Sidney was overwhelmed by all that Gale had told her. She pressed her brow with one hand and with the other she held her mug of tea with belladonna to relax a little.

Gale, meanwhile, stood across the tea-table in the center of her elegant kitchen, her half-full mug of coffee. She stared at Sidney's reaction, waiting for her opinion on what had happened. The dim light of a small lamp illuminated the gloomy scene. Like background noise, the television was on at low volume, as if they were waiting for some informative flash that the masked killer had attacked again.

"This is different. It doesn't look like something we've seen before".

"Indeed," Sidney replied with one hand on her lips and tearing the skin from them, a mania that had been accentuated by the growing anxiety she felt over the years. "I never thought I would see psychopaths who would put on the mask climb in that way. Each Ghostface we encounter has a higher level. You know, more violent, smart, sadistic, and psychotic".

Gale looked out the window and remembered how she'd been on the verge of death just a few months ago. It was a huge miracle that she could continue to talk to her friend Sidney after Ghostface's attack on her last apartment.

"Like everything in life, Ghostface also has to evolve. Besides, I think that if we faced cases like the ones in the past, we could easily overcome them, don't you think?"

Gale got up to the kitchen and grabbed the first thing she could find in her refrigerator: a jar of chocolate mint ice cream. She gave her the first spoonful before sitting down, only to realize that she hadn't brought another for Sidney. Anyway, already seated, she didn't plan to look for one.

Sidney raised an eyebrow at Gale's statement. She threw her head back and raised her arms exaggeratedly, opening her hands to the sky.

"Gale, please! It seems like every time Ghostface comes along and our lives are in danger, you're happy! It is most likely. So, you can get more out of that. You know, a new book and more sales".

Gale was outraged at Sidney's words. She didn't believe Sidney had just mentioned that.

"Perhaps there is some truth in your words. However, it doesn't justify the fact that I'm always on the verge of death in each of those episodes. I've had enough of all this shit".

Sidney had spoken impulsively, and Gale's defensive reaction had brought him to his senses.

"I'm sorry Gale. I spoke for the sake of talking. I didn't think about it. You know I didn't mean that".

"Calm down. I understand that you are obfuscated again. But... Even though you were safe, you decided to come and help. You would have stayed with Marcus and the kids and that's brave enough of you. Also, as we always do, we'll defeat this Ghostface by blowing his head off. You know, so that he doesn't come back".

"It's a pity that this only serves for the moment. I would like him to never return. But obviously, that's almost impossible".

Gale then received a call on her phone. Sidney felt cold down her back. Something told her that it would not be good news.

"It's Kirby," said a frightened Gale

"Answer her!" Sidney ordered, lowering her friend's fright.

Gale answered immediately and put it on speakerphone. Kirby's voice was agitated on the other end of the line.

Hi Gale, are you safe?

"Well, yes, now we are. Not like a few hours ago".

I know, I know. It's a disaster. I've sent some officers to get some clues, but as always, they never find traces. Damn motherfucker ghost.

"Do you already know who the murdered woman was? "

Her name was Mara Perdomo. We have already notified the family.

"Is there a specific reason for your call, Kirby? "

Well, yes, but I must tell you first that it's just my police intuition. Sam's psychiatrist was murdered one night ago. Obviously, the work of Ghostface. We have a witness who saw a madman in his robe leave the place after the murder. In addition, the girlfriend of the deceased mentions that he had no enemies.

"Wait, wait. I see where you want to go. Do you suspect that Sam Carpenter killed her psychiatrist? "

The doctor's girlfriend allowed me to read Sam's file. The doctor even labeled her as someone who could turn out to be... Wait, let me look for the copy of the file.

Gale waited a few seconds for Kirby to continue. Sidney bit her nails assimilating the situation. Had Sam lost her mind after her last encounter with Ghostface? What Gale had told her about how Sam had brutally killed Agent Kirsch made her seriously doubt whether Kirby's theory could be true or just plain paranoia.

Here it is! I quote: "She can result in a highly unpredictable person, prone to violent awakenings and schizoid paranoia". As it says here, Sam was under medication to regulate her catatonic states and minimize her outbursts of violence. In addition, she confesses that "she felt pleasure in stabbing her victim in the neck."

"That refers to when she killed Richie Kirsch... "

As I have said, Sam seems to have already gone out of her way. Right now, in custody, we have her medicated to control her impulses. We are still looking for clues to verify this information. Still, I ask you and Sidney to take great care of yourselves.

"But don't you have Sam locked up? She could no longer hurt us" This time it was Sidney who answered from the other side.

The most worrying thing I could read in her file is that the doctor was very clear when he said this: "Samantha Carpenter presents an erratic psychotic personality and with high persuasive abilities".

"Wait a minute, what does that mean? Why do you highlight that? What does that have to do with it?" Asked Gale clutched her fingernails to the table.

"What Kirby means is that it may be that even Tara Carpenter herself may be involved in this and everything about her disappearance is just a simple façade that they both planned... " It was Sidney who answered her question by understanding the heart of the problem. Then she realized that her decision to travel to New York had been a mistake.

Gale's face was catatonic as she opened up to this new possibility that had been presented. Could the duo of sisters, after everything they went through, get mentally break down like that to plan something so vile?

Well, I'll leave you guys. I'm looking for clues to confirm or discard my theory. I hope I don't have to change the missing alert warrant to a search and seizure warrant for Tara Carpenter. I faithfully hope that my hunch is wrong. However, I repeat, you both be very careful.

And so, Kirby hung up without saying more, leaving a petrified Gale and a Sidney rubbing her temples, quite worried and regretting her reckless decision to have traveled to New York.

"All this theater can be a damn trap. Pretend Tara was missing so that she would feel compassion and come help Sam here in New York".

Gale stood up and began to walk in circles around the room, organizing her thoughts and theories.

"If Kirby's theory is true, it means that the Carpenters want to break up with us. The Ghostface Legacy that remains. Quite right, although not sane enough I would say... "

"Nothing is sane, Gale... Don't look for justifications for this".

"But there's something that doesn't add up... If they kill us, they are left with themselves, the Meeks-Martins and Kirby herself. They will become the legacy".

"I wouldn't be surprised if they decide to kill everyone and then commit suicide. To end the curse of Ghostface. Although I doubt the latter a little" Sidney tried to eliminate the theory from the equation.

Several miles from Gale's home, Kirby parked her motorcycle in the parterre to ring the doorbell in one of the shared buildings in downtown Brooklyn. The door was opened to the second knock and a Hispanic woman, robust and with long black hair, opened the door wide to let her in. Kirby saluted, adjusted her pants, especially her endowment weapon that bothered her a little, and entered the building while asking for permission. Christina Carpenter beat her to her apartment. The building was lackluster with a large lobby covered in a rusty old carpet. Some onlookers peeked into the peepholes of her door when they saw the gendarme standing in front of the entrance of apartment 20. The curiosity to know what was happening gnawed at them inside. Not only them, but Kirby was also thrilled and terrified by the desperation to find more clues.

Christina opened the door and exposed her messy apartment with everything lying around. The woman apologized for all the mess and invited her a coffee, to which the blonde thanked, but denied. Christina, with her freshly brewed cup of coffee in hand, sat down at the main dining table. Kirby waited patiently for the woman to make her hot drink. She watched every detail of the site, looking for any hint of a clue.

"Well, now please tell me. What did you want to ask me, Officer Reede? "

"I am sorry to have summoned you for questioning, Mrs. Carpenter".

"Don't worry. I'll do anything to get Tara found soon. I pray every day that she will be found safe and sound".

Kirby sat in the chair perpendicular to the woman's side and looked at her cautiously, looking for the most delicate way to approach the subject and get the best conclusions.

"Mrs. Carpenter. Do you have any knowledge about who frequented with Tara and Sam? What places did they frequent? Tell me important details. Every little thing you think is unimportant can lead me to Tara's whereabouts".

Kirby was cautious. She did not plan to tell her that her eldest daughter was imprisoned at the police station. She was eager to confirm or dismiss the theory she had formulated as she zigzagged through the streets of the Big Apple.

"Well, official, I don't have very frequent contact with my daughters. They chose to go their separate ways from me. It is their decision and I respect it, although I do not share it. After Sam learned the secret of who her father was, she walked away from me to lose herself in drugs and alcohol. That destroyed Tara. To see how her sister left for no reason. Still, it bothered me that after the Woodsboro attack, Tara decided to return to New York, but chose to live with her sister instead of me".

"Have you lived here for some time?"

"Since those two decided to come here. However, Sam won't let me see Tara. All under the stupid façade that protects her from me".

"Mrs. Carpenter. I know you have certain reports of drug abuse and violence. Is that the reason why Sam wants to protect Tara from you?"

"I've been clean for two months now. Also, Sam endangers Tara just by being around her. I've already told Sam that Tara is safer with me than with her. Nothing happened to Tara in the years when she decided to leave".

"Aren't you worried that something might happen to Sam too?"

"I know that the murderer's genes protect her. It is a curse with certain advantages. So, she doesn't worry me much... I know Sam influences Tara to ignore me too, but I want Tara to understand that she is safer with me than with Sam.

Suddenly, a thunderous banging noise echoed through the next room alerting Officer Reede.

"Excuse me, it's the damn washing machine when the cycle starts again. I've been saying for months that I'm going to take it for repairing, but I always forget to do it...

Kirby thought about going to check what Christina was saying, but a new call from Officer Lopez got in the way.

"What happened Luis?" Kirby answered the phone a little agitated.

You must come to the police station now. We have two guys making a disturbance here. They want explanations as to why Sam is locked up here.

"You don't say. Are they two siblings? A boy and a girl? "

Exactly. They say that they are part of the so-called "The Core Four". I don't know what the hell that means.

"Unfortunately, I do. They are only the friends of the Carpenter sisters. Explain that it's just a protocol maneuver and that this afternoon we'll release Sam. We need to find more evidence to incriminate her. By the way, did you investigate what I asked you for? "

That's right. It's on your desk.

"Fanstastic. I'll go there as soon as I'm free here".

Lopez said goodbye and hung up the call. Christina shifted in her seat, taking the last sips of her coffee.

"So, Sam is arrested at the police station?"

Kirby stifled a curse on her lips. She had spilled the tea.

"Yes, unfortunately yes. A thousand apologies for finding out in such a crude way".

"Don't worry. Not that I'm too surprised, either. It's Sam that we're talking about. Always with that unstable temperament".

"Unstable?" The expression caught her attention so much that Kirby leaned over the table.

"Yes, you know what I mean. I feared that she would inherit those aspects from her father. Not that I knew it when I was with her, either. When I found out what Billy had done, I seriously thought about whether or not to have her baby. However, I could not do it. I decided to have and raise her. Even so, I must confess that I always had some misgivings about Sam. She has her father's eyes: cold and predatory. When she was sixteen, I went to visit her in Encino, where she lived, for her birthday. She did not receive me in the best way. We had a quarrel and for a few moments, I thought she would pounce on me. I don't know if it was because of the effects of the drugs she was using or it was purely natural, but it was terrifying. In her eyes I could see Billy Loomis' murderer reflected. And that terrified me more. Also, for Tara. I always feared that Sam would be able to get out of control and hurt Tara, even if Sam didn't want to. Besides, I'm almost a hundred percent sure that Sam herself has that fear deep inside her, too".

"Do you think Sam manipulates Tara into staying with her and not coming back to you?"

"Indeed, Tara is a weak and vulnerable girl. She is easy to manipulate. And a person like Sam would make it very simple," Christina spoke quite confidently of her words, without taking her eyes off the agent.

Kirby then stood up, thanking the mother with a strong handshake.

"Thank you very much for the conversation. It was very useful to me".

Christina Carpenter escorted her to the front door.

"There's no need, Agent Reede. Any information you need I will gladly give you. Just ask me. I will be happy to help those who seek to save my daughter. If you have more information about Tara's whereabouts, please let me know," she said, opening the door and her eyes slightly bathed in tears. "You will find her alive... I know it..."

Kirby just gave her a little comforting smile. It was bittersweet to see a mother who was worried about her missing daughter.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Carpenter. That's how it will be. Have a nice day".

Kirby walked away a little and turned back toward the door when the woman's silhouette was no longer on the doorstep. However, there was something she was learning as she gained more experience in her craft. Certain people can cover up their emotions very well.

Still, Christina Carpenter's position seemed convincing enough.

She took her motorcycle and drove to the police station. She didn't want to confront the siblings. Especially Mindy.

"This will be a real headache".