Discovered Identity 

"What? What do you mean dead?

"I mean no longer living, not breathing, not moving, not-"

"I know what being dead means! But how is she here in Newtown?"

"Gina Amilo died when she was sixteen, she was hit by a car."

"So who is this imposter?"

"Her name is Rachel Kas. She's about the same age as Gina; they both lost their parents; they were both in the same foster home; only that, Rachel ran away when she was sixteen, a few months after Gina died."

"I knew it! She's a fake and a criminal!"

"I don't know that; so far, there's no evidence she's committed any crime."

"She must have. Why else would she change her identity?"

"I'll find out."

"Do you know if this Rachel Kas was married?" 

"Not while in Littletown."

"So where did she run to? She's only been in Newtown for a couple of years. Where, and what was she doing all this while?"

"I'll find that out too."

"Hurry up. I can't wait to spread the news."

"I'll call you when I have something. Till then, do not call me."

He hung up. Franca leaned back in her chair, feeling excited.

Yes, I knew the snake was up to no good. Wait till I tell KK.

She dialed Kingsley's number, then paused.

There may be more sordid facts about her. I better wait till the PI finds out more, then I'll tell KK.

Very, very soon, Kingsley would be hers.

Rachel couldn't remember when she'd been this happy. Kingsley had spoiled her all afternoon. First the cinema, then the beach. She had forgotten all about Richie's threat or any other worries. She felt happy and safe. By the time the happy couple had come home, dinner was ready. They were surprised to see Jean at the dining table, sitting across from a fuming Mabel.

"Kingsley, sweetheart, you and your lovely wife, come sit near me," Jean invited

"Aunt Jean, I didn't expect you'd still be here," Kingsley said, taking a seat beside her. Rachel sat next to Mabel. She didn't like Jean and didn't know why. 

"Your mom and dad invited me to." Jean giggled.

"Or rather, she invited herself," Mabel snapped.

"I have a job interview coming up next week; after that, I'll be on my way." Jean explained.

Lucy came in. "Aunt Jean! She exclaimed. "Is that you?"

"Lucy, sweetheart," Jean said, rising to hug her. "You're all grown up, and looking so beautiful."

"Thanks," She said awkwardly. "Nice to see you too. How's Paul?

"He's great, and you? How's school?"

"Fine, what are you doing here?"

"Visiting; I'll be staying a few days."

Lucy glanced at her mom. Like Kingsley, she knew her mom hated her half-sister, and was surprised to hear she'd let her stay a minute, let alone a few days.

Jean sat down, and pulled Lucy to the chair beside her. Mabel glowered at them.

"Aunt Jean has a job interview coming up next week; she'll be here until then." Kingsley told Lucy.

"Gina, dear, tell me more about yourself," Jean teased.

"There's not much to tell. She's nothing, and nobody." Lucy responded disdainfully.

"Lucy!" Kingsley snapped at her.

"Why? Aunt Jean needs to know the truth. You all can pretend to like her; I won't!"

"That's enough! Both of you stop!" Mabel ordered. "No talking at the dining table; that includes you." she said, glaring at Jean.

Jean rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say, It's your house, your rules. Gina and I will talk later."

"Where's dad?" Kingsley asked after an uncomfortable silence.

"In his office, I don't know what's keeping him," his mom replied.

James Mitchell walked in; he looked troubled.

"Honey, you're late. I was on my way to check on you," Mabel told him.

"Anything the matter, dad?" Kingsley asked.

"No, I'm OK; I just had a few things to do," he said, sitting down.

After an uneasy dinner, Kingsley and Rachel excused themselves, and went upstairs, leaving the rest of the family in the living room.

"Sorry about Lucy's horrible behavior," Kingsley apologized on their way up. "Don't let it ruin your evening."

Rachel smiled. "I'm used to her. Besides, nothing can go wrong when you are here. I love you."

"I love you too, babe." 

They kissed at the head of the stairs and made for their bedroom.

"KK," 

They turned to see his dad walking towards them.

"I need to speak with you in my office, please."

"Sure dad. I'll be right back, babe," he told Rachel, and he followed his dad into his office.

Rachel quickly took a shower, then changed into a nightdress and waited anxiously for Kingsley. 

Finally, everything is going my way.

Then she remembered Richie, and her smile faded.

No! I'm not going to let anything or anyone ruin this night.

Minutes passed, then an hour. Just when she was getting really anxious, Kingsley entered.

"Sorry, babe, I stayed longer than I thought; you look sweet," he said, coming to kiss her.

"What happened? Hope there is no problem."

"No, at least I hope not," he said, kissing her neck. "Dad's just worried about a financial irregularity he noticed."

She froze. "What financial irregularity?"

"A transfer was made from his computer that he doesn't remember making, but he must have, because no one else has access to his computer password."

"Does he know when it happened?" She asked, panic rising.

"A couple of days ago, I think. Don't worry, it's probably nothing."

We'll go after their finances.

Richie's words. He'd been in the house a few days ago. Did he have something to do with it?

"I'll go take a shower, then we'll get some sleep," he said, getting up and beginning to undress. "I enjoyed our outing today. Let's do it again."

Rachel smiled weakly, and nodded. Despite her earlier resolve, her evening had been ruined.

"Job well done," Richie commented, looking at the two bags Calisa had delivered to him. "You did well, Calisa."

Calisa was silent. The hatred in her eyes spoke instead.

"Now get going. Gina will be here soon.

She turned and headed for the door

"One more thing," Richie said.

She stopped but didn't turn around.

"Gina will be carrying out some important assignments," he continued. "She may be reluctant to do so, and may want your advice; if she asks for it, make sure you convince her to do as she's told, Okay?"

Calisa spun around and faced him, her eyes blazing. "If you think you can make me force Gina to do anything wrong, think again! I won't do it. I don't care what you do. Leave her out of your shady business!"

"Save the drama. I'm not making her do anything wrong. I'd never do that to her. This is to help her."

"How?"

"None of your business. Now get going."

She left, slamming the door behind her. Richie examined the bags again, and then he put the content into separate boxes. There was a knock on the door.

"Come in, Ray; door's open."

Rachel came in, and her face was red with anger.

"What have you done, Richie?" She demanded. "Don't even think about denying it! I know it was you!"

"And what are you accusing me of now?" He asked calmly.

"You know damn well what I'm accusing you of! You sneaked into my house last week after sending me out on a wild goose chase. You tampered with my father-in-law's computer. What did you do to it?"

"I honestly don't know what you are talking about."

"Liar! You were there; I know you were; don't try to deny it!"

"You're being ridiculous. How did I get in without a key? You told me how impenetrable your door was, remember?"

She hesitated. She didn't want to talk about the door in the garage that led to the house, but from Richie's jeering grin, she knew he'd already discovered it. 

"But how?"

"I don't know how you got in," she said reluctantly," but you did. You said you'd go after Mitchell's finances, and now some money is missing from James' account. I know you have something to do with it."

"Well, I didn't. I said I'd go after their finances, but I haven't yet. Now relax. I asked you here because I have something you need to help me with."

"I've told you before, I won't help you hurt Kins—"

"This won't hurt anyone," he snapped. "It's to help you, and me too." He handed her the two small boxes.

"What are these?" She asked, making no attempts to take them.

"Take it."

"What is it? Tell me first."

He sighed. "It's a listening device. I want you to plant one in Lucy's car and the other in her bedroom. Place them where they can't easily be seen."

"Do you think I'm stupid? Listening device indeed! What are you up to? Tell me what this is!"

"I've told you already! It's a listening device."

"This big?"

"Yes. I didn't have money for those fancy little ones."

"Why didn't you plant it when you came to the house days ago?"

"Because I didn't come to your house. Remember, I don't have to ask. I'm only being nice. Now take it.

She took the boxes reluctantly. Knowing he was lying.

"Remember, you are to hide them where they can't be seen. One in her car, the other in her bedroom. Once you've done it, call me."

"Why?"

"So I can activate them and start listening in."

"Why Lucy?"

"I could start with Kingsley; would that be better?"

She looked at them, feeling very uneasy.

"If I find out this is some trick to hurt Mitchell's—"

"Its not. If anything, it's going to help you."

"How?"

"I can listen to any plot against you. You told me she hated you, remember?"

She knew he had her back and would never hurt her, but she still didn't believe him. But she had no choice in the matter. She put them in her bag, and made for the door.

"Don't open them," he warned."When you've planted them, let me know.

She left without a word and drove home.

The house was quiet when she walked in. She headed for her bedroom. Passing the guest room, she heard Jean on the phone with someone. She paused to listen.

"Yes, honey, mommy will be back very soon. I know you want to give dad a gift, but...

It was her son. Rachel entered her room and collapsed on her bed.

Richie is up to something sinister, of which I'm sure, but what?

She brought out the packages. She'd been told not to open them, but she would try. They were tightly sealed. She gave up and decided to hide them until she decided what to do. She changed into casuals, then put the boxes in her wardrobe.

But what if KK finds them?

She decided to hide them in the garage. She put them in a small bag she found in her drawer, then headed downstairs.

Mabel came through the front door as she reached the last step.

"Where is Jean?" She asked Rachel quietly.

"In her bedroom."

"What's that?" She was eyeing the bag. Rachel's heart hammered.

"Some birdseed I bought to feed the birds in the garden," she said, trying to keep the panic from her voice. She made for the door.

"I need to talk to you," Mabel said.

"Give me a minute."

"Now please. It's urgent." She walked into the living room. Reluctantly, Rachel followed her.

They sat down on the sofa.

"You probably know by now that I'm not fond of Jean," Mabel began. "And there's a reason for it. She's toxic and troublesome. She'll do anything to cause me problems. I just want you to promise not to tell her anything she can use against me."

"You don't need to ask. I've already promised not to tell your secret to anyone. We had a deal. You've kept your end. I'll do the same."

Mabel nodded. "I just want to make sure I know where I stand."

Rachel stood up and headed for the garage. She hid the bag among some junk in the garage and went to sit in the garden to think. She found being around the flowers and water fountain soothing.

"Why are you looking so serious, dear?" Jean asked, startling her.

"Nothing. I'm just enjoying the garden," she stammered.

"I love the garden too," Jean said, sitting besides her.

Rachel tensed. She didn't like Jean and didn't know why. Despite Jean's at

tempts to befriend her, she was uncomfortable around her, sensing she wasn't as sweet as she pretended to be.

"You don't like me, do you, Gina?" 

Rachel flinched.

Is my dislike so obvious? She thought.

"I do," she protested. "Why shouldn't I?"

Jean smiled cynically. "You don't. From the first day we met, I noticed your dislike of me. I don't know why, but we can be of help to each other you know?"

Rachel stiffened. "What do you mean?"

"I can help you be the mistress of this house, while you help me—"

"Help you do what?" Rachel cut in, confused.

Jean's smile faded. "Deal with Mabel Mitchell." She said coldly.