“It’s odd,” Angelica uttered when Carl left with his computer and stiff gait.

“What’s odd?” Henry asked her, his brows knitted together.

“That it’s empty. Why did my dad hide it in the first place if it is? It’s just odd. Maybe your friend ruined it.” That was the only explanation she could think of.

“Carl will be the last person to make a mistake like that.”

“Then why do you think it’s empty?”

“Maybe your dad made a mistake,” Henry shrugged. “Maybe he thought of it as a diversion. He might have hidden the documents in a different place.”

Angelica leaned back against her chair and sighed. “Maybe you’re right.” She covered her face with her hands in frustration. “This is freaking unbelievable. Everything is freaking unbelievable.”

“Tell me about it,” he sipped his coffee, looked at her and stood up. “Let’s go.”

“Where? I have work.”

“Call in sick.”

“I’m not sick.”

“You’re sick. You’re obviously a shopaholic,” he looked at her shopping bags with disgust.

“Why do you always have something to say against me?” she groaned and picked up her bags.

He did not answer but said, “Hurry up.”

“Tell me where we’re going first,” she looked at him dryly, her eyes squinting against the sun.

“Somewhere safe.”

“Where?”

“My place.”

“The one from last night?”

“No.”

Angelica smiled at him naughtily. “You mean you’re taking me home?”

The sudden irritation that crossed his features contented her. “Stop that thought, Dalton. And stop whatever you’re planning. I’m not some guy you can chase around.”

“Don’t think I haven’t heard that before,” she rolled her eyes and stood up. “Let’s go, Bell. I’m tired and I want to sleep in your bed.”

 *****

If he took her back to that place they stayed at last night, it would still be the same because his real place—as cool as it may look—was as empty. Yes, it was fully furnished with all the modern furniture; but the drawers, the shelves, the tables were as empty as the other apartment. No pictures, no personal things that would indicate he had a life at all. Even his books couldn’t tell her anything about the man. It was like walking in a hotel room. Beautiful, freshly scented, clean and tidy, but impersonal.

“Take your bags in that room,” he pointed towards a door just across the living room. “You’ll be sleeping there.”

“With you?” she asked, looking so innocent.

He gazed at her, his face blank, his eyes dangerous.

“Knock if you change your mind,” she shrugged and walked towards the door. She needed a shower and a real nice nap.

“I’m going out. Food is in the fridge,” Henry announced before she closed her door.

“Where are you going?”

“Business,” he answered curtly, walking towards the door. “And don’t go anywhere. I’ll know when you open this door,” he pointed with his thumb.

“You’re joking, right?”

“No, I’m seriously serious. I’ll know.”

“Fine. I’m not going out until tomorrow anyway,” she sighed and closed her door. Darkness immediately loomed over her and she didn’t try looking for the switch. She was too tired and too exhausted to even move or think of anything. But she had to clean up first before she could feel her way to the bed and drop dead in sleep.

She took a quick shower in the darkness of the bathroom, so sure that she was completely alone now. Henry left without telling her where he was going and that was fine with her. He could do whatever he wanted, just so it didn’t concern her.

But what if it was something about her? Or her father?

It was just a passing thought, but it lodged in her brain anyway.

She wanted to go out there and see what he was up to, but exhaustion was stronger and she decided to sleep the rest of the day away. Tomorrow, she had to meet up with Chanty and she couldn’t show up to Chanty looking haggard and tired. That would definitely alarm her friend since she never neglected her looks—not once.

And so she slept dreamlessly. Thinking time would happen tomorrow.

 *****

Henry did not actually go anywhere far. He did not even leave the building.

What he did not tell Angelica was that he also owned the apartment unit right below the one she was sleeping at. It was where he did the works that he didn’t want anybody to know. And right now, he was working at one of them.

He was not bothered that his ward could be in danger or that she would sneak out because all his windows and doors had sensors, and he would know the moment they moved an inch.

What was bothering him right that moment were the documents--the ones he saved from earlier and the one he was checking out right now. When he saw it earlier at the café, he wanted to punch something—he wanted to punch himself for being a fool.

Everything he ever needed was in the file.

And Patrick Dalton had been keeping it all along.

Son of a bitch, he muttered.

As he looked at the documents, he thought of Angelica. How would she handle the truth if she found out?

She can’t find out.

 *****

Opening her eyes against the rays of sunlight that crept through the unveiled windows, Angelica rose and breathed a deep lungful of air. Her mind was not any less lost than it was last night.

She walked out of the bedroom and found Henry already up, dressed in his usual suit and tie, drinking his morning coffee.

“I take it that you’re leaving for work? Your lawyer work?” she asked, hopefully.

“Yes,” he answered curtly.

“So will I,” she announced, grabbing a cup from the cupboard. “I missed a lot of hours yesterday.”

“No, you can’t. You stay here.”

Angelica froze on the spot, her movements halted. “Why?”

“I don’t think you’ll be safe,” he uttered, his eyes not leaving the pages of his morning paper.

“I want to go back home.”

“You can go back home when my work is done.”

“What work exactly? You being my guardian? Or you being a special cop?”

“Don’t ask a lot of questions. Just be a good brat that you are and let me do all the work. I can’t have another kidnapping episode, all right? So you stay here and live like a princess.” He looked at her strongly, “And don’t take my orders lightly, Dalton. You. Stay. Here.”

Angelica’s mouth had already fallen open. She blinked. “Well, if you are really desperate to have me around, that’s fine.” She was enjoying his reactions too much to stop herself.

At first, he looked lost, but when her statement registered in his brain, his eyes snapped. “Okay, why don’t you just stop whatever you’re doing?” he asked, standing up. “I don’t have time for this,” he threw the paper on the table.

“You’re acting like you’re really pissed,” she whistled.

“The hell I’m pissed,” he rasped out, his eyes blaring. “Don’t see everything as a joke, Dalton. You’ll be in trouble if I catch you anywhere outside this apartment.”

With that, he stormed towards the door with his briefcase in hand, slammed it and left her in complete silence.

The challenge-induced part of her was already in rage. No one—not anyone—had ever dared order her to stay on her feet. She always did what she wanted and always uttered the words that came to her mind—and now, Henry Bell dared to do it?

It was fun playing him around, but it was not fun to be his prisoner either.

Maybe he’s hiding something from me, she thought.

“All the more reason for chasing him, right?” she asked aloud. With so much determination and spirit, she placed her empty cup of coffee on the table and walked towards her room. She would have that coffee with Chanty no matter what.

 *****

Henry was too busy working on his cover-up job as a lawyer to notice the beeping on his monitor. Philip had been calling him about the divorce papers and he was not yet able to start on it. He had a lot in his hands for something as useless as divorce papers when he knew that his friend and his transient wife were completely and utterly into each other. He could see that in the way they were together and he just couldn’t understand why his friend would bother divorcing his wife.

He knew it was too late when he finally glanced at his monitor and saw that the front door of his apartment had been opened.

“The brat!” he hissed under his breath. I’m going to kill her for good this time, he thought as he took his phone and dialed her number.

 *****

Her phone kept ringing.

She ignored it.

The man was not joking when he said he’d know if she left. Well then, catch me if you can…

She took a taxi to the hospital where her car was parked and drove herself to the café to meet Chanty. Smiling to herself, she hummed a tune. Catch me if you can…catch me if you can…

“What are you smiling about?” Chanty asked her when she appeared before her friend, dressed in a navy blue dress from her shopping yesterday.

“Nothing,” she answered with a shrug as she sat down beside her friend.

“So, who was your date yesterday? I want to know.”

She waved off with her hand. “You’ll meet him in time.”

“So you’re over my brother, right?” Chanty asked. “Because I don’t really like it whenever you and Cassandra meet, you know.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” she sighed.

“What do you mean?”

“He called me a few days ago,” she held up her hand to summon a waiter. “He told me to back off.”

“He said that?”

“No, not exactly, but it’s pretty much the same thing. I’d like a brewed coffee, please,” she said the last words to the waiter who came up.

Chanty laughed. “Cassandra must be wringing his neck because of you.”

“That woman has guts,” she shook her head. The waiter was fast and she had her coffee in a second.

“And speaking of which, here she comes!” Chanty said excitedly. “And please, behave this time, Ange,” Chanty added in a whisper.

Angelica rolled her eyes and looked up to see Philip’s blonde wife walking towards them in her usual outfit of shirt, jeans and boots. Despite what she showed everyone, she did not really despise Cassandra. She just liked pissing the woman off.

“Look who came? I can’t believe you invited her, Chanty,” she uttered in her usual tone for pissing Cassandra. And as usual, the woman didn’t back off with a scared face.

 “Hello, I wasn’t expecting you here, Angelica,” Cassandra greeted as she came near their table.

 “Hello, Cass,” Chanty smiled and stood up to give her sister-in-law a kiss. “Don’t mind Angelica. She’s just bitter.” Then Chanty looked at her and said, “Stop that. You’re giving her a really bad impression.”

Angelica rolled her eyes and leaned back against her chair, crossing her arms across her chest. “Whatever,” she mouthed at her friend.  Inside, she was really smiling. Having Cassandra around was always fun.

Cassandra smiled and sat down across them. “Where’s Willie?”

“He’s with his babysitter. I can’t take him with me if I want to have progress with the party,” Chanty answered.

“Where’s your husband?” she asked her old nemesis.

“Home working,” Cassandra sighed as she said that. “He was acting weird this morning that’s why I called.”

Angelica laughed like she was enjoying it. “It looks like you’re not making that much progress, Cassandra.”

Chanty nudged her. “Hey, what did I tell you?”

Angelica raised her hands, feigning innocence. “Fine! Fine! I was just saying…”

“You might be right though,” Cassandra uttered to her surprise.

Angelica raised her brows and said, “Yeah?”

Cassandra nodded. “Yes. I’m not a very good cook. But you can’t tell that to anyone.”

Chanty laughed. “You’re not alone in that. Ange and I are terrible cooks.”

Angelica sighed and reached for her coffee. “Couldn’t agree more,” she said and looked at Cassandra. “You should learn though.”

 “I’m trying.”

“You should give me a call if you’re tired of him though.”

“Ange!” Chanty gasped at her.

“What? That’s true. I would gladly take your brother if she won’t have him.” In the corner of her eyes, she was looking at Cassandra’s reaction.

She was quite disappointed when she saw that the lady chuckled. “You really say and do what you want, don’t you?”

“Of course,” Angelica looked at her straight in the eyes. “I would still be trying to take Philip away from you if I didn’t realize you’ll be such a difficult opponent. But don’t worry. As much as I hate your gut right now, I know I’ll be wasting time.”

Cassandra looked startled. “What exactly are you saying?”

She didn’t answer. All she did was shrug and drink her coffee.

“Philip gave her a call,” Chanty explained.

“Don’t tell her that,” she snapped at her friend.

“What did he say?” Cassandra asked curiously. “When did he call you?”

“Oh, shut up, Ange. It’s not like it was the first time he told you to leave him alone.”

Angelica made a horrified face, but she did not feel that angry. It was more a look of embarrassment for having Cassandra hear about her misfortunes. “It’s only the third time, okay?”

Cassandra’s laughter rang out, her shoulders shaking.

“Great, just freaking great, Chanty,” Angelica said irritably, inching away from her friend. “Now I look like a fool.”

“No,” Cassandra said laughingly. “It’s just that…” she tried to say in between her laughter, “I just realized you’re not at all that serious.”

Angelica frowned at her, “What do you mean?” she asked her.

“I mean, you’re not that serious about stalking Philip. You’re just in it for the chase, am I right?”

Chanty laughed, “You bet that’s right.”

“Whatever,” Angelica rolled her eyes. Well, that was true.

“I get it now,” Cassandra uttered, looking relieved. “You couldn’t stop going after Philip because you never caught him.”

“That’s what I told her, but she wouldn’t admit it,” Chanty told her with a laugh. “She is always saying she likes the thrill—especially when you came about—but she won’t ever admit that she is giving up because she never got her goal.”

“You know what? I think I’m leaving,” Angelica started to stand up. She didn’t like being talked about.

“No!” Chanty and Cassandra said in unison, their faces obviously amused.

“You’re making fun of me,” she accused.

“I was just relieved to know you are not actually serious about chasing my husband,” Cassandra told her.

“But I would still get him if he’ll give me the chance,” Angelica’s gaze was challenging.

 “Yeah, you could try that.”

“You’ll just get another call from him,” Chanty laughed once more.

“I hate you. The two of you!” Angelica fumed, glaring at them.

“Don’t worry, you might just get him,” Cassandra said all of a sudden. Chanty’s laugh stopped. She stared at Angelica in stunned silence. Then Angelica looked at Cassandra curiously. “I mean maybe he would want to get rid of me if I don’t get to learn how to cook a freaking fried chicken properly the next time I try.”

Chanty giggled. “You made me nervous back there, Cass.”

“I was beginning to hope,” Angelica sighed. “But don’t get me wrong, Cassandra.” She fixed her a serious look. “I’m not over yet. I’m just laying down low because I got my eye on someone else. You just as much as let Philip go, I’ll be back on track and you won’t be able to stop me.”

“Wow…” Cassandra smirked, “that was one hell of a scary speech.”

Angelica straightened on her seat and smiled proudly. “I’m scary, I know that.”

“That’s why guys don’t go after you, Ange,” Chanty pointed out.

“I’m too impulsive to care, you know that,” she flipped her red hair back.

“So, who’s this guy you’re after for the moment?” Chanty asked her. Chanty wouldn’t really give her a break, would she?

Angelica forced a wicked smile. “You don’t have to know that. That would be between me and him and I’m not even trying to really chase this guy because I want to. It’s got something to do with work,” she explained. That was partly right anyway.

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t really want to talk about it,” Angelica held her hand and added, “What I want to talk about right now is Willie’s party.”

“Oh, yes, right. My baby’s WALKING PARTY.”

“I don’t really get it why you want to have such a party, but okay, let’s plan…” Angelica said dryly.

She had put her phone in silent mode but she could feel that Henry was really in panic now because it hadn’t stopped vibrating. Catch me if you can…

 *****

They were inside a restaurant attending a Tea Party. Could you believe that?

A series of events happened just as they were wrapping up the plan for Willie’s party. Philip suddenly appeared with his ever handsome self and almost dragged his wife to some freaking tea party.

Angelica and Chanty, feeling they had to support Cassandra after learning that Bethany Wiles, the woman who had been one of their worst enemies, would be there, hitched along and now they were inside the restaurant full of people in suit and tie.

Cassandra had excused herself to go to the bathroom and she was left once again with Chanty.

“I can’t believe my brother. He’s just a jerk. How can he be with that woman when he knows his wife is around? What a jerk!” Chanty had been saying the same thing over and over since they entered the restaurant. They had tried as much as they could to show Bethany how lame her party was.

She shared her friend’s sentiments, feeling for Cassandra. But she knew her new friend could handle anything. She smiled inwardly. She knew Bethany entered the bathroom a few seconds before Cassandra and she was sure Philip’s wife was already frying the bitch’s ass right that moment.

“What’s wrong with your phone?” Chanty asked when it vibrated once again inside her bag.

“It’s nothing,” she answered.

“Can’t you answer that? It’s been vibrating for hours!” Chanty complained.

“Fine,” she snapped and stood up. Carrying her phone in her hand, she walked towards the doors and walked out into the sidewalk.

It was still vibrating and she punched the answer button. “What?” she talked to the phone, knowing exactly who was calling.

“Where are you?” Henry’s voice asked from the other end. “I swear I’m going to kill you, Dalton. I told you not to go out.”

“I’m with Chanty. Fine, you can kill me later. I’m looking forward to it. Bye.” She clicked off and went back inside.

“Who was that?” Chanty asked when she sat back down.

“No one,” she sighed. “Some people in the hospital. Where’s Cassandra?”

“Here she comes,” Chanty answered, looking ahead. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Chanty asked when she saw Cassandra’s face.

“I’m fine. I think I need to go home. I feel tired and I don’t like the food.”

“We’ll go with you.”

“No,” she said quickly. “I...I need to be alone.”

“You’re not getting soft, are you?” Angelica asked her. She didn’t like seeing women welling up with tears.

“No,” Cassandra answered. “Actually, I just gave Beth a picture of hell in the comfort room. That’s why I need to run. She will be furious as hell.”

Angelica laughed.

Chanty snorted and said, “Okay, go now. We’ll take care of things. She goes after you, we’ll be right behind to pull her pretty black hair back.”

“And drag her down the street,” Angelica added, tilting her chin up. “I’ll do the honor.”

“Thanks,” Cassandra muttered. “Uh, I left my bag in Philip’s car. I need money for a cab.”

Angelica rolled her eyes before she opened her purse. Again, she saw that her phone received another call. “I only have a hundred dollar bill. You better pay me back. Doctors aren’t rich, you know.”

“You’re a doctor?” Cassandra was obviously shocked.

“Yes, I am. And I need money too. And I still can’t believe you’re walking off.”

“Don’t mind her,” Chanty said dismissively. “She’s got money you couldn’t count. And go. You need a break.”

Cassandra smiled at them gratefully and walked off.

“Now what?” asked Chanty.

“I need to go,” she stood up as well, hastily organizing her purse.

“Where are you going?”

“I need to pick up my car and then I have to go home.”

“Why such in a hurry all of a sudden?”

“There’s an emergency with one of my patients,” she lied. Bending down low, she kissed her friend goodbye. “Take care of that bitch Bethany for me,” she whispered and left her friend.

She took her precious time to hail a cab to drive her back to the café where she left her car. And once again, she drove back towards Henry’s apartment. She knew full well that he would be furious as hell and that he might probably really kill her. But of course she knew he wouldn’t dare. She was not in any way in danger and she was able to go back with limbs still intact.

She was about to find a parking space for her car outside his apartment building when she saw him half-running out the doors and towards his car. Angelica frowned.

Where is he going now? He obviously didn’t see her as he climbed inside his car and zoomed away.

Instinct told her she should follow him and she did just that. She knew he could identify her car if ever he saw it so she had to be careful that he wouldn’t, driving two to three cars behind him as he drove along the busy streets. She didn’t know where he was going, but she was determined to find out.

If he was going somewhere related to his real job, that would be great. She was dying with curiosity as to what he really did for a living. But she was surprised when he parked his car outside a fine dining restaurant, got out with a briefcase, and entered the fancy doors. Angelica struggled for a moment if she should barge in and find out for sure what he was up to or if she should just wait. She decided on the last option and parked her car three vehicles away from his and waited.

 *****

“What’s this all about, Bell?” Grissom, his superior asked him. “You know I can’t meet with you in places like this. This better be good.”

“I know, sir, but this is urgent. I needed to see you in person.”

“Then spill it out,” Grissom looked around them, his professional eyes, trained over the years, keenly studying every person present.

Henry knew the place was safe, that was why he asked his superior to meet him there. He couldn’t risk using his phone knowing his stupid brat ward left his doors unlocked when she left. “I found out something that takes us one big leap from where we were with my investigation.”

Grissom’s white eyebrows froze in a frown. “What do you mean?”

“This,” he took out the printed documents out of his briefcase and handed them towards the man. “Patrick Dalton left it before he died.”

Grissom’s face deepened. “Patrick Dalton? The man you were supposed to kill years ago? The man whom you call your number one asset is dead?”

Henry almost cringed at the memory, but he kept his face straight. “Yes. He was found dead inside his home two days ago.”

Grissom’s eyes tore off from the papers he was studying upon hearing his statement. “Why didn’t I hear of this from the papers?”

“His remaining family member didn’t want to make it public,” he answered, trying his might not to place a tinge of irritation as he mentioned Angelica. He was still pissed that she disobeyed his orders.

 “Was he murdered?”

“I believe so, yes.” Grissom cursed and Henry wanted to close his eyes and get the hell out. He knew this was coming. He knew he would have his ass whipped because of this. “I know, it was my fault. I didn’t see that coming.”

“Are you telling me that the only man who could give you entry into the organization is dead?”

Henry looked around and whispered. “Yes.”

“And there’s something else you are not telling me?”

“He left me his daughter.”

Grissom frowned. “What daughter? I never received a report about a daughter.”

“Angelica Dalton. She’s a doctor. I didn’t know about her since Patrick appointed me to be her guardian. Sir, you know I was being careful not to ask him about his life. The man knew about me, trusted me despite everything. He kept it a secret from his organization, and I didn’t want to break that trust. He never talked about his family.”

“You were too lax on him,” Grissom shook his head.

“I was trying my best.”

“And now he’s dead. And the worse thing is that you can’t get that entry we are aiming for. Who would vouch for you now, huh?”

“His partners know me. I’m friends with some of them,” Henry tried to reason out. He didn’t want his whole assignment to go to waste. He had been working on it for years now.

“But Patrick Dalton was your best shot.”

“I know, but give me a chance here. I know I can get into this.”

“How? Unless you have someone who—” Grissom stopped, his thoughts apparently wandering off towards something that Henry was almost afraid to know. “Angelica Dalton.”

He frowned. “What about her?”

“She will be her father’s successor.”

That was answer enough for Henry and he didn’t like it. “No, that’s not possible.” It would be a conflict to what Patrick had asked him to do.

“Yes, it’s going to be perfect. You just have to be careful that she doesn’t find out too much. Use her to gain entry into the organization.”

“She will ask questions,” he said with certainty. And she will be in danger.

“Then tell her anything. Make up stories. Just don’t let her find out what you are up to.”

“Sir, I’m telling you, this is not a very good idea.”

“And I’m telling you, as your superior, that this is the best shot we have. It’s your fault Patrick Dalton is dead. You weren’t looking after him too well. And now, you have a second chance. Don’t blow it.”

“But sir—”

“We don’t have to discuss this any further,” Grissom stood up, indicating their meeting was over. “I’m serious, Bell. Don’t blow this one off.”

“But what should I tell her? She’s too smart,” he reasoned out almost desperately. He knew he could do this alone and dragging Angelica into this mess would surely mean trouble.

Grissom’s pale green eyes looked down on him. “As I told you, tell her anything but the truth. You of all people know that the truth means trouble. And if you’re feeling all too guilty about everything, get rid of it once and for all. Your job is to worm yourself into the organization. Right now, your best asset is Dalton’s daughter. Use her to your advantage. She doesn’t have to know her father worked for the bad guys.”