"It’s 5:15," Joe grumbled. "Didn’t Frank and Callie say they’d meet us here at 5:00? I don’t like waiting." Impatiently, he started tapping his foot.

Vanessa looked at him, and burst out laughing. "Oh, give me a break, Joe!" she managed to get out, wiping back a tear from her eye. "You’re never on time! And, if it wasn’t for the fact that I bought that watch for you last Christmas, you’d never even wear one!"

Joe found himself smiling, too. Vanessa’s laughter was contagious. "Okay," he finally said. "Point made. But Frank and Callie are ridiculously on time! You have to admit that this is out of character for them."

"True," Vanessa responded. Then, she gave him a sly smile. "Maybe they got distracted!" she quipped.

"Yuck! I don’t even want to think about that!" Joe said, feigning horror. "That’s like thinking about my parents… never mind! I can’t even have the thought to finish thinking about it!"

Vanessa gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Your maturity is astounding," she said, dryly. "But I do hope they make up. It freaks me out a little to see them fight. They’re like the perfect little couple. You know, they don’t fight and argue all the time like we do," she added with a sparkle in her eyes.

"I’ll show you how to fight," Joe laughed back, holding up his fists to Vanessa and mock fighting with her. Playfully, he wrestled her to the ground, being careful not to hurt her. When he finally had her immobile, she was laughing so hard she could barely breathe. Joe started laughing, too, covering her body with his own, and saying out loud, "FIVE! FOUR! THREE! TWO! ONE! … And she’s out!" He hopped off her, and flexed his muscles. "Who’s the man?!" he shouted.

"I was wondering that myself," Frank said dryly behind him, unable to suppress a smile.

Joe turned around and found himself facing Frank, who was laughing at him. He had his arm securely around Callie’s waist, and Joe could see that she couldn’t resist laughing, either. "Joe Hardy, WWF Champion. I’m humbled to be in your presence," she said with a wink.

"So why are you late?" Joe asked, changing the subject. He leaned over to offer Vanessa his hand and help her up.

Frank kissed the top of Callie’s head and gave her a gentle squeeze. "Joe, if I told you, you wouldn’t believe it," he responded.

"No, I probably would," Joe answered back. "Nothing in the case makes sense so far. What’ve you got?"

Callie looked up at Joe. "Okay, here’s the deal," she began, and launched into a whole explanation of how Jenna had set them up, and how she and Frank believed that she somehow knew Dave. When she was done, Joe and Vanessa stood in silence, until Vanessa finally managed, "Wow."

"Yup," Frank said, "So that’s what we have to check out later. Right now, I think we ought to reconsider what the Washington Monument has to do with anything. Callie’s theory about Trivial Pursuit makes too much sense for this not to be important. What do you guys think? Come on," he prodded them. "It’s got to be important."

Joe backed up and looked more closely at the Monument. Vanessa did the same. Frank and Callie, together, strolled around it as well, looking at it from different angles. Finally, they met up again. "Okay," Vanessa said. "What are the blinking lights at the top for?"

Frank bit his lip. He had been thinking the same thing, actually. "I looked that up, Van. It’s supposed to be symbolic, as though Washington was the protector of the city. The constant blinking is supposed to serve as a reminder that he’s always watching over the city, protecting it, if you will."

"That’s actually interesting," Joe said.

"Thanks. I can be, on occasion," Frank said with a smile.

"I said the fact, not you," Joe teased his brother, watching as Frank rolled his eyes at him.

"Anyway," Frank said, "that could mean that whomever is setting up this series of events is watching all of us, meaning the people trying to catch him- or them. I think it’s more than one person. I also think it means that maybe people are being watched at all times. I don’t like that thought," he added.

"What makes you think it’s more than one person?" Vanessa asked.

Joe cut in. "Because the slogan says, "So Defendants Will Prevail," which is plural."

"Oh," Vanessa said. "I hadn’t thought of that."

"But what else, guys?" Callie interrupted. "I mean, good for telling us that we’re being watched, but maybe there’s something more. It makes sense."

"Well, the Monument points up," Vanessa said, absently, throwing out ideas.

"What’s above it?" Joe asked.

"The sky, Einstein," Frank joked with him. Then, he got more serious. "Maybe Van is onto something, though," he added, thoughtfully. "Maybe the Monument is pointing towards something. After all, it kind of looks like a pointer, right? It’s fairly straight, with a pointed tip."

"What’s behind it?" Callie asked, glancing in that direction.

"Nothing, really," Vanessa answered her, using her height to her advantage. "More museums and stuff; mainly parks."

"What’s in the other…" and Callie suddenly stopped talking, as she realized the answer to her own question. Frank, Joe, and Vanessa got it, also.

"The Capitol Building!" Joe groaned. "How could we not have seen that?! We should get over there right away! Man, these guys are taking a long-winded route to get … caught!"

"Maybe this is a wild-goose chase," Callie said. "The police think so already. Why messages?"

"Because this whole case is about giving someone a message, hon," Frank responded. "The question is, who’s getting the message, and what is the message trying to say?"

"Who’s going to get us in the Capitol building at this time?!" Vanessa asked.

Suddenly, Joe’s face lit up. "Brian!"

"Who?" Frank asked.

"Frank, I told you who he was, remember? The cop who helped you. He’s giving me some inside tips because he knows we’re working with Chief Pierce. He’s cool- he helped a lot." Joe finished speaking, and took out his cell, hitting Brian’s number that he had already programmed in. After close to ten minutes of speaking with him, they all watched as Joe ended the conversation with, "Will do. See ya tonight."

"Well?" Frank asked, anxious.

"He said he’s not a miracle worker," Joe said with a smile. "He recommends that we do some research on the computer about the Capitol, and then he can try and talk to the Chief about getting us a little tour tomorrow. He’s coming to the hotel later tonight, though, to see if he can help us."

"Why is he doing all this?" Callie asked.

"Maybe he’s just a nice person," Vanessa said.

"Or, he wants to get ahead by helping to solve a major case," Frank theorized.

"Or maybe he’s just doing his job," Joe said, annoyed. "Look, does it matter? He’s helping us, and I, for one, am grateful for it. Don’t be cynical."

"He’s right," Callie responded. "Maybe we should trust Joe’s judge of character." She blushed as she looked at Frank. "He’s better than some of us."

Frank just looked into her eyes, and gave her a small smile.

Suddenly, an idea hit him. "Joe, Van. Why don’t you two stop and pick up some takeout for dinner, and then go back to the hotel? Vanessa can get you logged on to do some preliminary research about the Capitol. Callie and I have to make a stop first."

"Okay," Joe shrugged. "See you back there- 7 ish?"

"Sounds good," Frank replied as he watched Joe and Vanessa head away.

"Where are we going?" Callie asked, turning to him.

"To pay a little visit to David Shaughnessy," he answered her.

Callie was nervous, and Frank sensed it.

"I… already? Maybe I could talk to him alone."

Frank hugged her to him. "Don’t worry, baby," he said calmly. "I won’t kill him. He’s more valuable alive at this point. Later, that’s a different story."

Looking at Callie’s horrified expression, he laughed. "I’m kidding," he said gently to her. "Let’s go."

Callie called Dave on the cell phone, and he was, of course, surprised to hear from her. Despite that, he agreed to meet her near Georgetown University where Callie had initially taken the tour, in about a half an hour.

When Frank and Callie arrived, they found Dave sitting exactly where he said he would be. He was surprised to find Callie had someone with her, though.

"Dave," Callie said, sitting across from him. "This is Frank- my boyfriend. You remember him, don’t you?" she finished.

Frank watched Dave’s eyes grow wide, and he squirmed a bit. Callie couldn’t help but to smile inwardly. Dave was a little taller and slightly broader than Frank, but he looked scared to death. Despite herself, a small part of her liked, deep down, to be protected by her boyfriend, to have him stand up to his adversary, although clearly that wasn’t the purpose of their visit. Still, Callie moved closer to Frank, and felt a little better when she felt his hand on her back.

"Why are you nervous?" Frank asked, point blank, putting Dave on the spot.

Dave finally stopped moving. "Look, man, if we’re gonna fight, I’m going to have to tell you that my face is insured."

"What?" Frank and Callie asked together.

"I’m a model, and my face is insured," he answered them. "So I could sue you."

"Get out of here," Frank said, incredulous. "That’s not exactly… manly… is it?"

Dave blushed. "Nah, man, but it’s the truth. How do you think I afford college?"

Frank sighed. This guy was too much. He could just see himself having to back out of protecting Callie because his face was insured. The thought made him smile. "Dave," he began, the smile fading, "I’m not here to fight you. Although," Frank continued, meeting Dave’s eyes with a steady, no-nonsense gaze, "If you EVER try anything like that again with my girlfriend, you’ll wish you hadn’t been born. Do we understand each other?" It wasn’t Frank’s style to threaten anyone, but he would protect Callie at all costs. And he knew he’d follow through on that threat.

"Dude," Dave said, holding out his hands, "we are totally clear! Callie," he said, turning to her, "I really AM sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. You’re just a beautiful girl, and…"

"Dave!" Frank cut in. "The point?!"

"Is that I’m sorry," Dave finished, getting Frank’s message. "Listen, can I go now? I apologized. I really meant it. I don’t want any trouble, really."

"Not yet," Frank said. "We have something to ask you."

"O… Okay," he said.

Frank rubbed Callie’s back, knowing she was uncomfortable. She surprised him, though, by being the one to talk to Dave.

Looking at Dave, she said, "Look. Frank received a picture of what … what happened with you and me… when you kissed me. Do you know anything about that? Tell me the truth. It’s the least you could do."

Dave looked decidedly uncomfortable, and Frank drew in a quick breath. He had his doubts about the Jenna and Dave connection, but he now had a feeling that it was true. He paused, waiting for Dave’s answer.

Finally, he gave in. "I’m sorry Callie. I didn’t mean to cause you any problems. Really- I didn’t. I didn’t know the picture would be used to—to sort of blackmail you."

"Then what DID you think? Who put you up to this?" Callie prodded him for more answers.

"The truth?" he asked, regretfully.

"Yes!" Frank and Callie answered back.

"A girl. Her name was Janet… Judy…"

"Jenna?" Frank asked.

"Yeah! That was it," he answered.

"So you’re not a friend of hers?" Callie asked, puzzled.

"No," Dave replied. "I only met her once, actually. It was on a modeling shoot. She came up to me and started talking. I actually thought she WAS a model- she’s pretty cute."

Callie blushed. "Anyway…"

"That’s about it. She told me that a blonde girl would be taking a tour of Georgetown when she saw my sweatshirt. She gave me the date and time, and asked if I would… you know… sort of act interested and pursue it."

Callie felt her face grow even more red. "Then you were never interested in me at all?!"

"No, that’s not it," Dave said to her. "I wasn’t supposed to be, but I didn’t think you’d be as pretty as you are, or as nice. I was supposed to meet you for a second date and kiss you. I had the date and location. I had no idea how upset you’d get."

Frank shook his head, confused. "There are a lot of holes in this, Dave. I have a few questions."

"Go ahead," Dave replied.

"What did you get for doing this?"

"Five thousand dollars!"

"What?!" Callie cried, and Frank was also stunned. "That’s a lot of money!"

"Tell me about it!" Dave replied. "That’s why I did it."

"And how did Jenna know you’re a tour guide?" Frank asked.

"I’m not," Dave sheepishly admitted. "But I do go to Georgetown, and my buddy is. I knew he’d let me switch. I just wanted to find out why she wanted to know one, and it’s a heck of a lot of money to turn down."

Callie couldn’t believe this. "When did she give you the money?"

"Up front, if you can believe it. In cash. She said I’d pay dearly if I didn’t fulfill my part of the bargain. That chick’s scary when she’s serious! Anyway, why wouldn’t I do it? It was an easy enough switch."

"Did she say how she knew when I’d be there?" Callie asked.

Dave blushed. "Well, she said your boyfriend had told her."

Callie looked at Frank, who slowly realized what had just been said. "Yeah, I guess I did," he said slowly, realizing how much information he must have inadvertently divulged to Jenna.

"How did she know Callie would go out with you?" Frank asked.

"Um," Dave began, "I really don’t get turned down," he finished, embarrassed. "Besides, she said that Callie would be mad that she was out with Frank."

There was an awkward moment as Frank and Callie considered the veracity of his words.

"Did she say anything else?" Frank asked at last.

Dave pondered for a moment, before replying. Finally, he said, "Well, I asked her why she wanted me to do this, and she just said that she always got what she wanted, and that money was no object. I really didn’t know that you two were serious," he said, finally.

"That’s it?" Callie asked.

"That’s it." Dave replied. With a final apology, he left, leaving Frank and Callie alone.

"Wow," Callie said at last. "Jenna sure went to a lot of trouble to set us up. I wonder why."

"I don’t know, Cal, but that’s what I intend to find out." With those words, he stood up and helped Callie to her feet as well. Frank held tightly to Callie’s hand as they walked, regretful beyond belief that he had gotten her into this, all because of a stupid crush.

She squeezed his hand back in support, walking in silence, not blaming him, knowing that they couldn’t think about their own problems now.

They headed back to the hotel.

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