Only months before he died, Jamie's father had decided to investigate the death of her sister, Alana. It would be his last true crime novel before he retired. She needed to complete the story, to unravel the circumstances of Alana's 'accidental' death twelve years ago as a tribute to her father.

The door opened and Jamie spun around, grabbing the first available weapon, a paperweight. She watched as her agent, Brenda, closed the door and walked towards her. Jamie still gripped the glass globe tightly in her hand.

Brenda spoke slow and soothing to her. "Sit down, Jamie, and give it to me. You're safe here."

Jamie reluctantly sat down and set the globe on the desk then handed Brenda a now familiar envelope. "I received another one today. He knows I'm going to California. He's furious about it."

"Just relax, I'll call Richard and let him know. I'll see if he can have someone escort you out there."

Jamie got up to look out the window, again. She didn't want to hear the latest threat read out loud. They'd started out as a harmless communication and progressed to vile possessive threats. He swayed between threatening her life if she didn't stop her current project, and warning that if he couldn't have her, no one would.

She and Brenda had decided the time had come to hire a private security and investigation firm. She didn't want to involve the police and chance the media feeding frenzy her and her father's names might bring. An award winning journalist and dead New York Times Best-selling Author screamed paparazzi and tabloids.

Brenda recommended Richard Thorndike's company. His family owned Thorndike Publishing and Jamie's father had become a good friend, to Richard's father. Mr. Thorndike had been her father's publisher until her father's sudden death six months ago. Even though she'd never met the elder Mr. Thorndike, she trusted Richard because of their fathers' relationship.

Jamie jumped at the sound of Brenda's voice so close.

"Sorry, I said your name at least three times. You were pretty deep in thought."

"I have a lot to think about lately. Is everything set? What time does my plane leave?"

Brenda nodded. "Everything is set. Richard is having two of his agents travel with you. He arranged it ahead of time. You won't know who they are, so it won't tip off your stalker. You leave at two, the same flight as before."

"Good. I have my bags with me. If you're ready we can leave now."

Brenda picked up her phone and asked her secretary to get them some sandwiches. "Actually, you still have time and I don't think you've eaten. I ordered a Rueben, chips a glass of milk and you're latest craving, extra pickles. I want you to eat before you leave and I still have things to worm out of you."

Jamie gave in and sank back down in one of the plush chairs. "Okay, what specific part of my life are you trying to pry into?"

"How about Rick? Have you told him yet?"

"About the stalker?"

"That for one, but more specifically, the growing bulge in your waistline that you won't be able to hide from him."

Jamie looked down at her hands and the paperclip her fingers were twisting into a geometric figure. She didn't want to talk about it for fear the stalker would find out.

"How do I know it's safe to talk here?"

"We don't, but if it isn't, he already knows too much already, so what do you have to lose?"

Jamie relented. "Rick knows about the stalker and he isn't happy. I told him I'm headed to California to stay at Richard's vineyard. If anyone asks I'm taking a vacation at a friend of the family's winery to do some research. He knows I'm staying there for security purposes while they investigate the stalker."

"Did he calm down with that explanation? Will you see him when you're there?"

"Rick highly recommended Richard's firm, which made me feel better. I told him we had something important to discuss that couldn't be done over the phone. We made plans to meet the day after I arrive. That's when I'll tell him."

Jamie dreaded that meeting. Twelve years of friendship had turned to an evening of passion when their paths had crossed almost six months ago on an assignment. It had been late at night and the restaurant was full, so they decided to order room service in the suite. Too much wine and several hours later they'd become friends with benefits who had neglected protection. Here she sat with an expanding waistline and a fear of a ruined friendship on the horizon.

A paperclip bounced off her chest and she heard Brenda laughing. "I can tell where you were by the look in your eyes, Chicago on a cold January night. Do you plan on telling him?"

"Not until this is over. I keep thinking, what if I tell him and the stalker finds out? Rick would be in danger too. I don't want him to get hurt."

"I'd love to be a fly on the wall when you shatter his masculine pride by telling him he can't protect himself never mind you or the baby."

"It's not like that. He's a banker, not a cop. He'd have no idea how to fight something like this. That's the only reason I agreed to go with a professional. I may not trust them, but I believe they'll protect me - us."

"You have the Watchkeeper Agency's background and credentials, you can trust them. It's more than you know about Rick."

"I trust Rick, but I don't want to push him into a corner. I'm capable of raising a child by myself, and I will before I lose his friendship or endanger him."

"Aren't you getting ahead of yourself? Before you tell him he's going to be a father, maybe you should decide if it's safe to have him in your life?"

"I think knowing someone for twelve years means he's already in my life."

Brenda reached forward and grasped Jamie's hands between hers, "Time isn't everything. How do you know you can trust him?"

Jamie and Brenda had become friends and confidants over the years and one of the privileged few she explained herself to.

"Rick was there for me when Alana died and I found out she was pregnant with my fiancé's baby. Rick understood what Brock's betrayal and all his lies did to me. That's how I know I can trust him. He'd never lie to me or hurt me."

"Those are emotions ­- how about some facts, Jamie? You said his last name is Malone. Well, even though I knew you'd object, I Googled him. He doesn't exist. No history. Nothing about his schooling or family. I even searched using his name and 'banking' and there were no hits.

"Maybe his company keeps their stuff secure and unless you're involved in activities or have outstanding school achievements you don't show up on any Google list. I don't know much about his family."

"None of that explains why you didn't have a way to contact him for eight years, but he could reach you whenever or wherever you were during that time. Or why you keep crossing paths on business trips."

Jamie put a hand up, to stop her friend's comments. "Because I trust him, I never asked him to explain why the contact was one way. Both of us travel a lot and sometimes he arranges for us to cross paths. And, I don't care what you say, I won't have Rick investigated. He's not the stalker."

A knock on the door interrupted Jamie. Brenda's secretary entered with lunch and a familiar envelope. Brenda opened it and read the note before allowing Jamie to take it.

"The extra security won't keep you from me. I'll be sitting with you on the flight. Behind you, beside you, in front of you. You won't recognize me. Remember I know everything you do."

Jamie began to shake and felt the room spin. She heard Brenda swear then reach over and push her head down between her knees. When the room stopped spinning, she lifted her head slowly and took a few breaths. She hated how this made her so weak. She'd infiltrated gangs and visited war torn countries without any sense of panic, but a little piece of paper made her feel faint. She felt trapped and out of control.

Brenda scratched a note on paper asking her if she was okay and Jamie nodded. Then Brenda wrote, "Come with me and don't talk. Leave your purse and phone."

Jamie followed Brenda down the hall and was shocked when she took the cell phone out of a secretary's hand. "Sorry," she said and disconnected the call, and took the phone with her. They went into the Ladies room and Jamie sat on the couch, while Brenda checked under the stalls making sure they were alone.

Brenda called Richard and explained the latest threat and where they were now. Jamie leaned in trying to listen. She heard a lot of cursing from Richard and then a lot of 'yes's' and 'okays' from Brenda. Jamie almost took the phone away, but knew it would only cause confusion. Brenda was the levelheaded one right now. Jamie didn't know which way to run.

Brenda ended the call and looked at Jamie. "Change of plans. First thing, we go shopping. A few outfits, cosmetics, new suitcase, and a couple of throw away cell phones. You can only give the numbers to your brother and mother. You have told your family about the threats, haven't you?"

Jamie cringed. "I told my brother, but you know how protective Evan is. I downplayed it. He has enough on his plate. I didn't want to worry him. Mom doesn't know. She?s still reeling from dad's death."

"Do they even know you're pregnant?"

Jamie looked at the floor. "I haven't seen them for a couple months, so they haven't noticed and it hasn't come up in conversation."

Brenda ran her hand through her hair, messing it up. Jamie could sense she wanted to yank on it, but resisted. "Don't you think they deserve to know? Everything?"

"I didn't want them threatened or worried. He obviously can track whatever I do. After I'm safely at Richard's I'll have him contact Evan and tell him everything. Then they can decide how much to tell my mother. I promise I'll tell them, both Evan and Mom, about the baby when I'm safe in California and I can explain who the father is."

Brenda agreed, before calling a car to pick them up. "Now let's go shopping, then off to Thorndike Publishing. You, lady, are traveling on the Thorndike private jet to California. Let's see your stalker get a seat on that plane."

                             ***

Richard finished making multiple travel itineraries for Jamie and two of his top security people. The threats were escalating too fast and she was definitely at risk. When Brenda had first contacted him, it outraged him that anyone would threaten Jamie, but they seemed the typical garden-variety type an investigative reporter would receive. When the frequency of the messages increased, becoming more personal and angry about the investigation into Alana's death he knew something needed to be done, and fast. He'd known Jamie's sister, Alana. Her death twelve years ago had changed his life. He'd always thought it had been more than an accident and had started his own investigation into it. Maybe together, the two of them could find the truth.

He looked at the clock and thought the day couldn't pass quick enough. He wanted her here where she'd finally be safe. His vineyard appeared to be a quiet little winery in Northern California, but it was also a secure compound. No one could enter the perimeter without his knowledge. He hired his people carefully and demanded loyalty. His firm was known for its ability to keep people safe and ferret out those that harmed others. He'd chosen the name for his firm because of two young women that he hadn't been able to watch and keep safe. He vowed it would never happen again. The Watchkeeper Agency was more than a business to him -- it was his mission in life.

Richard was pleased with Brenda's ability to think on her feet and had given her specific directions over the phone. She'd realized there was probably a bug in a phone or purse and had dumped them. Now he wanted everything Jamie owned replaced. Having more than one disposable cell phone would make her calls harder to track. As soon as they purchased them, they were to call him and give him the numbers. There wouldn't be any contact until the plane took off, and then it would be his father who called. His father had promised to see her to the airport and put her on the plane personally. He'd also arranged for his agents to travel by her side instead of undercover as passengers. Richard's cell phone rang and he answered before the first ring finished.

"Hello."

"Hi, Richard, this is Jamie McWilliams. I'm taking over for Brenda as my own keeper. I have my new cell phones and a new wardrobe. I'm in the limo with your father on the way to the airport with your two agents."

Richard schooled his voice to keep it unrecognizable. "It's good to finally talk to you. I'm sure he explained about the jet having unforeseen mechanical problems. We've booked you on three different airlines including one under an assumed name. The plane you'll be on will be landing at a local airport near my home. I'll be there to meet you. Stay safe and I'll see you in a few hours."

Rick looked up at the knock on the door and motioned for his partner, Nash, to enter. He sensed something was on his mind. You had to know Nash well to read his facial expressions because they appeared as variations of scowls. This particular one spelled trouble and asked for a favor all in one.

"So what's got you looking so grim?"

"I just heard from one of my sources back east. There's been a contract put out on my stepsister, today. I really need to get out there with a team."

Rick ran his hand through his hair and tipped his head back with his eyes closed. Nash was his closest friend and he knew how much his stepsister meant to him. If there was any way, he could spare agents to help Nash he would, but he only had three agents free besides his compound agents, and he wasn't giving them up.

"I really wish I could send a team with you, but there isn't anyone available."

"What about Diego's team. He just finished a case. Aren't they available?"

"They were supposed to be finished, but the assignment extended because of a problem. Then I need them. Here's my problem, Nash. Remember the case I told you about, Jamie McWilliams?"

"Yeah."

"Well the crap hit the fan and she's coming out here today. With the escalation in the threat I can't leave the compound low on resources."

"I understand Rick, but this is Shelby I'm talking about. My family. She's as important to me as Jamie is to you."

"Is there anyway you could get Shelby to come out here?"

"That's not even an option. I haven't spoken to her since the trial. I was hoping we could send a team and I could oversee them without her knowing."

"Why wouldn't you want her to know you're protecting her?"

"It's not that. I don't want to see her. She's finally picked up the pieces and gone on with her life. I don't want her to have to deal with all the memories I'd bring back. For all I know, she still hates me."

Rick got up from his desk and walked around it, stopped and put a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"I think fate just dealt us both an interesting hand. You're going to have to deal with your past, and so will I. Unfortunately, neither of us will be there to help the other. Looks like we're on our own."

Nash turned on Rick and shoved the hand off his shoulder. "Your not alone Rick, and you never have been. You have a team with you this time and family that will drop everything and join you. This business is part mine and I want part of the team to protect the only family I have."

"You're right. It is unfair, but I can't give you half the team. The compound is too big to protect." He quickly ran through the team assignments in his head, working out any possible reassignments.

"I'll send Rachel with you. A female agent might prove to be useful with your sister."

Nash nodded and headed for the door without saying anything else.

Rick stopped him and asked, "Can you call Devin?"

"I already have. He's watching her now."

"Is he still a cop?"

"Yeah."

"Is his PI license current?"

"Yes, and I'm hoping he has some vacation time coming and is willing to cash in a few favors."

"Call him back and tell him that if he doesn't have any vacation time I'll pay him double if he takes leave. Then meet me in the Hot Room in twenty minutes. I'll get the team I'm working with to join us, before patching in Diego. We'll put some plans in place for both situations. When Diego's team is free, I'll send two more out to you. I promise."

Rick watched his friend leave and felt guilty about the lack of help he could give. He'd never thought he'd be selfish with his resources, but discovered when it came to Jamie everything was different. At least the sudden change of events would take up the rest of the day and keep him from going crazy waiting for her to arrive.

The phone rang, jarring him from his thoughts. He answered it briskly and without a greeting. "Hello."

The female voice on the other end sounded unsure. "Is this Richard Thorndike?"

"Yes, I'm sorry. You've reached The Watchkeeper Agency."

"Hi, Richard, it's Brenda."

"What can I do for you?"

"I promised Jamie I wouldn't tell anyone, but I think there's something you need to know to protect her properly."

"Any detail that is left out could endanger her or could be the missing piece that leads us to her stalker."

"That's exactly what I told her. She has this friend that has me worried. She's known him for over twelve years. He keeps popping up on her trips and they communicate online all the time. He's been sending her gifts for years. There was a span of eight years when she didn't even know how to contact him, but he kept in contact with her."

"I can see why you're concerned. Does anyone in her family know him?"

"Yes, his name is Rick Malone, but they don't know anything about his background or his family."

Rick moved the phone from his mouth and tried to smother a laugh. He coughed to cover it. "Sorry, Brenda, dry throat. I'm sure he's okay, but I promise to run a background check on him and look into it further when she gets here.

"That's all well and good, but there's more to it. They met in Chicago in January and things went a little further than they intended. She's pregnant. I'm afraid if the stalker finds out he'll try to hurt the baby."

He couldn't breathe or think. Did she say pregnant? Why hadn't Jamie called him and told him? Why was she hiding it?

Brenda interrupted his thoughts with the repetition of his name "Richard? Richard, did you hear me?"

He tried to answer her, but he had to get off the phone. His voice wouldn't come out. He drank the last dregs of his cold coffee before he managed to answer her. "Yes, I heard you. Don't worry, I promise to take very good care of her."

He hung up the phone and looked at the picture of Jamie sitting on his desk. He was going to be a father. And the mother, his best friend, didn't plan on telling him. A sudden chill ran down his spine. Could she be hiding it because she planned on ending it? Not if he had any say. He let his frustration loose on the coffee mug that he had clenched in his fist and heaved it at the doorway.

Rick saw Nash walk in a second too late. Nash managed to duck and swear at Rick then wipe his cheek. He bent down to pick up the mug that had missed his head, bounced off the wall and rattled around on the floor.

"Now I see why Maria insisted on replacing all the mugs in the office with metal ones. How many did you break before she refused to buy anymore?"

Rick replied, "Close the door on your way out."

"No way. You were supposed to be in the Hot Room five minutes ago. Now something has you wound tighter than I've seen in years. What's the problem? Is it Jamie?"

"The last call was Brenda. She wanted to give me a few details about Jamie's life that she felt I should know about. First off, she's worried about the mystery guy in her life named Rick."

He noticed Nash almost let a grin sneak out. "Well that must've been hard to sound concerned over."

"Yeah, I did have a little trouble with that, until she dropped the bomb." Rick dropped his face into his hands and said, "Jamie's pregnant."

"What are you going to do?"

Rick looked up and fell back in his chair. "There's nothing I can do."

"Are you saying you don't want it?"

"Of course I want it. It's ours. I never considered something like this. Good God, she doesn't even know who I am and what I do. I wanted to ease her into it. I'd planned on having her come out for a vacation and getting her used to what I do. See if she might transfer out here and try to build a relationship."

"Sounds like you had it all mapped out, but you know the saying 'life is what happens when you're busy making plans'. I think it's time to make detours on your map and fast."

"This complicates everything. She's going to be furious when she finds out I'm not Rick the banker, but a hired gun. She'll want to turn around and leave. Which, I won't allow. I don't care how mad she is, her safety, and now our baby's, is what comes first."

"Looks like your reunion at the airport is going to be interesting. Can I come?"

"Maybe. I might need you to keep her in the car. The problem is I can't even use the baby as leverage. If I let on that I know then she'll run for sure."

"The last time you two saw each other was in January, so I'd say she won't be hiding the fact. At least not easily."

"I hadn't done the math yet. She's almost six months along. I was worried she hadn't told me because she didn't want the baby. I guess she does."

"Do you think the stalker knows about the pregnancy?"

"I hope not. She's investigating her sister's death, which I believe is related to the stalking. Her sister died of an 'accident' when she was seventeen. She was also pregnant and the family didn't know until after the autopsy. I've always believed Alana was murdered, and if my gut is right, Jamie's stalker is Alana's murderer. Her being pregnant could push him over the edge."

"We better meet with the teams before they give up and leave. Then we'll head for the airport."

Rick and Nash entered the Hot Room for the briefing. Rick remembered his housekeeper, Maria giving the room its nickname. She said, "Whenever you go in that room you come out hot in the head."

Rick turned on the video screen and Diego's face appeared with Carla and Victor in the background. Seated in the room with Rick and Nash were Adam's team, Rachel and William and his remaining compound team member Carlos. He'd sent Grant and Brad to escort Jamie to California. Richard stepped in front of the video camera so Diego's team could see him. "Thanks for waiting everyone. We have a couple of situations that have developed and we're going to need to divide some resources. Both of these cases have personal connections to Nash and me. I'll bring you up to date on the first case and Nash will fill you in on the second.

"Jamie McWilliams is a thirty-two year old female, investigative reporter and daughter of the late, true crime author, Ethan McWilliams. She's being stalked and threatened. The threats have turned to death threats and show signs of a personal nature, but are conflicting in motive. A sample of one of the threats is, 'Stop the investigation or die. If I can't have you, no one will.'"

Rick reached over and put up two pictures, one of Jamie and one of Nash's sister Shelby Raines. He pointed to Jamie's picture then continued with his plans.

"Jamie is coming to the compound today. I was having her come out on the Thorndike jet, however at the last minute it developed mechanical problems. Because the jet is under our protection twenty-four seven, it's been impounded and is being checked for sabotage."

"Moving to Plan B -- I booked three different airline tickets for her. Grant and Brad are traveling with her and they will decide which airlines she takes and will notify me after take-off, which flight she's on."

Nash stepped up and took Rick's place. "The second case involves my step-sister, Shelby Raines. No wise cracks about my actually having a family."

"She lives in Rautland, New Jersey and runs a shelter for abused woman. She specializes in protecting women who have been abused by police officers or officers of the court. I found out today that someone has put out a contract on her. For reasons that I'm not going to explain, we haven't been in contact for the past fifteen years, but I've still kept a close eye on her safety. I need a female, to go undercover in the shelter."

"My friend, Devin, is a police officer and PI in Rautland. He'll be working with me there. We need to know if it's a disgruntled spouse or someone trying to shut down the shelter. While investigating the case, I need someone to keep her safe. I could use another investigator. She's scared of cops, so I need someone who doesn't even remotely look like a cop. Diego, you're my first choice."

Rick stepped up and started splitting up resources. "Rachel, you'll be going to Rautland with Nash. Diego, good work on wrapping up your current case and I know I promised you and your team a week of R and R when you came back, but this changes things. Diego, you go straight to Rautland tomorrow. Adam and Carla will come back here and work on the McWilliams' case with Brad. Grant, William and Carlos will work the compound and do any research either team needs."

Rick looked in the camera lens and around the room, "Any questions?" Heads shook all around. "Good, Nash and I are headed to the airport. Adam, let me know if anything develops on the jet."