"The home invasions had been going on for about a year. One of the perps that was caught gave up some additional information that wasn't included in the official records," David was briefing Don and the others. "Apparently the mastermind of the home invasion was never caught. And James Brighton was only with them for about two months before Jeanine's home was broken into. Apparently Brighton had been hot to break into Jeanine's home from day one, but he was held back by the mastermind. Brighton didn't stay long with them after Jeanine was killed. The mastermind is one Brady Delock."
"Delock! Any relation to Kurt Delock, who planned the attack of our office?" Colby exclaimed. That case would never fade from his memory. A stray bullet from his gun had killed a man that day.
"He's Kurt Delock's son," David confirmed. "Kurt Delock died in prison a few years back. Brady Delock has been in and out himself. He apparently hooked up with James Brighton in prison."
"So Brady Delock and James Brighton are on the loose," Don mused. "Any sightings in Los Angeles?"
"Not yet. We just put out an APB on them. As far as LVPD knows, they're new to LA. No previous known locations in this area," David replied. "We've canvassed the zip code of the postmark on your threats, but nothing so far on those two. However, John Taylor has known hangouts in that zip code. We're going to check him out more thoroughly as well."
"And John Taylor is the other name that Charlie pulled out?" Megan asked.
Colby grinned, "Getting old and forgetting things, Megan?"
"Alright, focus please," Don cut in before they went at it, but he was laughing. Just like old times, indeed. "So a little progress, but nothing concrete. It could be Taylor, or it could be Brighton."
"Afraid so, Don," David sighed.
"Just keep at it, we'll catch a break eventually," Don said encouragingly. "What about Byron Jameson, Jr.?"
"Tyler says they seem to be laying low. He's checked with all the sources we have but nothing's panning out. Justin thinks that they just have to be patient, the Jamesons have to surface sometime," Megan reported.
Don sighed, the sooner that they got Darren's killer, the sooner everyone would heal from the loss. He looked at his team of Assistant Directors and decided to ask their opinion. "I'm sure you know that Darren left everything to Verity. She wants to set up some sort of college scholarship fund for children of agents killed in the line of duty. She thinks that Cameron can manage the funds and make them grow even while these scholarships are being funded. The Darren Martin Scholarship Fund. Opinions?"
"I'm going to abstain from an opinion, if you don't mind. Since it's my daughter and son we're talking about," Colby said quietly.
Don smiled, "I'd still like to hear it, but I won't push for it."
"Well, I think it's a great idea," David responded enthusiastically. Rafe was fitting in very well, but he missed having Darren on his team.
Megan glanced thoughtfully at an uncharacteristically silent Colby, "Is she feeling guilty about something? It's a good thing to do, regardless. I'm just curious."
There was only a shrug from Colby. Megan wasn't surprised. He was very protective of his children.
"All right. I'm going to let Verity know to go ahead with the plans. We'll have some sort of a party to announce the scholarship and the first recipient of the scholarship whenever Verity and Cameron are ready." Don was glad to get that out of the way.
-----
"You'll need a committee at the FBI to identify the recipients of the scholarship, Don," Cameron said patiently.
Don sighed impatiently. He had thought his responsibility for the scholarship had ended when he made the decision. But Cameron, Erin, and Verity had been sitting in his den, trying to wrap up the details for the last hour. It didn't help matters that Robin was sitting on the couch next to him trying hard not to laugh. He looked yearningly over at where David, Colby and Megan were discussing the next steps to their case.
"How about I just appoint a chairperson and let them take care of setting up a committee?" Don asked hopefully.
Cameron laughed, "Alright, I guess that will work. Who do you have in mind?"
"Erin."
Luckily for Erin, Cameron caught her coffee mug before the contents spilled. Her mouth had dropped open in stunned amazement. Cameron smiled tenderly and leaned over to kiss her open mouth.
"Alright, alright, break it up," Don said hastily. "Well, why not, Erin?"
Verity chimed in, "Erin, I think that's a fabulous idea! You know what we're trying to do after all."
Robin smiled gently at Erin, "I'll help you get it going, Erin." She was amused at Erin's grateful smile.
Cameron looked up as Don joined David, Colby and Megan. He frowned when he realized how weary his father looked. For as long as he could remember, his father had provided strength and support for all of them. Even for his mother, who had always been a strong woman. The sudden realization that age was encroaching on that strength disturbed Cam greatly.
"Cam?" Verity said softly. "What is it?"
He smiled and shook his head, not wanting to upset her. But she surprised him.
"He looks tired, doesn't he? It scares me a little. Losing Darren made me think about a lot of things. About Mama and Dad," she swallowed hard. "You know."
Cameron hugged her, "It's just been a long day for him, Verity. Come on, we can make him a hot chocolate. Like he taught us."
Verity grinned, "That'll give him a heart attack. We've never done that for him."
"I know." They looked soberly at each other, realizing, for the first time, how very little they'd done for their parents.
Erin squeezed his hand, smiling gently, "I'll come with you."
Robin wavered between wanting to laugh and wanting to cry as she watched them make the hot chocolate. She remembered Hannah telling her about the day Colby had taught the kids to make hot chocolate the way she liked it.
It had been mother's day the year that the triplets were four, and Keeley five. Verity, at one, had been sitting in her high chair out of harm's way. There had been powdered chocolate everywhere on the counter. Verity had chocolate all over her face, and the triplets had chocolate and honey everywhere on themselves. Keeley had managed a perfect swirl of whipped cream on top of the hot chocolate, and on herself. Brandon had been shaking the chocolate sprinkles enthusiastically on the whipped cream and the kitchen floor. And Colby was laughing himself silly over the whole thing. The sight of an FBI agent, still in a kevlar vest with his gun strapped to his belt, amidst the chocolate mess had touched Hannah beyond words and made her cry.
There was no mess today. While Robin and Erin watched, Cameron and Verity made hot chocolate for everyone with practiced ease, the only hesitation had been in finding everything in someone else's kitchen.
"Ooh! Hot chocolate!" Both Maggie and Darla exclaimed with enthusiasm from the kitchen door. "Just like Hannah makes it?"
Cameron grinned, "No, just like Cameron makes it."
Maggie elbowed him, "I can hurt you."
"You can try!" retorted Cameron.
Robin jaw dropped in amazement when Erin moved in front of Cameron as though to protect him from Maggie. The movement was not lost on either Maggie or Darla. Verity smiled at Cameron's surprised look.
"Come on, let's get the hot chocolate in there before they keel over from weariness," Verity urged, as she left with a tray of mugs for the agents on protection duty. She joked and laughed with first Jason then Luke as she handed them their mugs of hot chocolate.
Then she went looking for Rafe. She jumped when he came up behind her and touched her arm. He caught the mug before the chocolate spilled, and Verity before she fell from tripping over a plant. "Oh, goodness! Don't sneak up on me like that!" Verity gasped in surprise.
"I'm sorry," he murmured gently, "I won't do it again." He couldn't tear his gaze away from her smoky gold eyes, and he started to lean in to taste her parted lips.
But Verity dodged away from him. She stammered something and ran.
Rafe chided himself for seeing an invitation where there was none, and nursed his bruised ego as he went back to what he was doing.
Colby looked up in astonishment when Cam handed him a mug of hot chocolate. He eyed Cam warily. "What have you done now?"
Cam laughed, "Nothing. You looked like you needed it. Made it just like you taught us." He met Colby's amused eyes. "Just... wanted to do something for you." He hesitated for a second, "Dad, I could drive you home..." he trailed off awkwardly.
"I'll be fine, son," Colby said softly, but he was touched by the gesture. "Why don't you take Erin and Verity home? It's late."
"Let me know if you need me to come back for you."
"Thanks, but I'll be fine."
Colby was startled when Cam hugged him. "Later, Dad."
"What was that all about?" Megan asked with interest.
Looking thoughtfully at his son as he left, Colby replied, "I have no idea."