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Even if Duncan hadn't told her that Mrs. Moore called him, Reina would have guessed immediately. Duncan's impromptu visit to LA was not a coincidence. Someone had to have called him and there was only one person who could have done so. Since guessing what had happened was no longer pressing her mind strayed to the reasons why. In the grand scheme of things the reasons probably didn’t make much of a difference. However, the irrational part of her psyche had convinced her that knowing the answer to that particular question would explain the less than satisfactory outcome of the evening’s events.
Despite the late hour the porch was occupied when Reina approached the Moores' home. Her friend's mother was sitting as though she were expecting company. I have got to change my MO. Apparently I have become way too predictable. Reina told herself. She left the car and joined the older woman.
"You were expecting me?"
"Actually I was expecting your friend Mr. MacLeod."
"Ahh, Duncan. Funny how he should show up here of all places, tonight of all nights," Reina said airily. "It looks to be the most amazing of coincidences. Only we both know that it isn't."
"You always had a way with an accusation Reina," Mrs. Moore said. "You are accusing me of something aren't you?"
"You called Duncan."
"Yes."
"I didn't know you knew one another."
"We don't."
"I see. So now Duncan's the one you go to when you think I need to be kept in line? I didn't realize that Duncan had inherited me."
"You think I betrayed you."
"Didn't you? Why did you call Duncan? You knew he'd come out here."
"I'd hoped as much."
"Why? To stop me?"
"Yes. It was for your own good."
"I can take care of myself. I don't need a keeper."
"Don't you? I'm not so sure about that."
Reina turned toward Mrs. Moore, rendered speechless at her admission.
"You haven't gotten past this. I thought you may have grieved, moved on and made your peace with what happened but you haven't. It's been a year and a half and for you it might as well have been an hour and a half."
"That's not...."
"Don't bother Reina. I know you too well. You can lie to yourself but don't lie to me. If you had moved on you wouldn't have gone after Carrie tonight."
"Going after Carrie was about avenging Ben and Scott's deaths."
"No it's not. Going after Carrie is about your inability to deal with Ben and Scott's deaths and the circumstances around them. You look in the mirror and wonder why you survived and not Scott or Ben and as much as I love you I've wondered the same thing. Why did you survive and not my son? But I can't bring Scott back. Neither can you and I'll be damned if I let you do something stupid and self destructive out of some misguided sense of honor."
"Someone has to avenge their deaths."
"Someone will. But not you. Carrie will get what's coming to her. You will have to find a healthier way of dealing with your guilt. You will not sully the memories of your brother or my son by committing an act of murder."
"I'm supposed to wait until Karma comes back to bite her in the ass? That doesn’t sound right. Karma doesn't necessarily work. Besides, you didn't have any problems with killing Carrie before."
"Someone changed my mind. Now I'm doing you the same favor. Let it go Reina before it eats you up inside. Perhaps you might consider talking to a professional?"
Reina narrowed her eyes, giving Mrs. Moore a look which could only be properly described as venomous.
"Whenever you're ready Reina. Now what are your plans?" She asked, changing the subject.
"I'm going back to Seacouver in the morning."
"Will you call me when you get in?"
"Of course."
"Think about what I said Reina. It's in your best interest."
"I'll take it under consideration. But I'm making no promises."
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