Short chapter, but actually writing is pretty hard. Not because of writers block, but because of general problems to get even work started. I'm happy as shit that I got finally this chapter up. ;-)

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“I want you to find my grandson. Here are pictures and all informations I got about the man who abducted him. And I need you to find him fast before it is too late and he probably kills him.” The man behind the large desk scowled. “Why should Dr. Warner abduct a small child? He is a honorable member of our society.”

Becka looked at him and nodded. “Mr. Pettersen, it seems like I can’t trust you. So, goodbye.” She stood up and turned on her heels to leave the office when she heard a deep breath. “Mrs. Larson, I’m sorry. But you have to admit it is hard to believe that this man is playing with his career because of a toddler.” Becka stiffened. Slowly she turned around, looking at the bald man, weighing her next words.

Finally she decided it was worth a shot. It wasn’t like this could be a secret for a long time. “My grandson has a condition which shows his emotions at his skin in different colors. We don’t know why or how. But obviously Dr. Warner wants to know.”

Dave Pettersen, private investigator and mercenary, looked at Becka in disbelief. His service wasn’t cheap, so if she was willing to put the obscene amount of money to get her grandson back, she might had a point. He hesitated briefly. “Are there pictures of your grandson?” he asked warily and Becka nodded.

Dave looked at the photography, showing a happy toddler covered in pink cubes and other shapes. “Did somebody put paint on his skin?” he asked incredulously. Becka sighed. “No. He was born this way. As far as I know, pink means happiness, blue means, he is content, and grey means he is anxious. Oh, and a deep black is anger.” Dave chuckled quietly. “I bet.”

Both looked at each other and Dave decided that he would help her. Despite the insane amount of money he would receive out of it: Becka had a reputation and having her in his list of clients would help his business also. Besides that, he found that he liked the woman. And he couldn’t deny the curiosity regarding the little boy.

The rest of the conference went quickly. Becka signed all necessary contracts and transferred the first deposit onto his bank account immediately. Dave had to give her credit: She was prepared. When Becka left the office, he went into action in an instant.

He called his co-workers in and started to look through the papers until they arrived. Finally they all would be together. David gave a brief introducing to the case and then they went to work. For about two hours they looked into every corner of Dr. Warners life and finally they found the place they were looking for. A small house near the forest, he inhabited from an aunt. It was perfect and Dave was sure that he took the kid to this place.

The rest was routine. The team took their gear, entered the SUVs and drove to the address. Still out of sight a small group left the SUVs, slowly and carefully approaching the cottage. It turns out that they didn’t need those precautions. For Dave it was painfully obvious that Dr. Warner had no idea how to hide or protect himself.

Rafe, a burly and big man with an astonishing strength broke through the door and rushed in, covered by his teammates. Dr. Warner, who was kneeling in front of a strange looking and crying toddler froze on the spot. When he tried to grab the kid it was already too late, Rafe lost no time to get the kid and he, the big oaf he was, when it comes to children, cuddled him immediately in his big chest and hold him there protectively.

Dr. Warner was still shell shocked, when they hauled him into the SUV together with the pale grey toddler. Nobdoy cared about the man, he would be in prison soon enough. Rafe looked at the kid and smiled. “We are on our way to Momma. You’ll be with her soon.” he cooed the child, who finally stopped crying. A slight mixture of yellow went into the pale grey. Connor lifted his finger and bopped the funny looking nose of his survivor, thanks to many years of being a streetfighter.

Rafe played along and squinted his eyes. Connor started to giggle, the yellow now mixed with a bit of blue. “Oh my, you are really a special little guy, aren’t you?” Rafe cooed the toddler. Connor giggled again, but his eyes were getting heavy. The blue was mixed with a dull brown now, the shapes almost cloudy. Rafe cuddled the boy and rocked him gently. He didn’t care that his co-workers grinned at each other. He was happy as shit that they were able to get this little one out of the hands of a mad man. He smiled kindly at the now sleeping child, who was drooling a little at his shirt, but Rafe didn’t mind.

Said mad man was now screaming his lungs off and rambling delusional rants about putting them all into jail. Dave heard Jeanny, his second in command calmly ordering the man to be quiet or he would make him quiet. Dr. Warner didn’t listen. Obviously. The little plopping sound following from a choked sound coming from Dr. Warner told Dave that Jeanny just stunned the doctor. The rest of the drive was in blessed peace.

When they reached the town the group split up. Jeanny took the way to the police station to deliver her little, now quiet package while Dave has to bring the toddler back to his parents.

Finally the SUV reached his destination. Rafe, who wrapped the boy into his jacket, carried him carefully down the footpath to the porch. Dave was already waiting and ringing the bell. A tired and sad looking man opened the door, looking at Dave questioningly. “Can I help you?” Dave shook his head and smiled. “No, I’m here to help you.” he stepped aside and gave Rafe the space to put the boy into the arms of his stunned father.

“Connor? CONNOR?” he looked at the boy and was almost fainting. Rafe realized that the distraught man was not able to think clearly at the moment and took the boy back. Dave shook his shoulders, telling him gently: “He is fine. He is just sleeping. He is fine. Really.” Bill looked at Dave, desperate hope in his eyes.  “Are you sure?” Rafe piped in. “He was awake about twenty minutes ago. He is just exhausted and slept in.” Bill wiped his face with his hands and stretched his arms to his son. “Can I...can I hold him?” Rafe almost laughed, if it wasn’t so sad. “Sure. He is your son.” Bill cradled his son in his arms and checked him out. Connor was still pale but he was relieved to see the blue mixed in the brown. His little champ and fighter. He looked at the men. “Do you want to come in? Maybe a tea or a coffee?”

Dave declined politely. “We just came to bring you back your son. Our job is done. Sir, have a nice day.” Bill nodded in a daze, his eyes glued to the precious face of his son. “Thank you so much, Sir.” he managed and Dave smiled a genuine smile. “It was a pleasure.” he tipped is finger at his stetson and both men left the house.

Walking down the driveway they both grinned widely when they heard a woman screaming: “CONNOR!!” followed by a mixture of crying and laughter.

Connor had his family back. And his family had him back.