaced memories of the day when Pamela nearly drowned Mason. CC's grinding his teeth and forced himself to get in the papers again.

They drove up to Wayne's house early in the morning. Mason turned off the engine and got out. The door of the house opened almost immediately, and Mary runs out to the garden. Seeing Mason she rushed to him, throwing her arms around him. Mason was too happy to hug her and kissed her lips thoughtfully.
"Hey!" He barely pulled away.
"Hey! Thank you for coming."
"I'd need to go with you from the very beginning as I offered," he looked at her knowingly.
"May be," Mary was forced to agree. "But I never could have imagined..."
"What exactly? You barely said when we're on the phone. Something wrong?" He glanced up at Sophia.
"We found evidence that Mary was here once, in our house," Sophia said. CC put his hands on her shoulders and she gave him a look of surprise.
"Is it true?" Mason looked up Mary.
"Yes. There is the drawing with my signature. I've been here, Mason. But I do not remember how and under what circumstances I did."

It didn't take much time to bring the men up to date.
"You do not remember anything?" Mason looked the old drawing over.
"Absolutely. Although I aware it was drawn by me, of course. And I remember that room."
"Let's go in."
They climbed up to the second floor and walked in the ill-fated room. Mary shivered involuntarily. Mason watched her. "Are you okay?"
"Yes..."
"You remembered something?" She shook her head. "But you're slightly uncomfortable here. What do you feel? A fear? Or you were happy here?"
"No, I was not. If I know one thing about this place, is that I was unhappy here. Very, very unhappy."
Mason squeezed her shoulder. "Let's go."
Mary did not object, and they went downstairs. Mary shook her head at Sophia's questioning glance and then she offered Mason: "Let's go for a walk."
"Of course."

Mason and Mary went out of the house, passed through the garden and went down to the lake. They sat down on the hillside just above the glassy surface of the lake.
"It's good to have you here," Mary pressed her head against Mason's shoulder. Smiling he stroked her shoulder and touched her hair. But then his face darkened.
"I really do not want to upset you but I need to ask. Don't you think that someone held you against your in this house?"
Mary pulled away and looked at him in amazement.
"Of course, I do not."
"Are you sure? After all you're already experienced at least one kidnapping."
"Of course, I'm sure. In addition, it's case was happened in California when I was saved by Uncle Larry."
"You do not know this."
"I know. Mason, your thoughts are going in the wrong direction. What I remember about this room... what I felt... there, it was..." She hesitated, searching for right words. "It was my grief, Mason. Do not my fear, not my willing to run away."
Mason turned his thoughtful look to the house barely visible in the distance.
"Yeah, it's the puzzle of the century," he drawled. "How you feel, how old were you when you drew this picture?
"I do not sure... probably elementary school age."
"Did you like leopards?"
"I actually hated them. I can not even start to think why it occurred to me to portray one."
Mason watched over the lake and suddenly looked around.
"Did you hear?"
"What?" Mary looked back.
"A cry. Woman's screaming."
He quickly got to his feet and looked around. But there was not no a soul.
"I guess that you just thought that you're hear it." Mary scrambled to his feet too. "Let's go home."
Mason did not protest even he still thought deep down that there was really a cry. And just for a moment all around was darkened as if a storm was close. But now the sky shone unbearably blue without a single cloud. "I hope I'm not losing my mind," Mason thought walking the path beside Mary.
They came back... just in time to catch the kissing of Sophia and CC. At the sound of footsteps they jumped back from each other like thieves in the act.
"Sorry for interrupting." Mason's voice was full of irony. "However, you can continue. We do not mind. Right, Mary?"
Mary covered Mason's mouth with her palm, but he moved his lips to her cheek and kissed her, too.
"Stop it! Mason!"
Red as a lobster Mary pushed kissing Mason away and then dared to glance at the elder couple. Sophia smiled and the frankly mock smile played on CC's lips
Sophia finally took pity on Mary. "Look like all of us could use some coffee. Mary, you won't help me in the kitchen?"
"Of course," relieved Mary went with her.
CC stopped smiling and looked grimly at Mason. "So Mary did not remember anything?"
"No," Mason said shortly and after a glance toward the kitchen he unwittingly added: "And I do not like it. Really not like it."
Chapter 158 - The Lake House - Part 2

"I think it's time for all of us to go back to Santa Barbara," CC said, sipping coffee. "All searches are deadlocked."
Sophia said nothing and looked at Mary.
"I'll stay if you want me to," Mary said firmly.
"Mary, you are not obliged," the patriarch said. "We have no right to risk your peace of mind."
"My mind is alright, CC. Beside I want to find out it too."
"If you don't remember your stay in this house it may means that the memories are too heavy for you," Mason said quietly but gravely.
"I am sure it's not that. But in any case I want to know the truth," Mary insisted. 
"And I do," Sophia supported her. "I feel like it's my last chance."
"Yes, I feel the same," Mary said. "I need to know. I have that right."
She and Sophia gave equally implacable looks at the men. CC sighed. Mason shrugged his shoulders and then nodded. "So we must act," he said reluctantly.
"And how?" CC looked at him ironically. "Do you have a plan?"
"I think we need to inspect the house in details. May be we would find something interesting."
"You do not mind, Sophia?" Mary asked.
"Of course, I'm all for it. Although I even cannot imagine what you're suppose to find, Mason."
"We find it, we see it, Sophia," Mason responded, and four of them started to act.

And after a couple of hours of the searching they have met with some success.
"I think I found something," Mason appeared in the living room doorway having in his hand the bundle of old magazines.
"What exactly?" Mary looked up from bookshelves, and then she came to Mason.
"Look," He pointed to the top magazine. "The issue of 1969. It's released after Sophia visited here."
Mary picked up the magazine, flipped through it slowly. Then she turned it over and frozen. "Mason! It's our address!"
"Where?" Mason looked over her shoulder and saw the mailing label with the familiar address of Ventura on the back of the magazine. "Actually it is," he surprised.
"You found something?" he heard Sophia's voice. She stood in the doorway.
"Yes, I found..." Mason began, but at that moment the magazine slipped out from Mary's hands. She became very pale and then quickly looked around the living room as if she had seen it at first time.
"Mary? What's wrong?" Mason squeezed her hand and felt her flinch.
"Mary!" Sophia ran to her. "Are you alright?
"Y-yes, it's okay. I just... I'm not expected this."
Mary's reeling from the shock and feeling dizzy, her knees weak. Mason led her to the couch and gave some water.
"Feeling better?" Sophia looked into Mary's face. "God if I had known I'll never..."
"Do not worry, I'm fine." Mary took a deep breath. Her color slowly returned to normal. "I'm sorry to scare you. I'm alright," she straightened up and smiled weakly. "It's just a surprise."
"Do you remember now?" Mason asked.
"Yes. But it was not like... actually I never forgot it. Just never connected it in my memory with that place. I still do not believe."
"Can you tell us? Or it's too private thing?" Sophia asked.
"Yes, I can. I'm only afraid it's not quite what you expect..." Mary recovered from the shock, alternately looked at both of them and then at CC who just came here. "No any terrible secrets, abductions or something like that."
"It's even the better," Mason said. He sat down next to Mary and put his arm around her waist. "We're listening to you."
"Yes, we do." CC suddenly backed him. "Tell us if you can, Mary."
"Who brought you here then?" Sophia asked. "Your father?"
"No, it's happened already after his death. My mother brought me. If I may say so."
"If you may say so?" Mason raised his eyebrow.
"Yes. It's undercover in some way."
"From California?" Mason amazed.
"Yeah," Mary blushed slightly. "But I better start from the very beginning. I remember that I was terrified. Mom announced that she had to leave and I and Christy must remain under the supervision of our old neighbor. I begged her not leave us but she kept to say that she will be back soon but she's must go because it's very important for her. And I... I somehow decided that she wants to meet with my dad. I thought that he was alive but just can not return for a reason."
"Oh," escaped from Sophia. "Poor thing."
Mary vaguely shook her head and continued. "I asked mom to take me with her but she refused. I remember how she already sat behind the wheel but then she remembered something and went back into the house. And I saw this magazine in her car," Mary nodded to the old magazine on the floor. "Dad was looking forward it, seems he waited to read some interview but he did not live up to. I thought my mother wanted to take it to dad so I quietly climbed into the back seat of her car."
Mason whistled. "I had no idea that you're able to make stunts like this when you were a child."
"My mother had no such idea too therefore she's not checked her car before leaving. And when she finally found me it's too late. She had to take me with her... I remember we drove for a long time and ended up at a house.
"That?" Mason asked.
"Yes. Although it was saved in my memory not like that... May be the house became older now or it's my disappointment that I could not see my father again. Back them we were met by the man - perhaps he's Mr. Wayne, although I almost do not remember his face. And he was not happy to see us. I remember they almost immediately started to fight; my mother yelling at him and then she began to cry. She was not crying since dad's funeral... We spent here a few days and then drove home. And most of my time here I spent in the room on the second floor," she showed by her head toward the stairs. "And yes, I was drawing pictures just to keep myself busy. I was trying to learn to live with the idea that I never see my father again. In those days I really believed in his death and had no doubts anymore."
"Yes, I would assume a lot thing but nothing like this," Sophia said. "Your mother and my father! I just can not believe..."
Mary suddenly realized what Sophia's thinking.
"Oh, no-no, they had not the affair."
"Are you sure?" Mason asked softly. "You were a child."
"I absolutely sure. I did then, I do now. Although I cannot imagine how they were connected."
"Perhaps my parent's photo got in your family album by that way," Sophia said. "No, wait. Mary, I remember you're asked your mother about the photo. And Theda said that she does not remember how it got in your family album."
"I believe that it's already evident now," Mason said. "Theda Duvall lied for some reason."
"Perhaps," Mary was forced to accept. "Frankly I understand now even less than before."
"No, some things became clearer," Mason said. "Do you remember what your mother was talking to Mr. Wayne?"
"No... Just an adult conversation. I think mom had accused him for something..." Mary broke off. "The reel-to-reel player!"
"They had listened music, are they?" Sophia was surprised.
"No! But I may be recorded their conversation on the reel!"
"Recorded?!"
"Yes!" Mary excitedly straightened up. "I was bored, and I was hanging around the house while my mother and Mr. Wayne had argued, not paying attention to me. There was the large reel-to-reel recorder. I quietly sneaked to it and began to press buttons. I remember that I was able to make the reels spin but without any sound. Later I was trying to turn on it again but reels just very quickly spin and then stopped. I was afraid that I broke it somehow and did not dare to touch anymore."
"We must find it!" Sophia jumped to her feet. "If there is even any the smallest chance of finding the record..."
"Yes, we need to continue the search," Mason said. "Although we still no idea if there's any recording made or even if it did, it could be erased later."
"We must try!"
But even when they searched almost the entire house, they found out nothing.
"Perhaps Mr. Wayne placed it in the trash," Mason said after dinner when they gathered in the living room in the evening. "Notice, we're found no reels."
"Yeah, maybe," Sophia said sadly.
"I think there's nothing we could have done now," CC Capwell summed up. "Let's go to Santa Barbara so you can ask your questions to Mrs. Duvall."
"If she agrees to answer," Mason said. "Something tells me she has reasons to disown the photo. Perhaps she has something to hide."
"I think we should stay here for one day more," Mary said. "Maybe I can remember something in the morning."
Sophia looked at her gratefully. The men reluctantly agreed to stay for another day. Mason offered Mary to spend the night in the hotel but she refused. "I'm not afraid of the house, Mason. Beside I hope that my staying here would stir my memory."
"Fine," Mason conceded, although deep down he would prefer to take a hotel's room. Any other place is better then this house and nearby the silvery lake. Unlike Mary's feeling, he was tormented by unpleasant foreboding.
Chapter 158 - The Lake House - Part 3

The night was quiet and peaceful but Mary somehow woke up and realized that she was alone in bed.
"Mason?" She called softly. But there was no answer.
After waiting a few minutes she got up, put her robe on and went to the door when suddenly her peripheral vision caught something though the window. She quickly looked out the empty garden. In the distance a surface of the lake glisten like silver... and was just kind of bumpy. It took her nearly half a minute to realize what is she sees, and the fear took her breath away.
She rushed downstairs, nearly thumbing down, barely managed to hold on the railing. Only one thought keeps flashing in her mind - hurry!
Mary ran out of the garden and rush down the lake, shouting Mason's name. But he apparently not heard her and keeps slowly walks into the water.
"No! Mason!" Mary flew into the lake's ice water and clutched his pajama jacket with both hands. "Don't!"
Mason almost fell down and confused looked at Mary. Then he looked around and finally looked down the water where he was knee-deep. Where Mary was the same.
"Mason, do you hear me?" Mary yanked him. "Don't dare!"
"W-what "don't dare"?" Mason sounded absolutely uncomprehendingly so Mary felt some relief. "What's going on?"
"That is precisely I wanted to ask you." Mason looked up him. "I woke up, and you were not here. And then I accidentally saw you here. You had entered into the lake as if you wanted..." Her voice was broken.
"So you thought that I'd going to commit suicide?" Mason shook his head, finally starting to put all together. "God, no! It not even occurred to me..."
"Then why you came here... and why you did not answer when I called you?"
"Let's go out, no point to be cold here," instead of answering Mason said and led Mary to the shore.
"Mason, are you alright?" Sophia ran to them and hugged him. CC Capwell briskly followed her. "How are you?"
"I'm fine." Mason stepped awkwardly and pulled Mary closer. "You're shivering."
"It's more from fear than from cold," Mary pressed her face to his chest for a moment. "Do you remember how you got here? Why did you come here?"
Mason looked away.
"Mason..." Mary tugged his sleeve. "Were you already sleepwalking anytime earlier?"
"Do you think I'm a lunatic?" Mason smiled. "No, I never did."
"Apart your childhood," suddenly they heard CC Capwell's voice.
"What?" Mason was astonished. "It's ridiculous."
"I'm surprise that you do not remember this. Though you were quite a little boy back there."
"Me? Sleepwalking? God, I hope it will not be leaked to the press. Just imagine these juicy headlines: "The famous lawyer solves his best cases in a dream!", "Be careful not wake Mason Capwell at the courtroom!"
"Mason, stop it, this' not funny," Mary protested. "Let's go in the house, you need to keep warm. You chilled to the bone."

* * *

A quarter of an hour later they all were sitting in the living room and drinking a hot grog.
"Mason, so what happened to you?" Sophia finally broke the silence. "Do you remember how you're ended up in the lake?"
Mason did not answer. He sat on the couch, staring glumly at the floor.
"I think it's time to turn to professionals," CC Capwell snapped.
Mason looked up sharply and Mary caught a glimpse of pure horror in his eye. However, in a next second the mask's back in place.
"Do you think I'm crazy?" he asked his father with a mirthless laugh.
"Hopefully you're not, but I'm not going to risk anymore."
"CC!" Sophia was outraged. "What are you talking about!?"
"I talk about the fact that my son just nearly killed himself!"
"I was not going to kill myself!"
"Yeas, of course! You just decided to take a swim in your new pajamas tonight!"
"CC, stop it now! Mason, would you like to explain, please?" Sophia asked.
"Why? What is the point? I've already declared crazy! "Anything you say can be used against you." No, thanks."
"Mason, don't." Mary took his hand, and then frowned. "I remember you had a weird episode yesterday. You thought that you heard a woman's screaming."
Mason glared at her and pulled his hand out of her hands.
"You are in this with them too? Do you think I had hallucinations?"
"No, I do not think this," Mary shook her head. "But there's clearly something about you just now. What it is, Mason? What you saw today?"
"I do not sure," Mason admitted after a long pause. He got up, walked across the room and then leaned against the doorjamb. "But I'm sure that I'm sane."
"What. You. Saw."
"I saw that the sky went black like during a thunderstorm. I heard a woman's scream. Or I thought that I did."
"It was yesterday," Mary stood up and walked over to him, took his fingers. "But today?"
Mason shrugged, then moved his eyes to his father and frowned. Sophia talks to CC very quietly. CC kept silent grimly.
"I do not remember how I woke up," Mason said reluctantly. "Probably I was awakened by a sound or something like that. And then I heard it again."
"What exactly?" Sophia asked intensely.
"The female scream. It sounded like yesterday but louder, more hysterical. Like someone called for help. I followed the scream... it came from the lake. As I approached as screams become even louder and... Then I barely remember something. I followed the screaming... almost like under hypnosis. Then Mary grabbed my back and I just woke up. The end of story."
"CC..." Sophia's voice sounded clearly angry.
"Not now!" patriarch growled.
"Now! Tell him or I will! For God's sake, CC! You just can not leave it as it is! It's so cruel!"
Mason suddenly narrowed his eyes.
"What it does mean? What, did I miss something? Sophia?" He turned to her. "Care to explain what is going on here?"
"You do not dare!" CC roared. "You have no right!"
"YOU have no right to do this with your own son! Mason," Sophia looked at him. "I know that you are not insane. This is not a mental illness or hallucinations."
"So what is then?" Mason cannot help but felt relieved. No matter how he tried to hide it but these "episodes" greatly undermined his confidence in health of his own mind.
There was a tense pause. Sophia looked expectantly at CC Capwell whose eyes darted flashes of anger. Then something felt like broken, and Sophia sighed bitterly.
"You're making me to do it myself, CC," she moved her eyes to Mason's face. "It's not delirium, it's your memories. Being a little boy you witnessed... one... unpleasant scene. There was the midnight, the lake and woman's screaming. The staying in my house probably reminded you about the event. I'm sorry, Mason. I'm truly sorry."
"You don't need to blame yourself," he said absently, trying somehow to put together his running thoughts. So if it's just memories, then why all the fuss? Why his father did not want him to know about it? And he made it clear that he thought about Mason as about an insane person. Yes, and how Sophia found out all of this? The answer came like cold water.
"Mason?" Mary felt the large tremor shook Mason from head to foot. "Are you cold?"
"No, I'm not. Father, she was my mother? She was Pamela?" Pronouncing the name made like a dam burst. Suddenly Mason was plunged into a host of memories. Cold, fear, confusion. And Mom, Mommy who almost disappears in dark waters and calls him to come. He terrified but he comes closer, hoping that may be now they would come home where quiet and dry, where the clock strikes and curtains' flapping in a familiar way. But Mom painfully pressing his ribs and pulls into black icy waters. No...
"Mason!" The strong jerk tore him from a horror of black waters. "Snap out of it!"
Mason gasped as surfacing to the surface. He was not there, he doesn't drowning, and nobody pulls him into waters...
"She wanted to drown me." He said blankly. "She... she called me to come into..."
"Mason, it happened a long time ago," Sophia somehow was here. "And this is not your mother's guilt, she was very ill."
Mason flinched. Suddenly the last piece of the puzzle fell in place, and he finally saw the whole picture.
"That's why..." He muttered in disbelief and looked up his father. "That's why you think that I'm crazy. My mother was mentally ill. And you thought that I'm too."
"What else could I think?" Strangely enough CC Capwell looked almost apologetic. "You did almost the same thing that she did back then."
Mason shook his head. It was too much for him. His Mom! His own mother wanted to get rid of him even when he was a little boy. He realized that Mary clung to him, pressing her whole body to his one as if trying to take away his pain and shock.
"I think we're all better off for our beds." He abruptly pushed himself away from the doorjamb and headed to the stairs. Mary followed him step for step. Although she doubted she could sleep now. The horror of the story's still presents in her mind, all her attempts to convince herself that it was just a disease of Mason's mother did fail.
"Sophia..." CC started but Sophia holds her hand up.
"Not now. I'm going to bed."
CC Capwell followed her with his eyes for a long moment. He hated to admit even to himself but Sophia was right today. A thousand times. And he just succumbed to the fear which suddenly arisen from the depths of his heart that his oldest son followed his mother's insane condition. CC always afraid of this. Always. Because he's not sure if he able to go though a nightmare of changing personality like he did with his first wife. The same thing could happen to Mason. But it did not. Thank God, there was absolutely nothing. Just Mason's old memories...
Chapter 158 - The Lake House - Part 4

They had the breakfast in the uncomfortable silence. Night's events are still lurking around the house.
Mary had wandered from room to room, trying to focus on searching for the reel player - anything, just not to think about Pamela. Any thought about this woman make Mary feel a cold fury. But she could not show it. She cannot add an unnecessary pain to Mason.
Mason was sitting on the sofa and stared down the floor. He still could not realize completely the ugly truth. The woman who he loved in spite of her long absence and finding his replacement in the form of the youngest brother... the woman who he's waited for half his life and as much longed for her love... it turned out that he was the thing which she did not need. From the very beginning. Ever since they still had a normal life. She wanted to get rid of him... to drown like a kitten to get him out of her way. If he really was so much of demon?
"How long have you known about?" He raised his head and looked up Sophia who was sitting in the chair nearby.
"A couple of months."
"And you did not tell me?"
"Of course, I did not."  Surprised Sophia looked in his eye. "What for? Beside, CC said that you remember nothing about it."
"You felt sorry for me?" He gave a crooked, mirthless smile.
"Of course. Like for any of my children. I was not going say even now but..."
"Yes, I can see. I see. And even more... But memories of that day made me wonder how I'd manage survived after all?"
"Do you not remember?" Sophia suddenly frowned. "CC saved you."
"Father?" Mason surprised. "No, I do not remember this."
"No, Mason. You saved yourself," suddenly they heard a soft voice of CC Capwell.
"What are you mean?" Mason looked up him.
The patriarch was standing near the door, his head was slightly bowed.
"Back then you heard my voice and managed to escape from her. I just got you out of the water near the shore. I'm afraid," CC cleared his throat. "I'm afraid that otherwise I would not have had time to..."
Mason's thoughts swirled in a whirlwind. He strained his mind and the memories came though they were not so clear as previous about his mother. He felt waters hampered his movement, a wild relief when the pressing of slippery hands' was ceased, a bright light of moon, a cold spray of lake waters... and then someone's warm hands and stunning sense of safety.
Mason pressed his trembling lips together, then stood up and walked to the window.
"Thank you," he managed without turning around. "I do not..."
At that moment he felt someone's hands upon him... they were not Mary's but who's once pulled him from the icy waters of lake. Now he just cannot help and quickly turning, embraced his father, pressed his face against father's shoulder. Like he did then. And like that time... he felt a trembling of his father's hands.
A few minutes later Mason slowly pulled away and wiped his eyes with his palm. Then almost forcing himself he looked up his father. CC's face was clearly shocking; his cheeks had traces of tears. Mason looked away because it was too much for him. He looked around and saw that Mary and Sophia who were smiling at them.
"I hope that the incident will remain within these walls," Mason said hoarsely.
"Of course," Sophia said immediately.
But Mary was somehow silent, staring into space.
"Mary?" Mason called. "Do you promise?"
"What?" She raised her head. "Oh I do, sure. Although I am very glad that..." She suddenly broke off and starts to walk to the opposite wall where the wardrobe was.
Mason somehow thought that she does not see where she's walking, and he rushed to her, fearing that she would hit the wall. But Mary stopped just in front of the wardrobe, abruptly squatting and shoved both hands into the bottom shelf. There was a quiet rasp and suddenly the middle part of the wardrobe moved aside.
"Mason, help me!"
Mason jumped up, helped Mary to push it aside completely and stared inside. They all stared. Behind the moved part of the wardrobe was a niche where was the large reel recorder and a stack of reels.
"Oh, my God..." escaped from Sophia. "I completely forgot about this niche..."
"I really did remember after all! I knew that something was missing here..."
"And how did you get it?" Mason pulled her to him and embraced.
"You said "walls"," Mary giggled. "And I remembered my childhood feeling that it was not a wardrobe, but a hole in the wall."
"I guess we need to turn the player on," Sophia hesitantly said.
"I think, yes." Mason said, gently pulling the recorder out of the wall niche. "I hope it's in working condition."
Minutes felt like hours until Mason gently unwinding all the cables and connecting them. Then he pressed a few buttons, and they all held their breath. Reels become spun, music starts.
"We can not be sure that it's that reel," Sophia said after a while. The familiar music painfully had echoed in her mind.
"We can not," Mason agreed. "Yet, it is the most likely version."
He started to click buttons, gradually fast-forwarding. By Mary's memories if the useful record was here, it was recorded nearly at the end of the reel. Suddenly instead of a new track of music they heard some human voices. Sophia gasped and leaned forward.
"Dad! I recognize his voice!"
Mason quickly rewind and turned it on. Again the music started... but after a couple of minutes it ended abruptly and gruff male voice filled the room.
"... No!" The man growled. "You know perfectly well that it is not my fault!"
"You could call me! You could send a letter! You could do anything, even if send a message by carrier pigeon!"
Mary flinched at the sound of her mother's voice. She cannot help but looked at Sophia. The older woman's eyes are wide open.
"Don't you think I could wish it?" The male hoarse voice asked. "For God's sake, do you think it's easy for ME? But I could not risk! How many times I have to repeat it! Someone could follow me...  even the slightest hint of..."
"I aware," The female voice sounded softly but clearly. "I just still can not believe... that she's gone. I was hoping that I will be able to see her one day. I barely remember her face..."
Mary and Sophia looked at each other. Mason frowned, trying to figure out who can be mentioned "she". CC stared at the wife, afraid that she's going to have a breakdown. Damn these stupid secrets of the past!
"We're in the same boat." The sad chuckle. "I barely remember Ken. And never see him again. But it ever occur to you inform me about his death? So how you dare accuse me! (Pause) Though I'm glad that you brought your older daughter here. She has her father's eyes."
"Alas, it's not me who you have to thank. My tomboy just hid in my car. God knows why she decided that Kenny is alive, and I'll bring her to him."
"Ah, that's why she was crying. I thought she was upset about some toy. I had not seen you're comforting her though."
Mary cannot help but cringed, squirming on the seat. Everybody's eyes turned to her, she felt it.
"Do not dare judge me, Bernie. You know nothing about my daughter. You do not know what she needs. And I know her."
"So go to her, damn it! Go and hug your little girl! For God's sake, how would I wish to be able to do the same!"
The pause.
"I barely remember Phia. How did it happen?"
"The yacht accident. The last summer."
"Kenny's gone last fall. Why they leave us?"
"I have no answer. Go to Mary, Teddy. Go and embrace her. For yourself, for Kenny, for me..."
"You can hug her yourself now... because..."
The conversation went dead with the loud click. Reels start to spin in the opposite direction.
"Wow, that's a record," Mason said in stunned silence and shook his head. He looked up Mary and got a sick feeling in his stomach.
Mary was sitting in the chair, rocking back and forth, hugging herself.
Mason quickly went and squatted in front of her, gently took her hand. Mary stopped abruptly and raised her face. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Come here," Mason slowly pulls her to him, then knelt down and hugged her head. "Everything will be fine... It's been a long time ago."
Mary embraced him with both hands, slipping from her seat to the floor and pressed her face to his shoulder. Mason's just barely rocking her, trying to comfort but his insides are flipping when he had listen her soundless sobs. He had never seen her like this. Even when Mary had remembered her old kidnapping, even when she had pulled him from the water of the lake last night...
"We'll leave!" CC Capwell's quiet but angry voice blew the silence. "Immediately."
Mason felt Mary's whole body shuddered and clenched his teeth.
"Yes, of course," Sophia immediately said. "Mason... Mary, can you walk?"
Mary looked up and nodded uncertainly. Mason helped her up and led her out to the car. Oddly enough but the movement helped Mary to get over it a bit. And she even was able to convince Mason that she can to stay alone while they're packing things.
However, when they were about to drive away, Mary suddenly got out of the car and walked towards the house.
"Where are you going?" Mason caught her arm.
"Let's me go! I had to return... say goodbye."
"No!" Mason wanted to follow her but Mary pulled away and ran to the house.
Mason froze, not be sure whether to go after Mary or not.
"Go after her."
Mason looked up Sophia.
"Go, she needs you."
And Mason run in the house and upstairs to the second floor. He found out Mary in the same room that the story was started. Mason saw that she took a few steps and then stopped. Then she turned and did the same again. It seemed that she had not even noticed that she's not alone anymore.
"She's wrong," her soft whisper suddenly came to Mason.
"What?" Mason strugglingly released his grip on the doorjamb and stepped toward her.
"My mother's wrong." Mary looked up again; her face was wet with tears. "Comfort is always necessary."
Mason felt like the big weight lifted from of his heart.
"You can always count on it," he promised and reached out. "Come here."
Mason thought that she may start to crying again but Mary's just clung to his chest. Silently. No tears and sobs. She seemed enjoy to being in his arms.
He did not aware how long they were stayed like this, probable a few minutes only. Then Mary slowly pulled away and looked up him.
"I'm sorry, I scared you."
"Scared" is not the word," he cupped her face. "Come on. Leave this house and its secrets to the past. I hope that we never go back here," escaped from Mason.
Mary was silent all the way to the car but when they are set off, she said: "No, I hope I'll visit here one day."
"Over my dead body," Mason growled.
Chapter 159 - Duvall Family's Secrets

Their flight to Santa Barbara was calm and quiet. Mary's sleeping on Mason's shoulder, Sophia was deep in her thoughts, and CC Capwell was with his head in the business papers, angrily correcting these.
The pilot warned that they're going to land, and Mason gently shakes Mary to wake up. She rubbed her cheeks by her palms and stretching.
"Feeling better?" Sophia leaned toward her. "Look, I'm very, very sorry about it happened."
Mary shook her head.
"It's fine. And I should be the one apologizing. I'm sorry that my memories turned out to be useless for you," she bit her lip guiltily.
"So you shouldn't be," Mason put his arm around her shoulders again. "You've been very helpful".
"You gave me an invaluable gift, Mary," Sophia said quietly. "You found out (and recorded earlier) the voice of my father... You have no idea how much this means to me."
"Well, it had at least some benefits," Mary smiled faintly, and they fell silent again.
After jet's landing CC drove to his office, and Mary, Mason and Sophia drove to Theda Duvall's house, just stopping by Mason and Mary's place to make sure that the children are okay.

Mary opened the door with her own key and went into her childhood home. Theda was sitting on the couch in the living room and watching some black-and-white Hitchcock horror. She turned her head to the sound of footsteps.
"Mary! How good to have you back! Your sister's wedding requires so many preparations..." Theda suddenly stopped seeing more two guests who's following Mary. "Something happened? Is something wrong with the children?"
"No, no, Mom. The children are all right. But we need to talk to you."
"About what?" Her mother's face seems genuine surprised. "About Christy's wedding?"
"No. About it." Mary looked at Mason who squatting on the arm of the couch and Sophia who standing nearby, and then pulled out Sophia's family photograph and handed it to Theda.
Theda Duvall's face briefly flashed with a strange expression - a mixture of pain, frustration and guilt - and then it immediately replaced by the expression of some confusion.
"Honey, I've already said you I do not..."
"Don't, Mom! I know that you're lying!"
Theda angry blushed.
"How dare you! I'll never..."
"Stop," Mason suddenly interrupted them. "Theda, this is really important case. We must know the truth."
"What for?" Mary's mother stared up him.
"For me," Sophia said quietly but firmly. "Please, tell me! This is very important!"
Theda stared at her in amazement.
"But what do you care about that old photo?"
"It's me and my parents on it," Sophia said simply.
"It's ridiculous..." Theda started but then stopped. "It's impossible," she said after a pause.
"These are my parents!" Sophia cannot help but raised her voice. "For God's sake, I have an entire album of their photos. And I have exactly the same among them!"
Theda's face turned hard and Mary cannot help but groaned. She knew that expression. Appearing it on the face of her mother meant that it's useless for anyone to demand, beg and plead her.
Mason glanced at her and then focused on his mother-in. But before he could say something Sophia interrupted.
"Theda, I do not know what makes you hide the truth, but believe me, this is really the picture of my family. These are Elizabeth and Bernard Wayne. My parents."
Theda turned pale and closed her eyes for a moment. She pressed her fingers on her mouth.
"It's not... but... Phia, she's died."
The short name did bombshell. Except the person who said it, all of them just felt that they're back into the house near the lake.
Sophia came to her senses first.
"I was presumed dead... but I was able to return to my family. Theda, do you believe me now? You're already heard these names earlier, were you?"
Theda Duvall looked at Sophia as if she's saw her for the first time in her life.
"Mom." Mary took her hand. "Explain us. Please..."
"What exactly?" Theda asked some toneless. "You already aware who they are. But... God, the daughter of Bernie and..."
"How do you know my father? How this photo did hit your album?" Sophia's voice sounded strained. It seemed to her that the conversation has been going on for ages. Like running in the place.
"We'd better have some tea." Theda's face suddenly softened. "These questions are not as easy as you think."
By the time when the four cups filled with tea, it seemed the tension in the room reached its peak.
"What ties our families?" Sophia finally asked.
"Kinship", Theda Duvall simply said.
Mary softly gasped and grabbed Mason's hand without looking up.
"What kind of?" The latter quietly asked and quickly looked up his stunned stepmother.
Theda picked up the picture from the table.
"Bernie gave me it... He did not have another and gave the picture he used to carry. He knew that I'm..." Theda suddenly bucked up. "I just say stupid things. Mason, you asked me something?"
"I asked what kind of relationship is between your and Sophia's families."
"My mother and mother of... Sophia were the sisters. My mother died young so Aunt Lizzie practically raised me. Until something's happened."
"So... you and me are cousins? First cousins?" Sophia slowly asked trying to understand these words.
"What exactly was happened?" Mason asked. "What's required of such secrecy?"
"The brutal murder", Theda Duvall sighed. "The whole family was killed... the close friends of Aunt Lizzie and Uncle Bernie. And they suddenly got in danger because they knew these people. I was a girl back then and do not know the details. I just know that the case was connected to some secret plans or military developments... Aunt Lizzie and Uncle Bernie had to leave for ever. To change of their identities as you say. The government helped them. Unofficially, of course. At least they did this... but for me it meant that I would never see Aunt Lizzie, Uncle Bernie and my cousin. That's all."
"But now so many years passed since then. Mom, why you ever never told us?" Mary clenched and unclenched her fingers. "And why you did not tell the truth when I showed this picture to you?"
"Sweetie, you just showed me the photo and asked who is on it. I did not want to be questioned by you. I would able to tell you nothing."
"But why?" Mason frowned. "Those people and any military development surely are no longer relevant."
Theda shook her head.
"I am not qualified in this field. But I know that the danger is still exists."
"What makes you think so?"
"I have reasons, Mason. Once Bernie almost paid with his life when I succumbed to my emotions and ventured to visit him. Back then I also had told to myself that everything's over."
"Do you mean the journey when I ride with you?" Mary asked.
"If by "ride with me" you mean "hiding in the back seat without my knowledge" so my answer is yes." Theda pursed her lips. "And how did you even get to that!"
"Dad would have understood me!" Mary snapped.
"As usual", Theda agreed with tired voice. "You always have been idolized your father. And let's be honest, you inherited a lot of him".
"It's a compliment for me, Mom. Though you did not mean it."
"Theda, you said that you never met with your Aunt and Uncle again", Mason interrupted them, partly wanting to stop the hard talk between the mother and the daughter, and partly to return to the first case that led all of them to the house of Duvall family. "But you're aware where you can find them, right?"
"Yes, I had the address and the telephone number. But that's all".
"And you never wrote letters? No phone calls?"
"Of course, I did not. The possibility of communicating was remained for some extreme situations only: if we were in need to warn of the danger. Although I hoped if something would wrong with anyone of them I'll be informed too. A waste hope".
"Why?" Mason asked.
"Because during my last and only visit to Bernie I learned that Aunt Lizzie dead a long time ago. As well as my cousin", Theda gave a strange look to Sophia. "So this is all you wanted to know?"
"No." Sophia took a deep breath. "I have a lot more questions but first I want to know where the grave of my father is. Do you know where he was buried?"
"The grave?"  Surprised Theda Duvall slowly asked. "What's a grave? What are you speaking about? Bernie... Uncle Bernie is quite alive and well. At least he was last week."
Chapter 160 - Wayne Family's Secrets

"Alive?" Sophia could not believe her ears. "Are you sure? Where is he?"
"In a safe place where no one would look for him. But what made you think that he's dead? Who told you that?"
"Nobody." Sophia shook her head, feeling painful flares of hope building up into her inside. "I just thought so because I found out that our house was empty for many years. I tried to looking for my father. Even hired the private detective, but no use. My father just disappeared. I thought he would have been tried to contact me if he was alive."
"He thought you were dead", Theda said. "In fact I guess that he thinks this even now."
"Unlikely," Mason said. "If he's aware that Sophia was presumed dead so he was aware that she's married to my father. And he hardly could miss her triumphant return. This blew all media. Unless, of course, he does not live in such a remote place where are no television, radio and newspapers".
Theda just looked at him, without confirming or denying his words.
"Mom, did you see Mr. Wayne? Did you meet him?" Mary suddenly asked.
"I did. One week ago."
There's silence for a moment.
"How often do you meet?" Mason asked.
"Seldom. Although seems more often than he's approved this. But I'm...  but being alone makes him feel sad."
"Are you aware that a man came to Capwell's house posing himself as Mr. Wayne around the same year when you visited Wayne's house?"
"No, I'm don't but I'm not surprised", Theda shivered. "As I already said, my mistake almost cost Bernie's life. And your life too, Phia."
"Why do they want me?" Sophia asked, barely reacted to her short name. It sounded strange, but oddly enough felt acceptable.
"To get Bernie. What else?"
"But I do not know... and never did where he is."
"That would not stop them".
"Mom, how you would put Mr. Wayne in the danger?" Mary asked intensely, putting her palms together. Mason embraced her shoulders with his hand.
"I lead them to him. Somehow. I do not know how I did. But they were able to find him after my visit."
"How do you aware?"
"Bernie told me later when we became to communicate again. They tried to kill him four times before he was able to ensure his security. And it's my entire fault," Theda sighed.
"I do not think so," Mason shook his head. "If you really brought them to Mr. Wayne so they would get to know about you and had the constant surveillance after you. You would not able to hide, let alone have secret meetings with the person who they'd look for."
"I do not know who they followed. Hardly it's me otherwise they really would not leave me alone. But maybe they bugged the house or something."
"Do you think that they're aware about his house?" Mason wondered.
"The house was empty when I came here to look for my father." Sophia said. "I thought that he's not lived there for long ago."
"Indeed, he did not. He left out just after your departure", Theda said.
"But he was there when we arrived," Mary was surprised.
"A happy coincidence," Theda sighed. "He missed his family and returned home for several times. I accidentally found him here. As it turned out we had great chances to face the closed door."
"Why did not you call him?"
"I did not want to risk anymore."
"No, it doesn't make sense," Mason said. "Sophia redrafted the house to herself. It even could lead these people to our family."
"May be it did but too late. Phia was presumed dead so Capwells were nothing to them. I do not know, Mason. But there is clearly a link between Phia's being and attacks on Bernie."
"I was declared alive for a few years ago but nobody tried to kill me".
"Probably it's because the newspapers wrote about your amnesia, remember?" Sophia looked up Mason. He added: "Or may be whatever a danger no longer exists. That journey was more than twenty years ago."
"Anyway I have to see my father," Sophia pressed her lips together. "Give me his address, Theda. I have to see him."
"No," Theda replied shortly.
Sophia turned pale.
"Do you want to kill yourself and him? They knew about you and probably watching you over now."
"Our family has money and connections. I am able to protect my father."
"Willing to risk, Phia? Do you want to see his grave as soon as possible?"
"Enough!" Mason caught Sophia's hand. "Come on, ladies, calm down."
"I have to see him, Mason! I thought he's dead."
"I know", Mason's voice sounded somehow soothing. "Theda, I offer the compromise deal. Sophia goes to meet her father being dressed and posing as you. This way gives the properly protection for Mr. Wayne and allow Sophia to see him."
Theda was silent.
"Mom, maybe it's their only chance. Would you miss the opportunity to see my dad again?"
"Your father is dead, Mary, but Bernie is alive and not going to die. The last thing he is need now is the visit of his daughter who want to say goodbye. I really can't... I do reproach myself for my past weakness for many years."
"Then maybe you let Mr. Wayne to decide?"
A hush fall over the room.
"I know that he would say", Theda said wearily after a pause. "He's even trying to keep me away. He'll say "no". But we need to talk, Phia. Alone."
"Are you sure? I do not want anybody get hurt." Mason looked at both of them.
"We are adults," Sophia said, somehow calmed down suddenly. "And I assure you that we'll talk in a civilized way. Thank you, Mason." She smiled faintly. "Take Mary home, please?"
"I can stay..." Mary argued but Mason squeezed her hand. "Let's go. Let them talk in private."

Sophia and Theda were leaved alone. Theda gestured Sophia to sit down on the chair and poured more one cup of tea for herself. She offered another cup to Sophia, but she refused.
"Yes, quite a story." Theda finally said. "I never would have imaged something like that."
"We know each other as children?" Sophia asked. She still could not believe that words of this woman are a truth. Because then all she knew about herself was a lie.
"Only very children. I had lived with your parents when my father was needed to leave. And he did often."
"I do not remember that. Absolutely."
"Of course. You were a tiny toddler". Theda made a gesture, showing how she's about high. "I even do not remember much though I was older then you."
Sophia said nothing.
"Why my father did tell me nothing?" She said at last. "I had the right to know."
"About what? Our family?"
"About everything. About the danger, and yes, about our relatives too."
"It is obvious. For the same reason I did tell Mary and Christy nothing. He wanted a better life for you. The living in fear is not the best destiny."
"My father apparently got to know your husband Kenneth. How he was able if you did not see each other since your childhood?"
"How do you know?" Theda surprised, and after she heard the brief explanation about the recording on the reel, she's angry frown. "My God, when did she have a time for?"
"So how?"
"Is it so important? I and Kenny were neighbors. Uncle Bernie knew Kenny since he's a little boy."
"But he's aware that you married him. You still kept in touch with him after all".
"It's Kenny". Theda sighed. "He used his job to convey the news sometimes."
"So there's no coincidence that they both were traveling salesmen?"
"Partly. Kenny took a cue from Uncle Bernie."
Again silence.
"I still have a lot of questions," Sophia spoke again. "But right now it's my father that I'm worrying the most."
"How much? Enough to take care of his safety?"
"Of course." Sophia very surprised. "Why these questions?"
"I can arrange the meeting for you and Bernie. But I must be sure that he will not be left without protection. I do not know you, Phia. I know Mason and I like him, but I'm not sure I trust his father. What if he would mind? The whole city has been taken over completely by his family".
"I will not leave my father and I'll do everything I can to make him safe. I'm sure CC will understand me. He knows how long I tried to find my father."
"And if he'll not?"
"I have enough my own money and connections to take care of my father."
"Even by the cost of danger to your family? Your children?"
"He's my father."
"You left him when you're gone out for Hollywood."
"I was a stupid stubborn girl. I was very eager to get on stage. And I was good in the acting. I was not aware that the reasons of his father about keeping me home were different from showing of his paternal authority. Even then he did tell me nothing."
Theda slowly nodded.
"He's very stubborn too. Phia... you said that you have a lot of pictures of your parents."
"Yes, it's the whole album. I took it along when I came to see my father but found the empty house only."
"Can you bring it to me? I want to see them".
"Of course, I can. So you agree? Will you help me to meet my father and take care of his safety? I beg you!"
"My reasons tell me not to do but my stupid sentimental heart... I never could resist it. Yes. I will do".
"Thank you!" Sophia quickly came over and squeezed Theda's hand. "When?"
"After a few days. I think Mason got a good plan. But we're needed to properly prepare it."
Chapter 161 - At Home

"Mary, you're uncharacteristically quiet. Are you alright?" Mason sat down next to Mary on the sofa and gently grabbed her shoulders.
"I'm fine." Mary cannot help but lean into his warm hand and sighed. "Just... seems it's too much for me. And are you alright?" She quickly looked up to his face. "It's was a quite shock for you to find these things about your mother".
Mason frowned. "I do not know," he admitted. "I do not want to talk about".
"Well, then we will not. Just... Mason, don't shut me out, okay? Don't keep it to yourself".
Mason nodded and took another sip of brandy. Then he stands up and looked down at Mary.
"The fact is, Mary, I do feel nothing. Absolutely nothing", he shrugged. "I numbed."
"I guess a numb better than a pain."
"If only the latter will not follow it..."
Mason waited for Mary to say something but she was thoughtfully silent.
"Perhaps we would be better if we trade places. I got too many feelings after this journey."
"What are feelings?" He looked at her.
"Bitterness. Fear. Offense... how could my mother keep the truth from us? Why?"
"I think she was afraid".
"Mason, do you think she... and Sophia are in danger?"
"I do not know," Mason admitted after a pause. "More likely "no" than "yes". After all these years... But I'm not going to tolerate risks. Believe me, my father and I, we are going do the best to protect all of you".
"Just think about it!" Mary suddenly smiled weakly. "I and Sophia are relatives, even if distant. By the way, remember our deductions based on why-the-people-keeps-old-photos?"
"Yes, I do..." Mason said, remembering the episode too. "Back then we touched many reasons but we forgot the strongest die-hard factor, it's a love!"
"Even the great lawyers had ups and downs".
"Alas. But the last thing I could imagine was such relationships and motives".
"Me too. I just knew that my mother had a hard time as a child. She brought up by her father who was gone a lot. She told us that sometimes she had lived alone for months like an adult even though she was still a girl. However, then my grandfather married for the second time, and her life become much easier".
"Do you remember your grandparents?" Mason asked suddenly.
"Barely. They'd lived far away, somewhere in Florida," Mary shook her head. "I was a little when they died in the train disaster. I remember that it happened shortly before my dad's illness. My mother said it was a blow after blow. And the parents of my father, I do not remember much about them. Perhaps, they died even earlier. And do you remember your grandparents?"
"Yes... My parental grandfather died when I was at school. He lived with us, ruling the Capwell Empire with his iron fist. He and my father often quarreled... and every time my grandfather went to his study and sat there, sipping the brandy. Often I made my way and squatted next to his chair. He was always smiling, you know. Not to me, just staring into the space. I think he enjoyed with these quarrels. And he always won".
"Was he single? Your grandmother died young too?"
"Yes. And my grandfather never remarried as far as I know".
"Your maternal grandparents?"
"They occasionally visited us but I remember them vaguely. Hereditary aristocracy... my maternal grandfather despised my father and treated him like a rich plebeian. He looked down at him as if CC Capwell was not even worth the dirt under his feet. However, he and my grandmother were very nice with me," Mason told thoughtfully and then suddenly said: "I hated them".
"Why?" Mary surprised.
"Grandma Charlotte vehemently demanded that I had the black pudding for breakfast. This full English breakfast turned my stomach out. I just could not wait when they leave. Although even then..."
"What?" Mary encouraged him after a few minutes of silence.
"Then I smothered the pride and appealed to them for help in the search for my mother".
"And you did not get an answer?" Mary laced her fingers with Mason's ones.
"No, I got the one. True, not from my grandparents. From my uncle. It's three-farewell to honor traditions of my great British ancestors and the small postscript that the whereabouts of my mother he is not aware unfortunately".
"Wait. So you are a descendant of the British aristocracy?" Mary realized suddenly.
"From some decayed, half-vanished family of landlords, but yes. I guess, you would find "x" number of my cousins and aunt-cousins in London. My mother was only person of her family who moved to US".
"Oh, so she simply returned to her hometown after she divorced CC".
"Yes. And then she decided to raise my brother as a perfect British gentleman".
"Charlie is so cute boy," Mary smiled. "May be too his own. By the way, I wonder why your British relatives are not taken him under their wing".
"I think it's the same reason that they stopped to visit us. Perhaps, my mother's mental illness hurt their aristocratic pride".
"Mason..."
"It's OK, Mary. I'm perfectly fine".
"Why are you saying this?"
Mason did not answer. They both were silent for a moment.
"Let go the past, Mason," Mary finally said softly.
"What is the past?" He looked up her somewhat surprised.
"Your past.... You cannot... fix it. It happened for a long time. Very long time".
"I can not forget it like a charm!"
"Not forget. But sometimes... you're like a crying little boy ".
Mason stood up and walked to the window.
"Thanks a bunch," he said with obvious sarcasm.
"I do not mean that you're acting like a child," Mary continued to watch him from her spot on the sofa.
"So how?" Mason still not turned to her.
"He's in you, Mason. This Boy. Like the little Girl is in me. They're like ghosts but sometimes seem to be very real.... And they feel very emotional. Like all children. And we have been connected with them by invisible cords and feeling their pain as our own".
"I thought it's me who has bad heritance to mental illness. Boys, girls, ghosts... Mary, what are you on about? My mother is a mental patient. She tried to drown me in the lake".
"I know. And this is what I'm saying. The boy who crying with fear and cold in the black water... you feels his pain. But it's a phantom pain".
"No, it's real!" Mason's voice soared.
"You can see its reasons," Mary so longed to get up and hug Mason but she held back. She's just afraid that her actions would be too big shock for Mason. She could not allow him to dive into the maelstrom of feelings. So Mary clenched her fists to whitening fingers and continued: "Back then you're a child and barely understood what's happening. You were hurt and scared; you longed to go home. This had actually been your pain. But now you are re-estimating the incident, your adult brain gives it a different painful assessment so you're experiencing one-two punch. Stop that. You're not being able to comfort the boy who is crying in you. It's impossible. You cannot change the past".
"I cannot change my feelings, Mary. Although God knows I would want to".
"I did not ask that. Just change the angle of your view. That boy is not you now. It's not you who hurt and scared in the lake water. That happened for a long time ago".
Mason finally turned and looked down at her.
"If I knew how to do this..." he almost whispered.
"You're a lawyer. The logician. This problem has a solution. Just look for it".
Mason nodded, then went back to the sofa and sat down. Mary gave a deep sigh and finally opened her clenched fingers. Mason frowned and took her hand. Mary's palms had visible red semicircles of her dig nails. He put her hand to his lips.
"Are you're going to save me even from myself?"
Mary smiled slightly. "Gender parity, you know, the emancipation... You already did it for me, remember?"
"I remember. Hardly ever forget. I love you, Mary".
"I know. I love you too, Mason. You're everything to me".
The sweet kiss threatened to take a long time if they were not stopped by howling child's voice: "Mo-ommy! My to-offee me-elted!"
Mason gave a long-suffering sigh. Mary got up and picked up her daughter who was smeared in brown sticky stuff. The next half hour was passed in clearing up melted sweeties on two children - yes, two ones because the parents quickly found out that the children shared the toffees. So they were in need to change all bed linen also.
"Where they managed to find toffees!" Mason groaned, rubbing his stiff neck and sitting on the bed in the master bedroom. "We'd even had none!"
"Chip said that my mother gave them toffees today when she came here. I'll talk to her".
"Do you want to leave her grandchildren with no sweets?"
"No, just limit them with eating sweets in the presence of their grandmother. In any case it's bad for their teeth, Mason! Oh no," she looked up and saw Mason's face. "Don't tell me that you..."
"All children love sweets", he waved off awkwardly. "Yes, I loved toffees as a child. And you did not?"
"I do not remember," Mary frowned. "No, as far as I remember I was indifferent to toffees. But chocolate roses... m-mm!" She closed her eyes dreamily.
"Oh, I just see the little girl who eating chocolate roses and dancing in her mother's shoes in front of the mirror!" Mason grabbed Mary and pinned her to the bed. "Do not deny it. The girl is here now!"
"I plead guilty, Mr. Capwell!" Mary kissed him on the lips. "You just found out my secret and its hiding place".
"I adore you. You and secret places of your heart", Mason returned the kiss. "It's so rare when you're allowing me discover any of them so it's feels as a treasure... some beautiful thing like a star..."
"Mason!
"What?
"Shut up and kiss me!"
And now there was no one to interrupt them.
Chapter 162 - The Cobbler Always Wears The Worst Shoes

More than a week later Mary and Mason still had no news from Theda but then she suddenly appeared at their place and said that she's ready to discuss Mason's plan. They discussed the details: when and where Sophia and Theda exchanged their looks. The easiest place was Capwell's house. After all Theda needs was staying inside of the estate. But Sophia had to make up and ride to her destination along with Mary and Mason. The plan looked simple in words but in reality it does require much of preparing.
Mason went to his father's house to inform Sophia about their plan. Sophia was very happy that her father's case finally moves forward, she beamed.
"Oh, Mason, I just remembered. Theda asked me for my family albums!" Sophia exclaimed suddenly.
"I can take them to her if you want," Mason volunteered.
Sophia nodded and went up get albums.
Mason wandered through the empty atrium and then peered into the living room. There he saw Charlie who hunched in the corner of the sofa.
"Hey, little brother! How are you?" Mason asked.
Charlie just sulkily shrugged and said nothing.
"In no mood?" Mason suggested. "Why?"
"Boring", the youngest brother muttered and turned away.
At this point Sophia looked in the living room.
"Mason? My albums," she said and then saw Charlie. "What are you doing here? You already must be at the doctor."
"At the doctor?" Mason stiffened.
"I didn't go to him".
Mason quickly took Sophia aside. "What's wrong with my brother?"
"He goes to the therapist. The separation from his mother is too great a burden for him."
"Or may be my father still suspects that he has schizophrenia. Am I right?"
"No, you're not. Mason, your brother really needs help".
"Yes, of course. As far as I remember I'd given the same help almost at the same age. It's no use. Charlie's too smart to open his heart a stranger".
"Do you have a better person? Or maybe you'll talk to him? Probably, you can understand him better than others".
"Too good," Mason muttered.
"Just try, okay? It's not about CC only. I'm very concern about Charlie's mood swings. He often looks sad, just sits and stares into space".
Mason nodded. Yes, it's was familiar to him. In such moments he fantasized that he will run away, become a famous cowboy and find his mother. And then he avenges his father for their separation. These plans were so naive and he knew it even back then, so he hated everybody around even the more due the fact that all he can was to believe in tales. Probably, Charlie hates all of them now? And cherishes his plans to escape and make himself?
"Let's go," Mason walked to his brother and took his hand. "Let's go for a walk".
"Where?" the boy looked up immediately.
"Somewhere. We can wander through the park or go to the beach. Just unwind".
"Okay," Charlie jumped off the sofa and ran ahead Mason. "As long as I do not go to a wacky doctor".

* * *

Mason and Charlie choose the beach and walked on the sand in silence. In spite of his eloquence Mason had no idea what to say to his youngest brother. Rather, he could say many words but they would not give any relief to the boy. May be these words were not existed after all.
Charlie was silent. He's dragging his feet though the sand and looking over to ocean waves. Then he suddenly stopped.
"Mason, look!"
Mason looked up and saw the surfers: ragtag colorful team of boys with the youngest one about the same age as Charlie.
"I want to do that! Please? Mason, can I'll surf too?"
"Not now, Charlie. And you need to learn it first. I'll ask Ted, he would give you a few lessons".
Charlie immediately sulks and kicks the nearest pile of sand.
"Lies, all lies!" he muttered bitterly.
"Hey!" Mason took the boy's shoulder and made Charlie face him. "When have I ever lied to you? Ted would happy to teach you".
Charlie said nothing, just looked away.
"Today I'm in the place of your doctor, so let's talk", Mason said gravely and gestured to the small hill nearby.
Charlie resignedly shuffled and sat down on the hard sunburned grass. Mason sat next to him.
"I do not understand why all these stupid conversations going on," Charlie said through clenched teeth. "I'm not ill, I'm just fine".
"We both know that this is not true", Mason sighed. "You are certainly not ill; you're just not accustomed to living with your father yet. The doctor's supposed to help you deal with it".
"Help to become accustomed to living with my father? I hardly ever see him after all. He doesn't care about me. And I do not care about him!" Charlie's eyes angry twinkled. "And what's point? My mother will take me soon, that's all".
Mason clenched his teeth.
"Charlie, she will not take you. She cannot. She is ill".
"My father said it too but it is not true. She's just angry and wants to punish me. But I became good now and she..."
"Stop it. Charlie, just stop. Look, our mother is really ill. She cannot take care of you. Do you understand?" He turned the brother's face to him but Charlie looked away. "She loves you. And she brought you here not as a punishment. She just decided that you will be better here".
"Then why she never brought me to my father earlier?"
"She had her reasons. Now they are not around".
Charlie said nothing again. Mason tried to take his arm but the boy threw his hand off.
"Get out! I don't want to see you again! Never!"
"It is not true," Mason said softly.
"It's true!" Charlie jumped up. "I'll do anything to get back to my mother. I'll sell, give, steal anything! I don't care about all you! I do not care if all of you die tomorrow!"
"It will not return you to your mother too," Mason said hardly. "Once I was used just like you... the naive boy who believed that his mother will come back if he would be good. No, she'll not. Bear in mind. Period".
Charlie turned white, his face painful contorted. Mason waited that he attacked him with fists and almost wanted this but his youngest brother just started crying. Like a small boy languishing in pain. And Mason suddenly realized that he just acted like a scoundrel. It's not his rival for the love of his mother but the helpless boy in front of him. And Mason did hit him where it hurts. Scratched any hope.
"I was really a bad doctor," he said, painful smiling and handed the handkerchief to Charlie. "Come on, lets' eat ice cream".
Charlie obeyed. They ate two large portions of Charlie's favorite strawberry chocolate ice cream in the beach cafe and then Mason took his brother home. Charlie did not yell, cry or resist. He obediently had been doing all he was asked. Like a puppet. Mason did not like it. Really did not like it. But what he could do? He'll not go down to apologize. It even would not bring anything good. He just told the truth to Charlie. And his brother will take it sooner or later.
Mason returned Charlie to the house of his father, nodded vaguely at Sophia's questioning sight, took her family albums and drove home. To Mary and his children. But he's sick at heart and feels bad. He's not able to help his youngest brother and just blew it.
Chapter 163 - The Sanctuary

After one day of preparations, the conspirators started their mission. Theda came to Capwell's house and quickly changed her look to Sophia's who finally became to able to visit her father Bernard Wayne along Mary and Mason.
"Where we go?" Mason asked Mary who took the note with the brief description of the route from her mother.
"North", she replied absently and sitting behind the wheel. "Rattlesnake Canyon".
Mason raised his eyebrows but said nothing.
"What did you tell to Charlie?" Sophia asked him after a while. "Since yesterday he's looking pretty down in the mouth. What did you tell him?"
Mary anxiously looked at Mason but he simply replied: "I tried to make him understand that his mother will not come after him. Naturally he was upset".
"So you literally told him that?" Mary's voice sounded sad. "Why, Mason?"
"To stop him from waiting for her. The sooner he starts to live in the present, the better".
"Look who's talking", Mary said rather harshly.
Sophia looked from one to the other.
"I thought you have the bigger heart", she dryly said to Mason. "Otherwise I wouldn't bother you with that".
Mason just stared out the window. He did not want to discuss this subject.
They already were driving through the Rattlesnake Park.
"Give me the note", Mason asked and Mary handed him the sheet of paper without looking up.
"The Reservation?" He was amazed. "We're going to the reservation of Chumash tribe?"
"Yes", Mary nodded. "I didn't expected that too but it's quite logical place to hide if you ask my opinion. No one will be looking for Mr. Wayne there".
Sophia took the note from Mason to make sure he understood everything correctly.
"Jesus, my father was so close all the time?" she gasped.
"Of course, he should. Theda could not discreetly visit him if he lived somewhere in Arizona", Mason said. "Although I must confess I never occurred that he can live among the Native Indians. It's very creative way indeed".
The rest of the way they were silent, each lost in their thoughts. Finally they drove past the sign Santa Ynez and saw the small town far away.
Mary a little wandered but then found out the right spot on the map and stopped the car at the small rosy brown house.
"It's here", she said after consulting the note again.
All of them got out of the car and Mason walked resolutely to the front door.
"Wait!" Sophia stopped him. "Maybe I should..."
"Why wait? I thought you want to see your father. You don't have to hide from anyone here. Let's go".
Mason briskly up the steps and knocked. Sophia and Mary quickly stepped up after him.
No one answered for a long time but then the lock clicked, the door opened and they saw the gray-haired man with the wrinkled tanned face. He's average height and wore the shirt and slacks.
"What you want?" He asked surveying Mason.
"Dad..." Sophia slipped out behind Mason's back and reached for her father. "Daddy..."
The man froze, staring in disbelief at his own daughter.
"Phia", he said confusedly. "What the hell are you... how you found out where I live? Who are these people?" Bernard Wayne's eyes suddenly become wary.
"I already met with you once", Mary cut in. "I came with my mother Theda Duvall to see you at Pittsburgh. Mason Capwell, my husband", she presented Mason. "My mother gave us your address".
"Little Mary? The daughter of Kenny and Theda?" Mary nodded quickly. "Oh, Lord!"
"Mr. Wayne, maybe we'd better come into the house?" Mason cut in. "I think it's safer".
The old man slowly nodded looking over his guests and stepped aside, passing all three inside. Sophia came as the last and could not help but hugged her father on the doorstep.
"Daddy..."
Bernard awkwardly hugged her back, seem forgot how to.
The living room's interior had an Indian flavor: mats, patterned curtains, rattan furniture. The simply modesty but very clean place.
Mr. Wayne gestured offering them to sit down. His guests were taken chairs and the owner of the house sat on the old sofa by the window.
"Well?" He raised his eyebrows. "What made all you come out here?"
"I thought you were dead", Sophia said. "Just a week ago I heard that you are alive from Theda. And how we related".
"But Teddy should have told that I'm just fine. I bet she did, I know her. So why are you here?"
There was a short silence and then Sophia Wayne Capwell firmly said: "I came for you, Dad. I want to take you to Santa Barbara".
"That's my girl," Bernard's voice was laced with sad mixture of irony and pride. "Aren't you forgetting something? My agreement, for example?" After a brief pause he added: "I'm not going anywhere. And with you all the more".
"Why?" Mason asked intensely. "Because of a story with old government secrets?"
"Including. They are ancient secrets just for you, young man, but they are fear and grief for me and my family. You even cannot start to understand".
"Well, why not. I just can understand that. But not your reaction for the meeting with your own daughter who you hadn't seen for thirty years".
"What do you know about it?" Bernard began but he was interrupted by Sophia: "Dad, please. Do you not really happy to see me?"
"Of course, I'm happy," Wayne angrily looked at Mason. "But it would be better if all you just leave here and forget about everything. I'm fine. Just fine. I have all I need," he thought for a moment, clearly trying to imagine what can calm a woman: "My hobby gives me enough income to maintain a simple life as I used. You can safely return home to your family".
"You are my family!" Sophia broken up. "I have the husband and my children but none of them replaces my father!"
"The father who was set at nought when you decide to leave home!"
"How are you daring? You did tell me nothing even back then!"
"And that would stop you?"
"Enough!" Mason imperiously interrupted the coming father-daughter conflict. "I think your first meeting with your daughter after so many years does not deserve a vulgar quarrel. Or this is your goal, Mr. Wayne? Do you want to bring your daughter up the pivotal point so that she'll go away and never come back?"
Two men darkly eyed each other.
"Don't you care, dad?" Sophia's voice was pleading. "Did you ever want to have a normal life or meet your grandchildren? Why do you want to stay here?"
"Because it's dangerous!" her father finally lost his patience. "Phia, please do not make the situation even worse!"
"I'll be able to protect you! I have money and power. They'll retreat after realizing that they're going against Capwells. Dad, please!"
Wayne said nothing.
"Why you never gave news about yourself?" Sophia asked slowly. "You were so close and you knew where I live and where your grandchildren live... You could just send a word that you're okay. I was sure that you are dead if you did not. I was so sure that when we found mine and Theda's relation, I asked her where your grave is".
Bernard chuckled and then frowned. "I'll still chew Theda out for her broken promise..."
"My mom had the right..." Mary snapped, but Mason squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"Mr. Wayne, you have not answered the question yet".
"This is not a courtroom, Mr. Capwell", Bernard replied in the same tone. "And I'm not at the witness stand as you seem forgotten. I do not have to report to anyone. My wife died long ago. My daughter left home for her acting dream. I am free to choose how I want to live. And I like my present life is it is, no matter you tried to convince me otherwise", he hardly looked at his daughter. "I do not care of your husband and your family. You can give Theda the photos of grandchildren so she would pass them to me if you wish. Leave me alone, damn it! I warned you when you're going to run away to Hollywood: if you leave this house, you'll never get in!"
"Stop it, why do you say this?!" Mary could not stand. "You miraculously have been escaped death for all these years... and what for? To turn out your own daughter? I do not believe..."
"My girl, everyone tends to survive; even animals whose instincts..."
"You're lying..." Mason's voice cut in. "You were very keen in the fate of your daughter many years ago. Enough to manage the kidnapping to hear about her".
"The kidnapping? Mason, what are you talking?" Sophia surprised.
"Mr. Wayne aware. Once he kidnapped me from the scout camp during our war games," Mason stared at Bernard. "You were much disguised so I did not recognize you till now or on photos. But your hobby etched in my memory". Mason picked up the carved chess piece from windowsill. "Your works are unique".
"Even back then I can see that you're a smart boy", Wayne said after a pause. "However this changes nothing. Of course, I was interested in Phia's wellbeing. Only all you ascribe to me being indifferent. But I will not go anywhere. And that's my final word".
Chapter 164 - The Passing Of An Era

There was a silence they could cut with a knife.
"Mason, Mr. Wayne really did kidnap you from the camp?" Mary asked softly and then looked at her husband. "What for?"
"Until today I was completely at a loss. But now I understand that he was trying to clarify a climate of my father's family", Mason explained. "It happened around year before Sophia's gone missing. The previous summer. Mr. Wayne presented himself as the senior member of the war game and led me away from my group. I spent a few hours in his company being confident that it is part of the war strategy. And returning to the camp I found out that everyone's panic-stricken of searching for me. I was not injured the camp so the leadership hushed up the incident. I did not mind. Mr. Wayne did no harm to me. Just occasionally asked strange questions. Mr. Wayne, if you do believe that the danger is still there, do you ever miss the chance to see your grandchildren for once?"
"Mr. Capwell, why you're so concerning about me? And about my daughter too. If I was not mistaken, back then you made it clear that you cannot stand your stepmother".
Mason turned pale.
"We always had a kind of rocky relationship but Sophia always was a part of our family. And she still is. Like you are as her father".
"You are not my grandson. And your father does not cause me affection..."
"He barely makes anyone to feel warm but it's no reason to reject his influence and protection".
"CC Capwell offers me these?" Bernard narrowed his eyes.
"I had the talk to CC, he does not mind to take you to us", Sophia put in.
"He does not mind... No, I do not want to live under his roof out of his mercy..."
"Just hear yourself!" Mary suddenly snapped. "Uncle Bernard, tell me for what you have lived in constant fear so long time? What for you managed to escape from assassination four times? To end your life all alone? To leave your only daughter and the grandchildren with a memory of the father and grandfather who even did not want to see them? I believe in the pursuit of safety you forget that there are still feelings apart from the willing to survive. And not just yours".
"The saving of own life is more important thing than feelings, Mrs. Capwell", he replied.
"Whose life?" Mary retorted on her stubbornness. "And whose feelings?"
"My daughter's who is just fine now and her daughterly sentiments, of course".
"Or may be your own life and your fatherly feelings for your daughter? Love her from a distance is so convenient, right? And if only your daughter believe you're dead is all right... Have you any idea how it feels?"
"I'm not responsible for her assumption," Bernard huffed clearly getting tired of the hard feeling conversation. "My daughter lives in very comfortable circumstances and abundance. That's enough for me. I do not want to bring the trouble into her family... It once turned my own life into hell".
"Do you felt our family life as hell?" Sophia asked him. "Yes, we were... isolated but we were happy... as long as mom was alive".
"You were happy so you did leave your home when you were a young girl," Bernard ironically looked at her.
"I just grew up, dad. And I wanted to play on stage. And you just took advantage of moment to push me as far as possible, right? To cut me off from the family secrets and dangers?"
"Phia, perhaps you were happy as a child. In fact, I hope so," Mr. Wayne subtly softened. "But it was not a kind of life for I and your mother had our hopes".
"So why do you cling to it?" Mason asked. "Give yourself a chance for a normal life".
"My life would never be normal, Mr. Capwell. And no one ever bring my wife back to live".
"You afraid..." Mason said slowly.
"Of course, I do", he snorted. "If you have experienced all what I had..."
"... But it's not a danger", Mason finished. "It's change. That's what you're afraid of. Change. Novelty. Feelings".
Mary instinctively moved closer to him, waiting for the outbreak but nothing happened. Mr. Wayne just stared somewhere out of the window.
"Dad..." Sophia took his hand. "If we could leave you to live here and just occasionally visit you, I would never become a push. But we can not afford it, right?" she smiled sadly. "So we have no options... And don't offer me to pretend that this meeting never happened!" her voice suddenly skyrocketed. "I'm stubborn just as you are!"
"You think if I'm old it's mean I'm breakable?" Bernard did not look up her.
"We're not trying to break you, Uncle Bernard" Mary said. "And CC Capwell's house would become a kind of refuge not for the first time", she quickly looked up Mason. "There were a few times when I wonder if I and Mason are going to hide inside of it from killers for the rest of our lives".
"Killers?" Mr. Wayne was surprised. "Why killers would hunt for you? Theda never told me that they're threatening you".
"Oh, it was not related to your old days. Just to the twin brother of Mary's father", Mason said reluctantly.
"Larry?" Mr. Wayne gaped. "Larry was trying to kill you?"
"It's a long story," Mary interrupted him. "Yes, Uncle Larry tried to kill Mason, and we had to hide in CC Capwell's house".
"Mr. Wayne, I am sure we can solve the problem of the threat to your life," Mason said. "But this requires you to be completely safe".
"Solve the problem? That would be tremendously ambitious of you," Bernard said frankly skeptical.
"When it comes to his family, nothing is impossible for my father", Mason said.
"And for you too" Mary quietly added. Mason discontentedly looked at her but Mary defiantly looked at him. "You and your father are very similar in that way".
"Dad..." Sophia began but he sharply interrupted her. "Okay, I'll go with you. Give me half an hour for packing".
Everybody in the room let out a sigh of relief. Mr. Wayne looked at them with a grim annoyance and disappeared in the back.
"I hope this is not an attempt to escape through the back door," Mason mused.
"I'm sure it's not", Mary said and asked: "Curb your sarcasm, please".
Mason shrugged. "I thought I'm very diplomatic".
Bernard Wayne took twenty-five minutes instead thirty. After throwing his things in trunk of the car, he moved through the house, peeking in every corner, almost sniffing in and finally came out to his old new family.
Now it's was Mason who sat behind the wheel but as soon as he took off Mr. Wayne stopped him: "I need to talk with someone. Go there," he pointed to the left.
Mason shrugged and silently turned to the direction. They drove a couple of blocks and Bernard asked to stop at one of the houses. He got out and without pausing walked into the house.
"Probably he wants to say goodbye," Mary said softly.
"Do you think Mr. Wayne have friends here?" Mason wondered.
"Why not? Beside the house belongs to Friends of Chumash. The community certainly helped him hide".
Sophia and Mason stared at her, and Mason instinctively turned his head to the house, looking for the sign which was not there.
"How you knew about the house?" Sophia voiced the question what was on the tip of tongue of both of them.
Mary smiled. "My friend belong this tribe. We went to school together and she repeatedly invited me to visit the reservation. And we visited this house back then too. Chumash are very friendly people. And very loyal friends".
"You are right, girl," Bernard's voice said. "They are very nice people and help me to keep my ears open".
He got into the car, and Mason finally drove them to Santa Barbara.
"So the house belongs to you?" Mary finally broke the silence. She shared the back seat with Mr. Wayne as Sophia was in the passenger seat.
"Well, yes and no", Bernard said after a moment of musing. "Originally it belonged to my friend, he's Chumash. Malibu gave me the harbor here when I was pursued. First I was just hiding at his house and then stuck it out".
"Your friend was alone too?" Mary knowingly asked, but to her surprise Bernard shook his head: "Oh, no, he had the large family. But... his wife died and then the children had left all... just around Santa Ynez but he preferred to live alone. And it's became easier when there were two of us ".
"He died?"
"Yes... three years ago. A heart attack overpowered him..." Mr. Wayne obviously did not want to go into details so he went back to the original question: "He sign away the house to me but I still do not registered it as mine. It was safer".
Mary nodded. "Yes, of course," she agreed.
"And I'm able back to it in any moment," Mr. Wayne raised his voice to be heard in the front seat. "Chumash never betray me. I trust them as my own. Every of them".
"Capwells never betray you too," Mason cannot help. "Believe me".
"I hope," Bernard's voice was laced with sadness. "Otherwise no one will give a damn for my life now".

Chapter 165 - Things of Bygone Days

They were quiet all way to Santa Barbara. Mary and Bernard have shared some words sometime, discussing mundane things. Mason focused on the driving and intently keep looking in the rear mirror to see if they were followed. Sophia was deep in her thoughts staring out the window.
They came back to Santa Barbara in a few hours, but they felt like passed a lifetime.
When the four come in Capwell's house they immediately saw Theda. She nervously paces through the atrium, almost wringing her hands. And seeing they returned safely, she almost cried.
"Lord, Bernie! I nearly went mad, almost buried you!" She hugged him. "Will you forgive me? I just could not reject Phia".
"I'll think about," Mr. Wayne growled, but hugged her back.
"Dad, come here, I'll show you to your room," Sophia touched his arm. However, before even they had time to make a few steps, Charlie appeared from somewhere.
"Sophia, you're here! Why Mrs. Duvall has your dress? And who is this?" The boy looked suspiciously to Bernard.
"He is my dad, Charlie. Dad, it's Charlie, my youngest stepson".
The oldest one and the youngest one silently eyeing each others.
"You're welcome, sir," Charlie remembered his manners and offered his hand to Mr. Wayne. And then he confidentially whispered to Mason: "I did not even know that Sophia has the dad".
"Yes, she does," Mary came up from behind and put her hands on boy's shoulders. "He's just a little bit lost. Mr. Wayne".
The latter finally walked up and shook hands with Charlie, then continued his way up with his daughter.
"Where's he have been? Why did you say that he got lost?" Charlie turned to Mary.
"Because he did. But it's grown-up stuff," Mason intervened. "Beside, should not you be in school now, young man?"
"Look at the clock! I already came back," the youngest brother said angrily and walked to the balcony door.
"Mom, I'll take you home," Mary offered to Theda who stayed nearby.
"No, don't worry, I'll take a taxi. Thank you, my dear," Theda hugged her daughter and headed for the entrance door. "Take care of Bernie, please".
"Of course, we'll," Mason answered instead Mary. "Do not be worry, Theda, nothing will happen to him. He's completely safe".
"Who?" they heard the surprised voice of CC Capwell.
"Mr. Wayne. We found him and brought here".
The patriarch raised his eyebrow. "Sophia already knows?"
"Of course, I do, CC," Sophia's already coming down the stairs. ""We" includes me too".
Bernie did downstairs in a slow pace after his daughter.
Bernard Wayne and CC Capwell stared at each other. CC studied his wife's father for a moment and then offered his hand: "Mr. Wayne, I believe? Welcome to my home. I'm CC Capwell".
"Thank you for your hospitality," Bernard shook his hand. "Especially considering all associated risks," he defiantly looked up like he was not sure that CC is aware about surrounding Bernard dangers.
"I am sure we will handle with them," CC casually waved off. "But I would like to hear the details of your story. "He had hiding from the deadly danger for many years" is some vague explanation, do not you think?"
"Of course. It's whole point," Bernard smiled and then frowned. "Yes, I'll tell you. Not enough to put you in the same position in I am, but hopefully enough to make you understand that this is not a joke or some ancient mystery for antiquaries had an interest only".
"Let's go into the living room," Mason cut in. "We will be much more comfortable there".
They went through the atrium to the living room and settled by the fireplace. Coming last Mason properly closed the door and then sat down on the arm of the sofa nearly Mary's place.
A few minutes later it's was Mary who broke the silence.
"Mom said that it all started with the murder of the family," she said looking at Bernard. "Why you were put in danger, Uncle Bernard?"
"It's pretty hard to explain," he said slowly. "Ronnie, Ronald Stevens who was my friend and colleague, was the brilliant guy. He invented..." Mr. Wayne hesitated, choosing his words. "In short, it was something very important for national security and it was immediately bought by our government. And it is still in use..."
"What was it, Mr. Wayne?" CC Capwell asked. "Without getting into details, but in a nutshell?"
There was a thoughtful pause.
"The unique good location for US nuclear forces' deployment," finally Bernard said hoarsely.
Mason gave a whistle.
"I suppose it's meaningful response," he said. "But where the threat coming from? Do you mean it's work of foreign intelligence services?"
"No," Bernard shook his head. "The point is Ronnie was working on the idea of ​​security. The US security. But the government had certain circles who wanted it's not just a defensive position but an offensive one. And they did not hesitate to kill the whole family of the man who was ready to apply his unique mind for the benefit of our country. It was mean," his voice was laced with anger. "It's disgusting vile!" He chewed his lip and continued: "But I never had Ronnie's brain. I could not develop an idea, it's not my strong side. And probably it saved my life. Mine, Lizzie's and your one, Phia," CC raised his eyebrows in amazement and looked at his own wife. She shrugged uncomfortably. "They didn't get to us that night".
"But my mother said you were helped by the government. How it can be?" Mary asked, feeling Mason's hand on her shoulder.
"Government departments have always been significantly divided," Bernard said. "They're very independent of each other. We were helped by ones which were headed by persons who were on the side of Ronnie in his strategy. They made for us a lot: they moved us through half the country, given new names and even subjoined us to the founders of the city. We were able to start a new life..."
"I still do not understand," CC Capwell said softly. "If you are not a genius like your colleague, then why anyone want to kill you?"
Bernard turned to look at him. "I have profound knowledge of Ronnie's work. And I do shares his views. The defensive or offensive debate is going on till now. They afraid that I would intervene. Back then".
"Later something was changed?
"Yes. The politic moods changed. And the sympathetic attitude for me was faded. I just become the unwanted witness, the person who knew too much. And whose knowledge can not become obsolete. And they just started hunting for me".
"So you're still hunted by our security services?" Mason asked.
Bernard nodded. "And I can hardly see someone could stop them. Even such powerful person like CC Capwell".
"We'll see this," CC rose from his chair. "In the meantime be my guest, Bernard. Frankly, I did not expect to meet you".
"Neither I," Bernard bent his head politely, then he stood up and shook hands with CC.
Looking after his father Mason mused: "From your words, Bernard, it follows that in fact the danger is for you personally. It's just you who keep in mind the secrets that no one else knows".
"Actually, yes. But who can say for sure? I'm able to pass all I knew to my friends and family in any time. No one can consider self safe next to me".
"Yes, that's right", Mason paused. "Do you think we brought someone on our tail?"
"Mason, what you mean?" Sophia got up.
Mason looked into her father's eyes and sighed: "I think Mr. Wayne agreed to come with us not due to our persuasion but what he saw in the window. What was it, Mr. Wayne? Any sign?"
"You are very perceptive, Mason. Yes, I saw the sign outside. It meant that suspicious strangers seen in the city. I could not risk all you. Beside I'm already too old to be on run again".
"You did not answer my question".
"No, I do not believe that they tracked me down through your visit," Bernard said reluctantly. "Otherwise I probably would dead now".
"So we saved your life," Sophia came up and hugged him. "Dad..."
He said nothing, but did not push her away.
"I need to talk to my father," Mason got up and left the room. 
Mary's eyes narrowed suspiciously, and she followed him. 
"What's you up?" she stopped him in the atrium.
"Perhaps this is the only chance to catch killers in the act", he replied seriously.
"Are you crazy???" Mary grabbed the sleeve of his jacket. "Do you want to come back to Santa Ynez and chat with assassins?"
"Not alone, do not worry. Besides, you heard Mr. Wayne. These secrets are known only by him. Yes, I see he thinks that they would kill everyone who he had a word with, but it's stupid. And in any case he is their first and primary goal," Mason smiled and covered her hand by his hand, gently unhooking her fingers from this jacket. "I'm sorry, I need to talk with my father. Capwells close ranks".
Mary rose on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. "Be careful".
"Always".
And he quickly went to CC's study.
Chapter 166 - Art of Diplomacy

An hour later Mason drove his car to Santa Ynez, having quiet Cruz on the passenger seat. Passages from the recent hot discussion were going and going around in Mason's head.
"Mason, that's crazy! A suicide!"
"I'm lawyer, I'm able to reason anyone".
"Reason? Dear Lord. They're assassins. Are you going to make Mary a widow, and leave your children orphans?"
"Of course, I'm not. That's not going to happen".
Of course, Mason was confident not as much as he had been tried to show. But his gut told him that he can handle it. However, when they called to help Cruz who unexpectedly offered to come along Mason, the latter did not object. It would not hurt to have a backup. Mason already started to build in his mind the forthcoming conversation with a killer who is recently hunting for Mr. Wayne.
It was very, very late when they reached the desired plain house. Mason stopped the car just before it but in such way he could see if they were watching by anyone.
"I wish you did not reject to put on the recording device," Cruz said when Mason reached out for the handle of the door. "And you should not take the overall risk for all of that".
"We are dealing with government agents so you should know what these things do not work with guys like them".
"He can shoot you like a rat and that'd be it. Come on, let's me come with you".
"No, I'm just going to talk. The negotiator with a flag of truce. Forgive me, Cruz, but you are a cop to your core".
"I know how to negotiate, Mason. And you aware it as well".
"And I know how to talk to people. And you aware it as well too".
"Okay. I got you covered but if he decides to kill you I hardly have time to stop him".
"He's not going to hurt me".
"I hope. Be careful, Mason".
"Of course".
Mason opened the door of the car and climb out. He's walked to the house but bypassing the door, walked straight to the window and gently lifted the sash. Of course, he could take the key from Mr. Wayne but he did not this deliberately. He did not want to be mistaken for the owner of the house.
It took him a few minutes but the sash eventually gave up and Mason came in the dark space of the house. However as soon he took a few steps and straighten as the overhead light turned on.
"Well-well, we have the overnight guest", the pleasant baritone drawled. The pleasant and familiar one, dammit!
"Harry?" Mason asked in astonishment turning around to the voice. "Harry Lakshir?"
"Capwell? What are you doing here? I did not suppose Capwells fell into the poverty too deep so they must housebreak respectable citizens for earning for a living".
"Do you really think that I'm doing this?"
"No". The former classmate came from inside the house to the lighten spot. "But the police will think that way. I'm sorry but I'm on the side of the law".
"Hunting for the person who harmed no one is to be on the side of the law?" Mason wondered gently.
Harry's face hardened, ceased to express any emotion, but it clearly speaks for itself.
"I have to follow orders," he said after a pause.
"So you're performing dirty works for Uncle Sam? And do not even think what are you doing? I thought you had more brains. You were one of the best students".
"Shut up!" Harry snapped. "You have no an idea about my brains. Why are you sticking your nose here if you already knew everything? Having a death wish?"
"Not at all. So if you just follow orders, then your fate would be the fate of cannon fodder who got quietly liquidated later. I am sure you never would fall to that".
The pause.
"Even if you're right, what's it to you? What do you want after all? No, you're better just going away, Capwell. I'm ready to let you go in honor our unforgettable meeting. Just go away, do not look back and never come back".
"No". Mason dropped it like a stone into a deep well. "I came to talk and my intentions have not changed," he breathed through his nose. "I hope there's some drink stuff around here somewhere".
"You actually think that you can get me drunk? You cannot be that naive!"
"I did offer nothing to you," Mason said, pulling almost full bottle of tequila out of the cupboard. He found the glass and poured himself a generous portion.
The agent watched silently as Mason sips tequila.
"You're quite comfortable like you're home" he commented after a pause.
"I'm actually home," Mason shrugged and rolled his eyes. "The man who you are waiting for is my grandfather".
Harry's eyes widened for a moment, and then narrowed.
"Nonsense".
"No. Although he is not quite related to me but nevertheless he's a part of Capwell's family".
"Do not fantasize, Mason. Wayne is just your client, not a relative".
"You're wrong. Bernard Wayne is the father of my stepmother, my father's second wife".
Harry Lakshir paused for quite a long time this time. Mason sipping tequila and watched his nemesis. At Harvard Mason and Harry were high league opponents as the most equally popular, smart, brilliant students. However their rivalry was... quite noble and pure. None of them ever fell to mean or dirt tricks. It was not a personal feud. Both of them tried to be the best but they were ready to respect the victory of each others. Mason remembered how they were neck and neck almost to the graduation. Back then he even had sad thoughts that the victory will be likely belong to his nemesis but at the beginning of last year Harry suddenly ran out the track, he just disappeared taking a leave of absence. There were rumors about a nervous breakdown or some disaster in the family but no one had accurate information. Mason became the winner, and though he had no doubts that he fully deserved his victory sometimes he thought how it would be if Harry graduated from the University along him.
"Why?" Harry's voice cut in his thoughts.
Mason's eyebrows went up.
"Why is that? Why am I trying to protect my family?" Harry did not answer so Mason asked another question: "Do you know that you are hunting for not a criminal, but a man who just owned the top priority information therefore he was forced to hiding for the rest of his life?"
"Mason, you are talking about things you don't understand. Do you think our secret service is villains and fools?"
"Oh, no, I think I really understand that. Harry, I know all information Bernard Wayne has in his head," his former classmate's head jerked slightly, and Mason added: "Yes, I do. I know all of them. And not just me. My whole family knows them thoroughly now".
"You're lying".
"No. I'm not just a fool you think I am. When you saw me here you decided that I'm spying for the sake of my client and do not aware the full extent of what I got in. But I knew exactly what I'm dealing with".
"Then you aware that I have to kill you," the agent's voice sounded without any emotions but with a faint hoarse.
"I guess your order is to kill anyone who has this information in the head. But I hope that you have enough brains to understand the thing is you just can not kill the entire family of Capwells. All the more to do this without the information did appear on TV or in the press".
"Offer to disobey?" Harry's voice sounded mocking.
"I offer to consider what you're doing. You are hunting the man who lived on the witness protection program for 15 years. He was hiding for most of his life, he was forced to be alone for not endanger lives of his loved. And all because of the information that he never tried to disclose. He is an old man, Harry. And he does not threaten to national security. I do not know why it is important for someone to kill him. But I'll do anything for keeping him alive. We will do. All of us. All of Capwells".
"Mason, you're sure what you're saying?"
"Absolutely. Leave him alone, Harry. Just pretend that you do not know where he is and with who. Let your task be unachieved".
There was a heavy silence. Mason waited having disgusted feeling in his stomach. Yes, dammit, he was asking for his former enemy's favor. For his mercy.
"It will not work," finally sounded in the echoing silence, and Mason's heart sank. He involuntarily clenched his teeth, but said nothing but his former classmate suddenly continued: "If I leave my task as unachieved they just give it to another agent. Less scrupulous one".
"Any other ideas?" Mason afraid to show his relief. He was still feared to.
"I guess I can to try something".
Mason looked at him. Harry nodded wearily.
"I have someone waiting in my car," Mason said. "My brother-in-law and friend. I think we should continue that conversation as three. Oh, and he was once the agent too. Perhaps you two may have quite a bit in common".

Forty minutes later Cruz and Mason were on the way home. Mason gave the wheel to Cruz, and now he was sitting on the passenger seat, staring into the black darkness outside and recalled. But it was not resentment and fear of relatives now but clear, modest words of Harry, the words of the brilliant commander. Mason smiled wearily. Finally it will be over soon. Yes, they worked out the plan would require some efforts but they are feasible, and Harry was on their side now. Mason remembered how they're saying goodbye.
"Why did you leave the last course?"
"My sister was dead. She was killed because of some political games".
"And you decided to become an agent".
"Yes. A life has strange ideas sometimes, has it?"
"I agree".
They shook hands, and Mason walked to his car, but then he's looked back and impulsively asked: "Harry?"
"What?" He turned to Mason.
"I'm sorry that we're not finished Uni together".
"Yes, me too," Harry's smile flashed in the dark. "See you later, Mason".
"See you later".
The strangest thing was he really regretted that they had not finished together the last year of Uni. May be when he's finishing Harvard it was too important for him to prove to his father that he is the best student but now when he thought about this, he would have preferred to loose it to Harry if he was really stronger than become the only winner due the lack of the opponent.

When they drove in Santa Barbara, Cruz stopped the car and caught a taxi on the busy street. He's going to go at Capwell's and tell the news, and Mason drove home. Earlier he and Mary agreed that she would not wait for him in CC's house and come back to the children.
The house was dark and quiet, but Mason once noticed Mary on the sofa in the living room. She was sleeping in front of the TV on. Mason came up and pressed the power button. Mary immediately jerked and sat up straight.
"Mason?"
"Yes, it's me". Mason sat down beside Mary and put his arm around her.
"How..." Mary rubbed her eyes. "How did it go?"
"Remarkable," Mason kissed her temple. "Everything's fine and it will be even better. But I'll tell you later. Now we both go to sleep. Are the children all right?"
"Yes, just fine. Let's go upstairs". Mary breathed out loudly and hugged his shoulders. "I'm so glad you're back safe and sound".
"As I said as there was no extra danger for me. I love you". He hugged her back and then pulled her away, helping to stand up on her feet.
"This was my line," Mary smiled, biting her bottom lip. Her eyes dimmed with tears of relief. "I love you, Mason. Let's go to bed. We both terribly exhausted today".
Mason nodded. He was very tired but he felt a strange lightness also. As if a great weight fell off his shoulders. He cannot understand why. Yes, the situation was serious but it was not hopeless. And he did not even know Mr. Wayne. He saw him only the second time in his life. Why he was so important to him?
Mason's reasonable thoughts suddenly scattered like leaves in the wind. Mary kissed him on the lips and ran her fingers down his cheek.
"You're thinking too much," she whispered.
"My fault. But I'll do better", Mason whispered and kissed her back.

Chapter 167 - Bound Lives

The following days were filled with tense expectation of changes. Harry's plan turned out to be simple like all the great things were. Though it was a deceptive simpleness. But a week later Mason was glad to admit that they made it. Bernard Wayne disappeared off the map and got in Secret Services' reports as the liquidated individual. And Lengard David, the longtime friend of Waynes who currently staying at Capwells just spring up in his place.
"Why David?" Sophia surprised.
"I do not know," Mason shrugged. "It's his choice of the first name. By the way, of the last name too".
"So it's over? Completely? My father's not in the danger now?"
"Yes, fortunately. But you'd still better call him just "David". Help God to help those who help themselves".
"You're right. Thank you, Mason. You've done so much for me. I really cannot know how to thank you enough."
"Take care of Charlie," Mason asked after a pause. And then he added, seeing her face was flashed a guilty expression: "No, I aware that you do love him but..."
"No, I see," Sophia took Mason's hand and slightly smiled. "You ask me to protect your brother from your father".
"To some extent. But it's not just about that. Charlie... needs a mother. He is not me, he cannot cope alone. Of course, he remembers Pamela and wants to go back to her but it's impossible. And he needs someone who will be there for him".
"He has you", Sophia replied. And then she looked carefully at him: "What happened between you two during the walk?"
Mason looked away, walked around Capwells' living room and awkwardly ran his hand through his hair.
"I tried to save him from illusions about our mother's return. But he did not believe me", Mason heavy sighed. "I almost broke him. I thought it make him to feel better if he'll realizes that he's waiting for no one at all".
"Mason, I do not think you would feel any better if someone convinced you as a child that your mother is not coming back for you".
"Why does everyone think that I totally see myself in Charlie and trying to change my own past?" Mason got angry.
"Because it's true, even if you denying it".
Mason shook his head negatively. "May be this was in the beginning of the story but this'd not for a long time now. Charlie's not me, and I know that I would behave differently in his position. But I just no idea how to stop his obsession. He's very emotional, my youngest brother. And our father is not an authority for him. Unlike you". Mason looked at her stepmother.
"What makes you think that Charlie sees me as an authority?" She was surprised.
"Because he is looking for your protection and trusts you. That means a lot".
"I know," Sophia smiled. "Your request is unnecessary but I promise you, Mason, I won't let your brother to be hurt in any way. And you too". She put her arm around his shoulders and felt that he hugs her back.

A moment later Mason's walking through the French window out the garden. It was the shortest way to his car that he left inside the gate of the estate. But just halfway he heard familiar voices: the gruff male voice of Bernard Wayne and the voice of Mason's youngest brother Charlie.
"... Grandpa David, why you did not want to see Sophia? Do you not really love her?"
Mason stopped nearby, hiding in shadows of some overgrown bush. By some part of his mind he realized that he behaves exactly like Charlie who was engaged in eavesdropping and spying. It seems Capwell had it in their blood.
"Of course, I love Phia," Wayne replied with displeasure. "Just there were circumstances under I could not see her".
"Are they the same that made you wear the different name now? Grandpa, are you were a secret agent?"
"Something like that".
Mason could have sworn that there was laughter in Bernard's voice. He guessed that his youngest brother should jump up with shouts "Wow! Real 007!" But Charlie was silent.
"I wanted to be an agent," the boy said after a pause. "But I did not realize that I'll be alone then. Did you could meet no one? Absolutely?"
"Absolutely," Wayne said. He obviously restrained his irritation.
"But you wanted to, Grandpa... David? And... If you were an agent so you were still able to do it? Agents can do everything!"
"I could but I did not want to risk it. I afraid that Phia may get hurt if I make blunders".
"Agents never make blunders!" Charlie's voice sounded so confident that Mason almost laughed.
"Alas, they make. And those are next to them getting hurt. I could not let that happen".
"No, you just did not want to see Sophia. I can see you're not telling the truth, Grandpa".
"I'm not your grandfather!" Bernard could not resist. "Stop calling me like that".
Mason frowned, wondering whether it is time to intervene. He did not want the understandable irritation of Mr. Wayne fall on the head of his baby brother.
"Luppiter iratus ergo nefas (Jupiter, you are angry, therefore you are wrong)," the latter said suddenly shocking both adults.
Mason was relieved to hear Bernard's chuckle.
"Where are you getting this?" Wayne asked in the more good-naturedly manner.
"In the boarding school," Charlie said. "And I know I'm right. You did not want to see her".
Oh hell. Mason almost reached out to open bushes but just frozen when he heard Wayne's answer.
"Okay. Yes, I did not want to. Are you happy now?"
"No", Charlie said even more persistently. "Why you did not want?"
Pause. Bernard Wayne obviously wondered to dismiss it or say the truth.
"Because it's tough," he said finally. "It looks like that you, kid, something knows about it. Who does not want to come back to you?"
"My mom," Charlie said gloomily. "She could be. Just for five minutes. She stopped her visits back when I was in the boarding school. Why she did it? And why it can be tough? It's feels... like... a beam in the dark when you see the ones you love".
Silence.
"It is tough because then you must leave them, Charlie. Five minutes of light and then months of darkness and aloneness. They're tearing your soul apart".
Another pause.
"I remember... when I was waiting for my mom for long time and she finally came back, later she has been told me that she's cried all past night. Do you think she's... tearing her soul apart then?"
"I do not know, son. Maybe".
"I asked my mom to stay with me when she came here. I kept her asking very, very strongly. But she just got angry at me. She did not want me".
"Probably, she felt hurt, Charlie".
"But I felt hurt too. Why she could not stay with me?"
"I do not know, Charlie. But addition of hurts gets better no one".
"But what I supposed to do now?" Mason had to strain to hear those words. "I cannot live without her. I cannot live without my mother. I... I'll just die if she'll not there".
"Your mother is alive and well..."
"No, my father said that she's ill therefore she cannot pick me up".
"Well, all the more. So your mother cannot take you in because she is sick. You had to admit that this is a good reason. But she'll recover, and you'll see her later".
"My father says I'll not".
"CC Capwell is not God, he can not know this. But it's not that. Just think. For example, if you would know that your mother will recover within a year or two, what would you do?"
"Count down the days, could not wait to see her..."
"I believe that you would be. But how have you been lived all that time? A year or two is a long time. You would spend all your time waiting for. Just looking at the calendar to cross out the days and wait, wait, wait... only. No, boy, you cannot do like that. You'll go mad".
"And what do I do?" Charlie's voice was clearly laced with the tears. "I cannot do anything else..."
"You can, my friend. Now you're living in this hope. And you do see nothing except it. But there's another way. It is not perfect and it will not relieve your pain but it's better than to wait for a miracle indefinitely".
"What's way?"
"Live on".
"What?"
"Yes, just to live. Learning in the school, playing with friends, reading books... Your hope will not go away, it will remain with you but you're not going to get crazy about it. You'll just keep in your mind that one day a miracle can happen".
"I do not think I will able to..." Charlie sniffed; the tears obviously had been fallen.
"Of course, you'll. You're a strong guy. You'll be able to live with your longing. And believe me it gradually becomes not so acute".
"I do not want to forget my mother!" The desperate cry of pain.
"You'll not forget her. Who told you that?"
"But if I'll not miss her so I will forget her? I'll stop to love her?"
"Love and longing is not the same thing. You love your mom and keep longing for her. But your love would not cease if you finally met her and stopped to wait, right?"
Charlie's lost in thought.
"No," he answered confidently.
"Then there is no reason to believe that the decreasing of your longing somehow affect your love for your mother. Do you understand me?"
"Probably," Charlie said with obvious doubt but at least not being skeptic.
"You're too young for such subjects, of course. But just try to think over my words. And try to spend usefully the time that you will be forced to be away from your mother".
"Yes, I'll try, Grandpa David".
Mason heard the sound of departing footsteps. He was about to leave too when he heard: "You can already get out from behind the bushes, counselor. It seems being nosy is in Capwells' blood".
"I consider it as compliment," Mason walked out, trying to maintain his dignity and added after pausing: "Thanks for talking to my young brother. He has a hard time now".
"His mother is really sick?"
"Yes," Mason said, hinting that he does not want to go in details.
"It's a pity. He's a good kid. Though he's too mature for his age".
"The European education. Excuse me but I have to go," Mason turned to leave but he was stopped by Wayne: "Mason?"
"Yes?" he turned around.
"Thank you for everything you've done for me and my daughter. You really didn't have to".
Mason raised his eyebrow. "You're welcome. I'm glad I could help." And he briskly walked to his car; it's shining in the distance.

Bernard Wayne thoughtfully watched after the stepson of his daughter. Mason made a good impression on him in spite of Wayne's instinctive dislike for Capwells. And he felt something common between Mason and this boy. Not just family resemblance but something more kinship in the deep. They both had big hearts but as being child as Charlie was more open-heart, and Mason was hiding himself behind a wall of his sarcasm. Bernard suppressed the sigh. He have been loved his daughter but he always wanted to have a son. But it's too late now.

* * *

As soon Mason come into the house as his hand was immediately grabbed by Mary.
"Finally! Did you take your tuxedo from the cleaners?"
"What? My tuxedo?" stunned Mason looked at her.
"Mason! Have you forgotten that my sister's wedding is tomorrow?"
"Oh". He finally realized what it is. "No, I do remember. The Santa Maria Church, at 12.00".
"Very good. Your tuxedo?"
"I do not know yet, let me catch my breath".
"Mason Capwell, if it turns out that your tuxedo is not ready..."
"I'll buy a new one. Why are you so nervous?" He took Mary's arm. "Is something wrong?"
"No, I just... oh, I do not know. I'm afraid that anything goes wrong".
"Nothing goes wrong, everything will be alright," Mary gasped. "What is wrong with you? You were not so nervous even at our own wedding".
"I had no doubts when we're getting married".
Mason smiled.
"Are you afraid that Jimmy would leave Christy at the altar? Nonsense".
"I don't afraid that but... I just don't know anymore".
"Come on, they love each other. Beside your mother never going to give them any chances to leave".
"Oh, I promised to call her! Sorry, I'll be right back!" Mary rushed to the phone.
Smiling Mason'd watch her dialing her mother's number. God, how much he loves her! He got such a treasure! However, his surprised realizing was tinged a strange feeling of deservedness. He did deserve happiness. They both did deserve it.

Chapter 168 - The Full Circle

"James, do you take Christine, for your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health?"
"I do".
"Christine, do you take James, for your lawfully wedded husband to love and cherish from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health?"
"I do".

The wedding turned out beautifully. It's big, fun and crowded unlike Mary and Mason's. The Capwells had been mingled with countless members of Jimmy's large family; laughter and joy sounded all around. Theda wipes her tears of happiness; Jimmy's younger brother embraces rosy-colored Christy who has her baby bump, bored Chip and Sammy are playing hide-and-seek right during the wedding reception... And the bride and groom happily slift off to their honeymoon at the end.
"Finished your films?" Mary asked Mason.
He looked at the film counter of his camera.
"Nearly. The last one has only a couple of free shots. Let's take them".
Mary nodded. Mason set up the self-timer, then put his camera on the mantelpiece and stood in front of it, putting his arm around Mary.
"You have cake frosting on your cheek," Mary reached out to wipe it as there was a soft click.
"Oh," she grimaced. "Sorry".
"Do not be silly," Mason kissed her nose. "I'm sure you're look charming".
Mary giggled and then leaned her head against his shoulder.
"What a day, huh?"
"The good one," Mason admitted. "I'm not the wedding type except our own, of course, but this was lovely. I hope your sister will be happy with Jimmy".
"Me too. Jimmy's a good guy, and he loves Christy. They will be OK".
Mason was not so optimistic in his heart but he thought better don't mention it. Mary was pleased for her sister, no reasons to spoil her mood. Moreover, she's may be really right about it.
"I am glad that your mother got the children," he changed the subject. "We can spend some time alone, just you and I. Can relax and have drink of wine by the fire".
"It is tempting," Mary smiled.
"OK, I'll just take the camera to my study and then fix the fire..."
He started to upstairs but suddenly he was stopped by the voice of Mary. "Mason!"
He turned and walked toward her. Mary stared at the portrait on the wall. The same Mason's portrait that was painted by her earlier and did so much hurt to Mason.
"I thought you burned it. Why not?"
Mason shook his head. "First the fire and drink, then the talk, OK?"
Mary nodded and walked to the bar to pour the wine for both of them. Mason ran upstairs and just came back a moment later.
He quickly fixed the fire and sat down on cushions prepared on the floor. Mary handed the glass of wine to him and sat down beside.
"So... why did not you burn this painting?" after a pause she asked running her finger over the embossed pattern of pillows.
"At first I wanted to," Mason confessed and sipped his wine. "It was too painful to see myself turned inside out. But something stopped me," he shrugged. "Maybe it's because you were who painted it? Or may be because I just could not deny the truth anymore".
"But why you hang it on the wall in the living room?" Mary raised her head and stared into his eyes.
"Recent events had been changed me," Mason said slowly. "I still cannot say that I'm a new man but I can see some things in a new way".
"For example?" Mary laced her fingers with his.
"It's hard to explain. My life. My past. This portrait..." He sipped the wine again. "It is... a truthful, let's say. You drew me just the way I am. And though I do not see myself through your eyes, does not means I would not wanted to but I do not... feel shame and disgust for myself anymore. You love me as just me. And this means something".
Mary's eyes seem flashed and then she nodded. "You have the right to be who you are. And you have the right to be loved," she said firmly as if carving every word in stone.
"I knew it," Mason said, stroking her palm. "But in fact, I never felt it until now. That's why I took the portrait out of the closet. I want to see the real me whenever I come in this room. I want to remember that I have the right to be myself".
"I am glad," Mary admitted with relief. "I want the same for you. And I want to be proud of you. Of you as I see you".
"Because others do not see me like you do?" Mason realized. "You want to show the real me for everyone and say that you're proud of me?"
"Exactly!" Mary smiled and rubbed her cheek against his shirt. "Pour me another," she handed the empty glass to him.
Mason obeyed and then sat down on the cushions again, pulling Mary closer, hugging her from behind. They stayed silent for a time.
"Do you remember that we'll have our anniversary soon?" Mary asked and looked at his face sideways.
Mason nodded and smiled.
"How I can forget the wedding date on Christmas Eve?"
Mary giggled.
"Well, yes, it's the memorable calendar memo!" She paused. "A lot has happened during this time..."
"The year was challenging," Mason agreed. "But it was our. Did you give your gift to Christy, did you?" He asked suddenly.
"Yes, I did," Mary could not help but smiling when she remembered this. "I did not expect my sister had been so pleased".

When Christy saw the painting, first her expression even didn't change. But then it slowly dawned on her and she looked unbelived at Mary.
Mary smiled nervously: "You asked me to make some painting so I dre..." She could not finish the sentence because Christy hugged her, squeezed tightly.
"Thank you," the younger sister whispered. "I never thought that is possible".
Mary hugged her sister back and looked at the painting again. It showed some symbiosis of past and present. The family house was painted as it was once upon a time and as it was painted as the background in previous Mary's failed attempt makes the portrait of her parents. But there were not Theda and Kenneth in front of it, but Christy and Jimmy. They wear their very casual clothes and Christy had a swaddled tiny baby in her arms. And there were a shadowy figure on the top right corner of the painting, seems he's watching for the couple.
"I did not too" Mary admitted. "But I really tried. I wanted to make this possible".
"Thank you!" Christy pulled away, wiping her eyes and smiling happily. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" And she kissed her older sister on the cheek".

"Christy was delighted," Mary emerged out of her memories. "She does love the picture".
"That's not surprising. You make it really good".
"Yes, but... you do aware from your own experience that it can be somehow a negative, not a positive. But Christy even did not make clear what she wanted to see on it. I could give her the picture of a goldfish from the pool of your father's garden".
"But you gave her the unique family portrait. Christy knew she could count on you. Mary... did you never regret that you did not choose the way of arts?"
"Means not became a starving artist? Never. My profession has allowed me to earn a living, and I always wanted to help people. And I could not live for drawing. It is not so important for me. And on top of everything else I would never met you then, and this is unacceptable to me".
"And you do not think that it's the price is too high?"
"The price of our meeting?" Mary raised her head and looked at him. Mason's face was serious. "Of course, no".
"You've been through. Even through death".
"And so? It just happened. And no, I absolutely do not want to consider the idea that I could have lived all this time without meeting you. Never!" A cold shiver suddenly shook her.
Mason anxiously rubbed her arms along the entire length. "I'm sorry. I did not mean to upset you".
"Well, then do not talk about this idea," Mary paused and then added: "When I was in the hospital having my amnesia, sometimes I dreamed about my past. Dreamed of the real life. Actually our real life. And the worst thing was to wake up and realize that it's all just a dream. And it became even worse when I dreamed of you".
"But I have not been just a part of the dream, I really existed".
"Yes. But I was not aware it and seriously believed that you're just some kind of... I do not know, may be the character of a book, a movie... just a part of my imagination at all. It felt so painful, so hopeless... now I know it was not my dream, you exist and even still love me," she slightly smiled. "But my memories of the time when I did mot know this... it felt terrible even now. So I've already had it in some way. I already had the life where you were not".
"For not too long, fortunately," Mason embraced her, held her close.
"Yes... although it was only a few months for me but you actually spent whole year believing that I'm dead. So let's no talk about it, okay? It's all in past. Now we are together and no one and nothing can hurt us".
"I agree! Let's go upstairs. Bedroom?" Mason released Mary and stood up.
"Let's go!" Mary grabbed his offered hand and rose gracefully.
Mason headed for the stairs but turned back when he noticed that Mary did not follow him. She stood in front of the portrait again but it was for just some half a minute now. Then she turned around, smiling caught Mason's sight and caught up with him in a few steps.
"I love you," she leaned against his shoulder.
"I love you too," he put his arm around her and gently stirred her up the stairs. "And I'm going to prove it to you all night".
Mary giggled, and they began to going up to the second floor. To their own bedroom. Of his own home. Of their own life.

The Epilogue
Five years later

"Mom, where's my pro fish rod?" the boy's voice ringing through the house. "I cannot find it!"
Chip ran down the stairs to the living room and stopped in the middle of it.
"In the closet, of course," Mary looked up from her magazine. "And we agreed that you will not take it out without permission".
"But you already said that you'll let me take it tomorrow for go fishing! Mom!"
"I said I'll give it to Charlie when you'll go. You're just seven; you're too young for such things".
"But it's my gift! Aunt Augusta sent it me for my birthday!"
"Yeah, just a little bit premature. At least a few years," Mary sighed, put the magazine down and draw her eldest son to her. "I do not say no, right? Tomorrow you'll go fishing with your gift, but in the care of Charlie".
"Yes, but..."
"No buts, young man..." Mary did not have time to finish her sentence because the phone rang and Chip rush to pick up, yelling "It's Uncle Charlie!"
Mary shook her head. Oh, boys and their fish rods.
At this point the front door swung open and pouty Samantha with pouty Mickey in tow sailed in.
"Mom, I want to go fishing!" he stated immediately.
"Me too!" Sammy jumped up. "Why Chip was allowed to but I was not? I'm younger then him just for a month!"
"Sam, you just said that you feel sorry for a fish caught and it's boring stuff after all. Is something changed now?"
The girl shook her head negatively and landed on the couch.
"He's crazy about his fish rods! And Aunt Augusta actually is my aunt, not his! Why life is so unfair?!"
"It's Aunt Augusta who gave you among other gifts the huge dollhouse which took half of your room, was she? And you're the one who first actually wanted to live into it? Sammy, you just do not want to Chip would go away somewhere without you".
"We're almost twins," Sammy pouted petulantly. "Why would he want to do that stupid fishing?"
"The excitement of the hunter," Mason's voice came from the door. "In a way he and Charlie found each other".
"And I got left behind," Samantha sighed. "I and Mike," she called her youngest brother for an ally.
"Yeah, I got left," Mickey nodded seriously. "Daddy, why Uncle Charlie have a mustache?"
Mason barely managed to save a serious expression on his face, and Mary's not even able to. She cannot help but giggled.
"To not get dirty his lips," Samantha explained to her little brother and stared in amazement as the parents sniggered. "What?"
"N-nothing," Mary barely uttered. "Who told you that?"
"Uncle Brandon. He has a mustache too. He cuts it".
"Shaves," Mason corrected, barely holding the laughter back. "Like all men. And your father too".
"I know!" Samantha protested. "And all of them doing it to not get dirty their lips!"
Smiling Mary shook her head and turned to Mason
"You are so early today. Something is wrong?"
"No, everything is okay. Could not be better actually," he walked over and hugged her.
"It's good. The year of our living in Los Angeles was good but there was nothing like home".
"Oh yeah!" Samantha grinned.
"Really? But you did not want to leave it".
"Naturally, I did not. But it's good to be back. To see Grandpa CC, Grandma Sophia, Great Grandpa David and Grandma Theda. And Uncle Charlie. And Aunt Eden and Uncle Cruz, and Aunt Kelly with her new Uncle... Too pity, Uncle Ted is away in... that..."
"Singapore," Mary prompted.
"Yes, in Singapore. But there is still Aunt Christy and Uncle Jim. Mom, Mike had not played with Alice for a long time. Can we go and see her tomorrow?"
"A long time is past week. Well, alright," Mary sighed. "I'll call Aunt Christy. If she does not mind, I'll take you over there".
"Yay!" Samantha started to jump on the spot. "I can play with Davy along the way".
"I thought so," Mary cannot help but smiled. Sammy's affection to the youngest son of Christy was well known. "Now you all run to change," she gave the children a little push toward the stairs. "We will have dinner in half an hour".
Sammy and Mickey ran upstairs, and Mason looked at smiling Mary.
"So it's alright?"
"Yes," he reached out and kissed her on lips. "This Los Angeles's job gave benefits to my career. Thank you".
"For what?" Mary surprised.
"For you're there for me. For you left Santa Barbara for whole year without hesitation for me. For you".
"Thank you for you too. I would have none of this without you," Mary gestured around and typically stopped her sight on Mason's portrait on the wall.
"Saved from the fire," Mason chuckled. "Yes, thank you for it too. You helped me find myself".
"It was mutual," Mary smiled and stroked his arm. "Get changed. We will have dinner soon".
Another quick kiss and Mary looked after her husband who started to run upstairs. They were happy. 
Together and forever.