"Do you have any sixes?" Brody asked.
Starr leaned forward, "How many fingers is that?" Hope held up 8 of her fingers. "Not quite, we only need one hand and one finger from the other. Let's count the pictures on the cards to see if we have any sixes." She and Hope studied the cards for a minute, "Here's one six for you, sir. Now which do we need?" Hope pointed to the three of clubs. "Let's count – one, two, three. Do you have any threes?"
Brody leaned forward and smirked, "Go fish!"
Hope drew a card out of the pool on the coffee table. Before she could ask her mother if the card matched, the landline phone started ringing. Brody punched a code into his phone. Starr turned to Hope, "Can you go get Sammy from the bedroom? I think someone is coming to meet him?" Hope raced to the bedroom to retrieve her toy.
Starr looked over at Brody, who nodded in response. She grabbed the phone and pressed the button to answer. "Hello?"
"Well, if it isn't my missing hostage, should I assume my missing granddaughter is with you as well?" Patrick cackled into the phone.
At the door, Brody let in the agent that would keep Hope occupied. He went over to Starr to listen in on the conversation. Yes, the agents were taping it, but he wanted to hear it live.
Starr was starting to pace back and forth across the room, "What do you want, Patrick?"
"That's not the tone you use with your master," sneered Patrick.
Brody put his hands on Starr's shoulders and drew her back towards him. "Calm," he breathed into her ear.
"Sorry, how can I help you?" Starr said while curling her free hand into a fist.
Brody slid one hand down her arm and took her hand in his intertwining their fingers.
"I think I have someone you consider family, but that's okay because you have the same. I propose a trade."
"Hope for Kelly," Starr gasped.
"And $5 million. Come to 671 Loon Hollow at midnight with only Hope and the cash. Don't test my patience with Brendan's murderer. She's admitted that the guy with you probably has contacts in the police department. I have better and will know in minutes. I would have to take my vengeance on the murderer." With that threat, Patrick severed the connection.
"Well, my contacts aren't with the local police. I doubt S7 has many Irish rebels in it." Brody was glad his hunch to bypass the police was paying off.
"He thinks I would give him Hope?" Starr said in a somewhat dazed tone.
"Just because he thinks it, doesn't mean I'm going to let it happen." Brody turned and pulled Starr into his chest.
Starr burst into tears, "Patrick's like a cat; he always lands on his feet."
"Have I ever let you and Hope down?" Brody had been pleased that Patrick had said what the team had guessed. They hadn't shared with Starr that a replica of Hope was being created so as to not worry her about the 'what-ifs'. After hearing Patrick's tone, Brody couldn't help but hope that he would get a chance to punch Patrick for all that he was putting everyone through.
"No, but….." Starr pulled her lip between her teeth. "I won't give him Hope, and I have no way to get $5 million."
"The agents have some very convincing looking bills and a doll that will look like Hope. Honestly, we have to guard against the curveball because Patrick has done everything exactly how his group operates. I do think Patrick may be as unbalanced as Marty, but we will have Kelly back by morning."
"Do you really believe that?"
"Yes, we have some of the best working with us. Honestly, Patrick's organization can't be that big if Cole's drug dealing is its major source of income. Really I think its a few men carrying out Patrick's personal vendettas."
"How could he think I would give up my daughter?" Starr bit her lip as tears threatened again.
"I really think he's lost touch with reality. Ssh, don't cry." Brody wrapped his arms around her. He pressed a kiss to the top of hair. He pulled back to wipe her cheeks with his thumbs. He lowered his face to press a kiss to her forehead, except Starr looked up at that moment. He met her lips with his own. Starr stilled for a moment, and then reached up to wrap her arms around his neck. Brody angled his head, trying to convey his feelings to her. He understood she was upset, but everything was going according to plan. There was an excitement to it that he had missed by working in corporate security. Brody realized that even as Starr returned his kiss, tears were still running down her face. He backed up to the couch and sat, bring Starr to sit on his lap. Brody pulled back slightly, "It's going to be fine. What can I do to help you?"
"I don't know. Just don't leave me," Starr curled into Brody slightly.
"I promise I won't," Brody tightened his arms around her. He gently kissed her forehead and started telling how nothing would happen to Kelly or Hope or her; how soon they would be in London; anything he thought would reassure her. If he happened to kiss her cheek, forehead, or even lips, he told himself it was the least he could do to show her that everything would work out.