TITLE: "SETTING THE TRAP"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: PG-13

STATUS: SEQUEL to "THREE DAYS"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: http://carlajane.50megs.com/Ali00.html

SUMMARY: "River puts two and two together and the pieces

of the nightmare begin to reflect a chilling pattern."

The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly'

are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

No infringement of copyright is intended.

"SETTING THE TRAP"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Dr Simon Tam stared. Stunned. Top Three Per Cent and he still had trouble wrapping his head around something the Captain had intuitively sensed and he had missed. He was on board Serenity having just checked and re-checked the blood under Tyrone Garvin's fingernails against that in his veins. The two blood types did not match. He moved back from the body and sat without saying a gorram word. He did not even jump when River spoke, unaware that she had snuck in while he worked. Had thought he was the only one on the ship but he might have known that largesse would not last. At least not long enough for the shock to wear off.

"It was supposed to look like natural causes."

He stared at his sister but River was looking down at Ty's body. Her expression sad and somewhat distant. Simon blinked. "What do you mean, *mei mei*?"

His words drew her sorrowful eyes to his face. "He didn't go willingly, Simon." When Simon just stared at her nonplussed she elaborated. Filling in the blanks for him. "He struggled all the way but they couldn't drug him or cause him physical injury. So he was manhandled into place until brick by brick he couldn't move any more."

Simon's mouth dropped open in horror. "*Wode ma*! Mal said they found him in a brick built *jianyu*."

River nodded