All the usual Disclaimers. Please consider Rysher and their associates, also briefly PAX and Lionsgate, and then there is Grundy and whoever. This picks up after that bit of nonsense set in the "Heart" universe, called "An Unexpected Guest". The life and times of Rollie Tyler and Angie Ramirez can get ... interesting and sometimes deadly. This one is rated R. You've been warned! (And not for the wedding night.) "Betwixt Wind And Water" is on the Hope Island Lookout. And so it goes into...

Angie Ramirez, Rollie knew, was desperate. So far she hadn't found anyone who could watch Vicky in a pinch. She couldn't even find someone to watch her during the wedding! The Aussie, wisely he thought, was keeping out of the entire issue. He had enough to do, which now included taking care of said Vicky. The little wallaby wasn't much bother. Well, he didn't like having to clean up after her, but other than that she was fine. He really didn't want her to be on their hands on Saturday though. Hopefully Odie would show up before then. But if there was one thing he had learned in life, it was that you couldn't count on what you wanted. They had to be prepared for the worse, namely an unusual, temporary pet complicating their lives and plans. The lanky man held the bouncing animal still, trying to fit the harness he'd found with the food on her. That harness and the matching leash were a blessing! He had swiftly found out that accidents in the loft were less likely if he took Vicky for 'hoppies'. The wallaby was always excited when he got the harness out. She practically thrummed with it. The reaction was both endearing and frustrating. Endearing because it was always nice to see someone or something happy, frustrating because it complicated the matter of putting the harness on her. Finally getting her nicely buckled in, he straightened up and opened the door.

Rollie Tyler froze at the sight of the gun pointed at his head. For an eternity he struggled from the concepts of wedding and wallabies, pet-sitters and life and happiness, to the reality of violence and death. He looked past the hand steadily holding the huge weapon (He had long since discovered that weapons always seemed larger and deadlier when they were pointed at you or someone you loved) to the owner. Bloody effing hell!!! He looked into his own face. But those were most definitely not his eyes. Victor Loubar had finally surfaced again. Just in time to eff up the wedding! He should have known... "Loubar."

A cold grin slowly grew on Victor Loubar's face. As it did, Rollie remembered the last time he had encountered the arms dealer/terrorist/assassin. Rollie had never, ever seen anyone in the emotional state that Loubar had been in. In all the wheeling and dealing he had watched Dingo pull, in all the foolishness and egos of movie making, the Australian had never seen anyone become quite as mad, embarrassed and totally mortified as Loubar had been that day. Angie had tricked him and Angie Ramirez was not suppose to trick him. She had one-upped him at his own game with his own tricks. When the bastard had nabbed Rollie off the street and seduced Angie while pretending to be her partner, she had already changed the whole game board. The Angie Ramirez he lured to bed had really been Interpol Agent Anne Garrett whose main intent had been to get DNA samples of the notoriously illusive criminal. Then to add insult to injury and rub salt into Loubar's wounded ego, the blonde was directly responsible for his capture at LaGuardia. The topper had been the fact that she tricked the antidote to the viral agent he had given Tyler out of him so expeditiously. Victor Loubar, the unstoppable, unbeatable Loubar had been stopped cold by a mere woman! It was bad enough when Tyler did it, but Ramirez?!? She was just a computer geek, a nerd, a...!!! The howl had rattled bars throughout that entire level of the precinct.

When Victor Loubar escaped while in transit to a high security federal prison, all bets had been off. Rollie and Angie had known that the man would neither forgive nor forget what had been done to him. Their budding wedding plans were tossed right out the door as they bent their talents, knowledge and intelligence to his re-capture. They knew that there was no way Loubar would allow them to marry in peace while he was alive and free. Their best option was to get him back into safe hands. Unfortunately, the arms dealer and assassin seemed to have vanish without a trace. In spite of the DNA detectors monitoring at major airports around the world, in spite of Angie's prodigious computer search around the globe and over the Internet, they had found no trace that Victor Loubar was out there in the world. As time passed, life beckoned them back from the effort. Reluctantly, they reduced their participation and turned their attentions back to their careers and living their lives. Finally, the couple had tossed their worries to the four winds and went back to planning for one of the biggest days of their lives. Wherever Loubar was, whatever he was planning, Rollie and Angie just wanted to get married and live their lives in peace. When law enforcement agencies began to discuss the increasing likelihood that Loubar had been killed by one of his own contacts or clients, they knew the time had come. The date was set. Arrangements were made. Invitations were sent out.

And now Victor Loubar was back with a gun pointing at the Aussie's head. Rollie prayed that Angie was unharmed.

"Tyler." The cold voice purred. "I wonder what dear Angela will say when she finds your cold, stiff body," he bared his teeth in a smile more at home on a shark, "after the honeymoon."

"Leave her alone, you bastard!" Rollie made an abortive lunge at his nemesis. If ever he could hate someone, it would be Victor Loubar. He felt a towering rage ignite in his mind. Desperately he fought the flames down. They wouldn't help. He had to find a way, some way to stop Loubar. Even if it meant his own life...

Victor Loubar slowly pulled back on the trigger.

Rollie stared in wide-eyed surprise as a broken broomstick flew, like a well flung spear, against Loubar's hand just as he pulled the trigger. The clap of the gunshot rang in the Aussie's ears. The stick clattered to the ground. He fell back, yanked off balance by Vicky's terrified leap. The wallaby was desperate to get away and he didn't blame her.

Loubar cursed and bent down for the gun, intent on finishing Tyler. A man in a blue plaid shirt coat, wearing a gray hat, suddenly tackled him. The arms dealer lashed out with a fist which was blocked by a hastily thrown up arm. The stranger returned the blow, catching Rollie's assailant with a wicked upper cut.

Rollie let go of Vicky's leash as he watched the fight rage in front of him. The little wallaby vanished into the depths of the old brewery. Who is he? Whoever he is, he's certainly a better fighter than me, the FX man thought as the man dodged a blow and kicked Loubar's feet out from under him. He pounced and, for a moment, the two men brutally exchanged blows to each others bodies in a close clinch. The man lost his hat and Loubar broke away, retreating to the other side of the lane. He glared with vicious hatred at the man who stood protectively between him and his rightful prey.

"Rollie!"

Francis Gatti's startled yell from the entry to the lane, broke the brief stalemate. With a howl, Loubar pulled another gun from... somewhere. Rollie didn't see where. The dark haired stranger leaped for the gun Loubar had lost earlier, catching it up and coming out of a roll in a crouch, the gun aimed at the deadly master criminal.

The sound of two gunshots reverberated through Brewery Lane.

The NYPD detective pulled his gun out and pointed it at the two men he saw. He didn't think Rollie would howl like that, but he couldn't take any chances. He watched, stunned, as the man who looked like Rollie slid to the pavement. No! Rollie! His thoughts felt scattered as he aimed at the crouching man. "Police! Drop the gun!"

The stranger slowly turned his head to look at Francis.

The Italian American gasped in surprise.

A sad smile flitted across the man's face. He carefully pulled out a plastic ziplock bag from a back pocket and stuffed the gun inside it, then placed it in front of him. With slow caution, he stood, his hands kept visible at all times. He turned to stare at the still form of his opponent. With wary steps, he approached Loubar. He toed the gun away from the criminal, then kicked it toward Gatti. He stared with sad brown eyes at the hole in Loubar's chest. Crouching, he felt the neck for a pulse. Not finding one, he straightened and turned to look at Rollie Tyler for the first time. "He's dead."

Rollie gaped up at his own face. What?

Francis had collected the guns and came to stand by Rollie. "You didn't tell us Daniel could fight... And shoot."

Dan..? "That's not Daniel, Frank." Rollie pushed himself to his feet.

Not Daniel Cooper? Gatti shook his head, feeling as if he had taken a turn into some surreal world. But he looks just like you. He watched warily as the stranger with Rollie's face took a couple of steps toward them.

"What? Don't remember me, Rollie?" A smile tugged at the man's lips as the other two took in his Australian accent.

Rollie's eyes suddenly widened in wonder. "Da--Davy?"

Davy?!? Who's Davy? Rollie never mentioned a brother, twin or otherwise. Gatti blinked and tried to bring his muddled mind back to order.

"Yeah, it's me, Sister-brother." Davy glanced back at the dead body. "Who was that poor berk and why was he tryin' to kill you?"

"Rollie?" Frank's voice was plaintive. Sister-brother?! What did that mean?

Rollie suddenly lunged forward and grabbed the stranger in a tight hug. "Davy!" He buried his face in Davy's neck.

Davy looked at Gatti and his brown eyes twinkled at the man's obvious confusion. He gently held Rollie, patting his back. "That's first cousin to you, Detective...?"

"Gatti, Francis Gatti."

Davy started to say something, then froze. "Rollie! You're bleeding!"

Rollie tried to shrug it off. "It's just a scratch, Davy. What are you doing here?!?"

Davy looked at him in exasperation. "Hold still and let me check it." He held Rollie's arm firmly, examining the bloody tear in the cloth of Rollie's shirt and the wound with a critical eye.

Rollie flushed as he realized what he'd just said sounded like. "Not that I'm not glad you're here, Davy. Believe me, I am! But... What are you doing here?"

Francis drew closer in concern. "Is Rollie all right?" He pulled out his cell phone. He needed to call the shooting in. Did he need to call an ambulance as well?

Davy looked thoughtful. "Yeah. Rollie's right. It is just a scratch, thank goodness! What would the guests think if you were hurt worse, Rollie?"

"Guests?" Rollie blinked at the non-sequitur.

"Yeah, you're getting married in a few days. Right?" Now it was Davy's turn to look a bit confused. "Tell me I didn't get that mixed up flying here and you are getting married."

"Yes. Saturday, the wedding is Saturday. Is that why you're here?"

"Hey! My favorite cousin gettin' married? Of course I'm here! I would have called ahead, but it was so late by the time I got the leave straightened out," he trailed off and shrugged. "That invite is still open?"

"You better believe it!" Rollie felt tears sting his eyes and blinked them away. He couldn't believe how relieved he felt to have some family there for the wedding! Even if he hadn't seen Davy in over twenty years and that for just that one summer. He remembered how hard his younger cousin had worked at distracting him from the pain of his broken leg, his mother's death and Cale's betrayal. And what had seemed like abandonment by his own father, yet again. Davy had made him feel welcomed and loved. So had his great-aunt, even if she really wasn't his aunt. She was Davy's paternal grandmother. Her son had married Rollie's mother's sister. They hadn't come for the funeral, but... He shoved the thought away. Why should they have come?

"I'm looking forward to meeting Angie and welcoming her as a cousin," Davy said as he went back outside, quickly returning with his rucksack. "Let's get that scratch patched up." He rummaged through the contents and pulled out a small first aid kit.

A very complete first aid kit, Rollie soon found as he was pushed over to sit on the couch and quickly had his shirt pulled half off. The ointment Davy used on the wound on his right arm stung both injury and nose. Eucalyptus and... What was that other scent? It seemed familiar.

"Units are on the way, including someone from the coroner's office to collect the body," Frank reported as he watched the cousins. "Captain's going to call Chief MacConnell, Rollie. He'll want to know about Loubar."

"And be able to confirm that it really is Victor Loubar," Rollie finished.

"Victor Loubar? International arms dealer, assassin and master thief, Loubar?" Davy asked, peering over his shoulder at the New York cop. "The one that is wanted on six continents and master of disguise? We only got a drawing of him, um, five years ago. Something about a movie special effects type and the FBI. What in the world did you do to get Loubar after you, Rollie?" Davy put a bandage on the furrow on his arm.

Rollie's mouth twitched. "Um, I was the movie special effects type, Davy."

One of Davy's brows arched and he took in the loft's decor for the first time. "Guess you are at that, old son. Interesting choice of careers. Bet you like doing it though. If we have time between now and the wedding, you'll have to explain how you got into it."

"Yeah, we didn't exactly get to catch up when I called you Christmas."

Davy chuckled. "Sorry about that, Rollie. I really did have to go! It was a murder after all."

Light dawned in Rollie's eyes. "You did it," he whispered, "you really did it!"

Davy grinned. "Yeah, I did." He reached into a pocket and pulled out a wallet, showing his ID to his cousin.

Rollie touched the badge. "David John Bonaparte, Detective, Australia Police." He grinned at his double. "Don't go half way, do you?" A sparkle of mischief leaped into his brown eyes. "So how are you doing against your great-grandfather's record?"

"Detective?" Francis squeaked. He shook his head and sighed deeply. That explained how he knew how to fight, shoot and about Loubar. He wondered how he was going to break the news to Captain Van Duran. And Mira! He wasn't looking forward to that at all!

"Not too bad so far. I've got a long way to go, but so far I'm a hundred percent," Davy's boyish grin took away any hint of overwhelming pride.

Rollie's lips twitched and he smothered a chuckle. "What about the other record?"

Davy shook his head solemnly. "Only got sacked once and considering the sergeant who did the sacking was up to his eyeballs in the murder..." He shrugged. It didn't really count then, now did it? "Old man usually puts me on files when he thinks I'm out of bounds."

Sacking? Sergeant up to his eyeballs in murder?! Out of bounds? Francis wondered what they were talking about, then thinking about what he knew about Rollie and Dingo Tyler, decided he didn't really want to know. Davy might be a Bonaparte, but he was related to Rollie Tyler after all.

"I bet you hate that," Rollie commented, remembering how his cousin had spent every available moment outside. He felt like hugging him again as he remembered that and how much time Davy had spent inside on account of him.

"You'll have to come down to the precinct, um, Davy," Francis interjected.

To the precinct? Was Davy in trouble for saving his life, Rollie wondered. "Francis...?"

Davy squeezed Rollie's left shoulder gently. "Paperwork, yeah, I know," he responded ruefully. He bet there was going to be a lot of paperwork! He was no where near his own territory and even there he would have had a lot of paperwork. "Call me Bony, Frank. Only one left calling me Davy is this bloke."

Only him, but... Rollie looked up at Davy in concern. "Bony?"

Bony smiled at his cousin's concern. "Grandmum calls me David," he answered gently.

"But Uncle Albert?" Rollie wondered if something had happened to the wonderful old aboriginal who had adopted Davy as a son. After all, Albert Harris had found Davy in the heart of the Great Sandy after the nine year old's parents died when their car broke down on a trip to visit his grandmother. The police hadn't even known about him, but Uncle Albert had. He found Davy and took him to his grandmother's to live. From that point on, the aboriginal seemed to take a proprietary interest in one David John Bonaparte.

Bony chuckled, "Even Uncle Albert calls me Bony now, Rol." He sobered a bit. "Grandmum had to move into town. She's too old to stay by herself. She hated doing it, but..." He shrugged. It really had been the best solution. His job wouldn't allow him to stay with her and no one else really seemed inclined to live there. He hated to think of how old and frail she had gotten. His grandmother had always been so strong! "Oh, I found something when I cleaned up the house that I want to show you."

Whatever it was that Davy had found, Rollie had to wait to find out. The forensic unit had shown up, closely followed by a coroner's wagon and then Van Duran. Rollie watched his cousin watch the New York City police captain, trying not to focus on the object of the police investigation. A shudder ran through his body.

"Intense."

Rollie blinked as Davy broke the silence that had wrapped around the cousins. The noise was all over there... With Loubar. "What?"

"That is one intense man." Davy tipped his head toward the man he was watching.

Rollie had to chuckle. He'd never really thought about it, but his cousin was right. Van Duran was intense.

"I hope he relaxes occasionally. Otherwise, he'll have a heart attack."

"I really don't know if he does or doesn't." Catching a twinkle in Davy's eyes, he felt drawn to ask. "What would you suggest?"

David Bonaparte suddenly grinned. "He should try standing on his head." Suiting his actions to his words, Davy proceeded to do just that, using the wall to steady himself.

"Do you know how dirty that pavement is?" Rollie asked.

Davy closed his eyes and took a deep breath, relaxing. "No dirtier than dirt, Brother mine."

Rollie felt the tension that had been building inside, ever since Victor Loubar reappeared in his life, relax as he took in his cousin. The image of Marvin Van Duran doing the same thing formed in his mind's eye. He almost convulsed with laughter and suddenly sat in a loose sprawl beside his cousin. "How is it you always manage to make me feel better?"

"It's my lot in life."

Rollie gaped at his twin cousin, wondering how he could seriously say that. He saw lips so like his own twitch slightly with suppressed laughter and felt his own bubbling back up, driving away the dark thoughts. "You're crazy," he leaned over to whisper in Davy's ear.

Bony's eyes opened and laughed at him. "Takes one to know one." The visiting cop watched curiously as he saw Rollie's friend, Frank, talking to his superior. He guessed the reasons for the flying hands and rapid words when the captain turned to glare at his cousin and him. He suppressed a groan as the man frowned in distaste. Lovely, he thought to himself, we're going to get raked. His eyes narrowed slightly. You can yell all you want at me, but you're leaving my sister-brother alone.

Marvin Van Duran gave a sharp nod and stalked over to the twin Tylers. When he first arrived, he'd thought the second man who looked so much like Rollie Tyler was Daniel Cooper, having heard of Tyler's meeting with his twin, the minister from Washington State. A minister would be nice and oh so quiet. Unfortunately, Gatti had just disabused him of that notion. Not only was the newcomer not a minister, he was a cop! A detective from Australia and Rollie Tyler's cousin. Just what he needed - two of them messing around his precinct. And this Bonaparte (How in the world had he gotten that name?!?) was the one who'd shot and killed the man they suspected was Loubar. He wondered how the Australian felt about shooting a man that looked just like his cousin. The way he had Tyler laughing, it didn't seem to bother him that much. He didn't like that. He didn't like cops who didn't feel regret over a death, justified or not. His eyes narrowed as he took in the twins.

Bony looked up from his upside down position and fluidly turned upright, so he could look the newcomer in the eye. His eyes drifted to where they were putting the body into the bag and a flicker of pain and regret passed through them, before he focused on the captain. He stood up straight, just the way they taught him at the police academy and waited silently. The old man, D.I. Vincetti, liked it when he did that. It showed discipline. Hopefully this captain would like it too.

Van Duran was relieved to catch that flicker of emotion in the younger man's eyes. So he did feel regrets. Glancing at Tyler who was scrambling to his own feet, dusting off his jeans, he realized that Bonaparte had been trying to ease the tension thrumming in his twin cousin. Considering the upcoming wedding, Van Duran felt a thread of approval, which he quickly stomped on. He didn't want to approve of this man, at least not until he knew more about him. "Tyler, Bonaparte, get in the car, we'll handle this at the station." He turned and marched over to his unmarked police car, not even checking that the two men were following, expecting obedience from both.

When Van Duran climbed into the front passenger seat, next to his driver, the twins looked at each other and shrugged. They obediently got in back. On the way to the Midtown South Precinct, Davy started to ask his cousin about the wedding. As the first word came, Van Duran turned around and snapped. "No talking. Not until we've got both of your statements."

Bony's mouth clamped shut and he started to glare at the police captain, then sighed. If he'd been investigating, he would have been the same way, only politer. He hoped he never barked at people the way this captain and his own superiors tended to do. A vague thought drifted through as his attention wandered to the city view passing by the car windows. Do they all get a course in barking? Barking 101. A grin flitted across his handsome face and he looked over at his cousin. Rollie looked fairly miserable and extremely tense. And he couldn't talk to him. He frowned thoughtfully, then reached over and laid his hand on Rollie's shoulder.

Rollie looked at his cousin. He smiled at the gentle squeeze, then leaned his head back on the seat, closing his eyes. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. It would all be worthwhile if Victor Loubar was really out of their lives. He flinched at the twinge of guilt that thought brought. He shouldn't be glad someone, a fellow human, was dead. Not even one like Loubar. It was wrong. He turned troubled eyes toward his window and brooded.

Bony was relieved to find the car trip was relatively short. The silence had felt stifling and he could feel the tension building back up in his cousin. He didn't like it, not one bit. He almost shot out of his seat and on to the sidewalk, the moment the car pulled to a stop. The sooner this was over, the sooner he could help Rollie with the things that were bothering him.

Van Duran led the twin cousins through the precinct and upstairs. The looks on people's faces as they caught sight of Rollie and Davy would have been priceless, if the situation hadn't been so serious. Still, Bony, ever aware of his surroundings, caught the reactions and stored them for later use. His sister-brother might be amused once he had some distance from the whole thing. He knew his partner, Frank Fischer, would be amused. He could at least pass a few hours on a boring stakeout with the tidbits.

"Tyler, my office." Van Duran waited pointedly as the elder cousin silently obeyed. Satisfied that the special effects artist was safely ensconced in his domain, he led the younger cousin to an interrogation room. "Sit down and keep quiet. Someone will join you shortly." He turned and left, closing the door behind him, with David Bonaparte standing in the middle of the bare room.

Bony pulled a face at the one-way glass. His eyes scanned the hard, uncomfortable chairs and the plain, scarred table bolted to the floor. Seemed the Yanks were into a more primitive form of interrogation. Not that he thought they'd bring out rubber hoses or anything. That was the realm of television, movies and hard-boiled detective novels. Still, it was a far cry from the interrogation room he was used to at his own station. They had electronic equipment readily available to record the proceedings and results. Instead of one-way mirrors, they had a couple of discreet cameras in the upper corners of the room. Every moment was recorded from the first time the suspect or witness entered until they left. He grimaced at the chairs. And their chairs were more comfortable too, not that he was that partial to chairs anyway. The floor was fine with him. He considered standing on his head again, but the best place for it... Well, he didn't want to tempt whoever came to question him with the thought he was being evasive or something. Van Duran was already jittery enough in his opinion. It would be best to stay in plain sight. With that thought in mind, David 'Bony' Bonaparte took up a loosely formed lotus position smack dab in the middle of the table. He sighed and settled in for what would probably be a long wait.

Mira Sanchez and Angie Ramirez showed up from their shopping trip just as the coroner's wagon left. The two women exchanged worried glances. The Hispanic cop approached her partner, determined to get answers to ease her friend's worry. "Francis? What's going on?"

Angie trailed behind. "Where's Rollie?" She asked anxiously.

"Rollie's all right, Angie. He's with Captain Van Duran." Francis hastened to assure the beautiful blonde. He took a deep breath. "Loubar showed up."

"Loubar!?!" Mira's eyes widened. She started muttering curses under her breath in Spanish. "What happened?"

Gatti looked at them, his eyes full of regret and a hint of anger. "I can't tell you any more than that. Captain's orders."

Angie flushed. She felt anger burning up, rising into a volcanic fire. How dare he? How dare Van Duran? Rollie was her fiancé! They were getting married in three days! And Loubar... "Where are they, Francis?" Angie's eyes narrowed dangerously. She would not take her anger out on Francis Gatti. She wouldn't! But there was going to be a reckoning or her name was not Angela Ramirez.

Angie was muttering Cuban curses under her breath as Mira turned yet another corner. "Mira, you might not want to be with me when I see Van Duran," she warned.

"Oh no, mi hermaña, we're together on this one!" Mira flashed her a wicked grin as she expertly whipped into a parking spot outside the precinct.

"You could get fired," Angie cautioned as they swiftly exited the car.

"Then I'll get another job," Detective Sanchez responded briskly.

They took the steps up to the squad room two at a time. Everybody who saw them coming got out of the way. No one wanted to tangle with the pair of furious women. They entered the doors side by side. Blonde and brunette heads turned immediately toward the captain's office. Van Duran's back was to them and they saw Rollie seated on the couch. Exchanging predatory glances, Angie Ramirez and Mira Sanchez burst into the office. Rollie jumped at the abrupt entrance, his eyes widening with uncertainty.

Marvin Van Duran turned to face the interruption. "Ah, Sanchez, about time you got here. Go take a statement from the witness in interrogation room one. Ramirez, sit down," he nodded to the couch next to the Aussie, "and be quiet, please." He handed Tyler one of the cups of coffee that he held. His foot tapped in impatience as Angie fumed for a second. Concern for her fiancé outweighed her anger and she sat next to him, pointedly ignoring the police captain and took Rollie's free hand in her hands. Van Duran reached out, offering the blonde the second cup of coffee.

Angie blinked slightly and silently accepted the cup. Rollie wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.

The captain turned and picked up a third cup of coffee. It was obvious he had been expecting them. He sat down at his desk and took a sip. "Sanchez. Get cracking!"

For a moment, the furious detective stood there wondering if Francis had warned the captain that they were coming. Mira gave a mental shake, Gatti would not do that. She opened her mouth to protest, then closed it with a snap. Her lips set in a frown, her dark eyes sparking with fury, she stalked out of the office to find out who was waiting in the interrogation room.

"Now, while Sanchez interviews our other... witness, Tyler," Van Duran said, "you tell me what happened. Exactly as it happened." He set down his cup, placed a microcassette recorder on the desk, turned it on and sat back. "And Ramirez, don't interrupt! You can ask your questions after Tyler is finished." He steepled his hands. "Start at the beginning and don't jump around if you can help it. What were you doing?"

Rollie started to speak, then stopped. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to get his thoughts in order. His eyes flickered open and focused on a point at the top of one of the bookcases in the office. "I was getting Vicky ready for a walk. I'd just gotten her buckled in her harness and opened the door. There was a man standing there with a gun pointing at my head." He felt Angie shift and tightened his hold for a second. "He had my face, but the eyes... I said 'Loubar'. He grinned at me and I started praying that Angie was alright and he hadn't hurt her." The Aussie swallowed hard. Angie slipped an arm around his waist and hugged him reassuringly. "He said my name. 'Tyler,' then he said something abou--abou--about what Angela was going to say when she found my body after the honeymoon." He squeezed his eyes shut and shivered.

Angie hugged her fiancé tightly. Ignoring Van Duran, she spoke. "Rollie, are you all right?"

Rollie's eyes opened and he smiled wanly, then nodded. "Yeah, I... It's just I wasn't expecting it. You know? He's been gone for so long!"

The blonde nodded. She knew exactly what he meant. She hadn't expected it either. When Francis had said Loubar was back, her heart had tried to leap out of her chest. For one second, she had wanted to turn around and run as far and as fast as she possibly could. She thought she might actually have done that if it hadn't been for her worry for Rollie.

Van Duran cleared his throat. He looked at the special effects experts pointedly.

"Um, yeah, I, uh, I got mad... and I, uh, I said something about him leaving Angie alone. I started to lunge at him and he... He was pulling the trigger back. I thought for sure I was dead then... Then, then, a stick, it looked like a broken broomstick, hit Loubar's gun hand, knocking his aim off. The gun went off and poor Vicky scrambled to get away. She yanked me off balance." He smiled ruefully at Angie who was looking at him with wide blue eyes. "There I was sitting on my back side with Loubar bending down to pick up his gun, when Da... a man jumped him. They fought. Loubar ended up on the other side of the ally glaring at me and ... my rescuer. I think I heard Frank shout my name, then he, Loubar, yelled... something... I don't think it was actually words or anything, just feeling. He--he pulled out another gun from somewhere. My rescuer dove for the gun he, that is Loubar, had lost and came up with it in his hand. The guns went off and then... Lou--Loubar just sort of slid down to the ground."

Angie gasped, her eyes wide. Could it be? Was it possible? Could Victor Loubar really be dead?!? She desperately hoped so.

Rollie chewed on his lower lip for a moment, thinking. "I think Francis said something like 'Police! Drop it' or 'Drop the gun.', something like that. Anyway, the other man, my rescuer, he, uh, he pulled a baggie out of his pocket, kind of slow and put the gun in it. He put it on the ground and stood up slowly with his hands sort of spread out. He went over to Loubar and kicked the other gun over toward Francis. He crouched down and checked Loubar. Then he stood up and looked at me. He said something. I think he said Loubar was dead. I... He looked like me! The man who saved my life looked like me." The Aussie turned toward Angie, his eyes wide and full of amazement. "Not just like me, not like Loubar, but... His hair was different and he didn't have this," his finger brushed the scar on his cheek, "but... He looked like me. I couldn't think. How?" He smiled crookedly, "then Frankie said something about Daniel being able to shoot and fight, but this guy didn't look like Daniel. Well, he did, but not... You know, there were differences, the hair and the way he moved and..." He shook his head. "I stood up and said something about he wasn't Daniel and then..." A light touched Rollie's eyes as he laughed softly and shook his head. "Then this man that looks like Daniel and me, he asks me if I didn't remember him. His accent was pure Oz, Ange! And I couldn't think, but then... I remembered and... It was Davy! It was my little cousin, Davy Bonaparte, all grown up and he looks just like me!" Rollie laughed again. "I couldn't believe it!"

Mira was muttering imprecations under her breath as she raided her desk for what she needed to interview a witness. Tape recorder, pens and forms in hand, she stormed to interrogation room one. She knew she wasn't in any mood to 'play nice' and, quite frankly, she didn't give a damn! Whoever was in there would just have to suffer the consequences. She yanked the door open and froze. Her mouth dropped open.

Bony opened his eyes as the door was yanked violently open. One brow arched as he took in the petite and beautiful Latino woman standing there staring at him. The look of shock on her face was priceless and did nothing to detract from her beauty. Her eyes, full of fire and surprise, stared at him. He could feel the tension thrumming through the woman and wondered briefly if all New York cops were this... intense. Minutes ticked by silently and the tension deepened. "G'dayee." Okay, it wasn't brilliant and it wasn't that great a day, but he had to start somewhere! Her staring was getting on his nerves. That didn't happen often. He'd learned patience from the best, his Uncle Albert.

Mira's eyes narrowed with suspicion. She stepped into the room, terribly aware that no one was watching through the one-way mirror. "Get off the table and sit in the chair," she ordered.

Bony shrugged, gracefully unfolded and sat down in the chair she'd indicated with her eyes. He folded his hands in front of him and settled in to wait for the first question. At least this should be over soon, then he could see about his cousin.

"Name!" Sanchez barked.

Going far with that bark, the Aussie detective thought to himself. "David John Bonaparte."

Mira Sanchez felt herself gaping again. "Who do you think you're kidding?" she snapped.

Bony shrugged. "It's my name," he responded softly.

"Uh huh. I take it you're related to Napoleon Bonaparte."

He knew he shouldn't. He really did, but he just couldn't resist. He smothered a grin and tried to keep the humor out of his eyes. "He was my great grandfather."

The New York detective felt her temper growing. What type of fool does he take me for?. "Yeah. Right. I guess that makes you older than you look. So what's the secret to staying in such good shape?" She leaned forward, just one step from getting right up into his face.

Bony coughed to keep from laughing out loud. "Clean living." He grinned widely. His face looked even younger as the good humor and joy of living glowed from his eyes.

Mira muttered something under her breath.

The Aussie's ear pricked up as he caught the words. He wondered what they meant. Maybe his partner would know. Thinking the curse might be useful one day, he stored it away for later investigation. Time to steer this conversation into the right direction. "I thought I was suppose to be making a statement?" He looked up at her, his rich brown eyes full of innocent inquiry.

The woman snorted. "All right, let's do that. Why don't you start at the beginning? Name, home address, job, what you're doing in New York." She placed the tape recorder on the table in front of the 'witness' and turned it on. She sat one hip on the table and folded her arms. Her body language screamed at the man. Go on, I dare you to mess with me!

Finally! Bony immediately started rattling off information. "My name is David John Bonaparte. I'm a detective with the Australian Police."

Mira fought to keep the shock off her face at that statement. Her eyes narrowed. This guy is going to pay for yanking my chain. Satisfied with the thought, she tuned back into his words.

"I came to New York City because my cousin, Rollie Tyler, is getting married to Angie Ramirez. He'd asked me to the wedding months ago, but I didn't think I could come until a few days ago." His hands gestured in excitement. "The powers in charge said everybody who still had leave from their last anniversary had to take it. Well, with the Olympics and all, my partner, Detective Sergeant Frank Fischer, and I hadn't had a chance to use any. So I asked the old man, Detective Inspector Vincetti, for the time off and I got Bev, that's Constable Bev Miles, to help me get the flights arranged. And let me tell you, it was not easy this late!" He took a deep breath. "Anyway, I got in this morning and headed for my cousin's place on Brewery Lane. He wasn't expecting me, by the way. I didn't have time to tell him I was coming." He looked into Mira's eyes and frowned. "When I got there, there was a bloke pointing a gun at the man coming out of Rollie's. I grabbed a broken broom stick from out a trash can and threw it at the man with the gun. It hit his hand just as he fired and he dropped the gun. Rollie fell back. I dropped my pack and jumped the man who'd had the gun. We fought for a bit and then, Detective Gatti showed up and shouted Rollie's name. The man jumped to the other side of the alley and glared at my cousin and me. At least, I was assuming he was my cousin since he was coming out of Rollie's. They both looked alike, right down to the scar on their left cheek."

"Loubar," the name came reluctantly from Mira.

Bony bobbed his head in acknowledgment. "The suspect howled and pulled another gun from his jacket. I dove for the one he dropped and came up with it in my hand. He pointed the gun at us and started to squeeze the trigger. I fired." He sighed. "Got him in the heart. He dropped. Gatti yelled 'Police. Drop the gun.' Well, I didn't want to mess with the fingerprints anymore than I already had so I pulled a ziplock out of my back pocket real slow and bagged the evidence. I put it down on the ground and stood up. I checked the suspect and he was dead like I expected. I turned around and looked at Rollie. Gatti and he were there staring at me. Detective Gatti told Rollie that 'You didn't tell us Daniel could fight and shoot.'" He looked puzzled. "Who's Daniel? Why do I think I should know?" He shrugged. "Anyway, Rollie said 'That's not Daniel, Frank.' and stood up. And let me tell you, I was right glad when he did too! I thought he'd been shot!" He stared at the one way glass for a moment. "I stepped forward and said 'What? Don't you remember me, Rollie?' His eyes got huge! Then he must of recognized me because he said 'Davy'. I told him it was me and asked who the man was and why he was trying to kill Rollie."

"Long story," Mira answered without humor.

"Yeah, I bet," Bony muttered. "Rollie hugged me and I sort of hugged him back. Gatti and I introduced ourselves to each other, then I... I realized Rollie had been hit."

Mira felt her heart jump into her mouth at those words. Rollie had to be all right! Frank had said he was with the captain and she'd seen him for herself. It couldn't be that bad!

"I insisted on checking it and while Detective Gatti called in, I checked it. Fortunately, Rollie was right. It was just a little scratch. I cleaned it and patched it up." He looked up at her thoughtfully. "Gatti said that the captain was going to call a Chief MacConnell and that he could verify the dead man was Victor Loubar?"

Mira nodded, even though she didn't want to. She didn't want to like this man. She knew she shouldn't trust him. But... He had saved Rollie from Loubar! At least from what he'd said. Her partner and the FX man could confirm that, easily enough. Rollie would also expect her to like his cousin. And to be honest, she did think she liked him. He sounded like a good man. If his story was true, he would be a very good man to have at your back. She knew how important that was.

"How do we know he was shooting at you? He hit Rollie." Mira asked.

Bony pulled open his bush shirt so the light could shine through the bullet hole.

"Okay, that makes it evidence."

Bony sighed. "I figured as much." He shrugged out of the shirt and held out for Mira to take.

Accepting the jacket, she silently shut off the recorder. "I'll get your statement typed up and you can sign it. Wait here." She left the room more thoughtfully than she entered. First, she wanted to confirm the Australian cop's story. Somehow she didn't think the captain was going to let her grill Rollie. Besides, her friend had already been through too much. So that left her partner... She grinned suddenly at a wicked thought. Maybe Angie would help her check out David Bonaparte's record with the Australian Police! The blonde was going to be as curious about Rollie's cousin as she was.

Mira sat at her computer. She began writing Bonaparte's statement. She spotted her partner from the corner of her eye as he entered the squad room. "Frank."

"Yeah, Mira?" The Italian-American asked as he sat at his desk next to hers. He could see she had a question.

"Why didn't you tell us that Rollie was shot?"

Francis shrugged as he booted the PC. "I didn't want to worry Angie. With the Captain's orders, I wouldn't be able to say enough to stop it and it really is just a scratch. His cousin took care of it."

"That's what he said," Mira nodded. "So."

Francis Gatti looked up, curious.

"What do you think of him?"

"Him? You mean Rollie's cousin?"

"Yeah. Him."

"I like him. I think he's a good cop, if a little... weird." He grinned. "But then he is Rollie Tyler's cousin!"

"You think?" Mira looked a little sour. She didn't want to like this guy so easily. Just because he looked like Rollie... Was that it? Was that why she wanted to like him? Because he was Rollie's twin? Or would that be triplet? What would it be like when this Daniel Cooper character got here? She thought about three Rollie Tylers running around the city and shuddered. Daniel's a minister! He's not going to be the trouble magnet that Rollie is. He's not! A cop might be, but not a minister! He's the son of a minister! She wondered who she was trying to fool. Then again, maybe she was just buying trouble that wasn't there. Maybe Bonaparte wasn't trouble either... Yeah. Right. And the moon really is made out of green cheese.

"How long are you going to let him dangle?" Francis prodded.

"Huh?" Mira looked up for her keying with a frown.

"Bony. How long are you going to keep him on a string?"

"Who says...?"

"Mira, we've been partners for what? Almost four years now? Don't try to fool me." Frank sat back and focused his full attention on his fellow detective.

Mira hissed softly. Was she being that obvious? "I don't think that it's my decision." She looked over to the captain's office as the door opened, Angie bustling Rollie out of the room.

The blonde looked around and spotted their friends at their desks. "Hey! Think you can give us a ride home?"

"Sure thing, Angie," Mira started to stand.

"We have to wait for the statement, Angie," Rollie said, exasperated. "What about Bony? You about done with him, Mira?"

Mira sat with a frustrated sigh. Damn! "Uh, yeah. I'm working on his statement now."

"Is he still in the interrogation room? Can we go join him?" Rollie was looking forward to introducing his cousin to Angie.

Mira Sanchez frowned slightly, then, reluctantly, nodded. She couldn't keep the cousins apart. She knew that, however, much she might like too. She watched Rollie drag Angie off toward the interrogation room Van Duran had indicated. Why did she want to not trust David Bonaparte?

"So, Mira, what's with you and Bony?" Francis shrewdly asked.

"I..." Mira sighed in frustration, "I don't know, Frank. I just know I want to trust him and I don't."

"Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why do you want to distrust Rollie's cousin?"

The detective shrugged. "I don't know!"

Francis frowned as he thought about it. Was it because Mira didn't like trusting too easily? She had been in Internal Affairs after all... He looked at his own report and thought about the last time Loubar had interfered in Rollie's and Angie's lives. He hadn't been here. He... Light dawned. "Is it because he looks so much like Rollie?"

"What makes you say that? I was thinking that was why I want to trust him. Because he looks like Rollie and I trust Rollie."

"Yeah, but before, when someone looked like Rollie and wasn't, it was Loubar. Maybe that's why you're fighting yourself in regards to Bony."

Mira stared at her partner in shock. Was that it? Was that why she couldn't bring herself to trust Bonaparte? Because she was associating him with Victor Loubar instead of Rollie Tyler? "You could be right," she responded reluctantly, "maybe I am. And do we really know he's this Bonaparte character? Loubar is sneaky..."

Frank snorted. "You think Loubar got somebody who looked like him to impersonate him and shoot Rollie, then disguised himself as Rollie's cousin, who he hasn't seen in over two decades, to save him? That's pretty farfetched, even for Loubar!"

"Well, Loubar does like elaborate schemes," Mira defended herself stubbornly.

What would Loubar gain by doing that?" Francis asked softly.

"It would get him inside and close to Rollie and Angie," Mira responded instantly.

"Did you get Bony's prints?"

"Loubar can fake prints."

"So how do we prove whether he's Loubar or Bony?" Frank asked seriously.

"I.. I'm not sure. I do know that I don't want him left alone with Rollie and Angie until we know for sure!" Mira started to stand.

"Finish Bony's statement, I'll go keep an eye on things." Frank stood up. He hoped Mira was wrong. He really did like Bony. He worried what it would do to Rollie if Mira was right. Was David Bonaparte dead? Wasn't that what Victor Loubar usually did when he impersonated someone? Did Bonaparte really look like Rollie or was this all a mind game being played by Loubar? Bastard! He was getting a headache from his thoughts. He hurried toward the interrogation room, suddenly afraid for two of his dearest friends.

"Gatti!" Van Duran's call froze the detective before he got very far. "Type up Tyler's statement." The detective reluctantly walked to his captain, accepting the recorder. Francis and Mira shared a worried look.

Bony looked up as the door to the interrogation burst open again. This time it was from enthusiasm. He smothered a grin as Rollie dragged a pretty blonde in behind him. "Hey Rollie. How are you doing?"

Rollie smiled. "I'm fine, Bony."

Bony's mouth dropped open a bit in surprise. "You called me Bony! What happened to Davy?"

His cousin shrugged. "Well, that is what you said you were called now. I figured I might as well get used to it." He grinned happily at his younger cousin, remembering the stories that Davy had shared about the first Bony, his great-grandfather.

Bony nodded and smiled back. "Who's your friend?" As if he couldn't guess. The pretty blonde was watching them closely. He could see a war taking place in the back of her eyes. He sobered as he remembered why they were here. Bony carefully kept his smile in place not wanting to upset his cousin any more than he already was. Rollie was getting married soon, he didn't need any more stress than he already had. Right now, he wished he'd paid more attention to the stories about Loubar. Unfortunately, he'd only gotten a list of his crimes, the sketch of what Victor Loubar really looked like and a synopsis of how that sketch had come to be. It hadn't even included the name of the civilian involved. He mentally cursed that omission.

It hardly seemed possible, but Rollie's grin got even brighter. "David Bonaparte, I would like you to meet my fiancée, Angela Ramirez." He gave a small bow to the blonde. "Angie, I would like you to meet my cousin, David Bonaparte." His grin widened. "Or to put it another way-- Bony, this is your soon-to-be-cousin, Angie. Angie, this is your soon-to-be-cousin, Bony!"

"Hello," Angie hesitated for a second, "Bony. Tell me you are not related to Napoleon?"

Bony noted that the beautiful blonde's smile was slightly strained. With a mental shrug, he decided to keep things light for now. "Actually I am."

"Huh?" Angie looked in confusion at the two grinning cousins. Oh lovely. Stereo Rollies. I wonder what it will be like with three of him. She smothered the laugh as she thought about running around the loft arranging Rollie lookalikes. There is no way he is related to Napoleon! He is waaay too young. Unless the emperor had someone find the mythical fountain of youth.

"My great-grandfather was named Napoleon Bonaparte." The tall Aussie explained, having decided to be up front with this new cousin. "He was found when he was a baby beside his dead mother. He was named that when he started to chew on a new biography of Napoleon Bonaparte.

"Why in the world would anyone stick a baby with a name like that?" Angie wondered aloud.

Bony and Rollie both shrugged. "It's what they did back then, luv. He was a halfbreed and part of the stolen generation."

"Halfbreed?"

"Yeah. His mother was an aborigine and with those blue eyes." Another expressive shrug from Bony. "No idea who his actual father was, of course." Realizing that Angie was getting uncomfortable with the newest territory, he changed subjects. "Hey Rollie. Are we going to get out of here anytime today?"

"Shouldn't be too much longer, Bony. They were writing our statements. Once they're signed, we can go."

"Good." Bony shook his head. "I need to find a place to stay so I can let the airport know where to find me. They lost my luggage! Last time I take more than I can carry with me."

"You can stay with me, Bony." Rollie shook his head at his cousin. "No, don't protest. I insist. The couch isn't too bad. I've slept on it before."

"What did they lose? Will we need to pick anything up for you?" Angie asked.

Bony looked at her with expressive brown eyes.

Uh oh! We are in trouble, girl! They both have them. Angie valiantly suppressed any visible reaction to the appeal.

"Not if they find them soon, Angie." He grinned wickedly. "Frank, my partner, would say I planned part of it. They lost my suit!" The smile shifted to a frown. "Unfortunately, they also lost your wedding present."

Mira and Francis arrived, statements in hand.

"Ooooh. Wedding present? That sounds intriguing." Angie slipped an arm around Rollie's waist. "I wonder what it is. No, don't tell us, Bony. I hope the airline finds it."

Francis Gatti wasn't a detective for nothing. "Lost luggage, huh? That's a shame, Bony." He offered the papers he was carrying to Rollie. "Here. You know the routine."

"Yeah, yeah. Read 'em for accuracy and sign at the bottom." Rollie perused his statement while Bony did the same with the one Mira handed to him.

While the twins were occupied, Mira tilted her head, catching Angie's eye. Leaving the others to deal with the statements, the blonde followed the detective out of the room.

"What's up, Mira?"

"What do you think about him?" Mira nodded toward the room they had just left.

"Bony? He seems nice. Of course, we only just met."

"Yeah. You don't find it strange that he..."

"Looks like Rollie?" Angie thoughtfully considered her words. "I find it... odd. And I will admit I'm a bit disconcerted and... nervous. I have to keep reminding myself he isn't Loubar. I hope I don't have the same reaction to Daniel." She smirked. "Maybe Bony's presence will help me get over it before Daniel gets here. I thought I was ready to meet somebody else that looked like Rollie Tyler. It looks like I still have some adjusting to do."

"So, you believe him?"

"Believe what?" The blonde's eyes widened slightly as the implications. "You think he is really Loubar?" She considered it carefully, not ready to dismiss the suspicion out of hand. "That would be a bit... over the top, don't you think? Someone to impersonate Loubar impersonating Rollie that Loubar impersonating Bony could kill just to... What? Get close to Rollie and me? Ruin the wedding?"

Mira shook her head in frustration. "I don't know. I just find this stretching the laws of credibility a bit too far." She sighed deeply. "Just--Keep an eye on them. Just in case. And..."

Angie's frown turned into a grin. "Do some checking on one David Bonaparte? As they would say," pointing to the room with her chin, "no worries." Seeing the men coming, she finished up with "We can check on that back at the loft."

"Check on what?" Rollie asked as he wrapped an arm around Angie's waist and pulled her close.

"A bet. I have a bet with Tamlin. I thought Angie could check on the Internet and settle it for us."

Rollie arched an eyebrow. "Mira! You have a bet on with Jerry Tamlin in Vice?"

"Yeah. Want to make something of it, Tyler?" The detective flashed a wickedly sweet smile, leading the way to the stairs.

"Detective Bonaparte," Van Duran called, catching up with them before they could get any further, "I would like to see you in my office."

Everyone froze, looking at each other. Now what?

Bony shrugged. "Certainly, Captain Van Duran." They followed him back into the squad room. While the others clustered around Mira's and Frank's desk, the Aussie cop joined the captain in his office.

Once more the blinds were pulled shut. "Now, Detective, I am sure you understand if I say I've been checking on you." Bony nodded. "I spoke with your boss in Australia and asked for a picture," he pointed to his monitor which was displaying Bony's last photo on file. "It looks like you are who you claim. However, given Loubar's previous record and known exploits, looks and even prints aren't quite enough to satisfy me under the circumstances."

"Yeah, I can understand that," the Aussie agreed, "he was, maybe still is, a slippery bastard."

"In light of that, I asked for Inspector Vincetti to supply me with three facts that would probably be unknown to someone impersonating you." Bony's eyes lit with curiosity, wondering what they had sent. Van Duran nodded. "First. Where did you get your guitar?"

"Uncle Albert gave it to me, Albert Harris."

"Second. Where does the cousin you tried to get your partner to go on a date with work?"

Bony smiled. "The rodeo circuit."

"Third and last, what else could D.B. stand for?"

The Aussie frowned, his brow furrowing with bewilderment. Suddenly, comprehension dawned. "Dingo boy? I was not raised by wild dingoes!" he protested indignantly. "Who told you that?"

"I believe that question was supplied by a.. Constable Bev Miles? That is exactly what she said you would say."

Bony looked faintly hurt. "Bev said that?"

Van Duran cleared his throat and smiled frostily. "I was told to tell you that the inspector and Frank want to know the story behind that one."

"Oh. Bloody lovely," Bony muttered, "they'll never let me live it down."

"Yes, well, since you are who you claim to be," Van Duran raised the blinds and opened the door, "I want to get you tested out on firearms and issue a temporary permit to carry a gun. I'm sure Sanchez or Gatti can loan you a piece." He finished as he led the Australian officer to the detectives' desks.

Mira shot a look at Francis and straightened. "Sir?"

"I've confirmed that Detective Bonaparte is, indeed, who he claims to be. I think, given Tyler's track record, and Loubar's, it would be useful to have someone who is staying with him be prepared for trouble."

"Yes sir!" Francis answered. He glanced at the clock. "Come on, Bony, we should be able to get a slot on the firing range if we get down there."

"Sure thing, Frank."

"We'll come with you and watch," Rollie said. As they headed out, he looked at his cousin. "What changed his tune?"

Bony grimaced. "Don't ask. Please don't ask!"

"All right, we won't," Rollie responded. He dropped back a bit to join Angie and Mira. "So are you still going to be checking up on Bony?"

Mira looked at the FX artist in surprise. "You knew about that?"

"Mira, I know you. That's the way your mind works. So, are you?"

"Uh, yeah. Probably. If Angie doesn't mind doing it?"

"I don't mind," Angie said. "I'll admit I'm curious about him. It will be interesting to see what I can find. I wonder what Van Duran did to check him out."

"Whatever it was, it wasn't just a phone call, I bet, though he was on the phone long enough while we were writing up the statements."

"Ask Detective Sanchez," Bony answered.

"Mira?" Rollie looked at his friend in surprise.

"It's evidence."

"Evidence? Why would Bony's jacket be evidence?"

"Because there's a bullet hole in it?"

"Bullet... Bony!" Rollie rushed forward to join his cousin.

"I'm fine, Rollie. It missed me." Bony assured his cousin. "It just went through the side of the jacket, not me."

"Bloody hell." Rollie stared at his cousin with wide eyes.

"Fortunately not," Bony responded, his eyes silently acknowledging the close call.

Just as Gatti thought, they managed to get an open slot at the firing range. They watched as Bony put shot after shot in the kill zones of the target. Then the target was removed, a new one replaced. Bony switched weapons and repeated his performance.

"Damn, he's good!" The sergeant running the range exclaimed. "Can we get him on the sharp shooting team?" His eyes gleamed at the thought of taking top awards in the next competition.

The group watching Bony shoot smiled. "Sorry, Sarge. Bony is just visiting." Gatti answered. The Aussie was a top shot so he couldn't blame the gunnery sergeant for wanting to keep him.

The sergeant sighed. "Too bad."

Fully qualified, Bony soon had his temporary permit. He clipped the gun that Gatti loaned him to his belt at the small of his back. Without his bush shirt, there was no way to hide its presence, but he could worry about that later.

The detectives drove them all back to Rollie's loft. Bony stretched as he stepped out of the car. Rollie frowned sympathetically. He knew exactly how his cousin was feeling after the long flight and he had been going practically non-stop since he got there. "You want to take a shower, Bony?"

"Sounds good," Bony nodded.

"Lights, Blue," Rollie called out as they stepped inside. He looked around the loft, but everything looked the same.

"Where's Vicky?" Angie asked as she looked around. The little wallaby was usually waiting for them when they came back.

"Bloody!" Rollie stared around the bottom floor, looking for some trace of his other guest. He had completely forgotten about her in the surprise flood of events.

"Who's Vicky?" Bony asked as Rollie looked under his desk.

"Wallaby," Angie answered as she checked under the stairs.

Francis and Mira looked uncertainly around as Bony blinked at the answer. "Wallaby?" Okay, he remembered the animal his cousin had at the door and he could explain that one later. He looked around, trying to figure where he would go if he was a wallaby stuck inside after a very noisy shootout. He sank down, sitting on his ankles and clucked his tongue. The two detectives stared at him, shocked. He ignored the stares, staying very still as he clucked again. Angie straightened and started to say something, but Rollie waved her silent. He watched his cousin hopefully. Sure enough, a moment later, a timid head peaked around one of the storage cabinets. Rollie held his breath as the little wallaby slowly made her way to the Aussie. Bony held one hand out, palm up, fingers slightly curled. The nervous animal nuzzled his palm. Slowly, carefully, Bony reached up and scratched behind her ears. Vicky seemed to lean into the scratch, responding with pleasure.

Rollie slowly released his breath and walked quietly over to the pair. "Good going," he whispered, not wanting to startle the spooked wallaby.

Bony smiled up at his cousin and coaxed Vicky over to the couch. He sat down on the floor, petting and stroking her. "How about some food?" He asked softly.

Rollie nodded and went to get a treat from Odie's supplies in the kitchen. Vicky certainly had earned it. He wondered if she had left any accidents behind after her scare. He would have to check soon. He grimaced at the thought, but couldn't blame her a bit if she had.

Vicky had perked right up as she ate her treat. Rollie ran his hands over her, scratching and petting. And also checking to make sure she was unharmed by the morning's adventure. He smiled gratefully as he found her unharmed. He grinned down at his cousin who was still sitting on the floor. "Now, about that shower. Come on. You grab one and Angie and I will make sure Vicky didn't have any, uh, accidents."

Bony arched a brow and sniffed himself. Was he that bad? He didn't think so. Still, a shower would be welcome. He did feel kind of grimy. And not the grime of the bush either. That seemed ... cleaner somehow, more honest. "All right." He snagged his rucksack and followed his cousin upstairs, while Angie talked Mira and Francis into helping to look for any wallaby droppings. Rollie laughed as he listened to the detectives' protests.

Rollie showed his cousin the bathroom and where things were. He was amused to find Vicky waiting at the foot of the stairs when he came down. He was even more amused when she sniffed him, then turned her attention back to the upper floor. "I think Bony has an admirer." He grinned at his fiancée and pointed.

Angie laughed. "Yeah, I think you're right, boss." She reached up and kissed him. "We found Vicky's um... presents and cleaned up." She lightly punched his shoulder, being careful to avoid his injured arm.

Rollie tried to keep the smirk off his face and look innocent. He didn't quite succeed. "Oh? Good."

Angie growled softly and swung her hand at Rollie's rear. "You!" She sniffed and called to Mira. "Come on. Let's leave the juveniles to play."

Mira grimaced, looking up from where she was washing her hands. "Let's!" She followed the blonde up to the clean room. Angie soon had her favorite search engines working on finding out all about one David Bonaparte.

Rollie smirked again, knowing perfectly well what Angie and Mira were up to in the clean room. He looked at the luggage claim tag that he had gotten from his cousin and dialed the airline. He told the woman on the other end where Bony was staying and the number. That done, he went to drop on to the couch across from Francis. "What a day, eh, Frank?"

"Yeah, you got that right, pal!" The detective wondered if Rollie's and Angie's lives would always be like the movies they made. Had it always been like this? He wasn't sure if he wanted to find out.

"You want some coffee?" Rollie asked, mindful that it might be awhile before Angie and Mira surfaced again.

"Nah," Frank answered. "How long do you think they will be?"

"Your guess is as good as mine!" Rollie responded. "You want a water?" He stood up to get some for himself. Francis nodded and he got two bottles from the refrigerator.

"Your cousin sure is a good shot." Frank said, admiration tinging his voice.

Rollie swallowed some of his water and smiled as he leaned back. "Comes from being a bushie, I expect."

"bushie?"

"Country boy, you know, from the outback."

"You came from the outback..."

"Well, I'm not as good as Bony, but I do all right." Rollie grinned.

"Not as good at what?" Bony asked as he came downstairs, his hair still damp from the shower. Vicky hopped after him as he came over to sit down beside his cousin.

"Shooting," Rollie answered.

"I don't know about that. From what I remember, you would do all right."

"Yeah, probably, but I expect you've had more practice." Rollie's brown eyes sparkled with laughter at his cousin. "I think Vicky has a crush on you."

Bony looked down at the wallaby he was absentmindedly scratching behind the ears. "It would never work, darlin'. Inter-species relationships just aren't what they're cracked up to be," he told the macropod with a straight face.

Mira peeked out of the clean room as the men laughed. She shook her head as Bony started telling Frank about some of the things he had done while Rollie was visiting. Bony lamented about Rollie's refusal to join him on a raft he had built to float on a nearby billabong. It sounded like the younger Aussie had been intent on pretending to be Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn floating down the Mississippi. Except Rollie refused to join in. She smothered her own laughter as Rollie responded.

"There wasn't enough water to float that raft and you know it." Rollie grinned at his cousin, a wicked gleam shining in his eyes. "And your grandmum would have had a fit if I had gotten my cast wet. I don't want to think what the doctors would have said."

"Yeah, Grandmum had a big enough fit over me getting all muddy." Bony laughed as he shook his head ruefully. "That shirt was never the same and it was my favorite!"

Rollie snorted. "Think what she would have said if she found out what else you were doing!"

"What?" A huge grin spread across Bony's face. "Just cause I was trying to race the joeys in the local mob? Ha!" He eyed his cousin. "So, you don't have a cast now. How about joining me for a run?"

"No way!" Rollie shook his head. He had a feeling that Bony was still as fast as ever, if not faster. He knew he wouldn't be able to keep up with him. "Angie wants me to have enough breath to say my vows!"

Mira shook her head. "He has to be the real thing. Loubar wouldn't know all those stories."

Angie nodded agreement. She blinked as she read the story she had pulled up. The previous stories had been the sort they both expected from a good cop, but this one! "Check this out, Mira."

Mira's eyes widened in surprise as she read over Angie's shoulder. "You have to be kidding me!"

"Nope, it's real." The blonde rolled her chair so she could look down at the living area. "Dingo boy?" She called down, questioning.

"Wha?" Rollie looked up at his fiancée in surprise.

Bony shook his head as he looked up. "Where did you find that?"

"In an article on the Internet," Angie answered.

"It's on the web?!" Bony looked surprised. "Where? I want to see this." He stood up and took a couple of steps toward the stairs.

"Me too," Rollie muttered to Francis. "Shoot it down to my PC, sweetie."

"Sure thing, boss."

Bony switched directions, following Rollie to his desk. Frank trailed the two men, curiosity buzzing.

The three men read through the article. Rollie grinned at his cousin. "Something you need to share, Bony?" He teased cautiously, his eyes troubled as he remembered the death of his cousin's parents.

Bony shook his head and straightened up. "I always wondered what it said after I found out about it, but I never bothered to look. I certainly wasn't expecting it on the web though! And no, only one raised by a Dingo was you, Rollie." He bent down and reached for Rollie's mouse, running the slide bar back to the top. "Oh ho," a truly wicked smile spread across his face. "Can I trouble you for your phone, Rollie? I need to make an international call. I'll pay you for it," he hastened to add.

"Sure, help yourself," Rollie pushed the phone toward his cousin, curious, "but you're not paying me for it."

Bony started to argue, then closed his mouth after looking at his lookalike. It wasn't worth getting in a row about. He dialed a familiar number and waited for someone to answer. He grinned as his partner picked up the call. "G'dayee Sarge!"

"So? It's not my fault when he called." He tilted his head as he listened. "No, I'm fine. Listen up, Frank. I'm emailing you a URL I want you to check out." He nodded enthusiastically as Rollie obediently clicked on the send link for the open page. Bony leaned over to type in his partner's email address and clicked send. "Let me know as soon as you get it," he told the man on the other end of the line.

The two women joined the men at Rollie's PC, wondering what was up.

"Yep, that's where the Dingo Boy came from. Have you read any of it?" David Bonaparte's grin got bigger and more wicked. "Sounds like I'd have a case for pain and suffering, doesn't it?" He laughed at something the other man said. "No, not really. Check out the writer's credit."

"Think he might cooperate more in exchange for not getting dragged into a lawsuit?"

"That's what I thought. I will leave it in your capable hands, Sarge. If you need me to do anything you can call me here." He repeated the phone number that Rollie gave him. "Maybe you'll have that case wrapped up before I get home." He listened a moment. "Yeah. You too." He hung up and grinned at Angie. "Thanks, Angie. I think that was just the ticket for getting that tough nut cracked." He sobered. "Struth, if it gets that prat to cooperate it will be a major break on a big case we've been fighting."

"What prat?"

Bony explained about the case they had been working on before he had been forced on vacation. He half suspected it was as much a ploy to get him out of the way for awhile as to use up his excess leave time. Fortunately, Frank Fischer was likeminded on this particular case. Neither wanted the brutal murder pushed under the rug, buried beneath a ton of political red tape. The writer of "Dingo Boy" was now the editor of several magazines and knew exactly where their suspect, the brother of a major political figure, had been, or rather hadn't been at the time. He had danced around the truth for too long. A threat of a lawsuit might just get him to admit what he knew though.

Angie shook her head. "I hope it works, Bony." The others nodded agreement.

"Me too." Bony stretched and rubbed the small of his back. "You know something. I am in the mood for a run. Seriously, Rollie, would you care to join me?"

Rollie shook his head. "No way, mate. There is no way I am keeping up with you. Go have fun."

"Alright, but you don't know what you're missing." Bony went upstairs to change again, leaving the others to talk.

Angie and Mira couldn't help staring as the handsome Aussie came down dressed in white running shorts, singlet and running shoes.

Rollie frowned. "You're going out like that?!" Bony nodded as he leaned against the railing of the stairs, going through his stretches. "You'll freeze!"

"Nah," Bony declared as he headed out the door. "It's not that cold, Rollie, besides running will keep me warm."

Bony ran carefully, weaving between people on the crowded sidewalk, long legs eating the distance. He smiled as he spotted the park not too far away. Running in place, he waited for the light to change. As soon as he crossed the street and hit the more open pathways in the park, he put on speed. He ran swiftly, enjoying the wind in his hair, a grin on his face. He needed this after the long flight from Australia, he needed to stretch his legs and move, to clear his mind after the dark events of the morning. The Aussie reached the other side of the park and paused, running in place again as he tried to decide which way to go next. He did not want to join the masses of people thronging the sidewalks and streets. He looked toward another path in the park.

A tall blonde was running in his direction. She smiled when she saw the dark haired man and made her way to his side. "Rollie," she purred, putting her arms around his waist. "It has been much too long, darling."

Bony opened his mouth to protest.

The woman kissed him on the mouth, then put her fingers on his lips. "No, don't. I know you are marrying your little Angie soon, but surely you can get away later." She looked at him, her eyes sultry and smoldering with desire. "One last fling. Or maybe not a last fling." She slipped a piece of paper in his waistband, kissed him on the lips again and ran off, leaving the stunned man to stare after her.

Bony didn't know who the strange woman was, but she had obviously mistaken him for his cousin which meant she couldn't know him that well. Or did she? He frowned, his brow puckering in bewilderment as he pulled out the paper. It had a hotel name and room number on it. He stuck it into the small pocket in his running shorts, thinking. The blonde obviously knew about the wedding and seemed to have had, at some time, an intimate relation with Rollie Tyler. He didn't like her coming on to "Rollie, darling" when she knew he would be married soon. He turned and ran in the other direction, rapidly regaining speed as he put distance between himself and the stranger, his mind occupied with the mystery. He struggled to decide whether he should speak with his cousin. Did Rollie need to be warned? And if he did tell him, should he try to do it in private, when Angie wasn't around to overhear them?

"Bloody," he muttered under his breath, "I was just starting to enjoy myself too." His pleasure ruined, he turned his steps towards Rollie's place, slowing again as he returned to the thronging sidewalks. Bony thought heavily, trying to reach a decision.

A startled cry interrupted his brooding thoughts and the Australian cop looked up in surprise to see a tall, muscular looking man skating toward him, two police officers hot on his tail. Spotting the large purse in his hands, he quickly surmised that it had been stolen. He dodged to that side of the sidewalk, preparing to intercept the thief when the man yelled in pained surprise. Bony reached out to snatch the purse's unexpected passenger out of the air as the man threw the purse away. He looked in shock at the small dog he now held in hands. A slow grin spread over his face as he realized the dog had bitten the thief on the hand. "You're not going to bite me, are you?"

The dog yelped and barked. It squirmed, snapping in the direction of the thief. Bony glanced down at the purse on the street in front of him, some of the contents scattered around it. He looked questioningly at the officers who were now in the process of arresting the culprit. One cop nodded toward him and he took that as permission to touch the evidence. Shifting the small dog to cradle in the crook of his arm, he squatted down to gather up the purse and its contents.

"Thank you!" A breathless woman whispered as she knelt down in front of him on the sidewalk. Bony sank back on his heels, letting the owner finish collecting her things. He smiled warmly at the perfectly quaffed, raven haired beauty. "Thank you for saving my darling! I don't know what I would have done if that nasty man had gotten away with her."

The tall, lanky man stood, helping the petite woman to her feet. "No worries. I think your sweetheart took care of her own rescue."

"Yes," the woman smiled warmly as Bony handed the small, hairy black and brown dog to her. She kissed her pet's nose. "That she did. You're a good girl, Cassie, yes, you are." She looked up into Bony's warm brown eyes, her rich brown eyes full of gratitude. "But she could have ended up in the street if you hadn't caught her. Thank you!" She stretched up and kissed him on the cheek.

Bony smiled, his eyes full of warmth and good humor. He scratched the dog behind her ears. The two officers came up, their prisoner secured between them.

"Good catch!" The shorter one said.

Bony nodded. "Will you need a statement from me?"

"Did you see anything?" The other cop asked.

"Not really," Bony admitted. "Just you chasing him in this direction," he nodded toward their prisoner, "then the dog flying toward me."

"Yeah." The officers snickered.

"You know, I never liked those yappy little lap dogs, but I think I've changed my mind. If the missus still wants one, I may just get it for her," the taller cop commented.

"I'm going to sue you!" The big man screamed. "That thing bit me! I'm suing!"

"Oh dear," the woman looked worried at the outburst, "you're not going to do anything to Cassie because she bit him are you?" She hugged her pet closer. "She usually doesn't bite. Honest!"

"No ma'am, I expect not. I think these could be called extenuating circumstances." The smaller officer commented "Her shots are up to date, aren't they?"

"Oh yes! Yes, they are."

The bigger cop pulled their ranting prisoner back toward them. "I'd be careful if I were you, Bobby boy. You're already in big enough trouble. The judge said he would throw the book at you the next time, didn't he?"

"No!" The man looked wild eyed at the statement.

"Yes, I think you're right, Steve." The smaller cop nodded sagely. "I guess you'll be off the streets for a long time to come, Bobby. Snatching a purse practically right in front of us," he admonished the man. "And do you really want everybody to know you were bested by a little… What breed is that ma'am?"

"Yorkshire. Cassie is a Yorkshire terrier."

"Yorkshire terrier, Bobby. That tiny thing and such a little bite, they might think you're a wuss or something." He looked at Bony. "I don't think we'll need a statement, sir. However, if we could get your name and where you're staying just in case?"

"David Bonaparte," the Aussie told him. "I'm visiting my cousin for his wedding and staying at his place. 256 Brewery Lane. I'm not sure I remember his phone number and I don't plan to be here very long, just a week."

Steve snapped his fingers. "I thought you looked familiar! Rollie Tyler, right? You certainly look a lot like your cousin, Mister Bonaparte. That's okay. We can get Tyler's number."

"Good," Bony said. "If you don't need me, I'll head on back, before I have something else fly at me," he finished ruefully, his thoughts returning to the strange blonde.

The officers agreed and Bony was off at a slower pace. He shook his head in wonderment at the things that had happened to him so far. And it wasn't even lunch time! He reached his cousin's residence and pushed the buzzer, still not fully decided about the blonde incident.

Rollie looked up, glancing at the monitor. "Open door, Blue!"

Blue barked and complied.

Bony walked inside and found his cousin and cousin-to-be sitting together on the couch. Mira and Frank were gone. "Hi! Anything new?"

"Nope," Rollie answered. "Angie and I were just discussing what to do about Vicky during the wedding."

"Vicky?" Bony looked down at the wallaby sitting next to his feet. It hadn't taken her a second to return to his side. "What about her?"

"I haven't been able to find anyone to sit with her during the ceremony and reception," Angie lamented.

"Not to mention, the honeymoon," Rollie grumbled.

Angie poked an elbow in his side. "And it doesn't look like Odie will be back in time." The blonde looked depressed as she watched the wallaby. Now, she wished she had never agreed. Why had she thought this was a good idea?!

"I can watch her."

Angie smiled at the offer.

"Bony! No!" Rollie protested. "You did not come all the way from Australia to babysit a bloody wallaby!"

"But Rollie," Angie protested. This was their only offer. They had to take it!

"No buts, Angela!" Rollie's eyes flashed fire at his fiancée. "Bony came from Australia to go to our wedding and he is going to attend."

Bony sat in a nearby chair. "Pity it isn't an outdoor wedding. Then she could go too and I could keep an eye on her."

Rollie sat up. "Actually, it is outside." He looked at Angie, his eyes questioning hers. "We may just have to do that. I don't think they'll mind her being there."

Angie brightened again. "They shouldn't. I know for a fact they've had dogs attending ceremonies there. I'll call them!" She jumped up to call the people in charge of the gardens.

"Thanks, Bony." Rollie smiled at his cousin, grateful for his generosity.

"No worries, Rollie," Bony stood up, "I'm happy to help. I'm going to take another shower." He grinned. "Guess I should have waited until after my run! I promise it will be my last one for the day."

"No worries, Bony." Rollie smiled as he echoed his cousin. "We have plenty of water. Take as many as you like." He watched his cousin go upstairs and turned to look at Angie as she hung up the phone. "Well?"

Angie practically danced over to her fiancé. "They said yes!" She hugged him tightly, then moved her arms to encircle his neck. Pulling his head down, their lips met and they shared a passionate kiss. They broke apart. "Just think! Soon we're going to be Mr. And Mrs. Rollie Tyler!" Angie beamed at the thought.

Rollie drew Angie back to the couch and they curled up together. "Mr. And Mrs. Rollie Tyler. I like the sound of that." He pulled her closer and they joined in another kiss.

Bony found them there, still passionately kissing. He looked at them in some amusement and shook his head. "And they haven't even been on their honeymoon yet," he commented to Vicky. He pulled on a shirt over his t shirt, leaving it open and untucked so it would cover the gun at his back.

"Arf!"

Bony jumped slightly in surprise and turned around, looking for the source of the bark. He was surprised that they'd have the wallaby here if Rollie had a dog, though he guessed it could be Angie's dog. Still, he was surprised at Rollie. Wallabies and dogs generally did not mix. Where was it?

"Arf!"

He looked down at Vicky who was calmly sitting next to him, rubbing her muzzle and ears. He looked around for the dog again.

The dog, it sounded like a small one, whined. Bony stared wide-eyed as just about the strangest looking thing he had ever seen walked across the table next to the stairs.

"Arf!"

Its tail, Bony supposed it was a tail because it looked a bit like a tail, wagged.

"That's Blue." Rollie said from behind Bony.

He turned to look at his cousin. "What is it?"

"He is my dog." Rollie declared. He swooped down on his pet. "There's my Blue Boy! That's my good boy! What a big bark! Let's hear a big bark!" He picked it up and petted it. The 'tail' started going faster and it barked again. It whined and actually sounded happy.

"Dog?" Bony muttered, "It doesn't look like any dog I've ever seen." He cleared his throat as he caught the laughter in Angie's eyes. "It, uh, He has six legs," he commented to Rollie and Angie.

"So? He barks. Dogs bark. He wags his tail. Dogs wag their tails. He's my dog." Rollie sunnily informed his cousin. "Bluey, this is my cousin, Bony. Bony meet Blue." He held the robot out, waiting.

Bony examined the unusual dog. He looked up, meeting his cousin's eyes which seemed to be just daring him to say anything about it. "G'dayee, Blue," he reached out, hesitated, then patted what seemed to be the head.

"Arf!" Blue barked, his tail wagging again.

"I think Blue likes you, Bony."

"Uh, yeah." Bony looked at Blue again. "Is he going to attend the wedding too?"

"No," Rollie said, putting the robot dog back on the table. "He's going to keep an eye on things here. Aren't you, boy?"

"Arf!" Blue barked in agreement. He trundled across the table, back the way he came. Coming to a small dustball that had escaped Rollie's last cleaning, he growled and pushed it over the edge.

"Blue doesn't like dirt." Angie told Bony with a straight face.

"Oh, I see," Bony said and wisely decided not to say anything else about Rollie's dog. He looked into Angie's blue eyes, troubled. He glanced back at his cousin and sighed, deciding. "Rollie."

"Yeah, Bony?" Rollie turned his attention back to his cousin, catching the serious note in his voice.

"I, um… While I was running a woman approached me."

"Oh? Someone try to pick you up?" Rollie smiled. "Or was she looking for a 'client'? Don't worry about it. It happens in New York City."

"Well, not exactly. She thought I was you." He blushed slightly. "She, um, came on to me."

"Oh?" Rollie exchanged looks with Angie, puzzled. "She must not have heard about the wedding. I wonder who it was. What did she look like?"

"No, she knew about the wedding. Mentioned it in fact." He sighed and dug the paper out of his pocket. "She wanted you to contact her for 'one last fling', except she implied that it didn't have to be the last one, if you know what I mean."

"Oh?" Rollie took the paper, troubled. "What did she look like?"

"Tall, about five foot ten, thin, long blonde hair, blue eyes. White running shoes and singlet, bright blue running shorts with white stripes on the sides."

Angie's eyes narrowed in suspicion at the description. Rollie sighed and looked at the crumpled paper, reading the hotel name. It was quite familiar. He looked over at a poster on the wall not too far away, picking up his PDA from the clutter on the table. He pointed it and pushed a button. Frowning when nothing happened, he looked at his bride-to-be. "Angie, sweetie, do you mind?"

"Mind?" She asked with transparent innocence. "Mind what, Rol?"

"Change the poster, luv." One corner of Rollie's mouth quirked up. "You can change it back after Bony looks at it."

Angie rocked on her heels, considering, then nodded. She went over to her bag and pulled out her own PDA. She waltzed back over, brushing provocatively against Rollie as she passed him. His quick intake of breath made her smile. She pointed it toward the poster of a skeleton in a flowing, wispy white gown coming down a sweeping stairwell. Pushing the button, it changed to a normal picture of a woman.

Bony looked at it and nodded. "That was her." He looked to his cousin and Angie for an explanation. He was NOT going to ask about the poster, he swore to himself, as Angie changed it back to the skeleton.

"Danni." Rollie said, his voice sounding flat. He muttered something under his breath.

"Are you going to call her?" Angie asked.

"What?" Rollie looked at his fiancée, startled. "No way! She'll just have to get over it." He reached out and pulled Angie's body up close to his, snuggling her under his chin. "You're the only woman I want and Danni will just have to live with it."

Angie smiled at the declaration and tenderly kissed the base of Rollie's throat. She felt his adam's apple bob up and down as he swallowed. Her eyes flashed with wicked humor as she bit him gently, then pulled back.

"Well, I have to say I wasn't impressed." Bony commented, relieved and amused by the couple.

"No?" Angie inquired, "You don't think Danni is beautiful?" She looked at her fiancé's cousin, curious.

"Some might think so, I guess, but she's a little too skinny for my taste," he shook his head, "and pushy! She really did think I was you, Rollie. She kissed me!" He exclaimed, indignant mostly for Angie's and Rollie's sakes. He knew he and Rollie looked a lot alike. He could see that. But they weren't that alike. There were differences, small, but very real differences. He wondered when and how long ago Rollie had gone out with her, but thought it wasn't his place to ask. From what Rollie had said when he had called him last Christmas, he had known Angie for a long time. How could Rollie go for this Danni person with someone like Angie right there?

Rollie saw the questions in Bony's eyes and decided his cousin had earned a few answers. He drew their visitor back over to the living area, Angie trailing them. "It was before I realized how I felt about Angie and asked her out the first time. She had the starring role in a movie we were working on."

"House of Horrors." Angie said.

"Anyway, it was Danni's first acting experience. She's a model. I, uh, had a crush on her when I was a teenager." Rollie shrugged, looking back it was hard to believe that it had happened. "Let's just say the hormones kicked back in and we got together. I couldn't believe that she was there and actually interested in me. It really didn't last very long. She traveled too much and I wasn't prepared to run around after her. We both agreed it wasn't working and broke up. Last I heard Danni was dating her photographer." Rollie wrapped his arm around Angie. "Looking back, I don't know what I was thinking. I was in lust, not love. I knew it wasn't love."

Angie's eyes softened. "I think you were lonely."

"Lonely?" Rollie snorted. "Lonely my ass!"

"Oh? So should I say you were just…"

"Angela! Stop, just stop. Manny would be shocked."

"Not likely, Rol."

Remembering how outspoken his mentor, Angie's father, could be, Rollie had to agree with her. "Still, I don't know why she did that. I haven't seen or heard from her in well over a year. I wonder why she showed up now that we're getting married."

"Does it matter?" Bony asked.

Smiling at the love of his life, Rollie answered. "No, it doesn't."

"Maybe she's jealous," Angie speculated.

"Jealous?" Rollie asked, surprised.

"Yeah. We found happiness with each other and she is still alone."

"Believe me, Ange. Being single does not bother Danni."

"Maybe." Angie responded softly.

Bony looked at Vicky who was nuzzling his knee. "You know, Vicky, since you're going to a wedding, you need a new outfit."

"New outfit?" Rollie looked at his cousin, laughing.

"Yeah. Girls like new outfits for weddings. We should get her something."

Rollie grinned as he thought about it. "Sure. Why not? Let's take her to the pet store and pick something out. Ange, you coming?"

"Not me, boss. I think I'll get some work finished. I am almost done and I want it out of the way before Daniel gets here."

"Okay, luv. We'll be back soon." Rollie went and got his black leather coat from the coat stand. He looked at his cousin. "You know, Bony, we need to get you a new jacket since Mira confiscated your old one."

"I don't need a jacket that badly, Rollie."

"Yes, you do. We can pick something up while we're out."

"And what will we do with Vicky while we are getting me a new jacket? Last I heard, wallabies weren't allowed in shops."

"Vicky can be getting 'The Works' while you do that," Angie told their visitor.

Bony looked back and forth between the two New Yorkers, clearly puzzled.

"Good idea, luv. Women like that. Glad that's settled." Rollie placed a kiss on Angie's lips. "By the way, where is that sample swatch, the one for the bridesmaids' dresses."

Angie went upstairs and came back down with a piece of luminescent pale blue cloth in her hand. She handed it to Rollie.

"We don't want Vicky to clash, after all," he told her, a twinkle in his eye.

"Heaven forbid!" Angie laughed and told them good-bye, heading back to her workstation to finish up that last bit for their latest movie.

Rollie, deciding to enjoy the spring weather, lead Bony down the block. Vicky hopped ahead of them, occasionally sniffing objects. She looked at a display of fresh vegetables in front of the grocers, her ears flicking and nose twitching, but politely refrained from sampling the tempting wares.

Rollie leaned down to rub her neck. "Don't worry. I'll get you something on the way back, girl." He petted her, then lead them on to the large pet store around the corner.

As Rollie had remembered, there was a sign out front saying pets were welcome inside. The doors for front entrance automatically opened and the cousins went inside.

The sales clerk's eyes widened at the sight of their newest and most unusual customer. She thought she had seen everything, but today showed that there could always be surprises. Looking up at the man holding the leash, she smiled warmly and her eyes widened even more as she saw how alike the two handsome men were. She hurried forward to offer her assistance. "May I help you?"

"Yes, Rachel," Rollie read the name tag on her vest, "Vicky is going to a wedding," he told her, his rich brown eyes sparkling with laughter, "so she needs a new outfit and The Works."

"I see," the woman felt her toes curl at his accent. "Do you have something in mind or should I offer a selection."

Rollie and Bony exchanged looks. "A selection, I think," Bony told her, getting into the spirit of things.

Rachel's hazel eyes grew huge as she heard Bony's more pronounced accent. "You three are a long way from home. Did you come for the wedding?"

"I did," Bony answered. "Rollie lives here. It's his wedding."

"And Vicky is visiting while her 'mum' takes care of an emergency. She actually lives in Northern California," Rollie finished. He pulled the cloth from his coat's pocket. "This is the material the bridesmaids will be wearing. Could we get something similar?"

Rachel touched the smooth cloth. She frowned thoughtfully. "I think… Come this way." She led them over to a display of harnesses and leashes. "Yes, this one." She picked up one leash made in a pale blue leather. They compared it to the swatch and all three agreed it was a good match. "Now, if we just have a matching halter in her size." She looked at Rollie. "Do you know what size she wears?"

Rollie shook his head. "I have to admit I don't know." He looked at Vicky. "Here, you hold on to her, Bony and I'll see if I can find the size on it."

Bony obediently knelt and wrapped his arms around the little wallaby holding her in a firm, but gentle grip. Vicky took advantage of the moment to nuzzle and lick his face while Rollie partially unbuckled the halter and looked for any printing. Finding it, he told Rachel the size and then quickly buckled it back. He wouldn't normally do that away from home, but they were inside and, as he had suspected, Vicky had been far too interested in Bony to try and get away from them.

Rachel efficiently sorted through the store's assortment, but came up empty handed. She stood, thinking for a moment. "I'm sorry, we don't have a matching halter in that size. I could call around and see if any of the other stores have one."

Rollie shook his head slightly, then stood, considering the question.

While the others were discussing it, Bony sorted through the available harnesses. He found one that was a beautiful cream leather, very soft and supple. The Aussie checked it for flaws or weakness, finding none, he quickly checked the leashes and smiled triumphantly as he pulled out a match. "How about these?" He held his finds up for Rollie to see.

Rollie took the harness from his cousin's hands. He noticed the details, including the flowers engraved on the golden studs. "It looks nice." His fingers felt the soft leather and he smiled in appreciation. "Here, Vicky. Let's try this on." He looked at Bony who obediently knelt to hold the wallaby in place. They looked at Vicky and all three decided she looked very smart and dressy in the new harness and leash. The cousins agreed these were the ones. Rollie and Bony quickly replaced Vicky's new wedding outfit with her original harness and leash.

Rachel led them to a cash register and rang up the purchase. "You said you wanted 'the works' too?"

"Yes, please," Rollie said. "How long will it take?"

"A thorough wash, shampoo, blow dry, brushing and nail clipping?"

Rollie nodded.

The sales clerk pulled up the groomers' schedules and considered. "We have a free spot in twenty minutes. It shouldn't take more than an hour, I think."

"Can we leave her here? We have some other things to pick up as well," Rollie asked as he paid her with his credit card.

Rachel agreed and they watched as Vicky was placed in one of the store's larger kennels. The groomer who was scheduled to handle her came over and petted her, letting the wallaby get acquainted while Rollie and Bony were still there. Satisfied that Vicky was in good hands, the cousins left to finish their shopping trip. Bony muttered that it really wasn't necessary, but stilled at a look from Rollie. It also wasn't worth fighting over, though he silently vowed he would pay for the jacket himself.

Bony followed Rollie into the shop. Glancing around, he doubted he would find anything he'd like in here. Frank would like this place. A look of amusement flickered across his face as he recalled his partner's designer bushwear. He could just see his face if his bushie partner came back from New York City with a fancy jacket.

"How about this one?" Rollie asked, holding up a leather jacket very similar to the one he wore.

His cousin shook his head. "Not very practical."

"It's practical," Rollie protested. "Wears great if you take care of it."

"Wouldn't in the bush," Bony pointed out.

"I thought you were in the city now."

Bony just looked at him.

Rollie examined his cousin, then laughed. "All right then, let's find something appropriately bush."

The tall blond sales clerk hesitated in his approach of the two men. "Bush?" he said in bewilderment.

Rollie took in the impeccable dress of the salesman. "Outdoors, Samuel," the Aussie responded, after reading the other's name tag, wondering if he even knew what outdoors was.

The man smiled, relaxing slightly. "We have a very nice selection of outdoor wear. Follow me."

"Guess he does," Rollie muttered softly as they followed to another section of the store.

"Eh?" Bony looked at his cousin, wondering what he was nattering about.

"Never mind," Rollie answered.

Samuel and Rollie proceeded to pull out several jackets for Bony to try. Only to see them rejected.

"Come on, Bony, this is a really nice jacket!" Rollie protested as he touched the soft material of the blue gray jacket in Samuel's hands. He tried it on, then offered it to his cousin.

"I'm not into designer bushwear," Bony said, examining other jackets, looking for a simpler one without a logo on it.

"Never mind," Rollie told the sales clerk when he moved to hang it on the rack, "I'll take it. Ange has been getting on me about always wearing black."

"Very good," Samuel placed the item behind the sales counter. "What are you interested in, sir?" he asked Bony.

"Have you got something without all these logos, tags and loops?" Bony asked, feeling exasperated. "I just want a basic jacket, something water and dirt resistant that won't snag on every bit of bush."

Samuel looked around the display, thinking. He moved to another rack, the cousins trailing after him. He searched the rack, then pulled out a short, jean style jacket in a similar soft blue gray color.

Rollie smiled as he felt the soft material. There wasn't a sign of designer on the entire jacket, but it looked well made. "What do you think, Bony?"

"I don't know," Bony examined the jacket thoughtfully. It was nice though. Maybe too nice? He tried it on. He would need a shoulder holster to hide his gun as well.

"It's coated with teflon so it's water and dirt repellent." Samuel winked at Rollie. "And it's on sale. 50% off."

"Really?" Rollie looked interested.

"I'll take it," Bony said, shrugging out of the jacket. He doubted he would find anything else he might like here, the price was right and he was ready to stop shopping.

"I don't suppose you have another one," Rollie asked the clerk.

The clerk turned back to the rack. "Not in that color." He pulled out two other jackets, one was black, the other royal blue.

"I'll take both of them," Rollie said.

"What in the bloody world are you going to do with three jackets, Rollie?" Bony asked as they headed for the counter.

"I'll give one of them to Daniel," Rollie answered his cousin, snatching the jacket he was holding before he could protest. "I'll pay for all of them," he told Samuel, handing his credit card to him.

"I can pay," Bony protested, "you don't have to do this, Rollie!"

"Bony," Rollie turned to look his cousin in the eye. "You lost your jacket saving my life. The least I can do is buy a replacement."

"Rollie!"

Rollie sighed, then a slight smile touched his face. "Consider it a groomsmen gift."

"I'm not one of your groomsmen."

"Yes, you are. I just decided."

Bony stared at his cousin. "That's cheating." He shook his head, then gave in with a grin. "Oh, all right, have it your way."

"Guess that means you accept." Rollie grinned back as he signed the credit slip, slipped his card into his wallet and keyed in the amount on his pda.

Bony was quick to grab the bag with Rollie's purchases. He led the way out of the store. "How am I suppose to watch Vicky, if I'm part of the wedding party?"

"She's going to be part of it too," Rollie responded blithely, hoping he hadn't backed himself into a corner. Thinking about it, he thought it was a good idea. Now if I can convince Angie to go along!

"Yeah?" Bony smirked as they returned to the pet shop. "You're on your own telling the bride, mate."

"Thank you so much, I really appreciate your support," Rollie shot back with a grin.

The cousins laughed. It didn't take long to collect Vicky from the groomer.

"Any problems?" Rollie asked as his cousin buckled the excited wallaby into her harness. He grinned as the macropod licked every available inch of Bony's face.

"Not a one," the man answered. "I wish all my clients behaved as well. She sure likes your brother."

"Cousin," Rollie responded. They said good-bye and left, heading toward home.

Remembering his promise to Vicky, Rollie stopped at the grocers and bought a selection of the fresh veggies that Vicky was so interested in. He rubbed her ears as he gave her a bite of lettuce.

"I hope some of that is for us," Bony commented wistfully.

"Huh? Bony! I bet you're starving. Why didn't you say something?" Rollie immediately stood up and proceeded to hustle his cousin and Vicky toward home.

"Whoa! Whoa!" Bony laughed. "I'm not about to fall out on you, cuz. Slow down."

Rollie continued to apologize for his inhospitable neglect, but he did slow down.

"Hey Angie! We haven't fed Bony!" Rollie called out as they entered the loft.

Angie looked up from where she was sitting and tried to smile.

"Angie?" Rollie frowned in concern. "What's wrong?"

Angie shrugged before answering drily. "Our director called."

"George Thersen? Why?"

"The producers want to meet with us tomorrow morning. Something about a change in the script."

"Change?" Rollie responded in puzzled exasperation. "But it's finished! How can they change the script?!"

"That's what I said!" Angie agreed with the FX artist's protest. "Didn't make any difference though, they still insist on the meeting."

"I'm suppose to pick Daniel up at the airport tomorrow morning." Rollie sat next to Angie.

"I told him that too. I also mentioned that we were going to review the ceremony with the minister tomorrow." Angie responded. "He said we would still have time for that."

"Oh, how bloody nice of him." Rollie leaned his head back on the couch and stared up at the ceiling. "Remind me to muck with George's wedding preparations when he gets married again."

"He swears he isn't," Angie pointed out.

"He always says that. It hasn't stopped him yet."

"Point. I'll remind you." Angie nodded.

A grin tugged at the corner of Rollie's mouth as he turned his head to look at his bride. "You didn't tell him about Daniel, did you." The grin turned wicked. "Or Bony."

Angie shared an equally wicked grin with her groom.

"I don't think I want to know what you two are up to," Bony announced. He shrugged and sat in one of the chairs. "I could pick up Daniel, if it would help."

Rollie sat up and smiled warmly. "That would help."

"How will Daniel know he isn't Loubar?" Angie asked, staring at one of the light fixtures on the ceiling.

Rollie's head whipped around to stare at the blonde. "Why would Daniel worry about Loubar?"

"He wouldn't, but we have to. Until we know Loubar is dead, we can't take any chances, Rollie." Angie turned to stared into Rollie's rich brown eyes, letting him see she was serious.

Rollie sighed. "You're right," he frowned. "So how do we find a way for Daniel to know Bony is who he says he is without betraying it to Victor Loubar."

"I don't know." Angie looked at Rollie's lookalike, brow furrowed in thought.

Bony shook his head, just a bit tired of having to prove he was himself. He scratched Vicky behind her ears. "Well, how about her?"

"Vicky?" Rollie turned to his cousin, surprised.

"Yeah, I doubt she would take to Loubar, animals have a sense about those things."

"I don't think they'll allow Vicky into the airport, Bony."

"Struth, Rollie, they let dogs and cats into airports all the time. Why not a wallaby? Tell Daniel not to go with me unless Vicky is there, being her umm... affectionate self."

"It would work." Angie said with a wry grin. "Even if Loubar found out, he couldn't duplicate it."

"And as long as Daniel stays with the crowds, Loubar couldn't try anything if he wanted to." Rollie nodded. He smiled. "I like it. Nice and simple. Good thinking, Bony." He stretched. "I hope Daniel is at home. Speaker phone, Blue, dial Daniel Cooper."

Bony watched in bemusement as Blue barked and the phone started to ring. Rollie was about ready to give up when they heard the call connect.

"Cooper," a breathless voice answered.

"G'day Daniel! Catch you at a bad mo'?"

"Rollie! No. I just got back. Tell me you haven't gotten cold feet and are cancelling the wedding," Daniel responded, his tone teasing.

"Well, Daniel, now that you've mentioned it," Rollie started, his voice serious.

"Rollie," Reverend Daniel Cooper spoke sternly, "I am not cancelling my trip. The tickets are non-refundable."

"All right, you win, Daniel, the wedding is back on."

"Good!" The two men laughed. "Seriously, why are you calling, Rollie? We'll see each other tomorrow?"

"Something's come up I'm afraid, so Angie and I won't be able to meet you at the airport."

"I see. Well, I can always get a taxi. What's your address again?"

"Actually, my cousin, Bony, will pick you up."

"Cousin? As in Australian cousin?" Curiosity filled the minister's voice.

"Yes," Rollie looked at his cousin. "Say hello, Bony."

"Hello Reverend Cooper," Bony said obediently.

"Daniel, please, um, Bony."

"All right, Daniel."

"Listen, Daniel, there's a, um, bit of a situation here so you need to listen carefully." Rollie looked into Angie's eyes as he spoke.

"What's wrong, Rollie?"

"An... old enemy has resurfaced. We may be worrying over nothing, but we don't want to take any chances. So you need to do exactly what I say."

"All right, Rollie." Daniel's bewilderment was clear in his voice, but he was listening, that was all they really needed.

"When you arrive at the airport here, don't stray from the crowds. Stay in them. When Bony takes you to the parking area, it will be to a red Dodge Ram. The license plate says FX 3. This is the most important part, look for a wallaby."

"What?!"

"A wallaby. A small kangaroo."

"So your cousin will have a stuffed wallaby?"

Bony cleared his throat. "No, Vicky is a real wallaby."

"How did you manage to bring a wallaby to New York?!"

"I didn't, she's Rollie's wallaby."

"She's not mine!" Rollie sputtered.

"Vicky belongs to a friend. We're just watching her while Odie handles an emergency," Angie explained calmly.

"So, I'm to stay in crowded areas and look for a red pickup with a wallaby in it... with a license of FX 3?"

Not exactly," Rollie said. "Bony will meet you at the gate with Vicky. He looks a lot like we do."

There was a moment of silence. "Like us? Are you telling me we're triplets!?"

"Kind of," Rollie admitted. "Of course, you and Bony are younger than me and there are differences."

"Who's youngest?"

"From what Rollie told me, you are, Daniel," Bony told him. "I'm a couple of years younger than him."

"So I'm a couple of years younger than you. What differences?"

"Hair style mostly," Angie answered, "and Bony doesn't have Rollie's scars."

"He doesn't have mine either," Bony pointed out with a grin.

"Riiight. So I guess I'll meet you tomorrow morning, Bony."

"One more thing, Daniel, Vicky better be really affectionate with me. If she isn't, you head away from me and look for a cop."

"Why?"

Rollie sighed deeply. "Loubar."

Daniel took a deep breath. "I'll... say a few prayers."

"Thanks," Rollie said, looking at Angie again. "We appreciate it."

"Amen," Angie muttered softly.

They said good-bye and hung up, to find a message had been left while they were talking with Daniel. Bony's bag had been found and he could either retrieve it at the airport or they could deliver it.

"I can just get it tomorrow when I pick up Daniel," Bony decided.

"While you're calling them back, we will fix something for us to eat," Rollie said, pulling Angie to her feet.

"Who says you have anything to eat, Rol?" Angie teased as she followed him to the kitchen area.

"Do you know how to get to the airport?" Rollie asked his cousin.

"Yes! You've told me six times and Angie printed the directions out. Don't worry, I can find it. I just came from there yesterday after all."

"I don't want you to get lost," Rollie mumbled, a faint blush tinged his cheeks.

"Rollie, I've been living in a big city for several years," Bony explained with seemingly infinite patience. "I'm not that much of a bushie."

"Not New York City," Angie spoke in defense of her fiancé.

"Not New York, but I'll manage. After all, there are a few tried and true methods for finding airports in big cities. Works in all of the ones I've visited actually."

"What methods?" Rollie couldn't help asking.

"Like following the signs," Bony said with a grin, "or there's another one. What was it? Oh yeah! Asking directions."

Angie did a double take. "It's a known fact that guys don't ask directions!"

"Well, I guess I'm the exception then," Bony chuckled, "I'm perfectly willing to ask."

"Damn, maybe I'm marrying the wrong cousin," Angie muttered quietly.

"I heard that!" Rollie pounced on his fiancée, tickling her sides.

Bony chuckled at the couple's antics. "You're going to be late if you don't get going."

"Yeah," Rollie said with a sigh. He really didn't want to go to the bloody meeting in the first place, but they had to keep it professional. Good impressions made future work come their way. He straightened his suit jacket and ran his fingers through his hair. "How do I look?"

"Yummy," Angie responded with a purr as she settled her own jacket and hair. "Let's go!" She grabbed her purse and slung it over her shoulder as they headed out the door.

"Don't forget and drive on the wrong side," Rollie called out to his cousin, just before the door snicked shut.

"I think Rollie really does think I'm a dill," Bony said conversationally to Vicky. He shrugged into his own, far more casual and comfortable jacket. "Well, I'm smart enough to know one thing, airport security won't like me bringing a gun in, cop or no, permit or no, so let's just leave it here and not risk someone stealing it from Rollie's ute." He unclipped the holster from his belt and walked over to his rucksack. He checked the safety again, then tucked it inside. "Now we better get going or we'll be late!" He pulled on Vicky's lead and clucked at her. The little wallaby was perfectly happy to follow him outside. She took the opportunity to lick his face when he picked her up and settled her on the passenger side's floor.

"What's that?" Bony asked her as he climbed behind the wheel. "Are you worrying about that bastard, Loubar?" He buckled up and checked where everything was located and adjusted to his needs before starting the red pickup. "Assuming he's not already dead, which seems to be what everybody else is thinking, you can just kick him and I'll use my imagination. It's worked before, no reason it won't work now." He checked for traffic, then pulled out of the small lane on to the street, carefully keeping to the right. "You know Vicky, I think the side the steering wheel is on would be a clue as to which side of the road I'm suppose to be on. That is if I didn't already know."

Bony pulled the large red pickup into a space in short term parking at the airport and looked over at Vicky. "Here we are, Vicky." He laughed when she licked his hand. He opened the door and walked around to Vicky's side, opening her door. Clipping Vicky's lead to her harness, he encouraged the little wallaby to follow with clicks of his tongue. He pushed the button on the remote to lock it and smiled as she looked back in apparent surprise at the beep from the truck.

The Australian cop tried to ignore the chaos they were leaving behind them as they headed across the parking lot. He thought New Yorkers were suppose to be jaded. He thought they were suppose to be able to ignore just about anything. Unfortunately that didn't seem to include wallabies as more than one head whipped around to stare at the pair. Maybe they weren't New Yorkers, maybe they were all tourists? He winced and tried not to duck his head at one particularly loud brake squeal. Fortunately, Vicky was being good as gold and not acting at all nervous. He didn't know what he would do if he had to take her back to the pickup.

Walking through the automatic doors, Bony looked around. Spotting monitors with flight arrivals and departures listed, he led Vicky over to them. He scanned the monitors until he found Daniel's flight and confirmed the gate they needed to reach. Good, his flight's on time, the Aussie thought as he read the notation. Following the signs, he weaved their way through the crowds toward the terminal he needed.

The Australian duo's progress was slowed at security. Several people in line wanted to pat Vicky. The security officers teased Bony about needing to search the little wallaby's pouch for contraband or dangerous substances. Finally, they were through and on their way to Daniel's gate. Bony eyed the arrival and departure monitors to make sure there hadn't been in changes in the minister's flight. They reached the designated gate with plenty of time. Bony bought a bottle of water and shared some of it with Vicky. He sank on his heels by a pillar with a clear view of the gate, Vicky sat nearby the picture of utter contentment as Bony scratched behind her ears.

Reverend Daniel Cooper sighed in relief as he felt the plane touch down. He was going to be very glad to be able to stretch his legs. The flight from Sea-Tac had been quiet, but way too long for his lengthy frame. Commercial and coach was a far cry from his experiences traveling with his father or using his father's money. His parents would probably have been glad to pay for his tickets or even loan him the jet, but he wanted to be more independent. Rollie and Angie had even offered to pay, saying it was only right since he was suppose to perform the ceremony. After a lot of thought and some discussions with Alex and Father Mac, he had finally accepted on the condition that he picked out the tickets. After some grumbling his "twin" had finally agreed. With Callie's help, he found the lowest fare available. Daniel went ahead and purchased the tickets, leaving Rollie to reimburse him for the expense. Daniel had also been insisting on an inexpensive motel. Fearing the minister would end up staying at some dive, Rollie had worked overtime to convince Daniel to stay with him. Daniel was pleased with himself for getting around the generous Aussie's nature at least on the flights. He still wasn't very clear on the hotel or motel or wherever he was staying.

The flight pulled up to the gate and almost everyone immediately popped up, barely waiting for the fasten seat built sign to ping off. Daniel watched in bemusement, wondering where they thought they would go since the door hadn't been opened. He reached down and pulled his small carry-on out from under the seat in front of him. As the crowd began to move, he eased out into the aisle, thanking the man who had waited for him to do so. He reached up into the overhead compartment for the shorter, older woman who had been seated beside him and handed her bag to her.

"Thank you, Reverend Cooper," she said politely as he allowed her to exit in front of him.

"I told you to call me Daniel, Mrs. Broderson."

She smiled up at the tall, young man. "Let's make a deal, I'll call you Daniel if you call me Harriet."

"Certainly, Harriet. It was a pleasure talking with you on the flight," the preacher stated as they entered the terminal. He looked around, hoping to spot Bony. His eyes widened slightly as he watched a tall, lean man in a light blue jacket, wearing a gray felt cowboy hat stand up beside a post. The wallaby at his side was unmistakable as it was attracting quite a bit of attention from the departing passengers.

"Oh my lord!" Harriet breathed in stunned surprise as she looked at the unusual pair. She looked at the young minister beside her then at the other man. "Is that your brother, Daniel?"

"No, I'm an only child, Harriet. He's the cousin of the man I was telling you about."

Bony stepped forward, an easy smile on his face. "Daniel! It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Harriet Broderson felt her toes curl at the delightfully accented voice. Grandmother or not, she would have to be dead not to react to that wonderful voice.

"Harriet, this is David Bonaparte. Bony, this is Mrs. Harriet Broderson. She helped make my flight from the west coast a pleasure."

Bony pulled his hat off and smiled down at the smaller woman. "It's my pleasure to meet you, ma'am. Thank you for taking care of Daniel" One look into the minister's warm, gentle brown eyes and the Australian detective knew why no one had worried about him picking up an imposter. Loubar could never be good enough at impersonation to replace this man.

"I guess that would be Vicky," Daniel said as the wallaby sniffed at his knees.

"Yeah, that's Vicky all right." Bony grinned as Daniel gave her a tentative pat on the head. Her nose went up to sniff at his hand and, sure enough, the tongue came out to give it a lick. Maybe she'll find a new love interest, he thought hopefully, then groaned silently as she twisted back to push his hand, demanding more attention. Or maybe not!

"She's beautiful!" Mrs. Broderson declared. "May I?" She raised one hand and motioned toward the little wallaby.

"Certainly," Bony answered. "She's very friendly."

Harriet gently stroked Vicky's head, smiling in delight. "I definitely have to convince Fred, my husband, that we need to make that trip to Australia! He's been putting me off for the last three years because of the long flight."

"If you ever make it, give me a call," Bony responded. "Maybe I can show you some of the sights." He pulled a card out of his pocket and handed it to the woman as they moved toward baggage claim and the exits.

"I'll be sure to do that!" Harriet said. She looked at the card. "You're a detective?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Call me Harriet, dear. Maybe that will get Fred to go. He's been county sheriff for thirty years. He'll be retiring soon."

"I'll look forward to meeting him, Harriet. Tell him, I'll give you a tour of the station."

"That would be wonderful!" She spotted a small sundries shop with disposable cameras on display. "Could I take a picture? Of all of you? My grandkids will love it and no one will believe me if I don't!"

Bony looked at Daniel. He could see the man think hard for a moment and waited for him to answer.

"All right, Harriet, but only if I get one of you, too" Daniel declared. He wasn't going to spoil this perfectly innocent moment by worrying about his father, his father's reputation or the press. Besides, he wasn't doing anything wrong.

"I wouldn't mind having some piccies either," Bony said, "and Vicky won't mind. I understand she's in show business herself. Actually, you can send them to Daniel or Rollie and they can send copies on to me."

"She is?" Harriet looked charmed by the thought.

"Yes, commercials and even a movie according to cousin Rollie."

"Nonsense! I'll get copies and send them to both of you. You'll have to give me your address though, Daniel." Harriet rummaged in her handbag, looking for a pen and paper to write on. "Do you think your cousin could let me know what she's been in, Bony? My grandkids will be impressed."

Remembering some of the things Rollie had shared about their lookalike, Bony was quick with an alternative. "You could just send them to Rollie and he could send them on. He can make copies for us and let you know about Vicky's appearances." He shrugged as Daniel looked at him in surprise. "As a matter of fact, he and Angie might like copies too."

Pictures were quickly taken. Harriet even convinced one passerby to take one of all of them together.

Daniel smiled at Harriet and Vicky. He took the paper Harriet offered to Bony for Rollie's address. "Here's my address, Harriet," he said, quickly writing it down. "I hope you're a letter writer. I would love to keep in touch."

"I love to write letters, Daniel!" She responded, putting a hand to her cheek. "Hardly anybody wants to do it anymore. Everyone does those email things now, but I just can't get the hang of using a computer."

Daniel bent over and spoke softly into her ear. "I'll let you in on a little secret, Harriet. I can't get the hang of computers either."

"Oh! Let me give both of you my address, too! I guess I won't be hearing from you, Bony."

"I may surprise you," Bony answered, his eyes twinkling. "Do you have any luggage to collect, Daniel? Harriet?"

"No, I don't. This is it for me," Daniel hefted his small bag up, indicating it.

"I don't either, dear. Thank you for asking though."

"Unfortunately, this was the fir