Chapter Nineteen: Found

    Jim’s hand was shaking as he dropping the receiver back in the cradle. “The FBI are on their way,” he said.
    He stared hard at the young man standing between Dan and Mart.
    “Did you have to do that?” It was almost a whisper.
    “You’re lucky that’s all we’ve done,” Mart snapped.
    “We need his help, Mart, and that of his friend.” Mr. Wheeler forced himself to speak calmly.
    “His friend was pretty forthcoming when the police talked to him this time, other wise we’d still be looking,” Jim said grimly. He was having a hard time coping with the fact that Trixie was missing too, even if they did now have a good lead. Coming back to the apartment to find her gone had led to another sleepless night for the already worried group. 

    Because she’d left a note, they’d waited a couple of hours before starting to really worry. Then they contacted both the police and the FBI. They eventually learned from Sarah Wallace that a girl who was obviously Trixie, had gone off in a cab at the same time the Whedons left the lot.
    Armed with that information, the authorities had contacted the cab company and put out a bulletin for the Whedons’ Firebird. Now, they had a plan in place, but with the kidnappers having made contact, it was crucial they used caution in attempting to rescue their friends.
    Peter Belden left his wife’s side and moved to stand beside Matthew Wheeler. “So what do you think we should do now?”
    “The agents will be here any moment,” Dan said swiftly.
    “Yes, but I still have the money and if I think for a moment that their plan might fail, I won’t hesitate to hand it over.” Mr. Wheeler’s tone was harsh. Part of him wanted to take over completely, but he knew that the authorities were better placed to make decisions than a frantic father.
    Both Madeleine Wheeler and Helen Belden turned tear-stained cheeks towards their respective husbands, and Diana, who was seated between the two women, squeezed their hands, hoping to provide some comfort.
    “So we wait,” Jim said with a sigh of resignation, hoping against hope that the nightmare was almost over. If the information they’d obtained was accurate, then it soon should be.

    Trixie, unaccustomed to the enforced captivity was feeling restless. She wrinkled her nose. “I think I smell.”
    “Don’t,” Honey begged. “Think how long I’ve been here; I can only imagine what I must be like.”
    Brian grinned at them both. “Well, I’m glad you ladies have your priorities sorted out.”
    Trixie poke her tongue out at him. “You don’t smell too good yourself,” she retorted pertly.
    “He’s perfectly fine,” Honey cried, unable to stop rising to his defence.
    Trixie laughed. “You’d think he was fine if he’d been swimming in the sewers.”
    “Well, he would be,” Honey said, undaunted.
    “You’d better not expect all this adulation to continue once we get out of here,” Trixie admonished, giving her brother a very gentle poke.
    “Honey can do and say anything she wants, here and anywhere else too,” he said, reaching across to finger what was left of Honey’s cut lock of hair.
    “The FBI said sometimes they completely shave the heads of kidnap victims, so it’s good they didn’t do that,” Trixie said without thinking.
    Honey eyes grew wide with horror, and Brian shook his head.
    “My sister, master of tact and bearer of good tidings.”
    “Sorry, Honey,” Trixie said. “I just meant, you can’t even really see what they did, though it did totally freak us out, when we saw it, your actual hair, I mean, and it could have been much worse, though Jim said he didn’t care if you came back bald,”
    Honey gave a small cry of protest and Trixie hurried on.
    “Not that he wanted you to be bald, or that he didn’t actually care if you were bald, just that he’d rather get you back bald than not at all.”
    “Something we can all agree on,” Brian noted drily.
    Honey laughed suddenly. “I think I know what you mean, Trix.”
    “Proving your mental acuity has been in no way damaged by this experience,” Brian said grinning.
    Trixie was about to make a smart reply when they heard their captors return.
    “We need to borrow the heiress for while,” Neil said, roughly grabbing Honey’s arm as the three walked into the room.
Both Brian and Trixie moved to their friend’s side.
    “Take it easy,” Lee said. “This will only take a minute. Daddy wants to hear her voice before he pays up.”
The three Bob-Whites exchanged concerned glances.
    “Why can’t you do that here?” Brian demanded
    “We don’t exactly trust you, or at least we don’t trust Little Miss Nosy, over here, not to give our secret location away.”
    “But Honey could do that anyway,” Trixie said, not wanting her friend to be separated from them. “We won’t say anything.”
    “You know,” Lee said, moving closer to the young girl. “We’re not sure how much she saw when she ‘escaped’, but we trust her a touch more than we trust you. If she knows Kenny’s in here with his faithful friend, then she won’t say anything. One thing she has proven is she won’t risk him,” he said with a nod in Brian’s direction, “to save her own skin. My guess is she wouldn’t risk you either.” He pulled Honey from Neil’s grasp and led her outside, leaving Brian and Trixie to stare after them worriedly.

   
    “We can’t all go, just in case we’re not right,” Jim said with a lot more confidence than he felt. Now that they were so close, he just wanted to get on with it.
    “Madeleine and I will stay here with Mart and Diana,” Peter Belden offered. He was still trying to come to terms with what was happening, and he didn’t think Honey’s mother could handle what might lie ahead without some support.
“Simon will keep an eye on them,” Sergeant Ryder added, with a look at his colleague.
 Simon Hamilton nodded.
    The FBI had wanted them all to stay behind, but Matthew Wheeler had predictably baulked at that. An agreement had been reluctantly reached.
   
    “We’ll contact you as soon as we know anything,” Agent Briggs said.
    They split into two groups. Mr. Wheeler, Mrs. Belden, Jim and Dan in the car Mr. Wheeler had hired, and the authorities leading a stunned-looking young man to an unmarked vehicle.
    Several minutes later, Matthew Wheeler snapped his cell phone shut, his freckles standing out on his pale face. “That was Honey,” he said, slumping back against the upholstery.
    “What?” Jim almost lost control of the vehicle and just managed to steady it.
    “The kidnapper did as I asked, that was my little girl.” He was having trouble forming words, and Helen Belden, her own eyes filled with tears, gave his arm a comforting squeeze.   
     “They’re all okay, at least that’s what Honey said. She said the three of them are together, they’re all right, and they just want to come home.” He shook his head. “She was very sorry that we all must be so worried.” At that, there wasn’t a dry eye in the car, as the occupants considered the fate of their three friends and the sweetness of the girl they all loved, who still seemed to be more concerned with others rather than herself.

   
       The door opened, Lee pushed Honey back towards her friends, and the three drew close. “She did just fine,” he said. “Didn’t even cry, though I bet she wanted to.”
    “Three million dollars! You know, I bet Daddy would have paid a whole lot more than that,” Neil laughed.
    “Look, you’re going to get what you wanted. Why don’t you just leave us alone!” Brian held out his hands to both his sister and Honey, and they each clasped one gratefully.
    “Still taking charge, still looking out for the girls. No wonder our—” Neil began.
    “Shut up, will you!” Lee’s eyes blazed with anger.
    “Maybe we should go,” Ken said, looking at the door anxiously.
    “They’re not dropping the money here. Quit panicking,” Lee said.
    “Then why hang around?” Trixie asked.
    “Right, just go away!” Honey added, her hazel eyes blazing.
    “I swear there are things I should have done to you,” Neil said, glaring back at her.
    “Why don’t you just go and fetch your money?” Brian said. “All we want now is to get out of this place.”
    Suddenly Neil grabbed the gun from Ken. “You are not all walking out of here!” he shouted.

    Ken backed away and even with the balaclava covering his face, the others could see that he was unhappy with what was happening.
    “Put it down,” Lee warned as he spun around. “It’s not what we agreed.”
    “I don’t give a damn,” Neil said. “The money’s not enough, not by half. They should pay in blood, the way we did. I’ve listened to you for too long. All I need to do is to decide which one of them to shoot.” He moved the gun back and forth from one terrified Bob-White to the other. “She’s a nosy, interfering little brat,” he snarled, pointing the gun at Trixie. “And I’d like to shut her big mouth permanently, and she,” he spat as he swung the gun in Honey’s direction, “has everything— a spoiled little rich girl upbringing, looks, some brains and even a whole mess of friends, including her very own Superman.” Slowly, he levelled the gun at Brian. “You are just too good to be true aren’t you? Except you are for real. Never made a single mistake, have you? Always do the right thing.” He laughed bitterly and nodded toward Honey. “ She’s such a loyal little goody-goody, if I kill you, she will never recover. It will destroy her and that will destroy daddy dearest, and that makes everything perfect.” He adjusted his stance and carefully aimed the weapon.   

    Neither Trixie nor Honey hesitated, each launched herself in front of Brian, and Brian, sensing their intention, thrust himself forward, desperately trying to block their efforts. The three collided and landed on the floor in a tangled web of limbs, but instead of the explosive sound of a gunshot, the only sound in the room came from their bodies hitting the hard surface and from the series of gasps uttered by those present. The Bob-Whites anxiously examined one another for signs of a wound as the truth slowly dawned on them.
    It dawned on Neil as well, and he stared across the room to where Ken stood in the corner. Ken took a step towards him and, although he trembled slightly, faced the angry young man.
    “I took the bullets out,” he said simply.
    Neil gave a howl of rage and flung himself on top of Ken, fists flying. Lee hurried to try and separate them.
    Trixie nudged a winded Brian. “Now’s the time,” he said, as if reading her mind and Honey nodded her agreement. The three scrambled to their feet, but before they could take action, the door flew open and Agents Briggs and Beech burst into the room, with Jim and Dan hot on their heels.
    “Trix!” Jim shouted.
    “Get them,” she shrieked, indicating the struggling men.
Jim and Dan stood back for a moment as the agents moved to secure the three men. Just as Jim and Dan took a step towards their friends, Matthew Wheeler came running into the room.
    “Daddy!” Honey called, her eyes filling.
    Trixie felt her own eyes prickling, and when her mother followed on the others, heels, allowed a few tears of her own to fall.
    Mr. Wheeler and Mrs. Belden hurried over to gather their respective children in their arms.
    Over her mother’s shoulder, Trixie saw another person had entered the room; his eyes were wide with amazement and he shook his dark head in disbelief.
    “Tim Whedon?” Trixie said, shaking her own head.
    Tim continued to stare at those around him. “You really weren’t kidding,” he said to Dan.

        As he registered the meaning of what he was seeing, Brian carefully stepped away from his mother and, reaching for Honey’s hand, gently detached her from her father’s embrace. Slowly, the two young people moved forward to stand before their captors. “If he’s here, then we would really like to know, who you are.” His dark eyes were narrowed and his voice steely.
    “Let’s see shall we?” Agent Briggs’ tone was grim. He reached down and pulled off Lee’s mask and Agent Beech removed Ken’s.
    “The mysterious man on the bus,” Trixie and Honey said together, the latter offering her friend a congratulatory nod.
    “Mick Andrews!” Brian and Jim exclaimed in genuine surprise as Ken’s real identity was revealed.
    “Sorry, I’m sorry,” Mick mumbled.
    Agent Briggs turned his attention to Neil and roughly removed his balaclava.
    “Kyle Waters!” The Bob-Whites chorused as Kyle’s bruised and scratched neck was revealed.
    “I knew that family was trouble,” Trixie said.
    “Actually, his name is Adam Campbell, and this is his brother David,” Agent Beech said.
    “Call this in, Jessica,” Agent Briggs instructed.

    Jim was unable to contain himself any longer. He rushed over to hug his sister and kiss her on the top of the head and grabbed Brian’s hand briefly before running to throw his arms around Trixie.
    “Oh, Trix, how could you?” he cried, tears shining in his green eyes.
    Dan wasn’t far behind him. He touched first Honey and then Brian, saying over and over again, “We’ve found you. You’re okay now.”

    Matthew Wheeler took in the details of this place where his only daughter had been held and had to fight a feeling of nausea. He stepped back to examine the scene, laying a comforting hand on Helen Belden’s shoulder as he did so. Brian and Honey turned away from the kidnappers and back towards their family and friends. The rescuers stared at the rescued.
Trixie’s face was flushed and dirty, her clothes wrinkled, and Honey’s clothes were dirty and wrinkled too. The normally put-together girl was pale and wan, her normally shining golden hair lank and tangled, and across her left cheek was a large yellowish bruise.
Jim’s sharp eyes took in the ugly mark, and his jaw tightened and he turned, his eyes raking the kneeling cohorts furiously. “Sis,” he said, turning back to Honey, his voice cracking

    Still holding tightly to Honey’s hand, Brian led her toward the others, and as the light hit his face, his friends gasped in horror. Handsome, neat, always well-presented, Brian Belden moved awkwardly, his face covered in marks and bruises. Similar marks were visible on his neck and forearms.
    “Brian!” Helen Belden cried, her knees literally buckling. Matthew Wheeler steadied her, but his own legs felt suddenly weak at seeing the physical evidence of the kidnappers’ abuse.
    “Oh, Mrs. Belden, it was terrible.” Finally, Honey’s pent up emotions were being unleashed as she continued, “He’s been so brave, the bravest man in the whole wide world, and they hurt him, so badly.” She burst into tears and Mr. Wheeler reached for his daughter.
    “I’m not the only one they hurt.” Brian knew his own voice was unsteady, but he was just about out of whatever it was that had held him together for so long. “Honey’s arms must be covered in bruises, I just couldn’t stop them grabbing her, and she got that,” he paused as he nodded toward the side of the Honey’s face, “saving me. She could have escaped, got away but she wouldn’t leave me.” He shook his head and met Matthew Wheeler’s horrified gaze. “That is one courageous daughter you have there, sir.”
    Mr. Wheeler nodded, barely able to speak, and Helen Belden wrapped her arms around her son, marvelling, not for the first time, at his sense of courage and honour.
    “You didn’t have it all your own way, did you?” Agent Briggs looked down at Neil/Kyle/Adam in disgust.
    The watching group surveyed the angry young man’s wounds with some satisfaction. A large bruise ran along the underside of his jaw.
    “I got this courtesy of the princess,” he said, his lip curling and his blue eyes narrowed. He glared at Honey.
    “I beg your pardon?” Matthew Wheeler said in total amazement and everyone stared.
    “Is that true, sis?” Jim asked, bursting with pride.
    Honey nodded and looked from the man who’d terrorised her to the one who’d protected her. “He should have some bruises on his legs too. Where I kicked him. I’m only sorry I didn’t do more damage.”     
    In spite of the situation, Dan laughed out loud and after a moment, the others joined him.
    “That explains why you were wearing that scarf in the café,” Trixie said. “I thought it was odd. Di was right, it wasn’t that cold—not inside.”
    Agent Beech re-entered the room, accompanied by another young male agent “We’re ready for them now, sir.”
    Agent Briggs nodded. “Agent Fletcher will remain here at the scene. We’ll see you people later. The ambulance should be here any minute now, and Sergeant Ryder is on his way.” With a quick nod to the others, the two shepherded the now-subdued kidnappers from the room.
    “Tell us what happened!”
    “Oh, what did they do to you?”
    “Are you really alright?”
    “Where you here the whole time?”

    As soon as the kidnappers were gone, everyone seemed to come alive and spoke at once. Brian held up his hand. “I know you all want to hear everything, but if nobody minds, Honey and I, and Trixie too, all want to get out of here.”
    Dan and Tim Whedon led the group back through the maze of corridors, up the stairs and to freedom.
    MBW:MAIN                                                                                                                                                                                                                    NEXT

Author's notes:  Dana continues to work through my comma challenged word-mass and offer insights and encouragement at the same time.
Word Count. 2977
    Disclaimer: Trixie et al belong to Random House and not to me. No profit is being made from these scribblings.