Griffin looked across the dinner table at his cousin. *Caitlin needs some fun in her life again. What with what's been going on with Will and all.* He turned and looked at his parents and smiled happily. "Let's all go to California for the weekend."



"Why what's in California Griff?" Jim asked in joking voice thinking that his only son was just talking.



"An Agatha Christie Murder Mystery Weekend." Griffin deepened his voice to speak spooky.



"Oh p-l-e-a-s-e" Caitlin said rolling her eyes.



"You got an problem with that Caitlin?" Griffin looked at his cousin with an sparkler in his eye.



"What's the big deal about Agatha Christie anyway?" Caitlin said with an frown.



"You tell me. Upon reading this." And with that Griffin pulled out an rattled copy of Nemisi from his back pocket. "I found this under your pillow."



"HOW DARE YOU SNOOP IN MY ROOM YOU CREEP!" Caitlin explored. She jerked her chair backwards and stood up.



"CAITLIN!" Dori said sternling.



Caitlin turned to Dori and said "I'm out of here. And tell your Nimrod of an son to leave me alone for good." With that Caitlin turned on her heels and stormed down the balcony steps and over to the corral where she keep her horse Bandit.



"Caitlin Come back here!" Dori also stood up and called to her second cousin to come back to the table to deal with the situation.



Caitlin ignored Dori and walked to Bandit who was all ready saddle for an ride and jumped on his back and jumped the fence in one clean smooth jump.



"She sure can jump." Griffin said in awe.



"Young man you are in so much trouble." Dori said turning her angry graze at her only son.



"But Mom I didn't do anything wrong." Griffin leaned back in his chair in innonce. But an guilty look came over his face. "Well I did snoop in her room when I knew it was wrong."



"Jim I am going after Caitlin. You and Griffin stay here and do the dishes. Have an talk with him also." Dori said to her husband as she too walked down the stairs and over to the corral where she kept her mere Peaches. She left the grate open because she didn't want to jump the fence.



Jim sighed and stood up and said "Griffin in the house son." He shook his head as he began to clean the table.



Griffin sighed and stood up and began to help clean the table. He followed his father into the house.



********************



Dori went right to where she knew Caitlin would be. She could see Caitlin sitting waiting for her in their special place where they bond very well. She stopped her horse and dismounted.

"Hello Dori. Come to lecture me." Caitlin said forcefully.

Dori shook her head "No Caitlin I am not here to lecture you. Griffin did wrong we all know that. But you shouldn't have acted quite that angrily." she walked over to Caitlin and sat at her right

side. She looked out toward the river as the sun set.

Caitlin kept silent and turned her face so she could see Dori out the corner of her eye. *Dori is right. But dammit I hate having my privacy taken away from me no matter how.*

Dori brought her head around before Caitlin could bring her face back to the way it was. She caught Caitlin looking at in the corner of her eyes as she knew she would. She smiled an soft private. *Caitlin my daughter. How I love you. How I wish Jim and I found you right after your mother died. Before you had to fend for yourself those past six years.*

"So am I going to get punished?" Caitlin asked.

Dori shook her head. "No but if you behave like that again I will punish you."

Caitlin nodded. She began to stand up.

"Not so fact Caitlin. We must discuss the Murder Mystery Weekend." Dori said.

Caitlin sighed and sat back down.



********************



"Griffin you know all about privacy..." Jim started in an stern voice as he and his son were cleaning the table of the dinner ware.



Griffin blushed as he picked up the turkey platter "Yea but Dad..."



"Don't but Dad .. me. Griffin it seems that we need to re-teach you about privacy." Jim sighed deeply. He looked over at his fifteen year old son.



"You are an good kid but even good kids go bad. You have an nasty habit of butting in where you have no right to be. As an police officer I have been around and seen many things in my time."





"Yea I know Dad. I am truly deeply sorry about going into Caitlin's room and snooping around. I know what I did is wrong and I will apolizie to Caitlin and try my hardest to make it up to her." Griffin crossed into the house and mumered "If she will let me."



Jim put his hand on Griffin's back "She will don't worry. You two have an special real ship more like brother and sister other than cousins. She'll come around. She always does."



"Does this mean I won't be punished?" Griffin asked with an little hope in his voice.



"No Caitlin punished you enough with what she said before she took off. But Griffin I do not ever want to hear you invading someone's privacy again. Here. Otherwise you may ruin my trust." Jim said seriously.



Griffin turned around to face his father after they both put their dishes on the counter near the sink. "I won't Dad I promise. I never want to lose your trust ever. I love you Dad."



Jim pulled Griffin into a fierce hug "I love you to son. I just want what is the best for you."



They stood hugging for a minute than Griffin pulled away. "I wash you load the dishwasher?" Griffin said gruffly trying to hide the tears that were threatening to leak out of his eyes.



Jim coughed to keep an sob from escaping. "You got it son."



They start the dishes.



***********



"Did I ever tell you I have been to California before?" Dori asked looking at Caitlin full in the face.



Caitlin shook her head.



"Well when I was a teenager .. around your age matter of fact my parents and I took a vacation to San Diego. We went to Disney Land and Knotts Farm to Marine World. We even went to the beach and I learned how to surf." Dori laughed a little "well kinda."



Caitlin waited patiently for Dori to get her point.



"I think it time for you to visit California Caitlin. You would absolutely love it." Looking over at Caitlin "but not as much as you love Montana of course." Dori saw peace come over Caitlin's face. "Besides just to let you know you mother was along with during that trip."



Caitlin looked at Dori started. "Mom was with you."



Dori nodded. "So I think it will be good for you to go to California on Griffin's Murder Mystery Weekend. Sides after we fished with that we can go on to San Diego for a few days and I will take you to every place that you mom and I went. I may even teach you how to surf better than me. You mother sure did pick up on it right away." She looked into Caitlin's eyes waiting for an answer.



Caitlin thought for a few minutes than nodded. "Ok as long as you promise that we can go to San Diego."



"Cross my heart and hope to fly." Dori made the signs. "Well time to get going back to the ranch." Standing up she helped Caitlin up.



They went to their horse and after Caitlin put on her helmet. They mounted their horses and headed toward home.

******************************



"Hey Eric where you heading?" Brett asked his friend as he was walking down the dirt road just outside the Lowe's ranch.



"Over to the Lowe's. Time for my daily dose of Caitlin." Eric said.



*Daily dose is right my friend you are so into Caitlin that you can't even hide it anymore.* Brett thought as he watched Eric's face as he replied.



"And you Brett?" Eric asked.



"I was also heading over to the Lowe's Caitlin promised to go riding with me. I hope you and Griffin have an fun visit." Brett said as he and Eric turned into the driveway.



* What him and Caitlin riding; Dori must be going with them.* Eric thought with an little anger.



"Yep me and Caitlin alone catching up on a few things." Brett went on as the boys reached the horse barn. Looking and seeing both Bandit and Dori's horse gone "Maybe she is taking a ride with Dori."



*Yes. Now she won't want to go riding with Brett.* Eric was overjoyed at that thought. "Well ol' buddy lets go see what Griffin is up to shall we." he said patting Brett's back.



The boys walk up the steps to the front door and Eric opened the front door. "Hey Griff you home?"

*********************



Griffin and Jim looked up started they both arranged their faces so that Brett and Eric won't see them at their "female" feelings.

"Hey you two what's going on?" Griffin called out to his two best friends.

Brett and Eric walked into the kicten.

"Seeing what you are doing ol' buddy. Plus I am waiting for Caitlin to get back so we can go horse back ridding." Brett said.

Griffin looked over at his father and blushed. "Uhh Brett hate to tell you man but she may not want to go anymore."

Brett put his arms across his chest and stared at Griffin. "What did you do this time man?" He said in an mean voice.

"Not much just invaded her privacy. She took off in an huff and Mom went after her. They been gone for half and hour and we don't know when they will be back." Griffin said sheeplessly.

"Well you know Caitlin is when ever she gets in an bad mood she has to go off on her own to cool down." Eric said as he looked out the porch door off into the fading sun. *Like I do sometimes.*

"So anyway what's new?" Brett asked.

"We are going to California this weekend to an official Agatha Christie Murder Mystery Weekend." Griffin said excitedly.

"Now Griffin we didn't say we are differently going beside Caitlin doesn't want to go." Jim said as he load the last of the dishes in the dishwasher.

Griffin turned to face his father "Dad, mom is with Caitlin you know if anyone can talk Caitlin into anything fun mom can."

Jim smiled and nodded he looked over at Brett and Eric and seeing wishful looks on their faces. "Hey you two why don't you ask your parents if you two can join us this weekend."

Eric and Brett nodded happily. "You bet we will" they said in union.

Griffin smiled happily.



"Hey mom and dad I'm going away for the weekend with Lowe's okay." Brett said as soon as his parents picked up the phone. Brett waited for the answer and the question. "To California on an Agatha Christie Murder Weekend." Brett said with an little excitement to his voice. "Ok I promise. Sides I'll be home soon and we'll talk face to face about it more. See you later than. Bye mom and dad." Brett hung up the phone then turned happily to the others. "Mom and Dad said yes and have an great time."



"Cool man." Griffin said as he high five his best friend.



"Your turn Eric." Brett said looking over at Eric.



Eric picked up the phone and dialed. "Hey dad just to let you know the Lowe's invited me to go to California with them to an Murder Mystery Weekend. I would really like to go so may I?" Eric waited for his father to answer. His eyes let up as he got the answer he was hopping for. "Cool dad. And dad thanks." He hung up the phone. "I'm in." he told Griffin, Brett and Jim.



"In for what?" Caitlin asked from behind where she and Dori were standing.



"Brett and Eric are going to California on the Murder Mystery Weekend with us." Griffin replied with excitement in his voice.



"Cool guys. Can't wait to go." Caitlin said as she walked into the family room.



"Did Caitlin say what I think she said?" Griffin looked over at his mom.



Dori smiled and nodded.



"Yes!" Griffin said as he brought his arm back and forth. "Thanks mom I knew you could do." he said as he hugged his mother tightly before going into the family room himself.



"No problem Griff." Dori laughed a little.



"Well we better head on home and get things orgianed." Brett said as Eric nodded his agreement. They left by the side door.



"So did you and Griffin talk?" Dori asked looking over at her husband. Jim nodded.



"So Griffin understands now that under no circuimes is he allowed to invade Caitlin's privacy again." Dori said.



"Well not under no circuimes...." Jim began.



Dori nodded "Yes but he knows that it is only life and death that he is allowed to invade upon right?"



"Of course if he suspects her of doing drugs, acholal and having sex than he has every right to invade her privacy and he knows that he is apposed to tell us so we can help her." Jim looked over at his wife. "Does Caitlin know all this and that she has the same rights where Griffin is concern?"



"Of course I do Jim. Any idiot knows about that unwritten law." Caitlin said from behind Jim and Dori.



"Of course Caitlin we understand that. We were just making sure that Griffin absolutely knew when he is allowed to invade on your privacy is all." Dori explained.



Caitlin nodded. "Ok so how are we going to get to California?"



Jim picked up the phone and replied "I am now just going to call the airport and make six reservations on their Thursday night flight." Jim turned his back to lean against the counter to do just that.



Dori put her arm around Caitlin and they presided to exit the kitchen.

*****************






"So Caitlin need any help packing." Dori asked at the bottom of the stair case. She leaned against the wall waiting for her second cousin to answer. *So much like her mother.*

"Naw. But thanks anyway Dori." Caitlin smiled at Dori and than turned to head up the stairs to her attic bedroom.

"You know that I'm just an shout away if you do." Dori replied.

Caitlin just nodded and kept heading upstairs.

Dori shook her shoulders and went back toward the kicten to talk with Jim.

**************



*I still can't believe Griffin invaded my privacy like that.*

Caitlin steamed to herself as she hesitate outside Griffin's closed

bedroom door. *He had no right absolutely no right to do what he did.

I would never have done that to him.* Caitlin suddenly smiled to

herself. *Yea right Caitlin Seeger you would have and you would have

made an big thing out it of like Griff.* She shook her head and

continued toward the attic's stairs case. She looked back at

Griffin's closed door *Better watch out ol' Griffin cause I'm gonna

get you back one of these days. Maybe at this Murder Mystery Weekend

that you are so excited about.* She brought her face back toward the

staircase and presided up them. *Perhaps Brett and Eric would care

to help me on my revenge.*

*********************



"Hmmmmm... yes that is right six of us and we all would like to sit together in first class. Yes this coming Thursday. Sure I will hold." Jim was saying as Dori re-entered the kicten. "Yes ok fine. And thanks." He hung up the phone than turned to face his wife. "It's all set Dori we are to leave on the mid morning flight on Thursday."



Dori smiled and said "Good. And you got us all sitting together?"



"Yep." Jim replied walking over to his wife and bent down and kissed her forehead. "Shall we." He said his eyes darting into the living room.



"Lead the way." Dori replied.



Jim took his wife's hand and led the way into the family room and they sat side by side on the couch. "So do you think Caitlin is going to get revenge on Griffin?" Jim asked.



Dori looked at her husband with an 'what do you think' look.



Jim laughed softly.



"Oh yeah." "I wonder if she will involve Brett and Eric." Dori mused almost to herself.



"Well I have feeling she is going to get her revenge during the Murder Mystery Weekend; what an perfect time to do it. And with Brett and Eric along I do believe they would love to help Caitlin get Griff good." Jim said.



"Yea they so would. They would do anything for Caitlin." Dori said.



"Hmmm. Wonder what to make of that little love triangle." Jim said joking.



"Jim don't even joke about it. Caitlin isn't aware of Brett and Eric's romantic interest in her yet. I don't know if she ever will. I know she did have an thing for Eric when she first got here last year but those feelings seemed to have died out when she met Will. But she never saw Brett for anything expect Griffin's best friend and hers." Dori said seriously looking deep in her husbands eyes.



"Will. I never did like that boy. I can't believe he hurt Caitlin." Jim grumpily said as he thought how Will wanted Caitlin to still down in rough and tough life she lead for six years when all Caitlin wants to do is get on with her life and try to live pleasantly with the Lowe's.



"Will is not all that bad Jim. He is just going through an rough time right now. He will out grow it someday." Dori put her hand on Jim's left arm. "Caitlin has after all."



Jim nodded. "Yea Caitlin sure has at that."

*********************



*Boy oh boy she's said yes.* Griffin jumped for joy as soon as he entered his room. He plumped down onto his chair which was by his desk where his personal computer sat. He turned it on and opened up the Corel Notebook 8 and began to type the things he needed to bring for the trip. He started whistling "Sing an Happy Tune."

*****************



After Dori leaned in and kissed Jim on the cheek she left the living room and went upstairs to her and Jim's bedroom. She closed the door and went to sit in her faviote chair that overlooked the back side of the ranch.



*This trip will be good for the family. As long as I can keep Caitlin and Griffin from tearing each other's heads off.* Dori mused to herself as she let her graze wonder over the land. *Brett and Eric will go along with Caitlin's revenge on Griffin; I know that I can't stop that from happing. But once I know for sure that something is going on I'll have an talk with Eric and Brett and tell them to try their hardest not to allow it to go to far.*



Dori brought her head around suddenly when she heard an banged in the hallway. "Griffin! Caitlin! Jim! Is that you guys?" Dori called out as she stood up and went to find out what made the noise.



Dori opened the bedroom door and poked her head out of it; Griffin and Caitlin did the same at the exact same moment. "Did one of you make the noise?" Dori asked her son and second cousin.





"Naw Ma I thought you are Caitlin did." Griffin replied stepping out of his bedroom.



Caitlin shook her head and also walked out of her bedroom.



"Have you seen Jim?" Dori asked as she also stepped from her bedroom. Griffin and Caitlin shook their heads.



The three walked downstairs to see if Jim made that noise.



The three walked downstairs and instead of seeing Jim there they saw Will with his head against the wall.

"Hey." Was all Will got out before Griffin bounded over to him and put his hand on Will's chest.

"How did you get in here Will?" Griffin growled.

"The side door was open." Will said with an smirk.

"Have you ever heard of knocking?" Griffin jerked his hand on Will's shirt and pulled him from the wall.

"Since when people knock at your house?" Will said snidely.

"Since forever dude." Griffin growled as he pushed Will away from him. "You are trespassing and breaking an entering. I should have Dad attest you punk."

"Will I think you better leave now." Caitlin said walking up behind Griffin and laying an hand on her cousin's shoulder.

Dori just glared at Will and jerked her head toward the still open side door. "Next time Will have the decency of knocking from the outside."

"Whatever; I don't see why I have to when Brett and Eric don't." Will put his arms across his chest.

"Brett and Eric are part of our family. They know they have the pledvige; which they earned mind you to come and go whenever they feel like it." Dori stepped over to the side door and pointed with

her finger to the outside.

"You out stayed your welcome Will." Caitlin said as she too went to stand next to Dori.

"I only came to see you Caitlin." Will said as he glared at Griffin.

"Well she doesn't want to see you. Now get out before I through you out." Jim replied as he walked from the front door upon the scene.

Will looked over at Jim and saw the anger in his eyes. "I'm outta here." He walked to the side door, where Dori and Caitlin stood. "If you want to get rid of these loser you know where to find me." He said looking at Caitlin and than he turned and left.



Caitlin slammed the side door shut and locked it and than turned to look at her family. "Sorry about that you guys."

Dori put her arm across Caitlin's shoulders and squeezed it gently "It's not your fault Caitlin."

********************



**** Skipping ahead to Thursday *****



It is time to finally leave for the airport. Eric and Brett were waiting in the Lowe's truck for the Lowe family and Caitlin to join them.

"It's three thirty. The plane leaves at five. If we don't leave now we will be late." Griffin rattled off as he rushed down the stairs and out the front door.

"Hey Griff. Where's the fire?" Eric quipped from the open back door of the truck.

"Mom, Dad, Caitlin! Eric and Brett are all ready in the truck. Come on people we got an plane to catch." Griffin yelled back toward the Lowe house.

"We are coming. Hold your horses." Dori said as she walked out of the house with Caitlin at her side and Jim right behind her. "Hello Brett and Eric. Ready to go."

"You bet." Brett replied as Eric nodded his head.

"Ok folks let's hit the road." Jim said as he turned from locking the front door and stepped on the other side of his wife.

Jim, Dori and Caitlin walked to the truck together.

Griffin climbed in the middle seat and Caitlin followed suit.

Dori got in the passenger side and shut her door when Griffin and Caitlin shut their also.

Jim climbed into the drivers seat and shut his door after everyone was buckled in Jim started the car and backed out of the paved driveway.

*******************************



Jim pulled up to the unloading sidewalk and helped everyone unload the car he jumped back into the drivers seat and took off to park the truck.



"So everyone ready to wait in the check line?" Griffin asked as he exciting bounced on the balls of his feet.



Caitlin rolled her eyes heaven ward as she pulled her headphones to her ears.



Dori gently pulled them off of her second cousin's ears and said kindly "No Caitlin. You may listen to them during the flight but not here. I want you to enter act with us while we wait." She smiled as she said this because she knew Caitlin could blow up at the news.



Caitlin frowned at Dori. She thought about it for an moment than she smiled softly and put her hand out to shake with Dori's. "Ok have it your way."



Dori smiled and shook Caitlin's way. "Thank you Caitlin."



The three boys let out their breaths. They didn't realize that they were holding them until they saw Dori and Caitlin shake hands and they breathed again.



Dori and Caitlin turned and saw the boys take an deep breath they cracked up. "



Thanks for the vote of confidence fellows." Caitlin said as she stopped laughing.



"Hey we all know you Caitlin." Griffin replied with an smile as he held up his hands and backed away joking.



Brett bent and started to pick up the Lowe's luggage along with his.



Eric bent down and helped. Griffin, Caitlin and Dori saw what their two friends were doing and bent down and got the luggage also.



"So ready to wait in line." Brett asked as he led the way to the long line.



"Looks like we will be here for an while." Eric said as he set down the luggage he was holding.



Everyone nodded their heads.



Jim ran up and joined them as the line started to inch forward an little bit. "So did I miss anything exciting?" Jim asked after kissing Dori's right cheek.



"Naw Dad. Just standing in an long line. But hey you get to now." Griffin said. Jim chugged and nodded.



End of Part One