All things considered, the conference brought some good news on their latest savings. Khan might have even called it successful until Mrs. Snarly walked in.

"Mr. Khan, there's a phone call for you."

"I thought I said I was not to be interrupted."

His secretary walked up to his desk to whisper in his ear. "It's your niece's principal. He said she never showed up."

While the others in the meeting didn't hear the message, they knew how bad it was when their boss' claws scraped across the table, peeling off several long strips. Not wanting to be the next scratching post, nobody said a word. Mrs. Snarly, however, sighed as if this was routine and she was more annoyed at buying another desk. That made three desks this month. Still maintaining his dignity, Khan stood.

"Apologies, gentlemen, but something's come up. Shall we reschedule for tomorrow?" They all nodded, knowing better than to offer an alternative or ask what that 'something' was.

"Shall I call the police?" asked Mrs. Snarly when the conference room was empty.

"No need. I know exactly where she is."

"What?" Rebecca shrieked into the phone. "Are you sure? Okay. Yes, thank you." She dropped the phone, rushed to the sleeping bear on the chair and shook him. "Baloo, wake up."

"Five more minutes, Mom," Baloo mumbled, turning over on his side.

"Oh, for crying out loud!" Rebecca seized one of the scattered chair cushions, slamming it onto the pilot.

"Ow! What gives, Becky?"

"Kit's not at school."

"What!" Baloo bounded off the chair like it was hot iron. "Kidnappers! Is Dan Dawson back?" He spat the name like it was poison and his fists curled. "If he's trying to take Kit from me again-"

"Let's try to calm down." Rebecca gently took his shoulders. "Maybe it's not as bad as we think." That last statement was aimed more at herself than at Baloo. She called the police while Baloo paced. Paranoid, she then called Molly's school to make sure her daughter was safe too.

A rapping on the door interrupted Baloo's hysterics. Normally, Rebecca would jump at another business opportunity. This time she called, "Go away, we're closed." The door opened regardless, revealing the foreboding business tycoon they knew too well.

"Shere Khan!" Baloo gasped.

"What are you doing here?" Rebecca demanded.

"Where's my niece?"

Rebecca's anger drained. "You mean she's not at school either?"

"So, your boy's missing too, is he?" Khan looked from one bear to the other. "Then there's no doubt he led her on another reckless adventure."

"Hold on there, mister," Baloo brought his face inches from Khan's. "You can't just barge in here and start throwing blame around."

"Does it not seem a coincidence, Mr. Baloo, that both children are missing? Furthermore, I'm fairly certain Eliza wouldn't run away on her own accord?"

"Oh yeah? Last time I saw her, she didn't look too happy. I bet she wanted to get away."

"And you can't 'bet' on what you don't know." Although Khan didn't raise his voice, his reply carried a dangerous undertone.

"Will you two quit bickering?" said Rebecca, coming between them. "We're all worried and we're not helping either of those kids by standing here." Neither of the men acknowledged her, still glaring each other down.

The tension finally broke at another knock on the door. A tiger wearing a chauffer's uniform entered with terror in his face. "Mr. Khan, it's the car radio."

"Tell them I'm busy."

"It's Don Karnage, sir."

One could have heard a pin drop in the office, until Khan said, "Very well." Baloo and Rebecca followed him to the fancy car. Khan sat in the back seat and picked up the radio. "Speak."

"Allo, allo Khan-type person," said a familiar thick accent. "It is I, the fantastic Don Karnage speaking to you in my voice."

"I know what your voice sounds like, Karnage. What do you want?"

"What do I want? Oh, what a question! How about your entire fortune, eh?"

Khan raised an eyebrow. "I knew you were deluded before, Karnage," he scoffed. "But now you have lost your mind."

"I thought he lost it years ago," Baloo whispered to Rebecca.

"Sh," she hissed.

Khan continued, "Do you really think you can make such a request?"

"Oh, no no no. I know I can't, so my guest will ask for me."

On the Iron Vulture, Mad Dog gripped Eliza's shoulders while Dumptruck had Kit. Karnage brought the receiver to Eliza's face. "Say 'uncle,' little girl," he said in a singsong.

If the ransom had been reasonable, she might have been less reluctant. As much as Karnage scared her, she couldn't ask her uncle for help. Especially not after yesterday. Caught between a rock and a hard place, her lips sealed.

"I hear nothing, Karnage," Khan said over the radio. "If you're done wasting my time-"

"No, no, she's here I tell you. "He glared back at the girl. "You're trying my patience, missy." With one hand still holding the radio to her face, the other pulled at her ponytail. This wasn't like those gentle tugs the plants gave. Eliza felt like the skin was being ripped off her head. She shrieked. Kit wriggled in Dumptruck's grip, vainly trying to come to his friend's defense.

Back at Higher for Hire, Rebecca clasped a hand over her mouth. Baloo's fists curled as he mumbled to insults.

"That's enough, Karnage" Khan ordered, claws dragging across the expensive leather seat. "I believe you."

"Good," Karnage released Eliza returned to the radio. "Now, regarding my demands…"

"Are you okay?" Kit asked Eliza.

"Ow," Eliza rubbed her head eyeing daggers at Karnage. "You're crazy, you know that?"

Karnage stiffened. "Crazy? Crazy!"

"Uh oh," muttered Mad Dog. "Ya said the word."

Before Eliza could ask what he meant, she found herself lifted her by her shirt collar, squirming, with Karnage baring his teeth in her face. "Never call me that word!"

Unable to hold back anymore, Kit kicked Dumptruck's shins, freeing himself and tackling Karnage at the knees. The pirate stumbled, dropping both the girl and the radio. The latter clattered at his feet, inches from Kit.

"You leave her alone!"

Hearing Kit's voice, Baloo and Rebecca drew sharp gasps, clinging to each other.

Khan raised his voice, claws digging into the seat until springs emerged. "Listen, Karnage. If any harm comes to that girl, you won't get a penny from me."

Karnage regained his composure while Dumptruck and Mad Dog restrained the captives. "Of course, of course. You are big-time business-type, yes no? So let's talk big-time business. I have your niece and, if you care to know, Kit Cloudkicker. If you don't send me the deeds to your fortune by-shall we say?- midnight, you will never see these brats again."

The connection ended with a slam. The whole world seemed to go quiet. Baloo hugged the sobbing Rebecca with one arm while the other curled into a fist. He imagined himself punching the pirate captain in the face. Khan maintained the stony expression, but his brows crossed murderously. The arm of his seat had been scratched down to the wooden support. Not even that was safe from the claws.

"You're gonna pay the ransom, right?" asked Baloo.

"I don't intend to." Khan slammed the door.

Both bears watched the departing vehicle open-mouthed, until Rebecca shook her fist in the air. "Why that greedy son of a…Baloo!" In the middle of her ramble, Baloo marched toward the Sea Duck. "Baloo, wait!"

"No time for waiting, Becky. I'm getting those kids back myself."

Rebecca scowled and put her hands on her hips. "Not by yourself you're not."

Baloo turned around. "It's gonna be dangerous."

Rebecca grinned. "Like we haven't been in worse."

Baloo grinned back. "Well, what are we waiting for, boss lady?"

"I'll call Wildcat and tell him to take care of Molly."

Back in the car, Khan instructed his driver to take him to the airfield before dialing his car phone.

"Send for my elite pilot squad."

Heh heh, had you going a moment, didn't I?