Author Anon

“Yes, Rick, there is something wrong,” says Amanda. Both Blanche and Lisa gasp. “I’d like to know why Blanche keeps insisting there is something going on between me and David, when it was she, who was trying to push us together.”

“I was only trying to be helpful,” says Blanche. “I thought you two made a great couple.”

“How do you qualify that?” asks Amanda.

“He’s a charming young man and you’re a beautiful woman,” says Blanche. “If you didn’t find him attractive, I’d say something was wrong with you.”

“I beg to differ,” says Amanda.

“Maybe, there was someone standing in the way,” suggests Blanche.

Amanda is taken aback. “Maybe there was.”

Lisa looks at Amanda accusingly. By this time, Detective Ute has backed up to watch the proceedings. Blanche stands and faces Amanda directly.

“So you admit you were after Rick,” says Blanche.

“What?!” asks Rick.

“I admit nothing of the kind,” says Amanda.

“Maybe David knew about your relationship with Rick and threatened to expose you or wanted more out of you. That’s why you stole the gun and shot him,” continues Blanche.

“Nonsense,” says Amanda, struggling to control her temper. “I think you had a better reason for wanting him out of the way. Maybe you should ask Lucy.”

An audible wheezing is emanating from Lucy as everyone turns their attention to her.

“She’s hyperventilating,” says Amanda.

“She’s having an asthma attack!” cries Lisa.

“Quick! Get her treatments,” calls Amanda.

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“So, what do you write about?” asks Ashley.

“I like writing mysteries and thrillers,” says Gavin. “But right now, my goal is to write the next great American novel.”

“What an ambition! Where do you get your ideas?”

“Oh, I’ve been traveling a lot recently, trying to gather ideas, inspiration, and learning about people.”

“You must have met a lot of interesting people that way.”

“Oh, yes. Many.”

“Can you tell me about them?”

“But that would spoil the book.”

Ashley laughs. “We wouldn’t want that. You know, we are only just starting out in this book publishing business, but we do have experience from our magazine publishing. We like to find fresh new voices in literature of all genres. An experienced author would probably not look to us, and the upcoming novelist would probably have a hard time getting his foot in the door of the major publishers. So our focus is finding these new novelists and giving them a chance to publish their works. If you can provide us with a manuscript or the beginnings of one with a synopsis, perhaps we can get things started. I think we can work well together.”

“I think we might. I believe I’ll be staying in Brighton a little longer. I find there are quite a few interesting people here.”

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“What can you tell us about David’s prognosis, Dr. Shimmer?” asks Tracy.

“Only time will tell. The bullet grazed his heart but punctured his lungs,” says Dr. Shimmer. “He’s at high risk for pneumonia, or even a heart attack at this stage.”

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After the ambulance leaves with Lucy and Blanche, the police team are examining the Copperfield house for fingerprints and searching Blanche’s room.

“Even though we have uncovered new evidence, Dr. Steele, I would advise you not to leave town,” says Detective Ute. “You are still not cleared of suspicion.”

“Amanda, what is going on here?” asks Rick.

“I’m afraid my client is not at liberty to disclose any information right now,” says Michael. “Perhaps, your wife can fill you in on some of the details.”

Lisa pulls Amanda aside. “Amanda, you are not going to say anything to Rick, are you? Or anyone else?” Lisa looks at Michael.

“Don’t worry. Your secret is your own. I promised you that before. But you’d better think hard about it because I’m afraid it may come out in other ways.”

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Back at Amanda’s house, Michael and Nicholas are having a conference, while Amanda is amusing Lucas.

“Blanche has to be involved somehow,” says Nicholas. “Didn’t you see how hard she was trying to pin the shooting on Amanda?”

“Yes,” says Michael. “And the answer lies in Lucy’s relationship with the Goldes.”

“Why do you say that?” asks Nicholas.

“Because she recognized David in Lucas. She couldn’t have done that unless she knew David as a child.”

“Seeing that David is in the hospital, his family is probably there and may run into Lucy and Blanche,” says Nicholas.

“I think it’s time I showed my face at the hospital,” says Michael, with a grin.

“I’ll come with you,” says Nicholas. “This could be the breaking story.”

“Where are you going?” asks Amanda.

“To the hospital,” says Michael.

“You know I’m not allowed in the hospital right now,” says Amanda.

“I wasn’t even going to suggest it,” says Michael. “I’ll be back to pick up Lucas later.”

“What’s the point?” asks Amanda. “You obviously don’t know what to do with him. I might as well keep him until we find his mother.”

“Good idea. But I’ll still be back. Later.”

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At the hospital, Michael and Nicholas go to visit David. In the waiting room, they see various members of the Golde clan as well as Phillip Diamond.

“How’s David?” Michael asks.

“No change,” says Marie. “How’s Dr. Steele?”

“Holding up,” says Michael. “I think suspicion will soon shift from her to someone else.”

“Who?” asks Mark.

“Blanche Albright.”

“Blanche Albright?” asks Phillip. “What does she have to do with it?”

“I don’t know yet,” says Michael. “The interrogation was interrupted by her daughter Lucy having an asthma attack.”

“Lucy? Lucy Albright?” asks Tom, anxiously. “Where is she? Is she all right?”

Everyone looks at him in mild surprise and Nicholas hides his smile.

“She’s in the emergency room right now,” says Michael. “I can accompany you there.”

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“So, what happened?” asks Amanda when Michael returns.

“Blanche isn’t talking yet,” says Michael. “But I think she will soon.”

“Tell me.”

“We happened to mention the events at the Copperfields to David’s family and surprised a reaction out of Tom Golde. He may be Lisa’s father.”

“Tom Golde?!”

“I took him down to the ER to find Lucy. At sight of him, though, she went into respiratory distress and had to be intubated. Blanche was livid, said a few nasty words to me, then left.” Michael pauses and looks at the presents under the Christmas tree. “So, what’s all this?”

“I asked my mom to play Santa Claus for Lucas,” says Amanda. “Poor boy. He seems starved for attention.”

Michael looks at her. “You haven’t exactly had the best Christmas, either.”

Amanda shrugs. “I’m not a kid anymore.”

“No. Definitely not. But I need to know something. Are you still in love with Rick?”

Amanda turns to him. “You question that, too? One minute you’re kissing me and the next you’re asking if I’m in love with someone else. Do you think I’m another Stephanie?”

He puts his arms around her. “Of course not. You’ve just made my Christmas,” he says as he kisses her.

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Filed under: All That Glitters