So sorry about the delay. Really, really sorry. Thanks for all the reviews. Please keep them coming.

Chapter 12

Parker was running out of leads. The Jonis Hart case was growing cold and the Martin kidnapping was growing even colder. Parker's back was to the wall. He had to go to his contacts on the streets. If an Internal Affairs agent was involved in the kidnapping of a thirteen-year-old boy, someone on the streets knew about it. Parker's first stop was a low cost housing neighborhood near the docks. It was one of the most ethnically diverse places in the city. Few cops could come down here without fear of being shot. Parker was one of them. Almost everyone knew who he was. Knew that he would rather catch the drug lord who the dealers worked under then arresting the dealers. Most cops on the force loved dragging poor desperate men and women who had to turn to drugs to save their family to jail and making sure they went away for a long time. No wonder so many kids were homeless or living in shelters. Parker parked his car a good distance from the actual neighborhood and started walking down the dark and dirty streets. He got waves and nods from several people who he had kept out of jail. Parker's main contact was an ex-cop named Omar Johnson. Johnson had been kicked off the force for police brutality and reckless endangerment four years before. Instantly Parker made him his major contact on the street and set him up in an area where he could keep an eye on some serious criminal activity. Johnson was sitting on his front porch smoking when Parker walked up to him.

"Detective Parker. What can I do for you on this fine evening?" asked Johnson.

"I need to ask you about the murder of an Internal Affairs agent," explained Parker.

"Ah, yes. I saw it on the news. That prick Jonis Hart got what was coming to him," exclaimed Johnson.

"Did you do it?" asked Parker.

"I wish."

"Has anyone around here been bragging about it recently?"

"Where? Here? Hell no. These guys ain't dumb enough to brutally murder an Internal Affairs agent."

"How about kidnapping a young boy?" Omar slowly took a puff of his cigarette.

"You think someone on this street is responsible for that kidnapping?"

"Or someone who hangs around here a lot. You think I don't know this is one of the main drug dealing areas." Johnson sighed.

"Come on, Parker. Don't be like that."
"I want answers, Omar. I know you know something."

"I don't know anything."

"Bullshit." Johnson scoffed and shook his head.

"Did some young punks stop by today looking to either score some shit or sell some shit?" At least Parker could catch the jerks who stabbed Kyle.

"Come to think of it, Leroy had some customers about an hour ago who seemed a little nervous. Kept asking if the police had been around tonight."

"They still here?"

"Nope. Leroy sold them some shit and told them to get lost."

"Any idea where they were going?"

"Leroy didn't mention that."

"Where is Leroy? I want to question his dumb ass."

"I don't know. I ain't his keeper. Why you looking for some punk kids?"

"Because they stabbed my partner's son and put him in the hospital." Johnson shrugged.

"That's fucked up, man." Parked moved a little closer to Johnson.

"If you hear anything you call me. Don't screw with me, Omar." Johnson. Parker turned to leave.

"Have nice night, Sam." Parker glared at Johnson and headed back towards his car, unaware of the shadowy figure watching him from behind Johnson's house.

…………….

Mark watched as Carey tried to console Cody. Cody was convinced that his brother was dead. He said he no longer felt connected to him. Twin telepathy. What next, ESP?

"Cody, there's no evidence to support the theory that Zack is dead," assured Mark.

"I'm his twin. I'm telling you I know he's dead," replied Cody. Mark sighed. There was no talking to him. He was inconsolable. Everyone jumped as the phone rang. The FBI tech on duty flipped on the wall of computers that had been set up. Carey jumped to her feet and picked up the phone.

"Hello," she said in a shaky voice.

"The tables have turned." The kidnapper hung up. Carey sighed and hung up the phone.

"What the hell does he mean by that?" asked the FBI tech. Just then Mark's phone rang.

"Carter here," said Mark answering.

"It's Parker. I just got a call from my partner. A patrolman found Zack Martin lying in a gutter. He was still alive but had a nasty gash in his head. He's having his skull operated on right now. And the parents of Max Fields just reported her missing."

I don't know Max's last name. The story is entering it's final act. I'm trying to set up several different sub plots that just add confusion to the kidnapping. And I think Zack showing up really adds confusion. The next chapter has a hell of a twist.