Fic: Hide and Seek (Rated R/T)
Title: Hide and Seek (Ch. 15/?)
Author: spookykat
Rating: R/T
Pairing: Klaine, mentions of other s3 canon pairings.
Word count: 1,521 for this chapter, approximately 25k overall so far
Warnings: Abduction, kidnapping, bondage in a non-smutty context, foul language, homophobic slurs, violence.
Summary: Sebastian promised the Warblers that if they made him Captain, he'd get them to Nationals. Unfortunately for Kurt, Sebastian intends to keep that promise.
Spoilers: Spoilers for Michael apply, also for Congressman!Burt
A/N: I'm choosing to ignore the fact that Sam lives with the Hudmels now, because this chapter was written before that bit of info was revealed. Also, the events of On My Way and beyond do not apply to this story.
Chapter 1
Chapter 14
“Congressman Burt Hummel has recently found himself in the middle of every parent’s worst nightmare. Two weeks ago now, he discovered that his son was missing. A friend and boyfriend have been questioned in the investigation, but so far, the investigation into his disappearance has come to a virtual stand-still. Congressman, thank you for being here tonight.”
“Enough with the Congressman crap. I can say crap on TV now, right? Call me Burt.”
“Burt, thank you for coming on our show tonight. Tell us about your son.”
Burt sighed. “When he was eight, we lost his mom. For a long time, it was just him and me. I didn’t know the first thing bout raising kids, and more often than not, it was him lookin’ after me instead of the other way around. You should be proud of your kid if you’re their parent, even if they’re not much to be proud of, but Kurt…he’s the kind of kid who’s easy to be proud of. Honor roll student, voice like you wouldn’t believe (and that’s not just me as his dad talkin’, he’s a finalist for NYADA) and I didn’t…don’t…always understand him, and God knows he’s not perfect, ‘cause who is, right? But he’s smart and brave and kind and compassionate, which I’m pretty sure he got from his mother ‘cause I sure as hell am none of those things.”
“Tell us about the night you found out he was kidnapped.”
“I was just getting out of a late session when my wife called and said the cops had just left. They told her his car had been found wrecked and abandoned on the highway. From what I understand, my son…I mean my step-son…Finn thought that maybe he was with his boyfriend. So he called Blaine (the boyfriend) to see if Kurt was with him. That’s when they realized something was wrong. Then they called me.”
“And you couldn’t go home right away, is this correct?”
“No, I couldn’t. The irony is, if it weren’t for Kurt, I wouldn’t even be in Washington in the first place. But I was stuck because the Constitution wouldn’t let me leave without getting approval for a leave of absence first.”
“Which brings me to my next question. You’ve garnered some ire lately amongst conservatives for your staunch and outspoken beliefs regarding the gay marriage issue. Do you think this act is due to your political beliefs?”
“Well, it definitely isn’t about me defending the arts, that’s for damn sure. I don’t know. If this happened because of something I said or did, I don’t think I could ever live with myself.”
“Do you think the police initially had it right when they questioned Blaine Anderson and Noah Puckerman?”
“Look, I get that the police were just going with what they had at the time, which wasn’t much, but Blaine’s a good kid. The idea that he’d do anything to Kurt is crazy. I don’t think Noah Puckerman has anything to do with it, either. I’ve known the Puckerman kid for a while now. He’s a bit of a screw-up, but so was I before I met Kurt’s mom.”
“What about David Karofsky? I understand that this individual threatened your son in the past.”
“Yes, he did. I’d believe the Karofsky kid had something to do with this before I’d believe Blaine did. But they tell me he’s in the clear, so…” Burt shrugged.
“I understand you’ve been going down to the police department every day to check up on the progress of your son’s case.”
Burt nodded. “Sometimes twice.”
“If he’s watching, do you have a message for Kurt or for the people responsible for what’s happened to him if they’re watching?”
“Kurt, hang in there kiddo. The cavalry’s comin’. The people at home who love you are turning over every rock we can. I’m not giving up until you come home. To the creeps who did this: I don’t care who you are, or why you did it. I just want my boy back where he belongs. You’re gonna pay for what you did. I’m gonna do everything in my power to make sure of that.”
“Burt, thank you for coming on tonight. I know you’re anxious to get back to your family. I hope Kurt comes home safe and sound.”
* * *
In Lebowski’s experience, suspects were usually nervous when they were brought in. Sometimes they were cocky, sometimes they fidgeted and couldn’t look either her or Gilnitz in the eye. But not this time. Sebastian Smythe actually looked calm as Lebowski lead him to the car, and didn’t say a word on the way to the precinct, and just watched he scenery.
In fact, if she didn’t know any better, Lebowski thought he actually seemed smug, and she wanted nothing more in the world in that moment than to wipe the smirk off his face.
“Sebastian,” she greeted as she threw his file on the table.
“Well, if it isn’t Scully and Mulder,” he leered. “Tell me, which one of you is good cop and which one of you is bad cop?” He grinned suggestively at Lebowski. “I’m not on your team, like at all. But I really hope it’s you.”
“Is that a threat?” Gilnitz said in a low and dangerous tone. “I really hope it is.”
“Oh not at all! Threatening an officer of the law would be against the law.”
“Speaking of things that would be against the law,” Lebowski said, slamming a picture of Kurt on the table. “What do you know about the disappearance of Kurt Hummel?”
Sebastian said nothing, and kept his gaze steady.
“I can play this staring game all night,” Lebowski said. “This will go a lot faster if you just come clean.”
“Come clean with what?” Sebastian said with mock-innocence.
“Come on you little punk,” Gilnitz said. He opened the file and slammed the photocopy of the receipt for the bar tab on the table. “We’ve got you in a bar with a guy who’s DNA was found at the crime scene. We can charge you with underage drinking and let you sweat it out in jail with guys who eat pretty boys like you for breakfast.”
“Oh my God,” Sebastian said, laughing. “You’re priceless. Price. Less. You’re taking lessons from CSI: Miami marathons, aren’t you? Now, if you’re done, are you actually charging me with anything? Because if you actually had anything, you would’ve charged me a long time ago.”
“Just tell us what happened,” Lebowski said. “Is Kurt alive?”
“Well, gosh, it would be a darn shame if he wasn’t, what with the press so concerned with his whereabouts right now, wouldn’t it?”
“The press has nothing to do with it,” Lebowski fired back. “You’re here because we have evidence that you’ve got something to do with Kurt Hummel’s disappearance. Now,” she said, close enough that she could smell the Caesar salad he had for dinner. “Where. Is. He?”
“You know, maybe that’s just one of those mysteries that will never be solved. Like who turns the light on the refrigerator.”
Lebowski just lowered her gaze at him.
“Hey Lebowski,” Gilnitz said. “This guy’s a funny one. Think his sense of humor will serve him well in jail?”
“We’ve got enough evidence to bring charges up against you,” Lebwoski lied, ignoring her partner completely. “The way I see it, this can go one of two ways. You can either tell us everything you know right now and I’ll put a good word in for you.”
“Well aren’t you just the cutest thing,” Sebastian said. “So are you actually going to arrest me, or am I free to go?”
“Tell you what,” Lebowski said, jumping up out of her seat and pulling Sebastian up out of his. “We’re going to let you sweat it out in the holding cell for twenty-four hours. Maybe that’ll change your mind.”
“If you’re arresting me, I’d like to invoke my right to an attorney,” Sebastian rushed out. It was the first time Sebastian showed any sign of nerves, and Lebwoski relished it. “You’ve got nothing and I know it!”
“Maybe not at the moment, but I know you’re behind this,” Lebwoski seethed. “Something, somewhere will prove it, and when it does, I will relish the memory of putting you behind bars where you belong for as long as I live, and you’d better pray to every god that exists that Kurt Hummel’s still alive, because if he’s dead? I’m going to be the one who puts the needle in your arm you bastard.”
Chapter 16