Present Day

John tapped his fingers together before rubbing his hands over his trouser legs. After a second he pushed off at his knees and paced the room again. Anna barely looked up from her laptop before shaking her head but John caught the gesture and it forced him to pause.

"What?"

"You're pacing again."

"I'm nervous." John rubbed his hands together, almost stopping in his tracks but paced again to try and settle his fraying nerves.

"They'll be here."

"It's a two-hour flight. Calculating in how long it took you to get here, telling you what happened, and then getting them here, from the time I got that first email, we've already lost twelve hours." John's hand went through his hair, sending it standing on end. "My son's life's on the line and I've wasted twelve hours not paying the ransom they demanded."

"And if you had paid the ransom, you might be on your way to retrieve your son's body right now. Or," Anna lifted her head from the work on her laptop to meet John's eyes as her hands crossed in front of her on the desk. "You'd be expecting it in a bag at the airport."

"You don't know that."

"But I do, John." Anna pushed back from the borrowed desk to stand and walked over to where John debated pacing even more furiously. "You and I both know this isn't about money. It never was. It can't be. Not with the demands they made and what they know about what you do."

"Did." John held up a finger, "I'm just a businessman now. I'm not in the ambassadorial entourage and I don't hold that kind of power. I've lost the pull."

"Once you've got it, you never quite lose influence like that. They know it and they're using it against you." Anna turned from her position in front of John as someone knocked on the door and held up a hand to stop him moving to get it. "Let me answer it."

"Why?"

"Because you're a mess." Anna put a gentle hand to his cheek, "It's not unexpected but it won't help right now."

"I don't know what to do." John almost whispered and met the pity in Anna's eyes. "I'm helpless."

"I know. That's why I'm here. So," Anna nodded at him, moving her hand so both patted at his chest as if to restart him. "Compose yourself and try to settle enough to get through this or you'll be no help to Brendan."

She forced him to meet her eyes again, hands still on his chest. "Can you do that for me?" John nodded and Anna gave him a small smile, "Good. Because this'll get much harder before it gets easier, unfortunately."

John moved to the corner of the office, taking deep breaths as he focused on the view out his window. When the door opened, Anna's voice carrying over as she extended greetings, John wiped at his eyes and rubbed his hands together for a moment. Another breath and he turned to shake the two men's hands.

"Blake, Ross, so grateful you could come."

"Of course we came." The first man, with his perfectly arranged hair and a voice hinting at a more musical quality, released John's hand after a firm shake. "It was the least we could do."

"Blake's right." The black man with an easy smile that threatened to pull his lips back to show off his perfectly straight, white teeth. "It's not every day we have something come back to bite us this hard in the ass."

"Speaking of which," Anna beckoned them all to the sofas and the three men took their seats. Blake and the other man took one sofa while John took the one across from them, Anna leaning over the back of it. "What operation, exactly, has bitten us in the ass? "

"Are we…" Blake looked between John and Anna. "Jack and I weren't under the impression you were read in on this."

"Mr. Bates and I are-" Anna looked to John but he only shrugged in response. "He hired me to get his son back. Whatever you know about this case is something I need to know so I can return Brendan with all ten fingers, all ten toes, and everything else intact."

"Based on the video you forwarded to us, one of those fingers isn't in great shape." Jack cringed, "But they didn't cut it off, which means they still want to play ball. They're just making sure you're playing the same game they are."

"And what game is that?" John folded his arms over his chest, fingers digging into his elbows. "The one where they dangle the life of my son in front of me?"

The two men stayed quiet as Anna pushed off the back of the sofa to pace to the space between the two. "The original demand stated that Mr. Bates had twenty-four hours to pay a ransom demand. It's been twelve hours and there's been no contact except for the original email." She waited but no one spoke. "I think that means they're not after money."

"What makes you so sure?" Jack nodded at her, "No doubts to your abilities, Ms. Smith, but why do you think this has anything at all to do with us?"

"I'm sure you weren't so stupid as to miss the obvious presence of the VAJA in the video, Mr. Ross." Anna waited but Ross only shrugged. "More to the point, in my experience the kinds of people who kidnap for money are those eager to get it. They'll call every hour, they leave threatening messages, there's a period of escalation. This kidnapping came out of nowhere which means, to me, it was premeditated to catch everyone off-guard."

"Everyone?" Blake raised an eyebrow. "Who do you think is 'everyone'?"

"I think it has a lot to do with Operation Xysts."

Ross and Blake exchanged a look as both experimented with how far they could drop their jaws. Blake, however, beat Ross to speaking first. "That operation is classified and if John told you anything about it-"

"Mr. Bates told me plenty about it and he was right to do so." Anna shrugged at the two men continuing to gape at her. "Forgive me, gentlemen, but I don't much care about the fate of the Empire when my employer hired me for one task and one task only. Besides, I've got the clearance."

"Not for this." Ross turned to John, "If you told her about it you're in violation of the rules and regulations we set out when we started this venture. You signed-"

"I don't bloody care what I signed." John's jaw tightened and he waited a moment to control himself as Ross tensed. "I did what I did in good faith. With the idea that I was helping to save people. Not that my son, who was under light cover and in another bloody country would be kidnapped as he left his Middle Eastern Studies lecture on an average Tuesday afternoon."

John took a breath, forcing his eyes closed to try and stop the pounding at the back of his skull before he continued. "My family was not supposed to be hurt or involved in this venture." He opened his eyes and stared at the two men sitting across from him. "In any way. No one was supposed to know I was even involved in all of this as a way to protect them."

"We kept your profile a secret from everyone at our organizations and-"

"And a fat lot of good that did me." John forced himself to stand and paced over toward the window. His arms clutched together so tightly he had to release them before he lost blood flow. "What is the plan?"

John pivoted to face them, Anna still standing between the sofas that forced Blake and Ross to twist around the back of them. "What is the next step in all this?"

"They set a twenty-four-hour deadline for you to get the money together." Anna let her arms drop to her sides as she took a step or two over the carpet in her high heeled shoes. "We get the money together and then force proof of life."

"And what happens if they slit his throat on-screen?" John looked at Anna and she gave a small nod. "What happens if I press my luck?"

"They wouldn't go to the trouble of tracking down your son just to kill the only leverage they have." Blake shook his head, "But I'm still not convinced this has anything to do with the work we-"

Everyone stopped as the phone in the middle of the table started ringing. Anna looked to John and he crossed the distance to pick the phone off the receiver. He waited a moment, debating, and pressed the conference button before leaving the receiver on the table and taking position on the sofa.

"This is John Bates."

"And some friends, I'd expect." John froze, his blood running cold. His eyes flicked to Anna and noted she already had her phone out as she crossed to his desk and pulled up her laptop. "We've given you enough time to gather your forces."

"I thought this was about money." John swallowed and jumped slightly at the vibration in his pocket. He removed his phone and noted the text from Anna. Reading it quickly, and exchanging another look with her that ended in a nod, John cleared his throat. "Isn't that what the email said? You wanted ten million pounds if I remember correctly."

"You mean you didn't rush immediately to a bank and withdraw it into tiny bills you'd fill a bag with before putting in a tracker?" The laughter on the other end of the line had John's skin crawling but he thought back to Anna's message: 'Keep them talking'. So he swallowed again and closed his eyes to force his focus.

"Even if I had that kind of money available as cash in a safe somewhere, I'd never get it to you like that."

"You're sure of that?"

"I'm a businessman. I think like one and I know about moving assets."

"Then we're dealing with a smart man who knows how ridiculous that kind of request was." The voice on the other end of the line, the one asking Brendan questions in the video if John recognized it at all. "I am so glad you are not a fool. I was worried, for a moment, that you'd be as stupid as we always imagined you when we'd see you at those functions in Tehran."

"You saw me in Tehran?" John shifted enough on the sofa to keep Anna in view as she continued working from her laptop, her focus unbroken. "I didn't see you so forgive me if I don't have a name to put to your face."

"The only name you need to remember is your son's." The man laughed. "Your cover for him lacked a bit of ingenuity."

"He wasn't ever supposed to be in any danger."

"Then I guess you made your mistakes as a father."

"I guess I did." John looked down at his phone again, reading the message Anna sent him. "But I think we're getting off track."

"Ever the businessman then?"

"If you want money then we'll have to arrange something else. Especially given you're not even on the same continent as me."

"Then it's a good thing we don't want your money." The voice lost any trace of levity. "This message is for the two officers of their respective empires sitting across from you."

John met Blake and Ross's eyes before turning Anna. She shook her head and John spoke. "I'd ask how you know they're here but I suspect I wasn't the only one you were interested in when you took my son."

"Then you'd be correct. Mr. Ross's mother was in our sights but kidnapping a woman from her apartment complex in Harlem was a bit more difficult than we originally planned." John noted the fold of Ross's knuckles on his leg as his fingers curled into his palms. "And Mr. Blake… Well, he's always been one of the perfect representatives of his Empire because he leaves all attachments behind him. A true servant has nothing to lose and, therefore, nothing to leverage. Is that not right, Mr. Blake? All the loneliness you live in as the only gift your Empire ever gave you?"

"Then Brendan was convenient?"

"He was the easiest target." The voice clicked at John, condescending him over oceans and miles. "To think you thought leaving the Ambassadorial service would keep you safe."

"If I happened to offend you, sir, the I'd ask-"

"It's not about offense, Mr. Bates. This, as I said, is strictly business. It's why we called you and not either of the fools who thought they could use you against us while you served your country and then think we'd forget."

"What did you not forget?" John almost bit his tongue. "It couldn't have been the people we rescued out from under your totalitarian regime or the regime of your closeted allies."

"You think I care about the weak and degenerate you moved with your famous artwork collection?" The laugh stopped John's heart and he barely noted Anna's attempt at reprimand for his outburst. "We don't care about them. If we did, they'd already be dead."

"Then why is my son the source of your retaliation?"

"He's the means to an end, nothing more. And, if you can accomplish what we need, he need not suffer any more than he already has."

"Then," John steeled himself, "I'd like to speak to him. Confirm for myself that he's still alive."

"And so you can trace this call?" The man laughed and John imagined him wagging a finger in John's direction. "Neither of us are novices in this."

"If we were tracing the call we'd already have you." John read from his phone and noted Anna's confirming nod from his desk. "But since you've got a minimum of a fourteen-hour lead on me, it wouldn't matter if I knew you were in… Hocking Hills, or not. It's just facts."

"And a lovely location. So many backroads and woods here to bury your boy's body should you prove unhelpful." John moved as if to say something but felt a hand on his shoulder. Anna stood there, shaking her head, and John nodded at her as the voice spoke again. "What? No threat about how you'll kill me if I hurt him? No promise to hunt me down and avenge your blood?"

"That would be ridiculous."

"Ah yes, because you're a businessman." The voice gave another laugh. "But I don't see the harm in offering you the chance to confirm your son is alive. I'd say well but there's a certain amount of trauma to be endured here. Some things that, if he survives, he'll never forget."

The quartet waited through a shuffling noise on the other end of the phone before a voice croaked into the speaker. "Hello?"

"Brendan? Is that you?"

"Yeah, it's B.B." Another croak had John clutching at the sofa cushions under him. "They broke my finger. They set it but… It hurts Dad."

"I'm sorry." John forced himself to breathe. "I need you to tell me something Brendan. Can you do that?"

"Yeah."

"What am I supposed to beware?" John waited a moment before repeating. "What am I supposed to beware my son?"

"The Jabberwock, the Jubjub bird, and the frumious Bandersnatch."

John sighed, closing his eyes. "I'm doing everything I can to get you back."

"I know."

"Until then you cooperate. Don't try to escape, don't make them angry, just… Just trust that I won't abandon you."

"I know you won't." Brendan's voice cracked for a moment on the other end of the phone. "I don't want to die dad."

"I don't want you to die either so just-" John cut off as another shuffling, a complaint, and a cry of pain had him almost slipping forward off the sofa. "Brendan? Brendan are you still there?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Bates, but it seems B.B.'s a bit occupied back in his room." The voice grew serious again. "Now that you've confirmed your child is alive, it's time to test if you're serious about getting him back."

"Is that a serious question?"

"Are you serious about your son's life?"

"How could I be anything else?"

"You'd be surprised."

John stiffened, "What do I have to do?"

"You have to exchange your son for someone we want. Someone who owes us quite a bit."

"Who?" John turned to Ross and Blake but both men shrugged. "You'll have to give me a name."

"Henry Talbot." The expressions on Ross and Blake's faces changed ever-so-slightly but John did not have time to ask about it. "You find his location and, in twelve hours, you give us a lead."

"Will this twelve hours be like the twenty-four hours?"

"I don't understand the question."

"Are you going to call in another six and check on our progress?" John ground his teeth. "Because I don't know who that man is and if I have to resurrect every contact from a ten-year period that's not a simple thing. Time zones will be the least of my worries."

"Fair point." The voice paused on his end and John could barely discern whispering in Persian before the voice spoke again. "Here is the deal, Mr. Bates. You come to America. In twenty-four hours, from this moment, you will be in Hocking Hills. Or, if you like, we'll meet you somewhere along the way. I hear Appalachia is beautiful. So many spots, like this place, to leave the pesky remains of people who fail to live up to their usefulness."

"We'll meet in the city. Near the campus."

"To give you an advantage?" The voice clicked their tongue in condescension again. "No, I don't think we'll do that. We'll meet near here. There are a number of lodges that will make for quiet, private spots. I'll give you the details when you get into the country."

"How will I tell you I'm in the country?"

"Simply comment on the video I sent you. The email still works, even if you did manage to get someone to put out feelers to look for your son."

John snuck a look at Anna but she kept her focus on the laptop. "I've still got a few friends who want to help me."

"Then make sure they'll continue to help you and we'll both leave this rather unpleasant situation with what we want."

"And what if I can't get you what you want?" John waited for a second. "What if I can't find Henry Talbot?"

"Then I guess you'll get a final phone call to say goodbye to your son. One I promise to make a video call."

The line went dead and the room stayed silent.

John pushed himself to his feet, ignoring both Ross and Blake, and crossed the room to the balcony. Pushing the doors open, he inhaled the dry, hot air and tried to control the race of his heart. When that failed he gripped the railing of the balcony as hard as he could until feeling threatened to leave his fingers.

After a moment he released, noting the blood returning to his hands, and took stock of the indentations he left on his palms. It only had him shaking his head as he leaned on the balcony and continued trying to breathe. A process interrupted as he started when a hand rested on his arm. The momentary flail put him back a step as he noticed Anna standing next to him.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's not your fault." John dusted his hands off and went back to leaning on the railing. "I… My mind's-"

"Not here." Anna nodded, joining him, "I know that was hard but I still can't imagine what you're going through right now."

"Neither can I." John tried to laugh but the words choked in his throat. He tried to clear it as tears came to his eyes and he busied himself trying to brush them away. "But he's alive. He's still alive and that's… That's something."

"It is." Anna agreed. "And even if he's in the trackless backwoods of America, it's still something."

"Like some place to bury him?"

"Like it's easier to keep him in the country, and the same state, than trying to move him." Anna shrugged, "Getting him on any form of transportation would be ridiculous at this point."

"Because of the warnings you put out?"

Anna nodded, "Even for as big as America is, you have to take roads. Those roads can be blocked and checked. Unless they're off-roading, which I wouldn't suggest given they're not familiar with the area, then they're bound to places that are a little more… Rural."

"No borders, no trains, no planes, and nothing with IDs."

"Exactly." Anna gave him a brief smile before frowning slightly. "Your code…"

"What?"

"The one you used, to check it was Brendan, what was it?"

"It's from The Jabberwocky."

"You like poetry?"

"His grandmother loved it and she read those to him when he was younger. He memorized that poem and recited it so often it drove me mad for a bit." John snorted, "It was his idea to use it as an ID test."

"He's a smart kid." Anna rubbed her hands together. "I thought that when you introduced us."

"He thought I was marrying way above myself." John shook his head, pushing off the railing to put a hand through his hair. "Do you regret it?"

"Regret what?"

John faced her, "Marrying me? Getting into all this?"

"No." Anna shook her head and took John's former position to lean over the railing and stare at the city below them. After a moment she crossed her arms. "Maybe I should. My mother thought I should but I don't. Not when it's made the person I was always meant to be."

"Really?"

"Really." John gave a little scoff and Anna raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"I just find it hard to believe."

"You do?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because…" John exhaled before speaking again. "We've not even really seen one another the whole time we've been married. In two years we've had… Three weeks, being generous, that we even shared the same space."

"It's the most romantic long-distance relationship I've ever had." Anna grinned at him, "I've never been as intrigued by someone as I am by you. And… And it's been lovely getting to know you."

"I'm not sure we know one another."

"You've sent me a veritable autobiography in your letters. And your emails are always wonderful. Not to mention your gifts…" Anna paused, "Maybe it works for us because distance makes the heart grow fonder."

"I can't say anything about that. My first wife hated me at any distance."

"Then I hope this is still better than that was."

"By far." John agreed, crossing his arms and pacing the balcony to look inside the room where Blake and Ross spoke in low voices between calls. "How is it that you know them?"

"I worked with Blake when we were PPOs. He had a mind like no other so the Intelligence Services snatched him up as soon as they could manage and I took the corporate route."

"Still stayed in touch?"

"Never burn a bridge." Anna nodded, "What they said about him being alone… That would've hurt him."

"Why's that?"

"He lost his family in a car accident. Slick road, narrow lane, inexperienced lorry driver…" Anna sighed, "That's when he took the offer from Intelligence. He had nothing to lose."

"What about Ross?"

"I worked with him a few times on some counterintelligence and anti-terrorist taskforces."

"In what capacity?"

"Usually when they needed a bodyguard who didn't look like a bodyguard but could protect an asset while still keeping the target looking vulnerable." Anna pointed to herself. "I mean, really, do I look like I could kill someone twice my size?"

"Speaking honestly?" Anna nodded and John winced, "No, not really."

"And that's what they all thought too." Anna let her shoulders sag as she pushed off the railing to join John's study of the room beyond. "Blake and Ross are solid. They're good agents."

"I did notice you didn't tell them we were married."

"I'd trust them with my life but not with information they might use to say I've lost my objectivity." Anna put a hand on John's shoulder. "They'll do everything they can to make this right for you and Brendan."

"I hope so."

Anna's hand moved over John's, stopping the dry-washing motions he undertook. "They'll get Brendan back. And if they don't, I will."

"Not to be Doubting Thomas or anything-"

"We're all very good at our jobs here John." Anna squeezed his hands before releasing. "And we know what we're doing."

John only nodded and watched Anna enter the room. He turned back, noting the damp spots on his shirt from the heat of the day despite the dusk burnish of orange on the horizon. It took him another few moments before he reentered the room, joining the conversation in progress.

"What's the decision?"

"We think you and Ms. Smith should get on the first plane you can to the US. There are two flights a week to Washington D.C. but you would be better off flying from here to Los Angeles and then to…" Blake frowned, turning to Ross. "Where did you say the nearest airport was to where they've got him?"

"Columbus. There'll be a few transfers so you'll be tight for time any way you slice it." Ross shrugged, "Modern travel, what can you do?"

"And what about you two?" Anna looked between the two men. "I hope you've got a clue who Henry Talbot is."

"We do." Blake said but did not continue.

"Fine." Anna took a breath, "Then I'll take lead on this, as far as the negotiation goes, and you'll keep us updated on your end as to what we can do about it all, yes?"

"You're taking lead?" Blake shook his head, "You're not even read in on this Anna and I think-"

"At the risk of pointing fingers we've not got time to point, Charles, you're the one who got John into this mess so I'd suggest you keep that in mind as you dig Henry Talbot, or some poor bastard who looks enough like him to pass for him, out of a hole somewhere and get him to Hocking Hills, Ohio." Anna waited but neither Blake nor Ross spoke further. "Alright then. Let's bring Brendan home, shall we?"