“Always a pleasure to see you too.” Holly said, eyes narrowing

“Well… I um, I, I see you already know each other…” the young man babbled, backing away quickly.

They ignored him, eyes locked in an age-old battle of wills. Elaine Peck had not changed much over the years. Although her hair was now pure white, age had seemingly done nothing to her ramrod straight posture, crisp uniform, and cutting demeanor. Gail used to joke that it was because she fed on the blood of young officers. Elaine Peck might have the entire Toronto Police force under her thumb, but Holly was not backing down, not for an instant.

“What do you want, Elaine?” Holly said in a flat tone.

“Oh, nothing” Elaine purred with dangerous smile “I just wanted to see what brought the famous Dr. Stewart back to our fair city. You know, the one who was too important to care whether my daughter lived or died last year.”

“That’s not fair Elaine, and you know it.” Holly stated as calmly as she could “I had no idea anything had happened to Gail, until I went to the Penny last night.”

“Come off it Holly,” Elaine’s eyes narrowed to blue shards of ice “ I know that you are still in contact with my son and those losers from The Fifteen.”

They glared at each other in stony silence.

“That’s enough Mother!” A distinct and sharp voice cut in.

They turned to find Gail, breathing hard, leaning heavily on her cane, glaring daggers at the two of them.

“You will not speak to Holly that way.” Gail’s left eye twitched, causing her scar to throb.

“But darling..” Elaine began

“Don’t but darling me. This is none of your business.” Gail limped closer to hook Holly by the arm. “Come on Holly, let’s get out of here.”

She lurched off in the direction of the lobby, dragging Holly with her, leaving her mother standing in the middle of the banquet hall, mouth slightly agape, staring after them. As they entered the elevator on the way back up to Holly’s room, Holly began to laugh. Once she started, she couldn’t stop.

“Oh my God! Gail!” she gasped, tears running down her face. “ I have always wanted to see your mother struck dumb, like that!”