"Why are we getting called out to the county?" Styles grumbled.

Cena shrugged. "Can't be to help with traffic control. There's nobody on this road."

Seconds later, they rounded a curve in the two-lane road. "Looks like the locals have shut off the road on both sides. Better get your ID out." Cena slow the car to a halt as a county trooper approached them. He lowered the window and smiled. "Davenport PD. Detectives Cena and Styles. Our Chief called us out here."

Styles leaned forward and held up his ID.

"My ID's in my pocket. May I reach for it?" Cena politely asked.

"Officer Kelso. Scott Co. Sheriff's Dept." The trooper studied the cell phone in his hand. "No need for ID's. We have your pictures uploaded to our phones." After a few seconds, he nodded. "You're cleared." He stepped back and motioned for them to continue.

"Huh, well, that's a first," Styles grunted. "I'm getting a bad feeling about this."

After a few minutes, they saw a myriad of flashing lights from cars parked across the road. On their side of the road was a large tent set up next to what appeared to be a limousine.

"Lot of activity for a one-car accident," Styles muttered.

"Maybe a hit-and-run," Cena pointed out as he parked the car. "That's a high-class expensive limo. Whoever the passengers are, they're considered very important." As both detectives got out of the car, they saw Malenko heading towards them.

"Okay, I'm officially confused," Styles said as they met Malenko. "Aren't we out of our jurisdiction?"

"Jurisdiction is being argued between the county, the state, and the Feds," Malenko wearily replied. "We're here because the victims in the limo are from Davenport." He motioned for the detectives to follow him into the tent.

Cena immediately saw three bodies on gurneys placed side-by-side with sheets covering the bodies. "Driver up front and the other two in the back?"

"That's how they were found," Malenko nodded. "However, this wasn't an accident; and they didn't die in the car." When both detectives stared at him, he continued. "About four this morning, a farmer who was taking produce to the Davenport Farmers Market reported seeing a limousine sitting on the side of the road. The county dispatched a call who reported finding three dead bodies in the car. All had been shot, and the car wasn't running. The only car tracks on the side of the road belong to the limousine."

"Someone drove the limo here and was picked up by a car that stayed on the road," Cena surmised.

"The guy who reported it…is he clean?" Styles asked.

Malenko silently nodded. "Third generation seventy-year-old farmer whose record is clean and only goes into Davenport to take produce to the Farmers Market."

"Captain, we're about ready to transport," the Deputy Coroner advised.

Malenko nodded. "Find out who won the argument over jurisdiction. If it's not us, tell them to get started on the transport and take over in here."

The young man masked a grin and walked out of the tent. As he walked towards the group of people standing down the road and arguing, he pulled out his cell phone and sent a quick text.

"So, who're the victims?" Styles asked.

Silently, Malenko walked to the gurneys and pulled the sheets down from the faces of the victims, one by one.

"Damn," Styles muttered.

Vince McMahon. Hunter Helmsley. Bobby Lashley.

"The Bloodline?" Cena asked.

Malenko shrugged. "Depending on where they were murdered, it may become our case." He glanced at both detectives. "I'm hoping it doesn't become our case. If it is the Bloodline making a move, we're going to have war in the streets."

"And, if it's not the Bloodline, we could still have a war in the streets if whoever's in charge of the Authority thinks the Bloodline is behind this," Styles pointed out.

Malenko hesitated then lowered his voice. "We know Shane McMahon has been seen in and around Davenport for a few months. This could be an internal take-over."

Styles whistled. "Gutsy move," he admitted. "If so, Shane McMahon must be pretty sure he won't be fighting his own people."

"And if he is, it could still be a war in the streets," Cena pointed out.

The flap to the tent opened up and the Deputy Coroner hurried in. "Those yahoos are coming," he muttered.

Seconds later several FBI agents stormed into the tent. "What's this about you taking the bodies back to Davenport?"

Malenko coolly studied the FBI agent. He was aware that both Cena and Styles had moved to flank him. "The Deputy Coroner is very good with communicating. I know that's not what he said to you."

"Now look here…"

"No, you look here." Malenko put some bass into his voice. "We're heading back to Davenport. It's entirely possible we're going to have war in the streets over this. Our place is in Davenport protecting our citizens."

"We'll have our agents on site within hours to take care of that."

"Bullshit." Malenko was aware of both his detectives glancing at him. It was very rare he indulged in off-color language. "We could have tens of dead bodies on the streets by then. Now, you guys decide who gets jurisdiction over this scene and those bodies. The Deputy Coroner will stay on site until that's decided. I would, however, point out decomposition is going to start pretty soon which is going to make autopsies problematic."

"You don't make decisions here, Malenko. We're Federal agents. We outrank you."

"The only person who outranks me is the Mayor of Davenport," Malenko firmly retorted.

"I'll see about that." The Federal agents stormed out of the tent.

"Does the Mayor know about this?" Cena quietly asked.

Malenko nodded. "I called him on the way out here." He took a deep breath. "Get back to Davenport. I'll be right behind you."

"And if they try to stop us?" Styles asked with a half-grin.

"Go through them," Malenko ordered.

Styles' grin widened as he sketched a salute at Malenko. As he and Cena walked towards their car, an Iowa state patrolman fell into step with them. "Get going while you can," he softly spoke. "Our Captain just showed up and is reading those idiot Feds the riot act."

"Appreciate it," Cena nodded.

Inside the tent, Malenko turned to the Deputy Coroner. "How long until decomposition starts?"

"Not long."

"Give them a deadline, then start packing up," Malenko ordered.

"And if they try and stop us?"

"They won't," Malenko promised as he walked out of the tent. "They're not the only ones who can do an end run."

The Deputy Coroner turned to his assistants. "Start packing up," he ordered. He walked to the tent flap and saw Malenko quickly walking to his car. He heard the sound of a helicopter and looked up. "Channel 11 News. Just great."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

McIntyre grumbled as his cell phone buzzed. "This better be important," he grunted as he reached for his phone. He frowned at the text notification. "What's he wanting this early?" He opened the cell phone then sat straight up in bed as he read the test. He saved the message then sent a text of his own.

'Urgent. Need to meet NOW.'

He got to his feet and quickly dressed in sweats. It wasn't appropriate attire for this type of meeting. But there were always exceptions to the rules.

Ten minutes later, everyone but Matthews was in Roman's office. Matthews was at the MDM Foundation taking his turn at being in charge of nighttime security. McIntyre knew that either Roman or Naomi would fill him in. He didn't waste any time in starting the meeting.

"Vince McMahon, Hunter Helmsley and Bobby Lashley have been found dead of gunshot wounds," McIntyre crisply said. "My source says they were found in Helmsley's limo but were not killed there."

Silence.

"Your source is positive," Roman finally spoke.

"Positive identification," McIntyre nodded. "The limo was found outside the city limits. Members of county and state law enforcement were on the scene and Malenko was called in. FBI agents showed up and everybody except Malenko was arguing about jurisdiction. Malenko said he and his detectives were going back to Davenport as he expected some 'war in the streets' over this." McIntyre smirked, "The FBI said they outranked him and Malenko said only the Mayor outranked him and walked out. Channel 11 News also had a helicopter circling the site so it won't be long before the word is out who the victims are."

"Malenko must be thinking the Bloodline is behind this, and there will be retaliation," Black mused.

"Or Shane took them out and Malenko's thinking there will be an internal war," Jericho added.

There was silence for a few seconds, then Roman quietly spoke. "You're speculating that Shane had not only his brother-in-law taken out, but his own father as well."

Jericho shrugged. "It's a possibility."

Roman slowly nodded. "In either case, or any other case, the cops will be looking at our direction and maybe the Authority as well. Shoto, select two crews to go the Foundation. They'll work with Matthews and Naomi. If there are any problems, hit the alarm and let the cops handle it. Mox, close up shop at least for today. Contact Seth and tell him to do the same. While the probability of trouble for the two of you is relatively low, there's no need to take chances. Yuta, get your crews on alert. Keep an eye on our businesses and be ready to provide support to Shoto. McIntyre, send two of your crews to beef up security around the hotel. Put them under Black's command and keep in contact with your sources and, if necessary, provide additional support where necessary. Black, you're with Zelina. Jimmy and Jey, put your crews on alert to provide any assistance. Jericho and Marko, monitor the Authority's comunications as closely as possible without tipping them off. Keep me advised of any sudden unexpected traffic. Everyone, make sure we make no moves unless attacked." He turned on his computer. "I'll be notifying Dwayne and the others to be on guard."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

As soon as Malenko was in his car, he used the voice command to call a number.

"Iceman! Miss me already?"

"I need help," Malenko crisply said.

"You got it," Austin promised.

"Vince McMahon, Hunter Helmsley and one of Helmsley's top people were found dead in McMahon's limo early this morning. The car was found outside Davenport city limits. Right now, the county, state and FBI are arguing about jurisdiction," Malenko quickly reported. "My concern is a war breaking out in Davenport, and I'm heading back there now. The FBI tried to stop me by saying they could outrank me."

"Like hell," Austin snarled. "What do you need?"

"Somebody who can outrank the FBI."

"Oh, hell, yeah," Austin laughed. "I got just the lady for the job. Give me twenty minutes, and I'll call you back. My boss has got a score to settle with the FBI. And she's got the connections to give her the pull to order the FBI." He hesitated then added, "Think the Bloodline did this?"

"It's possible," Malenko admitted. "But Shane McMahon has been in Davenport for some time. If we don't find his body, then it's possible that he's behind this."

"Damnation."

Malenko coldly smiled when Austin hung up. "Now to call the Mayor."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hours later, in a house in Sagaponack, Long Island, a woman shrieked in fury and grief.

Knowing that she couldn't stop Stephanie's emotional outbursts, Linda McMahon took her granddaughters upstairs, dreading to tell them their father wasn't coming home. For now, she wouldn't tell them who was responsible.