Sorry, I haven't updated forever, it's just that my proofreader has been really busy and so have I but no big deal, a lot of wonderful stories added to the HB/ND section since last time.

Well, about eurovision (long passed event today -like six months ago...). To my dismay and annoyance, Greece won, performer Helena Paparizou with 'My nr. One' (quite a winning title, eh?), Iceland didn't make it to the final (it's ok, they sucked on the stage and the attires were hideous!), Norway did though, ending up in 9th place. They were my favourite -an old glam-rockband -and Iceland gave them 12 points. The funny thing is that the big four countries were all at the bottom, Spain, UK, France and Germany, that has never happened before, well, I didn't particularly like any of their songs...all right, enough about eurovision 2005 and on to the story...just a few messages first (getting a little old but still...):

Ice Maiden: Thanks for reading (and reviewing), just wait and see ;)

someone-who-did-not-leave-a-name-(?): thanks a lot!

nancy drew: thanks for still reading, you asked if eurovision was like American idol. Well, if that makes it easier to understand it -fine -but I personally don't like comparing those two, there is so much difference. Idol shows are singing/popularity contests where you get to know a lot of personalities (and weirdos;). Eurovision is a song/performance contest, also 45 years older or something, but while the european puplic judges there are so many things to consider. You know, politics play a huge role in eurovision. The biggest difference is probably that: Idol - individuals, Eurovision - whole countries.

caleb: thanks for taking the time to read and thanks(I think) for the...corrections? You know that the 'Someone-call-911' was just a humour thing, they always do that in the movies, come running, check pulse and shout:'He's alive!' or 'Someone call 911!' Guess it only works in the movies, huh? Since I read your review I found out that the icelandic word for 'corporal' is the closest meaning to a 'patrol man' (I'll use that in the future) but I don't know anything about these systems, I don't think they're this complicated here, there isn't even police where I live so...

ok, man, have I blabbered enough, and NOW on to the story...

Chapter 8

"It's fake!" it was about 7:30 in the evening. Fenton had contacted some people he knew, both in New York and SIS (more commonly known as MI6 or the Secret Service), since the Madrid police didn't have Bradstow's name in their database. Finally Fenton rushed into Moneo's office where Frank and Joe were waiting.

"We should have realized that long time ago, this guy is too clever to use his real name," Fenton said, a little pissed at himself, "There are three Charles Bradstows and they were all securely located, one in US and two in England."

"That's...that's great," Frank rubbed his forehead, "Back at square 1 then, huh?"

"I'm so sick of it," Joe growled.

Fenton snorted. "You think we aren't?"

"What are we missing here?" he began pacing back and forth, "We have a nick name, gender, a useless roomer...that's it!"

"Dad, stop! You're giving me headache," Joe said.

Fenton took a deep breath and stopped. "You know what? Aren't you guys tired, why don't you just go home and eat, relax or something..."

"What are you going to do?" Frank asked.

"A few more phone calls, maybe go and see Steven," his dad shrugged.

-"I'd like to go with you."

-"Yeah but look at your brother, he nearly asleep already. Wouldn't it be better if you'd go with him and..."

-"I don't need a baby sitter, thank you very much!" Joe cut in, "You can go with dad, Frank, I can take care of myself."

"Well, maybe I should go with you, Joe. I mean, you could just pass out behind the wheel..." Frank said.

"Nah, I'll grab a cab, you two take the car. See? Don't go creating more problems here, okay?" Joe stood up.

"Are you sure...?" Frank began.

-"Good night!" came from the hallway since Joe had already left the room.

"Let's get this business over with so you can go home too," José said.

Fortunately Joe had no troubles getting to the hotel.

When he got out of the elevator he noticed Maggie sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall next to the door of her room. She blew smoke, which she had inhaled from her cigarette earlier, out of her mouth at the 'NO SMOKING' sign on the opposite wall like she was trying to challenge it.

"Hi," Joe said and for once she was the one who was startled.

"Oh, Joe...hi," she sounded grumpy.

Joe sat beside her. "Need company?"

Maggie shrugged.

"Whatcha doing out here?" Joe asked.

"Three guesses," she answered.

-"You got locked out?"

-"Yup."

"Well," Joe turned his head to avoid the smoke, "Maybe you can use my key."

It turned out they couldn't. The locks weren't the same for some reason.

"I got another way, I'll let you in from inside," Joe said and entered his room.

"Wha-? Hey, Joe that isn't necessary, I-" Maggie started but he was already inside so he didn't hear her sigh and pull up her cell phone.

Joe couldn't find his lock picking tool anywhere in his bag. Then he got an idea. He went out on the balcony and climbed over to Maggie's balcony and was careful not to look down while he did it.

The balcony door had no lock. They sure trust people around here. He entered the room. He intended to straight to the door and let Maggie in but something caught his eye on the living room table...Joe felt a tickle in his stomach, was it his instincts telling him something?

Maggie finished her phone call and sat down again and leaned on the door with confusing thoughts swimming in her head.

Then all of a sudden Joe opened the door from inside and she fell backswards. "Ouch!" she glared up at Joe's face. He grinned apologeticly.

"Sorry," he pulled her to her feet.

"No worries," she mimicked his own words but added some sarcasm in them.

"Well, I'm going to get some sleep. I'm exhausted," Joe said and was about to leave when she grabbed his arm.

"Joe...couldn't you stay for a little while, until dad and Steven come home. I'd be very bored here all alone," she pouted and blinked seductively.

"Eh-hem..." Joe was clearly uncomfortable, "Look, Maggie, I'm really tired, no fun to hang out with, seriously-"

-"Better than nobody."

-"But I..."

-"Why not?" she was beginning to sound harsh.

Joe's eyes hardened but he kept his tone polite.

"Like I said-" he started to move slowly out the door.

-"Bullshit!"

-"Fine, I don't trust you! That's why! Happy?" Joe blurted this out. He got himself ready to fight.

But Maggie just grinned nervously but with an evil gleam in her eyes she eased the hold on his arm.

"Yes, I'm happy."

Joe felt something heavy come down on his head from behind. He blacked out and fell.

"Phew! Way happy!"

Frank and Fenton chain-yawned in the car on their way back to the hotel at 11 a.m. Their researches hadn't made them any wiser and now all they wanted was a soft bed and some sleep.

They soon found out, though, they wouldn't be sleeping just yet.

"Joe! We're here!" Frank said when they entered the room.

His dad put a finger to his lips. "Shh! He's probably asleep." He crept to the brothers bedroom.

His stomach knotte up when he found it empty. "Frank!"

"Yeah?" Frank had picked a yogurt carton (expired yesterday) from the fridge to quiet his growling stomach.

"Joe," Fenton came to the kitchen, "He's not here."

Frank stiffened. "Are...are you kidding me. -Try his cell phone!"

Fenton did. It didn't answer. Fenton stroke his lower jaw nervously and looked at his son and they both sighed.

What had Joe gotten himself into this time?

Then Fenton had an idea. He called Steven.

"Hello?" Steven sounded tired, not strange after this long day of rehearsals and press fluster.

-"Hi, Steven, this is Fenton. Is there any chance Joe stopped by?"

-"Um, no. I haven't seen him since this morning. But I was just about to call you."

-"What?"

-"Ms. Arcens, Isabelle Arcens, our french contestant -we haven't seen her for a long time. She's not in the building, doesn't answer her mobile...She -I hate to say this -she's disappeared...and from your call I gather Joe's disappeared too."

There was silence while Fenton let the news sink in.

"Am I right?" Steven Belson asked.

"Yes," Fenton replied in a quiet tone.

-"Shit," Steven sighed deeply, "So, what are you going to do?"

Fenton leaned back and knocked his head against the wall. "Don't-have-a-clue."

Frank watched him, getting more and more worried by the second.

"Just...find them, please..." Steven hung up.

Fenton was physically exhausted but he wouldn't let himself to sleep before checking things out. The first thing he did was to let Chief Serafin Civera know about the newest problems. Then he told Frank about them and they started looking for leads in the room until they were joined by a few cops. The balcony door was open. Someone had capsized Joe's sport bag over the bed but Frank wasn't sure whether anything was missing. It was not a break-in because Frank's belongings were unmoved close to Joe's. He even could have done it himself.

"Damnit!" Frank was so frusterated and tired.

Fenton laid a hand on his shoulder. "You know what? If I stay up any longer my own yawns will tear my jaws apart. Let's try to sleep and start early tomorrow."

Frank just snorted and as he knew, neither of them slept much in the night.