Chapter 3

20 HOURS MISSING…

FBI Headquarters

Jack held his head in his hands - Samantha had called him on her way back from the courier service and told him that she had video surveillance that clearly showed Dornvald's accomplice. The man from the courier service had positively identified the man in the video as the person who brought in the video and the photograph to be delivered. He had also told Sam that he saw a picture of two men badly beaten and covered in blood but was too afraid to call the police because the guy threatened to kill him if he did.

Deputy Director Victor Fitzgerald strides into Jack's office and shakes Jack's hand. "Have you got anything yet?" he asked in a cold and calm tone as if he's not worried about Martin.

"Yeah, Dornvald sent a ransom video and a picture of Martin and Danny covered in blood. He's asking for Paige Hobson and $100 million or he's going to kill them," Jack replies, as he hands Victor the picture.

Victor's eyes widen in horror, at the reality that Martin is badly hurt and possibly dying. "Mother of God!" he gasps as the news hits him hard. His hands begin to shake; puts a hand over his mouth. "Martin! My poor son!" He begins to cry and angrily wipes the tears away – because he's a Fitzgerald and Fitzgeralds don't cry. A sudden wave of dizziness hits him and he begins to fall to the floor.

Jack sees Victor about to collapse on the floor and reaches for him. Lucky for Victor, Jack gets to him on time. He wraps an arm around Victor's waist and the other over his own shoulder then slowly leads the older man to his couch.

"Victor, are you all right?" Jack asks his voice laced with concern. He frowns when Victor doesn't respond, but just sits there with his head in his hands. "Victor, look at me!" Jack says roughly as he tries to get a response. He gets no response so he grabs Victor by his shoulders and shakes him roughly. "I said look at me!" he yelled. He watches as Victor slowly lifts his head and looks at him with haunted eyes; red and rimmed with tears.

"You have to find him, Jack. I know that we haven't always gotten along but please, you have to find Martin. I can't lose my son, Jack" Victor said, breathing deeply as he tries to regain his composure; but fear is still evident in his voice. Sighing, he rakes a shaky hand through his head.

Jack knows that what Victor has just said is true; they never have seen eye to eye. But this situation is different. He understands Victor's reaction all to well; he has two daughters of his own. But he also understands it for a different reason - he loves and cares for his team like family; Martin and Danny are like his sons, though he'd never admit it to them or anyone else. Dornvald hurt his boys and was threatening to kill them in less than five hours unless his demands were met and this was like someone was attacking him personally.

Jack sighs and hands Victor a cup of water. "Here, drink this." He watches as Victor shakes his head. "Unless you want me to call an ambulance and have your ass rushed to the hospital I suggest that you drink this," he ordered.

"I'm the Deputy…" Victor sighs angrily.

"I don't care who you are. I'm in charge of this investigation and you do what I say. I won't have you jeopardizing Martin and Danny's lives," Jack said cutting him off. He knows that what he's saying is cold and cruel but it's the only way to get Victor to react.

"Thank you, Jack. But what are we going to do about Martin and Taylor?" Victor said quietly, as he gives in to Jack's will and drinks the water.

"First off, I had Samantha go to the courier service to see if she could find out who took in the ransom video and picture. I also have Jeff Carmichael, my best tech here, trying to see if he can lift any prints from the envelope that the ransom came in," Jack explained.

Victor tries to get up but finds Jack pushing him back onto the couch. "Did they find anything?" he asked; his voice still anxious and fearful.

"Samantha's on her way here right now. She should be here any minute. We have no idea how many accomplices Dornvald has but one of them was positively identified on videotape by the guy at the courier service who he threatened to kill. I'm still waiting to see if Jeff found anything," Jack replied. Hearing someone knocking at the door, he looks up. "Come in," he says more harshly than he meant it to be.

"Jack…I…" Jeff started, but stops when he sees Victor Fitzgerald's disheveled state. "Um…Deputy Director Fitzgerald?"

"What's up, Jeff?" Jack asked, his voice fearful, yet hopeful. "Did you get anything?"

"I lifted several prints off the envelope and I got a hit. I ran the print through NCIC and got a match," Jeff started. He finds a small smile for Jack and hands him the report. "The print belongs to a Michael Ridder. He's been convicted of kidnapping, murder, narcotics, armed robbery, the list goes on. He's also suspected in connection with the kidnapping-homicide of a married couple in Manhattan. We have his last known address and we're ready to move as soon as you give the word."

"Let's go!" Jack yelled as he almost ran out of his office.

"Jack! Stop, it's him! Dornvald's on the line but he says that he'll only talk to you!" one of the tech agents yelled.

Jack spun around and sprinted towards the tech room. "Trace the call!" he shouted as he picked up the phone and barked loudly into it. "Malone!"

"Aah," Dornvald chuckled evilly. "By the tone of your voice I take it you received my little gift."

"What the hell do you want, Dornvald?" Jack yelled.

"You know damn well what I want and you've got less than four hours to give it to me or your agents will die!" Dornvald screamed down the phone.

"How do I even know they're still alive!" Jack yelled back

"So you want proof? Here's your proof!" Dornvald laughed, as put Martin on the phone.

"He…llo?" Martin panted.

"Martin!" Jack exclaimed. His heart begins to beat rapidly as he hears Martin's voice on the phone, because he now knows that at least one of his agents is alive.

"Jack! Jack, Danny's…" Martin stammered, his voice cracking with emotion. But before he can continue, Dornvald rips the phone from him.

"That's enough!" Dornvald yelled at Martin. "There's your proof. You've better get moving, time's almost up!" he chuckles.

"Where's Agent Taylor! How do I know that you haven't already killed him?" Jack said, his voice bitter and filled with venom.

"Jack…I'm…sorry," Danny gasps, as Dornvald slams the phone against his face. His voice is barely more than a whisper, but his words send a cold chill down Jack's spine.

"Danny? Danny, are you okay? Danny, just hold on, son, we're gonna get you out of there!" Jack stammered, panic and fear evident in his voice.

"Jack…I'm…dying!" Danny gasps, as panic and fear take over his voice.

"Damn it, you're not going to die, Danny! Just hold on, son, you're going to be fine. I promise you Danny-boy I am going to get you out of there," Jack says soothingly. But he doesn't know how he kept the fear and panic out of his voice.

"You got what you wanted now give me what I want and you can have your pathetic agents. If you don't, they'll die." Dornvald chuckles down the phone. "Although, I don't know how much longer your Agent Taylor will survive those gunshot wounds."

"Jack! Don't do it! Don't give him what he wants!" Martin yells – hoping Jack can hear him.

"Shut up!" Dornvald yells and stabs Martin in the arm for added affect.

"Jack, don't give him anything! He's gonna kill us! You know that, Jack!" Martin yells to Jack – despite the excruciating pain.

"I told you to shut up! Now he's gonna pay for your big mouth!" Dornvald screamed. He sends a sharp kick to Danny's face and stabs him in the leg. He finds himself laughing, as Danny screams and cries out in pain.

"Nooooo! Danny!" Martin cried out. "I'm gonna fuckin' kill you! You killed him!" He lunges toward Dornvald but Dornvald kicks him in the stomach and sends Martin to the ground.

Martin is in unbearable pain but pushes it aside and crawls to Danny's side. He rips Danny's pants leg off and wraps it around Danny's leg and applies pressure to Danny's stab wound, which is now bleeding profusely; causing Danny to holler out in pain and gasp for air.

Tears run freely down Martin's face. He grabs Danny's hand and holds it in a tight brotherhood grip. "You gotta hang on, man!" Martin pleads. He watches Danny shake his head; unable to speak. Martin tightens his grip. "I know it hurts Danny but you gotta hold on for me, man! You're strong, brother. You can do it!"

Danny weakly grips Martin's hand as darkness begins to surround him. He knows he should fight it, but it is so welcoming to be taken away from all the pain and fear. He closes his eyes as he can't fight it any longer.

"Danny, I know you can hear me," Martin pleaded. "Jack's coming for us, Danny. Don't give up. Don't let this bastard beat you. I'm not gonna let you go that easily, now fight!" he whispered into Danny's ear.

"Martin! Danny!" Jack screamed down the phone.

"You should've taught your two lovebirds how to shut up! Now they're paying for Fitzgerald's insolence. He actually thought he could fight me but Taylor paid the price," Dornvald laughs evilly.

"When I get my hands on you I'm gonna rip your fuckin' heart out through your throat and eat it!" Jack screamed at Dornvald – unable to contain his emotions any longer.

"You've got less than four hours to give me what I want or your agents are going to die," Dornvald said coldly. He scoffs and adds. "That's if they don't die sooner. Tick-Tock!" With that he hangs up.

"Son of a bitch! I'm gonna kill him!" Jack yelled. He turns and faces the nervous looking tech agent. "Tell me you traced the call!"

"I'm sorry but he hung up too soon. We only got an approximate location, not the exact location," the tech agent stuttered – afraid of Jack's reaction.

Jack stands quietly; as if in some kind of shock. Suddenly he screams and grabs a hold of the table and flips it over. "Son of a bitch!" he yells as he begins to throw all of the equipment in the room. Victor stood silently - too shocked and distraught to say anything.

"Jack! Jack, calm down!" Jeff yells, forcing himself to react. He grabs Jack and holds on to him.

Jack struggles to get free from Jeff's grip. "Let me go, Jeff!" he yells, as he manages to free himself from Jeff's grasp. He grabs the tech agent by the collar. The tech, scared out of his mind, tries to flee but can't.

Jeff runs to Jack and grabs him from behind – pulling him into a chokehold. He then puts Jack's arms behind his back and cuffs him before he can hurt himself or anyone else.

"Damn it, Jack, calm down! You're gonna kill somebody!" Jeff says gruffly.

"Get these fuckin' cuffs off me, Jeff! I'm gonna kick your sorry ass and those goddamn idiots too. Now we don't know where the hell Dornvald is!" Jack yelled – still irate. He struggles against the cuffs again. "I'm not gonna tell you again, take these goddamn cuffs off!"

"Like hell I am. You can forget it! They're staying on until you calm down! Damn it, Jack! Listen to me!" Jeff yells at the still struggling Jack. He grabs Jack and slams him against the wall; forcing Jack to look at him. "I said listen to me!" Jeff yelled.

Jack huffs at Jeff in anger for slamming him against the wall and cuffing him. He slowly begins to calm down as he realizes what he's doing.

Jeff relaxes slightly as he sees Jack trying to calm down. "That's right, Jack," he sighs, letting out a shaky breath. He takes a deep breath and touches Jack's shoulder soothingly. "Come on, man, just breathe. That's right, man, just calm down."

Jack's breathing becomes more relaxed; he looks up to see all of the agents, including the ones in the bullpen, looking at him in shock and horror. He slides down the wall and onto the floor feeling defeated.

"I'm sorry, Jeff," Jack mumbles as he rests his head on his knees - tears running freely down his face. "I failed them, I should've sent them with backup to transport Teno; instead I sent them alone."

Jeff kneels down in front of Jack – his voice shaking and breaking with emotion. "None of this is your fault, Jack. The only one to blame for all of this is that son of a bitch Dornvald. He's the one who ambushed Danny and Martin; not you," Jeff says as he takes a deep breath and tries to pull himself together. "I swear to you, we're gonna find him and whoever else is working with him and they're gonna regret the day they ever messed with the FBI. They're gonna learn the real meaning of fear and pain. Are you with me, Jack?" he added, anger and determination evident in his voice.

"How the hell are we supposed to find them when we didn't get a damn location?" Jack says angrily.

"We have their location nailed down to a one block radius. That entire block is filled with open businesses except for two warehouses that went under a year and a half ago. We can break into teams and search the warehouses. Jack, those warehouses are supposed to be empty and run down; it's the perfect place to have someone kidnapped. What do you say, Jack?" Jeff said.

Jack holds his head in his knees; he'd failed Danny and Martin. What if his decision to check the warehouses doesn't pan out and it costs Danny and Martin their lives. He couldn't live with himself if that happened. "But…" he stutters, his voice filled with uncertainty and doubt.

"Jack, we only have two and a half hours. What are we gonna do? Are we just gonna sit here or are we gonna get off our asses and go rescue our guys?" Jeff said - only concern and compassion evident in his voice.

Jack looks around the office and every agent in the office and bullpen are nodding to him; as if to say that they are all going on the rescue mission.

"Let's do it!" Jack says as he sighs deeply – his voice full of emotion.

"All right! Now, can I take these cuffs off?" Jeff said as he smiles at his old friend. He frowns when Jack gives him an annoyed look then smiles back. "Do you promise that you're not gonna flip out again? I don't wanna have to cuff you again, Jack or even have you knocked out with some nice sedatives," Jeff said sternly.

"Jeff, I said I promise, now let me go!" Jack says with an irate look on his face.

"All right. Let's go," Jeff says chuckling. He slowly helps Jack to his feet and takes the cuffs off.

Jack rubs his painful wrists. "Next time you do this I'm gonna kick your sorry ass!" he says. Jacks makes a face when Jeff just chuckles at his threats. Taking a deep breath Jack starts giving out orders to the agents. "Let's move!"

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23.5 HOURS MISSING…

30 MINUTES 'TIL DORNVALD'S DEADLINE…

Jack, the other agents and the SWAT team arrive at the scene. Trying to go unnoticed, in case Dornvald is watching, they head into an alley in an unmarked van. The agents and SWAT break up into teams and one team searches one of the warehouses while the other team stays behind with Jack and Jeff.

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"I'll be back. I'm gonna go head out for a pack of smokes," says Michael Ridder – one of Dornvald's goons.

"We don't have time for this shit! We have to get rid of these fucking pigs!" growled one of the goons.

"I said I'll be back! They're not going anywhere!" Ridder yells, as he slams the door shut and leaves the warehouse.

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"Anything!" Jack said down the radio – fear evident in his voice

"No, sir! We checked the entire warehouse and it's empty. There's no one in there, sir," the SWAT leader replied.

"All right. Come on back," Jack sighed wearily.

"Jack, it's him! It's Ridder! He's coming out of that warehouse. I bet that's where Dornvald has Martin and Danny," Jeff said - excitement and nervousness clearly evident in his voice.

"We have a visual on the suspect. Don't move in yet. This one's mine! When I give the word, move in. Remember, Dornvald may have other accomplices and he's armed and extremely dangerous. I want him alive!" Jack says into his radio. "You're with me, Jeff! Let's go!" he says as he and Jeff start to cautiously walk toward Ridder.

As Ridder walks by the alley entrance, Victor and another agent grab him and drag him into the alley. Ridder struggles to get free so he knees the agent in the groin and punches Victor in the face; sending both men to the ground in pain. He flees but doesn't get very far because he's met by a right hook to the face courtesy of Jack Malone; he falls to the ground. Jeff picks him up roughly and slams him against the brick wall.

"Who the hell are you! What the hell do you want?" Ridder says as he groans in pain.

"We know you're working with Dornvald. Now, where the hell are my agents!" Jack says as he tries to control his anger.

Jeff punches Ridder in the chest and ribs; causing him to gasp in pain, when Ridder just smiles at them. "You heard him! Where the hell are our agents!" he yelled.

"What makes you think I'm gonna tell you a goddamn thing!" Ridder says, with an evil grin.

Jeff gets pissed off at Ridder's reaction. He takes him off the wall and punches him in the face causing him to fall to the ground; Jack proceeds to kick him in the face, chest and stomach.

"Please, stop!" Ridder cries out in pain.

"Tell me where the hell my agents are or I'm gonna kill you!" Jeff yelled.

"Where the hell is Dornvald! Where the hell are my men! If anything happens to them I'll kill you myself. I'm gonna kill you slowly. You're gonna suffer worse than my men and you're gonna beg me to kill you. This is the last time I'm gonna ask you; Where the hell is Dornvald with my men!" Jack growled as he grabs Ridder by the throat.

Ridder pointed a shaking finger to the empty warehouse. "Him and the others are on the 5th floor. He says he's…gonna kill them even if you give him what he wants," he stutters.

"You said 'others'. Who else is in there with him?" Jack questioned.

"My partner's the only one in there with him but Dornvald has a shitload of guns and explosives," Ridder stammers, as Jack picks him up and slams him against the wall.

"If you're lying to me… you're gonna regret the day you ever fucked with my men. You understand me?" Jack growled. He watches with slight satisfaction as fear enters Ridder's eyes.

"How are my son and the other agent?" Victor growled, venom dripping from his voice.

Jeff slams Ridder against the wall when he doesn't answer. "Answer the question!" he yelled.

"Okay! Your son's pretty beat up and Dornvald stabbed him in the arm for interfering in the phone call earlier; but he's okay…but not for long," Ridder said in a shaky voice, fear clearly evident in his voice.

"What about Taylor!" Jack yelled, unable to contain his anger any longer.

"He's really bad. If he doesn't get help soon he's gonna die. Well…that's if he hasn't died already," Ridder gasped.

"You better pray nothing happens to either of them!" Jack growled, turning to Victor and Agent Trudowhe added. "Get this filthy garbage out of my face!"

"Yes, sir!" Agent Trudow replied.

"But first…" Victor says, as he punches Ridder in the face then kicks him in the groin; sending him to the ground in pain. "That's for my son! But I'm not finished with you yet."

"Victor!" Jack exclaimed.

"Don't, Jack! Just go save my son and Taylor. Let me deal with this garbage," Victor growled, angrily pointing at Jack. "Go!"

Usually Jack wouldn't take Victor's orders but because this was about Martin and Danny he made an exception. He knows that Victor wants to beat the shit out of Ridder for hurting Martin; he wants to do the same but he knows that saving his boys takes priority right now.

"All right, Victor," Jack sighs. He turns to Jeff, his voice full of fear and uncertainty. "Let's go, Jeff!"

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A huge thanks to fans 1024 and to all of you have taken the time to read and review this fic. It wouldn't be possible without any of your help and encouragement. Again, please R and R if I should continue with the fic.