An hour later, Rick and A.J were shown into a guest billet at the base on the outskirts of Phoenix. Scarcely had they put their stuff away when there was a knock at the door. "Who is it?" Rick asked, suspiciously.

"Rick, it's Oscar."

Relieved, the older Simon opened the door and ushered in a weary-looking Oscar Goldman, who hugged both brothers then sat in the chair Rick pulled out for him.

"Son, I'm glad to see you two, how's Laurie?" he asked worriedly, then relaxed when Rick reassured him.

"She's not happy you're in danger, Dad. Neither am I; how did this get out of hand?"

The silver-haired man sighed. "I wish I knew. The Secretary told me the selection process would be short, I helped identify and interview 3 candidates, then one of them had a "change of heart" and backed off. I was just about to re-interview the remaining two when the note was sent to the Secretary's office."

Rick shook his head. "How do you know this Senator Anderson didn't send that note so you'd pick his kid?"

"I don't, all I know is somehow Wade Wright is involved, something about him was so familiar when I interviewed him. I've got his file and other candidate's files for you to go through." Oscar pulled a stack from his briefcase.

"Well, in the meantime, Dad, you are not going anywhere without A.J. or I. Where are you staying now?"

Rick asked, then nodded when Oscar responded, "Right next door, I'll unlock the connecting door so you'll have access."

"Oscar, did your forensic people check the note out for prints and such?" A.J. spoke up as Rick started paging through the personnel files.

"Yes, but there were no prints, the paper was standard printer weight and the message was from a no-name brand of type. I'll see that the lab releases it to you." The older man promised.

After an hour of searching for evidence on the would-be killer, the three men decided to call it a night.

"A.J., you can use the phone, I'm going to call Laurie on my transmitter, Dad, do you have yours on ?" Rick was heartened to see the OSI chief hold his up with a grin. "I'll call her on the transmitter also, the phones are supposed to be secured, but…well, I'd rather be safe then sorry."

A.J. smiled sheepishly at both of them. "I don't think anyone's going to hear anything other then Melly wailing, so I'm not worrying."

Rick hit his send button, then a moment later heard his wife's voice. "Rick?"

"Hi, sweetheart, everything okay?" Rick smiled as she replied, "other then Rex eating Mike's dinner and hiding from him under our bed, we're fine. Is Dad okay?"

"Yes, Laurie, he's going to talk to you in a moment. Darlin', the Chief and Rob are going to close up the barn tonight, are they there yet?" Making sure things were covered helped Rick fight his nervousness on leaving her.

"They're outside now, darling. The Chief is giving Rob such a bad time about not catching anything when they fished Rocky Point Lake. You need to go with them the next trip, they're so funny." She added.

"I will, Laurie, if only to get the Chief's corn cake recipe." Rick chuckled at the mental picture of his two friends ragging each other. Oscar came into the room and caught Rick's eye. "My transmitter isn't working, can I talk to her?" he mouthed.

"Sweetheart, your Dad wants to talk to you, I'm going to change out the battery in his watch, I'll be back to say good night." Rick explained.

Handing the watch to the older man, Rick took his transmitter in hand and went to work on it as Oscar started teasing his adopted daughter.

"What's this I hear about Rex eating Mike's dinner? I thought that was Mike's bailiwick?"

Hearing Laurie's delighted giggle over the transmitter, Rick smiled and popped open the watch, only to let out a gasp.

There was a minute-sized counter ticking off inside….20…19

"Dad, you and A.J…..move now!" he yelled.

Both men didn't hesitate, they ran for Oscar's room as Rick dropped the transmitter into the wastebasket near the door, then followed them and slammed the connecting door. A.J. already had Oscar's phone in hand when they heard a small "boom", then the sound of debris hitting the floor.

Silence, then Rick touched the door, relieved to find it cool. He opened it slowly to find a small fire on the carpet being put out by the sprinkler near the entry. "Son, any damage?"

Oscar stood behind him, an angry look on his face.

"No, just the can and the carpet of course." Rick pointed out the plastic pieces and scorched carpet.

The sound of someone calling "Dad? Rick?" broke their concentration, and immediately Oscar brought the transmitter to his mouth.

"Laurie, honey it's okay. There was a small bomb in my transmitter, Rick found it though, I'm okay."

"Oh, thank God!" Rick heard the relief in Laurie's voice. "I don't like this, Dad, how did someone get your watch?"

"I don't know, baby. Here, you say good night to Rick and I'll talk to you tomorrow." Oscar told her, promising to be careful.

As Oscar opened the door to his rooms for security and the fire officials to check the damage, Rick took his watch into A.J.'s room.

"Sweetheart, I have to go now, I love my girl." Rick whispered, then heard Laurie respond, "I love you, Rick. Thank you for saving Dad. Be careful, love."

A lump formed in his throat. "I will, Laurie. Good night, Angel."

As he signed off, he saw A.J.'s face. "If you hadn't taken Oscar's watch to fix so he could talk to Laurie…." He said.. his voice trailing off.

"You two are sleeping in this room tonight, I'll be on the sofa." Oscar came into A.J.'s room, and sat heavily on one of the single beds.

"Security is processing the room now and the Secretary has been notified, guys. Rick, what did you see when you opened up my watch?"

"A little timer ticking off the seconds, I knew what it was immediately, Dad." Rick let out a deep breath.

Oscar made notes as he spoke, then when Rick finished, he closed his notebook.

"Thanks, Rick, I'm really glad you guys are here." Oscar held out a hand, and Rick took it, then hugged his father-in-law.

"You're welcome, Dad. I'm not going to let anything happened to you, I've got your daughter to answer to." He managed to joke.

"Well, now, I guess I trained her right." Oscar smiled. "What Laurie wants, Laurie gets." He got up to give Rick's information to the security chief.

"What she wants is you safe, Dad. I'm not going to let her down." Rick thought, grabbing his bag and unpacking once again.