Nick knocked on Lulu's door, she has invited him to come by for breakfast. she opens the door and he followers her into the kitchen. Anne is sitting in her high chair, her face lights up with a big smile when she sees Nick.

"Good morning Sweetie, how is Daddy's little girl?"

He plants a kiss on top of her head.

"Happy Birthday Nick"

Lulu hands him an envelope. Inside is a card to 'The world's greatest Daddy', which is also proclaimed on a badge.

"You have to wear it."

Nick looks up at Lulu who is suppressing a smile.

"I will wear it with pride."

He takes it off the card and pins it on his jacket. Lulu puts breakfast on the table.

Nick is full of pancakes and fruit salad.

"I'll come pick Anne up around 6pm".

"we will see you then, hope you have a good day."

"Thanks for breakfast and the card, it was really nice of you."

"we mean every word Nick."

Nick smiles and gives Anne a kiss before leaving.

Nick settles down at his desk and starts on the files in front of him. He is able to get a good hour's work done before the first interruption. - It is Emily.

She stands before him.

"Hi Emily"

"Good morning Nick, I like the badge."

Nick looks down at it.

"Thank you"

"It's your birthday and you never told anyone."

"I don't really celebrate birthdays. Is there something I can do for you."

Emily can tell that Nick doesn't want to discuss it further.

"The little girl died during the night, so he is now being charged with murder."

Nick leans back and blows out his cheeks. I saw his lawyer was successful in getting him tried as a child. Are the prosecution going to try to get it back into the Court of Common Plea?

"I'm still waiting to hear from his lawyer about that. Nick I can't do this. I saw that girl, the state she was in. it's almost a blessing that she died."

Tears form in Emily's eyes. Nick looks away

"Alright let me have the file and call his lawyer and let him know I have his case now."

"I'm sorry Nick."

"It's okay, everyone has a case they can't handle. Here, now I have freed you up, a couple of new cases."

Emily takes the files offered and smiles

"Sure Boss and happy birthday."

Nick watches her leave, he opens the file Emily gave him and there are pictures of the victim. He really can't blame her for not being able to handle this case. He can't help thinking 'what if this was Anne'. He pushes it away knowing such thoughts won't help his client.

Another two hours of paperwork and Nick is ready to stretch his legs. He has two appointments, First is to the prison to meet his new client and then he is going to see Arnie and try to sort out the cat business once and for all, hoping he doesn't run into Judith.

Nick looks at the 13yr old boy sitting across from him. He has called his defense lawyer and learned that the prosecution is trying to get the boy tried as an adult. Since there has already been a ruling against them the chances are that it will stay in the juvenile system. It is Nick's job to tell him about the death of his sister and about the trial motion. Nick recognized the look in the boys face. He is scared and bewildered about what is happening to him.

"Matthew my name is Nick Fallin I am going to be your Guardian now."

"What happened to the lady?"

"She asked me to take your case as she felt that I would be better for you."

"She didn't like me. I could tell."

"I have somethings I need to tell you. You're sister died during the night. They are now charging you with murder. The boy dissolves in to tears.

"Marie is dead, I-I-I don't understand how-how can she be dead."

"Her burns were very serious, she developed an infection and she was too weak to fight it off."

Nick looked down at his hands while he waited for Matthew to compose himself.

"I didn't mean to hurt her, it was an accident. I like the smell of lighter fluid"

"You get high on it"

"Marie came in and I was a bit out of it and she must have been playing with it and got some on her. I-I-I had a cigarette in my mouth and I went to pick her up to take her out and it brushed against her and her clothes just burst into flames. "

"Why haven't you told your lawyer this."

"I shouldn't have been sniffing and smoking. My folks will be mad at me."

Nick nods his head, it's not the first time he has come across such screwed up thinking.

"I will tell your lawyer"

Nick is finishing up with Matthew's lawyer as he pulls up in front of Arnie's house. He is going to get Matthew's statement and he is hopeful that the boy will be able to be released because of his age. If the family can be put back together again is a different matter. Nick goes around the back of the house as Arnie has instructed him. He knocks on the door and Arnie is there in the kitchen about to put the kettle on. He waves Nick in. When Nick opens the door he is hit with the smell of gas filling his nostrils. He sees Arnie reach to turn on the hob.

"Stop Arnie"

As he is speaking he hurls himself at Arnie but it is too late and his world explodes around him as he feel himself hit Arnie and then the floor. He feels something hit him hard on his legs and then he feels and is aware of nothing.