"Kev, you need to double check your intel" Jay said as they gathered back at the 21st, I could have been home with my wife and kid" he locked the AR-15 in the cabinet.

"No kidding, I even had a babysitter lined up, do you know the last time I got to eat at a restaurant that didn't provide crayons?" Adam asked, "this was bullshit"

They watched the house for hours, and they only saw Javier enter with some fast food and then the house was quiet the rest of the night.

"I'm sorry, alright" Kevin threw his hands up, "I'm gonna kill my CI"

Kim and Annie sat at the table the kids already down for naps, "what time did my brother get home?" Annie asked, mentally preparing herself for the interrogation she was sure to come.

"About four, I think you're in the clear, your class is at 2, right?" Kim asked her, "he's out cold"

"No I'm not" Adam said from the doorway, "hey darlin', kids napping already?"

Kim smiled, "yea, Anthony  was up at five and he just passed out, I didn't think you would be up so early, how did it go last night?"

"It didn't, another wasted night" he sat opposite Annie, "so tell me about your new friend"

"Adam, she's not a suspect" Kim told him, "do you want something to eat?"

"No, I'm good" Adam turned to face Annie, "tell me about him"

Annie put her head down on the table, finally sitting up she started, "his name is Derek Fletcher, his major is sports medicine I don't think he has any siblings, he drives a black mustang, he's about 6 foot" she smiled, "has the bluest eyes I've ever seen"

Adam sighed, "does he have a record?"

"I didn't ask Adam" annoyance in her voice, "I'm sure you'll find out though, right?"

"Yes, actually I will" he told her, he could tell she was on the verge of being angry with him and he didn't care, "I want to meet him, and if you haven't told dad yet you better"

Annie stood up, "I think I'm gonna go, I had fun last night Kim" she glanced at Adam, "you can be an ass you know"

Kim followed Annie into the living room, "honey, don't be too angry with your brother he is just looking out for you, he doesn't want to see you hurt"

Annie grabbed her bag, "Derek isn't going to hurt me, I need to talk to my dad before Adam acts like a seven year old and tattles" a half smile appearing on her face.

"Why did she leave?" Adam asked as he ate a bowl of cereal, "she's mad, isn't she?"

"I don't know Adam what do you think?" Kim replied, "you need to lighten up a little bit, trust her instincts"

He pushed the bowl of cereal away, "are we forgetting she's the girl who went for a run after midnight and ended up in the hands of a serial killer?" He had lost whatever appetite he had, "I'm going to the gym"

"You're mad at me?" Kim asked him, "what the hell for?"

"I'm not mad at anyone , I'm just aggravated with work, I need to blow off some steam before I go in" he retreated to their bedroom.

"Hey, Mouse can you do something for me, off the books?" Adam asked, "my sister is seeing this guy and I just want to make sure he's on the up and up" he handed Mouse the paper, "get it done ASAP, please"

"Yea sure, Ruzek" he said "I'll drop everything"

Adam glared at him, "relax man, I'm just busting your balls. After what your sister went through I don't blame you for checking the dude out"

"At least you get it"

"Dad, I need to talk with you, you have a minute?" She asked.

"For you, always" he folded the newspaper and set it on the table, "what's up?"

She sat crosslegged on the couch, "nothing really but Adam is acting like a child, and said if I didn't tell you he would" she watched as her father took his reading glasses off, "it's really not a big deal don't freak out"

Bob sat up in the chair, "could you fill me in, before I freak out"

"I met a guy at school and I'm sort of seeing him, Adam is acting like I'm about to marry him though"

Bob let out a relieved sigh, "that's it?"

Annie smiled "thank goodness, thank you for not freaking out like Adam" she hugged him, "I have to get to class, I love you dad"

"Love you too sweetie" Bob said he waited until she pulled out of the driveway before he called Adam.

"Hey Pops, what's up?" Adam asked.

"Tell me you're checking into the guy your sister is seeing, please look into him for me son" Bob implored Adam, he knew if he pushed Annie he could risk their relationship. The bond she had with Adam had been solidified and was a bit stronger than the one he had with her.

"Already on it pops, don't worry"

"Hey beautiful" Derek said as Annie approached him, "you look angry what's up?"

"I don't know my brother is being a dick" she told him, "he wants to meet you, but you don't always get what you want, right?"

Derek knew this could happen just not this soon, he needed time to prepare "he's just being a big brother, that's all"  he grabbed her hand "let's get to class"

"Thanks for stopping by Trey" Adam said as he nephew stood before him, "tell me what you know about Derek"

Trey shrugged his shoulders, "not much, Uncle Adam. He seems like a decent guy, I know Annie really likes him. He seems to like her, they're always together on campus" he neglected to tell Adam about how most of the time they couldn't keep their hands off each other.

"Keep an eye on her, will you? For me" Adam asked, "I would really appreciate it, and if you would keep it on the DL that'd be great"

"You got it Uncle Adam. I'm not going to let her get hurt"

Mouse had run the background check multiple times, each time getting the same answer. He called Adam into his office.

"You got something?" Adam asked his hands in his pockets, rocking on his heels.

"Derek Fletcher is dead" Mouse told him "died in a house fire about three years ago"

"What the fuck?" Adam snatched the report from Mouse's hands, "this can't be right"

Mouse sat on the desk, "ran it three times, either Annie's lying or her boyfriend is. I'm sorry"

Javier glanced out the window his 'friends' had arrived for the night, he knew it was time.

He had three shooters positioned at the windows, he waited a few hours before he let them have it.

Adam was in mid sentence when the first shot rang out, "son of a bitch Kevin!" He yelled into the radio "shots fired! Shots fired!"