The End...

YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW … KARMA IS A BITCH

Frank took the cards and we waved them goodbye as they left in that shiny black, expensive vehicle.

"Hmm. Carlos has a security business and he is the CEO. Impressive."

He placed it on the fridge with a magnet then read the other business card,

"Inspector Matt MacDonald ..."

Helen fainted.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Helen woke up disoriented. She was in bed, her own bed. She was sweaty, her night clothes sticking to her skin with her hair plastered to her forehead and temples as well as the nape of her neck. Her hands were shaking. Her stomach was doing uncomfortable flip flops which made her feel nauseous.

How did I get here?

I don't remember going to bed?

Did I even go to bed?

I don't remember.

What's happening to me?

We've done this already.

Or did I?

It all feels so familiar.

This is so confusing.

All these worrisome thoughts were whizzing through her mind adding to her anxiety. Fidgeting her hands nervously in her lap, she wracked her brains trying to recall the last thing that happened that she could remember. She shook her head. Oh, that was not a good idea. Helen sat up realizing that she was all wet from the perspiration of those ... 'night sweats' which her ... doctor had warned her about on ... that last checkup ... Dr. Fassbender. She looked at her unsteady hands, shaking in front of her.

Oh my Lord. What is happening to me?

'Lose the booze, Helen!' he'd said. 'One day you could fall and not just physically, metaphorically as well.'

What did that mean?

She looked over and saw Frank in their bed. That was a comforting thought.

What the hell is going on?

She was utterly confused. Sitting on the edge of the bed, sweaty, anxious, hands shaking and feeling more than a bit frazzled, Helen had an overwhelming sense of impending doom. She was afraid. Her head was throbbing. Her stomach was roiling with acid.

Making her way to the bathroom, she figured it was early morning as the dim light of dawn peeked through the windows. Grabbing some fresh underwear and a pair of blue pants with a matching short sleeved shirt, she decided to have a shower to clean off the discomfort of her night sweats. While she was in the bathroom she took something for her headache. After washing her hair and fixing herself up as best she could, she felt she could face the day, although she was still feeling lightheaded and a bit woozy.

Those damp nightclothes needed to go in the laundry hamper. The stairs felt a bit wobbly or was it her who was a bit wobbly? Bewildered and feeling totally out of sorts, Helen made her way slowly down to the kitchen hanging on to the stair-rail with one hand, sometimes both.

As she entered the kitchen she decided to put the kettle on for her morning coffee. She grabbed her favorite cup and saucer, put in her coffee and grabbed the milk from the fridge. She hesitated, thinking maybe a cup of her special 'tea' would be better. Yes, the bottle of Jack was still there and on the shelf below, behind the flour canisters, was a bottle of Wild Turkey. Everything seemed like slow motion and she shook her head. O-oh. Bad idea. She turned to put her cup on the table and froze. Everything seemed to stop like a hiccup in time. It took the shattering sound of her coffee cup hitting the edge of the table and then the kitchen floor to shake her back to the now. She stared, open-mouthed, a frisson of fear making her shudder involuntarily.

There on the table sat a familiar crumpled piece of paper...

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

Ella had the delightful task of obtaining some needed items for Valerie, her father Frank, the grandmother, Edna and the two little girls, Stephanie's nieces Angie and Mary Alice. Preferring to keep a low profile at this immediate time, Stephanie and Carlos agreed for everyone concerned that it would be the smart, sensible thing to do. Ella enjoyed the change from her usual shopping requests.

So she went shopping for simple staples, mainly bathroom supplies for Frank, Edna and Val. For the girls some winter clothes were needed and some toys and girlie décor to make the safe house more homely. She also bought some photo frames and some personal and pretty things for Valerie. Valerie only had a few personal belongings, so a few new things would cheer her up and help with the transition for the little girls. Buying girlie things, colorful and pink things, was a real treat and such a contrast to her usual shopping list of black clothing. Ella understood their recent circumstances had changed dramatically so she decided a few extra little things for Angie and Mary Alice would be a welcome distraction. That cheating husband of Valerie's had taken most things of value as well as their bank funds. The more Ella heard of this man the more she despised him.

A lovely photo of the two girls was enlarged and printed for Valerie, with a smaller one for Edna and Frank. When the cousins met for the first time it was as if they knew each other already. Sharing a storybook which Angie was reading to Armand and Mary Alice provided a beautiful photo opportunity which was definitely frame-worthy. Stephanie also made a copy of the photo she gave her father the first time they met after which that evil, scornful woman tore it up. Hector had captured a very special photo of Stephanie and Valerie which she adored and knew that would be a particular favorite for all of them. Individual photos of the cousins and a family photo of the Manoso family as well as a sweet quiet moment of Valerie with her girls completed the tableau. Ella nodded her approval as she packed them in a box to deliver to the safe house before they arrived, and display them like a welcome home gift.

Stephanie sighed and reflected on the events that led to her sister's worries and problems with that dirty, rotten, cheating sod of a husband.

"I really hope that your friend Inspector Matt can hunt him down. He is such and evil, despicable man. I want him caught and held accountable for every single dollar. I detest that man for the grief he has caused my sister and her beautiful daughters." She snuggled into her husband while he gentled her with a warm, comforting hug.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

Helen woke up, feeling drained and weary. Her clothes were damp; there was blood on her hands. Unsteadily she pulled herself up from the floor. She was in the kitchen. These episodes seemed to be increasing and Helen was in denial preferring not to think about them. Blackouts were becoming almost a daily event. She pulled the shards of broken china from her hands and her knees. Not again. She was bewildered.

She staggered up the stairs to clean up and get a plaster from the bathroom. It was only then that she noticed the single toothbrush in the glass holder. Strange. Where's Frank's toothbrush, and Mother's? Absentmindedly she walked into her bedroom. The bed was empty. She sat down heavily trying to get a hold of herself and the nagging thoughts in her head. Where's Frank? Perhaps he had an early fare, she thought hopefully.

Something was niggling her in the back of her mind. There was something she had to do. It seemed important. Was it a special date? A birthday? Someone coming over? Visitors? Pffft. There were not many lately. I wonder why? Where's Frank? For the state she was in, her thinking was not at all clear. Murky thoughts bobbed in and out of reality. She had lost track of time and the only times she was aware was by the natural light coming in from outside. She would look at the clock, more than once, since she forgot it as soon as she read it because it didn't really register.

But still she had this urge to go back down the stairs. A ball? Something round. A box? Paper. Her addled brain was sending mixed messages, unconnected, disjointed and stuttering in its transmission like when the television goes on the blink. Brief snippets of information fading in and out of clarity, if clarity was at all there. The box!

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

Within a couple of days the safe house was ready to receive its new occupants. The photos definitely made it more homely along with the fresh flowers and some indoor plants. It was moving day. Edna, Frank and Valerie were looking forward to living under the one roof, safe with the knowledge that a certain evil influence was unable to touch them here. Being away from the Burg and finally having privacy gave them peace of mind. Valerie was ready to start her new life with the support of her family and her new extended family. From the moment she met her long lost older sister, her life had altered course, a better course with a positive future.

Mary Alice, Angie and an excited Armand ran into the house with screams of delight and excitement as they found their rooms. Amid shrieks of "Mommy, look at this!" and "Oh, I love my room." and oohs and aahs, Valerie smiled and relaxed. Edna hugged Valerie and assured her that all was well in the Plum house now, a home. This new home was going to be wonderful for them all. While they were busy sharing and comparing, Stephanie allowed her father to find his new space while making coffee and setting the benchtop with some morning snacks à la Ella, while Carlos and his men were helping unload the few things from the car.

Coming downstairs Valerie was emotional and grateful as she hugged her sister and brother in law, shaking her head in disbelief. Frank came down, misty eyed, shaking his head and then he smiled.

"Thank you Carlos and my Stephanie. It's very humbling for me and I appreciate everything that you have done for all of us. The photos ...," and here he stumbled a bit, "they are so beautiful and you gave me a new one of Armand."

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

Helen woke up. It was early and Frank had an early start. Valerie and the girls were coming over and they were going to do some baking. She went to the bathroom, showered and readied herself for the day. It looked like it was going to be a glorious sunny day. The early birds were welcoming the sun and all was well in the world of Helen Plum.

Going down the stairs she wrapped her apron around her waist, set the coffee pot on, while getting breakfast ready for her husband. Bacon, eggs and some blueberry pancakes was the order of the day.

"We have visitors, Helen. Come and see." Wiping her hands on her apron, she met her mother at the door as it opened only to be greeted by a familiar face, a face that has haunted her dreams for what seemed like ages. Blue eyes like Frank and that same hair but the brown eyes, the deep brown eyes with the fire inside terrified her as she screamed.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

After a couple of weeks of tracking, hunting and pursuing, Inspector Matt had accomplished what he set out to do. Hector and Manny had been very cooperative and assisted with great stealth in their stalking and information gathering through cyber space. Although Matt usually preferred to work alone, he found Hector's knowledge and technical skills invaluable and Manny's knowledge and connections of some particularly grey matters vital in cornering their prey. Manny had both legal connections and some illegal family ties. The latter allowed them to delve into the murky depths of money laundering and the old 'pump and dump' routine that seemed to be familiar with shell companies. With a sly, satisfied smirk Matt knew he had them nailed.

They, Steve and his two partners had become complacent and not only left a money trail but some wounded and rejected ex-girlfriends, collateral damage, en route, who were most eager to share their woes. Using his charm and macho wit, Matt was slick and smooth in disarming the lasses of their dreadful experience and consoled them with the promise to 'nail the bastards!'." He loved his job.

Once all the T's were crossed and the I's dotted, Matt gave his extensively detailed portfolio another once over and closed it firmly.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

Helen woke up. It was dark. Her dreams were not pleasant. In fact, she'd had another nightmare. It had made her all sweaty and the jump in the dream made her jolt awake, breathing heavily, her heart pounding as she put her hand to her heart.

Suddenly she realized the significance of that paper, crumpled on her kitchen table downstairs ... the Will. But more importantly, that box! She had hidden the smal box in a separate hidey hole in the basement. She had left it for a long time and she knew this was the niggling, nagging thought that had been haunting her nightmares and her daytime flashbacks.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

"Stephanie. I have some information for you and your sister. With your partner Hector and Manny too, we have been successful in our mission. When and where shall we meet?"

"Yes! Oh that is such wonderful news. How soon can you get here? I'm at the new home but we can be at Rangeman in less than half an hour. I think that would be the better environment to disclose your findings. Don't you?"

So it was arranged. Matt requested a little extra time in order to show the evidence of their findings and an extra little surprise as well. Ella happily agreed to look after the three children with Edna's help. The main conference room was set up ready to display their findings and observe the evidence and the demise of their prey. Hector and Manny were grinning at Matt as he smirked while sitting in Mañoso's special chair at the head of the conference table. All the equipment was ready for the showdown and the big reveal.

A light knock at the door and Stephanie entered. She eyed a smirking, smug Inspector Matt with his legs crossed and his feet up on the table. The twinkle in his eye told her all she needed to know.

"You look like the cat that ate the canary, Matt."

"Aye, Lass. More like the Cheshire Cat."

He stood up and stretched lazily and said, "Bring them in. It's ShowTime!"

Valerie, Frank, Carlos and Stephanie sat down at the table. Manny and Hector dimmed the room and set up the multiple screens to display their findings.

Matt took center stage, initially pausing to glance at the photos on the shelf. He turned and looked directly at Val, sitting between her father and her sister.

"Lass, I have two things to report. Firstly, we have found the money trail and it's a dirty one at that. Not only did your husband ... Let's call him your ex-husband." Valerie nodded in agreement. "Not only did he steal your hard-earned savings and clean out your joint bank account, leaving you with debts and at the mercy of the bailiff, he also was involved in embezzlement of company funds. But, more about that later."

Hector brought up photos and footage on cue with Matt's disclosures of their investigations. He was all business and commanding in his report. He enjoyed the game, the hunt, the chase and the inevitable capture.

"Steve and his partner Richard Orr, who goes by the name Dickie, were conspiring to obtain a slush fund using your money and the 401K to set up shell companies off shore. Money was moved readily into these 'international business companies', investment companies, which we call 'mailbox companies', under the ruse of normal international business transactions. They became greedy with skimming and embezzlement of company funds being added to their repertoire. They were both keen on the ladies and I'm sure you already know now about his infidelities. Yes?"

Valerie nodded sadly. Carlos folded his arms and glared at Matt, with the universal hand wave of 'get to the point'.

"Then a third partner came into the play, a dirty ex-cop, now a private investigator, who had been investigating adultery and minor fraud allegations made by someone in the same company for whom Steve worked. Pure coincidence. He saw the connection to the skimming of moneys in Orr's company. He's an opportunist and threatened to blow their scheme but they countered with a partnership."

Valerie gasped. "I know him! That's Joe Morelli! He's from the Burg! He was in the same year as me all through school, a real sleazebag. What a douche! Thought he was God's gift to women. He was a womanizer and like all the Morelli men, he drank and brawled. His reputation for popping the cherry of innocent naïve girls was widely known but he somehow got away with it. Last I heard he was shafted by the TPD for taking bribes and other dirty dealings."

"Aye. You got that right, Lass. Joseph Morelli. But his notorious behavior made it so much easier to trail them. He was careless and indiscreet. His womanizing as you so rightly pointed out, also enabled us to gather more incriminating evidence. It was during the process of transferring a substantial sum as a 'pump and dump' exercise that Hector and Manny were able to intercept and transfer the moneys, the original amount you lost, to a new account, leaving their transfer somewhat depleted. Since they were dealing in more than six figures, it was overlooked. There isn't any evidence of that transfer back to you."

He paused cuing the video footage on the large screen. "Long story short: through their own mismanagement and carelessness and greed, Steve, Dickie Orr and Joseph Morelli were caught by the FBI trying to create another shell company and this is the footage of the capture. Gotta love these drones." as an aerial shot showed their arrest. Let's say their 'informant' was convincing to activate the takedown. The FBI was already on their trail and we may have 'helped' them with some illuminating evidence."

"Wow. Thank you, Matt. You two as well, Hector and Manny. I can't thank you enough."

They paused for a drink, grabbing the water bottles from the center tray. Valerie went to the private bathroom to clean her face from the tears of sadness and utter relief. It was overwhelming. Stephanie hugged her little sister and together they returned to face the next saga.

"OK. Part two. Frank, your now ex-wife had hidden the letters from you all these years. You and Valerie found her with the envelopes and letters strewn around her, including the one where she begged you to come to France. But one you didn't see was hidden under her body where she lay when you found her. That was the crumpled piece of paper with the Will and you already saw the estate bequeathed to you, sir, and Stephanie." Frank and Stephanie nodded in agreement.

"When I went there, in the basement, I discovered a hidden compartment behind the washing machine where she had hidden the letters. But I also discovered another concealed hidey hole, another loose brick in the wall. I went back later, after she had her crippling fall, and discovered these treasures."

Matt opened the evidence bag and placed a small box on the table, just over 5 x 7. Lifting the lid, he slowly displayed the carefully wrapped items one by one in front of his captive audience. Photographs. Photographs of Frank's beloved Elizabeth; Frank and Elizabeth; Elizabeth while pregnant and glowing with an infectious smile; photos of Stephanie as a small baby; Elizabeth and Stephanie together at different ages; Stephanie with her Grandparents in France and more. Obvious milestones in her childhood were faithfully documented and detailed on the back with the date and place recorded neatly. There was a lock of hair in a small paper frame, a hand print and a footprint just like the one on the poem, "Walk with me, Daddy". There was silence in the room. Frank was vibrating with anger until Stephanie put her small hand on his shoulder.

"It's over, Daddy. She can't hurt you anymore."

He nodded silently, small nods. It was the first time she had seen her father cry. Valerie and Stephanie hugged their father and the tears flowed from both his daughters. So many emotions but relief was the most palpable.

Stephanie looked at Inspector Matt and mouthed 'thank you'. He just smirked, winked and nodded. He and Carlos quietly left the tearful trio for some privacy. Carlos shook hands with his friend with a shoulder hug.

"You know, she will expect you for dinner this evening. Be there."

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

Helen woke up. She felt uncomfortable. There was a noise that woke her up. There were different sounds. She opened her eyes.

Oh! Too bright.

And she winced.

New sounds.

People talking ... in her room.

What are they doing here?

She became aware of mechanical sounds, beeping and buzzing and footsteps, hushed voices. Not at home sounds but she was at home, in her own bed.

"Ahem. Helen? You're back. Good."

Dr Fassbender?

Helen's eyes opened wide in shock. Dr Fassbender was in her bedroom.

I'm back?

Where did I go?

Did I go somewhere?

Yes ... I'm still at home. This is so weird.

Why are they here?

What's happening?

"Look at me, Helen. Good. Now I want you to follow the light, just with your eyes, Helen. I just want to check your progress."

The doctor made some sounds of acknowledgement. Helen tried to ask what happened and why she was here but before she could utter a sound, he shushed her holding up his index finger firmly which silenced her immediately.

"Be still. Just wait, Helen, all in good time. You need to rest. I will ask the questions. Shortly, I will give you some answers. Okay? So let's just take it easy and let me do my job."

The good doctor murmured and the nurse wrote some things down on the clipboard chart. Another nurse was hanging a fluid bag on the pole beside her bed.

Nurse?

Clipboard chart?

"Helen. You have had a fall. A very bad fall. That Wild Turkey and his mate Jack Daniel's pushed you down the stairs. I can tell. It's on your breath. I warned you Helen. Lose the booze...

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

Helen woke up aware that someone was nearby. She tried to move but her body was not cooperating. She felt groggy and her head felt thick with the remnants of a heavy sedation. Her mouth was dry and a nurse appeared with a paper cup with a bendy straw.

"Here, Mrs Plum. Small sips, now. You've just come from Recovery after surgery on your broken leg which is why it is in a cast. You have a visitor."

"Helen Elena Mazur Plum."

Uh oh. Her mother leaned over to be in her line of sight. She tried to say something but Edna cut her off sharply with a sharp finger jab into the air.

"Nah-uh! Not now, not ever. Not that you have a choice anymore."

Helen looked fearfully at her mother. Not ever?

"For all your evil and dirty deeds I disown you as my daughter. You have brought such irretrievable shame on the Mazur clan. But you have, by your own actions, with your pessimism and strife, brought upon yourself a curse, an old Hungarian curse. It is the Curse of the Turan which brings you misfortune for all your evil words, bitterness and betrayal. This was spelled by a Shaman long ago and when he cast that spell, it is cast in such a manner that it is lasting, permanent and irreversible."

She let those words hang there for Helen absorb. A curse? A Hungarian curse? The Curse of the Turan? Surely not in this day and age. She must be teasing me. I hope she is. Where is Frank? I have a letter for him, a small important piece of paper.

But Helen, despite her fears, was already speeding down the Denial Highway to nowhere.

"Ironic, especially the words. Don't you think, Helen? The only words you can utter are in the past. You can only blink yes and no. Just think ... no more whining to listen to, no more phone calls, and no more gossip. But that's fine. I won't be there to enjoy the silence. You can have that all to yourself."

Helen blinked but her face could show no emotion as she lay there still, her body limp and unresponsive.

"I have made a reservation for you at the Nursing Home of Our Perpetual Sorrow. They will tend to all your needs as they see fit. Of course, you will have to wear a nappy thingy, and they'll have to feed you,"

Helen tuned out. She almost shutdown. Her breathing became labored. Nappies?! Helen was disbelieving, incredulous. As she gasped in fear the heart monitor increased its pace as the panic set in. A nurse quickly rushed in hearing the increased rate of the monitors and the ventilator. She made an injection into the cannula of the IV drip and within a minute the pulse settled to a safer rate. Helen thoughts wafted through her foggy head.

I can only blink?

Blink yes or no.

No one will hear me.

But I have all these questions.

How can I get any answers?

How can I make my needs heard?

Not being able to ask?

Oh my God.

I can't even cross myself!

Oh my God!

I'm going to go crazy.

Oh dear.

Why me?!

"There you can wallow in self-pity and denial all you like for the rest of your days. Remember what I told you. You reap what you sow, Helen. You reap what you sow. And you know what else, Helen? Karma is a bitch."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o THE END. o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

A/N.

Thank you so much for the ending chapter Ms. Kim aka MMMBabefanmmm . Through your hard work and research this story turned out magnificent. Not to forget Ms. Shelley who started the story out.

Inspector Matt, there are no words to describe him but crafty and a smart ass, just like he is in real life.

cheeky grin.