Tuesday, June 14, 1988
Chippie’s Cafe
17 W 32nd St
New York, NY
It has been a long morning for Diana. She has no idea what the General is up to now but she is sure that the odd occurrences going on throughout the city have something to do with him. She has spent most of the morning trying to connect several murder, suicides that appear to have no connection to one another. Prussia insists that there is a Zeni-human connection that he and Agent Lei can not find, but she can not find it either.
Diana has been looking forward to meeting up with Tracey for lunch most of the morning. Things have been so crazy these last few months it will be good to just have some normal girl time. It has been nearly that long since Diana has gotten a chance to see her best friend. But the moment she enters the Cafe she knows that this isn’t going to be a girl’s lunch. Tracey sits at their usual table but she is not alone. Next to her in the booth sits her cousin Eric Altman. Eric was at Diana’s birthday party a few months ago. She was fine with seeing him again after what happened between them years ago. Although she didn’t expect to see him this soon again.
Diana approaches the table with the hope that Eric was only keeping Tracey company until she arrived. “Eric, I must admit this is a surprise,” Diana says, taking a seat across from them at the booth. He smiles that smile that would turn other girls to mush, with his puppy dog brown eyes and perfectly styled blonde hair even worked on her once upon a time. “I guess we were bound to cross paths again.”
“I must apologize for intruding on your girl’s lunch but I was hoping to talk to you about something rather personal,” Eric says with a sad look in his puppy dog eyes.
Sitting across from Eric, Diana notices that something is not right. “Eric, are you okay?” “You look tired.”
“I just haven’t been sleeping much of late,” Eric replies. “We can talk about it later.”
Diana looks at Tracey who has that all too familiar grin on her face. Diana can’t help but to think she had a hand in this meeting, this might even be one of her fix-ups. Diana wonders if she told her friend about Steve if all of this matchmaking would stop. But as always there is so much that Diana can not tell Tracey once her questions begin.
Eric continues his campaign not even acknowledging Tracey, “I thought it would be best if we met face to face rather than a phone call.” “I would like to come by your office later to talk over this problem.” “That I hope you can help me with.”
Tracey remains silent but her eyes do plenty of talking. But so are her cousin Eric’s eyes, the sadness there tells Diana that he has gotten himself in trouble again. Trouble that he believes she can get him out of. “I guess we could meet this afternoon,” Diana replies. “I have a couple of hours free around two.”
“That would be great, thank you,” Eric smiles with relief this time. “I guess I should let your two get your lunch now.” Eric gets up from the table. “Talk to you later, cous.”
Once Eric is out of ear range Tracey bursts out, “Looks like now that he’s back in New York he wants to get back together with you.” “Don’t think I’ve forgotten what happened when the two of you were alone at the beach house.”
“I’ve told you a million times nothing serious happened between us,” Diana responds, picking up the menu even though at this point she nearly has it memorized. “I’m sure whatever he wants to talk about it is not that!”
“Sure,” Tracey says sarcastically. “So you should make it about that.” “Do you want to die a virgin?”
“That is a little extreme, Trace, don’t you think,” Diana says, laying down the menu as the waitress Heather approaches the table.
After a few giggles with Heather and giving their orders Tracey starts again. “It is just that you and Eric were so great together.” “Would it be so bad if you were really great in the sack together?”
Diana has had enough of this talk for today. “Any more bad dreams?” Bringing up the topic of what happened with Mr. Zipp always changes Tracey’s direction. It has been nearly three months since then and Diana does worry that Tracey didn’t tell Miracle Maiden everything that happened.
“My dreams are not necessarily bad,” Tracey replies. “Sure they start off scary but Miracle Maiden always saves me in the end.”
“We still agree that is not really likely to happen in real life, don’t we?” Diana asks. “I mean you only met the woman once, she is not your personal guardian angel.”
“She told me she has her ways of knowing things,” Tracey counters.
Diana regrets saying that every time Tracey repeats it back to her. “I still don’t think that is what she meant.” “If something like in your dreams happens you need to fight back or at least call me.”
“Call you?” Tracey giggles. “If Mr. Zipp comes back you are the last one I would call.” “Besides Mr. Zipp is not in my dreams, it is always whoever I see Miracle Maiden fighting in the News.” “I’m like Lois Lane, just a photojournalist, not a reporter.” “I’m out there covering the story by her side.”
“You ever think that your dreams are telling you to give being a photojournalist a try, like you used to want to be when we were kids,” Diana suggests. “I don’t remember you ever saying you wanted to take Baby Pictures all your life.”
“That aside, since you brought up Mr. Zipp, I’ve been giving some thought to what happened,” Tracey persists. “Fox showed me what was written in the black light ink on the wall of my office.” “If it was all about changing the past to get revenge on you, then why did he want Miracle Maiden there?” “If it was me, the last person I would have wanted there would be Miracle Maiden.
Diana was hoping that Tracey would not put these things together. “Didn’t you say he was talking crazy?” Diana reminds her friend.
“When I was alone with him he kept going on about how you ruined his life,” Tracey tells Diana again. “His whole plan about changing history so you were killed when we were in camp was crazy.” “But why did he need me?” “Sure Miracle Maiden suggested that it might be to see if after he changed history I could remember you.” “Then why not kidnap you, if what he was trying to do worked you would have just disappeared.”
Diana fears Tracey has figured out that she is Miracle Maiden. She might as well just get it over with by asking, “So what do you think he was doing?”
“The only thing I can figure is that he needed Miracle Maiden to make his plan work,” Tracey suggests. “I have to wonder if it worked, if whatever Miracle Maiden did to get rid of him was just what he wanted.”
What a relief, Diana sighs to herself. “Then why am I still here?” “It’s been months.” Heather returns to the table with the lady’s lunch. She can tell that they are having a private conversation that she need not interrupt.
“What if changing history was not his real plan?” Tracey says. “Sure he seemed whacked, maybe it was all a show for me.” “The idea that someone hates you so much he wanted to change history is incredible.” “The way he said you ruined his life made him seem familiar to me.” “I gave it a lot of thought.” “The only person I can think of that could feel that way about you is Scott Archer.”
The idea had crossed Diana’s mind in the past months, especially after the attack on Scott’s mother and step-father. The only thing preventing her from accepting it is the answer to where he got that weapon, the Zippour? “What I did to Scott didn’t ruin his life, he did that,” Diana responds.
Tracey stops eating to stare down at her plate. “After what Scott did to me, I would be the last one to say he didn’t deserve what you did.” “I am sure he didn’t see it that way.” “After the Prom he was different, angry and cold.” “Other people were talking about what happened that night.” “No one believed his story about getting beaten up by kids from East-side Prep.”
“But no one except for you and Fox knew the truth,” Diana confirms.
“Of course, we never spoke a word of the truth,” Tracey assures. “But after the Prom when those other girls came forward, Scott lost everything that made him a big man on campus.”
“Still, how did Scummy Scott become Mr. Zipp?” Diana asks.
“I bet Miracle Maiden could figure that out,” Tracey challenges.
“I’ll give her a call on the hot-line when I get back to the office,” Diana jokes.
Detective Sgt. Prussia and Special Agent Lei’s office
Third floor
New York City Hall
City Hall Park
New York, NY
Captain Wesley Berkley arrives at City Hall dressed in his full uniform. He is taken to the third floor offices of the Joint Task Force by a security guard. Captain Berkley waits in the interview room for a few minutes before the members of the team arrive. Detective Sgt. Prussia greets him, “Thank you for coming in to speak with us Captain Berkley.” “I am Detective Sgt. Prussia and this is my partner Special Agent Lei.” Then both men sit down across the stainless steel table from him.
“Detective Sgt. and Special Agent, those are rather conflicted titles to be partners,” Captain Berkley suggests.
“We are a Special Joint Task Force between the NYPD and the FBI,” Agent Lei explains.
“I assumed that the police were calling to report something new on the death of my grandparents,” Captain Berkley reveals. “But surely a Special Joint Task Force has bigger fish to fry.”
“Actually that is why we asked you in,” Detective Prussia explains. “The NYPD ruled their deaths a result of Misadventure.” “It is a term rarely used these days even in the odd circumstances of their deaths.”
“That is why you wanted to talk to me?” Captain Berkley questions. “Why would the two of you even be made aware of such a thing.”
“Well, you see I like to look into crimes that revolve around the friends of Miracle Maiden,” Detective Prussia reveals.
“Part of our Task Force’s job is to keep tabs on people with involvement with Zeni-humans,” Agent Lei explains.
“Miracle Maiden?” Captain Berkley repeats. “I’ve met the woman only once, I do not consider her my friend in any way.”
“Acquaintances then,” Detective Prussia suggests. “Nevertheless, people who cross into their circle have a higher chance of becoming victims of other Zeni-humans.”
“What we want to know is about the events of your meeting with Miracle Maiden,” Agent Lei asks.
“I’m curious about how you are aware of my interaction with Miracle Maiden,” Captain Berkley questions.
“I make it my business to be aware of Miracle Maiden’s activities,” Detective Prussia asserts. “We investigated the events at the Financial Resources Esquire building back in November.” “The article Martin Harper wrote in the Bulletin after his interview with you was not completely accurate.” “But I believe that Miracle Maiden saved your life that day.” “What I would like to know is why was your life at risk?” The large imposing black cop stares at Wes across the desk in silence.
Captain Berkley tries to read the Detective, he intentionally withheld information from the reporter because Miracle Maiden asked him to do so. He never considered the authorities would get involved in it. The question remains, do these guys know about the aliens? Captain Berkley looks to Agent Lei, who somehow scares him more than the larger man. “What is it about Martin Harper’s story you feel is inaccurate?”
“It makes no mention of what is under the Financial Resources Esquire building,” Detective Prussia suggests. “When you joined the Marines you gave a DNA sample.”
“The FBI went over that place with a fine toothed comb,” Agent Lei adds. “Your DNA was found at the Financial Resources Esquire building.” “Not just in the offices above ground.”
“Is that all you found?” Captain Berkley asks.
“Enough cat and mouse, Captain Berkley,” Detective Prussia exclaims, leaning forward across the table. “You are as bad as Diana Carter, I see she taught you well.” “From the look on your face I can see I have hit a nerve.”
“I was a test subject,” Captain Berkley blurts out. “I was following after a man I thought was my friend, but it turned out he wasn’t the man I thought he was.” “He kidnapped me from the hospital and Miracle Maiden saved my life.”
“How is it that Miracle Maiden knew about what was happening to you?” Agent Lei asks as if he believes his partner about that woman the first time.
“I don’t know, she just showed up,” Captain Berkley answers. “I was unconscious when she arrived.” “She got me out of that place under the building.”
“The hole at the bottom of that shaft?” Detective Prussia asks. “At the end of the tunnel?”
Captain Berkley is confused by the detective’s statement. “Hole?” he repeated. “You mean the laboratory?”
“Laboratory?” Agent Lei says with a suspicious look on his face. “There was nothing at the bottom of that shaft but a hole and a tunnel that led to the ocean.”
Clearly these men do not know about what really happened. Telling them about aliens and the fire would sound crazy. “It was a confusing time, I was drugged, maybe I am not remembering it correctly,” Captain Berkley explains. “Now if you will excuse me I have an appointment to keep.”
Carter Industries
The Simpson Building
Fifth floor
303 7th Avenue
New York City, NY
Diana returns from lunch with more on her mind than when she left. She wonders if Tracey’s ideas have any merit? Diana regrets not knowing where Mr. Zipp went or why he has not come back. It is pretty clear that Zipp is not working for the General. Mr. Zipp seemed like he was being hunted by the General when they first met. One thing is good, the fact that if Zipp is Scott he did not hurt Tracey when he had the opportunity. Whoever Zipp turns out to be he only has eyes for me.
Now it is time for Diana to turn her attention to her task at hand. After Tracey’s ambush it is funny she should be meeting with Wesley Berkley today. She feels like they parted on not so good terms. Seeing him at her birthday was a little awkward. Although it doesn’t surprise Diana that Tracey invited all her past men to her party. Except the one who really matters. Wes mentioned something about coming into money and he was looking to invest it. Diana really doesn’t know much about investing but her Uncle Zac knows plenty.
Looking at the clock on her desk Diana notices that Wes is late, it is very unlike him. She decides to freshen up before he gets here. In her private bathroom she touches up her make-up and hair. The thought that Wes might be back for her crosses her mind. If that is the case he might not like her response. Which brings her back to what she is going to do about Steve.
It has been over a month since she last talked with him on the phone. He was asking odd questions of her that she was not sure what he was driving at. He wanted to know if she had ever posed for an artist to sketch or paint. He said it had to do with a case he was working on but really didn’t fully explain it to her. Keeping their relationship at a distance seems to be easy when it is a phone conversation. But when she sees him in person it is like the whole rest of the world disappears. Diana hates to admit it to herself but she struggles with that fact. Her heart wants to see him every chance she can, but her mind tells her that she shouldn’t lead the guy on. As much as she would like to build a real relationship with him she knows that can never be.
Then there is a knock at the door. “Diana, Captain Berkley is here,” her assistant Jan tells her through the closed door.
“Thanks Jan, Give me a few minutes and then bring him in,” Diana says, taking a last look at her face in the mirror to reapply her lip gloss. Feeling a little more nervous than she thinks she should, she returns to her office. Jan opens the door to lead Captain Berkley into the office wearing his Marine uniform.
“Diana, it is great to see you,” Captain Berkley says, giving Diana an unexpected hug.
“I have to admit I didn’t expect such an official visit,” Diana replies uncomfortably as he lets go of her. “Good to see you too.” “Please have a seat, Captain Berkley.” Diana directs him to a chair in front of her desk, rather than the couch to keep her distance from him.
“Please no need to be so formal, Wes is fine,” he replies.
“Great, so I can relax,” Diana smiles. “I thought you were going to arrest me or something.” “When did you get back to the city?”
“Oh, I guess I didn’t tell you,” Wesley says with a smile. “I’m stationed in Newark now, I make it into the city once a month or so.”
In a way Diana is secretly relieved at the news. If he has been spending this time in the city and this is the first time he has reached out to her then he isn’t carrying a torch for her. “Then why has he been in the city? He does seem happier than when she saw him at her birthday. “Are you seeing someone in the city?” she asks curiously.
“Right to the point like always, ay Diana,” Wesley grins. “I might be seeing someone, but that is nothing to be jealous over, is it?”
“No, of course not,” Diana replies flustered. “It really is none of my business.” She giggles. “It’s funny, I had lunch just today with my girlfriend and she was trying to fix me up again.” “I’m happy that you have found someone.”
“So am I,” Wesley replies. “I’m actually here about some money I inherited from Grandparents when they died suddenly six months ago.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” Diana expresses him. “At least I hope your new love has made it easier.”
“I don’t know about that, but I’ve been dealing with it,” Wesley says, trying to keep a stiff upper lip. “I never expected them to leave me anything.” “They were always telling me all I needed was love to be rich.”
“They were real romantics,” Diana smiles. “I wish I had more of that in my life.”
“Without getting into it, their deaths were unusual,” Wesley explains. “In fact I was asked to City Hall today to meet with two members of a Joint Task Force.”
Diana knows that the mention of the Task Force can’t be a good thing. “So that is why you have the Full uniform on.” “I don’t think I have ever seen you in it.”
“Much more stylish than window drapes,” Wesley blushes.
Wesley doesn’t know Diana has seen him in less than drapes as Miracle Maiden. “But it does sound strange that the Task Force wanted to talk to you.”
“You can not imagine how strange,” Wesley confesses. “I thought they had learned something about my Grandparents, but they wanted to ask me about my meeting with Miracle Maiden last year.” “You remember, it was you that brought me home afterward.”
Diana does remember their run-in with Robe Rtea, but it was Robin who brought him home. Her android twin had taken her place with Wesley as Diana was in her Miracle Maiden identity. “Yeah, that was when my Cabbie gave you a ride home wrapped in the drapes.”
“Don’t remind me,” Wesley blushes. “Funny thing is they knew I didn’t report everything that happened.” “Wanted me to tell them the whole story.”
That thought makes Diana feel uncomfortable again. “What did you tell them?”
“I really didn’t know everything that happened, but it was clear to me they didn’t know either,” Wes explains. “They told me that there was no laboratory at the bottom of the shaft, just an empty hole and a tunnel to the coast.”
Shit, that means that room was a ship and Robe Rtea survived again, Diana thinks but tells Wesley, “That is weird.” “At any rate I set up a meeting with my Uncle Zac for you to work out a plan to invest that inheritance.” “He is much better qualified than me at such things.”
“I really appreciate it,” Wesley says, getting up from the chair, reaching out his hand to shake Diana’s.
“Since you have been spending more time in the city, maybe you and your new girl and I can get together for lunch some time,” Diana suggests regretting it the moment she says it.
“I don’t think we’re at that point yet, but I’ll suggest it,” Wesley chuckles. “Which way to your Uncle’s office?”
“I’ll have Jan take you,” Diana says, buzzing her assistant.
Altman Photography Studio
517 Myrtle Avenue,
New York, NY
A young man with dirty blonde hair and a shaggy goatee walks into the studio to be met by Tracey’s new receptionist/bodyguard, Nathan David Therman. Nathan has a not so good history with his employer, one that has kept Tracey from telling her girlfriend Diana he was even working at the studio. As it turns out Nathan is a good worker and he fills the bill as bodyguard nicely. Tracey feels much safer with this prison pumped up guy sitting at her front door. If another nut like Mr. Zipp shows up he might think twice with Nathan in the way.
“Hello, I would like to book an Engagement Photo session,” the new customer says looking past Nathan at the front desk to the Photographer working with a young family. “We are planning a short Engagement so we are going to need the photos done A.S.A.P.”
“Let me check for Ms Altman’s next opening,” Nathan says, flipping through his immaculately kept datebook. “She has an opening on July 21st at 2 pm, will that work?” The customer appears completely preoccupied with what is happening behind him. “Sir,” Nathan repeats, reaching under the desk to press a button that triggers a hidden camera installed by Tracey to take a photo of anyone suspicious to come into the Studio. The button also triggers a pager in Tracey’s pocket that draws her attention to the front desk. “Will July 21st at 2 pm be a good time?”
“Yes, yes, put me in,” the young man replies, looking back to the muscular man at the desk.
“Can I have a name for the appointment?” Nathan asks.
“John, John Carter,” the young man says cautiously.
“And your fiance,’” Nathan asks.
“Diana Porter,” he tells the guy making his appointment. “I will see you then.” The young man leaves the studio back onto the street.
Nathan turns as Tracey walks over behind him, “Recognized the grunge surfer boy?”
“No, not at all,” Tracey answers. “He looked nervous to me.” “What did he say his name was?”
“More nervous than most guys getting married I’d say,” Nathan suggests. “John Carter?” “Since when do the grooms book the Engagement Photograph?”
“Good question,” Tracey says, patting Nathan’s shoulder. “Maybe hiring you was a good idea after all.”
Carter Industries
The Simpson Building
Fifth floor
303 7th Avenue
New York City, NY
Diana sits at her desk waiting for a call that she isn’t even sure is coming. Then the phone rings. “Hello,” she answers, picking up the phone. “Thank you for calling me back, Detective Prussia.”
“I was surprised to get your message,” Prussia replies. “I am not at liberty to answer any of your questions Ms Carter.” “I am a Police Detective not your personal information center.”
“It just seems below the Joint Task Force’s pay grade to be investigating the death of my friend’s grandparents,” Diana replies. “How is it that their case came under your scrutiny because Martin Harper wrote an article about their Grandson?”
“I would feel more comfortable discussing this with our mutual friend,” Prussia tells her. “I bet she never eats at McDonald’s does she.” “Well you have a nice day Ms Carter.”
Hanging up the phone she knows just what Prussia is implying. Dr. Woodlawn told Diana about a meeting he had with Prussia in Manhattan once. “Shit, I don’t have time for this!” Reaching for the intercom, “Jan I have to run out, can you reschedule my next appointment.”
“Sure Diana, but he is already here,” Jan replies.
Diana goes to the door of her office to open it. She spots Eric Altman by the elevator talking to Wesley Berkley of all people. She can only assume that they met at her birthday party, it shouldn’t surprise her they know each other. How strange is it that two of the men she almost called boyfriend are now friends. Whatever they are discussing looks really serious. Diana can’t help but to wonder if it is no coincidence they are both here on the same day.
Eric looks over to see Diana and he quickly ends his conversation with Wesley. Eric heads toward Diana and Wesley walks down the hallway most likely to the men’s room. “So I see you know Wesley, hope you weren’t talking about me,” Diana jokes. When Eric gets closer she can see that he has a black eye and bruises on his face and throat that he did not have this morning. “Oh my god, what happened to you?”
“No, not at all,” Eric replies, seeming disoriented. “Can we go into your office to talk this over?”
“Sure, of course,” Diana says, directing Eric urgently into her office. In the office Diana runs to the bathroom to get a wet washcloth returning to find Eric paces the floor. “Eric, have a seat, let me see that face.” “And tell me what is going on.”
“I screwed up again,” Eric says, hanging his head. “I hoped you could fix it, like you did before.” “That is why I wanted to talk to you.” “It has gotten so beyond that point now.”
“What do you mean screwed up again?” she asks, blotting the blood on his face. “Who did this to you?” “Does this have to do with your power?” “Eric tell me what happened, I can help.”
Eric pushes Diana’s hand away. “Don’t,” he says. “Wesley saw my face like this” “He will ask questions we can’t answer.” Eric gets up to pace the floor again. “I was having some personal problems, trying to deal with something that had happened to me.” “I let my guard down.” “I went out for a few drinks after work.” Diana gives him a look. “Okay a lot of drinks.” “And she was just there.” “One thing led to another and…”
“And you slept with her!” Diana accuses. “Who beat you up?” “Boyfriend….husband?”
“Husband, he was following me when I left Chippie’s this morning,” Eric reveals. “He took me back to their place.” “It was terrible he had been beating on her.” “I tried to fight him but he was too big, too strong.”
“We need to call the police!” Diana insists on walking back to her desk to go for the phone.
“No, no you can’t!” Eric shouts, jumping up to grab Diana’s hand and pushing the phone back to the receiver. “I don’t know what happened!”
“What do you mean,” Diana asks, not sure what he is talking about.
“I think he choked me out,” Eric finally says sitting down on the couch putting his face in his hand. “When I woke up, they were both dead.”
“What do you mean?” she asks.
“They were dead!” “They were dead, covered in blood!” Eric shouts.
“Now I know we need to call the cops.” Diana repeats.
“No, my blood must be there on his hands on the floor,” Eric pleads. “You’ve got to believe me I could never do what I saw!”
“I do believe you Eric,” Diana says, giving him a hug. “I just need you to go home, don’t tell anyone else about this and I will take care of it.” “Just stay there until I call you!”
Hudson Veterans Clinic
28 Hudson St
New York, NY
A new patient sits in an examination room with his back to a hidden camera he should not know is in the room. He is dressed plainly with a narrow brimmed hat on his head that obscures his face from the high corner mounted spy lens. On his lap he holds a sealed manila envelope.
Dr. Woodlawn enters the room carrying a clipboard. He recognizes the man seated on the exam table instantly. He reaches out his hand to speak, “Captain Simon Ames, so nice to meet you.” He knows full well that is not this man’s name. “I am Dr. Woodlawn.” But he is aware the seated man already knows his name and Dr Woodlawn knows he is really Colonel Steven Roberts.
“I have brought you my medical history records,” Simon Ames says, handing the doctor the manilla envelope.
“You could have left these with the receptionist, Capt. Ames,” Dr. Woodlawn says, keeping up the ruse for the spy camera.
“I told the receptionist that as far as I was concerned my information was on a need to know and she did not need to know anything about me before the doctor,” the undercover man explains.
“Well let’s see what we have here then,” Dr. Woodlawn says, opening the envelope to withdraw the files inside. “This is very interesting.” The doctor says keeping the open file turned away from the camera as he thumbs through it. The first part of the file is about a Summer Camp widely used by Military and Law Enforcement personnel. “I recognize the name of the camp in your file.” “It is a well respected Military station.”
“Yes, my son served there for a few years,” Captain Ames replies. “It isn’t easy getting assigned there unless you know people.” “There are a lot of legacies at that camp.” “It is a good place to gain resources for a career move.”
“I see that you have a history of lung issues caused by chemical exposure while in the service,” Dr. Woodlawn says, playing along as he looks to the next part of the file. It is the Army files of a Captain Mathess. He recognizes the man from the photo in the file. Dr. Woodlawn never knew the man’s name but he is sure the Captain works for Unit-55.
“I’ve been having some flare ups with that one and my back has been giving me trouble,” Captain Ames says.
“I’ll see what I can do about that,” the doctor replies to continue to the back of the file where he finds a complete dossier for a young woman in her twenties with dark hair and eyes by the name of Sylvia Banks. She has a degree in child psychology and human resources. Also there is an acceptance form for her to become a Counselor at the Camp. All that needs to be added is a photo.
“Let me know if you have anyone in your life that would like to hob-nob with military legacies,” Captain Ames brags.
“I’ll let you know about that, but for right now why don’t I just put these files away.” Returning the documents to the manila envelope. “Now let me have a look at that back.” After a quick exam Dr. Woodlawn suggests, “I’ll give you some muscle relaxers for that back and refill your medicine prescriptions, ” Dr. Woodlawn says “Is there anything else you need to discuss today?”
“No, that just about covers everything,” Ames replies with a wink of his eye.
13 E 2nd St
Apt. 3a
New York City, NY
It is late afternoon when Diana Carter stands across the street from the crime scene as the police bring out the murder victims. Her eyes are focused on Detective Sgt. Prussia arrived a half-hour ago to flash his badge to get into the crime scene. She can only assume it is the lead detective that Prussia talks to on the street outside the building.
Then it is as if he has known Diana has been watching the whole time when he crosses the street to walk straight towards her. “I guess you got my message,” Diana says as he steps up the curb. “Thank you for coming by.”
“Walk with me,” Detective Prussia tells her as he takes her arm. “Detective Heinze was none too happy to see me.” He lets go of her arm as they cross the street to the next block before revealing, “Preliminary investigation says it is a murder/suicide.”
“That is what I thought,” Diana agrees.
Taking hold of her arm again to bring their walk to a halt he asks, “You weren’t in there were you?”
“Oh no,” Diana covers, “My friend who doesn’t leave any trace was and she described the scene to me.”
“Oh ‘Your Friend’.” Detective repeats sarcastically. “The same friend that stood me up for lunch, I would guess.” “I can guess why you are interested in the Berkley case, there is a clear connection.” “Why are the ‘two’ of you so interested in this particular case?” “It appears very random.”
“Miracle Maiden asked me to look into it,” Diana replies. “She had seen the couple fighting on the street.”
Detective Prussia grins, “You are not a very good liar.” “The neighbors that were interviewed report that they never heard any domestic disturbances from Cheryl and Theodore Schmidt’s apartment.” “By all accounts they were the perfect couple, until last night.”
“Last Night?” Diana questions. None of this lines up with what Eric told her. Why would a woman with a happy marriage hooking up with Eric in a bar? “In one night the perfect couple becomes a murder, suicide?” “How did they die?”
“Cheryl Schmidt was beaten to death by her husband most likely last night, Detective Prussia informs Diana. “M.E. says she has been dead at least 20 hours.”
Last night? Diana thinks that does not line up with what Eric told here either. Something is very off in these events. “How did the husband take his own life?”
“Insulin overdose,” Prussia says bluntly as he continues to walk down the city street.
Diana stops dead in her tracks. “That makes no sense at all!” “A man beats his wife to death then O.D.s on insulin?” “Why not a gun, why not slit his wrists, even a jump off a building would make more sense than a quiet non-violent medical death.”
“Seems this is becoming something of a trend of late,” Prussia comments. “The oddity is a similarity between these deaths and the Berkley case.” They start to walk again. “I understand the connection between you and that case.” “What I do not understand is your sudden interest in the deaths of the Grandparents of a man you dated months ago?”
“A few days ago Wesley called me about investing some money he had come into recently,” Diana explains. “I had no idea it was inheritance from his grandparents until this morning.”
“Strange how a man who claims to have not spoken to you in several months suddenly calls you about investing money,” Prussia comments.
“Are you suggesting I had something to do with the death of Wesley Berkley’s Grandparents?” Diana exclaims. “The idea that I had a motive to harm them so he would come running back to me for investment advice is ridiculous!” “Is that really what you think happened?”
“If we were having this conversation a year ago it would have been very easy for me to believe, hell even now I think Agent Lei might believe it.”
“And now?” Diana questions.
“Now, it is completely not a consideration,” the Detective states to Diana’s relief. “Unless, there is a piece missing that makes you fit into this one?” Diana has no intention of revealing Eric’s involvement in any of this to the Detective Sgt. “For instance you once dated Theodore Schmidt.” “Or you know the man Cheryl was having an affair with?”
“Affair?” Diana repeats. One night does not constitute an affair she thinks to herself.
“That is what the neighbors say they argued about, thin walls and all,” Prussia reveals.
“How exactly did the Berkley’s die, what is the similarity to the Schmidt’s?” Diana asks, changing the direction of the conversation.
“GNC bought Homeopathic supplement overdose,” Detective Prussia says, breaking his code of not talking over a case with a civilian, twice in less than fifteen minutes. “The grandson claims his grandparents were never ones to be health fanatics.”
“How is that possible?” Diana asks.
“The wrong combination of over the counter supplements in high quantities can cause organ failure,” Detective Prussia explains. “The strange thing is the M.E. said that they would have been in extreme pain in the weeks before their deaths but they continued to take the supplements.” “It was like both of them lost all commonsense.”
“That is why you got the case, you suspect an outside influence of causing their deaths,” Diana concludes. “A Zeni-human?”
“Do you or ‘your friend’ know anyone like that?” Prussia asks.
“No.” Diana tells him.
“Then that brings me back to you.” “If you have no connection to the Schmidts, why would someone kill these couples?” Detective Prussia asks again. “Or am I just on a wild goose chase?”
For the first time Diana sees the connection. Both Wesley and Eric were at her birthday party. But she has no intention of telling Detective Prussia that. “It has been very educational talking with you Detective, but I just have another appointment.” Prussia is right, whatever this Zeni-human is up to it is related to the people at her birthday party which make her think that Tracey and Fox might be their next target.
“Just once it would be nice if you would surprise me with some new information,” Detective Prussia calls to her as she walks away. “I’ll expect to hear from ‘your friend’ soon.”
Eric Altman’s Condo
97 Reade St
New York, NY
“You look great in your uniform,” Eric compliments as he lets Wesley into his condo. “Thank you for coming by.”
“Are you going to tell me what happened to you now?” Captain Berkley says, stepping past his friend into his living room ignoring Eric’s compliment. “Whatever happened I want to help you.”
“That isn’t important now.” Eric insists. “A few bruises will heal,that is not what I want to talk about.” “I’m glad I ran into you at Diana’s office,” Eric says walking into his living room. “I want to talk about our…… friendship.”
“I want to apologize for not calling, I just wanted to give you some room after what happened in Portland.” “I had hoped you’d call me.” “Now that I see your face I can guess why you didn’t call.”
“Have a seat,” Eric says, cleaning up some newspapers and a laundry basket from the couch. “It was good that you didn’t call.” Eric takes a seat in his recliner across from Wesley who sits on the edge of the couch. “I have been doing a lot of thinking.” “When I got home from Portland I was totally freaked out and I did something stupid.”
“Clearly,” Wesley comments.
“If not for this happening we would not be here now,” Eric tells Wesley. “I have realized many things since that night.”
“I’m sorry if you feel like I took advantage of you, that was not my intention,” Wesley apologies again. “I know it might sound strange, but your friendship means a lot to me.” “I’ve never had a friend like you before.”
“I must agree there is no argument there,” Eric replies. “I’ve never really had many guy friends, I think that is what threw me for such a loop.” “Once I hit puberty and my curse kicked in I lost all of my boy friends to it.” “As I’ve gotten older I avoided men for my own safety more than anything else.” “Spending time with you these past months, I almost believe I have lost my curse.” “I was shocked when you told me the truth.” “I didn’t know someone like you could exist.” “I think that is the only reason I went along with it, well that and the beer.”
“I must admit, the time we have spent together has been the first time my talent has really been a benefit,” Wesley admits. “Up until recently, I rarely came in contact with people with powers.” “The one drawback has been that my power almost killed me because Miracle Maiden could not heal me when I got shot.”
“I’m glad you survived, but I am not sure where we go from here.” “Don’t get me wrong, I am glad we have had this up until now,” Eric says, looking Wesley in the eye. “I just have some important questions for you.”
“Go for it, I am an open book as long as it doesn’t compromise my commission,” Wesley answers.
Hudson Veterans Clinic
28 Hudson St
New York, NY
Fox is the closest at his father’s clinic, only one teleport from the Schmidt’s apartment. Diana arrives in an alley a few blocks from the clinic. Hurrying down the street she passes the Colonel as he walks past her away from the clinic. As Diana, she can not acknowledge him but the fact that he is here makes her wonder what new information he has delivered about the General.
Entering the clinic, Diana is well aware that the receptionist is a spy for the General so she has to be careful. “Hello, I’m a friend of Fox Woodlawn, could I get a minute of his time?” The receptionist gives her a strange look. “Oh Francis, Francis Woodlawn.”
“What is this pertaining to?” the grim receptionist inquires.
“It is a personal matter,” Diana tells the woman. “Rather urgent, if you don’t mind.”
The receptionist picks up the phone to dial an extension. “Mr. Woodlawn there is a woman to see you on an urgent personal,” she says. Then she looks back to Diana. “He will be right out, have a seat.”
Diana takes a seat next to a young man with dirty blonde hair and a shaggy goatee. Scooby-doo comes to mind as she waits for Fox to come into the waiting room. Diana quickly stands up to approach him. “Can we talk outside?”
“Sure, what is up?” Fox says following Diana out to the street. Diana heads around to the alley next to the building.
“Have you talked to Tracey or your mom today?” Diana says, turning to see Fox still standing on the sidewalk. “Fox are you alright?” He does not respond as he stands motionless. Something is very wrong, she thinks as she turns to run to the turn in the alley that leads behind the building out of sight. Alone she touches the invisible necklace on her throat. She is transformed into Miracle Maiden and she instantly teleports back to the street behind Fox. Coming up behind her friend she checks his throat for a pulse. He appears fine, just somehow frozen in time.
Looking past Fox she spots the shaggy haired man from the waiting room. “Diana, where did you run off to?” he calls out as he walks toward the back of the alley. “Don’t be frightened, it is only me, lover.”
“Who are you anyway?” Miracle Maiden says drawing the shaggy man’s attention back as she steps in front of Fox. “Is this your doing?”
“Well, well who do we have here?” the shaggy man says stepping back toward Miracle Maiden. “I can do more than that!” He raises his hands in which he holds an acorn shaped jade stone the size of a golf ball. It glows an eerie green as he points it at the woman in red.
Miracle Maiden feels a sudden surge of adrenaline and emotion. It is fear that she feels instantly stepping back toward Fox to shield him. She can tell that what she is feeling is not her own emotions. Using her bio-energy she fights back the attack from the stranger. “Neat trick, I bet that is what you did to the Berkleys and Schmidts.”
“What would you know about anything?” the shaggy man shouts.
“I’m guessing knocking you out frees this man!” Miracle Maiden responds with an eye blast to stun the attacker. Incredibly seconds before the blast is to hit the man a pigeon flies into its path. The bird spasms and falls to the pavement of the alley with the other liter. Miracle Maiden can not believe this guy’s luck. She fires again. The odds of another bird flying into the path of her blast is beyond possibility. Then it happens again, a second bird hits the pavement.
“Not a very good shot are you?” the shaggy man chuckles. “PETA is going to be coming after you!” “They can have you, I came here for someone else.” He turns to walk away in the same direction that Diana fled.
Miracle Maiden sees no other choice than to run after him. Increasing her density and strength she charges forward. Then beyond belief again, a stray dog comes out of nowhere to cross her path. She tries to avoid it by finding herself tumbling to the pavement. By the time she gets up to turn the corner of the alley, he is gone.
Miracle Maiden turns back to Fox to find him mobile again. He is very confused as he says, “Miracle Maiden, what happened, where is Diana?”
“Diana is fine,” Miracle Maiden replies, concerned she takes Fox by the arm. “How are you?” “Are there any lasting side effects?”
“No, no, I’m fine, I just don’t know what is going on,” Fox says looking around the alley.
“I have to go, you need to watch your father,” Miracle Maiden tells him. “Don’t let him out of your sight.” “Look through the waiting room footage, the man sitting next to Diana is dangerous, if he comes back, call Detective Prussia at City Hall.” The next moment Miracle Maiden is gone.
19th Police Precinct
153 E 67th St
New York City, NY
The bullpen is crowded this time of day as the detectives file their end of shift reports. Detective Heinze sits at his desk finishing up his paperwork on the Schmidt case. He leaves out the part where Prussia arrived on the scene. The phone on his desk rings, “Heinze,” he answers it. The crime scene investigator on the other end of the line explains to Detective Heinze that there was an unidentified blood sample found at the scene and on Theodore Schmidt’s fists.
Before Detective Heinze can retrieve his notes on the case Captain Forester approaches his desk. “I need everything you have on the Schmidt case, it is getting kicked up to city hall,” Captain Forester instructs.
“Fucking Prussia is stealing my case!” Detective Heinze declares. “What right does that freak have to my case?” “I’ll take this to the Commissioner!”
“Who do you think is kicking the case to City Hall?” Captain Forester asks.
“Fuck!” Heinze shouts again as he gathers up his file and notes on the Schmidt case.
Altman Photography Studio
517 Myrtle Avenue
New York, NY
By the time Miracle Maiden arrives at Tracey’s Photography Studio she is exhausted. Several teleports and the bio-blasts at the shaggy man have taken their toll. It is best she does not draw attention so she switches back to her street clothes.
Walking into the Studio Diana is surprised to find Nathan Therman working at the front desk. “What the hell are you doing here?” she exclaims. “Where is Tracey, are you in on this with Shaggy?”
“Ms. Carter I assure you I am not in on anything with anyone,” Nathan replied politely as his hand moved to the button under the desk. “I am on probation and Mrs. Woodlawn was nice enough to give me a job.” Nathan has no interest in tangling with this young woman.
Tracey emerges from her office to see Diana looking at her reception man like she could spit fire. “You know this is why I didn’t tell you,” Tracey says crossing the Studio. “Fox and I believe that he deserves a second chance now that he is sober.” “Plus he has had great security since what happened with Mr. Zipp.”
Diana glares at her friend and then the man behind the desk. Maybe Tracey is right and she likes the idea of Tracey having extra security at the studio. Question is can she trust this guy? “That aside, has anything strange happened here today?” she asks.
“No, not really,” Tracey answers. “What is this all about?”
“Wait a minute, what about that weird guy booking Engagement photos?” Nathan suggests. “What was his name?” he mumbles as he looks through the appointment book. “Here it is, John Carter and Diana Porter.”
“That is weird, I hadn’t noticed it when he was here,” Tracey says. “Do you know John Porter?”
“It sounds familiar but I can’t place the name,” Diana says.
“Wait a sec, I was just developing the photos we took of him, Tracey says, heading back to her dark room with Diana following close behind. In the dark room there are several 5X7 photos clipped to the line. “Here, this is him.” Tracey takes the photo down and hands it to Diana.
“That is him, the guy from the Clinic,” Diana exclaims. “You and Fox have to be very careful if you see this guy again.” “Maybe take off the rest of the week.” “Get out of town, maybe go to your parents cabin and take them with you.”
“Diana, what are you talking about?” Tracey says, confused by her friend’s idea.
“This guy has already caused some trouble for Eric and he has already been at The Hudson Clinic,” Diana tells her. “I’m afraid he might come after you guys again.”
“From the way he acted when he was here, he doesn’t seem at all interested in me,” Tracey clarifies. “Giving your name as his fiancee says it is you he is after.”
Wednesday, June 15, 1988
Carter Industries
The Simpson Building
Fifth floor
303 7th Avenue
New York City, NY
Diana is in the office early. She really didn’t get much sleep last night with this shaggy guy on the loose. She is still upset that Tracey and Fox will not listen to her and take an impromptu vacation. She was on the phone most of the night with Eric because of the freshness of the Schmidt case. He naturally seems upset by the whole thing so she didn’t tell him about what happened with the shaggy guy. And it has been months since the death of Wesley’s grandparents, so it looks like this guy must be done with him.
It is only 7:20 when her phone rings. “Good Morning, Diana Carter speaking, how may I help you?” she answers.
“Ms. Carter, this is Charles, the night doorman, I’m calling to let you know there has been a mishap.”
Diana knows the doorman rather well, he is not the kind to make mishaps. “What is Charles?”
“The photo of the young man you gave me last night to be on the lookout for,” Charles begins. “He was here and I asked him to wait in the lobby, while I called the police as you instructed.” “It was change of shift and I was called away from the desk before I could tell James about the young man.” “The police are on their way but I am not sure where the young man has gotten to.”
Diana looks up to her office door to see the shaggy man standing there in person. “That is okay, he is here,” Diana tells the worried doorman before hanging up the phone. “So we meet face to face.” “John Porter I guess.”
“Really Diana?” the shaggy man exclaims. “Is that the way the love of my life greets me when we are at last reunited?” “The night we made love is all I have thought about for the past year!” “It was a night that changed my life!”
The name John Porter finally clicks in her mind, he is the boy from college that Robin had sex with while she was in Zeeza! The memories of the time while she was in Zeeza that Robin shared with her were something she tried to forget. Something she appears to have almost succeeded at doing. Those memories are different from the ones Diana has from college while she was on Magic Island. Those are less ingrained in her mind, perhaps because they are not first hand. Wait, the necklace he wore that he called his lucky charm was shaped like an acorn. So was that stone he tried to use on her in the alley. Where is it now? “I enjoyed that night too,” Diana says while playing along. “But it wasn’t like you were going to give me jewelry afterward.” “All you did was brag to your friends.”
“The Simon brothers were assholes, they deserted me right after you left,” John reveals. “All I want is you back.”
Just as he steps closer to Diana the police enter Diana’s office with guns drawn. “Stop where you are, let me see your hands!” one of the officers demands. “Turn around slowly.”
“Everyone stay calm,” Diana says. “There is no reason for anyone to do anything rash.” Diana’s main concern is that he doesn’t pull out that Jade Acorn and things get out of hand. Clearly she is immune to its effects but these cops are not.
“Diana I won’t let these men keep us apart,” John says calmly reaching into his sweatshirt pocket. “We will be together again!”
“Hands, keep your ha……” one of the cops shouts, not able to finish his sentence as they all become frozen in place. Diana is unaffected by the spell of the Jade Acorn but she plays along, she doesn’t want to reveal anything to this guy.
“We will be together soon,” John says as he casually walks out of to office past the police and their drawn guns.
Not sure how much these men are perceiving Diana takes her chances by going after John. Everyone in the outer office is also frozen in place. She follows the trail of frozen people that leads to the fire stairs. Inside the door she switches to Miracle Maiden. Instantly she begins to phase down through stairs toward the ground floor. Floor after she sees no sign of John.
Detective Sgt. Prussia and Special Agent Lei’s office
Third floor
New York City Hall
City Hall Park
New York, NY
Miracle Maiden teleports into the office startling the two men that discuss another case. “I know who your man is,” she announces, “and I need help catching him!”
“What are you talking about and how did you get in here?” Agent Lei exclaims, closing the door to the office. “We could arrest you right now!?
“Calm down Lei,” Detective Sgt. Prussia says. “I see you have been talking to your friend,” he says to Miracle Maiden.
“More importantly I know who is responsible for the deaths of the Berkleys and the Schmidts,” Miracle Maiden insists.
“Who are the Schmidts?” Agent Lei asks, confused trying to catch up.
“Slow down everyone!” Prussia interjects. “Who do you know?”
“His name is John Porter and he has been making the rounds of Diana Carter’s friend,” Miracle Maiden explains. “Diana met him at Stanford in California and he developed somewhat of a crush on her.” “He imagined that their relationship was much more than it was.” “He followed a trail back to her to find her leaving bodies in his wake.”
“How does someone make murder look like suicide?” Agent Lei questions.
“He has a Jade Acorn that can freeze and control people’s emotions,” Miracle Maiden tells them.
“That does fit the M.O.,” Detective Prussia agrees. “I assume you are somehow immune to this magic Acorn.”
“Magic Acorn?” Agent Lei shouts. “Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?”
“Ridiculous but true,” Miracle Maiden assures. “Diana called the police on him when he came to her place of business.” “It scared him off, but he promised he would be back for her.” “We need to find him before he hurts anyone else!”
“What do you think we have a swat team at our disposal?” Agent Lei charges. “As far as this task force goes it is just the two of us!”
“Calm down,” Detective Prussia tells Agent Lei. “I can give a call over to my contact at the NYPD to get what they have on the event Miracle Maiden mentioned.” “But I have the impression that you believe that there are other people at risk other than Diana Carter.”
“Yes, there are two men, Wesley Berkley and Eric Altman,” Miracle Maiden tells the members of the task force. “I need to get them somewhere safe.”
“Sounds to me like we don’t need to find anyone,” Agent Lei suggests, “We just need to get all three targets in one place.”
“You’re saying use them as bait?” Miracle Maiden questions.
The Simpson Building
Rooftop
303 7th Avenue
New York City, NY
On the ledge below the Penthouse Miracle Maiden keeps watch for the arrival of John Porter. Looking over the ledge down to the front of the Simpson building she identifies the undercover NYPD dressed as a doorman 15 floors below. Walking around the edge of the roof to the side where the alley leads behind the building she spots an undercover officer dressed as a vagrant lying by a dumpster. Not her idea of the dream assignment, she wonders if Steve ever had such an assignment when he was a cop. Around to the back are two men smoking cigarettes on the loading dock that she does not recognize. At the other side of the building the passage is too narrow for anyone to really hide in, but a cop leans against the front of the building just the same at the entrance.
She is relieved to see the Detective followed her suggestions. Mainly because after John Porter’s last visit to the Simpson Building she is sure he will not try coming in the front door again. Leaving the roof his most likely entry, on which she would like to guard alone. No sense in putting those cops at risk of being controlled by that Jade Acorn Porter is carrying around with him. Looking up at the penthouse she is glad that James Simpson, the oldest living descendant of the building’s namesake, is out of town.
Looking around the city night sky she gives her special vision power a try becoming almost blind. So much for using that power at night, guess it needs more light to work. Strolling around the rooftop Miracle Maiden concludes that the easiest access would be from the building closest to the Simpson. She has been up here nearly an hour with no sign of anyone. Could she have gotten this wrong?
Taking another loop around the rooftop on the back side she spots something. It falls from one of the higher buildings five blocks away. “What is that?” Miracle Maiden says to herself out loud. As it moves closer she can only guess that it is a hang-glider. Stepping back into the shadow cast by the Penthouse she waits as the feet of the person on the hang-glider’s feet touch down. Miracle Maiden watches as the man unstraps from the glider.
“Nice night for Hang-gliding,” Miracle Maiden suggests stepping from the shadows. “Here to meet a friend?” She continues to walk toward the man.
“You again!” John Porter shouts walking toward Miracle Maiden away from the glider. “Whoever you are, you will not keep me from my true love!” He reaches in the pocket of his sweatshirt to retrieve the green gemstone to hold it out in his palm.
Miracle Maiden can feel the power of the stone, it is transmitting fear. It has no effect on her but plays along as she begins to stumble toward him. Her hand trembles as she reaches out toward the young man.
“Not so high and mighty now?” John snipes as the acorn shaped stone in his hand glows brighter. “You feel it now don’t you?” So fixated on the power he welds that he does not realize how close she has gotten to him.
“Oh I feel it alright,” Miracle Maiden smiles, lifting her head to snatch the jade acorn out of his hand. Standing up straight she crushes the jade in her bare hand. The green powder falls back into John’s hand.
The jade dust still glows with power as John looks at it in shock. It takes seconds to decide what he must do. John lifts his hand to his mouth gobbling down the green dust leaving a glowing stain on his palm. “NOW, what will you do?” he shouts as his palm glows and his eyes glisten. Miracle Maiden can feel his power stronger than before it is harder to resist as he begins to speak. “I have prepared for you!” “The Acorn has a lasting power, one I can reactivate at any time!” “Now you have given me enough strength to do it from this distance!” “HATE!” He reaches up to the night sky sending out a sparkling globe of green light that quickly vanishes into the sky. The act causes John to stagger and crumble to his knees.
Miracle Maiden’s mind races with the idea that John has now driven someone to hate uncontrollably. She looks to him as he crumbles to the rooftop. He has overexerted himself but she has to stop what he has done! This has been his game all along. Teleporting back to her bedroom she quickly changes back to her street clothing to rush out of her room. She has to stop Eric before he does something from which he can not come back.
Diana Carter’s Condo
The Simpson Building
Ninth floor
303 7th Avenue
New York City, NY
Fifteen minutes after Diana left her bedroom as Miracle Maiden to patrol the roof of the building. Wesley Berkley has helped himself to a snack from Diana’s kitchen. He still doesn’t like the idea that the three of them are being used as bait. That is why he still wears his gun in a shoulder holster as he sits down in the living room. He has no intention of letting this crazy-man take Diana.
Eric Altman sits on the sofa pouring two glasses from the bottle he bought at the liquor store on the way over. One for him and one for the plain clothed Marine sitting in the chair across the coffee table from him. “You look worried, have a shot,” Eric says, sliding one of the glasses toward him across the table. “Funny how Miracle Maiden has kinda brought us together,” he chuckles.
“What do you mean?” Wesley asks in confusion. “The thing I don’t understand is why Miracle Maiden thinks we will be safer here?” Wesley asks as Eric pours another shot of liquid courage. Wesley stands up to take off his jacket and lay it over the back of a chair to give him quicker access to his gun.
“If this guy can do what Miracle Maiden says he can, having that gun might not be very safe,” Eric suggests.
“You forget I am immune to Zeni-human powers,” Wesley reminds his friend.
“You maybe, but I’m not,” Eric says, kicking off his shoes to lay back on the sofa. “Guys like us seem to always be attracted to Diana.”
Wes has a look of confusion on his face as he asks, “What do you mean by that?”
“Guys who issues,” Eric answers, fearing that the booze may have loosened his tongue a little too much. Setting his glass down on the table he tries to change the direction of the conversation. “Want to mess around?”
“Smooth, real smooth,” Wesley comments. “Don’t suggest that to change the subject.”
“By now I would assume you have figured out what the stupid thing I did was when I got back from Portland,” Eric says, reaching for his glass. “My only excuse is I hoped I had lost my curse and wanted to test my theory.” “As usual it turned into a disaster.”
“So you figure I am the only game in town,” Wesley assumes. “Let me make it clear to you, only the first one is free.” “If our relationship is to continue you will have to step up.”
“Guys there is trouble coming, we have to get out of here now!” Diana shouts running into the living room. At first all she sees is the back of Wesley’s head in the chair. When she comes around to see Eric kneeling in front of him she is in shock. “Shit!” she exclaims, turning her back to the two men. “Holy Shit, I can’t believe what you are doing!” “I would say it is not hate that John infected the two of you with!” “But there is no time for this now, get dressed!” “We need to go!”
Eric stands up grabbing his shirt to wipe his chest. “What happened?” he asks. Wesley stands up too, pulling up his pants.
“Miracle Maiden crushed the acorn and John swallowed it,” Diana explains, trying to keep her cover while not looking at them. “He is more powerful than before.” “If it is not you that he pre-programmed it is Fox and Tracey. “You have to get to them!”
“Wait, he swallowed the jade thing?” Eric asks, walking around to face Diana. Even with his shirt on she finds it hard to look at him. When her eyes fall to the wet stain on his shirt she looks away again. “Why are you running from him?” “He trusts you, it is the Miracle Maiden he is threatened by.” “All you have to do is he…”
Suddenly Eric’s sentence is cut short as he freezes in place unmoving. “What the hell just happened to him?” Wesley asks hurrying over to Eric.
“It’s John, I think his power is strong enough to freeze a larger area now,” Diana explains. Diana grabs Wesley by the arm, “You have to get out of here and take Eric with you!” She lifts Eric’s arm to put it over Wesley’s shoulder. “John might not be able to control you but he can still affect him.” Helping them toward the door she insists, “I need you to get to Tracey and Fox’s apartment at 76 Clinton Avenue, keep them from killing each other!”
“What are you going to do?” Wesley asks as he lifts Eric over his shoulder to move into the hall.
“Stall him,” Diana replies pressing the elevator button. She turns to spot John at the end of the hall.
The doors open and she guides them in, stepping in with them. “Wait, why aren’t you affected by his power?” Wesley asks as Diana reaches for her throat and is transformed into Miracle Maiden. “Oh,” he gasps.
“Sorry to do this, but better in front of you than him,” Miracle Maiden says, stepping back into the hall to face John, the doors closing behind her.
Tracey and Fox Woodlawn’s apartment
76 Clinton Avenue
New York, NY
Wesley and Eric are in a taxi, five blocks from the Simpson building when the spell of the Jade Acorn wears off. “What is going on?” Eric exclaims as he unfreezes in the back of the taxi.
“Relax,” Wesley tells him. “We are on the way to your cousin Tracy’s place, Miracle Maiden fears that Porter has pre-programmed them to kill each other.”
“But did Diana understand what I was saying to her?” Eric says in a panic. “Diana can get close enough to that jerk to heal the Jade out of his body!” Eric suddenly realizes what he has said. He doesn’t even think Diana knows that he has figured out the truth about her and Miracle Maiden. Now he has exposed her secret to someone else, if it is true or not.
From the look on Eric’s face, Wesley can tell he regrets saying what he has just said. “It is okay, I was shocked when she changed in front of me, but I know who Diana is now,” Wesley reveals. “How long have you known?”
“I only suspected, until now,” Eric confessed. “I knew about her powers after High School.” “When Diana returned to the city and Miracle Maiden showed up not long after I put one and one together.” “I don’t even know if she knows I figured it out.” “I originally came to her because I knew she could reverse what my curse does to people.” “Even she was immune to it.”
“Like me.” Wesley states.
“No, it was her super high metabolism that burnt through the effects, or at least that is what we thought.” “I think in the end she believed that she was not as immune as she originally thought.” “That’s why she broke it off before it went too far.”
The taxi comes to a stop in front of an old brownstone. “76 Clinton Avenue,” the driver says to them over the seat. “Twenty-four, eighty.”
Wesley hands the guy thirty dollars saying, “Keep the change!” The two men jump from the taxi and head to the building. They come to a stop at the front security door where Eric pulls out his keyring to start fumbling through it. “I know it is here somewhere,” he mumbles. “Tracey gave it to me when they went on vacation last year to water her plants!” After a few false tries Eric finds the right key.
Inside the front door Wesley takes his gun from its holster. “What are you going to do?” Eric exclaims. “Shoot my cousin, Tracey or her husband?” “Put that thing away!” Sliding the gun back into the holster the two men begin climbing the stairs toward the third floor. Apartment 3-f is at the end of the hallway as the two men begin to run to it.
“Tracey, Fox!” Eric shouts banging on the door at 1am. “Open up, we can help!”
“That is enough if what Diana said is happening they are not going to open the door for us,” Wesley says, nudging Eric aside. “Let me break it in.”
“Wait?” Eric exclaims. “I’ve got a key to this door too!” Eric begins fumbling with his keys again, finding the second key next to the first on the ring. As he moves to use the key the door opens.
“What the hell do you want?” Fox Woodlawn says opening the door wearing only a pair of loose fitting boxer shorts. “It is 1 am!”
“Thank God!” Eric says as the two men push past him into the apartment. “Where is Tracey, is she alright?” Fox closes the door behind his uninvited guests.
“I’m fine,” Tracey says, rubbing her eye as she pulls her robe sash tight. “What the hell do you guys want?”
“Miracle Maiden sent us, she thought your lives were in danger,” Wesley says looking around the apartment. “Is there anyone else here?”
”
Of course not!” Fox replies. “It is 1 am, who else would be here?”
“Miracle Maiden?” Tracey repeats waking up a little more. “How do you two idiots know about Miracle Maiden?”
“It is a long story but an old boyfriend of Diana’s from California has come back to get her,” Eric explains. “He has this weird emotion controlling gemstone and Miracle Maiden thought he might have used it on you two.”
“Wait a minute are you talking about the guy who came by the studio?” Tracey asks. “She never mentioned that he was her boyfriend at college!” “That little sneak!”
“What part of him is dangerous did you miss?” Wesley comments.
Then there is another knock at the door. “What now?” Fox sighs.
“It’s Nathan, let me in!” The voice comes from the other side of the door.
“Nathan?” Eric says. “Why does that sound familiar to me?”
“We hired him at the Studio, he was there when that guy came in,” Tracey explains.
“Looks like a party to me,” Fox says, walking to the door to open it.
Then Wesley hears a familiar click from the other side of the door. “Get down!” he shouts, lunging at Fox to push him to the floor just as bullets pierce the door. Eric shoves his cousin down behind the sofa.
They all look to the door where the knob and lock fall to the floor. Nathan Therman kicks open the door to bound inside. He holds an automatic gun in his hand that he moves over the room.
On the carpet behind Nathan, Wesley puts his Marine training to work. Springing up he kicks the gun from Nathan’s hand. Nathan turns to get a right cross to the jaw. His emotions out of control Nathan feels only hate as he fights back the best he can against the combat trained Marine. They go hand to hand several minutes until Wesley subdues the ex-con.
“Get me something to tie this guy up until he returns to his right mind,” Wesley shouts.
Diana Carter’s Condo
The Simpson Building
Ninth floor
303 7th Avenue
New York City, NY
Miracle Maiden is huddled down on her knees, her hands over her face. She tries her best to fight back against the power John now welds. Somehow by internalizing the power of the Jade Acorn he has increased it. Crushing that thing was a big mistake! It is taking everything she has to stay in the hallway and not be overcome by the fear that he forces into her body. She struggles to look up at him, all she wants to do is scream in terror. But through tears and pain she can see that he is hurting too.
Miracle Maiden knows she needs to not focus on the fear she needs to figure a way out of this situation. What was it Eric was saying before he froze? Does he trust you? No, he trusts Diana, not Miracle Maiden. You have to….heal him! She can’t do it like this. Miracle Maiden begins to crawl away from John back to her apartment.
“Where are you going, Bitch!” John shouts at her. “Do I frighten you?”
“Yes, yes you do!” Miracle Maiden shouts, turning to fire a blast of bio-energy at John. She doesn’t even try to aim, all she wants to do is distract him. Scrambling to her feet she runs to her apartment door passing through it.
Once inside she takes a moment to catch her breath. Looking around her home she feels safe, making it easier to push the fear aside. Reaching for her necklace she changes back to herself. The person she really is, not a made-up superhero. Diana knows she has to pull it together. She can’t give herself away, he is right behind her. The idea pops into her head, she needs him to turn off his power. What better way than to seduce him. She quickly strips down to her bra and panties. She has to be convincing!
She stands nearly naked as the door of her apartment flys open and John steps inside. “Hello handsome, I can’t hold back any longer, I’ve teased you long enough,” she purrs. “Are you ready for some pleasure?” Diana remembers how Robin treated him, as much as it disgusts her she must do the same. She is relieved as John’s palm stops glowing.
“I knew you still loved me,” John grins as he walks to Diana. He reaches out to embrace Diana. She accepts his arm on her waist as his face moves closer and she touches her finger to his lips.
“You don’t need all of these clothes, my love,” Diana says, sliding her hand inside his shirt to slip it over his shoulder. The fear he instilled in Miracle Maiden is gone now. Replaced by her own nervousness as she moves to open his pants. She lowers his jeans so he can step out of them leaving him standing in her living room in only his underwear. It is clear that he is already aroused. “How is that?” she asks. “Now we are a matched set.”
“Oh Diana I’ve been waiting for this moment for years,” John moans as he moves to try to kiss her again. This time she moves her cheek to his chest and begins to caress his chest and then his belly.
Reaching back behind him she takes a handful of his dirty blonde hair to jerk his head back so he can not see what she is doing as her hand begins to glow. “Now, now, you know if you want pleasure I must be in charge of it.” She can only hope that this guy is so needy that he doesn’t fight back until it is too late. Diana’s hand moves John’s abdomen stimulating his digestion to move faster.
At first he feels only the sensation of her touch on his body. As her hand slides below the elastic band of his underwear he lets out a moan in anticipation of what is to come next. Then suddenly the sensuality of her touch fades, replaced by something else. “What are you doing to me?” he shouts. “Get away, let me go!” he struggles to get free of her. Still gripping a hand full of his hair Diana forces him back against the wall as she increases her control of bio-energy into his body. “I’m going to shit myself if you don’t let me go to the toilet!” he cries out.
She ignores his pleas as she holds him tight to the wall until it is nearly too late. Completely overcome by urgency of the moment John doesn’t even resist as Diana lifts him over her shoulder to carry him to the bathroom. But it is not the toilet she puts him on but it is the shower. So far everything has gone as planned. She gives him a jolt of bio-energy to stun him as she presses on his back with her forearm to hold his face to the wall. Ripping open the back of his underwear she is just in time for his bowels to release the sparkling green sludge the Jade Acorn has become. Grabbing to the handheld shower head she turns on the water to wash the glowing mess away down the drain.
Moments later Detective Prussia is banging at the door. “NYPD open the door!” he shouts.
“Just a minute,” Diana says, switching back to her Miracle Maiden persona. She opens the bathroom door to let Detective Sgt. Prussia and Special Agent Lei into the small space.
What the two men find is not what they expected. In the bathtub John Porter lays face down, unconscious with his bare ass exposed. “What went on here?” Detective Prussia asks as the two men eye the prime suspect.
“A strategic error,” Miracle Maiden confessed. “I crushed the Jade Acorn he was using to control people and he swallowed the dust.” “Somehow he made it stronger and I had to force it out of him.”
“How exactly?” Agent Lei questions.
“Naturally, in one end and out the other,” Miracle Maiden answers. “It is a mistake I do not want to repeat ever!”
“And this magic Jade Acorn?” Prussia asks.
“Away go trouble down the drain,” she quotes a plumber commercial. “I’m sure that by the time it hits the New York sewer it will be of no use to anyone.”
“You better hope so,” Agent Lei comments, moving to roll the man in the tub over to check him for a pulse.
“I’ll get his clothes, they are in the living room while you get him out of there,” Miracle Maiden says leaving the small bathroom. Getting to the living room the phone on the end table rings. Without thinking she picks it up, “Hello.”
It is Eric, “I’m not sure who this is but it wasn’t Tracey or Fox that John had control of.” “It was Nathan Therman of all people.” “Did you know she hired him to work at the Studio?”
“Yes,” Miracle Maiden responds. “That aside, is everyone okay?”
“Physically yes,” Eric answers. “Wes took him down quickly.” “I was rather amazed.” “We tied him to a chair, but we don’t know what to do now.” “Should we call the police?” “As much as I hate to admit it Therman was not in his right mind.”
Miracle Maiden looks back to the bathroom where she can hear the two men talking. “I have an idea, just wait until I get there, don’t call anyone else.” Hanging up the phone she gathers up John’s clothes and returns to the bathroom with them.
Tracey and Fox Woodlawn’s apartment
Apt. 3-f
76 Clinton Avenue
New York, NY
Diana arrives with Detective Prussia in hopes of cleaning up the mess created by John. The sight of the bullet riddled door gives her concern. When she gets inside she expects Tracey to be furious with her. This is twice now that her friends have been put in danger by someone from her past wanting revenge. Knocking on the door, Diana and the Detective wait to hear a response.
“Who is it?” Eric’s voice calls out through the door.
“It’s me, Diana,” she answers. “And a friend I brought to help.” Eric opens the door and they step inside to find Wesley standing on the other side with his gun drawn.
“At ease, Marine,” Detective Prussia orders Wesley as he lowers his gun. “Are you the one who shot up the door?”
“No, it was him,” Wesley says, pointing to the man tied to the chair. Nathan Therman sits with his head hung down sniffling, letting his regret show. Detective Prussia walks over to the man in the chair looking him over.
“How am I going to explain this?” Nathan mumbles.
“Start by telling me where you got the gun?” Detective Prussia asks.
“It’s mine,” Tracey says walking back into the room having gotten dressed. “I got it after the whole Mr. Zipp thing.” Then she turns to see her friend. “Diana, you bitch!” she exclaims walking toward her friend.
Diana was afraid of this from the time she and Prussia left her condo. Now she expects to take the full brunt of Tracey’s Irish temper. She is shocked when her friend embraces her, giving her a tight hug. “Trace, are you okay?” she asks.
“I’m just pissed at you for not telling me you had a boyfriend at Stanford!” Tracey says, breaking the hug.
“He really wasn’t a boyfriend, more of the big man on campus that got the wrong idea about me,” Diana explains.
“Now if you two are finished,” Detective Prussia tells them. “Mr. Therman, what do you remember of today’s events?”
Nathan lifts his head, his eyes red and full of tears. “I woke up sometime after midnight, I was filled with a rage, a hatred that I could not control.” “I hated everything and everyone.” Nathan hangs his head again wiping the tear on his cheek against his shoulder. “I hated this new life I was trying to build.” “I hated the job I had come to love.” He takes a deep breath sniffing back his runny nose. “I hated the Woodlawns for trying to help me even after what I had done to them!” “I went to the Studio, I got the gun.”
“So you remember everything you did?” Diana questions stepping forward.
“Yes,” Nathan replies, almost sobbing. “I knew it was all wrong, but I couldn’t stop myself.” “The anger was like nothing I have ever known in my life.”
Detective Prussia paces the floor around the Woodlawn’s living room. He examines the faces of everyone in the room, each of them giving him a different impression. Then he glares at the man tied to the chair. “If I make all of this go away, can all of you live with that?” he asks the group.
“What?” Nathan whispers. “What do you mean?” “Can you do that?”
“I need each of you to tell me the truth, should I do this?” Detective Prussia says looking at each of them.
Tracey is the first to speak, “I have worked the closest with Nathan over the last two months.” “I say yes.”
“Trace, are you sure?” her husband questioned putting his arm around her.
“Nathan has worked so hard to turn his life around, to let this throw all of that away would be wrong,” Tracey adds. “With all of the weirdness going on in the world, we need to not let it win.”
“We talked about it for weeks before we agreed that Tracey should hire Nathan,” Fox begins. “What Nathan did to get to this place in his life was nothing like what took place here tonight.” “I believe that what he did was not of his own accord.” “These events should not ruin his second chance.”
“I didn’t even know Tracey had hired him until tonight,” Eric begins. “I would be the last one to stand up for Nathan Therman, but I have nothing but sympathy for someone manipulated by someone else’s super-power.” “I believe that he was not responsible for what he did tonight.”
Prussia turns to Wesley, “What about you Marine?”
“Knowing now that my grandparents were victims of John Porter, who paid a terrible price for his cruelty,” Wesley says looking at Nathan whose face is now covered in tears. “I could not live with it on my conscience that I was the reason that another of his victims paid such a price.”
“Well Ms Carter, would you like to make it unanimous?” Detective Prussia asks.
“I think you already know what I think,” Diana says. “The only one that needs to pay for all of this is John and I think he has done that.”
Nathan clears his throat, “What do you mean?” “What if he comes back after me?”
“That is not likely,” Diana reveals. “You see when John was ten his grandmother gave him a good luck charm that he wore on a chain around his neck.” “It had a jade chip in it, turns out it was a piece of the same stone the Jade Acorn was carved from.” “In a way it influenced his life from that day on.” “Made him the man he became, you might say.”
Prussia interrupts Diana’s tale, “Long story short, when he lost the gemstone he lost those years along with it.” “He is a clean slate, and thinks he is still ten years old.” “He covered his tracks with everything he did.” “Without his memory or the gemstone there is no case against him.” “If I make what happened here tonight go away, no one, I repeat no one must ever talk about it again.” Turning to Wesley Berkley, Detective Prussia repeats, “I must have the word of everyone in this room to never speak of John Porter and what he did again.”
“Yes sir, I understand,” Wesley answers.
Mist’s Palace
The World Charts room
Magic Island
The Bermuda Triangle
Shanna greets Diana on her arrival in the World Charts room. “Good Morning Diana. What brings you here so early in the morning?”
“Recent events have made me realize I need to apologize to Robin,” Diana explains. “She was not at fault with John Porter, he was the one that created the problem.” “He was in possession of a mystic artifact that manipulated luck and emotions.” “I assume it was that piece of magic Jade that triggered her android body’s original programming to resurface.” “I’ve felt guilty about what I said to her after she told me she was my real sister.” “That you had put her soul into the android body.” “It caught me off guard, since I found out I had a stillborn twin I never imagined she would do what Robin did.”
“I imagine that would make her very happy to hear,” Shanna tells Diana. “She spends all of her time in your cottage now, most of it in power-down mode.” “Now that she knows the truth about herself I believe she longs from a home, a family.” “Robin has changed, grown.” “She is no longer that sparring partner you trained with for those years on the island.” “But there is something else, isn’t there?” Shanna inquires.
“Are you asking as my Therapist?” Diana fires back.
“I am asking as someone who has know you for some time and can tell when something is bothering you,” Shanna replies.
“The boy at Stanford that Robin took advantage of came looking for me,” Diana begins. “He used a magic artifact to corrupt people’s emotions leading to their deaths.” “There is nothing I can do to change the past that was out of my control.” “But there is another man who John manipulated that I wish I could do something to help him heal, forget what he did.”
“Is that what you truly wish?” Shanna asks.
“I believe now that Nate Therman has worked hard to turn his life around,” Diana says sadly. “Now with what has happened I worry that he might fall back to his old ways.”
Diana’s Cottage
Magic Island
The Bermuda Triangle
Diana walks down the path from the Palace to the small cottage in the trees where she spent two years of her life. It overlooks a cliff where the sun rose from the ocean to wake her every morning. During that time her only friend was the android sparring partner she named Robin. In those years she had no idea that Robin was anything other than a construct of metal, wire and circuitry. Now she knows different and is having a hard time handling it, perhaps that is why she pushed her friend away.
Entering the cottage it is the same as Diana remembered it. You wouldn’t even guess that someone else had been living here. Stepping into the center of the room Diana looks around to the corner where she spies Robin. Robin sits on the floor, her knees pulled to her chest and arms wrapped around them. It is exactly the way she would spend the nights in power-down mode after Diana invited her to stay the night.
During the school months Robin would be at Stanford pretending to be Diana. But during the holiday and summer breaks Robin would return to Magic Island to spar with Diana. It was several weeks into the summer training before Diana asked Robin where she spent her nights.
It was the nights they spent together acting like silly girls that their friendship grew. Diana almost forgot that Robin was just a tool to be used for her training. That was until she felt betrayed by her android friend. Learning that Robin had a soul, the soul of her twin sister no less didn’t soothe the anger Diana felt. But now learning of the magic that John Porter unknowingly welded, Diana know she must make amends.
“I expected that you would have moved to the bed,” Diana says looking through some of her old things she left behind when she returned home. “I never offered to share the bed because I really didn’t think of you as more than a toy.” “Like a stuffed animal that I had sitting in the corner of my room.” “If I had known then who you were on the inside I would have treated you better.” “I’m sorry for that.” Diana looks to the figure on the floor in the corner, there is no response. “Remember the fun we had staying up late?” “Looking back on it we were like sisters even if I didn’t realize it at the time.”
“Even though I share all of the memories you made at Stanford, those really are your memories and not mine,” Diana says, moving to standing in front of Robin still unmoving on the floor. “That was your life not mine.” “And what happened with John Porter and the others was not your fault.” “I learned that he had a magic gemstone or rather a piece of one that caused your body’s original programming to surface.” “I understand you had no control over what happened, just like the other people in my life now that he used.”
Still nothing from Robin. “Look, I know you can hear me!” Diana shouts. “I came here to say I am sorry!” “I overreached!” “I am ready to be the sister you deserve!”
“So you met John, huh?” Robin says without opening her eyes. “Is he still a jerk?”
“More like a huge dick,” Diana replies, turning to Robin as she opens her eyes to look up at her.
“Well that is more than he had when I had sex with him,” Robin smirks.
“I wouldn’t know about that,” Diana replies. “To Tracey’s dismay I still have my virgin card.” “I have to ask, sister to sister, do you feel pleasure?” “That is what you offered him.”
“I feel sensation, I would guess not the same as you but I do feel it,” Robin answers. “I feel it the same as you might feel emotions.” “Pleasure is a kind of happiness, contentment and satisfaction.” “The thing I do not feel is pain.”
“Lucky you,” Diana retorts. “I am so very sorry for everything.” “Why don’t you come home with me?” “It can be like it was when we were together here, only better.” “As sisters!”
Robin stands up to hug Diana, for a while. “Don’t be silly,” Robin says, breaking the embrace. “Who will you tell everyone I am?” “Your twin that no one ever met?” “If I am to have a life beyond this island, it can not be as your long dead twin sister.” “Aunt Jean would have a coronary.”
Diana Carter’s Condo
The Simpson Building
Ninth floor
303 7th Avenue
New York City, NY
It has been a long couple of days and all Diana wants to do is put her feet up and eat ice cream. Dropping her bag at the door to kick off her shoes. Heading for her bedroom she changes into a t-shirt and sweatpants. Next stop is the kitchen. Going to the freezer for chocolate chip mint ice cream and then the drawer for a spoon. She heads into the living room. She flops down on the sofa to reach for the TV remote.
Chowing down on her ice cream she watches the News. They are doing a report on that Showboat in Philadelphia helping to clean up an accident on the Schuylkill Expressway. “Look at him lifting cars around like toys,” Diana mutters. “What a show off!” If Robin had come home with her they could have shown him up, she laughs to herself.
Diana hates that Robin is so wise or is she just being selfish wanting her to come stay with her. Robin is right, there is no way she could explain how her stillborn sister is still alive. The phone rings bringing Diana back to reality, she leans over to answer it. “Hi Trace, what is up?” Diana asks into the phone. “Change your mind about being mad at me?”
“How did you know it was me?” Tracey Woodlawn asks.
“Caller I.D,” Diana tells her friend. “Besides, who else would be calling me?” “What is on your mind?”
“Strangest thing today, Nathan appears to have no memory of what happened last night,” Tracey tells Diana. “I know we were not allowed to talk about it, but he was different this morning so I asked if he was going to be alright with everything?”
“Probably a delayed reaction, like what happened to John,” Diana suggests. Diana hopes Tracey believes her lie, but she suspects Shanna has granted her wish. Still she has to wonder if that is a good thing or bad. “Just keep an eye on him but don’t try to make him remember, just in case.” Then her phone begins to buzz, it is the doorman at reception. “Trace, I’m sorry the doorman is buzzing.” “Talk to you later,”
Switching the phone over to the intercom. “Ms Carter, I have a Dr. Woodlawn here to see you,” Greg the doorman tells her.
“Yes, send him up,” Diana instructs. It just keeps getting better, Diana thinks putting her ice cream down on the coffee table. She jumps up and runs back to her bedroom to put her bra back on under her T-shirt. Going to her door she steps out into the hall to wait for the elevator. “Good evening Doctor, making a house-call?” she calls down the hall to him as he steps out of the elevator. The father of her friend Fox just grins as he strides to her door.
Inviting him in, Diana asks, “Can I get you a drink or something?” “Or is this an outpatient visit?”
“I can’t stay long.” “Joyce is expecting me home and she gets worried if I am too late,” Dr. Woodlawn explains. “I had a visit from an old friend.” “He has found a way we might be able to get an inside look at the General’s organization.” He takes the file that the Colonel gave him while posing as a new patient from his bag. “One of the men under the General’s command; Captain Mathess sends a daughter to a summer camp in New Jersey.” “It is often a preferred location for kids of the military or law enforcement.” He hands Diana the files that the Colonel gave to him. “It is called Camp Tandy.”
“Yes, I know it,” Diana says, opening the file folder. “I spent a summer there when I was fifteen.” “My Uncle Zac paid for me to go to get away from the problems at home.
“It must have been your father’s time in the military working with the General that got you in,” Dr. Woodlawn suggests.
“I don’t know about that, no one has ever said that,” Diana says, flipping through the pages. “So you want me to go undercover as a camp counselor named Sylvia Banks?” “Sylvia was my mother’s name.” “Why Sylvia?”
“Don’t know, that is the name the Colonel had on the paperwork when he gave it to me,” Dr. Woodlawn explains. “Everything is in the file you need to know.”
“June 18th?” she exclaims. “That is this weekend.” “Why such short notice?”
Heading back to the door Dr. Woodlawn says, “Don’t know, like I said it is all in the file.” “I guess the Colonel really thinks this is important to bring the General down.” “I’ve got to get going.” “We’ll talk when you get back.”
After Dr. Woodlawn leaves Diana flops back down on her sofa to take off her bra from under her T-shirt again. She looks over the dossier that he gave her again. Of all places for this to lead. What is it about Camp Tandy that keeps drawing her back? The thought of pumping a child for information about her father is not one that she looks forward to doing.
Settling back in, Diana starts thinking about Camp Tandy. How much that summer meant to her. Which gets Diana thinking about Steve so she decides to give him a call. It is late, she is a fool to think he is home. “Hello?” he answers the phone and his voice sends a rush of adrenaline through her veins.
“Hi, I hope I didn’t wake you,” Diana replies cautiously. “Sorry to call so late.”
Steve chuckles, “Don’t be silly, hearing from you makes my day no matter the time.” “I was just getting out of the shower.”
The thought of Steve in the shower makes Diana’s heart beat faster, “I guess asking what you are wearing would sound like an obscene phone call.”
“A blue towel,” Steve says slyly. “Some water drops.”
Diana’s mind races with the image of Steve wet, naked and wrapped in a towel. His bare chest glistening with water drops. “I think this is turning into an obscene phone call,” Diana says softly, her hand sliding into the top of her sweat pants to find her private parts.
“You started it,” Steve accuses. “At any rate it is good that you called, I’m kinda going away, so I won’t be home for a few weeks.” “It’s kind of a favor for a friend\undercover job.”
Diana fingers move over her mons at the sound of his sexy voice. Trying to focus on what he is saying she replies to him, “What a coincidence, I’m taking on an undercover case, I was wondering if you had any advice?” “I hate the whole pretending to not be myself.” “The whole watching everything I say not to give myself away.”
“You sure did a good job when we met up before Wayne’s wedding,” Steve replies, taking off his towel to get under the sheets of his bed.
“What are you doing now?” Diana asks, hearing the movement, making her wish she was there with him.
“Getting into bed.” Steve tells her. “I think you will do great.” “Just stay focused and don’t pick up on any other guy from your past.”
Naked in his bed, now she really wishes she was with him. “Believe me, after the events of the past few days, I am done with guys from my past!” Diana says, letting out a sigh.
“Well then I guess I will just say good night,” Steve says.
“Not you!” she exclaims. “I feel like we are just getting started again,” Diana responds as her fingers find her already moist clit. “She can’t help but feel guilty as she begins to play with it.
“Imagine how different our lives would have been if I wasn’t such a jerk,” Steve says sadly. “If I had only just gotten your phone number, we could have been talking all these years.” “There were times in High School I would have loved to just call you.”
Yes, you could be here doing this to me, Diana thinks to herself before saying, “Are you trying to make me cry?” “As much as it hurt thinking about you I still did.” “A lot happened during those years, I fear that the reality of that would be nothing like the fantasies we have about it.”
“You are probably right,” Steve moans. The sound of his breathy voice encourages Diana to take her masturbation a step farther. “Maybe after we both get home we can get together,” Steve suggests. “How does a Weekend in NYC sound?”
“That sounds great!” Diana replies with her finger working on her clit. “But why don’t we make it Atlantic City, somewhere neither of us has spent their whole life.”
“Sounds good to me,” Steve agrees eagerly. “Until then?”
“Until then!” Diana repeats hanging up the phone just as she feels her orgasm begin. She grabs her left breast with her free hand to squeeze it hard as her fingers make her cum hard thinking about Steve. Still panting she opens her eyes to look across the room at the chair. Instantly she remembers seeing Eric kneeling on the floor in front of Wesley. The next thought is on my God is Steve gay too?