Author's Note: Finally a new chapter! I apologize for not getting it out sooner but honestly this semester was just too busy for me to get anything writing done. So I hope everyone enjoys this chapter. Also, I've updated the character page, so please check it out. Without further ado here's the new chapter.
Chapter Eleven
They arrived back in New York around three o'clock that afternoon, immediately heading to Philip's mansion where Lucas, Shawn and apparently Sami awaited them with the necessary file. The reunion between the Salemites and Brady was nothing if not civil.
"Xavier Leoné, Patrick and Angel Cabrea – my nephew Shawn Brady, my brother Lucas and his wife Sami. They run Titan and Phoenix Enterprises in Salem. Shawn handles security." Philip explained as he introduced them to his family. "And I trust everyone knows Brady and Mimi."
"Of course we do. We're not likely to forget my esteemed step-brother. I'll never understand how you managed to stay out of jail. You're one person that I would love to see in an orange jumpsuit." Sami added not mincing any words, showing her obvious dislike for Brady.
"It's always nice to see you too, Sami. Fabricate any DNA results lately?" Brady fired back.
Sami smirked. "What about you launder any money lately?"
"Sami," Lucas started. The situation was bad enough already the last thing they needed was for an argument to start.
"What Lucas? I was just making conversation"
"That's not the point. And must you make conversation with him. If you were going to argue with him you should have just stayed in Salem."
"Why? So you could come here to investigate alone. Need I remind you that Phoenix Enterprises has a vested interest in this as well."
"Lucas," Philip started attempting to interrupt his brother and Sami before they argued.
"But, I can handle this on my own Sami. I realize that you have a vested interest in this but I hardly think that you needed to be here."
"Sami," Philip said trying to get her attention.
"Oh so you can come, but I can't is that it?"
"Sami, that's not what I said." Lucas protested.
"But, you implied it."
Xavier, Patrick and Angel observed the couple with avid interest as they listened to them argue. Mimi, Shawn and Brady were seemingly unsurprised as they went and sat down in the chairs around the room.
"So … are they always like this?" Angel asked her father as he too ignored his brother and went to sit down.
"Unfortunately, they're usually worse. This is a good day. In any case Lucas, Sami if you two don't mind we actually have more important things to discuss right now. So could you hold off the argument until later, please?" Lucas and Sami stopped arguing as they realized everyone was staring at them.
With a promising glare to her sparing partner, Sami settled herself into a seat. "We'll continue this later."
"Thank you." Philip sardonically added before turning his attention to Lucas. "Lucas, the file?"
Giving his common-law wife an answering glare Lucas picked up a briefcase a thin file.
"That's it?" Brady asked. "They go through all the trouble of kidnapping my son for a piece of paper."
"Wait a minute, your son?" Shawn exclaimed.
Sami merely glanced over at Lucas with sideways smirk and held out her hand. "Pay up."
Lucas sighed digging into his pocket and pulling out a crisp twenty dollar bill, slapping it into her hand.
"So you knew?" Brady asked surprised that Sami had known he was Xander's father when everyone else clearly had not.
"Not for sure, but I did suspect. I mean hello, I've know John Black practically my entire life. It's kind of hard not to notice the resemblance. I've been telling Lucas for years that there's no way Rex could be his father. And short of running my own DNA test, I couldn't exactly confirm it."
Xavier observed the dynamic between everyone in the room. He made a mental note to figure out all the blood ties in this family. The family that his son had inadvertently married into was definitely anything but normal and it seemed to be getting more twisted by the minute.
"So where is Rex?"
"He's on Eixel with Chloe and the others. After we get the kids we plan on bringing them back here. So you're sure this was the only thing in the file, nothing more?"
"Positive Philip. As you can see it basically is a summary of previous acquisitions made for the account. Nothing that overtly screams illegal."
Philip nodded. "Well keep your people on it. I'd like to know what's so important about this document that the kidnappers want it so badly. Xavier do you have that info on the park yet?"
"Yes, I've got a friend who's going to meet with us tomorrow to go over the layout. He was able to get the plans for the renovations so that we can see all the areas that are going to be vulnerable."
"A friend?" Brady questioned sardonically.
"Yes, a friend. Some of us do have those." Xavier asked arching his brow.
Elsewhere in the background Sami coughed in a weak attempt to hide her laughter.
"As I was saying I've known Wolf all my life. We grew up together; I'd trust him as I would a brother. What's more, he's a former SEAL, I'm sure he'd be more than happy to show you his credentials." He directed toward Brady without any hint of malice in his tone although it was clear that he did not like being challenged.
"I wasn't implying that he didn't have the credentials. I just wanted to know who was involved in this operation." Brady shrugged of his shoulders while he crossing his arms defensively.
"Look, I'm sure everyone is tired and we're all a little stressed. So I'm going to suggest that we just table this discussion until tomorrow. We could all use a little goodnight's sleep." Mimi interrupted attempting to play peacekeeper between the father of her child and Xavier Leone', before turning to Philip. "Are the guest rooms set up?"
"Yes, I called ahead. All the rooms should be up. Angel, you and Patrick can take the same room you had before. Xavier, Shawn and Brady your rooms are on the West wing. Meems, Lucas you know where to go. I suggest everyone try to get a goodnights rest. As Mimi said we'll map out all the details later." Philip said taking a seat behind his desk as they all filed out of the library with Mimi leading the way. He flipped another page of the document.
"Need some help, Kiriakis?" Xavier asked as he came and sat down in the chair across from the desk.
Philip glanced up in surprise as he assumed he was alone. "Sure why not." He slid the file across the desk to the other man. He watched, leaning back in his chair as Xavier scanned through the contents of the file. "So you're what 47, 45 years old? How long did you stay in the ISA? No offense but you seem a little young to have been in all those agencies."
"Not really, I was in for 22 years before I retired when Charlie was born. I'm forty-eight by the way. I've only been out for six years." Not taking his eyes away from the documents, Xavier turned the page.
"So you entered the CIA at 20?" Philip asked incredulously his brow furrowed.
"No."
"Oh, I was about to say."
"I entered the CIA when I was 34. I started out in Naval Intelligence at 22. Then I was recruited by the FBI after my term was up when I was 30." He turned another page.
"What were you a … child prodigy?"
Xavier finally looked up at the man sitting across from him. "Do you want a bio, Kiriakis?"
"Yes, actually, they would be good for starters. I like to know just who I'm inviting in my home. You don't honestly think I'd automatically trust you because you're my son-in-law's father. Things just don't work that way." Philip moved to sit upright in his chair shrewdly eying the older man across from him. "I'm Victor Kiriakis' son."
Xavier smirkingly raised a brow. Tossing the file back down on the desk he nodded. "Took you long enough, Kiriakis." He leaned back in his chair getting comfortable. "I was beginning to doubt you had any of the old man in you." He paused momentarily before he began again.
"My father was a Belgian Ambassador playboy looking to sow his wild oats when he came to Louisiana. And he did with Annabelle Trudeau, the bastard daughter to the L'Dragon Plantation owner Jean Marc' Trudeau the biggest sugar plantation in the entire state. Nine months later, I was born and eighteen months after that my father came back and claimed me. I was proclaimed to be a child prodigy when I was six and accelerated my schooling so I finished high school at 14, had a BS in psychology and a BA in Criminal Justice at 18. Then I joined Navy started out as a SEAL but I got bored. I switched to intelligence so I could get my Masters in Political Science with my focus being Military Intelligence. I finished with that when I was 26, at which time I joined a convert group under the ONI, Office of Naval Intelligence that had me working closely with the ISA. I did that for four years before I retired from the Navy at 30. Then I was recruited by the FBI and worked for another intelligence unit as the chief profiler and other positions which I can't tell you about. I went to work for the CIA briefly before retiring completely six years ago."
Philip whistled. "So I take it then that you know the kidnapping procedures fairly well."
"It was never my area of expertise but yes I do know what I'm doing and so does my wife. Since we're trading stories here tell me, what do you know about Rex Dimera?"
Leaning back in his chair Philip studied Xavier more a moment before answering. "You mean other than that he's my wife's cousin?" Xavier nodded. "He and his sister were raised by their father, Tony Dimera until his untimely demise. Then, Stefano took over sending them to board schools overseas. He groomed Rex to take his place in the business both above and below the law."
Xavier arched a brow in consternation. "So you know that Stefano used to run a crime syndicate."
"Of course, I knew," Philip scoffed. "I've always known that."
"We weren't sure if you knew because your wife and Mimi seemed to be completely in the dark."
"Don't let my wife or Mimi, for that matter fool you. Both of them are fully aware of what Stefano did for a living. How could they not? After all, Mimi worked for him for a few years before he retired. Don't mistake their caviler attitudes as ignorance; it's more a case of us simply not caring."
"Does that mean you've been involved in Stefano's illegal activities in the past?"
"No, that means what Stefano does in his business is just that, his business. As long as he keeps it completely separate from my family and my name, we can co-exist peacefully otherwise there could be problems." Philip answered. "We don't live in a world of black and white. But, I make damn sure that my business with Stefano never crosses that thin gray line. Does that answer your question?"
"Yes, actually it does."
"Good, now do you know anything about those forms?"
With a cursory glance down at the file, he answered. "They're in code. The Navy used one similar to this one years ago, most intelligence branches have their own separate codes that they use so that if they're enemy intercepts the message it won't mean anything to them."
"Do you know what it says?"
"No, but Wolf might know. When he comes tomorrow with the information on Glen Echo I've have him look into it. In the meantime, I'll see if Elena has any idea."
Philip nodded sighing. "If that's the only way we can be sure, knock yourself out. I'm going to see if everyone is settled."
"Okay." Xavier replied as Philip rose from the desk and allowed for the dark-haired man to take the seat before the computer. Nodding Philip left to the room. He quickly scanned the document into the system and sent it to Elena. Then taking his cell phone from his pocket, he pressed the button to call Elena. After one ring she answered.
"I got the file, you're sure this is the old agency codes?" Elena said from her position behind the computer in Stefano's expansive library on Eixel. "Did you check with Z?"
"Not yet, he's coming by tomorrow. So I'll get him to check on the file then. But, since you are an aficionado when it comes to the agency's codes and parameters I figured you might be able to uncover some of it."
Elena opened the document and scanned the text quickly. "I think I know this code, Xavier, I-I think I developed it."
"Are you sure?"
"Not positive, but pretty sure. I need to check the sequences to be sure. If I'm right and this is what I think it is. I know why they took Charlie."
"Well how long will it take for you to check and decipher it?"
"A day maybe two at most. I'll need to speak with a contact from the agency to verify everything. So it could take some time but I'll have the info. Xavier, this could be deeper than I originally thought." Elena scrolled down to the next page of the document and jotted down a quick note. "Look, I'll call you back when I have the info."
"If you get it before the pick-up time call me. Love you."
"Yeah, I love you too baby." She clicked off her cell phone sliding the thin phone back on to the clip. Looking at her notepad she underlined her last line she'd written. "Joe McDougal. I hope this isn't about you Joey."
The next morning Philip was downstairs in the kitchen on the phone with his daughter when Brady walked in.
"Yes, Lily we're being careful … no we aren't doing anything like that. Xavier has a friend coming today to give us an idea of what Glen Echo looks like. I don't think you need to be concerned about that at all. I trust Xavier." Brady helped himself to a cup of coffee while Philip continued on the phone. "… Right sweetheart I need to go … okay … okay. Right, I'll call — what no I'm not smoking." He shoved his free hand through his hair. "Lil-Liliana I'm not smoking, you threw away all my cigarette stash before you left. Okay so tell your mother I'll call her later with the details. Bye sweetheart." He clicked off the phone sighing.
Brady sipped some of the coffee as he watched Philip pull out a thin sliver cigarette case from his pocket, opening it he pulled out a stick of gum that was still wrapped and stacked neatly inside the thin case. He didn't even bother to stifle his snort.
"What?" Folding the gum in his mouth, Philip stared questioningly at the other man.
"Gum?"
Philip just shrugged, "Lily hides my cigarettes."
"It's a nasty habit anyway, Philip. So what's on the agenda for today?"
"We're going to meet with Xavier's friend to get the layouts for the park and workout a plan of attack. Why do you ask?"
"Just wondering. So when did you meet Angelica's mother? That is her name, right?"
Philip narrowed his eyes at his nephew suspiciously. Brady raised his hands defensively. "Hey man, I'm just trying to figure out exactly how it is you've got a daughter, a twenty-year-old daughter that no one knew about. Not even your wife. I mean, it seems pretty strange to me. Even, after you compare it to all the things we've done in the past."
"Well, not to sound snide or anything. But, you don't know everything about me. You never have. And that is why you didn't know. As for Chloe, I'd just as soon wish you keep your nose out of my business as it doesn't concern you."
"Fair enough," Brady nodded. "So how do you know we can trust your in-laws?"
"I don't," Philip sighed raising his cup of coffee to take a drink. "But, since they're not blood-related, I figure they are probably more trustworthy than half of this family has ever been."
"Touché." Brady smirked as Mimi entered the kitchen.
"Morning, where's the coffee?" As she came into the room and sat down at the island she sipped from Brady's coffee. Brady meanwhile went about making her a cup of coffee that included three tablespoons of sugar and milk. They switched cups with the ease of a couple who did this every morning. Philip noted the action with a raised brow but said nothing. "Mmm, thanks Brady. Where is everyone?"
"Shawn, Lucas, and Sami left earlier this morning to return to Salem this morning. They're going to wait until they hear something from us or when we get the children back. Angel and Patrick are still—,"
"We're up." Angel said interrupting as she and Patrick entered the kitchen. "Morning is that coffee?"
"Yes, are still breast feeding?" Mimi asked
"God, no. Eva has three baby teeth. She can eat solids now." Angel answered pulling out two cups as Patrick poured the hot liquid in them.
"Where's my father? He wasn't in his room."
"I was just telling Mimi and Brady; Xavier went to go meet up with Wolf?"
"Good dog." Brady mumbled under breath and was rewarded with hit on the arm by Mimi accordingly.
Narrowing his eyes once again at his nephew, Philip continued. "He said that they were going to pick up the plans and meet back here. What do you know about your father's friend?"
"Uncle Wolf is an artist. But, he used to be a Navy SEAL. He and my father grew up together. His mother and my grandmother were cousins."
Philip nodded, as he supposed that explained everything at least as far as to how Xavier knew the man. He'd have to have a check run on the man just to be sure. "As soon as they get here be ready to start making a plan of action. I need to make a quick call, help yourselves to whatever you want." Grabbing his cup off the counter he left the kitchen.
Brady watched Philip leave and then turned his attention to his new cousin and her husband. "So your Philip's secret daughter. I must say I'm shocked, I never suspected he had a love child."
Angel stared at Brady Black with slight bemusement. "Well, technically, I'm not a love child considering that I was conceived via in-vitro fertilization. I don't know that I'm that much of secret anymore. I mean everyone knows about me."
"True, I guess it really isn't a secret then. How long have you been married?"
"Two years this September." Patrick answered.
"I've always wondered how people could get married so young. I can't imagine being married at eighteen. Hell, I couldn't even walk then."
At the looks of surprise Mimi elaborated for Brady. "He was shot in the back by accident and was paralyzed for a while."
"Awhile, Mimi? I was paralyzed for eighteen months. I hardly call that a while. In any case, that's neither here nor there now is it? My point was that I just couldn't imagine being with anyone at that point in my life. Let alone ready for marriage at that age."
Mimi snorted as she went to the refrigerator and begin pulling out the ingredients to make an omelet. "Yeah, right then what was the stuff with Chloe?" She muttered under her breath. Glancing over to everyone standing around the island she smiled, "Omelet anyone?"
"Sure would you like any help?" Angel offered rolling up the sleeves of her shirt.
"Yes, you can chop the tomatoes and bell peppers." Mimi gave the other woman the vegetables, a knife and a small cutting board.
"What was that supposed to mean?" Brady asked putting his cup back on the counter to prop his hands on the island.
Mimi shrugged as she focused on cutting small pieces of the ham. "Nothing, what could I possible mean besides do you want an omelet?"
"Do you have any onions?" Patrick asked.
"Right side of the top shelf by the refrigerator. And you know that's not what I meant. I meant the thing you said about Chloe."
"You said you weren't interested in anyone. I was merely correcting that notion. While you maintain that there wasn't anything going on, I'm not blind and neither was Philip. It was obvious. We both noticed your thinly veiled arguments of four-play with Chloe. It was quite disgusting really. It was one thing when Chloe and Philip did it, but the two of you – utterly annoying."
Angel and Patrick seeming completely oblivious to the argument going on around them took over chopping the ham for the omelet as Mimi and Brady began yet another round.
"Oh please, that's way off base. I only became interested in Chloe after that fiasco of dance where you posted naked pictures of her." Brady accused pointing his finger at her.
Glaring in response, Mimi crossed her arms over her chest. "First of all, I didn't post naked pictures of Chloe at the dance Jan did. And second of all, I was there you and Chloe definitely had something going on before the dance."
"Mimi where's a skillet?" Patrick asked as he began looking through cabinets for a pan.
"Bottom right cabinet. Even Shawn and Belle noticed it for goodness sake and we both know how blind they are to things that aren't about them." Mimi challenged Brady as she leaned across the counter. Minutes later when a plate was placed before her with an omelet and piece of toast she remembered they weren't alone. "Thank you Patrick. I'll just take this into the lounge." With a quick smile at the other man she took her plate and cup of coffee before leaving with a swing of her hips.
"Omelet?" Angel asked of Brady who stared at Mimi in her wake.
"No thanks. I'm not hungry." He left the kitchen in the opposite direction without another word.
Shrugging Angel took her plated and settled down on a stool by the island. "Well, that was interesting."
"Talk about your unresolved sexual tension. He should just do her and get it over with." Patrick said as he took his seat next to his wife.
A couple hours later Xavier returned to the Kiriakis Compound with the layout for the Glen Echo Memorial Park. Everyone with the exception of Mimi was settled in Philip's library when he and the other man walked in.
"Sorry for the delay. I was on a conference call with my brother. I'm Philip Kiriakis." Philip said as he offered his hand to the tall broad shouldered man with a sun-warmed toffee complexion with glossy blue-black hair framing his face in waves and green-flecked hazel eyes. "Please call me Philip."
The man took his hand in a firm handshake. "Wolf."
"Of course, I understand you were able to get the blueprints for the Park at the Department of Parks and Services. Did you have any trouble?" Philip gestured for the man to unroll the blueprints out on the table.
"No, no problems. My son interns at a very prominent architectural firm here in the city. But, I'm sure you already knew that." Wolf took out the plans but paused in unrolling them.
Philip frowned confused. "I'm sorry, I don't understand." He glanced from Wolf to Xavier. "How's that?"
"My son, Kieran he's dating your daughter Lily. I thought she would have told you that he works at Beagle, Case, & Associates." Wolf answered.
"Kieran is your son? I thought your name was Wolf."
"It is Wolf; specifically Little Wolf, a name given to me by my mother's people, the Choctaw. But, my Christian name Zion, Zion O'Neal. And no one calls me Zion except for my wife." Wolf acquiesced.
"Tracy is a mite stubborn about that." Xavier offered as an explanation.
"As interesting as this meet-and-greet session is I'd like to take a look at the plans if we can." Brady said gesturing to the rolled plans on the table as moved closer to see them.
Wolf and Xavier shared a quick look before moving to unroll the sheaves of paper on the table. "Is everyone here? I thought there were two couples?" Wolf asked as he scanned the room seeing only Angel and Patrick but no other woman.
"There is, Mimi said she'd be right down. I think she was talking to Rex." Philip answered recalling that he'd past the woman on the way down to the library. Just then Mimi strolled through the doorway.
"Sorry, I was filling my husband in on everything. Mimi Lockhart," she offered her hand to the tall husband man in the room.
"Zion O'Neal. But, please call me Wolf." He said taking her hand in a firm handshake.
Mimi smiled at him charmingly. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. — Wolf. I thought you looked familiar. Your son is a nice young man." She took her hand away and moved to stand by Philip. "Please don't let me interrupt. Let's see the plans."
"Yes, lets." Wolf unrolled the plans and pulled a thin pointer out of his pocket. "When X called me I went ahead and drove down to the park and took a look around the grounds of the park. There are several areas which are closed off due to renovations but are still viable. X told me that the kidnapper wanted to meet you at carousel, which is located here." He tapped a spot on the plans. "I checked and it's one of the locations still being renovated which means that it's the most accessible." He turned the page and tapped to two places on the plans. "These are the two pathways they both lead in different directions. I checked out the location myself and its completely out in the open, there are no windows or doors, just sheets of plastic to protect it from the elements. It's the perfect place to meet ideally because you just can't be surprised."
"What about the other areas?" Brady asked as he looked down at first page of the plans. "Why is it the most vulnerable area?"
"There no other locations in the park that are open. Most of the buildings are completely closed off."
"So they want to see us coming." Patrick suggested from his position behind Angel with his hands on her shoulders.
"Exactly."
"How do you suggest we get a heads up on them?" Mimi asked wrapping her arms around herself as she stared at Wolf.
"I suggest we sneak in the back door," Wolf started. "You know they have the most vulnerable location for the meeting place because they want to be able to see you coming. Since its an easy location to see from any area, we can assume that the big boss will be watching everything from a higher elevation point which would be here." He turned another page of the plans and circled another area. "It's a loading dock that can be accessed without someone actually having to go to the park. It has a separate entrance altogether and completely overlooks the entire park." Standing up he slipped the pointer back in his pocket. "If you want my advice, I'd say you better get there and survey the basic area from a prime vintage point on the opposite side of the park."
"All right then we should load-up and head out ASAP. Everyone go pack a bag, only the essentials for yourself and your kids. We want to be there by 4 so we can stake out the place for tonight. Meet back here in an hour." Xavier ordered and then watched as everyone filed out without complaint except for Wolf and Philip. He turned to Philip. "So Kiriakis what do you know about Joe McDougal?" He asked pulling a file that Elena had sent to him earlier that morning.
By noon the next day everything was in place for the meeting with the kidnappers. Together with Wolf's help, Xavier had managed to secure a stakeout location on the opposite side of the park, directly across from the Glen Echo Park property line. While they wouldn't be as close as the would-be-kidnapper they'd have a bird's eye view of the carousel location, as well as the entrance to the park. At approximately 5:30 they were ready to shift things into high gear.
"Okay we're going to run through each piece of your equipment to make sure everyone knows what's going on before you head out." Xavier said as he stood around the table with a black vest in his hands. Everyone else was perched on the sidelines watching.
"Philip will be wearing this vest and it's important that he always remain in front of you at all times."
"Why?" Brady asked.
"Because I've installed in camera insider here," he showed the main inside pocket of the vest before turning it to the front tapping the button on the pocket. "The lens is here. It will let us see everything that's going on in front of Philip as it happens. Philip will also be wearing a two-way earpiece so that we're in direct contact at all times. Anything he hears will be heard by me." He handed the vest to Philip and watched the other man slip it on. "Should there be any trouble I've also put a tracking device in the vest and on the car. Wolf and I installed cameras on the surrounding base of the park. I don't expect there to be any foul play but if there is I've put the proper accoutrements in the car." He tossed the keys the Black Expedition to Patrick. "Any questions?" Everyone shook their heads. "Good then let's get the show on the road."
Brady, Patrick, and Philip headed toward the doorway. Philip saw Mimi and his daughter waiting at the doorway so he went ahead to the car to leave the two couples alone. "I'll be in the car."
"Be careful, Patrick," she cupped her husband's face between her palms. "Don't do anything to get yourself hurt and bring our daughter home." Angel leaned up and kissed her husband.
Patrick pulled her hands away. "I won't." He brushed a kiss against his wife's lips before heading out the screen door after Philip.
Mimi stood across the room watching Brady. She wanted to tell him good luck, to bring their baby boy home safely, but she couldn't. Everything was happening so fast, it was all so confusing, she just didn't understand it. She couldn't.
Brady turned to leave the house but as he got to the doorway Mimi called him.
"Brady … be careful," was all she said before leaving the room once again.
Brady sighed and left the house getting in the car behind Philip and Patrick.
Minutes later the men stood by the Expedition Philip making sure the earpiece and vest had everything ready for Xavier. Brady handling a cover that Mimi had given him of Xander's and Patrick with a baby harness strapped to his chest. Brady paused briefly to look at Patrick securing the harness to chest.
"Please tell me you've never worn that in public."
"What?" Patrick asked and Brady pointed to the harness. "Of course, I have. It's just a baby harness. You've really got to get it together, man. It frees up your hands and allows you to run without jostling the baby." Patrick replied shaking his head at the other man. "Are we ready?"
Philip didn't answer him at first as he scanned his surroundings briefly. "Yes, let's go." He led the way across the parking lot and over the small bridge at least twenty feet above the ground. Through the earpiece Xavier directed him towards the right. "This way."
Above the park in the loading dock, a young woman with red hair secured at her nape watched the three men navigate their way through the park to the Carousel though binoculars.
"Game, Set, Match!" She pulled the binoculars down and returned to the black limo where her tall associate stood waiting for her with the door opened. "Darling, I do believe it's time for us to make our move. Tell them to make the switch as promised. When you've got the file meet at the house." She slipped into the limo and poured herself a glass of champagne. She swirled the liquid around in the glass. "I do so love it when things go as planned. Don't you Charlie?"
The boy sat across from her merely reading his book. He ignored her for all intents and purposes. "When am I going home?"
"That depends, dear Charlie. That depends on your mother so we'll see just yet."
"Mr. Kiriakis, so glad that you could arrive on time and without the Tigress as promised. Now, if you'll just hand over the file everything will go as promised." The tall blonde man said as he stood on the opposite side of the Carousel.
Ask to see the children.
"I'd like to see the children, first." Philip declared.
"Of course," the man snapped his finger and a man appeared in the doorway carrying a baby seat in one hand and the small hand of a Xander in the other hand as they walked into the room. "The file Mr. Kiriakis. And then Mr. Black and Mr. Cabrea may claim their children."
Nodding Philip moved to the center of the room and pulled the file out from under his vest. He held it out for the man to take. The man walked to the center of the room and grasped the file. As soon as he had it he gave orders for the man to release Alex's hand and place the baby seat on the floor. Calmly backing away until he was at the door the man said. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Kiriakis. Please give the Tigress my regards tell her we'll be in touch." And with that he left.
He wasn't gone for a full minute before Patrick ran to unbuckle his daughter from the baby seat. Recognizing her father immediately, Eva smacked her hands on his cheeks and squealed. "I missed you to Eva." Patrick said as he kissed on his daughter's hands.
Alex on the other hand was bewildered by the man who had his blankee yet wasn't his Daddy. Anxiously, he tucked his hand in his pocket he stared wide-eyed as the tall man bent down to his head offering him the blanket.
"Here Xander, you're Mommy told me to give this to you. She said it was your favorite blanket." Brady started when he realized that his son was scared of him. As to the little boy he was just another unfamiliar adult who wasn't his Mommy or Daddy.
Alex started to take the blanket when he spotted his Uncle Philip behind the other man. He knew that if his Uncle Philip was there than his Mommy and Daddy weren't far behind. He quickly ran past the man in front of him and went to Philip. "Unca Filp."
Philip was surprised to have Xander run over to him. He leaned down and caught the little boy lifting him into his arms. Feelings of relief passed through him as he held the small body in his arms. "I bet you missed your Mommy."
Alex nodded solemnly. "I wanna see Mommy."
"I'll take you to her." Philip promised as he looked past the child to see Brady watch then longingly before storming out of the room.
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