Date: 2022
Location: 508 Restaurant and Bar, New York City
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Scott glared irritably at his watch for the hundredth time, 'It's twenty after seven, where the heck are you guys? It's only 12 minutes from the mall to here.'
Looking up expectantly, as someone came through the door, he was again disappointed. The knot of worry in his stomach intensified and he picked up his cell phone, dialing John's number again. He growled softly, as he got the answering service once again. Throwing down a few bills, to cover the coke and breadsticks, he left while trying Virgil's number. Resisting the urge to throw his phone to the sidewalk, when he heard Virgil's message, he hailed a cab, as his brothers had taken their car.
Getting in, he snapped out his destination, "Manhattan Mall and step on it!"
The cabbie, obviously used to sharp tones, smiled and, turning on his meter, pulled back out into traffic.
Scott glared silently out the window for the remainder of the ride, except when he was calling his brother's phones and muttering darkly when he failed to reach them.
Scott nearly lost it, when he spotted their car near the entrance, with no sign of either brother.
Throwing a large bill at the cabbie, he jumped out, as they pulled up to the mall, not waiting for his change. Rushing in the door, he made his way quickly to the information counter. Explaining his problem to the young girl there, he was then directed to the security office. Pulling out his wallet he showed it to the guards and asked to speak to their supervisor.
Scott ground his teeth, a few moments later, as the head of security, unworriedly, told Scott that his brothers were probably gallivanting about the city with no regards to his worry.
Scott stared at the man evenly, as he pulled his cell phone from his pocket, "Perhaps my father and our attorneys can persuade you to look at the security tapes. And while we're at it I'm sure my father will want to speak to your manager. So maybe you should call him."
The man, flustered, jumped up, as Scott began dialing their island number, "There's no need to bother your father, Mr. Tracy, I'm sure he's very busy. It's no trouble at all to glance at the tapes, follow me."
Scott hid his smile, as he followed the man down several corridors and doors, before coming to another room. This one had a bank of monitors on one wall, with a man sitting in front of them. Problem was, the gentleman appeared to be asleep and the smell wafting from him was unmistakably whiskey.
The chief of security cursed loudly, before shoving the sleeping man from his chair, "Rodney! What in the devil do you think you're doing? You're supposed to be monitoring the security cameras, not sleeping off your liquor. What time did you sign on?"
Rodney stared stupidly up at his superior, a glazed expression on his face.
Disgusted, the man turned back to the door and called down the hall, "Travis get in here now!"
A thunder of footsteps heralded the arrival of Travis. A young man, who barely came to Scott's shoulder, barreled into the room eyes wide, "Yes sir."
His superior pointed to the man lying on the floor, "Take this piece of garbage to the holding room and get in touch with management. Tell Mr. Roxon that two young men are missing and that this poor excuse for humanity was drunk on his watch. Tell him we are reviewing the footage now and may need the police called in. Now move it!"
The young man nervously complied and dragged the drunken man quickly from the room, sparing the angry Scott a worried glance, before disappearing.
The man, whose name tag said Masters, sat down in front of the monitors and began flipping various switches, "Around what time were your brothers here, Mr. Tracy?"
The man sounded embarrassed and worried enough, that Scott replied calmly, although he was still furious over the situation, "Around 4:30, about three hours ago. They were headed for Steve and Barry's to pick up an order and possibly KB Toys for a birthday present."
Master's, picked up the phone, as he continued to work the controls for the cameras, "Hey Ralph, is Tom there today? Yeah thanks. Hey Tom, did someone pick up an order for a Mr. Tracy today? They did, what time? Okay thanks." Glancing at Scott, he spoke, "Well it appears your brothers picked up their order at about 4:20 pm. So let's start there. Tell me if you see them."
Scott focused on the screen directly in front of Master's. His heart jumped, when he spied John's tall frame and white blond hair, followed by Virgil's slightly shorter frame and chestnut hair, as they left the store, "There they are!" He pointed to the pair, smiling slightly, as he watched them laugh at something.
Master's muttered something and began flipping more switches. The images changed, following the Tracy brothers, as they moved down to the first level and headed towards KB Toys. Scott laughed, despite the circumstances, as he witnessed Virgil's mishap with the sales clerk in front of one of the women's stores. Even Master's chuckled watching John laugh, as Virgil waved his arms in the air in obvious agitation. The laughter faded, however, as they witnessed the confrontation in front of the service hall door.
Scott muttered under his breath, his heart racing, as he watched the man grab John's arm. He cried out a moment later, as Virgil was seized and dragged through the service door, by another man, "Virgil, No!"
Master's snatched up the phone and dialed 911, "Yes, this is Master's, head of security at Manhattan Mall. I need someone to get over here now. We have a kidnapping. Two customers, son's of Mr. Jefferson Tracy, their names are John and Virgil Tracy. So far we have two unknown assailants. We are still processing the footage. Yes, thank you, we'll be waiting in the security office."
Master's turned to Scott, intent on having the young man call his father, "Mr. Tracy could you…Whoa there young man here have a seat! Put your head down and breathe. That's right, take it easy. Are you alright now?"
Scott swayed on his feet, as he watched the kidnapping of his two younger brothers, and heard Master's talking to the police. Not realizing things were about to get uglier, his only thought was, 'No! I can't believe this, please, this can't be real! What am I going to tell Dad? This is going to kill him.'
He was barely aware of Master's sitting him down and pushing his head down to his knees. Gasping, he closed his eyes, trying to calm himself. He had to be more in control when he called his father. Finally, he sat up, somewhat more himself, "I'll be fine now….. thanks. Um…… is there somewhere private I can call my Dad?....... A vid phone maybe?"
Master's smiled sympathetically, "Sure, Mr. Tracy. You can use the office across the hall. I'll finish up with the footage. You can view it with your father later. Go on in and make yourself at home. Call out if you need anything."
Scott nodded and stood shakily to his feet, "Thanks Mr. Master's, and please it's, Scott. My dad is Mr. Tracy."
Master's nodded, with a smile, and gently pushed him towards the office door, "Sure thing Scott. Now go call your father."
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Scott dropped into the desk chair, shock and grief making him numb. Taking a deep breath, he reached a shaky hand out to dial his home. He prayed that Gordon would not be manning the desk and was rewarded, when his father picked up on the fifth ring.
His Dad's hair was disheveled and he still had his pajamas on, "You do realize what time…Scott, son, what's the matter? Where are John and Virgil? What's happened?"
Scott couldn't stop the tears that filled his eyes and spilled down his cheeks, "I'm so sorry Dad. Someone took them, they're gone. I'm so sorry. I failed, Dad. I'm so very sorry."