Decision

It was a long time before I had absorbed all the information and made my decision. The fire had burned low. The windows were dark. Marcy's hook dipped and twisted in the light of a small lamp.

'I have to go back, don't I?'

Marcy looked up. 'Yes. I think so.'

'You'll help?'

'Of course.'

'It has to be soon.'

'I agree but we need a little time. Time to plan. Time for me to teach you what I can so you have some defence.'

'We have to get those people out before...well, while they are still whole.'

Marcy nodded. I'll ask Brent to come over tomorrow and we'll talk.'

'Ross?'

'It might be better if he didn't know. He will never agree.'

'No. But I'd feel better if he knew.'

'He won't be able to get you out again. You know that, right?'

'I know.' And I did. I also knew it was irrational but every instinct told me he had to know what we were planning even if he didn't like it. 'Do the CSC have anyone else at the clinic?'

'No. And they are pretty pissed because one of the things Ross was meant to be doing, apart from keeping an eye on things, was to get information on the serum so the CSC could work on ways to block its effects.'

'You think they could have come up with something?'

Marcy shrugged. 'They have some pretty smart people working for them but the last samples Ross gave them are now way out of date. He was meant to be getting samples of the modified serum in the next week or two.'

'Now that's not going to happen.'

'No. How about speaking to Brent before we talk with Ross and see what we can come up with. It might be better to offer Ross a plan rather than a vague idea.'

'Okay. Could he stop us do you think?'

'Ross? Oh yes, in so many ways.'

'Will he?'

'Not if we are determined and have a half-decent idea for getting you out before the clinic gets the serum and kills you.'

I nodded. 'Okay, we'll start with that tomorrow. Goodnight.'

'Goodnight. Try not to worry. At least not too much.'

Brent, Marcy and I sat in the kitchen the next morning. Brent had arrived within half an hour of Marcy ringing him.

'Are you sure this is a good idea?' he was saying. 'I mean there is no guarantee they'll even release those people. Especially if you're not involving the CSC.'

'I've thought of that but we could never involve them they would rather see Grace dead, or the hostages dead, or all of them dead than let her go back.'

'I suppose. What about Ross?'

'Marcy and I hoped we could come up with a plan between us before involving him,' I said.

'Before he puts a stop to the idea you mean.'

'Exactly.'

'So what's the plan so far?' he asked.

'So far we have worked out how we will communicate while I'm at the clinic.'

'Let me guess, the ghosts.'

'Correct. Ignatius and Michael to give them names.'

'They've agreed?'

'Not yet we can't speak to them until we are on the other side of the barrier,' Marcy said. 'But it should be fine.'

'This will be Michael's side of the tie he is so keen to make. In return as soon as I'm free of the clinic I'll try to find his murderer and keep his wife and baby daughter out of danger. And for obvious reasons, we will be dealing directly with the clinic and not involving the CSC. All things considered, I have a slightly better chance of surviving this if the clinic gets me rather than the CSC.'

Brent grimaced, 'Got ya. So now you need an exit plan.'

'And that is where you come in,' Marcy said.

'Thought as much.'

'So, will you help?'

Brent's tawny eyes searched her face then flicked to me and back to Marcy.

'You sure?'

Marcy nodded. 'Yes, but this has to be your decision.'

Brent hesitated only a moment. 'I'm in.'

'Thank you,' Marcy said standing and planting a kiss on his cheek. 'I'll make coffee while you two chat.'

She whisked away the still warm mugs and set about emptying the half-full coffee pot.

I had the feeling I had lost the thread of the conversation.

I looked from one to the other. What just happened? What did I miss? I looked to Marcy preparing coffee no one wanted and then back to Brent. His face had lost the light-hearted smile and he was watching me intently.

'What?' I asked.

'I'm wondering how to do this. It's not something I normally talk about to relative strangers.'

'Sorry? Do what?'

'Marcy thinks I can help you escape the clinic and both she and I know the only way I could possibly do that is because of who I am. Or what I can do.'

'Your... err... gift you mean. Brent, I haven't been around this society for long but I know that it's not something you people...' he raised his eyebrows. 'I mean...we... would normally do. Sharing what we, I mean who...' I was digging a hole so I stopped. I was relieved to see the smile had returned to Brent's eyes.

'I get the gist of what you were trying to say and you're right, we don't share or trust easily but Marcy trusts you and that's good enough for me. As I was saying I can only help you because of 'my gift' as you put it. I am a shape changer.'

I looked at him blankly. 'Sorry, a what?'

'A shape changer. I can change shape, form, whatever you want to call it.'

'You can become someone else?' My brain was struggling to keep up with my mouth. As usual.

'Someone, yes, but more readily, something. My calling is an animal. My natural form is a fox to be exact. But I have learned to copy people too, if not so easily or accurately.'

'I... err, wow that's, that's, amazing.'

Brent grinned. 'Thanks, I think so too as it happens.'

'Did you... I mean have you always been able... sorry, prying I know.' I cringed inwardly wishing I could regain control over my vocal cords.

'It's okay. And yes I was born to a shape changer parent so I always knew there was a possibility I could be one too. When I hit puberty that is.'

'Ah-ha.'

'Teens, you know, awful aren't they.'

'Normally,' I risked.

'Try being a changer as your normal.'

'I've enough on just now thanks.'

'Ha. I supposed you have at that.'

'So how is your ability to... change going to help?'

'Not sure yet. Marcy?'

Marcy came back to the table with a fresh pot of coffee and three mugs.

'In two ways actually. First, when we contact the clinic they are going to have to think we have the CSC's backing.'

'Why?' I asked. 'They want me anyway with or without the CSC's backing.'

'Yes, but I don't know if they will bother keeping their end of the bargain without the threat of the CSC. They could simply take you or both of us for that matter and keep the captives too.'

She was right. There would be no reason for them to release the others if it were just Marcy and I making the deal.

'They know I am a committee member. I'm also relying heavily on that they don't know I'm being excluded from the committee meetings at the moment. I thought if you, Brent, could change into a senior member and accompany me that would convince them we are CSC backed.'

'Sounds reasonable,' Brent said.

'And the second reason?' I asked.

'We need to get you out again and Ross is no longer on the inside to help you.'

'He can't become Ross!'

'I'm pretty sure I could actually I know him quite well.'

'I mean Ross couldn't get in there, they would likely kill him, you, whichever.'

'That is why he's not going to be Ross. He'll be someone else.'

'Who?' Brent and I asked in chorus.

'Actually, I don't know yet. Someone known at the clinic and accepted. I'll let you choose.'

'I don't know anyone at the clinic. And I need to know them before I can change to them.'

'By my reckoning, you have about a week to find someone and copy him.'

'A week?' he said looking worried.

'Maybe. It depends on how things go once Grace is at the clinic.'

'But....'

I lost the thread while they were tossing the idea back and forward. Pictures kept creeping into my brain of Brent melting and reforming into someone, something else. How did that work? Did it hurt? How could it even be possible?'

'GRACE!'

I was snapped back to the present to find both Brent and Marcy looking worried.

'What?' I asked trying to sound like I had kept up with the conversation.

'You okay?' Marcy asked.

'Me. Yes, yes. Never better. Fine. I'm fine.' I closed my mouth and clamped my tongue still.

'I know this is a lot to take in, Grace, but you have to hold it together.'

'I will. I am.'

They exchanged looks.

'Really, I'm fine. It's just all so... so new and sudden.'

Marcy patted my hand and poured me a coffee. 'Right to business,' she said.

By mid-afternoon, we had come up with an almost workable plan. Brent went off to find a likely candidate at the clinic he could change into and Marcy and I crossed the barrier to put our proposals to Ignatius and Michael. Ignatius was the embodiment of restrained good breeding, courteously agreeing to Marcy's request.

Michael, well Michael was not.

'Really, you'll help me? Anything I'll do anything you want. Just tell me what it is. Does this mean we're tied? And you'll help me? I want to hug you, can I hug you do you think?'

'Actually, I'm not sure that's possible and to be honest, I'd rather you didn't try.'

'Thank you. Thank you.'

'Michael, you realise I can't fulfil my end of the bargain and find out who killed you until I am free of the clinic don't you?'

'Yes. Yes, I know and that's fine really. I don't think there is an immediate danger to Emma and Hannah, at least not if my suspicions are right.'

'Okay then. We're organising the exchange in the next day or two. I'll see you then.'

'You will. Most definitely.'

When we crossed back through the barrier Michael waved as we disappeared down the street.

'You have made him a very happy ghost,' Marcy said with a grin.

'I'd noticed. Does this mean we're tied?

Marcy hugged me around the waist. 'Yes. Congratulations you have your first Escort.'

It was early evening before Ross arrived and Marcy called me away from my paintbrush and into the living room. Marcy outlined our plans keeping it upbeat and sounding remarkable confident considering the circumstances. It didn't help.

'No. Absolutely not. She can't go back there, the risks are too great.'

'Grace knows the risks but we have a workable plan.'

'If she isn't imprisoned and if they don't just kill her immediately to save them the bother of watching her.'

'I am here you know, I do have a say in ...'

'They won't kill her out right. They made it clear when she was there the first time that there is more they want to try with her.'

'Oh, well, that's alright then. As long as they get their serum perfected before they finish her off.'

'Hey!' I yelled over their rising voices. They turned to look at me as if startled by my raised voice. 'Thank you! Ross, the risks are minimal. As soon as it gets too dangerous I'll let Michael know and Brent will help me get out.'

'Just like that!' he said his voice just above a growl, his eyes pale and silvery ice.

'Well, Brent is practising his impersonation and he thinks...'

'What if Brent can't get in? What if you aren't able to contact him? What if they move the plans for your death forward?'

'What if? What if? Ross, we could go on like this all night. The fact is I'm going back and Brent will come get me out when I have the formula for the serum and a way to get Meredith out.'

'The formula?' Marcy asked. 'I don't remember that being part of the plan.'

'Meredith?' Ross repeated. 'Meredith? How do you propose to do that? The last I heard Meredith was in a poor condition.'

'You didn't say Meredith was ill,' I said.

'You've seen what they do to the people in there. Did you really expect her to be as you last saw her?'

I stared at him. He was right. How could I have assumed Meredith was still... well, Meredith. 'I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.'

'And the formula?' Marcy said again.

I grimaced. I had been planning to mention this to Marcy first but Ross had come before I got the chance. 'I was thinking, as long as I'm there it wouldn't hurt to try to get a sample, or the notes, or something.'

'And how will you do that?' Ross asked incredulously. 'It took me months to get near the serum the last time.'

'Yes, but you were just the hired hand. I am a willing helper with access to the clinical rooms and Jeremy's office and the ghosts.'

'You were a willing helper or should I say a reluctant test subject they were humouring. Now you are just a recaptured runaway they won't risk losing again. I doubt very much you will have access to anything but the inside of a cell.'

'We'll see.'

'This is a disaster waiting to happen.'

I reached out and put a hand on his. He froze then looked up at me, nostrils flared. 'Then help us. Talk us through it. Give us the benefit of what you have learnt while you were there. You're right, this could go horribly wrong it wouldn't hurt to have your help.'

Marcy put down her hook and looked from me to Ross and back again. Ross got up and strode to the window, back to the fire and sat down.

'Assuming you aren't locked in a cell or killed out of hand so they can analyses your brain matter, always assuming you have one...'

'Very funny.'

'...there are things you should be aware of.'

We spent the next few hours going over the layout of the clinic. He drew rough sketches of the behind-the-scenes corridors and back service areas along with places to avoid.

'And stay away from Pippa,' he warned. 'She is not happy with Jeremy at all and will do anything to stop him. Not to mention she takes great pleasure in her work.'

'I'm not following,' I said.

'Jeremy and Pippa have been competing against each other their whole lives. Their mother, Tina, has seen to that. She deliberately sets one against the other and generously rewards success while taking vindictive pleasure in punishing failure. She is currently away overseeing...'

'Another venture, yes, Clair and Lewis told me. They also told me to steer clear of Pippa.'

'With good reason. Tina intends to give the clinic to whichever of her children perfects the serum. And you can bet the other one will be left out in the cold with nothing. It's a powerful motivator. You are Jeremy's pet project and one that is promising to produce results. If Pippa can stop that from happening she will. Pippa is... ruthless.'

'And Jeremy isn't?'

'Not like Pippa. Pippa takes more pleasure in conducting the tests than in the outcome, she enjoys playing with her victims. What is left of them fills most of the cells in the basement. Her most recent goal, however, has been to get you away from Jeremy. You don't want that to happen.'

'Stick with Jeremy,' I said sensing the urgency of his warning.

'Like glue.'

'And the serum? Any clues as to where it is? Or where the notes are kept?'

'Jeremy and Pippa guard their patient's notes jealously. The computer passwords are changed often. The hiding place for their current serum is a closely guarded secret. I doubt any knowledge I have will still be valid. After they found out I was with the CSC they will have changed passwords and locations again.'

'Right,' I sighed.

'I still don't agree with you doing this.'

'No. I know.'

Ross nodded and shuffling all the diagrams together and putting them on the little table next to me he stood up to leave.

'When are you planning to contact the clinic?' he asked.

'Tomorrow,' Marcy said. 'I want to give the captives their best chance of survival and if the clinic still believes they have value they will be less likely to kill them, or worse. I'll make sure it takes a day or two for the exchange to be set up. I need time to teach Grace a few more tricks to help her gain better control over her powers and Brent needs to single out a suitable person to copy.'

'Don't wait too long. They'll get suspicious and it won't help Grace's chances.'

'We won't.'

'Good luck,' he said and left.

'He's not happy,' I said when the front door closed behind him.

'He's worried. There's a lot at stake.'

'The risk the clinic might perfect the serum.'

'Yes, but I'm beginning to suspect there are personal reasons too.'

'His young relative, you mean.'

'Her too,' she said cryptically.