Chapter 573: Smart Justin and Joe
On Technology Museum East Road, Justin and Joe were chillin' in the back seat, eyeballing the hooded and masked kidnappers.
Joe piped up, "Yo, are you guys filming a TV show or something?"
The kidnappers just ignored him, thinking these kids were total airheads.
"My mom always says kidnappers in TV shows want cash. I know my mom's got a stash in a house we don't even live in. You want it? I can show you," Joe said, all excited.
The kidnappers exchanged looks. "Who said these kids were smart? They seem like total dummies to me."
One of the kidnappers chuckled and asked, "How much cash does your mom have there?"
"A ton, and there's gold too. My dad's into collecting gold," Justin said, dead serious.
"Where's this house?" The kidnappers were intrigued.
They'd already nabbed the kids, so if they could score some cash too, why not?
"Not far, just up ahead." Justin pointed to a small road. "Go through here. There's a neighborhood. It's a house my dad gave my mom."
Justin was a whiz with maps. He could remember them perfectly after just one look and draw them out like a pro.
He knew there was a police station not far ahead, and the cops there would be the ones responding to his 911 call..
To save the cops some hassle, they decided to lead the kidnappers there.
The kidnappers snapped a pic of Justin and Joe and sent it to Ethan with a message: [We got your sons. If you want 'em back, keep quiet and wait for my instructions. Otherwise, you'll never see 'em again.]
After sending the message, the kidnappers signaled the driver to start the car. "Head to that neighborhood."
As soon as the driver entered the alley, Joe said, "Your van's left window is busted, and you haven't fixed it. Is this a junker you picked up?"
The kidnappers found the kids annoying with all their questions but didn't think much of it.
In reality, Joe had been on the phone with the cops the whole time. Before getting shoved into the car, his smartwatch had dialed the police, letting them know he and Justin had been kidnapped.
Joe's questions were meant to give the cops detailed info about the vehicle.
"This road's called Phantom Avenue. Why's it called that?"
"Can a junker still have a license plate?"
"Is this ABCD-1234 plate fake too?"
"How much do you make filming TV shows? Are we extras? Do we get paid? Can you buy us ice cream?"
Joe kept firing off questions, making the kidnappers' heads throb. "Shut up."
"You're so mean. Is this part of the act?"
"Where to now?" The kidnapper stopped the car at an intersection and asked coldly.
"Bro, these kids aren't playing us, are they?" another kidnapper asked.
"Do you think they're that smart?" The kidnapper frowned.
"Turn right. See that market? It's right behind it. We gotta stop at the market 'cause cars aren't allowed in the neighborhood. I'll take you in." Justin pointed to the crowded area.
The kidnappers parked the car in a hidden spot, but as soon as they got out, they were tackled by the cops.
The kidnappers were stunned, totally not expecting this.
Joe happily high-fived the cops. "Yes!"
The police officer smiled and ruffled Joe's hair. "How old are you? Have you been trained as an agent?"
Justin sighed and reached out to Joe. "Hand over the smartwatch."
Justin's smartwatch had been tossed by the kidnappers when they got in the car. He needed to call his parents to let them know he was safe.
"Dad'll be here soon 'cause he knows the location of our smartwatch," Joe said, sticking his tongue out at Justin. "I win this time."
Justin nodded. "You did good, but let's not make a habit of it."
The cop chuckled at the two kids, who looked about six years old. "These kids are sharp."
The kidnappers finally caught on that the kids had been yapping in the car to drop hints for the cops!
Talking about the gold and cash was a smart move, banking on the kidnappers' greed since cash and gold are easy to carry.
On Phantom Avenue, Ethan sat in his car, smirking at the photo and message from the kidnappers.
Ethan replied: [Good luck.]
Kidnapping his boys was a dumb move.
Justin and Joe were super smart; snatching them wasn't a walk in the park.
The car stopped, and Ethan got out.
Joe and Justin ran over. "Dad!"
Ethan smiled and ruffled their hair.
The cop looked at Ethan and the two mini-Ethans and laughed. "Good-looking kids you got there."
"Sir, they were taking orders from someone. I heard the lead kidnapper call someone named Claire, saying they had us." Justin pointed at the kidnappers.
The kidnappers were floored, never expecting they'd get outsmarted by kids.
"We'll look into it." The cop nodded at Joe and Justin.
Joe thought for a sec. "The number he called was 165327..."
Joe had a knack for remembering numbers and had seen the kidnapper dial it.
The cop checked the kidnapper's phone and found the call in the log.
The cop was impressed. "Your kids are something else."
Ethan glared at his boys. "Sorry for the hassle."
"No hassle at all. We learned a lot." The cop smiled and nodded.
Joe and Justin felt their dad's stare and nervously climbed into the back seat, sitting quietly.
They were scared of getting spanked.
Ethan got in the car and gritted his teeth. "Whose bright idea was this?"
"Daniel is your rival. We wanted to help you. This kidnapping must be tied to him." Justin said logically.
"Alright, but no more stunts like this. If it happens again, you'll get a spanking, no discussion. And tomorrow's amusement park trip is off as punishment," Ethan said, checking the time.
"What? But Dad, you already bought the tickets. It's such a waste to cancel." Joe tried to persuade him.
"It won't be a waste, just two tickets," Ethan said calmly.
Joe and Justin exchanged glances. "Why? Are you giving them away? The amusement park tickets are non-refundable after 24 hours."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Your mom and I will still go, but you two won't because you misbehaved today."
Joe pouted. "No adults go to amusement parks alone."
"We're going on a date." Ethan boasted proudly.
"Dad and Mom are adults already," Joe grumbled.
Justin whispered to Joe, "We can ask Uncle Edgar to take us."
Joe brightened up.
"I've already told all your uncles, aunts, grandmas, and everyone else that no one is allowed to take you out." Ethan smirked. If he couldn't handle two kids, could he still be their dad?
Joe and Justin finally realized the seriousness of the situation.
At The Douglas Group, Howard sat in his office, glaring at his assistant. "How many years have you been with me?"
The assistant nervously stepped forward. "I've been with you for over ten years."
"You're the only one I can trust now." Howard squinted, signaling him to come closer. "No matter what it takes, get rid of Claire. Even if you go to jail, I'll make sure your family is taken care of."
The assistant's face changed, nervously looking at Howard.
"Can you do it?" Howard asked in a deep voice.
The assistant nervously replied, "Mr. Douglas, let me think about it."
The assistant left the office and immediately sent a message to Claire on Facebook: [He's planning to kill you. We can't delay; we need to act fast.]
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