Drifters Bar

* Following the attack on the house belonging to Steve's mistress, chief Masters is taken captive by the siblings, Joker and Ripper. They allow Ripper to torture all the information out of him and then serve him his just deserts, using Joker dressed as Steve Smitts to frame the man for Masters' death.

* Jacey feels that he's crowding Kaitlin and fears she's about to leave him. After finding his way to Drifters and finding Cordy and Delsin there, he goes to Gina in the hopes of having a chance to lick his wounds without expecting Jana to be there. Luckily for him, Blake arrives in time to rescue him from Jana's questions. Kaitlin is torn between wanting to set Jacey free and missing him horribly when he's away. When Drey and Anna arrive to look in on her, Kaitlin is left questioning Anna's behavior toward her while Jacey is left with the feeling that he's been a complete @$$ when it comes to showing Kaitlin how much she means to him.

* Carter confides to Taj the history of his parents, how they met and the plan to keep either of them from being killed when the truth of their relationship becomes "public".

* Aleria is prompted into a match with Erik the techie who was mouthing off. After a few illegal manuevers, she gets a public scolding by One that prompts a spat between him and Cory. When Wag arrives on the scene with Bridget, they have Aleria assist during the surgery to save Erik's life. Afterward, Aleria overhears One talking to Charlie about erasing "her" memory and fears that her father may toss her aside if she continues to disappoint him.

* Max doesn't take the news of Steve's escape well, immediately crying for Cutty in the hopes that he can hide away with Cutty and Libby so that Pet and Rook won't be in danger. Cutty denies Max's request until after they find out what Pet and One agree to do to protect him. Cutty does help to make Max feel better about his security and Pet's.

* Jacey sees Shady heading into Drifters and thinks he recognizes her as someone named Arianna. When Shady sees him staring, she knows she can't possibly know him and continues into Drifters to find out that not only does Rafe have a whole family she didn't know about but that one of his sisters was involved with The Hunter, aka Blake.

* Blake starts arranging to have his and Jana's wedding for that Saturday and not the next week like she's expecting, secretly contacting everyone about it to surprise her.

* Pet confesses to Blake and Rook that Cutty and Libby didn't know about Enzo going to Missouri. Libby figures out that they're keeping something from her and Cutty and warns them that they will find out eventually. Later, after asking Enzo to be his best man, Blake gets after Enzo for getting them all in hot water with the parental couple.

* Carter agrees to help Bill investigate the Center when Tina confides her concern. Bill isn't happy for the "help" she arranged, but agrees to let Carter come along when the time comes.

* While discussing the Parker DNA investigation, Wag recalls certain events from his past with Cutty that included a variety of agents disappearing and dying. Some agents that were said to have been killed were later found alive. One of those agents that disappeared included Hadanov, who is suspected of running the Center. Wag warns Tina to have Bill put her and her computer in protective custody when she admits to getting a call from someone named Drago concerning the information she downloaded.

* Wag answers Charlie's and Stephanie's concerns for their unborn baby, the three plotting to talk to the incoming OB/GYN about planning an amniocentisis to verify his conclusions for the baby's health and to foresee any possible complications to the baby's health.

* Izzy quits Velmont Dean, opting to go to work for Tate's campaign, all with the permission of her boss. Ryliegh's failing health is starting to weigh heavily on her.

* Kara, already upset about the hold up on retrieving Kylie's remains, becomes all the more upset when Ripper refuses her request to be his friend.

* Bridget meets Hardy while she and Wag search Darrel's former hotel room for and DNA evidence to prove or disprove Enzo's theory about Max.

* Heath decides he's going to steal Sapphire away from the no good secret boyfriend he's certain she has and makes a plan of action.

* Carter has Taj tell him everything she knows about Bill Mahoney after he agrees to Tina to help Bill with the mission to go after the Center, an agreement that Bill isn't happy about.

* Kara's chemistry with Ripper is unsettling to Luke, especially when she refuses to believe that Ripper could possibly return to hurt them one day. As Ripper, Enzo asserts to her that Luke is right but she refuses. Later, when confronted by Dan, Enzo loses some of his temper then lies about the reason why Kara is upset, not wanting to tell Dan about the request for friendship which might endanger Kara later if anyone else were to know.

* Delsin comes to the mind that getting to know Wag better might be a good idea after watching the doctor and Bridget together when Wag brings her home. His first idea is for all of them to have a family dinner.

* Wag gets confirmations from two doctors to report to M-12, one an agent named Le Fay and the other a civilian that Wag has to take responsibility for who happened to get into a spot by having an affair with an administrator's wife.

* Enzo and Izzy have a disagreement when he presses her to tell him what's bothering her when Izzy doesn't want to share with him her pain over Ryliegh's failing health. Desperate for her to stay with him, he gives in to her temper though still wanting to know what's plaguing her peace of mind.

* Wag mistakingly assumes that Aleria has been assigned the task of taking care of Erik while he's in recovery, allowing her to return to the infirmary when she's not in training to continue helping.

* Firefly and Kara find a treasure trove of family memories in the attic, including a collection of wedding dresses. Firefly also finds a box containing gifts for herself and her siblings as well as a bounty of photo albums after Kara calls it a night. Firefly, with Kara's permission, decides to ask One about moving the old family house from Mexico, Missouri to Reeder for them to enjoy. While searching through the attic, the two sisters start to bond, discussing family history, their futures and Kara's concerns over Ripper with Firefly assuring her sister that Ripper isn't unhappy.

* When waiting to retrieve Kylie from the ME's office, Kara and Luke have the misfortune to meet Darrel's parents. Darrel's selfish mother, Beatrice, refused to allow for Darrel to be buried alongside Kylie in Reeder then tried to argue for the remains of the baby Kylie had been carrying. In the end, Luke's temper came to Kara's defense before they left, neither of them sure how to tell Max about it.

* The morning after their near disastrous reunion, Enzo secrely drops something into Izzy's backseat as she leaves, lying to himself about not using it later.

* Enzo goes to Pet's to put in the promised pond, Max eager to help him.

* Fearful of losing her heart, Liz sends an injured AWOL Joker back to M-12, arguing with him that she's done with him. Furious as he leaves, he doesn't see when he nearly drives Dan, who'd been sent by One to retrieve Joker, off the road. After arriving at the house, Dan has a moment with a timid Cecilia before Margaret calls her back into the house to deal with a stubborn Liz.

* After reporting back to One and getting patched up by Wag, Joker heads home for his mother's funeral and to bring his father back to Reeder with him.

* Jami, now engaged to Ryder, returns to Reeder. She goes directly to Drifter's Bar to get a loving welcome from Rafe who takes her directly to visit with Jana at the ranch. They arrive soon after Gina and Russell do to find Libby already there keeping Jana company and settle into a small family reunion.

* Kara turns down One's offer to become an agent but makes the request that Ripper be brought in to teach her how to use a handgun like he'd offered. Luke is hardly keen on the idea.

* Though wanting to stay to help Enzo and Blake with the pond he'd help map out, Max goes to a meeting at the M-12 manor, where it's agreed he'll become M-12's newest agent with the codename of Bug. Then, after learning that Rook is the agent Merlin, Max is given his first beefing lesson, using Dan then Firefly for practice.

* Impatient about being away from business so long, Lotus (who is masquerading as Kramer's witness) starts to conspire for her new illegal business venture now that she's safely ensconced in the US.

* After leaving Libby to visit with Jana, Cutty arrives at the tailor's in time to help Taj and Pet deal with an impatient Dan and also to help lift Max's spirits.

"She's quit sir," Charlie said, gritting his teeth and watching the frown appear on One’s face. "She's more than likely living it up on Dom Niconor Alvitre's money on some deserted island somewhere."

One’s face doubled in redness just as he yelled, "Bloody Nick! How in the world did she get from Uzbekistan to Costa Rica?"

Charlie paused, wanting to groan. Of course One would come down on him for the only thing he hadn’t done by the book for the investigation.

"I was kinda working on three cases at once here,” Charlie reminded with a growl, “and then had to go after my sniper and an ATF agent before they got themselves killed. I forgot, it happens, like you forgot to run this agency for a few years."

Carter stepped up, his eyes a little wide and looking nervous. "I can scratch her name off the list," he offered holding up his hands. "Wouldn't be the first time we lost someone to Bloody Nick. Heck, he's a retirement option for anyone in Cutty's crew." He attempted to laugh but didn’t get very far once One threw a glare at him.

Charlie smirked. He wasn’t about to be so easily intimidated. Not anymore.

"It doesn't excuse the fact that the ball was dropped with this and I didn't know about it,” One complained at Carter before looking directly at Charlie. “Bloody Nick is not supposed to be anyone's retirement option. He's not even supposed to be in this country, let alone living with his fellow thugs."

"The Ghost doesn't have a problem with it," Charlie said to One, getting to his feet, "Why should you? Dan was with Lynette during the Yannameini thing, he said she'd never looked happier. I got to tell you, I hadn't seen her in years, and she did look happy to be back in America, but she looked happiest when she was leaving for parts unknown on Nick's plane."

"You will notice, Charlie," One said in low tones, "That The Ghost and I are two different people and agents. He has his way of doing things, and I have mine. Both are effective though highly diverse." One looked to Carter nailing him to the spot with his glare. "Find her, I don't care how and ask her what her final choice is. She's going to prove to be an asset one way or another. Sergio used to be in bed with Nick, she might get him to tell her about it so she can tell you. But if she's as hooked on him as others have been it's not going to be easy."

Carter nodded. "I'll put a call into Nick’s people right now."

"Fine," One said, shaking his head. He sighed, pointing a finger at Charlie. "You, I'll deal with later. Right now I want you to retro-activate her retirement and get her what she was supposed to have. My involvement, or lack thereof," he paused giving a look at Charlie, "is irrelevant. You shouldn't have let her fall through the cracks like that. Leaving a member of your own team unprotected after she retires. Really, it gives me pause as to my choices for Team One's leader."

"You didn't make a mistake," Charlie told him with unshakable confidence. "You know it as well as I do. You're not scaring me. I said what I said because I had to run the Yannameini crew for three years with no help from you or anyone else in this agency. When I found out my team interceded Dave’s I came here and we joined forces. When we realized the magnitude of the situation we got the same BS from headquarters we'd been getting for more years than I care to count. Calling Merlin and The Ghost in on this was the smartest thing we did for that mission. If we hadn't the guns, the criminal and the innocent might have been lost. With all due respect, sir," Charlie sneered, openly sounding like he didn't mean to give him an ounce of it, "I'm used to running things with a skeleton crew and still getting the job done. Get off my @$$ about forgetting a bit of paperwork. Lynette was literally in bed with Yannameini and he never suspected her to be an agent, the woman in more than able to take care of herself."

"If I may interject," Carter coughed, "She's not unprotected. Nick and the Boss have an understanding when it comes to these things." He snapped his phone shut. "According to Nick's right hand man Hardy, Lynette is on an island in the Mediterranean, still under the identity she was using while with Yannameini. In a way, she's still UC."

"See," Charlie said to One with a slight incline of his head. "She's a smart woman."

"I never said she wasn't," One said with a growl. "Look, I may not know your teams as well as you do, but I did recruit most of them. I wouldn't put a person in this agency that wasn't up for it. Everyone here is capable. I'm saying that your lack of separation of personal life and professional life has allowed Lynette to fall through the cracks. There are-"

"Lack of separation!" Charlie shouted effectively shutting One up. "Lack of separation! You have got to be kidding me.” One stiffened but Charlie kept on, unable to contain himself for a minute longer. It was high time One knew what they’d all been going through and how they all felt about it. “You of all people in this agency can not stand there and tout the benefits of separating their personal life from their professional. Or do you get to magically forget about your son and daughter being in this agency? Do you get to gloss over your involvement with an FBI agent who happened to get herself killed because of your personal involvement with her? Or the fact that you left us all high and dry because you couldn’t deal with it?"

The fist came unexpectedly. But that didn't stop Charlie from hitting back. The sound of flesh on flesh was gratifying in a way. It said more about their feelings than anything else could especially words and when Charlie dodged an uppercut, he landed a hook sending One sprawling to the floor. He barely reached his knees when One was up and on him again. Charlie went to throw anther punch but hit nothing as the weight was lifted off him. Charlie then felt himself flying, landing against a shelf and finding Carter standing in front of One.

"No offense, sir," Carter gritted at Charlie, "but I hate family squabbles and, all due respect, he's the boss here." His hands were rolled into fists, not that he’d used them yet. Charlie blinked up at him, trying not to wonder how Carter had managed to throw him so easily considering their size difference. "Please, don't make me hurt you."

"He attacked me," Charlie reminded Carter, flexing his fists. At Carter’s smirk, Charlie looked back to One and grunted. "I'm sorry if the truth hurts," he paused a brief second before dripping sarcasm came out, "Sir, but I will not apologize for saying it. Sometimes you need to be reminded of the whole situation and remember that the rest of us are not robots here to fulfill your every whim. We're people, and we have wants, needs and desires like every other person on the planet. And sometimes we forget things, like everyone else."

Charlie got to his feet and used the tail of his shirt to wipe at the blood on his cheek. "You'll have to show me that move, Carter, in the ring sometime. I'd like to have a little tension breaker soon." Charlie gave him a half grin and shook his head.

Carter lowered his gaze, chuckling in return. "Anytime, sir." He moved aside, looking from one man to the other, but then stared at One. "You didn't go for your gun," he stated, sounding surprised. "Weren't you going to shoot him?"

One shook his head, wiping at his lip. "No, son," he said, waving a hand towards Charlie. "He has a point, even if he delivered it in his usual blunt way. I do forget that people are people. I just expect so much more out of my agents is all. Not an excuse, but that’s as much of an apology as you're going to get," he glared at Charlie who grunted and glared back.

"I never asked for an apology and I don't want one,” Charlie gruffly returned. “As far as I'm concerned, we reached an agreement to disagree. Nothing has been settled, or forgotten, but set aside for the good of the agency. You keep remembering that the next time you want to challenge me in front of another leader. Some things should be left private."

"I agree," One said, waving to the room around them. "That's why we're in my study. Carter’s choice for team members is bound to cross some of the other leaders as well. So what I did was as close to private as it needed to be. I run this agency, all of it, and you need to remember that."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, sir," Charlie said with a sneer, "But I'm not power hungry."

Carter cleared his throat, pointing at the forgotten list on the side table. "If Lynette is out, I can find another option and just keep Taj until we find someone else more suitable." He tried to chuckle at One. "Unless you think Aleria might be ready to join our team in her place?"

Charlie stifled a chuckle and shook his head. One glared at him for half a second then turned to Carter. "Aleria's green. She's very new. She has a lot of natural skill but she still needs a lot of work. If you still want her, you can take her on a trial basis. If you can get her and Christopher both in shape in six weeks, then you can have them both."

"Wait. Hold on. I don't get to keep Christopher?" Charlie interjected with a lifted brow. "He is still on my team, isn't he?"

"Not anymore,” One answered with the shake of his head. “Not since that last incident, he's not. I took him off your team and restarted his training. If you read your e-mail, you'd know. Now he's Carter’s and you can pick a new UC from any team you want. Bobby has some new recruits to show me soon, so I'll not be lacking. I just don't want you to have to retrain someone."

"Fine," Charlie said with a nod. It did make sense, he had to agree, especially with the way Christopher had reverted. "I don't have the patience for that like I used to."

Carter just nodded. "Do I have the same permission for Aleria in regards to Pet?" he asked One. "If not, I'll scratch that idea now. We all know she doesn't do kid gloves with anyone over age ten."

"You have my permission, but keep Pet away from her face.” One pointed right at Carter. “I promise you, if she gets bruised on her face, you'll have a matching one. Understand?"

Carter nodded. "I'll have the cold compresses at the ready."

"Don't let Bill see her if she needs them. I don't think he'd be too nice to Pet and I don’t need Merlin ripping him apart. I'll try and give you a heads up if he's going to be here and where so that you can avoid that. Bill is a force of nature, he moves at his own will and even I can't control him.” He smirked at Carter. “Tuck that away for future use."

Carter nodded but retained a frown. "Sir, you do realize that Pet's got a hefty left hook, don't you? You might want to warn Bill too. You know, not to lose his temper. This is training his sister will find a good thing to have under her belt, whether they like it or not."

One nodded, chuckling. "I'm sure Bill is aware of Pet's left hook. And I'm sure Aleria will be a good student, but I know my daughter. She has a mouth and I know Pet. She has a temper. Bill is the overprotective brother. It comes from not being there when his little brother died. Once he forgives himself for that, he'll settle down. And if he doesn't, I'll handle it."

"I'll remind him of Pet's left hook," Charlie offered, relaxing and absently rubbing at his jaw. "That's the first thing I know about Pet," he confessed with a grin and shook his head. "I can handle Bill, I always have."

Charlie found himself under One’s curious gaze but neither of them said anything. Carter, however, continued to smirk and grin. “Guess I’ll go make the arrangements with Pet,” he offered and made his escape.

Charlie chuckled. “Are you sure he’s team leader material?” He meant it as a joke, but the expression on One’s face told him that it didn’t translate as humorous to him.

“There’s more to that man than he’s been letting on,” One informed. “As soon as he stops hiding behind that nice guy façade, I’m sure we’ll see the full depth of him and I doubt any of us will know to expect what he’s got to show.”

“What makes you so sure?” Charlie quizzed. Though he didn’t doubt Carter was a capable and skillful agent, he didn’t see a lot of edge to the man, especially where certain females were concerned.

One chuckled. “Taj has let little things slip here and there,” he answered. “Same with Firefly, during her debriefings. Mostly though, it’s from watching him work.”

Charlie started to think about it and nodded his head. The few times he’d seen Carter completely invested in a task, it was with his gun nearby and a serious expression on his face. Knowing too that Cutty Walker had entrusted his own son to Carter’s care had said a lot about Carter’s abilities.

“So that’s the real reason you’re willing to trust him with your kid,” he spoke aloud. He smirked at One. “By the way, who else am I losing to him?”

One grinned. “You’ll thank me later,” he assured and showed him Carter’s list: Taj, Firefly, Dan, John, Aleria, Christopher and Max with Lynette as a possible replacement for Taj. It was a h3ll of a list, tactically. “If any team could take over the world, it would be that one.”

Charlie chuckled, some of his good mood returning. “I’m not sure I’m ready to lose Dan,” he admitted, “then again, with his attachment to Firefly, it’s probably for the best.”

“Right,” One nodded. “And, like I mentioned. You’ll get the pick of anyone else you like. Just name them.”

Charlie nodded. “I’ll do that.” He started for the door. “I’ll check with Lynette to see if she’s made up her mind about coming back.”

“Just make sure I get the report on my desk by morning.”

“Right,” Charlie nodded and headed out the door. He’d get right on that.

"Is it okay?" Max asked them, wondering what he looked like. His mama would get funny looks on her face when he'd dress up for her too. He was always afraid that he didn't look good enough for her.

Since Max knew she had gone to so much trouble and that she was usually either upset about something Steve did or was hurting because of him, he wanted to be perfect for her. That was more true now than ever before.

This was the last time he'd have to dress up for her, the last time she'd see him like this. And he wanted to be perfect for her, to show her that he loved her. Feeling tears build, Max blinked and took a deep breath.

Pet's smile grew. "Better than okay," she answered.

Taj nodded her head, but then nudged Pet. "I'm thinking double-breasted would be better?"

Pet shrugged. "You don't think he'd end up looking like a little gangster?"

"He can have a double-breasted for the wedding," Cutty called to them. He nodded at Hiram. "Single breasted is fine." Max watched Cutty study him. "Looks a lot like Darrel's this way."

At least Max got an idea from that what he looked like, but 'a lot like' wasn’t exactly like. So he still wondered what he looked like as Hiram brushed at lint and nodded over to Uncle Cutty.

"I think the double breasted in the dove gray will do for the wedding," he told them but put a finger to his chin in thought. "Although, I do have a nice camel fabric that might suit his coloring better." Max watched Hiram look to the women for direction as he thought on the colors. Black, brown, gray and camel? What color was camel? Wasn't brown enough?

"Don't you already have a brown?" Max asked Hiram, trying to stand on tiptoe to see in the mirror over Hiram’s shoulder.

Hiram chuckled. "Brown is brown," he nodded. "Camel...well, you'll see."

"I think that's brilliant, Hiram," Taj called. "Absolutely."

"I love it when we all agree," Pet chuckled. She started to frown. "Max? Are you okay? Is there something sticking you?"

"No," Max called, settling back on his feet and shaking his head. "I was just tryin' to see," he said with a shrug standing perfectly still as Hiram readjusted the jacket over his shoulders.

"One more minute, Max," Hiram assured. He looked over to where Dan was standing by the doorway. "He's been awful quiet. Should I be worried?"

Max shrugged, "Probably wondering how long until someone’ll give him a cookie. He has an insatiable sweet tooth. Aunt Kara told me when he was with her, going to get my mama, he ate cookies almost all the time. She told me she made ten dozen cookies and he ate almost all of them." Max patted his tummy quickly before Hiram could swat at his hands.

"We once stayed up to watch movies and all we did was eat junk food. He out ate me by two boxes of Twinkies."

Hiram chuckled. "If I had known that sooner, I would have promised him a lollipop to behave." He walked over to a cabinet and brought out a tall glass jar filled with an assortment of lollipops. "For being good, Max. Take your pick. But don't open it until you take off the suit and I can make the adjustments I just marked." He set the jar down and walked over to a cabinet door, opening it. "Have a look, son. Tell me what you think."

Max nodded, turning to face the mirror. He forced himself to go slowly, starting with his socked feet and climbing up the black material of his pants. They fit perfectly, not too long, but not short either. He had to admit, the suit wasn't uncomfortable. In fact, it was almost like not wearing pants at all. The waist wasn't digging into his skin, but he could still feel it snugly fastened around his middle.

The shirt he wore was still his own, but the jacket. The jacket was something else. It made his small shoulders look wide and powerful. He stood straighter, lifting a hand to smooth down the lapel of the jacket until it disappeared under the other where it was buttoned.

His eyes traveled the clean lines of the material, noting how he looked older yet still a child. It was a beautifully cut suit and Max knew his mama would be proud to have him at her side. His eyes sought out Hiram, turning away from the unfamiliar image in the mirrors.

“Have them put it on my tab,” Cutty called to her, standing up and taking Max under his arm. “I’ll get him settled into the truck.”

Pet nodded, knowing Cutty was likely about to bestow some Cutty-ism type wisdom on sweet Max. Watching them go out the door, she walked over to the counter where Margie was waiting.

“Is that the boy who lost his mother?” she quietly quizzed, ringing up the bill.

Pet nodded. “Yeah. The viewing is tomorrow and the funeral is Friday.” They both sighed but didn’t say anything else right away. Pet handed Margie some cash and Margie gave her the change.

“Your father is great with kids,” she smiled. “Will you and Rook be adopting him?”

Pet smiled, shaking her head. “No. Max is going to be staying with his aunt and uncle in Tooreeder. We’ve just been keeping him while they take care of everything else.” Not that Pet would have minded being able to keep Max. He was, after all, a very good boy and Rook adored him. “The aunt and his mother were like sisters. They even look alike.”

Margie smiled. “Well, at least there’s that, right?”

“Right.”

Pet said goodbye and headed out to the truck to find Cutty pointing out the gearshift to Max. She stopped to eye him a slight scold, but he only grinned at her as he finished his lesson.

“…. And that’s what makes it go, Max.” He tipped his hat at Pet. “You want me to follow you two home? Since I’m going that way?”

Pet shook her head. “Go on,” she waved. “I know you’re itching to get back to Libby.”

He smiled brightly, walking over to give her a kiss on the cheek and a quick hug. “I love you, Baby Girl,” he whispered. “Be careful and call me if you see anything out of the ordinary.”

“Keep an eye out for the feds,” she nodded. “Kramer came sniffing around yesterday.”

He cocked his eye at her. “And you’re just now telling me?”

“When else did I get such an opportunity?” she smirked at him. “Phones aren’t safe, remember.”

He chuckled. “Just you two be careful.”

Pet nodded and watched him step over to his car. She took her time getting behind the wheel of her truck, searching the area for anyone watching them. Once she was finished buckling herself in, she smiled over at Max. “So, what was he really teaching you?”

Max giggled. “He only wanted me to know that being a secret agent wasn’t all fun and games and that I had to take it seriously.” He shrugged. “Then he told me how to drive the truck because one day I might have to. He said if I couldn’t reach the pedals I could use the cruise control.”

Pet laughed, starting the engine. “I’ll talk to Rook about leaving some leg extenders handy for you,” she winked. As they headed out, she looked around like before, this time spotting the few agents calling to each other that they were on the move. “Did Cutty tell you about paying attention? That it was the most important thing you can do?”

Max frowned at her. “But I always pay attention, Pet.”

She smiled at him. “No, sweetie. You’re attentive. I’m talking about paying attention and processing the information you hear, see and smell until it comes to a conclusion.” She aimed them toward home. “Like, Taj and Carter. No one knew they were dating but Enzo and me and Enzo only knew because Carter was living with him at his house.” She pointed back toward the heart of the Reeder downtown area.

“On the night that we celebrated Cutty’s birthday, I found out about them because I smelled Carter’s cologne in the same area where I found the strawberry remnants that Taj had been hording all night. Plus,” she smiled at Max, “they would always be whispering with each other.”

Max sat up. “Yeah. They did that a lot at the manor.” He started to frown. “But I thought that was because Carter didn’t know anyone else there. How can you tell the difference when there are logical reasons like that?”

“Ah,” Pet cheered, “that’s the tricky part.”

“Yeah?”

She nodded. “Yeah. You see the trick is in using everything else around you to figure that out.” Traffic started to thin around them so she checked her mirrors again. “You have to listen to what people are saying and what they’re <u>not</u> saying. Then look for anything out of order or that doesn’t make sense.” Again, she reverted to Carter and Taj. “See, I know Carter and I knew enough about Taj to know that there was nothing Carter would need to go to her about, even if it was to get in good with the other agents. You see, Taj is the sort who doesn’t care if other people like her. Carter would have had better luck going to Firefly for advice.”

Max giggled. “But Firefly’s shy.”

“Exactly,” she grinned, directing them onto the patch of highway that would lead them home. “But Firefly would have gotten the skinny on everyone of importance and could have told him who to get friendly with and how to manage it.” She glanced over at him. “She’s an expert at paying attention too.”

Max nodded his head, putting on his serious face. “So, I should look, listen and just pay attention to everything.” He kept moving his head up and down. “I think I can do that.”

Seeing the house coming up, Pet felt relief that they were home again. “It’s a skill that takes time to learn,” she forewarned. “And you never want to assume anything. Of course, right now that no one is thinking they have to be careful around you so much, you could pick up on just about anything.”

Max smiled at her, a new sort of excitement on his face. Then he spotted Enzo’s truck. “He’s still here!” he cheered, reaching for his seatbelt. “Can I go see what I can do?”

Knowing she didn’t have a chance to recapture his attention for anymore of a lesson, she nodded her permission. “Go ahead,” she called.

"You're smart to keep her happy," Blake retorted, pulling Enzo away from the pile of boulders he was working toward. "Rattlers tend to like that pit in there, Enzo. I told you before, we gotta check it."

"And how do we do that?" Enzo smirked.

Blake tapped the lower rocks with the tip of his shovel and sure enough the rattling started. Enzo and he both jumped back. They shared a look, Blake asking "Backhoe?"

"Backhoe?" Enzo repeated. "We are back here breaking backs and you have backhoe?"

"You said you liked working with your hands," Blake chuckled. "Wait here, I'll be right back."

"Should I not call animal control?" he countered.

Blake crossed his arms over his chest. "It's simple, Enzo. We move over the boulder in front, reveal the snakes and kill them, then do what you want with the space. Heck, Rook will probably cook up some rattlesnake stew for you if they're big enough."

"Rattlesnake stew?" Enzo grimaced. "I do not like the way you say this."

"You won't like the taste of it much either," Blake chuckled. "Wait here, I'll be right back."

Blake was back within fifteen minutes with a couple of his hands, one with a large bucket with a lid on it. Blake explained that the hand knew someone who kept rattlesnakes and asked to come out to gather them. In less than an hour, the face boulder was moved and the snakes readily removed. Since Enzo liked the way the boulder had resettled, he recreated the line of the pond and had the men finish digging it out.

"Perfection," Enzo cheered when they finished.

Blake nodded. "Pet's going to love that the snakes won't be back now."

He pointed to the opening under the stones that Enzo had dug out by hand. "Smart to take away their nesting spot."

"I think so as well," Enzo grinned, hoping too that the tunnel under the rocks would give the fish something to swim through.

The sound of a car door had them both turning around. Max shot from around the truck like a bullet heading straight towards them.

"I can't believe you got that much done already!" the boy yelled as he neared. When he reached the edge he jumped towards Enzo.

Enzo laughed, catching him in midair. "This is just the digging that is done," he smiled. "Now hard part comes of decorating and making it become pond." He pointed to the pile of pump equipment, plastic sheeting and plants. "Do you still wish to help?"

Max nodded his head following his finger to blink at the equipment. "Of course. I told you I wanted to. Then I can say we did it together. My first architectural project. And it's with Vincenzo Caccia!" Max beamed a smile at him.

Enzo chuckled. "Ah yes, all of my competition trembles that I have brilliant new protégé." He set Max down on his feet. "Go to change, Max. Then we work." He winked at Blake. "I guess, now, you have been replaced, cousin."

Blake made a show of toeing the ground with his boot. "Aw, but I wanted to help too."

Max faced Blake and started jumping up and down. "You can stay if you want. If Jana doesn't need you to be home I mean. It would be nice to have you help." He turned back to Enzo and tilted his head. "You don't mind do you?"

Enzo was already chuckling. "Of course not." He nodded at Blake. "You can stay but you have to work."

Blake laughed, nodding at Max. "Lib's with Jana but she'll call if she needs me," he assured Max, showing him his cell phone. He waved off his men, giving them their orders of what to do at his ranch. "And make sure no one goes near those," he pointed at the bucket. "In fact, lock it good and tight until you can get them to that guy."

"Sure thing, boss," the men each said in turn and climbed on to the backhoe.

Max frowned looking to the bucket the men were carrying. "What's in the bucket, Blake? Why can't anyone go near it?"

"Snakes," he answered. "Rattlers."

Enzo nodded. "Mean ones," he added.

Max shuddered and made a face. "I'm glad they're gone. I like snakes, but not that kind. I'll be back in a minute."

"Okay," Enzo cheered, watching Max’s little body zoom off toward the house. He grinned at Blake. "Remind me to keep him away from my car. He is little speed demon."

"I don't think you'll have anything to worry about," Blake chuckled. "He'll probably invent a cooler, faster car anyway."

Enzo smirked. “Then perhaps I should start bribing him now to be allowed to drive his?”