While fast-forwarding through newspaper articles, the librarian rested a gentle hand on Gabriel's shoulder. "We've got to close," she said quietly. "I'm sorry to cut into your studying time, but you know you're welcome to come back tomorrow."

Gabriel's eyes were bright, her hand easing off the forwarding knob as she looked up at the older woman. "Yes, of course." She paused. "I'm finding some unbelievable stuff here. I need more, though -- I'll definitely be back."

"Good," said the librarian. With a warm smile she added, "We close in ten."

"Thank you." Turning back to the machine, Gabriel's hand flew to her bill and she swallowed a gasp. The roll had stopped on an article regarding a double homicide at the Fourteen Karat Jewel Garden and, subsequently, the missing heir to the murdered couple's fortune. It was like hearing an echo of the article that had printed in the St. Canard Digest on Black Friday.

But the recent article had been of little interest to Gabriel. They located the girl -- Tegwen, her Tegwen -- and she was hanging with some unsavories. Yeah, so what?

The old article, however, covered the murders in great detail. The murders for which she had been arrested. The night that forever changed her life.

She and Tegwen were connected on a level much deeper than she'd initially realized.

More importantly, it dawned on her that Tegwen's parents had been killed and she'd been the only surviving witness to it.

Suddenly so much about that girl made sense.

And Dr. Rueppell had inadvertently ruined everything.

Fully aware that what she'd found was only the tip of one hell of an iceberg, Gabriel packed her belongings with the intent of returning the next morning. Screw High Command and screw their meeting. This was crucial.

If only her classes had been this fascinating, perhaps she'd have been studying as opposed to traipsing around the University with a firearm and her hand-me-down gang.

go back | return to table of contents | continue