Here is the next chapter, it jumps a bit in the timeline. Thanks for the reviews! Amber
Chapter 22
It was December 18th and Callie was 40 weeks due any minute. The girls were doing much better, the trial for Juan Garcia had been moved up to January 3rd. Brooke was starting to have some anxiety about the trial. She had increased her therapy sessions to twice a week again. Callie knew that the anxiety was normal. They were all on edge. The girls were bugging her about being in the labor and delivery room when their brother was born. They were told that she would think about it. Callie and Frank had moved to the upstairs suite so they could be closer to the baby's room. They also hired a housekeeper and butler. It was George and Joanne, Callie's previous housekeeper and butler. They moved into the downstairs suite and had been a godsend.
Joanne took the duck out of the oven. Joanne said. "I'm so glad you called us. We were so bored in retirement."
"Well, with this new baby I need all the help I can get. But remember you guys are part time. I expect you to still go on trips and have fun."
George was setting the dining room table it would be an early dinner tonight. "Don't worry dear, I have a trip booked for the poconos in a couple months."
Frank came in. "That smells wonderful."
Callie kissed him. "Oh it is. It was my mom's favorite. I've been wanting duck all week."
Frank rubbed her tummy affectionately. "I think our little man is the one wanting duck."
Callie kissed him. "Yes I think you're right." She went to the intercom. "Girls' dinner is almost ready, wash your hands."
They ate in the dining room which was now the norm. George served them.
Brooke took a tentative bite. Then her face lit up. "Wow this is good."
George poured her some more iced tea. "I'm glad you like it. Did you want more asparagus?"
Brooke said. "No thank you."
Claire looked at her watch. "Mom it's almost 4:30. The competition starts at 6. My performance is at seven."
Callie chuckled. "Let's go get dressed."
Callie chose a burgundy Armani pants suit with matching flats. She put on her pearls. Frank wore a gray Armani suit. Claire's dress was a sequined minidress with bow detailing. It had a straight hem and scoop neck. She wore red shoes. Brooke came down in her armani tweed jacket, matching skirt, and black blouse."
They left for the Kennedy Center for the Arts. Callie knew that Fenton, Laura, Joe and Vanessa were planning to attend. Frank and Callie found seats for them all near the center towards the front. To Callie's surprise Rick came up the aisle. She hugged her brother. "Hey there. I didn't know you were coming."
"I wouldn't miss my niece playing at the National Youth Piano Festival. Will she go to Cincinnati and Fort Worth?"
Frank answered. "She wants too and she wants to go to the big one in Canada next year. We'll see how she does. She's the youngest pianist here, the oldest is 19."
"What is she playing?"
Callie answered. "Chopin Sonata number 2 in B flat minor."
Someone from behind them whistled. "That is a very hard piece. How old is your daughter?"
Callie turned. "She's 13."
"I'll look forward to it."
The maitre d came onto the stage. "Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to the eleventh annual National Youth Piano Festival where young musicians come to display their musical talent. Each performer you will see tonight has been screened and selected as the top 12 finalists of over 1000 submissions. The age range of our performers are between the ages of 13 and 19. Without further ado we will begin. First we have Alexander Schott. Alexander Schott came up to the microphone, he introduced himself and stated what he was going to play. It was a number by Gershwin.
After four more performances it was Claire's turn. She stepped up to the microphone. "Hello, I'm Claire Hardy. I'm thirteen years old and I attend Williamsburg Middle School. Today I am going to play for you Chopin Sonata number two in B flat minor."
There were many gasps in the crowd. Claire went to the piano and sat down and began to play. Frank held Callie's hand as Claire's fingers roamed the keyboard. Her facial expressions intense.
"She's doing fantastic" Frank whispered.
Callie murmured. "She is. This is a very difficult number."
When she was done the crowd was on their feet. Claire beaming from ear to ear took a bow and exited the stage stage left.
Brooke was clapping loudly. "That was so good." Suddenly a man sitting two rows ahead of them caught her eye. Brooke who was sitting between her father and grandfather grasped both their arms. For a second she was back in the room in the warehouse.
Frank leaned over. He could feel how tense she was. "What's wrong lady bug?"
Her breathing was labored. "Two rows ahead. The man on the end with blond hair and horn rimmed glasses."
Fenton looked over inconspicuously. "Gray suit sitting next to a pretty blond in a green sequin dress."
"Yes. That's him daddy. That's the guy, the first client."
The lights for intermission blinked. The guy stood up. Frank and Fenton both moved. Frank whispered. "Dad we need to run him in facial recognition."
They followed him to the bar. The man ordered two martini's. Frank and Fenton stood at the bar too. Fenton intentionally stood beside the man.
"Say Cheese dad." Frank said. He snapped a picture of both Fenton and the guy who had turned his head at just the right time.
Fenton ordered. "May I get a club soda and wedge of lime please."
"Right away sir."
They watched the man approach the woman. She had a girl with her that looked about 15. It was the performer before Claire.
Frank watched as the man touched the girls hair. Fenton sipped his drink. "He's grooming her, he doesn't have his outlet anymore."
Frank's phone beeped. "His name is Clifton Stone from Arlington VA. He is engaged to Amelia Bridges. She has two daughters Claudia age 16 and Charlotte age 13." He is the CEO of Meditech and she runs a non profit a rape crisis center called Safe Haven. Stone has traveled to Mission TX once a month for two years."
"Think we can talk your wife into contacting a friend for a warrant."
"Oh you know it."
Joe had taken his father's place at Brooke's side. What was going on. Brooke was so anxious she was hyperventilating. He soothed her. "Try to take slow breaths kiddo."
Callie was soothing her. "Honey what's wrong."
The man came back with two martini's and sat down next to the blond again. Brooke shrank down into her seat as he passed. That is when Callie realized. "That's him!"
Brooke nodded. "Uh huh."
Frank and Fenton returned. Frank turned to his wife. "Name is Clifton Stone from Arlington Virginia. DOB 6/18/1996. He lives with his fiance and two daughters at 1290 Clifton Street. We need a warrant to arrest."
Callie pulled out her phone. She called a colleague. "George, this is Callie, how are you? I have a favor. The last man at large in the large RICO case that you are presiding over has just been ID'd. His name is Clifton Stone from Arlington VA DOB is 6/18/1996 his address is 1290 Clifton Street. He is living with his fiance and two daughters. Yes, just put it in the system, my husband can print it at the station. There is a police officer on site."
Callie's phone beeped five minutes later. 'Warrant done.'
The competition ended and a special musical guest played while the judges deliberated. Brooke was still hiding in her seat. She couldn't enjoy the music because her nightmare was currently right in front of her literally. But she wanted to see him in cuffs and knew that her daddy was going to make sure that happened.
The maitre d came back. "We have the results of today's competition. Performers please come back to the stage." All twelve of the performers came out. The maitre d continued. "Let's give them another round of applause."
"The third prize of 5,000 dollars goes to Claudia Bridges for her performance of Beethoven."
Frank clapped politely. He noticed the man their current perp was clapping profusely and picked up some flowers. Frank had roses for his daughter too. It would be a perfect time to arrest him.
"The second prize of 7,000 dollars goes to Alexander Schott and his performance of Gershwin.
"And our first prize of 10,000 dollars goes to Claire Hardy and her performance of Chopin. I want to note that she is the youngest winner of this competition."
The Hardy's all cheered as Claire took her trophy, check, and flowers. Frank and Fenton headed up to the stage. Fenton had a bouquet of flowers for Claire too. They pulled her into a hug. Frank kissed her forehead. "I'm so proud of you sweetheart but I need you to sit with your mother."
Claire could tell that something was wrong. She saw her grandfather. He was watching a man hug the third place winner. She shivered. Something was definitely wrong. She followed her gut and went to hug her mother. Frank and Fenton approached Stone. Fenton put a hand on his shoulder. "Clifton Stone."
He turned. "Yes that's me." He said. "Wow was that your daughter that played Chopin! That was excellent truly excellent."
Fenton said. "My Granddaughter. This is her dad though, funny you should mention her. How about looking behind where you were sitting another young girl with brown hair."
Clifton looked. He saw Brooke a look of confusion on his face. "Did she perform tonight. I don't remember."
Frank said. "No she doesn't play piano, she's an athlete, but doesn't she look familiar you got to see her in Mission Texas."
Clifton's eyes got huge for a second. "I...I don't know what you mean. My company is opening an office down in Mission but I don't recall seeing your daughter."
Fenton said. "Well she looks different, she isn't wearing that brown skirt and yellow shirt she was wearing when you saw her."
Amelia approached now. "Cliff what is going on?"
"Nothing dear just a misunderstanding. Sorry gentlemen I don't remember meeting her or any other girl that looks like her. If you'll excuse me we."
Frank and Fenton both pulled out their weapons. They both said. "FBI hands up."
Claire watched fascinated. Why was her daddy and grandpa pointing guns to this man? Fenton pulled out his cuffs and cuffed Stone.
Frank hissed. "You're under arrest for rape of a minor, more charges pending. I'm sure the other girls we found in that compound can ID you."
"I want a lawyer."
Fenton waved the police officer over. "No problem. This man is under arrest with a federal warrant. Take him to jail. It's the weekend so he won't be bonded out until Monday at the earliest." Fenton saw as the oldest daughter burst into tears. He approached her. "Claudia I'm SAC Hardy FBI. Has your mom's fiance hurt you in anyway?"
Amelia Bridges looked angry. "How can you suggest such a thing? He loves my daughters as if they were his own."
Claudia sniffled. "Yes, he makes me have sex with him. It started six months ago. I didn't want to and he said I had to keep it a secret."
Amelia gaped. "What! Why didn't you tell me."
"I didn't think you'd believe me. He has a lot of money and influence, I was scared."
Frank knelt down. "We believe you honey." He pulled out a card. "This is a card for a rape councilor Tia Woodson, she's very good."
Amelia was hugging her daughter. "Thank you. I want to press charges."
"Call your local police department and do that."
