CHAPTER 40

     Dylan woke up early in the morning after a long and restless night. She had kept drifting in and out of sleep for the first several hours of the night her imagination working three times more than normal. The note had really messed up her mind and she couldn't help but feel like there was someone watching her sleep. She had gotten out of bed multiple times and surveyed the area around the apartment through her windows and in the hallway but there hadn't been anything unusual. She had even double checked every corner inside the apartment; her closet, bathroom,under the bed,in the living room behind her couch. Maybe she wasn't afraid of death but her paranoia couldn't let her relax and she wasn't going to sit around waiting like a sheep being led to the slaughterhouse.

She had finally managed to sleep briefly in the early hours of the morning and now she was up at five. Carl was supposed to come by that morning to install the cameras since it was the only time he would be free. After looking around the apartment, she went to the kitchen and made coffee which she rarely did then sat down to wait. Some minutes to six,Carl arrived with his working tools.

                 "Please tell me that you made coffee," he said barely after he got inside. "I feel like a drunkard."

She laughed,"You actually look terrible. Worse than me and I didn't sleep much."

                  "I haven't woken up this early in like forever. Now I understand why Carly always looked like she could murder someone when she was woken up this early when we were younger."

  Carl mentioning his sister's name unscrewed a bolt in her head as she remembered the events of the previous day.

                    "You could have waited a little longer. You have my spare key and you know I don't mind leaving you here alone." She looked at her watch,"Shit,I actually have to leave. I'm running late."

                     "Couldn't have. I have to get this done as soon as possible because I have to go by the hospital to take Carly and Teddy home. He's being discharged today and if you weren't in a hurry,we could have gone together."

 Dylan was quiet for a while. Several thoughts crossed her mind. About Carly,her son, the note. She walked closer to him. He hadn't asked about what had happened at the hospital the previous day but she felt the need to explain. She cleared her throat.

                "About yesterday, when I met your sister," she began.

                "We don't have to talk about that Dylan," he said. "Anything that happened between you two,you should talk it out but not with me. I honestly have no idea how to deal with the two of you."

She didn't really understand what his last statement meant but she nodded.

                "Okay,but there's nothing. I was just surprised to see her...how much she looks different and I guess that was what happened with her too. I mean,look at me," she laughed nervously. "I am more 'dikey' than she remember. It must have been a shocker." She hadn't realized that she was rambling on and on until she stopped and found Carl giving her the ‘you are lying and you know it’ look. She exhaled,"Anyway I should go get ready."

                  "I am not dumb and neither are you."

 She knew he was right. She had been surprised yeah but that was not just it. The encounter had brought a new feeling flooding through her body. She had felt like she had been this old engine that had been suddenly brought to life. That in itself meant something and she wasn't dumb enough to not realize exactly what it was. She however didn't want the reality to get stuck in her head so she dismissed the thoughts and excused herself. 

She came back a few minutes later, fully dressed and ready for work. Up until then, Carl hadn't questioned why she had decided to install the cameras. Maybe because he knew part of the story and guessed it was only precaution. She knew that mentioning the note would scare him but she felt that she needed to. He was her only closest friend and that meant he could be in danger too. She retrieved a shopping bag from behind a counter. The contents were too big to fit properly so they were easily identifiable.

   He raised an eyebrow,"I didn't know you were a fan of stuffed animals."

                    "It's not for me, I bought it for Teddy."

                      "Oh?"

                     "I went by to see him yesterday,he is a sweet kid. Intelligent too,"she went on. "Which leads me to ask, what's wrong with him?"

                       "Didn't Carly tell you?"

                      "She wasn't there when I stopped by and it's not like I could ask him."

Carl sighed,"It's his heart. He has to undergo surgery."

                   "Oh God,"she said in a low voice and felt her heart strike painfully twice. "How bad is it,does he need a transplant?"

                    "No,I don't think so. I don't really understand their science but they said it was some kind of defect. It is genetic but since there hasn't been anyone on our side of the family with the same condition,it must have come from his father's side. It is the reason he is so little for his age."

                  "That must be too much to handle,"she said and sat on the edge of a couch. She seemed deep in thought but went ahead,"And to add the fact that she  might also be affected by what is happening to me, now I'm more worried about her."

Carl frowned and stepped down the ladder he had been using. "What do you mean? She just got back, she wasn't even here when all that... when all the misfortunes occurred."

                  "Yeah she wasn't," Dylan replied. She looked at the worried look in his face and decided to tell him everything. She got back and headed back to her bedroom, opened a drawer and carried the small box back to the living room. It wasn't worth hiding the truth with the likelihood of danger. "This was left on top of my bed yesterday morning. I was in the shower and got distracted for a minute,I went to check out what was going on in the living room and when I came back, the little 'gift' was waiting for me. I have absolutely no idea how it got there."

                    "What is it?" he asked as he opened the box and took out the contents. He looked at the photograph then read the note out loud. "This is bad, really bad. Do you think it's Kelley?"

   She shook her head,"I don't know. She would be my first guess but how could she have gotten hold of my highschool photograph, with Carly nonetheless. It makes me think that it's someone else, someone who knew my relationship with Carly but I can't think of anyone who would do something like this. I have also tried to convince myself that maybe it is just a prank but from my line of work,I shouldn't take it as lightly as I want to," she paused and took several breaths. "Also,why now after Carly just got back in the country. Do you think it's a coincidence?"

                   "Yeah,you shouldn't take this lightly. This is how it all begins," he replied shaking the small note in the air. "Then comes the withered roses or a pig's blood. Please tell me that you have told your boss about it?"

    Dylan wanted to laugh at the sudden hysterical voice but knew it wasn't something to laugh about.

                    "You are the first person I have told."

                     "But Dylan?" he said in a raised voice then dropped both hands to his sides. "Great, now we are all gonna die. The DC's are gonna die."

                      "I'm sorry, the what?"

                      "DC's, Dylan,Carl,Carly?"

 The laughter she had contained earlier now came automatically. Carl looked at her as if she had lost her mind.

                     "When did you come up with that?"

                      "Socially awkward seventeen year old boy. I don't want to die Dylan. You should report it."

                        "You are such a dork," she said and laughed again then turned serious. "Look, I'm afraid too and I know that I should tell him but if I do,he won't allow me anywhere near the investigation. If he does that,you will be targeted, Carly and her son will be targeted. Anyone connected to me will not be safe. That's why I need to work this case. I need to be the target." She explained. "What's bothering me is why this person chose to use this photograph. My relationship with Carly ended a long time ago."

                    "It might have ended but you have to admit there is still some connection. Anyone who would have been looking at you yesterday at the hospital would confirm that."

                     "There was no one else there and Kelley surely wouldn't have known that."

                       "You need to remember if there is someone in the past who knew about you and Carly. Maybe someone who was against your relationship. Now that Carly is back,they think you are going to get back together."

                      "So, you mean this could be about my relationship with Carly?"

                    "I'm not an expert here,but why the photograph?" he replied with a shrug. She nodded knowing that he had a point. "And please talk to Carly. This involves her,so..."

                    "I don't want to add more on her plate. She already has enough to deal with."

                     "One way or another, she will have to know. It's better to tell her now for her own good and her son's safety."

  She nodded,"I know." She then stood up to leave. "I talked to the manager,you won't have problems fixing the cameras in the hallway and in the back, outside. The other two should go in the bedroom and here in the living room. You know the best position to fix them in."

                    "I got it."

                     "Okay,see you later."

Dylan left the house and drove off. She was trying to work out who in her past was against her relationship with Carly. That angle seemed likely but no answers were forthcoming. Then,her mind clicked suddenly. Apart from Carly's parents who actually now adored her,there was only one other person she could think of. Emily Hill? No,that was not likely. She might have been a bully back then but she had turned on a new leaf and changed for the better. She wasn't capable of this,so,who would?

It took her about fifteen minutes to get to the hospital. She was directed to the room that her victim had been transferred to and proceeded there. She was surprised to find  detective Watson still on duty. She was puzzled. Didn't he have to sleep? If it would be just the two of them guarding the man, shouldn't she have been given more hours on duty,at least finish the day shift and the detective the night shift? He looked up as she approached and smiled.

                "Finally,I can go get some sleep," he stated once she was within hearing range though his tone was calm.

                 "Morning detective,"she greeted casually.

                  "Morning too Dylan. You seriously should consider dropping that official tone. It makes me feel like I'm still in a cage and I want to feel liberated, unshackled,you get me?"

  She smiled. This man seemed fascinating and entirely different from every detective she had worked around. He was likeable and that alone made her feel like they would get along just fine.

                "Well then Kenny," she stated and he smiled. "Would you mind hanging around just a little bit more. There's something I need to do first,"she said holding up the bag she had been carrying.

                    "Alright,go ahead."

                      "Thanks."

      She quickly turned back down the hallway and headed to the children's ward. Finding the room wasn't hard, she got there within seconds. She knew that facing Carly would be inevitable this time. After all, she needed to tell her about everything even though it would probably not happen until later in the day. She stood at the door,blew out air through her mouth then knocked. Instead of a reply, the door was opened and Carly stood there,a look of surprise in her face.

                    "Hey."

                     "Hey,"she smiled. "I brought a little something for Teddy." She went ahead to hand her the bag but Carly declined. Instead, she opened the door wider and moved aside.

                     "Come on in,I think he would love it more if he saw who brought it."

She agreed and went in. Teddy's face lit up with excitement when he saw her. She smiled and walked to him.

                   "Dylan,you came back!" he stated joyfully.

                    "I told you I would," she said then looked at Carly who didn't seem surprised by the statement. Of course he had mentioned her visit to his mother. She then took out a teddy bear from the bag and handed it to him. "This is yours."

                        "Thank you very much,I love it!" He got up and reached for her in her seat and hugged her. It caught her unawares but she went with it. She couldn't remember the last time someone had hugged her, she had declined anything like that but the gesture coming from this kid moved her.  It actually felt nice and she almost got emotional when his hands pressed on her back,a sign of gratitude. She squeezed him softly and closed her eyes for a while then patted him softly before they pulled apart.

Carly looked on surprised because her son rarely hugged people he didn't know well but happy to see him that happy.

                   "How are you feeling today?"

                   "Great. The doctor said I can go home now. Uncle Carl is coming to pick us up later.

                   "Well, it's really great to hear that," she responded with a huge smile then turned to Carly and stood up. "I shouldn't stay long,I need to go take over my shift in the other ward." Carly nodded with understanding. She turned back to Teddy,"I will see you soon buddy."

                      "Bye Dylan."

 She walked towards the door. Her eyes held Carly's but just as she was about to speak, Carly spoke first.

                   "I'll see you out." She nodded and led the way out. She stopped in the hallway and turned to her. "Thanks for doing that for him,it really means a lot."

                    "Carl told me everything. I am really sorry you are going through that,both of you. I know it's a lot and it can be overwhelming at times so,if I can help with anything, don't hesitate to ask me." She offered knowing that it was the best thing she could at the moment. She wanted to help. There didn't have to be attachments,both from the past and the present,right?

Carly nodded,"Thank you Dylan." She was silent for a moment then went on. "I uh... know that I'm probably the last person you want to talk to but I was hoping you would give me a chance,there are some things I need to say. And I understand that it's a alot to ask of you and you probably don't want to hear whatever I want to say. I am the worst living person ever but please,I really need to talk to you."

 She sighed. She had been hurt, she had been heartbroken and she still was but even after all that, she still didn't see Carly as a bad person. She hated what happened between them but she didn't hate her. She was about to tell her exactly that but stopped herself before she could. This wasn't the time for sentiments.

                 "I didn't come here entirely for your son. We need to talk,I also have some things to tell you."

Carly sighed with relief,"Okay,just tell me the time and the day. I will meet you."

                  "It's actually urgent,how about this afternoon?" Carly nodded. "Give me your number ,I will call you once I get off my shift." After saving the contact, she looked up. "I should go now, I'll see you later."

                "Yeah,see you then."