"John Tracy?" The figure's head shot up to reveal a young, blonde-haired boy with blue eyes that were still wet with tears. A red mark still forming on his cheek. The boy's eyes lit up at the sight of the two policemen and as Hanson raced over to untie him, Talbot met with the paramedics
"Hey John, my name is Detective Hanson. Let's get you out of these ropes…" Once the gag was removed, John frantically began to speak,
"My brothers! What about my brothers or my Dad?!"
"They're fine John. He just took you…you're family's very worried you know" John nodded,
"I think that's my Dad's default setting recently…." Hanson chuckled as the paramedics came over. They quickly checked the boy, deducing that the only issues John had included minor dehydration, scrapped wrists for the rope (which were cleaned and bandaged) and a forming bruise on his cheek where he was hit. Nothing too serious.
Once everything was checked over, Hanson helped John to his feet and they began to walk back towards the main waiting area, only pausing to pick up the metal pipe John had used to break his captor's nose. The blood that was still on the pipe could be used as DNA evidence against Maynard.
"I know five people who are going to be very pleased to see you…" exclaimed Hanson as the small group walked towards the area where the Tracy family were waiting. He handed John his book, pausing as John laughed,
"You found it!"
"Found it?"
"Yeah! When I realized that we weren't leaving the building and going to a separate room, I threw it near the entrance of the room so that if anyone was searching, they would know I was nearby…." John examined the book, his eyes narrowed in concentration, "….thank god it's not damaged. I don't think you can get this in paperback anymore..." Hanson stopped in his tracks. A young boy, who hadn't even hit puberty yet, had provided the key to his own rescue and was then more concerned about his book. John turned to glance at the Detective,
"You coming?" he asked, a huge grin on his face. Hanson shook his head in silent disbelief and chuckled as he quickly caught up to the once-missing boy.
…
"Dad, you're making me dizzy…Dad!" Jeff paused briefly at the sound of Scott's plea, only to continue,
"What's happening, why hasn't anyone demanded that son of a-"
"DAD!"
"Sorry, sorry…but I'm going crazy here. It's been hours!" The brothers glanced at each other, Scott placing a reassuring hand on Alan's shoulder as he and Virgil exchanged a glance over their younger brother's heads. Jeff caught this glance and sighed…he needed to be there for his family.
"I'm sorry boys, I'm just…frustrated, that's all" he exclaimed as he sat beside them. Scott nodded in understanding, however, before he could speak, a flash of blonde hair caught his attention.
"John?" Jeff's head whipped around as he shot up from his seat, his eyes desperately seeking out his space-loving son. He spotted Detective Hanson relatively quickly, who was grinning as he caught Jeff's eye. Then Jeff lowered his gaze,
"JOHN!" he yelled as he shot forward,
"Dad!" he heard as he reached John, lifting him up into the air before holding him tight to his chest, tears streaming down both of their faces as Jeff rocked backwards and forwards,
"Oh my boy, my little boy! I was so worried!" he sobbed as the rest of their family ran up, practically tackling the pair as they joined in on the hug.
"John, you're alright!" Scott was grinning uncontrollably, but that grin soon fell as John lifted his head from his Father's chest to reveal a red mark on his cheek that would quite clearly develop into one hell of a bruise.
"I'll kill him…" muttered Jeff as he gently examined his son's face, turning it from side to side,"…I'll actually kill him…" Judging by the look on Scott and Virgil faces, their Dad would have to get in line.
"But murder's illegal Dad…" Jeff smiled at John, he had a habit of taking things a little too literally. He was better at sensing jokes now that he was older, but not by much.
"I know Johnny…Detective Hanson wouldn't let me anyway" John nodded,
"To be fair, I hit him first Dad…" Jeff shook his head,
"No Johnny. Firstly, he was a very bad man, you had every right to hit him to try and get free. Secondly, the retaliation rule only applies to situations like…if Alan hits you because he's angry"
"…But when Alan hits me, he's being bad!"
"….I'll explain it later." Scott and Virgil grinned at each other as Gordon and Alan bounced up and down, babbling at John…who was beginning to look a little overwhelmed.
"Mr Tracy?" Jeff and the rest of the boys turned to face the detective, who smiled at the happy looks upon their faces, "I was wondering whether John would be able to give us a statement….it can be done tomorrow if need be?" Jeff glanced at John, whose eyelids were slowly beginning to droop as he yawned, resting his head on his Dad's shoulder,
"I think tomorrow would be better. It's been a long day…a very long day" Hanson nodded in understanding. As Maynard was dragged screaming and ranting into a police car, Talbot and Hanson watched as a rather large-nosed man wearing a chauffeurs outfit met the family outside the mall, raising his hat in greeting as he gently patted a, now sleeping, John on the back. They disappeared around the corner, and a few minutes later, a pink stretched limo drove out of the parking lot.
"Do you think he'll be alright sir?" Hanson smiled and nodded,
"The thing with close knit families…is they have the best recovery rates. He'll be fine."
…Epilogue…..
Commissioner Hanson grunted as he stretched his arm above his head. Old age was beginning to catch up with him. As he limped over to the coffee machine (old gunshot wound), there was a gentle knock on the door,
"Enter!" A young, blonde man entered the room, but before he could say anything, Hanson held up his hand,
"No, don't tell me…I know you from somewhere…." The man smiled as Hanson stared intently at him, looking him up and down before focusing on his eyes. Hanson snapped his fingers in realisation,
"Tracy! John Tracy! Kidnapped in a mall around fifteen years ago right?" The man nodded,
"Your memory is very good Detective. Yes, I'm John, it's nice to see you again" They shook hands and Hanson ushered John to a chair,
"So, not to be impolite, but why are you here? It has been quite a few years after all."
"I'm…leaving. Possibly for months at a time…I guess I just wanted to thank you. If it hadn't have been for you, I might not have ever been found. I wouldn't have got into NASA and I certainly wouldn't be alive to do what I love. Going into space." Hanson nodded,
"It wasn't just me kiddo"
"Yes, I've been meaning to speak with Talbot. Where is he?" Hanson glanced at the table in sadness,
"He…was shot in the line of duty five years ago"
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't know…."
"It's okay. You know your brothers said that you'd like it in space, even when you were young" John laughed,
"Yeah. It sounded quiet…I really hated crowds, still not entirely fond of them if I'm honest…"
"I'm not surprised after…the incident. How's your Father, Is he okay with you going into space?"
"He's fine and he practically encouraged it…he doesn't want me up there all the time mind you, he just wants me to be happy and safe. With the new…business that he's starting, he's getting a bit stressed, but nothing that really needs worrying about. According to my brothers anyway."
"What do your brothers do?"
"Scott's…a pilot. Virgil dabbles in mechanics and medicine. Gordon's an aquanaut and Alan 's an astronaut as well, but he also takes part in Formula One races as well."
"You all stay in contact?"
"We live in….the same area. It's easy to meet up every so often." Hanson felt as though John were hiding something, but decided not to press further. The pair chatted for around an hour more, before John received a text,
"Oh, it's Alan. Apparently he's waiting outside, bored out of his mind" Hanson stifled a chuckle at the grimace on John's face,
"Fast driver?"
"Unnecessarily so" John rose from his seat, stretching slightly.
"It was nice to see you again Detective Hanson,"
"You too John. Tell your Dad I said hello." John nodded,
"I will…" And with that, he left. Hanson stared at the door for a few moments more before smiling and shaking his head,
"Well if I didn't feel old earlier, I certainly do now..."
...
That's it folks! I hope you enjoyed it :)