Chris and Noelle had been walking around, searching for what seemed like hours. But actually it had just been minutes. There was nothing to be found. Until Chris remembered something. One evening, he had looked outside of their kitchen window, and he had seen a van on the other side of the street. He thought it was the van of one of their neighbours. It had stood out there for days, not moving an inch, but now it was gone.

With every minute he stared at the empty space, where the van had stood, he felt more stupid. He murmered: „I can't believe I didn't notice, that something was wrong. I am a horrible cop."

He felt so desperate, not being able to help his best friend, God knew where he was at the moment, how he was, and if he even was still alive.

Noelle looked at the rookie sympathetically, then she followed his gaze. When her eyes lit up, she said: „Diaz, get me an evidence bag!"

Like in trance he reached into his pocket and handed her one. She knelt on the concrete, just in front of the sidewalk.

„Did you find something?" Chris sounded so hopeful.

Noelle pointed at a pile of cigarette butts. „I think, we might have a heavy smoker among our creeps." A little smirk appeared on her face.

She but on gloves and then, one by one picked up the cigarette butts and put them into the evidence bag. A spark of hope on her face, she rose to her feet. "Let's get these assholes!"


Andy stood outside oft he division. She needed fresh air. She breathed deep, the cold air filling her lungs, refreshing her brain. Her hands on her waist she looked around, absently. Cars drove by, but she didn't really give them her attention. Deep in thought about Dov, until a voice pulled her out.

"Hey lady, this is for you." In front of Andy stood a kid, about thirteen years old, and he held a package out for her.

She looked behind her, thinking that he meant somebody else. When there was no one behind her she looked at the kid again and asked: „Do you mean me?"

The kid nodded, and held the package closer to her. From the boy, she looked at the little brown package. On it was written in fat, black marker: Officer Epstein.

Andy's eyes widened. Her heart pumped faster, all the calmness from before gone. „Who gave you that?"

The boy looked at her, raised his eyebrows and said: „A guy, he gave me ten bucks and told me to bring it to you."

"Who? Show me, who?" She had to restrain herself not to shout. The boy turned around, a confused look on his face. "He's gone." He shrugged, gave her the package and was about to walk away, when she put her hand on his shoulder.

"Would you come inside with me please?" Now the boy looked scared.

"It's okay, it's just, you might have seen a very dangerous man, and we need you to tell us everything you can remember about him. You could really help us." The boy must have seen how frantic she looked, because he gave her a short nod.

Once more, Andy turned around, almost hoping to see a masked man.


They all stood around the screen. They all were afraid of what was going to come.

First, there was only black. Then it flimmered, and then they could see a figure. Tall, dark clothes and wearing a mask.

Anticipation showed on all their faces, waiting to see their friend, hopefully unharmed. A shiver went through their rows, when the masked man spoke.

"Hello fifteen division. How are you today? I assume, not too well, since one of your own has gone missing a short while ago. But I can assure you, he is in very good hands with me." They heard an icy chuckle, and saw the man smile.

Jerry clenched his fist. Bests face didn't show any emotion. Andy couldn't wait to see Dov. Chris, who had just returned before they started watching the tape, had his fingers intwined with the ones of Gail, whose other hand lay over her mouth.

The man on the screen now stepped to the side. All eyes were now on a young man sitting in a chair, his wrists and ankles secured tightly to the arms and legs of it. His chest held back with a leather strap. A gag in his mouth. A horrified look in his blue eyes. Dov looked right into the camera, it seemed like he was staring at them, seeing him so helpless.

His fists were clenched tight. The masked man now stepped in again. "You see, he is unharmed. Almost at least. I demand five million dollars, until tomorrow. If I don't get what I want..." He stepped beside Dov, who looked up at his captor in dread.

The man swung his fist and let it collide with Dovs ribs. They heard a grunt through the gag.

The next blow met Dovs jaw, his head flying to the side, blood spattering. More blows hit Dov, in his face, stomach and chest.

Gail averted her eyes sobbing, pressing Chris' hand. Chris was so angry. He wanted the man on the screen to be in that chair. He wanted to feel his knuckles crush against the mans teeth and see his lips split open and bleed.

Bests jaw looked tense, his fist clenched, as were Jerrys. Sam held Andy, trying to give her some comfort. She couldn't look away, her eyes wide open, staring at how Dovs skin broke and bruised. Sam didn't stay calm either. He was furious.

Dov panted, grunted and moaned in his gag. He would have buckled over, hadn't the strap held him back.

Dovs eyes were closed, from the cloth in his mouth dripped blood. They heard ragged breaths from him. Everybody in that room wanted to kill the man, that had done this to one of their own.

Noelle was ready to scream at the screen, but she knew, he wouldn't hear her, so she pulled herself together.

The man stepped once again close in front oft he camera. „This was just a taster, if I don't get what I want. We will contact you again. Tomorrow, at 4 pm, I'll call you. Then you better be ready with the money, or you can say goodbye to our mutual friend here." With his last words, he walked back to the chair, took a fistful of Dovs hair and lifted his head, so they all could see his bloody nose and split lip.

„Until then." His cold voice was filled with joy, as much as an icy voice can be.

Dov received one last juicy punch to his stomach, then the camera turned off, the tape was over.

Most of them breathed out in relief, that it was over, but nonetheless having a heavier heart than before.

They took a moment to collect themselves, nobody wanting to be the first one to speak.

Best still was looking at the screen, that now was pitchblack, his hands on his hips. Finally he forced himself to say something. „I know this is hard for all of us. But what we just saw will have to make us work even harder." His eyebrows touched each other, his face a stern look on it.

Andy listened like in a dream. She couldn't believe what had just happened. She had seen brutality, dead people, decay. All horrible things, but never had she seen something, that hurt her mentally so much, that she almost had to puke.

Chris didn't seem to be able to hold it back. He ran out oft he room, towards the rest room. Gail was crying.

Andy looked around her, seeing her colleagues. The tape had absorbed all her attention, she didn't even notice, that Sam was sitting beside her, gently pressing her hand.

Noelle stepped up. „Just before we saw that tape, Diaz and I brought something to the crime lab. We found a load of cigarette butts. We found them there, where the van stood, from which they…" Her speech faltered. „…watched Epstein. Lets hope, they can find some DNA on them."

Her face looked similar to Bests, she didn't want the others to see, how disturbing this whole thing was for her. She took a step back again.

Best rubbed his eyes with his knuckles. „Alright. Lets continue the work from before. I'll talk to the authorities about the ransom."

A silent nod came from some of them. After the others had left the room, Jerry walked up to Frank. „You know, they will never allow us to give them what they want."

A sad look came from Frank. „Yes, I do."


Cliffhanger. ^^ I hope, there are still some people, that read the story, it would be sad, if I only wrote it for one person... Let me know, if it's worth, to continue. Thank you! Review...