Reveal the Darkness Within

by Shirley Ann Burton

When Angela Jacobs is kidnapped by a scientist who has dangerous intentions for her magical powers, will she have to resort to something dangerous to survive, especially since she is all alone with none of her friends close by?

3. The Wild Journey to Somewhere

Reveal the DARKNESS Within
Part 3: The Wild Journey to Somewhere

Ace had received a telephone call from Angie in the middle of the night from a motel in Angell, Arizona. Unfortunately, the two men who kidnapped her were able to cut her off and take her again.
Soon, he went with Lieutenant Vega in his Magic Racer to get to the scene in the small town, hoping to find some clue which would hopefully lead to Angie.
The sun began to rise in the small town, but at least five sheriff's deputies and 14 FBI agents had already been dispatched to the local motel, where Angie had been last seen by the owner, who regained consciousness some hours after being knocked out with a nightstick by one of the kidnappers.
The two men from Electro City found the scene of the action and pulled up to the motel.
When they approached, they were stopped by an agent of Hispanic descent. "I'm sorry, this area is restricted."
Vega quickly pulled out his badge. "Lieutenant Derek Vega, Electro City PD. Daniel Simons allowed me to get on this missing person case."
"Oh, you're the friend of the head. Okay, but who is he?"
"Him? You don't know Ace Cooper the Magician when you see him right here?"
"¡Ay, carumba! (Oh, my goodness!) My apologies, Mr. Cooper. I'm Agent Carlos Diego." After shaking hands with Ace, he added, "What brings you out here?"
Ace breathed hard as he said, "I received a phone call from Angela Jacobs last night."
"The missing magician? Oh, of course. She works alongside you. It's true. We checked the phone lines, and there was a call out to Electro City made by her from this motel. The owner has regained consciousness, but it seems the memories are a bit fuzzy."
Vega stated, "Can we talk to him?"
"I could. He only speaks Spanish."
"Well, let's see if he can help us anyhow."
The three gentlemen came up to the battered owner, who was bandaged over his head and arm. He suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries.
Agent Diego came up to him very slowly. "Hola, Señor. Necesito tu ayuda." ("Hello, sir. I need your help.")
The owner looked at the agent with dreary eyes. "Oh, ¿dónde estoy? ¿Qué pasado?" ("Oh, where am I? What's happening?")
"Señor, ¿puede acordarse la noche último?" ("Sir, can you remember last night?")
Slowly nodding his head, the owner did his best to recall what happened the night before. "Una chica…vinó a la puerta…y queró usar el telefono a llamar sus amigas."
Diego turned to Vega and Ace to translate. "He says that a woman came to the door and wanted to use the phone to call her friends."
"Can he tell what she looked like?" Ace asked curiously.
"I'll try." The agent then turned to the owner once more. "¿Puede describirse?" ("Can you describe her?")
"Sí. Ojos…verde. El pelo es marrón ligero. La estatura es…cinco pies."
"According to him, she had green eyes and light brown hair…and stands at least five feet tall."
Ace quickly said, "That's Angie all right. She has green eyes and light brown hair, and she's about five feet, four inches."
"Muchas gracias, Señor." ("Thank you, sir.") Diego then stood up and looked at the gentlemen. "That's all he remembers. Everything after that is a blank, since he was knocked out cold by the nightstick. We still don't have a description of the kidnappers as of yet."
The Magician put his face down. "It's okay, Agent Diego. I understand. The FBI is supposed to be the best, but they can do only so much…"
"Don't worry, Mr. Cooper. Angela will be found, somehow, some way."
"I appreciate you doing this."
"We should be thanking Mr. Simons for this, since he's been working on this case from the get-go."

Back in Washington the FBI's scientific team worked on the fingerprints to try to identify the men who abducted Angie.
Meanwhile, Simons went into the Oval Office of the President. "Madam President? You wanted to see me?"
Turning in her chair, President Elizan Donovan looked at her man-in-charge. "Yes, Mr. Simons. How goes the search for Angela Jacobs?"
"We're getting lots of leads, but still no sign of the missing magician yet. We have gotten a break from a local motel in a small town about 20 miles east of Flagstaff, Arizona. When agents and authorities got there, though, the stolen car was already gone. Miss Jacobs did manage to get a call out to her friend Ace Cooper in Electro City, but the kidnappers got to her again with a substance to knock her out."
Madam President shook her head in grave worry. "I pray that young woman will be all right. I met her in Electro City, along with her best friend Ashley Brighton, when I visited there with that conniving Senator Dobbs. They were pleasantly surprised to see a female President of the United States…now the young lady's life may be in terrible danger. What is really strange about this situation is the fact Angie herself managed to get a call out to Mr. Cooper, then the kidnappers getting to her. I was expecting a ransom demand for her or something, but it never happened. It's like whoever abducted her have a purpose other than money in mind. The question is…what is it?"
"I wish I had an answer, Ma'am. Who knows? Perhaps the kidnappers are working for someone who wants Angie for some kind of strange purpose."
Just then, a scientist knocked on the door. As soon as Simons let him in, the scientist noted, "We have the identity of the two kidnappers."
Being handed the printouts of the profiles, he looked very carefully at them. "Well, well. I know both of these gentlemen. They've been on the Most Wanted List for about two years now."
"Well," said Madam President, "who are they?"
"Their names are Joey Ferrio and Larry Jameson. These two hit men are always hired for sophisticated kidnappings, and most victims are found dead. Whoever hired them wants Angela Jacobs alive. Why else would they just drug her with tranquilizers and not just kill her? The problem is, they're both good at disguising themselves and their victims. I wouldn't be surprised if they're trying to put her into a blonde wig or something."
"Joey Ferrio and Larry Jameson. Very well, Mr. Simons. Put out the alert immediately for their capture. Whatever happens now, we have to find Angela Jacobs and get her back safely."
"I'm getting on the horn right now. Thanks for authorizing this, Madam—"
"No thanks necessary. We're all concerned for the safety of that young magician. Let's see if we can find her alive."
Simons smiled with determination. "We'll do the best we can—no, better than the best we can." He then left the Oval Office and went back to work.
President Donovan stepped to the window and stared into the open space. "Angela, wherever you are, I hope you're all right. Everyone in the country's concerned about you right now."

As for Ferrio and Jameson, they had arrived in Phoenix almost three hours too early to catch the train to Amarillo, forcing them to take up their disguising. Jameson changed his hair from jet black to blonde while Ferrio went from being a blonde to a redhead, both of them using special hair dye. They were also able to change Angie's hair from light brown to the mix of blonde and brown known as "dirty blonde."
Because no business in Phoenix was open past 1 a.m., there was no place they could go to eat any meal, especially since the train station would not open until 4:30.
When the station finally opened, the kidnappers walked in with Angie in between, trying to make people pretend she was a mannequin.
"Is this going to work?" asked Ferrio.
Jameson whispered, "If you let me do the talking, yes."
They came up to the ticket window and saw the attendant.
"Excuse us," said Jameson. "We're looking for tickets going non-stop to Amarillo, Texas."
"Oh, yes. Someone has paid for your tickets already. I just need to see some identification."
The pair took out their phoney drivers' licenses and showed them to the attendant.
After a close examination, the attendant nodded and gave the gentlemen their tickets. Then, he noticed the person in between. "Um, who…or what is that you're carrying?"
"It's a mannequin," the disguised Ferrio said. "We couldn't take it apart because it's extremely delicate. It's the first of its kind for store displays."
"Oh, okay. I'm sorry. You two can board the train to Amarillo right now and just wait for it to leave at 5:00."
As soon as the clock struck 5, the train started taking off for its intended destination.
In the parking lot of the train station, the parking valet looked at one car and noticed the license plate. "Hmm, Kansas plate…7T33RX2." He took out a flyer about the newly stolen car. "That's it! Dark-green sportscar!" He then ran into his office and quickly notified authorities.

As the sun finally started to rise in Electro City, the people awakened to the news as they reported two major breaks in the case.
Kendra Rayler had stayed at the Sensa-News Studios all night long, waiting on word from the FBI or local police to see if there were any new details in the case.
In the early morning report, Rayler went on the air looking like she had not even lost a step. "Good morning, everyone. Our top story this morning is the continuing update on the whereabouts of missing female magician Angela Jacobs. The FBI has new vital information about the kidnappers themselves. We have Daniel Simons, head of the FBI in Washington, standing by." As soon as the screen changed to see the head on television, she said, "Mr. Simons, what is the information that you can pass on to us?"
"Miss Rayler, we have confirmed the identities of the two men who kidnapped Angela Jacobs from Electro City yesterday. The scientific team were able to get fingerprints from the black sedan, and the men have been positively identified as Joey Ferrio and Larry Jameson, both members of the '10 Most Wanted List.'"
"I recall them from previous stories I had done," noted Rayler. "They were responsible for the kidnapping and murder of at least six other people…hired hit men, right?"
"Yes, that's correct. Their usual movements would be to use stealth and disguise to trap their victims and then take them somewhere to finish them off. However, there was another break: We do know the last place Angela Jacobs has been, thanks to her being able to use the phone in a local motel and get through to her friends back in Electro City. Her last known location was a small town called Angell, Arizona, located about 20 miles east of Flagstaff. Unfortunately, the kidnappers managed to get to her and leave in the stolen sportscar again."
"So at the present, you still don't know exactly where she is, right?"
"That's correct. Um, wait a minute. Can I stop for a minute? An agent just came up to me with something."
"Of course. Folks, this could be another break. Hang on for a minute."
After double-checking the notes, Simons nodded and turned back to the camera. "Miss Rayler, we just had another big break in the case. A parking valet at the train station in Phoenix found the stolen dark-green sportscar in the parking lot. The kidnappers have taken a train, but Ferrio and Jameson are probably in disguise and using phoney identification. They may have put Jacobs in disguise, too."
"There's something I don't understand here. Why would the kidnappers try taking her cross-country and not just kill her?"
"Before I answer, let me say this is only speculation, and we may be incorrect in this assumption. We believe someone hired the two men to kidnap her and keep her alive for a purpose other than money. There has been no ransom demand made for her life, and she was the one who called her friends. Someone wants her for something non-related to money."
"Okay. Now, we only have about 30 seconds left, and we need to put up the information about the two kidnappers. So, here's the information."
The screen showed the vital statistics of Joey Ferrio along with his last mug shot:
Name: Joseph (Joey) Lonnie Ferrio
Age: 35
Height: 6'3" Weight: 215 lbs.
Eyes: Blue Hair: Blonde
Distinguishable marks: Tattoo of "Mommy, I love you" on his left arm
Wanted for: Kidnapping, Murder
Then, Larry Jameson was shown next:
Name: Larry Joe Jameson
Age: 38
Height: 6'5" Weight: 232 lbs.
Eyes: Brown Hair: Black
Distinguishable marks: Birthmark found on right side of face towards temple
Wanted for: Kidnapping, Murder
Rayler then said, "Folks, if you have seen either these gentlemen or Angela Jacobs, please notify local authorities immediately. Remember, they are good at disguises, but if you see their marks, don't be afraid to call the police or the secret witness line, where you can remain anonymous. Angela Jacobs is alive, but who knows what could happen next?"

When Ace and Vega received word of the car being found in Phoenix and the identities of the kidnappers, they dashed off in the Magic Racer to head there immediately.
"Another break," said Ace. "That's still only three points, though. We need one more reference point to figure out where Angie's going."
"Perhaps we can get the break at the train station itself. Someone must've seen Angie or those two men."
"If they're good at disguising themselves, it's possible no one noticed, but we'll just have to wait and see."
A couple of hours later, they arrived at the train station, where police and the FBI cordoned off the area around the green sportscar.
Another FBI agent recognized the pair immediately. "Lieutenant Vega, Mr. Cooper. We did find the car, but they took a train. To where we don't know yet. We're asking anyone who may have seen them or something suspicious."
Ace and Vega then entered the station to see if they could find any new information.
Vega then saw someone acting like he saw something but felt unsure. "Sir, are you okay?"
"I don't know. I work in the office for the tickets, and there were two men holding a realistic mannequin. They showed me identification, and I gave them the tickets."
Ace became suspicious. "A realistic mannequin?"
"Yes, but I didn't make anything of it. They said it was the first of its kind for store displays."
Vega then questioned, "Did they say for what company?"
"No. I guess they were taking it to a convention to demonstrate it."
Ace then went back to his car to consult with Angel. "Do you know any companies that are trying to make realistic store-display mannequins?"
After a few seconds, the AI gave its answer. "No. There are currently no companies known to demonstrate realistic mannequins."
"Then the mannequin they had was…Angie!" He rushed back into the station to meet up with Vega again. "That 'realistic mannequin' was Angie. Ferrio and Jameson must have worn a disguise and put Angie into one, too." He then turned to the attendant. "Sir, do you have any idea where they're going?"
"Their tickets were to Amarillo, Texas."
Vega appreciated the information the attendant gave them. "We need to tell the agents here what's going on."
As soon as agents got word from Ace and Vega, Ace contacted Cosmo to give him two more reference points.
At the Magic Express Cosmo put Phoenix and Amarillo into the computer. "Okay, Angel. You've got four ref points. Can you estimate where Angie could end up going if we don't get to her in Amarillo?"
Calculating as best as possible, she finally said, "There are three possible locations: Jacksonville, Florida; Washington, DC, and Boston, Massachusetts."
"You can't narrow it down?"
"I'm sorry, Cosmo, it's as best as I can calculate right now. If you can give me one more reference point, I could give the final calculation."
"It's cool, Angel. Thanks anyway." He then contacted Ace via the satellite link. "Dude, it's either Jacksonville, Washington, or Boston. We need one last point to get the exact one."
"Understandable, Cosmo. Vega and I are on the way to Amarillo now. He's notified Simons already, and the agents are working alongside the Texas Rangers. They're starting to set up road blocks everywhere in the city, and people are already being alerted to the situation. The main train station is on high alert and doing ID checks at every gate, so maybe we'll finally get them…and get Angie back before it's too late for her."

Meanwhile, in the train, Ferrio and Jameson looked at their victim carefully.
Ferrio was already worried. "She'll be waking up soon enough."
"Not with this tranquilizer," said Jameson, who gave her another injection to ensure she would not awaken on their train trip. "I'm not about to let the boss get on our case. We've got to get her to him as quickly as possible. We need to reach Amarillo to get to that plane."
Angie found herself sleeping deeply by the effects of the tranquilizer, but inside herself, she was struggling.
Hello, Angie, said the darker self lying deep within her own soul.
Angie angrily thought, You sure were quiet for a while. What happened?
Timing was not right. I mean, you've been kidnapped, right? You did get a call to your friends before these idiots got to you again. Right now, that's not important. What is important is the fact you don't want to recognize me and accept me into your life. Why won't you understand I'm a part of you?
I don't believe you. Darkness is never going to be a part of me!
How dare you say that to me! the darker voice said wickedly. You're still blinded by the light! The light will not be of any help to you right now or ever!
No! Darkness will always lose to the light! Always has, always will.
You won't listen to me! Darkness is an opposite of light, but it will prevail somehow!
Angie tried to react with magic but was unable with the drug affecting her badly. Why are you doing this to me?
To make you understand that light and dark must co-exist. You've been running away from me for years, hoping you could forget all those painful and angry feelings and—
Stop it! Whatever you're doing to me will not work against me. I'll always be protected by light.
I'll leave you alone for now, my dear Angela, but you can't escape me. I will come, and when it happens, you will be completely powerless! After letting out a horrifying laugh, the voice faded away.
She returned to reality, still powerless to use her magic because of the strong effects of the tranquilizer.
As for Jameson, he looked at their asleep victim. "She looks so close like an innocent child."
"That may be sweet, but the boss needs her alive. I'm glad we packed all those tranquilizers. I just hope we can get to the plane in Amarillo fast enough."
"Why do you think the boss bought tickets for this particular train? It's the fastest one to Amarillo. We'll get there, just be patient and relax."
"Yeah, I guess. I'll turn on the radio."
He did so and heard the news reports. "We have word from the FBI that the two kidnappers are on their way to Amarillo by train. Positively identified as Joey Ferrio and Larry Jameson, they abandoned their stolen dark-green sportscar and have taken a train towards Amarillo, Texas. The FBI and Texas Rangers are standing by in Amarillo to check everyone out."
Ferrio quickly turned off the radio. "Shoot! Now what?"
"Just relax. We're in disguise, and so is Jacobs. We'll get through with our licenses, easily. Remember, we're supposed to pick up the private plane. It'll be waiting in the hangar the boss had specified in the original plans. We mustn't fail."
"I just need to calm down. I'm making myself nervous for no reason."
"Understandable."
The pair stayed very quiet for the remainder of the trip while Angie slept very soundly.

Ace and Vega continued speeding their way through the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico, trying desperately to catch up with Ferrio, Jameson, and Angie.
"I should have taken the Express!" Ace said in disgust. "I'd have a better chance of catching up with them and Angie!"
"Ace, you need to calm yourself down. Your driving is going to get us into an accident. How about I drive for a while. You're starting to show signs of road rage."
The Magician pulled over to the side of the road and sighed. "Maybe…I should let you drive. The words 'road rage' are very hard to hear, since—"
"Oh, yeah. Angie's parents were road rage victims themselves. Still, Ace, last thing we need is to get hurt trying to locate Angie."
"Yeah…I know. I'll let you drive the rest of the way to Amarillo. Is that all right with you?"
"Sure. I wish you could make psychic contact with Angie."
"Let me try that now and see if I'm close enough." He closed his eyes to concentrate. Angie…Angie…can you hear me? It's Ace. Can you hear me?
Ace was only able to see darkness. "The kidnappers have about a 400 mile jump on us. She's just too far out of range."
"It's okay, Ace. For now, the best thing to do is to try to get to Amarillo before we lose track of Angie."
Vega started driving the car while Ace sat in the back seat, thinking so much about Angie. Angie, just hang on. I'll find you. I promise with all my heart that I will not rest until you are found safe.

A couple of hours later, the train arrived at the station in Amarillo, Texas, and all passengers came off the train amid very high security. Everyone was checked, including the two passengers and their "mannequin."
They soon found a taxi cab and paid beforehand to get to Amarillo National Airport.
"So far, so good," said Ferrio. "We got past the security without a problem."
"Sure, they were expecting two guys with blonde and black hair and a young lady with light brown hair. We're going to make it after all, even with the clues the FBI's been able to find on us."
"Yeah, but they won't find us, not now, not ever."
It did not take very long to reach the airport, and soon they were holding their "mannequin" victim. Since they were taking a private plane and not a commercial passenger jet, the only security check they had to go through was for identification. They easily explained their situation about the mannequin, allowing them to get straight through and go to the hangars for their private plane. Of course, they had to walk through the terminal with Angie to get there first.
At almost the same time, a woman in her mid-30s with red hair and brown eyes was going through the security check point. She took everything metallic and placed it into the special basket, along with her badge and handgun, which did not have any bullets. Even though she was a member of law enforcement, she knew the security measures at airports very well.
The checker noticed her badge. "Ah, Des Moines, Iowa? What brings you here to Amarillo?"
"I'm here for a conference about the advancement of women in law enforcement in the past 20 years. There are much more women in the field nowadays."
"That's right. I heard that was taking place here. I have noticed a jump of women being in the FBI in the last couple of years alone."
"Well, wait until they find out there's a lieutenant at this conference." She just smiled.
"Okay. You can take your things now, ma'am. Have a good stay in Texas."
"Thank you. I am looking forward to this." She took her things from the basket and walked towards the luggage hold, since she was to be there for three days.
She looked around at all the interesting people. Hmm, it's my first trip to Texas, and I love it already, she thought happily. So diverse, so interesting. She then noticed a trio of guitar players. "That is some nice music. It's rarely heard back home."
Walking through the terminal, though, she started developing the strangest feeling inside herself. What's going on here? she thought. I seem to be sensing something wrong…either that, or my empathic powers must be losing it. There are so many people here in this terminal already.
She sat down at an airport café and started keeping a close eye on the people. There's someone here, someone I know. Who is it, though? Maybe I can use my powers to find out.
Staring ahead, she concentrated with her own unique ability. Before too long, she started feeling a familiar heart. I don't believe it! It's my friend Angela Jacobs, the female magician. She's the one who's been missing since yesterday from Electro City. I promised myself I would keep an eye on things on that case while I was here in Amarillo. Now it looks like I may be closer to her than I think.
Controlling her breathing, she tried to contact Angie telepathically. \Angie, can you hear me? It's Daria. I know you're here. Can you hear me?\
Despite the pair carrying her drugged self, Angie somehow heard the voice of someone she did know once before. D-Daria? Daria Weinke? Is that you calling me…with the empathic power you have?
\Yes, Angie, it's me. I'm here for a conference, but I sense you're very close to me. I'm going to try to do something to figure out where you are.\
Please…help me. I'm scared.
\Don't worry, Angie. I'll make sure you're okay.\
Just then, she heard what was similar to Angie's voice, but much darker. Hey, stay out of this, lady! This is between her and me!
\Who are you?\
I'm a part of Angie…a part she has denied for a long, long time now.
\I understand what you are. You are the darker side of Angela, a side she fears, right?\
You seem to know a lot about me. How do you know her?
\We met in Des Moines when she learned about her aunt, Rita Wisland, and the torturous relationship she was trapped in.\
Oh, yes, I do recall that. The light was angry at that man, Craig, for abusing her aunt. I think she still has anger in her heart. That's where I come into play. I am all those feelings she wants to deny having.
\The darkness…I understand. Right now, I just want to help her get away from the kidnappers and get her back to her friends in time.\
That's all you want to do?
\Yes, but I am also concerned about you. Please, don't harm her.\
That's the one thing I hope I won't have to do to make her understand me, but if push comes to shove, I will take over her.
Daria returned to reality and started walking around the terminal once again, all the while using her own powers to come closer to finding Angie and the kidnappers.
Soon, she noticed two tall gentlemen carrying what looked like a mannequin towards the private hangars area. "Excuse me, gentlemen, but what is that?"
"This?" answered Jameson, "is the latest creation. We're going to fly to Chicago tonight with our lifelike mannequin. Hopefully we'll be able to mass produce them in the near future, if we can get the approval of the board of trustees."
"Oh, um, what company are you doing this for?"
The two stared at each other just as Ferrio stated, "It's a new company, um, Mannequin Enterprises. We specialize in making mannequins for store displays."
Although Daria could not recognize Angie with the hair, Daria's empathic signals were very strong. It's Angie! I'm not about to let them escape with her. "Gentlemen, can I see some ID please?"
Jameson was a little infuriated at the young woman. "Just who do you think you are!?"
She took out her badge. "Lieutenant Daria Weinke, Des Moines Police Department. I know that 'mannequin' is really Angela Jacobs, and I know you two are Joey Ferrio and Larry Jameson. Now, let the young lady go immediately."
"Um, ma'am, you must be mistaken," said Ferrio. "We really work for the company."
"Nice try, Ferrio, but I can recognize the birthmark on Jameson's face."
"What!?"
"That's right, the one near the temple on the right side. Now, I suggest you let her go before I contact the local authorities here."
"Lady, we don't know what you're talking about."
She soon noticed a Texas Ranger walking by. "Sir," she yelled out, "sir!"
The Ranger soon came up to her. "Is something wrong, Miss?"
"Yes, there is. I'm Lieutenant Daria Weinke from the Des Moines, Iowa, Police Department. These two gentlemen are the kidnappers of Angela Jacobs. Take a look at the birthmark on the right side of the man on the left."
He looked closely and determined it to be the right one. "Near the temple. That's Jameson all right." He soon took out his gun and held it in front of him. "Gentlemen, release Miss Jacobs immediately."
Ferrio took something out of his pocket and said, "I don't think so." He threw down a small ball, which exploded on impact.
As smoke covered the Ranger and lieutenant, the two men took off with Angie towards the private hangars.
"Good work, Joey," said Jameson. "Now we can get to that plane."
"Hangar 17 is where the plane should be. Let's get there before the cops and rangers find us!"
Back inside the smoke finally cleared out, but the Ranger and Daria saw the two men vanished with Angie.
"I'll notify all the other Rangers in the area." He then used his radio. "Attention all Texas Rangers. The kidnappers and Angela Jacobs are here at the airport, probably heading for the private hangars. Have all areas secured immediately!"
Daria said, "We have to find them and fast."
"But how? They got a good start on us."
"Just leave it to me." She focused on one spot and concentrated her empathic abilities on Angie's heart. "They are running…for hangar number 17. That must be where their plane is."
"How do you know that?"
"Let's say I have a knack for knowing these things."
The pair started running after the kidnappers in the hopes they could rescue Angie before they took off.
As they reached the private hangars, the plane was already taking off.
"Freeze!" yelled the pair at the same time.
Other Texas Rangers approached in their cars to try to slow down the leer jet and stop it from getting into the air.
As they came out of their cars with guns drawn, one of them yelled, "Be very careful! Angela Jacobs is in that plane!"
In the plane, Angie wanted to do something, but she was too far drugged to be able to even move. Damn! I have to do something to get out of this! This is driving me crazy, and my friends are probably worried sick!
The plane managed to get off without a scratch to its hull.
Daria became frustrated. "We were so close! We almost got her back!"
"It's okay, Lieutenant Weinke," said the Ranger, also feeling upset. "We can track the plane's movements with the control tower." He used his radio to contact the tower. "We need you to track the plane that just took off from Hangar 17. Can do?"
"We're already tracking it now. It's moving towards the northeast."
Inside the plane, though, Jameson, piloting the plane, motioned, "Quick, Joey, activate the stealth device the boss installed on this thing."
As soon as Ferrio pushed a red button, the plane was still going, but the control tower lost it on radar.
"Sorry, but the plane has some kind of stealth mode. We lost track of the plane. All we know is that it's moving towards the northeast."
Daria was able to track Angie empathically. \The tower's right. The plane is heading northeast…but where is the location? Angie, do you know?\
No, I don't know. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
\Angie, don't blame yourself. Just don't give up.\
The Ranger said, "What can we do now?"
"Notify the authorities and the FBI. Angie's now on a plane."
"You know her?"
"Yes. I do know her…very well. I also know she's emotionally frightened right now because she's getting further away from those she holds close to her heart."
"Poor thing. I don't blame her for being scared."

Ace and Vega were entering the outskirts of Amarillo in the late afternoon hours when they received word from Simons about Angie leaving from the airport via plane, with the kidnappers still holding her hostage.
"A Texas Ranger and a lieutenant from the Des Moines Police Department almost rescued Jacobs from the kidnappers," Simons noted, "but they managed to get away from the airport on a private leer jet. They were heading northeast before activating some stealth device, making them invisible to radar."
Ace was surprised about the second person. "A lieutenant from the Des Moines Police Department? Is her name Daria Weinke?"
"Yes. How did you know that?"
"I met her in Des Moines a couple of years ago, when Angie's aunt was in trouble with an abusive boyfriend. What is she doing in Amarillo?"
"It's a women's law enforcement conference. Weinke's scheduled to be the main speaker."
"Thanks, Mr. Simons. That's a tremendous help. Is she at the airport now?"
"Yes. She's already issued her statement to my agents, but she's waiting for you to show up."
"We're on our way."
Ace and Vega arrived at the airport and found a visibly upset Daria.
"Daria?" said Ace as he approached.
She looked up. "Ace. I'm sorry. We almost got her, but—"
"It's okay, Daria. You tried your best, but those two were very clever."
Vega then came up to the twosome. "Wait a minute…you're Lieutenant Weinke?"
"Yes, I am."
Ace then made the proper introductions. "Vega, meet Lieutenant Daria Weinke from Des Moines. Daria, this is Lieutenant Derek Vega from Electro City's Police Department."
Vega was very surprised. "Lieutenant Weinke…you're so young."
"A good work ethic will always pay off. So, you're Ace's best friend, huh?"
"He told you about me?"
"Yes, and I have to say it's all been good. I'm just sorry the circumstances aren't as pleasant."
"Me, too. I just wish we knew where Angie was going right now."
"All I remember is the plane going northeast. If only I could use my astral powers."
Vega looked at Ace and Daria in confusion. "Astral powers? What are you talking about?"
Daria stared at Vega. "I can sense your befuddlement about what I just said."
Ace laughed and said, "Vega, don't spread this around, but Daria has both empathic and astral powers. She can feel others' emotions while she can also travel in the astral plane. However, her astral travel can leave her severely weakened, which means she won't be able to use that here."
"Right. I don't use my astral ability unless it's absolutely necessary. I had to use it to locate Angie's aunt back in Des Moines before. Now, we may never be able to find Angie."
Ace assured, "Don't be so sure, Daria. We may be able to use the information to get a trajectory as to where she could be going. Angel narrowed it down to Jacksonville, Washington, or Boston. Let's get to the Racer."
All three went to the Magic Racer, where Ace contacted Cosmo and Mona back in Electro City. "Guys, we may be able to determine which of the three cities she may end up. The kidnappers' plane left Amarillo, Texas, heading northeast. Tell Angel to use that and calculate the closest location."
"We're on it," said Mona. "Oh, and who's the young lady with you?"
"This is Lieutenant Daria Weinke. Daria, Mona Malone, my girlfriend."
"Oh, the Des Moines Police Lieutenant who was able to help Angie's aunt. Yes, I remember now. I'm sorry we're meeting in a serious situation."
"I know, Miss Malone. Hopefully Angel will be able to get her location."
Mona and Cosmo went to the computer room of the Express.
Cosmo punched in the necessary information. "Angel, the plane has left Amarillo, Texas, going northeast. Calculate the closest location by their flight route."
Taking about a minute, the AI came up with the calculation. "The destination closest on their present flight path will be…Washington, DC."
All who had listened were surprised at the outcome.
"Whoever wants Angie," said Ace, "is in the Washington area."
"Right," said Mona, "but we still don't know who the person behind all this is."
Vega stated, "I'll head to the phone to tell Dan what's happened now."
As he left to call his friend, Ace and Daria had their own conversation, both able to feel each other's concern for their friend.
"Daria, have you been doing okay? I mean, after your own run-in with Faceless when she teamed up with Craig Rutherford?"
"Well, it's been a pretty hectic road getting back to normal. Faceless literally raped my mind and caused a lot of psychological damage to me that day. I am so grateful to my nephew Oriole and to the folks at Ashwood for helping me recover from the psychic nightmare that thief made me have."
"Do you still get yourself treated?"
"Because some psychological scars are still present, I go to Ashwood once every three months to make sure I'm doing okay. I may never be able to get rid of the damage completely, but at least Oriole and the others are there to help me at times when I feel…you know. Angie was very lucky not to suffer as badly as I did. I just hope…she's okay."
"Daria, we're both worried about Angie. However, I also sense something else troubling you."
"I heard this darker voice inside her. What was it?"
"Angie has a darker side beginning to surface within her. Ever since the parole hearing in Mason City, she's been having a painful struggle with that shadow. The reason I'm on the case is I must find her before she suffers a magical disaster…one that could harm herself and possibly other people."
"I understand. She won't accept the darker feelings in her own heart and soul. She must have left Mason City to escape those feelings, but they've almost caught up to her, haven't they?"
"Yes. It's vital she's found before she inadvertently harms someone or herself. Vega's in on the case because Dan Simons is an old friend of his."
"The head of the FBI? He sure has a powerful connection."
"Only when it's necessary, and this time it is."
Vega returned to the pair. "Ace, Dan's getting the information out now. In addition, he's sending a private jet of his own to pick us up and take us to Washington. Plane won't get here until later on tonight."
"Plus it'll need refueling," Ace added.
"I wish I could stay and help," said a sad Daria, "but I have to go to the conference. I'm sorry."
Vega said, "Lieutenant Weinke, don't be sorry. What you tried to do was very courageous on your part. Go ahead and go to the conference."
"Thank you, Lieutenant Vega. I hope you and Ace can find Angie safe and sound."
As Daria started leaving, Ace sent her a thought. Daria, will you be all right?
\Physically, yes. Emotionally, not until Angie is safe. Please, find her and make sure she is okay. I'm more concerned about this building darkness.\
I know, Daria. Those of us closest to Angie are gravely concerned. We'll find her…somehow.
\Good luck, Magician. Godspeed on your journey.\
"Thanks, Daria," he whispered. "Something tells me…we're going to need all the speed we can get."