Phoebe answered the door to find Darryl standing on the porch of the manor.
"Hey, Darryl, what's up?" Phoebe asked.
"Hi, Phoebe," said Darryl nervously. "I need to talk to you guys. It's kind of important."
"Sure, come on in," said Phoebe.
She called for Piper and Paige as they walked into the living room. Piper came out of the kitchen, Leo close behind, and Paige came down the stairs. They all greeted Darryl. He looked concerned. Not an unusual look for him. As an Inspector for the San Francisco police department he usually had a lot on his mind.
"Hey, Darryl," said Piper. "What brings you out on a day like this?"
"I have a problem," said Darryl. "Your kind of problem. We arrested a guy yesterday for attempted murder. A patrol unit was investigating a domestic disturbance when they got a call about some guy lurking around the same building. They caught the guy and hauled him in. Lucky for us the unit was there. It might have taken too long for one to arrive."
"So what does this have to do with us?" Paige asked.
"Well, I got called in," said Darryl. "The units were uneasy about this guy. I didn't understand until I arrived. He's arrogant. Oh, I've had my share of arrogant suspects before. But this guy is different. He acts like nothing's going to happen to him. Like he has some kind of inside connections that are going to make this all go away."
"I still don't see how this involves us," said Phoebe.
"When they arrested the guy," said Darryl, "he was carrying a large knife. It looked like one of those athames you guys keep talking about. You know, the kind that demons use. And when I ran a check on the victim I found she was involved in some other cases. Strange disappearances with an occult connection. So I'm figuring this woman might be a witch."
"And her assailant might be a demon," commented Leo.
"Exactly," said Darryl. "If he is a demon, we aren't equipped to deal with him if he tries something. Not that he's tried anything yet. He just sits quietly in his cell leaving everyone else alone. It's weird. From what you've told me about demons this doesn't sound like normal behavior."
"No, it doesn't," said Piper thoughtfully. "Why would a demon let himself be taken prisoner? And why wouldn't it just shimmer away the first chance it got?"
"That's what has me worried," said Darryl. "This guy acts like he hasn't a care in the world but he's just sitting in his jail cell."
"Any identification on this guy?" Phoebe asked.
"None," said Darryl. "He only says his name is Kempo. His prints aren't on file and we can't find any information on him at all."
Just then Darryl's cell phone rang. He excused himself as he answered it.
"Well, if this guy is a demon he must be up to something," said Piper. "We need to find out what kind of demon he is. I wonder why he isn't trying anything? I can't figure out why a demon would just let himself be arrested and then sit quietly in a jail cell."
"That is strange," said Paige.
"It could be trying not to expose itself," suggested Leo. "Even demons know the importance of not exposing magic to the world. Maybe it couldn't risk using its powers for fear of exposing what it is."
"That makes sense," said Phoebe. "So why is it sitting quietly in jail instead of trying to get out?"
"He isn't," said Darryl. "That was the desk sergeant. He called to let me know that this Kempo has been bailed out. He walked out of the station half an hour ago."
"Bailed out?" questioned Piper. "On a murder charge?"
"Attempted murder," said Darryl. "And the arraigning judge set a pretty high bail for him. But some high priced lawyer just walked in and posted the entire bail in cash. A lawyer named Coleson. He represents some of the worst cases we have. And he's very good."
"Coleson?" questioned Phoebe. "Peter Coleson?"
'Yeah, that's him," said Darryl. "Why, do you know him?"
"Sort of," said Leo. "But it doesn't sound like the Peter Coleson we know."
"Well, as far as I can tell he's pretty honest," said Darryl. "Not like some of the lawyers we have to deal with. There's never been a question of his ethics even if he does defend some of the worst low lifes in the city."
"Maybe we should pay Peter a visit," said Piper. "Find out what's going on here."
"You might want to warn him, too," said Darryl. "If this Kempo is a demon Coleson could be in danger."
"Not likely," said Paige. "Let's just say that Peter doesn't need to be worried where demons are concerned."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Darryl asked.
"Never mind," said Phoebe. "Thanks for the tip, Darryl. We'll check into it. If this Kempo is a demon we'll take care of it."
"What about Coleson?" Darryl asked.
"He's like you said," said Piper. "A good lawyer. I wouldn't worry about him. You probably don't have anything to be concerned with in that area."
"Okay," said Darryl. "To be honest I really don't want to know more than I all ready do. I only came to you guys because some of the uniforms could be in danger if this Kempo is a demon."
"We understand," said Piper. "And thanks. We'll take it from here."
"Why would Peter be representing demons?" Paige asked after Darryl had left. "From the way he talked when he was here he wasn't accepted by the underworld."
"It does kind of make sense," said Leo. "If a demon gets into trouble with human authorities, they may not be able to use magic to get out of it without exposing themselves. As part demon they could go to Peter without having to worry about exposing themselves further."
"That doesn't explain why Peter would represent them," said Phoebe. "And if he's still around he might still be after Cole. He did threaten to kill Cole one day."
"Yeah," said Paige. "Where is Cole by the way?"
"I sent him on some errands," said Piper.
"You sent him on some errands?" Leo asked.
"Yeah," said Phoebe. "He was kind of restless with nothing to do. So Piper sent him after some potion ingredients and spices she needed for dinner. Actually, I think he was thankful for something to do. Since he lost his powers he's been feeling like a fifth wheel around here."
"Well, I think this time we keep him in the dark," said Piper. "Without his powers he's as vulnerable as any innocent. And knowing him he'd insist on charging off to take care of the situation. No one say a thing to him."
"What about the demon?" Paige asked. "Cole might know which demon it is. That could be a big help."
"Check the Book of Shadows," said Piper. "Maybe this Kempo is in there. In the mean time I think we should pay Peter a little visit. He seemed friendly enough toward us when he was here even considering he tried to kill Cole."
"I'll go talk to him," said Phoebe. "He seemed especially concerned with me when he found out Cole and I were together. That might help him to open up a little."
"Good idea," said Piper. "Find out everything you can. Why he's representing this demon, who and what the demon is, everything. Demons don't just let themselves be taken by the police and then quietly sit in jail waiting to be bailed out. If this demon is up to something I want to know what it is."
"I'll go this afternoon," said Phoebe. "I should be able to find him listed in the phone directory. Most attorneys are easy to locate."
"And I'll check the Book of Shadows," said Paige. "If there is a listing on this Kempo it might also have a vanquishing spell or potion for him. That will make it a lot easier to deal with him."
"Everyone just be careful," said Piper. "This could be some elaborate plan to get at us through Darryl. Be on your guard."
"We will," said Phoebe heading for the kitchen. "I'll go see if I can find out where Peter is practicing at."
"You have any ideas?" Piper asked Leo after her sisters had left the room.
"Not really," said Leo. "It certainly is strange behavior for a demon."
"Well, we'll wait to see what Phoebe and Paige find out," said Piper. "Then we'll formulate a plan to deal with it. Come on. We still have lunch to finish preparing."
Piper and Leo went back into the kitchen to wait for whatever information Phoebe and Paige could come up with.