Title: Shattered Soul
Author: Cindy Ryan
Category: Angst, work in progress
Spoilers: All episodes
Summary: When Emily becomes the hostage how far will Matt go to bring her home?

Matt had just sat down in the passenger seat of the car Cheryl had arranged for them at the airport when his phone rang.

Frank's hand froze where it'd been just about to put the key into the ignition. From the look on Matt's face it could only be one person.

Matt swallowed hard as he flipped open the phone and placed it to his right ear. He motioned to Duff in the backseat to call Cheryl.
Duff nodded and pulled out his phone and hit the speed dial.

"Flannery."Matt greeted his voice tight.

"This will be my last call."Ellis replied smugly."I'm only going to say this once so I hope you have something to write it down on."

Matt scrambled to pull a pad of paper and pen out of his backpack that was sitting at his feet. He was about to reply when Ellis continued.

"The price tag to get your girlfriend is five million."

Matt closed his eyes. That was a hell of a lot of money, even for the FBI. "That'll take time to…."

"Don't give me that crap, Flannery. I'm not stupid. There won't be an exchange."

Matt's heart froze. "The FBI has protocols for making a drop."

Ellis laughed. "There won't be a drop. I'll send you an account number to transfer the money to. Once I've confirmed the cash is there then and only then will I tell you where your girlfriend is."

"For that kind of money the FBI is going to require a proof of life."Matt stated his voice sounding strained even to his own ears. "Let me talk to Emily."

"I'll send you a video clip with the account number."

Matt scooted forward in his seat. The pen was clutched so tightly in his right hand it was in danger of being snapped in two.

"Uh uh, not good enough."Matt replied praying that they were getting a trace on his phone. "Video can be doctored. I'd have no idea when you took it. I want to hear her voice, now."

The only response Matt received was the dial tone.

Matt whirled to face Duff who's face was solemn.

"Not enough time."Duff reported quietly. "The signal on Ellis's end was too weak. Might've been using a scrambler."

"Damn."Matt swore as he threw his cell phone against the glove compartment. It bounced hard before landing on the floor matt next to his backpack.