📎A/N.. and here is the 2nd half of the chapter... 

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"So why do we need to go to Plymouth? Won't the reporter come straight back to Boston with his evidence?" Kaitlyn asked. This reporter was proving to be a real thorn in their side.

This time, it was Joshua who answered her question. "There was a bit of an altercation after the reporter approached the Werewolf. He's now got a broken arm and three cracked ribs."

Kaitlyn raised an eyebrow and glanced across at her grandfather. "I assume it's the reporter on the receiving end of that rather than the other way round?" She turned back to Murphy. "So why are we getting involved?"

He hesitated before answering. She wasn't sure whether she was going to like the next words out of his mouth. "We would normally get him committed to an institution."

"Pardon?"

"Who's going to believe someone who's been under psychiatric care that they saw someone turn into a wolf? - especially when there is no proof." He shrugged his shoulders is if it were an everyday event. "All we need is a court order to have him committed as in inpatient for his own safety."

"You need a judge's order for something like that," Kaitlyn remarked.

"I know and we can get one. But in this case, we didn't need it. Alpha Rossi has a few people willing to testify that Mr Robbins attempted to commit suicide. The law is clear in this situation, he needs to be admitted for observation. When he starts prattling on about seeing men turn into Werewolves in a psychiatric facility, well, you can guess how that will go down. The automatic forty-eight-hour hold will be extended until he can be assessed fully as to his current state of mind."

Kaitlyn was still confused. They seemed to have everything under control, it not a little underhanded. "So why do we need to go? And why now?"

"Alpha Rossi can't find where the reporter has hidden his evidence. He told the Werewolf he confronted that he has the originals hidden away and that it wasn't going to disappear like last time. He's been asking for a lawyer and Rossi is getting concerned that the hospital staff might actually listen to him. Once he has a lawyer involved we will have an even bigger problem on our hands."

"We can't afford for any of this to get out," Joshua added gravely.

"I know," agreed Murphy, "Rossi thinks if two FBI agents turn up, the reporter might be more inclined to let them know where he's hidden his video cameras and SD cards."

He turned back to Kaitlyn, "First thing in the morning we need to go to Albany where they have him committed, and see what we can find out."

Kaitlyn did a quick calculation of the drive time. It was a three hour drive and they needed to get there before visiting hours started. "We'll need to make an early start," she said, "There's not much else we can do today, so I'll head off." 

She stopped and groaned. They had left her Prius at home this morning. "How about I borrow your car to get home and bring it back in the morning," she suggested to Murphy. "That way you don't need to make a needless trip to drop me home."

Molly, who had been listening, chose that moment to make her presence known. "Don't be silly," she scoffed, "You may as well stay the night. It makes more sense than that big long trip back to the city for no reason."

"That's sweet of you Molly, but you already have a full house and I can't turn up looking like this," Kaitlyn said pointing at her casual attire.

Molly dismissed Kaitlyn's argument outright. "There's a perfectly good mall ten minutes away and I am sure if you hurry you'll find something appropriate." Molly turned to Joshua, "Say something, you know it's a waste of time for her to go home only to have to head back here a few hours later."

Joshua looked undecided for a moment. With another prodding from Murphy's mother, he agreed. "Molly's right Kati, I'd just agree with her or you won't hear the end of it. I'll bunk in with Murphy," he said, glaring pointedly at the other man. "You can have my room."

"See, it's settled," Molly chirped, "And Joshua can go get your little car tomorrow and bring it back here for you."

Before she knew what had happened, Kaitlyn had been railroaded. The awkwardness that had materialised between Murphy and her grandfather was gone before she could question it, and her quick trip to the local mall was more successful than she would have thought. Murphy even insisted on paying for her purchases as it was his mother that had forced her into the situation.

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Ambrose answered before the second ring. He was irritated beyond belief. They had returned from New York, high from their success only to be brought straight back down to earth. "Did you find her?" he barked.

He could hear Frank's loud gulp before he answered. "No, she's not been home yet."

Ambrose rubbed his forehead. He was confused on how they had tripped up. They had been so careful. And yet, the surveillance video clearly showed the woman in Briana's apartment building. Junior having already confirmed the identity of the mystery woman as FBI. What was more disconcerting was that her partner was the Werewolf that was after Elijah.

He needed to contain this, and quickly before it got out of control. "I want people sitting on the apartment until she's found!"

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Kaitlyn was surprised when they walked into the wards visitors' room the following morning. The reporter was not what she was expecting. The man was nothing like the image from the Boston Globe's website. Andrew Robbins looked a lot younger than she knew him to be.

"Mr Robbins, I'm Agent Quinn, this is Agent O'Neill," she began as she flashed her identification at him, "We're with the FBI. I understand that you are claiming you have been taken against your will."

As soon as Andrew Robbins heard where they were from, relief flooded across his face. "Thank God you're here," he cried out as he stood and made a move in their direction.

An orderly who had been standing by intervened before he could get any closer and pushed him back into his chair. Andrew grimaced at the pain with the abrupt movement and cradled his strapped arm which had been placed into a plaster cast.

He threw the bulky man a scornful look before he turned back to his visitors. "I want everyone involved in this arrested," he demanded, "the moment I get out of here I'll expose them for what they are! Just watch me."

Despite his rage, Kaitlyn could see that Andrew was out of his depth and beyond scared. She also knew she needed to calm him down if they had any hope of getting any information out of him. "Mr Robbins," Kaitlyn began as she took a seat across the table and took out her notebook. "How about we start at the beginning. I can't help you if I don't know what you're accusing people of."

From the corner of her eye, she could see that Murphy was watching carefully from a distance. She had managed to get him to agree to stand back and let her interview Robbins. Based on the reporter's initial reaction to seeing Murphy, it was the right decision to make. Robbins was scared enough without being further intimidated by Murphy's larger than life presence.

And, from the furtive glances that were darted at both Murphy and the orderly, she knew it would be an uphill battle to get any information out of him unless she managed to get him to trust her.

"Mr Robbins, I can see you're a little agitated," she began with a disarming smile, "would you feel more comfortable if your orderly and my partner left the room?"

From Murphy's sudden tensed jaw, she could tell he had not been expecting her to make the suggestion. However, the emphatic and grateful yes from Robbins let her know he would be more pliable without the extra audience.

"Mr O'Neill, how about you both wait outside. I will be quite safe with Mr Robbins," she turned back to the reporter and said, "won't I?"

Andrew glanced directly at Murphy and gulped as the larger man stood to his full height. It was clear he was intimidated. Murphy glared at the man a moment before indicating to the orderly to exit the room.

Once they had departed, Kaitlyn turned back to the reporter, hoping that he had failed to notice Murphy had not properly closed the door. "Now Mr Robbins, according to your hospital records you're here as a result of an attempted suicide."

"Andrew," he began hesitantly, "you can call me Andrew and it's a setup. I was attacked."

"Are you sure?" she frowned, pretending to consult her notes. "There are a number of people who have stepped forward and confirmed they saw you step in front of a moving vehicle. Doctors confirm your injuries are consistent with being hit by a car."

The reporter stood up abruptly. "That's not what happened," he yelled. A moment later he grimaced in pain and sunk down into his chair again.

Kaitlyn feigned surprise, "Oh, then Andrew, how about you give me your version of the events."

"I was attacked. And somehow he's managed to convince everyone that I ran in front of a car."

"And why would he do that?"

"Because he knows I know the truth!" Andrew stated emphatically.

"I'm confused," said Kaitlyn, "truth about what?"

"About what he really is!"

Kaitlyn held herself back and appeared to not look too eager. On the drive, they had discussed the best options on how she should react when his story began to emerge. She couldn't appear too eager, nor too resistant to his story. They needed this resolved and fast. They had no idea on whom he had been in contact with, or where he had hidden his evidence. Proof that could expose Murphy and remainder of his kind.

"He changes shape. Just like the rest of them," he whispered as his eyes darted around the room.

"I don't understand, changes into what shape?"

Robbins stared at Kaitlyn for a full minute before answering. "A wolf."

She counted to fifteen before responding. "A wolf. You're sure of this?"

His emphatic nodding confirmed his stance on the subject.

"Andrew," she said clearing her throat, "you do realise this is a difficult thing for me to believe without proof."

It took Kaitlyn the better part of the next four hours to gain the reporters trust. She was exhausted by the time she and Murphy left the hospital. Andrew Robbins had been a wealth of information, and one who even Kaitlyn could see knew too much. While she was concerned for the man, she was more concerned about the safety of Murphy and the others.

From her partners expression as she emerged from the visitors room, she knew he had heard every word. In a way, she was pleased that she didn't need to repeat the information the reporter had told her.

She slumped against the car as Murphy pulled out his phone. Kaitlyn knew he needed to update Alpha Rossi, who would be waiting impatiently for any news. "It's in the passenger door," he said, once the call had been answered. "Behind the lining." He paused, listening to whatever was being said, and then nodded before speaking again. "Okay, we'll wait for your call."

Kaitlyn and Murphy took advantage of the hour long wait to grab a coffee and something to eat. She was relieved when it was confirmed they had acquired all the footage, including others they had no idea about.

"One disaster averted. One left." Murphy quipped as he paid the bill.

They were halfway back to Boston when Murphy's phone rang. Her grandfather's name flashed across the display. "We're on our way back now," he began after putting the call through to hands-free.

They were surprised when Molly's shaky voice came over the phone instead of Joshua's. "Honey, is Kaitlyn there with you?"

Both Kaitlyn and Murphy were on high alert.

"I'm here," Kaitlyn called out.

Murphy spoke at the same time. "What's happened?"

"We're at Kaitlyn's place to pick up her car and I thought it might be nice if I grabbed some clean clothes for you when we came upstairs we found your front door broken."

"Ma, is Dad okay?" Murphy barked. "Joshua?"

"Yes, he's fine. They're both fine. They told me to wait in the car while they looked inside and fixed your door. But Kaitlyn," Molly cried out, "someone's made a mess of your place."

A chill ran up and down Kaitlyn's spine.

"It could just be a local thief out to make a quick buck?" Murphy murmured. She could tell from his expression that he didn't believe a word he just said.

"It's too much of a co-incidence to be a B&E." Kaitlyn shook her head, dreading what condition her place was in.

Murphy agreed with her assessment. Somehow, Ambrose, Elijah and the others were on to them. They had lost the element of surprise and they still had no idea on how to find them.

Her phone chose that moment to chime out over her anxious thoughts. She glanced down to notice Lee, her mother's friend was calling. Kaitlyn was about to reject the call when she thought better of it.

"Hi Lee," she greeted as she answered.

"Oh thank goodness you're answering," the other woman gushed, "would you tell your mother to turn her phone back on. I've been trying to reach her all afternoon. The power went out at her place and I don't know-"

Kaitlyn cut the other woman off abruptly, "Why would you be phoning me to speak to my mom? Isn't she with you?"

There was a deathly pause before Lee answered. "No," she said, her voice clearly confused at Kaitlyn's question. "Your mother decided that she needed a bit of closure. She flew up to Boston early this morning. It was going to be a surprise."

Kaitlyn froze. Her world began to crash in upon her and panic clutched at her chest making it hard to breath. She was unable to move and the ability to speak was lost. Time stood still as wave after wave of dread began to fill her every thought. She felt a tug as her phone was gently pulled from her hand and Murphy took over the conversation with her mother's friend.

Her mind was stuck on a single thought. Elijah had robbed her of one parent. She was now in danger of having the other taken from her by the same man.

And, it was all her fault.

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📎A/N OMG!!! Do they have Kaitlyn's mother, or is it a misunderstanding, and she's stuck at the airport.. or missed her flight... or ... or .... OMG!! they have her don't they??

... wonder what's going to happen next? Make sure you voted... even if you are in shock ;-)

Till next time.Take care and don't forget to sign up for my newsletter at http://www.mnjgreenhill.com

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