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It was a pleasant night in the city, Scott reflected, as he slowly ambled down the street. He wasn't in any hurry as he watched the multitude of people go by. He liked being back in New York. It was his home and he had missed the cross section of people found in this teeming metropolis. Europe certainly had an allure but he never quite felt as much at home there as he did in Manhattan. As he headed towards Times Square, he felt in charity with the people and his surroundings.
He had some time before he needed to meet his cousin, Allie, for dinner. Known to his family as Alister Carmichael, he was better known to the public as VJ Alan Hunter of MTV fame. Scott knew Allie didn't like his first name any better than his older brother, Addison, did his. Nobody called Addison by that name anyway. To everyone in the family he was Skip, a name he picked up in his boyhood and one that had stuck. Of course, Allie had tried changing his name like his brother, but not quite as successfully. Nobody called him Alister anymore but neither did they call him Alan. Instead, everyone used Allie to encompass both names.
Poor Allie, Scott thought. He had finally given up on the family ever calling him just Alan. He knew he was stuck with Allie, but he had made all his cousins promise they would use Alan in front of his friends at the studio. So far that promise had been kept.
Scott stopped a minute on the sidewalk to watch as the police arrested a suspect on some minor misdemeanor. Scott had never had any direct dealings with police but he was acquainted with a number of officers because of his father's line of work.
Thinking of his father always stirred up a myriad of feelings and emotions that, at times, completely overwhelmed him. Pride and anger, love and hurt, positive and negative feelings we're constantly at battle. The problem was, Scott reflected, when he was with his father, the negative emotions, especially the hurt, would come spilling out. Recently though things had begun to change between them.
It started when they had gone to his cousin Murphy's wedding that summer. An understanding had started to develop. But it wasn't until Scott had come home from school during the fall matters had really started to resolve themselves.
A situation had developed that almost cost his father's life. Scott had realized then he cared for his father too much to allow his negative emotions to overrule his love. They finally had come to a better understanding of each other and Scott was hopeful their relationship would never go back to the earlier times.
Broken out of his reverie by the honk of a car horn, Scott realized he was only a few minutes from the restaurant. Turning his steps toward his intended destination, Scott reached the restaurant in plenty of time. Going inside, he looked around the half empty place. He didn't see his cousin yet, so he wandered over to the bar for a beer. It wasn't long before Allie breezed into the restaurant.
Scott smiled as he watched his cousin. Allie never just walked into a place. He seemed to burst upon it. Maybe that was why Scott was so fond of him. While Scott was basically an introvert and found making friends hard, Allie liked everybody and everybody liked him. Allie was able to fit in anywhere - probably the reason he made a good VJ. He definitely had personality.
Allie walked over to Scott with a big grin on his face.
"Hi, Cousin, how's it going?"
"Great Allie, how're you?"
"Just dandy, Scott, my boy. Did you get a table yet?"
"No, not yet. I was just waiting for you to get here."
While they were talking they proceeded to the front of the restaurant. It took them only a few minutes to get a table. Since both were familiar with the eatery they put their orders in quickly and settled down for a talk.
Neither had seen the other since the summer reunion and they had a lot to talk about. Allie filled Scott in on what was going on with the Carmichael side of the family, while Scott was able to catch Allie in on the other members of the family he had been in contact with lately.
"So, Scotty, what are you doing home this time of the year?" Allie queried. "What about the conservatory?"
"I wondered when you were going to ask me about that."
"I would've mentioned it earlier but I thought I'd let you get around to it yourself."
"I had some trouble with the lead conductor at the school and had to come home for the term." Scott remarked sheepishly. "I would have let you know sooner but when I tried to contact you, you weren't home. I called the studio but they said you were on some promo tour."
"Sorry I wasn't around. You probably could've used someone to talk to."
"Hey, it wasn't your fault you weren't home," Scott said. "You always were the "big brother" for me, Allie. I appreciate it."
"That's what families are for."
"Of course, you also used to drive Nick and me crazy sometimes with your bossing us around all the time when we were younger," Scott laughed.
"My boy, that is what older brothers, or in your case, older cousins are supposed to do." Allie returned. "What are your plans now? Are you going back?"
"I really don't know yet."
"What have your parents said?"
"Well, Mom wasn't too happy about it. I think she wants me to go back next term."
"What about your dad?"
"When I first came home I really didn't care what he thought about the situation."
"I see. Had another dust up again, I gather. Scotty, when are you going to stop blaming your dad for leaving? I thought after last summer you guys had worked things out."
"I thought we had too but when I came home I was hurt and upset about being let go by the conservatory and I took it out on Dad. If that weren't bad enough, a case he'd gotten involved in opened my eyes to what he'd really been doing all those years with the CIA."
"Didn't like what you saw?"
"No, I didn't. But in the end none of that mattered anymore. Only Dad was important. I finally realized that."
"What happened?"
"He was trying to save the life of a journalist; someone who knew him in the old days. The man had a daughter about my age. She asked Dad for help. It was a complicated situation with a lot of repercussions, most of them directed at Dad. I almost lost him. Right then I realized I couldn't let the past get between us anymore. I love him too much."
Allie looked serious. "Ah, Scotty boy, I think you'll finally be at peace with yourself. Things can only get better from here on out." Allie laughed suddenly, breaking his serious mood. "This is great."
Scott looked at his cousin oddly, wondering what was going on in Allie's mind. Scott always found it amusing the way Allie could jump from one thing to another without a second thought. Scott definitely didn't understand Allie's last statement but was certainly going to find out what he meant.
"What's great?"
"What?" Allie seemed distracted for a minute. "Oh, I was thinking about a problem we're having at the station."
"So?"
"So, I was thinking you could maybe ask your dad to look into it for me."
"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Scott questioned.
"Well, I don't know him as well as some of our cousins. You know, I mean he's real close to Lee and Murphy, even Andy and Skip, but I'm not as well acquainted with him as they are."
"Allie, I'm sure he'll be glad to help. All you have to do is ask him." Scott watched amused as his cousin squirmed. "My dad makes you nervous?"
"Well, not nervous exactly. But when I was a little kid, Skip and Andy told me a lot of stories about your dad. He helped them, Lee and Murphy out of a lot of scrapes one summer and a number of summers after that. He became a sort of legend to us and, well, yes he does make me nervous. I can never talk to him without coming off sounding like some kind of idiot."
Scott couldn't hold in his laughter at Allie's confession. "You're babbling, Allie. I have noticed your legendary silver tongue seems to get garbled around my father. I always wondered what your problem was."
"Since you seem to be back on such good terms with your father, maybe you could ask him for me." At Scott's doubtful look, he added. "Please."
"Okay. Why don't you tell me what the problem is so I can tell Dad."
"It started about two weeks ago. The studio is not exactly close to anything but warehouses so we have all sorts of vending machines. Sometimes we can't go anywhere to eat because of broadcasting and we live off those machines. You can image with a cast and crew working long hours those machines get used often."
"They're probably overworked if the way you put away food is any indication." Scott teased.
Allie ignored Scott's jibe and continued. "A couple of weeks ago food started disappearing from the machines. Not a whole lot at first but gradually more and more. In the beginning it was just a few bars of candy but lately potato chips, nuts and crackers are gone. No one can figure out how it's being done because the machines aren't broken into. They don't seem to be tampered with, but the food's disappearing. We normally wouldn't care because I swear it isn't any of us but the vending company is threatening to pull out the machines until the thief is discovered."
"And that wouldn't be too good, would it?" Scott casually asked as he tried to keep from laughing at Allie's story.
"You know me, Scotty, I'd never make it through those graveyard shifts. I like to eat. So, what do you think?"
"What do I think?"
Scott tried to stifle the laughter for a few seconds but couldn't. He tried to get serious but lost control again, laughing even harder. Allie looked at him, realized the absurdity of wanting to ask Robert McCall to look into something so trivial. He joined in his cousin's mirth at his own expense. As their shared hilarity came to a close, Allie spoke up.
"It would be like using a sledge hammer to kill a fly, wouldn't it?"
"Hey, Allie, I'm sure Dad would look into it for you if you want. After all, you're family. But I've got another idea. What did the police say when you reported it?"
"They weren't very helpful. Petty theft is small potatoes compared to most of the crime in this city. You can't blame them for their disinterest."
"But it is important to you?"
"The food does seem to make the time at work go faster and easier sometimes. Everyone is happier when they get to eat during those long hours."
"Well then, I have a proposition for you. Why don't I look into it for you."
Allie looked at Scott skeptically. "You, Scotty boy? Detective work isn't exactly up your alley."
"True, but I was some help to Dad and the others at the reunion."
"Scott, driving a car doesn't rate as detective work."
"I was more help than just that," Scott said defensively. "Besides, it's in my blood from both sides of the family, what with Dad, Lee and Murphy."
"Okay, okay, I'm convinced. Where do we start?"
Scott was delighted at his cousin's acquiescence. Truthfully he had enjoyed helping his father and the others at the ranch during the summer, if only in a small way. It had been scary but it had also filled him with a sense of accomplishment. Besides, he was getting bored. "Tell me what time these thefts usually take place?"
"We think it must be at night or very early in the morning because no one's seen anything. Usually the studio is most quiet during graveyard shift."
"We'll probably need an infrared camera for this."
Allie looked at Scott speculatively. "And were are you planning on getting this infrared camera?"
"From Dad, of course. He has everything we need for surveillance. Are you working graveyard tonight?"
"Yeah, why?"
"The thefts usually occur at night, don't they?"
"Uh huh."
"Well then, a stake-out at the scene of the crime would seem to be the first order of business, right?"
"You're the one playing detective, you tell me."
"Yes, that's what we'll do first. Come on, let's go."
"Where are we going in such a hurry?"
"To my dad's to pick up the camera. Then we'll go to the studios so you can go to work and I can set up my equipment." Scott got up, grabbing the check. "Come on, Allie. It's only about a ten minute walk."
Allie looked amused at Scott's sudden enthusiasm, but followed him out of the restaurant at almost the same pace. They started walking in the direction of McCall's apartment. Allie was hard put to keep up with Scott who was striding along at a fast clip.
"Hey Scotty, slow down. We'll get there in plenty of time."
"Sorry, Allie." Scott looked sheepish. "I guess I'm just a little excited about doing this."
"I would never have known." Allie remarked dryly. "We're almost there."
As Allie spoke, the two cousins turned the last corner and found themselves on the street where McCall lived. They proceeded into the complex and climbed the stairs to McCall's apartment. Scott pulled out his keys, putting the appropriate one into the lock. Before he turned the key, though, Allie noticed Scott punching in some numbers on the panel next to the door. It opened and Scott walked in. Allie followed after. The apartment was dark and Scott turned on the lights.
"Where's your dad?" Allie asked curiously.
"He's out of town until tomorrow." Scott proceeded down the hall into the room at the end. Allie heard him open and close a number of cupboards before he reappeared with a camera case slung over his shoulders.
"Got it. Let me just leave a message for dad and we can be off." He soon had a brief note propped up on his father's desk. Scott secured the door and reset the security lock before following his cousin downstairs.
As Allie reached the street he turned to Scott. "How do you want to get to the studio, subway or bus?"
"Let's take the car."
"Scotty, we don't have a car."
"Yes we do." Scott pointed out a black Jaguar parked at the curb. "We can use Dad's."
"Are you sure he won't mind?"
"Allie, don't worry. He gave me the keys so I could use it while he was out of town. Let's go."
Scott again had to disconnect a security system before they could get into the car. He started the car then headed off down the street toward the studio on the other side of town.
A few minutes after the cousins had left, a taxi pulled up in front of the apartment. Robert McCall, a nice looking man in his mid-fifties, got out, paid the fare and walked up to the door with his luggage. He was glad to be home and was looking forward to a good night's sleep after his long trip. As he let himself into the apartment, he turned on the lights and set his bags down.
"Scott, are you here?" Receiving no answer, his eyes caught the note Scott left. Picking it up he read:
"Hi Dad,
If you're reading this note you got home early. Borrowed your infrared camera, hope you don't mind. Home late, see you in the morning.
Scott."
"My infrared camera? What could he want with that?" Stifling a yawn, McCall headed down the hall toward the bathroom. "I'm sure I'll find out in the morning." He went off to his room to get ready for bed.
Scott turned the Jag into the studio parking lot. He and Allie got out of the car and headed for the building.
"Scott, remember it's Alan, okay?"
"Don't worry, Alan, I won't forget."
Allie opened the door and went in, followed by Scott. Walking through the sound stage, a number of crew greeted them around the set.
A red light started flashing and Allie warned Scott the camera was shooting the VJ and they needed to be quiet. When the light stopped flashing, he smiled. "They've gone to the video."
"What time do you have to go on?"
Allie glanced at the wall clock. "Oh, 'bout fifteen minutes."
"Why don't you show me where the vending machines are."
"Good idea. Come on."
Scott followed him through a number of sets. As they started to go through a double door exit a young red headed woman stopped them.
"Alan, it's good to see you back."
"Thanks, Sandy. Let me introduce my cousin, Scott McCall. I was just showing him around the studio."
"Scott, pleasure to meet you. You've got a great cousin here."
"Yeah, well he's okay." Scott gave Allie a mischievous look.
Sandy laughed, turning back to Allie. "How did it go on Mike Hammer?"
"I think it went okay. It should be on next month."
"I'll be sure to watch. See you later."
Scott watched Sandy leave, turning to his cousin with a questioning expression. "Mike Hammer? When were you planning on telling me about your new acting career?"
"I wanted to surprise you, Scotty, by getting you to watch it when it came on. Too late now." Allie started through the door but turned back to Scott. "Oh, Nick and Jeffers send their best."
"I really miss those two. I can't wait 'til our trip to Canada." Scott followed Allie through the doors into the hallway. "Did you stay with Nick at his grandfather's house?"
"Yeah, we had a great time. We also got a chance to help Jeffers with the horses at the Equestrian Center. He's turning into a first rate vet."
"I never doubted he would. He always had a way with the animals at the ranch."
"Back to business. These are the offices used by the producers and directors. Our dressing rooms are further down the hall and the crew usually use these rooms for storing their things and to have a smoke."
Allie stopped and pointed out a couple of doors on his right. Directly across from them was an open area with at least ten vending machines offering everything from soup and coffee to ice cream and pastries; a veritable cornucopia of fast food goodies.
"What about the doors at the end of the hallway?" Scott asked.
Allie followed the direction Scott was pointing. "Those are the doors to the back parking lot where the crew usually park. They're always locked day and night. Everyone who works here and comes in that way has a key."
"No sign of anyone having tried to break in?"
"No, nothing. The only possible way through those doors is through the mail slot. It's a bit bigger than average, I'll grant you, but only by a few inches on either side."
"Why's that?"
"Sometimes we have large envelopes delivered. To make it easier for everyone, the mailman puts them through the slot. If he has packages, he has to ring the bell."
"Will there be anyone in the crew's room tonight?"
"Probably not. On the graveyard shifts everyone usually stays in the sound stage. This time of year it's warmer because of the heaters. Why?"
"Well, I thought it would be a good place to set up; try and catch the thief on film."
"Do you know how to work that thing?"
"Sure, Dad showed me how a while ago. Why?"
"Just wondering. It wouldn't do you much good to get all set up just to find out you don't know how to use the camera."
Scott looked indignant for a moment, then realized his cousin was only teasing him. Scott looked at his watch, then back at Allie.
"Aren't you supposed to be on the air just about now?"
"What time is it?"
"Midnight."
"Gotta go." With that Alan took off at a run down the hall with his cousin's laughter echoing behind him.
Scott looked around now that he was on his own. He checked out the vending machines to see if there was anything unusual about them. Nothing seemed out of place but he made sure he knew which ones were the most likely targets. Crossing the hall he pulled open the door to the crew room to look around.
It was a large room with lockers, a table and several chairs scattered around. Scott grabbed the closest one, setting the camera case down. He pulled out the camera to see if it was all set for the night. He knew his father usually kept the camera ready since he used it often.
He sat down with the camera on the chair, leaving the door ajar just enough to see the machines across the hall. As he got settled, the lights went out in the hallway and the room he was in. The luminous dial of his watch showed 12:30 a.m. Allie had told him the lights were turned off then if no crew were in the back offices. Scott settled in for a long wait, humming his favorite Mozart piece. He had always liked it because it was one if his father's favorites. He hadn't been very old before he knew it by heart. It was also the first classical piece he had ever learned on the violin.
The next time Scott looked at his watch, a couple of hours had gone by. The machines had been frequented off and on during his vigil but only by paying customers. He was thinking this stake out might not have been such a good idea. It was cold, and it was boring. He wondered if his dad or Lee or Murphy ever found it boring. None of them had ever said. Of course his dad probably never had a problem like this. Things were never dull around Robert McCall.
Another hour came and went. Scott was wondering if it had been a fruitless evening when he heard a noise coming from the door to the parking area. He picked up the camera and focused on the door to the parking area. The noise got louder. Scott began quickly snapping pictures as the thieves began their work.
"Well, what do you know. Wait 'til Allie sees these."
It was five o'clock before Scott met Allie at the car as promised. Allie was bursting with questions.
"What happened? Did you see the thief?"
"Thieves. And yes, I did."
"You mean there's more than one? Who is it? How did they get in? Come on, Scott, tell me."
Scott lifted the camera case. "All the information is here on film. You'll see
as soon as I develop it."
"Ah, come on Scotty! Aren't you going to tell me. I can't wait. I want to know who it is now."
Scott was adamant. "No. I'll develop the pictures, then you'll see. Come on, it's cold out here and I'm tired."
"Where can we get them developed? It's early morning, we'll probably have to go to a twenty-four hour developer."
"No, we don't. We'll just go to my dad's. He's got all the equipment."
Starting the car, Scott drove off with a still protesting Allie. They reached McCall's apartment about half an hour later and Scott unbelievably found the same parking space for the Jaguar. Allie couldn't believe the luck.
"Do you realize this is the same spot we had before? Do you know what the odds are of this happening in New York?"
"Weird, isn't it? I swear Dad must have someone guarding this spot because every time I use the car the same spot is here when I get back."
He and Allie got out of the car and Scott reset the security lock. Letting themselves into the apartment, Scott noticed the luggage sitting on the living room floor.
He whispered to Allie, "We have to be quiet. Dad's back and he's probably sleeping."
"Are we going to develop the film now?" Allie whispered back.
"Let me get it out of the camera." Scott looked over at his cousin who was falling asleep in the chair he'd collapsed in. "You look beat, Allie."
"I am."
"So am I. Why don't we stretch out and get a few hours sleep before we develop the pictures."
Allie sleepily agreed and curled up in the chair. Scott didn't even bother to go to his own bedroom, instead, he stretched out on the couch, the film forgotten for now.
McCall walked out into the living room a few hours later to find his son and nephew asleep. The room was cold so McCall started a fire in the fireplace and retrieved some blankets from one of the closets. He looked down with a bemused and tender expression as he put a blanket over Scott, he then covered Allie, being careful not to wake them.
Spotting the camera near Scott, he picked it up to put it away. He then noticed the film. Picking it up he headed into the kitchen to make himself a cup of coffee.
As he waited for the coffee to brew he debated whether he should develop the film while the boys slept. He was not sure Scott would appreciate his butting into his business but curiosity won over good taste. Besides, McCall wondered why Scott had needed the infrared.
Taking his coffee and the film down the hall, McCall went to the darkroom to develop Scott's pictures.
Scott was dreaming he could smell bacon cooking, which was unfair in a dream since he was starving. As he slowly came awake he realized it wasn't a dream. He actually could smell bacon. He slowly peered over the top of the couch.
"I thought if anything would wake you from your sleep of the just, food would be it. Alister beat you by ten minutes."
Scott looked bemused at his father during this recital. "Where is he?"
"Bathroom, taking a shower. I lent him some of your clothes. You have fifteen minutes until breakfast is ready. Why don't you use my shower."
"Good idea. Thanks, Dad."
By the time Scott returned to the living room, the table had been set for three and Allie was helping McCall with the food.
"Just in time, Scott." McCall said setting down a pitcher of milk.
"Come on boys, sit down and let's eat."
As they sat down, McCall pulled out an envelope and handed it to Scott.
"What's this, Dad?"
Before McCall could answer, Allie jumped in with an explanation. "It's the pictures you took last night. Your dad developed them for us. I told him what you were up to last night."
"Have you seen them yet, Allie?"
"No, he hasn't Scott. I figured you would like to show them to him yourself since it was your detective work that discovered these thieves. When I first saw the pictures appearing I thought you had taken up zoology."
"Fascinating thieves. Don't you think Dad?"
"Definitely."
"All right you two. Enough is enough. I've waited long enough. Can I see the pictures, please."
"Well, all right. You have waited long enough. Here now you will see how the case of the burgled vending machines was solved." Scott handed his cousin the pile of pictures from the envelope his father had given him.
Allie eagerly looked through them. The pictures started at the door to the parking lot. Caught by Scott's photography were three black squirrels coming though the mail slot. Successive photos followed the rodents as they moved down the hall to the vending machines. Each squirrel seemed to choose a separate machine, jumping up to the shelf where the product fell down to the customer. Scott had caught them in the act as they crawled up to the opening, grabbed a snack and pulled it to the tray. When each had eaten their fill, they took one more package of candy or nuts. Proceeding back down the hall, they jumped up to the slot carrying their stolen booty to the other side.
"Squirrels? Well I'll be. Wait 'til I take these down to the studio. I don't think anyone will believe it."
"It's lucky I got the pictures. Don't you think so, Allie?" Scott asked his cousin, pleased by his reaction.
"Yes, you did a great job, Cuz. One question, though. Why didn't anyone notice the discarded wrappers?"
Scott pondered this for a moment, then looked to his father for help.
"I think you'll find, Alister, the janitorial service probably picked up the refuse in the early morning when they cleaned. If they were aware of the thefts, they would have assumed the trash was from the people at the studio and had nothing to do with the disappearing snacks."
"Sounds reasonable. Good job, Scott."
"Thanks, Allie."
"Yes, it was a good job, Son. Now why don't we eat."
As they began the meal, McCall asked his son teasingly, "After all this success are you considering changing professions?"
Before Scott could answer, Allie jumped in. "McCall, what a horrible thought. I really don't think the world is ready for another fiddle playing detective."