"What do you mean, not to let the Government know that Oscar's missing?" Ron demanded, as Rick and A.J. met him outside the Simon's condo 30 minutes later.
Having only been stopped by a false report of finding Oscar's Jeep, Ron stood flabbergasted by what the two brothers told him.
"I don't believe it….you think when the government finds out Oscar's a kidnap victim they'll hunt him down and kill him …and Cecilia?"
"That's the policy, according to Laurie and Rudy. Unfortunately, we don't know if this policy still holds now that he's retired." Rick explained wearily.
"I doubt if we treat this as a kidnapping and not as a terrorist plot that the Secretary and the OSI will take such measures, especially with a civilian involved." Ron replied reassuredly.
"I hope so…but just in case, can we retrace Oscar and Mom's path first? Then we have our own timeline." A.J. suggested. Gratefully Rick put a hand on his brother's shoulder, silently thanking him for the backup.
"That works, come on, guys. Did anyone call Steve and Jaime?" Ron asked, belatedly thinking of their friends.
"Yeah, they went to go check Oscar and Rudy's cabin just in case, you know, someone decided to hide Oscar and Mom there." Rick replied. Just then Rudy came outside with a small receiver, followed by Laurie and Linda.
"Guys, let's have you try this….it'll pick up Oscar's transmitter chip even when it's off."
"Good work, Rudy…where did you get this?" Rick asked, then he and the other were startled when the old doctor answered "I designed it. I've always feared what might happen when we were all off the OSI locator beam. I hope it works."
"I know it will, thanks for ….well, for thinking ahead." A.J. told him, then Rick gave him a hug, saying, "I'm leaving you in charge, Rudy. I don't want anyone trying anything."
"I'll take care of our family, son. Be careful." Rudy gave him a steady look, then Rick and A.J. hugged their wives.
"Be good, darlin'. Call if you get any notes or calls…." Rick said to Laurie, and she nodded as she gave him one more kiss.
"I will, love. I know you'll find something on Mom and Dad."
Climbing into Ron's cruiser, the 3 men took off down the street, as both women furtively wiped their eyes.
"Come on, girls. I need to take Melly's temperature, so why don't you make some coffee, I think we're going to have a long night." Rudy put an arm around both women and led them back into the house.
Several hours of tracing Oscar and Cecilia's trail from the awards dinner left Rick and A.J. frustrated and on the verge of yelling at each other and Ron. Finally realizing they were at an impasse, Ron stopped in the parking lot of the coffee shop where the couple was last seen.
"Look, guys…maybe we're going at this all wrong." The police chief said, as both brothers got out to sweep the parking area one more time.
"What do you mean?" A.J. replied, tiredly shading his eyes from the glare of the rising sun.
"What if someone took Oscar and Cecilia to protect them from someone, or something?" Ron asked, then Rick snapped his fingers.
"Why were Laurie and I not invited to the awards dinner, and why was it so important that Oscar attend?"
"Because…..the Secretary knew something was going to happen?" A.J. guessed, then Ron added angrily, "or…he planned his disappearance."
"Let me call Laurie….wait a minute…." Rick pulled out Rudy's device, and saw a steady red light on the map grid screen.
"It's showing us where Oscar's transmitter! Let's go!" Ron barked, then they piled back into the cruiser and took off. As Ron followed A.J's directions, Rick turned on his transmitter. "Laurie…can you hear me?"
"Rick…I hear you, did you find where Dad and Mom are?"
"No, not yet, but tell Rudy his device is working and we're following Oscar's signal now. Sweetheart, listen to me." Rick took a deep breath, seeing the four-lane road ahead narrowing then turning into an industrial road.
"I need to know, is there any reason the Secretary or the OSI might have planned Oscar and Mom's disappearance?"
The sharply indrawn breath told him immediately that his wife hadn't even thought of that. "No….Rick…do you think he did this-making sure Dad would attend even though they didn't do anything for Steve and Jaime?"
"You're kidding, I thought that's why they wanted Oscar to go?"
Laurie's upset voice was clear even to Ron and A.J.. "No! Rudy says they didn't even present him, just asked him to stand. He says Dad was not happy, only because Mom was there did he not confront the Secretary. Rick, I'm calling him right now….I have his number and I will find out who did this!"
"Darlin', no…calm down." Rick hurriedly tried to placate her, then A.J. brought him up short. "Look, there's Oscar's jeep, and …what's going on.. stop here, Ron!"
As the police cruiser pulled to the side of the road, Rick and A.J. barely waited for the police chief to stop before jumping out. Ahead of them was a small group of dark suited men surrounding the missing vehicle.
"Oscar! Mom!" A.J. called out as they ran, then one of the men turned around, and Rick saw it was the Secretary. His formal dinner jacket and tie were undone, and the look he gave the two Simons was one of shame.
"What the…sir, what happened?" Rick asked tightly as they reached him.
"I'm sorry Rick, A.J…..Oscar and your mother have been kidnapped….and it's my fault."
Caught aback by the abrupt statement, Rick paused, then asked again, "Sir, what happened?"