A/N: So here's chapter two, chapter three is almost done and will be coming up very soon.
Disclaimer- I still do not own Psych.
Out of Sight, Out of Psych?
Chapter Two: Unknown Demands
Shawn was floored. He felt his stomach drop like it had been cut loose from his body. He stumbled back a bit, reached behind himself, and managed to grab a chair. He eased himself into a sitting position and looked blankly ahead at the wall.
"He was...kidnapped?"
The chief nodded, her face grim. "A letter was sent to the station, addressed to Detective Lassiter, containing a very serious message. It stated that the author of the note had taken Henry Spencer and would hold him captive until the kidnapper got...well, we're not sure yet."
Shawn looked up at her, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
The chief pulled a plastic evidence bag out of her jacket and handed it to Shawn. "See for yourself, Mr. Spencer."
Shawn reached out and took the bag, which contained a type-written letter. He held it in his fingers, his hands trembling a little, as he peered through the shiny plastic to read the typewritten words of the kidnapper:
READ THIS CAREFULLY!
Everything I say is true, and if you fail to take me seriously, there will be consequences!
I have kidnapped Henry Spencer. If you do not believe me, go search his home. You will not find him.
I warn you that he is in grave danger.
If the Santa Barbara Police Department does not wish to lose one of its former officers, you will use every possible resource to find him.
I will only let him live if I get exactly what I want.
Shawn read over it several times, confused. "I don't get it. The guy never says what he wants. How the hell can we give him exactly what he wants when he doesn't even say what that is?"
"We've been trying to figure out the same thing, Mr. Spencer. But it appears the kidnapper has left behind nothing except for this letter."
Gus, who had been leaning over Shawn's shoulder to read the note, suddenly spoke up. "Was there anything else on the letter? Any fingerprints, maybe some DNA?"
Shawn glanced back in disbelief. "Yes Gus, the kidnapper took some time to drool on his demands right before he sent them."
"Maybe not drool on it, but he might have licked the envelope to seal it shut," Gus shot back.
Vick nodded. "We looked into that, but the envelope was self-sealed. No trace of DNA. No fingerprints. As you can see, the note was typed, as was the writing on the envelope, so there is no handwriting to analyze. However, there was something unusual. The kidnapper did something that I have never seen in all my years of law enforcement on an envelope with a ransom note inside: leave a return address."
Shawn's eyes snapped to attention. "Really?"
The chief paused, looking nervous. "I'm afraid it's not much of a lead Mr. Spencer. The return address was your father's house. The postmark from two days ago confirms it."
Shawn went silent. He pulled himself up out of the chair and started to pace. "So is it...a message? This guy just waltzed into my Dad's house and kidnapped him?" Even as Shawn said it, he could not help but think that it made no sense. His father was a cop! How could anybody, even the baddest criminals around, snatch Henry Spencer right out of his own home?
Lassiter stepped forward, speaking for the first time since they had all gathered inside. "We've combed the house already, but we couldn't find anything. We're now canvassing the neighborhood, along with any other places that he might have been recently, including this building. So far, we can't find anyone who has sighted him in the past two days."
Shawn nodded. "And the letter was postmarked two days ago," he muttered as he chewed his lip. A million thoughts and ideas were running through his mind. Who would want to do this?
Suddenly, he clapped his hands and looked up. "Alright, let's go then!"
Vick gave him an odd look. "Let's go where?"
"To my Dad's house! I need to get in, look for...psychically read the place, and we'll nab the guy. Let's go!"
Vick and Lassiter exchanged a look of concern. Lassiter started to speak, but the chief cut him off by raising a hand, and then used her own words. "Mr. Spencer, we feel it is best that you don't get involved in this case."
Shawn's mouth dropped. He tried to say something, but he felt a lump in his throat gagging him. Gus, however, jumped right in.
"How can you not let him help!? This is his father!"
Turning to Gus with a frown, Vick sighed and said "I understand that. Having worked with Henry for several years, believe me when I say that I want nothing more than a safe and quick resolution to this matter. However, we feel Mr. Spencer may be too close to this case to...conduct himself effectively."
"Chief, come on! I'm a psychic! My...powers...work in any situation!"
"I know you disagree Mr. Spencer, but my decision has already been made. We're finishing up the search of your office for possible evidence, and we should be out of your hair in just a few minutes. I'll make sure that Lassiter and O'Hara keep you updated if we make a major break, and we will contact you if there's any information we need."
Shawn stood, rigid, glaring at the chief. The finality in her tone had been absolute. He knew he would never convince her otherwise. Instead, he grabbed Gus by the arm and dragged him out of the office.
"Hey!...Shawn!...What are you doing?" Gus stammered as he struggled to break away from Shawn's vicious grip.
Shawn let him go and turned back to face the door. They were standing once again on the sidewalk outside the building, watching as policemen started to file out and back towards their squad cars. "Gus, I'm not getting shut out of this investigation. We're getting that case file, we're getting into that house, and we're catching this creep!"
"Shawn, I hate to say it, but I don't think you have a choice! The chief was pretty clear."
"You're right Gus, the chief was very clear. But I know another little birdie that I can get to sing very pretty music." Shawn pointed at the door. "Wait for it." A few seconds later, Lassiter came strolling out.
"Are you nuts? There's no way he'll help us!"
Shawn winced. "Okay, you're right, there's absolutely no chance he'll help us. I kind of thought someone else would walk out." He pointed at the door again. "Keep waiting for it." Moments later, Buzz McNabb came out.
"McNabb? I guess he might..."
Shawn cursed under his breath. "Don't these cops have any sense of dramatic timing?" He pointed in frustration. "Okay, here we go, third time's the charm." Another officer exited the building.
"We don't even know that guy's name!"
"Damn it!" Shawn said, a little louder than he wanted to. A few officers turned around. "It's Juliet, okay?" he quietly hissed to Gus. "I'm going to get Juliet to help us."
As soon as he said this, Juliet O'Hara strode out the door and headed for one of the squad cars.
"See? Now, would it have killed her to walk out just a couple minutes ago?"
To be continued...