Hawke was watching from the window when, two hours later, Archangel arrived.

"Subtle, Michael, subtle," he muttered under his breath as a spotless white limo pulled up outside the house.

He moved to open the front door and was surprised to see Beth standing next to Michael. They were both carrying large black cases.

"Where's Marella?" he demanded, looking over their shoulders to see if she was following. The limo pulled away from the kerb and disappeared around the corner.

"Let us in Hawke, these cases are heavy," he said, ignoring Hawke's question.

They followed him into the kitchen and placed the cases on the table. While Michael and Dominic opened them and proceeded to fix the tracking device and tape recorder to the phone, Hawke took the opportunity to talk to Beth.

"Where's Marella and why are you here?" he asked her.

"Marella has gone to sort out a ransom just in case we need it. It'll take a fair bit of negotiation with the committee, especially as we don't even know if Cody has been kidnapped, or the amount of money needed."

"From what Josh says it looks like it is a kidnapping. But why are you here?" he repeated his earlier question.

"It's my job."

"That's what Gabrielle said the night before she died."

"Live with it Hawke," Archangel had been listening, "Elizabeth asked to be in on this and if Cody has been hurt she will be of more use to him than we will."

"What about his parents? Have you contacted them yet?" Hawke knew he was outnumbered so decided to leave it for now, but vowed to speak to Beth later.

"Not yet. They're on a walking holiday and we don't know where they are staying tonight. I have contacted a number of hotels that they frequent, with instructions for Johnson to call in as soon as he arrives," he turned to Beth, "Elizabeth, see what information Josh can give you. I want a list of all the places his parents could be. I also need everything he can tell you about Cody; where he goes when not in school, his friends' names and addresses; You know the sort of thing to ask."

"Yes, sir," she left in search of Josh.

A couple of hours later, with everything sorted, Archangel called them all into the spacious sitting room. There was a large open fire place at one end of the room and although the fire wasn't lit, it was the focal point of the room. They settled into comfortable chairs that were arranged in a semi-circle facing the fire and Josh offered them all a drink, the perfect host despite the situation.

"What happens next?" Josh asked.

"Now we wait," replied Archangel, "I suggest we try to get some sleep."

"We've got three guest rooms," Josh looked around and realised there were four guests, "one of you could have Cody's room. It's a bit untidy but clean."

"That's OK," Hawke answered, "I'll stay by the phone."

"OK. Goodnight then. Help yourself to anything you need."

Josh went to his room and Dominic followed, the only one to take him up on the offer of a bed. Archangel settled into a comfortable chair, his feet resting on a stool.

"Let's get some fresh air," Beth suggested to Hawke, pulling him up from his chair and leading him out of the room.

"Don't go too far," Archangel called after them.

"We'll be in the garden. I'll leave the door open so we can hear the phone," Beth called back.

Passing through the kitchen she took off her jacket and hung it on the back of a chair.

"Hey, you've had the plaster off," Hawke exclaimed as they entered the perfectly tended garden.

"Yeah," she admitted, oddly subdued.

"I thought you were looking forward to it."

She flexed her wrist, showing him the restricted movement. "The doctor says it will improve some, but I may never get the full range of movements back."

Hawke hugged her, "Sorry. Does it still hurt?"

"A little, but not enough to need painkillers, unless I knock it or use it too much. I'm worried about my job though. Archangel needs someone who can drive, shoot and take care of themselves. I can't do any of that at the moment."

"If Michael can manage with one eye and a limp, I'm sure you'll be fine," he grinned at her and took her hand in his.

She laughed, "God, I've missed your sense of humour String."

He laughed too, "I guess this not seeing each other isn't working too well."

"No," she wrapped her arm around his waist and he responded by putting his around her shoulders, "and now we have to spend the night together," she said impishly.

He stopped walking and turned to face her, "Such hardship," he murmured as his lips found hers.

The kiss only lasted a few seconds before Hawke pulled away, loosening his hold on her.

"What's wrong?" Beth asked him, puzzled.

"We're being watched."

"Where...?" Hawke placed a finger over her lips.

He looked casually around, then his face transformed into a wide grin. "It's OK. It's only Josh. Look," he pointed to a window on the second floor and Beth saw the curtain move slightly.

She rested her head on his chest and clung to him. He could feel her heart beating rapidly.

"Hey, it's OK. You're awful jumpy tonight. Did you really ask to come here?"

"Yes," her voice was shaking.

"Why?" he sounded like he couldn't believe she would do something so stupid.

"I wanted to face my fears about being kidnapped. It seemed like good opportunity, with you all around to support me."

"And Michael agreed? He should know better," Hawke sounded annoyed.

"Marella talked him around. String, is Josh still watching?"

"No. He moved from the window as soon as you looked."

"Then why are we still talking?"


The next morning they were all up early and congregated in the kitchen for breakfast. They were on their second coffee when the phone rang. Archangel motioned for silence before answering. He put the phone on speaker.

"Hello?"

"Who are you?"

"A friend of the family. To whom am I speaking?"

"That doesn't matter, just listen carefully. We have the boy and if you want to see him alive again you'd better do as I say," the male voice on the other end of the phone sounded nervous.

"I'm listening."

"We want half a million dollars. Bring it to the phone box outside the boy's school at 5pm. You'll receive further instructions there."

Archangel tried to delay him. "It will take longer than that to arrange..."

"5pm or the boy dies." The phone went dead and Michael hung up, cursing under his breath. The call had been too short to trace.

"That man has watched too much television. 10 hours to arrange a ransom of half a million, he must be mad."

"Oh I don't know Michael. He didn't sat 'come alone and don't call the cops'." Dominic put on a voice that was supposed to represent a bad guy.

Hawke gave a humourless laugh and added, "Or 'half a million in used notes'."

Beth looked at Josh who didn't seem to understand the men's 'humour'. "Don't worry Josh. Marella will have sorted everything out."

"Yes, of course she will. Elizabeth, see if you can contact Marella. Hopefully she will be in the limo on the way here."

Beth called the limo and learned that Marella was only 10 minutes away. They decided to wait until she arrived before making any further plans.

Ten minutes later, almost to the second, the limo pulled up outside and Marella got out.

She was on her own and keen to brief them.

"The committee were surprisingly cooperative; apparently a few of them know Johnson. It will just take a phone call from me or Archangel and the money will be ready within the hour."

"Who will make the drop?" Dominic asked.

It was Archangel who answered, "Let's see. You and Hawke will be in Airwolf tracking the money and hopefully leading us to the boy. I'm too conspicuous and Elizabeth can't drive. That leaves Marella."

"And me," Josh stood up and looked Archangel in the eye, "he's my brother and dad'll never forgive me if anything happens to him."

Archangel and Marella shared a glance and both gave a slight nod.

"Alright Josh, you'll go with Marella. But you do exactly as she says. No heroics. Understood?"

"Understood, sir."