They alerted the FBI of course.
Of course, it was a bit odd, tapping the motel phone. But still, it was done. And of course, with the FBI in a motel where Hanson and co were staying, well, of course it was pretty damn hard to keep everything under wraps.
Let's just say, Hope's abduction was even on MTV news.
Zac was a nervous wreck. He had been ever since he'd seen the note. Just a simple little thing that said not to alert the cops if he wanted to see his daughter alive again and await further instructions.
There was a knock at the door. It was a bell boy.
"Uhh, I was asked to give you this. It just arrived by mail." He said nervously, handing over an envelope.
"Thanks." Taylor said. "Zac? It's for you."
Zac took the envelope in a daze. He opened it.
"Oh man…" he groaned after reading it, and he pushed it away.
"What is it?" Isaac asked.
The note was written in the same cut out letters as the first one. It had a clear message. 'Now the cops are involved you've made this so much more difficult for yourself. Get 1 billion American dollars and wait for further instructions.'
"A billion dollars? Who do these people think we are? Rich?" Babsie complained. "Maybe millions but nowhere near billions."
"I, I guess I could sell my motorbikes." Zac murmured. "I, I, I lost her mother, I'm not gonna lose her too."
On that, Zac got up and fled to his room.
**********
While in his room, his mobile phone rang. At first he didn't answer it. He didn't want to. But thinking it might be the kidnappers, he picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Zac? Zac sweetie are you ok?" It was Amy.
"Hi Amy."
"Oh Zac, I called as soon as I heard. Is, is there any news?"
"They want a - hey don't you go blabbing, it's none of the media's business ok?"
"Hey, I know when to be considerate! What do they want?"
"A billion dollars."
"Oh. Look, Zac, if there's anything I can do to help - anything - let me know."
"Yeah, I will. Thanks."
They talked for a few minutes more, then Amy had to go.