Bulletproof Heart

Mikey's POV

A couple of detectives came by within the hour. They left their names, phone numbers, and the obvious instructions to report back to them if there was any new development. They spoke to us like we were 5 yrs old and showed little concern about her disappearance. I understood that officially it didn't look that serious. She'd been missing for less than 2 hours, nobody heard or saw any sign of a struggle, but she was up here hiding from her crazy step dad for Pete's sake! Police always start with the 'maybe they just stepped out or ran off' theories although even they had to admit it wasn't likely. She was excited about her brother arriving and she was running to the door to let him in. Why on Earth would she leave?

Her other siblings, Patrick and Pete, had managed to change their flights to red eyes that would arrive in the morning. No one had heard from Linda although all 3 boys had left messages. Her step father John hadn't called either. He'd evidently talked to the police briefly but there were no calls to see how his sons were holding up. Hmm. Didn't these parents care about their kids at all?

Hailey and I seemed to be the only ones that hadn't noticably unraveled. Brendan was the worst. He sat on the floor, and stared at the wall in front of him. He didn't respond until the 3rd inquiry and even then it was only with a shrug or a blank stare. Ray and Gee weren't much better, but at least they replied.

"Hailey," I motioned for her to move to the other part of the living room. "Don't you find it odd that the boys' dad hasn't called anyone here? Isn't that what parents do? Call their children, see how they're doing in times of crisis? He's the boys' father and Billie's been here the whole time Frankie's been missing. John was supposed to be so close to Frankie. Something's up with him and I'm going to find out what is."

"You know, you're right. I've been so fixated on trying to take care of them that I didn't really think beyond basic needs. What about their mom? I don't think anyone has called."

"No. Think the boys' mom passed away. As cliche as it sounds, the situation with Frankie and her mom is complicated. I don't know enough to explain it properly. Besides, it's really not my place to tell you. If you and Brendan last, no offense, she should be the one to tell you." She nodded.

We walked back over to the others. "Hey, Brendan." I tried to get his attention, while I internally sighed at his apparent lack of response. I gently shook his shoulder, as I stood fairly close to him. Not too close. Nobody wanted a Personal Space Invader in their face. "Uh, Bren, What's John's last name?" That surprised him enough that his head lifted up toward me.

"Uh, Palmer. Why?"

"I think I'll see what dirt I can dig up on him. It might give us a clue as to wear Frankie could be. At least researching gives me something to do. Beats waiting around for something to happen."

"You think John would actually go as low as kidnapping her?" The idea seemed to have shocked his out of his grief coma and put him in a state of agitation.

"I don't know. You guys are the ones who know him. Would he?" A sharp silence followed. Billie finally broke it.

"Well, he has done things lately that we had no idea he was capable of. So, I think it's pretty obvious we don't r-r-really know – h-him." His voice broke a few times. It was a little hard to hear him since he mostly faced his lap. I hadn't stopped to consider that one of John's sons news about their dad, the confirmed stuff and the possiblity that he kidnapped the step sister they loved very much. At at the same time, they were worried about Frankie's disappearance. The fact that they all immediately believed her over their dad tells me just how much they love her.

"Family isn't always blood. It's what you make of it. You may have to search for years, but once you have them, it's worth everything. We will always be here for each other." Hailey smiled showing her adorable gap. Hailey and I got up, flanked Billie and hugged him in an effort to comfort him. He lifted up one of his arms and rested his hand on Hailey's left forearm. He did the same with his other hand on my right forearm, and gently squeezed. "I will always be here for all of you, no matter what. Whether or not Bren and I decide to keep seeing each other or not." Billie was softly sobbing, but he looked up at Hailey and whispered thank you. She was kissing his forehead very motherly, when I noticed movement with my peripheral vision on the other side. Turning my head, I saw Gee and Bren holding on to each other for dear life and trying their best not to cry. Yes, we were all family now and I guess we were able to comfort each other after all. Mission accomplished.

*
*

Frankie's POV

"You need to go to the police. I think they'll understand once you explain everything. Then they can straighten everything out so that you don't have to worry about the safety of your family anymore. I'm sure they could be put in protective custody. They have Witness Protection, right?"

"Are you crazy? 1St of all, Witness Protection isn't something that is guarenteed or immediate. 2Nd, even if you don't count our past crimes, we KIDNAPPED 2 GIRLS! Sure, we were being blackmailed and I'm pretty sure we wouldn't have gone through with it. But even if you don't turn us in or press charges, do you think for one second that little miss witch over there won't? Nothing changes the fact that we DID take you girls and keep you against your will. If we wanted to go the police route, we would've had to go straight to them instead of your house." Bert paced in the small portion of empty floor available in the hotel toom. "It's like when someone accidentally kills someone, but panics and hides the body. If the body ends up turning up, they end up in jail not for murder but because they hid it."

"Bert, you have a lot of power with those pictures and videos. Didn't you say those women were married to important men? Men who own a portion of the police?"

"Yeah, but..."

"She's right, Bert. We could probably get the protection of 5 of the most powerful guys."

"Mike, you of all people should understand the risks of going to these guys. Sure they can help us if they don't kill us 1st. I think we'd be better off taking our chances with the police. Do you have any idea what is involved in setting up a meeting with one of these men? You don't just call an office and schedule a visit with their secretary. They probably won't even see a few unknown people."

"But, you forget I'm not exactly a nobody." They both nodded in agreement before they realized what I was saying. When they did, both their heads quickly turned to look at me. The room was quiet for awhile. Bert paced, Mike pretended to browse the internet, Lindsay slept. 2 pair of eyes stayed focused on me.

"Well? You brought up the topic.... care to explain what you're talking about? "Somebody" girl. Or are you just referring to the fact that your step dad has money?" I laughed. Now the 2 pair of eyes looked at me like I was confused.

"I'm still not sure how much I can trust you. I'm sure you understand that."

"Fair enough. Can we have a hint? Do you have a plan? We just want legal jobs and safety for out families, ourselves and you. Honestly." I nodded. He seemed like he was telling the truth. He started reaching for his wallet and took out a picture of a young girl with braces. Adorable. "Her name is Christie. She's my little sister. Going to college to study botany. She's going to find ways to treat diseases and stuff without harsh medicine like they do today. I save a little every month for her tution for she'll have plenty when it comes time." His whole face lit up when he was talking about her.

"She is the cutest, smartest little thing." Mike piped in. My heart melted. I really hoped this wasn't a bad idea.

"Ok, this do NOT leave this room." They nod. "In fact, I'm nervous to say anything in front of Lindsay, unless... Well, maybe that can help us. I don't have a step dad with money. HE has a wife with a lot of money and a step daughter who has even more. Did M. Tell you my last name?" They shook their heads. "Ever heard of Frank Iero?"

"Who hasn't? The man was a legend, a legend taken way too soon." Mike was starting to get it, even as he was still speaking. "Are you..."

"Yeah. I'm Frankie Iero, Frank's only child. I miss him so much. He was a musical legend of course, who taught me everything I know about music. But he was also the best dad in the world, always making sure that touring and interviews never got in the way of family time. We were with him the entire last year." Mike came over and hugged me. I jerked away for a second then melted into it.

"Is this ok? I'm not trying to be creepy. I lost my dad young to cancer too. How old were you? I was 7."

"9 and thanks. You just surprised me. I've had a lot of guys siddle up to me to use me, even when dad was alive. I was a small child. At first, I thought they liked me but soon found out they just wanted to meet dad, see if he could help them in the biz or when I got older, just wanted to be seen with me."

"Sorry, kiddo. That sucks." He ruffled my hair and went back to his seat. "Also, I don't go for girls half my age.

"Believe me, many do. So, I have a plan. Do you both trust me?" They looked confused. "I mean, my idea requires me to walk around like a normal, untied human being. Taking off is not even in my best interests right now. So, do you trust me?" They hesitantly nodded. "I also feel we really need Mikey. He's an actual genius.”

"Who is he? Can we trust him?"

“Oh yeah. My boyfriend's younger brother, but he'salso my friend too. He's amazing. He's always trying to hide how smart he is. He finished high school in 2 years and he has already been offered full scholarships to every Ivy League college. They're actually fighting over him because he's so special.”

"Can you contact him without seeming suspicious? And what are we going to tell people about you vanishing and then suddenly reappearing?"

"Relax. I plan to blame as much as possible on John. The rest I'm still working out. So, about the guys who are going to help us." Bert gave me an uncertain look, which I ignored. "If you have any way to reach them or even know a place where any of them tend to be, I know an approach that just might work. My perference is for me to meet them with one of you while the other watches Sleeping Beauty. If that doesn't work, I'm sure at least one of them owns a bar or club. Worse case scenario, we find out where one of the wives frequents. Nail or hair salon, gym, something. And we're going to need a few extra flash drives. "

"Got it."

"Thanks Mike." Bert just shook his head, not sure if he accepted this. Now I just needed my tech genius and for things to fall into place the way I hoped they would.

To: Mikey
Im ok. Tell Fam. No Police

To: Frankie
OMG! Where RU?!?!

To: Mikey
10am. tomorrow
564 Main St

To: Mikey
Come alone Bring laptop
Thx help

To: Frankie
I dont understand

To: Mikey

Notes

Hi there,

What do you think is going to happen next? Yeah, this is kind of filler but mostly its transitional....a whole lotta action is coming your way real soon. I'm hoping to wrap this baby up in the next 5 or so chapters depending on the length. Until next time....

B