Title: Kidnapped - Part 9
Author: Lynne Facella
Email address: Mulderette@aol.com or Lynne1919@aol.com
Rating: PG (violence, language)
Keywords: Angst
Spoilers: Episodes through All in the Family
Archive: Sure, just ask so I know where it is going.
Disclaimer: All ER characters are the property of Warner Brothers, NBC, etc., etc. (The bad guys are mine).
Summary: Dr. Carter is held for ransom and an unwitting Dr. Benton gets dragged along for the ride.
Note: The U.S. Treasury no longer circulates $10,000 bills, but for storyline purposes I assumed these are still in existence.
Millicent sat down heavily on the chair by the phone, paying strict attention to the gruff voice at the other end of the line.
"I want you to put the money into an ordinary duffle bag. Then, at exactly 2 o'clock this afternoon, you're to arrive at Union Station. And you'd *better* be alone. Go to the locker area and find locker number 219. It will be unlocked. Put the money in the locker and head home. When I am sure that I wasn't followed, I will call you at home and let you know where your grandson and Dr. Benton are."
"How do I know I can believe you?" Millicent asked warily. "How do I even know John is still alive? For all I know I'll give you the money and never hear from you again."
"You're just going to have to trust me," Bill replied. "You don't really have a choice. If you don't give me the money or if I'm followed...your grandson and Dr. Benton are both going to die."
"I'll be there," Millicent said coolly and she heard a click on the other end of the line. With a shaking hand she switched the phone off. Taking a deep breath, she tried to compose herself, then picked up the card with Kerry Weaver's number on it and began to dial.
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"What did she say, Chief?" Dave asked as Kerry put the phone down. He, Mark and Elizabeth all gave Kerry their undivided attention. It had been a very long night and they were all anxious to finally hear some news.
"She is going to deliver the money this afternoon. After they make sure they're not being followed, the men will call Mrs. Carter and let her know John and Peter's whereabouts."
"What?!" Dave cast an appalled look in Kerry's direction. "That's crazy, Chief! How do we even know that they'll tell her anything? They'll just take the money and run."
Kerry met Dave's gaze, very much aware that what he said could be true. "We have to go along with her wishes on this, Dave...I don't really know what else to do."
Mark and Elizabeth exchanged silent glances, each mentally weighing the pros and cons of how to deal with this situation.
"I'll tell you what to do, Chief." Dave stood up and started pacing back and forth. The long hours he had gone without sleep had pushed him beyond the point of exhaustion into a wired and nervous bundle of energy. "Where is she bringing the money? I'll go there, wait to see who picks it up. Then I'll follow them...I can do it without being spotted."
Kerry shook her head. "I appreciate you wanting to help, Dave...but Mrs. Carter didn't tell me where she was going. She asked if I would meet her back at her home at around 3...to wait with her for the call."
"I'm going to go with you," Mark said.
"Me too," Dave chimed in.
Kerry nodded. She doubted that Mrs. Carter would object and she thought it was better to keep Dave under wraps. She knew he meant well but she didn't want him to get any crazy ideas in his head and go off to do something reckless.
"You'll keep me informed?" Elizabeth bit on her lower lip, trying hard to keep up her calm demeanor. "I need to go into work this afternoon...especially now that Peter's not available."
"Of course I will." Mark squeezed her hand and offered her an encouraging smile. "I have a good feeling about this, Elizabeth. They'll be okay...you'll see."
"I'm going to go make a bit of breakfast." Kerry got to her feet and headed to the kitchen. She wasn't the least bit hungry, but she felt like she needed to do something and cooking would help to allay her shattered nerves at least a little bit. She just hoped that Mark was right...that John and Peter really were all right.
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Benton sighed heavily as Carter went into another fit of coughing in his sleep. The cough was profoundly worsening and Benton could never remember feeling so helpless. The day Carter had been stabbed had been horrible, but at least he had the necessary tools at his disposal to help him...his training as a surgeon, the proper medical equipment, medicines, and Dr. Anspaugh to reign him in when he had started to panic. Here he had nothing...all the training in the world wasn't doing Carter any good whatsoever.
"Dr. Benton?" Carter asked softly as he woke from his sleep.
"Yeah, Carter." Benton turned on the flashlight and scooted closer to Carter, gently placing his hand on the younger man's forehead and closing his eyes in dismay at the heat that was emanating from it.
"I'd like some water please." Carter looked up at Benton with pleading eyes. Benton took the almost empty container of water and drained the last of it into a cup, trying to ignore his own intense thirst. He was dismayed that this was the last of their water. It made their hopes of survival seem even dimmer. What made it more difficult was his total inability to judge time. He had no idea how much time had passed since Frank and Tony's visit. It seemed to have been a long time, but maybe that was only wishful thinking.
"Carter...Carter...I want you to take some more Advil." Benton shook the last four pills into the palm of his hand and supported Carter's head as he obediently swallowed them. Benton then breathed a sigh of relief as Carter laid back down, his thirst momentarily quenched. He didn't relish the prospect of telling Carter their water supply was exhausted.
Carter shivered a little, pulling the blanket tighter around him and was immediately seized with a sharp shooting pain in his shoulder. He cringed and took a deep breath causing another spasm of coughing. After the coughing had finally abated, he squeezed his eyes shut trying to regain control over his body.
"Carter...hey man...you okay?" Benton gently rubbed Carter's uninjured shoulder, trying to comfort him if only a little bit.
Carter nodded. "Can I...Can I just have a little more water?" he gasped. His throat felt raw and sore and at least water would serve to give him a little relief, albeit temporary.
"Carter...why don't you just try to go to sleep?" Benton spoke soothingly as he brushed the limp strands of hair off Carter's forehead with his hand.
"No...don't want to sleep," Carter moaned, shaking his head. "Thirsty...I need a drink...please?"
Benton sat silently, hoping if he ignored the issue that Carter would just drop off to sleep, however he had no such luck.
"What's going on? Why...why can't I have some water?" Carter looked at Benton pleadingly and then suddenly he just knew. There was no way that Dr. Benton would deny him water. He should have realized it sooner. "We...we don't have any more water, Dr. Benton, do we?"
Benton shook his head. "I'm sorry man...I...I'm sorry." He looked down at Carter helplessly. It seemed that their situation was just progressively worsening and he knew that Carter's time was running out. Benton was powerless to do anything and it was making him crazy.
"It isn't your fault, Dr. Benton. But you...you gave all the water to me, didn't you? You didn't drink any of it yourself. You shouldn't have done that, Dr. Benton," Carter said, his voice wavering. "You...you at least might still stand a chance. I...I'm not going to make it very much longer..."
"Come on Carter..." Benton swallowed hard, fearing that his emotions were going to overcome him. "I told you before...we're *both* going to get out of here man. You're going to be okay. I promise you will be."
Carter nodded and closed his eyes, unable to keep them open any longer. He heard Dr. Benton's voice as he started to drift off. "That's it man...you just sleep. That's the best thing for you right now."
When he was sure that Carter was sleeping soundly, Benton clicked off the flashlight. The way things were going for them, he was pretty sure the batteries would be giving out sometime soon too. He then started to let his thoughts go, exploring the most gruesome possibilities. What if Carter really did die? What if he died and no one ever came. He wondered how long it would take before he himself died too. He couldn't help thinking about Reese. What would happen if he wasn't around? Would he even remember his father? Carter's family would probably spend tons of money to find out what had happened to their son...but maybe they'd never know. No one would ever discover what happened to either of them. He wondered what the staff at County thought about all of this. Was this spread all over the papers, front page news about two doctors missing from County or was the whole thing being kept quiet? He wished he knew. He wished he could figure out some way to get out of this mess. He wished that someone would come to help them...
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"All right, I'm leaving now," Bill said as he stood up and grabbed his set of keys off the nightstand. "I'll get back here, we'll split the money and it's over."
"What do you mean *you're* leaving?" Frank asked, his eyes narrowing. "If you think that you're going alone to get the money...you've got another thing coming. No fucking way are you getting that money by yourself."
Bill opened his mouth, about to deliver a particularly nasty retort when he decided it just really wasn't worth it. "Fine. We'll all go, but keep a low profile. We are too close now. I don't want any fuck ups."
Frank shook his head slowly, looking at Bill in disgust. "You really are a piece of work. We haven't fucked anything up yet, have we?"
"You took an unnecessary risk going back there last night."
"It didn't hurt anything. Anyhow...those two needed to be shown who was boss. I guess I showed em," he said with a smirk.
"Yeah...big man...Let's go." Bill threw down a few bills for the maid and then strode towards the door and flung it open before he headed to the front desk to check out. Frank and Tony walked out to the van and leaned against it, waiting.
"God...this guy is something else," Frank mumbled. "I can't even believe the two of you are friends."
"Come on Frankie," Tony said. "Bill's a good guy. We're going to get a lot of money because of him. You've gotta admit, this was one smart caper. It really looks like we're going to get away with it. Five million dollars each...and tax free to boot!"
"Five million dollars is a decent cut..." Frank began musingly. "But you know...this kid's family is worth a hell of a lot more than that. Bill wasn't too bright when he only asked for 15 mil. He could have asked for a lot more than that...twice as much even..."
"Awwww Frankie...Five million dollars is plenty. I mean how much money do you really need?"
"Ten million would have been a lot better," Frank replied. The wheels in his head were starting to spin. Was there any real reason why they shouldn't get more money? He was going to have to think about that. He started as Bill came out and unlocked the car door, sliding in behind the wheel. He followed Tony over to the passenger side. He could hardly wait to get his hands on all that money.
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Millicent Carter sat in the taxi cab, nervously clutching the cloth duffel bag filled with crisp green bills. She had decided to call a taxi rather than run the risk of attracting any unwelcome attention by arriving in the family limousine. She wondered how John was doing...how badly he had been hurt. She would not allow herself to think any further than that. She didn't even want to consider the possibility that he was no longer alive. He had to be all right...he just had to be. She was brought out of her thoughts by the voice of the taxi driver.
"Lady? Lady here we are."
"Oh...I'm sorry. Thank you." She handed the driver some bills and proceeded to get out of the cab.
"No thank *you* lady," the driver said, highly impressed with the large tip she had given him. "Have a nice day."
Millicent didn't even hear him as she closed the taxi door, her thoughts only on what she was about to do. She couldn't begin to imagine how her husband would react when he found out what she had done...especially if it turned out badly. It was best not to think about that now though. One thing at a time. She walked slowly into the station looking about in confusion until she finally figured out where the lockers were that she was supposed to go to. She made her way down the row of lockers until she found the one she was looking for, 219. She glanced quickly in all directions, making sure she wasn't being observed, and shoved the duffel bag inside the locker, closing the door with a bang. She then took a deep breath and quickly walked away. She saw no sign of the man who had been at her house. Perhaps he had sent one of his hoodlum buddies to retrieve the money. In any case, she didn't even turn around to see what transpired after she left, but just rapidly made her way back out to flag down a taxi. And as she walked, she prayed to God that these men were going to keep their word and she would get her grandson back safely.
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"She did it! She did it!" Tony whispered excitedly as the three men watched Millicent Carter put the duffel bag into the locker from their carefully chosen vantage point across the crowded room.
"Shhhhhhhh..." Bill said, shooting Tony a sharp look. The last thing they needed was for Tony to be calling attention to them. "Tony go follow her...make sure she's really leaving."
Tony looked at Bill incredulously. "No way man. I'm staying right here. And anyhow...what's that old lady going to do to us?"
"All right...stay..." Upon reflection, Bill couldn't really blame Tony for not wanting to leave. He knew that there was no way in hell he would ever trust these two alone with the money either.
"Well what the hell are we waiting for?" Frank asked with a greedy gleam in his eyes. "Let's get this show on the road."
Bill nodded as he slowly started towards the locker with Frank and Tony following closely on his heels. His heart pounded more and more with each step, a large part of him expecting police to come descending upon them at any moment. Finally he reached the locker and opened the door, shakily pulling out the duffel bag. He didn't even dare to open it but instead headed back towards the lot where they had parked the van. Finally, safely inside the van, he unzipped the bag and peeked inside. An indescribable feeling came over him as he pulled a stack of ten thousand dollar bills out of the bag, 15 stacks in all. For a few moments he just stared at it, unable to believe he was sitting here with all this money.
"Wooo hooo!" shouted Tony. "We did it! We really fucking did it! We're rich! Rich!"
"Shut the fuck up!" Frank stated angrily, elbowing Tony sharply in his side. "You want to let everyone in the fucking world hear you?"
"We're getting out of here." Bill said, as he put the key in the ignition and started up the van. "I'm sick to death of both of you. I'm going to drive to your apartment, Frank because it's close by, and then that'll be it. I'm washing my hands of the two of you."
"Fine with me," Frank grumbled, staring out the window.
A short time later Bill pulled up in front of the dilapidated building where Frank resided. "I'm not going to be living in this hovel any more," Frank looking at it in distaste. "No more living in hellholes like this."
Bill paid him no mind. He was busily counting out the money which he soon had arranged into three equal stacks. "All right...this is it. I'd like to say it's been swell, but it hasn't been. Don't spend it all in one place." He thrust one of the stacks at Frank and the other at Tony.
"What now?" Tony asked, looking at Bill curiously. "You calling that woman to let her know where they are?"
"Not right away...we need a little headway to make ourselves scarce. Then I'll call her. You two had best think about getting out of town. Now leave...both of you. Have a nice life."
"Screw you," Frank said with a sneer as he opened the door and got out of the van, Tony sliding out beside him. They stood and watched as Bill sped away the moment the door was closed.
"Hey Frankie? You mind giving me a ride to my place?" Tony asked. "There's a few things I gotta do, then I'm getting out of here too. I'm going to have me a great time."
"Sure Tony...I'll give you a ride."
They walked over to Frank's old brown beat up Ford and after a few false starts the engine finally roared to life. "I know one thing...This old shit box is going to be put out of it's misery," Frank muttered as he started driving.
"Yeah Frankie? You buying a new car?" Tony asked. "What kind are you getting?"
"I don't know yet...but it's going to be expensive...the kind of car someone like me only dreams about. It's going to be one fucking fine piece of machinery. And then...then I'm going to pick up some broads. All these bitches who always thought they were too good for Frankie Ryan...they'll be singing a different tune now. They'll be begging for a chance to be with me and all my money."
"Yeah...." Tony settled back against the seat, chuckling. "Yeah...you'll show those bitches who's boss, won't ya Frankie?"
"Oh yeah...you're right about that Tony..." A determined look settled over Frank's face as he drove. This money was going to give him the power to buy and sell people...but five million...it just wasn't enough. He wanted more...and he was going to get it.
"Frankie? Hey Frankie. You were supposed to turn left back there at the light."
"Don't worry Tony...You'll get home soon enough." Frank took his eyes off the road long enough to shoot a grin in Tony's direction.
Tony's eyes widened as the meaning behind Frank's words sunk in. "No Frankie...no way! Come on man. What are you going to do, kill them?! I won't do it man. No way!"
"Who said anything about killing them, Tony?" Frank said in a soothing tone. "I'm not going to kill anybody. I just think 15 million dollars was kind of a bargain basement price for two prestigious doctors. I think that we need a bit more money to make it really worth our while. After all...how many times are we going to have a young man from such a wealthy family in such a precarious position? I think we need to take full advantage of the situation."
"Bill's calling that old broad...She's going to call the police, Frankie. It's too risky."
"You heard Bill. He's not going to call right away. I'm not settling for only five mil. You shouldn't be so easily satisfied, Tony. I think we deserve another ten. I think that biddy would pay 25 million to get her punk grandson back, don't you?"
"Another ten? No way. You're crazy. I don't want anything to do with this. Let me out."
Frank deliberately accelerated the car, grinning widely. "Sorry Tony...I need help and you're going to help me. But don't worry...you'll be *very* well paid..."
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Kerry, Dave, Mark and Millicent sat silently in the den of the Carter Estate. There was an obvious tension hanging over the room. The sudden ringing of the telephone caused each of them to jump slightly.
"Hello?" Millicent said, picking up the phone. Her expression quickly changed from one of hope to distaste. "No I do not wish to change my long distance carrier. Do not call here again!" She slammed the phone down and smiled shakily at her guests. "Obviously that wasn't him..."
"He'll call..." Kerry leaned forward and patted the elderly woman's hand gently. They hadn't been here for very long, but each minute seemed like an eternity. She just hoped he would call soon and that Peter and John would be found.
Dave sat nervously, trying not to fidget. He wished the damn phone would ring already. This was much worse than it had been when they were all waiting at the Chief's house. At least there he had felt like he could breathe. This place though...this was something else. He had always known Carter was rich, but this...it was like living in a museum. He couldn't imagine living in a place like this, truth be told he didn't think he'd want to. He thought back to all the things he had broken as a child. His mom had used to affectionately compare him to a tornado, saying that he destroyed everything in his path. God knows what kind of damage he would have done in this place, probably thousands of dollars worth.
"Huh?" Dave suddenly noticed that the gazes of the other three occupants of the room were all directed at him. He looked at them blankly.
"Mrs. Carter asked if you would like a drink," Kerry said, fighting not to roll her eyes.
"Um no thank you ma'am...I'm fine." Dave shifted awkwardly in his chair and managed to smile at Mrs. Carter.
All attention quickly shifted away from Dave though as the ringing of the telephone once again resounded through the room. Millicent quickly grabbed the phone, clutching it with a death grip to her ear. "Hello...yes...yes..." She closed her eyes and put her other hand up against her heart as she heard the words she had been afraid to hope for. The man at the other end of the line hung up and she clicked off the phone turning towards Kerry, Mark and Dave.
Tears began spilling from her eyes as she spoke. "They...they're at some old prison, Thompsonville it's out on Route..."
"I know where it is," Dave interrupted, springing to his feet. "Call the police. Mark, come on. Give me your keys. I'll drive."
Mark gave Dave a questioning look but did as he asked and the two them bolted from the room. Millicent got on the telephone and had a long conversation with the police chief, finally getting him to believe her story and to send somebody out to the old prison. Then finally, the strain of trying to keep it together throughout this whole ordeal became too much for her and the tears started to flow.
"It's going to be all right," Kerry said softly. She wrapped her arm around the older woman trying to comfort her. "They'll find them."
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Bill hung up the phone and breathed a sigh of relief. Hopefully the two doctors would be found safe. He slung the duffel over his shoulder and made his way out to the rental car parked outside. His first thought had been to get out of the country right away but he didn't want to run the risk of trying to take such a large amount of money through Customs so had decided to drive out to California. He would wear a disguise and he knew a couple of ex-cons out there who would be able to help him out with a safe place to stay for a while. He got in the car and started driving, hoping that Frank and Tony had played it smart also and were on their way out of town.
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"So Dave, how'd you know about this place anyhow?" Mark asked as Dave gunned the van towards the old prison. "I've never even heard of it."
"When I first came out to Chicago, before I started at County, I used to like to explore the back roads on my bike. Saw a lot of interesting places. That was one of them. I never actually went into it though. The place kind of gave me the willies."
"I can imagine..." Mark tried to keep a nonchalant expression on his face as Dave drove. He was taking some of these curves a little too quickly for Mark's liking. He hoped they didn't end up flying off the side of the road, smashing themselves and his van into a million pieces. Then they wouldn't do Carter and Benton any good at all.
"Relax..." Dave said, shooting a quick grin in Mark's direction. "I'm not going to let anything happen to your van. Besides we'll be there soon..."
End Part 9
Author: Lynne Facella
Email address: Mulderette@aol.com or Lynne1919@aol.com
Rating: PG (violence, language)
Keywords: Angst
Spoilers: Episodes through All in the Family
Archive: Sure, just ask so I know where it is going.
Disclaimer: All ER characters are the property of Warner Brothers, NBC, etc., etc. (The bad guys are mine).
Summary: Dr. Carter is held for ransom and an unwitting Dr. Benton gets dragged along for the ride.
Note: The U.S. Treasury no longer circulates $10,000 bills, but for storyline purposes I assumed these are still in existence.
Millicent sat down heavily on the chair by the phone, paying strict attention to the gruff voice at the other end of the line.
"I want you to put the money into an ordinary duffle bag. Then, at exactly 2 o'clock this afternoon, you're to arrive at Union Station. And you'd *better* be alone. Go to the locker area and find locker number 219. It will be unlocked. Put the money in the locker and head home. When I am sure that I wasn't followed, I will call you at home and let you know where your grandson and Dr. Benton are."
"How do I know I can believe you?" Millicent asked warily. "How do I even know John is still alive? For all I know I'll give you the money and never hear from you again."
"You're just going to have to trust me," Bill replied. "You don't really have a choice. If you don't give me the money or if I'm followed...your grandson and Dr. Benton are both going to die."
"I'll be there," Millicent said coolly and she heard a click on the other end of the line. With a shaking hand she switched the phone off. Taking a deep breath, she tried to compose herself, then picked up the card with Kerry Weaver's number on it and began to dial.
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"What did she say, Chief?" Dave asked as Kerry put the phone down. He, Mark and Elizabeth all gave Kerry their undivided attention. It had been a very long night and they were all anxious to finally hear some news.
"She is going to deliver the money this afternoon. After they make sure they're not being followed, the men will call Mrs. Carter and let her know John and Peter's whereabouts."
"What?!" Dave cast an appalled look in Kerry's direction. "That's crazy, Chief! How do we even know that they'll tell her anything? They'll just take the money and run."
Kerry met Dave's gaze, very much aware that what he said could be true. "We have to go along with her wishes on this, Dave...I don't really know what else to do."
Mark and Elizabeth exchanged silent glances, each mentally weighing the pros and cons of how to deal with this situation.
"I'll tell you what to do, Chief." Dave stood up and started pacing back and forth. The long hours he had gone without sleep had pushed him beyond the point of exhaustion into a wired and nervous bundle of energy. "Where is she bringing the money? I'll go there, wait to see who picks it up. Then I'll follow them...I can do it without being spotted."
Kerry shook her head. "I appreciate you wanting to help, Dave...but Mrs. Carter didn't tell me where she was going. She asked if I would meet her back at her home at around 3...to wait with her for the call."
"I'm going to go with you," Mark said.
"Me too," Dave chimed in.
Kerry nodded. She doubted that Mrs. Carter would object and she thought it was better to keep Dave under wraps. She knew he meant well but she didn't want him to get any crazy ideas in his head and go off to do something reckless.
"You'll keep me informed?" Elizabeth bit on her lower lip, trying hard to keep up her calm demeanor. "I need to go into work this afternoon...especially now that Peter's not available."
"Of course I will." Mark squeezed her hand and offered her an encouraging smile. "I have a good feeling about this, Elizabeth. They'll be okay...you'll see."
"I'm going to go make a bit of breakfast." Kerry got to her feet and headed to the kitchen. She wasn't the least bit hungry, but she felt like she needed to do something and cooking would help to allay her shattered nerves at least a little bit. She just hoped that Mark was right...that John and Peter really were all right.
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Benton sighed heavily as Carter went into another fit of coughing in his sleep. The cough was profoundly worsening and Benton could never remember feeling so helpless. The day Carter had been stabbed had been horrible, but at least he had the necessary tools at his disposal to help him...his training as a surgeon, the proper medical equipment, medicines, and Dr. Anspaugh to reign him in when he had started to panic. Here he had nothing...all the training in the world wasn't doing Carter any good whatsoever.
"Dr. Benton?" Carter asked softly as he woke from his sleep.
"Yeah, Carter." Benton turned on the flashlight and scooted closer to Carter, gently placing his hand on the younger man's forehead and closing his eyes in dismay at the heat that was emanating from it.
"I'd like some water please." Carter looked up at Benton with pleading eyes. Benton took the almost empty container of water and drained the last of it into a cup, trying to ignore his own intense thirst. He was dismayed that this was the last of their water. It made their hopes of survival seem even dimmer. What made it more difficult was his total inability to judge time. He had no idea how much time had passed since Frank and Tony's visit. It seemed to have been a long time, but maybe that was only wishful thinking.
"Carter...Carter...I want you to take some more Advil." Benton shook the last four pills into the palm of his hand and supported Carter's head as he obediently swallowed them. Benton then breathed a sigh of relief as Carter laid back down, his thirst momentarily quenched. He didn't relish the prospect of telling Carter their water supply was exhausted.
Carter shivered a little, pulling the blanket tighter around him and was immediately seized with a sharp shooting pain in his shoulder. He cringed and took a deep breath causing another spasm of coughing. After the coughing had finally abated, he squeezed his eyes shut trying to regain control over his body.
"Carter...hey man...you okay?" Benton gently rubbed Carter's uninjured shoulder, trying to comfort him if only a little bit.
Carter nodded. "Can I...Can I just have a little more water?" he gasped. His throat felt raw and sore and at least water would serve to give him a little relief, albeit temporary.
"Carter...why don't you just try to go to sleep?" Benton spoke soothingly as he brushed the limp strands of hair off Carter's forehead with his hand.
"No...don't want to sleep," Carter moaned, shaking his head. "Thirsty...I need a drink...please?"
Benton sat silently, hoping if he ignored the issue that Carter would just drop off to sleep, however he had no such luck.
"What's going on? Why...why can't I have some water?" Carter looked at Benton pleadingly and then suddenly he just knew. There was no way that Dr. Benton would deny him water. He should have realized it sooner. "We...we don't have any more water, Dr. Benton, do we?"
Benton shook his head. "I'm sorry man...I...I'm sorry." He looked down at Carter helplessly. It seemed that their situation was just progressively worsening and he knew that Carter's time was running out. Benton was powerless to do anything and it was making him crazy.
"It isn't your fault, Dr. Benton. But you...you gave all the water to me, didn't you? You didn't drink any of it yourself. You shouldn't have done that, Dr. Benton," Carter said, his voice wavering. "You...you at least might still stand a chance. I...I'm not going to make it very much longer..."
"Come on Carter..." Benton swallowed hard, fearing that his emotions were going to overcome him. "I told you before...we're *both* going to get out of here man. You're going to be okay. I promise you will be."
Carter nodded and closed his eyes, unable to keep them open any longer. He heard Dr. Benton's voice as he started to drift off. "That's it man...you just sleep. That's the best thing for you right now."
When he was sure that Carter was sleeping soundly, Benton clicked off the flashlight. The way things were going for them, he was pretty sure the batteries would be giving out sometime soon too. He then started to let his thoughts go, exploring the most gruesome possibilities. What if Carter really did die? What if he died and no one ever came. He wondered how long it would take before he himself died too. He couldn't help thinking about Reese. What would happen if he wasn't around? Would he even remember his father? Carter's family would probably spend tons of money to find out what had happened to their son...but maybe they'd never know. No one would ever discover what happened to either of them. He wondered what the staff at County thought about all of this. Was this spread all over the papers, front page news about two doctors missing from County or was the whole thing being kept quiet? He wished he knew. He wished he could figure out some way to get out of this mess. He wished that someone would come to help them...
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"All right, I'm leaving now," Bill said as he stood up and grabbed his set of keys off the nightstand. "I'll get back here, we'll split the money and it's over."
"What do you mean *you're* leaving?" Frank asked, his eyes narrowing. "If you think that you're going alone to get the money...you've got another thing coming. No fucking way are you getting that money by yourself."
Bill opened his mouth, about to deliver a particularly nasty retort when he decided it just really wasn't worth it. "Fine. We'll all go, but keep a low profile. We are too close now. I don't want any fuck ups."
Frank shook his head slowly, looking at Bill in disgust. "You really are a piece of work. We haven't fucked anything up yet, have we?"
"You took an unnecessary risk going back there last night."
"It didn't hurt anything. Anyhow...those two needed to be shown who was boss. I guess I showed em," he said with a smirk.
"Yeah...big man...Let's go." Bill threw down a few bills for the maid and then strode towards the door and flung it open before he headed to the front desk to check out. Frank and Tony walked out to the van and leaned against it, waiting.
"God...this guy is something else," Frank mumbled. "I can't even believe the two of you are friends."
"Come on Frankie," Tony said. "Bill's a good guy. We're going to get a lot of money because of him. You've gotta admit, this was one smart caper. It really looks like we're going to get away with it. Five million dollars each...and tax free to boot!"
"Five million dollars is a decent cut..." Frank began musingly. "But you know...this kid's family is worth a hell of a lot more than that. Bill wasn't too bright when he only asked for 15 mil. He could have asked for a lot more than that...twice as much even..."
"Awwww Frankie...Five million dollars is plenty. I mean how much money do you really need?"
"Ten million would have been a lot better," Frank replied. The wheels in his head were starting to spin. Was there any real reason why they shouldn't get more money? He was going to have to think about that. He started as Bill came out and unlocked the car door, sliding in behind the wheel. He followed Tony over to the passenger side. He could hardly wait to get his hands on all that money.
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Millicent Carter sat in the taxi cab, nervously clutching the cloth duffel bag filled with crisp green bills. She had decided to call a taxi rather than run the risk of attracting any unwelcome attention by arriving in the family limousine. She wondered how John was doing...how badly he had been hurt. She would not allow herself to think any further than that. She didn't even want to consider the possibility that he was no longer alive. He had to be all right...he just had to be. She was brought out of her thoughts by the voice of the taxi driver.
"Lady? Lady here we are."
"Oh...I'm sorry. Thank you." She handed the driver some bills and proceeded to get out of the cab.
"No thank *you* lady," the driver said, highly impressed with the large tip she had given him. "Have a nice day."
Millicent didn't even hear him as she closed the taxi door, her thoughts only on what she was about to do. She couldn't begin to imagine how her husband would react when he found out what she had done...especially if it turned out badly. It was best not to think about that now though. One thing at a time. She walked slowly into the station looking about in confusion until she finally figured out where the lockers were that she was supposed to go to. She made her way down the row of lockers until she found the one she was looking for, 219. She glanced quickly in all directions, making sure she wasn't being observed, and shoved the duffel bag inside the locker, closing the door with a bang. She then took a deep breath and quickly walked away. She saw no sign of the man who had been at her house. Perhaps he had sent one of his hoodlum buddies to retrieve the money. In any case, she didn't even turn around to see what transpired after she left, but just rapidly made her way back out to flag down a taxi. And as she walked, she prayed to God that these men were going to keep their word and she would get her grandson back safely.
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"She did it! She did it!" Tony whispered excitedly as the three men watched Millicent Carter put the duffel bag into the locker from their carefully chosen vantage point across the crowded room.
"Shhhhhhhh..." Bill said, shooting Tony a sharp look. The last thing they needed was for Tony to be calling attention to them. "Tony go follow her...make sure she's really leaving."
Tony looked at Bill incredulously. "No way man. I'm staying right here. And anyhow...what's that old lady going to do to us?"
"All right...stay..." Upon reflection, Bill couldn't really blame Tony for not wanting to leave. He knew that there was no way in hell he would ever trust these two alone with the money either.
"Well what the hell are we waiting for?" Frank asked with a greedy gleam in his eyes. "Let's get this show on the road."
Bill nodded as he slowly started towards the locker with Frank and Tony following closely on his heels. His heart pounded more and more with each step, a large part of him expecting police to come descending upon them at any moment. Finally he reached the locker and opened the door, shakily pulling out the duffel bag. He didn't even dare to open it but instead headed back towards the lot where they had parked the van. Finally, safely inside the van, he unzipped the bag and peeked inside. An indescribable feeling came over him as he pulled a stack of ten thousand dollar bills out of the bag, 15 stacks in all. For a few moments he just stared at it, unable to believe he was sitting here with all this money.
"Wooo hooo!" shouted Tony. "We did it! We really fucking did it! We're rich! Rich!"
"Shut the fuck up!" Frank stated angrily, elbowing Tony sharply in his side. "You want to let everyone in the fucking world hear you?"
"We're getting out of here." Bill said, as he put the key in the ignition and started up the van. "I'm sick to death of both of you. I'm going to drive to your apartment, Frank because it's close by, and then that'll be it. I'm washing my hands of the two of you."
"Fine with me," Frank grumbled, staring out the window.
A short time later Bill pulled up in front of the dilapidated building where Frank resided. "I'm not going to be living in this hovel any more," Frank looking at it in distaste. "No more living in hellholes like this."
Bill paid him no mind. He was busily counting out the money which he soon had arranged into three equal stacks. "All right...this is it. I'd like to say it's been swell, but it hasn't been. Don't spend it all in one place." He thrust one of the stacks at Frank and the other at Tony.
"What now?" Tony asked, looking at Bill curiously. "You calling that woman to let her know where they are?"
"Not right away...we need a little headway to make ourselves scarce. Then I'll call her. You two had best think about getting out of town. Now leave...both of you. Have a nice life."
"Screw you," Frank said with a sneer as he opened the door and got out of the van, Tony sliding out beside him. They stood and watched as Bill sped away the moment the door was closed.
"Hey Frankie? You mind giving me a ride to my place?" Tony asked. "There's a few things I gotta do, then I'm getting out of here too. I'm going to have me a great time."
"Sure Tony...I'll give you a ride."
They walked over to Frank's old brown beat up Ford and after a few false starts the engine finally roared to life. "I know one thing...This old shit box is going to be put out of it's misery," Frank muttered as he started driving.
"Yeah Frankie? You buying a new car?" Tony asked. "What kind are you getting?"
"I don't know yet...but it's going to be expensive...the kind of car someone like me only dreams about. It's going to be one fucking fine piece of machinery. And then...then I'm going to pick up some broads. All these bitches who always thought they were too good for Frankie Ryan...they'll be singing a different tune now. They'll be begging for a chance to be with me and all my money."
"Yeah...." Tony settled back against the seat, chuckling. "Yeah...you'll show those bitches who's boss, won't ya Frankie?"
"Oh yeah...you're right about that Tony..." A determined look settled over Frank's face as he drove. This money was going to give him the power to buy and sell people...but five million...it just wasn't enough. He wanted more...and he was going to get it.
"Frankie? Hey Frankie. You were supposed to turn left back there at the light."
"Don't worry Tony...You'll get home soon enough." Frank took his eyes off the road long enough to shoot a grin in Tony's direction.
Tony's eyes widened as the meaning behind Frank's words sunk in. "No Frankie...no way! Come on man. What are you going to do, kill them?! I won't do it man. No way!"
"Who said anything about killing them, Tony?" Frank said in a soothing tone. "I'm not going to kill anybody. I just think 15 million dollars was kind of a bargain basement price for two prestigious doctors. I think that we need a bit more money to make it really worth our while. After all...how many times are we going to have a young man from such a wealthy family in such a precarious position? I think we need to take full advantage of the situation."
"Bill's calling that old broad...She's going to call the police, Frankie. It's too risky."
"You heard Bill. He's not going to call right away. I'm not settling for only five mil. You shouldn't be so easily satisfied, Tony. I think we deserve another ten. I think that biddy would pay 25 million to get her punk grandson back, don't you?"
"Another ten? No way. You're crazy. I don't want anything to do with this. Let me out."
Frank deliberately accelerated the car, grinning widely. "Sorry Tony...I need help and you're going to help me. But don't worry...you'll be *very* well paid..."
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Kerry, Dave, Mark and Millicent sat silently in the den of the Carter Estate. There was an obvious tension hanging over the room. The sudden ringing of the telephone caused each of them to jump slightly.
"Hello?" Millicent said, picking up the phone. Her expression quickly changed from one of hope to distaste. "No I do not wish to change my long distance carrier. Do not call here again!" She slammed the phone down and smiled shakily at her guests. "Obviously that wasn't him..."
"He'll call..." Kerry leaned forward and patted the elderly woman's hand gently. They hadn't been here for very long, but each minute seemed like an eternity. She just hoped he would call soon and that Peter and John would be found.
Dave sat nervously, trying not to fidget. He wished the damn phone would ring already. This was much worse than it had been when they were all waiting at the Chief's house. At least there he had felt like he could breathe. This place though...this was something else. He had always known Carter was rich, but this...it was like living in a museum. He couldn't imagine living in a place like this, truth be told he didn't think he'd want to. He thought back to all the things he had broken as a child. His mom had used to affectionately compare him to a tornado, saying that he destroyed everything in his path. God knows what kind of damage he would have done in this place, probably thousands of dollars worth.
"Huh?" Dave suddenly noticed that the gazes of the other three occupants of the room were all directed at him. He looked at them blankly.
"Mrs. Carter asked if you would like a drink," Kerry said, fighting not to roll her eyes.
"Um no thank you ma'am...I'm fine." Dave shifted awkwardly in his chair and managed to smile at Mrs. Carter.
All attention quickly shifted away from Dave though as the ringing of the telephone once again resounded through the room. Millicent quickly grabbed the phone, clutching it with a death grip to her ear. "Hello...yes...yes..." She closed her eyes and put her other hand up against her heart as she heard the words she had been afraid to hope for. The man at the other end of the line hung up and she clicked off the phone turning towards Kerry, Mark and Dave.
Tears began spilling from her eyes as she spoke. "They...they're at some old prison, Thompsonville it's out on Route..."
"I know where it is," Dave interrupted, springing to his feet. "Call the police. Mark, come on. Give me your keys. I'll drive."
Mark gave Dave a questioning look but did as he asked and the two them bolted from the room. Millicent got on the telephone and had a long conversation with the police chief, finally getting him to believe her story and to send somebody out to the old prison. Then finally, the strain of trying to keep it together throughout this whole ordeal became too much for her and the tears started to flow.
"It's going to be all right," Kerry said softly. She wrapped her arm around the older woman trying to comfort her. "They'll find them."
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Bill hung up the phone and breathed a sigh of relief. Hopefully the two doctors would be found safe. He slung the duffel over his shoulder and made his way out to the rental car parked outside. His first thought had been to get out of the country right away but he didn't want to run the risk of trying to take such a large amount of money through Customs so had decided to drive out to California. He would wear a disguise and he knew a couple of ex-cons out there who would be able to help him out with a safe place to stay for a while. He got in the car and started driving, hoping that Frank and Tony had played it smart also and were on their way out of town.
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"So Dave, how'd you know about this place anyhow?" Mark asked as Dave gunned the van towards the old prison. "I've never even heard of it."
"When I first came out to Chicago, before I started at County, I used to like to explore the back roads on my bike. Saw a lot of interesting places. That was one of them. I never actually went into it though. The place kind of gave me the willies."
"I can imagine..." Mark tried to keep a nonchalant expression on his face as Dave drove. He was taking some of these curves a little too quickly for Mark's liking. He hoped they didn't end up flying off the side of the road, smashing themselves and his van into a million pieces. Then they wouldn't do Carter and Benton any good at all.
"Relax..." Dave said, shooting a quick grin in Mark's direction. "I'm not going to let anything happen to your van. Besides we'll be there soon..."
End Part 9
