Chapter Twelve
"Do you see them anywhere?" Jenny asked as she scanned the crowd around her.
Charlie stood next to her, his head swiveling back and forth as he searched the area for Frank and Joe. He then looked down at the phone he held and crinkled his face in confusion.
"They…they should be here," he replied glancing at her, "but I don't see them."
"Me neither," Jenny agreed sadly. "If their phones are here though, what's going on?"
"I don't know." Charlie looked down at his phone again. He wished he his tablet but he left it back in the states. It would have come in handy dealing with their location. Still it was the best thing he had to help in the search for Frank and Joe.
A red dot blinked on the screen, representing the location of where Frank's and Joe's phones were located. The blue dot was where he currently stood which, according to his phone, was only a matter of a few feet from the red dot. Charlie turned around, searching then noticed a trash receptacle nearby. He looked down at his screen and thought maybe the phones were near the trash.
Sure enough, his phone made a noise as he approached the can then beeped loudly the moment he stopped. Charlie looked around the base of the trash can, not wanting to really look inside. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary so he glanced inside the can itself. The smell was surprisingly not as bad as he thought it would be though there were several nasty looking pieces of trash that he wanted to avoid touching.
"What are you looking for?" Jenny came up behind him, a look of disgust on her face.
"Anything, I guess," he shrugged as he perused the contents of the can. "After being with the Hardys for the past few years, I've realized that anything could be a clue." Charlie paused when he noticed a bag that seemed stuffed into the trash further than the rest. "Like that."
He slid his cell phone into a back pocket then rubbed his hands as if getting ready for a large task. Using his thumb and index finger, he pinched the top of the bag and pulled it out along with several pieces of garbage that fell onto the ground.
The bag itself was a small, red canvas bag with a zipper, the name of a hotel blazoned on it. When Charlie lifted it, he noticed it wasn't all that heavy. Jenny closed in behind him, watching as he unzipped the bag. The two let out a breath when they found two cell phones inside. Pulling out on of them, Charlie hit the power button revealing the smiling faces of Frank and Nancy and he immediately knew whose phone it was.
"Dang it," he muttered. He looked up and down the street though he knew it was a moot point. Frank and Joe were long gone and he and Jenny had no clue as to where they went.
"Are you ready, Joseph?" Gidget asked with a smirk.
The car went over a bump causing Joe to hit his head on the ceiling. He was already in a fowl mood considering but a bump on the head didn't help any.
"Yeah, I guess," he grumbled, rubbing his head. "What choice do I have anyway? What do we do next?"
"So glad you asked!' she said cheerfully. Joe wanted nothing more than to ram her words and cheerfulness down her throat. Gidget pulled out a notebook from a side pocket in the car and began reading through the pages until she found what she was looking for. "Ah! Here it is! I wrote down everything my informant told me that happened since the day I left. Unfortunately, security has increased immensely along with several protocols that are now hindering him from telling me what to expect. I have all the times of when the guards switch shifts but again, that could have changed by now. That's why I think it's better for us to try to get in on Saturday during the dinner party. It's also the reason we need your friend. He'd be able to get in without any suspicion."
"I told you, I'm not putting Charlie in danger," Joe growled annoyed. The car bounced again but this time he quickly put his hand up so he wouldn't hit the ceiling. He looked out the window as the English town flew by them. "You wanted him to pose as what? Some dude with money or some crap like that?"
"See this is why I have a problem with you, Joseph," Gidget sneered. "You have no class, you're arrogant, and you have no idea how things are done in situations like this. Plus he probably has a little more class than you and unlike you, no one will know who he is or suspect a thing."
"It's still no," he shook his head angrily. "The only thing that we would need Charlie for is to get inside without detection. He knows how to hack into private servers."
"But if he's only working behind the scenes," the woman pointed out, "then he'll tell your father and I cannot have that. The last thing I need is for Fenton Hardy to come here and get in my way."
"But Dad would be able to help," Joe stated confused. "If you really want to help get Nancy back, then you need more than just my help. Otherwise, it seems like you have other intentions for this scheme of yours."
Gidget's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing the young man sitting across from her. She was firm in her belief that Fenton Hardy would interfere just as much as she believed Frank would be a liability. Was there a need for Joe Hardy in her plan? Carlos and her were both perfectly capable of taking care of business with the former FBI agent on point.
A sudden pain raked through her body and a groan exited her mouth. Gidget realized that she did indeed need Joe. Her injury would hinder her from doing anything that she wanted to do. She would barely have enough energy to take out Donatelli once and for all which was her intention to begin with. Nancy was not the priority in her mind nor was getting Katherine out of harm's way either.
Gidget glanced at Joe who was staring back at her, his arms folded across his broad chest. Maybe there was a way to use the young man. Joe could be the diversion she needed to get inside without needing a computer genius.
"Fine," she finally announced once she was done contemplating her next move. "You'll do. I may have a way to get you and Carlos in without fuss. There's someone in town outside the baron's estate who could possibly help. You and Carlos can just get to work once you're inside."
"And you? What's your job?"
"Surveillance," Gidget smiled meekly. "To make sure you get out safely."
"And you expect me to believe that?" Joe spat angrily. "You don't exactly have the best track record on trust."
"You have my word, Joseph," she said firmly. "And Carlos will be with you as well. Does that convince you?"
"Not really."
"Come on, Joseph," she smiled sweetly. "Do you honestly believe I'd betray you?"
"Hmmm, let me think." Joe tapped his chin for a brief moment then looked at her. "Yes!"
Gidget jumped at his revelation but soon composed herself. "You have to remember, Joseph. If I wanted to betray you, I could have done so hours ago. I was the one who called the woman you were with about your shadow. Now why would I do that if I wanted you dead?"
"You took my brother."
"And he's fine. You heard him."
"You betrayed Martin Davenport."
"A means to an end."
"You took Nancy!"
"And she's…"
"In the hands of a psychopath because of you!"
"In which we are about to remedy!"
"But all of this is because of YOU!"
Gidget opened her mouth but she had nothing else to say. What could she say?
Joe sat back in his seat. "I would feel better if we had a better plan."
"We would if you'd let me."
"I said no." Joe closed his eyes and thought for a few minutes.
The car continued to bounce as they moved along though stops were becoming less frequent. His heart raced and his anger rose. He didn't want to work with Gidget especially after their conversation but he knew if he didn't, she wouldn't tell him where Nancy was.
As he let his thoughts calm him, Joe realized he had to do this for Frank's sake. No matter what happened in the coming days, he was determined to rescue his friend, even though he was working with Gidget.
After several minutes, Joe finally opened his eyes and stared directly at Gidget. "Let's get this over with."
It was nearly eleven in the evening. The room was quiet, the drapes open revealing the moonlit landscape outside. Donatelli gloated, studying Kate who sat across from him, her arms folded across her chest. She had her head turned away, avoiding his stare.
From the moment she was captured, Kate kept her focus on her daughter though she still had yet to see her. Donatelli had taken her to the same room she had twenty years before which was only feet from his own. There she showered and changed, under close supervision by a stern-looking woman, and by the time she met with Donatelli in his study, it was late.
"It's so good to see you, Katherine," Donatelli smiled breaking the tension-filled silence. He leaned back in his chair and watched her. "I've missed you."
"The feeling is not mutual," she spat.
"Oh, I highly doubt that," he replied amused. "You have always been welcome here. I just don't understand why you left. Did I not treat you well?"
"You stole me from my husband and child!" Kate cried whirling her head around to face Donatelli. "Then you lied to me about them dying in a car accident! I missed my daughter's entire life because of you! You didn't treat me kindly! You forced yourself on me! Raped me because you knew you couldn't have me any other way! And now you are trying to convince my daughter to be whatever you want her to be and you wonder why I left!"
"Are you finished?"
"Bastard."
Donatelli laughed out loud startling Kate. She knew he'd react to her words just not in the way that he did. The man continued to laugh as he rose from his chair and walked around the room. He stopped just behind Kate's chair but she didn't move to get away from him.
Her heart pounded in her chest and she flinched slightly when he touched her. As his hands massaged her shoulders, Kate thought about ways she could escape just to get away from him.
Donatelli's hands were gentle as he continued the massage. Her words scorched him but he would have the last laugh. Katherine was going to be his no matter what. Even if he had to get rid of her family in the process.
Wrapping his fingers around Kate's neck, he leaned over, his lips just inches from her ear. Kate began to gag as her air way was cut off.
"You are not getting away from me again, my love," Donatelli seethed. "If you get away or even attempt to get away, your daughter is dead."
Kate struggled with him, raking her nails across his suit. Her fingers frantically clawed for his face though he kept his head away from her. She desperately needed air but she wasn't about to let him win. Donatelli's words did nothing but alarm her. Kate still had fight in her but she knew she couldn't leave for Nancy's sake but if she tried, the mother and daughter would have to leave together. It was the only way.
Suddenly Donatelli's hand relinquished its hold on her neck and Kate took deep breaths in and out as air rushed back into her lungs. She leaned forward as Donatelli returned to his seat. The man took a large of the Brandy that was sitting on a table near him, staring at her intently. Waiting.
After a few minutes of time to compose herself, Kate shifted in her seat. She still avoided eye contact with him, instead choosing to stare at a speck of dirt lying on the floor by his foot. She couldn't stand looking at the man anymore than being in his presence.
Donatelli sighed. "Well. This isn't how I thought our reunion would turn out. I was expecting a kiss from you."
"My God, you're delusional," Kate remarked, rolling her eyes. Although her throat still hurt, there was a burning question going through her mind. "Where's my daughter?"
"Michael, what time is it?" the man asked without looking away.
The assistant, who stood in the corner, suddenly jumped to attention. He pulled out a pocket watch and looked at it briefly before answering. "It is nearly 11:30, my Lord," he announced, putting his watch away.
"And where's Nancy at this hour?"
"Asleep, sir," Michael answered with a nod. "Madam Bündchen worked her to nearly passing out. I was wondering who would kill Bündchen first: Nancy or Mr. Austin."
"How long has she been resting?"
"About twenty minutes. Do you want me to go wake her?"
"No, no," Donatelli waved him off nonchalantly. "Let her sleep till…hmmm…about three in the morning. That will give her about four hours of sleep." He turned his attention back to Kate and smiled. "See? She's fine. Just resting for the time being. You'll have your moment when I say though."
"Why are you doing this?" Kate whispered. She felt the tears beginning to form but she didn't want them to escape. She knew she had to stay strong and keep up her defiance against Donatelli no matter what he did or said.
"Why am I doing this? Because I can."
"But why me? Why Nancy? Why?"
Donatelli looked at her sympathetically and sighed. "Because I love you," he admitted. "I've loved you from the moment I first laid eyes on you and that was about 20…hmmm…no, 21 years ago." She looked at him in confusion as he continued. "I heard about a young woman who had joined the FBI team investigating my business enterprises in Europe and Asia. I already had someone within the FBI on the take for me. You remember Haynes, don't you?"
Kate looked away in disgust. She had already figured it out years before that Haynes was dirty. He never gave her any reason to trust him just by the way he was acting when she called. When she told him she was alive, he was quite adamant about where she was located. Kate gave him the address of an abandoned warehouse near where she was and not long afterward, a car pulled up and two men appeared with guns. That was when she knew she couldn't trust anyone and she cut off all communication.
"Haynes told me all about you, Katherine," Donatelli continued bringing her back to the present. "Every little detail including your family. All I had to do was to get you away from them. I faked your death then brought you here. Haynes helped in that respect. He made sure you were alone and easy for the taking before the bomb went off. Too bad Fenton Hardy wasn't near the blast. Him and his sons are proving to be pains in the ass for the past several years. But then again, they are partially responsible for the downfall of Martin Davenport along with your daughter and ex-husband. Davenport was such a bother half the time and I really wanted him gone anyway."
"All of that just to get to me?" Kate shrieked. "And the kidnapping of my daughter as well? You know that I'm not going to do anything you say until Nancy is free!"
"For one thing, my love," he replied calmly.
"Don't call me that."
"It was not I who kidnapped Nancy," Donatelli continued ignoring her interruption. "That was Genevieve Carter and from my understanding, you seem to be working with her as of late. Rather surprising considering. If you must know though, I took custody of Nancy in order to find you. I saved her from whatever Genevieve had planned which I think she had no intention of letting her go or even letting her live once you came forward. As for me letting Nancy go, that is purely out of the question. I have plans for her though she has not exactly been the most cooperative."
"And why should she be?" she spat. She leaned forward, staring at Donatelli with fierce intent. "She was taken away from her family and kept away in secret for months. Now you expect her to be fully cooperative and grateful to you because you so-called 'rescued' her and offered her something she has no interest in? Please. If she's anything like me, she'd rather die than give in to the likes of you!"
"I have a feeling she just might give in eventually," Donatelli smirked not breaking a sweat. "She seems to be weakening especially with Madam Bündchen instructing her. It's only a matter of time before she does something either for the good or to give me reason to change my mind about her."
Kate laughed. "From the sound of it, Carson raised our daughter to be strong, just the way we both intended her to be raised and nothing will change that. I don't see her caving in to the likes of you and there's nothing you can say that will change my mind about her! I know your tricks. You deceived me before 20 years ago but you're not going to do it again to me or to her! All you do is LIE! Now, take me to her!"
Donatelli glared at the woman. He knew from the look she gave him that no matter how he spun Nancy's obvious defiance of him, Kate would never believe him. The baron wet his lips then rose swiftly from his chair. No woman was going to order him around and get away with it. He walked away from Kate, ignoring her demand. He had no intention of giving her what she wanted. He couldn't. He needed Nancy to fulfill what he knew she could do before he granted Kate permission to see her and that wouldn't happen if he let the mother and daughter reunite. He was pushing Nancy too hard to let it be destroyed by Kate.
"Take her to her room," he ordered Michael he left the room.
"Yes, my Lord," the assistant bowed curtly.
"Put Barton at the door as well," Donatelli stated. "Make sure she doesn't come out until I allow her to."
Michael nodded before returning to the lounge where Kate still fumed. Donatelli headed up the stairs and down the hall to where Austin sat in a chair. The moment he saw his boss, the man quickly rose but said nothing as he waited.
"She still asleep?" Donatelli asked before he reached Austin.
"As far as I know," he drawled. "That Buttchin lady sure did a number on her."
"Is Nancy angry?"
"I wouldn't say that. More irritated than anything."
"That's not what I wanted to hear." The baron sighed opening the door and peering into the darkened room.
Nancy was sprawled on the bed, her clothes still on as if she just flopped onto the bed. Her shoes were still on her feet, with one of them hanging off the toes. She faced away from him though he could tell that her hair covered her face even though it was still partially pinned up. One arm was draped over a pillow while the other hung over the side of the bed.
Donatelli walked cautiously over to the bed then slowly eased himself down beside her. Nancy didn't move, her body and mind completely shut down. She didn't even know he was there.
Reaching out, Donatelli gently brushed her hair away form her face. She seemed at peace, her breathing heavy and deep signifying her sleep pattern. Her face was humble and tired looking even as she slept. Dark circles had formed under her eyes giving off a deathly look, something that he did not expect. Donatelli hoped that she broke the next day and he would reward her with sleep until she was caught up. Then a reunion with her mother.
But if she didn't do what he wanted her to do, he had to have a plan in place instead of what he originally wanted. A thought crossed his mind and he nodded. Donatelli would have to call in a favor from one of his colleagues, one that would benefit not just him but his colleague as well.
Rising, Donatelli moved away from the bed. The next day would determine Nancy's future depending on how she behaved. If she finally killed Bündchen, then he knew what to do. If not, then the idea he just had would be his way of getting out of the sticky situation she had brought to him. With the Hardys still on the loose, he may not have the choice but he was willing to do anything to keep Katherine with him. Even if it meant getting rid of Nancy.
Author's Note:
Woah. I have been really bad at this lately. But at least I'm getting the next chapter out! It's been a crazy few weeks, I tell ya! It's also college football season so my weekends have been booked watching the games! I know, that's hardly an excuse but when your team is one of the last remaining undefeated teams in the country, you have to watch. Dominant all season and just had fantastic games with the BIG one coming next Saturday. Anyway, enough about football even though I could talk your ear off completely. We are winding down to the final chapters. I'm trying to keep it the same length as the other stories in this series and from the looks of it, I may keep that theory. I'm hoping to get out another chapter next week as well, just before the holiday. Hey, you never know what I might do! So, in closing, thank you so much for reading and a special thanks goes out to everyone who left reviews for the previous chapter. Please let me know if I made any mistakes in this chapter or if I need to change something. I don't think I made any but then again, you never know. I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you again from the bottom of my heart and I hope that you have a wonderful weekend! God bless and GO BLUE!