Author's Note: Back from vacation got some reading and writing done hope you enjoy the next couple of chapters its moving along got a little stuck but I think I found what path to take. As before all errors are mine and I'm just borrowing the characters of my favorite 80's show and add some new.

Chapter 23

Star looked around the office and shook her head.

"Beast, the Boss Man is a kid at heart. Look at this place, it's like a playground for male adults. A hot tub, poker table, pool table, gym downstairs with shower and bedrooms, a bar. And that big comfy couch in the middle so there must be a tv somewhere there and a helicopter I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't come myself."

Beast licked me and I laughed.

"Hey no kissing unless I have a towel to dry off."

I heard noises coming from Chris's desk and saw two new people. Beast stood up and was in attack mode. I started to whisper to him to behave. We didn't want to get Houston mad and send him away. I pushed his behind down and he sat and looked up to me.

"Good Boy, let's see if they're friendly before we eat them ok?"

I looked at Boss man and he did not look happy. He talked to the news crew and was handed a piece of paper with the questions for the interview. He crumpled it and was about to go bonkers on them but Uncle Roy and Maureen stopped him. I wondered what questions they wanted to ask Boss Lady the way Maureen was rolling her eyes and pointing out and then scratching off and mumbling some words I heard around the pier, the ones my mom would wash my mouth out with soap if she ever heard me say them.

Boss man looked at me and motioned me to follow him. I brought Beast with me and he started to explain that I shouldn't be calling him boss man. He gave me my cover story and I felt really important like I had a secret mission and we would be executing it with me and my sidekick and partner Beast. I was so excited I called him boss man and I apologized right away. I wanted to kick myself. He gave me one assignment and I blew it.

The piranhas were looking at us and asked Houston where he wanted them to set up and he didn't answer them as he stormed back into the office. I saw the camera person mumble that she hated her job and the sound guy saying it's not the job it's the people you have to work with sometimes.

She looked at me and Beast.

I got down to his level not wanting to talk to them. If Houston didn't want to talk to them I wasn't going to either. We had to protect CJ from them.

"Hi I'm Jaime and that Buzz. Is this the hero dog everyone was talking about yesterday? He's a big boy. What's your name?"

I looked up at her and Beast started a low growl. I grabbed him and whispered no.

I was going to get as much information from them and then pass it on to Houston. They thought I was a kid and usually didn't think much when talking to me. But I would just smile and absorb what they had to give. I smiled and started my snooping.

"Yup this is the man of the hour Beast, I'm Star I'm his neighbor and best friend. Houston doesn't mind me coming along to help out with him. Nice to meet you two."

Buzz waved and asked if he could sit on one of the chairs, I shrugged and he sat as did Jaime.

"You wouldn't by any chance know where they want us to set up, do you?"

"Nope sorry I'm just the dog handler, so what happened to the reporter?

She looked at Buzz and he rolled his eyes, "Well they told us he called in with food poisoning but that's really strange because me and Buzz were with him last night having dinner and we all had the same thing and here we are a picture of health and maybe a little hung over."

This was interesting information. I started to smile and kept prodding.

"Really well that is strange. Do you two want some coffee or juice?" I know they have some inside I can go get it for you? I'm really interested on how you do your job maybe you can show me?"

"I'd give you all of this sound equipment and give you a breakdown on what we do for a cup of coffee kid please have mercy on us. We have been on this assignment since Saturday morning with maybe 3 hours of sleep. A cup of coffee would be greatly appreciated and I might even convince Jaime here to name her first born after you."

I laughed and said I'd be right back. I told Beast to stay and that they were okay. Will was talking to Boss Man and Maureen and Uncle Roy where going over the questions I went in and no one noticed as I pour two cups of coffee and took some Danish on a plate to the news crew.

"Here you go if you want some more let me know I'll go back in to get you some. I don't think they are too happy with you guys."

Jaime looked at Buzz and rolled her eyes.

"Jaime keep calm I need this job you have been talking about quitting for months. So please bite your tongue and don't make any waves. They already give us the crappy assignments all we need is another one of your blow ups and we might get canned."

That was interesting, I'd keep that tidbit in the file in my head.

"Buzz it's not the work I don't like its some of the people we have to work with and how things are handled. I decent reporter doesn't get anything but crap assignments while the ones with nothing up in the brain department and a degree in beauty queen hand waving get all the good assignments just as long as she gives the boss a taste of her talent."

I pretended I wasn't listening but I needed more details.

"So are you guys going to film Beast, he is the hero dog of the hour he would be a great for the story people love animal stuff."

Jaime smiled at me, "Yeah that's a good ideal so do you know what happen how wonder dog here found the baby in the trash can."

I thought that was a safe subject and I sat down and told them what I knew. Jaime started to write stuff down and ask some really good questions. She did ask if CJ had any other contact with the baby and I just shrugged my shoulders and said I didn't know.

I had to protect Jake if they found out that Boss Man and Lady where an important part of Jake's care the hospital would turn into a circus of piranhas and they might stop them from helping Jake out.

"So Star who made the deal with Steve the News Head to have Charlie Reynolds do the interview and what is the footage Mr. Houston was promised? It's all contingent with Ms. Parson's agreeing to do the interview right?"

I looked at Beast, I didn't want to show my hand Jaime was smart and I was starting to wonder if I was being set up. I was about to answer when I heard a new voice coming from inside.

"Oh No! News Room Bimbo Barbie is here, I'm sorry Buzz but I might be quitting in the next 5 minutes, you know we do not get along I know that Steve hates me and wants me to quit because I wouldn't give him what he wanted that night. I'm sure she's given him that and more, wonder what his wife would say?"

I looked through the glass window and saw who Jaime was referring to a blond woman just had come in and had her eyes on Boss Man.

Buzz snorted, "Poor guy the shark has her eyes on her next prey I hope he doesn't bite because then Steve will definitely blame us is he loses his side piece."

I asked, "Who is she? Why did you call her a shark Buzz?"

"That's Ashley Jacobs 'the shark' as she is known in the news room. Sorry kid you are too young to understand its grown up stuff but it looks like your neighbor has his hands full I thought he got married?"

I looked shocked at both of them. Married to who now I was curious.

"No they set a date but never made it to the altar. From what I heard it was a private ceremony and he didn't go through with it. Guys like him aren't looking to settle down he will be perfect for the shark. He'll wine and dine and 6…" Jaime looked at me and blushed and started to sip her coffee.

I was confused Boss man didn't sound like the guy they were portraying him to be.

"Yeah and his 'best friend' the business partner Ms. Parson you know they have something going on no one is that close maybe she stopped him from marrying the heiress and if she she's the shark circling her prize she might unleash on her Jaime that I'd pay to see. But she won't she's too polite. Always the bridesmaid never the bride."

They were talking about CJ and Boss man and I wasn't having any of it.

"Did you know they've been friends since they were kids that Ms. Parsons lost both of her parents at a young age and had to move to another state and into a home no one wanted her? That Houston befriended her and they've been there for each other. No I don't think you know this and I don't appreciate you talking bad about them. They are decent people and I'm sorry that you have such a dark view of people around you. If you'll excuse me."

Jaime got up, "We are sorry you're right we don't know them. We are like everyone else it's what we hear or see on the TV or printed in a magazine or newspaper. You're right kid and again we apologize but it's frustrating when you try to do something good and only get taken advantage of or have someone else get credit for your work. That's her inside my enemy she will gut you with a smile and take credit for your work. I believe hard work gets you ahead but I'm slowly realizing that's not always the case."

I looked at her, "what if you could do something about it? What if you tell me the truth about Charlie Reynolds was he even called to do the interview? I have a feeling that he was never contacted and where's the footage Houston was promised for this exclusive interview I know Ms. Parson has talked to no press and this is the way he's treating her? What if your boss is only giving his work girlfriend what she wants? Wouldn't his boss want to know?"

Jaime smiled, "You are one observant kid. Can I use that phone I'll let you know in a minute if Charlie was called and Buzz I need you to go down to the van and contact the video room at the news station to see where is this mystery footage."

Within minutes Jaime had her answer. Charlie Reynolds was never called to come interview CJ. Buzz came back and started whispering to Jaime and they looked at me.

"Well kid your batting a 1000 the footage was pulled but Steve picked it up and funny thing some of our friends saw both him and Ashley early this morning, the make-up girl in studio said she changed her outfit at least 5 times. Your neighbor in there is getting railroaded and she will get her way trust us. From what Buzz was told they dated years ago and she's never gotten over him and she blames his partner. I feel bad for Ms. Parson's, they over heard the shark say she was going to bring her down a notch thinking she was better than her and she would get her to answer all her questions if she wanted the footage."

I was angry and came down to Beast's level I started to pet him and he picked up on my anxiety and started to growl. I needed to go talk to Boss man, he wouldn't let Barbie get away with treating CJ poorly.

"I need to talk to Houston, I hope you guys don't mind but they need to know the truth it's not fair and I don't want anything to upset CJ it's been a rough couple of days for her."

Jaime came close with her hands up.

"Please don't eat me Beast, I'm not sure how much you know kid but from what we heard it's been a rough couple of months for her. She's a private person she rarely gives interviews and Steve is blowing a prime opportunity to appease his side chick. Go tell your friends I'll do what I can. I'm sorry Buzz I'll take all the blame for this. She has to be stopped and if I lose my job so be it. Go kid go tell them what we found out."

I smiled and thanked her and got Beast and went to talk to Boss man. Walking back I heard the Shark laugh out loud and looked over. There she was with Uncle Roy and Boss Man. Boss man was holding her hand and kissing it.

I gasped and stopped.

I didn't know what to think how could he do this? I wanted to turn around but remembered what I needed to do. I was going to help Boss Lady someone had to since Houston seemed to be occupied charming the Shark.

Beast saw her and started to growl. His instincts never failed and I learn to go by what he felt.

The Shark called my best friend a monstrosity, I knew it was something bad the way Uncle Roy looked at her and I had to stand up for my best friend. He put a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it looked over and he winked at me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath while Houston introduced me to Ms. Ashley Jacobs.

She was fake. How could he not see that?

We stuck to our story of me being a neighbor, the Shark started to ramble about a ranch.

I shook my head and asked said that he lived at the beach not a ranch, Shark started to paw Houston and I was wondering when he was going to tell her to back off but he didn't. The look on his face he was enjoying her attention.

What was happening I was confused and a little hurt, I thought he had feelings for CJ. He was over here acting like every other man I had known in my short time on my own.

I told him I needed to talk to him that it was important, he just dismissed me and said to talk to Uncle Roy. He looked at me and pushed me aside taking the shark's hand and going outside to discuss the questions she was going to ask Boss Lady and setting up a date for them to spend a weekend together. Beast was having none of it and he growl and Boss man broke my heart by really yelling at my best friend I shook my head and whispered they were right.

I had heard Maureen talking to Carol last night about how Boss man, hadn't changed and it was only a matter of time he'd hurt their sister, Carol defended him but Maureen wasn't convince bring up past incidents that had happened and saying they had to protect CJ at all cost. I didn't believe her but now I was upset that I had been made a fool.

I see him look at me with sadness as he shuffles her outside but I don't want to hear apologies. I'm not the one he needs to apologize too.

"Star, what did you want to tell Mattlock, I know you're hurt but he didn't mean what he said he's trying to get the footage we need. Ms. Jacobs is playing dirty. She is doing everything in her power to manipulate him but he has it under control."

I see Jaime and Buzz and motioned them over and introduced them. Will and Maureen came out of CJ's office and I motioned them over I explained what they had found out and he smiled at me.

He leaned in and whispered, "You are full of surprises niece don't take what just happen to seriously you looked disappointed. He's trying to protect CJ . Ms. Jacobs and Mattlock had a past relationship she's trying to exploit that and he's trying to use it to his advantage. I'm sure he will talk to you about it that look you gave him nearly killed me. Trust him Star. Trust us."

Maureen placed a hand on my shoulder, "this is blackmail I'm going to call the Station Manger's wife. She and I are on a committee for free Legal Aid give me a minute I'm sure he isn't aware what his News Manager is doing. Star no one will hurt my family. CJ is my sister and I will be damn if I'm going to let Bimbo Barbie come in and try to steamroll her. She messes with the bull she's gonna get the horns."

Jaime smiled, "I thought I was the one that only thought that about her."

"Star go get Carol, Chris and CJ and tell them to come to CJ's office I should have something by the time you guys come back. News crew follow me I might need some convincing and they might need names. I have a feeling heads will roll today."

I smiled at my new family and told Beast to stay as I ran downstairs to get the Calvary.

I knocked and saw them putting the finishing touches on CJ she looked more beautiful and at ease since this morning. You would never know what she had been through and I would ask her about it later now we had other fish to fry in particular a man eating Shark.