Author Anon

“I’m worried that after three months, Lucas may only start to open to us,” says Dan. “At that point, he has to change hands and restart the trust-building process.”

“Well, what do you suggest?” asks Lisa.

“Perhaps, we can shorten the trial period and have multiple trials rather than just one cycle,” says Dan.

“That sounds reasonable,” says Amanda. “With residency ending soon, we’ll have him for a couple cycles before we decide if it’s a good fit.”

“True,” says Rick. “The only difficulty I see is that the short cycles might not give us a very good idea of how we’ll be able to deal with issues on a longer term basis.”

“Good point,” chimes in Michael. “What we could do is the shorter cycles for a couple cycles and then do a longer one. That way, he gets to know all of us, and being exposed to a lot of people who are willing to give him love may help him to open up.”

“How short should the cycle be?” asks Marie.

“Well, you’ve had him for three weeks,” says Michael. “Why don’t we make it four? Get him to understand that in the next week, he’ll move on to Rick and Lisa, then me and Amanda, and so on.”

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“William, have you noticed any unusual things happening in the house?” asks Melanie.

“Like what?”

“Like things going missing?”

“No. Have you misplaced anything recently?”

“Not exactly.” She sighs. “I’m wondering if I’m imagining things.”

“What things?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Try me,” William says, smiling at her.

“You may think I’m going crazy, but I’m not. I feel perfectly rational.”

“Then tell me what it is.”

“I’ve been seeing Julia’s ghost.” She looks at him intently, trying to gauge his reaction.

Although incredulous, William tries to hide his reaction. “Are you sure?”

“It’s Julia’s ghost. Whether it’s real, imagined or faked, I can’t say. I think someone is playing a trick on me.”

“If that’s the case, that someone will answer to me.”

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“You should have seen him, Chloe,” says Ashley, dreamily. “I never imagined Nicholas Cole could have a body like that.”

“You have to watch those geeky types,” says Chloe. “I think, sometimes, that they hide behind the glasses and the unfashionable clothes.”

“There’s no denying that he’s also very intelligent, with or without glasses,” says Ashley. “But add that to his amazingly well-sculpted body and you can start daydreaming about all kinds of wild fantasies. I wonder where he works out?”

“I wonder he can even find the time to work out,” says Chloe. “I understand he’s a hard-working reporter.”

“He calls himself an investigative journalist,” defends Ashley. “He did get hit in the head not too long ago. Maybe he’s been taking self-defense classes. Maybe Belle has been training him.”

“Are you considering annexing him?”

“My sisters always choose the best boyfriends,” says Ashley, wistfully.

“If they’re the best, why do they always succumb to you?”

“Because men don’t always think with their heads.”

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“Well, here it is,” says Belle. “I’ve taken a cursory look and can’t find anything on it.”

Gavin takes the big gem from her and hastily examines it. “It does look pretty solid. Feels heavy, too. There must be a trick to opening it. I’m sure there’s something inside. It just does not look valuable in itself for Carl to risk himself by trying to steal it.”

“My thoughts exactly. The opening must be in one of these grooves but they all seem well-sealed.”

“Do you mind if I take it home to examine it further?”

Belle hesitates. “For how long?”

“You don’t mean to keep it yourself?”

“Why not? It was with my property.”

“Yes, but if it contains other stolen property, it needs to be turned into the government to return to the rightful owners. Besides, why would you want to put yourself in harm’s way by possessing this?”

“I’m already involved. Carl would come after me, regardless of whether I had it or not. And if he finds the other one is a fake, that’s exactly what he’ll do.”

“Yes, but if you don’t actually have it, you could play the innocent so much easier.”

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Filed under: All That Glitters