NOVEMBER 22, SUNDAY

Everyone was still asleep, except for Don and Jimmy. They sat at Sara's kitchen table discussing what to do next, and on the west coast Colby, David, and Megan were already at the office. Don Checked his watch and thought carefully. "Ok my guys should be in." He picked up his cell and dialed David's desk phone. It rang a few times before David answered with his usual "Sinclair."

"David, hey have you guys got anything new on the case." Don asked concerned.

"Don, aren't you on vacation? Kelley is not gonna be happy if she knows you are still working." David chuckled into the phone.

"Yeah well, this case involves her." Don sighed.

"Oh no not again, can that girl not catch a break." David made a face. This comment got Megan and Colby's attention.

"Apparently not. Put me on speaker." David obliged and Don did the same with his cell. Don and Jimmy went over the details of the case in Oxford. They left out no details, including the fact that Kelley's parents were victims and that she could still be in danger.

"Poor Kelley. What is she a magnet for bad guys with bad intentions?" Colby shook his head.

"Tell me about it, now what do you guys have." Don asked.

"Well, we had a call come in from a doctoral student at USC saying he was concerned about a report he heard on the scanner. He's a Criminal Justice major so he uses some of the stuff he hears for his research. He heard a report that a body had been found and the dental records match a student named Justin Baker, but he knows a Justine Baker, he's an undergraduate student at USC. We compared the dental records to the student records of the kid our informant pointed us to, and get this, they match!" Megan laid the folder down in front of her as she read. "Turns out the kid that was killed was a ward of the state. His parents were killed when he was 4 and he went into an orphanage. He was a great student and earned enough scholarships to give him a free ride to a community college. He did so well there that for his Junior and Senior year he was going to USC for free with extra money to spare. We did some digging and the student photos from the community college and USC do not match."

"We tracked down some of Justine's Ju-co classmates. Everyone we interviewed said he stayed to himself and never really talked to anyone. When we showed them the picture of the Justine Baker at USC, they all said that he was not the guy they went to school with, close but not him." David had picked up the story. "According to the M.E. the real Justine died in early January. He was buried in an abandoned lot. They started construction in that lot and that's when the body was found."

Colby continued. "We checked with USC, and the kid who was posing as Justine Baker hasn't been to class since the body was discovered. We checked his apartment, nothing to show us his real identity. We've been keeping tabs on his credit cards and yesterday he bought a plane ticket to Memphis, Tennessee."

"How long has this guy been in the wind?" Don asked suddenly looking concerned.

"About a week." Megan answered.

"Ok guys. I need you on a plane to Memphis ASAP. We'll be assisting the Oxford FBI Office in looking for this guy." Don put his face in his hands and ran his fingers up through his hair. Knowing that this guy was on his way to Memphis could only mean one thing; he was on his way to take out the last person who could identify him.

"Why would this guy come back to Oxford? He's been identified there too. Why go back to a place where you know you could get caught?" Colby asked.

"Think about it guys. He was exposed here, he killed the person who exposed him and her husband, but left her daughter, Ladybug. Mysteriously he pops up in L A, where she is living. Pulls off this scam for almost a year, on the same campus where Ladybug goes to school, and when he's been exposed there, he heads back to where the one person who could identify him in both places just happens to be. Come on guys, it doesn't take Charlie to tell us that is way too calculated to be a coincidence."

"So you think he'll come after Kelley?" Megan asked with concern.

"I do." Jimmy answered. "The way in which he murdered Kelley's family was gruesome. He won't stop until there is no one who can identify him."

"You're right." Megan's voice showed her disappointment. She was hoping that the facts wouldn't point to her friend being in danger yet again, but she knew there was no other reasoning. "He did break his pattern this time. Usually he stays at a school under an assumed identity only long enough to get his financial aid and then he splits, but this time he's stayed the entire spring semester, went to summer school, and was enrolled in fall classes. He's been sticking around for some reason. Only leaving because the thought he was going to be caught."

"Now do you see why I want you guys here? He's coming after Ladybug I know it. I'm gonna need all the help I can get to protect her and to catch this guy before he can get to her." Don was careful not to raise his voice and wake anyone.

"Ok Don we'll be on the next plane to Memphis." David got out his phone and started making plans.

"See you guys when you get here." Don hung up his phone.

"Who's coming after Ladybug?" Alan was standing at the door of the kitchen.

"Dad, what are you doing up?" Don shook his head, the last thing he needed was his Dad freaking out about this, and in turn freaking out Charlie and Kelley.

"I need coffee. Donnie what's going on here?" Alan looked concerned. Kelley was his daughter now, he knew she and Charlie would eventually get married, he looked forward to that day. She had almost been killed by Jeffery Rials a year ago, and Don looked worried, Alan was determined to get to the bottom of this.

"Sit down Mr. Eppes." Jimmy gestured for Alan to join he and Don at the table. The two of them explained the situation to Alan.

"Not again. Donnie how did this happen? Ladybug is the sweetest girl in the world how is it that she keeps getting herself into trouble?" Alan looked concerned.

"I don't know Dad, but you know I won't let anything happen to her. I want her to have fun here, and I don't want to scare her so you can't say anything to her or Charlie. I don't want to involve either of them until I have too." Don looked at his father with a somber expression.

"Ok Donnie, whatever I can do to help let me know, and I won't say a word to Charlie and Kelley. And you two better get this stuff off the table; I thought I heard her talking in her and Charlie's room." Alan threw up his hands and got up to make coffee.

A few minutes later Kelley entered the kitchen. Don jerked the last bit of paperwork off the table and hid it in his lap. "Good morning all." She yawned and headed to the coffee pot.

"When did you start drinking coffee Little One?" Jimmy asked from the table.

"I don't, Charlie does. We stayed up really late playing Monopoly with the boys last night, and if I ever want to get him up, I'll need coffee and lots of it." She smiled and reached for a coffee cup.

"Yep that's Charlie." Don laughed a shook his head.

Kelley turned around and saw that Jimmy and Don were looking a little suspicious. "What are you two up too?" She narrowed her eyes at them.

"Nothing at all Ladybug. Just two FBI agents having a cup of coffee." Don gave her his most innocent look.

"Uh-huh. Somehow I don't trust you." She gave them a smile. "I tell you what if there is something going on, don't tell me until I have to know. Now I'm gonna go try and wake up Goldy Locks." She flashed them another smile and headed to the bedroom to wake up Charlie. She headed down the hall with cup in hand. Quietly she opened the door and walked over to the bed and sat on the edge gently. "Charlie." She shook him gently. "Charlie honey, it's time to wake up." He stirred a little but didn't wake up. "Charlie come on. We're only here for a week and there is so much I want to do."

"No. I don't want too." He rolled on to his back, but kept his eyes closed.

"I have coffee." She said in a sing song voice.

"Ooooo. That's not fair. You know I'm a sucker for caffeine." He opened his eyes and sat up.

"I do. And it is perfectly fair; I have to get you up somehow." She smiled at him and reached for the cup she had put on the bedside table and handed it too him.

Charlie sat with his back against the headboard. He wrapped his free arm around Kelley's waist and pulled her close until she was sitting next to him with her back against the headboard as well, he carefully balanced his coffee in the other hand. "So what do you have on the agenda for today?" He asked and took his first sip. "Mmm. This is good. Did you make it?"

"Nope your Dad did." She rested her head on his shoulder.

"You mean Dad is already up? He was about to drop last night, but he wouldn't stop playing Monopoly. I think he was really enjoying playing with the boys last night, especially Hamp. He is such a cutie." Charlie smiled as he thought about the expression on his Dad's face watching the little boy's expression as he collect rent from everyone at the table.

"Yeah. He's a mess." Kelley shook her head and her smile faded as she thought about what Don, Jimmy, and Alan were talking about.

"What's the matter? You look like something is bothering you." Charlie's face immediately filled with concern.

"I'm sure it's nothing. I just saw Don, Jimmy, and your Dad talking about something at the table. They all looked really upset when I came in, and Don yanked something off the table and in to his lap. He didn't think I saw but I did." She looked into Charlie's eyes.

"What do you think it was about?" He reached up and moved a strand of hair from her eyes and swept it behind her ear.

"I have a feeling it has something to do with my parent's murder, but I can't be sure." She turned her head to look out the window.

"Do you think you need to be under protection again?" Charlie's face fell. He almost worried himself sick last year when Kelley was in danger. He didn't know if he could go through that again.

"No, no I don't think so. If I did Don and Jimmy would tell me." She turned to face Charlie. "Please don't worry Charlie, I could be totally wrong. Don and Jimmy would never put me in danger. I've put my life into both of their hands before and they took care of me. I trust them with my life and I would do it again."

"Ok. Whatever you think is best, and I know Don wouldn't let anything happen to you." He kissed her forehead. "I just know I can't ever lose you. You mean to me too much to me." He moved closer to her as he said this.

"I'm not going anywhere Professor Eppes." She moved closer as well. "I'm afraid you're stuck with me."

"Glad to hear it." He leaned in close and kissed her passionately. She gladly kissed him back.

A LITTLE LATER

After showers and getting dressed Charlie and Kelley headed to the kitchen for what smelled like a wonderful breakfast. "What smells so good in here, Sara?" Charlie asked as they entered the kitchen.

"Well let's see." Sara observed all of the food she had prepared. "We have bacon, eggs, biscuits, and gravy."

"Who made the gravy?" Kelley asked as she narrowed her eyes.

"You know Pappy did." Sara smiled at her. Pappy referred to her husband CD.

"I should have known." Kelley headed to the counter and picked up a plate and began helping herself. Charlie followed close behind.

"This is some good stuff Sara." Don said through a mouthful of food.

"I knew you would like the food here G-man." Kelley joined he and Jimmy at the table.

"So what are you up to today Little One?" Jimmy asked.

"Well, it's a nice day, so I figured we'd head to campus and show everyone the Grove and maybe get in a round of disk golf."

"Can I come too?" Hamp and his brother Dalt asked simultaneously.

"I don't know how much money you got?" Kelley narrowed her eyes at the young boys.

"All of yours and Charlie's if you let me use Monopoly money." Hamp said with a smile. Everyone laughed.

"I guess that'll have to do." Kelley reached over and tussled his hair.

After breakfast, everyone got ready to head out for the day. "So are you coming with us Don or are you hanging out with your new BFF Jimmy?" Kelley cocked her head to the side and smiled at Don.

"And miss disk golf? Are you crazy?" Don chuckled a little.

"I was just checking." She put her hand on his shoulder. "You two have been hanging out a lot I thought you had found a new past time for the trip."

"Nah. I'm on vacation remember?" Don gave her a smile as they all headed out the door.

The rest of the day went by slowly. The group included Kelley, Charlie, Don, Alan, Hamp, Dalt, Ann, and her daughter Elizabeth, they took a driving tour of Oxford. They went to see the Grove first. Kelley explained how the Grove was used as the tailgating area for Ole Miss home games. "Just wait until Friday; this place will be covered in tents. The tents will be loaded with food and decorated with so much red and blue it's not even funny." They visited Rowan Oak, the home of William Faulkner. This stop was for Alan. As they walked the grounds, Kelley noticed that along with Charlie's hand holding, Don seemed to be staying right by her side at all times. The day continued with a round of disk golf. Everyone was having lots of fun. Dalt and Hamp were having a great time with Charlie and Don. Picking on each other and goofing off.

"Just think one day that'll be your little monster's they're playing with." Elizabeth came to stand beside Kelley. They watched the two sets of brothers laughing and playing a few feet away.

"Ya think so?" She smiled at the thought of her and Charlie having children some day.

"Duh! Have you seen the way he looks at you? Trust me Little One, that boy is not going anywhere." Elizabeth gave her playful shove. "Now what about that brother of his? Is he seeing anyone?"

"Whoa now! He is way too old for you." Kelley pointed at Elizabeth and giving her the protective big sister like stare.

"Don't hate!" Elizabeth gave her a shove.

After the game, everyone was hungry. They decided on a good Southern home cooking restaurant in the main part of town called the Square. And it was just that, a square of stores with they city court house in the middle. The restaurant was called Ajax's. "I want to sit by Don." Hamp spoke up as they walked closer to the table.

"I think we can arrange that." Don chuckled and helped the six-year-old into his seat. "What are you going to get?" Don looked down at the little boy.

"Chicken and dumplings. It's my favorite." Hamp smiled up at him.

"If it's you favorite, then I'll probably like it too." Don gave the little boy a big smile.

After getting their food everyone ate and joked and laughed. Don's phone rang. He looked at the caller ID, excused himself, and headed outside to take the call. "Megan, give me good news."

"We are close to Oxford." Her voice didn't sound comforting.

"Ladybug's life may be in danger I need better news than that." Don put his free hand on his hip.

"We checked with people at the airport. They saw Baker getting off of the plane, and the people at the rental car counter remember him renting a car. He paid cash." Megan reported what she knew.

"Anything on the car?" Don asked.

"It has a locator chip and we tracked it down to the Kroger parking lot there in Oxford. We gave Agent Shorter a call. He checked it out, but there was nothing. Funny thing is the Kroger is right next door to the FBI building. He's taunting us." Megan sighed disgusted.

"How close are you guys?" Don was anxious to get his team on the ground in Oxford.

"About 20 more miles. What do you want us to do when we get into town?" She asked trying to gauge the concern in Don's voice.

"Get in touch with Agent Shorter and have him meet you somewhere. You guys work with him. I'll be in the loop, but I don't want Ladybug scared so I'm acting as if nothing is going on. I haven't seen anything out of the ordinary today, but I want to make sure she has someone with her at all times." Don glanced back inside to make sure Kelley wasn't looking. She wasn't, she was happily talking to Hamp and the rest. "I'm gonna make damn sure this guy doesn't get anywhere near Ladybug."

"And we're gonna help you Don. Just as soon as we get there." Megan meant every word she said. She was there last year, and she knew what Kelley had gone through, what they all had. Rials had outsmarted them and gotten his hands on Kelley last time, she was going to make sure that this time things would be different.