Hey everyone! My exams have finished so chapter updates will be a lot more regular from now on (hopefully). Thanks so much to all of my reviewers again, I really appreciate all of the feedback. (Btw, I'm sending this really quickly from a different computer so if I've missed any mistakes, let me know!) Only a few more chapters to go now…
Boann
It was five o'clock in the evening by the time Parker pulled up into the parking lot of the hotel Jeff was staying at. Jeff, Penny and a somewhat flustered Jack Corper got out of the car before Parker could cut the engines.
Immediately on arrival, Jeff had been bombarded with questions from his anxious sons. In less than thirty minutes, Jeff had introduced them to Jack and debriefed them on the situation.
Peter Corper's letter had been brief, but unusually warm. He had merely invited Jack to meet him at a local newspaper stand on the corner of Wilcock Road so that they could 'catch up' and Peter could introduce Jack to his 'family'. It had been a risky move on Peter's part, which was what confused them. Why would he risk so much to contact his brother?
"It could be a trap," said John, as the sat in the living room drinking hot coffee, courtesy of Parker.
"So it could," said Jack, "But after not contacting me in twenty years, he has to have another motive"
"Like revenge?" suggested Scott, "It would make sense after you and your father denounced him"
"For the record, we didn't denounce him, he simply left" said Jack, sounding slightly annoyed, "But I think this is something other than revenge, something deeper"
"But how can we know?" asked Virgil, "Peter Corper obviously has some psychological issues, but until we know exactly what's going on in his head, we can't make any assumptions"
"Then the solution is obvious," said Jack, "We have to find out what he is thinking"
"How do you mean?" asked Jeff, frowning
Jack sighed, "I mean…I have to go and see him"
"Jack, we can't ask you to do that," said Jeff
"Maybe I need to do this, for you and for myself. All of these years of looking over my shoulder and listening to rumours have come to an end," murmured Jack, partly to himself
"Then we'll come too" said Scott, "We can set up a perimeter, keep watch and follow you to where Corper leads you. If we find Alan, we can bust him out"
"No"
Everyone looked at Penny, surprised at her
"It would be too risky. If Corper noticed or suspected anything, we would be endangering both Jack and Alan. My suggestion is that we be subtle and patient about this," she explained
"How so?" asked Jeff
"Parker, be a dear and fetch me a brooch from the car" asked Penny
"Certainly milady"
"My advice is that we use a tracking device installed in the brooch to keep an eye on Jack. If we are fortunate enough that Peter leads Jack to where Alan is being kept, we can make a rescue attempt with the police once Jack is clear from the area" said Penny
"How is it you have access to such resources?" asked Jack curiously
"Lets just say I have some friends in high places" Penny replied
"That sounds like a good plan" commended Jeff, "What time did the letter instruct you to meet him?" he asked Jack
"Nine am" replied Jack, "I'll be ready"
TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB
The next morning, at five minutes to nine, Jack Corper stood on the corner of Wilcock Road, by the newspaper stand. He wore a neat grey suit with a blue shirt and tie. The gold brooch given to him by the lovely Lady Penelope was attached to his collar.
Although he appeared calm and collected, inside he was burning with fear. Even more so when a familiar somebody pulled up in a car in front of him.
Peter got out of the car and embraced Jack, "Jack, my boy! Its so good to see you!" he smiled, "Look how you've grown"
"What do you want Peter?" asked Jack. It had been decided that he be rather cold and untrusting towards his brother, as not to be suspicious
"That's no way to treat your older brother Jack" smiled Peter, "Come, we'll have some breakfast"
"Skip the pleasantries Peter, you obviously called me here for a reason. What is it that you want, money?"
Peter shook his head, "Very well Jack, it always was business before pleasure with you. Let's get on the road and I'll take you to my home. I have someone there I want you to meet"
"You expect me to get in a car with you after not hearing from you for this long?" asked Jack, playing his part
"Jack, please, this means more to me than you know. You are my brother. My family. Why would I want to hurt you?" Peter's face was sincere, but Jack was still unnerved
Peter put a hand on his shoulder, "And I need your help. I want you to meet my new son and give me your blessing"
"Your son?" questioned Jack, "I didn't know you'd found a woman"
Peter shook his head, "I haven't" he said, "I adopted a boy being treated horribly by his family. We've become very close"
It was this comment that struck Jack. How close? Was Peter telling the truth? How much had he affected this boy?
He took his time to think, knowing it would all add to making Peter take note of how hesitant he was. Finally, he sighed, "Very well Peter, but if this is a trick"
Peter looked so happy and he led Jack to his car and started the engine. Jack was surprised to see them leaving the city and moving into rural country.
"Where exactly are we going?" he asked
"I own a property in the countryside, just a few minutes ahead" Peter replied
Despite the fact he partly knew what to expect, Jack's stomach was doing back flips. Peter manoeuvred the car onto a dirt driveway and a small house became visible behind some trees. It was small, barely suitable to one person let alone two.
"Welcome" said Peter as they got out of the car and opened the door to his house.
Jack braced himself, but when Peter showed him in, was shocked to see the inside of the house looked reasonable. A kitchen area, well cleaned. A living space that was small, but free of clutter. A dirty fireplace was the only thing that blemished the tidy little home. Jack soon bypassed all of this however, as his attention was drawn to a lump on the pull out bed.
Peter went to the kitchen and got out two mugs, "Would you like some tea?" he asked cheerfully
Jack's eyes never left the lump, "Um, no thankyou"
Peter seemed to notice his gaze, "Be careful," he whispered, "He's sick and I don't want to wake him"
Jack moved over close enough to see that the lump was indeed Tracy's son. Jeff had shown him a photo of the boy not two hours ago. Jack held in a gasp at the sight of him. His face was pale and his blonde hair was wet with sweat from a fever.
"What's wrong with him?" he asked Peter, who was at the kitchen bench top
"He's a bit run down, still getting over the trauma I expect. It hasn't been an easy change for him" Peter rattled on
Jack wasn't really listening. He couldn't believe how bad the boy looked. His face showed, even in sleep, the stress he had been put through. He looked broken.
Jack knew he had to somehow talk to the boy. But he had to divert Peter's attention. He turned to Peter, "You know, I think I might have that tea after all"
Peter smiled and nodded.
While his brother was preoccupied, Jack gently rubbed the boy's shoulder, "Alan" he whispered
Alan didn't stir, so Jack rubbed his arm harder, inwardly pleading the boy to open his eyes. After a while, Alan awoke groggily. He seemed to cling to Jack's voice like a lifeline. Cerulean eyes stared up at him, filled with fear.
"Its ok" whispered Jack, "I'm here to help you"
Alan's eyes didn't change, telling Jack that the boy wasn't mentally present in this world. Eventually, he gave a small whimper and sank back into sleep.
It was a good thing too, because just at that moment, Peter joined Jack, handing him his tea, "So what do you think? Aren't you proud of me?" he smiled, "I'm a Dad"
Jack didn't know what to think. His brother was no longer the man he knew. To think that he could do this to a fifteen-year-old boy was unbelievable. Jack chose his words carefully.
"I…I'm happy for you Peter" he said, "What are your plans from here?" he took a cautious sip of his tea
Peter leaned up against the wall and shrugged, "Alan will get better again soon, and when he does, we're moving away from here. Somewhere peaceful to shake off any tension or fears he may have of being taken back to his old family"
"He looks very, very sick Peter, do you know what it is?" Jack said carefully, studying the boy once more. Alan was trembling even in sleep.
"This and that" said Peter, "He'll get better, I've been taking good care of him" he assured
Jack tried his luck, "Maybe we should call a doctor out here Peter, he looks-"
Peter suddenly stood up straight, "No!" he exclaimed, "I'm not letting anyone try to take Alan away from me. He's not going anywhere and no one is coming to him. I only brought you here because you are family" he put and protective hand on the boy
Jack nodded, quickly trying to diffuse the situation, "Alright, alright. I understand. But if you need any help…"
Peter smiled warmly, "I know I could count on you"
TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB
Parker, Penelope and Jeff sat bent over the laptop together, carefully studying Jack's signal. After leaving the city, the signal had remained at a fixed spot for nearly two hours. Jeff hoped that Jack was all right. The man hadn't wanted to get involved in the situation. Jeff could understand why. He'd want to keep his family safe from Peter as well. But the letter had gotten Jack too involved. It was something he couldn't ignore. Jeff had seen the reluctance in his eyes when he'd agreed to leave his house and join Jeff and he'd understood exactly how Jack had felt.
To have had his peace disturbed. To have had everything he'd avoided smack him in the face. To feel the fear welling up inside him. The fear of letting his family down. The fear of losing what was most precious to him.
Jeff had tried to get his other sons to get some sleep, having them all been up until the early hours of the morning preparing for the day's mission. But none of them would have any of it. Instead they had all sprawled out on the couches behind he, Parker and Penny, watching and waiting.
Gordon's eyelids were drooping and Virgil's head kept lolling over Scott's shoulder, but they all seemed determined not to let the need for sleep get the better of them.
Suddenly a soft bleeping sent their concentration levels back up. The signal was moving.
"Finally" breathed Jeff
"I will go and ready the car milady. I will monitor the whereabouts of Mr Corper from there" announced Parker
"Yes Parker, please do" Penny turned to Jeff, "Well, with any luck, Jack will have lead us to where Alan is being held"
"But are we too late?" the words left Jeff's mouth before he could think
Five pairs of eyes focused on him.
Penny put a hand on his arm, "We won't be too late Jeff" she quietly assured.
Jeff sighed and tried to smile, "I know"