"The same." DiMarco replied, extending his hand. Ron politely shook it, then asked, "I take it you have some answers for …us?"

"Yes, Chief, but first I'd like to answer Mr. Simon here." He nodded towards Rick, who sensed that he had dealt with the man before.

"Several years ago you and your wife testified for my cousin, whose son was engaged in robberies against family businesses. Against our family's wishes, you understand." He added. Rick had a sudden flash of memory just as A.J. said, "I remember, he tried to save my sister-in-law when she was taken hostage, then his son died trying to kill her."

"Yes….and his father ended up going to prison for only a short period of time thanks to Mrs. Simon's honesty. When he passed away some years ago, the only thing my cousin left undone was repaying her kindness. And yours, Mr. Simon." DiMarco added.

"So you're here to tell us why my son and daughter are being harassed into quitting the police academy?" A.J. asked. The older man shook his head.

"No, I came to warn you why they should not pursue this line of work, for they will be dead before they set foot on the street."

A.J. clenched his fists as Rick asked frostily, "So you know who's behind this harassment, can you give us their names?"

"Not yet, gentlemen….I need to make one more call….then I'll give you the information you need to protect your family." DiMarco replied, standing up and nodding at Ron.

"Are you sure you can't just tell us who's guilty, before someone gets hurt?" A.J. blurted, only for DiMarco to shake his head.

"I'm sorry, but I need to let …someone know what has happened. I'll be in touch, Chief."

At that the older man took his briefcase in hand and left the conference room, Ron trailing after him.

Frustrated, Rick and A.J. returned to the condo. "Okay, what do we have to go on?" A.J. sat in his office chair while Rick paced restlessly.

"We have two idiots who tried to sabotage Ricky and Ceci, an ex-crook that I still don't trust, and someone still out there with an axe to grind .." he replied angrily, his frustration showing.

Suddenly a thought hit him, and he stopped in his tracks.

"A.J…..did Ron say the kids got the last available slots at the Academy?"

"I don't think so…but …" A.J. grabbed his phone and dialed their friend's office. As soon as Ron answered, "Chief Johnson", he asked, "Ron, did Ricky and Ceci get the last spots for the Academy this summer?"

There was silence for a moment, then the chief's tired voice chuckled. "I should have thought of that myself; but I just wanted to make sure I did something for you….well, for Ricky and Ceci…so they'd have a headstart. It's time I retired, I guess."

"No, no..you wanted to do something good, and I appreciate it…" A.J. hurriedly tried to reassure their friend. "Rick's the one who brought it up…who didn't get into the academy, that would want to make sure "someone" gave up their spots?"

"I can get that info in five….call you and the senior partner back!" Ron promised, a hopeful note in his tone. As soon as A.J. hung up the phone, Rick grabbed at it.

"I just had a thought……Bill Branson was involved with DiMarco and his cousin back then, what if that bastard has something to do with the harassment of Ricky and Ceci…."

"No….he's supposed to be in prison, practically solitary.." A.J.'s face went white. Rick placed a hand on his brother's shoulder.

"I don't think he's escaped, A.J….but he might have put someone up to this…for revenge. At least I can… Hello, Mojave State Prison, please." He switched gears as the operator came on. In a few minutes he had the admistration office on, and his face lightened as he listened to the assistant warden.

"I just had to make sure….thank you for your time." He finally answered, and as he hung up A.J. asked impatiently, "Well….what did they say?"

"Branson's had only one visitor, his son Matty. He came with his mother last month…and the warden says it didn't go well. No other calls or outside contacts to speak up either." Rick explained. Just then the phone rang back, and he picked it back up to hear Ron's voice on the other end.

"Boy, when you get a hunch…" Ron began.

"What, what did you find?" Rick asked, A.J. listening intently as the chief answered.

"Had two unhappy customers who just missed getting into the program this summer…both made a fuss when they were told there was no space. And..get this…"

"One of them was Matty Branson, right?" Rick interrupted. There was puzzled silence on the other end.

"Yeah….you have to tell me how you know about that…." Ron finally said, and Rick chuckled.

"I wish it was ESP, but I just spoke to the warden at Mojave; and he confirmed that Branson's kid visited there last month. Who was the other turndown?"

"Someone named Montana, Hallie Montana. She's from a military family stationed near Flagstaff and was top scorer in her ROTC unit. According to the admittance office, Montana applied late, otherwise she would have aced a spot in the class." The chief added.

"Well, that's still not Ricky or Ceci's fault….we need to find these two and see who's not giving up on the Academy." A.J. broke in, then listened as Ron told them, "Already working on it guys, both Branson and Montana have been asked to come to the Academy tomorrow morning at 10am. Can you both make it?:"

"We'll be there, but I think Ceci and Ricky should skip it….I'd rather they be out of the picture if there's any trouble." Rick assured their friend.

When Rick got home to the ranch, he was relieved to see his son and daughter-in-law's car in the drive, as he had forgotten to check if someone would be home with Laurie.

As he got out of his truck, the relief vanished when Robbie appeared on the porch, his face worried.

"Hey, Pop..did Mom and Jack go into town with you? "

"No, Robbie….she's not here?" Rick began to panic, then "called out", "Laurie, sweetheart…where are you?"

"Rick? Darling,..I'm locked in the barn…Jack's missing." She answered faintly, fear in her thoughts. Immediately he ran down the side of the house, calling back to Robbie, "Your mom's been locked in the barn….go around to the side door!"

As he rounded the patio, Rick saw an ominous sight. Jack's empty collar lay on the ground near the barn, caught under a smoldering haybale pushed up against the barn door.. As he quickened his pace, Laurie's scream sounded from the barn.

"Rick! Help…the barn's on fire!"