"No. There's no way I'm asking Veronica for help."

Michael turned into a shopping mall and parked. "There's no one else that I can think of Linc. "She's the only one."

"Fine. But I'm not talking to her."

"You're being stubborn. If someone is going to great lengths to kill you what do you think they have planned for your family?"

Lincoln turned as pale as a ghost. "I have to call Mel."

"No. I'm sure the lines are tapped. Which is why we need to get Veronica on our side and she can get someone to look after Mel and LJ."

Linc nodded his head and waited anxiously as his brother called Veronica.

-- -- --

Michael and Lincoln pulled up to an abandoned warehouse and Linc couldn't help but laugh. "This is ridiculous. I woke up this morning leading a perfectly normal life and now it's like a bad action movie."

Michael scoffed. "Well you chose this life."

Lincoln looked at him in disbelief. "Maybe this life choose me. It's not life I had the opportunities you did."

"You had all the opportunities I did Linc, you just chose the wrong path."

"No Michael I took the only path I could and that was taking care of you or I at least did the best I could. And you know nothing about my life now because you never come around."

Before Michael could respond, a knock on the window caused them both to jump nervously. Veronica stepped back from the window and smiled. Michael and Lincoln stepped out of the car and Veronica greeted them with a hug. "I'm not sure what you boys have gotten yourselves into but it doesn't look good."

"So you know?" Michael shot Linc a look and leaned against the vehicle.

"It's all over the news. The charges against you were suddenly dropped. Now Carolyn is in an uproar. "

Lincoln ran a hand across the top of his shaven head. "I didn't do it Ronnie. You have to know that."

She smiled and pushed a folder across the top of the car. "Oh, I know you didn't do it. But someone sure wants the world to believe you did."

"Who?" Linc asked at the same time Michael asked, "Why?"

"It's all in that folder. The company that Aldo, your dad worked for, wants revenge on him for leaving. They faked Terrance Steadman's death to pin on you."

Linc glanced from Michael to Veronica. "But why? It makes no sense?"

"Aldo has top secret information about the company and they're scared that he might leak certain information. Certain secrets that could keep Carolyn out of the White House."

"What sort of secrets?"

"According to my sources Aldo has proof that Carolyn authorized the purchase of mass weapons from Russia."

"Mass weapons?" Linc raised an eyebrow.

Veronica nodded and handed him a folder. "In here you will find the transcript of a phone call Aldo placed to a former CIA agent now living in Ireland. It's believed that your father has all the proof on a disk. There's supposedly enough hard proof on there to take Carolyn and the entire company down."

"If that's the case, why didn't our father just turn them in when he got the proof he needed?" Michael questioned as Linc crossed his arms over his chest and studied the two.

"Because Aldo knew that if he went after them, they would go after the two of you. The last time I spoke with him he was trying to get in touch with Argen his buddy in Ireland."

Michael glanced over the papers in the file again. "How long ago was that?"

"Last Tuesday. Why?"

"Because the only way to make sure we all stay alive is to get that disc into the right hands and make sure Carolyn or the company never hurt anyone again."

Lincoln threw his hands up in the air. "No way man, I've been cleared of all charges and that's all that matters to me. I'm going home to LJ and Mel and that's it."

"Michael's right. If you want to protect your family and get your father off the hook you're going to have to get that disc." Veronica glanced from brother to brother before she turned to Linc and handed him a cell phone. "This line can't be traced call home and make sure they are alright Linc. I'm going to get Trey and Roger to keep watch over the house. You and Michael see what you can dig up and I'm going to work on finding Aldo."

--

The brothers watched as Veronica left in Michael's car until she could get a rental and ditch his car. Linc dialed his home number praying for Mel to answer. After about five rings, Linc was in a panic until LJ answered.

"Dad, where are you?"

"I'm with Uncle Mike. Where's Mel?"

"She's outside trying to get the grill going. She wanted it to be a surprise but between you and me I think we will end up calling out for pizza."

Linc couldn't help but laugh at the way LJ lowered his voice as if Mel could hear him. And the thought of her outside with his grill both warmed his heart and scared him. "Will you take her the phone please? And go ahead and order pizza sport, because I won't be able to make in home in time for dinner. I love you."

"Fine. Love you too dad."

Linc cringed as he caught the disappointment in LJ's voice. "Baby, where are you?" Mel asked with concern.

"I'm with Michael. Listen I want you and LJ to go over to your sister's house until I get home."

"Why? What's going on Linc?"

"Mel, please don't question me. All I can tell you is that my dad seems to be involved in some government shit and they are behind trying to frame me for murder. Just get LJ and go to your sisters. I'll call back in a few hours to check on you."

She was silent and although she wanted to question his sanity, she knew that he would never lie about something so serious. "Are we in any danger? Should I call the cops?"

"No! Don't worry baby this will all be over soon, I promise. Don't call the cops. We don't know who we can trust at this point. Just be extra careful and stay in the house. I love you!"

"We love you too Linc." She hung up the phone and stood motionless. She wanted to break down and cry or at least have Linc there to hold and comfort her. But she found herself angry with him for being in this mess in the first place. But in reality, she was angry that she had to deal with being without him. "LJ!" She yelled as she walked into the house and he came bounding down the stairs taking them two-by-two.

"I know dad's not coming home in time for dinner."

"No he's not. He and Uncle Mike are out being asses so we now have to go over to Aunt Autumn's for the night."

LJ rolled his eyes. "What's he gotten into now?"

Mel couldn't help but smile. "I'm not sure but it seems grandpa Aldo may have a hand in this mess. Anyway, I'm going to call Autumn and let her know we're on our way to order pizza and rent some movies. Sound good to you?"

LJ nodded before returning upstairs to grab his bag. Mel called her sister to inform her of their situation and made sure it was ok if they came over. After being reassured that, it would be a welcomed visit Mel threw some clothes and stuff into a bag and met LJ in the garage. They set out on the two-hour drive in silence.