Chapter 19 – Threats and Promises

Frank awoke in the hotel room that he, his brother and his father had checked into late last night. He could hear his brother's voice coming from the living room and climbed out of bed. He glanced at the clock and his eyes widened, there was no way that thirteen years ago Joe would have woken up on his own at six-thirty in the morning!

"I promise Kay, I'll have him home before Katie's birthday."

Joe said softly into the phone.

There was silence before Joe spoke again. "So do I, but stop thinking about the bad things that could happen and think of the good things. Liam and Sam WILL be fine."

More Silence

"OK, I love you too. Give my love to the kids and everyone else. I will. Ok, bye."

Joe turned of his cell and placed his head in his hands as a memory danced into his head.

Joe and Kayley walked in to Jack Ryders house. They had come to collect Liam as he had stayed overnight while they had been at the hospital to welcome Katie into the world. Jack smiled at Joe as he caught his eye.

"Liam, Mommy and Daddy are here!" he called

Liam came bounding down the stairs and looked at Joe. Joe beckoned to him and then crouched down to his son's height while holding the precious bundle in his hands.

"Liam, this is you little sister, Katie."

"She's cute. Daddy, can I play with her now?"

"Yes, but you have to be very gentle with her, OK?"

"OK, I can play 'peekaboo,' but not chase yet?"

"Yeah, that's about right, partner!"

"I'll be the bestest big brother ever!"

Joe looked at Kayley and she smiled. Everything was perfect.

Frank walked over to Joe and tapped him on the shoulder, Joe jumped and looked at Frank. Frank could see the pain and fear reflected in Joe's bright eyes. 'I probably look the same way myself.'

"What's up?" Joe gave a quick scrub over his face as he pulled himself from his thoughts.

"Hey, don't go telling Kayley to think of the good and then go thinking of the bad yourself." Frank whispered as he rubbed his hand up and down Joe's arm.

"Habit. You know, I'm supposed to be the brave knight on the white horse and all." Joe smiled ruefully up at his brother as he said this.

Frank smiled softly in understanding and unabashed affection. He squeezed Joe's shoulder gently and was just about to respond when his cell phone rang. Expecting it to be Callie, he was shocked to see the number come up as a 'private number.'

"Frank Hardy."

"Are you missing two relatives Mr. Hardy?" The smirk was heard without the need of seeing the man's face.

"What did you do to them? Where are you holding them!" The fragile hold Frank had on his emotions was beginning to slip. Even if he didn't register it consciously, his body was grateful for the arm Joe slipped over his shoulders as his little brother leaned in to listen on Frank's cell as best as he could.

"Nothing, we've just been getting to know each other. We've had a few nice little chats. I'm afraid they are under the impression that you're dead."

"What!" Frank closed his eyes as he thought of what the boys must be going through. He felt Joe's hand on his shoulder tighten and could feel Joe's whole body tense with frustration.

"Oh, sparkling conversationalists, both of them. It was fun to watch their reactions to the news. I'm done with them now. Maybe I'll kill them and then tell you where to find the bodies," the voice taunted. "Maybe I won't tell you where the bodies are so that you can always wonder."

"You hurt either one of those boys and there won't be enough of your body left for someone to find," Frank stated with a steely resolve.

"Is that a threat?"

"No, it's a promise."

"Really now? Is your brother with you on this?"

"Yes, and so is my father," Frank snapped "Let me talk to Sam."

"Sorry, he's in mourning." The phone line went dead.

Frank threw the phone on the table and broke away from Joe as he began pacing. By this time, Fenton had come out of the bedroom having heard his son's shouts. "What's going on?" He asked as he saw the looks on the faces of both of his sons. Frank suddenly stopped his agitated steps and looked up at his father and brother.

"They're at the abandoned train station."

"How do you know?" asked Joe as he pulled on his coat and began heading for the door.

"We targeted the place three years ago. We had some inside information that there might be some Assassin activity going on there, but we never uncovered anything. I heard a train go by, but not stop. There's this bell that keeps clanging in the background – it's on a pier near the station. It has a very distinctive ring. I heard that too when I was on the phone just now and…Joe, where are you going?"

"To get the kids."

"Slow down, Lancelot, we need a plan."