Episode Thirty Eight

Montoya Bodega

Maria was helping her mother stock the shelves when Diego came in later that day.

"Maria," Diego started. "I'm..."

"A horrible big brother?" Maria interrupted, her eyes blazing.

"Maria!" Pilar said.

"No, Mama, you see," Maria started. "It was all suppose to be an act. Aaron and Diego pretend to date, so that when Aaron and I get together again Mrs. Grant is accepting. But I go to see Aaron today and find him and Diego making out. So there goes the act, right out the window. So Aaron is a pig who needs to have his ass kicked, and Diego's no better," she ranted to her mother. Then she turned to Diego. "Just stay away from me, Diego Montoya. Or else." And with that she turned and headed upstairs to her room.

Jamie's Room

Jamie sat on his bed, a sketchbook opened to a blank page resting in his lap and a charcoal pencil in his hand. But he was drawing a blank as to what he should draw. It was his first attempt to really draw something, as opposed to simple doodling, in weeks.

"Great," he muttered, sitting back against the headboard and sighing. He was startled by a knock on his door and striaightened again. Come in," he said.

"Why is there a police officer stationed at the end of the driveway who says he's here to watch you?" Daniel asked as he entered.

Jamie groaned. "Long story."

"Summarize it."

"The accident that... that killed my dad... it wasn't an accident. The brake line was cut," jamie said. "And since it was my jeep, and only about 5 people knew Dad and Rebecca were borrowing it, it's posible someone was trying to hurt me. So I have to have a police babysitter for awhile."

"I wish you'd told me ahead of time," Daniel said. "And you truck is locked up in the garage, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is," Jamie replied.

"I understand you had a meeting with Miss Edison today," Daniel said, changing the subject.

"Yeah, I met the other three models for EdiSigns," Jamie said, closing the sketchbook and getting up. "One of them is Summer's friend Nicole from New York. The other two are from Seattle."

"What do you think of them?"

"I liked Nicole when I emt her last winter, and Walker's cool, nice guy. But Ronnie... she started hitting on me even though Summer made it very clear I was taken," Jamie explained with a slight smile. "That was kinda fun to watch."

Daniel smiled slightly. "I'm sure it was." He looked at the sketchbook, and the half a dozen other sketchbooks scattered across the bed and on the desk. "You know, I don't think I have ever seen any of your work."

Jamie absently grabbed one of the books from his bed and tossed it to his grandfather. "Take a look."

Daniel opened it, and right on the first page a drawing of Elizabeth's face stared back at him. He slowly turned the page, and saw another one of Elizabeth, this time standing in a living room, half turned to go through a door. "They're wonderful," he said as he kept going through the pages. There were sketches of Mike, of the Montoyas, there was one of the lake, one of the waterfall, and a whole series of sketches of Summer. "I didn't know you were so good," he added.

Jamie blushed slightly. "I'm not."

"Yes, you are," Daniel replied. "The ones of your mother..."

"It helps me remember her," Jamie replied sadly.

Summer's Room

Summer was standing in front of her mirror, her hands on her still smooth stomach. "Not smooth for long," she whispered. She jumped as the phone rang. "Hello?" she said as she picked it up.

"Summer? It's Maria."

"Hi! What's going on?" Summer said, flopping down on her bed in relief for something to focus on other than the baby.

"Aaron and Diego aren't pretending to be dating anymore. I caught them making out, and it wasn't for show."

"What?!" Summer said, sitting up. "Those... how can they... please tell me you decked at least one of them?"

"Not yet," Maria said, laughing slightly. "I'll wait for the right moment."

"Jamie might beat you to it when he finds out," Summer said.

"I'll let him," Maria agreed. "But I came up with a revenge plan."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, and Matt's helping me."

"Tell me! Tell me!" Summer demanded.

"He and I start pretending to date. Aaron got jealous over me and Jamie spending so much time together, and he knew we were just friends. But I date Matt? Aaron will go balistic."

"Yeah, like it's really fake," Summer said with a snort.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Maria asked.

"It means Matt has a thing for you, Maria. Last summer he kept talking about Maria Montoya almost from the day I arrived. And I think the feeling is at least somewhat mutual."

"Somewhat," Maria acknowledged with a nervous laugh.

"I like this plan," Summer said.

"Glad to hear it," Maria replied. "So, what's up with you?"

Summer sighed. "Something major. But I can't talk about it yet."

"You and Jamie didn't have a fight, did you? Because he can be a dumbass like all guys on occasion, but if he was, then he'll feel bad about it later. And if not I'll kick his ass for you."

"No, Jamie's as perfect as ever."

"Then what's wrong?"

"I really can't talk about it right now," Summer said. "But trust me, you'll find out sooner or later."

Jamie's Room

Jamie looked down at the sketch he had just finished and smiled. It showed a profile of Summer, her stomach starting to arch outwards with pregnancy. Jamie set the sketch book down and started hunting through his boxes of art supplies. After a minute he swore. "Damn it. I haven't brought the charcoals over yet," he muttered, looking up. He glanced out the window at the falling rain as he pushed himself up off the floor and grabbed his jacket. "If I get Officer Powers to give me a ride, I'm not breaking my promise to Uncle Julian," he reasoned.

Reed-Robert's House

"I can't believe this," Sarah said as she paced. "You really think Jamie's in danger?"

"He could be," Julian said. "But we're protecting him. I've got day shift, Hank has night..."

"I don't like Hank Powers," Sarah interrupted.

"Why not? You barely know him!"

"And what I do know I don't like or trust!" Sarha replied. "Jamie is practically family!"

"I know that. You're talking like you don't think I care."

"I know you do, but I also know I don't trust Hank Powers to keep Jamie safe."

"Jamie promised to stay home tonight," Julian assured her. "He'll be fine."

"If you're sure..."

"Completely."

"Nothing better happen to him. Summer needs..." Sarahs topped as she relaize what she was saying.

"What?" Julian asked. "Summer needs what?"

"If I tell you I'm breaking confidentiality," Sarah said.

"I won't arrest you," Julian promised. "Now tell me."

"Jules, Summer's pregnant."

Outside Grant Mansion

Hank sat in his car, listening to the radio weather report talk about the growing storm. He was greatful he had decided to use his own car, rather than a patrol car, it was much more comfortable this way. He squinted into the rain as he saw someone coming his way. He rolled down the window when he recognized Jamie. "What's wrong?"

"I need to go get something from my old apartment," Jamie explained. "It makes more sense for you to just drive me than for you to have to follow me, right?"

Hank smiled. "Right. Get in."

Evanston Police Department

Malcolm wiped a hand over his face in exhaustion. "This is getting us nowhere," he said.

Rick plopped a cup of coffee down in front of him. "Drink up, I just got the rest of the files."

Malcolm groaned. "Just what I want to see."

Rick snorted. "May not want to, but need to," he said, handing over half the files and starting in on the rest himself.

The pair were quiet for several long moments as they read, then Rick suddenly slammed the folder in his hand down in frustration. "This is useless!" he declared. "The damn file people can't even get me the right files!"

Malcolm sighed and started to nod in agreement when he saw a paper sticking out of Rick's file. He pulled the file over and opened it, skimming the page. "Oh god," he whispered, finally seeing the connection, the common thread.

"What is it?" Rick asked.

"Hank lived in or near the towns where all the rapes happened, when they happened," Malcolm said.

"So? He's got bad luck."

"Does bad luck explain that the rapes always happened on his day off, and he's listed as having requested copies of the evidence lists for all but the first case?"

Rick grabbed the file back and re-read. "Oh sh...."

"I've got him guarding Jamie," Malcolm said in horror, grabbing the phoen from the desk and frantically dialing Jamie's cellphone.

The Garage Apartment

Jamie and Hank had just pulled up when the radio said that they were now on the generator thanks to a lightening strike. Power and phonelines were out.

"Damn," Jamie said. "I knew I should have called Summer before I left."

"I'm sure the phones will be back up soon," Hank said as they got out of the car and made a mad dash up the stairs.

Jamie unlocked the door and walked inside. "Good thing I remember where the boxes I want are," he said as he made his way through the almost pitchblack apartment.

"Good thing," Hank said, watching the teenager with a smile on his face. "I'm surprised you were comfortable living alone after being raped."

Jamie tensed, having known that Hank knew, but not expecting the man to comment on it. "Well," he finally said through clenched teeth. "I'm not one to do what's entire expected."

"Neither am I," Hank said. "Cops have such a reputation for being the good guys."

Jamie frowned and started to turn when his cell phone rang. He pulled it out and took a look at the lit display. "It's Malcom," he said.

"He always has to ruin the fun," Hank said, grabbing Jamie's arm. "But he's too far away to keep us from having our fun."

Jamie looked up at the cop in surprise and recognition. 'No," he whispered.

And outside, the storm continued to rage...

End Of Episode Thirty Eight