Once he had ended the call, Billy walked over to Alan again, carrying a box of tissues. Holding one up to Alan's face, Billy gently ordered, "Blow your nose." Then he wiped away the tears that had managed to fall down Alan's face and past the blindfold. That done, Billy began to reposition Alan, making small talk to distract him, "How many brothers do you have?"
"Four," Alan said taking a shuddering breath to control his crying, "All older."
"Ouch," Billy smirked, "And you all live in one house?"
"One of them is usually away," Alan said as Billy tied rope around his ankles. "How long is this going to go on, Billy," Alan finally asked.
"Until there are only a few bidders left. Then they will have a blind bid and the winner gets notified," Billy finished off the bindings, "Alright, I want you to bring your left knee to your chest." Alan did as instructed and felt the ropes tighten before stopping him. "Now try and bring your Right knee up," Alan did, but his left leg was pulled straight, "Good. You have a little more mobility so your legs don't cramp up, one can be bent, or both can be straight."
Alan nodded, and gave a tug at his hands; each one was tied to the corner posts, holding his arms up and to the side as he sat against the head board. "Not so much with my hands," he said dryly.
"Not so much," Billy said, as he grabbed the ball gag, "Open up."
Alan shook his head and clamped his mouth shut; I don't want that thing in my mouth! You don't even need it, not like anyone would hear me talking or I could give anything away…Billy just sighed and grabbed Alan by the chin. Forcing his mouth open, Billy put the gag in and tied it off. Alan grunted and tried to complain, but anything that came out was muffled. Alan then banged his head back against the wall in frustration, wincing from the contact.
"Trust me, kid, the gag is not the worst of it," Billy said as he walked to the desk, taking scissors out of the box on top of it. Walking back to Alan, he sat on the bed next to the blonde, "This is worse." He heard a confused grunt from behind the gag and Alan tipped his head to the side.
Billy just reached up and began cutting down the front of Alan's shirt. Alan flinched when the cold metal touched his skin and tried to pull away, but his arms held him in place. Trying to kick his feet ended with both of them trying to pull up at the same time, not allowing them to move. Billy finished opening the front and then cut along the top of the sleeves to the neck line. Pulling the open shirt off Alan, Billy threw it over by the desk.
What the Hell! Alan thought angrily, it's not enough to tie me up and auction me off, now you have to show me half naked! In his anger, but also fear, Alan didn't care that he was tied down; he began pulling at the ropes and trying to get free. All the while hurling harsh words at Billy, even though none of them were heard.
Billy just smiled and turned the camera back on; he had expected and even hoped for this reaction. This next round will really weed out the competition, Billy thought to himself as he prepped for the bid.
Scott's hotel
Scott had woken up at eight thirty and glared at Brains for drugging him. Brains just shrugged and finished his and Fermat's packing. Fermat had slept until nine, and barely spoke, drawing in on himself from worry for his best friend. All Fermat and Tin-tin knew was Alan was kidnapped and there was going to be a ransom demand; they just didn't know the ransom was determined by betting for Alan in an auction.
After breakfast, the Hackenbackers left for the airport, "W-w-we'll c-call w-when w-w-we l-l-l-arrive," were Brains' departing words.
Scott checked his phone messages and found the one left by Jeff saying to call no matter the time. Following instructions, Scott called his father's cell, "Hey, Dad."
"Hey, Scott," Jeff'stired voice answered, "How are things there?"
"Not much to report," Scott explained he sat down, "The local police called in the FBI to help investigate, but this guy covered his tracks really well."
A sigh from Jeff told Scott that his father had figured as much, "John tried to trace the web site, but ended up in circles with no lead."
Tracy Island
After the call from Alan, John had led an emotional Gordon to his room, and settled him down for the night. Then, following his own advice had gotten some of Kyrano's heaven sent herbal tea and tried to sleep. This left Virgil and Jeff in the office, when Scott called at five in the morning. Jeff had walked over to the window to talk to his oldest.
Virgil heard his father's one sided conversation as he watched the repeat of Alan sleep, "John tried to trace the web site, but ended up in circles with no lead."
"Brains and Fermat left a little while ago," Jeff listened to Scott, "They should be airborne within an hour."
"Good to know," Jeff replied.
"How's Alan doing?"
"We got a call from him," Jeff informed, "He's holding it together, but I can't tell you what he's thinking; the conversation was rather short."
The Tracy patriarch heard a tired sigh from his oldest, "I'm going to pulverize this guy when I find him!"
"I know how you feel Scott, but your first priority is finding Alan," Jeff consoled, "Let the FBI track this guy down."
Scott was about to respond when both men heard Virgil cry, "Oh my God!"
Spinning around and hurrying to his middle son, Jeff asked worried, "What is it, Virgil?" Virgil just pointed at the screen that showed the bid was open. Jeff added his own, "Oh God!"
"Dad? Dad!" Scott called through the phone, "What's going on? What's wrong?"
"It's Alan, Scott," Jeff finally responded, "That monster has him tied to a bed and shirtless!" Jeff lifted Virgil out of his seat as the bid started rising rapidly. Putting the phone on speaker, he continued, "Alan doesn't look too happy about it either, he's struggling to get out of the ropes holding him."
"What's the bid doing?" Scott asked dread in his voice.
"In the last three minutes it has gone from $38,000 to $45,000," Jeff growled. Jeff cast a quick glance at Virgil, who was ghost white and had tears silently falling down his face. Virgil just watched his baby brother struggle, his heart breaking at the sight.
"Dad," Scott's strong voice, laced with anger, came through the speaker, "I don't care how you do it, but you out bid those bastards!"
"I'm going to, son," Jeff said calmly, but just as angry, "I'm going to raise the bid to $75,000."
Doing as he said, Virgil and Jeff watched the bid pause, and then the timer ended, closing the bid. Virgil sank to the couch and shuddered with a sob, "How can someone do this, Dad?"
Sitting next to his distraught son, Jeff pulled him into a strong embrace, "I don't know, Virgil, I just don't know." Rubbing Virgil's back, they both watched Alan struggle, each tug getting weaker with exertion. "Why don't I take this watch," Jeff offered.
Keeping his eyes on Alan, Virgil shook his head, "I said I would, and I will. If Alan is fighting through this, so will I."
Both men then watched as Alan sagged with fatigue; breathing hard and covered in sweat. After Alan's breathing calmed, he continued to pull at the ropes, but it was halfhearted. Virgil then pushed his father out of the room and locked the door, "I don't want John or Gordon to see him like this," Virgil had argued.
"You can't keep them out, Virg," Jeff countered, "But I'll warn them before they come in here."
Virgil shook his head, "Not for the first three hours, Dad. Let me make sure it doesn't get worse, this was bad enough for us to watch."
Jeff reluctantly promised to try and keep John and Gordon away for the live feed then left to try and relax some; sleep was not an option, though.