The Lego City Police station was bustling with activity. Every officer on duty had donned a bullet proof vest, collected their weapons, and were milling around in the parking lot. A half dozen cop cars rumbled in waiting. Even Chief Dunby was outside, though he grumbled and griped at anyone nearby.

Frank rearranged his bullet proof vest nervously. "What are we waiting for? We need to find Ellie."

"We don't know where she is yet," said Chase. "Why don't you call her phone and…"

A blue, hotted up vehicle tore into the parking lot. It screeched to a halt, pulling in perfectly beside one of the police cruisers. The smell of burnt rubber wafted into the air.

"The heck?" said Chief Dunby. "What does this idiot think he's doing?"

"That's Blake's car," said Frank. "That's weird. He usually avoids driving by the police station. I know 'cause he never gave me a lift…" Frank's voice caught in his throat.

Ellie stepped out of Blake's driver's side door. Her hair and clothing were ruffled, but otherwise she appeared unharmed.

"Ellie!" said Chase. "You had us worried sick."

Frank threw his arms around her, burying his face against her shoulder.

"I'm fine. You okay, Frank?"

"You sure? Some guy called on your phone and said he'd kidnapped you." Frank pointed at the police vehicles. "We were coming to make him regret it."

Ellie raised an eyebrow. "Regret it? I think we're only supposed to arrest them."

Chase rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, I guess we got a bit carried away. But we are glad you're okay."

"But what happened to the kidnapper, Ellie? And why are you driving my friend Blake's car?"

Chase's eyes narrowed. "Wait. You mean that jerk of a friend who won't talk to Frank anymore? This is his car?"

"Yup," said Ellie.

"That was the most convenient form of transport after some mysterious person kidnapped you…"

"Uh-huh."

Frank glanced between the two of them. "Guys, stop it. I don't understand what you're talking about."

"Frank, I'm so sorry," said Ellie. "But Blake isn't your friend."

"I told you, he's been busy…"

Ellie hauled Blake out of the passenger side of his car. He stared sullenly at the ground. He was in handcuffs, and one cheekbone was blackening with a bruise.

Frank gasped. "Did they kidnap Blake too?"

Blake's brow crinkled, and he finally looked up. "How stupid are you?"

"Oh, be quiet," Ellie snapped.

Blake flinched.

"Frank, sweetheart, Blake was the one who kidnapped me."

It took a few long seconds to sink in. Frank stared at Ellie. Then at the handcuffs, then up at Blake. "Blake, how could you? Why?"

"Are you kidding me? You had to go man up to your parents, didn't you? And now you have nothing to buy anything or throw any good parties."

"What does that have to do with Ellie?"

"Please, you go on about her enough. It's nauseating."

"What?"

Blake rolled his eyes. "Urgh. You like her. So you'd pay money for her safety. It really isn't that complicated."

"I don't have that much money anymore."

"Duh! But I've already told your girl everything, so she can dumb it down for you." He glanced over at Chief Dunby. "And she punched me in the face! That's police brutality. What are you going to do about that?"

The Chief folded his arms. "I don't see anything wrong with you."

"Seriously?" said Ellie. "You started it."

"I slapped you like once."

"Frank!" Chase grabbed at Frank's arm.

Frank lunged for Blake. His heart was hammering, his hands balled into fists. But Chase had his arms around him and hung on determinedly. "Let me go, Chase!"

"Don't. He's not worth it."

"It's okay, Frank," said Ellie. "I appreciate it, really. But I took care of it."

Frank sagged back against Chase. His hands still shook, and it was all he could do to keep that shake out of his voice. "You don't have any right to do that, Blake. We're not friends anymore."

"We never were. Besides, this wasn't even my idea…"

"Oh no," said Ellie. "You're caused enough trouble already today." She shoved him towards the Chief. "You're going to go on inside, and you're going to tell the Chief exactly what you told me."

"Okay, but you promised a deal if I cooperated, yeah?"

"Yeah. I'll make sure this entire parking lot of police officers don't beat you up, how does that sound?"

Blake looked at the grim faces surrounding him. One officer wore a knuckle duster and pounded a fist into his open palm. Blake gulped.

"Officer Evans!" the Chief shouted. "What have I told you about taking weapons from the evidence locker?"

Officer Evans grinned sheepishly and hid the knuckle duster behind his back. "Sorry, Chief."

Ellie gave herself a little shake as Blake left. "There's something I need to tell you, Frank."

"I can't believe Blake would do something like this. I'm so sorry, Ellie. I should've believed you when you said he wasn't my friend." Frank shoulders sagged. He'd only been buying Blake stuff because he was his friend, and he wanted to make him happy. Not to force him to hang out with him.

"None of this is your fault, okay? I want you to know that before I tell you this."

Frank nodded.

"Blake was hired to kidnap me. And to demand a ransom. So you'd be forced to go to your parents for a large sum of money."

"Oh no," muttered Chase.

"What? Guys, you're doing it again."

"Blake was hired by your parents so you'd admit you needed their help." Ellie shut her mouth tightly, waiting for Frank's response.

"That doesn't make any sense!"

"It is pretty ridiculous," growled Chase. "But kind of does make sense."

When they'd realised he was serious, Frank's parents had said some pretty mean things. If he thought he was grown up enough to keep his job all by himself, he could do everything else by himself too; there'd be no more supplementary funds coming into his bank account. Then he'd realise how good he had it. But that didn't mean they'd commit a crime; that they'd hurt Ellie. Frank could feel his fists tensing again. "How do you even know that, Ellie!"

"Blake told me."

"He's lying."

"Listen Frank," said Ellie, a growl creeping into her voice. "Someone kidnapped me, and I didn't know what they were planning to do to me. I was scared. When Blake hit me I completely flipped out. And that scared him pretty dang good. There is no way he was lying."

"Well he did hit you, so maybe you got confused."

"I'm not confused!"

"My parents aren't criminals!"

"They've treated you terribly. Just like Blake. You can't keep making excuses for them. If you don't believe me, you should ask them yourself."

Frank swallowed hard. He didn't want to be mad at Ellie. But he'd had enough of everyone thinking he needed their help. "Okay," he said, fighting to keep the anger from his voice. "I will." He turned towards Blake's car.

Ellie sighed. "Frank, I'm sorry, wait."

"I'm not mad at you. I just… you're just wrong." Frank shut himself in and gripped the steering wheel tight.

The passenger door clicked open. It was Chase. "Can I come with you? I think it might be a good idea if you had backup on this."

"Yeah, you can come."

"Ellie's just…"

"Ellie's just trying to help. She's right though. I should talk to my parents." Frank could feel his shoulders tensing already. Whatever they felt about him, they were still his parents. He was a cop, and he should protect them. "They'll know why Blake's telling lies about them."

"Frank, I don't think Blake's…" Chase cut himself off with a grumble, then sagged back into his seat. "Okay. I'll be here for you whatever they say."