Chapter Twenty-Six. Hey, Maggie, you okay?" Steve called out

Hey, Maggie, you okay?" Steve called out. He looked awful, coughing and wheezing as he ran up to us.

"Yes, thanks," she said coughing as we stood.

I looked around to see the Fire Department soaking Allison's building. They moved us back to a safer distance as we stood watching the flames.

Then Allison ran over to Maggie and hugged her. "Maggie, are you all right, sweetie? Please tell me you're fine."

"I'm fine, how about you?" Maggie asked as her hands roamed over Alison's body looking for signs of injury.

I looked at them then walked away. Looking back at the burning building, I saw a fireman come out with Sarah's lifeless body. Mac and Teri were talking to Steve as I turned away once more. I heard Teri calling me and saw another ambulance with its lights flashing. A paramedic came over to me and guided me toward the ambulance.

"What the hell are you doing?" I asked pulling myself free.

"Ma'am, you're bleeding," he said and put his gloved hand on my ribs.

I looked down at the blood on my side.

Mac and Teri came running over. "What in the hell?" Teri said looking at me.

"I don't know. I feel fine," I said.

As I sat down on the back of the ambulance, the paramedic looked under my shirt.

"Well, it looks like you got nicked," he said.

"I don't feel like I've been nicked," I said. "Nicked by what?"

He gave me a worried look. "Well, I'm no expert, but I'd say by a bullet."

Mac was shocked. "Kate, get in the ambulance!"

I got in and then I felt something. Funny how you don't feel sick until someone tells you...you look sick.

Teri got in and looked at Mac, "Go tell Steve and Maggie." He kissed her and was gone.

"You two are so corny."

"Shut up," my wonderful sister said as the door of the ambulance closed and we took off.

I smiled ruefully at Teri. She smiled and patted my hand. "When we get back you have to tell me what the hell happened," she said.

"You'll never believe it."

The paramedic had opened my shirt and put a huge gauze pad on my side. "I've never been shot before." I'm sure he cares.

"First time for everything," he smiled and patted my shoulder.

The clinic...my favorite place next to the kitchen table.

Once again, the small emergency room greeted me. Doc was standing there smiling sadly. "Okay, I think I've seen about enough of you," he said and put his hand on my forehead. "Had a full day?"

I explained the ordeal as he worked on me. Several times, he stopped and stared at me in amazement. When he was done, he sat back.

"Well, either you live right, or you're the luckiest SOB I've ever met," he said, shaking his head. "It was definitely..." he started as Maggie burst into the room.

She stood there breathing heavily for a moment, then rushed over to the bedside. "You can't be left alone for a minute," she said, and grabbed my hand.

"I've been nicked," I said stupidly, enjoying the concerned look in her blue eyes.

Maggie looked at Doc, who nodded and said, "Well, she's right. I was about to say, it was definitely a bullet. It grazed your side, doesn't even need a stitch. Just keep it clean."

He smiled sadly. "I'll stop by and we can get this sorted out." He kissed Maggie and patted my shoulder. "And you, I think you're accident prone," he said and left the room.

"How do you feel?" she asked softly and put her hand on my brow.

"I'm fine. Let's get out of here." I stood and buttoned my shirt.

She tried to help but I waved her off as my wall formed brick by brick. She gave me a bewildered look and stepped back as I walked out ahead of her looking for that safe, detached loop I had misplaced a few days ago.

Amazingly, we all sat in the living room. I retold the story from beginning to frightening end as they all sat in stunned silence.

"Sarah wanted to see the new antiques I got in. We went back to my shop and that's when she started," Allison said and put her hand to her forehead. Maggie put her hand on her shoulder. "She told me that I was useless. She ranted and raved. I was petrified and didn't know what to do. Then she pulled the gun and told me to call Maggie; if I didn't, she'd kill Maggie and me. I didn't know what to do." She looked sick and I felt bad for her.

"I don't blame you, Allison; she scared the life out of me as well," I said.

"Then Sarah slapped me across the face and I blacked out. When I came to, I was in a chair and so was Maggie," Allison said and looked right at me. "Maggie said you would come, and you did. Thank you," she said, looking at her hands.

"Well, it's over. Have you gotten in touch with Nathan or Charlie?" I asked Hannah and Maggie.

"Nathan is on his away back as we speak," Hannah said. "This is going to devastate him. I can't believe Sarah did all this." She sighed. "And Charlie, I have no idea how he's going to react. He's in New York. I've already called him. I'm sure he'll be calling soon."

Maggie shook her head. "I can't believe it. Uncle Nathan is my real father. Do you think he knows?"

"My guess is he might have suspected, but I don't think so," I said.

Steve tiredly rubbed his face. "I can't believe this. I can't believe in five days you broke open and solved a twenty-year-old murder. I'm impressed."

"Well, I wish there wasn't such heartache attached." I took a deep breath and winced.

Teri frowned. "I can't believe how many times you've been tossed around this weekend."

"I know. I can't either. Good thing this isn't my full-time job anymore."

"What difference does that make?" Mac said. "Remember when you fell off that ledge, taking that picture?"

"Okay, okay. I get it," I said chuckling.

We all laughed for a moment then the laughter faded.

"I can't believe how close we came to being killed," Allison said and shivered as she grabbed Maggie's hand. I tried not to notice that.

"Kate, you saved a family. I feel like a tremendous weight has been taken off my shoulders," Hannah said as she took my hand and cried softly.

"I'm glad for both of you, Hannah."

Tears now filled my eyes and I blinked them back. I was exhausted.

"So you called Steve?" I asked both Teri and Mac.

"Exactly a half-hour after you left. We met him at the shop. We tried the front door, then Steve and I smelled the gasoline. We ran around back and the door was open."

Steve nodded. "I went down the stairs and saw someone. I thought it was Sarah, coming after you holding something over her head. I didn't know what it was but I fired," he said, staring at the table.

I reached over and touched his arm. "Steve, she was crazy, and I do mean crazy. Thank you."

"I know. I just never shot anyone before," he said sadly.

"Wyatt, thank goodness your aim is good," I said, very relieved.

Steve, who had already gotten full statements from all of us, left.

I looked at my watch: nine o'clock. I was tired and my side ached. Maggie and Allison had left the living room. Not that it mattered to me at all.

"Well, I think I might go to bed," I said tiredly.

"Where in the world is Margaret?" Hannah asked, looking around.

"She's where she should be, Hannah," I said getting up and feeling very old.

"I can't believe you did this. I can't believe you got shot," Teri said sniffling. "Dad would be so proud of you."

Mac put his arm around her and agreed. "Maybe you should try it again? Private investigating worked once."

I cringed, feeling the back of my neck. "Forget it. I can't wait to get back to the mundane, everyday life of photography. We leave tomorrow." I sighed heavily and ran my fingers through my hair.

"Go to bed. Tomorrow is another day," Teri said philosophically.

Mac and I stared at her.

"Oh, I wish I'd have said that," Mac said, disappointed. Teri slapped his shoulder playfully.

"Good night, children," I said and waved them off.

Sprawled out on the bed was my dog. I looked down at her. "Boy, you missed everything, you lazy mutt."

I went into the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. "Well, Kate, you did it. Almost got killed, but you did it."

A few minutes later, lying there in my bed, staring at the ceiling, I felt relieved. I also felt a bittersweet happiness. Sarah was the cause of all of this, true, but she was still someone's wife, someone else's mother, and now she was dead.

So many lives involved, so many people hurt. I put my hands over my face and started to cry; Christ I was emotionally drained. I lay there alone, crying like a fool.

Chance, apparently feeling my sorrow, jumped up on the bed and laid next to me, putting her head on my chest. I looked down at her.

"Well, Chance," I sniffed, "it's just you and me, mutt."

I took a deep breath and realized I had a tremendous headache to match everything else. Well, Maggie was finally over this mess. She could now finish her internship and continue her life. I was glad for that. She loved Allison I could see that. I only hoped it would be good for her.

I thought about Miranda, and smiled. Now, perhaps she could rest. Perhaps now all of them could be at peace.

It was my last thought, as I faded off to sleep.

I was half-asleep when I thought I heard my door open. Then I felt a hand on my forehead and I leapt up.

"Sorry," Maggie whispered, sitting on the edge of my bed.

"Geez, you scared the hell out of me," I whispered then got panicky. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Everything is fine, now. Go back to sleep. I was just checking in," she said softly.

I closed my eyes and sighed openly as I felt her warm hand on my brow.

"What time is it?"

"It's very early, four-thirty," she whispered as her fingers lightly caressed my forehead.

I blinked, trying to open my eyes. "In the morning? Why are you dressed?" Then I realized she had been with Allison. "Oh, never mind," I said and closed my eyes.

"Go back to sleep. I'll tell you all about it in the morning," she whispered and left the room.

I woke up tired and achy. Mac and Teri were in the kitchen with Hannah, who was, of course, cooking. I smelled bacon and coffee and was ravenous. Hannah greeted me when I walked into the kitchen.

"Well sleepy head. How do you feel?" She kissed my cheek.

"Fine, thanks." I looked at the clock, nine-thirty. Christ, I slept for almost eleven hours.

"You still looked pooped," Mac said affectionately and Teri concurred.

I sat down and Hannah put a cup of coffee in front of me and patted my shoulder.

"Thanks, Hannah," I said quietly. I'm going to miss her.

Maggie came into the kitchen. She looked rested but still had tiny circles under her eyes.

"Good morning," she said smiling and kissed Hannah on the cheek. She poured herself a cup of coffee and asked if anyone needed a refill, then sat down next to Mac. He nudged her playfully.

"How're ya feeling?"

"Actually, I feel pretty good." She looked at me. "How do you feel this morning?"

"Fine, I slept like a rock."

"You still look exhausted," she said, frowning.

"Well, I guess I need a north woods fix. A month of solitude at my cabin should do me just fine," I said a little coolly. Maggie stopped drinking her coffee and looked at me.

"Oh, please, you spend too much time up there alone as it is," Teri said.

"It's where I belong," I said, drinking my coffee.

"Well, Maggie, have you talked to your uncle?" Mac asked, and realized what he said.

Maggie patted his arm. "It's okay. This will take some getting used to. I'm not sure I can call him Father yet, but yes, I talked to him. Charlie flew in as soon as he got Aunt Hannah's call. He and I talked about with Doc and Aunt Hannah. Poor Uncle Nathan was as devastated as Charlie. God, he's my brother. Now that will take some getting used to," she said sarcastically and laughed. "It was sad to see them so brokenhearted, but is does make sense now...how I've always felt closer to Uncle Nathan than to my father."

I got up to get the coffeepot, Maggie offered to get it and I waved off her help.

"I can get it," I said. She gave me a troubled look and didn't argue. I came back to the table and poured myself a cup.

Maggie continued. "Uncle Nathan was shocked as I was. He suspected I was his daughter, but when Mother never admitted it, he never questioned her again, out of respect for her. He loved her. He knew Aunt Sarah was sick, but never expected anything like this. We stayed up till four talking about it all."

As I poured Mac a cup of coffee, I looked at her. "Is that where you were all night?" I asked.

I missed Mac's cup entirely and poured the coffee all over the table.

"Jesus, Katie!" Mac yelped and jumped up, wiping his pants.

"Christ, Mac. I'm so sorry," I said, putting the pot down and handing him a napkin. He left the kitchen, mumbling to himself.

"Yes. Where did you think I was?" she asked, apparently confused.

I turned a little red. "I thought perhaps you were with..." I couldn't finish my statement.

She gave me a shocked look. "You thought I was with Allison?"

Hannah and Teri bumped into each other trying to hurry out of the kitchen. I watched their bumbling retreat.

"Well, it's not that far fetched," I said in an irritated tone and not knowing why.

"Kate," she started. "I can't believe how much you've done. I will never be able to repay you."

Repay me, so that's what she feels.

"Look, you owe me nothing. I will not have you feeling obligated to me," I said as I tripped over my pride.

"Obligated? What in the...?" she started and stopped. "Christ you're infuriating."

"Me?" I said and leaned forward. "Me?" I repeated.

"Yes, you!" She stormed out of the kitchen.

I'd had it. I struggled trying to get out the chair while holding my side. Christ what an ordeal.

I followed her into the living room. Mac, Teri and Hannah were sitting by the fire. They all turned to us when we made our noisy entrance. I grabbed Maggie's arm and turned her around.

"Talk about infuriating. You go running off again with that woman, right in the midst of all this, and you call me infuriating? You're lucky Hannah was listening on the extension, or you'd be dead right now. You stubborn, little..." I raised my voice. "If I had half a brain, I would have yanked you right out of that car!"

"Why didn't you?" she asked. "And keep your voice down!" she said just as loud.

"Why shouldn't everyone hear me? Arguing is what you and I seem to do best," I said angrily then stopped. "Why didn't I what?" I asked stupidly.

She took a deep breath. "Why didn't you stop me?" she asked and looked right at me. Then she turned and went out onto the deck.

I stood there gaping at her.

Hannah got up, walked past me, came back with our jackets and helped me into mine before handing me the other.

"Good heavens, get this straightened out," she ordered affectionately as she pushed me toward the door.

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