Chapter 5.

'Wow.' Was Julie's first reaction.

'I know.' Replied Cate.

'You really smashed up the place huh?' Julie said with a small unbelievable laugh.

'Yep, I kind of totalled the place.'

'So, what now?' Julie asked placing her hands on her hips as she looked around Cate's front room.

'Well, now I start tidying this mess up.' Cate replied throwing her jacket and keys down on to a clean chair.

'Want some help?' Julie asked tossing her purse on to the same chair with Cate's coat.

'Sure you don't mind?' Cate asked raising an eyebrow to Julie's honest offer.

'I'm here, might as well help out and do something useful.'

'You don't want to go back to the office do you?'

'In the mood that Kris is in, no way, I'd rather be doing hard labour here!' Julie laughed which Cate joined in on.

'Well in that case I'd love the help.' Cate happily said as she headed to ward the kitchen opening the kitchen door to go out and grab the trash bin. Julie and Cate both started to pick up the larger pieces of broken furniture off the floor tossing it in to the bin and side alley of Cate's house. 'I guess I was a little hard on Kris.' Cate said as she stood straight stretching her back that was beginning to tire.

'Are you asking me if you were a little hard on her or are you saying you were a little hard on her?'

'Both.' Cate replied taking the scraps of wood from Julie and placing them in the trash bin.

'I really don't know.' Julie answered brushing loose strands of her hair from her eyes.

'Yeah you do.' Cate grinned putting on a pair of work gloves to start picking up the broken glass scattered across the floor.

'All right I think you may have been a little hard but I also think Kris needed to hear it. Also I'm sorry.' Julie said as Cate dropped broken glass in to the trash. Cate spun to face Julie baffled by the apology.

'You're sorry, for what?'

'I get the impression that part of the reason I'm placing the majority of your lounge furniture into the trash is because of what I said to you last night.'

'It's not.' Cate simply replied going in to the kitchen straight to the fridge from which she removed a bottle of orange juice as she poured a glass each for her and Julie Cate continued. 'Really Julie, this was all me with the baseball bat Jill's little league team gave me and a nudge from Patsy Cline.' Cate finished with a smile handing a glass of juice to Julie who took a seat on one of the kitchen stools. Julie laughed taking the glass from Cate.

'What was the song?' Julie asked sipping her drink.

'I Fall to Pieces.'

'I can see why that made you snap.' Julie smirked as she looked around the room that led in to the lounge; she noticed the framed photo's Cate had out. A mixture of what looked like friends and family. One in particular caught her eye. 'Who is that?' Julie asked pointing to the photo of Cate and a very handsome man. Cate leant across the kitchen counter to see what Julie was pointing at and smiled as she saw it.

'That is Jake.' Cate went out to take the picture off of the shelf it was on handing it to Julie.

'He's very good looking. Boyfriend?' Julie enquired a smile creping across her face.

'He was yeah, for a while.' Cate replied taking back the picture looking it over with a warm smile remembering the time she spent with Jake.

'What happened?' Julie asked sensing there was more to it.

'I went to Europe for what should have been a short undercover case which turned in to two years. Jake moved on, he got married and he and his wife Cassandra are expecting their first child.' Cate explained as she placed the picture back in its place on the shelf.

'I'm sorry Cate.' Julie simply said.

'You say that a lot.' Cate teased. 'I'm not, sorry that is. This job we do can make it very hard for a relationship to last and I'm happy for Jake I really am. Cassandra is wonderful from what I'm told and they're very happy together.'

'How do you know all that?'

'Jake's mom is the manager of the motel I own, she writes to me and calls, keeps me up to date with everything.'

'When did you find out?' Julie asked running her index finger around the rim of her glass.

'On my way home from Europe, it was a pretty busy flight. Jake is also my lawyer so I had to phone the motel to let them know I was back and that I'd get to them as soon as I could for any business. Ruth told me then.'

'That really was a busy flight.' Julie said in amazement.

'Well it was a long flight I had to find something to do.' Cate smiled finishing her drink. Placing the glass in to the sink she put her gloves back on and started again on picking up the remaining broken glass and any other broken items, Julie watched her for a little while before finishing her drink and getting up to continue to help.

'Jill! We must start on getting ready for tonight my love.' Damien Roth called up the stairs of his plush condominium he may have been in prison for the last year or two but he still knew how to live in style and comfort. Jill sat on the side of the bathtub listening to him call to her.

'I'm now running a bath Damien.' She called back as she turned on the taps; water came gushing from the faucet. 'A nice long soak and then the right outfit and I'll be ready as usual.' Damien listened to Jill's response as he climbed the stairs to the bathroom door, which was closed and locked.

'Very well my love, please try to keep the soak down to at least half an hour.' Damien pleaded.

'I'll try.' Jill replied waiting for him to go back down stairs and out of earshot. She looked at herself in the mirror and barely recognised her own reflection. Her eyes were red rimmed again from the tears she had been crying which she would cover up later when facing Damien and his men. Whilst the water ran in to the tub Jill picked up the newspaper she had brought in to the bathroom with her, turning to the classified pages at the back of the paper she found the section she was looking for, the personal messages. The section where people would leave messages for friends and loved ones they had lost contact with. Scouring through the columns she came to the one she was looking for. A message had been left for ID number 1013 from ID 117. Jill read through the message carefully.

'The Fox has returned to the homestead gathering the cherubs in to the coop. The foundations are a little shaky but all will be well. On with the day, await reply as always, 117.' Jill felt the warmth of the fresh tear roll down her cheek as she lowered the paper dropping it to the floor. Undressing she climbed in to the bath trying to relax allowing the water to rush across her hoping it would take away her fears and worries it almost worked until her sisters face flashed across her mind, Jill so wanted to contact her and reach out to her but knew she couldn't, not now, not yet, soon, she hoped and hoped that Kris would understand what she was doing and why, above all she hoped her baby sister would forgive her.

Tiffany stepped out of Kris's Cobra when they arrived at Roth's farm. Looking around the Angels thought the place to be deserted.

'It's big.' Tiffany said scouting the land.

'Well, we'd better start looking around see if there's anything to be found.' Kris said taking the lead still not in the best of moods.

'Let's start with the farm house then, see if there is anyone here.' Tiffany suggested, Kris nodded as the pair walked across to the farm house, they had their cover sorted, they were there as surveyors for the real estate lawyers, checking everything was to code as it should be, or at least enough to fool anyone who was looking or asking. Kris knocked on the door several times, waiting for several moments there was no answer so Kris and Tiffany agreed with a nod of the head to continue on and investigate the property. Looking around the property neither Angel could find anything out of the ordinary with the place.

'I would say that this is nothing more than a run down farm.' Tiffany said defeated.

'A waste of time.' Kris said as she kicked a stone at her foot across the ground.

'Kris.' Tiffany sighed beginning to tire of Kris's tantrum.

'I'm sorry Tiff.' Kris apologised recognising her attitude must be now wearing thin on those around her. 'I just.'

'Want to be where the action is, not to mention your sister.' Tiffany filled in for Kris.

'Is that so wrong?' Kris asked standing with her arms crossed against her chest.

'Normally I would say no but for this case I have to agree with Cate and Charlie, and I think you'll find we all agree. Right now, until you can control yourself, you can't go near Jill and Roth.' Tiffany watched Kris as she turned away from her not wanting to show weak eyes to Tiffany. 'Kris ask yourself this, if Cate was in your position and it was Kelly with Roth or someone like him, would you allow Cate to go after them?' Tiffany waited for an answer, Kris didn't turn to face Tiffany for a while when she did Kris looked Tiffany straight in the eyes.

'No, I wouldn't.' Tiffany smiled believing she had made a breakthrough. 'But then I wouldn't be able to stop Cate doing what she wants to do.'

'Then that's the difference between the pair of you.'

'What do you mean?' Kris asked confused by Tiffany's remark.

'You know deep down that we're right in telling you to stay away, you don't really want to face them do you Kris?' Kris looked at Tiffany for a moment before she answered, that was Tiffany for you straight to the point.

'No I don't.' Kris quietly answered as she placed her hands on her hips looking down to her boots.

'Then why be so angry?' Tiffany asked smiling slightly with confusion.

'Because sometimes I get tired of being treated like the baby of the family; having everyone being over protective of me.'

'So you take it out on Cate?'

'You know Cate and I are the same age right?' Kris asked slipping her hands in to her jeans back pockets whilst looking at Tiffany who shook her head whilst crossing her arms across her chest listening to Kris's explanation. 'Cate's just a few months older, you just wouldn't think it sometimes the way she treats me and by that I mean the way she's always looking out for me and after me especially when Jill's not around.' Kris smirked as she thought of it.

'Just as Kelly always had.' Tiffany smiled with the memory.

'Yeah, just like Kel; I've been a real pain haven't I?'

'You've not made things easy for yourself and Cate and the pair of you need each other right now probably more than either one of you wants to admit.'

'Well, I think that's everything.' Julie said slapping her hands together.

'I think you're right. Thanks for the help Julie, I really do appreciate it.' Cate said smiling surveying the now tidier room, a little more sparse than before but a lot safer to live within.

'Well, I'd better get back to my place and get tidied up for tonight, you still picking me up at nine?' Julie asked as she put on her jacket and picked up her purse.

'Yeah, nine o' clock, then; on to the club to check out this Damien Roth.' Cate agreed opening the front door for Julie.

'I wonder how Kris and Tiff got on at the farm?' Julie asked as she stepped out of the house.

'I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.' Cate smiled as she walked with Julie to her car, waving Julie off Cate went back in to her house closing the front door behind her she looked around the tidy lounge again pleased and tired she headed towards the bathroom to turn on the shower. 'May as well start getting ready for the evening.' Cate said aloud to herself as she walked towards the bathroom turning the taps on to the tub to run herself a bath, a good long soak was what her body was now screaming out for.

'So what are we now?' Kris asked Tiffany as she parked her car in front of the slaughterhouse's office building.

'We are with the health and safety regulators for the agricultural council.' Tiffany read off from their ID badges handing one to Kris.

'Is there really such a thing?' Kris asked pinning the badge to her sweater.

'I'm not sure I really want to know the answer to that.' Tiffany said looking at the slaughterhouse with its big billboard picture of livestock and a plate of meat next to them.

'Good point.' Kris agreed with a smile looking at the same board as Tiffany. Both exiting the car they headed towards the entrance to the main office.

'Locked and no one's home.' Tiffany said turning to face Kris.

'Well, shall we carry on regardless, if any one stops us we're here on official business and it's a surprise inspection.' Kris invented on the spot.

'Right.' Tiffany agreed with a serious ready for business look as they headed off in to the main building. As the two Angels surveyed the building they saw no sign of it being prepared for it to be used as a slaughter house again.

'Nothing.' Kris said with an annoyed look on her face. 'I really thought there'd be something here, some kind of clue, I don't know to what but something.'

'I know what you mean. Roth was a hard nut to crack last time and we knew what he was up to!' Tiffany agreed.

'Exactly, so what is his game this time?'

'I don't know but I do know that this would be the perfect place to hold sporting events such as fighting say?'

'You're right Tiff. There's enough space here, private road entrance everything is hidden from sight, no problems with sound as there's nothing and no one around to hear anything.'

'Exactly. Maybe this is his new venture.'

'Maybe, let's get back home share this with Charlie and Bosley.' Kris said looking at her watch as she did. 'It'll be too late now to get Julie or Cate up to speed they'll be on their way to club before we get back.'

'Ok, let's get going, this place is giving me the creeps.' Tiffany said shuddering.

'You and me both, come let's get out of here.' Kris led the way swiftly back out to her car. In the distance a dark figure watched the two Angels as they departed from the car park. Heading back to his car parked out of sight by a tree he picked up his in car phone.

'It's Kreeg. Yeah they were just here, just left. No, I don't think they suspected much or found anything; they didn't seem to stay long enough for anything. They turned up looked around a little a left again. Ok, yeah, I'll be there in about 20 minutes.' With that Kreeg, a dark haired, tall slender man with skin so tanned it looked like leather, started his car engine and left.

'So this is D24.' Cate said looking at the front of the club with its large neon sign above the double door entrance, which was, roped off with a line all ready stretching down the front wall. Both Angels dressed in tight jeans with tall heeled boots covering their legs with their jeans tucked inside them, both wearing tight tops, Cate in cute vest top covered by a fitted deep red waistcoat. Julie wearing a pastel pink sequined tube top to go with her jeans ensemble, both dressed to impress and get through the door, which they did. The doorman upon seeing them liked very much what he saw whistling as they approached him.

'Good evening ladies, welcome to D24, come on in and enjoy your night.' The doorman unlatched the rope allowing them both through, both Angels smiled at him Julie blowing him a kiss as she passed which made Cate laugh as they entered.

'Too much?' Julie joked.

'Just enough.' Cate laughed as they walked down the stairs in to the club, which was crowded with people. The dance floor was lit up like something out of 'Saturday Night Fever' and people were all ready dancing the night away. Heading straight to the bar first the Angels ordered themselves a drink whilst surveying the room. Looking for exits, entrances, offices and other private rooms.

'What do you think?' Julie asked keeping her eyes on the room.

'I think this place is busy and we can get hidden pretty easily.' Cate answered also surveying the room.

'Ok, which half do you want to take?' Julie asked putting her empty glass down on the bar.

'I'll take the other side of the dance you take this?' Cate offered.

'Sounds good to me, meet in the middle in say 15 minutes.' Julie planned.

'Ok let's get to it.' Cate agreed as she placed her empty glass on the bar. The Angel's split up each heading in different directions looking for Roth. Cate spotted him first then Julie, catching one another's attention the Angels met in the middle to the side of the dance floor.

'Well there he is.' Julie said to Cate as the carefully watched where he was headed.

'Looks like he's got a private room.' Cate noted as Roth disappeared behind a large panelled light fixture.

'Shall we?' Julie asked a small smile creeping across her face.

'Let's go.' Julie led on after Roth. Reaching the door to that led to the private room the Angels were stopped by a large doorman.

'Sorry ladies, invitation only passed here.' The man said blocking them from moving any further.

'Right, sorry.' Julie apologised as she and Cate turned and went back down to the main dance floor.

'Thoughts?' Julie asked.

'Find someone who can get us in or at least one of us.' Cate suggested.

'Would be safer if the both of us were together back there.'

'True. Let's talk to the barman they usually know everyone and everything that's going on.' As they walked to the bar Cate noticed someone else walking through the club, gently grabbing Julie's arm to get her attention Cate nodded her head towards the person she was looking at.

'Is that Jill?' Julie asked having never met her in person.

'Yeah, looks like she's heading out back. I'm gonna see if I can get some time with Jill you continue on with the barman meet me in the back alley.'

'You sure you'll be ok alone?' Julie asked concerned, neither one of them was sure who was surrounding them or how safe they were.

'I'll be fine, I'll wait out there for you ok?' Julie nodded and went on to the bar as Cate moved swiftly and as stealthily as she could to get to the back alley to find Jill.

'How're things on the dark side?' Cate asked Jill once she was sure they were alone in the back alley. Jill spun round surprised brandishing her revolver, seeing Cate she gasped.

'Are you trying to get yourself shot?!' Jill snapped at her before rushing to throw her arms around Cate tightly embracing her for a short moment very aware that someone may be watching. 'What are you doing here?'

'What do you think we're doing here? Keeping an eye on Roth, seeing what he's up to when he's here. What is he up to when he's here?' Cate explained and questioned all at once.

'I'm not sure yet, when he goes through to the back room he leaves me in the club schmoosing whatever new 'client' he wants me to.'

'How nice.' Cate quipped.

'How's Kris.' Jill asked a pained expression on her face.

'How do you think she is?' Cate asked raising an eyebrow at Jill.

'Don't Cate.' Jill sighed as she sat on the fire escape steps in the centre of the alleyway.

'She's a mess Jill, what else could she be. Her best friend is dead and her sister has returned to be the 'Pirate Lady' she was dubbed by a renowned jewel thief. You know where I found her when I returned from Europe?' Jill didn't answer she couldn't even bring herself to look at Cate. 'I found her at a bar drowning her sorrows, that really ended well. Now she's with Tiff trying to find any clues they can at Roth's farm and slaughter house, believe me she's not happy about it, she'd rather be here facing you.'

'It couldn't be helped Cate.' Jill almost whispered.

'Don't give me that Jill; we didn't have to do things this way at all. We could have told the Angels what you're up to here with Roth but again you and Charlie in your infinite wisdom decided to play this game again leaving those who care about you in the despair of the dark.'

'Cate, about Kelly.' Jill began.

'I don't want to talk about it.' Cate sternly said turning away from Jill.

'Cate please.' Jill pleaded. Cate simply looked at Jill a look that unnerved Jill who stopped pushing the subject.

'Miss Munroe?' A voice called from the back door making Jill jump and Cate turn to face. 'Is everything ok here?' The bulky man asked.

'Everything's fine.' Cate replied to the man sharply wanting him to leave. He looked her up and down.

'Miss Munroe?' The man repeated not taking his eyes off of Cate.

'Everything's fine Mike.' Jill said fed up with the man constantly chasing after her. Mike moved to take Jill's arm to take her back inside when Cate stepped in front of him stopping him.

'I'm trying to have a private conversation here Mike so why don't you be a good boy and go inside Miss Munroe will be along soon.' Cate said her temper rising, Jill stayed silent wanting to warn Cate off but didn't want to give away their relationship.

'Look lady, I told you all ready I just came out here to get away from the fans so please just go inside.' Jill said looking at Cate with meaningful eyes that were telling her to go. Cate looked from Mike to Jill, giving Jill a look she knew all too well, trouble.

'You know what.' Cate said as Mike turned to look at her Cate spun around from Jill smacking her fists in to Mike's face knocking him back several steps. Jill quickly moved back against the wall knowing where this was headed.

'Why you bi..' Mike began to call as Cate kicked him in the stomach causing him to fall back, losing his balance he fell in to the cluster of trashcans. Cate hovered over him waiting for him to get up. Whilst Mike fumbled trying to get up Cate didn't notice the second man coming up behind her. To try and help her Jill dropped her purse to the fire escape landing she was standing on causing a clattering sound making Cate turn in time to see the second man's fist coming down toward her. Throwing herself shoulder first into the man she pushed him in to the fire escape railing slamming his back in to it. Pushing himself away from it he backhanded Cate across the face causing her to stumble back in to Mike's waiting arms. Holding her Cate writhed in his arms trying to get loose. Seeing the second man come towards her she used Mike as the solid weight he was, pulling her legs up and kicking the second man solidly in to his gut then using the back of her head to head butt Mike making his eyes water and causing him to free Cate. As soon as he did Cate spun a roundhouse kick in to Mike's head sending him flying and unconscious to the floor. 'One down' Cate thought to herself catching her breath just as the second man rushed her throwing her back in to the brick wall knocking the wind out of her which he followed with a hard punch to her stomach. Slipping to the ground Cate watched the tall thin man hover above her, he stretched out his arm grabbing at her waistcoat dragging her up to her feet.

'Well aren't you a feisty one.' The man said to her smirking. Cate smiled at him, which alone should have worried the man.

'So I'm told.' Cate quipped. The man drew her close to him then swiftly threw her to the ground; clattering along the ground Cate picked herself up waiting for his next move, which came quickly as he attempted to rush her again. Cate waited for him until the last moment when she simply stepped out of his path using his momentum against him Cate pushed him in to the brick wall and watched as the man slipped down to the ground unconscious like something out of an old cartoon. Cate and Jill both turned as they heard the door open and several men shouting out for the two unconscious men and Jill. Cate couldn't take all of them and she knew there was no way Jill could help either it would blow her cover.

'Jill, get out your gun.' Cate said quickly, Jill did as she was asked.

'Why?' Jill asked.

'Shoot me.' Cate said calmly watching the alleyway as the men started to make their way down towards them.

'Are you crazy!' Jill hissed.

'Well don't shoot to kill or anything but just I don't know graze my arm or something.' The voices got closer and Cate grew impatient. 'Jill you have to do something, you're armed and I've just knocked your two bodyguards on their asses. Shoot.' Cate said again with urgency, as the men's steps grew closer. Jill raised her gun whilst Cate wasn't looking took aim and fired, crying out in pain Cate spun to the ground grabbing her arm. Removing her hand Cate saw blood then looked to Jill who in return looked horrified.

'Run Cate.' Jill urged. 'Just run.' Cate did as Jill requested and ran on in to the street before the rest of Roth's men could see her. Cate ran straight on to the car park grabbing her keys out of her jeans pocket, opening the trunk she grabbed the black zipped sweater jacket that was there, putting it on carefully to cover her arm she headed back towards the club to find Julie who was easier to find than Cate thought she would be but was thankful for all the same, Julie stood out by the entrance which was still crowded by people wanting to get in to the club.

'There you are!' Julie said relieved. 'I saw all these guy's rushing towards the back door and then come back through escorting Jill, who did not look so good.'

'Yeah, I know look Julie we need to go and I need you to drive me somewhere.' Cate said swiftly turning her and Julie away from the club and back towards the car park. 'Here, take my keys.' Cate handed over her car keys to Julie who then saw the blood on Cate's hand from where she had been holding her wounded arm.

'What happened?' Julie gasped taking hold of Cate's hand turning it looking for a wound.

'Let's get to the car and I'll explain.' Cate said as they approached Cate's car, it was then that Julie noticed Cate favouring her right arm, leaving her left hand in her jacket pocket and doing her best not to move that arm at all. Once in the car Julie started the engine and pulled out of the car park.

'All right, talk. What happened and what's wrong with your arm?' Julie demanded.

'Do you know Cedar's Drive?' Cate asked ignoring Julie's question for the moment.

'Cate.' Julie said annoyed wanting an answer not a question.

'Do you know it, do you know how to get there?'

'Yeah I know it.' Julie snapped back.

'Good there's a veterinary clinic there, a private one head for that.' Cate directed.

'Cate, I will stop this car if you don't tell me what the hell just happened!' Julie yelled.

'Jill shot me.' Cate said flatly whilst fishing the first aid kit out of her glove box.