Billie Jo automatically patted her curls back into place while Bobbie Jo realigned her sweater.  Betty Jo just sighed and looked around.

"Sweetie," Bobbie said, giving her hand a squeeze, "Being unhappy about it is understandable, but I'm thinking it's gonna get in the way tonight.   We can all be unhappy later after Billie calls daddy."

Betty Jo giggled at the picture.  "Practice for when he gets here.  What did mama say?"

"That she understood and would handle things as best she could, but that we knew daddy and if some man was making one of us unhappy then he'd have 'issues.'"

That made all three of them giggle.  "Remember the time in high school, Bobbie, when what's his name, that football player stood you up on dare and daddy found out?" Billie said, giggling "and how daddy went to the next football game and put that spell on him so he was doing a strip tease on the field?"

"Oh God yes," Bobbie Jo said, laughing.  "And he ran off the field looking like a hunched over cartoon covering his privates."

Betty Jo snorted and then gave in, laughing like her sisters.  "Then there was time Stan and Chuck were gonna do the peeping tom thing at our slumber party in junior high and daddy caught 'em in the back yard trying to see in the windows."

"Oh yeah," Billie Jo hooted.  "So he made the ladder fall over and dumped 'em into a bunch of thorn bushes mixed with poison ivy that he conjured for the occasion, right on their butts.  They ended up in the ER getting the thorns pulled out and the treatment spread the poison ivy all over the place."

They were still laughing over it when Leroy sauntered over to the table.  He grinned at them and took a seat, the envy of every other man in the place.

"Hey, y'all. Are there daggers stickin' outta my back? I swear, some guys are so jealous."  He took in the look on Betty Jo's face and then asked, "What's wrong? Tell brother Leroy."

Bobbie Jo patted her hand while Leroy gave the waiter his drink order.  When the waiter left Billie Jo looked at Betty Jo and then filled Leroy in.  "So that's the situation as we know it and we need help."

Bobbie Jo nodded.  "We do and we thought of you."

"And I'm happy to do it." Leroy pulled out a pad and started taking some notes. "4 am you said? That's what ... 9am or so in London, right?  He was probably eating kippers and drinking tea. What the hell are kippers anyway?"

"Fish," Bobbie Jo said, grinning at him.

"For breakfast!" Leroy looked aghast. "Give me grits and bacon, honey.  Okay, so we need to find out if he has an alibi. I don't suppose he'd just tell me if he did."

"Well you can certainly try," Billie Jo said, rolling her eyes.  "But dress warmly."

"The other avenue, that we've thought of anyway," Bobbie Jo said, after the waiter deposited Leroy's drink and they'd ordered, "is the artifacts themselves."  She pulled an envelope out of her purse and passed it to him.  "Those are pictures of them.  We got them from the CIA and from what we can tell they never meant to send them to us.  They won't tell us where they got them from or how, nor why they want them back...which they do and badly.  Lincoln Holmes has been after Cooper to get them back for a week or more."

"Now that's real interesting. I'll keep that in mind." Leroy was scribbling notes.  He shoved the pictures into a pocket. "What else do I need to know?  How secure was that vault?  I mean, was this an easy thing to manage, or was it pretty tricky, I mean beyond the fact it's inside a building you'd think was pretty secure. Is the vault itself wired?  And how'd they get the photo?"

The three sisters looked at each other silently communing.  Then spoke for the first time.  "This is classified stuff.  But there's two CCTV systems in the vault.  One like you'd expect one that's pretty invisible.  The tape is from the second system.  And it shows someone just zapping and then zapping again afterwards.  The vault's secure, but who alarms the inside of one?  Who designs security with the talented in mind?  It was a straight forward in and out.  He knew where they were and there was no hesitation."

"So he didn't like fish around to see what else was there? Was there anything else worth stealing from there?"

"He zaps in," Betty Jo said, seeing the tape again in her head, "heads straight to the cabinet they were in and opens only those drawers they were in.  Then he puts them in a carry all and closes it.  They he turns around and this is where we see his face, before this all we see is his back.  He stands like that for maybe ten seconds, scanning the vault and then he zaps out."

"Most of the stuff in the vault," Billie added, "it's all classified stuff.  Paper, various other sorts of media.  Valuable in it's way but not like the artifacts."

"So, what, the thinking is he managed to somehow foil the regular CCTV but he didn't know about the other system so missed it, right?  But how'd he know about the first?  I mean, as you say, seldom do you have security inside a vault."

"Well we took over this space from a securities firm," Bobbie Jo said.  "We added the second CCTV system.  So anyone could have asked someone who used to work there."

"Right, got it. Do you know what he wanted the artifacts for?  They're all magical?  What'd the CIA want with them, do you know that?  Do they have a mage or something?"

Billie Jo wrinkled her nose and gave it some thought as the waiter produced salads and offered to use the sacred pepper grinder that no customer is allowed to use for themselves to protect its sacredness on their behalf.  "We think they're all magical.  That's why Rimes asked Ian for help.  We aren't sure.  As for the CIA we don't know."  She shrugged and removed the croutons from her salad.  "We aren't what you'd call close with the CIA."

"I'll take those," Leroy yelped as she began to draw the croutons out. "Okay, so I'll get hold of Lis and we'll see what we can dig up. I'll ask Ian what he was doing at the time, but I'm guessin' he's not going to tell me. Proud bugger, ain't he."

Betty Jo looked up from picking at her salad.  "Don't tell him we're doing this Leroy, please.  He'll think...it'll just make it worse."

"The other thing is," Bobbie added, "We're gonna be under scrutiny too, behind all this and that may lead back to you and Lis."

"Well, I'm gonna have to tell him something if I'm asking him where the devil he was at 9am on the day in question. As for leading back to me and Lis, eh. What can they say?"

"Well," Betty Jo offered, "He knows Rimes made you an offer.  Let him think Rimes sent you."

"Yeah, that might work. Okay, so I don't want you guys to worry, especially you Betty Jo. If I need anything I'll let you know, but otherwise I'm gonna keep my distance so you guys have deniability, okay?"

The sisters looked at each other again.  "Well," Betty Jo said, "We're not worried about that.  And we recruited some specialized help for you, who knows the magical world here in the states and has ties overseas."

"Oh yeah?  Who's that?"

"Daddy," they said as one.  "But mama's coming too, to keep him in line," Billie Jo added.

"Uh oh."

"It'll be ok sugah," Billie Jo said, patting his hand kindly.  "We'll protect you, and daddy knows better than to really make mama mad."

"And this reassures me how exactly?" Leroy asked.

"It'll be fine, honey," Bobbie said.  "He just gets...well...he's a bit protective, you could say and he's not gonna like Betty being unhappy.  But he'll like you, being from the south and a real gentleman and all."

"You will tell him I've never made a pass at any of you, won't you? I mean, y'all are cute, but well, I figure you three got more man trouble than you need already."

They all laughed.  "Oh honey, if you only knew," Bobbie said.  "'Sides, we like men and it isn't often they're smart enough to want to be friends."

"Oh, cool. I think."

"Trust us," Billie Jo said.  "We like you a lot.  And this way we can be friends and not worry about it getting messed up and all.  Not that you're not cute as a button and just the sweetest thing and we don't envy Robyna and all."

"Yeah, well, we're just friends, so that's cool. I'm just worried that daddy might think I had something else in mind."

"Oh no," Billie Jo assured him.  "You don't act right for him to think that."

"Ohhhhh Kay... So Lis and I will get on it as soon as we can get organized. When do I meet Daddy and exactly what good is he gonna do me?"

"Well we expect them here for breakfast," Bobbie said.  "What he can help with is tracing the artifacts back to where they came from and figuring out who'd want 'em bad enough to steal 'em.  And if someone's framing Ian he can help there too.  He's been around a long time.  He knows most of the magicians here in the states like I said.  And he knows a lot of the ones overseas. He just hasn't been active in those circles since he met mama, 'bout thirty-five years ago now. But he's kept up."

"Okay, so we're going with the premise that somehow or another it isn't Ian. Got it."

Betty Jo nodded.  "He didn't do it.  That's a fact not a premise.  And another thing," she went on, "when I got to Rimes' office today he was on the phone with Ian asking him about if it was possible to use magic to steal those things without being physically present.  And Ian said yes.  Now why would he want to know that?"

Leroy scowled. "I dunno. You think Rimes doesn't believe it was Ian? Or maybe he was just testing him or something."

"I don't know," Betty Jo said.  "But I think if Ian were going to steal them then he'd have done it that way and he could have from what I heard Rimes asking him.  He wouldn't have gone into the vault and done it the way it was done.  I think it was done that way to set Ian up."

"Well. Maybe. Maybe not. If Ian had already stolen them it would make sense to tell Rimes he could have done it another way. On the other hand, it was mighty nice of Ian to stand there posing so pretty for the camera."

"I agree," Billie Jo said.  "So we can expect you for breakfast?  Say about eight thirty?  That'll give daddy time to get a grip."

"Maybe I should come like at nine then. I want him totally gripped when I get there."

"Sure," Betty Jo said.  "We'll have biscuits and gravy for you, too."

Leroy grinned. "I am sooo there."

It was 9am in London when Lisandro Patricio and Leroy Saunders were shown into the dining room at the Avery townhouse on New Park Lane. As Leroy had guessed the night before, at that time of the morning Adrian Blakesley, Lord Avery, was used to having a solitary breakfast. When Edwards showed them into the room Ian looked up from his Times Crossword and put down his china cup. He was dressed casually, in tweeds.

"Rather early for the US contingent, isn't it?" Ian commented.

Leroy, on cue, yawned. Lis replied,"Argentine, thanks."

"Yes true. Buenos Aires as I recall. Nice city. Very cosmopolitan.  Have a seat. Tea?"

"Do you eat kippers for breakfast?" Leroy wanted to know.

"My dear boy, hell no. I do have eggs and bacon on offer however."

"Sounds great!" Leroy replied.  "Coffee?" he added hopefully.

Ian nodded at Edwards who hurried off to see to it.  "Lis?" he asked the blond Argentine.

"I'm good. A bit of tea perhaps."

"Sensible fellow. Glad to know you're your mother's son."  Lis frowned.

"So, listen," Leroy commented some time later, after he'd polished off a nice plate of breakfast.   "Where were you two mornings ago at this time, Ian?"

"Ah, we get round to the question.  Few preliminaries I'm relieved to see. I abhor small talk. Working for Rimes now, are you?"

"Not I," Lis answered after he'd swallowed his tea. "I'm just along to snoop."

"Look," Leroy replied,  "I'm just trying to figure out what's going on, okay? It occurs to me that you are not the sort of fellow to go back on a deal. And, as I understand it you'd come to a deal with Rimes. He let you see the artifacts and you agreed to let him know what they were."

Ian merely raised an eyebrow.

"You know, I really hate guys who can do that. Look. What's wrong with answering a simple question.  Where were you?" Leroy persisted.

"It is my business and personal."

"Were you cheating on Betty Jo? Shame, shame." Leroy was shaking his finger at Ian.

Edwards appeared at the door. "Edwards, please show the gentlemen out.  Now they're full, their visit is over."

"Wait, Ian. Seriously.  If you won't answer that question, tell me. You know anyone who could have taken the things and would want to frame you for it?"

Ian regarded Leroy for a time, and then glanced over at Lis. "Several."

"See, Lis, I knew he'd come round."

"Right," Lis said.

"So, uhm, is that an admission you didn't take the artifacts?" Leroy pressed.

"Edwards, show the boys out."

Several hours later Leroy, having left Lis to attempt to keep an eye - as much as was possible - on Ian, showed up at Betty Jo's apartment, arriving in the hallway and politely ringing the bell. He wasn't all that crazy about meeting her parents. He was sort of allergic to meeting parents. Still he'd agreed to do it so here he was.

Betty Jo answered the door with a commiserating smile.  "There's nothing to worry about," she said.  "You're not dating one of us, you're not interested in dating one of us, but you're a good guy who's helping us.  That's your story and we're all sticking to it."

"Whaddya mean, that's our story? That's the truth!" Leroy hissed back. "You three scare the bejezus out of me."

She kissed his cheek.  "I don't know why, honey.  We're harmless.  And you're like a brother to us.  Now ya'll come on in and don't worry 'bout a thing.  We got it all under control."

Leroy, less than convinced, followed her into the apartment where he saw she'd set up a large table holding her sisters, and two people who must be their parents.

"Hey, y'all. Leroy Saunders. Pleased to meet you."

"Leroy," Betty Jo said, "This is Libby DuBois, my mama and the man with scowl is my daddy, Jonah Dubois."

"Don't you get smart with me," Jonah said.

Betty Jo, uncowed, pointed Leroy to a seat.  "Well, then stop scowling," she said.  "Leroy's like a brother to us and is helping us out out of the goodness of his heart.  So mind your manners."

"I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Saunders and mighty grateful you're helping my girls," Libby said, laying a hand on Jonah's arm.  She gave Leroy a smile that was clearly the model for the one the Jo's used to bowl men over with.  She'd also passed onto them her coloring, bright golden hair and sparkling blue eyes. In every other way though their looks came from their father...the height, the bone structure, the the perfect oval face, shape of the mouth, the line of the nose and the placement of the bedroom eyes fringed with thick lashes of impossible length.  Jonah DuBois was a man who was more than tall, dark and handsome.  He was devastating.  Libby Dubois on the other hand was simply pretty, until she smiled and then she was radiant.  The combination of the two had produced the eye catching, thought stopping allure of their daughters.

Jonah took the hint Libby was handing him and grunted.  "Well, if you're helping my girls, I'm grateful as well.  Thank you."

"Oh, no need, really," Leroy replied. "I was raised to understand that when folks need help I'm supposed to help. My mama was always real clear about that."

"The benefits of a proper upbringing," Jonah said, as Bobbie Jo put a plate of biscuits and red eye gravy in front of Leroy.  "Your mama sounds like a real smart lady."

"There's eggs, ham and grits too if you want some," Billie Jo said, pouring him a cup of coffee.

"Takes a full stomach to think properly, " Libby assured him, passing the salt and pepper.

"Ah'd love some grits. The folks at the Refuge are mighty nice but they don't much understand what's necessary for a real good breakfast," Leroy commented, He looked around. "Y'all eating to?"

Betty Jo laughed.  "We've been eating all morning.  Ever since mama got here and started cooking.  So did you see Ian this morning?" she asked, the light fading in her eyes.  Bobbie Jo patted her shoulder on the way to hand Leroy his grits.

Leroy was digging into the biscuits and gravy with a will. When he'd swallowed he replied, "Yeah. Lis and I dropped in this morning. He really was eating kippers.  Man there's just no accountin' for taste. "Ma'am," he added to Libby. "This is the best gravy I've had since I last ate at my granma's."

Libby blushed and smiled.  "Why thank you, young man, that's right nice of you.  Now I know why my girls say you're just as sweet as you can be."

Betty Jo waited until the exchange of compliments ended and then returned to her subject.  "So what did he say?"

Leroy swallowed a helping of grits and then took a sip of coffee. "He wasn't forthcoming, I'm afraid, Betty Jo. He wasn't interested in giving me any explanation. He thinks I'm working for the Zoo and I didn't deny it. I figured that way he'd be less likely to think you wanted me to look into things, you know?"  He paused.  "He was, you know. All polite and cold. You know how he gets?"

She allowed as how she did.  "Okay so he won't tell us.  That means we have to find out ourselves.  The first person to try would be Hermione, see if she knows anything or anyone at the Rose and Cross.  Edwards won't say a word so he's a lost cause.  Oh you got those pictures we gave you?  Daddy wants to see 'em."

"Sure," Leroy replied. He drew the photos out of a pocket and handed them to Jonah. "There ya go. You know, I just don't see Ian as doing this. He had an agreement with Rimes. If he was gonna take 'em, I'd see him as ending that first. This just doesn't feel right to me."

"See," Betty Jo said to her father.  "That's just what I been tellin' you, daddy.  So it's not just me being love struck and stupid."

Jonah nodded absently as he spread the pictures out on the table.  He drank some coffee as he studied them in silence.  "When Ian was at your office looking at these, do you know anything about what happened?"

Betty Jo shook her head.  "No, not really.  Coop was with him and they taped it of course.  We could maybe get the tape if it's important.  I know there were some he wasn't interested in at all.  But I don't know which ones."

Jonah tapped a couple of the pictures.  "Probably these two.  It's the others that are really interesting.  Especially the demon bowl, the statuette and the coal carving of the cage.  I'm also wondering about the lamp, with the key."  He looked up at his daughter, his eyes narrowed in thought.  "You said he took digital pictures of the inscriptions on the bowl?"

"Yes sir.  He was going to email them to Melly, so she could help him with the translations."

"Will she help us too?"

"I can ask her," Betty Jo said.

Jonah nodded and looked back at the pictures.  "Leroy, I think you and I have a lot of work to do."

"Sir?" Leroy asked. "Beyond keeping an eye on Ian and interviewing Hermione?"

"Well, we're gonna help the girls get a copy of the tape of Blakesley looking at the artifacts, we're gonna find out if Melly's going to help us and then we're gonna go talk to a few friends of mine who might know something about where these came from and who'd want them."

"Ah. Right. But I'm not sure how I can help with the first. I got Melly's phone number, and uhm, what friends?"

"Folks I know.  Don't worry, son, you'll like them.  As for the first, well depends on what the girls tell us about where the tape would be."

The three girls looked at each other.  "Well, I think it would be in Coop's office,"  Billie Jo said.  "He's got a locked media cabinet in there."

"You aren't thinking about, uhm, breaking into the Zoo again, are you?" Leroy asked, pushing his now empty plate away and accepting with thanks a second cup of coffee.  "Don't you think that'd be sorta suicidal?"

"No, we aren't going to break in.   We're going to be there to drop the girls at work.  No breaking in involved.  They'll naturally introduce their parents to their bosses.  And I'll see the office and the cabinet.  We'll get him out fo the office and I'll get the tape," Jonah said.  "It's simple really.  Done it a bunch of times, the basic maneuver anyway.  Libby made me give it up.  Wouldn't marry me otherwise."

Leroy frowned. "I guess I can kiss a job with the Zoo off. Oh well."

"No need, son.  Trust me.  He'll never know.  I just need to get a hold of it and I can make a copy."

"Really, Mr. Saunders.  Jonah's very good at this sort of thing," Libby assured him.  "You could learn a lot from him."

"Ohhhh kay," Leroy agreed. "Let's do it."

Libby nodded.  "You girls go on, I'll clean up.  I'm sure you're already late as it is."

"Thanks, Mama," Billie Jo said, hugging her.  "You know where the keys and everything are right?  And you've got our phone numbers if you need anything."

"Ah'll be fine, honey, so don't worry 'bout me.  Ya'll just get this mess sorted out so ah can take your daddy home again before he gets himself into trouble."  Libby winked at her daughters and ignored her husband.  "Mr. Saunders I hope to see more of you while we're in town," she told Leroy as she gave him a hug and a peck on the cheek.

"That's mighty nice of you, Miz DuBois. I 'preciate it. You need anything you don't hesitate to holler."

"Ah'm making fried chicken for dinner.  Ya'll are sure welcome to join us," she said.

"Oh, man, You're killin' me," Leroy replied with a grin.

Libby DuBois smiled. "Just think of me as your mama, honey.  Now ya'll run along."

"You got a great mama, Betty Jo," Leroy said as they all headed out to the Zoo. "I ain't sure how I'm gonna explain my visit to the Zoo. I might have to say yes."

Bobbie Jo took one of his arms and Billie Jo took the other while Betty Jo walked with her father.  "Sweetie," Billie Jo said, giving his arm a squeeze, "We're sure hoping you do."

Jonah looked around at his band of co-conspirators, speculation lighting his eyes.  They needed to get him into Cooper's office and get Cooper out of it long enough for him to open the cabinet, find the tape and re-close the cabinet.  They needed to do this in such a way that no suspicion fell on his daughters and Leroy still had his job offer in hand.  A grin lit his face.   It would be like old times, before Libby make him become respectable, convinced that if they were going to raise children his flexible approach to life would get in the way.

It was possible, he thought, that this episode marked a new point in their life together.  The girls were grown and living on their own.  Maybe, once this was sorted out, he would suggest to Libby it was time for a new kind of excitement in their lives.  The thought made the grin on his face bigger and the light in his eye untrustworthy in the extreme...to those who knew him that is.

Billie Jo watched it appear and sighed.

There were no corn stalks to set to dancing the Cotton-eyed Joe, nor were there broom sticks for little girls to fly on while mama stood, arms akimbo, on the ground below and promised retribution with every sparkle in her eyes.  At times like that Libby DuBois had no sense of humor at all.  Jonah met Billie Jo's sigh with a fat kiss on the cheek and a smack on her butt.  "Okay folks," he said, drawing them into a huddle, "here's what you're going to do.  Play your parts, do what I tell you and all will be well.  Leroy, you are going to handle the get away car, in this case a taxi I think.  And you girls are going to do what you do best.  Dazzle and distract.  Act naturally and I shall handle the rest."

The Jo's, long familiar with his 'and I shall handle the rest' shared a glance and shrugged.  He'd never gotten them in trouble he hadn't also gotten them out of.  If Libby had been privy to the thought she'd have pointed out there was first time for everything.  But Libby was getting ready to soak chicken in buttermilk.

"Uhm," Leroy said, frowning at the Jo's. "Are ya'll sure this is a good idea? I'm not sure what this gets us. What's wrong with the photos?'

Jonah looked at him sadly.  To him the reason seemed obvious.  But the boy was young after all.  "The photos don't tell me what Blakesley thought was important and what he didn't.  Blakesley knows magical paraphernalia.  He's an expert in the field.  He touched them and I haven't so I've no idea which ones are real and which ones don't matter a hill of beans.  I have a few guesses but those aren't worth crap.  Absent the artifacts themselves, his reaction is next best thing."

Leroy gave that some thought. "Okay, I guess. A taxi getaway car, huh? I'll see what I can do.  But I'd think just zapping us all away would be better."

"Where's the fun in that, son?"

Leroy goggled a minute, then said, "Uhm, okay. A getaway taxi. Got it."

Jonah bestowed a fond nod of approval on Leroy and turned to his daughters.  "Shall we?" he said.

Billie Jo giggled and took his arm, leading the way into the building.  Betty Jo gave Leroy a kiss.  "Don't worry, honey, it'll be fine.  Trust Daddy."

"Honey, he crazier than my Uncle Ernie and that's saying something. But okay. I'll give it a go. I got nothing to lose except a possible job I'm not sure I want anyway."

Bobbie Jo smiled at him and the two sisters sashayed after their father.

The offices for the Zoo occupied the third floor of the building.  The suite was simply a bull pen area of cubicles encircled by filing cabinets and book cases, surrounded by offices with a vault tucked into an interior corner near the elevator shaft.  Coop's office was in a corner on one side of bull pen and the sisters had offices on the other side.  Rimes' office was catty-corner to Coop's and furthest from the vault.  Billie Jo led Jonah in and steered him towards their offices where the sisters dropped their coats and bags and then the four of them headed for Rimes' office.  Office protocol dictated that they introduce him to the boss first and the second in command second.  The boss was out.  So they led the way around the perimeter and stopped at Coop's office.

Billie Jo knocked on the open door and treated Coop to a smile with enough voltage to light up New York City.  "Hi, ya'll busy?  I wanted to introduce mah daddy.  He's a bit worried about what we might be getting ourselves into working here with ya'll."

Coop, who had so far seemed immune to the Jo's, stood up and smiled at their daddy. "Pleased to meet you Mr. DuBois. I'd be glad to try to allay your fears, but frankly what they were doing before what with law enforcement agencies, was a lot more dangerous that what our charter includes. We're just.... oh, think of us as diplomats."

"You see Daddy," Bobbie Jo said, "what did we tell you and Mama?"

Jonah smiled at Coop, the smile of one man to another, one father and husband to another.  "I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Stone.  I'm sure you understand my concern.  My wife worries, what with the girls being so far away."

"I do indeed understand. The world can be a pretty dangerous, not to mention puzzling, place. Is there something I can do to help alleviate your concerns?"

"Ah appreciate that kind offer Mr. Stone.  But simply meeting you will allow me to reassure mah wife that our daughters are indeed engaged in employment that is far safer than that they previously enjoyed, as you so rightly pointed out."  Jonah smiled again and allowed his eyes for the first time to sweep Coop's office, noting the layout and the furnishings.  In the back was the media cabinet, topped by a television set, currently set to CNN with the sound muted and Fox News in the split screen box.  His attention returned to Coop almost immediately.  "Well I'm sure you've a lot of important things to do, so I won't keep you.  And I know these girls have work to do too."

"If you have any concerns, Mr. DuBois, give me a call. I'll be glad to speak to you further," Coop offered.

"Why thank you, Mr. Stone," Jonah said as he shook his hand.  "I surely do appreciate it."  He smiled again, gathered his daughters and left the office.  "Well girls," he said, kissing each on the cheek, "Ya'll have a nice day and work hard.  Your mama and I'll see you for dinner."

"Yes, Daddy," they chorused obediently and headed for their offices while Jonah left to stand in front of the elevator.  He got in, pushed the button for the ground floor and relaxed against the back wall.  In seconds the elevator jerked to a halt, stuck between floors and the alarm went off, bringing the sisters running from their offices.

Security at the Zoo was top notch. The entire facility was locked down in a heartbeat. Coop Stone grabbed a phone and hit a key on his laptop simultaneously checking sensors in all areas and consulting with his security guards. No sign of any sort of illegal entry, nothing wrong, thank god, in the vault.  The elevator shaft seemed to be the one area affected.

"Daddy's in there," Betty Jo pointed out to Coop.  "Something must be wrong with the elevator."

Coop standing at the doorway to his office, cursed. "Anyone in there with him?" he asked as he hit a number on his phone. At the Jo's indication they didn't think anyone else was in there, Coop nodded. "All right. Well, he'll be fine. No need to worry. It isn't like it's going to fall or anything. He can just wait there until we get it fixed. He got a cell phone?"

"Daddy doesn't believe in cellphones," Billie Jo said.  "He thinks only doctors and presidents need to be available all the time."

"Oh, well, he'll be fine. I'll have security get through to the phone in the elevator," he finished as he turned to head back to his office.

The sisters nodded and stared at the elevator.  Then they followed Coop into his office.  "Did security get through?" Bobbie Jo asked.

"He doesn't seem to be answering the phone," Coop reported after a quick phone call. "The power should be restored to the elevator in a minute. I don't understand why it went dark," he added with scowl.

Outside the office they heard the sound of machinery starting up, the clunking whirring sound of an elevator wanting to move and not sure if it could followed by the banging jerking sound of it hitting its stride and continuing on its way.

"Oh good," Billie Jo said, a huge smile on her face.  "There it goes.  Thank goodness."

"Why don't you three go see how he's doing?" Coop suggested, turning to get back to work.

"Oh thanks," Betty Jo said as they headed for the stairs.

Downstairs Jonah was emerging from the elevator a smile on his face.  He waved at Leroy, waiting outside next to a cab and then turned towards the stairwell.  When his daughters emerged his smile said it all.

"You're bad, Daddy," Billie Jo said and hugged him before calling the elevator to take them back upstairs.

Jonah laughed and shook his head.  "Nope, just experienced.  See ya later, girls," he said and hugged the other two before joining Leroy in the cab.

"So," Leroy said, once Daddy was settled. "How'd you do it?"

"I broke the elevator," he said.

"Okay, never mind.  So you got what you wanted? Now where to?"

"Leroy, I stopped the elevator between floors and zapped myself into his office and then grabbed the tape and left again.  It was simple, just like I said it would be.  So, where can we go look at it and when can we talk to Melly?"

"Well, let's go to Betty Jo's for you to look at it and I'll zap to the Refuge and see if I can get her to come back with me. How's that?"

"Sure," Jonah said.  "Libby's probably got lunch ready by now, too."

"Oh good," Leroy replied and gave the cabbie directions. They got there in short order and as promised Libby had yet more food. Leroy was wondering if he'd have to buy bigger jeans.