Part IV

When Murdock came back to, he was still inside the bag, but they'd either flown to the North Pole or were somewhere with very good air conditioning. He felt the bag he was in get a nudge, then heard a new voice.

"What the hell's in this thing?"

"We've got Baracus in there, Boss. Didn't figure you'd want us parading him around in plain sight."

"No way. You couldn't fit all of Baracus in something this size even if you dismembered him. Open it up."

The inrush of cool fresh air was wonderful. Not so wonderful was being dumped out of the bag onto the floor.

"You idiots! That's not B.A. Baracus! B.A. Baracus is a black guy built like a wrestler. Practically wears an entire jewelry shop!"

"uhm... you never mentioned what he looked like, Boss. And this guy said he was Baracus."

One of the other of the crew chimed in.

"And when we put the call through to his mother, she recognized his voice. Even seemed real upset."

That stopped the Boss who then leaned over to take a better look at Murdock.

"Did she now? This might still work out then. Ungag him. Jones? Make the call."

Back at the apartment, Hannibal had insisted on Face installing a speaker phone before they all settled down to eat. If another call came through, he wanted to hear what was being said and done.

When they all sat down at the table, they pretended to eat, but nobody really had an appetite. Mrs. Baracus didn't have one herself, so she didn't fuss or encourage them to eat more. She was about to give up the pretense and clear the table when the phone rang.

Face quickly went over and made sure that all of them could hear, but that only Mrs. Baracus's voice would be heard on the other end. Once it was double checked, he flashed her an encouraging smile as she answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hello again, Mrs. Baracus. Seems like we made a little mistake and picked up someone other than your son. So I'm sure you won't mind us using him as an example of what we do to people who try and trick us."

The distinctive lock and load sound was easily recognizable. Mrs. Baracus panicked and shouted into the phone.

"Don't you hurt my baby!"

All of them jumped when they heard the gunshot over the speaker and a pained cry that they all knew was from Murdock.

"Now, Mrs. Baracus. That shot just hit a foot. Your call whether or not the next one goes somewhere more vital."

Murdock's voice suddenly rose from the background.

"No! Don't listen them. Don't.."

"Shut him up!"

Mrs. Baracus couldn't stand it anymore.

"You listen here! I'll... I'll do what you ask, but if you hurt that child anymore, there's not a force in Heaven or Hell that will stop me from testifying!"

The man smirked as he looked over to where his hostage was lying. The gag had been tied back in place and the man was actually weeping. He assumed it was from the pain, but really it was from the anger and frustration at the situation. Murdock wanted to hit the smirking Boss so badly, it was an ache worse than his foot.

"I'm sure your boy here is grateful you've decided to see reason. This is how it's going to work. Monday, you'll go in as scheduled and then? You're going to get amnesia. You can't remember a thing clearly anymore. You do that and that night? He'll be back with you."

"I expect to hear his voice on Monday before I go to court. I can't talk to him, that amnesia is going to heal up mighty fast."

"We'll hold up our end - you just make sure you hold up yours."

The Boss hung up the line and looked back to his men.

"Monday night, we'll be taking the woman as well. Since they're so close, shouldn't bother them to share the same grave. Just like I promised. He'll be with her."