"Hungry?" Frank asked as he and Callie pulled away from the Observatory.
"Yes," she replied, grinning at Frank.
"Mr. Pizza? Barney's Burgers? Alan's Cafe? Or the Klondike?" Frank gave her a choice of restaurants.
"Mr. Pizza," Callie answered and saw Frank's lips turn down slightly. "I know, we will probably run into the gang there and you wanted to spend the evening alone but we can be alone after we eat," she said.
"Works for me," Frank replied, smiling as he glanced at her. "As long as we do get to spend some time alone."
"You can be so romantic," Callie cooed, leaning her head against his alarm.
Frank grinned but never responded. If you think I'm romantic now just wait until your birthday, he thought as his grin became a full-blown smile.
"Over here!" shouted Biff as Frank and Callie entered the restaurant.
Frank and Callie made their way over to a corner booth where Biff and Liz were waiting on their order. "Where is everyone?" Callie asked as she slid in the booth followed by Frank.
Liz shrugged. "Guess they had other plans," she replied, her gaze falling onto Frank. "Well?" she demanded before Frank had a chance to open his mouth to greet her and Biff.
Frank laughed. "Well....thanks," he said. "The article was perfect. Dad thought you did an excellent job."
Liz blushed. "Really?" she asked, flattered.
Frank nodded. "You gave enough information so that no one could mistake Joe for anyone else and yet you kept all our cases and mishaps out of it. Thanks," he said again.
"It was my pleasure," Liz replied, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "I only wish I could have interviewed you too."
"Some other time, perhaps?" Frank suggested.
"I will hold you to that," she promised.
"I don't doubt it for a second," Frank responded in a friendly tone as he rolled his eyes. Everyone knew Liz never forgot the promise of an interview or lost the scent of a story.
Callie and Frank hung out at Mr. Pizza for an hour and a half then left their friends and headed to the town park where they spent the next hour swinging and lying on the bleachers looking up at the night sky.
"I wish this night didn't have to end but it is getting late and we have school tomorrow," Frank said, standing up and pulling Callie to her feet.
"It's been a wonderful night," Callie breathed as Frank leaned in close to her. She put her arms around his neck and pulled him down until their lips met. When they broke apart they headed back to the van without a word.
At Callie's house, Frank walked her to the door and kissed her again. "Thanks for a perfect evening," Callie said softly, looking up into his brown eyes.
"It was only perfect because you were with me," Frank returned and kissed her one more time. "I'll see you at school tomorrow," he said and left as soon a she turned away and went inside, closing the door behind her.
Frank arrived home at ten minutes after eleven. Hope I don't get in trouble for being late, he thought. He unlocked the kitchen door and opened the refrigerator. He pulled out a bottle of water and downed it then tossed the empty bottle into the trash before leaving the kitchen. He froze in shock when he pushed open the door.
"Dad!" he shouted and rushed forward to remove the gag from his father's mouth.
"They took your brother," Fenton rasped through dry lips as Frank began untying him.
"How long ago?" Frank demanded.
"At least two hours," Fenton replied.
"But why?" Frank asked, finishing the knots about his father's wrists and starting on his ankles. "Surely they saw the article."
"They did," Fenton replied grimly. "Unfortunately, it only made them more sure that Joe was Leland's son."
"Why?" Frank asked again.
"Apparently Morrison knows what I look like and said I could have at least changed Joe's physical appearance if I was going to pretend he was my son in order to protect him," Fenton said with a scowl. It was a sore spot that Joe hadn't even inherited his cheekbones from him but he did look a lot like his mother and, if possible, that only made Fenton love Joe all that much more.
"We've got to get in touch with Tom," said Frank. "We have to get Joe back before the trial or stop Tom from testifying."
"I know," agreed Fenton standing up now that he had been released only to lurch unsteadily and sink back onto the chair.
"Stay there," ordered Frank as he headed to the kitchen. He returned in seconds with a glass of water for his father.
Fenton downed the water and set the glass on the table moving his ankles to try and get some blood circulating. Frank handed his dad his cell phone and Fenton dialed Agent Boone's number.
"Joe was taken by Morrison's men," Fenton informed the agent and gave an account of the evening's events. "We have to talk to Leland," he ended.
"Not you," responded Boone tersely. "You are probably being watched. Is Frank there?"
"Yes," acknowledged Fenton.
"Have him meet me at my office downtown," Boone instructed. "We'll go see him together," he said before hanging up.
Fenton returned Frank his cell phone and repeated what Boone had said. "Be careful," he cautioned his eldest son.
"I will," promised Frank as he exited the house through the kitchen.
Frank climbed behind the wheel of the van and put the key in the ignition. His wrist twisted as he moved to start the vehicle but he paused before actually turning it. Leaving the motor off he quickly pulled his cell phone from its place on his belt and called Callie.
"Hi, Babe," he said when she picked up and gave the universal greeting. "I hope you weren't already in bed."
"Just on my way," she replied, her voice laced with concern. "What's wrong?"
"They got Joe," he said. "I'm on my way to meet someone now who may be able to help us get him back. Let Vanessa and the gang know in the morning, okay?" he requested.
"Of course," Callie replied. "I hope you find him soon."
"Me too," Frank agreed feverently. "Love you. Night."
"Night," Callie said as Frank hung up without waiting for her response. She hung up the phone and said a silent prayer for Joe's safe return before heading to her bedroom.
Frank reached the FBI headquarters as Agent Boone was getting out of his car. Boone waited for Frank to park and alight before walking over to meet him. "Your dad once mentioned that you were a licensed pilot," he said.
"That's right," acknowledged Frank with a curious expression.
"Ever flown a chopper?" Boone inquired.
"Yes, Sir," answered Frank. "I took my first solo flight three months ago. Excuse me," he continued. "But why do you want to know?"
"Because there are only three people who know where Leland is being housed," explained Boone. "The two agents guarding him, and myself. If you can fly us there then we can keep his whereabouts strictly on a need to know basis."
Frank nodded. "Good," Boone said. "The chopper is on the roof. Let's go. I'll give you directions once we're airborne."
Two hours later they landed on a small airfield that belonged to a dust cropping farm. "Stay here while I arrange for transportation," Boone ordered Frank.
Frank got out of the chopper and looked around. They seemed to be in the middle of nowhere but in reality they were only fifteen miles from Conover which, Frank admitted ruefully, was in the middle of nowhere although it did host an annual festival that drew in a large crowd every Fourth of July.
He waited, seemingly patiently, for Boone's return but inside his mind was running at full tilt. What if Tom wouldn't help them get Joe back? Not an option, Frank vowed firmly albeit silently. And then a truly terrifying thought occurred to him. What if Tom couldn't help them?
Would Tom know the location of Morrison's headquarters? It was entirely possible, even probable, that Morrison had moved his base of operations since Leland's defection. His stomach hurting from the mental knots binding him it was with a deep sigh of relief he saw Boone returning.
"Let's go," Boone shouted to Frank from a distance. Frank ran to meet him. "The safe house is about twenty miles from here," he informed Frank. "We'll be there in no time."
They got in an old black jeep and headed southwest. When Frank thought they must have passed the place Boone made a turn onto a dirt road. "There it is," Boone told Frank as an old farmhouse came into view.
Frank let out a sigh. Soon they would have some answers. I hope! he thought just before the farmhouse exploded into flames!
"Yes," she replied, grinning at Frank.
"Mr. Pizza? Barney's Burgers? Alan's Cafe? Or the Klondike?" Frank gave her a choice of restaurants.
"Mr. Pizza," Callie answered and saw Frank's lips turn down slightly. "I know, we will probably run into the gang there and you wanted to spend the evening alone but we can be alone after we eat," she said.
"Works for me," Frank replied, smiling as he glanced at her. "As long as we do get to spend some time alone."
"You can be so romantic," Callie cooed, leaning her head against his alarm.
Frank grinned but never responded. If you think I'm romantic now just wait until your birthday, he thought as his grin became a full-blown smile.
"Over here!" shouted Biff as Frank and Callie entered the restaurant.
Frank and Callie made their way over to a corner booth where Biff and Liz were waiting on their order. "Where is everyone?" Callie asked as she slid in the booth followed by Frank.
Liz shrugged. "Guess they had other plans," she replied, her gaze falling onto Frank. "Well?" she demanded before Frank had a chance to open his mouth to greet her and Biff.
Frank laughed. "Well....thanks," he said. "The article was perfect. Dad thought you did an excellent job."
Liz blushed. "Really?" she asked, flattered.
Frank nodded. "You gave enough information so that no one could mistake Joe for anyone else and yet you kept all our cases and mishaps out of it. Thanks," he said again.
"It was my pleasure," Liz replied, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "I only wish I could have interviewed you too."
"Some other time, perhaps?" Frank suggested.
"I will hold you to that," she promised.
"I don't doubt it for a second," Frank responded in a friendly tone as he rolled his eyes. Everyone knew Liz never forgot the promise of an interview or lost the scent of a story.
Callie and Frank hung out at Mr. Pizza for an hour and a half then left their friends and headed to the town park where they spent the next hour swinging and lying on the bleachers looking up at the night sky.
"I wish this night didn't have to end but it is getting late and we have school tomorrow," Frank said, standing up and pulling Callie to her feet.
"It's been a wonderful night," Callie breathed as Frank leaned in close to her. She put her arms around his neck and pulled him down until their lips met. When they broke apart they headed back to the van without a word.
At Callie's house, Frank walked her to the door and kissed her again. "Thanks for a perfect evening," Callie said softly, looking up into his brown eyes.
"It was only perfect because you were with me," Frank returned and kissed her one more time. "I'll see you at school tomorrow," he said and left as soon a she turned away and went inside, closing the door behind her.
Frank arrived home at ten minutes after eleven. Hope I don't get in trouble for being late, he thought. He unlocked the kitchen door and opened the refrigerator. He pulled out a bottle of water and downed it then tossed the empty bottle into the trash before leaving the kitchen. He froze in shock when he pushed open the door.
"Dad!" he shouted and rushed forward to remove the gag from his father's mouth.
"They took your brother," Fenton rasped through dry lips as Frank began untying him.
"How long ago?" Frank demanded.
"At least two hours," Fenton replied.
"But why?" Frank asked, finishing the knots about his father's wrists and starting on his ankles. "Surely they saw the article."
"They did," Fenton replied grimly. "Unfortunately, it only made them more sure that Joe was Leland's son."
"Why?" Frank asked again.
"Apparently Morrison knows what I look like and said I could have at least changed Joe's physical appearance if I was going to pretend he was my son in order to protect him," Fenton said with a scowl. It was a sore spot that Joe hadn't even inherited his cheekbones from him but he did look a lot like his mother and, if possible, that only made Fenton love Joe all that much more.
"We've got to get in touch with Tom," said Frank. "We have to get Joe back before the trial or stop Tom from testifying."
"I know," agreed Fenton standing up now that he had been released only to lurch unsteadily and sink back onto the chair.
"Stay there," ordered Frank as he headed to the kitchen. He returned in seconds with a glass of water for his father.
Fenton downed the water and set the glass on the table moving his ankles to try and get some blood circulating. Frank handed his dad his cell phone and Fenton dialed Agent Boone's number.
"Joe was taken by Morrison's men," Fenton informed the agent and gave an account of the evening's events. "We have to talk to Leland," he ended.
"Not you," responded Boone tersely. "You are probably being watched. Is Frank there?"
"Yes," acknowledged Fenton.
"Have him meet me at my office downtown," Boone instructed. "We'll go see him together," he said before hanging up.
Fenton returned Frank his cell phone and repeated what Boone had said. "Be careful," he cautioned his eldest son.
"I will," promised Frank as he exited the house through the kitchen.
Frank climbed behind the wheel of the van and put the key in the ignition. His wrist twisted as he moved to start the vehicle but he paused before actually turning it. Leaving the motor off he quickly pulled his cell phone from its place on his belt and called Callie.
"Hi, Babe," he said when she picked up and gave the universal greeting. "I hope you weren't already in bed."
"Just on my way," she replied, her voice laced with concern. "What's wrong?"
"They got Joe," he said. "I'm on my way to meet someone now who may be able to help us get him back. Let Vanessa and the gang know in the morning, okay?" he requested.
"Of course," Callie replied. "I hope you find him soon."
"Me too," Frank agreed feverently. "Love you. Night."
"Night," Callie said as Frank hung up without waiting for her response. She hung up the phone and said a silent prayer for Joe's safe return before heading to her bedroom.
Frank reached the FBI headquarters as Agent Boone was getting out of his car. Boone waited for Frank to park and alight before walking over to meet him. "Your dad once mentioned that you were a licensed pilot," he said.
"That's right," acknowledged Frank with a curious expression.
"Ever flown a chopper?" Boone inquired.
"Yes, Sir," answered Frank. "I took my first solo flight three months ago. Excuse me," he continued. "But why do you want to know?"
"Because there are only three people who know where Leland is being housed," explained Boone. "The two agents guarding him, and myself. If you can fly us there then we can keep his whereabouts strictly on a need to know basis."
Frank nodded. "Good," Boone said. "The chopper is on the roof. Let's go. I'll give you directions once we're airborne."
Two hours later they landed on a small airfield that belonged to a dust cropping farm. "Stay here while I arrange for transportation," Boone ordered Frank.
Frank got out of the chopper and looked around. They seemed to be in the middle of nowhere but in reality they were only fifteen miles from Conover which, Frank admitted ruefully, was in the middle of nowhere although it did host an annual festival that drew in a large crowd every Fourth of July.
He waited, seemingly patiently, for Boone's return but inside his mind was running at full tilt. What if Tom wouldn't help them get Joe back? Not an option, Frank vowed firmly albeit silently. And then a truly terrifying thought occurred to him. What if Tom couldn't help them?
Would Tom know the location of Morrison's headquarters? It was entirely possible, even probable, that Morrison had moved his base of operations since Leland's defection. His stomach hurting from the mental knots binding him it was with a deep sigh of relief he saw Boone returning.
"Let's go," Boone shouted to Frank from a distance. Frank ran to meet him. "The safe house is about twenty miles from here," he informed Frank. "We'll be there in no time."
They got in an old black jeep and headed southwest. When Frank thought they must have passed the place Boone made a turn onto a dirt road. "There it is," Boone told Frank as an old farmhouse came into view.
Frank let out a sigh. Soon they would have some answers. I hope! he thought just before the farmhouse exploded into flames!