****

Two of the men grabbed hold of her and wrestled her down to the ground as the third one tied a gag over her mouth. Roughly they hauled the twisting, bucking mass of female up to her feet and dragged her, kicking and snarling back to the front of the house. As they rounded the corner and came into the den where LJ and the girls were at, Frankie's gray eyes widened. The kids…

"Glad to see you realize the situation, Mrs. Francesca Shaw." A voice said smoothly as she froze in place. What little breath she could take before was sucked out harshly as she heard the voice.

"You will be a good girl and remain calm, yes? That way, nothing will happen to the children. I'd hate to think of one of them getting accidentally hurt if you tried to make a run for it. But then, you're a mother, you wouldn't abandon your own child for your own safety, would you." The voice came around and stood in front of her. Again Frankie's eyes widened when she finally saw who owned the voice.

Both hands came up and pulled the gag from her mouth. "You recognize me. That's good. Then I will assume you know why I'm here."

--

Frank's Blazer wove in and out of traffic behind the escort squad car. After Jake had explained to Frank what he thought was going on, Frank detailed an escort to get them there as soon as possible. This was just great… First there was the attempted abduction in broad daylight, then the forcible collision of Shay in Frankie's car. Now there was possibly a hostage situation at their house.

Jake's jaw was torqued up so tight that Frank thought his teeth were going to crack. The last six months had not been a good time for either him or Frankie. Now his wife was being held hostage with their daughter and two 'cousins'. When it rained it poured.

Frank ignored the blaring horns and silently shaking fists of the other drivers on the highway as he sped along. His children's safety and that of his friend and her daughter were foremost on his mind. Right behind that was the health and well being of his wife still in the hospital where he left her.

"So help me God, if she is being held hostage and one hair on her head is harmed.."

"I know Jake. When we get there, I want you to stay in the car. Let me take care of it. I know it's Frankie and she's your wife… but promise me you'll keep your cool."

"I'll try."

"That's all I'm asking for Jake." Frank knew that was all Jake could do in this situation. He made the turn off of the highway and down the main road through the neighborhood. Maybe it was a good thing that Shay was in the hospital. That way she would be out of the way… but it was her children in there too… Too many thoughts ran through Frank's mind. He would have to clear it all if he had to go to work.

****

The squad car pulled to a stop two houses down as ordered and allowed Frank to pull past it to the driveway of the Shaw residence. Frank got out of the car after parking it across the street and walked up to the door. After looking around and then back at Jake still sitting somewhat patiently in the passenger seat, he knocked on the door.

Inside, Frankie's head jerked around at the knock on the door. She'd sat down on the floor with LJ and the two girls. Playing with LJ kept her mind off of the situation for the most part and it kept the two girls calm to have her down on the floor. LJ was nonplussed with everything going on. Instead he focused on his crayons and his alphabet papers while Aunt Frankie helped him.

"The delivery men with the furniture…" she whispered.

Quito looked at her then the children. "I see. All right, Mrs. Shaw… Get rid of them, calmly please. Don't give them any messages other than to come back another day. Got it?"

Frankie stood up slowly and nodded. Quito picked up little Jessie as Frankie stood. "For insurance. Be a good girl, Francesca."

Frankie's bile rose in her throat and her gray eyes narrowed to slits. That man put his hands on her child and subtly threatened Jessie's health. If she lived, she'd rip his throat out through his rectal sphincter when it was over. But she pushed that thought back for the moment and put on a calm face as she walked towards the front door.

Frank knocked again, this time impatiently. If he didn't get an answer and soon, he could just picture Jake come storming out of the car with murder on his mind. The door opening slowly and only partially interrupted his train of thought.

"Frankie?"

"Hello," she said quietly.

Alarm bells rang in his head. She was far too calm and didn't address him by name. That could only mean that she wasn't alone.

"Everything all right with you Mrs. Shaw? I saw the truck out front and got worried."

"Yes, everything is fine William." Frankie silently groaned. William was their nosey next door neighbor who had knocked on their door at least 20 times in the last week since they'd moved in to see how they were or if they needed anything. She knew Frank knew that because she'd told him about it when he picked Jake up that morning.

"And the kids, I saw your friends drop off their two kids this morning… they OK too?"

"Sure, they're fine." Her eyes flicked to Jake sitting in the car, watching her like a hawk. Tears came to her eyes unbidden and she looked down. "They're just fine," she whispered.

Frank caught the look and he caught the catch in her throat. "Well, all right then Mrs. Shaw. I'll leave you alone. I know you were expecting some delivery guys today. Hope that furniture arrived OK."

"It hasn't arrived yet. I just got lunch delivered. Thank you, William. Goodbye…" she closed the door slowly and walked back to the den where everyone was.

"Very good Francesca. I'm proud of you." Quito said as he handed her daughter back to her.

Frankie took Jessie from him rather quickly and glared daggers at him. "When this is done Quito and the children are safe where they belong - God help you if it is right that He should do so, for no one else will."

"That may be, Mrs. Shaw. But if that happens, it won't be you coming after me."

Frank settled behind the wheel and picked up his cell phone.

"Burkholtz."

"Good Afternoon Deidre. I'm going to need some help. I got a hostage situation involving one of my agent's spouse."

On the other end of the phone, Deidre's breath began to quicken. She knew who it was without asking. Only one of Frank's agents were married - Jake Shaw. And that meant that Francesca was the one being held hostage. "You got it. Anything you need is at your disposal."

****