Chapter. 8

Bobby waited for things to settle in the house again, listening intently he threw his covers off of him revealing him to be fully clothed ready to go out in to the night. Swinging himself around to a sitting position on the couch, he was pretending to sleep on, he put his boots back on, grabbed his jacket and quietly exited the house through the back door. Closing the back gate behind him he walked to a small black sports car parked in the shadows in the back street, checking all around him he opened the front passenger side door and climbed in to the car.

'You're late.' The driver said obviously annoyed.

'Calm down, things were a little heated between my 'sister' and hers.' Bobby said shutting the car door as he climbed in to the car seat. 'Come on get moving.' Bobby and his driver drove off down the street away from the family home.

Cate stood in the shadows of the alleyway across the street from Calum's trucking station. Watching over the goings on there she watched as Calum and his men moved crates and boxes from the trucks that had just pulled in. Whilst she watched the men a black sports car pull in to the station pulling in to the car park in front of the offices. Cate watched as the driver and Bobby got out of the car heading over towards Calum and the other men unloading the trucks, greeting each other Calum and Bobby headed in to the main building.

'How long have you known?' Cate asked to the person who was walking quietly towards her from behind.

'I didn't until I spoke to Jill this evening. How long have you known?' Kelly asked standing by Cate's side.

'This afternoon when Kris and I were at his home, he fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around my waist begging me for help. In all the years growing up with Bobby never once were we close enough to show that kind of affection. Danny, Scotty and I were different we were brother's and sister but Bobby, he was always a stranger to me.'

'I'm so sorry Cate.' Kelly said putting a hand on her little sister's shoulder.

'He was looking through dad's desk when we got back to the family home today. He said he was looking for some of his work papers but I know Scotty helped mom move those out to the garage about a year ago I'm not absolutely sure what it is he was looking for so when Jill called this afternoon I asked her to look into a few things for me.' Cate explained still watching the proceedings across the street.

'I know, Jill explained. She looked into Bobby's accounts for you like you asked with Charlie's help and they're kind of a mess.'

'Kind of a mess?' Cate said confused turning to look at Kelly.

'Look, why don't we go back to the house and I'll fill in you, Kris and Bri on what Jill found out, plus we want to be back in the house before Bobby is.' Kelly said turning to walk back to the car.

'Kelly.' Cate called after her sister who turned to face her. 'I only kept this close to my chest until I knew for certain as soon as I got word back from Jill I was going to tell all of you what..'

'It's all right Cate,' Kelly said cutting her sister off. 'I understand we all will. It's bad enough considering that your own family may be involved but to have your assumption proved right, well, I'm just so sorry.' Cate looked at her sister, even after a fight and a pretty big one at that her sister came straight out to her side when Cate needed her most. Kelly noticed Cate staring at her. 'What is it?'

'Nothing, just...' Cate said snapping out of her stare and moving back to her bike taking her helmet off the handle bar where she had hung it. 'Kelly, thanks, I know we've got things to talk about, a lot of things but I'm really glad you're here with me now.'

'Me too, now, let's get back home.' Kelly said with a smile on her face as she turned back to the car. Kelly pulled out on to the road first swiftly followed by Cate on her bike.

Once back at the house the Angel's sat in Kris's room talking over what had been discovered about Bobby.

'I just don't understand how he could do this.' Cate said looking out the window to the back yard watching out for Bobby. 'How could he do this to his family?'

'We'll find that out Cate,' Sabrina said 'but from what Jill found out about his banking accounts and other financial problems he's obviously trying to find an easy way out.'

'Yeah but why get the family involved? Bobby could have just taken the stolen items fenced them and the family would never have known until he was caught.' Kris said sat on her bed with her arms folded across her.

'So many questions and only one person we can ask.' Sabrina stated.

'But it's not that easy Bri, how do we even begin to start questioning Bobby without him heading for the hills or who knows what he's capable of doing.' Kelly said raising her hands gesturing with them. Seeing Cate's disappointed sad look made Kelly stop what she was saying, moving towards her sister she spoke. 'I'm sorry Cate I know this must be hard to hear but it's looking more and more that Bobby has been setting up the family for something.' Cate simply smiled at her sister before returning her gaze to the back yard again.

'Well he's already had shots fired in to the house, I've been attacked and he was routing around in dad's desk for something today.' All of a sudden Cate straightened her back and stood alert as if she had been hit by lightening.

'What is it?' Kris asked seeing Cate's sudden realisation. Cate rushed for the bedroom door heading downstairs the other Angel's swiftly following her straight in to the study. There Cate was rifling through the desk drawers shifting papers from side to side desperately trying to find something.

'Cate, what is it, what are you looking for?' Sabrina asked.

'I'll know it when I see it.' Cate said 'Ah hah!' She said holding a wad of folded papers.

'What is it?' Kris asked taking it from Cate as she handed it to her. Unfolding the papers Cate began to explain.

'When dad died he left all of us something in his will. To Danny he left the business, we all knew he would, Danny's the eldest and showed the most interest to take over after dad. To Scotty he left a sum of money that Scotty can't get his hands on until after he has graduated from college, to help him build his own start in life be it a home or the beginnings of a business, something.'

'What about Bobby and you?' Sabrina asked. Cate sat back in the leather desk chair as the Angel's began to take seats around the study.

'That's where things got a little bit uneasy. Dad knew that Bobby was already having problems always looking for the easy way out. He left Bobby a sum of money also but stipulated that he couldn't touch it until he had proved that he could hold a steady job for more than a month. He ordered that Bobby work for Danny at the family business for five years after that he could have his money.' Cate explained as Kris read pretty much the same thing in the papers Cate had handed her which was in fact the will in question.

'Pretty harsh thing for your dad to do.' Sabrina said as Kris passed the will to her.

'Yeah it was but it was probably the best thing he could have done for him, Bobby wouldn't listen to the rest of us.'

'How did he take it?' Kelly asked looking over the will herself as Sabrina handed it to her.

'Not well as you can probably imagine. He started to work for Danny but only lasted three months. He and Danny constantly butted heads and just didn't get on at all, but that was more Bobby than Danny. Danny bent over backwards to help Bobby, what Bobby didn't know was that after a year if Danny wanted to he could have given Bobby his money. Bobby just couldn't hold out that long.'

'What about you though, you were left a substantial amount yourself.' Sabrina said taking in all of this new information which was shining a very bright light on the situation at hand.

'Yeah he did.' Cate said taking back the will from Kelly as she handed to her. Looking down and folding the will again she continued. 'I couldn't take it though, it wasn't right.'

'How do you mean wasn't right?' Kris asked her brow knotted in confusion.

'I wasn't his daughter Kris, as much as we may have wished I was, even if it was through adoption, I wasn't and I couldn't accept the money. Instead I put it into a savings trust.'

'Who for?' Sabrina asked. Cate lifted her head and smiled looking at Kelly who instinctively knew the answer.

'Rebecca, you put it aside for Rebecca.' Kelly said smiling and shaking her head at the same time, her little sister never ceased to amaze her.

'Does anyone else know? Does Danny?' Kris asked.

'Mom knows, none of my brothers do, Tessa knows. Should anything ever happen there are two relations to Rebecca who know about the money and can look after it should they ever need to.' Cate explained lifting her head and smiling at the Angels who all seemed to have the same expression on their faces one of amazement, admiration. 'Quit looking at me like that guy's, you'll embarrass me.' She said shifting her weight in the desk chair trying to dodge their looks.

'So you think Bobby was looking for that then? What could he possibly do with it?' Kris asked.

'Not just the will Kris, I think he was trying to find these also.' Cate pulled out a slim red folder from the bottom of the centre desk drawer. 'These are the papers for Danny's trucking company that he inherited from dad, it also contains the most up to date account information. You see mom is also a part owner, a silent one, so Danny has to keep her informed with all the financial stuff even though he has all of the control over it. I think Bobby was trying to find out what the company was worth, how much it was earning.' Cate explained moving from the desk chair to the front of the desk on which she perched herself on.

'Good thought.' Sabrina said 'A plausible one too. You really think Bobby is angry enough with your brother maybe even the family to try to take the company from them?' Sabrina asked Cate her eyes narrowing as she did.

'Maybe' Cate answered.

'Hold on you guy's.' Kris started 'Are you really suggesting that Bobby is trying to bankrupt his own family? Could he really be that callas?' She finished.

'He could be trying to get the reigns on the family company. Put the family in to a financial situation where the only thing they can do is sell the business so that they can survive.' Kelly offered just as they heard the back yard gate open and click shut. Cate went to the study room door to see if Bobby was anywhere near them, he wasn't so she waved the Angels on to take the stairs and head back upstairs which they did quickly and quietly. Cate stayed back to clear away the papers they were looking through before she herself headed up to her bedroom. As she left the study she heard Bobby come closer to her.

'Cate?' he said surprised 'Where you been?' He asked innocently looking at her, she was still in her biker boots, jeans and shirt, not ready for bed at all especially at the hour it was, nearly 4am.

'Hey Bobby, I just got in a little while ago. Kelly and I had a bit of an argument, I needed some air for a while on my bike. Sorry if I woke you.' Cate said smiling to Bobby doing her best to keep up appearances.

'That's ok, you know me, can sleep through anything.' Bobby smiled back also keeping up the pretence that all was fine as he turned away from her and headed back to the sofa he was sleeping on in the front room. 'See you in the morning, well later morning anyway.'

'Yeah, see you then.' Cate watched as Bobby walked on through the house before she herself went back upstairs to her room.

'Everything ok?' Kelly asked as Cate got to her room closing the door after her.

'As ok as it can be I suppose. If I wasn't exhausted before I'm twice that now.' Cate said as she sat on her bed next to Kelly who she gave a slight smile to. 'I told Bobby we'd had an argument and I'd been out on my bike, that's why I was still up and still dressed like this.' Cate said waving her hand across herself indicating her clothes.

'Well it wasn't a complete lie.' Kelly said looking down at her feet as they hung off the side of Cate's bed. 'But we'll get to that later. Right now I think it would be best if you got some sleep.' Kelly ordered as she got up from where she sat.

'Yeah. How am I gonna tell mom all of this.' Cate asked flopping back on to the bed. Kelly moved back to her sister grabbing her legs as she did and swinging them up on the bed which caught Cate by surprise making her laugh slightly. 'Hey.'

'We'll figure how we're going to tell Bette tomorrow.' Kelly said going in to full big sister mode as she pulled Cate's boots off her feet. 'First though, you're going to try and stop thinking about this now and sleep, you're of no use to any of us if you're more zombie than human.' Cate pushed herself up onto her elbows watching Kelly and she grabbed and pulled off her boots.

'All right,' Cate said 'you win, I'm going to sleep now.' Kelly stood back from her sister hands on hips smiled and headed out of her room.

'Good and make sure you try and sleep in a little. We can handle things for a few extra hours without you. I'll come and wake you don't worry.' Kelly said before Cate could interrupt. Closing Cate's bedroom door quietly behind her Kelly slowly and quietly headed back to her own room. The house fell silent as all of its occupants slept.

By 9.30am Kelly, Sabrina and Kris were all in the kitchen, a fresh pot of coffee in the centre of the table with empty plates and cereal bowls in front of them. Bobby was in the downstairs bathroom getting himself washed and dressed whilst Cate still slept.

'So what do we do next?' Kris asked, no one wanted to mention Bobby's connection to the case until he was out of earshot completely, thankfully they would get their wish as Bobby apparently had business to attend to in town with his bank manager. A possible truth, the Angel's, playing a long for the time being, allowed him to go alone to the meeting, playing the innocent victim so well Bobby was oblivious to the act the Angels were putting on themselves.

'Wait for his highness to go out and call Charlie, fill him in on what we now know and figure a plan to shut him down.' Sabrina said as she turned the pages of her newspaper.

'Cate's worried about how to tell Bette and the rest of the family.' Kelly said a worried expression on her face. 'How could he do this?'

'I know, but we'll figure this all out when he's gone out. Don't want to tip our hand and give the game away.' Sabrina said lowering her paper to look at Kelly.

'Right, well, I'd better go up and check on Cate, I said I'd wake her.' Kelly explained as she left the kitchen table.

'Kel, is everything ok between the pair of you?' Kris asked following her out of the kitchen. 'I mean after last night.' Kelly headed in to the family room instead of going up the stairs sitting down on the couch Kris sitting with her.

'Did Cate tell you what we argued about?' Kelly asked.

'No just that she needed some air. I'm sorry Kel I shouldn't pry but you're both family to me, I worry about ya.' Kris said smiling her warm smile as she reached out and affectionately squeezed Kelly's knee.

'Better not let Cate hear you say that.' Kelly teased a cheeky smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.

'Yeah pretend I didn't say that bit, in fact just don't tell her I said that bit at all.'

'I think she's aware of the fact Kris I'm pretty sure the feeling's mutual.' Kelly laughed as she spoke to her young friend.

'So do you want to talk about it? I understand if you don't.'

'I'm just worried about her Kris, that's really all there is to it. I'm scared that if she doesn't try and change the way she goes about things I'll lose her and I couldn't bare that. Now that I have her, I can't imagine not having her around and I'm scared she'll get herself killed, she just doesn't seem to show any fear or concern for her own safety.' Kelly explained as a fresh tear began to fall down her cheek. Kris moved forward brushing the tear away from her friend's cheek.

'Kel, that's normal for you to feel that way. Do you know how terrified I am every time Jill enters a car race? I know how good she is and how careful she usually is but that doesn't mean that something couldn't happen to her. Or when she joins us on a case, I'm scared to death if I'm not with her and in those times I think she feels the same. I had to hide the fact I was attending the police academy in San Francisco until I graduated.'

'I know I remember, I also remember the phone call I got from Jill after you joined the agency. She was happy for you of course, for all of us that you had joined but she was terrified at the same time. She asked me one thing at that time and one thing only.' Kelly remembered as Kris looked at her inquisitively. 'She asked me took look after you, look out for you.' Kelly smiled as she remembered the very conversation.

'So in other words Jill asked you to big sister me in her absence.' Kris said whilst flicking her hair back over her shoulders. 'Of course she did.' Kris smiled.

'She was so worried. I told her she had no reason to be and I was right.'

'And I'm going to tell you the same thing Kel, you've got no need to worry about Cate. We're all here to help her she's doing fine especially now that she's out of the shadows and working alongside us.' Kelly laughed at this point. 'What's so funny?'

'I said pretty much the same thing to Bette when we were talking with her about the shooting.' Kris looked down at her hands the memory of Jill and Cate falling back through the window of the building at the pier still stayed with her, it sent shivers through her.

'If it wasn't for Cate, Jill would have...' Kris paused on the word unable to bring herself to say it. Kelly placed a comforting hand on Kris's.

'I know Kris, I know, but still she runs solo acts and I just wish she wouldn't do so much.'

'Kel, how do you think Cate feels when you take the solo lead in a case for some reason or you're out on your own when we're all working a case?' Kris asked. Kelly looked at Kris with no answer. 'She's terrified also, just like I am with Jill. It's the way you are with family. I know we call ourselves family and we are, no doubt but there's a difference when it's your real family, your blood I mean and you're just discovering that. You'll learn to deal with it honey, we all do, just ask Jill.' Kris finished smiling warmly at Kelly who returned the smile.

'I did ask Jill, last night when I spoke to her.' Kelly said.

'And what did Jill say?'

'Pretty much what you have, just kind of in reverse but the same.'

'Well there you have it. Take it from a pair of sisters who know, you'll always be worried Kel but this is the life we've chosen for ourselves and we all knew the dangers when we signed on.' Kris finished just as Bobby strolled in to the room washed and dressed ready for the day. They all politely smiled at one another as Kris and Kelly got up from the couch and headed out of the room, Kelly going upstairs and Kris back to the kitchen with Sabrina.

Kelly entered Cate's room shutting the door behind her, Cate was still asleep as Kelly moved towards her. Noticing her sister still slept Kelly sat on the window seat opening the window slightly to allow fresh air in to the room. Bringing her feet up on to the window seat with her Kelly sat watching the street come to life with neighbour's children playing in their yards and on the quiet road whilst their parents were in the gardens mowing lawns and pruning. She turned back to her sister who still slept peacefully, Kelly just sat listening to the pleasant noises outside whilst watching over her sister.

'It's still freaky that you do that.' Cate murmured as she awoke.

'How is it you're always aware of it anyway?' Kelly smiling at her sister who rolled on to her side propping her head on her hand so she could talk with Kelly.

'I'm just very aware of things, plus I was surfacing when you came in.' Cate said with a devilish smile.

'You sleep ok?' Kelly asked.

'Yeah, great, was out as soon as my head hit the pillow. How's everything this morning anyway? What's Bobby up to?'

'Well everyone's up and dressed and Bobby says he has a meeting with his bank manager today that he has to go to, so he's off to that in a little while. As soon as he's gone we're calling Charlie and filling him in on the situation as it now stands.' Kelly explained as Cate rolled back on to her back.

'And what a situation it is huh!? My own so called brother trying to take money from his own family. I still don't understand why.'

'We will though, as soon as Bobby's out we'll start making plans with Charlie get this all sorted and straightened out.'

'Right, well, in that case I'd better get up myself. Thanks for the lie in today.' Cate said as she slowly got out of bed wearing a vest top and cotton pyjama bottoms. As she stretched she winced slightly, the bruising from yesterday's attack had pretty much all formed and was still uncomfortable. 'Ow, almost forgot all of that.' Cate said lifting her top slightly checking on the bruises.

'Well, they've come out pretty well. Are you in much pain?' Kelly asked wincing herself at the sight of the bruises.

'No not really, if I don't stretch like that again I'll be fine.' Cate said smiling at Kelly who didn't look too happy. 'Really, Kelly, I'm fine once I get moving I'll be good as new, promise!' Cate said moving to her wardrobe grabbing fresh clothing for the day. 'I'm gonna get showered and changed, be all refreshed and ready for the day. Give me twenty minutes or so and I'll meet you all downstairs. You don't need me to make an appearance to talk to Bobby before he leaves do you?' Cate asked grabbing one of her favourite t-shirts from a shelf. A black t-shirt with a 'Route 66' shield on the top left front of the shirt, a birthday gift from Rebecca, Cate smiled as she shook the shirt out remembering how excited Rebecca was to give it to her.

'No we should be able to handle it.' Kelly said with a smile watching Cate as she rifled through shelves and drawers. 'Get yourself ready and I'll see you downstairs.' Kelly left Cate to it as she left her room and headed back to the other Angels downstairs.