"We had better find Jason fast...before things happen beyond our reach," Then he gave a dry laugh. "Things happening beyond our reach? We’re the ones that go around the world trying to fight terrorists, almost dying, saving nations, and I think a KIDNAPPING is beyond our reach?" He shook his head, and then sighed. For some reason, even the tiny joke hadn’t made him feel any better. *Brriiiing* The phone jolted Joe out of his thoughts.

"Hello?" he sleepily muttered.

"Joseph? Is that you? Are you still in bed? Don’t you know what time it is?"

"Ugh!" Joe took the phone away from his ear. He KNEW he should have let Frank have the phone on their joint line in his room! Now HE would have to talk to his peppery Aunt Gertrude! He could hear her calling, so he put the phone back to his ear.

"Hi Aunt Gertrude!" he said in what he hoped was a perky voice. "How are you this fine Saturday morning?" He gagged as he heard how perky his voice was.

"Why, Joseph, I’m fine, dear. I am going to be in town in a couple of days. I just wanted to talk to your mother. Could you give the phone to her?"

"Sure, but, Aunt Gerty, why did you call on mine and Frank’s private line?" he asked her.

"Frank and I, dear, and your home phone has been coming busy for the past forty-five minutes," she replied.

"Oh," Joe said, his brow furrowed in puzzlement. That was weird…even if his mom was on the phone they had call waiting. "Oh, well, hang on and I’ll give it to Mom," Joe got out of bed groaning, and forgetting he was still in his boxers. He stopped at the foot of the stairs and yelled. "Mom! Come get the phone!"

"You’re going to have to come down here, Honey! I’m feeding the babies! Joe sighed and padded down the stairs into the kitchen.

"Here," he said. His mom turned around and started laughing. Joe looked at his Mom, exasperated. "What’s so funny?" he asked. His mom was laughing too hard to say anything; she just motioned with her hands towards Joe. Joe looked down and realized he was in his boxers! He blushed bright red from the roots of his hair. He thrust the phone into his mother’s hand and ran up the stairs. When he was at they top of the stairs, he heard his mom give an excited. He rerouted his trip back downstairs, still in his boxers.

"What happened?" he cried. His mom waved him off, and he sighed. He went upstairs and came back down a few minutes later in an old pair of gym shorts. He started playing with the babies and waited for his Mom to get off the phone. As soon as she did, he pounced on her.

"What’s going on? Why’d you scream? What happened?" His Mom grinned.

"My, my, full of questions, aren’t we? You’ll find out soon enough!" Then her face sobered up. "Hon, aren’t you going to try and find Jason? How do you think you two are going to?" Joe sighed.

"I’m not sure, Mom. I’m just not sure…." Laura smiled sympathetically. She went over and hugged Joe fiercely, then let him go.

"Frank said to meet him in the park across the street. Why don’t you go on over?" Joe nodded and walked towards the door. "What about a shirt?" Laura called after him.

"Oh heck, the girls love me better this way!" He grinned mischievously at his mom and ran out. Laura sighed and shook her head. "Teenagers…" she thought to herself.

*********************

Meanwhile, Joe ran up the street and into the park. Soon, he found Frank sitting on a bench, leaning back. He looked terrible. Obviously, the problem with Callie was bothering him too. Joe went up behind his brother and started rubbing his shoulders. Frank jumped at his touch.

"Joe! You scared me!"

"Sorry bro," Joe said sheepishly. "What’s up?" Frank sighed and shook his head.

"Nothing. Callie and Vanessa will be here in a few minutes." He looked at his brother wryly. "That means you ought to go home and change!" Joe blushed.

"Okay, be right back," he replied, getting up and running off. A few minutes later, he was back dressed in a ‘Cool Dog’ t-shirt. Frank shook his head and sighed once again.

"You’re crazy," he murmured. Joe just grinned. Just then Callie and Vanessa showed up. Frank and Joe greeted them, and then got right down to business.

"Ok, girls, we have a job for you. Go right now, and take these letters to Chief Collig at the police station," he said, passing on one copy of the letter to each girl. The girls nodded, then left. Frank watched Callie leave, and then turned quickly away. Joe noticed this, but then said nothing. They returned home to wait for Chief Collig’s reply.

******************

About three hours later, they got a reply back form Chief Collig. They read it quickly, and then put their plan into action.

******************

About 5 hours later, they found themselves outside Chief Collig’s house. Frank motioned to Joe to put his hand into a cup. Then, taking a running leap, Frank boosted himself up onto the window. But, as soon as he jimmied it open, an alarm started!

"Huh? What?!" Joe said. "Didn’t Collig say he was going to turn off his alarm for us?" he asked.

"I don’t know!" Frank shouted frantically, still on the windowsill. Just then, they heard sirens. The brothers looked at each other.

"RUN!" they shouted in unison. Frank jumped down, then started to run after Joe, who had already taken off. But, then he tripped and fell. Joe stopped to and turned. He saw the police running towards Frank. He tried to go back and help him up, but Frank waved him off.

"Go!" he shouted. Heating his desperate, yet commanding tone of voice, Joe nodded quickly and ran. When at a safe distance, he turned back and saw Frank on the ground handcuffed. Though he was far away, he was still able to hear the police officer.