Simone led three teams of medics down to the cell block , they quickly checked out the three Agents and put oxygen masks onto each of them . Katherine had already arranged for the three cups of coffee to be analysed by the onsite lab .
While waiting for the CSI to arrive , it had been decided to use the resources of the LAPD rather than the Homeland team , she pulled her phone out and called Cabe .
" Good Afternoon Katherine , is there a problem
Katherine . " Good afternoon , sorry to disturb your afternoon but i thought you would like to know Carlson is dead ., shot through the head execution style . "
Cabe " How could that happen ? i thought you had three guards with him at all times . "
Katherine " Well it would appear they were all drugged , in fact they are still out of it . I know we do not need to prove his guilt , but it would appear that there as to be a rouge Agent still in the department .
Cabe " I suppose that means our raids this morning , were expected after the two visits yesterday . Do you still want Walter to carry on with his investigation ? "
Katherine " Yes , only so we know which cases may have been corrupted . "
Cabe " Ok, we are meeting with all the family tonight to celebrate Walter and Paige's engagement , so i will tell him then . "
Katherine " Walter actually proposed , please pass my congratulations on and tell both of them i will see then soon . Have a good night and i will see you tomorrow . "
Cabe " See you tomorrow . . "
Katherine turned to Scott a smile on her face .
" You look pleased with yourself . " Scott told her .
" Yes a bit of good news , Walter propsed to Paige and she accepted . "
" At least some people are happy . "
Over the next few hours , a CSI team were taking photographs , checked for prints . Carlson's body was removed and taken to the morgue at the CSI building , were a full post mortem would be carried out on Carlson's body with the hope of discovering some or any form of useful information .
The three Agents were taken to the Cedars hospital , were after about three hours they eventualy woke up , but had no recollection what had happened .
Tests on the coffee showed traces of the drug Ketamine , a drug that also as the ability to cause short term amnesia .
It was almost 9.00pm. before Katherine , Scott and the other Washington team members left the office . Rusty , Nick and Simone had left a few hours earlier , but had not gone home instead they made a visit to the two sites of the raids that had been made that morning , plus another visit to check on Sadiq''s home . All three patrols told them the same ." Nothing was happening "
Paige's condo
All the family arrived back home , at 5.45pm. leaving just enough time for all of them to have a quick shower and a change of clothes before meeting up with Cabe and Allie . The smile had not left Paige's face since Walter had slipped the ring on her finger . Paige fed Megan before she got changed .
Walter and Ralph were both ready before Paige but were quite happy to sit on the sofa discussing what they had managed to do at the garage today . Paige finally joined them , tonight Walter would be taking them in the Range Rover not that Kovelsky's sold alchol , he always felt it was his responsabilty to drive when going out on a "Date" so Paige could have a glass of wine if she wanted to .
As they walked into Koveksky's they spotted Cabe and Allie sitting in a booth towards the back of the diner . Before they had chance to get near to them , Mrs Kovelsky spotted them and walked over .
" It is good to see you again . How is my little darling Megan ? "
Walter , Paige and Ralph all smiled as Paige moved the bassenet so Mrs Kovelsky could see the now asleep Megan . As she moved the bassenet the position of her left hand in which she was holding it moved so the lights in the diner caught the jewels in her ring .
Mrs kovelsky's eyes immediatly moved from Megan to the ring . In a high pitched voice she asked . " Did Walter propose ? "
All Paige could do was give her an even bigger smile and simply say . " Yes. "
Mrs Kovelsky reached over and hugged Paige the best she could , because the bassenet was partially in the way . She whispered in Paige's ear " It is about time . "
She pulled back and smiled at Walter and simply said " Congratulations . "
They finally managed to get past Mrs Kovelsky and walked over to Cabe and Allie , who as they approached both stood up .
Cabe put his hands on Paige's shoulders and gently kissed her on the cheek . Then shook Walter's hand , so Ralph did feel left out he ruffled his hair . Allie also hugged Paige and shook Walter's hand , both told them said " Congratulations . "
Ralph slid into the booth on Cabe and Allie's side , Paige put Megan in her bassenet at the far end of the bench and slid in beside her , Walter sat on the end . Allie immediatly asked to see the ring which Paige was only to happy and proud to show her .
" That looks even better than the design it sparkles so much . " She turned to Walter . " Your friend certainly did a good job . "
Walter just smiled then turned to Paige . " I will always try my best to give Paige anything she wants as long it is within my ability to do it . "
Cabe had a big smile on his face . " Congratulations to you both and it is about time . "
Walter looked across at Cabe and looked a little sheepish . " Well it should have , the night we returned from Africa i had every intention of asking Paige to marry me , although the only ring i had at the time was one Megan had given me shortly before she died . She told me it had belonged to our maternal grandmother , who had passed it down to our mom , who in , turn had passed it onto Megan . She knew her life span was short so she passed it to me . She told me i should use it to propose to the person , i knew was the love of my life , but i had always tried to deny it . She also told me if i did not do it soon there was a chance someone else would come into her life . Once again my big sister was correct , Tim came into her life . Eventually i did get together with that person and got her into my life . But me being me , i messed up again . So before i had chance everyone walked out on me . " As he finished speaking a tear rolled down his face .
By now Paige had got her head in her hands and was quietly crying . Walter heard her and reached out with his left arm and pulled her into a hug . " Please stop crying , we would never have had what we have now , we would still be risking our lives to save others . Not something i want to do anymore , i just want to spend as much of my time with my little family as i can . "
Allie pulled a small packet of tissues out of her pocket and pulled one out and passed it to Paige . " Take this Paige and dry your tears , you have got a ring on your finger now , even if it is a lttle late . "
Paige accepted it and dabbed her eyes . " I have been such a bad person , i was so nasty to Walter that night and then helped to form a company to compete against him . That ruined his lifelong dream , even as a young boy he used the name Scorpion and in a few minutes of madness i completly took his dream and shredded it into a million pieces . Now all Walter wants is to make all my dreams come true , i just do not deserve such a person in my life . "
Walter was still hugging her tight . " I am still the luckist man in the world . do not forget the trouble you went to find me , i think that shows just how much you loved me . Plus you have given me a beautiful daughter in Megan and promised to help me to adopt Ralph as my son . What more would or could a man ask for . "
Both Cabe and Allie looked shocked , Cabe asked. " You are going to adopt Ralph officially . Will Drew agree to that ? "
Paige had by now stopped crying . " He may be difficult about it , but that would have been out of pure spite . He as never really been a father to Ralph , he as never paid any money to support him . It is also something Ralph really wants and it is what Walter and myself want . Also Drew never had his name on Ralph's birth certificate one of the reasons he always used not to send money . Even after he turned up just after i started work with Scorpion , he did not stay long and never once paid for any trips Ralph made to visit him , so no it will definatly go through , by one means or another . "
Cabe put his hand over Paige's hand and gently patted it . " We will give you all the help you need , but i am sure Richard would be able to give you a name of a good attorney . You never know he may even pay for it . "
Both Walter and Paige smiled , Walter spoke . " I would certainly accept advice from Richard with regards to the attorney . But i will be paying the bill , no argument . "
Cabe looked at Walter, a half smile on his face . " Independant as usual . "
Walter just nodded .
Cabe's face took on a serious look before speaking again . " I have news but i do not want to spoil the mood of the evening . "
Walter gave him a half smile . " You will not spoil the love between Paige and me or my love for my children , so go ahead and let us decide . "
Cabe still with a serious look on his face . " Ok, they found Carlson dead in his cell , just after 4.00pm today . "
Paige was shocked , but could not resist asking . " How ? "
" He was shot , exercution style . "
Walter looked across at Cabe . " Any suspects ? "
Cabe just shook his head . " No , but i think that is the end of this conversation , i think it is time to order the food . "
Ralph smiled . " I could not agree more . " Which bought a smile to everyone's face .
Mrs Kovelsky had noticed the whole conversation that had been going on and held the servers back , once she saw the smiles on all their faces she sent one of the waitress's over .
Two hours later , they all left Kovelsky's and made their way to their own abodes . Walter and his little family arrived home . Paige took Megan to the bedroom to change her into her night clothes and a clean diaper . Megan woke up while Paige was doing all this , she began to grizzle , which usually meant she was hungry so Paige gave her a quick feed , finally getting her into her cot were she soon fell asleep .
Once Ralph had gone to bed , Paige and Walter cuddled up on the sofa . After about twenty minutes Paige got up , took Walter's hand and pulled him up , then slowly walked towards the bedroom , her hand still holding Walter's . She was determined to thank him in her own special way for today .
Even though it was well after 1.00am before either got to sleep , Walter was again woken up at 6.00am by Megan , shouting this time DA,DA, MO,MO, then giggerling . By now he knew it was pointless to try and get out of bed and not wake Paige . So he gently shook her .
" Is it time to get up ? " A sleepy Paige asked .
" It would appear the little lady thinks so , plus don't forget mom and dad are going to video call again this morning . " Walter quietly told her .
" Ok, but you are cooking breakfast today . " Paige told him , but this time with a cheeky smile on her face .
By 9.00am they were sat on the sofa the same as yesterday . At exactly 9.00am Paige's computer showed a video call , as the previous day before connecting the call she picked -up Megan out of her bassenet and placed her in Walter's arms , which again caused a big smile to appear on her face as she uttered Da,Da. . Once Walter had got Megan safely in his arms again facing the computer screen . Paige connected the call .
As the screen began to get brighter Megan began to giggle and utter Da, Da, Mo, Mo. . As the faces of Louise and Sean appeared on the screen , Megan began to giggle even more and streached her tiny hand towards the screen . Sean immediatly moved the palm of his hand . towards his computer's camera , Megan streached even closer to the screen so she could touch the screen . She uttered Da,Da, which bought a smile to everyone faces .
" Good morning everyone . " Louise said .
Paige returned the greeting .
Louise had noticed the smile on Paige's face . " Ok Paige i can tell you are dying to tell us something . "
Paige's smile got bigger but she did not speak , but just held her left hand up to the camera , the ring facing the camera .
Louise let out a scream , Sean looked across at her as if she had gone mad .
Louise with a tear running down her cheek asked . " As our boy proposed ? "
Paige now had a tear rolling down her cheek . " Yes yesterday just after lunch in the garage . "
Louise looked a little confused . " He proposed in a garage ? "
Walter was smiling all the time at the confusion that was going on . " Not a garage , the garage were i used to live . "
" But you told us you had moved to a large four bedroom house . " Louise was again getting more and more confused .
Paige broke into the conversation . " It is complicated and something we still cannot talk about . "
Sean a smile on his face . " Congratulations to both of you on your engagement . From what Paige just said , are you involved with those Homeland people again ? "
Walter looked at Megan before answering . " Sort of , but only on a tempory basis , i enjoy my job with Richard to much to get involved on a perment basis with Homeland again . "
A lot of the rest of of the conversation was about the ring , Louise was shocked that Paige had actually designed it and Walter knew someone who could make it . She also pushed for details of the wedding , but Paige distracted her from asking to many questions by asking about her wedding to Sean , much to Walter's amusment . Again after a hour Walter told them they needed to leave again but would speak to them again next Sturday .
Homeland H.Q. 9.00am .
Katherine , Cabe , Scott and the seven Washington Agents , including Agent McKenzie , who with the other two agents affected by the drugged coffee , had been released from the hospital late Saturday night . Also Rusty , Nick and Simone were there .
Scott opened the meeting by asking Agent McKenize what he could remember about Saturday .
Agent McKenzie closed his eyes and for a full minute did not speak . He opened his eyes and . began to speak . " Since you sent me down to the cell block , nothing really happened until around 1.00pm. , when Agent Brownlow bought down three cups of coffee and some snacks . He told us you had arranged for him to bring them down to us . I remember eating some chips and drinking about half a cup of coffee . Then nothing until i woke up in a hospital bed . Sorry that is all . "
Scott looked at him before he spoke , a look of sadness in his eyes . " That's ok , you were drugged with ketermine , that can give you tempory amnesia . Katherine is Brownlow on duty today ? "
" Hang on and i will check . " Katherine , pulled out her phone , after a couple of minutes she put her phone down and turned to Scott . " It would seem he was not down for duty until next Wednesday . He as booked personel time off due to a berievement . He only booked it yesterday morning . "
Scott's face turned angry . " He must be involved . Do you have his address ? "
Katherine shook her head but said . " H.R. will have it , give me a minute or two while i check ." She again pulled her phone out and called H.R.
Within a few minutes they phoned her back with all the details they had on Agent Brownlow .
Katherine told the group , then suggested that Rusty , Nick and Simone go pay him a visit . Scott was in full agreement . Five minutes later the three Agents left the room .
Once they had left Scott carried on with the meeting . " Earlier this morning i was speaking to the F.B.I. H.Q. in Washington about the Phoenix case . As we no longer need evidence to get guilty verdicts on Carlson or the owners of Baltic Holdings as they are all dead . The F.B.I. can use the information Paige collated from the paperwork found at Walter's house . They will check all of the customers in the USA and compare them with their records and hopefully make arrests and remove a lot of weapons from hands that do not deserve them . "
Cabe was a little upset , because he had been involved from the start of the Phoenix case , but he also knew this was for the best .
" In view of this Agent Thomas , when you go to Walter's house tomorrow , bring all the boxes , computers and paperwork back to Homeland . Katherine can you arrange a van for them ? " Scott asked .
" No problem . i am sure our garage have a few , once this meeting is over i will check with them . "
" Thank you Katherine , Agent Thomas will you ask Paige to show you the paperwork with all the customers names on and make sure you keep them safe . Also ask her to show you proof of the tax evasion scam she found and keep them seperate and give them to me so i can call the IRS they can investigate and maybe pull some of the money back from the bank accounts Walter found . "
" Yes sir . " Agent Thomas replied .
Scott nodded and then carried on speaking . " We still have four names to check out and after this weekend there could be a lot more so i suggest all my Agents begin their computer investigations . Katherine can you arrange warrents for the four address's , this time we are not going to be caught out and give them any chance of running . "
Katherine nodded and Scott called an end to the meeting . The seven agents went to work on their computers . Katherine , Scott and Cabe returned to her office . Ten minutes after they arrived Katherine's phone rang .
" Hello Rusty . "
" Brownlow is dead , same style shooting as Carlson . "
" Ok stay there we will be with you soon . "
Katherine turned to Scott and Cabe and explained what Rusty had told her . Fourty minutes later Cabe pulled up outside Brownlow's house . All three made their way up to the house and entered were Rusty and the rest of the team were waiting for them .
Rusty pointed . " He is in the kitchen , looks as if he was about to make himself a coffee . We have had a quick look round and there does not appear any signs of a breakin . Are we going to handle this or pass it on to the LAPD ? "
" Well it would seem what ever drug cartel was running those two import companies are intent on not leaving any loose ends . So yes i think we will pass it on to the LAPD . Once we have had a good look around . "
The five of them spent over sixty minutes checking through the house , no one could find any more evidence .
" I guess we should phone the LAPD now . " Scott suggested as he pulled his phone out and called the police .
It was approaching 1.00pm before they all returned to the office .
The Garage
About the same time Katherine and the team arrived back at Homeland , Paige pulled up in front of the garage . Once she had bought Megan in together with her bag , having kissed Walter after handing Megan over to him , she went back to her car to fetch the " The Picnic . " from the car .
During lunch , Paige had given a look , one that Walter knew meant she wanted to ask him something , but was not quite sure how to .
" What do you want to know ? " Walter asked her the smile on his face seemed to be saying , i think i know .
" Well it is about something you said last night ." Paige asked a little coy .
Walter a big smile on his face , pulled Paige towards him . " You want to know what Megan's ring looks like . "
" Always ready with a answer , yes i do or at least i would like to see it , if of course you still have it . "
Walter still holding Paige in a hug . " Of course , it is in my trinket box , one of the few things i did take with me when i left this place . It is at the house , if you like i will meet you at the house once i finish work tomorrow and i will show you it then . "
Paige placed a kiss on his lips . " Thank you , you are best person i have ever known . "
Once that little problem was sorted , Walter explained to Paige they had been lucky during the morning and between them they had found three more acounts . Now all the amounts left to check out appear to be payments that match up to previous amounts , hopefully these should not take long to check .
" I have made a list of the names. We wondered if you would like to do some internet searches on them , i am sure Katherine and Scott would appreciate the help . "
A big smile broke out on Paige's face . " Let me clean this up , then feed and change Megan . You can then point me at a computer . " As she finished she leaned into Walter and planted a kiss on his lips .
Thirty minutes later Paige came back down from the loft , Megan was by now asleep in her bassenet , which Paige put on her old desk . " Do you have a computer for me to use ? "
Ralph picked one up from the side of his desk , walked over to her and gave it to his mom . Walter reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper which he also handed to Paige .
" That's the list of seven new accounts we have found , good luck , but i am sure you will not need it "
With a smile on her face she took the paper from Walter and with a cheeky wink she took the paper . " Thank you for trusting me . "
" I can trust no one more . " Walter replied as he leaned in to kiss her .
By 5.00pm Walter and Ralph had managed to check all the accounts that were still outstanding . As Walter suspected they were paid from the eleven accounts that were still active .
Paige had also gathered information on the seven new accounts they had found over the past two days . She handed the details she had downloaded and printed out , together with the list Walter had given her .
Before leaving the garage Walter phoned Katherine , who turned out was still at Homeland with Scott and the other seven Washington agents . Walter explained about the other names he and Ralph had found and the research Paige had done . This meant they had a further seven companies to deal with .
Katherine requested that if possible could Paige take them to Walter's house on Monday and give the information to one of the Agents , who will be coming over to move the Baltic Holdings paperwork and packing cases .
Once he disconnected the call , he turned to Paige to explain what the arrangements were going to be . " Shall we pick up Chinese on the way home , you do not really need to cook tonight . "
Paige smiled back at him . " What a good suggestion . Alright with you Ralph ? "
Ralph had a look of disappointment on his face . " I suppose so . "
Walter noticed his face . " What's up buddy ? "
" We have been to efficient , it means i have to go to school tomorrow . "
Paige pulled him into a hug . " I tell you what , how about i still phone the school in the morning and tell them you won't be in . Then you can come to Walter's with me , the Agents may need some help with the computers . . "
A big smile broke out on his face . " Thanks mom . Now can we go get some Chinese food , i think i could eat some beef in a black oyster sauce . "
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Grykon Glad you enjoyed the proposal , sorry you were a little confused LOL . Glad you think like me with regard to Nick's form of lock picking .
Pearligirl Glad you enjoyed the proposal, sorry no picture , Paige tried to send me one but it was corrupted when i recieved it LOL. The Young couple and children were of Sadiq and his family .
LouBe 96 Like to keep you on your toes , the drug cartel running the two companies get complete loyalty from all who work for them , they are ruthless if not . I am pleased you enjoyed the proposal . Moving in to the house soon , i hope .
