Several miles away, Ron Johnson was fuming over the Simon's abduction. He'd arrived only a minute after the van carrying A.J. and Rick took off, only to find an upset Linda being checked out by the paramedics. After getting a description of the two assailants she had seen, he put out an APB on the van. Frustrated, Ron had driven Linda to her home and was greeted by Cecilia Simon, who took charge of her daughter-in-law.
"I was only gone a few minutes, Ron, oh, it's all my fault…" Linda broke down and immediately Cecilia embraced her.
"Linda, honey, it's not your fault. You didn't know they would grab A.J. and Rick…. Laurie had a premonition. She saw you being shot, at least she kept you and A.J. from that…." She began, then stopped as Laurie herself arrived with Robbie and Sheriff Gamez.
"Oh, thank God…." Laurie whispered, hugging Linda, then her mother-in-law. "Sis, it's all right, we'll find them." She assured her, then looked at Cecilia.
Taking the hint, the older woman took Linda's arm. "Come with me, honey. I'll make us some tea, while you see the children." As soon as they left the room, Laurie turned to the others.
"Do we know who took Rick and A.J. yet, Ron?"
He shook his head. "No, but we got a partial print off the gun that Rick managed to knock out of the gunman's hand. We found it on the pavement, and as soon as we get a match.." Almost as the words were out of his mouth his radio beeped, and Ron immediately answered it. "Johnson."
As he began to make notes, Robbie saw his mother cover her face with her hands. "Mom, are you okay?"
"Yes, Robbie." She looked up and managed a smile, then added, "This is one time my premonition didn't help much. At least Linda wasn't kidnapped, too."
"That's because you were able to tell Rick so he could stop her from being shot, Light." Sheriff Rob interrupted, shaking his head at her.
A faint grin crossed her face as Ron added "And we know what kind of van the guys are in, so we should be able to track them with their transmitters, Oscar was able to turn Rick's on by remote."
"Thank you for …well for being here, guys." Laurie hugged both men, then saw her son wipe his eyes furtively. "Oh, Robbie, we'll find them!" she said encouragingly, reaching over and embracing him.
Just then his transmitter went off, and he hurriedly turned it on. "Pop?"
A tired-sounding voice replied, "It's Oscar, son. We just found your father and uncle's watches, they were left at the lost and found desk at the airport."
Robbie's shoulders slumped as Ron spoke. "Oscar, did anyone see who left them?"
"No, but Airport security is sending the surveillance tapes over to your office, I'd like to meet you there as soon as possible."
"Dad, was there any clue or note with their watches?" Laurie asked, hopefully, then looked puzzled as Oscar cleared his throat. "Yes, honey, there was with a note, it seems someone named "the Professor" has them and wants something in return for not killing Rick and A.J."
"What's that, Oscar?" Linda had come back into the room, seemingly calmer. There was a moment of silence, then the former OSI chief quietly said, "I need to discuss this with Ron first, Linda. Also, we may need Abby's help in tracking down who this "Professor" is. I believe the guys are the target of his revenge for something in their past."
Laurie's eyes became steely. "Oscar, I think Linda and I need to know too, what this jerk wants. I know… " she paused, hearing her father begin to contradict her, "you need to trace where the guys are. I just want to remind you that Rick might still have his other transmitter on him. But if it has to do with us, well…"
"Of course you'll be in the loop, Mom." Robbie interrupted her, giving both of his former bosses a warning look. "Right now, I need you to look through Pop's records from San Diego, and Aunt Linda, where would Uncle A.J. have their court papers?"
"In his office, I'll go look there first, Robbie." Linda glanced at the others, then went down the hall. Laurie waited until her sister-in-law had left, then stared at her friends.
"All right, I don't know what that note says, but I take it Linda and I are part of it. I'm going to go with what you say, Dad…." She addressed her son's transmitter, "But I can handle it. Whatever it is this jerk wants."
The older man cleared his throat again, then quietly replied, "I know, baby. Let Ron and his men do their work, though. I promise you can help when the time comes."
"Thanks, Dad." Laurie sighed, then left to help Linda go through the guys boxes.
As soon as the door closed behind her, Ron spoke. "Okay, she's not here, Oscar. What does the note say?"
"It's sick….This professor rants that Rick and A.J. cost him a fortune and his life's work, and he wants them to suffer like he did in prison. He wants Laurie and Linda to meet him at the old medical warehouse that Meyerslab abandoned last year. " Oscar coughed, then raised his voice.
"The notes addressed to them, it says he'll call the house at 6pm. He goes on to say, "If both of you meet me, I will spare their lives. If you refuse, the next time you see your husbands, they'll be dead, then I will go after the rest of your family." A moment passed, then Ron swore as Oscar added ,"He included a picture of A.J. with blood all over his face, and one of Rick unconscious."
"That monster!" Robbie erupted in anger, then seethed quietly as Rob growled, "Thank you for not letting Laurie railroad you into telling her what that murderer demanded. We need to trace Rick's transmitter, if he has it on."
For the next two hours the small band of friends and family struggled to track the Simons' whereabouts, running into dead end after dead end. Finally Laurie came into the room where Ron and Rob were looking for parole records. Involuntarily Rob looked up at the clock, seeing it was almost 6 pm. A few minutes before contact.
"I know who this jerk is." At that both men raised their heads, startled, as she continued.
"He's Professor Monte Altman, he went to prison for helping to kill a student at UC San Diego. Rick and A.J. went undercover to prove he was experimenting illegally on the track team."
Laurie held a dog-eared folder in front of them. Her face was filled with anger as she said. "Rick was poisoned by this monster, if A.J. hadn't stuck with him and saved him from jumping off the dorm at SD….."
At that moment Rick was also remembering what Altman had done to him, causing him to redouble his efforts to break free.
"Just another minute, A.J., and I think I can get loose….."
Rick had been trying to wriggle free of the ropes holding him to his chair when loud footsteps signaled their captor was returning.
"Rick, psst, they're back."
The older Simon had managed to get to his feet, and was in the process of moving towards his brother when A.J. sounded the warning. At once Rick sat back down, then the door to their prison was opened and both Altman and his son entered. Both Simons tensed, seeing the older man carrying a heavy bag with an ominous set of chains sticking out.
"Well, gentlemen, I think we're ready for our test now." He smirked, setting the package down. Instantly the younger man strode over to A.J., then produced a knife and cut the ropes holding him to the chair. A.J.'s wrists were then chained in front of him, so he was unable to defend himself as Frank Altman threw him to the floor.
"Leave him alone, Altman, if you have a problem, take it out on me!" Rick shouted, then Altman came over and punched him in the mouth.
"That's enough, Mr. Simon. Looks like I'd better take care of any noise you might make."
Reaching in his bag, Altman pulled out a roll of tape then tore off a piece and gagged Rick with it.
"Now, let's continue with his brother, shall we?"
A sick grin came across the younger Altman as he came slowly toward A.J., who tried to get up from the floor. At once Frank Altman reared back and slugged A.J. in the ribs, causing him to double up.
Rick yelled for him to stop, but all the sound he made was muffled by the tape over his mouth. He watched helplessly as his brother was hit time after time, only able to duck a few of the blows.
"Okay, Frank. You may stop now, we want him to see his wife again , don't we?" Altman smirked.
At once A.J. collapsed on the floor, and had to be dragged back to his chair. Once again he was bound to the rungs, a piece of tape was placed over his mouth, and it was Rick's turn to be assaulted.
Across town, his wife gasped, "No! " as her son explained the threat to her and Linda.
"Mom, that's why Uncle Oscar didn't want to tell you, he's afraid you and Auntie will want to give in to this creep." Robbie told her, sitting down next to her.
"I know, and I'm sorry I was so tough on all of you." Laurie wiped her eyes, then kissed her son's cheek.
"Honey, you know the guys are tough, we'll find them just as soon as we track down where they've been taken.." Ron said, leaning over to pick up the file marked "Altman Trial".
Just then Cecilia came into the room, fixing her daughter-in-law with a stern look.
"Laurie, you promised to go have a bite to eat, you go in the kitchen and don't leave until that plate is clean."
"Yes, Mom." Laurie managed a weak grin, then got up and hugged the others before leaving the room.
As Cecilia poured a cup of coffee for the others, she stopped as her eye caught the pictures from the case file, spread out in front of Ron.
"Oh, my Lord…" she gasped, seeing the pictures of her sons, Rick in his track outfit and A.J. sporting nerdy-looking glasses. "I ….I remember the case, that Professor, he used students as guinea pigs. He nearly killed Rick. He was so angry when Rick and A.J. were testifying."
"I know, Cecilia." Rob stood up and embraced the older woman, then remained standing as Laurie came in with coffee and some sandwiches. "Light, I should be taking care of you and your Mom." He said, taking the tray from her.
Just then the phone rang, and Laurie answered it automatically. At once Rob gave Ron a look of apology, knowing they should have picked it up first.
"Simon Residence."
"Mrs. Simon?" A cultured voice spoke. Laurie nodded at the chief of detectives, and immediately Ron hit a button on his portable radio and said, "Trace it". He reached over and put the call on speaker.
"This is Mrs. Simon, who is this?"
"Never mind who I am, my dear. It is you and your sister-in-law who are of interest to me. It seems my old friends have had a rather good life while I was ….away. I owe them a very large debt., and I intend to collect." The voice hardened on the last statement.
Laurie's voice matched his, as she replied, "What is this? A prank? How do I know you have my brother-in-law and husband?"
At that moment Oscar Goldman arrived, and Cecelia let him in as the caller chuckled. "Very good, Mrs. Simon, I wouldn't expect you to take my word, here, listen……"
A moment passed, then Laurie heard Rick arguing with Professor Altman, "No, I won't….no!"
"Rick!" Laurie called through the phone, then a minute passed. Just then Linda came in, and Laurie beckoned her over.
"Laurie?" Rick's tone was low, but it was him. "It's Rick."
"Rick, are you all right? Is A.J. with you?" Laurie fought to keep her voice calm.
"Yes, Laurie, I'm fine." The others shook their heads, Rick sounded forced, as if he was in pain.
"A.J.'s right here."
Suddenly there was a gasp, then A.J. came on. "Laurie, is Linda there?"
"I'm here, A.J., where are you?" Linda called toward the phone, and immediately he responded, "We're near the edge of town, the tracks… don't come, Linny…" A.J. was cut off, as the sound of fist hitting flesh echoed in the room. A voice snarled "shut up!"
"A.J.!" she screamed, then Cecelia came forward and embraced her as Laurie frantically called, "Rick? A.J.? Whoever you are, what did you do to them?"
"Nothing yet, Mrs. Simon. But you and your sister-in-law had better meet me in one hour in back of the old bus station, or the next time you see your husbands, it will be in a morgue. And your family will be next." Altman added coldly.