Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

No, that can't be right.

In their previous lives, Bridget and Kay never even met. Sylvia and Naomi had never laid eyes on Kay either. So how could their deaths be connected to her?

And now, Bridget-after her accident left her disfigured and crippled-had lost her mind. The Simpsons had long since checked her into a psychiatric hospital.

Just a few days ago, someone online posted about visiting her. Bridget was a mess, barely recognizable as human anymore.

She hadn't managed to die, but her life was worse than death. Maybe this was the best kind of punishment for her.

Honestly, with Kay's proud and untouchable personality, there's no way she'd have anything to do with someone like Bridget.

But Sylvia pressed her fingers to her aching forehead, unable to make any of these things fit together.

Then four words popped into her mind: multi-million dollar deal.

In both lives, the only person linked to Kay was Rupert.

What if Edwin and Naomi's deaths had just been lies Rupert fed her? The thought was terrifying.

Sylvia's face paled, and she clutched her head, refusing to let her mind go any further.

The Garcia residence.

Chris pulled off his bloody disposable gloves, tossed them in the trash, and let out a long, exhausted breath.

He spotted the pack of cigarettes on the table, and for once didn't care about the house rules. He grabbed one, lit up, and took a drag.

a guy who sells life insurance. Want me

the desk, backlit by the overhead light. The shadows cut across his face, making

in bandages, sharp muscles showing through. He wore black dress pants and a matte leather belt, coiled around his waist like

off an

and lit a cigarette, his voice low and

that no

harm's way without

might be fine, but you

That's your turf, and you

You even

Now she looks at

gat like I'm the

bad guy." s

exasperated. What did he

biting his cigarette, smoke drifting around him, making him look even more

stand to be there another second. I helped

to sit still. "Why are you

shrugged. "Because

words hitting him like

been hovering by the door, waiting to check on Rupert caught those words and couldn't

guilty about Sylvia, but honestly, what woman wouldn't want

just love, isn't

was exactly what

lips together, deciding she'd better talk to Sylvia