Chapter 20: Worth
Before you read: The following contains dubious and/or nonconsensual material. Reader discretion is advised.
Phil wished more than anything that he had been able to bring his computer from home with him to New Orleans. He was trying to make do with his laptop, but it was taking forever. He ran his hands over his face wearily. Phil took a moment away from the screen and to take in his surroundings. The door to the adjoining room was closed while Amy slept. Fenton was sitting on the other bed talking to his wife quietly, updating her on what he knew, or didn't know, so far, careful to spare her of the supernatural details of Frank's disappearance. Everyone agreed it was better and safer to keep Laura and Aunt Gertrude in the dark.
Joe had the curtains to their room open and stared out at the view below, lost in thought, trying to work out the information they had gathered so far. Of course, how does one make sense out of nonsense? Even though he had seen Frank dancing and posturing on those tapes with his own eyes, it was still like watching a stranger. A stranger in his brother's skin.
Biff was sacked out on the bed that Phil was sitting on. Phil knew Biff was made of tougher stuff, even without the benefits of a vampire blood diet. But the stress was getting to Biff. He wasn't sleeping well when he did get a chance to sleep. He wasn't eating much. Biff had taken Phil aside and confessed about Thursday night with Amy, explaining why he had been so tired Friday morning. If he was looking for forgiveness, he didn't get it. But the athlete said he just needed to tell someone, and despite Biff's slip in judgment, Phil heard him out. That's what friends do. And Phil could see by the determined look on Biff's face that the taller boy wanted to make things right.
The raven haired boy glanced back down at his laptop to see a flashing alert on the screen. Finally! He opened the window and the mug shot of a blonde haired woman with an inch worth's of black roots popped up. Mozelle Delta Ledet, age thirty one, resident of Metaire, Louisiana. The woman had a wrap sheet a yard long, and was indeed the registered owner of the Volkswagon Joe saw on the tape. Phil glanced over her criminal record, but most of it was petty crimes and misdemeanors, the occasional possession of an unknown substance. She was on parole, and the last known place of employment was La Fleur Minérale. Hold the phone!
"Biff!" Phil nudged the boy. "Biff, wake up!" Biff was asleep on his stomach. He yawned and rolled halfway over to look up at Phil.
"Hmm?"
"Do you remember the name of that shop you said the bracelet's tracker first led you to?"
"Mmm, something French. La Mineral Flower? It was a perfume shop."
"In the Pontalba, right?"
"Yeah."
Phil was tapping furiously to run a search for perfume shops in the Pontalba Buildings with the key words Flower and Mineral.
"Bingo! The owner of the vehicle Frank drove to that night club is a Mozelle Ledet whose last known place of employment is La Fleur Minérale." Biff was sitting up now and slipping on his shoes. Joe grabbed the keys to the rental car and Phil closed his laptop.
"I think we need to pay Ms. Ledet a visit. Dad we're…" Joe stopped, his phone was ringing. He glanced at the caller I.D. to see that it was his mother-in-law calling. He answered the call impatiently.
"Andrea, hey I'm just heading… What?" Joe paled and sat on the end of the bed his father was sitting on.
"Laura, hold on a second... Joe, what is it?" Fenton leaned forward.
"Andrea's had to rush Vanessa to the hospital, she's spotting." Joe said.
"Laura, Vanessa's at the hospital. Okay, call me later." Fenton hung up and looked at Joe. "Your mom's on her way over there." Joe nodded and returned to his call. Biff glanced at Fenton.
"Phil and I will go on and check out that lead." Fenton nodded.
"I'll stay here with Joe." The look on Fenton's face was as lost as his son's. His oldest son was missing, and now the life of his grandchild and daughter-in-law were at risk as well.
Phil and Biff set out on foot, not wanting to waste time waiting for the valet to bring the rental around. When they finally reached Jackson Square and the Pontalba, they were relieved to find the perfume shop was still open. The door's bell dinged as they entered the store and Phil's nose was assaulted by various exotic smells coming from every corner of the store. An older man with silver hair came to the front, a warm and genteel smile on his face as he greeted his customers.
"Bonjour, gentlemen, and welcome. You look to find a fragrance for your lovely ladies, oui?" He approached Biff and Phil with his hand outstretched. Biff gave the proffered hand a hearty shake and got straight to business.
"We're looking for Mozelle Ledet. Is she working today?"
"Miss Ledet took a late lunch. She will be back in about an hour. Is there something I may help you with?" But as luck would have it, a familiar blonde came out of the back room just then. The older man turned around, slightly surprised, to face the woman.
"Ah… Dear Mozelle, I thought you had left for lunch."
"I left my cell phone on the counter." She said and started back for the back room.
"Excuse me, Miss Ledet? Could I ask you a few quick questions?" Phil stepped forward.
"I suppose…" Mozelle said hesitantly. She glanced at Emile but could not read the look on his face.
"Where did you eat dinner last night?"
"I went through a drive thru, McDonald's or Burger King."
"Has your car been reported stolen?"
"No!" She seemed surprised by such a question.
"Did you loan it out to anyone?"
"No."
"Well, your car was captured on video last night at a night club in Baton Rouge. A club called DyNasty…"
"Are you a cop?"
"No." Phil said.
"Then unless you produce a badge or come in here with a real cop, this conversation is over! I think you and your friend need to leave."
"Thank you for your time." Biff added and gave Emile's hand another shake as they left the shop.
"Well, I'm no detective, but she seems guilty as hell." Biff said.
"I blew that big time. How do Frank and Joe interrogate people so smoothly?" Phil complained, frustrated that in his eagerness to find Frank he'd gotten thrown out of the only place where all the facts seemed to overlap.
"Don't beat yourself up so. She said more just by her actions than with her words. If she had nothing to hide, she could have just answered your questions without getting so defensive." Maybe Biff had a point. As Frank would have said, Mozelle Ledet was a person of interest.
….
Emile flipped the sign to "Closed" and locked the door. Frank's visitor would be arriving soon, and he did not need anymore slip ups today. If Delebon's second was satisfied, they may be able to expedite negotiations and finish their business later this evening. If that was the case then he could tie up his lose ends here in New Orleans and head somewhere less humid, but still warm and comfortable. This would be his last deal for a very long time. Emile was getting too old for this. The bracelets, Mozelle's car, and now that he thought about it, that dark haired boy was Frank's lover. He remembered seeing him in that house in New York. It looked like Emile was not the only one with lose ends that needed to be burned.
…..
Frank was sitting up in his bed with his back to the wall. He had grown tired of lying around so he sat there staring at the blood stain on the floor where he had bled. Frank he heard the door at the top of the stairs unlock and creak open. The lights in the basement went out. There must be another switch at the top of the staircase. Two sets of heavy footsteps could be heard descending, and there was a light tapping sound now too.
"There my friend, I think Delebon will be pleased. But you may look for yourself. Have a taste if you like. Oh? You don't need to fear the vampire, he is subdued by the silver chains, and he is under my control." Frank heard Emile speak to whoever had now joined them in the basement. How in the world could a human have a vampire under their control? He knew about vampires controlling humans, he had experienced that for himself unfortunately. But how did they put the shoe on the other foot? Maybe that witch Mozelle had something to do with it. If witches could make magical deeds that could keep creatures away from homes, maybe there were other contracts they could create.
Frank felt a presence in front of him and then a leather clad hand touched his face. His face was turned one way, then the next. He heard the person before him clicking his tongue sympathically.
"Only half." Spoke a quiet voice with an English accent.
"I'm sorry?" Emile asked.
"Only half, he is not whole." Mr. English Accent didn't sound like he had a very good grip on the English language.
"But…"
"Damaged. Scars are many."
"I do believe I had informed Delebon of those details…"
"Still, Delebon shall be pleased. Different. Exotic." He released Frank's face. He said something to Frank that sounded like gibberish. Frank blinked in confusion and Mr. English Accent sighed. He tried again, speaking more slowly.
"Can you understand what I am saying? If so nod." Frank nodded. This was not a language he had ever studied, but somehow he did understand the man.
"Of course you remember your mother tongue. Your mother or father probably sang lullabies to you in our language. What is your clan name?"
"Clan? My last name is none of your business!" Frank spat.
"Watch your mouth boy!" Emile sneered and nudged Frank's neck with the end of something cold and metallic, like the handle of a cane.
"So you can understand our language but do not speak it, typical for your kind. Actually, that is preferred. Delebon does not understand English, so he will not understand you when you talk back. But you may want you watch your tone. Delebon does not tolerate insolence, especially from slaves."
"I'm not going to be anyone's slave!" Frank stood and shouted.
"Ah, spirited you are. My master will enjoy breaking you of that. Louvel, hold boy up. Must inspect."
"With pleasure." Emile grabbed the chain of Frank's shackles and raised Frank's arms above his head. Frank tried to struggle but Emile only pulled the chains higher until Frank was standing on his toes, struggling to maintain his balance. Mr. English Accent ran his gloved hands over Frank's head, his neck, his back and arms.
"Yes, strong this one." He said to Emile. His inspection ran lower to his chest, stomach and hip bones. He ran his fingers gingerly over every scar on his chest from past injuries and the surgery to realign his broken ribs. The stranger inspected the surgical scars on Frank's leg.
"What happened to your leg child?"
"A vampire stepped on me." Frank snapped.
"Fascinating."
He took Frank's cock in one hand and lifted it to inspect his balls by rolling and tugging them. Frank bit his lip and turned his head away, trying to block out the humiliation to his privates. He was soon having his penis stroked. The stranger reached further back and stroked over Frank's entrance.
"Relax dear boy and try to enjoy this. I only wish to see how beautiful your body will be when my master ravishes you." Frank tried twisting and turning his body away, but that only served to excite the stranger. He heard the other's breathing quicken and the strokes to his cock became faster, the exploration of his ass became more intrusive until a thick gloved finger breached him.
"Gaaah!" Frank screamed at the dry and blunt intrusion. His back arched and he moved to pull away, but there was no where to go. The man continued to force his long finger in and out of Frank. He had moved behind the brunette and Emile moved slightly to accommodate him. Mr. English Accent licked a broad stripe along Frank's neck with what felt like a longer than normal tongue. Frank's skin burned where the tongue touched him and the stranger gave one last forceful push inside Frank, stroking his prostate and causing the young man to lose control. The first note of pleasure after nearly a half hour of inspection and torture had Frank coming shakily all over the gloved hand of the inspector. The stranger removed his hand and Frank could hear the sickening sounds of the man lapping the cum from his hand.
"Excellent boy!" Mr. English Accent's face was now directly in front of his, Frank could feel the man's hot breath on his cheeks. "Enough Louvel. Done here." Emile released Frank's shackles and the young man fell boneless to the floor.
"Shall we go now to my office and discuss a final price and arrangements?" Emile suggested.
"We shall."
They left Frank on the cold cement floor and the heavy door was closed. Frank didn't move from his spot in front of his bed. He was still sitting there in the dark when Eric finally woke from his daytime slumber.
"Frank? Frank what's wrong? What's happened?" Eric got up from his bed and approached the center of the room even though he knew he couldn't reach Frank. His nostrils flared when he picked up the scent of sex and fresh blood from where Frank bit his lip so hard.
"I've been inspected." Frank said, drawing his knees up to his chest. "Apparently I'm being sold as a sex slave for some Delebon character."
"What? No! He can't do that! I won't let him!" Eric strained against his bonds but only succeeded in inflicting more pain upon his self.
"I don't think you have a lot of say in the matter. From what I gather, you don't have a lot of say in anything when it comes to Emile." Even in the absolute darkness there was no mistaking the look Frank shot Eric. Eric sat down so he was eye level with Frank, even though he knew Frank couldn't see him.
"Ten years, I am magically and contractually bound to serve Emile for ten years in exchange for him bringing you to me. Although, the terms of the agreement seem to be up to his interpretation."
"So what were you expecting? Emile would bring me to you, we'd fall madly back in love and then hang around New Orleans for ten years to fulfill your end of the contract?" Frank didn't even sound bitter.
"Yes." Eric answered weakly. "Sounds kind of naïve now that you put it that way."
…
"She's on strict bed rest for the next twenty four hours. The bleeding has stopped and they're still getting a heartbeat on the ultrasound. Dr. Newell believes it could be placenta previa." Laura Hardy said quietly over her cell phone. "They're giving her some fluids through the I.V. and she's sleeping now. Andrea's gone downstairs to get us some coffee."
"I'm calling Jack to get the plane ready as soon as I hang up with you." said Joe.
"She figured you'd say that. They'll probably release her tomorrow night Sweetie."
"I don't care! My wife and child are in the hospital, I need to be there!"
"Alright son. Call me before you take off to let me know when you're expected to land and I'll pick you up."
"Thanks Mom. Love you."
"Love you too Joe." Joe hung up with his mother. His father was already on his phone calling Jack Wayne to ready the plane again.
"He's eating dinner now, he'll be ready by eight tonight."
"Thanks Dad. I hate leaving you and the guys."
"I understand son. And I know Frank would understand too."
"That's just it. This is the sort of thing Frank and I were arguing about before he left. And now he's missing…" Joe was interrupted from his pity party by the door opening and Biff and Phil entering the hotel room.
"I think we may have something there, wait until we tell you what happened with Miss Ledet!" Biff said excitedly.
"Tell me quick, I'm heading back to Bayport."
"Oh no Joe. Vanessa didn't…" Phil began, his eyes were full of sympathy.
"No, but I need to be there."
"We understand man. You give her some hugs from us when you see her." Biff added and patted his friend on the back.
While Joe re-packed his bags Biff and Phil told the two Hardys what happened when they interviewed Mozelle.
"Well that's enough to convince me. I'll take the copies of Frank's credit card records and go back down to the Royal Street station." Fenton said and gathered up his room key and the papers.
"I'll go with you this time Fenton." Phil stood and slipped his shoes back on.
Fenton hugged his son goodbye sure that Joe would be gone by the time he got back from the station. When Mr. Hardy and Phil were gone Joe turned to Biff.
"Find my brother, please Biff."
"I promise Joe. We'll find him."
…..
Author's Note:
It's been a busy week in the Hollyboo2001 household. Hope you all enjoy this update, sorry for the delay. Things are going to heat up in the next chapter.
Thanks for all the reads and visits the last few days! And as always, thanks to my faithful reviewer for your encouraging words. ;D