Katie watched with amusement when Ariel spotted Cody in the terminal waiting area.  She tore away from her grandfather and launched herself at him calling "Unna Coewdeeee!"  Cody scooped her up and hugged her tightly and kissed her little cheek.  He would never admit it, but that little Donovan had stolen his heart and had it firmly wrapped around her little bitty finger.  She suddenly felt very envious of Shay and Frankie and their beautiful children.

"Not that I'm not happy to see you," Thomas said, laughing as he handed Zack over to Katie and lifted LJ up into his arms.  "Where's Frank?  I really need to talk to him."

Cody shrugged.  "He had a budget meeting and then was going back to the nest.  I guess he's there.  Hang on..."  Cody flipped the cell open and speed dialed Frank.  "Hey...yeah.  You're what?  Gimme the address.  Yes...see ya in a few."

Cody stabbed the 'end' button and closed the phone.  "Katie...I need you to take a taxi.  Take the kids back to our place," he insisted.

Katie was not about to argue.  He looked a bit on the frantic side.  She took Ariel's hand after he set her on her feet.  Thomas set LJ down and he wrapped his little fingers around his sister's hand.  "I'll take care of the kids..." she leaned forward to accept his brief kiss and watched in amazement as he ran off with Thomas Renquist in tow.

--

"What the hell's going on, Forrester?" Renquist demanded as he climbed into Cody's jeep. 

"Frank said they're on their way to check out a location where the hitter might be staying.  Apparently, Frankie's informant gave them a good tidbit of information."

Renquist nodded absently.  "Is Shay with them?"

"I can't say, but I would assume so."

"Step on it..."  He had to get to Shay.

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

"Are we waiting for Cody?" Jake asked as he donned his Kevlar vest and attack gear. 

Frank looked up at the abandoned warehouse a block from their vantage point.  "No...let's do this.  Jake, Alex, Frankie...approach from the rear.  Shay and I will take the front."

Floor by floor they searched with hardly making a sound.  Hand signals conveyed orders, and each covered the other as room after room, floor after floor was searched. 

"Check in, Jake," Frank whispered.

"Nothing.  We're almost to the top floor."

"Same here."

Shay opened the door to the top floor and cringed when it creaked loudly.   She stepped through while Frank covered her.  When he entered the room he noticed the large crates that littered the room.  He motioned for Shay to check the crates to the right, while he moved off to the left. 

Peering around the closest crate, he saw Jake, Alex, and Frankie come into the room from the rear entrance.  Alex broke away and headed down the right side of the room, while Jake and Frankie went left.  He nodded to Jake as he made his way through the maze of crates. 

Frank heard a slight gasp from the ear mic.  "Check in," he whispered. 


"All clear," Alex responded softly.

"Here, too," Jake whispered.

"Shay...check in."

"Fine.  I'm fine," she finally responded.

Sure the room was clear, Frank ordered, "Meet up, people."

Frank turned to Shay as she emerged from behind the last crate to join the team.  "The hitter isn't here," he acknowledged her and started toward her, stopping suddenly when he saw the flash of fear in her eyes.

Quick as lightening, the muzzle of a .34 was shoved under Shay's chin and a shadowy figured stepped from behind the crate to use her as a human shield. 

Eight guns trained on the hitter as the four who held them gasped in surprise.  Behind Shay, stood an older, equally attractive version of herself. 

--

to be continued...