CincyKris

The thing I like most about this chapter is how Ralph and Nolan have fully worked their way into each other's lives. The thing I like most about the comments is now I'm imagining a meeting between Norman/Sheila and Drew/Evie, thanks to @Summerabbacat. I'm imagining something like National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, although I don't think Drew owns an RV, nor is he as wonderfully uncouth as "cousin Eddie". But Norman and Sheila have such large sticks up their butts, they probably consider most other people to be the British version of hillbillies.

I assumed the sea would make it's appearance at some time. I'm happy for Rym and Callum. Their adventures are ahead of them, together. But I worry about the Anberans following. They can't transport to a place they haven't been, so the Pactrids will be safe for now. Will the Anberans be satisfied with all of the Pactrid's land? How long will it take to strip the land? They are like a swarm of locusts.

I read this on another sight and it was fantastic! I’m looking forward to reading again and seeing other’s comments. I promise I won’t give any spoilers. The anticipation is half the fun!

This pivotal comment from earlier now comes back full circle: “You’ve really fucked things up, you know that. We’d just got things back on track and then you have to go and do this. Thanks a fucking bunch.” Jackie was a sleeper agent! Or whatever you call it for financial crimes rather than political spies. Everything was a sham, Ludo was the fall guy, Damian was a prop. Did Andreas have an unfortunate family also? Just how much money (or whatever they stole) are we talking about? A ten year set up is a big investment for criminals.

As much as I'm looking forward to his reunion with Rym, I think that his stay in Brookside will help Callum heal, physically and mentally. He has been on an arduous, tension filled rollercoaster ride since the transporter accident. He needs to settle for awhile and get his mind right. Being a productive member of a community will go a long ways towards rebuilding his identity.

Woohoo, the long awaited reunion! This chapter brought only good tidings. Russ' offer was very helpful but not at all oppressive, Verne will be pleased. If Brian and Gordon become friends with Ralph and Nolan, I can see Toby being a helpful "older bro" to the active tomboy twins on a family outing, outdoors of course.

While I don't think that a three way with the hot cop is in the works, I think a future story about the hot cop would be appreciated!

In one way this was hard to read, due to the subject matter, and because we care so much about the characters. But it was so well written, that I'm thankful to have read it. It made me think of the many accounts I've read of suicide and the reasons people kill themselves. One usually assumes it is severe depression and/or the thoughts that their current life is unliveable and will never get better. But now I wonder how many of the vets who took their own lives did it to protect their loved ones. I can't imagine the desperation one must feel at the inability to control their behavior during a PTSD episode. I'm so glad that you have assured us of an HEA, I don't think I could handle Sam killing himself.

I can't help but think of WWII and the secret rebels hiding amongst Nazis. Anytime a government tries to control all communication within it's population, you can guarantee the information is largely false.

It sounds like the local police are fairly sure Ludo and Arthur were in the dark, but are still keeping their options open. If I were them I would probably do the same. It's not fair to Ludo and family, but it is realistic. We discovered that the SFO had been looking at Jackie for awhile, she was not as clandestine as she thought. I wonder about the postcard. I have a hard time believing she really cares about Damian enough to risk getting caught, so all the card seemed to accomplish is to make the police suspect that maybe Ludo really does know her whereabouts. What a selfish bitch!

I liked this chapter on several fronts. Ralph standing up to his parents was big, but continuing his relationship with them on his own terms is even bigger. Ralph and Nolan are communicating and giving each other space. The girls are doing their part in getting Nolan settled in as part of the family. My favorite was the girls dressing in their overalls and scarves and being compared to Marlene Dietrich. She was not only a famous and glamorous actress, she was bisexual, an activist, stood up to the Nazis, and frequently dressed in men's clothing. Wearing overalls to a meeting with a conservative, stuffy grande dame is exactly something she would have done!

I really like this new one. Sev and Ruby are great characters, and I have high hopes for Uncle AD. The vet can get over himself. Ruby comes first.

My three best guesses are embezzling, money laundering, or espionage. But I'm leaning towards money laundering. Embezzlers usually Just cut and run when things get too hot. Since she expected Ludo and Damian to continue to provide a respectable cover, her disappearance was probably rushed. Corporate or political espionage seems unlikely because local cops are investigating, not MI6. If it is money laundering, whichever baddies produced the dirty money may be involved.

I've read a few true crime accounts of real life "those left behind" families. Fortunately Jackie was not a serial killer, so Ludo and Damian don't have to deal with that stigma for the rest of their lives. I think I'm getting on the bandwagon of "Jackie's life was a sham", that would explain her comment that Ludo ruined everything, and also that she chose a suburban life, which was out of character.

When smartphones started to be a thing, my 60-something coworker became addicted to Facebook and some online games. She played constantly at work, it consumed her. Not all addictions are to drugs, I would think that online addictions are similar to gambling addictions in regards to brain chemistry. It is terribly sad that Ry destroyed their relationship, but I don't see how you get past filming and posting sex (and bathroom!) videos without consent. Dan should just move on, trying to change an addict who doesn't think he is an addict is a losing venture. But, @drsawzall is correct, a call to a lawyer is not a bad idea. What if this online porn comes back to bite him in the ass?