Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 George Douglas 08 - (The Rescue)

   Frank had been busy.  He'd helped Ken place the plastic explosives
around the shelter and had now removed the fuses that had been fitted; he
could have just taken out the receivers but this was easier.

   He tried to hide the fuses in a small room but found the door was
locked, so the only place he could put them was in a saucepan in the
kitchen; he placed a lid on the pan so that nobody would look in there.

   Pete had already been out for a copy of the Evening Standard and Ken was
searching through the personal columns looking for the advert.

   "Great here it is.  We're in business!" Ken exclaimed

   "Fuck!  I was looking forward to doing the Smythe bitch on film!" Pete
said in a dejected voice.  Ken smiled at him.

   "Don't worry once Joey's out we can have our fun with both the bitches!"
he said.

   "Yeah.  But how are we going to do that with Frank around?" Pete asked.
Ken smiled.

   "Hey trust me!  Frank will take the car and drive Pete to the new place
and then come back for us.  We'll have plenty of time to spend with the
girls.  I'll tell you this!  We're on the gravy train now!" and both Ken
and Pete laughed at this.

   Frank looked in on the two men and Ken waved him over.  "Look here
Frank, that man Smythe has agreed!"

   "Oh that's great then, we'll be out of here soon I suppose." Frank said
but he noticed that a small red light had come on in the corner of the
room.

   "Yeah.  You'd better pass the good news onto our guests, they'll be
happy to hear that," Ken told him - he wanted Frank out of the way so that
he could make more plans with Pete.

   Frank left the room and walked to the girl's room, as he moved through
the various rooms he saw that the camera lights were flashing on and off at
intervals.  `_The dammn fools are going to get Ken suspicious!_' he thought
to himself.

   He knocked on the door to the girl's room and entered.  Cathy looked at
him expectantly.

   "The advert is in the paper, but I think it's a blind.  You've seen the
cameras, haven't you?" he asked her.  She nodded, "Well I think they're
trying to locate all of us, so I think we can expect visitors soon!" He
looked around the room for anything to protect the girls.  And then he
turned to Sharon who was sitting on the bed.

   "Get up and go into that corner with Cathy." She looked puzzled at first
but Cathy grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her into a corner away from
the door.  Frank stripped off the bed and pulled the mattress over the
girls.  "This won't give you much protection, but anything is better than
none." He told them.  Finally he lifted up the bed itself and upended it so
that the framework covered the corner.  "Now whatever you hear!  Don't
worry!  Keep your heads down.  I think you're going to be out of here soon!
I'm going to close the door and move the chair in to the way." He went to
close the door but then turned and added, "Good luck!"

   The girls heard the door shut and then the sound of the heavy armchair
being moved.

   -----------------

   In an office across the town there were people watching monitors of the
bunker, one was speaking into a headset.

   "_Tango 3 is with Hotel 1 and 2.  Location Hotel room, repeat Hotel
room. Be advised Tango 3 appears aware of your approach.  Hotel 1 and 2
being placed into a safe zone in Hotel room.  Tango 1 and 2 are in Lima 1.
No sign of disturbance yet_."

   The swat team leader was hearing her voice as was the rest of the team,
DS Clark was out of the loop and wasn't aware of any of this.

   "Team leader, roger!" was the only word in response.  Atkins was working
at the plate quickly removing it.

   "_Tango 3 is blocking Hotel Room with chair, reason unknown!  Tango 1
and 2 still at Lima _1" the female voice was calm as if she was talking
about the weather.

   Once Atkins had turned the handle and the door was opened an alarm
sounded.  The Team leader looked into the open doorway.

   "Okay team, you've got your instructions.  Let's go!" and the squad
raced into the bunker.

   Pete and Ken were jerked out of their plans by the alarm.

   "What the fuck is that?" Pete shouted but Ken was already taking out a
remote control, he pressed a button and a loud bang sounded and the noise
of something falling could be heard.

   "Pete, get the girls!  We've got company and I'd like to have a hostage
here!  And don't forget your goggles" Ken told him.  Pete gave a nasty grin
and ran out of the room.

   "Tango 2 is out of Lima 1, going to Grand Central objective assumed
Hotel Room!  Repeat Tango 2 on way to Hotel Room." The voice sounded in all
the headsets.  The four assigned to retrieving the girls started to double
their speed.  But then Ken pulled his masterstroke.

   Pushing another button on the remote control disrupted all power to the
bunker.

   "_Team leader be advised, all vision out!  Repeat all vision out, you're
on your own_!"

   "Thanks control, over and out." The team leader pulled down a set of low
light goggles turning the bunker into shades of green and black, he turned
to Clark and said "You'd better stay here We ain't got another set of
low-lights for you." Clark nodded and held back near the doorway.

   When the lights went out Sharon started to whimper, Cathy pulled her
close to her body, "I'm here Sharon, don't worry." She whispered into the
girl's ear.  There was a noise from outside the room Frank and Pete's
voices could be heard arguing and then there was a gunshot.  And the
argument ceased.  A few seconds later the noise of the chair being moved
could be heard and then the door was bounced open.

   "Come on you bitches!  We've got another use for you!" Pete's voice
sounded in the room.

   ----------------

   Frank was prepared for the alarm and smiled when he heard the fuses
explode in the kitchen.  With any luck Ken would think that the plastic had
done its job, and the noise of the lid landing was also spectacular.

   When the lights went out Frank moved his hands to the small pack that
Ken had given him earlier.  Along with the gun was a pair of night-vision
glasses.  He took them out and put them on, the small infrared light
shining in the room like a dim searchlight.

   Movement from the main room caught his attention - a form entered and
resolved itself into Pete.

   "What's happening?" Frank asked, although he knew.

   "We've got company.  Ken's sent me to get the brats, we're going to show
these buggers that we mean business!" Pete told him.

   "No Pete, it's too late, if we give them up we might get away with 2
maybe 3 years." Frank tried to reason with Pete.

   "Fuck that!  Its either we go free, or the bitches get it right now!"
Pete said walking to the bedroom door.  He saw the chair.  "What this doing
in the way?"

   "Stopping you from getting to them!" Frank told him, as he walked slowly
to his brother.  Pete turned to look at him.

   "You got a brain cell loose or something?  Once we've got those girls
we're out of here now either give me a hand or piss off and take you
chances!" Pete moved towards the chair again.  This time Frank gave him a
hand - or rather a fist, as he punched Pete in the stomach.

   Unfortunately, although Frank was army trained and quite fit, Pete had
spent his life on the streets and could take a few blows.  He grabbed
Frank's fist as it started for another strike and threw his brother across
the room.

   "I always knew you were a wimp, Frank.  Now you're a dead wimp!" Pete
said as he drew his pistol and shot at Frank who was pushed backwards by
the force of the bullet.

   Pete now turned his attentions to the chair and started to drag it away
from the door.  He didn't check to see if the door was locked, he just
kicked at it.  The door flew open before him and hit the wall.  Pete walked
into the room and looked at the corner where the girl's bed had been
stacked.

   "Come on you bitches!  We've got another use for you!" Pete said and
started to walk to the bed.

   A single shot rang out and Pete crumpled to the floor.

   ----------------------

   Over the headphones the team heading for the girls reported gunshots,
the team leader quickly asked, "Who's the target?"

   "_No idea sir, the shots aren't aimed at us_!"

   "Imperative that the hostages are secured, proceed to Hotel Room and get
them.  Stay with them!" The team leader said, visions of the two girls
being shot by the targets were flashing though his head

   "_Roger team leader.  Approaching Grand Central, movement ahead of us._"
The sound of a shot was heard over the radios.  "_Team leader shot fired
into Hotel Room,_" and then "_*Drop your weapon armed police, armed
police.*_" Came over the radio as the team surrounded the gunman.

   "_Team leader.  Tango 3 down, wounded in shoulder.  Gun is away from
Tango 3 and arrest made.  Proceeding to Hotel Room!_" there was a few
seconds of silence and then, "_Team leader.  Tango 2 down and out of
contest.  Shot by Tango 3.  Repeat Shot by Tango 3_" There was a few more
seconds before the next report.

   "_Team leader.  Hotel 1 and 2 safe, repeat safe.  Will remain on guard
until power restored_."

   "Received.  Be advised Tango 1 is still at large.  Ensure continued
safety of Hotel 1 and 2.  Main team - search all rooms Tango 1 is somewhere
in the shelter, use caution.  Team leader out."

   It was an eerie search - carried out in an enclosed space with night
vision glasses and almost perfect silence then a cry came over the
headphones followed by silence.

   "Who was that?  Team sound off." A voice check followed but one was
absent.  "Atkins respond!  Atkins where are you!" The team leader made a
decision.  "Main team form up in Grand Central.  Hotel team!  Stay with
Hotel 1 and 2." Then power was restored to the shelter.  The light blinding
the swat team as their low-light goggles were overloaded and the sudden
sound of the alarm were sounding loud in their ears.

   ------------------------

   Ken had stopped as the man approached, he knew about the low-light
goggles and how they reacted to movement and light.  He had gone into a
room full of manikins - why they were there he didn't know but they were
useful - and by holding his breath and turning off the light on his glasses
he was just another man shaped object in a room of man shaped objects. 
When the masked man passed by Ken used his gun to club the man unconscious.
He tried to remove the uniform that his victim wore but couldn't take it.
`_Oh well_' he thought, `_time for plan B_'

   Ken reached for the remote control.  He looked at the unit and
positioned his finger.  With his other hand he removed his goggles and shut
his eyes.  He then pressed the button.

   He knew he only had a few seconds before the swat team would be able to
see again, so he quietly walked along the passage towards the exit,
although the sound of the alarm was covering any noise he might have made.

   `_There you are_!' He thought to himself.  `_All it takes is a little
forward planning and then I'm out of here, pity about Joey, but them's the
breaks_' He was almost in sight of the exit when a fist came from nowhere
and knocked him out.

   ---------------------------

   Clark was getting impatient, He wasn't one for just sitting back and
letting others do the work.  The girls were in danger and here he was just
waiting.  He didn't even have a radio to hear what was happening.

   When the gunshot sounded in the darkened void before him he got up. 
When the second one sounded he almost ran into the shelter, but then
thought better of running blindly into an area where armed men might shoot
at anything, so he placed himself just behind the door.

   When the lights came on he was dazzled for a moment, but his vision soon
cleared, he almost called out when he saw a shape moving towards him, but
then he recognised the figure as Ken Webb who was hustling his way out of
danger.

   Realising that Ken hadn't seen him and also that Ken was well known for
carrying a weapon, Clark took no risks.  He stayed behind the door,
shielding himself from Ken's view.  And as Ken rushed past Clark struck
out.

   -----------------------------

   Cathy and Sharon were frightened.  First Pete started to order them out
and then there was a flash and a bang and nothing else from Pete.  Cathy
wanted to move out from their shelter and try to make out what was
happening, but Sharon was crying away and needed comforting.  So she stayed
with her friend.

   Noises from outside the room could be heard.  "*Drop your weapon armed
police, armed police.*" And the noise of an object being thrown away which
made Cathy hope that Frank was still alive.  And then a sound inside the
room of something being moved slightly then another voice speaking.  "Team
leader.  Tango 2 down and out of contest.  Shot by Tango 3.  Repeat Shot by
Tango 3"

   Sharon screamed out when she heard this.  The noise sounded loud in the
small room.  Then the bed was moved away as was the mattress leaving the
two girls in view of the goggle wearing team.

   "Team leader.  Hotel 1 and 2 safe, repeat safe.  Will remain on guard
until power restored." Then in a normal voice, "Cathy.  Sharon don't be
scared we're here to rescue you."

   Cathy looked towards the sound.  "What about Frank?  Is he dead?" she
asked.

   "No.  Tango 3, I mean Frank Webb, is injured but he's okay.  It's Pete
Webb who's down.  Now we've got to stay here until Ken Webb is found so
we're going to be in the dark for a few minutes more, can you manage with
that?"

   Sharon held tightly to Cathy who moved her hand to brush Sharon's head,
"We'll be okay with that," she told the man, and the two girls sat down on
the ground and waited.

   Suddenly the lights came back on.  "Jesus Christ!" exclaimed their guard
as his hand went up to his goggles.  Sharon screamed as she saw the body on
the ground, its sightless eyes gazing at her and the blood forming around
the head.  Cathy pulled Sharon's head away from the sight and looked at the
three people surrounding them.

   "You should have covered him up at least!" she exclaimed and getting up
from Sharon she walked to the body and placed a blanket over it, hiding it
from Sharon's eyes.  As she was by the doorway she looked out to where
Frank was lying face down on the floor his arm tied behind his back.  There
was blood running from his shoulder.

   "Frank!" Cathy screamed out and ran to the man slipping past the man
guarding him.  "Oh Frank I'm sorry!" He raised his chin so that he could
look at her.

   "It's alright Cathy, you're safe now.  Go back and stay with Sharon, she
needs you," he said.  Cathy looked up at the man standing over Frank.

   "He's not a bad man and you should be helping him!" she said and then
stomped away from the bemused guard.

   "Please Miss don't do that again," the harassed leader of the small
group asked her as she returned to hold onto Sharon.

   The sound of a police whistle echoed through the shelter, and Clark
walking into the main room followed it.

   "Thought you might want to know that Ken Webb is now outside and in the
hands of the police.  Where are the girls?" he said to the team leader.

   "Jones?  The situation is clear here, bring the girls to Grand Central."
The team leader said into his microphone.  "Despatch?  Team here!  Require
ambulances and mortuary wagon one wounded, Tango 3 - shoulder.  And one
dead!  Tango 2.  Tango 1 in custody.  Hotel 1 and 2 unharmed please pass on
to control.  Team out."

   A groan from the doorway made everyone look up and then the team leader
said, "Bloody hell Atkins, who gave you permission to sleep on the job?"

   Atkins shook his head and then said, "Sorry Sir, just couldn't keep my
eyes open!" This broke the party up and relieved laughter echoed in the
shelter.

   While this was going on the girls were brought into the room, Clark
smiled at them and then signed `*Hello Cathy, that was a very brave thing
that you have done*' Cathy looked at his fingers and then signed `*Are you
deaf?*' Clark laughed.

   "No Cathy, but I have a deaf sister and she taught me sign.  But thanks
to you we've been able to capture all the Webb brothers." Cathy looked
sharply at him.

   "Not Frank, he's doesn't deserve to be locked up!" she cried out and
then looked surprised as Clark agreed.

   "No, indeed he does deserve a medal.  But there's going to have to be a
case brought against him you know, and he'll need a good lawyer.  Do you
know of one?" Cathy thought for a moment and then said.

   "Yes I do, I know the best one of all!"

   ------------------------------------

   Outside the Courthouse there were two ambulances and an enclosed
mortuary car.  Frank was uncuffed but secured on a stretcher.  As he passed
a police car Ken's voice could be heard.

   "So you're still alive are you?  Well I'll make sure you suffer!  I'll
tell them all about how you killed Wilson, then see how much your precious
wife and daughter love you!"

   Clark stopped the stretcher-bearers when he heard that.  He looked at
Frank.  "I know the truth about that." And he took out his small tape
recorder, ensuring that Ken could also hear, he played a small part.

   " . . .  _we all scarpered except for Frank who got grabbed by Wilson.
He ended up hitting a wall.  He was gone, flat out.  Well I couldn't let
the bastard get away with that!  So I takes a lamp and clobbers him.  Hard!
He goes down, but then the stupid bastard tries to get up.  Well by that
time Ken's in the room and he tells me to hit the bloke again, so I does,
several times.  Seems I went a bit too far `cause the next thing I knows is
he's dead!  Then Ken tells me to wake Frank up and make him think he's
off'ed the guy.  So I did and ever since then Frank's been sure that he's a
killer._"

   "_And you've never told him any different_?"

   "_What?  Why should I do that?  The wimp needed some backbone anyway! 
But it didn't do any good.  He split when he was eighteen.  Haven't seen
him since!  Don't want to see him again_!"

   Clark then turned to Ken.  "We're going to be adding further charges
against you, they will include complicity to murder and blackmail.  Frank
will be held on kidnapping charges but I'm sure there's extenuating
circumstances." He then allowed Frank to be loaded into the ambulance.  A
policeman went with him.

   The girls were taken to the other ambulance.  When Cathy protested Clark
had to talk to her.

   "I know you think that you're fine but the doctors will have to examine
you.  There might be after effects that you don't know about!  It's only
going to be for a few hours and then you'll be back with your fathers."

   ---------------------------

   Robert and George waited in Robert's office for news.  They had watched
as Frank had bundled the girls in to the corner.  Then when the screen went
blank both men called out.  Helen quickly ran in and tried pressing number
buttons before she turned round.

   "I'm sorry but they must have cut power, the camera's are down at the
moment." She returned the screen to the web page.  "When I hear anything
I'll get the picture back." And she went back to her desk.  Once there she
placed a receiver in her ear and listened to the swat team.

   Robert sighed as he sat waiting, "You know George I suppose I should
have listened to Veronica, then none of this would ever have happened."
George shook his head.

   "I don't think it would have mattered, these men would have tried
something else, they could have even killed you and then where would your
family be?" George asked him.

   "But what else could I do?  I'd accepted the case and I'd be damned if
I'm going to let them get away with this!" Robert was starting to get angry
and then he said in a calmer voice.  "I don't know George.  Should I carry
on with this?  I've got to think of my family.  If I thought they would
have taken Sharon I might not have tried so hard to get this conviction. 
Maybe I should just think about giving this whole lot up!" George looked at
Robert as if he was mad.

   "I wouldn't!  I know that the girls were in an awful predicament, but
they're pulling though.  Do you think that Sharon, or Cathy for that
matter, would want you to let these people get away Scott free?  No Robert!
We're trying to fight this type of person and if our hands and faces get
bruised while doing it then so be it."

   "But George, it looks like we're lucky this time, but what about the
next?  Even with the people we had they were still able to get the girls.
Who would they get next?  How could I hope to fight that?"

   "Robert you said it at the start.  Listen to Veronica!  She tried to get
you to have better security so learn from this!  We're solicitors!  We
fight in the courtroom.  If we need bodyguards at home then we'll have
them, until those against us realise that there's nothing that'll stop us."

   Robert smiled at that, "You're making us sound like we're in some army
campaign, we're not!  We're just solicitors."

   George nodded in agreement, "True, that's what we are.  But there's
nothing to stop us from trying our best is there?"

   "So you're telling me that I've got to continue with this?" Robert
asked.

   "Of course!  Anyway if you didn't you'll always be kicking yourself and
wonder if you did the right thing." George was firm in his answer.

   Robert nodded his head in agreement, "You're right of course George, we
have a duty to the law.  It sounds pompous I know but that is what it is.
And a dammed heavy duty it is as well."

   George chuckled at that.  "I know it is.  Boy do I know!"

   Then Helen returned, "I think we can have pictures back now!" she told
the two men and worked on the computer.  She brought up the girls' room and
it displayed three men positioned around the girls, and a blanket-covered
body on the floor.  Helen then pressed another button and the room outside
was shown.  Frank Webb was lying face down on the floor; his arms cuffed
behind his back, blood could be seen on his shoulder.  He was also guarded.

   A few more buttons showed a man creeping towards the main door of the
shelter.  Helen picked up a phone and started to dial.  Then the screen
showed another man, recognisable as DS Clark striking out and hitting the
man who was quickly surrounded by police.

   "Both the girls are safe!" Helen announced, "From what I gather Frank
moved them to a safe corner of their room and then stopped one of the other
men from getting to the girls!"

   Robert looked at George; "I don't understand some people!  Why would he
help to kidnap the girls and then try his best to defend them, it doesn't
make sense!"

   Helen interrupted.  "But Cathy told us why!  He's been blackmailed into
doing it.  He was told he did something in the past and they used it to
make him help them."

   Robert pondered this.  "It's not right that they could do that to their
own brother!  If I'm ever given the chance to help him I will!"

   Helen smiled - over the comm.  link she had heard Clark's meeting with
Cathy.  "If you're sure about that then I suggest you get ready to start.
DS Clark is arresting him for kidnap but that's all.  Frank Webb is going
to hospital now as are the girls, so you could meet with him and make your
mind up about him!"

   Both men got up and went to go to the door Helen spoke again before they
got there.  "I've already got a car waiting outside, the driver knows which
hospital they're going to.  You might even beat them there!"

   "Thank you Helen," George said and then something clicked in his head,
"Oh!  What happened with Watson?" he asked.

   Helen shook her head.  "Well he didn't like being told where to go by
Clark and he stormed out of the offices.  Should I have stopped him?"

   George considered and then shook his head.  "No!  Either he'll go to
another firm, or else he will learn something from this!  But from the way
he behaves he'll try elsewhere!  Helen, thank you for your help and I think
I'll be away from the office for the rest of the day." George looked for
Robert, but he was already gone, "And I think Robert will be the same!"

   George rushed away before Helen could acknowledge George's instructions,
but she went to Mrs.  Witherspoon and informed her of the situation.  The
elderly woman smiled,

   "I am glad for Mr.  Smythe, he's been so worried about his daughter and
it's been affecting his work!" Which surprised Helen, as she never thought
of Mrs.  Witherspoon as an observant person before.

   ---------------------

   Robert was already in the car and waiting for George.  He looked up when
the door was opened and George entered.  George wasn't surprised to find it
was the same one that he'd been driven in earlier that day.

   They sat and watched the city pass them.  The driver didn't seem to be
speeding, but he wasn't being held up either, George tried to look through
the windscreen to see ahead of the car but couldn't see through the
darkened glass.

   "Can I help you sir?" The driver's voice sounded from a speaker in the
compartment.

   "Err.  Yes.  I was trying to see what was in front of us!" George said.

   "Certainly sir." The driver replied, a panel slid down to reveal a small
television screen which came to light.  The view displayed was of the road
ahead where two police motorcyclists were leading the car through the
traffic.

   Robert stared at the screen in surprise.  "George, what type of person
uses a car like this?" George smiled.

   "You hid secrets about the partnership from me and have the nerve to ask
me that?" George said and then added, "Have you ever met any of the
owners?"

   Robert blinked and then said, "No, of course not!  Veronica's always
been our contact point, why do you ask?" George wondered if he should tell
Robert about the previous night, and then decided against it - it would
only seem to be boasting.

   "No reason, just curious that was all." And then changed the subject. 
"So did you mean what you said about Frank Webb?"

   Robert nodded his head slowly, "I do, but I want to have a few words
with him first, just to see what type of man he is, it might be that he
just knew which side to place himself for when the rescue was mounted."

   This got George interested and decided to play devils advocate, "And
what if it was just because he was feathering his own nest, then what? 
Would you represent him badly and get him sent down?"

   The look on Robert's face was all George needed, but the words drove
home the point.  "How can you ask that!  When I defend a client I act in
the best interest of my client.  At all times!  It's the jury and the
judges who decide if the people are guilty.  That isn't my job!"

   George clapped his hands in applause at Robert's answer.  "Well done,
that would be the perfect answer, but what about your true feelings?  How
do they matter in such a case?"

   Robert looked at George as if he was mad.  "George it doesn't matter
what I might feel about a person.  You've never worked in Criminal have
you?" George shook his head, "Some of the people we have to represent are
the worse of their kind, I'm sometimes ashamed to represent them.  But
that's what I'm supposed to do and, I'm sorry to say, some of them are
released into the world without any sentence." His voice dropped slightly,
"At times I can't sleep without worrying about those who go free!"

   George sat quietly for a moment, "Thank you Robert, now I know you're
the right person to help Frank Webb." Robert looked blank for a few minutes
and then sat back in the seat.

   "Well I'll be . . .  Why did you put me through that?" Robert asked.

   George chuckled at that.  "You didn't seem sure about what to do.  But I
knew that you were wrong, all I had to do was to make you realise that! 
Did I succeed?" he asked.

   Robert held up his hands in defeat.  "Thank you George, at least one of
us is thinking straight, at the moment that is."

   George's reply was lost with the stopping of the car.  Their door was
opened by a female in chauffeur's uniform; she saluted as they left the
car. George looked to see another similar car ahead of them also with
police motorcyclists with it.  He looked at the woman.

   "Special orders sir.  It was decided to bring Mrs.  Smythe and Mrs. 
Henderson here.  It was thought that they were needed." George looked to
where Sandra and Karen were standing by the entrance to the Accident and
Emergency area.

   Karen rushed up to Robert.  "Where are the girls?  They're not here!",
she was getting frantic with the worry.  Sandra went to George.

   "What's happening, George?  I get a phone call telling me that Cathy is
safe and to meet with a car outside.  What's happening?  Even Karen wasn't
too sure?" George hugged her tightly and told her all that he knew.

   While he was telling her two ambulances arrived and pulled up by the
unloading area.  The doors opened and a policeman climbed out of one, a
policewoman from the other where young female voices could be heard.

   "Look we're perfectly alright!  We want to see our parents!  Please let
us see them!" Sharon's voice was shrill in the ambulance.

   "It's alright Sharon, I'm sure mum and Dad will be there.  Don't worry!"
Cathy's voice was calm.  George, Sandra, Robert and Karen all rushed to the
ambulance doors to find the two girls.  Sharon holding onto Cathy, who was
acting as a big sister, she looked to the group as they arrived and then
shook Sharon lightly.

   "Sharon, look who's here to meet us," she said softly.  Sharon raised
her eyes and then pulled away from Cathy to scramble to her parents.

   "Mum, Dad - I was so . . .  I . . .  I missed you . . .  Oh Mummy!" she
was incoherent in her tears.  Robert and Karen didn't say anything to her
as they were crying in relief and hugging her.  Cathy smiled at the sight
and then gracefully moved out of the ambulance and went to George and
Sandra.

   "Hello Daddy, Mummy.  I'm sorry I was so long at the party," she said
with a smile on her face, but George could see that she was exhausted with
the ordeal.  She turned to face the other ambulance whose occupant was
being unloaded.  She pulled the pair over to the stretcher.

   "Mum, Dad this is Frank.  Daddy he needs someone to help him.  He didn't
want to kidnap us but his brothers made him.  Can you help him?  Please
Daddy, Please." Her face was turned to them, and it made George feel like a
heel when he had to answer.

   "I'm sorry Cathy, but I can't." At her amazed look he had to hold her,
"I don't know the first thing about criminal law, but I do know someone
who's willing to represent him."

   "Who's that?" She was looking at Sandra now who shook her head and then.

   "I am!" Robert's voice made her look around to Sharon and her family. 
Robert was walking up to Frank.  He looked at the policeman standing guard
over his prisoner, and wasn't sure how to handle this situation.  "Officer,
I am Robert Smythe, solicitor.  Can I speak with my client?"

   "Well, I'm not sure Mr.  Smythe, I haven't had any orders, except to
guard this man."

   George smiled, "Well you can make sure that I don't attack this man." he
said and turned to Frank.  "Do you want me to represent you?" he asked. 
Frank's mouth sagged open.

   "After all I've done?" He asked, "Why?"

   George was the one to answer, "Because of what you did while the girls
were with you, and because you defended the girls from your own brothers.
But mostly because my daughter wants us to help you." Cathy looked up at
her father and smiled.

   "Please Uncle Frank.  Let my dad help you!" Sharon's small voice sounded
from behind Robert and Sharon pushed pass her father to stand by Frank's
stretcher.

   Robert and Karen looked at each other the unspoken thought passed
between them `Uncle Frank!'

   Frank looked at Sharon; her tear stained face close to him.  He nodded
his head, "Alright Mr.  Smythe, I think you're mad but alright you can
represent me." And he fell back onto the stretcher.

   "If you people have finished we've got to get this guy looked at," the
impatient ambulance man said and they pushed Frank into the hospital.  The
policewoman took Cathy and Sharon in as well.

   -----------------------------

   Robert, Karen, George and Sandra went to the waiting room and, waited.

   After some time DS Clark arrived.  With him was a strange woman and a
young girl.  Clark took them to a white-coated doctor and had a few words
with him.  Then they went with the doctor into an examination room where
the constable was standing.  At Clark's instructions he opened the door for
them.

   After a few minutes the woman came out of the room crying with the girl
clutching at her skirt and saying "mummy don't cry he said he was all
right!" The woman sat down near George and his group.  Sandra realised who
the woman was and went to her.

   "Don't worry Frank's in good hands," she quietly said to the woman.  At
her words the woman's head snapped up and she looked at Sandra.

   "Who . . .  who are you?  And how do you know Frank?"

   Sandra reached out and held the woman in her arms.  "My name is Sandra,
now be brave and don't worry.  I want you to meet some people." She coaxed
Nichola and Kathy (for it was them) to meet Robert and George.

   "Robert, George this is . . ." Sandra paused and then Nichola spoke up.

   "I'm Nichola Webb and this is my daughter Kathy." George solemnly took
Kathy's hand and shook it.

   "How do you do Kathy?  I have a daughter called Cathy as well, and its
all thanks to your father." Kathy looked quizzically at George.

   "What did daddy do?" she asked.

   "He saved my daughter and Robert's from some bad men, that's how he got
injured," George told the girl who looked from George to Robert and back
again, then she looked to the room with the policeman outside it.

   "But that other man said that daddy was in trouble . . .?" her voice
faded out slightly, "Was that why he went away from home?" She looked at
her mother again who started to cry.  She looked back at George tears were
welling in her eyes as well.

   "Your father was very brave in what he did, and he will be back with you
both very soon," George said to her.  Her eyes flickered to the door, which
was now opened.  Frank emerged from the room on a wheelchair, his arm in a
sling.  The policeman was now walking with him.  Kathy ran to him.

   DS Clark walked up to Nichola.  "Frank is going to remain in hospital
overnight for observations, they've removed the bullet which is going to
forensics, just for checking.  He'll be taken to the police station
tomorrow for questioning and then a decision will be taken whether to hold
him in custody or release him on Police Bail."

   Nichola looked at Clark, "What does that mean exactly?"

   "It means that depending on how he answers our questions he could be
home tomorrow afternoon." Clark didn't expand on the answer he didn't want
to sugar-coat it.  Robert spoke up

   "I'll be with Mr.  Webb tomorrow Nichola, I may call you Nichola?" She
said that he could.  "I suggest you visit your husband on the ward, let him
tell you everything his way, it will be difficult for him at first but it
will help him." He turned to Clark, "You don't have any objections to that
do you?" he asked pleasantly.

   "None at all, from what I've seen and learnt of Mr.  Webb he's one of
life's good guys, I must admit I don't meet many in my line of work.  It's
a pity that his brothers weren't so nice." He looked awkward for a moment
and then spoke to George and Robert.  "I'm going to have to question your
daughters in a few moments, the doctors have given them an all clear but
I've asked if they could be held back until I've seen them." He held up his
hand to stop any arguments but then found that none were forthcoming.

   George spoke up after a pause, "It's alright Sergeant we knew you'd have
to interview them but we'll have to be with you when you do!" Clark looked
as if they'd suggested an orgy in the room.

   "Of course you have to be there, I'm just warning you that some of the
questions I have to ask may be embarrassing to all of us and for that I'm
sorry.  But they have to be asked." He looked at Nichola and Kathy, who had
returned by this time, "You'll be able to see Frank now." He told her, "The
office knows that you can visit your husband." Actually the officer thought
that Frank was a witness that needed guarding not a prisoner to be watched;
Clark was giving Frank a lot of leeway.  Otherwise he'd be handcuffed to
the bed and the officer sitting by the bed at all times with no visitors
allowed at all.

   -------------------------------

   They all arrived outside the side room where the two girls had been
placed, the doctor outside spoke to them.

   "The two girls have been well treated and are surprisingly well-balanced
after their ordeal.  There may be a few lingering effects for the next few
days but they should pass; they have been drugged but with a mild
tranquilliser.  Sharon has experienced some discomfort with that.  Don't be
worried if they get sleepy it's just a normal reaction after all the
stress. At the moment they should be allowed to rest for some time before
going back to their normal lives." He paused for a moment and looked at
Clark.  "I understand you wish to question the girls about their ordeal,
Well I would only recommend a short time, they should be able to rest
naturally."

   "I'll try to be as quick as possible doctor," Clark assured him before
they all entered the room.

   Sharon was lying on the bed with Cathy.  She smiled at her parents as
they arrived, "Can we go home now please daddy?" she asked

   "In a moment pumpkin, but first this gentleman wants to ask a few
questions," Robert told her indicating Clark.

   Cathy got up and looked at him.  "You were with the people who rescued
us.  You're a policeman."

   Clark nodded.  "I am, Cathy and I,m sorry but I do need some
information." Cathy smiled at him and pulled Sharon into a seated position.
Clark looked around and found some chairs for Sandra and Karen.  George sat
beside Cathy and held her hand, she squeezed it tightly.

   "Now how did Ken and the others take you?" Clark asked the girls and
they began their story.

   Clark stopped them at one point and asked Cathy, "What made you think of
Trudy?"

   She smiled at him.  "I knew that I'd have to get a message out to daddy
and that if I tried anything normal then they'd just stop me, so the only
way was to use sign.  And since Trudy's the only one who could understand
our shorthand I had to get her involved." She turned to George; "Does she
know that I'm free?"

   Clark shook his head, "I'm sorry Cathy but I didn't think about her,
I'll ensure that she's informed."

   George chuckled "Don't forget to give her a high speed ride as you
promised," he said to Clark who struck his forehead.

   "I did, didn't I, I'll have to make it up to her.  Now Cathy, how did
you find out about Frank's background and most importantly how you told
him?"

   Cathy nodded and told him how she'd listened to Pete and Ken talking,
and how she managed to get Frank to understand what had happened.

   "And it was then that you got Frank onto your side?" Clark asked but
Cathy shook her head.  "Oh no he wasn't really on anybody's side at any
point, I think he was protecting his family when he agreed to help Ken and
Pete, but when they took us he was the one who looked after us and I think
he protected us from Pete especially!"

   "I didn't like him!  His eyes always seemed to be watching me.  And I
didn't like the look in them!" Sharon said, "It was better when he was
dead," she added in a flat voice.

   Robert held her tight.  "I'm sorry honey, it was my fault that you were
taken, I'll make sure it will never happen again."

   She blinked, and then looked at him.  "I was scared daddy, but Cathy
wasn't, she really was the best!"

   Cathy tried to interrupt but Clark spoke up.  "I think so too.  It was
your clear thinking that made it possible for us to rescue both of you, I
hope your parents are both proud of you."

   George kissed the top of her head.  "Well I'm certainly proud of my
little cabbage, and wherever she is I'm certain that her mother is as
well."

   Clark looked at Sandra, who shook her head.  "I'm just marrying into the
family, but I'm always proud of Cathy, she's a singular child."

   "I'm not a child, I'm over 12!" Cathy pouted which made everybody laugh.


   Clark looked at George slightly puzzled, "Why do you call her cabbage?"
Which made George and Cathy laugh.

   "Well she's always been the brainy one and so I kid her that she's got a
head on her shoulders, just like a cabbage!  And it's just stuck I
suppose," was his reply.

   "Well she's certainly a hero in this," Clark said, "I'll have to talk to
you both again formally, but I think that will do at the moment." He stood
up.

   Cathy looked at him.  "Can we see Frank please?"

   Clark considered this.  "Well he still has his wife visiting him, but I
can't see that it would be too much trouble." Cathy smiled at him and took
Sharon's hand.  The two of them rushed out of the room.  Clark just looked
on as they ran out.  "They don't seem to be too concerned about the past
few days," he said, "But I'd keep an eye on them, you never know what might
develop."

   Robert got up and shook his hand, "Thank you for being understanding
with the girls, most people would have started to grill them but you just
let them talk it out."

   Clark smiled his appreciation, "This was just to make them feel at ease
I'm afraid, so that they won't mind talking to me in a formal interview,
you will be able to stay with them I hope?"

   George nodded his head, "Of course we will.  I think our work is going
to suffer for the next few days, but I'm sure the partnership will allow
that." He looked at Robert as he said that.

   "Too true, I'm afraid that this has shown me how much I need my family.
But I will want to be with Frank when he's interviewed." Robert added

   "Of course, I'm afraid I'll also need some background into this matter,
why the Webb's decided to kidnap the girls in the first place, that's if
you're able to tell me without client confidentiality interfering."

   "Certainly Sergeant, but I'll have to get clearance first of course, but
I'll give you all the details later.  First of all I've got to collect my
daughter and then I'll be going home." He took Karen's arm and the pair of
them followed their daughter.

   George held out his hand and shook Clark's "Thank you Sergeant, for
everything."

   ------------------------------

   George and Sandra followed Robert and Karen to an observation ward;
Frank had been given a side room.  The police officer was stationed
outside. "Are our daughters in there officer?" Robert asked him.

   "Yes sir, I wasn't sure whether to stop them but they said they had to
see their Uncle so I let them pass," the constable told him, when Robert
asked if it was all right for the four of them to enter he nodded and stood
to one side.

   Inside the room they found the two girls being held by Nichola.  she
looked up at them with tears in her eyes.

   "I'm so sorry," she started to say but Sandra went up to her and held
her.

   "You have nothing to be sorry about, the girls are safe and so is
Frank." Cathy looked up at Sandra,

   "We've tried telling her mummy but she wouldn't listen." She looked over
to where Kathy was staying with Frank.  She disentangled herself from
Nichola and Sharon and walked to Kathy.

   "Hello you're Frank's daughter aren't you?" she said.  Kathy just
nodded, "What's your name?  Mine's Cathy."

   "But that's my name!  I'm Kathy!" Cathy giggled and hugged the girl,

   "How do you do Kathy, so you're the girl that Frank was worried about
all the time he was with us."

   Kathy looked between Cathy and her father.  "He was?" Her voice was full
of wonder.

   "Yes he was, you're a very lucky girl, Frank's a wonderful man." Cathy
reassured her.  Kathy reached up and hugged her father who looked at Cathy.
"Thank you." he said to her.

   She just smiled back and went to where Sandra and Nichola were still
standing.  "You're going to have to be strong, but I'm sure it will all
turn out right in the end." Cathy told the distraught woman.

   "And I'm going to do my best to ensure that it does!" Robert spoke up as
he approached Nichola.  He handed her a card.  "Any problems just phone me,
anytime at all.  Understand?" She nodded and Robert walked to where Frank
was lying.  "And I'm going to be with you when Clark interviews you
tomorrow, but for now I suggest you get some rest, we're going to be busy
tomorrow."

   "Yes sir, I will.  But you still don't have to do this." Frank tried to
protest but Robert stopped him.

   "Yes I do, now rest.  That's an order." Robert smiled as he said that.

   Frank almost saluted as Robert said that but restrained himself, "Yes
sir," he just said and held onto Kathy.

   Cathy smiled at the girl in Frank's arms and said, "Goodbye Kathy, I'll
see you soon." And then she took George's hand and went with him and Sandra
out of the room.

   When they arrived outside the hospital George shook himself.  "I'm a
fool, I haven't got my car here.  It's still at the partnership." He said
to Sandra and Cathy, Sandra realised that she was in the same position.

   Their quandary was erased by the arrival of the female chauffeur, "Mr.
Douglas, Mrs.  Henderson, I have orders to drive you wherever you want to
go!" George looked around and then started to speak.

   "I'm not sure if Robert and Sandra are ready yet," he began but the
woman nodded her head.

   "That's okay sir, Gary is assigned to Mr.  and Mrs.  Smythe.  I'm your
driver, my name is Paula.  If you will follow me please." They were led to
one of the two cars that brought them to the hospital and Paula opened the
door for them.

   Once they were all seated in the car Paula spoke again.  "I've been
instructed to say that your vehicles are being picked up and transported to
your own homes.  This vehicle and myself are at your disposal.  Where would
you like me to take you?"

   George looked at Sandra and then at Cathy who shook her head, "Daddy
would you be too annoyed if I asked if we can go home, I need to sleep."

   George kissed her head and nodded, "Of course Cathy, we don't mind at
all." He looked at Sandra, "Can we drop you off at your house?" but before
she could answer Cathy said.

   "Mummy please come back with us, I need you to be there when I wake
up!", Cathy's eyes were pleading and so Sandra smiled at her.

   "Certainly Cathy, I'll be happy to go with you and George." George
looked at Paula and then smiled.

   "Home Paula, and don't spare the horses," she smiled,

   "Yes sir, I'll get someone to inform Master Henderson that you won't be
at home." Sandra thought for a moment before she answered.

   "If you can tell him where we are and that he's to meet us there, it
would be fine." She looked at George, "You don't mind do you darling."
George shook his head.

   "Not at all, we're going to be together sometime soon, so we better
start practising." He looked at Paula, "If you don't mind doing that for
us."

   She smiled and shook her head, "Of course sir, now I suggest you sit
back and relax, as your daughter has already." She shut the door to leave
George and Sandra to look at Cathy, who was fast asleep.