“That’s right,” nodded Brian. “A Joshua Scott Chasez.”
“I don’t know any Joshua Scott but the name Chasez is familiar,” replied the sheriff. “The Chasez’s are a retired couple who live along the beach October through May. There has been some activity going on around that place lately though. Two young men are staying there. We’ve thought nothing of it because we know the Chasez’s have grandchildren.”
“We’re going out there!” informed Kevin. “Will you be able to back us up if we need it?”
“I’ll have my men ready,” nodded the sheriff.
*~*~*
“This is the place,” nodded Brian twenty minutes later and Kevin pulled into the driveway of the home.
Getting out of the car, the pair made their way to the front door where Brian rang the doorbell.
“Look in the window and check the beach,” Kevin ordered when there was no answer.
Doing just that, Brian carried out his tasks while Kevin remained waiting by the door.
“No one is here,” informed Brian ten minutes later. “There’s nothing in the garage either!”
“Call the sheriff,” sighed Kevin. “Tell him to get a search warrant for this place and notify all the surrounding counties of Bass’ car. They couldn’t have gone far!”
*~*~*
“How long until we’re back in Orlando?”
“It won’t be long now,” replied Lance as he drove down the highway to Orlando. “I’m taking us to my place because I want to talk to you.”
“Okay,” nodded JC, slightly scared. He enjoyed Lance’s company and didn’t want things to end but he knew that Lance probably wouldn’t want to see him again when they were back and wanted to go back to his old life.
“Hey,” whispered Lance, feeling JC’s tension. Gently Lance took JC’s hand in his and squeezed it. “It’s nothing bad. We’re just going to talk.”
“Okay,” nodded JC as the car sped on. It wasn’t long however before they were spotted by high way patrol.
Before either of them knew what was happening, they were surround by three police cruisers, forcing them to pull over onto the side of the road.
As soon as they were stopped the cops swarmed them, yanking them both out of the car.
“What the hell is going on?!” cried Lance as the frantically tried to see what was happening to JC who was being handcuffed an placed into the back of a one of the police cars and driven off.
“Don’t worry Mr. Bass, you’re safe now!” reassured one of the cops. “Detectives Richardson and Littrell will be along shortly to question you but for now let us escort you back to the police station.”
“What the hell are you talking about?!” protested Lance, but his cries went unheard as he was escorted to a police cruiser with the promise they would send someone out to pick up his car and two it to the station.
*~*~*
“Am I finally going to get some answers?” grumbled Lance an hour and a half later as two detectives entered the room he was placed in.
“My apologizes Mr. Bass,” replied the dark-haired one. “I’m Detective Richardson and this is Detective Littrell. We’ve been busy questioning Mr. Chasez since we’ve arrived back in Orlando after checking out that beach house this morning. Mr. Chasez is claiming that the kidnapping was voluntary and that you were free to go at any time you wanted this pass week. What’s your story on what happened?”
“That’s exactly what happened!” cried Lance angrily. “I had plenty of chances to escape if I wanted to once we got to his grandparents beach house! But I didn’t because I enjoyed it there! It was Josh’s idea to come back today anyways because he knew I had to return to work soon!”
“Are you sure that’s what happened?” asked Brian. “Because we can’t charge him with kidnapping later if you change your mind.”
“That is what happened!” snapped Lance.
“Mr. Bass,” sighed Kevin. “It’s not uncommon for kidnap victims to bond with their kidnappers. Your testimony is the only proof we have that a kidnapping took place. Now are you sure you weren’t kidnapped?”
“Yes!” cried Lance. “Josh isn’t a bad person! He’s just has bad luck!”
“I suppose you won’t be pressing charges then over attempting to steal your car?” sighed Kevin.
“That’s right!”
“You’re free to go, Mr. Bass,” sighed Brain. “Your friends are waiting for you. Sergeant Carter will show you to them. He’s waiting outside for you.”
“What about Josh?!” demanded Lance, not moving from his seat.
“Good-bye, Mr. Bass!” sighed Brian as he opened the door and motioned for the police officer’s help. The young officer ended up dragging Lance out of the chair and out of the room.
“Now what?” Brain asked Kevin once Lance was gone.
“Nothing,” sighed Kevin. “Neither admits to a kidnapping so he most Chasez could be charged with is attempted robbery but Bass won’t press charges. Therefore Chasez walks free.”
*~*~*
“Come on Lance, lets get out of here,” suggested Joey throwing an arm around Lance’s shoulders.
“Now without Josh!” protested Lance shoving away the arm.
“Lance,” sighed Justin and Lance glared at him. He still didn’t understand why Joey brought Justin along. “The cops told us about the bonding with kidnapers thing.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about!” hissed Lance.
“Denial,” Justin whispered to Joey who nodded his head.
“Come on, Lance,” sighed Joey as he grabbed his friend’s arm and began tugging him towards the exit.
“But I don’t want too!” protested Lance, however the two men over powered him, dragging him away.
*~*~*
“You’re free to go, Mr. Chasez,” announced a young, blond haired police officer form the doorway of the room that JC had been placed in.
Silently JC followed the officer to the waiting room which was empty of anyone JC knew.
“Where’s Lance?” JC asked figuring that Lance would have waited for him.
“He left about ten minutes ago with some friends,” informed the officer before he was called away on other duties.
“Oh,” whispered JC sadly, while mentally kicking himself. He should of known that once they were back in the real world, Lance would forget all about him.