2008

Gus let out an angry sigh. "Okay, this officially sucks! They took my regular cell phone and my work phone. Now I'll have to explain it to my boss. He's gonna be mad. And this rope is giving me a rash!" Juliet was barely listening.

"Where did they take Shawn? Do you think he's okay?" Her voice was tired and worried. She bent her head to wipe her cheek gently on her shoulder, wincing at the smear of blood it left.

"I don't know," Gus said more quietly, forgetting for the moment about the rash. "Don't worry, Jules. Shawn's resourceful. He'll be okay."

"I hope so." The image of the black-clad henchmen with large fists and loaded guns flashed into her mind. "Detective Lassiter better figure out where we are fast."

1987

"What the heck do you think you're doing, Shawn?" Henry demanded as he came through the door. He'd had a long day at work, and coming in to find his son on the floor with Madeline's jewelry spread around him wasn't helping.

"I'm checking to make sure none of this is forged," Shawn answered seriously. He was examining a diamond necklace through a toilet paper tube with plastic wrap taped over the top.

"And where did you get that idea?"

"Mrs. Calloway told us a story today about a jewelry thief who would leave behind fakes so that no one figured it out." Shawn pouted as his dad started scooping the jewelry back into its case. "I just wanted to make sure."

"I'm sure you did," Henry said exasperatedly. "Now help me clean this up and go do your homework."

"Fine," Shawn said, rolling his eyes and helping to clean up the tragically un-inspected jewelry. "Don't blame me if you find out that some of this is fake."

"Oh, don't worry. I won't."

***

A/N: I know it's short, but it is just the set-up for the actual story. Chapter one will be up no later than Thursday. Friday if I can't finish my science project quickly. I hope you like it so far. :) Please review!

Sparky