Chapter One

At an chalet in the mountains.

Mark: Hey, Meg, I never knew that Ben had this beautiful chalet. Why don't you two come here more often?

Meg: We only come here when Ben needs a break. If we came more often it wouldn't be as special. Meg smiles as she looses herself in memories

Mark grins: Meg, Earth to Meg?

Gabi joins them: Mark!!! Do you know when Ben will be here?

Meg: He'll be here as soon as possible. Hopefully by tomorrow.

Casey, Michael, Vanessa, Paula, Sean, Amy and Jennifer, a friend of Sean and Amy join them in the living room.

Michael: Who cooked for us today?

Amy: We thought you would do it.

Meg: Speak for yourself, Amy, I don't want to be sick.

Michael: Hey, no one has suffered from anything I have cooked.

Everybody laughs remembering the strawberry muffins.

Meg: Okay, okay, the hotel in town is bringing dinner in half an hour. Now, does everyone like their rooms?

Vanessa: I love it Meg! We have a great view and a fireplace. If I ever begin to write a book I am moving in!

Michael smiling: Forget it. I don't want to move to a place that's more than about 3 minutes from the ocean. But Vanessa is right, this place is lovely.

The doorbell rings, announcing dinner. Everyone enjoys their meals and then they all decide to go to the pub in the village. They all have a wonderful time, and the next morning they are all ready to go skiing.

Casey: Sean, have you seen Amy this morning? I haven't seen her around.

Sean: No. I'll go look for her.

Sean knocks on the door, but there is no answer, so he goes in anyway. He finds Amy sleeping .

Sean shaking her shoulder softly: Amy, get up! We're all waiting for you! Hurry or there won't be any breakfast left for you.

There is still no reaction from Amy.

Sean alarmed: Amy? Amy!! - Casey, Michael!!! There is something wrong with Amy!

Casey and Michael come into the room, followed by the others.

Casey: What's the matter?

He goes to feel Amy's pulse.

Sean: I tried to wake her.

Casey: Michael, I can't feel a pulse call 911! I will try to revive her. Sean, get everyone else out!

When the first-aid doctor arrived he announced that she was dead .

Doctor: We have to call the police. It seems to me like a death from suffocation - not accidental.

Casey: She was murdered?

Doctor: It looks like it.

An hour and an half later the police leave the chalet and everyone sits in silence .

Vanessa: I can't believe this. How could anybody get in the house and kill Amy without making any noise?

Michael: It's not a very small house. The only one who really could have noticed anything is Sean, but we all had a little too much to drink.

Meg: We all just spelt right through it. Meg sounds bitter

Casey: Meg, it wasn't your fault! Don't blame yourself. If somebody had heard a noise and looked for it...maybe he would have also been killed.

Gabi: I want to go out for a walk. I don't care for skiing anyway. Does anyone want to join me?

Mark: That's a good idea. Looking around What's with you?

Meg: Nothing. I'm cold. I think I am going to take a hot shower.

Vanessa: Meg, I don't want you to be alone.

Meg: It's okay, Vanessa. I just need to take a break and try to relax. I will try to call Ben and let him know what happened. Don't worry about me, I'm fine. Go with the others.

After everyone leaves, Meg goes to call Ben. She only reaches his voicemail. She goes to get her shower, thinking about what has happened.

Ben: Good morning, my dear.

Meg: Mornin'. Trying to hide herself under the sheets

Ben grin: When did you come home?

Meg: I don't know. We left The Deep at about half past two and I took Gabi and Vanessa home, then we all got to talking... What time is it?

Ben: About ten. How about a shower with me? If you get up now we have enough time before you have to catch the train.

Meg suddenly totally awake ): I have to catch the train??? What's about you?

Ben: Sorry, I woke up with a call from Gregory. There are problems with the Liberty Corporation which we can't ignore. Somebody has to go to Santa Barbara and Gregory has a ... at the court.

Meg: How long will it take? a little bit sad

Ben: I don't know. I will try to join you tomorrow. Meg, I'm really sorry but I have to go.

Meg: I know. But it's not the same without you.

Ben starts kissing her.

Ben: So let us make some memories for the hours apart.

Meg: Oh Ben! Wish you were here.

Later that evening they are all sitting around the fire. Meg puts her phone down beside her.

Meg: Still the voicemail.

Mark: Don't worry about Ben. He will give you a call as soon as possible. I know my boss, he cannot stand without you very long trying a soft smile.

Meg: I can't understand that. Somebody breaks into the house, kills Amy and doesn't steal anything to our knowledge. It doesn't make a sense to me.

Casey: You heard what the detective said. She slept in one of the first rooms to reach from the front door. Perhaps a junkie needs some money. We don't know how much was in her purse. Now there is only some change in it.

Meg: I am sorry for all of this. This was supposed to be a nice weekend in the mountains, but everything had turned out horribly! I can't reach anyone. If we go home tomorrow I will ask Amy's parents if there is anything I can do.

Mark: Oh, oh!

Jennifer: It looks like we won't be leaving tomorrow. Look at the weather...

Meg: An avalanche?

Paula: They say it takes about two or three days if there's not an other avalanche coming down.

Michael: At the moment we can only wait and see. We should make the best of the situation. What about a little game to take our minds off of everything?

 

 

Chapter Two

At a place anywhere in America two days later.

Person 1: So, that's the situation. What do you think?

Person 2: Someone should go and see what's going on there. - Get the pieces together.

Person 1: Yes, that's my point. There is one person who can show up there without getting noticed.

Person 2: Me.

Person 1: Yeah... Would you go?

Person 2: That's for sure! turns around and leaves the room) I have to settle an account with somebody out there.

The next day in the afternoon in Sunset Beach.

Jennifer: Meg, thanks very much for the journey. Even after all that happened it was a nice weekend and it was very kind of you to welcome me with open arms.

Meg: That's OK. I wish it hadn't happen but.... Your welcome to join us whenever you like.

Jennifer: Should I stay with you until Ben finally appear.

Meg: I've left messages to him over all that I had to speak to him as soon as possible. He is probably waiting for me.

Jennifer: OK. Then... Thanks again. Bye!

Meg: Bye!

Meg arrives at home and looks for Ben but doesn't find him. She unpacks her baggage and she goes back downstairs .

Meg: Oh Ben! Where are you?

Ben: That sounds a little bit upset, Meg.

Meg: Ben! She moves into his arm.

Ben: Meg! I should stay away for a few days more often if I get this welcome every time. Recognising that there is something wrong .) Meg, are you OK?

Meg: Oh, Ben! Didn't you get my messages? - Amy was murdered in the weekend and then there was an avalanche so that we couldn't leave the valley. I arrived a few minutes ago.

Ben: Meg! I'm so sorry that I wasn't there for you. He gave her a hug. Are you OK?

Meg: At this moment in your arms my world is perfect. She still enjoys lying in his arms for minutes without saying a word. Then she breaks out of the hug. Ben I tried to call you for days. Where have you been?

They walk to the couch and sit down.

Ben: I'm sorry Meg. Seems that my cellular phone isn't working. I try to call you from the hotel but I didn't get a connection. And I didn't noticed that there was an avalanche. What's about Amy's parents? Who put them through that their daughter was killed?

Meg: The police. I tried to phone them but it pointed out that they were out of town for the weekend too. They want an anonymous burial. After another short hug. What about Santa Barbara?

Ben: It took it's time but finally everything went well. short laughter Lucky for us that I had to go. It took me all my patient to do it - and we all know that patience isn't Gregory's strongest point. They look at each other.

Ben: Do you want to go out for a walk on the beach and look at the sunset?

Getting up and hold out his hand to Meg. She takes his hand .

Meg: That sounds wonderful.

In Bens office later in the evening. Ben is reading in a folder and another one is laying on the desk.

Ben: Medical report - personalities to Amy Dreyer - children's disease - broken leg at thirteen - appendectomy - death from suffocation - nothing new! On the other hand there are her parents - the same - seems to be normal lives. Amy, why are you murdered? Do you know you killer?

After a short knock at the door Mark enters the room.

Mark: Ben, is it OK with you if I come to work a little bit later tomorrow? I'd like to donate blood to the hospital.

Ben: Sure. You are all a little bit confused with the Amy's death, aren't you?

Mark: We felt so helpless. Nobody had heard a noise.

Ben: To blame yourself doesn't bring Amy back. There is only one person to blame - the murder. And the police try there best to catch him.

Mark: You're right. I'll go back to work. See you, Ben.

Ben: See you later.

Mark is leaving the office.

Ben: Blood, blood. Ben leafs in the folder. Ah, here it is! Thank you, Mark! That's it! That was the part that didn't fit in. Ben takes the phone and dials a number. Evans. Pause There is a secret about Amy Dreyer. She must be adopted be Mr. and Mrs. Dreyer. But there is nothing like that in the papers. That means it is maybe not an official adoption. I don't think it's a good idea to go to Mr. and Mrs. Dreyer and ask them about the adoption. If it was illegal they won't be answering my questions. Did you have somebody to check this out. He listens to the phone. OK! Then I wait for your call. He finished the call and goes to the window.What does that mean? Who are you Amy Dreyer? With a sigh he take the other folder.

Ben: OK. People in Ben Evans life: Mark Wolper, Casey Mitchum, Micheal Bourne, Vanessa Hart, Paula Stevens, the Richards' family, the Torres' family and for sure Meg Cummings. The sweet and innocent Meg! Can I trust you, my dear? Help God, that I can figure out what's going on before anyone else has to die.

 

 

Chapter Three

The next morning. Meg came down the stairs and went over to Ben to give him a good-morning-kiss.

Meg: When did you come home last night? I didn't hear you? Going to the table to take a cup of coffee and looking for a little breakfast.

Ben: I was very late and didn't want to wake you up so I slept in the guestroom.

Meg give him a strong look: Ben!! It doesn't matter if you wake me up! I want you next to me!

Ben goes behind her and puts his arms around her: I will remember the next time. What will you do today?

Meg: Think I'm at the media center until half past four and then meet Gabi and Vanessa at around five o'clock at the Java Web. We want to go shopping.

Ben grinning: Java Web, hmm? Will you do me a favor? Go and look for the owner. I think he will feel a little bit lost without seeing his finance the whole day, will you?

Meg smiling herself: Oh, I think I can manage to show up at his office for a second - or two.

Ben: I have to go. See you later darling.

After a short kiss he went out while Meg is looking after him thinking about a surprise for the afternoon .

At the police station in the mountains.

Ben: Are there any news in the case?

Police Officer: Sorry, but we don't know more than we did a few days before. We thought that it was a waste of time to speak to everyone that was invited to your house again. She - Amy - takes a sleeping pill and together with this bit of alcohol - perhaps she didn't hear her murder herself.

Ben: Could I read the reports? Maybe I see a fact in the reports because of my knowledge of the place you didn't realise.

Police Officer suspicious: But you have to read them here! Take place at the table over there. You get them in a few minutes.

While reading the reports Ben suddenly stops. There was a report of a persons he doesn't remembered . Jennifer MacGrow. Trying to figure out something about her he act like he knows her.

Ben: Jennifer MacGrow. I thought she should depart the day before.

Police Officer: I don't know anything about this. She was still there at that night and the next days.

Ben to himself: Jennifer MacGrow. Never heard about her. I have to ask Meg for her. - Meg! Looking at his watch . Damn! She would come to the Java Web after work! Evans, hurry up!

Ben to the Police Officer): Thanks for your help. Bye.

He goes out of the police station and straight to the waiting helicopter .

Later at Bens office . The door opens and Meg slowly comes in .

Meg: Knock, knock. Someone in there?

Ben looking around: Sorry, it's only me. Disappointed?

Meg: Oh, I think I can handle it. Showing him a picnic basket . But what should I do with these basket? It's a picnic for two.

Ben: Are there strawberries inside?

Meg: And a lot of other good things my fiancé prefers inclusive a bottle of red wine. Too bad! Maybe Michael and Vanessa would like it.\line Ben: Perhaps I can help you?

Meg sounds surprised: You?

Ben: If you really want to have a picnic I can replace our fiancé.

Meg: Hmmm. - But my fiancé is a very kind person.

Ben smiling: I will do my best to be kind to you. Helping her to prepare the picnic at the floor of the office . Maybe you could give me some advice to be kind to you. He turns on the CD-Player with romantic music . What do you think? It is kind to ask you for a slow dance?

Meg trying to hide a grin: Sounds like a good beginning.

They are dancing for a while.

Meg: We should do this more often. Dancing, spending time with each other - forgetting the whole world outside.

Ben: You're right. Sometimes we forget the simple things in life.

Meg: There is one thing we never forget ...

Both: ... sunsets! They laugh .

Meg: Fine. Are you ready to take a snack.

She leads him to the blanket and both enjoy the meal . A few minutes to five Meg's ready to leave .

Ben: By the way Meg. Somebody asked me about a person called Jennifer MacGrow. Do you know her?

Meg: Yes, I do. She studies together with Sean and ... Amy. They're friends. She joined us for the trip in the mountains. I like her.

Ben: Great. Sounds like the trip was good too. You found a new friend. He answers Megs kiss for goodbye . Have a nice afternoon and my kindest regards Gabi and Vanessa.

Meg: Thanks, bye.

The phone rings and Ben answers it.

Ben: Evans.

Man: You're right. Amy Dreyer is adopted. We couldn't find out where she cames from until now. But she isn't American.

Ben: Maybe she was kidnapped in her childhood.

Man: Seems to be. We'll check it out. I'll give you a call when I got news.

Ben: There's not much time for us!

Me: I know. Don't worry, we'll do our best. Bye.

Ben: Bye. He slowly hangs on the phone . Don't worry? Easy to say!

 

 

Chapter Four

Later in the Waffle Shop. Gabi, Vanessa and Meg take place in good mood after the shopping.

Gabi: Awww, I really need a refreshment.

Vanessa: So do I! Laughing. Is there any shop left we didn't visit.

Gabi and Meg fall into her laugh.

Meg: I can't imagine! Oh, God! My feet are killing me.

Elaine: What can I do for you, Ladies ... beside calling for a truck to bring home you shopping bags.

Vanessa smiling: How about distract the attention of Casey, Ben, Mark and Michael when we take it home. They will tease us the whole evening when they catch us with all the bags.

Gabi laughing: They wouldn't understand that we only bought the essentials!

Jennifer shows up and join the friends. She smiles when sees the bags.

Jennifer: Anything left in the shops?

Meg smiling: Not a lot!

Jennifer: Meg, was Ben at home when I left you yesterday? Is he okay? Thought you were concerned about his whereabouts?

Meg: No, he wasn't. But he came just a short time after me. He's fine, thanks.

Vanessa: Take a seat. We just arrived for a refreshment.

Elaine: That brings me back to my question. What do you like to drink? '

After leaving the Waffle Shop the women heads to Surf Central.

Jennifer: OK. Me first. I check out the situation. After a short look inside. Fine, the coast is clear. Come in.

After bringing their bag in their rooms they meet in the kitchen.

Meg smiling: Silly - sneaking into our own home! What about a big salad with eggs, cheese and ham.

Vanessa: Sounds good to me.

Jennifer: Would you like to go to the tequila sunset afterwards?

Meg: Good idea! Ben asked me about you this afternoon. Perhaps we can manage to meet him if you like to.

Jennifer: Of course. I really like to meet him.

At Ben's office. He is standing at the window starring at the sea.

Ben to himself: Where are you my friend? You can't vanish into thin air. - And I swear to you, this time we work it out.

It's knocking at the door.

Eddie: Ben, it's me. Eddie Conners. Am I allowed to come in? He opens door after waiting for a moment and there is now answer . Come on, Ben? I know you are here. He sees him standing at the window . What are you doing?

Ben: It's not of your business. What do you want, Eddie? Didn't recognise your back in town.

Eddie comes in and closes the door: I heard you are searching for information around Amy's death, aren't you?

Ben: And ... do you have any information?

Eddie: No, not by now. But I think you need a private investigator!

Ben sarcastically: That's the part you get in, isn't it?

Eddie: Ben, I can help you.

Ben: Eddie, if I need your help, I will let you know. He goes to the door and opens it. If you would leave me alone, I've to work.

Eddie: You will come to me! Eddie leaves the office.

Ben to himself: Damn! An other person to deal with!

He gets back to the desk and works until he notices that they are playing "Beyond the sunset" down in the Deep. He look down and find his friends smiling looking up to him. He goes to join them.

Ben laughing: You did call for me. Gives Meg a kiss.

Meg smiling happily while looking at Ben: How did you notice?

Ben take a look a round at his friends: You'd have a good shopping I see. You look great - all of you, girls!

Vanessa: Thanks, Ben! Kissing his cheek. Michael didn't notice until now that he didn't recognise my dress!

Michael: I did notice. But I'm waiting with my compliments until I figured out if there is something else which I maybe see later on.

Everybody laughs.

Meg: Ben, this is Jennifer MacGrow. Jennifer, Ben Evans.

Ben taking her hand: Nice to meet you. Addressed to everybody. What's about taking place. Mark can you get drink to us.

Casey: We don't want to disturb you. Only say hello.

Ben smiling at him: You're welcome. I think I can take a short break. And then ... as the owner I have to look after my regular guests.

Gabi: That's true.

Ben: Jennifer, I've never seen you before. Where did you come from?

Jennifer: I'm from Ireland. After school I moved to LA for to study.

Ben: Don't you miss your family?

Jennifer: They passed away by an accident at my last year in school. - So I'm on my own.

Meg: I'm sorry for you. I didn't know that. If you need an help or an advise someday, please ask for it.

Jennifer: Thanks, that's very kind of you.

Ben: OK. I've to return to my paperwork. Have a nice evening. He goes back to the office.

Jennifer: Meg! You're so lucky. He is so ... great and

Vanessa: ... handsome?

Michael: Hey!!

Jennifer laughing: Yeah, very handsome.

 

Chapter Five

Jennifer is sitting in the Java Web about to surf on the internet when she hears two persons speak about Ben.

Annie: ... he will come back to me!

Gregory: Annie! You have spoken like that since Meg showed up in Sunset Beach. Tell me if I'm wrong. But didn't he go after Meg when she left Sunset Beach, and didn't he propose to Meg , and didn't he put Megs clothes to his bedroom a few days ago. Why do you think you will have him to yourself?

Annie: She is boring. Since they got to know each other there's been so many things happening around them, for example my "death" or the cave-in that he didn't realise it. But if they live together for a while he will figure it out and turn back to me!

Gregory: Ben did know her before she moved to SB, for a year over the internet. Seems to me that it doesn't bore him talking to her!

Annie: You will see!

Gregory laughing: Yeah, we will see! Good luck to you Annie! Though I have to go. Bye Annie!

Jennifer is trying to hide a grin when Annie notice her...

Annie: Did you enjoy our private chat?

Jennifer: Of course I did! Seems to me as if there is a special person bored by you not by his fiancée.

Annie: It's not of your business!

Jennifer: That's right. It would be if I heard something like that from a person which could come between my friend Meg and her fiancé. But after all it seem to me that I don't have to be concerned about you doing that.

Annie: A friend of corngirl Meg! Another groupie of Miss Wonderful! Get back to where you belong.

Jennifer grinning: Actually, that's why I'm here. What about you? Is there a place somewhere where you belong to?

Annie: Girl, this town is mine. Open up your eyes.

Jennifer: Oh, pardon me! I haven't noticed you. Have you been ill?

Annie: Ill? Are you drunk or crazy or both?

Jennifer: I thought that's why I never meet you on parties or somewhere else.

Annie: It's to silly for me to stay with college girls.

Jennifer amusing: I never thought about it! Poor Ben! He had to come to this parties whether he likes or not because of Meg. Maybe sarcastic he's very bored of parties! Speaking with Casey and Michael or dancing with Meg - it must be a hard time for him.

Annie: Ben can take care of himself. Speaks and disappears .

Jennifer laughing: What a kind person!

At Ben's office.

Mark: Fine, I think that's all. Stop! Ben, where is the wine you bought last week.

Ben: Wine?

Mark: Friday! On your way to Santa Barbara!

Ben: Oh, Mark I'm sorry but I was late for the meeting and forgot it on my way back.

Mark: Okay. Then I ask them to send us the delivery.

Ben: Thanks Mark.

Mark leaves the office and Ben gets back to his paperwork when a well known sound gets Ben to look up at the screen to read his incoming e-mail message.

Dear friend, here are some news about my investigations.

First Amy: She is definitely kidnapped in her childhood. We could find a man how was involved in a few adoptions with kidnapped children and he remembered the case because it was special. Only a few days after the adoptions the new parents of Amy disappeared and left the child at the doorstep of a cousin. They decided to give the child a home and adopted her two years later. Actually, I don't think that the Dreyer's know that the child isn't there niece. Where Amy came from didn't the man know but we have a trail and will follow it.

Second Jennifer: For sure I can only say that she had lived in Dublin the last two years and that her parents died at that time. But we couldn't find anything about her before her time in Dublin. That doesn't say she didn't stay nor that she did. A neighbor remembered that the mother was English so we'll have to check it out too.

About the last person you asked for we try to put the things together of the day the person disappeared. But beside an appearance in the office nobody has noticed the person that morning. Since noon the car was standing back at the carport at home. I know that isn't much but we use everything and everyone we get to find out more.

I'm with you.

Ben: Noon and three hours later somebody noticed the absent. He called to the office and to the home as well but nobody answered the call. Then he decided to go to the police. All together there are four or five hours left. - Damn! I know everything of you and nothing at the same time. What happens after your return at home? Playing with a pencil .Hey! There was a another appointment that day. Did you show up there or pass it too? He takes the phone .

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BACK