In the elevator, she clung to Brad. 'Do you think Lyndon could have seen the broadcast?' she asked. 'Would he understand what's happened to him?'

'We must believe that he has seen it,' Brad held Tessa protectively. 'Hopefully, our choice of words will be a comfort to him.'

'Bentley have those detectives called with any leads?' Tessa enquired.

'They have called. No information from them. Just questioning whether there has been contact as yet.'

'We're leaving right away to Surrey,' Brad spoke. 'Call Wolf. We need an update in Surrey. Oh and call the hospital, find out when Stacy will be discharged. One more thing Bentley, speak to Hastings to set up a suite for Stacy's mom. She will need to be transported from Kent.

'I want to go back ---there,' Tessa stated.

Brad looked at his wife, feeling her pain. He also knew going back to the Thames was not going to give them any answers. They needed to study the CCTV footage to track Lyndon's kidnappers' exit route.

'Darling---,' Brad started.

'Now,' Tessa demanded defiantly. 'If you don't take me, I will go by myself.'
Her eyes were filled with tears, but she was bravely fighting. He could hardly deny his wife, not at this moment when she looked so vulnerable.

'I will take you my love,' Brad's thumb cleared away the tears forming at her eyes. He pulled her into his arms, and just held her tightly.

'You will use the helicopter sir?'

'Yes,' Brad nodded. 'We move to Surrey from the Thames.'

Tessa walked around the area where she had found Lyndon's cap. Her husband and Bentley watched her with concern, but she was oblivious to any attention focused on her. She seemed to be murmuring under her breath. She did not want Brad. She did not want conversation. She stood at the point where Lyndon was dragged away and turned in the four different directions as if trying to contemplate which direction they had headed. She slumped to the floor and covered her face with her hands and sobbed heart wrenchingly.

Brad immediately rushed to his wife, 'Tessa, let me take you home,' he lifted her into his arms. She was pleading with Brad, begging him to find their son. She wanted him to do everything possible to find Lyndon. She hid her face against his shoulder, totally helpless and desperate. Brad felt equally helpless. He cursed himself for the hundredth time for not assigning security to protect his son. He was doing all he could to find his son, in between ensuring his wife was safe from harm and danger. He carried her gently back to the helicopter.

When they got home Tessa headed straight to Lyndon's bedroom, as Brad guessed she would. Wolf was waiting for Brad together with a covert team of professional hostage negotiators. He informed Wolf he would be five minutes and trailed behind Tessa. She picked up Lyndon's favourite stuffed toy and held it closely against her chest. Tessa walked to the mini sofa near the window and curled herself onto the seat. Brad followed her in and dropped to his knees.

'Darling why don't you lie down for a little while?'

'I don't want to rest until Lyndon is back,' she spoke quietly.

'Can I fix you a bath?'

'No. I want my baby. That is all I want,' her eyes pleaded with Brad.

'Sir,' Bentley knocked on Lyndon's door apologetically. 'Ms. Bertha Reed is here.'

Brad directed an enquiring look at his wife. He was not sure if his wife wanted to be alone or if she was prepared to accept Bertha's company.

'Please allow her to come through,' Tessa politely answered.

'Yes ma'am,' Bentley gently replied.

'Bradley!' Aunt Bertha exclaimed hysterically.

'Thank you Bentley,' Brad's voice was strained.

'My boy what on earth has happened?' Aunt Bertha's voice was filled with anguish.

'Aunt Bertha,' Brad rushed into the kind old lady's arms and sobbed like a baby.
Tessa felt tortured for her brave husband. All this time he had been holding it together for her, putting on a brave front for everybody else. He wanted his son back just as much as she did, yet he ignored his own pain and need to take care of her. She should have been there for her husband, Tessa admonished herself silently.

'I swear, I'm going to kill them with my bare hands,' Brad growled angrily.

'Hush my boy,' Aunt Bertha patted Brad's back as she held him tightly. 'I did not bring you up to act violently or engage in criminal activity,' she spoke softly. 'Now, I believe you are wanted downstairs.'

Brad turned around to check on his wife. Tessa stood up and opened her arms to Brad.

'I'm sorry,' she whispered. 'You needed me.'

'We need each other,' he murmured holding onto Tessa tightly. 'I should go down stairs now.'

'I will come down just now,' Tessa murmured. Brad nodded and departed.

'Thank you for being here Aunt Bertha,' Tessa offered a brave smile.

'My child, how could I not be here? Oh that sweet innocent baby, but don't you worry Bradley will have him back. Mark my words, baby Lyndon will be found very soon.'

'I want to believe that,' Tessa whispered. 'That is all I pray for right now.'

'Come here,' Aunt Bertha wrapped her arms around Tessa. 'Lyndon will be back before you know it. Just hang in there. I know it feels like hell right now, but be strong my child.'

'Yes,' Tessa whispered.  Fresh hot tears blurred her vision.

      'What's the matter rich boy? The cat suddenly got your tongue,' the big ugly man laughed at Lyndon.

Lyndon slowly moved further back on the wooden pallet as the second big man returned.

This is the man that had kicked Stacy. He had hurt Stacy.

Lyndon had heard Stacy cry from the pain. His daddy would be furious at a man hurting a lady. Lyndon had felt bold talking to the first ugly man, but this man looked uglier. He did not smile or talk. He was also violent.

'Eat,' the second man threw a packet at Lyndon. Fearing the man, Lyndon reached for the packet and found it contained a meat pie. He was hungry. It was a long time ago that Stacy had given him something to eat. His momma would not approve of this fast food, but his tummy was rumbling.

'I think he's afraid of you Skyler,' the first man laughed. 'He was yapping a mile a minute before you got here.' The man called Skyler glared at Lyndon.

'Wrench tell the crew, we sail in twelve hours,' the man called Skyler announced.

'Hurry up boy,' Skyler instructed. 'You need to take a photograph.'

'Can I wash my hands?' Lyndon asked nervously.

'What for?' Skyler thundered.

'I must wash my hands before I eat,' Lyndon replied.

'Your rich boy is well trained,' Skyler laughed.

'Here,' Wrench gave Lyndon a plastic bottle of water. 'Wash in there,' he pointed to a filthy bucket.'

'Thank you,' Lyndon washed his hands and bit into the pie. It tasted awful. It seemed like it was cooked five days ago. Afraid of the man called Skyler, Lyndon ate with haste. He wanted to throw up afterwards, but kept it down with difficulty.

'Good, now we take a photo.' Skyler spoke. He handed Lyndon a copy of the afternoon's edition of GR. Lyndon looked at the big picture on the front page of his daddy and momma. His momma was smiling, but she looked sad.

My daddy is coming to fetch me just now momma.

'Come here,' Skyler instructed Lyndon. There was fear in Lyndon's eyes. Was that man going to eat him now? Would his daddy come before the man ate him? Trembling, Lyndon stood up.

'Hold that newspaper upright,' Skyler took out his phone from his pocket. 'Smile,' Skyler offered a sinister grin.
Lyndon's lips moved, but his face was taut and his eyes fearful.

'That should do,' Skyler pushed Lyndon roughly. He fell back onto the uncomfortable pallets. Lyndon breathed with relief.

My daddy is coming for me. My daddy is coming for me. My daddy...

'Rich boy,' Wrench called out.

'Yes?'

'I said go to sleep.'

Lyndon looked down at his clothes. He was still wearing street clothes. Surely he can't sleep in that.

'Momma is going to give me a bath and I still have to brush my teeth.'

'Sleep!' Skyler's voice whipped through the air. Lyndon scrambled under the filthy blanket. It smelt like rotten vegetables. Lyndon shut his eyes tightly. The solitary light in the container went off. Guardedly Lyndon opened one eye. The two men were huddled together and talking softly. The television was on again.

Momma!

Lyndon saw an image of his mummy on the screen again. It was too soft he could not hear her. He was too afraid of Skyler to ask Wrench to put it louder. At that moment Skyler turned around, Lyndon quickly shut his eyes.

'Where'd you get that beauty from?' Wrench drooled over the fancy cell phone.

Skyler offered one of his rare wicked grins, 'borrowed it from a teenage girl on the bus. Don't think I'm going to give it back though,' he turned it around a few times admiringly.
'Time to make the call,' Skyler stood up and walked outside.

       'Anything?' Brad asked leaning over Wolf to view the footage they had been studying for hours. Brad's study resembled a high tech security organization's head quarters. There were rows of monitors, high tech surveillance gadgets and specialist forensic analysts studying the CCTV footage.

Lauretta felt rather important constantly serving copious amounts of filter coffee; tea and refreshments to the operatives. Brad had requested Lauretta to prepare something for his wife. Tessa was not going to want to eat. Brad was going to force it down her.

'The only vehicles in the vicinity at that precise time was a courier's car and two pick up vehicles.' Wolf stated. 'The courier's car checks out. He was collecting a package. His documents were in order. The one pick up vehicle was delivering fresh produce. We have still not found the second pick up,' Wolf finished.

'What does that mean?' Brad questioned with some hope. 'There were no cameras where that vehicle exited?'

'Or it is still somewhere on that premises,' Wolf offered.
'You think they're holding my son somewhere in one of those buildings at the Thames?'

Wolf nodded, 'that's my haunch. Lyndon is being held very near where he was abducted.'

'So what are we waiting ...' Brad stopped talking when his mobile buzzed. He looked at Wolf. The others stopped working and drew closer.

'One second,' Wolf raised a finger in the air. He signalled to his men. A device was handed to Wolf who took Brad's mobile and inserted it to the device.
'Answer,' Wolf spoke quickly. 'Keep them on the line for forty five seconds.'

Brad nodded and clicked the answer button, 'Brad Blakely,' he spoke calmly and clearly.

'We have your son,' the frosty, bored voice responded.

'Is my son okay? Is he alive?' Brad demanded to know.

'For now yes,' Skyler threatened. 'We want fifty million Pounds in exchange for your boy. You have four hours. We will call you back to let you know the drop off point.'

'Wait! It is almost midnight. The banks are closed,' Brad stalled.

There was a cold cruel laugh over the line, 'your name opens doors, even the doors of the banks.'

Wolf circled his index finger in the air, signalling to Brad to keep talking.

'How do I know my son is alive? I want to speak to him,' Brad demanded.

'There is an envelope being delivered to you. That's all the proof you need,' the line went dead.

Brad swung around angrily. He could not have been more than twenty seconds on the line. Hell he did not even get to speak to his son. Why the hell didn't he keep ...'

'We got it,' Wolf interrupted Brad's thoughts.

'You got the location?' Brad's face lit up.

Wolf shook his head. 'The vicinity, of where the call came from.' Wolf's expression was grave, 'not necessarily that Lyndon is in the same location.'

Brad raked his fingers through his hair. 'My instincts tell me my boy is there at the Thames. There's an unaccounted for vehicle. The call has just come from there. We now know what the ransom is,' Brad pursed his lips.'

'You're not intending to pay the ransom are you Mr. Blakely?' Wolf enquired.

'I must say, I expected a demand of at least double that,' Brad stated. 'Not that the Bank of England keeps that amount in reserve. It's been flown in from Hong Kong and Japan.'

'Mr. Blakely I'd advise you not to pay the ransom.'

'Advice noted,' Brad scrolled down his mobile. Wolf had no indication whether Brad Blakely was going to heed the ransom demand or not, but if he already put into motion shipping the currency into the country, chances were he was going to pay it.

'I take it we have to call Scotland Yard,' Brad spoke again.

'What will your conversation entail?' Wolf enquired.

'Just to inform them of the call received and the ransom demand.'

'Good, they need not know of our intel.'

'Off course,' Brad raised an eyebrow. 'As my wife alluded to earlier you have broken many laws and made us accomplices.'

'I'm going to check out that location. I will brief you in thirty minutes,' Wolf stated not responding to Brad's comments.

Brad looked at his wristwatch, 'I'm just going to check on my wife.' As Brad stepped out of his study, Bentley was approaching him.

'Bentley what the hell are you still doing here? Go home,' Brad demanded.

Bentley half smiled, he seemed to recall another occasion, when his boss went on an alcoholic binge, was self exiled in this very same study and had fired Bentley.

'Yes. Mr. Blakely,' Bentley replied and stood his ground.

'Mr. Blakely,' Lauretta came striding in next. 'I've prepared a jug of chicken soup for Mrs. Blakely.'

'Lauretta, you are also still awake?' Brad sighed, taking the tray from her. 'Please, I want you to prepare a room for Bentley and then I don't want to see the two of you until seven in the morning.'

'Mr. Blakely,' Lauretta spoke sadly, 'we are just as concerned as you about baby Lyndon. We love the little fellow with all our hearts,' she sobbed.

'I know,' Brad swallowed painfully. He embraced his cook comfortingly, 'but I want the two of you to get some rest.'

Lauretta narrowed her eyes at Bentley. 'Come,' she instructed him. 'I will show you to your room.'

'Good night sir,' Bentley knew his boss would not be needing him tonight. His mind was focused on his son's rescue mission, and he had more than ten capable operatives to assist him.

'Good night Bentley. Good night Lauretta.'

'Good night Mr. Blakely.' Lauretta hoped her boss had taken some supper from the meals she had served in his study, but it was a vain hope. Brad's only meal had been the breakfast he had had with his wife and son that morning.

Brad rushed from his bedroom to his son's. Tessa was in neither room. He had hoped she had been resting. The bed had not been slept in. He set the tray down and walked to the room Bertha was resting in, thinking perhaps Tessa was there. That room was in darkness and very quiet, Brad thought to knock, then decided against it. He turned the handle quietly and walked in. Bertha was alone and fast asleep. Brad strode out again. As he marched back to his own bedroom, his mobile buzzed. The security detail that he had reinstated to protect his wife were calling him.

'Where is my wife?' Brad questioned.

'Sir, we've followed her here to the Thames.'

'Followed her? What is she doing there? How long has she been there?'

'Sorry sir,' the bodyguard was apologetic. Their brief was only to protect Tessa Blakely. Not to report on her whereabouts. Brad had been explicit that he did not want his wife spied on. Their sole function was to protect his wife. However this was an extraordinary situation. Mrs. Blakely was unsafely sitting in the freezing temperature in the dead of night on the bank of the River Thames.

'Sir, Mrs. Blakely drove herself here. She is just sitting on the grass here. She's been here about an hour sir.'

'I'm on my way,' Brad slipped on a jacket and grabbed his keys.

'Darling,' Brad lifted Tessa into his arms. She was chilled to the bone. All she had on was a pair of denims and a T shirt.

'Did you find my baby?' Tessa's teeth were chattering. Her voice was hoarse. Her eyes begged for good news. She was oblivious of the freezing cold or the fact that her body temperature was pretty close to zero. Brad removed his jacket and covered Tessa with it.

'What on earth are you doing here my love? Are you trying to freeze to death?'

'I don't want the jacket,' Tessa shrugged it off. 'My baby does not have a jacket on.'

'Sir,' one of the bodyguards came closer to Brad. 'We did offer Mrs. Blakely a jacket, she declined. We wanted to take her home. She did not want to go,' the body guard spoke gently.

'Let's go home darling,' Brad cradled Tessa in his arms and returned to his car. He instructed one of the guards to drive Tessa's vehicle home.

No,' Tessa fought with Brad. 'He's here. Lyndon is here,' she wrestled with Brad, not wanting to enter his car. 'My baby is here. I'm not leaving him here by himself.'

'Darling we have more than ten highly trained special operatives combing within a twenty kilometre radius of this place. If our son is here they will find him.'

'No, maybe they will overlook a spot. Maybe they will bypass him.'

'Tessa they do not become special operatives by taking short cuts or ignoring detail,' Brad held her firmly. 'I have had a call from them,' he whispered close to her ear.'

She looked up quickly. 'Is our baby okay? Did you talk to him? Did they feed him something?'

'Not here darling,' Brad murmured. 'We will talk at home.'

'Whose vehicle is this?' Tessa asked as they stopped in their circular driveway in front of their spectacular home. Though it was very late in the evening, the picturesque garden was well lit up, exhibiting beautiful flowers; trees in various coloured leaves and a cascading water fountain.

'I don't know,' Brad's tone was a little annoyed, as to why security has permitted them entry. 'I will see you upstairs then attend to whoever is there.'

'Perhaps it's news about Lyndon. I want to be there.'

'Tessa, you need a hot bath and rest. Lauretta has made you something to eat.'

'Let's see who's here first,' Tessa was adamant.

The second Brad opened the door, their guests were hurrying to them, 'Tessa, we came as soon as we could.'

'Mummy!' Tessa removed Brad's arm from around her and rushed forward. 'What are you guys doing here?' Tessa looked from her mom to her dad.

'How could we not be with you right now,' her mum's eyes filled with tears.

'Oh mummy. It's just horrible. It's like just one big nightmare. I'm hoping to wake up and realize, it's not true,' Tessa sobbed.

'I'm so sorry darling. I am sure we will have Lyndon back very soon. Just be strong honey.'

'Tessa,' her dad touched her shoulder gently.

'Daddy,' she went into his arms. It was the first time in her entire life, Tessa remembered that her father was there, available for her in a time of her need. Better late than never, she thought silently.

'We shall have Lyndon back, I promise,' her dad stated firmly.

Brad inhaled heavily, watching his wife. She would not bathe or rest now, not with her folks here. He was rather pleased her mom was here. They would help him be supportive to his wife. Right now, she needed all the support she could get.

Tessa slipped her hand into Brad's. 'Can we go into the lounge?' she murmured.

'Don't you want to rest for a little while,' Brad knew she would not.

'Later,' she pleaded.

'I'll get some refreshments organized,' Brad guided everybody into the lounge.

'Shall I make coffee Mr. Blakely?'

'Lauretta, you are still up?' He was thankful for the Cook's presence.

Lauretta took Tessa's hands in hers compassionately, 'shall I warm up some soup for you Mrs. Blakely?'

Tessa shook her head, 'just some coffee thank you.' Lauretta looked at Brad, reluctantly, he nodded. He wanted his wife to have some nourishment as well, but it will have to wait.

'Oh mummy, I'm terrified now,' Tessa cried out. 'I hoped we would have Lyndon back, by the afternoon but ... but, oh God I feel so helpless. I know Brad is doing everything possible, but I want my baby back.'
Brad's eyes became glassy. He hated seeing his wife this way.

'I don't want to ... live if anything happens to my little boy ...'

'Tessa!' Brad lifted her into his arms. 'Nothing ... is going to happen to our boy. He will be back with us. Do you hear me? '

'Darling I am so afraid,' Tessa clung to Brad. 'I just can't think about what is going through Lyndon's mind. Why are the police not talking to us?' Tessa searched Brad's eyes.

'They are investigating Tessa,' Brad spoke patiently. 'The minute they know something, so will we.' Brad did not want to tell his wife, he suspected Wolf and his team would probably have information before the police.

'You mentioned they made contact,' Tessa enquired.

        -end chapter fifteen-