The Zodiac of PRA V: The Finale

Chapter 4

After dropping off Darren and Mia, Erin returned home to an aroma of fresh boiled crab. She knew Luke was in the kitchen, the other cook in the house would be Jenna, who was still at the airport. Tossing her keys on the counter, she entered with an aura of confrontation.

Luke sipped the soup carefully “Hey.” He greeted “You’re home finally, how was the ride?”

“It was fine. Can you cook for three more? Mia, Darren and Bonnie are coming over for dinner.” She said while taking slow steps towards him.

“Done!” he laughed “I guessed they would rather have dinner with us after six months of vacation.” Erin nodded without much expression “What’s the matter with you?”

Erin placed her hands behind her back casually “Oh my gosh, what’s that on your hand?” she nodded.

Luke dropped the ladle and looked at his hand “What? What is it?”

It was a wrong move to give Erin the chance to reach for his hand and twisted it behind his back. Yelping in pain while she pushed his head onto the counter “You don't have the right to remain silent. Do you remember what we talked about the night of the P.R.A. annual dinner party six months ago?”

“I have the right to remain silent.” He replied, knowing where the conversation would lead to.

“Do you?!!” Erin pushed harder, hurting him.

“OW!!” Luke groaned “Yes Mam!”

“Do you remember promising me never to mention those two words ever again?” she pressed.

“Yes Mam!”

“Well guess what? I heard from a little birdie today that said you specifically told her those two words and she used it on me and that…that guy today! I warned you Luke, I’d break your arm if I ever heard those words again and I know you are the origin of how those words got around.” She let go quickly and stepped back.

Luke rubbed his arm painfully “That’s not fair. I told Mia by accident.”

“There is no accident with Mia.” Erin shook her head as she searched through the drawers.

“What are you looking for? You know you don’t step in the kitchen unless it’s to eat dinner.” Luke rolled his eyes dramatically.

“I’m looking for a knife to chop your arm off.” She smiled sweetly when she found the drawer “Ooh…isn’t this what Jenna calls…a butcher knife?” She waved it menacingly in front of his face. He showed complete fear after almost tripping over his own foot “I hear it cuts through meat in a perfect carving motion, wanna see?”

Luke laughed nervously “Come on Erin…I know you have a better sense of humor than this…I mean, it’s no big deal right? Unless you care…”

She paused and tapped the end of the knife against her chin “Hmm…let me cut your arm off and if I laugh then we’ll know I have a sense of humor.”

“No…let’s put away the knife and how about letting me get back to cooking?” he pleaded with big eyes.

Erin placed the knife on the counter “Fine, we’ll continue this after dinner.”

Luke sighed with relief as he side stepped her to the stove and began stirring his boiling soup “Sounds like you had a fun day.”

“Look kid, I’m not over this yet. So don’t be making sarcastic comments, that’s my job.” She warned with a wagging finger.

“Yes Mam!” he turned and saluted her.

Finally cracking a smile, she shook her head “What is it about that guy that I don’t like? I mean, I see him and I just want to scratch that sick smile off his face.” She said with clenched teeth. Luke stifled a laugh that she easily caught “Don’t answer that.”

He turned to her with a solemn face “Of course not…I wouldn’t want to lose both arms. How would I ever find a girl that would like a one armed guy?”

Erin smiled “You’ll find her.”

“Yeah, when? I swear Erin, if I don’t get married by the time I’m thirty five, I…I’m gonna turn the other way.” She wrinkled her brows confusingly while he sighed “You know, turn gay.”

She laughed, “You couldn’t if you wanted to.”

“I could. I’d make a handsome gay partner.” Luke stood up for himself.

It only made her laugh louder at his confidence “What’s so funny?” Jenna peeked her head into the kitchen without warning.

Luke nearly dropped the ladle while Erin remained calm “Back so soon? Didn’t need to clean up the dirty work?” she asked with an arch brow.

“Hey, I’m the only adorable half niece to the Head of Security, you think I have to do any dirty work?” Jenna laughed “Pul-lease.”

“You hold a good argument.” Erin replied dryly.

Jenna shrugged and walked to the fruit basket to get herself an apple “So, what was so funny earlier?”

“You tell her.” Erin pointed to Luke.

Chewing on her apple as she turned to him for a response “Okay, Jenna, answer me seriously. Would I make a good gay partner?”

“To the same sex?” she asked nonchalantly.

“No, the opposite!” Luke replied haughtily “That’s where the word ‘gay’ came from.” He added with sarcasm.

“Not with that attitude.” Jenna snickered “Yeah…I guess you’d make a good gay cook but not a good lover.”

“Why not?” he asked in defense while trying to ignore Erin’s shrill laugh.

“One, you keep checking out women.” Jenna began counting her fingers “Two, you know the size of their bra before you even take a second look. Three, you couldn’t keep up in a gay relationship.”

Erin had victory in her hands as she grinned at him “Bingo.”

Jenna laughed as she leaned on the counter top “So you thinking of turning? I know this really cute guy back in college that is the best gay lover I know.”

“How so?” Erin asked curiously.

“He had the apartment behind me and every night a new boy he brought back would claim that when they were getting busy.” Jenna grinned when Luke looked ready to throw up his lunch. She moved closer to Erin and nudged her “How long til he hurls?”

She took her estimate seriously “Hmm…I’d say about one minute and twenty seconds.” She turned back to Jenna and asked loudly “What does he say exactly?”

Jenna cleared her throat to belt out the groaning sound “Oh…Jason…that’s it…You’re the best…yeah…” Luke covered his mouth as he ran out of the kitchen. Jenna’s laughter ran through the house as she pointed at him amusingly.

“Wow…that was more like fifty two seconds.” Erin glanced at her watch. She got off the chair “I’m gonna go clean up before dinner.”

“Hey Erin.” Jenna stopped her. Erin turned with raised brows “Will you ever hate me too?”

“I couldn’t even if I wanted to. You’re too cute.” Erin winked, she knew where the girl was getting at “I’m a fair person, I treat everyone individually. Just because you’re partially related to the guy doesn’t make me dislike you any less.” Smiling, she exited the kitchen with Jenna’s smile plastered to her face.

Sighing, she said to herself “Yeah, I don’t think you’ll agree after next month.”

*************

Dinner began earlier with the arrival of the Chiu family “Hi guys! Welcome back.” Luke answered the door.

“Hi…” Mia sighed with a content smile. She walked past him dreamily and looked around the house “You guys got a new couch?”

Luke turned to Darren strangely “Uh…yeah. Doug had a little accident one night when he fell asleep on the couch.”

“That silly guy, is he still peeing in his sleep?” Mia laughed calmly.

“No, actually, he did too much training that day and ended up having a nose bleed that stained the couch permanently. Erin insisted on getting a new couch.” Luke explained. Mia clasped her hand together and nodded. He inched closer to Darren “What’s the matter with her?”

“She’s trying out this peace therapy that our marriage counselor advised would help her overly active blood pressure.” Darren placed his girl on the ground “Go say hi to everyone BonBon.” The girl in the lavender dress scurried away to the kitchen where she knew Jenna was.

“It’s so nice to be back.” Mia took in a lungful of air and breathed it out happily.

Doug appeared tired and sleepy from the stairway as he nodded to the guests “Hey.” Jogging down the steps as he let out a long yawn.

“Doug…” Mia smiled, she stepped slowly over and hugged him dearly. Dumbfounded, he stood motionless until she let go “I’m so happy to see you.”

He widened his eyes and stepped back and away from her “Dude, your wife is on crack.” Making a rolling motion with his finger, he looked at Darren sadly.

Mia threw her head back with a laugh “Oh Douglas, you are so funny. I sure missed your humorous personality.”

Scratching his head in confusion, he looked at Darren again “What did you do to her?”

“Not me.” He said in defense but was enjoying watching his wife squirm inside. He knew it was driving her crazy.

“Okay, where’s Mia, you freak of nature?” Doug grabbed Mia by the arms and shook her roughly “Get out!!”

She remained calm and the plastered smile grew after he stopped “It’s me. I’m just a different person now that’s all. After spending most of my days watching Oprah, I realized that—”

“That’s why!” Doug laughed, “You can’t even understand half of the time what those people are singing. Remember in high school, we had to watch that Cinderella tale in opera…it was ridiculous.”

Mia narrowed her eyes and pushed her weight on one foot, hand on hips “Oprah not opera, you moron. What kind of idiot has never heard of Oprah. She just has the best talk show in all of the world. A self made billionaire and so full of energy. So before you start yapping about opera, maybe you should open this month’s People magazine and read about her.”

Darren raised his brows “Wow…you did it.”

“Thank you…thank you.” Doug bowed proudly while the guys clapped their hands happily.

“Ladies and gentlemen, dinner is served.” Erin announced from the hallway.

“Great, I’m starving!!” Mia pushed Doug deliberately and rushed towards her seat at the head of the table.

Erin finished setting the table when she saw Mia sitting at the head seat “Mia, this is Doug’s seat now. Since you were gone for six months, we initiated him to take over.”

“Or so he thinks.” Jenna winked slyly.

"Dejavu..." Mia raised her hands to silence the group.

“Ahem!” Doug cleared his through loudly “Get out of my chair, woman.”

“Finders keepers, losers weepers.” Mia stuck her tongue out childishly.

“Ha ha…funny. Get out now!” Doug roared.

She was not bothered or willing to move as she turned to him “Nope.” Mia widened her eyes and he slowly backed away.

“Fine…I’m going to sit next to Bonnie.” He moved back and sat with the giggling girl “Hi sweetie.” Patting her head as he turned to Mia with a pushed up chin.

“Yeah, that’ll show her.” Erin shook her head with a laugh.

“Are we missing anyone?” Darren asked as he counted the people around the table.

“Ryan.” Erin sighed as she prepared to fetch him.

“Wait.” Jenna stopped her, getting up she pushed Erin back in her seat gently “I’ll get him. You guys start.”

Doug served himself the pasta salad and some to Bonnie “I think she has a crush on him.”

“Really genius? How long did it take you to do that calculation?” Mia snapped.

His eyes grew smaller as he glared at her “Is it me or are you growing more immature with each year passing?”

“It’s you.” She replied curtly.

Doug turned to Darren for help “Don’t look at me. I was forced to spend time with her four days a week in exchange to find out what she was dreaming on the plane.”

“Poor guy.” Doug sighed. Mia smiled evilly and he quickly added, “I’m not falling for that again! Don’t even think about it.” He warned.

Chapter 5

P.R.A. Headquarters

Devin sat at the head seat “What did Ted say about the tattooed guy?”

Matt shook his head “Nothing. He won’t open his mouth.”

“I suggested we used torture but apparently it is frowned upon by the Police.” Reina snickered.

“He’ll talk when he realize his little friends ratted him out.” Devin said confidently “I hear Darren and Mia threw those guys a curve ball.”

The Lieutenant laughed “Just their luck, picking on a P.R.A. agent. Serves them.”

“Speaking of which, I saw you searching Erin at the airport.” Reina crossed her arms and swiveled in her chair “Making nice again?”

“Yeah, well you know what they say. A way a woman’s heart is hatred.” Devin sighed “Six months, I’ve tried everything. Hiring old difficult women to force her to quit. Even guys hitting on her left and right at that bar she worked at for a few weeks.”

“Who would have known she had a worse temper working outside of the team. That guy had 4 broken bones in his facial structure.” Matt winced in pain.

“Ouch.” Reina snorted with a laugh “Is that why she quit?”

“She was fired.” Matt said bluntly.

The female captain shook her head “Don’t be mad because I’m gonna say something you don’t like, Devin. But maybe you should just let it be? She obviously has this hatred towards you, why can’t you just let her move on?”

Devin turned away with a touch of solemn sincerity in his eyes “Because Joe told me to take care of her. He cared for each and every one of the agents that he hand picked. After Brad passed away, she hasn’t been the same. She had lost her touch. He asked if I could help her regain it.” Laughing, he felt hopeless “I can’t do it.”

“Wow and all this time I thought you were just lusting over her and wanted her back so you can control her…but I guess I was wrong.” Reina smiled knowingly.

The Head of Security tilted his head playfully “That too…but mostly it was for Joe.”

“Sounds good.” Matt snickered. Twisting his wrist up, he noticed it was late “Ten thirty, time for bed.” Getting up, he nodded to Devin “Nine tomorrow?”

“Yeah, see you then.” Devin nodded.

Reina got and suddenly remembered “Hey, should we let Mia and Darren in on it?”

“I’ll pull them aside tomorrow.” Devin promised.

“How about Ryan? You think it’s time to tell him?” Matt suggested.

Devin shook his head “The kid’s smart but he’s too loyal to Erin. He’d blab it out the second he realize what we were trying to do.”

“It’s not us you need to worry about.” Reina said.

“Jenna.” Devin nodded “I know, she’s been pining over the guy since Shelly’s death. I trust she won’t betray her only half uncle.”

“Blood is thicker than water.” Matt assured him.

************

“Did you like the pasta?” Jenna asked Ryan as they washed the dishes together.

“It was good.” He replied without much feeling.

“It doesn’t sound good.” She said with raised brows “What’s the matter? Was it the crab? To be honest, it made my stomach a little queasy.”

He finally turned to her “Really? I’m fine.”

“Well then what is it?” she pressed.

“This Sunday is Shelly’s one year death anniversary.” He confessed with a sigh “One year, can you believe how fast time is flying?”

“Yeah…” Jenna said, “You’re going to go see her?” Ryan nodded in return “Can I come too?”

Smiling, he turned to her “Of course. Shelly welcomes any friends.”

She grinned happily “Ahem!” Doug interrupted making Jenna jump and slipping the plate from her hands and crashing into the sink “Where are we going?”

“Buy me a new plate.” Erin said from the dining table when she heard the crash.

Luke laughed with a shaking head “She’s got good hearing.”

“Sorry! Doug will buy you a new one tomorrow.” Jenna yelled.

“Okay, Ryan, can I borrow fifty bucks?” Doug asked.

“Sure…oh wait.” He looked at the two dangerously as they laughed, “It must be so fun picking on me.”

“The best!” Jenna agreed.

Doug laughed “Anyways, where are we going tomorrow?”

“Why do WE always have to go everywhere together?” Jenna asked.

“Because we made a bond when we killed what’s his face. We made a pact that we would always be best friends for life.” Doug finished.

“Funny, I wasn’t told about the pact.” Ryan looked dazed.

Jenna chuckled “Me neither. Boy Doug, you sure have vivid dreams.”

“Come on! Tell me where you’re going!” he demanded. When the two exchanged glances, he threw a bigger tantrum “Are you two dating? Erin, they’re dating!!” he pointed accusingly.

“No! No, we’re not!” Jenna turned beet red as she splashed some water towards Doug, scaring him away.

Erin shook her head at him as he stumbled over to take a seat with her and Luke “I love making her blush.” He whispered playfully.

“You’re going to ruin their only chance to ever date if you keep this up.” Erin scolded.

“Oh whatever. Like he’ll ever get over Shelly.” Doug laughed.

“Oh, so you got over Jessie? And your wife’s divorce papers haven’t even cooled yet.” Erin teased.

His lips shivered as he pointed, “Don’t talk about Jessie like that. She’ll always be my only love.”

“And Becca?” Luke asked in shock “Why would you marry the girl if you didn’t love her?”

“Becca was different. She was powerful and very persuasive.” Doug spoke like a true victim of a love crime.

Erin’s eyes rolled upwards “Please Doug. You enjoyed not being the chaser for once. Even if you don’t admit it, I know guys don’t like being shot down. That can’t be fun.”

“No.” Luke grimaced “It sucks. I’ve only had two in my lifetime and whew! It was hard.”

“Two?” Doug looked disgusted “Try 28 times. It’s a wonder I didn’t turn the other way.”

“You think about that too?” Luke was bewildered “I thought I was the only one.”

Erin covered her mouth to keep from laughing while Doug frowned at the handsome tanned guy “It was a figure of speech. I would never turn. Men do not appeal to me.”

“Ahem!” Ryan grunted as he and Jenna joined the table they often came to for a group conversation.

“Except for Ryan.” Doug said sarcastically.

“Really?” Luke raised his brows, surprised by the answer.

“I don’t want to know!” Erin said in defense.

“So, what are we talking about now?” Jenna asked.

“Doug’s obvious problem with commitment.” Erin said casually.

Jenna laughed “Again? That's the third time this week and it's Thursday.”

“I wouldn’t be laughing.” Doug warned, his eyes twitching towards Ryan. Jenna quickly shut her mouth “Anyways, I don’t have a problem with commitment, I have a problem finding the right woman.”

“How about I set you up?” Erin suggested.

“Ooh, I know who! Jackie! At my work.” Luke said excitedly while the rest looked at him blankly “You know, the new intern, she’s very nice. She calls me Luke Gor.”

“Oh, the one with the mustache and the unibrow?” Erin nodded “Yeah, she is nice.”

“Sounds darling.” Doug replied flatly “I don’t need a blind date guys. I’m fine with my two best friends.” He smiled adoringly at Ryan and Jenna, who both shivered with disgust.

Erin laughed “Okay. All jokes aside, I think there is a girl that would be perfect for you. I met her at the hospital last month when I had to go in for stitches on my hand.”

“I don’t remember.” Jenna wrinkled her brows.

“You remember her bartender job.” Luke triggered their memories “I had to take her to the hospital after she broke his nose and some other bones…it tore two of her knuckles apart.”

“Oh yeah…” Ryan nodded “I was napping when Luke called me. My first response was, how’s the guy.”

“I remember!” Jenna nodded “And when you told me I was like, wow…poor guy.”

“He deserved it.” Erin huffed “He tried to kiss me!”

Luke began laughing hysterically “He asked you for your number.”

“Did he have to get that close?” Erin asked in her own defense.

“He had to, the music was too loud, you wouldn’t be able to hear him.” Luke explained.

“As I was saying…” Erin’s nose flared “There was this girl at the hospital, she was very friendly and so talkative, I thought she’d be perfect for you. Apparently, she works at the hospital.”

“Hello! I need a date too.” Luke was hurt she didn’t think of him.

“One at a time.” Erin raised her brows “I’m trying to get rid of the laziest one in the house.”

“I can hear you.” Doug dropped his jaw.

“It was meant for you to hear.” Erin smiled sweetly.

Jenna began laughing amusingly “Shut up twerp!” Doug snapped, “Anyways, just because you think she’s good, doesn’t mean I’ll like her.”

“You’ll like her.” Erin said with confidence “Anyways, I already set up a date with you this Sunday. Just go to the front desk and ask for Dr. Lai, they’ll point you to her office.”

“A doctor?!” Luke and Jenna said in unison.

“Jinx!” Jenna was quicker as Luke had to close his mouth and sat quietly.

“Children…” Erin warned “Yes, she’s a doctor. Does that change your prospect now, Doug?”

“Of course not…but I will go…just because I don’t like standing people up.” He said heatedly. He marched out of the kitchen and remembered abruptly what he wanted to ask “She doesn’t have a mustache or unibrow does she?”

Erin smiled “No, she’s cute as a button.”

"Too cute for Doug." Jenna snickered.

He peeked his head from the kitchen door "Luke!” He left with his head held high while Jenna gaped at him.

"Thanks!" Luke yelled while pointing to Jenna victoriously.

Jenna leaned closer to Erin “Is she really cute?”

She nodded and tapped Jenna on the nose “Cute like you.”

“If that’s at all possible.” Luke added teasingly.

“You’ve always been my favorite.” Jenna grinned perfectly.

“Well you kids continue to talk, I need to sleep. The deli opens early tomorrow.” Erin sighed tiredly.

“Night.” The remaining three said randomly.

Jenna turned to Luke questioningly “Does she like her job?”

"What's it to you?" Ryan asked suspiciously.

Luke smiled “Not that I know of. Personally she spends most of her days talking about the team and old missions she use to go on…why do you ask?” he wondered.

Jenna shook her head “Just curious…I won’t feel so bad…” she whispered to herself.

Chapter 6

Devin sat at the head of the table, relaxed in his leather chair when the conference room glass door sprung open appearing an out of breath Mia “Did… I beat… him?”

“Who?” Devin wrinkled his brows.

“Darren. We had a bet last night…that I would…get here first…” she leaned onto her thighs for support. Raising a hand to pause for more air “I woke up this morning and he was still in bed. I snuck out of the house...”

“Hi honey.” Darren said nonchalantly as he entered with a cup of coffee in his hands.

“Sorry Mia, he was here first.” Devin smiled with a shaking head “It’s nice to know things have not changed between you two. Still keeping the fire alive.”

Mia narrowed her eyes at her husband, who had a smug smile on his face “How did you do that you doofus! I could have sworn you were still sleeping next to me this morning!”

“Ever heard of stuffing pillows? I even added a tape recorder of my fake snoring.” He turned to Devin with a wink.

“Nice touch.” Devin laughed.

“Thank you.” Darren bowed while Mia huffed “Don’t worry honey, you’ll get me next time.”

“I hope you choke on that coffee.” She spat but quickly returned to her old self taking her seat next to Darren, her arm instantly draped over his arm adoringly “So Head, what’s the meeting about today?”

“Terrorists.” He replied shortly “But first, I want to talk to you two about something.” Putting on his serious face, he leaned onto the table “Operation Scorpio.”

“Oh my God! You’re planning to kill Erin.” Mia gasped.

Darren rolled his eyes “You must forgive her, she’s a little dumb in the morning. You want to bring her back to the team?”

“Oh.” Mia scratched the top of her head “I knew that.”

Devin nodded, confirming his question “I don’t want to pressure her, I just want her to come back on her own…but with a little push. I’ve been planning six months ago when she left but it seems, I’m loosing the battle.”

“Maybe you’re doing it the wrong way?” Darren suggested.

“Maybe. I hired a few people to go to her work and make it hard for the boss not to fire her. But eventually, she went to Chuck’s deli. He doesn’t know about my plan and neither does Ryan, so I hope you two will keep it to yourselves and help us get her back.” Devin asked earnestly.

“I can’t do that.” Mia shook her head firmly.

“Why not?” Darren asked.

She turned to him in disbelief “Darren! She’s our friend, I couldn’t plan to go against her. Not to mention, she’ll kick my ass when she finds out I had anything to do with Operation Scorpio!”

“That never stopped you before.” Darren reasoned, “Anyways, you can’t say you don’t want her back.”

“I…I guess…but—” Mia hesitated.

“No buts!” Darren put his foot down “We’ll help Devin, what do you need us to do?”

Devin grinned happily “Okay, my plan is to keep her so interested that it drives her crazy that she doesn’t know about the missions. You tell her a little and then make up an excuse that it’s confidential and you can’t tell her anymore. It’ll drive her crazy.”

“Wow, you know her better than I do.” Mia snickered “All I know is, if she finds out about this, there’s a slight chance that she might not want to come back.” She finished with a sarcastic roll of the eyes.

“She has a good point though.” Darren agreed, “Did you ever think about covering the trail?”

Devin nodded “Yes. But there are still holes. We’ll just make the best of it. IF and when she finds out, I will take the shot for the team since it is MY idea.”

“You are so brave.” Mia’s lips shuttered.

“Wow, you guys are here early!” Jenna let out a long yawn “I needed at least another hour.” Slouching on the chair as she smiled at Devin “Morning Uncle.”

“Morning.” He smiled with a shake of the head “Good thing I changed the time to Nine instead of the usual Seven huh?”

Ryan laughed “It was hell trying to drag her out of bed.”

Mia raised her brows playfully “And what were you doing in her bed?”

“What? No…I wasn’t actually IN her bed…I was just trying…” Ryan turned to Jenna for help.

“She’s teasing.” Jenna waved, it was too early for her to have energy.

Darren stirred the cup of coffee and slid it across the table to Jenna “I think you need this more than I do.”

With the intoxicating aroma of coffee, her eyes fluttered open “Thanks Darren, you’re always be my favorite.” Her lips puckered up ready to take a sip when Ryan took the cup from her hands.

“No Jenna. You know how you get when you have coffee on an empty stomach.” Ryan warned.

“But Daddy!!” Jenna whined.

“We don’t need you bouncing off the walls.” Ryan passed it back to Darren “She gets all shaky and she talks way too fast.”

“Sorry kid, I tried.” Darren shrugged and drank his coffee “Where’s Doug?”

“Oops…we didn’t wake him.” Ryan smiled apologetically.

“Yes, you didn’t.” Doug’s grumpy voice broke into the room as he glared at his other two roommates “Thanks Ryan. I expected from Jenna but not from you.”

Jenna grumbled, “Oh boohoo. Fine, I’m napping until Matt and Reina gets here.”

“That’s right…they’re later than everyone here!” Mia pointed out.

Devin smiled “Actually, they’ve been here since seven. They were doing some research on the Terrorists group that we found at the airport.”

“The ones with the Nazi tattoos?” Ryan asked.

“Yes. Apparently, this is no ordinary Terrorist group. It’s a worldwide gang that formed when 911 hit New York. It is made up of every race and every religion we can think of. We have great suspicion that a group has been formed in Hong Kong just months ago. The information is still hazy but it’s our job to pin them.”

“Do we know the name? Or the head of this group?” Doug asked.

Devin shook his head “No. No leads at all. We’re depending on the CID to give us some information later this week. They’re sending out their undercovers to the underground world and gangs.”

“The tables have turned haven’t they?” Mia began cackling evilly causing everyone to exchange looks. When she calmed herself, everyone was staring at her “What?”

“This is when you explain.” Darren smiled.

“Well at one time we were hidden from the police and no one knew about us. And then we were working under the cops and CID and stuff now, the CID is working for us. Talk about change!”

Doug shook his head “I think you left her brain in California, Darren.”

“I wouldn’t be talking man…oh wait…you’re not a man. Becca took that from you when you gave in to threats and married her.” Mia threw back.

“Ouch! Right below the belt…” Jenna laughed, “If anything else is left there.” She added and Mia began cracking up.

“That’s a good one!” she stood up and waited for Jenna’s high five. The other guys tried hard to control their laughs while Doug’s face boiled with fury “Ah…I missed this.” Mia sighed.

“Women are evil.” Doug growled.

“I could have told you that.” Devin laughed.

Minutes later, Matt and Reina entered the room with the updated notebooks “We’ve got a few leads.” Reina began.

“Hello to you too.” Mia grunted sarcastically.

Reina smiled as she passed the last notebook to Mia “Hi Mia, it’s great to have you back.”

Mia quickly pushed her chair back and threw her arms around her long time friend’s neck “I missed you guys sooo much!!!” she practically squeezed the air out of Reina’s small frame “Don’t ever let me go on vacation again!”

“Note that.” She nodded to her now fiancé.

Matt laughed “Gladly. Anyways, it appears the leads are not that clear, if you guys open up the notebooks.” He nodded for the group to do so “From heads of gangs to corporate sharks to possibly lieutenants in the police department.”

“Well that’s a lot of help.” Jenna snickered.

“Click on the next page.” Reina advised, “See anyone familiar.”

“Oh, that bastard…” Mia grinned crookedly.

“Looks like we’ll need to bring back the team’s favorite crook.” Devin smiled.

Jenna sighed, “Too bad the only agent that could make him pee in his pants is gone.” She looked up to see Doug’s disappointed face “Sorry.”

“Hey, if she can get Ah Bat to talk, we can too.” Doug said with confidence.

“I like your positive attitude Doug, how about I let you take care of this?” Devin tilted his head with a smile “It’s your chance to outshine your ex wife.”

“That’s hardly fair!” Doug disapproved “I have to find that creep myself and get him to talk? At least throw me a bone, send someone with me.”

Devin laughed and so did the rest of the team “Okay, you can choose one agent with you. We don’t want to cause more trouble by bringing the whole team.”

“Goodie!” Doug rubbed his palms together and stared around the table “Who should have the pleasure of coming with me.”

Mia rolled her eyes “Pick me Doug, please pick me.”

Doug turned his attention to her “Great idea, Mia.”

“What? I was being sarcastic! I hate that guy…” Mia groaned.

“Really? I was being serious.” Doug turned to Devin “I pick Mia to come with me on this mission.”

“Chasing a dog is NOT a mission.” She complained.

Devin nodded “Okay, we’re set. You two take care of this problem next week, I hear he still hangs out at Midnite Club but he won’t be back from Shanghai until after the weekend.”

“Some things never change.” Reina snorted.

“Okay, I’ll expect your good news Monday.” Devin nodded “Meeting adjourned.”

“I had no idea we were in a courtroom.” Mia cracked while laughing. The group groaned “What? I thought it was funny.”

“Yeah, you and your invisible friend.” Doug snapped.

“Better than to lose the only manhood that defines a man from a gay man who’s not any different from a woman.” Mia said smugly.

Doug frowned “Deep. Oprah?” Mia nodded.

SIUBINGLIBRARY 2004