Blood. Just one word. One syllable. But it means so many things to so many people.

Your blood can run cold or it can boil. You can try to squeeze it from a stone or let it run in the streets.

Others use blood as a way of saying guilt. Blood on your hands, that sort of thing.

It doesn't even have to be about people. The railroad is a lifeblood of the west. Something is paid for with blood money.

But most of the time, it's family. It's in the blood. Flesh in blood. Blood is thicker than water.

That one. Everyone always gets that one wrong. The real saying is, the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.

Basically, the people you choose mean more than the folks you're born to.

But the fact is that family, the one you had no choice on, has a way of working on you.

It pushes and pulls like the tide. Run as far as you please. But every time you stop to breathe, there it is.

Paulson, just under the skin. A constant drum beat in the background of every second of every day.

Take a long look at yourself. Hard to tell how much is you and how much is them.

A guestess.

As the sun's visaged dips below the mountainous horizon, you find yourself somewhere no one wants to be. In a flashback.

The events of your previous investigation into the murder of Jeremiah Blackwell are still fresh as you're finished preparing to leave dry river and head to the Grayson Agency HQ to debrief.

Arrell has decided to stay and take on a leadership role in town. The word mayor is being thrown around a lot, but no one seems to be against it.

You aren't quite sure where Gandy is. You overheard her saying to Uncle Oni something about the chaos book you found, but you haven't seen her since.

You are suddenly aware of someone staring at you. A lone figure standing still as a statue catches your eye. She's only a stone's throw away, but you disowered. She wasn't there a second ago. You recognize her.

She is Jeremiah's mother, though you can't remember if you ever caught her name. Once you have registered her presence, she approaches.

I can see that you are prepared to leave, so I will not waste your time. I don't believe we have officially met. My name is Elizabeth Blackwell.

It's my pleasure, Ms. Blackwell. My name is Augustus Parsons. I am the CEO in absentia of cash universe.

Excellent. Well, my husband has, I believe, already spoken to you regarding our daughter. However, he wasn't nearly as emphatic as the situation requires. You see, though, he would never admit it. My husband is very ill.

Dying, in fact, I doubt he will make it another two months. I am, of course, sorry to hear of that. Oh, yes, of course. Jeremiah was in line to handle operations at the mind following his father's death. Now that he is dead, there is void. There needs to be filled. I have no interest in running the mind myself. My time is filled with other pursuits. However, our family depends on the income from that mind, so I think you understand the issue.

...