"My love you know that you're my bestfriend.

You know that I'd do anything for you.

And my love, let nothing come between us

My love for you is strong and true&

Am I in heaven here or am I at thecrossroads?"

Sarah McLauchlan: 'Hold On'"

From the album: 'Fumbling Towards Ecstasy'

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

A cool evening breeze rustled through the talltrees and sighed across the grassy clearing. Above, some stars shonebrightly enough to pierce the smoggy New York air and show themselvesto any midnight strollers with the time and inclination to seek themout.

The open air was a relief. Not that the tunnelsweren't wonderful, but sometimes a person needed a breath of freshair, and the feeling of open space surrounding them. Catherinesecured the hood of her cloak from the brisk late spring gusts, andresettled her hand in the crook of Vincent's arm.

It was like a whole new world. She could hearthe rustle of a paper bag being blown against a bush, and theindignant chitter of a squirrel, disturbed into wakefulness by theirpassage. The faint moonlight revealed the park as brightly as if itwere mid day, although colors were faded. The smells were myriad andcomplex, trees, earth, growth, people, cars, and baby smells from alost pacifier lying at the path side. It was mind-boggling and yet,at the same time, reassuring.

Evening meal remained difficult. Although theworst of the stares had tapered off, there were still one or tworesidents who were obviously uncomfortable with Catherine's changedfeatures. Again, however, there had been a few humorous moments tolighten the tension. A new fad seemed to have become rampant with thetunnel boys - adamant refusal to wear shoes. A ruckus had broken outwhen Kipper had shown up without any. When Father insisted he don hisfootgear at once, Kipper had responded with the comment 'Vincentdoesn't have to'; which resulted in Father stating quiteunequivocally that Vincent's feet were tougher than his, but notnearly so hard as Kipper's head must be to take to such a foolishnotion. It had caused a bit of embarrassment for both Vincent andCatherine. They both needed a break.

Catherine drew a deep breath of cool nightair.

"This was a good idea."

"Yes. Sometimes even I need an escape fromBelow. Your balcony provided such an escape. I'll miss it."

"Me, too." So many wonderful moments hadtranspired on that balcony, their window to the world. It was reallytoo bad they couldn't go back& could they? "Vincent, whycouldn't we go back sometimes, just to visit? Ileft a key underneath the planter for you. It should still be there.The place belongs to me, we could even go inside if we wanted to."Catherine's voice rose as she brainstormed, excitement creeping in.Perhaps not all her old life had to be abandoned. And& she couldfeel he was actually considering the idea! "It could be ourplace still, even more so."

Catherine quieted, allowing Vincent the time tomull over her proposal. This was how he worked. Her beloved rarelymade snap decisions anymore, especially where she was concerned. Thelast time he had was the Connecticut trip, and just look howthat had ended up. No,Vincent liked to thoroughly ponder all sides of a question beforegiving a definitive answer.

"Perhaps, we-"

A sudden brilliant flash of light to the leftassaulted their night-adapted vision. Almost blinded, they stumbledoff the path to take refuge behind a stand of birch trees.

Blinking furiously, Catherine wiped a waterytear from her face as every sense strove to determine the locationand probability of threat. Beside her, she could feel Vincent doingthe same. From the small parking lot ahead, she caught an answeringflash, although since this one wasn't pointed in their direction, theresults were not as severe.

Catherine felt a gentle tug on her hand. A washof uneasiness from Vincent found its way to her.

"What is this? Do you know what that was?"

"I have an idea. I have seen this sort of thingbefore, although not from so close."

"A drug deal?"

"Perhaps. Probably." Vincent tugged her handagain insistently, and they began to sneak away.

From ahead the sound of a van door being slidback was soon followed by voices.

"You're late. Let's see the payment."

Catherine started at that voice. A low, nasaltwang. It was familiar. Searching her memory, the remembered smell ofdisinfectant and caramel mints prodded her. The hospital. This wasone of the men she had overheard talking in the hospital. Freezing,she released Vincent's hand and concentrated on the voices.

"Don't worry, it's all there. Twenty-fivethousand dollars, just like I promised. Listen, do we really have todo the deal this way? I much preferred having the product delivered.This looks too suspicious."

"No one's going to see you. Besides, I've nevercome that close to being caught before, and I don't plan to make it ahabit. I could explain a dead animal in the van, but not this stuff.I'm not taking a fall over this, I just want my money. I got the meatfor you, that's all you need."

Catherine carefully moved closer and crouchedbehind the stand of birches.

"Catherine!"

Ignoring Vincent's hushed warning, Catherinepeeked around the edge of the trees. There! A blond-haired man wasaccepting a cooler from an older, bald man. There was a silver van aswell. Dimly, she could make out a female figure sitting on thepassenger side, but specific features were hidden by the windshieldreflections. All she could discern was a faint scent, anunidentifiable perfume. A small paper bag was handed to the bald man,who peered inside and gave the contents a grunt of approval. Theblond carried the cooler to what appeared to be a late model sedan ofsome kind, started the engine and drove quietly from the parking lot,followed by the silver van, which turned and proceeded in theopposite direction. Automatically, she made note of the licenseplates.

"Vincent, did you hear? Do you know what thatwas? I have to get word to Joe. Vincent? Vincent!" That last washissed as she realized that, sometime during her concentration on theorgan seller, Vincent had disappeared. Immediately she consulted thelocation sense. He was nearby, about fifty feet away. Just as shebegan to trace her way to her, his muffled call caused her torun.

Breaking through a copse of trees she found himkneeling on the ground beside a supine figure. Moonlight revealed itto be that of a woman, late twenties, covered by a blue sheet. Aniron-copper tang of bloodscent flooded the area, along with adisgusting oily overlay, a familiar cloying odor that left adistasteful residue inside her mouth.

"She's hurt," Vincent spoke softly. He moved thesheet aside, revealing the woman's body, nude except for a largewhite bandage wrapped around her lower midsection. The bandage showedseveral bloodspots.

Grimly, Catherine looked at the bandage job.Rough, but adequate. It fit the MO. "I think I know what happenedhere. This woman has just had an organ removed for transplant. Thatwas what that man was selling. And we need to find a phone and callan ambulance for this lady. Now."

At her request, Vincent escorted Catherinedirectly to the hospital chamber, stopping only to send a message onthe pipes for Father to meet them there immediately.

After using a nearby public telephone to callfor help, they had remained until the ambulance was almost upon them,to ensure the young woman kept breathing and was safe. When thepolice arrived and began searching the surrounding area they had hadto leave, but not before they had overheard a grim prognosisregarding the victim.

The tap-shuffle of Father's uneven gait washeard long before he arrived in the hospital chamber himself.Disheveled from sleep, he looked harried and panicked.

"What's happened? Are you hurt?"

"No, I'm unharmed. Catherine is the one whoneeded to see you, although I'm unsure why."

"The drug you used on Vincent. Can I seeit?"

Looking confused, Father limped over to the oldmetal locker, which doubled as a medicine cabinet. Rummaging about hewithdrew a familiar unmarked bottle. "What's going on? Why do youneed this?"

Distracted, Catherine held her hand up to stophis curious questions. Removing the lid, she braced herself and,concentrating fully, waved the bottle under her nose. Oh, yes. Thedisgusting heavy scent rolled out of the container to assault herwith its oily, sour odor. "What's the name of this drug?"

"It's a morphine opiate derivative. I believethe official name is ketamine hydrochloric."

Catherine closed her eyes in relief. She wasn'tcrazy.

Beside her Vincent made a grunt of distaste ashe caught the drug's stench.

Capping the bottle, she handed it back toFather. "Can you tell me where you get this?"

Father looked rather uncomfortably at Vincent."Umm. Well, it's-"

Catherine could sense the older man'sreluctance. "Father, it's important. People have died and this is myonly clue. I need to know."

Father shuffled his feet and sighed. Oh well, hehad tried. "As you know, I learned about this from those reports yousmuggled from Hughs' office." Vincent winced at the memory, andFather sent him a look of apology. "It's commonly used to anesthetizecats, as well as small children. Hughs had gotten the drug from a vetsupply center, so I requested it from one of our helpers who is avet, just in case it was ever necessary to use it. I'm very glad Idid."

Catherine eyes widened in revelation. Piecesclicked together as the overheard comment suddenly made sense: "Icould explain a dead animal in the van&"

"Bingo!"Catherine cried, as she remembered the vet clinic she had visited,the one that carried a certain brand of caramel mints. "He's a Vet! That's it! That's why the jobs are so rough, he's not used tooperating on humans!" Overcome with elation, she grabbedFather and pulled him into an enthusiastic hug. "We've got him now!Just wait until I tell Joe!"

Joe Maxwell sat slumped behind his desk. Theletter, which lay on his blotter, had arrived yesterday, but he stillcould hardly believe it. This place, without Radcliffe? It wasimpossible to imagine. It was one thing to have her gone temporarily,but for good? Replacing her would be& Humph. Who did he think hewas kidding? She wasn't replaceable. Oh, her skills were, by maybetwo or three people at a conservative estimate. But her smile, herwit, her ability to pull the best out of people? Her intuitive mind,with its leaps of logic, had been the cornerstone for many a case.Those things were one in a million.

"Hey, how's tricks?" CJ, the rough looking youthwho brought a lunch cart to this floor every day around this time,smiled at the morose man who was idly swiveling in his office chair."You're lookin' a little down, man! Say hey, this here might give youa little happy. My treat."

"Yeah, thanks, CJ. I definitely need something."Responding to the cheerful "Catch ya later, man," Joe wavedhalf-heartedly. Mildly curious, he looked at what CJ had dropped onhis desk. It was a Milka bar, one of those expensive importedchocolate bars that CJ kept on hand especially for Cathy. That wasn'twhat caught his attention, however, it was the folded piece of heavypaper that was tucked beneath it. 'What's this?' Joe pulled the noteopen, and read its contents with growing surprise.

Dear Joe:

Please excuse the unusual method of delivery.I need to see you. I have some information regarding theorgan-legging case. Could you come to my apartment this evening, atmidnight? I must ask that you come alone, and that you speak to noone about this meeting.

Affectionately,

Catherine

'I should'a known that woman couldn't let thisplace go completely. She's worse than a dog with a bone.' A smilecreased Joe's face as he focused on his work.

The world wasn't such a bad place after all.

"Are you sure?" Catherine stared withtrepidation up through the hole in the elevator roof.

"Yes, I've traveled this way a hundred times.Quickly now, press the button and give me your hand."

Biting her lip, Catherine punched the button forthe eighteenth floor, and grasped the furry hand that reached downthrough the emergency access hatch. The claws on her feet scrabbledagainst the smooth metal elevator wall as his arm easily hauled herthrough the opening.

"Watch your footing. Only put your weight on themetal crossbar, otherwise you might fall through," Vincent warned ashe swiftly replaced the panel. With a lurch, the elevator began torise. Cables whined and loosened. "Be careful. Don't let your cloakget caught in the machinery," he whispered. The elevator slowed andhalted at the main floor, and several people got on. The group exitedsilently on the fourteenth floor, and the car continued its ascent.As the car rose towards the roof, Catherine swallowed nervously.Surely it would stop? But of course, it did. As the car came to theapex of its route it slowed, bringing into sight a small emergencylanding and exit. Confidently, Vincent crouched and stepped off asthe car came level, lending his arm to Catherine for assistance. Theyopened the small emergency door and emerged onto the roof.

Relieved, Catherine took a deep breath. Freshair and open sky never felt so good. Vincent chuckled at herreaction, and she pinned him with a dirty look. Turning her back, shewalked to the railing and looked down over the city.

"Do you remember the last time we met here?"Vincent's soft voice whispered from behind her, and she leaned backagainst his sturdy chest.

"Yes. When that stalker was after me. You met mehere, on this side of the building where we didn't think he couldsee. I was so frightened for you, of what he could do to you, tous."

Vincent slid his arms around Catherine's waistlightly, encouraging her contact. "As I was for you. I almost lostyou to him. And now, I find myself here yet again, and as before youwill be at the mercy of a stranger."

Catherine took his hands and tried to conveyreassurance. "I think any reporter would have given up by now, ifthere ever were any here. And Joe's not a stranger."

"To me, he is."

Catherine nodded slowly. He had a point. And itwas not without some risk, this plan of hers.

"Come, we must hurry. I want to make sure it issafe, before I leave you there." Releasing her, Vincent turned andmade his way across the roof to the corner above her balcony.

Living on the top floor had its pluses, but shehad never thought that one of them would be that it was a short climbfrom the roof. Glancing down at the eighteen-story drop to theground, Catherine felt her stomach lurch, and closed her eyestightly. So far to fall& "Vincent, are you sure?"

"The masonry is sound, I have been over it manytimes, as you well know. The climb down the cliff was much moredifficult. And it's not so far. If you start from this point, it'sonly a few feet to reach your balcony wall. Look, see?"

Prying her eyes open, she followed Vincent'sindication. He was right; it didn't look too hard. It was just thepsychological factor of being so far from the ground. Just one slip,and&

Vincent swung over the edge, and nimbly climbeddown the fifteen feet or so to reach the balcony. Standing, he lookedup at her frightened face. "Catherine, you can do this!"

Screwing up her courage, Catherine slid a legover the side of the building, foot claws finding and gripping thebumps and cracks in the concrete. Once she had started and was nolonger looking down, the descent was completed in seconds.

Vincent's arms enfolded her and lifted her downfrom the balcony edge, giving her a squeeze of pride for heraccomplishment.

Catherine hugged him back, delighted, beforemoving to the far corner of the balcony. Lifting the planter, sheretrieved the door key, and unlocked the door to the living room.Both focused their senses on the apartment, seeking any hiddenpresence or sign of a trap. When nothing was forthcoming, Vincenteased his way inside and checked each room thoroughly while Catherineentered the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water. Forlornlyshe looked at the full coffee canister, one of the only food itemsremaining in the fridge. Oh, well.

The ringing of the phone just about sent Vincentinto orbit, but Catherine calmly approached and waited for themessage machine to pick it up.

"Ms. Chandler, this is the lobby calling.There's a Mr. Joe Maxwell here to see you."

Catherine picked up the receiver. "Hello,Maurice? This is Cathy Chandler& Yes, I do have a cold. Just sendhim up, I've been expecting him. Thank you." Replacing the receiveron the cradle gently, she looked at Vincent. "He's on his way upnow."

"Please, Catherine. Reveal as little of yourselfas possible. Reactions to our differences are oftenunpredictable."

Catherine nodded slowly. It would be difficultto keep Joe at bay, but she would do her best.

"I'll be outside on the balcony in case of anytrouble."

All too soon, a soft knock came from theapartment door. Soundlessly, Vincent melted to the balcony, closingthe French doors behind him. For a moment, Catherine stood frozen.But this was Joe, her staunch supporter and loyal friend. Arrangingthe drape of her hood to cover as much of her face as possible, sheundid the chain and locks.

The door eased open, and Joe looked into a darkapartment. Only a small portion of light leaked in through the sheercurtains to the balcony, casting most of the apartment in deepshadow. "Cathy?"

"I'm here. Please, come in."

As Joe stepped inside, Catherine swung the doorshut and re-engaged the locks.

"Why is it so dark in here, Cathy? What's wrong?That is you, isn't it?" Joefelt his eyes beginning to adjust to the drop in light level, and hecould see her, wearing some kind of long coat or cape, moving awayfrom him.

"Yes, and it's dark because I don't want you tosee me."

"Why not?"

"It's not important. I have someinformation-"

"Wait a minute here. You're not going to tell mewhat's wrong? What this mysterious medical problem is that would makeyou quit the office? Whatever it is, I can handle it, I promise.Anything's better than not knowing if you're OK. Can't you just tellme?"

From outside the apartment, Vincent could hearthe concern in Catherine's friend's voice, as well as feel itempathically. That was not all he felt, however. This man& Thisman had feelings for Catherine. Feelings that were mostlyburied, but strong. A surge of possessiveness swept through him, buthe firmly crushed it. This was not the time.

Steeling herself to ignore his worry, Catherinetried again. "I have some information regarding the case-"

"Screw the case! There's something moreimportant at stake here. Why won't you let me see you? Just what isso wrong? You're scaring me here, Radcliffe. Start giving me someanswers!"

Catherine sighed. She could feel the intenseconcern and worry from her friend. This was proving more difficultthan she had anticipated. "I can't let you see me. What happened&it would just frighten you."

"Frighten me? Frighten me? Oh come on, you can do better thanthat." Mocking sarcasm rolled through Joe's voice, as it usually didwhen he was upset. Or very concerned. Abruptly, his tone gentled, andhe moved around her to stand facing her. "You should know by now thatI don't give up that easy. Whatever it is that you're so frightenedof, I can deal with it. I'm a big boy." Slowly his hands rose tograsp the sides of the concealing hood, and gently he pushed it back.

Vincent felt every muscle in his body tense asthe man touched his Catherine. Possessiveness and fear for her twinedtogether as he watched the man reach out and tilt her chin up to facehim. Lips peeled back from white fangs as a quiet warning growlslithered from between them.

As a ray of moonlight struck the face of hisfriend, Joe felt the bottom drop out of his world. "Oh, Jesus. Cathy?What is this? What the Hell happened to you?"Shaking his head in denial, he backed up until he hit one of hercouches, and collapsed into it. Desperately trying to focus onsomething else, his eyes caught the silhouette of a huge menacingfigure staring in through the balcony doors. "Get down! There'ssomeone on your balcony!" Reaching under his jacket he pulled out thegun he carried everywhere with him now.

Catherine felt a spike of raw panic. "No!" The goad of her fear was the last strawfor Vincent, who burst in through the doors, a snarling avatar.

With a strangled scream, Joe lifted the gun totake aim at the vicious apparition.

Throwing herself forward, Catherine used herincredible strength to push the gun aside, covering his hands. "Don'tshoot! He's a friend! It's OK!"

Joe's eyes flicked desperately, shocked, betweenher face and Vincent's as he loosed his grip on the gun.

Vincent backed up until he reached the Frenchdoors. Although he regretted his protective impulse, the damage hadbeen done.

Catherine continued to speak soothingly to herfriend, who abruptly released his tension with a moan.

"Awww, Radcliffe, what the hell is this?" Finally Joe's eyes settled on herface in disbelief. Her speech had exposed the tips of long whitecanines, increasing the bestial appearance. Joe felt his heart clenchin response. This couldn't be real. Unable to bear the sight, helooked down towards his hands.

Carefully, Catherine sat down beside the visiblyshaking man. "I don't know how to explain. I've been very sick, andthis was the result. Or the cause. Something like that. It'scomplicated."

Joe raised his eyes to look towards Vincent."And who, or what, is that?"

Catherine bristled at his tone, but forcedherself not to respond with anger. Joe was just shocked and upset.This required a gentle touch. "It's a who. His name is Vincent."

"Vincent? TheVincent?" Joe stared unbelievingly at the huge unmoving figure in thecorner.

"You know abouthim? How?" Catherine reeled in shock. How could he know? What did heknow?

"Edie. She mentioned once you had someonespecial in your life, but she only knew his name was Vincent."

Vincent stepped forward with resolve. 'Afterall, might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb.' "Mr. Maxwell.Catherine has spoken of you often. I apologize for my... abruptentrance. When I saw you reach for the gun, I feared for hersafety."

Joe lifted his eyes to stare at the being infront of him. "That's the reason he's always been a secret, isn't it?His looks." Standing, he approached the horrifying looking creature."I'll just bet you made her like this, didn't you? Just like you.Yeah, Bride of Frankenstein!"

Vincent's low growl was cut off when, from outof nowhere, a clawed hand slapped Joe full across the face, hard,leaving four light scratches in its wake. A steely cold voice, with asnarling undertone, spoke, "Don't you ever, eversay anything like that again. To Vincent, or to me. Is thatunderstood?"

Joe blinked, shook his head, and refocused onCatherine, who vibrated in anger and indignation beside him.

Suddenly, all the fight leaked out of Joe likeair from a balloon. Turning, he stumbled back to the couch and sankdown, resting his face in his hands. After a minute, he slowly liftedhis head. "I'm sorry. Both of you. I have no excuse, except shock.You have my apology."

Catherine relaxed. Based on her limitedexperience, the worst was over. She went to the kitchen, returningwith two cold sodas, and passed one to Joe. He only stared at herfurred, clawed hands for a few seconds before taking it. She didn'tbother even to ask Vincent, he hated soda unless it was flat. Joepopped the top of his and took a long restoring swallow.

"Now, gentlemen, shall we try this again? JoeMaxwell, this is Vincent, my&" Just what did she call him? Nothusband. Not lover. Boyfriend sounded ridiculously juvenile.

From beside her, Vincent completed herintroduction. "Her friend."

Nervously, Joe extended his hand to take the onehe was offered in an unsteady handshake.

"So you got a good look at the guy. And thelicense plate of the van?" Quickly, Joe scribbled down thedescriptions Catherine gave. "And you recognized the smell of thecandies, and since they were at the vet clinic and Ketamine is alsoused on animals, you think this guy's one of the vets there? Or hassome connection?" Joe shook his head in disbelief. Talk about abuilt-in bloodhound nose.

"It's got to be. It all fits."

"All right. I'll arrange for surveillance onthat clinic, see what we can find out. Gotta love anonymous tips,right? This is great." Joe let out a deep breath. "I have to hand itto you, Radcliffe, you still got it. You sure youhave to retire completely? Maybe we can work something out. Thinkabout it."

Catherine ducked her head, pleased with thecompliment. Oh, this felt so good!But& "I can't. I think it's obvious why I can't return to work.The office is a closed book for me, now."

"Who says anything about the office? Cripes,half the time you work at home anyway. There's still a lot you coulddo, Cath. You just won't be able to take credit for it anymore."

Looking up innocently from beneath shaggy bangs,Catherine just couldn't let that one slide. "Oh and just who would? I can't imagine. Maybe... the sameperson that has forthe last two years?" The syrupy sweetness of her voice flowed likeglue.

"Is that sass, I hear?" His customary teasingslipped out before he considered his words, and Joe glanced atVincent warily, to ensure that the rather dangerous looking man hadnot taken offense. He noted with relief that Vincent didn't lookupset, but amused.

"Seriously though. Think about it. We could makesome kind of arrangement. You can't tell me you really want to get out from under my thumb."

Catherine glanced at Vincent. Would he mind?

Vincent picked up on the cause of her concernimmediately. "I doesn't matter what I think. This is your life. Ifyou feel this is something that would give you happiness, you knowI'll support your decision."

"Yes, I willthink about it."