***

Plus Another Year

***

Lupin looked over as Helena came out of the office, smiling at her.  "Problems?" he asked when she didn't return it.

"The doctor's being fussy about my food intake."

"I warned you," he said smugly, hugging her.  "Come on, I'll buy you something that you actually want for lunch."  She nodded, letting him take her out of the office and out to their car.  They found two flat tires, obviously slit, and groaned.  She handed over her cell since his new one was broken, then pulled her gun to sit on the trunk while he called home.

"Jigen, it's me.  The car's tires were slashed.  Yeah, I'm sure.  They're slashed very well.  Over six inches."  He grimaced.  "That what I thought you'd say.  How about the sports car?"

"Only seats two unless you're double jointed," she noted.  She waved a security guard over, pointing at the tires.  "What happened?"

He looked at her, then at the gun.  "Should you be doing that in your state?"

"Whoever slit the tires is keeping me from ice cream and a long bath with my jacuzzi attachment."

"Oh."  He nodded.  "We'll pull the tapes, ma'am.  We haven't had many problems with that.  You do have a permit, right?"  She nodded, pulling it out to show him.  "Thank you, ma'am.  Maybe you should fill out a report?"

"Sure, I can do that.  Insurances can be picky that way."  She slid off the hood. "I'm walking over to the station."  He shook his head.  "I'll be fine.  I'm the one with the gun."  She strolled off, putting her gun where she could reach it but it wouldn't get in the way of her holding her back when it started to ache.  She walked into the police station.  "Hey, guys," she said cheerfully.  They all stared at her.  "What?"  She looked behind her, waving at the guy in the Army uniform.  "Problems?"

"Helena Nichols?"

"Formerly.  Why?"

"Detective, our country needs you."

She raised an eyebrow, looking over his uniform, then smoothed her shirt over her stomach.  "Why do they need someone who's five months pregnant?"  He groaned, shaking his head.  "I'll help any way I can if it's legitimate, but I'm not going to be of much physical help.  Hey, Cap, can we use the office?"

"Go ahead.  You'll also need to reapply for your weapon's permit this year."

"Thank you.  I thought it was good forever.  It's not like the drug cartels and the Chicago mafia have been eradicated."  She led the way into the spare office, sitting behind the desk so she could pull out a drawer and put her feet up.  "What's up?"

"Ma'am, we have reason to believe that hostile elements are hiding in this country."

"People like my husband or people like drug lords?"

"We don't particularly like your husband or his boss, but we hate the drug lords worse, detective.  The ones we're worried about all seem to know about you.  They were making jokes about you not being here."

"Hmm.  Wrong again."  She grinned.  "Which ones?"  He pulled out a folded paper and shoved it across the desk.  She looked it over, nodding.  "I know three of the six."  She looked at him.  "By one's name I'm guessing he's a son or nephew.  The other two are new to me."

"The other two are the ones who worry us, detective.  You don't know them at all?"

"Reputation.  That's probably how they know me.  Proving that they're connected by knowing the in-jokes of the group."  He looked relieved.  "Of course, whatever I can do to help I will.  Do you need into my work logs?"  He nodded.  "Then I'll hand you to Kit.  She's using them as her thesis in a few years so she's reading through all of them.  Most of my memories are blocked," she said at his confused look.  "I did it on purpose so I wouldn't have to remember killing people."

"Oh.  Of course, I understand fully.  Can we...."  He stopped when Lupin opened the door.  "Did you need something?"

"I'm watching over her and the baby."  He looked at the list, snickering.  "Small time assholes with grand ideas," he said dryly.  "Two of them only have a few dealers.  The other three were decimated years ago and they're just now able to rebuild enough product strength to put stuff out onto the streets again."

"Mr. Lupin, I would love to hear more," he said firmly, standing up. "May we talk with all of you?"

"Sure."  Kathy patted her gun then her wallet.  "If you help make sure her permit stays good."

"The current Minister doesn't understand why she'd need it."

"Because people like this have found out who and where I am, and this isn't my first kid," Kathy said quietly.  He looked sickened.  "Exactly.  Not to mention the people who might come after me because of my husband's or Lupin's connections, or even the rare one who comes after me because of Zenny's cases."

"Someone has?"

"He was very sorry, dear."  She grinned at him. "Deal?"

"Deal," he agreed.  "Now?"

"Our tires were slashed," Lupin said bitterly.  He looked out into the office.  "Did anyone see who slashed our tires?"  They all shook their heads.  "Damn.  It's not like we can walk all the way home."

"Jigen said he can't find the keys?"

"No, he found them, it's low on gas.  He said you're running on fumes."

"Sorry, that happens sometimes; like balancing the checkbook I wait until the last minute."  Lupin snorted, rolling his eyes.  "Fine, or I let you do it," she said patiently.  She stood up with a grunt and a stomach rub.  "Come on, dear.  Let's head home somehow."  She walked back into the main room.  "Has the guy who wanted to start a cab service done so?"

"Sorry, Kathy, but the guy patrolling out by your wall said that the sports car was out.   He asked if he should pull it over since your plate was old."  He gave her a look, then looked at Lupin, who groaned and nodded.  "Thank you for handling the small details for her.  They obviously get pushed out of the way by the children."

"I've always had to spend the first day paying the bills and doing her checkbook," Lupin said bitterly.  "She always forgot things like that.  How long before Jigen gets here?"

"Kit was driving," the captain said, smirking at him.  They all winced. "She was being very careful and slow."

"Kit always drives that way," Kathy agreed. "I've got to teach the girl how to drive in a high speed chase, just in case."  She belched, then patted her chest.  "Sorry, the baby wanted salsa for breakfast."

"That's okay.  My own wife is pregnant," another cop noted.  The radio crackled to life, giving off a report.  "It stalled feet into the gas station."

"Jigen said it was running on fumes," Lupin agreed dryly.  They settled in to wait, Kathy picking up any new cases she could consult on - Interpol no longer sent them to the house since she made their courier cry, and Lupin talked cars with one of the other cops.  The official looked on in confusion.  Lupin smirked at him.  "Don't worry, we don't corrupt them.  They're nice guys for the most part and we keep the town calm."

"Very calm," the Captain agreed.  "We only get some minor drunks and spousal problems usually.  Kathy, your handyman down in River Front has been looking for you."

"I talked with him yesterday," she sighed.  "What now?"

"They're full.  That last immigrant group filled it up."  He smiled at her.  "He wanted to know if you were ready to talk about expanding that set of buildings."

"If the money's available," she agreed.  "I don't want to bankrupt the fund either.  How many of them have jobs?"

"Most of them but there's a housing shortage in the area," Lupin told her, patting her on the arm.  "Maybe some modest income housing?"  She nodded. "Do the same thing?"

"I guess we could," she agreed.  "That would still cost money and raise the taxes, which went up again this year."

"Yeah, but we can cover it.  Remember, you do have money," he pointed out.

"Yes, but college and trust funds are expensive," she retorted.  He gave her a long look.  "Like I said, if it doesn't bankrupt the fund."

He nodded.  "I understand.  I bet if you asked, Jigen would go in with you," he said casually.  "Give him ten percent of the profits?"

"He's my husband, not my bank," she said impatiently.  "I don't need more of a bank."

He looked at her.  Then he moved closer to hug her.  "I know," he whispered, "but we'll figure it out tonight, okay?"  She nodded, resting against his chest.  "Good girl.  Let's go home.  I hear the poor engine."  He shook his head.  "She's got the parking brake on."  He looked at the official.  "Follow us if you want.  We're heading home."  He nodded, staring at their backs as they walked out.  He stood in front of where Kit was pulling up, making her stop cold, then walked around.  "In the back, little person."

"Little?"  She looked back there.  "You'd fit better."  She pouted at him. "Don't make me smoosh the baby, he'll frown at me again."

"Fine, I'll get into the back and Kathy can drive," he agreed patiently.  "Walk around."   She got out and waddled around while he climbed into the storage area to sit on the small bench.  Kathy got in and closed her door.  "Seat belts."  They sighed and buckled up but one of the cops rushed out, waving his hands.

Kathy put down a window.  "What?"

"One of the kids is underneath."  He got down on his knees. "Get your ass off there!" he snapped. "That is illegal!"  The boy climbed out, sniffling and brushing at his scraped skin.   "You'd think that you had more sense with how smart you are," he said, picking him up.

"Okay, I guess we're going to the ER and then home," she agreed, letting the baby be passed through the window.  "Anyone else?"

"Not that I saw," he admitted.  "I'll have the cops pay attention to the road by your house and call the house itself."  He shook his head.  "Boys," he said in disgust.

Kathy looked at little Arsene.  "You're in deep shit, son."  She undid the parking brake and started the engine. "Lupin, check the trunk.  I thought I heard a cough."

He opened the small door to the trunk. "Yup.  We have a Jissan and a Mal."  He looked at her and smirked.  "Not just mine."

"No, just the bad kids," she said dryly, shifting into first to take off.

"Mommy!  We had Avalon with us."  She stopped and turned to glare at her. "She was in the garage."

Lupin pulled out his cellphone.  "Avalon's wandering," he announced.  "She was in the garage.  We have a dragged Arsene, Mal, and Jissan.  We're on our way to the ER, then home."  He hung up with a sigh.  "Come on.  Let's get this over with."  She nodded, taking off again, going much faster than Kit was used to by the way she was clutching the kid.  "We're fine, Kit.  Cars like this are designed to work better at the higher speeds."  They pulled into the ER and found a guard yelling at someone and pointing at his car.  "I think I'll interrupt that while you get them checked over."  Once everyone was out and the two in the trunk were taken inside he walked over to his car, interrupting the argument.  "What!" he demanded.  The guard swallowed.  "Something wrong?"

"Why would anyone slash your tires here?" the other demanded.

"For the same reason there were three slashed tires at the grocery store last week?" Lupin suggested.  "Because it was parked maybe?"  The man's face turned red. "It's not like I did it to my own car!  Dumbass, I like that car!  It's done over sixty countries on those tires!"  The man backed away.  "Now then.  Who did it," he snapped.

"We didn't see his face.  He was wearing a hooded jacket with an american sports motto," the original guard said quietly.  "I noticed her bringing in the children. Are they all right?"

"Our nanny brought down the sports car.  One hid underneath and two more in the trunk," he said dryly, grimacing.  He pulled his gun and shot at the feet of the person walking toward the sports car.  "Come here, boy."  The head turned. "Fine, girl then."  She trudged over. "Do you know who I am?"  She swallowed and nodded.  "Are you *sure*?" he asked.  She nodded more quickly.  "Yet, you didn't know my *trademark* car, you slashed the tires on the car, and then you were going to go after Kathy's car.  Does that seem smart to you?"

"It's fun."

"It's not fun!" the second guard snapped.

Lupin tipped her chin up.  "You wanna know fun?  I can teach you fun.  If you're that bored then I'm sure we have something we can teach you."  She blanched.  "Do you understand me fully, young lady?"   She nodded.  "Are you sure?"  She nodded again.  "Good.  Now you get to tell Jigen why *he* gets to change tires."

"Yes, Lupin," she said quietly, glancing around.  "There are more of us."

"That's fine.  I'm sure something can be found to occupy your time, lessons of some sort or another.  Do not touch my cars!"

"Yes, Lupin."  She whistled, making another kid sneaking over to the sports car stop.  "Don't touch that!  It's *hers*!"  The kid ran off.  She smiled. "See?  I'll pass on the word, sir.  Would you teach us how to break and enter?"

"We'll see."  She nodded, understanding that.  "Go.  Now, before I get *really* upset and tell Jigen who did it."  She ran off before anyone could say another word.  Lupin looked at the guard. "Not had much trouble?" he asked bitterly.

"Not that's been reported to me, sir.  I'm sorry. There's another person coming from under your car."

He grimaced and went over to catch that one, taking her into the emergency room as well. "Here, she decided to ride in under the car as well," he said.  "We'll be talking, Abby.  Be very sure of that."  He went to move the car to a parking spot, not wanting to hear the fit for blocking the doors again.

***

Jigen looked at the kids standing in the doorway, frowning at them.  "You did what?"

"We slashed the Benz's tires," the girl said.  She was actually in nice pants and a dress shirt and the others had cleaned up too.  "Lupin threatened us with lessons."

"Okay.  Let me talk to him.  Go play in the yard and don't bother the kids."  They nodded, heading that way around the side of the house.  Jigen shook his head, picking up the nearest phone to call his wife.  It rang once and then a thump upstairs alerted him that they were back.  "Get down here!" he yelled.  "Some little punks came up for lessons?"

"Can you think of a better way for them not to plague the town?" Lupin asked as he came down the stairs.  "The kids are all fine.  Most of the scrapes are superficial but a few needed bandages.  The two in the trunk were fine after some oxygen.  Kathy needs to eat more, the doctor said so."  He watched as the kids ran past them to the back yard.  "Oh, no, you four are fucking grounded!" he yelled.  "Rooms, now!  And I mean grounded.  No games, no toys, only your school books!"  They trudged back up the stairs, his daughter giving him a pitiful look.  "Next time don't do stupid shit."  She sighed miserably and went up to her room.

Kathy came down in a pair of shorts and a tank top.  "Okay, so what are we teaching the cleaner little darlings in the back?"

"Let's see what they know so far," he suggested, taking her arm to lead her back to the kitchen.  He sat her on a bar stool.  "What would you like for lunch?"

"The baby's not really demanding right now."  He gave her a long look so she sighed.  "Something light?  I only know I don't want it after I try it."  He rolled his eyes but put on some pasta.  Mostly that had been fine so far.  She looked outside, catching the girl's eyes, then pointing inside.  She brought Avalon in.  "Where did you find her?"

"Heading for the pool."

"Thanks."  Lupin looked down at her.  "Go play without playing in any water and without any of the other kids getting upset."  She pouted but went out to play with the plants and the kitty on the lawn.  "Sometimes you have to be specific with her."  He looked the girl over.  "At least you look older out of that outfit.  How old are you?"

"Sixteen."

"Real age?" he asked, stirring the pasta in the water.

"Fourteen," she sighed.

"Good.  Now, why are you turning to crime, young lady?"

"Because we suck in school.  We left so we didn't have to do remedial lessons."

Lupin nodded. "I've seen others who have done that.  Most aren't successful unless they hitch themselves to more intelligent people."

"I have the feeling that they're intelligent but the method of learning wasn't doing it for them," Kathy suggested.  "Couldn't get the examples?  Didn't see the use for grammar at your age?"  She nodded, grinning.  "Good.  There's a way around that.  You'll be working with me and the kids while he teaches you more about thieving."

"And none of it will be used in this town," Lupin said firmly. "You don't foul your own doorstep."

"Yes, sir," she agreed.  "Let me tell the others."  She looked at Kathy. "You're a teacher?"

"No, honey, I was a cop and I did undercovers in some of the poorest neighborhoods in Chicago.  Each educational system only really fits the average.  Special students who think differently, higher, lower, or simply about different matters, aren't ever helped by any standard education."  She nodded, going to tell the other kids.  "Any of you guys mechanically inclined?  Jigen's going to need some help with the cars."

"Yeah, two of us."

"Good.  Then you can come help him with that."  She turned to look at Lupin as he drained the pasta, wiping off the drool.  "Got any of that spicy fruit sauce?"  He nodded, smiling at her.  "Thank you for humoring the baby.  You do it just as well as Jigen."

Jigen came in, shaking his head.  "The local mechanics said that the parts are going to take forever."

"Two of the kids are mechanically inclined.  They're going to help you with the cars," she said.  "Then we're going to work on their lessons with them while Lupin teaches them some thieving skills afterwards."

"We're running a crook's school?" Jigen asked.

"Alternative lessons more or less," Lupin admitted.  "We've done it with the other kids.  Let's face it, the local school board looked at Abby's test scores and couldn't figure out how to put her into third grade."

"With remedial math," she reminded him, taking the plate greedily.  She slurped up the first piece and belched, then patted her stomach.  "Got any cheese?"  Lupin handed it over, making her smile as she fixed it the way she liked it.  "Thank you.  Croutons?"  He pulled down the box and handed those over as well.  "Plain ones?"  He took the box back and dug out the plain croutons for her, patting her on the hand.  "Thank you for spoiling me, Lupin."

"You're welcome."

"Any left?  I could stand some pasta," Jigen offered.

"I made enough for the three of us.  The normal sauce is still cold."

"That's fine with me," Jigen agreed, grabbing it out of the fridge and handing it over.  He watched his wife eat, not caring what it was as long as she was happy and eating.  "What else happened?"

"Interpol sent six more cases, all thieves.  The French Army guy should be up here sometime soon.  Zenny said he might be coming up in a few days with a special case to work on with me."

"It gets better and better," Jigen said dryly.  "Army?"

"Drug dealers," Lupin told him.  "Minor guys who are idiots."  The doorbell rang.  "That's probably him so I'll take him first. You call Kit up from her house."  He took his plate that way, answering the door.  "Hey, come into the old office.  It's got better seating."
"Yes, sir," he agreed, following him.  "Feeding the pregnant women?"

"Very muchly.  Goemon's got his own wife, we just fed Kathy."  He opened the door, finding the four kids in there on the computer.  He cleared his throat.  "I don't believe this is your room.  Jigen!"  Jigen walked his way.  "These four are grounded, correct?"

"Now they're not only grounded, they're in deep shit," Jigen agreed seriously.  The kids groaned.  "Tough.  Empty rooms, now."  They whined.  "NOW!" he ordered, pointing.  The kids flinched and headed up the stairs at a fast run.  "And I do mean empty rooms!" he yelled after them.  "No siblings, no toys, no games, no books, nothing.  You're to sit there and listen to the others have fun or I'm spanking!"

"You never spank," Abby said from the top of the stairs.

"There's a time for it and you've just done it," he growled.  She disappeared.   "Thank you!  Expect to be up there like that for a whole fricken' week!"  He went back to the kitchen to his dinner.  "We'll have to get Goemon up to chastise them.  Abby's still backtalking me."

"Hmm."  She dialed the phone.  "Hey, Goemon.  It's me."  She grinned at his assertion that he had realized it was her.  "Good.  Two things.  There's a guy up here that needs to look at my duty logs and ask Kit about a few people if Lupin can't help.  The second is that the kids pulled a really bad stunt today.  Jigen, Robert, pool."  He hurried out to catch his son before he could drown, locking the pool house as soon as he made sure it was empty.  He counted kids and unlocked it, grabbing Mal out of it and sending him back into the house with a swat on the ass.  Mal pouted all the way inside.  "Grounded means no fun, son.  So do your brother's bandages.  Now get your ass back to that empty room before *I* have to get into it."  He scurried off covering his ass.  She sighed, putting the phone back up to her ear.  "Two of them hid in the trunk of the sports car and two were underneath.  Yeah, that's probably where the blood and dirt came from, Goemon.  Please.  Abby backtalked him and Mal just snuck out.  Thanks.  See you soon."  She hung up.  "They'll be up in a few minutes, once Kit's cleaned up and dressed again."

"Under the car?"

"Under the car.  That's why Arsene's face is covered with bruises and scrapes."

"Stupid kids," he ground out.  "That's dangerous."

"Hey, work with Goemon this time.  Make it a horrible thing."  He nodded, sitting down to finish eating.  She hugged him.  "I still love you and obey any reasonable requests."

He grinned at her.  "Good, eat."  She dug back into her lunch, making him look away.  He could ignore it but seeing it made his stomach turn.

***

The older kids had settled into their new lessons that afternoon like they were at least going to give it a shot so Jigen got the two mechanically inclined ones and took them out to the main garage.  "Which one of you thinks that math isn't involved in engines?"  They both raised their hands.  "Okay.  Can you explain how to make sure that the timing is on?"

"It sounds right," one of them said.  Jigen nodded.  "You mean that's math?"

"That's math.  Engines, especially quality engines, are built to specific dimensions and cubic weight. That's part of the horsepower equation.  That's also one reason why you pick a car, a powerful engine."  They looked stunned.  "Don't drive yet?"  They shook their heads.  "We'll be fixing that as soon as you're able to rip down an engine, fix it, then put it back together."

"Can you?"

"Oh, yeah, and have had to in the middle of a job," Jigen told him.  "I've had to do minor engine repairs during a getaway.  Just enough to get us running.  Bad alternator was running down the battery and it was pretty bad.  There for a while we had to carry spare parts in the trunk of the four-seater.  Until I rebuilt the engine totally. Then I had to do it again because some of the pieces were microns too big and they created friction."  They winced.  "Exactly.  Math is more of a side thing to engine repair than a main thing.  You don't necessarily have to know how to build the components with so many auto stores around but you'd better make sure that you know exactly what you need and what size.  Sizes are really close together and it has to be exact for most pieces."  They looked stunned.  "Now, this one has a pinging problem.  I've been putting it off."

"Is it the pistons?"

"It is, good guess," Jigen agreed.  "How did you know?"

"I heard it going up the street the other day and it sounded like it was misfiring."

"Oh, it was," he agreed dryly.  "Which is why I took it from Lupin and made him garage it until I had the time and energy to look it over.  So, let's start there.  We'll go over each of the parts we'll be pulling off to clean and make sure there's no wear.  That way you get used to the parts and how they feel."  They nodded, moving closer to help him.  "You guys might want to put on coveralls.  I only know a few people who have enough clothes to get oil all over them and not care, and they're women."

"Including your wife?"

"Yeah, including her.  She's stored stuff for years on the hopes she could wear it again.  That's where half of that came from.  Coveralls are in the closet.  Get me one too."  They grabbed the one with Jigen's name on it and handed it over, then got on their own.  "Thanks.  I tell you what, the more special the engine, the worse this picky nature is.  Lupin did a job as a race car driver and I had to help with the engine.  That one sucked.  A bolt being too loose or too tight could make the stupid thing blow up going two hundred miles an hour."  They gasped so he looked behind him.  "Hey, Pops.  She's in the office talking about drug dealers."

"I know.  I came to see that you're not treating these ones wrong."

"We're working on the engine, Pops.  Chill.  Lupin teaches thieving."  He looked at the kids.  "Bring that pan over here, pour the two-liter of coke into it, then another of the sterilized water.  We'll be washing each part as well to make sure there's no wear."  They did so, looking startled at the two-liter being real Coke.  "It eats grease, rust, and the inside of your stomach.  Remember that," Jigen said fondly.  "How my wife and Cat Demoranth drink that I don't know."  He looked at the nut.  "That should be a five-eighths.  Second drawer of the tool chest."  They opened it and checked the sizes, handing over the right one. "Good job.  The handle?"  That was handed over as well.  "As you wash it, the easiest thing is to lay it out in order of how you took it off.  Start to your right from the coke and don't lose anything."

"Also remember which socket went with each bolt," Zenigata said dryly, "or else you strip them.  I've had to do a number of engine repairs thanks to these crooks."  He headed back up to the house to butt into the session.  "I think I have something that may relate," he announced as he walked in.  Lupin sighed and waved him in.  "Thank you.  Preston was picked up under another's umbrella recently."

Lupin suddenly sat up, his feet hitting the floor.  "Excuse me?"  Pops smirked at him. "He's working for someone now?"  Zenigata nodded smugly.  "That's not normal."

She pinched him.  "Quit teasing him, Zenny."

"Fine."  He handed over the file, looking down at her.  "Our boss wanted to know if this was the last."

"Hell yes," Lupin muttered as he read.  He looked up and grinned. "There's every chance it's mine."

Zenigata went pale.  "Did you hurt her!"

"No.  We were having fun.  Jigen got me too hard," he said with a shrug.  "It was after I came back and had everything fixed."  He grinned at her before going back to his reading.  "Inspector, this is Captain Henri Mueller.  Captain, Inspector Zenigata.  You need to see this too.  We'll need to make copies."  He walked to the copier in the corner, making copies.

"That's property of Interpol," Zenigata protested.  "French Army?"  He nodded. "Why?"

"The same drug dealers were talking about me," she told him.  He gaped.  "Yeah.  They thought we might know something important.  Who is Preston working for?"

"Quincha."

"Who?"

"It's a pseudonym.  I haven't figured out who he really is yet," Lupin admitted, bringing the copies back to hand each of them a copy.  He kept the original.  "Hmm.  He's native Peruvian."

"Isn't that a language down there?" she asked.

"Sorta."  Lupin grinned at her.  "Good remembering from tv."  He went back to his reading.  "I'm having a middle-son flashback."

"Jan Brady syndrome?" she suggested.  He nodded so she looked over his photo.  "Well, he kinda looks like that guy Bill."

"The smuggler or the pirate?" Zenny asked, sitting down next to her

"The smuggler.  He's got his nose and eyes.  But he also looks like....  Oh, hey, Olivia," she said, looking smug.

Lupin looked up.  Then he flipped back to look at the picture.  "They were having a rabid affair in a Catholic country.  There's almost no access to condoms down there."  He looked at her then smiled.  "That does make sense."

"Thank you, dear.  If you're right then he's basically the ignored or outcast son.  That would fit with the fake name and the goatee, which makes him look like a younger version of his father."

"Hmm.  Interesting.  Can we test that?" the army guy asked.

"It'd be hard," Zenigata told him.  "We'd need samples."

"You have his father's on file and his mother did have other children, who are in custody," Lupin pointed out.  "More than enough for a relationship test."

"Mm.  Good point."  He called his boss.  "We think we may have a family for the bastard Quincha.  No, there was a smuggler named Bill back about ten years ago.  We have his profile on file and a sample of DNA since it was a rape case."  He smirked.  "That's fine.  Thank you, sir."  He hung up.  "They'll be running it shortly.  Any other insights?"

"What sort of sense does he have?  Most of these people have one or two good things and then compensate," Kathy pointed out.

"We have reported that he's got money sense."

"Which means that he won't have common sense," Lupin quipped.  "Money men never do.  They look at the bottom line immediately in front of them and often waste people that they regret wasting later."  He looked up.  "The same as Pertrel did a few years back.  Classic example."

"Yeah, but if he took over his father's old contacts list then he's got the majority of smugglers in a little red book," Kathy reminded him. "They can easily find him a second with some sense. How big of a network is he building?  Oh, here, look at these, how many others are involved?"  She passed over the original list so the army guy would quit shifting.

"He's met with four of the five, the last one refused to see him," Zenigata said, checking his personal notes.

"Are they living?"

"When I left Paris."

"Hmm."  Lupin leaned back, arms behind his head.  "I'm guessing he'll allow it and make an example of why you join with him, like Roman Empire did, or he'll blow him up.  Bets, Kathy?"

"Blowing him up.  His mother was a closet pyro."

"Good point."  He looked at the army guy.  "So, they're related."  He sighed and nodded.  "What did you want to happen to this new network?"

"We'd like to have them eradicated.  Drugs are bad."

"Yes, they are," Kathy agreed, "but even if we collapse his pipelines someone else will fill in the need.  There's always more people waiting for an opportunity.  Short of us going down there and wiping out full families and anyone suspected, but not proven, and most of the locals who have been forced to harvest the drugs because the US bombed their food crops by mistake while doing drug fields, well, it'd decimate a good portion of western South American and Central America."  Lupin nodded.  "And even then, the Asian gangs would pick up their old routes again.  The African ones would start to fill in.  Even some of the Middle Eastern ones would jump at the chance."  She looked at him.  "This war on drugs is unwinnable, but you can stem the tide.  Like a dyke and a wall to stop a tide."  He nodded, looking eager.  "To do that, you're going to have to outsmart these bastards.  Most of them aren't dumb, but they're not techno-geniuses either.  They follow very specific lines, like the Russian Mafia families, and they're horribly into pain and suffering."  He nodded again, looking even more eager.  "You need to run a dual offensive.  Just taking out the street level dealers only creates opportunity.  Taking out all the higher ones will slow it down but others will still run in to cover that because it makes them *tremendous* money.  The guy who's at the head of the chain, the lord, makes about eighty percent profit off each kilo.  Then the guy below him cuts it some and sells it for a bit less.  The guy below him cuts his portion and sells it for a bit less."

"And on and on," Lupin agreed.  "Drug lines are like a pyramid scheme mixed in with the older non-Sicilian based syndicates.  The Sicilians mess in it now and then for the profits.  They're also more careful with and for their people from having to hide it for so long.  Drug Lords are like little kings with a whole empire of people to waste and toss at this battle plus an expanding population base.  The Russian Mafia are so new that they never really had to learn a lot of caution in their actions yet. Put the two together, and they are together in this part of the world, and put them into a pyramid structure. Sometimes a multi-headed one where it crosses over."

"Do you know any of the current lines?"

"There's a great shipment that goes on the Orient Express each week," Lupin said calmly.  "There's another one that comes up the Chunnel.  It's a pass-through from the Columbians from what I understand.  The few Brazilians simply send theirs to Portugal directly.  Spain gets a good few.  France is a major shipping point because from here it's so damn easy to get to the rest of the continent."  The army guy started to look depressed.  "It's always mixed in with something else, something they think will hide the scent from the dogs."

"Coffee, cocoa, oils.  I've seen them bringing it in by making it a part of a mix of things that will dissolve under the right influence and then they can filter it out."

"I saw that on CSI," Zenny offered.  "If I'm smart enough to figure out how to do that, so are they."

"Plaster isn't the ideal, Pops, but there's other things.  Think...aspirin."  Zenigata looked stunned.  "How easy is that?  We had a whole case that got into the open last year before someone realized and stole it back."   The army guy nodded.  "Depending how pure they could keep it in that form and no one would be the wiser."

"And it might help some of the hangover afterwards," Kathy agreed. She shifted, putting her feet up on her friend's lap, grinning at Zenny when he gave her a look.  "I'm not asking you to rub them, just to not move for a bit.  My ankles are swollen today."  She looked back at the army guy, grinning.  "Fortunately, crooks aren't usually smart enough to figure out this on their own.  The aspirin trick was wonderful but they were breaking it back down.  Selling it like that would have increased profits and all-but made sure it'd be damn impossible to overdose.  The aspirin would dilute your blood too much and it'd be harder and most people would be sick long before they took that much.  Say, fifty percent purity with Havana White?"  Zenigata gave her another frown.  "Hey, I only tested, thank you.  I do know what it feels like after having it *injected* into my arm a few times."

"Sorry, Kathy."  He stroked her ankles for her.  "You need to shave, woman."

"Shaving's for little clone women and special occasions.  Real women should be able to convince their men to accept the real them, belching, farting, hairy legs and pits, and all."

Lupin gave her a look.  "If I begged, would you shave your armpits?  Just that?" he requested.  She sighed.  "I'll even do it for you if I have to," he promised.  "I hate waking up in them.  I feel the same way about Jigen's too.  That's why I shave mine down and keep it trimmed."

She nodded. "Fine, you can shave me tonight."

He grinned.  "Thanks."  Zenigata fell onto the floor.  "Hey!  You took her footrest!" he complained.

She looked back at the army guy, seeing his held-in smirk.  "Yes, we're always like this," she shared.  Kit walked in.  "Hey."  She grinned.  "He passed out."

"I can see that."  She took his seat, handing over a copied bunch of papers.  "I photocopied the section that detailed the usual methods of how their distribution networks worked in Chicago and I've brought the ones that detail the stronger families."  She patted the journals.  "I can let you copy parts that you need but the originals have to stay."

"This will be of great help.  Can I borrow a chair and the copier?"

"Sure, have the office," Lupin agreed, standing up and taking the folder with him.  He helped Kathy and Kit up. "Kit, you might want to help Goemon yell at the children for that stunt earlier.  Burst into tears, it'll make 'em feel worse."  He patted her on the head.  "Or you can stay and help him.  We've given him about all we know."

"France thanks you both," he said.

"Remember, I need my permit renewed," she said.  "Especially with these people being here."  He nodded.  "Thank you.  If I have to, I can capture the next one and drag him down there if necessary to prove my point."

"I hope that won't be necessary, ma'am.  Thank you.  Have a good rest."  He watched as they walked out, then bent to wake Zenigata up.  "Are you all right?"

"Stunned dumb," Kit said with a giggle.  "What caused it?"

"He's sleeping with her full time!"

"In their bedroom.  It's keeping Abby from throwing more hysterical fits like she did in the courtroom," Kit explained.  "She begged the judge to make it so they could be a real trio."  She sat down again, stroking her stomach.  "Is it normal to have light pains across here?" she asked the experienced father.

He put a hand on her stomach.  "That's false contractions.  You need to tell your doctor about them today."

"I've got an appointment tomorrow," she said calmly.  "I'll talk to him then."  Zenny stood up and grabbed the phone, dialing it and handing it to her.  "Fine," she sighed.  "You're as bad as Goemon and it's not even yours."

"No, but I've got five of my own," he said dryly.  "I know all about it."

She listened to the cheerful nurse.  "This is Kitsune Goemon.  I've been told I'm having false labor pains by an experienced father.  Should I change my appointment or go to the ER?"  She listened.  "That's fine, I can do that.  Ten tomorrow, right?  And we're doing the ultrasound so I need to drink a lot?"  She listened to the instructions.  "That's fine.  Thank you."  She hung up.  "If they get worse I'm to go to the ER.  Until then I'm to come in tomorrow and drink a lot of water so the ultrasound is clear."

"That's fine, I'll tell Goemon that you're having them so he can watch you closer."  He looked at the army guy, seeing the incredulous look.  "I did make it home sometimes," he said dryly.

"I'm sure you did, Inspector.  Sit, tell me what I need to know."

"Why is the French Foreign Legion involved?" Zenigata asked.

"Because one of our people was found to be a major conduit."  Zenigata nodded.  "You expected such?"

"Who searches their bags?  How many contraband items of a more minor nature have you brought home?"

"Good point."  He gave him a small sideways look. "I brought home a few knives."

"Yeah, I brought home a few weapons too," Zenigata admitted.  "Fortunately they dropped the compulsory service."  He sat behind the desk.  "Which journals are those?"

"The first few years working directly with the FBI.  The ones where she was laying out her evidence chains and making her diagrams."  His eyes lit up so she looked at the Captain.  "Here, you can browse through them.  I can translate anything you need if he can't.  I've read over most of them.  Those are the three that would help you most and the other one is presently too far underneath my bed for me to reach it in this state."

"That's fine, ma'am, I can wait on that last for a few days," he agreed, smiling at her.  "Were you a police officer as well?"

"No, I'm studying Criminology.  Lupin and his gang is my Senior project and Helena is my Master's thesis."  He looked stunned so she smiled.  "Plus my mother's in that life too," she shared.

"And sister," Zenny reminded her.

"I thought she was injured."

"She was.  Fortunately before she went psycho again and took out that busload of school children at the zoo."   She glared at him.  "I don't know why, but she went nuts, Kit."

"Then she's fucked.  I'm telling Mother."  He handed over the phone again.  "Thank you, Zenny."  She dialed the only number she had for her mother.  "Why did sister go insane?"  She listened to her mother splutter.  "So?  She nearly took out a busload of children, mother.  Yes, Zenny told me.  We're working against drug lords together at the moment.  No, I'm good.  I ache a bit but I hear that's normal."  She laughed.  "No, mother, he's not being too rough in the bedroom," she said, rolling her eyes.  "I promise, mother, he hasn't done that since he found out I was pregnant and then we...celebrated strenuously. Ooops.   No, he let go completely.  Of course, mother.  No, I'm doing an ultrasound tomorrow.  Hopefully we'll know then.  Have fun with sister.  I'm sure it's better that you kill her than me."  She hung up.  "I'll be right back," she said with a smile, letting the Captain help her up.  "Thanks.  I never told my mother I was pregnant. She's throwing a fit."  She waddled out, heading slowly up the stairs.  She tapped on the room she could hear him lecturing in.  "Sorry."  She walked over to him. "Abby, touch that door, get spanked," she warned.  She whispered in his ear, then pulled back to look at him.  "I just let it slip.  Ghost went insane and I called to see why."

He patted her on the back.  "I will protect myself against your mother," he promised, kissing her gently. He looked at the children.  "Abby!"  She came back with Avalon.  "I'm sure she was fine."

"She was crawling up the stairs with a kitty in her mouth like the mommy cat does."

Kit looked at them.  "Do you know how close all of you came to dying?"  They shook their heads.  "It's a damn good thing I avoided things like potholes or any one of them could have taken off your heads.  Then I'd be responsible for killing you," she said, starting to sniffle.  "The ones in the trunk would have suffocated on the exhaust and the others would have died on the road, bleeding out into the dirt, and it would have been my fault!"  She burst out in real tears and her husband held her gently.

"You see, I told you it was wrong.  Now you better know why it is wrong.  As such, your punishments will become more strict from here on since you show that you lack sense.  The next incident of this nature will lead to not only grounding but being sent away to school, a jail-like school with no visitation."  He picked his wife up.  "Come, I will put you back into bed," he said soothingly.  He carried her down to their room, putting her into bed. "You rest for a while.  They can do without you."  He closed the door behind him, going to yell at the stupid children some more.  He found two of them in tears and Arsene rubbing the scrape on his chin.  "Do you now understand why we must be so harsh with you sometimes?"  They all nodded and Abby hugged him as hard as she could.  "Thank you.  It will not make your punishment lighter but hopefully you understand how stupid and hurtful this stunt was.  Go back to the rooms you're supposed to be in, we will get you for dinner."  They nodded and trooped off, letting him pick up Avalon and her kitten, unfortunately not stuffed.  He petted the cat, letting it inside his robe to get away from the toddler.  "Come, Avalon, it is time to torment your uncle."  He walked her down the stairs, letting the cat escape and hide, while he took the baby into the old office.  "Please watch her.  She was just carrying one of the kittens around by the back of the neck in her mouth."  He handed her over.  "What led to my wife spilling the news of our first born?"

"She's having false labor and Ghost went insane," Zenny said, patting the baby's back.  "The doctor said if she gets worse to go to the ER and to remember to drink a lot of fluids tonight, especially water, so they get a good ultrasound tomorrow.  Don't pee either.  Get her up late."  He nodded.  "Then I told her about Ghost and the zoo.  She called her mother.  Her mother worried that you were being a bit rough on her in bed when she said she ached a bit," he said smugly.  Goemon blushed.  "She said that you had celebrated the upcoming birth very hard a few times but that it was normal otherwise."

Goemon nodded.  "Then I will expect an attack.  I will be with my wife.  The children are suitably chastised for their stunt today."

"What did they do?" the army guy asked.

"Two of them decided to hang off the bottom of the sports car while Kit was driving into town and two were hiding in the trunk, which has a small exhaust leak we think."  Zenigata looked stunned.  "Arsene is badly scraped, Abby is slightly scraped and has burns on her palms from grabbing a turning part.  My wife burst out in tears because she could have killed them."

"Then they should understand now unless they're going to turn into sociopaths," Zenigata agreed.  "Good work."

"Thank you.  I'll see you at dinner.  She's resting in our room."  He left, going to make some juice for his wife so she could drink a lot.  Then he went back to their bed, resting his head on her stomach to listen and feel the baby move.

***

"Mother!" Kit snapped, getting between them.  Her mother whimpered, turning her sword to the side.  "Did you forget that you taught me first how to reverse a swing I had started in error?" she snapped.  "What is wrong with you?  Attacking my husband is wrong, mother!  Very, very wrong!"  She turned to look at her husband, who didn't have his out. "Not defending yourself is equally as wrong.  I swear to God that if I'm left alone like this I will fucking kill myself!" she shouted at him, then she stomped off crying.

He coughed.  "As you can see," he said calmly, "the mood swings have started.  Excuse me, she's having false labor and needs to be calmed down."  He chased after her, holding her.  "I would have pulled my sword were I worried she would hurt me," he soothed, stroking her back. "Calm yourself before you get ill again.  I will not leave you alone with this child.  I will be here for all the bad things, even the birth."

She sniffled, looking up at him.  "I don't know what's wrong with me!"

"It's the hormones," her mother explained as she joined them. "I had horrible mood swings with both you girls."

"If it's a girl, it is," Goemon said firmly.  "I would still love a girl child.  Her son can carry on the name."

"You don't want a big family?" Kit asked, looking panicky.  "I like big families. I want a big family, Goemon."  He laid a finger across her lips to stop her then kissed her until she calmed down.  "I want at least three, Goemon."

"I would be satisfied with two," he admitted.  "Small families mean that the children get more attention from both parents.  Besides, I do not want you hurt."  She hit him on the chest and stomped off.  He sighed and shook his head. "Fine, we will have no more than three," he agreed.  She turned, crying again.  "Come here."  She trotted back, clutching him around the chest once she ran into him.  "There, it will be fine. You may well decide not to have another after this one's birth.  I will not have you freshen like Kathy or Zenigata's wife however.  You are too precious to be wasted as no more than a baby factory."  She sobbed against his chest, so he stroked her back, looking at her mother.  "Is this normal?" he asked quietly.  She smirked and nodded. "For how long?"

"About six weeks after the delivery."

"Then we will find our way through this and make many compromises," he agreed, continuing to pet his wife until she snored. Then he rolled his eyes and picked her up.  "Excuse me.  She has worn herself out."

"Am I allowed in the house?"

"As long as you cause no problems.  Or you could go down to ours and I can carry her down there, but we are supposed to be watching out for midnight wandering."

"I've already scared two of them back inside," she admitted.  "What happened to that one boy?"

"He and another decided to attach themselves to the underside of the house's sports car. Kit was driving it and the roads are rather rough."  She winced.  "Exactly."  He looked up at the house, seeing Lupin on the porch.  "I'm taking them home."

"Go for it.  I can't sleep," Lupin called. He lit a second cigarette, watching as they walked off together. "She finally likes him, I'm impressed.  Abby, get your ass back inside."  She trudged back from the kitchen doorway, heading back to her room.

Goemon let her get the door, showing her around once Kit was tucked in.  He opened the new nursery's door.  "This is where she stayed until we were married."

Her mother looked at him. "Not with you?"

"No.  It would not have been honorable to have more than casual relations before then.  She came to my bed fully as my wife."  She smiled at him.  "I will not lie and say that I did not enjoy her before then, I wanted to make sure she could stand me."

"Perfectly understandable.  Very honorable, son-in-law.  Come, let us have some tea and talk."  He nodded, going to make some for the both of them.  "This is a nice house.  Who decorated the nursery?"

"She did."

"Ah.  My daughter has always been fascinated by the country of my birth."  She took her cup once he put it in front of her, warming it in her hands.

"We took our honeymoon there," he admitted.  "She fell in love with Iga."

"Wonderful."  She smirked at him. "Can you stand that addiction of hers?"  He nodded.  "Then I won't nag the girl about joining the modern world too much."  She let him pour her some tea once it was ready.  "Very nice, thank you."  She sipped and he let her add her own sugar.  "A bad habit I got into while pregnant," she admitted.

"I'm hoping my wife's taste for salty snacks slows down after she gives birth."

"Hmm, salt I craved with my son."

"We will hopefully know tomorrow after the ultrasound."

"If not, there are more conclusive means and it would tell you if the child were sick."

"I would love even a damaged child," he said firmly.

"Excellent."  She smiled at him.  "I think we can learn to get along, Goemon."

"We probably should for our woman," he agreed.  "Plus the children."  He glanced up the stairs, then at her.  "Why is she so set on three children?"

"Because my family usually has two girls and then a boy," she admitted.

"Most of us have been first-born sons," he assured her.  "Not that I would not love a girl child, but I fear it would disappoint her."

"No, that one would become the perfect little doll that someone once thought I was."

"She mentioned that," he agreed.  "I loathe that attitude."

"Even better," she said smugly.  "Then you have some sense.  I have no doubt that one of those men up there will make their daughter into a doll to be played with by their lovers."

"Only if they do so themselves.  Lupin and Jigen are both quite firm that their girls play and learn with the boys.  Absinthe may well learn her father's art of seduction but I doubt it would be her main one.  Jissan hates dresses at this point so I doubt she would ever live in one like most courtesans."  She nodded, looking up at the main house.  "Which one bothered you?"

"No, none of the children.  Who named that one Absinthe?"

He chuckled, relaxing some.  "You'll find that Kathy has an odd affliction with names.  That's why Malaki has his name and Jissan has hers.  Chad and Everett were a concerted effort on their father's parts to protect their children, as was Robert.  She won on their middle names and Marilyn was given by Kit.  Last time we made a large board and wrote out names on it.  Then the group got to make fun of her choices. Lupin stole the name Absinthe from her."

She snorted, shaking her head.  "That poor girl. Can she spell it?"  He nodded, sipping his tea.  "Does she?"

"She does.  She's had to a number of times.  It does fit her nature.  She is partially her mother's daughter, intoxicating and deadly."  He took another sip.  "Too bad her mother is a selfish bitch."

"Fujiko would be," she agreed, sipping her own tea.  "This is good, what blend do you use?"

"We found it in Yokohama while on our honeymoon," he admitted, pulling down the canister to show her.  "Kit said it soothed her morning sickness."

"She was pregnant when you married?"

"She barely registered on the test a week before the wedding."

"Then why did she not tell me!"

"I believe she feared for your reaction."

Siren's Bane grimaced up at her daughter's room.  "I would never hurt her."

"No, but you would have hurt me and as she showed earlier, pregnant women are not always rational."

"It is a good thing I did pull that blow," she admitted.  "Or else we would be having this discussion in the hospital while they tried to save her."

"I would have moved her and drawn," he promised. "No one harms my wife."

"She said she was sore."

"She's having false labor pains."

"Another thing I had with my girls."  She shrugged.  "We will find out tomorrow."  She finished her tea and let him pour her some more.  "Thank you, son-in-law."

"You're welcome."  He finished his and poured another cup.

"You know, you're not nearly as stiff when you're not on the job."

"Sometimes the stiffness is anxiety, sometimes it is frustration with Lupin," he admitted lightly.  She laughed and he shrugged.  "That man can be irritating on longer jaunts.  Seeing as how we lived together for nearly sixteen years while working together, I had to learn to tune out his desires and rants."

"I never would have put up with the man."

"Some day I will kill him," he admitted.  "As I was ordered."  She looked interested.  "My last master demanded that I avenge him by killing Lupin."

"Some day he will get too old and you will put him out of his misery then," she agreed.  "He's earned you too much to do so at this date."

"Yes, and then he has spent a great deal of it," he sighed. "And lost even more to Fujiko."

"Some women rely solely on their brains, some solely on their bodies, some on both.  With him she relied on her body.  Too bad she turned on him."

"She wanted the diamond."

"I can understand that.  Did he pay her to have the child?"  He nodded. "Really?"

"She wouldn't relent otherwise. He offered her the position of wife and she balked so he offered her money.  Six million in clean diamonds."

She whistled.  "For that I would have another one," she admitted. "What gift are you giving her for this one?"

"I was thinking of her own sword.  Her present one is dented and worn out.  Clearly only a practice blade."

"It is," she admitted.  "She has one of her own but she never wanted it.  It's still in the case."

"Yet she works out with me all the time," he told her, looking up the stairs.

"With you, she is helping you with your chosen job.  With me, it would have been her job and she is squeamish at times.  Fair warning, the labor will probably make her lose her mind for a bit.  All the blood and nastiness that comes out with it."

"She did well enough when we had to deliver Kathy's last set."  She looked surprised.  "I panicked and Kit was fussing too much.  She delivered them at home as the ambulance came up the driveway."

"That's fine, she might be able to handle it, but it will still be different when the newborn comes out of her body."  He shuddered, turning green.  "Hadn't thought of that?"

"I was hoping not to have to witness such a sight so I wouldn't treat her differently."

"I doubt it," the mother said fondly.  "You'll be there holding her hand and letting her scream at you."

"Maybe we'll be gone.  Lupin has been thinking about a new job."

"With two pregnant ones?  He had better not."

"True," he sighed, shaking his head.  "I will survive this.  Even if I do have myself fixed."  He laced his tea and put the brandy on the counter as well, starting some water for more tea.  "Do you think she would mind?"

"Quite.  My daughter would probably try to fix it herself," she said tolerantly.  He glanced back at her and she nodded. "You might want to tell her about that idea before you do it.  You're going to light yourself on fire."  He moved his sleeve away from the burner.

"I'll talk to her about it once this one is born," he agreed.  He didn't want his innocent, sweet, gentle wife to turn into Jigen's shrew.  He would prevent that from happening, no matter what the cost.

The End.

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