Chapter Ten
"What do you say, Joseph?" Gidget smirked, watching him sitting across from her. "Will you help me?"
"Why should I?" Joe growled leaning back in the seat. He folded his arms in front of him and stared back at the woman.
"Well, I guess if you don't, then, hmmm…" she tapped a well-manicured nail on her chin as if deep in thought. The woman smiled slyly then sighed. "Then I guess you won't get to see Frank again."
"I don't believe you."
"Believe me or not, Joseph, it's your choice but I'm not sure if you want to put your poor brother's life on the line."
Joe seethed in anger. He hated the fact that Gidget knew where Frank was and she was holding that knowledge over his head. He also had to get a hold of his father to let him know the situation but the woman confiscated not only Frank's phone but his own as well when he entered the vehicle. Closing his eyes, Joe thought about what she told him just moments before.
The entire time Gidget spoke, Joe sat listening, wondering when the woman would ever stop talking. The vehicle remained parked the whole time, never leaving the vicinity of his hotel. He scoffed at the plan she had come up with. It was some cockamamie idea to disguise him to get access into the place where Nancy was being held. The plan was sketchy at best and there was no guarantee that she would still be there though Gidget professed that Nancy would indeed be there.
"Joseph?" she stated, interrupting his thoughts.
"Don't call me that," he snapped, opening his eyes to glare at her.
"Okay, Joe," Gidget replied, holding out her hand. "Do we have an accord?"
"No," Joe answered, slapping her hand away from him. Her smiled melted from her face and she leaned back in the seat waiting for his reasoning. "I don't believe that you would do anything to Frank just to get my held. You're not the type. You didn't kill Nancy the whole time she was with you or even before that when you were with Martin Davenport. So no, I don't believe you and I'm not going to help you. Are we done here?"
Gidget glared at him. She knew she had no power over him eve with Frank holed up and out of the way. The older Hardy wouldn't be out for long anyway as the medication he was given would only last until Saturday, a day and a half away. She couldn't even hurt either of them in the condition she was in. Her shoulder hurt like hell and she could barely move. And Carlos had expressed that he had no interest in hurting the Hardys since neither of them did anything to him.
Suddenly her phone rang, breaking the stony silence. Gidget glanced at her phone to see a familiar number and frowned. Why was she calling?
"Excuse me, Joe," she politely stated, "but I need to take this."
"Go ahead," he replied smirking at her. "I don't care."
Gidget answered the phone telling the caller to hold on a moment as she waited for Joe to move. When she realized he had no intention of leaving the car, Gidget addressed Carlos sitting in the driver's seat.
"Carlos, would you be a dear and wait with Joseph outside? I need to take this phone call privately."
"Whatever," Carlos grumbled exiting the vehicle. Joe could hear the man complaining before the back door opened seconds later. The former agent motioned for him to move before rolling his eyes.
The young Hardy glared at Gidget before finally acquiescing to her request. But just as the car door closed, he could hear the woman apologize to the caller and a name popped out at him. Joe stopped and stared at the ground. He had to have heard it wrong or it could be someone completely different on the phone. Still it made his heart race knowing the possibility that Kate Drew was alive and worse, she was working with Gidget.
"Katherine," Gidget huffed, "I thought I told you that I would call you when I am ready."
"I know that," the other woman snapped back. "You haven't called me in a while so I was wondering how your 'planning' was going."
"My plan is…coming along," she said cautiously. "I just have to get a few things in order and then I'll be there by tomorrow morning."
"Meaning you have nothing," Kate scoffed. "Who were you just talking to? Is he a part of your master plan?"
"My dear, Katherine," Gidget simpered though she was very annoyed, "there is nothing to concern yourself about right at the moment. I'm sorry I haven't called you in a while. I've been in London trying to acquire help. Once I have everything in place, I'll be back and then we will rescue Nancy. Just trust me on this."
"Trust you?" Kate laughed. "The woman who took my daughter in the first place in order to get me out in the open only to have Donatelli sink his claws in? No, I'm done with you. I can't trust you to do anything that will benefit me or my family. How can I?"
"Katherine, please…"
"No! I'm going in and getting her myself and then I will bring hell down on that man for lying to me and taking my life away!"
"What?! No!" Gidget jumped, leaning forward. "That's not a part of the plan! You'll get caught and then I can't help you!"
"No one can help me right now," Kate seethed. "I just want her out of there, Genevieve. This is my daughter we're talking about." She sighed frustrated. "I don't even know why I'm calling you. I should have just gone in the first place without contacting you. I could have gotten Nancy out by now!"
"What does Mathias say?" Gidget said as calmly as she could.
"That it's a bad idea but I don't care. I want my life back starting with Nancy."
"You'll get caught and I can't have that. We need you."
"I know I'll more than likely be caught but you know what? At least I'll be near Nancy. I'll be able to see her, touch her. I don't care anymore, Genevieve. You continue making your plans but I'm going in. I have to."
With that, Gidget heard a click marking the end of the phone call and conversation. Katherine was going to try to rescue her daughter and there was nothing she could do to stop the woman. Things just got a lot more complicated than Gidget wanted and now she was going to need Joe Hardy's help more than ever.
Carlos took a drag from his cigarette as he watched Joe. The young man seemed anxious, looking down the street and at the hotel where he was staying. Joe kept digging into his pockets as if in search for something before making his way toward his hotel.
"Where ya going, kid?" Carlos asked just before Joe crossed the street.
The young man stopped and turned toward him. "I'm leaving to find my brother. Have any clues as to where I should start?"
Chuckling, the former agent shook his head then dropped his cigarette and ground it into the pavement. He looked up and down the street before continuing. "I get you, kid. But you're going the wrong way about it. Your brother is fine. He just has a…headache."
"How do I know you're not going to hurt him then?"
"Why would I? I only helped Gigi to get to Donatelli. He's one of the most wanted men in the world and if I could turn him in, I'd be a hero. And I'd be able to get custody of my daughter."
"Why would anyone want to give you custody of your child?" Joe spat. "You beat your wife."
Carlos rolled his eyes. "No, I didn't. I would never hurt my wife!" He sighed in frustration. "She made that lie up to cover for herself. She didn't want to be with me anymore because she had someone on the side! I would do anything for her and this is how she repaid me?"
"Then why did you betray your boss? Why turn on everyone and switch sides?"
"I was ordered to," the agent admitted. "Haynes ordered me to do it."
Joe shook his head. If only he could get this information to his father or even Charlie.
"I have been trying to get a hold of him for days but heard nothing."
"That's because Haynes is dead," Joe announced. "He killed himself two days ago after trying to kill Carson Drew. He was apparently on the take with Donatelli."
"No, no, that's impossible! He ordered me to get close to Gigi in order to find Donatelli! Why would he do that if he was working with him?"
"Because Donatelli wanted something but that I don't know what." Joe looked at the ground in thought. He needed more information before going back to the hotel to call his father. "So, Haynes ordered you to do what? Hide evidence? Make yourself look like the bad guy? What?"
"I was ordered to rid of Martin Davenport first," Carlos stated though he was still in shock after hearing about his former boss. "He was in the way and we needed to get to Donatelli. Gigi knew how to get to the man so I made a deal with her to get her out of the country."
"Along with Nancy, right?"
"I didn't know that was going to happen, Joe," he shook his head. "By the time I got out to the boat, it was too late. Your friend was with her and we were on our way to Europe. I have to tell you, Gigi never hurt your friend and neither did I. She actually helped Nancy by finishing her physical therapy. The girl can walk normal, run, everything. Gigi had no intention of hurting Nancy from the first day." Carlos chuckled. "But you're right in what you said about Gigi. She's not going to hurt your brother. She doesn't have the power physically and I already told her I'm not doing it for her. However," Carlos paused, his demeanor changing, "Nancy is going to need a lot of help. That's why Gigi is asking. She can't do it alone."
"How do you know Nancy needs help?"
"Because I know who Donatelli is," the agent replied. "When he wants something, he gets it or he works at it until he does. There's something about Nancy that he wants. Not sexually or anything. He doesn't see her in that way. He sees her more as a long, lost daughter that he never had. Donatelli doesn't really want her though. He wants her mother and he will do anything to get her. Even kill, just like he tried to kill Gigi."
"What do you mean?"
"He shot Gigi," Carlos shrugged. "Got fed up with her and shot her. I don't blame him either since she is some piece of work. Though I don't know how he missed vital organs but he did. She got away and I picked her up. She can't do much until she heals but she knows that if she doesn't do something soon, her chance to take down Donatelli will be gone."
"Is he leaving or something?"
"No, he's running for office. Prime Minister to be exact. Once he's there, there may be no touching him."
"Then why didn't she just ask Frank for help?"
"Ah, well, that was because she thinks that his reaction to seeing Nancy will be too distracting and might infringe on her plans. Gigi's idea is to discretely infiltrate the guy's house and bring him down from within."
"And she thinks Frank wouldn't be able to handle himself if he saw Nancy?"
"Correct," Carlos nodded. He chuckled. "I'm not so sure about that. Given the fact that the two of you are somewhat professionals at what you do, I highly doubt he would have done something stupid like that."
"No," Joe shook his head. "I think she's right. Damn, I hate to admit that. Frank's not thinking clearly. Hasn't been for months and it worries me and my family. He was angry at me which is why he left the room in the first place." He tapped a finger on his chin in thought. "Why not contact Interpol or Scotland Yard? They could of better help than I could."
"Would they honestly believe a rogue agent or a wanted person?" the man asked. "Besides, Donatelli has a lot of clout in the area including several officers and agents on the take. It's how he was able to find out about Gigi's friend who called Interpol and how he was able to get you and your brother detained at the airport when you arrived. He's pretty high up in the nobility area including a seat on the House of Lords, which is why he's planning."
"Wait, he's a lord?" Joe cried incredulously. He mentally kicked himself. Frank was right the whole time! There was a reason to look into the lords Charlie had found. "How has he been able to keep his true identity a secret for so long? We were told he's been around for at least 20 years."
"25 to be exact," Gidget interjected. She sat in the SUV with the car door open staring at the two men. Joe had no idea how long she'd been listening and how he hadn't heard the door open. Gidget's face was flushed in anger though it was receding. He wondered what had made the woman so angry and how she was able to keep her cool in that moment. "See, Joseph. This is why I need your help. I can't do this alone and we're going to need the services of your friend upstairs as well."
"What are you talking about?" he said trying to look like he didn't know what was going on.
"Oh, you know who I mean," she smirked. "Young man, early twenties, calls himself Charlie. He was with you in the airport and called your father the moment you and Frank were detained."
"How…how…"
"I was there, kid," Carlos confessed. "I was there for reconnaissance and witnessed the whole thing. I noticed a kid not much younger than you standing right outside customs…"
"And I put it together that it had to be Charlie," Gidget finished. "I've looked into your whole family, Joseph, including any known associates. I'm not surprised that you brought him along either. No one would have suspected him being with you if the three of you walked off the airplane separately. Plus he wouldn't be looked into very hard with him being so young."
"No, we're not involving Charlie," Joe shook his head. "He didn't come here for action. He came to help."
"Which is exactly why I need him," she said irritated. Gidget rubbed her temples before she continued. "Look, we need to move…now. Another associate of mine is about to do something royally stupid and I don't want to waste any more of our time here conversing about this. Are you going to help me or not, Joseph?"
Joe bit his lip as he stared at the ground. He didn't know what Gidget had in mind for Charlie but he also didn't want to put the younger man in jeopardy. Joe also wondered how long Frank was going to be out of commission. That was the biggest question. What was Gidget going to do Frank if he turned her down?
"I'll do it," Joe finally announced looking up at Gidget. The woman smiled though it didn't reach her eyes. "With a few conditions though."
"What are they?"
"No Charlie, for one thing. I can't let him get involved. He's still a kid and if he gets hurt, I'll never hear the end of it."
Gidget pursed her lips. "And the other?"
"You take me to Frank…right now."
"Joseph, we don't have time for that," she stated. "We have to go. We're out of time."
"Then the deal's off." Joe turned and began walking away.
"Wait, wait!" she cried though she hadn't moved from the car. "You...you can call him. Will that do?"
Joe stopped and turned around. He headed back towards them. "You assure me that both Charlie and Frank will be safe?"
"I can't promise that, Joseph," Gidget stated sadly.
"But as long as I'm alive," Carlos interrupted, "they'll be safe."
"Fine," Joe finally mumbled.
"Anything else?"
"Yeah, we need to contact my dad."
"Absolutely not," Gidget shook her head vehemently. "Do you honestly think your father will work with me?"
"Not if I tell him the plan." Joe blew out in frustration. "He needs to know. I can't go off on my own without Frank or Charlie or anyone besides you two and expect to come home. My dad needs to know that Frank is fine and what I'm doing. If you don't, you will have more trouble coming down on you once this is over, especially if I don't come home."
She took a deep breath and stared at him. "You can call him but do not tell him what we're doing or that you are even with me. Is that clear?"
"Crystal," Joe agreed. "What's next?"
"Next, we get out of London," Gidget declared. "And then onward to Donatelli's family home."
Kate knelt along the edge of the tree line, scanning the house in front of her. It was almost like a fortress, complete with patrolling guards, dogs, and a massive fence that stood around the edge of the property. She was able to avoid all the cameras and jump the fence before scrambling into the trees. Kate wondered if the fence was put up after she escaped 20 years before but she couldn't remember. She did remember there was a side entrance that wasn't patrolled as much back then and headed in that direction.
Creeping along, Kate kept to the shadows and bushes, hiding whenever a guard showed up on patrol. She was in the bushes just across the way from the side door when she stopped. Something's not right here. It's too easy. Kate backed up and made the decision to go back to the parish but stopped when she felt a body standing behind her. She looked up to see a man towering over her, a dog sitting silently on a leash next to him.
"Well, what do we have 'ere?" he said in a slight cockney accent. The dog growled though it didn't move. "Hush, Bull. We 'ave ourselves a guest. Won't his lordship be 'appy to see her."
Kate smiled but crab-walked back a few paces to get away though she knew she was caught.
"Oh, I don't think you're going to go anywhere, my dear," replied another voice though Kate recognized this one at once. She feared that voice more than anything. Looking behind her, Donatelli stood at the side door, a gun poised in his hand. He looked up at the guard and nodded. "Thank you, Hill. There will be a bonus for you." Two more guards appeared behind Donatelli. "Take her inside."
"No!" Kate screamed jumping up from the ground. She ran away as fast as she could, the guards chasing after her. She knew that the dog would be able to chase her down but she wondered why it wasn't let loose.
As Kate ran, several other guards joined the chase, making it nearly impossible for her to get away. She was just about to get to the trees when someone tackled her to the ground.
"Get off me!" she yelled, struggling with the man. Kate kicked his groin causing the man to double over and off of her. But the moment she scrambled away, three more men had a hold of her and she was back down on the ground. It was all over for her once one of the men laid his body across her legs, pinning her to the ground completely.
"Well, Katherine," Donatelli replied. "It's so good to see you again. I am so happy to you haven't changed one bit."
Kate grunted. "The feeling is not...mutual. What are you doing here?"
"I live here, remember?" he chuckled. "Or did you forget that."
"Let me go!" she cried.
"I'm sorry, I can't do that."
"How…how did you know I was here?"
Donatelli knelt down next to her and smiled. "I heard that you were in town so I came back earlier than I wanted to. I knew eventually you would make your way up here. And you may have avoided some of my cameras but not all. That's why your daughter hasn't gotten away, but not without trying several times. We knew where you were the whole time and you walked right in."
"You have me," Kate gasped, still struggling with the guards on the ground. "Now, let my daughter go."
"Well, that is not an option," he replied then nodded to the guards. Seconds later, Kate was upright, staring at Donatelli directly. "I have plans for both you and Nancy. We are going to be one big, happy family."
Author's Note:
I know it's been a while but life to seems to get in the way a lot these days. I'm so glad that everyone has kept up with the story and wanting more! I appreciate that! I wish I could say that the next chapter will be out soon but it won't. We are actually moving a week from today so most of my energy has been on getting things packed and moved over to the new place before we move the bigger items. We're staying local but it's a bigger place in another part of the school district. Bonus that the community has a pool to go with it! I am hoping that I can get another chapter in by the end of the month but you know how it goes with moving. First you pack, move, then unpack and organize. Very tiring at best. Anyway, this is why I wanted to get this chapter out before the end of the weekend so I can pack up my computer and deal with the rest of my old house. It's not as long as normal but it's still good...I hope! Thank you so much for those who left reviews for the last chapter! I love reading your thoughts and ideas as to what will happen next! Also thank you to those who read. Your support just by reading makes me heart happy. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter and if you will, please leave a review to let me know you were here! For those of you stateside, have a safe and glorious Independence Day. It's my favorite holiday of the year as it reminds us how our great nation came to be. God bless you all and God bless America.