Author's note: One more since I might not have internet access this weekend. Characters are not mine I just borrowed them. No beta so all mistakes are mine. Enjoy

Chapter 9

This was not going according to plan.

I thought if I gave CJ time and some space she would slowly get something resembling normality in her life. She would start to feel safe and then we would have a serious talk regarding our best friend status.

By then I might mustard up the courage to tell her how I really feel about her and wanting to break down that wall that was standing between us and to finally try and be together.

But with what just happened and her not confirming or denying there was a new man in her life I was at a standstill. Maybe I had taken her for granted one time too many.

I should have talked to her right after we cleared my name, when she said she loved me in that warehouse. I was speechless when it happen. Bullets flying over our head her looking at me like she wanted a kiss and what did I do? Brushed my hand to her face and wondered how we would get out of there in one piece.

When she was shot getting her to the hospital was my priority. Storing that moment in my memory to get back to at another time. I could not let her die, clearing my name would mean nothing if I didn't have her to comeback to.

But nope I lost my courage and didn't tell her how I felt. The Robert debacle didn't help either. Then cases started to come in and Uncle Roy took on more cases as my partner. I knew she felt that I had replaced her but it didn't dawn on me till the day I walked into the office and she wasn't there that something wasn't right between us.

She had taken a vacation and I wasn't even aware of it. She hadn't told me and we told each other everything. Or so I thought. Uncle Roy and Chris knew she was taking off and I pretended to know also but in reality I didn't and felt hurt that I wasn't privy to this information.

She called and asked for my help in solving a murder at the resort she was staying at I was more than happy to help and had pulled her aside and asked if she was having a good time and if she had met anyone. She rolled her eyes and said no but she was enjoying herself up till the time the guest she was with in the catamaran disappeared.

It hit me that it could have easily been her. When the blackmailer tried to kill my best friend for a second time I started to wonder if CJ was his target and all of this was just a ruse to lead them down a different path. Once it was all done I did ask him if he was working for any of my enemies and was told he didn't know what I was talking about. I let it go thinking it was just my over active mind working overtime.

Things went back to semi normal. Then Elizabeth happened, thinking I had found the woman of my dreams and my failed attempt to walk down the aisle. It had taken a toll on our friendship.

I would have no one to blame but myself if I lost her to this new guy. I should be happy for her if this Bruce guy was who she wanted to be with.

I opened the front door and lights blinded me, microphones where shoved in my face and yelling from reporters trying to get a comment. Beast growled and started to pull forward. I had to really grab a hold of the leash or there would be more trouble than we needed right now.

"Mr. Houston why won't your partner Ms. Parson's come out to speak to us?"

"Did you two have a fight? Is your partnership breaking up? Mr. Houston please give us a comment."

"Mr. Houston what was she doing at your home at such a late hour? Why was she walking the beach alone at that time? Wasn't this what happen last time she was abducted?"

I glared at the reporter, wanting nothing more than to smash my fist into his face.

I kept walking Beast was having none of it either. He started to bark at them which made them move and give us a path to walk by. They didn't follow and Beast started to pull me towards the beach.

"Okay mongrel will hit the beach okay? Maybe will talk to the officer in charge of the investigation might as well get a jump on finding Jake's momma."

Beast made a bee line to the trashcan that I assumed Jake had been placed in. An area around the trash can was courted off with yellow tape I saw Detective Mitchell and he waved me through.

"Hey Houston how are you doing? So is this the hero dog the media's talking about?"

I nodded.

"Hey Mitchell how do you think it's going? I have a media circus in my front and back yard. Do you think you can get them move along before I do bodily harm and get arrested? Yup, this is the hero baby finder he looks more dangerous then he really is."

Mitchell came over and Beast growled, I pulled the leash and told him to settle down.

"Yeah I think your neighbors are complaining and security is giving them another hour before they are asking them to leave politely. We found a blanket lots of blood what looks like an umbilical cord and a backpack. We bagged all of it and its being taken down to process they will be coming for the trash can they dusted for prints but with the rain it's not looking good."

"So this is where the baby was left did you find anything in the trash bag that he was in? CJ told me what happen and I can't believe someone would do this on purpose. Any leads yet? It's going to be tough. I'm sure it washed away any footprints or any evidence. Any reports of a missing pregnant woman? Do you think she might have been homeless? I've been seeing a slight increase around the area but none that I remember where female or pregnant?"

"Houston we have officers canvasing the area asking questions and hopefully something comes up. Homeless usually blend in not wanting to be found or forthcoming with information so yeah it's going to be a long day. How's CJ doing? I heard from Hoyt what happen and I'm really happy she survived that ordeal."

"Yup we all are, that's why I'm here I have a new client he's about a day old and CJ wants us to find his mother. So any information will be helpful."

"These cases are always the hardest for me, I'm just glad he survived there have been some that aren't so lucky and I can't understand why don't they just drop them off at a hospital or somewhere safe. I'll tell you what we find okay just don't tell my boss he's not too happy with you."

"Tell him to join the club I've had that type of luck with everyone lately not liking me too much. Thanks I appreciate it come on mongrel let's get walking."

We started towards the pier and notice I was being shadowed. Beast's ears stood up and started to look around.

I came down to his level and started to pet him.

"What's up boy you feel someone watching us too don't you. I swear you are too smart for your own good and I'm starting to like you a little bit."

Beast started to growl, and I got up and found my shadow.

"That's the dog from the TV isn't it?"

It was a young girl she looked homeless and lived on the beach. Having that scruffy appearance and only a backpack over her shoulder.

"Yeah it is. His name is Beast, what's yours?"

She didn't answer, "Can I pet him?" Beast looked at me and I gave him a nod he sat she came down to his level and he let her pet him.

"He's a big dog the name fits him."

"Yeah it does. Speaking of names Beast usually likes to know who's petting him so do you have a name."

She looked up at me and hugged him. "My name is Star. What's yours?"

"My name is Houston nice to meet you Star do you live around here?"

She continued to pet Beast, "You can say that I live all around. Houston is that really your name? With your Texas drawl I'd would have thought it would be Tex."

I laughed and Beast barked.

I got my wallet out and pulled out one of my business card, "It's Matt Houston and I'm a private investigator did you hear about the baby they found in the trash can? Yeah was left in a bag and Beast here found the baby with a very good friend of mine? The baby is in the hospital, so did you see or hear anything that might help me find the baby's momma."

She got up and took my card. "You don't look like an investigator. I thought you were a cop at first but nah you don't have that look. Honestly, you look like one of those trust fund adult kids that hang out at the marina on their parent's boat. Thanks for letting me pet Beast."

She got up and started to walk away.

"Hey Star, I was about to have breakfast down at the pier want to join me?"

She turned around, "What's it going to cost me? Nothing is free in this world so I've been told?"

"Nothing just wanting some company and Beast likes you if he didn't he would have growled and dropped you by now. So what do you say?"

She stood there gauging me and rolled her eyes.

"Houston the baby isn't mine."

She unzipped her hoodie and showed me she was skin and bones underneath the jacket.

"I wouldn't have done that, it's just not cool. So still want to take me to breakfast because I am hungry and I'm not usually welcomed at any of these places."

I handed her Beast's leash and he got up and waited for her to move.

"See you've been helpful already. I bet you see a lot of things around here or know those that hang around so let's go get something to eat and talk about you helping me find the baby's momma."

We walked towards the pier I was looking around seeing if anything was out of place or was Star just there to distract me.

"You haven't said if it's a boy or a girl Houston still think it's mine? That's fine, I'll tell you what I know, but it won't be much, at least I'll get a meal out of it. Come on Beast let's go get some grub."

We got to the café and took a seat at a table. The owner Josh was a good friend of CJ and I. He looked at Star who was hiding behind a menu.

"Hey Houston heard about all the commotion last night? Is it true that CJ found the baby and this must be the dog that helped. I see you made a friend, hi Star we are not going to have any trouble right?"

Star mumbled hello, I looked at Josh.

"Hey Josh yeah it's true CJ found the baby with the help of Beast and this is my friend Star she will not cause any trouble I'll vouch for her."

"Coffee Houston and Star want your orange smoothie extra thick?" She put the menu down, "Nope I want a large orange juice and can we have a bowl of water for my friend Beast too? I promise to be a lady."

Josh shook his head, "Good luck with this one she's a handful I hope you know what you're doing Houston."

I looked at Star and could see what Josh said bothered her. She put down her menu and blurted out, "You don't even know me and you're vouching for me why? If you're expecting something extra well I'll be leaving now I don't do things like that."

She tried to get up but Beast moved to stop her by placing his upper body on her lap.

"Get your dog off me before I scream and with all the media hanging out it will not look good for you."

I tried pulling the mongrel off but he wouldn't budge.

"Please don't do that. I am not asking for anything and you know what I'm offended that you would think that of me. If you want to leave fine go. But I thought you were going to help me find Jake's mom. If you want to prove Josh right go on leave no hard feelings. But if you get into any trouble you can call me you have my card. Beast get off her."

Beast whimpered and got off and sat by my feet. Star had her head down and was looking at her hands.

"His name is Jake? Really I had a little brother named Jake. I'm sorry if I offended you I've been living on my own staying here and there and sometimes someone that tries to be nice to you wants something in return. I don't do that. I try to keep clear of trouble but sometimes I think trouble finds me. You didn't have to tell me his name why did you?"

She still hadn't looked up at me and I decided to be honest with her.

"I think I can read people pretty well and so does Beast. Me offering you a meal was a way to establish an agreement between us so technically you will be an employee of Houston Investigations a freelancer, to help me be my ears and eyes out here you probably will be privy to a lot more information than me or the police. I understand your hesitation you have every right to be cautious you don't have it easy and I am not going to preach that I think it's too dangerous for you to be out here alone. Give me a week or two and then I'll really meddle with your life. So do we have an understanding?"

Josh came back with our drinks and Beast's water Star picked up the menu again, "you guys ready to order?"

I ordered bacon and eggs extra side of bacon for Beast and Star ordered the lumberjack breakfast which was two of everything. Josh shook his head and walked away.

I chuckled, "Are we a little hungry?"

"A little, so technically I'll be working for you right? Will I get paid? Oh and I'm not going to any shelter or foster home. I don't have any family except a dead beat step father that wants to teach me a lesson about my place in his household. Which included duties in all rooms of the house from the kitchen to the bedroom which I felt didn't fall into the step-daughters role so I left. My mom and little brother are gone and I don't want to talk about it."

She called Beast over and started to pet him again she was holding back her tears. I handed her a napkin and she took it.

"I'm sorry Star. When you want to talk I'll be here. But it's not going to stop me from meddling. So let's get this ironed out. You will be working for me. I will be talking to Josh whenever you're hungry you can come here and grab something to eat. I'll have a tab open for you whatever you want, okay? It will be part of our contract. I'll have CJ write something up so it will be legitimate."

"Okay you got a deal but I have a couple of questions."

Josh came back with our food and Beast got up.

"Oh no Mongrel sit down you will not be disturbing our meal."

Star gave him a sausage link and he gobbled it down I gave him his bacon and he was done in a minute. Star told him to lay down or he'd be getting nothing else and not to be greedy. He whimpered and laid down on her feet.

"See told you he likes you. So what questions do you have?"

"Who named the baby, why Jake and who's CJ? Oh also why are you so interested in finding his momma he might be in better off with someone that truly wants him?"

She continued to eat and I was dumbstruck she was very observant.

"CJ is my business partner and best friend. She named the baby after her father his name was Jacob and his middle name is William after my Daddy. We want to know why someone would give up Jake. Is she in some trouble was he taken from her. Jake deserves to know what happen to his parents."

Star looked surprised, "CJ is a female, really. Hmm you said she was your partner and best friend how can you two be best friend being of the opposite sex never heard of such a thing. The lines get blurred once puberty strikes I had a male best friend but as soon as my boobs starting to show he wanted more I had to punch him and well we stop talking after that. So she's an investigator too very impressive I'd like to meet her."

"She's also a Lawyer, went to Harvard and graduated top of her class and that could be arranged so do we have a deal?"

She finished her juice and let out a burp and stuck out her hand. "Deal Houston I want to help you find Jake's mom too but on one condition. Whenever Beast is around I get to hang with him. He makes me feel safe."

"I'm going to have to ask my cousin Will. Beast is his dog why don't you come to my house it's not far from here. It's right in front of the marina and no I am not a trust fund baby. I made all my money by working my butt off so did CJ."

"You don't look like the spoil adult kids that hang around here, and you made your own money that's nice to hear. I figured you live at the house with the media circus in front of it. See I'm already being observant saw them setting up early this morning."

Houston chuckled, "Yeah that's where I live. Let me settle up with Josh and tell him about your open tab okay? Grab Beast's leash and will go."

"Whatever you say boss man. Let's go Beast."