A Little Mystery, A Little Magic--Part Three

"Mr. Hart, Mrs. Hart."

"Dick, Thanks for coming."

"What can I do for you?"

Jonathan didn't waste anytime getting into the specifics of the crime.  They felt responsible for the kidnapping of Eric and were going to get him back.

"Do you think the kidnappers knew the family?"

"Amanda didn't mention it to me."  Jennifer shivered at the thought of Jessica being in the hands of a kidnapper.  She knew how Amanda must feel. 

"Darling, do you think there could be some link between what Amanda over heard and the kidnapping?"

"Yes, I do.  Somehow I think all of this is connected."

"I’ll do everything I can do to get the child back Mr. Hart."

"I know you will Dick.  That’s why I called on you."

"I’ll get to working on this right now and call you at the number you gave me with any info I come across." He extended his hand to his mentor, Mr. Hart.  Jonathan knew Detective Dick Marcus would do all he could too.

"Now Eric, sit tight and I’m gonna run in to use the bath room okay?  You eat your kid’s meal.  I’ll be watching you.  Don’t move okay?  I’ll be back soon.  Don’t open the car door for anyone.  Only if it’s the police."

"Okay." Eric knew he wasn’t going to see the man who he knew only as Hank again.

As soon as he was out of the car’s sight, Hank went straight to a pay phone.

"Hello, 911?  I’d like to let you know that there’s a car out here with a little boy in it.  He’s just sitting there.  His parents must have left him there, he’s all alone.   Can you send someone right away? Thank you..." Hank knew better than to leave his name.  Eric sees him get into another car and drive away.

(Michelle)

"Hey! We’ve got an abandoned kid in a car!" A police officer yelled across the station. "Detective Marcus? Get over to the McDonald’s parking lot at Fort Ave and Lawrence Street right now!"

"Do we have an id on the kid?"

"No, the guy just hung up right after he told us about the kid."

"Okay, I’m on way."

Eric started to cry as he sat alone in the cold car. He watched people walk by the car and he knew they could see him crying. This time, he didn’t care if anyone saw him crying, they’d cry too if they were so far from home. Eric’s tears fell softly on his cheeks as he laid down on the backseat of the car and cried himself to sleep.

It wasn’t long before he was awakened by a loud banging noise. He opened his eyes slowly and jumped when he saw a man in a police uniform standing outside of the car. Detective Marcus smiled at Eric and yelled "I’m just gonna pick this lock. We’ll have you out of there before you can say Supercallafragilistic."

Eric laughed.

"That’s a good boy," Det. Marcus said as he swung the door open. "Now, how about you tell me what you’re doing all alone in a locked car?"

Hank sat outside of the Fort McHenry gates worried. He knew Tessa was going to be angry, but he wasn’t going to let her hurt that innocent little boy. Eric reminded him too much of Henry and no one would ever hurt Henry. They were hiding within the Fort’s abandoned cells. Those cells were used for holding prisoners at one time, now they were just homage to things past. To a time when things were simpler…and dangerous. Finally Hank got up the courage to get out of the car and climb the gates. Leaving the car in the parking lot he headed towards the fort.

"Where’ve you been?" Tessa yelled when Hank came into the cell. When she didn’t see Eric she began to become very angry. "Where’s the kid, Hank?"

"I let him go."

"You what?" Tessa screamed.

"I had to, he’s just a kid Tessa."

"So is Jessica, are you just going to let her go too? And didn’t you stop to think that that little kid can lead the police right to us?"

"Jessica’s, well, she’s different, older."

"You old softy you." Tessa said snidely. "We have to get out of here."

"Why? He doesn’t know where he was being held."

"How do you know that?"

"I, I umm, I blindfolded him." Hank lied. He didn’t really blind fold him, but he’s just a little kid…he wouldn’t remember the way back…Hank hoped.

Lee watched as Amanda tried to sleep on their bed. It had been hours since Eric had disappeared. Lee and Amanda had just spent the day at the Agency where a search team was formed. They were both ordered to go home and get some sleep. Billy knew it would be hard to convince his best agents to stay off their own son’s kidnapping. However, he also knew it wouldn’t help Eric if his parents fell asleep on a stake out. Amanda was worried sick and her body wasn’t appreciating it. She refused to eat anything and Lee couldn’t blame her, he wasn’t all that hungry himself.

"We will find him, Amanda."

Amanda nodded. She was facing away from Lee and he couldn’t see her face or the tears that were covering it. Lee didn’t need to see them to know they were there. He lay down on the bed beside her and pulled his wife into his arms. He didn’t say anything, no words were needed.

Jonathan and Jennifer were lying in bed in the guest room silently. Jennifer was lying against Jonathan’s chest and he had his arms wrapped around her.

"It was supposed to be Jessie you know?" Jennifer whispered.

Jonathan didn’t answer her; he rested his chin on the top of her head and sighed.

"When they couldn’t get to her, they took Eric. Can you imagine what that little boy is going through right now? What his parents are going through?"

"I know. Don’t worry, we’ll find him."

"What if they try to exchange Eric for Jessica?"

Jonathan looked dumbfounded. He didn’t know what he would do if that happened. "We’ll figure it out."

"I won’t let them get near her." Jennifer said and turned around so that she and Jonathan were face to face.

"Neither will I and I don’t think Lee or Amanda would expect that."

Jennifer laid her head down on Jonathan’s shoulder and closed her eyes. It wasn’t going to be easy to fall asleep this night.

Jaime, Jessica and Anna were sitting around the kitchen table. They had juice and cookies in front of them but no one was eating. They were just sitting, watching each other.

Finally, Jaime broke the silence. "So, all this is because of a unicorn?" He asked unbelievingly. Jessica had told the police everything she had seen at the conservation center. So far, Anna was the only one who believed her, or so she thought.

"Apparently." Jessica sighed. "I feel so bad. This is all my fault."

Jaime looked at her sympathetically. "No, it’s not your fault. You couldn’t have expected this to happen."

"I could have said something sooner. Maybe if I had…" Jessica was sure she was about to start crying. She really didn’t want Jaime to see her crying.

"Stop. Maybes don’t count. You can’t second guess everything you do." Jaime touched Jessica’s arm gently and she smiled back at him.

They just sat there looking into each other’s eyes until the phone ringing brought them out of their reverie. Anna laughed as she picked up the receiver only to find someone had picked it up before her.

"Hello?" Lee said into the phone groggily.

"Is this the home of Lee and Amanda Stetson?" the voice asked.

"Yes, it is." Lee sat up straighter. Anna listened more intently.

"We think we’ve found your son."

"Where?" Lee shook Amanda to tell her to get up.

"Baltimore City, we’re holding him here at the precinct. They found him at a McDonald’s by Fort McHenry."

"Thanks officer, tell him we’re on our way!"

Both Lee and Anna hung up the phone at the same time.

"They found Eric." Anna announced. Before she could say anymore Lee and Amanda and Jonathan and Jennifer came bounding down the stairs.

"Kids, we have to head into Baltimore. They found Eric." Lee said as they all grabbed their coats.

"Wait, let us come with you." Jaime said.

"No, we need you three to stay here."

"But, Daddy, he’s our little brother." Anna pleaded.

"Jaime, Annie, please just stay here. Keep Jessica company."

"I wanna go too." Jessica mumbled loud enough for Jennifer and Jonathan to hear her.

"Jess, we need you kids to stay here. We don’t want to have to worry about you three." Jennifer said. Before the kids could respond all four adults had ran out the door and into their cars.

"I think they’ve forgotten that I turned 21 two years ago." Jaime said.

"You’re that old?" Jessica scoffed.

"Hah, got a problem with older men?"

"Umm, uhh…No, but my dad might." She laughed.

"Well, then remind me not to ask you out on any dates for a couple years." Jaime winked at her.

"You would ask me out on a date?"

"Sure, you’re a real sweetheart…and you’re pretty cute."

"Ahem." Anna cleared her throat in an attempt to get her brother and new friend back on track. "I know where they found Eric."

Both Jaime and Jessica turned to look at her. "Where?" they said simultaneously.

"Fort McHenry."

"D’ya think the people who took him are still there?" Jessica asked Jaime.

"Maybe. What are you thinking?"

Jessica grinned and told them her idea.

The Stetsons and the Harts arrived at the police station in record time. They ran inside and were greeted by a friendly looking police officer.

"Hi, I’m Detective Marcus, you must be Mr. And Mrs. Stetson?" He said, indicating Lee and Amanda.

"Yes, where is he?" Amanda asked anxiously.

"He’s in the conference room, asleep on the couch. If your husband would like to fill out this paper work I can take you back to him."

"Yes, please." Amanda said. Her stomach was turning in knots as she followed Det. Marcus back to the conference room. She ran into the room when she saw her little boy lying so still on the couch. She moved quickly and sat down on the couch beside him. Amanda inspected him carefully, if he even had one little scrape or bruise she didn’t want to miss it. She took her hand and wiped the hair out his face when he stirred beneath her touch.

"Mommy!" he exclaimed when he saw Amanda sitting over him.

Amanda pulled him into a tight embrace. "Are you okay?"

"I’m ok." He answered as he hugged her back. Just then he saw Lee standing in the doorway. "Daddy!" He exclaimed.

"Hey chief." Lee smiled as he came and sat behind Amanda on the couch. He put his arms around his wife and son and enjoyed being able to do just that.

Jonathan and Jennifer walked into the room and smiled at the family reunion. Detective Marcus was close behind them. "Mr. and Mrs. Stetson, we’ve read your statement and I think we should question Eric. You can both be in the room with him, if you’d like."

"Now?" Amanda questioned. "But, he’s exhausted."

"I think it’s important to take care of it as soon as possible."

"It’s okay, I want to." Eric said.

"You’re a very brave little boy." Jennifer said.

"I’m not little." Eric replied, only mildly offended.

Jaime parked his car outside of the Fort’s gates. "I can’t believe you talked me into this." He told Jessica.

"Why is it so hard to believe? I can be very persuasive." Jessica grinned.

"I think we should call the police." Jaime said.

"Why? Because we THINK there may be some kidnappers hiding out in Fort McHenry? They’d laugh us out of the state!"

"But…" Jaime started to say when Jessica got out of the car and headed for the gates with Anna hot on her heels. "What have I gotten myself into?" He asked himself.

They hid behind some bushes when they heard the security patrol walk by. After the patrol had left they climbed the gate as quickly as they could and hurried inside.

"Man, this place is huge." Anna observed.

"Yeah, we’re never going to find anything in here." Jaime announced.

"Oh come on you two…" Jessica paused when she heard something a few feet away. "Shhh. What’s that?" The three listened silently until they heard it again, it sounded like a door opening and closing. "That sounds like it’s coming from over there." Jessica said as she pointed to the cells. Jessica started walking towards the cells before anyone could argue with her.

"Do you know where they were holding you?"

"It wasn’t far from McDonald’s." Eric said. "I mean, it didn’t take long to get there. There were high walls and gates and water. It looked a lot like a Fort."

"A Fort?" Detective Marcus questioned curiously. "He was found right down the street from Fort McHenry."

"Could they still be there?" Jonathan asked.

"Let’s go find out." Lee said.

"Hold on. We’ll take care of it. I’ll send some men there in the morning."

Lee pulled out his government ID and handed it to the Detective. "They might be gone by then. We’ll go now."

"At least let me and my partner, Detective Smith come with you?" He said.

"Ok, let’s go."

"Wait, Lee, what about Eric?" Amanda said as Eric looked from his mother to his father.

"He could stay here. He’ll be safe here." Detective Marcus suggested.

"Eric. Would you mind staying here for a little while?" Lee asked his son.

Eric shook his head no. "Go catch the bad guys Daddy and Mommy!" Both Lee and Amanda kissed Eric and hugged him before they headed to the Fort.

Jaime, Jessica and Anna stopped swiftly when they heard a neighing sound coming from inside the cell. It didn’t sound like a normal horse’s neigh; it was more high pitched and musical sounding. The cell’s doors opened easily and with a loud creak. The neighing sound continued and they followed it. They walked down a set of stairs that took them underground. The sound echoed around them and reverbated against the thick stone walls. The darkness was frightening and Anna shuddered as she imagined all the critters that were living in that darkness. Jaime saw his sister shudder and put his arm around her as they walked. The neighing was getting louder and louder until the dark hallway came out into a bigger room. The room appeared to be empty and dark except for one shaft of bright light shining from a candle that sat on a wall. The candle was unusually bright and revealed a horse-like animal in its luminescence. The animal reared its legs and neighed again, panicking. As they got closer, they soon realized this was no horse. The animal was sheer white, with a horse’s body, and white fur framing it’s goat-like hooves and a hint of rainbow colors in its mane and tail. The detail that made Jaime, Jessica and Anna the most in awe, however was the long, golden horn that sprouted from its head.

"It’s a unicorn…" Anna whispered. The horse stopped neighing and stood perfectly still as Anna and Jessica both walked towards it. It looked from Anna to Jessica, moving only its eyes. Jessica reached out and touched the Unicorn’s mane softly.

"It’s okay. We’re going to help you." Jessica whispered. The Unicorn made no sound, but it nudged Jessica’s face playfully. Anna laughed and started to pet the unicorn.

"What should we call her?" Anna asked.

"How about calling her Farewell." Tessa called from the shadows. She moved into the light and said "Since that’s what all three of you are about to do."

Lee addressed the security guard at the gates of the Fort. "Are you sure you haven’t seen anything unusual here in the last couple of days?"

"I’m sure, Mr. Stetson."

"Would you mind if we checked out the Fort?" Detective Marcus asked.

"Well, sure." The guard said as he opened the gates.

"Thanks." Jonathan and Jennifer said as they walked into the Fort.

"This place is huge." Amanda observed.

"Yeah, let’s split up. Jonathan, you and Jennifer go towards the cells with me, Det. Smith and the Stetsons’ll check out the buildings." Lee directed.

Jonathan and Jennifer nodded their heads. "Alright. We’ll meet back here in an hour." Jonathan said as the four split up and headed in their respective directions.

"It’s so spooky here." Jennifer said as a cool breeze caused her shiver.

"Yeah, it is that. Especially at night. Come on."

Lee and Amanda were only feet away from Jonathan and Jennifer when the sound of an explosion rocked the Fort. The two police officers headed towards the cells where the explosion originated. The Stetson’s and the Harts were close behind. They opened the cell door and walked slowly down the staircase and long hallway.

"What was that?" Anna cried. She, Jaime and Jessica had been tied up and thrown in a cell adjacent to the Unicorn’s room. The explosion was extremely loud and had echoed in the cell as it shook violently.

"Sounded like an explosion." Jaime said.

"We’re never gonna get out of here!" Anna cried. She was sitting beside Jaime and she scooted closer to him. If Jaime hadn’t been tied up he would have hugged her, but all he could do was kiss her on the top of her head.

"It’s ok. Mom and Lee will find us." Jaime said.

"How? They don’t even know we’re here!"

Jessica closed her eyes to allow the tears to fall more freely. She was terrified…and feeling a little guilty. She was the one who convinced Jaime and Anna to come here with her. Besides, she was the one who Hank and Tessa were after anyway.

"Oh, mom and dad, where are you?" she whispered, even though she knew there was no way they would find her. They didn’t even know where she was.

"What did you do?" Hank yelled.

"I don’t know. I don’t know." Tessa stammered. "I was just mixing these chemicals, I’ve mixed them a million times, that shouldn’t have happened!" She yelled back.

"Well, it did happen and we’re lucky to still be alive!"

Tessa went over to the table where she had been mixing formulas together only moments before. "Oh no." she whispered. "It’s all gone."

"What is? What’s gone?"

"The explosion…it destroyed it." Tessa looked at the Unicorn that stood confidently only feet away. "This is all impossible. There is no way those two chemicals could have caused that explosion. I was just making a mild sedative…to put our three little friends to sleep in there."

"What are you saying?"

"I’m saying…I think we’ve created a monster."

The Unicorn seemed to shake its magnificent head at Tessa and whinnied happily.

The Unicorn then reared on its hind legs and started to herd Hank and Tessa out of the room. She led them out into the hallway and wouldn’t let them get around her. It wasn’t long before they ran into the search party.

"What in the world?" Detective Smith asked.

"A Unicorn…I think." Jennifer gasped.

The two detectives grabbed Hank and Tessa and read them their rights while putting them in handcuffs and leading them out of the cells.

The Unicorn nudged Jennifer and then Amanda and turned around to head back where she had come from. The unicorn turned her head as if to beckon the humans to follow her. They did. The unicorn walked them down the hallway and back to the cell where their children were being held.

Amanda and Jennifer both gasped when they saw Jaime, Anna and Jessica sitting along the wall tied up. "Jaime, Anna!" Amanda called at the same time as Jennifer called "Jessica!" The women went and untied their children.

"We’ve had ballistics down in that dungeon ten times. There’s nothing there that would even suggest how a Unicorn ended up down there. Now, I think it’s time you told us the truth." Commander Jameson of the Maryland state police said. Commander Gillis of the Los Angeles police was also in the room where they were questioning Hank.

"I don’t know nothing about no Unicorn!" He stated, emphatically.

"Now, why don’t I believe that?" Commander Gillis asked.

"Alright, Alright. Kevin Daston did it; he found a gene, a gene that mutated horses. He tried an experiment on a horse fetus and out came the Unicorn."

"So, you killed him for his discovery?"

"NO!" Hank exclaimed. "I couldn’t kill anyone. It was Tessa she did it all."

"What were you planning on doing with the Unicorn?" Commander Jameson asked.

"Selling it…and the gene. It would have been a very profitable…well, it doesn’t matter now, the gene is gone. It was destroyed in the explosion."

"There is nothing in Kevin’s things about the gene. He obviously didn’t want anyone to know about it." Lee announced as he walked into his living room where Amanda, Jennifer, Jonathan, Jessica, Jaime, Anna and Eric were waiting for him.

"He told me." Jessica said. "He told me, that’s why Tessa and Hank were after me. They couldn’t duplicate Kevin’s experiment without knowing what gene it was. They didn’t know the gene was mutated. Kevin happened upon it when he accidentally mixed up two petrie dishes."

"What’s going to happen to the Unicorn?" Anna asked.

Everyone looked at Anna and shrugged their shoulders.

"I have an idea." Jennifer said with a smile.

The plane landed in the jungle with a jolt. The field wasn’t exactly accustomed to plane landings. The eight passengers walked out of the airplane followed by a Unicorn. The humans watched in awe as the Unicorn headed for the trees. They gasped when they saw another Unicorn come out to greet her. The two Unicorns turned and looked at the humans. They seemed to smile before they disappeared in the jungle.

"Wow." Jessica exclaimed. "What made you think of this place, Mom?"

"I don’t know. I just had a hunch." Jennifer said wistfully.

Lee held Amanda in his arms and grinned.

"Who would’ve thought it? Everyone dreams there are Unicorns, but to actually see not one, but two? It’s unbelievable." Amanda said.

Lee kissed his wife happily.

"It’s magical." Anna smiled.

Eric laughed as he asked Jaime to catch him. Eric took off running while Jaime ran after him. They ran circles while Eric tried to avoid being captured.

"He doesn’t seem to be too adversely affected from all of this." Jennifer said.

"He’ll be just fine. I’m just so glad to have him back." Amanda smiled.

Jonathan put his arm around Jennifer. "What d’ya say we go home?"

"Sounds like a great idea." Jennifer smiled as she reached up and kissed her husband.

"Eric, Jaime, let’s go!" Lee called as everyone started boarding the plane.

Jessica was the last to prepare to board the plane. Jennifer and Jonathan stood on the steps waiting for her.

Jessica whispered softly "Where do unicorns go? Where winged horses fly? Narwhals lost at sea And never seen again. Does myth And mystery lie Where the unicorns go?" After she finished she joined her parents on the steps.

"Where did you hear that? It sounded familiar."

"It’s a song…a song I learned a long time ago. I’m glad I remembered it again, I’d thought I’d lost that part of myself."

"We’re glad you remembered it too. We love you, Jessica Nicole Hart."

"I know, I love you guys too." Jessica smiled and the Harts boarded their plane.

As the plane took off two Unicorns came out from their hiding place and watched as their new friends flew out of sight and into memory.