Adam was just disgusted. He could not believe what his uncle had done to those girls. It made him angry and sick at his stomach at the same time. He also felt a sense of responsibility in the fact that maybe things could have never have happened if he would not have promised to keep his word. Mostly, he was afraid of losing his family. It was all just too much to take with the accident, his injuries, Alyssa's injuries and now this. He was so deep in his thoughts that he did not hear Jason behind him. He jumped when Jason reached out to tap him on the shoulder.

"What in the world is going on with you?" Jason asked as he sat down next to him. "Are you okay?"

"I am fine," Adam said quietly.

"What is the big deal anyway?" Jason asked. It was obvious that he was still shocked over Adam's behavior.

But Adam didn't answer. For the first time in his life, he felt that he could not talk to his brother. Jason just would not understand.

"Well? Talk to me," Jason said, apparently getting frustrated at his brother's silence.

"I just don't know. I..."Adam said as he stumbled with his words. He dropped into silence again. He didn't know if Jason was prepared to hear what he really thought at that particular moment. He saw Jason get up and sit face to face with him.

"Don't know what?" Jason said, almost badgering Adam. "You can tell me anything. I am your brother. We are a team."

Adam felt those words stab him in the stomach. "Fine. I just feel really bad for those girls. It really just disgusts me because what if it had been Alyssa or even Kara. It is just awful."

Jason was quiet and then he stood up. Adam was afraid of his reaction and he could tell that it was not going to be good. Jason turned his back to him and stood by the ocean in thought. Then he turned around to face his younger brother. "I can't believe you! You actually think that Bill did that after our father called James. We are supposed to help clear his name and you are sympathizing with two strangers that could be lying about our uncle!" Jason yelled in a very angry tone. "I just can't believe you. You always hated Bill and I have never had a straight answer from you. Now I want a straight answer. Why!" Jason turned to face his brother. Adam felt the pressure of a thousand tons resting on his shoulder. He was not going to tell his brother the real reason. He couldn't tell him because he would be breaking his word. But he had to say something and quick.

"We just never got along. He liked you better and I accepted it," Adam replied very evenly. "Besides it is up to a court of law to decide who is lying, not us."

"Whether you like it or not, he is family. He always tried to include you, but you would never give him a chance," Jason snapped back. "What if I was the one that they accused? Would you believe them over me?"

"Never! Jason, we have always had strong ties. There is no one on earth that I trust more than you," Adam recounted back, standing up to face his brother.

"Then why would you turn your back on Bill? There has to be a reason. Is it because you were jealous of me? You keep saying he treated me better. Is that why?" Jason snorted. He was very angry. He could not believe that his brother would turn his back on a family member, especially Bill.

"No, Jason. I just think that maybe we just don't know Bill as well as we may think," Adam said without thinking. He was so angry himself. The memories of that night were flooding his head and he did not want to fight with his brother about Bill.

"You are going to be just like Maria. Maria was so selfish. Maybe that is why he tried to pal around with us. Because his own daughter up and left him and never spoke to him again. Don't tell me you are going to be just as selfish," Jason said, getting up into Adam's face. This comment sent Adam into a fury. Maria was their cousin. At the age of twelve, she abruptly left to live with her mother and stepfather. She broke off all ties with Bill and no one in the family had really heard from her since, that is, except for Adam. He still heard got a card from her on his birthday in July and at Christmas time. She never signed her name, but he knew it was Maria. Adam was very close to Maria and Jason knew that. Adam's fury hit an all-time high. He shoved Jason to the ground. "Maria was not selfish, she had her reasons just like I have mine." Brother or not, Jason was not going to accuse him or Maria of being a traitor and he was willing to fight over it.

Jason could not believe that his brother shoved him down. Without even thinking, he instantly stood up and hit his brother on the left cheekbone with his fist. The force of the blow knocked Adam to the ground flat on his back. As he stood there looking at his younger brother trying to catch his breath, he could not believe that he lost his cool like that. But before he could apologize or do anything, Adam rushed at him like a football player and both boys were wrestling on the beach, taking turns pinning each other down. Finally Adam pinned Jason's arms down and was prepared to strike his brother when he felt a hand grab his fist.

"What on earth is going on here? I thought that we were beyond this type of fighting," the stern voice of Mr. Kramer said. He jerked both of his sons apart and kept one hand strongly on each of the brothers.

Adam just looked at the ground, fully expecting Jason to "rat" him out to his father.

"We were just wrestling and I guess we got too carried away, Dad," Jason said, looking over at Adam. But Adam was still looking at the ground.

"Carried away! I have not seen you two fight like that since you were both in junior high!" Mr. Kramer yelled back. "What would your mother think if she would have saw you two going at it? My Good Lord Jason, you know better than to ruckus with Adam like that after the accident."

It was very apparent that Jason had forgotten about the accident and Adam's injuries. His anger instantly melted into disgust of his own behavior.

Then Mr. Kramer turned his attention to his younger son. "And you! You know better than to move around like that, not to mention even thinking of hitting your brother."

"We are sorry Dad," Jason said softly, speaking for both of the boys. He still could not bring himself to apologize to his brother yet. But Adam just continued to stare at the ground. He could tell that Adam was still furious.

"Fine. It is late and I think both of you need to get to bed. I have some work to do. I am taking the day off tomorrow since all we are just doing are security checks, " Mr. Kramer said very evenly. "I want to get some things set up with James. I hope I do not have to referee another fight."

"No, sir," Jason replied, answering for both boys. He always got stuck doing that and he guessed that was the way it was going to be.

At that, his father turned to walk back towards the house. Jason walked past Adam. He wanted to settle things with him, but he knew that he should let Adam calm down first. Jason continued on to his bedroom, leaving Adam standing on the beach.

It was about four in the morning and Jason could not sleep. He was upset over the situation with Bill, but he was more upset with what had happened with Adam. He could not believe that he hit his brother like that. He remembered that Dr. Coykendall would not release him to play football so he would not have any blows to the head. "Then I, his older brother, hit him in the head," Jason thought to himself. He also had thought about the argument itself. He could not help but think that Adam was hiding something from him. However, Adam was always open with him. It just did not make sense at all. He had heard Adam go into his room about an hour ago. Jason turned over again, but he just could not sleep. So he decided to go and talk to his brother and check to make sure he was all right.

He crept down the hallway to Adam's room. He did not want to wake his father, whose bedroom was right below Jason's room. Adam was completely covered over as usual. Jason went over and sat down on the side of the bed.

"Adam?" Jason whispered as he shook his brother awake. It usually took awhile to get Adam up, but Adam woke right up and sat up in the bed.

"What?" he responded.

"I have not been able to sleep and I wanted to get things smoothed over between us," Jason said very thoughtfully.

"I haven't been able to sleep either. I am sorry for losing my temper with you. No matter what I should not have shoved you. But-" Adam was saying, but Jason interrupted him.

"Adam, I should not have treated you like a traitor. You were telling me what you thought and I was being stubborn and narrow-minded. I know that you do not like Bill and I should respect that because you are my brother," Jason said without any hesitation. "We are not always going to agree on things and we need to accept that if we are going to continue to be a team."

"I agree. I really do understand your side of this, but I just want to give the other side the benefit of the doubt. We would not be good investigators if we didn't look at all angles no matter who we are dealing with in the future," Adam replied. "Let's just wait and see what Dad and James find out. Plus we will get to review the statements."

"Okay, but no more fighting," Jason said extending his hand to Adam. Adam shook it and began to laugh, but then he winced in pain. "Are you okay?"

"You just got me really good, Jas" Adam said gingerly touching his cheekbone. Jason could now see that it was swollen and red. It looked like Adam was going to have a nasty bruise.

"I am really sorry Adam. I will go down and get some ice for it," Jason said, getting up. He was hoping his brother would come completely clean with him. He still felt like Adam was hiding something from him, but he was not going to pressure him.

"Thanks Jason," Adam said. "Maybe you should play football. You have quite a wallop there."

"Nah, I'll leave that sport up to you. You should play on the defensive line though," Jason quipped back. He quietly went down and made a bag of ice and brought it back to his brother. Adam lay back down.

"We should get some sleep since tomorrow's the car show. I thought that you might go with me this year."

Jason stopped in his tracks. He hated car shows, but thought that maybe it would not be as bad. "Okay, but I am not going to be there all day and lunch will be your treat."

"Agreed!" Adam said, wincing again as he put the ice onto his swollen cheekbone.

Jason walked over to turn the light off and he stopped by the door. "Adam, if you ever need to tell me anything, please don't hesitate. You are my little brother and we are together for life. There is nothing in this world that you can say or do that will change that. I just wanted you to know that."

Adam again felt like he had been stabbed in the stomach. He really wanted to tell his brother about that night, but he just could not do it. He had made a promise and his guilt and shame over the situation was too great. "Thanks Jason." He simply said as he watched his older brother head towards his room. He could tell that Jason suspected that he was hiding something from him. That thought alone made the night even longer.

The next morning, the boys were at the table eating cereal. Mr. Kramer walked into the room and noticed Adam's bruise. "Where did you get that bruise on your face?"

"Uh, I fell against my night stand last night. Jason got some ice for me, but it is still going to be a pretty nasty bruise," Adam replied. He did not want his father to know that Jason had actually caused the bruise. Jason just looked over at him, flashing him a thankful look.

"I am glad that you are getting along," Mr. Kramer added.

"Jason is going to the car show with me today," Adam said to his father. His father looked over at Jason, who just shrugged his shoulders. He knew that Jason loved car shows just about as much as he liked history and archeology exhibits.

"As I said, I am just glad you guys are getting along," Mr. Kramer said again as he sat down at the head of the table. "I think we are going to have to move Jason back into the room with you Adam since your bedroom is the largest."

"What?" Both brothers echoed at the same time. They have had their own rooms since they were in first and second grade.

"Well the guest room is a mess right now since your mother is turning it into her office and Jason's room has everything set up in it," Mr. Kramer said, sipping his coffee again.

"But I don't understand why I have to room with Jason?" Adam said, truly confused. The math just did not work out in his head. He could tell that Jason had the same thoughts.

"Things are not going to well up in Airdale and James has filed a motion to allow Bill to come and stay here under my supervision," Mr. Kramer said, leaning back in his chair.