Chapter Sixteen

Gidget flipped through the old magazine, practically ripping pages as she did. She was angry and ready to get back at Carlos and Joe. Since the two left, she was confined to the cottage not knowing exactly when Harry and Checker would arrive with their presents. When they did, she knew exactly what she was going to do.

Donatelli was going to get a phone call about Carlos and Joe in exchange for her to be able to return to his house without getting killed on the spot. She counted on that information to be her way of getting close to Donatelli again. Only this time, she was going to kill him before he had the chance to kill her.

The sound of a car interrupted her thoughts and she almost squealed in delight in knowing what was coming. She not only would have Charlie but also a cell phone. Her plans for Charlie were the same though she was likely to turn him and whoever was with him over to Donatelli as yet another source of leverage. Gidget may not be her normal self but she sure as hell still had her mental capabilities which made her just as dangerous.

Flinging the magazine onto the table, she rushed outside to greet her guests, a smile rippled across her face. Her enthusiasm was soon dashed as she saw that not one of the arrivals were Harry or Checker. A large man got out of the driver's side while a young woman in her late 20s and a young man no older than 20 exited the other side. Gidget couldn't move fast enough and stopped as the large man pulled out a gun, aiming it at her. She eyed the other passengers, her eyes lingering on the youngest and she knew instantly who he was.

"You must be Charlie," Gidget announced cheerfully taking the three by surprise. "I'm so glad to meet you."

Charlie stepped forward though the woman stopped him.

"You Gigi?" the larger man asked, keeping his gun steady.

"Yes," she answered. Her mind was reeling through what she could do. She had the plan to call Donatelli but this through a massive wrench in that plan and anything else she could come up with. There was only one thing she could do. "Won't you come in? We have much to discuss."

"Where's Joe?" Charlie blurted out. "We came here for him. Not you."

Gidget smiled at him even though his compatriot nearby still aimed his gun at her. "He's not here at the moment but he'll return…soon. I need your help…he needs your help."

"We didn't come here to help you, lady," the large man growled.

"Muldoon, enough," the young woman ordered, putting herself between him and Gidget. "Put the gun down. We need information and as long as she is willing to help we can give her that benefit."

"Fine, Ms. Powell," Muldoon muttered. He put his gun into a hidden holster though he glared at Gidget. "But she does anything that would put either of you in danger…"

"I know and I won't stop you," Jenny nodded. She turned to Gidget. "You hear that? You make any moves, he'll go after you."

The color drained from Gidget's face before she regained her composure. "Of course," she finally agreed. "I wouldn't do anything to hurt you anyways. Joe is a friend and I will treat his friends just like he's treated me."

"What did you have in mind?" Charlie came forward nervously. "I don't want to help you. I just want to help Joe and get my friends back. What happened to Frank?"

"That I honestly don't know," she stated matter-of-factly.

"Why did you send those two goons to get him?" Jenny asked.

"Well, I…uh…wanted to make sure he was okay," Gidget lied. "Joe was worried and I…wanted to give him a little boost of confidence before we rescued Nancy. That's all."

"Uh huh," Muldoon replied. "And uh, why did those two idiots tell us differently. I do believe that they said you would pay them a lot of money to, what was it? Oh, right. 'Rough him up' before bringing him to you. Why would that be a boost of confidence for Joe?"

"Sounds more like leverage to me," Charlie piped in.

"Lady," the military man stepped forward as Gidget shuffled back, "you might want to reconsider what you just said."

His smile unnerved Gidget and she knew she was in trouble. There was no way to get what she wanted from them without her cooperation. She was just going to have to suck it up and take the downfall.

"Fine," Gidget spat. "I'll tell you everything. Just promise me that you'll help Joe. That much was true."

"Agreed," Jenny nodded. "What happened with Frank?"

"I told you, I don't know," she shrugged. "He was supposed to be there but I…I have no idea why he wasn't. Maybe you should ask my colleague, Carlos Mendoza. He was probably the one who helped Frank escaped though I have no idea how or why."

"Carlos Mendoza?" Charlie cried angrily. "Why would he work with you? He had almost everyone I care for killed! He killed that agent and more than likely he killed Martin Davenport. Why? Why would you bring him in?"

"First of all, he didn't kill that agent," Gidget pointed out. "I did. She was in the way and knew he was working with me so I had no choice but to get rid of her. As for Martin, I knew Carlos had killed him. I asked him to do it in order for me to get a hold of Martin's properties and holdings. I would have been the only one left besides his obnoxious children. Frank conveniently took care of Melody while I took care of Hunter. There you go. There's the story."

"But that still doesn't tell us where Frank or Joe are," Jenny stated.

"I know that," she snapped. "I am just getting things off my chest so that maybe I could get a little bit of sympathy from you."

"Sympathy?" Charlie seethed. He moved toward her. "I had to watch my friend break into pieces knowing he didn't know where his girlfriend was because of you. Another friend doesn't sleep well at night because of what Davenport did to him. Lord knows what their parents go through after that whole ordeal. And then there's Mr. Drew, who is devastated that he hasn't seen his daughter in six months. All thanks to you. You want a little bit of sympathy? You're not getting it from me because of what you've done. The least you could do is tell us where Nancy is and help us get her out."

Gidget gulped nervously, staring into Charlie's eyes. There was something about them that she couldn't quite place but she felt that if he had the chance or the tenacity, he wouldn't let her live. Her chin quivered as she contemplated her next move. The whole plan she had was to get at Donatelli for him murdering her family. Rescuing Nancy was a distant second. If the girl died in the process or disappeared again, that wasn't on Gidget. She didn't care. But now her heart was telling her that what she wanted wasn't what the world around her was going to give her. The only way to defeat Donatelli was to let the good guys step in and take control.

"There's an estate in the next town over about a fifteen minute drive from here," Gidget finally said. "That's where she's at. It's the home of Baron Benedict Walter Greesley III. What a name, right? If you want to get in there, you'll have to hack into the system and take down their security. Your best bet would be to contact Carlos and Joe. I can't do anything more for you. I've done enough damage. All I wanted was to have my family back and I destroyed two in the process of my revenge."

"I don't believe you can change that quickly, lady," Muldoon growled. "Not after all of this."

"I understand," she nodded sadly. "I wouldn't either after everything that's happened. I'll give you Carlos' cell number though I have no idea where he or Joe are at."

Charlie stared at the woman, wondering if she were telling the truth. She seemed like she was defeated, her heart changed. But would she be trustworthy in the end? The only way to find out would be to use the number she has for Carlos.

"What's the number?"

"What are we doing here?" Joe grumbled. He looked around the hill they were on which overlooked the valley below. The estate could be seen in the distance but Joe still didn't understand why they were out there in the first place. It was Carlos who insisted on being there.

"Hold your horses, kid," Carlos shot at him. "I told you it was worthwhile. You just have to have patience."

"I don't have any at the moment," the young man spat. Joe folded his arms in front of him then leaned against the hood of the SUV. "We don't have much time left, Carlos. We have to get back to the estate and get Nancy out."

"I get that," he said calmly, glancing at his watch. "But you heard what your dad said. They can't get anyone to believe them to go after that baron. Even with that photo which we can't seem to figure out how to send without it being garbled. We will get there in due time but we need help."

"What going to help us though? The police can't be trusted because we don't know who has been paid off and Interpol now seems uninterested in helping."

"I think Senator Hawkley will eventually get them to help but it will take time," Carlos stated. "Time that your friend doesn't have. Besides, I have always had a backup plan in the works."

"Yeah which you conveniently haven't really explained to me."

"I couldn't with Gigi around. That woman is a snake in the grass if I ever saw one. We have to be on our toes once we get inside. I wouldn't put it past her to make amends with Donatelli just to get close to him and to get back at us. I'm sure she wasn't too happy when we took her car and cell phone. She's itching for some payback on that alone."

"Hey, that was your idea," Joe pointed out. "We could have locked her in that bathroom instead. She's not strong enough to get it open."

"Point taken," Carlos muttered. He looked up and down the road though nothing could be seen. "Where hell is…"

He was interrupted by the his cell phone going off. He looked down to see an unfamiliar number then declined it.

"Is that your backup?" Joe grumbled.

"No, some number I don't know. If they want to get a hold of me, they can leave a message."

The second time the phone rang it was drowned out by the sound of a motorcycle coming toward them. Joe stood upright, turning toward the sound just as a motorcycle came over the crest of a nearby hill, coming in fast. Carlos waved and the biker quickened his pace. Joe stretched to see if there was anyone else but his shoulders slumped at the realization that there was just one person. Seconds later, the motorcycle came to a halt feet from where Joe and Carlos were.

"This is your backup?" Joe cried angrily. "One guy? How the hell are we going to get inside that compound with only one extra person?"

"Ah, ye of little faith," Carlos laughed turning toward him. "It greatly depends on who this 'one person' is, kid."

The young Hardy gave him a confused look them waited impatiently as the motorcyclist turned off the engine. Joe was speechless when the "backup" Carlos called pulled off their helmet and smiled at him.

"What's the matter, Joe?" Frank asked with a chuckle. "Were you expecting an army?"

"We don't have time for this!" Carson cried, slamming his fist onto the desk. Laura jumped at the sound, her eyes shooting open. She saw Carson staring at Ambassador Wallace who face was a deep shade of red.

"Don't talk to me like that in my own office, Drew!" Wallace yelled back. "I can't do anything!"

"You heard my son," Fenton piped in, trying to maneuver Carson out of the way. "They have proof that she's there! Why can't we go in?"

"They haven't shown any proof! All it is is a woman at a window that could be anyone and it could be anywhere in the country. Hell, it could be in Timbuktu for all we know! I have my hands tied! There's nothing I can do!"

"How much is he paying you?" Carson blurted out.

"What did you say?"

"I asked 'how much is he paying you?' Were you to keep Frank and Joe off the scent for hours on end after they arrived? Or maybe make sure that we can't do anything to him because of circumstantial evidence? Why are you fighting us instead of fighting with us?"

"I am not on his payroll!" the ambassador replied incredulously. He suddenly got out of his seat, glaring at Carson. "Why in God's name would you even imply that? I have been a friend of yours for years. That was a low blow even for you!" The man paused shaking his head. He knew Carson was hurting but there was really no way they could walk into a house of a baron and demand a search for a young woman who might or might not even be there. "Look, we would have to get permission from several levels just to even get an audience with this guy. He's powerful and his power grows every day."

"This is my daughter we're talking about! You know her! You went to birthday parties and to her graduation! She is at that house and if we don't get there soon, she won't be there anymore and then we'll be back to square one! I am not going to go through this again! I can't!"

"What about the presence of the other lord?" Laura stated breaking the tension in the room. The three men all turned to her, stunned that she said anything. "Lord Kingsley, isn't that his name? What about him being there?"

"Wait, Lord Kingsley was seen there?" Wallace asked blinking quickly. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"We said a lord was seen entering the mansion," Fenton added.

"Yeah, but you didn't say it was him!"

"Why is that important?" Carson said.

"Because Kingsley's oldest son is being investigated," Wallace stated. "He was arrested several times on sexual assault and rape among other things. One thing that hasn't been in the news is that his son is involved with human trafficking. Kingsley would do anything to get his son away from his own family. His younger son is now his heir. He's cut off Geoffrey completely. If they're both there, then you might have a reason to get onto the property. I'll inform Interpol and get it started."

"Don't worry," Hawkley announced as he entered the office. "I've already done that." He stepped aside and two men and a woman came into the office. "Ambassador, meet Wesley Jones from British Intelligence and Inspectors Emile Cluseau and Bianca Braun from Interpol. They're here to help."

Kate stared in shock. She hadn't expected Donatelli to allow her to see Nancy but she didn't care. Her daughter was standing before her, something that she wanted ever since she heard the truth about her family being alive. Kate took Nancy in and though she was exactly as she thought she'd look, Kate was disturbed as to how gaunt her daughter was.

Nancy looked tired, her eyes lacking the luster of their normal sparkle. She was very thin though still was able to fill out the gown she wore. The one thing that struck Kate was how much Nancy looked like her, with exception to her eyes. Carson's blue eyes.

"I'm giving you both this opportunity," Donatelli said smugly bringing Kate back to reality. "I'm being gracious at the moment but I assure you it won't last long. You two have pissed me off for the last time. I have some business to attend to downstairs and when I'm done, we'll have guests for dinner. Then, God willing, Nancy, you will be leaving."

"What?" Nancy asked confused.

"No!" cried Kate.

"I suggest you use this time wisely," he continued, ignoring their protests. "I'll be back when my business is complete and a deal has been made."

He let go of Nancy's arm then left the room. The moment he was gone, Kate rushed over to her daughter and the two embrace tightly. The mother and daughter held each other for what seemed like an eternity but eventually they let go.

Kate cupped Nancy's face, taking in every feature. Tears rolled down Nancy's cheeks knowing that she was with her mother for the first time in twenty years.

"You look so sad," the younger woman sniffled, staring into Kate's eyes.

"I'm sad because of what he's done to you," her mother replied. "It should never have happened. You shouldn't be here. It's all my fault."

"But then I wouldn't be with you," Nancy stated. "I wouldn't know you were alive. We…we thought you were dead."

"As did I," Kate nodded, sniffling. "We were both lied to."

"Why didn't you come back?"

"Oh, sweetheart, I would have if I had known. Nothing would have stopped me from being with you or your father." Kate hugged her once again. "He's done such a good job in raising you. You're a strong young woman who stood up to a man as powerful as Donatelli. Or, I should say, the baron. I almost didn't either twenty years ago. But we mustn't lose hope now. We'll get out of here and we'll see your father again. Both of us."

Nancy nodded though she wasn't sure if she should be so optimistic. She wondered if anyone still cared for her after all these months or if they'd given up any hope in finding her. Even the words of her mother couldn't bring her to think that her world would change any time soon.

"I'm so glad to see you alive, Nancy," Kate smiled. She fussed with her hair, pulling strands away from her face. She guided her over to a small couch that faced the large fireplace and the two sat down. "Has your father…"

"No," Nancy shook her head. "He never found anyone else. He couldn't. He still loves you and think about you a lot. He hired a housekeeper soon after we moved. She took over the motherly part of my life. Hannah's wonderful, never having any children of her own after her husband passed away. She watches over him but it's nothing more than platonic love. You'd like her."

"And is there anyone in your life whom you care for?"

Blushing, Nancy looked away, staring off as she thought about Frank and where he might be. "I think he's out there," she said in a faraway voice. "The baron told me he was dead."

"And do you believe it?"

She sniffled again then looked up at her mother. "Yes, I do. He would have been here by now if he was alive."

Nancy began to cry, all her pent up emotions suddenly releasing. Kate pulled her close. She stroke her hair, feeling the sobs come and go. "He's lying, Nancy," Kate replied softly. "That's what he does best."

"You…you really think that Frank's alive?"

"Yes, I do. And you should believe it too, Nancy. You're stronger than thinking the one you love is dead."

Nancy nodded though her heart still surged with the pain of not knowing. Soon, her sobs diminished and her eyes closed. When her breathing became steady and deep, Kate knew she had fallen asleep but she wasn't about to wake Nancy. The girl needed rest and the only place Kate wanted was for Nancy to be right there with her.

She stroked her daughter's hair as she slept soundly for the first time in days. Kate stared at the fire, her thoughts of escape flowing through her mind. There had to be a way out before Nancy left her again forever. Whatever the baron had planned it wasn't good.

"I'm not going to let anyone hurt you again, Nancy," Kate vowed out loud. "You….or your brother."

Author's Note:

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Mine was good though a bit of drama with the family on Christmas Eve. Never ceases to amaze me with the in-laws. Love them to pieces but I sometimes don't like being around them. Anyway, we're only a few days away from the new year so I thought I'd get in another chapter before the end of the year. Who knows. Maybe another chapter will pop up by the end of the week though I still have my Saturday "date" at 4pm. I'm getting excited! This coming year, I am hoping it will be my best. I'm kind of tired of feeling like nothing is going my way so I'm trying to be a little optimistic for 2023. Hard to believe that it's the end of the year already. Well, thank you so much for reading the previous chapter and to those who left reviews, THANK YOU! I hope this chapter remedied the whole "where's Frank" question that kept popping up. I was actually dabbling on where he was and if I'd reveal him now or later. This I thought was a little bit more fun than the other version I had planned. Plus Joe needs to know he's all right. Plan on finding out how Frank got out and what Carlos' plan was for him in the coming chapters. And we also now have a clue as to who the child is! And yes, I always planned it to be a boy. Now, who could it be? I'm not giving it away, I can tell you that! I hope that you enjoyed this short chapter (sorry, I tried to make it longer!) and if you will, please leave a review to let me know what you think! Have a great evening and God bless! And if I don't get another chapter in by the end of the week: HAVE A BLESSED AND AMAZING NEW YEAR!