A slow, creeping surge went through Mr. Rabin’s body. “At least I know you’re listening.” said the voice on the other end. “’Cause if you don’t, I’m gonna send your boy back to you. In as many pieces as possible. Understand?”  Mr. Rabin was silent. His silence was as good as a yes. “Glad that we understand each other, now I want you to tell Homeland Security that I’m they’re biggest threat right now, they answer my every whim or it’ll get worse.”

Mr. Rabin breathed heavily. “How do I know they’re going to listen to me?”

“That’s up to you.”

+++

Seth turned the corner towards the diner. His cell phone rang. “Hello?”

His father was on the other line.

“Where in God’s name are you?”

Seth pulled into the parking space. “I’m doing what you wouldn’t. James is out there somewhere dying and you don’t give a rat’s behind, do you?”

George Rabin was silent. “I love James, Seth. You just don’t understand that I can’t just go looking for him. Where would I go?”

“I’m in front of the diner where we were that morning. I’m trying to find something here that could help us, and I must say that’s more than you are doing.” said Seth.

“Well, the kidnapper just called here demanding that I follow his orders. I don’t know what to do, he’s says to call Homeland Security, but should I?”

Seth opened the door. “No, I don’t think this guys that dangerous, not that I’m saying to take our situation lightly. Where did he call from?”

George looked through the phone history. “I don’t know, it says it was an unknown source.”

“Listen, I’m coming home, but I have a friend who knows how to track devices, then when we know where he called from, I’m going back, no matter what.”

George huffed. “Okay, I’ll see you in a couple of minutes.”

Seth ended the call. He went through his contacts. There he is: Grayson Hallman.

Seth and Grayson had met in the military. Grayson was practically a computer genius. He knew how to track, hack, and just about anything else. Seth and Grayson were instant buddies. They had seen a lot of things those days, and together they fought. When Seth found out that they only lived about twenty minutes away from each other, they became the best of friends. Now he was counting on Grayson to help him with the most important thing in his life.

+++

Grayson set the laptop on the counter next to the phone base. “This thing should have some kind of headphone jack on it. Here it is. Now, I just put the RPT cable in it and we should be able to track every number ever received in here.”

“Well, the caller didn’t leave a number, does that prevent from finding him?”

Grayson looked at Seth. “Are you questioning me? Just picking, no it won’t, he’s probably just using a simple device. Okay, I’m in the phone, and….there we go! His number is 323-555-7675.”

“Awesome!” Seth exclaimed.

“Now, is there a way to see where he made the call from?” Seth asked.

“Sure, just let me put in the area code for his number….”

Seth looked at Grayson. “And…?”

Grayson looked at Seth with troubled eyes. “It says he made the call from inside the house, this house.”