A Family Stolen

Disclaimer: I own nothing

A/N: These next two chapters were written together and separated, so I'm going to do you a favor and give you both to avoid running the risk of a sharp cut at the end of this chapter.

Chapter 13 (A Powerful Alliance)

"Where are we on this matter?" Sikowitz was reclining casually in his chair and was tapping his ballpoint ink pen on the desk. Jade stood in front of him, having been scolded for getting so involved in questioning the boyfriends without first checking in with him. "Are you wanting to investigate these rumors?"

"Yes sir. If there's any truth to them, then there's potential motive. The parents could be the targets." They'd have to run hospital reports, and several other things if they wanted to find verifiable proof. Of course, the biggest thing was what happened to Ross. His father's involvement in the abduction could be telling. "Then if we find the right kind of evidence to support what we think regarding Mr. Ross, Jonah Brown may get his people in the FBI involved."

"That would be glorious." Jade swelled with pride and grinned. She turned her head over her shoulder to look at the others. Cat was seated at her desk with Robbie standing over her shoulder, rubbing his chin. Andre, Beck and Sam were huddled in the center of the room while Jason stood beside the office door with his arms crossed.

Beck looked away from his group. "My parents are a bit concerned, and my grandparents. They say they'd try and help if they could, but it would be a little difficult. Sam has another connection but there isn't much he can do outside his jurisdiction."

"My friend's brother went back to law school," Sam replied, "He's become somewhat of a celebrity attorney and is friends with several judges. The problem is, there's nothing he can do."

Robbie stood upright, peering out at the group. "My dad doesn't know much about what is going on, but he's probably someone that could help us." Robbie rarely talked about his father, since it seemed the man was out of his life. Hell, much like Andre, he took on his mother's last name; so no one knew who the man was. "You're familiar with Thomas Reynolds?"

"Yes." Sikowitz ran his finger through his moustache and Jade turned to the man, confused and curious. "He's the Attorney General for the State of California." Her heart skipped a beat and her jaw fell open. She spun around to Robbie and watched Andre walk over and smack the man on the back of the head.

"Why not tell us this before!" Andre exclaimed. Robbie flinched and brought his hands up to the sore spot on his head. "You're telling us that your father is the California Attorney General?"

"I didn't think it would help." Robbie pulled his hand away and cleared his throat. "What good would he do? Besides, I can't stand my father; it's not like he's ever once given my family the time of day since Mom divorced him."

"It's still a contact."

"But-"

Sikowitz dropped his hand and leaned to the right. "Andre is correct." Jade exhaled and sat on the corner of the investigator's desk. "Whether or not he can do anything, he's got connections. The State Attorney General would have his finger in so many pots…The court system, the Governor, and so much more. Contact him, Robbie. Try and get on his good side and get him to help."

If Robbie's dad would help, it would be the most powerful alliance the group would have at this point. Granted, if she could talk Sinjin into helping, he'd be a potential powerful alliance; but she was doubtful of that.

"Get on that now." Sikowitz circled his finger in the air. "If he won't talk to his own son, I'll get in touch with him and state I need to discuss a case with him." Jade had a feeling the man would want to talk to his son anyway, surely he couldn't be so heartless to refuse that call. "Let me know how it goes, Mr. Shapiro."

"Yes sir." Robbie grabbed his phone and move to the other side of the room, pacing nervously as he dialed his father's number. Regarding Thomas, all they could do was pray and hope he'd be receptive. If Thomas was anything like Jonah, then he might say they needed more evidence to get involved.

"What we have right now is motive." Sikowitz leaned forward and started to push some papers to the side of his desk. He grumbled and stroked his beard for a moment, waiting for the others to give him their attention. "We have Beck's parents now confirming that the order indeed came from the police chief to not investigate the Vegas disappearance at the cost of their jobs…"

"That's suspicious enough, you'd think."

"Right. We have potential motive: His son being thrown in prison by David, and verifiable proof that his son was beaten close to the point of death while in prison. The video suggests that David hired someone to take Ross out…If Hank figured that part out, it gives him huge motive for wanting to take David out of the picture."

"But we have nothing directly tying Mr. Ross to the crime scene. Still, it could be enough for the Government to investigate, couldn't it?"

"Yeah. The Department of Justice, Internal Affairs, FBI. A good number of hands would have to investigate it. The only problem is, we have a number of other potential suspects and we need to single a few out."

"Who's our strongest suspect?"

"Right now, the Chief." He closed his and grunted. "Much as I hate admitting it. Once I take this matter to anyone high up, if the FBI or Internal Affairs takes over investigation, we have to hand it over." She didn't like hearing that, especially since she didn't trust anyone else with finding the Vegas. "Unfortunately we don't have a lot of choice. We don't even have of power."

"The police would try and stop us," Jason reported with a growl, "And then we have an entire gang out there." He took a step forward, lowering his arms and clenching up his fists. "I honestly don't think I could just hand this investigation over. I can't do the 'sit and wait' game, thanks but no thanks."

"Nephew…"

"No." He narrowed his eyes. Jade's heart went out to him and she frowned as Jason breathed in deep. "All I can see when I close my eyes, all I can hear in my mind is Trina calling out for help. I have nightmares that she's reaching out to me and I can't get her. I'm going insane, so I'm not about to sit and wait while some agency spends weeks trying to find her when she'll be dead before they get close!"

Sikowitz stood, his palms sliding up from the desk until his fingertips barely rested on the surface. "We don't have much choice, Jason. We're basically stuck in the same damn boat. This isn't a war."

"It may as well be."

"We can't just march in there, we know next to nothing about the people that have that family. If they're alive, we don't know where they're being kept. I know you're frustrated, I know you're upset, but right now we're pretty much at a standstill until we can gain some alliances-and even the alliances we can get are shaky at best."

"Give me a day." Jason raised a finger, extending his hand towards Sikowitz. Jade swallowed hard and looked to the others, her chest ached and she started to grow nervous. She was tempted to try and join in or try and calm things, but she knew better. "Give me a day to follow these fuckers, to grab on of them and tell me where they're holding the Vegas. I'll go in there and take them all out."

"That's reckless and poorly thought out. I think you know damn well no one would want you doing that, you'd be throwing away your life. Would Trina want you doing that?"

"No, but if it got her out of there…"

"Jason, we need to be cautious. We need to plan."

"Where has that gotten us? Nowhere."

"Just trust me, I will-" Just then a buzzer sound filled the air. Sikowitz paused and the others fell quiet. Sikowitz looked down at a speaker machine on his desk. He pressed a button on the machine and exhaled. "Private Investigations."

"This is Mr. Sikowitz, right?" Jade's widening gaze fell to the speaker. She backed up a step and raised her hand to her mouth. "It's Sinjin. I was trying to find you." His voice wavered. Sikowitz turned his eyes upwards and the others remained frozen. "I just remember you were always so wise back in school, I thought I could use your advice again."

"What are you trying to pull, son. I'm not a guidance counselor. I'm not even a teacher anymore. I'm a private investigator. Unless you have a case for me, I can't help you." Sikowitz swept his two forefingers across his sweaty brow and sighed as Jade shot him a confused look

"He could help," she reminded. It would be a terrible move to turn Sinjin away now, especially if he was coming to them rather than the other way around.

"I…I do have a case. Sort of. Look, I can't say over here, out here. Please, just let me talk to you." Sikowitz's furry eyebrows fell down over his eyes and he glanced at Cat, who had the ability to unlock the office doors and allow Sinjin in.

"Fine," he said after a brief pause. "I'll ring you in." Sinjin thanked him with a relieved tone while Cat struck the office button. Sikowitz slid his hands along the sides of his waist, folding his elbows into his beige blazer jacket. "None of you say a word, do you understand?"

"That's going to be difficult," Jason replied with a growl. He returned to the wall and returned to his harsh pose from before. Andre and Beck moved to the couch in the office, where Andre sat on the center cushion and spread his knees and arms out. Beck leaned sideways against the arm of the chair, using his palm as a perch-gripping the fabric tightly.

Cat started typing away on the computer, shaking her head and looking up occasionally with discontentment. Robbie moved over with a slow walk, pushing his cell phone into his pocket. His eyes were heavy and filling with moisture. "My dad was…happy to hear from me." Sikowitz grunted and Jade smiled, wanting to say 'told you so'. "Um, he said the same thing we keep hearing. Get enough to build something against the Chief and he'll try and help. Seems we still don't have any immediate alliances."

"Maybe not, but never say never." Sikowitz peered between Robbie and Jade, staring at the office door. The two turned sideways when they heard the door latch turn. Once the door slid open, Sinjin made his way inside without noticing everybody's appearance.

Jason casually scooted in position behind Sinjin, providing an obstacle between him and the door. The marine sneered at the man, looking ready to tackle him to the ground and tear him apart.

"Mr. Sikowitz, I-" Sinjin froze, his eyes moving from his former teacher and onto Jade and Robbie. "Uh." He looked to his right at the couch. Beck had his head bowed and turned away while his hand ran down the back of his neck. Andre was glaring, slowly shaking his head from side to side. "Oh." The man looked to his left, spying Cat, who didn't bother to look up from the computer. "Maybe I can come back another time?"

He turned around and stepped forward, stopping just short of falling into Jason's chest. Sinjin raised his hands and took a small step back. Jason tilted his head to the right and poked a finger out towards Sikowitz, as though instructing him to talk.

"Mr. Van Cleef." Sikowitz's height seemed to grow as Sinjin casually twisted towards him. "You said you had a case?" Sikowitz pulled his right hand away from his waist and swept it through the air. "Why don't you tell me now? I have a feeling we may help one another."

Sinjin turned back towards Jason, taking a step back and chuckling nervously. Jason's jaw tightened and his muscles began to tense. "Um, I know you." Jason cracked a cruel smirk and narrowed his eyes. "Jason, right? Sikowitz's nephew? I um…"

"Don't talk to me. You don't want to hear what I have to say to you."

"O-Okay."

"First thing first," Sikowitz stated, his voice rising up to overtake everyone. "Why are you here? Don't beat around the bush."

"I'm here…because I want your help." Sinjin tapped his two fingers together and moved between Jade and Robbie, approaching Sikowitz's desk. "I know something about the Vega's disappearance." Sikowitz smirked at him and Jade practically fell to the floor. "But I'm scared and I can't go to the police. I can't go anywhere, because they'll kill me."'

"Who will kill you?"

"Who wouldn't want to kill me at this point?" Sinjin rolled his eyes and groaned. "A gang, the cops, and quite possibly I feel like your nephew."

"Oh he does." Sinjin's eyes widened and Sikowitz chuckled sadly. "He wants to snap you like a twig right now, and he very likely would do exactly that. Why come to me with this? What's going on?"

"I'm sick and tired of everything, that's what. There's only one other person I trust, someone that has been keeping me guarded; and that's my best friend. Look, I know what's going on with the Vegas."

"We aren't going to beat around the bush here." Sikowitz walked around his desk, his fingers sliding across the surface. "We know you're involved." Sinjin's jaw fell open and he grew silent as Sikowitz walked in front of the desk and sat on the edge. The elder man crossed his arms and cleared his throat. "We're investigating the disappearance. The question is, should we trust you? Why should we trust you?"

"H-How do you know I'm involved?"

"The wristband, for one." Sinjin raised his arm, frowning as he looked to the black band on his wrist. "Same exact band as the gang captured on the Vega's home security footage." Sikowitz rolled his head to the right and poked his thumb at Jade. "Also, one of my hired apprentices here overheard you talking to an associate."

Sinjin began to pale and looked around the room. "That's why it felt so cold in here from the moment I stepped in."

"Yeah, and I keep the temperature in my office fairly warm. Feels like you're on ice right now, doesn't it?"

Jason coughed into his hand and Sikowitz looked over to him. "Uncle? May I please punch him? If nothing else, just to satisfy myself a bit?" Sikowitz sighed and shook his head.

"We all kind of want to punch him right now," Jade replied with a chuckle. Sinjin's head fell and he swept his hands outward.

"I'm coming with no strings attached. I'll help, anything you want, I will help you."

Sikowitz pressed his lips together, scanning Sinjin up and down. "Does anyone else know you're here?"

"No. Not even Jesse. I have to tell him though, I mean he's going to need to know. We're on the same side."

"How can we trust him?"

"You can trust me, and I trust him, so…" Sinjin shrugged. Sikowitz tapped his chin and narrowed his eyes. After a minute, Sinjin started to look frustrated as he was nauseous. "Look, I'm the chef. Jesse's convinced them to let me cook actual meals for the family, but the torture…the things going on. I can't, Jesse can't, it's too much. It's disgusting, it's horrible." Sinjin grabbed his head and started to shake, his voice shook with a sob. "I feel like I'm losing my grip on reality. I'm in so deep I can't go back. Fuck, I could be gunned down if they knew I was in a ten foot vicinity, and Jesse has only so much power."

Sikowitz looked at the others, his arms stretched as his hands curled over the edge of his desk. He raised his eyebrows up and crossed his legs. "What do you all say?"

"I say we trust him," Jade replied. "We could use someone on the inside." Sinjin clasped his hands together and raised them beneath his chin.

"Please. I need to do something. I don't know what else to do."

"How are they? The Vegas?" Jade shook her hand in the air and cleared her throat quickly. "Let me clarify: Are they alive?" Sinjin took a deep breath, then blew out a heavy breath of air.

"For the most part." When Jason took a step towards him, Sinjin cried out in alarm and threw up his hands. "Trina's alive! I repeat, she is alive." He looked over his shoulder and into Jason's trembling gaze. "She can't stop talking about you, man. She thinks you're going to come save them, that you're out there looking for her…"

Jason staggered back, his body sinking as a broken breath fell from his lips. "Really?" His eyebrows moved up slowly and his quivering hand rose to his mouth.

"She's tough, and I mean tough. She's been carrying the weight of her family on her shoulders. However…Mr. Vega's in pretty bad shape, and something's wrong with Detective Malone." Jade's lips pursed and Sinjin turned his head down. "Malone keeps drifting in and out of consciousness. They're keeping him drugged up, I'm pretty sure about that. They don't want him trying to escape and tear everyone apart."

"What about Tori?" Andre's question belted out and Sinjin nodded to him. "Is she okay?"

"She is alive. God forbid anybody lay a hand on her…Trina's like a tiger, won't let anyone get close to her sister." Sinjin paused, his voice faltering and his eyes sliding to the side. The longer his pause, the greater the unease in the room became. Eventually Jade had to nudge him to say what else was on his mind. "Um, Trina attempted to negotiate the release of her family, but only one relative was allowed, and they went with Mrs. Vega…it was conditional…"

"What happened?"

"Trina couldn't convince her mother not to tell someone, not to seek help. She was…" Sinjin shut his eyes, fresh tears fell along his cheeks. Jade felt an emptiness growing inside of her and the air in the room became much heavier. "She was gunned down outside the facility. T-That's part of why I'm here, I'm afraid, and I don't know how much more Jesse can influence anything. They took advantage, Holly was never going to make it out alive and...I couldn't take it." He jerked his thumb over his shoulder and trembled. "I just spent the last hour and a day puking and beating holes in my walls at home. Bastard even threatens me with my sister, doesn't have her but he knows where to find her. I'm sick of it all."

"You will be a great help," Sikowitz said calmly. The man's voice bore some hesitation, along with a note of fear. "If you feel Jesse can help, you can tell him-so long as nobody else knows. We need to form alliances, form a case…in order to pull in some strong allies that will help us. We need someone on the inside, someone like you. Are you okay with this?"

"If it will save them." Sinjin exhaled and nodded his head. "I will do what I can to update you. Jesse and I can try and keep the danger to a minimum. Give me a minute, and I'll tell you everything I can…"

Okay tell me what you're thinking of with this chapter? Seemed everyone wanted to beat Sinjin up. His will be a powerful alliance, and we can't forget Robbie's father either. The FBI also hangs in the balance. Let's see what comes.