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+Episode 3.14, Devil’s Night, Part 3
+-----------------------------------
+
+At Home
+
+Helen – “When was the last time we had the house to ourselves?”
+
+Will – “I think it was sometime in the Dark Ages.”
+
+Helen – “You know, it’s going to be several hours before the kids
+come home.”
+
+Will – “Hmm, shall I take a shower first or would you like to?”
+
+Helen – “Why take turns?”
+
+At the Orban Farm
+
+When Joan returns to the barn, she sees Glynis chasing Friedman,
+squirting him mercilessly with her Blade Blaster, “Why did I agree to
+come with you tonight?”
+
+Friedman – “All I said was that you look pretty in pink!”
+
+Glynis– “It’s the way you said it, Duckie,” as she continues chasing
+him.
+
+Joan walks up to Luke, “What started this?”
+
+Luke – “Oh, Friedman’s love bite is still a bit too hard.”
+
+Joan – “You mean there’s something going on between them?”
+
+Luke – “I’m not sure, but it’s going to be fun to watch.”
+
+Joan – “Let’s see if we can rein these two in. I’d like to go on the
+hayride now. Where’s Adam?”
+
+Adam smiles, “Right here. I had my invisible cloak on.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, I didn’t see you.”
+
+Adam – “I know. Isn’t it neat?”
+
+Joan smiles, “Okay, I liked your invisible cloak. Hey, I’m kind of
+getting tired of being Napoleon Dynamite. My throat’s getting sore.
+Can we just be us?”
+
+Adam – “That’s what I’ve always wanted.”
+
+Joan smiles again, takes his hand, and calls out, “Come on
+defectives, hayride time.” Everyone seems to be there, except for
+Kevin and Lilly. Joan walks through the barn calling Kevin’s name.
+Suddenly, Kevin rolls out of the dark room with Lilly on his lap. “I
+see you two like the dark room.”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, there are a lot of interesting things in there.”
+
+Joan – “I can see. Come on lover boy, your nose ring has jumped
+nostrils and your lipstick is smeared all over your face.”
+
+Lilly – “I told you it was supposed to go back in the right nostril.”
+Kevin and Lilly both begin to laugh.
+
+They go out to the wagon and are surprised to find no one is waiting
+in line. There isn’t even a driver. They all become disheartened,
+thinking that maybe they missed the last ride of the night. Everyone
+is relieved when the driver approaches to take them on the ride. It’s
+the person in the Jason mask they saw earlier.
+
+Toni – “Everyone aboard.”She looks at Kevin, “We have a handicap
+service. I’ll be right back.”
+
+Toni returns with two huge high school boys. They lift Kevin onto the
+wagon and help him get into place. She gets up onto the tractor and
+says, “Are you ready to be scared?” Everyone cheers and laughs as the
+wagon pulls away.
+
+Toni had talked to the organizers earlier and knew when and where
+every ghoul, goblin, and vampire would be approaching the wagon.
+She’s a cop, and although she is pretending to be just the driver,
+she is actually watching everything in sight. The wagon rolls along
+the path that follows the creek that crosses the farm.
+
+It’s a beautiful night. The sky is clear, the Moon is crescent, and
+Mars is bright in the east, providing a sky pumpkin for the occasion.
+Glynis pulls out a deck of cards, “This is a game I played last
+year.” She places the cards in four stacks between them, “There is a
+‘people’ stack, an ‘animal’ stack, a ‘things’ stack, and a ‘sounds’
+stack. The first one starts with a card from the ‘people’ pile. They
+start to tell a spooky story using the word that’s on the card. When
+they feel they are done with her part of the story, it is the next
+player’s turn. This player draws a card from the ‘animal’ pile and
+continues the story. The next player must pick a card from the
+‘things’ pile, and the player after that draws from the ‘sounds’
+pile. The play continues until someone draws a card that says, ‘The
+End’. The player who draws that card must end the story. Who wants to
+go first?”
+
+Joan doesn’t answer, but just picks a ‘people’ card. She looks at it
+and begins, “Once there were some boys and girls on a hayride, and
+the wicked witch of October came stealing. Okay, next.”
+
+Luke draws a card, “So, when she arrived, she found a cow, and she
+turned it into a wolf. Okay.”
+
+Toni is listening to the game and decides to forgo her story. She
+continues driving and keeping a lookout. Suddenly, a zombie appears
+at the side of the wagon and grabs Lilly’s hair. Lilly screeches and
+then begins to laugh. The zombie wanders off, giving up on its prey.
+
+Kevin takes a card, “She finds a stick and turns it into a wooden
+stake.”
+
+Glynistakes her turn, “And she sneaks up to the wagon and says, Boo!”
+
+Friedman draws a card, “Then, a mermaid comes flopping out of the
+creek.” Everyone boos and hisses at his story. “I’m sorry, that’s the
+word I had to use!”
+
+Adam draws his card, but before he can respond, a vampire grabs Grace
+and says, “I want to drink your blood.” Grace responds, using her
+warped sense of humor, “Oh, bite me.”
+
+The vampire wanders off, somewhat disappointed that he wasn’t
+successful in scaring anyone. Adam continues, “Then this beautiful
+owl starts hooting, and distracts the witch and the wolf.”
+
+Lilly draws her card, “And the witch gets mad and starts throwing
+apples at the owl.”
+
+Grace takes her turn, “And the tree limb brakes, and bang, it…”
+
+Everyone is startled, because as Grace spoke, a shot rang out. Toni
+draws her weapon and throws off her mask. She searches in the
+direction of the shot. Another shot rings out. Toni is hit in the
+arm, but she fires several rounds at the attacker. She quickly
+assesses the situation and realizes they need to find cover. She
+steers the tractor down the bank, but unfortunately, the bank is too
+steep. The tractor and the wagon topple into the creek.
+
+Toni loses her weapon and is pinned under the tractor. She manages to
+get her radio and calls for help, “Officer needs assistance, officer
+down, shots fired, Orban Farm.” She looks toward the wagon and sees
+Kevin and Glynis being carried out of the creek. “We have hurt
+children. Send ambulances.” She struggles, but she can’t free her
+leg. She calls out, “Somebody come here. I need your help.” Adam and
+Lilly come over. “Look for my gun. It’s in the creek. It can’t be far
+away.”
+
+Adam and Lilly begin to feel for the gun, but they can’t find it.
+Toni directs them, “Over there further.” Adam finds it and gives it
+to Toni. She hands it back to him, “I can’t shoot from here. You’re
+going to have to go up on the bank. Wait until you see a flash and
+then return fire.”
+
+Adam – “But I’ve never shot a gun before!”
+
+Toni – “Just point and pull the trigger.”
+
+At Home
+
+Will and Helen are reading in bed when Will’s cell phone rings. As he
+hears the news, he can’t hide the horrified expression from his face.
+Helen picks up on it immediately, “It’s the kids, isn’t it?”
+
+Will – “We don’t know anything yet. There has been some shooting, and
+Lt. Williams and some children have been hurt. We don’t know if it’s
+our kids. I’ll call as soon as I find out.”
+
+Helen – “Not this time, buster. I’m going with you!”
+
+Will knows that this is a losing argument, so they both quickly get
+dressed and head out the door.
+
+At the Orban Farm
+
+Adam has no clue of what he’s doing, but he does as instructed. He
+peeks over the bank and waits until he sees the muzzle flash. He
+points, shoots, and continues to fire. When the hammer strikes empty
+chambers, Grace voices the thoughts of all present, “And there goes
+the paddle.”
+
+Adam calls out to Lt. Williams, “Do you have any more bullets?”, but
+Toni has lost consciousness. The gunman begins coming toward them,
+firing repeatedly. Suddenly, there is a volley of gunfire from their
+right. Five, maybe seven people have come over the crest of the hill.
+They fire another round of gunfire toward the attacker. He begins to
+retreat. Some continue the chase, while others come to help.
+
+Alice – “Are you all right?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, everyone but Glynis and Lt. Williams. Lt. Williams is
+trapped under the tractor.” Of course, she has also been shot, but
+Joan doesn’t know that yet. Others go to help Lt. Williams and still
+others arrive to help.
+
+Alice – “This is my Uncle Charles.”
+
+Joan – “It’s really nice to meet you. You saved us.”
+
+Charles sees Glynis, “So what’s wrong with this little lassie?”
+
+Joan – “I think she hit her head when we fell into the creek.”
+
+Charles looks her over, “Yeah, I see. That’s quite a bump on her
+head…”
+
+Friedman interrupts, “But, she’ll be okay, right?”
+
+Charles – “I usually just treat animals, but I think she’ll be okay.
+An ambulance will be here soon.”
+
+Joan – “Can you look at my brother? His legs are paralyzed.”
+
+Charles – “That sounds serious.”
+
+Joan – “No, he was that way when we came, but since he can’t feel
+anything, he wouldn’t know if he’s hurt.”
+
+Charles examines Kevin, “There doesn’t appear to be anything
+obviously wrong. I’d better have a look at the officer.”
+
+He goes over to Toni, and several units from the sheriffs department
+arrive. Sporadic gunfire can still be heard in the distance. After
+the deputies secure the scene, the ambulances arrive to transport Lt.
+Williams and Glynis to the hospital.
+
+Will and Helen arrive just as the ambulances are pulling away.Will is
+relieved to see a familiar face. He and Helen approach Sheriff Mike
+Bristol, “How are our children?”
+
+Sheriff Bristol – “They’re fine. They’ll be here in a few minutes.
+They’re cold, but they’ll be okay.”
+
+Helen – “Who were in the ambulances?”
+
+Sheriff Bristol – “Lt. Williams and a girl named Glynis Figliola.”
+
+Will – “How bad are they?”
+
+Sheriff Bristol – “Lt. Williams has a flesh wound in the arm. Her
+ankle looked to be in pretty bad shape, and she has hypothermia from
+lying in the creek so long. Glynis Figliola got a bump on the head,
+but she came to as they were putting her in the ambulance. But like I
+said, your kids are okay. They just have a few cuts and bruises.
+Mainly, they’re cold. Mrs. Orban is gathering up dry clothes for them
+to change into, and she already has hot cider waiting. Tonight is a
+beautiful night, but not for swimming. Oh, here they come now.”
+
+The patrol cars come up the trail, but they pass the barn and
+continue on to the farmhouse. Will and Helen rush to follow. Hugs and
+kisses ensue. They all go inside. The boys who helped Kevin earlier
+carry him in and set him in his wheelchair.
+
+Mrs. Orban – “There are towels and dry clothes on the beds upstairs.
+Boys on the right, girls on the left.” She looks at Kevin and
+instructs her son, “ Go bring down a set of clothes and a towel for
+him.” She looks back at Kevin, “I’m sorry, what is your name?”
+
+Kevin – “Kevin Girardi.”
+
+Mrs. Orban – “Kevin, you can go into the dining room. We’ll just stay
+out of there while you change. Do you need help changing?”
+
+Kevin – “No, I’ll be okay.”
+
+Mrs. Orban calls upstairs, “I have hot cider, so come down when you
+are changed.” She looks back at Will and Helen, “We’ll all sit around
+the pellet stove.”
+
+Helen – “It’s really kind of you to help.”
+
+Mrs. Orban – “Oh, it’s nothing. The clothes are my boys’, so they
+will all be too big, but they are clean and dry. Have a seat.”
+
+The children change and return downstairs to sit around the stove.
+All welcome its warmth.
+
+Luke – “This is great! The creek water was so cold.”
+
+Mrs. Orban – “Charles installed this a few years ago. We actually
+burn corn. It’s cheaper than the pellets, since we grow it
+ourselves.”
+
+Will – “Clever!”
+
+Mrs. Orban and Alice bring hot cider from the kitchen. All are
+thankful to be warmed on the inside as well.
+
+Sheriff Bristol comes to the door and calls Will outside, “We found
+the guy. He’s dead. His name is Chester Logon. Do you know him?”
+
+Will remembers ‘ logonc’ in the return e-mail address from the
+message Luke had forwarded to him, “I think there may be a connection
+to the bombing yesterday. How long until your investigation is
+complete?”
+
+Sheriff Bristol – “We’ll be working together on this. His driver’s
+license shows an address in Arcadia.” He hands Will a note with the
+address, “You can do the search of his residence.”
+
+Will – “Thanks, Mike. I’ll get on this right away, and we’ll talk
+again tomorrow.” Will calls the office and starts the process to get
+a search warrant. After the call, he returns inside and sits with
+everyone for a few minutes. “Are you ready to go home?”
+
+No one wants to leave the warmth of the stove, but they all get up to
+leave anyway. All thank the Orbans for their kindness and head for
+home. After everyone is tucked into bed, Will and Helen go back
+downstairs. Helen has been sturdy throughout the evening, but now,
+she breaks down into tears, “We almost lost our children!”
+
+Will soothes her and holds her until she regains her composure,
+“Don’t worry. It won’t happen again. I’ll make it so Hunter will
+never show his face in Arcadia again.” He kisses her and then gets up
+to leave, “I’m going to check on Toni, and then I have some work to
+do. Don’t wait up.”
+
+The next morning, all are busy with the hustle and bustle of getting
+ready to leave. Helen observes the children are not much in the mood,
+especially Joan. “Do all of you feel okay?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, but I’ve been thinking. Maybe I should go visit Aunt
+Olive for a while in Sedona. She and I can explore the energy
+vortexes.” She smiles, “And maybe I’ll even see the Road Runner and
+Wile E. Coyote.”
+
+Helen – “What brought this on?”
+
+Joan – “I’ve just been thinking about her. She still owes me a hug.”
+
+Helen – “Joan.”
+
+Joan begins to cry, “You know why last night happened. I don’t want
+anyone to get hurt because of me. If I go away for awhile, then maybe
+he’ll leave you alone.”
+
+Helen – “Hunter? No, that’s not how he works. Your father and I have
+already talked about this. One way or another, Hunter won’t be
+bothering us anymore.”
+
+Joan – “Mom! Dad! What are you planning? You can’t become like him.
+If you do, he wins.”
+
+Will – “Hunter upped the ante last night. This is no longer just a
+police matter. He’s dealing with me now.”
+
+Joan – “No, Dad, please!”
+
+Will – “Joan, there are two things that matter to me, job and family,
+but not in that order. Family is everything.”
+
+Joan – “Dad, you are still the best man I know, and I want it to stay
+that way.”
+
+Will – “Don’t worry.” He kisses her on the forehead, “I’m still a
+cop. I’m just changing tactics. I’ve been trying to fight a big dog.
+Now, I’m going to poison his food.”
+
+With that, Will turns to Helen. “I’ll probably be working late all
+week. I love you.” He gives her a kiss. Helen whispers in his ear, “I
+think I’ll be staying home with them today.” Will nods, and as he
+leaves for work, he thinks to himself, ‘The Army of Joan will be
+getting a whole lot larger.’
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Will – “Thanks for working an all-nighter. What do we have?”
+
+Carlisle – “I searched Logon’s house and found a computer with the
+‘Hope will burn’ message in his sent folder. He was definitely
+connected to the bombings. I also found some disposable cell phones
+like the ones used. I need to make some calls to try to find out
+where they came from. Roebuck identified the explosive used as
+Semtex. Semtex is made in Czechoslovakia, well Slovakia now, but it’s
+the explosive of choice for terrorists. I think we’re going to need
+help on this one.”
+
+Will – “Roebuck mentioned on Saturday that he thought it was Semtex,
+but he didn’t want to commit until his investigators knew for sure.
+Anything else?”
+
+Carlisle – “Yeah, the police artist did sketches of the two men who
+made the deliveries, and Chester Logon was definitely one of them. He
+is also a member of the Hunter’s Citizens’ Watchdog Committee. That
+might be enough for us to get a search warrant.”
+
+Will – “Yes! Okay, give me all of your notes, go home, and get some
+sleep. Call me when you wake up.”
+
+Carlisle leaves and Will calls the mayor’s office. When the secretary
+answers, Will says, “This is Chief Will Girardi. I know I have a
+meeting scheduled with the mayor at 11 o’clock, but I need to talk to
+him now. It’s urgent!”
+
+The secretary places Will on hold for a few minutes, then transfers
+him to the mayor, “Will, what’s up that can’t wait?”
+
+Will – “We’ve found evidence in the church bombings and the shooting
+this weekend that you need to know about. I think the County
+Commissioner should be there as well. Can you invite him to our
+meeting?”
+
+Mayor Doherty – “Sure.It’s kind of short notice, but I’ll try. Can
+you tell me more about what this is about?”
+
+Will – “I think I should tell both you and the commissioner at the
+same time. I’ll see you at eleven.”
+
+Officer Osborn arrives and knocks on Will’s door. Will had summoned
+him earlier. Will invites him in and he has a seat. “I suppose you
+are wondering why I asked you to come here.”
+
+Officer Osborn – “Yeah, have I done something wrong?”
+
+Will – “Not at all. In fact, I want to commend you on the work you
+have been doing. I have seen a great improvement since the first day
+we met.
+
+As you know, both Lt. Daghlian and Sergeant Williams will be out of
+commission for a while. We need help, and that is why I have decided
+to temporarily assign you to the detective bureau.”
+
+Officer Osborn – “Thank you, Chief, but I don’t have any experience
+in detective work.”
+
+Will – “Detective Carlisle and I will help you. What I need you to do
+first is to take this information about Chester Logon and get me a
+warrant to search the office of Hunter’s Citizens’ Watchdog
+Committee. Do you think you can handle that?”
+
+Officer Osborn – “Yeah, Chief, I know the procedure. I won’t let you
+down.”
+
+At Home
+
+Shortly after Will leaves, Adam calls. He wants to know if Joan is
+going to school. When he is told she won’t be going, he calls in sick
+as well and comes over.
+
+The realization of what almost happened last night has sunk in with a
+vengeance. Will’s words continue to resonate through everyone’s mind,
+and the petty little differences that at times seem to be so
+important, have all fallen away to the knowledge that they all love
+each other more than anything in the world.
+
+It wasn’t their intention to let Grace know just how involved Ryan
+Hunter was in all of this, but Will forgot she was present when he
+spoke earlier. Luke sits on the couch with Grace, tells her the rest
+of the story including details of what he and Friedman have learned
+from Ryan’s computer.
+
+Joan has worried herself sick, literally. Helen, Kevin, and Adam try
+to console her, but nothing seems to help. Finally, Helen takes her
+upstairs and puts her in bed. Helen makes a trip to the bathroom and
+returns with a blue pill left over from the accident. She makes Joan
+take one. As Joan falls asleep, she prays, thanks God for saving her
+friends and family, and asks Him to please continue to keep everyone
+safe.
+
+Friedman also calls in sick today and goes to the hospital to visit
+Glynis. Fortunately, she is doing much better and will be released
+later today. Friedman is another matter. He is still trying to deal
+with the knowledge that everyone he cares about dies, leaves, or gets
+hurt. It is a perceived curse, but it has been, and continues to
+affect his behavior.
+
+At Lilly’s Apartment
+
+After Joan is put to bed, Kevin decides he should check on Lilly. She
+seemed to be okay last night, but so did Joan. He calls and confirms
+that she is at home before he goes over.
+
+Kevin – “Hi, what are you doing?”
+
+Lilly – “Hooking up my new DVD player. Well, it’s not new, but it’s
+new for me. You want to watch a movie with me?”
+
+Kevin – “Sure, but I was wondering if you would like to talk first.”
+
+Lilly – “About last night?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, how are you doing?”
+
+Lilly – “I’m fine. We made it through it. It’s over.”
+
+Kevin is not convinced, but it appears she doesn’t want to talk about
+it.
+
+Lilly – “Come on, I bought my first DVD. It’s a classic.” She pushes
+the DVD into the player. They sit on the couch and begin to watch the
+movie. The\ `title
+song <http://dc19.4shared.com/download/13042969/d366d290/The_Sound_of_Music_-_The_Hills_Are_Alive__Julie_Andrews_.mp3>`__\ begins
+to play and Lilly sings along. In fact, it appears she knows every
+song. Kevin decides this is good therapy.
+
+At the Mayor’s Office
+
+Mayor Doherty asks County Commissioner Jenkins to attend the meeting,
+and they all have a seat.
+
+Will – “Mayor Doherty, let me first congratulate you on winning the
+election. I look forward to dealing with such a fine civil servant as
+yourself.”
+
+Mayor Doherty – “Will, when we’re alone, call me Max. Thank you for
+the compliment, but you are the white hat who cleaned up Dodge. It
+will be a pleasure for me to work with you.”
+
+Will – “Hello, Commissioner Jenkins. I don’t believe we have met.”
+
+County Commissioner – “Not in person, but I have heard of you. It’s
+William, but please call me Bill.”
+
+Will – “Well, congratulations on your victory in the election as
+well.”
+
+Bill – “Thank you.”
+
+Max – “So, what is this about?”
+
+Will – “As you know, we have had a string of arsons in Arcadia,
+starting last spring. Our investigation has indicated a lone
+criminal. We have a suspect but not enough evidence to make an
+arrest. Last Saturday, I received an anonymous tip that a series of
+bombs were planted, scheduled to go off on Sunday. We were able to
+disarm three of them, but the forth was detonated, destroying St.
+Paul’s Lutheran Church.
+
+On Sunday, my children were on a hayride at the Orban farm. An
+attacker, who we later identified as Chester Logon, tried to kill
+them. He was killed by members of the Orban family. When we searched
+his residence, we found on his computer a copy of the message about
+the bombings that started the investigation in the first place. He
+has also been identified as one of the two men who delivered the
+bombs to the churches and the convent. The e-mail was addressed to
+Ryan Hunter. Ryan Hunter has been our primary suspect all along in
+the arson investigation.
+
+The reason I needed to talk to you is because we have learned the
+plastic explosive used in the latest bombing is Semtex. This isn’t
+something someone can come by easily. It’s made in Slovakia and would
+have to be smuggled into this country. I no longer believe we are
+dealing with just a few criminals. I think this new evidence points
+to a terrorist cell.”
+
+Both the Mayor and Commissioner are stunned by the news. Max asks,
+“What would you like us to do?”
+
+Will – “The targets, so far, have all been religious institutions or
+places where religious activities take place. I think we need to
+guard all the places of worship, and at least the Catholic and
+Lutheran schools. I can only speculate why they went after my family,
+but it isn’t the first time children were targeted. All the cast of
+the play at the Community Theater this summer were children. I think
+it would be wise to protect all the schools in the county, just to be
+safe. Two of my three detectives are in the hospital and I have
+several other officers out with injuries as well. I just don’t have
+the manpower to do what needs to be done. I can call up the police
+reserve for the short term, but that won’t solve all of our problems.
+
+Max, I would like you to make a request to the governor for
+assistance. Specifically, we need manpower for security and handlers
+with explosive-sniffing dogs. Other police organizations in the state
+and the Maryland National Guard might be able to provide the
+resources.
+
+Bill, I believe you have the authority to raise the Terrorist Threat
+Level in the county. Is that correct?”
+
+Bill – “I believe so. I have read the action plan, but I don’t have
+it memorized. I’ll have to check.”
+
+Will – “If we do that in conjunction with a request for assistance
+from the Department of Homeland Security, we should be able to get
+the technical assistance we need. In addition to the extra manpower
+for security, we need specialists here to help us analyze the
+evidence. We can’t wait for a week or several weeks to get a response
+from Bakerstown. I think we have to move fast to prevent another
+attack.”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan opens her eyes to see Grace’s face just two inches away. She
+scoots back slightly and asks, “What are you doing?”
+
+Grace – “Oh, just watching my best friend sleep. Do you feel better
+now?”
+
+Joan yawns and stretches, “Yeah, I guess I needed a nap. What time is
+it?”
+
+Grace – “Time to join the rest of the world in the hunt for Red
+October.”
+
+Joan – “Huh?”
+
+Grace – “Your father has been busy this morning. Just a few minutes
+ago, the mayor and the county commissioner announced the raising of
+the Terror Threat Level in Hogan County to Orange. They cited
+evidence your dad found. He is searching the office of Hunter’s
+Citizens’ Watchdog Committee now, and he has issued an all-points
+bulletin for their arrest. Erica Stevenson, with WGF-TV, said that
+Hunter has made this a ‘Red October’, and now everyone is using that
+phrase.”
+
+Joan – “Wasn’t that a movie?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah okay, so the analogy isn’t that great, but it sounds
+neat. Hey, it’s good we skipped school today. All the schools in the
+county are on lock down. I feel much better being on the outside.”
+
+Joan – “Let me go to the bathroom, and then you are going to fill me
+in on what’s been happening.” She pauses, thinking for a moment, “Is
+Adam still here?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, but after you went to sleep, he started having a
+fever. Your mom gave him something and he’s zonked out on your
+brother’s bed.”
+
+Joan – “I hope it wasn’t a blue pill.” She detours to Kevin’s bedroom
+and looks in on Adam before she goes to the bathroom. When she
+returns, she and Grace head downstairs. On the way, Joan notices
+Helen asleep on her bed. Grace comments, “Your mom has been a rock
+for us, but that’s just a show. I heard her crying when I came up to
+see you. She is as worried as the rest of us.”
+
+Joan – “Where’s brain boy?”
+
+Grace – “He’s in his room. With everyone asleep, we figured your mom
+would want us in different rooms. Of course, there was some heavy
+petting before that happened.”
+
+Joan – “Eeeuw! Too much information. As they take a seat, she clicks
+on the television. A commercial is on, so she asks Grace, “Does
+anyone know where Ryan Hunter is?”
+
+Grace – “No, they haven’t found him yet, but your dad has called up
+the police reserve, and there are rumors the FBI has joined in the
+hunt.”
+
+The commercial ends and they return to their news program, “We will
+return to our discussion of what citizens should do at ‘Terror Threat
+Level Orange’ in a few minutes, but first, a spokesman for the FBI
+has announced the issuance of an arrest warrant for Ryan Hunter and
+the freezing of some of his assets. He would not elaborate on the
+reasons, but speculation is that it has to do with Hunter’s
+involvement in the terrorist investigation here in Arcadia.”
+
+Joan sits quietly for a few moments. She then gets up and retrieves
+the car keys from Helen’s purse. She sits back down beside Grace and
+nervously plays with the keys, “I have to talk to Sister Sarah.”
+
+Grace – “You with car keys in your hand, it must be important!”
+
+Joan – “It is. Will you drive me?”
+
+Grace – “Hey, I got my license to please my father, but I don’t
+drive. I’ll go with you, but you’ll have to drive yourself.”
+
+Joan – “Come on, Grace. I need you to do this for me.”
+
+Grace – “I think it’s time for you to start driving again. I’ve seen
+you drive. You’re a good driver. You can do it.”
+
+Joan – “But I don’t want to.”
+
+Grace – “That’s the deal, unless you want to take the bus.”
+
+Joan toys with the idea of getting Luke to drive her, but she decides
+that is an even worse idea. She’s not mad at Grace, because she knows
+Grace means well, but she is still terribly afraid to get behind the
+wheel again. She picks up the phone and calls the convent. The
+receptionist confirms that Sister Sarah is there. She retrieves her
+purse from her bedroom and returns downstairs, “Okay, let’s go.”
+
+At Lilly’s Apartment
+
+Lilly – “I have always loved this movie. I had it on VCR tape, but it
+jammed up in the VCR and I had to throw it away.”
+
+Kevin – “I enjoyed it too. I think I have heard about it, but this is
+the first time I’ve seen it.”
+
+Lilly – “It held the rating as the number one musical until Grease
+came out. I still think it’s the best musical of all time.”
+
+Kevin smiles and gives her a hug, “What would you like to do now?
+Would you like to watch TV?”
+
+Lilly – “No!I don’t want to know what’s going on outside of here. I
+just want to be here with you.” She walks over and retrieves a CD
+from a shopping bag, “I bought my first CD. Rebecca said this DVD
+player would also play CD’s.” She puts the CD in the player and it
+begins to play. She sits back down next to Kevin and they begin to
+cuddle. As they to listen to the music, Annie’s Song reminds them of
+how thankful they are to be together.
+
+At St. Mary’s Convent
+
+Joan is hesitant at first, but she starts the car and drives them
+away from the curb. As she drives, the anxiety of driving slowly
+fades to a tolerable level. Joan and Grace smile back at each other,
+and Grace comments, “I knew you could do it.”
+
+Joan – “Being able to do it hasn’t been the problem. I… I just…”
+
+Grace interrupts, “I know why, but this is something you needed to do
+again.” Joan just smiles in agreement and Grace continues, “There’s
+something about Rove you need to know.”
+
+Joan – “What?”
+
+Grace – “He hasn’t said anything, but I can read him like a book. I
+promised I would help you two, so here it is… He’s really upset about
+last night.”
+
+Joan – “We all are, but he seems to be okay.”
+
+Grace – “Well, he’s not. Before last night, could you ever imagine
+Rove trying to kill someone or even firing a gun?”
+
+Joan – “No, but he had to. That guy was trying to kill us.”
+
+Grace – “I know that and that’s why he did it, but that doesn’t mean
+that Rove can justify it in his own mind. We may never know if he
+actually hit the guy, but the idea of what he may have done is
+tormenting him, even if it was justified. When we get back, you need
+to talk to him about it.”
+
+Joan – “Okay, I will, but what should I say?”
+
+Grace – “You’ll have to figure that out, but somewhere in there, he
+needs to hear from you that you still love him.”
+
+When they arrive, an old man in a rather disheveled police uniform
+asks for their ID. Joan and Grace both provide their driver’s
+licenses, and the officer comments, “Girardi? Are you the chief’s
+daughter?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah and this is my friend, Grace.”
+
+Officer – “What is your business here?”
+
+Joan – “We have an appointment with Sister Sarah.”
+
+Officer – “Okay, you can pass.” He pauses before he goes to move the
+barricade, “Hey, please don’t tell your father about my appearance. I
+haven’t put this uniform on in several years.”
+
+Joan – “Don’t worry, I won’t say anything.”
+
+When they go inside, a Sister informs them that Sister Sarah is
+praying in the chapel and does not wish to be disturbed.”
+
+Joan – “But it’s really important that I talk to her. Tell her I need
+to talk to her about Ryan Hunter.”
+
+Sister – “It’s that news that has her so upset. I think you should
+come back tomorrow.”
+
+Joan – “No, I have to talk to her now. Please, tell her it’s Joan
+Girardi who wants to talk to her.”
+
+The sister is hesitant, but agrees to ask her, “Wait here.”
+
+The sister leaves and Joan says to Grace, “Come here, I want to show
+you something.”
+
+Grace – “But the nun said to wait here.”
+
+Joan – “It’s okay, it will only take a minute.” Joan takes her into
+an adjacent room, “This is where we have dance lessons.”
+
+Grace looks around and comments, “It doesn’t look like much. It’s
+painted white like everything else here.”
+
+Joan – “I know, but I have had so much fun in the room. I just wanted
+you to see it. When I come back to class, I want you to join me.”
+
+Grace – “Dude, I’m not interested. I can dance just fine when I need
+to.”
+
+Joan – “At least just once.Please!”
+
+Grace says, somewhat condescending, “We’ll see.”
+
+They hear the sister walking back and hurry back into the waiting
+area. She directs her comment to Joan, “She will see you now, but
+your friend will have to wait here.”
+
+Joan looks at Grace and Grace comments, “I just came along for the
+ride. I’ll be fine.”
+
+The sister escorts Joan to the chapel and leaves. Sister Sarah is
+kneeling in front of the altar, deeply in prayer. She gets up and
+invites Joan to sit with her in a pew. “It’s nice to see you again,
+but today is not a good day.”
+
+Joan – “I know, but there are some things I have to tell you. I was
+going to wait until after our next class, but… well, you know what
+has happened.”
+
+Sister Sarah – “Yes, I have heard the news. I still find it so hard
+to believe. That isn’t the man I know… the man I still love.”
+
+Joan – “I know it’s hard to believe, but I know that it’s true. When
+he lost you, he began to lose it all. He blamed God for taking you
+away from him. The arsons, the bombings, they were all to strike back
+at God. Can you see that now?”
+
+Sister Sarah – “Yes, those thoughts have been tormenting me. But he
+used to love God as much as I do. I still don’t understand.”
+
+Joan – “I don’t know if we will ever understand why, but it happened,
+and it’s so sad. I know there is still good in him.”
+
+Sister Sarah – “He was supposed to come by yesterday morning, but he
+didn’t show. It hurts me to know that I may never see him again.”
+
+Joan – “Well, that’s part of why I wanted to talk to you today. I
+think the bomb that was planted here was meant for you.”
+
+Sister Sarah – “No, not for me, but to hurt me.I was supposed to
+spend most of yesterday with him, so I wouldn’t have been here when
+the bomb went off.”
+
+Joan – “So at least part of you believes it’s true.”
+
+Sister Sarah – “More than I wish, and that means there is something
+else I have to do.” Joan gives her a puzzled look, wanting to ask
+what, but Sister Sarah continues, “Let me take you back to the
+waiting area. Thank you for coming. There will be class on Thursday.
+I expect to see you here.”
+
+Joan – “I’ll be there.”
+
+After Joan and Grace leave, Sister Sarah picks up the phone. She
+dials the number, “Millersville Police Department, Detective Anderson
+speaking, how may I help you?”
+
+Sister Sarah – “Hello, Detective Anderson, uh, David… this is Sister…
+uh, Sarah McCauley. Do you remember me?”
+
+Detective Anderson – “Come on, Sarah, of course I do. We went to high
+school together. And I know you are a nun now. How are you?”
+
+Sister Sarah – “I have been better, but there is something I need to
+tell you.” She pauses and Detective Anderson is about to ask “what”
+when she continues, “Do you remember when I told you that Ryan was
+with me the night of my dad’s murder?”
+
+Detective Anderson – “Yeah, it eliminated him as being a suspect.”
+
+Sister Sarah – “Well, I lied….”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Will returns from the Watchdog Committee office to find Toni and Mike
+Daghlian waiting for him. “What are you two doing here? You look like
+warmed over death!”
+
+Mike – “We couldn’t sit around and let you and Carlisle do this
+alone. What do you have for us to do?”
+
+Will – “I want you to go home and get well.”
+
+Toni – “That’s not going to happen. Tell us what you’ve found.”
+
+Will gives them a long stare before speaking, “Well, I’ve learned
+that Hunter has an apartment here in Arcadia. It was listed under a
+bogus name. Officer Osborn is procuring a search warrant.”
+
+Mike – “Good. Toni and I will take care of it. Why don’t you go home
+and get some sleep?”
+
+Will is about to object again, but he really does need to get some
+sleep, “Okay, but call me, and tell me what you find.”
+
+Toni – “We’ll keep you informed. After last night, you need to spend
+time with your family.”
+
+Will – “Oh, some computer experts from the FBI will be here in the
+morning to examine Hunter’s computers. I’ll definitely be back to
+meet with them.”
+
+Both Mike and Toni respond at the same time, “We’ll see you then.”
+Will thanks them and departs for home.
+
+At Lilly’s Apartment
+
+Lilly allows John Denver’s CD to play through several times. Although
+Kevin enjoys it, he has had enough. He is also still concerned about
+Joan.
+
+Kevin – “I would like to go home now. Joan broke down this morning,
+and I want to see how she’s doing.”
+
+Lilly – “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
+
+Kevin – “No, I want you to come, too. I don’t know if she will, but
+she might want to talk to you. In either case, I would like you to
+have dinner with us tonight.”
+
+Lilly – “Okay.”She straightens up a little and retrieves the CD and
+DVD.”
+
+Kevin – “Why are you bringing those?”
+
+Lilly – “Your parents and Joan might enjoy them. I thought I would
+let them borrow them if they want.”
+
+Kevin – “Okay, as long as it’s not for tonight.”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan and Grace return home to find Luke and Adam waiting for them in
+the living room.
+
+Luke – “Hurry up and get back in your room. Mom’s in the shower. I
+told her you and Grace were still sleeping.”
+
+Adam – “Thanks for leaving the post-it note… on my forehead! ‘Gone to
+visit Sister Sarah. We’ll be back soon’.”
+
+Joan laughs, “I didn’t want you to worry.” They hear the water stop
+in the shower and Joan and Grace rush upstairs. Helen comes out of
+the bathroom to see Joan and Grace making their bed, “Did you have a
+nice sleep?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I feel a lot better now.”
+
+Grace – “I feel better now, too.”
+
+Helen feels that Joan and Grace are acting a little odd, but nothing
+about the last two days has been normal, so she lets it pass, “How
+about Galumpkis for dinner?”
+
+Joan – “What are Galumpkis?”
+
+Helen – “They’re Polish cabbage rolls. It’s a recipe that June gave
+me. It’s cabbage wrapped around spiced beef and pork, with a sweet
+tomato sauce on top. It sounds really good.” She pauses for a moment
+and then directs herself to Grace, “Oh, and I can make some with just
+beef for you.”
+
+Grace – “That’s okay. When I’m here, I’ll eat whatever you’re
+having.”
+
+Joan – “Okay, I’ll try it. Can Adam stay for dinner?”
+
+Helen – “Sure.It takes awhile to make them. Would you like to help?”
+
+Grace still has that not so secret desire to learn how to cook,
+“Yeah, I’d like to.”
+
+Joan – “Me too, but I need to talk to Adam first. I’ll join you in a
+few minutes.”
+
+They all proceed downstairs, and after Helen and Grace head for the
+kitchen, Adam sticks the post-it note back on his forehead, “You
+could have just woken me up.”
+
+Joan pulls it off and smiles, “But you were snoring. I didn’t have
+the heart to wake you.”
+
+Adam – “I wasn’t snoring. I have a cold, something about swimming in
+a creek in the wintertime.”
+
+Luke – “Well technically, winter doesn’t start until tonight.”
+
+Both Joan and Adam give him a ‘who cares’ look, and Joan says, “Well,
+thanks to you, we’re all still here to talk about it.” She directs
+herself to Luke, “Scram, Squidboy. Adam and I need to talk.”
+
+After Luke leaves, she continues, “I know what you did last night was
+really hard for you. My dad told me about a time when he had to shoot
+a bank robber. It has haunted him every day of his life, but he said
+he believed it was a righteous shooting.” She makes him look at her,
+“Sometimes it is all right to do something that looks wrong if you
+have a good reason. I remember from reading Thomas Aquinas’ Summa
+Theologica this summer that he said something like that when he was
+talking about purpose and actions. I’m proud of you, because you did
+what you did because you love us.” She hugs him and starts to give
+him a kiss, but she remembers the cold. She kisses him instead on the
+cheek. “I have a poem for you. It’s actually a song, but I only heard
+it once, and can’t remember all the words. I’ll sing what I remember:
+
+“\ Did you ever know that you’re my hero,
+And everything I would like to be?
+I can fly higher than an eagle,
+For you are the wind beneath my wings.”
+
+Joan hugs him again, and this time, Adam holds her tight. Grace was
+right. This is what he needed to hear.
+
+After a few minutes, Joan says, “I’m going to help Mom and Grace make
+dinner. Would you like to help?”
+
+Adam – “No, I’ll just stay here. Maybe I’ll watch the news.”
+
+Joan – “Come on. I know you cook for your dad and you. You might like
+it. It’s called Galumpkis.”
+
+Adam relents and joins them in the kitchen. Will returns and also
+meets them in the kitchen. Joan asks first, “What can you tell us?”
+
+Will – “We’re still looking for Hunter and his group. The FBI is
+looking for him, too. That’s about it. What are you making?”
+
+Everyone answers at once, “Galumpkis!”
+
+Will – “Looks good.” He gives Helen a kiss and says, “I’m going to
+lay down for awhile. Wake me for dinner.” With that, he goes up to
+bed.
+
+Kevin and Lilly arrive. Lilly started singing again on the way over,
+and Kevin is tolerant, but mildly annoyed. As they come through the
+door, Lilly is
+still\ `singing <http://dc19.4shared.com/download/13044457/324060db/The_Sound_of_Music_-_Do-Re-Mi__Julie_Andrews_.mp3>`__\ :
+
+“\ Do, a deer, a female deer
+Re, a drop of golden sun
+*Mi*\ , a name I call myself
+*Fa*\ , a long, long way to run
+So, a needle pulling thread
+La, a note to follow So
+Ti, a drink with jam and bread
+That will bring us back to Do oh-oh-oh…\ ”
+
+She finishes the last couple of lines just as she enters the kitchen.
+Helen, who also remembers the song, joins her for another run
+through. Kevin quietly sits and watches. Helen and Lilly finish the
+second round, by which time, the others have been able to pick up the
+words. Joan joins them for a third round, and even Grace and Adam
+join in, but only singing under their breath. All the while,
+Galumpkis are being made.
+
+Kevin observes what’s being prepared, shakes his head without
+comment, and returns to the living room. There he finds Luke sitting,
+just staring into space. Kevin asks, “Joan seems to be in a better
+mood. How is she doing?”
+
+Luke – “After her nap, she seemed to be doing much better. She and
+Grace went to visit Sister Sarah at the convent, but don’t tell
+anyone. Only Adam and I know.”
+
+Kevin – “What was that about?”
+
+Luke – “I don’t know and I didn’t ask.”
+
+Kevin thinks about it for a moment and then asks, “Do you mind if I
+watch some TV? I’m curious about what has been going on.”
+
+Luke – “Me too, but no one else wants the TV on.”
+
+Kevin – “Let’s go up to my room and we’ll close the door.”
+
+Upstairs, Kevin turns on the TV and they wait through a few
+commercials before the news starts. The anchors take turns summing up
+today’s events. Then the female anchor continues, “The latest
+development in this case comes from the Millersville Police
+Department. They have issued an arrest warrant for Ryan Hunter for
+the murder last March of Michael McCauley. Michael McCauley was the
+former president of Arcadia’s Citizen’s Watchdog Committee. The
+Millersville Police, in conjunction with the Hogan County Sheriffs
+Department, have begun a search of his farm just outside of
+Millersville. The search for Hunter, dubbed ‘Red October’ and other
+members of his committee, continues.”
+
+The male anchor continues, “In other news, the Mayor of Arcadia and
+the Hogan County Commissioner have asked that parents do not allow
+their children to trick-or-treat tonight. Rather, they recommend
+Halloween parties at home or at the homes of friends.”
+
+Luke – “What kind of candy did Mom get for the trick-or-treaters
+tonight?”
+
+Kevin – “I don’t know, but it’s party time at the Girardi house!”
+
+Everyone enjoys dinner because it’s something new and delicious.
+There is very little conversation. The traditional practice of asking
+‘what did you do today’ just doesn’t seem relevant. All just eat
+quietly and occasionally smile at each other.
+
+While they were making dinner, Lilly informed them that she had
+brought with her “The Sound of Music” DVD. Although not all of them
+are thrilled to watch it, the biggest one being Kevin, they still
+agree to watch it together. Together is the key here.
+
+During the movie, the doorbell rings. Joan grabs a bag of M&M’s from
+the candy pumpkin and answers the door.
+
+Little Girl – “Trick-or-treat, smell my feet, give me something good
+to eat.”
+
+Joan – “Didn’t you hear they canceled trick-or-treat? It’s too
+dangerous for you to be out.”
+
+God ignores her, “Do you like my costume, Joan?”
+
+Joan lifts her devil mask to verify who she is and then lets it snap
+back into place like before, “I should have known.” She steps out
+onto the porch and closes the door behind her.
+
+God – “That’s a wonderful movie… all the singing.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, great.Can we get to the part about me, my brothers, and
+my friends almost being killed?”
+
+God – “Almost is the key word here.”
+
+Joan – “You know, I talked to Ryan and it didn’t change anything. He
+still tried to kill us.”
+
+God – “Ripples. There are those that you can see, but there are more
+that you can’t see. You have to believe that you did make a
+difference.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, and I rippled myself into almost getting everyone I
+love killed.”
+
+God – “What if I told you that the bombs were originally scheduled to
+be detonated during Sunday services, but Ryan, after your
+conversation, decided to change it to be that evening. Can you see
+the ripples now?”
+
+Joan becomes weak in the knees and has to sit down. It’s a few
+moments before she can continue, “What about the guy who tried to
+kill us?”
+
+God – “Choices. He made his own choice, without Ryan’s knowledge. And
+the Orban family made theirs as well.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, that was quite a sight, Quakers coming over the hill
+with guns blazing.”
+
+God laughs, “Alice’s family are Quakers. Her uncle is not.”
+
+Joan – “So, where’s Ryan now?”
+
+God – “He’s so far away… You don’t have to worry about him again.
+Your father has seen to that.”
+
+Joan smiles, “Thank you.”
+
+God – “I have a surprise for you.” She pauses, but continues before
+Joan can ask what, “You are on vacation for the next couple of weeks.
+You will still have to go to school, but no assignments. Just enjoy
+yourself. Re-create.”
+
+Joan – “I don’t mind some of the assignments.”
+
+God – “Well, you can always make up your own.” She puts out her hand.
+
+Joan – “What?”
+
+God – “The M&M’s. Trick-or-treat, remember?”
+
+Joan gives her the candy and returns inside to be with her family and
+friends.