Chapter 6

Chet and Tony rushed over. They quickly untied Joe and assessed him to determine his condition.

"Joe, are you ok?" Chet asked anxiously. Joe slowly nodded and rubbed the back of his head ruefully.

"What hit me? Where am I?" he asked with notable confusion. Tony checked his pupils with the light.

"Chet and I tracked you by the radio. You are in the cabin that you told us about. Someone apparently hit you." he said looking at Joe's head. There was indeed a nice sized lump. Chet pulled out a bottle of water and handed it to Joe. He then took some aspirin out of the bag of supplies.

"Here, try these. Do you think you can walk?" Chet asked. Joe stood up. Aside from being a little dizzy he managed to walk.

"Now what happened? Where is Frank and Bill?" Tony asked eagerly. Joe took a breath and thought for a moment.

"I am not really sure. We were about to investigate this cabin. Bill was about to knock the door in and Frank and I were poised. The next thing I know my lights go out and I wake up in front of you." Chet and Tony looked perplexed. What would be the purpose of separating them? Chet cleared his throat.

"Let's take a look around the area. If they don't turn up, then we will head back to camp. Joe doesn't look like he can take much more without some rest." Joe forced an intent look.

"We must find them, no matter what." The three took another look around the cabin but could find no clues by flashlight. They went outside. Chet peered through the field glasses again in hopes to find a clue or better yet, the others. But nothing appeared out of the ordinary. They observed Joe was still looking somewhat off balance from the blow to the head and was wobbling a bit.

"We need to get you back to camp to get some food and rest." Chet said firmly. Joe did not argue. The three headed for the river.

"Frank said you got the boat business taken care of?" Joe asked. Tony gave a snort. Joe looked a bit alarmed.

"You fixed the boat, right?" Tony took a breath.

"Well, the guys who knocked the hole in the bow also sabotaged the motor. We barely made it to Treeport and by that time the Sleuth was not just a boat that needed some patching. The repairs would have taken two weeks and about eight thousand dollars." Joe looked amazed.

"Well, I can't blame you for that. So, I guess you rented a boat?" he asked. Chet shook his head.

"There didn't appear to be a rental agency around there, so I just bought a little boat to help us through." Joe smiled.

"Good. I would hate to be stuck here without a boat." he said as his energy was draining. They finally reached the river. Joe leaned against a tree while Tony and Chet uncovered the boat. His eyes widened. For even in the darkness he could see Chet's little boat was more like a junior yacht.

"Ole Chet does it again. Needed something to match that new Yukon, huh?" he asked with a laugh and smiled as he stepped into the large craft and sat down. Tony and Chet pushed the craft off the cove a bit and hopped in. Chet turned the motors over and guided the boat around the cove and back down river.

"I hope they are waiting at the camp." Tony said, though knew it was a long shot. Chet spared no speed and had the boat pulling into their camp within twenty minutes. He turned the motors off and they got out. Joe looked at the new tents with a chuckle.

"So, you finally came around, huh Chet? Didn't feel like going back to the original camp and grabbing those tents?" Chet grinned sheepishly.

"Not my desire at present to have that large a tent or step into a rifle sight if someone is still hanging around there." He turned to Tony.

"Hey Tony, can you start a fire? I am sure Joe could use a meal. Hell, I could use a meal after that experience." Tony smiled and nodded.

"Sure, dude." he nodded and went about the task. Soon he had a fire ablaze. Chet took out some meat from the cooler and soon had three steaks cooking. He also put on some coffee. Within minutes Chet had served Joe a plate overflowing with Steak and a cup of coffee. Joe felt better after they had finished eating.

"Ok, now let's lay out a plan of action for tomorrow." Joe said firmly.

"Well, we should go back to that cabin tomorrow and take a look in the daylight, or as much daylight as we will get in this place." Chet said.

"If we find no leads I want to go back to our original campsite and look around there." Joe said.

"Sounds good." Tony yawned. "But let's turn in. It's late and we need to be up early." There were no objections. They were soon in their sleeping bags and fast asleep. The boys had hoped to get a start by six but they woke up at half past eight. Joe looked better and said he felt relatively fine after getting some rest. Though he still had a sore head. But his determination to find his brother and Bill was undaunted.

"Let's pack the camp up. It is doubtful we will return here just to camp." Tony said. The others agreed this was the best idea and proceeded to take the tents down and pack up all the supplies. With the supplies stowed in the boat, they prepared to depart. Chet checked the system out and turned the motors over. With a subdued roar they came to life. Joe looked over the craft with an impressed look. He gave a low whistle at seeing the multi display monitoring system on the helm.

"Pretty nice, Chet. Though I hate to ask how much." he said with a shiver. Chet smiled.

"Not too bad. Under fifty." Joe coughed at hearing this.

"Fifty large on a boat? I know many boats cost a whole lot more than that. But still, last time I checked we weren't exactly a firm that made millions in fees, pal." Chet smiled.

"I will scrape it out." he said. He guided the craft out of the cove and headed up the river. Chet wasted no time as they were running late already. Within fifteen minutes they had pulled into the area they were at the evening before. They alighted from the craft and quickly covered it up. They set out deliberately and without caution as they were determined to find Frank and Bill at all cost. The group made their way to the small hidden cabin within minutes. Chet pulled his gun out while Tony made sure the shotgun he was carrying had shells. They approached the door. Suddenly, Chet held up a hand.

"Say, Tony. It wasn't a dream last night when you kicked this door in and busted the lock sheer off, was it?" he asked. He pointed to the door which had apparently been repaired. A new lock was in place and secure.

"How the hell did that happen?" Tony asked in amazement. Joe tapped on the door.

"That's solid, guys. Do you have a lock pick on you, Chet?" His chum shook his head in annoyance as he had failed to remember this very useful tool that he normally carried. He looked up.

"No, I don't have it on me. I think it's in my truck. But, Tony here has the Winchester master key." He smiled to the Winchester twelve-gauge pump shotgun Tony had. Joe held up a hand.

"Let's wait a second guys. If someone is on the other side of that door then they could get hurt." Chet shrugged and conceded this was a possibility. Tony gestured to Chet.

"How about your pistol, Chet? One good shot if aimed downward would minimize risk of the slug doing any harm. I mean I doubt anyone is tied up at the foot of the door inside." Chet and Joe both nodded. Chet removed his Smith & Wesson from its holster and aimed at the lock from above and fired a shot into the lock. The blast blew the lock totally off. Tony kicked the door in and Chet followed with his gun drawn. The only thing in the main room was a table and some garbage strewn out on the floor. Chet approached the other room and kicked that door in. That room, which had been used to hold Joe the night before was now completely empty.

"Say, what happened to the chair and cut rope from last night?" he asked with a puzzled look.

"Stranger by the minute." Tony muttered as he looked around. They walked into the kitchen which had nothing in it but an enormous cook stove.

"I'd hate to have to cook in here." Chet commented as he noted the enormity of the antique stove. Damn thing would chase you right out once it was lit. Wonder why they stuck such a huge stove in here." Tony smiled.

"They probably used what was available to them and didn't have a choice." Joe had wondered back into the main room of the tiny cabin and began looking at a few pieces of garbage on the floor. It appeared to be just a crumpled up brown paper bag and a couple soda bottles. Joe unfolded the paper bag and looked inside. There didn't appear to be anything interesting. Sandwich wrappers and an empty potato chip bag. He suddenly smiled. He fished out a matchbook and held it up.

"You got something?" Chet asked eagerly.

"Maybe. This matchbook says: Ed's Tavern and Grill. Treeport."

"Treeport?" Chet repeated. "Where we just bought the boat?" Tony nodded.

"Same one." he said. Chet looked to Joe.

"Are you hungry for some restaurant food, Joe?" Joe smiled.

"Like from that fine restaurant called Ed's?" he asked. Chet smiled.

"Let's go. Maybe that is a hangout for the gang." Joe nodded.

"Worth a shot. Let's give it a try." he said. The group looked about all around the cabin, but couldn't even pick up a footprint that wasn't their own.

"That's bizarre. Like they took time in the middle of the night to brush away their trail as they left it." Tony asked aloud.

"Seems pretty smart alright." Joe commented. "Ok, let's get to Treeport." The group retraced their steps to the boat. Soon the boat was uncovered and Chet had her running. They took it down stream at a quick pace. Chet had the throttle up to a third, which for the narrow river channel was sometimes hard to navigate. Another ninety minutes of fast travel brought them to the town of Treeport. Chet pulled into a public slip and the group alighted. Joe looked down at the matchbook.

"Says here the place is at 211 West Pershing." They quickly found out where the place was from a man on the dock and they headed up towards town. Within minutes they were standing in front of a battered three-story brick building. There was a wooden sign that hung in front. It said: Ed's Tavern and Hotel. The three walked inside and found a dimly lit atmosphere. The tavern had a long bar, which had about five patrons, who all appeared to be locals. There were also several small wooden tables scattered in the small confines of the restaurant. Chet pointed to a table nearest the wall and the three sat down and looked over the menu. A moment later a well build brunette approached them. She was in her early twenties, wearing short jean cutoffs and a lace white top which was unbuttoned enough for Chet and the others to do a double take. She smiled down at them.

"Hey there. What can I get y'all?" she said softly. Chet looked up slowly.

"Hello there. Have we met before? I never forget a face... I'll get to yours in a minute." he quipped. The girl smiled down at him.

"Is there something you would like to eat?" she asked softly. Before Chet could offer comment. She gestured slightly towards the menu. "That's on the menu." Chet reddened a bit and smiled.

"Three cheeseburgers and a Bud Light, please." he said quietly She smiled and looked to Joe.

"Two of those and Coke, please." he said.

"Same for me." Tony put in. She looked down.

"Be about fifteen, guys. I'll be right back with your drinks." she slowly turned in front of Chet and walked away. Chet's eyes were transfixed on the girl's rear. Tony snapped his fingers in front of Chet's eyes.

"Don't be too subtle there, Chet." he laughed. A moment later she returned with the drinks. She set them down and smiled. Chet returned the smile.

"Thank you very much,,, miss?" She looked down at him and smiled.

"My name is Honey. Slow, sweet and sticky." she said with a wink and walked away. Chet coughed abruptly. Joe and Tony were on the verge of cracking up.

"I think she likes you, Chet." Tony said with a laugh. Joe grinned.

"Little bit of a tease, wasn't she?" he said. Chet smiled and nodded.

"Guess you could say that." he said, still somewhat entranced by the young waitress and her personality.

"Haven't forgot why we came here, have ya Chet?" Joe asked. Chet nodded slightly.

"Not at all Joe, but most of the patrons here look like drunks, not kidnappers." Joe nodded.

"But, this is a big place. And we also must consider that whoever had the matches may have just come in once. At any rate, you'll excuse me while I use the restroom." He got up and walked into a dingy restroom in the corner of the tavern. While attempting to do his business in such a filthy environment he started reading the finer poetry that usually graced the walls of such establishments. A moment later he froze! Scrawled lightly on the wall of the restroom was a familiar writing. 'F-24 SOS' next to this there was an arrow pointing up. It was Frank's writing and radio handle. Joe snapped his fingers. Frank must be upstairs in one of the motel rooms! He quickly rushed out of the restroom and to the table.

"I think I know where Frank is!" he said excitedly. Chet looked at him blankly.

"By using the bathroom, you now know where Frank is?" he asked. Joe rolled his eyes. He relayed what he had discovered in the restroom. Joe was all for storming upstairs and ramming every door down until Frank was found. Chet put a hand on his shoulder.

"Take it easy Joe, that sounds a little rash. Suppose some of these guys are in on it? We'd be left wide open." Joe gave Chet a look that stated clearly that they were not going to leave until they had searched every room. Chet smiled.

"We'll search, Joe. But let's eat first and devise a plan." Their food soon came and they ate quickly. Chet looked to the others.

"Ok, I suggest we go in under the pretense of wanting a room for the night. That will get us up there." Joe and Tony nodded.

"Good idea, Chet." The three walked over to the bar where Chet laid down a $20 bill for the food and looked at the bartender. He was a man of about forty-five, unshaven and appeared generally unfriendly. He took the money for the food and gave them their change. Chet cleared his throat.

"I'd like a room for the night, if you have one." The bartender looked at the three with annoyance but forced himself to not walk off and tend to more important affairs.

"That will be $35 a night... In advance." he said. Chet tossed down two twenties and the man changed his tune somewhat. He grabbed a key off a nearby key board and placed it on the counter. He then tossed Chet a $5 bill.

"Room 210. Up the stairs and to the left. Checkout is at ten, and No loud parties either." Chet nodded and the unpleasant man walked away. Chet took the key and Joe and Tony followed him through the entryway to the stairs. As they climbed the stairs Chet drew out his magnum. Tony rolled his eyes and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Now, you can't go storming into people's rooms with that canon drawn. We'd get kicked out or arrested within five minutes. Let's knock on doors and act like we are looking for a friend. Depending on the reaction of the person, we can rule them out or see if it's someone who warrants a closer look." Chet and Joe nodded that this was probably the best approach. Chet placed his magnum in his belt for quick access. They walked up to the first floor and came to the first door. Chet tapped lightly on it, and an old man answered. He was obviously a local who was using the motel as a home, judging by the quantity of personal possessions he had furnishing his room. He looked to them somewhat annoyed.

"Yeah. What do you want?" he asked impatiently. Chet smiled.

"Sorry, old timer. We have the wrong room." he waved them off and shut the door. Chet looked at the others with an amused look and they walked to the next door. Chet knocked on it. A moment later a woman in her early thirties answered. She had blonde hair and blue eyes, and wore a half open silk robe that revealed she was only wearing a thong under. Joe and Tony turned slightly red. Chet smiled. She looked the young men over with a smile.

"Well, Leo said he could only send one of his studs over today. I see he made an exception for one of his good customers. Well, I've done two before. I'm sure three can only be more fun. Come in, boys!" Chet took a step forward into her room but Tony and Joe place a hand on either of his shoulders and pulled him back. Joe looked at the woman and smiled.

"Sorry, ma'am. Wrong room." he said as he and Tony guided Chet away and down the hall.

"We haven't any time for that Chet," Joe scolded his pal. "Frank and Bill are missing." Chet smiled.

"Well, if we find them, can we go back? I'm sure five would be even more fun than three." Tony couldn't help but laugh.

"Chet, as classy as that sounds, Dude. But, we have priorities, and I am fresh out of penicillin." he said offering his chum a smirk as they continued toward another door. Joe rapped on it, but no one answered.

"Maybe it's empty." Tony speculated.

"Maybe." Joe said not totally convinced. "Maybe they are asleep. Who knows. What do you think, Chet?" Chet smiled and took out a lock blade knife and opened it.

"Only one way to find out." he said slipping the blade between the jam and the worn out door. It was easy to trip the latch. The door opened and they slipped in. The room was apparently empty.

"Let's search it for clues before moving on." Joe said taking the main room. Chet sauntered over to the restroom. He entered it and flipped on the light. He made a face upon seeing the room, which was in dire need of pant and new fixtures. Not to mention a gallon of bleach. He smiled at the graffiti on the wall.

"Hmm, let's see here. 'For the best sex ever call Eva 223-9077' ah, here's a good one. 'For a one man woman call Dawn for an appointment 223-7655' or 1-800-IM-LOOSE he added himself with a chuckle. Tony walked in.

"Who you talking to, Chet?" he asked.

"Oh, no one. Just trying to find a date." he said. Tony smiled.

"Yep, nothing like your own private personals section in the bathroom." he quipped. But Chet had just noticed something to excite him.

"Tony! Joe! Look at this!" he yelled. Joe rushed in and saw Chet reading the graffiti.

"What's up, Chet? Did you find the phone number of the woman who lives down the hall?" he asked. Chet pointed towards the bottom of the wall. Joe almost whooped for joy. It was Frank's writing again. The scrawl said: 'Back to hollow. Walk into the wall. F&B'

"What do you suppose that last part means?" Tony asked, dumbfounded. Joe shrugged.

"Don't know" he mused. "But the rest is simple enough. Let's get back to the boat." The group quickly left the dilapidated hotel and headed back down towards the dock. They got into the boat and quickly headed back up river.

"Where do you think we should go first?" Tony asked. Chet smiled.

"I say that little cabin again. Maybe I'm just beating a dead horse, but the way they came back and fixed that door leads me to believe they don't really want visitors there. But this time, I'd like to try to catch someone if possible. What say we stake it out? It's getting dark. Maybe someone will show up that we could nab or could lead us to Bill and Frank." The others nodded and Chet guided the craft further up river. Chet made the trip to the cove near the cabin in just under eighty minutes. It was mid evening and quite dark. They alighted and covered the boat up. Chet checked his weapon and the group pushed into the brush. As they approached the clearing Chet handed Joe one of the handheld radios.

"Ok, Joe. Try the east side of the clearing. We will take the west. We will keep our eyes peeled and radio back and forth and see what happens." Joe nodded and took the radio and a backpack of supplies. They separated. Joe made his way discreetly around the clearing to the east side. Tony and Chet settled in a spot in the high brush on the west side. They cleared a little patch and sat down for their long vigil. Chet picked up his field glasses and focused in on the cabin.

"Looks dead, so far." he commented and picked up the radio.

"Joe, are you all situated?" he asked.

"Yeah, though there doesn't appear to be anyone around."

"That could change. Let's keep our eyes open."

"I hope so, I'm getting worried." Chet looked down at the radio. Not sure what to say. He shared those feelings.

"Yeah, me too." he said calmly. The vigil went on uneventfully for the next three hours. Shortly after midnight Joe's radio crackled as he was resting against a tree.

"Joe, are you over there?" came Chet's voice. Joe scooped up the radio.

"I'm here. What's up?" he asked. Picking up the field glasses and taking a look.

"You see what we see?" Joe noticed a dark figure was settled in front of the door and apparently doing a repair job on the door.

"Yeah, I see him!" came Joe's excited voice. "Fixing the door... again?" he asked incredulously.

"Does seem odd, doesn't it?" came the reply back. "But what's odder, if you didn't notice was that he came out of the cabin!" Joe had been distracted a for several moments before Chet's radio call.

"Are you sure? I mean I didn't see him or anything, but could have missed him."

"We have been watching in shifts. He came out of that cabin." Joe shook his head in bewilderment.

"What was he doing? Sitting in the dark?" he asked confused by the idea that the stranger had not approached the cabin from the outside. He looked through the glasses again. It appeared as if he finished his repair job and had vanished back inside.

"Let's see if he comes out again." Chet said. Joe had been trained in on the door. He was confused because he saw no light coming from around the door frame or anywhere else in the cabin. A few moments later the stranger reappeared and quickly vanished along the hollow wall. Joe picked the radio back up.

"Chet, Tony. Watch the cabin for any other action. I am going after that guy." He pulled a pistol out of his handbag. Chet looked down at the radio. He was concerned, but knew Joe was going to do it no matter what.

"Alright man, but take it easy. That guy didn't look like he wanted company."

"I will. Wait around here until three. If nothing more happens pitch a camp about half a mile south along the river and I will find you, if the trail doesn't get too hot." Chet smiled grimly down at the radio at hearing this last statement.

"Just watch you tail, cowboy. You're only packing a revolver, not a machine gun. Be careful!"

"Will do." he said and signed off. Tony could see Joe moving in the same direction that the stranger did a few moments before.

"Hope he watches himself." Chet said quietly. "He is a bit emotionally charged up." Tony nodded.

"He is a good detective. He will be ok." Chet nodded.

"Say Tony, I have a theory. That dude left pretty quick. Maybe he left a clue behind. What say we go and investigate?" Tony nodded and stood up.

"Sounds good, I need to stand. My back was killing me having to squat down like that for hours." Chet nodded his agreement. They rounded up their supplies and Tony picked up his shotgun and Chet held his magnum on the ready. They slowly walked towards the cabin and stole up to the door. Tony smiled down to the repair job. He lowered the shotgun.

"Pity I have to ruin this nice repair job, but,,," Chet held up a hand.

"Wait a second man. If you go blasting that canon off the guy Joe is trailing may get suspicious. Lest we forget we still don't know what is on the other side of the door. We had better open it silently." Tony nodded. Chet backed up about eight foot and took a running tackle against the door. It splintered under the pressure and the door popped open. Tony flipped on his flashlight and led the way in with Chet, gun drawn, backing him up. The main room was empty. Chet kicked in the side room door, but it too was empty. The pair turned and walked into the kitchen but there was nothing except the huge ornate iron cookstove and a couple crates. Chet sat down on one with a look of exhaustion.

"Man, I half thought we would find something, or someone!" he said somewhat discouraged. Tony sat on the other crate. Chet looked up again with a confused look on his face. Tony noticed his perplexed expression.

"What?" he asked simply. Chet looked to him.

"Something doesn't fit here, man. That dude was fixing the door."

"So..?" Tony said, still not following what his friend was leading up to.

"Well, when he was out there fixing the door I noticed that big toolbox he had alongside him. He didn't take them with him. I know that."

"And they aren't in here." Tony finished. Chet held his hands up.

"Since when do thirty or forty pounds of tools just walk off?" Tony laughingly gestured to the massive stove.

"Maybe they are in there." he said. Chet glanced at the stove doubtfully. Feeling somewhat silly he reached over and opened the door to the stove and looked inside.

"Nope. Nothing in there. Though you could hide a body in there if you needed to. I still don't know why this big thing is in here. You light it up and you couldn't possibly sit in here comfortably. The damn thing must weigh a ton and probably took ten men to haul it in here." he said giving it a mock push with his arm. To his and Tony's surprise the stove actually moved a little.

"Either that stove doesn't weigh as much as it should or I am a lot stronger than I thought I was." He pushed on it with both hands and to their amazement the stove pushed away from the stone wall on hidden rollers and revealed a stairwell leading down into the stone wall! Tony gasped at the opening.

"Walk into the..."

"Wall!" Chet finished remembering Frank's clue he had left them.

"Frank's Clue!" Tony gasped. Chet nodded.

"And wherever this leads I am sure we will find some tools." He drew his weapon and Tony aimed his flashlight down the steps.

"Let's go." They cautiously walked down the stone steps. They came down to what appeared to be a damp and musty cavern. Tony flashed his beam against one wall. It revealed a huge pile of rubble which covered what appeared to be two tunnels. Tony slowly turned the light towards the other side of the room. A moment later they were greeted by a ghastly sight!

Frank and Bill imprisoned in a large cage!