Davy and Peter each tried to shove their way through the door at the same time. Once they finally got through, they walked over to the secretary, who had been watching them with confusion.

Davy took the lead. "Hello, is Mayor Motley available? We were interested in working for him on these new parking lots."

"We were?"

Davy elbowed Peter in the side. "Oh yeah, we were."

"I'm sorry the mayor isn't in right now."

"Yes, he is. We saw him come in right before us and go in his office." Peter pointed towards the office innocently.

The lady looked surprised. "Well, yes. But he is in the middle of a meeting."

"Must be a short meeting if it's already in the middle in less than two minutes. We'll wait." Davy led Peter to the chairs across the room.

The lady shook her head in astonishment. She turned back to her typing, trying to discretely pick up the phone. Davy whistled as he pretended to be looking anywhere else. Peter stared up at the ceiling. They heard her quietly tell the mayor that two of Nesmith's friends were here. The two band members looked at each other with concern. They'd hoped that she didn't know who they were. They were going to have to change game plans and fast. They slipped out of their chairs and tiptoed towards the door. Before they could get past the office, the door opened and the mayor stepped out.

"Can I help you, boys?"

Peter stepped back and pushed Davy forward. "He had something he wanted to ask you."

Davy gave the bassist a death glare. "Well, now that he mentions it, there was something."

"Well, what is it? I don't have all day."

"Is your meeting over already?"

"Yes. Now, what was your question?"

Davy shrugged. "That was my question. Oh!"

Davy and Peter ran around the confused mayor. Davy grabbed the handle and opened the door. Before they could run out, a figure blocked the way. The two guys stumbled back. The figure stepped in and looked down on them.

Davy and Peter grabbed each other's arms as they recognized the man in front of them. "Zeckenbush!"

Zeckenbush looked over at Motley. "How did these brats get here?"

"They said they had a question, but I think they were just being nosy."

"I didn't ask what they were doing here. I don't care what they say they have."

Peter squared his shoulders and marched up to Zeckenbush. "We do have a question. What have you done with Mike and Micky?"

"Now, that's a sign of a bad campaign party when you lose your candidate!" Zeckenbush laughed.

Davy pulled Peter back and stepped in front of the laughing man, standing as tall as he could. "Look here, we don't want any trouble. Just give us our friends back."

"Even if I had your friends, what would it possibly profit me to give them back?"

"What do you mean? Who else would have them?"

Zeckenbush gave a dramatic shrug. "Maybe your Mr. Nesmith isn't as popular a candidate as you'd like to believe."

"You're wrong!" Peter stepped forward again. "Mike's the best candidate!"

"Perhaps." Zeckenbush looked the two of them over. "But as you say, he's missing. Along with his campaign manager. And now the rest of his campaign party is here. It's hard for someone to get elected when no one is campaigning for them."

"You can't keep us here, we're leaving." Davy and Peter stepped around Zeckenbush. Before they could leave, another man stepped into the doorway. Davy and Peter looked at him worriedly. It was the man from the restaurant.

Zeckenbush cleared his throat. "I'm sure I don't need to make introductions. Since Mr. Johnson proved himself completely useless in keeping you two away from your house, he will now have the chance to make up for his mistake. Mr. Johnson, if you want any of your pay at all, take these two to the basement and make for absolute certain that they do not escape."

Mr. Johnson grabbed each of the boys by the shirt collar. "You can either walk or I'll drag you. Your choice."

Davy tried to pull away. "Wait a minute! You can't keep us here forever, you know. Mike will expose you and the police will find us!"

"How will he expose me when I told him the two of you were in an accident? Your two friends are at the hospital. By the time they discover you aren't there, it will be too late for them to make it to the television studio."

"So you do have them!" Peter struggled against the man holding them.

"I never laid a finger on them or you. I am completely innocent of any going on's." Zeckenbush smiled. "Mr. Johnson, the boys look like they need to sit down. Why don't you make them comfortable?"