Part 2
It was late and obvious now that Vincent and Catherine were not returning, and Father was in two minds whether to seek them out and ask them to join him for supper or leave them be.
Catherine's sudden declaration of coming to live Below had, Father noticed, quite surprised his son, not to mention himself. They no doubt had much to talk about.
As he contemplated what to do for the best, he heard footsteps approach and looking up saw Mary enter followed by a person whose face he had not seen in quite some time.
"Devin!"
"Hiya Pop. Did you miss me?"
Devin breezed into the chamber to quickly hug his father in greeting before looking all round and asking, "Where's Vincent?"
"He's in his chamber….but Devin wait…don't go in there…" but Devin had already gone.
Mary smiled at Father, "Seems Devin has something for Vincent, and can't wait to see his face when he gives it to him. Why do you worry so?"
"Its not that Mary…" And Father proceeded to tell her of Catherine's decision.
Not many minutes later Devin walked back into his father's chamber with a stunned expression on his face. Both Father and Mary noticed at once, "Why Devin what ever is the matter?" Mary asked.
Devin grinned sheepishly, "You didn't tell me Catherine was with him."
"Well you didn't wait long enough to be told. I'm sure Catherine wouldn't have minded Vincent speaking with you though, even though they have much to discuss. Surely Vincent was pleased to see you?"
"He didn't see me." Devin almost laughed. He'd seen him though, and what a shock he'd got.
"He didn't see you, what do you mean?" Father was truly mystified.
"He had his eyes shut. Pop he was sleeping."
"Sleeping, I wasn't aware that Catherine had left."
By Devin's face Mary deduced what Devin had seen and her eyes opened wide -surely not?
"She hasn't Pops, she's still with him. She's asleep too."
"You mean they have both fallen asleep, I don't understand. They went in there to discuss the possibility of Catherine's coming here to live with us permanently, I can't understand why they have fallen asleep?"
Devin erupted into laughter, "Lord but for a doctor you are naïve Pop."
"Am I missing something here?" Father asked as Devin winked at Mary and she hid a giggle behind her hand.
"You sure are. Let's just say that discussing the possibility of Catherine's move down here was not the top priority on their minds. Let's just say that by the looks of it Catherine has just given my little brother his first lesson in getting his leg over."
Father gasped and reddened, "Devin!"
Devin burst into laughter, "Well look for yourself if you don't believe me." He continued to shake with laughter, while inside thinking 'way to go Vincent.'
Father looked from Devin to Mary unable to believe his ears, Vincent and Catherine doing that? Surely not? Devin must have been mistaken. He told him so. "You must have misjudged the situation Devin, Vincent would never agree…"
"Just go and look. Don't take my word for it."
Father stared at his son his temper rising, how could Devin swan in here and moments later presume that his own brother would do such a thing. Devin had no idea of the amount of discussions he and Vincent had had these past three years over such an event taking place. Vincent would never ever allow it. It was too dangerous, with him being as he was.
Picking up his stick, Father hobbled towards the entrance, thinking I'll show that wayward son of mine. His worldly ways and his worldly language are not welcome here. He is mistaken surely?
Mary watched Father go, she was torn as to whether to go along with him or stay put, but before she had decided Devin had caught her arm. "It isn't a peep show Mary, and Pop will soon see that I'm telling the truth. They are in bed together, sound asleep."
"Maybe they were tired, maybe they just lay down together and fell asleep?" Mary told him.
"Naked?" Devin started to laugh at the look on her face. It was priceless.
Not too many minutes later Father returned, his face expressionless.
"So?" Devin asked.
"So what?" Father snapped.
Mary stiffled another giggle, "Excuse me Jacob I'll have William rustle up some late supper for Devin." She was gone in an instance.
Father walked to his seat aided by Devin and sat down without a word, with not even a thank you for his help.
For long moments he was silent, and Devin didn't know what to expect, but remained quietly waiting. Finally Father looked up at him, "I do believe you are right my boy." And to Devin's amazement his father burst into tears.
The next few days were spent in a whirl. Catherine took some leave much to Joe's chagrin so that she could secretly pack the belongings from her apartment and trail them down to the basement where Vincent would collect them after dark.
That accomplished she went back into work and Joe could not deny the change in her.
"If four days rest brought me back to work looking so utterly refreshed as you look Radcliffe I would take some time too. You look great, what are you on? Got some for me?"
Catherine laughed. Even her laughter rang musical. She was positively glowing.
"Well I do feel good." She told him happily, "And I am raring to go."
"Well what's first on the agenda?"
"Well I haven't entirely been work free Joe, I did keep my promise to interview the man that calls himself Myhr as promised on my first day of leave, but as I haven't seen him since that will be my first port of call."
"Why the interest Radcliffe, surely two visits at this stage is enough?"
"You're right, but I feel there is more to this than meets the eye. For example I definitely feel they have the wrong man."
"Now why doesn't that surprise me?" Joe smiled to soften his response as Catherine looked at his strangely. "So have you got any other clues Radcliffe?" It was such direct questions as these that always had Catherine averting her eyes, just a little, just missing the mark. She could not look him in the eye and lie, she never had been able to do. But to avert her eyes just a little, she could just about manage it, "No Joe none at all, but I feel certain he just had to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, as coincidental as that sounds, bearing his outfit in mind and all that." She hoped she sounded professional. She didn't feel it. But Joe accepted her statement and nodded, "Actually I got that impression too from your report. There is absolutely no way he could have cleaned up in such a short space of time. Besides Radcliffe there has been a development since you were last here."
"There has?" Catherine's heart raced, "Tell me?"
"The police are working on the possibility that the guy was set up, for reasons unknown as yet. There was no time or date on that video left for the police, and what was shown on it could have happened down that alley at any time, not necessarily that night. Someone could have acted out such an event on another night just to set the guy called Myhr up. And in consideration of that it was decided that he would probably be 'safer' in the state prison." Joe raised his hands to make the sign of inverted commas when he said the word safer and Catherine followed his drift straight away.
"Safer Joe. You've got to be kidding right?"
"Of course, but no one is going to admit that the state prison is a criminals paradise are they? The theory is that whoever wants to see this Myhr guy get it for whatever reason, are more likely to strike there than they are at the county jail. He's being transferred today and being monitored very closely while he's there, I can tell you."
Catherine didn't know whether to rejoice or not. Certainly Myhr's arrival at the state prison slipped right into her plans, but his being watched so closely would hinder things.
For now though she should rejoice, the other thing she would give some thought. She knew that Myhr was not in any kind of trouble with anyone, and he would be perfectly safe while she thought of an added plan to secure to the first, so that Vincent was in no more danger than he was before.
For Myhr it was a painfully long time to wait but to Catherine good planning could not be accomplished overnight and she worked very closely with Vincent over the next three weeks. Grateful that the arrival of Devin helped to secure their plan.
They went over it a final time in Vincent's chamber before the day arrived.
"So we are all agreed?" Catherine asked looking to the two brothers in turn.
"Yes." Both men told her in unison.
"So let's run through it one last time. Tomorrow I will go to visit Myhr at the state prison and suggest we go out into the yard to speak. This shouldn't be a problem as I have done this for the past four days without suspicion.
But tomorrow as I arrives I tell security that I am awaiting a messenger and to let me know when he arrives.
Then Myhr and I will be in the yard when Devin arrives bringing the message and while the security guard comes to get me, I tell him that Myhr and I are not finished, but I will return just as soon as I have spoken to the messenger.
Hopefully he will leave Myhr in the yard and at that point Vincent you jump down into the yard, break through the surrounding wall, and whisk Myhr away. Devin leaves, and I go back to the yard and find no Myhr.
I might be some time, no doubt they will hold me for questioning and I cannot tell them who brought the message since I don't know his name, and the message was to do with another case I've been working on.
At this stage neither of you must worry or come looking for me. It's possible that I will be held for further questioning, but you must promise to stay put.
If I can and if the going gets tough and I think that I am in deep trouble I will convince them that I will be perfectly secure in my apartment and ask to let me go there. Most of my stuff is already in the basement, save for a few bits of essential furniture, and if it comes to that then I will get word to you Vincent to come and collect me from there, and we will both exit over the balcony.
Vincent laughed at that, "It will be the first time, just make certain you are wearing sensible footwear or it might be your last."
"Talking of which.." Devin could not help but say, "There is a first time for everything this week it would seem." Vincent and Catherine drew their brows together and looked at Devin totally mystified, "What do you mean?" Catherine asked him.
Devin burst into laughter but would not say more.
Vincent and Catherine exchanged worried glances, but before either of them could question him further Devin said, "I know we have gone over and over this plan Cathy, but am I permitted to say that I don't like it?"
Catherine looked at him in surprise, as did Vincent.
"And another thing," he told them both while he had their rapt attention, "When were you going to run it by Father?"
When neither answered Devin looked shocked, "You were going to tell him weren't you?"
"Are you kidding!" Catherine laughed, "Devin you know your father, he'd have a fit if he knew what was taking place tomorrow. He never liked the sound of it before we had worked it all out as it was."
"That's what I mean. Look you two pardon me for saying so, but I think the pair of you are too darn close to the problem to see it logically." Devin turned to face his brother, "Vincent I think that you feel so guilty that this innocent man is being blamed for your handiwork that you want to free him as soon as possible to appease your conscience. And Catherine…" he turned next to face her, "For similar reasons, I think that you are doing the same thing."
"Oh you do, do you?" Catherine was on the defensive.
"Calm down Cathy. Look from my point of view only I think you feel so guilty that Vincent has had to kill people to save you from dangerous assignments that you too want this over and done with and swept under the carpet as soon as possible. All I'm asking is that you should run it by the man of wisdom himself. If Father agrees to it, then go ahead, but personally I think he will throw the whole damn plan out of court."
Catherine's mouth dropped open and Vincent's eyes widened, was that true? Were they too close to see the dangers?
"This isn't a game you know. This isn't a game where you outwit your opponents. This is breaking a man out of jail. What if, just what if Vincent gets in their and finds he is unable to break through the wall on the inside. What if the walls have solid steel reinforcements between two layers of brick? Have you thought of that?"
"The plans don't show it." Catherine retorted.
"Maybe not, but have you checked, do you know for certain? Where did you get the plans? Are they available at a price to anyone?"
"No I haven't checked no I'm not certain and no they aren't available to anyone. Only those in the right profession." Catherine snapped.
"Okay okay come down off your high horse Cathy. Okay so they are only available to lawyers and cops and people like that. What about fraudulent lawyers?"
Catherine stared at him. She knew very well what he was talking about. The very first time they had met he had been posing as a lawyer under fraudulent means. And she understood what he was driving at, but not the gist of what he was saying.
"If anyone can get their hands on the plans Cathy, you can bet your bottom dollar that the authorities have planned for that. Plans such as these meet public demand. School projects general interest stuff like that. As far as such people are concerned that's all they need to know. But for the sole purpose of keeping criminals behind bars the real blueprints would reveal the real status of the prison, and those kind of plans would be kept under lock and key inside a vault possibly in the very prison itself.
You know you won't be the first people that have thought of smashing someone out of jail, but if you think you can waltz in there and pull it off I think you are going to come very much unstuck. Personally I think Vincent's going to find himself behind bars with no where to run. It's not going to be simply a case of 'Beam me up Scotty you know'? If the inmates can't get out, how could Vincent, even if he is so much stronger. That type of prison is designed to hold the strongest man in the world. I'm sorry Cathy, but your plan is not going to work."
Catherine could see he was right, "Then what are we to do?"
"You have to outsmart the authorities. Both of you were working on Vincent's super strength but that's not the way. A bullet is much more lethal and so much faster, and Vincent would be down before he could move a muscle. Remember what you are doing here. Breaking a man out of jail that has been considered a mass murderer. Any attempt on that is not going to be taken lightly. And I think personally that you should leave Vincent entirely out of this."
"I won't have Catherine undertake this alone. It's because of me that this has happened." Vincent flared.
"No it isn't. Its because some geezer wanted to be nosy. This, this guy Myhr is to blame. He knew that the whole thing was a set up, he should have left well alone, or he may have found a bullet in his back. Come to that how can we believe his story. Could be that he is trying to flush Vincent out for the gang who arranged all this to start with."
Catherine stared at Vincent. How could she have been so naïve? Devin was right, how much could they trust this guy in the cat disguise anyway?
"Vincent has to stay out of it. He has to."
This time Vincent agreed. To think it could possibly be a set up, well he had no choice but to keep well away. Secretly he was relieved, he hadn't liked the plan anymore than Devin, but could think of no other way.
"I think our first job is to see Kanin. He's been in that prison and he knows more than any of us three as to what goes on in there. I don't consider that any of the tunnels have links beneath the prison or if they do no doubt they are encased by a solid wall of concrete but a surprise tactic might be our only answer. At this moment in time I haven't a clue, but lets speak to Kanin and see what materialises shall we? And also run it by Father, are we all agreed?"
Catherine and Vincent nodded. It did make perfect sense.
Every time Father saw Vincent and Catherine he saw them in a new light. Images flashed through his mind of his son and the woman he loved laying naked in bed together. The top half of them exposed from where the quilt had slipped back.
Vincent had said nothing, but Father detected a new awareness in his son, and a new confidence around Catherine. He was more assertive, more attentive, and more certain of his place in her life.
The change warmed Father's heart and though his outburst of tears had worried Devin at the time, when Father had explained that they were tears of happiness and relief Devin had understood.
The solitary life each had expected for Vincent was now banished forever. Catherine had given Vincent a life, and they would be forever indebted to her for that.
But Father was not about to agree to everything she said just because of it.
When he was finally told of their original plan some days after Devin had suggested that he should know, Father was furious, and when Kanin stood in the chamber and outlined the inner security of the prison Father was even more disgusted with them.
"None of you." He flared, "None of you, least of all you Catherine, and I'm surprised at you for even suggesting it, none of you should be thinking about setting this man free. What are the courts for? What is a trial for? As Devin rightly pointed out this man placed himself in danger. And what you all seem to have overlooked is that he had gone out dressed as a cat to look like Vincent, and he knew damn well that Vincent would be there. Why in God's name does one look for trouble like that? Why when he knew there was a guy with a video camera recording the whole event did he involve himself? I'm sorry but Devin's remark of the fellow being in on it to flush Vincent out makes perfect sense to me. I reckon it is a set up."
"But if it isn't?" Vincent whispered, "Father this man could be innocent. He is being blamed for something that I did. He could be executed."
"Rubbish. The least he will be tried for is being an accessory. He couldn't have committed those crimes for he was too clean, and in typical batman and robin style he could have had an accomplice who committed the murders and then he took the heat off by baffling the detectives. This man will not be charged, he can't be. There is only circumstantial evidence to link him to the crime, and none of that proves he did it."
Listening to Father speak Catherine felt foolish. She was the lawyer it should have been she that stood there saying all that. Devin was right she and Vincent had been too close to the problem. They had allowed guilt to over ride common sense. Thank God Devin had turned up when he did.
"So we do nothing?"
"For the time being yes."
"Why the time being? What would alter things?"
"If we wait until this fellow has been tried, if we wait to see whether he is genuine and wasn't hired to flush Vincent out, then we can rethink things through. Personally I think he will be released on a conditional discharge, but even then I think it would be unwise to bring him down here as we had first discussed. In fact I personally think that we should forget about him completely and let him take his chances, just as every one caught in the wrong place at the wrong time has to take their chances."
"That's all very well Father, but not every one knows about Vincent. How much can we trust him to keep silent?" Catherine asked.
"Vincent knows the risks he takes every time he goes Above, and he knows that people might see him, and he runs the risk that any sighting could result in his being discovered. But fortunately life is full of sceptics and would be especially so toward a man who walks about the city dressed as a cat. The chances of his being believed to any greater degree are very remote, and then he has got to find Vincent. He doesn't have knowledge of the tunnels does he?"
Catherine shook her head "If he has he's not heard it from me."
"Well then I think we should let sleeping dogs lie and leave it to the authorities. You Catherine were assigned to his case, but I think if you can wiggle out of it you should."
"I can do better than that Father, I can disappear off the face of the earth literally and come down here."
"Are you sure about that my dear? Without the jail break there isn't quite the necessity now to come Below as there was before."
"Yes there is Father. The necessity is greater. If I'm down here, Vincent is not up there, surely you can't argue with that?"
"I'm not arguing with anything my dear, I just want you to know exactly what you are doing. What you are giving up."
"I'm giving up nothing that I cannot receive tenfold by being here with Vincent."
Father smiled, her words touched a chord in his heart, he could see how deeply her loyalty run for his son, in fact she showed a fierce protective spirit when it came to loving Vincent. He could understand that, and so could Devin. In fact the three of them knew what it was to love Vincent on equal terms but for different reasons.
"Then welcome my dear. It will be a pleasure having you live with us, and a real treat to have someone to challenge me over the chess board, you play remarkably well Catherine."
Catherine stepped forward to hug him, "Besides there is another reason." She whispered into his ear so that only he could hear her, "I'll tell you later." And she winked at him as she drew away.
Father drew his brows together as Catherine positively blossomed before his eyes. He hadn't noticed it earlier, he'd been too busy watching the changes in his son, but now he had noticed, and as his medical eye did some quick calculations he positively glowed all over. If he was right, of course Catherine had to move Below.
Kanin left them shortly after this exchange and Devin followed him out leaving Vincent and Catherine in Father's company for the first time since Devin had arrived. Father realised in all that time he had hardly spoken half a dozen words to Vincent, because for the first time he had spent uninterrupted time with his other son, time pursued in pleasurable conversation long overdue. He had learned a great deal about his fleshly son in the past four weeks, things that made him proud to be his father. In fact Devin wasn't the bad sort he had always been led to believe. And Father came to know that Devin truly did love Vincent so much that much of the pranks he had reprimanded his son for during their childhood years had been things instigated by Vincent, but for which Devin had taken the blame.
Now finding himself alone with Vincent and Catherine Father offered them tea and hoped they would stay long enough to engage in stimulating conversation.
"Do you have any classes to prepare for tomorrow Vincent?"
"No Father nothing that needs my attention tonight."
"Will you both stay with me for supper then?"
"Yes Father we'd like that." Father noted with interest the 'we'. Once Vincent would have consulted Catherine before answering. Now he automatically included her along with himself.
"So what have you two been getting up to since we last had a chance to sit and talk like this?" Father tried not to sound too interested as he poured them tea.
Vincent and Catherine exchanged hurried glances, "Actually Father there is something you should know." Vincent spoke quietly. He had wanted to bring it up ever since the morning after he had first made love to Catherine almost a month ago. Since then they had made love at every given opportunity and now it was imperative that they mention it to Father.
Father raised his head, settling the teapot down between cups, waiting for one of them to speak.
He watched them knowing whatever it was they needed to say was difficult. He had seen his son struggle with words before, but he had never been this bad. Catherine was quiet, much more quieter than usual but she seemed to speak to his son with her eyes. He decided to help them out a little.
"Catherine did you want to tell me that other reason for you to move Below now?" He took his time filling the next cup, allowing her to decide whether to tell him. Replacing the teapot to its stand once again, he looked up to find her looking at him, a small smile playing around the corners of her mouth.
So that was it, humour tactics, well that was all right by him, if that's what she felt happiest with.
He waited watching as the flickering candle light danced in her eyes and saw them light up with an inner spark as she started to speak, "Father do you think you could give me a pregnancy test?"
Vincent almost passed out. When they had spoken of consulting Father, he had told Catherine that he would tactfully bring up the possibility of Catherine carrying his child. So his mouth dropped open and he waited for the outburst that would surely come.
But Father calmly filled the final cup, and passed one to Vincent who took it with trembling hands, and one to Catherine whose eyes had never left him, before settling himself back with his own cup against his high back chair.
He took a few sips, aware in a gleeful way that Vincent and Catherine stared at him gone out, before he replaced his cup to its saucer and to their utmost surprise told them, "Yes I think that would be possible Catherine. It will be about a month by now wouldn't it? Long enough for a positive result if there is to be one don't you think, my dears?"
There was complete and utter silence. Father picked up his cup again and took some more sips. He was loving every moment of this. Vincent and Catherine lost for words? What bliss -and the looks on their faces! He wished he had a camera and could treasure that look for ever.
"You knew?" Catherine was the first to retrieve her voice. It had fallen somewhere between her toes, and it looked very much like Vincent's had hit subterranean level. It might be a long time before he could retrieve his again. If ever he could.
"But of course." Father replied as if they were asking him whether he knew how many candles he had burned yesterday.
"You knew?" Catherine repeated unable to believe it.
"Knew what?" Everyone looked up as Devin re-entered the chamber, walking towards the table to pour himself some tea. He had been listening outside and had gone over the possibility of discussing this delicious topic with Father some days earlier when speaking about what to say when Vincent and Catherine finally told them about the new turn their relationship had taken.
Father looked up at Devin, who detected the hidden smile in his father's eyes, "Oh that." He went round to Vincent's side, "Yes we knew about that didn't we Pops?"
"You knew too?" Vincent had found his voice, scraped it off the floor ten levels below, broken and cracked from its fall.
"That you and Cathy were lovers. Yes, way to go Vincent!" and Devin slapped his brother on the back before taking up his cup of tea and downing it in a couple of swallows." Gotta go, I promised Mouse I'd help out with something." And with that he had taken the steps two at a time and vanished before anyone could speak. But he did not get far. Out of sight he creased in half with silent mirth.
Inside the chamber it was a long time before anyone spoke again until finally Catherine broke the silence. She laughed. Just the merest of giggles at first, then on and on until her giggles bubbled over into full-blown laughter that sounded as if it might never stop.
Father leaned forward and grasped Vincent's hands in his, "Congratulations my boy, you cannot know how happy I am for you." Father's merry eyes twinkled.
"You knew?" Vincent echoed Catherine's words of earlier. He looked absolutely shocked and continued to stare at his parent.
Father nodded, a smile lighting his eyes, "From the very first night."
"And you said nothing?" Vincent whispered with disbelief.
"Nothing at all. But I've got plenty to say now!" His voice rose high enough to penetrate Catherine's humour and she slowed to a stop to hear him out. Her eyes were troubled. And Father couldn't keep it up and he started to giggle. He had enjoyed himself immensely at their expense but he couldn't trouble them further now, he just couldn't, "Its all right, its all right." He told them laughing heartily, "Even if the possibility of my being a grandfather is to arise it's done now, and I understand really I do, these things happen, and happen and happen again, and the thought of contraception seldom comes up before it's too late. Don't worry, I am happy for you both really I am."
He stood as did they and the three embraced tightly, "I'm so happy for the two of you." Father told them with tears in his eyes, "So very happy for you. You have both deserved this happy life. It couldn't have happened to a nicer couple. Everyone is going to be so delighted. Oh I can't wait to see their faces."
For Mhyr waiting in prison it was already too long a sentence. Something had gone wrong, he was certain of it.
At first he thought he had it made, a big fat cheque in his bank account and a way to discredit a lawyer.
He had nothing against her of course, but when he had been approached in his home-town of Texas by a man he had never seen before, Myhr had thought it too good an offer to refuse. The plan was a simple enough one he just hadn't thought that he could be double-crossed. Other people would take all the risks. He would just reel off the story to Miss Chandler as he had been requested to do, she would find a way of getting him out of jail, use her friend to help her, the men would be waiting and that would be that. He'd be paid and put it all behind him.
But things hadn't gone that way. In the small amount of time he had met Catherine Chandler he had come to see her loyalty to the man who only ever killed for a reason. And usually to protect her and Myhr could see no reason why he shouldn't do that. Catherine Chandler was one beautiful woman, and anybody that actually got to love her was one lucky guy.
No one knew the face behind the disguise of the guy that cleaned the scum off the streets, but Myhr had heard that he had killed a lot of people and must have one nifty weapon to instil the wounds he inflicted to make it fit his lion like appearance.
He was quickly becoming a legend in his own right and Myhr kind of admired the man for that. A sort of vigil anti that no one was able to track. In fact he seemed to disappear into thin air every time. But someone had wanted revenge someone had wanted his blood. A brother of a cousin of a father or something had died at his hands and their life was to be avenged. But Myhr knew now that he couldn't be the one to help them, he couldn't let this guy be caught, neither could he implicate his lawyer lover assuming that they were that close.
But it troubled him that the plan had suddenly gone cold. One moment his contacts were impressed by his reports and he was awaiting Miss Chandler's final visit before his escape and the next there was nothing. She simply did not come again. Neither had there been anyone to come in her place. And the day of the trial was approaching fast.
He didn't seriously think they had anything on him and he didn't seriously worry, but he was growing impatient and he was annoyed that he would not now get his promised money, save for the few thousand he had been given up front. It did not for one moment cross his mind that his own life might now be in danger.
No simply a few days from now circumstantial evidence would not be enough to convict him. He would be free, and he was going home. Home to Texas with all this behind him. And that thank God would be the end of that
"Morning Joe." Catherine walked into her office one morning and greeted her boss whose back was turned to her. He swung round at the sound of her voice. "Cathy! Where have you been, I mean where the hell have you been?"
Catherine smiled, "Thanks for worrying Joe. I'm sorry I took off like that Joe but I had some problems to sort out, and they still aren't sorted. I only came in to hand in my notice." Joe was stunned, to have her back and see her go again, well he felt as though someone had just cut off his life-blood.
"You're leaving?"
"I have to Joe, I'm pregnant."
His mouth fell open, he felt it and his jaw seemed to be paralysed. There was no way he would ever shut his mouth again he was sure of it.
Catherine giggled at the sight he represented and placing the index finger of her right hand beneath his chin she deftly closed his mouth.
He stared at her and she nodded, "Its true Joe don't look so surprised, I'm expecting a baby and I am leaving my career to bring up my child."
Joe found his voice, "I suppose it belongs to whatshisname?"
"Of course. Be happy for me Joe. Believe me this is all I have ever wanted."
"Then if that's the case, I am happy for you Radcliffe, only you certainly pick your timing. We are so busy right now."
"You'll soon find a replacement Joe. Why there will be a whole line of people queuing up to work for you."
"How long will you stay? A month?"
"Yes, sorry I can't give you any longer, but I am moving into his place and its out of town. A month is all I can give you I'm sorry."
"So where is this place or is that classified too?"
"Yes Joe I'm sorry I can't tell you but I'll keep in touch I promise."
Joe nodded, "Let me give you a big hug kiddo, It'll never be the same around here without you. I shall miss you lots." They embraced and Catherine hugged him hard, "You've been a good friend Joe, I'll miss you too. But hey we have another month together so what you got for me?"
"Desk job right?"
"Desk job." Catherine nodded.
"Well since I handed that Myhr Der case onto Brad, and since it goes to trial tomorrow its too late for you to do anything on that now. Let's see I think I can find you some mundane domestics that should get you through the month."
"How has the Myhr Der case gone Joe. Was there any further developments?"
"Nothing. The guy is sure to get off. They have nothing on him. They don't even think he knows the guy that does do all this vigil anti stuff anymore either. It was just as he said being in the wrong place at the wrong time, very coincidental but nothing more than that. What's more the guy actually comes from Texas, so he doesn't even know New York, he was on holiday here apparently."
Catherine heard alarm bells sound in her head. "Has he been here before?"
"Says not."
"How long was his holiday?"
"A couple of weeks. Poor guy has been here longer than he expected. Plus he has alibis for all the other attacks that have taken place over the past three years too. He wasn't even in this city at the time of any of them."
Catherine drew her lips into a thin straight line. Father had been right the fellow had led them on. He couldn't have been saved by Vincent at some stage that would have been impossible. Nonetheless she wanted to hear it from him. "Joe I would like to go and see him before the trial, do you mind?"
"But why?"
"I owe him an apology I'd like to do that. I just stopped seeing him, he must have wondered why."
Joe nodded, "Okay, well I think Brad is going this afternoon, do you want to go with him?"
"No if its all right with you I'd like to go now."
"Okay Radcliffe, that'll give me time to sort out some cases for you."
On the way to the prison Catherine thought over the very many things Myhr had told her. She couldn't believe she had been so easily fooled. Devin had been right, she and Vincent had been too close to the problem, and in being so it had clouded her judgement. But she was usually so careful and could usually spot a lie like that. Myhr had had her completely fooled, but why? That's what she wanted to know why had he lied to her? What possible reason was there for him to do so?
She arrived at the prison before lunch and was ushered into a waiting room, where Myhr was soon brought to her, his face lit up when he saw her. "Miss Chandler!"
"Hello Myhr, I'm sorry I haven't been to see you, I had some personal problems, and only got back to work today."
"That's okay, you're back now. Is the plan on for today?"
"No that has been abolished I'm afraid, there were too many risks involved, besides its pretty well considered that you will be set free tomorrow. That video was the only thing that secured you being here so long as it is. I expect you'll be pleased to get back to Texas after this."
"I've certainly seen more of New York than I'd anticipated." He told her without thinking.
"Certainly more than you've seen on previous visits anyway." She laughed and he did too, "I've never been be..fore." The last word came out slowly like he knew he had just dropped himself in it. He sat and stared at her for long moments wondering whether or not she had realised.
"Then you must have been rescued by your hero in Texas, you never said. I just assumed he had come to your aid in New York?"
"What? Oh yes, yes in Texas, yes that's right didn't I make that plain? Yes he came to my aid there."
"So what made you come to New York to find him?"
For the life of him Myhr couldn't think of an answer and out of the blue he placed his head in his hands and started to tremble quite violently. Catherine looked at him, touching his shoulder with one hand, "Myhr what is it?"
He looked up at her, she thought he looked as though he would cry, "I lied to you Miss. Chandler. The whole damn lot. My name is Myhr and that's about the whole truth, and I do live in Texas, but the bit about your friend saving my life that was a lie. The bit about following your cases and being one step ahead of you that was a lie too. The bit about wanting to see what had happened to those three men your friend had attacked that night was also a lie. Everything was put up, I was paid for all those lies, but I can't continue with this."
"Why not?"
"I grew to like you. To respect you. You believed in me, you were even willing to discredit yourself to help me escape. Your friend also felt so bad about me being convicted in his place that he was willing to risk his life for me. Somewhere in the whole of this I saw everything for what it was and I hated myself for allowing myself to become involved."
"I don't understand, what do you mean by that? Did someone pay you to do all these things?"
"Yes. Everything that transpired between us I reported back to them. If you had aided my escape they would have been there waiting. Seems your friend killed someone and a relative has vowed revenge. They're after him Miss Chandler, they don't know where he is, but they know he's wherever you are. All they have to do is follow you, create a scene and he will come running to protect you. Whatever happens Miss Chandler you have to take care of yourself, because believe me they want blood. His."
Catherine felt a cold shiver run through her, "And what of you?"
"What do you mean what of me?"
"Do you know who these people are? Have you seen them?"
"Not the guy that was paying but I his colleagues I guess, yes I've seen them. It was they who approached me about this back home in Texas."
"You aren't safe anymore you know that don't you?"
Myhr looked surprised and then afraid, "Surely they wouldn't hurt me?"
"You know too much Myhr, chances are you would never have been paid off. Except with a bullet."
He shook now as fear consumed him, "They say I will walk free tomorrow Miss Chandler, do you know what that means?"
"Yes."
"Can you help me?"
"Why should I trust you?"
"I haven't an answer to that for a certainty there's no reason why you should." His voice trembled.
"I'll see what I can do. Whatever happens, however the trial goes make certain that you don't leave the building until after dark you got that?"
Myhr nodded his eyes wide with fear.
Catherine stood, "I'll see you tomorrow morning Okay?"
"Okay."
It was going to be a long twelve hours.
