Bye Bye Baby

A/N: Firstly apologies ... Due to Real Life proving hectic today I was unable to post an update this morning so I'm afraid I will only get one update posted today but to make up for that I will post another one first thing tomorrow morning. Hope this one proves worth the wait! ... ;-)

Chapter 10

Dan stood and took a quick look around the room.

"Signs of a struggle Mike." he said pointing to the overturned lamp. " Steve didn't go without a fight. "

Mike swallowed hard at the very thought of it.

"That's what worries me Dan. Now that you're here, help me search the room for clues, will you please?"

"Sure Mike ..." Dan answered just as Bennett arrived back downstairs.

"The rest of the house is clear Lieutenant. No signs of anything unusual. "

"Thanks Bennett. Cordon off the house outside will you please? And canvas the neighbors. I know it's the middle of the night but someone might have still been up and seen or heard something. Wake them up if you have to! We need answers and fast."

"Yes Lieutenant. "

After the young Officer left, Mike gestured to Dan.

"Steve's gun is discarded over there. As soon as the lab boys photograph it, bag it and tag it will you? I need to know if it was fired or if there are fingerprints on it other than Steve's. We don't know yet if it was taken from him or if he was ordered to throw it away instead."

Dan nodded while Mike began scouring the other side of the living room and spotted Steve's leather bound ID discarded next to the couch. A strange circle of white powder surrounded it.

"DAN? Look at this!"

Dan hurried over and saw what Mike was pointing to.

"Steve's ID ... What's the powder Mike? Drugs? "

Mike slipped a finger into the white powder and placed it on his tongue. Dan watched him anxiously but then saw the older man smile.

"What? What is it? "

"Baby formula ..."

"Baby formula? " Dan responded in surprise.

"Steve must have left it to tell us something. The ID ... It must have viable fingerprints on it. He was leaving us clues ..." Mike beamed proudly.

"Good ol' Steve ... " Dan chuckled briefly breaking the tension in the room just as the lab boys arrived into the room and Mike and Dan moved out of the way to let them work.

"Take pictures of everything boys. You hear me? Everything!"

As soon as the scene was photographed, minutes later, Dan took a pencil from his pocket and carefully picked up Steve's gun with it. He sniffed at the barrel before placing it in an evidence bag.

"I don't think it's been fired Mike."

He then began bagging the ID carefully using the pencil as well.

"Mike I'll get these down to the Lab right away. "

"Yes ... Do that ... Thanks Dan. Tell them to drop everything else and work on this. Get Charlie out of bed if you have to. "

Dan nodded and was gone in seconds. Bennett arrived back into the room then before Mike had time to worry some more.

"Lieutenant, your next door neighbor Mrs. Donnelly saw Steve and the baby being taken. She's very distraught. My partner is with her next door. She wants to speak to you."

Mike didn't have to be told twice and hurried out after Officer Bennett, following him up the adjoining steps into Mrs. Donnelly's house. The elderly woman was seated on her couch being handed a glass of water by Bennett's partner as Mike arrived. The glass visibly shook in her hands as she addressed the young man in a stammered voice.

"Thank you young man. So very ... kind of you. I can't seem to stop shaking ..."

"Well you've had a terrible shock Ma'am ... Can I call anyone for you? Or your Doctor perhaps? " the young Officer asked.

"Oh no ... Not at all. Thank you. I ... I just need to talk to Mike ... "

As she saw Mike she went to get up, the glass almost spilling in her haste. Mike hurried forward and encouraged her to remain sitting down.

"Oh Mike ... It was frightening ... There were so many of them and Steve seemed very anxious ..."

"Alright Norma. Calm down now. It's going to be ok. Just take a deep breath and tell me what happened and exactly what you saw."

"Yes ... yes of course. It was around half past one when I heard something strange going on in your house. I hadn't been able to sleep on account of my arthritis and so I got up to take some painkillers and that's when I heard the baby crying. I mean I'd heard it earlier on and thought it was strange but ... I just thought that maybe you had visitors staying who had a baby but this time was different ..."

"What do you mean different?"

"The baby was screaming and there were strange voices and then I heard a scuffle of some kind and a man shouting. I wasn't sure what to do but then I heard your front door opening and so I opened mine just a small bit to see if I could see what was going on and then ... then I saw him on your doorstep."

"Who Norma? Steve?"

"Yes, that nice, polite young partner of yours. He was holding a baby and there were other men surrounding him but they were acting strange Mike?"

"How were they acting strange?"

"Well none of them spoke except to whisper in Steve's ear and they kept back in the shadows so that I couldn't see them clearly. Steve was the only one I could fully make out because the light from my door was shining on him and the baby."

Mike scowled at the news that the men had remained concealed as his hopes for descriptions of the men who had taken Steve were dashed in that instant.

"Norma, do you know exactly how many men were with him?"

Mrs. Donnelly thought for a few seconds and frowned.

"I can't be sure. It was so dark with the broken streetlight and they were huddled together on your door stoop but I think there were at least four or five ..."

Again Mike scowled. Outnumbered possibly by five to one it was no wonder Steve had been overpowered and taken.

"You said it was frightening Norma. If they didn't speak then what scared you about it ..."

"Steve ..."

"Steve scared you?"

"Oh not directly of course ... but he seemed very nervous and on edge and ... and he was hurt Mike."

Mike's blood ran cold.

"Hurt? "

"Yes, he had a nasty looking bruise on his cheek. I asked him what had happened and he said that it had happened in the line of duty. I asked about the baby and he said that she had been abandoned and that the men with him were from Child Services and that they were taking the baby somewhere but the address was most unusual and didn't make any sense ... That's when I first got the impression that something was very wrong."

"A strange address? Norma, that might be very important in helping us find Steve and that baby. Can you remember exactly what address he said?"

"Yes ... it was Lombard Street and the Embarcadero ..."

Bennett joined the conversation.

"But those two places are blocks apart. Why would he give that address?"

Mike again felt a cold shiver go up his spine as he had an idea about the strange address.

"He was leaving us another clue that's why. It wasn't an address. It was a ... territory. I think we're dealing with a criminal gang here. Bennett call Bryant Street and get a home number for Sergeant Bob O'Neill. Get them to call him and tell him I need him down in Bryant Street ASAP! You got that? Tell him it could be a matter of life or death."

"Yes Sir ..." Bennett replied and headed off to make the call.

"Norma, you said that Steve seemed nervous and that his manner frightened you. Did that happen AFTER he told you about the strange address?"

"YES! Yes it did as a matter of fact. One of the men said something in a whisper to him and I thought ... well like I said it was dark but I could have sworn I saw ... a gun in the man's hand. "

Mike almost felt weak at the knees at the thought of Steve with a gun to his back but he cleared his throat and spoke again.

"What did Steve do then? "

"He kept telling me to go back inside for my own good so that I wouldn't get a chill but there was something in his voice ... I can't explain it but ... he sounded worried and his eyes held a warning almost, so I did what he told me to and I locked the door behind me without question."

"Did you see them leave? "Mike asked next, knowing full well that Mrs. Donnelly, no matter how scared she was would have most definitely been unable to resist a peek out of her window.

"Yes, they had two cars and they got in and drove off. One was silver and one was black ... I think they put Steve and the infant in the black one."

"I don't suppose you saw a license plate on either of those cars did you?"

"No, I'm afraid not Mike. It was too dark ... I'm sorry. I haven't been very helpful, have I? "

"Now, now Norma. You've been very helpful. At least you've been able to give us an idea of what happened and a timeline to work from. And hopefully an address that will prove useful. Would you like me to ring your daughter Lisa for you and get her to come over ?"

"Oh no ... I'll be fine Mike but ... Steve? Is he in grave danger?"

"I hope not Norma. I really do but ... well it doesn't look good. The men who took him have killed possibly three other times that we know about. But we'll find him, don't you worry now ... I have to go now but I'll make sure there's an Officer out front for the rest of the night so you can rest easy, ok? Thanks again Norma and I'll see you soon. "

Mike patted Mrs. Donnelly's hand warmly and then turned to leave as Bennett returned.

"Sergeant Bob O'Neill will be over in Bryant Street within the next half hour Lieutenant ..."

"Thanks Bennett. Listen I need to get back to Bryant Street myself. I'll send Bill Tanner back to wrap up here when I get back. I need you to be in charge until then. Can you handle that? "

"Absolutely Sir."

Mike scowled a little at the title he hated but admired at the same time the young man's enthusiasm and efficiency so he patted the young Officer's shoulder gratefully.

"Good man ... "

Bennett smiled proudly as he watched the Lieutenant head down the steps towards his car.. Turning halfway down he called back.

"Oh and Bennett? I need you to organize a black and white to keep an eye on Mrs. Donnelly's house and mine for the rest of the night just in case ..."

"Me and my partner will gladly do it Sir ..."

Mike again smiled at the over the top enthusiasm displayed by the young man but couldn't fault his dedication. He nodded gratefully and headed quickly to his car. Getting in, he cast one more look back up at his house and allowed himself a brief moment of panic and worry again as he wondered where Steve was and in what condition he was in. Another cold shiver went down his spine but he purposely shrugged it off and drove off quickly, all the more determined to get back to Bryant Street in record time and find clues as to where Steve was. He knew that Steve's life was firmly in the balance and that time was now of the essence.

Back at the Warehouse :

Steve and Brigitte had been left alone in their new prison for what he reckoned, from the dim view he had of his watch, was at least thirty minutes. He was alternating between standing, leaning against the grimy wall and turning towards the window to allow both himself and the baby to take necessary gulps of fresh air every so often. His good leg was protesting the extra weight he was putting on it in order to take the weight of his bad one and the stench of decaying flesh was still causing him to gag every now and then. His stomach was churning and he was starting to feel the effects of the blood loss and the shock caused by the knife wound. He was shivering due to the damp and grim conditions of his surroundings and from the biting cold his newly improvised air conditioning had caused and yet he could still feel definite beads of sweat breaking out on his brow and the hair on his forehead felt uncomfortably damp and sticky. The definite sound of shuffling rodents from the far side of the room was unnerving him further and he only hoped that they wouldn't decide to come and introduce themselves to him and Brigitte any time soon.

He still held the metal bar from earlier in his left hand while his right hand remained firmly cradling Brigitte, even though he knew it would most probably do him little or no good ... but somehow holding it made him feel a little less hopeless.

He looked out the window once more and down onto the dimly lit car park at the front of the warehouse and found himself wishing that a stream of Police cars would arrive at any minute with flashing sirens to rescue them from this hellish place but the only sound he heard was the strong sea breeze as it whistled through the broken window and the far off sound of lapping seawater coming from the pier that he could just about make out to his right. There were no traffic sounds. The area sounded as dead as their current room mate and his spirits sank as he made the grim realization that it would be next to impossible for anyone to find them here in such a dilapidated and isolated place.

Before he had time to study his surroundings any further, he heard a key fumbling in the lock and the door to their prison opened. Mikhail entered first, carrying a flashlight with a glaring beam, followed by Damacov and Dmitriy and two other heavily built henchmen that Steve couldn't see clearly enough in the dimly lit room to ascertain whether he could recognize them or not. They both had flashlights as well and turned them on him, blinding him momentarily as he turned his eyes away and felt his grip tighten defensively on the metal bar he had strategically placed further behind his back out of sight. Brigitte squirmed against his side as if sensing danger was present or perhaps from the intense anxiety that was emanating off him at the return of their captors in such overpowering numbers.

They didn't approach him at first but stayed congregated by the door. Damacov's cold and chilling voice then broke the silence.

"Ah Mr. Keller ... I see you have improved the air conditioning a little. How very resourceful of you. Was the room's aroma not to your liking? I would have thought that pigs would be used to such smells in their natural habitat ..."

This statement caused a collective roar of laughter from the other four men but Damacov silenced them with a mere raising of his hand.

"SILENCE! We mustn't be rude to our guests. We wouldn't want to hurt their feelings now would we? Mr. Keller, if you would be so kind as to drop whatever weapon you used on that window please. I take it, that is what is in your right hand which you have concealed behind your back."

Steve swallowed hard as he heard the older man's instruction but the fact that his life was probably going to be taken soon anyway, he found a strange inward bravado from somewhere inside and decided that he would rather go down fighting than die like a coward. Stabilizing himself a little better onto the good leg he spoke with conviction.

"Why don't you send one of your bozos over to get it from me?"

Damacov laughed.

"Oh what a delight to hear such courageous words. But alas, I have no time for your amusing games Mr. Keller. "

Damacov whipped out a Macarov pistol and aimed it effectively in Steve's direction, aimed squarely at his chest."

"I could just shoot you and take it from you Mr. Keller but I do like your fighting spirit so I will allow you one more chance and ONE more chance only. I see you have not removed the knife, therefore I assume you still have a will to live so do yourself a favor and drop the weapon Keller. "

Steve felt himself starting to shake as he heard Damacov remove the safety catch off the trigger. Just then Brigitte whimpered and he looked down at the squirming form tucked safely under his jacket. He had to stay alive to get her out of here and he owed it to her to try and hold out as long as he could to allow Mike as much time as possible to find them. He still hadn't dropped the bar though as he knew dropping it would leave him at their mercy which was an unpleasant thought to say the least. Damacov spoke again this time more coldly than before.

"Think of the child in your arms Mr. Keller if you will not think of yourself."

Lowering the gun in a slow downward move, Damacov spoke again.

"I will give you to the count of five Mr. Keller to drop the weapon. If you haven't dropped it by then I will be forced to shoot at your right kneecap. As it is your only good leg left, you WILL fall and what will happen to the poor baby then? The " ball "as you Americans say is " in" your court. One ... TWO ..."

Steve knew that Damacov would carry out his threat without conscience and as Brigitte whimpered some more and the numbers ticked by, he knew that if he lost the use of his right leg as well then their plight would be even more hopeless so as Damacov came to "FOUR" he reluctantly threw the metal bar down on the floor in front of him. The metal clang that it made echoed around the room as Steve hung his head and rocked Brigitte comfortingly against him. He heard the others laugh this time more reservedly for fear of upsetting their Boss again and then released the breath he had been holding in as he heard the safety being replaced on the pistol.

"A wise choice Mr. Keller. A very wise choice indeed ... Now if you would be so kind as to give the baby to Elena for another while please? "

Damacov's well spoken phrases and sickening use of impeccable manners only added another dangerous depth to his already sinister personality. Steve searched the dark space behind Damacov that was out of the reach of the glaring flashlights and saw the slender and still as far as Steve was concerned, very out of place form of Elena, emerge from behind the Crime Boss. He hadn't even noticed her entering the room and now here she was walking towards him. He could hear her heavy and nervous breathing as she approached him and her disquiet and fear were palpable. Steve clasped Brigitte closer to him instinctively not wanting to let her go out of his very minimal protection, as he shifted his weight again as his left leg burned and the pain increased but Damacov spoke again more menacingly.

"MR. KELLER! Your noncompliance is starting to IRRITATE me. I can assure you that you do NOT want her in your arms for what is about to happen next."

Those words succeeded in chilling Steve right to the bone but he successfully kept that fact hidden from his tormentors.

"Where are you taking her?"

Damacov laughed again.

"Mr. Keller if that is your only concern then I can put you out of your misery ... if you'll excuse the irony of that statement. She will not leave this room. But she will be in far less danger if she is in Elena's arms rather than yours. THAT I can assure you ..."

Steve knew he was in big trouble and he couldn't argue with the fact that Damacov in this case was probably correct about the baby's safety being seriously compromised if she stayed with him, so looking at Elena pleadingly, he carefully lifted Brigitte still wrapped warmly in his jacket and handed her out gently towards the young girl in front of him as he whispered out of the other men's earshot.

"Please ... don't let him hurt her ..."

The moon came put from behind a cloud and shone through the grime covered window and more distinctly through the broken panes of glass and while it didn't succeed in lighting up the room with any huge degree of clarity, it did fall on the left side of Elena's face and Steve saw a silent tear falling down her cheek. She took the infant gently into her arms and whispered the words "I'll ... try ..." Steve knew it was the best he could hope for under the circumstances and he watched anxiously as Elena walked with Brigitte back into the shadows to stand over beside the door.

No sooner had Elena gone out of sight, when Dmitriy and Mikhail stormed forward and grabbed Steve roughly by both arms, almost knocking him off balance. They dragged him forwards and a wooden chair was produced behind him and he was roughly and unceremoniously planted into it. He tried to struggle but both heavily built men had a vice grip on his upper arms and with his left leg practically useless all he could do was try to kick out with his right one. He received a blow to the side of his face for his trouble and while he reeled a little from the force of it, to his horror, his hands were roughly pulled behind his back and were secured tightly with a coarse rope. As he flailed hopelessly, his ankles were then grabbed and tied together, the binding rope wrapped around the chair legs so that he couldn't even move them an inch if he tried. Now bound and tied, Steve's hope ran out along with his energy and he gasped for breath after his recent hopeless struggle. He listened for sounds from the window and prayed he would hear sirens but the mournful sound of the whistling wind was all he heard as even nature seemed to lament his current situation and the fate that was to befall him. He watched as Damacov approached slowly and he saw Dmitriy from the corner of his eye, roll up his sleeves and smile at him in a disturbing manner.

"Well pretty boy ... Let's see who laughs now, huh?"