Speed 2 – A race against Time

After opening up to Annie about how he felt Jack felt so much better. He felt so happy, yes he still missed Harry but after letting it all out he felt as if his heart has lightened and the pain of losing his best friend had dulled. Jack spent the next 2 weeks off work, showering his wife and daughters with affection and concentrating on getting small paint Jobs and other D.I.Y stuff finished.

"Daddy, can we go the park" Madeline pleaded looking at him with her massive cobalt blue eyes.

Smiling "well ok but you have to give me a minute"

"Ok daddy" Madeline shot off to try and attempt to put on her shoes

Shaking his head Jack finished painting the table leg before collecting his shoes from the box and slipping them on before jogging up the stairs to get Charlotte ready.

Richard Payne had been watching Jack and his family for the last couple of weeks. Jack had only been into work once and had spent the rest of his time with Annie and the girls. Annie still left to go to work but apart from family outings or to the shops or park Jack did not leave the house. While following Jack, Richards hate for him grew even more as he watched Jack be so happy, something he had taken from his brother. Richard had been happy once, his wife, Marie-Anne had taken his 3 children and vanished 30 years ago, Richard had not seen or heard from them since but he had never stopped looking for them. He hated her so much and he knew if he ever found her he would kill her, for the pain she caused the day she took the children to the supermarket and never returned. Richard had loved his 2 sons and daughter so much but his wife had taken them away. His princess, Annalise with her brown hair and eyes. His sons were a lot older than her, both of them 15, eager to join the army the second the reached 18. He had searched for years but had never found his family; he suspected as did his private investigator that Marie had changed their names from Payne to her maiden name. His daughter was just 2 years old when they vanished and he missed her everyday.

He would never stop looking and he would never ever let Jack get away with killing his brother.

Jack after 15 minutes managed to get Madeline and Charlotte ready. Walking to the park, Madeline had been jumping up and down in excitement the entire way. When they had arrived Madeline had shot off at a speed of knots and had vanished amongst the crowd of children and with a sign Jack sat down on the bench and attempted to keep Charlotte from crying.

2 hours passed and Jack watched the park empty and eventually decided to go home, Annie would be home from work soon and then they could perhaps go somewhere special for dinner. Snapping out of his thoughts Jack looked for Madeline and found she was nowhere to be seen.

"Madeline" Jack shouted but there came no reply, Jack began to get worried "Madeline" he began searching the bushes and trees leaving Charlotte with a kind old man who sat on the bench next to the Pram. Jack hunted for the next 10 minutes before deciding to go back to Charlotte and the man and call Mac to help him. When he reached the bench were he had left Charlotte he froze in horror; she wasn't there, both of them had vanished leaving Charlottes pram behind. Horrified Jack pulled out his mobile to call Mac.

Richard smiled at the little blue eyed girl looking up at him from the passenger seat.

"Can I have the sweeties now" she giggled,

Richard smiling handed her the bag of Jelly Babies, getting her into the car had been easy, obviously Jack had not taught his children Stranger Danger and he had managed to persuade her into the car by promising her some sweets and when she was safely secured he then went back and pretended to look after Jacks other baby while he went looking for Madeline. The second Jack's back was turned he had taken the baby, Charlotte and was back in the car driving away.

Jack was frantic when he called Mac and within minutes they both were searching the nearby area.

"Do you remember what he looked like" Mac frowned as more of the team arrived to help search.

"He was old and wearing a cap and a brown coat, and glasses he had glasses" Jack was so angry at himself for believing he could trust that old man.

"We have to assume that the old man who took Charlotte probably took Madeline also" Mac turned to Jack " have you upset anyone recently"

Jack honestly had no idea but he had a feeling he had met this guy before "Well we do kill bombers who threaten the country could it be a family member or friend"

That's when it clicked "Payne, the man looked like Payne"

"Ok Jack" Mac smiled at him though it didn't reach his eyes

"Zave, look and see if Howard Payne had a brother or son and Jack you had better call Annie"

Annie had not driven this fast since the bus and se felt worse now than she did then. She ran into the main reception of L.A Police and collided heavily with Jack who appeared to have been pacing while waiting for her. The second she realized it was him she burst into a fit of tears. His arms wrapped around her but she found no comfort in the embrace.

Madeline Traven looked up at him and began to cry.

"I want Mummy and Daddy" she had screamed at him, kicked but he had eventually locked her and the baby in another room.

Richard would enjoy it when he got to kill them both but he had one more person he needed to finish this stage of his plan.

Annie Traven.

Jack could have hit something. He had been so stupid, in his worry for Maddie he had practically given Charlotte to the nutter who had taken her. When Annie had arrived, he had felt 10 times worse despite her telling him it wasn't his fault.

"Howard Payne had a brother, Richard, who is 3 years younger than him and who lived in New York for the last 27 years before moving here shortly after his brothers death" Mac addressed the room in general.

"Do you have an address?" Jack asked jumping to his feet

"Two officers went to his residence this morning and found he had not been there for several days" Mac replied sadly

Annie stood "I can't just sit here; I'm going to get food for people ok" As she left she paused, kissed Jack softly and then murmured so no one else would hear "we'll get them back, stop blaming yourself" he looked disbelieving at her before she smiled gently, kissed his temple and left.