Hunter sighs in frustration. Kendall, the FBI agent on the screen is being extremely patient with him but he was getting on his nerves.
"Sir? May I give it a go?" A young female officer asks.
"Sure, go ahead, Ry," Kendall says.
"Hello, Hunter, it's been a while." The young agent says.
"Ryder Shamrock-Franklin!" Hunter says chuckling.
"You have to understand this situation, yes? You aren't the only company involved in this, there are other people in danger. We need to work together for everyone to come home safe. Now I wouldn't want a silly rivalry between companies to delay the investigation." Ryder says.
"Yes, yes, you are right," Hunter says.
"You're audience should understand that this is your top priority. Now is it true that there were only male victims?" Ryder asks.
"Yes, only males," Hunter says. "Well...Nia complained about Hayes but she's the only one."
"I know you probably do not want to cancel tapings but we are going to need most of the male roster here for the investigation. Is there any way that you can have an all-women show? Maybe even show-case some of the UK talent on the main shows?" Ryder asks.
"That's...that's actually not half bad," Hunter says. "Why'd you have to become a cop anyway?"
"It's my calling," Ryder says. "I'll give you a day and a half to get your roster to Palm Coast. NXT roster included."
"Thanks for not making us go to Jacksonville," Hunter says.
"We thought it best to meet in the middle," Kendall says. "You also need to start thinking about any other people that might potentially want to get back at you."
"What? Why?" Stephanie asks.
"Because there is no way that the four of them could pull this off. Not alone." Kendall says. "19 men were kidnapped, some of them having trained in kickboxing and martial arts."
"Okay, I understand where you are coming from. We will think about that." Hunter says.
When they arrive in Palm Coast the next day, Hunter and a few other producers are immediately called away. They make their way into the police station being greeted by Ryder.
"Ah, Hunter! Welcome. Follow me. We figured it might be best to meet with the leaders and producers first." Ryder says. Hunter nods sighing, great, the Bucks were in there probably with Kenny and Jericho. Ryder leads the group into a large conference room. Steve and Nigel both look at Hunter because BJ is there as well. Hunter just nods to them.
"Go ahead," Hunter says. Their kid has just been kidnapped and they had to be away from one another.
"Hey, Hunter," Jericho says. To be honest, the four of them looked like they hadn't gotten much sleep. The only one that looked even remotely composed was Cody but his eyes were red and puffy as if he had been crying for the past few days. He blinks looking behind him when he feels a hand on his shoulder. He smiles softly at his friend wrapping him in a hug. They hugged for what seemed like an eternity. He knew Hunter knew that Billy felt the same way about the AEW roster that he did about the NXT roster. They were his kids.
"Geez, would you stop hogging my man?" Road Dogg says. Hunter just laughs pulling away.
"Where is this guy?" Jerry asks.
"Relax, Jerry, he'll be here," Nick says. Hunter hadn't noticed the young businessman sitting next to the Bucks. Hunter sits down in front of him offering his hand.
"Hey, there. I'm Hunter." Hunter says.
"Tony," Tony says, shaking his hand. The door to the conference room opens and Kendall along with a few other agents walk in.
"Sorry for the delay," Kendall says. "I'm Kendall Ray, I run a task force strictly for abductions, hostage situations, and kidnappings such as this. This is my partner and second in command Natasha Lancing. Our detectives Ollie and Jensen Jackson, our forensic techs, and analysts Becky Wilson and Benjamin Clark. We have another member but he isn't needed right now."
"What does he do?" Nick Jackson and William Regal ask at the same time.
"Hostage negotiator," Kendall says.
"I brought the list like you asked," Hunter says. "I think the most likely to be working with them is Bill DeMott. And possibly Nick Gage." Hunter says handing Kendall the paper.
"DeMott is working with them?" Kenny asks.
"Nash and Hall? What makes you think of them?" Kendall asks.
"They have no connection to us anymore. They just...they are kinda screwed up, always have been. Just took us a while to see it." Hunter says looking at Shawn.
"Well if MVP is involved then I'd say Martini is involved as well," BJ says.
"What is their relationship?" Natasha asks.
"Partner in crime," BJ says. "Not sure how to describe their relationship."
"If we are looking into other people involved we may want to look into Russo," Matt Jackson says.
"Guess I didn't think about him," Hunter says.
"We did find some footage from Kyle O'Reilly's home system. Maybe you can identify the person on the tape?" Becky asks.
"Sure, we can try," Kenny says.
"Do we know what was taken from Kyle's?" BJ asks.
"His diabetes supplies," Becky says. "Everything else was untouched." She says setting up the computer and screen.
"At least we know they have his supplies," Steve says.
"Yeah, but who knows if they know enough to help him during a crisis," Nigel says. BJ sighs, grabbing his hand.
"Our son is with him. He won't let anything happen to him. You know Roderick," BJ says.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Pause it." Steve says. Becky pauses the video. "Can you zoom in and sharpen the image?"
"What is it?" Nigel asks.
"Can't be sure yet," Steve says. Once the picture focuses Steve sighs shaking his head.
"Silas?!" BJ asks. "No, there's got to be some mistake."
"They have to be paying him," Steve says. "He's their hacker. He needs money."
"This Silas is good at hacking then?" Becky asks.
"Yeah, we had a problem with him in ROH pranking younger guys by hacking their GPS sending them to random abandoned places," Nigel says.
"He can also hack phones," Nick says.
"I just really don't understand why he would even be willing to partner with them," BJ says. "I didn't think he was capable of such a thing."
"It's got to be about the money, BJ," Nigel says. "His hobby is expensive. Not to mention illegal."
"Right, he might have figured he use his skills for something more advanced," Steve says. "Adding on the fact that he's a voyeur, he can get a lot out of this experience than he could just watching his cams."
"You used to work with this guy?" Kendall asks.
"Yeah, he works for ROH," Steve says.
"How do you know about his cams?" Becky asks.
"There was never any evidence for it but a lot of the guys are sure that he has cameras hidden in the locker rooms and bathrooms to watch back when he's at home," Matt says.
"He may have needed to escalate his voyeurism to keep up with his urges," Ollie says.
"Okay, thank you for this information. We will be down later this afternoon or this evening to talk with your rosters." Kendall says.
"Sir? I think I should accompany them back to the hotel. If they do have a hacker amongst the group then they could still be in danger." Ryder says.
"Okay, I think you are right," Kendall says. "We may have to search through their phones and check to see they aren't being monitored."
"I'll bring my equipment," Benjamin says.
"How exactly do we go about talking to Bill's kids? We don't know he's involved yet…" Kenny asks Kendall.
"We will need to speak to them. We need as much information as possible about potential suspects." Kendall says. "Why?"
"It's just...Marko is Luchasaurus' boyfriend and I'm sure the thought of his father being involved in kidnapping his boyfriend isn't going to be pleasant." Kenny says.
"Maybe you can just talk to Corbin." Hunter offers. "He'd be more than willing to help especially if that means keeping Austin out of it."
"He'll have to know eventually," Kendall says.
"Of course, but Corbin would want to be the one to tell him," Hunter says.
"Okay, we will talk to Corbin then," Kendall says. Matt and Nick both look at each other when Jericho quickly exits the room. Hunter follows after the two hearing Jericho on the phone.
"What do you mean he's not in the room?!" Jericho shouts. "Are you sure? Did you check everywhere?"
"Uh...what's going on?" Hunter asks.
"Probably Darby," Matt says.
"How big is the hotel?! Fuck, I should have never left!" Jericho says.
"Tell him we are heading back now," Nick says. "We'll find him, Chris."
At the hotel, Maxwell is somehow able to get away. He gets into the elevator ascending to the top level. The elevator dings, he sticks his head out to make sure not to get caught. Nobody was around it seemed, so he searches for the stairs to the room. He chuckles to find a brick in the door, seems someone else had the same idea as him. He opens the door putting the brick back where it was climbing the stairs. He pushes the door to the roof open.
"Ugh, what are you doing, man?" Maxwell asks, coughing smelling the fumes.
"Making a new skateboard," Darby says.
"How are you not high right now?" Maxwell asks.
"Guess I'm used to it," Darby says shrugging.
"Why is it gray? Don't you usually always have black skateboards?" Maxwell asks. Darby sighs looking up at Maxwell annoyed.
"Because what I'm making won't look good on black. It's for Sammy." Darby says. "Like an apology or something."
"Apology?" Maxwell asks. He sighs, was the older man also feeling a sense of guilt towards the kidnapping?
"We argued before he was taken. I said some stupid shit," Darby says. Maxwell nods coming over sitting next to him. He gets a good look at the skateboard, a panda, of course.
"I'm feeling a bit bad as well. I told Shawn I was going to go with him to the arena but I was running late and told him to go without me. If I'd went with him maybe he'd be here right now." Maxwell says.
"Or maybe you'd be there," Darby says. "You can't blame yourself, what do you think Shawn would want that?"
"Well, no but...I just can't help but think…" Maxwell says. Darby puts his hand on Maxwell's shoulder turning to look at him.
"If you had been there, there's nothing you could have done. They would have taken you too. Especially knowing who your parents are." Darby says. Darby looks at Maxwell smacking the back of his head.
"Ouch!" Maxwell says.
"You hear me?" Darby asks.
"Yeah, yeah, I hear you," Maxwell says.
"Are your Dad's here?" Darby asks.
"Yup, wasn't expecting John to show up," Maxwell says.
"Do you normally call them by their first names?" Darby asks.
"After getting to know Dad...er...Colt, yeah. We aren't the happiest of families," Maxwell says. "I'd much rather spend my time with Dad than either of them."
"I think it is cool that you are getting to know Colt," Darby says.
"He's pretty awesome, I must admit," Maxwell says. He pulls out his phone. "Looks like people have noticed our disappearance."
"Shit!" Darby says. "I guess I can come back to it later."
"Yeah, it might be a good idea to take a break from those fumes," Maxwell says.
"Don't say anything else," Darby says. "I am just starting to like you." Maxwell just laughs making his way over to the door opening it.
"After you...wait do you need any help? I can carry some cans," Maxwell asks. Darby hands Maxwell two cans of spray paint.
"Thanks," Darby says.
"Sure," Maxwell says blushing. They make it down the stairs to find that the brick is gone. "What the hell? What do we do now?"
"We wait until someone walks by," Darby says.
"Chuck...Chuck, just wait a minute! DUSTIN!" Peter shouts. Maxwell looks out the window to see Peter and Chuck in the hallway.
"I'm not apologizing," Chuck says.
"Dustin, don't you think he feels bad enough? Two of his boyfriends are there right now, how do you think he feels? His Dad...he has no control over what he's done. Don't hold him responsible," Peter says. Chuck sniffles wiping his tears.
"How'd I end up with an awesome brother like you?" Chuck asks.
"You got lucky, I guess," Peter says. Maxwell knocks on the door catching their attention.
"Mind letting us out?" Maxwell asks.
"What the hell were you doing on the roof?" Chuck asks opening the door for them.
"Getting some fresh air," Maxwell says.
"Working on a project," Darby says. "AJ here?"
"Yeah, he's downstairs currently combing the entire place looking for you," Peter says.
"Give me the key to your room, I'll put it inside," Maxwell says. Darby smirks handing Maxwell the skateboard and the rest of the cans.
"Thanks," Darby says.
When the police arrive later that night Hunter is waiting with Corbin.
"Right, follow me," Kendall says. "I did some research about your father and his history with the WWE. He had abuse allegations made against him, is that correct?"
"Yeah, that's right," Corbin says.
"What is he like?" Kendall asks.
"He gets angry easily especially when someone talks back. He doesn't like it when someone is smarter than him, makes him feel inferior," Corbin says.
"Did he ever lose his temper with you?" Kendall asks. "Or your brother?"
"More so my brother but I did my best to protect him. Austin is smart and will not back down, Dad hated that," Corbin says.
"Are you close with him?" Kendall asks.
"I'm closer to him than Austin is. But we don't have much of a relationship, he just bitches to me. I do know he doesn't like Omega, hates him actually," Corbin says. "Same with Ziggler's brother Briley. And...FTR. There's a lot of guys he doesn't like. Too many to count."
"Alright, thank you," Kendall says. Corbin nods standing up walking out the door being greeted by his very worried brother.
"Why were they questioning you? They don't think you are involved, do they? You..you weren't...abused were you?" Luchasaurus asks.
"No, Austin, it wasn't about me. It was about Dad." Corbin says.
"Dad?" Luchasaurus asks in bewilderment. "No...Dad's helping them?"
"That's what they think. We don't know anything yet, Austin." Corbin says.
"But what do you believe? Do you think he is?" Luchasaurus asks. Corbin sighs then nods. He can't lie to his brother, he didn't want to believe his father was capable of something like this but deep down he knows he is.
Meanwhile outside in the courtyard of the hotel, Mick Foley hides behind a bush whispering quietly into his phone.
"Look, I'm sorry, but I can't help you. I won't rat you out but I am not hurting my son again. Don't call me again." Foley says hanging up. What will happen after this refusal?