"Raine..why don't you try...."the ringing of her phone interrupted causing both to jump slightly.Getting up she took a deep breath.. "hello. Yes, no so far we're fine Walter.."

Sloan frowned and Raine glanced up searching her face."Is that really necessary couldn't this wait until the morning?"No I understand, I'll ask her."Sloan placed her hand over the phone, "they've taken the tapes from the camera's in Karen's building they've found something they want you to see."She was already standing crossing the room for her jacket,she turned and nodded.

"Alright Walter we're on our way to the lab.No that wont be necessary."They were all standing around a TV when they arrived Raine reached out getting a feel of the room preparing herself she sensed a intense excitement from Attwood.They looked up as they entered the office Raine searched their faces.

Ray Peterson surprisingly enough was the first one to speak."You look like you haven't had a bit of sleep how are you holding up." Startled her eyes met his her lips quirked,"I'll survive after all thats what we excel at or so I'm told."

Feeling his amusement she glanced at the humor lightning the serious look around Tom's eyes,"what is it you need me to see."Ray gestured to the VCR, and pushed play "we found this on the surveillance system when did you say you last talked to Karen."

Raine frowned,"Sunday about 1:15 maybe 1:30 latest I'm sure the phone company can confirm that if the time is important,her glance sharpening why?"Ray gestured to the monitor,"it seems your friend had another visitor that day as well and according to the tape it was around noon."

Her gaze fastened onto the set as the tape showed the elevator doors opening and a tall all to familiar face exited stunned she stared."I understand you know this man? "Reaching for the VCR she paused it, looking at the familiar set of features she knew as well as her own.

Sloan touched her shoulder,"did you know he had stopped by? Can you think of a reason he might have been there? "Raine sadly shook her head,"not a one I'm afraid."When Raine continued her voice sounded hoarse,"still this means nothing I'm afraid."Ed stared at her as if she had grown three heads,sensing his anger and confusion she explained.Taking a deep breath,"If your asking me could he have killed Karen? "Yes,theres a side to Michael thats relentless he can be completely ruthless to a threat real or implied." Would he have been stupid enough to leave a video laying around to document for one and all to see? No..."

"He's intensely private about who sees him and who doesn't lifting her head and meeting his gaze with frank honesty if Michael wanted you dead you wouldn't know what hit you and neither would those close to you until they couldn't find you."

She grimaced,"thats why I'm surprised he chose to follow me to the lab that nite." Peterson looked startled looking from face to face."So your already acquainted with this guy."

Walter grimaced,"no I can't say we were formally introduced at the time but he made a lasting impression". No shaking her head resignedly,"even our children could make a video like this and you'd swear Elvis was alive and well walking the planet once more it would be so exact so detailed,you'd have to search a week at least to find proof it was faked."

She met their gazes her eyes sincere,"your going to need more than this if your thinking of going after him."

"Do you know where we can find him? Maybe he can tell us what he was doing there," Tom asked. Straightening,her face went curiously blank and she studied Tom closely,"Don't! Don't do this.

"If I seriously thought he killed Karen or had anything to do with it I'd be on his doorstep myself leading you and the entire world there."

Turning her head and meeting Attwood's eyes,But I wont lead the government to his doorstep so they can have a new Guinea pig to play with because they were stupid enough to misplace Lewis."She felt Attwood's impatience at her words,he got her point.He now knew that she was aware that,this was what he and his Superior's had been hoping.

Ed stood running his hand thru his hair,"if you really believe that then what harm can asking him cause?"

She stepped closer letting him read her face."I know your frustrated.But starting a war with him wont help matters trust me I know and what I don't know myself others have confirmed."Whatever else he is,he wouldn't kill her that way its not his style he would have simply killed her while she was in the care of the government and then been able to safely say that he tried and Attwood's guards were to blame."

"No.. she sighed,whomever did this knows I went to you thru Karen, Karen's death was the message that they knew."

"And your mother?"Sloan asked quietly?

"My mother?My mother was the next level she knew my decision and chose to not betray me."So that was a bonus of a sort a message to others who betray the whole and to me because she chose to protect me by remaining silent."

"And this man Peterson gestured, how does he fit into this?" "I'd have to say its gotten around Michael was involved."Realistically its the only explanation for the speed of your developing the antidote. "His sending you to Yoshi,just confirmed it. I mean no offense your intelligence has never been in question its the speed of your success that was a little too miraculous."

"As for Michael if you and the authorities make life miserable for him fine it serves as a warning.And alienates him from helping again. If I believed it and went after him myself then that serves them as well he's to busy running interference with me to find out whose playing games with him."Still..she said thinking out loud why bother,I really am a small fry in the scheme of things.Killing me would have been more efficient they don't hesitate with anyone else, but.. she trailed speculatively meeting Tom's eyes.."

Attwood nodded,breaking the moment "its clever as much as I hate to admit it they covered their bases.

"Except one.."Ed ventured,they counted on you automatically thinking him guilty."Why??Wouldn't it have been a more natural assumption for you to be suspicious of humans first since Karen was taken by Walter's associate?"Under the circumstances thats a long shot on their part,wouldn't he be the last one you suspected?They betted beyond a doubt on you blaming him I don't get it"

Raine shrugged replying dryly,"no not really given our history place two strong willed people together with one of them having a tendency to be overbearing and dominating and your only asking for trouble."

"No..Tom said his look probing,"its more than that we're missing something."

She stared at him,"yes whoever it is their not finished yet they got my attention now,and they know a great deal about Michael and myself." "I suppose its possible,whomever is trying to draw out Michael." Well Ray ejected the tape,"I heard the coroner's report was going to be rushed so I'm heading down to the precinct to see what i can discover. I'll keep you posted."

Watching him leave she felt so tired suddenly,"Raine we need to talk to him its probably better sooner than later" closing her eyes she looked at Tom."Either way he needs to know whats been going on who knows maybe he's heard something we haven't or can tell us what happened."

Her mouth tightened,"he probably already knows about mother.And I wont lead anyone to his place I owe him that much." She frowned," besides he'll probably come looking for me before long."If he stays true to pattern,anyway she grimaced I'd just as soon keep Michael out of this if its at all possible."

Sloan who had been quiet thru most of the conversation suddenly spoke up" we're all tired and need some sleep theres not much more that can be done tonite."Raine nodded greatfully," I do feel tired."

The wipers removing early morning dew almost lulled her to sleep. Turning her head to look at Sloan,"you know Tom could have come I know he stays at you place.I don't need much room just something to rest my head on."At this point even a chair sounds like heaven,she sighed I feel that tired."

Sloan quickly glanced at her and then back at the light" he comes and goes as he wants he knows though if he needs a place to stay he's welcome."

"Can I ask you something,"Sloan said as they stopped at the light. "Of course I can't promise to answer,she smiled slightly but you can ask.." "OK..Raine are you scared?"Staring silently at her for a moment,"I haven't had time I'm numb to be honest."

Sloan nodded and then accelerated as the light changed sitting straighter in the the seat,she impulsively gestured toward the Interstate "get on here please.." Sloan glanced at her puzzled,but got onto the entrance ramp "where are we going?"

Looking out the window watching the cars pass,"home..we're going home."

The car sounded loud in the early morning hours as she switched off the ignition.Turning to look at Raine in the dim light she noticed the grief was visible again."Your mothers? "Yes,for awhile now someone elses I suppose."

Opening the door she looked at Sloan,"coming?Is this really a good idea?"She was silent her head tilted thinking "probably not but maybe we'll find some answers." She got out closing the door and waited until Sloan joined her then headed toward the house.

Instead of going up the front, she followed the pathway around to the side.Sloan glanced up from the path,to the the view of the ocean and a small guest house up ahead."Who lives there," she whispered. Raine stopped and a genuine smile lit her face for the first time in days,"why are you whispering we're the only ones here." "I don't know,"she laughed nervously.

They reached the door and Raine opened it,Sloan grabbed her arm "wait its unlocked." She shrugged."so far I've never needed to lock it." Come in Sloan, welcome to my home."