Jennifer, wrapped in Jonathan's arms, broke their embrace and sat up, gesturing for Julie to join them on the bed. Julie sat on the end of the bed and Jennifer pulled her daughter into a warm embrace, "I'm so sorry, Baby." She stroked her hair and her back like she had done when Julie was a child and was hurt or scared

Julie pulled back a little, "I just can't believe it."

Jennifer brushed the hair out of Julie's eyes, "What did Brian say?"

"Well, He said it kind of looked like a robbery. He said the house was ransacked, at least the living room. He immediately called the police."

Jonathan had been quiet and trying to put some pieces together, "Was anything taken?" He moved closer to Jennifer gently rubbed her back

Julie wiped at her eyes again, "Actually, Brian didn't think so." Julie eyed her father with the same intense blue eyes. That was about the only real difference in her and Jennifer's appearance. She had Jonathan's blue eyes, "Dad, do you think it could have been staged to look like a robbery but wasn't?"

Jonathan had to smile to himself. His precocious daughter never missed anything, "Yes, that's what I think but I want to talk to the police. Is it the Palo Alto police? Surely the campus police aren't handling this?"

"I think so." Julie replied, "I really can't sleep. I guess I'll go downstairs and get a book to read or something." She started to get up

"Sweetheart, do you want to stay in here and talk for a while?" Jennifer asked

Jonathan had wanted to spend some time with Jennifer, alone, but that didn't seem likely now, and his daughter was upset and they had been traveling alone together for weeks, "I can go make us some snacks." He suggested getting up off the bed

"Thanks, Dad. I'm sorry to ruin what looked like…well…" She trailed off. It was obvious to everyone who knew Jonathan and Jennifer Hart that they were still madly in love but it was never more obvious than to their own children

Jonathan and Jennifer both blushed a little, "It's alright, kiddo. That can wait." He assured her, giving Jennifer a smile and a wink. He left the room to go get some snacks.

Julie looked at her mother, "Sorry, Mom." She smiled then looked down

Jennifer took her index finger and putting it under Julie's chin, lifted her head to meet her eyes, "You are impossible, my precious girl." She joked, "Now come, let's get comfortable." She moved back against the pillows and Julie moved on the other side of her so Jennifer would be in the middle of her and Jonathan

"Mom?" She asked looked down at her hands

"Yes?" Jennifer replied putting her arm around her daughter

Julie laid her head on Jennifer's shoulder, "Do you think Daddy can figure out what happened?"

"Well, hopefully the police will get to the bottom of it. We'll just have to wait and see."

Julie nodded and felt the comfort of her mother's arm around her. When she was little her parents could make everything alright, everything better. She recalled how many nights she toddled into their bedroom after having a bad dream and they would scoop her up in their arms and put her between them. But this was no bad dream and nothing could bring Professor Wakefield back.

Jonathan knocked on the door, "Darling, can you let me in?"

Jennifer got up and opened the door and Freeway the third came running in between his legs and jumped up on the bed. Julie scratched him behind his ears, "I missed you, boy." She cooed then looked at her father, "Chocolate chip cookies?"

"Yes, and milk and if you care for something a little saltier, we have mixed nuts."

THE NEXT MORNING

Having stayed up most of the night talking everyone was quite exhausted but Justin came by before work and they were filling him in on the situation. He had the same expression on his face as Jonathan had. He and Jennifer had always thought it kind of funny that Julie favored Jennifer so much except her blue eyes and Justin was almost a twin of Jonathan but had Jennifer's amber eyes, almost the color of whiskey. Just like his mother, those eyes told you everything.

"I think we should go up there and see if we can find out what's going on." He said, "I still can't believe someone would want to kill Professor Wake field. I mean he's a history professor for crying out loud. What could he have or know worth killing for?"

Jonathan sighed heavily and scratched his chin, "Well, we have to tread lightly. We can't go up there and bust in on the investigation. Maybe Lieutenant Morris can make some inquiries." He said referring to a good friend of theirs' on the LAPD.

"Maybe it was a robbery but he startled them and they shot him and just fled." Julie suggested, "That could be why nothing was taken."

Jennifer sat with Third on her lap stroking him behind his ears, "Well, that's certainly a possibility." She turned to Jonathan, "Why don't you call Lt. Morris later, darling? I think I'm going back to bed." She put Freeway and stood up and yawned

"I think I'll join you." Jonathan said yawning himself

"Boy, what did you guys do last night?" Justin teased

"We just talked, Justin." Julie said, "I can't sleep I think I'll read."

"Well, I've got to get to work." Justin said, "Uncle Martin really hates it if I'm late. I guess he doesn't want to appear to play favorites."

Jennifer hugged her son, "Have a good day, sweetheart, and don't worry, we'll get to the bottom of this."

Justin gave his mother a quick kiss on the cheek, "Thanks, Mom." He hugged Julie then pulled back and looked at her, "Jules, Mom is right, we'll figure it out." Julie smiled slightly and nodded

"I'll call you later if I found out anything." Jonathan assured him clapping him on the back as he walked him out

POLICE HEADQUARTERS

Jonathan decided to stop by and see Lt. Morris in person. He knew he would probably get some push back but he also knew that it had been a long time since he had asked for a favor. He knocked on the office door and Morris waved for him to come in.

"Hello Burt." Jonathan said extending his hand, "How are you?"

Burt smiled, "Well, I was doing just fine but I have a feeling you're not here for a social call." He gestured for Jonathan to take a seat

"No, I'm not." Jonathan replied, "I need a favor."

"I figured as much." Burt leaned back in his chair, "What can I do for you?"

"I suppose you heard about the murder up at Stanford, Hanson Wakefield." Jonathan explained, "Well, I'd like to find out what's going on with the investigation."

Burt shrugged, "Yeah, I heard about it but it sounds like a pretty straightforward case of Wakefield surprising an intruder and getting killed."

"Then why wasn't anything taken?" He replied, "I know it may be because the intruder got spooked but something doesn't seem right."

Burt sighed, "You're gut? Alright, I'll see if I can find out anything. But please, let the authorities handle it."

Jonathan smiled, "Of course." He assured him, "Thank you."

"Don't thank me unless I can come up with something." Burt said, "So, how's the family?"

"Oh, just fine. Julie just got home from school and Justin is working for a securities firm. They both had professor Wakefield at Stanford and naturally they are pretty shaken up but otherwise, just fine." He explained, "And Jennifer, well, things couldn't be better."

LATER THAT NIGHT

After dinner Jonathan and Jennifer were relaxing on the sofa and Julie had gone upstairs. They were worried about how hard she was taking this. When they found out Jennifer was pregnant with Justin they made a promise then and there, no more exploits. They couldn't risk putting themselves or the children in danger. This was the first time something like this had touched either one of them except when Max and Jennifer's father had died. But those were natural deaths. Jonathan got up and fixed a couple of brandies for them and returned to the sofa.

"Here you are, darling." He said handing her the glass

"Thank you." She said taking a sip, "Hmmm, just what I needed."

He put his arm around her, "Well, I'm here to serve." He quipped

She laughed softly leaning her head on his shoulder. Even after almost thirty years together, she still felt so safe in his arms, "I really am worried about Julie. She has really let this get to her."

"I know and I don't know how to comfort her." He said, "When she was little it was easy. But the bigger they get the bigger the problems."

Jennifer was about to respond when the buzzer sounded. She got up and went to answer it, "Yes, who is it?"

"Mrs. Hart?" A male voice came through the intercom, "It's Brian Palmer. I'm a friend of Julie's. I was the one who found Professor Wakefield. I'm sorry for imposing but I'd like to talk to her if I could."

"Alright, come on up." She buzzed him in, "Darling, I'll get Julie. Would you let Brian in?"

Jonathan got up off the couch, "Sure, I've got my shotgun right by the door." He joked

"Jonathan." She scolded, "He's just a friend." She made her way upstairs to Julie's room

There was a knock on the door and Jonathan opened it to find a very good looking, tall, blond young man, "Brian?"

"Yes." He replied, "You must be Mr. Hart. It's nice to meet you." He extended his hand

"Nice to meet you, too." Jonathan shook his hand, "Come on in. Jennifer went to get Julie."

"Mr. Hart, I really am sorry to just show up like this but I talked to Julie again this afternoon and I am worried about her."

"Well, so are her mother and I." Jonathan replied just as Julie came down the stairs followed by Jennifer

"Darling, this is Brian."

Jennifer extended her hand, "It's nice to meet you, Brian."

"You too, Mrs. Hart." He shifted his gaze to Julie, "Hey, Julie, how are you?"

Julie shrugged, "Okay, I guess." She looked nervously to her parents then back to Brian, "Why don't we talk in the kitchen?"

"Oh, that's fine sweetheart." Jennifer assured her

"Thanks, Mom." She said and led Brian through the living room into the kitchen

Jonathan and Jennifer walked back into the living room, "I do believe young Brian has an eye for Julie. Did you see his face when he saw her?" Jennifer asked

"I saw it alright." Jonathan said

"Jonathan, you are terrible." She said as they sat back down on the sofa, "You get such a kick out of scaring any boy Julie ever dated half to death."

"It's in the dad's handbook." He quipped, "Besides I know how I was at that age." He recalled, "And your father would have never let me near you."

TBC…the investigation deepens