Jody's eyes fluttered when she finally realized that the ringing in her dream was actually reality.  Giving a quick stretch she reluctantly reached over to the nightstand and wrestled the cordless phone off of its base.  It immediately sprung to life and a voice echoed from the other end…  "Hello?? Jody??"  Jody sat up before answering back.  "Yep... Hello..." Jody recognized the voice right away.  "Jod are you awake??"  The voice on the other end seemed oblivious to the sleepiness in her voice.  "No Mary Margaret... I wasn't awake. Is there something wrong??"  She heard a sigh on the other end.  "No Jod… I was just... I couldn't sleep. Tomorrows the funeral and all…  and..."  Jody interrupted Skanaly.  "I truly am not in the mood to talk about this right now Mary Margaret.  I'm sorry but I need some... " Now it was Skalanys turn to interrupt.  "Jody you didn't let me finish.  I got a visit from someone... and no doubt they will be coming to see you..." Jody's senses perked up.  "What?? Who visited you?"  "Jody... I'm just not going to say anything else ok?? I'm sure they will be coming to see you too and I'd rather you hear it from him."  Jody started to fully awaken and was getting agitated.  "Skalany!  If you don't tell me what's going on I'll have to... "  Her words were caught in her throat when she heard a knock at her door.  "Mary Margaret... who is knocking at my door at 3 am..."  "Jod just answer it. I'll see you in the morning ok??"   Before Jody could protest she got an ear full of dial tone.  Still clutching the phone she rose out of bed to the front door.

There was another knock before she could answer the door, this time more forceful.  Quickly, Jody looked into the peephole not believing what she saw before her.  She swiftly opened the door.

 

 "Kermit!!  Do you know what time it is??  Normal people sleep around here!  Do you even realize its nighttime with those glasses on??"   It was the first time in a long time Jody saw a slowly progressing smile creep onto Kermit's mouth.  "May I come in Detective Powell?"  Jody was taken aback by the seriously genuine smile and stepped aside to allow him entry.  "Now before you go back into your question asking mode again, which I might add you are extremely well at,  I have something to tell you... but you have to promise me you will do what I tell you before I tell you… got it?"  Jody sat down on her couch and gave him a confused look.  "Look Kermit... Its 3 in the morning… I'm not fully here and you want me to agree to something I don't even know yet... What are you on?  Have you been drinking?"  Again a smile turned up Kermit's lips and Jody made decision right then and there that it scared her.  "Jody... this is important… ok... listen to me...  I don't want you to go to the funeral tomorrow."   Jody's head shot up and tried to stare past his glasses... "Are you nuts Kermit??  Of course I'm going to Peters funeral!"  Kermit sighed and sat down next to her.  "No your not Jody… and neither is Skalany... It's not safe. "  Jody's stare was burning right into him that he couldn't help but check to see if her eyes weren't actually red.  "And why the hell not!"  Kermit shifted in seat to face her better.  "The captain told you the story about Richards right?

Jody's eyes hit the floor as she heard the name.  "Yeah she sure did."  She lifted her eyes to meet his.  Kermit couldn't help but notice how angry they looked.  "Well…  He's gonna be there tomorrow."  Jody's legs acted before she gave permission and she leaped from the couch.  "WHAT?!?!?!  Kermit WHY?  How do you know?  I can't believe this are you sure…!!"  Kermit stood up and grabbed her flailing arms to control them.  "Jody I cant tell you everything right now but We know he's coming.  Caine and myself.  We've been preparing for this for a couple weeks now."  Jody cocked her head and gave him a confused look from her eyes.  "That's where you've been going?  To see Caine?"  Kermit sighed and let go of her arms.  "Are we starting up with the questions again?"  She shook her head.  Kermit took a comfortable seat on her couch again and patted the cushion next to him.  Out of shock Jody sat down without a fight and waited somewhat patiently for what was next. 

"Well back a few months ago Peter and I were on a case.  Hacking.  Someone tapped into an oil company's main computer and changed different shipping addresses.  They were moving the oil somewhere else to be sold on the black market.  We got the kid but not before he changed shipping locations for a whole 2 weeks.  He was only 17 but he was still charged as an adult."  Jody listened intently and when there was a pause she took her opportunity.  "I remember that case a little.  I remember Peter saying something about oil.  Saw the kid too when you brought him in."  Kermit nodded and continued.  "Well this kid wasn't exactly someone who stumbled over something he shouldn't have.  He had family to persuade him."  Jody's jaw dropped indicating to Kermit that she understood what he was saying.  "Yup.  Daniel Richards.  Little brother to Eric Richards.  Our friendly neighborhood cop killer."  Kermit's words stung her ears and she wished he hadn't said it like that.

"So what's this have to do with Richards being at Peters funeral?"  She could feel her eyes begin to swell up.  "Well It was mine and Pete's case.  You know… the oil thing.  We arrested his brother.  But Richards blamed Peter for the whole arrest.  Something to do with his father being able to see things??  The guy thought that's how we caught his brother.  Peter didn't tell anyone about this but he was getting love letters from this guy.  You know… The kind that threaten your life?"  She took an intake of breath but didn't say anything.  She wanted him to finish.  "Yup the best kind right?… this crazy guy was just waitin for a chance to nail Pete.  We were handling it…  but then that night came up and…  Well we should have told Simms about this but she would have taken him off the case."  Jody shook out of her daze. "Kermit you didn't answer why this asshole will be at the funeral!"  Her voice started to get loud and she collected herself before she started a scene. 

"The guy use to write in the letters that after he killed Pete he was going to attend his funeral…  Wearing white.  Now personally I think that was a rather stupid move for the guy but he is insane after all.  The only ones that know about this are you me Skalany and Caine."  Kermit started to rub his eyes under his glasses.  He was tired and needed to finish this up before he ended up sleeping right there on the couch.  Jody let things sink in before she started up her questions.  "So this is why you don't' want me and Skalany to come isn't it.  You don't think we can take care of ourselves?"  Kermit glanced at her eyes.  At that moment he knew it was a mistake.  "Oh Jody please don't look at me like that.  Of course you can take care of your selves.  We just don't want you two there in danger!"   Jody stood up again and started to yell at him. How dare he say she couldn't go to her friends' funeral!  "Kermit!  Its my last chance to say goodbye to him!  You can't deny me that alright!  And who the hell is WE?  You and Caine? Well I don't care!  I'm going anyways!"  Kermit stood up sharply and got into her face.  Their faces were inches away from one another and Jody thought her eyes would melt from the piercing glare he gave her.  "Jody you're not going.  Neither is Mary Margaret.  I have my orders and I will make sure this goes as planned.  You two are NOT involved in those plans.  Got me?  You and Skalany will be sitting in that damn squad room when we haul Richards in and I don't want to hear one more word about it." 

 Jody stood there paralyzed as Kermit grabbed for his jacket and headed towards the door.  Her conversation with him was going so well tell then and it hurt to see that the angry Kermit was back.  She was afraid too look at him for fear she would get chewed out again.  She heard the door open swiftly but never heard it shut.  After a few minutes of just listening she begun to think he just left the door open till she heard his voice.  It was 100 times softer then a minute ago and she released the breath she had been holding.  "Look Jody.  It's not just me.  Peter wouldn't want you there either.  I don't mean that to sound harsh.  He would just want you to be safe.  Do it for him alright?"  At that she heard and felt the door click shut.  Her whole body collapsed into the nearest chair.  She knew for sure she wasn't going to sleep any more tonight.