One Sunday morning Jarod sat at the kitchen table reading the paper.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Parker asked as she entered the room.
"Reading the paper. How are you feeling this morning?"
"Fine." She walked over to coffee pot and started to pour herself a cup.
"Wait."
"What?"
"You aren't suppose to have that."
"I know, it was for you."
"I have a cup." He held his up.
"Come on, Jarod. One little, bitty, cup." She looked at him with her eyes starting to water.
"No, remember...."
"I remember." She swelled.
She took a seat next to him. "Can I at least smell your cup?"
"I don't think you want to."
"Fine." She crossed her arms at her chest. "What are you reading?"
"This." He laid the paper down and pointed.
"Oh no. No you don't."
"What? It would only be a few days."
"Because."
"Because why? These people need some help."
"Because it will be helping them this time and the next thing I know you will be gone a lot again."
"No, I won't. Besides they are just on the other side of the island."
The door bell rang.
"I'll get it." Jarod jumped up leaving her sitting there.
He opened the door. "No. What do you want?" He stared at the man in the bright blue 70's suit and baby blue shirt.
"Hey, J-man. I need your help."
"Argyle."
"Can I come in?"
"I guess."
Parker waddled into the livingroom. "Who is it?"
"J-man! Whose the little lady?"
"Little lady!" Parker looked down at him.
"Honey, this is Argyle. Argyle this is my wife, Melissa."
"Nice wife, man."
"Argyle, what do you want?"
"Oh, yeah. I need your help again."
"Every time you need my help, I get into trouble."
"Not this time, J-man. I promise."
"Oh really, what is it this time?"
"Well, my old man wants to move into these new condos that were built not far from here."
"So?"
"Well...the problem is I don't think they are up to the building code."
"And what makes you think that?"
"Several elderly people have moved in but came out in...well...how shall I say it...in one big black bag."
"What the going on over there?"
"I don't know. That's..."
"....where I come in, right?"
"You got it J-man." Argyle walked around their living room. He picked up pictures and other things just like a three year old.
"Argyle!"
"Mmm."
"Would you put those things down?"
"Uh? Oh...yeah...right. Say are these your kids?"
"Yes."
"Cute kids."
"Thanks." They answered in unisom.
"What do you say? Will you help me?"
"I don't know...."
"Jarod, you were just telling me..."
He shot her a look.
"Okay. I'll help you but if there is any sign of trouble I'M out of there. Do you understand?"
"I hear you J-man."
"One more thing...."
"What?"
"I don't want to stay away from my wife too long. I don't want to leave her in her condition."
"Condition? I'm pregnant."
"I know but..."
"It will take a week at the longest."
"A week?"
"Yeah, J-man. I can't believe it, you and me back together again. It's music to my ears."
"Oh, brother." Jarod rolled his eyes.
Parker just laughed. She couldn't help it.
The kids came barging in.
"Did you have a nice time?"
"Yep." Kyle answered.
"Where is Emily?"
"She is coming." Catherine yelled as they went up the stairs.
As Emily went through the door, Argyle got up. "Hello, I'm Argyle."
"It's nice to meet you." She quickly went past him and sat down next to Parker.
"Argyle!"
"What J-man?"
"Stay away from her."
"Okay, I'm leaving." He exited.
******
The next morning Jarod rolled over to face his wife.
"Good morning," she replied as their eyes met.
"Morning. How long have you been awake?"
"Oh, an hour or two now."
"Why didn't you wake me?"
"Cause I was watching you sleep."
He leaned in for a kiss. "I could just stay here."
"Argyle needs you."
"Argyle? Forget Argyle. What about you?"
"I can have you anytime." she whispered in his ear before their lips touched again.
"What about now?" he said between kisses.
"What about now?"
"Can you have me now?"
"No."
"No? Why?"
"Cause I going to be late for work and you have to meet Argyle."
"Come on. Five minutes."
"Five minutes? You always take longer than five minutes."
"I know but at least that gets you to give in."
"Not this morning." She rolled out of bed and grabbed his hand. "Come on, we could shower."
Jarod jumped up and followed her in the bathroom.
******
Jarod met Argyle at his apartment.
"Okay, what going on?"
"J-man, this is what is going on." Argyle pulled out some blue prints on the condos.
"They look okay to me."
"Yeah, on paper but something is not right. Why are these people dying?"
"I don't know but I will find out." Argyle cleared his throat. "We will find out." Jarod tune changed.
"I thought that was what you meant."
"Tell me, have you researched anything diiferent about these deaths." Jarod looked up at him. He could tell by the look on his face that Argyle didn't have a clue on what he was talking about. "I'll be back."
"I'm going."
"No, stay here. I will come get you when the time is right."
"But J..."
"Argyle!"
"Okay." He kicked back on the couch and grabbed the remote to the TV. He began flipping through the channels as Jarod left.
******
Jarod came back late that afternoon.
"What did you find out?"
"Well, they all may have died in a different way but they all had traces of carbon monoxide in their system. One man had a head injury due to falling from down the stairs. There is a woman that has a broken hip and remains in a coma. It looks like another woman died from heart failure."
"Why?"
"I'm not sure. That's what we have to find out."
Jarod and Argyle jumped in the car and took off.
******
Jarod entered a condo dressed in a maintance outfit. He checked the air vents. A man walked in, "What are you doing here?"
"Our company was getting a lot of complains with the duck work."
"What kind of complains?"
"Some of the residents were not getting air through the vents."
"Oh, then make it quick. I have some people coming to look at this condo."
"I'll be out in a few minutes."
The man turned and walked out.
******
Jarod met up with Argyle in car.
"Well..."
"Well, I have a plan."
Jarod pulled out his phone and began dialing.
A young woman answered, "Hello."
"Emily, I need your help."
"Where are you?"
"That's not important right now. I need a favor."
"What?"
"I need you to go and rent a condo at 154 Pecan Street. It's on the other side of the island."
"Okay, but why?"
"Meet me at Oscar's bar and grill in an hour and I will explain everything."
"I'll see you there." She hung up.
******
Simone entered Parker's office, "What are you doing tonight?"
"Nothing. Why?"
"I thought I would come by and visit, if that's okay with you."
"Sure."
"Okay, see you around 7:00." Simone turned to leave.
"Wait!"
"What?"
"Jarod put you up to this, didn't he?"
"No." She shook her head.
"Simone!"
"Okay, he's worried about you. So, do you not want me to come?"
"No, you can come."
"Okay. 7:00, it is." She left.
******
Emily entered the bar and found a table. Jarod and Argyle entered shortly after her. "May we sit with you?" Jarod asked.
"Sure." They pulled up a chair. "What's going on?"
"I need you to move into a condo. I'm helping Argyle investigate a murder."
"Why?"
"His father wants to move into this place."
"Okay, what am I looking for?"
"Carbon monoxide poisoning."
"What, through the vents?"
"I'm not sure but Emily you have to promise me you will leave at the first sight of danger."
"Jarod, I'm a big girl."
"I know you are but you are my only sister."
She rolled her eyes.
"Quit."
"What?"
"You act just like Melissa. How is she doing, anyway?"
"Fine."
Jarod looked around the place. "You better get going."
"Okay, I will check into the condo tomorrow and give you a call."
******
Two days later
[ring, ring]
Jarod picked up the phone. "Yeah."
"Jarod, it's me. I've stummbled across something big."
"What is it?"
"Do you know who owns these condos?"
"No, why?"
"It's only the biggest crime boss on the island."
"Charles Westen."
"Yes!"
"Emily, get out now!"
"I can't. I don't have all the information for you."
"I don't care about the information. I want you to get out!"
"Okay, I'll be out this afternoon."
"No. Now!" Jarod yelled into the phone.
"Jarod!"
The phone disconnected.
"Emily!"
Jarod jumped up and ran out the door. He got to the car and drove off as fast as he could.
******
Parker entered the board room. Nicholas opened the meeting when Parker's phone buzzed.
"I'm in a meeting. I told you not to interupt."
"I know Mrs. Russell but we have a disturbance at the front desk. I think you should come out here."
She signed, "I'm on my way." She got up from the chair, "Go ahead. I'll be back."
Sam followed her out.
"I'll be fine," she told him as they walked down the hall.
"I don't care. I promised Jarod I would take care of you."
"Fine." She entered the top of the stairs and could hear Lyle's voice. "Great!" she mumbled as she made her way down the stairs.
"Well...hello sis. It looks like you have been busy since we last spoke."
"What do you want, Lyle?"
"I came for my son."
"He's not your son."
"Yes, he is and I want him NOW!"
Parker got his face, "You are not getting him. Do you hear me? He is not yours."
They continued to yell back and forth for what seemed like an hour but was only minutes. As they got louder, Simone and the others came to see what was going on.
"GET OUT OF HERE!"
"I'm not leaving without my son."
"Lyle!" Parker turned to the guard, "See that Mr. Lyle makes it out before I kill him."
The guard took Lyle by the arm, "Okay you heard the lady. Let's go."
Lyle grabbed Parker's arm, "I'll be back."
She jerked her arm loose, grabbed her gun that she just happen to be carrying since Jarod left, and pointed it at Lyle's chest, "Get out and never come back or I will put a bullet in you. Do you hear me?" she whispered to him.
"You can't threaten me."
Sam grabbed the gun from her hand. She grabbed him by the throat and squeezed hard, "It's not a threat my dear brother, it's a promise I intent on keeping." She let go of him and turned to walk away. As she walked up a few stairs, she grabbed the bottom of her stomach. A sharp pain ran through her abdomen.
"Are you okay?" Simone asked as she helped her the stairs.
"Yeah, can you finish up the meeting? I have something to do first."
"Sure."
Parker walked into her office leaving Simone standing outside.
A few minutes later, Simone walked in. "Melissa, where are you?"
"I'm in here." The toilet flushed and Parker entered the room. "Simone, I need you to do me a favor."
"Sure, what is it?"
"I need you to drive me to the hospital."
"What? Now!"
"I think that fight I had with Lyle has wanted to make these two come out and fight for their mother."
"But..."
"I know. Call Jarod."
******
Jarod ran into the condo, yelling for Emily. Realizing that she wasn't there, he walked around. He picked up papers, studying them. He wasn't sure what he was searching for. He stepping over the mess in the floor. Then he saw a diamond cuff link laying by the couch. He picked it up and ran out. He drove to a Ranch style house that over looked the ocean. He quietly walked between some trees for a better view. He saw Emily tied to a chair.
"Who are you working for?!" Charles yelled.
"I don't know what you are talking about." Emily answered.
"This." Charles held up a piece of paper.
"I don't what you are talking about."
Charles turned to one of the men in the room. "Make sure she knows what I'm talking about when I return." He walked out of the room.
Jarod's eyes became narrow as his quickly came up with a plan. He stumbled to the door and rang the bell.
"Who can that be?" Charles thought as he went to the door.
"Excuse me, sir...." Jarod slurred his words. "....my car stopped down the road a bit and I was on my way home from this party and..."
"Get lost!" Charles slammed the door.
Jarod ran the door bell again. "It's not nice to slam the door in people's faces." Jarod made a fist and hit him across the face. Charles lost his balance and fell backwards. Jarod ran into the room that Emily was in. He began swinging at the men in there when he heard a gun shot. He froze.
"Who in the hell are you?" Charles asked as he walked closer to Jarod.
"I'm your worse nightmare."
"I guess we will see about that."
A man hit Jarod over the head and he went straight to the floor. Jarod came to when icy cold water hit his face. He tried to get up but the ropes that were around him were to tight.
"Tell me what you want."
"I want her." Jarod turned to face Emily.
"What is she to you?"
"Someone that did me wrong."
"I don't believe you."
"It's true. She took my money and ran."
"How much money?" Charles began to get interested.
"One hundred million."
"You mean to tell me, she ran off with one hundred million dollars."
"Yes and I want it back. I might cut you a deal if you let me talk to her."
He pointed to the man standing behind Jarod. The man loosen the ropes and Jarod stood up. He circled Emily. "Where is my money?" He yelled.
"What money?"
"The money you stole from me."
"I don't have your money."
"I can see this is going to take a little time. Do you guys mind stepping out?"
They looked at each. Charles nodded his head and they left them alone.
"What in the hell do you think you were doing?" Jarod asked quietly.
"I told you I had some news. Now, would you untie me and let's get the hell out of here?"
"Not yet." He pulled out his cell phone and made a quick call. Then he made some noises that sounded like he was hitting Emily. Jarod loosen the ropes. "Follow my lead." He told her as he opened the door. Charles and his men entered the room again.
"Well..."
"I know where the money is now."
"Good. Let's get going."
"Not yet."
"What do you mean 'not yet'?"
Jarod heard sirens moving closer. "I'm waiting for some friends."
"Why you little..." Charles hit Jarod. He bent over checking his lip. When Jarod saw blood, he raised back up and hit Charles. They fought until the door was kicked in by the police. Charles ran down the hall and out the back door. Jarod went after him. He jumped off some stairs landing right on Charles. They rolled around in the sand when a couple of police officers got there to grab Charles when Jarod stood up.
They walked back to the house. Jarod hugged Emily. He was happy to see she was all right. His phone rang. "Jarod, it's Simone."
"Is everything okay?"
"Melissa has gone into labor. We are at the hospital."
"I'm on my way." Jarod and Emily jumped into the car and drove off.