Dark Mirror

Chapter Five

Jeff Tracy's Hotel Room

Jeff stared at Detective Howard in surprise and delight that they had been able to find out who it was that had abducted his youngest son so quickly. Though it seemed longer Alan had only been missing for twelve hours.

"Who is it," Jeff asked bracing himself for the worst.

"The mans name is Alexander Charles Dennings," Detective Howard said. "A former marine who has a criminal record as long as your arm. He used to run a local gym and was once an upstanding member of the community until his real nature was discovered."

"Which is?" Jeff asked.

Detective Howard looked uncertain he didn't know if he should tell Jeff this now but after a moment decided that maybe he should to give Jeff forewarning of what might have happened.

"Dennings is something of a predator," Howard said at last. "When's he's abducted people in the past he has been known to ah assault them in a sexual fashion."

Penelope gasped when she heard that and realised that if he was still alive then Alan could be being horribly abused by Dennings, a glance at Jeff's suddenly pale face showed that he knew it too.

"Do you know where he is," Jeff asked and although his voice was calm Penelope and Parker knew him well enough to see that he was struggling not to break down.

"We're not sure," Howard replied. "Dennings hasn't been seen at his apartment for several days we've already checked. We've put out an APB and a request for information. If Dennings moves we will find him."

"In time?" Jeff asked.

"We will do our best Mr Tracy," Detective Howard replied.

"I suppose that's all I can ask," Jeff replied with a sigh. "Is there anything else?"

"I'm afraid not," Howard replied. "Try not to worry too much Mr Tracy we will find Alan." Try not to worry, Jeff thought, Alan has been kidnapped by a monster. What am I supposed to do?

"I will try detective," he said aloud.

"We will keep you advised," Howard answered. He looked at Jeff sympathetically he could see how desperately worried about Alan he was. He couldn't blame him he would be the same if one of his own kids was in Alan's position.

"Thank you detective."

Howard gave Jeff a final reassuring smile then he turned and left. Royce followed him out knowing that Jeff would probably want to be alone with the Englishwoman who had obviously come running over here from the United Kingdom to be at his side the moment she had learned about Alan's kidnapping. Royce wondered what it would be like to have a friend who was as caring as Lady Penelope obviously was. She imagined it would be quite wonderful.

Parker remained behind after the detective and the sergeant left the room. Until that was Penelope mentioned for him to wait outside as before. Parker nodded indicating that he understood the silent command from his mistress then he turned and also left the room closing the door behind him before taking up station in front of it.

As soon as the door closed behind Parker Jeff's shoulders slumped and he noticeably started trembling as the reality of what Detective Howard had said and the realisation of what Alan could be going through started to really set in.

Seeing that Penelope gently took Jeff's arm and led him over to the bed and gently made him sit down on the end. Then she sat down beside him and waited for the inevitable.

Jeff struggled to keep his compose as visions of Alan being abused by Alex Dennings filled his mind. The thought that his son was being horribly and cruelly violated by a monster was too horrible and painful for him to bear. Why is the happening, Jeff thought, why Alan? Why anyone?

A sob broke through his disintegrating composure. A second sob followed and in seconds Jeff was crying full force his composure swept away by the tidal wave of emotion triggered by Detective Howard's words.

It was what Penelope had been waiting for. Gently she brought Jeff in close to her and felt his head rest on her shoulder as he latched onto the offered comfort his whole body shaking with anguished sobs.

"Its okay," she said softly. "Let it out Jeff let it out."

And Jeff did just that.

Tracy Island

A Short Time Later

Scott Tracy wandered nearly aimlessly down the corridors and hallways of the Tracy villa. The villa was mostly dark and quiet with everyone but him having retired to bed and to uneasy sleep.

Scott knew that he should be in bed as well but despite being exhausted he couldn't sleep and he knew why. It was because Alan had been kidnapped by a man they now knew to be a sexual predator.

Penelope had called them a short while ago and filled them in about Alexander Dennings, and Scott almost wished that she hadn't as it had only made his and his brothers worries and fears for Alan's safety worse. And it had especially affected him.

Being the oldest Scott was very protective of all his siblings but especially Alan since he was the youngest. The fact that Alan had been kidnapped at all worried him deeply and it made him angry. Angry with himself that he hadn't been there to stop the kidnapping hadn't been there to protect his little brother from harm. Along with that anger came a bitter sense that he had failed Alan. And now Alan was paying a terrible price, suffering horribly, for his failure.

Scott eventually sighed and headed back towards the wing of the house that held his, his fathers and his brother's bedrooms. Despite his emotional torment Scott knew he had to sleep. He soon reached the bedrooms only to freeze when he heard something coming from the direction of Alan's room. Listening carefully Scott was sure he could hear the sound of someone sobbing.

Cautiously Scott went into Alan's room and saw a single figure cuddled up on the bed sobbing quietly and murmuring and even though there was only pale moonlight coming in Scott knew who it was.

"Gordon," he said softly. The figure on the bed immediately straightened and awkwardly stood up and seemingly embarrassed turned around and in the moonlight Scott saw the silver tracks of tears running down Gordon's cheeks.

"Scott what are you doing up," Gordon said.

"I could ask you the same question," Scott replied coming in and closing the door. "Can't sleep?" Gordon shook his head.

"No," Gordon replied. "I try but everytime I fall asleep I dream. Dream about Alan. He's being hurt, violated by that…that monster, terribly violated. I want to go help him, to get him away from the guy hurting him. But I don't know where he is to do it." As he spoke Gordon started sobbing again.

Scott moved forwards and sat down on the edge of the bed before gently pulling Gordon down beside him and then into a hug.

"I know Gordon," Scott replied not commenting on Gordon's dreams. "I want to go help Alan as well."

"Will we ever see him again Scott," Gordon asked fearfully now crying full force into his older brother's shoulder. Scott knew what Gordon meant by that. It was a fear he and everyone else here shared that Alan could eventually end up being killed by Dennings.

"I don't know Gordon," he replied honestly feeling his own tears come. "I don't know," he repeated.