Chapter 1

"Hey, little brother, what's in the sack?" Rick watched A.J. disappear into the kitchenette of their office, then reappear with with two cups of coffee and a small bag in his mouth.

"Tmmk it" came the mumble, and Rick retrieved the sack from the younger Simon. "Oh yeah, macho burritos!" Rick grinned at the aroma from the foil wrapped packets, then pulled one out and handed the bag back.

"Special recipe macho burritos, courtesy of my wife!" A.J. bragged, as Rick bit into his, then stopped. "Uh, A.J., is this supposed to be crunchy?"

"No, not that I know of, oh, I see what you mean." His brother shook his head sheepishly.

"Poor Linda, she was half-asleep this morning, I think she let Ricky help crack the eggs."

"Well, never mind, it still tastes good, we'll just have to pick it apart!" Rick laughed, then saw the office line ringing.

"Simon & Simon Investigations." He answered, and found a tearful Linda on the line.

"Honey, I was just about to call you, what's wrong? Do you need A.J.?" he asked, worried.

"Noo, I'm sorry, Rick, I just took a bite of breakfast and realized Ricky didn't pick all the egg shells out of the eggs." She wailed, and he quickly had his brother pick up the line.

"Honey, it's okay, I like homemade burritos, and this just had a little bit extra flavor from my nephew, that's all. Now you dry those tears, I appreciate the hot food." He added, then hung up as A.J. took his turn consoling his wife.

When he finished, he put the phone down, then came over and hugged a surprised Rick.

"Thank you, Rick, you made her feel better. That hug was from both of us, by the way." his little brother told him, a suspicious moisture in his eyes.

"A.J., you don't have to thank me, she did make a good burrito. I just don't want her upset, or you either." He wiped his nose, then patted A.J.'s shoulder.

"After all, you've got to take care of the little mother, speaking of which, I need to remind Laurie of something." Rick picked up the phone again, then hit the speed dial for his wife.

After a busy day, the two Simons were discussing the birthday party Laurie wanted to have for Robin, when a call came from the security guard downstairs.

"What is it, Gus?" Rick asked, thinking it was the usual "who's going to win this weekend" chat.

"Rick, I've got two men from the government here, they need to come up and see you and your brother." The old guy sounded very impressed.

"Uh, sure, Gus, send them up." Rick turned to A.J., a funny feeling in his stomach. "Two men are coming upstairs. According to Gus, they're with the government. I have a weird feeling about this."

"Call Oscar, he'll have an idea who they might be." his brother suggested, then the sound of the elevator signaled the men had arrived. Quickly Rick dialed Oscar at the cabin, but only the answering machine picked up. "Oscar, call the office, would you, it's Rick. Thanks." He said, then there was a knock on the door.

A.J. got up to answer it, and saw that there were two men, one wearing glasses and a faint smile and the other, well, there was something about him that looked suspicious to Rick. Both wore suits, and Rick glimpsed tell-tale bulges that said "weapons" loud and clear.

"Mr. Rick Simon?" the older of the two men spoke up. Rick nodded. "I'm Lee Chew, and this is Mr. Beck."

Rick stood up . "This is my brother A.J."

As A.J. stepped forward to extend his hand, both men immediately produced guns and pointed them at the brothers.

"Not a word, from either of you gentlemen. Beck." The suspicious-looking man immediately grabbed A.J. and spun him around until he was against the bookcase.

Agressively searching him for a weapon, Beck pronounced him clear, then shoved him into his office chair.

"All right, what's going on here." Rick spoke up, angry at the rough treatment his brother was getting.

"In good time, Mr. Simon, I suggest you stay quiet if you and your brother wish to survive. Secure him." Chew ordered his companion, who pulled a piece of robe from his pocket and tied A.J.'s wrists in back.

A.J.'s eyes remained glued on his brother, as Rick felt helpless to interfere. Suddenly the phone rang, and Rick shot an angry look at the older man.

"We're supposed to be in, if I don't get that..." he started. "He said to shut up!" Beck left A.J. and punched Rick in the jaw. Stunned, Rick hit the big guy in the stomach, then heard the click of a gun. "Don't move a muscle, Mr. Simon." Chew had his gun against A.J.'s head.

Rick froze as Beck got up, then balefully looking at Rick, stuffed a gag in A.J.'s mouth.

Abruptly the recorder came on. "Rick, it's Oscar. You guys can't have left yet. I'm returning your call. I'll try you at home Or reach Laurie before she leaves the Heritage. If I don't reach you there I'll call back."

Rick wanted to say "I told you so.", but the weird smile Chew gave the two brothers made him cold inside.

"Well, that's a voice from the past. We'd better take our leave. You're coming with us, Mr. Simon. Any resistance and Mr. Beck will come back and kill your brother. Cooperate, and we'll leave a message as to his whereabouts with his wife Linda." Rick saw A.J.'s eyes widen, knowing the danger their family was now in.

Rick found his voice. "It's okay, A.J. Everything will be all right."

"Of course it will, Mr. Simon. Beck, put him in the closet." Chew instructed and the cruel-faced man pushed A.J. inside the supply closet, then locked the door.

Chew motioned with his gun, and Rick grabbed his jacket and surreptitiously turned on his watch at the same time. As he started toward the elevator, Beck yanked his arm and shoved him in the direction of the stairs. "This way, and not a sound." He grated.

As they left the building, Rick hoped Oscar would call again, then maybe check his transmitter.

His hopes were dashed when they approached a dark colored sedan. As Beck opened the back door and went to push Rick in, Chew stopped him. "Just a moment."

Coming around to face Rick, the older man told him, "Give me your watch."

"What?" Rick's stomach twisted but he held his ground.

"I don't believe you're deaf, hand me the watch that your wife gave you." He patiently repeated.

Wanting to cuss a blue streak, Rick took off the transmitter watch Laurie and the kids had given him for their last anniversary. Chew pocketed with a courteous "Thank you."

Immediately Beck grabbed the older Simon's wrists and tied them with a cord, then shoved him face down onto the back seat of the car. Startled, Rick saw him reach in and use the seat belt to fasten him to the seat, then slam the door.

As the car started, Rick heard a murmur of voices, then Chew's warning voice.

"Remember, Mr. Simon, not one sound, or not only your brother, but your family will suffer."

Helpless, Rick closed his eyes, then something occurred to him.

This wasn't about him, this was about someone else. But who?