A/N: Thanks to all reviewers for your wonderful feedback and for letting me know how you liked the turn of events in chapter 9 – you are great ...

...as is AG – who keeps beta'ing and doing a lovely job – thank you so much :-))

Please enjoy the read !

.-.-.-.-.

.

Day 3 - part 3

A quick check of her email, fax and, to be on the safe side, mailbox confirmed that the kidnappers had not yet responded to the ultimatum.

Of course there could be several reasons for this, one of them being that she had absolutely no way of knowing that the kidnappers had gotten her message in the first place. Who said someone was constantly monitoring the listening devices? Or even continued to do so at all after successfully abducting the girls?

Oh, these little things are quite active, Lucy assured Andy over the earplug. We've been able to backtrack radio signals and are currently surveying a building. One person inside. She should make an offer.

Andy slipped Miranda a note, informing her of the news.

Only the slightest twitch of her lips gave away how uncomfortable Miranda was at the thought of being watched the very minute she was sitting with Andrea in her kitchen. "Be with me on this?" she asked Andy.

"Of course, darling. Whatever you need." Andy understood the implied message and stood from her seat, ready to move. "Where do you want us to go?"

Thinking quickly Miranda decided she wanted the kidnappers to see her and Andrea when she addressed them again. She wanted to show that she was not getting any weaker, but that, on the contrary, the arrival of her supportive 'lover' made her stronger. She wanted them to realize that it would be in their best interest to take her money and be done with this, the sooner the better. Therefore she needed a place offering a perfect view.

"What do you think of the study? We might be more comfortable there."

"Good idea." There was a camera hidden in the bookshelf to the left of Miranda's desk, offering a nice view.

As soon as they got there, Miranda did as she had done earlier. She sat at her desk, and this time Andy was standing by her side. Miranda felt oddly reassured and addressed her daughters' captors.

"Listen. You have ten minutes left. I believe I have been explicit. You had two hours to get proof to me that my girls are alive. You have chosen not to do so thus far. Let me state again: no money will come your way if my girls aren't alive. I am however willing to make you an additional offer, just to let you know I intend to honor my words. After receiving what I ask for I will transfer $500,000 as part of the ransom to wherever you wish. The rest will follow once I get the girls back safely. Give me the girls and I will give you money."

o-o-o

They had to wait all of the allocated ten minutes before a quiet beep from an incoming email made them jump.

Heart pounding and hands moist, Miranda nervously opened the mail.

Andy had remained on the couch on the opposite side of the room and now saw the older woman staring at the screen, white as a ghost.

"What is it?" she asked rising to her feet.

"They are going to kill Caroline... They proclaim I didn't follow their instructions. They believe that you're FBI or a member of the police." Shock colored Miranda's voice.

They didn't believe the story we told or your fight blew the cover. Try to convince them. We are sending the pictures you saw yesterday on the flight to Miranda's computer right now. Open the file called 'family' and step away from the screen. Offer them a good view. Rant, Andy, Lucy instructed.

"What?" for the kidnappers' sake Andy's tone held disbelief and anger. She swiftly moved to stand next to Miranda. "How dare you?" It was her turn to address them. "I am none of these. I'm just a reporter with the Mirror, coming home after a long assignment abroad, wanting to get back to my family and what do I find? Our girls have been taken."

She lifted her eyes and raised her fist in a show of outrage. "Listen, whoever you are, you assholes. Miranda and I have been together for almost a year now, ever since I left her employ. You doubt me? Well let me show you something to help you get things right about us..." she bent over Miranda and taking the mouse from the stunned editor's hands she clicked on a file named 'family'.

Thanking all gods available for Lucy's knack with computers, she opened a few pictures. "Here you go. Have a good look at what a happy family looks like." Andy stepped a little aside, so the screen was in better view of the camera.

Careful Andy, don't exaggerate.

Deflating Andy softened her voice and continued her speech, "Please, believe me, I'm not FBI or police or anything. All I want is for Miranda to pay the ransom and for you to release the girls. Just take her money and let's be done with this. Please listen to her offer and send us a sign."

Well done Andy, playing good cop, bad cop. Leave it at that.

Miranda had followed Andy's rant in silence. Again she was glad she mastered the art of controlling her features to perfection, since she had absolutely no idea where the picture she was staring at had come from.

It was a nice snap shot, showing her and Andrea standing intimately close together watching Caroline and Cassidy both riding horses. Both girls looked happy...

Tilting her head so she could connect their gazes, Andy added for the editor's benefit, "I'm sorry darling. Everything will be all right. We have to believe."

Miranda silently nodded, too stunned and frightened to trust her voice.

o-o-o

They were not sure how long they stayed like this, Miranda sitting in her chair, Andy staying next to her.

The beep of another incoming email cut the heavy silence and brought them back into the present.

Glancing at each other, Miranda's heart missed a few beats, before hammering wildly in her chest.

She slowly extended a now openly shaking hand to open the mail but stopped dead in her tracks.

Please, she implored, please don't let this be... she didn't want to finish the thought.

Andy placed a steadying hand on the other woman's shoulder.

"Open it, I'm sure it can't be worse than the last one." She didn't dare say anything else, but she squeezed Miranda's shoulder in encouragement.

There was a single file attached together with a short message and account details. The message read:

One now, the other after we've got the money.

It felt like a victory but Andy wasn't sure if she should feel relief or not. Miranda clearly did not. She had quickly opened the file in the hope to find a life sign of Caroline since she had been the one threatened. "Cassidy," she uttered in a chocked whisper.

The picture showed Cassidy holding today's issue of The New York Post. She was blindfolded, her hands were bound tightly and she looked positively scared. But she was alive and from what could be seen, unharmed.

Miranda drew in a ragged breath. Andy felt the almost unbearable tension emanating from the woman next to her. "Miranda," she murmured, "They say they will send a picture of Caroline too after they have the five hundred thousand." Andy wanted to continue to reassure Miranda but was interrupted by Lucy's voice.

Stop giving them information, Andy. You shouldn't have told them which one is which. They might not have been able to tell the twins apart. But never mind now, just watch your language. I'm glad we have the email and IP address. Identification won't be long. We are all set to track the transfer from account to account, so Miranda can go ahead as soon as she is ready.

Andy had to consciously stop herself from reacting to Lucy's instructions. She had almost nodded her understanding. Now she got a better idea why Lucy had wanted her to wear the earplug and not Miranda. And she wasn't even remotely as emotionally involved as the other woman. This was hard, very hard.

Stepping fully behind the still seated mother, Andy put both hands on her shoulders to give her support. "Why don't you proceed with the transfer now? The sooner we know the better."

Miranda nodded. She was lost in a daze and was glad Andrea was here with her, telling her what to do.

o-o-o

It would be a few hours at least before Miranda's transfer would be credited to the kidnappers account so Andy figured they would not hear from them with news about Caroline before that.

She wondered what Miranda wanted to do now. Would she go in to Runway and work like nothing had happened? What should she do in the meantime?

She could not accompany Miranda since Emily and Nigel as well as a lot of other people would recognize her and give her identity away. Tiffany would come to know her and Miranda's relationship was fake.

Andy froze.

Tiffany...Emily... Emily… Tiffany...

Oh my god! What an oversight!

Tiffany most likely knew that Andy was staying with Miranda and if she believed that they actually lived together as lovers, she might talk about it to Emily, probably wondering why she hadn't known about Miranda being in a relationship earlier. And, of course, Emily would give Miranda away in a heartbeat.

Oh yes, Andy could just picture her former colleague's customary reaction. "Have you smacked your head? Miranda doesn't do women," all while haughtily making a face.

Why she hadn't thought about that possibility earlier was beyond Andy. The stress must have gotten to her and affected her capacity of rational thinking. There was no other explanation.

Almost frantic, Andy tried to catch Miranda's attention. She needed to warn her, needed to inform Lucy as well. She tugged on Miranda's sleeve.

"I really need to rest a bit now, why don't you come upstairs with me? I don't want you to stay alone."

Miranda turned to face her 'lover.' She understood Andy wanted to talk in private again but she didn't like the idea of sharing her room once more. "Darling I would prefer if you could at least put this horrible luggage out of our way before we trip over it. Why don't you put it in the basement and unpack later after you rest?"

"Good idea. The basement it is," Andy chuckled. "I believe my bags don't smell any better than I did an hour ago."

Miranda sniffed. "One more reason to store them away. Let me give you a hand."

As soon as they reached the bottom of the stairs Andy told Miranda and Lucy about her thoughts.

Miranda was flabbergasted. Why hadn't Andrea told her that they suspected her second assistant? She clenched her teeth, now was not the time and place for another fight. "I knew I should have fired her a long time ago," she growled.

We knew that was a possibility but we still needed you to be with Miranda...

Andy covered her ear, Lucy and Miranda were both talking at the same time and she had trouble hearing what each said. "Stop talking, both of you. I can't hear any of you. Lucy, go first, Miranda we can talk later."

Miranda pinched her lips into two thin lines, she wasn't used to being silenced and put second. This being said, why, pray tell, couldn't she communicate directly with the woman she was paying? Andrea only needed to give her the earplug, simple as that. Miranda moved closer to the younger woman. She wanted at least to hear Lucy's response.

Andy you have to stay with Miranda. We are moving things up here. IP traces are running, they won't be long now. We have been able to identify Tiffany's boyfriend, he used his credit card in Colorado. Sally and Jen are on their way. Just keep this to yourself for the time being, we need Miranda to be in the same mood when she goes upstairs again, it won't do for her to have her hopes up.

Andy noticed Miranda staying incredibly close to her, paying attention to the murmur in her ear. She was positive though, that Miranda could not overhear anything, even with her legendary good hearing. "Ok, Lucy, I understand. But what about Tiffany asking questions at Runway? Any idea what we should do about that?"

Try to keep her away from her colleagues so she can't ask any questions.

Miranda grew impatient. Andrea had turned away from her, so she stepped in closer again. This was quickly becoming ridiculous. She stretched her hand out to grab the resisting girl and stop her from moving away again.

"Sure, I think that can be done." Andy answered.

"Give me that, Andrea," Miranda hissed and reached for the item at the same time. Andy was just able to catch Lucy's next words before Miranda effectively snatched the plug out of her ear.

Good. If we really start to move in on the kidnappers, it might be useful to trigger things on both ends, New York and Colorado. I'll be in touch Andy, be ready in about four hours.

"Ms. Farinelli," Miranda addressed the woman on the other end, "I do not appreciate being left in the dark by those on my payroll, which may I point out includes you. Since you have so admirably highlighted my private life by sending Andrea to me I believe direct contact can now be established. You will refer to me."

Yes, of course, Ms. Priestly. What is it you want to know? Lucy had no intention to change her modus operandi but she was professional enough to know when to appease her client. Still, Miranda's wishes came in second place in Lucy's world; the only important thing was the twins' survival.

"How long will it take before I know about Caroline? What do you plan on doing now that you have opened negotiations?" Andy cringed. That was so Miranda to do things herself and pretend later that others had done them. She shook her head.

I fully understand your need to have reassurances for your daughter's well being as soon as possible. We are currently monitoring the transfer and the good news is that your bank has already taken care of the order. Depending on the speed of the other bank, it will take probably a couple of hours before they do credit the kidnappers account, I'm afraid. As for my plans, once you have gotten proof Caroline is alive and well, we are negotiating release for one twin after the other, using much the same procedure as we do now. It worked once and the kidnappers will feel comfortable to proceed the same way. My experience tells me to stick to routine once you have it established.

Miranda nodded. That made sense. Could you give me Andy one more time, Ms. Priestly?

Taking the plug out of her ear, she handed it wordlessly to Andy.

"Lucy?" Andy asked.

Don't let her take the plug again, Andy. I need to stay in contact with you. We are moving down to Colorado and things might get into motion fast. I didn't tell her. If she takes the plug again, let me know, ok?

"Yes, no problem. Take care."

You too.

Facing Miranda again, Andy tapped on her watch. They had been down there much too long already, no one would believe they would stay in the basement that long for two suitcases. As for other reasons... well Andy couldn't picture anyone knowing Miranda to believe she might be capable of having a make out session in her basement of all places and under the given circumstances to top things off.

"Quick, we have to decide how we want to prevent Tiffany from asking questions at the office about your personal life and me in particular."

Much to Andy's astonishment Miranda didn't comment, but only extended her hand and motioned for Andy to move. "Give me your cell. You haven't really lost it I presume."

"No, but it's upstairs."

"Get it and meet me in my room." Miranda turned and left. It turned out she needed to share her sanctuary again, whether she liked it or not. She sighed. Just a few hours more, she told herself.

Andy stayed a couple more moments downstairs before she joined Miranda.

The cell changed hands undetected by cameras and the editor retreated to the bathroom again, seemingly to finish her morning routine. She still needed to apply her makeup; Andy's arrival had interrupted her earlier. It was only now that Miranda realized this was the second time Andrea had seen her face bare.

The call to the office was short, the instructions simple. Emily was not to answer any questions not work related Tiffany might ask and had to make sure that no one else did. Miranda had an unexpected appointment and would be in later today. That's all.

o-o-o

Relativity and its principles were probably a wonderful thing in science. Only, in real life Andy wanted dearly to move it to hell, for it had a tendency to always work the wrong way. If one needed time to speed up it didn't move at all, and hours seemed like mere seconds when one needed more time. It was all so completely wrong.

They had been waiting for more than three hours now to receive the second life sign. Three hours that felt like a lifetime to Andy and probably more to Miranda.

They had struggled to continue performing their act and not blow Andy's cover, the tension between them palpable. To ease her nerves Andy had finally resolved to do the unexpected and asked Miranda if it was alright for her to prepare lunch for them. A retreat to the kitchen without the editor seemed like heaven.

Therefore, Andy was surprised when she heard a muffled cry from the study. Quickly dropping whatever she had been holding, she moved to meet Miranda.

The older woman sat in her chair behind her desk, tears running down her cheeks, but smiling. She pointed to the screen.

"Thank god," she whispered only for Andy to hear. "It's Caroline."

Andy bend down and hugged the older woman firmly. "Cassidy, Caroline... they are alive," she felt Miranda shake in her arms. "They are going to be alright, they have to be."

o-o-o

TBC...

o-o-o