Already having checked Michael’s room, the brothers covered the other side of the apartment. A small living room along with a kitchen and two bedrooms took up the rest of the cramped space. They checked the living room first.

A couch, small television, and a coffee table took up most of the room. Nothing was use was found so they went to the kitchen next. There, they finally made progress.

"Frank," Joe spoke up in the silence, "I might have found something. Come here." Joe was kneeling beside an overturned trashcan. Pieces of notebook paper were scattered on the floor.

"What is it," Frank asked, "Why do you think it might be important?"

"It looks like a letter," Joe replied, "I don’t think we have time to put it together now. Let’s do it later." Frank quickly agreed and they moved to the other rooms. All that was found though wasn’t important enough to be considered clues.

Just as they were preparing to leave, the front door began to open. They quickly ran to the window and stepped outside onto the fire escape. Not a moment too soon, because someone entered the room just then.

There was a heavy silence and then running footsteps. The faint outline of a man stood in the window for a second. He had obviously seen the open window. Frank and Joe crouched under the window, hoping that he wouldn’t glance down anytime soon. Eventually, the man, seeing nothing, went back inside.

That’s when Joe’s cell phone went off. Hearing the sound, the man rushed back to the window. Seeing the two there, he reached into his jacket pocket. Both boys jumped up and headed down the fire escape once again.

Frank climbed behind the wheel behind the boy’s van while Joe got in beside him. Pulling out, they tore away from the parking lot. The ringing was still continuing so Joe picked up.

"Hello," he asked, "What do you need? That was really bad timing."

"Sorry," Vicki replied, "Look, we got some information for you two. Michael’s meeting us for lunch at the Ultimate."

"How did the meeting go," Joe questioned, and heard silence for a few seconds.

"It could have been better," Vicki admitted, "He denied who he really was at first, but we got it out of him. We only left because he promised to meet us. Can you head to the Ultimate now?"

"We’re on our way now," he told her, "See you there." He hung up and turned to Frank, who glared at him for a second.

"What," Joe asked, "What did I do this time?"

"Do me a favor," Frank said, "Next time we search a house, keep your cell phone off…or at least turn down the ringer."

Ten minutes later, Vicki and C. J. saw the two brothers enter the restaurant. They immediately spotted the girls and walked over. Michael wasn’t in sight.

"I hope I didn’t interrupt anything," Vicki apologized, "I just thought you deserved to be here when he arrives." Justin was sitting with them, still not quite sure why he was there.

"Never mind," Joe told her, "Do you know when he’s supposed to arrive?" Both girls shook their heads. "Look, I don’t think he’s suspecting we’re coming. Why don’t we be nearby, in case you need anything?"

"Sure," C. J. agreed, "He already doesn’t expect Justin to be here." The two had barely found another table when Michael walked in.

He looked around for a second before spotting them. He cautiously made his way over, like any sound would give him away. His hat was still pulled down low. Sitting down, he turned to face the girls.

"Okay," he said, "What do you want to know? I don’t have much time left." He suddenly saw Justin, "What’s he doing here?"

"What is he talking about," Justin spoke up, "Who is this?"

"Justin," C. J. stated, "This is Michael Ice, your brother." Justin didn’t say anything for a second. Then he reached out to briefly shake hands with Michael.

"This guy is my brother," Justin asked, talking partially to himself, "Where has he been all these years?"

"It’s a long story," Michael said, "and maybe I’ll tell you later. These guys have something against my father…our father. Something about helping put one of their gang in jail. He’s never forgave him about that."

"How long ago was this," Vicki asked, guessing what the answer was.

"Fifteen years ago," Michael replied, "I guess that explains my disappearance back then." Michael glanced out the window and stood up, "I have to go." Before the girls had a chance to protest, he had left.

Three guys were standing outside. One of them had Michael by the collar and was speaking sharply to him. The next moment though, everything changed as one of the men forcefully punched him in the stomach. Vicki jumped up from her seat and ran outside. By the time she got there, the men were carrying Michael to a waiting van!