My Granddaughter was Stolen!

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  Only having two pieces of clothing on, the shirt went first and then the pants. She never felt so exposed in her life. Both men looked her over. Her breast were average sized and a bit saggy. Her stomach was fairly flat as she took care of herself.

  Mask Man said, "Well partner as you're my guest tonight, you can have her first. Little girl, get the hell of the bed and stand there with your eyes open or I'll beat the shit out of you."

  Lisa jumped off the bed and stood against the wall shaking like a leaf. She saw her mother lie down on the bed and spread her legs. Bandana Man took off his pants and boxer shorts. Lisa saw once again a big black thing sticking out like a short pole. Bandana crawled onto the bed and told her to guide him in.

  Mask Man said, "Come here little girl and I'll show you up close what a big dick looks like. Lisa wouldn't move. Mask man moved quickly around and grabbed Lisa by the hair and shoved her to the floor onto her knees.

  Amy yelled to leave her alone and began to fight the Bandana Man. Lisa was crying and Mask Man was trying to force his member into her mouth when the door flew off the hinges.

  Both men looked up and saw two camo dressed men with drawn weapons. Wade shot the Bandana man and Mask Man picked up Lisa like a rag doll and put his hand to her neck and said, "One more step friend and I'll crush her windpipe."

  Brad started to lower his weapon and then faster than Wade could see, a shot was heard and a hole appeared in Masked Man's forehead. Both he and Lisa fell to the floor, but only one got up. Amy sat up and covered her face with her hands and tried not to cry. Wade ran over, picked up her clothes and helped her dress. Brad went around to Lisa and Rocky sniffed the bad guys. Lisa wrapped both arms and legs around Brad so tight he almost cried himself. He talked to her soothingly and soon Lisa wanted her mother. Brad said, "Let's get out of here and back to the hotel."

  Wade went to an upstairs closet and found some sweaters and ski coats with scarves. In the car Rocky sat with Lisa and she hugged his neck. Amy stared straight ahead and Brad knew she was going into shock. On the way to the hotel, Brad called DC and got Nancy on the phone. He gave her the address of the two dead men and to have Steve call the president. "Tell Sam they are safe and sound but need some time to recover an ordeal not meant for anyone. Also, let's all pretend they are still captives. I don't want it known yet they're free.

  Now we have the advantage and we can play our own game. I'm going home to see Sujin and to take Lily and Amy to the Round House to recover. Keep at it Nancy. I'll see you soon.

  Indeed it was a full six months before Amy recovered. Her daughter had experienced another part of life. She would learn from it.

  Now they needed to catch a murderer and shut down a system of change that would only benefit the few.

  Back home, Brad gave his mother a hug and a sideways hug to his wife. Sujin said, after they had tucked the two captives into bed, "I can't imagine what they went through husband. I think we must be careful somebody doesn't do that to us with our kids."

  "Well if they did, they would wind up like the two guys that held Lisa and Amy: dead."

  Brad and Wade both were beat. Brad took a run on the beach and then collapsed for ten hours. It was Sunday mid morning before he woke up. He heard a lot of scurrying around and wondered what was going on. He soon found out his wife was in labor.

  A midwife was called and by two in the afternoon, a baby girl was fast asleep at the breast of her mother. Her Korean name was Ran Ju and her English name was Rhonda Sue Pratt.

  Sandy and Rocky both were dancing around with the new addition. Grandmother Pratt was beside herself with happiness. Two grand kids and a dog. What more could you want she told everyone.

  Even Amy Hedgewire perked up. She was finally told her husband was killed and she just shook her head. Lisa, loved the baby and soon tucked the experience in a pocket of her mind and went back being a teenager.

  -XI-

  On Monday Brad and Wade flew to DC. They landed in one hell of a snow storm. The safe landing reminded Brad to put a bonus in their checks for the month.

  Steve, with a driver, whisked them to the Hilton with a meeting with Mike and then on to the White House. Steve said, "Wendy is fairly sure they have a match on the voice. He's a senator from Iowa. His name is Benny Storks. He campaigns on the promise to rid the state of corporate farming, but in reality, supports the corporations. He knows which farmers are in trouble and leaks the information to investors. A real piece of dog crap; oh sorry Sandy."

  "She understands Steve. What has Billy discovered about the Speaker Hollis?"

  "Brad, this guy is very well connected. He's an Ivy Leaguer and a lawyer with one of Washington's finest firms. One of his best friends and golfing partner is the Deputy Director of the CIA Bert Uptown. He's also a member of the International Country Club where Mike went for the meeting. Billy can fill you in the details. My brain is getting old Brad. I'm happy your father is in town to help me pick up the slack."

  Speaking of the International Club, a meeting was going on as Brad was checking into the Hilton. Mr. A was saying, "Well gentlemen, with Sister Goodly out of the picture how do we resend our demand for the new Chief?"

  "Our source of origin is untraceable so why not send it to direct to the President's office?"

  "With the murder of Father Wilmar, we're not sure the message was delivered or not. Let me have another one sent today. Do we all agree?"

  Mr. A said, "Then make it so C. By the way, has anyone checked on our package in Oregon lately?"

  "I called last night and all is well for the time being," said D.

  Mike and Brad sat talking for an hour. When he finished, Brad said, "This case is similar to the one we had a few years ago. When will these people learn Mike? This is supposedly a democratic government for the people and not for a greedy few. Can you imagine kidnapping two people and demanding robots put in to replace human beings? I can't understand it Mike. Someone sends an e-mail and demands the President's Chief of Staff should be fired and replaced with another of their choosing. This really has to end Mike.

  "Not to mention two murders Brad. The priest walks into his own church, says hello and the guy shoots him dead. What would God say about then? Also I realize that Donald Hedgewire was an asshole and a drunk, but death is a very harsh sentence to that end," replied Mike.

  "The killing is not over yet Mike. I sense more to come. I feel in my bones the VP is next on the hit list. Even though the guy is dying of cancer, it will be accelerated you watch and see. The only thing we have going for us is the voice ID and the fact we rescued the victims. I might add Mike; we got there just in the nick of time. No physical harm was administered but mentally a powerful injustice was done.

  After his visit with Mike, Brad and Steve went to see the President Samuel Bates. Once again he rearranged his schedule and welcomed Brad and Steve. Brad's father Phil was on his way over as well.

  The president shook his hand and gave Sandy a head rub. To Brad he looked ten years younger. His family was saved, but he still wasn't out of the woods yet. A game was still to be played with very high stakes. In order to survive, they had to prove a group of high rollers were behind murder and kidnapping. How to catch the perps was not a given. Some kind of trap or evidence must be used or found to stop the obvious potential power behind the Presidency of the United States. Freedom in all respects was at risk if they succeeded.

  Brad said, "I asked that we keep this under wraps for the time being sir. I'm expecting two things shortly: one is another message coming in and the other is an attempt on your VP life."

  The smile went away very quickly on Sam's face. He said, "First of all my thanks and second of all I'll follow whatever you suggest Brad. I've been so self centered with my family being abducted I've not spent enough time on the current events. Give me an overview if you will please."

  Brad's father came in just then and sat down to listen. Brad went over the major points of the rescue leaving out the morbid details. Then he summed
up what Mike was doing and the involvement of a group of very powerful men that had formed a group to control major corporations. Brad mentioned the International Club; the CIA; the Speaker of the House and a Senator from Iowa.

  Sam just shook his head. He said, "Lord have mercy on us. This country is in trouble and there're only a few of us to stop this madness. We were here not long ago Brad and now we are back again? Does this or will this ever end the need for wealth and power?"

  Brad said, "We can't give up sir. We have to keep fighting for our liberty and freedom."

  "Again, by the way, congratulations on your new addition to the Pratt family."

  Brad just smiled and said a humble thank you. Phillip said, "You mean to say I'm once again a new grandfather?"

  "Well Brad what do we do now," asked Sam. Brad never had the opportunity to answer when a knock on the door revealed his secretary. She said, "Sir, I think you need to see this e-mail that just arrived." She handed him a copy. He read the e-mail and passed it to Brad. Brad read and passed it on to Steve and on to his father.

  "We must stall sir. A reply would say: 'taken under advisement.'

  "Okay Brad, let's let it develop for the time being. I'll put some extra protection on the VP."

  "It will be a nurse with a needle that will be doing the deed sir," said Brad.

  Everyone seated at the conference table in their Executive Building office Brad said, "Let's hear more about the voice ID please."

  Wendy said, "Benny Storks, age 45, married two kids. He won a hard fought battle for congress ten years ago. And check this out, the incumbent Senator from Iowa suddenly dies of a heart attack while skiing in Oregon. That was four years ago. Benny replaced him and has been a popular senator ever since. I went to the Senate Office Building and waited to see Benny Storks walk. It took awhile, but I heard him before I saw him. Indeed he sounded like a horse with metal shoes on clack clacking across the floor. Yes, he's a little bow legged too. We can thank Ray Small and Sister Goodly for the walking tip.

  "We need that gun as I've heard that the bullets are a match with both Donald and Wilmar. By using it twice means nobody tossed it away. Where does he live when in Washington? Is his wife with him or does he live alone? If he is still in the office, we need someone to ransack his residence. Agent Jones this is a good job for you. Find the weapon."

  "Father, a job for you is the CIA. I doubt it's the top man, but someone close to the top is a turncoat."

  Nancy see to it there's at least 200 million dollars at Mike's disposal. He'll be transferring on Monday I suspect."

  "Me, I'm going to visit who Mike knows as Mr. A. With his description the White House identified him as Mr. Owen Snark. He's one of the richest men in the world. He's also a staunch Republican funneling millions into the party's coffers. Billy is checking him out as we speak. I'm going to visit him in his house after midnight."

  Wade said, "What do I do sir?"

  "I didn't forget you Wade. I'd like you to see Ray Small and find out how the investigation is going concerning both murders. Update him on our success with the kidnap victims. Be a little dramtic if you like. Everybody likes a good story, but certainly nothing vivid and revealing if you know what I'm saying."

  "Indeed I do sir. I'm off now," said Wade.

  After the meeting Wendy told Jones to be careful. Breaking and entering is against the law," she said. He reached into his pockets and pulled out a slick case of lock picking tools. He smiled and gave his wife a peck on the cheek.

  While Agent Jones was on his way to visit Benny Storks house, Wade was taxing to see Ray Small. He'd called ahead and Ray was waiting for him.

  At first Ray was a little standoffish as Wade was kind of young, but Wade had a personality that most people found warm and friendly. Ray listened to the story of him and Brad Pratt taking down the two bad guys.

  Ray said, "I'd like to have seen that go down. You make this Brad guy sound like he's a superman of sorts. There have been whispers about him and his team. I'm beginning to get a feel for you guys. That tall Nancy broad is one smart cookie. I was in her face, but she never back down. The nice part was they shared with me the situation and took me into their confidence. I won't forget that."

  "I got lucky Ray when they offered me a job. Now, can you share with me what you've got to date of the two murders?"

  "Well Wade, not too much really. Ballistic confirmed the same gun did both murders. One thing that bothers me is that someone and probably more than one person tossed the second victim into a dumpster. Those dumpsters stand six feet or more off the ground. If the same guy did the deed on Donald as he did on Father Wilmar, then no way he did it alone."

  "Now that's what we're looking for Ray. Maybe we can assume, and yes, I'm careful about that word, that our perp had help would mean a body guard or something like that. Maybe a limo driver chauffeurs kind of person. However, there're all lots of big wigs that drive around in limos in this city. I'll share this with you Ray, as I was told to inform you that an ID on the voice came out. His name is Benny Storks a senator from Iowa. Shall we see if he has a driver or body guard?"

  Not so far away, Agent Jones had found where Benny Storks hung his hat. Like a lot of residences in DC it was a small house that probably was a past senator or congressman place. It had started snowing again. Brazenly, Agent Jones selected a pick and quickly opened the door. No security alarm went off. The first problem was leaving wet foot prints on the floor. He slipped his shoes off and went to a small room that looked like where the senator had a desk. Jones really didn't think a gun would be left in the desk, so he went through the book case. An ancient fireplace standing cold and lonely seemed a likely place if a loose brick was found.

  First the book case, nothing was there. Next he checked the fireplace. He found a loose brick alright but nothing behind it. He ran upstairs and to check the bedroom and bathroom. He found nothing of importance. He almost forgot the closet and after opening the door and rummaging around the dusty shelf, he discovered a shoebox that was fairly heavy. He thought, damn Jones, can you get this lucky, as he opened the top of shoe box revealing a pistol wrapped in a rag. Jones found something that weighed about the same and put the box back where he found it.

  Down the stairs he went to the door. Slipped on his shoes, used the rug to dry the wet spot and left strolling down the block. The snow was falling heavily so his footprints would be obliterated in an hour.

  Agent Jones hot footed it to FBI headquarters for a fingerprint check and a ballistic analysis. Without a search warrant the evidence would be inadmissible in court. Jones would have to retrace his steps and put it back. In less than an hour, he had replaced the gun and got the hell out of there. Driving back he told himself he had done a good job. Now, it was time for a warrant and slam the guy into jail.

  Brad at his room in the hotel prepared for a midnight adventure in house breaking. He'd cased the place earlier and it looked fairly easy to get into unless they had one of those small yapping dogs.

  Brad took Sandy with him. She would tell him if another dog was inside or not. As he cruised by he noticed the house was all dark. A porch light was on and a side light casting its beam out to the back yard. Brad first circled the house looking for security evidence. He found a box located behind a bush not far from the electric meter. In no time he had it disconnected. The side door had a dead bolt lock. A street light helped him with his lock pick kit. The screen door was squeaky and a small can of WD-40 took care of the door hinges. Brad was soon inside and he told Sandy, with a whisper in her ear to stay. The kitchen floor was old linoleum used many years ago. The house smelled like old people and cigars. Brad slowly made his way up the carpeted stairs staying off to one side so they wouldn't creak and groan. He could hear a slight snoring sound as he reached the top of the stairs.

  With practiced stealth he was soon on his knees next to Mr. A. A night light cast a dim glow from the bathroom. Brad could see Mrs. A was fast asleep in the next bed. Obviously they liked s
leeping alone. Brad had a mini mag light and a hypodermic needle in his hand. It was a fairly potent tranquilizer that would upon waking gave a side affect headache. With his hand over his mouth he woke up Mr. A. Brad could see his eyes pop open. Brad whispered into his ear, "Make no sound or you will never wake up again. Shake your head if you understand me."

  He shook his head up and down. Brad said, "Do you want to live or die old man? Shake your head yes or no." Mr. A shook a yes nod.

  "To live more than one more day old man, cease your persistence of trying to blackmail the President of the United States. This is your final warning. No matter how much protection you think you can muster, I can reach you very easily. Do you understand?" He once again shook his head. "I'm going to leave you a little reminder old man."

  Brad stuck him with the tranquilizer and then broke his thumb. He kept his hand over his mouth to keep him from screaming until the drug put him out.

  When Mr. A started coming out of his induced sleep, a deep throbbing pain came from his left hand. In addition to his hand, his headache reminded him of migraines of old. Slowly memory crept back into his old brain. A voice in his ear and then a sharp prick in his neck; lastly an excruciating pain came from his hand and then all went dark.

  He was coming back quickly now. He raised his hand and laid it on his rotund belly. He looked over to his wife's bed and saw it was empty. The sun was out after a night of snowing. He looked at his bed stand clock and saw it was 9 am. He tried to speak but his throat was so dry only a squeak came out. He licked his lips and tried to swallow even a small amount of moisture would help. With his good right hand he threw back the covers and sat up feeling a little dizzy.