A new chapter for everybody. Thankyou so much for all of the great reviews, and even though i must admit some constructive critisism hurts :(, its all very welcome bcos it helps me learn and make the story better for you guys!

Boann

"Are you sure this is the right place?"

"For the tenth time, yes Jeff"

Jeff had been jumping up and down in his seat in FAB 1 like an excited child throughout the whole trip. He felt a rush of emotions. If Jack Corper was who he appeared to be, he would most certainly be able to save Alan. But it all came down to whether or not Jack Corper agreed to help.

Penny had comforted him, telling him the whole way that Jack Corper would help. But standing in front of the door at Jack Corper's expensive house gave Jeff second thoughts.

Penelope rang the doorbell and almost immediately, an elderly man came to the door. His grey eyes, full of authority, looked them up and down before he asked in a cool voice, "May I help you?"

"Yes, thankyou, we're here to see Mr Jack Corper, I'm afraid its terribly important" said Jeff, matching the man's tone

"Do you have an appointment Sir?" asked the man

"No, however, its most vital we speak to Mr Corper," said Penny sternly

"Mr Corper is much too busy to-"

Jeff cut him off coldly, "You listen to me, Mr Corper is the only person capable of saving my son's life, if that's not a good enough reason to disturb him, then I'm afraid I'll have to find him without your help"

The man looked at Jeff for a moment, as if daring him to try and get past him. But after a pause, he stepped aside and let them through.

He led Jeff and Penny into a grand entrance hall. Jack Corper must have done well in his fathers footsteps at the bank to be able live in such splendour.

The man spoke to Jeff, "Wait here please" before exiting through a door

Meanwhile Penny was studying a vast array of photographs that stood exquisitely framed on a long table against the wall. Jeff joined her and spotted immediately what she had noticed. Not one frame held a picture of Peter Corper.

They were interrupted by the door opening, this time another man entered. He looked to be in his mid thirties, with brown hair already flecked with grey. The jumper and slacks he wore were casual, but looked expensive. But it was the man's eyes that told Jeff this was Jack Corper. Dark blue eyes identical to that of his son's kidnapper.

"I am Jack Corper, owner of this estate. My butler tells me you were intent on seeing me" said the man

"My name is Jeff Tracy, and this is Lady Penelope Creighton Ward" he shook Jacks hand firmly, "We're very grateful you could spare some time to see us. We need your help. The situation is crucial"

Jack frowned at Jeff's tone, "Very well, follow me. We can discuss the matter in my living room where we will be more comfortable"

He led them through a set of grand wooden doors into a lushly decorated room. Wine coloured walls, a fireplace, plush furniture and an ornate rug expressed Jacks wealth.

He indicated for them to take a seat, "Would you like anything to drink?" he asked, as the stern butler walked through the door

"Tea would be fine thank you" smiled Penny

"Nothing for me" said Jeff

"The usual for me please Joel" Jack said

Joel the butler nodded and went to prepare the drinks. As soon as he had left, Jack spoke, "Now, what's all this about and why do you believe that I can help you?"

Jeff took a breath, "It concerns your brother Mr Corper. He has kidnapped my son and is holding him in, I believe, an extremely threatening manner. Its crucial that we find him before any harm comes to my son"

"We were hoping that, as his relative, you could help us," said Penny softly

Jack's eyes grew dull, "I lost contact with my brother over twenty years ago, right after I inherited my fathers bank. We have lived without each other ever since. As far as I am concerned, he is a disgrace to my family. My father held the same point of view, hence why it was I who gained his firm"

"Could you tell us about him?" asked Jeff pleadingly as the butler returned and handed the drinks to Jack and Penny

Jack sighed as the butler left, "There's not a lot to tell, no doubt he has changed over our years apart. He wasn't an ambitious man, at least not in my eyes. He didn't seem to care or appreciate the work that our father did. In the end, my father saw fit to denounce him. From what I've heard, he's become a teacher, which doesn't really surprise me. It was the only thing he was really good at. Of course, my father and I thought it a waste of his talents. He was smart man. He seemed determined to make me notice this and embrace what he believed in. He believed people like him, people wanting more than money, were being ignored" Jack sighed, "Ironic now that he demands money for your son. I guess his life got a bit too difficult for him.

"I can understand his choice Mr Tracy, taking a son of the billionaire ex astronaut Jeff Tracy himself. But it seems to me there is more at stake here than your money. I don't believe my brother would hurt your son. He enjoyed teaching kids and the kids he taught grew fond of him"

Jeff nodded, "Alan did grow very fond of him, and in the end, your brother used that to his advantage. But the situation has grown more complicated than Peter merely wanting money. Peter has become dangerous. I wasn't really aware of his relationship at school with Alan, and I still am unsure as to what he plans to do. Right now my main concern is to get Alan back"

"I can understand that," said Jack, "But I am afraid I can be of no help to you"

Jeff's face fell before creasing into a frown, "Why not?"

Jack shrugged, "Because I don't want to endanger my family for my brother's sake. My children don't even know he exists. He's a danger to everyone he comes across"

"So you admit to having to hide something about him that you have not yet told us?" asked Penny softly

Jack's firm expression collapsed and for a moment he was silent, "Look," he lowered his voice, "A short while ago, I heard something. At first I took no notice, but since you're here…Peter had never had any really close friends, but while he was working at an orphanage, one of his colleagues contacted me. He, like you, thought that because I was related to him, I could help. He told me that Peter was behaving very strangely with some of the boys, one in particular. The man said he had an…obsession with him, not in a sexual way mind you, but more in that he would act very protectively around him. Almost like a father.

"Of course I didn't know what to make of it. I was surprised he'd contacted me at all, what was I supposed to do? I pushed it away. Then, a week or so later, I was reading the newspaper. I saw that a schoolboy had died of mysterious circumstances. The boy was at the orphanage my brother was working at. Unsure, I tried to contact the man who had spoken to me the week before, but the administrations office told me that he had resigned quite suddenly the day after calling me"

"What about your brother?" asked Jeff, who was now on the edge of his seat

Jack sighed, "He also left, went to teach at another school"

"If you knew this, why won't you help me?" asked Jeff

"Because if my suspicions are correct, Peter is dangerous and I don't want the possibility of him coming anywhere near my family" said Jack

"Your family?" questioned Penny

Jack nodded, and as if on cue, the door opened and two children came running into the room

One, a little girl with blonde wispy hair and bright brown eyes, looked up at her father, "Daddy! Tom won't share!"

The other, a boy with his fathers features, clutched a football under his arm, "Its my ball! She'll only ruin it!"

"No I wont!" exclaimed the girl

Jack sat the girl on his lap, "Lola dear, why don't you find Mummy? I think she'd like some help making a cake"

Lola's eyes lit up, "My favourite?"

Jack put her down, "Why don't you go and see?"

Lola excitedly ran off

Jeff turned to Tom, "So you like football?" he asked

"Yeah" said Tom

"Do you want to play professionally?" asked Jeff

Tom shook his head, "Nope, I'm not good enough. Who are you?"

"Jeff Tracy"

Tom's eyes lit up, "The Jeff Tracy? Wow! Can I have your autograph?"

"Ok Tom that's enough" smiled Jack

"It was great to meet you!" called Tom as his father ushered him out of the room

"Forgive the interruption" apologised Jack, returning to his seat

Jeff waved a hand, "You have two wonderful children. I can understand why you want to protect them. How old is Tom?"

"He'll be fifteen next week" Jack replied

Jeff nodded, "My son is also fifteen"

There was a silence

Penelope broke it, "We're not asking you to risk your family's safety. But helping us to secure Jeff's son and your brother can prevent your children becoming Peter's victims as well"

Jeff was losing his patience, "Whether or not you help us is up to you. But please, think of how far you would go to save your son's life"

Jack looked down and sighed, "Even if I wanted to help, there is nothing I could do. I'm sorry Jeff Tracy" He got up and rang a bell, summoning Joel the butler, "Joel will show you to the door"

"Please you must help us!" pleaded Penny, standing up

But Jack was unmoved. Joel entered the room, however he did not move towards Jeff and Penny, but to Jack, handing him a letter, "This just arrived Sir" he said

Jack briskly opened it and read the letter. Almost immediately, his eyes widened and the colour drained from his face. He looked up at Jeff and Penny, "I think I have no choice but to help you"

"What is it?" asked Jeff

"Its from Peter" said Jack, "He wants me to come and see him tomorrow"