Second to last chapter. 12 might be up later today. This sets the stage for the final showdown between Red and whoever takes on Red. Some strong language in this chapter. Some violence too. Please review, as always. Oh, and I own none of the Bakers. Only my characters. Forgot the disclaimer.

Chapter 11

Mac gulped. If Red was involved, which it seemed that he was, then he knew Mac had accessed the bank statements and phone records. Mac picked up the phone and nervously dialed Mitch's cell phone. He got his answering machine. Damn, he turned it off. Mac hung up and then called Jim. Luckily Jim didn't sleep.

"Strickland," said Jim answering.

"It's Mac. Jim, I think I know who our other kidnapper is," said Mac.

"Besides Parke and Harry Baker?"

"Yeah. Jim, you're not going to believe it but I think Red is involved." Mac heard Jim let out a nervous sigh.

"Jesus, Mac. My God. OK. Look, sit tight. I'm going to get a hold of Mitch and Megan."

"I just tried Mitch's cell. He turned it off."

"There's more then one way to get a hold of him. Just sit tight. I don't want you running off to take Red down. Red is a professional. If we back him into a corner, he'll become desperate." Mac sighed.

"This is my case too, Jim."
"I know, Mac. You're a profiler though. Now you did break this case. You're the one who's going to be a hero when we get Jake back. But you need to let the rest of us handle this." Mac closed his eyes.

"OK, Jim. But as soon as you have that boy back to his family, I want you to call me."

"No problem. Thank you, Mac. For everything." The line went dead. Mac sighed and hung up the phone. He should have rested. He should have gone upstairs and rested with his wife and sons. But he had a nasty feeling that the game was far from over.

………

Red burst into the hideout he and Harry had put together. Alan was sitting on a couch, watching some sitcom on TV.

"That fucking profiler figured it out. Damnit, he accessed those fucking bank records. Son of a bitch." Red flopped down in a chair.

"Parke fucked this whole thing up," said Red. Alan turned off the TV.

"No money, huh?" asked Alan sadly. Red sighed.

"Harry called Tom. If Tom plays it smart, then we have 50,000 dollars coming to us," explained Red. Alan sighed.

"I need 20,000 for my son's hospital bills," said Alan. Red nodded.

"I know, Alan. I know. You will get that or something damn close." Red stood up and paced the room.

"What about the kid, Red?"

"What about him?"

"We're giving him back right."

"Are you fucking stupid? Of course we're not." Alan cocked his head.

"Why not?"

"Mitch and his boys would be all over my ass the minute Jake is safely back home. He's our hostage. We kill him, get rid of his body, and lead them to believe we still have him."

"You told me we would let him go when we got the money," exclaimed Alan, standing up.

"Why the fuck do you care if I kill him or not?"

"Because I'm a parent too, Red. I can't let you kill some poor innocent little boy." Red narrowed his eyes.

"And what the fuck are you going to do about it, Alan?" He took his gun out. Alan sank back down on the couch.

"That's what I thought. Now just sit tight. And if you fuck this up, I swear to God I'll kill your son as well." Red kicked the sofa and then left. Alan sighed. He jumped as his phone rang.

"Yes," said Alan answering. He ehard someone crying on the other end of the phone.

"Alan, it's me," said the caller. Alan sighed. It was Maris. His wife.

"What's wrong?" asked Alan.

"It's Jakey. Alan, he's getting worse. If he doesn't get that operation in 48 hours, he's dead." (remember, Alan's son is also named Jake) Alan dropped the phone. The tears came without mercy. Alan let out a cry and fell back on the couch. He threw up a little. He could hear Maris crying on the other phone. Alan collected himself. He had to make things right. He picked the phone up.

"I'm going to fix things, Maris. OK. Don't worry honey. Just sit tight. I love you." He hung up. It was up to him now. Red wasn't going to give him anything. Alan had seen it in his eyes. Red would turn on everyone and make off with the 50,000. Alan had to help his son out. He had to help Jake Baker out. He had to make things right. Alan took a gun out of the nearby cabinet and went to go get Jake.

……..

Tom sighed as Mitch's answering machine came on. Damnit. He hung up and dialed Mac Parrish's number. Mac picked up after one ring.

"This is Mac."

"It's Tom Baker."

"Yes, Mr. Baker." Tom took a deep breath and told Mac about the call he had received from Harry.

"OK, listen. Sit tight. I'll be right over with some back up. Try to get a hold of either Jim Strickland or Megan Cole. Do not call the police station."

"Why not?" asked Tom.

"Because someone from the force might be involved."
"Oh my God."

"Just sit tight." Mac hung up. He knew he would have hell to pay for interfering. But the tide had changed. Mac guessed Red might try to turn on his partner and make off with the money. Harry Baker may be willing to play by the rules. Mac had a feeling that Red wouldn't.

……..

Kate watched as Tom filled a large duffel bag with cash. It was only 30,000. The only thing Tom had been able to come up with. Nora had gotten in touch with Megan and Mitch had been finally contacted by Jim. They would be twenty feet from the meeting place with three other officers. Red was unreachable. No doubt formulating an escape plan. The kids were gathered in Tom and Kate's room. Tom sighed as he zipped up the duffel bag. He looked at his family with sad eyes.

"This is it. Harry said he'd give Jake back." Kate nodded.

"I still can't believe he did this."

"He'll pay for it. That's for sure," said Charlie. Tom nodded.

"Sit tight, everyone." He slung the bag over his shoulder and left. Kate sat down on the bed. Most of the kids sat down next to her. Charlie and Lorraine remained standing. Kim handed Kate a photo album.

"I put this together. Figured tonight was a good night to give it to you." Kate smiled and opened the album up. Every picture was of Jake. Kate let out a cry.

"He'll be OK, Mom. He's a tough little guy," said Lorraine. Kate nodded. She and the kids then passed the time slowly looking through the album.

……..

Harry Baker walked into the hideout. Alan was putting a jacket on Jake in the living room.

"What the fuck, Alan?" Alan pointed a gun at Harry.

"Red's going to kill Jake. I won't let that happen."

"Are you out of your fucking mind? You'll go to jail, Alan."

"But your brother will probably give me the ransom as a reward for bringing his son back."

"I won't let Red kill Jake. He's my nephew for God sakes." Jake was looking at his uncle with scared and hurt eyes.

"I'm meeting Tom in ten minutes. I just called about the money. It's over soon, Alan. Now, just- he was cut off by two bullets ripping through his chest. Blood sprayed all over Alan and Jake. A bullet through the heart finished Harry Baker off. Red stood behind Harry with his gun drawn.

"Trying to fuck me, Alan?" Alan pointed his gun at Red. Red walked towards him. Alan pulled the trigger. Nothing. Red punched Alan in the face and took the gun away from him.

"Got to take the safety off you dumb motherfucker." He kicked Alan in the side.

"Harry was a dumbass. Of course Tom is going to call the cops. Why wouldn't he? But now we can play off the other parent. The mom."

"You leave my Mom alone." Red gave Jake a nasty look. The boy was getting brave. Red put his gun away. Jake backed up.

"Now I'm going to get mean." He came at Jake with fury in his eyes. Alan watched as Red dealt out a brutal beating. He left Jake moaning on the floor in a pool of blood. Jake threw up a few times.

"Now let's get ready."