Max stood in his kitchen, arguing with his best friend's sister. "Why Gwendolyn?" he asked her softly.

Gwendolyn shrunk from his gaze, tried to make herself smaller. She had always liked her brother's best friend. Now she found it difficult to meet his eyes. There was in them a look of disappointment. No, it was more than that. Disgust? She almost found it too much to bear. Nevertheless, she tried.

"You don't understand Max. Myrddin killed someone. He killed dad's younger brother, our uncle, Harold. Dad always thought it was weird that he wasn't left anything in his brother's will. Now it makes sense."

"That makes sense? That's crazy Gwendolyn! Your dad forced Myrddin out. He was still a minor. He went to live with your uncle Harold because he had nowhere else to go. They had a bond, so of course, your uncle would leave him an inheritance. Why would he leave a man who had disowned his own son any money at all? It's called karma, Gwendolyn!"

Max could scarcely believe he was having this conversation with Myrddin's kid sister. Could this be the same sweet Dolly? This was insane. How could she give up on him so easily? How could she accuse him of something so monstrous?

"And what I do understand," Max continued, "Is that Myrddin is missing. His girlfriend has been through a traumatic experience and is also missing. He is probably out there somewhere trying to find her. Neither of them is here to defend themselves, and yet you, his sister for God's sake, someone who is supposed to love him, someone who was always so close to him, has completely abandoned him!

"You simply assume the worst scenario, and forget that this is Myrddin we're talking about. Your brother. Your Meerkat. You've betrayed him! That's what I understand Dolly, and I ask you again, why?"

"They came to me and explained it all. I didn't want to believe it, but it is true Max!"

"Who explained it all?"

"The counsellor and the lawyer, from the Du Malum Corporation. The counsellor came to check on Raluca, since she was the one who first identified Zoiia Kozel, and the lawyer came because she is the face of Seven. They wanted to reassure her that while the campaign was delayed, it would ultimately go ahead, that they still wanted to use her. I was present and when they realised who I was, they invited me to a meeting with Charles Du Malum himself.

"He was very nice, tried to soften the blow. A press conference will be announced shortly, and then you'll know everything. I-I don't want to look for my half-brother anymore Max. I know it's a shock, but Myrddin is evil! Just like my father always tried to tell me. He was right. He was right all along.

"Rosemonde is involved too. She knew the man she stabbed. They were dating before she became involved with Myrddin. Rosemonde is into really kinky stuff and she went too far and-"

"All right, that's it! Gwendolyn, I want you to leave my home, now!" Max was barely containing his anger.

"I-I'll go, but... I need you to at least listen to the press conference before you dismiss what I'm trying to say. Du Malum Corp. has the proof that Myrddin was involved in some sort of cult. Rosemonde is also involved. She knew Paul, the man she stabbed. She knew him well! There is vision of them chatting at my art show. I can't ignore the truth, Max, and neither should you!"

Ursula had left the two of them alone to talk when Gwendolyn arrived, saying that what she had to tell Max was urgent. She rejoined them now. "Um, babe, it's on. I think we should at least listen to it."

Max nodded in resignation. He and Gwendolyn followed Ursula to the lounge room, where the television beckoned ominously. The newsreader took a sombre tone as she made the announcement.

"There have been some shocking developments regarding the 'Bodies in the Barn' story. It can be revealed that the property owned by the Du Malum Corporation, and often used for corporate functions, was also used by a cult, for bizarre religious rituals. This man, Myrddin Thomas (Myrddin's face appeared on the screen), thought to be helping police with their investigation, has been revealed as the High Priest of the cult and is now the prime suspect for all the murders. He has been missing since the discovery of five of the bodies, and police caution that he is dangerous and not to be approached.

"We now cross live for more from the head of the Du Malum Corporation, Charles Du Malum."

And so, began the campaign to shift the focus from the Du Malum Corporation. The scapegoats would be Myrddin and Rosemonde.

Charles Du Malum began by extending an apology to the families of victims who had been killed. He then explained how Caleb Mort's iPad had been seized by the police and found to contain graphic images of ritual murder. In addition to that, there was extensive correspondence with Myrddin Thomas, which was always deferential. This aroused suspicion, for although Myrddin worked freelance, Caleb was theoretically his boss for the duration of his contract. Further investigation revealed that Caleb referred to Myrddin as his High Priest.

The final nail in the coffin for Myrddin, was when Du Malum mentioned that his own sister, Gwendolyn, had found a spell book outlining rather depraved black magic. It contained Myrddin's notes, among many of the incantations. The damning words, "it is done," were added to the end of a spell "to rain fire upon the head of an enemy."

"A cottage within the estate of Harold Thomas had been completely incinerated, in a fire that could not be contained. To this day, firefighters and investigators are at a loss to explain how the temperatures had reached in excess of 1510 degrees Celsius — a heat that can melt steel; when most house fires rarely burn hotter than 650 degrees Celsius," Charles declared.

Rosemonde was also mentioned. Somehow there was footage of Paul and Rosemonde's meeting at the art show. Paul was standing very close to Rosemonde, his hand above her head on the wall behind her. Rosemonde was smiling up at him. The body language of both suggested an intimacy.

Charles went on to say that Paul was devastated when Rosemonde broke up with him that night. He asked on behalf of Paul's mother, that Rosemonde do the right thing and come back. He then played a short video message from her: "Nothing will bring my boy back, but that woman needs to be brought to justice! What if she does it again? My Paul adored that girl. He thought they had a future." She sobbed.

Charles finished by saying that the Du Malum Corporation was shocked and saddened that any of their employees could be involved in something like this "...And our thoughts are with the victims, and their families at this most distressing time."

He had done it. The seeds of doubt had been planted. Was Rosemonde truly an innocent? Or was she playing a kinky bondage game with a lover, that went too far? What kind of a girl would dump the poor guy and then go back to him anyway? What kind of a girl kills?

Gwendolyn wiped tears from her eyes. Ursula shook her head, dumbfounded. "There's some mistake Gwendolyn. There must be. Rosemonde is my best friend! If she and Paul had been an item, she would have told me. She never ever mentioned the guy! If they're wrong about that, then they're wrong about Myrddin too."

"What about what Paul's mother said? Why would she say that if they weren't a couple? His death was part of this-this, whatever it is! I'm sorry, I think Rosemonde and my brother are both evil. Myrddin killed my uncle Harold, and Rosemonde killed Paul, in cold blood."

"You don't really know her Gwendolyn, there's no way - "

"SHUT UP, BOTH OF YOU!" The women jumped. Max rarely raised his voice. "I'm sorry. Gwendolyn, please leave. Ursula baby, I love you, but I just can't do this right now. I need to be alone. Would you-could you please go too?"

A look of hurt flashed briefly in Ursula's eyes, but she nodded and followed Gwendolyn out.