Moments later the rest of the team was settled around the table, waiting for the 7th to join them. The Judge had retired to his office, with orders to contact him in the event he could make a contribution.

"He really thinks this is a scam?" Josiah couldn't fathom such a cruel game.

"Seems sure – says it wouldn't be the first time."

"Man, that is bent. Wouldn't she have let him know first?" JD looked as stunned as they all felt.

"Apparently that hasn't always been her approach. According to Ez-" He cut off as the door opened.

"I see our leader has shared Mother's latest escapade with you all. Please gentlemen, spare me the long faces. In a short matter of time I shall receive confirmation that your concerns are unwarranted."

"Hope your right there, Son." Josiah spoke softly, and noticed with regret that Ezra flinched slightly at the word 'son'. Perhaps this had not been the best time for that particular term of friendship to be used.

Nathan cast a puzzled look at their resident chameleon. "Ezra, you told Chris she's done this before?"

"On multiple occasions, and with striking results at times. The first that I was aware of followed a rather devastating fire in a nightclub. It was almost 3 months before she reappeared after that one, claiming to have been overseas and unaware that anyone had been so tragically mislead. Caused quite a bit of consternation with the child care authorities at the time." He grinned as he spoke, with the smile not reaching to the rich green eyes.

"Child care – Ezra, how old were you?"

"Oh my, if memory serves I believe it was shortly after my 11th birthday, or was it the 10th?" He looked up at shocked faces around the room, belatedly realizing the others might not appreciate this particular exploit. "I assure you gentlemen I was fine throughout the adventure."

"Adventure?" Buck voice rumbled in the room as he tried with limited success to control his anger. "You were 10 and she let you think you were an orphan for 3 months, and you call it an adventure?"

"What would you have me call it? I survived, none the worse."

Choosing not to argue that point, Chris moved the discussion forward. "When was the next time?"

"That would have been 4 years hence. One of her finest cons ever, I must say. She 'leapt to her death' off a bridge to churning waters below. Body was never found. Story corroborated by several witnesses, including a police officer, a priest and –" he cut himself off, again realizing to late he may have miscalculated the reactions of the others.

"You – she did that in front of you?" Nathan stared. "And you were able to con the cops at the age of 14?" When Ezra didn't respond Chris got a deep pit in his stomach. He stood up and stalked over to his agent.

"You didn't know it was a con – did you? You thought she'd jumped."

"Please sir. I know my mother better than to think she would ever consider such an act." One look into his eyes showed the man was clearly lying, and the recollection of the terror in the heart of a 14-year-old Ezra broke through the façade for just a moment before being deeply hidden again. "I never did get all of the details on how she pulled it off though. I must remember to ask her next time we speak. Could be a handy trick to have in my repertoire."

Not giving any of them a chance for further comments, he moved ahead. "There were three subsequent 'deaths' I am aware of, and it is entirely possible there have been others where my involvement was not required."

Further discussion was halted by a knock at the door as the Judge entered.

"Mr. Standish, may I see you privately for a moment?"

"You may speak in front of the other sir; I have no secrets."

They all seriously doubted that to be true, based on the last few minutes alone. "I have to confess to you that I have taken a liberty which I hoped would make things easier for you. I had arranged for your mother's remains to be flown here from Vegas. I just got the call from the city morgue that the transfer has been completed."

"That was more than generous of you to orchestrate sir. And it will accelerate the conclusion of this regrettable misunderstanding. If I may be permitted to depart for a brief period, I can make the positive, or to be more accurate, NOT make the positive identification and we can resume our own matters of law enforcement."

"We're going with you." When the agent tried to refuse the offer, Chris cut him off. "Ezra, that body was in the water for at least 3 days. Whether it's your mother or not, it ain't gonna be pretty. You're not doing this alone."

One look told him this was not up for further discussion. "I shall, under protest, concede to your demands. But please; there is no necessity for all of you to restructure your schedules, and I am sure the Judge would prefer at least some of us continue with the activities for which we are so richly reward each payday. Now, if you will allow me a few moments to make a few supplemental calls, and I shall be ready. Might I use your office again?" On getting a nod, he headed out of the room turning back briefly. "Please gentlemen, do not worry. This is of no consequence."

As the door closed a variety of curses filled the air in the boardroom.

"Judge, how long is the statute of limitations on child abuse?" Nathan asked.

"I take it Mr. Standish was describing some of his history with his mother?"

"You knew about that?" Chris questioned angrily.

"I know some of the story; it was in his review when he transferred from the Bureau. I have a feeling what is in there isn't even the tip of the iceberg. It is a unique relationship."

"Chris?" Bucks voice was almost a growl. "I should let you know that if that woman is still alive – I plan to kill her."

"Get in line."

"I cannot believe I once had feelings for that – that…I cannot come up with an appropriate label." The sadness in Josiah's voice reflected how they all felt. "How did I ever find her appealing?"

"Cause that's what she does. She has – had – an unnatural gift for making people, making men, overlook everything wrong and fall for whatever web she's spinning. I didn't realize anyone could be that evil. I mean, we've dealt with a lot of sick bastards in the job, but that – what she's done to him over his life. That's just evil. Dear God – he was 10!" Nathan was disgusted by the whole idea of Maude Standish at this point.

For the first time since this started, Vin spoke.

"Don't matter. None of that matters right now."

"How the hell can you say that?" Buck challenged.

"I'm not saying Ezra doesn't matter, or what he went through doesn't. I'm saying right now we can't focus on that. Because no matter what we think of her, no matter what hell that woman has done to him, there is one fact that doesn't change. She's his mother. And for reasons that none of us will ever understand, he loves her. And when it hits him this is for real, he won't ask for our help if we are sitting in judgement of her."

JD smiled sadly. "Vin – you know him better than any of us. He won't ask for our help anyway."

"Fair enough. But he won't accept it when we offer. Won't even let us near. So no matter what we think, we keep it quiet."

"He'll know what we think, he's not stupid"

"I know Buck, but if we don't say it, we can all work around it for now."

The big man stood and started to pace. "I don't know if I can put up that good an act. Right now there is nothing I want to do more than –" he looked out the window. "Damn it. Chris, Ezra's car is gone. He took off. He's on his way on his own."

Chris charged for the door, rapidly followed by the others. The Judge stopped Josiah as he passed. "You all take the time you need. This isn't a mistake. You need to be there for him."

"No doubt on that."

M7- M7- M7- M7-M7-M7-M7-M7-M7

TBC