"Okay, Ricky, now lift it up in one motion…that a'boy." Rick grinned at his nephew, as he expertly mounted a tricky fingerprint on a card.

Despite his initial resistance, Ricky had bowed to his uncle's and parents pressure and was staying at the ranch. To keep him occupied, he and his sister Ceci and his cousin Andy had resumed their "lessons" in detective work. When Ron came by Rick's office one day, he was so impressed with their efforts, he made a startling suggestion.

"Seriously, guys…have any of you thought about becoming a policeman, uh, police person?" he asked, and grinned at the naked interest in the three young Simon's faces.

"Oh, no you don't, pal. No shanghaiing the future of Simon and Simon!" Rick announced, secretly terrified at the thought of them in the line of fire.

"Uncle Ron, do you think it would work out? I've been wanting to switch to criminology at State, but Dad won't let me." Ceci explained, frustrated. Andy put an arm around her shoulders as he added, "Grandma says I'm a natural for it, but Dad wants me to finish college first."

Ron chuckled as Rick said "that's right", then caught his friend's reaction and shot back, "What?"

"It figures Laurie would think it a good idea, but you and Robbie..that's too funny. What about you, Ricky? You have the touch there with that fingerprint. That's what you should work on before you take the academy exam." Ron explained.

Ricky shook his head reluctantly." I don't mind helping out once in a while, but it's not really my thing. I can hardly wait until the talks for renting out more studio space for Phoenix Productions is just that…talk."

"Oh…I forgot that was on hold….what happened to Buck's company? Wasn't he putting up the money?" Ron asked, then gave a sympathetic nod as the younger Simon shook his head.

"No…seems his nephew got into more trouble and he had to bail him out big time. Last I heard Buck was trying to get another investor to join in. He called me himself to say not to commit to another project, and I won't, at least until I graduate from State."

"That's smart, Ricky…" the chief of detectives agreed, then wryly added, "although I do wish I could change your mind, but I'm not messing with your folks, no way!"

"Wise move, pal." Rick smirked, then a loud buzz alerted Ron to a message on his radio.

"Sorry, let me get this ..…" he told them, and went down the hall as Rick decided to call it a day.

"We can pick this up tomorrow, guys. Your auntie will have dinner ready in a while…" he began, then the three cousins giggled as Laurie appeared in the doorway of the office, a bowl of popcorn and chips in hand.

"But in the meantime, I think your students could use a snack, Rick." She beamed, then led the trio into the living room.

"Thanks, grandma…but how about we help with dinner tonight…." Andy asked, as he and Ceci and Ricky plopped down on the sofa. Rick followed then promptly snatched a handful of popcorn and settled in his easy chair. Laurie grinned then sat in his lap as she replied, "I'd love it, you can each make your favorite side dish while I finish the chicken."

"Now this sounds like my kind of dinner.." Rick snickered, then saw Ron's serious expression as he came into the room.

"What's up, pal? Something wrong?"

"We got a lead on our dead carjacker, Enrique Lopez. It seems he was charged in a number of robberies, including one involving an old enemy of yours and A.J.'s , Rick. Joanna Crane".

"No…" Rick heard his wife's reaction as his stomach burned with anger. Ricky's eyes were wide with fear, if remembering the woman's attack on him and his aunt as if it just happened.

"Do not tell me that woman is loose…" he started, then Ron hastened to placate the Simons.

"No…no…sorry guys…she's still in prison….for the next 20 years minimum. But this Lopez was charged in a failed jewelry heist about the time she was originally paroled, and he plea-bargained a deal to put the blame on her. Even though she disappeared before she was arrested, what's to say she didn't put out a hit on him?"

"But Uncle Ron….why did he come after me….my sports car isn't that hot…there were better ones in the lot." Ricky asked, puzzled.

"Don't know, son….but we have a few ideas on that…. At least we have a clue as to who the "mystery" hit and run suspect is…" Ron answered. "One of our officers found a wad of partially burned cash in the wreckage of the first car, and the injured witness says it's not her money. Our CSI team is trying to lift some prints off the bills."

"Well, in the meantime, Ricky, you are staying put here…I know it's not fair…but just a few more days should eliminate you as a target." Rick explained, seeing the rebellious look on his nephew's face.

Heaving a deep sigh, the younger Simon nodded, then quietly said, "Auntie Laurie, let me get started with dinner. Okay?"

"Of course, Ricky…let me show you what we have…" Laurie reassured him, then spared a look of apprehension for her husband.

Rick saw she was worried, and gave her a nod and wink, which brought a smile to her face.

"Ceci, Andy….why don't you come and get your ingredients too." Laurie offered, then led the way into the kitchen.

As soon as the younger Simons were out of the room, Rick met his friend's gaze.

"Something else is going on here, Ron…."

"Okay, pal...what do you suspect?" the chief asked, trusting Rick's
instincts.

"I don't know...except...can I come to your office tomorrow and look at
whatever you have on the carjacker...it just seems so cut and dried..."

"Sure...and if it means anything..you and Laurie are handling things just
right...speaking of which..is something bothering A.J.?" Ron added, and
Rick groaned.

"Thanks..I was beginning to think it was just me.. When did you talk to
him?"

"Yesterday when I was asking him about having a party of some kind for Oscar
and Cecilia. He was really short with me, and when I asked him was anything wrong, he said something about "why should anything be wrong when my mother remarries
without so much as a hint...", then he kind of laughed and said, "I'm
kidding." Ron explained, then grinned wryly as it hit Rick.

"You have got to be ...what an idiot..."

Just then the phone rang, and Rick started to go for the extension, only to
hear it stop ringing. Turning back to tell his friend what he suspected,
the older Simon instead heard a raised voice in the kitchen.

"I'll just be gone an hour, Aunt Laurie...I'll be okay...please..."

"No, Ricky...you heard what your father and Uncle said...as well as your
Uncle Ron. There's something not right here and until we figure it out.."

Laurie's tone was firm, and Rick relaxed, figuring her opinion would carry
some weight with his nephew.

"Well, I'm sorry, but I'm not missing this audition... Nothing's and no
one is going to run my life..."

Surprised at Ricky's vehemence...Rick nonetheless decided he'd better head
Ricky off, so he quietly said, "I think that's my cue."

"Go for it...I'll let myself out." Ron patted his shoulder, then watched as
Rick went down the hall to the kitchen.

"Did I hear someone back talking their aunt?" he said loudly, stepping into
the room and noticing the open discomfort of Ceci and Andy. His nephew
turned at once, and had the grace to look embarrassed as Rick continued.

"Cause if I did, I'd make sure that someone not only apologized, but went
to his own home to explain to his parents why he didn't care about them or
how they're stupid not to want to lose their ungrateful son."

Ricky had the good grace to look embarrassed as Laurie looked at him, then
shook her head.

"Surely you must know we don't want you to be bored with our company or
feel grateful for just wanting to protect you from harm... And I'm sorry if you miss out on a job. But you are more important to us then any movie role or stunt
job."

She sniffed as she finished, and the sound made Rick upset.

"It's okay, sweetheart..." he started. Again the phone rang, and this time
Rick picked it up.

"Simon residence."

"Next time he pays." a metallic voice proclaimed, then hung up.