A half hour later Kato and I arrive back at my place. I live in a converted carriage house on a twenty acre estate. The second floor has been knocked out creating twenty foot ceilings. Walk in the front door, the living area is on the left, dining and kitchen in the center and bedrooms to the right. Original hardwood floors, an updated kitchen and two working fireplaces.

Up the driveway around seventy-five yards you'll find the original stables. Nathan Burke; software and gaming magnate; owner of the property; and my second oldest friend converted them into a workshop and storage area for my antiques business. Picker Antiques, that's me.

When I pulled the car up to the door, Kato hopped out and began to spin in circles. I quickly deduced that someone was in the house, but not an enemy. I stepped inside.

Sonofabitch. Sitting with his feet on my desk; smoking one of my cigars is my brother. Half brother if you must know. Connor Jones.

Same Dad, different Mums. He stands, walks over with saying a word and gives me a bear hug. Steps back and gives me the once over.

"How you doin' brother. God, you look good. Where's that beautiful woman of yours? I'm hungry, can I take you both out to dinner?"

He's more or less my height and weight. Older by a couple of years. Like me, his eyes are brown. His hair, however, is dark, almost black. Lanky build, but a wee bit broader in the chest and shoulders. Head is square-ish and his nose better sculpted than mine. Women consider him handsome.

"Good, thanks, not here and yes, when I track Kelly down."

"Whhhat?"

"I doing well; thanks, I feel great; I don't know where Kelly is at the moment; and finally yes, we'll be happy to join you for dinner. My turn. I'm very happy to see you, but what are you doing here? Why didn't you call?"