"My father…stepfather, I mean…Derek." She was confused, her mind was reeling. How could this be?

Jennifer and Jonathan looked at each other, unsure of how Andie had drawn that conclusion. One minute they were talking about the man who had attacked her and the next she was accusing her stepfather of attempted murder. What was the connection between these two men? They needed more details.

Jonathan leaned forward in his chair, hoping that having the questions coming from him rather than the police would have a calming effect on Andie. "Andie, I know you think that your stepfather may be involved," He paused, "But how does this Tony DiMarco fit in?"

She reached for a tissue, blotted away the tears, and bravely began to speak. "Remember how I told you that I did the books for Derek's business?"

Jonathan nodded to her, signaling her to continue.

"Well…about six months ago, not long after my mother's death, I was doing the books and I noticed a new employee on the payroll. I questioned Derek about it, but he brushed me off, and told me just to take care of the checks. He acted kind of funny about it, as if it were something I wasn't supposed to know about. I thought it was strange…I never saw this employee…but Derek kept paying him. I guess I know now what he was being paid for."

"That's all we need to drag this Derek character in for questioning." Lieutenant Grey was already reaching for the phone to request that the San Diego police pick up Derek and bring him in. "I'll bring them up to speed on the case and have them talk to him. He's not in my jurisdiction so my hands are tied. But I know most of the officers there and they owe me some favors. If he's guilty, they'll get it out of him. I'm going to keep a guard watching you at all times, Miss Brenner, but you are free to go for now. Watch yourself." Then, as an afterthought he asked, "Will you be staying with the Harts?"

Andie wasn't sure where she would be, her life was in such turmoil. She was about to tell the graying, yet distinguished looking Lieutenant just that when Jennifer spoke up.

"Yes, you can reach her at our house. She'll be staying with us…indefinitely." Jennifer smiled at Andie, she genuinely liked the woman and wanted to be there for her. She had a feeling that Max would approve of their new house guest too.

"I'll be in touch then." Lieutenant Grey started dialing the phone, "I'll let you know what I find out. If you need anything you know where to find me."

The three thanked the Lieutenant for his time and exited the office as the Lieutenant began issuing the order over the phone for Derek to be brought in for questioning. He was going to get to the bottom of this. Andrea Brenner seemed like a nice woman and he actually felt sympathy for her situation, an emotion he had shut out many years before.

As they left the station, Andie looked around and saw several suspects being interrogated by the officers. For a moment, she pictured Derek sitting in the cold and impersonal office and wondered if she was doing the right thing. Maybe she should have gone to him with her suspicions. Maybe they could have resolved it. But it was too late, it was already done. She wondered what would happen to him and how he would react to being questioned. Would he confess? But mostly she just hoped she wouldn't have to face his wrath, he was going to be extremely agitated over this one.

For the first time in a long time, Andie actually felt relaxed. As she sat in Chassens with the Harts, sipping a glass of wine, she looked almost happy. If a stranger were to have looked at her, they would never have suspected the trying times she was going through. Jonathan and Jennifer had taken her shopping on Rodeo Drive, an extravagance she never would have believed she would have experienced in her life. She had nothing with her so Jennifer had suggested that they just "pick up a few things." She felt guilty at allowing the Harts to spend money on her, but both Jennifer and Jonathan had been insistent. Somehow she would find a way to pay them back. But for now, she was having a good time and didn't want to think about that. Tomorrow she would go to her apartment and pick up the rest of her things, she didn't have much, and bring them to the Harts. She couldn't return to that apartment to live, no matter how this situation resolved itself. After this nightmare was over, she would begin again, a new life filled with many possibilities. The corners of her mouth gradually turned up into a smile--maybe things would be okay after all.

The three of them had a lovely dinner. Jennifer and Jonathan took turns sharing stories of her father. And they laughed a lot, something which Andie hadn't done in such a long time. They told her of Max's quirky little habits, his affinity for the horses, and the way he was always there to pull them out of a jam whenever they needed him. They felt comfortable talking about him with Andie, something they never did with anyone else around. They wanted her to know what a wonderful man he had been and what an important part of their lives he had been. He was family, and now, so was she.

They returned home a couple of hours later, exhausted but content. They noticed the guard at the front gate and were thankful that Lieutenant Grey had kept his promise. As they entered through the kitchen door, the phone was already ringing. Andie stopped dead in her tracks. It would probably be the Lieutenant and she wasn't sure she wanted to hear what he had to say. Jonathan ran into the living room and took the call, he wanted to be out of earshot of Andie if the news wasn't good. He would have to tell her anyway, but he preferred that he deliver the news in his own way.

"Hello," he spoke into the receiver. "Oh, hi Stanley. What did you find out?" He listened intently as Stanley rambled on at the other end of the connection. "Uh-huh….yes…ok…Thanks Stanley, I owe you one…See you Monday." He hung up the telephone and returned to the kitchen to find Jennifer and Andie talking quietly, almost privately. As he entered, a silence came over the room, as the two women halted their conversation.

"I can leave if I'm interrupting," he said, suspicious of the nature of their conversation. "If this is girl talk…"

"No, darling, you're not interrupting." Jennifer walked around the island in the center of their kitchen which had been between them. She took his hand, intertwining her fingers with his and kissing him lightly on the cheek. "Who was that on the phone?"

"It was Stanley."

"On a Saturday night? Jonathan, what are you up to?" Jennifer knew her husband too well. There was only one possible explanation for a phone call from Stanley Friesen on a weekend-Jonathan was playing amateur detective again.

"Well, I asked Stanley to gather a little information for me," he said, turning to Andie to explain. "Stanley works for Hart Industries and I called him to gather a little information on Derek for me. It's not that I don't trust the police to do their job…just that I like to find out a little extra information…the kind that the police aren't likely to find, or if they do, they aren't likely to share it with us."

Andie was curious. "And did he? Find the information, that is."

"Yes, Stanley is very thorough. I don't know how he does it."

Jennifer was intrigued. "Jonathan, what did he tell you?"

"Well, it appears that your stepfather is currently suspected of some illegal activities. There hasn't been any formal police investigation, but the rumbling among his competitors is that he is participating in some unethical business practices. They say he is bidding for jobs and contracting to use high quality materials but that when the actual construction takes place, the company is substituting substandard materials which cost less and pocketing the difference. He is able to bid jobs lower this way, therefore eliminating his competition. And he still can make a large profit with the substitution he is making."

Andie's eyes widened as Jonathan delivered this news. "Isn't that dangerous?"

"Yes, it can be very dangerous. I'm guessing that he is somehow connected with one of the local city building inspectors, otherwise the shoddy work would never be certified as being up to code. But city officials aren't high paid and I'm sure that there are many of them who would be more than willing to pad their income a little and turn the other way."

"Is that all that Stanley found out?" Jennifer wondered if there was more, her husband's face told her that there was.

"No, but I am not sure how this piece fits into the puzzle. The rumor on the street is that Sanders Construction is going to be sold. It hasn't actually been put on the market but one of the competitors that Stanley spoke to this afternoon said that Derek came to him personally and suggested that it would be available for the right price. The man told Stanley that he wasn't interested though, he felt that the company was headed for trouble. Apparently, Derek actually acted shocked that the man wouldn't jump at the change to buy such a profitable company. All it takes is for one of these buildings that Derek has built with the substandard materials to collapse and the lawsuits would wipe out Sanders Construction completely."

"Derek is trying to sell the company? I can't believe that, it's been his whole life. I don't understand." Andie was completely confused now.

"More than likely, Andie," Jonathan explained, "Derek realizes that he could be in legal and financial trouble if his unethical business dealings come to light. He is probably trying to get out of the whole mess before everything collapses around him, literally."

"I can't believe he didn't tell me about this. We haven't been speaking much lately but I am still an interested party."

"What do you mean, Andie," Jonathan wanted to know, "How does his selling the company affect you?"

"Like I told Lieutenant Grey, when my mother's father died, my mother inherited his half of the business. Derek continued to run the whole thing, my Mother wasn't interested in it at all. Derek provided well for her so money wasn't an issue for her. She was much more interested in her social causes and lunching with her girlfriends than running a construction company. As long as she didn't go without, she was content to let Derek take care of business matters. When my Mother died, Derek, as her husband, inherited her portion of the company. However, her will stipulated that I be provided for and that I be named as Derek's beneficiary in the event of his death. She was always concerned with my well being. She really was a good mother." Her last statement was almost in defense of her mom, as if she needed to convince Jonathan and Jennifer of what a good person her mother was.

"I'm sure she was." Jennifer didn't doubt it for a minute. Andie was a fine woman and she was obviously loved by her mother and raised well.

Andie continued, "Her will stated that even though Derek would inherit the company at the time of her death, that I would receive a percentage of the profits from the company's operations. It isn't an incredible amount but certainly enough to live on. And I have supplemented it with my work at the company for which I drew an additional salary. Since I have been in Los Angeles though, it is all I have to live on. It is directly deposited in my bank account once a month. Despite my leaving Derek hasn't tried to cut me off financially. In fact, the amount of money that has been appearing in my account since I left San Diego has been substantially higher than what I was getting before. I guess the company has been doing better."

"How does it affect you if Derek sells the company?" Jonathan was still failing to find a motive for the attempted murder.

"If he sells the company, I will receive 50% of the profits from the sale," Andie answered, "The 50% that would have been my Mother's."

"Wow," Jennifer said, sounded slightly shocked, "That's quite a payout."

Something in Jonathan's brain clicked. "Perhaps Derek isn't feeling like sharing." He pondered it for a moment before speaking, "Andie, who is the beneficiary in your will?" He thought he might be onto something here.

She shook her head slowly in disbelief as the pieces fell into place for her. "Derek is. He is my sole heir."

Andie became strangely quiet, staring out into space. Jennifer looked to Jonathan for some assurance that everything would be alright. Andie was in shock, she felt like her whole world was crumbling down around her. But it all made sense, finally. She had known it since the night she was brutally attacked but hadn't wanted to face it. It was real now, and she could deny it no longer. Her stepfather, the man that she had called Dad for so many years, was trying to kill her. And for money! Maybe he resented the fact that he had to share the money with someone who wasn't really his blood. She didn't know. Though things hadn't always been easy between them, she still did feel something for him. How could she not? Apparently those same feelings weren't shared by him. She felt sick in the pit of her stomach, a kind of sickness that could only be brought on by utter disgust. She stood up and walked away from the couch, toward the windows, feeling as if she needed to be free. She stared out into the ocean, wishing that she could walk into it and be swept away, to a place far, far away where no one could hurt her.

Jonathan left the room, leaving Andie and Jennifer alone. He wanted to call Lieutenant Grey and explain the recent developments. After a bit, Andie came over to Jennifer, taking a seat on the love seat across from her.

"You're probably wishing you'd gotten out of that parking garage a little sooner, huh?" Andie laughed a little as she said this, though there was some truth to it.

"Andie, we want to help you. Believe me, Jonathan and I don't need you to get into trouble, we usually do quite well on our own!"

"But your trip…"

"Forget about that, this is more important. We want to help. And having you here is like having a little part of Max back. I can see him in you…your eyes…your smile…the way your forehead wrinkles when you're tense."

Andie laughed and looked more than a bit surprised. "Really?"

"From the minute I looked into your eyes, I knew you were his daughter. I hope that when this is all over we'll get to see the same sparkle in your eyes that he used to get when he was happy. That's what he would want…for you to be happy. And we're going to do everything we can to make sure that happens for you."

"My mother was right. She said she had a feeling that you were good people. That's why I came to you…and I thought I might get to know my father through you. I just wish I hadn't caused you so many problems."

"I don't want to hear anything more about that. We're in this together, do you understand?"

Andie knew it was useless to argue with her. Besides, she knew she couldn't do this alone. "Ok, I got it."

Jonathan returned to the living room, carrying a bottle of wine from the cellar, and three glasses. It was turning out to be another day like the one before and he thought that maybe a drink would take the edge off for all of them.

"Can I interest you two ladies in a glass of wine?" He was speaking in his best Cary Grant impression, trying to lighten the mood. His blue eyes twinkled as he did his best to look charming. Andie looked to Jennifer for an explanation, raising her eyebrows and looking more than a little confused. Jennifer rolled her eyes before speaking.

"Sometimes he thinks he's Cary Grant. Usually if you just ignore him, he'll stop."

"I see, " Andie replied, trying to stifle her laughter so not to offend her host.

"Just pour the wine, darling." Jennifer didn't want to encourage her husband's behavior tonight, though she had to admit she sometimes found it amusing.

He did just that, handing them each a glass, and taking a seat next to Jennifer.

"I spoke with Lieutenant Grey," he began to explain, "He had just gotten off the phone with the San Diego PD."

"Did they talk to Derek?" Andie blurted out, "Is he is jail?"

"No, I'm afraid not. They spoke with him for 2 hours but didn't have enough to hold him. He denies any connection with the man who attacked you and he himself has an iron-clad alibi for the time of the attack. He was apparently at a dinner party with several dozen witnesses."

Andie was angered. "Naturally he wouldn't admit it. Doesn't my statement mean anything?"

"They are placing him under 24-hour surveillance. If he makes a move, the police will know it." Jonathan wished he could reassure her, but this was the best he could do.

"I knew it was a mistake to go to the police. I should have just disappeared." Andie was worried now, she hadn't wanted to provoke Derek's anger. What would he do now?

"You'll be safe, Andie," Jonathan told her, "I promise. We're not going to let anything happen to you."

She needed to get away, to be with her own thoughts. She knew the Harts were trying to help but she needed to sort out things for herself. "I'm kinda tired, I think I'm going to turn in now." She started to walk away. "Thank you so much for everything. I'm sorry." Before they could even say a word she had retreated from them and disappeared into her room, the room that had once belonged to her father.

Jennifer leaned into Jonathan, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face in his neck. He responded by kissing her soft hair and wrapping her in his arms as tightly as he could. They sat there, just holding each other until, finally, Jonathan's voice broke through the stillness of the room.

"We really are going to make this okay, darling."

"I know," she responded, lifting her head to look into his eyes. "You always do." She kissed him softly on the lips, the taste of the wine still lingering on them. She trusted him completely and her confidence in him was unwavering. If anyone could make this right for Andie, it was him.

Later, in their bedroom, Jonathan pondered what he should do next. He turned to Jennifer who was in bed beside him, propped up against the headboard doing the New York Times crossword puzzle. She did them to relax sometimes, to take her mind off of things.

"Darling?" He had an idea and wanted to share it with her.

"Uh-huh." She was involved in her puzzle and hadn't even looked up. He could have told her that there was an wild animal in the bedroom and would have gotten no reaction.

"Darling?" He tried to get her attention, this time speaking with more force and leaning over close to her.

"Oh, I'm sorry, darling." She looked at him and reached out to brush his face with her hand. She put down the newspaper. "You have my undivided attention."

"I was thinking…What do you think about paying a little visit to Derek Sanders tomorrow?"

She knew that his mind was already made up. "I'm guessing that you have already decided to do this?"

"I thought that maybe we could get him to say something that he hasn't already said to the police. And maybe if we mention what we found out from Stanley he'll say something and trip himself up. The police didn't know about the will when they spoke with him. If he thinks we're on to him he might panic and do something stupid."

"What time should I be ready?"

"I knew I could count on you," he said, taking the newspaper from her and tossing it across the room. He rolled over and turned out the light, before returning to her. Reaching for her, he pulled her down under the blankets till they were lying there face to face in the dark. The warmth of their bodies comforted each other as they kissed, first tenderly and then with more intensity. They needed each other in a way that only they understood. Her delicate fingers gently played with the hairs on his chest, toying with him. He caressed her smooth skin, his hands causing tingles up her spine. Before long, their pajamas laying scattered on the floor next to the bed, their bodies joined together and they gave themselves completely to each other. As they drifted off to sleep, they each knew that this was where they belonged.

The dark colored sedan slowly approached the gate leading to the Hart's home. It gradually came to a stop, making sure to keep at a safe distance. The occupant, a short, dark-haired man, reached into the seat next to him to grab his high powered compact binoculars, wishing to assess the situation before attempting to gain access to the grounds. He had been told that the time table had been sped up, Andrea Brenner had to be eliminated, and fast! Something must have happened to cause his employer to panic like that. He had received the call a few hours before, the gentleman on the other end sounding nervous and agitated. He was instructed to "remove this obstacle" within the next 24 hours. Of course, he had seen this as his opportunity to capitalize on the man's desperation-he had asked for, and received, and additional $5,000 for his prompt service. An amazing feat, he thought, as he had already botched the job twice. He reached into the glove compartment and retrieved his gun, already loaded with bullets and tucked it into his belt. He raised the binoculars to his face, focusing in on the gate, marked with the letter H on it. This wasn't the sort of neighborhood he usually worked in, the security might be tough to penetrate. Might be a challenge, he thought to himself, a smile crossing his lips that matched the evil look in his dark eyes. He continued to survey the situation, checking the security panel and the height of the walls which formed a fortress around the regal home. Just then, a police patrol car entered his field of vision. This would certainly make things more complicated. But he was a patient man, he could wait for the officer to complete what was undoubtedly a routine security check. The LAPD cruiser parked at the gate, the officer inside remaining motionless. He was going to have to rethink his strategy, obviously this officer had been sent to protect his target. He laughed, a diabolical laugh, amused by the fact that he, a small time criminal, was going to have to go head to head with LA's finest. Not tonight though, he was going to have to take a different approach. He would retreat to his apartment on the west side of the city and develop a plan. Tomorrow. He would take her out tomorrow. She couldn't stay inside the Hart's gated mansion forever. He would get her on the outside. He carelessly tossed the binoculars into the back seat, started the engine, and slowly drove away, in the opposite direction of the gate so as not to be seen by the on duty officer. By this time tomorrow, he thought to himself, Andrea Brenner would curse the day Tony DiMarco was ever born.