-5-

The dinner hour at the Morton farm approached and the women had outdone themselves. Callie pulled out a pair of lemon meringue pies from the oven as Iola and Aimee were manning two deep cast iron skillets full of fried chicken.

Callie looked out the kitchen window towards the portion of the back pasture that she could see. "I hope Chet and Maddie get back soon. Their afternoon of tree house construction is about to cross into the dinner hour." She fretted.

Iola grinned and glanced over at her best friend. "The problem is you don't have that same menacing authority that Gertrude Hardy has. In all the years we have eaten over there, I doubt we ever held up the dinner."

Callie gave an audible grunt. "Chet wouldn't dare! To this day he is scared to death of the woman and would never want to make her mad. Of course, it doesn't hurt that she is an amazing cook."

"Here they come!" Aimee announced as she pointed out the window to the approaching off road utility vehicle.

Callie looked back out and saw that her husband and daughter were indeed pulling up. "About time." She said as she glanced down and watched Iola removing the chicken from the pan.

In less than a minute the screen door slammed and the stout figure of Chet Morton came into the kitchen with a smile on his face. He paused before Callie and took an approving sniff. His smile became even broader and he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "Fried chicken! Wow, my lucky day. It smells great."

Callie smiled to him and pointed over to Iola. "Well, thanks, babe. But the credit for the chicken goes to Iola and Aimee. All I made was a couple lemon meringue pies." She gestured towards the cooling rack which held two large pies.

Chet's eyebrows perked immediately. "Damn! How did I get so lucky to have three lovely ladies making me one of my favorite meals?"

Iola rolled her eyes at her brother and giggled. "Must be your charmed life, bro." She held her arms open and smiled. "What? No hug for your favorite sister who just made you dinner?"

Chet gave his forehead a mock slap with his palm, then proceeded to give Iola a hug. "Sorry, sis. It's good to see you after your little absence. I hope you are doing well. Is everything alright with you and Joe Jr?"

Iola nodded and smiled broadly. "Yes, I am doing well. And both Joe junior and senior are doing well, too!"

Chet walked along towards the fridge, giving Aimee a smile and quick slap on the rear as he passed. She perked her eyebrows at him in return. "Well, well, my pal Joe finally pulled his head out, did he?" he asked as he reached into the fridge and pulled out a Guinness.

Iola watched him take a seat at the head of the table and twist off the cap on the bottle. "Joe did indeed, bro. We had a very good heart to heart, and I think things are back on track. So, the next time you see him I expect you to be nice."

Chet looked up at her with an innocent expression on his face. "Well of course, sis. Joe is still my friend. We all fall off the commonsense wagon from time to time."

Iola looked at him with an amused expression. "Bro, I could say so much right now, but in the spirit of it being a good day, I won't."

Callie heard the stairs creaking and footsteps from above, then looked at Chet. "What's Maddie up to?"

"Oh, I just told her to get changed and wash up for dinner. She was definitely working hard out there and got kind of dirty."

Callie nodded and then looked down at her husband. "Well, I hope she isn't the only one with common sense to not come to dinner with dirty hands." Her stern look was all that Chet needed to immediately get up from the table and excuse himself.

Iola smiled and gestured to Callie. "See, you have some of that Gertrude Hardy backbone in you. Our own mother would have had to ask twice."

Callie giggled dismissively and waved her off. "Chet smelled good food, and that was a very persuasive motivation."

A few moments later a sound of rushed steps coming down the stairs could be heard. Almost immediately, Maddie walked into the kitchen and smiled at everyone. "Hi everyone." She greeted casually.

Iola smiled and exchanged hugs with her niece. "Hey, girl! Good to see you again. Did your dad and you have fun?"

Maddie nodded and took a seat. "Yeah, we are like half done! Dad let me go nuts with the screw gun."

Her aunt took on a goofy smile at the phrase. "Well, he does enjoy using it, dear."

Maddie blinked a few times, then started giggling and shook her head. "TMI, auntie!" she scolded.

"Yeah, auntie, way too much information in that quip." Callie smirked at her.

Iola glanced quickly over at Aimee, hoping her offhand remark hadn't offended her friend. Aimee bit her lip and shook her head with a bemused expression.

"I think this dinner is definitely ready." She deflected and started bringing food to the table. Aimee knew that Iola didn't make her comment with any mean spirit. And truth be told, Chet did indeed like to use it. This she knew quite well first hand.

Chet walked into the kitchen and made an effort to wave his clean hands about for all to see. "Alright, I am sterile."

Aimee brought over a plate of biscuits and set them down on the table, then turned around and slapped his rear. "Good boy, I love a clean man, Walter."

Chet took a seat and grinned at her. "I try my best. Sorry I didn't wear the vest, I know that turns you on."

Callie shook her head at them. "Get it out of your system, kids. We will have to put our game faces on later. This dinner will provide some solid sustenance for us. It's been awhile since I did an actual stakeout."

"When is Frank getting off his shift?" Iola asked as she took a seat.

Callie looked down at her phone to check the time. "About an hour and a half."

Iola nodded, then looked at her own phone. "Gonna get cold tonight, so you three be prepared. I'd love to join you, since I am a bit curious about this whole case you fell into. But figure Joe will be coming home tonight, and I should be there."

Callie smiled. "Well, I can't blame you there, girl."

"How late do you think you will be, mom?" Maddie looked over curiously. She was not really used to either of her parents engaging in such work.

Callie tilted her head thoughtfully as she twisted the cap off her Guinness bottle. "Can't say for sure, baby girl. But I bet you and Aimee can pass away the time in this nice warm house. I just need to follow this down and see what's going on over there."

"If we can." Chet finished thoughtfully. "I've been on enough stakeouts with Frank to know that these things aren't always fruitful."

Callie gave him a mock shove to the arm. "Try to have a little faith, babe. If there is someone in trouble over there, we are going to help them. Frank Hardy better watch his step if he keeps this a strictly by the book job."

Chet nodded briefly as he tore into his chicken and glanced at his sister. They both knew that Callie's dedication to finishing something was usually a good thing. They had both quietly hoped that she wouldn't become overzealous.

The dinner hour passed with a relaxed and generally happy banter among family and friends. Maddie took the pie plate from the counter which contained a good piece and a half of pie and smiled to her father. "How about another piece, dad?" She asked gesturing towards the remaining dessert.

Chet looked up with a weary smile, then patted his stomach with contentment. "No, thank you, baby. Three cuts of pie is my high water mark."

Maddie smiled gleefully. "Dibbs!" She announced, claiming the remaining portion.

Callie looked over at her daughter, smiling with pride "Enjoy, baby. I'm glad you like it." She bent over and kissed her daughter's head.

"She knows a good pie when she eats one." Iola agreed, then glanced down at her brother who looked like he was ready to take a nap as he leaned back rubbing his stomach. "Stay awake bro, you have work to do tonight."

Chet groaned as he thought about the prospect of them out in the dark, cold night watching a house. "Don't remind me! I think I need a bicarbonate of soda and forty winks."

Callie looked down with a smirk. "Surely, you will recover by the time Frank gets here."

Chet looked over at Aimee, who offered a shrug. "Don't ask me to offer any influence. You saw her look, babe. She seems serious." Chet nodded slowly as he realized he was going to have to recover from his overindulgence.

Callie looked at them both and gave a brief laugh. "Yeah, hun, I don't think she is going to be much of a persuasion. I will be out there in the cold, and I can think about you with your head in her lap. She would run her fingers through your hair, saying poor, poor baby."

He tilted his head and smiled to himself. "Sounds like a nice evening to me." He said under his breath.

Iola looked down at her brother and shook her head. "You're digging a deep hole, bro. Stop while your behind."

"Suppose I should." He conceded, then smiled cheerfully at his wife. "Am already feeling better, angel. I can't wait to get out there!"

Callie nodded knowingly. In spite of his occasional objections, she knew her husband was dedicated to assisting with anything she needed his help with. "Let me take your plate, babe. I will get you a bicarbonate of soda. Will get your all fixed up. But maybe next time three double slices of pie might not be the best choice."

"I think you're right." He admitted as he sat back and watched his wife and sister do the dishes.

Aimee walked over to the medicine cabinet and looked about for several moments, then glanced over to the others. "I'm not finding this bicarbonate of soda marked on any of these pill boxes."

Iola looked over at her with an amused expression, then walked over to the pantry. "That's ok, girl. I will get it." She pulled out a small box of baking soda from the baking supplies and brought it over to the counter. Aimee's eyebrow went up in question, and Iola giggled, then patted her friend's arm. "It's ok. I forget that you are a new character and wasn't around back in the 50's." She filled a glass half full of water and then removed a teaspoon and stuck it inside the box of baking soda. She removed a leveled spoon of the white powder and mixed it into the water, then finally set it in front of her brother. "There ya go, bro."

Chet smiled gratefully and took the glass and began to sip, then set the drink down. "Thanks, sis, that should do the trick."

A half an hour later Chet stated that he felt a good deal better, then excused himself to prepare for the evening's stakeout.

Iola just finished wiping the last dish dry and sighed. "I should probably go shortly so I can get home. I imagine Joe will be there shortly and don't want to be absent." Before anyone could reply, a knock on the door could be heard.

"Probably Frank." Callie said looking at the clock on the wall, and proceeded to walk to the front door. Upon opening it, she was somewhat surprised to see not only Frank, but Joe Hardy as well.

The younger Hardy brother gave a sheepish look and a wave. "Hey, Callie." He greeted. Frank smiled to his brother and then to Callie.

"Joe dropped by to see me towards the end of my shift. When I told him what was going on here, he seemed interested and offered to help." He gave a hopeful expression that Callie would see the offer as a positive thing.

Callie Morton smiled to Joe and leaned over and gave him a hug. "Of course! That is very kind of you, Joe. And it's wonderful to see you and very good of you to come along."

Joe was happy that Callie had been willing to overlook any past animosity that she may have had. He was concerned that his unannounced presence might be cause for concern. He smiled as he and Frank followed her into the house. "Glad I can try to help, Cal. Frank filled me in, and it sounds like there might be something afoot. I will do anything I can!"

They walked into the kitchen and Iola looked over in surprise when she saw her husband. "Hey, babe. How did you end up here? I was thinking I was running late getting back home."

Joe tugged at his shirt collar a bit uneasily. It was true he had told Iola he was going to be home that evening, but upon hearing Frank's story and the intrigue of another case, he had opted to come along. He offered Iola a nod. "I know, but Frank told me he was coming out here to do a stakeout about this house. I thought I'd give you a call when I arrived here and let you know."

Iola smiled and put her arm around him nodding understandingly. "Well, that's a good reason for sure. I know Callie would be open to all the help she can get." She said with a significant look at her best friend. Iola was a bit nervous on how welcome Joe would be.

Callie waved Iola off. "Relax, girl. I've already hugged the big lug. We are good all around."

Again, Joe felt assured that any of his past activity was not being held against him by the Mortons. At least not the ones present in the room. He looked down at Maddie and smiled. "Hey there, Madeleine! It's good to see you again. It has been a while for sure. I hope you are doing well after that terrible experience."

Maddie forced a smile. Her discomfort had nothing to do with the animosity that her parents may have held at some point. She knew nothing about that. She simply was hoping that this wasn't going to be another inquiry from a well meaning relative about how she was coping after having been kidnapped. It was a subject she didn't often care to reflect upon. If she were to truly ask herself how she was feeling about anything relating to the subject, Maddie herself simply didn't know. "I'm fine, thank you." She murmured, then looked over at her mom. "I think I will go upstairs."

"May I join you, girl?" Aimee asked, also feeling a little uncomfortable. Having been an occasional lover of Iola's, she knew that Joe probably didn't care all that much for her.

Maddie gave her an understanding look and a brief nod. "Sure, Aimee." The pair soon excused themselves from the kitchen.

Callie gave Joe a fretful look. "Sorry, Joe, I hope you aren't offended. Maddie is just pretty quiet when anyone even touches on the subject."

Joe smiled and gave her a casual wave. "No sweat, Cal. I shouldn't have even mentioned it. Is she doing alright?"

"Well for the most part I think she is. I mean her therapist seems to think she is progressing through things. But she keeps the topic limited to her therapy sessions and probably with her friend, Jaime, who was also held prisoner."

Joe nodded soberly. "Yes, I suspect it's not exactly the subject you broach easily with mom and dad."

"Indeed, it isn't, Joseph." A voice boomed from the entryway. All heads turned to see the figure of Chet Morton looking at them, or perhaps it was just at the younger Hardy brother.

Joe took in his friend's expression. It wasn't particularly angry, but more cautionary in nature. After a few more moments, Joe's face relaxed and he offered a hopeful grin. "Hey, buddy! Good to see you. I hope your overindulgence of pie hasn't placed you in a difficult mood tonight."

It didn't take long for Chet's expression to relax as he looked off to the side, doing his best not to laugh at his friend's ribbing. He may not have been thrilled by the recent choices of his friend, but also knew his own choices weren't really any different. Chet was not going to be one to cast stones. If Iola was open minded enough to take him back in, then surely he should be just as open. They were all friends, and they all had their moments which were less than noble. He looked back up at his chum. "Doing alright, Joe. Had a bicarbonate of soda and am ship shape for the evening."

"Bicarbonate of soda?" Joe mused with twinkling eyes. "Will Sam Spade be joining us tonight?"

Callie giggled as she passed him on the way to the fridge. "Easy, Joe. At least half our readers are not of age to be able to catch these jokes."

"Watch that 4th wall, guys." Frank muttered, looking at his watch. "I want to get home in time to get some sleep."

Chet stepped forward and gave Joe a quick embrace and pat on the back. "It's good to see you, man. It's good of you to come out tonight. I don't know what's going on, if anything, but at least we can hopefully figure it out with your help."

"No problem, pal." Joe smiled, feeling the relief that he was once again in everyone's good graces. Iola placed her arm around him and looked at the others.

"Well, guess I don't need to get home after all. Guess I could hang here with Aimee."

Joe offered her a sideways glance and squeezed her tight. "Or maybe you can just come along with us. Never hurts to have another set of eyes on a stakeout."

"Ok!" Iola agreed quickly.

Callie laughed out loud and pointed at Joe. "She played you perfectly on that one, Mr. Hardy!" Iola grinned and she and Callie exchanged a high five hand slap.

Joe grinned ruefully, then shrugged. "Maybe she did, Cal. But I am good with bringing her on this one. Not like there will be much risk looking at some old lady's house, waiting to see if she makes an appearance."

Iola looked about, then at the others. "Be right back, my jacket is in my car. Probably going to get even cooler later."

"I will keep you warm tonight, babe." Joe smiled at her.

"If you're lucky." She smirked, excusing herself.

Frank stood up and looked at the others. "Ok, so that makes five. We should probably be extra cautious when we get there so as to maintain some discretion. Like I suggested earlier, let's walk. I don't want to drive a vehicle down the road and tip anyone off."

Chet took on an irritated expression as he looked out into the cold evening darkness, then back to the others. "That's quite a walk, and I'm not as young as I used to be." He complained. "How about we take the side by side through the woods and just park well before we get to the property?"

Frank rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he considered the suggestion that they take the off-road utility vehicle Chet bought for the farm. Ultimately, he shrugged his acceptance. "I guess that would be a good idea, Chet. Besides, you were pretty good at complaining as we walked along in the cold night back when we weren't so old." He needled his stout chum.

Chet shrugged off the good natured ribbing and went about checking his pistol. Joe looked at his friend with an amused look.

"Only a 9mm kinda night, huh, pal?" He asked, taking note of the smaller sized pistol. "What happened to that big Smith and Wesson revolver you used to lug around?"

Chet looked over at him with a sheepish grin. "That thing is too damn heavy." He admitted. "Back when I was younger I had my Dirty Harry thing going on. These days I don't really even carry all that much. But always have a gun or two handy, just in case."

"Gun or two?" Callie echoed with a laugh. "Try over 200 at last inventory!"

Her husband squirmed a bit uncomfortably. "Well, babe, that is more my collection than anything." He looked at the Hardys. "I have a pretty nice collection of rare guns, but only have a few I'd use if I were still in the detective game."

Joe gave him a shrug and gestured. "You know, pal, there is always room back at the agency if you wanted to join back up. Get your license renewed, bring your other half."

Truth be told, Chet had never really considered a return to the detective game until he had been forced back in with his daughter's abduction. And while the circumstances of that case were more disturbing, and quite personal, he had perhaps developed a revived appreciation for it.

He smiled at his friend and gave a non-committal look. "Well, you never know, pal. Food for thought." Both Frank and Callie seemed a little surprised that he hadn't shot down Joe's suggestion right off. It seemed that as much as things had changed, some stayed the same.

Callie busied herself by gathering a jacket and some basic supplies like a water bottle, several energy bars, and a flashlight. Iola nodded her approval. "Looks like you are ready. No gun?" She teased.

"Callie looked thoughtful for a few moments, then waved off the idea. "Eh, it's upstairs locked in the safe. Besides, Chet and Frank are armed. And while I am concerned for what seems to be happening there, I don't think I need to go in wearing full tactical gear."

"Probably not." Frank agreed, glad that Callie was approaching the evening's activities sensibly and wasn't going overboard. He looked down at his watch. "Well, shall we mount up?"

The group traveled through the cool, dark night. Callie looked over at Chet as he guided the off-road vehicle through the back pasture in a north westerly direction. "Sure glad you bought this thing, babe. I don't think we remember how far away things are when we are kids. It didn't seem all that much of a walk when I was young."

Frank slapped his hand on Chet's shoulder from the back seat. "I got to agree with Callie, pal. Even though I could walk, it's certainly a lot easier with a rig like this."

Joe and Iola both nodded their agreement and were grateful for not having to walk the estimated one to two miles through the dark woods at night. "Yep, sometimes it's nice to have friends and relatives with disposable income."

Chet chuckled at the good natured commentary. "That is true, my friend. You guys have always made me feel accepted and appreciated, before and after the money. I can't say as much for some people I used to associate with back in the Hamptons."

Callie smiled and rubbed his back. There was definitely a time not all that long ago when her husband felt the need to associate and compete with his wealthy friends. While they had definitely helped steer him and his investments into long term financial security, Callie had often felt at odds with those they knew where they used to live. For all the need that their boy's club had to become masters of the universe, Callie thought their wives were worse. A group of pretentious, backstabbing bitches, the lot of them.

She was quite happy to be removed from that chapter of her life.

They traveled along in silence on the level pastureland. The crosswind whipped against their faces, reminding them that it was indeed the middle of December. Chet slowed the vehicle down as it headed downward and bounced over several shallow gullies. They soon entered an area of woodlands that they would make their way through to reach the Daniel's property. Progress was much slower as Chet drove cautiously up the wooded incline. The LED lighting was good, but with the thick blanket of leaves on the ground it was never safe to assume the integrity of the ground.

"We should eventually run into a barbed wire fence." Iola spoke up from the rear of the vehicle. "I walked out here with dad a number of times when we still had livestock. He was always patching the fence when we had cows."

Chet nodded reflectively. "Yeah, I helped him on occasion. I always hated checking the fence line as I knew there would usually be half a dozen spots to mend."

"I wonder how many times your dad was looking for you to do something on the farm, only to later figure out you were at our house hiding and enjoying a second lunch." Joe needled with a laugh.

Chet turned and glared briefly. "You act like I did that all the time. I might have had a couple meals at your house…"

"A couple?!" Joe exclaimed. "Chet, pal, since we have known you, we could easily attribute at least twenty head of cattle to your consumption alone! What do you mean a couple?"

"To say nothing of pies." Frank added. "What ya think, bro? Three…four…thousand pies for Chet alone? I can't imagine how many labor hours that mom and aunt Gertrude have dedicated just to keep his sweet tooth satisfied." Chet glanced in the rearview mirror to see the two Hardys almost ready to burst in laughter.

"Hmmpf!" came an audible grunt, shaking off the teasing. Even Callie couldn't resist the chance to make light of things.

"We could also talk about how many times I've served you up pie, babe, and didn't get anything in return."

Iola rubbed her temples at the off-color humor. "God, girl, don't go there." She implored, knowing how easily her best friend could open up on the subject. And even though Callie had slept with everyone in the vehicle except Joe, Iola was much more a proponent of girl-talk remining amongst the girls. Callie glanced over her shoulder at her. "Oh, fine." She conceded, realizing the subject could provide embarrassment for some.

Chet shifted into low gear as the XUV began climbing steeply upward. "Definitely glad we aren't walking up this hill in the dark." He muttered, often having to squint through the bright headlights to see the dense terrain he was navigating through.

After climbing a steep hill, the ground leveled off and within ten minutes they came to an abrupt halt as Chet applied the brakes. He gestured forward as the lights indicated a triple row barbed wire fence. "Looks like this is as far as we go in this ride." He sighed.

The group alighted from the vehicle and Frank stepped onto the middle fence wire and gestured towards the woman. "Ladies, you can cross through here." he offered. They soon had all crossed over and made their way towards the property. Ten minutes walk brought them to an open pasture. Frank, who was leading the group extinguished his flashlight and looked at the others. "We should be almost there. If we go through that bank of trees, we should be on top of the place." The others nodded, then continued to follow.

As Frank had predicted, they had soon penetrated through a patch of overgrown trees and arrived on the edge of a clearing. The group all looked up at once. The ominous shadow of the mansion struck out against the moonlight.

Chet gulped as he took in the structure. "Looks even creepier at night." He quavered.

Joe slapped his friend on the back and looked up at the house. "Relax, pal, I will be right next to you so nothing bad happens."

Frank nodded. "I think we should split up and keep an eye on the place from various vantage points. Perhaps from all four corners of the home."

"Makes sense." Callie agreed. "Iola and I will take the corners from back here. How about you fellows take the front corners?"

"Works for us." Frank agreed. "We can communicate through text messages."

Iola would have preferred to have Joe keeping her company, but saw the logic in spreading out and keeping an eye on all four corners of the property. "Alright then." She said as she took her phone out to check the power, glancing up to Callie "I will take the west corner of the back. Why don't you go hang out on the garage side?"

"Sounds like a plan." She whispered, then leaned over and kissed Chet on the cheek. "Keep your eyes open, babe. See ya soon."

Chet felt a bit more confident having the endorsement of his wife. "I will. Love you, baby."

Callie paused, then looked at him. The random I Love You had been lacking in recent times. It seemed always more associated with times of stress or regret. He must have said it a dozen times after the news with Aimee came out. But seldom did it occur so randomly as it just did. She leaned over and kissed him again. "I love you, too."

Callie and Iola drifted away from the men and took positions at the rear corners of the property. Frank led the others along the edge of woods on the west side of the house. The wind caught the eerie sounding windchimes that they had heard on the previous visit. The clanging metal seemed haunting as it broke through the darkness. Upon reaching the front edge of the property he looked back over to Chet and Joe. "You guys stay in this corner, and I will try to conceal myself in that small patch of woods over to the east by the road."

Joe gave a thumbs up as he and Chet watched Frank drift off among the shadows. He then turned to his friend. "Guess we better get comfortable." He whispered as he strained to determine what he could sit on nearby. A moment later they were rewarded with a long log laying on its side. The pair took a seat. Fortunately they still had a good vantage point of the house from their seated position.

"So, Cal thinks she heard a voice calling for help?"

Chet nodded slowly, then glanced over at him. "That's what she says."

Joe couldn't help but question the tone in his voice. "You have reason to doubt her claim?"

He shook his head. "Not really. She seemed pretty sure, but the truth is I didn't hear anything. Granted, Frank and I were at the rear of the house at the time. I don't have any real reason to doubt her. I guess maybe there is a little part of me that thinks she may have just heard voices carry in the distance. Honestly, I am not sure."

Joe nodded, then gestured in the other direction. "There is a neighbor just down the road, isn't there?"

Chet nodded doubtfully. "There is, but the place seems to be vacant. At least that's the impression that we got when we stopped in front of it for a few."

Joe nodded, then looked down. "Everything else going alright?"

Chet sensed his friend was dancing around the obvious topic with his vague inquiry. "Are you referring to the fact Aimee is knocked up like a cheerleader and kinda living with us?"

"Well…" Joe began with a wry smile. "If you put it that way, then yes, that is what I was referring to."

Chet couldn't help but chuckle softly. "All things considered, not bad. I mean I could have easily been served divorce papers by this point."

Joe nodded soberly. "For sure. Callie is pretty open, all things considered. Then again, so is Iola." He glanced nervously at his brother-in-law. "I really didn't mean to do what I did, but things just happened, ya know?"

Chet waved him off casually and starred out into the darkness. "You don't owe me an explanation, man. Things happen and we just go with it sometimes. We are only human, ya know?"

"Yeah. That we are."

The notion that both Joe and Chet could accept each other's infidelity and leave it at that was enough for now. There was no need for them to be outraged with the other, nor cast harsh judgment. There was enough of that from others that had already been spoken, or in Chet's case, was to come.

"Mom and dad don't know yet." Chet lamented quietly. "Cal reminded me that it would be best to get that out of the way. She is right, of course. It's just going to be a difficult conversation, ya know?"

Joe nodded, fully aware of how family members could at times let their feelings be known. "I hear ya there, man. And knowing your mom as I do, it will be hard."

Chet nodded knowingly, then offered Joe a sideways glance. "I guess I will just be direct and to the point. You know, walk in, and say Hey, mom, great news! You are going to be a grandma again. And just so you know, it will be with my wife's lover who is closer in age to your granddaughter than she is me."

Joe cringed, then shrugged. "Ya might want to drop that last line. Most women don't appreciate their husbands and sons becoming attracted to much younger women."

"How old is Vanessa?"

"26." Joe sighed.

"Looks like I have you beat then." Chet grunted thoughtfully.

Joe nodded soberly. "They say it doesn't get any better when you are older. We could be in our fifties and still desire the company of a 26 year old."

"Wonderful." Chet lamented as he ran his fingers through his short hair.

The pair fell into silence as they observed the front of the mansion, looking for any sign that there may be an inhabitant inside. After several minutes Joe began texting Iola to pass the time.

Frank squatted in the bushes comfortably as he kept a steady vigil upon the home. There had not been any movement, but such things as stakeouts often proved to be tests of patience. He looked at each window through his miniature binoculars to ensure there were no movements or evidence of even the dimmest light.

Callie sat on a tree stump about ten feet from the rear corner of the garage. She had a fairly unobstructed view of the rear eastern corner of the house. She could see most of the windows on the side and much of the back of the home. She was using her phone camera with the digital zoom function to view the windows. She took a series of photos and video clips as well. While not as efficient as a pair of infrared binoculars, it was helpful as she scanned from one window to the next.

Nearly two hours ticked by. The group had communicated back and forth via text every twenty minutes, but no one had spotted anything unusual. Chet sat with his back aching, then pulled his phone from his pocket and started texting Frank.

Chet: How long are we planning to look at this place?

Frank rolled his eyes, imagining his friend's probable impatience and growing hunger.

Frank: I'd buckle down with an energy bar, pal. Your wife isn't likely to let this go when it isn't even midnight yet!

Chet grunted upon reading the text, then fished into his vest pocket for a chocolate bar. He looked down at Joe who appeared preoccupied in textual conversation with Iola. "Frank suggests that we will be here a while."

Joe looked up a moment and nodded. "Yeah, I heard. Cal seems to think something may happen. Iola says there is nothing going on back there."

Chet sat back down on the fallen tree trunk and finished his chocolate, then yawned. "I could use a nap." He confessed.

Joe grinned as he looked over at the house. "Ah, Chet, you remember how this all goes. At least this isn't the desert with 110 degree heat."

His friend's eyes shifted back at him with a grunt. "Don't even remind me of that desert giant case." He grumbled. "You and Frank dragging my ass through the southwest and Mexico. The only plus I remember was getting some good Mexican food out of it!"

Joe rolled his eyes. "Yeah, let's not remember how we saved Mr. Grafton and returned him to his family. Let's just remember how you recalled the above average burrito selection."

"Yeah, well, there is that too, of course." His stout friend admitted.

Another hour passed and even Callie was asking herself if anything was going to happen that night. She none the less persisted with routinely running her camera over each window, even if the action seemed futile.

Shortly after 1:00AM, Callie, who was feeling quite groggy, once again stepped forward from her position to get a better vantage point of the windows. She held up her phone and hit the record button on the video camera. She had developed a process over the course of the night to take a longer video of all the windows, then sit down and review.

She rubbed her eyes briefly and yawned, then held her phone back up. Starting from the right side, she slowly moved the camera lens to cover each window for several seconds then move to the next. She had come to the window that on her first visit had been the one she swore she saw someone in. She pinched her touchscreen to adjust the focus on the frame, taking an extra moment to look.

Suddenly the whole window flickered with light!

"What the Hell?!" She muttered in surprise.

Without considering her hidden position she took a few steps forward and held her phone up. Desperately hoping for the strange light to flicker again!

Callie hadn't held the phone up for more than a few seconds when she heard a rustling sound behind her.

Before she could turn, she felt a heavy object crash against the back of her head!

Her phone flew from her hand, and she fell to the ground.

"That was too easy!" A female voice rasped.

The shadowy figure quickly bent over and started pulling the unconscious figure of Callie Morton towards the garage…