"Frank!" Callie squealed and flew across the room into his arms. "I'm so sorry," she cried.
"It's okay," Frank said, giving her a tight hug and looking over at his father. "Tippoli has Joe."
"But the men who took you..." began a surprised Fenton.
"Work for Sorrel," Frank acknowledged. "Sorrel told me Tippoli had told him he had Joe."
"Why would he tell Sorrel?" a puzzled Chief Collig inquired.
Frank repeated what Sorrel had told him. "We can't leave your son's fate in the hands of a crime lord," one of the agents said to Fenton.
"Agreed," Fenton concurred. "Do you have a location on Tippoli?"
"We have several addresses," Fenton was informed. "But we currently have no positive location."
"Check them out," Fenton instructed the men. "Frank," he continued, turning back to his son who had moved closer as he spoke. "I think we need to look into the Kern case. I'm not entirely convinced Joe's abduction isn't related."
"Why?" Callie asked. "Sorrel said Joe was kidnapped because of his connection to him, not Judge Lane."
"The man Kern allegedly murdered worked for Sorrel," Fenton informed Frank and Callie, keeping his voice low enough so that only they and Chief Collig could hear.
"Is that a secret?" asked Callie softly.
"Only that we're going to delve into that aspect of the case," Fenton answered in a low voice. "It's getting late," he continued a bit louder. "Callie, why don't you go home and get some rest?" he suggested. "I'm going to call the DA and then Frank and I have some work to do."
"Okay," Callie agreed. "And I'm really sorry," she apologized yet again.
"It's okay," Frank assured her, escorting her out of the dining room. "We'll find him"
"Be careful," Callie begged him as they reached the front door.
"I will," he promised, leaning down and kissing her. A couple of minutes later he watched her drive away then returned to the dining room.
"Let me know as soon as you find Tippoli," Fenton was requesting as Frank neared.
The agent nodded his acknowledgement and then he, and the other agents, left. "Fenton, if you want to question Kern, you can?" offered Chief Collig.
"Thanks, Ezra," Fenton replied gratefully. "I would. How about tomorrow morning?"
"Seven?" Collig inquired, quirking an eyebrow questioningly.
"I'll be there," Fenton promised. He walked Chief Collig and Sergeant Riley to the door, leaving Frank alone.
"Why are you waiting until tomorrow?" Frank demanded when his father returned.
"Because I'm going to talk to Steve Byrnes first," Fenton explained, naming the district attorney. "I have already called him and he is expecting me in half an hour."
"Oh," Frank said, no longer upset with his father. "I'm going to go see Judge Lane," he said. "Maybe he can tell me something."
"Possible," Fenton acknowledged. "Remember however, he is limited in what he can tell you."
"I know. I wish I had paid more attention to this case when the trial first started," Frank said, scowling.
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Frank pushed the button beside the front door and waited as the peal echoed through the house. Soon the door opened and Judge Lane stood before him.
"I've been expecting you," the judge said, stepping aside so Frank could enter.
"One of the officer's came to the door and told us Joe's kidnapping wasn't associated with Dad's case," Camille explained as Frank entered the house. She stood just behind her father and looked at Frank quizzically. "So why was Joe taken and by whom?"
"By Tippoli's men," answered Frank.
"But the officer said..." Camille began to object.
Frank shook his head at her. "Apparently, Tippoli took Joe because he thought Joe and Marie were still dating."
"But why?" Camille demanded. "There has to be more to it than that!"
"There is," admitted Frank. "But we don't know what at the moment. Even though we've been told Joe's kidnapping has nothing to do with the case, we aren't so sure," he continued. "And that's why I'm here. I was wondering if you could tell me everything you can about the case?"
"But if it does involve the case then Camille could still be in trouble," the judge said, ignoring Frank's question for the moment.
"Possible, but doubtful," Frank said. "Sorrel sounded positive Joe's abduction was planned. That means, it was Joe they were after all along and not just a way to get at you."
"I see," the judge said. "You realize, I am not at liberty to tell you anything that has not been presented at the trial?" Judge Lane continued.
"Yes, Sir," acknowledged Frank. "But even that would be a start."
"Come into the living room," Camille instructed the two males. "I'll put on a pot of coffee."
"Not for me, thanks," Frank declined the invitation. He knew it would be hard enough to sleep tonight without any added caffeine.
"Me either," the judge said, smiling at his daughter. He allowed Camille to lead the way into the living room. "Where would you like me to begin?" he asked Frank once they were seated.
"With the people involved," said Frank. "Who are all the players and which side are they on?"
"Alvin Kern, the defendant," Judge Lane began. "August, his wife. Mike Stampson and Arte Tirnady. They are character witnesses."
"Are Tirnady and Stampson members of Tippoli's family?" asked Frank.
"I don't believe so," Lane answered.
"Are any of the people involved members?" Camille asked the question before Frank could.
"Of the Tippoli clan, only Kern," the judge answered. "But the victim, and four close relatives of the victim's are on Sorrel's side."
"And they are?" queried Frank.
"Alan Jordan, the murdered man, and his brother Jonathan were in the high echelon of Sorrel's organization. Cord Marshall was the victim's brother-in-law, and his first cousin, Kevin Reed, are all in Sorrel's organization," Judge Lane informed Frank.
"Are there any more people testifying against Kern?" asked Frank.
"They aren't testifying against Kern," Judge Lane announced.
"They aren't?" Frank repeated in surprise. "But they're the victim's family!"
"And that is why this case is so unique."