Chapter Thirteen:

Bo pulled out his cell phone, “Pa, I need the jet…Argentina…Pa…”, his voice grows louder, “Pa, I don’t have time to explain. All I can say right now is we know where Matthew is…Thank you, Pa. I’ll call you as soon as we have more news to pass along.” Bo hung up the phone and walked over to Nora who was sitting on the couch in shock. He took her hand finally getting her attention. She turned to face him, “Honey, I’m going to bring him home. I want you to go back to the house. I’ll call Renee and she can come and stay with you while I’m gone.”

As though coming back to life, “No…I’m going with you.”

“Nora please I don’t want you put in the line of fire. We have no idea who’s there with him or what kind of danger we could be walking into. Please, honey. Go home. I’m going to have enough to worry about, I can’t be worrying about you to.”

She looked into his pleading eyes and she knew that for their son’s sake she would need to just give in, “Fine, but I want you to call me…no matter what…I’m serious Bo.”

“I will, I promise,” he leans in and kisses her, “I love you.”

“I love you too, now go and bring our son home where he belongs.”

He reached out and wiped the tears from her eyes before kissing her softly. He pulled her to him and held her for a few minutes, “I’ve got to go. I love you so much.”

Nora watched him go; the tears continued to fall as she sank down on the couch in Bo’s office. Ten minutes later Renee was walking into the office to take her home.

The Buchanan Jet:

Bo paced back and forth the full length of the cabin as they made their way to Argentina. Antonio had already contacted the Argentinean Police and they were making their way to the remote ranch. They had a charter plane waiting at the airport for Bo and Antonio which would take them to their final destination.

Antonio walked up to Bo and laid a hand on his shoulder. Bo turned around and took the glass that Antonio offered him, “Here drink this, it’s just enough to calm you. You’re not going to do your son any good if you’re a bundle of nerves.”

He swallowed the drink in one gulp and smiled, “Thank you.”

“We’ll find him and bring him home to Nora just like you promised.”

Bo just nodded as he sat down and looked out the window…

Back in Llanview Nora walked into the house and threw her purse and keys down on the bench by the door. She walked over to the Christmas tree they had kept up for the past two months and turned the lights on. Renee stood back and watched her closely. Nora began straightening the presents under the tree. After completing that task she hurried throughout the house; picking up magazines and straightening lamps. As she continued to make her way through the downstairs her pace became more and more frenzied. Renee’s concern grew as Nora made her way upstairs. Renee followed her down the hallway to Matthew’s room. Nora began to remove the blankets and sheets from Matthew’s bed. Renee walked over and laid her hand on her arm, “Let me do this for you, darling. Why don’t you go ahead and get some rest.”

She turned and looked at Renee for the first time since they had walked into the house, “No, Renee, please, I have to do this. I have to stay busy or I’m going to go crazy.”

“I understand that Nora but it’s not going to do Matthew any good when he gets home if his mama is sick. You know you have to try and relax and keep your stress level down for the baby. Now please, go lie down for a little while and I’ll wake you up as soon as we hear anything.”

She looked around Matthew’s room and nodded before walking out of the room. Renee finished what Nora had started and stopped just outside of Nora’s bedroom door where Nora was already lying down and fast asleep.

The Buchanan jet landed in Buenos Aires twelve hours after take off. They were greeted on the tarmac by members of the Argentinean version of the FBI. A dark haired man walks up to Bo and extends his hand, “I am Agent Ramirez, we have the plane ready for you to board.”

Bo shakes his hand, “Thank you,” turns to Antonio, “This is Detective Vega.”

The two men shook hands as they all boarded the plane, “We should be at the location in just under an hour. I have men surrounding the area. They have reported back saying they haven’t seen activity in or around the property.”

“Any sign of my son?”

“No, I’m sorry. They haven’t spotted him yet. It is a large estate sir and there are a few buildings.

Bo just nodded as he looked out the window saying a silent prayer for their son…

*~*

Renee walked into the living room bringing Nora out a cup of tea. She had fallen asleep for a few hours but every time she closed her eyes she was afraid that she would miss a phone call from Bo. She knew he wasn’t going to be able to call her except for that one time on the plane but it didn’t make it any easier. Having Renee there helped a little even if they spent most of the time in silence…

*~*

The small plane landed in a clearing about a mile from the estate. They exited the plane and jumped into the two waiting SUV’s to make the short trip to the site. Bo could feel his heart beat in anticipation as the house came into view.

“Okay just follow my lead and we’ll get your son out of there safely.”

“You’re in charge just tell Antonio and me what you need and we’ll back you up but…”

“But what?”

“I’m the one that goes in after Matthew…he’s my son; my responsibility.”

“That’s fine,” looking around at the team they’ve assembled, “let’s go.”

They entered the estate on foot surrounding every window and door. Agent Ramirez, Bo and Antonio entered the estate through the servant’s quarters. They checked out each of the rooms on the lower level. From what Al had told them about the house the room in the photo was on the upper floor. Bo followed Agent Ramirez up the winding stairs exiting onto the main floor. They looked around on the main floor and found it empty also. Bo had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach.

“Looks like we’re all clear down here,” Antonio whispered, “Let’s check upstairs.”

They were just about to walk up the main staircase when Bo noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned just in time to hear Matthew call out to him, “Daddy…”

Bo raised his gun holding it steady on the man that held Matthew around the chest; the gun pointed straight at Bo, “Matthew…it’s okay, champ. You’re going to be alright.”

The large man looked down at Matthew and then back up at Bo, “Permanezca donde usted es,” waving his gun at Bo.

Bo looked at Antonio, “What’s he saying?”

“He told us to stay where we are.”

Bo never took his eyes off of his frightened son, “Matthew, just stay calm, okay.” Matthew nodded the tears falling.

Agent Ramirez walked tentatively towards the man, “Permita que el chico vaya. Let the boy go.”

The man just shook his head and turned the gun on Matthew, “El chico viene conmigo o muere.” (The boy comes with me or he dies.)

“Las cosas hacen sólo es peor para usted si el chico muere.” (Things will only be worse for you if the boy dies.)

The man shakes his head once again and picks Matthew up running out the front door with him. Bo, Antonio and the other agents all run after him. He put Matthew in the front seat of the van and climbed in behind the wheel. Bo ran to the other van just outside the house and took off after him. Bo knew there was no way that he could stop the vehicle without putting Matthew’s life in danger. He couldn’t shoot out the tires or try to drive the vehicle off the road. The only thing he could hope for was that something would force him to have to come to a stop. They traveled down the remote road at break neck speed. Bo glanced in his rearview mirror and saw the others following close behind. Bo turned his attention back onto the road in front of him just in time to watch in horror as the van rolled four times, “MATTHEW!!!”