The Zodiac of PRA IV: The Return

Chapter 10

The following morning, as promised Ryan dropped by Erin’s home. She was glad to see he found his drive to help Shelly find her murderer. He had a cup of coffee that was brewing in her kitchen “You’re on edge.” She commented.

He shook his head “No, just nervous. I’ve never been hypnotized before.”

“It’s not that scary, you just have to clear your mind and relax.” Erin glanced at her watch “Mia should be coming by. Come on.” She locked the door behind her and turned to see the long black limo pulling up to the driveway. Shaking her head, she turned to Ryan “We’re going in style.”

Ryan laughed as the two entered the opened door held by the driver. The ride was pleasant and Erin was reminded just how rich Darren really was. When they arrived to the hospital, all eyes turned to them. Mia was not bothered by it, but Ryan was “Next time, we’ll take a cab.” He whispered to Erin.

She picked up Bonnie, who was gripping on her mother’s hand “Sweetie, don’t grow up to be like your mommy okay?”

“That’s what daddy always tell me.” She scratched her head in confusion while Erin and Ryan stifled a laugh.

Mia raised her brows curiously “Oh really? Come on, honey, let’s go meet mommy’s friend.” She took the bundle of joy back into her arms.

They entered the hospital and signed in at the reception “Dr. Chan is on the fourth floor now, room 425.”

“Thanks,” Erin nodded and gathered her crew to the elevator.

Mia smiled at her little girl who was growing heavy in her arms “What else did daddy say?”

Ryan sighed, “You two are horrible. How could you use your own daughter to find out what the other is saying? Why don’t you do like normal couples do…talk.” Speaking of the word couple instantly reminded him.

“You okay?” Erin asked sincerely.

Mia whispered something in Bonnie’s ear as she reached up for Ryan, he pulled her in his arms with ease as she wrapped her tiny arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. He was taken aback by the sweet gesture “Thank you.” He smiled brightly.

“Mommy says you need a kiss.” The little darling said sweetly.

He gave her a little hug with a small laugh “Yes…yes, I did.” The elevator doors opened and they walked out together to follow the signs leading to Ethan’s office.

They rounded a corner and found Ethan getting coffee from a ready machine. Suddenly, Mia yanked them back “Wait!” She hissed. Grabbing her little girl, she set her on the ground and said a few words to her. Erin and Ryan exchanged glances, curious to know what she was doing “Okay, go!” she pushed Bonnie towards Ethan.

“What are you doing?” Erin asked.

“Shhh!” Mia pointed, “Watch him squirm.”

Ethan let out a short yawn as he mixed in his cream and sugar when he turned to find the most adorable girl standing in front of him “Hi!” he smiled. Bonnie didn’t smile, instead she waved him closer to her “What can I help you with?” she was awfully cute.

“I lost my mommy.” Her lips quivered as she blew up into tears.

“Shhh…its okay.” He pulled her closer and she cried even louder, shrieking at the top of her lungs. A few people walked by and gave him strange looks “Don’t cry…shh…” he was trying unsuccessful to keep her quiet “Please…if you stop crying, I’ll help you find your mommy.”

Bonnie stopped crying instantly “Okay.”

Ethan tilted his head sideways, something about the girl was oddly familiar. She took his hand and led him down the hallway towards Mia who stood there crossed arms and glaring sternly at him “Mia!”

“I’m sorry, I don’t know you.” She raised a brow and took back her daughter.

“She…she’s your daughter?” he asked. Erin smiled with a nod “Long time no see guys.”

“Bonnie, remember his face okay. Don’t talk to him ever. He’s not mommy’s friend.”

Erin rolled her eyes “Mia, give him a break. He probably had work to do unlike some people…”

“No, it’s my fault. I was not a good friend. I’m sorry Mia, I should have informed you the minute I decided to return to Hong Kong.” There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice but Mia didn’t care, she got what she wanted, an apology.

Mia flashed her wide grin “I forgive you. Bonnie, he is my friend again. Call Uncle Ethan.”

“Uncle Ethan!” the little girl obediently answered.

Erin laughed “She’s too cute to be yours.” Turning to Ethan, she pointed her at Ryan “He’s all yours.” Linking her arm through Mia’s “How about breakfast?”

“Pancake sounds great!” Mia nodded in agreement.

“I don’t think the hospital makes pancakes, Mia.”

“We’re eating here?!?” Mia exclaimed with a wrinkled nose.

Erin laughed “Girl, you are so spoiled."

Ethan smiled as he pointed Ryan to his office “Shall we start? Give me a little background.”

Ryan summarized what happened and as Ethan listened, his face grew thoughtful “What do you think?”

“I’m sorry to hear about Shelly, it’s a horrible way to die. But I think the biggest clue is the figure you saw in the kitchen. I’m going to try to help you go back to that day and see if you remember anything else.” Ethan too was determined to help.

Lying on the couch made him feel more relaxed, closing his eyes as Ethan directed “What do you want me to do?”

“Clear your mind and think only of Shelly.” Ethan instructed, “Okay, it’s a Friday afternoon, you are coming home with Erin. Dinner was being cooked, entering the double doors, you could smell the burned potatoes but that was how Shelly cooked her vegetables. Dropping the groceries, you walked towards the kitchen door. There you could hear a bustling sound of pots and moving dishes…cracking the door open, all you see is smoke but if you squint your eyes you can see a figure. A tall dark figure, what is he wearing?”

“Short sleeve black t-shirt…” Ryan answered in a monotone.

“His arms or neck…was there anything special about them?” Ethan continued in a soothing tone.

Ryan’s brows knit together as if concentrating too hard “His right arm…there were tiny scratches.”

“Where do you they came from?” Ethan asked.

“Shelly’s nails…the autopsy report came out and said she had blood on her nails.” Ryan recalled.

"What else?" Ethan questioned.

Ryan squeezed his eyes tighter "I think he had some kind of a tatoo below his neck... on the left side... no, it's the shoulder!"

“Good. Come out!” he snapped his fingers roughly causing Ryan’s head to snap up as his eyes popped open. Ethan smiled “Congratulations, you just got your first clue.”

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

Mia and Erin ordered the food to go as they walked to the garden of the hospital where patients took walks. They could see Bonnie playing in a distance with other kids in white gurneys. She stood out with her pink bubble dress. Erin was extra quiet and if it weren’t for the fact that Mia was busy watching her kid, she would have noticed minutes before. Mia giggled when she saw her daughter trip over her feet and getting back up instantly “She’s got my quickness.”

“That’s nice.” Erin replied emotionless.

Mia turned to her friend “Erin, are you okay?”

She was thinking of Luke again “Yes, of course I am.”

“You could have fooled me.” Mia commented, “Say, how are you and Ted doing? I know since Bonnie was born, we’ve drifted apart. I haven’t made an effort to keep in touch.”

“Mia, we see each other every day at work and have dinner at each other’s home once a month. Frankly, I’m sick of seeing your face.” Erin was only teasing.

She laughed “And I thought it wasn’t obvious. You didn’t answer me.”

Erin’s smile slowly faded “Do you ever get the feeling that Darren loves you more than you love him?”

“He better! Or I’ll kick his ass!” Mia huffed angrily.

“It’s useless talking to you.” Erin muttered.

“No, tell me, please…I’ll be serious, I promise. So you think Ted loves you more?” Mia looked more concerned.

Erin nodded “I feel like for the past three years, I’ve been dragging him by a string. He’s been patient and I’ve been so selfish.”

“Honey, he just loves you that’s all.” Mia felt her pain. It was horrible to be loved and could not return it to the other person. She did for months with Darren.

“That’s why I feel horrible.” Erin sighed, her eyes wandering to the garden.

Mia patted her friend’s shoulder “Is there any reason why it’s holding you back from continuing with Ted?”

She knew Mia had to know about Luke “There is…”

“I knew it! Who is he?” Mia crossed her leg on the bench and put aside her food.

Erin laughed “Girl instinct?”

“No, girlfriend instinct.” Mia corrected, “Now spill it!” she commanded.

“Promise me you will not leak a word of this.” Erin warned.

“I promise. If not, Darren will lose all his teeth and hair.” Mia vowed. Erin rolled her eyes and Mia hastily added “And I will have to take care of him for the rest of my life.”

She was satisfied “Evil, but good. Okay…a couple of weeks ago, I ran into this guy at the market, you were there too…but you and Riley were somewhere else--”

“Yeah, yeah…get to the good stuff.” She rushed.

“His name is—”

She was cut off by Ethan’s voice “Would anyone like to claim this cute little girl?” He had Bonnie in his arms with dirt all around her lips and her fingers were blackened.

Mia groaned “Sweetie! Your pretty pink dress!” taking the girl back, she scolded her lightly “Now I have to clean you up before your father shits in his pants.”

“Mommy, what is shit?” the girl asked innocently.

Erin shook her head at her friend wondering how she would get out of it “It’s…it’s another word for poop but only adults can use it.” Mia warned with widened eyes.

“Good answer!” Ethan called out as Mia turned to give him a glare. She took Bonnie inside the hospital to clean up.

“Where’s Ryan?” Erin asked. She didn’t even know they were done with the session.

“He got so excited about the clue, he wanted me to tell you guys he’s going to the police station to see Ted.” Ethan smiled, he could sense something wrong with the girl “Was I interrupting something?”

“No.” Erin replied.

Ethan nodded “I would have believed you if you didn’t answer that quick. But if you don’t want to tell me, I’ll respect that.”

“Thank you.” She was still amazed from the way he could read her like a book. Though she wasn’t ready to tell him about Luke, she didn’t want to hurt his feelings “Sorry.”

“There’s no need for apology.” He replied sympathetically “But I want to remind you, bottling up your secrets will only lead to overfilling and eventually explosion. I advise that you tell someone. It will help.” He guaranteed “I have a surgery in five minutes. You know where to find me.”

Erin nodded “Thanks Ethan.” she watched him leave and returned to the bench.

Chapter 11

Erin came home that night to an empty house. Ted left a note saying he would be pulling an all nighter at the Police Department. She let out a short sigh “It’s you and me again.” She said to the house in a short snicker. Making instant noodles, she settled herself on the couch and turned on the television.

When she noticed it was around 7:10, she decided to check in on Luke’s show. It had been a week since she last heard it. Turning off her TV, she used the control to turn on the channel. Luke’s voice was vibrant and friendly “Let’s take our first caller. Hello, you’re calling the Love Hotline, what’s bothering you?”

“Hi Dr. Love…my name is Jim and I’ve been dating this girl for about two years and she seems very distant still. Should I be concerned?” the worried caller asked.

Luke made a humming sound and then answered “I don’t think so. Sometimes girls will take a long time to come around. Had she dated anyone else before you came along?”

“No.” the guy quickly answered.

“Ahhh…there’s your answer. She is inexperienced and probably doesn’t know how to act around you being that you are her first boyfriend. I would assume she is just shy, why don’t you sit her down and talk to her about it. Affection always turns a girl on.” Luke advised.

Erin had to smile, his advice was not bad. After listening to the entire show, she decided to take a ride down to the Radio Station. He came out minutes after she arrived, waiting patiently for him. She was nervous eventhough there was no reason to be. He waved goodbye to a few associates and turned to see her standing there across from him, a shy smile on her face.

He crossed his arm with a crooked smile plastered on his face “Tell me again why this isn’t considered stalking?” She laughed comfortably “Not that I’m not flattered. It’s not everyday I have a beautiful woman stalking my every move.”

“Calm your ego.” She teased openly “I believe it was a certain someone that told me I was welcomed to come down to the station anytime.”

Luke nodded “You got me. What can I say?” he approached her with a grin “How about dinner? On you.”

Her smile grew wider at his quick answer “Sure. But you’re going to have to put out if I pay for dinner.”

“It won’t be the first time.” He replied and Erin’s face fell “Kidding.” He leaned closer to her face making her blush profusely “You feel like Japanese?”

“Sure.” She let him lead the way as they took a walk down the block to a cozy little restaurant “This is nice.” She commented when they were seated.

Luke wasn’t interested in the place, he had seen it hundreds of times “You never answered why you are following me. I don’t want to use the word ‘stalk’ because someone is in denial.”

She smiled “I had a friend that past away years ago…he looked a lot like you.” Erin wasn’t ready to confess the truth.

“Really? You mean there’s someone out there just as handsome as me?” he asked pointing to himself with a delicate hand.

Erin rolled her eyes “Spare me. You are NOT that handsome, Luke.”

“I beg to differ. Take a closer look.” He moved himself closer to her in the half circle booth. Leaning his chin on his propped up elbow, he stared at her with adoring eyes. Every feature was etched into her soul, how could she forget that face? But it was a shame the person was not original. Luke had more vibe and personality than Brad. She turned away, eyes saddened and he quickly regret pushing her too far “I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to remind you of your friend’s death.”

She shook her head with a grim smile “It’s not your fault you look like him.”

Luke moved back to his seat, giving her space “Was he a boyfriend?”

“You could say that…” Erin smiled “You two are different in every way, but the face is very similar.”

“Who’s more attractive?” he asked flirtatiously.

She shook her head at him “You’re hopeless.”

“Yes! I’m a hopeless romantic. Or that’s what my friends tell me.” He moved his arms aside when the food came “The salmon is the best here.” Picking one up with his chopsticks he placed it on her dish gently.

“Thank you.” She smiled. When she was about to take a bite, her cell phone rang disturbing them. Ted’s name flashed on the screen, taking a deep breath she answered “Hi Ted.”

“Hey Erin, where did you go? I came home and didn’t see you. I was a little worried.” He said with genuine concern.

She winced guiltily “I’m sorry. I should have left you a note. Did you eat dinner yet? I’ll drop by the café and order you some food.”

Ted smiled at her thoughtfulness “No, I’m fine. I’ll find something to eat. Are you out with a friend? I could hear the waiter in the background.”

“Yes. I’ll be home after dinner.” Erin smiled at the waiter who poured her more hot tea.

“Take your time.” Ted replied.

“Bye.” She hung up the phone and turned to Luke “I’m sorry. That was really rude.”

He chewed the food slowly with the chopsticks poking at the corner of his mouth “Roommate?” Erin nodded without answering “Sibling?” She shook her head with a smile “Guy?”

She laughed at his persistence “Yes.”

“Gay roommate?” he questioned hopefully.

Placing her chopsticks down, she looked sympathetic “I should have told you sooner. I have a boyfriend, he’s living with me.”

“Ouch! You sure know how to turn a guy down.” Luke sighed as he slouched down “And I thought we had a chance.”

“If I gave you the wrong impression, I’m really sorry…” she stopped when he began chuckling.

“I’m only teasing. I guessed that you were taken since the first time I met you. Such a beautiful girl like you who’s still single? I’ve personally never been that lucky.” He shook his head firmly.

Erin turned her eyes to her lap “Maybe it’s lucky that I’m not single.”

Luke leaned back on the seat as he stared at her with interest “I’ve noticed your moods fluctuates really fast. You’re happy one minute and the next minute you have this sad aura about you. This is just a guess but I think you have had a lot of heartache in the past years? It shows it in your face.” He observed carefully.

“You’re good.” She nodded “I do have endured a lot of heart related pain more than the average person. But I believe it is my fate. I cannot run away from it.”

“Wrong.” He pointed out “Fate is not about endurance of heartaches. Fate is about meeting someone at the right place and at the right time. For instance, we do NOT have fate. Because if we did, I would have met you years ago and we would be married with a few kids and a beautiful house.”

She tilted her head with a grim expression “How can you be so sure?”

“Promise me you won’t leak this out to the tabloids.” He whispered while leaning in closer to her. Erin nodded with a smile “I have dated hundreds of girls and I don’t say the numbers lightly. None of them have lasted more than two or three weeks. I’m a Gemini, fickle and easily bored. But how do you explain the fact that I couldn’t stop thinking about you for the past two weeks?”

She was speechless for once, there was no answer she could give him. No reason or excuses. She settled with “I don’t know.” She let out a short sigh “You’re a teaser and such a flirt, I find it hard to believe your words.”

Luke winced as he picked up a chopstick and stabbed it into his heart “Wow! Kick me while I'm down will you."

“Charming.” Erin flicked a brow upward “You are a handsome man, you can get any girl out there. There is no reason to think of me…afterall I am taken.”

“But not married?” he asked with brighter eyes.

“No. But it’s a matter of time.” Erin lied. She felt strange talking to him about it just after meeting him weeks before. While it was hard just to bring up the subject with Ted.

Luke threw her off with his next question “Do you love him?”

“What?” she wasn’t sure she heard him correctly.

“Do you love him?” he repeated calmly.

Erin dodged his stare “Of course I do. If not, I wouldn’t be living with him for the past three years.”

“Then why can’t you look me in the eye to say it?” he pressed, pushing her buttons with ease.

She turned to him with hard eyes “I love him.” Luke smiled as if he won the argument “It’s not my responsibility to convince you.” Getting up from her seat, she pulled out a few hundred from her purse “My treat. You don’t owe me anything.” He was motionless as he watched her leave in a rush.

She was fuming by the time she was out in the streets, angry that she allowed him to manipulate her feelings and anger her. Who was he anyways? No one to Erin. Why should she care so much what he thought? Just because he made her think differently about her relationship with Ted?

Erin decided not to take a cab, instead she walked alongside the streets, thinking about his words. The more she thought about Luke, the more curious she got. Determined to know his true identity, she quickened her steps to a Detective/Spy office she knew was down the street. The place was dimmed as if ready to close up. The man in a suit turned up to her when she knocked on the door.

“We’re closed, Miss.” He opened the door to let her in.

“I’ll make it worth your while.” Erin promised.

“In that case, come in.” he locked the door so no one would enter as he led her into his little office to do business. Normally, he would not take a new job after closing hours but the girl oozed of importance. They talked for another hour until they shook on the final price she was paying. He would do the best he could to get the information she needed.

Erin came home feeling different, she wasn’t herself. It wasn’t like her to order a spy and it was least like her to lose control of her emotions. She entered the home to find Ted asleep on the couch. He must have been waiting up for her. Smiling, she approached him gingerly. Seating herself at the edge of the couch carefully, she stared at his peaceful face “I’m sorry.” She whispered.

He must have heard her whimper as he fluttered his eyes open and found her tearing up “Erin.” Sitting up, he looked at her with concern “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

She didn’t know how to answer his questions, instead, she reached out and hugged him tightly “I’m sorry.”

Ted was confused and taken aback by her strange reaction. He patted her back softly “It’s okay.” He consoled. His final conclusion was that her sudden breakdown had to do with Shelly’s death. Although the girls only found each other years before, they still had a blood bond like two sisters had. He could only imagine what she was feeling when she had to witness her sister being buried.

Chapter 12

The group sat in the conference room patiently waiting for Joe’s announcement. He called an emergency meeting that morning. When everyone had arrived, he nodded to Matt to pass out the computer notebooks for the group “This man you see on the screen is Robert Kwok.”

“Isn’t he that rich merchant with the missing diamonds?” Jenna recalled.

He nodded at his daughter “Yes. I know we are currently working on his case. But what I failed to warn you guys is that he hates us. With a vengeance.”

“Cute.” Mia snickered “Any reason why?”

Matt smiled “We have yet to discover the reason. Maybe he just doesn’t trust us?”

“But yet he gave the case to us?” Becca questioned “He’s a bizarre guy if you ask me.”

“Handsome too.” Mia added. Darren cleared his throat causing his wife to roll her eyes.

Suddenly the door opened and appeared Ryan, completely out of breath “Sorry Sir, I’m late.”

Joe turned his head to the young agent “Ryan, I thought I told you to take a break?”

“I know you did. I’m done.” He smiled showing Joe he was ready to work.

He nodded proudly “Alright, take a seat.”

Jenna turned to Riley as she pushed him lightly “This is Ryan’s seat.” He gave her a funny face but moved down the empty seat for Ryan “Welcome back!” Jenna greeted.

Joe raised his brows at his daughter until he got her attention, she lowered her head apologetically as he continued “As I was saying. Robert Kwok does not like us and he refused to have our help. But what he doesn’t know is that the FBI handed the case over to us. It is not one of their specialties and the Mayor had put in a good word for us, that is why we earned this case.”

“What if he finds out that we took the case?” Ted asked.

“He won’t.” Joe smiled “Unless one of you guys spill it.” He warned, staring at each agent at the long rectangular table.

Doug raised his hand “What if it accidentally slips out?”

“Immediately expelled from the team.” Joe replied firmly. The group gasped and he threw them a wide grin “But…that won’t happen will it?”

“No Sir!!” the group answered in unison.

“I have mission for one of the girls.” Joe began as he clicked on his own computer making everyone else’s screen change “This is R.K. Jewelers, Robert’s company. The building you see is owned by him also. He is a workaholic and can be found at the office almost everyday. I want to somehow earn his trust. One of the girls will have this mission. It’s not easy and as you guys scroll down to his description of personality and attitude, you’ll realize he isn’t exactly the most friendliest person in the world.”

Darren lifted his hand with a smile “I want to vote for Erin.”

“I second that!” Becca chimed in.

Mia dropped her jaw in shock “You guys don’t think I can do it?”

Darren leaned in closer to his wife “I have faith in you but I’m not about to let my wife be groped and stared at by another man she finds handsome.” He winked at her teasingly while Mia continued to scowl.

Joe nodded at the group “Do you guys all agree?” A noticeable amount of heads bobbed up and down while Ted looked concerned “What do you think, Ted?”

“I know Erin is experienced in undercover work but I can’t help but think it’s a bad idea.” His brows crunched.

“Surprise, surprise.” Mia teased.

Erin turned to Joe “I agree with Ted.”

Mia raised her brows “You do?”

She nodded at her friend “Check out his personality info: dark and seldom smiles, he works hard and does not know the faces of his employees, has a hard time trusting people and does not like to talk to strangers. We’re a little too similar, it would only backfire on us if I go.”

Joe smiled in agreement with the experienced agent “Good observance. So who do you recommend?”

“Jenna.” Erin replied without thinking.

The young girl was busy twiddling her thumbs when she heard her name called “What?” she rounded her eyes curiously at the group “I’m sorry, I wasn’t listening.”

“Perfect, send the girl that doesn’t listen.” Riley commented.

“Me?” Jenna pointed to herself “Undercover? Wow…are you sure it’s okay Joe?”

He crossed his arms and contemplated “It might just work.”

Mark quickly agreed “Yes, if you look further down the page, you’ll see that he had a daughter who would have been Jenna’s age if she didn’t die of a plane crash five years ago in London.”

“Good eye, Mark!” Joe complimented.

“Thank you, sir.” He smiled proudly.

Jenna grumbled, “Kiss ass…”

Mark smiled at the fellow agent “Thank YOU.” Throwing her a wink, he grinned even wider when she turned her eyes away from him.

“Are you sure you two are not related?” Mia pointed to Darren and Mark “You both are Chiu’s.”

“Must run in the surname family.” Darren commented with a slightly crooked grin.

“Maybe.” Mark added with the same grin.

“That’s all we need, two Darrens.” Becca muttered.

Joe raised a hand to get the attention back “Fine, we are settled on Jenna. You will be going through a series of training to be a secretary. We’ll get you a new identity just in case he grows suspicious. You’ll have a new wardrobe and learn the etiquette of an upper end person. He is a distinguished man and will not converse with anyone lower than his stature. I’ll find connections to get you into the company and work right under him.”

“Not literally.” Jenna pointed it making the group smile to themselves.

“Of course not.” Joe replied with a raised brow “You will start the training tomorrow. As for now. Chuck has asked for all five of you to meet him at the shooting range 20 miles from Kowloon. The van is waiting for you guys outside in two minutes.”

Leah looked excited “We get to shoot targets!!”

“Finally!” Riley huffed.

“I call shotgun!” Jenna exclaimed with a raised hand "I mean in the van..." she scratched her head when she realized it sounded like she wanted a shotgun.

Ryan was the only one sitting while his teammates were ready to leave “What about Ah Bat?”

Leah groaned “Darn! I forgot about that nuisance.”

Joe raised his hand to silence them “It’s okay. Leave that to me, you guys go on with the training.”

Jenna pointed to the team while she laughed with her head thrown back “Have fun and good luck, I’m sure you guys will have a very good time.”

The group trailed out with similar laughs while Ryan shook his head with a small smile “And she means that literally too.”

The team exchanged smiles while Joe waited for the door to close “Good, now we can get down to business.”

Mia dropped her jaw in shock “Oh! You told them to leave on purpose!” Mia accused. Shaking her head, she wagged a finger at Joe “Tsk, tsk, tsk…I had no idea you were so sneaky, Joe.”

He laughed at her comment “The things you learn everyday. This case has been taking too long and I think Ah Bat is purposely sparing the time so he could continue to be protected by us.”

“I knew it!” Becca growled.

Joe nodded “I want to wrap up this portion of the case and get to the bottom of Robert Kwok.”

“He is the case, not the diamonds.” Erin observed.

Matt and Joe exchanged smiles “Still as quick as ever.”

“You put us to shame.” Mia snickered at her friend who only smiled.

“I didn’t want to concern the new group, they need a little more experience in the fields, which I will begin next week, giving them real missions.” Joe began “But I want to really know is why Robert Kwok does not like the P.R.A. If we help him with this case, maybe it will turn the relationship around.”

Doug frowned “So what do you want us to do?”

“Dangle the bait.” Matt answered for Joe.

“Brilliant!” Darren agreed “We should have done that sooner, at least we’ll get him off our backs. What a burden he is. Three years ago and now again.”

Ted laughed “But the tables have turned.”

“Where should we take the bait first?” Mia asked curiously.

“The scene of the crime.” Joe answered, “You guys can start tonight. I hear another shipment is coming in the docks. Maybe the thieves will attempt another burglary.”

“What if they don’t?” Doug asked.

Joe shrugged “You guys will have to decide where else to take the bait.”

Becca chuckled a throaty evil laugh as she swiped her palms together “I’ve been dreaming about this day for ages!”

Mia arched a brow upwards “I feel sorry for you Doug. She only dreams of torturing other men.”

The group laughed while Doug looked uninterested “She may dream about it, but she actually performs it on me.”

“Oh, gross!” Mia groaned with her hands grabbing her head painfully “I can’t get the mental picture out of my head!” she cried desperately to Darren.

“Sorry babe, I’m actually enjoying it.” He laughed when everyone winced with disgust.

“Get out guys before I get a mental picture.” Joe waved them away. The group got up and saluted him, an inside joke they came up with years ago and it became a P.R.A. secret gesture only the team knew of. He smiled, watching them leave together in high spirits. When it was only him left in the room, his face fell slowly. The picture of Robert Kwok still on his screen as he stared at it hard. It would not be an easy battle, he thought to himself.

SIUBINGLIBRARY 2004