Title:  Kidnapped - Part 6a
Author:  Lynne Facella
Email address:  Mulderette@aol.com or Lynne1919@aol.com
Rating:  PG (language)
Keywords:  Angst
Spoilers:  Episodes through All in the Family
Archive:  Sure, just ask so I know where it is going.
Disclaimer:  All ER characters are the property of Warner Brothers, NBC, etc., etc.  (The bad guys are mine).
Summary:  Dr. Carter is held for ransom and an unwitting Dr. Benton gets dragged along for the ride.
Note:  Thanks so much to members of the ERFFCC for your comments and suggestions.  Kristen, thank you for your ideas that helped me through my writer's block.  Also thanks for everyone who has supported this series.  I really appreciate your feedback :)
 
 
After making a brief call to Kerry, Mark and Elizabeth sped back to the hospital.  Kerry was anxiously waiting at the front desk when they arrived back in the ER.  
 
"Let's go talk in the lounge," Kerry said discreetly as Mark and Elizabeth approached her.  
 
Dave, who was on the phone awaiting some lab results, scrutinized the three doctors as they walked towards the lounge.  "Hey what's up with the big powwow?" he asked Luka who was erasing his name from the board.  ' 
 
"I do not know, Dave," Luka remarked.  "I do not really think it concerns us though, do you?"
 
Dave shot Luka an annoyed glance.  "Just curious man, no big deal.  Yes, I'm still waiting," he said to the voice on the phone.  
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
In the lounge, Kerry was beside herself.  "No signs at all?" she asked. "Nothing?"
 
Mark sighed.  "Nothing Kerry.  Both their cars were parked outside.  Everything seemed to be in place.  They were just nowhere to be found." 
 
"It was really very eerie," commented Elizabeth.  She was very shaken by the fact that Carter and Peter were missing.  
 
"So what should we do?" asked Mark.  "Should we call the police?" 
 
"I don't know, Mark," Kerry said hesitantly.  "I'm not sure that's necessarily our place.  Maybe we should contact their families first."  
 
"All right," Mark nodded in agreement.  "Maybe we should go in person?  It seems kind of cold to blindside them with a telephone call."  
 
"I could go see Peter's sister," Elizabeth volunteered.  
 
"That would be good, Elizabeth.  Thank you," Mark said, giving her a small smile.  
 
"Mark, I would like to be the one to talk to John's grandparents," Kerry said. "Maybe they can get in touch with John's parents.  Do you mind terribly covering me here for a bit?"
 
"No, of course I don't mind, Kerry," Mark replied.  He reached into his pocket, pulled out the keys to his van and handed them off to Elizabeth.  "Good luck," he said softly, giving her a brief kiss.  
 
"Thank you, Mark," said Elizabeth.  She placed her hand on Mark's cheek, momentarily letting it linger, just grateful that he was safe.  "I'll be in touch."  
 
Mark watched the two very different red-haired women walk out of the lounge. He then took a moment to gather his thoughts and made his way back out to the ER.  
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Elizabeth rang the doorbell of Jackie's house one last time.  Obviously no one was home.  Discouraged, she turned away from the door and was met by a woman standing on the sidewalk, staring at Elizabeth suspiciously.  "Can I help you with something?" the woman asked.
 
"Perhaps you can," said Elizabeth, with a tentative smile.  "I'm looking for Jackie.  Do you know when she'll be home?"
 
"They're on vacation.  I've never seen you around here before." 
 
"Um, well no, I don't suppose you have," replied Elizabeth.  She pulled out her medical ID card and showed it to the woman.  "I'm Elizabeth Corday, a physician at County General Hospital.  I work with Jackie's brother, Peter." 
 
"Did something happen to him?" the woman asked with concern.  
 
"No...as far as I know, Peter's fine," Elizabeth answered vaguely.  "You wouldn't know any way for me to reach Jackie, would you?"
 
"No, no, they're driving down to Disney World.  They'll be gone for two weeks." The woman's eyes narrowed suspiciously.  "I'm sure she'll be in touch with Peter though.  He knew they were going on vacation."
 
Elizabeth thought quickly.  "I'm sure he did," she said, smiling brightly. "It's just that Dr. Benton is being presented a surgical award and we're planning kind of a surprise party for him.  I suppose it can wait until Jackie returns."
 
"Well I guess it will have to," the woman replied.  "That's nice about Peter's award.  He's a very smart man."  
 
"Yes...yes he is.  Well I won't take up any more of your time."  Elizabeth forced a smile as she made her way back to Mark's van.  "Thank you very much for your help.  
 
Elizabeth fumbled with the keys before she finally managed to get the door unlocked.  She slid into the van and noticed that her hands were trembling as she placed them on the wheel.  She took a few moments to compose herself and then started driving back towards the hospital. 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Kerry could not help being spellbound as she turned her car up the long driveway of John's grandparents' mansion.  Of course she knew that John came from a wealthy family, but it was hard to really fathom the extent of this wealth until you actually saw it with your own eyes.  Kerry got out of her car and made her way painstakingly up the front steps, pausing halfway up to rest her throbbing leg.  Finally she made it to the door and leaning heavily on her crutch, rang the doorbell.
 
A butler came to the door almost immediately.  "Hello.  Can I help you?" he asked.  
 
"Yes," said Kerry, giving the butler a tight-lipped smile.  "I'm Kerry Weaver, the Chief of the ER over at County General.  I was wondering if I might have a word with Mr. or Mrs. Carter.  It's quite urgent."
 
"Please come in," said the butler and he directed Kerry to a seat in the foyer. I'll inform madam that you are here." 
 
Kerry sat nervously waiting for the butler to return.  She looked around the opulent splendor of the mansion with its high cathedral ceilings and walls lined with beautiful works of art.  She had to wonder, with John growing up in this world of wealth and privilege, what exactly had compelled him to become a doctor.  Once again she started to dwell on John.  Wherever he was, she hoped that he was unharmed and would remain that way.  Her thoughts were interrupted by the appearance of Millicent Carter.  Kerry rose to greet her.  
 
"Hello, Dr. Weaver," Millicent said.  "What can I do for you?" 
 
"I'm sorry to come unannounced like this," replied Kerry, dreading the news she was going to deliver.  
 
"Please come into the living room," Millicent said, knowing full well why Dr. Weaver had come.  What she did not know, however, was exactly how much Dr. Weaver actually knew about John's disappearance.  
 
Kerry followed Millicent into the living room and the two women took a seat on the sofa.  
 
"Can I get you anything to drink?" asked Millicent.
 
"No thank you, I'm fine.  "Kerry clasped her hands anxiously in her lap. "Mrs. Carter, I'm going to come right to the point.  I'm afraid I have some rather disturbing news.  John did not report to work today and we have been unable to locate him.  Another doctor, Peter Benton, is also missing and his car has been found in front of John's apartment building."  
 
She looked expectantly at Millicent, waiting for some kind of a reaction. Millicent sat perfectly still, not reacting at all to what Kerry had just said. 
 
 
"I'm sorry," said Kerry, confused by Millicent's lack of response.  "But you don't seem to be very surprised by this.  Do you know something about John's disappearance?  Do you know where he is?"  
 
"No," Millicent shook her head slowly, wondering if she could trust this woman. She felt compelled to talk to someone about this abhorrent situation.  "Dr. Weaver," she began hesitantly.  "I would like to share something with you, but I need your word that you will not go to the police with what I am going to tell you."
 
Kerry felt her whole body tense as she braced herself for whatever it was Millicent was going to say.  "You have my word," she said softly.  
 
"John and Dr. Benton have been abducted," Millicent stated.  "They are being held for ransom."
 
"They've been kidnapped?"  The words struck Kerry like a blow as the color drained from her face.  
 
"Dr. Weaver, are you all right?" Millicent asked in alarm. 
 
Kerry quickly pulled herself together.  "Yes, yes, I'm fine," she said though her expression remained troubled.  "Who abducted them?" 
 
"I don't know."  Millicent fought to keep her voice steady.  "A man came to the house this morning.  He had...he had a tape with John's voice on it.  He demanded fifteen million dollars for their return.  I've been making calls all day to get the money together.  That man...that man implied that John had been hurt."  Millicent's voice caught.  "I just want him back safely." 
 
Kerry took Millicent's hand and patted it comfortingly, trying to absorb all that she had just heard.  "You're not going to notify the police?" she asked. 
 
"No," Millicent shook her head adamantly.  "He said they would be killed if I do.  I'm not going to take that chance.  I could never forgive myself if anything happened."
 
Kerry mulled that over doubtfully.  There was nothing to prevent the men from killing John and Peter this way either.  It seemed like a lose-lose situation. Kerry didn't say this out loud though.  She tried to give a reassuring look to Millicent.  "Let's hope they keep their word.  When are you supposed to give them the money?"
 
"He said that he would call tomorrow afternoon."
 
Kerry nodded thoughtfully.  "Does anyone else know about this?  Your husband or John's parents?"
 
"No.  My husband is out of the country on a business trip.  Millicent paused. "I did not feel comfortable telling him what had happened over the phone.  He would not agree with the decision I have made, Dr. Weaver.  Perhaps you don't either, but I feel this is my best chance to get John back alive.  The money is of no consequence.  I just want my grandson home."
 
Kerry could see how very deeply Millicent cared for John.  "What about John's parents?"
 
"They are unreachable at this time," Millicent said shortly. 
 
Just then the butler reappeared.  "What is it, Charles," asked Millicent.  
 
"I'm sorry to interrupt you madam, but Mr. Wellington is on the phone." 
 
"Thank you, Charles.  Please tell him I'll be right there."  She gracefully rose from the sofa.  "I'm sorry, Dr. Weaver.  I have to take this call.  It involves getting the money for John's release."
 
"I understand."  Kerry grabbed her crutch and used it to get to her feet.  She handed Millicent a card.  "Please page me right away with any news.  I'll be praying for John and Peter's safe return."
 
"Thank you.  I will do that," Millicent replied as she walked with Kerry to the front door.  "I appreciate you coming, Dr. Weaver.  John is very lucky to have people who are so concerned about him."
 
"A lot of people care about him," Kerry replied, squeezing Millicent's hand encouragingly.  "Call me if you hear anything, or if you just want to talk." 
 
"Thank you," Millicent whispered.  She watched as Kerry made her way down the stairs and then briskly walked to the den to take Henry's phone call.  
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Kidnapped - Part 6b
 
 
Bill, Frank and Tony sat in O'Leary's Pub drinking beers and munching on sandwiches.  It was only four in the afternoon, but Bill had decided that grabbing an early dinner might help calm their nerves and kill some time.  The day had been interminably long.  Once he had spoken to Mrs. Carter, it was just a matter of waiting.  He couldn't help feeling some guilt over Carter and Benton.  He had almost considered going back to see how the kid was doing, but had finally decided this was a bad idea.  
 
"Man, pretty soon I'm gonna be eating at some fucking fine restaurants," Frank said.  "I'm gonna order stuff like caviar and lobster and Dom Perignon, all that fancy stuff the rich people eat.  Yeah, it'll be great.  I'll take a different broad to dinner every night."
 
"Yeah, that sounds great," said Tony.  "Me, I'm gonna move out to the West Coast, maybe California.  I hate the snow.  I'll buy tickets to see the Lakers and the Dodgers.  I'll get really great seats and drink all the beer I want." 
 
'A fool and his money are soon parted,' Bill thought to himself as he listened to how Frank and Tony planned to blow their share of the money.  He was going to be very careful with his portion.  He would invest some in Real Estate and mutual funds.  Then he would travel.  He would finally be able to visit the places he had only been able to dream about.
 
The waitress came over to their table.  "Can I get you gentlemen anything else?" she asked with a pleasant smile.  
 
"Honey what I'd like to get from you ain't on the menu," Frank said, leering at the waitress.
 
"Shut up, Frank," Bill said, giving the waitress an apologetic look.  "Please excuse my friend."
 
The waitress gave Bill a tense smile as she dropped the bill on their table and hurried away.  
 
"I don't need you making excuses for me," Frank said glaring at Bill.  "You and your high and mighty attitude."  
 
"Come on Frankie, he didn't mean nothing by it," said Tony, trying to make peace.  
 
"Listen," said Bill staring icily at Frank.  "It's obvious that we don't like each other very much, but we just have to get along for one more day.  After that, as far as I'm concerned, we never have to see each other again."  
 
"Sounds great to me," Frank said.  He reached into his wallet for some money and tossed it carelessly on the table.  "Let's get the Hell out of here."  He got to his feet and angrily stalked out of the pub.  
 
"I'm going to go see if I can calm him down," said Tony.  He put down his share of the money and went to join Frank outside.  
 
The waitress came back to the table.  "All set?" she asked.  
 
"Yeah.  Sorry again about Frank's remark," Bill said sincerely.  
 
"Hey don't sweat it," the waitress said as she picked up the money and began clearing the table.  "We get his kind all the time.  You get used to it after a while."  
 
"Yeah, well you shouldn't have to," said Bill.  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a twenty dollar bill, which he handed to the waitress.  "For your trouble...Sheila," he said, reading her nametag.  "Is there a last name to go along with that?"
 
"Murphy, Sheila Murphy," she replied.  "But that really isn't necessary mister."
 
"I insist," said Bill as he firmly pressed the money into her hand." 
 
"Thank you.  Sheila gave Bill a grateful smile.
 
"It's nothing.  You have a good evening."  As Bill left the restaurant he decided that he would send an anonymous check to Sheila Murphy, enough money to give her some happiness, allow her to quit her waitress job if she so desired, make her life easier.  
 
Frank and Tony stood waiting outside the van as Bill came out of the restaurant.  
"Come on," Bill said as he unlocked the van door.  "We might as well just head on back to the motel."
 
Frank shot Bill a dirty look.  "It's way too early for that." 
 
Bill glared back at him.  "Does it really fucking matter?"  We'll be leaving town tomorrow morning.  Can't you just hang low for the rest of the day?"  
 
"No I can't," Frank replied in a nasty tone.  "Why don't I just drop you off at the motel and Tony and I can go out and get a beer or something." 
 
"Fine," Bill agreed wearily.  He wasn't really in the mood to quarrel.  He was just grateful that with any luck at all, he would never have to look at Frank's face again after tomorrow.  "Just don't do anything stupid like shooting off your mouth to anyone."
 
"Fuck you!  I'm not an idiot!"
 
"Can you two just chill out?" Tony asked, tired of listening to them bicker. 
 
The rest of the ride to the motel was silent except for the songs blaring from the radio.  Bill pulled into the motel parking lot and handed over the keys to Tony.  "I hope you use some common sense."  He gave Frank a long look as he got out of the van and started walking towards his room.
 
"I hope you use some common sense," Frank repeated in a high-pitched voice, mocking Bill.  He grabbed the keys out of Tony's hand.  "I'm driving," he said as he went over to the driver's side of the van.
 
"I can drive," Tony protested to no avail.  
 
"No, no...I'm gonna drive," Frank said with a gleam in his eye.  
 
"Where are we going?" asked Tony.  "We could always go bowling or go shoot some pool."  
 
"No.  I thought we could pay a couple of friends a little visit," said Frank with a snicker.  
 
Tony was absently gazing out the window when the meaning of Frank's words finally registered with him.  He glanced over at Frank uneasily.  
 
"Come on Frankie," he implored.  "Why don't we just go to a bar, watch the ball game and relax?"  
 
"Don't you worry, Tony," Frank said cackling.  "When we pay our little visit, it will relax me just fine.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Benton sat silently, keeping vigil over Carter.  He had been sleeping very restlessly amidst frequent fits of coughing, which had Benton concerned.  He wished he could think of something to do.  He hated just sitting in this cell, waiting, with no idea if anyone was ever going to come to free them.  
 
He focused his attention back on Carter who had just let out a little moan and was now looking bleary eyed at Benton.  "Guess we're still here," Carter murmured softly.  
 
"Yeah," Benton gently felt Carter's forehead.  "How ya doing?"  
 
"Thirsty," Carter mumbled, still struggling to become more alert.  
 
Benton hurriedly grabbed one of the water containers and poured Carter a drink. "Here you go," he said.  He supported Carter's upper body and helped him drink.  Carter drank some water and then laid back down, the small effort having totally exhausted him.  
 
"Are you in a lot of pain?" Benton asked, noting how pale Carter looked.  Every movement the younger man made seemed to cause him to wince or grimace.  
 
"I can handle it," Carter answered weakly.
 
"Yeah you're a real tough guy, aren't you," Benton commented with a small smile.  He wanted to look at Carter's shoulder but decided it was better not to disturb it, as he had nothing at all to redress the wound with.  
 
"Dr. Benton?" Carter asked.  "Can I ask you something?" 
 
"Yeah, sure.  What is it, Carter?" Benton asked.  He noted that Carter was breathing very heavily.  He hated this feeling of helplessness that he had. Carter belonged in the hospital and there was nothing Benton could do about it. 
 
 
"Why...why were you at my apartment?"
 
"Huh?" Benton gave Carter a puzzled look.
 
"The other night...why were you there?  Why did you go to my apartment?" 
 
"Mark told me you had gone home sick," Benton said shrugging.  "I don't know. I just had a bad feeling about it.  I felt like something was wrong, so I decided to check on you."
 
Carter looked at Benton, silently absorbing this information.  "I bet you're sorry now," he finally uttered with a look of despair, closing his eyes. 
 
"Carter!  Carter look at me," Benton demanded in the same commanding tone he had used hundreds of times when Carter had been his student.  
 
Half-heartedly, Carter opened his eyes, meeting Benton's gaze.
 
"The only think I'm sorry about," Benton began, looking at Carter intently, "is that you are injured and I can't do a damn thing to help you.  I'm sorry we are in this situation, Carter, but I am not sorry I went to your apartment.  I am not sorry that I'm here with you now."
 
"Thank you," Carter said, touched by Benton's words.  Although Benton didn't wear his heart on his sleeve, Carter did know how much his former teacher cared about him.  It had been made very clear to him after the stabbing.  
 
"I hope that someone will come for you."  Carter was suddenly overcome by another fit of coughing which left him breathless by the time it abated.  
 
"Carter are you okay?" Benton asked, unable to hide the worried look on his face.  
 
Carter nodded, still trying to catch his breath.  
 
"Listen man, someone will come for *both* of us," Benton said, gazing at Carter intently.  "You'll be okay, Carter.  You have to be."
 
"Sure," Carter nodded again and wrapped the blanket tighter around his body as a chill ran through him.  He didn't want to bring Benton down, but he could tell he was getting worse.  His strength was slowly ebbing away, everything hurt.  He still had a bullet in him and for all he knew, the wound was becoming infected also.  He didn't want to die, especially not here in this tomb-like cell, but he was afraid he was going to.  
 
Benton sighed.  Carter looked extremely young, vulnerable and scared to death. He wished he could think of some words to reassure him.  Carter was a doctor though and he knew the score.  Benton also didn't believe he was letting on just how bad he was feeling.  He picked up the bottle of ibuprofen and shook three into his hand.  It was hard to judge time-wise if Carter was due for more, but Benton didn't want him to start burning up again if it could possibly be avoided.  
 
"Carter, can you take these please?"  Benton asked.  He once again helped him to sit up and Carter obediently swallowed the pills.  
 
"Thanks," Carter murmured drowsily.  He was about ready to drop off again. 
 
"You get some rest, Carter," Benton said, patting his arm gently. 
 
Suddenly, Carter and Benton were startled by the sounds of muffled voices coming from the hallway.  Next, they could hear the sound of a key in the lock. They watched the door with a combination of apprehension and hope.  Their hearts sank though when a hand waving a gun appeared followed by Frank's evil smile.  
 
"Hello boys," he said, chuckling.  "Are we having fun yet?" 
 
 
End of Part 6