"There's oil leaking somewhere into Loch Ness. My guess is it's seeping into the aquifer, which is why no one's discovered it. The eel that attacked me had lesions on its brain. It's not lethal, but it affects the animal's disposition. The oil's also preventing salmon and other fish from entering the Loch. It's affected the food chain, altering Nessie's diet!"

"Sweet Mary. Zack, how long will she live? How much bigger will she get?"

"I don't know. Anguilla die after they spawn, it's sort of a biological termination device. Who knows with these Guivres?"

"Geez, Zachary, ye really did it! Ye solved the mystery, everyone said ye would. But calm down, ye're makin' me crazy. Come an' sit by me."

I took several deep breaths, then crawled into bed with her, cuddling under the sheets.

"What are ye gonnae do then? Call a press conference?"

"I don't know. I'm not sure what good it would do at this point.

Science is one thing, but we've got a berserk animal on the loose. And it's… complicated."

"What do ye mean?"

"Angus lied. Nessie never killed Johnny C. Angus knew about the creature and used it as an alibi."

"Then he did murder Cialino?"

"Yes, and it was premeditated. If I don't produce this evidence, Angus walks away, Scot-free, as they say."

"But if ye tell the truth, yer father'll be found guilty."

"And most likely hanged."

She pulled me closer. "We're both exhausted. Get some sleep before ye decide anythin', a tired mind cannae think straight."

"I'm too pumped up to sleep."

She rolled over, her eyes seducing me as she climbed on top of me, pulling me into her warmth.

Our lovemaking soothed my brain fever, at least for the moment. When we were through, Brandy curled her back and buttocks against my chest and fell asleep. I put my arm around her and closed my eyes, comforted by her warmth and the arriving dawn.

* * *

Soaring through a watery graveyard. A flash of light. I am in a cavern. Alone. Enveloped by darkness. Not alone! Death whispers at me, growling in my brain. Stop! Stop! Stop!

I shot up in bed, bathed in sweat.

Brandy stood over me, trying to shake me awake.

"Zack! Zachary, look at me! Look at me, Zack, it was just another nightmare."

I turned and looked at her, consumed by fear, unable to find my voice.

"What was it then? What did ye dream?"

"I was in the monster's lair. It was dark and cold… cold like death. It seeped into my bones. It surrounded me, whispering into my brain. I couldn't see them, but something was out there, creeping in on me, and my flesh and my mind crawled in their presence. They encircled me… no escape—"