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No one moved for several seconds. Then both Shauna and Laura launched themselves at their father,
laughing and crying at the same time. He put his arms around them and held them tightly, kissing each
one in turn. He finally loosened his hold on them and looked up at Michael.

"I know. I have a lot of explaining to do. And I will. I think we should all go into the living room and
talk."

Shauna and Laura each took one of his arms. As they passed Michael, he said, "What about Kelly? Aren't
you concerned about her? After all, she is your daughter, too."

Arthur stopped and looked back at Michael, who was shocked at the hate on his face. "No, she isn't.
She's Carlton's bastard!" He turned back to his daughters, who were stunned by his revelation, and he
guided them into the other room. Shaking his head, Michael followed.

None of them saw Kelly standing at the top of the stairs. She'd seen and heard everything, and things
finally fell into place. Of course! That's what I couldn't remember; that's what was wrong! The limo
never had to slow down there until that day! He always made sure the gate was completely open
before they got to that point. And I remember now what was missing from his effects. His signet ring;
it was his favorite piece of jewelry. I guess he couldn't bear to leave it in the limo. Why didn't I realize
all this before now? She closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. So I'm not his daughter after all, am
I? This explains a lot, since the shot seems to have unlocked certain memories.

She went back into her room and sat down on her bed. She pondered what she had heard for a few
minutes, then made a decision. Rising, she dressed and brushed her hair very gently. It hurt to pull it
back, so she left it hanging down past her shoulders. Picking up her purse, an envelope, and car keys, she
quietly went down the back stairs and headed to the garage.

She got in her car and headed out. I need to see Gregory Carlton. But first, I have a stop at the bank to
make.

Arthur sat down on the sofa with his daughters on either side. They were laughing and crying and asking
him question after question. Finally he held his hands up. "Girls, stop. I'll answer as many of your
questions as I can, but I can only do that one at a time, and only if you are quiet?"

"How did you survive and where have you been since the explosion?" asked Laura.

"Honey, George and I weren't in the limo. I thought that if I was dead, the person who had been trying to
kill me might just come out in the open. We've been hiding out in that little cabin in the woods at the
west end of the property." He looked over at Michael. "You almost caught us when you drove by
yesterday. But you didn't look surprised to see me just now."

"When I couldn't come up with anyone who might have been able to do it, I got suspicious and had my
friends do a background check on you and your chauffeur. It was the only thing that made any sense.
But who was in the car? They did find evidence of two bodies."

"We claimed transients from the city morgue. We dressed them in similar outfits and left enough of our
personal effects with them to make everything seem on the up and up."

"Why did you do it, Daddy? We were so devastated, and so frightened when someone started shooting at
us this morning," Shauna asked.

He patted her hand. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I felt it was necessary for our safety and peace of mind. I
never expected any of you to be shot at. When I found out you had been, I decided to come out of hiding.
But only you two and Mr. Knight here know that I am alive. And I'm counting on you all to keep it to
yourselves for the time being."

"We will, Daddy," Shauna replied, and Laura nodded her agreement when he looked at her. He then
looked at Michael.

"Mr. Peterson, I have to tell Devon and Bonnie. This isn't something I can - or want to - keep from him."

There was a pause. "All right. I believe I can trust in his discretion. And I presume hers as well."

"You can. But what about the police?"

"I prefer to keep them in the dark for the time being."

Michael shook his head slowly. "I'm not so sure that's such a good idea."

Arthur was about to argue, when KITT interrupted. "Michael, a car just left the estate by the west gate."

"Can you tell who is driving?"

"It's too far away to see the driver, but the license on the car indicates that it's Kelly's vehicle."

"Kelly!" Arthur jumped up and raced out of the room. As they followed, they saw him head upstairs and
into her room. Seconds later, he returned and said, "She's gone! She must have overheard us when we
were in the foyer. She must be on her way to see Carlton. You've got to stop her! She could ruin
everything!"

"Why? How?"

"It would take too long to explain. But you have to catch her and bring her back, no matter what it takes.
Please, Knight! Just go!"

Michael stared at him for a long moment, then turned and left.