-10-

"So, no real updates?" Chet asked as they drove along.

Frank and Joe Hardy exchanged glances. They knew their friend was stressing hard over his wife and hoping the police had made some progress to determine who the mysterious woman is.

Joe looked over his shoulder at his chum who was sitting by himself in the back seat of Frank's cruiser. "No, Chet. The same answer you got to that question ten minutes ago. We have even tried to contact dad since he was in on things down in Virginia. But with that case he is on in Canada he isn't reachable. I guess he is either undercover or in some area where there is no cell reception. We will keep trying though!"

Chet, who had been fairly sleep deprived over the last couple days nodded. His fatigued expression apologetic as he looked back at his friend. "Sorry, pal, I forgot I just asked the question." Joe smiled back at him and waved him off, indicating no apology was necessary.

Frank glanced back through the rear view mirror. "Chet, it will take anywhere from 11 to 14 hours to get there depending how much speed we can make on this plane of yours or if we need to stop and refuel. I want you to make sure that you get some sleep on the flight, even if it means taking a sedative."

Joe nodded his agreement with his brother. "Yeah, pal. You look seriously bushed and we need you to be sharp when we get there. Assuming this plane has a seat that reclines, you need to do your best to get comfortable and rest."

Chet grunted and offered him a tired smirk. "Yeah, Joe, the seat reclines pretty good as I recall. But with my fondness for flying and my mind not being able to stop, I might need to have a drink or two in order to relax and get some sleep."

They continued to drive and soon Frank pulled up to the airport gate leading to the parking area. He flashed his badge to the guard who quickly waved him through.

"Membership has its privileges." Joe commented teasingly to his brother as they drove through the security.

Frank smirked and tucked his shield back into his pocket. "Seemed easier that prompting Chet for his ID and checking it against aircraft owners. They can be sticklers here about letting people in without the proper credentials. You know that, bro."

They pulled into a long-term parking area and gathered their bags. Chet hefted several packs that he took from the trunk.

Frank glanced over at him. "You know, pal, they may confiscate our guns. Just depends how we get enter the country."

Chet grunted. "There are ways around that, Frank."

"Yes, I suppose there are." Frank conceded. He felt slightly apprehensive about entering a foreign country and committing illegal acts such as bribing government officials right off the bat.

They walked along and Joe, who was walking slightly ahead of the others looked over his shoulders. "Say, Chet, what section is your plane in?"

He looked down at his phone where he kept his notes. "Looks like they put it in section C7. It's a blue and white job."

Joe nodded as they walked along. "Should be easy to see since there aren't many two tone private planes around here."

They finally reached the area designated C7. Frank and Joe looked over at several smaller private planes. Frank looked over at Chet perplexed. "Chet, I don't see any small blue and white planes. Is it prop or jet?"

"Good lord, Frank, it's a jet. Count four planes down, pal. It's right there!" He gestured.

Both Frank and Joe looked past three small 4 seat planes. The fourth plane down was massive in comparison! It was a modern looking dual engine jet that sported a blue streak of paint down a bright white fuselage. It could easily seat 20 passengers.

Joe looked intently at the plane and then to his chum. "Chet, are you quite sure we are talking about the same plane? Because the 4th plane down this row appears to be a 20 passenger Gulfstream G650! Not exactly a plane you would casually gamble in a card game."

Chet tilted his head and shrugged. "It is if you have a net worth of about $30 billion, pal. This guy who played in our group was by far the wealthiest of any of us."

Frank blinked several times at the plane, then to Chet. "If he bet that plane, what exactly did you bet?"

Chet tugged at his collar uncomfortably. "Well, I believe the wager was my house on Long Island."

The elder Hardy shook his head in disbelief. "I cannot believe you would gamble your house on a hand of poker." He scolded his chum.

"Actually, I believe we just cut cards for it."

Joe turned to Chet. "Gee, tell me you at least played best 3 out of 5?" he commented sarcastically. "Sheesh, now I don't feel so bad about my gambling losses."

Frank looked back at the plane. "Think about the poor guy who lost his $50 million dollar plane!"

Chet offered a casual laugh and waved him off. "Poor guy? Frank, like I said the guy was a multi billionaire. It was cigarette money to him. Plus, I think he bought it just as a status symbol. He was never one who even liked to travel. I doubt he often left the range of New York City to the Hamptons. If I recollect, he said he used it once to go to Florida."

"Probably found a way to write it off." Joe muttered. "Guys like that are usually pretty creative at doing their taxes."

"Doesn't have to worry about the maintenance, storage and upkeep now either." Frank commented, then looked back at Chet. "How many times have you used it?"

Chet held two fingers up. "Twice." He admitted. "I obviously didn't need it either, but we all had a bit too much to drink that night. So, we weren't exactly making good judgments at that game. The next day I even told him we could call off the bet, no harm, no foul, since we were drinking and all. But he wouldn't have any part of it and wanted to honor the bet."

Joe nodded and smirked. "Like I said, he was probably looking for a write off or some way of having a documented loss for a big-ticket toy. Either way, looks like you got lucky, Chet."

They approached the plane's stairway and the brothers looked up at the large business jet. "Whew!" Frank exclaimed taking in the size of the jet. "I've never piloted one quite this big."

First time for everything." Joe quipped enthusiastically, happy to get a chance to fly the luxury jet. He and Frank followed Chet up the stairway. Their chum paused at a keypad near the door and entered a code. Momentarily the door opened and the three walked in.

Chet flipped on the auxiliary lights and the multi section cabin filled with light. The Hardy's stood there, taking in the luxury appointed plane interior.

They walked through it and Frank shook his head. "I've never seen a bedroom suite on a plane before. Nor have I seen an entertainment area with a big screen television and a sofa."

"Don't forget the full kitchen, bar and meeting room." Joe observed and rolled his eyes.

"It's nice and all…" Frank started. "But I'm guessing brand new this thing probably cost $60-70 million. There are so many other things someone could do with that kind of money. Things that actually help people."

Chet was feeling embarrassed and nodded soberly. "Well guys, like I said, I didn't buy it. I don't even have that kind of money. I just got lucky and won it."

"Suppose you had lost." Frank mused. "That would have pushed Callie over the edge, even if it didn't mean you would be homeless."

"I realize it was stupid, Frank. But I've not made a habit of such stupidity. In fact, it was a one-time gamble. Besides that one time, we had always kept out card games at a maximum $5,000 bet. So, I'd like to consider it a part of the past."

"Maximum humble five grand." Joe smirked and patted Chet's back. "Just giving ya a little grief, pal. It's your money, and I know as free as you are with money at times, you would never buy a $60 million dollar airplane. Like you said, ya got lucky. Good for you!"

Frank also realized that he and his brother may have made Chet feel bad for owning such a plane. "Yeah, man, I mean good for you. I think Joe and I will need a good deal of prep time just figuring the plane out, but we should be able to handle it. Well, best get our gear stored."

Joe nodded. "Right you are, bro! Hey Chet, I assume the cargo storage is at the far back of the cabin?"

Chet nodded. "Yeah, but it's easier to use this storage up near the door." He pointed back towards the entryway where a large dual panel door indicated storage.

"Cool" Joe smiled and looked at his brother. "Let's get a look at what we are dealing with. The sooner we familiarize ourselves, the sooner we are out of here."

"Right!" Frank agreed. "Chet, just sit back and make yourself comfortable. That shouldn't be too hard. We will just get familiar with the controls and cockpit in general. We should be able to file a flight plan and be out of here."

Chet yawned and gestured approvingly to his friends. "Do what ya got to do, guys. I am going to have a drink."

Maddie and Jaime could scarcely breathe. They both heard a rustling sound nearby. They had laid out several blankets on the floor of the cargo bay. While they were reasonably comfortable, the sound of someone doing something nearby was most unsettling.

"Should we take a peek?" Jaime asked.

In the dim ambient light of her cell phone, she saw Maddie's head shake firmly. "We don't dare!" She whispered. "I don't want to even peek out there until this plane is in the air!"

Jaime understood Maddie's reasoning in not wanting to push their luck until they were airborne. It would be devastating to be discovered now and be swiftly escorted home by the police. "Alright, then. I just hope they don't come back here to store any luggage."

"Not very likely." Maddie assured her.

The pair tried to relax as best they could and reclined back against the wall. Maddie felt tense and while she was confident she was doing the right thing, felt bad because she was defying her father's wishes. Jaime could sense her tenseness and motioned for her to lay back against her. Maddie complied and laid her head against her partner's chest and sighed. "Everything is going to work out." She whispered softly.

"This is quite a bit different from dad's plane." Frank commented as they worked to familiarize themselves with the Gulfstream's cockpit. They had gone through various pre-flight checklists and had located many of the controls required to operate the aircraft.

Joe nodded his agreement. "True, but I think I have a good grip on things. We have been at this almost an hour. The system seems quite intuitive, and I suspect it will be much easier to fly than dad's plane. This thing surely has all the bells and whistles."

Frank looked at the multiple large screens. "Very true. So, alright, how about we go through pre-start checklist?"

Joe, who was sitting in the right-hand seat gave a thumbs up. He picked up the clipboard and started reading. "Alright, Parking brake set?"

Frank nodded. "Check."

"Got enough brake pressure? If not, use the auxiliary pump."

"We have adequate pressure." He confirmed.

"Brake pressure accumulator pressure?"

"Check."

"Thrust levers at idle?"

"Check."

"Anti-collision beacon on?"

"Check." Frank verified.

"Start master on?"

Frank blinked a few times looking at the overhead console. Upon locating it, he pressed a button. "Check."

"Both fuel pumps on and verify cross flow closed."

"Check."

"Verify left and right bleed air pressure. Must be at least 40."

Again, Frank kept hunting for the right selector, but finally found it. "Check!"

"Ok, now we are cockpit ready for engine start." Joe verified and looked over to his brother.

Frank gave a thumbs up. "Alright then, I am going to take care of our flight plan. I will set our primary airport destination as Manaus Brazil, though we may adjust that if we get updated intel. I will also do a walkaround."

With another half an hour passed, they had filed their flight plan and had advised Chet they would soon be departing. Their chum had already consumed a few alcoholic drinks and was much more relaxed and ready to take a nap.

Frank had completed his walkaround of the outside of the aircraft and climbed back in and secured the door. He entered the cockpit and slid back into the pilot's seat. "Alright, bro, everything looks good outside, and our one passenger is on his way to dreamland."

Joe adjusted his headset and picked up his clipboard. "Alright, here we go. Engine start switch on."

Frank pressed a button and nodded. "Check."

"Verify start valve open."

"Check."

"Verify positive oil pressure."

"Check."

"Fuel switch to run."

"Check" Frank confirmed.

"Verify fuel flow."

"Check."

"Ignition activation."

Frank took a deep breath and flipped a pair of switches. This caused a sound from the rear of the plane as the dual Rolls Royce engines started to rumble. "Smooth sounding engines." He smiled.

Joe nodded and looked at his brother. "Ready, bro?"

"Let's do this." He adjusted his headset and pressed the transmit. "Bayport, this is Blue Tiger 427, request to taxi, over."

"Blue Tiger 427, Bayport control." The controller's voice came through clearly. "Clear to taxi on taxiway zero-five, SW, hold at marker 14, over."

"Bayport, Blue Tiger 427, roger that." Frank released the brake and began to maneuver the large aircraft slowly along the taxiway. A short while later they were at marker 14 and Frank brought the plane to a halt. "Bayport, Blue Tiger 427, holding at marker 14, over."

"Blue Tiger 427, turn left and proceed to header of runway two-niner and hold. Over."

Frank clicked started turning the plane left. "Roger that, Bayport. Blue Tiger 427 will advise when at header for runway two-niner."

The plane moved slowly along an outer taxiway. Air traffic was light that evening and there did not appear to be any aircraft ahead of them.

"We should be able to take off quickly." Joe observed, happy that there was no traffic ahead of them.

"That will be nice." Frank agreed. "I once had to wait out about 15 ahead of me and swear I was holding on the taxiway for well over an hour!"

They proceeded to the header marker which was the spot located right before the end of the runway. "Bayport, Blue Tiger 427, we are holding at the header of two-niner, over."

"Roger, Blue Tiger 427. You are clear to runway two-niner. Advise." Frank manuevered the plane to the end of runway two-nine, then looked at Joe.

"Takeoff list."

Joe looked down and read. "Flaps 20."

"Check."

"Ok, assuming I did my math correctly, the V1 decision speed is 108. Rotation is 109 and V2 takeoff safety speed is 126."

Frank nodded. "Check that."

"Ground spoilers on."

"Check."

"Ok, that's it." Joe verified.

Frank was impressed with the shorter checklist. No doubt the automation on the aircraft auto adjusted many manual settings he was used to controlling on the Hardy plane. He clicked his transmitter button. "Bayport, Blue Tiger 427 requesting takeoff, runway two-niner, over."

A moment later the radio crackled. "Blue Tiger 427, you are cleared for takeoff, runway two-niner. Please contact ATC at 118.20, good day."

Frank took a breath and looked at his brother, who gave a thumbs up. "Power up. Auto throttles engaged." The plane moved swiftly down the runway.

"Blue Tiger 427, rolling." Joe confirmed.

"80 knots...V1…rotate…" Frank pulled the yolk and the plane launched effortlessly into the sky.

"V2…gear up."

Frank was impressed the way the plane took off and handled. Glancing over at his brother with a smile. "I've never piloted a system that was completely fly by wire. This takeoff required no effort at all. Amazing!"

Joe nodded as he looked out the huge windows as they rose above the clouds. "Definitely impressive, bro." he agreed. "A shame we aren't making this trip under more pleasant circumstances."

Frank furrowed his brow as he looked out on the horizon thoughtfully. "Yeah."

Maddie and Jaime we both thankful the takeoff had been smooth and they hadn't been thrown about in the rear cargo bay. The tenseness and excitement of the journey had them both on edge. Neither had heard any movement from within the rear most section of the cabin.

"You think it's ok to crack the door and peak out?" Jaime inquired with a curious tone.

Before Maddie could reply, her phone vibrated which caused her to jump. With increased heart rate she and Jaime looked down at the phone screen. It was a text from Aimee. While not at all unexpected, it still made both of their stomachs turn nervously.

Aimee: Maddie, why don't you and Jaime consider coming inside? It has been dark for a while and your aunt is on the way over to keep us company. I can make you something to eat if either of you are hungry.

Maddie looked down fretfully. Her thumbs hovered over her phone's keyboard, uncertain what to type.

Jaime gestured for her to be calm. "Don't overthink it." She advised. "This was inevitable. Just tell her OK, we will be in soon."

Maddie nodded, trying to stay calm. "Right." She agreed and began tapping on her phone. She sent the message and put the phone down on the floor, looking over at her friend. "I just hope that we can put enough distance from home between us before the alarm bells go off."

"Yeah. I'd hate to be on the receiving end of if your dad has to turn the plane around."

A moment later the phone vibrated, and Maddie scooped it up. They both looked down at the screen.

Aimee: Ok, but don't stay out too long. Make sure you have your jackets on!

"Spoken like a true mother." Maddie managed to smile. "I'm glad she is that kind of person. Makes me feel better that my next sibling will have a caring mother watching out for them."

"And a good big sister!" Jaime added, then looked about the small area apprehensively. "You know, I never mentioned this before, but I tend to get anxious in small spaces. Do you think it would be ok if I at least crack the closet open and peek?"

Maddie thought for a moment, then shrugged. "I guess it would be alright. I mean the plane is in the air, so I assume both my uncles are at the controls. So, that only leaves my dad in the cabin. I mean maybe we can probably check the rear section out. I got to admit, girl, I could sure use a restroom break. Since there is a second lavatory in the back, I think it might be ok if we make sure dad isn't back here and are super quiet." Jaime brightened up, happy that her partner was ok with taking a short break from the cargo bay.

The pair stood up and Maddie gently pushed the door so it slid open to offer them a narrow view of the room. The rear section of the cabin, which was a small secondary bedroom with lavatory appeared empty. Maddie slipped out of her shoes and gestured for Jaime to do the same. She slowly opened the cargo bay door, taking care not to cause the steel rollers the door rested on to make noise. The pair stepped out into the rear section.

Maddie motioned to Jaime that she was going to use the lavatory and quickly disappeared into a side door. Jaime pensively stood there. She was glad to be out of the closet, but feared someone walking in. She was curious if there was anyone in the adjoining section of the cabin. Slowly she edged towards the opening and upon reaching it cautiously poked her head from the side into the doorway. The room, which was a bar and lounge area had a well-stocked section for drinks and a pair of refrigerators to the right. To the left were two large lounge seats and a short sofa. Jaime's heart jumped when she saw that one of the chairs was occupied!

For a moment she had feared she had just been discovered. But upon taking a second look she sighed, realizing the occupant was sound asleep. She smiled briefly when she concluded the portly figure of Chet Morton who was in the left lounge chair was snoring. A half-finished drink next to him gave Jaime reasonable comfort to believe that he was deep asleep and wouldn't have seen her movements from the doorway. Not wishing to push her luck, she quickly returned to her position next to the rear lavatory door.

A moment later Maddie emerged and saw Jaime's expression. "What?" She whispered, barely audible.

Jaime pointed towards the next compartment. "Your dad is in there asleep. Looks like he had a drink or two and is sawing logs." She said with equal low volume.

Maddie's eyebrows went up and she tiptoed over to the entrance of the next section and cautiously peered inside. She managed to smile at the sight of her father laying there getting some much needed rest. She returned to Jaime and gestured back towards the cargo door, and they both slipped silently back inside.

"I'm glad he is getting some rest."

Jaime nodded but looked up with concern. "At least till the time when Aimee texts him and tells him that she can't find you."

"Gee, thanks for that cheerful look into the future. Hopefully he had a few drinks and will take more than a phone to get him awake."

Aimee tilted her head, still in doubt. "Maybe, but nothing to keep Aimee from contacting the Hardys."

Maddie managed a smirk. "Possible, but I doubt Joe Hardy will be the first person that Aimee wants to contact. The two of them have always had some kind of low-key dislike of each other. I guess its cause Aunt Iola and Aimee have fooled around before."

"Still, it's just a matter of time." Jaime fretted.

Maddie shrugged in futility. "Not much we can do about it. As long as we are far enough into this trip the worse thing likely to happen is dad will yell at me and keep going on as scheduled. He knows time is of the essence in finding mom."

The two sat down in the corner of the cargo bay and Maddie opened the backpack. She finally found a bag of chips and offered her partner some. "How about some dinner? No sense worrying on an empty stomach."

The humidity made it difficult to for Callie to breathe in the late evening air. She sat near a long narrow pool of water. The area was dense with tropical vegetation. But it did not hide the tall iron fence which surrounded her environment. While disconcerting, it was better than the cold stone room with small bed she had inhabited since her arrival the previous day.

Her prison had not been inviting up till then. The only captor she had seen thus far was the one who had taken her from Bayport. About an hour earlier Lila Crane had released her from her stone cell and directed her to change into clothes she had provided. She had then escorted her out to an expansive patio with many amenities that indicated she was hardly on the poor side of town. In fact, she was unsure if she was in any town! Upon her landing, somewhere in Brazil, she had been shoved back into the trunk of a car, which traveled well over two hours to reach its destination. Callie had judged that by the terrain of the road, it must be somewhere with either very poor infrastructure, or somewhere quite isolated. The patio, while well lit, did not afford her much of a view of the main residence. Callie assumed though that if the patio and pool area were any indication, she was at the home of someone quite affluent. But not of good moral character.

Given that Lila Crane had left her unattended, Callie presumed that the iron gates around her were quite secure. It wouldn't be much of a leap to think that they were also well guarded and possibly electrified.

Callie looked about nervously. She had been alone for the best part of an hour. Her sense of the environment, beyond that of the various wildlife making her feel uncomfortable, suggested that she was probably under surveillance. While she could not see any obvious cameras, Callie knew they were there just the same. She also perceived that she would soon be meeting her host. It was unlikely that Lila had brought her out for an evening swim in the pool. As appealing as it might have been under more pleasant circumstances.

She was uncertain how she was going to react when she saw him. Without so much as a weapon and knowing full well he had backup in close proximity, she thought it best to keep cool. He had brought her here for a reason. Callie knew the reality of situation though. Reese had probably blamed her for his near capture and the downfall of his little farm of trafficked children. No doubt there would be a price to pay. The way she figured it, the price would not be her life. At least not at first. He wanted her there to pay the price for her defiance.

As time wore on her nervousness increased. She sat back in the patio chair wishing she had a drink to take the edge off. She watched the pool water with its bluish green water. Callie wondered if it was artificially colored, or perhaps some kind of organic pure water taken from a nearby Amazon spring. The distraction of wondering which was short lived as her senses came to focus on a nearby sound of a gate hinge squeaking.

Callie tensed in her seat as she her the soft scrape of leather soles on the pavement. She took a deep breath and within moments the figure of a thin man appeared in the distance. Callie swallowed hard as the man's form came closer and she suddenly felt the flashbacks from that night as she recognized him. His hair had been dyed black, but the facial characteristics were the same. The sickening smile on his lips was the same. He wore metal rimmed glasses and a elaborate looking black silk robe.

He walked up within three feet of Callie. Her body visibly tensed as he came close.

It was indeed him!

"Good evening, love. So nice to see you again. How are you tonight?"

Callie looked up at him with a clearly sour look. "Good evening, James Earl." Her tone defiant.

Reese laughed and pulled up a chair. "Ah, I always liked that alias. Is that the name they assumed was my real one?"

Callie shot him a glance. "It's not? What is your real name?"

He shrugged and smirked at her. "What's in a name? You can keep using James Earl Reese if it makes you feel better. You've been cursing that name for months now, why change it?"

"As you wish."

Reese sat back and studied his captive. She had been maintaining her composure for the most part. He took a deep breath. "Where are my manners? Would you like a drink, love?"

As much as she disliked being captive and this little cat and mouse game he seemed to want to play, Callie could not deny she could use a drink. "Well, as long as it doesn't contain body parts."

Reese burst into laughter and pointed at her. "Ah yes, I heard you weren't fond of Lila's bartending skills."

"Lila your new playmate?" Callie smirked.

Again, Reese chuckled and shook his head. "Well, love, you do know me well enough to know I don't care for older women like that."

As if by prearranged timing Callie heard the gate open. A moment later a young girl that Callie guessed to be about 13 or 14 appeared with a tray holding drinks. She seemed to look native to Brazil with her darker skin and straight hair. The child appeared to only be wearing an apron around her waist. This afford a clear view of most of her body. She approached Reese who gestured towards Callie. "Irish whiskey on ice, love?"

Callie gave a curt nod in his direction and looked at the young girl as she approached her with a tray. She felt sorry for her as she presumed the girl was one of his concubines. She did not speak but handed Callie her drink.

Callie noticed her hand as she accepted the glass. She was surprised to see the girl was missing her pinky finger. She looked over at Reese with narrowed eyes.

Her host held up his hands in protest. "I saw that look, love. And I assure you I had nothing to do with Isadora's missing digit."

Callie grunted as she watched the girl give him his drink and then walk a few feet away and stand in a stationary position, awaiting her next order. "Oh, but I am sure you know how and why it happened." She commented with clear disdain.

Reese took a sip from his glass then looked at her. He sighed and nodded. "Well, yes, I'm afraid I do. Unfortunately, several weeks ago Isadora was serving a drink to our mutual friend, Lila. Sadly, the poor girl spilled a drink on Lila's blouse when serving. And well, Lila, not being a very tolerant woman said something to the effect that only a person without all their fingers could be that clumsy." Callie closed her eyes feeling sick to her stomach. "So of course, she wanted the child to have a good reason the next time she spilled a drink she served."

Callie looked at the girl standing there. While she presented a thin veil of enthusiasm when she served him, Callie could tell the poor child was no doubt miserable and quite likely feared for her life. Obviously, she was a prisoner as well. She gave him a glare. "So, how is the child trafficking business going? Are Brazilian children easier to steal?"

Reese smirked at her. "Easier to steal? Yes, very much so. Some of their parents will even happily sell you their kids for a pittance. But sadly, the darker skin is not as profitable on the international market. Certainly not as profitable as a ripe, American 14-year-old blonde with blue eyes with mature growth. By the way, how is Madeleine? Is she still fucking Jaime? Or has she been performing fellatio on the dishwasher at your coffee shop? Maybe both?"

Callie bit her lower lip. She knew he was trying to goad her into reacting. As much as she wanted to react, she knew he seemed to relish such emotional duress from his captives. She looked directly at him. "I wouldn't know. But as she is a good girl, I doubt she is giving lip service to any lecherous male."

Reese took another sip and shrugged. "Well, no matter. I am sure she will be joining us soon enough."

These words sent an icy chill through Callie who looked back at him. "You went back and took her?!" She rasped in a desperate tone, fearing the worse for her daughter.

Reese took a deep breath, then shook his head. "Well, that was a plan I had considered. But it seems that your husband is saving us the trouble."

Callie blinked several times at this statement as it made little sense. "What do you mean Chet is saving you the trouble?"

"Well, if you must know the story, we meant to take you both at the same time. But the other party who had been charged with picking up Miss. Madeleine, well, he got himself arrested for something incidental and they ran his prints and found he had some serious warrants. That left me a bit short handed. After Lila snatched you, she did ask me on the way to the airport if I wanted her to go back and do the task. But I thought it best to get you out of the country fast, love. I couldn't take the chances of the Hardy influence shutting down the borders of Bayport when you went missing."

Callie rolled her eyes in agitation. "Get to the point!" She snapped.

Reese smirked back at her. He was not to be rushed. "Don't make me kill you so soon after your arrival. I have some definite plans for you before you leave this world." Callie was going to retort but thought better of it. "So, the idea was for Lila to go back and get Miss. Maddie. But news in recent hours has made that unnecessary."

Callie's stomach sank more so as he proceeded with his roundabout told story. "What news would that be?"

"Well, as you may have surmised, the Hardys and your chubby hubby are in route to a nearby city as we speak."

Callie blinked a few times with skepticism. "And how did they know where to go?"

Reese laughed and took another drink. "Well, they did luck out and find our general location faster that anticipated. You see that phone that you knocked out of Lila's hand did find its way into the possession of law enforcement. Unfortunately, Lila failed to tell me until well after she arrived with you. So, when the cops sent a message posing as her, I acknowledged it and they were able to ping one of my phones. Unfortunately, I will have to deal with them. But I do suppose they saved me the effort of going back to get Miss. Madeleine."

Callie shook her head. "No way would Chet, Frank or Joe let Maddie come along. I'm sure she would have wanted to. But No way would they have let her!" She said firmly.

Reese giggled and summoned Isadora over. The youth walked over to him, and he reached over and ran his hand along her body. Callie cringed as she watched Reese lean forward and lick her breasts. He leaned back and gave the girl a firm slap on the rear, all the while keeping focus on Callie. "Isadora does have an amazing little tight body." He paused as he watched Callie scowl at him. "Which I know quite intimately. But I am so eager to try an American girl again."

Callie swallowed hard but did her best not to react. "You were telling me about my husband coming down here with the Hardys and my child, which I very much doubt!"

Reese's eyes brightened. "Quite right, love. So, with a little paid intel from the airport employee I made a sufficient donation to, I was able to determine that your husband had his private jet prepped. He left Bayport at a little past 8 this evening."

"Without my daughter, I am sure." Callie boasted confidently.

Reese smiled, then in a feigned surprise manner, he pulled a phone from his pocket and scrolled through it. He turned the phone towards Callie. "You know, airport security must be quite poor at your airport. I was sent this photo, that seemed to have been taken shortly after 5 this afternoon. Do you by chance recognize anyone in the picture?"

Callie leaned forward and saw a cell phone photo which appeared to be taken at the airport. In the photo it showed her daughter, Maddie and her friend, Jaime, standing at the top of the stairway of her husband's private jet. She looked over at Reese in shock.

"My, my, what a pair of curious teens will do to get a free vacation in Brazil. I mean really, resorting to stowing away!"

Callie swallowed hard, imagining that her daughter must be feeling quite desperate to find her. No doubt her father had imposed a firm no when she asked to go along. So, this was apparently her solution. But could they have really not seen the two before they took off? She attempted to look at him dismissively. "Well, I am sure my husband probably booted them off before they took off. But nice try."

Reese laughed and shook his head. "No, love, not this time I'm afraid. My contact kept a firm eye on that plane until it took off. Your luscious daughter is coming to see me. Looks like I will even get to go another round with Miss. Jaime too. No doubt you will join us for the reunion party. We can pick up right where we left off before you stuck that shotgun butt in my gut."

"I should have shoved the other end up your ass and pulled the trigger." Callie muttered, now clearly shaken that her daughter was flying to them and worse yet, Reese was all too aware of it.

Reese, happy he had finally struck a nerve smiled. "Well, love, truth is you didn't. And the way you and your agents bungled finding me and letting me walk right past them, I lived to play another day."

"Or perhaps die." Callie retorted.

Reese was unscathed, however. He looked at her with a clear superior expression. "Did you like your accommodations last night, love?"

Callie raised her eyebrows. "Well, the animals made a bit of noise."

He looked all around them. "Well, love, you are in the middle of a jungle. Not very much in terms of civilization for a good hundred miles. Just a few small villages, and I may add not much in the way of law enforcement."

"Yes…" Callie said dryly. "We recall how cooperative the Brazilian authorities were when we requested they investigate and extradite you."

Reese rolled his eyes. "Oh, love, the irony is that you expected the process of law to do the work for you. Had you or your husband investigated with your obvious surplus of cash, you may have actually gotten somewhere." He paused and looked at his residence, and while Callie could still not determine how large it was, assumed it was probably quite impressive. "But of course, I have a surplus of cash as well. Which goes even further down here than in the states. So, it's debatable if you would have even been very successful had you spread a bit of cash around."

Callie knew he had an ego, and one which liked to be stroked. This would perhaps lend him to give out information that he might not otherwise give. She took a drink of her now diluted whiskey. "So, you assume they are just going to let you abduct them when they land?"

"Nothing so crude, my dear. I said there was a lack of law enforcement down here. But it certainly isn't invisible or totally manipulated. There are still those who tend to abide by some rule of law. I would prefer not to waste my resources when the task will be done for me."

"Done for you?" Callie repeated.

Reese laughed. "But of course, love. If I leave enough breadcrumbs for your astute detectives, and I use the term astute loosely, they should eventually make their way to our door. And once they are out here, there will be no local municipal employees with a misguided sense of what is right to contend with."

Callie noted the fact that Reese apparently enjoyed his isolated location. No doubt in the Amazon jungle there was very little need for law enforcement as most of the population were no doubt either tribal or those which didn't warrant risking one's life over. Still, something troubled her. She looked back at her captor, who was quite enjoying his role of power and choosing who could do what within his personal kingdom. "So, my question now is, why do you put your little child trafficking operation so deep in the jungle if it's such an acceptable criminal practice in this country? I mean couldn't you manage it much more efficiently in a densely populated area?"

Reese raised his eyebrows in amusement. "Child trafficking operation?" He repeated.

Callie nodded firmly. "Yes, just like what you were doing in Virginia. The trafficking of children to people even more perverted than you to keep you in this lifestyle to which you are accustom?"

This line of thought provoked an intense laughter from Reese. He eventually controlled his excessive laughter and shook his head. "Oh my, love, you don't have it quite right. The trafficking was just a side gig I did up in the states. I mean I do have those connections down here as well, of course. And I do have several young ladies serving as domestics. But that is certainly not my primary source of income."

"Then perhaps you will share with me what your day job is?"

"That blonde hair must be real." Reese smirked. "Certainly, you aren't that stupid."

Callie offered him a look of disdain. "Enthrall me."

Reese shrugged. "Very well, love. Not like you will ever leave here to tell anyone. My primary income is generated by the export of cocaine and illegal timber. Perhaps a few other substances here and there. I also do keep my hand in with moving along some of these lovely young ladies. I have to keep things fresh around here you know."

It had finally occurred to Callie that this was all so much larger than Reese's handicap of being a supreme lech and child trafficker. The fact that he was running a major drug and timber export ring made things much clearer. His resources were no doubt vast. And it was still a mystery as to his true identity.

And now Maddie was flying right into the middle of it all. It was clear that Reese had a score to settle with Callie and her daughter. She knew the gloves would come off eventually, and it was hard to guess just what he had in mind for her and Maddie, but knew it wasn't going to be good.

"I think I need another drink please."