Sins of the Father

Submitted by JulieO on 2010, February 4 - 1:37pm
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Sins of the Father

By Julie O

Edited By Robert Arnold

Aaron McCormick's father is a convicted serial killer.
His life is about to turned upsidedown by those seeking revenge for his father's crimes.

(List of Characters is located at the end of the story)

Chapter 1
 
                  “Yes, It is a fact…that bastard… waiting to be executed by California is a monster…he may have even been the one who got my mother pregnant…but he’s not my father,” stated Aaron McCormick.
 
                  The crime reporter, Marlon Bramberger listened intently as he taped the conversation with eighteen-year-old Aaron. Marlon was interviewing Aaron as part of his latest book on the recently convicted serial rapist and murderer Martin Francis McCormick.
 
                  The conversation was taking place a long distance from where the crimes occurred. Aaron currently lived in a small town in eastern Pennsylvania and Martin’s reign of terror ranged from Seattle to San Diego.
 
                  Over the last fourteen years Martin McCormick had kidnapped, raped, and the killed numerous young college coeds. He was recently found guilty for ten murders. Prosecutors in three states believed he could be responsible for at least twenty more murders. Martin suspected the number could be much higher.
 
Marlon had covered several of the trials including the most recent one where Martin was again convicted and sentenced to death.
 
                  “Why do you deny that he’s your father?” asked Marlon.
 
                  “That’s simple; it’s because he wasn’t one. He did nothing to raise me, a father does more than just have sex with your mother,” replied Aaron bitterly. “He abandoned us when I was around four and I have only vague memories of him.”
 
                  “Tell me more,” stated Marlon as he took a sip of coffee.
 
                  “As you know, my mom met him in college…and I guess they were in love…but according to my grandparents he changed after they got married,” replied Aaron. “He began to abuse her…he hit her…and he cheated on her.”
 
                  “Did she tell you this?” asked Marlon.
 
                  Aaron shook his head. “No, she would never say anything negative about him…I guess she was blinded by love for him. My grandparents said that she often had bruises on her body.”
 
                  Marlon nodded as he took off his glasses and wiped them clean using his tie.
 
                  “She kept hoping he would come back to her…I guess she always thought he would…even on her death bed,” continued Aaron. “He broke her heart. I guess it’s a good thing that she never knew what a monster he was.”
 
                  Marlon put on his glasses. He then pulled out a notepad and flipped through it.
 
                  “She passed away…five years ago, right” he asked. 
                 
Aaron nodded. “Yes, she died of breast cancer.”
 
“And your grandparents raised you after that?”
 
“That’s right,” replied Aaron.
 
“Did you have any contact with your…with Martin after your mother died?”
 
Aaron shook his head. “No…the bastard didn’t show up for her funeral…and he sent a note to the courts saying that he didn’t want custody of me. In a way, I blame him for her death…she lost hope when he never contacted her when she was in the hospital.”
 
“So you never had any idea of the crimes he was committing?” asked Marlon.
 
A look of disgust that quickly changed to anger appeared on Aaron’s face.
 
“Of course not! If I had known what he was doing I would have turned him in immediately,” snapped Aaron.
 
“I’m sorry…I should have phrased that question better,” apologized Marlon.
 
Aaron nodded. “It’s okay…I’m just sick of all the publicity…I wish they’d just stick a needle in his arm and get it over. I mean, why detail the inevitable? The world would be a better place without him and people could start repairing their lives. I mean, I’m horrified by what he did, just like any normal person. But I’m a victim in all this too. I’m the son of a mass murderer! You can’t believe the hate mail that people have sent to us. I mean, they think that we had something to do with those vile crimes he committed.”
 
Aaron took a drink of water and then lowered his head as if he was about to cry. Marlon leaned over and placed his hand on the young man’s shoulder.
 
“You okay? Do you want to take a break?” he asked softly.
 
Aaron lifted his head and wiped his eyes.
 
“I’m okay…but thanks for asking,” replied Aaron.
 
“Is that why you agreed to do this interview?” asked Marlon.
 
Aaron nodded again. “Exactly…and that I’m doing it for free too. I just want everyone to know the truth…and what a bastard he is.”
 
Marlon usually tried to stay detached from the cases he covered, but he felt real sympathy for Aaron. The kid did nothing wrong, yet members of the victims’ families had sent him some very horrible hate mail.
 
“I know that I’m his only living son…but does that make me guilty of anything?” asked Aaron softly.
 
“Of course not…and I’m not condoning what they’ve done…but rage and anger can cause people to do stupid things,” said Marlon.
 
“Have you interviewed them yet?” asked Aaron.
 
“Some…I still have several of the families to talk to,” admitted Marlon.
 
“Will you tell them what I’ve said?” asked Aaron.
 
“Sure,” he replied.
 
“I know it won’t change all their minds…but who knows?”
 
Marlon turned off his tape recorder.
 
“I think I got everything I needed. Thank you, Aaron, I know this wasn’t easy,” stated Marlon.
 
Aaron nodded. “So who are you interviewing next? My high school teachers?”
 
Marlon smiled back. “Why would you think that?”
 
“I read your last two books…and that’s what you did in those,” replied Aaron. “It’s also the reason why I agreed to talk to you…you’re fair.”
 
“Thank you…that’s the best compliment I’ve received in a while,” replied Marlon as he packed up his things.
 
“You should talk first to my guidance counselor…Ms. Gray…we’ve talked about this. I also told her that we were going to talk.”
 
“I will, thank you,” replied Marlon as he stood up. He then extended his hand.
 
Aaron also stood up and they shook hands.
 
“Take care,” said Marlon.
 
Aaron just nodded.
 
Chapter 2
 
Marlon was bothered by what he had learned with his interview with Aaron. It was obvious that the kid was stressed out. He looked ten pounds underweight and had dark circles under his eyes from all the strain of the trial.
 
Aaron was a bright kid, who should be looking forward to college but instead he was burdened with problems that weren’t his own doing. No wonder he hated his father, thought Marlon.
 
Marlon parked his silver BMW sedan in the first parking spot he could find and headed inside the Starbucks.
 
Laura Gray had agreed to meet him, but she wouldn’t do it on the school grounds.
 
He walked inside and saw a pleasant looking woman in her mid-forties sitting on a couch near the back of the shop. She looked up and waved to him.
 
Marlon walked over to her.
 
“Good afternoon, Mr. Bramberger,” she greeted. “You look just like the photo on the back of your last book.”
 
He smiled back at her.
 
“I hope that’s a compliment,” he replied. “Oh, and please call me Marlon.”
 
“Okay, I will…and yes, it is…it’s a very nice photo,” she said with a slight smile.
 
“Ms. Gray, do you want anything before we get started?” he asked.
 
“Chai tea, please,” she replied. “And call me Laura.”
 
“I’ll be right back…Laura,” he said.
 
Marlon Bramberger was forty-eight and following fifteen years in law enforcement he became a writer. It wasn’t the way he planned his career, but he had been placed on disability following a car crash. The accident left him with a permanent limp and he sometimes had to use a walking stick. He could have stayed on and ridden a desk until retirement, but that wasn’t his style. He tried writing fiction, but he quickly found his nitch in non-fiction crime. Over the past years he had one best seller after another.
 
He returned with the drinks and sat down.
 
“Thank you for agreeing to talk to me,” he said as he handed her the cup of tea.
 
“I’m doing it for Aaron,” she replied. “I can’t believe the crap he’s putting up with.”
 
Marlon took out his small recorder and set it down on the table. “Do you mind if I record our conversation? It helps me to stay accurate.”
 
“No, I don’t mind at all. “
 
“What can you tell me about Aaron?” he asked.
 
“Considering everything he’s been through…he’s a really sweet kid,” she replied. “I was also his guidance counselor in Middle School.”
 
Marlon nodded.
 
“Aaron’s an excellent student and has a full scholarship to college. He’s also very popular at school,” she stated.
 
She then pulled a copy of the school’s yearbook out of her bag and opened it to show Marlon how active Aaron was at school.
 
“Track, computer club, intramural volleyball, student government, and several other clubs and charities,” noted Marlon. “Can you provide me with a copy of this?”
 
“You can have the entire book…you’ll find several other entries for Aaron inside,” she said. “He was also involved in several activities outside of school including boxing.”
 
“So, do the other students know about his father?” asked Marlon.
 
She nodded. “Yes, they know who his father is…and none of them hold it against him. In fact they’ve been very protective of him. This isn’t a very big town and it’s hard to keep secrets. The press hasn’t helped as the story of the trial has been all over the news.”
 
“Do they know about the hate mail?” asked Marlon.
 
“I doubt they know the extent of it…but yes they know,” she replied. “Aaron has shown me some of them. They’re absolutely horrible…have you seen them?”
 
Marlon nodded.
 
“If they only knew how he feels about …that man,” she continued.
 
“You said that you were his counselor as far back as middle school; so did you know him when his mother died?”
 
“Yes,” she replied as she sipped her tea. “That was so sad…she was a nice person and a loving mother. Aaron came to me often to talk about her illness.”
 
“And did he talk about Martin?”
 
She nodded. “Yes…but nothing good.”
 
Marlon smiled slightly.
 
“Not surprising…and what about when Martin abandoned him a second time?”
 
“Aaron’s biggest fear was that he would have to go and live with his father…he was terrified of the idea. He was ecstatic when the courts gave custody to his grandparents.”
 
Marlon drank some of his coffee.
 
“How did Aaron react when he learned that his father was arrested?”
 
“He was horrified….we all were. Martin was always a self-centered and selfish bastard…but I doubt anyone suspected that he was capable of committing those ghastly crimes,” she said with disgust.
 
“So you knew Martin too?”
 
“Like I said, this is a small town. I went to school with both Martin and Gina,” she replied. “I never really liked him and I was shocked when he married Gina…she was such a sweet innocent girl. I guess she couldn’t see his flaws like the rest of us could.”
 
“What sort of flaws?”
 
“He knew how to push people’s buttons. He instigated a lot of problems that way…he enjoyed it…I think he did it as a power trip.”
 
Marlon nodded. “I got that impression when I interviewed him. “
 
“When we were in school that’s as far as he went…but when I came back I saw that he was no longer content to abuse people mentally.”
 
“Aaron said that his grandparents suspected Martin of abusing her,” he said.
 
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he did. When I moved back I saw that Gina had changed… and not for the good…I barely recognized her. She used to very outgoing…and he turned her into a shadow of herself. The only time I saw the old Gina was when she was with Aaron. She was a devoted mother.”
 
“And you think this was because of Martin?”
 
She nodded. “Yes, he made her quit her job and stay home…again I think it was just a power play. I never saw him physically abuse her…but there were rumors. You might contact the local police…I heard that they were called over to their house a few times.”
 
“I will, thanks,” he replied as he picked up his recorder and turned it off.
 
“That should do it. Thank you for you time,” he said.
 
“I’ve read your books…I hope this helps Aaron,” she said.
 
“That makes two of us,” he replied.
 
 
Chapter 3
 
Marlon spent the night typing out his notes. Everyone who he spoke to agreed that Aaron McCormick was a nice kid…who happened to have the bad luck of being related to a monster.
 
It was probably a blessing that Martin abandoned the family when Aaron was so young. Marlon talked to the police who confirmed that they had sent over officers over to the McCormick home several times. Martin was also involved in a bar fight three weeks before he left the family. The man he fought had his car torched the day after the fight and Marlon suspected that it had to have been Martin.
 
He didn’t hold anything against the local police as it was easy to look at the past and make conclusions. No one could look at Martin’s behavior at that time and suspect that he would turn into a serial rapist and killer.
 
Marlon reviewed Martin’s career of violence.
 
Martin abandoned his wife and child, moved west and changed careers from office manager to truck driver. Again with hindsight it was easy to see that the new job was just a cover. His new job gave him the mobility and freedom to stalk his victims.
 
At first he seemed content to just sexually assault his victims…but then he became a serial killer.
 
Martin would pick up hitchhikers and then keep them prisoners in his truck. Initially he would immediately rape and kill them, but over time he kept them longer, sometimes for an entire week. He was very careful about disposing of his victim’s bodies, but over time he got cocky and began to taunt the police by leaving notes with the bodies.
 
Martin, like many serial killers, seemed to very specific when it came to his victims. He only went after young attractive women; many of them were college students.
 
Even though there was a large investigation underway to catch the” I-5 Killer” it was a routine traffic stop that led to his arrest. The CHP officer who pulled him over for speeding heard a muffled scream from the cab. His latest victim had managed to slip off her gag. Martin surrendered without a fight.
 
When he was questioned, Martin readily admitted to his many crimes and seemed actually proud of them.
 
Marlon thought about the trial and how Martin McCormick not only had shown no remorse at all but when the death sentence was announced he just turned and laughed at the families. He taunted them by saying how enjoyable it had all been.
 
This of course only inflamed the emotions of the families of his victims and a near riot broke out in court. For the families the conviction and death sentence wasn’t enough…they wanted personal revenge. When they couldn’t strike at Martin they sought out different targets to vent their rage. Unfortunately one of these targets turned out to be Aaron.
 
 
Chapter 4
 
Dr. Bryan Gregory took a long drink of vodka as he looked at the photo of his daughter Emily. She would have been a senior in college this year….but that would never happen thanks to that piece of human filth Martin McCormick.
 
Emily had been abducted and abused by Martin for nearly a week. He then killed her and left her battered body in the dumpster of a roadside rest stop north of Los Angeles.
 
Unlike some of the other victims, Emily wasn’t hitchhiking when Martin abducted her. She was with her boyfriend Jon Long. Jon’s car had broken down and Martin stopped and offered assistance. Jon was immediately shot and killed. His body was found in his car.
 
Jon’s parents were also shattered by the crimes. Jon was their only child and when he died so did their hopes of grandchildren.
 
Bryan had talked to David Long several times since the sentencing of Martin McCormick. While they were pleased that Martin had received the death penalty neither of them thought it was enough.
 
It was David who first came up with the idea of hitting back at Martin and causing him the same sort of pain that he had caused the families of his victims.
 
At first Bryan thought it was all talk, but now David had a plan…and Bryan was seriously considering it.
 
David was a very wealthy man. He ran a very successful international business that imported goods from South and Central America so money would not be a problem.
 
Bryan thought about the plan and the more he contemplated it the more he was in favor of it. Bryan’s hobby was studying ancient history and in many of those ancient civilizations the laws made more sense. Just executing Martin McCormick wasn’t a sufficient penalty for his crimes. 
 
 
Chapter 5
 
Marlon sat at his computer and typed up the latest chapters for his book. He was used to working quickly as his publishers wanted his books out while the public was still thinking about the associated crimes.
 
The chapters he dedicated to Aaron came easily as he found that he really liked the kid. The difficult chapters were the ones related to the families of the victims. He wasn’t shocked by their attitudes towards Martin McCormick; in fact he would have been shocked if they felt otherwise. In his many books, many of the victims wished that they could be the executor.
 
No, what bothered him was that several of them felt anger and hatred towards Aaron. Marlon asked them about the hate mail, and of course they denied sending it, but they seemed to be pleased to hear that Aaron was being harassed.
 
One of the fathers, David Long, said it was unfair that Martin McCormick’s lineage should continue when his own would die out.
 
Marlon looked at his notes and read the statements from David Long. He stated that his wife was devastated that they wouldn’t have grandchildren. David fumed that Martin McCormick had a son and that he didn’t. He stated that the families of criminals should bear some responsibility for the crimes committed by their family.
 
Marlon asked him if he meant monetary and David shook his head. “Money isn’t the answer…no the punishment should be more personal.
 
When Marlon asked to explain all David said was the courts should enforce “an eye for an eye.”
 
 
Chapter 6
 
It was a week after graduation and Aaron went out for his morning run. He loved the peace and quiet of the early morning and he often saw more rabbits and deer than other people.
 
Aaron was looking forward to the future and college. The hate mail had stopped and he began to think that he could finally put it all behind him. Yes, his…so-called father was still alive…and probably would be for many more years as the appeal system chugged along…but at least now he was old news. Aaron knew that the publicity would start up again when it came time for the execution, but that wouldn’t happen for a few years.
 
As he ran his usual route he didn’t notice the dark van that was parked on the road ahead of him.
 
Inside sat two men who were waiting for Aaron.
 
“Here he comes,” said Sergio to his cousin Juan.
 
Both men had long criminal records ranging from petty crimes to murder. This would be their last criminal act. Once they delivered the teen to their boss they would receive not only a large payoff, but they would also get new identities and citizenship. Neither of them knew why their boss wanted the teen and neither of them cared.
 
Juan nodded as he crouched by the sliding door of the van.
 
This was their third attempt to abduct the teen. The two previous times they had to abort the abduction due to a passing car. Today looked different as the roads were clear. All they had to do was grab the kid and drive to the meeting spot.
 
Aaron continued to run unaware of the impending danger.
 
                  As he passed the parked van, the door opened and a man jumped out and grabbed him. Before Aaron could yell a needle was jabbed into his arm and he blacked out.
 
                  “Got him,” let’s get out of here,” shouted Juan.
 
                  Sergio started the engine and headed to the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
 
 
Chapter 7
 
                  Aaron slowly came to and tried to sit up. He felt as if he had been asleep for a long time.
 
                  “Don’t bother, you’re tied down,” said a man.
 
                  Aaron turned his head in the direction of the voice, but found that he was also blindfolded.
 
                  “What do you want with me?” asked Aaron.
 
                  “Your father caused us a lot of pain…this is our payback,” stated the man.
 
                  Aaron gasped. “I had nothing to do with that.”
 
                  “No, but you’re his only child. I wonder if he’ll feel the pain that we felt,” continued the man.
 
                  “You must be joking…he abandoned us…I haven’t seen him since I was four,” stated Aaron with bitterness.
 
                  “Doesn’t matter…when we’re done with you his lineage dies out,” said the man.
 
                  Aaron’s fear shifted to rage.
 
                  “Then get it over with and kill me…but remember you’re just as fucked up as he is!” he shouted.
 
                  The man laughed.
 
                  “We’re not going to kill you…no we have something else in mind. Your father seemed to like young women…and by the time we’re done with you….you’ll fit the profile of one of his many victims,” said the man.
 
                  Aaron began to struggle to get free of his bonds.
 
                  “Let me go you sick fuck!” screamed Aaron.
 
                  “I’m sure my child begged to be let go too. Now, you’ll be with us for several months as we change you in a very pretty young woman…and then we will let you go. Don’t worry, we won’t kill you, but you may wish we did. By the time we’re done with you… you might attract the same sort of monster that took our children,” said the man. “Of course, you’ll still see yourself as a man…even more of a punishment.”
 
                  “I didn’t do anything wrong!” cried Aaron.
 
                  “Neither did our children!” shouted the man. “Now, it’s time to start your transformation…I think we’ll start with your face…sweet dreams.” 
 
                  Aaron felt the sharp pain in his arm. He continued to struggle, but he felt tired and without another word he passed out.
 
                  “Was that necessary?” asked Bryan.
 
                  David nodded. “I’m sorry, but it felt good. Do you need anything?”
 
                  Bryan shook his head. Thanks to David’s money he had a complete operating facility along with a trained staff.
 
                  “Aren’t you worried that my assistants will talk?” asked Bryan.
 
                  David shook his head. “No, they’re all getting the same deal I gave to the kidnappers; money and citizenship papers.”
 
                  David didn’t see any reason to tell Bryan that the kidnappers were already dead and their bodies dumped in a side street of Tijuana. The police would just treat it as another drug related murder. David couldn’t risk either of the men to go free.
 
                  “Okay,” said Bryan. “It’s time to get started.”
 
 
 
Chapter 8
 
Aaron slowly came to and was surprised that he was no longer blindfolded. He was still tied down in what appeared to be a hospital bed.
 
While he couldn’t free his hands, he could tell that his face was heavily bandaged. He cringed as he wondered what he would now look like.
 
A nurse came in to check in on his condition. Aaron opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. The nurse smiled and picked up a phone and he realized she was speaking Spanish.
 
A man walked in a few minutes later. He was wearing a mask that covered his entire face.
 
“Good, you’re awake,” he said. “And I heard that you’ve discovered that you cannot speak. That is only temporary. I had to paralyze your vocal cords during the surgery…but don’t worry you’ll regain the power of speech in a week or so. Of course you’ll sound very different.”
 
Aaron stared at the man with hatred. He also realized that this wasn’t the same man who had talked to him earlier.
 
“Now, I suppose you wonder what I did to your face. I softened and feminized the lines of your face, gave you a smaller nose, lip and cheek implants. Additionally you were given the first of several laser treatments to remove your face and body hair,” stated the man. “I’m convinced that you’ll look very attractive…and of course very feminine.”
 
Aaron felt like screaming and all he could do was glare back…and then he flipped the man the bird with both hands.
 
“That wasn’t very lady-like,” said the man with a slight laugh. “We’ll give you a few days to recover before the next round of surgery. Next, I plan on give you a very nice set of breasts and also removing several ribs to shrink your waist.”
 
Aaron felt a tear roll down his face.
 
The man laughed. “You know, I wasn’t sure that this was a good idea until now. I can’t wait until we give your father’s lawyer a video of what we’ve done to you.”
 
Aaron shook his head knowing that “his father” wouldn’t care one way or another.
 
 
Chapter 9
 
Marlon was at his desk working on his book when the phone rang.
 
“Hello,” he greeted while he continued to type.
 
“Marlon, this is Randal,” said the man on the other end.
 
Randal Bullock was Marlon’s lawyer.
 
“What’s up?” asked Marlon.
 
“Apparently you haven’t heard the latest on the McCormick case,” said Randal.
 
Marlon stopped typing. When he got into the meat of writing one of his books he usually cut himself off from anything that might distract him, including television, radio, and the internet.
 
“No, what happened?”
 
“Aaron McCormick is missing. His grandparents filed a missing persons report on him,” said Randal.
 
“And?”
 
“There’s no sign of the kid. He went out for a run last week and no one has seen him since. I would have let you know sooner, but I just heard about it.”
 
“Shit,” replied Marlon.
 
“Do you think it’s related to the case?”
 
“He was getting threatening mail. Do you have a point of contact?”
 
Randal gave him the phone number of the local police department.
 
“Thanks,” replied Marlon. He immediately hung up and called the police.
 
 
Chapter 10
 
Aaron stared down at his chest. Even though it was heavily bandaged he could tell that the surgery had been successful. Even though he was sedated, he felt the discomfort from the surgery. His sides also hurt and he wondered what he would look like.
 
The only good thing was that the staff was very attentive to his needs. He wondered why none of them spoke English. Maybe he was out of the country?
 
The masked doctor came in several times to check on him.
 
“Everything looks great,” said the man. “We should be able to do the next phase of your surgery in a few days. It’s a rather extensive operation, but don’t worry, we’ve brought in an expert. We don’t want you to die on the operating table.”
 
Aaron stared at the man and studied him. He wanted to be able to track this monster down when he was released.
 
“Of course, sexual reassignment surgery is a delicate operation,” continued the man.
 
Aaron looked at the man and thought…some day you’re going to pay for this.
 
The man looked at his watch. “I’ll be back later.”
 
Aaron watched him leave, again noting every detail possible.
 
Once outside the room, Bryan removed the mask. David walked up and greeted him.
 
“How’s our patient?”
 
“Angry…but that’s to be expected. Physically, he’s progressing along without any problems,” replied Bryan.
 
David nodded. “Oh, the police are still clueless on what happened to him. They’ve even talked to that author who’s writing the book on the trial.”
 
“So what happens after we’re done here?” asked Bryan.
 
“We’ll drop him…make that ‘her’ off at a public location along with her medial records. Of course the press and the police will be immediately informed. I want there to be a lot of publicity over this.”
 
Bryan ran his fingers through his hair nervously.
 
“Is that necessary?”
 
David nodded. “Yes. Just telling Martin McCormick isn’t enough. I want the whole world to know. This will send a lesson to all of those sick bastards like McCormick.”
 
“I don’t know…maybe we’re going too far.”
 
David shook his head. “Trust me, we’re in the right. If the police had done their job and caught McCormick sooner then none of this would be necessary.”
 
Bryan nodded. “I suppose you’re right.”
 
“Don’t worry about this place either. I’ve arranged for it to be dismantled.”
 
Bryan smiled. “Good.”
 
 
Chapter 11
 
Marlon walked out of Aaron’s grandparent’s home and got into his car. He wished he could have told them something useful. The local police case was going no where. Marlon had talked with the detective in charge of the case and told him about the threats. The detective said that without any solid evidence they couldn’t investigate the families.
 
Marlon went back to his hotel and poured himself a glass of Scotch. He was frustrated and angry. He always tried to remain detached from his subjects when he wrote a book; it was the only way he could write an honest report of what happened. But now he was involved. He wasn’t sure what had happened to Aaron, but his gut feelings told him that it wasn’t good.
 
He finished his first drink and was about to have a second when an idea came to him. He logged onto his computer and found the name and phone number he was looking for. He looked at his watch and decided that it wasn’t too late to call.
 
The number rang three times before it was answered.
 
“Diana Bowie speaking, how may I help you?” greeted the woman.
 
“Diana, this is Marlon Bramberger, we met last year at the author’s conference in Boston,” he said.
 
“Yes, I remember you,” she replied. “How’re you doing?”
 
“I need your help,” he said.
 
 
Chapter 12
 
Aaron stared at his new face in the mirror. He couldn’t believe his eyes…he really looked like a girl. His face was as that bastard doctor had told him it would look like. To make matters worse, one of the nurses had styled his hair which only made him look more feminine.
 
The doctor told him that there would be one last step to complete his new face…permanent makeup.
 
The bandages had also been removed from his chest. Aaron still couldn’t bring himself to touch his breasts. The doctor had kept his word concerning his chest too and had given Aaron a pair of very large breasts.
 
The nurses required that he now wear a bra to provide support and to help with the healing. Aaron was shocked when he read that the bra size was 36-DD.
 
He was still technically a male…but that was temporary as the specialist was due to arrive any day to conduct the latest mutilation of his body.
 
Aaron had asked the doctor how much longer he would kept as a prisoner.
 
“We’ll release you a few weeks after the SRS,” replied the doctor. “Then you’ll be on your own.”
 
“I hope you don’t expect me to just let this go?” asked Aaron in his new feminine voice. It sounded almost cartoonish as it was so high pitched and squeaky. The doctor has told him that it would gradually sound more normal.
                 
The doctor laughed. “What can you do? You don’t know who we are…and you don’t know where you even are.”
 
Aaron didn’t reply.
 
“At least you’re alive...unlike the victims of your father,” continued the doctor.
 
Aaron just glared back. He would track down the people who did this to him and see that they were punished. It wouldn’t be revenge…it would be justice…even if it took him his whole life.
 
“Have you given any thought to what you want to be called? I mean, Aaron isn’t a fitting name for a lovely young woman like you,” continued the doctor.
 
Aaron just shook his head.
 
“Oh, I talked to the doctor who is doing your SRS. They’re going to make sure that you have a large enough vagina so that sex won’t be a problem.”
 
“Fuck you,” replied Aaron. 
 
The doctor just laughed as he departed. He had to admit that David was right; he was enjoying the abuse he was inflicting on the son of the man who had killed his daughter.
 
 
Chapter 13
 
Diana Bowie sat in her office at the University of Pennsylvania and read Marlon’s notes; including copies of the hate letters sent to Aaron. As she read, she wrote down notes.
 
She concurred with Marlon that whoever had abducted Aaron was related to one of the victims of Martin McCormick. There was no other logical explanation. In her years as a crime reporter and writer she had learned to discount chance happenings.
 
The hate mail appeared to have come from the same person. She sent copies to her step-father Max Bowie for analysis as she suspected that they all came from the same printer.
 
She also agreed with Marlon that Aaron was still alive. Whoever abducted him had a reason to do so and they were probably waiting for the right time to either release him or to kill him. But so far no demands had been made.
 
Next she went through the list of the victims and their families. She agreed with Marlon that it was likely that the abductors came from one of the families in the cases that Martin McCormick had been convicted. If it was one of the pending cases, that is cases that the authorities were trying to get Martin to provide information in, then a demand would have been made by now. She checked with her connections in all three states and confirmed that no such demands had been made.
 
Diana also contacted the lawyer who was defending Martin. He was well known for taking on cases like this one. He told her that no one had contact him or Martin. He promised to let the authorities know if a demand was made as it had no bearing on his case.
 
She looked at the list of family members. She knew that Marlon had a reputation for attention to detail and she could see that it was well earned. He had built up a very comprehensive database of information on the families.
 
Marlon had deliberately left out his own theories of who might be involved as he didn’t want to affect her thought process. However after an hour of reading his notes she had narrowed down the list to four suspects. The reason she picked these four was a combination of their backgrounds, personal wealth and their reactions at the trials. Of course they all could be innocent, but Diana had learned to check out the obvious suspects first.
 
The first was James Van Beck. He was a career marine officer who was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California. His daughter had been one of the last victims and he had flown home from Iraq to attend her funeral. He had been quoted in the local paper of wanting to personally kill McCormick.
 
The second was David Long, a wealthy businessman out of LA. She read the quotes that David had given Marlon and a chill ran up her spine. She drew a red circle around his name as a primary subject.
 
The third was Dr. Bryan Gregory from Pasadena. His daughter had been engaged to the son of David Long. Diana also drew a circle around his name.
 
The last was Frank Rossi. On the surface he didn’t look to be a suspect, but Marlon had uncovered that his family had been heavily involved with the mafia, although Frank had a clean record.
 
After reviewing the data again she picked up the phone and called Marlon.
 
“Well, what do you think?” he asked.
 
“I think you’re onto something,” she replied. She then listed her top four suspects and her reasons why.
 
“I agree completely,” he said. “If I was still a cop I would start an investigation of each of them.”
 
“May I ask you why you’re so involved?” she asked.
 
“I’m not doing this as part of the book…I just want to help get Aaron back. He’s a really good kid and doesn’t deserve this.”
 
“That’s what I thought,” she replied. “How can I help?”
 
“I’ve exhausted my resources and I’m afraid that if I press the families too much I might tip them off,” explained Marlon. “I know from your books that you have…access…to other sources.” 
 
“I can see what I can do,” she replied. “As you know, Max Bowie is my stepfather; do I have your permission to talk to him about this?”
 
“Absolutely,” replied Marlon. “You can give him my phone number too.”
 
“I’ll do that. I definitely agree with you that Aaron is in danger,” she said.
 
“I just hope we can get him back alive,” replied Marlon. “I’ve contacted the prosecutors who handled Martin’s case. I hope that Aaron is alive, but if he isn’t I wouldn’t be surprised that he shows up in one of the locations were Martin left his victims.”
 
“Makes sense,” she replied.
 
“Thank you for helping,” said Marlon.
 
 
Chapter 14
 
Even though he knew it was coming, Aaron was still in shock when the masked doctor told him about the latest operation.
 
“The operation was a total success,” he stated with pride. “Actually it was a fairly simple operation…I had no idea that castration was so easy.”
 
“I hate you,” muttered Aaron.
 
                  “The specialist was delayed and recommend that we do this,” continued the doctor. “Of course it means that you’ll have to take hormones the rest of your life.”
 
                  Aaron lowered his head and began to cry.
 
                  “That’s okay…cry your eyes out…girls are allowed to cry,” taunted the doctor.
 
                  Aaron was too emotionally spent to fight back.
 
                  Bryan walked out of the room and removed the mask. David was waiting for him.
 
                  “How did he take it?”
 
                  Bryan smiled back. “She’s crying.”
 
                  David nodded. “Good. Did you get it on tape?”
 
                  “Yes…we can edit this in for the tape we give Martin,” said Bryan.
 
                  “Excellent,” replied David. “I only wish that I could be there in person when he sees what we’ve done to his son and heir.”
 
                 
Chapter 15
 
                  Max Bowie parked his rental car in the main parking lot for The Agency. He had been granted special permission to use their database to research the suspects in the case of Aaron McCormick. In special cases he was granted permission to conduct research as long as he turned any information he uncovered to the proper authorities.
 
                  Max was impressed with data collected by Marlon Bramberger. He could tell that Marlon had once been a top rate detective. 
 
                  Once inside, he went directly to the research department and was greeted by The Agency’s top researcher, Michelle.
 
                  “How can we help you?” she asked.
 
                  “It’s a missing person’s case,” he stated. “The suspects are all family members of the victims of a serial killer.”
 
                  “Which one?” asked Michelle.
 
                  “Martin McCormick,” replied Max.
 
                  She nodded as she began to type.
 
                  “We already have a file on that one,” she said.
 
                  Max sat down next to her and watched her work.
 
                  “Here’s the list of our main suspects,” said Max.
 
                  Michelle looked at it.
 
                  “You can cross Frank Rossi off…he had no ties with the old family business,” she said.
 
                  “Okay, what about the other three?”
 
                  “The marine would go after Martin himself…but hurting the kid….that seems farfetched. He’s a real family man and has even adopted two Iraqi war orphans.”
 
                  Max read the file that she called up.
 
                  “Okay what about the last two?”
 
                  Michelle smiled. “I think you might be onto something there. David Long is squeaky clean here in the states…but he has done a lot of business with some less than honest people down south.”
 
                  “Like who?” asked Max.
 
                  “Suspected ties to criminal cartels and terrorist organizations. He’s totally apolitical…he doesn’t care who’s in charge as long as it doesn’t interfere with his business. He pays his employees top dollar and keeps the local governments happy too.”
 
                  “Interesting,” said Max. “What about the doctor?”
 
                  “A top plastic surgeon…mainly works on the rich and very rich in LA,” she replied. “Oh, and get this…he specializes in breasts and facelifts.”
 
                  “Not exactly promising as a suspect,” said Max.
 
                  “Yes, but his wife was recently diagnosed with severe depression and substance abuse. He also has cancelled all appointment for the past month,” she stated.
 
                  “Really?” asked Max. “So where is he now?”
 
                  “His wife is in the Betty Ford Center…according to his office, the good doctor is doing some charity medical work down below the border.” 
 
                  Max leaned back in his chair and stretched.
 
                  “Do we know where?”
 
                  “No…but I can find out,” she replied.
 
                  Max nodded. “What about David Long?”
 
                  “He’s also down south. His office said that he’s on his annual inspection of company sites.”
 
                  “Can we verify if that’s what he’s doing?”
 
                  Michelle nodded. “For a price.”
 
                  “White or red?” he asked, knowing Michelle’s love of fine wine.
 
                  “Surprise me,” she replied with a grin. “How long will you be in town?”
 
                  “A few days, Faith and I are visiting some old friends while we’re down here.”
 
                  Michelle nodded. “Great, I should have something for you in a day or so. Oh, please tell Faith I loved her last book.”
 
                  Max smiled back. “I will, thanks Michelle.”
 
 
Chapter 16
 
                  The next day Max walked into Michelle’s office.
 
                  “David Long made one visit to his office in Baja. None of the others sites have seen him,” she said.
 
                  “Baja,” repeated Max.
 
                  “Also Homeland Security reported that Dr. Bryan Gregory passed through their Otay Mesa crossing the day after Aaron McCormick disappeared. We ran a check of his cell phone and found that he’s made many calls from Baja.”
 
                  “Is there a clinic there he might be working at?” asked Max.
 
                  “There’s one…that was organized by David Long,” she replied.
 
                  Max nodded. “Still doesn’t prove anything. The two of them could be fishing for all we know.”
 
                  “Do you believe that?” she asked.
 
                  Max laughed. “I’m getting old but I’m not senile.”
 
                  “What do you want to me to do?”
 
                  “Does Rich still run missing persons?” he asked.
 
                   “Of course. He’s as stubborn as I am and won’t give up his department,” she said.
 
                  “Good, he’ll know what to do with the info,” he replied. He then reached into his bag and pulled out two bottles of Pinot Noir.
 
                  “Ooo, these look interesting,” said Michelle as she read the labels. “Thank you so much.”
 
                  “You’re welcome,” he replied. “Thanks for all the help.”
 
                  “We haven’t done anything yet…the kid is still missing,” she replied.
 
                  “I know…hopefully we get him back.”
 
 
Chapter 17
 
                  Aaron tried to pull back as the nurse came at him with the syringe.
 
                  “Please…don’t,” he begged.
 
                  She ignored him and gave him the injection.
 
                  The masked doctor walked into the room.
 
                  “You should be feeling sleepy,” he said.
 
                  Aaron looked up at the doctor.
 
                  “Please don’t do this.”
 
                  “It’s too late for that. The good news is that you’ll soon be home,” said the doctor. “We’re almost done with you.”
 
                  Aaron was too upset to reply and without a word he drifted into blackness.
 
 
Chapter 18
 
                  Marlon sent his finished transcript to his editor. He attached a note stating that he reserved the right to make any changes should Aaron McCormick show up.
 
                  It had been two weeks since Max Bowie briefed him. The good news was that The Agency had opened a case on Aaron. However they had no new information. The general feeling was that Aaron was dead and Marlon began to get a bad feeling that they were right.
 
                  Usually after he finished a book he would take a long vacation, but this time Marlon didn’t feel like celebrating. In his guts he knew that some of the families of Martin McCormick’s victims were responsible for the disappearance of Aaron. If they hurt or killed Aaron then it was crime, pure and simple. Marlon didn’t believe in vigilante justice as it never resolved anything. An eye for an eye just led to additional crimes. 
 
                  Marlon looked at his watch and determined that it was still too early for a drink. He was about to go the gym when his phone rang. He looked at his phone and saw that it was Aaron’s grandparents.
 
                  “Hello,” he greeted.
 
                  There was silence at first…but he could hear someone breathing hard.
 
                  “This is Marlon…is everything okay?” he asked.
 
                  “The police called…Aaron has been returned,” said Aaron’s grandfather Roger.
 
                  “How is he?” asked Marlon noting the trepidation in Roger’s voice.
 
                  “They hurt him…I mean they…they changed him…they operated on him…and changed him into a girl,” stammered Roger.
 
                  “What?” asked Marlon.
 
                  “I know…it’s crazy but the kidnappers changed our grandson and turned him into a girl,” continued Roger.
 
                  “Why?” asked Marlon.
 
                  “Something about hurting that bastard Martin…that they took away his son and killed his bloodline…Damnit to Hell!”
 
                  “Roger, where is Aaron?”
 
                  “He’s now in a hospital in San Diego. We’re trying to book a flight so we can head out there,” said Roger.
 
                  “Can you afford it?” asked Marlon.
 
                  “I guess so...it doesn’t matter we need to be out there,” said Roger.
 
                  “Don’t worry about it…I’ll pick up the cost. Now tell me the name of the hospital where Aaron has been admitted,” said Marlon.
 
 
Chapter 19
 
                  Marlon caught the next flight to San Diego. He called his publisher and had him reserve a car and hotel rooms for both him and for Aaron’s grandparents.
 
                  Next he called Diana.
 
                  To his surprise she already knew what happened as the abductors had given the press a complete report including videotape of Aaron’s transformation.
 
                  “They also sent a copy to Martin’s lawyer and to the prosecuting attorneys,” she continued.
 
                  “Why?” asked Marlon.
 
                  “They said that the legal system failed and that they took the law into their own hands to punish Martin McCormick in the same manner the families of his victims were hurt. They also wanted Aaron to be humiliated publicly.”
 
                  “Sonofabitch!” cursed Marlon.
 
                  “My thoughts exactly” she said.
 
                  “I’m heading out to San Diego as we speak and I’ve got Aarons’ grandparents on a flight. Can you place some calls to see if we can slip them through the airport and to the hospital without the press knowing?” he asked.
 
                  “I think that can be arranged. Marlon, you know my story…I’d like to help…I have insight into these kinds of things,” she said.
 
                  “Of course,” he replied. “You know, I’ve known you for years and I just thought of you as a great writer and reporter.”
 
                  “I appreciate that, Marlon,” she said.
 
                  “I’ll call you as soon as I get to San Diego. I’ll text you both flight info.”
 
                  “Thanks,” she replied. “See you soon.”
 
 
Chapter 20
 
                  Dr. Vasquez read the chart of her newest patient. Thankfully whoever it whoever it was that operated on the youth had provided a detailed medical record of all the procedures.
 
                  She had no idea who did the surgery or why, all that matter to her was the welfare of her patient.
 
                  The hospital security was on duty to keep the press away and she had to show her hospital ID badge to be admitted to Aaron’s room.
 
                  She walked into the room and asked the duty nurse Aaron’s condition.
 
                  “She…I mean he’s still asleep,” she said nervously. “I’m sorry Dr. Vasquez…I don’t know how to refer to …the patient.”
 
                  “It’s okay…I’m not sure either…the important thing is that we see to their health,” she replied.
 
                  The nurse nodded as she looked at Aaron.
 
                  “I can’t believe that she was once a male,” she commented.
 
                  Dr. Vasquez had to agree. Whoever did this had taken great detail in the transformation of the youth. In addition to the extensive surgery, they had given the youth permanent makeup on the face.
 
                  “We just got word that his grandparents will be arriving soon,” said Dr. Vasquez. “Is the connecting room empty?”
 
                  The nurse nodded.
 
                  “Okay, can you have the orderlies set it up for them? I know the grandparents will have a place to stay…but I suspect that they’ll want to be here…I would.”
 
                  “I’ll get right on it,” said the nurse.
 
                  “Oh, and pass the word, I don’t want any violations of our patient’s privacy. They will be fired immediately,” she said.
 
                  “I’ll tell them,” replied the nurse.
 
                  Dr, Vasquez sat down next to Aaron as she read her charts.
 
 
Chapter 21
 
                  Martin McCormick sat in the interrogation room in shackles. He was wearing a bright orange jumpsuit and tennis shoes.
                 
                  His lawyer told him what had happened to Aaron.
 
                  “I received a DVD which showed what they did. There was also a photo included,” said the lawyer. He then showed the photo to Martin.
 
                  Martin looked at the photo of the now feminized Aaron and immediately broke out laughing.
 
                  “They did that to hurt me? What a joke! Don’t they know that that kid means nothing to me!” exclaimed Martin who continued to laugh. “Can I see the DVD?”
 
                  “No, the authorities have taken it to study,” said the lawyer.
 
                  “They certainly did an excellent job on …my daughter?” stated Martin. “Not bad at all…she’s a pretty nice piece of ass.”
 
                  The lawyer just stared back trying to hold back his disgust with his client. 
 
                  “They said they wanted Aaron to look like a girl that you would see as a victim,” stated the lawyer. “They also released the DVD to the press.”
 
                  “What’s on the DVD?” asked Martin.
 
                  “They show the step by step changes,” replied the lawyer.
 
                  “Sounds kinky…I want to see it,” stated Martin. “Do some of that lawyer shit and get me a copy.”
 
                  His lawyer felt ill, but he just nodded. “I’ll see what I can do.”
 
                  “Oh, I want to release a statement to the press. Tell them that these so-called vigilantes are idiots and that they wasted their time and money. The kid means nothing to me…and changing him into a bitch…while interesting…was a stupid act of defiance. Instead of making me upset, I will get a great deal of pleasure as soon I hear that they are arrested. Maybe they’ll be sent here!”
 
                  “I’ll see what I can do,” said the lawyer.
 
                  “You do that,” said Martin. He then began to laugh again. “Oh, this is the best joke I’ve heard in weeks.”
 
 
Chapter 22
 
                  Marlon arrived at the hospital with Aaron’s grandparents. As expected there was a media circus around the hospital, but the police were able to whisk them in through the delivery gate.
 
                  Once inside the hospital they were escorted up to Aaron’s room. Marlon was pleased to see that there was adequate security to prevent the press and others from bothering Aaron.
 
                  Dr. Vasquez greeted them outside and escorted them into the room next to Aaron.
 
                  “Your grandchild is presently asleep,” she explained. “No, that’s not quite true, we had to sedate Aaron.”
 
                  “Why?” asked Gloria.
 
                  “Aaron was hysterical when they brought …brought him in here,” she replied. “We felt it was best to calm…to help Aaron accept what had happened.”
 
                  Roger slipped his arm around his wife.
 
                  “Aaron saw the press as the ambulance brought…her…I mean him here. They had been notified by whoever did this,” she continued.
 
                  “We understand doctor. Can we go in with Aaron?” asked Roger.
 
                  “Absolutely,” replied Dr. Vasquez. “I just wanted to prepare you. First, your grandchild is very healthy. There are no complications from the surgeries. The surgeon… or surgeons that operated on Aaron were very skilled. Additionally whoever did this provided us with a complete medical record of what they did,” she explained.
 
                  “Why would they do that?” asked Gloria, Aaron’s grandmother.
 
                  “I suspect they wanted to show that in spite of what they did they were concerned with Aaron’s health,” replied Dr. Vasquez.
 
                  “I noticed that you keep saying grandchild and having difficulty with Aaron’s gender,” said Roger.
 
                  Dr. Vasquez sighed. “I know…I’ll be honest with you…Aaron looks very feminine…the surgery was very extensive. I’ve had several transgendered patients and I have always been very careful to use the proper terms regarding their gender. We also know that this was done without Aaron’s permission. And we haven’t had a chance to ask Aaron yet on which gender we should use.”
 
                  “I understand, thank you Dr. Vasquez,” replied Gloria. “Now, can we see Aaron?”
 
                  “Absolutely,” she replied. “Please follow me.”
 
 
Chapter 23
 
                  Marlon stayed in the room alone. A few minutes later a large man with short gray hair entered the room.
 
                  “Marlon Bramberger?” he asked.
 
                  Marlon nodded.
 
                  “Diana said you’d be here. Glad to finally meet you, I’m Max Bowie,” stated the man as he extended his hand.
 
                  Marlon smiled as they shook hands.
 
                  “I’m a fan of your books,” said Max.
 
                  “Well, I’m a fan of your work,” replied Marlon. “You’re a legend in law enforcement.”
 
                  “I just wish we had found the kid before they did this,” replied Max as he sat down.
 
                  Marlon sat down next to him.
 
                  “What have you found out?” asked Marlon. “Don’t worry…I’m not working on a book…this is personal.”
 
                  “That’s fine…but I hope you do write a book on this…so the world will know what monsters they are. The people that did this provided the doctors with a complete medical file on what they did; I guess they didn’t want to look bad,” stated Max with sarcasm.
 
                  Marlon nodded. “What can you get from it?”
 
                  “Whoever wrote it was obviously a skilled doctor. We’ve turned a copy over to our medical experts. They’re studying it and the DVD. They’ll also send a doctor out here to examine Aaron.”
 
                  “Do you think they can match procedures used on Aaron to the surgeons?” asked Marlon.
 
                  Max nodded. “I’m convinced that we’ll be able to tie Dr. Gregory to this. He uses some rather unique surgical procedures. We currently have his office under surveillance as we speak. He returned to the US two days ago…as did David Long.”
 
                  “Who are you going after first…the doctor or the businessman?”
 
                  Max smiled and nodded. “The doctor…I’m sure he’ll break quickly and provide us with everything we want…including David Long.”
 
                  “I can’t believe that they did this…I mean it won’t take much to tie them to it,” said Marlon.
 
                  “They’re both rich and smart. I doubt they ever thought that anyone would suspect them,” said Max. “After all, they’re both fine and upstanding citizens.”
 
                  Marlon nodded in agreement. “I’d love to watch the interrogation of Dr. Gregory.”
 
                  “You can be my guest,” said Max.
 
 
Chapter 24
 
                  It wasn’t until the next morning that Aaron woke up. At first he thought he was still back in the clinic where he was changed. But when he saw that there were no restraints on his wrists he breathed a sigh of relief.
 
                  He looked around his room and saw his grandparents asleep in chairs next to his bed. The sight of family there brought tears to his eyes. It was obvious that they saw what he now looked like and they stayed anyway…his worst fears hadn’t happened.
 
                  He almost woke them up…but instead he decided to let them sleep. They looked exhausted…and much older. When he thought of the strain his disappearance must have caused them his anger grew. Somehow…someway he would get back at the fiends that had done this.
 
                  He momentarily closed his eyes and pictured the crowds outside the hospital when the ambulance arrived. There were so many reporters…all there to see him. So, his tormentors had kept their word about making all this public and for what? Aaron knew Martin wouldn’t give a crap about what they had done to him.
 
                  Him? He wasn’t a male anymore…thanks to those bastards. But even though he had a female body…and voice…and everything else…in his mind he was still a male. The question was, how would he…or she live out his or her life?
 
                  Aaron remembered how the masked doctor had said that the procedures used would be almost impossible to reverse. Even with surgery Aaron knew he could never be a complete male again. As much as he hated the idea…like it or not he was now a woman. Yet thanks to those bastards people would know what happened.
 
                  So, I’m now a…girl, Aaron thought. This wouldn’t be easy…and she realized that she would need a new name…those bastards had killed Aaron. It was more than she could take and she began to sob.
 
                  She buried her head in her hands and wept. She held nothing back and all the pain of the past weeks and months poured out.
 
                  She then felt someone touch her shoulder and she looked up, it was her grandparents.
 
                  “Hi,” she said weakly.
 
                  Without a word her grandparents hugged and comforted her. She tried to speak but all she could do was cry. And as she did she heard her grandmother’s voice.
 
                  “Its okay, dear, let it out. And don’t worry about a thing, we’re here for you.”
 
 
Chapter 25
 
                  Bryan watched TV and smiled at all the coverage concerning Aaron’s return and transformation. He was on his third glass of Scotch as he watched the latest coverage. David had been right; the press was in a full feeding frenzy over this. He wondered how that monster Martin felt now that his only son was a sexy young woman.
 
                  As he flipped channels he found what he was looking for; a report on Martin McCormick. He wondered if David was watching the same show and he almost picked up the phone, but he then remembered David’s warning against talking to each other.
 
                  The reporter described an exclusive interview with Martin’s lawyer.
 
                  Bryan smiled and licked his lips in anticipation as the lawyer began to read a statement from Martin.
 
                  But then as the words sunk in Bryan’s mood shifted dramatically; they had failed! That fucking bastard Martin not only wasn’t upset…he was openly mocking them for what they had done!
 
                   Bryan stood up and screamed in rage as he threw his class at the TV.
 
                 
Chapter 26
 
                  “I’m not surprised,” stated Marlon. “Martin is a pure sociopath and he is genuinely thrilled that someone would seek this sort of revenge against him. He feeds off this sort of thing.”
 
                  Max, Diana, and he had watched the same newscast. They were in a hotel room close to the hospital.
 
                  “I agree,” added Diana.
 
                  Max just glared at the TV. “I’d like five minutes alone with that psycho.”
 
                  “Take a number, I suspect that the line would be quite long,” said Marlon who stood up and stretched.
 
                  “You should get some sleep,” suggested Diana.
 
                  Marlon nodded. “I just want to hear from Aaron’s grandparents.”
 
                  “Marlon, I’m sure they’re fine and their being with Aaron is the best medicine,” continued Diana. “I know from my own experiences that being with family is vital.”
 
                  “So…how do you think Aaron will do?” he asked.
 
                  “It will be a long and hard journey. I mean, as bad as it was for me, at least I wanted to be female. From what the doctors have told us, it would be very difficult to make Aaron look even remotely male...and even then the change wouldn’t be complete.”
 
                  “So, Aaron will probably have to live as a woman,” said Marlon.
 
                  “Yes, and the mental aspects of that will be very difficult…add to that the fact that world knows what happened,” she said with her voice tailing off. “I’m so damn sick of this shit happening!”
 
                  Marlon nodded. He had read Diana’s books including the most recent best seller concerning a college student who had been forcibly transformed into a woman.
 
                  “What about that foundation that you wrote about?” asked Marlon.
 
                  Diana smiled. “I’ve already called Dr. Chen at the Farnsworth Foundation. She said that they’ll do whatever it takes to help Aaron adjust, assuming that Aaron wants to go there.”
 
                  “What not? From what I read in your last book it sounds like a private school.”
 
                  “It’s very nice, but Aaron may not feel like going. When the time is right I will talk to the grandparents and then to Aaron,” said Diana.
 
 
Chapter 27
 
                  “So it’s been over two months?” asked Aaron.
 
                  Roger nodded.
 
                  “I lost all track of time when I was there,” she replied.
 
                  “That’s understandable,” said Gloria.
 
                  “It must have been awful for you two,” said Aaron.
 
                  “We were worried…but we always knew that we’d see you again,” said Gloria.
 
                  Aaron nodded.
 
                  “Um, I suppose that I’m going to need a new name,” she said.
 
                  “There’s no rush,” said Roger.
 
                  “Yes and there’s no reason to ignore the inevitable either,” said Aaron. “I’m not happy about this either…but to call me Aaron now is…well pointless.”
 
                  “So what do you want to be called?” asked Gloria.
 
                  “I…I don’t know. What do you suggest?” she asked.
 
                  Gloria looked at Roger and then back at Aaron.
 
                  “Do you want us to name you?” she asked.
 
                  Aaron nodded. “Why not?”
 
                  “Roger smiled back. “Okay, but how about this…we come up with a short list and we pick it together?”
 
                  “I like that idea,” said Gloria.
 
                  Aaron nodded. “Thanks.”
 
 
Chapter 28
 
                  Aaron scanned the list of names that his grandparents came up with. There were ten names on the list. She immediately crossed off the two that started with A as she decided that she would go for a clean start. After an hour she had narrowed the list down to two.
 
                  Gloria looked at the two remaining names and then passed the piece of paper to Roger who nodded.
 
                  “The trouble is I can’t decide between these two,” said Aaron.
 
                  “Why not both? Use one as your middle name,” said Gloria.
 
                  “Of course,” said Aaron. “Which one do you like best?”
 
                  Gloria and Roger both picked the same one.
 
                  Aaron looked at it and nodded.
 
                  “Okay, so I guess that I’m now Nicolette Sophia McCormick,” she said. “That’s kinda long…I guess you can call me Nikki.”
 
                  “Nikki, I’m happy that you picked your mother’s middle name to be yours,” said Gloria.
 
                  “Nikki is a nice name,” said Roger.
 
                  Nikki smiled back. “It’s a start.”
 
 
Chapter 29
 
                  It was later that day when Max was brought into the room by Roger and Gloria. They introduced him to Nikki.
 
                  “I won’t take up too much of your time, Nikki. I just have a few questions for you,” said Max.
 
                  “Are you really trying to catch the people that…did this to me?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “Yes,” replied Max.
 
                  “I’ll do whatever you want,” she replied.
 
                  Max smiled and sat down next to the bed and placed a recorder next to the bed. “Okay, start off by telling me everything you can remember…try doing it in order of the way things happened, like you were telling a story.”
 
                  Nikki began to describe what had happened. Max was impressed with the amount of detail Nikki described.
 
                  “Excuse me for a second, did you say that the doctor who operated on you actually talked to you?” asked Max.
 
                  Nikki nodded. “That’s right. He wore a mask, but I would know his voice anywhere.”
 
                  Max stood up and pulled out his cell phone. “I need to make a quick call. I will be right back.”
 
                  Ten minutes later Max returned.
 
                  “Nikki, I just placed a call to our office. They are going to have you do an audio lineup,” said Max.
 
                  “You mean you may have a recording of the doctor?” asked Nikki excitedly.
 
                  “Maybe,” replied Max. “In the meantime, until they get here, please continue with your description.”
 
 
Chapter 30
 
                  Two other agents arrived with the recordings. One of the three recordings was from a speech that Bryan had given the previous summer. The other two were of other doctors who were attending the same conference.
 
                  If Nikki picked Bryan it would be enough for a search warrant and it would allow Max to bring Bryan in for questioning.
 
                  Nikki listened intently to all three recordings.
 
                  “Do you want to hear them again?” asked the agent conducting the test.
 
                  Nikki shook her head. “No, it won’t be necessary. It was number two.”
 
                  “Are you sure?” asked the agent.
 
                  “Absolutely,” she replied. “That voice will be in my nightmares the rest of my life.”
 
                  The agent leaned towards the recorder. “Let it be noted that the witness identified tape two. This tape was a recording of a speech given by Dr. Bryan Gregory in Denver Colorado.”
 
                  Max looked at the Federal Prosecutor who was standing next to him.
 
                  “Well?”
 
                  “Start up to Pasadena, the search warrant will be approved by the time you get there.”
 
 
Chapter 31
 
                  Dr. Bryan Gregory sat nervously in the interrogation room of the Federal Court House in Los Angeles. He was shocked when the agents showed up outside his home and took him into custody. He remembered what David had told him what to do if this happened. David told him that if the authorities questioned him to act calm and not act like he did something wrong.
 
                  When the agents asked Bryan of he wanted his lawyer he declined as that would look like he was guilty of something.
 
                  Max sat down across from Bryan. He started off by asking him some questions regarding Martin McCormick.
 
                  Bryan relaxed and answered the questions. Maybe this was just related to Martin he thought.
 
                  “Doctor, can you tell us where you spent the summer?” asked Max.
 
                  “The summer? Why do you want to know that?” asked Bryan.
 
                  “It’s just routine,” replied Max. “You obviously have heard about the abduction and return of Aaron McCormick.”
 
                  “Yes, it’s been on all the news. I wish there had been that much coverage by those parasites when my child was abducted,” he replied.
 
                  “I understand your pain,” said Max. “Now, could you please answer my question? I have several other people to talk to this afternoon.”
 
                  Bryan looked at Max and nodded. He figured that the government sent this fossil out here to do some routine work. He immediately relaxed and began to tell Max the cover story.                  
 
                  “I was down in Mexico, I was doing volunteer work at a clinic in Baja,” replied Bryan. He then described some of the work he had done.
 
                  Max just nodded and took notes.
 
                  “It sounds like you did some good work down there,” said Max.
 
                  “It’s my way of giving back,” said Bryan as he leaned back in his chair. This was even easier than he had imagined.
 
                  “Thank you Dr. Gregory…oh, I have one last question,” asked Max as he handed the doctor a photograph. “Our medical experts examined Aaron and have determined that the surgical procedures are the same that you use.”
 
                  Bryan froze and his jaw dropped slightly.
 
                  “We’ve compared some of the surgical techniques used on the victim and they match those that you perfected and in some cases patented,” continued Max.
 
                  “I…I…I’m not the only one who uses those procedures,” stammered Bryan.
 
                  “That’s true. But you’re the only plastic surgeon who has a connection to this case.”
 
                  Bryan stared back in silence as if he was trying to think of a reply.
 
                  “We also have a positive voice identification by Aaron McCormick He picked your voice out as the man who operated on him,” said Max.
 
                  Bryan began to fidget nervously in his chair.
 
                  “The Mexican authorities have conducted a search of the facility. They found numerous fingerprints and other evidence,” continued Max. “We’ve already positively identified the fingerprints of Aaron McCormick. I expect that we’ll find yours there too.”
 
                  “You’re lying! That site was destroyed!” blurted out Bryan. He then cursed under his breath as he realized that he had screwed up.
 
                  “Oops,” said Max with a grin. “You have a choice, either cooperate with us and tell us everything you know…or take the full blame.”
 
                  “I want my lawyer,” said Bryan.
 
                  “Sure,” replied Max. “By the time he gets here we should have even more evidence against you.”
 
 
Chapter 32
 
                  “That was too easy,” said Max as he poured himself a refill of coffee.
 
                  Marlon nodded. 
 
                  “The good doctor never thought he’d be suspected...to quote that great American Bugs Bunny ‘what a maroon’,” said Max.
 
                  The federal prosecutor walked into the room and smiled.
 
                  “What are you so happy about, James?” asked Max.
 
                  James Eagleman had been a prosecutor for the past ten years and had recently been transferred to California.
 
                  “It keeps getting better, our search of the doctor’s office turned up a computer file that has a copy of the medical file left with Aaron,” said James.
 
                  “You’ve got to be kidding? Was he really that stupid?” asked Marlon.
 
                  “Not stupid…arrogant…hell his computer files didn’t even have a password,” said James as he poured himself a cup of coffee. “Max, his lawyer just arrived, do you want to join me for round two?”
 
                  “I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” said Max. 
 
                  A short time later James and Max were sitting across from Bryan and his lawyer, Michael Robbins.
 
                  “We’re ready to make a deal…in exchange for no jail time….and that his medial license not be revoked and…,” said Michael.
 
                  James put up his hand to stop Michael from continuing.
 
                  “Your client abducted and physically abused a young man… violated his Hippocratic Oath…and there’s no way we’re going to let him walk away with a slap on the wrist,” said James. “Here’s our deal, in exchange for him telling us who he worked with, I will consider certain accommodations in sentencing. But he’s going to serve time. Right now we have more than enough evidence to put him away for a very long time. You give us your partner and you’ll do your time in a medium security prison…otherwise I’ll see that you end up in a Super Max in isolation.”
 
                  “You must be joking, that’s the best you can offer?” asked Michael.
 
                  “I’m not in a very good mood, especially after I saw what your client did to an innocent young man. Trust me on this one counselor you don’t want to risk taking this case to court…I will bury you so deep in prison that you’ll never see daylight again,” threatened James. “This is a one time offer that lasts 10 seconds. Ten… nine…”
                 
                  Michael looked at Bryan who nodded.
 
                  “We agree,” said Michael.
 
                  “Okay, Bryan, tell us what you know,” said James.
 
 
Chapter 33
 
                  Nikki sat in a chair in her room watching TV. Even though she wanted to get caught up on the news, she stuck to the movie, sports, and other non-news channels to avoid the possibility of hearing anything regarding her case. The only good thing was the press feeding frenzy had died down and only a few TV vans were outside the hotel.
 
                  Even though Nikki wanted to get out of the hospital, she feared what she would run into once outside in the real world.
 
                  She was still in state of shock regarding what had happened. Yes, she was attractive…but she was a girl…those fuckers had turned her into a girl! Her whole life was turned upside down. She still wanted to go to college, but she knew she would have to live in fear of being recognized. She was a freak, the feminized child of a monster.
 
                  She shook her head to clear her mind as the more she thought about her situation the more she felt her emotions building. Her emotions switched from depression and fear to nearly uncontrollable rage. And then there were the flashes of ending it all.
 
                  Nikki was pulled out of her thoughts.
 
                  “Yes?” she asked.
 
                  Dr. Vasquez entered the room. “Hi Nikki, do you feel like seeing a visitor? She’s been cleared by your grandparents.”
 
                  “Who is it?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “Her name is Diana Bowie,” replied Dr. Vasquez.
 
                  Nikki searched her mind as that name was familiar. “Um, is she the one who used to be on CNN?”
 
                  Dr. Vasquez nodded.
 
                  “Why does she want to see me? I’m not doing interviews,” said Nikki.
 
                  “She doesn’t want to interview you Nikki. She wants to help you…she’s transgendered and when she was a teen she went through a similar situation to yours.”
 
                  Nikki stared back. “Really?”
 
                  “I’ve read her books, she’s quite open about it,” said Dr. Vasquez.
 
                  “Okay, I’ll see her,” said Nikki.
 
                  Diana walked into the hospital room a few minutes later. She had seen photos of Nikki but she was still stunned by how feminine she looked. Diana begrudgingly had to admit that Dr. Gregory had done a good job. He easily could have changed Aaron into a mockery of a woman with enormous breasts and curves.
 
                  Nikki was watching a cartoon on the TV.
 
                  “Hello Nikki,” greeted Diana.
 
                  “Hi,” she replied. “Are you Diana?”
 
                  “Yes,” she replied as she walked over and sat down next to Nikki. “What are you watching?”
 
                  “Phineas and Ferb,” she replied “It’s always been a guilty pleasure of mine…even before …’THIS’ happened. It makes me laugh.”
 
                  “It’s okay, I like cartoons too,” replied Diana. “Does it make you laugh now?”
 
                  “A little,” replied Nikki.
 
                  Diana noticed that Nikki was wearing a hospital gown and robe.
 
                  “May I ask you a question? Do you like wearing what you have on?” asked Diana.
 
                  “Not really…I just don’t know what to wear…now,” she replied. “I’m not ready to wear girl stuff.”
 
                  “What did you like to wear before this happened?”
 
                  “Jeans and T-shirts,” she replied.
 
                  “Just so you know that’s acceptable in either gender. You don’t have to start wearing a dress,” said Diana.
 
                  “I guess you’re right,” she replied.
 
                  Diana smiled. At least she was answering back.
 
                  Nikki smirked slightly as she looked at the TV.
 
                  Diana looked at the screen. “Umm, is that a platypus?”
 
                  “It’s Perry the Platypus,” replied Nikki.
 
                  “And… why is he wearing a fedora?”
 
                  “He’s a secret agent,” replied Nikki.
 
                  “Okay, now it makes sense,” said Diana with a laugh.
 
                  Nikki smiled back and laughed too.
 
                  “You have a nice laugh, Nikki,” said Diana.
 
                  “It’s been a long time since I even felt like laughing,” she replied.
 
                  “You feel like talking about it?”
 
                  Nikki ran her fingers through her hair. “Dr. Vasquez said that you went through something similar; could you tell me what it was first?”
 
                  “Of course,” replied Diana.
 
                   
Chapter 34
 
                  Roger and Gloria peeked in and were pleased to see that Nikki was talking with Diana.
 
                  “How long have they been at it?” he asked Dr. Vasquez.
 
                  “For over four hours,” she replied.
 
                  “I’m glad to hear that,” said Gloria. “Do you think they’d mind if we went in?”
 
                  “I doubt it,” said Dr. Vasquez. “Why don’t you see if they want something to eat?”
 
                  Roger nodded and they walked into Nikki’s room.
 
                  Nikki stood up and introduced Diana to her grandparents.
 
                  “We stopped in to see how you were doing and to see if you wanted something to eat,” said Gloria.
 
                  “I could go for something to eat…but not hospital food. Is there a Chinese restaurant nearby?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “I’ll ask your doctor. I’m sure that she’ll know,” said Roger.
 
                  Dr Vasquez not only confirmed that they had an excellent Chinese restaurant nearby, but she also produced a menu.
 
                  “They deliver all the time,” she said.
 
 
Chapter 35
 
                  After dinner, Roger and Gloria departed so Diana and Nikki could continue to talk in private.
 
                  “Your grandparents are really nice,” said Diana.
 
                  “I know,” replied Nikki. She then sighed. “I owe them so much. They’ve been so much help in the past few years.”
 
                  “Don’t blame yourself,” said Diana.”I went through a lot of guilt after my misadventure…it drags you down.”
 
                  “I know,” replied Nikki. “Diana, what am I going to do? I mean, I don’t want to be a girl…I don’t feel like a girl either…but I know that I’ll never be a guy again.”
 
                  “I wish I had the answers. I muddled forward and made my share of mistakes. I know one thing, I never considered quitting.”
 
                  “Quitting…you mean suicide?”
 
                  “Yes,” replied Diana. “I thought about it…but I didn’t want to give the bastards who hurt me the satisfaction.”
 
                  “Do you still feel that way?”
 
                  “No. I’m happy with my life. I have a wonderful family, great friends…and I have a wonderful woman in my life.”
 
                  “So you see yourself as a lesbian?”
 
                  “I don’t use titles…but I guess that’s as good a description as any.”
 
                  Nikki nodded. “I’m sorry to ask such personal questions.”
 
                  “If I didn’t want to talk about it I wouldn’t have come out here,” replied Diana.
 
                  Nikki smiled back. “Um, so when did you notice that you had put the pain behind you?”
 
                  “I never said that it was totally gone. I just learned to live with it. I have my moments…and there are times I rage against what was done to me. I also go to the parole hearings for my teacher who violated me.”
 
                  “Really?”
 
                  Diana nodded. “I want him to serve every day of his original sentence.”
 
                  “Will he be out some day?”
 
                  “Maybe,” she replied.
 
                  “How do you feel about that?”
 
                  “I’d prefer him to be locked up for life…but if he’s released I’ll deal with it.”
 
                  “Are you afraid that he’ll come after you?”
 
                  “He’s not that stupid,” she replied. “If he did, it would be the last thing he did.”
 
                  “Thanks for being so honest,” she replied. “I feel the same way about the people that did this to me. I mean, I wasn’t sexually abused”
 
                  “No, but you were abused in a hateful manner. You need to heal yourself and move on. Don’t push away the people trying to help you either.”
 
                  “I hope they catch the bastards that did this to me,” she grumbled.
 
                  “They’re working on it,” said Diana.
 
 
Chapter 36
                 
                  It was later that night as David Long got out of his Mercedes and pressed the alarm. He had to stop by his office to take care of some pressing business.
 
He was slightly disappointed that the hoopla over the transformation of Aaron McCormick seemed to be petering out. He was also upset that it didn’t quite hit the mark concerning Martin McCormick. The man was even more of a monster than he had thought.
 
                  Since his revenge concerning Martin’s sole child didn’t work, David was planning a new way to get back at the killer of his own son. He would get another of the death row inmates to kill Martin.
 
                  The plan was simple enough; he was currently researching the inmates who share death row with Martin. When he found the likely subject he would make his offer. In exchange for killing Martin, the inmate’s family would be generously compensated. He had already narrowed it down to two inmates; both had families in Central America. He would offer both money and jobs in exchange for the death of Martin McCormick.
 
                  As he walked towards his office he sensed that he wasn’t alone. He turned to see three men in suits step out of the shadows.
 
                  “David Long, you’re under arrest,” stated one of the men as he held up a badge.
 
                  David’s heart skipped a beat as he realized that they were federal agents. While his business was squeaky clean in the states, he had committed numerous violations out of the country. In fact the only crime he had committed in the states was the abduction of Aaron McCormick. It immediately hit him that they knew he was involved.
 
                  “For what?” asked David as he stalled for time.
 
                  “We have a warrant for your arrest for the abduction Aaron McCormick…among other charges,” stated the agent as he walked closer to David.
 
                  Without even thinking about the consequences, David pulled out his Glock 9 Millimeter semiautomatic pistol from his coat. If he could just get to his car he could get away.
 
                  He barely had time to point it before he was struck by several rounds by the agents.
 
                  David was immediately knocked back and collapsed in pain. He looked up at the agents and tried to speak…but nothing came out and soon he was engulfed in darkness.
 
                 
Chapter 37
 
                  Diana had just left Nikki’s hospital room when her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID and saw it was Max.
 
                  “Hello,” she said.
 
                  “Can you talk?” he asked.
 
                  “Sure, what’s up?”
 
                  “We arrested Dr. Bryan Gregory this afternoon and he confirmed that it was David Long who was behind Aaron’s abduction and transformation,” said Max.
 
                  “Where’s Long?” asked Diana.
 
                  “The morgue. The stupid bastard drew a weapon when the agents arrived to arrest him. Thankfully none of them were hurt,” replied Max. “At least it will save the taxpayers some money.”
 
                  “Is there anyone else involved?” asked Diana.
 
                  “We have a short list of the staff that assisted down in Baja. The doctor who did the actual SRS on Aaron is from Thailand and we have no idea of their whereabouts. An international warrant has been issued, but I doubt if it will do any good.”
 
                  “At least we got the people who did this to Nikki,” said Diana.
 
                  “Nikki?”
 
                  “Sorry, that’s Aaron’s new name,” she replied. “So what’s going to happen to the doctor?”
 
                  “The prosecutor wants forty to life and he has a pretty solid case,”
 
                  “Will it go to trial?” asked Diana.
 
                  “Don’t know, the lawyers are talking as we speak. We also have a suicide watch on the good doctor. I want either a conviction or a guilty plea…after that if he wants to kill himself I’ll give him the rope myself.”
 
                  “Thanks. Um, do you want me to tell Nikki?”
 
                  “That would be good as they‘re going to have a press conference in a few hours.”
 
                  “Okay, I’ll go talk to her grandparents first. Will you be coming back down here?” she asked.
 
                  “Of course,” he replied.
 
                  “Thanks Dad,” she said.
 
                  “I never get tired of hearing that,” he said.
 
 
Chapter 38
 
                  Nikki listened intently as Diana told her what happened. Her grandparents sat next to her on the bed.
 
                  “Does Max think there will be a trial?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “He doesn’t know yet. I suspect that Dr. Gregory will try and make a deal to avoid the public humiliation of a trial,” said Diana.
 
                  “If there is one I want to testify,” said Nikki. “I want to show the world that I’m not some sort of freak.”
 
                  “What if there isn’t a trial?” asked Gloria.
 
                  “If Gregory makes a deal I suspect that he will have to do an allocution and describe what he did and why,” said Diana.
 
                  “Will I be allowed to be there?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “Of course,” replied Diana.
 
                  “So that’s it,” said Nikki as she shook her head. “There are no winners in this, are there?”
 
                  “Not necessarily, Nikki. You have a long life ahead of you. I’m not going to say it will be easy,” she said. “But remember what we talked about…don’t give up.”
 
                  Nikki shrugged her shoulders.
 
                  “I keep hoping that this is all a nightmare and that I’ll wake up soon,” she lamented.
 
                  Diana looked at Gloria and Roger and they nodded.
 
                  “Nikki, you need time to heal…and I know just the place,” said Diana. She then described The Farnsworth Foundation.
 
                  “Did you go there?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “It didn’t exist back then…I wish it had,” she replied. “Look, you don’t have to make up your mind tonight. But think about it, okay?”
 
                  “I will,” she replied.
 
                  “Good,” replied Diana. “Now, I’ll be back tomorrow okay?”
 
                  “I’d like that,” replied Nikki.
 
                  As Diana got up to leave she gave Nikki a hug. As Nikki began to embrace Diana she began to cry. Diana gently comforted her.
 
                  “Sorry about that,” said Nikki as she wiped tears away from her eyes.
 
                  “Nothing to apologize for,” said Diana. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
 
                  “Good night,” said Nikki.
 
 
Chapter 39
                 
                  The next day Diana arrived with several shopping bags.
 
                  “What’s in there?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “Your grandmother provided me with your sizes. I bought you some clothes so you don’t have to keep wearing that hospital gown,” replied Diana. “Don’t worry; I stuck with pretty gender neutral things. The lone exception is your underwear. Trust me, panties will feel more comfortable and as much as you probably hate the idea I picked you up a few bras.”
 
                  “I suppose that’s a necessary evil,” replied Nikki.
 
                  “You’ll get used to wearing one pretty quickly…it’s just a piece of clothing, Nikki. Besides those breasts of yours bouncing around too much can really hurt after a while.”
 
                  “I know,” she replied. “Okay, let’s get this started.”
 
                  A short time later Nikki was standing in front of the mirror looking at herself. She was wearing a pair of jeans, sandals, and a olive green colored T-shirt. On her wrist she had a basic watch.
 
                  “What do you think?” asked Diana.
 
                  “Not bad…thanks,” she replied. She leaned closer to the mirror as if to inspect her face. “Can they remove permanent makeup?”
 
                  In addition to her lips, they had applied eyeliner and also had done her eyebrows.
 
                  “It’s not easy…and it could leave scarring. The good thing is that it does fade with time,” said Diana.
 
                  “Honestly, how do I look?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “In what way?”
 
                  “I mean my face,” she replied. “Do I look… okay?”
 
                  Diana looked at Nikki carefully before answering.
 
                  “It looks like you have a small amount of makeup on. It’s not overdone by any stretch,” she replied.
 
                  “That’s what my grandmother said,” said Nikki. “I suppose it’s better than having to do my own makeup.”
 
                  Diana didn’t say anything.
 
                  “Um, I suppose that’s something that I will have to learn to do…will they teach me that at that Ex-Man school?”
 
                  Diana laughed at the joke. “Sorry, but that’s the first time I’ve heard someone call it that. And the answer is yes, they will teach you that and much more.”
 
                  “How many people are there?”
 
                  “It varies, currently there are nearly two hundred.”
 
                  “And all where changed against their will?”
 
                  “No, not all,” replied Diana. “But the staff has dealt with cases like yours...and worse. The treatments are designed for the individual.”
 
                  “Makes sense,” she replied.
 
                  “I noticed that they pierced your ears. I bought you some rather simple studs, your choice of gold or silver,” said Diana.
 
                  “Silver please,” she replied.
 
                  Diana handed Nikki the earrings.
 
                  “Not bad,” she said. She then sat down on the bed.
 
                  “You okay?” asked Diana who sat down next to her.
 
                  “I guess so…it’s just a dose of reality sinking in…Diana, I don’t know if I can do this.”
 
                  “Yes you can...and you won’t be alone. You have your grandparents, and you’ll have the staff and students at the foundation…and you’ll have me. Consider me your older…but not necessarily wiser sister.”
 
                  Nikki suddenly felt choked up. “You…you mean that?”
 
                  Diana nodded as she slipped her arm around Nikki.
 
                  “Yes,” replied Diana. “You have a long hard road ahead of you and I want to be there to help you.”
 
                  Nikki leaned closer to Diana and began to cry softly.
 
 
Chapter 40
 
                  Marlon sat across from Nikki in the hospital room.
 
                  “So you’re checking out tomorrow?” asked Marlon.
 
                  “That’s right,” she replied.
 
                  “Where are you going?” he asked.
 
                  “Unfortunately not home…the press is still hanging out there. Diana has arranged for us to stay in New Hope. She has a friend who is out of the country and we can use the house.”
 
                  “That’s good to hear,” he replied.
 
                  “Um, Marlon, I want to thank you for everything you did for me and my family…it was very thoughtful,” she said.
 
                  “It was my pleasure,” he replied.
 
                  “Diana told me that you really helped the investigation,” she continued.
 
                  “I did what I could,” he replied.
 
                  “You did more than that. So, are you going to write about this?” she asked.
 
                  “I don’t know. I usually prefer to be less personally involved in my stories,” he replied.
 
                  “I’d like you to be the one who writes it. I know you…and trust you…I need someone to be on my side in all this,” she said.
 
                  He nodded.
 
                  “So will you do it?” she asked.
 
                  “Only one condition…that all the profits from it go to you,” he said.
 
                  “That’s not necessary,” she said.
 
                  “Maybe but that’s my deal. Nikki, I want you to go on to college and get a degree...and also postgraduate….that will take money.”
 
                  She smiled back. “Okay.”
 
                  “Oh, I’ve talked to Max and he says that you have an excellent chance of getting financially compensated from both Long and Gregory’s estates.”
 
                  “No, I don’t want a thing from them!”
 
                  “Why not?”
 
                  “Leave it for their families…I don’t want anyone to think that I was being vindictive…this circle of hate has to stop,” she said.
 
                  Marlon nodded. “That makes sense.”
 
                  Nikki got up and peeked out the blinds.
 
                  “I see that there are still two news vans out there. Do you think they’ll give up?”
 
                  “In time,” he replied. “You know, I just got an idea…why don’t you do an interview…and that way we can steal their thunder.”
 
                  “Do you think that will work?”
 
                  “It would take away their ability to get an exclusive first interview.”
 
                  “Would this be print or TV?” she asked.
 
                  “TV would be better,” he suggested.
 
                  “And would you do it?” she asked.
 
                  “It’s not my medium…but I know someone who would be perfect…Diana,” he continued.
 
                  “Do you think she’d do it?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “I think so,” he replied.
 
                  “I’ll think about it,” she said.
 
                  “Good. So what about your other big decision?”
 
                  She smiled at him. “You mean the foundation?”
 
                  He nodded.
 
                  “I want to take a few weeks to just relax and think. Then I’ll make up my mind,” she said.
 
                  “Makes sense,” he said. He then handed her a business card. “It has both my private cell phone number and personal email on it. Contact me anytime.”
 
                  She gave him a hug.
 
                  “Thanks. Diana was right about having great friends.”
 
                  “You can never have too many,” he replied.
 
 
Chapter 41
 
                  A short time later Max came with Diana and Nikki’s grandparents. In his hands were several large bags of Mexican food.
 
                  “This is much better than that hospital food,” he said.
 
                  “It all smells so good,” said Nikki.
 
                  “Wait until you try the fish tacos,” he said. “Trust me, they’re excellent.”
 
                  He unpacked bags of tacos, including chicken, beef and fish. There were also burritos, rice, beans, and drinks.
 
                  As they ate Max updated them on the case.
 
                  “So it looks like Gregory is going to plead guilty…when will he make his allocution?” asked Roger.
 
                  “As soon as he formally pleads guilty,” replied Max.
 
                  “Where will this take place?” asked Gloria.
 
                  “LA,” he replied. “The prosecutor is already working on the details so that Nikki can be there. This includes security so that she can be brought in and out without dealing with the press.”
 
                  “So where will they stay in the meantime?” asked Diana.
 
                  “I’ve taken care of that too. I have an old Agency buddy who runs an exclusive hotel up in LA. He mostly caters to celebrities who are trying to avoid the press. He’s already reserved us several rooms,” said Max.
 
                  “Marlon, you’re welcome to join us,” said Nikki.
 
                  “Thank you,” he replied as he bit into another fish taco.
 
                  “Marlon’s going to write about the case,” announced Nikki.
 
                  He then told them his plans for the royalties.
 
                  “That’s very generous Marlon,” said Gloria.
 
                  “It’s the least that I can do,” he said.
 
                  “He also had another idea,” said Nikki. She then told them about the interview idea.
 
                  “Are you sure you’re ready for something like that?” asked Gloria.
 
                  “No…but it has to be done. Look, because of Gregory and the other guy the press has already heard their side of this,” said Nikki.
 
                  “I see what you mean,” said Gloria.
 
                  “Can you set that up, Diana?” asked Marlon.
 
                  “It wouldn’t be hard…I know CNN would jump at the opportunity. But are you sure you want to do it?” asked Diana.
 
                  “It beats the alternative,” she replied. “This is going to be hard enough without waiting to be blindsided by some reporter.”
 
                  “There’s no guarantee that this will put an end to it,” said Diana.
 
                  “I know, but at least I can get my side out,” she said.
 
                  “Okay, but I think we can expand this and have you all involved…including you Marlon,” said Diana.
 
                  “When do you want to do this?” asked Max.
 
                  “I suggest as soon as Gregory makes his court appearance,” said Marlon.
 
                  “I agree,” said Diana. “So are you sure about this Nikki?”
 
                  “Yes,” she replied. “It’s the start of my recovery.”
 
                  Diana nodded as she pulled out her cell phone to set up the interview.
 
 
Chapter 42
 
                  The next day Max drove them up to LA in a rented SUV. Marlon headed up in his own car.
 
                  “Dr. Vasquez said that the hospital will make a press announcement that you checked out later this afternoon. At least you’ll have a little time away from the press bloodhounds,” said Diana.
 
                  “I need to send her a thank you,” said Nikki. “She was so nice to me.”
 
                  “I agree. She gave me list of doctors on the East Coast that are knowledgeable about SRS,” said Gloria.
 
                  Nikki nodded and then turned to Diana.
 
                  “What time will we do the interview?” she asked.
 
                  “Tomorrow morning,” she replied. “I want you to relax this afternoon when we get to LA. We also need to do some shopping…as much I like what you’re wearing; you need something a little more formal for the interview. I was thinking of a sweater or a blouse and jacket combination…nothing too feminine.”
 
                  “Okay,” replied Nikki as she looked out the window. They were just past Oceanside and she could see the Pacific Ocean to the left. “I always wanted to see California…but not like this.”
 
 
Chapter 43
 
                  They checked into the hotel without incident. Each suite had a small kitchen, a living room, and a large bedroom. The hotel manager gave them five rooms all together and Nikki’s room could open directly into her grandparents’ room without going out into the hallway.
 
                  Diana and Marlon were in with Nikki getting her settled in and prepping her for the interview.
 
                  Gloria and Roger were in their room talking to Max.
 
                  “This is so nice,” said Gloria.
 
                  “The usual clientele like their luxury along with their privacy,” said Max. “Another good thing about this place is the security. We sometimes use this as a safe house for witnesses.”
 
                  “That explains the fact that this doesn’t look like a hotel from the outside…it looks more like an office building,” noted Roger.
 
                  “Oh, if you give me a list of what you need I can pick it up at the supermarket,” said Max.
 
                  “Thank you Max, that’s very nice,” said Gloria. “You’ve already done so much for us.”
 
                  “It’s my pleasure,” he replied.
 
                  Just then his phone rang and he immediately answered it.
 
                  “What’s the sentence?” he asked after listening for thirty seconds. “Good, I’ll tell the family. Oh, when will the allocution take place?”
 
                  Max listened and then hung up.
 
                  “It’s done. Gregory just pleaded guilty on twelve charges,” said Max.
 
                  “How long will he be in prison?” asked Roger.
 
                  “Forty to life,” replied Max. “But being they’re federal charges he’ll never see freedom again.”
 
                  “Why did he take this deal?” asked Gloria.
 
                  “He’ll serve in a medium security prison and will be allowed to work in the medical clinic as an orderly. His medical license has been revoked,” said Max. “Let’s go tell Nikki.”
 
 
Chapter 44
 
                  Nikki listened to Max describe Gregory’s sentence.
 
                  “And when will this officially happen?” she asked.
 
                  “In two days,” said Max. “He’ll give his allocution and then be sentenced.”
 
                  “Does he know that I’ll be there?” she asked.
 
                  Max nodded.
 
                  Nikki let out a sigh. “I suppose that I should be happy… but I just feel hollow. I mean, I’m glad that he’ll be punished…but it doesn’t change what he did to me…and the fact that his family will be hurt again. Does that make sense?”
 
                  Diana smiled softly at Nikki. “Perfect sense.”
 
                  “Has this deal been told to the press yet?” asked Marlon.
 
                  Max shook his head. “The prosecutor will announce it tomorrow morning.”
 
                  “And when will CNN air Nikki’s interview?” asked Roger.
 
                  “I imagine they’ll put it on tomorrow evening,” said Diana. “They’re going to love scooping the other networks. I suspect they’ll start plugging it as soon as we finish it.”
 
                  “So do you still want to do it?” asked Gloria.
 
                  “More than ever,” replied Nikki. “I want them to know my side of this… and then I can start moving on with my life.”
 
 
Chapter 45
 
                  Marlon watched Diana conduct her interview with Nikki. While he was impressed with the way Nikki answered every question asked her, he was troubled by something, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
 
                  The CNN producer was very pleased with what he had seen and couldn’t wait to put it on the air.
 
                  “We’ll start running ads for it this afternoon,” he promised Diana and Nikki.
 
                  “Good,” replied Nikki in a flat tone.
 
                  As soon as they got back to the hotel, Marlon reviewed his notes of the original interview he had done with Aaron and he found what he was looking for. He then reached for his cell phone and called Diana.
 
                  “Diana, are you busy? I need to talk to you about something,” he stated.
 
                  “Sure, I’ll come right over,” she replied.
 
                  A few minutes later she was sitting across from him.
 
                  “I have a bad feeling about Nikki,” he admitted.
 
                  “What do you mean?” she asked.
 
                  “I don’t know how to exactly put this…but I think she’s heading for a crash,” he replied.
 
                  “Well, she’s under a lot of stress…but considering what she’s been through that’s to be expected,” said Diana.
 
                  “That’s what I mean…she’s not acting like she’s stressed. Diana, I’ve seen this before with crime victims…they don’t let their real feelings out…the stress builds and then they crash,” he said. “I remember how angry Nikki was when she was Aaron. I watched her in the interview today and she was too calm. I know we can’t force her to go into The Farnsworth Foundation, but she needs help.”
 
                  Diana nodded.
 
                  “So what do you suggest?” she asked.
 
                  “We need to keep an eye on her. I suspect that she may be able to get by without any problems for a while, but the anger and pain related to what was done to her will build up…unless she finds a release…and then it will come boiling out.”
 
                  “You’re right,” she said. “I know that from my own experience. I had hoped that Nikki would be stronger than I was. I think we should talk to her grandparents.”
 
                  “Okay,” he replied.
 
                  “Thanks for caring so much,” she said.
 
                  He smiled weakly. “It’s highly unprofessional. I mean, I’m supposed to remain detached from my subjects…that’s what makes me such a good writer…or at least that’s what the book reviewers say.”
 
 
Chapter 46
 
                  CNN decided to wait until Bryan Gregory appeared in court and confessed. Their decision had nothing to do with fear about influencing the case; it was to give them an additional day to plug their exclusive.
 
                  Nikki sat in the courtroom surrounded by her family and new friends and supporters. When Bryan Gregory was led into the court she grasped her grandmother’s hand tightly.
 
                  Bryan was dressed in an orange jumpsuit and was shacked. He never looked around the court and instead he just stared intently towards the judge.
 
                  Nikki noted how orderly and unemotional the proceedings were. The lawyers and the judge went through the legalities of the case and the pleas were entered. The judge then ordered Bryan to make his allocution.
 
                  He stood up, faced the judge, and then cleared his throat.
 
                  Nikki froze as she heard his voice…the same one that had tormented her as she was transformed.
 
                  “First, I admit my guilt…while I was blinded by rage and revenge of what was done to my child…this doesn’t excuse my actions. I sought revenge from someone innocent of the crimes that were inflicted on my family. I misused my medical skills to hurt and punish an innocent person…and for these acts I deserve to be punished. I know these words cannot undo the acts that I have committed…and that an innocent person is now forced to go through life and see what I did to her every day…” he said. “I can only hope that she can find the strength to survive and overcome the crimes committed against her. I also hope and pray that the rest of the world lets her live out her life in peace…it was bad enough that I changed her…but I also sought to embarrass and humiliate her…for both of these actions I am extremely sorry. I deserve whatever punishment that I am given.”
 
                  As he spoke, Nikki leaned closer to her grandmother and began to cry.
 
 
Chapter 47
 
                  “I’m pleased that the judge gave him the maximum sentence,” said Nikki as they ate lunch back at the hotel. “Do you think he’ll serve the complete sentence?”
 
                  Diana looked at Max and Marlon before answering. She knew their opinions that Bryan Gregory wouldn’t last three years in prison, let alone forty-to-life.
 
                  “I’m pretty sure that he’ll be in prison for a very long time,” she replied. “He won’t be eligible for parole for at least twenty years.”
 
                  “And they are federal charges,” added Max.
 
                  Nikki nodded. “Thanks…thanks for everything.”
 
                  “So when are you heading back east?” asked Max.
 
                  “We thought we’d head back tomorrow,” said Roger. “Marlon was kind enough to provide us with a rental car so we can drive back.”
 
                  “Good idea, the press will be all over the airport,” said Diana. “Call me as soon as you get back to Pennsylvania…I’ll have my friend’s home available for you.”
 
                  “Do you really think that’s necessary?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “I would give it a week or so,” she replied. “That will give it some time to die down. You don’t have to worry about the people in New Hope. They are rather liberal and even if they recognize you, they wouldn’t think of calling the press.”
 
                  “Okay,” replied Nikki. “I guess it really doesn’t matter…I mean my life is never going to be the way it was.”
 
                   “Just don’t try and take on the world by yourself…you have us on your side,” said Marlon.
 
                  Nikki did her best to smile. “Thanks.”
 
                  Marlon cast a look at Diana who nodded.
 
 
Chapter 48
 
                  It was mid-September when Diana got an urgent call from Gloria.
 
                  “I’m sorry to bother you Diana…but Roger and I are at wit’s end…Nikki…she needs help,” she confessed.
 
                  “What happened?” asked Diana.
 
                  Gloria had been giving updates to Diana on Nikki and her difficulties in adjusting to her new life. Nikki had become a bit of a recluse and rarely went out. Part of this was due to the harassment from the press who kept hounding her for an interview. Then there was the hate mail that she received almost daily.
 
                  “She’s started drinking,” confessed Gloria. “I don’t know where she got it. We don’t drink.”
 
                  Diana let out a sigh. “I’ll be out there in a couple of hours.”
 
                  “Thank you so much Diana.”
 
                  Diana hung up the phone and thought about what she was going to do. She wasn’t angry at Nikki, but she knew that she couldn’t let this continue. Nikki had refused to even take a tour of the foundation when they got back from California. At first they had hoped that she would just need time to adjust…but it was evident that she would need professional help in making her adjustment.
 
                  Diana first called Celeste Farnsworth.
 
                  “Sorry to bother you, but I need your help,” said Diana.
 
                  “What do you need?” asked Celeste.
 
                  Diana explained her plan.
 
                  “I think I can arrange that. When do you think that you’ll be arriving at the foundation?” asked Celeste.
 
                  “Tomorrow,” replied Diana. “I know this is short notice.”
 
                  “No need to apologize, Diana. We’re used to responding to emergencies,” said Celeste. “Um, I just thought of something.”
 
                  Celeste then told Diana her idea.
 
                  “Sounds perfect,” replied Diana. “Nikki’s a great kid…she just needs time to adjust and to realize that even with the bad hand that has been dealt her she can still have a great life.”
 
                  “I know what you mean. Well, I’ll place some calls and everything will be ready for your arrival. Good luck,” said Celeste.
 
                  “Thanks…I may need it,” said Diana.
 
 
Chapter 49
 
                  Nikki groaned as she rolled over in her bed. She had hoped that getting drunk would allow her to forget her problems, but she was wrong. Now on top of everything else she felt awful. Her head felt like it was going to explode and the room kept spinning around. She also felt like she was going to puke again. 
 
                  Suddenly her bedroom door opened letting in a stream of bright light.
 
                  “Ugh….please close that door,” she groaned without opening her eyes.
 
                  Instead she heard someone walk past her bed and pull open the curtains.
 
                  Even with her eyes closed tightly the light was blinding and Nikki pulled the comforter over her throbbing head.
 
                  “Go away,” moaned Nikki.
 
                  “No…now get out of bed,” ordered Diana as she pulled back the comforter. “How long have been sleeping in your clothes?”
 
                  “Diana?” asked Nikki as she shielded her eyes. “Leave me alone…I’m sick.”
 
                  “No, you’re hung over,” contradicted Diana. “You’re also filthy…you need a bath.”
 
                  “Just go away,” bemoaned Nikki.
 
                  “We can do this the easy way or the hard way…your choice,” said Diana.
 
                  “Please…just leave me alone…” cried Nikki.
 
                  “Okay…the hard way,” said Diana.
 
                  Before Nikki could speak she felt a splash of cold water strike her and she let out a cry of shock.
 
                  “Now, get up so we can get you cleaned up,” ordered Diana.
 
                  Nikki sat up slowly in bed.
 
                  “Was that necessary?” asked Nikki.
 
                  Diana nodded. “And fun too. Now, come with me and we’ll get you into a hot bath…and some aspirin for that headache. What were you drinking?”
 
                  “Jose Cuervo,” she groaned.
 
                  “Not much that’s worse than a tequila hangover,” replied Diana. “Now, do you need a hand?”
 
                  Nikki shook her head as she slowly got out of bed.
 
                  “Come on, dear, let’s get you cleaned up…and then we’re going to have a long talk.”
 
 
Chapter 50
 
                 
                  Early the next morning Diana was driving Nikki up to Connecticut. After a long discussion, Nikki reluctantly agreed to go up for a tour of the foundation.
 
Nikki stared out the window of Diana’s car as they drove through New Jersey. She was dressed in jeans, and a long sleeve gray colored t-shirt.
 
                  “How much longer until we get there?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “Depends on the traffic, but we should be there in a few hours,” replied Diana. “How’re you feeling?”
 
                  “Physically okay…mentally like an idiot,” she admitted. 
 
                  “Good,” replied Diana with a smile.
 
                  “I’m so sorry,” said Nikki.
 
                  “That’s the tenth time you’re apologized to me,” said Diana.
 
                  “Well, I mean it…I’m also sorry for how I treated my grandparents,” said Nikki.
 
                  “You should be,” said Diana. “I thought I told you to call me if you needed help.”
 
                  “I thought about it…but I tried to do it on my own…and I thought I was getting by…but then it just began to build up. The articles online, the phone calls, the requests for interviews, the hate mail…and the other stuff too.”
 
                  “What do you mean?” asked Diana.
 
                  “I started getting mail from people who wanted me…for sex. It got so bad that I just closed up,” she replied. “I figured that if I just ignored every contact that eventually they would stop.”
 
                  “Have they?”
 
                  Nikki shook her head.
 
                  “So when did you start drinking?” asked Diana.
 
                  “Just recently,” she replied. “It helped kill the pain.”
 
                  “Just a temporary fix,” said Diana. “I know, I went through that phase myself.”
 
                  Nikki didn’t reply.
 
                  “You need help…and self medicating isn’t going to do it…it will only make matters worse,” said Diana. 
 
                  “I’m not a drunk,” said Nikki.
 
                  “Not yet, alcohol isn’t going to solve your problems…besides you’re underage,” said Diana. “However, you’re very vulnerable right now…and I don’t want to see you become addicted to anything.”
 
                  “You mean drugs?”
 
                  “Yes, it’s happened to others,” said Diana.
 
                  “I wouldn’t know where to get them,” replied Nikki.
 
                  “You got tequila,” countered Diana. “Drugs are just as easy to get.”
                 
                  Nikki nodded and continued to stare out the window.
 
                  “I just want to have a normal life…but that’s not possible is it? I mean, I’ll always be known as the guy who was changed into a girl…along with being related to a fucking serial killer.”
 
                  “I’m not making any promises that the foundation will fix everything….you will have your burden to carry…just like I have…and there are others who have dealt with this sort of thing. Yes, you don’t have a choice concerning what life has given you. But you do have a choice on how you deal with it. You can overcome this…if you want to…and if you’re willing to let others help you.”
 
                  Nikki nodded. “So, this is just a tour of this place…I don’t have to stay if I don’t want to, right?”
 
                  “That’s right,” said Diana. “But you need help and this is the best place in the world for you right now.”
 
                  “Would you have gone there?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “Probably…in a way I had my own foundation provided for me. By moving in with Faith and Max I was able to start over. But I still had issues to overcome from what was done to me back in Maryland…and the foundation would have helped,” said Diana.
 
                  “So, are you over what happened to you?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “Mostly…I still have issues. Thankfully I have very understanding friends and family…they’re not afraid to talk to me when I need it,” she admitted.
 
                  “I thought you were happy being a woman?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “I am, it’s the other thing…the sexual abuse I underwent…it has made having a long relationship difficult. I’m currently with someone and she has the patience of a saint…some days I can be a real pain to live with.”
 
                  “I’m sorry, I’m getting too personal,” apologized Nikki.
 
                  “No need to Nikki; we’re friends and friends can talk about personal things,” said Diana.
 
                  “Thanks,” replied Nikki.
 
                  “Of course, being friends that means it goes both ways. If you don’t want to stay at the foundation, that’s your decision…but you still need help. Seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness…it’s a sign of strength.”
 
                  “I just don’t know if I can adjust to this,” said Nikki. “That asshole Gregory made me into an attractive woman…he said that he did it so that I would get attention. I don’t like guys…but the way they look at me…I know what they are thinking…they see me as a chick.”
 
                  “I know,” said Diana in agreement. “Even though I am fully out as a lesbian…I still get hit on.”
 
                  “Do you want to know how I got the tequila?” she asked.
 
                  “Go on,” said Diana.
 
                  “I flirted with some guys outside of a state store!”
 
                  “Did you do anything besides flirt?”
 
                  Nikki shook her head.
 
                  “Good,” she replied.
 
                  “But those guys didn’t know who I was…they just saw a girl…and you know what…when I was still reading my mail…I got letters from people who told me how ‘lucky’ I was and they wish that this had happened to them,” vented Nikki.
 
                  Diana nodded. She was pleased that Nikki had opened up and was talking openly. 
 
                  “I know that they just wish that they were female…and I feel sorry for them…but they wouldn’t want to go through this…they have no idea how frustrating it is to look yourself in the mirror and see a face and body that was inflicted on you by … a fuckin’ nutcase.”
 
                  “I can relate. Even though I wanted to be a woman, I was forced to go on hormones by …a fuckin’ nutcase,” said Diana. “Wanting change is one thing…but having it forced on you is something different. It was horrifying to see my body change and knowing that there was nothing I could do about it. I’ve had people tell me that they wished that they had gone through what I did…and I always tell them they wouldn’t.” 
 
                  “Your teacher did that to you? The one you go to the parole hearings for?” asked Nikki.
 
                  Diana nodded. “That’s right.”
 
                  “The prosecutor in my case said that Gregory won’t be eligible for parole for at least twenty years,” said Nikki.
 
                  “He can always put in the paperwork for early release. Don’t worry you will be informed if he does.”
 
                  “I want him to serve the full sentence,” said Nikki. “After all, I’m serving a life sentence.”
 
                 
Chapter 51
 
                  While Celeste couldn’t meet them at the foundation they were given a tour by Dr. Nancy Chen, the current director.
 
                  Nikki had to admit that she was impressed with the foundation as it didn’t look like she thought it would.
 
                  “I was expecting something more…antiseptic…this is like a college campus,” she said.
 
                  “This was originally a private school. Many of the buildings are original and the new ones we’ve built to blend in,” said Nancy.
 
                  “No fences?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “None that you can see,” said Nancy. “We do have a very high tech security system; mainly to keep people out. The clients who are here are here willingly. We do have a separate facility for those patients who need time to adjust. The security there is to protect them, not to imprison them,” explained Nancy.
 
                  “So who would be there?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “We get clients who were sex slaves…and worse,” replied Nancy. “We’ve seen cases of extreme brainwashing.”
 
                  “So where do the rest of your clients come from? I mean, there can’t be that many cases like mine,” said Nikki.
 
                  “You’d be surprised,” said Nancy. “If you choose to come here you’ll get to meet many of the girls. We find that interaction helps our clients adjust.”
 
                  Nikki just nodded.
 
                  Diana could tell that Nikki was wavering and unsure what to do.
 
                  “This is our media center and theater,” said Nancy. “Come on in I think you’ll like it.”
 
                  Once inside, Nikki looked around. The main room was filled with comfortable looking chairs and couches. A large stone fireplace dominated one wall. There was also computer room too.
 
                  “Through that door is our state-of-the art theater,” said Nancy as she pointed to an entrance in the back.
 
                  “Cool,” said Nikki.
 
                  Nancy then put up her finger as she pulled out her phone. “I’m sorry; I have to take this call.”
 
                  Nancy talked for a few minutes before closing her phone.
 
                  “I have to put out a fire. I’ll be back shortly,” said Nancy.
 
                  Diana and Nikki began to explore the media center when Diana’s phone went off. She looked at her phone.
 
                  “I’m sorry, but I need to take this...I’m going to step outside,” said Diana.
 
                  Nikki nodded.
 
                  She was about to walk into the computer room when she heard a loud crash from the theater room, followed by what sounded like a woman cursing. Her curiosity got the better of her and she wandered into the theater to she what happened.
 
                  A few steps inside the door lay a six-foot aluminum stepladder on its side. A few feet away from that a woman sat on the carpeted floor rubbing her jean covered backside. She was still cursing and, although over the years Nikki had thought she had heard almost every possible combination of bad language, the woman uttered a few new words and phrases that would have made a longshoreman blush profusely.
 
                  Nikki stepped closer to the woman. “Are you okay?”
 
                  The woman took off the hardhat she was wearing and let a long blonde ponytail cascade down her back over the plaid work shirt she was wearing.
 
                  “I think so, kid. Falling on my fucking ass hurts dammit! Can you help me up?”
 
                  The woman raised her hand as Nikki stepped around the woman to offer her own hand to help her up.
 
                  As the woman raised her hand to grab Nikki’s hand their eyes connected for a moment then Nikki gasped in shock.
 
                  “Has anyone told you that you look just like the actress Jen Stevens?”
 
                  “Not while I’m installing electronic equipment,” she replied with a smile.
 
                  “Wait…does that mean that you are…”
 
                  “In the flesh,” replied Jen.
 
                  “What are you doing here?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “Working on the projector to install a new 3-D module to upgrade the theater. I got a little off-balance and slipped off the stepladder. Even after all these years I still haven’t gotten completely used to the change in balance at times. I gotta be more careful. Now come on, help me up!”
 
                  She groaned a bit as Nikki helped her get back on her feet.
 
                  “Well, at least there isn’t any permanent damage but that fall is going to leave a hell of a mark on my ass. I’ll probably be black and blue back there for a week! And DO NOT let someone tell you that breasts don’t hurt like hell when you bounce them too hard.”
 
                  “So what’s a big movie star doing here anyway?”
 
                  “Like I said, working on that damned projector.”
 
                  “I thought you acted in the movies, not some menial work like this.”
 
                  “I do pretty much whatever I want. By the way, what’s your name anyway?”
 
                  “Umm… Nicolette McCormick but please call me Nikki.”
 
                  “Well, Nikki, please call me Jen. Sorry we met under these circumstances and please do forgive my language. Sometimes it’s hard for me to remember to act like the woman I’ve become when I do something dumb like falling off a ladder.”
 
                  “So it’s all true then? What I’ve read on the Internet?”
 
                  “If you mean the part where I was a man that transformed into a woman over a three week period after being hit by lightning, then yes. That much is true anyway. But please don’t believe most of that other shit… um… crap that’s been written about me. Sorry again about the language. It just makes me so mad that even after all this time the tabloid press still tries to use me to increase the sales of their trash.”
 
                  “I know what that feels like, Jen. I’m up here for a tour,” she replied.
 
                  “I know that, Nikki. I think I better be honest with you before we go any further. Diana Bowie, Nancy Chen, and Celeste Farnsworth are good friends of mine. They asked me to arrange to meet you and talk with you about your problems. Seems we’ve had similar experiences with our situations becoming public.”
 
                  “I knew it. I’ve been set up!”
 
                  Nikki started to turn toward the door only to be stopped by Jen who grabbed her by the shoulder.
 
                  “Hang on a second, Nikki,” said Jen. 
 
                  “Let me go!” screamed Nikki, who turned and pushed Jen back with both hands.
 
                  “Nikki, let me explain,” said Jen.
 
                  Nikki balled up her fist and took a swing at Jen who easily blocked it.
 
                  Jen then responded with an open handed slap on Nikki’s face causing a stunned Nikki to sag to the floor and burst out into tears.
 
                  “It’s okay, Nikki. Let it all out. It’s not good that you bottled it all up inside you for so long.” Jen hugged the sobbing girl tightly. “The first lesson that I learned is the one you’re learning now. Women tend to be more emotional than men. It has something to do with our hormonal differences. Keeping all those emotions locked up inside you isn’t good. It’s like a runaway hot water heater with a stuck safety valve. Sooner or later the damned thing is going to explode.”
 
 
Chapter 52
 
                  “So are you feeling better now, Nikki?”
 
Nikki’s sobbing had slowly stopped. Jen had helped Nikki stand and they moved to a row of seats at the front of the theater near the screen
 
                  “Yeah, I think I know now why women use the term ‘having a good cry’.”
 
                  “You okay? I’m sorry I slapped you,” said Jen.   
 
                  “I’m the one who should apologize; by the way that was a nice block of my punch,” said Nikki.
 
                  “Instinct... and by the way I don’t blame you for reacting as you did. Believe me I know from my own experience the stress that you’ve been under. That’s why I only slapped you for the shock value,” said Jen. “By the way, next time you try and punch someone, don’t pull back so far, you totally gave it away.” Jen flexed her hand where she’d deflected Nikki’s punch. “You’ve got a pretty good right cross there too.”
 
                  “I took some boxing in high school, but I was stronger then. I guess I overcompensated,” said Nikki.
 
                  “You’ve got to remember that the skills you had before are still with you, Nikki. Except for some of the strength related things caused by the change in your hormones you still have all the mental and most of the physical skills you had before. That’s why I was up on that ladder working on the projector.”
 
                  “So this wasn’t a total set-up then?”
 
                  “Well, not really. I was supposed to do this as part of a visit here in a few weeks to attend a board meeting. I just moved things up to be able to talk with you and decided to do the theater upgrade while I was here. You see, I had the skills to do that type of work long before my change and I really enjoy doing that type of work. Just because I was transformed into what I am now doesn’t mean that I’m incapable of still doing that stuff.”
 
                  “So you’ve fully adapted to your change?”
 
                  “No. I, like everyone else that has gone through this, am very much still a work in progress. I don’t know if I’ll ever be fully adapted to what happened to me and I’ve come to accept that. When I finally accepted that it did happen to me and stopped beating myself up over what I’d thought I lost I began to feel much better and started to look to what I could become. Accepting that I couldn’t go back to the way I was before was a big turning point for me.”
 
                  “Is that what I need to do, Jen?”
 
                  “It was what worked for me, Nikki. Everyone is different though. I suggest that you let the folks here at the Foundation help you. They’ve very good at this and will help you find a solution that works for you.”
 
                  “Would you have come here when you changed, Jen?”
 
                  “Yes. If this place had existed when I was transformed I would have come here in a heartbeat. In fact, I’ve talked with Nancy Chen quite a few times on some of my as yet unresolved issues. She’s been very helpful to me in sorting out some of the problems I still face occasionally.”
 
                  “Do you mind telling me what problems?”
 
                  “I’m not going to go into some of my more personal issues but I do still have occasional nightmares from some of the things that happened to me early on after my transformation. Nancy has helped me a lot to put them in proper perspective and keep them from becoming a destructive part of my new life.”
 
                  Their conversation continued for at least another two hours.
 
                  “Thanks, Jen, for taking the time for talking to me today. I’m going to think a bit more about the Foundation. What you said makes a lot of sense though.”
 
                  “I’m glad you could help you, Nikki. Now can you do something for me?”
 
                  “What’s that?”
 
                  “Hold that dammed ladder so I don’t kill myself trying to get that projector fixed! While I had planned to talk to you I didn’t plan that fall.”
 
                  “You got it, Jen.”
 
Chapter 53
 
                  “So how do you think she’s doing, Jen?” asked Diana.
 
                  Jen, Diana, and Nancy were sitting in Nancy’s office discussing Nikki’s situation.
 
                  “You know we can’t force her to come here but I think that she’s likely to accept the Foundation’s help. The turning point seemed to be our little altercation. She’s had a lot of things building up inside of her and the release helped her a lot. I’m just glad that she took it out on me and not one of the staff. By the way, do you know that Nikki used to box?”
 
                  “She didn’t hit you, did she?” asked Nancy.
 
                  “She tried, but I was sort of expecting her to do something,” said Jen. “However, if I hadn’t been expecting it she would have connected and rather hard. No sense on any of your staff having a repeat performance. That girl’s got a lot of anger built up. Helping her won’t be easy and she’s got a long way to go.”
 
                  “So what did she say about the way a certain famous movie star was dressed?” asked Diana.
 
                  “Not much at first. When she was helping me get the projector fixed she asked why a movie star would be dressed like a construction worker. I simply explained that this was the way I was most comfortable doing the work I was doing and that I didn’t want to ruin my good clothes. She also asked about the way I normally dress too.”
 
                  “And you said?”
 
                  “You know that I do prefer jeans and a blouse or sweater over skirts and I told her that. I also told her that there are times when skirts or other attire are more appropriate than jeans and pointed out a couple of trips that I’ve made to awards shows. At least she knows that there are options to the way she dresses that won’t cause her to draw unwanted attention any more than she already gets. She’ll need to develop her own style but I think she realizes now that the girly option isn’t the one that she’s stuck with.”
 
                  “Thanks, Jen. You still coming for the board meeting?”
 
                  “You know I’ll be here, Nancy. I assume that Celeste will appear via video teleconference.”
 
                  “Yes, she’s busy again with college. She should finish with her undergraduate degree this semester and then she’s jumping right into grad school,” said Nancy.
 
                  “That’s wonderful news,” said Jen. “Thanks for letting me help out. It’s a very worthwhile effort. Oh, before I forget, Nikki showed some interest in what I was doing with the projector. If she does accept the foundation’s help and shows any aptitude in computer or electronics work then please let me know. I almost always have a job or two to fill in one of my companies for good people with those skills and interests.”
 
                  “Of course,” said Nancy. “I really hope she does enroll here. I already know who her mentors will be.”
 
                  “Dana Rawlings and Susan Jefferson?” asked Diana.
 
                  Nancy nodded. “In fact, Nikki is having dinner with them as we speak.”
 
                  Diana nodded.
 
“Now that Rachel is attending Penn there’s an opening in Dana and Susan’s dorm. I think they would be perfect together,” continued Nancy.
 
                  “I think that it’s great that you pair up the new girls with those that have been here awhile,” said Diana.
 
                  “It really helps them…now it’s all up to Nikki,” said Nancy.
 
 
Chapter 54
 
                  Jen and Diana walked out of Nancy’s office together.
 
                  “Thanks again for your help,” said Diana.
 
                  “My pleasure…it’s my way of giving back,” said Jen.
 
                  “I know…I wish that we didn’t have to keep going through this,” said Diana wearily.
 
                  “You seem stressed…what’s up?” asked Jen.
 
                  “This whole thing with Nikki and everything she has gone through…it has brought up some bad memories,” explained Diana.
 
                  “Are you seeing anyone?” asked Jen.
 
                  Diana nodded. “Dr. Jenna Sullivan…makes sense as I started off with her mother.”
 
                  “Good…but I think you need something else,” said Jen.
 
                  “What, you’re a doctor now?” asked Diana with a grin. “I’ve never seen you play one.”
 
                  “No, I’m just another veteran of the gender-change wars,” replied Jen.
 
                  Diana laughed. “Okay, what’s your recommendation doctor?”
 
                  “I recommend that you take a regular dose of Nikki McCormick,” said Jen. “You two obviously have a strong bond…and I think you both need each other. You’re an excellent role model for her…and you could use a little sister.”
 
                  Diana didn’t reply.
 
                  “What, no argument?” asked Jen.
 
                  Diana shook her head. “No, I think you just might be right.”
 
                  “Good, I’ll send you my bill.”
 
                  Diana laughed and hugged Jen. “Thanks for everything.”
 
 
Chapter 55
 
                  “So, where are we going?” asked Nikki. “A hotel?”
 
                  Diana shook her head. “No, but you’re right, it’s too late to drive back tonight. We’re going to Faith and Max’s home in North Stonington.”
 
                  “Really?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “I already called ahead and they’re expecting us,” said Diana. “We should be there in an hour.”
 
                  “So, are you going to ask me what I plan on doing?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “No,” replied Diana. “Not, unless you want to tell me.”
 
                  Nikki nodded and stared out the window.
 
                  Ten minutes later she turned to Diana.
 
                  “It’s a nice place…I met a couple of girls…they both went through something similar to what I did,” said Nikki.
 
                  “That’s good to hear,” said Diana.
 
                  “If I do decide to go there…it would be my choice right?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “That’s right,” replied Diana.
 
                  “And I could leave anytime I wanted?”
 
                  “Yes,” replied Diana.
 
                  Nikki turned and looked out the window again.
 
                  Diana smiled to herself and thought that Nikki was almost as stubborn as she was at that age.
 
                  Ten minutes later Nikki turned around again.
 
                  “When could I start?”
 
                  “As soon as you want,” said Diana.
 
                  Nikki just nodded.
 
 
Chapter 56
 
                  Faith and Max were very pleased to see Diana and Nikki.
 
                  “It’s so good to finally meet you Nikki. Max and Diana have told me so much about you,” said Faith as she led them into the house. They were followed closely by Faith and Max’s two jet black flat coated retrievers, Spenser and Hawk.
 
                  “Now, please call me Faith,” she continued.
 
                  “Thanks Faith. Oh, I really like your books,” said Nikki. “I’ve read all of them.”
 
                  “I’m glad to hear that…I’ll have to give you an autographed copy of my newest one,” said Faith as she led them down a hallway. “This will be your room Nikki…the bathroom is across the hall to your left.”
 
                  “Thanks,” said Nikki. “It looks great.”
 
                  “Diana said that you had dinner at the foundation, but would you like some dessert?” asked Faith.
 
                  “We got some fresh apple pie,” said Max. “I can’t eat it all.”
 
                  “Not that he won’t try,” joked Faith.
 
                  “I’d love some pie,” said Nikki.
 
                  “Pie sounds perfect,” said Diana.
 
                  After dessert, Diana and Nikki were sitting together in the living room. Max and Faith had gone to bed. Spencer and Hawk were sound asleep on the floor by the television.
 
                  “Your family is so nice,” said Nikki.
 
                  “I know, I’m very lucky,” replied Diana.
 
                  “Do you come up here often?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “Whenever I need to,” she replied. “This is one of my comfort places.”
 
                  “I can see why,” said Nikki.
 
                  “This is the house that I came to when I was on the run…it will always have a special place in my heart.”
 
                  “Cool,” replied Nikki.
 
                  “And by the way, Faith wasn’t just being polite when she said that she would love for you to spend some weekends here,” said Diana.
 
                  “I know…it’s a very nice offer,” said Nikki.
 
                  Diana took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
 
                  “Nikki, I want to help you…not in a formal way…but as a friend… big sister…or whatever you want to call it. I’ve made my share of mistakes…and lord knows I can be a pain at times…but I think I can help you.”
                 
                  “Would you still throw water on me?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “Whenever it was necessary,” replied Diana with a grin.
 
                  Nikki smiled back.
 
                  “I’d like that, Diana. I also have decided to enroll at the foundation…I know now that I can’t do this by myself,” she replied.
 
                  “Good,” said Diana.
 
                  “Diana…I’m so scared…I don’t know if I can survive this…even with your help,” said Nikki as she started to cry.
 
                  Diana just pulled her closer and gently hugged her and let her sob.
 
 
Chapter 57
 
                  A week later Nikki checked into The Farnsworth Foundation. Diana rode up along with her grandparents.
 
                  “How’re you doing?” asked Diana.
 
                  “Okay…I’m really tired…not sleepy tired…just physically tired,” said Nikki.
 
                  “I know that feeling,” said Diana.
 
                  “I know this won’t be a quick fix…I just hope that it gives me chance to adapt to this...new life,” she continued.
 
                  “I can’t think of better place to do it,” said Diana.
 
                  Roger and Gloria had been fully briefed on the foundation’s facilities. They planned on staying at the B&B that was located just off the grounds for a few days. Diana planned on leaving that afternoon by catching a train back down to Philly. 
 
                  “How far is the train station from the foundation?” asked Roger.
 
                  “Just twenty minutes away,” said Diana.
 
                  “That’s convenient,” he replied.
 
                  “Oh, I got an email from Marlon last night,” said Diana. “He’s started on his new book.”
 
                  “The one about me?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “That’s right. He also wanted to give you a head’s up that his book on Martin comes out next week,” continued Diana.
 
                  “Good, I know that I can count on him to be honest,” said Nikki.
 
                  They arrived at the foundation’s main gate a little before eleven.
 
                  Nancy Chen came out a few minutes later to greet them in the main office.
 
                  “Good morning, Nikki,” she greeted.
 
                  “Hi Dr. Chen,” replied Nikki. “These are my grandparents and of course you know Diana.
 
                  Nancy smiled and shook hands with Gloria and Roger. She then gave Diana a hug.
 
                  “Nikki, why don’t we walk over to your room? Don’t worry about your bags, they’ll be delivered to your room,” said Nancy.
 
                  “Sounds good. Um… Nancy, after that can you show my grandparents around the grounds?” asked Nikki.
 
                  “Sure, in fact we’ll do it together. Oh, do you remember Dana and Susan?” asked Nancy.
 
                  Nikki nodded. “Yes.”
 
                  “We’ll they be joining us on the tour…if you don’t mind,” said Nancy.
                 
                  Nikki shook her head. “No, not at all, I like both of them.”
 
                  “Great, so let’s get going,” said Nancy.
 
 
Chapter 58
 
                  “How’d it go?” asked Jen.
 
                  Diana shifted her cell phone. “As well as to be expected. Nikki knows she needs help, but at the same time she feels like she’s letting everyone down by seeking assistance. It’s an uneasy feeling.”
 
                  “Been there, done that, got the t-shirt,” said Jen. “How’re you doing?”
 
                  “Good, thanks. You were right about both Nikki and I getting something out of this relationship. My partner Kari thinks it’s wonderful and she says that she’s already seen a change in me…but I think she’s pulling my leg.”
 
                  “I don’t know…change can happen quickly,” said Jen.
 
                  “True, but I don’t think that will be the way with Nikki. I think she has a long road ahead of her.”
 
                  “I agree,” said Jen. “But I have no doubt she’ll make it.”
 
                  “I feel the same way,” replied Diana.
 
                  “So are you on your way back down to Philly?”
 
                  “Yes, I have a class to teach tomorrow,” she replied.
 
                  “Well say hi to my sisters when you see them,” replied Jen.
 
                  “I will. Jirra’s in my 10:00 AM class,” replied Diana.
 
                  “Cool,” said Jen. “Oh, one more thing, can you put me in contact with Marlon Bramberger?”
 
                  “Sure,” replied Diana. “May I ask why?”
 
                  “Business. I’m expanding my production company and I’ve had an offer to help develop a true crime show for a cable network. I’ve read some of his books and I figured he would be a good person to talk to. He’s fair and honest without sensationalizing whatever story he’s working on. Just what I think ‘’ I’ll need to do it right.”
 
                  “I’ll give him a call. Do you want me to give him your cell number?”
 
                  “Sure, that would be great,” said Jen. “Well, I need to get running…no rest for the wicked.”
 
                  “You’re many things Jen…but wicked isn’t one of them,” said Diana.
 
                  “Some of my employees might beg to differ,” said Jen with a laugh. “Take care Diana.”
 
 
Chapter 59
 
                  Nikki looked up at the ceiling of her room from her bed. It was a little after three in the morning and she had just woke up from one of her nightmares. Tonight’s was even more scary than normal. She was being chased by Martin. She silently cursed him and Bryan Gregory for what they had done to her.
 
                  She reached over and flicked on the light on her nightstand. As her eyes adjusted to the light she looked around her room. It was nicely furnished and she felt very comfortable there.
 
                  Around her room were photos and memorabilia from her home back in Pennsylvania. There were also a few other items, gifts from her few friends Jen, Max, Marlon, and Diana.
 
                  The strangest of these items was a stuffed animal that had been a gift from Diana. It was prominently displayed on her dresser. It was Perry the Platypus and whenever she was down all she had to do was look at it and she felt better.
 
                  Her wardrobe was still fairly gender neutral, mostly jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts and sweaters. She still couldn’t bring herself to wear overly feminine clothes. 
 
                  She sat up and swung her legs around to side of her bed. Then she got up and walked over to her computer and began to write in her journal. She had never been big on keeping a diary before the change, but Nancy recommended that she keep one now.
 
                  Nikki reluctantly agreed that it was helpful and it allowed her to vent her feelings.
 
                  As she typed she heard a faint mewing outside her door. She got up and opened the door and saw the dorm’s cat sitting outside her door.
 
                  “Hello Domino,” she said as she leaned down to pick up the cat.
 
                  Most of the dorms had several animals living in them. Domino was a very friendly tortoiseshell. She got the name Domino because the owner of the shelter was a huge fan of Van Morrison and she named many of the animals after his songs.
 
                  She sat back at her computer and began to type some more. Domino settled into her lap and began to purr contently. Nikki looked down at the cat and decided that things couldn’t be that bad after all.
 
                  She had only been at the foundation for a month, but she knew that it was the right decision. She liked the place and she had some wonderful friends. Nikki stopped typing and thought about Dana and Susan and how quickly the three of them had bonded.
 
                  Another thing to look forward to was that Nancy said that she would be allowed to start taking college classes in the spring. The last thing Nikki wanted was to fall behind too far academically.
 
                  Nikki had also started a substance abuse class and was trying to come up with a healthy way to reduce stress.
 
                  She typed for a few more minutes and then got up, cradling Domino in her arms.
 
                  “Well, I’m going back to bed. Do you want to stay here or do you want out?” she asked the cat.
 
                  Domino looked up, purred and closed her eyes.
 
                  “I’ll take that as a yes,” said Nikki as she climbed into bed.
 
                  Domino settled in at the foot of her bed.
 
                  Nikki closed her eyes and hoped for restful sleep.
 
 
Chapter 60
                 
                  Bryan Gregory was also having a troubled night. He was currently in isolation as he had been attacked by three other prisoners. He was lucky this time as the guards had intervened quickly and all he had was a few bruises.
 
                  His life was a living hell. The rest of the convicts knew what he had done and he was reviled for this. He was seen as freak and a pervert. Bryan tried to explain that he didn’t sexually abuse anyone, but no one wanted listen.
 
                  As he lay in his bunk he cursed Martin McCormick, he cursed David Long, and he cursed Aaron McCormick. Deep down he knew that his hatred towards the teen he had operated on was misdirected, but he…she …whatever was walking around free and he would die in prison. Life wasn’t fair
 
                  His only outlet was that he was now working as an orderly in the prison hospital. It was degrading, but at least it was better than working in the kitchen. It also gave him an opportunity to escape this hellhole.
 
                  No, he couldn’t actually break out…no, he had another way. Over the past few weeks he had begun to build up a small stash of pills. Soon he would have enough to take an overdose. He wanted to have enough to finish the job quickly as the last thing he wanted was to be saved. He figured that in a few more days he would have enough pills.
 
 
Chapter 61
 
                  Martin McCormick was also up that night. He was in the death row medical facility. He had slipped going down the stairs from his cell to the rec-yard and wrenched his knee.
 
                  Martin was currently the biggest name on death row and he thoroughly enjoyed his notoriety. Prison wasn’t that bad and he knew that he would be here for many more years thanks to the appeal process. Hell, if he played his cards right he might even die of old age first and cheat the courts. He found it laughable that so many liberal do-gooders were fighting to keep him alive. If they only knew how many women he had raped and killed. The authorities had only tied him to a fraction of the total number of victims.
 
                  His only regret was that he couldn’t have the pleasure of abducting and assaulting another young woman.
 
                  He heard someone approaching his bed and he looked up to see one of the orderlies.
 
                  “Hola Juan,” he greeted with an exaggerated accent. “Habla Ingles?”
 
                  He knew the man spoke perfect English and had been born in LA, but he loved taunting him.
 
                  “Fuck you,” snapped back the man whose name wasn’t Juan.
 
                  Jesus Garcia was a lifer thanks to the state’s three strikes law. All of his crimes were minor felonies. He was pretty low on the prison pecking order, but he had a plan to rise up quickly. If he was going to spend the rest of his life here he wanted to be respected by his fellow convicts. In the past few days he had grown to despise Martin.
 
                  “Juan can you get me a bedpan? I think you can handle that, Si?”
 
                  Jesus walked over and looked around to see that the guard had his back to him.
 
                  “I have a present for you, Gringo,” whispered Jesus as he pulled the shank out of his shoe and without hesitation slit Martin’s throat.
 
                  Martin had enough life in him to reach up to grab this throat and let out a weak garbled scream.
 
                  Jesus offered no resistance as the guards tackled him. Killing a well known serial killer like Martin McCormick would make him a big man and it was worth it, even if it did land him on death row. He would now be respected.
 
 
Chapter 62
 
                  “How did she take the news?” asked Marlon.
 
                  He was sitting across from Diana at Le Bec Fin. He was treating her to lunch to thank her for all her help on his last book.
                 
                  “I would say the best description would be relief,” said Diana. “With both Martin and Gregory dead it takes two major hurdles out of her life.”
 
                  Marlon nodded as he took a sip of his wine. “Excellent choice by the way.”
 
                  “My partner runs a restaurant in New Hope; I’ve learned what wines to chose.”
 
                  “Well, I agree with you concerning Martin and Gregory. There won’t be any appeals or parole hearings for Nikki to deal with now,” he said.
 
                  “Exactly,” she replied. “So, are you still going to write the book?”
 
                  He nodded. “The one on Martin is a current best seller and I was able to slip in some of Nikki’s side of the story. The next one will tell the rest and how she was victimized by Long and Gregory. I’m definitely going to take the gloves off when it comes to the press in this one. Of course all the profits are going to her college fund…or whatever she plans on using it for. I don’t care about the money for this one…I just want some good to come out of it.”
 
                  “That’s very nice of you,” said Diana.
 
                  “Oh, thank you for putting me in contact with Jen Stevens…I’m going to be the lead writer for her company’s new show. She loved the tone of my books and wants that same feel for the show.”
 
                  “Congrats,” she said.
 
                  “It’ll give me a chance to tell more stories of the victims of crime and not glorify the criminals,” he said.
 
                  “Double congrats,” said Diana with a smile.
 
                  “Um, I was wondering if it would be okay if I went up to visit Nikki. No business, just social,” he said.
 
                  “She’d love to see you, Marlon,” said Diana. “I’ll send you the phone number to set up a visit.”
 
                  “Thanks,” he said. “So how are you doing?”
 
                  “Good,” she replied as she thought of Nikki.
 
                 
 
Conclusion
 
                  Nikki walked across the grounds of the foundation on a chilly November day. The sky was slate gray and a brisk wind was sweeping down from the north.
 
                  She was on her way for to meet Diana who was taking her down to North Stonington for the weekend.
 
                  Over the past months she looked forward to her visits with Diana, who she now saw as her sister.
 
                  While she loved her friends at the foundation, she found that she could be totally open with Diana.
 
                  Diana waited in the main office for Nikki. She too looked forward to these visits. It was still evident that Nikki had a long way to go, but Diana had seen some improvement. The fact that Nikki was opening up at the foundation was a promising sign.
 
                  Nikki walked in the office and smiled. “Hi Diana!”
 
                  They immediately hugged.
 
                  “How’re you doing, Nikki?”
 
                  “Not bad, not bad at all,” she replied with a smile. “Nancy wants me to start teaching a boxing course for the other girls. They’re going to add some equipment in the gym. She thinks it will allow us to safely vent our frustrations.”
 
                  Diana smiled as she heard Nikki use the phrase “other girls.”
 
                  “Good to hear,” replied Diana.
 
                  “I know it’s not all that feminine,” said Nikki.
 
                  “I don’t know, I know several women who box as part of their workouts,” replied Diana.
 
                  “That’s what Nancy said,” said Nikki.
 
“Well, I hope you’re ready for a real treat; Max, Faith, and I are going to teach you how to prepare a classic New England seafood feast. We’re going to have lobster, clams, and god knows what else…it all depends on what is fresh and what Max and Faith find at the market.”
 
                  “I can’t wait,” said Nikki. “But I must tell you, I’m not much of a cook.”
 
                  “Good time to learn…don’t worry, Max and Faith taught me…so it can’t be that difficult…think of it as a family tradition.”
 
                  “I like the sound of that,” replied Nikki as she carried her bag towards Diana’s car.
 
                  “Oh, in case I haven’t told you lately, thanks for everything,” said Nikki.
 
                  “It’s my pleasure, Nikki. Just remember, no matter how hard it gets, you’re never alone.”
 
                  Nikki nodded. “I will…I know that I have a long way to go…just knowing that I have friends makes the journey easier.”
 
                  Diana slipped her arm around Nikki’s shoulders as they walked towards her car.
 
                  “Don’t ever forget that,” said Diana.
 
The End
(For Now)
 
 
 
Characters
 
 

                       Diana Bowie - As a teenage boy, Darren was abused and blackmailed into being a feminized sex slave. Fearing for his life, he ran away and was rescued by his aunt, the novelist, Faith Collins. Darren became Diana, and was raised by Faith and her husband Max Bowie, a detective and sometimes federal agent. Diana became a famous author and reporter, and is currently teaching journalism at University of PA. Diana currently lives with her lover Kari, a chef and restaurant owner in New Hope, PA. Kari's restaurant is called The Drunken Squirrel. (Corruption, Double Jeopardy, Coeds)

 

Max Bowie – Private detective and sometimes agent for the Agency. Married to Faith Collins in the 1980s and for all practical purposes is Diana’s father. (Corruption, Double Jeopardy, Band of Sisters)
                  Dr. Nancy Chen- Originally a therapist for The Agency, she left to work at The Farnsworth Foundation. – (Combined Forces, Celestial Awakenings)
                  Celeste Farnsworth – Originally Jeremy Green; was abducted and feminized by Margo Simon. Celeste was then sold to Sherman Farnsworth, a self-made millionaire.  Instead of using her as a sex slave, Celeste became his wife. Sherman died of a heart attack and Celeste used his wealth to create a foundation for abused transgendered teens. (Combined Forces, Celestial Awakenings, Coeds)
                  Rachel Greene- Born Richard Greene, he was abducted, transformed, and brainwashed by Max Prendergast, his old high school theater coach. Her transformation was further assisted by Heidi Walsh. Rachel’s best friend in school, Ken Marcus helped track her down and she was rescued by The Agency. Ken Marcus’s uncle is Steve Williams. (Mentor)
                  Susan Jefferson – Rescued from a Japanese brothel, she was one of the last of Margo Simon’s victims recovered. Currently enrolled at the Farnsworth Foundation. (Femmed)
Dana Rawlings- Once a promising college reporter who was transformed into a feminized male as part of an international sex ring. Currently attending The Farnsworth Foundation. (Femmed)
                       Dr. Jenna Sullivan - Second generation therapist. Her mother Angela still works out of her office in Providence, RI. Angela began to assist transgendered teens back in the 1980's. One of her clients was Diana Bowie. Jenna attended Brown and then went to work for the Agency. She also has assisted many transgendered women, including Beth Williams. (The Protector Series, Change of Course Series, Combined Forces, Celestial Awakenings, Band of Sisters)
 
 
Special Guest
Jennifer “Jen” Stevens – Born Robert Stevens. Transformed by a lightning strike over a period of about three weeks while unconscious in the hospital. Her transformation was leaked to the public during her hospital stay. Jen left her old job and became a successful TV and movie star and is now producing movies. Substitute hosts the “Around Midnight” talk show. A friend and mentor to Jirra Reid after meeting her a few months after her transformation. Long time friend of Alexis Eden after meeting her while Jen was hosting the talk show. Jen Stevens adventures are chronicled in Bob Arnold’s Zapped! series and she is used here with his permission.

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Another winner

Submitted by smorr24 on 2010, February 4 - 5:44pm.

Great story. It's always good to see another story from you. I love your stories. Can't wait for more.

 

Jessica Marie

smorr24

Sins

Submitted by stacy on 2010, February 4 - 6:50pm.

A bit formulaic, but still a nicely done story. I liked the set up and the rest of the story was very well written. Nice work Julie. I did notice that right at the start, names got interchanged, it seemed like. I could be wrong.  I still liked it.

Across The Julieverse

Submitted by Laika on 2010, February 4 - 11:07pm.

.


Images of transformation, unexpected situations,


Brave new worlds to find our place in as we cross the Julieverse...


 


Jirra Ried and Hallie Thorn, it’s ancient magic they’ve been caught in,


Goddess-wisdom long forgotten guides them cross the Julieverse...


 


Great googilee mooglie- Whoah!


Somethin sure has changed my world


Somethin sure has changed my world


Somethin sure has changed my world


Somethin sure has changed my world...


 


Villains far to vile to mention, grab young guys with sick intentions,


Let’s hope Allie Burns can catch em somewhere in the Julieverse...


 


Magic charms and incantations in service of vile deviations,


Ioni Beddau’s ministrations restore peace to the Julieverse


 


Great googilee mooglie- Whoah!


Somethin sure has changed my world


Somethin sure has changed my world


Somethin sure has changed my world


Somethin sure has changed my world...


 


A Celest-ial haven hopeful houses those quite new to skirts an blouses


So begins the healing process somewhere in the Julieverse


 


Bonds are forged and friendships formed, support and understanding born of


shared experience, the transformed are sisters in the Julieverse...


 


Great googilee mooglie...


Great googilee mooglie…


Great googilee mooglie…


(fade)


.


My way of saying thanks for another great read! Love your stories, Julie!!!


~~~hugs, Laika


 

All I can say is WOW!

Submitted by JulieO on 2010, February 5 - 12:21am.

Laika,


  Thanks for the wonderful comment. I'm speachless.


     Love,


       Julie O

Laika, have you been channeling John Lennon and Frank Zappa?

Submitted by John in Wauwatosa on 2010, February 5 - 12:34am.

Nice story, Julie, Bob.


I agree to some extent with an earlier commenter that it is formulaic.  BUT it is so only in that it follows something of the pattern of earlier Julie_O stories, like a later Agatha Christy or a later Sherlock Holmes might be said to follow the formula of their predecessors but it is it's own story.


Julie's stories are not all the same by any measure, She has written many where the victim does not get justice, where the villain wins. There are stories where you think the victim got justice, and may have for themselves but the villain keeps doing what they did before. And there are stories where the victim does not get immediate justice but the seeds are planted for hope in the future. It's Only Business(?) and Forget me Not fit these later variants on the bad guys/gals win category.


She has many stories where the victim moves on and maybe gets some measure of justice but it's a bittersweet ending, their past life is gone but with hope for the future. This story fits in that group as do a sizable prportion of her stories. Note thoughn many of her stories do use magic or high tech a great many do not. Most of the Protector series is that way. This one is also very much real world. When magic or tech is involved Julie makes it work, even mixed in with more real world plotlines.


 And she has stories where the victim has a happy ending but it leaves you wondering how much is it them and who much is it due to their transformation. Fruit of the Vine, A Perfect Match are examples of that kind of tail.


 


I like the interconnection with previous and likely future Julieverse tales.


 


Jen Stevens was a welcome addition and I loved how an old chestnut of a phrase was used so well in this story. Normally I groan when I read ,


>> 


 “Been there, done that, got the t-shirt,” ,


>> 


but I laughed when I read it here, Bravo Julie and Bob. However as to Jen's language when she fell..... shame on you -- snicker --


Her later advice to Dianna was sweet and felt right. Hey who needs Dr Phil when you can get better advice from Jen AND she's much better looking. And *I* have about as little hair ad Dr Phil by the way.


 


And the deaths in prison ... Jeffrey Dahlmer, the serial killer along with a vile man who murdered his wife both were killed in Wisconsin state prison by a borderline mentally ill/developmentally disabled inmate who either saw them as a threat or as a way to get *cred* among the inmates.


 


All in all satisfying stuff. Any flaws are minor, did not hurt my enjoyment and this is a free story.


-- snicker --


John in Wauwatosa


But you're not a scientist. Surely you believe in all this superstitious nonsense. (MAD Magazine) Could be worse, could be raining. (Young Frankenstein)

But you're not a scientist. Surely you believe in all this superstitious nonsense. (MAD Magazine) Could be worse, could be raining. (Young Frankenstein)

onther good read

Submitted by wolfjess7 (not verified) on 2010, February 5 - 12:15am.

Ive always like your writtin g  and have never found your stroies wanting youve once agine giveing us a greart stroy

Thank you Julie

Submitted by Waylay on 2010, February 5 - 12:58am.

Thank you for another great story Julie. Your stories have had a impact in my life in that it has encouraged me to change a couple things about my life to make myself a better person. i have gone back to school, started a journal, and started to do a little writing myself. Also you have helped me be more open and excepting of other people. So thank you for what you have done for me and all the hours i have spent reading your stories.  

Great Story

Submitted by Guest_Reader (not verified) on 2010, February 5 - 6:30am.

But all of your stories are great! There is one question I am curious about. With his own personal hatred for his father and the intense adverse public interest his father's crimes created, why didn't Arron change his last name? And especially after his "outing" to the press after his ordeal?


Looking forward to your next great story.


Hugs,


Sarah Ann

Sins of the Father

Submitted by bagold on 2010, February 6 - 10:58am.

Julie,
After your last story I was kind of disappointed but thought that, that story was just a "filler" until you brought out one of your "major" stories. Well, my disappointment was very short lived. Even though this one was a little formulaic it was a very good story....great characters as usual and a tie in with some of your older stories along with Jen Stevens.
While reading this story, I actually wanted to kill this guy Martin myself. That's how involved I get with your stories. Please keep up the writing.
Barry

Once again another great

Submitted by acekiller10 on 2010, February 6 - 12:04pm.

Once again another great story. Keep up the good work. Can't wait for more. Thanks

Another great Julie O. story

Submitted by Guest_Reader (not verified) on 2010, February 6 - 7:08pm.

Thanks for another great tale.

Revenge gone awry, doubly backfiring.

It'll be interesting to see where Nikki goes, so hopefully Julie isn't done with her.

Once Again

Submitted by Debra Sue (not verified) on 2010, February 7 - 1:57am.

you have scored a winner. This story was fantastic, as usual. The continuation of your previous characters in each story keeps the reality aspect going. Well done, looking forward to your next masterpiece.

Debra Sue