Her thoughts trailed back to Brent, and her heart ached, she laid her head upon the table and just began letting it all pour out. Why couldn't events that bent and twisted her fate so incessantly, just reverse. Oh if she could turn back time. She would take back all she said, tell him she loved him deeply, no matter how he took it. She would have given him herself without question, at all cost. Now, all was lost. Hopeless! How could this really be more than a nightmare. Nightmares...The one thing she remembers of benefit from her father, was whenever she would have a a bad dream her father would come to her bedside, stand there tall and proudly state..now Random, if you only learn to put all the nightmares in the corral..you will have the most valuable riding and trick horses around. He smiled always after saying that.., but it was always a quick smug little half smile. Nothing, that showed too much emotion, however, she had always remembered what to do about nightmares. This nightmare could never be corralled. It was emblazoned upon her heart and her soul. She looked at her uncle now, and asked, will you please see if there is a bail to post or something, I do not wish to remain here....in this cesspool longer! Mercer, looked back at his niece with darkened sad eyes. No love, there is no bail, you must remain here until we get this settled. Uncle? No! That is wrong! You know, I am innocent, there is a great travesty of justice here somehow! Yes, it seems so, but it has been requested, and I agree Randi, that you are safer here until some things are sorted out. Officer Eric Melroni, looked over then and nodded in agreement... Yes, Ms. McGuire, you must stay here at least a few days. There was some small piece of evidence that points away from you as the culprit, but it also points to you as another possible victim. It is best, to remain incarcerated. What?? Evidence??? What kind of evidence? I mean, what makes you so sure I'm in danger? Well, Ms. McGuire... *ahem* Call Me Randi please*... All right Ms.. I mean Randi.. I guess there have been rumors going on of a business merger proposal? *Randy nodded.. Yes, We have been approached by a competitor, quite a thorn in our side actually, See, we don't feel it would be very wise to merge with Sands~Soulel Inc. They are nothing more than a pool of ravenous sharks, and their dealings are cut throat. Yes, Mercer Mangrave added, "Neither Randi, Brent, nor I agree with the business etiquette and tactics of Gabriel Sands and his partner Irah Soulel. They are raw, and we keep a keen eye on all our competitors. These two seem very new, and highly suspect to us. We do all agree, that these two have kept us on our toes. They have everything but gotten down on their knees and licked Randi's boots to get us to merge. We won't do it. They finally, tried to buy us out in the market, but we were wise to them. He's right, Randi cut in, "We have some bad bad vibes about those two. " Ever shake the hand of someone you feel is evil Officer Melroni?? Well, try Gabriel Sands one day..tell me he doesn't give you the creeps." Randi?? Yes, Officer Melroni??... Randi, please just call me Eric. *Randi smiled.* You've got a deal Eric. Well, Randi, as I was about to tell you.. these guys were caught on your office cameras going through your data files recently.. Well, not them exactly, but some thugs they hired. We I.D.ed them and it all trailed back to Sands~Soulel Inc. They haven't been arrested yet because we're still trailing them to see what the honcho's are up to. I see, so, do you think they killed Brent? I'm not exactly sure Randi, since he was with you most of the time prior to his death. There isn't much of a time line between you, Brent, and time of death. Randi looked at Eric, I can't tell you how wrong you are, if you still think I murdered him. This is all too insane. Officer Melroni said nothing, he only set about some paper work, then looked up finally, and gave her a hopeful smile. Randi just sighed, turned to the meager bed in her cell and sat on the edge with her head in her hands....she began to sob. Officer Melroni tried not to notice, but his heart sank. Somehow, he knew she was innocent. Eric was a rugged male, obviously a cross-realmer (half-elven), and able to traverse from one realm to another. He had the Star-pass, ( a small silver star imbedded in the forehead that allows only an elite few to walk and work between both the human and fairy world). If you are full human.. or full fae or elven, you may not be a cross-realmer. Randi was also a cross-realmer, but did not often have time for fairy world traveling. She thought one day, she'd like to visit her father's home, perhaps meet her kinder folk. Randi did notice that She and Eric had that much in common and it gave her easement of spirit for now. By Robin Minick (Elfenone) To be continued..