"Son," Fenton greeted Frank when he returned home. "Can you come to my office, please?" he requested when Frank looked up from his computer.

"I'll be right there," promised Frank, clicking print before following his father out of the room and down the hall.

Frank sat down in one of the leather chairs in front of his dad's desk and leaned forward, eager to divulge what he had learned. "I think Tippoli is framing Kern because he was a spy for Sorrel," Fenton said, sitting down behind his desk.

Frank leaned back with a scowl because he had come to the same conclusion and been beaten out of saying so first. "Me too," he concurred. "Why else would Sorrel's men, the victim's own family, be testifying for Kern?"

"There's more to it than that," Fenton told Frank. "Kern started working for Tippoli three years ago," he began. "For the first two years, apparently, there were no problems. But last February Tippoli planned a major attack against Sorrel. Sorrel was tipped off by someone inside Tippoli's organization. Tippoli began planning other 'major' attacks on a regular basis after that."

"But Tippoli only let select people know and altered those people until he found the mole," guessed Frank. "What about Kern's background? Didn't it ring any bells for Tippoli?"

"Kern's parents died eight years ago," Fenton answered with a shake of his head. "They had been only children and so was he. Before he started working for Tippoli he was employed at one of the casino's in Vegas as a bouncer."

"No connection to Sorrel at all?" asked Frank.

"None that had come to light," Fenton replied. "But I have come to the conclusion that Tippoli kidnapped Joe because he wants Kern convicted."

"And once Kern is sentenced and sent to prison he's a dead man and no one will know who killed him," finished Frank grimly. "So we have to find out who really killed Jordan," he sighed. "But how is that going to get Joe back?"

"It's not," admitted Fenton, wearily rubbing the back of his neck. "But getting Kern convicted will."

"We can't do that," argued Frank. "Not if he's innocent. Joe wouldn't be able to live with himself. You know he still blames himself for Iola's death and he had no control over that either!"

"Calm down," Fenton ordered his irate son. "Once Kern is convicted then he will be placed in a special holding cell here in Bayport prior to his transfer to prison. Tippoli should release Joe during that time since Kern will have received a conviction. Once Joe is safe, we produce the real culprit and Kern gets a retrial. He won't even have to go to prison," Fenton ended.

Frank crossed his arms and stared at his father in disbelief. "That isn't how it works," he stated firmly.

Fenton grinned. "It is when the DA, the defense attorney and the police department have all agreed to the plan."

"But this is all if there is a conviction," Frank pointed out.

"Yes," Fenton acknowledged with a sigh. "And that is the one factor we can't control."

"Is anyone going to talk to Sorrel about this?" asked Frank.

"No," was the reply. "Sorrel doesn't want any involvement and as far as he is concerned, we won't be involved."

"Won't Kern's attorney..." began Frank but stopped when his father shook his head.

"Sorrel is still claiming no involvement so Kern's attorney is court appointed," explained Fenton.

"If Sorrel is pretending he isn't involved, then why are the victim's family testifying for the defense?"

"Kern's mother's cousin was the victim's first cousin," Fenton stated. "In a way, they are related and everyone knows Sorrel's stand on family. They are expected to help regardless of what is going on."

Before anymore could be said, the phone on Fenton's desk rang. "Hardy Investigations," answered Fenton on the second ring.

"We've located Tippoli," the agent informed Fenton. "And he has Joe with him."

"Where?" demanded Fenton, gripping the phone tightly in his excitement.

"Maine," was the response. "If you want to join us, be at the airport in forty minutes."

"I'll be there," acknowledged Fenton before hanging up.

"What?" Frank demanded, narrowing his eyes.

"We may not have to worry about Kern getting convicted after all," Fenton informed his son. "The FBI has located your brother."

"Woohoo!" Frank shouted, jumping to his feet.

"I'm going with the FBI to Maine to get Joe," Fenton continued.

"Me too," Frank insisted.

"Sorry," Fenton said with a shake of his head as he stood up. "You will have to stay here. But I promise to have Joe call as soon as he is rescued."

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After all the details had been ironed out and warrants obtained, almost twelve hours had passed. But when it was time Fenton, Agent Kurtz and no less than twenty more federal agents were stationed around the perimeter of Tippoli's Maine getaway.

"Let's move in," Agent Kurtz spoke into his walkie-talkie. Immediately black jackets bearing the letters FBI on the back surged out of the woods toward the house.

"What's that?" demanded an alarmed Fenton, coming to a standstill and looking at the mansion.

"They're getting away!" Agent Kurtz screamed as two choppers rose from the top of the house.

"Should we bring them down, Sir?" inquired a voice over the talkie.

"Negative," was Kurtz's reply. "Possible hostage."

Fenton watched the helicopters fly out of sight with a heavy heart. He knew Joe hadn't been left behind. That would have been too easy. Once the choppers were out of sight, he followed the agents into the house.