This story is dedicated to the memory of my parents. My father taught me the game of the chess at age six, and I still enjoy the game today. As always, a big thank you to my editor, Steve Zink. Steve's help is invaluable.

As always, any comments or criticism are welcome. My email is: JllQU6335@aol.com

 

Altered Fates: Chess Prodigy

by Danielle J

 

Diana Elliot was having a particularly trying day at JFK Hospital. She was badly in need of two Tylenol for her headache.

The Social Work Office that Diana led at JFK was always understaffed and overworked. The three full-time social workers counting Diana worked with the elderly volunteers who tried to make their days easier.

It just wasn't working today. The phone seemed to never stop ringing, and Diana had seven phone calls she had to return. No one but her could do that job.

She heard a knock on her office door. "Hello, Mrs. Raymond," she said, looking up from her desk. Ellen Raymond was carrying a shopping bag in one hand, and a large teddy bear and a balloon in the other. Diana wondered what the purpose of Ellen Raymond's visit was.

Diana Elliot had no time for chitchat, but she would make an exception for Ellen Raymond. Ellen had done a great deal of volunteer work at the hospital. There was also the sizable donations the Raymond family and the Raymond foundation made to the hospital. These could not be overlooked.

"So, what brings you here?" Diana said, motioning to the chair across from her desk. Ellen sat down in it.

"I came hoping to see the Chen child," Ellen explained. She had gone to the pediatrics unit, but had been turned away by a County Sheriff.

That was why Diana Elliot was so busy that day. The Chen story had flooded the hospital with well wishes, gifts for the child and even offers of foster care or adoption.

Hospital routine had also been put out of whack. The little girl was a murder witness, and was being guarded twenty-four hours a day. Extra security and police were used at the hospital, and anyone not immediately related to a child on the pediatric floor was being stopped by police.

Diana had been hearing the complaints by family and friends of patients all day. Also, hospital staff whose routine was being interfered with.

Ellen Raymond wanted to bring the girl gifts, and had been stopped by security. "Let me see if I can help you."

Diana and Ellen left the office, and made the walk to the elevator. They made the short trip to the third floor.

Once outside the elevator they were met by a security guard. Diana showed the man her hospital ID.

"She is with me," Diana told the guard. The guard did not let Ellen Raymond pass until she handed over her driver's license. The guard noted the name and address, and wrote them on a clipboard he was keeping. He then returned the license to Ellen, along with a visitor's pass. Another man soon stepped off the elevator and was intercepted by the guard, while Ellen and Diana made their way to Room 318.

Before being allowed to enter the room, the ladies had to be scrutinized two more times by County Sheriff's men, including one stationed outside the room. Once inside, Diana and Ellen found that the girl was still sleeping.

"Well, if you can excuse me, I need to get back to the office," Diana told Ellen before they said good-bye. Diana then left the room and decided to use the stairs back to the first floor. She had bent the rules to allow Ellen Raymond to see the little girl, but maybe it would prove useful to Melody Chen, she thought.

Ellen said hello to the nurse in the room, being careful to whisper. She then put the teddy bear on a table where several stuffed animals already were.

'Isn't she just so precious,' Ellen thought, looking at Melody Chen. She was asleep on her side, hugging a teddy bear. Melody was also sucking her thumb. Melody Chen was a very cute eight-year-old. Probably more so when asleep.

It just horrified Ellen that someone so young had to witness something Melody endured.

Ellen took a seat in the room and decided to stick around. Maybe the girl needed a friend. In any case, she had no plans for the afternoon.

* * * * *

'Well, that had to be expected,' Randy Woodhouse thought to himself as he got back on the elevator. He was just turned away from the pediatric ward by a guard stationed outside the elevator.

Randy was doing something they taught reporters not to do. Get emotionally involved in a story. But he couldn't help it. As much as he wanted to get to the bottom of the story of Melody Chen and any connection to the Starks, he also couldn't help but feel for the little girl.

So Randy decided he would put aside his suspicions and the investigation for now. His interest still remained.

* * * * *

Bob Patterson was a news producer for CNN out of its Atlanta headquarters. This was a fairly quiet news day, and Bob was scouring the news wires for stories of interest.

Most people don't realize how much influence the broadcast networks have. News Editors or Producers like himself would decide what was news and what wasn't. But was it always right? No, but then some tough decisions had to always be made, and it wasn't always correct in the end.

Bob had seen the Melody Chen story come across the AP wire the day before. As tragic as the story was, it did not seem newsworthy enough in his opinion for CNN to follow it more.

Nevertheless, it had been on both Fox and MSNBC during the night. This had helped to create the flood of well wishers sending messages or gifts to the little girl.

"This is interesting," Bob said as he read the latest update over the newswire. No family members had been found for the little girl yet. The news reporting business was essentially the control of information. To inform the public and sometimes to teach. Also, the news could be used to do a public service. Like help find Melody Chen's relatives. She had to have someone, it was just a matter of publicizing the little girl.

Bob picked up the phone on his desk and hit the speed dial. "Steve," he said to CNN reporter Steve Malloy. "I have a story in Florida that I want you to work on..."

* * * * *

Melody had awoken from her nap only ten minutes before the lunch tray arrived. A doctor in the meantime came to examine her.

'It's useless,' Melody thought to herself. No one was believing her story of the necklace. 'They think I am a real little girl.'

During the doctor's examination, Melody noted a new person in the room. An attractive woman around thirty years old. The woman waved at her. She did not return the gesture.

Again Melody had little appetite, but the nurse made sure she made an effort to eat. Melody ate about half the sandwich that had been ordered for her. Then her eyes turned to the chocolate ice cream. She started eating it.

"You like chocolate ice cream?" Ellen pulled her chair closer.

Melody just nodded and continued to eat.

"I like it, too. My name is Ellen." Ellen watched as Melody finished off the ice cream.

"Are there other things you like?" Ellen asked, thinking poor thing. She could see the pain in the little girl's eyes.

"Well, I thought you might like these." Ellen brought over the giant pink teddy bear. It stood around three feet when put on the floor. "I also brought you some books."

Melody just looked at the woman. "Thank you," she finally said, giving the briefest glimpse of a smile.

"You're welcome," Ellen replied. She watched as Melody picked up one of the books and began to read. It was a children's mystery.

"So, you like mysteries?" Ellen said.

"Yes, I do." This was not really up to the stuff Peter Stark would read. Pete read almost all of Agatha Christie's work when he was a teenager. He also read Chandler, Francis, Cornwell and other mystery writers.

"I like them, too." Ellen allowed Melody to read, but occasionally they would have small snippets of conversation.

Just after 2 pm, Diana Elliot returned. There was also a doctor and counselor with her. Ellen surmised what they were here for.

"Melody," the counselor began to speak. "Your mother was badly hurt yesterday. The paramedics tried to-"

"He is dead?" Melody said, more than asked.

"I am afraid so," the counselor said. Melody once more began crying.

"Hank was all I had, and now I have nobody," Melody wept. "Why did I do this?" She wailed away. She reached out and hugged Ellen, who was sitting beside the bed. Ellen tried to console the girl the best she could.

"Everything will be all right. You have me," Ellen said, patting the girl's head.

While Ellen stayed with Melody, the doctor and Diana Elliot went out into the hallway to talk.

"They still haven't found any family?" Dr. Ackerman asked.

"No, they haven't," Diana explained. "I'm working with HHS on Melody's case. They will arrange foster care for Melody until a family member is found."

"I've made an appointment tomorrow morning for Melody to see the child psychologist on staff," Dr. Ackerman explained. "She has all the symptoms of PTSD."

Back in the room, Melody continued to cry while hugging Ellen Raymond. The counselor and Ellen tried to soothe Melody, but it was not working. After a short time, Melody laid back in bed and cried herself to sleep.

'Poor thing,' Ellen Raymond thought. She decided to stay at the hospital a little longer. Around 4:30, she left for the drive back to her home in Palm Beach.

* * * * *

Detective Hughes had gotten the search warrant they needed for apartment 6, supposedly belonging to the Chen's. Counting Bob, there were four people to search the apartment.

When they got inside, they were surprised to find the apartment almost totally empty. It was quite apparent that no person or persons were staying in the apartment now, nor had anyone lived there for some time.

Still the detectives did their search. They were finished in less than two hours. Detective Hughes had learned nothing except that the address given by the Chens was a fictional one.

This had been further confirmed by evening. Detectives interviewed almost all the residents of the apartment house. The residents were unanimous confirming what the Thomas women had said. No one had rented apartment 6 in nearly six months.

Still, a few residents did recall seeing Grace Chen once or twice. One remembered seeing Melody. In each case, the resident had seen the women either using the apartment laundry room or entering or leaving apartment 1, where the Starks lived.

The investigation into Grace Chen's murder had so far found little clues. The lives of the mother and daughter were almost turning into as big a mystery as the murder of Grace Chen itself. It wasn't the job of Det. Hughes to investigate who the Chens were, but he knew if he could gain more information on them it would simplify his murder investigation.

There was still one lead. The car belonging to the Starks. Still no sign of the Starks, nor had any neighbor remembered seeing the brothers since the week before. The first job Det. Hughes had lined up for the next morning would be to get a warrant for the Stark's apartment to be searched.

* * * * *

"Ellen, dinner was delicious," said Fr. Pitor Kowalski as he was drinking a glass of wine with Paul Raymond. The dinner cooked by Ellen had consisted of lamb chops, asparagus and baked potatoes. Ellen was beginning to clean up the dirty dishes and pots.

Despite their wealth, the Raymonds lived simply. They did have a housekeeper and gardener, but Ellen did most of the cooking. Unless they had a big party or gathering planned.

"So you spent the entire day at the hospital?" Fr Pitor said. Fr. Pitor had been a close friend of the Raymonds since coming to St. Edward's in 1996. Pitor, who was born in Csestohova, Poland, was thirty-four years old and been a Catholic Priest since his ordination in 1993.

The year previous, Fr. Pitor had accompanied the Raymonds to Poland and toured with them for a month around the country.

"Yes, I went and bought the poor girl a few gifts first," she answered, then began describing the stuffed animal and books she had brought. Ellen also mentioned the difficulty she had in seeing Melody. "Security was incredible around the hospital."

"I can imagine," her husband said, speaking up. "The girl witnessed her mother's murder."

"Have they located any other family of the girl?" Fr. Pitor asked.

"No, that may be the worst for the girl. With her Mom dead, she is all alone right now," Ellen said; her heart couldn't do any less than go out for Melody Chen.

Fr. Peter asked the next question of Paul. "What will they do if they find no family members?"

Paul Raymond was a litigator by trade, but was still familiar with Florida's family laws. "HHS will place the girl with a foster family until family is found. The child will be a ward of the state."

"What if no family is found?" Fr. Pitor asked.

"The girl would be put up for adoption," Paul said, thinking that most children were adopted age six or younger. It may mean a life in a series of foster homes for the young girl.

"The case has gotten a great deal of publicity already," Fr. Pitor added; it was on the evening news again that evening. Unbeknownst to any of them, CNN and ABC had also picked up the story for the evening news.

"Diana said there had been offers of foster homes and people willing to adopt," Ellen added.

Paul knew the way state laws and regulations worked. Both becoming a foster parent or adoptive parent was a difficult and tedious process. Considering some recent happenings, he often wondered if natural parents sometimes should be scrutinized, also. But it would never happen.

"How is the girl doing?" Fr. Pitor asked.

"Physically, she is well," Ellen remarked while pouring coffee for her husband and guest. Once finished, she joined them at the dining table. "She is so frightened and scared. The girl broke down when they told her that her mother was gone."

"Probably suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder." Children were not immune to it, Paul added.

"This girl is going to need a great deal of therapy, love and care to get better," Ellen said, wondering if a foster home would be able to provide it.

The Raymonds and Fr. Pitor continued to chat for another two hours into the evening.

* * * * *

Thanks to CNN and ABC, the story of Melody Chen spread. Countless people felt moved by the little girl's plight. They came from many nationalities and backgrounds, but they couldn't help but be moved. Many decided to reach out.

On the Internet, the story continued to spread worldwide. One of those places was Russia.

Russians, or the Soviets, had been the leading chess country for the last fifty-five years. Chess was a passion for millions of Russians. Also, since World War Two, Russia had ruled the chess world almost without interruption for fifty-four years. Only an upstart American named Bobby Fischer had taken the throne Cassia away from the powerful Russians. Eight different players playing under the Russian or Soviet flags had ruled the chess world in those years.

One of them now lived with his daughter, about one hundred kilometers southeast of Moscow. Vasily Smyslov was seventy-eight years old, and was home caring for his grandson Misha. Misha, who was nine years old, had been ill since the previous Tuesday. He was still running a temperature that Thursday September morning in Russia, so his parents deemed it best that Misha stay home.

Twice in the Fifties did Vasily climb to the throne of the chess world. They were brief reigns, but people do not forget World Champions. The vanquished are the ones forgotten. For thirty-five years after his time on the throne, Vasily still competed with the best players in the world. His record stayed distinguished, and in the mid-Eighties, when in his sixties he had come only one match away from challenging for the top again. It failed, but it showed that he had lost none of his brilliance.

Today Vasily was enjoying retirement. He had stopped playing competitive chess five years earlier. Now he enjoyed spending his days spoiling his fifteen grandchildren.

Despite Misha being ill, he still had the youthful energy of any nine-year-old. Today, through his exhortations, his Grandfather was learning about the Internet.

Despite being a Mathematics professor by trade, Vasily Smyslov almost felt computers were beyond his realm. They were for the young whose quest for knowledge was boundless, like the Internet itself.

Today Misha was showing some websites to his grandfather. Misha loved chess, and was an accomplished player for his own age. Sometimes he played other children live via the Internet or by email.

The former World Champ did not use the Internet to play chess. But he did like to keep up on current news and developments.

So Vasily read the news on 64's webpage. 64, which represented the number of squares on the chessboard, was the premier Russian chess magazine. The magazine was published biweekly, but the Internet website was updated daily with news.

Vasily read the latest news. He began reading a story from America. He had played the Americans many times, but made only a few trips to their country to play. In Vasily's opinion, America had underutilized much of their talent. Few top chess players had been born in the USA. Many of their top players were actually Russian emigres. Nor were there many top international tournaments played in their country,

"How horrible," Vasily muttered in Russian, as he read the story of Melody Chen. Russians had a lot of sentimentality for children. Even over protectiveness. Maybe it arose from the harsh Russian environment. But Russians as a people tried to shield their children from cruelty or harsh realities. It was so tragic that a girl this young had to see such horrors.

"Amazing. She is that good at that age," Vasily said. An eight-year-old child with a provisional rating in the 2300's. To his knowledge, this had been unheard of. Yes, it was based on just twelve games, but this was in the Americans' open tournament. Competition was strong in these, Vasily thought. And the girl had followed it up with a fifth in one of their republic's championships.

"Misha, can you help me find some of her games?" Vasily asked his grandson. Misha went to the search engine for 64 and entered the girl's name. The search found one hit. A game versus Greg Small in the American's Open Championship. Misha printed the game score for his grandfather, and then helped set up a chess set on the nearest table.

For the next ninety minutes, Vasily poured over the game. All he could think was such genius and so young. This girl had the potential to be a champion. No, it wasn't exaggerating. The game showed nuance and subtlety. The strategical thinking the girl used was clear. In Vasily's opinion, this girl had been imbued with a talent rarely seen. Yet the girl was hurt now. Maybe not physically, but psychologically. It would be a terrible shame if she did not fulfill the talent she had because of the tragedy that befell her mother. Could he be of help for the girl to heal? As a fellow chessplayer, he thought the girl was a kindred spirit. They both shared a love for this ancient game.

So Vasily picked up his phone. He would call a few friends and present them with an idea to help the girl. It may not be much, but it could mean a lot to the girl who he had never met.

* * * * *

Detective Hughes had started his day early. He was in Judge Mohallan's chambers when the judge came in that day. Bob immediately presented to the Judge the Chen case, and the link to the Starks, the car at the crime scene. Plus the empty apartment at the same building that the Starks lived at. Without hesitation, the Judge signed the search warrant.

After Bob got the signed warrant he left the judicial center for the three block walk to his office. He did not believe the Starks were responsible for the crime. Two victims of the rapist had lived to give a description. Both descriptions were remarkably alike, and did not fit the description of the Starks.

Still, this was the only lead Bob had, and he had to go with it. He turned the last corner for his office.

'Shit, the press,' Bob thought. For the first two days the press had been handled by the Sheriff's Department's community liaison. But now the national press was involved. Bob had seen the report on ABC and had heard of CNN's. He didn't need this distraction from the case at hand.

The questions started right away as Bob pushed his way through the crowd.

"Yes, I am working on the Chen murder...No, I have no information on the girl's condition...You will have to talk to HHS if they have managed to locate any family of the girl...No, we have no suspects now...We have leads that we are working on...You will have to talk to community relations..." Bob finally walked into the building. He was relieved to be rid of the press.

Once in his office, Bob started to put together his detective team. They would head out to the apartment house as soon as they were assembled.

* * * * *

If Diana Elliot had thought Wednesday had been a bad day, Thursday made it look like a holiday on the French Riviera.

It had begun even before she had arrived in the office. Telegrams, phone calls from the famous and ordinary. The First Lady, five US Senators, movie actors and actresses, sports celebrities, Amy Tan, author of "The Joy Luck Club" who heard of the real Chinese Terror, and many local dignitaries and celebrities. The list went on. Telegrams from celebrities and fellow chess players. It had buried Diana's small office with work.

The toys, stuffed animals, chess books and sets that arrived for Melody Chen had Diana put three volunteers to work just handling them.

The press had also arrived. This had put immense demands on Diana's time. The press was also getting in the way of ordinary hospital work. This was causing further problems.

Not that Diana did not feel for the little girl. There were also other children and adults who needed to be looked after, in addition.

Diana had gotten the most recent report on Melody Chen. She had refused to eat since being told her mother had died. Nor had she spoken a word to the nurses or a counselor who had made efforts to care for her. The girl was almost catatonic at times.

The girl was now being seen by the Hospital Child Psychologist. Diana prayed the psychologist could help this girl.

Diana needed some help. She thought of the Raymond Foundation. The Raymond foundation had furnished help during local crises in the past. Like the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Plus, Ellen Raymond had shown an interest in the girl. She looked into her rolodex and found the number she wanted.

"Ellen, it's Diana Elliot... You're on the way here right now? Could you come to my office when you get here? Thanks, Ellen. See you soon." Diana replaced the phone.

It was fifteen minutes before Ellen Raymond showed up in Diana's office. At the time of Diana's call she was already approaching the hospital's parking lot. Diana immediately gave Ellen an update on Melody Chen.

"My God, that poor thing." Ellen Raymond had come hoping to spend more time with the young girl. It seemed she had connected in some way with the troubled child. "Can I see her again today?"

"Yes. I was also hoping that maybe you could help," Diana explained, then mentioned the problems the hospital was having.

Ellen got out her pocket organizer and looked up a number. She gave Diana a phone number. "That's Connie Rojas' private number at the Raymond Foundation," she explained. "Tell her the problem. I am sure we can get you some help."

Ellen and Diana talked for two minutes more while Diana prepared a special ID for her. Ellen then left the office and headed for the elevators.

"Ellen Raymond. It's really a small world," said Arnold Denker as he walked out of the elevator Ellen had been waiting for. GM Denker had a small bag in one hand with a box under his arm. The other hand was carrying a chess board. Ellen immediately realized who Arnold was there for. The Raymond Foundation had been a sponsor of the Florida Chess scholastics since 1996. While not at the 1999 event, GM Denker had been a frequent visitor to the events in previous years, and had met Ellen Raymond at the 1997 event. Instead of getting on the elevator, she let it go without her.

"Mr. Denker, you came to see Melody Chen?" Ellen asked.

"Yes, I brought her some gifts I thought may cheer her up," Arnold said. "Why are you involved with the young girl's case?"

"I'm just helping out," Ellen replied. Denker then recanted the story of how he had been denied access to the children's ward. Security was still very tight.

"Maybe I can help you with that." Ellen and GM Denker backtracked to Diana Elliot's office.

Ten minutes later, Ellen and Arnold had made it up to the third floor and through the various security checkpoints.

"Hello, Linda, how is Melody doing?" Ellen asked Linda Harrison, the pediatrics floor nursing supervisor. Ellen and Arnold had stopped at the nursing station before going to the room.

"Not too good." Linda went on to explain that Melody had not spoken a word since the day before, refused to eat, and the session with the psychologist had been totally unproductive.

"Can we see her?" Ellen asked, explaining who Arnold was.

"Sure, you know the way?" Ellen did, and told Linda thanks. Ellen and Arnold headed down the hallway to the room.

Inside the room, Melody was sleeping. So Ellen and Arnold decided to take a seat and wait for a while.

* * * * *

Randy Woodhouse was at his desk at the Palm Beach Post. While he had other stories on which to work, he still had his mind on the Chens and the Starks.

He had driven by the Stark apartment early that morning, but still no sign of the brothers. Nor had any information on or relatives of the Chens been found.

Randy did find out the burial of Grace Chen would take place at a West Palm Beach cemetery on Saturday morning. Already he was making plans to attend. It was the least he could do.

The mystery of the Chens and Starks remained.

* * * * *

It also remained the same for Detective Hughes. He and his men had arrived at the apartment at around 10 am. In the next ninety minutes they had found little of use.

The Starks apartment was a typical men's bachelor pad. Badly in need of a dusting, and there was a laundry hamper at the overflow status.

Also, it did not appear that anyone had been in the apartment for several days. A check with the Lantana Post Office confirmed that no mail had been picked up since Saturday. For neither the Stark's nor Chen's PO Box.

While being a bachelor's pad, there were some signs of the women. Dirty clothes in the laundry hamper. So the Chens had to have been there just recently.

According to one neighbor, he had seen the Chens leave the apartment early Friday morning.

But there were some oddities. The women both had clothes in the apartment. The strange thing was it was kept in a box, not in a dresser or a closet.

Bob had been married for nine years. He knew the average woman's interest, or some say obsession with clothes. The Chen women's clothes being like this was odd.

"Bob, I found these," said Officer Hanson. Bob went to the computer desk. There were some postcards on the desk, addressed to Melody Chen. The girl was playing chess by mail.

"That's odd." Bob saw some postcards addressed to be mailed. Some were with Peter Stark's name, but some contained the name of Melody Chen. The odd part was that the cards appeared to be written by the same hand.

Another oddity was the lack of female things in the apartment. Like makeup, etc. So who were these Chen women? Illegal aliens, maybe?

Well, Bob was there part to disprove either of the Starks as the killer, but also to look for clues pointing to who the killer was. The more questions that got answered, the more questions that popped up.

Detective Hughes had few answers, just a building accumulation of questions.

* * * * *

Melody kept having the same nightmare. Seeing her brother attacked as Grace, screaming and screaming for Melody to help, but she didn't. Then the man would find Melody and attack her. Tearing her clothes off and raping her.

"No, No!" Melody screamed, as she awoke from her nightmare.

'Why can't I just die?' Melody thought to herself. She saw there were two people in the room. She remembered the one woman who called herself Ellen from yesterday. She also recognized Arnold Denker.

She just stared at them in silence.

'I'm trapped like this,' Melody thought to herself. Trapped as a little girl. Who one day would be an adult woman. 'I don't want to be a little girl.'

Worse was what had happened to Hank.

'Hank, I'm sorry. Forgive me.'

'Why wasn't it me?'

This kept playing over and over in Melody's head. Then a nurse came in. She was carrying a food service tray.

'No. I don't want to eat. Just let me die.'

The nurse was insisting on Melody eating something. She just turned her head and kept her mouth tightly shut.

"Nurse, let me try," said Ellen Raymond. The nurse had other patients to see, and couldn't spend much time there, so she nodded. If the girl did not start eating soon they would have to give her an IV. Well, at the moment the nurse did have her other patients to see; she would check back in a little later.

"Hello, Melody, remember me from the weekend?" Arnold Denker said, and pulled his seat up closer.

'Yes, I remember you. Just leave me alone and let me die,' Melody thought to herself.

"Melody, you have to eat so you get strong," Ellen Raymond said.

'No, I won't. Leave me alone.' Melody just clinched her mouth shut.

Ellen tried repeatedly to get Melody to eat, but it wasn't working. "Look at the nice chess set Mr. Denker brought," she mentioned, trying a different tack. Arnold brought the chess set closer. The board was wooden, and quite ordinary. But the pieces were hand carved and the craftsmanship was exquisite.

"My dear friend Soren Korsgard gave this to me before he died," GM Denker said. "I'd like you to have it."

'No, chess was why my brother died. If not, Hank would be alive,' Melody thought.

"Oh, look here," Ellen said. "I got some chocolate ice cream. It'd be a shame if it melted."

The ice cream looked good. Melody was very hungry, but she didn't want to eat.

Hank was dead. She was stuck as a little girl. She was to blame for Hank.

But the food looked good, and she was hungry. Melody nodded to Ellen, and she gave her the ice cream. The youngster devoured it.

"So, you like it," Ellen smiled. She pitied the poor girl.

"Melody I need to leave," Arnold said. "I hope to play chess with you again one day."

The chess set looked very nice. The old grandmaster meant well. Just, he couldn't understand.

"Thank you," Melody said. The first words she said in almost a day.

"Melody, you are most welcome," Arnold Denker replied with a smile. He had grandchildren of his own, and couldn't help but feel for the little girl.

Before leaving, Arnold motioned for Ellen and they walked over to the doorway. He pulled out his wallet and gave her a card. "I'd like to stay in touch with this girl. Could you make sure it gets to the people who can use it?"

"I'll make sure. Thanks for coming." Ellen turned around and came back. Melody was eating some of the French fries that had come with lunch.

"So, you are hungry," Ellen said, and Melody nodded.

"The ice cream was good," Melody said. The woman was well intentioned. They all were, they just could not understand.

"I could get you more from the cafeteria if you want." Again Melody nodded. "I'll be back in a little bit. Bye, Melody."

"Bye," Melody replied, watching the woman leave the room. She decided to give the hamburger a try.

Ellen left the room and walked down the hallway toward the elevator. She was deep in thought. Maybe it was worth a try.

After riding the elevator downstairs, Ellen walked outside the hospital. The hospital had signs posted asking people to turn their cell phones off inside. It was a little past 1 pm.

"Paul, honey," Ellen said, calling her husband. "Could you possibly come down to JFK Hospital? There is something I want you to see."

* * * * *

Bob Hughes was finished with the Stark's apartment. It didn't net much. A couple of combs were taken, plus toothbrushes in order to determine if either Stark's DNA matched that of the rapist. Truthfully, Bob thought this was unlikely.

The only other things taken were the clothing of the women and the postcards. Funny that so few personal possessions were found. The women's items would be more closely examined in an effort to identify who they were, and help locate any family of the little girl.

That was a job for HHS. Bob's job was to find a murderer.

* * * * *

Chester or Chet Ventimiglia was the head of the Palm Beach County HHS office. He had only taken over his current position four months earlier.

He was already very familiar with the Melody Chen story. It had come to his attention on Tuesday morning, and Chet had already assigned a caseworker to it.

But today, after several phone calls, including one from Governor Jeb Bush, Chet took the case over himself.

Chet was reviewing what was known. The girl's mother was dead, and the girl according to the doctor's reports was suffering from PTSD. There were also the complicating factors of the girl having witnessed her mother's murder plus no family had been found to this time. For the time being, Melody Chen would stay at JFK, but by sometime the next week, a home or family would need to be found.

The problems at the moment were three fold. First, see to the girl's recovery. This was being done by specialists that HHS would supervise. Secondly, find living relatives of the girl. Chet was going to send one of his caseworkers, Dorothy Janzen, to interview the girl to find out who would be her closest family. Until that family was found and if Melody was released from the hospital, the state or HHS would have to care for the child. This meant putting her in a foster home.

The Melody Chen case, however, presented several unique problems. First, the girl looked like she would need more attention than most foster parents could provide. Most foster parents had more than one child, many with emotional problems. There were always more children than foster parents available.

Also, there was the issue of the girl being a witness to her mother's murder. The girl would need to have security arrangements.

All this meant that Chet Ventimiglia had a lot of work to do.

* * * * *

"Thank you," said Dorothy Janzen from HHS. She had just visited Melody Chen in her hospital room. "Now, you get well and strong, and we will have you back with your family in no time."

'Yeah, right,' thought Melody, as she watched the Janzen woman leave the room. She still insisted she was really a guy, that her mother was really her brother, and that she needed that necklace back. 'The old fart doesn't believe me.'

'No, and they never will.' Melody thought she might as well be dead. Hank was gone, and now she was stuck as a little girl.

She looked at the man and woman seated next to her bed. They must be married, Melody thought. The man was holding Ellen's hand. Both had wedding rings on.

'Ellen is nice and well meaning, but she no more believes me than anyone else,' Melody thought, as she began to feel tired. She rolled onto her side and soon fell asleep. A few minutes later, Paul and Ellen Raymond let themselves out of the room. They went to the hospital cafeteria.

"Sweetheart, I know you are well meaning, and I'd love to help, but HHS has its rules and regulations," said Paul. He knew foster parents first went through vigorous background checks, had to take classes, and were constantly reviewed by HHS.

"I know, but Melody needs help, and she needs love." Ellen felt moved by the little girl's plight. That Melody had opened up slightly for her made Ellen's emotions even stronger.

Paul looked at his wife. He loved her very much. It had been that way since they met in Catholic School. There was one burden in their marriage - the inability to conceive a child.

Nine years earlier, Paul and Ellen married, and they tried very hard to have a child without success. They went to specialists. All used very complicated medical jargon to give their conclusions. But it all came out the same. It would be highly unlikely that Ellen Raymond could conceive a child, let alone carry it to full term.

By 1999, Paul and Ellen had just about given up trying. They had discussed adoption recently and were both wanting to pursue that avenue. Either a private or foreign adoption. Not that they could adopt the little girl. There had to be some family somewhere. The girl would eventually be reunited with them.

Paul worried Ellen would get emotionally attached to Melody. Ellen said she accepted the reality that the girl would be gone eventually. She just wanted to help now. Paul also knew that it wasn't that simple to take the girl home.

"Let me call up my father." Paul gave in. He never could refuse Ellen. Peter Raymond II had been chief of Staff at St. Mary's Hospital in West Palm Beach for eleven years, prior to that he was a surgeon. "He may be able to advise us."

"Let's call Grandpa, also," Ellen said, referring to Peter Raymond, Sr. The family patriarch, Peter Sr. was a still vigorous eighty-nine years old. He had headed his own law firm for over forty years, and had only recently retired. He was well respected and had many connections in the State and local governments.

"Sure," Paul replied. He and Ellen talked another fifteen minutes, then he kissed her good-bye.

Ellen went back upstairs to Melody's room. Once back in the room, Ellen found the little girl still asleep. She took a seat and took a rosary out of her purse, made a sign of the cross and began to pray.

* * * * *

"This is Steve Malloy, reporting outside the Palm Beach County courthouse. Today a press conference was held by the lead detective in the case of Ms. Grace Chen's murder. Only three days ago..." said the news reporter for CNN.

Bob Hughes used the remote control to turn off the television. Two hours earlier, Bob had to give a thirty minute press conference to the gathered press. By this time there were representatives from all the major TV networks including cable, a dozen newspapers including the New York Times, besides some foreign press.

The press had lots of questions, but Bob had few answers. No eyewitness testimony, except for one woman who remembered seeing a white minivan. The forensic evidence could take weeks to sort through. In the meantime, there was a murderer on the loose. Bob was thinking over the case when he heard a knock on his door. "Come in."

Into the room walked Sheriff's Deputy Denise Calder. Denise was an attractive, twenty-nine-year-old woman who had been a Sheriff's Deputy for the last six years. She was hoping to make detective one day. Bob motioned for her to take a seat, and she took the seat directly across from him.

"I want you to come with me tomorrow to JFK," Bob explained. "I'd like your help in interviewing the Chen girl."

"Sure, Robert," Denise replied. It was not unusual to use a female officer or detective to interview small children. Small children could be intimidated by the bulkier Detective Hughes.

For the next thirty minutes, Robert and Denise went over the plan for the next day. An hour later, Detective Hughes went home for the day.

* * * * *

Later that evening, Paul and Ellen were having dinner at the home of Paul's parents. Also present were Peter Sr. and his wife, Olivia.

Over dinner, Paul and Ellen proposed their idea, for them to care for the Chen girl or for them to be the girl's foster parents. Once dinner was eaten, they continued to talk over coffee.

"I don't know if I can help, Paul, Ellen, but I will try for you," Peter Raymond, Sr. said. He was as aware of the obstacles as anyone else.

Peter Raymond, Sr. was the patriarch of the Raymond family. Born in Boston in 1910, he moved along with his family to Palm Beach in 1921. At the time, Palm Beach County had a population of less than 100,000 people.

His father invested in some property and established the family home on Palm Beach. The big break came in 1941, when the federal government wanted to build an airfield for the upcoming war. The Raymonds owned most of what became the military airfield and is now known as PBI, or Palm Beach International Airport. The family made a fortune by first leasing the property, and then selling it after the war.

The money was wisely invested. There was a hotel on Palm Beach that was badly in need of renovation. The Raymonds bought a part share of that hotel. Today, the Breakers is the premier resort in Palm Beach County. There were similar investments made that yielded millions. The Raymonds were set comfortably for life.

But they never forgot their humble beginnings. Arnold Raymond had next to no education, but had risen to being the wealthiest man in the county. He never forgot his origins, and taught his children to help those less privileged than themselves.

In 1954, the Raymond Foundation was established. For forty-five years the foundation helped people in need and donated money to many worthwhile causes. While most of the money was spent in Palm Beach County, the Foundation helped the Dade County victims of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and had sponsored the Florida Chess Scholastics since 1996.

While the Raymonds were wealthy and privileged, they never lost a sense of obligation to help others in time of need. Like the little girl, Melody Chen.

"You know they will probably find some family for the girl," said Peter Raymond II. He felt for his son and daughter-in-law's plight.

"Dad, I understand," Ellen said, speaking to her father-in-law. "The girl just needs help now, and I have the time to give her that care. Plus, for some reason, she seems to open up for me and nobody else at the hospital."

"Father, is there anyone we can speak to?" Paul Raymond said, speaking up.

Peter II thought for a few moments. "I know a Chester Ventimiglia, I believe he is now the HHS Director for the county. We could have a word with him." Peter II had known Chester when he was the HHS representative at St. Mary's hospital about ten years earlier.

"Thank you, Dad, it will mean so much to me," Ellen said.

"Maybe it would be best if I spoke to him," Peter Sr. stated. He had a great deal of influence around the county. "Peter, can you call him first thing in the morning and set a time for me to see him?"

"I'll do it first thing in the morning." Peter II thought it was probably best to let his father talk to Mr. Ventimiglia.

* * * * *

'Nobody believes me, so I will have to do something myself,' Melody Chen thought in her hospital room.

Melody had finally given in and eaten dinner. Not that hospital meat loaf was that appetizing, but she was starved.

After dinner, Melody watched television. First the evening news, where she saw the attention her case was getting. Then Melody thought of Hank, and began to cry.

While Melody was crying Nurse Manuela Gomez checked on the little girl. By that time, Wheel of Fortune was on television.

"Oh, you like to watch this show," Manuela said. "I like it, too, but I'm not very good."

'Sheesh, stop baby talking me,' Melody thought, as the nurse finally left the room.

Melody continued to watch Wheel of Fortune till 7:30, and then decided to flip channels. There was really very little on.

She went from channel to channel. 'Law & Order', 'Jeopardy', 'Entertainment Tonight', 'Are You Being Served?' were some of the shows she flipped to and then dismissed.

Then Melody got to ESPN. There was figure skating on.

'Just my luck, no baseball tonight.' Melody settled on the figure skating.

A still unnamed Japanese figure skater was doing her routine. Melody always thought figure skating was for women. 'I'd better get out of here before I start thinking like a little girl, and grow up to be like her,' Melody thought to herself, thinking she would grow up looking like the ice skater.

Melody then sat up in bed. Using the bed control buttons, she lowered the bed far enough that she could get herself out of bed.

Since arriving in the hospital on Tuesday, Melody had worn a hospital gown. The gown had been changed every day. She decided to check the drawers and closet. She only found a couple of hospital gowns.

'I've got to try getting out of here, or I will be like this forever,' Melody thought. Well, not really forever, but to grow up again but as a member of the opposite sex. No, she couldn't.

Melody walked over to the hospital door and opened it. She looked out into the hallway. Her room was at the end of a hallway. Off in the distance appeared to be the nursing station as the hallway forked left and right. Down the hallway to the right, she could see a sign. It said exit. Probably a stairway.

'So, just walk down the hallway, down the staircase, out of the hospital, and what, a mile or a little more to where Hank had been attacked. Then get back to the apartment and switch back,' Melody thought to herself.

'Oh, so simple. I think not. But I've got no choice unless I want to stay like this.' So Melody left the room. She didn't get five feet.

"Hey there, little lady, where do you think you're going?" said Palm Beach County Sheriff Bob Howry.

"I wanted to go for a walk," Melody replied, knowing she'd failed.

"Well, you've got to be checked by the doctor first," said Sheriff Howry, who then picked Melody up to her utter embarrassment and took her back to the room. Once inside, she was placed back in the bed. The sheriff then went back to his post out in the hallway.

A few minutes later, the nurse named Manuela returned. She asked Melody why she left the room, but Melody remained silent. After taking Melody's vitals, the nurse left.

Temporarily consigned to her fate, Melody settled into bed to watch television again. Later, while watching CSI, she began to fall asleep. Around 11 pm a nurse came by to check on her. Seeing the television set turned on, the nurse turned it off and tucked the little girl into bed.

* * * * *

"I'd really like to do it, Peter, but you've got to understand my situation, also," said Chet Ventimiglia to Peter Raymond, Sr. Chet had gotten a phone call from Peter II when he first walked into the office this morning. The Raymonds were powerful and influential people. You didn't tell them no, or at least easily. Therefore, Chet agreed to a 10 am meeting.

In the last few years, the Palm Beach County HHS office had come under serious criticism and scrutiny after three children who were under their supervision died. Mistakes had been made, serious errors in judgment. In the wake of that disaster several HHS employees were either dismissed or transferred. That was how Chet Ventimiglia had risen to his position. His predecessor had been forced to retire.

Ever since, Chester Ventimiglia’s HHS office had been under constant scrutiny, not just from the press but also from the courts. The rules and regulations in regard to HHS work were stringently adhered to.

What Peter Raymond was asking for was a bending of these rules at the best, or an outright breaking of them.

"Chet, I understand your predicament," said the eighty-nine-year-old patriarch of the Raymond family. "But I think this would be in the best welfare of the child."

"Peter, if it was up to me I'd do it," Chet replied. Peter Raymond was making a very tempting offer. Total financing of all care for Melody Chen, doctors, security etc. Chet's office budget was strapped financially, as it was. Plus, the child would have one on one with the Raymonds as caregivers/foster parents. Most foster parents had three to six children to care for. This girl was definitely in need of a great deal of attention.

"We could go to the courts and have Paul and Ellen appointed temporary guardians. Under your office's supervision, of course," Peter Raymond, Sr. offered, putting his elegant solution on the table.

"Let me make some phone calls and get back to you," Chet Ventimiglia said, upon hearing Peter Sr.'s offer. "I have to check this out with my superiors. I will recommend your proposal. Is that acceptable?"

"Perfectly." Peter Sr. and Chet then exchanged some pleasantries before Peter Raymond, Sr. left the office.

Now Chet needed to make some phone calls. If Raymond Sr.’s proposal was accepted and approved, the girl could be sent home in a matter of days. Between now and then, Chet had a great deal of work to do, and some serious CYA. CYA, as in Cover Your Ass.

* * * * *

"So, you like to play solitaire?" Ellen Raymond asked Melody Chen. She had brought a laptop for the girl to use. Melody nodded back, and continued to play.

'I so want to help you, Melody,' Ellen thought.

'I don't want to be your little girl. Or anyone's little girl,' Melody thought at about the same moment, almost like she read Ellen's mind. Somehow, she needed to get that medallion.

A nurse motioned for Ellen to come to the door. Leaving Melody with the laptop, she got up and walked over to the door.

Outside the room were Detective Hughes and Sheriff Calder. They explained what they were there for. Both had come to the hospital in plain clothes, as they wanted to make the girl as comfortable as possible.

So they all went back inside. Bob stayed in the back of the room. Ellen introduced Melody to Denise and Detective Hughes, saying they wanted to ask a few questions.

To make Melody feel at ease, Denise started with small talk, saying how she'd heard the girl was a good chess player. She tried to ask the girl about her friends, etc, but the girl just remained silent.

"Now Melody, do you remember anything about the night before you were found?" Denise Calder asked. Melody was still playing solitaire.

Melody just stopped playing. She stared blankly at Denise. The memory of Monday night was coming back to the girl. The flat tire; pulling off the road; the guy showing up to help. Then the attack on Hank.

How could it have felt for Hank to be raped? Then killed. Melody thought it was unimaginable. She also felt it was her fault. She began to cry. Immediately, Ellen hugged her tight.

For some reason, the woman's hug felt good to Melody. Or at least it felt reassuring.

"Melody, Melody, I'm here for you," said Ellen to the little girl. She wanted more than ever to help this girl.

Melody continued to cry for a few minutes. 'Why didn't I die that night?' she kept asking herself. But there was no answer.

Yes, Hank was dead. Melody knew this man and woman were probably police. They wanted to find who was responsible. 'Don't I want to help them?' she asked herself. Yes, she wanted the person responsible for Hank's murder arrested.

"It was a tall white man," Melody remembered. She had only seen him from a distance. "He had a mustache and brown hair."

"Thank you, Melody," Denise Calder said with a big smile. Ellen was stroking Melody's forehead. "Do you think you could help pick him out for us?"

Melody looked at Ellen for a moment. She then nodded to Denise. Bob brought a large book or scrapbook over to the bed.

"Melody, now look through these drawings and see if any look familiar." The book had a series of composite drawings, five to a page. Melody looked at the book's first page intensely for a minute, then flipped the page. The seventh drawing drew the girl's attention.

'Is that him?' Melody asked herself, but it didn't look quite right. The guy's eyes were closer together, she thought. She went on to look at drawings eight through ten, then flipped the page.

'Now that's him, or is it?' Melody thought immediately upon seeing drawing number eleven. The last four drawings weren't even close. She stared at number eleven, and then flipped back to number seven, looking at that one again. Then she went back to number eleven.

"That's him," Melody said, pointing to drawing eleven.

"Good girl!" Denise said. Both she and Bob Hughes knew drawing eleven was a composite from another victim of the man believed responsible for the death of Grace Chen. Ellen Raymond smiled with approval at Melody.

"Do you remember anything else?" Denise asked as gently as possible. The Sheriff couldn't help but feel for the little girl. She wanted to help by finding the murderer of the girl's mother.

"He drove a white van," Melody replied. She really didn't know anything else. It was nighttime.

Denise thanked Melody again. The girl had been surprisingly helpful. Bob and Denise said good-bye, and then left the room.

Melody just lay back in bed, clutching the pink teddy bear beside her. 'Hank, forgive me,' she thought as she began to cry. Ellen Raymond held the little girl's hand.

A half hour later lunch arrived. It consisted of a tuna salad sandwich with chocolate ice cream for dessert. Ellen had called the order in earlier, and made sure there were two servings of ice cream.

For the next thirty minutes Ellen sat and watched while Melody ate her lunch. 'God, let me help this child,' she kept thinking to herself. The girl had opened up to her, but was still terribly hurt. She wanted to continue to help.

After lunch was finished, Melody went back to playing solitaire on the laptop.

"Melody, I have to go but I promise to be back," Ellen said to the little girl. "Is there anything I can get you?"

Melody had grown to like Ellen's company. Being in the room alone was not easy. "There is a chess software called Chessmaster 3000," Melody said, thinking of her favorite computer game.

"Of course! You like to play chess," Ellen said, and Melody nodded. "Let me see if I can help you." She bent over and gave the girl a kiss on the forehead and then left the room.

Before leaving the hospital, Ellen stopped at Diana Elliot's office. The social worker's secretary recognized Mrs. Raymond, and told her to go right in. Inside, Diana was on the phone; she motioned for Ellen to take a seat. She waited two minutes until the social worker hung up the phone.

Ellen and Diana exchanged greetings first before getting down to business. "Thank you for getting me some help down here." Diana found the volunteers and staff from the Raymond Foundation a godsend.

"You're welcome," Ellen replied. "Any news on Melody's family?"

"No, still nobody," Diana said, thinking it was odd the girl had no family at all. No cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. Could the Chens be illegal immigrants? There were thousands of illegals in Florida, but most came from Latin America or Haiti.

"I heard that you are trying to get temporary guardianship of the girl," Diana said, and Ellen confirmed it. "If it's worth anything, I am putting in a recommendation for you. You seem the only person the girl will open up to."

"Thank you, Diana." The two women continued to talk for a few minutes until Ellen Raymond left. She had some errands to do.

* * * * *

It didn't take Melody long to get bored playing solitaire. So she shut down the laptop and turned the television on. There was little on of interest, so she settled on a Law & Order repeat till 2 pm.

When that was over, Melody began to flip channels.

'Soap operas, no way!' Melody thought, as she changed channels and found a daytime talk show. That was even less satisfactory. Then there was the news. Melody kept flipping channels. ESPN had golf on. 'Boring!' Melody kept going till she turned on The Learning Channel.

"Oh, just what I want to watch," Melody said, as she saw the program was 'A Baby Story'. It was about a young Japanese-American couple having their second child. The program almost immediately went to commercial.

"Coming next on The Learning Channel, 'A Wedding Story'," the promo said. Then 'A Baby Story' began again. Melody turned the television off.

'That's going to be my future if I don't do something soon. A wedding dress and having babies,' Melody thought with disgust, as she got herself out of bed again. She walked over to the door and opened it. Again, the officer outside her door foiled her attempt at a 'jailbreak'. The girl was returned right back to her bed.

Fifteen minutes later, Nurse Manuela Gomez came to the room to check on Melody. She had heard of Melody's efforts to take a walk. The nurse took Melody by wheelchair down the hallway to where the children's playroom was. Maybe the little girl would enjoy time there. The Palm Beach County Sheriff stood watch outside the door.

For Melody, this was even less satisfactory. She really had no interest in playing with other children. Most were quite sick, anyway; that's why they were in the hospital. There were only two children in the room, both accompanied by their mothers.

'I wish someone would shoot that freak,' Melody thought as the television was playing a Barney video.

'I love you; you love me; let's hang Barney from a tree!' Melody thought gloomily, reconciled to a day of being a child watching Barney. Would Barney, growing up all over again, getting married and having babies be her future?

* * * *,*

Detective Hughes had found the interview of Melody Chen to be very useful. She was one very brave girl, in his opinion.

Normally Bob disliked media attention on a case, but here it would be helpful. At a 5 pm news conference, he was planning to release the composite in hope that someone would recognize the man. He now had two witnesses giving the same identification.

Bob had thirty more minutes to prepare for the news conference. The local television stations plus CNN and Fox News would carry the news conference live. Maybe the press wasn't so bad after all.

* * * * *

Ellen and Paul Raymond had tickets for the philharmonic that night, but took time to stop off at JFK Hospital before going to the Kravis Center. Ellen was dressed in a gown that accentuated her figure, while Paul wore a tux.

Ellen did not forget Melody's request, and had brought her the chess program she requested. After spending about thirty minutes at the hospital, the couple left for the concert.

"No, Grandpa hasn't heard anything yet," Paul told Ellen as he drove his BMW sports car. Ellen had asked if HHS had accepted the offer.

Melody spent the evening playing chess on the computer and watching television. By 10 pm, she was fast asleep.

* * * * *

"In the name of the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen." Father Pitor had just concluded the graveside ceremony for Grace Chen. Other than Fr. Pitor, the only people present were Paul and Ellen Raymond, Peter II and Marie Raymond and Randy and Jonathan Woodhouse.

It was 11:30 am in West Palm Beach at the Forest Lawn cemetery. Most of the graveside service was done in a light rain.

While Randy Woodhouse recognized the Raymonds, on the other hand they did not know who the father and son were. Once the service was finished, the Raymonds plus Father Pitor went in one direction while the Woodhouses went the other.

Randy had found out about the burial from the JFK social worker's office. This weekend he had custody of Jonathan, so he decided to bring him along. While the Chen story fascinated him, it was time to spend time with his son, the reporter thought as he drove off.

"Thank you, Father," Ellen said to Fr. Pitor. "Will you join us for lunch?"

"Yes," Fr. Pitor answered. "I just need to be back for confessions at 2:30."

Ellen was planning to rejoin Melody at the hospital in the afternoon. This morning Olivia Raymond had paid the little girl a visit. She should still be there now.

Once inside the BMW, Paul began driving to the restaurant with Fr. Pitor and his parents following. Ellen decided to check her cell phone's messages. There was one from their grandfather. Ellen immediately returned the call.

"Hello, Grandpa... We're on the way to lunch... Thank you, Lord Jesus... Yes, I will tell everyone... Any idea when it will be totally set?... Okay... Thank you, Grandpa... We will talk later..." Ellen then closed her cell phone.

"Chester Ventimiglia called Grandpa," Ellen told to Paul. "Melody can come to live with us next week, maybe as soon as Monday."

"That's wonderful, sweetheart," Paul said, holding Ellen's hand.

* * * * *

"Thank you, David, I think she will appreciate this very much," said Vassily Smyslov to his longtime friend and former rival David Bronstein. Vassily then hung up the phone.

As a way of helping the little girl he never met get well, Vassily and some of his former chess-playing colleagues had agreed to send the girl some books. With the help of his son Viktor, the elderly GM had already gotten five books.

These were no ordinary chess books. They were considered some of the finest chess literature ever written. Of course, they were all the English language versions of these Russian books, so the young girl could read them.

One of them was a collection of Vassily's hundred greatest games, authored by the GM himself. Another was a book on the 1953 Candidates tournament in Zurich, Switzerland, authored by David Bronstein. Both were considered classics in chess literature, particularly the Zurich book.

There were three other books ready to be shipped to the little girl. Most of these books could still be purchased, but there was something that made them extra special. The books were signed by the authors and included get-well wishes to Melody Chen. The 1953 tournament book was autographed by four of the participants of that legendary tournament, GM Smyslov, GM Bronstein, GM Mark Tamminov and GM Efrim Geller.

Vassily was awaiting one last book before having the package shipped FedEx to Florida, USA. Thirty-five years ago, the former World Champ had befriended another young chess prodigy. This little girl reminded him of that prodigy of long ago. That prodigy had grown up to rule the chess world as World Champ for eleven years. Vassily had remained friends with him for thirty-five years. Today, GM Anatoly Karpov had just arrived home from a triumphant tournament victory in Italy. Upon hearing the little girl's story from the elderly GM, Anatoly immediately agreed to make a contribution to the package. A personally autographed edition of Karpov's greatest games would make a fine addition to the book package.

Anatoly promised the book would be ready the next day. The package would be mailed Monday. It was the least Vassily could do for the young girl. He hoped the terrible tragedy of recent days would not ruin such a promising talent.

* * * * *

Melody was playing chess on the laptop when Paul and Ellen Raymond arrived. They both said hello and took their seats. After a few minutes, Ellen and Paul whispered for a minute, then Ellen left the room.

"So, you like to play chess?" Paul said. Melody nodded. "I like to play, too. How about we play a game?"

After a moment's thought, Melody replied, "Sure."

Paul took one of the many chess sets that had been given to Melody as a gift and set it up. He allowed the girl to play the white pieces.

Around five to ten minutes after play began, Ellen returned to the room with a wheelchair. She smiled at seeing Paul and Melody playing chess together. "I thought we'd go outside and get Melody some fresh air," Ellen said, after getting their attention.

"Sure, we can play later on," Paul said, pushing the table with the chessboard to one side. He was already discovering he was no match for Melody at chess. The girl already had won a pawn from him.

'Why are you so interested in me? I'm not a little girl. I don't want to be anyone's little girl. I just want to be me. Peter Stark,' Melody thought to herself. At first she hesitated, then allowed the Raymonds to place her in the wheelchair.

With the two police officers to guard her, the Raymonds took Melody to the fifth floor where there was an observation deck or outside lounge for the patients. One of the officers stayed by the door while Paul and Ellen took the girl to a corner of the patio, away from where some hospital staffers and patients smoked.

"Isn't it a nice day outside?" Ellen said. After a drizzly morning, it had turned into a sunny afternoon, and delightfully cool for a Florida September day. The Raymonds continued with small talk. Melody, for the most part, stayed quiet.

"How would you like to come with us to live?" Ellen asked.

'No, I don't want to be your little girl. I like you, but I'm a guy!' Melody thought as she stared at them.

"It's just until we find your family," Ellen said. "We have a nice house, with a pool. You'd have your own room."

'No, I won't be bribed,' Melody thought.

"Melody, do you have any family?" Paul asked. He still expected someone to show up for the girl, but surprisingly, no one had. Even with all the publicity.

"No. I just had-" Melody was about to say Hank, "-my Mom."

Paul asked if Melody was sure, but the girl was insistent there was no one else.

"I need to find a necklace Mom had the other night," Melody said, thinking the couple may be of help.

"We can get you another necklace," Ellen said.

"I need this one," Melody said.

"Maybe the police have it," Paul suggested.

Ellen, Paul and Melody stayed on the patio area another half hour before returning the girl to her room. Back in the room, Melody finished the game she began with Paul, soundly trouncing him. They played another game. The result was the same.

"You're too good for me, champ," Paul said after the second game. Ellen was watching. She was happy to see Melody having some time with her husband.

Dinner came soon afterwards for Melody. The Raymonds sat talking with the girl while she ate. Shortly after dinner was finished they got up, saying they were leaving.

"Melody, we will be back tomorrow," Ellen said. "Maybe on Monday you will come home with us." Before leaving, Mrs. Raymond kissed the girl on the forehead.

"Why me?" Melody said out loud after the Raymonds left. "Hank, why did this happen to us?" She just stared at the wall in the bedroom, thinking why the events of the last week had happened to her and Hank.

Ellen and Paul Raymond were back in their car on the way back to West Palm Beach. They would eat out a favorite restaurant before returning to their home.

"This girl is going to need a lot of therapy," Paul stated. The girl was obviously still traumatized by what happened to her mother. Her insistence on getting some piece of jewelry would seem to indicate PTSD to Paul. But Paul was no expert.

"There is one of the best in the country here in West Palm Beach," Ellen said. Dr. Joan Dubois was a leading child psychologist. "I will take Melody to see her as soon as she is discharged. Hopefully she will come home Monday."

* * * * *

It wouldn't be Monday. The Raymond's attorney, Pamela Dietrich, and HHS were still busy hammering out the details. Despite the Chen girl being considered a low risk, there were many details to be worked on. It would take until Tuesday before it was all agreed on by the attorney and Child Services.

This proved to be good. In between visits to JFK Hospital, Ellen Raymond kept extremely busy. First she had the second bedroom in the Raymond house redecorated into a girl's room. This meant many stops at stores to get the necessary items. Also, clothing had to be bought for Melody for her first days at home. She planned on taking Melody shopping once she was settled.

Melody spent most of Sunday watching football on television. Both the Raymonds and the nurses found it amusing that the girl found the game interesting and knew how it was played.

When not watching football, Melody began getting depressed. Unless the police had the medallion, she faced a new life of growing up as a girl and then as a woman.

Melody just laid in bed hoping the police had the medallion and she would be back to being Pete Stark very soon.

* * * * *

It wouldn't happen. That same Sunday night, Stan Peterson was out on his evening walk. While walking he saw a car pull out of the same clearing. He had heard all about the Chen murder, so he decided to investigate.

Stan went into the clearing. Nothing was out of the ordinary. Except while there, he found the necklace. The same one the Starks had used to become Grace and Melody Chen. Not knowing if it was valuable, he took the medallion home with him. His Lantana Pines home, which he shared with his wife, Amy, was a half-mile from the murder scene.

Six weeks later, Stan Peterson went on a business trip to California, taking the medallion with him. He would not return.

* * * * *

On Monday, Randy Woodhouse returned to his desk at the Palm Beach Post. He had spent an enjoyable weekend with Jonathan.

Over the weekend, Randy had thought about what he knew about the Starks and the connection to the Chens. He decided to make a phone call.

The following day, Randy parked his car in the parking lot of Pearl's Restaurant in Lantana. He walked inside the family restaurant and headed to the dining area. A tall, somewhat burly, balding man in his late thirties was seated at a booth along the back wall. The reporter took the seat across from Detective Bob Hughes.

Randy introduced himself to Det. Hughes. Bob stated he normally did not talk to the press on a pending case. The reporter replied the conversation was totally off the record.

"So, what is your connection to the Chen's?" Bob Hughes asked.

Randy explained the articles he wrote for the Palm Beach Post. That he met the Chens at the Florida Scholastics and followed the girl's play at the US Open and Florida State Open.

"It's a personal interest," Randy said. "What have you discovered about the Chens?"

"Absolutely nothing, squat. It is almost like they didn't ever exist until the day of the attack." Bob Hughes was an experienced detective, which also made him a good judge of human character. He knew Randy Woodhouse was not telling him something.

"Now, let me ask you something," Bob said. "What do you know about the Chens? Mr. Woodhouse, I don't need remind you there is a serial rapist on the loose who we suspect is responsible for two other killings."

Randy thought for a moment. Then he told Bob about the Stark connection to the Chens and the little bit of investigation work he had done.

"I know about it. Not that it's helped us much. By the way, did you know both Stark brothers are missing?"

"No, I did not," Randy replied, thinking that the Stark's disappearance did not surprise him, but not for the most obvious reason.

"Well, we have good reason not to believe either Stark brother is involved in the murder and rape," Bob Hughes stated. "We would just like to ask them some questions."

Bob and Randy continued to discuss the case over lunch. Once finished eating, Randy said good-bye to the detective, paid the food tab and went back to his office.

* * * * *

"My, don't you look pretty," said Ellen Raymond. It was 6:20 am, Wednesday morning, and it was time to bring Melody home.

The Raymonds had arrived shortly after 5:30 that morning. For security purposes it was deemed best if the Chen girl would leave the hospital at a slow time during the day. Visitors were not allowed at this time in the morning.

The previous day, workers for the Raymond Foundation had cleared most of the gifts, toys, and various chess presents out of the room. Some were already back at the Raymond house, waiting for Melody. Since there were more than any one girl could use, the bulk of the non-chess gifts were distributed among other children at JFK, and other Palm Beach County hospital pediatric wards. There was still some left when this was done, and would eventually be given away.

Upon arrival, Ellen prepared Melody for her discharge. She had brought clothing for the girl to wear, and had just finished dressing the youngster and preparing her hair. Then, pushing the girl toward the mirror, Melody saw her reflection.

'Oh, shit. I'm as cute as a button,' Melody thought. She was wearing an ankle length green dress and white shoes. Her black hair was tied up with the help of a red bow.

"Are we ready?" It was more a statement than a question from Ellen Raymond. The nurse helped Melody into the wheelchair, and they began down the hallway, with her newly appointed guardians, Olivia Raymond, one hospital volunteer and two sheriff's officers in tow.

Before going to the elevators, Melody was said good-bye to by most of the floor staff for the pediatric ward. This meant constantly getting kissed and fussed over, which Melody couldn't stand. Then they proceeded to the elevators.

'Nice ass,' Melody thought, as she had a near perfect eye level view of Nurse Amy Perkins, who was walking down the hallway in front of her. Pete Stark may have been trapped in an eight-year-old girl's body, but he still appreciated a nice female posterior. Unfortunately, Nurse Perkins walked into a patient's room and the show ended.

After taking the elevator ride downstairs, Melody was brought to the front entrance of the hospital. Parked outside the doors was a stretch black limousine. One car was parked immediately in front of it and one behind. The female limo driver walked around the car and opened the door for the Raymonds. Paul Raymond went in First, and then Melody, helped by Ellen who climbed in behind her, and then Olivia Raymond.

For the next twenty-five minutes, Melody sat between Ellen and Olivia as Ellen held her hand. During the drive Melody realized where they were going. By crossing the Southern Blvd. Bridge they were going to Palm Beach.

Five minutes later the limo, still following the lead car, pulled into a gated front yard with a circular driveway. Again, like at the hospital, the driver came around and opened the door, but this time for everyone to step out.

While Paul and Ellen settled with the limo driver and got Melody's things, Olivia Raymond opened the front door of the home. The inside of the house was large and sumptuous. Melody immediately saw a hallway with rooms on both the left and right. On the right side there was a staircase leading to the upper level.

"This place is huge," Melody said, as she looked into the first room on the left. It was a sunken level, very spacious living room. There was a large screen television and video center in one corner of the room, circled by chairs and a couch. In the middle of the large room was another set of sofas.

"Why don't I show you around," said Ellen, as she and Paul had finished with the limo driver.

The downstairs was immense; down the hallway there was an exercise room that also contained an altar area with religious icons. Melody figured the couple must spend time praying there. There was a study with a big desk with a computer on it, and walls lined with bookshelves.

On the other side there was a massive formal dining room. Two large tables that probably sat thirty people. There was a chandelier directly over the center of one table. Next to this dining room there was another, smaller sitting dining area. This appeared to be where daily meals were eaten. There were several newspapers sitting on the table. There were also two bathrooms downstairs.

Last but not least downstairs was the kitchen. It was huge, and could have served a small restaurant.

"How do you like it so far?" Ellen asked. Paul was helping himself to some coffee, and was reading the Palm Beach Post.

'No, you can't bribe me,' Melody thought, while nodding approval.

Ellen pointed toward a door. "I've got something to show you." Ellen opened the door to a small walk in freezer. On the shelves were small and big packages of meat. But Ellen wanted Melody to see one thing in particular.

"Look, lots of chocolate ice cream." There were three large one-gallon tubs of chocolate ice cream on one shelf. Melody did not recognize the brand, but thought it may be a gourmet variety.

"Well, I've got to get going for work," said Paul. He gave Ellen a kiss, and patted Melody on the head. "I will leave you women time to get to know one another better." Paul then excused himself and headed out to the front door and left the house.

Paul walked to his BMW. He saw two of the security detail that would be protecting the house and the Chen girl. There would always be four on duty at all times until further notice. That was the only thing that bothered him about taking the girl in. Hopefully, everything would work out, Paul thought to himself as he drove off.

Back inside, Ellen was cooking and preparing breakfast for the girl, herself and Olivia Raymond. Melody helped Olivia set the eating area with utensils, napkins, glasses, sugar and coffee creamer. While waiting for breakfast, the girl checked out the rest of the kitchen area. On one side of the kitchen there was a hallway that led to the laundry room. In addition, there was a bedroom and bathroom. Neither looked like it had been used recently. Maybe the Raymonds had a full-time cook once. The kitchen also overlooked the large backyard of the home. There was a big pool with a diving board on one end, a separate Jacuzzi, and a large yard with many flowers and assorted shrubbery.

'Is this heaven or a jail?' Melody thought. She still wondered if the police had found the medallion. Almost immediately she began to cry.

"Here, here, dear," said Olivia, trying to comfort the young girl with a hug. "You miss your mother, I know."

Within minutes, Ellen had finished preparing breakfast for the three women. They then sat down in the small dining area. Melody had oatmeal with toast to eat. While they ate breakfast, Olivia and Ellen made small talk with the girl and read the day's newspapers.

Tiring of being talked to like a little child, Melody picked up the sports page to read. Like she used to when she was Peter Stark. Both women looked a little astonished by the girl's interest in sports.

"Maybe you would like to read the comics," Olivia said, pushing the Post's Accent section across to Melody. She ignored it, and continued to read the latest Marlins and Dolphins news.

'They keep treating me like a child, but I'm a man,' Melody thought. Peter Stark had never particularly cared for the comics, so she passed on reading the Accent section.

After breakfast was finished, Melody helped the Raymond women clean up. Shortly afterwards, Olivia excused herself for the day. She and Peter, Sr. would return that evening for dinner.

"Let me show you the rest of your new home," Ellen said, taking Melody by the hand and leading her upstairs. The upstairs was as spacious as the downstairs. There was a large hallway outer area flanked on both sides by rooms. First they went to the far end of the upstairs area. There were three separate bedrooms, and two full size bathrooms. One of the bedrooms doubled as an upstairs office or den.

Back to the other end of the house, Ellen showed the large master bedroom. This was where she and Paul slept. It had a small sitting area with a television. Plus a connecting independent bathroom. Melody just looked around as her guardian told her about the house.

The last room was to be Melody's room. It was the next door to the left of the master bedroom. "Melody, here is your room," said Ellen as she opened the door for the girl.

'It's a fucking girl's room. But what do you expect?' thought Melody upon entering the room.

The room had a pink motif, and was almost as large as the master bedroom. It also had its own independent bathroom. There was a king-size bed under a canopy with a girl's comforter on top. In the room was a computer desk with what looked like the latest model computer and printer freshly out of the box. On a table stood the chess set given to her by GM Denker.

Melody walked around the room as Ellen showed her the many things in the room and how it was to be all hers. There were stuffed animals and dolls in sufficient supply displayed around the room. There were a couple of posters on the wall. One she immediately recognized as Michelle Kwan, the figure skater. Another of some female pop star she didn't recognize. There was room for more posters to come.

'I'm trapped. Doomed to be someone's little girl,' Melody thought gloomily to herself.

Last but not least, Ellen opened the walk-in closet. It was already stocked with several girl's dresses. On the floor was a small collection of girl's shoes, one set of sneakers and a pair of sandals.

'Why me? Why this?' Melody asked herself. It was slowly beginning to dawn on her that she and Hank had been deceitful in having her impersonate a girl at that series of chess tournaments. Wasn't it unfair to the real children? And was this her punishment? Living the rest of her life as a girl and later a woman?

"How do you like it?" Ellen said to Melody. The girl just stared back at her blankly. 'Poor thing, maybe I'm going too fast for the her.' She was getting too lost in her own enthusiasm.

"We can come back up here later," Ellen said, taking Melody by the hand and they went back downstairs. Leaving the tour of the house's outside for another time, they instead went to the living room. Ellen tried to engage the girl in small talk, but failed. The girl would just stare off into nothingness.

'Poor thing,' Ellen thought. 'Maybe I need to slow down for her, I am just so excited.' The girl was still deeply hurt and troubled. Right now, Melody needed time, care and plenty of love. Ellen swore the girl would get whatever she needed to get well.

* * * * *

Randy Woodhouse had other stories to work on, not just Melody Chen. He was working at his desk when he heard a familiar voice.

"Hi, Randy," said Liz McEvoy. "Did you hear about the Chen girl?"

Randy shook his head.

"She was discharged this morning around 6:30 am."

"So, did they find some family?"

Despite it being kept secret, Liz McEvoy had her sources and knew where the girl was now living. "No, she was taken home by Paul and Ellen Raymond. You are familiar with them?" Liz explained how it was kept hush hush. Randy understood that. The girl was a witness to her mother's murder. He was also very familiar with the Raymonds, everyone knew who they were. The reporter was sure the girl's new guardians would see that she got the care she needed.

"Thanks, Liz," he told her, after which she went on her way.

For the rest of the day, while Randy worked on his other story he kept thinking of the Melody Chen story. Maybe with the permission of the Raymonds he could write an article. Just before the day ended he placed a phone call. The person he called was busy, but the reporter left a message. Then he left the office for the day.

* * * * *

For lunch that day Ellen made grilled cheese sandwiches for each of them, and both had a glass of milk.

While Melody stayed quiet throughout much of the morning, Ellen was not alarmed. In her time with the girl already she had seen how the girl would sometimes become withdrawn. Melody had to be in a great deal of psychological pain from recent events, she thought. Ellen just did not know half of the reasons why.

After lunch, Ellen finally took the girl outside and showed her the grounds. Periodically two of the security men would be seen patrolling. While her guardian did most of the talking and pointing out the pool and many different types of flowers present in the garden, Melody remained quiet.

Once finished with the tour of the outside, Ellen had something entirely else in mind. A way for Melody to heal from the recent events. She brought the girl into the exercise room that doubled as a small chapel. At one end of the room there were two kneelers facing a small altar area. On the altar were statues of the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, St. Jude and Jesus Christ. There were also pictures of Our Lady of Fatima and The Black Madonna. Above all of this was a large crucifix.

"Melody, what do you think if we pray for your mother?" Ellen asked.

'You mean my brother,' Melody thought. She still blamed herself for what happened to Hank. There were the recurring nightmares of the evening of the attack which caused her to start crying. She still blamed herself for the attack.

'Can I do more than cry and blame myself? Stop taking pity on myself. I'm alive, but Hank is dead.' Could she pray to God, asking forgiveness for herself and Hank? Peter Stark had been born Catholic, but his parents were not particularly religious. The last time Peter stepped in a church was his mother's funeral in 1990. He hadn't even gotten married in church.

Would God even listen to her? Melody remembered some of her bible. If you sincerely ask forgiveness from God, God would grant it.

"Yes, I'd like that," Melody finally replied. Ellen immediately smiled and took a rosary out of her pocket. The two women kneeled before the altar.

"In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen," Ellen said, as both she and Melody made the sign of the cross. "I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth..."

* * * * *

The reports Detective Bob Hughes needed in the investigation of Grace Chen's murder were beginning to arrive.

First was the coroner's report. It was in very technical medical jargon. More simply, it read that Grace Chen, after having her jaw broken in addition to two ribs and being sexually assaulted, was then strangled by her assailant's bare hands.

'So, besides being an animal, the guy was strong. A weight lifter, perhaps? Or just any man in good physical shape,' Bob thought.

They did recover seminal fluid from the victim. Currently it was being tested so as to produce a DNA match sometime in the future.

The lab had come up with tire tracks. They were tires commonly used on minivans. The lab was almost certain if the attacker was captured they could link his vehicle to the crime.

'If the attacker is caught. Fuck, we have an animal on the loose, and I can't do anything but wait,' Bob thought in frustration to himself.

* * * * *

"Good night, Melody," said Ellen, as she turned off the bedroom light on leaving the room.

Before tucking Melody into bed, Ellen had helped the girl take a bath, brush her teeth, and get into her pajamas. Then, before going to bed they went downstairs to say goodnight to all the Raymonds, Peter, Sr, Peter II, Peter III, Paul, Marie, Olivia and Marcia plus Fr. Pitor. Right after this the girl went to bed.

Once back downstairs, Ellen rejoined everyone in the living room.

"She is remarkably strong," Fr. Pitor said. "I thought she was much worse off."

"Melody is going to Dr. Dubois tomorrow," Ellen replied. "She still needs a great deal of help."

"I think your attention, love and giving a good environment has to help," Fr. Pitor remarked. "What will ultimately happen with her?"

"If no family is located within six months, the girl is considered abandoned. After a year, Melody can be adopted," Paul explained.

"Do you think any will be found?" Fr. Pitor asked.

"I don't know," Ellen said. "With all this publicity it could be possible there is no other family."

Paul was looking at his wife. He knew Ellen was already bonding with the girl. That she wished they could adopt the girl. He also wanted a child badly, and was willing to adopt Melody if no family was found. The lawyer just feared that a family member would eventually be found and this would only create additional heartbreak for the childless couple.

Upstairs, Melody was not quite sleepy.

'I'd sign online and check on my chess games but for the stupid password.' Melody thought about her chess games she had as Peter Stark. Eventually, the players having received no moves, would file time complaints with the Tournament Director. The games would be forfeited if no move was received after a certain amount of time.

The Raymonds were just being over protective of Melody. They trusted the girl, but were afraid of people who preyed on children on the Internet.

This was all insignificant compared to Melody's real problem, the girl thought, looking down at herself and the pink pajamas she wore. Finding a way to become Peter Stark again. If it was even possible.

'If I could just get my clothes and that necklace,' Melody thought. Within minutes, she began getting tired and soon fell asleep.

* * *

Mary Helen Ward was working as a volunteer at the JFK Hospital social worker office. Shortly after 10 am Thursday morning, the FedEx driver arrived with a package. Any signature was needed, so the volunteer signed off for the package.

Once the driver was gone, Mary Helen read the entire address for the person to whom the package was intended. It was meant for Melody Chen. So she went to her desk and picked up the phone. She dialed the Raymond Foundation. She also noted the foreign originating address. Russia.

"Hello, I am Mary Helen Ward at the JFK social work office. I just received a FedEx package for Melody Chen..."

A few minutes later, Mary Helen hung up the phone. A representative from the Raymond Foundation would pick up the package later that afternoon.

* * * * *

"Melody, it's been good talking to you," said Child Psychologist Joan Dubois. "Just wait here, while I go talk to your guardian."

Melody watched Dr. Dubois leave the room. 'You think I'm nuts, too.' She just stared blankly at the door.

Ellen Raymond was summoned from the waiting room to Dr. Dubois' office. Once inside, Ellen took a seat across from Dr. Dubois' desk. "How is she?"

"She is a very troubled girl. All the classic signs of PTSD," Dr. Dubois explained. The doctor was sixty-one years old, and had been a practicing child psychologist for thirty years. She was also an expert on children and PTSD. The doctor had written several textbooks that were used at major medical schools.

"Melody is going to need a great deal of therapy," the doctor explained. "I would like to see her twice weekly."

"Not a problem," Ellen replied.

"Did Melody ever tell you that she was really a man, and so was her mother, and that they had used some necklace to change themselves?" Dubois asked.

"Yes, I have heard the same story; why do you ask?"

"Just wanted to confirm my feelings. I feel its symptomatic of the PTSD the girl is suffering," Dr. Dubois explained. "Melody feels guilty over her mother having died while she escaped. She has escaped into a fantasy where she thinks if she had been stronger like a man she would have saved her mom."

Ellen continued to listen to the doctor's diagnosis. She swore that Melody would get the care she needed. Even more, the love to help her heal.

"I feel Melody needs as good and normal an environment as possible," Dr. Dubois said. "She should get back to school and have interaction with children her own age."

"Paul and I are going to enroll her at St. Ann's Catholic School, probably next week," Ellen explained. Arrangements for the girl's schooling were being made. They were just complicated because of security concerns.

Ellen and Dr. Dubois talked a few minutes more. Afterwards, Melody left the doctor's office with her guardian. They had originally planned to have lunch with Paul, but the attorney had to meet someone else. So they stopped for pizza at a small pizzeria in downtown West Palm Beach.

It was just after 1 pm when Ellen and Melody got home from Palm Beach. "Melody, would you like to pray for your Mom again?" Ellen asked.

Melody admitted the previous day had actually made her feel a little better. She still felt guilty about what had happened. If Ellen believed so strong in God, wasn't she right, she asked herself.

"Yes," Melody replied. She allowed Ellen to take her hand, and they walked into the exercise room.

* * * * *

Paul Raymond went to his lunch date in a high state of annoyance. The phone call he received that morning had disturbed him that much.

Arturo's was a small family restaurant not far from the judicial center. Since it was lunch time, the place was packed. Once inside, Paul saw who he was looking for. He went directly to the booth in the back of the restaurant and took the seat across from Randy Woodhouse.

Paul already knew that Randy was a reporter for the Palm Beach Post. While being a daily reader of the Post, he thought the paper had a decided anti-Catholic bias, and was much too liberal for the attorney's tastes. Not wasting time on pleasantries, they got right down to business.

"How did you learn the girl came to live with us?" Paul was concerned because Melody was still considered in danger due to witnessing her mother's murder. This was also a possible source of danger to the Raymonds themselves.

"Sources at the hospital." Randy did not say who specifically.

"You know we have to have guards at my home," Paul said, barely concealing his anger.

"Mr. Raymond, I assure you I will not tell anyone where the Chen girl is," Randy tried to reassure the man. It was not a wise idea to anger the Raymond family. They had a great deal of influence in the county.

Paul calmed down some. "What was this story you were mentioning, then?"

"It was only an idea, to possibly write a series on the girl's recovery," Randy tried to explain. "There are many people in the community who've shown an interest in the girl."

"I don't know." The Raymonds were normally very private people when it came to their own lives.

"Mr. Raymond, I respect you and your wife and family," Randy went on to say. "At this time it's just an idea. It could help publicize the effects of PTSD on people and their recovery efforts. If you and your wife are against the story, I won't go against your wishes."

Randy and Paul then had lunch together. The attorney began to appreciate what the reporter wanted to do, but he preferred to keep his family private.

"I'd just like to make one more offer," to which, Paul nodded. "My son Jonathan and Melody Chen have met before and played chess. They are both the same age, I'm sure the girl could use friends. Maybe we can arrange something."

Paul just stared at the reporter. "Let me talk to my wife and think about it."

"Fair enough," Randy said. He gave Paul his home and cell phone numbers. After he finished eating he paid the tab and left the restaurant.

* * * * *

Melody was playing chess on the computer in the Raymond family den while Ellen was answering mail and paying the bills. For Melody, it was a way to forget her present predicament. She couldn't help but feel the longer time passed, the less chance there would be of her going back to being Peter Stark.

Melody also knew her brother Henry wouldn't be so fortunate. Despite all their differences in opinion, Pete had loved Hank and vice versa. They were the only family each other had. If by some miracle she could get back to being Pete, he would have no one.

Here she had family. Melody could see the Raymonds loved her, and wanted to make her their own child. But it meant she had to be a girl. It would mean growing up all over again.

'No, I don't want to do that. How can I convince anyone who I really am?' Melody thought to herself.

'Could I grow up all over again, if I don't convince anyone?'

Ellen periodically asked if Melody would like to watch television. Having no interest in cartoons, she said no.

At 5:00 Ellen left Melody with the computer to begin preparing dinner. Around 5:15 Paul Raymond arrived home from work. He came into the den and saw the girl playing chess against the computer.

"Hi, champ, you ever let it beat you?" Paul gave Melody a kiss on the forehead. A quick assessment of the position on the computer made the attorney think the computer was not doing much better than he did against the girl.

"Sometimes, Dad." Dad? What did Melody just say? Paul Raymond was even more startled by the word.

"Don't be too tough on it." Paul smiled, and then left the room.

'God, I've got to get out of here or I will be calling them Mommy and Daddy soon,' Melody thought, watching Paul Raymond leave.

Paul found Ellen busy in the kitchen. They both got each other quickly up to date on how each other's day had gone.

"The reporter wants to write a story on Melody?" Ellen asked. "I don't think that would be wise."

"I agree," Paul said. There was Melody's well being, plus safety to think of. "He did offer to bring his son over so Melody would have a friend to play with."

"Can we trust him?" Ellen asked. She didn't like the Palm Beach Post much, either.

"I think so, but we can think about it," Paul said, having poured himself and Ellen each a glass of cranberry juice.

"Dr. Dubois recommended we get Melody back to a normal routine. School, friends, etc," Ellen mentioned, having just finished tossing a salad.

Melody and the Raymonds had a quiet dinner together. Afterwards, the girl watched television with Paul before Ellen prepared her bath. Again the girl had to endure having to be bathed by her guardian. This drove Melody crazy, she really hated being treated like a child.

By 9 pm, Ellen had tucked Melody into bed and turned off the bedroom light.

* * * * *

Ellen and Melody spent most of Friday clothes shopping for the girl. It consisted of a series of stops at shops in Palm Beach and constant modeling of clothes Ellen picked out for Melody.

Melody could barely avoid cringing at some of the 'girly' clothes her guardian had picked out for her. The worst may have been a pale pink dress Ellen had picked out saying how good she looked in it and how Melody would wear it to church. If the girl had her way, she'd wear pants and t-shirts seven days a week.

Then there were the repeated comments about how cute she looked from shop owners and other customers.

The women took time out during lunch to have lunch with Paul near his downtown office. While there, Ellen received the FedEx package. She noticed the address in Russia, and wondered who it could be. She would open the package when they got home.

After lunch, Ellen and Melody finished the clothes shopping. Another three pairs of shoes, one set of slippers, two one-piece bathing suits, some blouses and couple sets of pants, shorts and one pair of blue jeans were all purchased.

All along, Melody went along with Ellen. She could see how much the woman cared for her, and meant well. She even felt her guardian loved her. It was obvious to the girl how caring for the young girl made Ellen happy.

'But I can't stay a girl,' Melody often thought. What would she think if she knew the truth? But she was already discovering nobody believed the story of some magical necklace. No one suspected who she really was.

Ellen and Melody were finished with all their shopping by 4 pm. They immediately took all the packages inside the house and brought them to Melody's room, where they put them away. After this was done, the women went back downstairs. Paul would be home soon, and Ellen wanted Melody to help in preparing dinner.

* * * * *

It was 6:30 Friday evening, and Denise Calder was leaving the Sears store at the Palm Beach Mall. The Sheriff's Deputy was off duty and was carrying several packages after doing birthday shopping for her nephew, Jason. The boy would turn two on Sunday.

Denise had parked behind Sears near package pickup, and was walking toward her car. It was parked about half way out from the store's rear entrance. She was just two or three car lengths away from her car when the deputy was suddenly grabbed from behind. She immediately dropped her packages.

"If you fight me, I will kill you," said the man. He had his left arm across Denise's neck, and was holding her from behind. The man was pushing Denise toward a white minivan.

Denise knew she was in danger. It immediately dawned on her who this man may be when she saw the white van. She had to think and work fast. To open the van door to force her inside, the man would have to use one of his hands. This would give her a chance.

The man was already off balance in an effort to open the van door. Denise let her body go slack, which caused the man to go further off balance, having to support her weight. She began to pull away, then thrust back as hard as possible with her right elbow directly into the attacker's solar plexus. By this time the man's grip was almost totally gone. Denise continued to turn her body into her attacker and brought her right knee hard into the man's groin. The man then totally let go of her and fell to his knees. With a chop of her right hand to the back of the man's neck, the attacker fell completely to the ground.

Denise reached into her purse and removed the small pistol she always carried. The man was moaning, and began to get up. She kicked the man in the ribs, and he fell back to the ground.

"Don't move an inch!" Denise said in her best Dirty Harry voice, pointing her gun directly at her attacker. By then several customers had seen the deputy and her attacker. One woman began to scream, another male bystander came running to her side.

"I'm a Palm Beach County Sheriff. Take my cell phone out of my purse and dial 911 for me. Then go inside and get store security, ASAP," Denise told the bystander, who immediately gave her the cell phone then ran to the store.

"Operator, I am Denise Calder of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. I need..."

* * * * *

Detective Robert Hughes was eating dinner with his wife and two sons when he got the phone call. He immediately raced his way to the Palm Beach County lockup off Gun Club Road.

Bob found Denise outside an interrogation room. "Denise, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she said. While the attack had been scary, Denise was unharmed. She then gave Bob the details of what happened, and what they knew so far. The man was tentatively identified as Walter Brewer, his address or home was in Indiantown, and he was in his late twenties.

"This could be the bastard who killed Grace Chen," Denise added. Bob walked over to a two-way mirror. Walter Brewer was inside an interrogation room with two detectives.

By now, another officer had arrived. He handed Denise a small folder. It was Walter Brewer's rap sheet.

'So he's done three years for sexual assault in Georgia,' Bob thought as he read the file over her shoulder. The guy also fit the description from the Chen girl and one other woman. Bob opened the interrogation room door and asked one of the deputies to come out for a moment.

"What do we have so far?" Bob asked Detective Rick Miller, who told him not much. Bob decided he would give it a crack. He walked into the interrogation room and took a seat across from the man. Walter Brewer was a handsome man, well built. So this is what an animal looks like, Bob thought.

Bob asked some preliminary questions, including where Brewer was on Labor Day. Walter was evasive.

"Have you heard about the Chen murder?" Bob asked.

"I want a lawyer," Walter Brewer replied.

* * * * *

Friday night was much like the first two nights for Melody. She helped Ellen with preparing dinner, then she and the Raymonds had dinner together. After dinner was finished she helped her guardian clean up.

Finally they got around to the package. Paul opened it up. There were six chess books inside, and a letter. Paul read the letter, and then gave it to Ellen and Melody to read.

"Champ, it seems you've got a famous new friend," Paul said, looking at the books. They were autographed by the authors and included notes wishing Melody well. It was incredible, he thought, how these strangers reached out to the young girl they never knew.

Melody read the letter from Vassily Smyslov. She instantly knew who he was. Any real chess student knew the former World Champ. A variation of the Caro Kann was named after GM Smyslov; it was one of the girl's favorite openings.

"He wants me to write him via email," Melody said. "Can I?"

"Yes, you may, we can do that over the weekend," Ellen said. She knew Melody was a very talented chess player. Like any parent, she wanted to encourage the child in the areas in which she was interested.

Shortly afterwards Melody, Ellen and Paul went to the altar area and prayed the rosary together. The girl found this a soothing experience. Hank's death still hurt tremendously, nor had her guilt gone away. But by praying to God she began to feel more at ease with what had happened. She asked God to forgive her and Hank.

Like the previous nights, Melody watched some television with her guardians, then was given a bath by Ellen around 8 pm. Tomorrow was not a school day, so it was 10 o'clock when the girl was tucked into bed, and then soon fell asleep.

Before Melody went to sleep, Paul and Ellen talked about the girl and the plans for the weekend. They decided to invite the Woodhouses over the next day. Melody needed friends her own age, they decided. So Paul called Randy and invited him and his son to come over any time after 9 am.

Melody did not have a peaceful sleep. The nightmare of the night Hank was attacked replayed in her head. The attacker came running after the girl and began to attack her. The man wanted to rape her. Melody started to scream.

Immediately Melody awoke from her sleep screaming. She was scared, and got out of her bed and left the bedroom. It was just after midnight.

Paul had heard the noise and had gotten up. He was startled to find Melody scared and frightened as she wandered the hallway.

"What's wrong, Princess?"

"I had a nightmare," Melody said, as she was beginning to cry. By this time Ellen had gotten out of bed, also.

"Well, we're here." Ellen hugged the troubled girl, then led her back into the master bedroom. In the meantime Paul, went downstairs and got a small glass of milk for the girl.

Ellen and Melody sat on the edge of the bed hugging one another while the girl cried. For whatever reason, she found the reassurances and hugs from her guardian comforting.

"What was the nightmare about?" Ellen asked.

"The man who killed Ha-...Mommy came and attacked me," Melody said as her sobbing began to lessen.

"Don't fear. You are safe with us." By this time Paul returned with milk for the girl, who drank it readily.

Soon Melody had stopped crying. But she did not go back to her room, instead she slept next to Ellen, who gently hugged her.

'The hugs she gives me feel good. They love me. Can I learn to accept what happened and go on?' Melody thought as she went to sleep.

* * * * *

 

(continued)

 

 

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© 2002 by Danielle J. All Rights Reserved. These documents (including, without limitation, all articles, text, images, logos, compilation design) may printed for personal use only. No portion of these documents may be stored electronically, distributed electronically, or otherwise made available without express written consent of the copyright holder.