Well it was time for Rain to head back to the States.   With the death of Alexus she had to head back to protect her investments and the family businesses.

 Rain had created a few enemies; she knew she would have to eliminate several people in order to have closure to all that had transpired in her past.

First on her list was Judge Henry Boulder, he renege on a sentencing agreement for Boss Otis Walton.  Then the Prosecutor Paul Roberts who hid evidence so pertinent to his case. Finally District Attorney Nora Dewdrop who conspired with the Prosecutor.

As Rain was packing some things she thought how she was never going to return to the life.  Alexus was taking care of business and life was good. She was enjoying being with her father in Vergine Maria a small Province of Palermo.  Growing up a love child of a Sicilian father and a beautiful Creole woman had its disadvantages but her father never denied her and was a good father.  He always told her and everyone else that it was God’s choice for him to plant his seed in a beautiful woman who was the world to him.  He was powerful enough to make denying his daughter’s heritage off limits.

Rain’s father’s health improved. The medicines and treatments were working well and with everything that had transpired back in the States he knew it was time for her to head back.  After a lengthily conversation Rain reluctantly agreed with him.

The first person she called was JohnWalton, Boss Otis’s brother.  When he told her about Alexus  he knew she would be returning. She remembered when Boss Otis  passed how he secretly sent for her made it possible for her to attend his funeral.  When she was returning safely he assured her he was going to clear her name, which he did.

She gave him her flight and arrival time.

Rain was on the airplane on her way back to the States.  She really didn’t know what JohnWalton plans but knew for sure her trusted bodyguard Big Moe would be at the airport when she arrived.

Looking though some paper she had she came across the letters from JohnWalton with the attorney’s papers that the case involving the death of the Mayor’s son Charles Cane was resolved.  Detective Harris mysteriously met his demise in a haunted basement in a Hotel in Los Angeles.

She remembers that night like it was yesterday.  She had been setting Cane up for months to get some documents that could sway the case of Boss Otis who was now incarcerated.  Rain knew she had to get those documents for leverage to clear him.

 After a lot of bribing she knew exactly where those docs where kept.  Cane had an office in the Theater Arts Complex in the first draw of a black file cabinet and, the key to his desk draw was on his key ring and the key to the file cabinet was in the center draw.  Cane also liked to boast about his office there.

Rain obtain an invitation to the high society charity fund raiser that was going to held  at the Theater Arts complex, hosted by Charles Cane.

Everything was going as planned.  When I arrived I was introduced to Cane.  I could tell by the way he looked at me he was going to be easy.  Within minutes he was asking me to join him at the bar.  Big Moe has already paid the bartender to only serve me drinks from that particular bottle.  I knew Cane hated Bourbon so wouldn’t be drinking out of the same bottle.  Mines were filled with tea.   We had several drinks.  I would excuse myself several time to talk with other people and I would see his eyes following me.  I could see he was getting a little intoxicated and becoming more intrigue with me.  It was now time to get to business so I started a conversation about how lovely the Theater Arts complex and wondered if the offices had to be just as nice.  Yeah, it was too easy his eyes lit up and he took the bait. He would love to show me his office.

When we arrived in his office he poured us a drink. I walked around admiring his office until I was able to slip the drug that would knock him out in minutes into his drink.   Then things just turned crazy.  He started to prey on me like a dog in heat and when I resisted he pulled a knife out on me.  It gave me a flash back when I was 12 years old when another man did the same.  I could smell the same drunken breath.  It happened at a brothel my Aunt own on the bayou.  I knew were Kate kept her gun in that room and I shot and killed him.  When I finally snapped out of it Cane was lying on the floor with the knife sticking from his temple.

I hurried up got his key ring and found the right key to his office desk.  Sure enough the key to the file cabinet was right in the center draw.  Luckily there was only one black cabinet.  I open the cabinet and found the papers I needed and also a file label Dad Personal. (That file eventually kept me from going to jail.)

I quietly left his office and made it down the hallway.  At the end of the hallway there was some big commotion going on.  I had to pass these people because that was the only way out.  With my head down I slowly started walking through and around them.  I almost made it to the steps when Det Harris and I caught each other’s eyes.  He knew who I was because he came over to the bar when Cane and I were talking being nosey.   I continued to move through the commotion but knew he would know I was coming from Cane’s office when they found him dead.

Big Moe saw me coming down the stairs and knew right away something was wrong. When he met up with him all I could say was “we got to go, I killed him”. The rest of the night isn’t all that clear but I remember handing over the documents to  JohnWalton and the very next day he had me headed to Palermo.

Rain’s train of thought was broken when the flight attendant stopped to ask if she cared for another drink that they would be landing soon.  She told the flight attendant that she would just have a cup of coffee.

Folding up her papers and putting them back in place Rain felt a little excited about returning.  Although she tried to convince herself otherwise she knew she missed life back in the States.  Once a few problems were solved she knew she would be just fine.

"Ok, Moe, it's all arranged. You go to the airport and then bring her to the ranch immediately. Two of my boys will go with you." John said. Big Moe nodded, got up and walked out the kitchen door of The Black Oak ranch

Sitting at the table with a mug full of black coffee and a lit cigarette on his lips, John was invaded by memories and thoughts. After so many years in the life of the crime, John Walton could tell that he had worked with hundreds of mobsters. Not everyone was lucky enough to survive as long as he survived, to the point of seeing their hair whitening. Many of his acquaintances eventually saw their ends at the end of a gun or imprisoned like animals.

A mobster whom John had met a few years ago was a woman known in the underworld as Rain.  Rain used to work for John's older brother, Otis, and for that reason John had come to work with her too. He had worked with her so much that he had even come to like her. Until one event made their bonds of friendship strengthen forever...

Years ago, when John was still working for Wayne in Las Vegas, Otis Walton got into trouble in Washington when trying to smuggle a large amount of drinks into Seattle. At the time, the Tanzini group operated in the city and the cargo was to be delivered to them by Otis but he was intercepted by the corrupted local police.

In exchanged for a light sentence Judge Henry Boulder was paid a large sum of money and received some very incriminating information on some in the underworld.  That information was to be turned over to the Judge by Prosecutor who would receive it from the District Attorney.  Both being in cahoots with the Tanzini clan it was never forwarded to the Judge; instead the information was seized by Charlie Cane the mayor’s son.  In his eagerness to be a firm and powerful figure in the eyes of society, Judge Boulder condemned Otis too years in prison. John was furious. That man refused to be reasonable and that had become a matter of respect. He had to act.

The heat was too intense on Wayne's organization at that time and John, desperate to see his brother free, used his connections to get outside help, someone he had worked with before and trusted to do the job: Rain.  Otis was Rain’s boss at the time and no one was more upset than her about the turn of events.  After a few days, Rain had a plan on recovering the documents they needed from Cane.  She knew where the information was located in his office and waited for the precise time to retrieve them.

Things went terribly wrong for Rain that night, but she was able to confiscate the papers needed.  John was able to get Rain out of the country. With the information he would be able to clear his brother. Rain also obtained pertinent information on the Mayor himself that John eventually used to clear Rain of any wrongdoing.

John glanced at his watch. A couple of hours had passed without him even noticing. Rain and the boys should be getting to the ranch. He got up and went to the window to watch the main road. A delicious smell of roasted chicken invaded his nostrils; Hazel, the maid, had been instructed to prepare a feast that night.

John was so happy to see Rain again.  When she arrived, they enjoyed the feast, laughed and talked about old times.  After dinner, they sat out on the patio and got down to the real unfinished business they were facing. John knew that once the Judge, Prosecutor and that DA knew she was back they would be looking to take her out. The old man knew what he had to do. He called a meeting with Gio-Moretti, one of his most trusted men, the next morning...

Rain sat on the balcony eating the last of her Danish she got from the Lake View Café when she realized it was time for her to attend the meeting that @JohnWaton had set up.

The life she so desperately wanted to leave behind was becoming more visible.  Although JohnWalton had created some normalcy for her, he knew of their unfinished business.  He always regretted not being available when his father’s ordeal transpired. He was taking care of business elsewhere and his father was his own man. 

When Big Moe, Bentley and Rain walked in the meeting room at the Black Oak Clubhouse John greeted them, @ Gio-Moretti and @TheVirginia were already there sitting at the conference table.  They both stood and came over and hugged her.  They were all long time friends and she was very happy they were there.  They already knew Big Moe but she had to introduce them to Bentley.  John made her a cup of coffee just the way she liked it and she thanked him and told everyone she would get started.

Bentley had copied the files for each individually. As he started to hand them out Rain started taking.

We all know why we are here. Right now I would have to live with revenge in my heart and eyes in the back of my head to survive.  I know that once they know I am back they will be gunning for me. Although John was able to clear his father with the information I confiscated, the betrayals can’t go unpunished.   They know this and I know this. So I intend to solve that problem first. 

If you will open your files Bentley just handed you will find all the pertinent information we could obtain on each person.  We have their addresses, phone numbers, pictures of their family members and protection, mistresses, cars, license plates, work place, hang outs and any habits.

The first file is on Judge Henry Boulder.

He was the first to betray Boss Otis.  He was paid handsomely to accept the plea deal and Boss Otis  was to receive a reduced sentence of a fine and time served.  Judge Boulder sentenced him to 15 years.

Judge Boulder reneges because of the pressure he was receiving from Prosecutor Paul Roberts, who hid evidence so pertinent to the case because of pressure he was receiving from a rival of the Boss.  That is the second file you received.

The last is on District Attorney Nora Dewdrop who conspired with the Prosecutor.  She was nothing but a money hungry  puppet.

I will give you gentlemen a few minutes to look through what we have and then decide how to move forward.

John slept a few hours after the feast. He wasn't the kind of man who slept a lot anyway, so he was on his feet before the sunrise. The meeting convened would take place at the ranch's red barn and John went there himself to prepare everything. One by one, everyone arrived.

"Well, now that Rain is back, we need to settle some last pending details" John said in his striking hoarse voice. "It's the only way we can have any peace of mind and get back to business the way we're used to."

He signaled to Bentley, who stood up. The man carried a folder with several copies of documents inside, which he distributed among those present at the meeting.

"Thank you, Mr. Bentley. You all have in your hands now files about three of the people who caused this whole situation to begin with. The jugde Henry Boulder, the prosecutor Paul Roberts and the district attorney Nora Dewdrop. I wish things were different, but it seems these people can't hear the voice of reason. They chose to wage a personal war against us from the beginning of it all."

He shrugged.

"We don't run from any wars. Now listen, you will eliminate them as discreetly as possible. I do not want to attract more attention than necessary to us. Gio, this man Henry is all yours. Virginan, you take care of Paul Roberts, aye?"

John finally turned to Rain.

"And you, Rain, settle the score with Nora."

He watched her deeply. She was the most emotionally invested in the case.

So as JohnWalton had stated Gio-Moretti agreed to take care of Judge Henry Boulder, @TheVirginia would handle Prosecutor Paul Roberts and Rain was to contend with District Attorney Nora Dewdrop.

They all agree they would  study the files and plan the course of action as soon as possible.  They all knew the sooner they took care of this things would be squared.  Of course John advised us to be careful and would provide any man power or assistance we needed.   Once the job was done to report back John  the mission was complete.

I studied the information from the file I received from Bentley.  I couldn’t believe how much they had on Prosecutor Paul Roberts.  From the file habits I saw when Roberts would go the Joe's Italian Ristorante every Wednesday for the specials.  I needed to go there and case the joint out to see if  it was a ideal place to accomplish my  mission.

I  went with Bentley  to check out the surroundings of the restaurant across from it was an apartment building with all the kitchen windows facing the it.  I thought to myself how convenient it would be to take the shot from there.   We went over to the landlord and he did have a vacant apartment on the second floor and asked if they could see it.   As  I  looked out of the kitchen window,  it wasn’t the ideal shot but it could be done .  The next Wednesday we were in the apartment.  Sure enough like clockwork Roberts came to eat at the restaurant.  When Roberts was leaving I practiced taking the shot.  A clear shot was a little easier they he anticipated.

The next Tuesday night h I arrived at the apartment and was going to just chill until the next evening. The next afternoon Ms Laura arrived.  She was 82 years old and had been in the business for years.  He would use her as a decoy if anyone came to the door.

Again like clockwork Roberts and his party arrived.  I gave them about an hour before I set up.  The barrel was just slightly out the window.  I was sure they couldn’t see it.  About 40 minutes  later they were leaving the restaurant.

“Move out the way bitch, move out the way” I said to myself looking out the scope.  I fired to nice shots and drew my gun back from the window.  I saw Roberts hit the ground as everyone was looking up pointing to the roof.  Several men ran into the apartment building and I could hear them running up the stairs.  I just smiled to myself.

A little while later when the cops arrived they knocked on the door.  When Ms Laura opened in the door in her night clothes and robe she told them that she had heard the commotion and it made her nervous because she was home alone.   They assured her everything was alright and she needed not to worry.

Around 3am the street were all quiet, Bentley picked up Ms Laura and I.  Mission accomplished. After the Mission was done I called my Boss JohnWalton to let him know the job was done.

After much discussion, and a little planning, Gio had been given his task and set out to ensure it was handled. John knew he had left the job in the hands of an extremely capable and dedicated member of his family and wasn't the sort to micro-manage too much. He simply sent Gio in the right direction and gave him a time frame that it needed to be completed in. That was all Gio really needed, the rest would come naturally.

The sun was shining and birds were chirping on a beautiful day. Gio sat back in a chair at one of the finest nearby country clubs, wearing a blue polo shirt and knee length, tailored shorts he sipped on a drink while looking around the golf course ahead of himself through a pair of sunglasses. As he finished his drink he stood, left some money under his glass on a nearby table and made his way to the course where his golf cart and bag filled with clubs were waiting. The club was uncharacteristically quiet on such a nice day, but this is how Gio preferred it.

Gio wasn't a spectacular golfer by any means, but decent at least. He played through a few holes staying on, or just over, par for most of the course. After some time though he came across a group of 5 men, that were playing just ahead of him. 2 of the men waved back at Gio, as if to apologize for holding him up from playing the hole. After all, they had a group of 5 and Gio was alone. Nodding back with a smile he walked to a tree at the top of a close hill and leaned against it so that he could watch the group as he lit up a smoke. Drawing deeply from the cigarette he surveyed the situation before him:

5 men... but only 2 of them were golfing, and even dressed for golf at that. The other 3 waited nearby in black suits with sunglasses, standing very still and watching the other two intently. The 2 golfing were chatty, and loud, and clearly had been drinking a fair bit before their game. Gio didn't know one of them... but the other was the entire reason he was on the course today. Judge Henry Boulder. He'd been a problem for The Black Oak Ranch recently and it was up to Gio to determine how to "fix" this problem.

Studying the 3 men in black, whom had to be exhausted in the sun wearing those suits, he realized that they stayed relatively close together at most times and that it could be his key to eliminating them first. Thus opening up the chance that he might be able to take care of the Judge and his pal.

He walked to one of their carts at the top of the hill, stooping to pick up a decent sized stone, something that had been used in the landscaping around the base of the very tree he had been enjoying his smoke under. Lining up the cart to the best of his ability he places the stone on the acceleration pedal of the golf cart, grabs a heavy sand wedge from the back before jogging around the other side of the hill so that he could approach from the opposite direction from which the golf cart would be heading towards the 3 men.

As he ran towards the group of men the golf cart came careening down the hill at full speed and slammed directly into the group in the suits, slowing down after plowing into the first 2 the 3rd guy is injured, pinned under the cart, but still conscious and beginning to scream. The Judge and his friend are in a state of shock with their jaws hanging wide open when Gio comes running straight past them and clocks the screaming guard in the head with the club, silencing him for good.

Breathing heavily, with blood on his face, he turns his attention to the Judge and his pal.

"Henry Boulder I presume?" He says to the first man before the second speaks up:

"Please sir, I don't know what you want but we aren't who you're loo..." Before he can finish he catches a club to the jaw and goes out cold.

Holding the golf club to the chin of the only living and/or conscious man remaining he says again: "Henry Boulder, right?" There is something of a growl in Gio's voice as he says the final word and the man flinches at it.

"Y...Ye...Yess sir... I'm Henry Boulder" He manages to just barely stutter out.

"Perfect! That's all I needed to know!" Gio smiles and lowers the club to his side, breathing heavily still he lets out a large sigh before continuing. "John Walton says hello, you mother fu.." The blow from the golf club punctuates his statement, and the next 3 or 4 blows really send it home. The Judge won't be getting up from that... in fact he's just barely recognizable lying on the green.

Gio pulls a cloth from his back pocket and wipes blood from his face, glancing down at the blood on his shirt he realizes he probably should've worn his red polo today. He returns to his own cart, taking off his shirt and rolling his bloody rag inside of it he exchanges his blue polo for a white one he had brought along in his bag just in case, and drives off leaving the mess he had created behind him.

A couple hours later Gio sat at a local diner, waiting for a cup of coffee he asked to use the phone and place a quick call. After a couple of rings John asnwered, "So?".

"It's done"

"Good"

The line went dead as the Waitress set a cup of hot coffee in front of Gio with a smile.

Rain sat carefully considering exactly how she was going to handle Nora Dewdrop.  The betrayal of this woman turned her stomach.  She warned Boss Otis she couldn’t be trusted but he was so smitten by her.  She remembers how her mother and Ilaria_Santoro once handled a situation and she knew she could exploit the same plan.

 Ilaria's experimented with formulas, and became interested in toxins and poisons and development quite a few deadly concoctions.

Looking through her file she had to laugh at the norm these so called high society woman used, like the scheduled saloon appointment every other Saturday morning at 10 am and the habitual glass of sarsaparilla.

My mother had put the concoctions in a lock wooden chest.  Inside each bottle was label. Hair gone permanently, extreme stomach pains,  3 hour knock out and bottles marked  dead within 3 , 12, 24 and 48 hours, plus several others.

Nora’s regular hair salon appointment was for this coming Saturday. Pearl got hired on as a new hair washer starting that Friday.     Pearl’s assignment was to make sure the hair formula was placed in the shampoo and the deadly 12 hour dose place in the sarsaparilla.  Her start date was Friday this would give her time to see the set up there.  She quickly befriended one to the chatty hair washers and her plans were easily set into motion.

Nora Dewdrop arrived on time for her appointment.  I followed in behind her picked up the salon brochure and sat down.  I looked at Pearl standing by the #3 station and she signaled me that it was all good.  Nora followed the person that was to wash her hair to station #1.   As she sat down her hair washers asked Pearl if she would get Ms Dewdrop a glass of sarsaparilla and Pearl told her it would be her pleasure.  Pearl returns with the glass and watched Nora drink it as she chatted with the hair washer.  When she was on the final rinse and Nora’s hair was starting to come out I sat down next to her in station #2.

I took off the rather large hat I had on and said Hello Nora.

While she was experiencing her hair falling out she carefully eyed Rain.

Rain is that you?

Yes it is me in the flesh.

She started to panic pulling at her hair falling out and started to stand up.

Rain I am sorry I can’t talk to you right now.  Look. Look what’s happening to my hair.

Seat back down.  Why don’t you tell these nice people here why God might be punishing you?  Oh let me just tell them.   How you are a money grubbing bitch that set up her very good friend to go to jail for 15 years.  How you were a fucking puppet and couldn’t follow your own mind, your own sense of decency.

Rain I am sorry, I didn’t know what to do, they were placing so much pressure on me.  Please, please try to understand.

I stood up over her.

You set the man you were sleeping with up. He thought you cared about him.  When he was in jail and found out you were the one who help set him up it fucking broke his heart.  All of you and I mean all of you need to die.

Nora sat up straight and gabbed Rain’s hands.

Rain I am sorry please don’t hurt me.  I have a daughter.  It’s Otis’s daughter.  I found out I was pregnant 3 months after he passed again.  She needs her mother Rain please don’t kill me.

This caught me totally off guard.  I knew she would be dead in hours.  I couldn’t kill the mother of Otis’s child.  I quickly took the bottle of antidote from my purse held her head back and made her drink it.  

Nora was crying hysterically, shaking, playing with her hair still falling out.

I hope that works. 

Rain and Pearl left the salon.

When she got back to the Ranch she told JohnWalton that she hoped the antidote worked because Nora  was the mother of his niece. 

John couldn't believe what Rain was saying to him. Sitting in his rocking chair on the porch, he heard Rain, standing on the stairs in front of him, tell him the whole story hurriedly. Most of the plan had been a success, Gio-Moretti and TheVirginan performed their parts smoothly. The hit on Nora, though, had to be "canceled" in the face of shocking news: John's brother, Otis, had a daughter with Nora. Rain told the old man how she handled the situation, poisoning the woman and then being forced to offer her an antidote. John nodded, silent. Nora was now in a safe house at the 14th Avenue, under observation. Her condition was still uncertain.

John got up from his chair and straightened his hat. 

"Get back to the safe house and keep your eyes on that woman. I need her alive. If this story is true, I need to know."

He ran a hand over his thick gray beard.

"May God have mercy on her soul if there is any lie in this story."

Rain nodded and headed toward her car. John stood there on the porch, watching she speeding off the car toward the city.

For the rest of the day, John was lost in thoughts about what to do next. Was it just a blatant lie of Nora trying to survive? What about if it was true? The girl would be his responsibility.

It was night when the phone finally rang. John answered immediately. He knew it was Rain.   

"Nora is feeling great now. The story matches up", she said.   

John grunted, confirming that he understood the message and hung up. He remained motionless, sitting on the living room sofa. It was all true. He had an unknown niece and had just tried to kill her mother. He sat there, digesting the information for a moment. That girl was his responsibility now, his brother's blood - his blood - flowed through her veins.

The old man got up, put on his coat and hat and left the house. It was a rainy night, but that couldn't wait any longer. 

Rain went to the phone and dialed Nora’s number when she answered this time she didn’t hang up.

Hello Nora this is Rain.

What do you want Rain?

I want to know more about Otis's daughter.  What is her name?

Her name is Allison.

Allison what?

Allison Walton of course Rain.  Otis is listed on her birth certificate as her father.  I wouldn’t deny her father’s name.

Yeah, you denied him knowing he had a daughter and stood by and saw him possibility rot in jail.  If it wasn’t for the ordeal with him going to prison for 15 years he would still be alive.

 Rain felt an awful feeling rising in her stomach.  How she despised this woman.

Rains please, let’s not go into this again.  How many times do I have to tell you I am sorry?

You are sorry alright.  How old is Allison now?

Allison will be 5 years old next month.

Rain quickly calculated time.  Otis was incarcerated for 2 years, had the heart attack and passed about 8 months later and she was away for almost 2 years, it made her age add up.

So that means you were either pregnant or she had just been born when you betrayed him and had him kept in jail.  You were raising his daughter and keeping her father locked up. 

Rain yes, yes you are right. You just don’t understand.  I loved Otis put there was so much pressure

Rain cut her off.

Yeah you were just trying to save your sorry ass.  JohnWalton wants to meet her.  I want you to set up a time and place where we can pick her up.

Rain I would love for John to meet her.  But Rain please I don’t want her to know what I did.

Oh how you betrayed her father.  How you hid information that would have exonerated him.  You are living and breathing be happy with that.  I can’t promise you she will never find out.

Rain all I can say is how sorry I am.  Believe me this hasn’t be easy for me.  You are welcome to come to the house and meet her or both you and John together. 

We want to be able to bring her to the Ranch.   We will come spend a little time with her, let her get to know us. 

That sounds fine Rain just let me know what day you would like to come.  I will give you the address.

I already have your address.  We will be there tomorrow around one o’clock.  Have a nice lunch prepared for us and let Allison know her Uncle John is coming to see her.

OK Rain that’s fine and I will.

Rain hung up the phone thinking what a bitch.

Rain heard a knock on her door and it was JohnWalton.   He was a little wet from the rain.   She told him to sit down, handed him a towel, went over to the bar and poured him Bourbon.

I talked to Nora today.  Otis daughter’s is named Allison Walton.  Nora claims he is listed on the birth certificate.  She will be five years old next month. You are going to meet her tomorrow.

John nodded to Rain and watched her pour them some whiskey. God, he could use that. He waited in silence until she handed him the full glass, from which he immediately sipped. The old man's head was whirling with thoughts, and good whiskey always helped him to think better. He stared at Rain in silence for a moment longer.

"Allison Walton" he finally said. "Five years. For almost five years that slut hid the existence of this little girl" he added, staring into space, speaking more to himself than to Rain.

He sipped his whiskey one more time and fumbled in his pockets for a cigarette. When he found it, he offered one to Rain and lit one for himself.

"Tomorrow, eh?" he leaned back in the chair, closing his eyes for a few seconds. John was very tired but unsure if he could sleep. "I think I'll crash right here, if you don't mind."

At Rain's nod, he continued to drink his whiskey and smoke his cigarette. Eventually, tiredness began to cull him, and that was when he pulled his hat over his eyes, took off his boots and slept right there in the chair.

Rain threw a blanket over John and went to sleep herself.  The next morning she woke up to the smell of bacon fiying.  John had been home, changed clothes and was cooking some breakfast.  Rain just loved how he always just made himself at home.

On the ride over to Nora’s at first JohnWalton was a little quiet.   Rain started to see a more sensitive part of him.   To her John was always the man that stayed in control.  Otis was hot headed and a little reckless.  More than once his temper had got him into trouble.  John was poised, had a way with words but would protect his family and origination by any means necessary.

We both had mixed feelings about Nora.  The only reason she was alive is due to the fact she is the mother of Otis daughter.   After all she had done it was hard dealing with that.

When they arrived at the house and Nora open the door the first thing Rain noticed was she didn’t look all that bad in her new wig. You could almost cut the tension between them with a knife.  After a cordial greeting she invited them in. 

Allison came up behind her and asked if that was her Uncle John.   Rain and John were both shocked at the striking resemblance she had to Otis.  Nora introduced them and Allison gave her uncle a big hug.  The reception was as warm when she introduced Allison to Rain.   Right way Rain knew that she must have heard something bad about her. 

During the nice lunch that Nora had prepared Allison took a real liking to John and even loosen up with Rain.  After lunch Allison want to show John a something in her tree house leaving Rain to have to deal with the bitch alone.

Nora tried to do the small talk thing but Rain wasn’t having it.  Every time she looked at Nora it made her think of what she did to Otis.  Rain just told her she was lucky to be alive and went out to the backyard and joined Allison and John who were laughing and having fun. 

When we were leaving John assured Allison he would come back, get her and bring her to the Ranch.  He told Nora he would be in touch.

As usual, John woke up way before sunset. Although he slept in a very comfortable armchair, his body was a little sore. He went back to his house, to have a shower and change clothes, then he returned to Rain's place, determined to make breakfast for himself and for her. She woke up when it was almost done. Both talked about various subjects but John seemed to avoid talking about the visit they were about to make.  

The trip to Nora's house had seemed longer than usual. John was quiet most of the way. Reflective. His family was about to gain another member and he had a tough decision to make. The old man kept staring out the window as the car drove through Seattle's streets, driven by a skilled Jimmy, one of John's most trusted drivers and bodyguards.

They finally parked in front of a house at the address given by Nora. It was a beautiful house, Nora apparently had a good life, which was not surprising due to her profession. Jimmy stayed in the car while John and Rain went to the door. Jimmy stayed in the car while John and Rain went to the door and knocked. Nora hurriedly opened it.

John took his hat off his head and walked through the door, giving Nora a cold nod. Rain walked right in behind him. The old man stopped in the middle of the lobby and looked around. The house was even more beautiful inside. It was not fancy decorated, but extremely tidy and cozy. Behind him there was a short flight of stairs leading to another, this one leading upstairs. On the left side was a living room and on the right, a dining room. Immediately, John heard footsteps coming down the stairs and turned to watch a little girl hurry down, the little hands sliding down the railing.

"Uncle John?" she asked in a sweet voice. Her golden hair hit her shoulders, her skin very white. She was small, fragile, and looked a lot like her mother except for the eyes, suspicious as that of a fox. That look John knew very well.

"Hey, sweetie. It's me." John said, bending down and putting one knee on the floor. The little girl approached and hugged him. John held her in his arms, thrilled. He released her so she could greet Rain, and Nora invited them into the dining room. Lunch would be ready soon.

Somehow the little girl connected with John very quickly. While they waited for lunch, John joked with her, making her laugh. He also told her about his ranch, the delicious fruit orchards and the various dogs, cats and cows he had. Her eyes sparkled as he promised to take her there to meet each of them.

Nora finally brought the lunch and everyone sat down to eat, the little girl sitting next to her uncle, eager to hear more stories,​ which John pleased with satisfaction. They finished eating and Allison invited the old man to her tree house, where she had a candy stash, which she treated like a big treasure. John helped her devour some sweets in silence. By that time he had come to a conclusion. 

Farewell time came and John promised that he would be back very soon to pick up Allison and take her to the ranch. He said goodbye to her affectionately, and he was a lot less cold with Nora this time, telling her that he would help her with whatever she needed. He even invited her to the ranch as well. 

He and Rain walked back to the car in silence. Jimmy was waiting outside, smoking a cigarette, and immediately jumped in and started the vehicle. Slowly, they began their journey back to the ranch. As they drove away from Nora's house, John broke the silence.

"Rain, I want you to arrange everything for Allison to move with me at the ranch. It will be good for her, I have grandkids at the same age, with whom she will be able to play and have fun, as a child should do." He took a pause to lit a cigarette. "She will be safe with me. I am gonna raise her as I did to my sons, in the memory of my brother."

The car continued to run through the streets of Seattle as John blew smoke through the open window, under Rain's inquisitive gaze.

"As for Nora...well. What kind of brother would I be if I had left what she did unpunished? Take care of her. She will be nothing but a blur in Allison's mind, I am gonna make sure of that."

Just like that, John put a death sentence on Nora's head, the mother of his niece. He didn't need to give Rain any further instruction, she would know how to do the job properly. The old man, apparently unshaken, remained silent for the rest of the trip back to the Black Oak Ranch.

Rain had to clear her head.  She called down to the stables and asked Buck to saddle up Dollar for her.  There was a chill in the air but Rain didn’t mind she enjoyed the colder weather.  She rode Dollar to her favorite spot through the woods to the lake. She got off and ran on her favorite large rock.  As she tossed small rocks into the lake she thought about JohnWalton and Nora.  As long as she worked for Otis and now John she always followed orders without questioning it.

She remembered when and how Nora told her about Allison being Otis’s daughter.  It affected her so strong that she gave Nora the antidote and later prayed it would work.   She had hated Nora for a long time understood how John couldn’t let the betrayal of his brother go.  But there was something about her being a mother that touch her in a different way. 

She climbed back up on Dollar and decided she was going to call Nora one more time and ask her why she betrayed Otis so wrongly.

She returned Dollar back to the stable and went to her apartment and dialed Nora. 

Hello Nora this is Rain.  I want to ask you one more time why did you betray Otis like that.

Rain you like I told you I am so sorry.  You just don’t understand what I was dealing with.  I had taken so much shit off of Otis.  Yes I loved him but he was a liar, abuser and a cheater.  I had to deal with his drinking. When things went wrong he took it out on me.  I had to deal with all his women.  As DA I protected him and a few of his men that almost cost me my job.  The day  Tanzini came into my office harassing me I wasn’t going to turn over that information over to him.  They gave me a day to think about the consequences if I didn’t.  That night I went over to Oti’s’s headquarters.  I walked in on him banging one of his women on the conference table.  He yelled at me to get out.   I left and went home.  Later that night he came over drunk raising hell.  I told him I wasn’t going to take his shit any more; I didn’t want to be with him.  Rain he slapped me around for the last time.  The next day I gave the information the Prosecutor Paul Roberts,he gave me $300,000. I never heard from Tanzini again.

So you betrayed him for $300,000. 

Rain I was hurt.  I didn’t realize what it all meant until I heard the Judge sentence Otis to 15 years.  I tried to make it right Rain.  I was the person who told your informant about the information that Charles Dane the mayor’s son had to help Otis. When you and John finally got the information and Otis was send free I was so happy. I tried to get in touch with Otis to tell him he had a daughter but he couldn't forgive me Rain and was so mean to me. So I thought it best not to tell him until he could cool down.  When he passed it was devastating.  I knew the owner of the funeral home who handles the arrangements and he let me say my goodbyes to Otis.  

Rain just listened.   

So now what about Allison?

Rain I am doing the best I can for my daughter. She is going to the best school and doing extremely well for her age. She has her friends and is a very happy child.  Rain I am also married now and have another child.   I have a son 2 years old.  

Rain thought to herself damn this was getting more complicated by the minute. 

OK Nora just wanted to know your reasoning.  I will be in touch.

Rain hung up the phone she felt an anxiety that she hadn’t felt in a long time.  She remembers the saying “there’s nothing worse than a woman scorned.  When Nora was talking to her she felt the pain of what happened in her voice and Rain believed her.   She knew how hotheaded Otis could be and he was a womanizer.

Rain knew trying something like faking Nora’s death wasn’t an option, she had to confront John and tell him she thought Nora should live and be allowed to keep Allison.  

That night Rain sat down with John.  She didn’t go through all the details that Nora had divulged about Otis character. She knew John knew his brother.  He knew sometimes he could be a handful.  She didn't see it necessary to go into all the details.  

John,  I talked to Nora  again, she’s married now and has another child.  She knows what she did was wrong but she tried to make it right.  The information I confiscated from Charles Dane, the mayor’s son office, she provided to one of my informants.  She knew he worked for me through Otis.  They had a complicated relationship.  

I don’t know if I still hate her that much to want her dead.  I spared her life once.  I don't know if I could deal with taking a mother away from her son and Otis daughter.  It won't bring Otis back and it might be very hard on Allison. 

Sitting at his office in the Black Oak Ranch's big house, John stared at Rain at the other side of the table for a moment. In all honesty, he didn't like her answer very much, but in fact she had made him reflect.

The old man rose from his chair and went to a small cabinet next to the his desk. He grabbed a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. Then he walked around the table and stood beside Rain. He poured her a glass without asking if she wanted to, and then poured one for himself. 

It was a fact that John's brother, Otis, had never been easy to deal with. He had never been reserved or reasonable as John was. But he was still a brother, and that weighed heavily on John's decision.

John went to the office's unique window and opened it, then quickly lit a cigarette. He finally took a sip of whiskey after inhaling a bit of smoke. The old man spent a few moments looking out at the green pastures of the ranch and thinking, considering.

"Who is her new husband? You found out?" he finally said. 

In his mind, he was trying to devise some alternative outcome to the situation.

Rain looked and JohnWalton trying to put hair on my chest again.  That’s what he usually says.  She took a sip of the whiskey and felt the heat roll down her throat. 

His name is Raymond Alexander.  He’s an upcoming Civil Rights lawyer. He’s pretty well known in the community, typical good guy reputation, seems like they make a good team with Nora being the DA.

I watched John pour himself another shot.  I could see he was heavy in thought. 

Let’s call the stables and have them saddle up the horses and we go ride.  Things always seem to come to light when we talk and ride.

John called the stable and told them to saddle them up, we would  be there in few minutes.

The walk towards the stables was quiet. John and Rain walked side by side, enjoying the beautiful scenery the ranch offered, the trees, the song of the birds, and the occasional lowing of the cows in the distance. The stables weren't that far from the big house and in five minutes they arrived. The young Elliott was awaiting for them, holding both horses by the reins, a battered beret shadowing his freckled face.

"Good mornin' Mr. Walton, good mornin' Mrs. Rain" the young man said, handing the reins of their respective horses to each of them.

"Thank you, son" John answered, firmly holding the bridle. He stroked his horse briefly, running his hand over the mane of the big brown imposing horse which he affectionately named 'Cisco'.

John jumped on the animal's back easily. Despite his age, he was a very vigorous man. He glanced sideways and saw that Rain had already ridden too. They both put the horses to walk slowly. The ride continued in silence for a few more moments, until John finally broke the silence.

"You are right. As much as killing Nora would satisfy my revenge instinct, it would do no good to Allison. However, I want to help in raising the girl. In memory of my brother."

They advanced a little further, the horses walking majestically.

"I wonder if Nora would accept some kind of joint custody."

He glanced at Rain, waiting for her opinion.

Somehow the horse rides through the beautiful scenery of Black Oak Ranch gives a way for Rain and JohnWalton to think clearly.  There were many time when they would just ride and talk.  Rain hated Nora for what she did to Otis Walton.  She had implemented the most successful plan to take her out which would have been accomplished had Nora not told her she had Otis daughter.

She was contended to hear John say in the best interest of his brother’s daughter he would spare Nora’s life,  even though the betrayal of his brother was inconceivable.  Rain knew exactly how he felt.  She told John she would get back to Nora and make sure she adheres to his wishes.  Later that evening she called Nora.

Hello Nora this is Rain.

Hi Rain it’s nice to hear from you.  What’s up?

Well it is a good day for you.  I am not going to go into all you did to Otis nor going to judge whether you were right or wrong.  John wants joint custody of Allison.  It’s only right she is his brother’s daughter. 

Rain I have no problem with that.  Allison has grown very fond of John in this short time and talks about him constantly.  Rain I want to make this right with John.

Nora there’s no way you can make this right with John.  All you can do is be cooperative so he doesn’t kill you.  Either your lawyer husband or a lawyer of your choice will meet with John’s lawyer Albert Steward.  Do you have something to write on?

Hold on Rain let me grab a pen and paper.   Rain waits for Nora to return to the phone.  Yes, I am ready

Mr. Stewart number is 345-4432.   Your lawyer is to call him Monday morning, set up an appointment to draw up all the legal paper work.   Mr. Stewart is fully aware of John’s conditions.

Nora I truly suggest that you be in accord with his request.

I understand Rain and thank you.

Allison’s birthday is next weekend.  John would like to have her party here at the ranch.  This will give Allison the chance to meet all of her other relatives.  We would like you to make sure all of her friends are invited.  Nora you are welcome also but hope that you would keep a low profile.

That’s sounds very nice Rain.  I assure you I do not want to cause any problems.

Gail the General Manager will be in touch with you all the details.  Good bye  Nora.