Hold on to your hats! Amber
Chapter 7
Vanessa, Joe, and the babies spent two days in the hospital. Both babies were five pounds two ounces and 20 inches long. Brooke and Claire were both very put out that their parents hadn't awakened them for the birth but they got over it pretty quickly. Right now Brooke was on a field trip to Washington DC it was a great way to end the school week. They were currently touring the monuments. She had of course seen them before, but who was going to complain about a field trip? Her outfit was a brown and pink plaid skirt with a light pink sweater set. She wore brown leggings and brown boots. She held Ben's hand. "The cherry blossoms are pretty."
Ben kissed her cheek and looked around to see if anyone was watching then kissed her lips. "They are. How is your mom doing?"
"She's recovering well. She had the staples removed two days ago."
"That's good." They stopped giving Mrs. Buckingham their full attention. "Okay class listen up. We are now going into the smithsonian museum of natural history. I expect you to be quiet and look at the displays. We will meet up for lunch in two hours."
Ben and Brooke stopped at the restrooms. Brooke watched as Ben went into the men's room. She was putting her phone in her purse when someone grabbed her from behind. She tried to scream but a hand covered her mouth. Then she felt a pinch on her neck and she felt herself drifting off to sleep. 'Oh shit! She tried to reach her locket but her fingers wouldn't work. She passed out.'
Ben came out after a couple of minutes. He waited for five minutes before he started getting worried. He saw Molly Moomaw and her boyfriend. "Hey Mol! Can you go see if Brooke is alright. She went into the bathroom about eight minutes ago."
Molly walked over. "Sure." She went inside. "Brooke?" She looked under the stalls but didn't see her shoes. "Brooke are you here?" Frowning she joined Ben and Caleb Prior outside. "I don't see her in there."
Ben went towards the bathrooms to call her name but something in the trashcan caught his eye. It was his girlfriend's purse. He pulled it out and found her cellphone inside. "She wouldn't leave this behind. Something happened."
Molly looked scared. Her boyfriend put an arm around her waist. Ben did the only thing he could think of which was to call her father.
Frank Hardy was working when he got a phone call from his daughter's phone. He answered. "Hello sweetheart are you enjoying your field trip?"
'Um...Mr. Hardy it's Ben Culpepper. I just found Brooke's purse in the trash, her cell phone was inside.'
Frank paled. "What happened?"
"I don't know. I went into the men's room, she was going to go to the ladies room. I don't understand. We paged her but she hasn't come to the desk."
Frank looked at his watch. "Does Mrs. Buckingham know?"
"Yes sir."
Frank could hear the fear and worry in Ben's voice. He was reaching for his laptop as he spoke. He accessed the homing beacon in her locket. There was no signal! How the fuck did that happen? Maybe she hadn't pushed the button yet. If she had been incapacitated that would make sense. Frank had to take a deep breath to calm the panic that was trying to creep into his psyche. He had to stay calm. "Ben, what time did you last see her?"
"It's been ten minutes sir. I swear if I'd known something was…"
Frank interrupted the hysterical boy. "It's not your fault son. Did you see anyone following you or seem interested in you guys?"
"No."
"I'm on my way." Frank dialed his father. "Dad...Brooke has gone missing from the museum. They can't find her anywhere on site, her purse and cell phone were found in the trash by her boyfriend."
"Meet me at the car." Fenton said. "Bring your laptops son, and your division."
Fenton went hot to the museum. His son was currently working on his laptop. The bathrooms were right near the main entrance! He saw on the surveillance feed the person at the desk was on her phone. He watched as a young man went up behind his daughter, covered her mouth, injected her with something, then scooped her up. The woman at the desk was oblivious. A security guard saw them. The unsub spoke to him. The security guard opened the door!
Frank dreaded what he had to do now. He had to call his wife. She answered on the second ring.
Frank didn't wait for her greeting. "Callie honey. Somebody took Brooke from the museum. I don't know anything yet but I'm on my way now. I'll call you once I know more."
Callie you could hear the tears in her voice. "Oh my god! Please find her Frank!"
"I'm going to do all I can my love. I've got to go. I love you."
He hung up the phone knowing that Callie would call Joe and his mother. He was looking at the Washington DC security cameras now outside the museum. He put Molly in the front seat of a black Ford Focus VA tags ICT 1818. Frank immediately put out an Amber Alert for the vehicle along with Brooke's name, DOB, weight, and height.
He called on his communicator. "All agents be on the lookout for a black Ford Focus Virginia tags Igloo Charlie Tango one eight one eight. Suspect is a white or light skinned mixed race male approximately 6'1 210 pounds with blond hair. Wearing a black t shirt and blue jeans. He has kidnapped a minor female child named Brooke Ellen Hardy age 14 wearing a brown skirt and yellow shirt. Amber Alert is active. Acknowledge dispatch."
'Dispatch is 10-4. Notifying local police agencies, and Virginia and Maryland state police."
Frank said a silent prayer. 'Heavenly father, keep my daughter safe and help me bring her home."
He said aloud. "Come on baby press your button! Daddy's coming but I need your help."
Fenton sucked in his breath. "She hasn't hit her panic button?"
Frank shook his head. "Not yet. I'm watching for it."
Sam squeezed his shoulder. "If she is able she will hit it."
Frank bit his lip. He knew she would. But the longer it took meant the longer she was incapacitated. When he found this man he hoped his fellow agents would hold him back because he might very well lose it. Nobody messes with my girls and gets away with it.
