Author Note: Hey wonderful people. I know you're mad and I understand I really was trying to keep my word and post one chapter out a week but my life has been pretty crazy the past month so again I'm very sorry. I appreciate everyone's patience with this story I try to write whenever I get a free moment. I also want to thank everyone who has sent me messages telling me how much they like my story. You're one of the many reasons I keep going. I hope you like the direction that the story is going in. I love to hear back from the readers to see what they think. So if you have any suggestions please write me a review or send me a PM. Who's ready for Season 3! Just two more days! Enjoy Chapter 28.


"So, how can I help you two?"

The question lingered in the room as Mike and Paige looked at Anna from across the room. Mike quickly glanced at Paige, waiting for her to start since she was the lead. The seconds ticked away as neither spoke. Anna pulled off her jacket as she sat down across from them. "This is clearly going to be awhile, so let's get comfortable and cut to the chase."

"Excuse me?" Mike asked.

"I've been a lawyer for a long time and I can tell when people are hiding something or lying. You two are doing both."

Paige then walked over and sat right next to Anna. The two stared at one another, trying to size each other up. "What else can you tell about us?"

"Well, I can tell that your husband—if he really is…."

"I am," Mike said before she could finish.

"Now that I believe. No hesitation and a straight forward answer."

"What else?" asked Paige.

"Well, I know for a fact he's not a pilot."

"How can you tell?"

"The way he presents himself. Mike looks the part but any real pilot like myself could tell he was a fake a mile away. I mean what pilot doesn't take any opportunity to fly when he or she gets the chance."

Mike shook his head, cursing at himself for the mistake. Anna then leaned forward and looked Paige directly in the eyes before standing up and walking around the room. "So we know he's not a pilot and you're clearly not a housewife or anything typical career wise. So the real question is, who are you and why the interest in my family?"

"I'm FBI, she's DEA. We've been assigned to investigate Nick and Brandi."

"Investigate them for what?" Anna asked.

"Drug smuggling," said Paige.

Anna's face grew red with anger and one of her veins popped out on the side of her face. "You can't be serious? Those kids have done nothing wrong!" She directed her anger towards Paige.

Mike stepped in between the ladies, trying to ease the tension. "A new strain of weed is hitting the streets. It's nothing we've seen before."

"And you assume its Nick and Brandi? Where's your proof?" Anna said, turning her anger towards Mike.

"The influx of money that Nick and Brandi have been receiving over the past few months matches up with how long the weed has been on the streets," said Paige.

"That's all you have? It won't hold up in court."

"But the weed that Brandi gave me not long ago is very close to what's being sold on the street," said Paige.

"What are you talking about?"

"When Mike and I first moved in they invited us over for movie night. Brandi and I were alone and she began to roll up a joint using weed that was nearly the exact strain we have been looking into. She told me she and Nick made this in their lab."

Anna looked at the two agents and anger and frustration consumed her. "So they make weed? Big deal. You said it yourself that the strain that they have is similar but not exact."

"They're a 95% match," said Mike.

"95 is not 100. Yes, you could arrest them, but I would have them out in an hour and have your jobs along with it."

"There's also the money trail that leads back to Melina Vasquez, and before you say who is that, we know that you're her lawyer," said Paige as she handed Anna a file. "We have bank records that tie you and the Davises to Vasquez financially." Anna looked through the file. As angry as she was, the careful detail on this report impressed her. "So I'm Vasquez's legal counsel. You have nothing on me, and these reports show no direct transaction between Nick, Brandi and Melina Vasquez."

"We know, but the money goes from her to you, then to Nick and Brandi. We can have you on charges of money laundering," said Mike.

Before Anna could counter Mike cut in, "This is how it plays out. Nick and Brandi's mom got sick, the families and insurance were able to cover the cost, but as their cancer grew worse, the bills piled up. In an act of desperation, you connect them with Vasquez, and in return for what we call the 'super weed' they get the funds to care for their family. Everybody goes home happy," Mike added.

Anna looked at the two agents and began to laugh. "You people are so off it's not even funny. And even if that theory of yours gets them arrested, it won't hold up in court. At the end of the day you will have destroyed two innocent lives in the process. So go ahead and arrest them, but make no mistake, I will make it my personal mission to destroy both of you."

Mike shook his head and chuckled. "You have two choices, Anna: either you can make good on your threat, or you can help us prove their innocence."

Mike's statement caught Anna off guard. "What are you talking about?" she said.

"That theory that we mentioned may work for everyone else, but for Mike and I, it's total bullshit."

"Care to explain?"

"The more Mike and I looked into Nick and Brandi, we realized that there is no way they can be hard core drug dealers. Yeah they're smart, but its book smarts. There is no way they would work with someone like Vasquez directly," Paige said.

"Even in desperation, they're not going to become drug dealers. Yes, they did make the weed, but selling it wasn't the purpose," Mike added.

Anna's attitude toward Mike and Paige began to turn as they were slowly piecing things together. "What was it then?" she asked.

"Their mothers," Mike answered. "The chemo was taking its toll on their moms. The meds to counter the chemo were not working so they create a weed to help ease the pain and it does far better than they ever thought. They start to think of how their weed can help other families in need, but they know that if they try going through our government it would take years to even be heard, and then eventually it would be thrown out because marijuana is still illegal. But that's where you come in."

"With you being able to practice law internationally, you can connect Nick and Brandi with someone who can help them get their trails started," Paige added. "Ms. Vasquez, who we all know is in a business that let's say is frowned upon, so you need help this person improve their image, and what better way than to help people battling cancer."

"Nick and Brandi provide the weed and get paid for it, Melina provides the clinic, patients, and data for them to publish their work in hopes of getting testing elsewhere. In return, Melina gets a change in public image and with your connections internationally, you can sell this treatment to countries where marijuana is legal, giving her a much needed legit revenue stream. In the simplest terms: everyone wins," says Mike with a smile.

Anna looked over all the files they had. She was more than impressed. They had done their homework connecting Nick and Brandi to her—or Melina, that is. "You two should be working in the private sector. Your talent is wasted working for the US government."

"We don't do it for the money," said Mike.

"Believe it or not, we actually want to help people," said Paige.

"I can believe that. You two could have just made the simple connection of the drugs to Nick and Brandi and arrested them. Instead you found out the truth. So my question to you is, with all this information why are you still investigating them?"

"The drugs are still being sold, and someone is making money off it and putting the blame on Nick and Brandi. We're running out of time."

"What do you mean?"

There is an agent from DC who is dead set on capturing Vasquez and anyone associated with her," said Mike. "As of 20 minutes ago, she has hijacked our investigation and has warrants for Nick and Brandi."

"But they're innocent!" Anna yelled. "Show her your evidence that proves otherwise!"

Mike held the files in his hand. "To her, this is all theory from two people who she feels are too close to the case and the suspects."

"But you have evidence!"

"It's like you said earlier—what we have won't hold up in court." Paige added.

Anna grabbed a glass and hurled it across the room. Mike and Paige saw the spark in her eye. They were no longer seeing Anna Velasquez, but Melina Vasquez. Mike walked across the room to her. His body was slightly shaking as fear crept in. His heart was beating out of his chest as he inched closer to her. Mike took a deep breath, as he was now inches from her face. "There are two ways to prove Nick and Brandi's innocence, but in doing so we need Melina Vasquez and we know you can get a hold of her."

Anna looked in Mike's eyes and she saw it. The slight hint of fear she sees in the eyes of all the people she has killed. She was impressed that even though they knew who she was, they weren't going to just blurt it out. She also knew that they were all on the same side, and that by working together they could save her family. But in doing so she might risk he family knowing the secret she has been hiding for over twenty years. It was a risk she was willing to take.

"Say I can get a hold of her. What can she do?" Anna asked.

"We need to collaborate on the case involving the drugs," said Paige. "We know that she has been looking into this."

"How are you so sure?"

"I was involved in a shootout the other night and one of the gunmen that I took down was a member of her cartel. They had destroyed the office of the woman who sold the property where they were growing the weed to the guy claiming to be Nick."

"You of people know that no one in her organization does anything without her approval," Mike added.

"Well, you're right about that, but it won't be easy to get ahold of her. Both your agencies have been looking for her for how long? She's a ghost."

"You're her lawyer. I'm sure she'll come out of hiding and talk to you," said Mike.

Anna raised her eyebrow, giving Mike the look warning him not to push it. "I need to make a call," she said. Mike and Paige watched as she made her way to the door, Anna then stopped and turned, "I have to say I'm very impressed with your investigation, agents…?"

"Warren. Mike and Paige Warren."

Anna's simply shook her head and smiled, "Of course you are," she said while exiting the room.

"What was that?" Paige asked. "It's like she knows us."

"More like someone we know."

"Any ideas of who?"

"Beats me. You don't think she'll run do you?"

"No, she's gonna help us." Paige placed her hand on Mike's shoulder. "Hey you did really great back there."

"You had doubts?" Mike asked with a smirk.

"Not in the least," said Paige as she kissed Mike on the cheek. As she pulled away, she looked down to see Mike's hands bunched up in fists, shaking uncontrollably. Mike saw the look in her face as she gently stepped back.

"Mike…"

"I'll be fine, Paige."

Paige wanted to press him, but knew this wasn't the time. "You gonna be alright to see this through?"

"And leave you to get all the glory?" The two share a soft laugh as each looked at the ground. "After this is over I'm gonna take some more time off." Mike sat in a chair and Paige sat in the one right across from him, her hand touching his knee. Mike looked into Paige's eyes taking her free hand in his. "I wanted to come back so bad but deep down I knew I wasn't ready. I threw myself into the case and back into the same habits I had before the accident. I thought I would be weak if I left, plus leaving you empty-handed with the case."

"Mike, saying you need help does not show weakness. You went out and got help, first with your group meetings, and then with Maria."

"I know that, but it's just my dumb male ego that got to me. I thought I would be fine. Clearly, I was fooling myself."

"Well, you're right about that. Especially about your ego," Paige teased. Mike laughed as Paige took his hand in hers. "I know I've said this to you before but I think it's great that you're taking charge when it comes to your health."

"I have to, because if I don't and I deny everything then I know you and our families would tie me down and send me somewhere until I was healed."

"That's right. Wow, you have one giant support system."

"I'm lucky to have it."

"After this case is over, let's head back to Carmel for a little R&R," said Mike as he and Paige sat in the office.

"Now that sounds like a great idea. I'll check to make sure we will have the place to ourselves this time."

"That would be nice. As much as I love our families, some time alone is much needed."

"I totally agree."

Their tender moment was cut short by the buzzing of Paige's phone. "What's up Christy?"

Foster knows where Brandi and Nick are. For now she doesn't know you're both there, so you better move. She's already on a flight up there and a team is going to arrest them now.

"How much time do we have?"

Less than fifteen minutes.

"Thanks Christy."


"Sarah, get a move on. The movie starts in 30 minutes," Phil Warren yelled to his wife downstairs.

"Phil, relax! The theater is 15 minutes away. We have plenty of time. I'm just looking for my wallet," she yelled back.

"We're gonna miss the previews. And I want to get popcorn!" Phil yelled.

"I'm married to a child," Sarah said to herself. "I'll be ready when I'm ready, ok?"

Phil was going to respond, but his phone started to ring, "I'll be outside."

"Hello?"

You son of a bitch!

"Hello to you too, Anna," Phil said, looking around making sure he was free to talk.

You told me that if I played nice with you, then none of your government agencies would come after me! Anna whispered furiously.

"I have kept my word, Anna, but it seems you have gotten sloppy and now there is someone in your organization who is setting you and your godchildren up."

Who the fuck would dare cross me? I want a name. Tell me!

"Anna, I have no idea. We only speak when you have information that helps me get the real bad guys and when you're in a little pinch I help it go away. The inside workings of your business I could give two shits about."

So what, you're done with me? You asshole!

"Anna, if you calm down you will realize that I have sent you help."

What help? Right now I'm busy trying to figure out how I can get away from….. Then reality sunk in for Anna. You sent me your son and his wife.

"Mike is one of the smartest people I know, and I'm not just saying that because he's my son. He and his wife see things differently and don't zero in on the obvious. For instance, consider your current situation. They know you're being set up, so I suggest you hang up with me and work with them."

What about my family?

"Mike and Paige will protect them and keep them safe until this all gets resolved. They will help you in finding out who is setting the three of you up."

Okay, let's say that they do help me find the truth and we're all cleared. There is no way the bureau will let me walk.

Phil looked up to see Sarah coming through the door. "You won't see a minute in jail as long as you keep our partnership going."

It never stopped, Phil.

"Good. Now you have a case to solve, and I have a prior engagement to get to. Goodbye, Anna."

"Who was that?" Sarah asked as she met Phil by the car.

"Nothing, just some boring work stuff. Want to hear about it?"

"Not really."

"Good. Now let's move. I'm in the mood for a large popcorn and gummy bears."

"I swear, I'm married to a child."


"You don't think she ran, do you?" Mike asked.

"And leave Nick and Brandi in the dust? Not a chance," Paige replied.

"Well, we need to find her before a swarm of agents come in and arrest them."

"You're right, we need get her back." Just as Paige finished speaking, Anna walked back in.

"The bureau is on their way to arrest Nick and Brandi. We need to move."

"Not without Nick and Brandi!" Anna snapped.

"We're not going to leave them, but we need to get them out now," said Paige.

"You two grab them, and I'll pull the car around and meet you out front," Mike said as they headed towards the door. As they reached the door Brandi and Nick came busting in. Both looked pale and shaken as they stood there.

"Kids, what's wrong?" Anna asked.

"We just got a call from a friend of ours at work. The FBI is searching our offices and I checked the security stem at the house and they're over there too," said Nick.

Anna shook her head. "Kids, I'm so sorry for all of this. This is my fault."

"What are talking about, Aunt Anna? What are you not telling us?"

"Your aunt will explain everything, but we have less than ten minutes before federal agents come in to arrest you," Paige said.

Brandi and Nick looked directly at Paige. "What aren't you telling us Paige? Mike?"

"Do you two want to go to jail?" Mike asked.

"No," they said in unison.

"Then stop asking questions and let's go." Mike then grabbed every one's cellphones. He and Paige broke the phones and discarded them as they made their way to the car.

"Where are we going?" Nick asked.

"We're heading towards the Santa Cruz Mountains. I know a place we can lay low for a while. No turning back now," Paige said as they drove off.

"Any regrets?" Paige asked. Mike took hold of her hand. "What do you think?"


"Yes, sir. We should have them in custody within the hour and I know we will have Melina Vasquez within the week," Foster explained to the director as she entered the hospital. "I will call you back once I have them in custody."

Foster was all smiles as she approached agents. "Agents, good to see you. Where are you holding the Davises?"

"We don't have them in custody. They're not on the premises."

Foster's smile quickly faded as anger took over. "What do you mean, they're gone?"

"We spoke to hospital staff and they have not been gone long."

"Do we have access to the hospital's security system?"

"Not yet. We're working with the administration to get access."

"We're in the middle of a fucking investigation! Get the access now!"

"Yes ma'am."

"Did anyone check their parents' houses?"

"Yes ma'am, but from what neighbors said neither have been there in the past 12 hours."

"I want road blocks up for at least 50 miles. I want access to traffic cameras. What about cell phones?"

"The last GPS location was here. We believe that they got rid of their phones."

Foster ran her hands through her hair in frustration. "Someone is obviously helping them and I want to know who!"

"Agent Foster, we received footage from the hospital security system." Foster walked into the surveillance room watching one of the cameras which had access near the room Brandi's mother was in. "Okay, so they were here earlier." As Foster scanned the footage she came across Anna.

"Do we know who that woman is?"

"The doctor said she was a close friend of the family."

"Find out who she is."

"Yes, ma'am."

As Foster watched the footage her eyes got wide as Mike and Paige came on screen. Anger rushed through her as she grabbed her phone. "I need a location on Agent Warren….What do you mean you can't locate him?" Foster slammed her fist on the table. "I want a detain order placed on Agent Mike Warren FBI, and Paige Warren DEA."