Chapter Thirty Six

Happy Valentine's Day to all my fans. FYI this is not Valentine's Day themed as I think Valentine's Day is a commercial scam. I prefer to celebrate February 15th - a.k.a discounted chocolate day :P

They were able to go to Chris' house that weekend, pretending that Jake was going to meet Amy's brother Chris for the first time.

Holt showed up ten minutes later on the claim that he needed Amy's signature as she had "forgotten" to sign off on her case files. Tomas then swung by, not knowing Amy, Jake or Holt where there - just planning to hang out with his "favourite" brother.

"Hey why did you say "favourite" in air marks?" Chris complained.

"Javier is my favourite."

"What?"

"Guys." Amy cut in - sensing another brotherly squabble.

"Fine. Anyway it doesn't matter because Carlos is my favourite brother." Chris replied huffily.

"Carlos!"

"You're acting like children."

"But we're sure the story works?" Bryce interrupted from his chair. It looked like being virtually housebound in Chris' meticulous apartment was starting to get at him. Amy could only imagine how many times Chris woke him up with his pre-dawn workouts. It was more of a gym than an apartment.

"Everything's tied up."

"If I get asked why I stayed for so long I'll say I was invited for a drink." Holt replied.

"Are you telling Kevin that?" Jake asked surprised the captain would lie to his husband.

"There's no point. Kevin would know I was lying. He says I have a face like an open book."

Jake looked into his blank face. "O-kay then, kudos to Kevin. Bryce?"

"I put feelers out on Kerouac, McCall and Brooks, I've learnt that they've all checked into the same hotel in Vermont this weekend. It's possible they're meeting there - or someplace nearby - which means the 99 mole could also be attending."

"We're going right?" Amy asked.

"Course we are."

"Yes."

Bryce and Jake turned to look at each other having answered at the same time.

"You can't go anywhere, people think you're dead."

"They won't know me."

"They worked with Lawall, you can't know that."

"I'm not staying behind."

"If you come with us you'll put this whole thing in danger." Jake said and rounded on Amy. "What do you think?"

"Bryce I really think it would make sense for me and Jake to go."

"He doesn't know what he's dealing with - I do."

"I know you have the most insight of the case, but Jake's right - they might have worked with Lawall and if they have there's a chance they might recognise you. Coming with us could jeopardise the operation." Amy replied as calmly as if she were dealing with yet another argument between her brothers. Honestly - men.

"There." Jake said turning back to Bryce. Amy wouldn't have been surprised if he'd stuck his tongue out.

"Good. I'll make the arrangements." Amy concluded.

"How are we going to monitor you during the weekend?" Chris asked.

"We'll contact you with any information we find out."

"What about if you need back up?"

"I'll be there." Holt spoke up. "I will also go with Kevin."

Jake frowned. "Won't it seem weird that we went to the same place at the weekend, Kevin doesn't exactly like me."

"Not a problem. You persistently invade on my personal privacy and Santiago routinely copies me in an attempt to - as you would say 'suck up'." Chris and Tomas laughed making Amy blush. "As long as I place the reservation first we can simply pretend that you then made your reservation as a direct aftermath."

"So we have a plan?" Amy started. "Do we engage the suspects?"

"Well we're all working within law enforcement and have casual connections to Max McCall, and Santiago you said you met Kerouac when he dated Rosa. It would seem odd if we did not approach them. As long as it's natural."

"All right then, it's settled. Guess you better get on the phone and hope there are still some rooms available." Tomas said, clapping Captain Holt on the back.

"Alright then Miss Santiago, here's your key." The desk attendant said cheerfully.

Amy stood at the reception while Jake stood a fair distance away audibly talking to Holt.

"I fail to understand what you are doing here Peralta?"

"I told you Captain. It was a coincidence. We had no idea you were coming here - Amy will tell you."

"Detective Santiago?"

Amy turned at the sound of her name and found herself face to face with Frank Kerouac.

"Hi." She said, pretending to look unsure of his identity while her heart secretly raced. She'd never been great at undercover.

"It's me, Frank Kerouac, I used to date Rosa Diaz remember?"

"Oh yeah, Frank, of course."

"You both still work together at the nine nine?"

"Yes, in fact we have a new Captain now."

"Really - who?"

"Raymond Holt. He's just over there actually." She innocently pointed him out. Well it would look suspicious if she didn't right?

"Hey is that Jake?"

That caught Jake's attention. "Amy?"

"Jake you remember Frank Kerouac?"

"Didn't you liaison with us once?"

"Yeah." Amy answered. "That's how he met Rosa, they used to date remember?"

"Oh yeah sure."

"This conversation is not over Peralta." Holt said sternly, drawing Jake back into the conversation - after all he wasn't supposed to recognise Kerouac at all.

"Well I'm heading out for lunch, but I guess I'll see you around." Kerouac said as Jake turned back to Holt.

"Sure, looking forward to catching up." Amy responded with a smile.

It wasn't long until they met their next suspect - just as they got onto the landing of their room (Holt was on the floor above them) Amy and Jake crossed Alexander Brooks who politely said "Hello" as he headed for the stairs.

Pulling the key out of Amy's hand Jake unlocked the door and ushered her inside.

"Do you think they're meeting?" Amy asked, her voice low even though he would be out of earshot.

"I don't know. But we can't go after them now it might look suspicious, we just got here. I'm sure we'll have other opportunities over the weekend."

"Okay."

Jake walked over to the wardrobe and put their bags down.

"But while we're here." He wiggled his eyebrows drawing out a reluctant giggle.

"We're working."

"And we have to maintain a cover don't we?"

"Uh huh. And what cover's that?"

"A couple madly in love."

"Is that what we are?"

"Well I was originally gonna say that Lance Buckingham, tough British secret agent, had brought his latest booty call here while they currently hide from the Irish mafia but I thought it might make you mad."

"Booty call?"

"Bond babe-esque"

"I think you made the right call."

"Thought so."

Jake's phone buzzed.

"Captain?"

"I made contact with McCall, he was just leaving."

"Did he see you?"

"Yes we exchanged pleasantries."

"All three of them have left the building. Damn this could be the meet."

"Don't worry Peralta, whilst I distracted McCall Kevin was able to put a tracker on his car."

"Kevin? Really?"

"Yes, he can be quite the sleuth."

"Alrighty then. Is it working?"

"Yes, I've already forwarded the information to Santiago who is going with Santiago to scope the area. We are to remain here until we hear from them further."

"Alright copy that." Jake hung up.

"Well?" Amy asked coming up next to him.

"He has a tracker on them, your brothers are on it."

"Okay, what now."

"Well I can think of a few ways to pass the time that I think Lance Buckingham would approve of."

"You are Lance Buckingham."

"That's a good way to start."