Frank read enough about the painting to find out the reason it was more valuable than his others was because this was a work in progress. Renoir had died before he could finish it. According to the website it was on permanent loan to the Bayport Museum by the estate of Philip Langley.

Frank heard the shower stop and fifteen minutes later his bedroom door opened. "Are you sure you don’t need me today?" Joe asked.

"Second thoughts, huh?" Frank said, grinning. "Forget it Baby Brother. It’s past time you were dating again." Joe opened his mouth to argue but Frank went on. "Honestly, I’m just going to stop by the police station and check out a few websites. I’ll fill you in tonight when you get home."

After Joe left, Frank went into his father’s office where a list of passwords were kept locked in the file cabinet. He removed the list then sat down at his father’s computer and began running searches on the personnel at the museum. By one that afternoon, Frank had social security numbers, addresses, parking misdemeanors and everything anyone could possibly find on anyone online. He had printed the info up as he went instead of taking time to read it, knowing Joe would want to see it as well.

He disconnected as his mother appeared in the doorway. "Lunch is ready," she informed him.

"Thanks Mom," Frank replied, standing up and returning the passwords to their proper place. "I’m starved."

"What are you going to do this afternoon?" Laura asked as the two went downstairs.

"I’m going to stop by headquarters and see what they turned up on the break-in," he said. "Then I’m going over to Callie’s."

"Good," Laura said. "You need to have some fun too."

After lunch, Laura left to visit a friend and Frank did the dishes before heading to the police station. Once there, he asked Kevin Riker, the sergeant on desk duty, who was in charge of the break-in at the museum. "Riley," Riker answered, grinning at Frank. "The curator wanted it kept hush-hush," he added, his brown eyes twinkling. "But we figured you and Joe would have your noses in it."

"Why is that?" Frank asked, slightly amused that they were known so well.

"We found Joe’s prints on the wall next to where the painting had been hung," Riker told him. "I was with Con when he asked if Joe and you had been there. Benson tried to evade the question but finally admitted that you two might have been there with a group of teens earlier."

"But Joe’s not a suspect even though you found his prints there?" Frank asked, his brown eyes twinkling mischievously.

Riker narrowed his eyes on Frank. "What have you got up your sleeve?" he demanded.

"You know how Joe’s always playing jokes on people," Frank began.

"They’re harmless," the sergeant replied.

"So is this," Frank assured him. "Joe’s out with a new girl tonight. You could interrupt the date and bring Joe in for questioning."

"That’s all?" Riker asked, grinning.

"As hard as Joe tries to make a good impression on a girl?" Frank asked, lifting an eyebrow. "Trust me. It will be enough."

"Clear it with Riley," Riker suggested. "But, uh...tell him I’ll help."

"Will do," Frank replied. "Thanks."

Frank went upstairs and came to a stop at Con’s desk. He outlined the joke he wanted to pull on Joe. "Oooh, yeah," Con agreed, giving Frank a lazy smile. "Joe has gotten me a time or two. This should be fun."

"Now," Frank said, turning serious. "Did you find anything at the museum?"

"Just the business card," Con replied.

"Business card?" Frank asked, his forehead crinkling. "Whose? Where did you find it?"

"Near the exit," Con answered. "You didn’t go over the scene before us?" he queried.

"Joe did," Frank answered. "Whose card?"

"Cooper Sorrel," Con stated. "It was stuck to a piece of gum on the floor."

""I wonder how Joe missed that?" Frank said.

"Well, just because his business card was there doesn’t mean he was," Con said.

"Maybe not," Frank agreed. He was uncomfortable because he felt like he was withholding information but Benson hadn’t wanted to mention Sorrel as a suspect in the crime and so Frank was forced to remain quiet for the time being.

"Any idea where Joe will be tonight?" Con asked a little later when Frank was getting ready to leave.

"I think he was planning on taking Marie to the Ice Capades," Frank answered. "Call me on my cell when you bring him in?" he requested. "I’ve got to be here when he finds out it was a prank."

"You will be," Con assured him. "No way I’m taking the heat for this one alone."

***

"Where are you two going this evening?" Sorrel asked as lunch was almost over.

"The Ice Capades," Joe answered. "The show begins at six."

"And I thought we could go horseback riding beforehand and maybe have a light supper here before we leave," Marie put in.

"Excellent," approved Sorrel. "You do have tickets for tonight?" he asked, looking at Joe.

"No," Joe admitted. "But there will be some on sale at the door." Sorrel did not reply. The two youths excused themselves and went to the stables leaving Sorrel alone with his three guests.

"Boss, are you really going to let that kid hang around here?" demanded Piers.

Sorrel narrowed his eyes at Piers. "Until further notice, Joe is a part of this family," he stated firmly. He stood up. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have a phone call to make."

The afternoon went by quickly and soon it was time for Joe and Marie to leave for the coliseum. "Ready to go?" Sorrel asked, joining the youths.

"Yes, Daddy," Marie replied, reaching up and kissing her father’s cheek.

"You wouldn’t mind if I and Steve and Greg tag along, would you?" Sorrel asked his daughter.

"Of course not," Marie answered, her smile faltering just a bit. "But we may not get seats together."

"Actually, I called a friend of mine while you two were out and obtained front row tickets for all of us," Sorrel said.

"Wonderful!" Marie enthused. "Isn’t Dad the greatest?" she asked Joe who merely gave her a nod accompanied by a tight-lipped smile. He knew if anyone saw him with Sorrel, he was fried.

The group arrived at the coliseum and took their seats. The show ended three hours later and they prepared to leave. "One moment, please," Sorrel said, moving away from Joe and Marie with his two bodyguards once they were in the lobby. He pulled out his cell phone as he moved away.

"That was great!" Marie said, looking up into Joe’s eyes. "And thank you for not objecting to my dad coming along. I really don’t get to see a lot of him."

"Joe," a gruff voice came from their right. Joe turned and saw Sergeant Con Riley and Kevin Riker approaching.

"Something wrong?" Joe demanded, worried something had happened to Frank.

"I’m sorry, Joe," Con said. "But we have to take you down to headquarters."

"Why?" Marie demanded, wide-eyed as her father came up behind the officers unnoticed.

"His fingerprints were found at a crime scene," Con answered, his tone dead serious. He looked back to Joe. "We have to run you in for questioning."

"You will do no such thing," Sorrel sated, causing Joe to cringe. I’m done for! Joe thought as Riley and Riker turned to face Sorrel. "Have you a warrant?"

"N..no," Con stuttered, shock taking charge of his tongue briefly.

"Then he does not have to go anywhere with you," Sorrel stated.

"It’s okay," Joe put in.

"No, it is not," Marie declared hotly.

"Quiet right, my dear," Sorrel agreed. "I will call my attorney at once. He can not be forced to go to police headquarters for questioning."

"You do that," Con said, regaining his composure. "In the meantime, Joe is coming with us."

"No, he’s not," Sorrel said, his voice low and menacing.

"It’s okay," Joe sad, stepping between the two men. He turned to Sorrel. "Let me handle this."

Sorrel waited two beats before speaking. "Very well," he replied. "But if you do not call me by eleven tonight, my attorney will be at headquarters by eleven thirty," he added, his tone leaving no room for argument. Marie kissed Joe’s cheek before she followed her father from the lobby.

"Questioning, my eye," Joe said once Sorrel and company were gone. "What’s going on?"