I laid in bed reading, mine and Emily's shared copy of Mason Tredwells book on our father. We had this book for years and over time the two of us had become numb to the bible of lies that his man had created.

"Good book?" Daniel wondered returning home. He came over and leant down to kiss me.

"Interesting." I comment and he goes to removes his jacket "Another late night at the Empire?"

"I share a last name with the CEO. You'd think I'd have less to prove, not more." he replied as I put the open book down.

"I'm sure your Dad is happy that your taking it seriously."

"I hope so. I've decided to put business school on hold and stay with the company." he told me and i raised an eyebrow.

"Big news."

"Yeah."

"Good news?" I wonder whether it was really his decision or whether he'd been talked into thinking it was a good idea.

"I'm sorry it's my mother. She's been pretty rattled about what happened with Tyler. And she's all alone up at the house and was hoping maybe I'd move back in there for the summer." he raised it with me.

"It's not like we wouldn't see each other, though I would miss you." I reply

"Do you think I should do it?" He asks me and I look down and up again.

"I think that she is your mother." I answer and he kissed me again.

"When the seasons over, I was thinking, maybe you and I could get a place in the city. I mean we've already kind of being living together." I hummed in agreement

"Which is amazing. But I never imagined getting a place until I was married, even this...this is a big thing for me. My parents were really traditional.To be honest with you it only really works because it's not just the two of us. Emily and I have really held onto those traditions, cause it feels like we're keeping them with us in a small way. " he takes my hand

"Yeah, I get it." he kisses my hand

"Please don't mistake my beliefs or traditions for me not loving you cause I do and I want to be with you just in the right way." I kiss his head and get up taking the book with me then head into Emily's room.

"Here, I'm bored of this already." I threw the book on her bed "I could recite it word for word and still want to practice darts with it." she picked it up.

"Did I hear Daniel come in?" she wonders

"Yeah, I will tell you later. It's something. So when are we meeting Nolan to go to this appearance with the mater of bullshit?" I question leaning against her drawers

"Around 11. So we're leaving at half past." she opens up the book

"It still amazes me that you can read it from cover to cover and not want to burn it in effigy. But okay." I left and returned to my room.

-------

The next morning Nolan, Emily and I stood in the back of Mason Tredwell talking about the book on our father. I literally wanted to stick pins in a voodoo doll.

"Of course, one doesn't often consider the role of inspiration in the work of non fiction writing, in my admittedly bias opinion that is an oversight. It is very much a factor of my work. Only it comes from without not from within from the debits perpetrated by the worst among us...." he rambled on.

"Lord, shoot me now." I rubbed my eye sighing

"What a tool." Nolan commented

"Exactly." Emily and I agreed. The talked finished and Mason greeted Victoria. I turn to my sister.

"Why are you dragging me up there? Do you want me to start a fight?" I huff

"Stop complaining, let's go." she took my arm and we walked over to the two.

"Victoria." Emily stated and the broke apart turning to us "We didn't know you knew Mason Tredwell."

"We're thick as thieves. And who might you be?" he asked

"Mason this is Olivia and Emily Thorne." Victoria introduced us

"We own the house that David Clarke was arrested in." I added to the conversation

"You don't say."

"It's an incredible story. Really amazing book, impeccably researched. Would you mind?" Ems complimented, then she offered our copy of the book.

"Sure. Thank you." he took it and opened it up "You know if you aren't already on the list, Victoria kindly offered her home for a reading of my unpublished memoirs. You should drop in." he offered

"We would love too." we smiled

"May I introduce you to our friend Nolan Ross?" I broke away from Emily and looked over to him. There was no way in hell he was getting off scott free. I waved him over and he joined us standing in between Emily and myself.

"A friend that needs no introduction. WIRED magazines man of the decade, number seven on Forbes youngest billionaires." he listed of Nolan's resume

"Well six actually, but who's counting?" Nolan chuckled and Emily was handed the book back.

"Nolan, what brings you here?" Victoria wondered

"After recent events. It occurred to me that I could die at anytime." He glanced at us and I wrapped my arm around him. Nolan returned the gesture.

"Yes, I heard that little divert Tyler left you bound and gagged." Victoria replied and I could see the wheels turning in Masons mind at the possibility of another story, he was practically making himself giddy.

"It'd be a shame if I left this mortal coil without knowing the real me." Nolan seamlessly threw out the bait.

"Sounds like your looking for a biographer." And the bait was snapped up, Mason wanted this job.

"Not just any biographer." Nolan sang.

"Why don't you stop by the cottage and we'll discuss the possibilities?" Mason handed him a card and Nolan took it.

"Charming. Quite a turnout." Nolan guided me away and Emily followed on behind. We went to our respective cars.

"Did you see his face, his was chomping at the bit." I chuckle sliding into my car. Nolan joined me and Emily got into her own car.

"Hanging off every word." Nolan added and I slipped on my sun glasses as did he. I started up the car and pulled out but up beside Emily.

"Ems, see you back at the house 'kay?" I call over to her

"Drive safe." she replied and I sped off down the road. I returned Nolan back to his place and he turned to me.

"So what do you have planned for Mason Tredwell?" he wonders

"Oh, Nolan. You should know by now that a lady never kiss and tells. Beside I know how much you find it fun when we surprise you. Don't be such a party pooper." I retort with a laugh

"Well, when you put it like that." he shrugs getting out of the car "Laters, princess." I watched him go inside and then back up out of the driveway, returning to the beach house. Emily was reading Dad's diaries. I took it from her and sat next to her.

"Do you mind?" she huffs

"Not at all." I mumble reading his words

"By the time the trial ended every person I once trusted had turned their back on me. The only option was to find an impartial observer to tell my story. I thought Mason Treadwell would be that person." I read as Emily looked at Treadwell's interviews with our father, talking about the conspiracy that Treadwell had released.

"Fascinating footage. Clarke seems to be utterly convinced he's telling the truth" The interviewer Fred Charles commented sitting across from Mason.

"In his twisted mind he is. The general consensus within the psychiatric community is advance pathological narcissism." Mason replied

"Horse crap." I scoff

"Then no element of his story has been borne out of facts?" Fred Andrews asks

"Not a shred." I rolled my eyes  and put the diary back in the box then looked over our copy of Tredwells book. Emily took it from me and marked him with an X.

"Bit presumptive, but okay." I say glancing at her.

---------

Nolan, Ems and I were receiving a tour around Mason Treadwells cottage. As we was giving the tour, I took in everything, my mind was like a computer and I was receiving data.

"This cottage belonged to Hemingway for a time. He wrote The Dangerous summer here. It seems that celebrity haunts both our homes." he glances back at us

"And this is, as they say where the magic happens. All my tomes begin here, on a 1920s Underwood 5, once owned by John Cheever himself , I'm told." I glance at Nolan, he was a pac rat and old school, limited technology and limited hacking game for Nolan.

"And on those rare occasions that I can't come up with a word I simply just get out of my chair and go look it up." he chuckled

"Quite the collection." Nolan mused.

"Quite the collection. All first editions?" I ask looking over his books. He was a weasel but he did have good taste in books.

"I pride myself on rare items. To wit, my sole working print of my memoirs." he picked up the stack of papers.

"No copy?" Emily wondered as I joined them.

"No, not until the work is complete." I share a smirk with my sister " I find that duplication somehow compromises the soul of the prose." Nolan knocks my shoulder making me look back at him.

"Yeah." he gives a slight scoff and I try to hide my amusement.

"Oh, my subject recordings." My ears peek up at that and turn, my sister is walking over to a cabinet full of tapes. "You noted my research that went into Society, well there it all is. Hundreds of hours of one on one interviews with key players." Nolan and I joined my sister

"As a fan you might be interested to know that I will be re interviewing one of Davids Clarke's daughters for my memoirs." he was keen to tell us

"Amanda Clarke. How fascinating." I comment

"Yes, though sadly only one of the infamous daughters remains, The youngest Tessa Clarke died tragically five years ago." he added

---------

Emily drove us to the Stowaway and entered to a packed bar and Amanda being Amanda standing onto of the bar pouring shots into customers mouths.

"Amanda's fun isn't she." Emily commented to Jack up was collecting glasses. He hums "Crowd seems happy."

"Any happier, the city might have to shut us down." he retorts and speaking of, Amanda joins us.

"We just killed the Pilsner." Amanda told him

"Okay just give me a second." Jack motions to us and it gets a little awkward.

"I'm sorry. Can I get your three a table or maybe a room." she retorts

"Actually, we came to talk to you Amanda. Can you spare a sec, please?" I request of her

"I'll go switch out that keg." Jack leaves with us.

"Level with me, is there something going on between you and Jack?" Amanda asks Emily

"What? No. Jack and I are just friends. You know that." Emily answers

"I'm not sure he believes that." Amanda looks back to where he went.

"Emily who? Are you kidding, he's head over heels for you. No offence." I add that to my sister. We both know the last thing we needed is Amanda thinking she has a rival and Emily verging off track. Though she can fend for herself.

"It's alright. All he talks about is how happy you make him." Emily adds and Amanda takes it.

"So what did you want to talk about?" she wonders

"Outside?"

"Sure I could use some fresh air and another drink." she held up the bottle she had and grabbed some glasses as we left. The two of us sat outside drinking and laughing.

"No I'm good but you go ahead." Emily denied another drink.

"Come on. What happened to the girls that used to stockpile pudding cups so they could bribe Sergeant Crankles for a bottle of tequila." Amanda joked

"That was all Olivia." Emily pointed at me

"Hey!" I exclaim "You're my partner, don't put it all on me. And we're still here only with a little poshness now." I laugh. Amanda slides my drink over.

"Really? To the girls of cell block D." we drink and I slam my glass on the table.

"How come you didn't tell us Mason Treadwell tracked you down and tried to sweet talk you into a interview?" Emily asks her

"That's not exactly what happened, but so what? You trusted me to be you for 10 years. What's so different about this guy?" Amanda questioned toying with her lighter.

"Treadwell's a bottom feeder, who made millions of of lies he wrote about our father." I told her turning somber.

"What are you talking about. I thought your father was a cold blooded killer." she was confused

"So did we, because of what was written in that book." Emily continued

"Are you telling me your father wasn't guilty?"

"We're telling you there's more to the story. But we can't prove it without your help." I approach, she places down her lighter.

"What do you need me to do?" she asks and Em turns to me then Amanda

"Wear a earpiece, then pick a sister to have speaking. You're gonna be both Amanda and Tessa tomorrow." she nodded

"You do it." Amanda pointed at me and Emily shrugged

"Okay then."

------------

I forgot who's idea this was for Daniel, Emily Myself and Nolan to all go to the shooting range. Nolan had his turn and oh I...I am wincing at his attempt.

"Did I mention I've never done this before?" he asks loudly

"Well, it helps if you keep at least one eye open." Daniel replies "Why did you bring him again? He's dangerous?" he asked me as Em stayed with him.

"He was pretty traumatised after the whole Tyler thing. Being held hostage in his own home." Daniel readied himself "Ems and I thought this would make him feel safe again." Daniel started shooting at the target.

"Somebody loves their second amendment." Nolan commented

"Dad and I used to spend a lot of time here when I was younger." Daniel answered as Emily and I took our places.

"Good times." Nolan retorted

"Beat that." Daniel challenged. I glance at my sister. Then fired, it wasn't as good as Daniels. Then went Emily doing the same.

"Best of three?" I ask

"I can't, baby. My Dad set up a meeting with a prospective investor." I removed my ear defenders "Wanna come by after?"

"I can't. I already have something planned with Ems." I replied

"Okay. Well. I'll see you when I see you."

"okay" we kissed and he left with Nolan saying good bye.

"Wow. First your evicting the guy and now your blowing him off." Nolan comments to me

"You know what they say. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Besides it wasn't a lie, we do have plans. All three of us." I smile

"Really?" Nolan asks

"Mason's interviewing Amanda and I want to make sure we control the story." Emily fills him in.

"Control plus Amanda equals a recipe for disaster. Why do you want to involve her. I thought this retribution had to do with what Treadwell wrote about your father. Clearly there's more to the story. Inquiring minds want to know." he inquired

"Tredwell started out as a reporter covering the downing of flight 197 only he didn't go my Mason, his name was Leo Treadwell." I thought back to when we first met him. "He was nice, for the first time since our separation, the two of us were together and we had someone who believed us that weren't each other. He promised to help us."

"But the book he published might as well have been written by the Graysons. All the same lies. What's worse is he made us believe them." Emily continued

"So how do you make the punishment make it fit this particular crime?" Nolan questioendas I reloaded the gun and put on me ear defenders. I didn't answer I started shooting again but this time I hit dead centre in the head and in the heart.

-------------

I sat in Nolan's office with him and Emily. Amanda had gone into Treadwells cottage. There was small talk for a little while.

"Amanda, you'll only hear me when you need to, the rest is your 10 years experience. If I'm going to give you and answer you'll hear two taps, You need help rub your ear piece." I told her. Then Mason got down to the interview.

"Do you mind if I record this?" Mason asked

"No." Amanda answered

"I see you still use the last name Clarke. Why didn't you change your last name?" Mason questioned.

"I didn't see much point in hiding who I was." Amanda answered

"You didn't mind being the daughter of a man who financed terrorism?" Tredwell continued

"In someways it helped me. Showed me who my true friends were." I glance at my sister, well she wasn't wrong in that respect.

"And now here you are back at the scene of the crime, nearly two decades later. I would think that memories are quite painful."

"He's trying to goad her already." Em commented and I gave two taps

"He's goading. Now repeat after me." I tell her "Some. But I've come back on my own terms. I won't let the past have power over me. Not anymore." she repeated verbatim

"Well, still, some people perceive you as a victim of a scandal, one who might be carrying a grudge."

"I'm just trying to be good person and live a good life." I told her and she repeated

"Lately, I even started thinking putting down roots. I may even start a family, it's something I've missed since the death of my sister." Amanda went of script and I shook my head at their looks

"Look out Captain jack. This little birdies in search of a nest. This is what you get for letting her add a little flare." Nolan commented making me scowl at him. The turn my attention back

"Easy, A. Keep focused." I tell her "Okay now it's our turn to ask the questions. You brought me and my sister back together after our fathers trail, you told me to trust you and we did. I told you the truth. That I had seen my father and Victoria Grayson together, romantically. That there was another man there on that porch." I recollected our first meeting.

"She's good." Nolan compliments.

"You were a child. Your mental state was in question. I couldn't possibly take your word for it." Mason retorts

"No, you chose to take hers. But what about your word Leo? The one you vowed to Tessa, you took her shaking hand a promised that you would help, bring her family back together." I stated into the microphone. Emily wrapped her arm around me. "You didn't print a word of what either of us confided in you."

"All stories have completing truths. I simply settled on the most logical." Mason tried to deflect.

"And you were paid handsomely for that endorsement, I'm sure." I retort through Amanda

"Amanda, you're confused. You don't have all the facts."

"Amanda." i look at my sister "If your comfortable put down the picture of Tessa." there was a shuffle and a light slam

"Here are the facts, you and I both know you're a fraud. But she didn't, she believed the words you printed and now she's gone. One way or another the truth will come out." Amanda seethed

"Now get in his face, with the picture." I told her "Your reading at victoria's is your last chance to redeem yourself. For your soul, don't let the lies tarnish my sisters memory let her rest in peace." Amanda did as I asked

"Now, go Amanda." there was a rustle and she left

"Check you out, Cyrano. You've just teed Leo up to blow the lid of the whole conspiracy." Nolan stated

"It would seem that way wouldn't it?" Emily replied I put my finger to my lips

"Amanda, you did great, thank you for doing this. It means a lot." I told her

"Anything for you guys, you know that. Peace out." the feed went dead and I took of the headset.

---------------------------\

The three of us enter for the reading at Grayson Manor. I look around but there was no Mason.

"I don't see the guest of honour, do you?" Emily asked

"Maybe he accidentally strangled himself with an ascot." Nolan jested and I shook my head at him

"I would say your incorrigible. But I'd be a hypocrite." I chuckle back, Ashley comes over to us.

"Olivia, walk with me?" she asks

"Sure." I leave my sister and friend to walk with Ashley "Is everything okay? Mason didn't cancel on you did he?" I question

"No, he's just late. This is about Daniel." she answered "Did he tell you how Conrad altered the terms of his trust?" she asked me and we stopped

"No. Why would he discuss that with me. More interesting is why he would discuss that with you?" I answer back confused

"My ears just happened to be in the right place at the right time. The amendment makes it so the only way Daniel can fully access his trust before he turns 30 is to get married." she told me within that moment I knew this wasn't her just trying to be a good friend.

"Why are you telling me this?" I inquire

"Because you are my friend. If I were you, I would want to know whether or not my boyfriends motives were pure before he became my fiancee." She smiled fakery then walked away. I returned but Emily wasn't with Nolan.

"Where's Ems?" I wonder

"Treadwells here, she's spying of course. What was that about?" he questioned

"Do you ever get the feeling, that despite controlling a game, you're getting played?" I glance back to Where Ashly was with other guests. "Clearly, they underestimate me."

About half an hour later the reading began. The three of us watched like a hawk from admit the crowd.

"It was nearly 15 years to the day since the publication of my first book, the definitive work on David Clarkes role in the downing of flight 197 that I found myself sitting across from the only surviving daughter of that now infamous man." he began "I sat both rapt with wonder besieged by guilt as Amanda the crushing disappointments spent running from the awesome shadow of her fathers misdeeds.

"At the time of their fathers incarceration Amanda was just nine and Tessa, seven. Barely able to comprehend much less question the charges levelled against their father." I took a hold of Emily's hand and squeezed it "In that time both David and Tessa Clarke have died and there sat Amanda who was all grown up and determined to question everything. Her misgivings were contagious and forced me to take a long look back, to sift through every word I had written in search of any mistakes that could have demanded correction. Could it be true? Could I have been wrong about David Clarke?" he questioned himself then removed his glasses.

"The answer I'm afraid to say was a resounding....no." I closed my eyes and my sisters grip tightened. I felt a small sense of defeat. Up till now we had taken down those involved. But Mason didn't have a hand in the initial cover up. He hadn't been a key player in separating us. His only saving grace that gave him a chance in the first place was that he brought us back together. Ems and I hadn't been apart since. His refusal to bring the truth to light, was hardly a defeat, but rather obvious.

-----------

Back home, Emily was making tea, Nolan was pacing and I was twirling a knife on the chopping board.

"Spineless, seer sucking dilettante. You know I haven't been this disappointed since Phantom Menace." Nolan ranted

"Hey don't disrespect the men that is Samuel L Jackson, Or Ewan McGregor." I pointed at him and scowled.

"You didn't actually think he'd come clean, did you?" Emily retorted sliding over my cup and then giving Nolan his. I lowered the knife and joined them.

"Didn't you?" Nolan asked us.

"No. Victoria has too much power over him." I scoffed blowing on the hot liquid then taking a sip.

"Then why go to the trouble of having Amanda threaten him?" Nolan wondered

"We have our reasons." Emily replied and that intrigued Nolan even more

"Spill."

"Nolan, just take him to dinner, tell him you want to hire him to write your biography and take him somewhere out of the way. We're...." I glance at my sister for a moment "gonna need some time."

"Time for what?"

"You'll know it when you see it." Emily says

----------

That night, we watch Nolan pick up Mason and drive off for the evening. I turn to my sister.

"I cannot believe you agreed to this. I for sure thought you were going to shoot me down." I shook my head

"Well, it was a crazy idea till it wasn't. Let's go." We looked around to make sure the coast was clear then made our way over to his front door.

"You got this?" Em questioned

"You doubt me? Don't forget I taught you how to pick locks not the other way around big sis." I took out my lock picking tools and slid them into the lock, my hands shifted slightly and I listened till I heard the resounding click, then opened the door beaming up at Emily.

"Show off." she grumbled and went inside first. We switched on our torches and looked around "The tapes." she pointed to them and I hummed and found a trophy plaque. I shrugged and threw it at the glass smashing it.

"Seriously?" Emily reprimanded

"What? Like anyones going to notice. Relax. now come on." The two of us took the tapes and put it into our bags. I then went and grabbed one of Masons cigarettes. "Lighter." I call and Emily threw Amanda's lighter

"You know we can't unring the bell if either of us changes or mind." I tell her

"Now your having second thoughts?" she asks

"About Treadwell, hello no. Amanda though...." I trail off but light up the cigarette anyway. I blow on it to fan it more and it begins to burn down. I dripped borsht lighter and cigarette onto the unfinished and only copy of Masons memoirs. I watch it burn.

"So cool." I breathe in amazement

"Let's go." Emily takes my hand

"But..." she pulls me out of the house as the fire takes hold burning down Treadwells livelihood. Finally we stop and turn back and we watch it become full engulfed in flames. "Wow, pretty." I tilt my head with a wondrous smile.

"Home time, little sis." she eventually pulled me away.

--------

I was in the mood for risqué Liv tonight, which is why I knocked on the door of the pool house. Daniel answered and I stepped inside.

"hey." i smile

"Hey."

"I was trying to go to sleep and my bed felt weirdly cold and empty." I undid my coat to reveal me in my lingerie.

"I feel the same way." we kissed as he opened my coat further.

"Just so you know. I'm still firm on the whole no living together thing." I reinforced pulling away a little bit.

"So You're Just Coming To Hook Up And Leave?"

"problem?" I inquired

"No, not one." he answered making me laugh and return to kissing him.

-

The next morning I returned home before my sister woke up, showered and changed. Then made breakfast. I had set up everything so we could watch the tapes. She eventually came down and we had breakfast together before moving to where I had emptied out the tapes. She picked one up and put it into the player. I pressed play.

"I'm telling you Victoria and I were in love. She was going to leave Conrad and we were going to become a family." Dad told Mason.

"Victoria's denying all of it." Mason replied

"Okay, they must have gotten to her somehow." Dad theorised trying to make sense of it.

"It doesn't mean anything without proof ."

"What about the letter she wrote me?" Dad asked, grasping at something to make everything make sense and prove true.

"It was unsigned. It could have been sent by anybody." I watched as a look of contemplation crossed his face.

"Six months ago, Victoria gave birth to a baby girl. Her name is Charlotte. You want proof I'm telling the truth? Ask her who the father is." His words felt like a knife to the gut