"Yes, his mother was my daughter from my first marriage. Sabina and I…. we only connected in the last year and she felt it was almost time for Jarrod to know about me, but now." Mason cleared his throat.

Rick almost felt sorry for the older man. Almost. What had he gotten them into?

"You wanted to find out the truth so bad you had A.J. scheduled for Jury Duty, even though he should have been excused, didn't you."

"Yes, Rick. I'm sorry about that. If I'd been thinking clearly, but I had no idea Mrs. Simon was having problems. I understand you and your wife have even had to move in with your brother's family." Rick's anger was tempered by fear now. How did all this information about their family get out?

"Well, it's too late for your sympathy now, what we have to do is make sure the killer doesn't get away with it. Chief Johnson's going to the DA in the morning, so this should all be settled tomorrow. In the meantime, how did you know about Laurie and I being at my brother's?"

Judge Mason's tone was grave. "I saw Harmon follow you and your brother the other night. It made me nervous, so I did some checking of my own. I don't mean to alarm you, Rick, but I'd vary my routine tomorrow. If you and Ron Johnson are taking him and Ms. Gibbs down tomorrow, I'll have extra security lined up."

Reluctantly, Rick thanked the man. "I appreciate it, Judge. By the way, when did you figure out Harmon was trying to frame Tony Gibbs?"

"The first day of court, when I wondered about Harmon's nonchalant treatment of the prosecution witnesses. I had the evidence file pulled, but once I saw the crime scene photos, it all clicked." The jurist sounded almost smug.

"Well, thanks for verifying we were on the right track. Good night, your Honor. We'll be ready to go in the morning." Rick answered, then heard the contrite tone from the Judge again.

"Good night, Rick, and …thanks for all you've done to bring my grandson some closure."

As he disconnected the call and turned off the speaker, Rick saw the contemplative look on A.J.'s face.

"Talk about bombshells…."

A knock on the door interrupted them. "A.J.?"

"Come in, Linny." Her husband responded, then saw Linda had Ceci in hand.

"It's bedtime, she and Robin want a story, honey."

Rick felt bad when he realized his brother's children hadn't seen much of their father the past week.

"Sure, Linda. I didn't realize the time." A.J. got up, then hoisted a giggling Ceci in his arms.

"Time for Mommy and Daddy story time, I've got a good one tonight." He teased, laying a kiss on his wife's cheek as he carried his daughter to her room.

Rick got a lump in his throat, then felt two arms wrap themselves around his shoulders.

"Sweetheart, just when I need you…." He sighed, then turned in her embrace and saw Laurie's tender expression.

"Always, Rick,." She whispered, then she opened her mouth to his as he kissed her hungrily.

Releasing her lips, Rick caressed her face. "Darlin', A.J. and I hope to be home early tomorrow, but…if anything happens, call me on your way to the hospital. We'll be there within 10 minutes."

"Rick, is this something to do with your investigating the Wright case?" Laurie asked, then shook her head as Rick explained the revelations he and Ron had uncovered, as well as the Judge's.

"Oh, Rick, no. You don't think Donald Harmon or the Gibbs woman would try to hurt you or A.J., do you?" she asked, snuggling against his chest.

"No, I don't think so, angel." He kissed her cheek. "They'll probably don't have a clue we've found evidence against them."

As Rick and A.J. left for court in the morning, neither brother was happy about the day's work ahead of them. The only thing Rick could console himself with was that Rudy was coming by in the morning for Linda's check up.

"Remember, Laurie, you and sis do not open the door to anyone except us or Ron's men." Rick gave a last minute kiss to his wife.

"I promise, darling." Laurie kissed him back, then watched A.J. gently hugging his wife.

The morning's trip into town was uneventful, and as the two of them entered the building, Rick saw the extra security patrol the Judge had promised.

Scarcely had the jury filed into the packed courtroom then Mr. Lopez stood up and waited for the judge to come in.

"Your Honor, I move all charges against Tony Gibbs be dismissed."

A brief smile crossed the older man's lips, then he gaveled for order as surprise sounded around the room.

"The motion is accepted. Mr. Lopez, do you wish to reveal why the charges should be dismissed."

As the DA started to lay out the discrepancies in the evidence, the loss of important back up, etc, Rudy Wells had just finished his examination of his former nurse when Linda gave out a startled groan.

"Honey? What is it?" Rudy helped her to sit as Laurie opened his bag for him.

"I've got pain, Rudy, feels like someone hit me in the stomach." Linda gasped, perspiring.

"Time for this baby to make its entrance." Rudy smiled. "Let's get you to the hospital!"

Calling Cecilia to let her know that her daughter-in-law was in labor, Laurie was relieved when she said she would stay with the children. "Just until the baby is born, then I'll bring them to the hospital.

"Thank Mom for me, sis, I'll see her when we …..ohhhh!" Linda had another contraction, then Rudy helped her to the car, with Laurie carrying her suitcase and coat.

"So, when Mr. Gibbs passed out, you, Mr. Harmon," the D.A. continued, "took a pool stick and hit Jarrod Wright not once, but twice. You fractured his skull then slammed his head against the floor. As he lay there, bleeding, you put the pool cue in the book shelves so it wouldn't be examined for evidence."

A stunned look crossed Donald Harmon's face, " You don't have any proof I killed Jarrod. Where are the fingerprints, and motive, I have no reason to kill him."

"You do, you and Ms. Gibbs decided to frame her brother so she'd have control of their business. Plus, Ms. Gibbs, you would do anything to get your revenge on the two men you could not control; Jarrod Wright and your brother…." Lopez was interrupted by Katherine Gibbs standing and shouting at him.

"No, you ruined everything! I was almost free of my brother, I was ready to take over the business, but I didn't kill Jarrod, Donald killed him."

Suddenly Harmon bolted from the room, and sheriff's deputies, caught off guard, ran in pursuit of the lawyer.

"Rick!"

Rick heard his wife's "call", then jumped up as he heard her say "Linda's in hard labor, we're on our way to the hospital! Please hurry!"

Quickly he signaled his brother, who had been watching Katherine Gibbs being taken away in handcuffs.

The Judge saw Rick's effort to catch his brother's attention, then gaveled the session to a close and dismissed the jury. At once A.J. got up and followed Rick out the door.

As they got outside, Ron Johnson came into the lobby, then stopped at seeing A.J. and Rick.

"Everything wrapped up with…whoa, where are you guys going?"

"Linda's in labor, Ron, and she's having problems, we have to get A.J. there now!" Rick explained hurriedly.

A.J. let out a breath in gratitude as the chief told them "Come with me, I'll fly you to the hospital!"

"Go, A.J., I'll follow you in the truck, I'll let Laurie know you're on your way!" Rick shooed him off as Ron radioed headquarters.

"Thanks, Rick!" A.J. grabbed his arm, then took off.