Chapter 1

Seven in the morning on a rainy day Officer Jamal Taylor, a tall thin black male with brown hair and hazel eyes, enters his Victorian style home. A book is thrown at his head he ducks the book and screams "what's your problem Mandy" at his wife a light skinned black female with shoulder length braids, dressed in a tank top and low slung jeans that hung low off her small framed body.

"You, I can't take this anymore J, you didn't call and now you just show up like nothing happened. I saw the news they said that darn building caught fire I thought you were…" Amanda Taylor stopped her eyes watering she understood that her husband had a dangerous job but she could not bear to think how she would feel if he didn't come home."

Jamal walks to his wife, holds her first at arms length and then embraces her. "I'm sorry but everything happened so fast." He spoke into the top of her head. Look at me. She complies looking up into the hazel pools of his eyes. "I'm never going to not call again ok I didn't mean to scare you. I'm glad you don't have that great of aim or I'd be on the floor right now. No more books." Amanda was starting to calm down Jamal's voice was so rich and deep it could soothe her mood most of the time.

A young, brown eyed, light skinned girl with long dark hair to the middle of her back ran down the stairs. "Daddy, daddy where you been?"

Before Jamal could answer a knock sounded at the door. "Hold that thought" Jamal said as he disengaged himself from the hug he shared with his wife, turning toward the door. He waved Amanda and the young girl away from the door as he went to open it. "Hey Dan, come on in."

At the door stood his partner Dan Rodriguez a tall older man of Latin decent with light blue eyes that seemed whiter the older he got and dark brown hair with blonde streaks in front, Dan was six foot three, his build slim but one could tell he worked out he was buff but not big. "Hey man "I just came to ask you did you see Timothy set the fire. If so, you're the man I need to help me. Captain Ferrelli said she sent you home after you were checked out. You okay man?"

"Yeah I was one of the first ones out; man I needed air fresh air. I heard that Mike didn't make it out. The building must've been imploding or something fire don't spread that quickly."

"Yeah man I hear ya. You didn't see Timothy though man."

"I saw him, I gave chase but he must have disappeared. I hope we catch him quick before IA gets wind of this crap."

"I know but since you saw him, you would be the only one that could identify him. Meet me at The Bistro on fourth at around noon. I got a plan."

"Oh boy, four words I can live with out you saying for a while. I'm scared to ask but I must what's your plan?"

"Don't worry bout it this Danny-boy got your back. Seeya then?"

"Yeah, I'll be there."

"Good, deal" Dan walks out of the foyer and runs to his car.

Amanda comes up behind Jamal "he runs fast for an old guy. I mean how old is he like forty-five. That dark hair tint ain't foolin anybody."

Jamal looks at his wife and then down at his five year old daughter. "Be nice Mommy, Starlet is right behind you and kids are like sponges."

"Mommy, do I really look like a sponge." Young starlet asks spinning around arms out head held back looking up at her parents as they go past as she spins.

"No dear, daddy is just talking." Amanda says stopping the child from spinning before she falls. Go get your books it almost time for school."

"Only for a hug" Starlet says holding her little arms out towards her parents. Jamal and Amanda both hug their child. Jamal then pats Starlet on the head and tells her he will be taking her to school today. Amanda offers saying she is heading that way anyway. Jamal stares at his wife and insists on taking Starlet. Starlet takes her most mommy pose and flips her hair to the side imitating her mother's usual tone the best that a young child can. "Now children don't scribble"

"No dear not scribble the word is squabble and we're not squabbling just talking. Now go on up and get you books for school." Starlet runs up the stars. Jamal yells up after her "Star, no running in the house."

Minutes later Starlet walks back down the stairs her book bag hanging off one arm pulling her favorite pink shirt off her shoulder. Amanda adjusts her clothing and father and daughter both exit the house.

As Jamal is backing out of the driveway a man walks into his path from behind a bush. Jamal hits the breaks just in time not to run over the man. The man stands in silence for a time then walks away. "Idiot" Jamal mutters under his breath. Jamal pulls out onto the street whips the car to the left and accelerates past the man.