A/N Thanks to Smithy and Nans for reading and reviews on Chapter Two since can't thank you by private message. As well thank you to the others who are reading and reviewing. Your time and words mean more than you could know.
Chapter Three
Mike got Bill Tanner and Lee Lessing to see to the task of alerting Rudy Olsen, Captain of Inspectors, who in turn should alert the D.A. and the mayor. Once the lab was finished going over everything in Petey's nursery, Steve thanked the Hendersons and he and Mike took Jeannie to their own house.
Jeannie could not stop repeating to Steve that she was sorry she had lost their son. He and Mike both were worried about her and noticed she was shivering very hard. Steve got her to get into the shower to try to warm her up as she had remained in her nightgown all this time. Steve, being afraid Jeannie might collapse at any time, kept an eye on her until she was through in the shower. Once she had dressed, he sat her on the bed and talked with her of some things he had been thinking about since being informed of the note that was found.
"Jeannie, listen we have to be strong for Petey. I have made a decision that I am going to tell you. I will tell Mike and the others too. I know you won't like it but I don't feel I have any other choice. Besides Mike, you and Petey are the most important people in the world to me and are my first priority. I am going to try to get the kidnappers to let me take Petey's place when they call. I think they might agree to that since I was involved in the Tannenger case."
"Steve, I'll lose you if you do that! You can't, there has to be another way."
"Jeannie these aren't nice people we are dealing with. They want Nick and Marie out. They are going to have to keep me alive to accomplish that. I'll be back with you and our baby. I know you don't want promises I can't keep but please trust me."
Jeannie looked at him very anxiously as she feared for his life if he did this. She could see by his eyes his mind was made up. Although still in a state of mild shock she knew there would be no changing his mind. She knew there was no other real option to get Petey back sooner so very reluctantly agreed to Steve's decision with a slight nod. They headed downstairs together and informed Mike of Steve's decision. As expected, Mike was not pleased at all.
"Buddy boy, you can't do that! We will get Petey back but there is no guarantee that we could get you back if you do this. You know what they think of the ones that are in the position to keep the Tannengers in prison, as well as the ones that were involved in the case in the first place."
"I know, Mike but my main concern is Jeannie and Petey and knowing that they would have you made this an easy decision. Our boy did nothing wrong he doesn't deserve to be in the hands of those people."
"You did nothing wrong either, Steve! The Tannengers and their group are the ones who did wrong."
Mike knew there was no arguing with Steve he could tell his mind was made up. "Alright, buddy boy, I will talk to Rudy and pass along this request to him and let him see what the decision will be. He can get back to us before they call."
"Mike, it was not a request. Even if Captain Olsen does not agree with this I will arrange the exchange with them myself. I just thought I should at least tell you beforehand."
Mike contacted Olsen and talked to him of Steve's proposal. Captain Olsen could tell Mike's feelings about Steve's idea from the tone of his voice. He knew Mike was not going to like it but he honestly thought it was possibly the best way to get Steve and Jeannie's baby back. He gave Mike authorization for the men Mike might need from SFPD, as well as approval for Steve to follow through on his idea. The time moved slowly; it was especially too slow for Steve and Jeannie. Finally when it seemed the phone would never ring. Exactly at four p.m. the phone rang.
Steve took the call after being signalled to answer it by the man that was there ready to do a trace if possible.
"Hello, Steven Keller speaking."
"Just the person we were wanting to speak to. We have your baby son, until now no harm has been done to him. That fact could change if you and your friends don't fulfil our demands."
"Look, I have a proposal for you, just please do not hurt our boy. I will change places with our son. You can say where and when the exchange would take place. With me as your hostage you would probably have a better chance to have your demands met. For a little baby, the mayor probably won't give a damn. Besides you can do with me whatever you want, nothing matters anymore. Only my wife and our son must be safe."
The voice on the other side was silent and Steve heard muffled voices as though the mouthpiece of the phone had been covered slightly. After a minute Steve heard the voice speak again.
"We will call back in two hours and let you know where and when the exchange should take place. I warn you this better not be a trick on your part or not only will your son suffer we will do our best to take you out as well."
"There'll be no tricks. We'll wait for your call."
After they had hung up, Steve could not stop pacing. The trace had results but it was only a phone booth. By the time anyone was able to arrive at the location whoever had made the call was gone. With all the people milling around it could have been any one of those or someone who was not around at all by now. Steve and Jeannie were even more frantic with that news as now they worried that whoever had made the call had seen the arrival of the police checking out the phone booth. They worried that would not bear well for the safety of their son.
At last six p.m. the phone rang again. Steve answered and did his best to hide his nervousness and fear. He heard the same voice from earlier speak quickly.
"You will meet us no later than eleven p.m. at Fulton Playground in Golden Gate Park. You know where that is?"
"Yes, we know where that is. I will have my wife and a family friend with me to take my car. As soon as Petey is safe with them, I'll leave with you."
"Don't be late even a second or your little boy will pay the consequences."
Jeannie watched nervously and felt very worried after the call was ended. The preparations were being put in place for Steve to put himself in the hands of the captors. A transmitter was carefully concealed in his left boot. He would be followed by Mike and others from a safe distance. A S.W.A.T. team was on standby so they could be alerted the second Mike knew where they would take Steve. Steve had tried to give Jeannie a reassuring smile but she always knew from his eyes what he truly felt or was thinking as well as if he was being truthful. This time his eyes showed her he was anxious about all of this and it worried her even more than ever. Mike took Jeannie aside to talk quietly to her until Steve was ready.
"Sweetheart, don't be stubborn tonight. Please follow Steve's commands. I know you want to fight for your husband and son but those people are far too dangerous to conquer on your own. Let us handle that, we will get Steve back as soon as possible."
"You can't guarantee me that you will get him back alive, Mike. I am not a child any longer and I am not ready to be a widow."
"I know you aren't ready for that and I pray it does not come to that. It won't if I have one thing to say about it that I can promise. Please Jeannie just do as Steve says when you are out there."
Mike could see the sadness and fear in Jeannie's eyes and hugged her tight. He felt so bad for her as he did for Steve. He knew both were fearful for their son's life; he wished no parent ever had to go through what his two kids were. When Steve was finished being prepared for the exchange he stepped over to Jeannie and Mike. Mike knew they needed a bit of time alone and stepped away giving them privacy. Jeannie and Steve held each other close for a few minutes before Steve spoke.
"Listen babe, tonight I want you to stay right by the car. I will get Petey from them and bring him to you. Don't hesitate one second about getting into the car when you have him. You and Irene will take him to be checked out at General. They have already been alerted and will be waiting. Don't worry about me; Mike and all the others will see that I am back with you soon as I can. I will survive this; just concentrate on our little boy and yourself. Do that for me please."
Jeannie could not respond right away and clung tighter to her husband. She finally was able to get her emotions under control and got some words out.
"I need you home, Steve. I love you. Petey and I both need you. Please stay safe."
"I love you, Jeannie."
Time passed slowly for everyone. The ones assembled there knew others were already in place near the meeting point. When the time finally came for them to start to head out, Mike cuffed Steve's neck with great affection. He hoped it was not the last time he would be doing that to his son-in-law. Steve tried to give Mike a smile but Mike was not fooled. At nine thirty they left and headed toward the meeting place. Jeannie and Steve kept hold of each other on the way there as Irene was driving them so that Steve could give Jeannie his undivided attention for the time they had left.
They arrived a few minutes early. Steve and Jeannie were silent although thoughts were exploding in their heads. Irene glanced at the couple as the time got closer and knew this was going to be one of the hardest things Jeannie ever had to accept.
"I promise to keep her and Petey safe, Steve, until you can be home with them again."
"Thanks, Irene. I appreciate it."
They saw a dark vehicle approach and park a short way from them. They saw the other vehicle blink their lights. Steve tensed up he and Jeannie hugged each other extra close one more time before exiting the vehicle. Steve made Jeannie stay by car as he had instructed earlier and headed toward the other vehicle. He was met almost half way by a hooded figure who was holding his son and another hooded figure who held a gun. They spoke to Steve in a low tone to which he nodded. He was handed Petey who appeared to sleep peacefully. Steve walked slowly back to his own car doing his best to check Petey as he moved wanting to make sure he was unharmed. He knew the gun the captor had was trained on the center of his back as he walked. When he got to Jeannie he gave Petey a gentle hug and kiss before he placed him in Jeannie's arms.
