Felicia was a lot of things and efficient was on the top of the list.

"Yes, sir. It's been handled. Those two reporters won't be a problem in the future. The online magazine is small and can't afford the lawsuit. As for Mr. Carter...you were right. He seems a bit different around her. I'm not sure how you want me to proceed."

Felicia waited for Dalton Carter to answer before nodding. "Understood."

She disconnected the phone just as another call came in. "Mrs. Carter? How may I help you?"

As she listened to Joyce Carter, her eyes moved upward. It was a good thing they paid her good money or she would've quit long ago.

"I told you not to worry about me. I know what I'm doing. Yeah, I know. Don and Zachary were surprised I knew the truth. They didn't want me coming back here now that they know I knew. Yes, it's all very confusing. Don't worry. It'll be fine. Uh-huh. Okay, I'll see you tomorrow." Wally disconnected the call and glanced down the hall where Alex and Abby were staying. He shook his head and frowned before heading downstairs.

He tried clearing his throat which was feeling dryer than usual and navigated through the dark to get some water. He opened the fridge which illuminated the kitchen while his eyes scanned the contents for some water. After grabbing a bottle and taking a drink, he turned to head back upstairs.

A low sob caused him to still. Wally felt goosebumps prickling their way down his arms.

"Abby?" Wally whispered.

The sobbing turned into a whimper and Wally felt his feet rush forward to the living area, stumbling to find a light switch. He flipped on the light and let loose a blood-curdling scream.

Abby turned for the umpteenth time that night. She couldn't sleep and was surprised Alex was able to stay asleep while she tossed and turned. She held her pillow close as the image of the faceless man above her held her underwater.

She paused her thoughts when she heard what sounded like someone crying. She turned her head towards Alex. He was still sleeping.

Crystal.

It had to be her. Reflexively, Abby reached for her blessing bracelet to calm her. She still hadn't fixed it and made a mental note to do so first thing the following morning. A sudden scream caused her to bolt up in bed. She shoved at Alex.

"Hmm? What? What is it?" Alex asked groggily. A second scream answered his question as though someone had splashed him with cold water. "You stay here. I'll go check it out."

"I don't want to stay here by myself!" Abby followed him out of bed, bumping into him when he suddenly stopped moving forward.

"Fine, but stay behind me," Alex whispered.

Abby nodded and the two of them tip-toed towards the screams.

"Wally?" Alex shouted. "Are you okay?"

Abby gasped when she laid eyes on what Wally was staring at.

Written in what could only be blood was an ominous message.

DAMNED ARE THE UNINVITED

"I'm sorry, but you're not going to be able to stay here tonight," Sheriff Don said an hour later. "This has officially become a crime scene."

"It's not a crime scene," Alex argued. "Someone came in and painted some words to try and scare us off. Why? I'm not sure yet but this has to be some kind of ruse."

"Mr. Carter, I may not be a fancy businessman but I know blood when I see it. That's blood. Who or what's blood, I can't answer just yet but when we find out, I'll let you know. In the meantime, this is my crime scene. I can't have you accidentally tampering with it. For all I know, you and your girlfriend might be behind all of this." Sheriff Don nodded towards the bloody message.

"Sheriff," a deputy called out to him. "I think you're going to want to see this. Whiskey found something."

"Whiskey is our cadaver dog," Don explained. "He was donated to us a couple of years back."

"Does that mean there's a body?" Abby asked. "Like a dead body?"

"Not necessarily. You two stay put while I go check things out." Don looked around the cabin. "I still hate coming here."

"Because of your daughter?" Abby asked, earning her a shocked look from Alex.

"Among other things," the sheriff answered softly.

After he left, Abby crossed her arms and faced Alex. "So now what are we going to do? We can't stay here if it's a crime scene?"

"It's not a crime scene."

"When I last Googled your bio, it didn't include police officer so how would you know?"

Alex smirked. "You Googled me?"

Abby's lip curled upward. "I was going to work for you, remember? I wanted to know what I was getting myself into."

"I know what you mean." He placed an arm around her shoulders as they waited.

"Either way, it looks like the sheriff is finally going to have a way to get you to leave town."

"No, I won't let that happen."

"No? Then where will you go?" Abby asked.

"You mean where will we go? I'll figure something out." He squeezed her shoulders, causing her to blush.

Wally was sitting on the couch, wrapped in a blanket. Abby walked over to him. "Are you okay, Wally? I know seeing that must've been scary but you're not hurt and we're here with you. You're not alone."

Wally looked up and gave a watery smile. "You're right. I'm not alone. You two are here with me. You know, if Sheriff Don really won't let you stay here, you can stay with me at my house."

"You have a house?" Alex asked, sounding surprised.

Abby narrowed her eyes at Alex for sounding rude.

"I do," Wally answered. "It belonged to my parents before they upgraded. It's small but you can share the guest bedroom."

"Thank you, Wally," Abby smiled. "That's really sweet of you."

"Don't let them stay with you Wally," Sheriff Don shouted from the doorway.

"What?" Abby was shocked by the anger in his expression. "How rude."

"We found out where the blood came from. It belonged to those two reporters who kept hounding you both. I'll have you know that you two are my number one suspects."

"Suspects for what?" Abby asked as her chest tightened.

"Murder."

"Don't worry Abby. I have the best lawyers at my disposal," Alex reminded her.

"I'm not sure how much your fancy lawyers will be able to help. It doesn't look good when one of the suspects has murdered before," Don said with a smirk.

"He's right," Abby whispered. "It's my fault. It's my fault they're dead."