Disclaimer: Don't own anything remotely having to do with UC
"Ok Cody, what do we got?" Donovan took his place at the head of the table. They were back in their building, but it was only for this morning. They needed the quiet and the absence of everyone else that was running around the Ryan household in order to plan and think.
"Well according to sources" Cody smiled, his hacking abilities would never cease to amaze the group, though they rarely admitted it "Our guy had an average few days. Which we know isn't true, as evident from the many phone calls we received. Ransom demands, general threats-you know the stuff that makes our jobs interesting. No unusual purchases. The only property he owned was his apartment-and not even cause that was rented. He did however, receive quite the payment 2 weeks before the kidnaping. It's an unknown numerical account but I'll have the owner soon enough."
"Good work Cody. Monica?" Everyone turned to Monica as she settled in to give a detailed description of where the kidnapper's head was at before he died.
"Well this man was working with limited resources and felt backed into a corner. He was anti social, being this way has made his jobs as a sniper and gunrunner a lot easier to complete. But it makes our job that much more difficult. When Alex and Jake interviewed his 'friends' they didn't get much. So basically for a time line we're on our own. He was a career criminal, but had to hang up his hat when he was busted. He lost everything, his home, money, car. And everything was against him. No one legit wanted him and the cops were watching him, so the others in the business wouldn't admit they knew him, let alone go near him. This job was a way for him to show the others that he was on top and enable him to retire at the same time. He was a paranoid person and either way you look at it, he would've killed Joey. It was just a matter of keeping him talking long enough to get him to slip and give us Joey's location."
Monica sat down, the others were silent each with their own torments. Alex and Jake were frustrated they couldn't get more out of the neighbors and 'friends' they had interviewed. Cody was upset that it was taking him as long as it was to get the details on the account. Frank was beginning to feel backed into a corner, much like the kidnaper, it was as if no matter what he tried the end result would not be the one they wanted.
"We know that all his calls were made from payphones, the surrounding areas are now being searched." Cody said.
"Thank you Cody. We know that Joey was being fed regularly and not just left a bulk of food to last for weeks. Which means that he kept Joey near him and that we have roughly 3 days to find him before he dehydrates. We don't know about his air supply, but for the sake of morale, we'll assume it's good." With that said Donovan dismissed them and the team readied themselves to head back to the Ryan's house.
2 days before
"Donovan, I want the money" Karl's voice came over the speaker phone. His voice was harsh leaving you to guess that the owner's appearance was just as severe. This was the third call they had received from him and they were making little progress. One thing Karl definitely was, was stubborn. Stubborn and persistent.
"You need to give me the boy first."
"How 'bout I send him in a box. By fed ex?"
Donovan could feel everyone around him tense and he tried to shut it out. It wouldn't him any good to stress, but most of all it wouldn't help Joey.
"Then you definitely don't get your money. You bring the boy, I'll bring the money. We'll exchange in a place you choose. That's the only concession I'll make and this is the only way we'll do this."
"I wonder if you'd be so casual if I had kidnaped your son." He had taken a moment to consider Donovan's offer and now was laughing, threatening and teasing at the same time "I still can you know. He still goes to that school just around the corner from Holy Evangelist's church. Doesn't he...Frankie. Bring the money Donovan, or I assure you the consequences will be great."
Donovan was going to respond, regain the ground that was lost, but the click of the phone and the dial tone soon after prevented him from doing so. He didn't know how Karl knew about his son but he would take measures to protect him. The last thing he needed was to negotiate for the release of his own son, he would never be able to look his wife in the eyes again if something happened to Christopher. This thing needed a resolution, and soon.