Hello everyone…sorry for the delay….and thanks for the reviews. I know the family tree is confusing…I have it…but in the midst of my move that particular zip drive is missing. So I have the story…but no outline…so…I will get the family tree up as soon as I can. Take care and hope everyone enjoys…And yes…Writing Out Loud…I love cliff hangers. Grin….:)
Chapter 7:
Luke couldn't sit any longer. He got up at the same time as his brother. They wanted to change after practice. Matt went into the hall bathroom to clean up…Luke went into his and Matt's bathroom. He let the steam of the water relax the tension in his shoulders. But it couldn't stop the pain in his heart. His poor sister…he willed the tears not to come but they did anyway. He was going to find her. He had too. His dad, uncle and grand dad were already looking for her. He was sure his Aunt Vanessa and cousins knew by now. The water turned cold. Luke cut off the water. Stepped out and dried off. He pulled on his boxers, clean jeans, a long sleeve tee shirt and sweatshirt. He forgot his socks though. He stepped out into his room and saw… "Tiffany…"
She ran to him and pulled him close. "I heard…are you okay?"
"No…I'm scared for Chloe…who would do this?"
"I don't know baby."
Matt came to the door…Luke saw that Hannah had her arm around his waist. "Why don't we get our own task force together?" Hannah said. "We can call AJ and Olivia. We can search the city faster if we split up in pairs."
"We will find her Luke." Matt said determined.
"We can't leave mom."
Hannah smiled at him. "My dad is down stairs. He'll sit with her. Your dad is already gone. I know he called Mr. Morton…Mr. Hooper…Mr. Cohen…Mr. Prito…and Mom. They are all looking. Mom of course is FBI so she has too."
Luke pulled out his cell phone and texted AJ and Olivia. Meet at Hardy Investigations. "Lets roll." He threw the van keys to Matt. "I'll drive Tiff's car." They ran down the stairs.
"FREEZE." The stern voice of Ned Nickerson stopping them all dead in their tracks. "Go leave him to me." Hannah said. The three teens didn't need telling twice. They hurried outside. Hannah turned and faced her father. We are meeting with AJ and Liv. We'll be back by ten. Call us if you hear anything."
"This is a very bad idea Honey."
"Dad if I don't get Matt out of this house doing something constructive he is going to hit the roof. Luke too is at his breaking point please. We have our phones…you can contact us."
Ned knew he couldn't have stopped her even if he tried. "Alright go…but be back here by ten…I mean it young lady…it's a school night."
"Yes sir." She kissed his cheek and ran out to the black van and got in the passenger seat.
Matt turned and watched her put on her seat belt. "How long have we got?"
She kissed his softly on the mouth… "We have to be back here by ten."
"Let's not waste time then." He turned the key and drove. They turned left heading towards his grandparents when he saw Hannah's mom's car heading towards his house.
They waved at her and drove the rest of the very short distance to his grandparents house. He saw his father's car…Uncle's car…He saw an SUV that he could identify as Chet Morton's…a Jeep Cherokee belonging to his dad…and a red Thunderbird belonging to Phil Prito. Across the street was Tiffany's blue volkswagon bug…and AJ's Honda civic. When he parked the van the three older couples got out of the cars they came in. AJ put an arm around Olivia. "Lets go make our presence known shall we."
Luke walked up to the door arm around Tiffany and rang the bell. His grandmother answered the door. She saw who was assembled and frowned. "Oh boy…are the fireworks going to start?"
"Hopefully not." Matt smiled sheepishly at her.
She rolled her eyes. I'll pack you three small coolers of goodies. She saw the cars across the street.
They all went into the doors of Hardy investigations. Everybody in the conference room looked up at the new arrivals. "You have six more sets of eyes." Luke said arms crossed.
"Did your mother approve this?" Frank asked.
Hannah interrupted. "We got permission. We have to be back by ten."
"It would be easier." Fenton said. Stopping any protest the adults might have. "They can scan the mall…the shopping centers…and parks."
Frank nodded his consent. He didn't care as long as they stayed in contact. Fenton laid out the ground rules. "You are to call my cell phone once an hour. NO exceptions." He pulled out three more transmitters. I will also have your locations with these. Attach them to your bumpers. The other cars already have them. I am monitoring everything from here.
Matt said with a determined. "Let's go." He grabbed his transmitter and went out the
They all nodded. Luke went and attached the transmitter. Tiffany got into the passenger seat of her own car. Luke put the key in the ignition. "I hope Matt will be alright?"
Tiffany caressed his cheek. "Funny I was just thinking the same thing about you."
Luke leaned over and kissed her softly. "I'm fine…I'm just scared for Chloe."
"We all are baby." Tiffany watched him as he started the car.
Con Riley was driving down Shore Drive. He was scanning the road thinking about his career…how the Hardy's had always been there in some sort of capacity or another. A red van drove by. Con instinctively looked at the driver. Red shirt…no hat…he kept going. Never before did he feel so helpless. He wished this never happened. Suddenly something to the side of the road caught his eye. It was a small foot poking out of the bushes. He slammed on he brakes and turned on his blue lights and backed up. He got out of the car. He approached with his gun drawn. But there was no need. The little shoe had blood on it. He pulled back the bushes and saw Chloe Hardy…naked and bleeding. He felt for her pulse it was weak but steady. He radioed for medics and a crime scene unit. He put an APB on the van he saw in the area and gently pulled her from the bushes. He covered her with his coat. "Oh god Honey…your dad is going to go ballistic…heaven help the man that did this to you."